Due to medical reasons, I was unable to fully read this book but I throughly enjoyed what I did read, however I cannot write a proper review due to this. I apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a copy of this book.

What a nice story. I really couldn't put the book aside. It was quite funny and entertaining to read and captured my interest until the end. I highly recommend reading it

This book was a quick read and so well written the main characters had a love story that made me want to root for them.

I absolutely loved this book!! Every character in this book fit in their place perfectly, but Denz and Braylon were the cutest, sweetest couple ever. A second chance romance is always my favorite, and this one was so realistic and heartfelt. It was exactly what I needed right at the time I read it. I cannot wait to read more from Julian Winters!

REVIEW: I Think They Love You by Julian Winters

Denzel and Braylon dated throughout college, but when an opportunity arose, Braylon moved to London, leaving Denzel behind. Four years later, Denzel is fighting for the chance to be the CEO of his family’s business. His family doesn’t think he can commit to anything, so he makes up that he has a boyfriend. When his fake date friend doesn’t show up for an event, Denzel is in a scramble. By chance, he runs into Braylon asking if he could pretend to be his boyfriend. How could this go wrong?

I Think They Love You is a sweet romantic comedy with a hint of spice. There is a great deal of playful banter and budding chemistry between Denzel and Braylon. Both characters have different perspectives on their pasts, which affects how they treat each other. This romance features fake dating and second-chance romance tropes, both of which were executed well. I Think They Love You features a lot about finding your place, family expectations, and grief. It also gives a peek into the event planning business, which I found interesting. I also really enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook.

There were a few things that didn’t work for me. Some family conflicts didn’t feel realistic or weren’t necessary for the story. I also think this story would have benefited from being in dual points of view. I would have loved to get Braylon’s side of the story as it was happening as well.

Overall, I enjoyed reading I Think They Love You. It was a great fake dating story that kept me engaged, and I wanted to find out what was next.

Thank you, Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Griffin, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

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This was MM second chance, lovers to strangers to lovers with a fake dating arrangement between exes! Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. This was a new to me author and his adult rom com debut. It was sweet and funny, heartbreaking and healing, it was an all around joy to read.

When Denzel’s father announces his retirement from the family business, Denz steps up for consideration as the next CEO. Only his family doesn’t take him seriously so he lies about being in a relationship. Stuck with finding a fake boyfriend to fill the role, he runs into his ex Braylon who broke his heart and left him five years ago. Braylon needs Denz’ connections to get close to the mayor who he just so happens to be hosting a party for. The two enter into a fake dating arrangement that quickly blurs the lines when all those old feelings begin to rise to the surface.

This book has lived rent free in my head since I finished it!! Fake dating trope is hit or miss for me but Winters has done it extremely well.

I had a hard time getting through this book. Although I love fake-dating and second-chance stories, I didn't connect with the story or characters. They wouldn't talk to each other. I ended up skimming towards the end. I don't recommend this book.

This book was a perfect light romance with a few open door scenes. Denzel and Braylon were college sweethearts at UGA. But when Braylon starts his career in London and Denzel returns to Atlanta, the two go years without seeing each other. Until one day in a coffee shop, and then again at a restaurant, and finally as they fake date their way through Spring.

What I’d really like to highlight is how much important concepts came through. Representation of queer Black men, open communication on intimacy, discussions about condoms and PrEP, and family support.

CW: Minor mentions of death of a parent

I received a copy of this book as an eARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, however, my reviews are against the published paperback version.

I absolutely loved this book and this story. I would love to read more from this author. I'm hoping they have more.

Fake dating and a second chance at love all wrapped into one? I was locked in. The characters (yes even the side ones) were so funny and lovely to read about. The boys were so funny and frustrating at times but it made me root for them.

Everyone deserves a chance at love don’t you think?

4/5 🌟

This book felt like a warm hug I didn’t know I needed. I instantly connected with Denz—his ambition, his anxiety about proving himself, and the complicated love he has for his family. The fake dating setup with his ex, Braylon, had just the right mix of tension and tenderness, and I found myself rooting for them the whole way through. It made me laugh, it made me tear up a little, and it reminded me how hard it can be to be vulnerable, especially with people who matter most! It was a little predictable, sure—but in a comforting, satisfying way.

From the start I was hooked, I'm a sucker for the fake dating trope. Adding the tension of being exes, Denz and Breylon were made for each other. While there were a few moments of character frustration when Denz was adamant about becoming CEO, those moments were understandably human. Wanting to please and be like your parents can cause you to not act like your true character.

I do wish there was more exploring their present relationships. We got to see the foundation of their past together, but not as much as their present development.

Overall, a great book, one I would definitely recommend to my friends and followers.

3.5 star review - it was a decent read. Read well and it kept me engaged. Thank you for the author and tea, for the chance of an arc.

3.5 stars rounded up

Thank you for this eARC to read and review :)

I think my mood reader heart is the problem with this one, I just don't think this was the eight "mood" I was looking for. However, I will be reading other books from this author.

I thought this was a cutesy and sweet romance but I didn't enjoy the flashbacks in this book.

Thank you to the publisher. This one wasn't a right fit for my mood at this time. I will try reading other books from this author.

4⭐️ 3🌶️

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Writing perspective: third person
Length: 327
Reading format: Kindle
ARC provided by: SMP + NetGalley

Relationship dynamic: MM (BIPOC MCs)
Tropes/Microtropes/Vibes/Reps:
💖 Second chance
🤫 Fake dating
🛏️ One bed
💬 Texting
🫶🏾 Big, nosey family

📖 This was a really cute story where two exes fake date to get ahead, but really get a second chance at love. Denz and Braylon were sweet and learned to overcome so much with healthy communication. There is a big family with a funny dynamic and I loved Denz’s friendship with Jamie.

I am so torn. It was a good story. But ugh flashbacks. I couldn't stand them in this story. And I can't put my finger on why. Its a 3 star. I didn't love it. I didn't hate it.

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters is a sweet and cute fake dating/ second chance romance.

Denzel "Denz" is competing to take over as his dad's successor at their families party planning company.

Braylon is Denzel ex who has returned from London. Upon reconnecting, they agree to fake date for the benefit of their jobs.

A light, fun rom-com full of humor, a loveable cast, and gossiping aunties.

I accepted the invite to read this book because of a recommendation from an author whose work I love. The verdict: it did not disappoint!
I enjoyed every second that I spent reading this delightful story. This romcom was fun, light, and delicious, with lots of depth. There was in depth character growth - I would have loved to read Braylon’s point of view to have gotten even more character depth/growth from him, because I feel he had even more to offer. That being said, Denz offers the reader plenty to think about all on his own. This is a second-chance that does contain a lot of misunderstanding (I prefer to call it that over miscommunication), but the characters slowly start to open themselves up to one another in a way they didn’t the first round. There were a few spicier moments that were well written and added well to the development to the story and characters.
Family carried a very important role in the book. The book also includes good queer and BIPOC representation.
I recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good romcom with a quality blend of heart and humour.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for a digital advanced copy of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.