Zoe met Jack at a wedding, the same wedding where she found out the worst news. Her husband betrayed her in one of the worst possible ways. A few months later, Zoe and Jack reunite again at the school where she teaches. They form a friendship, but not long after they both start feeling like they may be more than just friends. However, Zoe is hesitant because Jack quite a bit younger than her. Zoe has to figure out how Jack could fit into her already busy life as a teacher and mother.

My Thoughts
I thought this was a cute book. There were some heavy topics when it came to Zoe’s life and her husband’s betrayal, along with Jack’s back story. We’re not only shown the effects of the betrayal on Zoe, but her teenage children as well. We also see Zoe grow and begin to stick up for herself and become a stronger person.

There were some funny moments involving chicken emojis that did make me laugh out loud. There was also a lot of banter and innuendos between Zoe and Jack that were really fun to read. They both also had such good friends that were there for them. The writing style of this book was a little different for me, but I still enjoyed it.


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

Textbook Romance by Kristen Bailey is a uplifting snapshot into the world of age-gap love nestled into the reality of real life circumstances

This book was a real surprise for me. At a first I thought age gap love in a midst of a divorce was a bit cheesy but as I got to know the characters and scenarios I fell in love. Set in London beginning at a wedding Zoe a happily married (so it seems) mum of two teenagers meets Jack a botany graduate swaying between jobs. As the story advances having being cheated on Zoe now single mum of two focused on her work as a maths teacher until she’s surprisingly reunited with Jack who is now a substitute in her school. Alongside the help of friends Mia and Ed Zoe gains a new sense of life, (although juggling her estranged husband and her heartbroken kids) but does this new life include a certain Jack Damon ? The story as it progresses reveals topics of self love and family and how age doesn’t necessarily mean that one is less immature. I also found the dual point of view delightful as it gave me a better insight to how each character is feeling. The lightheartedness of the book allowed me to read with positivity in mind giving a new meaning to textbook romance in my mind. Overall I was truly shocked at how much I enjoyed this book and will most certainly consider reading other works by Bailey in the further.

This was such a cute beach read! I fell in love with Zoe, Jack and their families. Imagine being at a wedding when you learn your husband, who you thought was on a business trip, was cheating on you.... with your best friend. That is how this book starts off and it continues to make you smile and cheer for them. I really enjoyed it.

Wow this was a good read! I thought it was well paced and I adored the characters. The addition of Zoe’s teenage children added a complimentary dynamic to the story; it wasn’t just a love story, but a family affair. And I *loved* when Jack would play coy and make jokes to hype up Zoe in those awkward social situations. The ending was reasonable and realistic, something you don’t always see. 4.25/5

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy to review!

“When is love ever practical?”

Textbook Romance by Kristen Bailey is a new contemporary fiction about relationships, trust, and self-worth. Zoe, at the age of 43, has just had her life turned upside down when her husband is caught cheating with one of her good friends. Having a full-time teaching job and two teenagers, Zoe is trying to pretend everything is alright while being unsure of her next move. Jack, at 29, is just figuring out what path his life should be on when he takes a job as a cover teacher at the school Zoe works at.

I’m not sure this is a word associated with books much, but I was very content (“in a state of peaceful happiness”) while reading this. Textbook Romance was a feel good, cute, charming story. It was a sweet read that embodies kindness and good deeds – there were no crazy twists, nothing to jump out of your seat for or hide under your covers – just a lovely story from the moment it started until the last word on the page. The villain remained the villain and the nice guy was truly, a nice guy.

This book dealt with relationships in all forms – from marriage and new beginnings, to cheating and the after-effects with children during a divorce, and I think a lot of women reading this will be able to relate to this story in some way (whether it personally happened to them, or a sister, friend, etc.)

I liked how Zoe was able to rebuild her self-worth and trust in men by a soulful, hot guy 14 years her junior, and I thought her sister was great! However, I felt there was way too much inner dialogue happening and sometimes I had to scan the page to see if one person was actually talking to the other, or if it was all in their head.

This book flowed very well, and Bailey is definitely a storyteller, but at the end of the day there wasn’t anything amazing to make me remember this book a couple of weeks from now. Great characters, great character development, love the emotional aspects, but overall, just a 3.2 rating from me!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this enjoyable arc; all opinions are my own!

What a cute romance story! It was such a fast read, I think I read it in 2 sittings. Set in England, this was a wonderful slow burn, age-gap romance about Jack and Zoe finding each other, Zoe learning to trust again after her husband cheated, and the couple falling in love. This story did dual POV so seamlessly and I loved hearing the thoughts of both characters throughout their love story. There was cute banter, heartbreak, vulnerability, and love... what more could you want.

Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Kristen Bailey for the ARC of this book!

This was such a cute read! I adored the banter between Zoe and Jack so much. There were so many moments where I was kicking my feet, giggling because they were so cute together. I love, love, loved that Jack helped Zoe see that her ex-husband's actions do not reflect on her at all and that she's a beautiful and interesting woman. It was also refreshing for me to read about MCs that are in their 30s and 40s! It feels a little insta-lovey, so if you don't like that, you might not like it. The end also feels a little bit rushed and I would have loved to see more of Jack and Zoe navigating their relationship but overall I still really enjoyed it!

📎📐Revived my interest in the author's work😍🖇

This Kristen Bailey novel really caught on fire for me from the first meeting of the two main characters. They obviously have some indefinable connection that just becomes stronger and more obvious as they become closer after they find themselves working at the same school. A math-teaching mom who doesn't seem to know her own worth and a new substitute teacher, someone ready to show her how great she is, both at her job and after hours. I loved the confident, kind, younger man and the mature woman romance and the way kids played into the plot. Jack and Zoe were lovely, relatable characters and totally magic as a couple.

I thought the latter part of the Callaghan sister series, particularly the last book, had soured me on Bailey's work. This story, with its heartfelt romance (a bit cheeky at times), mixed with whimsy and humor, brought me back to the Kristen Bailey fold. Her female secondary characters, like daughter Lottie and fellow teacher Mia, are strong and appealing and Dylan, Ed, Dom and Dom's sons were good parts of the character ensemble.

This was a first class romance, though I wish the ending had brought a bit more in the way of certainty and closure.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

The concept was very promising, however this one fell short for me. The ending was VERY abrupt and seemingly out of nowhere. I thought we still had 40 or so more pages to tie up loose ends, and then it just ended. The Borneo storyline felt unnecessary as the FMC was already grappling with the potential relationship without the added hurdle. It made the story seem a bit unrealistic. Without any spoilers, there were loose ends left untied that I could not get past.

Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me an early read.

This book was super cute! I chuckled to myself, I swooned, and I felt all the feelings throughout.

The territory wasn't really new but that didn't bother me. I'm glad, in the end, that people see each other. I think that's what we all really want.

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

An engaging rom-com with heart & soul that will make you blush more than once. The writing for this age gap rom-com works because the MCs are genuinely good people. The individual arcs & relationship storyline all felt believable. The ending was beautiful.

Thank you #Netgalley & #StormPublishing for the ARC e-book.

Another brilliant book from Kristen Bailey, who is fast becoming one of my favourite romance writers.

The book opens with Jack and Zoe, who meet moments before Zoe’s world implodes. When there paths collide again weeks later, the spark is still there…but is there room in all the chaos for them to explore it?

I couldn’t put this book down from the first page to the last. I loved how the dual narratives gave a full 360 view of their relationship. Textbook Romance had all the heat and humour I enjoyed in Sex Ed and it was such a treat to be reunited with some of the characters from that book. The ending is beautiful and apt. All in all, reading this book made me happy whenever I read it. I actually feel I could read 100 books in this setting, written by this author and never get bored.

Thank you for the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.


It was such a treat to be reunited with Ed and Mia from Sex Ed

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute, easy fun read. I really enjoyed reading about the journey the characters take together.

Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC.

This is my second book by this author and I was not disappointed.

Zoe and Jack meet at a wedding for some mutual friends. At the wedding, Zoe gets a call from her teen daughter who has received a picture of Zoe’s husband with another woman. Zoe is devastated and needs to get home to her kids. Jack helps her.

Fast forward a few months and Jack sees Zoe again at the school he has begun working as a sub. Zoe is still in the midst of dealing with her marriage falling apart, but she and Jack strike up a romance. Will it last?

I enjoyed this book, however, I wanted a little more at the end. I felt it was rushed to a conclusion.

Kristen Bailey confirmed herself as an autobuy author for me after my favourite Christmas read of last year, Five Gold Rings (If you’ve not read that yet, get it on your list for this year!) Textbook Romance has just solidified that decision.

I’m not a *huge* romcom fan but sometimes you just need a nice light read, and for that reason I’m careful with which ones I pick up. For me, Textbook Romance has just the right mix of comedy, romance and spice blended with some heavier topics and emotions.
I LOVED all the characters in this. Not just Zoe and Jack, this has a whole carousel of side characters, the ones you can’t stand (Liz and Brian), the ones you’re rooting for (Gabe, Lottie and Dylan, Dom, Mia and Ed) – they all contributed to making this a fun read. I found myself waking up early to finish it, and looking forward to picking it up, always a good indicator of a good read. The little nods to current pop culture (e.g. RAYE) were fun too!

I am so looking forward to Kristen Bailey’s next book!

I honestly went in to this with pretty low expectations but I am pleasantly surprised to say this has exceeded it and then some. This story was so fucking cute. I laughed more than once and felt the pain too.

Zoe is a teacher who has been married to her husband for 20 years. They have 2 amazing kids together. However, its revealed that the husband has been having an affair for a while and it shatters Zoe. She ends up meeting this man, Jack at a wedding the same day she finds out about the affair and though it's slow going they begin a pretty passionate relationship. With the age gap, the betrayal, kids, and a few other obstacles, it's a pretty bumpy ride going into new territory for Zoe.

I loved loved loved Jack and Zoe. I really felt the sparks. Their ride was addictive. If I didn't have to deal with real life I would have never put the book down. The side characters were just amazing as well. Ed and Mia had me cracking up. Beth was such a sweetheart. Dylan and Lottie were such amazing kids and truly had Zoe's back. Dom and the twins were an adorable hot mess. Every character made this book fantastic. Brian and Liz can properly shove it where the sun don't shine.

I was highly surprised by this book but was well worth the read!

Kristen Bailey makes it look so easy! Her writing is warm and effortless with believable characters who are wonderful but still flawed. This is funny and messy, but not chaotic. There’s character arcs and growth. There’s pining and caring. Side characters are warm and necessary. With four kids all playing a role, Kristen has deftly managed a relatively large cast and kept it so interesting. It’s steamier 🌶️ than some of her earlier novels which is not only fun, but feels necessary for us to believe in Zoe and Jack. More please!

Kristen writes a wonderful hero who is slightly rudderless and she’s done this amazingly well with Jack. He’s nearly 30 and moving from job to job without any particular direction. There’s good reasons for this though; messy, kind, real life stuff that makes sense. Zoe is in her early 40s and meets Jack on the day her marriage implodes. As well as a betrayal, she's got young teenagers who are justifiably traumatised. When Jack starts work at Zoe’s school they begin a ‘situationship’ - but it’s more than that because Jack is such a honey. He’s a problem solver and a caretaker and Zoe is just what he needs.

It’s first person dual POV - we get to feel their attraction, and the effects of all the little moments. Zoe takes longer to fall for Jack, but considering all the factors at play this makes sense. Yes there’s a third act breakup (kind of) but it’s necessary for both of them. If you know Kristen Bailey, this will be an auto-buy, if you don’t, hop right in! Highly recommended💖

Thank you NetGalley, Kristen Bailey and Storm Publishing forth ARC. Opinions are my own.

Zoe & Jack ❤️

💒Math teacher Zoe is at the wedding of her colleagues Ed and Mia when she meets Ed’s friend from university, Jack. The two start speaking when Zoe gets a call from her teen daughter that Zoe’s husband Brian has been spotted with another woman.

🐓When Jack starts working as a substitute teacher at the school after the holidays, Zoe is surprised to see him again. Despite the 14 year age gap, there is a really strong connection between the mom to two teens and the thoughtful man who has given up so much for his family.

📚Kristen Bailey writes stories that show so much heart and soul, and a healthy serving of steam on the side, and her latest kept me hooked to the very last page. I loved that Zoe and Jack are part of Ed and Mia’s circle, that they work with Beth from the Callaghan sisters series and they all support our couple in the best ways. Despite the age gap, Jack shows so much maturity, love and caring for Zoe and her children. It’s so soon after Zoe’s break up with her husband and this is handled sensitively.

Read an eARC copy courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Pub Date 29 Jul 2024

I loved getting to catch up with Mia and Ed as Sex Ed is my favorite book from Kristen Bailey! But I didn't love all the emoji talk - maybe I'm just showing my age but I definitely don't know the meanings behind the majority of them 😂

Overall, Textbook Romance is a delightful rom com that had me laughing out loud so many times!! I also really like the way you get to catch up on previous characters, yet it still works as a standalone for those who haven't read her other books.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

I have never read one of Kristen Bailey's books, but the cover really snagged my attention, and I loved how she started the book - I was captured right away. And then I couldn't put the book down!

This book is about Jack, a young botanist who is slightly adrift in life after helping his family for years during a time of need, and Zoe, who discovered her husband had an affair and is still working through the shock waves with her two kids.

I loved each character's little details, and found myself way more invested in the side characters like the kids and the friends than I generally am in books that I read. I found Jack to be so. dang. likeable and Zoe to be so. dang. relatable.

Truly the only two things I have notes on are that I found the ending fairly unrealistic, and that I wanted more spice (what can I say? I love some spice) but truly, I really liked this book and am excited to read more by Kristen.