Textbook Romance is a fun romantic comedy, brimming with real conversations about the ups and downs we can face in everyday life.

Zoe instantly connects with Jack at a friend's wedding, but the fun banter between the two of them is rooted in friendship because she's married. However, when she finds herself adjusting to life as a single mom to two teenage children and their paths cross again, it becomes clear that there are definite sparks.

While she's mainly concerned about the big age gap between them, he's focused on showing her that she's more than capable of being a desired woman. The way in which Jack approached the relationship, with patience, kindness and understanding, made him a swoon worthy love interest. Walking the journey of Zoe and her children as they traversed this new dynamic of divorce and eventually accepting a new man in her life, was a heartfelt one. The fact that the story was told through the viewpoints of both Zoe and Jack gave us the opportunity to really understand each character's feelings as the plot unfolded.

A fun holiday read, with a serious side to it as well.

This book is the perfect summer read, especially if you're a teacher getting ready for the summer break.

Zoe is at a friends wedding and meets Jack, which is where she receives some life changing news.
Fast forward a few months, and Jack has a job as a supply teacher at the same school as Zoe. The chemistry is instant, but as Zoe is dealing with a cheating husband and 2 teenage children a relationship with a younger man is not on the radar........or is it??

Thank you Kristen and NetGalley for the advanced copy, I just loved this book.

A very cute office place romance book about a woman who discovers her husband has been cheating on her and then starts seeing a man she met at a wedding (via an adorable meet cute) who is now a sub at her school.

I love the references to the confusion about gen z cultural phrases because I can relate. The characters are so well written and you really find yourself rooting for them. Very cute book.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book!
Textbook romance had such a sweet description that made me really excited to begin to read it, and in the beginning I was pretty hooked. I do feel like I lost interest fairly quickly in this book though. I think the age gap between the two characters caught me by surprise, and the book was definitely “spicier” than I anticipated. I was torn about whether to rate this book 2 or 3 stars, but feel I settled on this rating because the ending felt so abrupt and rushed, which made it less enjoyable. I wish there was more of a conclusion to this story, it just felt like there was a lot missing.

I loved this book. It was the first one I’ve read by this author but it won’t be the last! I appreciated that the main character was in her 40s as so many romance novels are focused on those in their 20s or maybe very early 30s.
I’ve been in a similar situation as Zoe so could relate so much to this character. When your life is shaken up like this, your self-esteem takes a hit. I loved the way Jack helped her to feel seen and heard. The way he helped her see her intelligence, attractiveness, and reminded her how to live life is exactly what is needed and he handled it beautifully.
Their love story was so well written and I would love to see where they end up (hint, hint).
So glad I got to read this one!

This book follows Zoe, a newly single mother of 2 teenagers, struggling to recover from her ex-husbands betrayal, and Jack, a younger substitute teacher who works with Zoe.

I wasn't a huge fan of this book. It was well written, and I enjoyed the story and characters, it was just missing something for me. The book started a little slowly but it did pick up around halfway through and I enjoyed the second half more. I really struggled to connect with the characters, they were really well written and fleshed out I just couldn't connect with them as much as I wanted to. Single parent tropes have always been very hit and miss for me, sometimes I love them and others I struggle with and this was the latter. I did, however, feel connected to the kids and how they were struggling with the relationship they had with their dad. I was also disappointed with the ending, they didn't really work through the issues and doubts they had and I would have preferred a more clear cut ending that confirmed what happened in the future.

Tropes:
-single parent
-age gap
- slow burn
-dual pov

This book is a great summer read! As a teacher, I always love reading books set in a school!

Zoe is a lovable main character dealing with a recent divorce. It's funny and super relatable.

A little spice but lots of humor!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced e-copy of Textbook Romance in exchange for an honest review.

The story's focuses on Zoe, who is in her forties, as she embarks on a unexpected journey with a man 14 years her junior. This is a refreshing perspective to the romance genre. The reverse age-gap was perfectly written. Zoe's experiences as a mother, teacher, and divorcee bring a depth and authenticity to her character. This book is filled with witty dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments. Zoe's struggles with her cheating ex-husband, her self-esteem issues, and her newfound dating life are all portrayed with a healthy dose of humor.

Zoe's relationship with her children is heartwarming and relatable. The author captures the ups and downs of parenting teenagers with honesty and humor.

'Textbook Romance' is a highly recommended read for fans of heartwarming and humorous romances. Bailey's writing is engaging, her characters are relatable, and the story will leave you feeling both entertained and uplifted. Despite the slightly disappointing ending, this book is a worthy addition to any reader's collection.

A really nice romance, that was heartfelt, had a lot of fun moments, and enjoyable characters.
I was very intrigued in the beginning but when it hit the 80%-90% for me it went a bit downhill
I still enjoyed it do not get me wrong i just felt like towards the ending the story felt inconclusive, i wanted to know more about how the main characters resolved their long distance problems, like really really see how they are solving this issue
But i had a lot of fun reading this nonetheless
Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the arc🫶🏻🫶🏻

This is the first Kristen Bailey book I have read and it won’t be the last! Absolutely loved it! Laughed out loud so many times and then was literally breaking my heart! Loved the characters , was an easy read but one that I couldn’t put down! Hope we find out more! Highly recommend

This was a good book. Easy to read felt engaged with the readers. The story is cute and very easy to follow along. Would recommend this to friends if they are looking for a quick and easy read.

Nice modern romance, with heart, and fun banter. Great prose too.

The leads had good chemistry, but the realist in me can't see it actually working in the long run, which pulled me from the story.

Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

At a friend’s wedding Zoe receives a life changing call and Jack, who she just met, helps her navigate the news and get home. They reconnect later when Jack takes a job at the same school Zoe teaches at and with the help of friends explore love and life changes. A romantic comedy with a nice balance of sweet and sassy.

Another great read from Kristen a fantastic totally relatable rom com full of Witt, humour and a beautifully unfolding love story!
Divorce,adultery, teenage children and altered family dynamics all feature but are offset by friendship, kindness and new beginnings giving the book a really uplifting wholesome feel to it!
Zoe recently betrayed by her husband Brian finds solace fun and ultimately love in the form of the much younger charismatic Jack, the path of true love doesn’t run smoothly for them as we follow them on their road to happiness
Lovely to have the link to Ed and Mia and follow their progress through early marriage too!
A great read that I would highly recommend
Thank you netgallley for this early read

This is such a cute love story, perfect for any fans of Beth O'Leary! I loved Zoe's journey of reselfdiscovery after her marriage breakup - the romance between her and Jack are goals.

I was engrossed from the start. This was my first read of Kristen Bailey work, but I definitely can't wait to get stuck into her others.

Zoe meets Jack at a mutual friend's wedding. They click immediately and are enjoying a good time when Zoe's life falls apart. Her husband, allegedly at a work conference in Glasgow, is spotted, by his daughter's friend, out with another woman. the first Zoe knows is when her distraught children phone her as the reception wends on. It is Jack who copes for her, delivering her home to her teenagers and the fall-out.

Four months later Jack and Zoe meet again when he takes on a supply teaching role at the school where Zoe (and the erstwhile bride and groom) is a teacher. Gradually their happy flirty friendship develops into a relationship carefully hidden from Zoe's children. The problem is a fourteen year age-gap causing Zoe to feel she might be holding Jack back from living his best life. Can there be a resolution.

Textbook Romance is funny, engaging and sometimes unexpectedly serious.

I couldn't get into this! The writing was pretty elementary and the characters were hard to connect with. DNF a 35%. Thank you for the ARC!

A little bit of spice but a whooooole lot of sugar.

Zoe and Jack meet at a mutual friends wedding- connections are made and the fizz begins. When Zoe receives devastating news, Jack is there to help. Neither think too much of the interaction until months later when the universe intervenes and they are once again thrust into each others lives.

Delightfully predictable with easy to love and root for characters.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley in providing me an ARC in return for an honest review.

4.0

I loved “Five Gold Rings”, so was excited to read an advanced copy of the new Kristin Bailey book, “Textbook Romance”. This is a much different book. As the author admits in the author’s notes at the end, the “older“ woman is a new type of character for her, though not among books coming out this spring and summer.

I loved the dynamic between Jack, 29, and Zoe, 43, and you could feel the chemistry and simbiosis. It would always be more difficult for the older woman in that type of relationship and I love the way that he stood up for her and was intuitive enough to know when something happened to upset her even if he wasn’t there at the moment. I do feel bad for him that he, more or less, gets put in a corner, or rather tucked behind the shed in the garden.

Zoe’s situation is difficult, but unfortunately not uncommon and it’s sad that she had a hard time standing up to her husband and the former friend/homewrecker. I loved Lottie and Dylan, as well as Mia and Ed. Even more so, I loved Barney and George and Jack’s rapport with Barney and George. He was right about that being the age he should teach.

This is one of those stories where they are a happy perfect couple when they are in their own bubble but that time is few and far between. As the story ramps up, you don’t know how it’s going to end and what solution would be the best best one. After all, it’s not a happy ending if one person is giving up everything.

A fun read and, I believe, more in line with Kristen Bailey’s other books than “Five Gold Rings”.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

Instantly loved this book + devoured it in less than a day. Between the perfect MMC (he’s so sweet & charismatic), the funny banter, and overall warm fuzzy vibes, I was kicking my feet and smiling as I read this. Bonus points for the British slang/writing. A great summer rom-com read with a good plot, nice pacing, and really fleshed out characters.

About: After the sudden end to her marriage, Zoe explores her friendship with a man she met at her friend’s wedding. They have instant chemistry 🔥, but are navigating a 14 year age difference, new family dynamics for her kids post-divorce, and the lead learning to love herself and do what makes her happy.

- Slow burn
- Strangers to friends to lovers
- Older woman
- Dual POV
- Fade to black/ closed door with lots of innuendo (not smut but definitely adult)

I can’t believe I stumbled upon this book and will definitely be reading more by this author.