Text Book Romance is a rom com novel by Kristen Bailey.
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. The story was easy to follow with a good pace and had a good cast of characters. I'll definitely be reading more by the author. A great novel that I highly recommend.
💓 Thank you to storm publishing, netgalley and the author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review: *Textbook Romance* by Kristen Bailey

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 stars)

Kristen Bailey's *Textbook Romance* is a delightful and heartwarming read that expertly blends humor, romance, and the complexities of life after betrayal. This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance with a touch of real-life challenges.

Overview:
Zoe Swift, a dedicated maths teacher and single mother of two teenagers, is not looking for love after her husband's recent and shocking betrayal. But when she meets the irresistibly charming and funny Jack Damon at a friend’s wedding, sparks fly. The chemistry between them becomes undeniable when Jack turns up at her school as a supply teacher. Despite their connection, Zoe is hesitant to embrace this unexpected romance due to the age gap, family dynamics, and her own emotional scars.

Themes and Elements:
1. **Second Chances:** The book beautifully explores the theme of second chances, not just in love but in life as well. Zoe's journey towards rediscovering herself and opening up to new possibilities is inspiring.
2. **Family Dynamics:** The portrayal of Zoe's life as a single mother managing her teenage kids and co-parenting with her ex adds depth and authenticity to the story.
3. **Age Gap Romance:** The age difference between Zoe and Jack is handled with sensitivity and realism, making their relationship both believable and relatable.
4. **Humor and Heart:** Kristen Bailey's signature humor shines through, making the book a delightful read while also touching on deeper emotional truths.

Character Development:
- **Zoe Swift:** Zoe is a relatable and strong protagonist. Her vulnerability and resilience make her journey compelling. Watching her navigate the challenges of single motherhood and opening her heart to new love is both heartwarming and empowering.
- **Jack Damon:** Jack is a charming and supportive character. His humor, patience, and genuine affection for Zoe make him an ideal partner. His own uncertainties about his future add an interesting layer to his character.

Writing Style:
Kristen Bailey’s writing is engaging, witty, and full of heart. Her ability to balance humor with poignant moments ensures that the story resonates on multiple levels. The dialogue is sharp, realistic, and often hilarious, keeping the reader entertained from start to finish.

Final Thoughts:
*Textbook Romance* is a charming and uplifting story that will leave readers smiling. Kristen Bailey has crafted a novel that beautifully captures the chaos, joy, and unexpected surprises of life and love. Zoe’s journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and embracing the unexpected.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary romance with strong family themes, humor, and a realistic portrayal of life's ups and downs. Highly recommended for fans of romantic comedies looking for a feel-good read that tackles real-life issues with grace and laughter.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had such fun reading this, and was rooting for Zoe from beginning to end. She and Jack are likeable and funny characters, with warmth and integrity, and despite the age gap, belong together.

This is a feel-good and humorous romcom that also touches on the topics of affairs, divorce and co-parenting after divorce, which are well told (without getting too heavy or making them the "hero" of the story).

Thank you to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and the author Kristen Bailey or an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

A funny story with heartfelt emotions. I quite liked both Ed and Jack for being men that can be soft in a good way. The banter was fun between Zoe and Jack or Zoe and her friends.

However, it was rather flat regarding diversity when it comes to skin color, gender identity, religion, history, cultural background, chronics, you name it. It doesn't have to be a theme, but someone being overweight, or with financial struggles, or being non-binary could have been casually mentioned. This was set in London, surely there are those who fit this description? For instance Ed being a Black man, Beth in a wheelchair, Kate in a same-sex marriage. Unfortunately, I am adding that to a lot of reviews on books I've read recently...

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

This was a lovely cookie cut romance with all of the right elements to make it an easy read that had a lot of heart. Jack and Zoe are wonderful together and the romance between them is nicely believable with just the right amount of bumps in the road.

For as extended a list of supporting characters that we got, they were all distinct and had personality and substance which is often lacking in this genre so I was pleasantly surprised!

Thoroughly enjoyed this!!

Could not put this down. Mia and Jack share a love that is classic Kristen Bailey: awkward, funny, and heartbreaking. Mia is reeling from the shocking end to her marriage. Jack’s quite a bit younger and still looking for a permanent career. They collide in a poignant and touching way, on the night Mia’s marriage implodes, only to find out that they work in the same school. One of the many things I loved about this book is the private life versus the public life of this couple. There is the relationship they share versus their work life and Mia’s family, which includes two teenagers also dealing with the break up of their family. This book has much to say about modern love while also providing an utterly charming and engaging read. Loved it!

Textbook Romance is another winner from Kristen Bailey for me. A newly single mom of teenagers meets a man 14 years younger than her on the day her life implodes, and the two navigate a relationship amid the challenges that come with her new situation.
As with her other books, Kristen Bailey manages to add so much humor in this story that I found myself laughing throughout the whole thing. I also liked reading from the perspective of a FMC in her forties, which gave the book a different feeling than most other romances. As a mom and teacher, I related to a lot of Zoe’s life (thankfully I do not relate to the cheating husband part), and it was interested to see her navigate a new divorce, self esteem struggles (thanks to said cheating husband), and a new partner with an age gap. Her relationship with her kids was sweet and made me slightly less nervous to parent teenagers someday.
Without spoiling anything, I was only a little disappointed with the ending. I felt it still had some unanswered questions and I really wanted a second epilogue to just spell it out for me!
All in all, I really enjoyed it and also liked seeing Ed and Mia from her previous book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book had me giggling out loud in several parts and smiling from ear to ear. I think the characters are very well done and I like that it's an age gap where the woman is older. Jack handles Zoe's family dynamics with grace and understanding. This was definitely a feel good rom-com that I couldn't put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Zoe and Jack hit it off instantly when they meet at a mutual friend's wedding. However, Zoe's life takes a sudden turn when a phone call leads to the breakdown of her marriage.

Months later, they cross paths again when Jack takes a job at the same school where Zoe works. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but Zoe is hesitant. Jack is younger, and she’s still dealing with the recent end of her marriage and the needs of her children. Can she handle another major change in her life?

From the first page, I was hooked and found myself rooting for both Zoe and Jack. Each character faces their own challenges, but together, their connection is electric and authentic.

This is a fantastic love story, and I was genuinely sad when I finished it so quickly.

Really sweet story about a middle-aged woman, wronged by her husband, finding love with someone new. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was a fun and flirty read with forty something Zoe coming to terms with the end of her marriage after her husband was unfaithful whilst falling in lust with 29 year old Jack who has just started working at the school where she’s a teacher. I loved the dual perspective of this as they both have such differing views about their relationship and their own lives are also very different especially Zoe’s as she tries to support her teen children to adapt to the new family dynamic. This is a really fun and easygoing read with fabulous characters and plenty of laughs in amongst the drama.

Oh my goodness, what a wonderful story, full of emotion and love it definitely made me feel fuzzy inside and I got something in my eye several times, bravo!

I was so excited when I saw that I was approved for this ARC because I adore Kristen Bailey's writing. The first book I read of hers was Sex Ed last summer and I was thrilled to find out we would find out what happened with Mia and Ed as well as learn about new teachers/characters. This book was about a forty something teacher, Zoe, who recently found out her husband was cheating on her with a friend. Ouch! Then enters Jack, a 29 year old dream boat. Jack was simply the best character ever written. He was so delightful and swoon-worthy! It is kind of a insta-love situation which I really do not care for but it was so believable and dealt with with such care. I feel in love right along with the characters. I was worried about how the book would handle Zoe's teenage children but I was so pleased with how they were portrayed. At one point I found myself crying over their heartbreak and how well Zoe comforted them. This book was realistic, heartfelt, sexy, and just such a pleasant read. I loved every single minute. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

What a great book! It was such a humorous romcom. I loved it from page one to the very last page. It was a five star read!!

I think this is my favorite book of the summer so far!! I loved this book! This book hooked me from the start with how wonderful Jack was to Zoe the minute he met her. There was an instant attraction even though he was respectful and didn’t act on it because at the time she was married. I was so happy it worked out for them in the end because even though there was an age difference (she’s older), they were able to see how well suited they were for each other and how happy they were and could be together. .I will be reading more of this author’s books for sure!

Textbook romance was truly a guide on how to break my heart and then scotch tape it back together with lots of romance and laughter. Kristen Bailey really outdid herself with this sweet (and sometimes steamy) rom-com.

Zoe met Jack on the day that her world crashed down around her ears, but even though they were strangers, he was kind and gently made sure that she got home safely and into the arms of her teenage children.

When he then showed up as a new member of staff at the school where she taught math, Zoe was tasked to show Jack the ropes at the school. She remembered his charm and wit, and fell under their spell again. This time, however, she questioned whether or not she should flirt back, as he was over a decade younger.

They were like two puzzle pieces that were just meant to be by each other’s side, it initially seemed, but despite the laughter and ease that they had with each other, Will Zoe listen to the little voice in her head that is telling her that Jack’s too young, that this is too complicated, and that her kids would be hurt worse if she moved on too soon?

And what about Jack? Is he just being nice? What about his future?

It’s all so deliciously complicated and there are so many emotions that come out to play in this funny and adorable book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this brilliant ARC!!

A feel good book with some laugh out loud moments. This is a romance book with a healthy dose of reality which makes it much more relatable. I would highly recommend if you are looking for a light bit of escapism.

What a wonderfully fun and endearing rom com. I really enjoyed everything about it from the plot to the likeable characters. I laughed, screamed and cried but most of all I had a rollicking time.

Textbook Romance by Kristen Bailey
Rating: 4/5

When Jack, newly recruited as a supply teacher, enters Zoe's school, she finds herself drawn to him despite grappling with the aftermath of her husband's betrayal and adjusting to single motherhood. Unsure if she's ready for a fling with a younger man, Zoe wrestles with her feelings as her connection with Jack deepens. Their chemistry and Jack's unwavering support help Zoe rediscover joy in life's simple pleasures. However, with complex family dynamics, co-parenting responsibilities, and their age difference to navigate, Zoe faces the challenge of accepting love's unpredictable nature.

"Textbook Romance" by Kristen Bailey is a delightful and heartwarming tale that explores the unpredictability of love through the story of Zoe Swift, a math teacher, and the charming Jack Damon.

Their instant connection at a friend's wedding leads to Jack becoming a supply teacher at Zoe's school, disrupting her well-ordered life as a single mom still reeling from her husband's betrayal.

As Zoe navigates her feelings for Jack amidst an age gap and her responsibilities, their undeniable chemistry and Jack's unwavering support help her rediscover joy in life's simple pleasures.

Bailey's writing is infused with humour, wit, and deep emotional insight, with richly developed characters and vivid settings that immerse readers in the story.

The novel stands out for its focus on the emotional and intellectual connection between Zoe and Jack, rather than physical intimacy, allowing their relationship to shine.

"Textbook Romance" is a charming and thoughtful exploration of love's complexities, reminding readers that love, though not always simple, is always worth pursuing.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author, Kristen Bailey, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

This age gap romance between Zoe and Jack portrays the messiness of past relationships, family ties, competing demands, and the things we do with the best intentions in a more realistic way than many in the genre. That affects the ending as well in a way that, again, is more realistic than in other books but also means it’s not quite as neatly tied up - it’s well done, but just a note for those who like pure escapism. The characters feel very real and the dialogue is believable. It’s not open door in terms of spice, but I wouldn’t describe it as clean either. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own.