Unfortunately I had to DNF this book because of the writing. Although I felt like I should have known whose POV it was from, the way it was written was quite confusing and had me going back and rereading lines because I was confused as to who it was who was having the thoughts/narrating. It eventually just go too cumbersome and I wasn't invested enough that I had to stop. I would prefer not to give this book starts as I didn't finish it but netgalley will not let me submit it without a star rating.

Set in Atlanta, Denz is part of a family business that his father runs and looking for who will take over when he retires.

The whole family think Denz is non commital based on his relationship status and his non serious nature makes him unfit to be the next CEO

Who comes back in town at just the right time to prove him family wrong? Denz’s ex Braylon who broke his heart when moved away.
I love me a good fake romance and this was cute story which a good ending.

There were a lot of family members and at times I got confused and annoyed with the dynamic of the elder members with the younger.
Thank you Net Galley, Julian Winters and St. Martins Griffen for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Obsessed. The tropes were TROPING in this book. Exes, fake dating, messy family dynamics, (one bed) - you name it. One of my favorite LGBTQIA+ reads this year.

Denz wants to prove to his family he is ready for more responsibility and commitment, so he nominates himself to be the next CEO of his family's company.
Braylon, his ex boyfriend agrees to be his fake boyfriend so he can prove that he is able to commit to something.
The family dynamic is a little overwhelming, but also very realistic. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of who is who, 1 felt like I had to take notes lol
Denz's complicated relationship with his dad is a big part of the story, but at times the way Kenneth judged Denz was really unfair and unreasonable. The heart to heart was pretty heartwarming, and it made everything make sense.
I really enjoyed the "boyfriend jokes" they were ridiculous but funny.
I felt like we missed out on Braylon's pov, like i just needed a little more to fall in love with their relationship.
The ending was sweet, and through it all the family, tho harsh sometimes, stuck by Denz and Braylon. I really recommend this book to those of us who are obsessed with Rom-coms!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

3.5 stars

I found this book very enjoyable, if slightly miss-marketed. The characters feel veeery young - the flashbacks to college didn't help with that feeling - and I had a hard time believing these were adults. When I started reading I had to double check that it wasn't a YA romance, and I realized that this author normally writes YA so that might be the cause of the voice being slightly off. I struggle with characters that can't think for themselves, and I think that was a bit too prevalent for me to really understand the characters, particularly Denz.

That being said, this was very easy to read and easy to like. The characters were fun, there were some great jokes that actually had me laughing, and I really love the blend of second chance and fake dating. I think those tropes work really well together, and lead to a lot of natural tension that keeps the story juicy.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the e-arc!

When SMP addresses the concerns of readers and reviewers I will send my full review. Until then I am withholding my review during the St. Martin's Press boycott.

This delightful tale of fake relationships, family pressure, and second chances is a pure five-star gem! From the moment Denz's world is turned upside down by his father's retirement, readers are swept into a whirlwind of laughter, heartwarming moments, and just enough steam to keep things interesting. The author masterfully blends humor and genuine emotion, creating characters that are both relatable and endearing. Denz's impulsive lie and the ensuing chaos are a recipe for comedic gold, while his interactions with Braylon, the man who broke his heart, bring a depth and vulnerability to the story. The sizzling chemistry between the two is undeniable, leaving readers eagerly turning the pages to see if they can navigate the tricky waters of their fake relationship. With witty dialogue, lovable characters, and a heartwarming ending, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a feel-good, second-chance romance that will leave them smiling long after the final page.

60/100 or 3.0 stars

The LGBTQIA+ and POC representation in this story was done well and felt natural to the story. The sex scenes were *spicy.* Unfortunately, for me, this is where the positives stop.
The story felts like YA opposed to Adult Fiction (not just in the main character's behavior, but all the college flash backs didn't help). Perhaps the second chance romance and the fake dating tropes don't work well together for me, but it didn't quite work. I think the ending was predicatble, but it was also cute and satisfying.

✨second chance
✨fake dating

Denz wants to prove to his family he is ready for more responsibility and commitment, so he nominates himself to be the next CEO of his family’s company.
Braylon, his ex boyfriend agrees to be his fake boyfriend so he can prove that he is able to commit to something.

The family dynamic is a little overwhelming, but also very realistic. Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of who is who, I felt like I had to take notes lol

Denz’s complicated relationship with his dad is a big part of the story, but at times the way Kenneth judged Denz was really unfair and unreasonable. The heart to heart was pretty heartwarming, and it made everything make sense.

I really enjoyed the “boyfriend jokes” they were ridiculous but funny.

I felt like we missed out on Braylon’s pov, like i just needed a little more to fall in love with their relationship.

The ending was sweet, and through it all the family, tho harsh sometimes, stuck by Denz and Braylon. I really recommend this book to those of us who are obsessed with Rom-coms!

Such a sweet love story! I'm a sucker for a fake dating trope, but second chance romances are top of list. Both tropes together had be hooked. Loved that it tackled the issue of work-life balance and the struggle to follow your dreams when you haven't even figured out what they are yet. Someone needs to buy the rights to this book because I need a movie ASAP!

Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for sending me an arc

Everything I want in a exes-to-lovers fake dating romance is here, the tension? the denial? the only-one-bed moment? Absolutely fantastic.

This book is fun, you fall in love easily with the cast of characters and the story and you root for them, they are charismatic and funny and their chemistry is also amazing, you could see they knew each other and that had loved each other in the past, and that they wanted to do the same in the present.

When Denzel Carter's father announces his retirement, Denz must prove his commitment by fabricating a serious relationship and enlists his ex, Braylon, to help. As their fake romance turns real, Denz navigates a tangle of emotions and career ambitions, discovering the true meaning of love and personal growth.

First of all - the joy on this cover! The colors. It’s gorgeous. So stunning.

Julian Winters makes his jump from YA to adult romance and this is a YES from me. Fake dating! Only one bed! Queer people! Big messy family dynamics! Broken hearts! Strong friendships! Yes to all!!

I snort laughed so many times at the wit and humor in this novel. It’s Julian at his very best. I also was rooting for these two from start and I loved their dynamic. Braylon you little MINX I am impressed. Denz is a lovable mess and I will die on this hill. LOVED the friendship with Denz and Jamie. It was so strong and so healthy and I loved how much they loved each other.Kami and Denz had such an interesting brother/sister bond. Loved the family and how they came together at the end. PS how cute were Jamie and Jordan though!!!??

I particularly loved how realistic all of their sex scenes were and the communication was really strong. Consent and communication are sexy!!

I am in awe of the jump between genres and so excited to see what’s next for him! Julian is my most read author this year and this novel just proves why. He’s talented, funny, sweet, romantic, and a fresh voice. Just what we need!

*I was provided a digital copy by the publisher, all thoughts are my own.*

This was cute!

Didn’t really buy the whole premise of the book that the main character needed a relationship to be a successful ceo but it was still a cute book.

I have to preface this review by saying that I DNF'd this book at 88% (I'd also like to say that I don't usually rate books I've dnf'd but in this case it was required to share my review).

This book started out well, I did quite like the initial introductions to all the different characters. Unfortunately the more I read the more issues I had, particularly with most of said characters.

I did and still do like Denzel. I think this book does do a good job of creating complex and interesting characters. Most of these characters had conflicting traits which added a depth to them that I think made them more realistic and relatable.

My main thought when reading this book is that I wish it would've been dual pov. I felt like I had no reason to like Braylon, either than him being the love interest. I wanted to get to know and understand why he did the things he did from his own thoughts and feelings. I could never get a read on him. Every change in their relationship felt very abrupt to me for this reason.

Ultimately, in no way do I think that this is a bad book but it was definitely not a book to my taste. If you're still interested in reading it I encourage you to give it a shot.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC :)

This was so good! I loved the romance and it felt really natural and not forced. The characters were interesting as individuals as well and the plot was engaging! Will be adding to our library and recommending 100%!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

This is a second chance romance that also includes fake dating. Heartwarming and funny with excellent secondary characters. Great plot and fairly steamy.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for I Think They Love You to come out January 28, 2025.

thank you to the publisher and netgally for letting me read this as an ARC. I really enjoyed this book. it was a great second chance romance. I could really feel the characters aches and pains as they made their way back to each other, and had to relearn eachother has they had changed so much over the years. the background characters were also strong characters and did not fade into the back. there was family issues, and history of strong sibling relationships. I was able to feel how deeply the main characters were hurting when the 3rd act presented challenges. I really thought this was a well rounded story with strong plot, good spice, and a believable relationship. highly recommend you pick it up!

Julian Winters hits it out of the park with I Think They Love You, a heartwarming adult rom-com that's both funny and deeply touching. Denzel’s fake relationship with his ex, Braylon, to secure a CEO spot takes unexpected turns, blending humor with genuine emotional depth. The characters are well-crafted and their journey from a staged romance to real feelings is captivating. The story’s exploration of love, family, and personal growth makes it an unforgettable read, leaving me excited to dive into more of Winters' work.

As an avid reader, I often find myself disappointed in books, frequently giving out 3 to 4-star ratings and then wondering what's next. However, this book was my fifth five-star read of the year, and it had so much depth and so many levels. I absolutely loved all the details. The characters were very complex and had a lot of drive. It was truly a beautiful story. The main characters, Denzel and Braylon, bump into each other at a coffee shop after being separated for five years. Following an embarrassing encounter, they find themselves fake dating to convince Denzel’s parents that he is the right choice for their family company's next CEO position. There were so many unexpected twists, and until the end, I wasn't sure how it was going to unfold. I think this book should be at the top of your TBR for 2025, if you can't snag it beforehand.