Situationship jumps straight into the steamy scenes, which are well-written and sexy as hell, but the story also has surprising emotional depth. My only issue was not learning about Tegan and Heath’s past sooner, as it left me wondering why she was sometimes harsh toward him. Overall, a fun, sexy read with good banter and emotional weight. 3.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and wattpad for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved the premise of this book, but the execution fell flat. The romance felt rushed and forced. The spicy scenes used cringe language. It approached big topics such as racism, sexism, and homophobia but didn’t dive as deep into the impact of them as it could have. This was just an okay read in the end. It has good bare bones though and as a debut it shows potential for the author.

Teagan and Heath have been part of the same friend group for years. So when Teagan needs a hook up (no feelings, just sex), it makes sense for the two to agree on a situationship. But as any lover of romantic comedies knows, it's not easy to keep feelings from getting in the way!

This was a really fun book that I read in one sitting. I appreciated that Teagan was a bit of a prickly character and that the book really let a Black FMC be unlikable and prickly at times. I also really really enjoyed that the book went into serious issues like racism, abortion and transracial adoption, while still having a lot of fun spice and wealth jealousy (yes, I want to buy top quality sushi at a nice restaurant in New York.)

There was one reveal about the relationship that felt a bit out of the blue, although it made sense thematically. I think more hints or discussions about it would have made it less abrupt.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who enjoys a fun, spicy read with some depth.

Situationship sadly wasn’t for me. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a wattpad published book (and that’s on me!) and I don’t think I’m the target audience for them.

Situationships suck but Situationship by E.M Wilson is amazing and refreshing, witty and charming!

Because a totally casual, strictly just physical between two ambitious professionals will not amount to falling in love right? So wrong. I love seeing how hard they fall and they fall hard! It's got a good mix of wit, banter, spice and humor that fake dating fans will eat up. It's steamy, romantic, and hilarious at times. A modern romance of this time where situationships can ruin a relationship or develop into something beautiful and their relationship was so sweet to see how they complimented each other so well and became their perfect person for them. A must read for romance readers!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

I really wanted to like this arc. The plot was right up my alley..but I DNF. The MMC was completely unlikable..just so many ick moments overall I couldn’t do it.

Well written but sadly wasn’t the biggest fan of this but I think it might have just been me simply not relating to the characters which is fine.

I really enjoyed this story and the characters in it. There is a lot of open door relations and while it almost felt like too much it was well written. I want these characters to grow old together and have the best life. There were a few times where it felt like new information was added just at the end of the story just to make it more interesting but I really enjoyed this story.

Book Review: Situationship By E.M. Wilson 🌟🌟🌟½

Thank you to NetGalley, E.M. Wilson, and the publisher for providing me with early access to Situationship in exchange for my honest review!

In Situationship, E.M. Wilson dives into the vibrant world of romance with an engaging story that seamlessly weaves together the tropes of friends with benefits, friends-to-lovers, and second chances. Set against a backdrop of wealth and privilege, the story focuses on Teagan and Heath, two characters who have been in each other’s lives for what feels like forever, yet they find themselves navigating new emotional waters this summer.

From the outset, I found the premise of the book compelling. Teagan comes to the realization that her dashing boyfriend may be a serious letdown in the bedroom department. But what seems like an easy decision—dumping him—quickly turns complicated by her controlling parents’ expectations and a long summer stretching ahead. Enter Heath, who’s not exactly fond of Teagan but shares in her need for some summer distraction. What unfolds next is a delightfully humorous, angst-filled dance full of banter, emotional depth, and character growth.

One of the strengths of Situationship lies in Wilson’s ability to unfold the complexities of Teagan and Heath’s relationship. The chemistry between them is palpable, rooted in a long-standing friendship that adds layers of tension and anticipation. The humor sprinkled throughout their interactions felt refreshing, providing bright spots that kept me engaged.

Furthermore, Wilson has a gift for crafting well-developed characters, and I appreciated seeing their layers peel back as the story progressed. It’s clear that despite the lighthearted premise, there were deeper issues at play, and I admired the way the author navigated these themes.

Areas For Improvement?

I did feel that the pacing of the book faltered a bit in the latter half. The ending, while satisfying, felt a tad rushed compared to the gradual buildup over the first 20-30 chapters. I was hoping for a bit more conflict to challenge the characters before they reached their resolution, which might have elevated the emotional stakes.

Also, a personal note to my future self: I’ll think twice before requesting Wattpad ebooks again. The platform’s style made it challenging for me to immerse completely in the story. At times, it felt more like reading a lengthy email than an engaging novel.

Overall, Situationship is a solid debut by E.M. Wilson that successfully combines humor, romance, and emotional complexity. While it has its quirks—namely, a rushed conclusion and a platform I’m still warming up to—there’s a lot to enjoy and appreciate about this book.

I look forward to seeing how Wilson grows as an author and exploring more of her work in the future. If you’re a lover of contemporary romance that features rich characters and relatable scenarios, this might just be the seasonal read you need! 🌸

Two fiercely independent young professionals begin an “arrangement” where they have pre-scheduled hookups, but the situation grows complicated when feelings get in the way.

This blend of spice, fake-dating, and the lives of the privileged will immediately find fans among readers of Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood, Wildfire by Hannah Grace, and The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy.

Never let friendship get in the way of a situationship . . .

Teagan knows what she wants, and how she’s going to get it. She’s in her last year of law school and appearances are important to her family—she doesn’t want to let anyone down. But when her parent-approved boyfriend isn’t cutting it between the sheets or beyond, she decides to leave him behind–right at the start of summer season. . . and it sucks being single when there are so many weddings and black-tie events lined up in her social calendar. Teagan’s a fiercely independent woman who knows she doesn’t need a man . . . but people ask so many questions. Enter, Heath.


They’ve been in the same friend group forever, and when they set their complicated past behind them, it becomes apparent that they can both get what they want. Heath’s handsome, smart, sexy, and knows his way around, but he’s not “relationship” material. With him, Teagan doesn’t have to be the only “single” at events. Soon, the two sign a contract to define their situation—but when feelings start to get in the way, their deal might be irretrievably broken.

This book is considered more erotica than romance. As the synopsis suggests, Teagan and Heath have a complicated past relationship that they attempt to simplify to their basic urges. This approach works until it does not. Additionally, there are subplots about transnational adoptees, the experience of being the only Black person in a friend group, and the transition of childhood friendships into adulthood. Combined, this story would make an interesting book club selection as it is sure to elicit lots of conversation.

In Situationship E.M. Wilson brings a contagiously engaging new romance with the tropes of friends with benefits, friends-to-lovers, and a second chance at love. Filled with humor, angst and well-developed characters, the story sparkles and tugs the heart from beginning to end. Teagan and Heath have been in each other’s orbits for most of their lives. They are both from wealthy families and have a small circle of mutual friends. When the story starts, Teagan has come to the realization that as handsome and eligible as her current boyfriend might be, he is also an absolute dud in the bedroom! Leaving him behind SHOULD be easy; however, he has the stamp of approval from her very controlling parents, and she has a long summer with no one to keep her company. While Teagan is not exactly Heath’s favorite person, he too needs a distraction for his summer….an unencumbered connection with a clear start and end date. I enjoyed the banter in this story and the way the author gradually unfurled this complex story and the bond that went much deeper than mere convenience.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

## Tropes
- frenemies to lovers
- second chance
- fake dating
- spicy

## Recommended To
Perfect fit for readers who crave a spicy, friends-to-lovers romance with a dash of fake-dating and privilege, and who enjoy stories about strong, independent women navigating the complexities of relationships and identity. Readers must also appreciate a douche of a MMC with a redemption arc.

## 📖 My Thoughts
Dual POV; Synopsis: Two fiercely independent young professionals begin an “arrangement” where they have pre-scheduled hookups, but the situation grows complicated when feelings get in the way.

Characters: This book was a maybe for me, I generally liked it once it was all wrapped, but I don’t feel like I would jump to recommend this read to others. What hit me first was Heath (MMC) being an absolute douche canoe of a guy, only wanting to hook up, and generally being a _Chad_. The first chapter from Heath's POV was him picking a date he could score the easiest with, even drunk. Luckily that female character shot him down. Teagan (FMC) was likeable, and while she struggled with external pressures, her struggles with Heath were mostly driven by not wanting to see what was right in front of her. Luckily for Heath, his redemption arc lead us to see a really kind human being that loved Teagan for the amazing person she is.
Plot: The plot was a mix of both internal and external forces. The internal forces are what kept Heath and Teagan from really seeing each other and how much they love one another until 90% in (that also came with a plot spoiler in the trigger section). The external forces these two overcame revolved around their small friend group and their family. Friends being mostly privileged assholes and parents with high expectations each of the characters struggled to meet.
Writing: The style of the writing contained a lot of slang common for 2024. The pace for me was a bit off though, as it wasn't until 90% into the book that we finally understand a huge portion of the MMC/FMC's background including why they split up when they were younger. This is a bit of a spoiler, as the book could also be marketed as a second chance romance, but it is not. I did like how the author wrapped up everything, but the ending was super rushed, with all that wrap up happening in the last 5% of the book.

## ⚠️ Triggers
- Sexually explicit scenes (lots of them, like more than 10)
- Homophobia
- Racism
- Misogyny
- Eating disorder
- Anxiety
- Slut Shaming
- end of book spoiler ||Pregnancy/Abortion||
- Drug misuse (secondary character)

## 🌶️ Spice
The spice in this book was 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ simply due to the quantity. The premise of the book is regular hookups, so the MC's were getting it on, on page, multiple times a week. Overall the quality of the spicy scenes was ok. Lots of detail, but also the scenes wrapped up within a couple of pages, sometimes even rushed. On page sex scenes were mostly vanilla with some use of toys thrown in.

## 🗺️ Representation
There was quite a bit of representation in this book. The FMC is a black female, with adoptive white parents, and two adopted Asian brothers. The struggle of being black and growing up in an affluent white household was a theme throughout the book, including the FMC's struggles to be perfect for her parents and fit in with her mostly cis-hetero male friend group. The FMC's social and family struggles play a large part in the story including conversations of marginalization as well as trying to be perfect for parents that 'rescued' adoptive children. In addition to BIPOC characters, there are queer secondary characters within the MC's friend group with a smaller theme of homophobia (her friends are mostly assholes). Additionally, one of the FMC's younger brothers is disabled as a result of paraplegia after a car accident. The storyline for her brother's recovery revolves around the MMC's choice of work and his own recovery from a sports injury preventing him from playing soccer at the college+ level.

## 📝 Special Notes
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley and am providing an honest review. While the book formatting through the NetGalley shelf app was ok, the formatting sent through for read on Kindle needs improvement, as there were regular misses starting new paragraphs (text sections ran on), and the line spacing/formatting between paragraphs was missing in about half of the book. I'm hoping this is resolved once the book is digitally published across multiple platforms.

## 🌐 Links
At the time of my review: This book is being published by Frayed Pages x Wattpad Books, and releases April 29, 2025. I absolutely adore the cover.

Teagan is so easy to relate to with her independent and overachiever personality. She tries so hard to keep everything and everyone together all while excelling in law school and planning a wedding (what can't Teagan do?) Heath is the perfect contrast to Teagan. These mcs balance eachother out so well (and their banter is top tier)

I love how we're kept unsure about the cause of Heath and Teagan's past problems until so close to the end. Even though you can guess at some of their history the plot twist still hits you.

Some heavy topics such as racism, homophobia, eating disorders and adoption trauma are discussed so be prepared for that. While these topics are brought up they don't take away from the story. These discussions are handled so well and add so much to the plot and the development of Teagan and Heath's characters. On a side note, is it acceptable to hate a fictional group of friends?

Situationship perfectly blends romance with spice. This enemies to lovers, with a bit of a reverse grumpy/sunshine feel is a must read. I cannot get over how much I loved this book and would like to personally request Levi and Rowan books.

As somebody who identifies heavily with Teagan, I really enjoyed this book! Teagan tries so hard to be perfect, keep everything together, be ambitious, and keep her friend group together all in the midst of planning a wedding for one friend, there’s just one problem Heath. Heath is devastatingly handsome and Teagan’s nemesis for reasons unknown until the end of the book! They start to hook up during the summer as stress relief for both of them!

I know it’s classified as erotica, but there’s definitely a romance story running at the same time! Think like equal parts erotica and romance - there is a lot of sex and spice, BUT ALL so well done. Heath and Teagan’s banter at first was kinda stale but got better throughout the story as they spent more time together. I also really liked how the story/plot was written. Like the big reveal of WHYYYYY Heath and Teagan were enemies was beautifully done and like what a plot twist! I was not expecting that at all!

The only things that didn’t work for me were at one point, I did get a HEAVY amount of second hand embarrassment at one point, but that’s might be a personal issue. I also felt like the issues with the friend group being homophobic and racist should’ve been resolved different with even more confrontation. I also felt like Teagan’s parents were too accepting of her blow up, I would’ve enjoyed a little more friction, but alas!

Overall, would recommend for a reader who is looking for ALOT of spice with like a good helping of romance, who enjoys enemies to lovers with a plot twist, lowkey annoying/unlikeable main character (Teagan) and good banter. Thank you so much NetGalley and the Publisher for this early ARC in exchange for a review!

I DNR the book half-way, before I would've finish the book but I am comfortable enough now to DNR some book that I don't feel attracted to it and having a hard time with it. To be honest it's not the author and publisher, they did an amazing job, it's my personally who just didn't like it. One of the reason I didn't like it it was hard to follow as I think this was originally posted to Wattpad?

When I was younger I did read a lot on Wattpad, but as I grew up physical books became a big part of me, and since I have my Kindle, I don't have places for Wattpad reading. But like I said it's nothing the author did, it's really just a preference opinion from the point of view of the reader.

On this, I hope the author continues to write their heart out cause I know they are doing a great job, and writing a book is challenging, I would know.

Cheers,
Cass's Bookshelf
xo

This book is for anyone into tropes like friends with benefits, friends-to-lovers, and a bit of drama when feelings sneak into "just hookups." Teagan is this smart, independent, boss-level, very overachiever law student who doesn’t want to settle for anything —or anyone— boring. She’s stuck going to fancy weddings and events alone after ditching her boyfriend that didn’t know how to satisfy her. Then, she finds herself in an agreement with Heath. He’s hot, flirty, and knows exactly how to keep things casual. The spicy scenes are super detailed and definitely not fade-to-black, and there’s a LOT of it. It’s got also some good banter, emotional moments, dual POV, and “scheduled hookups”, literally.

If you’re into romances with a modern twist, sassy leads, and a ton of chemistry (again, a heads-up: it’s not for the shy), this book is for you. For me, it lacked a little bit of depth in the relationship, feeling like most of the times, the fmc was a little bit cold and left me stressed out. I couldn’t really relate to her that much, but I liked the mmc and the story made more sense towards the end, where I got a little bit of the depth I was expecting as to why these people could connect or feel anything towards one another for it to become something.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This story had a ton of potential but I feel the focus on the very problematic friend group brought the vibes of romance down. Also a good edit of this story is needed because there were multiple times where the same thing was happening-the two characters have sex, exchange banter and it starts happening again-chapter after chapter. The ending felt rushed and some hidden plots were weaved in.

This book is the perfect blend of spice, sass, and emotional tension, making it a must-read for fans of smart romance with a touch of angst. The chemistry between Teagan and Heath is electric, and their banter is witty and sharp, making them impossible not to root for. As the stakes get higher and the boundaries start to fall apart, it takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of self-discovery, vulnerability, and the messy but beautiful nature of falling in love when you least expect it. The twists and turns keep things fresh, and the characters are easy to fall for. Overall, this book is an unforgettable ride that will leave you yearning for more.