The lovelight farms series is one series I always recommend. Every single book is so good!
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In Business Casual, Charlie (Stella’s brother) and Nova (Beckett’s sister) enter into a “business casual” relationship during Charlie’s temporary stay at Lovelight Farms.
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💐small town romance
💐grumpy x sunshine
💐4th in a series
💐friends with benefits
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I adored Charlie, he has golden retriever energy and a heart of gold. I loved that he softened Nova up a bit and their chemistry was 🔥.
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Thank you netgalley and Berkley publishing for the opportunity to read this book!

4.5/4.75 - I AM HERE TO DECLARE THAT CHARLIE I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN!!! So I have been binging this series for the past week after receiving an ARC of Business Casual and wanting to finish the series after reading and loving Lovelight Farms a few years ago. The entire series, whenever Charlie would popup I would get so excited and somehow fell in love with him in the background?? His goofy, fun, loving, warm personality, but then getting to know in this book that deep down it is all a front for how he wants to be loved and perceived by others.

I think I related so much to Charlie here, especially his loneliness and wanting to feel like he was a part of a family, a town, a community, and find someone who wants him as much as he wanted them. I LOVED the way he was so down bad for Nova this entire book!! I loved his effortless way that he would flirt with her, HIM TAKING CARE OF HER WHEN SHE'S SICK, the little ways he showed how much he loved her. I feel like we really got to know Charlie in this book as someone who is a family man, who ALWAYS shows up and puts others first, and it made me so happy to see him really tune into the things that made him happy.

And Nova girl!! My sweet yet grouchy, artsy, lovable girl. I loved how she complimented Charlie's softness with her toughness, her want to do everything on her own, her need to be alone and fix things herself. I think they had so many similarities but I loved the way she could be bossy to Charlie, stand up for herself, and was a badass business woman!! Nova also reminded me so much of myself with overdoing it and pushing it, taking on too much, wanting everything to be perfect so as to not let anyone down. I loved her talks with Beckett and Charlie, opening herself up to vulnerability, talking about her insecurities.

The romance was exquisite!! I love it when a book makes me laugh and smile and feel the heat all at once!! I loved the continuous flirtatious relationship Charlie and Nova had the whole time. I LOVED that while we definitely had some conflict/angst at the end, NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!! WE CHEERED!!! (speaking my truth I hate third act breakups and I can only do it so many books in a row im sorry). Overall I loved this book so so much, I definitely thought it was BK's best writing and romance yet, and I cannot wait to revisit this series in the fall/winter with the perfect vibes!! I will be thinking about Charlie for a longgg time.

Thank you so much for Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review!!

The last book in the Lovelight series, I was so excited to read about Charlie and Nova and B.K. Borison did not disappoint. With witty banter and a delicious side of push and pull, Business Casual is my favorite book of the series. I loved that Charlie and Nova continued to be true to who they were while trying to figure out what they were, and the hilarity that was added from all the side plots.

Thank you Berkley for the gifted ARC.

WHEW! CHILE! The steam!

(That's it. That's the review).

(Okay, that's not the review. But it could be!)

Confession: this was my first time reading B.K. Borison. NetGalley recommended this title to me and I liked the description. As someone who didn't realize she was reading book 4 of 4, I can confirm this is a book you can handsell on its own. However, I suspect reading them in order will add to the deliciousness, as you get updates on everyone's love life (natch).

In this title Nova Porter, youngest daughter of the family, is focused on and feels the pressures of finally opening her own tattoo studio. While the person she falls for, Charlie Milford, is "a buttoned-up, three-piece-suit-wearing investment banker," I deeply appreciated that the author didn't fall into the bad girl/upright boy stereotype. Both have complicated relationships with their families, are asking big questions about their careers, and offer complex emotions—plus aforementioned steam—as they navigate figuring out who they each are in their lives and work, and who they could be as a couple—especially a couple in a small town where everyone knows everyone's business, in no small part thanks to the local phone tree.

I'm looking forward to reading books 1-3!

The way I edged this book, slowing down and spacing my reading time so it would last longer. When I was at 85% I stopped reading and washed a load of dishes— a true testament to how badly I never wanted this book (and the Lovelight Farm series) to end.

Charlie and Nova are the perfect pair to end this wonderful series. I absolutely adored them both. These characters are flawed, but lovable. Perfectly imperfect as people but perfect for each other.

BUSINESS CASUAL made me laugh and tear up and read the final page with a happy sigh.

I loved the small town quirks, found family, sweet love story and seriously spicy scenes. I am just full-on obsessed with this book and you should read it so you can be obsessed too. BUSINESS CASUAL is easily one of the best romances of 2024.

This was a very easy 5-STARS to award to a very exceptional romance! You must read BUSINESS CASUAL as soon as you can. It is perfection.

SPICE: Rated R / 2-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
CONTENT WARNING: past parent affair
FEELS: 3/5 - You will definitely feel some feels.

Business Casual is the fourth and last book in the Lovelight Farms series, and what a perfect ending it was. I didn’t think I could love anything more than In The Weeds, but this book completely stole the spotlight!

Charlie is a sunshine-y goofball and Nora is a sarcastic and independent gal. These two could not be more opposite, but they end up being PERFECT together! They start off as friends, and then a one night stand that leads to get it out of our systems, which leads to more. Neither of them banked on the feelings that would follow. 🥰

The characters we’ve grown to know and love from the other books all make appearances, and the evolution of the towns phone tree was absolutely hilarious! I’m going to miss this town!!

Overall, this was a 6 star read for me that I’ll be rereading for sure. I’m so sad that the series is over, but I’m so looking forward to more from B.K Borison!

B.K. wrote in her acknowledgments that she was sad to say goodbye to the Lovelight Farms series with this fourth and final book and I agree with her statement wholeheartedly. I’ve only read three (don’t worry I’m circling back to book two) and I too am really sad to see this series come to an end because it has been such a delight. So much so that I need to add it to my list of best romance book series to binge-read.

But she sends this series off with such a swoon-worthy love story that hit me with all the feels with its wonderful characters. This book didn’t need over-the-top angst, a crazy third-act breakup or excessive drama to make it an unforgettable read.

It’s “simple” (and I mean that in the best of ways) love story between two people who didn’t think they were up for a relationship makes you believe in soulmates and happily-ever-afters and reaffirms why I love reading romance so dang much.

While I think this book can be read as a standalone, I had more perspective about Charlie having read the first book, Lovelight Farms. It gives more background to his relationship with Stella and his father and his easy insertion into life at Inglewood as well as his hangups with it.

This man is the sweetest cinnamon roll yet also a man who could also let loose with some hot and heavy wants in the bedroom. He’s the man that everyone in town knows despite him living four hours away in New York City. He exchanges recipes with residents, has monthly dates with his friend’s abuela, and just loves to make everyone smile and laugh. But beneath that facade and exterior that he projects, is a man who doesn’t believe he deserves a place in people’s lives and that broke my heart.

He's the best big brother who gives his sister all the traditional gifts for her wedding and sends her on an epic honeymoon while he works himself into the ground. I mean this man is gold and Nova is the lucky recipient who’s been at the end of his incessant flirting until she calls him on it and offers up a one-night stand.

“Of course, I’m interested. Very enthusiastic, actually. Flags, confetti. Exclamation point.”

Nova is the youngest sibling of the Porter household who is about to open her own tattoo parlor in town. But she’s struggling with imposter syndrome and the fear that if she/it is not perfect, then she will let her brother, Beckett, down when he’s sacrificed so much for her to get to this point.

I adored the closeness of their relationship and would have liked to have seen more but I understood her need to also keep herself separate while trying to get her footing with her parlor.

I loved how she saw past Charlie’s “Good Time Charlie” projection and showed him that she loves the real him. He didn’t need to earn his spot with her. He just fit.

I’m such a fan of romance books with a secret relationship where both characters think they can keep things casual without developing feels. I loved seeing their “business casual” relationship bloom to downright formal. It was epic. And that last line of the epilogue was truly genius. Full circle stuff.

“Yeah, that’s the thing about it. I touched you once, and I only wanted to touch you more. I want to keep touching you. I want to make you feel good…I want a lot of things, Nova.”

“I’ve never been anyone’s favorite,” he whispers. “Well,” I say, feeling defensive. “You’re mine.”

My favorite parts of this book:
• The fact that Charlie has an acupuncturist (yes! Nice plug for my field, Ms. Borison!
• His nickname for her, Nova girl
• The banter, the flirting and the hilarious texting between Charlie and Nova was brilliance
• Their honesty with one another when they’d often rather hide the truth
• Their embrace of all surfaces for spicy times
• The tattoos!
• The proposal!

This truly is one of the best romance books of 2024 and I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about these characters, their bravery and their love for a good long while. Highly recommend!

*Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 5/5 stars

In the fourth book in the Lovelight series, Nova Porter and Charlie Milford have no interest in a relationship, but when a one night stand sets off more sparks than expected, they just might find what they didn’t know they were looking for…

And so my Lovelight journey comes to an end. Charlie and Nova were EVERYTHING and the absolute perfect way to wrap up this series (even though I really don’t want it to end). Charlie, in particular, is stellar—the growth, the depth, the gigantic heart???? I’m obsessed. And the way I related to Nova’s perfectionism???? Books just hit different when you feel this seen, trust me.

As always, I also adored the town here, and the dynamics of all the characters made me cry more than once. The ending was EXACTLY perfect and had me laughing and squealing and melting. I genuinely have no notes, just so much love for this book!

CW: Emotional abuse; discussions of neurodivergence and associated difficulties

5⭐️ 2.5🌶️

“I wanted to give you this flower because I want you to know that you don’t have to be anything other than exactly who you are. I know you’ve been hiding, Charlie. But I see all of your colors. The bright ones and the dark ones too. I see how you’re always tilting towards the sun. Forget-me-nots were always my favorite, and—well. You’re kind of my favorite too.”

BK Borison had no business making me feel so damn much with this book. I signed up for a cutesy Christmas farm conclusion, NOT FOR TEARS AT MIDNIGHT BECAUSE I RELATED A LITTLE TOO HARD TO CHARLIE 🥹😭😫

I had to sit on this review for a night and sleep on it to settle how I feel because if I thought Beckett would own my heart forever… I was so so wrong!!

The relationship between Charlie and Nova was so absolutely amazing and heartwarming and just GOALS! No third act break up. They communicated well IMO because with all the fears Charlie has, it makes sense he wouldn’t feel like he was enough to ask Nova for more, that he deserved her and that she would want him completely. Seeing their relationship develop and grow since the wedding dance was so incredibly cute and sweet. It filled me with so much love because Becks did such a good job bringing their love to light, it felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading/listening to this book.

The audiobook… godsssss let me tell you about how absolutely amazing the narration was in this audiobook. This is my first audio by Benjamin D Walker and it won’t be the last because this man did SO FREAKING WELL as Charlie!! God, I started crying because his voice broke at a specific part where the characters voice was also breaking and it felt like the sky opened and I glimpsed a bit of heaven. The intonation was so good and he poured his whole into the character. It really matched Charlie’s playful ways. Pipa James was absolutely amazing as Nova!! everything I wanted and more 😮‍💨

The hand necklace kink in me was so satisfied with this book because Becks didn’t come to play with the spice here. This is the edge of light kink I love to see in romcoms because it makes them so much more special to me.

This is definitely my favorite book in the series. The way the town comes together at the end. The addition to Stella and Luke’s story was so freaking sweet my teeth ached 🥹 It was simply the perfect conclusion to Lovelight Farms while also focusing on the love between these two and their own happiness.

I’m am beyond sad to see this series end but at the same time I can’t wait for the next adventure. If there’s a guarantee in this life, is that is BK Borison writes it, I’m going to read it.

Thank you Dreamscape Media & Berkley for the ARC/ALC.

If you're a fan of the "just once and get it out of our systems" trope then this is the book for you. It's absolutely laughable when romance characters say that but the journey we watch Charlie and Nova go through is totally worth it.

I really love Charlie. I hate that he has so much family drama and so many work headaches but I love how much he loves Nova's town.

Nova is an absolutely brilliant tattoo artist. We've known this all along. But to learn more about her process is really neat. And it's neat to see throughout this series the number of tattoos she's given increase.

The drama filled Gilmore Girls type town would drive me insane in real life but it is so fun in this series. I'm glad Charlie loves his adopted town so much.

Oh and this one is steamy. I have two words for you: text messages.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

A sweet but steamy romance! I haven't read the others in this series, but that wasn't an issue. Loved the opposites attract/secret romance vibes!

📖Business Casual by BK Borison
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
🔥🔥🔥🔥4.5/5 spice
Genre: Small Town Romance
Would reread? YESS!! Sooo many times
Emojis to describe the book: 📈🏠💐🌻✨📊🔏🚕🪴🧺

This series just keeps getting BETTER and BETTER!

Business Casual melted my mind and loins. Nova and Charlie are perfection together. They are the black cat and golden retriever trope with some secret, casual dating. It's hot. It's rewarding. He takes care of her while respecting her independence and autonomy. She helps him HOME. I was NOT ready for the intense found family and “love without conditions nor strings” aspect of this one. Had me tearing up at the end.

Nova is a badass tattoo artist working to open her shop, she may be Beckett's little sister, but that doesn't stop her fierce determination for self-sufficiency. Charlie (Stella's half brother who we met throughout this series) finally gets his shot at love and finding his sense of HOME. She learns the importance of accepting help and love. He’s a chronic people pleaser who learns to ask for what he wants.

Some Tropes & Themes
-He liked her first
-Casual, secret dating
-Flirting
-Friend’s sister
-Tattoos 🥵
-King of acts of service x Queen of Independence
-Black cat x golden retriever
-Hot hot hot hot 🥵
-She tattoos him
-The opposite of the miscommunication trope. The best communication ever written between two lovers.

Utterly obsessed with that last chapter and epilogue?! 😭🥲🥹🩷 A must read for folks who appreciate honest love with a small town setting filled with found family and grand romantic gestures. You won't be sorry.

About the series: Lovelight is an interconnected small town romance series that follows a group of friends through their journeys of finding love while they figure out how to run their small businesses - including Lovelight Farms, a Christmas tree farm

I will definitely have to read this authors other books! This was a great shorter fast paced read that anyone can read if they in depth romance. Will be recommending!

What a delightful addition to the series! :My only qualm is that it feels like the same tropes as the other books in the Lovelight Farms universe - we're doing something, it's casual, no wait, maybe it's not. Still loved Charlie and Nova (and revisiting with all of the other characters!)

I’ve enjoyed reading all the books in the Lovelight series, but this is definitely my favorite of the four. I’m a huge fan of the frenemies-to-lovers trope, and the relationship between Stella’s (Book 1) half-brother Charlie and Beckett’s (Book 2) youngest sister Nova is wonderful. Charlie is such a sweet cinnamon roll of a boyfriend, and his insecurities make him even more endearing. On the surface, it seems like opposites attract, but there’s just something about these two together that defies the stereotype. I really appreciate the dual POV because it gives readers the opportunity to really see into Charlie’s huge heart, very much in evidence with the relationships he builds with people like Caleb (Book 3) and Alex’s abuela, assorted townspeople, the owners of the farm and their significant others, and, most importantly, Nova’s family. He is so starved for affection, acceptance, and the embrace of a family he never had that it just really warmed my heart to see it come to fruition, providing a balance to his narcissist, hypocritical, and cruel father.

The couples from the first three books are very much present in this one, and the opening scene is of Luka and Stella’s (Book 1) wedding on the farm. It’s also where Charlie lures Nova to the dance floor where the spark between them catches fire. What starts as a one-night-stand ends up becoming a friends with benefits arrangement that they dub “business casual,” both of them knowing that New York-based Charlie, a frequent visitor to the small town of Inglewood, MD who is helping out at the farm while the newlyweds are on their honeymoon, will be returning home after a month.

It's very obvious, even before Charlie confirms it, that he has ADHD and that his father’s disdain during his childhood helped foster the low opinion he has of himself and drives his need to be the positive person who just wants to make everyone happy. However, Nova, who may also be autistic like Beckett and can be prickly, provides a figurative soft place for Charlie to land, so that he can be vulnerable and honest about his feelings. It’s not all heaviness between them, though, because Borison does a great job of balancing strong emotions with snarky banter and very sexy scenes.

Nova has her own insecurities as well. In previous books, we learned how protective and supportive Beckett is of his sister, but it’s very interesting to see how much his belief in her drives her need for perfection. The difficult but illuminating conversation the two eventually have is heart-wrenching but cathartic.

Although this can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the other books in the series so that you have the back stories of the couples who feature so prominently in this one. Recommended.

Going back to Lovelight Farms is always a joy, but reading Charlie and Nova’s story gave me a permanent smile on my face. I just loved them.

I loved their opposites attract connection and their banter was hilarious. And boy does it get steamy at times. 🔥

And of course I adored all the crossovers of the main characters from previous books. It’s like getting a little glimpse back into a fictional world you thought was over.

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up. Nova and Charlie are my all-time favorite black cat x golden retriever couple ever!! They’re the epitome of opposites attract—you couldn’t keep them apart even if you tried. I found it refreshing to read about a people-pleasing man since this personality trait is usually portrayed in women, so I definitely have a special place in my heart for Charlie boy. This book is my favorite one in the series, I loved how fast-paced, hilarious, and spicy it was.

Business Casual completes B.K. Borison's Lovelight series with Charlie's happily ever after. Anyone who has been reading this series has been waiting for buttoned-up people pleaser Charlie to be mussed up by his person. Business Casual delivers in the form of Beckett's little sister Nova. This is a secret romance with a hook-up that turns real trope. I adore Charlie and thoroughly enjoyed this book.

☕️🎃☕️
📖Review
5🌟♾️💫
📖Book 32/100
📚Business Casual
💫Genre: Fiction/Romance
✍️Author:
B.K. Borison

📝Synopsis 📝
Charlie is in town for his sister’s wedding, and he ends up dancing with Nova the grumpy gal. He ends up sending his sister off to Italy for a honeymoon and is stuck caring for her farm for about a month. As he settles in the small town, he realizes he doesn’t miss the New York life. And all while he’s having a friends with benefits only thing with Nova.

My thoughts 💭
Oh my goodness I absolutely freaking loved this book. I was surprised it was book 4 in a series I’ve never read, but it was a great standalone book. The banter was top notch, the inner dialogue for both main characters was divine, and the fall small town setting was the cherry on top. I loved how these two stubborn opposites just crumble for each other, and I absolutely loved all the characters (except for Charlie’s dad). There were moments where I was like oh my goodness ❤️‍🔥 and moments where I was balling 😭 This book was perfection, Charlie was perfection, and I’m so sad it ended but just might be the best I’ve read up until now this year! I’ll be definitely going back and reading all the series!

🤎 Opposites Attract
🧡 Small Town Romance
💛 Friends with Benefits
🤎He falls first
🧡Found Family
💛Friends to Lovers
🤎Fall Theme
🧡No 3rd Act Breakup
💛Golden Retriever
🤎He takes care of her

🎃QOTD:
What is your favorite fall activity?

✨A special thanks to @netgalley and @berkelypublishing for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

💫Publish Date:
July 16, 2024

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It’s the end of our Lovelight era and I am not okay about it! Charlie and Nova are everything!! Two seemingly different souls who are simply made for one another. I loved Charlie’s charm and Nova’s bite! I could easily read this again, immediately even. A perfect bookend to this daydream of a series!