A straight forward feel good romance, By Any Other Name gave me all those warm fuzzy feelings with a few giggles here and there. I liked the characters and the romance. Where I think it missed a five stars from me is that the plot has a few missed opportunities that could have been easily explored with another fifty pages. I also wished I could have basked in the romantic conclusion for a bit longer with an epilogue or something. That being said, it was the right book for me just when I needed something light that would make me smile and feel romantically gushy inside. It was a one day romantic read for me and put me in just the right kind of mood.

3.5 stars

There was a lot I liked about this book. The main character, Lainie, was smart and sure of herself. I liked how she stood up to her fiance when his plans for their future didn't include hers. I loved her relationship with her grandmother. Her friends Meg and Rufus were a lot of fun.

I did foresee a lot of the plot points before they happened - for example, the real identity of Noa Callaway. I don't want to say the book was predictable, but most of it wasn't a surprise either.

My biggest frustration was the abrupt ending. I wanted answers to some of the questions that lingered at the end. I need an epilogue!

I remember reading Lauren Kate's Fallen series years back and I do enjoy her writing style. I look forward to reading future books of hers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

I loved just about everything about this book! Great read!! Lanie gets the promotion she's been dreaming of - contingent on getting a book out of the publisher's biggest author who is several months behind on submitting her latest book. Loved Lanie and Noa/Noah.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC - all opinions are my own.

By Any Other Name opens with an editor, Lanie, who gets put in charge of editing the next book of her favorite romance novelist, Noa Callaway. Noa is known for being incredibly private, reclusive, and is currently way behind on meeting their next deadline. Lanie is both terrified and excited to meet her favorite author, but has the shock of a lifeline when she learns that Noa Callaway is actually Noah Ross.

Going in, I really wanted to love this book - it's bookish romance novel and I usually love those! But this fell pretty short - between the pacing and not actually feeling like enemies-to-lovers, which it's promoted as, I felt disappointed. Lanie was built up initially as this great character who loves finding diverse stories and championing authors, but then the rest of the premise is about a best selling novelist with many books released. She was also in an unhealthy engagement at the beginning of the book and that never truly felt resolved, despite being such a big part of her life.

The story doesn't really hit the romance part until about halfway through, which would be fine if it was a slow burn type romance, but it definitely is not and needed more tension. There were also a few cringeworthy jokes - like a man being at a romance novel launch for his wife and that man ends up being the author himself.

Despite those disappointments, I still enjoyed watching their relationship develop once it actually started moving along - it was a quick read and is a solid 3 stars!

I love books about books. Something about that just draws me in and makes me giddy.

This book was a cute story about self-discovery and love. However, the romance takes a backseat to the rest of the story. It’s a slow-burn romance that isn’t really as passionate like I would have hoped. It also wasn’t as enemies-to-lovers as I thought it would be.

Lanie is a great character who is still dealing with the death of her mother. She’s hardworking, and gets a promotion that kicks things in gear for her. Noa is just the kind of hero I love… a romantic. I love when the hero’s are romantics and aren’t afraid to show it. Their chemistry was great, but I wish we got more time with them together.

This was a cute story, and perfect for a quick and entertaining read.

3.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate
Pub Date 03/01/2022

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It was very obvious early on what was going to happen. Once it started to unfold I was very hesitant about the enemies to lovers connection. But the more I read, the more I believed and I dove in headfirst.

This was such a short book! I wanted so much more from the characters and the character’s characters. I would have been over the moon for this book to be an in depth drama instead of a romcom.

Regardless, this is definitely one to pick up! I think all romance reading book lovers will enjoy it.

Slow-burn romance with notable character development!

By Any Other Name is one of my anticipated reads when I saw the book info last year. I find Lanie interesting as a character, how much of her past has driven her to her present life, in and out of her profession. She’s a sweet character albeit a bit too focused on signs and words, which ultimately led to a lot of insights and resolve as her life turned upside down when she met the mysterious Noa Calloway. There’s character development for both our main characters which enjoy more than the romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/ G.P Putnam’s Sons for the e-ARC.

This was cute but very meh to me and felt like all over the place lots of randomness . I might try the hard copy when it comes on sale. The ebook was just to much and almost cause me to DNF. I really wanted to enjoyed this one but it didn't work out for me.


Thank you to netgalley for the complementary copy

This romcom was an easy read about about a woman who works in the publishing industry as an editor and a man who isn't exactly who he seems to be. I think fans of the hating game would enjoy this; as somebody who didn't enjoy the hating game, I enjoyed this a lot more. If you want a romcom taking place in a workspace that functions as a pretty quick read this is for you!

Enemies to lovers? Check. Book about books? Check. Tear filled eyes at the end? Check.

By Any Other Name flew by as I read it and I am still longing to read more! I was captivated by the plot and how the story progressed. Although I anticipated the ended, I feel like it was written and executed in a way that still surprised me!

I loved Laine’s ambitious lifestyle, yet reserved demeanor. She had high expectations for what is to come and she doesn’t let other stand in that way.

Lauren Kate made the characters lovable and so real, wishing that I had their presence in my own life!

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate. Wow! This novel packed a punch for me. I loved the characterization of the main character but I thought Noah's was a little underdeveloped. 4.5 stars!

This was such a feel-good love story perfect for anyone who enjoys books about writers and writing! Lanie is publisher who discovers the author she fell in love with in college is not who she thought. It's up to her however, to help this author get their newest book ready for publication.

Fair warning, this is a single perspective, closed-door romance. Perfect for fans of Lauren Layne and books like Meet me in the margins. This wasn't my typical style but the story is so sweet and heartwarming I honestly didn't care. Highly recommended. I can't wait to read more by Lauren Kate. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!

A nice, easy, beach read rom-com. I feel that this could have starred Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks back in the day. I am loving all the books about editors lately, but this one didn't keep my interest.

Kate follows her lush and suspenseful historical tale, The Orphan’s Song (2019), with a charming, witty tale set in the publishing world.

Full Review on Booklist.

If you’re in the mood for a sweet and charming, low steam read, this book is for you.

This might be a 4 or 5 star book for others, but sadly it wasn’t for me. While I enjoyed this book, I think it was wrongly categorized as a romance, reading more as a woman’s fiction with small romance on the side.

Lanie’s character arc was the highlight of the book. Watching her redefine her definition of a success romantic relationship was enjoyable as well as watching her recognize her feelings for Noah.

Sadly, I was put off by a few things. I have a hard time appreciating a romance where one of the MC’s is already in a relationship. Granted, I think it was an important part of Lanie’s character development but it always seems to rub me the wrong way. I also couldn’t understand why Noah felt compelled to keep his identity a secret despite having an e-mail friendship with Lanie FOR SEVEN YEARS! It was borderline creepy, IMO, to let her keep believing he was a middle aged woman like everyone believed. It’s also a pet peeve of mine when romances end as soon as the couple finally gets together. They kissed for the first time on the second to last page! There wasn’t even an epilogue that wrapped them up pretty with a bow.

I think that there are readers out there that will love this book and appreciate it for what it is. I was just expecting more and was left feeling let down in the end.

Lanie is a successful romance editor at her dream job and engaged to the perfect guy who checks off all the boxes on her carefully curated list. Then she's suddenly given a life-changing opportunity: a chance to work with world-renowned author who's books have inspired her love life.- Noa Callaway. The only catch is that she has to help Noa with her writer's block and secure a promotion in the process. But Lanie isn't worried, she knows she can get Noa to deliver a manuscript in no time. But no one has ever seen Noa Callaway in public. When Lanie finally meets Noa, it makes her question everything she thought she knew about love. Can Lanie let go of her expectations and accept that the truth might be even better?

Spoilers below!!!!!


This book was so incredibly sweet. It dealt with grief, expectations and how life can put you on a path you didn't expect.

Overall: I loved the characters especially BD - she brought a lot of fun and color to the story. I would love it if BD had her own book. Lanie's friends were also a lot of fun and it was nice to see Lanie had a great support system. I love that we got to see Noah's Aunt B and got glimpses of Terry - although I would have loved an interaction with Lanie and Terry after she found out the truth about "Noa". Lanie and Noah were adorable and I couldn't help but root for them right away. This book felt like a love letter to romance readers: setting it in NYC, the fun situations that Noah and Lanie found themselves in and especially how Elizabeth and Edward's story was a thread throughout the book.

As much as I loved this book, I did find myself wanting Lanie and Noah to have more interactions. We got a glimpse of their connection and chemistry, but I found myself wanting to see more. I also wanted to see them visit a few more of the romantic sites on the list they crafted. I also wanted more of the enemy-to-lovers of it all, it felt like they resolved their issues fairly quickly. I loved that they reconnected in Italy at the end but I felt like I need an epilogue - to see what happened with both of their careers after Noah's revelation and of course to see what happened with their love story.

That aside, I really loved this book. If you're looking for a sweet slow-burn romance with NYC as the backdrop, then you'll love this book! Special thanks to NetGalley PENGUIN GROUP Putnam/ G. P. Putnam’s Sons for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

I adore books about writing and publishing books, so this one hooked me. It was sweet, romantic and fun! Set in New York with a visit to Italy, I enjoyed the role the setting played in the story. I also enjoyed Lanie and her friends. While it did end a little abruptly for my taste and I would have loved MORE, especially more interactions between the two characters, I did close the book with a contented sigh. Thank you to Penguin Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating 4
Author: @laurenkatebooks
Publication Date: 3/1/2022

This was an extremely quick romcom that was funny and cute. I read this book in one day and I would recommend it. This book centers around the two main characters trying to find inspiration to write a romance novel. This book is extremely light on the romance side. I’m talking about extreme slow burn and even then not your typical slow burn. Also, don’t expect any spice or butterflies in your stomach from this one. There is almost zero romance in this but I guess it depends on how one looks at it. Instead of romance this book focuses on two people who are forced to work together and the relationship that is built on the way. It’s described as an enemies to lovers but I never saw them as enemies personally. The characters start off as acquaintances that annoy one another then they grow to be friends. This book is about a love story and how it first started instead of actually seeing the relationship while they are together. I’d be curious to see if the author makes a followup so the reader can actually see these two characters date and interact more. That is my only complaint with this book is that I feel like due to its short length several things were left out.

Overall, even though this wasn’t the romance book I was expecting I still really enjoyed it. The writing style was easy to follow and flowed really nicely. Both main characters were interesting and had their own flaws and quirks. I also really enjoyed the addition of the side characters. As a reader, I loved reading a book that dealt with the publishing company and how authors struggle to be inspired.


**Review will be posted closer to pub date**

I picked this book off of netgalley on a whim because it sounded like a fun enemies to lovers rom com.

Unfortunately, not knowing an author ahead of time can make for a not so pleasant surprise. This book had way too much language to be enjoyable for me to read. I did not end up finishing it.

If you like romcoms and don't mind foul language you might enjoy this one. The characters and plot were good enough.

I think my biggest complaint with this book is the pacing of the romance, because when we finally got around to it I loved it. By Any Other Name follows an editor and her bestselling anonymous bestselling romance author who turns out to be a man. When she meets her idol for the first time, he isn't what she expected and that contributes to the nagging problems in the relationship she has with her fiancee.

The romance doesn't really get started until like halfway through the book, but then it was incredibly sweet and charming. I enjoyed a lot of the side characters as well, like the MC's grandmother who is hilarious. A solid, enjoyable romance where the couple were friends via email before they ever met, so they actually know a lot about each other. This is also deeply steeped in publishing, so we get a lot of detail on the job side of things. I just wish the romance had started earlier in the book and feel it took too long to do all of the setup. It's also worth noting that this is not a steamy romance, but it does have several swoonworthy moments. I received an advance copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.