The Build-a-Boyfriend Project: A Novel

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Bestselling and award-winning author Mason Deavers 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 atthe online magazine Ventwhen 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 Elis 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 isnt 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.

But Eli has other ideas...Eli plays along, pretending to write the article, while secretly interviewing Peter about growing up queer in the South and coming-of-age dating wise in adulthood. Eli hopes writing this sort of piece willfinally get him the promotion he deserves. And in exchange, he will teach Peter how to be a better boyfriend.

But the more time Eli spends with Peter, the closer they become, and the lines between whats real and whats fake begin to blur. Before long Eli is forced to face his greatest fears to become the writer he wants to be and secure the love hes always needed.

Reviews

I was swept up in Eli and Peters 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! Samantha Young, New York Times bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series Sweet and sexy,The Build-a-Boyfriend Projectis a delightful romance about taking chances and embracing the unexpected. Disastrous first date to possible true lovewhat could be more delicious" Ashley Herring Blake,USA Todaybestselling author ofIris Kelly Doesn't Date TheBuild-A-Boyfriend Projectis 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 Elis experience as a trans man on the page. Mason bravely does not shy away from difficult topics, and its validating and gratifying to see Elis realistic struggles. Mason has knocked it out of the park with this heartwarming romance. National Book Award-Winning Author, Kacen Callender 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 thats full of charm, authenticity, and so much yearning. Eli and Peters messy, tender love story speaks to anyone whos ever felt like an outsider, capturing at once the heartbreak and joy of finding yourself and your people. Emma R. Alban, USA Today Bestselling Author ofDont Want You Like a Best Friend "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!" Adib Khorram,USA TodayBestselling Author ofI'll Have What He's Having

Author Bio

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.