3🍭🍭🍭

Things that I really liked:
The cover. It definitely called my attention!
I know right now these cover styles are a thing, but two years ago when the book came out they were new and different.
It worked perfectly well.

What I did not love but didn’t hate:
The hero: I understand how his posture was negative about romance being a genre and the way he changes, but sometimes it felt a bit patronizing towards women, which made me uncomfortable somewhat.

What I disliked:
The heroine. It’s difficult when you cannot connect with the main character but this really happened. ☹️
But even though I was not a fan, it wasn’t hard to read.
The assistant was a bit annoying also 🤷🏻‍♀️

On the Same Page" is a novel by Penelope Janu. In this romantic comedy, the protagonist, Miles Franklin, is a librarian who finds herself at odds with the new owner of the local bookstore, Cameron James. Despite their initial clashes, they must work together to save the bookstore from closure. As they spend more time together, they discover a shared love of literature and a growing attraction to each other. With its charming setting, witty banter, and delightful romance, "On the Same Page" is a heartwarming read that celebrates the magic of books and the power of love.

So, "On the Same Page" by Penelope Janu – buckle up for a journey almost as long as my grocery list. Don't get me wrong; I like a good story, but this one felt like it had more pages than a dictionary.

The plot had potential – a classic romantic setup with a sprinkle of quirky characters and a picturesque setting. However, I felt like I had been on a marathon rather than a stroll through a romance novel by the time I finished.

The characters had their charm, no doubt. The heroine had her quirks, the hero had his brooding charm, and the supporting cast brought their flavours to the mix. But here's the catch – too much of a good thing can be overwhelming, and that's precisely how I felt about the characters.

Janu's writing style is solid, and she can paint a scene that feels like you're right there. The problem? It sometimes felt like she was describing every leaf on every tree, turning a scenic setting into a nature documentary. Less is more, folks.

The romance had sweet moments, but the pacing felt like a slow burn on simmer for too long. I found myself checking my watch (or metaphorical watch since I read it digitally) and wondering if we would ever get to the grand finale.

Now, don't get me wrong – if you're into epic sagas and have the patience of a saint, this might be right up your alley. But if you're looking for a quick, breezy romance to devour on a weekend, you might want to check your reading list for something more concise.

By day Miles Franklin is a successful lawyer, and by night (in secret) she writes historical romance novels under the pen name Emma Browning. When “Emma’s” novels win one of Australia’s biggest literary awards, Miles’ perfectly ordered life begins to unravel. Especially when Lars Kristensen, CEO of the publishing company contracted to publish the prize winning books, insists on meeting the author.

On the Same Page is a charming, delightfully funny, opposites attract romance. Miles is socially anxious and wants to protect her privacy, which I completely understand. However, I grew increasingly frustrated with the MFC. For example, Miles gets upset when she finds out Lars’ plans for Emma, and says he didn’t even tell me. What an idiot…you wouldn’t let him tell you. Every time the subject of Emma comes up she would run away, ignore him, or hang up on him. Personally, I had a hard time finding Lars attractive. I didn’t appreciate how he handled certain situations.

DNF @ 52%

I'm sorry I just couldn't. The premise of this book was very intriguing to me and sounded like a lovely rom com. After staring this book once and putting it down after a couple chapters I decided to give it another try. Sadly I'm at 52% and I just have no interest win the storyline & finding out what happens next. I think the biggest reason why I'm not enjoying it more is because I dislike the main character, and anytime there is a longer stretch of inner moulage I just skip it all.

Just not for me. Thank you, next.

This was such an incredible book! I was hooked from the start—really enjoyed the storytelling, I couldn’t put it down and can’t recommend it enough!

This has been on my NetGalley shelf for over a year, and I still haven’t picked it up. I've tried, but it just isn't for me (right now). I hope other people enjoy it more than I did.

I did not like this book at all unfortunately. The characters and the plot felt flat and it was hard to get attached to the characters due to their lack of diversity and richness.

As a fellow Aussie, I love reading stories based in Australia, but this one didn't really do it all that much for me. At times it felt the story too unrealistic and the enemies to lovers trope was too predictable. The style of writing however, was great!

A fun, quick rom-com read, It took a second to find my footing, but then I had a lot of fun with this one.

I really liked this one, I really like dmiles and the chemistry between her and Lars was great. It was a fun easy read.

It literally had almost all of my favourite tropes; forced proximity, slow burn, alter ego. It is a fun romantic comedy with a lead with an alter ego.

this book has flaws but if you are looking for something to pass the time it’s an okay read.

I found Miles much to flighty considering her background. She runs from any conflict and arguments which as a lawyer would impact your employability.

The romance is surface level. I don’t think Miles and Lars are happy ever after true love but they work.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Unfortunately this book really wasn’t for me. Rarely have I read a book where I've actually doubted the chemistry of the main characters but that was the case when I was reading this book.

Miles Franklin is a lawyer who in her spare time writes historical romance novels under a pseudonym. When one of her novels is selected to win a literary award she panics because she is desperate to conceal her identity as the novelist. Lars is the newly appointed CEO of the publishing house who is trying to publish Miles’ novel but he’s insistent on revealing Miles’ identity to gain publicity for the book. Whilst working together on the book publication Miles and Lars realise their attraction.

The whole of the story seemed to insist on the point that Lars found Miles extremely irritating to the point where I actually wondered how is it possible that he’s developed romantic feelings for her and vice versa. When they finally kissed for the first time I felt confused - like when did that happen that they were into each other, did I miss something?

The plot also felt really forced and I couldn’t help but think that surely if an author gave a publisher this much grief they would forget about the arrangement and find another author to work with. Maybe one that actually wanted her work published.

In saying all of this I always enjoy books which pull back the curtain on the novel writing experience so I did find that aspect interesting. “I wanted to create courageous and passionate women, and the men destined to love them” - I liked that in Miles’ books all of the female main characters were really empowered. I loved the friendship with best friend. and I really loved the storyline where Lars has to read all of the Miles’ novels before she will agree to work with him.

Overall not my favourite, but I’d definitely read more of Penelope Janu’s work as I’ve heard really good things about many of her novels. Thank you NetGalley and Escape Publishing for sending this book for review consideration, but all opinions are my own.

Cute idea with an author who has a pen name and a publisher who wants to meet said author, but doesn’t know author writes under pen name! All kinds of tropes in this story, which is lovely. Forced proximity, slooooow burn, and similarities to The Hating Game (oh so good!), this book is one for lovers of workplace romances.

Character development was great and the relationship development between Miles (Emma) and Lars was wonderful. Trusting one another was evident from the start, which lent a hand in their relationship in the end.

Overall, a well written romance about writing and loving others for who they are!

This wasn't for me unfortunately. The plot was nonsensical, the characters irritated me, and this was a DNF.

I've now read two novels in with this same trope of someone using a pen name for dumb reasons, causing forced conflict that doesn't actually need to exist and makes the H/h unlikable assholes.

Miles is an unlikable asshole for the majority of this novel. I find very little redeeming about her as a person and I find it hard to believe Lars would ever fall in love with her or want to be with her.

Lars isn't much better.

This just wasn't for me, I guess and I've discovered how much I hate this trope.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for a review.

Unfortunately this book was not for me! I found many elements of the plot unrealistic, but I was able to finish it. I loved the defense of the romance genre! So needed and true!

Thank you to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Emma Browning’s PA nominates her historical romance novel into a literary award with a prize which included a deal with Iconic Publishing. Sounds good except that Iconic, and Iconic’s gorgeous CEO Lars, will force Emma to go on a book tour and reveal her true identity as a marketing stunt. Emma is actually Miles Franklin whose parents, considering her name, have some serious love for the literary world and would be horrified to think Miles writes such fluffy romantic fare. They’ve also given Miles some confidence issues which will prevent her from feeling comfortable with ‘coming out’ as Emma. Thus, Miles sets out to thwart Lars and Iconic at every turn.

Generally On the Same Page delivered on what it promised – a lighthearted HEA romance. But…
There were a lot of really unrealistic moments which I thought, if replaced, would have raised the book to the next level (the leading man posing shirtless, the entire pole dancing thing, the amount of personal effort Lars and the other Iconic employees were putting into Miles/Emma, Miles being the worst lawyer evah). The conflict, towards the end, became far too convoluted and, surely, could have been sorted out in a few minutes.

I found the smut well written and I would have liked more of Emma’s historical romances. The brief excerpts we got were all enjoyable.

I’ve been in a bit of a reading rut of late and On the Same Page’s fluffy but sweet romance has definitely helped me snap out of it at least.

This premise had potential--a lawyer who hides her romance novelist career from her narcissistic parents, who happen to be famous writers. But the circumstances that bring her into contact with the MMC are just infuriating--her assistant submitted the faux author to a contest that also comes with an ironclad publishing contract, and the FMC behaves in unethical and possibly illegal ways to try to get out of it. We don't quite see the reason why the MMC falls in insta-lust with her, and he becomes kind of aggro every time she rejects him or there's a misunderstanding--which is like every other chapter. The side characters (other than the assistant) are pretty likeable, and it could have been an uplifting story, if the main pair had been a bit more developed.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.