Zoe (42) and Jack (29) meet at a friend's wedding and the chemistry is immediately apparent. But at this point, Zoe is still married and is also a mother of 2 teenagers, so she has a completely different lifestyle to Jack, who is over 10 years younger. And just at their first meeting, Zoe finds out that her husband is cheating on her with her best friend...
A few months later they meet again as Jack has taken a job at Zoe's school and they get to know each other better. Jack supports her and also plays a big part in rebuilding her self-esteem.

I still couldn't really connect with the characters - probably because I'm in a completely different lifestyle myself. Nevertheless, they were two lovely and sweet characters whose story you can follow.
I could also understand their conflict, on the one hand because of the recent separation and on the other because of the age difference. And then Jack's professional dream also came into the picture, which he almost sacrificed because of Zoe....and I'm telling you, if that had happened, I would have really freaked out!

the only thing that "bothered" me is that everything went a little too smoothly. I would have liked more drama with the shared custody or generally more insight into this difficult new life situation. Everything went so "easily" and "smoothly", even with the children and Zoe's new relationship...I just would have liked to experience more emotion....

This one needs to be made into a movie! I loved the fun banter and a May/December romance except with a female being the older partner. Teachers will cheer over this story because Bailey really grasps the camaraderie of school colleagues. I loved Kristen Bailey’s “Five Gold Rings” but she knocked this one out of the park too!

So pleasantly surprised by this sweet Rom-Com, it had more depth than I anticipated. There were some truly brilliant highlighter-worthy moments describing what it is like to be a mother, wife and teacher, that I will absolutely go back to!

The book is about Zoe Swift, a 40 something married mom of two teenagers, and Jack Damon, a 29 year old jack of all trades, still discovering who he is after a tough family situation. They meet a mutual friend’s wedding, and after Zoe marriage implodes shortly thereafter (10,000% unrelated to Jack), they end up working together at the same school, and things go from there!

What I super loved about it was that it felt like these were real people, with actual depth and feelings, and messiness and imperfections. It was such a refreshing surprise. And it was witty and funny and loaded with funny innuendo (never sending some emojis again—what an education!) and clever situations. It was a little bit steamy at times for sure, but I wouldn’t put it past level 1 in terms of spice. Not closed door, but not all out spice either.

I did struggle a teeny bit with some of the British slang, and found some new gems to use when I’m pissed (bellend. Glorious!) but nothing too wild. The third act breakup seemed to happen both a little too fast and a little too slow, but not a deal breaker.

Wow this book was written for ME. I love seeing divorce rep in books… the emotions are so raw and hard to explain if you haven’t gone through it. Zoe’s perspective and inner thoughts while her life crumbles was so validating as someone who’s gone through it. And she’s a teacher?? Yes please. This was HILARIOUS, hitting the nail on the head writing about the ups and downs of being in the education field. Jack’s character is adorable and witty. I found myself identifying with Zoe on so many pages, especially the scene where her kids leave for the first time to spend time with their dad. Dating after divorce can be scary, weird, and amazing and this book would be a unique gift for someone going through it.

This was a fun, uplifting romance that was laugh out loud funny in all the right places. Zoe and Jack were both easy characters to root for and their romance was sweet and just spicy enough.

Perfect for lovers of Sophie Kinsella! I loved Jack & Zoe. The characters in this book were well rounded and I found the whole romance to be completely believable and sweet. I loved all the references and banter throughout. I now need a peri peri chicken from Nando’s stat. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Jack met Zoe at the wedding of a mutual friend, Ed. They were talking when Zoe received a message on her phone from her daughter that included a picture of her husband and her best friend. She is upset and Jack takes Zoe to her house. Ed is a teacher and knowing Jack needs work, he convinces Jack to teach at the same high school where Zoe and Ed teach. There is chemistry between them, and they begin to spend some time together. Zoe has divorced her husband and now her big concern is her children. Jack is much younger than Zoe and she is concerned about dating a younger guy. This book is full of love for family, friends, and colleagues. I love how Zoe is described as a teacher and her impact on the students. Jack has helped his brother out when his wife died of cancer and Jack moved in to help take care of his nephews. Lots of humor among the messiness of life. Great book!

I was lucky enough to receive both the audiobook & and eARC of this story, it is not something I usually do, but I could tell by the blurb that I was going to really enjoy this, and I was right!
I find in some romance books, the relationship between the main characters can feel forced & rushed, but that was not the case here. The dynamic between Zoe & Jack felt genuine, and I adored the banter between them. This story had me laughing and crying throughout.

Audiobook Notes: I thought Abigail Hardiman did a wonderful job narrating. My only criticism is that there were no voice changes, making it difficult to follow at times. Despite this, I would still recommend both versions of the book.

★★★★
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I want to thank NetGalley, Dreamscape Select and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.

I do loved Zoe and Jack's story, full of laughs, tears & fantastic characters that I felt really captured the realities of teaching, parenting, divorce, new starts etc.
I felt invested in their lives and what would happen to all of them. Definitely one of my top reads this year!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love books with weddings, and even better when a meet cute happens there! These characters were so much fun, and I enjoyed this beach read!

Perfect rom com with hilarious moments , easy read , perfect for summer , The author picked the tropes well

As always, super grateful to netgally and storm publishing for the oppurtunity to read an arc of the latest from Kristen Bailey.
Having read Kristen before, I always knew I would enjoy this. As always she delivers a fantastic read. I love the way she writes such lovely and relatable characters, it's definitely a skill she has mastered and continues to use in every book she releases. I don't think I can ever not like a read from Kristen, I will be a lifelong fan. I won't give anything away about this book, just that if you don't know about Kristen Bailey, you should get to know, you won't be disappointed.

This book was the epitome of a textbook romance. The chemistry between the main characters, Jack and Zoe, practically leapt off the pages. I adored the banter, characters, and setting. Zoe’s redemption arc was executed flawlessly, bringing both laughter and tears to my eyes. Although I typically don’t enjoy dual POVs, this one was seamlessly done. As a fan of closed-door romances, I did skip the open-door scenes, but I didn’t feel like I missed any of the story or romance. I will definitely read more from this author and I’ll be recommending it to all my RomCom lovers.

✨ Single Mum
✨ Age Gap
✨ Teachers
✨ Funny




✨ It all started as a reunion with all the mates in university. Zoe in the first chapter is a mum and ‘happily’ married when suddenly saw a photo of her husband cheating on her. She met Jack on that reunion too.
✨ Both of them is in teaching industry, Jack is more like getting to know what kind of job he really like because he is young. They have a 10 years age gap.
Jack falls first when they had a sudden ‘get me out of here’ moment.
Until it develop but of course Zoe’s ex is such an a**.
✨ Story was great at first until it drags a little bit with the sentence sometimes repeated.
✨ There characters are very likeable especially I can feel the connection to Zoe as the age gap was quite interesting to see especially when there is 2 more child in the package.
✨ Funny but not too cheesy comedy.
Great writing and also narration .



Thankyou @storm publishing for the copy of this arc for a honest review.


🫶🏼shaye.reads

The most entertaining book I have read in a long time!

Zoe and Jack were incredibly likeable, as a pair and individually, and even in the highest moments of conflict you really felt for them and what they were going through. I found myself constantly laughing at the dialogue from many of the characters, not just Zoe and Jack. The side characters were all engaging and added to many scenes, something I often find hard to pull off as genuine. In particular Zoe's teenage children, their feelings and journeys felt respected throughout the entire story. I almost wish we got to see them interact with a certain character more, but I understand their need to reconcile another relationship first.

I tend to stay away from school or teacher centred books but I throughly enjoyed this one, and I will definitely go back and read Sex Ed.
The ending of Textbook Romance felt completely natural and I would happily read anything else from Kristen Bailey!

Thank you to Storm Publishing, NetGalley and author Kristen Bailey for this eARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed Textbook Romance. It's a fun, cute, uplifting romance perfect for relaxing summer days.

I fell in love with both our MCs immediately. Jack is just the sweetest, kindest man and Zoe is a caring, amazing woman who deserves the world. I loved their banter and seeing their relationship develope. I loved that there was no insta-love and that the character were well fleshed out and felt real.
The supporting cast was also amazing with Mia, Jack's flatmates and Zoe's kids
Just all around a great read.

This is the third Kristen Bailey book I’ve read and it has all the ingredients I’ve come to love from reading her work. There’s pain and heartache in this story, but also oodles of joy. It’s a wonderful read that left me with a lump in my throat, reaching for the tissues (not an innuendo - if you’ve read the book, you’ll know).
I love how Kristen Bailey’s books contain such completely adorable characters. This one also includes some who touched my heart in previous books. Still, you don’t need to have read any of her others to appreciate this one.
It was moving to follow Zoe’s journey in this book. I was willing her on and I loved how her life and her view of herself came to change by seeing herself through the gorgeous Jack’s eyes. What a romantic hero he was. Every woman needs a Jack in their life! The banter between Zoe and Jack was so enjoyable to read.
There’s a bit of steam in this book so if that’s not your bag be warned, but personally I thought those scenes were terrific and very well-written.
Overall, this was a gorgeous romcom, a really satisfying romance for grown-ups, and I can’t wait to read more by this tremendously talented author who writes from the heart.

Its such a cute book with many hilarious moments.

Tropes:
Age Gap( fmc-44, mmc-29)
Workplace romance(teachers)
Single mom(divorce)
He falls first

Zoe and Jack are so loveable characters, there isn’t a single mean bine in their body. From their first meeting there is undeniable chemistry between them. When Joe was hurt by Brian’s(he cheated on her with her best friend), she lost herself in taking care of her kids. Jack upend her life by making her happy with silly jokes and support.

What I liked the most is the relationship Joe has with her kids. My fav person ought to be Lottie, she is full of fire and has a foul mouth her cussing is damn funny 😂😂. Also the way all characters are supportive and played roles in Jack& Joe relationship and Ed& Mia are so fun 🤩. Each character is written beautifully.

Even though it’s sweet and all to read it’s very lengthy. It’s the same repetitive happening, i felt bored after some time. The reason for break up felt like nonsense to me.



Thank you @netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for honest review.

The perfect Romcom for back to school 🍎

Zoe meets Jack at her coworkers wedding, and they have great friendly chemistry. That night her life is turned around as she learns that her husband has been cheating on her with her close friend. Now as a 43 year old single mom, she is learning to cope with the betrayal, raise her 2 teenage children, and keep her life together when Jack turns up at her school as a new substitute teacher. Sparks fly between these two despite her reluctance at romance due to their age gap of 14 years. This story is told in dual POV between Zoe and Jack and is well executed. I love the supporting characters with her close teacher friends and her sassy daughter. This is a cute, quick read with tropes of teachers, friends to lovers, coworkers, reverse age gap. I really enjoyed this romcom! 3.75-4/5

Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Kristen Bailey for this ARC, it made my day!
Pub date: July 29, 2024

Zoe Swift, is a math teacher who likes things to be in order, then she meets the charming Jack at a friend’s wedding. That same night she finds our her husband of more than 20yrs is cheating on her with her friend. Going thorough the seperatiom, she didn't expect her attraction to Jack and also didn't expect him to feel the same way. Their immediate connection is undeniable. Unexpectedly, Jack becomes a regular presence in Zoe’s life when he starts working as a substitute teacher at her school, throwing her well-organized world into chaos! Zoe is still dealing with the betrayal of her husband and is learning to navigate life as a single mom.


This was a very sweet book to read, the banter between Jack, 29yrs and Zoe, 44yrs was cool.
The character development in this book is top notch, I enjoy reading it although it's quite slow butn. This novel portrayed how love can heal and change you, even when you least expect it.