If you like the friends to lovers trope, then this book is for you. Amber has just broken up with her jerky boyfriend (seriously, this guy is the worst) and is still trying to get her life back on track. Tyler has it bad for Amber, but it's never been the right time to tell her, especially since Amber leans on Tyler so heavily as her best friend. Then one night something happens between them and they have to figure out what that means.

Here's what I really liked about the book- the relationship between Amber and Tyler was written so well. The push and pull of wanting more but not wanting to ruin what they already had. The moment of realization of when they wanted to become more than friends. There was great chemistry between Cherry and her sexy lumberjack and the spice was 🌶🌶🌶

Here's what I had trouble with- Amber turning thirty made her seem like she was having some cataclysmic event and needed to get her life figured out ASAP, including the sudden need to have a baby immediately which didn't really make sense. I felt the baby subplot was really unnecessary and overreaching given Amber was newly single and still trying to figure out her life.

Other than that, I found this book to be a fun and sexy read. Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood books for an earc in exchange for my honest review. Don't You Want Me, Baby is Out Now.

3.5 stars rounded up!

This was a cute, super quick read. As a huge fan of the friends to lovers trope, I enjoyed the storyline and Sharon was a great character.

For me, it felt like there was a little bit too much focus on the ex, Bradley and that meant we missed out on the building of the relationship between Tyler and Amber. I would have loved more moments just with them to really feel connected to their story.

Amber is the landlady of a successful pub, however dreams of buying her late grandmother's empty old pub for herself. Her boyfriend Bradley is hardly ever around anymore whilst he is looking to open a new restaurant, at the same time she is acutely aware of her biological clock ticking as she reaches her 30th birthday. She is supported by her best friends, Sharon, her head chef Tyler and the local customers in the pub.
This is one of those stories where you want to knock the two main character's heads together, they are best friends and are attracted to each other but both don't want to rock the boat by taking it any further. The pub does sound like a friendly place and the food mouthwatering, but I can see the attraction of Amber having her own business. Things naturally don't go smoothly, with plenty of obstacles in the way of her dreams of her pub and family, with Tyler struggling to accept all her dreams. A will they / won't they romance with a few spicy, but suiting the story, scenes.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book and I subsequently purchased it upon release.

Amber has set aside her own ambitions – running her gran’s former pub has always been on her life plan, but her business plan has been rather neglected – in favour of supporting boyfriend Brad’s rather more grandiose plans for his own hospitality business. She manages a bar where the staff and customers have become real friends – some of them particularly close and supportive, unlike Brad who’s hardly ever there for her. And with her 30th birthday imminent, that’s rather scuppered her other main dream – to be settled, with a family of her own.

Dumping Brad, however necessary for her own happiness, won’t bring that plan any nearer to fruition – but when you’re that desperate to have a child, there are other ways of making it happen. Tyler, the bar’s chef, is perhaps her closest friend – but his reaction to her proposed solution isn’t what she expects, and it rather drives a wedge between them. And that’s a shame – because he’s a man (and a rather lovely one) who’d be only too happy to be at her side.

It’s only fair to say that this book wasn’t entirely what I expected – very different from the last couple of the author’s books I’d read. And that honestly isn’t a criticism, just an observation – I really did enjoy it, and was absolutely invested in the chance of an unlikely happy ending. I just think though that the whole story might have more appeal for a rather younger reader than me – and those “for fans of” comparisons are absolutely spot on. And although it’s certainly a grumpy/sunshine story (friends to lovers too), I’m also not entirely convinced that it’s right to describe it as “laugh-out-loud” or “hilarious”, as some of its themes are pretty weighty, although there were plenty of situations and exchanges that made me smile (particularly involving BFF Sharon – she’s such a great character…).

I should mention, I think, that there is a fair bit of spice – not something I usually enjoy, but particularly well written and just fine in the context of the developing story. The path to romance is a particularly rocky one, full of misunderstandings and changes of mind as the tension simmered – and the way we were party to Tyler’s inner thoughts made Amber’s reluctance to engage all the more frustrating, albeit very real and for the best of reasons. But the ending? Well, that really was just perfect – lovely and uplifting, everything I wanted it to be!

Perhaps not entirely the book for me, and we all know that can sometimes happen – but it was every bit as well written as the author’s books always are, and I’ll certainly be looking forward as much as ever to seeing what she does next.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I think this was an okay read. I thought some of the plot didn't make sense, and I like a more graceful transition from enemies to lovers.

I love Rachel Dove so I was really excited when she signed up to Boldwood Books, they are slowly taking on every author I love and it’s wonderful. I also loved that Rachel’s style has changed a little bit, there’s definitely a bit more steam than I remember, which I loved too.
This had two of my favourite tropes workplace romance and friends to lovers but the add to that it a slow burn abd I’m on heaven. I loved how broody Tyler’s POV reveals something so sweet and lovely to the readers (no spoilers) . I loved the focus on Amber being a career woman and wanting a baby whilst being honest and true to herself.
It you’re looking for a read with two adults why actually be have as such, have careers and lives in order and know what they want, look no further. I really enjoyed this, it was such a refreshing change for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I wanted to like this more, but the heroine got on my nerves. She has dreams that she’s put on hold for a relationship with an obnoxious guy who has been basically ghosting her. Her dreams are to open up a pub in the location where her grandmother had a pub and to have a baby. It’s never clear why her grandmother didn’t leave the pub to her when she died and, instead, the town owns it.

She keeps thinking about how the chef at the pub she’s now managing is her best friend and really hot and also protective of her. But she can’t get together with him because she wants to have a baby and she doesn’t think he wants to. He adores her, but hasn’t told her. They just needed to have an honest conversation with each other, but they can’t seem to do that. She just keeps putting up unnecessary roadblocks to having a HEA. She rather got on my nerves.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I love a friends to lovers, I love a will they won't they and the angst and sizzling chemistry that comes with it before they finally give into the feelings. Unfortunately this book had none of those things. Amber and Tyler spend most of the book arguing about her wanting to be a mother, sooner rather than later. At no point do we see chemistry between the two, yes he thinks no one is good enough for her but there's nothing that makes the reader want to root for him/for them. The plot just felt messy, it was hard to get into and stay invested in. While initially excited about this book, at the end of the day it wasn't for me.


Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my review

Unfortunately, I wasn’t a fan of this book. From the outset, there was a lot of info-dumping and back-and-forth comparisons between Brad and Tyler that felt really unnatural. Amber’s whole conversation with Sharon also really confused me because the argument each woman was trying to push seemed to constantly change, with the women speaking each other’s arguments, and then back to their own, and then back to the other person’s. It made the reading experience confusing from the outset, and unfortunately that remained throughout the rest of the book. I think the story could have been longer in order to really flesh out the relationships, and show me why I should be rooting for the FMC and MMC, rather than telling me. I did enjoy the English pub element because it gave a certain amount of nostalgia to the read, but I’m sad to say that that’s one of the few things I enjoyed.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book. 3.5* I must start by saying I'm a slightly older reader so feel in my opinion this book is more suited to a younger audience, that said it was an enjoyable and entertaining read.

This has everything I should love, friends to lovers, workplace, supportive friend group, etc. and it did start off so strong. I loved the broody MMC and the slow reveal of when it switched to his POV and turns out he’s been pining for her for years. I also really appreciated that the FMC was so honest with herself with her career goals and wanting a kid in the timing that she did. And also recognizing her current boyf at the start was not it, sometimes it’s just refreshing when an FMC already knows.

From then on the plot was frozen. Especially the romance plot. I understand it made it angstier for the FMC to push the MMC away because she didn’t want to ruin the friendship, but then it kept happening and they kept having the same conversation. I got bored with it pretty quickly which was a bummer cause the MMC had total competent chef vibes. I just needed actually progression with their connection.

Thank you to Boldwood books for the eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Dove, and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am not familiar with Rachel Dove's previous works and requested this book on a whim. I enjoyed a lot about Don't You Want Baby? but I just don't think this book will stick in my mind. This was a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, accidental pregnancy book where nothing really happened until the last quarter. There wasn't anything in particular that I disliked about this book, I just don't think there was anything that would make me think about it after reading it.

Amber, a restaurant manager, is left heartbroken and with her future plans in ruins when her engagement falls apart, her biological clock ticking louder than ever. Tyler, the chef she manages, has loved her quietly for years, and now he finally has his chance to pursue her. While there are obstacles to their romance—many in Amber’s own mind—Tyler is a supportive, attentive presence, unlike her ex. As much as she overlooked him at first, Amber begins to appreciate Tyler’s gentle care and attentiveness.

After enough time for Amber to heal, they find their happily-ever-after. Both characters are in their 30s, navigating careers and relationships, which adds maturity to their story. Set against a lively UK pub scene with colorful side characters, the book primarily focuses on Amber’s personal growth, offering a refreshing take on romance from author Rachel.

I particularly enjoyed the first half, where Amber takes charge of her life, making it empowering to watch her reclaim her goals instead of starting from heartbreak. Tyler is also endearing, his hidden crush adding charm. However, the second half felt less satisfying; their relationship leaned more toward teenage drama, with Amber repeatedly pushing Tyler away, which seemed out of character. Her desire for a baby was also frequently mentioned but not fully developed in the storyline. Overall, it’s a refreshing short romance with an enjoyable start!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Amber is soon going to be thirty. But her relationship doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

After it ends. She makes a decision that to be a mother she doesn’t need to be with someone. Also she can start her business too at the same time.

She’s put these barriers up herself, but what she doesn’t seem to see is that Tyler, her best friend has been in love with her for ages and will do whatever he can to make her happy.

He works as a chef in the restaurant she runs and is there to hear her badmouth her ex and about how she will move on with her life.

But, she only sees him as her best friend. Will Amber realise what’s in front of her nose?

Don’t You Want Me Baby was a cute best friend to lovers story.
The romance is very slow burn.
I found the premise a bit hard to believe but it worked ok in this story.
Just so much miss communication going on with the two main characters, Amber and Tyler.
If you are in the mood for a best friends to lovers romance……that is what you will get with reading this book.

Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Overall this was a super quick romance read for me, I preferred the second half of the book much more to the first. It took me a while to get into the beginning of the story although I enjoyed the set up of all of the characters. Although I wouldn’t be rushing out to buy the book again I highly recommend as a cosy positive read.

The writing was engaging and grabbed me from the beginning. There was quite a lot of to and fro between the main characters, which kept the story going and built up the suspense and tension running through.

The chapters were long, which meant that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. Whilst they were long, you never felt their length. There was a good pace and flow between the chapters which kept you moving through the story, without you noticing the length.  The story was stretched with the to and fro between the characters, but as well as the suspense and tension, it kept you guessing as to how it would all end. 

The characters were interesting. The main characters all had their issues and it was interesting learning what they were and how it was affecting their relationships with one another. It did get quite frustrating at one point that they weren't just honest with one another, but I wanted to keep on reading to see if they would eventually sort it out.

Lastly the settings. I enjoyed the country pub setting, but it was very much in the background. This was a character focused story, so very little was said about where the characters were. This highlighted what was going on in the characters lives well by not taking your attention away from the conversations.

Overall a good, light, read that I enjoyed.

I’m a big fan of Rachel Dove and I was so excited for this - it’s fresh and a slight change of direction that worked for me. It’s much less angsty with a touch more steam 🌶 than her previous books.

Amber, a restaurant manager has just had her engagement fall to pieces and she’s left with her plans in ruins and her biological clock ticking. Tyler is the chef in the restaurant she manages and he’s been in love with her forever. Now is his chance to make a grab for her. There’s all sorts of obstacles to their being together, many of them in Amber's own head - which is a pity because Tyler is so great. He’s a caretaker and really notices everything, unlike her ex. And as much as she didn’t see Tyler right in front of her, she loves it when he steps in.

There’s plenty of break up time but they get their happily ever after, eventually. These two are both grown-ups (in their 30s) and juggling their careers and it's great to see them getting it all together. Set in the UK with the whole cheery pub scene, there’s plenty of side characters to add colour - although most of the character growth is with Amber. It’s still a lovely exploration of relationships and a nice change of pace for author Rachel.

Thank you Rachel Dove, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

This is a cozy read for me. I think most people like me can finish it in one setting.
Although, I have to admit that there's no new insight or wow moment for me after reading this book, I'd say this book is perfect for when you are looking for a light read and curl up in a blanket on a rainy day.

I finished this and I didn’t like it at all. Our MMC was annoyingly in love with someone who didn’t seem to love him back at all even when she confessed to him she was. The MFC was so whiny about everything. She didn’t come across to be able to handle the situations she was wanting for herself based off of how she reacted to things happening in her life. I don’t like when friends in stories enable poor behavior and I feel like hers did that. This just was a story for me.