I adored this book, it was just as wonderful as Lucy’s previous. The characters were endearing and I cannot wait to read more of her work!

This book was… fine. The romance was cute, and the plot was enjoyable, but some parts didn’t work for me.

Hannah, the main character, struggles with deep insecurities stemming from childhood bullying, specifically about her freckles. While insecurity is a valid and relatable theme, the fact that she’s this hung up on it (in her 30s) and that her childhood bully (also in her 30s) is still using it as an insult, just felt ridiculous.

Then there’s Ted, who spends the entire book making it extremely clear that he likes Hannah (directly and indirectly). And yet, she stubbornly refuses to believe it. The miscommunication trope is (unfortunately) very present in romance books, but here, it was repeated so often that it felt less like a misunderstanding and more like forced ignorance on Hannah’s part. Instead of adding tension, it made her seem immature and made the romance feel unnecessarily dragged out.

That being said, the book isn’t bad. It’s a light, easy read with some sweet moments, but it’s not one that stood out for me. If you like cute romance and don’t mind a lot of repeated misunderstandings, it might still be worth picking up.

A fun read with lots of fun elements! (You know I love when there's goats!) The thing that took it away from a five star read for me was the fact that it seemed a little bit too silly at times, and I wanted it to go a bit deeper into the characters and the relationship.

Lucy Chalice has done it again! This is her second book, and I’m already eagerly anticipating her next one. Her writing is just so addictive, and this book is the very definition of swoon-worthy. The banter? Absolute chef’s kiss.

Let’s talk about that pond scene—oh my goodness, perfection. 😍 The chemistry between Hannah and Teddy leaps off the page. They feel so real, with all their insecurities and their (frustratingly) impressive talent for miscommunication. More than once, I wanted to throw the book at them in exasperation, but isn’t that part of what makes it so good?

That said, there were moments where the story felt repetitive, and the constant missed connections dragged on a little longer than I’d have liked. The tension was great, but at times it overstayed its welcome. Still, it wasn’t enough to ruin the experience for me.

If you love heartfelt romance with banter that will make you smile and characters you’ll want to both hug and yell at, this one is for you!

Fundamentals in Flirting had me laughing and swooning through every page! Dr. Hannah Havens is not here to play games, she's independent, guarded and basically allergic to flirting. But in classic rom-com fashion, she’s paired with Teddy Fraser, a literal ray of sunshine who seems to thrive on getting under her skin. Their chemistry just works in a typical grumpyxsunshine style, and I loved seeing Hannah's attempts at staying grumpy crash up against Teddy's relentless charm. Plus, the forced proximity in a cozy small town brings so much tension and warmth that you can't help but root for them! Overall, this book nails the balance between humor, romance, and relatable characters. While some moments might feel a bit predictable if you’re a rom-com pro, the character chemistry makes up for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5*

It was cute and funny, but somehow I didn't really care about the characters at all. Maybe its just me?

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a free copy in exchange of my honest review.

This book drew me in once it flashed to Hannah's life as an adult. It jumps right into the drama, and got me excited to see how Hannah rebuilds her life once she was done with her ex and began standing up for herself. I also loved her initial meeting with Fred. Right from the get go, he started getting under her skin in a good way and soon enough she couldn't stop thinking about him. I also loved the addition of Agnes and the goats!

I think this book could have used a few more lessons in flirting. It didn't seem like Ted actually taught her anything, just took her to one party and encouraged her to be nice. I also learned that I am probably prickly, as I didn't think Hannah was very rude in the way she talked to others. They both seemed to have held on a lot to things form high school that seem rather insignificant.

Overall, I definitely found myself wanting to know how the story finished!

This was really cute. Very Ali Hazelwood like with the nerdy vibes. A well done grumpy x sunshine, second chance sort of romance. I enjoyed the banter and I loved that he fell first. It was a fun read. I always enjoyed a good rom com and this just hit in all the right ways. I did find Hannah to be almost unlikable at times with the degree at which she was closed off but I liked that she developed and improved over the book so that really helped.

Overall a fun little read.

This was a cute cinnamon roll/grumpy sunshine romance! The FMC was blunt and I was here for it. The MMC was goofy and sweet. I didn't feel a huge connection between the two and found myself losing interest. The plot was adorable and I'm grateful to read the book.

This book completely surprised me—in the best way possible. I went into it expecting a lighthearted rom-com, but it turned out to be so much more: funny, heartfelt, and deeply relatable.

Hannah’s journey of breaking down her emotional walls resonated with me. Her independence and stubbornness felt so real—there were moments I wanted to shake her and moments I wanted to cheer her on. And then there’s Teddy, who’s not just the typical flirty love interest. He’s sweet, grounded, and has his own layers of vulnerability that make him completely swoon-worthy.

The small-town setting added an extra layer of charm to the book. The quirky side characters and their antics (especially involving the animals!) made everything feel alive and cozy, like stepping into a Hallmark movie with just the right amount of spice.
Chalice’s writing has that effortless flow that pulls you in and makes you root for the characters like they’re your own friends.

If you’re a fan of grumpy-sunshine romance or just need a feel-good, laugh-out-loud love story, this book will absolutely hit the spot.

I could not finish this. At the beginning, it seemed pretty cute. I loved that she was a vet and he was an architect, it was all leading in a nice direction, but then she just became more and more insufferable. She is in her mid 30s and still obsessed with the bullying she received by the hands of one mean girl specifically who made fun of her freckles. She is horribly insecure still to this day as a result. Ok, I understand that bullying can leave a lasting impact, but over freckles? And has she not had anyone compliment her on them or grown at all in her view of herself since then? She has made absolutely zero development in her self confidence since high school, it seems. As a result she is a “hedgehog” person, and nobody can get close to her because she’s rude AF to basically everyone. So the MMC is going to give her flirting lessons so she can learn to be nice/schmooze people and keep her job (patients keep complaining about her awful bedside manner). Except, Ted doesn’t actually give her any niceness lessons? Also she’s supposed to help him with his renovation to repay him for his flirting lessons, but that never really happens either? It’s just all a total cluster. The goats were my favorite part of the book. Life’s too short to read things you aren’t enjoying, so once it was clear this was not going to redeem itself, I stopped.

I really enjoyed seeing the characters progress in this story. The story was well paced and well written. I was hooked from the beginning and devoured it in just a few sittings.

Love love love! As a women in STEM this was all I needed and more. Perfect for lovers of Ali Hazelwood! I bought this for my friend for Christmas.

Sometimes escapist romance is exactly what is needed. This made me laugh. Prickly vet Hannah has always had such low self esteem that she cannot believe former school heartthrob Teddy Fraser can be interested in her. Thrown together as neighbours they have some amusing encounters and their banter is great. Hannah is not good at "peopling" and her job is at risk, so Teddy helps her with classes in flirting. It may be predictable but it's enjoyable, entertaining, and a bit steamy! #netgalley #fundamentalsinflirting

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Fundamentals in Flirting by Lucy Chalice is a spicy, trope-filled delight that brings plenty of laughs, swoons, and steamy moments to the table. Packed with all the elements of a quintessential rom-com and set against the charming backdrop of small-town life, this book delivers exactly what it promises: a fun, flirtatious romance with a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

Dr. Hannah Havens is a refreshingly prickly protagonist. Her no-nonsense attitude and hedgehog-like defenses make her a grumpy heroine you can’t help but root for. Watching her navigate her return to her hometown—complete with awkward reunions and a not-so-welcome blast from her past—is both entertaining and endearing. Enter Teddy Fraser: the epitome of sunshine, a charismatic flirt who’s everything Hannah doesn’t want but secretly can’t resist. His relentless charm and easygoing nature set the perfect stage for their opposites-attract dynamic.

The chemistry between Hannah and Teddy is off the charts. Their banter is sharp and witty, with just enough tension to make you grin while you root for them to drop their defenses and give in to their obvious connection. The forced proximity trope—brought on by a series of town events and Teddy’s uncanny ability to be wherever Hannah is—only adds to the fun, creating plenty of opportunities for sparks to fly. And when they do? Let’s just say the spice level is appropriately rated 🌶️🌶️🌶️.

Favorite moments? There are so many! The scene where Hannah grudgingly accepts Teddy’s help during a town festival is both hilarious and heartwarming, perfectly balancing their grumpy-sunshine dynamic. And Teddy’s “he falls first” energy? Absolute gold. Watching him subtly (and sometimes not-so-subtly) pine for Hannah while she stubbornly insists she doesn’t need anyone is pure rom-com bliss. One standout moment involves Teddy going out of his way to help Hannah improve her people skills—an endeavor that’s both comedic and unexpectedly sweet.

The small-town setting adds an extra layer of charm, with nosy neighbors, quirky traditions, and a sense of community that makes the story feel cozy despite the characters’ fiery personalities. The supporting cast is equally delightful, particularly Hannah’s boss, who nudges her toward self-improvement, and the well-meaning townsfolk who keep throwing Teddy and Hannah together.

If there’s one critique, it’s that the story occasionally leans a bit heavily on familiar tropes. While they’re executed well, there aren’t many surprises in the plot, and some of the conflicts—like Hannah’s resistance to love—feel a touch predictable. However, the strong character dynamics and witty writing more than make up for these minor shortcomings.

Final verdict? Fundamentals in Flirting is a spicy, heartfelt, and thoroughly enjoyable rom-com that hits all the right notes. With its lovable characters, sizzling romance, and feel-good small-town vibes, this book is perfect for fans of grumpy-sunshine pairings and swoon-worthy HEAs. Lucy Chalice has created a fun, flirty read that’s as comforting as it is steamy—and I’m here for it!

This was a fun book to read the first by this author. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the characters and the overall story I cant wait to read another book by this author. Thank you so much for letting me read this book.

It was fine, but I was really annoyed a lot of the time. I completely relate to Hannah, but god. I don't understand why she was even mad at him towards the end!?!?!?

I loved the grumpy / sunshine trope of the Fundamentals in Flirting. It was so nice having a grumpy FMC and a sunshine MMC and I thought the two characters worked really well together! Hannah and Teddy had really cute banter and I loved how they had their ties from childhood and were getting to know one another in the present day. Their lack of communication grated on me a little bit towards the end of the book and I think their break up could have been done a bit better but I know that's the same with a lot of romance books! This was a really quick and easy read and I really enjoyed every minute of it!

Thank you NetGalley :)

A really charming flip of the grumpy/sunshine romance. Hannah and Teddy are good foils to one another with the easy banter of childhood acquiantances (and crushes), but still learning about one another as they have grown. This was a quick read and I really enjoyed everything about it. The only thing that irritated me was the 3rd act breakup. I know it's necessary, but this was just so ridiculous. Heavy on the miscommunication and a much easier fix with a simple conversation, but that's not how romance books work. Haha.

Overall, definitely recommend and can't wait to see more from Lucy Chalice.

Prepare to fall head over heels for this hilarious and heartwarming grumpy-sunshine romcom! Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood and Tessa Bailey, this story is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Dr Hannah Havens is everything you could want in a heroine—successful, independent, and as prickly as a hedgehog in a blackberry bush. The last thing she needs when she returns to her small hometown is to run into Teddy Fraser, the annoyingly gorgeous guy she once had a brief fling with. Teddy is the epitome of a charming ladies' man, the biggest flirt she’s ever met, and someone she’d prefer to avoid.

But, despite her best efforts to keep him at arm’s length, Teddy keeps popping up in her life. Hannah’s patience with his relentlessly cheery personality starts to wear thin, especially when her boss insists she improves her people skills. And who better to help her practise patience than the one person who knows how to get under her skin?

With his affable, charismatic nature, it seems like Hannah can’t avoid Teddy’s charm forever. The slow burn between these two is an absolute delight, and watching Hannah’s walls come down is both hilarious and heartwarming.

This book is a perfect balance of spicy and sweet, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and sizzling chemistry between the characters. The small-town setting and forced proximity add even more fun to the dynamic, and I couldn't help but root for these two from start to finish. If you're in the mood for an uplifting, feel-good romance, this is one to pick up!