Thankyou so much for the ARC of this book! Whilst i loved the enemies to lovers relationship between Freya and Abby my biggest love in this book was the friendships, the ride or die dynamics of riley, becca, naomi and abby, and eventually will and freya was so enjoyable to read and I would absolutely love to see more of all of them. Something I wish had been a little more fleshed out was Freya and Abby’s relationship, the ins and outs of them falling for each other beyond the little things they saw. But over all it was a really good read and I can’t wait to see more from Arden.

I couldn't finish reading this book. I got about halfway through, but the characters were just so unlikable it killed the story for me. I tried my best, but found that my attention was drifting every time I tried.

I had to DNF this at 53%. I tried yall. I tried so hard. But everyone in this book sucks. They're awful horrible people. Just not likeable at all. Ewhile I get that sometimes a character is written that way on purpose, please give me atleast someone to root for! I'm unsure Freya and Abigail like each other let alone will eventually fall in love with each other. This is heartbreaking because sapphic romance is my jam. My absolute fave! This one just wasn't for me. I'm truly sorry.

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Arden Joy, and Rising Action Publishing.

every single character in this book was insufferable. they were just horrible and toxic people.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I’m going to dnf this book at 42%. I like both the main characters separately. Freya and Abigail are both main characters I would have like in separate books for not with dual povs. There’s more romance with the background characters than the 2 female leads. I don’t see how these characters are going to come together in a relationship if that is even the goal.

Two sworn enemies that have no idea that they are actually in love with each other. Sound crazy? It is a wonderful love story with that as the plot. Abby and Freya have been acting like they hate one another. During a reunion, Abby decided to attend when she was told by her friend, Naomi, that Freya would not be there. When Freya shows up, Abby is shocked to see her. Freya has her assistant, Will in tow. There is a chance meeting between Naomi and Will that becomes a romance. Freya and Abby are happy for the couple, but that means they will be have to see each other more often. When Will pops the question, Freya and Abby are quickly forced into spending more time together. They begin to find that they don't hate each other as much. Their friends see that as well and walls that were put up start to crumble.
A good rivals turned lovers read.
I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Keep this off the record was a joy to read! It was a refreshing story about two old enemies who come together after a high school reunion brings their closest friends together. Forced to be near each other all the time, they start to realize highschool drama should stay well, in highschool. I loved loved loved the side characters in this. They didnt even act as such, every character with their own separate storyline was such a sweet touch to the book. I love when stories don't just focus strictly on the two love interest. But also develop deep characters for the best friends and the boyfriends. This was fun and just a treat to read.

It is so hard to write a modern Shakespeare because there was *so much* going on in his plays, every genre under the sun stuffed into Much Ado, so I approached Arden Joy's debut novel, Keep This Off the Record, with a little trepidation, What makes the romance genre so comforting to me is the familiar beats. But wow, once I let my expectations go, I absolutely loved this book. The friend group reminds me heartily of Casey McQuiston's found family dynamics: fully realized, true to life, and so funny. And the central queer romance was one of the most intense enemies-to-lovers I ever read. Abigail Meyer and Freya Jonsson really, really hate each other. But the second their lips crashed into each other the first time, I felt as relieved and giddy as they did, and by the end, their relationship felt delightfully inevitable. My only wish for this story is that there'd been maybe 25% less friend group and 25% more Abby and Freya. But that might just be because I couldn't get enough of them.

Thank you to Rising Action Publishing Co and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC and leave an honest review.

"Keep This Off The Record" is a hilariously charged romance that explores the complexities of love, rivalry, and self-discovery. Abigail and Freya’s animosity towards each other sets the stage for a tumultuous journey filled with unexpected twists.

What makes this novel truly shine are the well-crafted characters. Abby and Freya's fiery dynamic keeps you hooked, and their character development is a joy to witness. As their layers are peeled back, we see beneath the surface of their hatred, revealing genuine vulnerabilities and hidden desires.

The supporting characters, especially Becca and Riley, are a highlight. Their witty banter adds a delightful comedic element to the story, creating a perfect balance between the romance and lighthearted moments. I couldn't help but become invested in their lives too.

The pacing of the story is spot-on. It keeps you engaged with its rapid progression, sprinkled with OMG moments that are both surprising and heartwarming. It's a testament to the author's skill in crafting a narrative that's hard to put down.

But what truly sets "Keep This Off The Record" apart is its exploration of self-acceptance. The characters grapple with their true identities, and the story beautifully portrays the freedom to be authentic, even if it means reevaluating past animosities.

"Keep This Off The Record" is more than just a romance; it's a journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and unexpected love. It's a brilliantly written book that will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately root for Abby and Freya as they navigate the winding path towards their passionate and genuine connection. This is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and heartwarming story.

The summary of this book caught my attention, particularly because I enjoy enemies-to-lover romance. I was optimistic about its potential. However, I found that the book did not resonate with me as much as I had anticipated. The characters in their thirties acted and talked like teenagers, which made it difficult for me to connect with them. Although it was meant to be a romantic comedy, I found it too immature for my taste. By the end, I was left feeling annoyed and frustrated with the characters.

Quick, fast-paced, and cute. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to the publisher for giving me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A friends-to-lovers story about high school rivals placed into close proximity due to their friends beginning to date.

I think there was a lot of potential here, however I was overwhelmed by the superfluous characters and with dialogue that got a bit unwieldy for too long of stretches. It's hard to write 4+ people in a cohesive conversation, and I found much of it to be filler. I think the romance part could have been paced better, and again, because of all the extra characters, the interactions between the two leads weren't meaty enough. I think it had all the makings of about three different stories, and all could have been great, but when smashed together it was just too much for me.

**Thank you for the ARC**

This sapphic romance was a fast and enjoyable read. The friend group was quirky and fun, and the two main characters were flawed enough to be interesting and relatable. I'm not sure that the Much Ado About Nothing plot point worked for me. It was a little too unrealistic. But this has a strong female empowerment message which I loved. I would recommend this to readers of LGBTQIA+ romance.

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