3.5 stars!

This book was a great insta-lust, forced proximity, roommates to lovers story.

Trixie has trust issues due to her overbearing parents and a nasty two-faced college roommate who destroyed her reputation and stole her boyfriend. A lover of all animals, Trixie ends up accidentally adopting a stray chicken that crosses the road and needs medical attention. While trying to catch the chicken in the road, she meets Bear, the quiet, handsome man who helps calm the cars honking for Trixie to get out of the road.

Bear has been hiding his feminine side all his life due to her masculine driven father. To overcompensate he works in construction rather than help to run his mothers floral shop. He drinks beer he hates rather than wine he prefers. He puts on baseball games rather than binge the greys anatomy episodes he actually likes.

Once Trixie’s landlord notices her chicken, she has one week to move out. She finds a roommate ad in the paper that Bear’s 3 sisters put in without his knowledge. Frazzled, Bear scares away the people showing up and calling
him, he is about to have words with his sisters, until Trixie shows up and Bear can’t say no to the sweet girl he met the other day.

Soon, roommates turn into friends and eventually lovers. Very cute family dynamics and great way of tackling toxic masculinity. The sex scenes or dirty talk were a big awkward, but the characters are awkward, so it works.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

This novel wasn’t for me. I have a lot of friends who I know would love a book like this. There are rarely any chick lit books that I truly enjoy. I wanted to give this one ago. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to try this audiobook out.
I’m not into characters going back and forth throughout the entire story contemplating if they should be together or not. The male character was acting like he was in high school. Getting hot and bothered just by her bending down to take off her shoes. Insert eye roll. It’s repetitive and predictable. Again, I appreciate the chance to try this author out.

3.25⭐

Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, debut, forced proximity, roommates to lovers, slow burn, no steamage

Trixie & Bear
Bear is real mad at his sister's for posting an ad for a room for rent in his house without his permission, but when Trixie comes around looking to move in he starts clucking a different tune.
Trixie is used to being disappointed by her family, so she doesn't think Bear would be interested in her. Slowly they start enjoying each other's company and help each other to work through their issues.

Okay, so I am an animal lover, but Trixie went way above and beyond for a chicken and it started to be a bit much. Going into debt and needing to work like 16 jobs to pay the vet bills is crazy talk. I liked the thought process behind what Bear built for Chick Chick, it was kinda weird, but a cute grand gesture. I loved how she worked at the animal shelter too. And what kinda nod would it be to chickens without the inevitable joke at the beginning.

Overall, a sometimes cute and funny debut that I liked well enough.

I was fortunate enough to receive a kindle copy and the audiobook to review. I tried both on for size and either worked well.

Narrated by Stefanie Kay and Paul Heitsch for 8 hours and 55 minutes, easy to follow at 2-2.5x. They did a lovely job.

I had both the ebook and audiobook for this one. Here are the things I really enjoyed:
- Dual POV: It is always a hit for me when books are dual POV in general, but I find it especially helpful when the book is dual POV when I’m listening to narration. It was easy to follow who was speaking or whose thoughts I was hearing.
- Light read and listen: This was a story without heavy drama and I found it easy to get through.

The MMC had more dimension and was navigating through a complicated background. I had a harder time figuring out the FMC. It was harder to connect with her and I didn’t find her all that relatable.

Overall a read I felt mostly neutral about. The narrators for the audiobook weren’t standout but I didn’t completely dislike them.

This book sounded really cute, and I was hopeful for a sweet and light romance going into the holiday season. Sadly though, while I didn’t hate this, it definitely missed the mark for me. The main characters were more frustrating to me than sweet or cute. They fell instantly in love with no real reason, Trixie keeps the chicken a secret when talking with Bear about moving in, they both are just unrealistic and ridiculous. Why does Tricia completely uproot her life and spend a ridiculous amount of money on a wild chicken that probably won’t live that long? Why doesn’t she just find someone else to adopt it if it was that important to her? Why does Bear just go along with the roommate ad that his sisters put out for him without his knowledge? Just because he wants to date Trixie is a horrible reason to go along with that. The narrators did a good job with what they had, but I do think the male narrator didn’t really fit the part well. Bear was described as being a woodsy, bear of a man. The narrator came across as more of a geeky, indoor man. I also was really annoyed that of all the wonderful chicken pun names that were listed when Trixie named it, Chick Chick (the most boring and plain of them all) was the one we were stuck with. Overall, if you can get past the ridiculousness of the characters and the plot, this could be a fun read. However it is not for me.

Chick Chick, the chicken, is the best part of this book. I kind of want a rescue chicken now.

As for the rest, it was decent. There were a few times when I chuckled. But I also found it repetitive and Trixie was just annoying. She also contradicted herself when in crisis, which was super annoying.

I listened to the audiobook. There are two narrators, as the story is told from a dual POV. Both did a good job.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quirky, fun story that brings why did the chicken cross the road to romance, I never expected to say that in response to a book! The characters were fun and the chicken was a star of the show. For an animal that crosses my dinner table several times a week, she sure did bring these two sweethearts together.

This romance was fun with the perfect amount of whimsy! Our two main characters cross paths for the first time as Trixie is chasing a chicken across the road. Once she catches the chicken and takes it to be reviewed at the vet she tries to sneak the chicken (who she names Chick-Chick) home but her landlord catches her and says she can only keep the chicken for seven days.

Trixie soon discovers a viral ad for a pet friendly apartment that doesn’t specify the kind of pets allowed (as she’s decided to keep said chicken) & she shows up to Bear’s home and he is immediately infatuated with Trixie to the point she is the only person he’s considering let moving in (as his meddling sisters posted the roommate ad without his knowledge).

Trixie and Chick-Chick soon move in with Bear and begin growing closer and you can see each one falling further for the other and Trixie immediately being accepted into Bear’s family long before they decide if they want to be together.

I really enjoyed this book. My only gripes are that I wish it went further into each of them coming to terms with their past traumas and perhaps going to therapy and showing more little moments between the two of them and less of just thoughts of physical attraction.

The audio narrator did a good job, they were a good choice for this title.

I’m giving this one 4 stars!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press and Dreamscape media for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a cute story, but it did fall flat for me. I wanted more for the main female character. The scene that is pivotal to the relationship could have been more. I would like to have seen her confront her parents and watch her enjoy discover her love for dancing again throughout the story. But these things are briefly mentioned.

Because this story is dual POV it had a male and female narrator. Both did a good job telling the story and becoming their character.

Overall if you want a cute, funny story this is a good choice. The author did write a good story and the characters are enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Trixie and Bear were far more cute than sexy in this story. These two fell into the trope of attractive roommates, trying to hide their feelings. Both main characters had struggles with being vulnerable and opening up to others. There was a chicken involved, though, and that was funny. Having owned chickens, though, all I could think about was that the chicken would be going to the bathroom everywhere on the floor! I loved Bear’s family, especially his sisters!
It was a super easy read, and both male and female narrators did a nice job bringing the characters to life.

This was a decent debut romantic comedy about two bleeding heart types who both struggle with being vulnerable. They slow burn their way from roommates to friends to lovers, aided by antics from family members and a bedraggled rescue chicken.

While I am totally here for crazy plots (hello chicken) these characters came off as pretty flat to me and it all just didn’t deliver as much as I wanted from it. This may be personal to me, YMMV.

If you like contemporary romance with unconventional pets, slow burn, and mischievous family member side characters, you may enjoy.

I listened to the audiobook version and I feel like both narrators were fine. I wasn’t a huge fan of the male narrator but not to the point that it ruined my experience. It just didn’t add much either.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for introducing me to one of my newest favorite books, the ARC of Kelly Ohlert’s To Get To The Other Side.

This romance was just what I needed to destress during this hectic holiday season. This crazy story began trying to answer the perennial question of, “Why did the chicken cross the road” in Chicago traffic? The always effervescent and pet-loving Trixie had to stop and find out… and then literally bump into the gorgeous man mountain of Bear.

As to not give any spoilers away, these protagonists had the deal with their harshest antagonists: their own insecurities, but they did it with hilarious antics along the way. One of my favorites was when Bear took a page out of Winnie The Pooh’s book when visiting Rabbit’s house. Another was when Bear admitted to have stress gardened while waiting.

You definitely should not sleep on this book. It’s got all of the best things: super heroes, chicken wheelchairs, romance, flamingo stances, and a horde of meddling sisters. Get your copy now. It’s your latest meet-cute with a romance novel.

This book starts out with the female mc finding an injured chicken in the road and the male mc coming out to check to make sure she's ok. Cut to, they start living together because she needs an animal friendly place for the chicken and his sister's posted his house online since he needs money and friends.
This book was a little unrealistic, like the fact that this woman spent over $3k on a chicken ! It was also just somewhat bland, I would've enjoyed a bit more drama or action I suppose. Overall it was fine, I didn't hate it but I didn't love it by any means.

SO CUTE!!!

I loved this book and the narration, perfect one two punch of awesome!

When I first started this book I had no idea what to expect, and I’m so glad I went in blind!

Trixie is so lovable and I enjoyed reading her dialogue with Bear. (Ohhhh but the names…. could have been better.)

Trixie is hyper, chatty, and always wearing a smile. To Bear‘s quiet stoicism. So naturally, they are perfect together!!

When Trixie finds herself needing to move, and fast, she sees a roommate post that fits the bill. Unbeknownst to Bare himself, he is the intended landlord thanks to his meddling sisters.

Thank goodness sisters always know best!!!

3.5/5 (rounded up)

Thank you Dreamscape Media for the advanced listening copy!

Trixie, eternally happy and always smiling, will do anything to keep things bright. This includes, but is not limited to, jumping out of her car on a busy Chicago street to save a rogue and injured chicken. Bear, as reserved and manly as his name, is instantly smitten with this quirky and delightful creature. By some turn of fate and Bear's sister's meddling, these two end up as "platonic" roommates determined to keep it just that-- platonic. As they navigate their own emotional issues-- and, let me assure you, there are a lot--, try to develop a healthy friendship and save a chicken's life, these two fall into a complicated relationship faster than you can say "chick chick."

Overall, this one was pretty cute. I think some romance readers would really like this one. The romance was super cute and Bear and Trixie are a great match. There were some aspects that irritated me, keeping me in the 3-3.5 star range. First of all, naming the chicken "chick chick" was irritating beyond belief. Trixie's character rubbed me the wrong way on a number of occasions-- I don't do well with overly sunshine characters and that's what she was. The miscommunication trope drives me insane and that was in this book a ton. However, like I said, the romance was sweet. There were some funny parts that made me giggle and I enjoyed the dynamic between Bear and his sisters. The character development felt very back-heavy in this one, but I felt it was pretty healthy towards the end. Overall, a solid, mid-level romcom.

This was a cute romance story but not very memorable. There was nothing that really stuck out for me or that made it unique. Trixie was quirky and lovable and Bear was the rugged lumberjack type. They came together through some very odd circumstances and eventually end up falling in love. It was an okay read but I probably wouldn't read it again.

I felt like this is was just the normal rom com nothing was super interesting about it the main characters, accept for the chicken. The chicken added another lay of laughter and heart to the story. The chicken made it from a 2 star to a 3 star for me.

One of my favorite authors recommended this book, so I immediately requested it. And I wasn’t disappointed! It’s perfect if you loved Lease on Love!

The story is a cute romance between Trixie, a slightly chaotic but heart-of-gold girl who finds space in her heart for every animal she meets, but has a difficult time opening up to people. Bear is a quiet, shy guy who loves his family, even when they’re meddling in his life, and harbors a secret love for his family’s flower shop and floral arrangements. Trixie and Bear meet when she stops in Downton Chicago traffic to save a chicken, and Bear is smitten at first sight. It’s pure coincidence that they meet again when Trixie, who needs a new chicken-friendly apartment, comes to see Bear’s spare room that his sisters advertised as available to rent. The pair start off as polar opposites but quickly turn into reluctant friends. And since we all know that opposites attract, it’s only a matter of time before Trixie and Bear given in to their intense chemistry. But with Trixie afraid to let anyone in, for fear that they will hurt her, and Bear afraid to admit to his feelings, both for Trixie as well as his passion for his family’s shop, they each have to be willing to take a risk in order to create a shared future.

I listened to the audiobook version, and initially found the narrators slightly off putting, particularly the male narrator, but as I got more and more absorbed into the story, it bothered me less and less until it grew on me. So if like me, you’re not immediately in love, stick with it and hopefully you’ll end up loving it like I did!

This was the most adorable roommates-to-lovers and grumpy/sunshine read! I loved Trixie immediately, but Bear, not so much; though I think it was more likely due to the fact that I just did not care for the male narrator. Normally I’m swooning for the MMC but this time I would periodically get annoyed with him. I did, however, enjoy how he started to come out of his shell after meeting Trixie and navigated his social anxiety. His sisters (and the chicken, of course) were also great supporting characters! Definitely pick this up if you swooned over Nick & Jess from New Girl or you enjoy heartfelt, hilarious romances. 4.5/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

Absolutely adorable, quirky rom-com involving a girl, a guy, and a chicken. Trixie has a soft heart and feels the necessity in saving animals of all kinds. So when she saves a chicken running across traffic, you know chaos is bound to ensue. When her landlord kicks her out, she answers an ad for a place with “pets allowed,” but fails to mention the hot guy who saw her save the chicken from traffic. Anything can happen in this entertaining and endearing story! The narrators were fantastic and truly brought the story & characters to life. Totally recommend checking this one out! Thanks to the author, publisher, & NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook!