This story is all about not judging a book by its cover. The main characters we follow are David and Anna. Who start working together as a photographer and his assistant. Over the course of working together they built a friendship/mentorship through their passion of photography. David is the first to have romantic feelings for Anna but keeps them hidden. Anna is in the same boat but does the same. Eventually everything comes to light and they embark on a new adventure together as a couple. Throughout this David’s ex tries to create a divide between them and win David back through their shared 9 year old son Ben.

I gave this a 3 because I felt the romance was lackluster. There really wasn’t any besides him liking her personality and them staying in for a few meals with each other. The drama in this story was more a lot and kind of went on longer than I think it needed too. It started to make Anna and Lucinda look childish. David seemed as enjoyable as wall cause he had no personality. I liked that the author touched on mental health issues in this and how it can affect people in relationships with them and how they can be undiagnosed when it’s not recognized. There were some other parts of the story that dealt with tough situations and I thought were explored well.

Thank you Netgalley and Joffe for the chance to read this story,

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. I am so glad the book has been released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

I loved this book much more than I thought I would.
I was expecting something but what I got was completely diferent (in a good way).
I loved Anna, she was true to herself, her love was enormous and she was genuinely a good person. What she did at the end was necessary, Daniel had to realize what his ex wife was doing and really have a talk with her. I really liked how things were resolved right away, it didn't drag out and that was perfect.
I liked Daniel too, he loved Anna so much and he wanted to be with his son. I understood he was kind of between a rock and a hard place between Anna and his ex wife but in the end he did what needed to be done.
I loved them together, I think they complemented each other really well and I was smiling really big by the time the book ended

When I read the description of this book saying it was for people who like authors like Susie Tate I was excited. I loved Susie Tate’s Unperfect. This book has a lot of things in common with that book. Like Anna becoming Daniel’s assistant, or Daniel having a son, grumpy boss and sunshine assistant, FMC is trying to lose a toxic ex. Both British romances, ect. And while this book deals with the same serious topics (domestic abuse) it doesn’t handle it as well as Susie Tate does.

I was really excited when I picked up this book. It has an adorable cover and I loved the premise of the book.

I unfortunately didn't love this book. The book as a whole I felt lacked depth. I found myself wishing to have had more insight into the character's thoughts and emotions. I had a hard time connecting with these characters for this reason. I did enjoy the moments of banter between Anna and Daniel that I enjoyed.

I also didn't love the writing style of the author. The plot felt super rushed. Anytime there was a major conflict it was resolved on a quick and unrealistic timeline. I wish we got to see more of how these events affected the thoughts and feelings of the characters. I really wish this story had more dialogue between the characters and more inner monologue of the main characters.

I did enjoy Daniel's character. While I still wish he had more depth, I loved who he was as a person. I loved that he was a loving and caring father and mentor. I also found his perfectionism relatable.

While I didn't enjoy this book, reading is very subjective and it might be something you would enjoy if you like:
📷 Workplace Romance
📷 Grumpy/Sunshine
📷 Single Dad

Thank you to Linda, Joffe Books, and NetGalley for the ARC copy of First Impressions. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I was pleasantly surprised by this read. I think the story itself was entertaining enough. We had good characters and plot. The dialogues were lacking. It was as if you ask ChatGPT, what would characters say in this particular situation and they give you the top 10 typical answers. Just overheard expressions. I did find it a bit sad because I thought the story itself was original. Another thing I disliked is how everything wraps up in a bow, and too positively. The author chose to add serious topics in her book, the explosion, Eva's new disability, her brother assaulting her and going to prison for being involved in a serious crime. As much as I think I would not have enjoyed the book without these aspects, they were not dealt with in the best way. It lacked depth to a point where it was unrealistic. I thought this would make a wonderful Hallmark movie. All in all, an enjoyable read.

This was an enjoyable read. The plot was well thought out and the main characters had some great banter. The story went in a direction that I did not see coming but I liked it!

I think my expectations may have hindered my experience, as I initially had a positive impression of the book. However, the story took so many unexpected turns that I found myself feeling a bit weary of the characters. At times, they didn’t seem very realistic. It took me quite a while to finish, but I was still curious to see how it would wrap up. Thanks to Choco Lit for the ARC!

1/5⭐ 1/5🌶️

I was super excited to read this book. I walked into it based on the cover and the synopsis, it looked interesting enough. I love a good enemies-lovers/miscommunication trope. However, this book was not for me, at all.

The ex-boyfriend/boss and the mistress read as caricatures of villains. I could not stop thinking of Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale from Rocky and Bullwinkle when they showed up in the novel.

The family dynamics with the Dad and the Brother. Atrocious. I was not anticipating domestic assault and then her helping her abuser. But sure.

Then the reductive writing about the "evil" jealous ex-wife. I think that there was an attempt at the FMC liberating herself from her crap family and breaking abuse cycles, but then the ex-wife is a reductionist stereotype? Yuck.

And Anna’s best friend reads more like a frenemy than a bestie? Nope.

It felt like the hot, was an asshole boss turned lover is her savior and nothing else could possibly go right for poor Anna.

And a random, shell shocking terrorist attack?
This felt soapy to me in a really bad way.

Expected Publish Date: August 22, 2024

A big thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books/Choc Lit for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Reviews posted on NetGalley and Goodreads.

I received an ARC from Joffe Books in exchange for my honest review (thank you, Joffe!).

I loved the idea of the premise! It was a cute set up.
It did leave me feeling a bit icky that her last relationship was with her boss as well. It was a bit unbalanced power dynamic wise.
There were so many antagonists, I was so confused what the ending was going to be! And it seemed random at times, them getting together came out of nowhere. I didn’t really feel like they had that romantic build up that I adore in books.
The words were a bit clunky and didn’t read easily, it was stilted and strange. I think if there were less antagonists with more focus on the romance between the two leads (they get together less fast), it may have been a better read. The random as things that the antagonists did were so out of the blue.
I also think the first line of a book sets the whole tone too, so it stuck out to me that it wasn’t attention grabbing.
It would have been cool to focus on Eva and Anna’s relationship more, and Anna’s best friend sort of just disappears near the end? Which was strange??
Anna’s home environment made me so annoyed for her. And it was so random what happened with it too!
There’s definitely promise in it, I would say it just needs some more loving with the dialogue rewritten!

Thanks again to Joffe Books for the ARC!!

This is a lighthearted read, however, I think it would be even better if there was less telling the reader every emotion and do a little more showing through nuance. It could also be a bit more concise in some section. It starts with Anna Wright interviews for a job as an assistant to the celebrated photographer Daniel Redfern. I really enjoyed the grumpy-sunshine trope, and the fast-paced start was a great way to introduce the characters. However, some of the side plots felt a bit messy and could have had a more well-paced conclusion.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and quick read. I would recommend it to anyone who loves romance and is in the mood for something light and cute!

Thank you netgalley for this eARC!

A snappy romance that throws together Anna Wright, a determined aspiring photographer, and Daniel Redfern, a famously demanding photography genius. When Anna shows up late and soaked to an interview, it seems like her dream job is slipping away, but Daniel ends up offering her a trial run. As they work together, their chemistry ignites, revealing that first impressions can be deceiving. But with their personal pasts threatening to get in the way, the real question is whether they can take a chance on love or if they'll let their differences keep them apart.

"First Impressions" tells the story of Anna Wright, who interviews for a job as an assistant to the renowned photographer Daniel Redfern. For Anna, this job isn’t just a last chance to pursue her dream of becoming a photographer—it's also an escape from her toxic ex-boyfriend and unhealthy work environment.

It took me a little time to fully get into the story and the romance between Anna and Daniel, but once I did, it turned into a delightful and engaging read. The book's fast-paced nature kept the plot moving, though at times, it felt like some important details were missing. I would have loved to see a more detailed development of Anna and Daniel's relationship from the start. One moment that particularly stood out was when Daniel’s son, Ben, came down to Cheshire for a week. We only got a glimpse of their last night together, and I wish we had more insight into their time together to better understand their interactions and the bond that was forming.

The book explores some wonderful themes, particularly Anna’s journey of leaving her toxic workplace to chase her dreams. It was truly inspiring to see her succeed. However, the story also touches on some heavier topics, such as the grief of losing a family member, family drama, dealing with a toxic ex, and a significant accident.

Overall, "First Impressions" was a cute and enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone looking for something light and quick. It’s a great pick for readers who enjoy romance with a mix of drama and uplifting themes. If you like stories about following your dreams and overcoming challenges, you’ll likely enjoy this one. Just be aware of the heavier themes that are addressed throughout the book.

3.5🌟
Thank you to Joffe Books and Netgalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Where to start? Anna has a lot going on in her life with her family taking her for granted and her ex as her boss. She dreams of doing something around photography, which she has loved since she was younger but never been able to capitalise on.

Enter Daniel Redfern, renowned photographer looking for a new assistant. However, let's not forget he's also as grumpy as they come, particularly towards a particularly bedraggled and late Anna.

Spoiler:
A reasonable read for those who love the grumpy to lover trope. I found the whole thing with Daniel's ex really quite petty and at times it felt a little slow but generally an enjoyable read.

First Impressions" by Linda Middleton tells the story of Anna and Daniel. Anna Wright, eager to escape her toxic ex-boyfriend and job, seizes the chance to interview for an assistant position with renowned photographer Daniel Redfern. This opportunity is not only her last shot at pursuing her dream of becoming a photographer but also a way to start fresh.

Initially, I found it a bit challenging to fully engage with the book and the romance, but once I did, it turned into a delightful and enjoyable read. The story moves at a brisk pace, which keeps things lively, though it sometimes felt like certain details were glossed over. I wished the book had delved deeper into the early stages of Anna and Daniel’s relationship. For example, when Daniel’s son, Ben, visits Cheshire for a week, we only glimpse their final evening together. I would have liked to see more of their interactions to better understand their growing bond.

The book does a great job of exploring themes like pursuing one's dreams, as seen through Anna’s journey to leave her toxic job behind and achieve her goals. It was inspiring to watch her succeed. However, the story also touches on some heavier subjects, including grief, family conflict, a toxic relationship, and a significant accident.

Overall, "First Impressions" is a charming and enjoyable read that I would recommend to those looking for something light and quick. It’s a good fit for readers who enjoy romance with a hint of drama and an uplifting message. If you like stories about chasing dreams and overcoming challenges, you’ll likely find this book appealing. Just be aware that it does address some weightier topics along the way.

It took me a while to get into the book and the romance, but once I did, it turned into a delightful and engaging read. The pace picked up quickly and kept me hooked, but at times it felt like we missed out on crucial details. Some of the side plots seemed a bit disjointed. The characters were likable, and there were intriguing developments, but I felt like some significant parts of their relationship growth and challenges happened off-page, leaving me feeling like I missed out on key moments. Adding the miscommunication trope wasn’t my favorite aspect.

I wish there had been a more in-depth exploration of Anna and Daniel’s relationship from the beginning. We only got brief glimpses of Daniel’s son, Ben, particularly during his week-long visit, and I would have loved more insight into their interactions and the bond they formed. However, I did appreciate how the book balanced heavier themes with lighter ones.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and quick read.

ARC courtesy of Joffe Books | Choc Lit and NetGalley, thank you. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 Stars!

I received this ARC, and here is my honest review.

Book Summary:
When Anna Wright interviews for a job as an assistant to the celebrated photographer Daniel Redfern, it’s not just her last chance to pursue her dream of becoming a photographer—it's also an opportunity to escape her toxic ex-boyfriend.

This book is a light and enjoyable read! While it touches on heavier topics such as grief, toxic relationships, and a tragic accident, it does so in a way that adds depth without overshadowing the romantic focus.

I really enjoyed the grumpy-sunshine trope, and the fast-paced start was a great way to introduce the characters. However, some of the side plots felt a bit messy and could have had a more well-paced conclusion.

The characters were likable, and there were some interesting developments, but I felt like some important parts of their relationship growth and challenges were happening off-page, leaving me feeling like I missed out on important moments. Personally, I prefer my FMCs to be a bit more confident, and although Anna’s lack of confidence was an important part of her journey and kick-starting the plot, I would have loved to see more growth in that aspect. I also struggled a bit with some of their lack of communication skills, especially considering that Daniel is a father, I expected better communication from him, which fell a bit short for me.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and quick read. I would recommend it to anyone who loves romance and is in the mood for something light and cute!

This was a 3.75 rounded up to 4 for me! This was a super cute book with an interesting plot and great characters! I enjoyed the dual perspectives and the setting of the story. I enjoyed reading about two photographers falling in love.

Anna Wright’s life is going down the drain she’s in a job where her ex boyfriend has coupled up with the bosses daughter her home life is her being the unpaid skivvy and to top it all off she’s of for an interview late because she got lost and soaked by a heavy rainstorm.
Daniel Redfern is a perfectionist so when a bedraggled Anna turns up for an interview he’s far from impressed, but his friend persuades him to give her a chance. Anna proves she’s more than just a helper when Daniel sees her own photography.
They begin a whirlwind journey with many ups and downs.
Great read highly recommended

Thank you to Joffe Books and Linda Middleton for gifting me a digital copy of First Impressions to review. The book starts quick with a great meet cute between Daniel and Anna, but afterwards the story gets a little slow and takes a little getting into while the background to Daniel's life catch-up with the story and Anna home life distracts from settle in the romance as there are a lot of side plots all over the place. Settles down to be a cute romantic reading with a nice happy ending -plot is a little predictable but steady. Characters are likable and well-developed though struggle with communication - the miscommunication element wasn't for me but I weathered it as I loved Daniel's son, Ben who was the best character for me.