Member Reviews
This book was my introduction to Falon Ballard, and I really liked it. I’ve definitely known people like Lana who always seem compelled to be in a relationship, and I could appreciate her motives for feeling that way. Seth was true book boyfriend material, all the way down to the gray sweatpants and unexpected vulnerability. The two of them were inevitable and I liked their journey back to each other. Also, as someone who walks faster when someone tries to pass me on the sidewalk and makes a game of trying to pick the fastest checkout line, I loved the competition aspect of the story (even if the point system remains a complete mystery to me). I’ll definitely keep tabs on this author to see what she writes next!
So this author‘s first book, Lease on Love, quickly has become one of my favorite reads this year. And when I saw she had a second one coming out, I definitely put it on my list to watch. I was fortunate enough to get the ARC for the second and have to say it was just as good as the first one. I appreciate that it wasn’t more of the same as the first book but had a definitively different plot line in the story. Think of combining how to lose a Guy in 10 days plus workplace competition plus dream job at stake plus first loves and that would give you just the basics of this book. Fast paced with lots of humor to keep you involved and smiling along the way. Definitely pre-order or make sure you’re aware of this one when it is published on 2/7/2023. I received a complimentary copy of this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to @netgalley and @falonballard for the ARC.
I absolutely ADORED this book! Falon Ballard's sophmore novel follows a young writer trying to solidify her independence after a number of failed long term relationships, the only thing standing in her way? Her first love, of course. The competition between the two exes flowed naturally and felt well thought out. Falon does an excellent job communicating the unease of each MC as the other works to complete their list of tasks, efficiently describes chemistry between the two that was undeniable, and the ending? Perfect. This was a classic rom com that felt light and funny. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
Perfection! Seth and Lana might be my new favorite couple. There second or third chance love story will give you all the feels. When the plan to move to USC after high school doesn't end up happening. Seth and Lana both follow their paths into journalism. Lana getting hired right after graduation to FTP a LA Social News outlet where she writes a dating column. It pays the bills but doesn't really hold her passion.
Seth took a much different path gathering his writing acclaim as a freelance writer. When these two are pitted against each other for a dream job what really is at stake? Lana fresh off another breakup must learn to go against her Long term serious relationship pattern and learn to live on her own. Seth needs to learn how to settle down with one person.
This book gave me all the feels. Its laugh out loud hilarious and heart melting all in the same amount of time. Do you ever really get over your first love? Seth and Lana will go down as one of those couples stories you will want to read over and over! #SUNFLOWERS #ROMCOM #LOVESTORY #FIRSTLOVE
Five stars for Falon Ballard’s debut novel ⭐️
This book was sooooo good! It was hilarious and charming and there was just so much to love about this book! I couldn’t put it down! So adorable and charming! I look forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this arc!
Estranged high school sweethearts turned workplace rivals?? Sign me up!! One thing about me is I love reading about characters who are writers and "second chance" is my favorite trope, so this was right up my alley. First of all, THIS WAS SO FUNNY. The opening scene had me absolutely dead. Lana handled that situation beautifully. I love that we really got to know Lana's personality and saw her flourish as a her own person. I would have liked to have more scenes of her with Seth when they were more friendly with each other so we could see their relationship develop a bit more. But I really loved this and I totally recommend to all of the romance lovers!
Wow. I thought I’d enjoy this based on the blurb but I’m kind of blown away by how much. Around 30% I got that feeling, you know the one where you realize you’re going to be sad when this one ends cause it’s that good.
Lana and Seth were high school sweethearts but broke up shortly after. They’ve haven’t spoken to each other in 12 years, apart from some drama at their 10 year reunion. And then Seth just shows up at Lana’s job one morning trying to steal her chance at her dream position. Although in his defense she had him blocked.
I’m an absolute sucker for second chance romance so this was right up my alley. I actually enjoy flashbacks, but in this book there’s isn’t any just a few well placed memories/explanations here and there. This book had the perfect amount of angst but yet Lana and Seth communicated when needed (mostly Seth). I’d consider this a slow burn, but when the spice comes in it’s *chefs kiss*.
The only tiny negative for me was all the Marvel references. Didn’t take away from the story but I did have to google what R2-D2 was..
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group/Putnam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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 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.
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Absolutely loved Just My Type. I also read Lease on Love and am just obsessed with Fallon Ballard.
Just My Type follows Lana and Seth who were high school sweethearts. Seth broke things off when Lana moved to LA and now after years….he’s moved to LA. And working at ATF. And her rival for a competition their boss has created for them. Not only is this a great second chance love story but Lana also goes through a whole self discovery journey in this book and I loved being along for the ride.
What you’ll get:
Marvel references
A man who calls the girl her last name ✨swoon✨
workplace slack channel (LOVED)
Lots of pop culture references
Exes / enemies to lovers / second chance
Male MC who goes to therapy (we love to see it)
Definitely pick this one up when it hits shelves in February, you’ll love it!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to receive and read this ARC!
(4/5 stars) I really enjoyed 'Just My Type'! Falon Ballard's first novel was amazing, so I was very excited to read this new one from her. Seth and Lana are high school sweethearts who have mutually broken each others hearts more than once over the last decade and a half. Now, living in LA, Seth and Lana are forced together again in a workplace competition for a job they both really want. It’s a sweet second-chance romance and enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy that is a pretty quick read.
I really loved seeing Lana come to terms with her childhood and how its impact is so clearly woven into her adult life in work and relationships, and how she can overcome the trauma and toxicity she has become so familiar with. I also really loved Seth and Lana relearning to trust and love each other now, and not just as they loved each other back in high school.
This book had a tad of a miscommunication trope which is my least favorite trope in any genre, but it was not the main trope and it was handled well and completely within the story. By the end of the book, both characters have not only realized they need to be open and honest with each other, but figured out how to do that as well.
Also, the abundance of Marvel references throughout the book gave me so much joy and comfort because I am also a superhero comic nerd.
Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait to buy it when it is published :)
Holy cannoli I loved this book!!
Lana has been working as a relationships writer for 8 years and she’s ready to branch out and really wants to write about the thing she’s passionate about: pop culture. Lana is also a serial monogamist who is never single for long.
Seth is a freelance author who comes to work at the same place as Lana, he also happens to be her high school sweetheart/ex boyfriend. Seth also hasn’t really been one for serious relationships in his adult years. This is when their boss has the brilliant idea to have them each give each other a list of tasks to complete: Seth to work on finding a relationship and Lana to work on being happy alone and has them publish weekly articles about their tasks as a competition for who will get a new writing position.
This book is so, so fun! It shows Seth and Lana both completing their tasks together and separately and sheds a light as the book goes on to why they broke up and if there are any feelings left festering.
This was not only a beautiful love story but also an excellent book on personal growth with a fictional therapist who gives really solid advice and insight.
Five glowing stars!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
PLEASE NOTE: I will post on Instagram and Amazon closer to the release date. This is currently up on Goodreads.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
“Just My Type” by Falon Ballard
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
✈️ to: Los Angeles
𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
Lana Parker is ready for her big work break... instead her boyfriend breaks up with her. To make matters worse, the next morning her ex/highschool sweatheart/only man she's ever truly loved aka Sean Carson is in her office and is her new coworker. Their romantic past is quickly public knowledge and it's decided that they'll compete for their own column (did I mention they're writers?). Lana -- the serial monogamist -- will have to complete tasks chosen by Sean, write about them, and stay single. Sean -- the serial dater -- will have to do the same but find someone he sees potential with. What could go wrong?
~~~~~~
This was my first Falon Ballard book and it only took one sentence in to know this story would be "Just My Type." You can never go wrong with a Legally Blond reference right off the bat. Throw in some Star Wars references and it's pretty much predestined that I'll enjoy the book.
I saw myself in Lana in so many ways. She's a self proclaimed fandom girlie, has numerous book subscriptions (seriously!), a tbr cart, and is an aggressive driver. The serial monogamy part? Not so much, haha.
I think this will be a popular one on Bookstagram when it comes out on Feb. 7, 2023... I also may have to try an iced hazelnut latte (Lana's favorite) now.
👍🏻 What I liked: Very fun and quick read (I read in one sitting), the secret slack channels, great office dynamic
👎🏻 What I didn't like: Not the best chemistry ever, I wish we'd seen a bit more of Sean's personality, first half was strongest, Thank Thor -- got a little old.
✨𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬:
second chance romances, enemies to lovers, workplace romances, pop culture.
I loved this book so much! It had my favorite trope of all time: enemies to lovers, with a dash of second chance romance thrown in.
Lana is a writer for Always Take Fountain living in LA. Her boss creates a competition for her where she needs to learn how to be happy single and surprise, surprise, her high school ex-bf is the other writer she'll be competing with for a chance at a promotion. This is all a surprise to Lana (seriously, Lana if you had answered the phone it wouldn't have been a surprise), but they each create a list of tasks for the other to complete, while getting to know each other again.
This rom-com really had everything: the supportive best friends, the hot romantic love interest, and the journey of finding oneself again. Highly, highly recommend.
"Seth always brought me sunflowers. I'll never forget the proud smile on his face the night of our first 'date.' He showed up at my front door with a single bright yellow bloom, making sure I knew he grew it himself...Not once in four years together did he ever gift me any other kind of flower. For a long time, even well after we broke up, whenever I spotted a sunflower, it brought a wistful smile to my face. The sight of the bright yellow petals stirred only happy memories of my high school sweetheart. The first boy I ever loved."
Lana Parker and Seth Carson were each other's first loves. They planned to be each other's forever and were even voted "most likely to grow old together" in high school.
Life had other plans as Lana at the age of thirty is deemed a serial monogamist and Seth is dubbed a nomadic journalist. Years of no contact leads to an all too abrupt and awkward run in at Lana's job where the two wind up in a "dating competition" against one another, competing for their own column in a publication.
Lana's goal? Stay single. Seth's goal? Plant roots and find that special someone to spend forever with. Through a series of assignments they compiled for one another, Lana and Seth are forced to spend more and more time together and the lines of their assignment begin to blur.
This book was told entirely in Lana's point of view and it's WONDERFUL. I loved reading Lana's character growth from point A to point B as she worked through her personal issues. Her and Seth reacquainting themselves with one another was also such a battle, but SO satisfying to read.
AND THE SUNFLOWERS???? I could cry for the rest of time. So stinking cute. Another Falon Ballard win for me. I adored "Lease On Love" and I'm so happy that this was just as wonderful. Can't wait to get my own physical copy!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Falon Ballard for the early copy in exchange for a review!
Rating: 5 out of 5 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
This was my first Falon Ballard book but I'm definitely going to read Lease on Love next!
Just My Type follows Lana reconnecting with her high school boyfriend, Seth, and a How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days-esque plot. However, the story also manages to feel original and becomes a fun read! There are some of my favorite romcom tropes, such as the enemy-to-lovers and second chance romances that will make this a great read!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the eARC.
Kept my interest through the whole thing! Lanas drinking like a college student and a few of her friends were immature to the point of cringe, and I thought the swearing was a little forced and overdone at times. It would have been five stars if the breakup had been explained well before 67%. The mystery of it was dragged out for way too long, to the point that Lana‘s reasons for being mad at Seth felt irrational, and then the secret of what happened didn’t deliver. If you’re going to make a mystery last that long in a book, then when you reveal the mystery, it has to actually deliver. Witty writing made up for this and I’d still recommend it.
Fans of Christina Lauren and Emily Henry will love this new book from Falon Ballard. I read her other book, Lease on Love, and while I enjoyed it, this feels so much more polished and well written! I love when you can see the growth from book to book, and this story does not disappoint.
Lana is a serial monogamist. You know the type, she hasn't been single since she was 14 and her relationships have been less than spectacular. She is afraid of being alone and after a particularly bad breakup, she needs a change.
When her ex, Seth, shows up at her workplace, and her boss introduces him as a new writer, she loses it. He is the one that started it all and she despises him.
Her boss comes up with a plan to pit them against each other for a new job writing for their own column. Only one of them will win and they get to set the rules for each other's challenges.
Lana has to remain single and work on finding herself, while Seth has to put down roots and focus on finding long term potential. The readers follow along as they share their challenges on social media and at the end, they will vote for who took the challenge seriously and had the most growth.
The characters are well rounded and the chemistry between the two main characters jumps off the page. This would be a perfect beach read!
Thanks to netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
One of the best books I've read this year. Couldn't put it down, I read it throughout one day because I just had to know how it ended for Seth and Lana. A really great second chance modern romance! (bonus points if you're into Marvel!) I'm off to find Falon's first book and dive into that one next!
Second chance romance with enemies to lovers in a workplace setting. I loved Falon Ballard's debut novel and this one is the same way! Loved it and have a new favorite author
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own
first of all, thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
this book was such a positive surprise! in fact, I don't usually read rom-coms, but for some reason this year I've been giving chances to several books of the genre and there were few that I managed to like as much as this one.
childhood sweethearts and rivals to lovers are some of my favorite tropes and were the main reasons I wanted to read the book. but even though I'm not a big fan of second chances, the chemistry and emotions between the characters were so raw and real that they won me over.
Lana's growth as a person through her journey of self-discovery was so honest and admirable. I really enjoyed reading how she found her inner strength and admitted her mistakes. oh, and her group of friends was also one of the factors that made this book so enjoyable for me.
a negative point is that the use of pop cultural references was a bit too much, it really got me annoyed as it didn't seem to add much to the character.
overall it was a lovely book that i read in a few hours and it left me with a warm heart <3