I loved The Boyfriend Candidate so I was really excited to read this one, but cheating is just something I can’t deal with and while I tried to be understanding at first and even enjoyed the beginning of the book, at one point it seemed almost every single character in book book was either a cheater, the other person or had been cheated on. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, they went on to try to justify all the cheating and argue that we are all human so it’s not THAT bad. And while it might be true that we’re all human, cheating is still THAT bad in almost all situations.

I also think this book really would have benefited from a double POV. First because it was NEVER clear what the MMC was thinking; second because I think after the way things ended between them the first time they were together, we really needed to see what made him come back and what he was thinking and feeling about everything.

Overall, this would have been a great book if it weren’t for all the cheating. Unfortunately I can’t get past that so it wasn’t the book for me.

Thank you to Aria&Aries and Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Usually I will happily read books that contain cheating (not that I condone it in real life), however, I really hated how it was dealt with here and felt like the reasons for it happening weren't believable, even though they tried to justify it, I struggled with a few other issues too so decided not to continue reading.

Thank you to Aria & Aries and Ashley Winstead for the chance to review Fool Me Once in exchange for a fair review. Delight doesn’t cover how I felt seeing another political romance comedy from Ashley Winstead. I loved The Boyfriend Candidate – this book catapulted Ashley Winstead into my top ten list for romance authors. Her unique political romance niche sets her stories against an edgy space with lots of tension and pitfalls to put potential love interests through their paces to test their chemistry, hatred, and love for the entertainment and joy of the reader.

Second chance romance with environmentalism and political tensions spicing things up with the competition between the characters had me on the fence. Second chances romance aren’t my bag; if it didn’t work the first time it is rarely going to work out the second time. Even if you are still madly in love and the chemistry is off the charts, unless you fix the problems you had in the first place and have counselling to grow as a person, it is all going to go wrong again. However, the conflict and wrongs of the past are played out delightfully in the plot of this book – warts, flaws, and bad choices on show for the world with chilling enemy-to-lover vibes and consequences between Ben Laderman and Lee Stone.

From the hook at the start of the book, which is an evil genius, the book lures you in and won’t let go until you fall in love. An engrossing slow-burn story delivering heart-wrenching moments and honest expression of the human condition of how we can do such horrible things to each other in fear and love that is addictive. I could not stop turning the pages even when the lives of the characters were a car wreck on the page, I could not look away.

Character arc and development are a super skill of Ashley Winstead. She can craft unique fictional characters full of flaws, raw emotions, and regrets that worm their way into a reader's heart. Her female characters are powerful, intelligent, undaunted, imperfect, and don’t shy away from being difficult or bold. The men have the same real rawness about their character; vulnerable, sensitive, hurt/bruised by their emotions, and deeply driven by their internal compass. Not to mention good-looking, strong, and gold retriever book boyfriend types, we all long to have in our lives. I read Ashley Winstead’s books for the quirky plots and the unique angles of the story, but I keep reading them again and again for the characters who are like old friends to me.

If I were a Texan, I think I would be saying ‘Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit’ like some of my friends in the Lone Star State have said to me before with eyebrow-raising effects. Ashley Winstead, you wrote a book about a topic I avoid with a barge pole, and made me love it. Well played, I concede you are a genius and have succeeded where many great romance authors have fallen foul of my absolute hate of this element that usually has me closing a book faster than lightning. I’m not saying what as it’s a huge spoiler for the plot – trust me you need to read Ashely Winstead. She’s a star-quality author who is winning the war for space on my bookshelf and my Kindle.

Fool Me Once By Ashley Winstead
I give this book 4.stars.


Lee Stone kicks butt at her job as a communications director at a women-run electric car company and after work she is 'Stoner', drinking guys under the table and never letting any of them get too comfortable in her bed...
Then her grad school ex boyfriend Ben shows up as a policy expert for the Texas governor, just as Lee is trying to get a clean-energy bill rolling. They're forced to work together, fanning the flames for a romantic dustup the size of Texas.

This author has an enjoyable writing style and the plotline was a little bit different from my recent rom coms which was a refreshing change. Lee our FMC had a lot of layers to her character to peel back, but for me I couldn’t really take to her but that didn’t spoil my read ( I’m not a fan of cheating but it happens and sometimes there’s more going on underneath ) I love a 2nd chance romance though and I found the political/climate aspect of their jobs added to the story and gave it depth.The banter was great and the tension between them was palpable especially in the workplace. This author is an autobuy for me,no matter what genre she writes.
With thanks to Netgalley,Ashley Winstead and Aria and Aries books for my chance to read and review this book.

I would like to thank netgalley and Aria & Aries for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I love how politically driven and conscious this authors work is. This one felt a little bit more all over the place, mainly due to the fmc being a bit of a mess.

Thank you netgalley and Aria & Aries for this ARC of ‘Fool Me Once’
At first I was unsure if I was going to enjoy this book as it does include the cheating trope. Now before anyone comes for me I am in no way saying cheating is right but I do believe there are reasons people do it. I think this book explores reasons why very well. I loved both main characters, Lee and Ben, which pulled me in fairly quickly. I am not usually interested in politics in romance novels but in this case I really enjoyed it. My only critique is that I wish there was more in the epilogue about Ben and Lee’s future.

I was delighted to read this, especially after reading the boyfriend candidate and it was great to read more about Lee and Ben. I found the political side extremely fascinating and with the times. A very enjoyable read, although hard at times, as Lee works through her heartache and self sabotage.

Thank you to the author, publishers and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book really throws you into the world of politics with all of the talk of bills, campaigning and lobbying, and the different senators needed to secure votes. I can definitely get behind a smart, talented female lead and Stoner was definitely that. She’s great at her job, passionate about the environment and a great friend. She’s not so much a great girlfriend. Here’s a girl that could do with finding a therapist to unpack a lot of her issues about monogamy, trust and relationships. Her character was definitely frustrating at time, and determined to self sabotage at every turn. While it was interesting to see her dynamic with Ben, and all of their chemistry which I absolutely loved, I don’t really love the cheating theme of this story. Why were so many people cheating!? I know it served to justify Stoner’s misguided beliefs but it did seem a little extreme. I fully appreciate this book was designed to be a romance about a flawed woman, one with baggage to unpack, and behaviours to stamp out but for me personally, Lee Stone was a bit too much and a bit too out of control and so I found I couldn’t identify with her character. And as much as I love Ashley Winstead’s writing, this book could have been a good 25% shorter as it felt like the plot was dragging and without much development between Lee and Ben either, it wasn’t the easiest read. That being said, definitely credit due for building complex characters, a great group of friends, and taking a different approach to romance stories.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

An entertaining and multilayered second-chance rom-com with something more. There's a possible romance but there's also the environment and the politics.
Liked it, recommended.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Fool Me Once - Ashley Winstead ❣️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lee Stone is on a mission to get the 'Green Machine' bill passed which would include all government vehicles change from gas to electric cars from Lise Motors. However, having to work with her ex Ben Laderman (one of 4 major heartbreaks) was not how she was expecting to do it.

I love love loved this book. Political romance books and anything else written by Ashley Winstead have my heart and soul!!

I was kindly sent this book by Zoe Giles at Head Of Zeus after reading The Boyfriend Candidate and when I saw it I squealed! Could not wait to read it and I was not disappointed!

Again this book is so unique to me, I've never read a political themed romance book before. This is also not your average boring political romance, it has weed, parties, alcohol, affairs and the one bed trope.

I genuinely feel like these books were made for me, there are so many important issues discussed and things that I actually care about in life.

As soon as I started reading I knew this was going to be a 5 star book, I 100% highly recommend giving it a read.

I hope and pray that Ashley Winstead decides to write 100 more of these because I can guarantee I will eat up every one! Ashley has definitely became one of my favourite authors and I can't wait to read more. 💓

Thank you to NetGalley and Zoe Giles at Head Of Zeus for sending me this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own*

#FoolMeOnce #NetGalley

Lee is a successful woman, mistrusting of all men. when her significant ex turns up as her co -worker to get a green bill passed in Texas, she has to learn to trust him professionally and ignore her other feelings . Enthralling, an insight into how past experiences can shape our lives.

Having read and loved The Boyfriend Candidate last year, I was definitely up for reading this reissue that predates it by a couple of years and includes many of the same characters in an earlier incarnation.
Lee grew on me eventually. I think she's deliberately unlikeable to start with, so we can see how she got there and how she gets through it - it's actually rare to encounter a female main character who owns her flaws with such conviction. Still though, the idealist, the romantic, the hurt child are closer to the surface than she'd like, and I really enjoyed how the reappearance of Ben in her life made her re-evaluate everything (mostly against her will). Their interactions, against a political backdrop that honestly as a Brit didn't mean a great deal to me, were easily the highlight of the book and Ben is one of my favourite male characters in quite some time.
One thing to note: cheating is a central theme in this book - specifically, dealing with the fallout of it because it affects the lives of several of the characters. It didn't bother me because of the way it was explored, but obviously it won't be for everyone.
In conclusion, I didn't enjoy this quite as much as The Boyfriend Candidate (which I now need to re-read with the additional context of this book), possibly because it was written earlier and the author has built on her earlier writing. Still though it was a more than worthwhile read, and the author is definitely one that I'll be coming back to.

Ashley Winstead is fast becoming a favourite author of mine; this is the second book by her I have
read and it was brilliant. Full of action, comedy, chemistry and heartbreak, this book got you in all the
feels, I was laughing, crying, getting all hot and bothered and feeling completely outraged at some of
the characters.

Ashley is a fantastic author who develops and writes relatable characters who most of I'd love to be
friends with, Lee's social circle were a great small knit collection who did nothing but support her, but
easily called her out if needed, they were all fantastically written and developed, and the relationship
and steaminess between the two Mc's was handled brilliantly, there was just enough brooding
chemistry to make you ship them, my only negative thing was the slight sexism in the book, as Lee
admits she cheated and is this is added to her character development, however there is a male
character written as a cheat also, but was demonised instead of being given a redeeming quality, I felt
that would have been nice to change the narrative that all men cheat.

The running political theme throughout is usually out of my comfort zone, but I liked the way that this
played into the romance element of the story, and the book just felt whole, I loved the world building
and could easily see myself at some of these rallies or comic cons offering my support, plus who
doesn't want to be friends with Lee? I know I do!

Now which Ashley Winstead book to read next

DESCRIPTION
In this fierce and funny battle of the exes, Ashley Winstead's Fool Me Once explores the chaos of wanting something you used to have.
Lee Stone is a twenty-first-century woman: she kicks butt at her job as a communications director at a women-run electric car company (that’s better than Tesla, thank you), and after work she is “Stoner,” drinking guys under the table and never letting any of them get too comfortable in her bed…
That’s because Lee’s learned one big lesson: never trust love. Four major heartbreaks set her straight, from her father cheating on her mom all the way to Ben Laderman in grad school—who wasn’t actually cheating, but she could have sworn he was, so she reciprocated in kind.
Then Ben shows up five years later, working as a policy expert for the most liberal governor in Texas history, just as Lee is trying to get a clean energy bill rolling. Things get complicated—and competitive—as Lee and Ben are forced to work together. Tension builds just as old sparks reignite, fanning the flames for a romantic dustup the size of Texas.

MY REVIEW
Fool me once is being released again in the UK, and having seen Ashley Winstead's name everywhere lately, I had to snatch it up. It took me a long time to get into this book. While I enjoyed Lee and Ben's romance, I didn't enjoy the underlying political plot to the story. I do not enjoy politics and I am not familiar with American politics so I should have known it wouldn't be my cup of tea.

I connected with the characters but there were times when I found Lee, and her little sister, irritating. I found some of the story unnecessary, such as learning about Lee's Mam's new boyfriend.

It was an easy read and I did start to enjoy it from about 70%. I ended up giving the book 2.75 stars, and although this is on the low side, I wouldn't let this put me off other work by Ashley Winstead.

Ben and Lee's complicated history keeps this book interesting as does the character stories of Lee's sister and her inspirational boss, Dakota. I struggled to keep interested with some of the more political storyline stuff as it was unfamiliar territory for me.

‘Fool Me Once’ by Ashley Winstead is being re-released in the UK with a super cute new cover at the start of Feb, and so I snapped it up when it appeared on NetGalley! I’ve never read anything by the author though I know she is acclaimed for writing both thrillers and steamy romance… the amount I enjoyed this book makes me sure I’ll be picking up more of her novels soon.

This fantastic enemies-to-lovers / second chance romance centers on Lee Stone of Austin, TX. She works in PR/policy at a female-led electric vehicle company by day and parties by night still known by her college nickname as ‘Stoner’. Her excitement about an environmental bill her career has been building up to is momentarily quelled when her ex Ben appears by the governor’s side at a key meeting, but the two of them decide that a mix of partnership and competition will secure the votes they need… thus the forced proximity begins!

Lee is a unique character and not immediately the most likeable, but I warmed to her so much throughout the book and - in keeping with one of the later scenes of the story - why do women have to be likeable all the time anyway?!? Watching this messy, imperfect, passionate and smart woman strive for her political goals, come to terms with guilt and try to open herself to love was a treat.

I especially enjoyed the HILARIOUS (half-)marathon scene, the interesting political backdrop, Lee’s sister Alexis’s journey and how Ben advocated for Lee at various junctures. Lee’s speech towards the end of the book was fab (and a little bit Gloria-in-Barbie-esque).

A warning (not really a spoiler): cheating, by a number of major and supporting characters in various timelines, is a key theme of this book… just in case that makes it a no-go for some.

For me, this was a 4.5 star read!

I received a free review copy of this ebook from the publisher Aria & Aries via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

RELEASE DATE (for new edition): 1st February

I WAS SO EXCITED TO GET THIS BOOK, honestly.

I absolutely love Ashley Winstead because she can reaaaally write awesome female characters. I mean, we've all had amazing book boyfriends throughout countless books. We've had Augustus Walters, we've had the likes of Peeta, Tobias, Rhysand, and so many other amazing book boyfriends.

However, we don't usually get amazing female characters. Sure, young adult fantasy does a fairly good job, but in romance? The bar is so low, because all authors focus on the male characters. Not Ashley Winstead. She doesn't write impossibly perfect female characters, but flawed, real, powerful women that I'd love to be friends with. Which is why I can't help but want to devour all her books.

Fool Me Once comes before my 2023 favorite, The Book Candidate, and, while it's not as amazing as that one, it comes pretty close. I already knew Ben and Lee were together from the second book, so I didn't doubt they'll have a happy ending. Oh, but the road there was amazing.

They had a enemies-to-lovers/ friends-to-lovers dynamic that I just ate up, I don't care, it was amazing. Winstead truly made Lee a real character. She is sometimes unlikable, she is a hot mess, and you downright disagree with her, but you GET her.

I am giving this four stars because I always find third-act breakups to be completely useless, and this book didn't feel like it tried too hard to give them a proper reason, just like many romcoms do. I would've liked to skip all that nonsense drama, but well, a format is a format. Lee had an amazing growth from start to finish, which is what matters.

I loved all the other characters, although Alexis was very insufferable here, to be honest.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing a free arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Fool Me Once' by Ashley Winstead.

'Fool Me Once' is the latest romance by novelist Ashley Winstead. Now this is the third novel I have read by Winstead and I still can't get attached. I understand why people adore Winstead but for me, I just can't call in love with it which sucks because this book has such high potential but its not a Michaela book. I do recommend that others try and read it, maybe you'll find a new favourite author.

I always love a good second chance romance and this one was great! I really liked the characters, flawed as they may be, and loved the journey Lee and Ben went on to get to where they needed to be.

Ashley Winstead is one of my favourite authors and I have loved all of her books, both romance and thrillers so I was excited to get my hands on a copy of this book. It started out well and I was used to the inclusion of politics having read The Boyfriend Candidate previously but my main issue with this one is that it felt like there was a lot of unnecessary conflict between the two main characters - a bit too much going back and forth as to whether they loved or hated each other and it felt a little childish? I appreciate this was actually published prior to her other books which probably makes sense and she has definitely improved since then. I will read anything she publishes in the future but this one was sadly just okay.

Thank you to netgalley for providing an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.