This had a few glimmers of something great it could have been, but instead it's yet another toxic romance dressed up as #goals (couldn't resist).
Gin is an editor of nonfiction books at her best friend's publishing house, who looks down her nose at her co-workers and anyone else she doesn't consider to be her intellectual equal. Hally is the owner of a successful chain of gyms and a social media empire, who has just written her first book to inspire others and is paired with Gin as her editor. Gin goes out of her way to tell Hally just how beneath her Gin considers her to be, and yet for some reason the story insists that they fall for each other. It's not even an enemies to lovers trope, Gin is disrespectful, pompous, and insulting towards Hally (who appears to be a well adjusted, caring person), yet is forgiven for her terrible attitude at every turn.
I have a really hard time getting behind characters who have little to no redeeming value and hurt others (emotionally or physically), and get their happily ever after without having to massively work to get it. I mean, if we were to see Hally getting involved with someone like Gin in real life, we would try to talk some sense into the woman rather than cheer on a romance with someone so condescending and elitist.

This is my first read from R.L. Burgess and I really wasn't sure what to expect. The blurb didn't give a lot away, so I went into this with a clean slate.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a quiet, seemingly easy read but there are elements of angst with the romance that kept me engaged. I will admit that I wasn't quite sure on whether I liked Gin by the end of the novel, but I did think she was a very engaging character to follow and I was invested in her romance with Hally.

For me, the setting of Melbourne and in a publishing context was two great features of this novel. I liked that the novel focussed on the intricacies of small publishing houses, as well as the detail provided on what makes a book. It was also great reading a book based in Australia, especially a city I love travelling to.

I'm looking forward to reading more from R.L. Burgess, as I really enjoyed her style of writing.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

The premise was nothing new but sounded interesting nonetheless. It was a cute story - written moderately well. I just couldn't connect with the characters, and if I can't connect, it doesn't become a "unputdownable" read for me. I struggled to get through, reading just a chapter at a time. Not terrible, just nothing I could relate to.

An interesting perspective on social media and the world around you, while providing an entertaining story and connection between the characters. A great read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bella Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮.

I thought the premise didn't sound terribly interesting but it wasn't uninteresting either. This story is about two women - Gin, a non-fiction editor who loaths social media and Hally, a fitness gym instructor and social media influencer - coming together to produce Hally's autobiography.

There is a mismatch of opinions and they clash about it mostly because Gin is constantly judging Hally for what she does and she's vocal about it. Gin is also rude and has a tendency to make people feel small and this is the second book that I've read in recent days where I'm not too keen on the main character. At the beginning, Hally threatens to take her autobiography to another publishing firm but changes her mind after Gin reluctantly softens her approach. But more than once I wondered why Hally doesn't just follow through with her decision because she really doesn't deserve that crap. Not only does Hally have a really great and nice personality, she's a paying client, for God's sake.

While Gin has issues with what Hally does for a living, it doesn't stop her from being attracted to the woman and they fall into bed. Despite everything, I did manage to feel a bit of the romantic chemistry between them even though I'm not convinced they will work out in the long run.

“I have no intention of getting back into the dating world.”
“Oh please, as if you’re giving up for life. This is just a little hiccup.”
“More like acid reflux.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ginerva (Gin) is a non-fiction editor for a small publishing house in Australia. She prides herself on excellent books, and top-of-the-line authors, like the fine wine of literature. Cathy, her best friend and boss, agreed the company would take on Hally Arlow, a super gorgeous, socialite owner of a fitness empire.
Gin tried to refuse taking on the book, which she thought was a load of cr#p, but ok the process put her job on the line, so gave in. They despise each other, but plunge themselves into the others world…

I really wanted to love this book, and until about 60% of the way through, I genuinely thought it was 5-star worthy. From about that part onwards, I just felt the story was repetitive and there was so much angst. I just wanted to bash the characters heads together, and I really started to lose interest after the first fallout.

On a positive note, the book was really well written, and I liked the style a lot. I always felt like I was stood right next to Gin, experiencing exactly what she was! Even her walks to work were so well described!

Great for a lighthearted LGBTQ+ read.

Thank you to @thebellabooks, RL Burgess and @netgalley for providing me with a copy!

Pub date: AVAILABLE NOW!!

Review also available now on Instagram. Link attached.

Gin is the non fiction managing editor and is assign to help Hally Arlow write her book which she thought was a joke and quite horrible. Now, I must say I didn't like Gin because she's very judgmental and thought intellectually she was better than Hally. I didn't connect with the story because Gin was too conceited and the romance between her and Hally was not believable and quite lacking in my opinion. maybe it will be different for someone else. 3stars

Thank you NetGalley and Bella books for this ARC.

Ginerva Blake lives a simple life, work she enjoys along with the comforts home where she spends her time with her cat. Being Managing editor requires a lot of reading, some good, some not so good. Now she’s asked to turn her attention toward a subject she lacks interest in. Not a book she’s used to working on but a book dealing with Hally Arlow, social media influencer and exercise guru.
To do this Gin finds herself in a world of selfies, hashtags and of course Snapchats. Hally is beautiful and driven to accomplish her autobiography. Now how to do this with an editor who knows nothing about your world.
Ms Burgess' book is an easy read. Nice characters and a chance to learn more about social media all wrapped up in a very nice read.
ARC via NetGalley/Bella Books

I liked this more than I expected.

Maybe I should admit to being rather similar to Gin when it comes to social media influencers and the likes. They seem rather superficial and self absorbed, but I do understand how difficult it actually is to creat your brand and to be always on. So while I don’t want to be an influencer and don’t follow any of those hypes I do appreciate the work they have to put in and that’s where I differ from Gin. She can’t look past her own preconceived ideas.
Gin works as the nonfiction managing editor for her best friend’s publishing company. She is asked to work on a manuscript from Hally, entrepreneur and social media personality. She doesn’t want to and is super snobbish about it. Hally is actually a super fun character and doesn’t seem superficial at all, I think Gin is more superficial but on a snobbish level. We are in Gin’s first person POV so it is a bit hard to get a feel for Hally. I like how Hally slowly seems to wear down Gin’s walls. Maybe some would say Gin is a bit of an ice queen, I don’t agree with that she is just stuck in her own little snobbish bubble. I like how their relationship develops and how they connect. They communicate, badly at times because of all the judgment, but they seem to be the best thing for each other.

I can’t put my finger on why I really enjoyed this, I just did.

Ginerva (Gin) Blake is the managing editor in non-fiction at a small publishing house owned by her friend. She's a bit of an ice queen, book snobbish, and loves her job. She's assigned to work with Hally Arlow to publish her autobiography. Hally is a self made exercise business woman who connects with millions via social media. Hally doesn't understand social media and is happy to direct her elsewhere to publish her book. But her company needs the book deal as a money maker and Gin has to woo her back and work with her through the book process.

This book is a low key romance. The two women are lovely and well spoken. Although Gin continually puts them at odds by expressing her distain for connecting through social media. They are attracted but not sure if they genuinely like each other. Nothing about this book provokes feelings for me. There are fallouts, but producing the book is important and work goes on. There is an outside threat towards Hally but it seems removed from the story and I never felt she was at risk. I never felt heart break or love although both are mentioned. There is intimacy but described in a minimal way. I think one of the things I enjoyed the most was it being written and set in Australia. I found the non American colloquialisms very fun. Over all I enjoyed the story but my feelings were never involved. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 stars)

This book is perfect for lovers of romance that isn’t all butterflies and flowers. Brilliant for me because I can’t get onboard with cheesy declarations of love with flowers and teddies and ugh!
I adored both Gin and Hally both complete powerhouses that are really like-able but, Gin holds a special place in my heart because she works with books! I enjoyed exploring the world of editing with her.. does it really take so much to get to printing? My biggest issue with this book is Gin dipping her croissant in her coffee.. is this a thing..soggy pastry??

Hashtag Love is a wonderful, interesting story.
Ginerva who is managing editor of non-fiction at Red Stone Publishing.
She doesn't work.on social media so when her boss comes to her to take this client Hally who wants to release her autobiography. Gin finds herself trying to work in a world full of hashtags, Snapchats and selfies!
And lets not mention the beautiful Hally is the resident queen of the throne.

The author has created a tremendous sense of place and a wealth of credible sympathetic characters. I was engrossed in the plot and deeply moved by the events. Books don’t often bring me to tears, but this one did, although it ends on a hopeful note. Highly recommend this to all.
The writing for this book was refreshing and there were plenty of times that I had that stupid smile on my face because of how lovey the characters were. Amazing story!
This was overall an enjoyable quick fun story!

Thank you Bella Books for the chance to read and review this title.
I will post and tag closer to pub date!

Ginerva loves what she do being a manger editor of nonfiction and she good at it. When her boss/best friend Cathy wants her to work with exercise entrepreneur Hally who wants to release her autobiography to help others see that they can achieve Gin doesn’t think the book will do well because she doesn’t believes in it or the world that Hally in.

Hally worked hard to be where she at and wants share it with the world to help people. Gin navigate through Hally world and starts to see that’s life is full of surprises if she opens her mind to it.

I like this read the only thing I didn’t like is I’m Gin because when I’m at work I work not to make friends with my co-workers I’m polite but I do keep my distance when Cathy told Gin she needs to change at work I wanted Gin to quit because Gin isn’t mean or anything I’ll understand if she wasn’t working and not meeting deadlines I get it and if the clients isn’t complaining I don’t see what the big deal is I do think Gin needs to lighten up when comes to what to publish but in my opinion how she treats her co-workers is relevant.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.