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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
This felt like it went in circles in a bad way. I didn't like them, I was bored and I wanted it to end since the first page.
May end up coming back to this eventually because the vibes seemed so fun but the angst of the enemies to lovers/second chance seemed like too much of a chore to get through right now. Sometimes ex should stay exes for a reason lol.
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
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
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There is an inherent beauty to the idea of a second chance romance, however that is not enough in and of itself to carry a story. This one is helped along by the wonderful setting of the Hummingbird Inn and Eureka Springs, but I was still left wanting more depth.
The biggest frustrations I have with this book come from our two protagonists. We start with Molly, who is supposed to be sympathetic but comes off as quite cruel at the start of this book and stays surface level for the majority. Robin was a bit blander in comparison, and interestingly, most of Molly’s growth is seen via Robin’s perspective which is a nice thought but the execution leaves us mostly just being told about it rather than shown it.
I think the choice to not have a full flashback to the initial breakup or some sort of final confrontation leaves the reader with a lack of context that makes a lot of the commentary between them about their breakup fall flat. There seems to be an understanding that as the reader, we’re on the same page with the characters when in reality we seem to be missing half the pages.
All in all, this was a cute story and provided an exceptionally picturesque setting with some solid backup characters. Would have loved to see more depth across the board.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the digital review copy.
I’m not generally a fan of second-chance romances and this kind of solidified it (I was offered this book and thought the blurb was good so I took a risk). While I understand the reasons for the original breakup (young love, conflicting future wants), the lack of communication drove me up a wall. However, the characters do work on it consistently and (bonus) no third act break up! I liked the main characters, but at times they felt too similar to each other, and I had to double check which POV I was in. The side characters definitely kept the book going in the first part, bringing more life to the small town. It definitely got better towards the end, once they got out of their “I want to make you miserable so you leave” phase. I really liked the descriptions of the art and food, they were beautiful and left me wanting more. While I likely wouldn’t read this again, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys second-chance romances, particularly of the sapphic, small-town variety.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dial Press for the review copy, all opinions are my own.
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this second-chance romance between characters who needed to move apart and grow up before they realized how well they could be together. Molly and Robin never got divorced, which made for a tricky situation when they end up living together to renovate and sell the Hummingbird Inn that they had left behind years prior. (I am not sure how you can just stay married and "move on", but that's neither here nor there.)
I was very amused at the pranks in the beginning of the book that the two main characters pulled on each other as a way to drive the other away. It certainly showed how well they still knew each other, and then made it more believable when they realized they still have chemistry. The pacing of the storyline, which is complimented by the interactions with the other characters in the book (e.g. Molly's best friend Keyana and Robin's cooking mentee Jesse), made the relationship believable. Their chemistry dripped off the page. I wanted to shake the characters for not communicating, but also cheered when they would figure things out.
Overall I enjoyed the book. It was a fun read!
Thank you to Susie Dumond, The Dial Press, and NetGalley for the arc of this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
funny
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
📖 Bookish Thoughts
This was one of my most anticipated new releases of the year, and while I was really hoping for a five-star read, it ended up being more of a 3.5 for me.
Bed and Breakup is a cute second-chance romance with solid romcom vibes, but it moved at a much slower pace than I expected. I didn’t really click with either of the FMCs until about 30% in. Even then, both Molly and Robin often came across as pretty immature.
This was one of my most anticipated new releases of the year, and while I was really hoping for a five-star read, it ended up being more of a 3.5 for me.
Bed and Breakup is a cute second-chance romance with solid romcom vibes, but it moved at a much slower pace than I expected. I didn’t really click with either of the FMCs until about 30% in. Even then, both Molly and Robin often came across as pretty immature.
That said, there were some elements I really enjoyed. The chosen family and community themes were heartwarming, and I liked how the story explored coming back to a shared past and trying to rebuild something new. The prank war between Robin and Molly had some laugh-out-loud moments, though a few of the pranks were a bit too mean for my taste. That doll prank? That would have sent me over and I would have packed my bags. 😭
The ending was cute, but it felt a little rushed, especially after such a slow build throughout the book. I wanted more and a deeper sense of growth from both main characters by the end. It just felt abrupt.
🩷What You Can Expect
• Second chance romance
• Forced proximity
• Small town charm
• Chosen family
• Prank war
• Queer community
📖 Final Score: ★★★½
📅 Pub Date: June 24, 2025
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
📅 Pub Date: June 24, 2025
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
3.5 ⭐️
Bed and Breakup delivers a cozy, rom-com setup: two exes, one crumbling bed-and-breakfast, and a whole lot of unresolved tension. Set in the charming, queer-friendly town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas (think Stars Hollow with more rainbow flags), this sapphic second-chance romance reunites Molly, a rising stained glass artist, and Robin, a down-on-her-luck celebrity chef, seven years after their divorce. They’re both back to claim the Hummingbird Inn, and neither plans to leave.
What follows is forced cohabitation, chaotic renovation plans, and a flurry of pranks that toe the line between petty and painful. The town is buzzing with excitement to see them back, cheering them on like they’re the hometown team in a romantic Super Bowl. The chemistry is complicated. The history is murky. The unresolved feelings are very much still simmering.
There’s a lot to love here:
⭐️ The quirky small-town charm and community are standout features, full of heart and humor
⭐️ The side characters, especially Keyana and Jesse, bring warmth and depth
⭐️ The inn renovation scenes are rich with atmosphere and give a great sense of place
⭐️ The second-chance romance premise, with a sapphic twist, is refreshing and full of potential
That said, some readers may find it hard to fully root for Robin and Molly’s reunion. Their dynamic often reads more combative than romantic, with mean-spirited pranks and lingering bitterness making the relationship feel a bit toxic at times. There’s also a lack of clarity around why they broke up to begin with, particularly Robin’s abrupt departure, which leaves some emotional threads unresolved. For a romance centered around healing and reconnection, that missing piece stands out.
Still, the story offers sweet and steamy moments, a satisfying (if slightly rushed) emotional resolution, and a final act that pushes both characters to grow and confront their patterns. Fans of cozy, character-driven romances with strong small-town vibes and a touch of chaos will find plenty to enjoy, especially on audio where the dual narration helps keep Robin and Molly’s voices distinct.
In the end, Bed and Breakup may not reinvent the second-chance romance wheel, but it spins it with heart, humor, and a whole lot of queer joy.
Bed and Breakup delivers a cozy, rom-com setup: two exes, one crumbling bed-and-breakfast, and a whole lot of unresolved tension. Set in the charming, queer-friendly town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas (think Stars Hollow with more rainbow flags), this sapphic second-chance romance reunites Molly, a rising stained glass artist, and Robin, a down-on-her-luck celebrity chef, seven years after their divorce. They’re both back to claim the Hummingbird Inn, and neither plans to leave.
What follows is forced cohabitation, chaotic renovation plans, and a flurry of pranks that toe the line between petty and painful. The town is buzzing with excitement to see them back, cheering them on like they’re the hometown team in a romantic Super Bowl. The chemistry is complicated. The history is murky. The unresolved feelings are very much still simmering.
There’s a lot to love here:
⭐️ The quirky small-town charm and community are standout features, full of heart and humor
⭐️ The side characters, especially Keyana and Jesse, bring warmth and depth
⭐️ The inn renovation scenes are rich with atmosphere and give a great sense of place
⭐️ The second-chance romance premise, with a sapphic twist, is refreshing and full of potential
That said, some readers may find it hard to fully root for Robin and Molly’s reunion. Their dynamic often reads more combative than romantic, with mean-spirited pranks and lingering bitterness making the relationship feel a bit toxic at times. There’s also a lack of clarity around why they broke up to begin with, particularly Robin’s abrupt departure, which leaves some emotional threads unresolved. For a romance centered around healing and reconnection, that missing piece stands out.
Still, the story offers sweet and steamy moments, a satisfying (if slightly rushed) emotional resolution, and a final act that pushes both characters to grow and confront their patterns. Fans of cozy, character-driven romances with strong small-town vibes and a touch of chaos will find plenty to enjoy, especially on audio where the dual narration helps keep Robin and Molly’s voices distinct.
In the end, Bed and Breakup may not reinvent the second-chance romance wheel, but it spins it with heart, humor, and a whole lot of queer joy.