Member Reviews
I was immediately excited to see a second book by Falon Ballard after reading Lease On Love earlier this year. I once again was not disappointed at all, and think that I loved Just My Type even more. The main character Lana had all of the quirks of a romantic comedy heroine with the sass and determination I like to see. I absolutely adored the Legally Blonde references and they immediately had me hooked from the first paragraph.
Newly single, Lana is given an assignment by her boss to write about being single, and staying single. But that isn't all, there's a small hitch in her plan, she must complete the assignment "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days" style against her ex-boyfriend and first love, Seth. The outcomes of each task to their project are hilarious, and sweet, and the two characters had such amazing chemistry right off the bat, even though they were at each other's throats the entire time.
I enjoyed the plot, the humor, the realness of the emotions Lana and Seth felt both separately and together as they navigated being near to one another. I was so happy to see the author advocate for mental health care and attending therapy sessions to help the main character realize her own strengths. I think that lovers of contemporary romance will enjoy this book a lot, particularly fans of Lease On Love, The Hating Game, and The Love Hypothesis.
Just My Type is the slow burn second chance romance of every book lover's dream!! When Seth, one of Lana's exes, shows up at her workplace the day after she is dumped, her world is tipped sideways. Things go fully topsy turvy when she finds out that not only do they have to work together for the foreseeable future, but they are going to be competing for the same job with opposite columns in the online magazine. Lana has to write about being single for once, while Seth needs to try out serial monogamy (think: a fun twist on How to Lose a Guy in 10 days). This was a super enjoyable and bingable book! I kept smiling and laughing at the antics. The "third act conflict" and resolution felt a bit off to me compared to the rest of the book so it is a four star read. Overall, an incredibly sophomore novel for Ballard. I definitely liked this book even more than her first novel, Lease on Love. For those who were not a fan (I know some people found the LoL FMC annoying) I recommend giving this book a shot for sure!! Just My Type is perfect for fans of The Ex-Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon and available in stores on Feb 7th, 2023. Thanks so much to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam Son's for the advanced copy in exchange for a review. I cannot wait to see what Ballard writes next.
This book starts off with a bomb of a beginning and doesn't slow down throughout. Seriously the PERFECT book to read on a plane ride. I was giggling throughout at the column titles and quotes, and straight up guffawing at some of Lana's antics. And a second chance romance that wasn't just caused by rampant miscommunication? Yes PLEASE. Plus it doesn't hurt that Seth is a nerdy little smokeshow - aka *exactly* my type. This book has it all - a classic How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days type of plot, a sloooooow burn romance, and ALL of the positive mental health representation. Indeed, therapy should be free and mental health professionals should be well compensated. Falon Ballard nails it again.
*Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
I absolutely loved this book! It was the first book I read by Ballard, but I will definitely be grabbing her previous book!
I'm normally not superrrr drawn towards exes to lovers, but this book captivated me from the very start. Lana and Seth worked so well together and I never wanted to put this book down. They truly were meant for each other and it made the story so satisfying.
Absolutely worth the read!
Just My Type was the perfect combination of emotional depth and contemporary romance tropes wrapped up in one. This is a second chance romance that follows main character Lana Parker, a writer aspiring to grow in her career, when her high school sweetheart is suddenly back in her life. A serial monogamist who has to learn how to stand on her own and discover who she is, what she wants, and just how strong she truly is - Lana will win your heart over with her endearing personality. Seth is what romantic interest dreams are made of. There is a little bit of spice along with lots of angst. I laughed, had tears in my eyes, and my stomach had butterflies throughout this story. Definitely recommend for contemporary romance lovers.
Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons & NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this digital ARC
I enjoyed Falon Ballard's debut and had high hopes for this one, but sadly, it was quite underwhelming to me! I keep putting this book down to pick up others, and really just was not invested in either character. The challenge part was a bit fun, but not enough to keep me interested.
I am going to start by saying that the abundance of Marvel references and the frequently used name of the magazine "ATF" (to me indicates Alcohol Tobacco Firearms ) realllllly bothered me. But these issues did not overshadow the sweet second chance love story that was self aware and honest. The characters were well drawn out and the storyline, if slightly absurd (but what romcom isn't) was interesting and fun.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Falon Ballard for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!! I think I can truthfully say I loved this book even more than Falon’s debut novel!! Seth Carson has my whole entire heart. I just die every time with a hero who so clearly loves the heroine from day one. This gave me alllll the feels ugh. I would so highly recommend to those of you that are more into contemporary romance than the hi-jinksy rom coms. Not too much spice either so perfect for everyone who doesn’t love that!
I am not generally a fan of second chance tropes but Falon Ballard executed this one to perfection. I think it helped that she also added in a dash of enemies-to-lovers (one of my favorite tropes) and forced proximity (also a fave). You would think with all those different tropes together the story would feel cluttered but it didn’t. The pacing was great and I enjoyed the humor.
The only part I have a complaint about occurs right at the very beginning when Lana is dumped by her current boyfriend instead of getting the proposal she was expecting (not a spoiler, this happens legit immediately). It becomes clear very quickly that Lana doesn’t even particularly like this guy yet she was planning on MARRYING him. This seemed like such a huge deal to me and it was sort of glossed over in the book.
I think this book will be a real hit with rom-com fans. It’s strikes a nice balance between funny and serious and I couldn’t put it down.
Cute. Reminded me of The Ex Talk but without the faking dating and The Hating Game a bit. Fun read, would recommend.
this book really did it for me! i love a good second chance romance and i feel like this one was a bit of a breather from the repetitive storylines usually with this trope. now don’t get me wrong there were some similarities to others but not too the point of being distracting. i didn’t know how to feel about lana at first (marvel references in place of “god” is not for me i see) but she really did come around for me. seth as well! i wished for his pov to sneak up at some point but alas. their relationship and the build up was so very very cute. thank you netgalley for the arc!!
Lease on Love was such an unexpected yet delightful 5-star read, and so I was interested in Just My Type from the moment I first saw the cover. And boy, does this book deliver! Falon Ballard writes with such quick, witty language that just pulls me in and it's so fun, cute and bingeworthy. It reads very quickly and it's so flipping could that I did not want to put down. All in all, it's so well-written, captivating, funny, vulnerable, a little spicy and sweet as all hell. Like, this one was so good that I wish I could read for the first time again.
Just My Type is a brilliant second-chance romance that gripped me from page one! I enjoyed the author's debut (Lease on Love), but I loved this one even more. Just My Type follows Lana and Seth, who were each other's high-school sweethearts, and their attempts to navigate a 'competition' that they've been pitted against each other for at work: Lana will complete a list of tasks to try and learn how to be happy being alone with herself, while Seth will complete a list of tasks to open himself up to being a committed relationship. The chemistry that the two characters had was clearly evident from the very first time they appeared together on page, and I thought this delivered on all the second-chance angst that I love to read!
Okay this was SO CUTE. Such a feel good read to get anyone out of a slump. All of my favorite tropes in one - rivals to lovers, second chance romance, it was perfect. Very how to lose a guy in ten days vibes.
Lana and Seth, high school sweethearts, break up due to distance. 10 years later they find themselves at the same company forced into a competition for a writing assignment. Lana needs to learn how to be alone and stop dating one guy after the next while Seth needs to settle down and find a woman for life.
You can probably imagine how it goes but even so, I loved it. A little corny at times sure but honestly the perfect romcom and just what I needed. The whole time I was on the edge of my seat waiting for it to finally work out.
I loved Falon’s first book too so I knew this one would be amazing too and I definitely wasn’t let down.
Thank you Falon Ballard and Penguin Group Putnam for sending me this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!!
Such a good one!! Just My Type follows Lana and Seth, high school sweethearts who have not been in contact since they broke up over 10 years ago. Lana is stuck in her job and hates that she only gets to cover relationship content. Her boss sets her up to compete for her own column by completing tasks related to finding herself. Of course, the catch is that she will be competing against Seth. I loved following their competition and was totally rooting for them! Pick this one up if you enjoy second chance romance and enemies to lovers!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!
When did you last compete against a coworker for a job promotion?
Just My Type by Falon Ballard (book review)
Lana Parker has worked as a writer for several years. She is desperate for a promotion. Lana's boss challenges her to remain single and become comfortable with it in an online blog competition to create buzz to make their company money. Interestingly, her competitor, Seth Carson, is her ex-boyfriend. The challenge for him is to prepare for a long-term relationship. Despite sounding easy, this proves to be more difficult than either of them expected. The competition winner will receive their own high profile column.
Lana has been vying for her own journalist column for several years. It is Lana's goal to outdo Seth and not let this promotion pass her by. Both sides participate in humorous and daring activities. The pair's banter is hilarious. Ballard's writing has a warmth and coziness that makes it such a pleasure to read!
Just My Type is available on February 7th.
4/5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam (G. P. Putnam's Sons) for sharing this book with me. Your kindness is appreciated.
#JustMyType
Thank you, NetGalley and Putnam Books for providing me with an ARC for this super fun read! I couldn't put this one down. I am always a sucker for enemies to lovers; however, I don't always love second chance romances. This one turned those feelings on their head because I enjoyed this until the last page. It was a bit slow in the beginning but once Lana and Seth's story picked up, I was hooked. Would definitely recommend this fun romance to anyone who likes enemies to lovers, second chances, competition, and a sweet ending.
im not gunna lie the cover drew me in. but I'm so happy it did because I loved this one! 10/10 would recommend. so stinking cute.
Oh my hearts! I loved this book!
Just My Type by Falon Ballard follows Lana Parker and the absolute mess of her love life. After an awful breakup with her high school boyfriend, Lana went from one long-term relationship to another. To add to the drama, she has a dating column for one of LA's trendiest websites. When her most recent boyfriend breaks up with her (as she thought she was going to be proposed to!), she eyes a promotion to a new column.... only to have her high school ex, Seth Carson, show up to write for her site.
Lana and Seth have significant history and have taken different paths. Lana is a serial monogamist while Seth is never in one place for too long, until now. Seth is ready to put down roots but Lana can't understand why he ended up on the west coast when they are from the east coast.
Lana's boss decides to create a competition between Seth and Lana, promising the winner their own column.
Pitted against each other, they are each tasked with writing an article series that goes against their usual dating type: Lana needs to write about being single and staying single, while Seth must learn to settle down and become boyfriend material. Whoever's series is most popular winds a highly coveted dream job. But when the two square off, it's not only their careers on the line—it’s also their hearts.
I loved the unraveling of this couple's backstory. There was 12 years of hurt, resentment and misunderstandings to work through. The character of Lana's boss will make you appreciate your worst boss ever! Eeek!
Thank you to NetGalley, Falon Ballard and Penguin Group Putnam/ G. P. Putnam’s Sons for a digital arc in exchange for my honest review.
One of my favorite tropes is enemies to lovers and this one didn’t disappoint! Loved the banter and conflict and how they were to overcome all their issues and differences.