ARC Review: Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee

Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee
Expected Release Date: July 26, 2022

Recommended: sure!
For a romance that is all the right things a person would want, for a HUGE amount of dirty thoughts and actions, for a story that just makes you feel good

Summary

Lizzy “Overachiever” Chung, Esq. has her life mapped out neatly:
* Become a lawyer. Check.
* Join a prestigious law firm. Check.
* Make partner. In progress.

If all goes to plan, she will check off that last box in a couple years, make her parents proud, and live a successful, fulfilled life in L.A. What was not in her plans was passing out from a panic attack during a pivotal moment in her career. A few deep breaths and a four hour drive later, Lizzy is in Weldon for three weeks to shed the burnout and figure out what went wrong. And what better place to recharge than the small California town where she spent her childhood summers with her best friend, Jack Park.

Jack Park didn’t expect to see Lizzy back in Weldon, but now he’s got three weeks to spend with the girl of his dreams. Except she doesn’t know of his decades-long crush on her–and he intends to keep it that way. She’s a high-powered attorney who lives in L.A. and he’s a bookkeeper at his family’s brewery who never left his hometown. He can’t risk their friendship on a long shot. Can he? When Lizzy decides that the local bookstore needs a little revamp, of course, Jack is going to help her bring it back to life. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore there might be more than just friendship among the dusty shelves and books…

Thoughts

This story was a little unbelievable, but in the best way. Everyone in it was a little perfect in their love, which isn’t bad but made it a bit Hallmark in that way. Even though you know there’s going to be some kind of conflict, it doesn’t feel too dire because you also know they’re going to figure their shit out eventually. That was the mood, anyway! So if you just want a sweet and sexy friends to lovers romance, this is 100% filling that box.

Speaking of filling a box, there is SO MUCH SEX in this book! DAMN YALL! It does not keep you waiting, I’ll tell you that. The actual scenes themselves are generously detailed so don’t expect the subtle fade to black implication here — it’s spelled out very clearly what’s happening. Besides those, there’s also a lot of almost-happened moments, and very naughty thoughts by both sides. And yet that sweetness I mentioned earlier keeps it well in balance.

There is also a plot in here, but it’s almost entirely focused on the romance. It moves forward pretty consistently, and almost every scene and thought and conversation revolves around it. The side plot is based on fulfillment, particularly in career, for both of the main characters. We do get both of their perspectives, too, pretty equally. Each chapter usually starts from Lizzy, and ends from Jack.

This book didn’t blow me away or anything, but it was a pleasant read. Great for a beach day or loungey bath time. It’s a very comfortable story because the stakes don’t feel too high. The point of conflict was stupid but inevitable, so I’m willing to overlook that part for the rest of the enjoyment I had.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a free advanced copy. This is my honest review!