Thank you Netgalley and dreamscape media for the free ALC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. What a fabulous adult debut romance book. I lived Julian's YA books sk happy to see the crossover to the adult stream. I love the characters the story some of my favorite tropes and the narration was done soo well!! I look forward to his next book.

4.5/5☆

Cute!

This was a really great time. I haven't read any of Julian Winter's YA stuff, but I'm glad he's branching out to adult romance. The plot was enticing and the stakes felt high without inducing anxiety, and the issues with the relationship made sense. I loved the inclusion of strong family dynamics with the Carter family. The family legacy conversation and the sacrifices one makes, and whats truly important was excellent. Good food.

I read half via ebook and the other half with the audiobook, and the narration was excellent.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and St. Martin's Press for an e-copy and audio-copy.

I've loved all the adult debuts of YA authors I've read recently and I'm happy that I Think They Love You is getting added to that list!

Denz is going through a quarterlife crisis. He feels a sense of obligation to his job and his family for his family only to not take him seriously in return. Being around his age, I thought this story was really relatable exploring the feelings of what if what you think you should want isn't what you actually want. While his work life is in a place of upheaval, his ex-Braylon's reappearance in his life puts his romantic life in upheaval too. Their dynamic felt like a messy situationship, which unfortunately I also found very relatable.

The story is told in 3rd person single POV, but I wish we got to see some of Braylon's POV because his actions are both the catalyst of their initial break-up and the third act break-up during the main storyline. I'm not sure if this book is going to be the start of a new series, but I hope so since there's definitely some hints and foundation laid where we could see a book with characters we meet in this story.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of I Think They Love You and Dreamscape Media for an ALC.

I really liked this book overall. It had everything I have come to know and love about Julian’s writing and I think it was a great transition into writing adult romcoms.

I love a good fake dating book and even though this was also second chance which I don’t usually love, I felt like it worked. There wasn’t some giant misunderstanding that loomed over why they didn’t work. It felt more like a right person, wrong time situation which I can get behind.

I loved Braylon and kinda wish we also got some chapters from his POV but that’s just a personal preference. Denz on the other hand was a pretty flawed MC which doesn’t bother me but can be a little tedious when that’s the only perspective you are getting. Also, I was getting a little burnt out on the whole event planning aspect but that’s also a me thing cause this was the third book in just a couple of weeks with an event planning MC.

Anyway, I would recommend this one and look forward to whatever Julian puts out next! Also the audio was fantastic! André Santana did an excellent job as usual.

Julian Winters’ I Think They Love You is a sparkling, heartfelt romance that masterfully balances humor, emotion, and authenticity. Following the story of Braylon and Denz, this novel delves into the ups and downs of love, heartache, and second chances, all wrapped in Winters’ signature wit and charm.

One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is its focus on a male/male romance, depicted with warmth, depth, and authenticity. Braylon and Denz’s journey is tender yet complex, capturing the bittersweet reality of navigating past hurts while daring to hope for a future together. The family’s unwavering acceptance adds another layer of joy and positivity, serving as a much-needed example of the support that all love stories deserve.

What truly makes this book shine is its humor. Winters has a knack for crafting witty dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments that perfectly complement the deeper emotional beats. This balance between levity and heartfelt storytelling makes the narrative not only enjoyable but also profoundly relatable.

The characters are richly drawn, with distinct voices and personalities that bring the story to life. Braylon and Denz’s chemistry is palpable, and their interactions are both endearing and electrifying. Their growth as individuals and as a couple is portrayed with care, making their story all the more rewarding.

I Think They Love You is more than just a romance—it’s a celebration of love in all its forms, from romantic to familial. Julian Winters delivers a story that’s equal parts funny, romantic, and uplifting, leaving readers with a smile on their faces and hope in their hearts. Highly recommended for fans of LGBTQ+ romances and anyone who loves stories filled with humor, heart, and happy endings.

Branching out, YA author Julian Winters has delivered an excellent MM second chance, dual POV, fake dating romance that sees two Black gay former college exes faking a relationship in order to improve each of their chances in the workplace. With flashbacks to their college life five years in the past, we get to see what went wrong, how they fell in love and whether they can make things work this second time around in the present. Spicy and heartfelt, this had lots of family drama and emotional depth. Good on audio too and perfect for fans of authors like Kosoko Jackson. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I LOVED this book! It took everything I love about second chance and fake dating and multipled it by ten. I’ve liked some of the author’s past books but this one was leagues above

Rating: 5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, this is going to be a book I think about for days after finishing it. I absolutely adored Denz, Braylon, and their chemistry together! Their banter had me laughing from start to finish, and the way they connected throughout the book tugged at my heartstrings. Plus all the incredible background characters had me chuckling as well, especially Jamie and Jordan. I also liked that the author brings up important topics, like how being a person of color affects how people view you and how you do your job. Also how being gay or queer in general can affect this as well. I also adored the narrator and thought they matched this book perfectly.

I Think They Love You was a fun second chance + fake dating romance. I really liked the book, it was funny and emotional. It didn’t quite go the way I expected but not in a bad way. Would recommend!

It’s a solid audiobook and I enjoyed the narrator!

Denz Carter is a part of a successful family enterprise, 24 Carter Magic, and his dad is getting ready to retire. But who will he choose as his successor? Denz is a moderately successful influencer on his own, @notthatdenzel, and the setting is high end Atlanta. Denz's ex-boyfriend Braylon is the one that got away, in college they fell in love but Bray chose to move to London and did not invite Denz to move with him. Now, years later, he has a chance meeting with Bray that led to a mutually beneficial situation of fake dating- Bray is using Denz to get a better relationship and connection to the mayor, and Denz will use Bray to look more settled in life and more likely to be named as his father's successor.

This is a good and typical romance, high spice level from an adult debut, with many typical tropes that are loved; second chance romance, fake dating, one bed. I was gifted the audiobook version in exchange for an honest review. For me this didn't work as well on audio, the pacing didn't lend itself well to it. When the book is published I will re-read the paperback. I didn't find the spark between the characters like I usually do and the plot itself sort of fell flat. I did love the set up and the premise, and the side characters really stole the show, some of the side characters had some really funny lines. And what beautiful cover art!

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape medial for an ALC in exchange for an honest review. Book to be published January 28, 2025.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press & Julian Winters for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I totally appreciate a second chance romance when the first break up happened before life was lived. Denz and Braylon broke up right after college as they set out to begin their careers. Perspectives were gained, minds grown, time passed, - now they are both who they need to be for each other.

I loved getting to know Denz family and would love a novella about Kamila & Suraj!

Narration was done beautifully! I read this as an ebook first and re-read as the audiobook. Andre Santana really brought wonderful infliction and accents to the story.

4 stars

Ah, Denz and Braylon! These two are the stars of an extremely satisfying and charming story of lovers to exes to lovers again, and they will win your hearts.

In an effort to seem like he's adulting as successfully as possible and thus ready for an impending professional opportunity, Denz decides to pretend that he's in a serious romantic relationship. While this fact alone - serious relationship = ready for serious professional responsibility - struck me as strange, the characters are not on the same page. They go for it, and in this case, Denz goes for it through happenstance with his ex, Braylon. Is this my personal nightmare? Yes. Is it theirs? Fortunately, no!

As much as I questioned the impetus, I really enjoyed these characters and the way they evolved individually and together. I am an incoming fan of Winters, and this book was enjoyable as expected. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This was quite adorable. And would make a great movie imo!!
Swoony, a lil emotional and very funny.

Denz is hoping if he does everything perfectly his dad will take him seriously as a candidate for CEO when his father retires this summer, when an auntie makes a comment about him not taking anything seriously… just look at his love life. So Denz does the rational thing and makes up a serious boyfriend. Luck would have it when Denz is about to show off his boyfriend his ex shows back up after years of not hearing from him.

Lil fake boyfriend, second chance and lots of family drama.
Super cute.
Narrator was great.