THE BOYFRIEND PROJECT by Farrah Rochon
I appreciate a romance novel that takes a broad view of happily ever after and attends to the personal and professional growth of its main characters in tandem with the developing romance. The Boyfriend Project does this well and offers an accessible entry point to readers who enjoy women's fiction but haven't been reading much romance.
It is very much Samiah's book, and the early pages focus solidly on the female relationships in her life: a close bond with her snarky/sweet sister and the birth of a great girl squad. The hilarious confrontation gone viral that brings the squad together rivals any romance meet cutes I've read. Watching Samiah, London and Taylor process their mutual betrayal by the smarmiest of dudes, deal with the resultant notariety, and grow closer as they confide their fears and challenges to one another was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their sex-positive banter, the consistency with which they show up for one another, and the way they encourage each other to move beyond life as a checklist and into seeking happiness on their own terms is a total delight!
Samiah's career also plays a prominent role in the novel, and it's a real treat to read about a heroine for whom work is a driving passion. Samiah is intelligent, motivated, and determined. As a result, she's risen quickly to a prominent position in the tech industry. While her workplace is a dream with perks like massages and brownie bars, the book doesn't shy away from depicting the obstacles she's faced as a Black woman in STEM, including a lack of mentorship and implicit biases that demand perfection of her but give the office uber-Karen a pass.
As for the romance, Daniel is great from the get go. He’s not threatened by her success, sees the challenges she faces and finds ways to be supportive on her terms. It's a slow burn, but the eventual sex is hot! The conflict between them hinges on a lie of omission that feels inevitable given his pre-existing loyalties, but his scruples, clear desire to do the right thing, and obvious remorse work in his favor. Moreover, his grovel includes a recognition that she has no responsibility to hear him out and demonstrates a real knowledge of who she is.
One sour note in a story that does such a good job with inclusivity in other regards is the exchange between Taylor and Samiah that seems to make a joke of Taylor having a same sex encounter. It's a small moment, but Samiah's commenting that she's learned not to be surprised by anything Taylor says implies that not being heterosexual is something outrageous. Given that it's the only queer reference in the book, it's a particularly disappointing choice.
Aside from that, the book really hit the mark for me. I enjoyed the skill with which the aspects of social commentary, personal and professional growth, and romance were interwoven and am very much looking forward to Rochon’s next!
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
CW: racism, microaggressions, secondary character mention of fertility treatments/pregnancy
Disclosure: while I had previously won a print ARC in a charity auction, an eARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
