A Very Fake Date, A Very Real Smile

4 out of 5 stars

Sometimes you just want a rom-com that makes you grin like an idiot, and The Companion Project absolutely delivered. The first half of this story is so delightful, I was practically swooning through every text and email exchange between Henry and Emma. There’s something undeniably charming about falling for someone through messages before the big face reveal, especially (not really a spoiler, check the synopsis and book name) when that someone turns out to be your workplace rival.

Emma’s job as a professional companion (no, not that kind) is such a fun twist on the fake-dating trope, and watching her slowly fall for a charming client, who just happens to be her annoying but devastatingly attractive coworker, was the perfect mix of tension and tenderness. The chemistry between them? Fire. The tropes? Delicious. Only one bed? Check. Mhmm (furious head nodding yes)

Henry was a tough one to crack. On one hand, he delivers these gorgeous, vulnerable confessions that had me melting. On the other hand, his playboy antics felt at odds with the whole “it’s always been you” vibe. I loved that the book didn’t shy away from tackling workplace sexism and double standards, and Emma’s internal battles as a woman trying to make partner felt grounded and relatable. But whew, sometimes it felt like every character needed a TED Talk instead of a natural conversation.

The narration from Grayson Quill and Angel Moore added a lot of heart, though I ended up picturing Emma totally differently than described, and honestly, I liked my version better (and that’s what I love about books). She came off even more powerful and grounded in my head.

Despite some pacing and dialogue bumps in the back half, the charm of that first section and the way it balances spice, sweetness, and smarts really won me over. If you’re a fan of workplace romances, rivals-to-lovers, fake dating, or just need a dose of joy, this one’s worth the listen.

Book Description:

WANTED: One very fake date to a very real event.

Henry Dawson is many things—successful, charismatic, good-looking . . . and, most recently, a liar. A stupid fib to his parents about bringing a date to their anniversary party is causing him to scramble, attempting to fix his mistake.

Emma Burns lives a double life. By day, she’s a civil rights attorney. By night, she’s the mastermind behind RB’s Companions. When hired, she platonically accompanies men to social events, whether it’s as a girlfriend, friend, or business associate. She does her job well.

After receiving an inquiry from a desperate new client, she agrees to be his girlfriend. What she doesn’t account for is the mystery man to be Henry, the notorious playboy, fellow lawyer, and coworker she’s known for years. Communicating under aliases to protect their identities, the pair find themselves captivated by one another, and are shocked when they finally meet face-to-face.

The two might be experts in the courtroom, but they’re hardly professionals when it comes to matters of the heart. Pretending to date is easy. When the lines between real and fake blur, getting what they want becomes way more complicated.

The Companion Project by Chelsea Curto
Narrator: Grayson Quill, Angel Moore
Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
Published by Tantor Audio on January 15th 2024
Genres: Romance, RomCom
Brian
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