Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Concocted

SERIES:  Fakers

AUTHOR:  Zoe Lee

PUBLISHER:  Foolish Endeavors LLC

LENGTH:   213 pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 12, 2022

BLURB:

I’m already on my second chance in Hollywood when a proposal video of scowly, intimidating studio head Argus Waterbury and me goes viral. Except… the sexy silver fox and I met a minute before the video was recorded and it was a proposition, not a proposal.

There’s no way I’ll let one silly misunderstanding ruin everything I’ve worked for, not when I love what I do. So when Argus concocts the perfect Hollywood fairytale, I jump in with everything I’ve got. Good thing Argus has some reputation problems of his own that an engagement to an actor like me can solve. If Argus can learn how to fake being in love with me… and if I can remember it’s fake…

REVIEW:

So I really liked this author’s Local Beats series.  But this book takes things to another level for me 🙂  To say I loved these two and their story is an understatement.  I started this book and didn’t put it down.  Finished in one sitting because I just couldn’t wait to see how things would work out.  This is truly one of my favorite reads so far this year.  I absolutely loved how these two characters came together and how good they were for each other, despite the whole “fake engagement” thing.

Argus is a studio head, and he’s no an actor, but he’s been putting on a facade of the tough guy robot businessman for years.  It’s helped him get what he ultimately wanted which was an LGBTQ+ media company producing queer content that needs to be seen.  Dallas is an out gay actor who has worked hard to get his reputation back after some bad behavior.  He’s working on projects he likes and feels good about.  He’s got good friends and he’s grateful that Argus didn’t just throw him under the bus on this when it could have once again tanked his reputation and negated all the work he’s done.  While the original motives for continuing to go with the viral engagement story might not be 100% altruistic, the more time Dallas and Argus spend together, the closer they get.  And it’s obvious they were attracted from the beginning, so why not get the benefits of this fake engagement as well? 😉

Throughout the weeks that Argus and Dallas spend together, it’s clear that things are going a bit beyond the “fake relationship” parameters.  They do like being together.  They have fun doing stuff at home – playing video games, watching movies/TV, having takeaway and Dallas cooking, etc.  They go out and are seen.  They keep up the social media stuff.  And the sex is off the charts hot.  Even the potential disasters turn out great.  Dallas meets Argus’s family and it’s really emotional since he’s estranged from his own.  Speaking of which – Argus’s family is the best!  From his polyamorous parents, to his super cool sisters, to his Uncle George and his cousin Xia, they all take to Dallas immediately.  Very few people know the real story.

There is some great crossover Easter eggs with a rockstar from the previous series.  I LOVED how he helped Argus and Dallas realize their real feelings -even when they didn’t really want too. The fear each guy has that maybe they are the only one who has crossed over the line from fake to real feeling was so well written.  And I loved how much Argus’s mom is instrumental in helping him find his way.  Just loved their relationship all the way around.

This is a really good fake relationship/opposites attract/slight age gap romance that really hits all the right buttons.  The MCs are strongly written and believable.  The supporting case of friends, coworkers, family and fans really add a lot of fun to the story.  There is drinking, dancing, rock music, family fun and plenty of sexy times.  There is also a lot of humor.  It’s a really fun low angst story with a great payoff.  I think this might find it’s way on my best of the year in December.  LOVED IT!  Highly Recommended.

RATING: 

BUY LINK:

Amazon