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.

The characters I loved them! The character development is a chefs kiss. They are hard workers and I truly respect and adore that. This is a developing relationship that takes time and has love, comedy, and sweetness all wrapped up.

Jack is such a green flag! Absolutely adored him and his support for Zoe. Now love isn’t a simple equation to solve, but man when you work together and get it right… it just works so well.

The references to shows were also a fun little touch and nod. It had that mix of reality for me with that romance idea aspect.

Well done! I’ll be recommending this.

What a sweet, sweet book this was! Loved the characters, their story, and the setting. It was so cute. It had a sweet ending too!

5 stars for Textbook Romance by Kristen Bailey! Textbook Romance is a fabulous, spicy romcom about Zoe, a math teacher, who has her world fall apart. As it’s happening, she meets Jack, an incredibly kind, and much younger man. Fast forward to many months later, Jack shows up at her school as a substitute teacher. They are both at crossroads in their lives. Whether they end up on the same path or choose to follow different paths to reach their goals, it is an absolute pleasure to read their
journey. As a math teacher, I was delighted that was the choice of subject for Zoe, and I appreciated the math humor that was sprinkled in. I’m a huge Kristen Bailey fan, so while you are waiting until July for Textbook Romance to come out, you should check out her other books. She always has crossover characters in her books so it is fun to get a glimpse into previously featured characters and catch up with their lives. Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

Love a good book about hard-working teachers! Then, a romance! YES! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This was enjoyable. Four stars.

Textbook Romance by K. Bailey, published by Storm Publishing is a witty and fun story. Ms. Wronged meets Mr. Right, excellent written and beautifully thought out, gives all the feels, deserves all the stars.
Blurb: When maths teacher Zoe Swift meets funny and charming Jack Damon at her friends’ wedding, sparks fly. And when Jack turns up at her school, newly recruited as a supply teacher, she can’t ignore the intense effect he has on her when their paths cross in the corridors. But Zoe is still reeling from her husband's betrayal and adjusting to life as a single mum to two teenage kids. She's not sure if she's ready to open her heart to a younger man.
As Zoe and Jack's connection grows deeper, their undeniable chemistry and Jack's steadfast support help Zoe rediscover the good things in her love of a good dance, the soothing power of takeout, the secret thrill of receiving a well-timed chicken emoji and the wonder of other things. But with complicated family dynamics and co-parenting with her ex to manage, a sizeable age gap, and Jack's uncertainties about his future to factor in, she’s about to find out that love isn’t always a simple equation.

Such a great story of growth and love. I did not want this book to end.

While attending her co-workers wedding, Zoe meets their friend Jack. While she is visiting with Jack her daughter calls her and she discovers that her husband is cheating. Jack helps her get home and makes sure she is ok. She starts the long process of putting herself back together and figuring out what her new life will look like.

Jack dropped everything after Uni to help his brother raise his twin nephews. Since he has not really found his place. When his friend tells him about a job opening at the school, he works at he jumps at it.

Jack and Zoe meet back up at school and a friendship emerges. They help each other to grow and slowly develop something more.

The story switches back and forth between Zoe and Jack's point of view. I thought the side characters were great. The twin nephews are adorable. I enjoyed the real-life struggles depicted through Zoe's children and their father.

I thought this was such a great story. It was a closed door, age gap, romance. It was very refreshing to see two main characters that were completely selfless in everything they did. Always putting everyone else first. The only thing I wish is that the story did not end. I wanted more of everyone!

Thank you, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for this book in exchange for my very honest review.