BIPOC Author Spotlight Sunday: Seressia Glass

Author: Seressia Glass Title: The Love Con Publisher: Berkley Date Published: 12/14/2021

Read Dates: 02/08/2026- 02/09/2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Love Con is a dual POV friends-to-lovers, fake-dating romance. Kenya has a hard-earned spot as a finalist in the Cosplay or No Way competition show, but for the final challenge she has to return home and complete a couples costume. Put on the spot, she announces that her best friend and roommate, Cameron, is her partner (and significant other)! Cam is all too happy to play along, seeing this as a chance to finally convince Kenya that they’d be great together. But with a rushed timeline, a judge that’s out to get her, a film crew determined to find or create drama, and a barrage of unsupportive ideas, Kenya and Cameron have a lot to overcome if their pretend relationship has a chance of becoming real!

I really enjoyed this one. I loved how Cameron wanted to support Kenya’s dreams in any way possible and his grounding presence. I loved how Kenya was able to stand up for herself and project confidence and calm even when she knew people were actively rooting for her to fail. I thought the book did a good job both embracing body positivity and acknowledging that others may try to tear you down no matter how much you love the way you look. I hated the constant microaggressions Kenya dealt with but loved how she handled them. I’ll definitely look for more from this author!

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?