The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salavatore is a roller coaster of a story. I was sold by the description of a Queer Retelling of Pretty Woman and it definitely delivers those vibes. Teddy’s heartbreak was so visceral that I was immediately on his team and hoping for him. Cole was understandably guarded but watching him reconnect with his family was so good to see. I was not expecting such complicated relationship histories with a side of corporate espionage, but enjoyed seeing the drama unfold. We absolutely recommend this one if you have seen Pretty Woman once (everyone right?)

Great and unique retelling of Pretty Woman and make it gay. It’s flipped on it’s head more where here the sex worker is the rich one and is paying for the not sex workers time. Interesting twist. Plant Daddy Teddy is so sweet but still hurt over the breakup of his marriage. I enjoyed how Cole lifted him up and how they both overcame their fears to be together.

And great to see two men on a book cover along with the Harlequin name.

Thank you Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC!

TW SA

The dramaaaaaa! The angst! I had so much fun with this one. Not only did I love our main couple, Teddy and Cole, but I also loved all of the side characters, especially Kit and her girlfriends.

The ending did seem a little abrupt to me, but I was happy with how we left them.

Now can I *please* get Nicko’s HEA? Please let me see this boy heal and find true love! 🙏🏻

4 stars. Big thank you to @HarlequinBooks and @Netgalley for the eARC. I’m really looking forward to reading more book from Afterglow!

THE BOYFRIEND SUBSCRIPTION is everything a Harlequin romance should be- funny, swoony, and compulsively readable.

I loved the queer take on Pretty Woman, and Teddy is such a sweet, sweet man. His journey was a little too close to home, so I loved seeing him get his fresh new start with his hot new man.

Also a huge fan of the sex work angle and how sex positive the whole book was. Big fan. Huge.

I flew through this and had such a fun time reading it. Another hit from Salvatore for me!

Very fun book! I was hooked immediately and loved all the main characters. Some of the twists and turns were obvious from the outset, but there was plenty that took me by surprise. Enough to keep me engaged and guessing. All the plant talk was *chefs kiss*

I loved all the Family and Friend dynamics, the good and the bad. And I’m always up for a shopping/fashion show montage, which was also delivered Pretty Woman style.

I did wish we got more on Teddys family. And there were some things I found odd/didn’t agree with (a character being “big on body positivity” but describing men as “expired twinks” or “real men”; dancing together and kissing in public being referred to as “heteronormative PDA” (?!??) by another). But hey, I don’t have to align with everything every book character says. It didn’t ruin the book for me at all, just made me roll my eyes.

If I could give this book a million stars, I absolutely would!

The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore is a refreshing look at a genre often over inundated with woman writers crafting queer stories. Filled with a positive look at the growing sex-work industry, an instant attraction between main characters that has sparks flying off the page, and a satisfying storyline between Plant Daddy Teddy and Stern Brunch Daddy Cole.

Somehow, I think Steven Salvatore has written a very personal story wrapped in sexy paper, and the cover matches my feelings even more.

When you follow an author through their books and on social media, you get to know them a little more. So, I know Steven Salvatore has mental health issues, suffers from body dysmorphia, and had to heal their wounds after their divorce.

Self-love. That’s what Steven basically writes about in their books. And that’s exactly what many of us are lacking, including Teddy and Cole.

The start of the book felt like a usual m/m romance. Until I suddenly realized Steven put their pain into this story and healed their wounds with it, and I found myself reading this romance differently. Teddy’s and Cole’s vulnerability was so tangible when they met and decided to hook up. Teddy’s feeling of not being enough and Cole’s loneliness dripped off the pages and gave them a sudden connection that was so different than simply having a one-night stand.

Even though the blurb and the beginning of this story might tell you otherwise, this book is not about sex. This book is not about sex workers or porn. Yes, it’s steamy, but in the end, this book is about loneliness, belonging, and feeling worthy to be loved. And the hugs between Teddy and Cole were so precious.

If you follow Steven on social media, just take another look at that cover … Doesn’t Teddy look a lot like Steven? Sweet, lovable, and so worthy of love. Luckily, Steven is in a beautiful and healthy relationship again, just as Teddy and Cole will get in this story.

So, this book grew on me while I unpacked all the layers those two men were hiding behind. Steven’s writing was beautiful again and I really loved Teddy and Cole. The only thing I didn’t like was the third-act breakup. But I’m known as the hater of third-act breakups, so it’s fully a me-thing. I recommend The Boyfriend Subscription to those who loved Steven’s YA books and their writing in the past, and to anyone who loves (queer) adult romances.