Thank you to Afterglow Books/Harlequin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of Steven Salvatore’s The Boyfriend Subscription. Edgy and charming, TBS presents a fresh take on the Pretty Woman story, while taking surprising leaps for body representation, and offering an emotional feast for the reader. Sex worker and creator of the VERSTL app, Cole Vivien is wealthy, handsome and has just about everything… except for a date to take to his sister’s wedding. Teddy Hughes is devastated after closing down his plant shop, Plant Daddy, and surprised when Cole offers him something unexpected: cash money to pretend to be his boyfriend for the Big Wedding Weekend. What’s even more unexpected? Feelings! Longing! Love?

Cole and Teddy present a delightful pair, well-matched but both navigating complicated emotional waters due to past relationships and heartbreaks. Teddy is dummy thicc and remains an unfortunate but well appreciated rarity in queer literature. Body positivity remains the last frontier of acceptance and romanticism, so we’re glad to see a step in the right direction here. Placing the sex worker in the position of power was also a spot of genius, and a smart way to spin the classic tale of Pretty Woman into something new with fresh relationship dynamics. My only gripe is I thought the climactic conflict was a little contrived, but you’ve got to do something to earn the Big Grand Gesture, and more than one happy ending.

The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore is a treat! I did not expect to enjoy it so much — I have read a handful of “similar” stories that start with a fake romance that leads to something more. Where Boyfriend Subscription is different, however, are the themes Salvatore does a nice job of covering and how quickly we get to the action (in more ways than one).

Salvatore introduces characters and does a wonderful job of revealing their background and motivations. I loved getting to know Teddy and Cole (and the great secondary characters like Kit and Mallory,) but I wish we got to get to know them more naturally and spend more time with them. It’s a minor gripe, but the story takes place over the course of three days and in that time, these characters share so much of themselves that you have to suspend disbelief (which I had a hard time doing). I’m a jaded romantic who scoffs at folks falling in love on reality shows like 90 Day Fiancé and Love is Blind in 5 minutes - maybe I’m the problem!

Overall, I think this is a great novel and one that I hope others read — not many are telling queer stories that touch on healthy queer relationships and sex work. Please pick it up when it’s available March 26, 2024. Thank you to NetGalley and Afterglow Books/ Harlequin for an advance review copy.

Being this I'd somewhat of a pretty woman retelling I thought it was cute. I've never read a book from this author (atleast that I can remember so I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised.

This story is a sort of a queer re-imagining of Pretty Woman where Cole, a high powered tech exec/sex worker arranges a fake dating set up with a flannel wearing hottie he runs into in a chance meeting at a bar. Teddy is down on his luck after his much richer ex-husband divorces him and literally takes everything. Teddy is a plus size plant gay former business owner and author and I really liked him.

The story had a good premise and I was really excited to see a positive story featuring sex workers, but it didn't fully live up to it's potential. Cole Vivien comes from extreme wealth and decided to start a sex work company after his father disowned him. But he still retained access to a ton of money and was able to create this massive company that can rent out penthouses for parties and he's still able to wear Armani every day and buy obscenely expensive houses. Cole struggles come from trying to prove himself to his distant emotionally unavailable father which causes him to not believe in love and having a strict 'no kissing rule'. I found his character kind of unlikeable and unrealistic.

Teddy, on the other hand, was better developed. You can easily identify with being screwed over by rich white patriarchy and feel for him while he grieves the life he planned and the fact that his business was stolen out from under him by a mostly off-screen mustache twirling villanous ex.

There are a number of misunderstandings caused by side character one dimensional 'friends', and some super quickly resolved problems. This story could be good, but just felt flat.

Fake dating between a rich app creator and a broke plant guy as a new twist on Pretty Woman? Teddy Hughes is drowning in debt, in grief over his failed plant business, and crumbs of a ruined marriage in which his husband cheated on him, Cole Vivien doesn't believe in love but he needs a fake boyfriend, especially as he is a super successful and rich creator of the app VERSTL, an app that enables consumers and sex workers to connect. Teddy and Cole are two different people and what was only suppose to be a one night stand turns into something more when Cole offers to pay Teddy to be his fake boyfriend, but with exes around every corner, insecurities, and family drama, the complicated feelings between them only gets more complicated. Unfortunately this one was a miss for me, I didn't really like Teddy or Cole, and their romance wasn't there for me. I love a twist on Pretty Woman, but this one was just meh overall for me. I love a fake dating trope, I love opposites attract, and honestly this had all the makings to be a really fun book, yet it just fell flat to me. I really wanted to like it and I tried to connect with the characters and their growth, but I really just didn't. The romance just didn't feel there and you just dont really believe that these two are in love with each other. Despite this one being a miss for me, if you are looking for a quick LGBTQ romance with a bit of spice and a touch of Pretty woman, give this a go!

*Thanks Netgalley and Harlequin - Romance, Afterglow Books by Harlequin for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I had seen this book on NetGalley and hemmed & hawed whether to request it, then eventually passed. However, I then saw a bookstagrammer describe it as a Pretty Woman remake, so i scampered back to NetGalley & hit the request button!

I loved the Pretty Woman plot - with a few little twists, but the majority of the 'bones' of the plot were kept, even with a few key phrases -- loved this -- it was a great homage to Pretty Woman, very cute.

The romance overall was enjoyable & the charcters were interesting, but I also struggled with the main characters/narrators a little - it was told from two alternating perspectives but I found I kept getting confused which one was talking at any given time & kept having to flip back to the header of that section to double check. Maybe their voices just didn't sound different enough, and though they clearly had their different careers & pasts, they didn't act very different -- there were times when Teddy acted much more confident than I'd have thought, or where Cole seemed to do things that didn't fit his high-flying business persona. For example Teddy keeps emphasizing how this isn't his world, over & over, as he came from a very poor background (ie. Cole's ultra-wealthy family), but then he goes off & mingles confidently with all the people at Cole's sister's wedding like he was born to it.

First and foremost, this book needs a trigger warning! (I know TWs are subjective but my philosophy is to always to err on the side of caution and include them.) There is a fairly graphic and emotional description of a character experiencing SA and for a book marketed as a romcom, this was unexpected and triggering enough that I was unable to finish the book.

Now for my review...

I wanted to love this book and I should have based on the fact it has all my favorite tropes. However, it just fell flat to me. If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be "inconsistent". The pacing and timing was off in places. First you are experience the story in first person/real time and a chapter later you get the story in a series of flashbacks. The chemistry between the two main characters was on again/off again with way too many unnecessary miscommunications. When they were together, they were great. When they were apart it was one big 'oh my god, he said this thing that I am taking out of context and now I hate him because he's betrayed me' incident after another. It got old fast. Lastly, it could have used one more edit to catch some grammar mistakes.

Like I said, this book has so much potential and I should have loved it. It was just too easy to pick apart and never pulled me in.

This was a lovely fake dating read, with lots of queer, sex-positive discussions and content. I loved how the MCs helped each other out of their traumas and anxieties, and I loved the banter! Also, the third act makeup 😭

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

A relatively fun, quick read. It's been years since I've seen 'Pretty Woman', so I can't speak much to any comparisons between the two. But that didn't take anything away from the book for me, and I think the book more or less stands on its own--some things might have more mileage, though, if you're more familiar with the movie. For me it was just not long enough for the amount of plot and emotions that get thrown at us. I did appreciate the strong pro-sex work stance this book has.

But it just ricocheted too much for me--the book itself is, for the most part, briskly written. It felt like we didn't linger long enough, anywhere. That made it harder for me to get attached to the characters, or get invested in the conflicts--I just wanted the book to slow down.

But it was still a nice read for a quiet afternoon or two, it just didn't work for me. But I do get the feeling, especially considering that the joy the author had while writing this absolutely leaps off the page, that this book will find its intended audience in no time.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

A modern day reimagining of the film Pretty Woman with complex but sweet main characters. Although this novel deals with heavier topics, like the perception of sex workers, it keeps a lightheaded and fun tone. Readers will root for Teddy and Cole to find their happily ever after!

Thank you Afterglow Books and Netgalley for this eARC. A fun, sexy, steamy, sweet read! Teddy has just lost his livelihood. His husband left him and then his ex father in law sued him for Plant Daddy, the plant store he owned. Out at a bar for what will one of his last nights in New York he meets Cole. Cole is one of the sexiest men Teddy’s ever laid eyes on. Cole snuck away from a party thrown in honor of his company VERSTL, an app the connects sex workers/entrepreneurs with consumers. Cole founded the company after walking away from his father’s money and demands. When his old life collided with his new one he had to get away. Teddy and Cole are instantly drawn to each other and when Teddy finds out what Cole does, and has no judgement the two spend a lovely evening together. Then a plan forms Cole needs a “boyfriend” for his sister’s wedding and a business meeting. All Teddy has to do is pretend for a week and Cole will give him money. Can the two convince the people in Cole’s life that they’re dating? Can they do it without falling for each other? Or will their complicated pasts interfere? I am a huge fan of Steven Salvatore’s work! Steven always writes complex characters that make you feel so damn much! Cole and Teddy are both so sweet and charming, incredibly confident in their own ways, and hurting in their own ways. Their story is touching, funny, tender, and so very spicy!! Perfect for romances fans! Can’t wait to read it again!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest, spoiler-free review!

Themes: Grief, love, sex
Representation: Gay MCs, Black and Lesbian SC, Polyamourous SCs
Content Warnings: Grief

Premise: Teddy lost his plant business and the love of his life. Cole doesn’t believe in love but after a press incident, he may need a fake boyfriend. The two of them meet and get involved, but will they fall in love?

Personal Comments

I thought this was a fairly lighthearted read that still focused on some more serious issues. Although some of the characters fell a bit into stereotypes, I thought that it overall, had great representation. Although I didn’t like how insta-love-y it was in the beginning, I liked seeing Teddy and Cole grow as people. I liked how the author tackled both of their mental health issues and I thought that the story and the emotional growth of the characters felt realistic despite it being only a one-week time frame.

As for some other things, I thought that the chapters were a bit long, although I didn’t mind it too much.

Characters

Cole: Cole is the millionaire and founder of VERSTL, an LGBTQ+ app for sex workers. He does not believe in love because of past events as well as parental pressures. He’s an extravagant character that has a lot of flair. As you read on, you can understand why he acts the way he does. You’ll start to understand his strained relationship with his parents as well and why he does not believe in love. However, ultimately, his views have changed.

Teddy: At the beginning of the book, Teddy loses his plant business after a divorce. I thought that the author did a decent job representing the grief that Teddy had with losing his husband and letting go of a place that he cared so dearly about: it’s not something you get over easily and it isn’t fair. Teddy’s character arc is above finding love after grief and figuring out that he too deserves love.

Their Relationship: Although I’d say the first meeting between them felt rushed and slightly awkward (albeit that people do meet like this in real life), I liked that throughout the book the two characters supported each other and their chemistry developed. Also, if you’re a fan of smut, this book does have a lot of it. I’m pretty neutral about it.

Other Characters: I liked the relationship between Teddy and his best friend and Cole and his sister. It’s important to have familial and platonic relationships. So I thought that the support of Teddy’s best friend and Cole’s sister was a nice touch.

Plot

The Beginning: I thought that the beginning of the book was slow to start. However, I liked how the author introduced the backstory of the main characters. I thought that it was well-developed and helped to establish the plot and character development in the book.

The Middle: Some parts of the book were slow in the middle (which tends to happen in most books). However, there was enough tension and character development to keep the story moving. I’ll let you decide what you think of the middle for yourself.

The End: I thought that the ending of the book was well-resolved. You have the dramatic third act, which typically happens in a romance novel. Then it’s followed by a sweet moment or epilogue. This book tied up the loose threads and ended off right where it needed to.

Other

Format: The book was written in first-person present tense with alternating perspectives. I thought that it was fitting for it to be written in this tense because a, it’s a romance book, and b, it’s character so it makes it easier to see the character development. However, I’d say that perhaps the author could’ve made it clear when they switched between the different characters as sometimes I’d need a second to adjust to who the narrator was. Also, if you aren’t a fan of long chapters, then this book isn’t for you.

Themes: I thought that the themes were well-represented in the book. It’s important to talk about mental health and grief. And through the characters, Steven Salvatore represents the impact of heartbreak and relationships on one’s life. Anyway… the themes were refreshing to see and it was great to have an LGBTQ+ narrative on mental health that doesn’t negate it.

Final Rating

Personal Rating: 3.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Plot: 4/5
Formatting: 3.7/5
Final Rating: 3.9/5 (round to 4 stars)

Date Read: November 26th, 2023
Date Reviewed: December 3rd, 2023

When they tell you it’s a queer retelling of Pretty Women, it is. And it’s absolutely DELIGHTFUL! Teddy has had everything ripped away from him by his horrible ex when he meets entrepreneur Cole at a bar one night. A one night stand turns into a week of playing boyfriend and the callbacks to Pretty Women are just nostalgic enough for those of us who grew up with it. The story itself is so sweet and beautiful that I know it’s going to be a reread for me.

I LOVED THIS. The two MMCs are really adorable and the author writes them with enough quirks to make them feel real - not two dimensional OR overwritten but rather like people you could actually meet. The romance was SOOO well done - slow enough so that you could feel the tension but fast enough that you're not out of your mind yelling at the book KISS ALREADY. I really appreciated all the discussions in the book about relationships, sex work, safe intimacy practices, and classism as well. And the side characters are just as loveable and real as the main characters - so much so that I would read a whole other book about them. My critique is mainly that I would have liked the ending to be longer. We get a hint of what their HEA is going to look like, but the book feels like it ends relatively abruptly and the plot resolves a little too easily. But overall this is a really quick, sweet, emotional read that had me tearing up at the end. Would totally recommend.

“The Boyfriend Subscription” by Steven Salvatore is a fun and sexy queer romance with 90’s rom-com “Pretty Woman” vibes. Cole and Theo have chemistry immediately and even though they are both struggling with their own reasons for avoiding feelings, intimacy…love—they end up going back to Cole’s hotel room together and spending the night together. It’s not intentional by any means, but the feelings are there, and Cole isn’t ready to let Theo go just yet. In this fake dating/billionaire (or at least very very wealthy) romance, these two men find a way to move past their own hangups and find love with each other. I thought this book was super cute. The intimacy between Theo and Cole is definitely there and the side characters are all a lot of fun when they become a part of their fake-dating ruse. The only thing I wasn’t a huge fan of in The Boyfriend Subscription is that it is very insta-lovey. They only know each other for a few days before saying they love each other. Not that it isn’t possible to love someone that quickly, especially when someone breaks down the walls you’ve had up for so long. I personally just tend to not enjoy insta love too much. There were also a few times when it was difficult to differentiate between the two characters and know who was narrating. The POV switches mid chapter, and it doesn’t always flow as well as it could. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend!

I was really excited and expected to love this...but I literally couldn't get past the first page. I have a visceral dislike of present tense, which sets my skin crawling. I could *maybe* stand listening to this as an audiobook, but reading it is just too hard to focus on and nothing drew in me to make me focus on the 1st person storytelling (which I occasionally can make up for it being PT.) Because this is my own issue and not necessarily the author (or editor's) fault: I'm giving this a median 3.

I give "The Boyfriend Subscription" a solid 3 out of 5, just based on my own experience with it. I'm sure others will love this book and will (and have!) rate it higher. For some reason, it never entirely grabbed me the way I wanted it to. I got through it as quick as I could, but elements of its overall make up weren't my favorite.

As for what I liked, I did love the sex positivity of it all, as well as the general "Pretty Woman" theme, especially in the first third, but I did find the pacing a little slow throughout. I did like the way it tackled elements of trauma and self-worth, particularly oriented around living up to our parents expectations.

As for what I liked a little less, the "instalove" between the two main leads happens to be one of my least favorite tropes, and unfortunately this element of the book impacted my overall enjoyment, especially going into the final stretch. This is no fault to the author, just a personal preference. Unfortunately, throughout the book, I found the author fell into a habit of "telling" rather than "showing." This might have just been a me problem, but I also didn't like the constant POV shift mid-chapter. It made it challenging at times to remember who was which as sometimes their voices blended together on the page, despite being much different characters.

All in all, I wanted to like this book more than I did, and for all of its strengths that it does have, I was looking forward to wrapping it up. As I said, others will likely enjoy this book more than I did, but it was just okay for me.

Thanks to Afterglow Books by Harlequin and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. (less)

This romance is a M/M (sort-of) take on the movie "Pretty Woman" and features two appealing heroes who both have issues in their past. Teddy has lost his home and business following a divorce and just happens to meet Cole, a wealthy businessman who developed a very successful app for connecting people and sex workers. When Cole finds himself in need of a temporary boyfriend, he offers to pay Teddy enough to help him start over, but the two soon find themselves having real feelings. Recommended.

A fun and unique twist on the fake dating trope! Teddy and Cole’s relationship was sweet, sexy, and complicated in all the most compelling ways.

I found this premise to be quite interesting and unique! The billionaire romance and fake dating tropes are always fun, and the layered twist of Cole’s emotional state as the creator of VERSTL made for some fun challenges for the couple to overcome. As expected, the bedroom scenes were very hot and the dirty talk was fantastic. I loved the easy body positivity showcased as well, with Cole loving Teddy’s plus size and hairy shape. The two made for a wonderful pairing and I was so glad they got their HEA. If I did have one critique, it was that it bordered on almost too much instalove. To paraphrase Kit, they were saying they loved each other after, like, three days. I didn’t mind it, as I certainly understand the feelings they were having as they brought out these changes in each other, but it was still a bit quick. I also thought there’d be more of a buildup/confrontation between Cole and his father after hyping it up so much throughout the book, but I did enjoy the tenderness of the scene when they finally talked.

Overall, this was a sweet and spicy romance that I absolutely adored. Congratulations to Steven Salvatore. I can’t wait for everyone to pick up their copies and blow up the internet discussing this wonderful book.