This book has a lot of good parts, It also has some parts that don't entirely fit in with the mood of the rest of the book. This book is a romance, but it turns out it also has a suspense thriller aspect that I really didn't see coming until I started reading.
I thought this book would just be full of Elijah and Autumn having hijinks while they railed against having to share a house and eventually realizing they are well suited to each other, but there were a lot of aspects of this book that I didn't forsee and felt a little out of place with the rest of the novel. Despite the aspects that didn't fit in seamlessly, I liked the story and Elijah and Autumn as characters within the story.

Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for this ARC.
This was a fun read! Loving the guy falls first trope. And boy did our male lead fall head over heels & fast! Our female character is suffering from chronic pain due to an old injury, and through this story we get to see our male character really treasure her and protect her. He wants her to be cared for and pain free. And I couldn’t help falling for him!
This book is an easy read with a medium amount of spice. There’s mention of stalking, so check the trigger warnings.
Overall a cute story with lovable characters

Review: Mrs Perfectly Fine
Author: Kate Callaghan

Rating: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book was SO close to being great. I really did love the initial romance between Autumn and Elijah.
Especially the premise of Autumn dealing with her trauma from her accident. I thought the set up could’ve led to an emotional and tender almost Beth O’Leary like love story.
But inevitably this book was trying to be to many things.
In the end the multiple genres/ plot points it tried to hold did a disservice to the main story of Autumn and Elijah.

Autumn Adler is a young woman suffering from chronic pain due to a tragic accident and also a talented concert pianist. Elijah Wells is a talented (albeit obnoxious) video game designer who unknowingly intrudes on her space when he moves into the townhouse in which she currently resides. The witty banter and chemistry between the two make this a great read!
There are truly some laugh out loud moments between Autumn and Elijah and the building tension early on will keep you hooked! Although in the beginning they both have secrets they are unwilling to share, the unfolding of their relationship and the building of trust is beautifully illustrated.
Aside from the great forced-proximity, grumpy x sunshine tropes, this book also has a thriller/suspense element as well. I honestly didn't see the twists coming and totally recommend this book for lovers of romance as well as the thriller/suspense genre!

Thank you NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for the gifted ARC!

This was the perfect read for me between heavy, slow and dense high fantasy books. While there were issues with it, they didn't stop me from settling in and enjoying the ride.

Let's get the issues out of the way, and move on to the positives.

I felt the writing was quite simple and caused me to not have as much of an emotional attachment to the MCs as I could have. Some of the emotional responses to events in the book felt muted and not at the level of what would have been expected. An example is the opening scene, where Autumn wakes to find movers in her home. They are moving her items out and moving a stranger's items in. Her reaction seemed a fraction of what mine would be... Why were the police not called? Why was she not screaming to get them out of her home and off her property? Why was she not calling her landlord incessantly for an answer? Another example is when a major plot twist is revealed, all we are given for a reaction is a cold chill spreading through the FMC's character. I wanted more. How did she FEEL? What connections was this making for her? What emotions did this bring up?

On the positive side, I greatly appreciated the secondary suspense plot line. It wasn't complex, and you'd likely be able to make the correct predictions early on, but it drew the drama out of the romance and had it focused externally from the relationship. I despise unnecessary third-act breakups and miscommunication tropes, so I appreciated that the drama was set in the suspense plot and not the romance plot.

While I do not have chronic pain myself and can't speak personally to the chronic pain representation, it did feel authentic to me. If this is something that is personal to you, I'd recommend checking out other reviews that do speak to it better than I can.

The spicy scenes weren't highly descriptive or drawn out, so I would recommend this to someone who isn't comfortable reading *sPiCe* or is just dipping their toe into the spicy romance world.

Overall, a quick and easy read. Despite the writing's lack of depth, I still felt engaged with the story and read this over two days. I do believe that the writing as it is would lend itself well to an audiobook and would make a light and easy listening experience without needing to engage with every single word to keep on top of the plot lines.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely LOVED the premise of this book. Autumn is such a multi dimensional character, and the book deals with rehabilitation and recovery from trauma very well. The banter is witty and fun, and the story is well paced. The twist at the end is one I did NOT see coming! If I were to be picky, I did feel that the enemies changed to lovers quite abruptly with little to no warning…I prefer a bit of a slow burn. Also some of the innuendo seemed kind of inappropriate for the circumstances at times. But overall it was a fun, sweet, fluffy book with its fair share of serious moments thrown in- please check trigger warnings.

A tribute to those with chronic pain and the suspenseful inclusion of a stalker subplot—this isn’t your average romance novel.

Autumn is a musical prodigy who, after a life altering accident a decade ago, thrives on routine. Imagine her surprise when she wakes up one morning to strange, but handsome, man moving into her home! Elijah not only disrupts her routine but seems to be immune to her retaliation. Autumn is a headstrong FMC who falls into the trap of always being “fine” and Elijah is smart, considerate, and absolutely besotted with Autumn. I love the characterization of Autumn and the inclusion of chronic pain in the story. Elijah seems like he was just what Autumn needed so it’s easy to root for them as a couple—especially when Autumn’s stalker starts to ramp things up and she’s too “fine” to deal with it. Shout out to Elijah for being the voice of reason and always having Autumn’s back (even when she is too stubborn to admit it).

-forced proximity
-his/her POVs
-LGBTQIA representation with the side characters
-he falls first
-chronic pain
-a suspenseful subplot (the stalker is not who you think)
-the cutest golden retriever ever

I grabbed this on a whim because the description mentioned chronic pain, and I'm always all about chronic pain rep in romance. I enjoyed it, and appreciated some twists on usual romance tropes - the female main character is a concert pianist which isn't a typical quirky rom com profession, there was forced proximity based on some weird circumstances, and it was a bit of a grumpy/sunshine with the female main character as the grump. Autumn Adler is a concert pianist who suffered a serious accident 10 years ago when she and her best friend were performing at an outdoor theater that collapsed on them. Her best friend didn't make it and she was left catastrophically injured. With lots of rehab, she learned to walk again, but she has chronic (and sometimes excruciating) back pain from the injury. She likes her privacy and her routines, which help her manage her pain, so she's shocked one day to wake up to find a hot guy moving into her house with her. Her landlord, a family friend who has cut her a great deal on rent for the six years she's been in the city performing, conveniently forgot to inform her that he's rented part of the house to someone else temporarily. Elijah Wells is a game designer and Tim the landlord's son from an extramarital affair. He and Autumn have a sort of enemies to sort of friends to lovers arc, and I enjoyed their relationship (with the aforementioned grumpy sunshine thing). The one thing that didn't 100% work for me was the suspense element here. Autumn has been receiving creepy roses and notes referring to her accident for years, and that all comes to a head in this book. That part just didn't feel quite as complete as the romance was, but I'm also not a frequent reader of romantic suspense so I may not be the best judge.

Ms Perfectly Fine is a fun and engaging read. The characters are relatable and the bickering adds a lot of humor to the story. I found myself loving the main character, who is charming, funny, and flawed in equal measure. While the plot twists may not be entirely unexpected, they still manage to keep you guessing and add an extra layer of intrigue to the story. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a forced proximity enemies to lovers and entertaining read."

This was an enjoyable and quick read! Though there was a lot going on throughout the book and the reveal at the end wasn't all that shocking, neither took away from Elijah's and Autumn's story as a whole. I particularly liked the chronic pain representation as well as the chemistry between the two main characters; they were really well written. Also, no third-act breakup which is an automatic plus :)

Thank-you NetGalley, Kate Callaghan, and publishers for the ARC!

I'm a sucker for an enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine trope. Wanted to like this book for that reason.

It's not a bad book, I enjoyed the banter between the MCs, I liked the plot (except the thing with Nina, that felt kinda forced and thus unnecessary), I liked the writing, I just...idk, the word that comes to mind is "meh."

I'm sure there are those who will love this book, understandably so, but this one didn't click for me.

First, thank you to Netgalley and Kate Callaghan for this digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

Autumn is a famous concert pianist, only child, and someone who deals with chronic pain after a tragic accident while performing on stage. She is working on her solo comeback against her parent's wishes, but has a support system in her friend/coworker, Nina. Her world is turned upside down one morning when she wakes up to her furniture being moved out of her first floor and someone else's stuff being moved in. Insert Elijah, a game designer, who has rented out the first floor of the townhome she is living in.

I wanted so badly to love this book - it has the perfect makings of everything I normally gravitate towards in a book. But there was something missing and I really couldn't put my finger on it until I was closer to the end of the book. I'm a very visual person and part of the reason I love reading so much is that it lets my imagination take over and it's like my own movie in my head. I just couldn't get there with this book. I'm not quite sure if it was the writing style or the verbiage the characters used, but something was lacking for me. I loved that the author tied in a mystery along with the romance, but I do think something got lost along the way in terms of character development and depth. Romcoms aren't often very realistic - which is honestly part of the fun in reading them - but this one was a bit much for me.

I loved this book!

The story of how Elijah brought Autumn out of her routine and normal life and pushed her to do more was so sweet. It's close proximity, enemies to lovers. The twist at the end I did not see coming and I liked the build up. What I also liked was how there was no third act break-up between the characters its my favourite when that happens.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!

First of all, thank you NetGalley and CallaghanWriter for an ARC of Ms Perfectly Fine in exchange for an honest review. I was really excited to get into this as it features a lot of tropes that I love such as enemies to lovers, forced proximity and grumpy x sunshine. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough for me to love this book, and perhaps the various tropes were part of the problem.

There's a lot going on in this book, but also not much at all that contributes substantially to the plot. I found that in areas where I was getting a little bored, skimming over the rest of a chapter didn't make me feel lost or like I'd missed anything important. I didn't feel overly invested in the story, and so for the most part I was rushing to the end.

The main issue for me was the characters. I found it hard to like Autumn and the love interest, Elijah. Their growing relationship went from one extreme to the other and I found myself questioning if they were a good match at all. I think if the enemies to lovers element of the book was refined a little more, it would help make their relationship much more believable.

There were some good elements, however, and I would still recommend Ms Perfectly Fine as I think many would enjoy the story. I liked the mystery thriller theme (it's not too full on and would be great if you're wanting to dip your toes into romantic suspense), and I think the author handled the main character's chronic pain well.

Overall, much like the title, it was perfectly fine.

Ms Perfectly Fine wasn't so 'perfectly fine' after all and it took a game designer, Elijah Wells to break down her walls.

Elijah and Autumn are forced to live under one roof, forced proximity, check. That was enough to get me hooked, the witty banter, the 'not backing down' from either character, I was hoping there would be more but the book fell a bit short for me. I actually enjoyed the back and forth banter between the MMC and FMC more than when the characters actually got together, it felt too rushed and too soon and I was left thinking, "okay...well, that's that." Although, I did like Elijah's character but not so much Autumn. You would think someone who thinks they have a stalker would simply just install a camera. The subplots all started to tangle together and by the end I felt like things are just being rushed to tie them off without much depth or explanation. The mystery wasn't as predictable as I thought, I'll give the book that. I think if you want a cute read with romance but not submerged in spice, then this book is 'perfectly fine' for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and CallaghanWriter for an ARC of Ms Perfectly Fine in exchange for an honest review!

Callaghan's writing is engaging and draws the reader in from the very first page. The characters are well-developed, and their chemistry is undeniable. The story is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.

Overall, Ms Perfectly Fine is a delightful and charming romance novel that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. If you're a fan of enemies-to-lovers stories with a touch of mystery, then this book is definitely worth picking up.

"Ms. Perfectly Fine" by Kate Callaghan is a gripping and heartwarming novel that explores the themes of healing, forgiveness, and the power of love in the face of trauma. The story revolves around Autumn Adler, a renowned concert pianist who is making a comeback to the stage after a tragic accident. Autumn is determined to focus on her music and nothing else, but her plans are disrupted when her landlord rents out the ground floor of her home to Elijah Wells, a game designer in the midst of building his own company.

As Autumn and Elijah navigate their forced proximity and battle of wills, they begin to realize that they have more in common than they initially thought. Both characters are well-developed and complex, and readers will find themselves rooting for them as they confront their own past traumas and learn to trust each other.

The novel is written in a split POV, giving readers a glimpse into both Autumn and Elijah's thoughts and feelings. The enemies-to-lovers trope is executed masterfully, and the slow burn romance is both steamy and heartwarming. The added suspense element adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story and keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Readers should note that the novel contains mature themes and is not suitable for those under 18. The author expertly handles sensitive topics such as stalking, trauma, chronic pain, anxiety, and self-isolation, providing a nuanced and compassionate portrayal that is both realistic and heartfelt.

Overall, "Ms. Perfectly Fine" is a beautifully written and engaging novel that will leave readers swooning and cheering for Autumn and Elijah's happily ever after.

Based on the tropes and info, I wanted to love this book, but sadly, it wasn't a hit for me. The romance between the two leads, Autumn and Elijah, doesn't feel genuine, and their friends/relations seem to be forcing them together--which makes them not-so-great as supporters! Autumn's trauma and recovery are well-depicted, and I jive with her personality, but the stalker side plot felt shoehorned in, lacked real tension and proper buildup. As for Elijah, he's in an unfair position as the son of Autumn's landlord, and it places them on an uneven footing--and their first meeting is no meet-cute. He invaded her home by moving in without her consent, and disrespects her boundaries by continuing to pry into her personal business under the guise of "getting to know her", since they have to share the house. The fact is--she doesn't have to share, he doesn't have to stay, and considering Autumn as a woman living alone, already being stalked, and going through trauma recovery, this was not the best setup for a romance. Their issues have nothing to do with compromise or rule-setting, and no amount of belligerent sexual tension or physical attraction can change the fact that Autumn has perfectly justifiable reasons to keep Elijah out of her life and her space. 2 stars, mainly because I still want to see someone like Autumn find the love and support she needs.

🎵IT'S ME, HI, I'M THE PROBLEM, IT'S ME🎵!!!!! Ms. Perfectly Fine written by Kate Callaghan was <b>NOT</b> my cup of tea at all. This is my second book by this author, and both didn't go well for me. I don't know if it's me, or what? The alternation between first person and third person just made this book more confusing than it already was. The main characters definitely had interesting backstories, but I feel like they didn't go together. There's a few reasons for this low rating, there were unnecessary subplots, the romance was way too rushed, there was too much information thrown into this fast paced novel. Ms. Perfectly Fine sounded very promising, the cover is pretty and the synopsis sounded interesting enough to pick up, but <b>UNFORTUNATELY</b> it fell short for my liking. Don't get me wrong, this book was cute to a <b>certain extent</b>, but the romance was far too rushed, they went from enemies, to roommates, to lovers like a bolt of lightning. For all my Swifties out there, this book has <b>NOTHING</b> to do with Taylor Swift. Ms. Perfectly definitely had good banter, but at times it wasn't needed. That being said, Brinkley, the fur baby had my heart, definitely my favorite part of the book.

THANK YOU TO NETAGLLEY AND CALLAGHANWRITER FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!

First off, I'd like to thank my girl, Lyra for buddy reading this book with me. Girl, if it wasn't for you, I don't think I would have gotten through this book💗!!!!!!!!

ONE HOUSE, TWO STRANGERS, AND A DARK SECRET. WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

🌟Tropes and Themes involved in Ms. Perfectly Fine🌟
😠Grumpy (Her) x 🌞Sunshine (Him)
😍He falls first and harder
😈Forced proximity
🍿Suspense
😴Split POV
💋Enemies to lovers
🌞Healing
😢Chronic pain

Autumn Adler is a famous concert pianist, who is making her solo comeback to the stage after a tragic accident that has left her with chronic pain. Autumn can't afford <b>any</b> distractions, she needs to practice for her solo concert. Of all the things that could possibly go wrong, Autumn never expected her landlord to rent out the ground floor of her home to Elijah Wells. Autumn woke up one morning to loud banging in her apartment, who could possibly be in her apartment this early in the morning? Autumn goes downstairs to find most of her furniture missing, movers moving her stuff out of the room, and new furniture being moved in. Autumn meets, Elijah Wells. Elijah is a game designer in the midst of building his own company. Autumn absolutely loves her townhouse and refuses to share it with anyone. However, Elijah is stubborn, but Autumn is definitely way more stubborn. As days start passing, Autumn's efforts to make Elijah leave, only further his desire to win her over. I wonder if this book was just a romance, if it could've played out much differently than it did?

Thank you to NetGalley and CallaghanWriter for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What can I say? I put this book down a few times because I had important things to do over the weekend, but if it wasn't for that, I would absolutely have read it in just one sitting.

4.75 STARS!! I'm rating it as a 5 star read because it may to that soon if I keep thinking about this book!

I have read another book by Kate Callaghan before and that was "The Naughty Or Nice Clause". It was a decent read for me at that time (I rated it 3.5 stars) but this book? OH MY!! This book is *chef's kiss*, I could see how much the writing has improved and the whole concept was fantastic.

The banter between the two main characters (Autumn and Elijah) was so good and there was no rush in the events, it gave the reader time to understand and fall in love with the characters in every single aspect.

Moving now into specific aspects.

I think the chronic pain was well executed throughout the book, not too much details that could trigger someone, but neither was ignored, it had the perfect amount of description.

I liked the fact that the main male character had daddy issues and how he and his father dealt with it. It was interesting to see that, overall, it did affect his life but how he was fighting for his hapiness.

The little cliffhanger about who was doing all of those things was also well done! I had my theory right from the beginning and it was right, but it didn't let me down.

And it didn't have a 3rd act breakup! That was the cherry on top of the cake. Lately, books that end up having 3rd act breakup are an immediate "no" for me because it bored me so much, so this one made me very happy and interested to see what would happen.

The only thing I missed was seeing how Autumn's relationship with her family would go on, but that was also to be expected (once you read it, you will understand).

I will absolutely recommend people to read this book. It's a more 'chill book', but you know what? It is the perfect book for a reading slump, it doesn't force the reader to give their full attention to understand every single thing. It's a relaxing read, without much drama and with a light suspense.