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International Relations
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Max has never had time for a relationship - working in the high-stakes world of international diplomacy, the best he can manage is squeezing in one-night stands with "himbos" between his ongoing efforts to win a promotion. But when he tries to multitask by hooking up with a visiting dignitary at a black-tie dinner, it blows up spectacularly in his face and Max is discreetly advised that his personal life is not helping his career ambitions. In this line of work, appearances matter, and Max is losing ground to his long-term rival, happily married 'family man' Quentin.
Max decides to beat Quentin at his own game by recruiting a fake boyfriend, Leo, from an actors' agency. But some visa complications force Max and Leo to make their relationship official by getting married, the stakes are raised higher than Max ever intended. There's only one thing that could make all this even more complicated - if Max and Leo's feelings for each other start becoming real . . .
International Relations is a fake dating romance filled with glamorous locations, laugh-out-loud set pieces, and a love story that will capture your heart.
Tropes
Fake dating
Marriage of convenience
Grumpy x sunshine
Max decides to beat Quentin at his own game by recruiting a fake boyfriend, Leo, from an actors' agency. But some visa complications force Max and Leo to make their relationship official by getting married, the stakes are raised higher than Max ever intended. There's only one thing that could make all this even more complicated - if Max and Leo's feelings for each other start becoming real . . .
International Relations is a fake dating romance filled with glamorous locations, laugh-out-loud set pieces, and a love story that will capture your heart.
Tropes
Fake dating
Marriage of convenience
Grumpy x sunshine
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 4, 2026
10 people are currently reading
2630 people want to read
About the author
Zac Hammett
2 books81 followersZac Hammett is an author of romantic comedies. His debut novel, See You At The Finish Line, was heralded as “a triumph” by Publishers Weekly and “unputdownable” by Kirkus Reviews. His second novel, International Relations, will follow in 2026.
He has had an eclectic career as a writer, which includes co-writing the Gold-Certified Clean Bandit single Baby, participating in the writers room for the Disney Plus series Rivals, and writing the acclaimed memoir A Class of Their Own: Adventures in Tutoring the Super-Rich.
He grew up on the south coast of England, the second of four children to two teachers, and now lives in London.
His favourite romantic comedy of all time is Notting Hill.
He has had an eclectic career as a writer, which includes co-writing the Gold-Certified Clean Bandit single Baby, participating in the writers room for the Disney Plus series Rivals, and writing the acclaimed memoir A Class of Their Own: Adventures in Tutoring the Super-Rich.
He grew up on the south coast of England, the second of four children to two teachers, and now lives in London.
His favourite romantic comedy of all time is Notting Hill.
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March 28, 2026I went into International Relations not entirely sure what to expect, but it ended up being one of those books that’s just really easy to sink into. It has that light, rom-com energy that makes you want to keep turning pages, but there’s also enough emotional depth to keep it from feeling shallow.
What stood out to me most was the character dynamic. The contrast in personalities feels natural rather than forced, and the banter genuinely works—it’s sharp, funny, and never feels overdone. I found myself enjoying the quieter moments just as much as the more playful ones, which usually means the characters are doing something right.
The writing style is very approachable, which makes it a good pick if you’re in the mood for something engaging but not overly heavy. It leans into familiar romance tropes, but in a way that feels comforting rather than predictable. If anything, it knows exactly what it wants to be and doesn’t try to overcomplicate things.
I also liked the overall tone. It’s warm and entertaining, with just enough emotional weight to make the story feel meaningful without dragging it down. It never takes itself too seriously, which works in its favour.
If I had one small criticism, it’s that the setting feels more like a backdrop than a fully immersive world—but honestly, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I read this more for the characters and their connection than anything else, and it delivered on that front.
Overall, I’d recommend International Relations if you’re looking for something fun, character-driven, and easy to get into. It’s the kind of book you pick up when you want to relax and end up finishing faster than you expected.
What stood out to me most was the character dynamic. The contrast in personalities feels natural rather than forced, and the banter genuinely works—it’s sharp, funny, and never feels overdone. I found myself enjoying the quieter moments just as much as the more playful ones, which usually means the characters are doing something right.
The writing style is very approachable, which makes it a good pick if you’re in the mood for something engaging but not overly heavy. It leans into familiar romance tropes, but in a way that feels comforting rather than predictable. If anything, it knows exactly what it wants to be and doesn’t try to overcomplicate things.
I also liked the overall tone. It’s warm and entertaining, with just enough emotional weight to make the story feel meaningful without dragging it down. It never takes itself too seriously, which works in its favour.
If I had one small criticism, it’s that the setting feels more like a backdrop than a fully immersive world—but honestly, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I read this more for the characters and their connection than anything else, and it delivered on that front.
Overall, I’d recommend International Relations if you’re looking for something fun, character-driven, and easy to get into. It’s the kind of book you pick up when you want to relax and end up finishing faster than you expected.
March 18, 2026
“International Relations” is basically “The Proposal”, but make it queer. One MMC, Max, is a diplomat who hires the other MMC, Hunter, to be his fake boyfriend/ husband. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement for them: Hunter will be the partner Max needs on his arm to land a job he desperately wants, and Hunter gets ‘husband’ status, which means he can stay in London to pursue his acting career. Over time, pretending at being a couple morphs into real feelings… And a beautiful love story.
Tropes:
💍 “The Proposal” x “Red, White and Royal Blue”
🌶️ 1st-person dual POV
💍 Grumpy x sunshine
🌶️ Marriage of convenience
💍 Queer romance
🌶️ Fake dating
💍 Cute dog
🌶️ Greek island
💍 Celebrity name-dropping
🌶️ S*x on government property
💍 Explicit spice
“International Relations” is an ARC I somewhat reluctantly picked up at first, due to being a bit of a mood reader, but I’m so glad that I did! This book was fast, adorable, and contained multitudes of hilarious cringe and immersive chaos.
Each of the characters have traumatic histories that they are still trying to make peace with. But Max and Hunter help each other with that. Hunter in particular is good at being honest without being too brutal.
I didn’t particularly care for any of the side characters. However, there are 3 in particular who I remember with fondness for quite some time because of how they coaxed a special kind of pity, confusion, competitiveness or jealousy out of the MMCs. If you know, you know.
If you’re looking for a fast and low-maintenance contemporary romance read to bring you some laughs, this will be the perfect book for you!!
✨ 4/5
🌶️ 2/5
Tropes:
💍 “The Proposal” x “Red, White and Royal Blue”
🌶️ 1st-person dual POV
💍 Grumpy x sunshine
🌶️ Marriage of convenience
💍 Queer romance
🌶️ Fake dating
💍 Cute dog
🌶️ Greek island
💍 Celebrity name-dropping
🌶️ S*x on government property
💍 Explicit spice
“International Relations” is an ARC I somewhat reluctantly picked up at first, due to being a bit of a mood reader, but I’m so glad that I did! This book was fast, adorable, and contained multitudes of hilarious cringe and immersive chaos.
Each of the characters have traumatic histories that they are still trying to make peace with. But Max and Hunter help each other with that. Hunter in particular is good at being honest without being too brutal.
I didn’t particularly care for any of the side characters. However, there are 3 in particular who I remember with fondness for quite some time because of how they coaxed a special kind of pity, confusion, competitiveness or jealousy out of the MMCs. If you know, you know.
If you’re looking for a fast and low-maintenance contemporary romance read to bring you some laughs, this will be the perfect book for you!!
✨ 4/5
🌶️ 2/5
March 21, 2026
International Relations by Zac Hammett is an absolute five-star read and easily one of my top of 2026. As an American theatre maker living in London, this romance felt uncannily up my alley: international diplomacy, performance, auditions at The Globe, identity, and one of my favourite tropes: fake dating.
The novel follows Max, an ambitious policy officer working in the high-stakes world of international relations, where optics are currency and perception can make or break a career. He’s gunning for a promotion but losing ground to his long-time rival Quentin, whose image with his perfect partner, Fiona, gives him a strategic edge. Determined to level the playing field, Max hires a fake boyfriend from an actors’ agency. Enter Hunter. What begins as a calculated professional maneuver escalates quickly when visa complications force their staged romance into a very real marriage of convenience. Suddenly, the stakes aren’t just professional, they’re personal, legal, and heartbreakingly emotional.
One of the strongest elements of this novel is how deeply both men care about their careers. There’s an underlying tension throughout the book that asks a powerful question: are you willing to give up what might be love to pursue the path you believe is right for you? That struggle feels real and grounded.
Hunter’s theatre background adds a fascinating layer to Max’s world. Through Hunter, we see how much of diplomacy is performance, and how often success depends on playing a role, selling a narrative, and faking confidence until it becomes real. The parallels between stagecraft and statecraft are clever and sharp without ever feeling heavy-handed. As someone immersed in theatre, I loved how that lens reframed Max’s political life.
What makes this romance soar is that Hunter and Max don’t tumble into instant love. Their relationship builds on friendship, trust, and companionship. They don’t need each other to be complete, but together they become better versions of themselves. Watching that evolution unfold felt earned and deeply satisfying.
The pacing is propulsive. I was reading well into the night, completely hooked. The final forty pages are a whirlwind, and I devoured them, desperate to see how it would all resolve. Hunter’s irrational fear of customs, convinced he’ll be detained no matter how innocent he is, made me laugh in painful recognition. Same. Every time I go through customs, I assume I’m about to be interrogated.
The romance is spicy in places, but it feels organic to their growing intimacy. The side characters round out the world beautifully. Doily and Fiona are standouts, and Mr. Peanut might be the cutest dog in fiction.
Though technically a standalone, I would happily revisit this world and these characters at another stage in their lives. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, funny, heartfelt MM romance with fake dating and marriage of convenience, read this immediately. Zac Hammett is a phenomenal storyteller, and I’ll absolutely be picking up more of his work.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
International Relations is a romance novel about a diplomat in need of a boyfriend so he can advance in his career and an actor whose visa is about to run out. When there's an opening at the Greek embassy, Max is desperate for the job, but he's advised that if he wants to compete with other candidates, he'd benefit from a charming partner for work events. He hires Hunter, an American actor whose British visa is about to run out, but whose charisma wins over people at Max's work. As Hunter needs a marriage to stay and Max needs Hunter by his side, it seems like there's an obvious fix, but their marriage might not be as fake as they intended.
Having read Hammett's previous See You at the Finish Line, I was hoping this one would be another fun and plot-filled queer romance, and I wasn't disappointed. The chapters swap between Max and Hunter's perspective so you get the chance to see both of their feelings and motivations, and I really liked how the tension in this book wasn't based around miscommunication. In fact, one of the major themes of the book was learning to be honest with yourself and others, and it was refreshing to have a lot of the tension come from external factors rather than irrationally blaming the other person for a misunderstanding.
The plot is undeniably silly—fake dating and fake marriage for the sake of major career advances for each of them, plus an unrealistically neat ending—but it stays charming in its ridiculousness. There are also a lot of comedy fake film and TV projects for name-dropped celebrities to be working on, which I think people's mileage may vary on whether they're fun or a bit wearing. I liked the side characters, especially Hunter's ridiculous agent, and generally this is a well-rounded romance that gives its protagonists depth whilst staying light and fun.
Having read Hammett's previous See You at the Finish Line, I was hoping this one would be another fun and plot-filled queer romance, and I wasn't disappointed. The chapters swap between Max and Hunter's perspective so you get the chance to see both of their feelings and motivations, and I really liked how the tension in this book wasn't based around miscommunication. In fact, one of the major themes of the book was learning to be honest with yourself and others, and it was refreshing to have a lot of the tension come from external factors rather than irrationally blaming the other person for a misunderstanding.
The plot is undeniably silly—fake dating and fake marriage for the sake of major career advances for each of them, plus an unrealistically neat ending—but it stays charming in its ridiculousness. There are also a lot of comedy fake film and TV projects for name-dropped celebrities to be working on, which I think people's mileage may vary on whether they're fun or a bit wearing. I liked the side characters, especially Hunter's ridiculous agent, and generally this is a well-rounded romance that gives its protagonists depth whilst staying light and fun.
March 20, 2026
this was a perfectly ok book. it’s cute, has short chapters, is easy to read, hits all the romance genre conventions and tropes, and i was decently engaged throughout. but i don’t think it’s one of those books that will stick with me forever. it kept me occupied for 2 days and now i move on. all in all, a completely satisfactory reading experience, a solid 3 stars.
i thought i would really enjoy the diplomacy stuff since it’s similar to what i’m currently studying at uni, however at times it was kind of boring (but shout out to this version of the british museum actually returning stolen artefacts. if only…)
it also felt like we were going in circles in regards to their relationship. too much of the book is spent with them lamenting about how they can’t have both the job and the man and it got really repetitive. i’m also not a super fan of the ending. i thought it wrapped up too neatly.
on the positive, i really liked seeing all the fancy locations and exploring london and athens. and of course, my queens doily and the brilliant flora forbes.
also i’m sorry, but i truly can’t believe that hunter, theatre kid extraordinaire, would give up starring on actual BROADWAY for his loser ex (not a spoiler as this happens before the book starts). the plot of this book requires a high suspension of disbelief (which ok easy enough) so it’s kinda funny to me that that was the thing that kept taking me out lol. thank god, he finally started seeing sense in london.
i know this book comps the proposal and rwrb which i would say is accurate, but lowkey, i couldn’t stop thinking about 90 day fiancé the entire time. make of that what you will 🥸
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
i thought i would really enjoy the diplomacy stuff since it’s similar to what i’m currently studying at uni, however at times it was kind of boring (but shout out to this version of the british museum actually returning stolen artefacts. if only…)
it also felt like we were going in circles in regards to their relationship. too much of the book is spent with them lamenting about how they can’t have both the job and the man and it got really repetitive. i’m also not a super fan of the ending. i thought it wrapped up too neatly.
on the positive, i really liked seeing all the fancy locations and exploring london and athens. and of course, my queens doily and the brilliant flora forbes.
also i’m sorry, but i truly can’t believe that hunter, theatre kid extraordinaire, would give up starring on actual BROADWAY for his loser ex (not a spoiler as this happens before the book starts). the plot of this book requires a high suspension of disbelief (which ok easy enough) so it’s kinda funny to me that that was the thing that kept taking me out lol. thank god, he finally started seeing sense in london.
i know this book comps the proposal and rwrb which i would say is accurate, but lowkey, i couldn’t stop thinking about 90 day fiancé the entire time. make of that what you will 🥸
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📚✨ Five stars for International Relations by Zac Hammett! This story follows Max, an ambitious diplomat determined to secure his dream role, who hires Hunter, a charismatic actor, to pose as his boyfriend. What starts as fake dating quickly spirals into a marriage of convenience, and suddenly the line between pretend and real begins to blur in the most delicious way.
💼🌍 From start to finish, the story is excellent. I was completely hooked by the blend of humour, tension, and swoony romance, and the pacing kept me fully invested the entire way through. The fake dating to fake marriage trope was executed so well and made every moment feel engaging and addictive.
💼🌍 The story shines from beginning to end. I was completely hooked by the blend of humour, tension, and swoony romance, and the pacing kept me fully invested the entire way through. The fake dating to fake marriage trope was executed so well and made every moment feel engaging and addictive.
💞🥹 Max and Hunter absolutely stole my heart. They are so charming, warm, and full of personality that you cannot help but root for them from the very beginning. Their chemistry is undeniable, and watching their relationship evolve from something staged into something real was incredibly heart-warming.
🌈🔥 If you love MM romance with iconic tropes, emotional payoff, and characters you will fall in love with, this one is a must-read. It is fun, romantic, and completely unforgettable.
#MMRomance #BookstagramReads #QueerRomance #FakeDating #BookstagramCommunity
💼🌍 From start to finish, the story is excellent. I was completely hooked by the blend of humour, tension, and swoony romance, and the pacing kept me fully invested the entire way through. The fake dating to fake marriage trope was executed so well and made every moment feel engaging and addictive.
💼🌍 The story shines from beginning to end. I was completely hooked by the blend of humour, tension, and swoony romance, and the pacing kept me fully invested the entire way through. The fake dating to fake marriage trope was executed so well and made every moment feel engaging and addictive.
💞🥹 Max and Hunter absolutely stole my heart. They are so charming, warm, and full of personality that you cannot help but root for them from the very beginning. Their chemistry is undeniable, and watching their relationship evolve from something staged into something real was incredibly heart-warming.
🌈🔥 If you love MM romance with iconic tropes, emotional payoff, and characters you will fall in love with, this one is a must-read. It is fun, romantic, and completely unforgettable.
#MMRomance #BookstagramReads #QueerRomance #FakeDating #BookstagramCommunity
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
✨ Rating: 4.75 ✨
I really enjoyed See You At The Finish Line by this author, so I was *very* excited when I found out about this book. The Proposal meets Red, White and Royal Blue?? Say less—this book was practically written FOR me. There's just something about a marriage of convenience, especially for visa reasons, that I just eat up every time and this was no exception! I had so much fun with this one.
Both MCs are really sweet and genuine, which I loved. They're both really passionate about their own work and even when it threatens to destabilize their relationship, they stay supportive of each other's dreams. Neither of them even considers trying to hold the other back. I really enjoyed their chemistry and banter as well. Doily was another fun character. She's definitely the type of character some people would find OTT but I loved her ridiculous name drops and general wackiness, like her beef with Elton John and the hijinks that ensued because of it.
This was really just peak romcom for me; it was fun, light, funny and sweet. And even though I know how all romcoms end, I did still find I wasn't 100% sure exactly which path they would take to reach that end. I had a lot of fun with this one and definitely recommend for anyone who likes romcoms and just a little bit of fraud. (for legal reasons that's totally a joke 😏)
✨ Rating: 4.75 ✨
I really enjoyed See You At The Finish Line by this author, so I was *very* excited when I found out about this book. The Proposal meets Red, White and Royal Blue?? Say less—this book was practically written FOR me. There's just something about a marriage of convenience, especially for visa reasons, that I just eat up every time and this was no exception! I had so much fun with this one.
Both MCs are really sweet and genuine, which I loved. They're both really passionate about their own work and even when it threatens to destabilize their relationship, they stay supportive of each other's dreams. Neither of them even considers trying to hold the other back. I really enjoyed their chemistry and banter as well. Doily was another fun character. She's definitely the type of character some people would find OTT but I loved her ridiculous name drops and general wackiness, like her beef with Elton John and the hijinks that ensued because of it.
This was really just peak romcom for me; it was fun, light, funny and sweet. And even though I know how all romcoms end, I did still find I wasn't 100% sure exactly which path they would take to reach that end. I had a lot of fun with this one and definitely recommend for anyone who likes romcoms and just a little bit of fraud. (for legal reasons that's totally a joke 😏)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Trigger warning for this story: there is a lot of talk about a deceased parent, so make sure you're in a good mental place if that's the kind of thing you need a warning for!
On to the review, though:
Who doesn't love a good right place/wrong time story? I do, at any rate! Max is desperate for a job, but he knows that many of the other candidates have something he doesn't have: a partner to make them look good. So he does what any perfectly sane person would do and hires an actor for the position! Hunter accepts ... on the condition that Max marry him so he can stay in London. And while that's already not a recipe for a smooth relationship, it's certainly not easy for anyone.
There are misunderstandings, but both men are adult enough to do crazy things like communicate about their feelings. Hunter's been burned before, and Max had a lot of unresolved family trauma to sort through ... together. We love to see two grown men acting like grown men!
The cast of supporting characters in their lives are insane and chaotic in the best way possible. Doily's client list alone and the ridiculousness of the industry makes me dead curious about Anna Karenina on Ice--not a Tolstoy fan, me, but maybe skating would make it palatable, yeah?
Highly recommend this one! All roads lead Max and Hunter to where they belong, and this book belongs in my library.
On to the review, though:
Who doesn't love a good right place/wrong time story? I do, at any rate! Max is desperate for a job, but he knows that many of the other candidates have something he doesn't have: a partner to make them look good. So he does what any perfectly sane person would do and hires an actor for the position! Hunter accepts ... on the condition that Max marry him so he can stay in London. And while that's already not a recipe for a smooth relationship, it's certainly not easy for anyone.
There are misunderstandings, but both men are adult enough to do crazy things like communicate about their feelings. Hunter's been burned before, and Max had a lot of unresolved family trauma to sort through ... together. We love to see two grown men acting like grown men!
The cast of supporting characters in their lives are insane and chaotic in the best way possible. Doily's client list alone and the ridiculousness of the industry makes me dead curious about Anna Karenina on Ice--not a Tolstoy fan, me, but maybe skating would make it palatable, yeah?
Highly recommend this one! All roads lead Max and Hunter to where they belong, and this book belongs in my library.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
i will blame this rating to the fact that i've been on a reading slump and can't get outttt no matter what i do.
i liked this book, but it was not something i would pick up again o reread until i know dialogues from memory.
the plot was interestings, i mean, who doesn't like fake dating turned into fake marriage turned into real marriage? well, i do.
i did enjoy max and hunters dynamic and how their relatiosnhip developped, but at one point it felt like they were walking in circles regarding their i-want-to-be-together-but-also-want-to-have-a-career, which is valid, but it was so repetitive i found myself wishing to skip some parts of it towards the end of the story.
however, the whole political aspect of the story threw me off, because they were behaving like what i hope diplomatic people actually don't behave like; it felt at times like a joke.
the ending caught me off guard, because it felt like a really serious thing to happen , and i'm supposed to believe it got fixed with a phone call?
also, the biggest lie is the british museum returning the stolen goods, lol
thanks to NG, and Zando for the arc of international relations!
i liked this book, but it was not something i would pick up again o reread until i know dialogues from memory.
the plot was interestings, i mean, who doesn't like fake dating turned into fake marriage turned into real marriage? well, i do.
i did enjoy max and hunters dynamic and how their relatiosnhip developped, but at one point it felt like they were walking in circles regarding their i-want-to-be-together-but-also-want-to-have-a-career, which is valid, but it was so repetitive i found myself wishing to skip some parts of it towards the end of the story.
however, the whole political aspect of the story threw me off, because they were behaving like what i hope diplomatic people actually don't behave like; it felt at times like a joke.
the ending caught me off guard, because it felt like a really serious thing to happen , and i'm supposed to believe it got fixed with a phone call?
also, the biggest lie is the british museum returning the stolen goods, lol
thanks to NG, and Zando for the arc of international relations!
March 15, 2026
When Max gets a chance to interview for his dream job as a diplomat to Greece, he almost gets overshadowed by his colleague Quention and his perfect girlfriend Flora. His solution: hire an actor (Hunter) to fake date him until he can get through the rounds of interviews. Only there’s a problem on Hunter’s end; he will be deported in two weeks if he cannot find someone to marry him. Fake dating turns to fake marriage as they stumble through each round of interviews, and Hunter’s auditions so he can break into the London acting gig, while trying to keep him from being deported.
This one was a fun and easy read, one-sitting, that was more about the vibes than the plot. Honestly I had a hard time connecting with Max (who has the majority of the POV chapters) and preferred Hunter’s chapters. Their romance felt more like lust to me than actual love. In fact Max has several paragraphs about Hunter’s body in many chapters. However, despite the crazy amount of attraction between them and Max’s obsession with Hunter’s huge package, they seem rather determined to not be together, which was a weird spin for a romance novel where the two leads should be growing closer rather than try to stay apart.
I will say the side characters were the only thing to keep me from dnf-ing halfway through. Doily is a hoot, and Baroness Sharon was amazing, and Max’s dad was just the right amount of nerdy OCD to balance them out! I was much more interested in the budding romance betwen Doily and Max’s dad than in the boys.
Overall, is the situation believable (only in the movies since it reminded me heavily of The Proposal), not really. But it was a fun way to spend an evening and the readers who love romance tropes will enjoy it!
This one was a fun and easy read, one-sitting, that was more about the vibes than the plot. Honestly I had a hard time connecting with Max (who has the majority of the POV chapters) and preferred Hunter’s chapters. Their romance felt more like lust to me than actual love. In fact Max has several paragraphs about Hunter’s body in many chapters. However, despite the crazy amount of attraction between them and Max’s obsession with Hunter’s huge package, they seem rather determined to not be together, which was a weird spin for a romance novel where the two leads should be growing closer rather than try to stay apart.
I will say the side characters were the only thing to keep me from dnf-ing halfway through. Doily is a hoot, and Baroness Sharon was amazing, and Max’s dad was just the right amount of nerdy OCD to balance them out! I was much more interested in the budding romance betwen Doily and Max’s dad than in the boys.
Overall, is the situation believable (only in the movies since it reminded me heavily of The Proposal), not really. But it was a fun way to spend an evening and the readers who love romance tropes will enjoy it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First I want to thank Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
I really really wanted to like this one, especially since I am a huge fan of the comps. However, I DNFed about 43%. I liked the concept. Fake dating, marriage of conscience. Unfortunately, the characters were very compelling to me. Max is in politics and his biggest personality trait is being an optimist, but a liar. Doesn't really track to me. Politics would turn the greatest optimist into a cynic I think. Of course, that could be my own opinion. I can't really say what Hunters deal is, but he just rubs the wrong way. He seems to be one of those better than though characters that is owed the world after being scorned, even though it was because of his own choices. I realize we all make mistakes in love and what his previous partner did was wrong, but he took his own steps that had a hand in it and doesn't take any responsibility for that. I also just didn't seem the chemistry here. It felt like it wanted to be a smut novel, which is totally fine as I love a good smutty story, but it just didn't work as one. IDK, just wasn't for me, I suppose, and that's totally fine. Two stars because queer rep never gets less from me.
I really really wanted to like this one, especially since I am a huge fan of the comps. However, I DNFed about 43%. I liked the concept. Fake dating, marriage of conscience. Unfortunately, the characters were very compelling to me. Max is in politics and his biggest personality trait is being an optimist, but a liar. Doesn't really track to me. Politics would turn the greatest optimist into a cynic I think. Of course, that could be my own opinion. I can't really say what Hunters deal is, but he just rubs the wrong way. He seems to be one of those better than though characters that is owed the world after being scorned, even though it was because of his own choices. I realize we all make mistakes in love and what his previous partner did was wrong, but he took his own steps that had a hand in it and doesn't take any responsibility for that. I also just didn't seem the chemistry here. It felt like it wanted to be a smut novel, which is totally fine as I love a good smutty story, but it just didn't work as one. IDK, just wasn't for me, I suppose, and that's totally fine. Two stars because queer rep never gets less from me.
March 30, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the pleasure of receiving this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was heartwarming, easily hilarious and overall, incredibly enjoyable.
The story is a dual POV between Max, an aspiring diplomat, and Hunter, a struggling actor, as they navigate the intricacies of a marriage of convenience in the face of conflicting career goals.
The writing was so well done that I genuinely felt the emotions that each character felt as they worked through their struggles and joys. There was moments of laughter, kicking-my-feet happiness and existential dread. I was rooting for both MMCs right from the beginning and also fell in love with the side characters along the way. I also really enjoyed the little added extras of British pop culture moments that had me smiling at the truthness of them as a 90s baby.
This is one of few books that ended exactly how I hoped it would, with a few twists and turns thrown in that had me believing that it was going to end in an entirely different way.
This book is a spectacular journey of self-discovery, love and learning that you need your village.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was heartwarming, easily hilarious and overall, incredibly enjoyable.
The story is a dual POV between Max, an aspiring diplomat, and Hunter, a struggling actor, as they navigate the intricacies of a marriage of convenience in the face of conflicting career goals.
The writing was so well done that I genuinely felt the emotions that each character felt as they worked through their struggles and joys. There was moments of laughter, kicking-my-feet happiness and existential dread. I was rooting for both MMCs right from the beginning and also fell in love with the side characters along the way. I also really enjoyed the little added extras of British pop culture moments that had me smiling at the truthness of them as a 90s baby.
This is one of few books that ended exactly how I hoped it would, with a few twists and turns thrown in that had me believing that it was going to end in an entirely different way.
This book is a spectacular journey of self-discovery, love and learning that you need your village.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was very cute, I really liked this. I actually flew through this, was very easy to read. The romance starts as marriage of convenience but honestly develops into something really sweet.
This book depicts very supportive partners and it was very refreshing to see. Their relationship is very flirty and A LOT of internal monologue but it was entertaining to be in both of their POV. There’s instalust if that isn’t your thing. The characters get great back stories too and helps shape who they are as people in relationships. The side characters were great too, Doily definitely stole the show.
I hate to complain about the communication issues. Because it seems like every time you turn around one of them says we have to talk. Amazing, healthy, we love to see it. And then most of the time they wouldn’t be saying what they were thinking! So close but so far lol. The third act conflict actually made sense and wasn’t just oh break them up for the sake of making it interesting. Kudos.
Recommend this if you’re looking for a quick, not too super spicy read. I really loved this.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zando/Zac Hammet for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book depicts very supportive partners and it was very refreshing to see. Their relationship is very flirty and A LOT of internal monologue but it was entertaining to be in both of their POV. There’s instalust if that isn’t your thing. The characters get great back stories too and helps shape who they are as people in relationships. The side characters were great too, Doily definitely stole the show.
I hate to complain about the communication issues. Because it seems like every time you turn around one of them says we have to talk. Amazing, healthy, we love to see it. And then most of the time they wouldn’t be saying what they were thinking! So close but so far lol. The third act conflict actually made sense and wasn’t just oh break them up for the sake of making it interesting. Kudos.
Recommend this if you’re looking for a quick, not too super spicy read. I really loved this.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zando/Zac Hammet for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fake dating, a rushed marriage, and two idiots lying to everyone, to each other, even to themselves.
The story follows Hunter, an American actor whose visa is about to expire, and Max, a British diplomat hoping to advance his career. In order to be seen as more “stable,” Max hires Hunter to play his boyfriend, which of course escalates into a fake relationship, a proposal, and eventually a marriage built on lies.
What I really enjoyed about this book was how tender and sweet the characters were. Both Hunter and Max came across as very endearing, and their dynamic had a softness that made it easy to root for them.
That said, I struggled believing the premise. The political and diplomatic aspects felt caricatured, and I found it hard to accept that people in those positions would behave the way they did. The resolution, in particular, felt unrealistic and over the top.
However, if you shift your expectations and read it as the rom-com it is, rather than a more grounded romance, it becomes much easier to enjoy.
Overall, this is a sweet story with lovable characters, but one that requires a fair amount of suspension of disbelief.
**Thank you NetGalley and Zando for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
The story follows Hunter, an American actor whose visa is about to expire, and Max, a British diplomat hoping to advance his career. In order to be seen as more “stable,” Max hires Hunter to play his boyfriend, which of course escalates into a fake relationship, a proposal, and eventually a marriage built on lies.
What I really enjoyed about this book was how tender and sweet the characters were. Both Hunter and Max came across as very endearing, and their dynamic had a softness that made it easy to root for them.
That said, I struggled believing the premise. The political and diplomatic aspects felt caricatured, and I found it hard to accept that people in those positions would behave the way they did. The resolution, in particular, felt unrealistic and over the top.
However, if you shift your expectations and read it as the rom-com it is, rather than a more grounded romance, it becomes much easier to enjoy.
Overall, this is a sweet story with lovable characters, but one that requires a fair amount of suspension of disbelief.
**Thank you NetGalley and Zando for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was honestly so cute and I flew through it way faster than I expected.
It starts as a marriage of convenience but quickly turns into something really sweet and surprisingly soft. The relationship was actually supportive (love to see healthy energy 👏) and the flirting was top tier. You get a LOT of internal monologue from both POVs, but it made being in their heads pretty entertaining. There is instalust, just a heads up if that’s not your vibe. The backstories added nice depth though and the side characters were great… Doily absolutely stole the show and I will not be taking questions. My only complaint? They kept saying “we need to talk”… and then proceeded to not actually say what they meant. The third act conflict actually made sense though, which deserves applause because unnecessary breakups stress me out.
If you want a quick, cute romance that isn’t super spicy but still gives all the warm fuzzy feels, I’d definitely recommend this. I had such a fun time with it.
It starts as a marriage of convenience but quickly turns into something really sweet and surprisingly soft. The relationship was actually supportive (love to see healthy energy 👏) and the flirting was top tier. You get a LOT of internal monologue from both POVs, but it made being in their heads pretty entertaining. There is instalust, just a heads up if that’s not your vibe. The backstories added nice depth though and the side characters were great… Doily absolutely stole the show and I will not be taking questions. My only complaint? They kept saying “we need to talk”… and then proceeded to not actually say what they meant. The third act conflict actually made sense though, which deserves applause because unnecessary breakups stress me out.
If you want a quick, cute romance that isn’t super spicy but still gives all the warm fuzzy feels, I’d definitely recommend this. I had such a fun time with it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
International Relations by Zac Hamett is a beautifully written story about love, growth, and overcoming obstacles. From the beginning, the writing pulls you in and keeps your attention, making it easy to stay invested in the characters and their journey.
One of the most enjoyable parts of the book is the fake relationship trope—a pretend romance that slowly turns into something very real. Watching that transition unfold was both fun and emotional, and the chemistry between the characters made the story feel genuine and heartfelt.
The side storyline involving Max’s father was also a fantastic addition. It added depth to the story and gave the emotional moments even more impact. Those extra layers helped make the world and the relationships feel more complete.
Overall, this was a wonderful read with strong characters, engaging writing, and a love story that feels earned.
⭐ 5 out of 5 stars — highly recommend!
If you enjoy fake dating, emotional character growth, and heartfelt romance, this one is definitely worth picking up. 💙📖
Reader was provide with a copy of the book as an ARC read. Reader provided a honest review.
One of the most enjoyable parts of the book is the fake relationship trope—a pretend romance that slowly turns into something very real. Watching that transition unfold was both fun and emotional, and the chemistry between the characters made the story feel genuine and heartfelt.
The side storyline involving Max’s father was also a fantastic addition. It added depth to the story and gave the emotional moments even more impact. Those extra layers helped make the world and the relationships feel more complete.
Overall, this was a wonderful read with strong characters, engaging writing, and a love story that feels earned.
⭐ 5 out of 5 stars — highly recommend!
If you enjoy fake dating, emotional character growth, and heartfelt romance, this one is definitely worth picking up. 💙📖
Reader was provide with a copy of the book as an ARC read. Reader provided a honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a really fun book! At times the pacing was a bit off. That being said I didn’t think it distracted from the story too much. I was also thrown by the writing style which was a little too much tell and not enough show for my taste. Ultimately, I thought it was just super enjoyable for a quick rom com. I love marriage of conveniences and fake dating so this was right up my alley. My only other gripe with this book was the few mentions of real celebrities throughout. I personally don’t care for that but again it didn’t really take away from the story. I liked the exploration of Max’s grief and Hunter’s past with being in an abusive relationship. It also had a lot of moments that had me giggling and smiling at the book. Overall this was a fun read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.
This book reminded me so much of RWRB which is originally why I had requested this arc and im so glad that I did. It was such a quick and fun read and i ended up loving it. The characters are super likeable amd the whole story was just supper cute and heartwarming.
This started as a marriage of convenience but turned into the most genuine love story. I loved how supportive they still were of eachothers dreams even though knowing they'd have to separate. I loved every character but I must admit Max is my favorite, hes too kind for this world.
This book reminded me so much of RWRB which is originally why I had requested this arc and im so glad that I did. It was such a quick and fun read and i ended up loving it. The characters are super likeable amd the whole story was just supper cute and heartwarming.
This started as a marriage of convenience but turned into the most genuine love story. I loved how supportive they still were of eachothers dreams even though knowing they'd have to separate. I loved every character but I must admit Max is my favorite, hes too kind for this world.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Really really loved this story, and the characters.
To follow Max's and Hunter's character growth, their story was moving and wholesome with a lot of bumps in the road. And the side characters made the story even more heartwarming, this was a book I couldn't put down. I got pulled into the story fast, and I'm happy we got both of their povs. I lost count of how many times I laughed, and how many times I wanted to shake them. Overall a really sweet and lovely story, and I could easily read another book about them.
I got this book for free as I'm an ARC reader.
To follow Max's and Hunter's character growth, their story was moving and wholesome with a lot of bumps in the road. And the side characters made the story even more heartwarming, this was a book I couldn't put down. I got pulled into the story fast, and I'm happy we got both of their povs. I lost count of how many times I laughed, and how many times I wanted to shake them. Overall a really sweet and lovely story, and I could easily read another book about them.
I got this book for free as I'm an ARC reader.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC provided by NetGalley, this is my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5
Picked this up for the fake dating/marriage of convenience chaos and it definitely had that fun rom com vibe! The writing felt super conversational, like a friend telling you a story, which made it really easy to get into.
I liked Max and Hunter’s dynamic, and there were a lot of cute moments, but overall it just didn’t fully grab me the way I wanted it to.
Still a fun, easy read if you’re in the mood for something light with an expected end!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5
Picked this up for the fake dating/marriage of convenience chaos and it definitely had that fun rom com vibe! The writing felt super conversational, like a friend telling you a story, which made it really easy to get into.
I liked Max and Hunter’s dynamic, and there were a lot of cute moments, but overall it just didn’t fully grab me the way I wanted it to.
Still a fun, easy read if you’re in the mood for something light with an expected end!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So so good! International relations is a fake dating story between an actor and an aspiring diplomat in need of a partner to get the job he's after. It is as messy as it sounds but it's wonderful. It was so funny, heartwarming and romantic! I loved Hunter, I must admit he's my favorite but, much like him, I felt very protective of Max because he's too good for this world. And Doily omg how much I love her, I was weirdly invested in her story with Max's dad.
The ending was perfect, no notes. Also, the last thing in the book mirroring the very first... Genius. I loved it.
Thank you Netgalley and Zando for the ARC!
The ending was perfect, no notes. Also, the last thing in the book mirroring the very first... Genius. I loved it.
Thank you Netgalley and Zando for the ARC!
March 22, 2026
3.5/5 ⭐️
I feel like this book was really cute and an overall fun ride. I love the main characters growth, both as individuals and a couple. I also love all of the friends that they have around them as well as some of the changes we see in some of those relationships. I do feel like parts of the love story felt rushed while other parts felt a little too slow. Overall, the pacing just didn’t feel smooth.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
I feel like this book was really cute and an overall fun ride. I love the main characters growth, both as individuals and a couple. I also love all of the friends that they have around them as well as some of the changes we see in some of those relationships. I do feel like parts of the love story felt rushed while other parts felt a little too slow. Overall, the pacing just didn’t feel smooth.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
March 29, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for this ARC! I’d seen this book and author for the first time on social media, and the cover immediately pulled me in. This was a delight to read, very wholesome and fun with characters you can’t help but love. I just wish it was a little longer and a little slower-paced, as their romance felt a bit rushed—but maybe that’s just the slow burn lover in me. I’m excited to read Zac Hammet’s first novel, which is on my list.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for this ARC.
I was very excited to get the chance to read this after loving See You at the Finish Line last year. This new book by Zac Hammett follows Hunter and Max through their hasty marriage of convenience to help secure Hunter a visa to stay in the UK and help Max land his dream job.
Is the situation ridiculous and completely unrealistic- of course. Do I care - not even slightly. I love Zac’s writing, it’s light, funny and you find yourself zipping through the book in one sitting: It’s the perfect book to enjoy on a long journey. I really liked how both of the main characters developed, the side characters are lots of fun and I always love a cute dog.
The only thing that didn’t quite work for me was the actual romance. It’s pretty much an insta love story and it felt more tell than show - with a lot of the time spent more on life coaching than on the romance and yearning that I really wanted. Still really enjoyed this though and would recommend.
I was very excited to get the chance to read this after loving See You at the Finish Line last year. This new book by Zac Hammett follows Hunter and Max through their hasty marriage of convenience to help secure Hunter a visa to stay in the UK and help Max land his dream job.
Is the situation ridiculous and completely unrealistic- of course. Do I care - not even slightly. I love Zac’s writing, it’s light, funny and you find yourself zipping through the book in one sitting: It’s the perfect book to enjoy on a long journey. I really liked how both of the main characters developed, the side characters are lots of fun and I always love a cute dog.
The only thing that didn’t quite work for me was the actual romance. It’s pretty much an insta love story and it felt more tell than show - with a lot of the time spent more on life coaching than on the romance and yearning that I really wanted. Still really enjoyed this though and would recommend.
March 14, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!
I absolutely loved this one! Max hires Hunter to pretend to be his boyfriend so he can land the job of his dreams, but Hunter raises the stakes, he’ll only agree if they get married so he can secure a visa and stay in London. The situation is ridiculous at times, but it had me laughing throughout.
I really loved all the characters, especially Max. I felt like he showed a lot of growth over the course of the story. The side characters were just as lovable and added a lot of humour and warmth to the book.
The romance was very well done. It starts with insta-lust (which I personally don’t mind), but not insta-love. Instead, the relationship develops naturally as they spend time together and actually get to know each other. The dual POV worked perfectly here, and I enjoyed getting a glimpse into both of their personal lives.
Overall, it’s a super quick, fun read with wholesome characters and a really enjoyable romance. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
I absolutely loved this one! Max hires Hunter to pretend to be his boyfriend so he can land the job of his dreams, but Hunter raises the stakes, he’ll only agree if they get married so he can secure a visa and stay in London. The situation is ridiculous at times, but it had me laughing throughout.
I really loved all the characters, especially Max. I felt like he showed a lot of growth over the course of the story. The side characters were just as lovable and added a lot of humour and warmth to the book.
The romance was very well done. It starts with insta-lust (which I personally don’t mind), but not insta-love. Instead, the relationship develops naturally as they spend time together and actually get to know each other. The dual POV worked perfectly here, and I enjoyed getting a glimpse into both of their personal lives.
Overall, it’s a super quick, fun read with wholesome characters and a really enjoyable romance. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
e-ARC courtesy of Slowburn (PRH) on NetGalley
What went through my mind when I read the blurb:
- Fake dating (yay!) to marriage of convenience
- Grumpy x sunshine (double yay!)
- Both fall at the same time? (completely yayyed)
International Relations had the makings of being a swoony read from the beginning and I was smiling throughout Max and Hunter's love story. As a trope reader and fan of the aforementioned tropes, I knew I was reading something absolutely stomach-in-my-tummy cute.
The setup of both MCs' dilemma were done very well, detailing what's at stake with and kept me engaged throughout. The book features a lovely cast of secondary characters–though I think Doily and Baroness Sharon should have had more screen time because they were both an absolute hoot and I was gasping for more.
Overall, a wonderfully heartwarming rom com with a sizzle of spice. I devoured this in a day and left no crumbs behind.
What went through my mind when I read the blurb:
- Fake dating (yay!) to marriage of convenience
- Grumpy x sunshine (double yay!)
- Both fall at the same time? (completely yayyed)
International Relations had the makings of being a swoony read from the beginning and I was smiling throughout Max and Hunter's love story. As a trope reader and fan of the aforementioned tropes, I knew I was reading something absolutely stomach-in-my-tummy cute.
The setup of both MCs' dilemma were done very well, detailing what's at stake with and kept me engaged throughout. The book features a lovely cast of secondary characters–though I think Doily and Baroness Sharon should have had more screen time because they were both an absolute hoot and I was gasping for more.
Overall, a wonderfully heartwarming rom com with a sizzle of spice. I devoured this in a day and left no crumbs behind.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really fell in love with Max and Hunter in International Relations. Their story pulled me in right away, and I felt just about every emotion possible while reading, there were so many moments that hit hard.
This book kept my attention the whole way through, and I was completely invested in how everything would unfold. I’ll definitely be checking out more from Zac Hammett after this one!
This book kept my attention the whole way through, and I was completely invested in how everything would unfold. I’ll definitely be checking out more from Zac Hammett after this one!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Didn't hit the mark that I was hopping for as it gave me Red, White and Royal Blue vibes with having an MMC in politics.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved See You At The Finish Line by this author (great for fans of Heated Rivalry!), so was really excited to be approved for an ARC of this novel.
It didn’t disappoint, and I really loved both Max and Hunter, and their story of fake romance turning real, set in the world of international diplomacy with Greece.
This book had a lot of great elements - I loved the different settings, and the supporting characters too (Doily is a highlight!), and there were moments of real humour too alongside the romance bits.
I’d thoroughly recommend, and thank you to the author and publisher for this ARC.
It didn’t disappoint, and I really loved both Max and Hunter, and their story of fake romance turning real, set in the world of international diplomacy with Greece.
This book had a lot of great elements - I loved the different settings, and the supporting characters too (Doily is a highlight!), and there were moments of real humour too alongside the romance bits.
I’d thoroughly recommend, and thank you to the author and publisher for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC from Netgalley
Max and Hunter, two complete opposites, one a young diplomat, the other an aspiring actor take fake dating turned fake marriage to a whole new level. It was a great romance; funny and sweet, spicy and heartwarming. I loved both characters so much and the way they both grew as people both individually and together.
Zac Hammett has done it again, another beautiful romance.
Max and Hunter, two complete opposites, one a young diplomat, the other an aspiring actor take fake dating turned fake marriage to a whole new level. It was a great romance; funny and sweet, spicy and heartwarming. I loved both characters so much and the way they both grew as people both individually and together.
Zac Hammett has done it again, another beautiful romance.
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