Alexandria Bellefleur knows how to make me swoon every single time, and this one did not miss! In the epitome of the he falls first trope, she weaves a stunning tale of finding your true love, even while actively losing faith that true love even exists.

Truly St. James is a romance writer. Fueled by the rose colored glasses love of her parents, she's an absolute believer in the forever fairytale. That is, until she catches her fiancee with his literal pants down and her parents take a "break" from each other. All in the same week. When she appears on her friends podcast as a special guest answering questions about all things love and relationships, she has an epically not so meet cute with her friends brother Colin. The cynical divorce attorney to her starry eyed romance writer made for an explosive meeting that ended with Truly walking out. Well, storming out actually. Not to be deterred, cinnamon roll hero Colin practically falls over himself to apologize and make it up to her. In the process, he falls head over heels for her.

Colin is the swoony sweet cinnamon roll book boyfriend I didn't know I needed. He chases Truly, but slowly and carefully. While he doesn't understand why she's so prickly, he takes his time and gets to know her. He's not put off by her, instead understanding what was wrong and working to show her that true love does exist and not all men are like her cheating ex fiancee.
He finds her quirky family endearing, and goes out of his way to show Truly how beautiful and wonderful and worthy she is. And yall, the banter! 😍 The banter was written romance perfection and the chemistry was so hot I was afraid it would melt my kindle! I loved it! I absolutely adored this beautiful, sexy, spicy, and romantic book. I've loved everything Alexandria has written, but this is easily my new favorite.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Alexandria Bellefleur. 💖

This book was a fun read, I really liked the characters and the story was fun and truly as a name was the best, I read this book so fast that I think I may need to read it again just to make sure I didnt miss anything

This was my first Alexandria Bellefleur book and I feel like I've really been missing out! I liked this enemies to frenemies to lovers story about Truly St. James, romance novelist whose long-term relationship blows up right as she's on the way to record a podcast episode responding to listeners' questions about real life relationships. The other guest on the podcast is Colin McCrory, the podcast host's brother and a family law attorney with a largely unromantic views based on his professional experiences with divorce. The two of them clash and Truly leaves before finishing the episode, happy to never have to speak to Colin again. But the next day, Truly's belief in romance is shaken again when her parents, who she sees as the ideal partnership, tell her that they're separating after more than 30 years of marriage. Colin feels guilty about upsetting Truly on the podcast and reaches out to apologize, and the two of them strike up a tentative friendship that very quickly heats up into something more. I really liked Colin and Truly's banter, their vulnerability with one another, the awesome side characters, and the intentional queer representation. I'll definitely be checking out more from Bellefleur.

4.5⭐️ This is by far the HOTTEST traditionally published romance book I have ever read. Colin is so down bad for Truly and I ate it up. He read all her books and compared her to Taylor MF Swift!! From the moment they met their banter and tension was through the roof!! It had me grinning at my kindle the whole time I read. I am BEGGING everyone to add this to their TBR!

This was a LOT of fun and ultimately very sweet. I laughed out loud multiple times throughout. The banter between all the characters--not just the leads--was really great. Truly's relationship with her family and also her friends were really great as well. The discussions of bisexuality and biphobia were really great. Colin is honestly just a really great and supportive love interest (especially in regards to the bisexuality aspect). The spice, for me, was top of the charts. LOVED it.

There were a few things, though, that kept this from being a 5 star, for me. For one thing, there were too many B-plots and this book didn't feel nearly long enough to wrap them all up in a satisfying way. There was an attempt, certainly, but it didn't always completely work. The ending, too, could've been a bit tighter in how it was wrapped up. I think, at least for the B-plot, this book would've benefitted for a dual-POV narrative. You get the tiniest little peek at Colin's POV, but only in the epilogue. I wanted more! It also would've really opened up even more avenues to explore his and Truly's relationship.

But those are really just minor criticisms. I still highly recommend this and will definitely be picking up a finished copy when it releases.

AHHHHH!!!! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This. Was. So. Good! I enjoyed The Fiancee Farce and so was already anticipating this one, but boy did it deliver! Another reviewer shared on Twitter (sorry, X) that they were reading it + a quote that just grabbed me. I had just gotten approved for an ARC and knew I needed to dive right in.

Colin gets off on quite the wrong foot with Truly, but to be fair, he didn't know she had just broken up with her fiancé because she found him cheating on her. A lot of the time, I feel like authors don't have characters put in the work to come back from a bad first impression, but Colin *swoons*. He knows he messed up, even if he isn't entirely sure how/why, and knows he needs to fix it. If not for his own sake (he crushes on Truly hard and fast), then for his sister, who wants Truly to come back to her podcast. Colin has become my new standard for romance heroes. He is obsessed with Truly (as she deserves) and his actions show that.

Truly is also amazing. She's a queer romance author (which, by the way, both main characters are bisexual) and is finding lots of success in her career. In her personal life? Not so much. Even when I was cringing at her choices (maybe don't try to Parent Trap your parents) I was still rooting for her.

My one little quibble was less with her and more with a thing the author decided not to show. There's a comment made about her instagram and having to share that she broke up with her fiancé. I would have loved a sub-feature of the book with her instagram posts, maybe between chapters. We could get one where she announces she's breaking up with what's-his-face, one for the podcast, at the lake house, etc. Maybe Colin starts showing up in them, and commenters note the sparks flying! I think it would be a fun way to A) make the book stand out even more and B) show more of Truly's author side. It is by no means necessary to the plot (though I would have liked some follow-up to the specific comment), but it would make me happy.

Wow, this got DIRTY! I was not expecting it! I loved the 'enemies to lovers' vibes and Truly was such a good MC. Colin was a fantastic love interest as well. The writing was good, the chemistry was amazing - another fantastic read!

This book was super easy to read and kept me wanting more.
Romance author and Divorce lawyer... the most unlikely match.
Instant connection and banter, he gets on her nerves and as it turns out that's just what she needs.
Colin is such a cutie pie, and those spicy scenes OMFG YESSSSSSSS!!!
and of course the bi representation in these characters :)
please read this book asap

this was a fun read and i was able to read it in (mostly) one sitting during my road trip so it was fairly quick!

i've only read one other book by alexandria (written in the stars) and i loved that one so much but this one was a little bit of a miss for me. the saving grace 100% was colin and truly's best friend lulu. they called her one her shit and kept her in line which she needed 99.9% of the time. it's not that truly was necessarily an unlikeable character, but i just couldn't connect with her -- other than the fact that she is a huge romantic.

her great love and belief in romance comes from bearing witness to her parents' successful marriage. but, unfortunately, not all that glitters is gold. truly's parents drop the bomb that they have decided to separate (temporarily, for three months) because they don't know where their spark has gone after 30-something years together. family law lawyer colin puts it in truly's head that most couples that separate usually end in divorce and she decides she cannot let that happen.

she devises a "parent trap" like plan to force her parents to spend time together at the family lake house and thinks this will solve all her problems. i'm sure the entire premise is that she's projecting her insecurities because her fiance cheated on her and she's just out of a 6-year relationship and she needs some semblance of hope that love still exists so she can justify what she's starting to feel for colin. but it manifests in a sort of selfish way and honestly a little childish.

but colin, the epitome of patience, and honestly perfection, continuously proves to her that love can prevail even if you witness the downfall of one.

i wanted so badly to give this 5 stars (hello steve harrington look alike and BOTH characters are bisexual????? made for me) but truly just fell a little flat for me.

i would definitely still recommend this book though for a quick, light read. if only just to fall in love with lulu and spend any moment you can with colin. he totally makes up for the book.

i rounded my 3.5 rating to a 4 simply because i need colin. i seriously cannot stop talking about him.

thank you netgalley and avon & harperf or the earc in exchange for an honest review! :)

I keep reading Alexandria Bellefleur and thinking "this is the one that will let me down. Law of averages - it's coming soon!"

Nope. I paused before reading this one, but the Joe Keery look-alike on the cover pulled me in. I stayed for the he-falls-first, she's-the-boss dynamic of their relationship and appreciated the MC struggles with their feelings on love and their feelings for each other.

before i give my thoughts, i would like to thank the publishers, avon and harper voyager for providing me a copy of the e-book for an exchange of an honest review.
i know i have been saying this for every e-arc i have ever read so far (and it's true!), this was my introduction to alexandria bellefluer's works (despite having one or 2 of them on my digital tbr somewhere), but i loved this! truly was very relatable and i loved her friendship with lu then her relationship with colin even though he irritated me sometimes but that's not why i gave this book 4/5 stars. the reason is there was way too many broadway references, i know truly was named after a character in a musical, but it really went overboard from there. otherwise i loved just about everything else.

Truly, Madly, Deeply is simultaneously one of the most heartwarming and toe-curling books I have ever read. Following a whip-smart romance writer as she untangles her complicated feelings about love, readers see a positively dreamy lawyer trip over himself to please her. For both saps and “realists” alike, this book is a truly mesmerizing read.

Thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I really like Bellefleur's writing style and try to read as much as I can from her. She's a favorite here around my library and so I always try to keep an eye out for her next release.

Both Truly and Collin are endearing characters and a really cute couple once they get going. I love a good foot in mouth short term enemies to long term lovers trope (is that a thing? I feel like it is. I have read it enough that it aught to be). The two are actually quite wholesome and good for each other. It doesn't really give angsty/toxic behavoir vibes. The conflict doesn't really come from within their relationship. I'm not saying the characters are perfect and flawless. Truly especially seems to have a bit of emotion to overcome, but the problems they face overall aren't based on each other which is refreshing.

Like I said, I love Bellefleur's romantic writing and by the end of this book, I was squealing at the HEA.

I've been a fan of Alexandria's words since her debut, so there was no way I was going to miss this one.

I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooved Truly and Colin. They're both really good, loyal people who have a fun meet cute turned angry walk out. These two have banter for days, enough chemistry to make something explode, and so many open conversations I was basically kicking my feet up in the air for the entire read.

Plot wise, it's so good. It moves pretty quick time frame wise, but I was here for all of it. Added bonus is that it's super light on the angst and the conflict comes from outside of the couple. Yes, Truly does have some push and pull, but she's open with Colin and it doesn't last long. The last few chapters are absolutely perfect, only made better by the time jump epilogue.

Overall, I wanted to start this book again right after finishing it, that's how obsessed I am with it. I can't wait to shove it in everyone's hands and it goes without saying that it's on my top 10 list.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

i never thought i would read a romance with a cis MMC but alexandria bellefleur is the exception. i loved each and every one of these characters and was truly giggling and gasping. i skipped a few…phallic parts…but still give this 5 stars. doesn’t hurt that colin looks exactly like joe keery, my one true cis male crush

Alexandria Bellefleur reaches soul-deep to deliver the romance novel of the year, filled with scorching levels of heat, podcast arguments, social media mishaps, and all the awkwardness in taking charge of your own love story. Truly, Madly, Deeply features two bisexuals, a realist and a romantic, falling in love and reexamining their set ideals and agency in their own lives. Bellefleur has written an up close and personal love story for the hopeless romantics out there and the people who have found themselves adrift for the first time. Truly and Colin were the epitome of bisexual chaos and their bickering turned full arguments turned back around to understanding was all-consuming and seriously entertaining. Truly, Madly, Deeply has reminded me of the power of connection and the strength that comes from our close relationships. It left me with a truly debilitating crush on a fictional character and a massive book hangover and I wish I could do it all over again.

Full review will be posted on my blog closer to publication

Title: Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur

Publication Date- 04/30/24
Publisher- Avon and Harper Voyager
Overall Rating- 3 out of 5

Review: Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Truly, Madly, Deeply is a silly goofy time. That’s really what you need to know. This is a story that if you try to take too seriously, you likely will not enjoy. I have read several Alexandria Bellefleur stories and I would say this is similar to what we have seen from her in the past, if not even more light hearted. So, to start of this review, if you’re looking for a silly, goofy, time you found it in this novel. It’s funny at times, and nothing too deep happens. We all have periods of time in our lives that we just want to kick back and watch two characters fall in love. You’ll get that here.

Because of the things I said above, I couldn’t give this 5 stars. I wanted more meaningful interactions between the characters. I didn’t need anything too serious, but I would have enjoyed it slightly more had there been some element of seriousness to it. Again, if you’re looking for a book that is almost completely without that, pick this up. There is a place for books like this. We often get bogged down with stories that hit too deep. This is a good one to fill the lightheartedness gap.

As far as tropes go, this is enemies to lovers kind of turned insta love? In summary, if you have enjoyed the author before you will enjoy this story. I do just want to make a quick comment on the synopsis that may be misleading for some. It says that they go from enemies to friends to lovers. Yes, but skip the friend part. I never felt that they truly entered into the friend realm.
That’s all, go have a silly, goofy, time now.

I really enjoyed this #ARC of Alexandria Bellefleur’s latest. Her romances are so sparkly, full of humor, fun, and spice. I was looking for something that would make me smile and warm me up on this chilly weekend and this was just the thing! I love it when there is a secondary romance and this one, between musical theatre folks, is a hoot! Releasing on April 24th, don’t miss this one, romance fans!

Truly something special, indeed. I can’t even tell you how quickly I devoured this, flying through the pages before I even realized I was doing it. These two have BANTER for days, bickering with the kind of chemistry that reveals something sizzling brewing beneath the surface. I loved the black cat heroine, who gave as good as she got, but it’s our golden retriever hero who absolutely steals the show. He is the cutest, sweater vest-wearing little sweetheart I have ever had the pleasure of reading about; the kind of guy who leaves a lasting impression. Though we only get the heroine’s perspective, it was obvious how completely SMITTEN that adorable fool was. He’s got a tender, supportive side that was just what his girl needed, and that translated into some seriously SCORCHING spicy scenes along the way. Definitely hotter and k!nkier than expected, and that’s not a complaint. I binged this in one sitting, refused to go to sleep until I was finished, and loved every minute along the way.

The story follows Truly, a historical romance author who is known for being an optimist when it comes to love. Unfortunately, on the day she’s booked on a podcast to help share those views, Truly finds her sort-of ex with another girl and her parents reveal they're separating. It’s a shock to the system, so Truly isn’t in the best of moods when she meets Colin. He’s a divorce lawyer with a realistic, somewhat pessimistic view of love, and his comments during the podcast hit a little too close to home. The two can’t seem to stop arguing, but that bickering leads to something that feels like more - at a time when love should be the last thing Truly thinks about.

Though I’ve been meaning to check out this new-to-me author for awhile now, it was that spectacular cover and the intriguing blurb that finally convinced me to take the plunge - and I’m so glad I did. I’m not big on third person POV these days, but I barely noticed it here. I love some good banter, and the chemistry between these two jumped off the page, even when they were arguing. Maybe especially when they were arguing. I loved that they pushed each other and were also just so good for each other, revealing sides of themselves they wouldn’t with anyone else. It’s also a true “he falls first” romance, with Colin relentlessly pursuing Truly. Loved that. He’s a cinnamon roll sweetie, but he’s definitely not a pushover, and it was refreshing that Truly ended up being the grump here. That made for some seriously sexy intimate moments as well. It's a high heat treat with a hot slow burn. The queer rep was great, featuring two bisexual leads who are open and honest about what they want. Fast-paced, tension-filled, and swoony, it's no surprise that I loved it!

I tore through this book. It had some of the best banter I've read, and refreshing character types/descriptions. I may be bias because I relate to Truly and Colin in their sexuality, but I really enjoyed reading about their experiences as queer people. Not all are the same, so it was nice to read something similar to me. My only complaint I would have with this book, is that it ended rather quickly. I thought we were getting to a big climax at one point only for my kindle to tell me I had 9 minutes left, so that felt weird. But, other than that, it was cute, and oh so sexy, and just a really wonderful read!