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shanchat's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bucolicbookshelf's review
2.5
The concept of a MFC with anxiety, depression, and ADHD struck a chord with me and I do love a HEA, but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me.
While I’m sure many readers will adore this, I had a difficult time getting into the rhythm of the plot and found Lucy’s inner voice and interactions to be too junior high-esque for what I was expecting.
I wasn’t the reader for this.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the DRC
dinoqueenreads's review
4.0
please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: yes
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: divorce, mentions of spousal death, identity crisis, imposter syndrome, internalized racism, on page anxiety and depression, struggles with neurodivergence, slight OW drama, slight suicidal ideation, references to grooming/attempted sexual assault of a minor (off page), cheating
standalone: yes
final thoughts: for a book with some pretty heavy triggers for a romcom, it still felt light and fun. The writing style made this a quick, easy, fun read with lots of inserts of the DMs back and forth between their online personalities. I loved having the dual 1st person POV to see the push and pull of their relationships growing online and offline. A great secret identity workplace romance that is perfect for a summer beach read.
read this book if you love
😬 angst
💞 friends-to-lovers
🏝️ forced proximity (coworkers)
🧑🏫 teacher
🤫 hidden secrets
🎭 secret identity
😂 romcom
💓 slowburn
💼 workplace romance
🧑🤝🧑 great side characters
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: yes
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: divorce, mentions of spousal death, identity crisis, imposter syndrome, internalized racism, on page anxiety and depression, struggles with neurodivergence, slight OW drama, slight suicidal ideation, references to grooming/attempted sexual assault of a minor (off page), cheating
standalone: yes
final thoughts: for a book with some pretty heavy triggers for a romcom, it still felt light and fun. The writing style made this a quick, easy, fun read with lots of inserts of the DMs back and forth between their online personalities. I loved having the dual 1st person POV to see the push and pull of their relationships growing online and offline. A great secret identity workplace romance that is perfect for a summer beach read.
read this book if you love
😬 angst
💞 friends-to-lovers
🏝️ forced proximity (coworkers)
🧑🏫 teacher
🤫 hidden secrets
🎭 secret identity
😂 romcom
💓 slowburn
💼 workplace romance
🧑🤝🧑 great side characters
taketwolu's review against another edition
4.5
Offline, Lucy is shy, anxious, guidance counsellor struggling to hold off disaster -- online, she’s bold, confident, and anonymously runs an account under the persona of @ TheMissGuidedCounselor. Fletcher finds himself teaching at the same school as Lucy while dealing with his ex, family drama, and a growing crush, all while getting advice from his online friend.
Ok, imagine it’s your first day teaching at a new school and you get tea spilt on your CROTCH and you have to strip down to your boxers to blow dry your pants in the boys change room as a 6ft tall Scottish gym teacher tells you about his slightly traumatic backstory.
OR imagine being the one who spilt tea on the new teacher’s crotch and trying to dab it out but then running away to decompress (cry) in embarrassment / anxiety (oh and also you’re the school guidance counsellor)
^^ this is just the first 2 chapters btw!!
Honestly, this book had me hooked from the start and with good reason. I loved how hopelessly lost these two were -- yet their ability to find comfort and chemistry (despite the multiple scenes of second hand embarrassment) was undeniably cute. ALSO, the level of chaotic messiness, hilariousness, and genuine moments of vulnerability / insecurity was on par 👌🏼
⚠️ - tw: mental health, panic attacks, anxiety disorder, infidelity, etc + potential spoilers
highlights:
- the intro note + content warnings 🥺
- the whole tea-crotch situation LMAO
- Lucy - a strong anxious, d3pressed fmc -- loved her bold, confident moments, but also her more raw and vulnerable side + she loves Fredrik Backman (yay!!)
- Fletcher - a genuinely solid guy, he’s awkward, understanding, sometimes a little lost and super cute with Lucy hehe
- careful discussions of anxiety, d3pression, ADHD, mental health, and more
- the Konfident Kids Klub… (an after school club Lucy runs -- she had a full on crying session during their first meeting 🙈 btw, they can’t change the name because of the school budget 😂🥴)
- Lucy’s family - they’re cute, messy, and understanding!! loved the mix of cultures/backgrounds (Mexican, Moroccan, and Jewish rep) and the food descriptions!! they ALSO will all sit in lawn chairs waiting for you to come back from your date to interrogate 😂🫣)
- the double identities -- loved the chat msg banter (and awkwardly cute flirting attempts)
- the messy personal drama!? mainly from Fletcher LOL 👀 (Fletcher’s dad is soo MESSY ☠️😬 -- like ‘divorcing your wife because you got your secretary pregnant’ kind of messy AND his ex gf WHO cheated on him with his own brother is also his coworker… YIKES)
- the realness - both characters were vulnerable, raw, patient, and genuinely cared for each other (even despite all the tears and personal drama) 🥺
- Lucy’s sisters (Amira, Julieta) + best friend (Nia) -- amazing female side characters and love the dynamic they all have with Lucy!
- Brodie, the Scottish gym teacher (this guy is so unbothered -- in a good way, overshares, gives golden retriever vibes, makes awkward situations worse, and is a bit of a self-care king 😂 great side character tbh!)
- the ending - cute, funny, and like a warm hug 🤧🥰
- the author’s note 😭 Jessica shares a lot about her personal journey with her identity and mental health 👏🏼
I will note that there were some tropes I wasn’t a fan of (miscommunication, etc) and some scenes were a bit much. Though this might not be for everyone, I really enjoyed this and it’s easily a new fav 🥰 Overall this was such a fun debut and I can’t wait to read more!
Thanks NetGalley and Read Forever Pub for my arc!
kelliejohnson19's review
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marinas_world's review
5.0
I absolutely love this story! I related so much to Lucy and it actually was helpful to read this, especially since I just got my own diagnosis with ADHD, and I suffer with anxiety and depression. So seeing Lucy push through throughout the story was absolutely inspiring and beautiful. I would 100% read another book about Lucy and fletcher!
tiffysbookadventures's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This was a quick and cute read. There were lots of cute and slightly quirky moments with both the FMC and their romantic relationship. I enjoyed how the rep for more heavier topics (anxiety, depression, ADHD) was handled, as it was realistic and respectful. So if you are in the mood for a cute, slightly spicy, friends to lovers read- this may be the book for you.
livaausma's review
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Good prompt, loveable caracters and good vibes.
But I feel as if it but could've been executed better.
Many conflicts were due to miscommunication which is undoubtedly the worst reason, and it felt like, the conflict wasn't even that big to begin with. Some characters were too stereotypical and there seemed to be too much introduction to characters that never really showed up again(the gym teacher) and some where I felt like I needed more from than a stereotypical cardboard cut-out (such as Fletcher's mom) . On the other hand, I loved the character development of some characters (Georgia, somewhat also Lucy, and Fletcher's dad).
The flow of the storyline and development was too fast at times - them beingin love after knowing one another for a week, then stopping to tlak because of Georgia, then being in love and then the 3rd stage breakup ; all of this felt too rushed. Similar with the student and the DJ. While these things do happen IRL, I feel like the student then joining the confidence group and making Lucy aware she should maybe forgive Fletcher seemed very OOC for me .
Lastly, I want to mention the mental health struggles. I liked that it was said and shown that it is okay to struggle and that everyone is worth being loved, cared for, and deserves happiness. With that being said, it felt a bit too much/fast/...? :Lucy's breakdown in the closet in school and her admitting to all of her struggles was somewhat OOC for me, as she seemed like someone not showing others her cards. Fletcher's subsequent love confessions is another problem: while it is great that he wants to support her, I feel like the conversation is only focused on whether he would be ok dating someone with mental health struggles and neurodivergance - not the other way around: does he know how to help her when she is feeling very depressed, would he know how to calm her down (because in this situation where she has a meltdown, he confesses his love to her... which is not helping her inner racing thoughts and anxiety.) is he ok putting her first in situations when she needs him? All of this is not talked about. It's like: oh, he really likes her, so he does't see her anxiety&depression&ADHD as a problem, YAY. while simultaneously ignoring the reality of the situation and putting her through even more hardships by lying and not being forthright with the whole IG DMs miscommunication.
And lastly, Lucy has terrible self-worth complexes and does not trust anyone to have her best interests at heart. This was really glossed over and also did not seem to get better throughout the novel. And while it was a happy ending, for anyone reading, I feel like it is really important to know how much you are worth and to love yourself and have respect for yourself before starting a relationship. Because if you don't, you could be taken advantage off (mentally, physically, financially and in any other way). While Lucy was had a HEA with someone kindhearted and giving, someone with a similar situation and low self-esteem would not be so lucky. With that being said, take care of you and know your worth <3
But I feel as if it but could've been executed better.
Many conflicts were due to miscommunication which is undoubtedly the worst reason, and it felt like, the conflict wasn't even that big to begin with. Some characters were too stereotypical and there seemed to be too much introduction to characters that never really showed up again
The flow of the storyline and development was too fast at times - them being
Lastly, I want to mention the mental health struggles. I liked that it was said and shown that it is okay to struggle and that everyone is worth being loved, cared for, and deserves happiness. With that being said, it felt a bit too much/fast/...? :
And lastly, Lucy has terrible self-worth complexes and does not trust anyone to have her best interests at heart. This was really glossed over and also did not seem to get better throughout the novel. And while it was a happy ending, for anyone reading, I feel like it is really important to know how much you are worth and to love yourself and have respect for yourself before starting a relationship. Because if you don't, you could be taken advantage off (mentally, physically, financially and in any other way). While Lucy was had a HEA with someone kindhearted and giving, someone with a similar situation and low self-esteem would not be so lucky. With that being said, take care of you and know your worth <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, and Infidelity
angel_tarsatana's review
5.0
I want to thank Net galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. This book is an automatic 5 stars for me. The humor, mental health, life of an educator, and rom com nature of this book was so well done! I will be reading more from this author!