Unfortunately, I'm not impressed by this book. Opposites attract and small town romance are great tropes and I don't think they were executed well. The writing felt choppy, pacing was off, and felt like it took forever to finish.
Rheo and Fletch hardly had any chemistry. I wasn't a fan of any of the characters, they refused to apologize to each other and ignored major issues. The best friend was the best thing there because she actually talked some sense into Rheo. I'm sad I did not enjoy it as much as I thought, I see the idea but it didn't work well, at all. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an early copy in exhange for an honest review.

Rheo’s career as a UN interpreter is interrupted after a hot mic incident leaves her anxious and unable to work. She retreats to her grandmother’s cabin for solitude, only to find her cousin has arranged for Fletcher, a thrill-seeker friend, to stay there too. Despite their contrasting lifestyles, Rheo and Fletcher quickly develop chemistry. As they navigate personal growth, family dynamics, and their evolving relationship, the book explores themes of self-confidence, facing fears, and finding balance. The story also touches on chronic illness and neurodiversity. The romance is slow-burning, and the setting is quirky and charming.

Love in Translation by Joss Wood

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 2/5 🌶️🌶️

Thank you to Harlequin, Afterglow Books, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Love in Translation is entertaining from the very first chapter! Filled with wit, banter, spice, and a great overarching message.

Rheo, the FMC, is an interpreter and also a huge perfectionist. The book has great descriptive writing and you can feel the pressure Rheo is under when it comes to work. Fletcher, the MMC, lives for adrenaline and adventure instead of routine and perfection.

Their opposite personalities worked well together and kept me engrossed in the story as I was definitely drawn into their world and the tension between them which continuously escalates. The forced proximity trope added an even more exciting layer to the story overall, making their interactions intense and intriguing. The chemistry between the MCs was also certainly palpable throughout.

This book focuses on overcoming your fears and making the most of your life. It also touches on the outdoors, the role work plays in a person’s life, and the support loved ones provide. Overall, a really good book! Would definitely recommend, especially if you’re interested in a romcom with an element of the outdoors or languages!

Rheo escapes to her grandmother’s secluded hideaway, only to unexpectedly share quarters with adventure junkie Fletcher.

I had a hard time relating to Rheo. Despite how rigid she is, she struck me as irresponsible. I’m sure others will enjoy the book more than I did.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

This was a fun story! I really enjoyed learning about the UN and how essential translators are. This is an occupation that I did not expect to find in a romance novel!

I enjoyed this story and the growth of the main character Rheo. This book had alot of miscommunications happening between basically every character and things could’ve been resolved within her family much quicker if everyone would be open and communicated.

The love story was sweet and I enjoyed the ending. It was nice to see Rheo finally become less judgmental of those around her but also stick up for herself.

Rheo’s career as an interpreter at the United Nations is temporarily derailed when she has a hot mic moment. After that she is overwhelmed with anxiety and embarrassment and makes mistakes at her job and is therefore unable to work. She heads to her grandma’s cabin to be alone. Unbeknownst to her - her cousin has arranged for her thrill seeker friend to stay there too. It doesn’t take long for Rheo and Fletcher to realize they have chemistry but they have two totally different approaches to how to live their lives. I liked seeing the personal growth of the characters and how they remained their authentic selves. The dialogue was good and their relationship was fun. It was great to learn about Rheo’s fascinating profession. Overall an engaging and interesting story.

Two people at a crossroads- one from a mistake, one from an illness- end up sharing a house and learning to be comfortable with themselves again!

While this didn’t have a ton of ~substance~ or a deep connection in the characters that we were able to see, it was a quick and easy read that left me feeling introspective. It’s okay to make mistakes as long as you try to learn from it!

Thank you so much to Joss Wood and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

Up until a few months ago, Rheo Whitlock had it all. Stability, self-confidence and a safe job as an interpreter for the United Nations… It was the predictable sort of existence she, as a dedicated homebody, had always dreamed of—the security she’d needed thanks to her nomadic #vanlife upbringing. But ever since an unfortunate “hot mic” moment threw her career into a tailspin, she’s been struggling—really struggling—with fear, anxiety and uncertainty. A calculated escape is in order, and Rheo knows just the place: her grandmother’s secluded hideaway in the breathtaking town of Gilmartin. Except she won’t be alone, thanks to a random twist of fate…

Fletcher Wright lives for adrenaline, always chasing the next high. So when he learns he’ll have to share his rental accommodations with Rheo—a stranger, basically—he simply chalks it up to another challenge. It doesn’t hurt that there’s an immediate attraction between them, which neither can explain. Before long, they’re not just sharing a house and new experiences—they’re sharing a bed. But when it’s time for Fletcher to move on to the next adventure, he and Rheo will both have to decide—are they ready to take the biggest risk of all?

Completely loved this! It's a quick, fun read. I loved Rheo, and the chemistry between these two is HOT! This was a little steamier than I expected based on the cover, but that's not a problem for me. Highly enjoyed this!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

On a break from work after a meltdown moment, multi-lingual United Nations translator and interpreter Rheo has retreated to her grandmother's home to lick her wounds and decide next steps when an Airbnb renter shows up, claiming his right to stay. Since Rheo never alerted her family about her leave or squatting, she has no choice but to let Fletcher in, least her cover be blown. He's an adventure-seeker and documentarian, staying in Gilmartin (Pacific Northwest) to make day trips to local attractions during a doctor-ordered hiatus from adventuring, to avoid a relapse of chronic fatigue syndrome. Rheo is a homebody who dislikes the outdoors. They couldn't be more unalike, but there is an instant attraction that simmers into a slow burn--well, slow for less than 300 pages.

The novel starts out with a lot of internal monologuing, and I didn't find the way the character described herself to fit her actions. There was so much exposition that I lost interest and DNF, gave it up at 28% complete.

I received a free advance reader's review copy of #LoveInTranslation via #NetGalley courtesy of #Harlequin. This review will post to HLBB on 12/22/2024.

Thank you for this ARC! This book is the definition of opposites attract, so when you learn about Rheo and Fletcher, you may be wondering why they’d be attracted to each other…

The perfect example of opposites attracting - a talented interpreter and a fearless explorer brought to you by Joss Wood...

On the brink of a career disaster, Rheo, a multilingual translator and interpreter has hidden herself away in the Pink House, a place where she thinks she could maintain her perfect-life back and regain her confidence, yet her life is turned more upside down when an attractive explorer, Fletcher, claims to have rented the house to him through her cousin.

Despite their opposite characters, Rheo and Fletcher cannot hide their instant attraction. Rheo is a consummate idealist and perfectionist. Her upbringing, shaped by her parents’ van life and her grandmother, who is her perfect role model, clashes with Fletcher’s adventurous spirit. His purpose in life is dedicated to explore the unexplored area, a life that Rheo hates because of her family.

I loved the way the attraction instantly sparked during their first encounter, and their decision to have an affair added a fun, spicy twist to the story. From hot and spicy moments to entertaining and unexpected situations, this book keeps you hooked.

It’s thanks to Joss Wood for letting me read it. Slow burn that becomes hot and spicy, loads of passion, the plot that flows until I didn’t realize it was over. Joss Wood’s writing kept me hooked from the beginning. If you want a relaxing read with a spicy scene, a pleasing plot and a resolved and happy ever after ending, this is absolutely for you.

Up untila few months ago, Rheo
Whitlock was doing amazing and had
it all. Stability, self-confidence as an
interpreter for the United Nations.. Her
existence was predictable because of the life she lived with her parents. In a van and her parents never had money. Very unfortunate when she decided to express her opinion but her "hot-mic" wasn't turned off " she was told to take a leave. She went to her grandmother's pink house in a secluded area. She lost her confidence. Fate had an idea because Fletcher who was an adrenaline junky because of
everything he went in his childhood,
Rheo learns the house was rented to
Fletcher, a total stranger and he will share his rental accommodations with Rheo.
Immediate attraction between them developed. After a while it was time for Fletcher to move on to the next adventure, and both both have to decide what to do. Rheo is totally afraid of any risky activity because she is very clumsy. They will have to take a chance in love or go their separate way!!
Definitely recommended this book. I read it in a few hours!
Thank you Joss!!!

3.5 stars!

This book was so captivating and I finished it in just one day!!! There was definitely instant attraction, but then it fizzles into a slight slow burn which I am obsessed with. I also loooved the forced proximity and thought the chemistry between the two characters was off the charts. In all, this book was so so good and it had the perfect mix of sweet and spicy moments.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the arc <3

Okay, so this is a case of never judging a book by its cover!

When I first saw this super cute cover, I initially thought that this was going to be a sweetly tender and cutesy book - oh, boy was I wrong, yes it's sweet, but there is also spice which turns the temperature up a notch,...or ten, yup there's saucy as well as spice!

Slow-burning romances aren't always my catnip, I have nothing against them I just have a very short attention span, LOL! Despite that there is an instant attraction between Rheo and Fletcher, I felt it more to be a slower approach, there are a fair few longing glances and it takes its time, which I think benefits the story and the characters far better, there's no rushing straight to bed for a quick romp, the chemistry builds naturally and the result is a sizzling passionate (and yes quite hot) moment which neither character (or reader) will forget.

I enjoyed the journey and watching Rheo and Fletcher peel back the layers of themselves, it is a story of discovery, learning how to be yourself and finding happiness.

The opening pulled at the heartstrings, and Rheo finds herself in a pretty dark place, she's sunken into a rut and can't seem to find the motivation, or the ability to climb out. She's struggling, emotional with fear and anxiety, her world in her eyes has collapsed around her, her career at the UN is in question and she is far too in the dark to find any source of light to see that all's not as bad as she thinks!

She grabs hold of a lifeline, in the form of running away to the middle of nowhere to her grandmother's cabin in the woods, so to speak, it's a little town called Gilmartin, but hey, still the middle of nowhere.

Hiding away, finding peace amongst the notice of her head is just what she needs, to evaluate life.

But...isn't there always a but?!

This one is a rather fine specimen too!

Fletcher just happens to have rented Rheo's grandmother's house as a bit of a stopgap between his adventures, it's a bit of a twist of fate bringing two as different as can be people together to share one house for a time. Fletcher is a free spirit, chilled out and happy to go along with living at the house, after all, it's not for long. He's an instantly likeable chap and very, very easy on the eye.

Nothing will happen, neither is looking for romance, each has their agenda, one is out for the thrill of life and the other just wants to put her life together, what could go wrong?

Yup, they fall for each other!!

Love in Translation is a wonderful mix of small-town romance with forced proximity, and little opposites attract for added drama; a city girl running from life meets a rugged, rough-around-the-edges adrenaline junkie who makes her heart skip a beat!

I liked how the story flowed, the fun plot and narration kept me engaged, it's a breezy and very enjoyable read the chemistry between the characters sparkled and then turned to red-hot lust, and the ending felt satisfying and fit the story well.

Highly recommended!

Idk what I thought this was going to be, but I am glad I tried it anyway, Such a good novel with lovable characters and well developed plot

I enjoyed this immensely! Travel & romance, sign me up!

I liked the tropes and I think the author did a great job with how they were written. Still felt unique and fresh.

The romance was so cute! Super swoon!

This book was moving very quickly- and not in a good way.
I wasn't enjoying the self depreciating/unintelligent girl comments (i.e. oops silly me, clumsy, stupid me)
I really appreciate the opportunity to have read this- but it was tough for me to get through.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ll start my review by saying I LOVE the forced proximity trope if it’s done right and this was absolutely done right. Fletch and Rheo are two very different people who are forced to spend their vacations in the same rental accommodation. In the style of early 2000s rom coms, along with having the same room, they’re also forced to share a bed together for the duration of their stay. I found that to be one of the reasons I was so interested in this book. What can I say? I like what I like.

Love In Translation was hilariously heartwarming and romantic. I loved how polar opposite the characters were to each other but also seemed to understand each other anyway. The chemistry was intense and with each interaction you could tell exactly where it was heading.

From the moment I began reading I was hooked. Definitely will be ordering this in paperback when it’s released.

On sale 12/24/2024

This is a solid opposites attraction storyline when Fletch and Rheo are unexpectedly staying at the same place while they both have a bit of a reset.

Rheo grew up traveling all over the country in a van with her parents and is just fine with a boring, 9-5 job. Fletch wants nothing to do with boring, preferring to travel all over the world on great adventures.

The story was probably leaning toward ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me but their communication (and his attitude) at the end knocked it down to a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Good book!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Love in Translation to come out December 24, 2024.

This is a forced proximity and opposites attract book. Fletch is an outdoor adventurer who spends the majority of his year on the road filming his adventures and physical challenges; whilst Rheo, the heroine, is an uber steady translator who is incapable of living in the moment and highly resistant to physical activity.

This book has several strengths. The author is unfailing great at writing fresh characters who behave in a contemporary and mature manner and her characters are often rounded and behave with believable emotional intelligence and this is true of Fletch and Rheo, at least with regard to their romance (Rheo is a little irrational with regards to some of her wider family relationships and in respect of her work though). The attraction is written well and jumps off the page with verve and crackle. The storylines do not create the social and economic power imbalances which are often in these genres. The surrounding cast of characters and setting are fun.

There was a significant downside in this book for me; it did a lot of telling but not much showing. This related to the characters: Rheo was described as funny and clever, but this was just not evident in her actions. It related also to the resolution of the central tension in the book of how to resolve Fletch and Rheo very different attitude to how they wanted to live their lives. This was a massive tension and it just was not resolved satisfactorily. The book ended happily (naturally) with them agreeing to be together despite their differences, but in no way showed how that could be; instead they just kind of agreed they would work on it. This was rushed, unbelievable and prevented me being invested in the story and characters. Much of the story was told through the thought processes of the characters and this was particularly so in the beginning of the book, which felt a little slow and overall made it a little like groundhog day

So, very unusually for this author, this was close to a miss for me (in reality a 2.5 stars if I could) but am sure others will love the interesting characters and hot romance.

NB: Book not open for review on Amazon.co.uk and Goodreads yet. Will diarise to do.