A very fun enemies to lovers travel based palette cleanser between some more serious books. I’d heard a lot of hype about this book and I’m not quite sure it lives up to the hype, but I still enjoyed it! For me the “to lovers” bit happened a bit too soon, I would have preferred a bit more build up so that I could enjoy the pay off more. That being said, the chemistry and the banter were fun and believable. The spice was nicely balanced by a genuinely sweet and interesting plot about the truth of family secrets and the way that grief impacts our lives. 

Wow I can’t believe I waited so long to read this book! I really enjoyed reading this book. It offers up banter and a fun interesting plot while also weaving grief throughout the story. Jessica Joyce did an excellent job of balance the elements of this book. Theo and Noelle are exactly what the other needed. Somehow despite being high school rivals (or maybe because they were) they each other so clearly. I enjoyed seeing their relationship progress and evolve over the course of the road trip. I loved that they had their journey together but also their growth as individuals. Side note don’t let the grief theme fool you this book can be sexy af at moments. Also, can I just talk about how much I love Paul? He is the sweetest little soul. Honorable mention to the psychic, sign me up for one of her readings. I recommend this for fans of Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun and Beach Read by Emily Henry.

this broke me into a million pieces, but god, it was so worth it. i knew from some of my friends who have read this that i would cry but damnnnnn, this hurt my heart. grief plots usually hurt and make me cry, but this one just hit a little closer to home for me. i loved noelle and theo so much. the book was amazing beginning to end - like i was absolutely hooked. if i had not read a good chunk of this at work, i would have cried WAY more than i did, but alas, i didn't want to be caught boo-hooing on the job lol. i honestly just LOVED this book in its entirety. the 3rd act breakup part hurt, but i loved how it played out.

it was honestly just like handled so maturely and realistically. like i really appreciate how jessica wrote their interaction at theo's house after noelle found out he left the company. the way that noelle realized that how theo reacted and how she reacted were different but that was okay as long as they both remembered that and worked on interacting with each other in a healthy way >>>>> like i just felt like this was realistic because it wasn't just a "okay, you hurt me with your reaction but lets just move on and live happily ever after" moment that is way too common in romance novels.

i would 1000% recommend this book and i cannot wait to read more of jessica's books in the future!!!

⚠️: grief, death, sexual content, emotional abuse, blood

If I had a nickel for every time, I read a book that featured a road trip and learning about a lost love, I'd have TWO NICKELS which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice.

This debut novel by @jessicajoycewrites was an absolute delight. I listened to it through Libby and felt all the emotions from tears to laughing out loud. Multiple times I had to hit the rewind button to hear an especially compelling part again. 

A few parts of the book were predictable but not in a bad way at all. They were just exactly what I expected and I would have been disappointed otherwise. 

The themes of grief were a little rough since I just lost my mom 13 days ago (how long until I stop tracking the days?) But I'm glad I kept reading because there were plenty of banter filled moments to balance out the sadness. Oh and the steamy moments were incredible too.

I absolutely adored Noelle. I hated the difficulties she was facing in life but I loved that she was resilient. 

Theo was perfect. His character flaws were incredibly realistic and I loved how he worked so hard to get under Noelle's skin yet also took care of her.

This romance was brilliant. I loved the story line. I loved the chemistry. I loved the banter. I loved the forced proximity. It was just wonderful.

Super cute enemies to lovers with some strong undercurrents of grief and self- esteem. I liked the romance and the family surrounding them, I liked the writing, and I loved the ending. The characters hit a bit close to home at times but I guess that makes it even better.

THIS WAS A HOME RUN, OUTTA THE PARK, STRAIGHT TO MY HEART. This book felt so indulgent; I literally would have to make myself stop reading at times because a) it was too cute or too sweet or too tense in the best way and, b) I desperately didn’t want it to end so I prolonged it as much as I could.

Word vomit seems to be my review of choice lately so, buckle up for lots of thoughts…

Jessica Joyce’s writing flowed so easily and got straight to the main plot without feeling rushed. That takes talent!!!!

Noelle was such a strong character, so relatable. It was like Joyce was inside my head, down to the hopeful photography career path. Unbelievable.

And Theo, my God! The hot success story who’s secretly quite sensitive and too hard on himself, limiting his trust in what others believe of him.

I emphatically did the Leonardo-DiCaprio-as-Jordan-Belfort-fist-bite several times while reading to avoid squealing out loud. The incredible slow burn of it all!!

I loved LOVED the deliciously sweet-and-sour banter, the palpable sexual tension (Theo Spencer you have not only ruined Noelle’s life, you have ruined my life), the believable close proximity. The road trip setting.

The Maggie Rogers shoutout!!! Though to be fair I like Theo’s Thom Yorke obsession too. I loved that Theo listened to “sad boy music” as Noelle described it. But Maggie is my girlllll.

Noelle and Theo are one of the cutest book rivals-to-lovers couples I’ve ever read; I’m so serious. Their chemistry was off every chart. How they fed off each other, how they supported each other in earnest. The moment they finally gave into their feelings for each other—UNMATCHED, I tell you!

All of their mutual disdain and lust was so much fun to read, all their give and take. I adored how they became such positive forces in each other’s lives—so sweet. How much they praised each other, their concern for each other’s emotions even when they didn’t align completely. The honest communication. The story really captured the millennial restlessness of striving for success and thinking it’s never right. I really connected with those feelings, both in Theo and Noelle’s cases. *Especially* in Noelle’s case as I’m a photographer just like her and I have gone down some of the very same thought spirals. I felt seen, validated.

This book just made my heart hurt in the best way. It was so tender and meaningful and the unknown love story of their grandparents (not what you think) bringing Noelle and Theo back together 10 years after high school was just everything.

A few favorite quotes:

“He looks like a mess, like he belongs in Vegas. He’s all sin.”

“If you could see yourself through my eyes, your head wouldn’t fit through the door.”

“Don’t think that there are conditions to the way I feel about you.”

“Because we battle, but at the end of the day we’re doing it side by side.”

“I had your voice in my head long after high school ended.”

“You’re the one I want to tell everything to.”

“We both deserve to be with someone who wants us exactly as we are, don’t you think?”

You know when a book finds you at the exact right moment? This was kinda like that, except I think every moment would be exactly right for this book. It’s an every-moment book. 

You pick it up to read and it feels like it’s always been waiting for you. 

this book was the one i needed at this point in my life! not only is it the road trip romance of my dreams; it healed a piece of my heart in its pages. the way grief is handled with such patience and quiet care felt like a warm hug💓

Noelle and Theo's love story is filled with chemistry and witty banter, but also so much growth and self-exploration individually and together. if you like a former academic rivals to lovers moment, they are gonna be it for you! the flirting disguised as roasting, the calling each other by their last names?! also, these characters are for the AP/honors students who have a fear of failure as adults and that hit a little too close to home!

there are elements of forced proximity, found family, and a meddling grandparent, which for me was a recipe for success. there are also letters throughout, and the last one in particular had me in tears. this is an absolute must read for the summer! 

*thank you to Berkley & netgalley for the ARC and free finished copy!