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Boyfriends For Now
Anthony Astor’s no nonsense attitude serves him well as CEO of his tech company, but it withers his love life. So when a miscommunication has his mother tearfully ecstatic about Anthony bringing someone home, he has no choice but to go along with the ruse.
The solution comes in the form of the kind, clumsy intern, Ben McRobbie. Ben isn’t sure the CEO is for real when he asks him to be his “fake boyfriend for Christmas,” especially after Ben spilled coffee all over him. Nevertheless, Ben is sure that the gorgeous Anthony is serious about giving him a full-time job if he can politely sit through a dinner with the Astors. But as Ben grows closer to his rich, handsome boss, he struggles to remain professional behind the scenes of their fake relationship.
Imogen Markwell-Tweed’s Boyfriends for Now is a charming and endearing romance about embracing love, wherever you find it.
The solution comes in the form of the kind, clumsy intern, Ben McRobbie. Ben isn’t sure the CEO is for real when he asks him to be his “fake boyfriend for Christmas,” especially after Ben spilled coffee all over him. Nevertheless, Ben is sure that the gorgeous Anthony is serious about giving him a full-time job if he can politely sit through a dinner with the Astors. But as Ben grows closer to his rich, handsome boss, he struggles to remain professional behind the scenes of their fake relationship.
Imogen Markwell-Tweed’s Boyfriends for Now is a charming and endearing romance about embracing love, wherever you find it.
148 pages, ebook
Published December 15, 2020
3 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Imogen Markwell-Tweed
46 books123 followersImogen Markwell-Tweed is a queer romance writer and editor based in St. Louis. When she's not writing or hanging out with her dog, IMT can be found putting her media degrees to use by binge-watching trashy television. All of her stories promise queer protagonists, healthy relationships, and happily ever afters. @unrealimogen on Twitter and Instagram.view less
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 5, 2021
First off I’d just like to share my surprise that this has such a low rating. The only reason I can think is there was no smut. But do we always need it? And that’s coming from me, the girl who thinks the smuttier the better.
Anyways, our story begins with Ben the intern delivering coffee and spilling it all over Anthony, the CEO. Of course he’s annoyed, especially when it happens a second time. But then he has bigger fish to fry; his hoity toity mother is expecting his boyfriend for Christmas dinner. Problem is; Anthony doesn’t have a boyfriend.
That’s when our fair CEO decides if I scratch your back, you’ll scratch mine. As in pretend to be my boyfriend for Christmas and I’ll help you get a leg up in the company. Also known as extortion but eventually neither one will mind.
Because Ben still wants to see his family for the holidays, he convinces Anthony to use his family as a trial run. And this is where our pretend couple flourishes. Anthony’s cold dead heart is awakened by Ben’s warm, sweet, funny and at times pushy and awkward family.
The growth between both these men is magical and heart warming. They may not get between the sheets on pages but they share some swoon worthy kisses and you can always use this thing called your imagination every once in a blue moon.
Anyways, our story begins with Ben the intern delivering coffee and spilling it all over Anthony, the CEO. Of course he’s annoyed, especially when it happens a second time. But then he has bigger fish to fry; his hoity toity mother is expecting his boyfriend for Christmas dinner. Problem is; Anthony doesn’t have a boyfriend.
That’s when our fair CEO decides if I scratch your back, you’ll scratch mine. As in pretend to be my boyfriend for Christmas and I’ll help you get a leg up in the company. Also known as extortion but eventually neither one will mind.
Because Ben still wants to see his family for the holidays, he convinces Anthony to use his family as a trial run. And this is where our pretend couple flourishes. Anthony’s cold dead heart is awakened by Ben’s warm, sweet, funny and at times pushy and awkward family.
The growth between both these men is magical and heart warming. They may not get between the sheets on pages but they share some swoon worthy kisses and you can always use this thing called your imagination every once in a blue moon.
March 2, 2021
A no steam, short, fake boyfriends for Christmas story. This was beyond cute. So cut I don’t even mind there was not sex. I honestly wish it was longer. I would have loved to see more from Anthony and Ben
July 15, 2022
rep: gay mcs, lesbian side character
idk what's more embarrassing: this story in itself or the fact that i read it
i understand it's a novella but still! i like the proposal with sandra bullock so i told myself that a fake dating story btwn a boss & their employee is gonna be fine. it wasn't. the excuse for dating was flimsy, and didn't make a lot of sense. the characters don't offer much in terms of personality (especially side characters, though the mains aren't better), but at the same time they're contradicting themselves constantly. like the mc apologising to a janitor for getting coffee on the floor but then being confused at the idea of thanking a waiter? not to mention the insta love, which felt even more ridiculous than it usually does due to the length of this. and how weird was the mc's brother making a "joke" to their mother that the openly gay mc is straight? what?
idk what's more embarrassing: this story in itself or the fact that i read it
i understand it's a novella but still! i like the proposal with sandra bullock so i told myself that a fake dating story btwn a boss & their employee is gonna be fine. it wasn't. the excuse for dating was flimsy, and didn't make a lot of sense. the characters don't offer much in terms of personality (especially side characters, though the mains aren't better), but at the same time they're contradicting themselves constantly. like the mc apologising to a janitor for getting coffee on the floor but then being confused at the idea of thanking a waiter? not to mention the insta love, which felt even more ridiculous than it usually does due to the length of this. and how weird was the mc's brother making a "joke" to their mother that the openly gay mc is straight? what?
June 17, 2022
It was good.
For such a short story, it was sweet and has its plot.
Of course, being this short means that everything that happens from start to finish is a bit rushed.
Its enjoyable.
For such a short story, it was sweet and has its plot.
Of course, being this short means that everything that happens from start to finish is a bit rushed.
Its enjoyable.
November 27, 2021
Another heart-warmer from IMT, this time with opposites attract and festive fake dating excellence. I loved seeing Anthony’s growth throughout this as he fell for Ben, and Ben was just a little cinnamon roll I want to protect forever and ever. A short, sweet, queer read perfect for the Christmas season. 🧡
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September 20, 2021
“I thought because I wasn’t cruel, I was nice. But you’ve shown me that niceness and kindness are not interchangeable. I want to be worthy of you.”
ERR MAA GERRSHH THIS IS JUST SO CUTE AND WHOLESOME AND AWWW 🖤🖤 I really just want to draw hearts around this book. If you're looking for a lovely little romance, check this one out!
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
ERR MAA GERRSHH THIS IS JUST SO CUTE AND WHOLESOME AND AWWW 🖤🖤 I really just want to draw hearts around this book. If you're looking for a lovely little romance, check this one out!
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
November 2, 2023
well, that was cute !
could (should) have been longer for the characters to be more developed and be endearing to me, really. mainly so the insta romance make more sense. but that was nice
could (should) have been longer for the characters to be more developed and be endearing to me, really. mainly so the insta romance make more sense. but that was nice
January 7, 2021
I listened to the audio of this one and it needed an editor. There were a number of repeated phrases.
Story wise, I didn't buy into.
Story wise, I didn't buy into.
November 4, 2023
This is one of my favourite tropes in gay romance. Fake dating enables the characters to test the waters out "romantically" while knowing the other person on a deeper level.
The story is quite short and I would have liked it better if its a bit longer. The author could have injected more scenes that would test the "relationship" between the two guys. I also like the trope of a rich and an average guy falling for each other which again, could potentially have more scenes that will test whether what they're starting to develop is real or not.
What I also like are the supporting characters who show their support for the two main characters. The acceptance and love of these people are very inspiring and should be emulated by all.
The story is quite short and I would have liked it better if its a bit longer. The author could have injected more scenes that would test the "relationship" between the two guys. I also like the trope of a rich and an average guy falling for each other which again, could potentially have more scenes that will test whether what they're starting to develop is real or not.
What I also like are the supporting characters who show their support for the two main characters. The acceptance and love of these people are very inspiring and should be emulated by all.
March 5, 2022
I went into this one absolutely blind and with zero expectations. However, I finished it feeling like I wanted more. The plot idea was great, and the story and romance were both very cute. I just wish there would have been more. I would have loved to see earlier interactions between Ben and Anthony (if any), and I would have liked to see more than just a two-week glimpse into their lives. I did not really connect with the characters much since there was such a rushed timeline.
December 16, 2022
Ultimately a snooze fest. It was like your basic Gay romance but only someone pressed fast forward and omitted all the sex. I still thought it was cute though so maybe that’s my character flaw .
January 30, 2022
3.5 ★
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"Boyfriends For Now " es una lectura tierna que cumple con muchos clichés navideños además de contar con el de "novios falsos".
Y aunque suena como algo totalmente inverosimil y simple, funcionó de maravillas para mí.
La historia es super sencilla: Anthony necesita un novio para presentarle a su familia y decide pedirle a Ben que lo ayude. Ambos trabajan en la misma empresa y hay una posible dinámica de poder que me generó ciertas dudas al comienzo, pero es un tema que se menciona en seguida -especialmente desde el POV de Anthony-. Esto hace que, si bien hay romance, no suceda realmente nada mientras la relación es "falsa".
Los personajes son adorables, tienen una dinámica grumpy/sunshine que funciona perfecto en este contexto. Y en cuanto al argumento, es una historia sin drama, no hay malos entendidos, no hay un gran conflicto -salvo el que genera que trabajen juntos- lo cual se agradece.
A veces todo lo que se necesita es un romance tierno y un final feliz asegurado.
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A cute, short, drama-free fake boyfriends for Christmas story.
This book is super cute, full of Christmas tropes and I'm here for this.
I was a little concerned about the power dynamics since one of them is a CEO and the other is an intern. But the situation was handled very well.
Both MCs are adorable, each one has his own motivation and personality: Anthony is more grounded while Ben is a ray of sunshine. Having both POV really helped me to understand each one.
Yes, the plot is not very believable but this book works as a cute rom-com where all these things can happen and nobody will bat an eye so I will give it a pass.
I personally loved that it lacks angst, there is no miscommunication between them, no big fight, everything is wholesome. And even if there is a little insta-love since the book takes place over a short period of time, it worked for me.
Fun and cute read that will make you smile.
---
"Boyfriends For Now " es una lectura tierna que cumple con muchos clichés navideños además de contar con el de "novios falsos".
Y aunque suena como algo totalmente inverosimil y simple, funcionó de maravillas para mí.
La historia es super sencilla: Anthony necesita un novio para presentarle a su familia y decide pedirle a Ben que lo ayude. Ambos trabajan en la misma empresa y hay una posible dinámica de poder que me generó ciertas dudas al comienzo, pero es un tema que se menciona en seguida -especialmente desde el POV de Anthony-. Esto hace que, si bien hay romance, no suceda realmente nada mientras la relación es "falsa".
Los personajes son adorables, tienen una dinámica grumpy/sunshine que funciona perfecto en este contexto. Y en cuanto al argumento, es una historia sin drama, no hay malos entendidos, no hay un gran conflicto -salvo el que genera que trabajen juntos- lo cual se agradece.
A veces todo lo que se necesita es un romance tierno y un final feliz asegurado.
---
A cute, short, drama-free fake boyfriends for Christmas story.
This book is super cute, full of Christmas tropes and I'm here for this.
I was a little concerned about the power dynamics since one of them is a CEO and the other is an intern. But the situation was handled very well.
Both MCs are adorable, each one has his own motivation and personality: Anthony is more grounded while Ben is a ray of sunshine. Having both POV really helped me to understand each one.
Yes, the plot is not very believable but this book works as a cute rom-com where all these things can happen and nobody will bat an eye so I will give it a pass.
I personally loved that it lacks angst, there is no miscommunication between them, no big fight, everything is wholesome. And even if there is a little insta-love since the book takes place over a short period of time, it worked for me.
Fun and cute read that will make you smile.
April 6, 2022
I love fake dating trope and this M/M romance novella has a good rating in Goodreads. I just didn't care for the romance because one of the main character is rude person to customer service people and I don't know why this was added to this story. It was totally unnecessary character trait. The other thing is that this is fake dating romance but this story is more about boss and employee romance trope and I don't think I like boss and employee romances. The best part of this story was the other main character which is why my rating is NOT two stars.
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February 13, 2021The great thing about this author is that the angst level is usually low but she does have a tendency to just rush the ending of the stories. I really needed a better resolution at the end... but in the genre, it's really not a bad book.
December 28, 2021
The ending of this pushed this to a 4 star for me. I really didn't like Anthony at the beginning. I really liked Ben and his family. The development of the story was sweet and worked well even for as short as the story was.
November 20, 2022
Short and sweet, some character development was maybe a bit too quick due to the length of the novel, but Overall very enjoyable. Also a book that had no steamy scenes, except a makeout scene. I enjoyed that
September 23, 2023
Another cute novella by Markwell-Tweed. Really wholesome characters with character growth. Cute and wishfulfilly.
Once again had a few tropes I wasn't happy about (boss/employee, age gap, and "rich people don't have loving families").
Once again had a few tropes I wasn't happy about (boss/employee, age gap, and "rich people don't have loving families").
December 23, 2020
3.5 stars
aww this was a cute little chrismas read!!
aww this was a cute little chrismas read!!
December 29, 2020
3.5 stars. Adorable sweet Christmas bullshit with all the tropes. A fun read.
December 31, 2020
Nice Christmas romance novel.
January 12, 2021
This was really cute! The plot was very predictable but the characters were so fun to read about and had great chemistry.
March 1, 2021
This is a sweet , very clean gay holiday romance. A bit of an abrupt ending. But nice.
June 17, 2021
2.5 stars
August 4, 2021
didnt fall in love with it but it was cute and fluffy nice romance read
December 7, 2021
Short and sweet holiday romance.
December 15, 2021
Cawpile: 7.43
February 24, 2022
Short and very sweet!
My only complaint is that I wished there had been more!
My only complaint is that I wished there had been more!
April 30, 2022
This was cute, but the family plot made no sense.
October 23, 2022
This isn’t bad. I laughed out loud multiple times at the coffee bit. But because it’s just a novella it feels quite unresolved.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews