This was a lovely cookie cut romance with all of the right elements to make it an easy read that had a lot of heart. Jack and Zoe are wonderful together and the romance between them is nicely believable with just the right amount of bumps in the road.

For as extended a list of supporting characters that we got, they were all distinct and had personality and substance which is often lacking in this genre so I was pleasantly surprised!

Thoroughly enjoyed this!!

Could not put this down. Mia and Jack share a love that is classic Kristen Bailey: awkward, funny, and heartbreaking. Mia is reeling from the shocking end to her marriage. Jack’s quite a bit younger and still looking for a permanent career. They collide in a poignant and touching way, on the night Mia’s marriage implodes, only to find out that they work in the same school. One of the many things I loved about this book is the private life versus the public life of this couple. There is the relationship they share versus their work life and Mia’s family, which includes two teenagers also dealing with the break up of their family. This book has much to say about modern love while also providing an utterly charming and engaging read. Loved it!

Textbook Romance is another winner from Kristen Bailey for me. A newly single mom of teenagers meets a man 14 years younger than her on the day her life implodes, and the two navigate a relationship amid the challenges that come with her new situation.
As with her other books, Kristen Bailey manages to add so much humor in this story that I found myself laughing throughout the whole thing. I also liked reading from the perspective of a FMC in her forties, which gave the book a different feeling than most other romances. As a mom and teacher, I related to a lot of Zoe’s life (thankfully I do not relate to the cheating husband part), and it was interested to see her navigate a new divorce, self esteem struggles (thanks to said cheating husband), and a new partner with an age gap. Her relationship with her kids was sweet and made me slightly less nervous to parent teenagers someday.
Without spoiling anything, I was only a little disappointed with the ending. I felt it still had some unanswered questions and I really wanted a second epilogue to just spell it out for me!
All in all, I really enjoyed it and also liked seeing Ed and Mia from her previous book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book had me giggling out loud in several parts and smiling from ear to ear. I think the characters are very well done and I like that it's an age gap where the woman is older. Jack handles Zoe's family dynamics with grace and understanding. This was definitely a feel good rom-com that I couldn't put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Zoe and Jack hit it off instantly when they meet at a mutual friend's wedding. However, Zoe's life takes a sudden turn when a phone call leads to the breakdown of her marriage.

Months later, they cross paths again when Jack takes a job at the same school where Zoe works. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but Zoe is hesitant. Jack is younger, and she’s still dealing with the recent end of her marriage and the needs of her children. Can she handle another major change in her life?

From the first page, I was hooked and found myself rooting for both Zoe and Jack. Each character faces their own challenges, but together, their connection is electric and authentic.

This is a fantastic love story, and I was genuinely sad when I finished it so quickly.

Really sweet story about a middle-aged woman, wronged by her husband, finding love with someone new. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was a fun and flirty read with forty something Zoe coming to terms with the end of her marriage after her husband was unfaithful whilst falling in lust with 29 year old Jack who has just started working at the school where she’s a teacher. I loved the dual perspective of this as they both have such differing views about their relationship and their own lives are also very different especially Zoe’s as she tries to support her teen children to adapt to the new family dynamic. This is a really fun and easygoing read with fabulous characters and plenty of laughs in amongst the drama.

Oh my goodness, what a wonderful story, full of emotion and love it definitely made me feel fuzzy inside and I got something in my eye several times, bravo!

I was so excited when I saw that I was approved for this ARC because I adore Kristen Bailey's writing. The first book I read of hers was Sex Ed last summer and I was thrilled to find out we would find out what happened with Mia and Ed as well as learn about new teachers/characters. This book was about a forty something teacher, Zoe, who recently found out her husband was cheating on her with a friend. Ouch! Then enters Jack, a 29 year old dream boat. Jack was simply the best character ever written. He was so delightful and swoon-worthy! It is kind of a insta-love situation which I really do not care for but it was so believable and dealt with with such care. I feel in love right along with the characters. I was worried about how the book would handle Zoe's teenage children but I was so pleased with how they were portrayed. At one point I found myself crying over their heartbreak and how well Zoe comforted them. This book was realistic, heartfelt, sexy, and just such a pleasant read. I loved every single minute. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

What a great book! It was such a humorous romcom. I loved it from page one to the very last page. It was a five star read!!

I think this is my favorite book of the summer so far!! I loved this book! This book hooked me from the start with how wonderful Jack was to Zoe the minute he met her. There was an instant attraction even though he was respectful and didn’t act on it because at the time she was married. I was so happy it worked out for them in the end because even though there was an age difference (she’s older), they were able to see how well suited they were for each other and how happy they were and could be together. .I will be reading more of this author’s books for sure!

Textbook romance was truly a guide on how to break my heart and then scotch tape it back together with lots of romance and laughter. Kristen Bailey really outdid herself with this sweet (and sometimes steamy) rom-com.

Zoe met Jack on the day that her world crashed down around her ears, but even though they were strangers, he was kind and gently made sure that she got home safely and into the arms of her teenage children.

When he then showed up as a new member of staff at the school where she taught math, Zoe was tasked to show Jack the ropes at the school. She remembered his charm and wit, and fell under their spell again. This time, however, she questioned whether or not she should flirt back, as he was over a decade younger.

They were like two puzzle pieces that were just meant to be by each other’s side, it initially seemed, but despite the laughter and ease that they had with each other, Will Zoe listen to the little voice in her head that is telling her that Jack’s too young, that this is too complicated, and that her kids would be hurt worse if she moved on too soon?

And what about Jack? Is he just being nice? What about his future?

It’s all so deliciously complicated and there are so many emotions that come out to play in this funny and adorable book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this brilliant ARC!!

A feel good book with some laugh out loud moments. This is a romance book with a healthy dose of reality which makes it much more relatable. I would highly recommend if you are looking for a light bit of escapism.

What a wonderfully fun and endearing rom com. I really enjoyed everything about it from the plot to the likeable characters. I laughed, screamed and cried but most of all I had a rollicking time.

Textbook Romance by Kristen Bailey
Rating: 4/5

When Jack, newly recruited as a supply teacher, enters Zoe's school, she finds herself drawn to him despite grappling with the aftermath of her husband's betrayal and adjusting to single motherhood. Unsure if she's ready for a fling with a younger man, Zoe wrestles with her feelings as her connection with Jack deepens. Their chemistry and Jack's unwavering support help Zoe rediscover joy in life's simple pleasures. However, with complex family dynamics, co-parenting responsibilities, and their age difference to navigate, Zoe faces the challenge of accepting love's unpredictable nature.

"Textbook Romance" by Kristen Bailey is a delightful and heartwarming tale that explores the unpredictability of love through the story of Zoe Swift, a math teacher, and the charming Jack Damon.

Their instant connection at a friend's wedding leads to Jack becoming a supply teacher at Zoe's school, disrupting her well-ordered life as a single mom still reeling from her husband's betrayal.

As Zoe navigates her feelings for Jack amidst an age gap and her responsibilities, their undeniable chemistry and Jack's unwavering support help her rediscover joy in life's simple pleasures.

Bailey's writing is infused with humour, wit, and deep emotional insight, with richly developed characters and vivid settings that immerse readers in the story.

The novel stands out for its focus on the emotional and intellectual connection between Zoe and Jack, rather than physical intimacy, allowing their relationship to shine.

"Textbook Romance" is a charming and thoughtful exploration of love's complexities, reminding readers that love, though not always simple, is always worth pursuing.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author, Kristen Bailey, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

This age gap romance between Zoe and Jack portrays the messiness of past relationships, family ties, competing demands, and the things we do with the best intentions in a more realistic way than many in the genre. That affects the ending as well in a way that, again, is more realistic than in other books but also means it’s not quite as neatly tied up - it’s well done, but just a note for those who like pure escapism. The characters feel very real and the dialogue is believable. It’s not open door in terms of spice, but I wouldn’t describe it as clean either. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own.

Title: Textbook Romance by Kristen Bailey

Release date: July, 29th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars


"Textbook Romance" by Kristen Bailey is a delightful and heartwarming tale that proves love can be as unpredictable as the square root of sixty-nine.

When Zoe Swift, a math teacher with a penchant for order and predictability, meets the charming and funny Jack Damon at a friend's wedding, their connection is instant and undeniable.

Little does she know, Jack will soon become a fixture in her life as a supply teacher at her school, turning her well-ordered world upside down!

Zoe, still reeling from her husband's betrayal and adjusting to life as a single mom, is hesitant to embrace the feelings Jack stirs within her. The age gap, her responsibilities, and Jack's own uncertainties about the future create a complex equation that neither of them is sure how to solve.

Yet, their chemistry is undeniable, and Jack's unwavering support helps Zoe rediscover the joys of life, from a love of dancing to the simple pleasure of a well-timed chicken emoji.

Kristen Bailey's writing is a breath of fresh air, infused with humour, wit, and a deep understanding of human emotions.

The characters are richly developed, and the setting is so vividly described that you can almost feel the buzz of the staff room and the tension in the corridors.

The novel is a masterclass in character growth, showing how love can heal and transform, even in the most unexpected circumstances.

What sets "Textbook Romance" apart is its refreshing take on romance. It's a closed-door story that focuses on the emotional and intellectual connection between Zoe and Jack, rather than relying on physical intimacy to drive the plot. This choice allows the reader to truly appreciate the depth of their relationship and the selflessness of their actions.

Bailey's exploration of love as a complex equation, with variables like family dynamics, co-parenting, and personal growth, adds layers to the story. It's a reminder that while love may not always be simple, it's always worth the effort.

"Textbook Romance" is a charming and thoughtful novel that will make you laugh, cry, and root for Zoe and Jack's unconventional love story.

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

Oh my goodness - read this book. I loved it—lots of fun laughs, smutty texts and tears to giggles. Zoe is an excellent person, a good mum, a good teacher and a good friend and sister. She falls for Jack, and he falls for her. The ex-husband is an idiot and shown to be one; the new girlfriend is an idiot and also gets shown up. All of this is good for the soul, and if you can laugh whilst feeling you are getting one back at the universe, that is absolutely a good thing.

Reading Kristen Bailey books is like curling up on a comfy couch, with a fuzzy blanket and a cup of tea. Textbook Romance is no exception. I loved both main characters. Zoe and Jack are at the core good people and I was rooting for them from the beginning. The cast of supporting characters were interesting, fun, and the kind of people I wish I could be friends with. There were moments that were laugh out loud for me, and the back and forth of points of view worked really well. I didn't want this book to end! Highly recommend this and all her books.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

Written with her usual warmth and wit, Textbook Romance is yet another winner from Kristen Bailey. Married 43-year-old teacher Zoe Swift meets 29-year-old Jack Damon at her colleagues' wedding, only for him to witness her pain to learn from her teenager daughter that her husband is cheating on her. Months later, Zoe learns Jack is working as a temporary supply teacher at her school. Suddenly his charms and their connection become a spark she can't ignore. But given they are in two different places in their lives, how can they make it work?

I was glued to this book from start to finish and adored Zoe and Jack growing together, plus Beth ('Did My Love Life Shrink in the Wash?'), Mia and Ed ('Sex Ed') play substantial supporting roles in machinating the two together. Despite their age difference they have a palpable chemistry as well a connection. Both have put their families first - Zoe helping them navigate her teenagers' anger at their father while Jack put his life and career prospects on hold for four years to help his brother raise his infant twin sons after his wife died from cancer. it's why I really appreciated is Zoe's decisions regarding Jack's opportunity. It was realistic and appropriate to ensure Jack's future happiness.

As always, Kristen Bailey’s writing is funny and clever with strong character development and sense of place. I really felt like I was in the staff room with the gang. While I did find pace did slow a bit with some scenes I felt could've been cut (like Mia and Ed chasing the students), this was another winner as it had so much heart with two characters that leapt off the page. I hope one day someone options these books because they'd make for funny and charming movies.

Thanks to Storm and NetGalley for the ARC.