This is a new author for me and it is not my favorite type of story. I actually had a tough time liking any of the characters and feeling sympathetic to them. I also did not love how Alex treated Helen in this story. It was a little too much hate, anger, angysty for me. But if you want a heavy book then you will love this. I like more funner with a side of romance stories. This was just a little too intense for me.

Thank you to NetGalley! I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest and independent review.

1.5 Stars

I wanted to like this story. I didn’t dislike it but I can’t say that I liked it all that well either. Not quite “okay” but not quite “meh”. Here’s why:

I wanted to like Helen. I felt bad for her bec of her background. But instead of admiring her grit, I ended up frustrated with her. There were so many times as I was reading that I wanted to yell at her so bad for the mess she found herself in with her ex.

SMH 🤦🏻‍♀️

I also wanted to like Alex. I usually like the bumbling and socially awkward H but I couldn’t find any enthusiasm or attraction to him.

And maybe this will be an unpopular opinion: but at one point, I had hoped that she’d go back to being a waitress and a semi-nude server at Duality instead of working for Alex as his PA. I wanted angst and drama and more of the dark and seediness of the club scene. Bec the 2nd half of the story, imo, had gotten “airbrushed” to a fairytale like quality that was almost too good to be true.

Sigh. Maybe the next book in this series will be a better read for me. (Book 1 is still my favorite.)

I love Sidney Halston’s Panic series!!!! So needless to say, I completely jumped at the chance to read, What About Us (the 4th installment)!

Sidney Halston packs such an emotional punch in her storylines and Alex and Helen were no exception. From the beginning, reading about their families histories with each other, I knew there would be strong emotions (spoiler alert: lots and lots of emotions)! I loved the characters and think they actually may be my new favorites from the Panic series! What About Us is a 4.5/5 star read that will stay with you! Sidney Halston is a sure thing if you want great romance with depth and as always I am looking forward to more from this addictive series!!

Alex and Helen grew up together - families were close friends. Then something happens that tears them apart. Alex hates Helen and her father for what he believes happened after the event. Helen was just sad about what happened after the event.
12 years later, Alex sees Helen working in a bar and he is drawn to her, but still hates her. Because of this, he acts cold towards her even though Helen (at first) seems excited to see him. A few weeks later, Alex seeks her out at the same bar and sees her half naked. He demands she quits, but when she refuses, he hires her as his personal assistant.
And next thing you know, they become lovers. So this is basically a friends to lovers book.
Very well written. Held my attention to the point of me reading it in one day. I could not put it down.

This book does belong in a series, but it can be read on its own.
This is not my first book by this author.

ARC received for review

Oh, it hurts to give one of my favs a three star rating especially when the first two books were so good.

I just didn't feel the connection between Alex and Helen. He was her first kiss at 18, and then they were ripped apart. He sees her again at the Miami night club, and he is shocked and confused. They fought and fought, and he was just plain mean to her most of the time. Her ex was just plan nasty. It was nice seeing Matt and Iggy at the beginning. I'm still waiting on Iggy's book.

Wow! Great book! This is Alex and Helen book, Helen works at duality nightclub in Miami as a cocktail waitress, Alex is on a business trip in Miami and is at the club with his business acquaintance. Helen's father destroyed Alex family with a ponzy scheme and his family thinks she took off with all the money!! Helens been destitute and living in her car and in the streets and she thinks everyone abandon her but she also thinks her father is innocent! She's also married to a big time jerk! This story has a little bit of everything! It's heartache and heartbreak, it's got angst, drama, suspense, really hot, and at times even funny!! Definitely don't miss out on this one! Thank you Jeanette for another amazing read! As always i love your words!! Thank you NetGalley and penguin random house publishers for sharing this book with me! Can't wait for more!!