I absolutely LOVED this book! It is funny, it's cute, and the main characters are so perfect. Luke and Layla are our two MCs, and we get POVs from both of them. This is a friends to lovers office romance, with plenty of comedy to break up the angst.

Luke and Layla are such entertaining characters, and I found myself laughing a few times with their prank war and poor Nathan getting stuck in the middle.

Luke just about killed me with his sweetness, and I wish my husband had chocolate covered pretzels on hand for me whenever I need them too.

This is literally the cutest book I've read in ages, highly recommend.

This book was interesting. The split perspectives were cute but the slow burn was way to slow and the boom wrapped up very fast

When you say workplace romance with Jim + Pam vibes, I’m in. As a fan of The Office who has watched the entire series more times than I care to admit, that also means I’m probably going into it with impossibly high standards. Which I did. Thankfully, this adorably sweet and flirty romance was everything I hoped it would be.

Luke and Layla were the cutest. It was easy to see from the very beginning how perfect they were for each other and understandable their fear of doing anything that would risk messing up their friendship. This was definitely a sloooooow burn and I loved every minute of it. As someone who has lived the friends to lovers trope, the internal dialogue felt incredibly accurate. It 100% had me laughing and gave me all the feels thinking back to when my husband and I made that slow and sometimes painfully awkward transition to something more. There were so many sweet & genuine moments between them. That pinkie holding and the slow dancing had me swooning. I enjoyed how as they worked up the courage to break through the friend zone it also gave them the courage to take leaps in other areas of their lives they had been playing it safe.

Not only were Luke and Layla fun to get to know, but so were the side characters. I adored them all. Well, maybe not Katie or Janise. OK, definitely not Janise. Nathan and Rachel, however, were a hoot and so was Luke’s family. Their antics and meddling were quite amusing. I’m really excited to read Calla and Nathan’s story next.

READ IF YOU LIKE
The Office
Friends to lovers
Workplace romance
Dual POV
Found family
Great banter
Family group texts
Mutual pining
Literary + pop culture references

*This review was posted on publication day and featured again in May when my physical copy arrives.

If Jim and Pam remain your OTP – or if you just really love a workplace, friends-to-lovers romance – then you will be very happy with Per My Last Email.

The story follows Layla and Luke, who have worked together for three years at a publishing company (but in a satellite office in Philly? And it has in-house literary agents?), say they’re best friends, and both think they’re in unrequited love.

When the company announces a beachfront corporate retreat, Luke decides it’s time he try to date Layla – so he and his other best friend/coworker hatch a plan.

All in all, this is a cute, breezy story rife with office pranks, Star Wars jokes, well-meaning roomies and family members, one truly horrible HR person – and one running joke that turns into an extremely satisfying reveal.

I will note that Luke has a pretty major affectation that rankled me (probably a personal preference thing, tbh!), there are some plot points that I felt could’ve been developed further, and some character relationships (particularly, those with Luke’s family members) that I wished had more a little more depth.

But! If you’re in the mood for a sweet office romance with little spice, then it’s very likely that Per My Last Email will fit the bill.

3🌟
0.25🌶️

Luke and Layla may be the cutest couple, move over Luke and Lorelai your time is over! This is a cute romantic and heart warming book that I just DEVOURED. Still waiting for my Luke but who knows...

This book brought the laughs and had me swooning!

This was such a fun and easy read. There were so many funny moments with their banter and office pranks, and there were other moments where I was DYING for one of them to make a move only for them to be interrupted. So you were feeling the same frustration that the characters were!

It was a super slow burn, and I was so excited when they finally just went for it. I loved how they both achieved their dreams in the end, and they were always there to support each other.

Make sure you check it out and add it to your summer reading list!

This books is delightful, charming and cute . Both MC are very well developed . Dual POV. Friends to lovers . Office romance . Forced proximity’s
Definitely recommend

Luke and Layla are working in a publishing house. Over the years, they have developed an amazing friendship. A work trip opportunity presents itself as the chance to shake their friendship boundaries a bit, shift the balance in it. Will they be stuck in friend zone, or will they take that leap of faith & go for what they wanted since some time?
 
A beautiful story of two best friends falling for each other. This was an extremely lighthearted, sweet, fun, and engaging read. This gave me all the warm feelings and fuzzy sensations deep inside. The writing was wonderfully done. It was super easy to read. I was in happy land smiling throughout the entire book. Juliana managed to perfect all her characters in this story making them all relatable and likable. Well, except for that one person which I won’t mention as I don’t want to sour the mood. Is it only me or isn’t HR personnel supposed to be sweet, compassionate, & kind?!
 
This was packed with cases of mutual pinning, office pranks, inside jokes, flirty banter, and intrusive embarrassing family chats. And I have to mention this, shout out to the author for including that office blueprint. I found it to be quite a cute touch. Made me visualize exactly how they are sitting, where are they now at this point of time, and layout of the office. Kudos on that!
 
Luke and Layla had the perfect sync. These two were dorky and quite the nerdy duo. They knew each other well under all that simmering secret yearning. They were the true definition of friendship as they brought out the best in each other & never failed or shed away from supporting the other to follow their own dreams. Friendship goals! Additionally, the chemistry between them was felt way from here which added to that tension you can sense while reading. Their relationship had it all; the hilarious moments, pinkie touches, sweet instances, pet names, the outings, and adorable obvious tension. I do feel that the best kind of relationship is the one built on friendship as it will have those pillars that will help in making it a long term one.
 
Luke’s family were comical, making it their life mission to ruffle his feathers and playing a game of “who can embarrass Luke the most”. Nathan, dude, I need his story asap pleaaase. He’s the third musketeer of the group and I need to make sure he is left in good hands after all that third wheeling & advisory role he did. Oh, don’t get me started on that Janise, I barely held myself from shouting every time she popped up, “mind your business lady! Leave them be.”
 
I had a really great time reading this one and cross my heart, am sure you will too.
More from the Wells family … and Nathan - sign me up for that as I can’t wait for more to come.
 
This is out today. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC copy.

I loved this office friends to lovers romance.

We add donuts and jokes/pranks to the mix and you have this amazing story.

Layla and Luke have from day 1 one a playfull and jokers kind of friendship.

Layla is a writer (at least she tries), working an easy job where she is not appreciated.

Luke's dream job is owning/operating a bar but while he is not ready he starts working with his best friend Nathan. (The same job as Layla).

I feel that they are really relatable on the workfloor.

I got such fuzzy feelings, just from this slow burn (and I mean really slow born).

But not only Layla and Luke are amazing but the side characters are also noteworthy (from the bonus scene I can not wait for Nathan and Cala's story)

If you look for a story with swoon worthy moments, comeback that are amazing, sweet moments and most of all pranks.

This is the book you need.

This was a quick and funny read.

I enjoyed this book especially the dialogue. The author and the awesome cover first attracted me to the book. I loved the format, font, and chapter heading pictures. Juliana Smith books are an auto preorder for me. I enjoyed her book Baggage Claim too and plan to listen to the recently released audiobook version.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

This sweet, heart-warming, and funny book was such a delight!

This book follows Layla and Luke, two work besties who totally have feelings for one another. They have cute pet names for each other and are total Star Wars nerds. My inner SW nerd was BEAMING. I loved the dynamics between the three friends at work. And I LOVED every single one of Luke’s siblings. Their group texts actually made my life. I will feel robbed if we do not get a book for every sibling! I NEED a Crew POV asap or I will literally die.

PUB DAY REVIEW: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PER MY LAST EMAIL by JULIANA SMITH

Tropes:
Friends to Lovers
Workplace Romance
Forced Proximity
Secret Mutual Love/Pining
Dual POV
Found Family

This. Was. Perfect. I love a sweet Rom Com and Juliana Smith knocked it out of the park 🤩 I read this in a day because I just couldn’t put it down and I am ready for more!

This was witty, and goofy, and nerdy, and all things I hoped it would be. The way the characters interact with each other and how in tune Luke and Layla are just gave me all the warm fuzzies!

It’s so hard not to fall in love with Luke and the way he knows every detail of Layla’s likes and dislikes - the way he and Layla obsess over their Marco’s donuts and how much his family loves her right from the beginning?

And let’s NOT forget the wonderful supporting characters - Nathan and Rachel. They’re the friends we need! I mean, Nathan is my kind of guy and Rachel reminds me of me at 22 😂

Overall, this book was perfect and PER MY LAST EMAIL - You definitely need to read it ASAP!

⭐️ OUT AS OF TODAY!!! ⭐️

A huge thanks to @netgalley and @author.juliana.smith for this ARC for my honest and voluntary review!
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#permylastemail #julianasmith #newbooksalert #lagodibraies #bookreview #indieauthor #indiebookreview #netgalley #romcom #romcombooks #bookishlove #kindlereads #arcreview #easyreads #wittybanter #nerdyromance

Thank you Net Galley and Juliana Smith for the Advanced Reader Copy of Per My Last Email.

I previously read Baggage Claim by this author and it was one of my favorite reads of 2022, so when the opportunity came up to read her newest novel, I jumped with excitement.

This closed-door slow burn romance was absolutely delightful. Our FMC Layla and our MMC Luke both showed the true meaning of a loving friendship.

Even if we didn’t have the romance in this novel, this would’ve been a beautiful story, but with the added element of a long pining between our two characters, it was perfect. I loved that Layla and Luke had this adorable nerdiness to them that felt relatable and honest.

I absolutely loved this novel and would recommend to everyone who wants a cute workplace, best friends to lovers romance.

A feel good rom-com with friends to lovers, workplace romance, prank wars, a work retreat and mutual pining.

Juliana Smith will soon become a favorite romance author to you with just a few chapters. Her characters were down to earth, flawed, hysterical and sweet. Once you read about Luke and Layla, you’ll soon be joining their family and friends rooting for them to finally make a move.

Luka & Layla have been pining for each other secretly for over three years. When their company has a work retreat in Ocean City, the stakes have changed. Watching their friendship was like a knife to the gut for me, because it was nostalgic. A bittersweet taste of how my friend and I were, but my inner demons aside, I fell hard for this friendship and the beautiful relationship that followed.

This was like watching your favorite romance movie, and the lovable side characters was comical and to perfection. I loved how Luke & Layla brought out the best in each other in their friendships and consistently supported each other through following their dreams.

Of Note:

🥰 cute book cover
👩🏽‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏻 friends to lovers
🖥️ workplace romance
🤢 prank wars
🤫 secret rendezvous
🏖️ beach work retreat
❤️ no third act breakup
🍩 endless donuts
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 found family trope

I can’t wait for the next story in the Wells Family series, I have a feeling I’m going to adore these two even more if that’s even possible.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

It’s definitely a coincidence that I posted my original review of this book on my Bookstagram on May 4th, Star Wars Day! You’ll understand why that’s relevant shortly 😉

But PMLE was a fun, although cheesy, little rom com. There were so many fun aspects about this one, and it’s the start of a series about the Wells family, with each sibling getting their own book!

Reading vibes:
🗒️ tropes: workplace romance, best friends to lovers
🗒️ Totally reminded me of The Office, especially Jim and Pam 😍
🗒️ Nathan, the best friend, reminded me so much of Dwight 😂
🗒️ Soooo many Star Wars references! Luke and Layla both were obsessed
🗒️ lots of great food mentions: donuts, hot sauce, and chocolate covered pretzels were important parts of the story!
🗒️ Luke’s nervousness and him tripping up common idioms/expressions was adorable 🥰
🗒️ their pet names for each other = the best 👌🏻
🗒️ so much pining/will they or won’t they
🗒️ slooooow burn with no steam, just kissing
🗒️ both Layla and Luke were chasing their individual dreams while trying to win each other over
🎶 “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen

All in all, this one is a smidge cheesy for my liking but still a cute read. Thank you @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. Per My Last Email releases this Saturday, 5/6 for Kindle and in paperback!

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

3⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and Juliana Smith for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Luke and Layla have been working in a publishing house for several years now, from the first day they developed a wonderful friendship, which grew into a mutual love that they have to hide from each other. When they have to go on a business trip to Ocean City, their relationship begins to change. Their relationship is reaching a new level, they are ready to take risks to be together.

I love books with a similar plot so much, when the main characters have long been in love with each other, but are afraid to tell, because they don’t want to spoil the friendship. Each of their small steps was so sensual and tender. But sometimes I wish the main characters were more determined. Their love relationship fell apart so slowly that it was sometimes boring. Someone constantly interfered with them, distracted them. I loved Luke and Layla's friendship from the very beginning, and watching it slowly evolve into something more was so sweet.

First off, I LOVE this cover & the title 😍 I was totally drawn to this book!

Luke & Layla’s (and Nathan!) friendship was so cute & sweet, with all their pranks and knowing the little things about each other 🥰

There were a few little things that bugged me, but overall it was a cute read!

Read if you enjoy:
⭐️ Best friends to lovers
⭐️ He falls first
⭐️ Workplace/office romance
⭐️ Pranks
⭐️ Workplace retreat
⭐️ Slow burn
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

Thank you to NetGalley & author Juliana Smith for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I have been very impatiently waiting for another book by author Juliana Smith. Unfortunately for her, I'm not sure she'll ever top the wonderfulness that was I Can Fix That. ICFT was one of my favorite books, and all future books of hers will most likely be compared to that. While I wanted to love Per My Last Email so much, there were some things that missed the mark for me.

This story is an office romance, which I love. She also talked up the fact that there would be a corporate retreat. And I was very excited that that. But overall, I wanted more office and more corporate retreat. I felt like both of those could have each had their own book, personally. And while I really enjoyed the forced proximity office romance, I felt like there were a lot of references throughout the book that went over my head. I'm thinking they may have been from The Office and maybe Star Wars or Game of Thrones...based on other reviews... but they were quite lost on me.

I also felt like there was too much happening in a book that wasn't terribly long. Some parts of the book felt choppy and forced, and I was missing some natural progressions I wanted to see. For example, throughout most of the book, Luke and Layla were friends who worked together, both with an unvoiced love for the other. And while it took the entire book to confess feelings, the very next thing that happened was six months later. I wanted to see more of them together once feelings were confessed.

Ultimately this is not my favorite book by Juliana Smith, though I am excited for this new series about the Wells Family. I am looking forward to reading more and I hope the next story is one that I vibe with a little bit more! This book may not have been perfect for me, but I can absolutely tell that there is an audience that would love this story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own."

I found Per My Last Email to be to be a run of the mill Rom Com story. It was a good easy read with fun character. I finished it in a day so that says a lot, just nothing memorable about it.

This book was such a fun workplace friends to lovers book. It was a little bit of a slow burn, but the perfect rom-com.

I absolutely adored Layla and Luke was the perfect cinnamon roll MMC. I mean, he was just too sweet to Layla and it melted my heart. Watching him work his way out of the “friend zone” was cute..and I was honestly expecting some backfire on the list from Nathan. If you are a fan of Abby Jimenez banter, this book had that + some funny pranks that had me chucking.

The addition of Luke’s family, and their love for Layla, was perfect. I do think at time, the work conference piece kinda drug on, but overall, it was a quick read that had me smiling.

4⭐️

Thank you Juliana Smith and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.