Member Reviews

charming, witty and hilarious! i definitely understood the importance of a well timed chicken emoji and waited every time for one to pop up! an absolute delight to read! 🐥🐥🐥🐥

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As a teacher, I loved how the lifestyle was captured. It was also the perfect escapism whilst reminded women that we don’t need a man to define us. In that regard, it was very empowering.

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I really loved this book and enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. I’m more of a thriller girly but I think this author has peeked my interest into looking more at romance books.

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What a cute romance story! Zoe and Jack have an unconventional romance, including an age-gap and coparenting struggles. It was so nice to read their story and see how everything worked out for them.

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Textbook Romance is a delightful and heartwarming tale that explores love and new beginnings in the wake of betrayal. Zoe, a dedicated maths teacher, meets the charming Jack at a wedding where she also unfortunately learns of her husband’s infidelity. The unexpected twist is that Jack later becomes a sub teacher at her school, leading to a budding romance. The novel effectively balances humor with emotional depth, capturing the complexities of Zoe's transition from a failed marriage to a new relationship with a significant age difference.

The story is enriched by well-developed characters, including Zoe's supportive children and Jack's role as a loving uncle. While the focus on Zoe’s divorce slightly overshadows the romance, the dual perspectives and engaging dialogue make the read enjoyable. The slow pace and some repetitive elements might deter some readers, but the overall charm and nostalgic feel of the book provide a satisfying, uplifting experience for fans of contemporary romance.

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*"Textbook Romance" by Kristen Bailey is a hilarious and heartwarming story that explores love, life, and all the chaos in between. Bailey’s witty writing and charming characters make this book an absolute delight. The protagonist’s relatable quest for romance unfolds with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and unexpected twists, making it a page-turner. Beneath the humor, Bailey touches on deeper themes of self-worth, friendship, and personal growth, creating a story that resonates on many levels. *Textbook Romance* is the perfect blend of comedy and heart, offering a refreshing take on modern relationships and the ups and downs of finding love.*

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I would just like to say a big thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for very kindly forwarding me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review.

Oh I do love books from Kristen Bailey and this one was definitely no exception, it was absolutely wonderful and i really loved everything about it.

This was definitely an uplifting romantic comedy and also made for quite an emotional read too, which i really enjoyed.

Both Jack and Zoe were wonderful, down-to-earth, well rounded characters and i thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them both!! And i have to admit that i fell a little bit in love them both too!!

Text Book Romance made me feel all the feels while i was reading it - i laughed, i loved and yes, i ‘may’ of shed a tear or two but overall i thoroughly enjoyed it…..

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This will not be a long review,

Reading this book felt like a slice-of-life but not with all the details the genre demands. It felt like a second chance romance in the sense Zoe's learning to love love itself again, but not like she has ever lost her belief in the first place. It was rushed. Some actions make no sense. Some relations should have been more developed so some scenes would make more sense (mainly Zoe/Liz's friendship).

Maybe I'm not part of the book's demographic so it didn't cause an impression on me, a 26-year-old. Almost sure that's what happened, actually. Would recommend it to people who have felt great disappointment in love though.

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In this fun modern romance novel, readers follow math teacher Zoe Swift and new temporary teacher Jack Damon from their first meeting at a mutual friend’s wedding to coworkers and then something more a few months later. Zoe, going through a messy separation and divorce, is not ready for a new relationship even if Jack makes her laugh and reignites something in her that her ex-husband’s betrayal broke. As they challenge and support each other (while also having incredible chemistry), their relationship must still negotiate a decent age gap, single parenting, a divorce, and uncertain future plans before love can conquer all. Zoe, Jack, and the rest of the cast of characters are complex, witty, lively, and dynamic, with fully developed and complex personalities that bring this novel to life. Zoe and Jack’s relationship is, of course, the centerpiece of the novel, but the honesty, kindness, and complexity in their relationship makes it shine. Racy and romantic in turns, the novel brings their relationship to life along all of the twists and turns in this novel. A fun modern romance novel with a good heart and lots of fun tropes and complications, fans of the genre are sure to love Kristen Bailey’s latest book and Zoe and Jack’s whirlwind romance.

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I’m new to reading Kristen Bailey’s books and Textbook Romance didn’t disappoint! This story was so heartwarming and I thought the dual POV was done well. I thought Jack was such a sweetheart and I loved seeing glimpses of his time with his brother and nephews. Despite some tough subjects, this book was a light, upbeat read with plenty of humor. I appreciated the epilogue but still finished the book wanting more! I’d love to see a follow-up book with a plot about Jack’s brother, Dom. Thank you to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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I loved this book so much! It was such a sweet, uplifting story, so well written and so well thought out. It made me laugh, cry, swoon, all at the same time. Zoe and Jack meet at a wedding, and there's an immediate connection.. but then Zoe's life is quite literally turned upside down, right in front of Jake's eyes. When they meet again a few months later, as Jack unexpectedly shows up as a sub teacher at Zoe's school, will they be able to act on their obvious connection or will their past get in the way?
A lovely book I'd recommend to anyone who loves romantic comedies.

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Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Kristen Bailey for access to a copy of Textbook Romance.

Textbook Romance is a dual-point-of-view romance that follows the story of Zoe and Jack. Zoe is an early fourties’ woman who very abruptly, has her life flipped upside-down, leaving her as a newly single mom of two teenagers. Jack is a soon-to-be thirty-year-old, who is a genuinely caring, family-oriented, still trying to figure out what his life looks like. When Jack takes on a substitute teaching job at the school his friends teach at, he is surprised to see the woman he clicked so well with at his friend's wedding. Will the connection be enough to get past some very real and difficult life circumstances?

With an abundance of complicated family dynamics, themes of rediscovering yourself, and imperfect characters that you can’t help but love, it’s hard not to get sucked into a Textbook Romance.

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A super fun teacher romance!! This is a new trope for me and I really enjoyed it!! Zoe and Jack's connection and chemistry is great to read and I love their relationship develop.

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I normally enjoy Kristen Bailey books but this one moved to slow for me. Plus I didn't really enjoy the ending. I wanted a little more closer for the characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. #TextbookRomance #NetGalley

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This was an okay read, but it didn’t capture my attention as I had hoped it would. The plot was uneventful and there was very little character growth throughout.

I couldn’t connect with the characters at all, they were too underdeveloped for me to form any connection to them.

It was a very dialogue heavy book, the majority of which felt forced to me.

I received an ARC from NetGalley, and all opinions are my own.

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A super lighthearted and romantic read!
 
All of the characters were so easy to love! Especially Zoe and Jack; they were so easy to root for, and I adored following along on their love story.
 
While this had me laughing out loud a whole bunch, it also was like a sucker punch emotionally at times.
 
Zoe went through so much that I just wanted to give her the biggest hug. She is a character to look up to, though, with how she handled everything with grace for her children.
 
This was a fun and emotional read for me; I loved it from the very first page. The family dynamic is something worth mentioning too; I ate up every page with Zoe and her family!
 
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy!

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It's a lovely rom-com featuring Zoe, a maths teacher who has just discovered her husband's betrayal, and Jack, currently a supply teacher, who rescues her when she finds out about her husband at a mutual friend's wedding and then serendipitously turns up at the school where she works. Whilst their chemistry is tangible, the timing is not ideal. It's a lighthearted read that explores contemporary issues. I like the protagonists, the believable family dynamics, the friendship, the humour and the romance elements.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

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I loved the initial book in this series and really enjoyed how aspects of it were interlinked into this story! I love Kristen Baileys writing and this was no exception, captivating, funny, serious at times but lighthearted too - this was the perfect summer read! I would absolutely recommend!

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**Review: *Textbook Romance***

*Textbook Romance* is a delightful and engaging read that combines cheeky humor with heartfelt moments, set against the charming backdrop of England. From the moment you dive into this story, it’s clear that it has all the ingredients of a feel-good romance with a touch of depth.

The plot centers on Zoe, a teacher navigating life at 40 with the added challenge of starting over after discovering her husband’s affair. At a colleague’s wedding, she meets Jack, a flirtatious and endearing substitute teacher. Their initial chemistry is palpable, but Zoe’s emotional turmoil and Jack’s quest for direction in life add layers to their burgeoning relationship. Four months later, Jack finds himself back at Zoe’s school, and as they reconnect, their flirtation turns into something more substantial, with some nudges from well-meaning friends adding to their growing closeness.

One of the book’s strengths is its portrayal of the age gap between Zoe and Jack, which adds a refreshing dynamic to their romance. Zoe’s struggles with balancing motherhood, career, and personal reinvention at 40 contrast compellingly with Jack’s late twenties angst about career and adulthood. The dual perspectives enrich the story, offering readers a nuanced look at the challenges and triumphs of both characters. Jack’s reflections on growing older, including the amusing observation that while parties become more subdued, the beer selection improves, provide a blend of humor and authenticity.

*Textbook Romance* excels in balancing lighthearted moments with more serious themes. From the humorous confusion over a chicken emoji to Zoe’s poignant journey through post-affair recovery and parenting, the novel captures the spectrum of emotions with finesse. Zoe’s strength and Jack’s surprising maturity, despite his career uncertainty, create a couple that feels both genuine and aspirational.

The book is a heartfelt ode to healing after heartbreak and the courage to pursue new beginnings. The seamless dual POV allows readers to intimately connect with both protagonists, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative. The epilogue is a satisfying touch, providing a glimpse into the characters' future and rounding off the story beautifully.

While *Textbook Romance* flirts with five-star territory, its longing for more content makes it feel slightly incomplete. Nonetheless, it delivers an engaging and uplifting romantic comedy that fans of Abby Jimenez, Emily Henry, Tessa Bailey, Lynn Painter, and Sarah Adams will undoubtedly appreciate.

In summary, *Textbook Romance* is a charming and emotionally resonant read that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love with its characters. If you’re a fan of romcoms and are looking for a book that balances humor with heartfelt moments, this one should definitely be on your TBR list. ✨💖📚

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a delightful equation of humor, heartache, and joy. When math teacher Zoe Swift meets the irresistibly charming Jack Damon, sparks fly faster than you can say “the square root of sixty-nine.” Their chemistry is electric, but Zoe’s recent heartbreak and the age gap add complexity. Bailey’s writing dances between laughter and tears, leaving readers with a lump in their throats.

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