A review by ditten
The Former Fake Boyfriend by Maya Jean

emotional lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

'You’re going to destroy me for anyone else,” Trevor whispers like it's a secret.
“Good, cause I’m the last one.”'
 
The Former Fake Boyfriend is a lovely, soft, second chance romance.
 
Trevor's an escort, working as a "fake boyfriend", and is hired by farmer Beau who needs a date for his sister's wedding. Trevor's a city boy with baggage, and Beau is a gentle giant with too much responsibility on his shoulders. Despite it being supposed to be a professional deal, the two form a real and deep connection in the three days they spend together in rural Florida, and neither wants to give it up though being together seems near impossible.
 
Tropes include:
  • Fake dating
  • Opposites attract
  • Sex worker/farmer
  • Second chance romance
  • Hurt/comfort
  • Age gap
  • Slight time skip
 
I really enjoyed Trevor and Beau's relationship. They were incredibly sweet, very romantic, and both fell hard and fast. I'm glad Trevor let himself have the possibility of happiness with Beau, despite all the guilt he was carrying from his past.
 
I liked the first half of the book better than the second. The pacing felt better to me, and both the start of the relationship, and the grief were authentic and gripping. The second half of the book got overly sweet and sappy for me, but that's just a personal preference, as the book was still well-written. 
I also wondered how Beau was able to commit to Trevor so fast despite not knowing much about him beyond his "boyfriend" persona but they did have a clear connection so maybe he was banking on that.
 
I'm excited for Jackson and Harper's story in book 3, they both seem intriguing and I can't wait to see more of them!

Thanks to the author for the ARC.