REVIEW: Book Boyfriend by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka

In Book Boyfriend by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka, Jennifer Worth has spent enough time online in fan forums and on social media to know she’s not the only superfan of Heather Winters’ epic romantasy series Elytheum Courts. And after a breakup shakes her faith in a future with a real shot at romance, Jennifer is pretty sure a week at the first annual Elytheum Experience is just what she needs. Then she gets the shock of a lifetime. Her work adversary, Scott Daniels, is in North Carolina as well for the week. Which doesn’t make sense considering how many times he has put down Jennifer’s love of all things Elytheum. It makes her even more determined to not only enjoy her time there but to also deduce why Scott is in attendance.

‘Anyone who says fiction is just something to hide in doesn’t understand how much hope and strength it can inspire.’

Jennifer soon finds out that Scott is at the Elytheum Experience to figure out how to become the real-life embodiment of a Book Boyfriend after his own relationship woes. While their work competitiveness is still a thorn between them, Jennifer and Scott slowly become something more akin to tenuous friends than enemies. Something neither one thought would actually happen. And as their days wind on, filled with Elytheum fun, scavenger hunts, and gaining new friendships with other fans, Jennifer admits there’s a spark of something…more between them. But after a year of bickering and one-upping each other, should she and Scott attempt a real relationship? Or is it just her imagination, always rooted in fantasy, getting carried away again?

‘Is there anything more meaningful, any greater gift, than someone daring to hope your hopes with you?’

A novel showcasing the magic that is the written word as well as the superfans who immerse themselves in the worlds writers create, BOOK BOYFRIEND will likely have something that will resonate with any reader who flips through its pages.

‘The purest gift of reading isn’t finding escape. It’s finding yourself.’

BOOK BOYFRIEND showed love for not only epic romantasy series that readers can’t get enough of, but it was also a love letter to the fans themselves who show their adoration and support for their favorite authors. Husband and wife duo Austin Siegemund-Broka and Emily Wibberley layered in a multitude of emotions along with laughs, teachable moments, and lovely scenes of camaraderie. The cast were top-notch. And they helped round out Jennifer and Scott’s story (told from Jennifer’s POV), giving it depth without taking over the storyline for themselves.

The book within a book aspect is one that worked well for me, being a fan of all things romantasy. However, if you aren’t into romantasy or even straight up fantasy, this might be overwhelming. Because the Elytheum Courts series Jennifer geeks out over is woven into every chapter and was the focus of the week she spent in North Carolina losing herself in the details the event brought to life. I was impressed with how quickly the Elytheum characters and storyline became familiar. Paired up with the new friendships forming between event goers, it was easy to see how such a week would become an unforgettable experience.

There were actually two romances–the main one being Jennifer and Scott, and another you’ll have to read to find out about–that both had their ups and downs. Enemies to lovers worked well for Scott and Jennifer, highlighting their passion and true feelings along with the reasons behind their animosity. It felt like they brought out the best in each other once they admitted their attraction. And I liked that they were sounding boards who encouraged one another when things got tough. But I think it will be the grand gestures (one romantic and one in friendship) that will win readers over and have them closing the last page with a smile on their face.

QOTD: Do you have a Book Boyfriend? Or more than one?

Book Info:

Publication: Published: February 25th, 2025 | Berkley |

Devoted fangirl meets hesitant fanboy in this swoony contemporary love letter to readers who adore fantasy worlds, from the beloved authors of The Breakup Tour.

Jennifer Worth lives to escape into the world of her favorite romantasy series Elytheum Courts, where the romance is sweeping and the men are brave, chivalrous . . . and winged. Newly single and craving connection, she travels to an immersive fan experience celebrating all things Elytheum, only to see the last face she expected—Scott Daniels, her work nemesis, whose disinterest in Jennifer’s favorite series and standoffishness have made their publishing jobs feel like a feuding fae court.

Except the Scott she encounters there, in his secondhand cosplay outfit, is . . . different. Swaggering, flirtatious, confident. Unlucky in romance himself and inspired by Jennifer’s love for the swoonworthy men of Elytheum, Scott is determined to remake himself into the perfect book boyfriend.

Jennifer has no interest in helping the man who vexes her every workday and dismisses her fictional fantasies, but as the immersive convention activities force them together, they’re surprised to discover magic like none Jennifer has ever read about. But is enemies-to-lovers romance only for books, or can Jennifer and Scott bring the trope to life?