I skimmed most of this book, to be honest. While I find Charlie adorable, and I admire Nova's ambition and independence, I really do not enjoy romances that are based on a couple's casual, physical relationship. It's just not for me.

2.5/5 stars

Borison's books are fun and engaging. The characters and their chemistry is always incredible. When I am in the mood for a quick romance to engage me, her books are at the top of the list.

Business Casual by B.K. Borison is a lighthearted romance that brings a bit of charm to the workplace romance genre. The characters are likable, and the storyline is engaging, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. The chemistry between the protagonists is enjoyable, but there are moments when the pacing feels uneven, which affects the flow of the story.

While there are several funny and heartwarming scenes, some of the plot points feel predictable, and the character development could have been deeper. Despite these minor issues, Business Casual is still an enjoyable read for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a few laughs along the way.

I was hooked from the first page, and ended up taking much longer to read because I wanted to truly savor each part of this. One of my favorite recent romances.

Many people are giving these books 5 stars, and I wonder why they don't hit me the same. I listened to this, so I don't know if it's the narrators or what. Regardless, Business Casual drew me in with its captivating "golden retriever meets grumpy heroine" dynamic, which hooked me. Charlie, our loyal, affluent hero obsessed with wristwatches, was the perfect contrast to Nova, a fierce, independent tattoo artist. Their chemistry leaped off the page, fueled by witty banter, friendship, and a palpable bond that went beyond a typical "one-night stand" story. I laughed, swooned, and rooted for their happiness with each page. Despite a few slow moments, the book left a lasting impression, and I’ll be exploring the rest of the Lovelight series!

Thank you to Netgalley for this ALC for an honest review.

BK Borison always does a phenomenal job. She's absolutely one of my favorite romcom authors. Lovelight Farms is still one of my favorite romcoms I've ever read and Business Casual is no exception. I feel like I can get lost in the world she creates when I read this. I would highly recommend.

I loved this book so much! It was so cute and truly just felt like a warm hug! I really enjoyed my time reading it but didnt feel like one of those five star books ill be thinking about a long time!

I love the Lovelight world so much -- this was the perfect ending to the series. I'll happily read again.

This book was so good! It was on par with the rest of the series! I love that the author integrated and deepened the relationships between all of the couple more and more each book! I loved the girl boss vibes of this book and I LOVED the ending! So freaking cute! Recommend!

I didn’t realize this was a series. It was a quick read but I didn’t really relate to the characters. Charlie and Nova’s romance - will she, won’t she - I started to lose interest. Not sure I’ll read the others in this series.

Not my fave book from this series but it was still good! I enjoyed the dynamic and the overall plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

We’ve come to the end of The Lovelight Series and wow what an end! This was honestly the best of the series in my opinion. And I’m going to miss these characters and Lovelight Farms!

I was so excited that we finally got to Charlie’s story because the glimpses we have gotten of him throughout the series always had me wanting to learn more about him. And boy do I love him even more! Like he is such a himbo! He just wants to belong to people and seeing him find his place amongst this found family was everything.

I also loved seeing Nova getting her tattoo studio set up and ready and how much she wanted to prove herself. I think her and Beckett’s sibling relationship was key to her journey. They both needed to see each other as people and not just siblings, they held in such high regard.

Charlie and Nova were so open and vulnerable with each other and I just have such a soft spot for them. And love that they helped one another realize and live in their worth. These two really do belong with each other.

And I saw all those easter eggs for possible future stories! I do hope we can come back to this world in some way.

While I generally enjoy B.K. Borison books, they are a bit too sappy/flowery for me and Business Casual was no exception. I prefer a little more tension and drama with my romance please! Still, this is very accessible to the masses and know it will be beloved.

Of all the books in the Lovelight Farm Series, this one was my absolute favorite. I LOVED Charlie and Nova so much.

Back near Lovelight farms Charlie is running away from his spreadsheets in the city every single moment he can spare to spend time at the farm. In town with everyone and on the farm working alongside his friends has become a place he desperately wants to belong. After his friendly flirting with Nova starts to become a little bit more than flirting he realizes he might actually belong at Lovelight more than he knew.
Nova (dealing with chronic migraines ♥️) is hustling to open her dream tattoo studio and impress her brother Beckett who has always believed in everything she has done. Starts to realize that having a business casual partnership with Charlie could benefit her love life in many ways.
Charlie and Nova grow and learn more about themselves with each other. I loved their friendship and rooted for them the entire book.

🥀 Book Review

A lovely ending to a cozy romance series!
While I feel this series was relatively repetitive in formula, it was still comforting to journey through one more love story in Inglewild.

Charlie and Nova made a beautiful match together, and they lifted each other up.
I think Charlie is a truly earnest character, and he was probably my favorite part of this book. He was flirtatious and earnest, and if BK Borison excels at anything, it’s writing a tender MMC.

We connected with all the usual small town suspects, the Inglewild phone tree, and a supportive found family aspect in lifting up Nova’s tattoo shop AND welcoming Charlie into where his heart’s home is.

I appreciated Nova and her journey, and it was a nice storyline of self acceptance and believing in our self worth. Also, we love a tatted artistic Queen!

I think the two MC’s had nice chemistry— my rating is lower because as the series has gone on, I feel these are not characters that will really stick with me. Lovelight Farms is the first book of the series and had a holiday theme which really worked for the vibes of the writing style; it ended up being my favorite above every other installment.

That being said, I think these books WILL absolutely cater to an audience outside of myself, and so here is who I would recommend them to:

➡️ READ IF YOU LIKE: small town, low stakes love stories, a bit of spice but not too much, cozy atmosphere, found family and fun side characters, a book for each season of the year, & tender hearted MMCs.

3.5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️ (a generous 3, but also not quite a 2)

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Berkley Romance for my ARC of this story.

I love this Lovelight Farms series! I love the “business casual” (friends with benefits) situation! I don’t know why I’ve always put enemies to lovers over friends to lovers because it’s just so heartwarming. I loved the people pleasing tendencies, the ADHD and chronic, debilitating migraines. This one felt very human and I was thrilled to take the ride.

Huge thank you @berkleypub and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Nova and Charlie are complete opposites and as they say, opposites attract! Of course, it takes some convincing but this was a couple to root for.

Finally finishing the Lovelight Farms series with Business Casual! About two people who know each other, joke around, and try a “business casual” friends with benefits situation, as they cleverly call it.

We have Nova, Beckett’s youngest sister - who’s the tattoo artist trying to open her own studio in town. Then there’s Charlie, Stella’s half brother who visits all the time from New York (where he lives and works). During Stella and Luka’s wedding, he gives them a wedding gift of 4 weeks in Italy, and he covers the farm from her during that time.

After Nova asks Charlie to go home with her after the wedding and feeling like she was hella rejected, she waits for Charlie to head back to New York for no harm, no foul. But that’s not what happens because she was unaware of his plan.

They finally “get each other out of their system” but it doesn’t actually work. Enter the friends with benefits arrangements.

Nova, who’s trying to make the tattoo shop perfect for Beckett in fear of letting him down, has so much piling up on her plate. And Charlie, who doesn’t like his job and how his dad continues to interfere. Both people pleasers who struggle with saying no. And I think it’s amazing to watch them learn how to lean on one another. Both mask themselves and don’t ever put themselves first. Struggle with emotions kinda (same, bro).

And those grocery store, heart cut grapes? Crying.

In this final book in the Lovelight Farms series about found family that takes place on a Maryland Christmas tree farm, proprietor Beckett’s youngest sister, tattoo artist Nova Porter, finds that opposites attract when she falls for wealthy investment banker Charlie Milford, the half-brother of recently married Stella. Very recently–when the novel opens, Charlie has just gifted his half-sister and her new husband Luka with a month-long honeymoon abroad and has cleared his schedule to work remotely while also running Stella’s share of Lovelight Farms. He’s on the dance floor at the reception when the band breaks into a slow number (he might have bribed them) and he asks Nova to dance, then is outright shocked when Nova invites him to come home with her. His eager brain can’t quite parse it, and he declines but tells her to ask again when she’s sober. And she does, eventually, since it seems he’s sticking around for a bit. Both are commitment adverse, and one time will get it out of they system… right? Nova, embarrassed, doesn’t expect to see Charlie hanging around, but decides to take advantage of it, and their mutual attraction flares into full-blown chemistry.

I think at least a quarter of the novel is hot, passionate sex. Well-written, bitey, consensual, safe, pleasure focused sex. Since there is an expiration date on the affair, and Charlie is a little afraid of Beckett, they keep their trysting on the downlow. Not even the famed phone tree knows, judging by their radio silence. They were flirty friends before they started hooking up, and Charlie’s place seems cemented in Inglewild, since it’s become an adopted home away from home where the family he’s always craved, lived.

The story is enriched by Charlie’s systems to deal with his ADHD, Nova’s management of her debilitating migraines; Charlie juggling two full time jobs; stress over launching her own tattoo studio; Charlie’s overbearing, selfish, father; Nova’s desire to provide return on Beckett’s investment and win his pride. Descriptions of food, ink, and their physical relationship are lush and sensory. It sounds like a lot, but it’s beautifully balanced. The pacing is perfect, dialogue witty, and the setting is cozy as the Gilmore Girl’s Stars Hollow–this volume takes place in the month leading up the Harvest Festival, making it a perfect cozy autumn read. The characters are human and insecure and their miscommunications to drive the plot, but they also dare to be vulnerable.

I devoured the first three titles in the series, but feel that with this last one, B.K. Borison really hits her stride. Borison skillfully refers to previous books with attention to detail and consistency. She doesn’t make new readers feel like they are missing out, or bore returning readers with long plot recaps. She uses humor to her advantage: for example, everyone is annoyed that Beckett and Evelyn eloped, Caleb is still devouring baked goods, Ms. Beatrice’s cafe is still unnamed. I’m a little sad Borison says she is moving on to other things, but will advocate that Charlie’s delightful, snarky, city-girl assistant Selene needs her own book–and maybe Jeremy, Nova’s shop assistant, does, too.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #BusinessCasual via #NetGalley courtesy of #Berkley.