The family dynamics in this book felt realistic and I especially enjoyed seeing those interactions on paper. I love that Denz has a healthy, competitive bond with his sister and the friendships were a delight too. It's time to represent loving families where everyone cares about each other and can be nosy. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to show close-bounded families that don't have the best ideas or privacy, seeing how the unit of the family works differently in different cultures but also differs with every case. (I'm saying this as a brown person)

This book fits in really well with the tropes of second-chance romance and fake dating; the writing is very wholesome. I think Braylon could've been fleshed out better because the focus was mainly on Denz and I'd like to have seen more of Braylon and his character arc. Apart from reading the unique combination of fake dating with an ex (something I don't think I've read before and was intrigued by), the family interactions take center-stage in my opinion. I found this to be a highly engaging read and there's little I can complain about, so I recommend it!

I've read this book as an eARC and then again as an eALC so I know that the narration definitely adds to the experience. I found the accente well done too, so kudos to the narrator on this one!

Having enjoyed Julian Winters' YA titles previously, I was excited for his adult debut. I Think They Love You was exactly what I was hoping for: funny and heart-warming, with very well executed fake dating and second chance romance tropes.
When his father unexpectedly announces his retirement and a competition for any internal applicants to the CEO position, Denz Carter is determined to show that he has the commitment and skill to step up. An impulsive lie about being in a serious relationship to prove that he is capable of commitment leads to him needing a fake boyfriend. Denz enlists his roommate and best friend, but when he doesn’t show, he is forced to turn to his ex Braylon for help. The ex who broke his heart when he moved to London at the end of college. The two strike a deal to help each other attain promotions at work. But time spent together, funny texts, and kisses make it difficult for Denz to separate their arrangement from reality.
I Think They Love You is narrated from Denz’ point of view, and it’s impossible not to fall for him and delight in the sweet chaos he brings to this story. His romance with Braylon was sweet, and it didn’t take me long to get invested in their romance. The novel also has plenty of fantastic secondary characters. I loved the extended family who were expert meddlers and whose group chat was entertaining. Denz’ relationships with his father and his sister Kami were well portrayed and really relatable.
I listened to the audiobook of this novel and have to say that André Santana’s narration definitely added to my enjoyment. It was spot on, with great voices for the characters and a fab English accent for Braylan. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance listening copy – I’ll definitely be recommending this title (and the audiobook)! 4.5 stars from me.

Thank you for NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

This is my first fake dating to second-change romance book; I can only say that it was done incredibly well. The way Winters wrote the relationship between Denz and Braylon, one could tell they would be endgame.

Apart from the absolute banger of a relationship, there was the family drama of who would become the new CEO of the family business empire. The relationship between the family members was hilarious and so fun to learn about; they were messy, opinionated, and overall so funny.

I am beyond happy that my first ALC was so beautiful, and André Santana as the narrator is the icing on the cake.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

A solid 4.5 stars

((I listened to the audiobook via NetGalley))

The grilled cheese version of romance -- a cozy instant classic.I LOVE Denz. It was a delight to be in his brain. Great banter. Lots of interesting side characters who could have their own book. I hope this becomes a series!

At one point, I started to feel like the stakes weren't high enough, and then the stakes were raised nearly immediately.

I received an e-ARC and am giving my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley!

I don’t typically read second-chance love novels but this was so, so cute. My favorite part of romance novels and stories is the pining, and I Think They Love You is FILLED with it. Denz was such a fun POV to read the story through, all of his thoughts and worries feeling so realistic and in-tune with the situation. I would have reacted very similarly to how Denz did to a lot of the story, which really made it immersive. Denz’ familial fears and anxieties were also so well done, so valid and real. As the reader, we can easily see what he could’ve done to fix things or say things differently, but that’s what made the situations feel genuine. His actions were spur-of-the-moment, as all are in reality.

Braylon and Denz’ relationship was truly so fun and cute to read. I loved how they interacted both conversationally and physically. They were so in-sync. The way that, as soon as they had a proper conversation about what their fake relationship was going to look like, they both jumped into it perfectly. The way that Braylon seamlessly started sending Denz jokes and their little lunch dates, how Braylon was there for and supporting Denz so sweetly. Their interactions were so charming and sincere, and I really just adored how Denz’ reactions to things were so unapologetically human. Admitting that he still felt anger towards Braylon’s dad despite he had passed being the biggest example I can think of. It made me really feel for the both of them. Denz and Braylon are such a contemporary version of ‘soulmates,’ and it was so lovely seeing that in action. Despite their miscommunications, they always were able to understand each other (even if it’s taken them a while to do so).

This was such a lovely second-chance romance with heaps of pining and lots of healing of Denz’ inner child by the end. The pining with the spice was perfectly woven together, giving the reader something solid to hold on to in regards to their relationship.

The narrator, Andre Santana, is a favorite of mine and he delivered, once again! They do an incredible job every time, and the voice they’re able to do is just astounding.

This was a fun, steamy ride that blends second-chance romance with fake dating antics.

Denzel "Denz" Carter, caught between a career in his family's event planning business and a not-so-ideal personal life, finds himself pretending to be in a relationship with none other than Braylon—the ex who left him heartbroken. The catch? Denz needs to impress his family to land a CEO position, and Braylon needs his connections for his own career boost. Cue the romance, confusion, and steamy kisses as they navigate a fake relationship that starts feeling way too real.

The romance itself is the star of the show—lots of fun, chemistry, and tropes like one-bed situations. But if you’re looking for deep emotional moments, you might not find them here. The story leans into the playful, spicy side of romance rather than diving deep into the emotional complexities of Denz and Braylon’s past. Denz’s quest for the CEO role did feel a bit far-fetched, though, considering how underqualified he seemed. As this is Julian Winters’ adult debut (after a string of YA hits), the characters still carry that youthful, slightly immature energy, which could be hit-or-miss depending on your preferences.

On the audiobook front, André Santana really brings this story to life. His narration is spot-on, adding extra layers of fun and emotion to the already entertaining plot.

If you're into fake dating, second-chances, and the whole rich-guy, lavish event vibe, this book’s definitely worth a read (or listen). Just don’t expect it to be super deep—it’s all about the playful, spicy romance.
3.5⭐️

Happy pub day @wintersjulian !

A fake dating, second chance romance?! Count me in! Denz and Bay feel in love in college but their love story was not meant to be. Years and a chance encounter later, they enter into a fake dating arrangement to help each other in their careers.

This was funny, sweet, spicy and fun! It was a mostly lighthearted book filled with hilarious side characters and figuring out who they want to be in the world.

I loved the book in both physical form and audio hearing Bray’a little English accent! I really enjoyed this one!

Thank you @stmartinspress for my advanced physical copy and @dreamscape_media for the audio!

4.5

Julian Winters has been on my radar as an author for a really long time, but young adult romances have been hit or miss for me lately. So when I saw that this was his adult debut, and that the audiobook was narrated by Andre Santana, who I’ve grown absolutely adore as a narrator, I knew I had to pick this up.

I don’t think this was a perfect book and there is some suspension of disbelief in regards to the premise because yes, it’s a family business but there’s a huge jump in the level of responsibility from being social media manager/event planner to CEO. After my experience struggling with that in The Truth According to Ember earlier this year, I was hesitant, but this was absolutely a case of right book right time for me.

I adore Denz with all of my heart, and this second chance of romance/fake dating your ex worked so well for me in a way that I could not have expected. It was cute. It was heartfelt. It had me giggling it had me tearing up. It was the perfect escape in a very stressful week. Yes I think there are legitimate critiques with the story, but I don’t want to them because I loved this book.

Thisis a delightful read for fans of lighthearted, humorous, and heartwarming LGBTQIA+ romance, particularly those who enjoy stories about second chances, fake dating, and the complexities of love and relationships.

3.5 stars

This book was okay. For whatever reason it just didn't quite work for me, which I feel bad saying. It's the first from Julian Winters that I've read, and I've been wanting to read him for a looong time! Maybe I would have better luck with his YA titles?

Likely was didn't work so well for me was that I just don't like second chance romances. There are a very few that I've really liked, but for the most part, I just don't like the trope.

Throughout this book it felt like Denz and Braylon weren't talking. They were both having the same thoughts, but weren't actually saying the words to each other, which led to, not misunderstandings, but I think just each of them not knowing/understanding what the other one feels for them. They also never spoke about why they broke up in the first place, or, not until towards the end of the book. And it was this big thing hanging over them, because it had really hurt them both, yet they wouldn't talk about it. Basically, I just need my fictional book characters to talk to each other, about all the things. Thanks.

Also, I hated the names. Denz I can maybe be okay with, but, despite never having seen the name before, I really hate the name Braylon.

Overall, this book isn't bad, it just didn't work for me.

Such a great book! Julian did a wonderful job on his frist adult novel! This story took me through so many emotions. Love the exes to lovers and the "there was only one bed" troupes that were used. Plus there is a HEA so stick with it. You'll be upset for a moment but by the end you'll be loving it.

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters is a total blast! This book is a perfect mix of sweet, funny, and totally relatable. It follows two high school guys who are navigating their feelings for each other while dealing with friendship, drama, and a whole lot of self-discovery. Winters nails the awkwardness and excitement of young love, and the banter between the characters is hilarious. It’s got that warm, fuzzy feeling that makes you root for the characters every step of the way. If you love YA romance with a lot of heart and humor, this one’s a must-read! It’s fun, fresh, and definitely leaves you smiling.

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐒𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥.

Another second chance romance??? I think I'm hooked. I think they are my thing now.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC and the ALC in exchange for this review.

Absolutely loved this book and the narration! It was so well done and I enjoyed it so much.

This book starts in the past with Braylon and Denz on the way to Denz's family dinner and everything is going well. But when the book picks up years in the present we know that they are not together and that Braylon essentially broke Denz's heart.

When Denz's father is retiring there is a competition of sorts to become the new CEO, and Denz feels like having a boyfriend will increase his chances. So when he bumps into Braylon who is freshly back from the UK, and his best friend stands him up as his fake boyfriend, he asks Braylon to stand in.

Fake Dating, Second Chance, One BED. Ugh, this book is good.

It's told from Denz's POV only which is probably the only thing that kept this from 5 stars for me. I would have loved a Braylon POV, especially since he was dealing with so much.

“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟,” 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐳 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐬, 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐝, “𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞.”
“𝐈𝐭’𝐬 . . . 𝐧𝐨𝐭?”
“𝐍𝐨.” 𝐀 𝐰𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡. “𝐖𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭. 𝐈𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐭.”

This book is sweet and swoony and precious and steamy and spicy and such a great read. I especially loved the little nods to Atlanta and all the little famous rom-coms mentioned. So cute.

𝐇𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐧. 𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐲. 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬’𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐨𝐦-𝐜𝐨𝐦. 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚. 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧, 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭. 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐳 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞.

To convince his judgmental family members that Denz is capable of commitment he impulsively lies about being in a serious relationship.

WOAH! I think it’s been awhile since I’ve read a book in the third person, so that threw my brain off a bit, but it’s nothing to fault the author/story over.

I think this is an incredible adult debut from Julian Winters & this only makes me more excited to read his backlist.
The side characters create a great cast that I want more of (pls write more stories in this universe, these characters are lovely)

The thing I loved the most about this book was the character growth from both of the MC’s. I love when books balance being emotional, funny, & heartfelt.

Read if you’re looking for…
* LGBTQ+ Characters
* Achillean romance
* BIPOC author & mc’s
* Second Chance & Fake dating
* Healthy communication (even during the spice!!!!!!)
* ONE BED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* Third person

Andre Santana does a phenomenal job narrating the audiobook. They brought this story to LIFE.

Major thank you to the author, the publisher, NetGalley, & Dreamscape for the ALC!

First thing’s first: thank you Netgalley for the ALC of this book!
I Think They Love You was a sweet second chance/fake dating love story between Denz and Braylon. Denz comes from an event planning empire and his father, the CEO, is ready to step down and name his successor. In an attempt to make himself seem more responsible, Denz lies about being in a serious relationship. In an act of desperation, he convinces his Ex, Bray (who now goes by Braylon), to fake date him after running into each other for the first time since they broke up years ago.

This book was cute and sweet and all the things I love to see from a fake dating book!! I’m not usually a huge fan of second chance romance, but this one was done well. I loved the way we got to watch them fall back in love, both facing their fears to do so. The secondary characters were excellent, I laughed several times listening to this, and it left me feeling warm and fuzzy. One thing I gotta say though- what do you mean Bray went to England AS AN ADULT, stayed there for a couple years, and came home with a British accent? That’s insane. But truly, a minor gripe all things considered.

4⭐️

The best exploration of the tropes fake dating and second chance romance! Plus the added bonus of talking about therapy, breaking cycles, and following your dreams. YES! Please and thank you!

This was my first book by this author and I can’t wait to keep reading his work.

Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC

What a gem! Sweet, funny, sparkling, spicy story about second chances, working in your family business, fake dating and finding your way in life. The fact that I'm not big on gatherings, parties and other big events, but was eagerly listening about organizing such events, speaks volumes. I absolutely loved it! Since the story is narrated solely from Denz's POV, it took some time to warm to Braylon, the love interest, but when it happened, I was sold, what a lovely couple. And I had so much fun while listening to the audiobook, kudos to the narrator, great job.

Thank you, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley, for the free advanced audio copy.

Uplifting, charming, and full of laugh-out-loud moments, 𝘐 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶, is romantic comedy perfection.

Five years ago, his college boyfriend, Braylon, crushed Denzel ‘Denz’ Carter's heart. But since then, he has worked hard to be an integral part of his family's business, built a vast social media following, and guarded his heart from any possible heartbreak.

And then suddenly, Braylon is in front of him with a new haircut, a new British accent, and a new body wash. But he has the same eyes and smile and somehow agrees to fake date Denz.

Except nothing feels fake. The pull between these two is taught! And oh, when they kiss it is kicking feet level of swoon. I LOVED the joy these two brought out in each other.

I love the exploration that comes with a second chance. Things that are new and new things that are old. Julian did an excellent job of weaving the past with the present. I enjoy when a flashback stands alone to add to the reader’s understanding of the couple's relationship.

The entire Carter family is incredibly close and supportive ( with a group chat that actually adds to the narrative ). The father-son relationship here was my favorite. I love how Kenneth challenged and supported his son (cue more tears from me). The family dynamics really made the book more fun, and one can only hope that cousin Jacob gets a book so we can have more Carter shenanigans.


This is an incredible adult debut—literally fantastic. The steam is incredibly intimate (I cried) yet also hot. The characters felt in their mid-20s, and their growth was excellent, both in terms of how they have changed since college and how they navigated their relationship this time. I loved the message that it is okay not to know what you want.

The narration by André Santana perfectly captures Denz, Braylo,n and the whole Carter family. His voice radiates joy, sass, and heartbreak with ease.

Radiating queer black joy, Julian Winters absolutely slayed his adult debut! Highly recommend

If you’re in the mood for a delightful rom-com that’s equal parts funny and tender, then I Think They Love You is for you! This wonderful story follows Denz and Braylon as they navigate the complexities of rekindling their romance as they fake date. Flashbacks to their college days add a nostalgic twist, making you root for this couple even harder!

I read and listened to this book. I highly recommend the audiobook! Narrator Andre Santana creates such a unique and enjoyable listening experience. He brings the many characters to life with distinct voices that capture their personalities perfectly. Santana’s portrayal of Atlanta’s golden boy Denz and his insecurities along with Braylon’s insightfulness is spot on. You’ll feel every laugh, sigh, and moment of sexual tension as they navigate their complicated feelings.

As a Georgia girl, I absolutely loved all the references to Atlanta and Athens!

Why You’ll Love This Book:
— Fake Dating Shenanigans: Because who doesn’t love a little “pretend” romance especially between exes?
— Second Chances: Denz and Braylon’s journey reminds us that love can (and should) bloom again if we’re brave enough to embrace the messiness and try again.
— One Bed Trope: Need I say more?!?!
— Family Dynamics: Denz’s boisterous, meddling family is a riot and adds a rich backdrop to the love story.
— French Toast Grilled Cheese: How did I not know about this flavor bomb of deliciousness until this book???

I Think They Love You is a refreshing dive into the complexities of love, family, personal growth, and finding your home. With its entertaining plot and lovable characters, it’s a must read for anyone who believes in second chances. I can’t wait to see what Julian Winters brings us next!

Overall it was a good book, did it have parts that infuriate me? Yes, and there were a lot.

Like I really think I would've preferred to not fake date my ex than doing it, but it's to my book and I'm petty AF. Overall very cute, I did think it was also chaotic and I was like "bro, get your shit together this is your job".

Narrators were great.

I got an alc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.