Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

I found it quite slow and extremely hard to get into. I love a work place romance however I struggled keeping up with it. I loved the characters though which made it redeemable for me.

Badly written story which constantly alludes to transcending feelings, seeking solace and peace in various locations.

"sought solace and clarity in the tranquil solitude of the bothy"
"As they stood there, their hearts brimming with love and hope, the bothy stood witness to the power and transformative nature of love."
Their souls intertwined as their hearts connected 🤮

I thought this was going to be an enemies to lovers workplace romance but no it was a vapid and pointless. Nothing exciting happened, even the background story of a Russian oligarch who's money has been embezzled by her partner.

I was positive in the beginning that the story would get better as the story went on, but it didn't. It got steadily worse. Especially when the ridiculously repetitive sentences about seeking solace or peace or clarity.
I didn't particularly like either character but I really didn't like Emily after she gave Jack an ultimatum after he asked her to just give him a but of time. He told her he was conflicted between doing what's right for the law firm and for him/them and needed some time. But this wasn't what she wanted to hear so she gave him an ultimatum. I know she's had some past trauma but she's had a lot longer to deal with it! Jack literally found his finance cheating on him a week prior!! Stupid cow.

I made it through to the end of the book but from about 60% on I was skim reading just to get through all the vapidness.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This is a first time read for me by this author and it was a very pleasant experience. It's a sharp and witty rom-com that’s packed with sparks, conflicts, and unexpected chemistry, delivering a delightful tale of two very different lawyers learning that love can strike in the most unexpected places.
Emily is trying to pick up the pieces of her life and bring her career back on track after dealing with a tragic accident. Now, she’s ready to dive back into her career at a prestigious London law firm, and romance is the furthest thing from her mind. Jack is a polished and emotionally distant British lawyer who seems to have his life and career all sorted out. The only problem is he can't shake the feeling that something is missing. When Emily and Jack are paired together for a major case, their dynamic is anything but smooth sailing.
The clashing personalities of Emily and Jack is what really makes this such an engaging story. Emily is bold and unafraid to speak her mind, while Jack is reserved, efficient, and committed to his perfect-but-predictable life. The tension just crackles between them, romantically and comedically, as their personalities clash in the most delightful ways. The supporting characters, particularly Jack’s fiancée, add layers of conflict that make the emotional stakes even higher, adding a twist of self-discovery and emotional depth, proving that love isn’t always as simple as it seems.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This Is Not an Office Romance had potential with its interesting premise and workplace dynamics, but unfortunately, it didn’t fully deliver. The characters, particularly Jack, felt flat, and the romance lacked the emotional depth needed to make it truly engaging. While there were some witty moments, the story often felt predictable and slow-paced. Despite the initial promise, the chemistry between the leads didn’t feel authentic, and I found it hard to connect with the characters. Overall, it was a bit of a miss for me, though others might still find it enjoyable.

I found this book a little to heavy to read just with the coparte side of it but my friend who's a lawyer absoulty loved reading it and could totally relate to the dinamics of this book and office life in a corporate world. Throw in a mix of trauma and romance she said it was a great read

Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
I’m sorry. I just couldn’t keep pushing through. This book just wasn’t it for me. There was so much information but it gave nothing?

Emily and Jack are both lawyers and meet on her first day in a new job after a hiatus following a loss in her personal life. They get off to a bad start, but will that change once they are spending more time working together?

The premise sounded like fun. The actual writing and characters were either exasperating or meh enough that I was finishing this for the sake of finishing it. I am all for suspension of disbelief but i have to like the romance/ story/characters enough to do so , alas, that was not the case here for me.

Unfortunately this book was a miss for me. I felt like the writing was not well done (kind of felt like an editor hadnt read it due to inconsistencies) and the characters were written to be boring which doesnt really grab the readers attention. Honestly there was so much text it was like the writer though the reader was stupid and had to be told what is happening and who people are rather than just weaving it into the story.

While I didn't love this one as I'm not a huge fan of office romance rom coms. It was still a fun read. And I loved the banter between the hero and heroine. And it was a less cheesy version of a Hallmark rom com.

Eloise Fox’s This is NOT an Office Romance is a charming contemporary romance that combines career aspirations, emotional healing, and slow-burning chemistry. The story follows Emily Taylor, a once-successful New York lawyer who retreats to rural England for a year to recover from a traumatic accident. Ready to get her life back on track, she joins a boutique law firm in London, determined to focus entirely on rebuilding her career. Enter Jack, a brilliant yet aloof British lawyer with a fiancée and a reputation for being all business. Emily and Jack’s unlikely partnership forces them to navigate office politics, cultural differences, and their undeniable attraction.

Fox excels at crafting layered characters with relatable flaws and emotional depth. Emily’s journey of regaining confidence and rediscovering herself is heartfelt, while Jack’s reserved demeanor slowly unravels to reveal vulnerabilities that make him a compelling counterpart. The setting—a high-stakes London law firm with occasional glamorous backdrops, like a business trip to Bermuda—adds sophistication and flair to the narrative.

While the story leans on classic office romance tropes, Fox injects fresh energy with witty dialogue, moments of humor, and a focus on personal growth. This is NOT an Office Romance is a slow-burn romance that emphasizes trust, communication, and the courage to take risks, making it a delightful read for fans of contemporary love stories with strong, independent heroines

✨ Just finished This is NOT an Office Romance by Eloise Fox, and I am absolutely in love! 💖 This book is a delightful rollercoaster of laughter, tension, and unexpected romance that kept me glued to the pages!

The chemistry between the characters is off the charts! I loved how their witty banter and undeniable attraction unfolded in such a fun and relatable way. Fox has a knack for creating characters that feel so real, and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning.

What really stood out to me was the clever twist on the classic office romance trope. It’s refreshing, playful, and packed with moments that made me laugh out loud. The storyline is engaging, and the pacing kept me wanting more!

If you’re looking for a charming read that will make you smile and swoon, This is NOT an Office Romance is a must! Can't wait for everyone to get their hands on it.

Eloise Fox delivers a refreshing twist on the office romance genre with This is NOT an Office Romance. The story centers around Emily Taylor, a strong-willed New York lawyer recovering from a tragic accident, and Jack, a successful yet emotionally distant British lawyer. Their professional partnership at a London law firm quickly becomes charged with both rivalry and undeniable chemistry. The narrative explores their journey as colleagues navigating personal and professional challenges, culminating in a heartfelt romance.

Fox masterfully balances witty banter with deeper emotional themes, such as resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of meaningful connections. Emily’s journey of rebuilding her career and Jack’s quest for fulfillment beyond professional success make this more than just a love story. The cultural clash between Emily’s boldness and Jack’s reserved demeanor adds an engaging layer to their interactions, making their dynamic unpredictable and delightful.

The novel’s settings, from bustling London to the picturesque beaches of Bermuda, add a glamorous touch of escapism. The vibrant secondary characters further enrich the story’s depth, ensuring a fully realized narrative world. While romantic tension builds, Fox avoids clichés, crafting a story that feels fresh and authentic.

With humor, heart, and smart writing, This is NOT an Office Romance stands out as a sophisticated and life-affirming tale. A perfect pick for readers who love modern romance with depth and charm.

Unfortunatelly i DNF'd this book because i just couldn't get into the story which is really unfortunate because the blurb sounded interesting

This is NOT an Office Romance delivers on its promise of a lighthearted, slow-burn romance with plenty of workplace tension, but it falls a bit short of fully capturing the depth and chemistry between its main characters. Emily, a strong-willed New York lawyer, is ready for a fresh start after a difficult year, and her no-nonsense personality contrasts sharply with Jack, her reserved and emotionally distant British colleague. Their pairing creates plenty of tension, and the build-up between them is fun to follow, especially as they’re forced to work closely in high-stakes environments.

The writing has moments of wit and humor, and Fox does a good job of balancing the personal struggles each character faces with the growing attraction between them. However, Jack's character sometimes feels a bit one-dimensional, and the romance, while charming, lacks the emotional depth that would make their connection truly memorable. The Bermuda trip and office interactions bring some interesting twists, but the story remains fairly predictable.

Overall, this book is a pleasant read for fans of slow-burn office romances, especially those who enjoy a clash of personalities. While it doesn’t break new ground, it’s an enjoyable and breezy novel with a sweet ending that makes it worth a try.

*This Is Not an Office Romance* just didn’t work for me. While the premise seemed promising, I found it hard to connect with the characters and the story never quite drew me in. The romance felt forced, and the pacing dragged, making it difficult to stay engaged. I had to push through to finish it, hoping it would pick up, but unfortunately, it didn’t. While others may enjoy it, it wasn’t the right fit for me.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a captivating read that held my attention from start to finish. The story was well-paced, and the characters felt real and engaging. I’m grateful to the publisher for providing an early copy—it was a pleasure to read!

It wasn't an office romance, but it also wasn't a romance I could get into.
I would keep an eye out for the author's next work. Maybe it's just a me thing.

The initial draw to this book was the cover and the description caught my attention. However, as I got further and further into the book it continued to fall flat. There was no build-up, just added unnecessary words or descriptives. The characters had potential, but the writing gave no chemistry in their relationship.

I thought the author did a good job of incorporating trauma and mental health. I really wanted to like this book, it just wasn’t it for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.