I absolutely adored this book! Alllll the emotions - laughs, smiles, second-hand embarrassment, tears. The characters were great, each one. The storyline flowed seamlessly.
I CANNOT WAIT to read more Kristen Bailey!

I downloaded this with anticipation as I've not yet found a Kristen Bailey book that I haven't enjoyed and this did not let me down. Zoe was immediately likeable, as were all the characters really- except for her husband! The whole situation felt very authentic and I felt like I encountered every emotion alongside Zoe as she processed the betrayal but also allowed herself to be free and be loved again. All of Kristen's books are also genuinely funny and there were many times I laughed out loud while reading this and I was so sad that because I raced through it, I had finished it in no time at all. I'll be eagerly awaiting her next release!

Textbook Romance has sexual inuendoes galore! This book was so much fun.

Zoe and Jack meet at a wedding; where Zoe's marriage implodes. But then Jack becomes a substitute teacher at the same school where Zoe works.

Really loved this romance and it had me laughing out loud several times. Absolutely loved what Zoe's daughter gave her dad for Christmas!

There was a 10-14 year age gap (with Zoe being older than Jack); I did hear that age discrepancy mentioned a few too many times.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for approving my request to read Textbook Romance in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is July 29, 2024. Approx 344 pages.

Debating between 4-5 stars.

A slow start and I initially wasn't sure I liked Zoe or Jack, but as their relationship progressed, they became one of my favorite couples I've ever read. It was also really refreshing to read about a strong woman in her 40s finding love after divorce while juggling real life. Her concerns are my concerns so it felt so hopeful reading a character I can actually relate to.

The side characters nearly stole the show. I'm looking forward to going and reading the books that feature Mia, Ed, and Beth, but really it was the kids in this story that stole my heart. Fierce Lottie and quiet Dylan seemed really real. And Dom's twins were utterly adorable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication!

Set in the charming backdrop of England, this beautiful, slow-burn, age-gap romance follows Jack and Zoe on their journey to finding each other. Zoe, learning to trust again after her husband's betrayal, and Jack, with his unwavering support, create a love story that's as touching as it is genuine.

A cute reverse age gap love story. Zoe attends a colleague’s wedding, while there she meets Jack who is by her side when she receives a phone call from her daughter who reveals that her husband is having an affair with a close friend of hers. Months later, after much encouragement from his friends Jack finds himself working at the same school Zoe works at. Throughout the book Zoe is navigating through divorce and learning to be a single mom. No longer feeling confident in who she is and a little lost, she soon feels herself being put back together with Jack by her side. The ending seemed a little rushed with not that much closure but it was a cute read.

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

A fun flirty romance for fans of Women's Fiction style romances.

Very much in the vein of a Sophie Kinsella or a Mhari MacFarlane.

Zoe's life is great. She is married to her husband, and has two wonderful children. One night, she goes to a wedding while her husband is out of town. While she is there, her world gets turned upside down as she is informed of something that she never would have expected, her husband's betrayal. This story follows Zoe as she attempts to move on after the betrayal, and her meeting with Jack, which has sparks flying.

This book was also super authentic when diving into how affairs can affect the whole family, not just the spouse that was betrayed. Lottie and Dylan showed two different initial reactions to the betrayal, anger on Lotties part, and was outwardly expressing it, while Dylan showed more concern for his mother and making sure she was doing well, while not really expressing how he felt.

I LOVED Jack. He was just a funny guy all around, always bantering with everyone that he came across. He was a very likeable MMC, and I feel that he was perfect for Zoe. He was so empathetic as her world was falling apart, and was the perfect gentleman. Making sure she got home safely when she wasn't in the best state of mind? Check. Bringing her her favorite jacket after she forgot it? Check. Doing his best to make her happy after they meet again? Check, check, check. While this was an age gap romance, where Jack is younger than Zoe, it sure didn't feel like that at all. Jack was very emotionally mature and matched Zoe well.

And I'm sorry, the scene with Ed and Mia coming in to the bathroom at the school, and trying to get some alone time.... that had me dying laughing, even though it was short. It was so unexpected, but also something that I could 100% picture happening somewhere in real life.

Unfortunately, as you can see, this review is not 5 stars, so I do have some negative thoughts as well. I do wish there was more build up between Jack and Zoe. It all seemed to happen so fast, time wise. They meet, don't see each other again for 4 months, kiss once, and then shortly after, they have sex because their friends tricked them and had them meet at a hotel. I wish we got to see more of the building of the chemistry that they had.

I was a huge fan of the laser tag scene, it was so much fun. I was a little sad that we didn't get a scene with Zoe rubbing everything in Brian and Liz's faces but, oh well, what can you do. Although I will say, I did find it weird that Zoe came off as really mature throughout the whole book, and then refused to communicate, causing a third act breakup. Not a fan of that.

Thank you to Kristen Bailey, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This is my honest opinion.

When maths teacher Zoe Swift meets the irresistibly funny and charming Jack Damon at her friends’ wedding, sparks fly. However, when Jack turns up at her school, newly recruited as a supply teacher, she can’t ignore the intense effect he has on her but still reeling from her husband's recent jaw-dropping betrayal, she is uncertain where their future lies. With two teenage kids, she is not sure that she should become involved with a younger man. Despite their connection growing deeper, Zoe is uncertain that she can manage the complicated family dynamics and their age gap as well as Jack's uncertainties about his future.
This is a very realistic take on a romance filled with the pressures of ex-husbands and teenagers. I also enjoyed reading a story about teachers, who for many, are seen as not having a life beyond the classroom. The author’s handling of the age difference was well developed and revealed the angst felt by Zoe. A great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Textbook Romance 🍎 Kristin Bailey
thank you @netgalley for this ARC, this is my honest review
⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️
💭My thoughts: For mamas who have been divorced or cheated on, I recommend this book. It really shows how important our kids are and how no matter what they should and will always come first! Zoe’s kids are so funny, Lottie is my favorite! What a spitfire 😂
This was age gap H29, h44. I like that the topic of publicly dating someone older can bring questions or unkind glances. The mmc Jack did a great job easing her insecurities and basically saying a big F U to all the people who couldn’t mind their own business.
This book was very slow paced and had some slang I wasn’t used to, but I really liked the friend group and how open they were with each other, providing safe spaces to be open and vulnerable. We all need friends like that! I recommend this if you enjoy romcoms, single mom, age gap, workplace romance.

4.5 stars rounded up

Another very enjoyable, entertaining rom-com from Kristen Bailey. Told through two POVs, Zoe & Jack, this book is full of the usual inuendo with many laughs throughout. There is also a more serious side to the story, with some very relevant and relatable subjects being explored.

Zoe’s life is turned upside down when her husband’s infidelity is discovered. As she navigates her new life, she rediscovers herself and her journey is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Through Zoe’s character, the author visits emotions associated with such a betrayal and the fallout affecting those around her. Lottie’s sass was so on-point, and I often found myself having a laugh at her exchanges – so well done. Dylan was also very relatable, the quiet, reserved kid who quietly takes it all in. Jack has been cruising through life without any real direction, choosing to put other’s needs before his own. He is empathetic, genuine, cheeky, and fun, and I fell in love with his character instantly.

This is a story about betrayal, family bonds, self-discovery, second chances, and great friends who support each other. I love that there are awkward moments, and these make the characters all the more ‘real’. Each of the main characters evolve as the story progresses, making this a story of self-discovery as well. I never expected a rom-com to have so many emotions - I laughed out loud so many times and my heart broke more than once! There are some slightly steamy scenes, but I consider them relatively tame and easy to gloss over if you don’t like those scenes. I enjoyed every minute of this story, and I can’t wait to read another Kristen Bailey novel.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Kristen Bailey for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

I enjoyed the friendships more than the romance if that makes sense. I could not get into the romantic portion of the story, but man did I want to experience wonderful friends like Beth and Mia.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought that the relationship development between Zoe and Jack was so good and I loved their banter. The book was lovely and realistic, and it was so heartfelt.

I really enjoyed reading this! Kristen Bailey is one of my favourite authors and this book highlights why. This book is written in both Zoe and Jacks POV which is like most of Kristen’s books. Textbook Romance is about Zoe meeting Jack at a wedding, where she finds out her husband is having an affair. We are taking on the journey of Zoe’s heartbreak, her sarcastic daughter, quiet but smart son and extremely fiesty sister! This book has the perfect amount of laughter, smut and emotion. Definite 5 star from me!

Okay, so I’ve become a complete Kristen Bailey fangirl. I love a novel with characters who reoccur - especially ones I love - so after Sex Ed this one made me smile with glee.

Bailey’s talent is in not only humorous prose but writing characters who you just want to adopt as your own friends.

An absolutely cracking read.

4.5* rounded up!

This was the perfect summer read! It has an easy reading style that was fast paced and had me laughing one minute and ready for tears the next. The dual POV was perfectly executed (*chef's kiss) and you just can't help but fall in love with Jack and Zoe. Cute, cute, cute! Lottie and Dylan added a great "real family drama" dynamic to the storyline and I adored their relationship with their mom. Add this one to your list!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC of this book.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

after reading sex ed by this author i couldnt wait to read more books and i have to say they dont disappoint so i was very eager to read this one and boy it doesnt disappoint and i have to admit to having a little tear in my eye at one scene.....

zoe is at ed and mia's wedding, we met those two in sex ed. its at this wedding that she meets jack and chat... though they arent sitting at the same table she does rescue him from another cougar... much to his relief but its very short lived when zoe receives a very distraught phone call from her daughter

life for zoe and her two children will never be the same again... as the result of her husband affair sends shocks waves through them all not only have they been betrayed but also its with one of her best friends....

but jack handles it all well and on that fateful day organises an uber so that zoe can go home and help her children over the shock of the betrayal

but its when zoe and jack come face to face at school where he turns up as a new stand in teacher that things start to get interesting....

oh man this book its a rollercoaster of emotions whilst reading this... there are laugh out loud moments and at times angry moments when zoe is dealing with her dick of a husband.... but man i just couldnt put this book down it was captivating and a joy to read....

it gives you hope that maybe out there there is someone for everyone... the awww factor... no matter the age...

Thank you so much Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this title!

I thought this book was absolutely hysterical. I laughed and smiled so much while reading it. The banter and sexual innuendos were so good. The main characters are both teachers that find themselves in the same place at the same time led by fate.

Zoe is recently separated from her cheating husband (with her best friend mind you). She is a beloved teacher, doting mother, and down on her self-esteem after her world fell apart. Enter in Jack, a much younger teacher who has a heart of gold. He provides humor, comfort, and helps Zoe restore her confidence in herself and the opposite sex. I absolutely loved to see the character development of Zoe and the author did a fantastic job depicting a middle-aged mother without making her frumpy. The author gives Zoe purpose and intellect and there is no dwelling on her cheating ex.

This book is equal parts humorous, endearing, and sexy. The makings of a great RomCom. I adored this read!

The unexpected romance in this novel leaves the reader unsure if either character is ready for a relationship. There is a large age gap and the development of a new divorce.

In the end, this is a good read but it lacked some of what I wanted from my read at the time. I think the fact that neither character really knew what they wanted annoyed me.

Thank you to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for the eARC.

Story wise I loved this book, is enjoyable , fun in a lot of part and extremely heartfelt . The story is very well develop and the two main characters were relatable and enjoyable. This is a book that i would definitely need a physical copy . Overall enjoyed a lot.