The Love Con

By: Seressia Glass

Narrated by: Zenzi Williams

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

A LibraryReads Pick!

One of....

Popsugar's Best New Romances

Bustle and Bookish's Most Anticipated Books of December

Library Journal's Best Romances of 2021

He’s cosplaying as her boyfriend but their feelings for each other are real in this romantic comedy from Seressia Glass.

Sometimes Kenya Davenport believes she was switched at the hospital - how else could a lover of anime, gaming, and cosplay come from STEM parents? Still, Kenya dreams of being able to turn her creative hobby into a career. She finally has a chance to make it big when she joins the reality show competition Cosplay or No Way.

There's just one catch: the challenge for the final round is all about iconic pairs, and the judges want the contestants' significant others to participate. Unfortunately, Kenya is as single as can be at the moment. Luckily her best friend, Cameron Lassiter, agrees to be her fake boyfriend for the show.

Roleplaying a couple in love will force them to explore what they're hiding under the mask of friendship. Can Kenya and Cam fake it until she makes it, or will she be real about her feelings, knowing it could cost her the best friend she’s ever had?

©2021 Seressia Glass (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

A December LibraryReads Pick!

One of Bookish's Most Anticipated Books of December

“The Love Con is a laugh-out-loud, tropetastic, sexy love-letter to fandom, women’s geek culture, and everyone who’s ever been unapologetically passionate about something. With friends-to-lovers, fake-dating, mutual pining, and the most delicious steam, this book makes for a fantastic read. I cannot wait for what Seressia Glass writes next!” (Ali Hazelwood, author of The Love Hypothesis)

“The Love Con is a laugh-out-loud delight! Seressia Glass takes the reader on a romantic ride full of intense emotions and high sexual chemistry. Even when the story is done, Kenya and Cam will still have a hold on your heart.” (Kwana Jackson, USA Today best-selling author of Real Men Knit)

“From pop-culture costume mashups to off-the-chart chemistry, Seressia Glass' The Love Con is a winner! Kenya is a body-positive, authentic woman following her dreams, no matter what anyone thinks.” (Julia London, New York Times best-selling author of You Lucky Dog)

To Stanos from Storm💖

There is trust, hurt, sabotage, misunderstandings, and love. The beautiful character that was built with Kiki is how I feel every woman plus size needs to be. To love yourself first and go after what you want. Cam is a great character. He is handsome and loving but not perfect either. This is about working together and fitting together perfectly. I recommend this book for.more than just the romance.

Cosplay is also a great creative activity that I don't think gets the publicity it deserves. Getting to play the characters you love and hate and making them into what you want them to be. Imagination and fun. Enjoyed this book immensely. I speeded up the narration as it kind of dragged until I did otherwise very good.

The Narration Tho…

I appreciated the story—a compelling tale about an extremely intelligent, ambitious, and attractive young woman with an artistic gift…in cosplay. Really unique and cool. What bothered me was the narration. Ms. Williams merely read the story. No acting whatsoever. At times, I couldn’t tell the difference in characters. The intonation was lacking as well. Is she an actress? A standard narrator would’ve brought so much more life and color to this story. I was so disappointed by that.

loved it!!

An ode to geek culture, hard work while staying really true to real life struggles.

I Loveed it!!

I loved this book. Super likeable characters great story, enjoyable narrator. I enjoyed the writing style. I will look out for more from this writer.

So wonderful

I truly love this book. It’s such a fun read, I love the whole aspect of being on the reality show. You really feel like you are part of it. I enjoy the friendships in this book. I absolutely need a Janelle and Dev book next !!! I could not put this book down. I did feel that the semi explicit love scene was unneeded but I do believe it’s called closed door it’s not fully fade to Black scene. It really didn’t need it the book was fabulous with out it. The sexual tension and chemistry was superb. I ended up getting the audio and the physical copy.

As for the audio. I think Zenzi did a great job but since I often to listen to books I am a bit more critical. I felt that the voice did not change for the school character. Only time if felt that there were slight changes were for the Show Host and when Kenya was acting super cute. I could not tell when her voice went deeper for the male characters. I think that made the audio less enjoyable because there was no versatility and how each character was expressed. Yet I truly enjoyed The narration. I love how Zenzi read and I enjoyed her tone

Overall this was a great book. I would recommend.
It’s just the audio was good but could have been a bit better. I can’t wait to read and listen to more books by this author

Interesting and cute turn of events

I enjoyed this book… it was lovely to hear and feel the different dynamics of such complicated relationships as many families have, and how we try to navigate life despite our parent’s expectations. Sometimes I’m doing so we sacrifice ourselves. Some of us are fortunate to have another person to help us see us for who we are. This book had great lessons

Wonderful listen!!!

Thank you for writing this love story with such realism. It was truly a interracial LOVE story. With everyday problems and loving support. Such a breath of fresh air from most multicultural story’s that depict the characters as sex starved - as if true love can not exist with someone from a different race.
If you are wondering whether to purchase this or not stop wasting time reading this review - PURCHASE IT TODAY! It well worth your time.

What a fun book!

loved this book! I listened while taking my walks and plenty of times I found myself laughing out loud. Loved the fake-relationship/friends-to-lovers angle. Great job!

Cute Romance!

Kenya is on a cosplay competition reality TV show and ropes her best friend Cameron in to pretending to be more than friends.
I was looking for a cute cozy romance and this book delivered. This is the first book I’ve read that had me rooting for the friends to lovers.
I just thought this book was so cute and such a fun way to start love month!
This was my first Seressia Glass novel but will not be my last!

But the ending…

I loved 2/3 of this book. It was clever and refreshing. I loved the cosplay elements and the bond between the main characters. HOWEVER, the end was rushed and so many lose ends. It just left me unsatisfied.