The Love Con

The Love Con follows Kenya Davenport, a cosplayer and costume designer who dreams of turning her creative passion into a career. When she lands a spot on a reality TV competition show for cosplayers, she sees it as her chance to prove herself and win the grand prize. A complication arises when Kenya needs to present a romantic partner for a segment of the show. She convinces her best friend and roommate Cameron to pose as her boyfriend, leading them into a fake relationship scheme that puts their friendship to the test. The story explores the intersection of gaming culture, cosplay communities, and reality television while centering a Black female protagonist in traditionally white-dominated spaces. Through Kenya's journey, themes of authenticity, creative ambition, and self-acceptance emerge alongside the central romance.

Readers describe this as a light romance focused on cosplay and gaming culture. Many note the authentic representation of geek communities and appreciate seeing Black characters in traditionally white-dominated spaces. Likes: - Strong friendship dynamics between characters - Body positive messaging - Authentic gaming and cosplay details - Fast-paced dialogue - Mix of humor and romance Dislikes: - Plot feels rushed in final third - Communication issues between characters seem forced - Some found the fake dating premise unrealistic - Gaming references can be hard to follow for non-gamers Multiple readers mentioned wanting more resolution with the protagonist's family conflicts. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (430+ ratings) BookBub: 4.1/5 (240+ ratings) "Perfect for anyone who loves cosplay culture but wants more diversity in their romance reads" - Goodreads reviewer "The gaming stuff felt authentic but the relationship drama lost me" - Amazon reviewer

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🎲 The book features extensive references to cosplay and gaming culture, drawing from the author's personal experiences as a longtime participant in DragonCon, one of the largest multi-media conventions in the United States. 🎭 The main character, Kenya, practices "crossplay" – cosplaying characters of a different gender – which is a growing trend in the cosplay community. ✂️ Author Seressia Glass has written more than 20 books across multiple genres, including paranormal romance and urban fantasy, under various pen names including Mallery Mitchell. 🎬 The novel addresses the underrepresentation of Black women in geek culture and cosplay, while celebrating their increasing visibility in these spaces. 🧵 The detailed descriptions of costume creation in the book highlight the significant time, skill, and financial investment required for competitive cosplay, with some costumes taking months to complete and costing thousands of dollars.