Member Reviews
I've been a fan of Alexandria Bellefleur since the minute I picked up Written in the Stars. I love the sweetness and emotional resonance of her stories, and as a bi reader, I also love the frequency of her inclusion of bi main characters. Until now, Elle and Darcy's story has been my favorite, with last year's The Fiancee Farce as a close second, but Truly, Madly, Deeply has been making me question everything. Although the side characters in the story didn't always work with me (particularly Truly's parents, whose scenes were for me the weakest), I absolutely loved the adorable and spicy bi/bi romance at the book's heart. It was such an enjoyable read that I'll be recommending all over the place.
I received an eARC of Truly, Madly, Deeply from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, but I loved it so much I also purchased a physical copy for myself.
I really enjoyed this book. Thank you NetGalley for an arc copy. I gave this 5 stars.
This follows the story of Truly and Colin who meet while doing his sister’s podcast. She’s a novelist and he’s a divorce attorney. Truly is having an awful day and the two get into a heated argument on the podcast which causes her to walk out. The banter between the two throughout the book was great. He falls first and it was such a great read!
I absolutely loved this book! The chemistry between Truly and Colin was phenomenal! I just wish we had more of their banter on the podcast featured and less of the Parent Trap storyline!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
I DNF'd this book after approximately 16 pages. I was put off by the sentence "all d**ks look weird", which is frankly just body shaming men for a piece of their anatomy that they can't even help. Women's breasts are fine, but penises are weird looking? I wouldn't take romantic advice from this woman if she paid me to listen to her...
Moving on, the conversation with Lulu while Truly is in the car getting her starbucks, there is more problematic conversation, calling Justin a "sentient jar of mayo", because Mayo is the worst condiment. Also, I have a reeeeeeally hard time beleiving this whole opening scenario. The "we were on a break!" is very Ross-and-Rachel (i.e.: unoriginal) and if they were already having problems, then...uh, maybe Truly should have already informed her instagram followers that the engagement was on hold while they dealt with some personal issues.
Basically, I was just very annoyed with the lack of "adulting" in just these first few pages. It seems to me, everyone here needed to grow up.
Firstly, I want to say thank you to Alexandria, her publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
Honestly, what drew me to wanting to read this was the cover of this book. I loved how romantic it looked and the way that they were standing in a library as well drew me right in. I have never read any books by this author before, but I highly doubt this will be my last!
Truly, Madly, Deeply is a fun and smutty read for anyone who enjoys good banter banter between the hero and heroine. I loved Colin and Truly's dynamic and the sexual tension between them was great too. This book was extremely bingeable and was such a good romance fix. The side characters also gave this book a lot of dimension which I appreciated!
I am rating this a 3.5 and only because Truly did really annoy me at times. She was scared of commitment to a man who was showing nothing but interest and affection towards her all because her parents were going through a separation. Her only excused for not committing to this man was the fact that her parents marriage was on the verge of falling apart so for some reason she no longer believed in love. I just found this to be a bit not believable side because their chemistry was insane. Overall, I really did enjoy the book and would definitely read more books written by Alexandria in the future!
Omg this was sooooo gooood!!!! Colin is actually *dreamy*. Spicy and sweet, this romance book is full of every trope I eat up. I just read a book not long ago with the same… issue (?) that Colin’s ex is going through (again, ?). Not the right verbiage but I don’t want to spoil anything. But I love it. It didn’t feel repetitive, this book is so dang cute. The way Truly absolutely sticks up and defends Colin is so sweet. I loved every page in this book. I wish we got more Caitlin though, and more of the podcast. Maybe a book number 2 about her?!? 👀
I loved this book so much I read it twice in a row! There was just something so addictive about Truly and Colin. I could not tell you anything about the plot but I can tell you that this man is OBSESSED (like the definition of a man down bad) and Colin and Truly are HOT AS HELL (like oh my god???). Your honor, I love them.
**This book was EVERYTHING!** Seriously, I couldn't get enough. Imagine a fake-it-til-you-make-it rom-com where the "it" is love. Truly, a love guru with a tragic personal life, gets paired with the smokin' hot but cynical Colin for a relationship advice podcast. Hilarity (and sparks) ensue! They bicker like crazy, but trust me, the tension is .
This book is more than just banter though. Truly and Colin open up about their own struggles with love and identity (hello, fellow LGBTQ+ peeps!), and their connection is seriously heartwarming. Plus, Colin is a total sweetheart (swoon!). There's a bit of angst – is this love for real? – but overall, it's a feel-good ride. If you love enemies-to-lovers with a side of self-discovery, pick up this book! You won't regret it.
I had so much fun with this book. The banter and the spice are top tier. Colin had me FUCKED UP 🥵 I think this would have been 5 stars if I had liked Truly more, but I just wasn’t sold on her. I really disliked the parent trap plot. It just felt so juvenile to me. I was happy that her family stuff was wrapped up though bc I didn’t feel like his was. I would have loved for him to have gone no contact with them again bc OOF they sucked so hard. I also feel like the sister and best friend both just fell off the face of the earth? Loved them tho. Overall I read this in less than 24 hours - absolutely devoured it. & I was kicking my lil feet, blushing, and giggling the whole way babes!!! Definitely recommend. What a great time.
Cute cover, but it had me skipping over this book thinking it was YA!
"Truly, Madly, Deeply" is an easy and funny read. Not a whole lot of plot, but the characters are good and it's surprisingly dirty, too! I was a little annoyed by the TikTok talk; it will be dated so quickly and I personally didn't know what half of it meant.
Colin is a gem and Truly feels almost painfully realistic. Truly's parents are also a lot of fun - reminded me of the parents in "Easy A."
Overall, probably not super memorable, but a fun little break read.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.
✨ Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur✨
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Let’s all put our hands together for a god-tier smirker, who can talk shit with the best of them and goes down like it’s his job, Mr. Colin McCory. 👏
I was oh-so pleasantly surprised by this book - I had seen other people raving about it online and was excited to receive an ARC, but I was not expecting what I got.
A queer romance novelist going through a crisis of faith (or should I say love) post-breakup and the admission that her devoted parents are separating. A family lawyer who is skeptical of love (rightfully so given what we learn) that calls her on her shit and PINES for her.
I giggled at Truly and Colin’s banter, I kicked my feet and squealed at their jokes and embarrassing moments, and I got extremely sweaty at the spicy scenes. I genuinely LOVED reading this book.
I enjoyed getting to know the side characters in this one and honestly would have loved having Lulu and Caitlin feature more in the plot! Truly (lol) my only complaint is that I wanted more time with these characters, especially post-DTR and pre-epilogue.
Highly recommend for anyone wanting:
🌈 Queer main characters
😂 Banter and sarcasm as foreplay
💕 Hopeless romantic meets realist
🌶️ Light power play
🥵 MMCs who are submissive and breedable
Thank you Avon & Netgalley for the review copy. All thoughts are mine.
HOLY SMOKES this book was so good. It packed so much punch with swoon, heart, spice, humor, banter, and just all around romance goodness. Add in a Parent Trap scheme, a relationship podcast meet cute, and did I mention some of the most top-notch spice I’ve read in a long time?! I also really appreciated how Alexandria writes about bisexuality through each character and challenges the bi-erasure that occurs in MF relationships. 100/10 recommend this one!!
"I'll be so f–king good for you, Truly."
- Queer historical romance author x family lawyer
- He falls first and HARD
- Bi MCs
- No breakup
- Single POV (third person)
- Narrated by Lauren Sweet
So… I liked Truly, Madly, Deeply, but didn't love it. Here's what I liked:
- I think Colin might be the softest simp to ever simp. He was OBSESSED. Like begging her obsessed. Like I'd live down here if you'd let me obsessed. Like you can spit on me, and I'll thank you, obsessed 😂. I would have given ANYTHING for his POV.
- The bi rep was openly and tenderly explored.
- There were some great supporting characters; honestly, I wanted more Lulu.
- The character growth was fulfilling, with guarded Truly slowly letting Colin in and reassembling her thoughts on love, and both deal with opposing family dynamics.
- The minor conflict that, thankfully, didn't lead to a breakup at the last second (literally 96% 😅).
- Lauren Sweet nailed the narration.
What I didn't love so much:
- I may have searched how many times she mentioned moles, mole-splattered and beauty marks, and it was 15. A lil excessive, no?
- I needed more from the plot. Like they co-hosted 2/3 episodes, she pulled a Parent Trap… that's about it?
- It's petty, but this is marketed as them going from enemies to friends. I'm sorry, but what enemies? They had one on-air disagreement five minutes after meeting for the first time. You'll be disappointed if you go into this expecting enemies to lovers.
So, while this didn't quite meet my high expectations, I'd recommend it purely for Colin 😂.
This is a great romance book! There was great amount of tension and banter between the characters. I loved that the characters were both Bi! It isn't usually seen in a M/F relationship! I will MOST DEFINITELY be handselling this book to the customers at my store!
When I first saw the title of the book, the song automatically started playing in my head. I was excited to read this novel. I was really looking forward to it. Well, my bubble busted.
I was really getting irritated by the time I reached 82 pages. Normally, when I struggle with a book, I push myself to at least reach to 100 pages before DNFing. I just couldn’t go to the 100th page in this book. That’s how super irritated I was.
The bantering were way too long and all over the places. A lot didn’t even amuse me one bit. Then running into each other in an adult shop and bantering?? Come on! Give me a break. There were other factors, too. The heroine was really annoying to me. I was over it already. Damn shame the title almost ruined the song.
I recently finished reading Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur, and I have to say, it was quite the emotional rollercoaster. As someone who picked it up expecting a queer romance due to its LGBT tag, I was initially disappointed to find that the central relationship is actually between a man and a woman. That said, once I adjusted my expectations, I found a lot to love about this book.
The story follows a romance novelist, hopelessly in love with the idea of love, and a divorce lawyer who has all but sworn off relationships. Their contrasting perspectives make for an engaging dynamic as they co-host a podcast series doling out dating advice. The setup is perfect for sparks to fly, and Bellefleur doesn't disappoint on that front. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, making their journey from co-hosts to something more entirely believable and incredibly steamy.
One of the highlights of Truly, Madly, Deeply is its balance of humor and heart. Bellefleur’s writing is both funny and sexy, with plenty of moments that had me laughing out loud. The characters are relatable, each carrying their own baggage and insecurities, which adds depth to their interactions. The banter between them is sharp and witty, enhancing their connection and making their eventual romance feel earned and genuine.
The book is undeniably steamy. Bellefleur knows how to write a sizzling romance scene, and the tension between the protagonists is electric. For those who enjoy a good romance with all the feels, this book delivers in spades. It's sweet and touching, with just the right amount of angst to keep things interesting.
Despite my initial disappointment regarding the misleading LGBT tag, I still found Truly, Madly, Deeply to be an enjoyable read. It’s a heartwarming and sexy romance that explores the complexities of love and relationships with a light touch. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even shed a tear, this one is worth picking up.
Overall, Truly, Madly, Deeply is a delightful addition to Alexandria Bellefleur’s repertoire. It’s funny, relatable, and oh-so-sexy. While it may not have delivered the queer romance I was hoping for, it still provided a satisfying and thoroughly entertaining love story.
Truly and Colin are bantering gold. I was hooked from the very begining. I could not put it down. Love a bisexual hero, love a romance author heroine.
I found myself smiling the whole time. The spice is "chefs kiss" perfection. The chemistry of the main characters was electric that I would read more books about these two. Usually I am more of a dual perspective type reader, but I never felt like I was missing half the story by not getting the other characters point of view. The third act conflict was so heart wrenching but i love the way the characters actually communicate, like real.people should but often don't. I don't know if there is a plan for more books in this world, but I really hope there are more books in this series.
This book was provided by NetGalley, but all reviews and opinions are my own.
Amazing bi romance in a bookish setting with a love interest that bares a striking resemblance to Joe Keery? Yes, please!
Truly is an author of queer romance novels who losing faith in love. Her parents are separated and considering divorce after decades of marriage, and Truly catches her fiancé cheating. Meeting Colin might just be what she needs to remember that love is worth taking a risk on.
I’ve read all of Alexandria Bellefleur’s books and this one is definitely my favorite! I think this is also the spiciest book she’s written, which I really enjoyed. The physical chemistry between Colin and Truly felt compelling and fun. Can all future books by Alexandria Bellefleur be like this please?
Colin is a total sweetie and I adored seeing him take care of Truly and meet her where she is at.
My favorite scene in the book involved Colin and Truly discussing what bisexuality means to each of them. Truly talks about feeling imposter syndrome since she realized she was bisexual during a long-term monogamous relationship with a man and since she’s never dated a woman.
I also love that Alexandria Bellefleur is an openly bisexual author and I’m so happy to be able to support bi authors!
Highlights:
💗 bi woman dating a bi man
💜 family lawyer x romance author
💙 very spicy 🔥
💗 he falls first
💜 my favorite novel by Alexandria Bellefleur
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC!
I love the set up for this, and how Truly believed in love having seen it in her parents.
even after being burned by love, she still gave it a chance. I thought Colin was such a. great book boyfriend!