I was provided an ARC by NetGalley and HQ publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Such a fun, light and quick read! This story was an enemies-to-lovers story that kept me smiling and laughing throughout. The texts between all the characters were very relatable. My neighbor has sunflowers growing in their front yard so it's a constant reminder and smile of this book. Why sunflowers? You'll just have to read to find out!! Definitely one to go back to when you need a fun read!

Lana is a serial monogamist who was just dumped Legally Blonde style. To make things worst, she writes a relationship column for a living. The ultimate career goal though is to write about pop culture. She's finally given the opportunity, but there's a catch. She has to compete for the dream job against THE ex. We all know about THE ex. The one that you thought it was real love, but they broke your heart, and you want nothing but for them to fall off the face of the planet. Hers is the first love, the one that got away. Seth, THE ex, is a serial dater, never settling down. Their competition is to write articles judged by the reader. Lana must remain single. Seth must settle down. They get to pick the subjects for the others' articles. What could possibly go wrong with that? Absolutely nothing if you're talking about the plot to a fun romance!

Thank you to NetGallley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

I. Loved. It. I found this book to be a delight. It's funny, it's sweet, there's a little spice, and overall, the story is relatable and interesting. I loved the characters and felt they could be people I know. They felt real and well fleshed out. The plot pulled me in immediately. Lana is a serial romantic whose boyfriend breaks up with her when she thought she was getting a proposal. As if that wasn't bad enough, her first love, Seth, rolls into town and the two find themselves in a competition for a position at a venerated newspaper. The assignment is clear: Lana and Seth must each go against their dating type to discover who they really are, and do a series of articles describing their journey.

All around, this is probably one of my favorite books I've read this year.

As soon as I read the first page I was hooked. I could relate to Lana on a cellular level and I felt for her.
Lana is a journalist writing a relationship column in LA. She has dreams of getting out of her current role and making it big. She is a serial monogamist and loves stability. After her highschool sweetheart shattered her world 12 years ago, she just floats from relationship to relationship to feel secure.
When Seth, said highschool sweetheart and now arch nemesis, starts working at her company, her boss has the great idea to pit them against each other. You see, Seth won't settle down and Lana won't stay single. They will have a contest to see who can complete the tasks the other assigns for them to help them grow in their own right. I really enjoyed the banter but the subtle little things that Seth did for Lana let me know that things weren't over, especially for him. With each task they are forced to complete they get closer and closer to what they once had. Will it break Lana all over again or did they need the time and space to grow into the people they needed to be to make this work.
There were parts of this book that I laughed, scenes where I got angry at both Lana and Seth, scenes where I had butterflies errupting from my belly and other times I cried happy tears. I fell in love with these two broken characters who somehow found their way back to one another but had to be honest with themselves in order to make things between them finally work.
Thank you to Penguin, Netgalley and Falon Ballard for an early copy.

Lana Parker is tired of writing the dating and relationships column; which is ironic because her love life is a MESS. A serial monogamist, she hardly remembers a time when she wasn’t in a relationship. When her high school sweetheart who broke her heart shows up at her work, they are immediately pitted against each other to win their own column at the LA Chronicle.

Listen: I’m not sure I’d call myself a romance ~professional~ but I’m well on my way. The banter between Seth and Lana in this was sometimes a tad harsh, but overall I loved their characters and loved reading/watching their relationship together on the pages.

My main/only concern is that the “romance” part took wayyyyy way way long to get going. Granted this is a second chance romance and we already have some back story, I just wish it would’ve got going a little sooner.

I loved the storyline, I LOVED the ending, and thoroughly enjoyed!!

4 stars ✨🖤

This book was an emotional journey! I laughed, I cried, I loved it.

Lana is a serial monogamist who doesn’t have the best luck with relationships. She even gets dumped the night she’s expecting to get engaged.

Ironically, Lana is a writer for a relationship column. But things really come to a head when her ex, Seth, her supposed-to-be high school sweetheart shows up at her company, ATF, for a meeting where they learn that they’ve been acquired by the LA Chronicle.

The weeks to follow are a whirlwind of a head-to-head challenge between Lana and Seth, fighting for a columnist spot at the Chronicle. Checking of tasks on their lists written by each other, for each other, they have to then write corresponding articles to attract audience engagement which converts to votes.

But as expected, things get messy when your ex is back in the picture, going head-to-head for a job.

Enemies to lovers. Second chance romance. I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

In her acknowledgment the author mentions how hard it was to write a second book. I think she did a fantastic job with this one. I have heard a lot of good things about Lease on Love and I have it on my TBR, but after this book I am even more curious about her work!

RomCom tend to follow a pattern, and can sometimes be very predictable from the beginning, with the author setting it all up for the big final gesture that get the couple to realize they want to be together.

Without revealing too much, at the beginning of this book , the main characters, have to compile a list of 10 tasks for the other to complete in order to reach the final goal and win a promotion, and I could not wait to see how all would have played out. I sort of had an idea in my head but I was wrong. And you all know how happy I get when I am wrong and I don’t guess the whole plot! It makes me fall in love with books all over again!

The romance part was great, and every RomCom fan of tropes like Second Chance Romance, Rivals to Lovers and Forced to Work Together, would LOVE IT. The characters were all very well written, with even the side ones having a clear personality and voice.

The book touches important topics like mental health, and how the relationship with our parents affect us. The part I loved the most were the scenes with the therapist, I don’t want to give away anything but (let me be vague) I loved how the author created this specific character, the one who set everything in motion, and then didn’t let it stay in the background, this character became very central to the personal growth of one of the main characters.

If I could have a wish connected to this book it would be a bonus chapter about Seth’s visit to the therapist, because I am sure that would have been quite interesting.

If you like:
✅ Big City Romance (LA)
✅ Second Chance Love
✅ High School Sweetheart
✅ Rivals to Lovers
✅ Happy Ending
✅ Spice 🌶🌶
Pre-Order this book now!

This book was fantastic. I was a huge fan of Lease on Love and was hoping Just My Type would live up to expectations and it did! Falon Ballard just did a great job writing characters that I see myself in, and friend groups I would die to have. I appreciated that there was a solid focus on Lana & Seth really putting effort into bettering themselves, and also realizing how inappropriate their boss was, and realizing that they deserved better (I feel like so many times, there is the boss/mentor relationship that veers a little too far into a bestie category that doesn't get addressed).

Don't even get me started on "I'm the spinning needle of a compass and you've always been my true north, Parker" Immediate swooning on my part.

Fallon Ballard has officially solidified herself as an immediate buy author for me. I will buy anything she puts out.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

I have so many feelings about this book. It was a page turner, but in the end I'm just not exactly sure what I really want to rate this.

Things I loved: Love the friend group and wish we could of gotten more of them. I enjoyed the texts from Ballards, "Lease on Love" and liked it just as much in this book. The premise of the book was entertaining if a little far fetched. I also loved the love interest, Seth, more than the main character.

Things I didn't love: Lana's character. She was pretty annoying from the start and I didn't feel like her character had enough growth for me to really root for her and her love interest, Seth. She was immature and petty. The romance wasn't believable to me. The author talks about how they've been in love since they were fourteen, but I did not feel the chemistry between the characters.

Overall even with all the faults I did enjoy this read I just wish Lana's character had real growth and that the author showed us rather than told us they're soulmates.

3.5 stars.

This book was absolutely charming and I'm so glad I stumbled upon it on NetGalley! I wasn't totally sold on the idea of exes being pitted against each other in a highly inappropriate competition by their workplace, but Ballard really challenged that trope while staying true to the nature of it.

I fell in love with Lana Parker from the first page, she's nerdy and sweet and has had terrible taste in men for years. Seth is a perfect foil to her slight neurotic tendencies with his mostly easy going nature. Their history is what makes this relationship sell, having loved someone since you were 14 is hard to walk away from, but when the truth of their history comes to light it all makes sense. They both grew and learned on their own before they could reconnect. The side characters are also lovely and the colleague relationships between the ATF crew is a joy, even with its pitfalls. (I hope Ballard continues the stories with some of these characters, please please please)

[very slight spoiler] The biggest thing that got me was that both challenge lists included therapy and the inappropriate request(s) from the boss were fully called out. My biggest issue with the trope is how manipulative it is from the bosses and what a shitty powerplay it is. However, that is completely acknowledged and the mental health of each character is so much more important than the demands of the job.

I can't wait to read more from this author!

Oh my goodness, am I a sucker for any kind of second chance romance. Also a book about two people competing for the same job? You don't see that trope very often but I couldn't put this book down! I will definitely be buying a copy of this book to put on my shelf for future re-reads.

Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

friends to enemies to lovers??? sign me up!

this book was cute. i enjoyed the marvel references, and found myself giggling throughout.

lana and seth end up in a competition at work, and are forced to complete the challenges together. it was everything i could've wanted- a touristy day in la, a trip to ikea, and a super cute speed dating scene.

i enjoyed lease on love and was super excited to pick this one up and it did not disappoint!

thank you net galley & penguin group putnam for the arc <3

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for letting me read an eARC of this book!

Release date - February 7, 2023

✨ WHAT IS IT ABOUT? ✨
Just My Type by Falon Ballard is a romance novel that follows Lana Parker. Lana is a journalist who is prone to jumping into long term relationships. However, when her recent relationship ends, she is challenged to stay single and write about it for work. The catch? Her high school ex is competing against her in his own challenge to settle down and find a long term partner.

This is an adorable book that focuses on how past relationships and our childhood experiences can affect us.

✨ MY THOUGHTS ✨
I think this book is so cute and well written. The main character was funny, ambitious, and had a history that was interesting to learn about. The love interest is also adorable, but he also had a complex history that played a part in the book.

This book is more than just a typical romance. We read about Lana learning to stand up for herself and find out the kind of person she wants to be. However, it also has cute romance to focus on. It has great banter and a lot of mutual pining.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance.

Rating - 5 🌟
Spice - 🌶

Super cute and fun rom-com! I didn’t read Falcon’s first book (Lease on Love) but after reading this book I will definitely have to pick it up! If anyone is looking for a fun, quick read, I’d definitely recommend this book to them!

This book had all the feels. A sweet, second chance romance, my favorite kind! Lana and Seth are the perfect representation of the best second chance trope has to offer, and I definitely keep coming back to this book.Their hurt runs deep, jealousy was unavoidable, and the sexual tension between the two of them was through the roof!
This is a must read. For everyone who enjoys a good love story.

A special thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam & Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Finally! A book that gives me similar vibes like the film how to be single and how to lose a guy within 10 days. This was such a cute adorable read! I couldn’t put this down!

While this was written fairly well and had some steamy moments, everything about it just felt too convenient. Lana happens to get dumped, her ex happens to arrive at the same place she works, this absurd contest happens to fall to their feet. I didn’t buy it. I also didn’t buy the connection between the leads. We know nothing about Seth initially and then he’s surprise introduced and I just didn’t have investment in his and Lana’s story. The build up wasn’t satisfying. Nothing about this book stood out amongst a very saturated romance market.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Recently single, Lana Parker finds herself in competition with her high school ex-boyfriend Seth Carson, battling it out for a promotion at the same company Lana has been journalist at for 8 years. “Serial monogamist” Lana, has spent more than half her life going from one long-term relationship straight to another. Seth has been traveling and freelancing since graduation, never having settled down or dated seriously.

Lana is challenged with staying single and embracing it— sharing her experience and advice with readers. Seth is challenged with deleting Tinder, actually settling down for once, and becoming legit boyfriend material.

Whose articles will generate the most site traffic, reader engagement, and votes? Will their messy history together sabotage it all?

Loved the rival ex-lovers in competition here! This story touches on codependency issues, toxic workplace dynamics, and the benefits of therapy.

Honestly didn’t connect with the characters all the way through, but Lana’s personal growth & the whole ending was perfection!

3.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for the eARC of this cute read! If you love a good rom com that sucks you in from the beginning, this one is for you! Such a cute story about the column writer, Lana Parker, and the unfortunate timing of her ex coming to work at the same place. I loved watching their work place rivalry and work through their past relationship hurts. It’s your typical feel good rom com that is easy to enjoy.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Just My Type! Lana is a relationship journalist stuck writing what she knows and not what she loves. She is a serial monogamist who is tasked by her boss and the ex that changed her outlook on love. She and her ex compete for a coveted position at a news publication that will get her out of the relationship beat and into the things she likes to write about. I liked the story, but it was a little too nerdy for me. The author clearly likes Marvel and comic con type stuff. I did enjoy Lana's character progression discovering why she is so relationship prone. I think the resolution between her mother and her was rushed and did not make sense that a phone call and a conversation resolves years of her trauma. I did read this book fairly fast and it was a page turner.

When I requested this book through NetGalley, my interest was peaked, because Abby Jimenez’s next book “Yours Truly” was originally supposed to have this title instead. The premise of “Just My Type” being a past love/enemies to lovers trope a bonus. I’m thankful for the coincidence/change of book titles, because I got to read a great book. Now that my disclosing is done… let’s dive in.

Lana Parker has a reputation, but not necessarily a bad one. She is committed to being committed. She jumps from one relationship to the next, and even is a writer for Always Take Fountain’s relationship column. One might think that she loves love, but she is miserable. She wants to write about her love of pop culture, but is a people pleaser, and doesn’t stand up for herself.

Interestingly enough, Lana is presented an opportunity to write about what she wants… if she wins a competition against her ex. Coming off a terrible breakup, on what she thought was her engagement night, Lana accepts the challenge-writing about being single. Her opponent Seth Carson is tasked with settling down. In a vaguely similar to style to “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” the two must write about completing challenges. All part of a promotion for the website.


I highly enjoyed the book, but then again I also enjoy “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days.” Lana and Seth have a second chance romance that is worth the read. All tied together with a beautiful HEA. I’m thankful that the mixup happened, and urge you to take the chance that I did. I also plan on reading “Lease on Love,” because I have yet to do so.