Thank you to @putnambooks and @falonballard for my gifted copy of this book!

Y’all, I LOVED Lease on Love. It would be a good romance read for this month, but it’s not just a romance book.

In Lease on Love, Sadie Green loses her job, and ends up finding a roommate with an amazing brownstone in Brooklyn. Once she gets settled, she begins to explore opening her own florist business…and that’s not all she gets in this fun book.

I thought Sadie was a hoot. I loved how honest and direct she was, even though a lot of her humor was self-deprecating. She also had a lot of drive, and it showed in how she hustled to get her new business off the ground. The incredible group of friends who supported her at every turn didn’t hurt either.

And Jack…what a guy. I loved his generosity, and how he completely opened his house to Sadie. He was so kind to her, and I adored how he became more about his mental health as the book went on. He and Sadie also had boundaries in their relationship, which was refreshing to see. It made for a fantastic build up full of tension.

I was hooked from the very first chapter. It was humorous yet very unfortunate for the main character, Sadie, whom the story is told from her perspective. Sadie gets fired and she is going through this struggle of feeling a bit lost on what to do, especially since her lease was running out soon in the expensive city of New York. On one drunken night out with friends, she scrolls through what she thinks is a dating app and sets up a date for the next day. Turns out it was roommate finding app, and this is where we are introduced to Jack.

This is a strangers-to-roomates-to-lovers romance, and the growing relationship between Sadie and Jack felt very realistic, and was overall enjoyable to read. I also really loved the friendships that exist within the book between the main characters and the secondary characters. These secondary characters added to the story without being distracting from the main plot. It was also great seeing Sadie grow throughout this book as she finds herself and follow her passions.

There was more spice in this book than I was expecting, but that is no issue to me.

I think if you are a fan of Emily Henry, I think you would really enjoy this book!

Overall I give Lease on Love a 5/5 and a 2/5 on my spice scale.

Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lease on Love is very entertaining. The whole opposites attract really worked for me. I had some expectations based on the opening scene and was pleasantly surprised to see Falon take this in a completely different direction. That's what happens sometimes when I go into a book blind!
Calm and cool Sadie loses her mind when she's past up for a promotion. After six years of pushing herself to be the best, she's now scrambling to reinvent her life. She mistakes a dating app for a roommate app and an awkward encounter leaves her with grand hopes of ditching her strict 9-5 for taking on her long-forgotten dream.
The only thing that I didn't much care for was the heavy use of language, particularly in the beginning. Otherwise, I think Falon's turn of phrase and reasoning behind her characters plays out in a fantastic way. Sadie and Jack are such a fun pairing. Her group of friends perfectly suited Sadie's lonely soul and I would love to see them again in another book. They're fairly tight-knit so that hope is likely unrealistic.
Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Romance: Open Door

Lease on Love is a funny, cute, and. REAL story. The number one thing I loved about this book is how genuine the dialogue actually felt and how real Sadie was as a character. So many times in "chick lit" books, I find the MC to be unbelievable and too neatly presented. Sadie was raw and imperfect. She cussed (a lot) and was self-deprecating, but she was also so funny.
I loved the second story line of adults getting a second start on dream jobs and going after what you really want in life. I think that's something that many readers will be able to relate to.
Also every single piece of real estate in this book was detailed in such a dreamy way and so perfectly that I felt like I was there.

Speaking of dreamy... .Jack. MAN oh man.
While the story may feel "predictable" with the slow born and friends to lover story line, the ride is worth it.
This is the perfect book to devour in between heavier reads. There are no "fade to black scenes" here. If you like Helen Hoang, Tessa Bailey, or Christina Lauren books... definitely check this one out.
It's not a five star rating for me because of some pretty silly miscommunication/overreactions that kind of made me go.... meh.

Thank you NetGalley, Falon Ballard, and Penguin Group Putnam for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great slow burn roommates to lovers story! I loved it so much! It was a book also involving friendship. I love a good group text thread in a romance book! It was such a fun read I devoured it in one afternoon. I loved the wittiness and the nicknames! An excellent debut by Falon Ballard and I can't wait to read what she writes next!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the arc. All opinions are my own.

I liked the slow pace of the story and the calm character progression. It all made sense. The “big deal” at the tail end did feel overly forced, and I would have liked to see something calmer and more natural that aligned better with our main characters and their new perspectives after all their growth from the story. I didn’t like the Sadie at the beginning, who was clearly overcompensating, and the book was much better after she got settled into her new home. That first part could also have been toned down. But I liked how mental health positive the story was, and I liked that the main female lead was pursuing her dreams and fighting for them, independently of a partner.

Definitely agree with the comparison to Emily Henry’s Beach Read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin group for the ARC.

*ARC kindly provided by G.P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Publishing Group) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lease On Love by Falon Ballard tells the story of Sadie Green, who has been let go from her job after not getting the dreamed promotion she was so sure she was going to secure. Now she has to rearrange her plan in order to find out what step comes next into her life, that is until she mistakes a roommate app for a dating app and meets Jack Thomas. This is how Sadie ends up living with Jack after a visit to his gorgeous Brooklyn brownstone, leaving an amazing opportunity for her to pursue her dream of being a florist. The two of them are very different, but Sadie’s presence begins to warm the still-grieving Jack while Jack brings stability into Sadie’s life.

I think this is one of the few times that a premise was right in comparing this book to others that have been already published, in this case The Flatshare and Beach Read. So, if you enjoyed those two, Lease On Love is definitely for you. It has an emotional aspect to it that cannot be ignored and beside talking about healing and love, it focuses on the importance of friends and how they sometimes end up being family. And, if it wasn’t already obvious, this one has the roommate trope and is executed amazingly since Jack and Sadie share a very endearing dynamic, complementing each other so well.

Jack and Sadie were honestly such great characters and I loved how the author managed to portray their differences while also showing how well they fitted in each other’s lives. I liked how Sadie realized that she could be hurtful with some of her comments towards others and herself too, and it was nice to see her healing and finding a way to grow a business in between figuring out her feelings. Jack, on the other hand, was such a sweet hero, and I loved to see how he grew into Sadie’s group of friends while not trying to change anything about himself.

All in all, it was a fantastic read and a pleasant surprise for me since I haven’t know of Falon Ballard until now and I’m definitely keeping an eye on her next releases!

Well - what can I say?! I LOVED THIS BOOK.

This book made me laugh out loud because I was enjoying the banter of characters.

I loved this group of diverse friends that all brought so much to the table. They spoke to each other LIKE YOU WOULD NORMALLY SPEAK TO FRIENDS. I lovvveeddd all of the text messages and seeing how I would text someone. Truly that is how we get to know each other right? We text them and that is how relationships evolve in this day and age. So I loved that aspect.

Jack?
WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THE PERFECTION THAT IS JACK?!
Seriously. He is seriously book boyfriend material to the Nth degree.

There are big conversations about mental health and making yourself happy that I truly loved.

This book comes out on 02/01, if you want a romantic comedy that is truly romantic and a comedy, then pick this one up. So adorable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Sadie Green is about to land her dream promotion that she has worked so hard for. Only, she doesn't. The CEO's son-in-law (from out of nowhere) lands the job, and Sadie finds herself unemployed after sticking her foot in her mouth. It was a boring finance job anyway...

Now how will she pay her rent and chip away at those student loans? Taking a weekend to have fun and not worry over anything, she decides to start dating again. Firing up one of her dating apps, she makes a selection and goes off to meet her date in a coffee shop one afternoon. However, she mistakenly swiped right in a roommate app!

Jack owns the most perfect brownstone and is looking for a roommate for almost nothing. There's no way Sadie can pass up this chance while she gets back on her feet to find and start the perfect job.

Falon Ballard weaves a great love story, although the language could have been a little cleaner. You get invested quickly in Saide and Jack. There is a lot of back and forth banter, not fully jumping in because of secrets they will not share. The surrounding cast of friends makes the story even more enjoyable. You get a glimpse into what making a family of your own is truly like.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NeGalley for the digital ARC for my honest opinions.

I absolutely adored Lease on Love by Falon Ballard. It was a true diamond in the rough. It had The Flatshare by Beth O' Leary vibes which I was totally here for.

I loved how the roommate situation totally happened by accident. I loved the friendships between everybody and how welcoming everybody was of Jack. I had sort of guessed he had a secret that he was keeping from everybody though I am not sharing what it is.

Lease on Love is definitely a five star rating and it already is my second favorite book of the year so far. There wasn't anything I didn't like about the book except that it ended.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing me the chance to read and review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review will be posted on blog on 1/24/2022.

**4.5 STARS**

Sadie has devoted her life to her cushy job at the accounting firm— working long hours in the hope she will get the promotion that will allow her to live more comfortably. When Sadie is passed up for the promotion she deserves—she loses it, thus losing her job. Sadie goes into a tailspin and drunkenly mistakes an app to find roommates as a dating app. The next day she finds herself at Jack Thomas' gorgeous brownstone with rent that is dirt cheap. Sadie signs the lease and moves in two weeks later, ready to start the floral business she always dreamed of.

Jack, who is still grieving from his parent's passing years before, begins to open up to Sadie. As they get to know each other, their feelings for each other begin to bloom. But, Sadie does not want to ruin a good thing— like she always does.

This had everything I wanted in a slow-burn romance. Sadie and Jack truly grew as friends and the tension between the two of them was immaculate. Sadie is sarcastic and pushy, but also so kind—even if she does not believe it herself. Jack is nerdy and sweet, but also hides himself from those around him. Watching these two learn to love themselves, and each other, was great to see.

Read this if you like:
*Slow-burn romance
*Roommates to friends to lovers
*Focus on healing themselves first
*Sadie following her dreams
*Great group of best friends
*Mysterious and sweet men

I could NOT put this book down -I binged it in one Saturday!! I had to know what Sadie and Jack were up to next! Sadie is 28, at a crossroads in her career, but has the 3 best friends a girl could ever ask for. A night of celebration was in the works but Sadie imploded and, well, now there’s a lot of alcohol being consumed and no celebration to be had. Jack finds himself at a coffee shop, waiting for a woman he matched with…..but not in that way. (You’ll see.) These two are complete opposites but find themselves as roommates very quickly. The banter in this book is so funny and the chemistry is 100% written perfectly! I definitely recommend adding this romance to your tbr!

This is an open door romance with 2 scenes -easily skippable if that’s not your thing. Also, there is a LOT of cussing so maybe don’t listen to the audio if your little ones can’t hear. LOL

What we say to our children today, can impact them for a lifetime.

Don’t worry— this is be a super fun, light-hearted rom-com, but @falonballard also writes some deeper themes here that will have you thinking too. As a married mother of two little girls, my lifelong impact on my daughters is the one weighing most on my mind as I gather my thoughts about this book.

‘Lease on Love’ starts with Sadie Green getting fired from her job in a very dramatic, and pretty unrealistic, way that admittedly had me a little worried at first, but I absolutely loved every moment of her journey to get back on her feet.

She tackles an entirely new career, and finds new love, while battling her inner demons created by a verbally abusive childhood. And I was rooting for her the whole way.

Themes that I loved: a strong independent woman, a man who loves that, overcoming trauma and tragedy, starting a new chapter in life, finding your passion, friends who are family, and the importance of mental health and therapy.

Overall, If you love fun rom-coms this is definitely one to add to your #TBR. And Falon Ballard is a writer worth keeping our eyes on in the future!

First of all, thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for giving me an ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really loved this book and the anxiety representation in it. I found it to be highly relatable and loved the main character, Sadie, so so much. Throughout the book I found her to be strong willed and inspiring because she was able to do things that she would have never done prior to the major life changing event she had. I loved all of the side characters and their neverending support and I found myself cackling at the book at times!

Sadie is completely devoted to her job, she works day and night and doesn't ever miss a day. Sadie didn't mind putting her career ahead of everything, as she was working toward a long-coveted promotion. Unfortunately nepotism intervenes, Sadie does not get the promotion and she is rethinking everything.

While out drinking her woes, Sadie mixes up a dating app with a roommate locator app. The mixup results in a fantastic meet cute. I seriously LOVED this scene and laughed out loud. Jack and Sadie are quite the pair. Sadie is loud, sarcastic and funny. Jack is quiet, kind and thoughtful, with the best nerdy side. The two make for a great opposites attract story, in fact many of my favorite moments happened to be the back and forth dialogue between the two. You'll love this if you love the roommate/close proximity trope!

The slow burn and chemistry between Jack and Sadie is the star of the show. But I would be remiss not to mention that Lease on Love has wonderful side characters. You will love Sadie's loyal group of friends. Also note that the book deals with a few serious issues. Both Jack and Sadie are dealing with past trauma, so please DM me if you have questions about content warnings.

Lease on Love is a great read. I really enjoyed it, even if, at times, it felt like things fell a little too perfectly in place for Sadie (even for a romance novel). This book is funny and heartfelt. It comes out soon on February 1st, so add it to your TBR now!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for the eARC.

Esta fue una linda historia sobre un analista financiero que encuentra un segundo
carrera como florista. Sadie siente que tiene la peor suerte cuando la despiden, pero las cosas empiezan a mejorar cuando encuentra un
hombre busca compañero de piso para alquiler realmente barato. Después de que ella se mueva con Jack, comienza un nuevo negocio floral que tiene queriendo abrir durante mucho tiempo. Esta historia fue dulce y me gustó mucho el conjunto de personajes.
en este. Son una familia encontrada y todos son locos y divertidos. Jack era un solitario y estaba perdido en su vida y loco y odioso
Sadie ayudó a darle vida de nuevo. Este libro se sintió un poco más como ficción de mujeres para mí con un par de escenas de sexo explícito. Eso se centró más en el viaje de Sadie para encontrar su éxito con algunos
romanticismo añadido.

Love love loved this book so freaking much!! This is going to go down as one of my favorites this year, maybe of all time. Every single character in this book was 👌👌👌 I loved the chemistry, the banter, the sexual tension, and everything in between with Sadie and Jack. And then the friends….. I loved their group so much and loved how Jack fit right in. And the setting, plot and pace were all so good! I did not want this book to end. I also hate that this is the authors debut book because I. NEED. MORE!!!

I sooooo highly recommend this book if you enjoy romance at all, or if you just want a book that will make you feel warm and fuzzy. The story was so sweet, the characters were so lovable. The writing and pacing was also excellent. I am so in love with this debut from Falon Ballard and can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Lease on Love is a romance book with some some deep messages within the pages. It covers discovering your self-worth, grief, and figuring out who you are.

Sadie has spent the last five years working toward a promotion as a financial analyst. When things don't go as planned, she ends up unemployed and needing to find a cheaper place to live. A roommate app/dating app mix-up introduces her to Jack Thomas, who is looking for a roommate for his Park Slope brownstone. Complete opposites, with Jack as quiet and withdrawn as Sadie is loud and brash, they connect. Sadie decides to take advantage of the cheap rent and her spreadsheet skills to finally work toward the flower arrangement business she always dreamed of. And despite their differences, Sadie and Jack continue to be drawn to each other and maybe Sadie's mix-up was the best thing that ever happened to them.

This book gave me so many feels. Sadie is relatable as an outgoing and gregarious person filled with self-doubt. Being verbally beat down by her family growing up, she has an inner voice that speaks to all her insecurities. Jack lost the people who meant the world to him and has really separated himself from connections and taking on Sadie as a roommate is really pushing him out of his comfort zone. I loved Sadie's friendships with Nick, Gemma and Harley. The idea of friends who are family is very close to my heart as I have some of those people in my life. I know the unconditional love that comes with people who are expected to have to love you choosing to actively love you, faults and all, and pointing out the good in yourself you don't always see. Jack and Sadie's friendship and attraction as a storyline makes sense. You see how they push each other and teach each other and learn from each other. This book is about finding love, but they find themselves and (re)discover their dreams and they work for it all.

4.5 stars. Thank you Putnam Books for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

After Sadie is fired from her job, she gets drunk and mixes up a dating app for a roommate app and finds herself meeting (and moving in with) recluse Jack.

This was such a sweet story and I read it in one sitting. Jack and Sadie are complicated characters who are navigating grief and insecurity from former emotional abuse. It's a slow burn romance, but it's the best kind filled with lots of flirty moments and tension as Sadie and Jack go from strangers to roommates to something more.

I love the group of friends Sadie has—they are so supportive and highlight that you can choose who your family is. They give her the confidence boost when she needs it to pursue her dream, but also hit her with the real talk when her insecurities get the best of her. There are many humorous moments throughout, and their group chats always had me laughing.

I didn't like the conflict at the end and felt like it was a bit overdramatic, but otherwise really loved this story. Highly recommend it, especially for fans of Beth O'Leary's The Flatshare (one of my faves).