When I read the first line of the book, “I’m having an Elle Woods moment,” I was immediately hooked!

After Lana gets dumped by her boyfriend of four years, her boss challenges her to stay single for the first time in her life and focus on herself. Meanwhile, she finds out her first (and only) love will be joining her company and competing with her for her dream job. While Lana must write about staying single, Seth must write about finding someone and settling down - may the best column win!

This is such a cute romcom that gave me a mix of The Hating Game and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days vibes - both of my favorites! There was witty banter, sexual tension, and lots of laughs. I loved the second chance, enemies to lovers, and close proximity tropes. The characters had great chemistry, and I loved all the side characters with their supportive and mischievous behavior. This isn’t just a story about finding love, but about finding yourself and following your dreams.

Only things I would change is dual POV (would love to be in Seth’s head) and less miscommunication. This is my first Falon Ballard book and I can’t wait to read Lease on Love. If you are a RomCom fan, pick this one up!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC!

If you enjoyed The Hating Game, this one is for you!

Secnd chance romance? Check.
Light, easy read? Check.
Bravo references? Check.
Swoon worthy man confessing feelings? Check. Check. Check.

I loved watching Lana grow into herself and becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. Plus, Seth, yes please! The Bravo and pop culture references pulled me right in, though they were a little tiresome by the end. (At no other fault than my own for not being a Marvel universe fan, plus Lana does cover pop culture in her own writing - that gripe is purely just me being me.)

This is my first book by Falon & certainly not my last!

When Lana's proposal goes horribly wrong in the form of a breakup , it feels as if everybody responds to this by telling her that she has problems staying single. Her Boss and editor of the online magazine for which she writes teases she should write her romance article about being single for a while. Enter Seth, Lana's ex boyfriend, who has a reputation for being a playboy. In what both writers' therapists will call a humongous overstep, Lana and Seth get put in a competing situation for which Lana has a list of 10 things she must do in order to feel comfortable being single while Seth has a list of 10 things he must do to settle down and find Ms. Right. Their articles will be released at the same time and the reader involvement helps rank how well they are doing in the competition. However, as the competition goes on and many of their list items keep throwing them together, their past gets rehashed. But can they find a way for Lana to be comfortable being single, Seth to find a partner, and be happy together?

A cute little twist on a standard second chance RomCom done in a way that really looks at making healthy changes.

#arc
#netgalley
#justmytype

This book had everything I could want in a Rom Com! The writing style had a lot of humor and humility in it, the characters were believable, their romance was endearing, and their vulnerability was humbling. I love a book that brings together two souls that should always have been as one, and Seth and Lana were that. I got serious How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days vibes and I was all for it!

There was also a great message to the book too. You don't have to be in a relationship to be happy in life, but it's also ok to want/be in a relationship too. And even if you are in a relationship, that doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice who you are. I loved that they both figured all that out at the end! Speaking of that ending, my goodness that was one perfect HEA! This one also dealt with traumas that a lot of adults have to deal with (parental neglect and being taken advantage of in the workplace) and I felt like they were handled in a great way. They also were able to shine a positive light on therapy and how beneficial it can be, even if you feel like your life is in order and don't need it.

I give this one 4/5 stars!

*BRB as I go read her first novel, Lease on Love*

4.5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed Lease on Love, but this book 🥹🥹🥹 this workplace-enemies(ish)-to-lovers-2nd-chance-romance was everything I wanted it to be !

The pacing ✅👌🏼
The connection between Lana & Seth ✅👌🏼
Character growth ✅👌🏼
Great friendships with a touch of found family ✅👌🏼

I kept my expectations low going into this, because second chance romance is really one of my least favorite tropes to be honest, but this book blew me away. Lana was so relatable and I LOVED how self aware she became and how hard she tried to break her bad patterns !

Just My Type is a delight through and through, so make sure to preorder to have this on your shelf just in time for Valentine’s Day 💘

Don't we just love second chance at love? This was an easy and quick read. I was in between finishing it quickly because I couldn't put it down anymore and savoring the pages because I just didn't want it to end yet. Haha. And I literally just finished this book and now sitting to write this.

This is about childhood sweethearts who separated ways, but remained in love with each other half of their lives and discovering one self. Lana and Seth have this undeniable chemistry and I felt the connection right away from the moment their eyes met again in ATF. Not to mention the great support system that Lana has except her boss, Natasha. I looked forward to their moments and they didn't disappoint. It was a slow burn which I don't usually don't enjoy, but in here, I didn't mind. The ending was satisfying, too.

I'm sad that it's over, but I'm happy that I got the chance to read this book in advance. With that being said, thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me an eARC in exchange of an honest review. Book will be published on the 7th of Feb 2023.

I have mixed filling on Just My Type by Falcon Balllard. I loved Falon’s debut last year, Lease on Love. So I wasI looking forward to this but I just didn’t connect with this one as well of this one.

Just My Type is a second chance romance following Lana Parker and Seth Carson who where high school sweethearts. Now they are both writers and Seth has moved to LA where Lana has been since college. To make matters more complicated he is scheduled to work at her online magazine where Lana has been writing the dating and relationship column for 8 years. She also just experienced a breakup as well. Once Seth starts and her boss hears they used to date and they go viral arguing on a live stream, they are pitted against each other in a writing competition for a new job. Doing the opposite of what they usually do when I comes to dating. Seth has to put roots down and date to marry and Lana has to try dating for fun and not be a relationship person. But with your first love around can they do their job and not have old feelings come back.

While I think it was a well written book, There where parts of this I was really getting into but than something would happen that would get me frustrated. I did have my issues with it. My biggest being the lack of communication between the main couple. I don’t mind miscommunication in my romances. But every time I felt like Seth and Lana were going somewhere they wouldn’t communicate because of the contest/columns angle in the story. I also took me time to warm up to Seth and at times I found it hard to root for them as a couple. I also kind of felt like the villain of the story kind of came out of nowhere during the last third of the book. While it took me a while get into Lana I did enjoy her character. Honest my favorite part of this book was Lana’s journey to see she didn’t need a relationship and the conclusion with her mom. Also enjoyed the side characters, especially Lana’s friends. I wished boxing coach Duke made more appearances. His scene was one of my favorites in this book. Wish we got to see Seth’s family in this.

Overall this wasn’t the book for me but I still would love to read more by from Falcon Ballard. But this book i am give it three stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Penguin Group for this arc.

Read this if you love: Second chance romances and amazing friends.

The friends in this book were amazing and I would love to have a group like theirs. Loved the mentions of therapy. I feel like I know nothing about Seth though.

📝 Just my Type by Falon Ballard 🪴

H’s Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

👉🏼 Publishes TODAY, 2/7/23

Genre: RomCom
Trope: Second chance romance, workplace romance, rivals to lovers
⚠️ TW: Strained relationship with absent parent

📖 Read If You Like 📖
✌🏼 Second Chance Romance
🪴 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
💄 Legally Blonde
💼 Workplace Romance
🫶🏻 Therapy Representation
💻 Work Slack Chat Threads on Page
🔥 Slow burns

💭 H’s thoughts:
This was a sweet book! It was definitely a slow burn, but I love the author’s writing style. The MMC is a serial dater and the FMC is a serial monogamist - but they were high school sweethearts! They now find themselves in a work competition and complete tasks on a journey to finding themselves. I loved the premise of the book, and how the author highlighted the benefits of therapy. It definitely felt like I was watching a 2000s rom com movie, and I recommend it if you’re into those! -H

Thank you to @netgalley and @putnambooks for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

*Note: This will be posted on my GoodReads and Instagram (@therapist.book.swap) on publication day, 2/7/23. I will edit this review to add the links once they are posted.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and definitely won’t be my last.

This story leads off with an embarrassing break up that instantly made me love Lana and sympathize with her character. In that first scene there was so much of her characterization put in and the dig about her having mommy issues and not being able to be alone all struck so hard so quick. The following day were introduced to Seth, her high school sweetheart and the one that got away, and with this introduction comes a competition for a writing dream job they both want! Seth needs to complete tasks to help him get ready for a long term relationship and Lana tasks that will make her comfortable to be alone.

If How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Never Been Kissed and 13 Going on 30 had a baby it would be this book. I lived for the competition and how it kept driving them together. Lana’s growth and discovery was a huge part of this and her just sitting with herself and knowing she’s right in the things she knows about herself was so refreshing to read. The fact that Seth also knew the entire time that Lana has always been fine on her own was another plus, he didn’t think there was anything wrong with her other than who she was listening to.

What I didn’t like: While we got some background on their relationship as kids and saw glimpses of what they are like as adults I felt the story really needed more Seth, more of who he is, more of what he’s like, a dual POV would have been so great in this instance.

Read if you enjoy:
Second chance romance
Enemies/rivals to lovers
Forced proximity
High school sweethearts

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am extremely upset by my opinion on this book.

I absolutely LOVED Ballard’s debut, Lease on Love, so I was extremely excited to read this one. I went the audiobook route this time since Penguin Random House so kindly sent me a copy early to review.

Just My Type has so many tropes that I normally always jump at — second chance, childhood romance, enemies to lovers, workplace romance plus so many more but my god, Seth and Lana had no chemistry at all. Maybe as teenagers, I could have seen it but adults — absolutely not. Lana came across as immature for her age. The reveal of the huge conflict in this book made me pretty angry too. Another thing that made me really love Lease on Love was the friend group but I didn’t get the same vibes from this one.

I’m all for fandoms and loving Marvel, Star Wars, etc. but references were thrown around so much it was like I was in a tornado full of pop culture. How many times do we need to know that Lana’s ringtone is R2-D2? Apparently, the limit does not exist.

I’m not counting Ballard out though. I’ll definitely be curious about other works they write but this one definitely didn’t hit the mark for me. Please do still give this a chance if any of these tropes catch your eye!

TROPES:
- second chance
- childhood romance
- enemies to lovers
- workplace romance
- strong friend group
- compared to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Thank you to the publisher for providing me an e-arc free to review.

A slow burn second chance romance filled with banter and angst? Yes please! This was adorable! Following Seth and Lana on their self discovery missions while also watching them reconnect after years of estrangement all while dealing with a sticky work environment was chaotically enjoyable. Full of tension and pop culture references this book was a joy. 4/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this novel. I really enjoyed Just My Type by Falon Ballard. It was a unique storyline that set it apart from lots of other rom-com type novels that are out there. I enjoyed the main characters a lot. I definitely recommend this one!

I am a huge fan of second chance romances and "enemies to lovers," so I really enjoyed this one. I was a little thrown off at first because this book takes place in my neighborhood, so I found it hard to escape reality when a bunch of places I frequent were thrown around, but I quickly grew to enjoy it. Lana and Seth are both extremely likable characters, and it was easy to root for them individually and as a couple. Although I wanted them to end up together, I wanted them to grow as people too, and this book allowed both of those things to happen.

If you enjoyed Falon Ballard's book, Lease on Love, you will definitely love Just My Type. It's just as sweet, but the characters feel a lot more developed this time around.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the eARC!

I was so excited to see that Falon Ballard had a second book coming out because I loved Lease on Love.

And I think I loved this one even more. It’s not often I feel the need to stay up until I finish a book but I had to finish this one. It’s so hard to put down!

It was such a good romcom. It had a bunch of elements that made it more than just a romcom. I love the message it sent that you don’t have to be in a relationship to be happy. And that just because you choose a relationship doesn’t mean you aren’t choosing yourself.

I loved the characters. They made me cheer for both of them. And I loved watching them find out about theirselves.

Definitely recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Putnam Books for a copy of Just My Type in exchange of an honest review.

Gahhhhh I really enjoyed this book so very, very much! Just My Type by Falon Ballard is a childhood friendship/high school sweethearts to enemies to lovers/second-chance romance that I didn’t even know I needed in my life, but yay, welcome! The absolute slow burn in this book – Falon is a master at such things (I’m looking at you Lease on Love, as well) – had me on the edge of my seat waiting for Lana and Seth to figure it out, and believe me it is WORTH THE WAIT. Lana’s journey of self-discovery is also well-written and relatable and allowed for a deeper connection with her character. I absolutely adored the coworkers/friends and their running commentary on the competition, and every time James said “Get a room” I was hands down in absolute agreement with him! The only other things I just want to shout about are speed dating and sunflowers – just cannot, you’re going to have to read to find out why, but just ughhhhhh so good! I highly recommend you read this book ASAP!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Falon Ballard and Penguin Group Putnam for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

Such a fun book! With witty dialogue and plenty of pop-culture references, this was a quick read with a satisfying ending. I loved the dynamic between the romantic leads, and the friendships throughout. While at times I was frustrated and found it a little hard to believe that the main character really didn’t know how her love interest felt, the second chance romance / enemies-to-lovers dynamic was believable for the most part. Would recommend to fans of ‘Book Lovers’ and ‘Beach Read’ by Emily Henry, or the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days!

Lana Parker is a long term relationship type of gal, but when her proposal dinner turns into a breakup she decides to try being alone for a while. But, when an old fame enters the picture in an unexpected way Lana is torn between finding herself and finding true love.

This book is a perfect blend of the movies How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days and Always Be My Maybe. I wasn't a huge fan of Ballard's other book, Lease on Love, but this one was great! The story felt fresh to me and I think there is something so special about first loves that Ballard showcases with this book.

Just My Type is just my type of second romance. From the meet-puke to the epilogue, I will remember this love story with so much fondness. I liked Lease on Love. I loved Just My Type.
Lana is coming off a string of long-term relationships that end without fail. She's a one-man-woman and only an inter-office competition with Seth provokes her to try a more why-choose attitude. Not to mention that Seth so happens to be her first love and has made a recent return to her life. With a promotion hanging in the balance, Lana gives her best efforts to succeed and thwart Seth.
I will always love a second chance romance. Between the history of the pair to the re-development of feelings, I get that heart twisting enemies-to-lovers vibes and/or power of unrequited love. Throw that mix into a workplace romance and I'm one happy reader. Falon's sophomore novel has officially put her on my auto-buy list,
The narration from Tegan Ashton Cohan was fantastic. Her flow and pacing made for a beautifully immersive experience.
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the advanced copy and PRHA for the alc. All thoughts in this review are my own.

I haven't read Falon Ballard's first book, Lease on Love, but after finishing Just My Type in one sitting - I definitely will.!

Lana and Seth are high school sweethearts who'd always wanted to move to LA and write for a newspaper together; however, aside from seeing each other at the 10 year high school reunion (and some instagram stalking), they've been apart for the past 12 years. Following their breakup, Lana moved to LA to become a romance columnist, hoping someday to be a pop culture writer, while Seth has been a freelance writer, traveling all over the world-- that is until he's introduced as a new employee and her rival for a promotion at the company.

In the years following their break-up, Lana has become a serial monogamist whose never gone more than a few weeks between serious relationships, while Seth has become a womanizing serial dater. Throughout the book, we watch as the two are pitted against each other for their own column at the Chronicle (the company that just bought the website Lana has been working for, for 8 years). Lana has to prove she is okay being single and Seth has to prove he's able to settle down. With influence from their meddling (and at times, overstepping) boss, Natasha, the two have to complete a series of tasks each week that the other has decided for them, while writing weekly columns to prove their progress.

This book was the perfect mix of "How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "The Hating Game," but I loved it even more! It was a super quick read that was easy to get into and become hooked on the Lana/Seth dynamic. Highly recommend to anyone who loves second chance romances or enemies to lovers, or just needs a new book to read in the genre

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the eARC!