On Location was another Sarah Smith book that I was so delightfully happy with that I wanted to reread it immediately after finishing. This one really was my favorite of them all (so far!). Our protagonist struggles with a chauvinistic/old white guy workplace, and doesn't back down to anyone that treats her or her team unfairly even if that means jeopardizing her dream show. I loved her so much!

This book stars the superbly phenomenal Alia Dunn, showrunner for an outdoor travel channel, who finally gets the green light to produce a series about Utah. Of course being a woman on a network that only contains old white guys, she has some troubles. A terrible host is forced upon the series, a guy she thought ghosted her turns out to be her field coordinator (he seems to undermine her from the get-go), and lots of troubles happen before they even start shooting.

This was filled with a lot of relevant issues for women in the workplace, and I'm glad the stressful scenes played out how they did. The romance was super swoon-worthy, and I loved how any miscommunication between the two never meant the complete demise of their relationship.

The plot of this novel was so fun! I loved that it was written as a "love letter to Utah's national parks," a part of the country that I love. I saved this book to read while I was in the state for the maximum reading experience. The premise is that Alia works for one of the major outdoor travel channels, and she gets the chance of her lifetime to film a show in Utah's national parks as a tribute to her apong, who first took her to visit.

I loved that the protagonist was a big career woman who was in her thirties and had a more established life. Sometimes I felt like the work situations seemed a little unbelievable- some of the people Alia worked with were just awful! Alia and her love interest Drew kept having miscommunications and fights that I also thought were easily avoidable, but you have to love a coworker romance plot. The romance started as a slow burn, but it also was on the steamier side. Overall the drama went a little over the top to the point where it felt unbelievable, but this was a great escapist romance.

First, I wanted to LOVE this book. The premise was absolutely adorable, relevant for today (a woman making her way in a male dominated field of production, ghosting, etc.) and the descriptions of Utah and the national parks were beautiful.

However, I found myself powering through this story. First there’s the miscommunication trope, which made the two main protagonists seem like teenagers. Your two love interests start to hookup in the middle of the story, spend almost each night together, connect emotionally and bond, but because the Drew doesn’t outright say, “I like you,” Aila - a smart, strong woman - has multiple doubts about how he feels?

Then there’s Drew, who I wanted to like but struggled to do so. It felt like he undermined Alia, even after she corrected him. Alia didn’t need a hero, and yet that’s what he became in the story.

The sex scenes were fantastic and showed that women don’t always have to be the ingenue. I just wish their connection went beyond the bedroom.

This book was a very cookie cutter rom com book, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. I could see most plot lines, replacing the host, the misunderstanding at the end coming from a mile away, but I liked all the characters and wanted to see how it would all end. I also loved that it took place in Utah which is a gorgeous place that should be highlighted more.

Loved the adventure of this book! I read it in one sitting. Smart, funny, moving. All the things!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Smith writes steamy, funny, and genuinely interesting books. She takes the reader to new (and sometimes exotic) locations and immerses them in the story in a way that feels believable. I think that her writing is doing a fantastic job at providing a fun way to think about travel while this pandemic soldiers on. What I liked about this book is that it did not hide from hard topics like sexism in the work place, women in the television universe, etc. But what I struggled with is this miscommunication trope. I can't STAND that trope. When the conflict could be resolved with one conversation, but like, multiple times, it annoys me to no end. It was so intense, that I had a hard time rooting for the couple, because their first inclination was always to think the worst of each other with absolutely zero communication. Alia has a lot to prove as a first-time showrunner, but I found her to be rude at times and it didn't seem to mesh with the idea that all of these people on her crew were dying to work with her. I did love the crew; the found-family workplace dynamics were top notch.

Thank you to Berkley Romance, Sarah Smith & Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book in a day. It could be the NYC and tv production themes that had me realating to this book but I think it was because it's just the perfect light-hearted book I needed for the weekend. I found this book pretty realistica having worked in tv production for over 20 years. I'd highly recommend this book. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #OnLocation

When the primary conflict of a romance is miscommunication, it’s gonna get a lower rating from me.

And when the two MCs continue to fight and miscommunicate over and over again, it makes me think, “Maybe y’all should just call it quits? Cause if there’s all this miscommunication now? It’s only gonna get worse.”

And isn’t that the whole point of romance? To make us believe in a love that is gonna last?

I liked the idea of this story. I love that our heroine was a show runner bad ass, don’t take crap from anyone. boss. I liked how our hero respected and championed her.

The drama around the set was over the top, but I understood the purpose of it in driving the story along.

Just didn’t love love it.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, review is my own.

Overall, I found this book to be just above average. First of all, I really liked the chemistry between the main character and the love interest, and I think their relationship worked well with their characterizations. However, I despise the miscommunication trope, and there was just too much of that in this novel. The feminism in this book also felt a bit... plastic? As a woman, parts of the feminist aspect of this book felt realistic and relatable, whereas the other part felt a bit fake, outlandish, unrealistic, etc.

Pick up this book if you love a swoon-worthy love interest, geographical knowledge, and fairly well written characters & development. Don't pick it up if you aren't a fan of miscommunication.

I really wanted to like this book, and thought I would. But I had to force myself to finish it.
It is always hard to read a book where you don't like the characters.
Alia was super quick to jump to conclusions constantly and a horrible communicator. And Drew annoyed me constantly.
Also, the whole work with the host thing was so over the top constantly, I couldn't enjoy the book.

I liked that it talked about national parks! But that's about it 😬

A very fast paced and cute read. I finished it in 2 sittings.
Some of the characters and scenes just fell a bit flat for me. It also seemed like the story was trying too hard to be feminist without actually hitting the nail. There were a few scenes that could have been left out but I'll wait til release day to check against the final copy.
My second time reading from this author and I liked what I read enough to pick up a 3rd of hers.

This is my favorite Sarah Echavarre Smith book so far. It felt especially fun to read in the midst of a pandemic where I have felt stuck at home. This book took me away to the national parks in Utah, and the descriptions of the scenery were utterly gorgeous.

Lia finally gets the chance to be the showrunner on her own show for the travel network where she has worked for years. She pitches and gets to produce a show highlighting the national parks in Utah. Drew, a cute guy she met on the subway who never called her, turns out to be her field coordinator.

I thought the book handled their jobs really well, showing some of the sexism that she faced in the entertainment industry while not making it the key point of the book. I really loved their whole crew. The secondary characters were so well written and complex. I especially enjoyed Lia's best friend, Haley.

The book is told in first person from Lia's perspective. There were several points where I really would have liked to know Drew's POV as well, particularly when there were miscommunications.

I really enjoyed this steamy rom-com. It was such a great balance of romance and comedy.

Thank you to Berkley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

4.5 stars rounded up

3.5 stars - I continue to enjoy how easy, breezy and readable Sarah Smith's work is, but I also continue to wish there weren't big miscommunications as the third act twist. It really dings down contemporary romances that are otherwise very enjoyable to read. Still, I loved the travel show angle for this one, as well as the ultimate message about workplace misconduct and the relationship with Alia & Drew

CW: workplace sexual harassment

This was a fun one, especially for someone with the wanderlust bug. I've seriously never wanted to visit Utah so badly! I loved the maturity of the characters as they navigate a workplace romance and some of the hilarious hijinks they get up to. The plot was the main focus of the book (which y'all know I love in a romance), but that didn't make the romance scenes any less STEAMY. Like turn the ceiling fan on in my bedroom level of hot! I'd recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of travel, girlbosses, or revenge. (Just the tiniest bit of revenge, but I'm here for it.)

*Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Sarah never... and I mean it. She NEVER disappoints with her enemies to lovers romances. This is a trope that I usually do not strive nor look for, but my gosh when it comes down to Sarah's writing I am all for it!

this one didn't work for me. the feminism subplot `involved way too much sexism in the workplace, which ranged from too over the top to be totally believable (in the form of the cartoonishly awful host blaine) to too realistic to be believable (when it came from the love interest, who was therefore ruined for me). add to that a mostly smut-based romance (i like at least a mix) and this one was not my cup of tea.

On Location by Sarah Echavarre Smith, for release September 21

“Nothing like a rocky start between enemy coworkers stuck together on location to prove that love isn't just a ploy for ratings—it's a force of nature.”

When I heard about the premise for On Location, a romance set in Utah’s national parks, I knew I needed to get my hands on it ASAP! As always, Sarah’s books are packed with steam, TENSION and the best grumpy heroes. Here are just some of the highlights:

💓ONLY ONE TENT and ONLY ONE SLEEPING BAG 😏😏😏 enough said.

💓The nature descriptions of Utah were absolutely breathtaking! I’m desperate to travel there now (along with Hawaii from her last book)

💓I loved the portrayal of strong women, encouraging female friendships, and what it’s like to be a woman in Alia’s field. Alia is also such a strong character who takes no shit. I really rooted for her.

💓Drew and Alia’s chemistry was off the charts! Co-worker/forbidden relationships are always ripe for tension and Sarah executed this so well. I am still sweating from the steam 🙌🏼🔥🔥

I loved this one so much and cannot wait for everyone else to read this!! Sarah is doing the lords work giving us two amazing travel romances during the pandemic. Thank you so much to Sarah and Berkley for access to this ARC❤️

On Location by Sarah Echavarre Smith
Rating 3.25/5
Publish Date - 21 September 2021
Published By - Berkley Books

**thank you to Netgalley, Berkley, and of course, Sarah Echavarre Smith, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


Alia and Drew meet by chance. Drew ghosts Alia. Imagine the surprise when Alia finds out Drew is the freelance worker she hired to help on her first ever series as a show runner based in remote Utah. What ensues is a great story that keeps you reading, and of course contains a happily ever after.

So what are my thoughts? I’m conflicted. Let’s start off with my likes. I truly loved the description of locations in Utah. I especially loved the mentions of Alia’s grandmother throughout and how important the filming of her series was to Alia. I adored Drew and Alia together, and the steamy steam was actually very surprisingly intense and great for a romance novel. I loved the supporting characters - I especially enjoyed seeing their connections grow into friendship over the book. I loved seeing Alia stick it to the execs because #womenpower!

Now for the dislikes -
Of course I despised Blaine. The man is the most infuriating character to read and a villain I was rolling my eyes at with every mention. The story had a huge amount of plot lines that kind of went nowhere or were resolved right away. I also found there was no huge conflict, everything just panned out perfectly with the series. I expected Blaine to do something more extreme or for Alia and Drew to get in trouble for dating - especially with all the mentions of it. Lastly, I really didn’t like the ending and the happily ever after (epilogue) - I feel it conflicted so many different parts of the story where the characters expressed their desires for the future. It’s great, but again - too picture perfect. I mainly just wanted more conflict and something big to happen outside of the relationship woes.

Overall, I have to give this book a 3.25/5 stars. I loved so much of it, but I found more than a few things which frustrated me and left me wanting different paths of the story. I do recommend this for a rom com if you are wanting it - especially for the romance of it all, because Drew and Alia are very cute as a couple!

On Location by Sarah Smith is a love letter to Utah’s national parks. I Googled each filming location and was awed by the natural beauty of each park.

Inspired by a memorable childhood trip to Utah with her grandmother, Alia pitches a travel show about Utah’s scenic national parks to her network bosses at Expedition TV. The network executives are not thrilled with her idea, but they give their reluctant approval only if she hires the host from hell. A has-been reality TV “star”, Blaine is unprepared at best and a drug addicted predator at worst. Alia is eager to have her chance as a show-runner so she attempts to overcome this setback. Then she meets the newest addition to her production crew, Drew, a freelance field coordinator who ghosted her after a magical meet cute on the subway just a few weeks ago.

A one sided POV allows for misunderstandings and miscommunication. Past relationship trauma also rears its ugly head as well. The burgeoning relationship with Drew, the proximity of shooting on location, and dealing with a train wreck of a host all contribute to the drama of On Location.

I liked the support the women gave each other in On Location. Alia’s bestie Haley, the intern Rylan and former mentor Brooke are all glowing examples of caring and nurturing relationships. In all of Smith’s books, she excels at female friendships and having good support networks among her characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Okay I love this author! This is her 3rd novel and it just might be my favorite (though Simmer Down is just so good!). I loved the travel show plot and the chemistry between Alia and Drew was off the charts. Drew was the perfect lead, I was swooning constantly. I loved the realness of the BFF telling them they need to communicate better to have a relationship (I feel like that never happens in rom-coms). Already ready to reread it!