This was a good palate cleanser for me.

I enjoyed the story and the characters, well enough.
It wasn't overly emotional, but pretty lighthearted.

I'm into a little more depth from my characters, but overall this was an okay read.

Such a cute love story that will definitely have you kicking your feet and giggling. Loved the reveres grumpy x sunshine and of course the animal sidekicks! If you are looking for a fun time and quick read then definitely give this book a try!

Also a huge thank you to NetGalley, Lucy Chalice, One More Chapter and Harper Collins UK for providing me with the arc of this amazing book in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this feel good romance. There is a slow burn but the way the story progresses gives a warm feeling of a hug in book form. Slightly predictable but nothing wrong with that. A great weekend read.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me.

I was really looking forward to reading this book: I liked the premise, and the cover is beautiful, so I went in expecting a nice rom com that made me feel good, and being a science girl myself, I loved the dedication. I thought this book would be about accepting and loving yourself, and maybe it tried to be, but unfortunately it fell short...

The main thing I took from this book was that Hannah hated EVERYONE. Seriously. Everyone - apart from Betsy and maybe Agnes. She doesn't like her parents, or customers, or Ted, or Teddy's family, or even some of the animals, and she doesn't like herself, let alone love. I kept waiting for the character development, for her to finally embrace herself, but that never happened. I understand that she clearly had trauma from being bullied at school, but from how it was first mentioned in the first chapter, I expected her to have a clear physical defect, so it felt a bit weak that it was due to her freckles... But I get it, it can happen, and at 18 we were sensitive to anything... but it's been 15 years! She's 33 now, she has a degree, a PhD, she has lived away from home for so long, so I really expected her to have some character development and not think like she did at 18. Rather than prickly or awkward, she just came across as rude. I get it that she didn't like being told to "smile more" or "be nicer" -none of us do- but then the whole plot of the book is trying to change how she is and she doesn't get anywhere, I wanted her to just love herself and she didn't, and the fact that she said that she "didn't love herself and never would, but Ted did, so that was enough" killed me... I just hated how she saw herself and the things she thought about her body, and that was not changed throughout the book, so it felt like a let down, and not like a happy ending, to be honest.

Ted was okay, he was nice and I liked that he had his own insecurities that he covered with his behaviour, but he did feel a bit immature, and just completely besotted with Hannah for no reason - he was in love with her when they were young, but apparently never talked before his b-day night? And 15 years after he still felt the same? Idk... He gets one star because he was nice and reassuring to Hannah, and very lovely with Agnes. That's where the second star comes from: I loved Agnes and just wanted more of her and her backstory, she was the best character in my opinion, and I loved the goats.

Overall, this was a quick read, but did not really give the rom com vibes I was expecting. If you like reverse grumpy-sunshine and just want something quick, you might enjoy this.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lucy Chalice, One More Chapter and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Get ready to fall for this delightful grumpy-sunshine romance! Dr. Hannah Havens is a sharp, independent woman who has no interest in love. When she returns to her hometown, the last person she expects to keep running into is Teddy Fraser—the charming flirt she kissed once and has every reason to avoid. Teddy is fun, endlessly cheerful, and exactly the kind of distraction Hannah doesn’t want. But as he keeps showing up, her patience (and her resolve) starts to wear thin. Forced to work on her people skills, Hannah soon finds herself warming up to Teddy’s undeniable charm. Could this flirt be the one who finally cracks her icy exterior?

The book is really fun, and the characters are each charming in their own way. I love the way it’s written—simple to follow from Hannah’s perspective, though it would have been nice to get some of Teddy’s point of view too, but it kind of makes up for it. This is a reverse grumpy x sunshine, with Teddy being super likable while Hannah is totally relatable. Her overthinking and her struggle with “peopling” is something I can definitely relate to. Of course, there were plenty of moments where the characters annoyed me, and sometimes they just didn’t make sense. The story is slow-paced, maybe a bit too slow, but the spicy ending makes up for it—they’ve waited long enough for it, haha! I definitely recommend reading this book; I haven’t read “The Hot Henry Effect”, but now I’m curious to find out what happens with the other twin. “Fundamentals in Flirting” is a light, easy-to-follow read, not connected to a series so it works as a stand-alone. It’ll make you laugh, but also get mad at the characters, especially with all the trouble Teddy gets into.

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance that reads like a classic rom-com, Fundamentals in Flirting by Lucy Chalice is a delight! Dr. Hannah Havens, a successful but prickly heroine, returns to her small hometown, determined to avoid love and keep her walls up. But her resolve falters when she runs into Teddy Fraser—the charming, endlessly cheerful “golden retriever” she once had a moment with. Teddy is everything she’s not: warm, easygoing, and full of humor. Their dynamic sets up a grumpy-sunshine, he-falls-first romance that’s both hilarious and heartwarming, with irresistible tension that crackles through every scene.

The slow-burn chemistry between Hannah and Teddy is perfect, and Lucy Chalice does an amazing job blending humor, heart, and just enough spice to keep you hooked. From their flirtatious banter to those “will-they-won’t-they” moments, the story is filled with all the best tropes and has readers raving about the cozy, laugh-out-loud vibe. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced reader copy of this fun book.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this one.
I could not relate to the characters at all, I really disliked Hannah.
This was just hard to get into

Thank you NetGalley and to the publishers for giving me this arc in exchange for my honest review.

🐐 Fundations in Flirting 🐐

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Blurb:

Hannah Havens, a fiercely independent and prickly veterinarian, returns to her hometown after a messy breakup. She soon finds herself reluctantly reconnecting with Teddy Fraser—her high school nemesis and an unapologetic flirt. Though she tries to keep her distance, she might just need his charm to secure her job, which brings them together in ways she never expected.

Review:

This was an absolute delight for small-town romance lovers! With its English countryside charm and an irresistible grumpy x sunshine twist, Fundations in Flirting pulled me in from the first page. Hannah’s unapologetic honesty and her love for animals were refreshing and relatable. And Teddy? Let’s just say his name fits him perfectly—charismatic, lovable, and impossible not to adore! 🧸💕

And what to say about Agnes? Possibly my favourite character, so I couldn’t leave this review without mentioning her. She is such a beautiful character and I loved her storyline and arc but, most of all, I loved the ending for her ❤️‍🩹.

What I appreciated most was how real and imperfect the characters felt. Lucy Chalice brings them to life with rawness and authenticity, making this romance feel like a warm breeze on a chilly day.

Spicy, male female, single point of view, grumpy(fmc)/sunshine, contemporary romance. Follow up (standalone) story to the Hot Henry Effect. The main male character is the twin brother of the first book's mmc. Set in the UK; the leads are engaging and it was fun to watch their relationship develop. I enjoyed the story and humor along with the pops of spice.

Hannah's life is still defined by what happened in school, the bullying over her appearance and intelligence and that kiss with the school Romeo Teddy. Fifteen years later, she is back in her home town as a local Vet, having left her research position after her relationship ended badly. When she meets Teddy again, she knows he doesn't like her, but she can't seem to get him out of her life. I enjoyed this engaging romantic comedy, which has a couple you invest in. Both have their issues, and although Hannah's are more noticeable, they work together and eventually realise that. I like the humour, the poignancy, the charismatic animals and the spicy romance that has the necessary emotional connection to work,
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Second Chance Romance - Check!
Black Cat x Golden Retriever - Check!
Teach me to... - Check!
Spice - CHECK!
Adorable animal sidekicks - 3x CHECK!

I couldn't get enough of this book and found it absolutely engaging. There were so many sweet moments and the story made me hate and love the characters along with the FMC.

Disclaimer: I would like to thank One More Chapter/Harper Collins for sending me a copy of this book - my review is in no way influenced by their kindness.

Book Rating: 4/5
Spice Rating: 1-2/5

Fundamentals in Flirting is a reverse grumpy x sunshine, romance book by author Lucy Chalice which follows Hannah Havens, a 'prickly' black cat character who has moved back to her home town after 15 years, following an unexpected end to her relationship and professional/academic pursuits. Upon her arrival back to her hometown, she unexpectedly bumps into Edward ('Teddy') Fraser, heartthrob and 'bad twin' who she shared a lifechanging kiss with before leaving for university. Will he be able to get Hannah to unhate him, or will his lessons, 'Fundamentals in Flirting' help Hannah to overcome her personal and social struggles?

This book is written from the POV of Hannah, yet despite this, it is still made very clear what our MMC is thinking about Hannah and the situations as a whole. Chalice's writing kept me rooting for these two to fall in love, and kept me engaged with both characters, not just Hannah. I definitely cannot wait to read The Hot Henry Effect which follows the character of Henry Fraser - Teddy's twin brother.

Overall, this book was refreshing, as I had never personally read a grumpy x sunshine trope, where the FMC is the 'grumpy'. I loved that this book explored the issues the characters faced in their lives, and their journeys to overcome them, instead of just being a book where the plot is solely love and the characters are plotless. Thank you Lucy for creating such a relatable and nerdy woman in STEM like Hannah, this really helped me (a nerdy woman in STEM) to engage with the book!

This was so, so funny. Loved the banter and the smoldering. Hannah and Teddy are old frenemies from high school and the sparks fly when they meet again years later. She is an extreme introvert with prickly tendencies and he's a cheerful flirt. The small cast of characters and animals add to the joy and humor of this sweet romance. Highly recommended. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

One disastrous kiss, 15 years of heartbreak, and now a successful doctor finds herself running into the biggest flirt that broke her heart all those years ago and he's determined to win her over. Hannah Havens was not a popular teen, she was a nerd but when she kissed Teddy Fraser, a popular ladies man, she really thought it was going to be the best day of her life... until he opened his mouth and ruined it all. One thing lead to another and her dream kiss turned into a nightmare and she told herself to forget about him. Now years later she is a successful doctor and has returned to her small town... crashing right back into Teddy. Hannah would love nothing more than to avoid him at all cost but Teddy is determined to get close to her again.... and if they ever want a chance to make it work they'll have to face the kiss that went wrong all those years ago. I'm going to be honest I did not like Teddy or Hannah one bit at all and didn't really care for their romance. The big misunderstandings and the whole thing between them just felt childish and lackluster in the romance department. I just found myself not caring and skimming until I got to the end of the book and the whole "resolution" just felt bland at best to me. Honestly, this one just was not for me, however I do think that people who love second chance romances and miscommunication tropes will have fun with this one.

Release Date: November 7,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Hannah is an experienced researcher who walks in on her long-term boyfriend and mentor in bed with one of his students. In a moment of unexpected confidence, she calls him out, dumps him, and ends both their relationship and any current career prospects, knowing he has a mind for retaliation.

She returns to her hometown to work in a small vet clinic, doing front-facing work with the public, much to the chagrin of those around her. After veiled threats of losing her job if her prickly attitude continues, Hannah agrees to help from flirtatious and genial Teddy. She's left wondering if she can swallow her tongue and learn to talk to people without offending them, all from someone she has a complicated past with.

*****

I really wanted to love this book. Grumpy/sunshine is one of my favourite tropes, especially when the FMC is the grump. Unfortunately, I think this book was written with a younger audience in mind, as Teddy ended up coming across more in line with a brand-new college student than a man in his 30s.

He was juvenile, needlessly dramatic and immature, and knowing he was supposed to be a man my age just made him endlessly annoying. I couldn't find a boyish charm to him, as his reactions were just so over the top for a mature adult. It took until the last quarter of the novel before he started to present as I expected, which was the saving grace that pushed this book to a 3 star rating.

The author had the issue of presenting Hannah as so incredibly awkward, standoffish, and offensive to others, that I struggled to feel the chemistry between her and Teddy, nor find what he was so intruiged by. Yes, she's supposed to be intelligent and quirky, but aside from that, she's closed off, constantly pushes him away, and thinks the worst of him at every turn. He brings it up at one point, and yet she persists as still seeing him that way as the book carries on. Teddy being enraptured is so one-sided that it feels forced and pulled me out of rooting for what felt like a very mismatched pair.

I also couldn't comprehend how we had a female lead that was previously in a long term relationship, yet her reactions to even the slightest touch from him are so pronounced its like she's never been touched before. She can't even discern real interest from Teddy despite the glaring signs and clear dialogue that's he's absolutely interested in her, yet she internally falls apart at his touch. I understand she has insecurities that blind her, but having them all relate back to her freckles alone was such an odd take. The first chapter made it seem like she was disfigured for her strong reaction to how she perceives herself.

Overall, it was a lighthearted and fast-paced read. If you're good with dialogue that can skew to the more embarrassing or cringey and enjoy a very goofy and immature lead, this book will be a breeze. The last quarter of the book did help to showcase some chemistry, and the connection between the characters deepens and becomes more realistic. I wasn't able to connect with either lead, but I can see how others would, which is why this was bumped up to 3 stars.

*****

Thank you, NetGalley, and One More Chapter (Harper Collins Publisher) for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A cute reverse grumpy/sunshine book with a prickly FMC and a “playboy” MMC. Easy to read, I read it pretty much in one day.

What I liked:
-banter was great between the MCs
-story line was fairly believable
- cute animals

What didn’t work:
- I didn’t really feel much from their school years. Maybe it’s cause we only got one snippet but it didn’t feel like she was “the one that got away” for the MMC
-can you even call it miscommunication if the MCs don’t talk to each other?

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was fun! Banter was good, her being a vet was such a good job for her character, idk why but it fit Hannah so well I just wasn’t a fan of the conflict, it felt like she never had any confidence since it was a constant issue.. I wish Hannah would have focused on self love a bit more!

A fun romance set in a small town in the UK, mostly in the present time.
Hannah Havens loves working as a researcher in a Veterinary Department of a University. When Hannah discovers her boyfriend Jonathon in bed with one of his PhD. Students, Hannah decides to leave Jonathon and the job she loves to move to her hometown of Chipping-On-the-Water to work as a vet in a local Veterinary Practice.

Hannah lacks people skills and is always grumpy and afraid of losing her job. An old school friend, Teddy Fraser tries to help Hannah gain confidence in herself.

Teddy is an architect and trying to renovate the old Rectory. I loved the descriptions of the old Rectory.

I loved the descriptions of local activities and the interactions with Agness the old lady living next door to Teddy.

This was a romance about Village life and working as a vet.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher One More Chapter for a chance to read this E-Book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I didn't end up finishing this because the writing style didn't match what I was looking for. I liked Hannah's personality in the start but this did feel a little too much like [insert generic rom-com]. There's a cheating scene right at the start of the book and the main character is of course incredibly upset...and then we have her paired off with a love interest who has proven to be kind of rude to her in the past. I didn't like the banter at all - it didn't strike me as cute or any other adjective other than obviously contrived and kind of boring/annoying.

The characters also didn't have the unique spark to them that distinguishes Ali Hazelwood's books and makes her such a powerhouse romance writer so I found it a little weird that they're pitching this as perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood. I think ultimately if you're looking for a fun and entertaining romance read then you probably won't be disappointed.

Lucy Chalice never fails to make me giggle!! I love love love this book so much and I can’t wait to recommended it to all my STEM girlies out there!!