This is a very short review.
I am recommending this book to everybody.
It’s a delicious story about family and love, and hope.
Absolutely loved it I will give it 10 stars. Anything else I write would be a spoiler I don’t believe in that.
Thanks to #NetGalley For the opportunity to have read this book ahead of publication and exchange for an honest review.


My review is ‘ Buy this Book’

I’ve never read a book by this author before but I absolutely loved it! Thank you so much for the ARC! I loved this story, it was extremely well written. Will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author!

Thank you to Negalley and Storm Publishing for accepting my request for an early copy of this book.
Once again Kristen writes with her usual humour which flows throughout the book.
The story involves characters from a previous book Sex Ed (excellent audiobook!), but this is a stand alone book, they are mentioned as they are teachers, Mia and Ed, working with Zoe the main character in the book who happened to meet, by chance at a freinds wedding party Jack. That was the same night she found out her husband had been having an affair with her best freind! She was distraught and Jack had kindly offered to go home in a taxi with her.
Ed and Mia are freinds of Jack and they encouraged Jack to go for a temp job at their school and purely by chance he bumps in to Zoe. The chemistry is undeniable and it grows. Zoe doubts herself, she's getting divorced, she's older than him, her body has given birth twice, but to Jack none of that matters. They love each others company.Until Jack gets a once in a lifetime job offer and he doesn't want to take because of Zoe, but unbeknownst to Jack, Zoe knows about the job and she tells Jack they are over....
If you enjoy a book that makes you giggle, with a bit of sexy stuff in-between and some good old love and romance this is the book for you! The previous book Sex Ed on audio was amazing too!

I had mixed feelings about this book. The beginning was engaging, but I struggled with Zoe's constant questioning of Jack's affections due to their age difference. The European setting took some getting used to, and the writing style, likely influenced by European dialogue, felt slightly off to me. Despite these issues, I appreciated the unconventional happy ending and the avoidance of clichés. As someone who's neutral about age gap romances, I found the constant focus on the age difference exhausting. Overall, it was a good book, but not entirely my cup of tea.

This was such a sweet book about finding love. Zoe Swift, is a 43 year old mother who recently left her cheating husband. And she struggles to find her new sense of normal and come to terms with who she is, she meets Jack Damon, a 29 year old who hasn't found his place in life yet. There is instant chemistry.

This book had lots of great moments -- seeing how two people can come together and build each other up, how relationships aren't toxic and that love doesn't look the same every time. There were times that I wish Zoe was more aggressive and stood up for herself, and it feels a little rushed from a resolution standpoint, but for my first book from Kristen Bailey, I really enjoyed seeing these characters and sneaking away with them over a few days. If you're you're looking for something lighthearted, and no toxic male leads, highly recommend this.

This is a very sweet story about personal growth and how people can bring out the best in us. Jack is a very caring partner that is adamant on showing Zoe that she shines bright despite what her husband has done to her.

Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for my ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC.

This one had such a fun premise I was excited for but just fell flat for me. I struggled to connect with the characters or understand their full connection. The ending felt rushed and I just never fully got there.

Unfortunately not for me. I DNF around 30 % mark. I don’t like huge age gaps. I also can’t relate to this character outside of her job as a teacher. Her personal issues don’t appeal to me much. I really liked Kristen’s other story that I’ve had a chance to read but I couldnt get over my preferences regarding some of the tropes in this. Thank you for this opportunity Netgalley and Storm publishing

✨ARC Review ✨

Beautiful characters, Quirky moments, witty banter, betrayal, uplifting, endearing... It sums up the whole story.

This was kind of glass half full for me. So for the good parts... I loved Zoe's character and how she dealt with her lows and highs of life. Jack too was the kindness of the green flag we expect in a partner. Their relationship of trust and rediscovering themselves was endearing. Their quirky, innuendoed banter was great. The supporting characters were wholesome. Loved Mia. The way the story ended was also nice.

Now for the bad parts... I felt the dual POV kind of overlapped in some places, so it was kind of non-sticky here and there. Somehow I felt like the writing wasn't connecting with me the way I hoped it would be, so that too was kind of disappointing.

Overall, Textbook Romance by Kristen Bailey is a wholesome, enjoyable, cute Rom-com. And likeable is definitely a word for it!

And if these tropes excite you,
🍎 Age Gap
🍎 Workplace Romance
🍎 Single Parent
🍎 Slow Burn
🍎 Friends to Lovers
🍎 Insta - Love
🍎 Dual POV
🍎 Third Act Breakup
Give this a try

Thank you NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for sending me this ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another fab romance book from Kristen Bailey. Id loved her 2 previous books so couldn't wait to read this one and it was as funny/well written as I expected. Loved the two main characters and the school element

Zoe has just separated from her cheating husband when she meets Jack in the staff room at school. Two people at different stages of life, would it work?

This is a lovely romcom, a quick, easy read. Really enjoyed reading about Zoe and Jack and were easy to like. This is a perfect 4star summer read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

I really enjoyed this book it was a pleasant change from my usual thriller genre.
Zoe Swift's life was good, a loving husband, two wonderful teenage children.............until it wasn't.
Maths teacher, Zoe, was attending a friends wedding, chatting comfortably to another guest, who was also there on his own, when a phone call from her hysterical daughter shattered her world, her husband was cheating on her. The guest was Jack Damon, a would be botanist who was at a loose end at the moment, seeing Zoe's distress, jack took charge and saw Zoe safely home to her distraught children.
To Zoe's amazement, the next time that she saw Jack was when she returned to school and found that he was the new sub teacher
As this story unfolds, Zoe and Jack become closer but Zoe worries about the ten year age gap, the fact that she is trying to co parent with her ex in what is a complicated situation and the fact that her children are openly hostile to the father who up to then they had adored.
Every woman needs a Jack in their life, he lifted her up from rock bottom, he made her laugh, he danced with her, he bought her chicken, he sent her emoji's with all their innuendos, they clicked, they fell in love.
When Zoe heard about a wonderful opportunity that had opened for Jack, an opportunity that he deserved, an opportunity to do something that he loved........an opportunity that would take him to the other side of the world, could Zoe be the one to hold him back ?
This story is beautifully told, I went through every emotion, I loved the characters especially Zoe's spirited daughter who really made me laugh, I loved Zoe, she should be a model for all teachers and I loved Jack for being amazing.
My only negative would be that I would have liked a little more at the end, it seemed a bit rushed but that is only my opinion and I would still recommend this book.
Thank you Net Gallery and Storm Publishing for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary.

As a teacher, it was really fun to read about teachers, and I found lots of the book really realistic and relatable! Overall a fun, easy read with a cute romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Truthfully, I was a little bored and turned off by the microtropes (3rd act break up, insta-love, flirting before divorce) in this book. I just didn’t find myself reaching to finish it. This was my first book by this author and unfortunately will probably be my last.

I did love the emphasis and beautiful depiction of motherhood that Zoe showed throughout the book, as well as the (probably) accurate representation of grief and moving-on and second-chance love.

Jack's character was fun and entertaining and silly. It was a fun break from the seriousness of Zoe's divorce. However, I just found it hard to resonate with him and felt a lot of his actions to be childish and immature.

I'm sure that others will thoroughly enjoy this book! I just don't think it was for me. Thank you again for the opportunity to read and review it!

Another fab book from the legend that is Kristen Bailey! This was an easy, fun, hug in a book kinda read. Very character driven, the story had humour running through it whilst also delving into the emotional side of things including how to navigate feelings after betrayal. I love how, with most of her books, Kristen intertwines her characters from previous stories (especially great if you’ve read them all!). A cute summer read, thank you Kristen, NetGalley & Storm Publishing for sending this.

Textbook Romance to me is a second-chance romance novel that highlights the ‘lavender haze’ of love. Our main character Zoe discovers her husband has been having an affair, she’s dealing with the aftermath of changing her world alongside her children’s world to work through their new situation.

Zoe finds comfort and herself with Jack, a younger but experienced in life partner who’s never really led a life that he wanted due to family.

The love between Zoe and Jack I found was so organic and felt so real. They both worked through their shared trauma’s whilst discovering a new side to themselves that they hadn’t really known before.

I really enjoyed reading this book and Bailey’s writing as always is very real and organic. It’s a real life love story where two people re-discover love and life.

I loved this book. It was so much fun. Brilliant characters and wonderful chemistry. The interactions were fantastic. Romantic but not to sweet .

"Textbook Romance" is a heartfelt story featuring two kind main characters whose chemistry is evident from start to finish. The romance unfolds beautifully, with enjoyable and sexy scenes. Jack Damon meets Zoe, a married mom, at a friend's wedding, where she discovers her husband has cheated on her. Jack, being a perfect gentleman, gets her home safely. The story is told from both perspectives, which adds depth. Their paths cross again months later when Jack becomes a substitute teacher at Zoe's school. The slow burn of their relationship is captivating, with Jack remaining respectful of Zoe's circumstances.

Jack Damon meets Zoe, a married mum at a friends wedding, she takes a call from her distressed daughter finding out her husband has cheated on her! Jack is the perfect gentleman and gets her home safely.
The story is dual POV which I love, their paths cross again months later when Jack is a substitute teacher where she teaches. The slow burn is so good between them, he’s just the perfect respectful man considering her circumstances.
I giggled at parts, understood the age gap issues as I have it within my own relationship. It was just wonderful and highly recommend it
Thank you NetGalley, Kristen Bailey and Storm Publishing for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

When Zoe Swifts life is turned upside down at a friend’s wedding, Jack Damon comes along to save the day!

Zoe finds out her marriage is over and Jack couldn’t be anymore gentlemanly, ensuring she gets home to her children safe and brings her favourite coat back to her. She thinks nothing else of the kindness until Jack is employed at her work.

A trip to Nando’s later, Jack is then saving the day with Zoe’s son after a disastrous weekend with his Dad. A date at laser tag to introduce Zoe to three of the most important people in Jack’s life and Zoe is soon secretly head over heels for Jack. Who has shown her what she’s worth, valued her for what she is and loves her for being her. But along comes a text she shouldn’t have seen, then a conversation with Jack’s brother that leaves Zoe questioning whether she’s right for Jack. Whether loving him will hold him back and keep him from taking a job he’s always wanted.

Jack is selfless and couldn’t do anymore for other people, he’s such a loveable character. He is in awe of Zoe and how she’s handled herself, the way she teaches and how amazing she is as a mother. Jack supported his brother and nephews after the devastating loss of their mother when they were tiny babies and made Zoe believe in love again! What more could you want in a character?!

He wants to stay for Zoe, he loves her but Zoe thinks she’s doing him a favour by walking away and not being truthful about her feelings.

You experience a whole whirlwind of emotions throughout this book. I laughed at Jack and his whit but my heart broke for Zoe and her kids and even more so when Zoe attempts to walk away from Jack! I loved that this wasn’t a conventional love story and that it comes in all different shapes and sizes… even ages and we should all realise we’re worthy of love no matter what our situations are.

Kristen Bailey has written this book in such a great way, the dual view in the chapters makes it easy to read and see both sides to the story. It also makes it hard not to fall in love with both the characters! (We hate Brian haha!)

Such a great summer read! 4⭐️ from me!
Thank you for letting me review via NetGalley!