The Borrow a Boyfriend Club by Page Powars is the kind of book that will bring a smile to any reader’s face. Depicting a boyfriend borrowing service posing as an Italian club, this one contains a cast of lovable characters and a fair amount of chaos. This is a well-executed feel-good story that is entertaining from start to finish.
Title: The Borrow a Boyfriend ClubAuthor: Page Powars
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: September 12, 2023
Rating:
A feel-good, coming-of-age rom-com from debut author Page Powars that follows a trans teen who joins a boyfriend borrowing service masquerading as an Italian Club to prove that he’s one of the guys, especially to its frustratingly handsome leader.
Noah Byrd is the perfect boy. At least, that’s what he needs to convince his new classmates of to prove his gender. His plan? Join the school’s illustrious (and secret) Borrow a Boyfriend Club, whose members rent themselves out for dates. Once he’s accepted among the bros, the “slip-ups” end.
But Noah’s interview is a flop. Desperate, he strikes a deal with the club’s prickly but attractive president, Asher. Noah will help them win an annual talent show—and in return, he’ll get a second shot to demonstrate his boyfriend skills in a series of tests that include romancing Asher himself.
If Noah can’t bring home the win, his best chance to prove that he’s man enough is gone. Yet even if he succeeds, he still loses . . . because the most important rule of the Borrow a Boyfriend Club is simple: no real boyfriends (or girlfriends) allowed.
And as long as the club remains standing as high as Asher’s man bun, Noah and Asher can never explore their growing feelings for one another.
Review: The Borrow a Boyfriend Club by Page Powars
Determined to prove his gender to his classmates at his new school, Noah is thrilled when he discovers the Football and Lamborghini Club—the perfect masculine-sounding activity. However, his plan already starts to crumble when he learns that the club is actually a cover for a boyfriend borrowing service and fails his interview to join. Luckily, Noah is able to strike a deal with the club president: he’ll help raise some much-needed funds by helping them win the talent show in exchange for another chance. To successfully join the club, Noah must pass a series of tests, including romancing the president himself, but as the two find themselves getting closer despite a strict rule against dating, they must confront their real feelings and the future of the club.
❀ Lovable Main Character
I loved Noah’s character and the way he transforms throughout the book. I really felt for him since he feels the need to prove himself as a boy, and the way his parents never call him by his full name doesn’t help, making him feel tolerated instead of supported. His fears and insecurities are well written, and I loved watching as he slowly becomes more confident.
❀ Side Characters Shine
The side characters throughout the book also shine. Because the club assigns each member a boyfriend “type,” they all have their own quirks. From influencer to psychic, there’s an interesting range of characters, and their chaotic interactions are so much fun to read about.
❀ A Joyful Story
The Borrow a Boyfriend Club by Page Powars is a joyful story about self-love. The concept is entertaining, the main character is easy to root for, and the side characters add even more fun to the story. This is the perfect read for any romcom lover.
About Page Powars
Page Powars is the author of the forthcoming young adult novels The Borrow a Boyfriend Club and And They Were Roommates. He is based in the New York City area.
Outside of writing, Page makes soundtracks, sobs over The Untamed, and unfortunately plays Genshin Impact.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
This sounds really sweet – a great feel good story!
It is such a fantastic book! 🙂
Overall, this just sounds really good.
I really enjoyed it! 🙂
Love the summary!
Same! Such a great story! 🙂
This one sounds so good, and I’m glad to hear that it was as good as it sounds to me. Great review!
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…ARC Review: Thank You For Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz