This is sort of a second chance, friends to lovers romance. Both Martine and Elliot were drawn to each other as kids but they didn’t realize why at the time. The concept of how they reconnected appealed to me more than the actual story . The story was okay but not great.

Martine and Elliot were childhood best friends until Elliot’s family moved away from Key West. Now with Elliot back in Key West, the two run into each other while sneaking out of the apartment their respective one night stands. This seems like the perfect opportunity to reconnect as friends but when they end up moving in together it soon turns into more than just friendship.

The novel spent a fair amount of time on the details of each of their careers, rum distiller (Martine) and coast guard (Elliot), these were interesting but ultimately these felt like random choices. There were storylines about each but they didn’t connect into a larger storyline. The major plot points could have still happened with most careers.

This is the first time I've read a book by Leigh Hays, wasn't really sure what to expect. Synapsis told me that Foolproof is something of a 'chance reunion' between the two main characters and I thought okay, why not. I'll bite.

You know what, it was much better than I had expected. The chance reunion scene was somewhat original (?), funny and cringe-y at the same time. I guess you can say this is a bit of a 'slow burn' of friends to lover but I think it's actually more than that. Overall the pace of the book was enjoyable, the characters 'have a life' and not just stuck in a vacuum with each other, things get steamy and the angsty edge was, just right!

I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes a solid wlw romance. I'll be looking out for other books from Leigh Hays from now on. Thanks NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book. It was a fabulous few hours of entertainment. I almost read it in one seating.

I was excited when I read the blurb to get to experience a story set in Key West between a rum distiller, Martine, and a USCG member, Elliot. The story turned out to be passable, but nothing special. I think a large part of the reason I felt that way was because I didn’t feel a strong chemistry between the two main characters. I felt their friendship and their renewed bound from their childhood, but not that undeniable romantic chemistry. The lust was definitely present, but not the romance. 3 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not a fun experience for me. I struggled to understand the characters at the start of the story, with nicknames and real names used interchangeably. I was 15% through and was still super confused about relationships and careers with characters.
I disliked essentially ever part of this story - and it had nothing to do with sexual orientation or preferences, it just felt fake, and forced, and not real - all dialogue, all interactions, all forms of writing.

I have look better the blurb and cover this is a FF book
Nevertheless the friends with benefit trope is well done and there is a bit too much miscommunication but the attraction love building is reliable
Coffe making moments are so cute
Nice roommate romance
Nice side characters
3 stars
Thanks NetGalley for the arc

Martine lives in Key West and runs a rum distillery with her friend Ana. Elliot is career coastguard and newly stationed in FL. Martine and Elliot were young childhood friends before Elliot moved away. Martine needs a roommate for her new apartment and Elliot happily moves in to share expenses. I like that the book takes time to let them be roommates figuring out each others likes and preferences. Elliott is even actively dating after they move in together. But the attraction they feel moves them towards each other.

I like that the characters are mature and comfortable in themselves. But that doesn’t make them any better at sharing their thoughts or recognizing the baggage from their pasts. The book is plenty steamy but I didn’t feel a real connection between the two other than they are comfortable with each other. I wasn’t sure one was ready for a relationship. Also I didn’t understand the whole point of Ana’s relationship in the book. I did learn a bit about rum making from the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books, Inc. for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Martine and Elliot haven’t seen each other in years and are surprised to bump into each other after leaving their one night stands. Elliot works as coast guard who have different assignments that doesn’t leaves her with a permanent address. Martine runs a rum distiller with her friend Ana and is looking for a roommate and offer it to Elliot who can finally have a home. They get to know each other again as friends and start a friends with benefits but then they both feel it’s more but can they both open theirs hearts when one not sure she ready to commitment and one who feels she ready to settle down. This was good read there was some miscommunication between the characters but overall a quick read.



I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

This was fun and I enjoyed their relationship but something was missing for me. I think the emotional side of their relationship could have been written better and also the scene where they get back together. It just felt a bit lackluster to me.

I received an arc through netgalley.

The story wasn’t bad. A second chance romance that falls into the normal trope make up you would expect. It was an enjoyable, quick read but felt kind of standard, or formulaic. There was some character development and miscommunications the MCs had to overcome. Like I said, it was an enjoyable read, just wasn’t a stand out to me.

Martine and Elliot meet again after many years.
Elliot is with the coastguard and has had many varied assignments. She would like to put the past behind her and be more settled.
Martine is a rum distiller and a bit of a player. She is looking for a room mate and the location of her house is closer to Elliot’s work base than where she is currently living. So they decide to share. They try being merely friends but find they feel more than that for each other.
But while Elliot wants to settle down Martine is wary of making a commitment. Can they have a chance at love and all that entails or will it be too much for Martine

this book is well written but for me its not attractive , I was not too excited to continue to read it the story felt cold sometimes, Also the picture made me super confused on the characters looks for some reason I could not picture Elliot or Martine which ruined the experience.

Martine, a rum distiller, and Elliot, a Coast Guard agent, run into each other while leaving their one night stands. And they realise they used to be childhood best friends.
Martine is looking for a roommate and Elliot is looking for an easier commute so it seems like a no brainer that they should live together. From there to friends to benefits is a small steps and we all know who those stories end.
My first book by this author and it was a decent read, I’d definitely read other works and would recommend this one for a light, easy read with great chemistry between the MCs.

Free ARC via NetGalley

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of Martine, a rum distiller, and Elliot, a Coastie, as they rekindle a lost childhood friendship. Elliot is trying to outrun her reputation from an incident in the Coast Guard which has left her on multiple assignments she doesn't love. She's ready to settle down and find a home base so when childhood friend Martine is looking for a roommate in a beautiful home with much less of a commute, she hops on her chance. Martine stayed in Key West and is surrounded by cousins. She runs a business with her friend Ana Sophia. Without ever really speaking about it, Martine and Elliot go the friends with benefits route but feelings quickly take over. A few miscommunication moments and some redeaming conversations are sprinkled throughout. Both are willing to try new things with the other.

I appreciate the coffee making moments all over the book and the double sided story perspective. Overall a quick, enjoyable read! 3.5 stars
Posted on goodreads separately because it said it could not find the book here

This was a memorable book that is worth reading again. The chemistry between the characters was sizzling hot - the author has a rare talent in being able to develop such sexual chemistry without losing the friendship bond between them. Martine was a character that I found difficult to like, and still I very much enjoyed the book. Elliott was so kind-hearted and lovely (and basically my dream character!). This author is one of my favourites recently and I look forward to her next work.