This book follows Lana who lives in LA and writes a relationship column at an online publication. Lana dreams of having her own pop culture column and is a serial monogamist. Enter her ex boyfriend Seth who is a successful journalist who has come to LA to settle down. Lana’s boss gets the great idea to put the ex’s up to a friendly competition to see who will win the new column.. Lana must learn to be on her own and Seth must try out a serious relationship. Needless to say the lovers to enemies may have a second chance to become lovers again!
This was such a good romance, the two characters are on journeys to find what they’re missing. The romance is light but just perfect. Thanks NetGalley and Penguin Group for this eARC.

I have such a soft spot for this book. Lana is so relatable; parts made me feel like I was reading about myself and my own story. Her internal battle throughout the book just hit so close to home. And Seth? Like, COME ON! Can you get any more adorable?
This is a book I can see myself coming back to and reading again, smiling because I know how it ends. I absolutely loved it.

Thank you Netgalley, Falon, and the publishing company for this ARC.

I loved Love on Lease, so when I saw Falon had a new book out I had to read it.

This book was indeed.. just my type! I love any enemies to lover and second chance romance books and this was the best of both worlds. I really loved Lana and Seth’s relationship and watching them slowly work back into their relationship together. The competition of them making a dating / life to-do list was fun and unique, It made for an interesting plot line and some pretty steamy scenes. Overall, this book gave me a smile while reading it and I enjoys the easy pace of the book.

My only critiques are the Marvel personality Lana was forced into having. It didn’t match her characters actual personality at all and seemed like Falon was trying to make Lana “not like other girls” and quirky… but in fact Lana is extremely basic and just like every other girl. I cringed every time an avengers comment was made.. “thank Loki” .. barf.

If I were to give one major piece of feedback it would be to completely redo or remove the epilogue. It felt like I went from one beautiful and fun story to a completely different couples life. This ending does not match Seth and Lana at all and I felt so disconnected from this last chapter. If I ever tell anyone to read this book I’d recommend them stopping before the epilogue; that’s how ouch it ruined the book for me.

3.5 stars rounded up to a 4.. would have considered a 5 if not for the epilogue Z

I really wanted to like this book, but I could not get past the cheesy pop culture references. I ended up not finishing it, it felt like the typical “not over your ex, enemies to friends” story. I also didn’t care for the characters. The main character, Lana, came off as childish and needy. Parts of it were a little funny, but overall I couldn’t get into it.

4⭐️
Lana writes for the dating/romance column in ATF magazine, but wants to expand to writing stories she’s truly passionate about. In order to make the writing switch, she enters a bet with Seth, her high school sweetheart and the man who broke her heart twice. As a serial monogamist, Lana is challenged to complete a bucket list of single items, including staying single for the duration of the challenge. As a very-much-not serial monogamist, Seth is given the same challenge, but in reverse. He has to complete a bucket list of relationship-y items. Winner gets their dream column in the Chronicle, a more popular and serious magazine. As Lana struggles with past feelings and figuring out who she is without a boyfriend, she has to do so in front of thousands of readers and right next to her ex.

I’ve read plenty of books where the girl has to “learn to be single”, or “learn to love herself without a man”. I have to say, this book does it well. I enjoyed the moments where Lana slowly realized she’s alright without a mediocre man. They didn’t feel overdone or cringey with an overdone Girl Power™ message screaming at me, but it also didn’t fall flat and still showed growth.

I love love the friend group in this book. I wish I had gotten a bit more than group chat messages from some of the office friends, but the friendship with May was everything I wanted, I just wanted more of it. The supportive friends that are always there but, again, not in your face are the best types. I loved May and all of Lana’s work friends helping her in her challenge, especially the little group chat pages!

I’m happy with the resolution of the family dynamics in this. It didn’t feel super neat and all is well, while also leaving us with some resolution to the issues Lana had with her absent mother.

While I liked most of this cute book, some parts of it left me wishing they were left out. The boxing scene had such potential, but personally the conversation felt forced and I didn’t come away feeling as satisfied as Lana did apparently. The back and forth at times didn’t bother me, but at other times they would cross too far into confessing feelings and realizing they’re in love and then act like it was perfectly normal. I wish there were more cute moments like when Seth’s girlfriend for the challenge broke up with him, it was hinted that it was because of Lana, but even after the get-together it was never revealed, and I wish it had been.

Overall this was a cute quick read that I loved some parts of, but I won’t reread it and no parts fully stood out to me as beyond just the cute quick read, even when there was potential to.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, lately, i have been a fan of enemies to lovers/ second chance romance books, and this book really did hit that spot. it really was a good twist on how to lose a guy in ten days which is absolutely my favorite rom-com so I did enjoy every second of lana and seth and cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy to annotate.

There is not a single thing that I did not like about this one! From the first page, you are sucked into the relationships, their past, their current lives, and the friendly competition. Ballard does a great job with keeping everything upbeat and there is never a lull in the story. Perfect storyline and perfect ending!

Falon Ballard really knows how to take an absolutely ridiculous premise and get me 100% invested. I adored Lease on Love so was so excited to see that she has a new book coming out. This is cheesy, predictable, and by no means perfect....and I ATE. IT. UP. I love rivals to lovers and generally love second chance romance as well, but nothing tugs on my heart strings more than first love/growing up together/shared history. It's why I love Love and Other Words, People We Meet on Vacation, etc. So this book completely hit on my very specific trope tastes.

What I loved:
-Great chemistry that had me rooting for Lana and Seth
-Focus on mental health and the importance of therapy for both main characters
-Loved their backstory
-Overall just a lot of fun

What didn't work for me:
-Was disappointed with Lana's career resolution in the end. Seth gets to work at a big newspaper and she's "growing her blog and freelancing"??
-I love that Lana was a huge pop culture nerd, but the amount of Marvel references got old real fast.
=Some of the supporting characters felt like an afterthought
-Was there no resolution about Tessa and Rob??

Overall I couldn't put this down and found this to be adorable. Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC and chance to review!

I went in to this rom com with mediocre expectations having read a slew of pretty cheesy ones recently.
In the end I ended up loving this! It gave me serious How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days vibes, but instead of strangers it was based around exes.
This was my first book by Falon Ballard and I loved her style of writing. The banter, whit, sarcasm and overall themes were all great.
Literally the only reason I’m not giving this a 5/5 was because of all of the Marvel/Avengers references. I found them bizarre and distracting.
Otherwise add this to your list to read when it is released in Feb 2023, and thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the early copy!

This is a story about the past being prologue.  Lana Parker is a relationship expert -- personally and professionally.  Ever since she broke up with her high school boyfriend, Seth Carson, after she arrived at college, she has moved from one long-term relationship to another.  And she now works as the dating and relationship columnist for a popular website.  Following her latest break-up, though, she is eager to take a break, both from dating and from writing about it.  

But then a blast from her past arrives at the office -- Seth, her high school ex, has spent the last several years working as a freelance journalist all across the globe.  Other than an unfortunate encounter at their high school reunion, Lana has not seen Seth since they broke up.  But Seth is now eager to establish roots in LA.  Lana's boss pits Lana and Seth in a competition, where they will write a series of columns about going against type: Lana will write about staying single, and Seth will write about trying to settle down based on challenges the other one creates.  The writer whose articles are the most popular will win a coveted columnist role.  As Lara and Seth pursue the competition and the role they both are eager to secure to advance their career, they realize that their strong feelings may be much more than rivalry.

I loved the author's previous novel, Lease on Love, so I was incredibly excited to read this book.  And it lives up to my high hopes.  Lara and Seth have a sparkling chemistry -- the author does a terrific job of portraying how their long history, complete with misunderstandings, has shaped their current dynamic.  The book was also an insightful look at workplace dynamics.  I appreciated how the author examined and unpacked the interactions between Lara and her boss, and the way the relationship is quite a bit more complicated than Lara appreciates at the outset of the story.

Strongly recommended!

Just My Type
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a fun read! I was entertained from start to finish, and was eager to see what was in store for our main characters Lana and Seth.

🌻in this second chance romance, we see the obvious connection Lana and Seth have lingering from their high school romance. While their conflict at first was immature, you see changes in Lana and Seth advocating for their feelings, and acting purposefully towards each other.
🌻throughout this book you’ll be rooting for both Lana and Seth in their growth and self discoveries, and their ability to set boundaries
🌻I respected how much this book touches on the importance of therapy, and how our childhood experiences can impact our adulthood relationships

Treat your shelves to this one when it releases February 7, 2023


Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Yes! Ballard delivers another excellent book. I devoured Lease on Love and was eager for Just My Type. It was even better than LoL and I was so invested in Seth and Lana’s story. I love the competition between these two and it’s a fantastic second chance romance. Strongly recommend. Can’t wait to buy!

This was SUCH a funny, light, sweet and insightful read. Think How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days but modern and instead of trying to unknowingly get someone to fall in love with you it’s a second chance romance (queue the squealing). I LOVED Lana, she is a FMC that I search for. She’s not perfect, and isn’t portrayed to be. Seth, the MMC is also just absolute chefs kiss.

And brace yourself folks but BOTH not just one of them but BOTH MC’s attend therapy! I’ll give you a moment to collect yourself. If that wasn’t a huge selling point, both characters are journalists and this is a second chance romance based in LA. Neither is a celebrity, and generational wealth is acknowledged.

I really loved this book and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks @putnambooks @penguinrandomhouse for this @netgalley ARC of JUST MY TYPE (Pub 02.07)

Lana and Seth were high school sweethearts who 12 years later find themselves rival writers for an online lifestyle/news outlet. Thrown together with a list of 10 things to complete that goes against their dating style, they write articles based on the experiences and the one with the most 'clicks' wins a coveted promotion.

Their story is emotional, sexy, witty and simply entertaining. It was exactly the escapist rom-com I was craving and I gobbled it up in a day. The pacing and character development made for a quick read. 

⁣WHAT TO KNOW:
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days meets The Hating Game vibes.
Enemies to Lovers
Second Chance Romance
Forced proximity
Workplace competition/romance
Angsty slow burn
 Sharp dialogue 

FWIW: I had some personal hang ups about Ballard's debut, Lease on Love. I enjoyed her sophomore effort so much more.

A sweet second chance romance, but I am very, very tired of the "love interests competing for a job/promotion/workplace whatever." At least this one acknowledged how messed up it was and that their boss should never have put them in this position.

This was so cute.

Exes are pitted against each other in some bizarre quite inappropriate battle to get a journalism job. But the pining and banter was incredible. Lana and Seth are adorable and I loved the side characters, especially May.

Another great read from Fallon Ballard!

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an eARC.

After a devastating breakup, Lana comes into work to learn that her high school sweetheart, Seth, is going to be working at the same online journal. Her boss puts the two on dueling columns where Lana the serial monogamist must learn to be okay on her own and keep things casual while Seth they playboy must try to settle down. To complete many of the tasks the two must work together which brings years of hurt and baggage to the surface. Plus, there is also a lingering spark that keeps these two on their toes.
I loved this book just as much as I loved Falon’s first book, Lease on Love. This is one of those second chance romances that while you know they’re going to end up together it still keeps the tension high to the point where you aren’t sure how it will end. I loved both Lana and Seth. While this book was single POV from Lana’s perspective, I still felt like I got to know Seth and all his feelings and motivations, and I don’t think it would have worked as dual POV. I liked that in addition to growing as a couple, both were also able to grow as individuals and put in the work to make themselves the best version they could be for their partner. I can’t wait to see what Falon writes next.

i loved this book. So completely. I love it even more than her debut and that’s so rare for me but wow. This was everything I wanted in a second chance romance. I loved the angst, the banter, the tension, the longing. I loved the constant miscommunication but then the actual tell all at the end. I also loved Lana’s personal journey and realizing she carried herself all throughout her life and I really relate to that. i completely recommend for people who love comedy and second chance mixed with a work place dynamic. Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this arc.

Exes (enemies) to lovers
Childhood sweethearts
Second chance romance
Workplace romance
Forced proximity
Slow burn romance


⬆️ Do I have you excited yet? If you’re like me, you may be more than a bit intrigued by the potential of this book by the tags / tropes alone. I’m happy to report, this book definitely delivered on its promising premise!

This read was a super quick one for me, I was swept up in the story from the start and just did not want to put it down. I adored Lana and Seth - their dynamic, the backstory, the banter. I loved the competition that “forced” them to work, spend time together, and reconnect. I really enjoyed the side characters too - the work thread and text messages were an easy highlights for me. It was just all working for me.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t also give a mention to Lana’s personal growth journey throughout. It was great to see Lana gain well deserved confidence and appreciation for herself. Overall, just a great read and one I definitely recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to read an early copy! 💜

This was the better of the two rom-coms I asked for, but they're aggravating me so much I probably need to drop them. The protagonists are so young and incredibly...angsty. Okay, yeah, I gotta admit I got angsty when I finally fell in love (and stupid, too), but I wouldn't have wanted to read about me.

Lana Parker never got the love she expected from her academic mom (another neglectful academic mom? really?), so she was not only head over heels over her high school sweetheart, Seth Carson, she was in love with his supportive family. But Seth went off to college and left her, so now she's gone from one long-term relationship to the next with something always ending it abruptly. When her current long-term boyfriend breaks up with her instead of proposing, she's crushed (even though she really didn't love him). So Natalie, Lana's editor, has this great idea: she'll pit Lana against the new employee to see who gets a coveted column—you guessed it, the new employee is Seth, who's never had a steady relationship. To win, Lana will write columns about being on the dating scene, and Seth will learn how to be a guy who a woman will want to set up a long-term relationship with.

Don't get me started. I was really upset that Lana makes one of the things on her "challenge list" to "have a one-night stand." Really? Really? Do you know how dangerous that is in this day of roofies? I can't believe the author would do such a thing. At least there wasn't another flaky gay character in this one. Can't we please get a sensible gay character instead?