Fun fact, Charlotte has always been good with trivia. In fact, her dream has always been to one day get the chance to put her random knowledge to good use on her favorite game show. Now, with her grandmother’s ailing health and the medical expenses piling up, she has all the more reason to be in jeopardy, if not on it. Then Charlotte gets the call that she’s in and she hopes her luck is finally turning around.

Fellow contestant Eli has his own reasons to roll the dice, namely to help mounting bills due to debt and his father’s bad track record with the law. But what neither could have anticipated was the presence of the other when the cameras begin to roll. Suddenly, it’s not just the flashing stage lights, but the unexpected flashbacks that assault the pair. See, some years ago in high school Charlotte and Eli dated, but it was game over once a misunderstanding broke then apart.

Their tension palpable, the audience begins to root for the team’s success, if only to catch a glimpse of the drama unfolding on air. But behind the scenes, a much bigger and dangerous game is brewing- one that breaks all the rules in love, and in life. Will Charlotte and Eli play the game, or are they ones being played?

I was drawn to Let’s Get Quizzical for its fun premise and unique setting. As far as I know, a game show has never been a backdrop for romance. But the deeper I got into the story, the more I felt a bit confused. The first half had a definitive, young adult feel to it-perhaps because their fallout felt juvenile in nature. But as the story progressed the tone changed, ending in a suspense filled final act full of pop up propaganda instead of pop culture pandemonium. In my opinion, the story would have carved out a new niche if it stayed in the trivia trope lane. Instead, the reader is the one played in its truncated trivial pursuit for a fun romance.

A cute lighthearted read. The romance was a little flat, but the quiz show moments were well done. I thought the characters were interesting but lacked some depth. I did want to find out how the story ended and was satisfied with the resolution of the conflict. If you're in the mood for a cute game-show rom-com and not looking for anything too deep, you'll likely enjoy this tale.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Let's Get Quizzical by Kelly Ohlert was an emotional second chance romance set in the unique background of a quiz game show. Charlotte and Eli are very real characters with their flaws and issues and emotional baggage. It was full of emotional ups and downs. And it was definitely full of spicy slow burn chemistry. Sometimes there are laugh out loud moments. Sometimes there are angsty moments. Overall it is a very real love story.

Don't get fooled by the cute cover. It is not a rom com. And that is perfectly fine with me! Charlotte got a chance to participate in her favorite game show after trying for years and she needs the prize money to use in treatment of her sick grandmother. And she gets a big surprise. Because his partner is none other than Eli, the boy who broke her heart in high school. Eli needs the prize money too because his family situation. Can he convince Charlotte to give him a second chance and can they really be a team?

Eli is a sweetheart but he also has so much swagger and c0cky charm. He broke Charlotte's heart in high school for a good reason..yes he could have done everything in a better way but he was a young man caught in his circumstances. He is still fighting for every part of his life. He is in a more desperate state than Charlotte. He has never stopped loving her. But when the temptations and manipulations push within the game, things became difficult. I feel Charlotte was being a bit too hard on him. She holds honesty and truth above everything because her family has a history of devastating lies breaking them. But don't we all use white lies? When do lies become really a sin? It was a difficult question for them. I love a nerdy heroine and Charlotte was definitely an awesome one. She was just fixated on past and rigid rules and didn't want to listen to her heart that believed that Eli won't hurt her. It was heartbreaking. But fortunately everything sorted out and they had a happily ever after. I didn't expect it to be this spicy but I am happy with all the steam.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

When I saw this book, I was immediately attracted by the fun cover (with cute punchy colours) and the adorable punny title.

The story itself was a bit lacking.

LOVED that this is a quiz show romance and I loved all the various fun facts. A really refreshing take on the romcom genre.

I do wish the author would have tightened up the book. There were random moments that only distracted from the story (weird old car in LA, chlorine in the pool, etc.) as well as plot lines that were partly relevant but also not really (Kenneth, Lucky).

Regarding Kenneth, I was very happy Charlotte called him out on not being sorry but only being sorry he got caught.

Charlotte and Eli were believable and I bought their ex-friends/lovers to lovers arc. There could have been better communication but that is usually the case in romance books.

And I just wish I will be someone’s final answer in the future. Cute!!!!!!

3.5 stars rounded up because of the title and cover.

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.

This is a fun, captivating, good read. Eli and Charlotte are entertaining, intriguing, relatable, fun characters. I enjoyed getting to know Eli and Charlotte and their romance. It’s not a straight line, but the ride is a fun one. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story. I was hoping to see more of the Sarah than we did. The book is easy to read and consume. I enjoyed the read overall.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I liked the premise of this: the quiz show bringing together two people who dated and had a bad break-up in high school. However, the overall execution didn't really work for me: there is so much going on with family issues and nefarious behind-the-scenes happenings that the romance part gets overshadowed. It felt off-balance somehow: I'd have preferred a little more exploration of Eli and Charlotte's chemistry and a little less emphasis on random trivia facts. Eli is a great character, and his development since his teenage years is well done. Charlotte, however, seems a bit one-dimensional in comparison and her blinkered point of view gets annoying at times. I do love a second-chance romance, but this one was more miss than hit for me.

What a cute little story! I learned a lot from the random facts throughout the novel. Following Charlie and Eli as they reconnected for the first time since high school, showing how they’ve grown in that time was such a fun reading adventure to go on- game show style! A unique storyline for this young romance novel.

DNF 53%
The premise was cute. I love that they’re from areas I’m familiar with in Michigan. The characters love for trivia and knowledge is endearing.

I just didn’t find myself rooting for the characters or the romance. Charlie is constantly assuming the worst in people. I love a second chance romance but the backstory isn’t fleshed out. She talks about all the reasons she hates Eli from the past but none of the reasons she was apparently madly in love with him. Eli just feels like a one dimensional character and I didn’t feel any tension built between the characters. Charlie is also hyper fixated on honesty and not just being honest (that’s a good thing) but this idea of “honesty at any price no matter who it hurts in the process”. I just know there will be some 3rd act breakup and I’m not willing to read through that for characters I’m not interested in.

Let's Get Quizzical by Kelly Ohlert is a sweet and nerdy second chance romance novel.

When high school exs get paired together on a game show, will they be able to put the past behind them for the good of the game ?!?

This book was so sweet and funny. The characters were so well put together in all their quirks, troubles, insecurities, determination and loves. The backdrop for the story was so different it made for a fun and entertaining read. I already want to read it again.

#arc
#netgalley
#letsgetquizzical

I initially thought this would be one of my favorite arcs i’d ever received and it ended up being sort of the opposite. I loved the cover, I loved that the trope was mainly second chance, but the story didn’t follow up with the excitement. It was hard connecting with the characters, it lacked depth, it felt rushed and just didn’t seem all that credible once you understand why it’s second chance. I appreciate the arc but I wouldn’t recommend reading

DNF: Where do I even begin. It's hard to root for a relationship when both main characters are unlikeable. I wanted them to shake them and tell them to grow up. They are stuck in the past, and since they never moved on, they're both still acting like they're seventeen. Their behavior makes sense for teenagers, but once they matured (which it seems they still haven't), they could have just talked it out! Charlotte really grated on my nerves with her black and white stance on honesty and truth-telling. She knows how to hold a grudge, because she's been holding one against Eli for thirteen years. Thirteen! They are thirty! That takes up far too much energy for a grown woman; most people, for their own sanity, would have let that grudge go by now. Considering her grudge, she forgives him far too fast to be believable. For his part, Eli is still pining over Charlotte, which is kind of pathetic. I love second chance romances, but for them to work, there needs to be a legitimate, compelling reason, besides miscommunication, for the original breakup. This just doesn't deliver. Not to mention, both Charlotte and Eli's lives are far too depressing.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

I was captivated by the book's premise, but the core conflict revolves around moral integrity. Charlotte's unwavering commitment to honesty, influenced by her family's fanaticism, makes her character inflexible and occasionally exasperating. There were moments when I almost considered setting the book aside due to this.

Yet, I persevered, and around the 40% mark, the humor and writing style hit their stride, breathing life into the story. Ultimately, it's a swift, heartwarming second-chance romance with a touch of spice and a satisfying ending. If you're a trivia buff, you'll relish the smattering of random facts woven into the tale.

A quick and easy romance. I really enjoyed the quiz show setting, but felt the romance was a bit lacking and more time could’ve been spent on building that up. I also think the secondary plot of corruption on the show was fun, but overall lacking too. This is an easy afternoon snack of a book. Good enough, if forgettable.

Eli and Charlotte dated in high school, and reunite as teammates at a game show. Both are desperate to win the prize money for their family members. Eli to fix his house that is falling apart, and to help his dad stay out of jail. Charlotte to help her grandmother with her expensive illness.

I love a second chance romance storyline, but this one fell a bit flat for me. With such a deep anger over their failed relationship, I felt that they were too quick to forgive. I never felt invested in their relationship or connected to the characters. There was lots of potential, the romance was just lost for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love a game show and trivia so I was super down for a :”second chance, game show centric romance in Let’s Get Quizzical. Charlotte is taking the chance going on her favorite trivia show to win money for her grandma. But her dreams have a wrinkle thrown in as her high school ex shows up. Eli is a personal trainer and is ready to show Charlotte he’s not the boy he was. I loved the trivia and the family in this, but overall j felt there was a kind of juvenile element to this. Charlotte falls a little flat as a character and isn’t super developed, but I did like Eli and his growth. I wish more was put in for them falling back into love; their romance rested on their past that there wasn’t even flashbacks too, so it was hard to connect with them. It also never resolved what happened to Charlotte’s grandma and Eli’s dad (who he was winning the money for). But I did like the trivia show setting, that felt fresh and unique and it had me wanting to dive into watching some game shows. It is a sweet read with a good premise and some charm, plus I loved the random facts in it.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Let’s Get Quizzical by Kelly Ohlert follows the story of Charlotte and Eli –who both need money to support their family– and how they run into each other years later in a very unexpected way. Charlotte who always prioritizes honesty and her family is faced with a major dilemma: listen to her heart or her moral principles? Eli wants to earn Charlotte’s trust back but he’s also faced with a dilemma: lose Charlotte or let his dad get set up?

I loved the plot of this book so much, because it had the best of everything. Charlotte and Eli–highschool sweethearts until it wasn’t sweet anymore– running into each other at Charlotte’s favorite trivia game show was such a unique concept. I adored the banter between the characters and how the public went wild seeing them argue on live television (so real!). I loved how hard Eli tried to gain Charlotte’s trust back. The only thing that bothered me during the course of their relationship was that Charlotte got mad at Eli for breaking her trust but he very clearly had no other choice. I did love how Charlotte apologized after noticing she overreacted. I loved how both characters realized where they went wrong, and did their best to save their relationship the second time.

Another thing I loved was even though this is a romance book, it had important real life applications. I loved how Eli (and Charlotte) exposed the trivia show’s producer for threatening and black-mailing them. I loved how Eli’s dad was just trying to do and be better for his son, and how Charlotte’s grandmother realized the extent to which she imposed the concept of trust to Charlotte. I loved the last scene where Charlotte was so proud at Eli’s graduation. I loved the fact that even though Eli couldn’t afford to go to university after high school, he got enrolled after he was in a position to support himself, and it was so heartwarming to see how supportive Charlotte was.

Charlotte and Eli’s relationship was fast-paced but considering neither of them truly moved on from each other, it just made sense. Charlotte was so caught up in her pain, and Eli in his guilt that when they saw each other again, all those feelings were just back. The museum scene was so cute, I loved how Eli loved Charlotte’s passion about learning and butterflies. I loved how they talked everything out in the end.

If you’re looking for a second chance romance with lots of banter and bickering, this book is the exact book you need.

This was a quick and easy romance read but for me personally it did not live up to my expectations. I was very excited for the quiz show aspect of this, but it seemed to me that a lot of that got glossed over for other elements. The two main characters were decent but I wasn’t really invested in their love story at any point. The writing was solid but I just don’t think this story was for me.

This was a cute romance book. If you are a fan of game shows I would suggest this one. Thank you so much to the publisher for an advanced copy.