Fans of cosplay and the friends-to-lovers and fake-dating tropes will adore Seressia Glass's captivating rom-com The Love Con. When Kenya Davenport is announced as a finalist in Cosplay or No Way, a reality show cosplay competition, she's pressured to name a significant other as her teammate for the last challenge. Back home in Atlanta, Ga., her best friend and business partner, Cameron Lassiter, is surprised but thrilled to hear her drop his name. Thus begins a fake-dating plot filled with secret pining, physical chemistry and big-hearted friendship.
While The Love Con is a romantic comedy with wide appeal, readers on the geekier side of the spectrum will be delighted by some of Glass's (Shadow Blade) gaming and comics references. " 'I'm going to cosplay so well as your boyfriend that even you will think it's the real deal!' [Cam promised.] Butterflies took flight in [Kenya's] belly but she ignored them, forcing herself to focus on the main objective, instead of indulging in a side quest."
Glass deftly balances the technical cosplay design and build elements with the romantic and character arcs. The Love Con brings the laughs and banter, and Glass shows off her character development, with Cam and Kenya dealing with complicated family dynamics, prejudice and their fear of ruining their friendship. Readers will be cheering for Kenya and Cam as they build a relationship every bit as epic as their couples cosplay. --Suzanne Krohn, librarian and freelance reviewer