"Textbook Romance" by Kristen Bailey is a delightful, heartwarming novel that showcases just how unpredictable love can be, much like trying to find the square root of sixty-nine. Zoe Swift, a math teacher who thrives on order and routine, meets the witty and charming Jack Damon at a friend’s wedding. 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 grappling with the betrayal of her husband and is learning to navigate life as a single mom. She's reluctant to embrace the emotions Jack awakens in her. The age difference, her responsibilities, and Jack's own uncertainty about his future make their relationship a complicated puzzle they're not sure how to piece together. Despite these challenges, their chemistry is palpable, and Jack’s steadfast support helps Zoe rediscover life’s pleasures, from dancing to the joy of a perfectly-timed chicken emoji. Kristen Bailey’s writing is refreshing and full of humor, wit, and a deep understanding of human feelings.
The characters are richly drawn, and the setting is so vividly depicted that you can almost feel the energy of the staff room and the tension in the school corridors. This novel excels in portraying character development, demonstrating how love can heal and change us, even under the most unexpected circumstances. What makes "Textbook Romance" stand out is its unique approach to romance. It's a "closed-door" story, focusing on the emotional and intellectual bond between Zoe and Jack rather than relying on physical intimacy to propel the narrative. This perspective allows readers to truly appreciate the depth of their relationship and the selflessness of their actions.
Bailey’s portrayal of love as a complex equation, incorporating factors like family dynamics, co-parenting, and personal growth, adds depth to the story. It’s a reminder that while love may be complicated, it’s always worth the effort. "Textbook Romance" is a charming and thoughtful novel that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for Zoe and Jack's unconventional love story.

Thank you to The Publisher Storm Publishing, The Author Kristen Bailey, and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

I think this might be my first age gap book I’m read since I started back in reading. It felt Hallmarky (nothing wrong with it) but a very cute read!

4.5 ⭐️! I may round up my rating after sitting on it as I really enjoyed this one but I’m very picky with my 5⭐️ reviews.

This was a delightful contemporary romance! I am so thankful to have gotten the eARC for free from Netgalley and Storm Publishing so I can leave my voluntary and honest review.

The book was down to earth and while it was an easy Hallmark-esque type of story as far as tropes, it had some meat to it and felt very natural.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Zoe and Jack unfold as while there was definite physical attraction, the author let the audience see why they were such good people rather than falling back on looks or “just because” which happens so frequently in these type of books.

I also loved seeing the features of a great teacher and that Zoe’s students recognized her skills. Lastly, and without spoilers, I liked that it wasn’t tied up in a nice little bow at the end. It left room for a sequel (which I really hope there is) but it could be ended where it was too.

You also get to revisit her characters Ed and Mia from the authors book called Sex Ed published in July 2023.

This book gets published on July 24th 2024 so put it on your TBT for a perfect summer read!


My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Textbook Romance has Jack and maths teacher Zoe meeting at the wedding of Mia and Edward from the previous wonderful book Educating Ed.
Jack and Zoe hit it off straight away enjoying each other’s company and sense of humour. When Zoe receives a devastating phone call from her son and daughter telling her they’ve found out their father is having an affair with one of Zoe’s friends. Devastated Jack helps her home and doesn’t meet her again until some months later when he is employed as a supply teacher at the same school teachers Ed, Mia and Zoe work.
The spark that started at the wedding becomes stronger and although 14+ years older than Jack she can’t help her strong feelings for him and he makes it obvious how he feels about her.
Having to navigate the trauma of her marriage breakdown and deal with its effect on her son and daughter she has many confusing emotions.
This is an absolutely lovely story with wonderful lead characters and the usual really funny scenes that add much to this tale.
These are two lovely characters that you become really invested in wanting the best for them. I would of liked a longer epilogue but only because I didn’t want the book to end.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

This was my first @kristenbaileywrites novel and it was a great first book to read.
When Zoe’s husband’s betrayal comes to light while she is out at a wedding, it’s Jack, the nice young (and handsome), man she just met that helps get her home. When Jack turns up as the new supply teacher where Zoe teaches, sparks fly. Still feeling off balance from her former life coming apart, she isn’t sure she is ready for a fling with a younger man.
This was a sweet romance and a great finding yourself novel. Zoe really had the rug pulled out from under her and Jack does such a great job helping her feel secure again. If you need a happy book with a great heart this is one for you. Look for it July 29 2024. Thank you to @netgalley and @stormbooks_co for letting me review #textbookromance in exchange for getting to read it a little early.
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Locker leichte Romcom mit gutem Humor, witzigen Dialogen und solider Handlung, die man so und so ähnlich natürlich schon aus ähnlichen Büchern kennt. Aber ganz nett für zwischendurch und unterhaltsam alle mal 👍🏻

"Textbook Romance" by Kristen Bailey is a sweet, endearing read about Zoe Swift, a 43-year-old math teacher, and Jack Damon, a 29-year-old supply teacher whose instant connection at a friend's wedding eventually brings him into Zoe's school, really pressing a wedge into her current life as a single mother dealing with the betrayal of her husband. Despite the age gap and responsibility, with their chemistry so undeniable and Jack being very supportive, Zoe finds joy once more.

Bailey writes humorously and sensitively, along with creating complex characters and settings that make one become attached. The book pays focus to the emotional and intellectual closeness of Zoe and Jack rather than physical closeness, hence making their relationship feel within the bounds of reality and endearing. The leveled view provided with Zoe's and Jack's alternating views allows insight into both characters and battles.

Some of the negatives include, probably, some dragging scenes wherein there is no event—Mia and Ed chasing students around the school—which could have been avoided for better pacing. At the same time, despite this, "Textbook Romance" is a sweet tale of complicated love with truly unselfish main characters who help each other grow as individuals.

Another winner by Kristen Bailey! I loved the age difference romance with the woman being older and it was so great to see characters from previous books! A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Zoe is going through a rough breakdown of her marriage and impending divorce while raising two teens. Jack is a man who has been there for everyone, even to the point where his own life has halted. Sparks fly when they meet, and he falls first.

Ms. Bailey writes with the kind of humor I love. I inevitably laugh really loudly when reading her books! I can’t wait for her next one. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially drawn to this book by the cover. Once I read the description I was even more excited to read it. I tried really hard to read this book once I received it, but I just couldn’t get into it.

While age gap romances are admittedly not for me, I thought this book was well written. The dual POV really gives each character more depth, which not all books accomplish. The first chapter sets up the characters very well!

I totally didn't expect how good this one was! Like everything is so straight to the point but manages to still find conflict and struggle, which a lot of romance books don't really have. It's a lot of will they won't they when it's like....where even is the issue? Also duo-pov added so much to Jack and Zoe, it's that extra things we usually don't get.

This book is so good! I haven't been so hooked on a romance from the very first chapter in a while.

I may be biased, being a 43 year old mom who's been through divorce - I super related to the feelings Zoe had when faced with the breakdown of her marriage through infidelity. It was spot on. And the fantasy component for me - who doesn't want to have a fling with a younger fit partner after having your life blasted apart? - was very fun for me to read.

What struck me is how decent the characters in the book are. Even the villains are described somewhat fairly - as selfish ding dongs, sure, but with a little bit of grace extended. They aren't caricatures, these are real people. The two main characters, and their friends and family, all come alive on the page. The book is sweet, people are kind and generous, and the feelings are very real.

Very good romance - I haven't read anything by Kristen Bailey before, but I will now.

Wonderful, enjoyable read. You cannot help but be drawn into the relationship between Zoe and Jack. Another Kristen Bailey page turner, albeit more steamier than a hot tub 😉. It is good to see the return of some familiar faces too. A super read, I recommend reading and look forward to more from Kristen.

I really really wanted to enjoy this as the outline made me want to but I found it boring within the first few chapters. Jack is boring and the details he has in his parts are just not needed. This is my first book by Kristen and probably be my last, which makes me sad as I like discovering new authors. I think this would be great for other people but not for me.

I was unfamiliar with author Kristen Bailey, but I was happy to discover that she has quite a deft hand with contemporary romance. The two protagonists, Zoe and Jack, are well drawn and relatable.

They meet at a friend's summer wedding and find they enjoy talking together and getting to know each other casually. Zoe, age 43, is a popular math teacher with two teenagers at home. Jack, at 29, is still deciding what he wants to be when he grows up--a trained botanist, he has spent years helping his brother raise his two small boys after the untimely death of their mother, while taking unchallenging jobs. After the summer is over, the two meet again at Zoe's high school, where Jack is hired as a substitute teacher. They click again, but in the interim, Zoe is having trouble coming to terms with her husband's betrayal, and they are headed for divorce. It's clear that Zoe and Jack are great together, but is their age difference insurmountable, and do they want the same things?

I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the couple--both alone and together--and their supportive friends. All of their children are realistic and pleasantly spoiled. Both Zoe and Jack--and especially Jack--stand out as memorable characters. I will definitely be looking for more by Kristen Bailey.

My thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Textbook Romance is about a teacher going through a divorce who meets a much younger (and pretty much perfect) man. There is a lot to like about this rom-com -first of all, as a teacher myself, I have to say that the parts related to school and teaching were pretty spot on and the type of teacher Zoe was is truly how a "good" teacher would be in the classroom. I really liked Zoe's kids - they weren't rebellious bratty kids who talk back. They loved and protected Zoe and had a wonderful relationship throughout the upheaval they were going through. I also appreciated that Zoe didn't poison the kids against Brian but tried to keep their relationship civil. I really liked Jack although he was almost TOO good to be true. The story has some definite laugh out loud moments and while there are sex scenes, they aren't over the top and they don't take over the book. There were a couple grammar errors that got by the editor but they weren't distracting. There was also a spot in the book where there were 3 or 4 mentions of "flaring nostrils" which kind of made me laugh but maybe they did go around flaring them for a while lol

Jack y Zoe se conocieron en una boda, a él le gustó, pero se dió cuenta que estaba casada entonces dio un pasa otras.

Fue muy fea la manera de como se enteró de la infidelidad, lo único bueno es que estaba con Jack y la ayudo a llegar con sus hijos.



4 meses después se vuelven a ver cuando Jack es contratado en la escuela de Zoe, ella está pasando por muchas cosas, sin embargo, cuando está con Jack se siente feliz. Él es un poco inmaduro, pero era justo lo que ella necesitaba.

Odie al maldito descarado del exesposo y a su amante. Fue un buen padre y esposo por caso 20 años y de repente cambio.

El final lo sentí inconcluso, me hubiera gustado saber como solucionaron lo de la distancia porque ambos estaban felices con sus trabajos, pero vivian en diferentes continentes.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was so cute!! Absolutely loved the characters, the not typical main female lead, and the chemistry of the couple. Lottie may have been my favorite of all. A fun, frothy romance!

After reading books from this author previous I knew I was in for a treat with this latest book. Oh my god it is fantastic! Literally struggled to put this down as I loved it that much. I swear I'd such a smile on my face reading this the characters are so perfect and absolutely lovable. My heart broke for the main character Zoe, I was so gutted for her after she finds out about her husband and I had my fingers crossed that things would get better for her and she would get her happy ending. Oh and Mr Damon... What an absolutely beautiful character he is. I definitely will be recommending this book to all my fellow book lovers as they will be sure to love this book.

Three and a half stars.

When Zoe Swift meets Jack Damon at a colleague's wedding she finds him easy to talk to, and kind of flirty considering she's fifteen years older than him. Then in an instant one phone call overturns her happy family life.

A few months later, Jack turns up as a supply teacher at the school where Zoe teaches maths. He's just as easy to talk to, kind, and flirty as she remembers, but now her circumstances are very different, and with two angry, devastated teenagers at home she doesn't have the bandwidth for romance, until two well-meaning friends set them up.

I always enjoy a Kristen Bailey novel, she truly does write rom-coms, in this case there are some dodgy and ambiguous emojis flying around. However, this one doesn't hit the heights of my all-time favourite Can I Give My Husband Back?.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.