This book is super cute. It’s a lovely friends to lovers story, with both Lizzy and Jack getting their time to develop. I found Lee’s writing about anxiety to be particularly compelling. I think it added a lot of depth to Lizzy’s character.

I was drawn to this book because the title and cover were adorable. The story was pretty much the same! I really have a soft spot for the friends to lovers trope. Add the male character pining and I'm definitely invested. I found the romance and character development to be border-line YA, but overall this was a really cute book that is perfect for the summer!

Very cute own voices romance featuring friends to lovers and second chance tropes. Added bonus that there is a bookstore component!

Lizzy and Jack have been best friends since they were ten years old. When Lizzy takes a break from her high-powered lawyer life to spend some time in her hometown, the feelings Jack has been trying to hide from all this time get the best of him. But could she possibly return his love? And how are they supposed to get past this long-distance obstacle? They both think they’ve got it all figured out…

I enjoyed the dual POV and the quaint bookstore vibes. I wish Lizzy’s character had been more settled; it was hard to see her clearly all of the time. I also missed her early bookstore dreams which ended up being really important to the plot, but it wasn’t integrated enough in the exposition. So there were a couple of development issues, but otherwise it was a fun read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my free copy. These opinions are my own.

After having a panic attack during her first trial on her own, Lizzy takes a vacation. She decides to go to Weldon, where her best friend, Jack, lives. There for three weeks, she needs to find something to keep herself busy while Jack works. Fortunately for her, she has rented a place over a bookstore that needs a lot of help. Lizzy offers that help so that she can have something to do.
Jack, having been in love with Lizzy forever, has to decide what he is going to do. Will he finally fess up and try for something more? Is his friendship more important? When he offers to help Lizzy on his off time, he has a hard time staying away but is afraid of what will happen in three weeks when she leaves. He is also trying to figure out what to do with his life instead of just working at the family brewery.
Opinion
This is a sweet best friends romance. The slow build is enough to keep the reader intrigued. The minor plots offer up some of the small town life that Lizzy is missing in a way that adds so much to the overall plot.
Since Jayci Lee jumped into more contemporary romance, I simply cannot get enough of her books. She is one of my "instant purchase" authors. If her name is on the book, I pick it up. This book follows with the two before (A Sweet Mess and The Dating Dare) in this series in that it is a lovable, behind the scenes, sweet romance. I would feel comfortable putting this book in the hands of my teenage daughter and confident that she would like it.
Many thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

The following review was posted on my blog today, Sunday, July 24th, 2 days before publication. It will be shared on Twitter and Instagram between today and the publication date, as well. The blog post includes links to order the books and to its Goodreads page, so readers can add it to their to-be-read books.




“Reality could wait for a few minutes. She was busy living her dream with her love… her best friend… her forever.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 3.5 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Describes panic attacks.

“Booked on a Feeling” follows Lizzy Chung, a burnt out LA lawyer, and Jack Park, her childhood best friend. After a bad panic attack in the middle of a court case, Lizzy decides to take a long vacation in a small town called Weldon, where Jack lives. What Lizzy doesn’t know is that Jack has had a crush on her ever since they met. In their close proximity they grow closer still and feelings begin to blossom. But what will happen once Lizzy is set to go back to LA? Will they fight for their love or will they let external things get in the way?

This book is the third book in a series I have not read, so I think I’m safe to say it works perfectly like a stand alone novel. Jayci Lee did a great job in showing you the lovely small town of Weldon, with all it’s quirks and unique details.

But here’s the thing about this book: it’s nothing new. In no moment was a surprised or excited for something to happen. It’s a simple, feel-good, friends-to-lovers romance. And there’s a charm to that. It’s predictable and sweet, so if you’re looking for that then this book is for you.

I loved the friendship and love there was between the main characters. I loved the running scenes. I loved the book store theme. There were many things I loved about this book…but the spicy scenes were not it. Their intimacy was awkward and intense only to be shut down cold. It was really weird. But this is a good romance book anyways.

I would recommend “Booked on a Feeling” to anyone looking for a fast-paced, light read. This book is easy-going and short, so if you’ve just had a very heavy read, it could serve like a nice pallet cleanser.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: July 26, 2022

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Honestly adorable, loved every minute! Great mental health rep, character development for hero and heroine, fun side characters. Would’ve liked to get to know a few of those side characters a bit more, and get a bit more backstory on some elements, but that didn’t diminish the overall experience. I love a rom com centered somehow around books too, so I knew I’d enjoy this, and it delivered.

Booked on a Feeling was a pleasant surprise. I was a little hesitant when it was full of issues and anxiety right out of the first chapter, but as we watched Lizzy and Jack navigate their own personal struggles while balancing their friendship was just right for an easy romance.

Jack and Lizzy have been best friends for most of their lives. When she decides to take a break and spend three weeks in his hometown, sparks fly and tensions get high. The push and pull of friends to lovers makes for a slower burn, but a sweeter pay off. I enjoyed so much seeing characters from Lee's previous books and the community that we have already grown to enjoy.

This was just right to listen to while cooking and then finish on my kindle when I just needed to see that HEA happen. If you are ready for low angst, but very bookish and easy, pick this book up.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jayci Lee’s newest book entitled Booked on a Feeling is part of A Sweet Mess series.

Lizzy Chung is on the right track in becoming a successful lawyer. Unfortunately, she suffers a panic attack and passes out during an important trial. She did win the case but needs a break to figure out why she is not as happy as she should when everything is falling into place. In order to figure things out, Lizzy decides to stay in a small town where her childhood best friend, Jack Park, lives.

Jack Park works for his family’s brewery but is looking for a job in L.A. Since Lizzy is staying a while, he wants to use this perfect opportunity to develop something more than friendship with her – finally! He has had feelings for her for a while.

The romance between Lizzy and Jack is sweet. Also, the events throughout the book are fun and light.

A recommended read for readers who like contemporary romance. More specifically, the friends to lovers theme. Furthermore, it delves into a common problem people have with which is the pressure they face to become what their parents want them to be versus their own wishes.

Overachiever Lizzy Chung and dependable Jack Park have been friends since they were kids. Lizzy is a career driven lawyer striving to make partner while Jack is bookkeeper at his family's brewery - never having left his hometown.

After a career changing trial victory, it leaves Lizzy burnt out and in need to a break. She surprises Jack with a three week vacation in his hometown - Weldon.

Years of friendship stand no match to the long-standing feelings each has for one another. The three week vacation passes by in a flash while they both work to overhaul a local bookstore and redefine their friendship in the process.

A great follow up to #thedatingdare in the A Sweet Mess series, Jayci lee continues to create beautiful stories!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“There was no need for any black coffee or a fairy godmother. She was already plenty badass.”

This story is warm and fuzzy and gives you all the feels. It’s comfortable and an easy read if you’re looking for a pick me up! Lizzy and Jack have been friends since they were ten, seeing each other only a few times a year while Jack is harboring a crush. When Lizzy stays in Jack’s hometown for a few weeks, it’s harder for Jack to pretend they’re just friends.

While there was little backstory for these two, I found myself loving Jack’s family. I wanted them to take me in and feed me, too! The major conflict was communication which tends to bug me a bit. Not much really happened that wasn’t their relationship while fixing up a bookstore. However, this story is just plain sweet and would kill as a feel good movie.

📚Read this if you like:
⁃ Friends to lovers
⁃ Dual POVs
⁃ Strong female characters
⁃ AAPI Representation

My ratings: 3.5 round up to 4

📖 Book Review 📖

Booked on a Feeling
Author: Jayci Lee
⭐️

Read if you love:
💗 Romantic Comedies
💗 Korean-American Representation
💗 Friends to Lovers Trope

I am so disappointed by Booked on a Feeling. It was the first book I DNF-ed in a really long time. So long, I can’t even remember when the last book I DNF-ed was.

While it had all the makings of a book I should have loved (a super cute cover, friends to lovers trope, Asian-American representation, and a main character who loves independent book stores), the writing was so bad. I made it through 30% of the book before I couldn’t take it anymore. It had an almost juvenile feel of writing and a love interest who was so lovesick, it made me uncomfortable.

I honestly struggled with DNF-ing this book, but there are so many books out there I still want to read and I have a limited time to read, that I decided it was better to stop and read a book I would enjoy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Booked On A Feeling by Jayci Lee is about a successful attorney in L.A. But the only thing Lizzy gets from her high-pressure job is terrifying anxiety attacks. Her best friend, Jack, comes into town to watch her at trial but she faints in front of the jury. Although she wins the case, she takes a three-week vacation as a break from her job stress, and she decides to visit Jack’s hometown. While there, Lizzy volunteers at a local bookstore to help the owner turn her store into a success. It also allows Jack and Lizzy to spend three weeks together daily and realize there’s more to their relationship than friendship. I loved so many things about the story. Well written. The two leads have a lot of magnetism. They are both in denial, although they can’t get enough of each other, and they both want to be successful. In the end, they realize that life may not be about business success but about finding that one person who is your home. I loved this cozy romance. #romance #career #hope #love #bookstore #onetruelove #cozyromance #todolists @netgalley @stmartinspress @authorjaycilee #netgalley #BookedOnAFeeling
📖
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read this book. Pub Date: July 26, 2022.

#bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #booksbooksbooks #readersofinstagram #reader #booklove #bookreader

ARC provided by St. Martin's Press. This will be published July 26th, 2022.

Sadly this was a DNF at 20%

I felt that this story had such a great concept, great representation, but it fell a bit short for me. I would have like to get to know the characters a bit better before jumping right in. I felt the story was a bit choppy at times and could have provided much more for the reader. I wanted to love this book but it just was not the book for me.

The perfect rom-com for anyone who wants a quick read that will have you smiling in every chapter. Booked on a Feeling is set in a bookshop and features the best friends to lovers romance. Female MC is a lawyer who is stressed out, and due to the pressures of her job, she takes a three-week vacation back home where her best friend lives. Jack Park, said best friend, has been in love with Lizzy for 20 years. Will they risk their friendship? This story shows how even fictional characters have anxiety and family issues and how not to let them control your life. As for the romance between the characters... I COULD FEEL the chemistry and tension. I was blushing so hard through the entire book. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

Cute, small-town charm friends to lovers story! This one is a slowww burn. Character driven with two likable characters. Lizzie is very relatable, especially for woman who struggle with workplace demands and work-life balance. Jack give big "golden retriever" energy. I thought the transition from friends to lovers was cute, albeit a bit unbelievable, especially since the two were friends for 20 years and Jack has been hiding his feelings for all that time. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this cute romance and would recommend to those looking for a light summer romance read!

Very sweet friends to lovers romance

Jack and Lizzy are so terrific together. Friends since childhood, Jack has kept his romantic feelings for Lizzy under wraps to preserve their friendship. But he still can't resist the idea of moving to L.A. to be closer to her.

Lizzy takes a few weeks of vacation in Jack's small town in order to reassess her life goals and address her anxiety and panic attacks. Getting her to-do lists in order gives her the opportunity to embark on a romantic relationship with Jack, but the conflicts that arise from her journey of self-discovery threaten to ruin not just the romance but the friendship, too.

I really enjoyed the pace of their romance, and thought the conflict that separated them was honest and relatable. The solution that led to their HEA was absolutely perfect, and I can't believe I didn't see it coming. It was also terrific to see characters from the earlier books and catch up on their current lives, too.

Low angst, low steam, with insightful dialogue and well-developed emotional connections, this book was a delight to read and couldn't have enjoyed it more. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

3.5 ⭐️
This story was super cute! I love a friends to lovers trope, so I knew I would enjoy this. Lizzy and Jack have been friends since they were children, but Jack has been in love with Lizzy since the beginning. A bad experience at work leads Lizzy to move back to her hometown for a few weeks, and back to Jack. While there, they come to realize they’ve both had more than friendly feelings for a while.
While I did enjoy the story, I found myself a little bored at times and felt like Lizzy’s character was a little immature for me. There was also a third act miscommunication/break up, which is really just not a favorite of mine, personally. Overall, I enjoyed the story and Lizzy and Jack’s friendship turned romance.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Surprisingly, I didn’t dislike this book for the reasons I was worried I would. But I did dislike it.

As a lawyer, I’m weirdly particular about books with lawyer characters. I either need detail, but accurate detail, or as little mention of the ins and outs of their job as possible so I can ignore inaccuracies. Booked On a Feeling is very, very heavy on the details of Lizzy’s job, but it’s actually pretty accurate! I particularly enjoyed the way the pressure of the field was emphasized, and the portrayal of Lizzy’s professional burnout. A lot of why I powered through this was because of how relieved I was by this, honestly.

When I say detail heavy, I mean DETAIL HEAVY. And this applies to everything in the book. We get long descriptions about literally everything. Something that could be said in a sentence was said in a page. Dialogue was often chunky, too wordy, and without flow. It left virtually every page dragging—and what’s worse is that the descriptions and characterizations weren’t always consistent, either.

Despite these inconsistencies, Lizzy and Jack did feel like decently fleshed out characters, and I liked how the author incorporated her own Korean culture into the story. But, as much as I love best friends to lovers, and as much as there were some moments that hooked me, I just didn’t feel the chemistry between Jack and Lizzy. As this is a romance, that’s a huge hit for me. Part of it goes back to the overly detailed and awkward writing.

But, overall, this book is cute and positive and I can understand why some people like it. The writing style just wasn’t for me.

I was excited for this romance, but right out the gate the writing was extremely flowery, especially for the genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy!

What a nice and charming book! Lizzy and Jack are so wonderful as best friends who may want more as Lizzy takes a break from her hectic life to hang out with Jack, falling hopelessly in love as they spruce up a local book store. Jack is also seeking to make some changes in his life, and the two of them finding themselves apart and together really is the heart of this book.

It was great to see Lee bring back the main characters from the series previous books sparingly, letting Jack and Lizzy have their own story while easily folding into the larger Weldon, CA, universe. I loved having them fall in love while working in a bookstore and I loved how the author folded various aspects of their Korean heritage into the story. Some of the plot felt a little obvious at times, but Jack and Lizzy are so charming and lovely together.

Overall, this was a fun book and a great addition to Lee's Sweet Mess series. Does Alex get a book? I hope so, I would definitely keep reading about these families. This whole series has been so fun to read.