3.75/5 ⭐️s
🌶️🌶️ - medium spice

LOVES:
- Yeesh, what an awkward meet cute 🤦‍♀️😆
- The idea that the character from Bea’s book (who is almost like a friend to her) was subconsciously based on Gib as a kid is kind of cute. Honestly, I wanted more to come from that.
- The drinking song they sing at one point is a song my husband and his rugby team sing so that was fun to see 🤣
- They communicated well about their needs and expectations for the relationship and continued to do so throughout the book
- The pep talk Gib gives her and the way she comes back from her spiraling about failure was really cool to see
- The epilogue was really sweet, though it felt like it ended kind of abruptly. So satisfying to see them create a happy, healthy life together 💖

CRITIQUES:
- Majority of both of their backstories are crammed into the first two chapters and it was written pretty well, but it felt a little overwhelming
- These people act like it’s impossible to sleep on a floor 🤦‍♀️😆

Gib was a tricky character for me. I liked him and understood him, but also spent a decent amount of time being frustrated with him. Bea was SO much more patient than I would have been. The process was a little painful, but I did actually really liked the way he dealt with everything in the end.

I enjoyed this one and the quirky cast of characters. Lots of vacation vibes so if you need a break from winter reads, this one will do the trick!

Thanks to @netgalley and @onemorechapterhc for the eARC 💝

Greece is always a good choice. A romantic contemporary novel with hints of black cat/golden retriever, only one bed, writer, millionaire tropes. All of which I adore and enjoyed in this book to their full potential. Cute read, maybe more suitable for summer (haha), yet it wasn't my absolute favourite but it was good. Great potential but maybe tried too hard in too many directions.

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and Joss Wood for the early access copy of One Bed.

One Bed follows the story of Bea and Gib. Bea is an author who uses a pen name. No one knows who she is until her publicist and godmother chooses to retire. In need of inspiration for her series and to plan her godmothers retirement celebration Bea goes to Santorini. What she doesn’t expect is for her godmother to scheme to have Bea share her villa with Gib. A villa with only one bed. Gib is a CEO and as a child shared the same villa with a young Bea.

Joss Wood does a beautiful job writing about Santorini. The premise of the story sounded interesting. However, the progression of the story felt slow at times, which pulled me out of the book.

Another palate cleanser book


I didn't feel these characters connected well, at all.
Maybe the connection was me, but it left a lot to be desired.

It wasnt bad, per se, but it could've been a lot better.

The one bed trope pulled me in, but again the story fell flat.

This book had some charming moments, especially with the godmother, who added a refreshing spark to the story. She’s hands down the standout character, bringing humor and warmth to an otherwise pretty average read. However, Bea’s personality didn’t quite land – she often came across as immature and a bit too prickly, making it tough to root for her. The romance was a miss for me, too; Bea and Gibson’s dynamic didn’t have the spark you'd hope for, and his "Chris Hemsworth clone" vibes felt a tad forced and overdone. The writing itself is competent, but the story ultimately feels flat, lacking the depth or originality needed to truly stand out. It’s an easy read, but one that’s forgettable once the final page is turned.

This was a delightful journey to Santorini, filled with parties, oddball characters and an angsty one-bed (obviously) romance.

I really enjoyed the book, and Bea's journey to being more assertive and brave, but I felt the ending was just a tad rushed. I would've loved just a little bit more of the last 20% of the book to really show the culmination of both Bea and Gib's self discoveries.

Overall, however, a lovely, sunshine-filled book!

One Bed by Joss Wood was such a fun and wonderful story.
The characters are relatable, funny, and endearing.
Wonderful story, great character development, great writing.
A truly amazing story.

One Bed
By Joss Wood
Chapter 2, Page 22

::|| Gib'd met Golly at the Ivy in London. He'd been keeping Navy company while he had been waiting for Golly to arrive for their lunch meeting. She wore an aqua sheath with an acid-yellow half jacket, biker boots and carried an unlit cigarillo. Her fingers ended in inch-long, vampire-red nails and her accent was Upper West Side arty. Her attitude was pure Brooklyn street fighter.
After a drink at the bar, a G&T that was heavy on the gin and light on the tonic, she demanded Gib join her and Navy for lunch. He agreed, and she reminded him they’d met before, when he and his dad had stayed at her villa when he was … what? Eleven? ||::

In this story we meet Bea, a writer who is in search of her voice when writers block strikes, causing her to create a hole in her life that can only be filled by one person. Golly, her eccentric, lovable rogue-diva godmother, who brought her up and taught her that having bad parents does not make you or define your character in any sort of way.
Although.. they could and did for a little while and her precarious situation was not helped by her ex boyfriend.. Bea was finally trying to heal.. But this weekend in her favourite Greek haunt, was about Golly and her blow-out party, nothing else mattered. Not even when she found a man .. in her bed.. quite literally. Soon she was falling down a rabbit hole that would force her into situations she had yet to face, hold a mirror up to her fears, stand her ground and allow her the time and energy to battle her insecurities, showing her just how strong she could be.
She had to be.
She needed to be.
And all because of him. Gib.
No. Golly.
Golly is the one she should be thinking about, right?

Meeting Bea for the first time, reminded me of when I was a shell of a person and tip-toed around people to make sure I wasn't making them feel anything but happiness, regardless of my own feelings. It made me realise that, maybe every girl at some point in their life goes through this stage and this book was the perfect sentiment to bring about such an awkward and sometimes painful time in our lives.
The glamorous Golly is someone we all need to prop us up and I wish I knew one! I could feel the string her meddling fingers were pulling, and pushing Bea and Gib together, also the love between them both radiated out of the book like a beacon.
And Gib the silent but damaged type, every girl looks for and tries to fix is heart-flutteringly perfect. Especially when he is describing in alarming details all the things he wants and does do to her!
What more could you want?
An uplifting and very spicy read!

Thank you so much to Joss Wood, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and relay my honest feedback.

I really wanted to love this because the forced proximity/one bed trope is quite literally one of my favorites but unfortunately there just wasn’t a lot that gripped my attention & made me not want to put the book down. The chapters were a bit too long which I’ll be honest, made it a little difficult to fully get into the story. The characters did have good banter which I really enjoyed. Overall, it wasn’t a bad book just nothing that fully reeled me in.

I have to admit that this being one of my favourite tropes, I couldn’t resist requesting this one from NetGalley earlier this fall. It didn’t have exactly the same heat that some one bed romances do BUT it had great scenery (set in Santorini!), complex but not too complex characters and a lot of fun.

We could add a dose of matchmaking to the description of this one but I’ll let you uncover that aspect for yourselves! Bea and Gib are fiery, determined characters who have their own demons and dreams but maybe for a week or two they can cohabitate (did I mention they’re both also stubborn?) and find something unexpected in the meantime?

One Bed by Joss Wood is a delightful romantic comedy set in the stunning backdrop of Santorini. The forced proximity trope is executed perfectly, with the main characters, Bea and Gibson, sharing a cozy cottage with... you guessed it, just one bed!
The banter between Bea and Gibson is witty and charming, and their slow-burn romance is both sweet and sexy. The supporting characters, particularly Bea's eccentric godmother, add a touch of humor and heart to the story.
While the plot is predictable at times, it's still a fun and enjoyable read. The beautiful descriptions of Santorini will transport you to a sun-soaked paradise. If you're looking for a lighthearted romance with plenty of laughs and swoon-worthy moments, One Bed is the perfect choice.

Rating: ⭐⭐✨ (2.75/5)

Joss Wood’s One Bed is a breezy romantic novella set against the stunning backdrop of Santorini. While the classic “one bed” trope and the promise of fiery chemistry between Bea Williams and Gibson Caddell set the stage for a fun, flirty escape, the story doesn’t quite live up to its potential, leaving it feeling like a missed opportunity for a truly memorable romance.

Bea Williams is a relatable protagonist with her writer’s block and need for a getaway. Her voice is witty, and her initial interactions with Gibson, her childhood friend turned irresistible housemate, are filled with playful banter. However, her character arc feels somewhat underdeveloped, with her struggles as a rising star author and her personal growth taking a backseat to the romantic tension.

Gibson Caddell is your quintessential romantic hero—gorgeous, confident, and exuding charm. His “red flag” status adds some intrigue to their dynamic, but his backstory and motivations are only lightly touched upon. As a result, his character feels a little too surface-level to fully invest in, making the chemistry between him and Bea less impactful than it could have been.

The romance itself is a mixed bag. The setup of sharing a cozy Greek cottage with only one bed is classic rom-com gold, and there are moments of undeniable tension and humor, especially in their first night navigating the awkward logistics of the situation. However, the novella’s brevity works against it here—there’s not enough time to build a believable emotional connection or fully explore the complexities of their shared history. The quick progression from banter to intimacy feels rushed and leaves the resolution lacking depth.

Favorite moments? The Santorini setting is a definite highlight. Wood’s descriptions of the island’s sunsets, whitewashed buildings, and sparkling seas create a romantic and escapist atmosphere. The light-hearted scenes where Bea and Gibson navigate their close quarters—like fighting over who gets the bed or awkwardly sharing the tiny kitchen—provide some much-needed charm.

Where the book falters most is in its pacing. The short format means the story leans heavily on its tropes without fully fleshing out its characters or plot. Bea’s struggles with writer’s block and Gibson’s “red flag” reputation are introduced but never meaningfully explored, leaving both feeling like missed opportunities to add emotional weight and complexity.

Final verdict? One Bed is a light, easy read with a picturesque setting and a classic rom-com setup, but it ultimately falls short of delivering a satisfying romance. If you’re looking for a quick, trope-filled escape and don’t mind a story that skims the surface, it might be worth a try. But if you’re hoping for depth, development, and lasting impact, this one might leave you wanting more. A decent beach read, but not much beyond that.

HORRIBLE. I mean tremendously terrible. These characters are losers. They have no connection to each other and are not in love at all. They barely talk to each other and then expect to somehow make a summer fling into a love story. No way. Also the writing was limited in the description and plot. The author would time jump with no description of anything important that you felt like you were having a stroke and forgetting how reading works. The only time there was any significant description it was in the sex scenes and they weren’t even good. Don’t be tricked by the “one bed” trope, it’s not worth reading. Don’t pick this book up.

DNF

This sounded like it would be totally my thing, but the writing just didn’t click for me. The story took forever to get going, and I didn’t feel any chemistry between Bea and Gib. Plus, there was so much telling instead of showing. Like, both characters spend a ton of time just dumping info about themselves and their surroundings—it all felt kind of flat.

From chapter one, it’s just, “this person is like this because of X.” No mystery, no layers to uncover, nothing that made me curious to keep going. I got too bored to finish.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the chance to read this one. It just wasn’t for me!

StartedOff well but then I got a bit bored! Sorry. I maybe wasn’t feeling the romance that day!Will read another day and see!Thank Net galley for the early read.

Absolutely brilliant book!
I am a big fan of this author and love the writing style!
I cant wait to read more!

cute, but overall forgettable. i could NOT get past the writing style though, every detail was a comparison or a metaphor or some other grammar device. just in the first paragraph she compares something to something "dreamier" five times! just say the ocean is blue. the sun can reflect on your face and warm your skin but it doesn't bathe you in an orange glow that reminds you of your childhood. at least, not everything can do that lolol. i'm sorry i'm a hater, hats off to the author though for writing a book!! thanks to the publishers and the author for an e-arc!

I’ve realised that I’m not one for tropey romances. There aren’t really any popular romance dynamics i.e. ‘enemies to lovers’, 'grumpy/sunshine’, 'sibling’s best friend’ that I naturally gravitate towards. If I had to pick one, it would probably be 'friends to lovers’, as that’s what I can relate to the best. However, I think this book is one that you can probably only really enjoy if you like the particularly spicy trope of 'one bed’.

Bea is a bestselling children’s author and she’s struggling to work on the latest book in her adventure series. So, she escapes to her godmother’s Santorini retreat for some space and inspiration. Only when she gets there does she discover that the villa she expected to be staying in has been double booked by Gibson Caddell, an exceptionally handsome man who she met briefly once as a child. And of course, there’s only one bed in the villa.

One thing that I absolutely loathe in romances is repeated references to a couple’s physical size difference. Gib constantly talks about how small Bea is and Bea constantly talks about how big Gib is. It possibly needs to be mentioned once (if it’s relevant) when they first meet and then, it really can be left off the page. Is it supposed to be sexy that she’s tiny and he’s well-built? I just don’t get it!

Bea is an anxious bean and the reasons for this are explained towards the end of the book, although I didn’t fully understand them. Despite her being a neurotic, perfectionist writer, I still couldn’t really relate to her. She and I have a lot in common, so I’m really not sure why I just couldn’t bring myself to properly like her. Perhaps it was because she seemed to mention sex out of nowhere quite often. There could be no mistake that she was the heroine in a contemporary spicy romance novel…

Gib was also very unlikeable and constantly brought everything back to sex, which got very dull after a while. After he and Bea have been intimate for the first time, she does the nice thing of making him breakfast and wanting to talk to him in the morning. He reacts to this by freaking out about her clearly wanting more than a fling because she dared to still be there and behaving in a friendly manner in the morning. You know, in the villa owned by her godmother who said she could stay there. The villa she’s holidaying in. She was still there and being nice to him. A terrifying thought for the commitment phobe apparently…

I had to laugh at the description of Gib’s eyes as he was choking. I can’t remember why or what he was choking on now but 'his eyes now looked like the badly congested roads on a satnav map’ definitely tickled me due to how ridiculous it is.

I do think that the author captured the anxieties and struggles of a writer well. That pressure to consistently put out work that is as good as your last success and to make your editors and fans happy must be really tough and Bea goes through all of that. Joss Wood has clearly been through some of this, almost certainly with this very book, and I thought this was really authentically presented.

One Bed is a spicy romance in the sun with some incredibly infuriating characters. I didn’t like either of the leads and I especially didn’t like Bea’s godmother Golly. I’m pretty sure I was supposed to laugh off her self-centredness as eccentricity but I found that I couldn’t. I can’t ever connect to or love attention-seeking characters of any age or gender, so Golly was no exception. All in all, the book is probably a hit if you like the 'one bed’ trope and physically attractive characters who have zero chemistry beyond the bedsheets.

Well the name of this book alone was enough to make me want to read it! Forced proximity, one bed and enemies to lovers are some of my favourite tropes and this was a fun, cute romcom with great banter between Bea and Gibson.

This was a fine romance. The romance heats up quickly but the character growth is slow. The third person narration made this a slog for me. The side characters are enjoyable. Not the best.