"A glorious love story for the modern age with a message we all need to hear....be wholly and authentically you. I loved every word"

I absolutely loved this book. It was a lovely take on the friends to lovers trope. What made it different is that the reader gets to follow along as Libby and Charlie first meet each other and become friends. Usually, in this sub-genre of romance novels, we meet the H and h when they’re already friends. I really enjoyed seeing the friendship develop between these two characters who are different but whose differences fit each other. I liked that Charlie is shy and Libby is extroverted. He has built a business in risk management consulting - a career choice that says a lot about what type of man he is. Libby runs a lifestyle blog where she posts on fashion and cosmetics. But once they meet when Charlie helps her fill out her tax forms, they become solid friends.

We know where this relationship is headed, but it was a lot of fun going along for the ride. I found myself hoping that the book wouldn’t end because I just enjoyed their interactions so much.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Loved the first half of this book, had me gripped with the ‘will they won’t they’ and though Libby and Charlie’s relationship was new and thought they were great friends I felt everything was falling into place and then came Alex, i must admit, it threw me, I thought surely they must come to their senses, the more I read I felt disappointed and what started out as a wonderful story of discovery of loving someone turned out to be frustrating. I’m never one to give up and carried on reading. Without giving anything away, I found the story eye opening and profound especially when discovering the reason why she started her business. Thought provoking, fun and entertaining with the added ability of the writer getting the reader riled! Very clever!

It took me a loooong time to get into this book and I admittedly skim-read some of it. I even wrote a review to say that I couldn't finish it and felt no connection with the characters but I hate leaving a book unfinished.
The more I read, the more I loved the easy relationship between Libby & Charlie. I love a slow burn and I especially love a friends to lovers slow burn.
The way the friendship formed and grew was so well written and I think I fell a little but in love with Charlie myself.
This is the sort of read thst I would definitely recommend - don't give up because its a slow starter! I will definitely be reading more by this author.
Only gripe is that I feel it wasn't completely wrapped up. I'd have liked an epilogue or something, at least.
(Also, big deal here - 2nd book in first person that I've read and loved this week!)
4 stars.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Feel good fun, perfect light entertainment. Great characters that you are willing to see that they are just perfect for each other.

This book started out with SO MUCH promise. I loved Libby - she had such a bright happy spirit. Even though the grief over her mom's sudden death stayed close to the surface, she maintained such a joyful attitude towards life. Her blog sounded lovely and she definitely downplayed her own success! Charlie was just - well - he's a dream. A Beta personality - but so sweet, funny, and of course doesn't know how gorgeous he really is.

I don't mind a slow burn, but this book definitely pushed that to the limit. <spoiler>Neither character will admit they are more than just really close friends until literally the last moment. Like I am talking the last few chapters.</spoiler>

All was going SO WELL until the author brought Charlie's friend Alex. Although I agree the Libby and Charlie needed a kick in the rear to get moving, but she pushed it too far with Alex. <spoiler> Libby and Alex start dating and are very attracted to each other, but don't go beyond kisses. Theoretically this is what pushes Charlie to realize he has serious feelings for Libby (not just a crush) - but HE DOESN"T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. It was so frustrating. I actually skipped ahead in the book to get a sense of whether Alex and Libby were the real couple in the book not Charlie. I think this part of the story should have been edited down or seriously reconsidered. </spoiler>

Then after the stuff with Alex is resolved - the book took another turn for the worse, with drama that really needed to be resolved more quickly - and a side of work drama that should have been skipped altogether. Ultimately, this book would have been a four star read for me if the author had stayed the course with just Libby and Charlie and not added in the work related stuff at the end. Ultimately, there was just too many angles the author was trying to work with this book: (1) Libby feeling undervalued as a person because she wrote a lifestyle blog and didn't have a "real" "serious" job, (2) personal jealousy between Alex and Charlie that played out in a very negative way and had to be pretty much glossed over because we don't see Charlie's perspective, only Libby's, (3) Libby being attacked (somewhat randomly, by some random journalist for portraying a perfect life and having a subsequent meltdown over it; (4) Libby's unresolved grief over her mom - that is addressed frequently but never really dealt with in a meaningful way; and (5) <spoiler> Charlie moving to American for at least a year for his job. I had a serious issue with this as it is TOTALLY UNRESOLVED at the end of the book. Libby farted around for two weeks feeling sorry for herself and avoiding her life and Charlie. At the end of the third week they finally get together and have lots of off screen sex. But there is absolutely no reference to the fact that he is planning to leave the friggin' country at the end of the week, for a YEAR. Like for real? Not even an epilogue to show Libby moving to New York with him for a year or whatever.</spoiler>

Anyway - I was so sad that this book did not turn out as well as I thought it would. It was a MAJOR disappointment.

I received a copy of this book as an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley but the opinions here are my own.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was a bit disappointed in this novel. I expected funny and quirky and what I got was a lot of fluff and boring dialogue. Libby is a blogger trying to get her foot in the world. She meets Charles, a serious accountant and they form an easy friendship that turns into more. Unfortunately, there was no fireworks between them as they ran circles around each other. Just not my type of romance.

This is a fun read about Libby who chooses to be happy and wants everyone to be as well. She believes in herself and as a result is successful in a business of which few succeed. However, it is evident the feelings between her and Charlie and I was glad she actually became real.

Loved ever second of this book!!! What a sweet and wonderful story. You really care about what happens with the characters and you want a happy ending for everyone.