This was a quick read with lots of heat. Renee Roman does not disappoint. I just wish the mc’s and plot were more developed. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

When Sky Roberts won a trip to Fiji she was looking forward to the trip but apparently this trip was meant for two. Teaching school, grading homework didn’t leave her much time. Besides, she liked her life the way it was but when speaking with the travel agent in charge of the prize explained how she could travel with Sky so she still could have a trip to enjoy.
Drew Mitchell works for the travel agency and she just told the contest winner that she would be her travel mate. She had to if she was going to be named best travel agent of the year. MS Roman explained just how this was going to work but after reading the ‘rules’ chapter I still don’t have a clue.
The one thing I have discovered is this book is basically a story with an unbelievable plot and lots and lots of sex. Here, there everywhere, they can’t keep their hands to themselves. If reading plenty of erotica gets you to buy this book. If you are like me and look for both characters along with a somewhat believable plot.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

Characters were not super likeable and this read as smut without much of a plot or character development.

A very quick read with lots of heat between the main characters. It was an ok read for me. I usually like most of this authors books, but this one was a bit hard to get through. There's a lot of back and forth with the character Drew where it seemed like she was having an identity crisis with being feminine or masculine of centered and this went on in almost every chapter, so this made the story a bit convoluted hard to read for me. I actually didn't like either character that much in the beginning, but they grew on me after a while.. I would probably not recommend this book to my friends and family, but I would still read more books from this author.

A very quick read with lots of heat between the main characters but somehow it was a bit convoluted.

Thank you Bold Strokes Booka and NetGalley.

So, Drew is Masc, but, female, but, really Masc, but, also, don't forget female, Masc, female.... am I being an ass in this review, maybe a little. I don't have a problem reading about masc, femme, or all the beauty in between, but, this back and forth seemed to happen in every single chapter that wasn't just a chapter of hot sex.

The characters were just sorta unlikeable too. I almost liked Sky, but, Drew, no, just no. Drew was written as if 'masc' only means asshole (it most definitely doesn't).

Oh, what's the story. It's weirdly convoluted. Sky wins a free trip to Fiji, but, will only go if Drew, the woman who set up the trip goes with her, for some reason, I mean, okay, I'd never do that, but, sure... And then, even the end seemed rushed too. I've liked other Roman novels, so, I'm not off on the author, but this was far from her best.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a fairly quick read. It was very heavily sex-based. Not that it's a bad thing, just putting it out there.

I didn't really connect with either of the main characters. They were both too in their heads, or having sex. That's it.

I was hoping for more from the story.

Sky is a teacher who takes a chance to enter win a dream vacation is surprise when her ticket is the winner. She conflicted though because she doesn’t want to go ba k on her word of teaching a summer program. Drew is travel agent who is determined to be named the top regional agent when she realizes Sky might not be able to go on the trip she offers to go with her. As they both explore Fiji they grow closer despite Drew who is arrogant kept running hot and cold giving Sky and me whiplash but I like how Sky gets a handle on it. It’s was good read even though I thought characters was kinda wrong for each other but maybe that’s why they work at the end I did love the descriptions of places though.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Renee Roman’s *Chance Encounter* is a charming romantic escape that seamlessly blends personal growth with the allure of a tropical paradise. The story follows Montessori teacher Sky Roberts, who wins a dream vacation but is torn between her dedication to her students and the chance to indulge in a free trip. Enter Drew Mitchell, a determined travel agent who sees an opportunity to win a competition and, simultaneously, persuades Sky to join her on a trip to Fiji. The premise sets the stage for an engaging exploration of love and self-discovery as the two women navigate their contrasting aspirations and burgeoning feelings amidst the stunning backdrop of Fiji.

Roman’s writing is both evocative and heartfelt, capturing the transformative power of travel and romance. As Sky and Drew embark on their journey, the novel skillfully portrays their evolving relationship, revealing how shared experiences can lead to deeper connections and personal revelations. *Chance Encounter* is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted romance with a touch of adventure, offering both an emotional journey and a picturesque escape that leaves a lasting impression.

I found the setup of this story convoluted. Sky Roberts is a teacher who wins a raffle for a dream trip. Drew Mitchell is the travel agent who puts the travel package together. Sky hears the dates for the trip and protests that she has a summer class to teach. Then Drew jumps in with an offer to come with her. I literally read the page three times to see if I was missing some place where Sky’s says she doesn’t have someone to bring on the trip. The rules of the contest made about as much sense as well. So park the logical side of your brain from the start.

Drew’s character is very interesting. The author spends a good bit of time on the mixed feelings within Drew. Knowing she is feminine but with big masculine energy. Unfortunately, the masculine side often comes across as arrogant or behaving like a jerk. I had whiplash at times from her personality going back and forth. Sky didn’t deserve a lot of the behavior. Although to Sky’s credit, she seems to get a handle on it. I did eventually have sympathy for Drew’s constant inner battle.

Where they are compatible is in the bedroom. This book has a lot of scenes in the sheets, shower etc. The pair do get to know each other during their time in Fiji. And yes, who doesn’t want a vacation in paradise? I was okay with where the book ends. So for me after a bumpy start, I warmed up to the story and characters.

This was my first time reading Renee’s books, I enjoyed her writing style very much. It was a fairly short book and the pacing made it easy to get into.
I loved Sky, a dedicated teacher who loved her job. She wins an all expenses trip to Fiji and ends up doing the trip with Drew, the arrogant travel agent.
Sparks fly between them but Sky is hesitant when Drew’s brash comments puts her back up. It gets hot quick and wow they are certainly in tune with each other.
I loved the location descriptions, the zip lining sounds like such fun!
Great read and would highly recommend.
Thank you NetGalley, Renee Roman and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

What a great book!!! If you're looking for a good summer read chalked full of all the things, this is it! Absolutely loved this one. Highly recommend!

I was a bit torn between hating the characters to liking just one of them. Sky is a teacher and has entered a raffle to win a trip to Fiji. When she is contacted that she won the trip by Drew, an agent from the travel agency who had the raffle. Sky is not interested in going on a trip by herself and Drew offers to accompany her and show her the sights. Sky is not thrilled by this offer, but decides to do it. Drew is interested in Sky, and Sky cannot stand Drew being hot and cold. Needless to say, the two do hook up despite being totally wrong for each other.
It wasn't a favorite of mine, but I didn't hate it.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Can you fall for the brazen tour guide with the huge ego that kind of annoys you and excites you at the same time? Does the unexpected trip to paradise help? Well, yes, yes to both!

I received an advance copy from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Drew Mitchell has been fighting to be accepted for who she is her whole life. She happens to have gotten a female body but also has a lot of masculine energy inside of her. That mix does not sit well with a lot of people, especially her family. Drew spent her life proving her worth over and over again and failing to get fully recognized. Her experiences made her impenetrable on the outside, always working extra hard to be successful and appreciated. It has made her excellent at her job as a travel agent but her demeanor hasn’t served her well in her personal life.

Sky Roberts always craved a life of adventure, she never got to it though. Yes, she loves her job as an elementary teacher, but her mundane and boring existence lacks a definite spark. When Sky wins a luxury vacation to Fiji, she realizes that maybe this opportunity is as good as any to step out of her routine. The jerky travel agent Drew was not the person she would have expected to be going on said vacation with. Why in the hell, did she say she would only go if Drew went with her? It doesn’t help that this annoying person is also very, very hot. Sky goes from being irritated with Drew to being turned on by her in the blink of an eye. How will she survive a trip to a tropical paradise with her?

Drew is such an interesting character. Renee Roman does an excellent job of describing her internal battle with the outside world. As a person without a specific gender, Drew faces a lot of misunderstanding from others. But when Sky meets her for the first time she immediately asks Drew what her preferred pronouns are. It’s the first time Drew met someone who doesn’t judge how she dresses or presents herself. It was so sad but at the same time beautiful to witness her experiencing that inquiry from someone who just sees a person not a gender.

I liked Sky from the very first page. She is a true teacher giving her best to her little pupils. Although she misses excitement in her life, she is very honest about that to herself. Sky doesn’t jump at the chance to go to Fiji but she convinces herself that maybe this is the adventure she was looking for. Although she detests Drew’s overly confident and cocky demeanor, somehow, Sky is drawn to her.

We get a glimpse into Drew’s painful past and I understand completely why she acts the way she does. She build thick castle walls around her heart because she simply never has been understood. Her behavior still irked me because Sky mostly doesn’t deserve her ire. I did love how Drew reflected on her own reactions and how she grew more vulnerable towards Sky during their trip.

Of course the backdrop of this story is like a dream. White sandy beaches, tropical cocktails..I am there for it! And I must not forget to mention the heat level of this story, because, phew! It is steamy! Where Sky and Drew clash sometimes outside the bedroom, they are pure fire inside of it. (Or in the shower.) Sky turns out to be a vixen between the sheets and is not afraid to take command, even though you’d expect Drew to be the dominant one. Their physical connection is everything!

My only complaint about this story is the abrupt ending. I would have loved to read more about Drew and Sky’s evolving relationship when they got home from their trip. I was left with a feeling that there was more to be explored, like meeting Drew’s family and her getting to a place where she didn’t feel the need to fight to defend herself. She so deserved that!

Chance Encounter explores very sensitive subjects but is also hot as hell. Add stunning Fiji into that mix and you get a great summer read!

Montessori teacher Sky Roberts doesn’t think twice about entering a charity raffle for a free vacation. She can hardly believe it when the winning ticket turns out to be hers, but the trip conflicts with the summer school program she’s scheduled to teach. She can’t give up on her students.

Drew Mitchell excels in her job as a travel agent, and her success makes up for never quite measuring up to her family’s gender expectations and her disappointingly single status. That’s why she’s determined to win her company’s latest competition for best travel package and be named the top regional agent. Drew can’t believe Sky is turning down a free vacation. She has to take this trip. In a desperate attempt to get Sky to change her mind and ask another teacher to step in for her, Drew suggests they go on the vacation together. What better way to relax than with your very own travel guide? Plus, she can win the competition by keeping tabs on her travel plan as it unfolds.

This was different from my normal sapphic fare. The chemistry between the two characters felt underdeveloped and the plot was fairly light. It had lots of great sex scenes, though. If you're looking for a light, sexy story, you might enjoy this one!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

I normally enjoy Roman's books, but this was more all about sex with very little plot.

Sky Roberts is a teacher and is set in her ways even if she wishes she was more adventurous. When she wins a trip to Fiji and is hesitant to go when Drew offers to tag along and be her companion which irks her because Drew comes off as cocky and kind of an asshole.

Drew is a travel agent that is out to prove herself . She worked her as off on this all inclusive trip so when Sky looks like she's gonna turn it down, Drew step up. She has her own issues with her identity, but it wasn't really working.

This wasn't the most fleshed out book and there were a lot of things left unsaid about Sky and Drew's families respectively. It was alright, if you enjoy sex throughout the entire book.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

sky and drew are about to go on an all expense paid holiday to fiji though there are terms and conditions that apply to this....

sky is a teacher and drew a travel agent....both have very different backgrounds but how this trip will be successful is anyones business

drew fought most of her life... from the expectations of her family to her work colleagues, she was never her authentic self

sky came across as prim and proper

how were these two going to make this holiday work... its a match made in heaven or hell...only time will tell

a fun read that makes me want to take a holiday to fiji now

I was really looking forward to reading this book after viewing the description about teacher, Sky Roberts, winning a drawing for a well planned adventure trip to Fiji. The travel agent, Drew Mitchell, agrees to accompany Sky when she expresses hesitation about taking the trip alone. However, the execution of the story didn’t quite live up to the potential of the description, in my opinion.

Although Sky and Drew’s relationship was more of an enemies to lovers scenario, there was something off about their chemistry. Don’t get me wrong, when these two hit the sheets, which they did early on and frequently, their chemistry was intense. However, I didn’t feel they could survive a long term relationship, much less a few months. Each person had hang ups from their past, especially Drew, which they would need to work through to develop a successful relationship with each other.

I would have also loved more descriptions of Fiji and their adventures versus repeating the same concerns over and over, 3 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This time it's a bit difficult for me to write a review, because something was missing. I'm not sure what.
There's a strange chemistry between the two MCs and I just didn't know where the story with Drew was going.
Things start out extremely rocky for both of them, as they clash at the very first meeting.
They are very different and struggle with a lot of mood swings and they will soon spend a lot of time together in Fiji.
I thought it would definitely take a long time for these two to warm up to each other.
But then, bam! Extremely hot, extremly fast!
Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of hot scenes in novels, but I have to admit that this seemed kind of rushed.
Something slower and more careful would have been nicer and more intense.
Essentially, it's a light story without much plot aside from building up to the growing relationship or first "situationship" and then maybe more
with Sky and Drew.
Fans of a light reading, beautiful places and hot scenes will like this!
Thanks to Bold Stroke Books and the Author for the ARC!

This book softened my heart. Thought it was shorter than most books I read, the impact was strong and meaningful. I love seeing the shifts between how Sky felt and Drew's feelings. It was written in a very compelling way that makes you want I read on!

At first I was unsure if I would like the book but once you're introduced to both characters, you don't want to put it down. It was quite a journey seeing how they were both going through different things which was making them go back and forth, but once they overcame those differences - their dynamic was beautiful.

This book is definitely a must read for those struggling with their identities, questioning their life choices; those who wish they lived a more adventurous life.