Rachel is a single mom of twin boys whose father doesn't step up as much as he should so she does. While she's friendly with her ex, Gavin, she's become used to being the go-to person both in her personal life and in work. So, she's really looking forward to the summer family trip when her Gavin takes the boys and she has time free. But when he backs off from going, Rachel once again steps up for her boys and goes herself. The one "problem" is the close proximity she has with Gavin's brother, Travis, who makes her feel things she doesn't think she should but also supports her in a way that she's never experienced.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review. I absolutely loved this book which is a credit to moms everywhere, especially those single moms, who do what needs to be done without thinking about it and don't worry about themselves. It also showcases those of us with that personality type often referred to as type A. We just can't help doing everything ourselves in order to get it "right". I really liked Travis and Rachel as a couple and the way he supported her and let her know that she didn't have to keep such tight control of everything. The book captured me from the beginning and kept me hooked until the end. Only a late reading start and a visit from grandkids kept me from reading this in one sitting but it didn't take me long overall. I truly hope that this book becomes a series so we can read about Gavin and the other brother, Dave, finding their own happily ever afters. I highly recommend this book.

I left reviews on BookBub and Goodreads. Here are the links...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3714575397
https://www.bookbub.com/books/rachel-out-of-office-by-christina-hovland

I left a review on Amazon after the release but I cannot get the link for it now unless I share the link if I edit my review.

Rachel is the mother of two 8 years old twin boys. She had a friendly relationship with her ex-husband, Gavin even though things didn't work out between them as they only got married because of the pregnancy after their one night stand. Travis, Gavin's brother was the one who seemed to be present in the boys life more than their own father though. As Gavin won't go to the Frank's family vacation this time, so everyone wanted Rachel to go who finally agreed after being persisted so much. Travis and Rachel finally decided to give their attraction to each other a chance but without anyone knowing of course. But truth never stays hidden and when it came out there was some drama but everything went back to normal after a while. Rachel and Travis seemed happy.
Eh, I think I liked this book the first half of it but I'm not sure if I can say the same about the second half.

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.

I loved this book! It was heartwarming and strong. It was exactly what I needed with everything going on in the world! A happy little escape!

Love reading a realistic depiction of the juggling acts that moms do. Rachel was amazing and strong. I loved the relationship she had with her ex-husband. Despite their not working out, they both handled their treatment of one another with respect. Until the dogs. But I digress. I truly enjoyed watching her learn to let go a little and relax. It was a little disheartening when she was too hard on herself because as a mom myself, I feel her pain since we tend to feel we need to handle everything! But I loved her support system, one already in place and the new one. Travis was a huge support and enabled her to lean on him. Together they were magic.

I hope we get more from these characters, especially her single mom friends. I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

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!!

This story about a single mom, Rachel, dealing with the ups and downs of life, work, and her relationships and children is hilarious and so easy to relate to! She's super easy to root for and our love interest, Travis, is sexy and sweet and exactly the type of guy you want to fall in love with.

I loved this and I will be posting a more in-depth review on my blog at the link provided on 02/06/2021!

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.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/customer-reviews/R7NRSGF8GUTHO/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B08PSB9FRX

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.