RATING:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TROPES:
friends to lovers
slow burn
hilarious “meet cute”
closed door
3rd person POV
sassy pets

This book was such a delight! Melanie is a new to me author so i was excited to dive into this one!

I loved that there was a not so conventional “meet cute” 😂 plus strangers turned friends to lovers! This was the ultimate slow burn too so BUCKLE UP!

I enjoyed both of these characters, they were both just trying to find their place in the world and somehow, they were able to get there with each other! Kat is trying to find Mr Right since she just keeps dating all the bad guys. She is also trying to live out her dream of owner her own flower shop! Mick is just trying to find his place in the family business, as the middle child he was always just filling in where he was needed and never really figured out what was going to make him happy.

Another bonus for me was the side characters. I loved each of them dearly! EVEN JOE 😂 and do not get me started on Seamus the sassy swearing cockatoo and the adorable hedgehog Jojo ♥️😍 They truly made this book the perfect “rom-com”

Thank you to NetGalley, st. martins press and Melonie Johnson for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

Kat loves happy moments, working at a floral shop and creating pieces that help to celebrate others' special days. Her love life isn't quite the same so she starts rethinking her approach - and wants to try dating someone seemingly not her type, since her type doesn't stick around.

Enter an oh-so-awkward moment at a funeral home making a delivery with Mick O'Sullivan - who seems her type - but that's no longer a good thing?! Ups and downs come throughout this comedy of errors. A cute read, you root for the characters despite some cringe moments!

Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

4.25 Stars
After her latest boyfriend dumps her (and ditches her with his pet hedgehog), florist Kat Kowalski is done chasing after Mr. Wrong. With her two best friends moving on to more serious relationships, she’s ready to stop repeating the same mistakes that are leaving her stuck in the single lane. Armed with a list of qualities for her perfect Mr. Right, Kat swears off dating until she finds him. Then she stumbles across Mick O’Sullivan at his family's funeral home. Their immediate chemistry warns Kat to keep things platonic; after all, following her heart never worked out in the past, and this time she’s determined to listen to her head. As she gets to know him better, the lines blur.
An absolutely delightful romcom with strong characters & a well paced story. I loved Mick & was glad when Kat finally put her brain in gear to realise Mr Right was there & was her friend. I liked Kat but didn’t love her, she was a bit too wallowing for me. However I loved the secondary characters & hope Joe & MK get their HEA's & also Ronnie & Laura, the two Grans were as delight as were Jojo & Seamus. A feel good book that had me smiling most of the way through
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I really like Kat and Mick’s characters. I think Kat is like most women in todays dating world and I related to the emotions she was going through. Mick is a lovable make main character and had some funny lines through out the story.

I found some elements of the plot and story line a little forced. The opening chapter was not very realistic and the opening joke fell flat for me. The story moved at a slower pace at the beginning which made it harder to get into.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the Advance Readers Copy. The thoughts expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

Too Wrong to Be Right
by Melonie Johnson
Pub Date: 28 Feb 2023

This one had a lot of potential! There were a lot of cute, sweet moments. A meet-cute in a funeral home. Some fun, quirky characters, loveable grandmothers, a hedgehog and a foul-mouthed bird. I am a big fan of friends who become more, but this one just lacked something. The main thing, Kat. I understand her not wanting to fall into the trap of finding the wrong man. She thought she had a type and decided to find someone different. But Mick! He went beyond "her type..." They found a genuine friendship first even when they were attracted to each other. And don't get me started on him letting her date his brother. Ugh. Yes, I know we need angst in order to have material for a book, but...double ugh. Some parts of the story were painful to read and made me want to shake both of our main characters. Miscommunication and lack of communication can get old after a while. If they would just voice all the inner dialogues everything would be so much better! lol

3 stars

I really enjoyed the prior book in this series (though both can be read as stand-alones), but had issues with this one. Kat Kowalski get’s dumped by her jerk of a boyfriend and decides that she has terrible taste in men, and comes up with a list of what her Mr. Right must have. She has a meet-cute with Mick O’Sullivan, over a corpse at Mick’s family funeral home. Mick is immediately smitten, but Kat friend-zone’s him, since she attracted to him, and set’s her sights on Mick’s brother Joe, the dull. I think I had a hard time warming up to this book because I really only liked Mick. Kat was a self-centered narcissist, who knew that Mick liked her, but insisted that they be friends and he should act as her “wingman” to find Mr. Right. That’s just cruel. Knowing how Mick feels, she dates his brother at O’Sullivan family gatherings. Kat is not a good person. I also wasn’t a fan of Mick’s family either. Joe knows about Mick’s feelings and the fact that he has been friend-zoned, yet still asks out Kat. Doesn’t he know about the “Bro-code”? And Mick and Joe’s sister seemed to delight in the potential pain a love triangle between her brothers would cause. I mean, she seemed downright giddy. And the conflict at the end that drives apart Mick and Kat, 98% Kat’s fault but somehow Mick is suppose to mind read and provide the grand gesture to get to the happy ending. I thought Mick deserved better. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

This was SUCH a fun read! I loved the humour in this, it was giving Tessa Bailey and I think Booktok will eat this up!

I found myself loving the slow burn romance, the banter and of course Mick.
I need to get my hands on Melonie Johnson's other books because this was such a fun read.

This is a quick read and very cute! The side characters (pets JoJo and Seamus) are such a welcomed addition!!

Kat is a florist who is tired of dating the wrong type of man. Her last boyfriend ended their relationship on the street after leaving his pet hedgehog in Kat's care. She decides to only date men who have qualities she deems acceptable - and she makes a checklist to follow!

Mick works at his family business, but wants to do more with his life. He has an idea for an addition to the business and needs to create a business plan, which he has no idea how to.

Enter Kat. They met briefly while she was delivering flowers. Mick is attracted to her, but she just wants to be friends...and wants him to help her find the perfect man. How will Mick show her HE'S the perfect man for her?

First of all, the title of this book grabbed my attention right away. Then the first page, ensured I was going read this book cover to cover! The main character, Kat is literally fantastic! I loved her personality!! I always love a good romance and this book definitely is one! Loved it.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I found the characters to be vibrant, funny and engaging, but there was something about the plot that felt too formulaic to me. I could predict the whole story by the second chapter. That made it hard to move through with excitement, but honestly the character’s personalities really made it worth it!
All in all, I’d say it’s a cute rom-com!

Too Wrong To Be Right by Melonie Johnson

A warm, sweet and entertaining rom-com filled with laugh out loud moments and fun times with friends as the heroine struggles to find the one after being dumped at a moments notice by her ex while also dumping his pet hedgehog on her.

Kat Kowalski is the manager of Allen’s Arrangements, doing what she loves with the plan to have her own florist in the future. When she gets dumped by her boyfriend and takes on the responsibility of his pet hedgehog she is done. Done dating hot guys who are selfish jerks, no more. She is just going to have to change her whole approach no more listening to herself, she needs to make a list of traits she wants and stick to it. But when she has to make a quick stop for a delivery she meets him.

Mick O’Sullivan is totally taken by the drop deep gorgeous woman who was currently talking to herself while messing with the dead guy in the coffin. Mick is in business the dead business along with his siblings at O’Sullivan’s Mortuary. When a fight breaks out over whatever Kat is doing he has to physically restrain two widows and then deal with her. Only to find out that she has difficulty being around corpses. But wooed and taken by Seamus their grandad’s talking cockatoo. When she wants to meet regarding a work arrangement he can’t wait to get to know her better.

Mick is totally taken by her and the chemistry sizzles between them. But when Kat just wants to be friends he gladly will take anything he can to get to know her. Kat isn’t about to act on their chemistry not this time. She wants not to be left behind,
all alone after both of her best friends are moving on. But will her list get her the right one? Or has she already found him? A crazy, wacky, fun romance!

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

I was really looking forward to this and it just kinda flopped.

Little bit of friends to lovers, a flower shop, a cute hedgehog AND a cockatoo. Perfect set up for a romance right? Not so much. It’s like all of these parts go started and then barely contributed to the romance at all. It felt like none of these aspects were focused on enough for me to get the attachment i needed to like this book.

Overall I think the story could have been tied together a lot better.

What’s worse than a fade to black book? A book that gives you mouth and finger action and then fades to black. Even what this gave wasn’t very good. I kept expecting more.

These characters drove me nuts. They legit wouldn’t even talk to each other but then got all but hurt about it! Third act break up was so pointless.
The end got beyond cringe-y.

Special thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this digital ARC.

The following review was posted on my blog four days ago, on Thursday, February 23rd, five days before publication. It was shared on Instagram twice, once on friday and once today, and has already been posted on Goodreads. It will be shated again the day of publication. 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.




“Do you think he loves her because of, or in spite of, how awful she is?”

“Both. (…) I think when you love someone, you love them inspite of their flaws, but at the same time, it’s their flaws that make you love them even more. It makes them real. Makes them yours.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Revolves around a funeral home. Discusses death, loss, trauma from past relationships, and neglectful parents.

“Too Wrong to Be Right” follows Kat Kowalski, a florist with the dream of opening up her own and unique flower shop, and Mick O’Sullivan, one of the owners of a local funeral home. After a tumultuous run-in during a funeral service, the pair become friends—friends who feel oddly attracted to each other. But Kat has sworn off these kinds of connections. Her hunches always lead to Mr. Wrongs and now she’s set on finding Mr. Right. But what if Mr. Right on paper isn’t right for her, while Mr. Wrong in theory is?

This was one of the funnest reads I’ve had in a while. This lighthearted, strangers-to-friends-to-lovers romance was something else. Through this book you’re introduced to various groups of friend and two wonderfully quirky families—oh, and two unique pets—and I was there for it. I actually wish I had had more time with them. *cough cough* Please make this a series Melonie, I am begging you.

If you’re looking for a friends to lovers romance, think “Beach Read” by Emily Henry vibes, then “Too Wrong to Be Right” is exactly right for you.

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: February 28, 2023

P.S. CCC Nights are a mood and right up my alley, lowkey wanting to implement this with my gym rat friends.

3.5 stars

Kat Kowalski is a florist with a history of dating assholes, and her latest boyfriend just dumped her to go audition as the host of a reality dating show, leaving her to take care of his pet hedgehog JoJo. After getting dumped, Kat has determined to only date the exact opposite of her usual type - a loyal, put together Mr. Right. When she strikes up a friendship with Mick O'Sullivan, whose family owns a local funeral home, she is set on being just friends, and thinks his straight-laced older brother Joe might be a fit for her Mr. Right. However, as their friendship develops, both Kat and Mick realize they may have more feelings for each other than either of them bargained for.

What I liked:
I enjoyed this book and can certainly empathize with how Kat felt as her friends were entering long-term relationships and moving in with their significant others, and her feelings of being left behind. Although it was never stated how old the MCs were, I believe Kat was in her late 20s by my estimation, and I felt like the feelings she had were all valid for someone in that stage of life. You could tell that although she was happy for her friends, she also feared change and being left behind and I think most folks, especially women, feel that way in their late 20s/early 30s. I also enjoyed the nonbinary representation in this book!

What I didn't love:
I didn't love the love triangle in this book - especially because it felt like Mary-Kate (Mick and Joe's sister) shouldn't have been encouraging Kat to seek out Joe when it was clear Kat and Mick had feelings for each other. I wish Kat and Mick had just told each other how they felt sooner! I know the miscommunication trope is a big part of lots of romances, but neither of them was willing to be the first one to broach the subject of their feelings and it got a bit old. Also, the sex scenes felt a bit rushed and not fleshed out enough. I wish they would have been either more descriptive, or just done a fade to black - this felt somewhere in the middle and it was unsatisfying!

TLDR: Overall, a sweet read and I enjoyed the elements of found family, as well as the fun pets! This was a fluffy story that also had some deeper elements, though I think they could have been expanded on a bit more.

TW: Toxic parents, death of a loved one

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. TOO WRONG TO BE RIGHT is out February 28, 2023!

Warm and kinda wacky storyline where Kat, an aspiring flower shop owner, hope to find Mr. Right. Mr. Right turns out to be in the funeral home business. Overall, it was a cute rom-com, but it wasn't for me. I felt like it was kinda slow and predictable.

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC!

“As long as I’m with you, nothing could ever be wrong” ~ Melonie Johnson | Too Wrong to Be Right

After a recent break up, florist Kat Kowalski is done going after all the Mr. Wrongs and is now dedicated with a list of qualifications for Mr. Right. In a bizarre disruption involving a… you know.. casual dead body… she meets Mick O’Sullivan at his family’s funeral home. Attraction between the two is immediate but does Mick fit into all the Mr. Right qualities? Can they just stay friends? Pick up this book and find out for yourself and see how the lines between friendship and lovers blur and how there story ends!

This book was super cute! I love this never seen before meet cute between a florist and part owner of a funeral home! Also who doesn’t love a cute pet hedgehog or a not so smooth talking cockatoo! 🦔🦜 This book gave me all the feels and all the laughs! Plus who doesn’t love a hot Irish man come on! ☘️

Will be released February 28th 2023!

Goodreads: 3.59⭐️
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Melonie Johnson for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this book. It hooked me and kept me turning pages until I was done. Finished it in two days! The character development was strong, and the premise was unique enough that it didn't feel like anything else I've read.

Kat and Mick have a meet-cute like no other involving a corpse. Romantic, isn’t it? After their first encounter, neither were sure they were going to meet again. From business partners to friends, something else blossoms and they are both in denial about it. Go figure. At least, until a third party comes in *cough, cough* possible love triangle maybe?

This was an enjoyable read. I liked the female friendships and family dynamics (yes, even the subtle rivalry between brothers). Both Kat and Mick were careful not to mix business with pleasure. There was misunderstanding which I am not really a big fan off, but nothing that can’t be fixed by a grand gesture.

This book was cute. I'm eager to check out the first one as well. In the book, we see Kat, who has just been dumped. Again. She decides that it is time to find Mr. Right. And then she enters a very not so meet cute (but it was cute in my opinion) with Mick where instant sparks appear, but he is friend zoned because he doesn't meet the Mr. Right criteria.

This was a very cute friends to lovers with good snark. There were a few really good, deep, poignant moments in the lighthearted book which I enjoyed. I loved the flower shop worker meets funeral worker idea that was going on. That seemed really unique to me. Something felt a little lacking maybe with chemistry, hence not a five star. Kat was one of those characters where I just needed her to get out of her own head and realize what was in front of her. Kat and Mick seemed like cool, interesting characters. Overall, I really liked it!

3.5/5 stars!

This one was almost a 4.5 star book for me but the last third of the book brought it down a star. While I really enjoyed Kat and Mick's relationship build, the way it played out in the end was really disappointing to me. The way that their friendship grew while also developing the chemistry was so enjoyable to read. "Slow burns normally can drag for me but this one is just so sweet I can't stop reading" was a legit text I sent to my best friend.

*********Avoid next part for spoilers ********
I think that's why I was so bothered by the third act breakup/makeup. Kat realizes that Mick doesn't just want her for sex which is fantastic, but then gets mad at him for respecting her boundaries and not "fighting for her" the way she wants.
Then the way he can make it up to her is by showing up as her date that he promised to attend over a month ago. An event he doesn't even know is happening because they aren't communicating since she ended things?

I had a lot of feelings about the ending of this book. I still enjoyed the read overall but was irrationally angry at the end.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.