4.5 stars. This is a debut novel. Wait just a minute! This is a debut novel. This is a really good debut novel! I never would have guessed. The character development was superb. I liked the characters and felt like I really knew them.

Juliana and Ben are both single parents. They work for the same company, and things get rocky between them right off the bat. There's hostility and battles... but there's also off the chart attraction. If Ben could just get her past the anger, he would really like to work his way into her heart.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how vulnerable both characters were and how the story unfolded with the involvement of the children helping them along. I would definitely be interested in reading more by this author.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this copy. All thoughts are my own.

“My heart swelled, thinking back to my own ceremony, the joy and love I felt when I stood opposite Jason and pledged to spend my life loving him. Even knowing how things would end, the pain and heartbreak when I lost him, I would not have given up a single day with him. 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.”

Let’s Call a Truce is a hilarious, heart warming debut novel that is a must read! It is a second chance, enemies to lovers, workplace romance full of witty banter,, angst, and heart with the sweetest HEA ending. The MC is a widowed single mom who is trying to figure out how to balance work life and parenthood all while battling the possibilities of moving on with life without her husband.

I thought it was really cute. It was exactly what I needed while being sick. An easy listen and easy to follow storyline. I appreciated the representation of mental health and panic attacks. I loved the funny and sarcastic tone throughout the story. I also thought all the pop culture references were a fun add on.

Buchanan did a great job with character development. I thoroughly enjoyed all the side characters just as much as the main characters, especially the children. They all helped drive the story and made the story feel realistic. They also helped the reader to see that family and friendship relationships are important, they showed how strong and resilient the FMC was, and how much she had changed & grew from the beginning to the end of the story.

The audiobook was a fun listen. The narration was clear and easy to understand. She did a great job portraying all the different characters giving them their own distinct voice bringing the story to life.

Thank you @macmillan.audio, @stmartinspress and @Netgalley for the #gifted ALC & ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I started this book listening to the audio, but I got so into, I had to finish reading it ASAP. This is so much more than a workplace enemies-to-lovers rom-com. It feels like a real story of love and grief and family and work/life balance. Parts of the MC’s reactions felt over the top, very all-or-nothing reactions. But I enjoyed so many other parts of the story that I’ll forgive them.

Thanks to St. Martin’s for the ARC.

This was a very emotional romance. I loved both Ben and Juliana and they were so sweet together. It was so heartwarming to see Juliana accept a romantic love into her life after being widowed a few years before. I also loved seeing Juliana go back to work after being a stay at home mom and how she succeeded there. The single parent aspect felt very realistic with both Juliana and Ben. I loved that they were coworkers, and the enemies to lovers was well done. I did not love the third act breakup. It was so out of the blue, and I just really didn’t love them together again after that. However, I enjoyed the story and would recommend!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Juliana and Ben have to end their feud to realize they have a second chance at love!

Juliana Ryan was scared for her first day at her new job with human resources with KMG after her husband died in a car accident because she had worked there before staying home with her daughters. But she never expected to have a run in with a new co-worker Ben Thomas after he commented after she left early on her first day leading to a feud between them especially when she finds out that her daughter Sophie’s best friend is Ben’s daughter Paris.

Everything changes when Juliana and Ben are assigned a project to work together and they have to put a hold on their feud because if the project works they will receive a major promotions. But working together makes them realize that they can’t ignore their feelings.

I Love Juliana and Ben getting a second chance at love and taking their daughters with them making a new family.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book so much! The banter and tension were great. I loved Juliana and thought she was an amazing mom trying her best during an extremely difficult time! It was definitely a slow burn but it was worth the wait. I also loved that Juliana’s friends loved her kids and were always accommodating so they could hang out!

Amy Buchanan's swoony and sexy debut will be such a treat for romance readers. This book really gets enemies to lovers right with high heat and high emotions.

LET'S CALL A TRUCE by debut author Amy Buchanan is a standalone contemporary Romance that touched me so deeply (in the best way), that I went from cheering, to crying, to grinning with teary eyes. Juliana's husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her to raise their two daughters on her own and return to the workplace after a long absence. On her first day, she encounters Ben, a hotter than is fair co-worker whom she overhears saying disparaging things about Juliana needing to leave work early because of her children. After two years of a rivalry, one night they decide to declare a truce. What follows is a romance that is sexy, swoon worthy, and one of the best enemies to lovers I've read. Not only did I love the main lead, Juliana, but I loved all the characters in this book. Juliana's love interest, Ben, was a multi-dimensional, handsome, and slightly flawed work rival that becomes a lot more. Juliana and Ben, I couldn't help cheering for you!

What I loved most about this book:
- The characters, every single one of them, were well-crafted, and felt like people I've encountered in real life
- The side characters were phenomenal. Juliana's daughters, Sophie and Clara, added humor, drama, and sweetness to the story. I especially loved the found family aspect of this book. Asia, her sister Dani, Quinn, and of course Paris
- Watching Juliana's journey from a hurting but holding it together recently widowed woman to someone willing to risk it all for love was touching and so well-written. My heart ached for her when she hurt, and swelled when she triumphed.
- Ben's journey is also important to the story, and I really like how he stumbles a bit but eventually figures it out. The differences between his previous relationship and Juliana's are palpable and so realistic.
- The settings in this book were so well-described! Orlando in its many seasons and then Boston also in its different seasons were great settings for this love story.
- This was a steamy one, folks! The author is great at writing chemistry and on page spice. It takes a careful balance between physical description and inner life to get scenes like that right, and this book accomplishes this excellently.
- I almost forgot: This book has a beautiful cover. Kudos to the artist who made Juliana and Ben come to life on the cover.

What didn't work:
- I can't think of a single thing I'd change in this passionate, sexy, well-told story! Hence the five out of five star rating.

LET's CALL A TRUCE is a romantic, sexy, poignant read that addresses the realities of having lost the love of your life and how finding the next love might look, how putting your heart at risk again, no matter how scary, may be worth it in the end. I highly recommend it. Run, don't walk, to purchase this fantastic novel! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for providing me with an eARC of this book for my honest feedback.

Let's Call a Truce is the debut novel from author Amy Buchanan.

Juliana is the mother of two girls and she is entering the workforce after being a stay at home mom to her girls. When her husband and the girls father was tragically killed in a car accident, she doesn't have a choice, but to go to work. When she starts her job as a job recruiter, she hits it off with Ben, who works for the company in their architecture department. Juliana and Ben get on just fine until she overhears him saying unkind things about how she had to cut meetings short and cancel them when one of her daughter's had an issue at school. For her, that was enough to make him an enemy.

Fast forward two years, and Juliana finds herself frustrated with Ben given he now wants her help after they have been sparring for most of the time since his comments. Knowing that in order to advance at the company like she wants to, she is going to have to work with Ben. Can she do that?! As the two begin to work closely together, their chemistry is undeniable. Can they get past what happened two years ago? Was there more of an explanation than Juliana knew?

Overall, I liked this book a lot and I enjoyed how the relationship between Ben and Juliana unfolded. I will say though, that in the final part of the book, I found myself frustrated. The drama that came about towards the end of the book just didn't seem necessary to me. There had been plenty for them to overcome, so I didn't feel like there was need for more drama. I rounded up to 4 stars, but it was probably closer to 3.5 for me.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

This book was so cute and so good!

Juliana Ryan is looking for a new job after her husbands unexpected death, leaving her with two grieving kids and a stunted career from being a stay-at-home mom. She starts work at a new company and she is all excited to dive in, until she overhears her condescending but infuriatingly handsome new colleague, Ben Thomas, talking about how her kids and inexperience are a liability. This sets off a feud between the two. Will the two be able to call a truce and work together or will the man Juliana considers her nemesis, actually understand her life more then anyone?

I absolutely devoured this book. I loved watching the connection between Juliana and Ben grow and them fall in love. Buchanan knows how to pull at your momma heartstrings and had me all in my feels while listening to this book. I loved the connection with the kids and I felt that she did a great job with the character development of each character. I also loved all the side characters! I cannot believe this is a debut book. Oh and that spice, that was a nice unexpected surprise! I cannot wait to see what else Amy Buchanan writes!

Read if you like:
-Workplace romance
-Enemies to lovers
-Cinnamon roll MMC
-Single parents

Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the #gifted copy.

After the death of her husband, Juliana has returned to work after years away as a stay-at-home mom. On her first day back, mom duty calls, and she overhears co-worker Ben disparage her for putting her family first. Now, 2 years later, their feud is still going strong, and those angry feelings she has towards him seem to be mixed with another kind of…*tension*. 👀

This was a really cute workplace romance! It’s single POV, which I often have a problem with in romance, but I found I didn’t really mind it here. (But it may have made me take Juliana’s side in most of their disagreements. 😂)

I enjoyed Juliana’s journey, finding her footing after such major life changes. I also really loved all the side characters, especially Juliana’s friends and the little darling daughters.

The third act breakup wasn’t my favorite, but…I understood where it was coming from. (But that doesn’t mean I have to “like” it! 😜) And their makeup was very cute.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this one!

Audiobook Notes: I always enjoy Charlotte North’s narration, and this one was another job well done!

Thank you to and @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for providing me an early copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

What this book is giving:
✅ Contemporary Romance
✅ Single POV
✅ Workplace Romance
✅ Older MCs (35/38)
✅ Single Mom + Widow
✅ Animosity to Lovers

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5

What an amazing debut novel! I was hooked from the first page!

After suddenly losing her husband, Juliana Ryan is pushed back into the workforce to provide for herself and her 2 younger daughters. With all the fears of returning back to work, she’s also stuck with Ben, a coworker who had less than nice things to say behind her back about her work experience and putting her children’s needs first.

The two continue to clash through numerous work related issues. It isn’t until a work trip to Boston brings the two closer than anyone would have predicted possible. Will their work lives and personal lives mix or will personal interfere with their work?

Perfect if you like:
Single parents
Workplace Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Found Family
Love After Loss

I absolutely ate this story up! The tension and banter between the two felt perfect to me. Don’t get me started on the unexpected spice. The desk scene will live in my head rent free for eternity.

Ben is an amazing MMC. He is sweet, extremely patient and the little bit of groveling at the end really sent me over the edge. Dare I say he might be too good for Juliana?

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc and opportunity!

😘 Let’s Call a Truce 😘⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Genre: Romance. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Length: 336 pages. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Pub. Date: January 14, 2025. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣I have a rule… if a book makes me cry, it’s an automatic five star! And this one delivered! ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣After Juliana’s husband dies unexpectedly, she must return to work to support her two young daughters. On her first day, her confidence is shattered when she overhears a coworker talking about her kids and inexperience as a liability the company can’t afford. This sets off a feud between the two— with Juliana vowing to prove Ben wrong. ⁣
⁣What you can expect in this book- steamy workplace romance, enemies-to-lovers, single parents, forced proximity, and witty banter. I liked both Juliana and Ben and found their entire relationship realistic and endearing. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣I’m sure impressed that this is a debut novel! I’m looking forward to Amy’s next book! Five stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for my honest review.

4.5⭐️ — absolutely loved this! I was hooked from the start and didn’t want to put it down!

The banter, tension and spice were so good! Juliana and Ben both have such tragic pasts. This story is about healing, loving again and finding the right people to be around. There was also SO many laugh out loud moments as well. I felt that Amy was able to manage heavy topics but also had an appropriate amount of comedic relief.

I snagged this ARC from NetGallery when it was available to all and I am SO happy I did.

Tropes:
Found family
Love after loss
Blended family
He falls first
Golden retriever MMC
Slow burn

Let's Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan was one of the best contemporary romance debut I’ve read in some time!
The tension and banter between the two was really well done. The chemistry was just outstanding.
I found this book to be delightful and was engaged throughout reading it.
Let's Call a Truce is a humorous, swoony, engaging read by Amy that had the perfect storyline for my rom-com loving heart.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an Advanced Reader Copy

📎 widowed mom fmc rejoining the workforce
💘 workplace rivals to lovers
📎 blended family
💘 finding love after the loss of a partner
📎 office romance
💘 forced proximity
📎 banter
💘 slow burn

This book has everything we all love about enemies to lovers! Tension! Banter! Loaded glances! Spice! It’s perfect for fans of The Hating Game.

I did find some parts a bit repetitive, but that could be because I read a TON of romance and prefer shorter stories. I’m also not sure that I was the target audience for this one. Joining Juliana in her grief was tough (though the author handles the topic of losing a partner with gentle care) and I couldn’t relate to her experiences in motherhood. However, this was an enjoyable and well-written read that I would definitely recommend to other romance/enemies-to-lovers aficionados.

4.5 stars

This was a really great debut! I loved Juliana and Ben and I thought they were both really well developed characters. They both had a lot of things to work through from their previous relationships and with their kids and I thought the way they worked through those things was really well done and felt authentic to their characters.
Their chemistry was so good! Their flirty banter - sorry, I mean their fighting - was so entertaining and the tension was immaculate. Even when they got together they still had a really great dynamic. Ben was such a sweetie and I loved that he just wanted to take care of Juliana and her kids. He did have some issues of his own, but throughout the book you kind of see why he is that way.
The side characters were also a lot of fun and I liked how Juliana had so many people supporting her and her kids. Everyone in this book was an absolute delight and I really enjoyed reading about them.
My one issue was that the conflict could have been resolved so much easier if Ben would have communicated better/stuck up for himself. I understand why he acted the way he did but it was still so frustrating. However, the man really knows how to grovel and I loved the ending of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Griffin for the ARC!!

Thank you SMP and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

After a bit of a rocky start where I wasn’t sure if I was going to be hooked…I got darned hooked. BUT eventually the repetition and constant going back and forth between the MCs got to be too much and I just wanted to get it over with. To be clear, I didn’t hate it, I just didn’t like it a whole lot.

What to expect:
❣️blended families
❣️love after loss
❣️workplace romance
❣️rivals to lovers
❣️cheeky side characters
❣️slow burn with a 🌶️ reward

CW/TW: grief, death of a loved one, death of a parent, abandonment, panic attacks, toxic relationship

As a single mom rejoining the workforce after years of being a stay at home mom, Juliana Ryan has a lot to prove. Her new coworker, Ben, may be attractive but he’s also infuriating and condescending. Two years later, they’re still in a never ending feud when they’re forced onto a project together. When they decide to call a truce and Juliana begins to learn more about him, she realizes Ben may be a completely different man than she thought.

Omg this book. It reminded me of everything I love about enemies to lovers. The looks. The banter. The TENSION. It’s everything. You just want to scream at them to hook up already but also never want them to stop fighting. It’s a real problem I don’t want to solve.

As a mom myself, Juliana’s grief and guilt and difficult parenting moments really ripped my heart out. I cried multiple times mostly because I just wanted her to be happy again. Her daughters are sassy and funny and a little manipulative (in the best way) and I loved every moment with them.

This is a romance that feels so real to life. It’s messy and there’s baggage and they’re both a little guarded and oh my is it worth it. Once you get to know the real Ben, he’s everything you’d want in a partner. He may be a bit snarky but he’s also kind and patient and such a good listener.

And I can’t not mention how much I loved the Orlando setting! I never find that in books and it was so incredibly relatable to me. Before anyone asks, yes the mud walk is a real field trip and it’s awesome!

Read this book for
-enemies to lovers
-single parent
-workplace romance
-single POV
-found family
-Orlando!
-grief
-multiple open door scenes

Let's Call a Truce
by Amy Buchanan

Juliana's husband dies unexpectedly, and with two kids to care for, she heads back to work. Her bosses understand the need for flexibility, but after an urgent matter with her daughter on her first day, one colleague makes a comment about him not accommodating for her children. Juliana formed her opinion of Ben since that comment, but their paths continue to cross and it becomes a workplace rivalry that has gone on for two years. When a project pushes Ben and Juliana together, the chemistry is sparking, but Juliana isn't willing to make excuses for anyone when it comes to her kids.

Enemies to lovers, workplace romance, single parent, forced proximity- this romance had so many good tropes! The enemies to lovers specifically was done really well, and I loved Ben and Juliana's banter and pranks they played on each other. The pettiness that Juliana had with a spreadsheet keeping score is so amazing. The author touched on grief and Ben's sympathy and understanding of Juliana's love for her late husband was so sweet. There were some missed connections that I didn't quite catch, and there were some parts I wanted more from, but otherwise I enjoyed reading along!