Very fun! This is a good romance that has depth. The main character is one with layers which is always good to see. I would definitely recommend it.

Despite her witty and intellectual comments, it was sad to see how Lee was committed to leading a life as a shell of a person of which she used humor to deflect how she really felt about loving others. As she stated repeatedly no feelings nor expectations as she was determined to believe that everyone cheats. However, in opening herself up as the novel progressed and let Ben and her friends in, she became happier and more fulfilled because of it. Her passion and dedication to Lise Motors spilled over into her personal life. I smiled at the end when she said she loved her life.

Things are moving along perfectly for Lee Stoner. The Green Energy bill she has developed is going great until her ex boyfriend, Ben, enters the picture and the whirlwind begins. Engaging and lively with great characters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book absolutely blew me out of the water. I love the numerous issues that it dives into, from childhood trauma rearing its ugly head to the sexism that takes place today to undermine women in power. AND THE PERFECT LOVE STORY TO GO ALONG WITH IT. I'm so so grateful that I got to have the pleasure of receiving this arc. Ben and Stoner are all I want in life and more. The idea of two people constantly finding themselves pulled back to one another despite the hurt is a love story that is sure to make you tear up.

Let’s say : “All right all right all right” as like McConaughey’s line from Dazed and Confused movie and his Oscar speech!

I have no problem about this book . Actually I envy the talent of Ashley Winstead who can write in different genres adroitly and get fantastic results. “In my dreams I hold knife” was even smarter, more exciting, brilliant work than the thriller books which were highly appraised and turned into streaming series!

And this romcom is easy to read, smart, riveting, entertaining!

The heroine Lee Stone is great combination of Scandal’s Olivia Pope meets Fleabag’s main character played by Phoebe Waller Bridge ( you realize we still don’t know the character’s name in the series) with sassy Georgia Miller vibes from Ginny& Georgia series.

The chemistry between Ben and Lee was also steamy!

So I know what you’re asking? Why the hell I only gave three stars!

The reason is obvious: I don’t like to read romances when one of the MC’s ( or two of them) cheater. It’s a big no for me even though the author clearly tells us the reasoning behind the characters’ actions, I still hesitate to trust their behaviors.

From the beginning I had hard time to connect with Lee. She’s kickass communication director who takes no sh*t from man. She was a great portrait of anti heroine at first. I waited to see her character’s developing and wished she saw her mistakes to learn her lessons. I understand how her trust issues and feeling not to be deserved someone’s love were the setbacks prevent her to form a sincere bond in her relationships. But I didn’t see enough effort from her at the end. I wish I witnessed how she grew up, wore big girl’s pants, making up for the faults she’s made!

Overall: it was still well written, entertaining, smart novel from one of the brilliant authors I enjoy to read the works of. I wish I could relate more with the heroine.

I’m still looking forward to read next books of the author ( thriller or romance: both genres are truly accepted)

Special thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for sending me this eARC! There’s no other way to say it than I simply adored this book. It’s maybe even a new all time favorite romance. First of all, Lee is an amazing character (honestly, every character is). She’s hilarious and relatable, and I want to emulate her badassness in every interaction. And Ben! Oh Ben. I wish he were real with my whole heart. All of that plus the politics in this book! Truly a dream come true. A must read.

4.5 stars - Fool Me Once is funny, sexy, and at times ridiculous. The hero, Ben, seems to really have his $hit together. The heroine is a PR boss, but a mess in her personal life -- like a hot mess. Thank goodness for second chances. I enjoyed it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Let me preface this by saying , the book was well written. It was also very well edited, and the story flowed nicely. It also was the perfect length typically I find that stories like these are too short. These aspects alone are the reason this gets 3 stars, because the book was readable. Now lets get into the plot. Never have I hated a main character, the way I hated Lee. She was absolutely horrible, and honestly the only reason I kept reading is because I hoped something bad would happen to her that made her see the errors of her ways.. I have no respect for Ben, nobody in their right mind would have gotten back together with Lee, if she truly did what she did. I kept waiting for Lee to have some kind of suffering, but it never happened, she had some minor issues but in the end still got her happy ending that based on the book she didn't deserve. Ben, he's also not a good character. If that was my friend, no way would I let him get back with Lee. I mean she cheats on him and he admits she ruins his life, yet he pretty much jumps right back in with her, without any groveling. Also thee political nature of the book was interesting, but in real life the governor doesn't take meetings and get that involved with low level lobbyist as this book portrays. Actually as I think more about it, and how awful Lee and Ben are in this story, I have to drop this to a two star review, because Lee was just that unlikeable as a character.

I have no words….This book was incredible! This is 100% the next viral Booktok Rom-Com. This book pulls you in from the very first page and does not let you go until the very end. I have never found a main character more relatable than Lee, someone who is not perfect but makes no apologies for who she is. This book was so funny and witty. Lee and Ben are my new favorite book couple. This book had it all the plot, the spice, the strong independent female lead, the TENSION. I devoured this book in one sitting and am currently wishing I could read it for the first time all over again.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Harlequin Trade Publishing and #NetGalley for my honest opinion

What a quaint, fun read many will enjoy.

This book is good if you like cheating and second hand embarrassment. Lee Stone, or Stoner to her friends, is trying to pass a green energy bill. To do it though, she has to work with her ex-boyfriend she cheated on five years ago. Of course, they still have chemistry, and the romance builds from there. While Winstead gives Lee some backstory as to why she feels she doesn’t deserve love, the cheating storyline just wasn’t for me. And it’s not just Lee, there’s lots of cheating- her sister’s boyfriend cheats, and one of her coworkers cheats. I prefer my romance novels to at least be a little bit more ethical and conventional. And while this book made me laugh out loud a few times, mostly I was just embarrassed for Lee. From falling in a fountain dressed as a Disney princess to crawling to the finish line of a marathon she didn’t train for, I felt the anxiety and embarrassment, and I read to get away from those things. The main thing this books does have going for it though was the relationship between Lee’s friends. The characters of Lee’s friends were well developed, and I wish there had been more scenes to explore those characters.

I pulled an all-nighter last night, and woke up without an alcohol hangover, but a BOOK HANGOVER. I set myself up for a little date (with myself). I needed to set the mood and channel my inner romantic. I haven’t read a romance novel since I was stealing my grandmother’s cowboy riding paperbacks. Anyway, I poured myself a glass of wine, lit some candles, and jumped in the tub. Ashley Winstead , my girl, you have done it to me again. You rock my world.

This is not your typical romance novel. This is also highly comedic. I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more. I was completely consumed and addicted to this novel. My tub water got cold, my skin pruned, but I just couldn’t get out. I needed to finish.

Lee might just be my alter-ego, the sarcasm, the work ethic and the refuse to lose attitude. Lee knows what she wants and she will not stop until she gets it. They say second chances are for suckers, but what if that second chance could end up being your soul mate?

And her obituary reads “Lee Stone died as she lived, embodying the height of glamour and respectability – not wicked hungover, thoroughly dicked and dressed head-toe-toe as the fifth best Disney princess.

Seriously? That is just chapter ONE.

Ashley, if someone told me that you wrote the Bible, I would be reading that as well, too. I can not rave more about Fool Me Once. I hate to admit but it is not a thriller that is my favorite book thus far, but actually this ROMCOM. Do yourself a favor and just go pre-order it. You can thank me later. Due out April 5, 2022. Seems like a long time away right ? Imagine how Lee felt when Ben shows up 5 years later. 😉 I promise you, anything worth having is worth waiting for ♥️ Can I give this book 10 stars ? No? Fine! 5 stars it is !

What a fantastic read! I was already a huge fan of Ashley Winstead from her debut thriller, In My Dreams I Hold a Knife. When I had the opportunity to read her second novel I was thrilled and being that it was a Women’s Fiction/Romance I was keeping my fingers crossed she would rock these genres too…spoiler alert—she did that and then some!

Fool Me Once is a second-chance-romance that had me at hello! The endearing characters and witty storyline had me staying up way past my bedtime! I loved that the main character is a strong, capable female in a male-dominated job busting her butt and changing things!!! So darn refreshing!!!!!

I knew this book was going to be up my alley! Fool Me Once is a 5 star novel that I recommend to everyone! This gem releases just in time to be put at the top of your spring/summer reading list! Ashley Winstead is officially an automatic must read! I am so excited to see what she comes out with next!