Textbook Romance was my first time reading a book by Kristen Bailey, and it definitely won't be the last! Life is complex when Zoe and Jack meet, and yet they can't deny the easy friendship and electric chemistry between them. I especially love that Zoe is quite a bit older than Jack - it feels rare to read about a woman in her forties with a professional job and children being viewed as desirable and attractive. This was a super fun and poignant read!

I absolutely adored Sex Ed by Kristen Bailey, so I was excited to read Textbook Romance, which takes place at the same school with some of the same characters. But unfortunately, this book just fell flat for me. For one thing, I found the age-gap to be annoying. I don't mind an age gap romance between two consenting adults, but I feel like they were constantly bringing up how young Jack was and how much older Zoe was, which when you bring it up that often, makes it a bit icky in my opinion. Like, we get it!

The dual POV was charming, but a lot of the time, I felt like they had the same voice; there was no real differentiators between the two POVs. And all of the conflicts annoyed me because the stakes felt so incredibly low.

What a lovely story! I personally fell in love with Jack……he is just the perfect, man.

After a lifetime “happily” married, she discovered her husband betrayed her for over a year with somebody she considered her friend, what a cliche. However after some mourning period and emotional support from her love ones, she discovers that change may not be all that bad.

Jack is the most reliable person you can encounter, but putting everyone first made him drift from his dreams after college. Now he found an amazing person, with a lots of baggage, who may inspire him to choose a specific path for his future.

All the characters except the husband and the supposedly “friend” were great. The way it was written made you feel like watching a sweet romcom. I absolutely enjoy the book.

Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC for a honest and voluntary review.

Shoutout to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the adorable eARC!

This was a sweet sweet story of second chance love and healing after betrayal, heart break and divorce.

What to generally expect:
⭐ Different POVs of the two main characters
⭐ Second chance at love after divorce
⭐ An overarching story of family + love
⭐ Friends to lovers
⭐ Age Gap

I love that Kristen does such a great job of getting you to fall in love with the characters in the story. You root for them, you want to celebrate with them, laugh and cry with them. At the end you're cheering them on to figure it all out. That was the same for this story. I loved the connection between Jack + Zoe. I was absolutely heartbroken for her and the betrayal that occurred during her divorce. To see her heal through her journey after the divorce but also through meeting jack was so beautiful. Them falling in love through that was just an added bonus. The story of her really connecting with her kids both at school and her own at home was wonderful. I love seeing some teens/pre-teens realize they love their mom and still need her. Also I loved the characters and their development through the story. From Jacks room mates to the other teachers/friends at the school. They add depth, and comedic relief to the story which I loved.

This story was VERY Kristen! The depth, the plot the in between stories are all so beautifully written. I'm never disappointed! This will be a great read for the beach, a cozy rainy day at home or something to read when you're in a slump.

Synopsis:
And when Jack turns up at her school, newly recruited as a supply teacher, she can’t ignore the intense effect he has on her when their paths cross in the corridors. But Zoe is still reeling from her husband's recent jaw-dropping betrayal and adjusting to life as a single mum to two teenage kids. She's not sure if she's ready to open her heart to a fling with a younger man.

As Zoe and Jack's connection grows deeper, their undeniable chemistry and Jack's steadfast support help Zoe rediscover the good things in her love of a good dance, the soothing power of takeout, the secret thrill of receiving a well-timed chicken emoji and the wonder of multiple orgasms…

But with complicated family dynamics and co-parenting with her ex to manage, a sizeable age gap, and Jack's uncertainties about his future to factor in, she’s about to find out that love isn’t always a simple equation.

Can Zoe accept this gift from the universe and take a chance on a far-from-textbook romance?

I absolutely adored this book! Alllll the emotions - laughs, smiles, second-hand embarrassment, tears. The characters were great, each one. The storyline flowed seamlessly.
I CANNOT WAIT to read more Kristen Bailey!

I downloaded this with anticipation as I've not yet found a Kristen Bailey book that I haven't enjoyed and this did not let me down. Zoe was immediately likeable, as were all the characters really- except for her husband! The whole situation felt very authentic and I felt like I encountered every emotion alongside Zoe as she processed the betrayal but also allowed herself to be free and be loved again. All of Kristen's books are also genuinely funny and there were many times I laughed out loud while reading this and I was so sad that because I raced through it, I had finished it in no time at all. I'll be eagerly awaiting her next release!

Textbook Romance has sexual inuendoes galore! This book was so much fun.

Zoe and Jack meet at a wedding; where Zoe's marriage implodes. But then Jack becomes a substitute teacher at the same school where Zoe works.

Really loved this romance and it had me laughing out loud several times. Absolutely loved what Zoe's daughter gave her dad for Christmas!

There was a 10-14 year age gap (with Zoe being older than Jack); I did hear that age discrepancy mentioned a few too many times.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for approving my request to read Textbook Romance in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is July 29, 2024. Approx 344 pages.

Debating between 4-5 stars.

A slow start and I initially wasn't sure I liked Zoe or Jack, but as their relationship progressed, they became one of my favorite couples I've ever read. It was also really refreshing to read about a strong woman in her 40s finding love after divorce while juggling real life. Her concerns are my concerns so it felt so hopeful reading a character I can actually relate to.

The side characters nearly stole the show. I'm looking forward to going and reading the books that feature Mia, Ed, and Beth, but really it was the kids in this story that stole my heart. Fierce Lottie and quiet Dylan seemed really real. And Dom's twins were utterly adorable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication!

Set in the charming backdrop of England, this beautiful, slow-burn, age-gap romance follows Jack and Zoe on their journey to finding each other. Zoe, learning to trust again after her husband's betrayal, and Jack, with his unwavering support, create a love story that's as touching as it is genuine.

A cute reverse age gap love story. Zoe attends a colleague’s wedding, while there she meets Jack who is by her side when she receives a phone call from her daughter who reveals that her husband is having an affair with a close friend of hers. Months later, after much encouragement from his friends Jack finds himself working at the same school Zoe works at. Throughout the book Zoe is navigating through divorce and learning to be a single mom. No longer feeling confident in who she is and a little lost, she soon feels herself being put back together with Jack by her side. The ending seemed a little rushed with not that much closure but it was a cute read.

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

A fun flirty romance for fans of Women's Fiction style romances.

Very much in the vein of a Sophie Kinsella or a Mhari MacFarlane.

Zoe's life is great. She is married to her husband, and has two wonderful children. One night, she goes to a wedding while her husband is out of town. While she is there, her world gets turned upside down as she is informed of something that she never would have expected, her husband's betrayal. This story follows Zoe as she attempts to move on after the betrayal, and her meeting with Jack, which has sparks flying.

This book was also super authentic when diving into how affairs can affect the whole family, not just the spouse that was betrayed. Lottie and Dylan showed two different initial reactions to the betrayal, anger on Lotties part, and was outwardly expressing it, while Dylan showed more concern for his mother and making sure she was doing well, while not really expressing how he felt.

I LOVED Jack. He was just a funny guy all around, always bantering with everyone that he came across. He was a very likeable MMC, and I feel that he was perfect for Zoe. He was so empathetic as her world was falling apart, and was the perfect gentleman. Making sure she got home safely when she wasn't in the best state of mind? Check. Bringing her her favorite jacket after she forgot it? Check. Doing his best to make her happy after they meet again? Check, check, check. While this was an age gap romance, where Jack is younger than Zoe, it sure didn't feel like that at all. Jack was very emotionally mature and matched Zoe well.

And I'm sorry, the scene with Ed and Mia coming in to the bathroom at the school, and trying to get some alone time.... that had me dying laughing, even though it was short. It was so unexpected, but also something that I could 100% picture happening somewhere in real life.

Unfortunately, as you can see, this review is not 5 stars, so I do have some negative thoughts as well. I do wish there was more build up between Jack and Zoe. It all seemed to happen so fast, time wise. They meet, don't see each other again for 4 months, kiss once, and then shortly after, they have sex because their friends tricked them and had them meet at a hotel. I wish we got to see more of the building of the chemistry that they had.

I was a huge fan of the laser tag scene, it was so much fun. I was a little sad that we didn't get a scene with Zoe rubbing everything in Brian and Liz's faces but, oh well, what can you do. Although I will say, I did find it weird that Zoe came off as really mature throughout the whole book, and then refused to communicate, causing a third act breakup. Not a fan of that.

Thank you to Kristen Bailey, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This is my honest opinion.

When maths teacher Zoe Swift meets the irresistibly funny and charming Jack Damon at her friends’ wedding, sparks fly. However, when Jack turns up at her school, newly recruited as a supply teacher, she can’t ignore the intense effect he has on her but still reeling from her husband's recent jaw-dropping betrayal, she is uncertain where their future lies. With two teenage kids, she is not sure that she should become involved with a younger man. Despite their connection growing deeper, Zoe is uncertain that she can manage the complicated family dynamics and their age gap as well as Jack's uncertainties about his future.
This is a very realistic take on a romance filled with the pressures of ex-husbands and teenagers. I also enjoyed reading a story about teachers, who for many, are seen as not having a life beyond the classroom. The author’s handling of the age difference was well developed and revealed the angst felt by Zoe. A great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Textbook Romance 🍎 Kristin Bailey
thank you @netgalley for this ARC, this is my honest review
⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️
💭My thoughts: For mamas who have been divorced or cheated on, I recommend this book. It really shows how important our kids are and how no matter what they should and will always come first! Zoe’s kids are so funny, Lottie is my favorite! What a spitfire 😂
This was age gap H29, h44. I like that the topic of publicly dating someone older can bring questions or unkind glances. The mmc Jack did a great job easing her insecurities and basically saying a big F U to all the people who couldn’t mind their own business.
This book was very slow paced and had some slang I wasn’t used to, but I really liked the friend group and how open they were with each other, providing safe spaces to be open and vulnerable. We all need friends like that! I recommend this if you enjoy romcoms, single mom, age gap, workplace romance.

4.5 stars rounded up

Another very enjoyable, entertaining rom-com from Kristen Bailey. Told through two POVs, Zoe & Jack, this book is full of the usual inuendo with many laughs throughout. There is also a more serious side to the story, with some very relevant and relatable subjects being explored.

Zoe’s life is turned upside down when her husband’s infidelity is discovered. As she navigates her new life, she rediscovers herself and her journey is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Through Zoe’s character, the author visits emotions associated with such a betrayal and the fallout affecting those around her. Lottie’s sass was so on-point, and I often found myself having a laugh at her exchanges – so well done. Dylan was also very relatable, the quiet, reserved kid who quietly takes it all in. Jack has been cruising through life without any real direction, choosing to put other’s needs before his own. He is empathetic, genuine, cheeky, and fun, and I fell in love with his character instantly.

This is a story about betrayal, family bonds, self-discovery, second chances, and great friends who support each other. I love that there are awkward moments, and these make the characters all the more ‘real’. Each of the main characters evolve as the story progresses, making this a story of self-discovery as well. I never expected a rom-com to have so many emotions - I laughed out loud so many times and my heart broke more than once! There are some slightly steamy scenes, but I consider them relatively tame and easy to gloss over if you don’t like those scenes. I enjoyed every minute of this story, and I can’t wait to read another Kristen Bailey novel.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Kristen Bailey for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

I enjoyed the friendships more than the romance if that makes sense. I could not get into the romantic portion of the story, but man did I want to experience wonderful friends like Beth and Mia.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought that the relationship development between Zoe and Jack was so good and I loved their banter. The book was lovely and realistic, and it was so heartfelt.

I really enjoyed reading this! Kristen Bailey is one of my favourite authors and this book highlights why. This book is written in both Zoe and Jacks POV which is like most of Kristen’s books. Textbook Romance is about Zoe meeting Jack at a wedding, where she finds out her husband is having an affair. We are taking on the journey of Zoe’s heartbreak, her sarcastic daughter, quiet but smart son and extremely fiesty sister! This book has the perfect amount of laughter, smut and emotion. Definite 5 star from me!

Okay, so I’ve become a complete Kristen Bailey fangirl. I love a novel with characters who reoccur - especially ones I love - so after Sex Ed this one made me smile with glee.

Bailey’s talent is in not only humorous prose but writing characters who you just want to adopt as your own friends.

An absolutely cracking read.

4.5* rounded up!

This was the perfect summer read! It has an easy reading style that was fast paced and had me laughing one minute and ready for tears the next. The dual POV was perfectly executed (*chef's kiss) and you just can't help but fall in love with Jack and Zoe. Cute, cute, cute! Lottie and Dylan added a great "real family drama" dynamic to the storyline and I adored their relationship with their mom. Add this one to your list!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC of this book.