This actually went in a different direction than I was expecting but in the best way! This is a funny, charming and sweet romance that feels honest and real, highly recommend

This was a cute story. A bit predictable, but it was fun to see it play out. It was fun reading the texts. Really gave some context. Enjoy this author.

This is such a cute, sweet enemies to lovers romance set in the energetic locations of New York City and London.

Nora is a psychologist, used to hearing about and helping others with their problems. However, she never puts her needs first and is not the best at following her own advice. Eli is her new neighbor (and briefly one of her patients), who is making changes and quickly interrupting normal day to day life in her apartment building. They know how to push each other's buttons, which makes for a comical read.

Nora also writes an advice column for a publication in London. J lives in London and edits her work from afar. They've never met, but their conversations via text are just so dang easy. Could there be a connection? Is this her person?

While I found the first few chapters a little tedious and underwhelming, I am so glad that I continued to turn the pages. The momentum picked up, and I found it a complete delight! Additionally, as with all of Ali Rosen's books, I adore the recipe additions at the back of the book. It's an incredibly thoughtful addition!

Thank you to Montlake via NetGally for the opportunity to read this piece of work in advance. These opinions are entirely my own. Now it is time to heat up the oven and give this strawberry rhubarb cornmeal a try. Yum!

This was a cute story that I was worried might get frustrating but happily did not. The tropes necessitated a little miscommunication but it cleared up quickly. I enjoyed it and imagine it will make a good audiobook.

This was my first Ali Rosen book, but it definitely will not be my last! Unlikely Story was such a cute story with excellent mental health rep and I loved the Jewish rep in it as well.

Nora is a New York based people pleasing therapist who also writes a weekly advice column called Ask Eleanora for a UK newspaper. She communicates with her copy editor "J" for the advice column in the word documents for her column, but feels they've built up a friendship through their notes and she has even developed a little crush. When her friend and editor at the paper asks her to come to London in the summer to meet the new publisher, Nora is excited to get the chance to meet J in person and they start texting on the side in anticipation of the visit and their feelings grow deeper for each other. Back at home, Nora is dealing with her prickly new neighbor Eli and the two of them will battle with each other any chance they get, until they get to know each other and potential feelings begin to develop.

I loved the banter between Nora and Eli, it was perfection in the enemies to lovers trope. As they begin to get to know each other and stop fighting, I enjoyed how they were able to open up to each other and be there to protect the other when they needed it. There is a great twist with the "love triangle" and I couldn't wait to see how it all played out in the end once everyone was on the same page. I really related to Nora as someone who is a people pleaser and always tries to break out of that mold.

4.5 Stars

Unlikely Story was my first book by Ali Rosen & it certainly won’t be my last because I loved this book! It was funny, charming & so sweet—albeit predictable but I didn’t mind one bit. It also had one of my most favorite tropes which is pen pals!

I loved that Ali included recipes from the book at the end! I’ve never tried a black & white cookie and now I’m very curious.

Thank you to NetGalley & Montlake for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Super cute! I can't believe this is the first Ali Rosen I've read. I really enjoyed the story and the Jewish rep!

What a fun read! If you love Nora Ephron and You've Got Mail, you're going to love Unlikely Story. It's a great romance with friendship, self-love and a really lovely journey for our main character alongside a robust and heart-fluttering love story too. Highly recommended!

Ali Rosen’s books are just so consistently good and I love that each time I know what I’m gonna get and she delivers. Unlikely Story is no different! A fun “mistaken identity” love story with a well-developed cast of side characters. I want to join them in the building!

Overall, this book was a treat and offered the kind of old school romcom nostalgia that so many of us miss. Highly recommend!

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I have been a fan of Ali Rosen books in the past so was excites to read this one. It was cute and funny and heartwarming and predictable. Honestly, I am ok with that in a book. Nora gave great advice but didn’t know how to take any of her own and apply it to her life. Her crush on J was 100% something i can see happening in the digital world we live in. But i liked watching the Eli and Nora and how their relationship changed and grew and heeled. It was a cute book that i was happy to read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

This started out so great, hilarious at times, then the second half took me forever to get through and I'm not sure why. It's evident almost from the beginning what the "twist" is and it took forever - almost to the very end - for the characters to figure it out. You're just waiting for the big reveal and once they "get" it, it's a letdown. Do we even know when, exactly, Eli came to the realization? I re-read that part and I still don't have an answer. The side characters were sometimes more fun than Nora and Eli. This is listed as romance but I'm not sure I would characterize it as such. I would still recommend it and I do enjoy the author's writing style.

I always enjoy a book by Ali and this is not the exception.
Fall in love with Nora and Eli both as a couple and individuals.
Dealing with grief, jobs and interfering family. Boundaries are crossed and friendships are made.
S book that will make you smile and leave you with a warm feet.

Unlikely Story by Ali Rosen is a charming romance with a clever premise, but it ultimately felt a little predictable for my taste. Nora, a relationship therapist with a secret crush on her anonymous editor, J, is a relatable protagonist navigating the messy intersections of her personal and professional life.

The setup—anonymously falling for someone across the Atlantic while dealing with a grumpy neighbor in New York—was engaging, and I enjoyed the humor and wit sprinkled throughout. Eli’s character was a fun contrast to Nora, and their banter added an entertaining dynamic. However, the plot twists were easy to see coming, which lessened some of the emotional impact.

While the writing is sharp and there are plenty of swoon-worthy moments, the love triangle felt more convenient than compelling, and I found myself wanting a bit more depth to the characters’ relationships. The conclusion tied things up neatly, but it didn’t fully resonate with me as much as I’d hoped.

Overall, Unlikely Story is a light and enjoyable read, especially for fans of slow-burn romance and charmingly flawed characters. It’s a sweet story but lacked the spark to make it truly stand out.

Book Review: *Unlikely Story* by Ali Rosen

In *Unlikely Story*, Ali Rosen weaves an enchanting tale of love, personal growth, and the surprising connections that form in the most unexpected places. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York, the novel follows Nora, a witty and introspective advice columnist, as she navigates the complexities of her heart and her life.

Nora is surrounded by a colorful group of neighbors who share a tight-knit, harmonious bond. But when a new building owner, Eli, arrives with plans to build a rooftop garden directly above Nora’s apartment, her otherwise peaceful life is suddenly thrown into conflict. Their opposing views on the building's renovations create tension, but as fate would have it, an unexpected twist—Nora finds herself stuck on the roof with Eli—forces them to confront one another in ways neither anticipated.

What begins as a clash of wills gradually transforms into a genuine connection. As Nora nurses Eli through an illness, their relationship evolves from an initial prickly animosity to something more tender, layered, and complex. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the slow burn of their emotional journey is beautifully captured by Rosen, with subtle clues and moments of vulnerability that feel authentic and real.

Complicating Nora’s feelings is her developing affection for 'J', her longtime colleague and friend who edits her advice column but she has never met. Their friendship has always been a source of comfort, but as Nora’s emotional landscape shifts, so do the feelings she harbors for 'J' and Eli. The love triangle that ensues is heartfelt and thought-provoking, capturing the nuances of attraction, loyalty, and self-discovery.

One of the most delightful aspects of *Unlikely Story* is the charming supporting characters. Nora’s quirky dog, George, brings a touch of humor and warmth to the narrative, grounding Nora in the midst of her emotional turmoil. The residents of her building, with their varying personalities and quirks, provide a refreshing sense of community and offer a balance to the more intense moments between Nora, Eli, and 'J'.

Rosen's prose is soft and evocative, with moments that tug at the heartstrings. The emotional connection between Nora and Eli grows with such delicate precision that the reader is drawn in, feeling every wave of tension, tenderness, and longing. The metaphor of passion as a liquid “seeping into me that I can’t brush away” encapsulates the essence of their evolving relationship: one that can't be ignored or easily shaken off.

Overall, *Unlikely Story* is a charming romance that masterfully explores themes of love, identity, and the unpredictable paths that bring us closer to the ones we’re meant to be with. With endearing moments, heartfelt tension, and a storyline that offers just enough mystery to keep the reader engaged, it’s a book that resonates long after the last page. Fans of slow-burn romances and stories about finding love in the most surprising of circumstances will find much to enjoy in this warm, poignant novel.

"Unlikely Story" had all the wonderful feels of every 90s/00s rom com we all loved growing up! Nora is a people-pleasing therapist who also writes a weekly advice column, who happens to fall for her editor "in the margins" of the page. They eventually move their conversations to text and felt all the tingles reading this book. This was a really cute love story and my 1st Ali Rosen book--I look forward to reading more from her. The characters had excellent chemistry. 4 stars! *I received a complimentary ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

Okay story of a therapist who is better at giving advice than taking it herself. She finds herself falling for the copyeditor of her advice column, despite only communicating over edits and never meeting in person. She also develops a contentious relationship with a new neighbor in her building. I felt like this story was exactly as you would expect and was extremely predictable very early in the book. I would have enjoyed more of a twist and maybe more fireworks with the familial elements for Nora. This was an easy read and for those who want predictability.

I am a fan of Ali Rosen’s work and this book is another example of why. Well written, multi faceted characters and an amazing plot are three of her trademarks that are clearly evident in this novel. You’ll enjoy it!

NYC/London, therapy positive, found family, difficult parental relationships

Nora is a relationship therapist, living in NYC, feeling pretty lonely with 1 best friend and her dog, George. On the side, she writes an advice column and has been trading notes with her editor for years. She's pretty sure she's in love with him...but they've never met or seen each other or know each other's real names.

Eli is Nora's new downstairs neighbor and its enemies at first sight. He has big plans for the rooftop of the building which would disrupt Nora's quiet existence. The kooky neighbors are great characters who really make this a 'found family'.

The banter here is so good, and there's a bit of mystery, family drama & quiet feelings that turn into big ones. Heartwarming, funny and romantic!

Loved Nora! Im not into “love triangle” romances but this was done in a way that had me entertained. Love the enemies to lovers with her neighbor and the email updates with her editor. I loved how everything came together!

As a relationship therapist, Nora helps patients explore their feelings honestly. But she’s hiding an embarrassing relationship secret of her she’s in love with someone she’s never even met.

J edits the advice column Nora’s been writing anonymously for the last seven years. He’s in London, she’s in New York, and they communicate solely through shared files. When he confides that his girlfriend’s out of the picture, and her boss asks her to come to London, Nora takes both as a sign.

But that’s not the only thing on her mind. A client’s ex-boyfriend just moved into her co-op, directly beneath her. Eli blames Nora for his breakup and seems determined to make her life miserable, gleefully planning a noisy renovation.

Yet despite all his bluster, Nora eventually starts to see the softness behind Eli’s brusque, charming exterior…and after a slipup reveals a startling secret, Nora wonders whether someone can be two things at once.

Loved it. Will recommend to others