When Zoe, a math teacher, is betrayed by her husband, Jack a younger man she just met swoops in to help her. Over the next few months, these two co-workers learn more about each other and their families. Textbook Romance is a cute, quick read. I really enjoyed the characters and enjoyed their growth and journey.

I enjoyed this one. It was cute and an easy read. I'll definitely recommend it tona few friends who will enjoy this

This was a cute read following Zoe and her newly post-divorce dating scene. There was a reverse age gap romance between Zoe and Jack, which is not my scene. The writing felt basic, and I never connected with any of the characters. I did love that Zoe was a single mom of two teenage kids, trying to figure out what makes her happy. There was not too much spice in this closed-door romance. I love banter between people, couples, friends, family, anyone really, but this book seemed to be missing that. I wish I liked it more.

This book was cute and fluffy and will have you hugging yourself.

I love books like this.

When Zoe finds out her husband is having an affair with her friend, she doesn't think she will ever be happy again but when Jack becomes a subsitute teacher at her school, she realizes just how wrong she is.

Its so cute and so romantic. I love how much Jack brings Zoe outide of herself. Bit of an age gap between Jack and Zoe, with Zoe being older with 2 kids but it works. It's one of the most uplifting reads I have read in a long time. It will give you the fuzzy-wuzzies. If you don't know what that means, read the book and then you will know.

4 stars

An absolutely delightful, funny listen about love, loss, betrayal and finding oneself again. The life Zoe knew was over when she discovered her husband was having an affair with her now former best friend. Zoe must now navigate life as a single mother of her two amazing kids with who she has wonderful relationships with, deal with her ex who still thinks he has a right to walk into the house and act as if it is still his and deal with his truly awful and condescending behavior and attitude all while trying to move forward in her life while questioning just about everything. She has no idea if and when she will ever be open to love again. That is until she meets a lovely much younger man at a wedding, who then shortly thereafter turns up at her job and is now a co-worker. They become friends and more, but she questions everything about their relationship whilst dealing with everything else in her life. It's a lovely, interesting, smart, amusing story about Zoe finding herself and her happiness. The narration was quite enjoyable.

Narrator Abigail Hardiman bring to life Kristen Bailey's Textbook Romance.

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.

Hardiman has such a lovely, soothing voice that made this a pleasurable listening experience. However, given its dual point of view, I would've liked a male narrator to do Jack's chapters as otherwise his chapters sound the same as Zoe's and don't quite work. I've noticed this with Bailey's other books. I can understand budget restrictions, but it does let down a dual POV not having a seperate male narrator.

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 Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for the ALC.

I listened to this audiobook along with the book and I liked it.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this audiobook.

My second book by this author and they have both been solid 4 star rom coms. Actually, this one is probably my favorite of the two.
👍🏻
As with Sex Ed, the title is very on the nose with the story itself. There were a lot of predictable aspects to this romance, but quite a lot of unexpected heartfelt moments and emotions. I loved the two main characters and was fully invested in their HEA.
🥰
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a free audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

After reading Five Gold Rings earlier this year and loooooving it, I was super stoked to get my hands on Bailey's new release. This was cheeky, swoony, heartfelt, and entertaining as hell. I loved everything about it.

One thing I will say is that this has characters in it from her book Sex Ed and I didn't realize they were connected at all since they aren't marketed as a series. So that kinda sucked. I'm actually currently reading Sex Ed and I reeeeally wish I had known and read it first. Would have made this book so much more interesting having the background of those characters. So I do wish it was a series and marked as such. But that's really my only qualm.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced audio copy. All thoughts and opinions are, as always, my very own.

Kristen knows how to write relatable characters. I might be biased because I too am a teacher but what a wonderfully hilarious peek she gives us with small details about being a teacher but also having to be a human dealing with very real life things in the midst of teaching. I literally laughed out loud while listening several times. The narrator did a great job at bringing the emotion. I fell in love with Jack and Zoe and their romance but the best people for me are the teenagers. Kristen gets their banter so spot on it’s a breath of fresh air and actually had me missing my lot from school. Looking forward to a new school year and new work from Kristen!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select | Storm Publishing for this ALC.

Cute story. Characters that are relatable.

Abigail Hardiman was a decent narrator.

My issue is, when you have dual POV of male and female characters, have two readers. At times I found it difficult picking back up in the chapters.

I am not sure if it was the story line or the narrator, but I really struggled with this one. I was not invested in the characters, their story, or really most of the book. I continued to listen, mainly because I was hoping it would get better, but it just fell flat for me. I will say, there were some sweet moments, some senses that made me laugh out loud and some that made me cry. I think I just did not love the characters. I also struggled with the obsession over the age difference. And unfortunately I found the narrator to make the book confusing. The book is told in a male and female perspective, the narrator is a female and she barely changed her voice between perspectives, making for some confusion at the beginning of each chapter. I seem to be in the minority with my review - so if on your TBR give it a try and let us know your thoughts!
Thank you netgalley for my audio copy.

This was a DNF for me because I didn't care much for the characters. I wasn't hooked from the beginning, and once I put it down, I didn't pick it back up. The premise had promise, but overall the book wasn't engaging.

Textbook Romance was ok. It had a slow start. My favorite character was probably, the daughter, Lottie. She was spunky and sassy.

I am a divorced woman and I absolutely adore love after divorce stories. This one just fell a little flat. she immediately found love from the first guy who saw her after the betrayal and he was her puppy dog, doting on her every step of the way. It felt unrealistic with how "perfect" he was.

I also struggled with the end, where in the epilogue it still felt unfinished because they were still dating long distance.

I think my favorite parts of this story were more about the dynamics between parents and kids as well as the parents meeting the new significant others.

I will share this story on my instagram on August 6th.

Textbook Romance by Kristen Bailey is a heartwarming, age-gap romance that follows Zoe and Jack.

Zoe Swift is a married math teacher when she meets Jack Dmon at a friend’s wedding. It is at that same wedding that Zoe discovers her husband’s betrayal. Jack helps Zoe get home to her children after the wedding. 

When Zoe returns to school after summer break, she finds none other than Jack Damon at her school. He is the new supply teacher. They find their connection growing even though life while doing so is not easy. 

This was a heartwarming story about the difficulties of life and the end of one relationship, along with the beginning of another. 

The communication and banter between Zoe and Jack was delightful. The pacing of this story is slower, but it fits the story. There is great character development as the characters adjust to their new lives after change. 

If you are in the mood for a tender romance featuring teachers, age gap, and tension, this is the book for you!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

4/5 Stars! Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Select/Storm Publishing for this audiobook of Textbook Romance by Kristen Bailey narrated by Abigail Hardiman.

Very cute romcom and I was hooked from page 1. I haven't read any other books by this author but I'm definitely a fan! She also picked a great name for her main male character (same as the hubby) and I just fell in love with her characters. It was adorable and beautifully done. I love the character build up and just how great of a mother Zoe is to her children and her parenting style.

The narrator did a fantastic job with this and playing the different characters. Really enjoyed this book and look forward for her future novels!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a great book!! I loved the story and the writing style. Such a good romcom! It was exciting from page 1! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would! My first for this author but will not be my last!

This is my first book by Kristen Bailey, but it will not be my last. I really loved this book! I listened to the audio and I found I couldn't stop listening. Jack is the best golden retriever character ever and I adored him. I also loved Zoe (and inner monologue) and the relationship between her and her children. It had it all! This book was adorable, had me laughing out loud, and had some steamy scenes too! I highly recommend this book!

This is a age gap romance. The story starts out at a wedding where Zoe meets Jack since they have mutual friends and she gets a call that will turn her world upside down.

Fast forward a few months she is now going through a divorce and she re meets Jack at school he is coming in as a sub. She now has to navigate a new life wit her kids and dating.

I wanted to like it more than I did I didn't connect with her I wanted her to stand up more against her soon to be ex husband and I dint like how she always hid Jack like I get she was nervous with the age gap but I just wis it was handled different.

Thank you Netgalley for this Audio Arc in exchange for my honest review.

Quick Notes:
Age gap romance Zoe (44) and Jack (29)
Slow burn
Instant connection
Workplace romance
Healthy relationship
Supportive FMC/MMC
Gentle parenting
Dual POV
Open door scenes throughout

I was excited for this romcom! The title and description quickly pulled me in as I can’t say no to a good age reversal romance with teacher and math jokes.

The story starts off right out the gate with the fall of Zoe’s marriage. The author does a fantastic job painting the picture of the relationship, the divorce, and the hurt that is felt all around. In the moment of discovering her husband's deceit, she meets Jack who becomes her knight and helps her in her crisis. Jack is all green flags! He is a cinnamon roll of a man that has so much love and wants others to succeed. You can’t help but quickly fall in love with him as he patiently loves Zoe while she learns to love herself again.

What I loved most about this book was how real it felt. The characters had their own baggage, like we all do, and worked together to support and encourage one another as they built their relationship on real friendship and trust. They truly wanted the best for one another. It was a fantastic balance between some great steamy scenes, the thrill of falling in love, and building a real lasting relationship.

Another quick note, Zoe is a fantastic mother and I appreciated that Kristen included her parenting through a divorce. The scenes with her listening and validating her children as they struggle with their fathers relationship, and hers, is top tier parenting.

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this audiobook arc!