This was a cute story, a slow burn, and for me an easy read.

I think if you had a very strict upbringing like Noelle then you may find this slightly triggering, but it’s a testament to how well the author ties it together. I do think it was realistic too in terms of it taking her a lifetime to rebuild herself after growing up in such control.

I think the Facebook posts were original and a great way to tie in a large character cast.

I think the message of remaining objective regardless of political or religious affiliation was well placed.

My biggest negative would be Peters lack of character development. It didn’t match Noelles, he’s walking around making all this money looking like Henry Cavill….women would likely be interested without a Facebook post. Additionally his climax of the story just kinda falls flat, why is there no furniture in his home? Is he having a hard time committing because of his past trauma with his mom or what? I would have liked a little more from his perspective, but overall very much enjoyed their sweet story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I will read more Jennifer Bardsley in the future.

Talk about a well rounded book. I thoroughly enjoyed Talk of the Town although I believed that Facebook group would be the end of me.

Along the way to finding love with the person right beside you, Noelle and Peter had a lot of self-reflecting to do. Learning how to navigate life will be a complicated task for anyone. Then you add in a crazy online group and “well-meaning” family members, you will need time to make a move towards something you really want. As a widow Noelle had to cope with that loss and reimagine her world with making friends in her town. Her family did her a huge disservice while raising her, which made me so so sad, but she worked through it the best she could.

Peter and his sister Vanessa also had problems with family at a vulnerable age which showed up in a lot of their interactions/maneuvering. Peter seemed to come to terms with his past more so than Vanessa and Noelle as they discuss their upbringing and current lives. It was wonderful to see them open up to one another. Admittedly Vanessa was very close to my crap list until she took a step back. Glad they finally saw the light in each other, well at least Noelle had to open her eyes.

The other characters were hilarious with their non-stop unwanted opinions and shenanigans. Great read

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this

Anyone who has been in a local mom Facebook group will CACKLE at the start of every chapter. And that’s on top of the super sweet romance at the core

I really enjoyed this novel. This was the first novel I read by this author, and it is always good to find a new author to enjoy. This novel sucked me in within the first chapter, and did not let go until the last. I loved Noelle and Peter's story. Although my heart hurt a little for all that Noelle had been thru. This novel was a slow burn of friends to lovers, and I loved it! I loved the characters, and I loved the dialogue. There was a couple of laugh out loud in public sections that I enjoyed. This novel checked a lot of my boxes, and I enjoyed it.

A quick, easy and cute read that I read in one sitting. The writing was good, the charcaters were well developed and the storyline was engaging. The romance element was something I liked too.

They’re coworkers, friends, and confidants, but Peter Marshal has always pined for a little something more with Noelle Walters. As a widow and a single mom, Noelle prefers to play it safe, and falling for Peter was never part of the plan.

Then again, neither of their plans accounted for the well-meaning but meddling actions of Peter’s sister, who offers him up as their town’s most eligible bachelor in the local moms’ Facebook group. He’s none the wiser about the source of this sudden surge in attention, but he only has eyes for Noelle. And from where she’s standing on the sidelines of Peter’s popularity, it’s getting harder to pretend that she doesn’t see what everyone else sees in her best friend.

With all eyes on them, will Peter and Noelle finally see beyond the hurdles to the happily ever after that’s been there all along?

I had such high hopes for this novel, but sadly it didn't deliver for me. The romance between Peter and Noelle was such a painfully slow burn, and the dynamics of the side characters didn't mesh. Her family dynamics were just plain uncomfortable. I had expected more of a light, fun romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

Talk of the Town
by Jennifer Bardsley
I rarely ever read love stories. It always seems they are more or less the same. Description
In this lighthearted romance filled with small-town humor and high jinks, an unsuspecting real estate agent becomes the wildest dream come true for all the single moms—except the one he wants.

It was an ok book. The family just seemed tight-assed much of the time. It was one I finished if you like love stories then you may like this one. You might find humor and high jinx.

"Boundaries. You deserve boundaries. The next time Kerry or Anika or Phil try to get into it with you, say: 'I'm not talking about this with you. Gotta go. Bye.' That's it. Boom. Conversation over."

This is a small town novel where Noelle and her son Daniel are navigating through life after her husband's death. Noelle grew up with a father who didn't value women for all that they are. She had a tough time navigating that after she met her husband and saw a different side to life and how women were actually viewed.

I thought the Facebook group posts within the book were a cool aspect, I don't think I have ever seen that in a book before. It was interesting to see the topics that were going on in the group and how they tied to the overall story line.

The story was kind of a slow burn, but it kept my attention up until the end. I was rooting for Noelle the entire time - wanting her to find her voice and realize that she is more than what her father thought she was. I was also rooting for Noelle and Peter and I was more than happy with the ending.

Noelle, I think, is relatable with both how she was brought up and the loss of her husband.

I would definitely recommend this book!

What a sweet story with themes of family and friendship. It also talks about the benefits and drawbacks that come with online communities as well as learning to own and speak your truth. Noelle and Peter are great characters as are their families. Really enjoyable.

Talk of the Town by Jennifer Bardsley was a fun, sweet book with a lovely storyline that kept my attention throughout the story.
Enjoyable characters who are likeable with added humor.
I'm a sucker for small-town feels and this had it.
This book is incredibly heartwarming and had me smiling most of the time.
My first read by Bardsley an I'll mot definitely pick up another in the future.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Montlake,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

Adored this book! The family drove me crazy! I’m from a conservative family and the way her family acted broke me. I’m glad she got a happy ending though.

Slow burn romance about friends/coworkers. Peter and Noelle have been friends and coworkers for years. And now that Peter’s sister is encouraging every single woman in town to date her brother, Noelle realized her feelings for him have changed. But as a widow with a young child and being raised in a very conservative family, she needs to take things slowly.

I enjoyed the romance part of the book, however the family dynamics with Noelle’s parents and sister were painful to read. They don’t think women have a right to work or even speak for themselves. I liked how the book ended for Peter and Noelle, but the family storyline made me uncomfortable. I think that was what the author was going for, to help reinforce a woman’s right to… well, everything. But it was a bit too much for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Talk of the Town to come out April 11, 2023.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Montlake and #NetGalley. Thank you to the publishers, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


Charming, romantic and entertaining.