4.5 Lost Larping Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 0/5 (There are light descriptions of kissing)

It's books like these that make me so happy about going in blind, with no expectations because it leaves yourself open to being blown away! I am in AWE as I didn't know I would be getting a wholesome full-bodied romance while still being a fun ride!

Holly is looking for her forever man. After finally giving up on the man she's been pining for at work (about time too cause he's a bloody arsehole and not just because he was stringing her along) she decided to start going on dates... The problem is, that everyone she goes on a date with turns out to be an awful date after an awful date. She keeps going to the same restaurant for her dates and so soon one of the bartenders, Jax, notices and they get to talking. Jax MOST DEFINITELY IS NOT THE "GOING STEADY RELATIONSHIP" type and more of a "fling" person. He's also about to change jobs and start his own business guiding trails. So despite their sexual attraction, he is not what Holly is looking for in a partner. But he does have an excellent read on people and their character... so he becomes Holly's dating coach. Now Holly just has to remind herself not to fall for her coach.

I think Jax stole the show. He is the epitome of a green flag. MY GOD! While he might initially be implied to be a player because of his smart mouth and wicked banter, he is so thoughtful, generous, genuine and protective. Like he is so sweet you'd get a toothache from him but enjoy every minute. Throughout the book all the little displays of kindness, considerate actions and gestures he does, MADE MY HEART SWOON! The man PACKED A VANILLA MILKSHAKE and carried it on his back during a gruelling hike just to make sure if Holly didn't like the hike, she'd have something nice at the end of it! Like COME ON! Why can't every man be so romantic and dreamy? He makes Holly push her boundaries and find the version of herself that makes her HAPPY! He is just the perfect portrayal of what you want in a supportive partner, prospective boyfriend, fiancé, husband, or whatever label you want to define a good relationship.

Holly is also pretty much a sweetheart but has the type of personality that makes her seem very gentle and soft, oftentimes leading to people walking all over her (especially her arsehole boss.) She doesn't know what she wants and who she wants to be or what she wants out of a relationship. I loved how in this not only did she form such a profound connection with Jax but she learned to love herself. She grows and starts realising that before she can be happy as a part of a relationship, she needs to be happy with herself.

What I also loved about this is that it mirrored my philosophy and model on what I think about love and what makes a relationship work. That being, you cannot look for a relationship or someone to COMPLETE you, you should look for someone who COMPLIMENTS you. My one is a little more thinking about shapes but it implies the same...

In a relationship where someone completes you, think of yourself as making a circle, which some people say is often the strongest type of relationship because you are "whole". The problem with this is, that you're dependent on each other to be whole, if you remove one half all you're left with is a broken half circle, that cannot exist by itself. Now think of someone who compliments you. This means independently you both should already be a complete circle. You need to ensure that you, yourself, are a whole person and that you meet a whole person. Now if you bring two circles together, you're not getting a circle, you're going to get an infinity sign (I know it's corny but it's sweet ok). Ultimately you bring out the incalculable best in each other, you support each other, you make each other stronger, and you respect each other. Together you can conquer the world...AND If you separate these two - you are still left as a whole.

This was what Jax and Holly's relationship was like. They were the support and cheerleaders each other needed when making difficult decisions and were there for each other through small and big milestones. No matter what each other was going through they were by each other's side. And while Holly had to learn to find her whole before she and Jax came together it was just stunning to see a relationship portrayed in a book that I believe had such a monumental foundation of what makes a relationship work. The banter between the two was top notch and the progression of friends to lovers was PERFECTION! It felt natural and meant to be.

This book also made me cry, but not because it was sad, well maybe not sad for everyone but for me it was... It just had a mention of a short day hike up Stone Mountain and that hike and mountain is one of the really special memories I have of my mom from before she passed... It's also why I giggle every time I sniffle when it's cold...

The Tropes:
▶ Dual Pov
▶ Slow Burn
▶ Dating Coach
▶ Strangers to Lovers
▶ Opposites Attract
▶ Banter
▶ Cinnamon Roll
▶ No Third Act Breakup
▶ One Tent/One Bed
▶ Cute Dog

and Micro Tropes:
▷ Good Girl
▷ Mistaken for Married
▷ Use Me
▷ Grey Sweatpants
▷ Spicy/Steamy Water Scene
▷ He Brings her food and drinks

Overall this was a genuinely cute, sweet and heartwarming story. I commend Katie Bailey who managed to make my smut-loving heart form such an attachment to characters and fall in love with a story that was closed door.

Thank you to Katie Bailey, Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for my gifted Audio copy!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This reminded me of another version of He’s Just Not Into You when she finds the bartender who becomes her friend and then there’s attraction there but he denies it. Yeah, very similar. It was super cute though and I love how they started to build this really good friendship even though she was still looking for someone else and then she finds out it really was him she was looking for all along. Swoon. I just love it when both parties say no but also love spending time together. Denial is adorable and this one had a lot of that.

Thank you to Netgalley the Publisher, of Dreamscape Media, and the author Katie Bailey for providing and allowing me to review this book. Which, I'm giving my honest and sincere review.

I was instantly captivated by the charming premise and relatable characters. This delightful rom-com had me laughing, swooning, and rooting for love from start to finish.

Summary: Holly Greene is on a determined quest to find her Prince Charming. Her detailed plan for happily ever after doesn’t include falling for a bad-boy bartender like Jax Grainger. Jax is everything Holly is not looking for: witty, smart-mouthed, and a staunch non-believer in love. He’s the quintessential bad boy who views love as nothing more than a four-letter word.

Holly, however, is undeterred. After Jax rescues her from a disastrous date, she realizes that he could be the perfect ally in her search for Mr. Right. Despite not checking any of her boxes, Jax agrees to help Holly navigate the dating scene. The catch? Holly just needs to stick to her plan and avoid falling for the charming bartender herself.

Review: "The Quit List" is an absolute gem. From the very first page, I found myself hooked by Katie Bailey’s engaging writing style and the undeniable chemistry between Holly and Jax. Holly is endearing in her determination to find true love, and her interactions with Jax are both hilarious and heartwarming. Jax, with his bad boy charm and hidden depths, makes for an irresistible love interest.

The dynamic between Holly and Jax is the highlight of the book. Their banter is sharp, witty, and often laugh-out-loud funny. Holly’s earnest quest for love juxtaposed with Jax’s cynical view of romance creates a perfect tension that keeps you eagerly turning pages. As they navigate Holly’s list of potential suitors, the growing attraction between them becomes impossible to ignore.

Bailey does a fantastic job of developing her characters, making them feel real and relatable. Holly’s optimism and determination are inspiring, while Jax’s gradual softening and vulnerability add depth to his character. The supporting cast, including Holly’s friends and the various dates she goes on, add color and humor to the story.

The plot is well-paced, balancing humor and heart in equal measure. Holly’s journey to find love is filled with both comedic mishaps and poignant moments, making for a thoroughly enjoyable read. The eventual realization of Holly and Jax’s feelings for each other is satisfying and heartwarming, providing the perfect conclusion to their story.

Conclusion: Reading "The Quit List" by Katie Bailey was a delightful experience. It’s a heartwarming and hilarious rom-com that explores the unpredictability of love and the importance of finding someone who truly understands you. If you’re a fan of witty banter, charming characters, and feel-good romance, this book is a must-read. It’s a reminder that sometimes love can be found in the most unexpected places and that the journey to finding it can be just as rewarding as the destination.

Love can be a hard sell to some. Others can't stop believing the ONE is out there. This story has these two opposite opinions on love colliding. Cute, keeps you reading, good narration. Fun read.

This book was such a pleasant surprise to read. Where do I find my own Jax? I loved how much Jax was able to change Katie and the way she started to believe in herself so much and I was secretly rooting for Jax to just kiss the girl!

I really enjoyed listening to this. It was pretty quick, but the banter was very good and the characters were lovely. I really enjoyed the character and character development. The world building was very good. Highly recommend.

This was a great quick listen. I loved the Suits references because I just rewatched that show when it came to Netflix! The romance story was super sweet. The characters had a great banter going.

Thank you to Netgalley, Katie Bailey and Dreamscape Media for this ALC.

I absolutely love this book and this author! Every story she's written has been a hit for me. Unlike many closed-door romances that avoid addressing sexual attraction, she strikes the perfect balance of crafting a sexy narrative without delving too deep into explicit details. Even though I enjoy smut, her writing style is so captivating that I never feel like I'm missing out.

The chemistry between Holly and Jax is electric, and their witty banter keeps me hooked. The book's premise is incredibly fun and engaging. I highly recommend it!

I received the audiobook version, and the narration was flawless. The narrators did an amazing job bringing the story to life.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for providing this audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.

A dating coach romance book will get me every single time. This book was very entertaining, I loved the characters, the plot, the setting. I especially loved the ending. This is a slow burn, low spice book but the chemistry is still off the charts. Shout out to the amazing dog name. I still think about it all the time.

The Narrators Abigail Reno and David Bendena did an amazing job bringing this book to life. They brought such emotion and energy to this book.

I just finished The Quit List by Katie Bailey Audiobook - Narrated by Abigail Reno; David Bendena and here are my thoughts.

Holly Greene has a list. A list of all the things she wants in her perfect soul mate but after yet another disasterous date, she is starting to see something has to change. When the last date doesn’t seem to want to walk away, it’s Jax to the rescue. The very cute bartender who has watched her come in every saturday with a different guy for weeks.

Jax is the very definition of what she is not looking for, but he knows things she doesn’t and he could use some help from her and so they start a beneficial alliance.

Hanging out with Jax is easy and Jax can see how much fun having someone to talk to is. Trouble is they are not on the same page but the attraction is something neither of them can ignore.

Loved the narration. David has a hella dreamy voice and Abigail did a fantastic job of making Holly real for me.

Opposites attract - slow burn romance - CUTE AF!

If I was the kind of person that could get away with just saying that and nothing more…. I would because it’s literally all anyone needs to know. I am not normally a fan of slow burns. I need the touching and romance sooner than later but there was something delicious about how well this book built the romance.

Jax is the outdoorsy hawt man who enjoys the silence and Holly is the city gal who loves the hustle and bustle of life. I thought the plot was decent and the author did a fantastic job of not making it sound like every other romance novel.

Loved everything about it.

5 stars

Thank you to @dreamscapemedia and @netgalley for my gifted copy

#dreamscapemedia #oppositesattract #thequitlist #slowburn #romance #romancereader #audiobooklover #audioreader #alc #bookreview #readingislife

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC.

Liked: Rick Astley (dog), “Suits” love (currently in the middle of season three, for the first time!), and the Taylor Swift references.

Disliked: Dylan (grrrr… go away db!)

Abigail Reno has a very soothing reading voice. David Bendena’s voice and my ears didn’t get along 100%. 75% at best.

I listened to this via audiobook, it was a really quick and easy to follow romance book. It was quite a slow burn romance book but I think it was done weit, but them getting together eventually felt kind of rushed.

Holly and Jackson are cute together. Someone please tell me where I can find a Jackson. However, I just felt I didn't connect with Holly.

I loved all the suits references, especially after recently completing it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC!

I really enjoyed this book. I think the premise is familiar- girl wants forever, guy doesn’t, yet he still falls for her :) It’s swoony and cute! I loved how much Jax fought the feelings! And how everyone around him totally knew he was falling for her! Super cute, closed door romance!

Love this book, love this author! I haven't been disappointed by a single one of her stories yet! A lot of times closed door romances shy away from the very real feelings of sexual attraction, but this author has found the perfect balance of making a sexy story without needing to get too deep into details. I enjoy smut but there's definitely something really special in the way this author writes, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.
The chemistry is off the charts with Holly and Jax. I love their witty banter. The premise behind the whole book is so much fun. Definitely recommend!
I received the audiobook, and the narration was perfection. They did an amazing job!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook copy!

This was a very quick, easy-to-follow audiobook. I loved how Jax and Holly's friendship slowly developed into more. The adventures they went on were so fun. I get that this is a closed-door romance, but every time a scene ended with Jax and Holly "kissing", I giggled at how silly it sounded.

I really enjoyed this one!

Holly is nearing thirty and really wants to find love. She goes on a LOT of dates, to the same place. One of her more horrible dates requires intervention from Jax, bartender at her go to place. Jax has seen many of her dates and offers to help her find the right man.

Of course, sparks fly and she starts to realize Jax is what she's looking for. But he has declared he doesn't want a relationship at this time.

I adored Holly and Jax and watching their relationship develop. They really did bring out the best in each other.

The audio of this one was fantastic!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

The Quit List is the sixth novel by Katie Bailey. Holly Greene has reached a crossroads in her life. Having gotten her education in hotel management and marketing, she was hired soon after graduation at the historic Pinnacle Hotel. Her college boyfriend Dylan had graduated a couple of years before her, breaking up with her before his graduation saying their time would come. It seemed fortuitous when Holly found Dylan on staff at the Pinnacle, but not so much when he was made hotel manager. His mixed messages culminated in a secret kiss at the office Christmas party that Dylan didn’t seem to even remember the next day.

This is when Holly makes the decision to change her life and look for a perfect match using a dating site, going through date after date. Bartender Jax Grainger notices Holly on subsequent weekends sharing dinner with a new guy each week. On one such night the fellow is a bit of a jerk and Jax intervenes in a protective way. When they begin talking Holly tells Jax about her plan and he offers to help her.

In figuring out what she wants in life, Holly navigates her redirection with Jax as a resource and oft times rescuer. Stepping way out of her comfort zone and making a giant leap of faith, Holly may just find the future she’s looking for.

This is such a fun story of growth and change. Who knew that by quitting the behaviors that have been getting you nowhere that you could arrive right where you belong? This was a very fun read. I very much enjoyed it and I do recommend it!

5⭐️
Had the best time!

This book was the entire package! There was comedy, chemistry, banter, adventure and a whole lot of green flags!
The writing had me engaged and pining for more, start to finish.
The character growth towards the end of the book was admirable and Jax was simply the best . He definitely qualifies as my newest book boyfriend.

One of my favorite elements about the book was how slow-burn and low angst it was. Also, skipping the whole third-act breakup fiasco added to the appeal of the book.

The audiobook was narrated by Abigail Reno and David Bendena, who were both fantastic! The audiobook enriched and added to the whole reading experience.

Can't wait to pick up more titles by Katie Bailey!

I received an ALC of the Audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for providing an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Holly is looking for love and recruits Jax to help her after he rescues her from a bad date.

Katie Bailey books are always a nice fun read and this one was no different. It was a really sweet romance and some good banter between the characters. It was nice to see the relationship develop into friendship then progress from there.

4/5 ⭐️
Spiciness: 0/5
Narration: 5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

General Tropes/Themes
- Dual first person point of view
- Friends to lovers
- Slow burn
- Dating apps
- Adorable af

I really like the development of romance between Jax and Holly. It’s a cute story, and I really enjoyed the flow of it. It’s adorable. Narration was great, and I liked the spunkiness that the narrator was able to give Holly. I also really liked who was chosen for Jax.

It is a cute contemporary romance that was a quick and easy read, and I would absolutely recommend it for those who enjoy romance.

The only thing keeping it from 5/5 for me is that it didn’t bring anything new to the table necessarily and at times the dialog seemed forced, but I absolutely enjoyed it overall!