Thank you to NetGalley, Small Town Girl Publishing and author Skye McDonald for this eARC

The Not So Nice Girl is a sweet, fun, cute romance with some spice, set in the 80‘s.
I really enjoyed this book.
I loved that it was set in the 80s. The whole tone/vibes reminded me of movies from my childhood & early teens.
I liked both our MCs, Eleandor & Sam and really appreciatee the dual pov.
If you know me, you know I‘m a sucker for found family so I absolutely loved the crew and Lens’ journey of finding her home/family.
The book does touch on some darker/heavier subjects but manages to keep the overall tone light and enjoyable.
3.75 stars

Friends-to-lovers romance set in the 1980s - Len decides to stay with her childhood best friend in Nashville over summer and has absolutely sworn off drama and boys. Sam is fresh out of a breakup with the woman he thought he was going to marry. The two meet in a record store and have a magical but brief hookup that ends up with both of them promising to simply be friends. It doesn't take them long to realise that the electric connection they share can't simply be disguised as friendship.
I really loved this book! I'm an early 00s baby but Skye's writing and complete commitment to the 80s setting managed to give me nostalgia for a time I've never known. Skye did an amazing job of creating such realistic genuine characters who developed and worked on themselves throughout the story. The romance between Sam and Len was a beautiful blend of playfully light-hearted and intimately emotional, and it definitely felt like a partnership which I feel isn't always the case in romance.
In my opinion this book is character-driven with strong character development and loveable characters, light spice, and it's relatively fast-paced.
The word 'sp*zz' in different forms were used a handful of times throughout the book in character dialogue which is definitely accurate to the time, but just something to note if that's something a potential reader is sensitive about.

This was a great lighthearted read - if you’re a fan of romantic comedies, this book is the one for you! A lovely read to take in your suitcase on holiday this summer.

i really loved the eighties vibe / record-store theme throughout, but i don't think this was a true friends to lovers, as described (more of an insta-love in my opinion) - i think if sam and eleanor met from knowing each other in the main friendship group, it could have still worked! i'm not usually a fan of epilogues that don't add anything to the narrative, but i did like seeing that the gang were still in touch - overall a cute read, especially for some eighties nostalgia.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. it didn’t hook me instantly, i just don’t think the writing style had me from the beginning. It was a standard romance, I enjoyed that it was set in the 80s and had dual perspectives but it wasn’t anything special for me. Easy and quick read, touches on a few dark subjects but doesn’t delve too deeply.

I have mixed feelings about The Not So Nice Girl.

I really liked Sam and Eleanor and thought their chemistry was good! Loved the spicy scenes :) I liked the idea of it taking place in the 80s and I liked the friend group. I can totally relate to Eleanor looking for a forever home!

However, it seemed like some drama was thrown in just to be thrown in and I feel we could've gotten to the root of what happened in Eleanor's past in a different way. I almost would've rather the book just be strictly about them hooking up all summer in secret because that was fun! I didn't like that they were hiding their relationship - literally their friends wouldn't have cared but at the same time I get why Eleanor felt they needed to.

I'm not a fan of epilogues so I didn't think this one was necessary and it really threw me off when it came off as more dramatic then it needed to be.

I was born in 1988 so I don't know too much about the 80s but felt like the author could've found more references to add in because except for the music, this book could've taken place in any decade.

Thank you to Small Town Girl Publishing and Netgalley for making this available to read and give feedback on!

Half way in and the characters still haven't grabbed my attention. They like each other but don't want to get together. For reasons. Something to do with something that happened in her past. Flashes of sentence fragments suggests a toxic relationship.

Not enough of a carrot to make me want to continue.

I stopped reading when Sam and Len were making a comparison between Bowie and Morrissey. I realized I was never going to like these people.

Why is this story set in 1986 anyway? To name drop films and song titles, but that only works if the audience knows those films and songs. I'm taking a wild stab in the dark here, but I think half the target audience doesn't know the songs.

Rating rounded up because I liked the cover.

Thank you to NetGalley and Small Town Girl Publishing for the ARC of this novel, While I would consider this historical fiction since it is meant to be set in 1986, I am not a fan of the "nice girl" persona that is being forced upon Len. Yes, the title is meant to combat that but I just could not connect with her as a character. Her backstory makes me feel for her but the writing did not hold up to make her compelling. Sam was fine but mostly a doormat who becomes less of a doormat at the end. The epilogue was not necessary to me for them to have a child and while they may be slightly older than a teen, they still act like teens so they are going to need a lot of help to be successful parents. This turned out to be not my cup of tea. 2 stars.

The Not So Nice Girl by Skye McDonald is a heartwarming love story set in the summer of 1986. Eleanor Field, seeking a drama-free summer filled with music and pastries in Nashville, unexpectedly meets Sam Greene at a local record shop. Despite their initial intention of keeping things casual, their instant attraction and shared interests lead to a deepening friendship that paves the way for something more.

One of the highlights of this book is the friends-to-lovers trope, which adds a delightful layer of anticipation and connection between Eleanor and Sam. The 1980s setting creates a nostalgic backdrop, enriched by a rock 'n' roll soundtrack that immerses readers in the era of mixtapes and first love. Sam emerges as a favorite character, embodying a sweet and endearing personality that resonates with readers.

The story flows smoothly, making it an easy and enjoyable read. The friendship group surrounding Eleanor and Sam adds depth and support, enriching their journey. The tension between Eleanor and her family feels authentic and relatable, adding a touch of realism to the narrative. The incorporation of music throughout the book enhances the atmosphere and deepens the emotional connections between the characters.

The pacing of the story works well for a summer romance, keeping the reader engaged and invested. The cover design is eye-catching and aligns with the nostalgic vibe of the book, drawing readers in.

However, there are a few aspects that could have been improved. The ending felt rushed, leaving some loose ends untied and leaving the reader wanting more resolution. The decision of Sam and Eleanor to keep their relationship a secret is not fully explained.

In conclusion, The Not So Nice Girl delivers a cute and nostalgic love story set in the 1980s. The friends-to-lovers trope, endearing characters, and well-paced plot make it an enjoyable summer read. While there are some missed opportunities for further exploration and resolution, the book captures the essence of friendship, love, and taking chances. Fans of 80s nostalgia and sweet romances will find this book charming and satisfying.

4.1 rounded down to 4/5.

The cover art is a little silly- gives you childhood vibes. What was that paper doll dress up game kids used to play online? It doesn’t seem professional, I guess. You should never judge a book by its cover, but the cover is what catches people’s eyes. The plot was alright. I enjoyed it. Characters were well written.

As a whole this was pretty cute and I thought the chemistry between our main characters was great. I loved the radio scenes. However, I felt the ending was super rushed and I also wished the epilogue was just completely left off as it threw me out of the HEA and was honestly a little unnecessarily triggering. Other than that - a very easy read.

3 stars

Good story with the friends to lovers trope set in the 80s. I forgot how hard it was to get certain things without the internet and having to ask for special orders for items not readily available. The chemistry between Elle and Sam is quick and you could feel their attraction. Any interaction with them made me fall in love with them as a couple more and more. The epilogue was strange and didn’t quite fir the story but other than that, this was an entertaining read.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.
This is my first title by this author and will read more in the future.
I requested this book as i was drawn in by the cover and thought it looked interesting.
Fun cutesy read set in the mid 80s
This sounded like s super fun quick read and it didn't disappoint.
Thanks again for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

I enjoyed this book. I love books with lots of music references that punctuate the story and with this book being set in the 80s it had lots of great ones. I loved Brian, he was ace. The chemistry between the 2 main characters was spicy.

"The Not So Nice Girl is an incredible prequel that takes us back to the 80s and serves as a fantastic introduction to one of the best romance book series out there. Sam and Eleanor's love story is captivating and filled with all the emotions. It was a joy to delve into the origins of Celeste, one of my favorite female main characters from Not Suitable For Work. This book is a must-read for fans of the series, as it beautifully sets the stage for the beloved characters and their captivating journeys."

This book was kindly sent to me as an arc and this review is completely honest

The not so nice girl is about Len and San. They meet in a vinyl store and instantly click ( ;) ) but Len is determined to have a boy free summer. Especially because she doesn't plan on staying long in her hometown

I really enjoyed that this book was sent in the 80s and that we got a lot of that environment. Also, the friend group was chef's kiss!
For me, it had a little bit more spice than I usually enjoy, hence the 3 star rating, but I know that if you enjoy books with spice you will love this book!

Fun cutesy read set in the mid 80s
This sounded like s super fun quick read and it didn't disappoint.

The pacing throughout the book is well done and the characters are fun and quirky
However the FMC was my least favourite she read and acted younger than her early 20s for most of the book. But I liked the idea of her character and felt like it could have been done in s slightly different way to make her more endearing to the reader

She's NOT a not so nice girl!
Elle is convinced she's not the nice girl that a man - especially Sam - deserves. Not wife or even girlfriend material at all. She's become somewhat of a free spirit just trying to not find her 'home' because she believes she can't make that kind of commitment. She doesn't want to stay anywhere too long. But she really just needs to find herself. She's constantly putting herself down and doubting her whole being. I just wanted to slap her. Her stop and start with Sam was frustrating (for him too...). She really is that nice girl, though! Past family problems have really beat that feeling out of her.
Sam is the ultimate nice guy. He's doing his best to convince Elle but also trying to stay out of her way. Again, frustrating!

Overall, it was a really sweet and funny story with quite an eclectic cast of characters! The 80s setting made for that little extra something that made it even more fun..

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book for an honest review!

Pros: Loved Sam and Elle's relationship. They were sweet AND steamy together. Sam's Nana is an absolute delight. Liked the book overall and it was a quick read.
Spoilers below!




Cons: I was honestly a little distracted by all of the Friends and 90210 character names. The third act conflict was, well, unnecessary. As a character, Elle could use that time to find herself. I don't think the reason for that time should have been a misunderstanding about Sam's awful ex.

Someone mentioned that there are 2 different epilogues out there and now I'm confused about which version I got. It was sweet that they were married and having a baby. Less sweet that it resulted in a loss of future fertility for Elle that isn't really acknowledged other than by the doctor saying some women take it hard.

www.goodreads.com/nelliereadsalot review posted 5/31

Anyone out there love to read books that make you super nostalgic for another time? If that time you are looking to relive is the 80's then this is absolutely the book for you!

I found out about this book through the author as I am a big fan of another series she is a co-author on and once I read the synopsis of this story I knew I wanted to read this as soon as I could.

Synopsis:
Eleanor Field wants nothing more than to spend a drama-free summer in Nashville, listening to rock n' roll and baking pastries. But her plans are derailed when she walks into a local record shop and meets Sam Greene, a newly graduated, newly single guy who's looking for a stress-free summer of his own. Despite their instant attraction, neither of them is looking for anything serious. But as they continue to spend time together, their friendship lays the groundwork for something deeper.

What I Loved:
- Mac, he is the owner of the local record shop and he is the biggest Sam/Elle shipper, always looking out for the two of them as individuals and together
- Sam, the longer I read this book the higher on my book boyfriend list he got. He is a good friend, radio DJ, has an amazing car and wants to make sure everyone is happy and cared for...including his nana
- Friends Group, this group of people are my group of people who I would LOVE to be able to hang out with, they all want what is best for each other and want to spend time together whenever possible
- Family, this book is centered around family, both blood and chosen, and it is such an important aspect of Elle and Sam's relationship that if you lost a piece of that puzzle I think the story would have lost some of its heart and humor
- 80's nostalgia, I love books with throw back nostalgia like Ready Player One but I think this hit so much more cause they were actually in the 80s and all of the goodies Skye was able to include in the story never felt forced and just helped strengthen the book overall.

Anyone out there who loves a secret romance with fun little rendezvous, a found family, great musical references and a few moments you want to throw your book across the room then this is the book for you!