One of my very favourite romance tropes is enemies to lovers so I wasn't surprised I really enjoyed the House Sitter by Elizabeth Drummond. An old house, a cute English village and a protagonist who has had her life turned upside down meant I absolutely flew through this book. A delightful romcom to start my year!

This was a cute story that was probably more Women's Fiction than Romance. I loved the setting of the estate and the little town.

The plot just moved too slow for me. I liked Pippa and Wolfie, but for the first half of the book Wolfie isn't around very much. Of course, Pippa just coming off a breakup didn't need to find a man right away, but the journey for the two of them getting together seemed a bit off.

I think the romance took a backseat for the first half with B-plots involving the neighbors, friends and the town. Then it seemed to go too fast with a bit of Instalove in the second half.

However, I think this is a great romance for those who enjoy cozy town romances.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for an e-copy of THE HOUSE SITTER to review.

I rate THE HOUSE SITTER three out of five stars.

First off, I love the cover of this book. It's what immediately drew me in.

The start of the book was a little too slow for me but maybe it's because I've been reading faster-paced books recently.

I really enjoyed both the main characters, especially the MMC.

Overall, a very cute and easy read. I would read another book by this author!

First of, I love the cover. It's so cute and does really represent the book. Then, the characters.. I didn't love them. Pippa was fine, of course I didn't like Alex but Wolfie also didn't do it for me (also... Who is called Wolfie?). In the end I felt like their relationship progressed so fast and didn't feel natural to me. I completely missed any kind of build up, it was mostly about her. Would have loved for het to get some character development and not need a man.. Oh well.
2.5 stars

While I enjoyed Wolfie's character, I struggled a bit with Pippa as the main female. It was an easy read, and mostly enjoyable.

The House Sitter
Elizabeth Drummond
Publication Date- February 23, 2024

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The setting was very cozy and I was rooting for Pippa to have her happily ever after. This book was a bit predictable and slow in certain spots, but overall a good read.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a little cliche but so cute and enjoyable. I loved the house and town and the concept of home as a person more so than a place.

Well done, Elizabeth Drummond.

I do enjoy opposites attract type books, even though you know how it will end, it's still really good fun reading the story! The main characters were lovely and I was really hoping for a happy ending for them! Thank you Netgalley x

This had the magical sauce of just enough zany, funny, drive you crazy hijinx and sweet but sexy moments. I absolutely blew through this book and found it to be so charming and sweet.

An interesting read with a fun journey. I enjoyed both main characters and their story. I even liked the side characters and wanted them to have a story as well.

I reviewed this book as an ARC from NetGalley and I have some honest opinions. I really just couldn’t connect with the characters and found the FMC very irritating. I pushed through the book but I really didn’t enjoy it. I feel bad saying something so harsh, but I think maybe it just wasn’t for me? From the get go, I just really struggled to keep engaged and felt the dialogue was very forced in parts. The relationships were very unhealthy and i found the plot lacking. Just not a great read for me I’m afraid

One of my first thoughts was I think the MC should have been broken up with her boyfriend a while prior to meeting Wolfie. It was hard to believe that she was over him so fast and so soon.

i wanted to like this book so badly because the premise of it sounded different & interesting. however, i couldn't get into it as much as i wanted to.

the beginning was very slow-paced for me, there was some intrigue to the characters, but i didn't like the main female character (her appearance made my eye twitch) & i generally don't enjoy books that have an ex-boyfriend involved in such a heavy aspect. i didn't see any chemistry between her and the main male character, and i was also just confused the entire time reading. there was a lot of miscommunication and slow, LONG scenes, and the overall execution and writing style was not to the standard i look for.

also the name "wolfie"... all i could think of was a big puppy, not a human.

This book was sweet and wholesome and I enjoyed reading through it a lot! I thought that the concept was really sweet and nostalgic for our characters! I will warn you though, the toxic relationship in this book is t o x i c . I wanted to smack the dirtbag in the head for being so horrible to Pippa.

I did, however, love the grumpiness that Wolfie Squires brought to the story. His quiet care and concern over both Pippa and her feelings was so sweet and I was rooting for him to not be such a grump the entire way through the book haha!

If you’re looking for a book that is sweet, full of “save the mansion” energy, wonderful side characters and overall is just a really great read, this one could definitely be for you.

Thank you to @onemorechapterhk for this advanced reader copy! 🫶

Oh my! This book was just so🥹🥹
Cute, easy read!
Pippa Munro and Wolfie Squires!! The tension and slowest burn! So so lovely!

Pippa Munro spent almost half her life living a certain way, when all of a sudden everything is pulled from under her. She's a resilient, strong, empowered woman. Finding her footing within her new conditions and never backing down from any situation, as hurtful as it may be. She's also so quirky, funny and simply adorable!

Wolfie Squires is trying to run away from his past's ghosts when Pippa comes into his life. The definition of broody, grumpy, closed off MMC, that with enough trust and patience can also be the one who says the most endearing things that makes your heart squeeze. THE THINGS this man says🥹🥹🥹

To be honest, the beginning was a little dragged to me, it took me a moment to immerse myself in the book, but that's okay! Not every book will, or even needs to be that way for me to enjoy it! I oh did I enjoy this one!

The layers, the plot, the drama, the friendships, the real life issues, JUNIPER!!!!
AND THE EPILOGUE???? Cutest thing ever!

Liz did it all so beautifully! Amazing writing!
Loved it, and super recommend it!


Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this one! It was a quick read and kept me entertained. The cover is super cute also - bookshelf material!

I really really enjoyed this book! it was so cute and i loved all of the characters and the setting and the story. i have a special place in my heart for books set in small towns and this one did not disappoint. i loved the way that both pippa and wolfie were their own people and that we were able to witness their relationship slowly develop in the best way, which made the ending so satisfying to read. this book had me kicking my feet and giggling and blushing and all the moments shared between the two MC's were so enjoyable to read.
the reason i'm not ranking this higher is just because i personally found it a little hard to get into at the beginning. i started reading this and then i put it down for a bit, but when i picked it back up i ended up finishing the book in 3 hours!! also miscommunication for a third act conflict isn't really my favourite, but it didn't last long which made me happy.
overall i would really recommend this book. it's a quick read that will get you out of a slump and give you butterflies in your tummy when you read it.

Alex is the worst. That was my biggest takeaway. Pippa could be insufferable at times but by the end, I did find myself wanting a happy ending for her.

Cute setting and descriptions however that’s all I enjoyed. I didn’t think Wolfie and the fmc had any chemistry and their relationship really fell flat for me.

If you've ever judged someone for being 'rich' whether in a positive or negative way.. The House Sitter is the next romance you need to read!!

How many times have we, as fellow humans, assumed their life was easy, and that we'd could either put the money to use better or have such an easier time if they were rich? It's a slippery slope to fall into!! And perhaps on the other side of that.. if you're more comfortable in life financially - can you even imagine what it would be like to struggle truly?

This is an adorable story of two true opposites trying to figure out how to work together to accomplish the same dream!

NOTES:
- Pippa's character-building was so so sweet. I love a supremely loyal character, and I can't think of too many jobs harder than farming!! So the idea that she was so steadfast without security had my heartwarming to her. Overall, I loved her character because she experienced so much growth!! (This is the reason I'm rounding up from 3.5/5 t0 4/5 on Goodreads!)
- Because this story is set in Britain and I'm not English --- parts of the story annoyed me until I remembered that the United States is massive and people normally live far apart etc.? So this is a gentle reminder for my fellow Americans to remember to place yourself in the cultures you're reading about mentally. Even if they seem similar, there are many nuances that stand out as completely different from an American-based romance!

**Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤