I’ve been a huge fan of DJ Jamison’s writing since I read my first book by her back in 2016. That book was Catching Jaime and it has remained my favorite book by her. That is until I read Faking a Groom. Now I think these two books are just about tied for me.

I’ve always enjoyed fake relationship stories and the second chance trope is one of my favorites. This book has both and I loved it so much. It’s hard for me to put into words how this book made me feel. There was so much to get emotional about. Avery’s dad is an a$$ hole. He’s not exactly homophobic, or at least not openly. He says he’s OK with his son being gay but his actions contradict that. He’s forced Avery to stay in the closet and not live as his authentic self.

Avery and Rory went to boarding school together and they had an in-the-closet relationship because Avery couldn’t handle his father’s rejection if he were to be out as gay publicly. This caused Rory to walk away from Avery and they’ve been apart for 10 years.

Rory started out being a bit of a jerk to Avery but as the story progressed, he came to understand exactly why Avery had been the way he was in high school. As their fake relationship progresses, they both come to realize that they made mistakes when they were young.

They cook up the fake engagement to help put a stop to legislation that Avery’s father, a state senator, is backing. It’s legislation that is unfavorable to LGBTQ people. When Avery confronts his father about it he says that it’s too late for anything to be done to stop it.

We also get to visit Bliss Island – the main location of the first book in the Marital Bliss series, Surprise Groom. You don’t need to read Surprise Groom first but it’s a great book, too and I highly recommend it.

As this story progressed, I could really feel the connection between Avery and Rory, even when they were trying to fight it. Avery has kept his needs and desires bottled up for so long and he can hardly believe that Rory is accepting of what he likes but has kept hidden.

I love epilogues and Avery and Rory get one that lets us know what they’re up to a year down the road – it’s perfect!

Reviews for DJ Jamison

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Avery knew that Gil wanted him to tell his father he was coming out, in no uncertain terms. He didn’t understand the manipulative powers Drake Kinkaid possessed. Or maybe he did, now that he worked for him. Avery had never been able to out-argue his father. Each time he tried, he found himself carefully repositioned, as if a piece on a chess board, until he was agreeing to his father’s terms.

“I don’t know what do,” Avery said. “I’ve tried to be patient, but he always talks me out of coming out. I think I’ve got my mind made up, and he somehow convinces me to keep waiting. I hate that I’m so damn weak.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your dad is a politician. He persuades people for a living.”

“He’s always got a loophole,” Avery grumbled. “Like today. He said, it’d be different if—”

He stopped short, eyes locked on a man who walked past their table toward the bathrooms. Something about the shape of him and the way he moved—long legs, slim hips, smooth stride—reminded him of Rory.

He couldn’t see his face, but his hair was the right color. It was gathered in a knot at his neck instead of loose, so it was tough to gauge exact length, but damn, that ass. Was it possible to recognize a guy by his ass?

“Avery?”

He blinked and looked back toward Gil. “Hmm?”

“You were saying that your father said it’d be different if…?”

“Oh.” He cleared his throat, trying to shake the vision of Rory and the niggling feeling that he should go talk to him. It felt significant that he was here tonight, if he was here. Avery wouldn’t put it past himself to imagine things. Rory had been on his mind a lot since the gala.

“My father said it’d be different if I was engaged. That he’d support me then.” His gaze drifted back to the bathrooms, watching as Rory emerged. He was sure it was him now. He’d recognize those sharp features anywhere. Heart thumping, he asked Gil, “Do you think he means that?”

“Maybe,” Gil said, though he sounded dubious. “I don’t know.”

Avery rapped the table with his knuckles. “Right. He could be bluffing. There’s only one way to find out.”

“And that is…”

Avery took a big swallow of his beer. Then grinned at Gil. “Guess I have to get engaged.”

“Wait, what?”

Avery nodded. “You keep telling me to do something. Well, you’re right. I have to call my father’s bluff.”

“Oh, Avery, I don’t know…”

“I’ve got the perfect person in mind to help me.”

“Uh…who is that?”

“Rory Fisher.”

“Rory, the guy who left you because you wouldn’t leave the closet? How is he the right—”

“Because he’s here,” Avery said, feeling euphoric as intoxication, years of regret and longing, and a desire to break free all coalesced into the best idea ever. “It’s fate, man. It’s like the universe is telling me to make my father put his money where his mouth is. He’s always got a reason, an excuse, a loophole. Well this time, I’ve got the loophole, and I’m going to take it.”

“By getting engaged,” Gil said disbelievingly. “To a man who dumped you.”

Avery laughed. “Crazy, right?”

“Yes,” Gil said emphatically.

“Good.” Avery shoved back his chair. “Because I’ve tried sane and respectful and calm. It’s time for a little crazy. It’s time for drastic action.”

“Yeah, but Avery…”

He held up a finger. “Hold that thought. I have to go propose to the man who got away.”

Marital Bliss Series

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