This was a good book. It didn't blow me away, but I appreciated the mature characters trying to work out their lives.

It was nice, for a change, to see the two main characters kids play such an important role in the story. In real life they would, so it's always a mystery to me when that isn't the case in novels. I'm glad the author made them such a priority.

I would recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this contemporary romance. The workplace steamy romance gave me Lucy Score's By a Thread vibes and I'm here for it! However, while this was a fun one it also had heart and depth as grief and healing play a role in this enjoyable debut novel.

3.75 stars

3.5 stars

Overall this was a decent read. I had an okay time during it, but nothing more. Workplace romance sometimes feels a bit outlandish and cartoonish to me - and that’s how I felt reading this one. I think there is an audience for this though, and I just wasn’t it.

DNF at 45%.

I had to give up on this book, and honestly, I kept at it longer than I should've.

I think the biggest issue I had with LET'S CALL A TRUCE is the off-putting pacing. We -- the readers -- are launched into the story haphazardly, without appropriate and crucial contextual development, especially as it relates to Julian and Ben. Things started almost immediately with them romantically, and this poorly executed in media res didn't give me enough depth to be invested in their relationship. It felt like it was front-loaded plot-wise, which left me feeling a bit discombobulated as a reader.

Additionally, the writing is extremely telling-not-showing skewed, and it's unnatural to read and feels poorly edited. I would have appreciated a better editing process with this book, in both craft and structure.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

"Nothing in this life was guaranteed, but the decision to choose love, for however long we got to have it, was always the right one."

I ADORED this book! The pacing was superb, since the moment I started it, I never wanted to put it down. The dynamic and sizzling chemistry between Juliana and Ben was palpable, I couldn't get enough of it! I loved seeing their hatred for each other, the teasing, pranks, and flirting, it was all-consuming. I loved seeing their tender, raw moments together, too - they really brought out every emotion from each other. I couldn't get enough of them!

I thought the depiction of grief was so well done, especially seeing Juliana wrestle with her emotions, and her desire for Ben while still grieving her late husband. Watching her balance being a newly single mom pulled at my heart.

If you love The Hating Game as much as I do, then you will adore Let's Call A Truce! Great banter, fantastic chemistry, and a fast-paced plot. I loved every second!

I enjoyed most of this book, but I found the third act conflict and it's resulting series of events to be unnecessary. The conflict itself would have been fine, but the way it was dragged out and how the characters responded to it, and then how they made up, tarnished my enjoyment of the book up until that point.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ but rounding up to 5!!

Juliana and Ben hit it off immediately but one slip up from Ben caused them to be enemies. I absolutely ATE up the banter between these two.

I loved loved that they were both besties with Asia. It made it clear that they both didn't have the full picture about each other, which we learned about later in the book.

The tension was sizzling and would consider this a 🌶️🌶️/ 5 on the spice. (LOVE the desk scene) thank you Amy!!

This book absolutely had me sobbing towards the end and there was definitely a plot twist at the end - which I loved!!!

I'm not a single mom but I relate so much to the mental load that was discussed in this book and this confirmed I need to read more single mom books!

Thank you to Amy & Net-galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Workplace romance, steamy, BDE man???? Yes sirrr 🧎‍♀️

If you’re craving a workplace romance with sizzling tension, heart-clutching emotions, and just the right amount of meddling friends and office chaos, Let’s Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan is your next must-read.
Juliana Ryan is a single mom navigating grief, guilt, and the daunting return to the workforce after losing her husband. She’s balancing two kids, a high-pressure career, and a long-standing feud with her frustratingly attractive colleague, Ben Thomas. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry undeniable, and when forced proximity pushes them together on a make-or-break project? Let’s just say, sparks fly.
This book brought it all—snarky banter, emotional depth, and swoon-worthy moments that will have you kicking your feet. Juliana is strong, messy, and real. Her journey of rediscovering herself while being an amazing mom hit me right in the feels. And Ben? He’s the perfect mix of confident, sweet, and utterly swoony, with a past that adds layers to his character. Their romance feels raw and genuine, as they navigate guilt, healing, and second chances in a way that’s as heartwarming as it is steamy.
The supporting cast adds so much charm, especially Juliana’s and Ben’s kids, who bring humor and heartfelt moments. Oh, and the third-act breakup? Gut-wrenching. But trust me, the payoff is so worth it.
Amy Buchanan’s debut is packed with heart, spice, and authenticity. It’s a story about love, loss, and finding joy in unexpected places. If you haven’t added this one to your TBR, you’re seriously missing out.

This one really did not work for me. I enjoy a good enemies/rivals to lovers but this was not it. I did not have a connection to either of the main characters so I could not get into it. DNF at about 38%

Let's Call a Truce is an enemies to lovers, work place and second chance romance all rolled into one with the perfect amount of steam.

The banter and angst between Juliana and Ben was definitely my favourite part.

Both MCs are single parents and navigating a new way of life, I found the author handled both situations and topics well.

I found parts were a bit repetitive which made the book seem longer than it needed to be.

Overall, it's an adorable and steamy romance filed with heartfelt moments.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and netgalley for this ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun romance with substance! There is some steam, two single parents, navigating through the loss of a parent (off page from years previously), and an office romance.

I thoroughly enjoyed the banter and the way they navigated through life, however, the third act breakup confused me and I didn't love it which made it a 4 instead of 5.

Recommended!

Fans of Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game will definitely enjoy Let’s Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan. A workplace enemies-to-lovers classic, the book tells of Juliana, who is a widowed mom to two girls. The book starts by setting the scene nine months after Juliana’s husband is tragically killed, where she meets Ben at work. Although there are immediate sparks between them, a negative interaction instantly turns Juliana against Ben and makes them sworn enemies (in her eyes). Two years later, a work commitment brings them together and forces them to interact. Even though Juliana can’t stand Ben (or so she thinks…) the sparks between them are still there and become too much to resist.

I really loved this book at first! It was perfect - a good amount of longing, angst, and banter. The children weren’t classic rom-com annoying kids which I appreciated. However it felt like the book went on just a touch too long. It felt like it dragged on a bit towards the end. I also didn’t love the classic third act breakup - it’s a bit tired.

Overall it was still pretty good but not an instant classic for me. Thank you to Amy Buchanan, the publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!

Widowed Juliana is re-entering the workforce after years of being a stay-at-home mom and of course she overhears Ben disparaging her lack of experience and need to accommodate her kids. This sets off a rivalry with lots of bickering and maybe a little workplace sabotage for the next two years. It’s probably more than a little unprofessional, considering Juliana is part of the Human Resources department. But then they get stuck together on a work project and need to learn to work together. Oh, and there’s some simmering attraction along with the bickering and rivalry. The romance here follows fairly typical angry flirting and kissing tropes, and when they finally do get together, Juliana wants to keep things quiet so it doesn’t upset her kids or threaten her standing at work. It’s all sorts of messy and while it wasn’t my favorite combination of trope and setting, the book was funny and steamy.

Spicy: R

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

After the sudden death of her husband, Juliana finds herself the single parent of two little girls and also now the family’s sole breadwinner. After being at home for seven years, she is back in the workforce as a recruiter at an architectural firm. Things with her coworkers are great, with the exception of Ben Thomas, one of the top architects in the firm. They got off to a rocky start and now they live to antagonize each other. But even though Ben exasperates Juliana to no end, she can’t help notice how good his shirts look on his 6’4” frame. When they are put together on a project and find themselves on a work trip out of state, will the animosity give way to something more?

First of all, I love the cover of this book, it is certainly part of what drew me to the story in the first place. Secondly, I am so into a workplace romance, especially when the female lead characters are kicking a** and taking names even when they are scared out of their minds. And finally, when you have a whole cast of characters who are willing to step-up for each other, well I am totally here for that. Amy Buchanan’s Let’s Call a Truce has all of these elements and they produced a heart-warming romance about two people who have a lot going on in their lives but are finding the courage to take a leap of faith on falling in love again.

. . . ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭒
This did the trick for me. I was in the mood for a light romance and a lil spice, and it fit the bill on both accounts. Also, it has #allthetropes - enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, found family, and more, so it’s generally likable by design.

I think my favourite thing about this book was its banter. The back and forth between Ben’s and Juliana was playful and the quips enjoyable. For me, a good romance ( both in print and reality ) needs to have good banter, otherwise there’s always going to be something missing. It also heavily aids in the build-up between characters, creating a fun and flirty vibe.

This book was all about relationships. Romantic, parental, friendship, professional, personal, etc. - they all live here. It was slow burn in some ways, perfectly paced occasionally, and a bit “off” for me in other aspects. From a romance perspective, the pace and spice level was great, but some of the friendships, particularly between Juliana and Quinn, seemed a bit exaggerated in formation to me.

Also, and entirely particular to me, I’m not a huge fan of the pet name/affectionate dubbing of “baby” when taking about a partner; something about it just ( as the kids say ) gives me the ick. Weirdly, “babe” is fine, I think I just take it too literally and find it infantilizing. And also a “me” thing, but I normally don’t love an epilogue, but in a dramatic twist of fate, I actually enjoyed this one.

All in all, this one served its purpose and was a decent read.

~👩🏻‍🦰

Let's Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan was such an unexpectedly delightful surprise of a debut novel! It's a strong rom-com with a deeper emotional core than readers might expect. It's the book fans of The Hating Game have been waiting for.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

And enemies to lovers workplace romance that delivers in the steamy department! If you’re a fan of The Hating Game, do not miss this one! It’s a single mom romance, with found family vibes and some delicious arguing as fireplace. 😏I loved the dynamic this one bought!

I had a hard time connecting with the characters in this book as I couldn't really relate to the type of grief that was being portrayed. I felt like something was missing that wouldv'e made that connection easier. However, the writing and storytelling were very well done.

If you like office romances, you’ll definitely want to read this one. I love a good enemies to lovers as well and this one did not disappoint.
After the death of her husband, Juliana has no choice but to enter the workforce again in order to provide for her two daughters. Her and Ben have an immediate connection, but she accidentally overhears Ben make a negative comment about her and that turns them into enemies for a good two years.
I loved the banter between the two of them and how understanding Ben was with Juliana as she was navigating through her grief and loss and trying to take care of her girls. We learn that Ben also has a bit of a messy past as well and the end got a little messy, but overall, this was a great debut novel. I would definitely want to read more books by Amy.

Who can resist the allure of a steamy workplace romance, especially when it’s brimming with enemies-to-lovers, second chances, and forced proximity, all spiced up with sharp, entertaining banter? Juliana and Ben’s story begins with a classic "meet cute" at work, but their budding connection quickly sours when Juliana overhears Ben making a hurtful remark about her ability to return to work after a long break for motherhood. Unable to forgive his unjust words—especially after the tragic loss of her daughters' father—Juliana is determined to make his life at work difficult. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic and the steamy office romance certainly hooked me, making Juliana and Ben’s second-chance story engrossing. However, the last third of the book took a melodramatic turn. Ben, who initially seemed patient, honest, and committed—despite his hurtful comment—left me feeling let down by the conclusion. The introduction of a somewhat unnecessary love-triangle subplot felt overdone, and Juliana’s stubbornness and impulsive reactions only added to the drama in a way that felt forced.