Unfortunately this read was a DNF for me. I've never read this author's work before but the blurb sounded interesting and I enjoy "small town romances" but this was not that, or at least it wasn't what I had expected. I'm not into the whole Hollywood celebrity thing and the whole "washed up actor" who is too old for Kelsey didn't do it for me. I kept thinking once she got on the road to her hometown, it would become the story I was looking for, but it just didn't happen and I was unable to finish it. I'm sorry Ms. Knight and NetGalley, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I always suggest to readers that if something sounds good, please try it and don't listen to me! It's just my opinion and you might love it! I’m grateful to have been given an opportunity to read an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

I thought the concept of this story was unique, but I had trouble staying interested in it. Some of the humor felt forced and the meet cutes felt very akward, rather than funny. I quite liked the ending of the story. Overall, an ok story. *I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

- Not exactly a small town Romance was a ‘feel good’ fiction. I would rate it a 6/10
- While I didn’t find it to be a perfect read, there were some elements of the book that I appreciated. I liked the chemistry between Zachery and Kelsey.
- I felt some parts of the book were dragged like the movement from city to city, the details were too elaborate and came across as mundane after a while. I also feel that some of parts of the book lacked depth and more could have been done to develop Zachery and Kelsey’s character, so that they would have more story other than Desdemona, maybe more on their family or more on Jester.
- I might not be able to personally recommend the book but I could stock it up in my bookstore.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and lovable. The pacing was perfect and left you wanting to read more. I can't wait to read more by this author!

For most of the book, they remain friends even thought it’s clear they should be together. The one thing that bothered me is that the people of the small towns are portrayed as uneducated hillbillies basically lol. If you are from a small town, this might bother you. But to be honest, the book had to be written this way in order for it to work. If she had met the perfect man from a small town then she wouldn’t end up with Zach and she also would have been unhappy, because all her goals in life are big city goals.

I loved the concept of the book, I think it was very original and interesting however at times it feels like too much or over the top. While reading it you have the feel of a rom com which is great and overall it was a fun read but I don’t think the style of romance is for me. I do suggest you give it a go!

I found this book to be fun and a good read! It was an engaging book that truly helped me get out of the reading slump I was in. In my opinion it was fun and written well for a good romance that felt well written!

Not Exactly a Small Town Romance is my first book by JJ Knight and it was a sweet binge-worth read that I enjoyed disappearing into. It was a unique take on the wing-manning, best friends to lovers trope … apart from one delicious spicy scene, it mostly felt like a twist on a hallmark story as Kelsey tried to find her true love by trying out the main meet cutes in romcoms. It also felt like a love letter to romance readers everywhere. I also really enjoyed the leads work in the casting industry as it’s not something I’ve read about much.

Thanks for the arc Montlake and NetGalley.

Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance is exactly the story that I would expect from the title.

J.J. Knight brings us the adorable friends to lovers story that hits with all the rom-com meet cute heavyweights as Kelsey embarks on an epic road trip to return to her small town roots in search of love while her Hollywood playboy best friend follows to ensure her safety while of course falling more in love with her along the way.

Now when I say that Kelsey hits with all the meet-cute heavy hitters I'm saying she plans them all- accidental spilling of coffee, tripping with her suitcase, grabbing the wrong food order and so on but in her case every attempt at forcing the meet cute goes horribly awry. Now Zach isn't a saint, and despite his longstanding crush on Kelsey he believes he's no good for her so he helps her on her ridiculous journey and of course these two are absolutely adorable together and have such great energy. Their story a crazy slow burn though- and then they have this blip and return to this simmer stage.

Overall the story is fun and enjoyable- perfect for anyone that is obsessed with those Hallmark or Lifetime movies. The plot is a little like we grabbed a hat of those go-to romance story plots and intertwined them into one story. This kind of gave me that comfort read kind of feeling, so while I wasn't blazing through the pages I simply enjoyed the journey and love the way that these two finally come around and realize that connection they have is so much more than friendship but that epic love story Kelsey was looking for.

Super cute friends-to-lovers romance. Zachary is a charming former actor, now working in casting and Kelsey is a small town Alabama farm girl working in Hollywood casting with him. I love their friendship together and cute banter. Their dialogue is filled with popular rom com quotes.

Kelsey has perfected the art of capturing the perfect pair on screen and now she’s looking for her own love story and perfect meet-cute. She heads on a road trip to find love away from the typical Hollywood types. Zachary her work bestie decides to tag along showing how protective he is over her. Along the way something changes between the two. It ends up as a journey of self discovery both on the road and within the heart. Like a Hallmark story with a dash of spice.

Dual POV
Co workers in Hollywood
Friends to lovers
Age gap
He falls first
HEA

“She’s given me a glimpse into the infinite. A friendship fully blown into a life promise. A perfect match.”

Thank you NetGalley, Montlake, and J.J. Knight, for sending this eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This book was tricky for me! I really loved the concept, a Casting agent in Hollywood looking for her own hallmark movie. I loved when she would see her script, that was a great touch. I enjoyed how the road trip started but then I was just kind of waiting for them to have any sort of ‘moment’ together (other than that one spicy scene) or some chemistry at all really.

At one stage I was hoping it would work out with Kelsey and one of her meet cute men. We spent more time with Kelsey and these random side characters than we did with Kelsey and Zachary so Zachary sometimes felt like an after thought. But when Zachary finally got the courage to let her know how he felt that was very cute, the big rom com declaration was a hit, I could see that being in a movie for sure. Overall I enjoyed the concept but I just wish there were some more moments between our FMC and MMC!

This was a cute book. Kelsey and Zachary have chemistry from the start. I feel like this book has so much potential but for me it was just OK. I would have loved to seen more time with Kelsey and Zachary together together as a couple and less time on the journey overall not a bad book though.

I initially didn’t like this book, I wasn’t bothered about the main characters and the concept of having to meet a potential partner through set up ‘meet cutes’ and having to go through each ‘base’ sounded ridiculous.
I did get more invested as the book went on and it ended up being an okay read.

I absolutely love this author and everything she writes. This book....I devoured like all of her others. Thank you so much for the ARC!

This is a gun age gap romance between Kelsey (Hollywood role caster) and Zach her long time friend (an actor on the shelf).

Kelley understands romantic tropes, she creates them for movies so why not one for herself. She decides on a road trip to see if she can find her small town romance. Accompanying her is Zach who has loved Kelsey for sometime, but is hesitant since he is much older. While Kelsey creates her meet cute moments, Zach watches from the sideline, supportive by emotionally torn. What starts as friendship, slowly morphs into romance and hea.

A decent beach read.

4 ⭐️
1 🌶

J.J. Knight's "Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance" is a fun road trip into the world of romance, blending heartfelt emotion with relatable fears and some of my personal favorite tropes. As a big fan of the coworkers/friends-to-lovers trope, this book was right up my alley.

The story revolves around Kelsey and her best friend and co-worker, Zachery. After Kelsey seeks her fortune at a fortuneteller, she sets out to orchestrate a meet-cute, like the ones we know from Hallmark movies (saving the christmas farm!)

Her attempts to force a meet-cute leads to a series of hilarious and embarrassing situations that had me giggling throughout. J.J. Knights ability to weave humor and heart into the narrative made this book a joy to read from start to finish and had me finishing it in just a few days.

In conclusion, "Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance" is a beautifully and enjoyable book. If anyone is looking for a romantic read that is both heartwarming and heartfelt, this book is a must-read. Highly recommended!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the e-ARC.

This is a story about an age-gap romance. Kelsey takes a road trip through small towns, hoping for a charming "meet cute" like in Hallmark movies. Zach follows her, driven by his feelings and a need to protect her.

Despite their obvious attraction, they remain friends for most of the story. One thing that bothered me was how small-town people were portrayed as uneducated, which might offend those from such communities. However, it was necessary for the storyline to work out this way. If Kelsey had found a perfect match in a small town, she wouldn't have ended up with Zach, and her big-city dreams would have been unfulfilled.

Overall, it's a delightful journey through different towns, with humorous yet contrived romantic encounters and a touch of spice. I enjoyed it and think it will be popular among readers.

3.25🌟
(I received an e-arc from netgallery and am voluntarily leaving this review)
I found this book to be very 'meh'.
It had some good tropes like road trips and best friends to lovers but i felt like i couldn't completely connect with the characters. They felt very neutral to me. So while the story was good, it just wasn't the best or memorable for me.

'Zachery steps in close. "It's got the good tropes. Friends to lovers. Country to city. Reformed playboy."
I don't need to see the script or read the words to know what will happen. Because the moment is here. Zachery Carter kisses me in a colorful coffee shop in Fort Worth, Texas.
And it's way more than a meet-cute.
It's a genuine happily ever after.'

This was just okay. It's a cute story with a dual POV between Kelsey and Zachary who work together at a casting company. He secretly loves her and encourages her to go after THE ONE. She drives back home in search of love and he, of course, follows her to her small town. He's older, thinks he doesn't deserve her, she's younger and a bit ditzy and can't see he's perfect for her. Nothing new here.

There are a few cute moments, it's an easy read, the movie references are terrific. But it was a bit too obvious and a little contrived that they could not find their way to one another without drastic measures. I would have liked Zachary to be a little more assertive and self assured, and for Kelsey to be less of an immature diva.

However, there is nothing wrong here, I've just seen it before.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon publishing for the advance copy. This is my honest review.

I loved every page of this book. From the opening act with divas galore, to the taxidermy specials and small town pickle festival. This is a funny and bright book that keeps on moving and creates memorable pictures as it flows. There are tender moments alongside the devilish ones and the honest search for love grabbed me and made me want it too,