There were a lot of good nuggets in there, and I appreciated the book more as self reflective story more than a romance. The writing style just wasn't for me. And it was just so heavy on a fandom I don't know, because it doesn't exist, that it really took me put of it a lot of times. But I appreciated the plot, I just think that it could've been better done. It was a very cute and clean romance though. The parallels to The Hating Game are very clear, but I liked how their feelings about each other came about more here.

I stand by 'there's nothing wrong with romanticizing life'. She did not write off the mmc because of a fantasy, he did. So I don't think his comments are fair.
That being said, she is being very stupid for a lot of it.

The writing wasn't bad, it was just non stop. A lot of romances these days are written in 1st pov. But they're still paced. This was just constant stream of consciousness. So it feel like you have no time to breathe until the chapter ends, whicj displayed her anxiety well but was exhausting, It was also so immersive in it's own fictional story (the character is a fangirl of a fantasy book series in her world) so she refers a lot to the books and characters and jokes she says are funny if you're a fan, but none of resonated with me. And she's spending the week at an immersive fan camp, so that's not helping the cause either, cause everything is themed around said series. Like, I love fan stuff, and if I was a fan of a book or tv show that had an innerisve camp, I think it would be super fun to attend, even if only via a fictionalised account. But I don't know this fictional series, so I feel like a lot of it is lost on me. This kind of stuff works in fanfiction for me, because it's two characters I already know, who could be going to a fan event of a series I also know. Like reading a fanfic of Bellamy amd Clarke [I'm a huge The 100 fan] going to a Star Trek camp, but it doesn't really work as well when I don't know the characters or the things they're a fan of.
I also don't read the SJM books, and I'm assuming that's what it (the fictional fantasy series) is based on, so it's possible I've missed some jokes or nods to stories there.

Long ramble over sorry, all that to say, it wasn't a waste of time and it was quite fun at points, but I will not be rereading it again.

This is the perfect book for fans of ACOTAR, unfortunately I have yet to read that series. This book follows Jennifer Worth, who is a huge fan of a big fantasy series called Elytheum Courts. After having some bad couple of days she decides to take the opportunity to go to a huge fan convention that immerses you into the world of Elytheum. There are hundreds of other fans at this event as well as food and events that were inspired by the series. When getting to the event she encounters her work nemesis Scott Daniel's. She is completely thrown off since he always brushes off the series when she will bring it up at work.

This was a quick easy and lighthearted read that combines enemy to lovers and grumpy v sunshine. It took me a while to get into the book and a hot minute to appreciate the main characters but once I did I couldn't put it down. I would definitely check out more by the author

“No magic in the fantasy novels I’ve cherished practically my entire life, intertwining them with my personality and now my livelihood, is as powerful as hope.”

I really enjoyed The Roughest Draft by these authors and am also an avid fantasy reader so, when I heard the concept of this book, I was very excited! Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

It follows Jennifer, a young woman working in the publishing industry, who is a massive fan of a romantasy series and who likes to live vicariously through her favourite characters. When she gets dumped, she takes the opportunity to attend a week long, immersive experience celebrating all things Elytheum. However, she wasn’t expecting to bump into her colleague/rival, Scott. As the week progresses and they compete to win an Elytheum themed treasure hunt, Jen starts to view Scott in a different light and consider whether a real relationship might truly be better than a fictional one.

“It’s not easy to face hurt. You can’t be rejected by something that isn’t real.”

I think my biggest issue with this book, and what stopped me from enjoying it more, was Jennifer. I just couldn’t connect to her character, which I didn’t find overly consistent. For example, on the one hand we’re told that she struggles to make friends and lives in a fantasy world, yet when we see her being dumped at the start, and her subsequent conversation with Scott (whose witnessed the breakup), she comes across as someone who is confident in herself and knows what she wants. I also found it irritating that she has all these apparent introspections:
“Fantasy is often equated with escapism, but was I escaping?…Or was I seeking something else? Inspiration? Strength? Hope?”
Yet her actions never seem to align.

I wasn’t a fan of the third act conflict, which happened almost immediately after they got together, and in a way that I found frustrating (Jen doing a complete 180 within 2 seconds).

But there were things I did enjoy about this book:

- Scott lived up to the books’ name and is a really sweet book boyfriend. I thought he and Jen had good chemistry and would’ve liked to have seen a bit more of them together from the start. I also would have preferred dual POV, so that we got Scott’s perspective.
- Erik. He’s so ridiculous but also pretty funny.
- Some of the messages around reading and what it means to those who love it: “fantasy doesn’t have to be an escape, but sometimes escapes are what help us get through the darkest days.” As well as reminders that: “Magic and heroism exist in the ordinary as easily as the extraordinary. Something doesn’t need to be untouchable tor imaginary or even perfect to be a fantasy. It exists wherever you’re willing to look for it.”

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the e-arc of this book.

It was a really enjoyable read and even the characters were well developed . At first I hated the 2 main characters because they were immature for their age and what keep me was the side characters but than I stated liking them and enjoying when they where together even their chemistry was lovely 🥰 and so cute . I liked Scott in particular in the end how he is supporting her to persuade her dream of writing .
I highly recommend if you want to live in your fantasy world .
If you like
- enemies to lovers
- Grumpy / sunshine
- coworkers
This book is for you 😉
Many thanks to NetGally and Berkeley Publishing for providing this E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The whole enemies to lovers plot in the blurb of this book immediately grabbed my attention but it felt like Jennifer and Scott were barely"enemies" and went to being lovers real quick. And it felt like they barely spent any time together. The writing also wasn't up to the mark and I didn't really feel the chemistry between the main characters. I had previously read The Roughest Draft and liked it, so I decided to give this book a chance but unfortunately, it fell flat for me.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

First off, thank you to the author and Pan Macmillan for giving me the amazing opportunity to read this ARC!

This was such a fun read, and I enjoyed it from start to finish. Let’s be honest—there’s a bit of Jennifer in all of us book lovers: always dreaming about the most romantic, morally grey man, both in fiction and real life. This made it so easy to relate to her character and understand her actions, though at times they felt a little too extreme for my tastes.

I absolutely LOVED Scott and the way their (non-)relationship evolved into something deeper as the story progressed. Their dynamic was both hilarious and heartfelt. You’re going to laugh A LOT while reading this! Each character plays a precise role, adding charm and importance to the story.

More than just a rom-com, this book delivers a thoughtful message about how real-life relationships often hold a depth that fictional ones can’t fully capture. It’s a great reminder for us book lovers that while fantasy worlds are thrilling, real love stories can be just as magical—and sometimes even better.

Thank you again for this delightful read. It was a joy to experience!

If you’ve ever wished for the romance of your favorite books to leap off the page and into your life, this novel will feel like a dream come true. Witty, tender, and brimming with charm, it’s a must-read for romance and romantasy book lovers, and anyone who believes in a little magic in their love stories.

4.5 stars

After having read some intense books at the start of the year, Book Boyfriend came as the perfect palate cleanser. This was fun, delightful and overall such a charming read. I really enjoy books/other media that center themselves around fandom related themes or create a fandom within the pages of the book; as a hardcore fangirl, it is always so much fun to read about these things. The fandom crafted within the pages of the book was pretty fun and I lowkey know exactly which fandom it was referring to. The whole concept of a fandom experience, with a scavenger hunt and fun fantasy based activities sounded so good that I would pay a killer amount of money to experience this in real life.

Jennifer feels so relatable. She obsesses over her favourite fantasy series, fantasises about living in that world and also being swept by a romance of her own. Unfortunately at this fandom experience, she bumps into her work nemesis Scott, who is prickly and kind of rude (I could totally understand why she didn’t like him at first). But as the scavenger hunt commences, the two clash and work together and let me just tell you, their banter is amazing. And the chemistry? Oh lord, it was intense. Scott is such a flirt that every time he made a move/practiced a line or a romantic move on Jennifer, I could feel my own face turning red.

For a story that takes place within a span of week and then some, this book does a great job of making us fall in love with Jennifer and Scott. It is quite easy to love these two and want them to get together. The opposites attract vibe is just amazing and the progression of their relationship feels realistic. At the same time, I felt we could have gotten far more romantic moments between them - I enjoyed the ones that we got, but it would have added to their relationship if there had been some more moments. Also no epilogue? That was kinda…idk I would have loved an epilogue to be in there, but overall I am pretty happy with the book that we got.

Book Boyfriend reads like a love letter to all things fandom and romance, and is really such a fun and charming read especially if you’re part of a million fandoms like I am.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc! Unfortunately, I didn't really enjoy this one which was a shame because I've liked other books by these authors. Jennifer and Scott had no chemistry at all and the whole plot being about Jennifer and her fantasy book series just ended up annoying me. Overall, maybe it just wasn't for me but if you like an enemies to lovers romcom then this is for you.

Book Boyfriend follows Jennifer Worth who is obsessed with her favourite fantasy book series, Elytheum Courts. Jennifer dreams of romance where the man is chivalrous and winged. She goes to an immersive fan experience where fans are dressed as characters from the book series. It turns out her work nemesis, Scott Daniels is at the experience. Jennifer and Scott do not get along but will spending time together at the experience bring them closer?

This was really not good and I’m so sad about it because I really enjoyed these authors previous two books. This was only told in Jennifer’s POV and the previous books have been told in dual POV. There wasn’t any chemistry between Jennifer and Scott meaning I didn’t really feel anything towards this whole romance. The fantasy stuff was quite cringy simply because it felt like Jennifer didn’t have anything to live for except this book series. This book just felt quite derivative of books I’ve read before and I just didn’t enjoy it unfortunately. That means I have to give this 2 stars because I didn’t enjoy it and I can’t really recommend this widely.

Great book
It was romantic and funny and just a really great snuggly read. I liked the honesty that each brought to the book, loved the cos play element and loved how they got lost in the moment.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for and honest review.

Do you love romance and fantasy? Then this is simply the book for you. I picked up this ARC by chance right after reading an SJM book and I was hooked right away.

Imagine going on a week-long vacation that takes place in your favorite fantasy universe - a kind of themed summer camp for adults. Here you bump into the annoying male colleague who has been dissing your love for this universe for the past year. Can you imagine it? Here is a true Enemies to Lovers romance and I swooned several times. It is well-written and humorous, so I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance.

Thanks to @netgalley and @panmacmillan for this ARC


Original review in Danish

Elsker du romantasy og fantasy? Så er dette simpelthen bogen til dig. Rent tilfældigt greb jeg denne ARC lige efter jeg havde læst en SJM bog og jeg var grebet med det samme.

Forestil dig, at du tager på en uges ferie, der foregår i lige netop dit yndlingsfantasiunivers - altså en slags tema sommerlejr for voksne. Her støder du så ind i den trælse mandlige kollega, der gennem det seneste år har disset din kærlighed til lige netop dette univers. Kan du se det for dig? Her er en ægte Enemies to lovers romance og jeg swoonede flere gange. Den er velskrevet og humoristisk, så jeg anbefaler den varmt til alle, der elsker en god romance.

Tak til @netgalley og @panmacmillan for denne ARC.

When Jennifer, a romance reader who loves love, gets broken up with at the lobby of her workplace she decides to do what she always does. Escape into a fictional world that brings her comfort. Only this is special, because her favourite fantasy series has been turned into an immersive experience. This will be her week to stop being plain Jennifer but be Lady Jennifer, the heroine of her own story. What she doesn’t expect is for her work nemesis, Scott, to be there as well. What is Scott, someone who has always looked down on her beloved series, doing here?

Look, I loved the idea of the book! A reader FMC that loves romance and fantasy, escapes into those worlds and has a list of book boyfriends. Hellooo, is she me, am I her? And a MMC that reads those books to be more like those book boyfriends. In theory, this is an excellent premise but the execution was not, in my opinion.

I found it a little difficult to get into the book due to the fictional world subplot and couldn’t fully warm up to Scott or Jennifer. Their sudden interest for each other, after a year of an unnecessary feud, seemed a little out of the blue. Considering the plot of the book spans over a week, where at the beginning, they dislike each other and by the end, they have miraculously come very close to love.

Having said all that, it wasn’t all bad! I still had a good time reading and I did still enjoy Scott’s thoughtfulness and the development of their relationship! They had good banter and some character growth, both realising things and coming to mature conclusions. The side characters were funny too and really added to the plot.

It was neither particularly bad nor particularly great, a well rounded 3 star read.

Book Boyfriend is out February 27th 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley and PanMacmillan for an earc in exchange for an honest review!

Omg, as a book lover and also a women who is obsessing over one particular Romantasy book series, I felt like this book was written for me 🥹

I want a convention/event about my favorite series, meet with fans, cosplay and just enjoy the recreation of the world I love so much.

I was almost more attracted by the event and fandom part of this story than by the romance 💞

Now I’m wondering if the authors have a favorite book series themselves 🤭

I totally recommend this unputdownable book 💞

this book is a fun book was to read, it showed a really beautiful story of how amazing the book community can be.
I loved how this entered around a beloved fantasy world in a week long experience as I see these experiences happening IRL and they look so fun and like everyone has the time of their lives there, the book truly helped me with my fomo on ,missing out on experiences. the enemies to lovers in this book was SO insanely good, I was kicking my feel and giggling every single time scoot and Jennifer interacted with on another bc of their pettiness and just not being plain old mean maybe that was just the way I read it, idk but what I do know is Jennifer is better than me because some of the things he said would have made me cry my eyes out. also the side characters forever have my heart, all of them were so sweet and funny.

this whole book was such a fun concept and was really unique in my eyes, I loved every single minute of it and sort of have my fingers crossed we will get a bit more insight into Amelias HEA one day.

This was such a fun and sweet book. The authors have crafted a world that I think most readers could picture themselves in. This book is a homage to reading, romantasy and the readers.
With the addition of a literal treasure hunt, and trying to suss out Scott's motives, the pages kepts turning until the end.

Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this book.

A delightful read. Enemies to Lovers fun, fantasy and everything in between. Jennifer and Scott are fantastic leads, their sniping and desire to win at all costs was hilarious. Their eventual love story is a heartwarming one, smart, sexy and hopeful Five stars. Thank you to the authors, publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.

Such a beautiful romance that we can all relate to. As someone who fell for Mr Darcy at a young age, I can relate to our heroine who has a book boyfriend. It was nice to see our heroine grow as a person, whilst also seeing the beautiful romance develop. I also really appreciated that the author tied up all the loose ends and gave the perfect HEA. I’d definitely recommend this book to others, but just a note of caution, there are frequent pepperings of expletives, and also open door sex scenes

Book Review: Book Boyfriend by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka's Book Boyfriend is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance that serves as both a heartfelt love letter to fandom culture and a swoon-worthy contemporary love story. With sharp wit, emotional depth, and a deep understanding of what it means to be a fan, this novel captures the magic of connecting over shared passions—and the unexpected spark of romance where you least expect it.

Plot Overview
Jennifer Worth is a devoted fan of Elytheum Courts, a romantasy series that fuels her love for fictional chivalry and swoony romance. Nursing a broken heart and yearning for connection, Jennifer attends an immersive fan convention where she plans to lose herself in the magic of her beloved series.

Her plans hit an unexpected snag when she bumps into Scott Daniels, her infuriating work nemesis, who inexplicably shares her love for the series. To her surprise, Scott, in his second-hand cosplay, is worlds away from the dismissive coworker she knows. Confident and flirtatious, he declares his mission: to transform himself into the ultimate "book boyfriend."

Forced together by convention activities, Jennifer and Scott navigate their clashing personalities and uncover surprising layers to each other. Their journey from adversaries to something more mirrors the sweeping romance of Jennifer’s favorite books, raising the question: can real-life love be as enchanting as fiction?

Tropes and Themes
Enemies-to-Lovers: The foundation of the story is the classic friction between Jennifer and Scott, whose work relationship is filled with barbs and misunderstandings. Their chemistry builds slowly, allowing readers to savor the transition from animosity to affection.
Fandom and Fantasy: The setting of the fan convention is a perfect backdrop for Jennifer’s journey of self-discovery. From costume contests to fan debates, the story celebrates the creativity and camaraderie of fandoms while exploring how they can inspire personal growth.
Hidden Depths: Scott’s transformation into the “perfect book boyfriend” underscores the idea that people are more than the roles we assign them. His vulnerability and effort to understand Jennifer’s world are deeply endearing.
What Works Well
Relatable Protagonists: Jennifer’s deep love for romantasy novels and her yearning for connection will resonate with anyone who’s ever been swept away by a fictional world. Her skepticism about Scott’s intentions and her gradual softening toward him feel authentic and earned.
Scott’s Growth: Scott’s journey from dismissive coworker to someone who genuinely cares about Jennifer’s passions is compelling. His attempts to embody the qualities of a "book boyfriend" while staying true to himself make him a memorable romantic lead.
Immersive Setting: The fan convention comes alive with vivid descriptions and clever details, from costume contests to themed dinners. It’s a celebration of fandom culture that feels vibrant and inclusive.
Humor and Heart: The authors balance laugh-out-loud moments with heartfelt introspection, making the story both entertaining and emotionally satisfying.
Themes of Fandom and Connection
The novel dives deep into the power of stories to shape our lives and bring people together. Jennifer’s love for Elytheum Courts isn’t just escapism—it’s a lens through which she navigates her emotions and relationships. Scott’s initial skepticism about her world evolves into genuine appreciation, highlighting how shared passions can bridge divides.

A Few Critiques
Predictability: While the story hits all the right beats, its adherence to familiar romance tropes might make the ending feel a bit predictable for some readers.
Secondary Characters: The supporting cast, while charming, could have been more fleshed out to add depth to Jennifer and Scott’s world.
Final Thoughts
Book Boyfriend is a joyous celebration of fandom, romance, and the messy, beautiful process of connecting with others. Jennifer and Scott’s journey is filled with laughter, tension, and swoony moments that will leave readers smiling.

Perfect for fans of Emily Henry’s Book Lovers or Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners, this novel is a must-read for anyone who’s ever dreamed of finding a love story as magical as the ones on their bookshelf.

Rating: 4.5/5
A charming and heartfelt romance that will leave readers believing in the magic of love—and fandom.