It's Getting Hot in Here by Jane Costello is an entertaining, feel-good read with a great balance of humour, romance, and real-life challenges.

The protagonist, Lisa Darling, juggles the demands of her job, family, and friendships with a refreshing sense of relatability.

From PTA cheese and wine nights to her friend’s battle with cancer, and even a hamster named Alan, Lisa’s life feels full and chaotic in a very genuine way.

The romance between Lisa and Zach Russo is a slow burn that hits all the right notes.

Their chemistry is palpable and develops in a natural, believable way, making it easy to get lost in their relationship.

The supporting storylines—work pressure, family dynamics, aging, and friendship—are well integrated, adding depth without overshadowing the central romance.

This blend makes the novel more than just a romance; it’s a reflection of life in your late 40s, with all its complexities.

Lisa’s voice is particularly enjoyable—sharp, funny, and relatable.

There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that give the story a light-hearted feel while still dealing with real emotional themes.

A sequel would be welcome to see where Lisa and Zach’s story goes next!

Tha ks to NetGalley, publishers and author for an ARC of #ItsGettingHotInHere.

This book spoke to me as a woman of a certain age, with children of a certain age, and a to-do list of immeasurable length. A light-hearted read with so lovebombs and other emotions thrown in.
Enjoyed and recommend for a laid back read.

What a fun read this was. Lisa was really easy to like and instantly recognisable- in fact, her to do list reads scarily like my own at times! The relationship with Zack was fairly predictable, though we are kept waiting for a very long time about where it is ( or isn’t) going to go, and I loved the tense, unexpected ending of the Rose storyline.

A feel good book, which would make an excellent romcom movie ( think Bridget Jones) -very entertaining!

I SPECTACULAR READ
I ABSOLUTELY ENJOY THIS BOOK WITH MY WHOLE HEART
THIS BOOK IS SO WELL WRITTEN AND SO WELL PLANNED

Perimenopausal Lisa Darling, single mum of two boys, is attracted to someone for the first time since her divorce. She's fighting it all the way as Zach is a colleague in the TV company where they both work. He's over from America as a stand in for her friend Rose while she undergoes cancer treatment. It's an emotional time for Lisa. Lots of laughs - I loved Lisa's To Do lists- the familiarity of the same things every day. Fun, problems of a teenager and a ten year old "joiner"; and some hot moments. And not just the hot flushes. Oh, and the PTA- hilarious but true. #netgalley #itsgettinghotinhere

Lisa is a busy working mum of two boys, the eldest a whom pushes all the boundaries.
This book follows ger work and personal life and and lady of a similar age will relate to this book.
4* easy read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers fir the ARC

Jane Costello's It’s Getting Hot in Here is a fun, witty, and fast-paced novel that blends romance, humor, and the trials of navigating modern life. Costello’s lively writing style brings to life a story filled with quirky characters, hilarious mishaps, and sizzling chemistry. As the protagonist faces both personal and romantic challenges, readers are treated to a rollercoaster of emotions and laugh-out-loud moments. The novel captures the heat and chaos of unexpected situations, all while maintaining a light-hearted tone that makes it an enjoyable, feel-good read. It’s Getting Hot in Here is the perfect pick for those seeking a blend of comedy and romance that keeps the pages turning.

Lisa Darling, a high-flying TV exec and twice-divorced mother of two, is navigating a life packed with challenges. Between managing her rebellious teenage son, organizing a PTA event, supporting her best friend through cancer treatment, and grappling with perimenopause, her plate is already full. Add to that Zach Russo, a handsome New Yorker who's temporarily replaced her best friend at work, and things get even more complicated.

Lisa's life is a whirlwind of juggling work, motherhood, and her well-being. Her relatable struggles—like neglecting Pilates and DIY projects in favour of a glass of wine with friends—strike a chord with anyone trying to balance it all. When her clashes with Zach spark a surprising attraction, she writes it off as a side effect of HRT, but a series of steamy, ill-advised moments suggest otherwise.

The novel brilliantly captures the chaos of motherhood, menopause, and the PTA, while offering a humorous and heartwarming look at Lisa's attempts to maintain control of her life. Lisa is an endearing character, perpetually bogged down by endless to-do lists and a minor obsession with socks, not to mention her daily battle with constant app notifications that never seem to streamline anything.

Her teenage son Leo is a typical, grotty adolescent, slowly morphing into a creature unrecognizable to most parents of teenage boys—sure to resonate with readers who can relate. Meanwhile, 10-year-old Jacob is full of energy, constantly joining new clubs and chasing new interests. Jacob’s zest for life is infectious and a bright spot in Lisa’s otherwise hectic world.

Lisa’s job at a streaming service adds a fun dynamic, with her colleagues pitching increasingly bizarre show ideas that are almost absurd enough to be watchable. And, of course, her chemistry with Zach is electric, despite her best attempts to convince herself it’s all hormone-related.

Packed with subplots and plenty of action, this novel will keep readers entertained from start to finish. Lisa Darling is a fabulous, relatable new character navigating life’s madness with wit and humour, making this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

Costello- this was a relatable and witty read. Lisa Darling really is darling by name and by nature. Premenopausal with the world’s longest to do list - I can relate to that. Her relationship with Zach didn’t quite ring true for me but Jane Costello your book was a joy to read.

A very funny romantic comedy featuring single mum and producer for TV reality shows, Lisa Darling. The chaos of her life is hilarious and highly relatable, as is her romance with colleague Zach and her challenges with the peri-menopause.

Thanks to NetGalkey, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Book Review: It’s Getting Hot in Here

Reading It’s Getting Hot in Here by Jane Costello was like finding a kindred spirit in the pages of a book. As a mother navigating the ups and downs of life, I found Lisa Darling’s story incredibly relatable and laugh-out-loud funny from the very first chapter.

Lisa is a high-flying TV executive, but she’s also a mother of two, trying to juggle a grotty teenage son, a demanding job, and the challenges of perimenopause. I could totally relate to her struggles, especially when it came to the daily chaos of family life and the occasional absurdity of PTA meetings. Costello’s portrayal of Lisa’s life had me laughing out loud—and sometimes snorting my drink—at moments that felt like they were pulled straight from my own experiences.

When the handsome Zach Russo enters Lisa’s life, the tension is palpable, and I loved how Costello cleverly weaves in the idea that Lisa’s hot flashes might not just be due to menopause. Their chemistry is electric, and the romance adds a delightful layer to the story. I found myself rooting for their connection, even as Lisa tried to convince herself that it was just a passing phase.

The humor in this book is wonderfully balanced with heartfelt moments, especially as Lisa supports her friend through cancer treatment. It’s a reminder that, even in the midst of chaos, friendship and love can be incredibly powerful.

Costello captures the essence of middle-aged life with such wit and warmth. I laughed, I empathized, and I cheered for Lisa as she navigated the wild waters of love, family, and self-discovery. This novel is a celebration of embracing life’s unexpected twists, and I couldn’t get enough of it.

If you’re looking for a romantic comedy that speaks to the perimenopausal experience with honesty and humor, It’s Getting Hot in Here is the perfect choice. It’s a feel-good read that had me smiling long after I turned the last page!

Thank you to Jane Costello, NetGalley, and Hodder & Stoughton for the advanced readers' copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was thrilled to learn at a book event with Jane that we were getting a new Jane Costello book (I love her novels as Catherine Isaac so its no slight on those wonderful stories) and was over the moon to be lucky enough to get an ARC.

This is a lush romantic comedy, with some drama and serious subjects touched upon, for older women. I love YA/New Adult and your mid 20s rom come but it was so refreshing to read a spicy book with a 40-something leading lady who was sexy. Also, Zach Russo....Damn he sounds delicious. I don't want to spoil for anyone, so my random bullet points below should be avoided if you want no spoilers, but I will say in summary this was an excellent read that I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend. Warning it is a SLOW burn, but itso worth it. 

Random thoughts I had while reading:

- The to do lists...I need to do mine
- I have two boys...will this be my life?
- I'm never joining the PTA
- Oh the cockblocking
- We all know an Andrea who is a bit of a pick me woman. Unconscious bias!
- Team Daisy
- Seriously the cockblocking is next level
- Jacob is me as a child...so many hobbies
- Leo is also me
- Debating botox

#bookreview #bookish #books #reading  #emotional #romance #book  #spicy #netgalley #slowburn

Funny,book that is probably relatable to almost every woman reader, you have either been perimenopausaal or been through the menopause or you will do at some point !
I laughed out loud at numerous points in this book but not suprising with Jane Costello as author her books are always well written and humorous
But in amongst there are serious issues facing the youth of today and how hard it can be facing up to it as a single parent, whilst also navigating your own new single life too !
Brilliant read highly recommend

Appealed to me, as I’m a woman of a certain age
Could certainly identify with the main character, Lisa and her struggles with the peri-menopause
Always love Jane’s humorous style of writing and it was the perfect balance of witty banter, humour and the real life struggles of the menopause, with a bit of romance thrown in
A fabulous midlife romcom
Thanks @janecostellobooks @hodderbooks & @netgalley for the laugh out loud read

Hilarious, I love Jane Costello and this didn’t disappoint, as a woman of a certain age the menopause related content was really relevant, I also loved the love hate relationship between the 2 lead characters. I also loved the relationship of the 4 friends and having been on a PTA I could visualise the dynamics. I good light hearted read

I just loved this book so much that I couldn’t put it down. It was very relatable as well as being funny and having inspiring women in it. I really liked all the characters in this book as was they were all different with amazing personalities.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you like a good story with amazing personalities in it but was also very heartwarming as well with a good story.

I would like to thank Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC.

Nice to see a book by Jane Costello again.

47 year old twice-divorced Lisa Darling is juggling single motherhood of a rebellious teenager (and one nice one), work issues, a best friend with cancer, her inability to say no to helping out at the PTA and perimenopause symptoms. But it's the new guy at work who gets her really flustered every time he so much as looks at her. Zach is American and only here for six months so there is a lot of very predictable will they, won't they going on.

I like the subplots because the supporting characters are charming and the love story alone doesn't carry the book. Teenager Leo is very realistic as is Lisa's fruitless attempts to getting round to descaling her kettle.

The menopause subplot is hardly worth mentioning though - I had expected more there, given the title. The character of Zach isn't developed enough and there is a bit more spice than I'm comfortable with but I just skipped a few pages. The ending is a bit abrupt and I couldn't find the advertised bonus epilogue.

All in all, this is an easy and funny read about a middle-aged hormonal woman who always has very long to-do lists because life is so hectic, which is entirely relatable.

I could totally relate to Lisa being a similar age, I thought these aspects her of personal and family life were so well written. It’s a very easy read, Jane Costello always delivers!
Lisa is a 47 yr old mum of 2, her eldest is pushing every button and more. She’s juggling a busy career, PTA meetings and a to-do list which almost matches mine 😁
When her friend gets diagnosed with cancer Zach comes from the US to cover her job for 6 months. The title of It’s getting hot in here at this point is not just her to flushes but the effect Zach has on her 😊
The will they won’t they was just so typically relatable to being a mum with little personal space or time, I laughed and blushed thinking about this.
A great book and I totally recommend.
Thank you NetGalley, Jane Costello and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

It's Getting Hot in Here by Jane Costello

Jane Costello is a bit of a romantic novel factory what with ten books published under this name and five under another. It's probably therefore churlish to say that this is a formulaic plot with a plastic hero and a skittish heroine who eventually gets together with Mr Right.

Lisa Darling, yes really, has a nice job working in Media City in Manchester, has a nice friend who might have cancer and has to deal with her friend’s temporary replacement who, inevitably, turns out to be the hunk. Because she is that sort of heroine, Lisa's life with her children is chaotic and she doesn't seem to be getting final warnings from HR like real people over her attitude to work!

She's also being dumped on by the children's school PTA while the hunk who she is determined not to like turns out to be quite charming in a cardboard sort of way and of course that means hot flushes for Lisa and several hundred pages of will they won't they. Well, of course they will after resolving the crises along the way.

And, yes, it's not giving too much away to say that the book has a happy ending and there is some seamy passion if you stick it out to the end! All in all, it will certainly please Jane Costello's legions of fans but Zach, yes really, is not drawn in much detail and the ending is just a teeny bit preposterous. Anyway, read it and enjoy.

This was great fun to read! Lisa Darling is grappling with her job getting TV shows made, the school PTA cheese and wine night, a hamster called Alan, supporting her best friend through cancer treatment, an argumentative teenager and remembering to take her supplements. The last thing on her mind is romance - then in walks super hot Zach Russo from the New York office!

The chemistry and slow build relationship between Lisa and Zach was just right and felt believable so I could get lost in the vibes! This is the kind of romance novel I like, there is a strong central relationship between the main characters but the side plots are also well thought out and add to the depth. There are a couple of strands going on here that are a pretty accurate reflection of a woman's life in her late 40s - family, work, hormones, parents and friends. All the side plots had their time and it never felt like anything was detracting away from the main characters.

There were loads of funny moments throughout the story and I really liked Lisa's voice. It would be great to get a sequel to find out what happens to Lisa and Zach!

Recommend to fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Emily Henry.