Since no one declared it, let me do the honors..... Ellie Bates is the toxic of all toxic people.
The way she kept pushing and pulling with Cam was so hurting, she literally made him her doormat.
Also, there's being people pleaser, and not having a personality at all, her interactions with her parents and her reactions towards everything were infuriating.
The storyline was really weak, I didn't like the fact that the whole thing depended on Ellie's insecurities, like, that was the whole plot, the romance felt like the second arc.
Overall, not for me.
* I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review *

This book had all of the fall vibes and was absolutely adorable. I don't often find myself reading fade-to-black romances, but this story still had all of the chemistry and tension I could ask for in a romance novel. Super cute and I am definitely excited to read more from this author!

I loved this book, it was such a sweet and fun read. This is a forbidden love/slow burn type read and that is one of the reasons I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 I get so frustrated with the slow burn part that I become impatient. Also with slow burners there tends to be some communication problems that aways bug me.

I really enjoyed reading about Ellies growth through out the book. She learns how to trust, with no help from her parents, her heart and go for what she really wants. I do wish she had grown more of a backbone by the end of the book because that seemed to be one aspect where she didn't grow as much as I would have liked her too but it is very realist to how one might actually deal with your family.

Camden was my favorite character in this book. I really enjoyed how Madison Wright made him vulnerable and realistic. He wasn't an overtly strong character that doesn't feel emotions and just goes with the flow. He is figuring out his life and he wasn't afraid to show his emotions.

Thank you Netgalley and Madison Wright for gifting me a copy of your book in return for an honest review.

Unfortunately this wasn’t for me. I was frustrated while reading this. This would have been a cute small town romance but sadly it didn’t turn out like that. I wasn’t a fan of Ellie. I just can’t understand why an ADULT have to be so weak, be a pushover and even have to disguise herself just to go on a date with someone she cares about. I don’t get why she have to prove herself to her shitty parents. And the ridiculous rules? Where she has to cut off her residents/friends? Lol. This was just all too unrealistic and the romance was so cliché. Definitely not for me.

Thank you for the ARC still! 😊

This is the first Madison Wright book I’ve had the pleasure of reading and I want to read more! I really enjoyed it! Fall vibes with romance and an A++ man, you got me. It’s a slow burn romance between Cam and Ellie. With sexual tension and longing but no sex / no spice. It had all the heart, and I felt the pull and deep connection the main couple made.

The opening scene, Cam and Ellie’s meet cute, felt as if I’d walked in on something already in progress. My guess is that the first book ended with the setup to the second and this opening chapter is the continuation of that. I’ll have to get my hands on the first book and read it to find out. My money is on that being the case seeing as how the author ended this book on a to be continued moment.

This is a sex free, non-spicy romance. The attraction and desires the characters feel for one another is described and felt. But it isn’t the crux on their connection. The emotional bond and need for one another is built along with their physical attraction and need for the other, making what they have something truly felt and pure. I got ‘meant to be together’ feels.

The main issue was can they be together because of the issue on Ellie’s end. Cam is open and all in. The tension and conflict are a will we, won’t we, do you want me, all inner turmoil of the lack of clarity on where they stand felt real. Though the reasons for all their trouble or hurdles did feel juvenile or lacking maturity of age. It was something that if owned up front, would have been overcome easily. But the book would have been over, and we need to take a journey of self-discovery with these characters, and that we did. It’s also not easy for everyone to be the captain of their own destiny and not worry about pleasing their parents. I kept reminding myself that it is hard for others to take that leap of faith into the unknown even when their hearts are making it very clear that is the right path. I bought in and was down for the ride.

Cam is everything. He is the stuff of dreams. The way he treats Ellie, expresses his intentions, doesn’t rush her journey to get their mentally – gold. Hall of fame man on the page.

Great side characters. Some from the first book and some I believe we will see in the next one. It’s a world filled with people that I want to keep exploring. Looking forward to the next one!

I recieved this one as an arc and I am pleasantly surprised. I honestly felt like I might not like this one, since the beginning kind of put me off, I can‘t even tell you why but I was convinced I won‘t like this book for a little bit BUT I‘m glad I decided to keep on reading because I ended up liking it. Was it the best book I ever read? No, but it was a cute and quick romance book. I was frustrated with Ellie at quite a few moments of the book, tbh. But I loved Cam so much. Anyway, as I said this was a quick read also thanks to the writing style of the author. It was so easy to read and the story was predictable but still a cute little romance sprinkled with some family issues. I wish the characters had a little more depth but again it‘s a quick romance read where I do not expect depth or feel like it‘s that necessary for the story. I enjoyed it.

I really liked how it began. It was a nice meet cute, but it just became very depressing.

I felt like they were drawn together via lust but nothing else? I didn't feel the emotional connection that kept them yearning for each other and that really didn't draw me into the story.

I don't mind instalove but there was too much will they won't they and the stakes didn't feel high enough.

I did like the way Wright wrote the book but it just didn't get me invested.

I liked the setting. It felt real and the characters were at least likable.

Didn’t finish in time in time for release but so cute so far!! Very fall cozy vibes with a very sweet guy!

So at first I thought the book was a little slow but I was just coming out of a reading slump and I'm so glad I pushed through it. I really ended up enjoying this book and want to go back to read Wes and Lo's love story.

Ellie was a totally relatable character for me, someone who is constantly on her toes wanting to impress those most important to her. She thought that working for his parents company would bring them closer but ultimately it brought them to scrutinize her more. Following crazy rules such as not fraternizing with the residents is something that she struggles with. Especially after meeting her resident Cam at a bar.

This whirlwind romance takes you by storm. Rooting for Ellie to do the right thing and make the right decisions in order for her to be able to pursue her relationship with Cam. His heart and desire are everything.

Absolutely charming book! The chemistry between Ellie and Cam is palpable from their first meeting and I loved their friendship/forbidden romance throughout the book. My biggest negative for this book was how horrible her mother was. I understand family dynamics can be hard, especially when they are also your bosses, but her mother was just cruel the whole book and had no redeeming qualities. Her sort of reconciliation at the end held no weight to me and felt fake due to how awful she was the rest of the book. THAT SAID, I loved every other character (even her dad toward the end) and the story as a whole and would recommend it with a caveat that if you have a strained relationship with your mother, this is not the book for you.

This book wasn't for me. I wouldn't say it's bad or anything similar, but all the time while I was reading it, I felt it was lacking quite a few things. I expected this to be a cute, light romance novel, but it turned to be quite bland. I think the idea itself was good and it had some potentially, but unfortunately I couldn't feel any chemistry when it came to the main couple. Due to this, I struggled to read this and I kept hoping that will change, but it never did.

Adorable Autumn love story!

Ahhh, young forbidden love. Is there anything better? The chemistry between main characters Ellie and Cam is palpable and the fact that they can’t be together will only add fire to the slow build of this sweet love story! If you are looking for a cozy, autumnal love story to keep you warm, you must read Just Between Us!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! I really wanted to love this book, but it fell flat for me. I felt the chemistry was there at the start for Ellie and Cam, but then went childish. I understood the reason they couldn’t be together, but it all felt repetitive and unnecessary.

This was my first read by this author, but I’d read more from them in the future.

Stagnant and soulless, unfortunately frustration is the only emotion I get from reading this contemporary romance. Going in knowing Just Between Us is a clean romance, the lack of heat is not an issue, but its half-baked characterization and unrealistic plot development really hinders the enjoyment of an otherwise cute, small town love story.

Centering around a low-key 'forbidden romance' (a property manger falling for a resident in the building she manages), the characters treat their situation with an unbelievable sense of doom, constantly vowing they should break it off, paranoid of being discovered, even putting on disguise to go on dates (and then literally being caught together undisguised by the security camera of her own building). This is no Romeo and Juliet with a historical lineage of familial hatred, nor a situation of drastic social/racial discrepancy—I don't understand how the 2 adult characters couldn't resolve their situation in a logical, timely manner (there's nothing stopping the hero from moving out of the complex—problem solved!).

Just Between Us is also overly self-aware as a 'clean' romance; it feels like the author simply replace the typical buildup to intercourse with the act of kissing. So we get repeating monologues/scenes of the hero asking the heroine if she's ready be kissed. There's acknowledging consent, and then there's unrealistic portrayal of 2 full-grown adults treating a kiss like it's a sacred seal or taking away someone's virginity (made even more ridiculous as the story clearly mentions they both have had prior romantic relationship).

Just Between Us leaves me completely baffled and disconnected from its characters; the scenarios might have worked if it's going for straight romantic comedy, but the emotional intensity conveyed (even though the stake is laughably low) suggests otherwise. It would've fared better if the story is about teenagers/young adults going through their first serious romance, but as it stands I don't think this one would be high on my recommendation.

Ellie and Camden are fun couple! I liked their by chance meeting and their subsequent reintroduction. Ellie is trying to live up to her parents' expectations and is too wrapped up in their opinions of her to go after what she really wants. The chemistry between them is perfect and I liked reading about their friendship developing. There were a few over used lines and stereotypical trope references, but overall it was a sweet book. I will say that I enjoyed this second book much more than I did the first (Just Go With It) and felt like the characters were better developed and more relatable. Overall and author I will continue to read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Madison Wright for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a cute romance! Ellie struggles to meet expectations while working for her parents. This becomes even more difficult when Cam comes into her life. Is their relationship worth it?

Would recommend if you like dual POV, slow burn, forbidden romance, closed door reads!

3 stars!

Just Between Us centers around Ellie Bates, a building manager who desperately wants her parents’ approval, and Photographer Camden Lane who becomes a resident in the building Ellie manages. Dating (or fraternizing at all with) residents is against the rules, but the two can’t help but be drawn to one another and grow closer and closer despite their best efforts.

This was a cute and fast read. It had a very cozy vibe. There was however a lot of back and forth with Ellie deciding if she wanted to prioritize her job or her relationship with Cam, which got a little tedious to read. The main conflict is the contentious relationship Ellie has with her parents, particularly her mother, and the resolution to it wasn’t too satisfying in my opinion. It’s still a good read if you’re looking for something quick and light!

Read if you like:

-Forbidden romance
-Cinnamon roll mc
-Dual pov
-Nursing someone back to health from a cold
-Fluff
-Clean romance
-happy ending

This book was alright for me. I loved Cam and Ellie. You could tell how much he really cared for her. I’m not going say I know what it’s like to have that type of relationship with my parents where I feel like they don’t care about me and who I really am. I can understand why Ellie would want to do all she could to just be accepted by them but gosh, at what expense? I’m glad she had support in the end to help her be brave and step away but I feel like it didn’t need to happen at the very end of the book. I wanted more of Camden and Ellie.

This was a sweet and cozy rom-com that was just what I needed to get me out of my reading slump! I loved Wright's writing style and wow - the descriptions used were top-notch. Cam is the absolute ideal book boyfriend and I loved reading about him and his family. Ellie, not so much. Her mom sucked and I don't like how it was all just swept under the rug instead of being dealt with.

I have also found a new favorite trope - forbidden love. This was a closed door romance with hardly any spice but I still binged the book in one day.

This is considered the second book in a series but you don't have to read the first one before picking this one up. I may have to pick up a physical copy of this book just for the cute cover!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Overall this was really cute and sweet - Ellie and Cam are just adorable and as humans I really loved them. However the conflict felt like it was trying to be super high stakes when it didn’t feel that way to me as a reader. I wish the conflict was more focused on her relationship with her parents, instead of on the semantics of their rules at work. But it was a cute, easy read and I really loved the characters!