Julian Winters’s adult romance debut is a hit. It is full of character voice and heart from page one. Second chances meets fake dating and I was hooked! I also adored the character development of Denz! Keep reading this book review of I Think They Love You for my full thoughts.
Summary
When Denzel “Denz” Carter’s workaholic father and CEO of 24 Carter Gold unexpectedly announces his retirement, the competition is on for who will become his successor. To convince his judgmental family members that Denz is capable of commitment he impulsively lies about being in a serious relationship. Problem is the last serious relationship he was in hung him high and dry after leaving the continent.
Now Denz needs to find a fake boyfriend to bring to family functions and seal the deal on the CEO position. To do so he enlists the help of his best friend and roommate, Jamie. Someone his family already accepts in their inner circle. But when his BFF is a no-show, Denz is forced to turn to the last person he wants to be in a pretend (or any) relationship Braylon, the man who broke his heart.
Braylon’s sudden reappearance in Denz’s life turns everything upside down. But apparently, he needs Denz’s connections to the mayor to win his own promotion and Denz is currently up a creek without a paddle. So, they strike a deal. It’s all business, but between the funny texts and the confusing kisses soon enough Denz is struggling to separate business from the affairs of his heart.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Fake dating, second chances, and family complexity? YES PLEASE. I Think They Love You is in my top faves of fake dating. Not only were they exes before, Denz’s relationship forces him to examine what he truly wants. He’s so sure he’s on the path he should be on. But what happens if he’s wrong? What happens if we just aren’t letting ourselves see what our life could be because we’re so convinced we’re on the road to should be? With flashbacks to their past, I Think They Love You is delightful. It’s raw and vulnerable, swoony and spicy.
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Like Winters’s previous YA books, there’s this signature voice and character flair which I love. It’s full of cute banter, fabulous side characters, and plenty of fun tropes. Denz so deeply feels his imposter syndrome, but also his fear of being hurt again. I loved watching his character grow as he figures out what he truly wants. Find I Think They Love You on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.