As a reader of romance, you come to expect certain things.

You expect a couple with good chemistry and secondary characters that support their friends. You expect a 'story' that shows their lives and what matters to them.

So far so good... All the boxes are ticked!

Everyone has their favourite tropes and gravitate towards reading what they know will give them a good reading experience.

Then you have 'Across the Aisle' which actually, almost, stunned me speechless. I can honestly say that I've never read anything quite like it.

The romance part of it ticks all the right boxes but what sets it apart, significantly, is its story.

It's interesting and it's different! Or at least different to what I've ever read. Where these characters are, and what's important to them is just so unique, in my opinion, that it really sets the book apart.

Will I go back to looking for tropes I love? Absolutely! But every now again, there is a hidden gem that adds a bit of brightness to your experiences. That's how I see Across the Aisle.

I enjoyed this book. Dallas and Grant are adults trying to figure out who they are, and who they want to be (both of them have family and relationship baggage they need to work on). And along the way they fall in love. This book takes place in Washington D.C. They are lobbyists. There is a lot of government talk that can be dry at times. But when they're not talking shop and going to cool D.C. hangouts, that's when the fun starts (I really want to go to the O Street Mansion). If you like a book with will they/won't they drama and "lets not communicate" tropes, I think you'll enjoy this book.

This book was sent to me as an ARC on NetGalley. However all opinions are of my own.
For a book set in America, there was a lot of American politics which I, purposely had to skim over, I felt like it took the information away from the story and it had no real relevance. However, if the story concentrated more on the romance I think it would have been a much better book.

Two people on the opposite of an issue. Both being told by higher ups to hold everything close to the vest while they both know in their hearts compromise achievable. It would be easier to do if there were not those pesky feelings of attraction beneath all the verbal sparring. Will they be able to to their jobs while staying on opposite sides of the aisle and keeping their hearts in check?

I really enjoyed all of the information that this book had to offer about Washington D.C. It acts as a sort of mini guide to the city drawing attention to different well known landmarks and a few that are off of the beaten path. I know that I have added a few to my travel list for the next time I'm there!

All in all a cute, light-hearted romance!

This was a pretty cute story and I did enjoy a lot of the characters, however, the main characters were a complete miss. The fact that the side characters had more of a personality to them than the main characters is really quite sad.

This book was essentially a love letter to Washington, and while it was wonderful, one can't help but wonder if it actually understands what the last four years have done to the political climate in the United States. DC is in the center of all of this, and this story tries to write off the last four years as if they never happened. If this had been set a couple of decades ago, the story might have seemed somewhat reasonable, though now it just comes off as privileged, which made the entire book insufferable at times. The author's writing was nice but the politics made it a hard no for me, and it made it very difficult to get into a romantic comedy.

A huge thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this was so promising. Crossing political divides and making connections despite differences is a beautiful plot. I just don’t think it was really fulfilled properly. It was at times insufferable. The book was at times great, and then at times, bad. The writing is gorgeous and humorous. I would read another selection by this author.

The premise of this was so promising. Crossing political divides and making connections despite differences is a beautiful plot. I just don’t think it was really fulfilled properly. It was at times insufferable. The book was at times great, and then at times, bad. The writing is gorgeous and humorous. I would read another selection by this author.

This was a great read. I really liked the foundation of a relationship that was built between our two main characters (even if some of that foundation was based off of hate!) They just were very relatable characters who had great chemistry and connection. Plus, getting to see behind the scenes look into how our government was a definite bonus. I love when a rom-com feels real, and this one definitely did!

Political romance? Opposites attract? Enemies to lovers? You got it!

If you’re into American politics and two people on opposing sides that grow soft for each other, this book is for you! The two main characters, Grant and Dallas are on opposing sides of their political groups and are forced to work together to meet in the middle and come up with a solution that would benefit both sides. Little did they know that the tension between them would soon take over.

Plus the sides characters in this book are wonderful!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the earc in return for an honest review.

2.5

This is a Romantic, enemies to lovers book, with multiple perspectives from Dallas and Grant, who are on opposite sides of a bill proposal, which will decide on what to do about farm pesticides. Both are getting pressure from their employers to get the job done no matter what. When too many dirty tricks are used, they are forced to work together. They need to find something that works for everyone and keep their hands to themselves at the same time. This story was ok. The writing was good, I like the dynamics between the main characters and side characters. There was just too much fighting and not enough flirting to be really caught up in romance. I also thought based on the title and synopsis that they would be on opposing sides in court and that really was not the case, they mostly spent time bickering at political parties. Both characters came off as judgmental, making stereotypical assumptions about each other based on which side they were on, and I really did not care for that. It seemed most of this story was about main characters fighting and going to benefit parties and then kind of lusted after each other. Overall this book was just ok. Nothing really stood out or that I really did not like.
I received this ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my honest Opinion.

Honestly, I should have known better than to read a political romance right now. This story just...wasn't for me. I wasn't a fan of the main characters, and the story didn't draw me in. The writing was fine, and this book might be more appealing to someone else, but it didn't work for me.

Across the Aisle was my first book by Stephanie Vance. It wasn't my favorite read, but it also wasn't bad for a first book. The plot actually turned out to be different than what I had expected when I first read the blurb for it. I usually love political and courtroom romances because they are usually based on a different setting than most romcoms, however, even though this was quite different than usual romcoms unfortunately it did not stand out as much as I hoped it would.

ACROSS THE AISLE was just okay for me. I am an American, raised in America, and the amount of American politics in this book was completely overwhelming. I cannot even imagine a reader outside of America being able to follow the political story since I struggled with it.

Beneath it all there is an epically sweet love story between Dallas and Grant, but you have to wade through vocabulary and inside political structures that the average reader will have a hard time connecting with. The main characters are political lobbyists. This author worked professionally in the world in which this book was set and it's clear that she overshot what her perception of what others outside of that world know about it.

I really loved the banter, the sweet moments, and the way in which these two come to know each other on a personal level, outside of politics. But, in the end, this book was much too niche and much too long.

If you are highly aware of the ins-and-outs of American politics you will probably LOVE this book. If you aren't then you will very likely struggle to follow this story.

I’ve been in the romance book world for a while now. And I’ve seen just how hot and bothered people can get over politics, especially in our little romance world. And I’ll be honest. I really hesitated to read this one. I try really hard to stay neutral and make our blog, our social media pages, and my reviews only about the books. But I generally adore the books Entangled publishes, so after a bit of debating, I decided to give it a try. Y’all. I can’t tell you how glad I am that I did!

I thought Stephanie Vance did a great job balancing the good and the bad from both sides of the political isle with our main characters, Dallas and Grant. From the first impression, these two totally misread each other. But when they are forced to work together, they realize that they have more alike than they ever thought possible. And that meeting in the middle for some true compromise really does benefit everyone.

Dallas and Grant move from cocky no-it-alls to truly caring and compassionate throughout this story, and seeing their transformations personally and professionally was quite heartwarming. Both of their journeys are very emotional and quite literally broke my heart at times. No worries, though…they do get their HEA! Even though the setting is Washington, DC, and the plot centers around politics, don’t let that keep you from reading this delightfully surprising and heartwarming journey of two very opposite individuals who find love in the most surprising place.

NICUnurse’s Rating: I give Across the Isle by Stephanie Vance 5 out of 5 stars!

“Never be so polite, you forget your power
Never wield such power, you forget to be polite.” - @taylorswift

I adore strong female characters who don’t let themselves be taken advantage of by the men around them. Holding their own, and just being an all around powerful woman whose good at her job and doesn’t let anyone or any man make her doubt it.

In this new political romance, Across the Aísle by Stephanie Vance.. we see two lobbyists in Washington DC both on opposing sides who have to work together in order to pass a bill. Along the way though, they realize that maybe coming together and agreeing may just get them both what they want in the end. But with schemes and underhanded-ness in the world of politics, both Grant and Dallas have to work even harder if they want any sort of happily ever after.

When Dallas is forced by a senator to work with an opposing lobbyist on new legislation, she is forced into a situation she isn’t expecting. When her boss and father both pressure her to approach this one way, she follows along but silently disagrees. It doesn’t help that her opposition, Grant, can rile her up and make her want to jump him all at the same time.

Grant is not pleased when he is tasked with working side by side with Dallas in order to compromise on new legislation. When ordered by his boss to not compromise and figure out the opposition’s plan, he pulls out all the stops. Little was he expecting to actually enjoy his time with Dallas and want to find out more than just their plan....

I had mixed feelings on this one. Stephanie did a good job at staying neutral from a political standpoint while still trying to get the story across. I felt at times it was more a travel book about DC and what places to see and where to go. It was hard to relate to the main characters at times until the end, really. Overall, I did enjoy this book, especially the love story. Ends with a HEA.

Grant and Dallas both work in DC politics, on opposite sides of an issue. When they are forced to work together to find a solution, they can’t decide if they hate each other or love each other. With the help of some friends, they figure it out.
Opinion
I’m not political and reading this book made me feel like I’d hate my job if I had theirs. However, this book was a great enemies to lovers story. I particularly enjoyed the banter back and forth between the two MCs and their best friends.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I loooooved this book! It’s classic enemies-to-lovers, divided by party lines, but naturally as they get to know one another, they realize their similarities out number their differences. And those differences turn out to be complimentary. I love how the author took an issue that very well may be occurring today, but if it is I’m unaware of it. The DC politico sphere is obviously a subject in the author’s wheelhouse, and I can’t wait to read more from her.

I received a copy of this book from Entangled Publishing. All opinions are my own.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
While I tend to love enemies-to-lovers romances, I simply was put off by the political aspect of this book. I didn't finish it, but maybe for someone else this is a great read.

An enjoyable read about 2 DC lobbyists on opposite sides of an issue who are tasked with reaching a legislative compromise. The only thing hotter than their irritation is their attraction! Were the characters annoyingly oblivious? Yes, they were. Did I appreciate the break from reality and the HEA, though? Absolutely. Enjoy it for what it is!

My thanks to author Stephanie Vance, the publisher, and #NetGalley who provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. #AcrossTheAisle