The Build-a-Boyfriend Project by Mason Deaver was a wonderful romance that I was able to read from NetGalley as an advanced copy. It’s a funny, bittersweet rom-com about learning what’s right for yourself and falling in love with the unexpected.
First, I want to start with our two main characters, Eli Francis and Peter Park (amazing name). While I do prefer my romance novels to have perspectives from both love interests, I didn’t mind it so much in this book. Reading from only Eli’s perspective was still fun and interesting. Both Eli and Peter are well-rounded characters that I cared about so much. Their personal journeys as well as their relationship are things you are going to be interested in from beginning to the very end.
Now, this is a fake-dating that’s about teaching someone how to date. At first, it may seem like that Eli is trying to “fix” Peter and therefore may treat him like a child for not being aware of certain things that should happen on a first date, certain ways you should treat your significant other at specific times, etc. However, Eli treats Peter like a regular adult as he learns that he needs to be patient and goes about teaching Peter how to come out of his shell in a healthy, respectful manner. It adds to the great chemistry they have.
One aspect of their relationship I highly adored was their safe word, “Iced Americano.” Yes, it might sound silly, but the way that Peter and Eli check on each other when they are aware of stepping into new territory felt realistic and refreshing to read. I find that so many adult romances have love interests that automatically assume each other’s likes/dislikes within their relationship, which is not realistic at all! Eli and Peter are grown adults who become more self aware,well written in terms of character and relationship growth.
Outside of the romance, the story still holds strong. I loved the conversations about how the queer community looks different in other parts of the United States, especially in the South and how the South gets a bad reputation, being deemed as “Only red states with republican voters,” when there is so much more to that region. Peter’s experience was eye-opening to read about, as well as his experience as a queer person of color in America. These perspectives are always needed in all pieces of fiction, romantic comedy or not!
The side characters also complete the story which I highly appreciated. Patricia and Rose were so funny and just great friends and roommates. I would honestly read a whole book just about those two because they were a true delight. Eli’s parents were also so sweet. It’s so refreshing to read parents of queer children who are supportive and overly-loving to their children in a silly, fun way! Michael and Keith on the other hand… not so much. However they were still memorable and fleshed out which I liked, despite them reading as antagonists in the story.
The chapter titles being different movie titles was so fitting and really added to that rom-com feel that comes when reading this book. What also brought this feeling was all of the yearning that Eli feels. Again, I would have loved to read from Peter’s perspective, but I still enjoyed reading about Eli’s emotions about the relationship. Deaver does a really good job of capturing the “Fuck, I really am falling in love” feeling and I loved that so much.
Now I’m still not going to spoil anything about the ending of this book, but I just need to say the third act will not leave you feeling frustrated or anything you may feel from your typical contemporary-romance third act. You’ll appreciate this one, trust me.
I truly mean it when I say The Build-a-Boyfriend Project is a romantic comedy for the ages. It does some things different while still feeling like a classical rom-com. I adored this story so much, and I highly recommend you to mark your calendars for August 5th, 2025! You do not want to miss out on this one, or anything from Mason Deaver as a matter of fact.
Merryn Overbeck ‘28
Image Source: Apple Books
