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katiedermody's review
This was a pretty good romance about two journalist coworkers who, at the beginning, have a bantery flirty friendship on the outside but are actually mutually pining for one another. The overall story is something I've seen and read before (journalist writes something about the person they're seeing, don't want it published but it is anyways, it hurts the person, etc.--very how to lose a guy in 10 days), including another book I read more recently so in that way it was a bit just fine. But what was done really well in this book was the fat rep and the attraction between the two of them. She had experienced in the world realistic for fat women/people including a terrible ex (the inclusion taking of shapewear in front of a partner, and of not wanting to sit in a restaurant booth cuz she doesn't fit but him not getting it at first were both incredible moments to read as someone whose weight has gone up and down the last ten years), but he is super into her body and not in a fetish-y kind of way. Overall a good read and would read more from the author (bonus, Canadian author and it's based in Canada which I didn't remember until the FMC was suddenly drinking a double double lol)
cjbailey98's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mandagriffiths's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cjsbookshelf's review
3.0
The book seemed really repetitive. The drama was really manufactured, and I don’t think the characters are good for each other. Side note: they kept describing Ben is grumpy, but when was Ben grumpy? If anything, Stella was the grumpy one. That girl was putting up walls like nobody’s business.
tightlyunraveled's review
4.25
Thank you Lexy for an ARC of your wonderful debut!
I love nothing more than good chemistry and, DAMN, Ben and Stella had it in spades. From page one, it was clear (to us, not them) that there was an attraction and their flirty banter throughout was on point. I loved the teasing and playful conversations bc it's just so satisfying to watch two people be at ease with each other, especially when that means they're comfortable enough to act a little silly. Go ahead, ask Ben what it means if your fav color is purple. 😉
I really appreciated that body image was part of Stella's story. Stella is plus size, a quality she accepts and embraces about herself but that doesn't mean she's free of moments when she struggles with her self-worth. It was realistic and spoke to the fact that all of us have something we're self-conscious of but we are no less beautiful or worthy of love. And Ben loved Stella through it all, eased her doubts, and reminded her that she was enough.
And Ben? He had his own insecurities. His past has made him wary of others and trusting people doesn't come easy to him. I appreciated that when Stella found out, she was mindful of it and when she messed up, she acknowledged her misstep and didn't give up. Just like Stella, Ben needed to know he was worth fighting for.
CN: open-door romance, anxiety, internalized and external fatphobia, infidelity (secondary character), emotional abuse
I love nothing more than good chemistry and, DAMN, Ben and Stella had it in spades. From page one, it was clear (to us, not them) that there was an attraction and their flirty banter throughout was on point. I loved the teasing and playful conversations bc it's just so satisfying to watch two people be at ease with each other, especially when that means they're comfortable enough to act a little silly. Go ahead, ask Ben what it means if your fav color is purple. 😉
I really appreciated that body image was part of Stella's story. Stella is plus size, a quality she accepts and embraces about herself but that doesn't mean she's free of moments when she struggles with her self-worth. It was realistic and spoke to the fact that all of us have something we're self-conscious of but we are no less beautiful or worthy of love. And Ben loved Stella through it all, eased her doubts, and reminded her that she was enough.
And Ben? He had his own insecurities. His past has made him wary of others and trusting people doesn't come easy to him. I appreciated that when Stella found out, she was mindful of it and when she messed up, she acknowledged her misstep and didn't give up. Just like Stella, Ben needed to know he was worth fighting for.
CN: open-door romance, anxiety, internalized and external fatphobia, infidelity (secondary character), emotional abuse
beautyloverxx's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
lilyelisabeth511's review
5.0
Thank you Lexy Josephine for sending me an ARC! I'm so glad I was able to read and review this book early.
•
"I never thought I’d want someone’s attention so much. To the point where I crave it. I’ve gone so long feeling unwanted. Redundant. But not anymore. I don’t feel that way when Ben looks at me. A lot of emotions blast through me when his gaze holds mine, but inadequate isn’t one of them."
•
•
One Call Away is Lexy Josephine's debut novel and I loved every second of it! It's a dual POV workplace romance, with he falls first, mutual pining and PLUS SIZE REP! It was so relatable, funny, heartwarming and contained ALL of the steamiest spice. There were meddlesome friends (my fav!), witty banter, flirty email exchanges, and a MMC who is perceived to be grumpy but is actually the sweetest lil cinnamon roll ever. The portrayal of body image, anxiety and panic attacks were all relatable and handled well. The plus size rep was EVERYTHING. It was beautiful and accurate and made me love the book even more.
Stella Simone and Ben Daniels both work for the same online magazine. Stella, writes Lifestyle and Ben, writes Sports. Two years before the start of the novel, Stella and Ben shared an almost kiss in the breakroom. And ever since, the two have been pining. Hard. And they started the cutest little routine - every morning at 9:03, Ben calls Stella and they talk. Flirt. Banter back and forth. After an out of the box article Stella wrote about her lack of sex with someone other than herself goes viral, her boss wants a follow up. Hook up with someone, break the "dry spell," and write about it. Stella hates this idea, but after her boss threatens her job, she feels she has no choice.
Ben and Stella have been circling each other for years and after a night on the town ends with the two of them finally making out, things get complicated. The two fall hard and fast, finally giving in to the feelings they've been hiding for years. They compliment each other perfectly, accepting the others baggage left behind from previous relationships. Stella, insecure and self conscious due to the way her ex treated her and talked about her body. And Ben, slow to trust because his ex betrayed him for personal gain.
With the shadow of the article Stella is supposed to be writing hanging over them, Stella has to decide what path she wants to take and how that will alter not only her career but her future with Ben.
•
"I never thought I’d want someone’s attention so much. To the point where I crave it. I’ve gone so long feeling unwanted. Redundant. But not anymore. I don’t feel that way when Ben looks at me. A lot of emotions blast through me when his gaze holds mine, but inadequate isn’t one of them."
•
•
One Call Away is Lexy Josephine's debut novel and I loved every second of it! It's a dual POV workplace romance, with he falls first, mutual pining and PLUS SIZE REP! It was so relatable, funny, heartwarming and contained ALL of the steamiest spice. There were meddlesome friends (my fav!), witty banter, flirty email exchanges, and a MMC who is perceived to be grumpy but is actually the sweetest lil cinnamon roll ever. The portrayal of body image, anxiety and panic attacks were all relatable and handled well. The plus size rep was EVERYTHING. It was beautiful and accurate and made me love the book even more.
Stella Simone and Ben Daniels both work for the same online magazine. Stella, writes Lifestyle and Ben, writes Sports. Two years before the start of the novel, Stella and Ben shared an almost kiss in the breakroom. And ever since, the two have been pining. Hard. And they started the cutest little routine - every morning at 9:03, Ben calls Stella and they talk. Flirt. Banter back and forth. After an out of the box article Stella wrote about her lack of sex with someone other than herself goes viral, her boss wants a follow up. Hook up with someone, break the "dry spell," and write about it. Stella hates this idea, but after her boss threatens her job, she feels she has no choice.
Ben and Stella have been circling each other for years and after a night on the town ends with the two of them finally making out, things get complicated. The two fall hard and fast, finally giving in to the feelings they've been hiding for years. They compliment each other perfectly, accepting the others baggage left behind from previous relationships. Stella, insecure and self conscious due to the way her ex treated her and talked about her body. And Ben, slow to trust because his ex betrayed him for personal gain.
With the shadow of the article Stella is supposed to be writing hanging over them, Stella has to decide what path she wants to take and how that will alter not only her career but her future with Ben.
smalltownbookmom's review
5.0
I love finding new Canadian indie romance authors who are beyond talented!!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this debut from Lexy Josephine and it was a pure delight to read. Ben and Stella were such great characters and I couldn't help rooting for them from the first page.
You're going to want to pick this one up if you like:
- workplace romances
- mutual pining
- dual POV
- witty banter via texts/emails/phone calls
- great mental health rep (anxiety + panic attacks)
- Grumpy heros (who are really secret cinnamon rolls)
- Curvy heroines
- slow burns
- open door spice
Recommended for fans of books like The love wager by Lynn Painter, Just my type by Fallon Ballard or the movie, How to lose a guy in 10 days. Many thanks to the author for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this debut from Lexy Josephine and it was a pure delight to read. Ben and Stella were such great characters and I couldn't help rooting for them from the first page.
You're going to want to pick this one up if you like:
- workplace romances
- mutual pining
- dual POV
- witty banter via texts/emails/phone calls
- great mental health rep (anxiety + panic attacks)
- Grumpy heros (who are really secret cinnamon rolls)
- Curvy heroines
- slow burns
- open door spice
Recommended for fans of books like The love wager by Lynn Painter, Just my type by Fallon Ballard or the movie, How to lose a guy in 10 days. Many thanks to the author for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
snowcherry11's review
2.0
cute!
I enjoyed this book! It was very standard run of the mill romance novel. Had all the stuff you’re looking for when picking up a romance book. I’d honestly recommend it to those who haven’t read romance before this would be a good introductory book!
It was a bit boring at times, and it felt like they just kept doing & saying the same things to one another. I am very appreciative of Stella being plus size that was great! My personal issue and this is completely personal to me and my experience, is I didn’t love how Stella relied on Ben to see her self worth. It was only until ben came into her life that she saw all these amazing things that everyone else had seen all along and I found that frustrating. I think it had the potential for a good story line to be her putting the pieces back together herself and then having someone to add into the equation. It by no means made the book bad the way it was done! That’s just my personal opinion.
Otherwise a cute and well written book!
I enjoyed this book! It was very standard run of the mill romance novel. Had all the stuff you’re looking for when picking up a romance book. I’d honestly recommend it to those who haven’t read romance before this would be a good introductory book!
It was a bit boring at times, and it felt like they just kept doing & saying the same things to one another. I am very appreciative of Stella being plus size that was great! My personal issue and this is completely personal to me and my experience, is I didn’t love how Stella relied on Ben to see her self worth. It was only until ben came into her life that she saw all these amazing things that everyone else had seen all along and I found that frustrating. I think it had the potential for a good story line to be her putting the pieces back together herself and then having someone to add into the equation. It by no means made the book bad the way it was done! That’s just my personal opinion.
Otherwise a cute and well written book!