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THE BUILD-A-BOYFRIEND PROJECT

Mason Deaver

Bestselling and award-winning author Mason Deaver's adult romance debut follows a journalist in a dead-end job who agrees to teach his disastrous blind date how to be a better boyfriend. Readers will delight in this sweet and steamy queer romance with trans representation!
Eli Francis is stuck. Stuck in an assistant position at Vent when he should be a writer. Stuck with a boss who dangles a promotion but would rather he just fetch the coffee. Stuck working alongside the ex who has had no trouble moving up at work...or moving on.

When Eli's roommates push him to date so he can get over his ex once and for all, they set him up with Peter Park. Tall, handsome, and unbelievably awkward. The date is a complete disaster, and further proof to Eli that love isn't for him. But when his boss overhears Eli recounting the catastrophic night, he suggests teaching Peter to be a better boyfriend through a series of simulated dates so he can write an article about it.

It's not exactly the piece Eli's journalism degree trained him for, but maybe if his boss thinks he's playing along it will be an opportunity to get the promotion he deserves and publish something he can actually stand to put his name on. And Peter is game to be the subject of an article...though Eli hasn't been entirely forthcoming about the topic.

But the more time Eli spends with Peter, the closer they become, and the lines between what's real and what's fake begin to blur. Before long Eli has to figure out if the career he's worked so hard on is worth losing what he's found by accident.
Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood and Casey McQuiston, award-winning and bestselling YA author Mason Deaver's THE BUILD-A-BOYFRIEND PROJECT is an adult romcom debut full of charm, humor, and the most adorably awkward hero you can possibly imagine.

Mason Deaver is the bestselling and award-winning author of young adult books like I Wish You All the Best, an NPR Concierge pick with a movie adaptation; and The Feeling of Falling in Love, which earned a starred review from BookPage. The Build-A-Boyfriend Project is their adult romance debut.

Born and raised in a small town in North Carolina, Mason now calls San Francisco home, with three feline roommates.
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Published by Avon

Comments

Deaver's adult debut will win fans.

Deaver sticks the landing. This should earn Deaver a whole new set of fans.

I will read literally anything Mason Deaver ever writes.

I was swept up in Eli and Peter's endearing romance about how searching for love can lead to finding yourself. Funny, honest, and full of fake dating tropey goodness, Eli and his cinnamon roll hero are your next must-have book boyfriends. Put this rom-com to the top of your 2025 TBR pile!

An Amazon Pick of the Month! A Libro.fm August Influencer Pick!

From the frustration of feeling creatively stagnant to the anxiety of exploring romance and love for the first time as a queer adult, Deaver captures the awkwardness and vulnerability of your late twenties in a fake-dating romance that's full of charm, authenticity, and so much yearning. Eli and Peter's messy, tender love story speaks to anyone who's ever felt like an outsider, capturing at once the heartbreak and joy of finding yourself and your people.

Featured as a most anticipated title in Out Magazine and LGBTQ Reads by Dahlia Adler

The Build-A-Boyfriend Project is an addicting story full of hard-hitting emotions, balanced perfectly by a whip-smart and hilarious voice. An adorable love interest will have you rooting for a well-earned happily-ever-after until the very end. The trans masculine representation was glorious, and it was so exciting to see Eli's experience as a trans man on the page. Mason bravely does not shy away from difficult topics, and it's validating and gratifying to see Eli's realistic struggles. Mason has knocked it out of the park with this heartwarming romance.

The Build-a-Boyfriend Project is full of heart, full of charm, full of swoons and, most importantly, full of things to say about life, love, and becoming who we want to be. Mason Deaver has built a winner!

THE BUILD-A-BOYFRIEND PROJECT is an addicting story full of hard-hitting emotions, balanced perfectly by a whip-smart and hilarious voice. An adorable love interest will have you rooting for a well-earned happily-ever-after until the very end. The trans masculine representation was glorious, and it was so exciting to see Eli's experience as a trans man on the page. Mason bravely does not shy away from difficult topics, and it's validating and gratifying to see Eli's realistic struggles. Mason has knocked it out of the park with this heartwarming romance.

A thoughtfully done exploration of growing up queer in different types of communities and Eli's affirming trans identity. The queer characters at the heart of this romance make it shine.

Sweet and sexy, The Build-a-Boyfriend Project is a delightful romance about taking chances and embracing the unexpected. Disastrous first date to possible true love.what could be more delicious?

HarperCollins: UK