Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy of Unnecessary Drama in exchange for an honest review.

"Nina Kenwood's 'Unnecessary Drama' is an amusing and light-hearted romantic comedy that had me completely hooked. Following Brooke's journey as she embarks on university life and finds herself unexpectedly sharing a house with the one person she loathes from her past, the story is filled with hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud. I particularly enjoyed the author's ability to balance the lightness of the narrative with Brooke's at times obsessive personality, which added depth and kept me entertained throughout. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and the witty banter between Brooke and Jesse added an extra layer of fun. 'Unnecessary Drama' is a charming and enjoyable read that left me with a smile on my face."

It was fine. It was REALLY difficult to get around her insecurities and overthinking and neuroses. Did I understand that she had all of these rules and structure in place in order to feel safe? Of course. Was it difficult to not have her let up one bit the entire time until like, the last 20 pages? Also yes.

UNNECESSARY DRAMA is one of my favorite new books, so much so that when I finished listening to it, I started listening to it again instead of reviewing it right away because it makes me so happy. Nina Kenwood has written a delightful romantic comedy mixed with an enemies-to-lovers/coming-of-age/forced proximity story. I especially adored the narration of Maddy Withington, who brought to life super organized and rule-following Brooke, the FMC, and all the other players in the book. Yes, the book had drama, but nothing was so deep that I felt the need to set it down. It was the right amount for a romantic comedy. It's just a feel-good book, one that's fun to read.

Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the gifted audiobook!

2.5 stars rounded up. I just never connected with the romance in this story even though it had all the plot tropes I love within. (fake dating! college romance!) Maybe it was the time when I read it, but I just couldn't fall for the characters.

This book is true to its title, unnecessary drama. It was a great, light read. It was funny and well written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

This was a surprise! I went into it wondering how much I was going to be annoyed by it b/c I don't really dig romance. But this was YA, which I love, and was NOT annoying at all. The relationships were super fun and cute but also thoughtful and deep. I am not sad that I spent my time reading a romance instead of a mystery/thriller, which is my usual jam!

Brooke Williams is on her own, starting at a university and living away from home. She’s sharing a house with Harper, whose family owns the house, and with Jeremy, who hasn’t yet shown up. That meant that Brooke had her choice of rooms. She chose the smaller one, without the large stain on the wall, but she did discover that her room had the mouse. She was starting to reconsider her room choice, but she thought maybe she could name the mouse and have adventures with him, so she decided to stay.

But she did wonder about the rules of the house. Harper had said that they were, “No pets, no romance, no unnecessary drama.” But Brooke thinks there should be more. There should be rules about the kitchen and the bathroom, about cleaning up and having guests over. She is prepared to suggest her ideas, along with a number of apps they can use to share chores and create house shopping lists. But what she wasn’t prepared for was coming out of the bathroom after her shower to find Jeremy and his family as he’s moving in.

As if it’s not enough that Brooke is standing there in a towel in front of her new housemate and his family, she realizes with horror that she knows him. He introduces himself saying he doesn’t go by Jeremy. He goes by Jesse. Brooke is sharing a house with the boy who caused her greatest humiliation. But she could handle this. She just needed more rules.

As the weeks go by and Brooke spends time around Jesse, she finds herself increasingly annoyed by him. He is kind and thoughtful. The day she decided to try running and found herself in extreme pain, Jesse was the one keeping a close eye on her, and when he thought her pain had gotten out of control, he insisted on taking her to the hospital. He’s the one who steps up when she runs into her ex-boyfriend in a local bar.

But Jesse was also the one who broke her heart in high school. Can Brooke trust him now, when she really needs someone on her side? Or will he break her heart all over again?

Unnecessary Drama is a sweet rom com by Nina Kenwood that looks at what happens when you’re forced to be around your high school nemesis and how quickly that can turn to attraction all over again. Brooke is a first-class neurotic, trying to plan for every contingency, as if that could calm her anxiety. Jesse is far more laid-back, but willing to support Brooke in her rules. They make a cute couple, and I found myself wanting to root for them early and often throughout this book.

I listened to the audio book, narrated by Maddy WIthington, and that was a really amazing experience. Withington brought these characters to life skillfully, bringing me into this world and keeping me sucked into this story.

I loved this book. I had so much fun with these characters, and I especially loved the ending. The way Brooke used rules to create a safe place around her is lovely, and I loved how she wasn’t judged for her neuroticism but celebrated for it. I think other readers who struggle with anxiety and try to control our environments will find her inspirational. But I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about this book. While I enjoyed the smart ways Kenwood handled sensitive topics, there were also several scenes where I was almost in tears laughing at Brooke’s adventures. This books is hysterically funny. It’s a rom com filled t the brim with rom and with com, Hug your waiters, everyone. Kenwood is here all week.

A copy of the audio book for Unnecessary Drama was provided by Macmillan Audio through NetGalley, with many thanks.

This book had a lot of surprises and I loved it. I loved how they didn't want drama so they made house rules. I loved how the roommates hated each other or they thought. I loved how they wanted to follow the house rules because they didn't want drama in the home. I loved how the whole story flowed and played out.

Thank you netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

The characters in this book were very relatable to me — it’s almost like they took my personal traits and created Brooke with them. I loved the character development as the friendships developed, and appreciated that the quirkiness and “flaws” of each character was accepted by the group of friends. It was an easy, relatable, and enjoyable read!

This was exactly what I needed to read. Summer was winding down, and I was trying hard not to think about all of the work I had to do to get my classroom ready to go! While it is set in Australia, there were so many moments that transcended location and rang true all the way on this side of the globe. The whole idea that we are the best versions of ourselves when we are our most authentic--and often vulnerable--worked into play throughout this novel. If I could only teach one thing to my students, it would be to heed that wisdom. In addition to the plotline, the narrator was delightful. I love when a good narration enhances what I'm reading. That was 100% the case for this novel.

I DNF this. The MC was unbearable. It's a bit too much for me to be able to see past. I didn't find anything redeemable about her.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

this book for me personally was a little to YA on the YA side. I had trouble really connecting with the characters. but the narration was tip top!!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Nina Kenwood and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Brooke has always been the responsible one and plans to keep it that way when she starts college. When she finds out that the only rule in her student housing is "no unneccessary drama" she is all on board! That is until her high school nemesis Jesse ends up being one of her roommates. She plans to just ignore him, but Jesse has other plans.

A fun read of learning to live on your own and the complications that come with becoming an adult!

18yo Brooke is an anxious mess, and she's leaving home for the first time to move into her new houseshare. Unbeknownst to her, one of her new roommates is her former best friend--the boy who broke her heart in high school.

There is a lot that's cute about this story, but Brooke's anxiety and need to control every situation is so rampant that I felt more time feeling sorry for her than anything else. Instead of a cute "does he like me" or "can I trust him again" vibe, it's high anxiety from beginning to end.

In order to save face, she invents stories, set rules, and generally tries to control everyone and everything around her.

Eventually, she does learn how to be truly happy, but it takes true patience and support from those who are around her.

I honestly felt mixed emotions about laughing at her struggles. While they were over-the-top to make it clear this was a story, but anyone who actually deals with anxiety probably could relate to quite a few of the impulses. So it just seemed like the story needed a sensitivity reader. And her friends who gave her the grace to be herself had to be saints!

Thank you to Nina Kenwood, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

This was just so cute. Enemies to lovers is one of my all time favorite tropes. I felt such a kinship to Brooke. I feel the same way she does about rules and schedules and grocery shopping. I need to be organized. I laughed and geared up in this book. Jesse was so sweet. The friendships were awesome. There were so many things that just made me smile while reading this. The narration was just perfect. I cannot wait to read more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Adorable! I initially didn’t warm to Brooke (she’s got so much anxiety and it felt like listening to all the thoughts that run through MY head) but she grew on me as the book went on. I loved how they slowly created lives for themselves at university and picked up friends along the way (Henry was probably my favorite character). This turned out to be such a fun, feel good story about learning who you truly are and how to thrive on your own.

Miscommunication never sounded better than in Nina Kenwood’s Unnecessary Drama narrated by Maddy Withington.

Brooke and Jesse started out as friends. The best of friends. But when their first kiss goes terribly wrong, they end their friendship. Having successfully avoided one another for years, they cannot believe they are now roommates. Will the forced proximity allow them to mend their friendship, or will they once again stick to avoidance?

The audiobook for Unnecessary Drama was one of the best I have ever listened to. Maddy Withington executed Nina Kenwood’s vision beautifully. Her Australian accent and grasp of Kenwood’s witty voice made this book come to life.

Highly recommend listening if you are a fan of:
Miscommunication
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Australia accents

Special thanks to NetGalley, Nina Kenwood and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

A Massive Thank You to the Author, the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book prior to its release date.
I've read the book, and it's so cool! 100000/10

4.5 ⭐️ ARC from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

This was so cute! It was single POV in the mind of an over thinker, which I related to on an unhealthy level 🤣 Friends to enemies to lovers, he falls first, forced proximity, fake dating, second chance romance. It was witty and fun, my favorite kind of YA romance. The narrator did a phenomenal job, I highly recommend adding this to your TBR, now available!

Posting on Goodreads and my stories 8/10 and saving to a highlight on my profile. Posting on my feed the week of 8/14

This comfy cozy, cutesy, fluffy, YA/New Adult Aussie romcom was the perfect palate cleanser for all the thrillers and horror novels I’ve been reading lately. It gave off impeccably worry-free your last summer before college romantic beach read vibes and I’m all about that genre!!!

AND THE AUSTRALIAN ACCENT OF THIS AUDIOBOOK WAS JUST CHEFS KISS✨


Special thanks to @netgalley and @macmillianaudio for the early copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion!