I loved this! Bona Fide Fake is the second book in the Experimental Love series but you can definitely read it as a standalone. The two MCs from book one are mentioned a few times but you won’t be missing anything essential (other than another great book) if you start with this one.

Fake boyfriends is a popular romance trope but this story felt fresh and a bit different to me. Ned has wanted to be a rock star since he first picked up a guitar but a horrible experience with a would-be manager completely ruined that dream for him and now he only wants to perform for small-ish groups.

Toni is fabulous and he hides behind that fabulous persona; he doesn’t even let family and close friends see the real him behind his mask. When Ned and Toni agree to a mutually beneficial fake relationship neither of them could have guessed how things would turn out.

I loved both of these flawed characters so much. My heart hurt for Ned and the things he went through before retuning back home to hide. Toni is the perfect fit for Ned but it takes both of them a while to realize how good they are for each other and that their fake relationship really isn’t so fake any longer.

I loved the pacing of this story and the writing kept me completely engrossed. All of my emotions got involved and I shed a couple of tears (which means I loved it).

This is only the third book I’ve read by Rebecca Raine but all of them have been 5-stars for me. I will definitely read more books from her and I hope I’ll soon get a chance to catch up and read more from her backlist.

Reviews for Rebecca Raine

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From Chapter Six (Toni’s Point of View)

“You need a date for the festival. I need a date for Rodney and Leif’s engagement party next month. The answer is obvious.” I place a hand over my chest in a show of sincerity. “I think we should be boyfriends.”

Ned’s head falls back as he laughs out loud. “That’s why you’re here? You want to rope me into going to the engagement party with you?”

Hilarity isn’t the response I’d hoped for, but it’s better than instant rejection. “You have to admit, a twenty-minute acting job does not equate to an entire weekend away. This is simply a way to bring our arrangement back into balance. It’s only fair.”

He shakes his head at me. “How long are you planning to drag this fake boyfriend thing out?”

“Just until after the party. Then, we can break up and go our separate ways. It won’t be messy,” I assure him. “If there’s any moping to be done, I’ll keep it to myself. You’ll never have to hear from me again. However…” I lift a pointed finger to make sure he’s paying attention. “I don’t want to be fake boyfriends. I want to be real boyfriends.”

Ned’s amusement is replaced by confusion. “Real boyfriends.”

“Yes.”

“Just like that?”

“Why not just like that?”

He gapes at me in disbelief. “People don’t go around deciding to be real boyfriends as though a relationship can be plucked out of thin air. It has to come naturally. You get to know each other, spend time together, develop actual feelings.” He gestures between us with one hand. “Do you have any actual feelings for me, Toni?”

“Yes,” I insist. “I think you’re incredibly sexy. That counts, doesn’t it?” His groan—half exasperation, half lust—makes me smile.

“Usually yes, but in this context not so much.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “We might be able to fake a real relationship for other people, but we can’t actually make it real. Tell me you know this.”

“Of course, I do.” In theory. My longest ‘real’ relationship didn’t make it to a monthiversary, so my practical experience is somewhat lacking. “But can’t we skip over all the getting to know you crap and go straight to the part where you adore me, and I make you happy?”

Groaning, Ned drops his head forwards.

“You need this as much as I do,” I snap. “Maybe more.”

Straightening, he places his hands on his hips. “How do you figure?”

“If we go down to the festival as friends, or let’s face it acquaintances, then I’ll be hard-pressed to stop you doing anything. This ex of yours will have power over you, and I will have none.” Ned opens his mouth as if to disagree with me, but then he must see sense because he closes it again. “If I’m your boyfriend… I will have power, too.” I give him a moment to contemplate my statement before I continue. “Trust me when I say I’m the jealous type. As long as we’re together, there is no way in hell anyone will be touching you but me. There will be no getting seduced by your ex. No sneaking off into dark corners to be fawned over by groupies. Nada. You’ll be my boyfriend, and I will not allow you to disrespect our relationship.”

He stares at me with wide eyes, a slow smile appearing as his ears turn a lovely shade of pink. “I take it you don’t like to share?”

The word alone makes me grit my teeth. “I don’t even want to share the air you breathe.”

His tongue darts out to swipe across his bottom lip as he contemplates my offer. Taking a deep breath, he nods his agreement. “All right, you’ve convinced me. Real boyfriends it is.” A smile bursts onto my face, and his eyes close on a quiet groan. “Holy fuck, those dimples will be the death of me.”

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