With each book from this series I’ve thought, “That was my favorite.” But truly, What About Us is definitely one to beat the others and the reasons are Helen and Alex. They are both so unique and completely developed that I felt like I had known them my whole life.

Helen is sassy and quirky but man can she tell you like it is. She doesn’t take any bull from Alex and let me tell you, he tosses a lot of it her way. With a tough outer shell, inside she’s really all marshmallowy soft despite the past years that have made her walk through fire. I loved her complete dedication to remaining the woman her trials had made her even when Alex is able to give her back the life she once had. She wasn’t going to take the easy way out by relying on him financially. That’s kind of my catnip.

Alex doesn’t like loud groups of people and he struggles to communicate his feelings...all the time. When he does speak he pretty much tells it like it is and in the process projects a real a holery vibe to the one he’s talking to, mainly Helen. But man, when he finally finds it within himself to open up he doesn’t go second rate. I loved watching him react to Helen and then fall in love with her. She was all he needed and sometimes his needs meant taking care of her in ways she didn’t want to accept. I loved every moment of it.

This is a fast paced enemies to lovers romance that knocked my socks off with its heat and intensity between these characters. They argued, they sexed it up and they developed a relationship with so much feeling it permeated every page, every word. Despite being part of a series, this can definitely be read as a standalone and it gives a wonderful epilogue that was absolute perfection. I hated to see this couple’s story come to an official close. I highly recommend this to any and everyone!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Loveswept. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I didn’t realize what I requested this that it was #4 in a series. I’ve never read anything by this author before and it wasn’t too bad. I didn’t feel lost or anything but I am intrigued about this club, it sounds cool. I thought Helen and Alex were a pretty good couple. Poor Helen went through some crazy stuff because of her father and ex. But she didn’t let that ruin her life, she got through it the best way she knew how. I might check out the other books in this series to see what’s up with the club.

It pains me,to say this, as I usually enjoy this author, but this one was a miss for me. I know there has to a certain degree of suspension of disbelief, but these characters were rediculous. No one can possibly be so willfully naive as Helen. She is supposed to be 30 but acts like a teen. On the other hand a ruthless businessman holding a grudge hasn't researched his nemesis? And the ending....10 pages and everything is solved! Just didn't work for me.

This series is how I came to love romantic suspense. I would have never called myself a fan before but, I'm such a fan of this author that I had to give it a try.

I loved everything about the first two books but there's something a little different about this one. I felt less suspense and more second chance romance. The characters have a history and reconnecting after many years apart is where we meet them.

I didn't love this one. I didn't hate it - I just didn't love it. I felt a little lost at times and never really connected with the characters. I really wanted to love it but it left me feeling just kind of, meh. I wish there had been more meat to the story. I found myself asking a lot of questions that were never really answered. I think more background info would have made it easier for me. I had a hard time liking both of these characters (the side characters weren't much better) at various points in the book. And I know I won't like every character in a book all the time but, I just couldn't connect with these two.

It wasn't all bad. There were points somewhere around the middle that I thought the story would turn around for me but I still left it feeling kinda blah. The previous books in the series really pulled at my emotions and I definitely recommend them. This one I'm on the fence about. I debating 3 or 3.5 stars. Not sure what I difference it makes but I'm going with 3 for now which pains me because really am a big fan of this author.

I'm pretty certain this book won't be for everyone. The main characters are a bit tough to take and do little to endear the reader to them. I also found the beginning a bit rough and it took me a while to get into the story.

There is a lot of push-pull between Alex and Helen, and some of it doesn't always make complete sense. They have difficult backgrounds that they both had to overcome their own ways.

There is never much explanation of how Alex became outrageously wealthy after having lost just about everything. I kept waiting for the punchline that never came as far as explaining this. I also wondered how a homeless girl (Helen) managed to hang onto to a suitcase that saved her future.

Alex and Helen have a shared history and a definitely sad background. They distrust each other at the same time as they are attracted to each other. It generally comes across as over the top.

I actually finally started to enjoy the story somewhere around the middle of the book, but the ending let me down again. So I'm waffling between 2 and 3 stars.

Just as she did in her previous book in this series, a parent had to do something completely out of character in order for the story to have its HEA. In this case, Alex's mother goes from being a cartoonish character to one who will defy her friends with a steely backbone she instantly develops. Sorry. Nope. I'm not convinced.

I think it's time to retire this series. It started out great and ended up with a whimper. It had potential, but it ended up too much of a fairy tale for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC given in exchange for my honest review.

When I started What About Us by Sidney Halston I had not read the book blurb or heard anything about what the story would entail, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the type of storyline that Sidney Halston weaves that draws me in immediately. Alex and Helen have history, a rough and misunderstood history where assumptions were made by both characters, but love prevails in this HEA. I enjoyed the intrigue as the story progressed regarding the dealings of both Helen’s and Alex’s fathers as to how they arrived at the position they find themselves in now. I wish there was a little more mystery into how and why Helen’s father did what he did, but this is a HEA after all so I accept how the storyline was laid out for the reader.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

Enjoyed this installment of the Panic series. Can be read as a standalone. Although there were references to past characters I dont think not being familiar would make a difference. Nice depth of characters but the end seemed a litte rushed. Would definitely recommend this book and will read any additional books in the series.

Wasn't my favorite read of the year. It had promise but the book fell flat for me. There were slow segments that ruined the overall story.

I loved the first two books in this series and really liked Sidney. I was looking forward to this book and felt oddly disappointed reading it. It took a total curve from the other previous books. Alex was not a likable character at all, then again he wasn't supposed to be. But after an entire book of his nonsense he wore me out. I have to idea why in the world Helen would even deal with him, another point of issue I had. Sure I get they had history, I also get that Alex hated her, her family and blamed her for everything that his family went through. It didn't matter what she's gone through or was going through, having to put up with Alex and his crap. He was like a mean dog and Helen was the bone. The positive was Alex was consistently a jerk and unlikable. Right to the very end. In my lowly humble opinion he didn't redeem himself. He was still the same selfish self centered jerk he was throughout the book. Not my favorite in the Panic series. Here's hoping the next book is better!
3.5 stars

arc from NetGalley and publisher for an honest review

Growing up Alex and Helen were the best of friends, their families often spending time together at social gatherings, and once they hit their teens the friendship started to turn to more. Then tragedy strikes Helen's family, and it drives a wedge between the once close families, leaving Alex and Helen on opposite sides and Alex full of anger and Helen completely alone. Now twelve years later fate has decided to intervene and reunite them, Helen is working at Duality and Alex happens to spot her there while attending a business meeting. She is thrilled to see him again, but the happy notion isn't returned, he is cold and closed off and seems to want nothing to do with her, which hurts far more than she'd care to admit.

Alex still carries a lot of hate for Helen's family, and seeing her again brings it all to the surface, and threatens to disturb the life he has created for himself. But seeing her again has also brought up unresolved feelings and he can't help but want to save her from the shabby life she is currently living, she deserves far more than that, but he isn't so sure he is the man to give it to her... or is he?

What About Us is a second chance love story that reunites two childhood sweethearts who were drove apart by their families shady dealings. It has been twelve years of mulling over the wrongs of the past for these two, which means that there is a ton of angst and drama to be sorted out between the pages of this one. From the moment I started it I could feel the tension surrounding these two, but I also could also feel the love too, which made this one lots of fun to devour, it was a slow burning tale that kept me teetering on the edge of my seat with anticipation. It was a delightful addition to the series, and one I think readers will really enjoy! Highly recommend!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

What About Us is the story of a teenage crush turned enemy second-chance romance. On her eighteenth birthday Helen's world shattered around her and she was left alone with not even her childhood friend, Alex, there to comfort her. 12 years later she's working at Panic and Alex is at the club closing a business deal when they see each other. While Helen is excited to see an old friend, Alex see's the revenge he's wanted on her family for 12 long years. There's undeniable chemistry between them that draws them to each other but will that be enough for Alex to give up the hate he's felt for Helen and her family all these years?

This book actually pulled the series away from the club a little more than the other books but I liked that about it. It fit for these characters to not have too much to do with Panic and it allowed them to get a good deal of background details on their characters. Yet their past and what happened to drive them apart never took over and the story was kept in the present with their current lives at the focus.

Helen and Alex were both well developed characters and I could connect easily to them. Their romance was a pretty mixed bag of second-chance, friends-to-lovers, and also enemies-to-lovers which sounds like a lot but it worked really well for them I think. We got to see them discover their friendship again and in the process those feelings that were a little more than just friendly. Overall, I thought their story was brilliant and I can't wait to see what Ms. Halston will come up with next. Maybe a certain business partner will get a story?

Excited that the mysterious Duality bartender, Helen, gets her own book.

Helen is struggling hard- crappy ex- CHECK; broke- CHECK; blast form the past-CHECK; blast turns into jerk who sees me at my worst CHECK!

Alex hates that he has had to travel to Miami for business- this isn't what he does. Duality is not his scene- but WAIT! Is that Helena bartending- what the heck! She's loaded- why is she working in a club.

Well- these two have some serious catching up to do but they are both so stubborn and hot headed that it takes awhile before they actually get on the same page. Meanwhile it is quite an entertaining journey they take us on with plenty of misconceptions, demands, drama, and sexual chemistry.

How in the world these two don't see what is right in front of them- they are meant for one another yet they are in an impossible scenario! Loved the dynamics and the working it out!

A little bit of a different take on the ponzi scheme daughter and the man she loves.

Sexy and a bit sweet it's an overall well-written story.

Forgiveness is hard. When you have been lied to for half your life, it's even harder, Alex and Helen have a rough go of it. Even when they hate each other they still have each other's backs.
I will definitely be suggesting, What About Us, to all of my friends.

Alex and Helen's parents were best friends until their world was torn apart by betrayal. Now Alex and Helen are sworn enemies who both blame the others family for the split. They meet years later and finally get to the truth of what happened. They were always attracted to each other but now even though they despise each other their chemistry hasn't changed. Enjoyable second chance at romance story.

This is a new author for me and it is not my favorite type of story. I actually had a tough time liking any of the characters and feeling sympathetic to them. I also did not love how Alex treated Helen in this story. It was a little too much hate, anger, angysty for me. But if you want a heavy book then you will love this. I like more funner with a side of romance stories. This was just a little too intense for me.

Thank you to NetGalley! I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest and independent review.

1.5 Stars

I wanted to like this story. I didn’t dislike it but I can’t say that I liked it all that well either. Not quite “okay” but not quite “meh”. Here’s why:

I wanted to like Helen. I felt bad for her bec of her background. But instead of admiring her grit, I ended up frustrated with her. There were so many times as I was reading that I wanted to yell at her so bad for the mess she found herself in with her ex.

SMH 🤦🏻‍♀️

I also wanted to like Alex. I usually like the bumbling and socially awkward H but I couldn’t find any enthusiasm or attraction to him.

And maybe this will be an unpopular opinion: but at one point, I had hoped that she’d go back to being a waitress and a semi-nude server at Duality instead of working for Alex as his PA. I wanted angst and drama and more of the dark and seediness of the club scene. Bec the 2nd half of the story, imo, had gotten “airbrushed” to a fairytale like quality that was almost too good to be true.

Sigh. Maybe the next book in this series will be a better read for me. (Book 1 is still my favorite.)

I love Sidney Halston’s Panic series!!!! So needless to say, I completely jumped at the chance to read, What About Us (the 4th installment)!

Sidney Halston packs such an emotional punch in her storylines and Alex and Helen were no exception. From the beginning, reading about their families histories with each other, I knew there would be strong emotions (spoiler alert: lots and lots of emotions)! I loved the characters and think they actually may be my new favorites from the Panic series! What About Us is a 4.5/5 star read that will stay with you! Sidney Halston is a sure thing if you want great romance with depth and as always I am looking forward to more from this addictive series!!

Alex and Helen grew up together - families were close friends. Then something happens that tears them apart. Alex hates Helen and her father for what he believes happened after the event. Helen was just sad about what happened after the event.
12 years later, Alex sees Helen working in a bar and he is drawn to her, but still hates her. Because of this, he acts cold towards her even though Helen (at first) seems excited to see him. A few weeks later, Alex seeks her out at the same bar and sees her half naked. He demands she quits, but when she refuses, he hires her as his personal assistant.
And next thing you know, they become lovers. So this is basically a friends to lovers book.
Very well written. Held my attention to the point of me reading it in one day. I could not put it down.

This book does belong in a series, but it can be read on its own.
This is not my first book by this author.