Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for an advance copy of this!
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for a complimentary audio! 

This book will be published on August 1st.

I became a fan of Alicia Thompson's writing after devouring her debut in one sitting last year and did a re-read of it earlier this year and still loved it. So when the opportunity came to read her follow up, I was super psyched!

This book EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS AND MORE!
I absolutely loved everything about this book. It gave me everything I could ever want in a romance.

"Pull my hair anytime."

I am such a fan of enemies to lovers and throw them being co workers into the mix and having to work together - such a perfect recipe! Asa was such a great MMC and I love the fact that Thompson gave him blue hair, tattoos and he is a bisexual king. The reader could tell that he had some sort of crush or feelings for Lauren from the start. The playful banter, the small gestures and just the way he kept wanting to be a part of her life.  I love that we got to know Asa throughout the book and see his personal journey with his relationship with his family and how he established those boundaries with his parents.

Lauren was such a great FMC. She was messy but not so much that she is unbearable. She likes things a particular way and is a rule follower. We also learn about her background and why she is the way she is. There was a moment where she gets drunk to try to be a "Fun Lauren" to which she thinks people will like her and it really hit home for me. I think we all have times where we think we need to be a certain way for X reason and for some they think by drinking or taking substances makes them "cooler" when really it doesn't.  She just wants that feeling of belonging that she lacked growing up and my heart just went out to her.

"It was just hard for me, keeping it a secret. I want to be able to talk about you, to touch you in public, to go out together without worrying someone is going to see us." 

The setting in this book was such a cool concept!!! My brother lives in Florida and I know this is something he would definitely go with his family possibly all year long. The way Thompson describe the different activities I could picture them so clearly. 

The friendships in this group were amazing! I love how they created their own family unit in their apartment and just are a solid group for individuals. Kiki was such a great middle person between Asa and Lauren. She was so welcoming for Lauren and bringing her into their group even if she was hesitant at first. 

Compared to the debut, this one delivers with being more of an open door romance. There were so many scenes that made me blush in all the best ways! 

I read this in tandem with the audio and I thought the narrator, Lindsey Dorcus did such a great job with all the characters. She really brought to life Lauren and Asa. 

Once again I have no clue if I am rambling or if I expressed enough to show how much I have loved this book. 
I am so excited to see what Alicia is working on next & I know she will continue to get better and better with time. 

A new feature for romances I am doing is a Swoon Meter & is karaoke featured (my favorite niche trope):
Swoon - 12/10
Karaoke - YES

Lastly, THIS COVER IS ONE OF THE BEST COVERS OF 2023!!! IT IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! 

PS - I should have expected such a wonderful acknowledgement section from what I know of Alicia's writing in her substacks but seeing a shout out to Harry's House made me squeal! 

PSS - If you don't already follow Alicia on IG, what are you waiting for?! She has the best stories & also a great newsletter/substack.