**3.5 STARS**

I read a book from this author last called Lease on Love and loved it. So I definitely wanted to try her next book, Just My Type. Here’s what I thought about the book:

+ This is a second chance romance for two people that were high school sweethearts and everything went wrong when Lana goes off to college. I thought the author did a great job of making me feel the connection between Lana and Seth, even though they are broken up. I kind of love how it was in the lines of the sentiment “if you love something, set it free, and if it comes back to you, it’s meant to be” – or something like that. That’s how I saw Lana and Seth’s relationship.

+ Lana is a fun character who has many friends and seems to make them easily. She doesn’t have the best relationship with her mother, which is why the break-up with Seth hurt so much – his family was like a family to her and not only did she lose him, but she lost them too. The great thing about Lana is she’s willing to do things the right way if she and Seth got back together and that meant therapy and really figuring out how to be in a relationship with herself before jumping into something serious again.

+ The supporting cast with Lana’s best friend and her co-workers brought the humor in this story. The competition between Lana and Seth has them making lists for one another and tasks they have to complete and I thought the tasks were fun.

+ I was rooting for Lana and Seth all throughout the book and hoping they could heal the past so they can have a future and they have the happy ending I hoped for.

~ Lana and Seth obviously have a messy past and it was frustrating at times when they had the hardest time communicating what they wanted to say. Both parties did the other wrong but there was also a feeling of them being meant to be throughout the story. I could totally relate to Lana – even though I’m not one to ever go back to my exes – but I can see how a high school love like theirs would be something worth pursuing again if the time is right. I just wish they could have told each other the truth of their feelings before things got so messy.

Tropes: exes to lovers, second chance romance, workplace romance, rivalry, competition

Why you should read it:
*you enjoy second chance romances and exes to lovers tropes
*Lana’s friends are funny and the competition was a fun aspect of the story
*there is a happy ending

Why you might not want to read it:
*not into exes getting back together

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this one a lot because Lana and her friends are a fun bunch. After learning about Lana and Seth’s past I was rooting for them until the very end. I love how they come to their happy ending! If you love second chance romances, definitely check this one out.

4.5 stars - I loved this so much! It was funny, relatable a bit steamy and sweet!

Lana, a serial monogamist writes a dating column for a lifestyle online magazine in LA. She has just been dumped by her longterm boyfriend on the night she thought she was going to get engaged.

After her breakup her boss pressures her to write about living single when who walks in but her long lost first love, Seth. DUN DUN DUUUUN! They are then pitted against each other in a writing competition challenging their usual dating lifestyles. Lana has to learn to be on her own and Seth (a serial dater) has to shape his life to allow for a long-term relationship. And thus the drama ensues.

I loved the banter. the second-chance romance and the enemies to lovers. It was so sweet and satisfying. The elements that I thought I was going to have problems with ended up being resolved in a satisfying way.

Well done, FB!

Very cute! This is the second book of Fallon’s I read after Lease on Love. I love a good second chance romance trope, and the fact that it also had enemies to lovers was icing on the trope cake.

This book was also one of my favorite genres, that has you laughing out loud at certain parts.the banter between the coworkers and texts messages were perfect.

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There really wasn't anything I can say about this book in a negative way! All of the characters were so well-written and the tension between our two main characters was the perfect amount. Because they have such an extensive history, it’s easy to see the difficulty in not remaining friendly at the very least. Though at the same time, it's easy to understand why they can't really be friends. Or more... What does one do when faced with an awkward work and life dilemna all rolled into one?! Turn it into a competition, I suppose. The premise between the challenge is so intriguing especially because of the obvious feelings brewing on both sides. While Natasha's reasonings were beyond selfish, everything the two accomplished together and apart because of it was amazing and life changing! Who knows if they would've been able to grow as much without the tasks bringing them out of their individual comfort zones? I'm so glad they both eventually got where they needed to be!

Side note, I can't wait for a Tessa and Rob storyline! (??)

Aaaagh -- I just love romance books, especially the enemies to lovers and second-chance romance tropes! I cannot wait to share this title!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

Absolutely loved this enemies to lovers and second chance story!! It’s a 4 or 5 star for me. I really loved Lana’s journey. HIGHLY recommend this book!! Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I have been in a serious rom-com mood lately, maybe because of the holiday season. Whatever the reason, I was so excited to jump into this book and I absolutely adored it! I felt myself laughing often, smiling like an idiot, and times when the tears were ready to flow both from sadness and happiness. I loved the MC Lana and was so drawn into her story, I found myself reading much later into the night than I planned. Just one more chapter always ended up as more! I would highly recommend this to any rom-com lover, as I thoroughly enjoyed this authors writing and the whole story of Lana and Seth.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Falon Ballard for providing me with this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Putnam Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this book!

This is a super enticing premise about two high school sweethearts who, upon entering college, broke up and subsequently broke each other's hearts in various ways. Over a decade later, they end up working at the same publication, competing for a dream job in a challenge set up by their deeply overbearing boss. I loved the general premise because I am, first and foremost, a messy bitch who loves drama. That said, I found that the story ultimately fell flat for me, I'm sad to say!

Let's start with Seth. Without giving anything away, Seth is confusing, and that's putting it mildly. Out of seemingly nowhere, he'll say precisely what's on his mind and openly communicate, and you'll think, "Finally! No shot for a miscommunication trope here!" Only for him to go back to longing glances and saying, "nevermind" a page later. While I understand the sentiment, as this would be approximately one chapter long if he immediately spoke his mind, I struggled to get a firm grasp on who Seth really is as a character and how he handles things.

We're given slightly more context for Lana through peeks into her troubled relationship with her mom and longing for stable people in her life, but she still seemed consistently overly hostile considering the circumstances, and I found it hard to believe that ANY grown woman wouldn't pick up what was being put down as consistently as she did. Beyond that, even after she knows what's going on with his side of the situation, she still maintains keeping him at an arms length for seemingly no reason. I find that it muddied her motivations, as I struggled to follow why exactly she was so adamant. At times, it verged on feeling like maybe she just wasn't into Seth to begin with—not exactly a recipe for creating tension.

Saving the best for last, by far the best character in this book is the therapist, who everyone involved clearly needs. But in all seriousness, the hostile work environment of it all is something that usually goes by completely unmentioned in stories involving these tropes, and I found it super refreshing and a bit of a fourth wall break to have a character within the story calling out the craziness. Yay, therapy!

All in all, I think that perhaps exes to lovers just isn't the trope for me as a whole. While I found the concept cute, it just didn't land with me. What can I say? Maybe it's not Just My Type, it's me.

Just My Type by Falon Ballard has everything I love in a romcom:

- Enemies to Lovers
- Second Chance Romance
- A woman finding her self-worth

Lana Parker is the Elle Woods of the 21st century working woman. She is independent, hardworking, and in true Elle Woods fashion, gets dumped at a nice restaurant when she thought she was going to be proposed to.

Lana’s life goes topsy-turvy again when her first love, Seth, comes to work at the paper that she works for.

Lana is a serial monogamist, while Seth can’t settle down. The newspaper they work for decide to pit them against each other in a contest – Lana has to do 10 tasks and stay single and rediscover who she is without a man, while Seth has to do 10 tasks that will help him settle down in LA and find Mrs. Right.

The more time they spend together the more their hearts get in the way.

I really enjoyed this book! Some of Lana’s tasks on how to learn to be okay with being alone were really thought provoking. It made me look into my own life and question if I am happy being alone (I am married with 2 kids, so alone time is rare).

If you need a quick romcom to read I HIGHLY recommend this book!

I really loved Falon’s writing in Lease on Love, and I found it to be equally great in her sophomore novel. I was into this story since the very beginning. Lana is a serial dater, she hasn’t been alone since she was 14. Seth is a commitmentphobe and her first ex, and now they’re rivals competing for a columnist spot. Rivals to lovers is a fave of mine, and mixed with second chance, it had all of the elements I needed to love this story. Seth’s assignment made him try to settle down, while Lana’s assignment made her try to enjoy single life. I enjoyed the tasks, but I feel like to really see character growth, I would have needed dual POV. Regardless of this, I had so much fun with this part of the book!

The second half kind of lost me. When Lana and Seth’s past is revealed and the mess gets even messier, I didn’t like some things. I do not like emotional cheating at all, and while this wasn’t one of the very bad cases, it still ruined the fun for me a bit, especially on Lana’s side.

TW: Absent parent

Rating: 3/5
Steam level: Open door, 1-2 scenes, high level of detail

Thanks to Putnam and NetGalley for my ARC. Opinions are my own!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC!! I loved everything about this book: the pop culture references, the second chance romance, Lana and Seth’s banter, it was all so perfect. This was my first read by Falon Ballard, but certainly not my last! I adored the writing of this and it definitely just my type of book *wink*

Relationship columnist Lana Parker has had a string of long-term relationships that all ended badly. After her most recent break-up, Lana is confronted by her first (and most significant) big ex, Seth Carson, who has recently moved to Los Angeles to work at the website Lana writes for. Intrigued by their story, Lana’s boss offers them an opportunity to advance their careers by competing in an article series about their relationship weaknesses—challenging Lana to stay single and Seth to commit to one person.

Just My Type is a funny, heartfelt read. It follows the satisfying conventions of a traditional rom com well, hitting all those sweet and angsty beats that romance lovers will enjoy. Second chance romance always hits hard, toeing the line between best friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers, and this book encapsulates both. The banter, which is my favorite part of any romance, is charming and hilarious. I really enjoyed Lana and Seth trying to evolve as individuals first, even though the lack of communication/emotional constipation during this evolution is frustrating.

One thing I would criticize was the way every character’s world revolves around the main character and her relationship issues. It might just be me, but their level of investment felt wild. I understand that the book is about her journey, but if there’s going to be 5+ frequently mentioned side characters, it’s tough for them to feel like real, distinct people if all they do is talk about Lana’s love life.

I would recommend this to romance readers looking for a sparky second chance love story that doesn’t ignore the character’s personal growth for the sake of the romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

✨REVIEW✨

Just My Type
Falon Ballard
Release Date: 02/07/2023

SWIPE for book description

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“A How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days dating f*cktastic challenge extravaganza.”

This book is such a good palate cleanser! I adored this book so much! It has just about everything that I love in a romance book.

I felt connected to Lana right away. I have been where she is and had to do some major soul searching 😅 Like a lot of us, Lana and Seth are dealing with past pain and regret, that has shaped them into who they are today. I enjoyed reading about them coming to terms with the past and trying to move on from it. I can’t forget all of the witty banter! I laughed so many times while reading. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fun read!

Read if you love:

💻Forced proximity
🏅Character growth
🐠 Friends to lovers
🌻Second chance romance
🥊Enemies to lovers

“I used to be able to read those eyes like the
hundreds of books cluttering my shelves, but now
I don't know what emotions they're hiding.” 🥹🥹

Thank you so much @penguinrandomhouse and @netgalley!

So many feelings!!! It’s a second chance, enemies to lovers workplace rom-com, topped off with a women’s fic journey of self-discovery for the heroine, and it’s all perfect. Everything about this book made me very, very happy!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this story! I was a little unsure in the beginning. Lana was a little too mean for me at times but at the same time I understood her hurt. The chemistry between Lana and Seth was clearly there from the very beginning but it was much more slow burn than I thought it would be. For the story, I actually thought it was the perfect pace. The ending warmed my heart and unexpectedly made me tear up. This book had two of my favorite tropes, rivals to lovers and second chance. It was such a good and heartfelt read, I loved it!

4.5 Stars
Falon Ballard is making her way to my "Must Read Anything By This Author" list. I loved Lease on Love so was excited to read Just my Type. A fun second chance romance, when exes are thrown back together- a trope I love. The chemistry between the two characters was great. The pacing had me finding spare minutes to pick the book up. A fun read I intend on recommending to others.

I loved the opening with references to Elle Woods as Lana gets dumped again. She has been afraid to be single so stays in committed relationships even though she should have bailed long ago.

After her horrible night she shows up to work hung over only to find her first love Seth now works at same company. He broke her heart twice and left her crushed. Now, in order to get her dream job she has to compete against him to get it. She must write about being single and her self discovery and Seth must write about settling down and being in serious relationship.

The tension between the main characters as they struggled through the challenges and being together was funny at times especially when you could read Lana's inner thoughts. She was trying hard to get Seth to fail and I really liked the plant and pet challenge.

This was one of the funniest romance books I have read recently. The banter was hilarious, especially in the group messaging thread between our MCs and their co-workers. I especially liked all the movie references.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Available February 7, 2023.

Read if you like:
-second chance love
- workplace romance
-enemies to lovers
-movie references

I am absolutely in love with this book! It’s perfection and I am so impressed with Falon Ballard. Lease on Love was such an excellent read and to follow that up with an equally, if not better book, shows such amazing skill and creativity.
Lana and Seth are exactly as I imagine 30-year-olds to be (also how I am at 30). Falon captures the perfect balance of being an adult, but also not having all your sh*t figured out. Knowing to go to therapy and appreciating it 🙌🏻! Trying out how to be alone and get over past traumas - yes! And that doesn’t even cover their chemistry! The banter and group chats are funny and relatable. The quirky situations seem incredibly plausible and realistic. The slow growth and taking two steps forward and one step back is just so relatable. I didn’t want this book to end or to put it down. It was all the tiny things (🌻) that made this utter perfection. This is perhaps the most relatable and lovely book I’ve read as a 30 year old woman and I can’t reccomend it enough. 5+⭐️, 2🌶

After really loving Falon Ballard's debut Lease on Love last year, I was super excited to read Just My Type. I absolutely love a second chance romance and the premise sounded so good. Sadly I was left wanting more from this book. More angst, more chemistry...more interest.

I found myself not really caring much about Seth and Lana as a couple. They didn't have the chemistry I look for in a second chance romance. Not to mention there really wasn't any angst between the two. Maybe if there was flashbacks of them together in the past or we felt more for them as friends?

Unfortunately, Just My Type wasn't a book that clicked for me even though the plot/premise had so much potential.

This is a cute second-chance romcom. I liked Seth and agreed with him Lana needs to apologize for her behavior at the reunion and during the competition. Lana was a bit much and I felt like she could have forgiven Seth sooner but I did like that things weren't super dramatic and that the conflict was resolved quickly. Overall it was a super cute romcom and Seth gets a 10/10. This romcom really doesn't deal with anything dark and is purely a super fun light-hearted read.