I read 150+ books a year and I cannot tell you the last book I devoured in one sitting. This book was amazing. I loved Travis and wish I had one in my life. Rachel got under my skin a bit, but I respected her by the end of the book. 5 stars is not enough!

Rachel, Out of Office by Christina Hovland is a delightful romantic comedy that I really enjoyed. Rachel and her ex had a one night stand that resulted in twin boys. When the ex cancels going to his family's cabin, with his family, Rachel gets talked into going. This book was easy to read and perfect for an escape from cold weather or the pandemic. I will be reading more books by this author, I highly recommend this book if you enjoy romances.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was so much fun! A single mom with twins still involved with her ex's family and her life being crazy is very relateable.

Drama, laughing, some tears... but looks of laughs.

ok she is getting one. So Rachel is the jack of all trades, she works from home with her own business, she has two twin boys and really after that comment should I have to explain myself right after saying twin boys, yeah no you get the drift, has an ex husband that disappears whenever its his turn or she needs him you know the type, but no sirree even though is juggling all the balls at the same time she will have time for herself or so she thought because Her ex is not going to be around. I respected and understood Rachel, as a mother myself you try your best in trying to do everything you can to keep them same and happy, you really want the best for them best especially when you know that you brought that happiness to them, so I rooting for her and when you get eye candy along the way so much better.

A single mom who is trying her best to keep her head above water while providing the best life she possibly can for her sons. Rachel is working hard, she is stubborn, but bound and determined to give her sons the absolute best while showing them how much they are loved. Her ex-husband is not helpful at all and takes advantage of her kindness way to often while not even being there for their sons, so his bother Travis steps up and he starts to see how much Rachel truly does and he is not only impressed by her but finds her strength and tenacity extremely attractive. Even though they know this thing between them could be disastrous or even deemed taboo by the matriarch of the family the things they feel are too real. Add an overbearing ex mother-in-law, a carefree Tavis, a family gathering that does not go as planned, and you have a hilarious story about what women deal with while trying to do their best for their families. Travis and Rachel were perfect together and everyone always thought Travis was a carefree guy with no plans, but Rachel saw that there was more than meets the eye. I loved their dynamic friends and family and I even found myself finding redemption in Rachel’s ex. Such a wonderful read and can’t wait for more!

I had never read anything by this author before, and I must admit that I liked it a lot.
I liked the story, it was quite cute and quite funny.
I had never read anything with a protagonist who was a mother, let alone a single mother. And the truth is that you never know how much work it is to be a mom, and this book showed it in the best way. It is a realistic book, but without losing the touch.
A book that is quite enjoyable.

I just loved Rachel, she is an awesome mum doing her best to juggle her twins, her ex who is well to me a complete flake and trying to build her business where some clients are more than a little demanding and a delusion ex mother in-law. I loved getting to know Rachel and her friends who are an absolute hoot and I really hope Molly gets a book, and then there is the Frank family well you definitely get some laughs and eye roles out of them but Travis well he is a just one delicious toaster tart! This is a story of learning to let people in, opening your heart, standing up for yourself and that you should work to live not live to work throw in a good dose of laughter, some undeniable attraction and a captivating story and you have a book that you will not be putting down until you finish!!

Rachel is the type of character that you easily can root for, which makes Rachel, Out of Office particularly enjoyable. It's fun, but I can't help but wonder if I would have gotten more out of it if I was a mother myself. I'm not (thankfully), so I couldn't even remotely relate to some of Rachel's struggles. Still, the characters and this story were fun!

This book is so much fun! Rachel is a single mom with twin boys. Her ex mother-in-law is sure that Rachel and her son will get back together. Her ex brother-in-laws are a part of her everyday life. Her ex husband is planning to get married again. Then things start to change and Rachel's planned and organized life is swinging out of control. Drama, laughter, tears and lots of humour. I couldn't put it down.
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It's just one of those things where a part of Rachel spoke to me. That part where she's a harried mother of twin boys working a full time job and simply trying to keep it all together. I enjoyed the very realness of her world, her struggle to maintain boundaries, especially as she's a virtual assistant with clients across different time zones and even continents. As much as she's a skilled a workhorse as she is - she relishes being in control, strategizing, organizing - it's becoming increasingly clear that she needs to let loose. However, her inclination to do everything by herself because then it's done the way she wants, is not doing it for her lately. Her ex, Gavin isn't picking up the slack but instead throws more on her plate.

What's somewhat unusual in Rachel's situation, though is that her ex's family is pretty involved in the twins' lives - her ex's brothers, Travis and Dave, and even ex 'momster-in-law', Evelyn. Where Gavin slacks off, Travis arrives to pick up that slack. This unique dynamic instantly won me over because how many divorced couples and their families can still be amicable with each other and try their best for their kids? Travis, especially loves being around his nephews and he certainly doesn't mind Rachel, either. For as much as they antagonize each other, there are also plenty of sparks. After much deliberation, Rachel takes the family up on their offer for her and the boys to stay at the lakehouse for the summer. On the optimistic side, it'll keep her twins occupied and the family's willing to help with them so she can continue to work while there. On the flip side, there's more time with her ex momster-in-law who is determined to see Rachel and Gavin back together. That's not going to happen. But what might happen is those sparks she has with Travis that threaten to ignite into something bigger. And of course it does!

The story moves quickly and amusingly because shenanigans are involved, too. As chaotic as Rachel's life is, she's somehow managed to keep it all in check so far. Except now it's dawning her that she needs better boundaries between work and her personal life, even as the boundaries between her and Travis are blurring. You all, Travis is a dreamboat! I'm not just referring to his hotness. It's how much he cares about Rachel and the twins, and how he wants to help her attain a better balance. He's always been viewed as the clown, the guy who hooks up and dumps them, the irresponsible one. He's allowed them to view him as such and considers that the role he plays within the family. Rachel is a different story. He needs her to know that he can be serious, that he wants to be all in for her and the boys. This burgeoning romance is authentic and complicated. It's like walking through a minefield not knowing how people will react once they're ready to bring it out to the open.

But first, they need to navigate just the two of them. Rachel's discomfort with being intimate for the first time in a while is basically any of us. The logistics of hooking up in a household full of people AND not being walked in on by one of her kids are at times funny. Everything about this relationship from time management, the family, the kids ... it all feels real, that these are genuine concerns for two people embarking on something new and fragile. Falling for Travis is a long time coming and I was happy that they were adults about it. They actually talk! And that is such a turn on! They avoid any unnecessary drama by addressing things upfront, and any fallout that does occur, happens within the realm of reason. They know where the other stands and that just got me in the feels.

Rachel, Out of Office is a fun romance where the overworked and overtired mama gets to win at life and have her happiness with someone who clearly loves and respects all of her. This was such a delight to read!

~ Bel

This was a wonderful of Rachel a single mother of twin boys that is a workaholic. He ex and her were to co parent but he’s not around as he’s starting a new family. But he has two brothers that are there for the boys when they have sports. One brother is really nice but Travis she thinks she’s not liking because her ex and him didn’t get along. But she’s seeing him in a new light that was described and finds that he’s a great guy! Now she wondering if they could be more. This storyline was interesting and intriguing and has so many twists that you’ll love the storyline and the characters! I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

What a great, unconventional romance by an author that always delivers romcoms with a tremendous amount of heart!

Rachel is a single mom under so much pressure, doing just about every work-from-home gig imaginable to be there for her twin boys. She's looking forward to a 'summer off' from the daily grind thanks to an offer from her former in-laws to take her children to their lake-house for the hummer. When the plans fall through at the last minute, she has to pivot, and takes the boys to the lake house herself.

What she doesn't expect is to spend the summer with her former brother-in-law, Travis, and to forge a strong friendship that turns into more as they get to know each other on a different level. Their relationship, thankfully, is full of little drama, and it's more about Travis helping Rachel attain the balance and peace that she wants to attain to have a full life of her own, and be there for her children, without burning the candle at both ends constantly. Their relationship develops really purely, and they have tons of banter and steam.

Rachel is a strong woman, and Travis is not presented as the man that fixes her life or solves her problems. He's a man that complements her, and works with her and for her. Their relationship is so authentic feeling, and it makes for a really romantic read.

A fun quick book that will put a smile on your face. Rachel is extremely relateable to busy moms everywhere! With an MIA ex- husband, and a mother in law who has her nose in everything Rachel does, I didn't know if I wanted to cry for her or cheer her on! Another great book by Christina Hovland!

The fact that the main character has twins is about all we have in common. Rachel is burning the candle at both ends and needs a break.


This story features a strong heroine, a likeable cast a supporting characters and a completely endearing love story.


I was engrossed from start to finish. This will definitely be a re-read for me.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this DELIGHTFUL read! The review will be available at the link given, on 1/27/21.

What a funny romantic comedy. It was such fun reading about Perfectionist Rachel's life. I think any mom can easily relate to the comedy in this book and have a great laugh that it happened to someone else and not them for now.

This book was so funny as Rachel tried to balance a full time job, twin boys, puppies her ex-husband gave the boys for their birthday without asking, clients, and her ex-husband and his fiancee as well as her in-laws. I enjoyed watching Rachel not be able to say no and for her not to be able to accept help because she was a perfectionist who liked things done her way, much like a lot of moms that I know. Add to this her feelings for Travis, her ex-brother-in-law and you have a down to earth, funny story that I really enjoyed reading. The scenes at the lake house were quite hilarious. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

Three and a half stars

Rachel, Out of Office was my first book by Christine Hovland. The book is romantic comedy -kind of book. The book is about Rachel, who is a single-mom with a business. Rachel struggles with her life, she wants to be a perfect mom and she really wants to make her work perfectly.

I think that the most of the moms out there recognize these same problems. Every mom wants what's best for her children and they do their absolute best to provide it to their children. Rachel has some problems with his ex-husband. She has problems with her work. She has the same problems we, the moms in real world, have. It made Rachel very likable and I could easily relate to her.

I liked how the book had very little drama. I liked how the family worked, it felt real family. The tension and passion between Rachel and Travis was believable. I liked the twins and I really, really liked Travis.

There were moments I found a little unbelievable, but nothing major. My main problem was the fact that the book was written in third POV, but that's just my problem.

I really liked the ending and the fact that Rachel learned something that we all need to learn, no one is perfect and no one needs to be perfect.

This was a nice read with likable characters and plot. I can recommend this.

Rachel has it all under control. Until you take a peek behind the curtain. Single mom to twin 8 year old boys, Rachel is a pro at managing chaos. She employs these skills in her virtual personal assistant company. However, everyone wants more of Rachel. When her annual guaranteed break via her ex’s family summer vacation is taken away from her, Rachel has to decide what to prioritize.

Rachel joins her ex’s family for a summer that no one will forget. A snarky, yet kind hearted, ex-brother-in-law, a meddling ex-mother-in-law, and a whole lot of time for things to get shaken up, this summer will drag Rachel out of her comfort zone. Isn’t that where we find all the best things?

This romantic comedy is utterly relatable. It’s also a refreshing reminder that we all deserve to be cherished and feel sexy, no matter our age, parental status, or baggage. There’s a bit of steaminess, but it never felt too much.

I really enjoyed Rachel, Out Of Office.

Rachel is a single mom of twins who kept her on her toes and also has a crazier professional life.
She manages to deal with everything, her ex husband who seems to be an absentee and the cool and laid back parent, her in-laws and her ex-mother in law, mama bear who likes to interfere and her two sons who are always there for the kids, when their father cannot.

But in the middle of this organized mess, Rachel needs somehow a break even if she has never once complained about her choices and embracing it.
Suddenly she comes to notice some things who are in front of her and never paying attention or more in denial I guess, like really noticing her brother in law, Travis who was more than people described him, that it was okay to let people in and help.

It takes one summer at her in-laws usual vacation spot to make her see things in a different perspective. Plenty of sarcasm, colorful characters and some hilarious situations. I appreciated that Rachel understood that she could manage everything but letting people somehow helping her could make things easier. That she wasn’t that alone.

The author manages to capture a single mom drama that some readers can relate to. The cast of characters are endearing, Rachel and Travis made me smile a lot, swoony tons and their chemistry… off the charts!

A feel good book, a kind of warm and heartfelt.

Today we're talking about a mom rom-com. A mom-com? A rom-mom-com?

This genre of romance is not typical for me. I am not a mom. But, it turns out, you don't have to be a mom to know what it feels like to feel overwhelmed by work, obligations, and family relationships.

What I liked most about this read was that it reminded me of a feel-good movie. Like a Nora Ephron film. You allow yourself to feel comforted by the promise of a happy ending as mishap over comedic mishap gets ladled on to your divorced, career-focused lead who isn't looking for love but finds it anyway. You know that in your own life you would draw boundaries sooner, or that you wouldn't react in quite the same way, but, like with any good rom-com, you release that anxiety and let the story unfold.

I think this book will resonate with some people more than others. (You're not going to pick it up for plot or writing style.) Even with my suspended disbelief, there were moments and situations that felt a little too much. But this is a light-hearted read.

It's best to leave your expectations of self-advocacy at the door, and let the familiar beats of a romantic comedy distract you for a few hours.

As a mom of twins myself that aspect of the book had me reeled in from the jump. This was my first Christina Hovland book so other than the blurb (twins!) I wasn’t sure what to expect going in. This book felt current, fresh and fun! Just the right mix of chaos and steam. Definitely recommending this to all moms. 4 stars and I look forward to checking out more of her work. Thank you to the publishers via NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.