Kate (booksmartkate)'s Reviews > Once Smitten, Twice Shy

[A heartfelt thank you to @berkleyromance for the #gifted digital ARC of this swoon-worthy final installment in the Wilmont Sisters series. Here’s my honest review.]

After a disastrous engagement to a truly awful ex, Jules Wilmont has sworn off love. Will Orsino, meanwhile, has resigned himself to the idea that love might not be in the cards for him, but he still dreams of finding a life partner to share his family business with. When Jules and Will cross paths (for the second time), they realize they have similar struggles: he’s too shy to make a move, and she’s too afraid to open her heart again. So, they strike up an unconventional deal—four weeks of “romance practice,” with no real strings attached, since their intertwined friend group makes anything serious off-limits. What starts as practice quickly evolves, as their growing emotional connection blurs the lines between make-believe and reality.

This was such a satisfying conclusion to the Wilmont Sisters series! While Jules wasn’t the central character in book one (that spotlight belonged to her twin sister, Bea), it was so rewarding to see her take center stage here. Jules’ journey from heartbreak to healing is beautifully written, and her chemistry with Will is off the charts. From their first conversation, you can sense how perfectly they fit together—they challenge and support each other, hold one another accountable, and have an effortless, playful dynamic that is simply delightful.

Told through dual POVs, this book is quintessential Chloe Liese—packed with complex, vulnerable characters who feel so authentic in their struggles and growth. Liese excels at crafting relationships that are not only romantic but deeply respectful and meaningful. Jules and Will’s story is tender, heartwarming, and full of introspective moments that will resonate with anyone who’s ever been afraid to love again.

Chloe Liese is an auto-buy author for me, and Once Bitten, Twice Shy reminded me exactly why. This is a must-read for fans of slow-burn, deeply emotional romances!