I sat with the book a couple of days after finishing to really get my thoughts straight about it. I would give this a 3.75. I enjoyed it and thought it was a fun read that touched on more dramatic topics not often depicted in romcoms. Ultimately, for me, it began to fall a bit flat as the story came to a close.

My main gripe was that I just could not connect with Rory. We learn so little about him as a person outside of his speech impediment - nearly every time we see him, that is what he's thinking about (how can I not slip up? did she notice that I slipped up?). Not to say that's not a realistic depiction but for it to consume his every waking moment, I expected there to be a bit more pay off when it was revealed. Any scene where we were to learn anything that should be interesting about Rory was too brief to even be entertaining.

I liked the writing style a lot and I'd read another Nicola Marsh book with two fully realized characters.

This book didn't quite live up to my expectations. I like rom-coms, and there were a lot of elements about this that seemed like it would be a read I'd love. I think, ultimately, it felt like all the pieces never really took on a life of their own and the characters never really truly came to life. I appreciated that she showed an older heroine and a younger hero, a hero with a stutter, the heroine's family working through long-standing issues, and the Indian community in Australia.

While temporarily back in her hometown after a long absence, Samira engages in a delicious one-night stand, which turns into more. When things get complicated, Samira must decide if this man who seems so wrong for her on paper can actually be her Mr. Right.

This was a delightful read for me. The relationship started off with a BANG, and though they seemed like such an unlikely pairing, I adored Samira and Rory together. The story did take a turn, which changed the tone of the book a bit, but I enjoyed the way Marsh used it to move the story forward.

A big thing for me was really wanting everything good to happen for Samira. She had been pushed into a marriage and it went up in flames. The experience left her scarred, and therefore, I was excited to see her meet a man, who was not only attracted to her, but made her feel wanted, needed, and special. That little not-so-surprising twist sweetened the deal for me. Even if I saw it coming, I loved it, and I appreciated the way Marsh used it explore multiple issues.

I am all for these May-December romances, where the heroine is the December. I always feel like I am reading romances featuring characters in their 20s or very early 30s. It's refreshing to see a heroine pushing 40 finding love, and with a man ten years her junior, none-the-less. I also loved that she had a successful career and was independent. But, mostly, I was happy to see her open herself up to the possibility of love. It didn't hurt that the two had great banter, chemistry, and lots of heat between them either.

Overall, I had a wonderful time seeing Rory and Samira heal and find forever together. This low drama romance packed quite an emotional punch, and the ending left me in a rather celebratory mood.

This is a great fast paced romance. I loved both of the main characters and really liked that they felt like real people, and not the perfect characters you find in many romances. They both had struggles and things to overcome. Also the steam! Overall, I enjoyed this one!!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I overall enjoyed this book. I thought it was fast paced with some unexpected plot twists. I really appreciated the representation of a woman in her late thirties looking for love. I thought the representation of Anglo-Indians was very informative. I have not read many books if any with this kind of representation. Some of the tougher parts of the story like infertility really made you feel for the characters and reflect on their conversations. The way that the strained relationship between Samira and her mom was displayed was beautifully written. Specifically when both realized their need and love for each other outweighed their need for community. I love that this book got into the steamier parts of the story very quickly. However, some of the scenes didn't have a lot of descriptions for me, it kind of felt like it faded to black. I thought the writing was very quirky but I enjoyed it. The food descriptions were so well done. I felt that I could taste the food.

This was my first Nicola Marsh book and it won’t be my last! It held my attention right away! I loved Rory and Samira!!! I loved that these characters weren’t perfect and that they had real life struggles. If you like steamier romances then this one won’t disappoint. I would absolutely recommend this one!!!

I liked this book. It had a unique setting and I loved that it featured a women of color as the lead. Having the male lead have a stutter was also something I appreciated. Overall the story moved really quickly, but it was a fun quick read.

What I thought I was getting with this read:
▪️Steamy
▪️Witty
▪️Quick
What I actually got:
▪️steamy, lustful interaction
▪️witty
▪️strong female
▪️Aussie stuntman
▪️vast hunger from mentions of Indian foods
▪️not a fast-paced story, but quite a story nonetheless.

All around. Not a bad story. 3.5 rounded up.

There are quite a few trigger topics mentioned in this story. Parental loss, infertility, and divorce.

Thank you @berkleyromance and @netgalley for an advanced copy of this story in exchange for my honest opinions.

I love the premise of this novel! I wish it had better character development but it was still super cute and super spicy. A quick fun read!

Romance novels with depth and representation has become my favorite genre of books lately, and The Boy Toy is an excellent addition to that genre. She’s a biracial Indian-Australian woman who fled Melbourne after her arranged marriage ended in infidelity, and returned to help her cousin launch her business. He’s a stuntsman who has a stutter, looking to move into voice roles. They meet in a random bar and sparks fly. It’s a thoroughly predictable book with a common plotline (one that Ties That Tether did a better job of, in my opinion), but it was still an enjoyable read.

THE BOY TOY moved from 0-60 too fast for me.

I love the characters individually, and I love the premise of the novel and the important representation it brings to the table, but I found the chemistry between the leads to be off-- the emotional level of investment didn't match the physical investment.

I didn't end up finishing the book, but I would still recommend romance lovers give it a shot, because I really do just think it's a matter of personal preference.

The Boy Toy blends together an age gap, cultural differences, one night stand turned something more, and a protagonist with a speech impediment. It's a lot, but it's a fun read.

This was an okay novel. I would have preferred better character development.that is subtle. I think this is an author to watch in the future.

Cougar love story. I enjoyed the book, but not as much as I expected. I want more, I expected a better plot, but regardless it was sexy and spicy. It was a fun and it was quick to read.

I love love LOVED this book! Pia was the perfect BFF - supportive but not too over the top. Rory seemed like a real person and Samira wasn't some ridiculously perfect person. Plus, I liked that she was 20-something and she admitted to wanting to fall in love with her first husband and have it all work out. Wanting a baby is a lame plot point only because I personally don't identify with it but it was interweaved into the story without it taking over or seeming silly. Overall - I loved this book and thought it was written.

A steamy romance! Nice to see an older character (not that 37 is old! But it was refreshing when many romcom characters are in their 20s) fall for somebody unexpected.

I enjoyed this book and all of its drama, angst, humour and romance. The only drawback for me was that Samira's LA life didn't seem real-- she doesn't communicate with, or even mention, the people she knows there once she's back in Australia. And given how initially she is so set on going back, I find that a little unbelievable in this day and age of social media.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Boy Toy was a steamy, emotional, entertaining romance. The story follows 37-year-old Samira, who has been in LA for almost a decade. She gets a new job, and returns back home to Australia. She has a lot of mixed feelings, because she holds resentment towards her meddling Indian mother who arranged a marriage that didn't work out for Samira. But while she's there, a hot international fling might be just what she needs.

Then there's Rory, who can't refuse a job as a reality tv show host. The problem is, he has a stutter and needs a coach to help him out for his audition. But he's in disbelief when he realizes the coach is the same sexy woman who he just did a one night stand with.

There were many elements to this book that I adored. This story has al lot more depth than you'd expect, such as: speech issues, arranged marriage, family issues, infertility, shame of divorce, and self acceptance.

This story is STEAMY. There's a steamy scene within the first 10% of the book, and a few more to follow. It will have you heart fluttering. I loved the mixed race relationship, along with the age gap. It was nice to see the woman being the older one.

Overall, this was a really good read. I highly recommend it if you're a fan of romance. The Boy Toy is charming and fun, and deals with deep story-lines in a light-hearted way. So good!

Also, this book may make you hungry.

Sam and Rory were so cute! I loved the banter and story line of this book! It was adorable and I love rom coms where family is a big part of it. It was funny, quirky and had me rooting for Sam and her happily ever after from the beginning! I look forward to more from this author.

To the Man who wasn't a Boy Toy at all! It's really a situational romance I think insted of a romcom really. It was great and I hope that all of us receve a love of our own of we want that truly makes us happy....and have a lot of fun while falling and living in love.