Reviewed by Anna Lynn
TITLE: Falling
SERIES: Delicious #3
AUTHOR: Stella Starling
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
RE-RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2019
LENGTH: 304 pages
BLURB:
“You’re the best fake boyfriend I ever had.”
“Love exists… in books, at least.”
There’s no way bookstore owner Jeremy Bennett is going to his ten-year class reunion after accidentally drunk-posting on the reunion’s Facebook page and making himself sound a) much more interesting than he actually is, by b) claiming to do the kind of things he actually only reads about, and c) worse, also claiming to have a super hot boyfriend, when in reality, d) his dating history is more like the bastard love child of a trainwreck and a what-not-to-do reality show.
“I’m no good at romance.”
When one of Nick Roberts’ personal training clients mistakes him for the boyfriend of a new gym member, Nick decides to play along on a whim. After all, he can’t let the guy die from embarrassment, and besides, even though Nick isn’t gay, he has a feeling that the story behind the mistaken identity might prove to be the most fun he’s had since moving to Tulsa.
“I went from faking it to feeling it. Don’t tell me this isn’t real.”
Falling for your fake boyfriend is a guaranteed dating fail. Unless the stars align…
REVIEW:
The fake-boyfriend trope is one of the most popular tropes in the MM genre. It has a certain pull because it normally consists of awkwardness, embarrassing but fun moments and of course, love in the end. And most of the time, the characters wish it to be true as they get to know each other.
In this tale of a fake relationship, we find Jeremy, who through one night of drunkenness, posted his “enviable” accomplishments on Facebook where his high school friends read it, and just in time for their class reunion. Now that would be just fine if all of what he wrote was true, unfortunately, they are not true at all.
Nick has just moved into town from Seattle. He is a Gym Instructor. As luck would have it, he met Jeremy and his friend Gavin at the gym. One thing led to another and Nick finds himself as the “fake” boyfriend of Jeremy. According to Candi, a high classmate of Jeremy, the description that Jeremy posted on Facebook matches Nick (who, truth be told, is really Jeremy’s ideal boyfriend having not met Nick at the time he posted these details).
Jeremy is a thinker, really an overthinker! Which can lead to a lot of things, thereby losing whatever joy there is to be enjoyed in every interaction. But I guess you can’t blame the guy for doing it because thus far he hasn’t been in an ideal relationship.
Nick looks perfect outside, but he personally feels he is greatly flawed. He has a secret that if Jeremy might learn, will definitely end this “fake relationship.” And the secret, if it got out could ruin Nick’s life in more ways than one.
I love the two main characters with all their flaws. It makes them more real. Even the way that people in Nick’s world are taking actions that are such an unfair thing to do is also very real. People sometimes do things that are pure selfishness in their part.
Although this is slightly higher in angst than the first two books, it fits the story line, which is beautiful, with characters you will love and totally relate to in terms of hopes and wants. It will definitely tug at your hearts. The existing relationships are inspiring, and even Nick’s attitude towards his ex is admirable. This series is getting better and better with every book. I urge you to start reading it!
RATING: 
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