3.5 stars - Nerdy, sweet, and fun, this book is a second chance romance revolving around a trivia game show. Charlotte and Eli's high school romance had a not-so-great end, and over 10 years later they individually face serious financial issues. Being long-time game show fans, they are separately chosen as contestants on a team-based game show, and they're full of some serious mixed feelings when they're partnered together for the show. What follows is a journey to rekindle their relationship while they become involved in a scandal relating to the show.

This book is a lot of fun - especially for fans of game shows - but everything about it feels rushed. We only get a brief glimpse here and there into Charlotte and Eli's past relationship, so the heartbreak and decade-long pining they've both felt isn't all that relatable. I think there should have been more background before jumping into the game show, and then their shock at seeing each other would've conveyed better. And considering how conflicted Charlotte felt about seeing Eli again, she certainly jumped back into having feelings for and getting close to him very quickly afterwards. Also, her reason for not forgiving him both in the past and after the scandal involvement isn't very compelling - I simply don't believe that someone would look at Eli's reasons (especially in the present, maybe not as much in high school) and refuse to understand them. Finally, their reconciliation - especially the spicy scene - is very rushed.

All that being said, this was an enjoyable read. I love the premise of the characters being game show contestants and partners, and I really liked their time spent exploring LA in between episodes. If everything had been a bit more fleshed out, it would've been even better, but it was still worth the read.

Let’s Get Quizzical by Kelly Ohlert

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🔥🔥🔥/5

Charlotte and Eli are former flames who have both fallen on hard times. When they are both picked as contestants on the same game show, that flame starts to reignite. When they find themselves going head to head with a shady producer, their morals are tested, as is their commitment to one another. Can they stick together and still maintain their values while they compete to win the money their families desperately?

I really enjoyed this book. The game show setting was a new one for me, but I was very interested in how the ending would play out. I would’ve liked more sparks between the couple, instead of all the going back and forth over feelings. All in all, a very sweet, solid read!

Between the pithy title, cute cover, and intriguing premise, I was looking forward to this romance set against the backdrop of a trivia game show. But the story never quite lived up to its potential, and I found myself distracted by the characters' depressing personal lives.

Eli and Charlotte dated in high school. It was brief but intense. They haven't spoken to each other since then, and are each gobsmacked to be paired with the other after a blind pairing round at the quiz game they've both been invited to compete on. Eli needs the money: his house is falling apart and his dad is trying desperately to stay out of jail. Charlotte needs the money: her beloved Gran suffers from a costly mystery ailment. Can these two get over their past to win the show?

SPOILERS BELOW:

Despite the sophisticated premise, this story felt very juvenile. A 30 year old man who has by all appearances had a challenging life probably wouldn't still be pining over a girl he briefly dated in high school. Eli is all-in on getting a second chance with Charlotte. She is less sure. I wanted Charlotte to have more self-respect than to get back together/hook up with Eli.

Each of the character's back stories are so depressing. It definitely gives them each motivation to win at nearly any cost, but it was just... grim. Eli: Mom walked out when he was a kid; Dad in and out of jail; he's still working on his degree at age 30; stressed about money constantly. Charlotte: hangs out mostly with her mom, dad, and Gran, does she have any friends? Has barely dated much. Is incredibly rigid when it comes to her morals. It is over the top and grating when it comes to her obsession with telling the truth.

We never found out if they got the money they so desperately needed! The main motivator for all of the effort and we don't get a mention of it in the end.

I felt the storyline about Charlotte's absent grandfather showing up just as she's getting on the show could have added an interesting layer of intrigue. BUT, it's just something that sets in motion a lot of self-examination about Charlotte's approach to the absolute truth. I appreciated that her Gran came around and admitted she was wrong with her absolute views on truth-telling, but it was lame that Charlotte only came to this realization *after* talking to her Gran. I wanted her to figure it out on her own. I also wanted to hear from Charlotte's mom about her father coming back into the picture ??? Again - so many interesting things COULD have happened but didn't.

3.5 stars
Eli and Charlotte are both in need of money for their families. Eli is living with his father, who has been in jail and is trying to stay clean while working two jobs. Charlotte's beloved grandmother is sick and has medical bills piling up. They both end up on the same game show, Brain Battle, and are matched together as a team. The problem is that they dated in high school and it didn't end well. Charlotte claims this is the only time she's ever lied (honesty being a virtue her Gran harped on due to her past) and Eli wouldn't even look at her after he stood her up under the bleachers. So when they discover they are paired together, there is a lot of bickering on national tv. The producer warns them that if they don't get it together, he will make sure they get questions in their hardest categories so their stint on the show will be short lived. They decide to study together (they live within driving distance of each other) and focus on their weak categories. Old feelings resurface, but so do old problems.

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't one that I couldn't put down. Charlotte was not an especially likeable character - she was so focused on honesty and saw the world in black and white. She didn't allow for the shades of gray nor did she listen to get the entire story and make decisions on her own. I get that she was upset with Eli for not talking to her after their breakup in high school, but it seems ridiculous that she was holding that big of a grudge without even attempting to know what was going on with him for so long. Eli, on the other hand, seems to have grown since high school and is just completely under water and worried about keeping his dad from going back to a life of crime to get them out of their debt.

I feel like some people will find the book subject interesting but I couldn’t get into it. The writing felt somewhat forced and clunky to me. The topic has potential though

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a contemporary romance about two contestants on a game show who dated in the past. The storyline was transparent from beginning to end and I didn't feel any excitement for this novel. The characters, dialogue, plot, etc all just kind of plodded along. This one was just eh.

Let's Get Quizzical is a lightweight romance set in the TV game show scene. Charlie and Eli were high school sweethearts until Eli let Charlie down. Charlie has never been able to forgive Eli but now, after many years of no contact, they are thrown together as team mates on a TV game show.

Both Charlie and Eli have dire need of the financial windfall that success on this game show would bring. The questions are, can they put their past behind them and to what lengths will they go the ensure success?

This was an easy read and would be suited for vacation reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me an ARC to review.

A cute, delightful and interesting romance book. I knew I would like jut from the title! I love content with quizzes and all the setting of the narrative was compelling to follow up. Had a great moment with this reading. =D

Charlotte and Eli have one goal…to earn money to help their families. Little did they know, these onetime loves, would have to do it together on the game show Brain Battle. In order to win, the pair must overcome past hardships and present day challenges.

I enjoyed this quick read of a book. The game show theme was a fun spin. I found myself rooting for them throughout the book, as they are both likable characters. Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for a copy of this book!

This is very cute. The stakes are high and it is a real second chance romance. If you like game shows, you will slide right into this story.

This was a fun book with a fresh plot. I love game shows, so I was excited to try this one. Eli and Charlie were such a great couple, and some of the predicaments they found themselves in were pretty entertaining. I love dual point of view and first person. I feel like I get more from the story when I can read both characters' perspectives.

LOVED the premise of this book – second chance romance is always one of my favorites. This one had the added bonus of being enemies to lovers as well. Way back in high school, they were a couple and it ended badly – they meet again as team mates on a game show. They each struggle to stay focused on the game while bickering between them. I really enjoyed the game show setting, added the element of on the edge of your seat – will they/won’t they win. I enjoyed the character development and the two separate yet similar reasons each had for being on the game show and how desperate each was to earn the prize money. Charlotte’s love of game shows is what ultimately led each of them to this moment in time as she has loved watching game shows since she was a child and has always wanted to compete on one. Several laugh out loud moments and lots of trivia questions sprinkled throughout as they compete on the game show and prepare in between shows.

I enjoyed this fun quick read and would recommend it.

Early copy received on Net Galley for review.

This book was well-written and started off really interesting.

I would have liked there to be more of a slow-burn between the main characters - it felt like the story was resolved quite early on and then they just created new drama.

I also feel like Charlotte was really acting dramatic about the lie she had to tell in high school to cover up for Eli. We've all done dumb things as teenagers, but all he asked you was to lie to skip class with him, its not like he asked you to cover up a murder. Like get over yourself and your constant need to remind him that honesty is the best policy.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This second chance romance was absolutely adorable and I loved every word of it. This is a must read romance!
I just reviewed Let's Get Quizzical by Kelly Ohlert. #LetsGetQuizzical #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

For family-focused Charlotte, the chance to compete on her favorite trivia game show is a dream come true—the prize money could ensure the best care for her aging grandmother. But when she arrives on set, who does she see among the other contestants? Eli, her high school first love, at least until their shattering breakup. He has his own reasons for competing, not least of which is the stress of multiple jobs, college courses, and a father who has had multiple run-ins with the law.

When the casting department pairs them on a team, both Charlotte and Eli are determined to grit their teeth and make the best of it. That’s easier said than done, of course, and before long a national audience is breathlessly watching them bicker and air years-old grudges. Far from being angry, the program’s producers are ecstatic—the ratings are positively soaring.

As they compete together over several episodes of the show, Charlotte and Eli begin to suspect that old wounds might actually heal. Touring L.A. in their free time has given them the opportunity to get to know each other again—and reawakened feelings that are hard to resist. Until the show’s producers throw a wrench in their hopeful plans that will compromise everything Charlotte and Eli have worked so hard for.

I enjoyed the game show aspect of this book, my family and I also enjoy participating in game shows from the comfort of our couch. There was enough chemistry between the two main characters to keep the reader interested, and it was a very quick, very easy and light-hearted read. This is easily read in an hour and has no cliff-hangers.

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

Firstly, I’d like to say how much I adore this cover! It’s so lovely and I couldn’t stop staring at it while reading the book.

Secondly—this book! I was nervous because this has been an anticipated read of mine but I had no reason to be. I enjoyed the main characters and their relationships. Kelly does such a beautiful job curating these endearing and wonderful characters with seemingly real personalities and ambitions. I absolutely busted out laughing so many times! This book was so fun, witty and honest!

Any who, I AM SO HONORED I GOT THE CHANCE TO READ THIS NOVEL. It hooked me immediately and I love how much we focused on all the side characters as well.. I really enjoyed the storyline and wow my heart melted so many times. This was more women’s fiction than romance, which suited me just fine.

I think this one even topped so many other women’s fiction novels this month, and I can't wait to tell everyone to buy it when it's in stores or be annoyingly persistent about it when I’m at the library.

This was a perfect holiday season love story.
A second chance at love... Charlotte and Eli meet again after being finalists on a game show. Both have financial reasons for wanting to win the show and leads to great banter.
Lighthearted, easy to read. loved the new romance angle and was easily swept up in their story.

I really enjoyed this breezy second chance romance which combined Charlie and Eli meeting again after a high school breakup, alongside a low key mystery around the television game show where they are competing. Some minor grit around the intractable nature of poverty (which could have been explored further) but otherwise an easy and fun read. Eli was delicious and both had strong but imperfect relationships with their families.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Okay, I LOVED the cute premise of a game show! The characters were charming, and all in all, this was a very enjoyable second chance romance.

What a cute second chance romcom!

Charlotte has watched game shows with her families since she was little. She finally gets her chance to be a contestant but her partner is her ex from high school who ghosted her and broke her heart.

I loved Eli and Charlotte. A game show setting was so cute and sometime I haven't seen before!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!