Hot new romance coming at ya! You have to read this one 💯

❤️‍🔥 REVIEW: FOOL ME ONCE ❤️‍🔥

By @ashleywinsteadbooks

📖 SUMMARY: Lee Stone is a straight-laced, respectable professional… at work, that is. In her personal life, she’s Stoner — an admittedly chaotic party girl who has completely given up on love since her Four Major Heartbreaks. The most recent one was her grad school boyfriend Ben, whom she cheated on in retaliation after finding what she *thought* was evidence of cheating. Imagine her surprise when, five years later, Ben has moved back to Texas from California (where he fled to after Lee broke his heart) and just so happens to be the person she has to work with to achieve her biggest professional dream — getting a bill passed that would make Texas a leader in green energy. Can these former lovers make a professional partnership work without old feelings bubbling up? I’ll give you one guess…

💭 THOUGHTS: I haven’t read any of Winstead’s past work, though it comes HIGHLY recommended, and now I know that I need to after devouring this novel! Reading this felt exactly like watching a Netflix romantic comedy, from the banter to the unbelievable situations that our MC gets herself into. I did find Lee unlikable at first, thanks to her love-is-never-real attitude and insistence (to their faces!!) that even her best friends’ relationships will inevitably come to an end, but I warmed up to her by the end. The book has the perfect recipe for an enjoyable romance: a good backstory, a fast-paced plot, a delicious love interest who is also a feminist icon HEYYY, laugh-out-loud antics, fleshed-out side characters, and all the heartwarming moments you could want. I think we’ll be seeing this one all over bookstagram next month!

Thank you to @netgalley and @harlequinbooks for the ARC. This one comes out April 5!

✨ RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🥰 YOU’LL ENJOY IF: you like the second chance lovers trope and have dreams of battling climate change with public policy

This is the first time I actively did not want the two main characters to get together at the end. I really didn’t like Lee’s character. Her attitude was screw others before they screw you. What she did to Ben was completely unforgivable. She was self serving and obnoxious.
The writing was good, there were amusing scenes, I just couldn’t get past her past escapades and then trying to validate her actions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grayson House Publishing for the early review copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Ashley Winstead has done it again- and in a different genre! Her first novel, In My Dreams I Hold a Knife, was one of the best dark academia thrillers I read last year. Now, she dips a toe into the romance world and again pulls off a fantastic novel.

This story has so many things I love: environmentalism, climate change activism, powerful women, and a good romance. Our protagonist, Lee (who all her friends call Stoner, both because of her last name -Stone- and her…ummm…”recreational habits”) is a commitment-phobic comms director for a company taking the lead on a Tesla-like (but better!) vehicle.

Stoner has an excellent friend group (all of whom I loved) and a bustling career, but she doesn’t have two things- the support for an environmental bill she is championing to make Texas the leader in electric vehicles or a “great love.”

Lee has experienced heartbreak which has caused her to react viscerally to anyone else being in love. So, what happens when her first real love - and now arch-enemy- is back in Texas to help get this bill through the Texas state government?

Let me say: Ben Lederman is officially my favorite romance leading man of late. Described as a swoon-worthy Clark Kent-type, Ben sees through Lee and all of her shortcomings. Did I mention he also believes in climate science?!

The highlight? Stoner’s cats are named Bill McKibben and Al Gore- and I am a huge McKibben stan. I had the chance to meet him a few years ago and had him sign some of his books for me. I’m such a climate science need.

The steam is on-point in this book, and it was a fantastic romance from start to finish. Ashley Winstead, is there ANYTHING you can’t do?!

Be sure to preorder this one - it comes out on April 5!

This was such a fun romance! What I loved was how flawed our MC was — she has issues that she is aware of but also runs from. She’s career driven and friendly, but also self sabotaging and isolating. The chemistry was completely believable and the banter was charming. The plot does lean quite a bit into politics which just isn’t my favorite type of fiction, but I think it totally made sense with this book and overall aided in the character development and story arc. Thanks so much to the publisher + Ashley Winstead for sending this over to me!

I loved this book! It was super easy to read and I enjoyed the characters. I love that Ashley Winstead has range in genres, which can shallot be hit or miss with some authors. After reading this second book by her she’s definitely an auto buy for me now. Thank you for the advanced copy!

“Everyone knows the best way to someone’s heart is through the people they love.”

Witty. Funny. Scandalous. SO many moments that had me laughing out loud - the breakfast tacos scene - IYKYK.

Second chance romance is my kryptonite so I was gripped to the tension, conflict (then flirting) between Lee and Ben. The ‘love-hate’ back and forth relationship made me root for them even harder. There’s also a tiny bit of steam and I was here for it.

I loved the theme of women empowerment throughout the novel. Strong, powerful women at the top - we love to see it!! Lee and her entourage are a force to be reckoned with and I would proudly sit at their table. Her friends were the icing on the cake. The political aspect of the story didn’t bore or annoy me, it was woven into the story really well.

I feel like Ben and Stoner’s story is just beginning and even the day after I finished reading, I couldn’t stop thinking about them, or this book. READ IT.

I absolutely adored this book from start to finish! So much of the book had me actually laughing out loud! Lee aka Stoner is just a total hot mess and i loved how the story showed all aspect of her life. Her past, present and relationship worries not just with men but her family. The book had a big political element around the plot and it really sucked me in! Lees friendship with her friends had me laughing so hard at a lot of points and also gave me total sex and the city friendship vibes! Lol and the relationship between Lee and Ben... THE TENSION! *chefs kiss!* I was picturing Clark Kent vibes the whole time and I loved that it was even mentioned about him looking like Clark Kent!

Ashley Winstead did not disappoint in her second novel, Fool Me Once. Although it was written in a completely different genre than In My Dreams I Hold a Knife, she excelled at telling this romance story. I fell in love with the characters and the story moved along at a perfect pace. I have told everyone I know about Ashley as she is now one of my favorite authors. This book made me laugh and made me cry and everything in between.

🍊 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙈𝙚 𝙊𝙣𝙘𝙚
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Author: Ashley Winstead
Genre: Romance
Format: e-book (Netgalley ARC)
Length: 358 pages
Goodreads Summary ⏭️⏭️

I devoured this book! Winstead unabashadly writes of Lee, a woman focused on her career but when off the clock has an 'I don't give a fuck' attitude, prefers casual sex over relationships and likes to party. I enjoyed reading a female character with those qualities! It was refreshing to read of a woman that is flawed but not in the gender stereotyped ways. Bonus: she was hilarious and had me LOLing multiple times.

The second chance romance trope with Ben was very sweet and their banter was cringeless. I loved their friendship and support of one another. The steam was minimal (though still nice 😏).

I LOVED the end. Lee's growth throughout the book and the culmination of it all had me swooning. It blows me away that Winstead can flawlessly write the cutest rom-com AND juicy thrillers.

Thank you to @netgalley and @graydonhousebooks for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this gem of a book! All opinions are my own.
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Ashley’s debut novel, In My Dreams I Hold A Knife, was one of my favorite thrillers I read in 2021. So when I learned that she wrote a romance novel, it went to the top of my TBR for 2022. And let me tell you this book DELIVERED. This was just PERFECT and a complete joy to read. Ashley - I would read literally anything you write.

This book made me laugh out loud (and I know that’s something people just say) but seriously I was cackling through most of this book so much that my fiancé kept looking at me with concern. Our MC, Lee, is a HOT freaking MESS, which I found highly relatable especially as a young woman navigating “adulting.” What I loved most about Lee is that she is unapologetically herself. You watch her grow over the course of the book and confront her insecurities about love and abandonment.

Another aspect of the story I loved was the Lee and Ben are both involved in politics in Texas and are so passionate about social change. Lee is a fierce advocate for environmental politics. The story made me hopeful for the change that our generation could make in the world 🥺 the epilogue at the end got me.

Also there is steam 🔥🔥🔥 in this book but it is minimal and really adds to the story so for those of you who are averse to spicy books this one is for you!

Read if you love second-chance romances, can drink tequila like water, and care deeply about social change.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Ashley Winstead for this ARC.

I guess I should have read the synopsis more closely because I didn't realize there would be politics in this one. I came for the rom-com and loved the idea of this woman's past colliding with her present. I just am not a fan of any politics in my book especially when they take the "us vs. them" stance and Texas bashing. Maybe if I had liked Lee more I would have stuck it out, but I really wasn't invested enough in her to overlook some of the commentary. Sadly, a DNF for me, though I know there is an audience for this sort of book, and I did laugh a bit too.

I read Ashley's debut novel, In My Dreams I Hold a Knife, last year and loved it. And I especially loved the bit of romance thrown into a really unique thriller plot. SO - when I heard she was writing a romance i was SO EXCITED.

Well, this did not disappoint. I think what stood out the most for me in this book was the humor. I really appreciate a rom COM and all too often the comedy part is lackluster. Not in this book! I was laughing out loud from the very first chapter.

I felt the story itself was also just really unique. Lee Stone is a very unlikable MC but also someone I would absolutely hang out with. She felt very real to me and even though she was indeed a hot mess, I was rooting for her to get her shit together.

The political aspect of this book was just chef's kiss. It reminded me of how I felt reading Red, White and Royal Blue. I have spent about 4 days of my entire life in the state of Texas, but hell yeah - LET'S TURN TEXAS BLUE!

Onto the romance! I thought this was generally very well done, especially the steamy bits. My only gripe was how much miscommunication was involved. It made sense for the story and characters, but it still drove my crazy!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I definitely recommend it for any romcom enthusiasts and I officially consider Ashley Winstead and auto-buy author!

Thank you Netgalley and Graydon House for the advanced copy - all opinions are my own!

Fool Me Once is a delightful rom-com where we follow Lee Stone, aka Stoner, in her efforts to get a green energy bill passed through the Texas legislature. She teams up with Ben, her last Major heartbreak, and the reason she gave up on love. I really enjoyed the characters (main and side), and found them to all be relatable. This book was nothing like In My Dreams I Hold A Knife, also by the author, so it’s exciting to see what else Ashley Winstead will do next. Highly recommend!

“𝑷𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒖𝒑, 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕.”

After loving Ashley Winstead’s first book, In My Dreams I Hold A Knife, I was SUPER excited to get an Advanced Reader Copy of her romance book. From the opening chapter, featuring the main character running across Disney World, I was hooked.

I’m not sure how Winstead can write both thrillers and romances so well, but she can do them both. There was lots to love about this book. First, it is FUNNY. I laughed out loud at many parts (including that Belle costume, the marathon, and Lee’s thoughts as she lusts after Ben). I also loved how most of Lee’s stories of major heartbreak had some humour within them (like church sex and bottle throwing leading to broken legs). The environmental bill that Lee and Ben work on, along with the people they meet, paints a picture of hope for our future (if only Texas and the world could be like that!). I loved the group of close friends, reminding me of my own from high school and university. Much like Claire, Mac and Annie, my core group are my constant, the people who won’t let me down. Most importantly, I rooted for Lee and Ben; they were lovers to rivals to friends to lovers, and I cheered them on each step of the way (also the many descriptions of Ben 🥵). Infidelity is a recurring theme in this story, and there were a couple moments I could’ve done without it, but that is a minor complaint. Lastly, how could I not love a story that referenced Shania Twain playing during a cattle roping contest?!

Fool Me Once is a story about love, connection, second chances, forgiveness, and the people around you who support you no matter what. It is smart, well-written and entertaining. Based on that ending, could we see another novel featuring this loveable cast of characters? There could be more to this story! A huge thank you to Ashley Winstead and Grayson House for the ARC!

There was something about the synopsis of this book that told me I was going to love it and I love it when my gut instinct is right! Fool Me Once was everything I was hoping it might be! I can not wait to share my love for this book with friends and customers.

Lee is so relatable! She's flawed and knows it. I loved her sarcasm and wit. Being in her head was the best- I love she isn't afraid to tackle challenges. The banter between Ben and Lee, as well as their chemistry is probably my favorite thing about the book. It leads to this very heightened romantic tension and that leads to some hard core yearning and angst.

I also really loved how this book made me laugh and kept me enthralled. I know some people might find issue with Lee's job or the goal she was trying to accomplish, but I loved it and could not put the book down. As someone who has been struggling to focus while reading, and taking days to weeks to read a book when I used to do it in hours, I feel like the book knocked me out of the slump I've been in and I'm so excited to read again! Fool Me Once is just what I needed! All things aside, I really think this book could become the next big thing in romance!

After reading her debut thriller last year, I was so excited for Ashley Winstead’s debut romance novel! So grateful to have received an ARC from Netgalley, this is out April 5th!

This is a second chance romance between Lee and Ben. Lee is such a flawed and frustrating character and I loved her so much. This book deals heavily with politics and cheating. I really loved the plot of Ben and Lee working together to push a bill that would make all government vehicles electric. I really loved the romance as well, and Lee’s friends and family. Reading this was just such a great time and I was rooting so hard for our main character. I will definitely picking up anything this author writes in any genre, and can’t wait to read her thriller coming out this year too!

I s there anything @ashleywinsteadbooks CAN’T do? I just finished IMDIHAK after @jordans.book.club recommendation. Immediately started Fool Me Once from @netgalley and LOVED it! I couldn’t put it down! (Want to guess what I’m reading now? Hint: also NetGalley)

Read if you like:
🔥Slow-burn
🧐Ex-turned-enemy-to-lover
📈Workplace romance
🥈Second chance
🛏One bed

This is Ashley’s romance debut, and she nailed it! It takes an amazing writer to write amazing books across genres, and she did it!

I loved this second chance romance!

Lee has learned that it's better to protect herself than risk her heart. The debris that littered her emotional well-being after he breakup with Ben just cemented her resolution to keep things casual at all times and focus on her career. She's on the cusp of the biggest coup of her career, something she's been passionate about her entire life, and she doesn't need or want distractions.

Of course fate has nothing better to do than throw a wrench in things. The man whose touch and words and sharp sense of humor rendered her a useless puddle is the mayor's new assistant. And she can't avoid him, In fact, they get thrown together at every opportunity. She's determined to keep her distance.

Ben was devastated when their relationship ended. He's had five years to heal and re-focus his energy. But the minute he sees Lee again, his heart is in his throat. He knows he will never get over her. He knows that she drives him insane but her kisses are a toxin he can't live without, and he feels like a missing rib has been restored.

They aren't convincing anyone they despise each other. And all of their banter has an undercurrent of sexual tension that everyone else can see.

If they're going to make it work this time, Lee has to deal with her childhood feelings of neglect and abandonment. But Ben knows that happily ever afters have to be earned, and he's determined to convince the love of his life that they are each other's person.

A huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to review this wonderful romance in exchange for an honest review.

I'm so grateful to have received a copy of this book and think that it will be very popular and resonate with a lot of people.

Unfortunately for me, the excessive cheating/infidelity ruined it for me. If you're not bothered by almost every character cheating, then maybe this will be the read for you.

On the plus side, there is no denying that Ashley Winstead is a wonderful writer.

This one is out on April 5th! Thanks to Netgalley for the EARC.

I'm terribly sorry but I just couldn't get into this one. It felt so cheesy and the main character was not someone I'd want to hang out with much less read about for 5 hours. This one is not for me but many people seem to love it. Please don't let this review sway you.