I Think They Love You

September 30, 2024
YA author Winters (Prince of the Palisades) breaks into adult romance with this breezy outing. Denz is the social media director at his family’s Atlanta event planning firm. When his father announces he’s retiring, Denz and his sister, Kamila, both vie to become CEO. To prove he’s ready to take his life—and by extension his career—more seriously, Denz plans to fake date his bestie Jamie until he gets the job. But that plan changes after Denz’s ex, Braylon, who “ripped his heart into confetti,” reappears. Braylon is back in Atlanta from a stint in England, and he takes over as fake boyfriend when Jamie doesn’t show. The sexual tension and chemistry between Denz and Braylon develops over multiple outings, including a session making French toast grilled cheese that leads to some friskiness. As Denz grapples with his realization that “Braylon is still the one person who knows what he needs the most,” he also struggles with imposter syndrome and professional anxiety. When Braylon drops a bombshell, Denz must make serious decisions about his life, his love, his career, and his family. Winters peppers this heartfelt story with witty banter, some fabulous parties, and a poignant message about being true to oneself. The result is as sweet and savory as, well, French toast grilled cheese.

November 1, 2024

Denz Carter knows that fake-dating Braylon, the college boyfriend who broke his heart five years ago, is going to complicate his life, but he's desperate. When his father announces his retirement from the family's luxury-event-planning business, Denz knows he needs to convince his family he isn't as commitment-phobic as they think he is in order to score the coveted CEO position. He initially recruits his roommate, but when he can't make the first fake date, Denz finds himself offering to introduce Braylon to a high-powered connection in exchange for a few months of a fake dates. Sparks soon reignite, and Denz begins to wonder if he's really meant to carry on the family business after all. The plot is a basic mash-up of fake-dating and a second-chance romance, but well-placed flashbacks and heartfelt discussion of Denz's identity as a Black, queer man makes this read as more than the sum of its parts. VERDICT A fake relationship becomes a real second chance at love in YA author Winters's adult debut that delivers a thoughtful message amid steamy scenes and tropey plot twists.--Jenny Kobiela-Mondor

Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from December 15, 2024
When two exes fake a new relationship, it turns into a second chance for both of them. Denzel Carter is used to being underestimated by his family. He knows what they see in him--someone who's commitment-phobic--and the truth is that their criticisms aren't entirely unfounded. But when his father, the chief executive of their family's successful event-planning company, announces his retirement, Denz adds his name to the group of people interested in taking over. He can try to convince his family he's serious about winning the position, but his dating history isn't a good recommendation for his ability to make a commitment--which is why he makes up a fake boyfriend on the spot. Finding someone to play the part is easier said than done, though, especially after Denz's first choice bails on him. With nowhere else to turn, Denz reaches out to the last person he wants to fake date: a man with whom he was once in a very real relationship. Braylon Adams isn't just any ex; he's the man who moved away from Atlanta and left Denz picking up the pieces of his own heart. Now he's back in town, and he and Denz just ran into each other in a coffee shop. For Braylon, pretending to pair up with Denz again isn't completely selfless, but he figures that since they both have ulterior motives, it should be easy to keep this fake-dating situation all business, right? Wrong. As the two men play-act at public displays of affection and send each other increasingly flirty texts, Denz begins to forget how easy it was for Braylon to break his heart the first time, and how it could happen again if he's not careful. YA writer Winters' adult debut is a deeply romantic story wrapped up in a conceit that speaks to the complicated history between its characters, with rich flashbacks sprinkled throughout. While we're privy only to Denz's inner thoughts, not Braylon's, his journey toward rediscovering long-buried feelings is fun, messy, and tender. A sweet, surprisingly emotional romance you won't be able to put down.

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