Holly has been pining over her college ex-boyfriend who is now her boss. When she realizes she needs to get over it she starts going on dates looking for the person she can settle down with and be in a committed relationship with. During a particularly bad date, Jax, the bartender at the restaurant, comes over to save her and ends up chatting with her and having a very brutally honest conversation about her dating and what she is looking for in a man. Jax seems to be able to read people well and after a few chance run ins, Holly enlists his help as a “dating coach.” Jax is against committed relationships and marriage and since Holly knows that Jax agrees to help. In turn he enlists Holly to help with creating the booking and social media marketing for his backcountry guide business he is starting. As you can imagine the more time they spend together the more feelings develop.
I thought this was such a cute romcom style story. There was great banter between Holly and Jax and they were so sarcastic and flirty with one another, but they could also be brutally honest with each other at times. The family and friends of Holly and Jax we’re pretty loveable characters and a nice addition to the story. I loved the elements of Jax helping Holly form her true self and do the scary and hard things that helped her become more confident in who she is. The romantic tension was on point (even without any super spicy scenes), and that first kiss was worth the wait.
If you’re into the use of “that’s my girl” and a hot shirtless wood chopping scene, then this book is definitely for you! I fully recommend this one.

low spice rom com with quick wit and funny fmc. really enjoyable read. story of dating and the highs and the very very low. really fun to read, would highly recommend this book to all who want a light loving book. light hearted, funny, with a strong fmc.

First off, thank you NetGalley for the arc! I’m extremely grateful.

There are pros and cons to this book. Overall it was fine but it felt very young adult.

The MMC is described as a “Mountain Daddy” but there are no daddy moments - if you catch my drift.

The FMC is great and reminds me very much of Gigi from He’s Just Not That Into You.

Some key highlights are:
Strangers-friends-lovers
Opposites attract
Forced proximity
Healthy communication
No third act breakup
No spice

this book is so fun to read! this is a strangers to friends to lovers book and done so well because i can feel that they're both literally being friends with no feelings but still comfortable around each other at first then feelings start to get in until they become lovers.

holly is so damn relatable. so many part of her that i can totally see myself in her too and her journey to find herself and her love life is very inspiring that maybe i have to do the same as she did. she has a very kind soul and seeing her thrive makes me feel so proud!

jax, as her dating coach, is so damn great at advices. some of his advices even hits way too close to home for me too not just for holly. i love it when he is a "no feeling" basically alergic with commitment kind of guy but when he realized he is falling for her, his monologue will be super chaotic and all jealous for her. this man is so protective for those who he cares about and i love him for it!

🌲 strangers to friends to lovers
🌲dating coach
🌲 no third act breakup
🌲"screw it"
🌲 he takes care of her

I feel very fortunate that I am given the opportunity to request and receive e-ARCs because it gives me a chance to discover authors and books that I may not have come across on my own. The Quit List is a perfect example of this. I tend to stay in my comfort zone and read the authors that I know I already like but I am so happy I got a chance to read this book by Katie Bailey because I LOVED it! This book was the epitome of romance novels: lots of banter, slow-burn, opposites attract, and a tattooed manly MMC.

I loved that this story was told in a dual-POV so you could feel all the angst from both sides especially during the close-proximity scenes. It was fun to go on Holly’s adventure of self-discovery as she tried to figure out what she wanted out of life and a future partner.

The back-and-forth banter between Holly and Jax is guaranteed to make you literally laugh out loud while you are reading. I absolutely adore Katie Bailey and can not wait to read more books from her! This is definitely a must-read romance book for 2024 if you are looking for something light, fun and happy to read.

Great read, perfect friends turns into lovers, but without it being too predictable. Really enjoyed it, good bit of escapism

𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
✰ 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
✰ 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩
✰ 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵
✰ 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵

I don't talk enough about how much I adore the "dating coach" trope. It's so fun and delicious and it tends to feed my angst loving heart.
Needless to say Jax and Holly ate this trope up. I genuinely adored this book and it was mainly because the romance was so well done. It's a delicious strangers to friends to lovers slowburn, but with great built up . I literally couldn't put it down!
So if you're looking for a good contemporary romance, then i highly recommend this one!

*arc kindly provided in exchange of an honest review

The Quit List by Katie Bailey deserves every one of its four stars. Bailey has crafted a delightful rom-com that's both heartwarming and hilarious, filled with witty banter, unexpected adventures, and a slow-burn romance that will leave you swooning.

The premise sets the stage for a classic tale of opposites attracting: Holly Greene, on a quest for her Prince Charming, crosses paths with Jax Grainger, the quintessential bad boy with a heart of gold. Despite their initial differences, their journey from strangers to friends to lovers is a joy to witness. Bailey skillfully navigates the nuances of their evolving relationship, delivering a story that feels genuine and heartfelt.

What sets The Quit List apart is its attention to character development and chemistry. Holly and Jax's interactions crackle with energy, their banter keeping readers entertained from start to finish. And while the romance simmers rather than sizzles, Bailey's expert storytelling ensures that every moment shared between the protagonists feels meaningful and impactful.

The supporting tropes, from dating coaching to jealousy and beyond, add depth to the narrative without overwhelming it. And the scenic backdrop of nature serves as the perfect setting for the blossoming romance, with Bailey's vivid descriptions transporting readers right alongside the characters.

While some may lament the closed-door approach to romance, rest assured that Bailey handles it with finesse, leaving readers fully satisfied with the emotional payoff. In fact, the absence of explicit scenes allows the focus to remain squarely on the connection between Holly and Jax, resulting in a romance that feels all the more authentic.

The Quit List is a charming and captivating read that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Katie Bailey has delivered yet another gem, proving once again why she's a must-read author in the rom-com genre. So grab a copy, settle in, and prepare to be thoroughly enchanted by this delightful tale of love, laughter, and unexpected connections.

First of all, HAPPY RELEASE DAY! Thank you for allowing a small account to read your story before anybody else!

WHAT A CUTE STORY! I started this book early in the morning, as I am as sick as you can be, and I devoured it in half a day, let me tell you, this is the kind of story that leaves you grinning like an idiot.

I was hooked already when the premise said the grumpy I will never date hot bartender saved her from a very bad date, and as the story evolved. This grumpy started to open up to our sunshine, and a beautiful friendship blossomed. It turned into the cutest friend-to-lovers I have read in a while.

I am a big sucker for broken characters, and when those broken characters get together and start to find that missing piece with each other, to heal, to get out of their shell, to be themselves finally, then its a recipe for a perfect romance in my opinion, and boy did this story delivered.

Tropes:
Dating Lessons
Friends to Lovers
Grumpy-Sunshine
He Falls First

Micro Tropes:
Leaning On A Door Frame
Good Girl
That's My Girl

Also, big applause to Katie for adding Mexican food in her story that is ACTUALLY MEXICAN; I know Tacos are the best; believe me, I know I am Mexican, but she did her research, and I could picture myself eating Tacos Al Pastor.

Although I like spice in my books, Katie is always the example that you don't need spice to make a romance book good!

PS. I loved reading about my favorite chef and her broody hockey player.

Happy The Quit List by Katie Bailey Release Day!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Katie Bailey for allowing me to read this ARC!!!
***All opinions are my own and freely given***

(5/5)
0/5 spice
Tropes: dual POV, strangers to friends to lovers, dating coach, bartender outdoorsy trail guide x hotel marketing guru (slay), no third act breakup (not a trope but you should know)

Review:

Let’s start with Holly … GIRLBOSS!!! She starts the story with her hit list of the ideal perfect guy then as the story evolves she creates a QUIT LIST. She goes through lots of personal growth in this book as well where she starts to stand up for what she really wants and I loved her point of view.

Jax … oh Jax, if only you were real. He may be the hot bartender and trail guide but he’s also got a kind soul with lots of love to give, just afraid to mess things up.

Jax & Holly’s friendship is silly yet honest. They’re both so sweet and they deserve each other. Their banter with each other has me cracking up, like no way they just said that?? I loved their banter, it was truly everything. The “will they or won’t they” is most of the book, so if you’re just waiting for them to kiss, you will be waiting. But when they fell for each other, boy did they fall.

Their kisses … hawt … the waterfall one in particular … hawt … yeah

Not to mention, the side characters were so fun!!! Maddie was so kind and so sweet with Jax, I loved her. She was probably my favorite side character besides random people from the Pinnacle who would make comments about Holly’s life to her.

This book was a fun read and I loved getting lost in the story. It was stunning!!!

Should you read this? Yes. You should.

4.5 ⭐️
Loved this book! The banter between the main characters kept the book moving. It was a perfect blend of romance and comedy with a hint of spice. I would recommend to anybody who also loves books by Sarah Adams, since it gave similar vibes or any rom com books in general.

I loved this so much!! This was such a cute read, and I really loved the writing style and the banter between the two main characters. The FMC was so cute and had a great personality, and MMC was very sweet. The character development was *chef's kiss*

Such a quick and easy read. Very fun and light-hearted.

We have Holly who's searching for the love of her life with her list. Enter Jax, the bartender and upcoming hike guide who will help her find the one.

It's such fast-paced book that I binged-read this in one-sitting. Literally. It's easy to follow along and both characters are likeable and relatable. It's great to see their growth and progress on being their own person, before they got together. I love how they became friends first and their relationship developed organically.

May I say, this is much better than the first book.

I love seeing glimpses of Maddie and Seb throughout the book. I am looking forward for Aaron's story *manifesting* lol.

The Quit List is a fun and exciting rom-com by Katie Bailey.
A truly enjoyable and feel-good story that left me with a warm feeling inside and a smile on my face.
The romance between Holly and Jax was perfect!
This author did an incredible job with these characters and their story, I was simply mush for them. I loved them so much!
The setting, the characters, and the chemistry made this a fantastic and swoony romance.
I can’t wait to read another Katie Bailey story!

Thank You NetGalley and Victory Editing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Put the Quit List on Your Short List

After each Katie Bailey book I finish, I say there's no way she's going to top that one and then she goes and does it again with the release of The Quit List.

A laugh out loud rom-com featuring Holly, a desperate about to be thirty-year old, looking for online love in all the wrong ways and Jax, a handsome, sexy bartender, who becomes her unlikely dating coach. He claims to want nothing to do with relationships yet finds himself increasingly attracted to Holly. And Holly starts to think there maybe a more tender side to this seemingly cynical player who is brutally honest about how her love life or lack thereof.

It turns into a “will they?” or “won't they” story full of sizzle, chemistry and banter.

I love how Katie seamlessly weaves in likeable characters from her previous stories like the Donovan family from, So That Happened, and Maddie and Sebastian from Season’s Scheming’s, in a way that advances the story line. (If you haven’t read those books, I recommend those as well).

I would have liked to have seen her ex boyfriend be a little more villainous to keep the suspense going but it’s a minor point in a well-written, well-paced story. Reading Katie Bailey books is like sipping on a cup of hot cocoa with extra marshmallows. Sweet, warm, and you don’t want it to end.

I’ve loved every Katie Bailey book I’ve read and The Quit List was no exception! I absolutely loved reading this book. I couldn’t put it down and I never wanted it to end. It was a super cute and really sweet rom-com! It made me laugh out loud and swoon. It was everything I want when I’m reading a romance novel.

Thank you to Katie Bailey and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange of my honest review.

Title: The Quit List
Author: Katie Bailey
Genre: Romance
Media: ebook
Rating: 5 stars

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Favorite quote: Find someone to complement you, not complete you.
Sum of this book in 5 words or less: N/A

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Themes: business owner, only one tent, hiking, strangers to friends to lovers

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Thoughts:

I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Short summary - Holly is looking for the one and has been going on some pretty terrible dates at Jax’s bar. Jax isn’t looking for anything and is starting his own business. Jax helps Holly figure out who can be the one for her, with a Hit List & then a Quit List.

This book was absolutely refreshing. Holly & Jax’s journey into the woods on the 3 day hike was perfect. I loved the addition of the LARPers in the middle of the woods - and them calling Holly Jax’s wife. I feel like that solidified their feelings for each other.

Jax helped Holly see that her ex, Dylan, was good for nothing. The fact that she finally left her job with him as her manager was the cherry on top. After leaving her job she ran off with Jax to his cabin and started her own business.

Like I said, this book was refreshing and I loved it!!

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this book.

I actually really loved this book. Holly exhibits a lot of the worries and fears that nearly thirty somethings have when they aren’t following the societal milestones they hold their worth against. I loved reading her growth as a person and moving away from settling and people pleasing to prioritising herself and finding what makes her happy. Jax was a hell of a guy, his journey to open himself up to opportunity and happiness was lovely too.
A great palette cleanser of a book! Bravo

Holly has been going on date after date, in search of the perfect man. Jax is a bartender who ends up witnessing many of Holly’s dates and ends up offering her dating advice. The two become friends as well as helping one another with dating and a new business venture.

I’ve read several of Katie Bailey’s books, and they are all wholesome and adorable, and you can count on some laughs too. You can expect a closed door romance with friends to lovers. This book reminded me a lot of He’s Just Not That Into You, which was funny because the main character references it a couple of times. It was cute, sweet, and there was no miscommunication or third act breakup which is always a plus! I definitely recommend giving this a read if you are in the mood for a feel-good, light hearted rom com!

Thank you to Katie Bailey, 11th Avenue Publishing, and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

What a wonderful story of finding out who you really are and quitting things that aren't working and making you happy. This book kept me interested and smiling the whole way through. Such a good read