★ 08/14/2023

National Book Award winner Callender (Felix Ever After) investigates shame and trauma in a deeply emotional queer romance that’s more rom-dram than rom-com despite its fun fake dating premise. Black, gay Mattie Cole is the silver screen’s up-and-coming boy next door, and he’s perfectly cast as the love interest for bisexual, biracial bad boy Logan Gray, “one of the most hated people in Hollywood,” in an upcoming film. After Logan publicly badmouths Mattie, the actors are asked to fake-date to counter the negative publicity. As the guys get to know each other, they expose their vulnerabilities and, of course, fall in love for real. Callender uses this setup to dig deep into their characters’ psyches: perfectionist Mattie wrestles with imposter syndrome and shame and believes he needs to prove himself worthy of love, while Logan is recovering from past sexual abuse. Both men also have strained relationships with their fathers, adding a tense subplot. The drama is tempered by the genuine love and affection that arises between the leads—at least until the phony nature of how they first got together is leaked to the press. “Isn’t it more satisfying, then?” Mattie wonders. “To see a happily ever after that has been fought for in the end.” Callender makes the answer to this question a resounding yes. Readers will be hooked. Agent: Beth Phelan, Galt & Zacker. (Oct.)

Callender brings plenty of searingly sensual heat as well as a keen sense of psychological insight to their adult romance debut. …The author also writes with poetic grace and a delightfully dry sense of humor about finding someone who loves you for who you are and not the person you keep trying to become.”—Booklist, starred review

"This is a will-they, won't-they like you've never read before."—Good Housekeeping

"The book to read when you crave big challenges, deep character growth, and great writing. . . . Both sweet and devastating, this Hollywood romance between two complicated and radically different Black actors who fake-date to change the narrative surrounding their film is something spectacular."—Boston Globe

"A firecracker of a book from an author with a powerful point of view, Felix Ever After is refreshingly real."—Casey McQuiston, NYT bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue

“Felix is like the story itself—boldly empathic, hopeful, and full of love. This top-notch depiction of a messy, complicated, romantic young artist navigating the bumpy road to self-love and self-determination sticks its landing at every turn.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Felix Ever After

“From its stunning cover art to the rich, messy, nuanced narrative at its heart, this is an unforgettable story of friendship, heartbreak, forgiveness, and self-discovery.”—ALA Booklist, starred review, on Felix Ever After

“An intricate love story for the ages.”—CNN Underscored on Felix Ever After

“Kacen Callender's adult romance debut is a starry-eyed Hollywood fake-dating love story that is grounded in the darker realities of the industry. Logan and Matty are beautifully complicated, flawed characters, and I was immediately absorbed in their romance, as well as their individual journeys toward healing. A novel that reminds us that everyone deserves to be the star of their own love story. An emotional powerhouse and a stellar must-read.”—Alison Cochrun, Lambda award-winning author of Kiss Her Once for Me and The Charm Offensive

André Santana and AJ Beckles lead a talented ensemble in delivering this heartfelt romance about healing from trauma. Santana voices Logan, an actor infamous for his terrible behavior. Beckles voices up-and-coming actor Mattie…An ensemble of additional narrators chimes in as reporters, celebrity bloggers, fanfic writers, and social media commenters, providing some much needed levity.”

From its stunning cover art to the rich, messy, nuanced narrative at its heart, this is an unforgettable story of friendship, heartbreak, forgiveness, and self-discovery.

An intricate love story for the ages.

A firecracker of a book from an author with a powerful point of view, Felix Ever After is refreshingly real.

★ 09/01/2023

Callender (King of the Rising) delivers the heart-wrenching and riveting love story of two damaged actors. To the outside world, Logan Gray seems like a typical Hollywood bad-boy jerk, while Mattie Cole appears to be a sweet and doe-eyed innocent in his first starring role. They're cast together as the romantic leads in a new film, but after Logan insults Matt, the powers-that-be convince the pair to fake-date in order to drum up publicity and save the film. The pair begins to catch feelings for each other, but both men have deep emotional wounds that threaten their burgeoning relationship. The story will have readers reconsidering the roles that Hollywood stars play in public, particularly when reading the extremely effective interludes from blogs and YouTube videos about the couple that Callender scatters throughout the book. The novel does have a happy ending, but it's a particularly hard-fought HEA. The beautiful conclusion to Logan and Matt's story is well worth the emotional journey and will leave readers in tears. VERDICT This gorgeously written, romantic story of growth and healing tackles deep subjects while still giving audiences the optimistic ending that the characters deserve.—Jenny Kobiela-Mondor

André Santana and AJ Beckles lead a talented ensemble in delivering this heartfelt romance about healing from trauma. Santana voices Logan, an actor infamous for his terrible behavior. Beckles voices up-and-coming actor Mattie, Hollywood's latest golden boy. When publicity for their new rom-com fails to bring in audiences, they agree to pretend to date. Santana captures Logan's public persona in a "couldn't-care-less" voice but shifts his tone when Logan begins to open up to Mattie about being a survivor of sexual assault and abuse. Beckles's narration is warm and cheerful, making Mattie's rare flashes of anger and hurt all the more powerful. An ensemble of additional narrators chimes in as reporters, celebrity bloggers, fanfic writers, and social media commenters, providing some much needed levity. L.S. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine