I mean this book was mid for me. Did it have cute moments? Yes, I just overall didn't like it.

Here's the thing, I have a huge issue with plots that have to do with situations like "My brother/sister is dating my ex and my family tries to gaslight me that it's not a shitty thing to do. I'm the problem, not them for getting together possibly while they were still with me, or days/weeks afterwards". It had nothing to do with ownership (which is gross), It's the family butting in. Whether the main character that this happened to has valid feelings of being hurt.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One sentence summary: After a not so great first meeting, two horny fools fall hard for each other.

My thoughts: Colin McCrory is an absolute simp for Truly St. James. Me? I love them both! This book had me smiling, laughing, practicing my stealth face for reading smut in public, and I even shed a few tears. Literally the only thing I wanted was more of these two. I’d gladly read another entire book about them.

Alexandria Bellefleur writes some really great sapphic books, but my god her M/F books get me right in my feels every single (2) times 😂

Anyway, I will continue to read everything she writes and in 18 days I will attempt to tell her how much I lover her books in person (or you know just cry like I tend to do)

Enough babbling, I recommend you read this book when it comes out on 4/30! Thanks @netgalley and @avonbooks for an early copy.

I have been reading so many good romance novels, I forgot how different it feels to read one that blows you out of the water. I literally read it in one sitting.
Truly, Madly, Deeply highlights two flawed individuals who can't deny their attraction to one another. While the summary of the book highlights the delightful tropes, this story is so much more than that. Colin is my first non-fantasy book boyfriend. He's witty and sweet and caring. Bisexual king! I adored his confidence in himself (in most situations) and his ability to be vulnerable with Truly. Truly is a great main character. She's sassy and snarky with a huge heart. I was worried the plotline with her parents was going to make me dislike her or feel like she's being deliberately obtuse. But it did a great job of showing her dedication (stubbornness) and care for the people she loves. Her career was the cherry on top.
Colin and Truly's relationship felt very accurate. They fight, make up, have fears, are stubborn (cough, Truly, cough) but they work through it all. Plus, their chemistry is INTENSE!
The side characters were lots of fun and had a lot of depth. They were well fleshed out and added a lot to the story, especially Lulu and Caite.
I really appreciated that both characters were bi and sharing that was just a moment of connection for them. There was no insecurity or concerns about cheating. Just holding space for each other. Which is SO refreshing!
The spice in this book was made for me. Colin is so sexy. The way he worships Truly just made me melt. Also, the scene in the cabin had me squealing in excitement. I loved how their banter outside of the bedroom directly reflected into the way they interacted in the bedroom.
Overall, this book is definitely in my top three of the year so far. I will be shouting it from the rooftops. Preorder it now!

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for the ARC!

I love Alexandria Bellefleur books because i know the witty banter is going to be amazing!. Truly, Madly, Deeply did not disappoint. This book was great from start to finish. The banter never ever stopped. Truly, Madly, Deeply had everything from spice, romance and sweet.


I finished this book in a weekend. It is a must have if you are a fan of Alexandira Bellefluer!


Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the arc.

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I felt like the writing was super cringey, and while I think there could’ve been a good story under all the cringe, I just couldn’t push through to find it. Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Truly, Madly, Deeply centers on bi cuties Truly, a romance novelist and Colin, a family law attorney. They are both asked to appear on a podcast giving relationship advice offering the perspectives of a romantic and a realist. But Truly’s world is spinning out of control—having just found her fiancé cheating on her and learning her parents, whose love have served as her HEA blueprint, are separating. While she initially finds Colin super hot, he seriously pisses Truly off in their first recording of the show and she has no interest in seeing him again, let alone recording another episode. But after he makes amends, they soon become friends and the attraction they have for each other is undeniable.

This was so, so cute. The banter was chef’s kiss good!! Colin is clearly Joe Keery coded based on the cover and the descriptions and I am here for it. I really appreciated how honest and patient he was. A total gem. The amount of moles as constellation references was a bit excessive and Truly’s meddling with her parents made me forget her age. I also wish we saw a little more of the podcast. But this was overall great; a really sweet (and spicy) love story.

Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers for a copy of an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read several books by Alexandria Bellefleur before and thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. This one has to take the cake for me though. Dare I say, this has strong potential to be my favorite book of 2024. I was literally giggling and kicking my feet. There were time I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face.

The banter was so well done and the spice (chef’s kiss). I mean, Collin was literally begging at points (I almost passed out). I LOVED the bi rep. I think this is one of the first books I’ve read with bi rep like this and done so well. I also loved the the ADHD rep in there too.

Some tropes I loved: he reads her books, takes care of her when she is sick, they are each other’s safe place, and grumpy//sunshine

Fav quotes:
“Want me to talk about my PPO, baby? I could tell you about my deductible?”
“The day I don’t want you is the day the Earth starts rotating backwards, okay?”

This reminded me so profoundly of “Begin Again” by Taylor Swift in book for that it also deserves a mention.

This was absolutely FANTASTIC. I started this book today and finished already bc I simply couldn’t put it down. From page one I was hooked. I absolutely loved the writing and was so invested in Truly & Colin’s story.

This book was so entertaining, sweet, spicy, and romantic. Everything I could hope for in a romance. The emotional connection and friendship between Truly & Colin is what I loved most. Their relationship development felt so real. Colin is a man OBSESSED and I LOVED it. How they met was so fun and their banter and bickering was perfect and so cute. At times I wanted to be like Truly girl what are you DOING but Colin would reel her back in and be there for her and I MELT.

I binged this in less than one day bc I couldn’t put it down and I almost wish I hadn’t bc I’m sad it’s over. Just means I have to reread when it comes out on the 30th 🤷🏻‍♀️ thank you Avon for the ARC!!

Such a fun and easy read! Love love love the banter, I couldn’t get enough of it. So relatable and my first book with bisexual representation. Colin and Truly are hilarious, witty, and charming!

this was exactly what I crave in a good love story. I related to Truly a lot, and I feel like this is one of those love stories where they bring out a new side in each other.

3.5 stars rounded up!

I thought this was a great rom com! The banter between the two leads was hilarious. I genuinely laughed at loud at the texting, the side characters, and some of the plot. This is definitely a grumpy x sunshine situation where sweet Colin is allll sunshine.

Colin was so swoony and a walking green flag for so many reasons. Truly was fun and snarky but I found to her be immature at times. The whole “I’m 27 but trying to parent trap my parents and insert myself into their relationship” was not the vibe.

The first 75% of this book was amazing for me. It felt a bit rushed at the end and some of the spicy scenes didn’t feel like they furthered the emotional depth between the characters. This book was SPICY 🥵 some of the things were definitely not my preference so that’s where, for me, the story lost me a little. However, some people will probably really enjoy the specific kinks and spicy moments that take place (spit just ain’t my thing).

Overall a fun and cute rom com with great banter!

This was such a cute book. I loved the characters and their story. If you are looking for a heart felt book to read. I highly recommend.

Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (4.5-5)
Truly, Madly, Deeply was everything I wanted it to be and even a bit more! Following a chance meeting as two guest hosts on a relationship podcast, a newly-single romance author Truly Livingston can’t stop thinking about the infuriating divorce lawyer and cohost Colin McCory—definitely because he was rude, not because he was incredibly handsome. Truly is surprised when Colin shows up a couple of days later to ask for another chance to get to know her, and she’s surprised when she finds there’s a real connection forming. Colin seems really into her and says all the right things, but as much as Truly is a romantic her awful ex has made her question everything she thought she knew about love. Can she trust herself enough to give Colin a chance?

>> What I loved: This had all the great hallmarks of Bellefleur’s work—funny, great characters, and a whirlwind romance. The banter between Truly and Colin is a bunch of fun, and the chemistry between our characters jumps off the page. The bisexual representation in this book is really lovely! I appreciate the way that Bellefleur wove in an opportunity for the characters to talk about this in a way that felt natural and important for the characters’ development. Interesting family dynamics on both sides round out a great cast of characters and draw out numerous issues and situations that feel real, without getting too heavy.
>> What I didn’t love: Few gripes for me on this one, except that the ending was a little rushed for my liking.

Highly recommend to lovers of queer romance, especially those who love a lighthearted and pop-y story, great characters, fun banter, and spice.

Acknowledgments & Disclaimers
✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Alexandria Bellefleur, and Avon and Harper Voyager, for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book.
✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

“Love launched ships and started wars and inspired sonnets and drove people to madness - she’d spent her whole life trying to put it into words, eighty thousand of them at a time. Love had to be enough. there was no point if it wasn’t”

I’m so grateful to have received the ARC for this book! My review reflects the uncorrected proof of Truly, Madly, Deeply.

Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur follows the ever-anxious and creative queer historical romance author, Truly, as she adjusts to change, something she fears deeply. Truly meets her match with Colin, a patient and giving family lawyer. Both stubborn and strong-willed in their own rights, Colin and Truly balance each other very well, and their relationship is built up tentatively but strongly. Their banter! When their collective stubbornness comes to a hilt, the back and forth between the two is comedic and fast-paced.

This was quite well-paced! a quick read but doesn’t rush character arcs and the fallout of the plot. Very sex-positive, but also diverges from what most adult romance gives readers in terms of intimate scenes! I’m not someone who gravitated towards spicy or steamy books, they just aren’t for me, and while this book was up there in terms of spice level, the scenes were always built up well and they didn’t feel overdone or like they were added in to appeal to a specific audience. They were all intentional and I really liked the dynamic and balance between the two characters in those scenes especially.

There were a couple of details and scenes that weren’t my favorites. Some of the quirky running jokes felt slightly overextended, and in some cases, out of place given the context of the scene. This made me realize that this book would take very well to screen but also to stage, where drawn-out humour could be played up visually and with more subtlety than pages often allow. At first, that running joke took me out of the scene, but by the time it reappeared later in the book, I had reminded myself that this is a rom-com! It’s supposed to be silly and cringy at times, and it really isn’t meant to be taken seriously the whole time.

Sometimes adult romance falls somewhat flat for me, specifically in terms of the love interest and whether or not they hold their own as a well-flushed character. Colin held his own though! He was layered and probably my favorite trait of his was that he is an active listener. He never gave apologies without understanding exactly what he was apologizing for and the weight of that apology! Good attention to detail with both of the MCs.

The epilogue was very sweet and didn’t feel like it took away from the resolution of the last chapter the way some epilogues tend to.

My favorite aspect of the book however was that Truly and Colin understand each other on a fundamental level, specifically because of their shared bi identity. “There’s no such thing as being queer enough. Action and attraction are two different things.” As a bi person myself who has experienced biphobia (internalized and external), the conversation throughout the book on what it means to be bi and how the relationships you are in can skew your own perception of yourself and your validity within the queer community was poignant. I find it hard to come by books that show a bi person in a relationship with someone from the opposite gender, so I was elated to be chosen for this arc.

If you are looking for a feel-good, lighthearted romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and you don’t mind the occasional cringy joke, this could be an enjoyable read for you! This is a good match for Taylor Swift lovers, theatre kids, and people who enjoy the grumpy x sunshine trope/dynamic (but here, the grump is the romance author and the sunshine is the “divorce lawyer”)!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4r4BFrriGYGzXzU23MxvRr?si=8c21340c92e24edd

1.5/5 stars - This was a bad book, in my opinion. The story was meh, and the sequence of things just didn't always add up -- Why are they having an in-depth, date-level, loooong convo when Caitie was just running out to the bathroom? Why does the "podcast" process involve a video camera? The twin brother/ex situation was bonkers, his father was deranged, and she is a giant baby for how she just can't manage to butt out of her parents separation issue and also have the intelligence to understand there is more to her parents' relationship than her? She acts like a 12 year old emotionally, then we're supposed to believe she's out here publishing multiple bestselling romance novels and working like a grownup. Ugh, I didn't like anyone and I'm annoyed I read it, honestly. Bellefleur's previous book=good; this one, not so much.

I loved this book! Bi romance author and bi family lawyer get off on the wrong foot and eventually try to figure things out. The banter and connection felt good. I found myself smiling along on their dates and encounters. The spice is very good with sub-leaning switch MMC who loves to give. IYKYK. Highly recommend!

What happens when a realist and a romantic fall in love? So much delicious spice, fun banter and heart-melting moments. Truly, Madly, Deeply is something I didn't expect. Told from a 3rd person POV from the lens of our FMC Truly, this story is unique. There's no miscommunication or 3rd act breakup - the relationship between Truly and Colin (our MMC) was natural and seamless which was refreshing.

Qᴜɪᴄᴋ ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: ᴛʀᴜʟʏ, ᴀ Qᴜᴇᴇʀ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴡʀɪᴛᴇʀ, ʜᴀꜱ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴇɴᴅᴇᴅ ʜᴇʀ ꜱɪx ʏᴇᴀʀ ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱʜɪᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴇʀ ʙᴏʏꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ᴄᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ʜɪᴍ ᴄʜᴇᴀᴛɪɴɢ. ꜱʜᴇ ʜᴀꜱ ᴀʟꜱᴏ ʟᴇᴀʀɴᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ ꜱʜᴇ ᴀᴅᴍɪʀᴇꜱ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ, ʜᴇʀ ᴘᴀʀᴇɴᴛꜱ, ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴏ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ ᴀꜱ ꜱʜᴇ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ. ʜᴇʀ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴛɪᴄ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ɪꜱ ʜᴏʟᴅɪɴɢ ᴏɴ ʙʏ ᴀ ᴛʜʀᴇᴀᴅ ꜱᴏ ᴡʜᴇɴ ꜱʜᴇ ɢᴜᴇꜱᴛꜱ ᴏɴ ᴀ ᴘᴏᴅᴄᴀꜱᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ᴄʏɴɪᴄᴀʟ ᴅɪᴠᴏʀᴄᴇ ᴀᴛᴛᴏʀɴᴇʏ, ᴄᴏʟɪɴ - ᴀɴ ᴀᴛᴛᴏʀɴᴇʏ ᴡʜᴏ ꜱʜᴇ ᴍɪɢʜᴛ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴀᴛᴛʀᴀᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ - ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇ ᴘᴜꜱʜᴇꜱ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡʀᴏɴɢ ʙᴜᴛᴛᴏɴꜱ, ᴛʀᴜʟʏ ɪꜱ ᴘɪꜱꜱᴇᴅ ᴏꜰꜰ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴛᴏʀᴍɪɴɢ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ʜᴇꜱɪᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ.
ᴄᴏʟɪɴ ᴛʀᴀᴄᴋꜱ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ᴛʀᴜʟʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀɴ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢʏ, ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴛᴇxᴛ ʙᴀɴᴛᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇɴᴛᴜᴀʟʟʏ ᴀꜱᴋꜱ ʜᴇʀ ᴏɴ ᴀ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ. ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴀᴛᴛʀᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ɪꜱ ᴜɴᴅᴇɴɪᴀʙʟᴇ. ᴄᴏʟɪɴ ɪꜱ ꜱᴡᴇᴇᴛ, ᴄᴀʀɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴀʏꜱ (ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ) ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴇʀ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴛɪᴄ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ʏᴇᴀʀɴꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ʙᴜᴛ ᴄᴀɴ ᴛʀᴜʟʏ ᴛʀᴜꜱᴛ ʜᴇʀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴄᴏʟɪɴ, ᴇꜱᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ʜᴇʀ ɪᴅᴇᴀ ᴏꜰ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ʜᴀꜱ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴛᴏʀɴ ᴛᴏ ꜱʜʀᴇᴅꜱ?

The spicy moments were so incredible. It's one of those books where I felt the need to either find my husband, my vibrator or take a cold shower.

Their open and honest conversations without judgment, especially around their sexualities, was refreshing and something to be admired. I also loved how both Colin and Truly were able to support each other through each of their family dramas, it brought elements to this story that had me wanting to see what happens next.

Tropes & Elements:
❤️ Enemies to Lovers
📝 Romance Author x Lawyer
🏳️‍🌈 Queer Rep
😂 Great Banter (and text threads)
🌶️ SPICY

My rating: 4 out of 5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books (Avon and Harper Voyager) for the eARC in exchange for my review!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the published for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review.*

3.75⭐ rounded up

It's so hard to find a good queer book that features a female, bisexual main character. I never seem to be able to connect or relate to them as much as I want, and that may be my fault. As a bi woman, I may criticize them too hard. HOWEVER, I found myself connecting more to Colin than I did to Truly, which was totally fine with me.

There isn't a SUPER tragic backstory for the main characters, which was nice. It seems like these days romances seem to try to give their main characters the most tragic backstory they can get away with.

Colin has a hard time getting along with his family and was no contact at one point. I felt this storyline so hard and it made me want to strangle every member of his family. Truly's parents are separating and she plots a parent trap-esque charade to get them to stay together and it doesn't seem to work in her favor.

I really love Colin. He was so mature and so sweet and just a dream partner. Truly felt very immature and childish a lot of the time. I forgive her for it a little because it sounds like she had the life sucked out of her while in her previous relationship and she's finally having fun again.

There is a lot of very detailed spice in this book. It was okay for the most part. There are some things that Colin said or did that made me physically cringe, but it was decent spice for the most part. There are a couple of public-ish spicy scenes that are enjoyable if you're into that.

💕 Queer/Bisexual romance
💕 Forced proximity
💕 Enemies to friends to lovers
💕 Dysfunctional family
💕 Spicy!

Overall, this was a good book that I will be recommending. The title is actually pretty clever. It stood out to me before I noticed who the author was. Also, the man on the cover looks like Steve Harrington so I was a stan before I even started reading.

Hi, yes, I would very much like to marry Colin McCrory.

Can I just say I am absolutely IN LOVE with this man. The entire time I was reading this I couldn’t help but blush at everything he said! Just everything about him exuded sexy & I am absolutely entranced by him.

Miss Truly deserved everything. As a hopeless romantic, I know the feeling of dating the wrong person all too well. Settling for less because you think that’s all there is. She was so funny & witty. The banter between her & Colin had me laughing out loud & blushing. I also would’ve stalked his instagram page 3 years back. Their chemistry was INSANE.

This was so steamy yet so fluffy & romantic. I need all of this in my life.

Also Mr. Colin McCrory begging on his knees?!?! The begging, the pleading, the 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨?!? I’m such a goner for that man. Wishing I were Truly rn. The fact that he continuously fought for her!! He was never afraid to let her know how he felt about her & that he was going to do everything he could to prove that he was in it for the long haul. He eased all the doubts in her mind. This man was down so astronomically bad for her I couldn’t even deal!

I love Truly’s parents so much! They were so funny & so in love. I can’t blame Truly for parent trapping them! Their whole family dynamic was everything.

Colin’s family on the other hand?? SIDE EYE. Also where tf did Caitlin go?!?! Miss girl just disappeared half way through the book. I needed to see her reaction to her brother & Truly dating like HELLO?!? & she was so funny! The way Colin & Caitlin kept exposing each other when they were out at the bar with truly was HILARIOUS. I couldn’t stop laughing!

A lovelorn romance novelist and a divorce lawyer who has sworn off relationships agree to cohost a podcast series offering dating advice to viewers. The premise is good, and the opening chapters were intriguing. Where things went awry in my opinion was when Truly's parents entered the picture. Talking exclusively in showtunes lyrics was unexpected and almost all of their musical references went right over my head. It then got worse when a Parent Trap-esque plot emerged once Truly - who is allegedly a grown adult - had a childish meltdown about her parents separating. I am unable to finish the book. I will recommend this book to readers who enjoy rom-coms with childlike MC's and/or musical theater influences.