Format: ebook
Published: 27th September, 2025
Age: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5/5 Stars
I read two excellent contemporary romances back-to-back, and now feel a little spoiled! I honestly didn’t think this would be as good immediately after reading Conflict of Interest, but it really surprised me.
Flora has recently moved to New York, and is about to start a new illustration freelance job for a cranky, recluse author. A chance encounter followed by a trivia night Flora is dragged to by her odd roommate results in Flora meeting Fletcher, who offers to help her understand the darker side of literature for her work, if she can help him with romance so he can write about romance and women’s fiction for his job. They form a two-person book club, meeting weekly to swap books and discuss their recommendations.
Early on, I very much questioned how Smith was going to win us over with Fletcher. There’s grumpy, then there’s downright rude, and Fletcher absolutely starts as the latter. But as the story unfolds and we get to know him a bit more, understand his perspective and his own misconceptions (which he works on with Flora’s help), he absolutely becomes a solid MMC. I’m not sure if it’s intentional, but both Flora and Fletcher read as ND. It’s great character work from Smith, whether they are or not, and I loved the way she slowly revealed each of their pasts, really showing why they act the way they do, where Flora’s insecurities about seeming ‘too much’ (girl, been there) come from, and why Fletcher often acts in the way he does.
As the story advances, we also get to know the other characters a bit more, especially Flora’s sister, roommate and her roommate’s boyfriend. They were a lovely supporting cast, a wonderful found family, helping each other out and being there for each other, and like Fletcher, although her roommate appears a bit standoffish to start with, we begin to understand why as her and Flora’s platonic relationship develops. What I absolutely loved about this, too, was how Flora’s new friendships helped her with her own confidence, after going through high school with few friends and struggling to make them now she’s out on her own. But they accept her for who she is, in such a wonderful way.
So, two New York based though very different contemporary romances, and two new firm favourite authors, makes me a very happy reader indeed!
Reading Challenge
Musicals Reading Challenge 2026
Prompt: 2010s: The Greatest Showman – From Now On – Found Family
Progress: 14/24, +1 Bonus
Unwrapping Words 