This is such fun and charming romance novel that will interest most millennials because its plot revolves around a Supermarket Sweep-type game show (do I need to say more?). The story is told from Holden's POV, a character who is finding himself a bit lost as he's grieving the passing of his mother, and the sudden dissolution of his long-term relationship leaves him without a partner to audition for said supermarket game show with. Enter Leo, a hotel concierge Holden bonds with over pizza and break-up songs, and a fake dating plot is born. I loved the time that they spent getting to know each other as they prepared for their audition and how they found commonality in feeling a bit unmotivated in their professional lives (a reassuringly realistic experience for twenty-year-olds).

I've really enjoyed Janovsky's previous books and this was another great romance that is definitely much spicier than the rest. I have a few quibbles with the role his ex plays later in the book and the dreaded 3rd act inevitability, but honestly, these are small complaints.

Highly recommend this to all romance readers! Many thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The (Fake) Dating Game was a light read that, although I didn't five-star-love it, makes me want to read more by Timothy Janovsky.

Basically, this book is a good time and readers seriously can't crack the spine expecting to take the plot or characters too seriously. That being said, my biggest disappointment with the book is how quickly the two MCs trusted each other when it came to sex. I mean, really? They just met and don't anticipate seeing each other again, but ok you say you're STI-free so let's forego condoms? Can we please quit normalizing this in fiction? Please?

Other than that, the characters were well matched, and I enjoyed their banter and how all-in Leo is with the game show even though it's clearly Holden's obsession and not Leo's. It's clear that Holden is working through so many layers of grief throughout the narrative, and Leo seems like such a good guy, supportive in a genuine way even when he could easily have walked away.

I'd recommend The (Fake) Dating Game to any of my spicy-romance loving pals. There's nothing really new here, but who needs 'new' when reading can be this much fun?

Tw: Previous parent death, Grief of a lost parent

Holden James gets a chance to compete in Madcap Market and it seems like everything is going perfectly. He’ll honor his mother’s memory by competing in the beloved game show they watched together, and who better to compete with him than his current boyfriend of four years? Except at dinner after Holden asks his boyfriend dumps him, seemingly out of the blue.

Cut to four weeks later. It’s the week of the auditions for the game show and Holden is out of options in his quest to find someone to compete with. As he drowns his sorrows via a hotel minibar blasting Taylor Swift, there’s a knock at his hotel door. There stands Leo Min, a cute concierge, with pizza and Monopoly, providing solutions to Holden’s problems in more ways than one. Will a fake relationship be enough to get them on the show for a chance at the $100,000, and maybe a shot at love?

I am OBSESSED with the 1990’s show Supermarket Sweep. When they put those old episodes on streaming, I watched them on repeat until my husband was sick of it. So, when I read the description for this book, I had to read it. The beginning is a little bumpy. Some of the dialogue is cringey, especially between Holden and Leo. If you can push through that it becomes a bit more authentic. There’s a lot of self-reflection and the two MMCs seem surprisingly emotionally intelligent when faced with different obstacles in life. I found myself rooting for them.

I’ll be honest, this book is waaaaaay hornier than I expected. I usually like a little more plot with my spice, and I rarely enjoy insta-love tropes. This book was somewhere in the middle, and the growth Holden goes through was worth it. I’d read more by this author.

Thanks to Harlequin Romance and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book took me a minute to warm up to - I didn't feel like it hit its stride until close to the halfway point, but I loved the back half. I loved that we saw growth from Leo and from Holden - I loved the warmth of Holden figuring out how to exist with and not in spite of his grief. The premise of the plot is really cute, but I felt like as it's ramping up, Holden made some choices that just didn't feel like choices a person in his situation would make and the chemistry between him and Leo felt a little off. Toward the midway point, I felt like there was really something to start rooting for about them together, which was nice and carried me through to the end - I laughed, I cried, I cringed; what a journey!

Can I just please start this review by saying… WHAT even is this kind of a TV Show? After reading The (Fake) Dating Game I immediately googled Supermarket Sweep and I AM OBSESSED! What a ride.
Anyways!
I don’t even know what to say anymore at this point. Every single book by Timothy Janovsky is an insta-buy, insta-love, insta-obsess over and insta-favourite favourite. I don’t even need to read any summaries, if Timothy writes it, I need it in my life.
And this was NO exception.

We have fake dating, we have idiots to lovers (which is my absolute favorite btw), we have FIRE (seriously, this is Tim’s spiciest work to date and I am livinggggg). We have a Los Angeles Setting, a Game Show (all caps because that’s what madcap market deserves!), toxic exes we’d all love to just kick in the balls. We have a one night stand that turns to friends to fake daters to lovers. We have my boy Holden, who buys a cucumber, and my boy Leo is just all around an angel - AN ANGEL. I love him okay?! So really, all I can say is that you should go get it. Read it. Love it. Adore it. Supermarket Sweep into my DMs and scream with me about it (see what I did there? Heh).

This gorgeous gorgeous book is out January 23rd and you will be able to sense me sitting by the door and waiting for the post delivery man, ok? I will scream when I can finally hold this in my arms!

Super cute story, super steamy love scenes. We love soft dom rep!! A fun & flirty, easy breezy read. Probably my favorite of Timothy's so far.

Janovsky's books are always fun with playful plots. This title is much more adult than his other works but in a good way, it was sexy and romantic with fun nods to Supermarket Sweep and older shows like it. Very enjoyable with great characters!

The Fake Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky
Rating: 4 stars
Steam: 2 chilis
Pub date: 1/23

The story kicks off with Holden's dream of auditioning for the beloved game show Madcap Market shattered when his boyfriend leaves him high and dry. Fueled by despair, Holden's escapade takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with Leo Min, a charming concierge with a penchant for pizza, Monopoly, and irresistible forearms.

When Holden convinces Leo to try out for the show with him, they decide that a fake relationship is a guaranteed way to get them on the show. As they navigate this fake dating scheme, we’re treated to a delightful blend of humor, romance, and genuine emotion. The chemistry between them is sizzling, and I loved how steamy this book is! Janovsky expertly weaves a tale that kept me hooked, proving that even the most unconventional plans can lead to unexpected love.

Holden's journey of self-discovery and healing is both relatable and heartwarming. Themes of grief, self-confidence, and personal growth prevail, making the characters feel authentic and endearing. While the romance might be considered a bit of an insta-love, the genuine connection between Holden and Leo makes it feel like a natural progression.

"The Fake Dating Game" shows a fresh and vibrant side to Janovsky’s writing that I really enjoyed. It is a captivating and feel-good romance that proves love is indeed a different kind of game. I can't wait to see what Janovsky has in store for us next!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harlequin for my advanced copy.

Thank you to Afterglow Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The (Fake) Dating Game has the fun, wholesome vibes that I've come to expect from Timothy Janovsky while simultaneously surprising me with how spicy it was in comparison to his previous works. The game show aspect was very unique, but I found myself wanting more of it. The romance, though fake-dating lite, was what kept me reading. I wanted to know what came next for Holden and Leo as they inevitably fell for each other. Was it insta-love? Yes. Was it still delightful? Yes.

This book had me crying into my pillow. The depiction of grief, especially as the book went on, was so hard-hitting. It shows us that grief doesn't start and end during the immediate aftermath of loss. Grief sticks with us years down the line when our dreams are coming true, when the person we're becoming isn't the person we thought we would be. Janovsky pulled me in to Holden's buried grief until I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

What I've loved about Janovsky's previous works was that he wasn't afraid to make his characters unlikable. I think because of that Holden felt flat to me. His character growth wasn't satisfying enough to me. I could relate to his grief, but he read like any other twenty-something struggling in the post-grad x paying off student loan debt era of their life.

The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky is an absolute delight, brimming with my favorite tropes. From the thrilling game show antics to the endearing fools in love, this book captivated me from start to finish. With a generous sprinkle of passion, Janovsky's trademark wit and charm elevate this novel to everything I desire in a romance read.

Very cute romance where the main characters are well-matched, despite being new to each other. Both men are supportive and mature and they are able to communicate and be open with each other in a way that makes the romance seem more real and less rom-com. The addition of well-written and exciting spicy scenes is the icing on this sweet cupcake.

I read my first Timothy Janovsky back in June, and now The (Fake) Dating Game is my fourth. With each book, he gets better and more assured. I really liked Never Been Kissed, though I could see where the plot could use some tightening and tuning. New Adult was one of my favorite reads last year (though it somehow got left off my list?), so I have been excited about diving into this one. Furthermore, this might be one of my favorite fake dating romances of all time.

The highest form of being in Timothy Janovsky’s world is being your own authentic and weird self. A good relationship, romantic or otherwise, is one where all parties can be who they are. The worst thing a person can do is try to conform to someone else’s idea of who they are supposed to be, or some idea of what an adult is supposed to be. Holden and Leo start in places where they are so unhappy because they are trying to be the kinds of adults other people tell them they should be and they are failing pretty miserably. Like recognizes like and they spark. The book gets sexy pretty quickly, but the physical attraction is only a part of what brings Holden and Leo together. The getting to know each other, beneath protective shells and behind masks, comes more slowly. Getting to know Holden and Leo while they get to know each other is my favorite part of the book.

I should note here that Leo is biracial Korean American raised primarily by his Korean American mother. As a middle aged while woman, I am not the person to give an opinion on the quality of the Korean American representation.

Grief is a strong current in The (Fake) Dating Game. Holden is shaped by grief for his mother who died just before he graduated from high school. His long time boyfriend dumps him at the beginning of the book in part because he hasn’t “gotten over” his mother’s death. Leo’s recognition of Holden’s grief is what brings them together. Some of the best romances brings characters together who are ready to break open or break away and become their more authentic self. By the end, Holden and Leo are no longer feeling like failures, but have settled into themselves. It made my heart happy.

CW: grief, death of a parent in past, parental abandonment in past, the grind of capitalism, public breakup, awful exes, homophobic parent (countered) off page.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Afterglow Books by Harlequin and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

I do love some fake dating, so I was going to read this based on the title alone. Sure, you both need cash, let's go on a fictionalized version of Supermarket Sweep; it was a super fun game show. I enjoyed the main couple; I deeply hated the ex. I enjoyed this until about two thirds through. When they actually got to the show and the surprise drama of that (which I refuse to spoil) was a bit much for me. The third act break up didn't sit right with me. It was a flimsy premise and the rounds of apologies were too easy. For sure an author I will consider picking up again, once they get a little more polish on their endings.

Holden James hopped off the plane with a dream in his cardigan. A dream to win Madcap Market, a show that he used to watch with his mom. Dealing with a fresh breakup, untreated grief of losing his mom, and not having a partner for the show causes a mini-bar induced, Taylor Swift at full volume ✨spiral✨.

The hotel concierge, Leo Min, shows up at Holden’s room asking him to please turn down the volume because it’s late and the people of LA need their beauty rest.
Once he sees the state Holden is in, he finds himself propelled to intervene.

Timothy Janovsky wrote grief in a way that I immediately connected with. I felt the true deep dive into who the characters truly were, occurred later in the book. Some things (AHEM, CUCUMBERS??? THAT EARLY IN THE BOOK???) didn’t resonate with me. However, this was an entertaining read that captivated me. I couldn’t put it down especially when the biggest PLOT TWIST was dropped.

Thank you to Timothy Janovsky, Netgalley, and Harlequin Romance Publishing for an advanced reader copy of The Fake Dating Game. As always, the thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

I love everything Tim writes! Tim has grown so much as a writer since his first book. And the spice in this one.... whew. So good!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I haven’t read anything else by this author so I was very excited about this one. This had plenty of spice and chemistry as well as lovable characters. I will have to read more from Timothy for sure! I love a good light romance full of heart.

Oh, how I wished I loved this as much as I wanted to. Let me start by saying that this was a good book, it just wasn’t the book for *me*.

Holden and Leo were so adorable! I absolutely loved these characters. I just didn’t really start to care about them until later in the book.

I really enjoyed You’re A Mean One, Matthew Prince, so I was super excited to read this one! Unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me. I was so excited for the game show part of the book, only to find out that it shows up super late and ends super quickly.

Overall, this was an objectively good book. I think that my expectations were a little to high that it didn’t really hold up for me. However, the last 20% of the book had me hooked. I really did love these characters and I’m sure that’s what kept me from DNFing this book.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Having devoured the Author's previous works, this on, though spicier, didn't resonate as deeply. The early spice hit felt abrupt, and i craved more of the game show element. Still, it's a cute read. If this isn't your cup of tea, don't dismiss all his work- there is more to explore.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this E-arc!

This is one of the best, most surprising stories I’ve read this year. It delivers not only humor, snark, and the promised fake romance, but also an unexpected level and depth of emotional intensity. There’s a lot to unpack between Holden & Leo, and that doesn’t even begin to touch their sweet & steamy connection.

This isn’t my first read by Timothy Janovsky, and I appreciate how he effortlessly builds genuine connections. There’s no denying the chemistry or connection between Holden & Leo; I enjoyed the ebb and flow of their dynamic on both a physical and emotional level.

While parts of this book read as a light, low angst, fake dating-to-more situation, it’s stealthily complex. Holden’s a layered character hanging on to the past, for better or worse. Maybe Madcap Market is the answer to all his problems. Maybe it’s not the answer to any of them. Maybe it’s a manifestation of several things, but without that experience, he’ll never truly know.

Meeting Leo changes everything for Holden. Leo’s all good vibes and trying his best, disappointed being a grown-up isn’t the greatness we’re promised. (He’s not wrong.😆) I relate to his lack of direction in a world where everyone seems to know exactly who they are or what they want and society rewards certainty as success.

Two prominent themes surprised me: unresolved grief and deeply-rooted maternal relationships. It’s not that they’re hidden — Janovsky’s up front about them from the beginning. It’s more a case of not realizing how far it goes until you’re in too deep, thinking you’re working toward a resolution before things slightly derail. Suddenly, the rules have changed, and the treasure you’re seeking isn’t even on the map. (When Holden’s dad opens that closet, you’ll know what I mean.)

If you’re looking for a funny, steamy romance that packs an emotional punch, give this one a try. It’s all that and much more!

I love Timothy Janovsky's books so much. His m/m romances have such heart and humor and are always at the top of my lists. The one thing I had always wished for more of, though, was spice. AND HOLY SMOKES DOES HE BRING IT HERE. I felt my face combusting (in a very good way!) in more than one scene.

Oh wait, should we discuss the story? Sorry, yes. Holden James' bf just dumped him but he was banking on him being his partner when he tries out for this book's version of Supermarket Sweep. Enter the hot concierge from the hotel to pretend to be his boyfriend and try out for the show, and also make creative use of produce. FAKE DATING AND SUPERMARKET SWEEP? Yes, thank you, I will. This book also surprised me with being about grief, as Holden processes his grief over his mom passing. It was very touching and well done. I also loved how Leo’s being Korean felt, to me, authentic and I loved his mom for being loving and accepting and also needing to feed them. Like Janovsky's other works, there was humor and heart, and this time a whole lot of spice. A delight.

The Fake Dating Game is out January 23, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.