Fauxmance in the Falls by J.E. Birk Release Blitz

I'm here to destroy this town. How did I end up in a fake relationship with its hero?

I've spent my life proving to my grandpa and dad that I'm more than just the Lewis family mistake. So when Grandpa sends me to Devon Falls, VT to take some ridiculous leaf festival to court, I head straight there and get to work.

But Dr. Jack Lancer keeps getting in my way.

He's everywhere. Helping me out with my migraines, making me dinner, insisting people be nice to me even though I’m the enemy. Who is this guy? The next thing I know I'm pretending to be Jack's boyfriend to get him out of a bind. I swear he's putting kindness pills in my food or something.

Jack thinks he can fix me the same way he fixes everyone else. But I'm not broken. This podunk town will be when I'm done with it, though. And Jack? Well, he's about to learn the meaning of the term "collateral damage." Because I'll do anything to win this case and end this festival.

Even if it means losing something that feels an awful lot like love.

Fauxmance in the Falls is an age-gap romance featuring a small town full of quirks, a grumpy lawyer and a charming physician, a fake relationship gone wild, some inappropriate use of a doctor’s office, and a healthy mix of humor and angst. It stars Benson Lewis, who first appeared in the book Counterpoint.

 

 

Book 1
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Benson stands before us, looking as wrecked as I could ever imagine seeing him. He’s barely standing upright, and there are dark circles surrounding his sagging eyes. He’s wearing a wrinkled pair of jogging pants and a shirt that looks like he’s sweated through it, and his facial expression screams of absolute misery. I simultaneously feel extremely guilty for knocking on his door and extremely glad that I did. “Benson,” I say softly. “Migraine?”

He nods, immediately wincing at the head motion. And that tiny little movement is all the cue I need to start taking charge.

“Elijah, I need you to run to the drug store,” I tell him quietly. I list off a series of items that Benson likely needs.

“Be right back,” Elijah whispers, though I never warned him about being quiet. He’s far more astute than his grandparents give him credit for. He runs off down the hall and I step into Benson’s space, examining him with my eyes. “How long?” I ask.

“Since the Thai restaurant.”

Shit. Almost twenty-four hours, then. “Have you taken anything?”

“Just aspirin.” He winces at the ray of light peeking around the door from the hallway. “Don’t have anything else,” he mumbles. I’m going to make sure we correct that the second he’s well enough for conversation. But right now, all I want to do is make him feel better.

“Okay,” I tell him gently. “We’ll fix it, Benson. I’ve got you. You’re not on your own anymore.”

He stares at me, squinting, and I notice his eyes are wet. “I’m really glad you’re here,” he says hoarsely.

I startle slightly. I know Benson well enough by now to know those probably aren’t words he says often.

I guide him gently into the apartment, which is a small studio with a double bed in one corner and a combination kitchen/living room taking up most of the space. The curtains are closed tightly. They’re mostly light-blocking, at least. I surprise him, I think, when I guide him over to the sofa and help him lay down there. “I’m going to get you some water and change your sheets,” I whisper. “Have you been able to keep food down?”

He shakes his head slightly.

“Well, I sent Elijah for applesauce and electrolytes. We’ll see if we can fix that.” I can feel his eyes track me as I make use of what his small space has to offer. I find a glass of water and help him sit up long enough to take a few sips. When he shakes his head at me, I don’t push for him to drink more. I find clean sheets and quickly make his bed, then grab some sweatpants and a Burlington U Law shirt from his dresser. “C’mon,” I urge him. “Let’s get you into some more comfortable clothes.”

He holds onto my shoulders as I help him step out of his pants. I look away to give him as much privacy as possible, but Benson draws my attention back to him when he says, “this isn’t really how I envisioned you getting in my pants for the first time.”

The corners of his lips are turned up in a hint of a wry grin, and my heart speeds up. Has he really had those thoughts too? Now is not the time for that conversation, unfortunately. “Me either,” I tell him, keeping things light as I help him into the fresh pants and shirt.

I change the sheets on the bed and get him settled into it before I dampen a washcloth with cool water. Some migraine patients are sensitive to any kind of touch when they have episodes like this, but Benson sighs with happiness when I lay the cloth across his forehead.

I sit down gently on the side of his bed. “When Elijah gets back we’ll try food and more water,” I tell him. “Get excited for that applesauce.”

Benson grimaces. “I’ll try it,” he promises. “I already feel better than I did. Thank you, Jack.”

I gently take one of his hands, and when he doesn’t object, I hold it while I rub my thumb against his palm. “Thank you for what?” I ask. I’m not sure what I’m being thanked for. Changing someone’s sheets and getting them some water when they’re ill are about the most basic things you can do for another human.

“No one’s ever really done this before. You know. For me,” he mutters. “Not lately, anyway.”

“Do you get migraines often?” I ask him.

He sighs. “I used to get them a lot more when I was younger. I thought they were going away. But lately they’ve been getting worse.”

“Who used to take care of you when you got them?” I ask.

He shrugs into the sheets around him. “I think my nannies did. Well, some of them anyway. Until they… couldn’t anymore.” Benson grimaces again, and I decide this isn’t the best time to have this conversation.

“You’re going to be okay,” I tell him. It’s a universal line I’ve used a million times in my career. Some patients believe it. Some don’t. From Benson’s expression, I can’t tell where he stands.

“It was worse last night,” he replies. “In the middle of the night. It was so bad. They’ve gotten worse lately, like I said. I was here, in this bed, and the pain was so awful I started to wonder if I was going to live through it. And I kept thinking… kept thinking that I didn’t want to die by myself in a studio apartment. Alone. All by myself.” He closes his eyes against pain I can’t see, and suddenly I need to be holding more than just his hand.

“You’re not alone,” I tell him. I lean over farther and graze his cheek with the fingers of my other hand. It’s a test to see if my touch hurts, but all he does is lean farther into it. And just like that, I know I’m doing the right thing. “You’re not alone right now,” I repeat. “And you never have to be alone again. Not if you don’t want to be. You have me now. Me and Elijah.”

Benson has settled his cheek deep into my hand at this point. He’s almost nuzzling it. “Not forever,” he mumbles. “Just for now. Just for pretend.”

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆☆
I instantly fell in love with the town of Devon Falls. Small towns are so charming and close knit, I just love it.

Jack is the local doctor, and he has some past issues that he still hasn't gotten over. Benson is a law clerk who took on a case against the town of Devon Falls. Benson doesn't get along with his family and is always trying to prove himself. This case is what he thinks he needs to finally get that approval.

Jack and Benson both have things they are trying to work through, but when a situation arises and Benson says something that even surprises him, he and Jack are now in a fake relationship. These two together are amazing, they bring out the best in each other. Throw in Jack's nephew, who reminds Benson of his own childhood, and things get even messier inside his head.

This was a sweet romance with some family drama on both main characters’ sides. In the end, good conquers evil, family drama is solved, and Jack and Benson get their happily ever after.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series, but is linked to the Vino e Veritas series and the book Counterpoint in particular, which is set in nearby Burlington. It would not matter if you have read that story first, but you will enjoy catching up with Aaron and Jeremy if you did!

Benson has been trying to prove himself to his obnoxious, stuck-up, judgmental family since he was dropped off with his dad as an unwanted mistake by his mum. He has fought for recognition, and has now been tasked with a land ownership case against the town of Devon Falls. He is desperate to impress, but as time goes on, his research does lead him to think of ethics over success. I really enjoyed the legal elements of this book, they added context and drama in just the right measure.

Jack left Devon Falls to train as a doctor, and after a time in New York and an unhappy ending to a romance, he returned home to practice medicine with his mum. He is also looking after his ex-wife's nephew, as his father is away on service. This is proving to be quite a challenge, as Elijah is not academically gifted, but a budding musician who wants to practice with his band rather than study. In fact, his bad grades are like the first pebble that starts an avalanche resulting in Benson claiming to be Jack's boyfriend to keep Elijah from having to go to Florida with his grandparents...

I loved the different strands running through the story. They gave us humour, family, ethics, and the recognition of what love means and how valuable it can be. Cannot wait for the next installment!


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Fauxmance in the Falls is the first book in the Devon Falls series. If you are an avid J.E. Birk reader you will recognize Aaron and Jeremy from Counterpoint.

Benson has to prove himself to his grandfather by winning a legal battle against Devon Falls. His client claims he owns the land where the town's famous festival is held. He knows everyone in town will hate him if he wins this case but maybe, finally, his father and grandfather will give him the recognition he deserves. But he never expected Jack – and Jack changes everything.

Jack returns to Devon Falls after a break-up to practice medicine. Looking after his ex-wife's nephew proves to be a challenge. And fighting with the ex-in-laws is something he doesn't want and when Benson says they are dating to help him keep Elijah, he goes along with the fake relationship.

I was so invested in this read. I loved everything about Benson and Jack. I love a "fake dating" read and this one checks every box for me. I can't wait to see more from this small town!

 

 

J.E. BIRK was raised in Vermont and is now adulting in Colorado with intermittent success. She is a long-time lover of stories, and she writes and reads in worlds where imperfect characters find their happily ever after. Snag free bonus content and stay up-to-date on J.E. Birk's news and releases by signing up for her newsletter.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Fauxmance in the Falls (Devon Falls #1) by J.E. Birk to read and review.

Counterpoint by J.E. Birk Release Blitz

One playboy. One perfectionist. So many secrets.

I’m considered the biggest playboy in Burlington, Vermont. The party boy. The guy who lives in the moment and makes decisions with no thought for the future. But people don’t know my past. They don’t know why I make the choices I do. Even my best friend doesn’t know the truth about me. Actually, there are a lot of things he doesn’t know… like the fact that I had a one-night stand with his brother last year.

Did I mean to hook up with Aaron? Um, no. Mistakes were made, okay? But unlike most of my mistakes, this one has lasting consequences. Aaron works at the law firm where circumstances are forcing me to be their errand boy. Now we see each other every day. Aaron’s such a nervous wreck he keeps tripping over the copy machine. I’m surprised he hasn’t ended up in traction yet.

He and I are opposites in almost every way. He’s got a GPA higher than Mount Mansfield, and I’m barely going to graduate college. He grocery shops with a spreadsheet, and I’ve got YOLO tattooed on my body. But Aaron sees things in me that no one else does, and I see things in him he doesn’t see in himself. Before I know it, we’re sharing late-night office picnics, evenings out at the bar, and long, hot afternoons on my boat. I’m having the best summer of my life, but there’s no way this can end well. My bff will kill me if he ever finds out how thoroughly I’ve corrupted his brother…

Counterpoint is an opposites-attract forbidden romance featuring an incense-filled law firm, meddling friends, and angst and humor in (mostly) equal parts. It stars Jeremy Everett and Aaron Morin, who first appeared in the Vino and Veritas story Booklover, but Counterpoint is a standalone novel.

Counterpoint is a stand-alone novel set in Sarina Bowen’s World of True North.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the In Vino Veritas series!
For book one, Wildfire, click HERE.

 

 

Book 2
Buy Links

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Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Counterpoint is the second book in the In Vino Veritas series. It can be read as a standalone without issue as it is a multi-author series.

This is a new-to-me author, so I did not read the book first mentioning these characters, Booklover, but was able to understand the character dynamic of these characters.

After Jeremy's dad is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he promises his dad he will live every day. He takes this promise to heart and becomes a playboy. It's a reputation he's okay with because he's out there living his life every day.

When Aaron got into law school, he kept it a secret and ended up not talking to his family for months. His brother Jamie's best friend, Jeremy took it upon himself to contact Aaron to get him back to town. One thing leads to another, and they agree to never talk about it. But it gets awfully hard to not think about that night when they are working in the same office for the summer. Can they continue to act like that night didn't happen or will they fall into the feelings they are having for each other?

There was such a slow burn between Jeremy and Aaron it was almost painful to read. I wanted them to just talk it out, but the author draws it out just enough so when it finally does happen, it's explosive between them. Jeremy and Aaron both have some difficult issues in their past, Aaron not believing in himself and Jeremy with his family and his future. I loved watching these two characters help each other and push each other out of their comfort zone.

After reading Counterpoint, I will definitely be going back to read Booklover and others set in this world!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in this new series based around Vino & Veritas, but could be read as a standalone. I’m very happy to be back in Sarina Bowen’s world and reading authors new to me and those well known. If you have read all the books in these series, you will be well aware of Aaron, who left Jamie struggling to help on the farm when he went off to study law, and of Jeremy, Jamie’s best friend.

These two men have a connection which they don’t quite understand and don’t quite know how to deal with, but it is a thread they don’t want to cut. But the complications of the present, as well as the past, make it difficult to imagine anything coming from it.

We learn that Jeremy uses his hook-ups to forget his problems with his family, and his intention to remain single is based on a fear of what the future could hold, suddenly he is not quite the playboy. As Aaron starts his legal internship at the same office as Jeremy is working for the summer, the opportunities for the two to be closer are inevitable. But can they live in the present, and what is Jamie going to think?

I loved catching up with Jamie’s family and seeing the rifts heal, and understanding permeates through the book, as distances are closed and relationships rebuilt. It deals with an incredibly difficult subject, and no one can judge the decisions of another when faced with such choices. Aaron was such a good friend and partner to Jeremy; it was beautifully written.

Another lovely installment in this series.

 

 

 

J.E. BIRK was raised in Vermont and is now adulting in Colorado with intermittent success. She is a long-time lover of stories, and she writes and reads in worlds where imperfect characters find their happily ever after.

Connect with J.E. Birk

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Counterpoint (In Vino Veritas #2) by J.E. Birk to read and review.

Booklover by J.E. Birk Blog Tour

Two guys meet over a stack of romance novels. Soon they're turning pages late into the night...

Jamie Morin’s college GPA drops every time a cow breaks through a fence, but he’s determined to get his degree and keep his parents’ Vermont dairy farm afloat. He’d rather be reading than milking, but he can’t let his family down… not the way his brother did. So the last thing he needs is distraction in the form of an irresistible bookseller with a mysterious backstory.

Briar Nord has a lifetime of experience proving that happily-ever-afters only happen in his favorite books. But his luck might be changing. He’s got a great job at a bookstore, and he lives in a city that puts maple syrup on everything. But Briar knows not to trust anything or anyone. And that includes a gorgeous farm boy with soulful eyes and too many obligations.

When Jamie joins Briar’s romance novel book club, they both feel an instant connection. Soon they’re turning pages long into the night. But Briar’s past was bound to catch up with him. Sometimes, though, it takes two heroes to write a new ending...

Booklover is a stand-alone novel in Sarina Bowen’s World of True North. This book includes: a delightfully quirky book club, trust issues galore, an abundance of maple syrup, angst and fluff, and escaping cows.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Vino & Veritas series!
For book one, Featherbed, click HERE.
For book two, Heartscape, click HERE.
For book three, Headstrong, click HERE.
For book four, Undercover, click HERE.
For book five, Aftermath, click HERE.

 

 

Book 6
Buy Links

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~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

I start heading toward the circle of couches and chairs near the back where the inaugural meeting of The Booklover Club is supposed to take place. I make a quick stop at a shelf of new titles because the store’s got at least three that I’ve been meaning to read. I grab one of them, a nonfiction book about dairy farming, and I take a quick pause to wonder if my wallet can handle a bookstore binge. I’m still reading the inside of the jacket flap when I hear a voice behind me.

“Can I help you?”

I turn around and try not to do that thing Jeremy says I sometimes do, where I just stand there staring at someone or something without speaking. In my defense, I think the problem comes from spending most of my childhood surrounded by cows. Sometimes I just forget how to people.

Especially when incredibly hot human beings are standing in front of me. Which is happening right now.

This guy looks exactly like Porter, one of my other favorite book characters. He’s in Alyssa Samuel’s gay romance novel Lost Key, and right now I can’t help but wonder if he walked right off the pages of that book and into this store. The Porter look-alike in front of me has sharp, angular cheekbones sitting under hazel eyes and dirty blond hair and eyebrows. He’s got some scruffy I-wanna-be-a-beard-but-I’m-not-there-yet hair around his chin that’s straight out of the Vermont tourist brochures. His head is covered by a pilling green tuque, and his skin is this olive tone that should be next to impossible for any white guy to have in Vermont in March. He’s wearing a flannel shirt and jeans, which is pretty much the stereotypical Vermont uniform, but somehow on him it manages to look cool and unique.

And as if all that weren’t enough? He’s carrying a stack of books.

Some men dream of seeing their perfect lover strutting around in hot lingerie or tiny speedos. I dream of my perfect lover naked, with a stack of books strategically placed in front of them.

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the sixth book in a series of stories written by a collection of talented authors and set in Sarina Bowen’s True North world. I am really enjoying the connections, and yet the variety of styles offered by the different writers.

This is my favourite of the series so far – but not for the reasons you might expect! I spent a lot of time closing my iPad and stopping from reading, because I didn't want to know how things could develop.

Briar was such a hopeful character, with a new start, trying his very best to rise above his past... and that could all be destroyed by an old friend turning up. The tension is extreme, and yet it really isn't at all. I was so hopeful that he would be able to disengage from that time, and the worry became real.

Jamie is so torn, studying, working a job to help fund his social life, and then dashing home to support the family farm – the last thing he needs is a boyfriend, and yet one look at Briar in Vino & Veritas and he cannot resist him.

I loved the book club sessions, fun, cute and just what everyone would want in a book club. I loved it when the men acted out or quoted from their favourite romances, and how it tied them together, even when things were difficult. And most of all, I loved that the Vino & Veritas family stepped up and gave Briar the family he needed and the hope of a better future.

Overall, I thought this was an excellent read, and I am really glad that I made it past my reluctance to read more because I was too invested to cope with any difficult bits – but do be ready with a tissue too, as there is one bit (at least) which really got to me!

 

 

 

J.E. BIRK was raised in Vermont and is now adulting in Colorado with intermittent success. She is a long-time lover of stories, and she writes and reads in worlds where imperfect characters find their happily ever after.

Connect with J.E.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Booklover (Vino & Veritas #6) by J.E. Birk to read and review for this tour.