I really wanted to love this book from the get go but I found I struggled with it at the beginning. Have a short attention span? Maybe?? However, by 30% I was engrossed and enjoying how the love story was unfolding. I really enjoyed how the author wrote about Zoe having to find herself and not just jump into a new relationship. The ending was wonderful. So real. I also think Jack might be the nicest guy I've ever read! This is another cracking Kristen Bailey story. Closed door spice.

Big thanks to Netgalley, Storm publishing and Kristen Bailey for this early release copy. This is my honest review

Another hilarious, heart felt read from one of my favourite authors.

I really enjoyed the age gap romance and loved seeing Zoe find herself after a cheating husband destroyed her self worth. Jack (the younger love interest) was also wonderful, he had such a kind soul.

The dual narrative was great and I enjoyed the past character cameos! Can’t wait for more books from this author.

In the novel Textbook Romance, math teacher Zoe Swift encounters the irresistibly funny and charming Jack Damon at a wedding. Their connection deepens when Jack becomes a supply teacher at her school. Despite Zoe’s recent heartbreak and life as a single mom, their chemistry sparks a thrilling new romance.

However, they face challenges such as their age gap and untraditional relationship dynamics. Zoe must balance her family responsibilities with this newfound love, while Jack’s uncertainties add complexity to their relationship.

The novel beautifully explores love beyond societal norms, celebrating true human connection. While not always easy, love proves worth the journey. I thoroughly enjoyed this emotional and uplifting romantic comedy.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the e-ARC.

This is a fun romcom that is a nice easy read. I loved seeing the different personalities of various pupils. I also liked that we got to catch up with Mia and Ed from Sex Ed. There are some great side characters. Jack's nephews are adorable and Zoe's kids are pretty great. Zoe's ex was trash though.
I did find the relationship seemed pretty quick after the breakup and the whole thing felt pretty instalove which isn't my favourite. The 3rd act breakup added some drama and then suddenly the book was over. The ending felt rushed and I wanted more from them and how they overcame the issues. It felt like something was missing.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of the arc.

There's romance and there's textbook romance. The title has never been so apt in the description of a book. This was heartwarming, loving and absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed every minute of reading this book and I can't wait to read more by this author.
So wonderful.

Bailey’s writing style is straightforward and accessible. The dialogue is lively and the pacing of the story keeps it moving at a steady clip. The book’s setting, which includes a mix of personal and professional environments, provides a good backdrop for the romance to unfold.

While the plot follows a familiar trajectory and some elements may be predictable, it didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment. The book delivers on its promise of a feel-good romance with plenty of humorous moments and sweet interactions.

One aspect I appreciated was the light-hearted approach to romance and the emphasis on fun and connection. It’s a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously and offers a pleasant escape.

Overall, "Textbook Romance" is a charming and enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone looking for a fun and uplifting love story. It’s perfect for those who enjoy romance with a dash of humor and a feel-good ending.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Storm Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much!

I thought this was a cute story about starting over in a complicated situation. Overall I did like the book but I did feel like the plot dragged in certain parts.

What a FANTASTIC book. I want to scream from the rooftops to tell everyone to read this book! That's how good it is! My patrons will absolutely ADORE this one and I cannot wait to share it with them!

This book gave me all the feels. I loved Zoe and Jack. Textbook Romance has Kristen's trademark wit and storytelling (this one being rather spicy, I approve). It was lovely to see Mia and Ed again. The ending of the book is the stuff of chick lit dreams. I'd like to see Frank get his own story. I developed a bit of a soft spot for him. Textbook Romance will have you believing in love and possibly craving a Nando's. I'm impatiently waiting for Kristen's next release.

This was a really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed & will recommend to others.
Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it

4.5 stars. I really really liked this book, I loved the dynamic between the two MCs and the way the MMC healed and brought the FMC out of her shell was so special and lovely to watch. The author has a really good way of writing a more serious storyline into a witty and light hearted book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of the arc

This was an enjoyable summer read. Lots of laugh out loud moments and a few twists and turns on the way to a HEA ending.

I have read a lot of romances over the years, and this one has something really refreshing: a middle aged main female character with two teens. As someone who is a (happily married) middle aged woman with two teens, I enjoy reading about a woman at my stage in life, even if I don’t have the same dating issues. All the young ingenues were getting a bit boring tbh.

Zoe is a teacher and works with teens all day. She clearly loves her job and works hard to understand and connect with her students. She meets a much younger man, Jack, at a wedding where she also discovers her husband has been cheating on her with her best friend. He helps her home like a gentleman but they meet again when he gets hired as a substitute teacher at her school. Of course things progress from there in a very romcom way.

The author has a deft touch with comedy, dropping bits into scenes to give it hilarious color. For example, Jack has a video call with his nephews one day while they are grocery shopping and he keeps seeing up their noses as they carry the phone face up through the store. And the raucous interactions between all the players in a game of laser tag at a birthday party. The younger characters, both students and family members, have an appropriate amount of snark without being annoying. There’s another example I could add, but I don’t want to accidentally spoil the story. It's near the end and involves a suitcase.

The ending was rather predictable yet still very satisfying. The way they got there could have been easily fixed, but then it wouldn’t be dramatic enough for a book so I get it. It was still a satisfying ending, and a very enjoyable read.

Zoe meets Jack when she is completely unavailable, only to have her life upended in front of him. A chance opportunity brings them back together and they give each other a shot.

I thought this was cute overall - Bailey wrote her characters well, but I could have done without the big focus on the age difference.

This wasn’t my favorite book by this author but I finished the book satisfied! I just didn’t feel like there was a huge plot to this book and I kept waiting for something big to happen. But at the end of the day, it was a cute and happy ending!

Brilliant!

I raced through this book. It just has everything a romance novel requires. Excellent characters and a story I'd love to spend more time in.

Haven't read a romance in a very long time and this one did it for me. The banter had me giggling like a teenager, loved every single character, loved the amazing friendships and love they shared and how they were there for each other in every moment. Zoes relationship with her kids were amazing and Lottie was everything. Going to add a few more of Kristen Bailey books to my tbr.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

Textbook Romance is about a 43 year old teacher and mum of two teenagers, Zoe, who finds out her husband is having an affair with her friend. Jack, a 29 year old, who hasn't quite found what he wants to do with his life is there when she discovers the affair and they soon become friends and more.

I liked the main characters but I wasn't a huge fan of the book. It didn't seem like they could realistically make a relationship work. It mainly seemed to be based around sex. Her ex took up a lot of time that could have been focused on her relationship with Jack. I wish the book had been set around a year or so after her husband left so she would have been in a different place in her life. I did think a few moments were funny.

Kristen Bailey's "Textbook Romance" is a delightful and heartwarming read that seamlessly blends humor and romance. The engaging storyline, combined with Bailey's witty writing style, makes it impossible to put down. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each bringing their unique charm to the narrative. Bailey expertly balances laugh-out-loud moments with heartfelt scenes, creating a book that is both entertaining and deeply touching. "Textbook Romance" is a must-read for anyone looking for a feel-good romance that will leave them smiling long after the last page is turned.

I read this book as ARC. Thanks Storm Publishing and Kristin Bailey.
I enjoyed reading this book. I did find it a bit slow at times but it always drew me back in. I didn’t mind the age gap between Zoe and Jack but that seemed to be the main focus. I really enjoyed the other characters. I would have liked to have more details on what happened when she confronted Brian. Zoe needed to put Brian and Liz in their place but she was really passive when it came to dealing with them. (I would have changed the locks to the house the minute I threw him out!) When she sees Liz, Liz apologizes and all Zoe says is- ‘No you’re not’!
I did love how her kids were so loyal to her and her friends too.
There were a few spicy 🌶️ scenes but the age gap references were repetitive and in my opinion, not needed. It was refreshing to see an older woman and a younger man for a change! The dual POV was good too.
I did feel the ending was rushed. She goes to the airport to confess how she feels then it jumps to she and the kids going to visit Jack. I wanted to see their relationship develop once they reconciled.
Overall it was a good story and I would recommend reading it.