For a couple of years, Helena Greer has been telling anyone who will listen that we should read Adib Khorram. I knew she was right. It just took a bit for one of his arcs to get into my hands. Isn’t He Romantic is the third in his Love on the Vine series, and while I’m looking forward to reading the first two books when I have a chance, it’s enough of a stand alone that I didn’t feel like I was missing information. I really enjoyed Arya and Ben’s relationship as it moved from one night stand to fake dating to real relationship to break up and finally, commitment. I reveled in the skill with which Khorram wrote his book.
Isn’t He Romantic uses the one night stand and the fake dating really well to illustrate both the strength of the connection between the two men and the internal barriers to their relationship. Ben’s ex boyfriend, Justin, has decided their breakup is temporary, driving Ben to approach Arya for a kiss that leads to mutual pleasuring. When Justin follows him from California to Kansas City, Ben and Arya agree to fake a relationship. Because their lives intersect at so many points, faking a relationship means actually spending time together. They are so charming together, and so very horny for each other.
One of the reasons I love the fake dating trope is because it gives the characters reasons to lie to themselves and for us, the readers, to find the truths they are hiding from themselves. Ben and Arya want to touch each other, and when they do, their bodies relax. Their bodies tell the truth that they are each other’s safe person. It’s in their kisses, sure, but also in the hand they reach out to offer support.
I also love a well done third act breakup. Arya and Ben didn’t get into a relationship in the first place for good reasons of their own. Those dynamics lead to a breakup that has to happen in order for them to choose each other intentionally. Ben needs someone who will act him fully, and Arya needs to know he can choose someone for the long term.
I loved this and I can’t wait to read the first two books in the series.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Forever and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
