Holden James’ dream of having a chance to be in Madcap Market, a Supermarket Sweep kinda TV game show, is about to be a reality. So when he asks his long-time boyfriend Buckley to come to the show with him, Buckley not only says no, but breaks up with Holden out of a sudden, dismissing Holden’s wish to honor his mother, who loved the show and died—Holden’s still dealing with the grief that came with that loss.
Although nothing’s going on the way he wanted, Holden flies to LA anyway, to try to convince his now ex’s friend to go to the show with him. She also says no, and Holden ends up in his hotel room’s mini bar, licking his wounds with alcohol. That’s the moment when Leo Min, one of the hotel’s concierges, goes to Holden’s room to warn him that the other guests are complaining about his annoying behavior. Immediately, they connect with each other, and Holden asks Leo to go to the audition for the game show with him, posing as a couple. Leo agrees; he really needs the money. However, for the producers to believe that they’re a couple, they have to act like they’re actually dating, right?
Holden carries with some issues; his personality is defined by his mother’s death. Holden’s healing/self-discovery process was well developed and credible. Leo, the sexy/kinda nerdy concierge, is a gorgeous, funny, relaxed, caring man. His Korean heritage is well displayed in the book, which talks positively about the author’s research work. I loved how he helped Holden to regain his confidence, too.
I really loved Holden and Leo as a couple. They bring out the best in each other to make them shine with their own light. I think they got hooked on each other too quickly, however. At the beginning, Holden and Leo’s relationship can be described as too much, too fast. Then, their romance deepens as the plot progresses toward its end. Of course, no one can deny their HUGE chemistry. Their sex scenes were really steamy. What can I say? I will never see a cucumber the same way after reading this book…
The secondary characters are fantastic, each in their own style. That said, when a character makes you dislike him the way Buckley does (he was extremely disgusting!!), you know that both the character and the creator have done an excellent job. Also, I loved how Ms. Min (Leo’s mother) loves to take care of the guys. Holden’s dad was really nice, so as Umma.
This is my first book from Mr. Janovsky, and I really liked it. But I couldn’t help noticing its flaws. The blurb sold us a fake gay romance around a game show. Yet the show takes place very late in the story without enough time to enjoy it. Another thing I need to mention is the pace of the book; it’s as fast as Holden and Leo’s relationship. Especially towards the end, the conclusion was a bit rushed. The biggest asset is Holden’s POV, but Leo was so cute that I really wanted to read some events from his perspective. More than a flaw, not having Leo’s POV in the book is something about my reading preferences. This didn’t negatively affect the book.
With a promising argument, compelling characters, and great storytelling, this book’s far from perfection, but it deserves to be read thanks to its potential.
ARC given by Afterglow Books by Harlequin via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. Thanks for your trust.
About the Book
Release Date: January 23, 2024
ASIN: B0C43QQYZ1
Published By: Afterglow Books by Harlequin
Series: None
Genre: LGBTQ+ Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
eBook, 245 pages
“Game show antics, idiots in love, and a healthy dose of steam…this book is everything I want in a romance novel!” —Alison Cochrun, author of The Charm Offensive and Kiss Her Once for Me
Ready. Set. Faux.
Holden James picked the worst time to have a meltdown. His chance to audition for his favorite game show, Madcap Market, should have been a moment of triumph—a glorious, loving homage to his adored mom, who died six years ago. Instead, he’s destroying the minibar in a grim Los Angeles hotel room…recently dumped, partnerless and sliding into misery.
But at least the hotel service is sublime. It even comes with an unfairly fit and sexy (smart-ass) concierge who arrives at the door with pizza, Monopoly and deliciously distracting forearms.
All Holden knows about Leo Min is that he’s beautiful and unexpectedly sympathetic, and the chemistry between them is beyond. Maybe it’s even enough to convince everyone, including the show’s casting directors, that they’re a real couple. All they’d have to do is crush the competition, win the huge cash prize and all of Holden’s problems—his broken heart, his buried grief, his complete lack of money and direction—will be fixed.
Of course, reality doesn’t quite work out that way. But love is an entirely different game…
From showing up to glowing up, these characters are on the path to leading their best lives and finding sizzling romance along the way.
Don’t miss these other fun titles from Afterglow Books:
The Bookbinder’s Guide to Love by Katherine Garbera
The Devil in Blue Jeans by Stacey Kennedy
Frenemy Fix-Up by Yahrah St. John
The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore
Manila Takes Manhattan by Carla de Guzman
Fake Flame by Adele Buck
Out of Office by A.H. Cunningham
About the Author
Timothy Janovsky is a queer, multidisciplinary storyteller from New Jersey. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College and a self-appointed certificate in rom-com studies (accreditation pending). When he’s not daydreaming about young Hugh Grant, he’s telling jokes, playing characters, and writing books. Never Been Kissed is his first novel.
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