Title: International Relations
Author: Zac Hammett
Publisher: Slowburn
Release Date: August 4, 2026
Genre(s): Political Suspense
Page Count: 320
Reviewed by: Crabbypatty
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
The Proposal meets Heated Rivalry in this queer fake dating to fake marriage romance, following an aspiring young diplomat who hopes to land his dream job by hiring an actor to play his boyfriend . . .
Max has never had time for a relationship working in the high-stakes world of international diplomacy. But when a high-profile ambassadorial position opens up in Athens, Max is discreetly advised that his single status isn’t helping his chances. In this line of work, appearances matter, and Max’s rival Quentin has an advantage in the form of his charming and accomplished girlfriend.
Determined not to lose out, Max hires Hunter, a charismatic actor, to play the perfect boyfriend. Hunter dazzles on the diplomatic circuit, but soon the charade takes on a life of its own. When visa complications force Max and Hunter to make their relationship official, they find themselves trapped in a marriage of convenience that is anything but convenient. There’s only one thing that could make all this even more complicated—if Max and Hunter’s feelings for each other start becoming real . . .
International Relations is a fake dating to fake marriage romance filled with glamorous locations, sizzling chemistry, and a love story that will capture your heart.
Tropes: Fake dating / Fake marriage / Fake relationship / Opposites attract / Grump sunshine / Forced proximity
What happens when your dream job and your dream man don’t go together?
Londoner Max has wanted to be a diplomat since his mother died abroad during a conflict while serving as a volunteer nurse. Helping people by preventing those conflicts through diplomacy is the way Max can honor his beloved mother.
Enter American Hunter Moretti, an actor fleeing a bad relationship, with dreams of someday doing Shakespeare at the Globe. He’s renting a room from Doily, an old-school theatrical agent, who fields an unusual talent request for a fake boyfriend.
Since Max’s main competitor for a diplomatic post opening up in Athens is Quentin (supported by his partner, the formidable Flora), the very single Max realizes he needs a boyfriend to keep in the running, and quickly.
Once the stage is set, Hunter and Max move past a fake relationship / real marriage into the unknown. Add in a visa application and interview, steamy sex, quirky secondary characters, diplomatic gamesmanship and more.
This book, the author’s second, is well written and plotted, full of heart, humor and hope. The MCs are so beautifully fleshed-out with great chemistry, and you are just drawn into this story. Don’t miss this one! 5 stars.
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About Zac Hammett
Zac Hammett is an author of romantic comedies. His debut novel, See You At The Finish Line, was heralded as “a triumph” by Publishers Weekly and “unputdownable” by Kirkus Reviews. His second novel, International Relations, will follow in 2026.
He has had an eclectic career as a writer, which includes co-writing the Gold-Certified Clean Bandit single Baby, participating in the writers room for the Disney Plus series Rivals, and writing the acclaimed memoir A Class of Their Own: Adventures in Tutoring the Super-Rich.
He grew up on the south coast of England, the second of four children to two teachers, and now lives in London.
His favourite romantic comedy of all time is Notting Hill.
