"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.

I really liked this story line. It was short read, but long at the same time. The chapters were entirely too long, that’s why I am giving it 4 stars. The character’s story lines were both in one chapter, I feel it could have been broken up into longer chapters for an easier read. Overall I still really enjoyed it and would recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I’ll start that this book was hard for me to get into, but I’m very happy I stuck it out. It most definitely had something to do with the British dialogue. I don’t know when it got to the point of not wanting to put it down, but it did.

Zoe and Jack meet at a wedding of mutual friends. While having fun at that wedding Zoe finds out her husband, and the father of her two teenage children, is cheating on her with a family friend of theirs (what an ~arse~ and total bitch, am I right?). A few months later Zoe and Jack meet again while Jack takes a temp teaching job when Zoe works full time. With Jack’s help, charm, and good looks, Zoe is put back together again. She is valued and loved the way she always should have been. I loved how Zoe handled everything with grace and maturity. I appreciated the ending, even if it wasn’t the total happily ever after.

Text Book Romance is a rom com novel by Kristen Bailey.
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. The story was easy to follow with a good pace and had a good cast of characters. I'll definitely be reading more by the author. A great novel that I highly recommend.
💓 Thank you to storm publishing, netgalley and the author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review: *Textbook Romance* by Kristen Bailey

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 stars)

Kristen Bailey's *Textbook Romance* is a delightful and heartwarming read that expertly blends humor, romance, and the complexities of life after betrayal. This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance with a touch of real-life challenges.

Overview:
Zoe Swift, a dedicated maths teacher and single mother of two teenagers, is not looking for love after her husband's recent and shocking betrayal. But when she meets the irresistibly charming and funny Jack Damon at a friend’s wedding, sparks fly. The chemistry between them becomes undeniable when Jack turns up at her school as a supply teacher. Despite their connection, Zoe is hesitant to embrace this unexpected romance due to the age gap, family dynamics, and her own emotional scars.

Themes and Elements:
1. **Second Chances:** The book beautifully explores the theme of second chances, not just in love but in life as well. Zoe's journey towards rediscovering herself and opening up to new possibilities is inspiring.
2. **Family Dynamics:** The portrayal of Zoe's life as a single mother managing her teenage kids and co-parenting with her ex adds depth and authenticity to the story.
3. **Age Gap Romance:** The age difference between Zoe and Jack is handled with sensitivity and realism, making their relationship both believable and relatable.
4. **Humor and Heart:** Kristen Bailey's signature humor shines through, making the book a delightful read while also touching on deeper emotional truths.

Character Development:
- **Zoe Swift:** Zoe is a relatable and strong protagonist. Her vulnerability and resilience make her journey compelling. Watching her navigate the challenges of single motherhood and opening her heart to new love is both heartwarming and empowering.
- **Jack Damon:** Jack is a charming and supportive character. His humor, patience, and genuine affection for Zoe make him an ideal partner. His own uncertainties about his future add an interesting layer to his character.

Writing Style:
Kristen Bailey’s writing is engaging, witty, and full of heart. Her ability to balance humor with poignant moments ensures that the story resonates on multiple levels. The dialogue is sharp, realistic, and often hilarious, keeping the reader entertained from start to finish.

Final Thoughts:
*Textbook Romance* is a charming and uplifting story that will leave readers smiling. Kristen Bailey has crafted a novel that beautifully captures the chaos, joy, and unexpected surprises of life and love. Zoe’s journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and embracing the unexpected.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary romance with strong family themes, humor, and a realistic portrayal of life's ups and downs. Highly recommended for fans of romantic comedies looking for a feel-good read that tackles real-life issues with grace and laughter.

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

I had such fun reading this, and was rooting for Zoe from beginning to end. She and Jack are likeable and funny characters, with warmth and integrity, and despite the age gap, belong together.

This is a feel-good and humorous romcom that also touches on the topics of affairs, divorce and co-parenting after divorce, which are well told (without getting too heavy or making them the "hero" of the story).

Thank you to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and the author Kristen Bailey or an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

A funny story with heartfelt emotions. I quite liked both Ed and Jack for being men that can be soft in a good way. The banter was fun between Zoe and Jack or Zoe and her friends.

However, it was rather flat regarding diversity when it comes to skin color, gender identity, religion, history, cultural background, chronics, you name it. It doesn't have to be a theme, but someone being overweight, or with financial struggles, or being non-binary could have been casually mentioned. This was set in London, surely there are those who fit this description? For instance Ed being a Black man, Beth in a wheelchair, Kate in a same-sex marriage. Unfortunately, I am adding that to a lot of reviews on books I've read recently...

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.