Bona Fide Fake by Rebecca Raine: Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

 

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Bona Fide Fake     Author: Rebecca Raine

Publisher: Self-published     Cover Artist: Bec Rivers

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Fake boyfriends, Rock star, Mild sub/dom vibes

Themes: Authenticity, Trust in self and others

 Heat Rating:  4 flames  

Length:  80 000 words

This is Book Two of the Experimental Love series, but it can be read as a standalone. 

The book does not end on a cliffhanger. It has a solid HEA.

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Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

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My new fake boyfriend may not like me, but he needs me. There are worse foundations for a relationship.

Blurb 

Ned

Toni Fairweather is a liar and a fake. I suspected it the day we met, but when he lies to his friends about being my boyfriend, I know for sure. I’ll play along with his deception, but Toni will owe me – big time.

I have my own reasons for needing a boyfriend. Someone who can handle me. Someone who can keep me in line. Toni is demanding enough to fulfil every requirement.

I don’t need to like the man… to obey him.

Toni

I never meant to fake a relationship with the lead singer of a local rock band. But the fib popped out over lunch with my best friend, and now I’m expected to present my new boyfriend at his engagement party next month.

The good news? I’m not the only one in need of a date.

Being boyfriends for a month shouldn’t be hard, but I do have one condition: this won’t be some fake boyfriends deal. I want a real relationship, and Ned’s going to give it to me.

A reluctant rock star and a closed off graphic designer do not immediately sound like a good match but my does this book prove you wrong. There is so much more to Bona Fide Fake than I was expecting when reading the blurb and I was just blown away. 

Ned is the lead singer of a band but he has no desire to become famous. Toni is a graphic designer who hides behind his outgoing personality and all of his relationships are only skin deep. The backgrounds to these characters was so detailed and so well thought out. 

 I loved how you slowly got to find out more about why they acted the way they did. It was all done so tastefully and I just loved it. The whole book was just fantastic and I really recommend Bona Fide Fake. 

Rating: 4.5 Stars 


Heather's Review: 

I love how the theme of faking is carried throughout the book - from the initial fake dating trope to the desire of both main characters to show just one part of themselves to the world... I also love how the author takes the fake out of fake dating right from the start and lays the groundwork for the way the characters are able to grow as individuals and a couple in the book. 

 I will say that while there isn't a ton of relationship angst within the story, there is character angst and hidden depths to explore. I also caution that there is a tw for past abuse, which again for me doesn't scream fun and low angst. I'm not saying it wasn't a fantastic book, just that the blurb characterization is somewhat misleading for me. I haven't read the first book in the series and I don't think that I missed anything, so this book can easily be read as standalone. 

 The steam is definitely there and there is exploration of a power exchange relationship and discussions of safe words and consent which are well done and fit the story but are not mentioned in the blurb. I would just suggest that the blurb reflect that Bona Fide Fake isn't as light and airy as it might appear from the description. 

Rating 4 Stars

Excerpt 

 From Chapter Six (Toni’s Point of View)

“You need a date for the festival. I need a date for Rodney and Leif’s engagement party next month. The answer is obvious.” I place a hand over my chest in a show of sincerity. “I think we should be boyfriends.”

Ned’s head falls back as he laughs out loud. “That’s why you’re here? You want to rope me into going to the engagement party with you?”

Hilarity isn’t the response I’d hoped for, but it’s better than instant rejection. “You have to admit, a twenty-minute acting job does not equate to an entire weekend away. This is simply a way to bring our arrangement back into balance. It’s only fair.”

He shakes his head at me. “How long are you planning to drag this fake boyfriend thing out?”

“Just until after the party. Then, we can break up and go our separate ways. It won’t be messy,” I assure him. “If there’s any moping to be done, I’ll keep it to myself. You’ll never have to hear from me again. However…” I lift a pointed finger to make sure he’s paying attention. “I don’t want to be fake boyfriends. I want to be real boyfriends.”

Ned’s amusement is replaced by confusion. “Real boyfriends.”

“Yes.”

“Just like that?”

“Why not just like that?”

He gapes at me in disbelief. “People don’t go around deciding to be real boyfriends as though a relationship can be plucked out of thin air. It has to come naturally. You get to know each other, spend time together, develop actualfeelings.” He gestures between us with one hand. “Do you have any actual feelings for me, Toni?”

“Yes,” I insist. “I think you’re incredibly sexy. That counts, doesn’t it?” His groan—half exasperation, half lust—makes me smile.

“Usually yes, but in this context not so much.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “We might be able to fake a real relationship for other people, but we can’t actually make it real. Tell me you know this.”

“Of course, I do.” In theory. My longest ‘real’ relationship didn’t make it to a monthiversary, so my practical experience is somewhat lacking. “But can’t we skip over all the getting to know you crap and go straight to the part where you adore me, and I make you happy?”

Groaning, Ned drops his head forwards.

“You need this as much as I do,” I snap. “Maybe more.”

Straightening, he places his hands on his hips. “How do you figure?”

“If we go down to the festival as friends, or let’s face it acquaintances, then I’ll be hard-pressed to stop you doing anything. This ex of yours will have power over you, and I will have none.” Ned opens his mouth as if to disagree with me, but then he must see sense because he closes it again. “If I’m your boyfriend… I will have power, too.” I give him a moment to contemplate my statement before I continue. “Trust me when I say I’m the jealous type. As long as we’re together, there is no way in hell anyone will be touching you but me. There will be no getting seduced by your ex. No sneaking off into dark corners to be fawned over by groupies. Nada. You’ll be my boyfriend, and I will not allow you to disrespect our relationship.”

He stares at me with wide eyes, a slow smile appearing as his ears turn a lovely shade of pink. “I take it you don’t like to share?”

The word alone makes me grit my teeth. “I don’t even want to share the air you breathe.”

His tongue darts out to swipe across his bottom lip as he contemplates my offer. Taking a deep breath, he nods his agreement. “All right, you’ve convinced me. Real boyfriends it is.” A smile bursts onto my face, and his eyes close on a quiet groan. “Holy fuck, those dimples will be the death of me.”

  About the Author  

Rebecca is a long-time lover of all things romance. Whether it’s a book, movie, or real life, she will always have more fun if there’s a love interest thrown into the mix. She lives in Queensland, Australia with her very own hero husband, two quirky kids and one big, black dog. Other than reading and writing books, her favourite things include loud music, enjoying a glass of wine on the patio, organising everything in existence, and spending too much time on the Internet.

You can learn more about Rebecca Raine in her 10 Things Interview

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