I'm not much of a romance reader, as I usually find the writing of poor quality, the plot boring, and the characters flat. In the Case of Heartbreak by Courtney Kae may have officially turned me into a romance reader! Their prose, characters, plot development and setting had me hooked from the beginning.

In the Case of Heartbreak tells the story of Ben, a baker on the brink of his reality TV big break, and Adam, a musician with talent that could take him beyond his small town. In a small case of grandma-induced forced-proximity, the two of them have the chance to share their feelings for each other and explore a relationship. But will they be able to trust themselves and each another to let down their walls, even as their lives seem to be pulling them in different directions?

Ben and Adam were both complex and fully realized characters whom I was rooting for from the start. Their communication was so healthy and respectful that I was taking notes! There was just enough conflict to keep me engaged, but nothing felt forced or inauthentic. I was really impressed with this book; I wish all romance novels were like this!

Read this if you love: small town romance, childhood crush, mental health rep, he takes care of him, really healthy communication, music and baking.

I love a good Courtney Kae romance! Yes, this is only her second but that doesn't mean I don't love them either way. In the Case of Heartbreak was so good y'all. Not only do you get amazing romance, but you also get a really excellent look into life with a narcissist for a parent. As someone who has a parent that is a narcissist, the way that was handled was great and a lot of it reminded me of myself in a lot of ways. Love love love this book!

I love a nice cozy bakery. I love cinnamon rolls. And I particularly love both Adam and Ben, and G-Ma, and Ben’s mom. Ben’s dad? Well he can fall off a cliff. Seriously. What a douche canoe.

This book felt special the entire time I was reading it. It really did. There was something so wonderful about how Courtney Kae wove both Ben and Adam’s personalities into the storyline, and made me feel a great deal of sympathy for both of them, as well as angry on their behalves.

Ben really needs all of the hugs, and Adam should be there to give them to him forever and always.

They are both character with past trauma, as a lot of people have but I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to see the two of them try to work through it in a healthy manner.

The found family, and real family vibe of this book also made it special for me, showing how deeply friendships and love can help someone heal.

That being said there were moments where I just wanted to remind people that talking is a good thing to do, as so much could’ve been resolved between not only Ben and Adam, but also Ben and his G-Ma, Ben and his Mom, his Mom and G-Ma.

Speaking of G-Ma, forget her being what I want to grow up to be, I want to be her now. She is fabulous.

Imagine signing up for a TV show and then being blasted by your estranged father. You then have to skip town because it’s your G’ma’s birthday, and when you get there the man you’ve crushed over for years just happens to be invited to perform. Is this the universe way of messing with you or the over involved family. Baker Ben has so much on his plate but he can fit more on if it includes Seth.

If anything could be any sweeter it would be this book by @ I have been reading some really wholesome books that just have natural progression between the to men. I couldn’t get enough of the witty G’ma who was always just wanting the most for her grandson and planting items along the way. No book is complete without the struggles of trying to be a better person and make up for ones mistakes. I always fall for the first kiss/ moment where both confess their feelings for one another. This novel will pull on your heartstrings. I also didn’t realise this was the 2nd book in the series (which I will now have to find).

This was a cute romance between two people who had known each other since they were kids and never believed the other would like them. This book was realistic with the troubles of not feeling good enough and having trouble letting others love you when you don’t feel you deserve it. This book was an easy read with a story that kept me interested and invested in the characters.

Unfortunately, this book did not capture or keep my interest. There was an enormous amount of “telling”, with huge sections of text just the main character’s internal, repetitive monologue, which I found very slow and boring to read.

OH MY HEARTTTTT. I would rate this book more than 5 stars if i could.

ADAM AND BEN. i adore them. i love them.
This book is a fluffy, heartfelt, on the nose romance between two friends. It deals with some heavier topics, but in terms of the romance it’s fluffy - i loved every second of it though.

I was SCREAMING and cheering Ben on from chapter 1. He just deserved so much more out of life than what he was given. All of the positivity that came to him at the end of the book gave me so much joy i couldn’t stand it.

Adam is such a cinnamon roll himself. He was so caring and loving toward Ben and truly just wanted him to love himself the same way he loved him.

We can’t leave out G-ma. I want to be her when i grow up. She had my laughing out loud the entire book and i just adored her as a side character.

Ben’s Dad. i hate him. i literally hate him sm. I haven’t ever hated a character like i hated him. IYKYK.

I loved the author’s writing style. It was very fluffy and heartwarming and almost “on the nose” in terms of romance, but it was so easy to read. I was laughing, crying, yelling, cheering on, etc etc all the emotions.

READ THIS BOOK. 🫶🏼

"In the Case of Heartbreak" by Courtney Kaye is an enchanting and heartfelt tale that immersed me in a world of love, loss, and the transformative power of second chances. Kaye's storytelling prowess shines as she weaves a beautifully written narrative, capturing the essence of romance and the complexities of the human heart.

The novel follows the journey of its protagonist, whose heart has been shattered by a past love. With emotional depth and authenticity, Kaye takes us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as we witness the protagonist's struggles to heal and find love once again. Through touching prose and vivid descriptions, she portrays the depths of heartbreak, allowing us to empathize with the pain and vulnerability experienced by the main character.

The book is filled with multifaceted characters that come to life on the pages. The protagonist is relatable and endearing, with flaws and insecurities that makes him all the more human. Supporting characters are equally well-developed, adding layers of complexity and depth to the story. Each interaction and relationship feels authentic, and readers will find themselves emotionally invested in the characters' journeys.

The romance in this book is beautifully portrayed, striking the perfect balance between passion and tenderness. Kaye captures the chemistry between the love interests with exquisite detail, creating palpable tension that kept me eagerly turning the pages. The blossoming romance felt organic and believable, making it easy to root for the characters' happiness and hope for their ultimate reconciliation.

Additionally, "In the Case of Heartbreak" explores deeper themes of self-discovery and personal growth. Kaye's exploration of the protagonist's journey towards healing is poignant and thought-provoking. She portrays the complexities of rebuilding oneself after heartbreak, reminding us that sometimes the most profound transformations occur when we confront our pain and find the courage to love again.

Kaye's writing style is elegant and evocative, painting vivid landscapes and evoking a range of emotions throughout the story. Her prose flows effortlessly, carrying readers through moments of heartache, joy, and everything in between. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing for moments of introspection as well as plot twists that keep the narrative engaging.

"In the Case of Heartbreak" is a captivating romance novel that will sweep readers off their feet and leave them yearning for more. Courtney Kaye's ability to craft relatable characters and emotionally resonant stories shines through in this remarkable book. If you're seeking a beautifully written tale of love, healing, and the power of second chances, this is a novel that should not be missed.

Prepare to be enchanted by "In the Case of Heartbreak" and let it whisk you away on a journey of love, hope, and the enduring strength of the human heart.

In the Case of Heartbreak was a highly anticipated followup for me to In the Event of Love, which I read and loved last year. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit its mark for me.

In the Case of Heartbreak follows Ben Parish as he attempts to get over his long-term crush on Adam, while also dealing with past trauma he's never fully addressed, while navigating family drama and a week-long party, and also falling into a romantic relationship with Adam along the way. If you think that sounds like a lot to tackle in one (relatively short) novel, well, you would be correct.

Things I liked: Ben and Adam as characters, the overall setting, Ben's support system of friends, family, and his therapist, and I did enjoy the overall themes of love and trust and healing.

Things I didn't like: We, as readers, are told that Ben has been in love with Adam for years, and later told that Adam has also loved Ben for years, but we aren't ever really shown that. This book would have benefitted hugely from dual timelines or flashback scenes so that the romance could fully develop. The romance in this novel is more about navigating starting a relationship between two people who are already in love, rather than showing us them falling in love. And there isn't even a whole lot of space for that when Ben's mental health journey takes up so much space in the narrative.

Overall, I feel like this novel had potential and there are parts that I liked, but neither the romance nor the personal growth narrative was well-developed enough for my liking and it fell flat for me, personally, overall.

Oh sweet cinnamon rolls.
This hallmarkesque rom com was equal parts heart warming and heart wrenching.

After an awkward televised mishap puts him in the friend zone with his childhood crush Ben ditches fern falls for the beach escape of Maywell Bay. However his meddling grandma (who is hands down the best character in this novel) brings Adam, Ben’s crush, to town under the guise of needing a guitar player.

This book was awkward, hilarious, angsty and heart wrenching. I felt all of Bens past trauma and pain was so relatable and how Adam was always there for him made my cold heart melt into a puddle of mush.

A delicious balance of sweet and steamy romance, with a wild case of fun and wonderfully diverse characters that make it impossible to put this book down for even a minute! I love the tension of an unrequited love and throw in a misunderstanding interpreted as a flat out rejection and I’m guaranteed to eat it up. Adam and Ben were so heartachingly awkward and terribly good at getting in their own way and watching them stumble through their feelings and into a tender and supportive relationship was so good. I have such a soft spot for Ben. He’s nervous and kind and struggles with his mental health and baggage from his past, but he loves his family so much and everyone absolutely adores him (myself included).

This book explores mental health, consent and learning to love yourself and handles each of these areas so beautifully and it shows such great talent from Courtney Kae. It’s a huge warm hug of a book and gave me so many cosy, fuzzy feelings and lots of laughs. And, if she wasn’t fictional, I would totally want to meet G-ma (and her wild book club). No-filter, bigger than life grandmas are my absolute jam. At times, Ben and Adam were a little too sweet for me but they’re adorable so I forgive them. Grab yourself a copy and join the party!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

In the Case of Heartbreak is an angsty, queer romance that was a perfect read during Pride Month! Courtney Kae writes in the authors note "In all my novels, I love to imagine a world that is kinder to queer people, unquestioning, unchallenging. A place where we don’t need to explain, defend, or prove ourselves. You’ll find that here in Maywell Bay, like you found it Fern Falls." and that is truly what this book is.

The book is told from Ben's point of view and is about Ben and Adam. Ben has had a crush on Adam as far back as he can remember. He is embarrassed on live TV when Adam rejects Ben as a love interest. He escapes his small town to visit his g-ma for her birthday. It turns out Adam has been recruited by the band performing at his g-ma's week long celebration and is staying on site. What follows is some honesty, some pain and a whole lotta love.

This book excels at inclusivity and celebrating and respecting differences. I loved the characters in this book, and think everyone will be able to relate to at least one character. The romance in this book is wonderful. Ben and Adam have a profound amount of respect for each other and consent and communication is important in their relationship. Both Ben and Adam have painful histories and they bring that with them to their relationship, it is through these histories that they are able to come together and become a couple that works.

I loved Kae normalizing therapy and talking about and validating feelings. The introspection and self-doubt we see Ben have is relatable, but painful to watch at times. It does a great job of talking about worth and being worthy of love. I found the love in this novel beautiful and believable. I also found the conflict Ben has with himself to be believable.

I did struggle with Ben's father storyline and his desire to protect his mom and g-ma from hurt. I felt that the baking competition was trying to come into focus, but just didn't execute as a necessary plot point.

Overall, I did find the book good. I thought it was sweet and authentic. I felt that Courtney Kae did a great job with inclusivity and I will be sure to pick up their future novels. If you like friends to lovers queer rom-coms with some meddling family members and silly antics, this is the book for you! Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

I really loved this book, I was so happy to read about Adam. It was really great to be back in this universe and to see again those characters that i loved.

This is a sweet friends to lovers romance that mostly takes place on vacation. There is a lot of background drama and angst, though the romance itself is cute. It is a nice summer read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

This book was written so thoughtfully and inclusively, which I adore and admire greatly. This was to be expected after the first in the series, but it was just as amazing to read in In the Case of Heartbreak! Ben was the sweetest, most precious main character who I simply could not get enough of and was rooting for the whole time. However, this story did not quite live up to my admittedly high expectations from the previous in the series, and the romance itself just fell a bit flat for me personally.

Cute and quirky 2SLGBTQIA+ romance. If you like baking shows, romance, and hot musicians, then this novel is for you! I found this novel light and enjoyable.

great romance book! the characters had great chemistry, love me some baking theme hotny banter. i took a long time reading it but it was because of personal reasons (uni), and if it wasn't for that i think i would've liked it even more.

thanks netgalley, kensington books and courtney kae for the arc!

great romance book! the characters had great chemistry, love me some baking theme hotny banter. i took a long time reading it but it was because of personal reasons (uni), and if it wasn't for that i think i would've liked it even more.

thanks netgalley, kensington books and courtney kae for the arc!

In the Case of Heartbreak was such a sweet Hallmark-esque story. Ben and Adam are adorable together and I also loved all the side characters in this book (especially Gma!). The small-town vibes and general softness of this book had me hooked.

I’m usually not a pure romance reader… I usually need a Fantasy/supernatural aspect to it… But this book was so good!
Yes, it was super sweet and fluffy… But written in a way that had me unable to put the book down and constantly had me emitting little squeals!

This book is full of representation, from sexuality to race. Full of mental health issues that were so relatable but handled so beautifully!

I am also now a Adam Reed stan! The way he handled Ben’s anxious brain telling him lies was just *chef’s kiss* and consent.is.sexy!

I just have one question… Where can I get myself a G-ma? 😂