Dnf 50% i just don’t understand where is the chemistry, it just feels like a dialogue and that is it
I tried multiple times to continue this book but it doesn’t feel right
But i have to say the enemies part was quite good

I was so excited about a fake dating Christmas book, and while both of those things are part of the story, there wasn’t enough of either for me. Annie and Penn’s story is interesting, but their animosity was a little too dragged out for me before we got to the meat of the story. So I supposed pacing was my main issue, and the drama at the end was a bit too over the top for me. But I did enjoy this book, and I think other people will too.

3.5 ⭐️

This is an odd little book. I loved Lily Joseph’s The Near Miss very much and I did enjoy reading Stuck Together. However, I do think there was too much going on in this book — and what we were told on the cover is such a small part of what the actual story is. I don’t think my expectations based on the blurb were met with what I actually read.

As with The Near Miss I thoroughly loved the writing and the characters — but in this book we had too many storylines and developments. It almost felt like a watching a TV show where every episode had a different theme. So, there’s a lot going on.

Our MMC Penn is a bit of an insufferable tool for half of the book and FMC Annie is stubborn and comes across as self righteous more often than I’d like but Joseph’s charming writing makes up for a lot of the things that didn’t pull me in as much as The Near Miss did.

I can see readers putting the book aside for a while to pick it up again later because of the number of different developments. So it might not be a “gonna read this in one sitting” book. But the epilogue was great and it’s what brought the story to a nice end.

Yes, an odd little read but it was entertaining and mostly enjoyable — when Penn and Annie weren’t particularly insufferable or self righteous 😬 Will I read the next Lily Joseph? Try and stop me! Her writing is delightful!!

I love forced proximity and Enemies to lovers, so this book was made for me! I giggled through the whole book as I loved the humour and the characters. But the story as such was nothing extremely new.

The perfect cute, cosy rom-com for this time of year. I mean, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, AND Christmas all in one book? Um, yes please!

What a cute little romance!

A perfect cozy read for dreary winter days. I liked that the romance aspect followed the predicted route, while the story added just a little mystery element.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, and appreciated that it wasn't too full on Christmas.

A cosy christmas rom-com, that was enjoyable if a little predictable.

Other reviewers didnt seem to enjoy the 'whodunit' element, but I thought it added something a little different - although I had guessed the culprit very early on, there was still another element to the reveal that I hadn't been expecting.

I agree with others that it would have been good to get some of the narration from Penn's perspective.

3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 1 semi-open door romance scene🌶️
A holiday read if you’re looking for a hallmark movie vibes. Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, hidden identity, and fake dating tropes included.

Annie falls head over heels for Penn the first time they meet at bar during one of his gigs. But when both Penn and Annie sign up to share a pop up shop space during the holidays, Penn turns out to be a little more than cold towards her. Penn with his broody artist music shop, and Annie with her eclectic set up of random gadgets and household items, the two more than clash on styles.
No matter how off putting Penn is, to both her and the other tenants of the building, Annie can’t help but still feel a crush towards him and wanting to make things work. That’s until she runs into Penn at a protest of a hunting party, a party in which Penn’s family seems to be hosting. Turns out Penn’s the heir to a lord, and he’s in need of a fake girlfriend for the holidays. Who better to do him this favor, than his co-store owner nemesis.

This was just like a hallmark movie. Lots of festive feels, the ambiance and scene setting put you right into the holiday spirit. Personally I found Annie a little whiny and annoying when it came to her finances. She’s dealing with her and her parents financial issues and the way she’s so put off by accepting help made her react at times a little childish. I get not wanting to feel like “charity” but at some point you have to acknowledge that your parents are grown adults and you don’t have to completely take on their load. It’s okay to get a little help when offered. I love LOVED the Jean Luc bit with her side of the store and overall enjoyed her character the other non financial worrying percent of the time. Penn was okay, I wanted a little more from his character. We see his depth when it comes to his family issues but I would have liked to see him romance Annie more. The first half of the story is mainly the two bickering and bantering in their shop and I found this to stretch on longer than necessary. I wanted more romance or at least tension leading up to romance. The fake dating trope, I would have liked to see more of but it didn’t take place until a little after the halfway point. Theres plenty of other plots going on to speed up some of the slower parts too. A secret shop sabotage had me guessing the whole time. Then there’s a couple twists at the end that really carried out to a grand finale. Definitely had some laugh out moments throughout too. Overall a good read, it just took me a while to get into.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Who I think would enjoy this book: People who enjoy british humor like I do. People who enjoy forced proximity and enemies to lovers.

DNF at 66%. I may try to revisit this one later but I need to put it down for now.

I really wished that I enjoyed this book more than I did. I really liked the premise. Forced proximity, enemies to lovers and fake dating are all of my favorite tropes but this one seemed to fall a bit flat for me. The beginning of the book took a long time to get to the plot. The characters had a brief interaction and then went back to not liking each other. I felt like the chemistry was difficult to find with these characters.

Loved this book. It’s great to see what happens when you take a chance, when everything feels like it’s falling apart around you

This was such a fun Christmas romcom. Perfect for cuddling up under a blanket with a mug of cocoa. I loved the growth both the main characters made, even if I was frustrated with some of their choices.

Annie has no job and is desperately trying to save her parents’ home, and, due to a range of circumstances, finds herself selling sensual adult products do so. Finn is a musician, selling records during the day. To save money, the two of them rent half of a shop each, even though they are drastically different people.

A very cute read that left me thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. Cute story and unique plot setting. Loved all the characters and the side characters as well. Penn and Annie were enemies to lovers for sure but not in an annoying or infuriating way. This was handled very well. The ending was satisfying and overall I greatly enjoyed the read.

I don’t think this book for me unfortunately although the idea was good. I felt it to get off to a slower start than others of this genre. I really love a dual POV particularly in romance books so I found it very lacking that this was solely told from one POV. The MMC perspective really could have been of benefit to this book.

Stuck by You by Lily Joseph is the perfect holiday read for anyone looking to escape into a charming, humorous, and heartwarming story. The novel centers around Annie, a quirky and determined character who's fighting to save her family's beloved home through a quirky "Everything Must Go" shop. Enter Peregrine "Penn" Burton-Edwards, a charming, somewhat stiff aristocrat torn between upholding his family's legacy and the more unorthodox life he wants to lead running a record shop.

The dynamic between Annie and Penn is delightful. Their initial friction—a kind of "enemies-to-friends-to-lovers" arc—forms the heart of the narrative. The setting of the two shared shops, Everything Must Go and Uncle Al's, sets the stage for much of the book's humor and chaos. The daily antics that unfold between the two shops—from hilarious song battles to merchandise mix-ups—add both levity and charm to the story. Their contrasting personalities and backgrounds set them up for some truly entertaining moments, as they are both forced to reconcile their dreams with their family obligations.

What makes Stuck by You stand out is its balance of humor and emotional depth. The comedy—often stemming from the absurdity of the situations Annie and Penn find themselves in—feels both light-hearted and genuine. The romance, while predictable at times, is well-crafted and believable, with both characters evolving in ways that make their eventual relationship feel earned. The added dimension of family expectations and personal ambition makes the story more than just a fun romance; it explores what it means to pursue your dreams while also grappling with the weight of tradition.

The characters are what truly elevate this book, though. Annie is an endearing mix of vulnerability and strength, while Penn's journey from stiff upper-lipped heir to someone more open and emotionally available is satisfying to witness. Together, their chemistry sparks a narrative that is both heartwarming and hilarious.

If you’re in the mood for a feel-good, humorous read with a bit of romance and plenty of heart, Stuck by You is a delightful choice. It's the perfect escape for anyone looking for a charming, quick read full of laughter, love, and the sweet satisfaction of watching two opposites find common ground.

(3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 ⭐️)

Stuck Together is a charming blend of romantic comedy and cozy mystery, perfect for fans of lighthearted yet engaging Christmas reads. With its quirky characters and creative writing style, the book delivers laughs and heartfelt moments, though it stumbles with pacing in the early chapters.

The story centers on Annie, an endlessly sweet and likable protagonist, and Penn, a grumpy, rich kid striving to create a life of his own. The two find themselves co-owning a shop: Annie sells an eclectic mix of goods while Penn focuses on vintage records. Along the way, Annie juggles her dedication to helping her parents—who are as lovable as they are supportive—and navigating the shop’s peculiar dynamics with Penn. The result is an opposites-attract dynamic with plenty of humor, emotional depth, and surprising twists.

The book kicks off slowly, with little happening in the first 100 pages. I found myself checking the page numbers, which is rarely a good sign. However, once the story picks up, it becomes thoroughly enjoyable and surprisingly funny, with a pace that keeps you hooked. The fake dating trope came out of nowhere for me, but in the best way, adding a delightful layer of romance to the narrative. On the flip side, the miscommunication trope—a personal pet peeve—detracted from the experience for me, but other readers may not find it as frustrating.

One standout element is the touch of cozy mystery woven into the story. While some reviews mention confusion about this subplot, I found it compelling and a driving force that kept me reading instead of putting the book down.

If there’s one thing I’d change, it’s the single POV. Told entirely from Annie’s perspective, the book misses the opportunity to delve into Penn’s thoughts and backstory. His complex character would have benefited from a deeper exploration of his side of the story.

Overall, the book shines with its witty, fast-paced writing, quirky charm, and surprising plot twists. While the slow start and occasional trope frustrations hold it back slightly, it’s still a delightful read that fans of rom-coms and cozy mysteries will enjoy. Definitely worth sticking with!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for approving me to read Stuck Together. I found this was a quick and easy read but it didn't really have the Christmas feel that it appeared like it would have. It felt like it took a long time for the story to really get going and then it was rushed from there, things got resolved very quickly and easily. It was an ok read but I think maybe it just wasn't one for me.

Penn and Annie… oh how I love these two! I thought this book was the perfect RomCom with a twist of mystery thrown in. Annie and Penn decide to share a shop to save on rent. Penn needs a lady friend so his family won’t set him up. Breakups and makeups. Fights and romance. This book had it all. And with the placement around Christmas gives it the perfect touch to cuddle up with a cup of cocoa and a fire and enjoy this lovely book! I truly enjoyed it and gave it 4 stars. I will be reading more Lily Joseph books in the future. (And romance isn’t even my thing!).

This was an enjoyable read! I really loved Penn, and wish it was a dual pov, but I also liked seeing him from Annie's perspective? Their relationship throughout the book was nothing less than a rollercoaster!!

This book came just in time for my “getting ready for Christmas” mood. It’s the story of Annie and Penn, two people who are totally opposite, and end up sharing a store space with two different kinds of businesses.

He, on his side, has a record store and it’s very polished on her POV. She, on her side, has a bunch of different items and it’s a bunch of junk from his POV. Both of them together makes chaos, and loads of romantic tension. One moment they’re bickering, and the next, sparks are flying. They clash like crazy at first, but every cute, awkward moment brings them closer in the sweetest way. I loved seeing their relationship blossom.

Without giving any kind of spoilers, this book gives a lot of holiday charm, a little mystery on the side with a twist I didn’t see coming, a story about characters discovering themselves and what they really want for their life and family/community. The only thing for me was I wished for Penn’s POV and I got a little annoyed at Annie’s stubbornness. Other than that, a great read!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Stuck Together was an okay read - I didn’t hate it but I also didn’t love it. I loved the concept of two people who don’t get on having to share a shop around Christmas. It’s a fun idea and the moments in the shop were some of the best of the entire book. The music war in particular was great, but it did leave me wondering just how annoying two different songs of any volume playing at the same time in an enclosed space would be.

I’m usually a fan of opposites attract but I’m getting tired of this being a class divide, especially when the female main character is the working class one. Rude middle to upper class male characters are getting real old now. Penn wasn’t the worst as he wanted nothing to do with his upper class family but he was rude.

For something that was marketed as a ‘festive’ romance, Stuck Together wasn’t very Christmassy. There were a few moments that made me feel festive but this could have been set any time of year and it wouldn’t have changed any of the events. It was also a weird mix of romance and cosy mystery with neither genre taking centre stage. The mystery part took so many twists, you think they have the culprit multiple times and when you do find out who it is, it’s a little ridiculous. It’s fairly clever as you wouldn’t suspect the person, but that also makes it kind of far fetched.

The romance was ok but I think having Penn’s POV would have been highly beneficial. I’d happily forget the mystery part if it meant the romance could have been stronger. Only getting to understand Penn through Annie’s perspective did him no favours and I love hearing about how the stubborn rude male character actually really likes the woman he claims to dislike.

This has been a fairly negative review, which I wasn’t expecting as I did enjoy reading Stuck Together, but the bad parts outweigh the good when it comes to reviewing. When you don’t particularly like any of the characters (other than Annie’s parents) there’s not a lot of good things you can say. I did like the settings though and the concept was great - just not greatly executed for my personal tastes.

Rating: 2.5/5