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kirstyreviewsbooks's review
4.0
Hot Desk - Zara Stoneley
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Alice loves her job and wants to keep it – whatever the price. But then she’s told the company is switching to flexible working and hot desking…Alice’s desk might look a mess, but she knows exactly where everything is. Or she did. Until she found out she’s going to share it with the most annoying guy in the office.
Jamie can work from anywhere. He’s quite happy to sweep his work life into a box at the end of the working day. But can sharing a desk with Alice be as much fun as teasing her in person?
I am not sure what I was expecting from this book, but it was so well-written it was addictive. I think this is the first book that mentions Covid that I have managed to look past the pandemic theme - although it was nice to escape back to a world where Covid was no longer an issue. This book focuses on the developing friendship of Jamie and Alice.
I thought that this was a sweet, fun read and I really enjoyed the different methods of communication utilised by the colleagues having to share a desk.
Rating: 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Alice loves her job and wants to keep it – whatever the price. But then she’s told the company is switching to flexible working and hot desking…Alice’s desk might look a mess, but she knows exactly where everything is. Or she did. Until she found out she’s going to share it with the most annoying guy in the office.
Jamie can work from anywhere. He’s quite happy to sweep his work life into a box at the end of the working day. But can sharing a desk with Alice be as much fun as teasing her in person?
I am not sure what I was expecting from this book, but it was so well-written it was addictive. I think this is the first book that mentions Covid that I have managed to look past the pandemic theme - although it was nice to escape back to a world where Covid was no longer an issue. This book focuses on the developing friendship of Jamie and Alice.
I thought that this was a sweet, fun read and I really enjoyed the different methods of communication utilised by the colleagues having to share a desk.
Rating: 4/5
hmonkeyreads's review
2.0
This was described as a good one for fans of The Flatshare and I LOVED that book so I picked this up and it was a total slog for me.
I wanted cute banter via email and post-its and there was like a chapter of that and then everything else was a bunch of stuff that I did not care about at all regarding the ex-boyfriend and a monkey wrench in the leading man's life that felt like it didn't belong.
I wanted cute banter via email and post-its and there was like a chapter of that and then everything else was a bunch of stuff that I did not care about at all regarding the ex-boyfriend and a monkey wrench in the leading man's life that felt like it didn't belong.
sikonat's review
2.0
From crime to romance, the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns provide for an interesting and rich backdrop for authors. In ‘The Hot Desk’, Zara Stoneley uses it as the backdrop to her co-workers with a past history-to-lovers romance.
Sadly this book does not live up to the promise and left me bereft, as I loved the premise and generally like Zara Stonely's books.
Jamie and Alice share a kiss at Reading Festival before Jamie is swept away by the crowd. Its not until a few years later, they both begin their first day at the same company.
The book is begins the first day back at work after a COVID-19 lockdown ends. Alice returns to the office only to discover a cost-cutting exercise has lead their employer to rent half the floorspace with employees now sharing a desk some days and working from home the other.
For the anxious Alice, this is her worst nightmare. She's unable to speak her mind to her family, housemates and co-workers, so found working from home a nightmare. The only place she could exert control is over her desk, which has become a de facto 'home' for her treasured trinkets. For Jamie, this is his dream come true as he loved working from home.
The main issue I have with this book is one repeated in her previous books (especially 'The First Date', 'The Dog Sitter' 'Four Christmases and a secret') - repetitious, unnecessary inner monologues by the heroine, partricularly in the first couple of chapters. It's really noticeable when listening to the audiobooks. Most of the chaper could've been cut, with the rest turned into a dialogue. I ended up skimming the first chapter of Alice trying to get to the office in time for the team meeting because I already got the gist - she's anxious and can't say no to her housemates or family.
However the biggest part that made this book an almost DNF for me was the revelation involving Jamie before limping towards a rushed resolution. I thought it was an unfuriating and unncessary trope that bordered on a deux ex machina to push the characters apart before their inevitable reunitification. I saw the clue earlier and really hoped it wasn't going to go there but sadly it did. I ended up skimming the revelation, fall out before it’s rushed resolution. Its a lazy trope seen in lots of cheesier American romance novels that I detest.
Given this book is set in our COVID-19 pandemic world, it was such a missed opportunity. I realise some people are still traumatised by it (as I write this review I am in lockdown #6), but if you're going to use the pandemic as the backdrop then commit to it. For instance why not weave in things like mask wearing and distancing? Given how the pandemic has kept couples apart, it could've been used to great effect here. The book acts like the pandemic is over (which is fine, it’s fiction) but that just seems like a cop out especially given London had a few lockdowns. Alternatively the seriousness of her ex bf could’ve been woven in better too. He was increasingly unhinged.
The best bits where Alice and Jamie slowly forming a friendship via post-it notes. It had so much potential to go somewhere but it took so long to get to that part then the aforementioned fizzled of a plot development before a rushed resolution that was an anti-climax.
I am still a fan of Zara Stoneley and will read her next novel with an open mind, however for this book I was so disappointed I had to cancel my pre-order.
Thank you One More Chapter/Harper Collins and Netgalley.
Sadly this book does not live up to the promise and left me bereft, as I loved the premise and generally like Zara Stonely's books.
Jamie and Alice share a kiss at Reading Festival before Jamie is swept away by the crowd. Its not until a few years later, they both begin their first day at the same company.
The book is begins the first day back at work after a COVID-19 lockdown ends. Alice returns to the office only to discover a cost-cutting exercise has lead their employer to rent half the floorspace with employees now sharing a desk some days and working from home the other.
For the anxious Alice, this is her worst nightmare. She's unable to speak her mind to her family, housemates and co-workers, so found working from home a nightmare. The only place she could exert control is over her desk, which has become a de facto 'home' for her treasured trinkets. For Jamie, this is his dream come true as he loved working from home.
The main issue I have with this book is one repeated in her previous books (especially 'The First Date', 'The Dog Sitter' 'Four Christmases and a secret') - repetitious, unnecessary inner monologues by the heroine, partricularly in the first couple of chapters. It's really noticeable when listening to the audiobooks. Most of the chaper could've been cut, with the rest turned into a dialogue. I ended up skimming the first chapter of Alice trying to get to the office in time for the team meeting because I already got the gist - she's anxious and can't say no to her housemates or family.
However the biggest part that made this book an almost DNF for me was the revelation involving Jamie before limping towards a rushed resolution. I thought it was an unfuriating and unncessary trope that bordered on a deux ex machina to push the characters apart before their inevitable reunitification. I saw the clue earlier and really hoped it wasn't going to go there but sadly it did. I ended up skimming the revelation, fall out before it’s rushed resolution. Its a lazy trope seen in lots of cheesier American romance novels that I detest.
Given this book is set in our COVID-19 pandemic world, it was such a missed opportunity. I realise some people are still traumatised by it (as I write this review I am in lockdown #6), but if you're going to use the pandemic as the backdrop then commit to it. For instance why not weave in things like mask wearing and distancing? Given how the pandemic has kept couples apart, it could've been used to great effect here. The book acts like the pandemic is over (which is fine, it’s fiction) but that just seems like a cop out especially given London had a few lockdowns. Alternatively the seriousness of her ex bf could’ve been woven in better too. He was increasingly unhinged.
The best bits where Alice and Jamie slowly forming a friendship via post-it notes. It had so much potential to go somewhere but it took so long to get to that part then the aforementioned fizzled of a plot development before a rushed resolution that was an anti-climax.
I am still a fan of Zara Stoneley and will read her next novel with an open mind, however for this book I was so disappointed I had to cancel my pre-order.
Thank you One More Chapter/Harper Collins and Netgalley.
kidisitor's review
3.0
This is a cuteish story with a women who just wants her own space without people treating it as their own and a man who has a secret... well, two really. Company is doing some office space downsizing. The staff will be working part time from home and part time in the office. Sharing desks while their new desk partner is at home, and visa versa.. This does not sit well with Alice who is fighting for her own space everywhere else, and had considered her desk, her safe space. And then there is Jamie. A co-worker who is constantly teasing and picking on her... he just happens to be her new desk mate. There's a little back story between the two... a meet cute they shared once upon a time. In addition to the sort of romance, this is also about Alice taking a stand, and stop letting other people take over her life, which she finds to be a tough chore. The story itself is good and interesting, but there was a lot of redundancy in the writing and the book could have been made much shorter had the author cut all that out. (I mean, when I start reading on my Kindle and it tells me there is 6 1/2 hours left in the book... it becomes a bit daunting, and then I get off on the wrong foot to begin with. Note: No page total was listed anywhere and I'm the kind of person who likes to know the length of a book going in.) There is no sexual content, and it is safe for teens and up. It's written from Alice's POV. The characters were likable enough, but it was a little harder to like Alice (due to all that redundancy with her inner dialog.) It's based in England, so the language/slang used are British. It was easy to read, though did take awhile to get into (see earlier comments.) I would give it a higher rating, because I did really enjoy the plot of the book, but there were those few negatives that brought down my opinion of it as a whole.
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
mpr2000's review
3.0
There are so many things that changed with the Covid-19, that returning to the boring routine seems like a dream. Or at least that’s what Alice thought, until the changes start at her work and she sees her favorite space is threatened by here enemy-coworker Jamie.
I think we all missed something during the lockdown; friends, space, freedom… but what Alice have at her desk is her me space. A place where no one could take or move things without her knowledge, because Alice is a really good person, a friend from everyone and the one always says No. And that’s what Alice will have to learn in this story, to share the space but at the same time having the right to say no to anyone without fear of the consequences.
I’ll admit that I struggled a little in the beginning while the story was mixed with some memories from the past, but once I understood the situation the reading was easy. I had another problem, I really hated Alice boyfriend; I think this is the purpose of the author, but also didn’t feel like Alice was seeing the big picture in the end. Because he was a stalker, didn’t respect any of her boundaries and every time she said no, he totally ignored it. When you have to tell you flat mates that a person is not allowed at your house, it’s not something to minimize but to start taking steps to ask for help.
Don’t get me wrong, the story is sweet and uplifting, there’s always a bad character in every book, I simply hated this one too much!
I think we all missed something during the lockdown; friends, space, freedom… but what Alice have at her desk is her me space. A place where no one could take or move things without her knowledge, because Alice is a really good person, a friend from everyone and the one always says No. And that’s what Alice will have to learn in this story, to share the space but at the same time having the right to say no to anyone without fear of the consequences.
I’ll admit that I struggled a little in the beginning while the story was mixed with some memories from the past, but once I understood the situation the reading was easy. I had another problem, I really hated Alice boyfriend; I think this is the purpose of the author, but also didn’t feel like Alice was seeing the big picture in the end. Because he was a stalker, didn’t respect any of her boundaries and every time she said no, he totally ignored it. When you have to tell you flat mates that a person is not allowed at your house, it’s not something to minimize but to start taking steps to ask for help.
Don’t get me wrong, the story is sweet and uplifting, there’s always a bad character in every book, I simply hated this one too much!
isabellm's review against another edition
3.0
This was only an okay read for me, The lead character Alice’s endless stream of consciousness was a lot to get through and unfortunately I found myself skim reading large parts of the book. I liked Jamie (the desk sharing contract was sweet) and once the notes started (which was about 27% into the book) things picked up a little. Others might enjoy more (3 ⭐️)
lilaclicoricetissie's review
4.0
Meet Alice: a woman who loves her job, doesn’t like to share her things, and has an annoying ex.
Meet Jamie: a man who has some secrets, doesn’t mind sharing, and is not that enthusiastic to return to the office.
They both work for the same company, and when they’re forced to hot desk, they start communicating via notes.
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
Meet Jamie: a man who has some secrets, doesn’t mind sharing, and is not that enthusiastic to return to the office.
They both work for the same company, and when they’re forced to hot desk, they start communicating via notes.
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
lauratoria's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
julianna_marie's review
3.0
Hot Desk by Zara Stoneley was a fun little office romance, with the flirting done through a series of sticky notes and messages left for one another. However, it did take me until I was at the 35% mark to get into this book. Even then, I felt it as mediocre... I really didn't connect much with either character and a lot of the plot line seemed repetitive which took away from the cute relationship forming between our main characters. Overall, an okay read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins One More Chapter for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins One More Chapter for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!