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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unfortunately, I don’t think this book was for me. While I thought the blurb was interesting I just didn’t like this book. Molly and Robin both got on my nerves if I’m being honest. Molly more so than Robin it was like any issue was too much for her and in turn she gets treated like a toddler by those around her. They were both responsible for their marriage not working out, I think they were equally toxic especially with their past. The ending of the book really doesn’t seem like they have changed just got comfortable with one another again. Molly and Robin are definitely a couple I don’t see staying together.
In general I think the chemistry was forced between Molly and Robin. There were so many moments that just felt awkward and I understand there is going to be some awkward moments went living under the same roof as your ex wife but this felt as if they hadn’t had history. It was as if they were high schoolers who hated each other one minute and kissing the next minute.
While the smut was written nicely it just felt randomly placed. The characters would be clearly unavailable emotionally but have sex anyway, they would talk about their past and how bad it was… then go have sex. I get feelings are difficult but damn. Their marriage felt like it was done out of grief and filled with trust issues.
I will say I did really like seeing the casual queer rep and the cover of this book looks really lovely. Plus the recipes at the end were a really nice touch!
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity.)
Read For
✓ Inn
✓ Small Town
✓ Fixer Upper
✓ Recipe Included
✓ Second Chance Romance
𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Sad Level: n/a
Plot: 4/10
Pace: 3/10
Ending: 5/10
Characters: 3/10
Enjoyability: 3/10
Writing Style: 4/10
Would I Recommend? Maybe
Favorite Character: Robin
Favorite Quote: ❝“Well, what am I supposed to do in the meantime? Bake scones over a bonfire in the backyard?”❞
POV: Duel, First Person
Pages: 368
Format: ebook
Language: English
Release Date: 24, June 2025
Rep/Extras: Lesbian (main characters), transman (side character), queer diversity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Alcohol, Pandemic/Epidemic
emotional
funny
reflective
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
Thanks to the Dial Press for the free copy of this book.
- I loved everything about BED AND BREAKUP. Second chances! Returning home! Queer found family! Renovations! Why did we break up anyway, you’re so hot!
- Really though, it’s hard to write a second chance romance where both the reason for the breakup and the path back together feel genuine, and Dumond did it here.
- I also love that Dumond continues to write books set in queer enclaves in the South. Queer people are and deserve to be everywhere.
- I loved everything about BED AND BREAKUP. Second chances! Returning home! Queer found family! Renovations! Why did we break up anyway, you’re so hot!
- Really though, it’s hard to write a second chance romance where both the reason for the breakup and the path back together feel genuine, and Dumond did it here.
- I also love that Dumond continues to write books set in queer enclaves in the South. Queer people are and deserve to be everywhere.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Alcohol, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content
Bed and Breakup was a fun, emotional, and refreshing change of pace from my usual reads, and I enjoyed every second of it.
This story has all the best romance tropes wrapped up in one chaotic, heartfelt, and utterly entertaining package: forced proximity, enemies to lovers, second chance romance, and even a warm, cozy dose of found family.
Watching Molly and Robin navigate their messy past, renovate a dilapidated inn, and slowly unravel all the complicated threads between them was a joy. Their dynamic was fiery, frustrating, and ultimately satisfying in the best way.
I also loved the queer representation and the unique setting of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, which I now kind of want to visit! The small town charm, quirky side characters, and themes of personal growth and healing added so much depth to the story without ever weighing it down.
This book made me laugh, tugged at my heart, and reminded me why I love second chance romances so much. It’s messy, tender, and brimming with personality. If you are looking for something sweet with a bit of spice and plenty of emotional payoff, this one is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Susie Dumond for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This story has all the best romance tropes wrapped up in one chaotic, heartfelt, and utterly entertaining package: forced proximity, enemies to lovers, second chance romance, and even a warm, cozy dose of found family.
Watching Molly and Robin navigate their messy past, renovate a dilapidated inn, and slowly unravel all the complicated threads between them was a joy. Their dynamic was fiery, frustrating, and ultimately satisfying in the best way.
I also loved the queer representation and the unique setting of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, which I now kind of want to visit! The small town charm, quirky side characters, and themes of personal growth and healing added so much depth to the story without ever weighing it down.
This book made me laugh, tugged at my heart, and reminded me why I love second chance romances so much. It’s messy, tender, and brimming with personality. If you are looking for something sweet with a bit of spice and plenty of emotional payoff, this one is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Susie Dumond for the opportunity to read this ARC.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I always enjoy Susie Dumond’s stories and writing style.
This story centers two “exes” Molly and Robin who are back in their small Eureka, AR town, in their now defunct inn at the same time after 7 years apart. They vow to renovate the inn, sell it, and then go their separate ways. This path forces them to recon with their personal and marital issues in order to complete their goal.
I felt like this story painted a very accurate picture of hatred that’s often harbored in failed relationships. This was the epitome of a second chance love story done right where the characters suck it up and communicate their problems and fears rather than just gloss over it. I really liked the growth in each of the characters we see over the course of the book.
Thank you to the writer and Dial Press / Random House for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
This story centers two “exes” Molly and Robin who are back in their small Eureka, AR town, in their now defunct inn at the same time after 7 years apart. They vow to renovate the inn, sell it, and then go their separate ways. This path forces them to recon with their personal and marital issues in order to complete their goal.
I felt like this story painted a very accurate picture of hatred that’s often harbored in failed relationships. This was the epitome of a second chance love story done right where the characters suck it up and communicate their problems and fears rather than just gloss over it. I really liked the growth in each of the characters we see over the course of the book.
Thank you to the writer and Dial Press / Random House for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early.
Bed and Breakup follows Molly and Robin, a former couple who accidentally find themselves back at the inn they owned when they were married.
I love second chance romances so I was very excited to read this and I really liked all of the characters in this book. Keyana and Jesse stood out the most to me and I loved Molly and Robin’s individual interactions with their friends. The premise was also fun and I enjoyed all of the renovation parts of the book as well as learning more about the town of Eureka Springs.
I found it very difficult to root for Molly and Robin stay together as I didn’t see very much chemistry between them and wasn’t sure how they even got together in the first place. The pranks they played on each other were also very mean spirited which made it hard to root for them to end up together. But I enjoyed the characters (especially Keyana!) and the end was very sweet and worth the wait.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley again for the chance to read this early.
Bed and Breakup follows Molly and Robin, a former couple who accidentally find themselves back at the inn they owned when they were married.
I love second chance romances so I was very excited to read this and I really liked all of the characters in this book. Keyana and Jesse stood out the most to me and I loved Molly and Robin’s individual interactions with their friends. The premise was also fun and I enjoyed all of the renovation parts of the book as well as learning more about the town of Eureka Springs.
I found it very difficult to root for Molly and Robin stay together as I didn’t see very much chemistry between them and wasn’t sure how they even got together in the first place. The pranks they played on each other were also very mean spirited which made it hard to root for them to end up together. But I enjoyed the characters (especially Keyana!) and the end was very sweet and worth the wait.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley again for the chance to read this early.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a fun second chance romance in lovely setting! I really appreciated how queer this book was, as it seems Eureka Springs was this queer haven nestled in middle of nowhere Arkansas. I appreciated that these two characters both had big aspirations and that we got to hangout with them (both present time, and through reminiscing years ago) as they fixed up the Hummingbird Inn. I liked how Dumond showed a messy and complicated relationship that tiptoed the line between loathing and love. There was a lot of hurt, passion, and care that fizzed between our two MCs. I think perhaps the pacing could have been stronger as the chapters at times felt a bit too short. I also think that an epilogue would have tied the story together a bit more satisfyingly as it felt like quite an abrupt ending. Though, I think that the characters grew a lot in order to earn the ending they got. I would have loved to see them hash out more of the details that led to their initial breakup years ago (specifically Georgina, I feel like we really rushed over that?! ) as that would have given the characters and their relationship a bit more depth. In all though, an easy read with a lot of heart!
Mood/season-wise, this would be a great book to read during Pride as it is chalk-full of queer characters, and at one point June is specifically mentioned. They are enduring the southern heat and as a Canadian reading this in winter, it was fun to read something so summery. This book will also make you hungry for fresh veggies so it could be a great paring for the farmers market or afternoon in the garden.
This is my first read by Dumond, and I am interested in checking out her other work!
This was a fun second chance romance in lovely setting! I really appreciated how queer this book was, as it seems Eureka Springs was this queer haven nestled in middle of nowhere Arkansas. I appreciated that these two characters both had big aspirations and that we got to hangout with them (both present time, and through reminiscing years ago) as they fixed up the Hummingbird Inn. I liked how Dumond showed a messy and complicated relationship that tiptoed the line between loathing and love. There was a lot of hurt, passion, and care that fizzed between our two MCs. I think perhaps the pacing could have been stronger as the chapters at times felt a bit too short. I also think that an epilogue would have tied the story together a bit more satisfyingly as it felt like quite an abrupt ending. Though, I think that the characters grew a lot in order to earn the ending they got. I would have loved to see them hash out more of the details that led to their initial breakup years ago (
Mood/season-wise, this would be a great book to read during Pride as it is chalk-full of queer characters, and at one point June is specifically mentioned. They are enduring the southern heat and as a Canadian reading this in winter, it was fun to read something so summery. This book will also make you hungry for fresh veggies so it could be a great paring for the farmers market or afternoon in the garden.
This is my first read by Dumond, and I am interested in checking out her other work!
Before I get into my review of “Bed and Breakup,” I would like to thank NetGalley and The Dial Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Alright, I’m going to be extremely honest and say that this book was not for me. I was trying to keep an open mind while reading this book, especially since it’s a second-chance romance, however it just fell flat in my opinion.
I did not appreciate how Molly is treated like a child on behalf of Robin and Key. More so Key, but Robin does as well towards the middle to end of the book. Like she can’t handle adult problems she signed up for.
Another thing I didn’t like was how forced the chemistry felt, and in my opinion, it just felt… awkward? For the first quarter of this book they *hated* each other, then the next page they would be kissing or sharing a bed. They’d talk about their past and then make out or have sex. They’d have a very necessary conversation about their relationship, then out of nowhere have sex. (Which was *very* unwarranted in my opinion.)
I also feel like both characters were equally in the wrong when it came to how this relationship formed again. I felt the ending of this book was really rushed. I wish we as readers could have seen the relationship *truly* start to bloom a few chapters earlier than when it did.
Overall, I would give this book a 2.5/5 stars. Thank you again to NetGalley and The Dial Press for the early E-Copy.
Alright, I’m going to be extremely honest and say that this book was not for me. I was trying to keep an open mind while reading this book, especially since it’s a second-chance romance, however it just fell flat in my opinion.
I did not appreciate how Molly is treated like a child on behalf of Robin and Key. More so Key, but Robin does as well towards the middle to end of the book. Like she can’t handle adult problems she signed up for.
Another thing I didn’t like was how forced the chemistry felt, and in my opinion, it just felt… awkward? For the first quarter of this book they *hated* each other, then the next page they would be kissing or sharing a bed. They’d talk about their past and then make out or have sex. They’d have a very necessary conversation about their relationship, then out of nowhere have sex. (Which was *very* unwarranted in my opinion.)
I also feel like both characters were equally in the wrong when it came to how this relationship formed again. I felt the ending of this book was really rushed. I wish we as readers could have seen the relationship *truly* start to bloom a few chapters earlier than when it did.
Overall, I would give this book a 2.5/5 stars. Thank you again to NetGalley and The Dial Press for the early E-Copy.
Thank you to Dial for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own!
I thought this was fine, not anything to feel strongly about. I liked that this took place in Arkansas as I don’t think I’ve actually read a book set there before. I thought there was some really interesting commentary on being in a LGBTQ+ friendly town in a red state and I enjoyed the beautiful setting.
I think my main issue is that I usually struggle with second chance romance in general and the root of a lot of their issues was miscommunication. These two are so very chaotic at times and I found myself struggling to…like them? at certain points. Especially Robin, I had a hard time understanding her motivations. I also was kind of meh about the ending overall.
I thought this was fine, not anything to feel strongly about. I liked that this took place in Arkansas as I don’t think I’ve actually read a book set there before. I thought there was some really interesting commentary on being in a LGBTQ+ friendly town in a red state and I enjoyed the beautiful setting.
I think my main issue is that I usually struggle with second chance romance in general and the root of a lot of their issues was miscommunication. These two are so very chaotic at times and I found myself struggling to…like them? at certain points. Especially Robin, I had a hard time understanding her motivations. I also was kind of meh about the ending overall.
Bed & Breakup is a sapphic second chance romance that follows exes Molly and Robin as they return to their once thriving bed and breakfast, the Hummingbird Inn. What starts as a simple arrangement to stay at the now closed inn quickly turns into a battleground of pranks, unresolved emotions, and lingering chemistry. While the setup is fun, I found some of their antics more mean spirited than playful, which made it hard to root for them as a couple. That said, the book does a great job of showcasing their individual talents, Molly’s stained glass art and Robin’s culinary skills, which added depth to their characters.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the setting. As someone who grew up in the Ozarks not far from Eureka Springs and has spent a lot of time in Eureka Springs at Pride events and for general weekend getaways, I loved seeing this charming town brought to life on the page. It’s a perfect backdrop for a queer romance, and the small town atmosphere added to the story’s charm and knowing the area well really helped my imagination with visualizing these characters in the town.
While I’m not sure Molly and Robin were meant to be together, I still enjoyed the journey. If you love second chance romances and small town settings, this one might be worth picking up.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback for sending this eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the setting. As someone who grew up in the Ozarks not far from Eureka Springs and has spent a lot of time in Eureka Springs at Pride events and for general weekend getaways, I loved seeing this charming town brought to life on the page. It’s a perfect backdrop for a queer romance, and the small town atmosphere added to the story’s charm and knowing the area well really helped my imagination with visualizing these characters in the town.
While I’m not sure Molly and Robin were meant to be together, I still enjoyed the journey. If you love second chance romances and small town settings, this one might be worth picking up.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback for sending this eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.