I was so excited to read this eARC as I have previously looooved the books written by these authors.

I was, however, very disappointed with this one and here's why :

1. The MC is insufferable and not in a good way. I found myself rolling my eyes at her more often than not

2. No chemistry between the love interests

3. The cast of characters is flat and one dimensional. Tbh Erik added absolutely nothing to the story, other than spike my annoyance lol

4. This ode to fandoms is cool, but it's hard to invest yourself in a story when you have zero interest or connection with the fandom in question since it's, well... made up.

i had very high hopes for this book, but unfortunately it fell very flat for me. i really didn’t like the mmc and thought his goal to be “the perfect book boyfriend” was kind of weird and creepy. i expected there to be a resolution to their initial meeting where he rejected her, but it never came and so it was really hard to like him, knowing he was pretty rude and for no reason. jennifer came off as delusional and obsessive and not in a cute way but in a genuinely concerning way and i feel like this narrative just added to the way so many people already view “crazed readers.” the saving grace for this book was the banter and the female friendships made along the way that redeemed it for me.

Read this if you like:
•forearms
•rivals/enemies to lovers
•fantasy setting

This book was SO FUN. If you like immersive settings & fantasy, this book is for you. I love this writing due and the audiobook was well done. I was laughing out loud at times and swooning for others. The friendships gained in this book were beautiful and finally getting to see Jen and Scott fall for each other was so special! Thank you Berkley for eARC

First thing first, I thought the concept of this book was so cool. I mean, an theme event that takes place in the 'world' of your favorite book series... how awesome is that! I had fun with that aspect.

Jennifer Worth just had a break up and gets away to the book trip of her dreams. Where she finds her annoying coworker, Scott is there as well. I loved the friendships Jen created while there, but I struggled with the romance between the main characters. They felt so much younger and immature than they were supposed to be.

I love Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka's writing style but this one wasn't my favorite of theirs.

Thanks to Berkley for an advanced copy of Book Boyfriend by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. I've enjoyed their books in the past but I should have read a synopsis of Book Boyfriend instead of just requesting because I liked the authors because this was not the book for me. I do not read fantasy/romantasy and a book entirely set at an immersive cosplay weekend for a romantasy book was not something I was going to enjoy.

Jennifer Worth, a devoted fan of the Elytheum Courts series, meets her work nemesis, Scott Daniels, at a fan convention. What begins as a rivalry quickly evolves into something more as Scott, inspired by Jennifer's passion for her favorite romantic fantasy series, tries to become the perfect book boyfriend

The novel plays with the idea of fantasy vs. reality, making the reader wonder if true love can mirror the swoon-worthy moments of the books we adore. Overall, Book Boyfriend is a playful, heartwarming read for anyone who loves a good enemies-to-lovers trope and the magic of finding romance in unexpected places.

Thank you netgalley for this arc. Unfortunately this book was just not for me. It had potential but fell a little flat for me. I just couldn’t connect with the FMC therefore couldn’t get into this one.

I did not like this book. At all.

Now, I am not typically a contemporary romance reader, but I can appreciate a good one when I see one. Know that my negative review of this book does not stem from the genre itself, but rather the multitude of issues this particular book contains.

First, there’s the logistical issues.

The timeline makes absolutely no sense. The book is supposed to take place over the course of a week, and yet it simultaneously feels like a single day and an entire year pass. The relationship between the two main characters progresses far too fast to be a week, and yet… nothing happens.

And don’t even get me started on how Jennifer supposedly made it from North Carolina to NYC in 6 1/2 hours.

Now, to the meat of it.

First off, the characters. Scott has no personality. Well, no, that’s not exactly right. Scott’s personality is hating Jennifer, and Jennifer hating him. We can infer that he’s detail-oriented from some clues, but that’s about it. We get one little tidbit about him pursuing a doctorate at some point, but it has no bearing on him as a character. He is, quite literally, a blank slate.

Jennifer is a bitch, while also having no personality. Her personality is that she’s a fangirl. And listen, I’m a fangirl too. But it’s not my entire personality.

The buildup was not even buildup. Scott and Jennifer didn’t hate each other enough to make it a true enemies/rivals to lovers. And their reasons for hating each other were the most high school immature shit I’ve ever read. And then all of a sudden it’s raining and they’re kissing? Where was the tension? Where was the intrigue? Maybe it’s because these characters are flat as a piece of paper that the romance felt like no-mance.

Usually with romance of any genre, I get the giggling, kicking my feet, twirling my hair feeling at certain lines, characters, or scenes. The number of these I experience throughout a book directly impacts my rating. I can confidently say I experienced a whopping zero throughout this book.

Why did they break up 90% of the way through the book. Holy shit, at that point I didn’t even care because I knew they would get back together. Again, zero tension. And AGAIN, over the most juvenile shit! Jennifer needs to grow up! She is a big fucking baby throughout this entire book while also somehow managing to be a Mary Sue.

Also, why are they always running? I swear these guys were training for a marathon. Running the obstacle course, running through the rain, running back to the dorms. Real people don’t run that much. And when they DO run, they get out of breath. But our magical amazing flawless personality-less heroes apparently don’t abide by the limits of human physiology. Because they run great distances and are somehow completely fine after.

I actually don’t think you could fit more shitty book metaphors into this if you tried. I am SICK of hearing about how “life is fantasy” and “hope is magic.” Good fucking gosh find something else to talk about.

The only scene I enjoyed was the Fred/Erik duel scene, but that was probably because it didn’t involve Jennifer or Scott at all.

So, what’s the final verdict?

Amelia and Fred should’ve been the main characters.

If there was ever a romance book that’s a love letter to fantasy readers, it’s this one. And I was 100 percent the target market. (I love fantasy, romance and Emily+Austin book).

Short Synopsis:
Jennifer Worth loves fantasy books but especially Elytheum Courts and its winged fae males. She’s fresh off a breakup and decides to join an immersive fantasy experience dedicated to her favorite series. She’s expecting cosplay, themed food and scavenger hunts. What she’s not expecting is her work rival, Scott, being there all smirking at her.

My Thoughts:
This was a lot of fun. It’s no secret that I’m a big fantasy fan. And honestly I felt like Jennifer could be me in another life. I loved Scott’s adventure to becoming the perfect book boyfriend. (Listen men, take notes from romance/romantasy books. You can thank me later.)

Jennifer and Scott’s banter and chemistry had me giggling and swooning. And the entire cast of side characters were so perfect. It honestly was just such a fun concept for a book.

I’m alway blown away by Emily and Austen’s imagery writing. It’s always so, so beautiful.

For the audio, @hlaserwolf narrates and brings Jennifer’s fangirl to life in all her giddy excitement and swoony moments.

What You’ll Find:
Rivals to lovers
Found family
Immersive fantasy fan setting
Smirks + forearms
Books about books

While this book explored really fun fandom themes, I had a hard time connecting with the story. I wasn't quite convinced the female MC had a real reason for disliking the male MC so much. I guess I was looking for a strong tangible reason. However, that is obviously on me and not the book. I recognize that it has great potential to appeal to other romance readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

Thank you Berkley Romance and Berkley Publishing for the gifted free copy of this book.

“I know love is easier when it’s a fantasy, but is it better or just safer? You have to risk something to make it real.”

OMG this book was so cute and so fun! A slow burn, enemies-to-lovers tale set during an immersive fantasy retreat, Book Boyfriend is a love letter to romantasy fans who have always wanted to live inside their favorite fantasy series. Spend a week in the fictional world of Elytheum Courts and mysterious quests, duels, heartwarming side characters, and a heroine learning reality can be better than fiction.

There are so many laugh out loud and swoon worthy moments throughout the book. It was just delightful and I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to the publisher for this gifted review copy!

I really liked the set-up of this book--the idea of a romantasy fandom with a rabid fanbase getting together for an immersive experience was a really fun one, and having characters work in publishing was a good fit for the setting. I found the female main character, Jennifer, to be quite likable. She wasn't perfect, but she definitely saw and worked on her flaws and had funny dialogue. I wish that she had been a little less self-deprecating about the fandom she was in, because it almost felt like the authors needed to make sure we knew that she felt romantasy was silly and she shouldn't be so invested in it in order for the reader to find her likable. But I don't think that's hitting with the target audience here; as romance readers, we don't need to be told that we are silly! We can just enjoy things.

However, where this really fell short for me was the love interest, Scott. I found him deeply unpleasant. I think the authors leaned too hard into the enemies/rivals aspect of the book, because he was still nearly insufferable at 60% and there was not sufficient time or page space to redeem him. I still don't really understand why he was such a jerk for a full year to the FMC, why he even went to the experience in the first place (the reason provided made no sense to me), or why he changed his mind. It really felt like he was attracted to Jennifer, and Jennifer was attracted to him, and for some reason that means they should tell each other that they loved each other within 3 days of this change of heart. I just did not feel any non-physical chemistry in their interactions and felt like the romance aspect fell flat.

This was a fun book to read. I loved the banter between the characters and that it was a really unique concept.

First of all, thank you to the author and Berkley Publishing Group for the amazing opportunity to read an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Jennifer Worth just got dumped. While working at her job in publishing. She takes this opportunity to attend a special event for her favorite book series and it happens to be organized by her best friend, it also happens to have to have her rival (aka male coworker) in attendance. Scott had wrote her and her love of the Elytheum Courts series off from day one. She never understood why he didn't like her. So why was he at this event and why was she suddenly finding herself enjoying his presence?

It took me about 8 chapters to really get enough information to be able to grasp this book. I don't really feel like the characters were built well enough to where I felt like I knew them or could relate to them. There was also so little backstory for any of the characters that I couldn't find that common ground. I do know that the one thing we had in common is a love of books. I guess I haven't been one of those that "falls in love" with characters in a book, so that may be why I couldn't relate to Jennifer and her obsession.

It was also kind of confusing because we, as readers, have no idea what the Elytheum Courts is about and you only get bits and pieces every once in awhile. I'm assuming it is something similar to ACOTAR vibes, but I've also never read that. I'm sure if you're someone that has, you might understand this story more than I did.

It was enjoyable to think of an event entirely based on a book/series, just like I know that there are ACOTAR events. That might have been one of the only things that kept me reading.

“There’s nowhere I would rather be, nowhere. No magical world, no favorite pages. Just here.”
What a beautiful celebration of the world of fiction. This was written as such a love letter to romance, and escape, while also showing the beauty found in real, everyday experiences.

After her work nemesis, Scott, witnesses her being dumped, a vacation based on her favorite book series, Elytheum Courts, is just what Jennifer needs. Unfortunately, on her first day there, she sees Scott lurking in the shadows. Jennifer can't figure out what he's doing at the experience because he's only ever judged and looked down on Jennifer for her love of the series. The two fiercely compete to win a scavenger hunt, and along the way start to learn more about each other.

I loved the idea of a book based on a woman who is passionate about fantasy romances - a girl can relate. However, Scott was NOT a good book boyfriend. I know he had his reasons for turning down Jennifer and acting the way he did, but he did nothing but belittle her interests and judge her, and his change of tune fell a little flat for me. I love a good redemption arc, but for 90% of the book, I kept thinking about what an ass Scott was and what a pushover Jennifer was for liking him anyway. He didn't have the bad-boy edge, he was just a bad guy. I found myself much more interested in Amelia and Fred's story, but alas - this wasn't really about them.

The book is otherwise entertaining, and my library will definitely be purchasing a copy.

Thanks to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group and PRH Audio for the arc/alc!

OMG! This book is probably one of the cutest books I have/will read in 2025! I absolutely loved it. Seriously, you can't help but SWOON over this book. Emily and Austin are such a great writing duo, they could write a phone book and I would probably still rate it 5 stars LOL. I loved how they blended fantasy and romance with comedy...I must admit I am not a huge fantasy fan, but this was a really cool twist on the fantasy genre. I don't want to spoil too much of the plot though! Anyhow. Jennifer and Scott were quite the couple and I absolutely loved their chemistry. I almost wish they could have a sequel story.

The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Helen Laser and I can't imagine anyone else doing a better job than she does! I would've loved a dual m/f narration, but that wasn't in the cards for this book and thats ok.

Overall. I wish I could rate this book way more than 5 stars, and I can't wait to see what Emily W and Austin SB come up with next!

it brings me great sadness when i say that this book was not for me, because the main premise of this book sounded cute and a bit unique! it fell flat for me too many times and i just couldn't connect to the female main character, jennifer (despite being a bookworm much like her). i really did enjoy the fantasy-convention like elements to it, that was fun to read! i just wish i could have connected with the FMC a little more. i also didn't care for scott, he seemed so bland and even with the work rivals to lovers trope, i just couldn't see the two together in the end and in the span of a week's time.

thank you to berkley romance for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited about the premise of this book. As a fan of the movie Austenland, I was excited to read about an immersive fan experience and the romance that ensues as our main FMC must distinguish between fantasy and reality and find there can be something (and someone) better than any fantasy in her books.

For fans of ACOTAR, fan fiction, fandoms, and for any who dream of going to an immersive role playing experience, this may be for you!

The entire book is written from the female main character - Jennifer’s - point of view. We follow Jennifer through a break-up and to an immersive week-long experience based on her favorite book series where she ends up in competing against and falling for her rival at work.

I ended up not enjoying this book as much as I had hoped, as Jennifer’s inner monologue seems to criticize or poke fun of the fandom our character loves so much - to the point where it feels like internalized misogyny or that the authors themselves want the reader to know they know how silly their main character is for caring about these books as much as she does.

I think this book would have been much more successful if I - as the reader - could have felt the joy, freedom, comfort and fun of being part of a fandom and then journeyed with the character as she grew and developed throughout the novel in a way that didn’t seem so critical of romantasy and romantasy fandom. Reading this book, I didn’t get the sense that the authors were part of or fully appreciated the genre.

I also really think we missed out on Scott’s point of view. It would have made his motives more concrete and given more depth to his character.

"Book Boyfriend" is a heartfelt tribute to the romance and romantasy genres, celebrating the immersive worlds that offer readers both escape and inspiration. Through Jennifer Worth's journey, the novel explores the allure of fictional realms and the characters who inhabit them, prompting readers to reflect on the balance between fantasy and reality.

**Plot Overview**

Jennifer Worth, an ardent fan of the romantasy series *Elytheum Courts*, attends an immersive fan event to reconnect with her passion following a breakup. Unexpectedly, she encounters Scott Daniels, her work nemesis, who is also participating in the event. As they engage in a high-stakes scavenger hunt, Jennifer begins to see a different side of Scott, leading to a blossoming romance that blurs the lines between fiction and reality.

**Themes and Analysis**

The novel delves into the debate of escaping reality versus confronting one's problems, highlighting how literature and beloved characters can inspire and influence our everyday lives. Jennifer's journey underscores the impact of fictional worlds on personal growth and self-discovery.

**Character Dynamics**

Jennifer's character is relatable and endearing, embodying the passion and enthusiasm of a dedicated reader. However, Scott's transformation from a work nemesis to a romantic interest may feel abrupt to some readers, as his change in demeanor lacks a gradual buildup. This shift could benefit from more development to enhance the believability of their evolving relationship.

**Romantic Elements**

While the novel offers a sweet and poetic romance, it is light on explicit content. Readers seeking more intense romantic scenes may find this aspect lacking.

**Conclusion**

Overall, "Book Boyfriend" is a charming and entertaining read that pays homage to the romance and romantasy genres. Its poetic prose and exploration of the influence of fiction on real life make it a delightful choice for fans of the genre. However, those desiring a more gradual character development and a spicier romance may find certain elements lacking.