I am always so thankful when a friend recommends a title and it blows me away. Thanks to my friend Ashley @bookswithnopictures who hosted this one for my book club @loveARCtually and put this title on my radar! We were lucky enough to get to chat with Falon over Zoom, and if I didn't already love Sadie and Jack hearing her thought process and how the book came to me made it even more special.

To start, the book knocks it out of the park with the first chapter, with a great scene that I won't ruin, but immediately endears you to Sadie as a character, and by the end of the book I just wanted to grow up to be more like her. Fun and spunky but full of her own internal challenges, seeing her grow into her character arc and turning those toxic traits into success with gardening and becoming a florist made me want to get out there and find MY life-changing passion.

I didn't see Jack's backstory coming until it happened and I just felt so involved in the pacing and feelings of both of our main characters. The creativity and how well written each of these emotions were shown on the page blew me away.

Friend groups in a book can not only steal the show but make the book for me, and this cast of friends may just be my favorite ever. The banter and support they provided throughout each scene made me feel like I was a part of the group, it's totally okay to be jealous of fictional friendships right? I can only hope Ballard gives us the other friends a book in the future, I would 100% read a Gemma story.

The text threads were gold, and I just can't tell you how much it meant to me to watch this love story unfold between Jack and Sadie, and their self-love that was SO important for their relationship to grow forward. Seeing them set boundaries and move forward toward each other was refreshing and real, and so ADULT, that I was left feeling like I learned a life lesson in how to expect more from myself by the end.

"Somewhere in the space of the past couple weeks, I've stopped looking at this building tension as a thing to defeat. A thing that makes me uptight and impatient. Instead, I'm savoring i. Allowing the anticipation to mount, reveling in each near miss, knowing the buildup is going to make the payoff that much sweeter. Which, honestly, feels mature as fuck."

GAH, love, just love. Pick it up and then come gush to me about it, please.

Thank you Putnam Books for providing me a copy for our buddy read, in exchange for my personal review. I've yet to read a book from this publisher that didn't surprise me, even when I start them expecting to love them like this one. I cannot wait to have a copy on my shelves, I know I'll be recommending this one all year long!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

After losing out on a big promotion that would have allowed her to actually pay off her student loans (that’s even a possibility?!?), overworked and overachieving Sadie Green mistakenly matches with a man, Jack, on an app meant to help find roommates rather than romance and in doing so, her life completely changes for the better and more fulfilling.

I had a difficult time finding Sadie likable at first. She exudes Big Extrovert Energy mixed with a dash of Not Like Other Girls quirkiness that was exhausting at times to be in the brain of this introvert, but throughout the story, as the reader gets to know her family history and understands the reasoning behind her self-proclaimed asshole ways, it’s easier to understand why she has so much inner negativity despite seeming so confident.

Despite, for me, a rocky beginning, LEASE ON LOVE succeeds in so many areas. I loved the exploration of the found family trope, getting to see the friends’ hilarious text exchanges and just how supportive and positive they were toward each other, especially when it came to those millennial staples of self-doubt and the tendency to compare your life to the lives of those around you. I also loved the dynamic between Sadie and Jack—how Sadie wanted Jack to be comfortable and be a part of an already existing group of friends, plus I’m a complete sucker for adorable nicknames and banter!

Though I would have preferred the conflict to have been explored and hinted at earlier than the second to last chapter, only to be quickly wrapped up pages later, the writing was fantastic and I’m looking forward to seeing what else Falon Ballard comes up with next!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun book. I enjoyed the humor and I loved watching the story unfold. Wondering why Jack was so willing to rent a room to Sadie kept me on the edge of my seas throughout the book!

This was pretty average to me!! I enjoyed reading about Jack and Sadie slowly falling for each other and joining in a relationship, and I think the pining was one of the best parts of the story. I do think at times the story dragged a bit pacing-wise, which is half explained by character development needs but also half just felt like the characters dragging their feet for no reason which got to be a bit frustrating.

I really loved reading about Sadies journey with her mental health, as well as her dynamic friend group. I loved her as a protagonist, and thought she was super fun to follow.

I did find myself wishing at times that this novel was a bit more women's-fictiony than it was (think Beach Read by Emily Henry) because I think both of these characters had a lot of potential for introspective growth which felt a bit rushed in favor of romantic angst, tension and furthering relationships.

Overall I wouldn't recommend this to somebody, but I also wouldn't actively discourage anybody from reading it either.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC!

I absolutely adored this debut contemporary romance from Falon Ballard! Whole heartedly recommend for readers looking for a slow burn, grumpy/sunshine, roommates to friends to lovers read! This book deftly combines humor and more serious issues surrounding various personal traumas. As a bonus I also LOVED the side characters and the amazing strong friendships/found family storylines. Can't wait to see what this author does next!

Lease on Love by Falon Ballard was entertaining but had profound, heartfelt moments I genuinely appreciate. Sadie hits rock bottom after having an outburst at work because she was overlooked for the promotion. Quickly she finds herself unemployed, lost, and in need of a cheap place to live. Sadie accidentally meets Jack after swiping right on a roommate app instead of a dating app during a drunken night. Jack believes Sadie will be good for him since he continues to process the grief of losing both of his parents seven years ago in a car accident. I love how Jack and Sadie support each other in ways throughout the book. I also loved Sadie's friends and wished I could know them in real life!

I thought this book would be an emotional trigger for me with the third anniversary of my Dad's sudden passing. However, this book was a comfort to me navigating the grief of losing a parent.

Thank you, GP Putnam, for my complimentary copy for my honest review.

Lease on Love is a funny, heartfelt romantic comedy about how a drunken mix-up became the fresh start that both Sadie and Jack needed.

Sailor-mouthed Sadie loses her cool after being passed over for a long-overdue promotion at work and finds herself in need of a new job and a more affordable place to live. During a night of debauchery with her two best friends, drunken Sadie dusts off what she thinks is a dating app and arranges a coffee date for the next day. When she arrives at the coffee shop, she is taken aback when a man in a nerdy t-shirt starts interviewing her.

Jack's only friends are video games and movies, so he is unsure what to make of Sadie's bluntness and vibrant personality. He decides to offer her the spare bedroom of his beautiful Brooklyn brownstone while she gets back on her feet. With an unbeatable rent, prime location, and gorgeous interior, Sadie can't turn down the opportunity to kiss the 9-to-5 life goodbye and pursue her dream of becoming a florist.

I absolutely loved all of the characters in Lease on Love! This was clearly Sadie and Jack's story, but I love how much time we spent with Gemma, Harley, and Nick! This was a funny, found family story alongside a love story.

Falon Ballard has a fantastic way with words, and I marked several passages to return to because of the humor or poignant phrasing. I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

I particularly enjoyed how poised and confident Sadie was without coming across as arrogant. She has overcome trauma and a toxic family, and the therapy intervention was one of my favorite moments in the book. I appreciated the open and positive discussion of mental health throughout the story.

Thank you to Putnam for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Who needs a drink?

I have always found that when you stop looking for love, it appears. Falon Ballard must think a lot like me because this book absolutely agrees with my theory. Main character Sadie is in need of a stiff drink as everything is going wrong and she certainly isn't looking for love. So of course, it finds her.

Sometimes, when everything looks bleak, you'll find beauty all around - and Jack and Sadie do just that. Their chemistry is there and I love their personalities. I think this is a relationship that's going to last! I loved the plot and the writing!

Review:
I generally was not looking forward to this book. I wasn't sure I wuld find myself in it at all or relate to the characters enough to get anything out of it. Well I didn't and I did.

I can honestly say I related to Jack and Sadie's struggles very little. There was a lot going on there that I couldn't imagine and things that broke my heart to hear about. Despite all that, there was so much to love about this book. Sadie is such a real character and hearing her struggles with those voices of doubt in her head while she tries to push past it was remarkable and extraordinary to watch.

Jack's character was determined to break my heart a little, and he definitely did. What is this garbage with having to go through everything alone before some magical time you are "ready" to be in a relationship. What was he waiting for and why? That was the part of the story I had a hard time reconciling with the person we see on the page.

Overall, I genuinely loved this book. It's story and Sadie and her found family who supports and stands by until it's time for them to get involved and get their hands dirty. I loved them all and I want Nick and Harley's story and definitely Gemma's too!

Synopsis:
Sadie wasn't looking for love until it landed on her doorstep.

After getting passed over for an overdue—and much-needed—promotion, Sadie Green is in desperate need of three things: a stiff drink, a new place to live, and a one-night stand. But when an accidental mix-up lands her on the doorstep of Jack Thomas's gorgeous Brooklyn brownstone, it's too bad Sadie is more attracted to the impressive real estate than she is to the man himself.

Jack, still grieving the unexpected death of his parents, has learned to find comfort in video games and movie marathons instead of friends. So while he doesn’t know just what to make of the vivaciously verbose Sadie, he’s willing to offer her his spare bedroom while she gets back on her feet. And with the rent unbeatably low, Sadie can finally pursue her floristry side hustle full-time. The two are polar opposites, but as Sadie’s presence begins to turn the brownstone into a home, they both start to realize they may have just made the deal of a lifetime.

This review contains some spoilers


Books with self aware characters are my favorite. While it broke my heart over and over again watching Sadie deal with the reproductions of having a narcissistic father, I'm so greatful that the book didn't include her reconciliation with her family. The notion that children of abuse "owe" their families something is just gross and I'm SO glad this book centered on found family instead!

"Lease on Love" by Falon Ballard was a SWEET, FUN and FANTASTIC story. Sadie does not get the promotion she expects instead she gets FIRED!! Which turns out to possibly be the BEST thing that ever happened to her. Sadie embarks on a journey to a new Floral career, new place to live, and a budding new romance with Jack. With Courage, Strength, Love and FRIENDSHIP Sadie finally embraces herself and her NEW LIFE!!

💫THANK YOU to the Author, Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an Honest Review!!

#LeaseonLove
#NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of Lease of Love. I am sharing my review voluntarily. This was a super cute, fast read. I liked the way the story evolved and thought Sadie’s self discovery was well done. A few things bothered me about this story, including Sadie keep referring to herself as an asshole without any evidence of that behavior, sure she was a bit immature at times but that didn’t warrant the label in my option and it felt so pandering. I also though the conflict at the end was overblown and there were opportunities for more organic conflict between Jack and Sadie. Jack was really sweet and I wish there had been more exploration of his back story. I think a dual pov would have been more engaging for me, as Sadie’s character was a lot at times. The plot of changing careers was very relatable and I thought it was shared well. I recommend this for a fun, quick read.

Lease on Love is a sweet, witty, rom-com-esqe roommates to lovers trope novel from 1st time author Falon Ballard.

New roommates Sadie and Jack don’t have much in common. In fact, they’re total opposites. When they find themselves living in Jack’s Brooklyn brownstone together, they find themselves bonding over Sadie’s burgeoning flower business.

As Jack and Sadie grow closer, they find themselves bonding over shared traumas and much more. Supported by a wonderful rag-tag group of supporting characters, Lease on Love is a sweet and romantic debut of what happens when roommates fall for each other.

I truly loved Lease on Love and only gave 4 stars because I wish there was more. I wanted more detail, more of Sadie’s success and more about Jacks family. A must read this spring!

Thank you to NetGalley, Falon Ballard and Penguin Putnam for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

What a super delightful sleeper hit! After seeing a few other people say this book had been a surprise hit for them, I don't know why I was surprised that I enjoyed it so much. Jack is definitely the breakout character here: he's a warm and gooey cinnamon roll, a man who just wants to love and support Sadie. He starts out pretty closed off (physically and emotionally), but recognizes that if he wants to be in a relationship with her, he's going to have to make himself vulnerable. We love a man who has been in therapy for years and can communicate and apologize well.

Sadie feels like three shots of espresso in a fun way. Her arc to me was a little less convincing -- she talks a lot about spending time and money on therapy and hasn't been in a while, but the way she talks to herself without ever challenging the negative feelings didn't seem like the coping strategy of someone who'd spent years in therapy. Still, she's fun and kind and fairly self-aware.

If I were five years younger I don't know if I'd have loved this as much - it has big millennial energy - but it's a fun, smart, slow-burn read. I'll be watching Ballard to see what comes next!

Lease on Love is a story centered on Sadie's life in NYC. Sadie is in a finance job she hates and after a meeting/date gone wrong, she ends up moving in with Jack. At first her and Jack are just friends but over the course of the book, their relationship blossoms and she finds love (as the title implies). Sadie also quits her job in finance to pursue her own small business as a florist. This book has themes about friends being your true family and Sadie has a plethora of friends who are always there to help her out. The book was a fun and light read, relatively predictable but I enjoyed it! Thank you to Net Galley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

2.5 stars

After reading Lease on Love, I think that Falon Ballard has a lot of potential even if this particular romance didn't make me swoon. The way that she describes her settings is incredibly evocative and I could see these characters walking through Park Slope and going to these little farmers markets, cafes, and bars. That part of the book was a lovely reminder that spring is coming just around the corner.

Then, there was the part of the book that was a less than lovely experience for me: the romance itself.

I initially enjoyed the quirkiness of our main character Sadie and the meet cute that enables her to meet (and decide to become roommates with) her love interest Jack. However, as the book went on, the quirkiness became somewhat grating as we just get the same two aspects of her character thrown at us over and over again. I honestly could have used some POV from Jack to break things up and give some outside perspective on the situation, especially considering that he comes off as one-dimensional because Sadie insists on him being absolutely perfect despite evidence to the contrary. If we had gotten a deeper perspective on who these people were, particularly in the mental health conversation that both of these characters prompted, that would have gone a long way for me in making these characters more nuanced.

I also felt like the relationship between our two characters lacked tension. Sadie is directly told by Jack fairly early on in the book that they are going to be a thing, but he needs time. It's a conversation that comes up multiple times throughout the book and while I understand the intent behind it, I found that it completely removed any sense that we were building towards something. In addition, the third act conflict comes so flipping late, goes from 0 to 60, and then is almost immediately resolved. That, to me, was the straw that broke the camel's back in terms of believing that this couple belonged together. Beautifully evocative descriptions can only go so far in hiding a multitude of sins.

That being said, I do see a lot of potential in Ballard's work and I would be open to reading whatever she puts out next. The seeds are clearly there; they just need a little more nurturing.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

First, Sade did well by standing up for herself. Now she's got no job and has lived in the same house with a stranger. Sadie/Sade is a new kind of character for me. She's different from the norm, and the same goes for Jack. One thing I loved about Jack was his vulnerability and how he took his time to process his feelings. I've always loved books with men that wear their hearts on their sleeves. Falon did well with his character development.

Most may say it took long for the romance to bloom, but it had to take time considering Jack's personality. And boy, was it worth the wait?

Thank you, Putnam and Falon, for this gifted ARC!

After getting passed up for a promotion at work and then getting fired, Sadie goes out with her friends to cheer herself up and figure out what she wants to do next. She unintentionally sets up a meeting with a potential roommate, instead of an online date, and meets Jack who is offering a room in his gorgeous Brooklyn brownstone for a pittance. It's the opportunity Sadie needs to finally pursue her dreams of starting a floristry business.

This is basically the forced proximity, friends to lovers, slow burn of your dreams. Jack is this sexy, mysterious character with lots of secrets who consistently and *firmly* insists they remain in the friend zone until he is in the right place to act on their feelings. It's so responsible and emotionally mature it's even more romantic.

Sadie has an incredible group of friends who are nosy and opinionated like all BFFs should be. Their group chat almost immediately expands to include Jack and the ensuing conversations are some of the best parts of this book. Iconic group texts. I would pay for someone to screenprint those.

I cannot recommend this book enough, prepare to read this in one sitting it is unputdownable. Thank you so much to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse
for this ARC!

Why you should read:
✨Roommates to lovers
✨Slow burns and meet cutes
✨Hidden talents
✨BFF group texts
✨Family drama
✨Adorable nicknames

I have fallen in love and it is with this book and these amazing characters. Lease on Love is a book that feels like home, sparkling with wit and beautiful characters, humor, and triumph. After being fired, Sadie accidentally joins a roommate finding app instead of a dating app and is matched with Jack Thomas and his beautiful Brooklyn brownstone and their lives are forever shifted. There’s definitely some elements of The Flatshare in here, Jack is a little bit of a recluse and is so shy and Sadie is such a bright light in his life and in all of her friend’s lives. She struggles with a lot of self doubt, and I love how this book took that issue on and I love how the importance of therapy and taking care of yourself is stressed. And this found family—I am blown away by every character in this book. Sadie’s friends Gemma, Harley, and Nick are just outstanding. I love the balance of their texting and hangouts, and this was just a group of characters that was truly something special. The whole book is something special. The romance between Jack and Sadie was a stunning slow burn, they’re funny and they care so much about each other, even just as friends. I loved Sadie’s journey to finding her passion too. I would’ve liked maybe a little more moments of vulnerability with Jack and Sadie to close up the final conflict. But this book is emotional and sweet and steamy and just the epitome of what I want in a romance!

I have mixed feelings on this one! Positives first - I enjoyed the friend group and am secretly crossing my fingers for a Harley and Nick backstory and a tale on Gemma finding her passion and partner. I also enjoyed the slow-building tension of the romance, and that Jack wasn't ever described as hot or having *secret muscles* which is refreshing in a romance novel.

At first, I couldn't stand Sadie and I almost put this book down at the 20% mark for that sole reason. She was incessantly loud and came across as pretty obnoxious to me. She sees Jack for the first time and negatively bashes his looks, his glasses, mentions how she actually put effort into her appearance, and so on then considers him to be judgemental 1 minute later... I liked the idea of her misunderstanding that she was on a date, but I think being in her head for it was just the wrong POV for it to be a meet-cute.

She continues to be kind of rude until she realizes what he has to offer, which just made it really hard to root for her in general. There is not much plot and not a whole lot of variety in the storytelling, she goes to work, hustles her side business, and Jack watches TV and plays video games. They drink to excess often and other than Jack being very sweet he never develops very much of a personality to me. The writing also falls into the -there MUST be a conflict or it is not romance!- trap and unfortunately it is timed so poorly that there isn't really any time to recover from it and it felt forced and unnecessary.

I am very grateful to NetGalley and Penguin Group for providing me with this advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review.