Uneasy Street by Becky Wade is a charming and heartfelt romance about second chances, forgiveness, and the power of unresolved pasts. Four years after a messy fallout, former friends and business partners Max Cirillo and Sloane Madison find themselves living in close proximity once again—much to Sloane’s dismay. When she returns to Maine to take care of her niece, she unwittingly moves into a garage apartment owned by none other than Max, who has become a wealthy and successful CEO.

Max has never quite gotten over the dissolution of their relationship, and he secretly maneuvers to bring Sloane back into his life, hoping for closure. However, his plan backfires as the chemistry between them reignites, forcing them to confront not only the painful history between them but the undeniable spark that’s still there. With Sloane’s guard up and Max’s feelings running deep, the two are forced to navigate their complex past while living next door to each other on "uneasy street."

Wade does a fantastic job of balancing humor and emotional depth, creating a story that is both swoon-worthy and full of heart. The tension between Max and Sloane is palpable, and their journey of reconciliation is relatable and heartwarming. Uneasy Street is a perfect blend of witty banter, steamy chemistry, and a deep exploration of personal growth and healing. This is an enjoyable, feel-good read for fans of second-chance romances and anyone who believes that sometimes the right person can be worth the wait.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Audiobook Review🎧

Always always love dual narrator!!!! Both of the narrators did a good job and embodied each character well. The flow of the audiobook was great too!


This is book 3 in the sons of scandal series by Becky Wade. Highly recommend reading them all and in order! Each book follows each brother. It’s small down contemporary romance and it’s so good. You will not be disappointed.

I went into Uneasy Street hoping for an enjoyable romance, but unfortunately, this book was an absolute miss for me. From start to finish, I found the story frustrating, cringeworthy, and riddled with troubling dynamics that made it impossible to root for the characters or their so-called romance. The male lead’s behavior was particularly unsettling, making the story feel more like an exercise in emotional manipulation rather than a slow-burn love story.

One of the most baffling moments in the book was when the male protagonist stated that he would have planted a rat in the woman’s house if he knew it would make her stay with him overnight. That’s not romantic—it’s disturbing. Add to that the fact that he literally manipulates her water source just to force her into a situation where he can get “closure,” and it quickly becomes clear that his behavior isn’t just overbearing—it’s downright predatory. Instead of playful banter or genuine emotional growth, we get manipulation disguised as romance, which made it incredibly difficult to invest in the relationship.

Beyond the questionable romance, the characters themselves were insufferable. The book leans heavily into Christian themes, which wouldn’t necessarily be a problem if they weren’t handled with such glaring contradictions. For example, at one point, a character suggests that giving someone a high five is improper etiquette—but somehow, manipulating a woman’s basic needs to coerce her into a conversation is totally fine? The moral inconsistencies were frustrating, and instead of creating depth, they just made the story feel preachy in the worst way.

Overall, Uneasy Street left me feeling relieved when it was finally over. While I wanted to give it a fair shot, the outdated gender dynamics, uncomfortable power plays, and the heavy-handed, contradictory Christian messaging made it an unpleasant read. If you’re looking for a romance that feels genuine, empowering, and well-developed, this one is best left on the shelf.