Pour yourself a glass of Prosecco, and enjoy being transported to the stunning streets of Rome.
"Love isn't something that you find or that finds you, Pour yourself a glass of Prosecco, and enjoy being transported to the stunning streets of Rome.
"Love isn't something that you find or that finds you, love is something you gift yourself. You design it. You decide who you are going to love and who will have the privilege of loving you back."
This was EVERYTHING I could’ve hoped for in a romantic comedy! Flirty banter, cheeky humor, endearing & charming characters, great plot, Italian fashion, enemies to lovers vibes, and a beautiful setting. What more can a girl ask for? I was hoping this might be a cute, quick read. But I was pleasantly surprised, when this had so much more depth than that! I really loved the importance and development of mental health, internal thoughts, self criticism, and the emotional intelligence, that these characters showed. I don’t know what addictive element, Kate Bromley infused into her writing… but I couldn’t put this down!
“There’s beauty in every inch of a woman. In art, in fashion, in life, there will always be people who want to mold our bodies into ways that will suit them, but this can never be. There is nothing more beautiful and deserving of respect than the shape of a woman.”
Since I didn’t want this to end… I would HIGHLY recommend this fantastic book, if you’re looking for a new, fun, modern, romcom, or like me you’re in a constant state of wanderlust. I’d suggest throwing on your favorite Italian music, and pouring yourself a glass of Prosecco, maybe a delicious charcuterie board, because you deserve it. ...more
Wow. I love when a book exceeds my expectations, and this one absolutely did that!
Arthur and Gwen, were some of the sweetest, relatable characters I’Wow. I love when a book exceeds my expectations, and this one absolutely did that!
Arthur and Gwen, were some of the sweetest, relatable characters I’ve experienced. And don’t even get me started on Sidney or Bridget! I immediately fell in love with each and every one of these characters, scars, flaws and all. The ridiculous situations and conversations they kept falling into, were hilarious and heartwarming at the same time. Lex Croucher has such talent for writing some of the most witty banter and cheeky humor! (My face actually hurt from smiling and laughing so much.)
Surprisingly the plot even kept me on my toes. You might wonder how a “Medieval romantic comedy”, could possibly do that… But the wonderful bits of Arthurian lore, strategically placed throughout the story, really created a wonderful book.
Can we please have more amazing, queer, romantic comedies like this?!?! I think the world would be a better place, if people read adorable books like this more often.
Thank you to Lex Croucher, and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
*Update* I loved this book so much, that I even bought a special edition from Waterstones and paid for international shipping. Yeah… it’s THAT good. ...more
I’m not sure why, but this seems to be hit or miss for most people. It was so adorable! At first I didn’t expect to like it, but the intense tension, I’m not sure why, but this seems to be hit or miss for most people. It was so adorable! At first I didn’t expect to like it, but the intense tension, aka “hatred” they had for each other and all the little mind games they’d play, were extremely entertaining. And the humor and banter?!?! Are you kidding me?
I’ll admit there were a few parts that made me think, what the hell is going on? Like admitting you had a sex dream to your male coworker, the beginning of the elevator scene, and probably a couple more. But Josh’s strawberry obsession, tea on the couch, his notebook, and the wedding all made up for it. I thought it had a great workplace, grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers vibe and I’m curious how it compares to the movie version now. If you enjoy fun romantic comedies, this is a must read!
3.75 stars rounded up.
Update: As usual the book is 100 times better than the movie. ...more
Not going to lie, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the 2nd installment of this series as much as the previous book… damn was I wrong.
Maybe it was the consNot going to lie, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the 2nd installment of this series as much as the previous book… damn was I wrong.
Maybe it was the constant underlying music element, or the emphasis on toxic masculinity, overcoming stereotypes, and social expectations, but I’m pretty sure it’s just Tessa Bailey’s pure talent for writing hilarious, yet incredibly sexy characters.
I found myself connecting to Hannah, the FMC (so much more than her older sister in the previous book.) With an amazing soundtrack, constantly going on in the back of her mind and being less superficial, she was so easy to identify with. The way she contrasted with (self proclaimed) manwhore, Fox Thornton was adorable. This surprisingly sweet, thoughtful, vulnerable, sex god, stole the show for me… Especially once you learn about his traumatic past. I also NEVER would’ve thought I’d like a friends to lovers story, but here we are. All of the complex characters in this series compliment each other so well, it’s hard not to devour these books.
I listened to this series via audiobook, and the narrators did such an excellent job, that I barely cringed during the sex scenes! Which is rare for me, considering narrated sex scenes are often like nails on a chalkboard. I really enjoyed the combination of writing style and narrators, throughout the series. Looking forward to checking out the rest of Tessa Bailey’s backlist! ...more
I didn’t expect to enjoy this RomCom, but I actually loved it! Adorable, charming characters, witty banter, hilarious humor, and a lot of sexual tensiI didn’t expect to enjoy this RomCom, but I actually loved it! Adorable, charming characters, witty banter, hilarious humor, and a lot of sexual tension, had me grinning from ear to ear and constantly laughing. I assumed this story would be pretty surface level & superficial, and at the beginning it was, but it gets so much deeper and meaningful the more you read!
The dynamic between the ridiculous, yet stunning FMC, Piper… and the broody/grumpy, glorious cinnamon roll of a man, the MMC Brendan, was hot and intense. It almost gave me an enemies to lovers vibe at the beginning, maybe that’s how most Grumpy/Sunshine romances are? I almost wrote all of Brendan’s traits to post as my review, but really you just need to experience him for yourself. This is the first book by Tessa Bailey, I’ve read and can definitely understand the hype! Fictional men, written by women authors just hit different.
I’m so excited for the movie adaptation of this book, and the next installment of this series! If you’re looking for a fun, sexy, summer read, I’d HIGHLY recommend this! ...more
Wow. I haven’t laughed this much while reading, in a very long time. Incredibly adorable and absolutely hilarious. This is an unexpected new favorite!Wow. I haven’t laughed this much while reading, in a very long time. Incredibly adorable and absolutely hilarious. This is an unexpected new favorite! I’ll try to write down my thoughts, but honestly I just can’t wait to get to the next book.
When you mix two scorching hot tv hosts with years of angsty banter, and a fake dating scenario to try and save their careers… You get this delicious,When you mix two scorching hot tv hosts with years of angsty banter, and a fake dating scenario to try and save their careers… You get this delicious, enemies to lovers story.
Nina Lyon and Leo O’Donnell have been cohosting The Next Cooking Champ, tv show for years together. Over the years of snide comments, bad dad jokes, harsh nicknames, sexism, anxiety, internet trolls, and self doubt, they’ve become sworn enemies. After a rough live recorded season finale, one of their publicists suggests they pretend they’re dating, for some great publicity. So you can imagine how absolutely dreadful their first arranged date is. But the problem is they’re both on the verge of losing their beloved restaurants and suffering financially. Can they suck it up and smile for the cameras?
I loved the way the author made this feel REAL, with media headlines, emails, texts, social media posts, and pop culture references. The depth of these characters was so much more than I expected. From Nina standing up to sexism in the culinary industry and her protective walls she’s built around herself, to Leo’s anxiety, self doubt, and constantly trying to prove himself. Not to mention their amazing friends and family.
This was such a hilarious and heartfelt novel. With all of the food and Italian family references, I felt like this was one giant hug. The banter was top tier. And I adored the sex scenes, although I wouldn’t have been upset if there were a few more… ...more