The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky has been on my radar ever since I read another of his books, New Adult. Fake dating is one of those irresistible tropes that I just can’t get enough of, and I will never pass up a reality TV show setting. I experienced a maelstrom of emotions with this book, from elation to profound sadness to white-hot rage (there’s a rant about Holden’s douche-canoe ex farther down the page, if you’re so inclined, lol). But Buckley aside, I loved this book so much. I was supposed to be going to bed earlier and getting more sleep, and for the past few weeks, I’ve been doing a pretty good job. And then this book happened, and two days in a row I stayed up super late because I couldn’t put it down.
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The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky
🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
(you can find my rating and spice system here)
POV & Tense: Dual POV, first person, present tense
Genre: MM Contemporary Romance, RomCom
Tropes/Themes: Reality TV, Breakup, Grief, Fake Dating, Catching Feelings, Light D/s, Banter, Karaoke
Locations: Set in Los Angeles and New York City
Synopsis:
Reeling from a breakup, Holden James heads to Los Angeles to audition for Madcap Market, a reality TV show he loved to watch with his late mother. However, without his ex, he doesn’t have a game show partner. But if he and Leo, the sexy hotel concierge, can convince the world they’re dating, they might stand a chance of winning the $100K prize.
My Review:
I really loved The (Fake) Dating Game. The main character, Holden, is highly relatable, and the banter between him and Leo is fantastic. Grief is a hard subject to write about and Timothy has done an excellent job, portraying Holden’s experience with tenderness. The game show portion was excellent.
I’ve avoided major spoilers, but my kinda-sorta-but-not-really-spoilery anti-Buckley rant takes place in the Semi-Spoiler-y Discussion section wayyy down the page after the Author Stalking section. You may not want to read this (at all, or) until after you have read the book. I just need to express myself because I feel deeply enraged by Holden’s ex (and yes, I realize he’s a fictional character, and perhaps I need to examine that, lol).
Witnessing those strong hands expertly maneuver a shopping cart is somehow fueling my fantasy. What is happening to me?
Endearing Main Character
I adored Holden James so much. From the opening scene, where he’s trying to ask his boyfriend a very important question and things are going pear-shaped, I was rooting for him. I found him very relatable. I completely understand where he is in life, where his peers have their shit together and he feels lost, like he’s floating but not going anywhere. I get that. Dealing with grief is hard, especially when the loss happens suddenly and at a time of transition in one’s life. And yet Holden has high hopes and dreams, and you can’t help but want them all to come true.
This, like everything else related to this trip, could go up in flames so easily, but Leo’s kindness and honesty have wedged open my trust.
Dazzling Chemistry
Holden and Leo are amazing together—they shine. Their banter is excellent, they connect on a deep level, and the spice is spicing. I’m insanely impressed to find this much spice in a traditionally published book. But it’s carefully doled out, edging the reader along as Leo and Holden’s lives become more enmeshed. After Holden’s previous relationship with Buckley, where he’s contorted himself into unnatural shapes to make the relationship work, Leo is like a breath of fresh air. He challenges Holden, makes him step out of his comfort zone, and for the first time in years, he’s living in the moment. I love these two together so much, and I adore Leo’s mom, Mrs. Min.
“Just know that I’m taking this fake boyfriend thing very seriously. I’m going to fake rock your world.”
Grocery-Themed Game Show
Madcap Market serves as a backdrop throughout the book. Holden has powerful memories of watching the show with his mom and finally competing is a dream come true, a way to make her proud. I enjoyed the prep work Holden and Leo did before the show—both in and out of grocery stores—and the entire game show experience was fun. There’s a twist that happens that I did not see coming (although I probably should have) which makes things even zanier.
The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky
Final Thoughts:
I loved The (Fake) Dating Game a lot, particularly because I loved Holden and Leo so much. There is a decent amount of denouement, but I’m greedy and would have loved a little more. They’re just so fantastic together. This is a really great book that I highly recommend. I’m looking forward to reading more from Timothy Janovsky (I’m currently eyeing his upcoming summer release, You Had Me at Happy Hour.)
Author Stalking (but not in a creepy way):
Timothy Janovsky is the author of many MM contemporary RomComs. He also performs improv/stand-up comedy.
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Semi-Spoiler-y Discussion (aka Buckley What’s-His-Name Hate Club)
I’ve aimed to keep spoilers to a minimum, but you may encounter some minor ones. You have been warned. Keep scrolling down for my rant…
Keep scrolling…
Further…
Okayyyyyy….
Have you ever been deeply enraged by a fictional character? Because right now, I’m so angry at Holden’s ex I could scream. I’m normally a “see both sides of the story” kinda person when I read books. Most of the time, when a relationship doesn’t work out, I can see where it took two people for the relationship to break down.
In Holden and Buckley’s case, I can totally see how deep unresolved grief might take its toll. But—and this is a great big BUT—I am furious about Buckley’s treatment of Holden and his lack of sensitivity surrounding Holden’s grief. It is one thing to pull someone you care about aside and gently suggest they may want to consider seeking counselling to help them process their grief. This comes from a place of empathy and care. It is another thing entirely to attack someone’s character, make their grief about you, and verbally kick them when they are feeling vulnerable. Everything Buckley said to Holden (later on in the book) was vindictive and cruel.
Grief is shitty, there is no right way to process it, and there is no timeline for processing it. No one—NO ONE—gets to tell you it’s time for you to be “over it.” Grief absolutely gets better as time passes, but you’re never truly over it. You keep on processing it in different ways as you grow. So, while Buckley had every right to call time on a relationship that wasn’t working for him, he had no right to make Holden feel like garbage about his grief. Buckley Whatever-Your-Name-Is: Do not pass go, do not collect $200, you’re headed straight to ex-boyfriend jail.
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