Thank you Allen & Unwin and Netgalley for the ARC!

This was a sweet friends to lovers story that had a lot of heart. This was a sweet slow burn of a romance featuring a second chance romance that also had a big mental health aspect to it also. The anxiety was written in a very relatable way. This was emotional and heartfelt!

Love, Just In is a cute rom-com set in Australia that touches on grief and health anxiety.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, but I found it hard to find a rhythm until about halfway through. Once things started to click and childhood friend Zac entered the chat, I found this a whole lot harder to put down.

Let me say, I loved Zac and felt he had way more depth than the FMC. I was hanging out for his POV, and felt like alternating with his perspective would have helped hold my interest a lot earlier in the book. However the developing friendships, miscommunications and personal growth of the MC made this a cute read that I really enjoyed. Huge thanks to the publishers for the Arc!

A few content warnings: health anxiety, unhealthy relationships with alcohol, cancer, and car accidents.

The first 50% had me invested in this story. But it kind of dragged in the middle and I think was a bit too long. This is a slooow burn and I think I would have enjoyed it more if the characters got together earlier in the book and we got to follow their relationship a bit more.

Also, I wanted to slap Josie into next week for most of the second half. Some of the decisions she made were DUMB. I have anxiety too so I could relate to the desire to bury your head in the sand about various circumstances but she was sabotaging everything and it made me want to scream.

So I wouldn’t say don’t read it, but unfortunately it won’t be a standout for me. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an advanced copy

If you are looking for a sweet romance, check “Love, Just In” by Natalie Murray. What a wonderful story, it hooked me from the first page until the end!
This is a great slow burn, friends to lovers story. This story is like a Hallmark movie on paper.
This book will have you flipping the pages so fast to see what happens. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#LoveJustIn #NatalieMurray #NetGalley #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks

This is a super cute friends to lovers. I found the story to be relatable with the mental health representation. The romance was slow burn and the anticipation built beautifully. Such a good book.

Love, Just In is a second chance, friends to lovers romcom. Super cute and a fun read, I was drawn in immediately. Josie is a character that is easy to fall in love with and I found myself laughing out loud a few times. If you need a mood lifter, this will do the trick.

On the one hand, I enjoyed the rom-com aspect of this story with the friends to lovers trope, but on the other hand Josie’s medical anxiety drove me crazy!

Do I battle anxiety? 100% yes. Is most of mine centered around my health or my family’s? Also, 100% yes so I’m honestly surprised that I found it annoying instead of relatable. However, I’m sure others won’t be so annoyed by that part of the storyline.

Her career just took a downturn, she’s on the home turf of the guy who used to be her best friend. What’s next?!!

Josie’s life is not where she had planned it would be as she approached 30. Not only that, it doesn’t even seem to be headed in the right direction. Her high-achieving sister is living a dream life in London, and her parents have retired and moved to Thailand. Josie’s happy for all of them, of course she is….she just feels a little left behind, the only member of the family still living in Australia. She’s is Sydney, working for a broadcast company to nail down her dream job as a news reader. Her friend and mentor Christina is sure that Josie has what it takes, and Josie does too. But Josie’s been dealing with some issues, in addition to the fact that she hasn’t hit her accomplish-before-thirty goals (not married, not in desired job, etc). She’s convinced that she is going to die young, probably of cancer (family history of that, after all), and it’s freaking her out. Privately, but unfortunately also on the air when she interviewed a doctor on a cancer ward and suffered a panic attack. While her boss, the man who can make or break her career, was watching. She’s now being sent from Sydney to Newcastle for a six month stint, not exactly an upward trajectory. Christina tells her its actually a potentially good move; Josie can use the time in a less competitive market to really showcase her talent, and prove that the on-air gaffe was a one-off thing. Newcastle is definitely not where Josie sees herself, though, it doesn’t have the pace and glamor of Sydney. Even more troubling, its where Zac Jameson, the guy who has been her best and closest friend since they were young teens, now lives. Two years ago, a tragedy in his life sent Zac running from Sydney, and he pretty much cut Josie out of his life too. Will Josie’s arrival in Newcastle be the end of their friendship once and for all, or is it a chance to repair the cracks and regain their closeness? Can she rebuild her professional life, and prove to all that she is the next great news reader? Find the right guy? And, you know, not die? Dodging a seriously weird roommate with nudist/exhibitionist tendencies, dating a guy of whom Zac seriously disapproves, and cataloguing all manner of health issues that she can’t help but think spell “life-threatening illness”, Josie has a lot going on.
Love, Just In was a really fun read. Josie is an appealing heroine, trying to achieve her goals even as life takes twists she didn’t she coming. Who amongst us hasn’t made an awful workplace blunder that we are sure at the time has ruined our chances? Author Natalie Murray’s background as an entertainment reporter for Sky News adds verisimilitude to the newsroom setting where Josie is trying to reboot her career….the competition for stories, coworkers less-than-perfect in support roles, and every now and again someone who is willing to help the person currently on a lower rung than the one on which they themselves stand. Josie’s health fixation at first seems just quirky, but as her story past and present unfolds it comes to make more sense and her struggles to cope with her version of mental wellness issues ring true. And then there is Zac, estranged best friend with his own struggles to recover from the incident in his past. He and Josie have history and there may be feelings that go beyond platonic friendship on one or both of their parts, but they have to decide if risking their friendship in order to have more is worth it. Can they achieve their dreams, even as those dreams seem to to change? Can they be there for another when neither is completely steady at the moment? Readers of Emily Henry, Emily C. Childs and Leah Brunner should pick up a copy of Love, Just In and give it a go, as should anyone who wants to root for a couple of appealing but somewhat broken friends who deserve a happily-ever-after with someone, even if its someone closer than they think. Many thanks to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy of Love, Just In.

Love, Just In is a sweet romance that explores some more serious topics (anxiety, PTSD, trauma response) very nicely. The friends to lovers trope is fairly well done but the slow burn romance burns very slowly. The part I enjoyed the least were the flashbacks- they felt redundant in that the majority showed Zac’s unresolved longing for the FMC. Overall this was an enjoyable read but felt like a slog at times.

Thank you to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the ARC.

This is a friend to lovers’ romance that also addresses serious issues including grief, loss of a partner, breast cancer and health anxiety. The story is set in Australia which gives the American reader enjoyable, unique language and references. Set in alternating timelines, the backstory on the friendship adds depth and nuance to the present timeline. The text exchanges included in the story (even some emojis) were fun to read. The friendship between Josie and Zac was beautiful. The two main characters were able to lean on each other, support each other and truly love each other prior to any romance. The story also included some spicy sex scenes! Overall, a fast-paced story with plenty of humor, drama and romance that also tackled some serious issues along the way

Really liked this. I know I and many others could see themselves in these characters as we are nearing 30. Characters are likable and relatable. Story is fun and you are rooting for the love story.

Although I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting, this story, although a friends to lovers trope was so much more than just that. It is not a rom com but it does have rom com parts. And it is not just a romance but something much deeper. To me the true basis of this book was Josie’s health anxiety and that is what made this book so readable. I truly enjoyed Zac and Josie’s friendship that ended up being so much more. There were times I felt as if the story dragged just a little,but realized that we needed to know all the parameters of this story to appreciate it.and I did appreciate this HEA. It happened organically and for that I can give this book 4 stars. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Such a cute read! I love how everything played out. This is my first time reading a book by this author, and it won’t be my last!

3.5 Stars

Nate inherits the property next to Becca’s and they get off on the wrong foot when he proposes to buy her farmstand and she has no intention of selling. Of course, there’s a romance brewing that neither wants to acknowledge. Both are grieving the death of their mates, and Nate’s also struggling to raise his younger teenage brother. They end up helping each other, growing close along the way.

I enjoyed seeing Becca and Nate’s feelings grow, and each helping each other without taking over. Becca needed that with her mother’s doubts over her handling the orchard on her own and Nate needed to realize he could do a good job with his brother. Nate’s doubts over letting love back in and his ability to care for his brother were a bit repetitive, and I wished the romance was developed more instead of one minute they’re reluctant friends/neighbors and then they’re together. I did enjoy the added bits of mystery and suspense surrounding fires and destruction in their town. The story was easy going and heartwarming with supportive family, friends, and community.

I alternately read and listened to Thanksgiving Blessing. Lauren Pedersen did a wonderful job narrating. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

I really enjoyed this friends to lovers story by Aussie author Natalie Murray. And as the major setting was Newcastle in NSW I felt connected, as this is where I spent my teens after arriving in Australia, and both my family and in-laws still live there.

Josie is a TV journalist in Sydney, she gets the chance to read the evening news but has a panic attack triggered by one of the interviews while the show is being aired live. She gets sent to the Newcastle branch in Newcastle as punishment.

Here she reconnects with her best friend from High School, Zac. Zac is a paramedic but despite their long friendship, he has barely spoken to Josie for the last few years. Two years previous to the start of the novel his fiancee tragically died in his arms in a car accident, the reason he left Sydney for Newcastle - to escape the memories.

Josie soon realises that picking up their friendship is not a forgone conclusion. With his trauma experience, and her personal health anxiety there is a lot to keep them apart. Health anxiety is a real thing - and some of the symptoms made me stop and think - always a good thing in a novel.

The romance part of the story was slow burn, as was the friendship rebuild because neither Josie or Zac realised how far their friendship had broken down, or how to mend it. They obviously still care for each other but there is a lot of angst on both sides - and plenty of miscommunication. There are also plenty of light-hearted and laugh out loud moments to break up the tension.

My only gripe was all the flash backs to previous times to help explain how the past is influencing the future. I’m not a fan of flash backs - but I realise sometimes they are a necessary evil. Overall though, Love, just in was an above average read, with a great friends to lover trope and I really recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Natalie Murray for sending me this ARC! This book was filled with romance, heartbreak, spice, “It’s Always Been You” vibes, trauma, comedy, and discussion about important mental health issues. I could not put this book down, such a great start to the new year!

Josie is a TV reporter, playful, loves op shops, and very single. She feels like she is behind on accomplishing her goals. She also deals with health anxiety which I was able to relate to and I’m sure others were as well. Although this topic is relatable, it is very heavy so be prepared about reading some serious health topics. But I adored her bubbly personality and her friendship with Zac. They complemented each other so well and I loved reading all their inside jokes, their nicknames for each other, and how they truly knew each other inside out. A friendship of 14 years that, although they went through some tough times, nothing really changed between them. Zac is the most adorable, caring, funny, dreamy guy in this book! He’s a paramedic, enjoys cooking, loves to surf, and has the most adorable dog. He is so loyal and loving. He cares deeply about Josie as a best friend and will do just about anything for her.

Although this book is considered a slow burn, and that’s not typically my favorite, it honestly didn’t feel like one! There so much flirtation, angst, and adorable moments that it felt like things moved along in a normal timeframe.

This book does have multiple timelines. I really enjoyed this book but at times the timelines did get a bit confusing because they didn’t follow in numerical order. However Natalie Murray did a good job at kind of introducing the scene or connecting it to the present! So it was easy to pick up on what age they were at or whether it was high school or college, etc.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

One of my favorite tropes is best friends who fall in love. There was something about this one that just didn't totally capture my heart. Zac and Josie have been best friends forever. But when young teenage Zac declares more than friendship, Josie shoots him down. He buries those feelings and eventually becomes engaged to someone else. After his fiancée is killed, Zac cuts Josie off for two years... this story is their reunion after the estrangement. There is also a past timeline mixed with the current one.

The writing was fine. The anxiety issues due to legitimate health concerns was an interesting addition to the storyline. I just wasn't convinced of the chemistry/true love connection of our couple. I wanted to feel more, not just be told it was there,

3 stars

Childhood friends-to-lovers is absolutely one of my favorites and this just did it for me! Josie and Zac are great, but I noticed the author does also bring some serious issues into the story, making this more realistic. The chapters go from present to past, which was interesting to see how they got to where they are. This certainly gave off Emily Henry vibes!

I enjoyed this! I haven't read a good friends to lovers in a while and this one hit the spot for me. I liked that it had a good balance of light and flirty mixed with more serious themes around mental health.

Both Josie and Zac have taken some serious hits mentally in the past few years. When fate brings them back together after two years they're both forced to face not only why their friendship dissolved but how both of them will be forced to face their own internal turmoil as well.

The flirty was well done and the spice level was just where I needed it to be. I thought Natalie did a great job of portraying mental health anxiety representation and what one may go through after the death of a loved one. I would recommend to anyone looking for an adult romance, friends to lovers, with a yellow to green spice level.

Love Just In is a heartwarming, well-written novel. It is raw and full of heart. It took me a while to read it, but I found it entertaining and enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eBook copy.