I didn't know this book had characters from another book by the author and this was the first time that I read this author--the former of which would normally keep me from reading it yet. But
This is the first time in awhile that I have stayed up reading something two nights in a row.

Having a political celebrity as a main in a fake-dating trope was way more realistic than a musician or actor, as well as it being a--"oh, I had no idea you were a celebrity" trope. The politics were interesting, including the library politics of it all--having an MSLS and working the library system was helpful here and it was all pretty spot on. I enjoyed reading Alexis' interactions with her coworkers/friends, especially the fact that multiple of them were older.

For me, it was on par with titles like <i>Eight Weeks in Paris</i> by S.R. Lane, <i>The Rom Con</i> by Devon Daniels, and <i>The Nanny</i> by Lana Ferguson.

One of those romantic comedies that actually does make you laugh out loud. Very witty and charming, great for escapism.

I can't say anything bad about this book, I absolutely loved it!! The chemistry between Alexis and Logan is off the chart right away, and the slow burn is almost unbearable!! I hope Ashley Winstead keeps writing rom-coms because I'll read anything she writes!!

This slow burn was a little too slow for me, but it had good characters and was definitely making me laugh out loud. Will definitely be reading more of Ashley Winstead in the future.

As someone who likes politics but also needs to be able to turn my brain off from it all, this was a great one. The fake dating trope was very well done, and I believed when they started to care about each other.
Will read from this author again

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

A fun romance that was easy to read and kept me engaged. However, the miscommunication trope is my most hated trope which brought down my enjoyment of the novel.

DNF @ 46% the politics & banned books lost me. Not a fan. Love this authors other books but this is a no.

Winstead knows how to spin all kinds of tales and this time she made politics fun.

The Boyfriend Candidate follows two people-one a school librarian and a politician who get caught together and assumed to be a couple. And so begins a hilarious fake dating adventure. I LOVED the backdrop of the political realm as discussions about banning books is brought to the center. This book is for the bookish girlies who are passionate about not restricting books in various states. This story was a fun romp, but I will say an event that happened over halfway into the book threw me off and didn't quite make sense, therefore I bumped the rating down a star.

While it wasn't perfect, Winstead's writing, humor, and characters shined in her sophomore romance project.

I look forward to all that she writes in the future!

Ashley Winstead cannot only write twisty thrillers, but she also excels at classic romcoms. What a charming book! If you love a fake relationship trope with a good amount of chemistry and spice then this one's for you!

As someone who loves romance novels and politics, this was the absolute best combination. The romance itself was a slowburn that drove the story with the two main and completely adorable characters, Alexis and Logan. You can't help but root for both characters as they are such nice people overall and immediately seem like a good match. While the romance is the best part, it is also an interesting inside look at political campaigns and how intense and manipulative they can be.

I was pretty nervous about reading this because I saw a review and didn't want to be let down. Plus I didn't realize it was a second book in a series. But 10% in and I fell in love.

One night, Alexis tries to go for an out of character one night stand. When she ends up in a compromising position and photo leans of her, her almost one night stand turns out to be the man running for governor. His team tracks her down and they come to an agreement, she pretends to be his girlfriend and his team will give her anything she wants. What she wants is legislation for teachers.

It was a bunch of slow burn buildup. It was a sweet story. It was learning how to love yourself and figure out what you want. It's knowing that you are perfect as you are, and you don't have to be something you're not for love.

The reason it dropped down a star was because it was like a closed door and the last 10% was filled with so much sex. I think it took away from the story and it was an unneccessaey addition. All in all. Very good. Very sweet.

I think this was a really cute read. I liked the characters, I liked their chemistry. It has hallmark movie vibes but in book form. This is a rom com, it isn't a serious drama or a deep romance, and sometimes it’s nice to take a break and read something fun and feel-good. I really liked it.

I read a compelling book that seamlessly blended engaging storytelling with thought-provoking themes. The characters were well-developed, drawing me into their world and making their journeys feel relatable. The pacing was spot-on, keeping me hooked from beginning to end. The author's prose was both elegant and accessible, enhancing the overall reading experience. The plot had enough twists to keep me guessing without feeling contrived. While the ending provided closure, it also left room for contemplation. Overall, it was a satisfying and enjoyable read, showcasing the author's skill in crafting a compelling narrative that resonates with a wide audience.

If you like your romance with a side of politics, you'll like this. It's full of witty banter, and the characters are fun and likable.

Cute, smart and sexy — a modern romance for lovers of The West Wing and Speechless. I loved every minute of this charming book!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

First off, kudos to Ashley Winstead for writing multiple books in different genres. I would never have guessed that she wasn't a seasoned romance writer.

I enjoyed this book - a very low level of spice, but not closed door. I appreciated that the two characters actually had some chemistry and she did a good job with their emotional connection.

I also enjoyed the political aspect of the novel - the male lead is running for governor, and the female lead's sister is also in politics. However, I suspect the portrayal of working in politics is grossly simplified and that anyone actually working in the field might be frustrated by the inaccuracies. Same with the education system, where the main character works. It seemed like she was never there.

All in all, a serviceable romance.

It is a constant surprise to me how much I can love both Winstead's dark thrillers and her cute romcoms. I'd been in a romance slump and this was the perfect selection to get out of it. I even enjoyed the politics. Winstead's romance writing is hilarious and full of heart. Give me eight million more, please.

Loved loved loved. The political dynamics. The opposites attract. The will they, won’t they pull.

I loved it all!!! I wished the epilogue was a little longer but the HEA was worth the wait!

Ashley Winstead is an auto buy author for me for many reasons. She makes you root for her characters in a way that feels so personal every time I open one of her books. The Boyfriend Candidate was swoony in all the right ways - humorous and sexy and unputdownable.