Wow...I need a few days to process this book! I've been through the emotional wringer!
Five huge amazing stars Allison! There's only one other book I've ever connected with so much. I will leave a proper review in the next few days. It's going to take me a few to get through this book hangover!
June 17th
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Ok... it's a few days later!! I felt I had to leave my initial reaction here as Allison wrote such an amazing book!

This book handles some tough topics with care and authenticity. NOTE: There is a clear Trigger Warning before the first chapter and BRAVO to the author for adding it! These tough topics never feel just thrown in for drama, instead they feel genuine and add to the characters being complex and relatable. Which is why I love this book so much. I can personally relate to most of it.

I love that she took the Enemies-to-Lovers, teach me how to sex, friends with benefits, brother's best friend, love story troupes and bundled them all together for this story.

Jeni is the perfect female lead. She is smart and caring and snarky but you still love her! You will laugh out loud at the hate-banter between her and Logan! It was also so refreshing for a female to be the commitment-shy part of the relationship. Logan is so swoony and sweet!

Home Sweet Mess is a story of love and loss. Fear and family. And claiming your happiness because you deserve it. This book is funny, sweet, sexy, and full of feels. 🥰

I would like to thank Kate Rock Book Tours and the author Allison for providing me with a #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Home Sweet Mess was a fast read that pulled at my heartstrings. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to more from this author.

I loved the description of the book but I didn’t know how much I would love the story. I picked it up and could not put it down, finished it in one night. I love how their story focused on not just their physical relationship but literally everything surrounding it. It dealt with both of their past, their present struggles, and what they thought of their futures. They used it to grow and realize what they meant to each other. It was a sweet story that had great banter and amazing families, both blood and found. Highly recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Allison Ashley for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Home Sweet Mess follows Jeni, a recent transplant into the Kansas City area. She's a social worker in the foster care system and has been struggling to find her place in the city. She's had a terrible day, mostly brought on by one guy who keeps getting in her way, when she meets up with her twin brother for drinks. Lo and behold, her brother's best friend is also there and he happens to be the guy she's been yelling at all day. Logan and Jeni spar for awhile until Jeni asks him to become friends with benefits. When Logan wants more Jeni's not sure she can give it to him.
CW: foster care, domestic abuse, cancer, drug addiction

I really enjoyed this book and finished it in under 24 hours. The banter was great, and I felt like I got a really holistic view of the characters. This is kinda enemies to lovers kinda second chance romance (definitely best friend's sister), but I enjoyed that it didn't ever get as nasty as some enemies to lovers do. I liked that their motivations felt true to real life and not at all forced. This is Ashley's second book, the first following the twin brother, and having not read the first I didn't feel like I was missing anything.
I really wish that we would have gotten more of the happy ending and I didn't always love the writing style / believe that the characters would really talk the way they were written, but honestly the story saved it and I still loved this book!

I absolutely loved this book! I fell in love with all the characters. Jeni and Logan are very memorable and I hope there is another book about their love story soon! I look forward to reading more from this author! Thank you!

Jeni moves to Kansas city for her job as well as to be near her twin brother, Andrew. There she meets Logan, a NFL marketing manager who also turns out to be Andrew's bestfriend. Although Logan gets charmed with Jeni's stubbornness in no time, Jeni finds it hard to open up her heart after her unfortunate past affairs. In a sudden turn of events, Andrew gets diagnosed with cancer and needs his sister's and his best friend's support. Fortuitously, Logan and Jeni find their paths coincidentally crossing as they become friends and come to terms with their fears and perplexities.

This wasn't the typical Summer romance read with a predictable ending. Rather, the book covers many issues including sibling relationship, family, foster care, troubled past, Cancer, etc. I loved how genuine the story turned out to be because of these attributes. Initially, I couldn't stand the main characters but as they evolved with the story and as their history came to light, we got a clear view of their disposition. Most of all, I enjoyed their fights over Sports but Jeni's infatuation with it felt a bit too much. Also, I felt Andrew's situation was not given enough importance and I would have loved to find more about him and Lauren.

Overall, it is a charming read with bitter sweet moments. It is fast paced, with funny banters, that is easy to love. Go ahead if you like amusing storylines that will also tug at your heartstrings.

Thank you to Kate Rock Book Tours, Allison Ashley and Netgalley for my ARC!

This is a relatively light read with good growing chemistry between Logan and Jenni. I received this novel as an advanced reader copy from net galley in exchange for an honest review.

Huge thank you to Kate Rock Book Tours and Allison Ashley for my eARC!

Home Sweet Mess ... the romance I didn't know I needed. And now here I sit with a major book hangover. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to these characters. Not even a little ...

Enemies to lovers, yes please! This book was such a delight to read. The characters had depth and were well written. I enjoyed the flow of this book and the storyline. The chemistry between Jeni and Logan was truly heartwarming, even if it took them awhile to get right where they needed to be. Plus, I love a realistic storyline!

I have a mad craving for tacos and a use for the phrase "that's what she said" Ha Ha Ha!!

Home Sweet Mess by Allison Ashley is one of the best romances I’ve read this year. And Logan will easily go down as my favorite leading man.

After a disastrous divorce, Jeni moves to Kansas City to live in the same city as her twin brother, Andrew. Here she meets Andrew’s best friend Logan. Logan is dreamy, runs the social media for the Kansas City Chiefs and Jeni recognizes him.. his bedroom antics with her next door neighbor was the soundtrack of her morning. Yikes.

Though off to a shaky start, when Andrew gets a shocking cancer diagnosis, Logan and Jeni are forced to play nice to support him. As they get to know each other, they realize they have various deep connections, however Jeni isn’t ready to commit.

Let me just say, I was not expecting for this book to hit me so hard in the feels. So many heavy issues are discussed in this book- infertility, child neglect, cancer, but they are all handled with an impressive amount of care.

Boring and unsubtle and starring characters that inexplicably decide they super like each other despite all signs indicating the opposite. She treats him like slutty trash because he's attractive and single-ready-to-mingle and nice, and he casually invites her to join him in a threesome as he's walking out of her single neighbors house. And we know he had a good morning because our heroine listens to their sex noises from her front porch. SHE WANTS TO DRINK HER COFFEE OUTDOORS. IT'S HER RIGHT!!!

I mean, come on! Anyway, you know the drill. The author does absolutely nothing to show WHY or HOW these two like each other except continually illustrate how different they are - and we're supposed to understand that THAT is chemistry. Um, no. It's not.

Then, after all this we don't like each other but SECRETLY we do, we get a curve ball with "let's be friends with benefits" (um, again, not surprising. AT ALL.). AND EVEN WORSE? All that big lead up segues into a blink and you’ll miss it sex scene THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING?? Um. HOW DOES IT CHANGE EVERYTHING? WTF. Literally she suggests it, they share one kiss, head to the bedroom where he kisses her neck and then this:

As he spent long minutes exploring and worshiping her body, Logan struggled to keep it together. He didn’t know if it was the unconventional request that brought them here or if it was something about the woman herself. But when their bodies finally joined and she gripped his back with desperation, her breath and sweet moans in his ear, he did know one thing. He’d never had an intimate experience quite like this one. Not even close.

God. This sequence is so bad. From a neck kiss to “finally” joining. Finally?? WHAT THE F WERE YOU DOING FOR SO LONG BEFOREHAND? AND why can't we read it Allison Ashley???????????????????????

This “gem” pretty much sums up the characterization of our super irresistible and wise about women MC:

Any man who knew anything about women knew jealousy was a good sign.

Oh, really? No, it just proves you're a dick. Yeah, he’s a real catch.

And BTW, if he’s running his hands down her arms, he can’t feel the goosebumps left behind in his wake.

Friends, the fade to black sex scene was my breaking point. DNF.

Mess is an apt description of this book.

Another winner by Allison Ashley! It goes without saying that if you enjoyed “Perfection Distraction”, you simply must read “Home Sweet Mess”! The characters (Jenni in particular) are so relatable and this is a romance that doesn’t insult the intelligence of its reader (this is a HUGE sticking point for me in most romance books I read).

Cute book that went by quickly. It was easy to read and enjoy because it was straight forward. Solid characters that you like.

I don't know if I'll ever be able to express how much I needed to read this book. The last book I read said something about 'what takes you out of this world?' Well, this piece of art did that to me. This book became also a reminder of how I have overcome every situation in my life and I was never alone. They were always by my side. My family.
#homesweetmess #NetGalley

I had to sit on my review for a little while to determine how I truly felt about this book. There were aspects of this book which I really appreciated. I LOVED seeing my home state of Nebraska represented here! I also enjoyed a strong female lead character and the demonstration of how moving to a new city can be challenging and difficult to make friends.

Unfortunately, that is probably where it ends for me. I found the constant back and forth between the main characters more annoying than anything. I truly did not feel the chemistry between them either. Jeni was constantly saying that she hated him. I know most of the time it was said in a joking way, but I found it pretty annoying and derogatory. Like why would he stick around to have someone talk to him like that?

I think this book will work for a lot of readers; however, it just did not work well for me.

A big thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book!

I am already a fan of this author, so I was thrilled to be given an advance copy of this book! The Logan and Jeni storyline is such a slow burn! 10/10 recommend, also if you like this one then you would love the author's other smash hit novel Perfect Distraction. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Home sweet mess...what a beautiful messy love story featuring two popular arcs, enemies to lovers and best friend's sister. This book is about trauma and healing and most importantly find your way to love. I really enjoyed it

I was chosen to be a bookstagram tour participant for this book, which I also happened to have gotten through an ARC copy from NetGalley, so I KNEW it meant I was supposed to read this one. I had heard lots of great things about the author and the cover grabbed me immediately. I will admit, I judge a book by its cover all the time. Covers are huge for me.

I started reading this at 11:30 at night when I couldn't settle down for the night after picking our daughter up from a slumber party, and it sucked me in so quickly. I was instantly invested in this sort of enemies to lovers romance between Jeni and Logan. I mean, who doesn't giggle their way through a neighbor's morning sex over a cup of coffee on their porch only to find out that the guy who stole your parking spot and your sandwich is the same guy from the morning "festivities" next door?
I will admit that I found Jeni's trauma from her past relationship so realistic. The way she holds everyone but her brother at a distance and doesn't feel like she can trust a single soul. much less some hot guy that is her brother's best friend was so relatable. Allison Ashley did a great job of getting your RIGHT into Jeni's head.
I found Logan to be a little unrealistic, but altogether charming and easy to fall in love with throughout the story. Especially when you get really into why he is the way he is and what shaped him into the man he becomes in the storyline.
No spoilers, but I read the entire book in 4 hours in one night, so it's safe to say that I loved it. And when I found out that Andrew and Lauren's story was actually written BEFORE this one, I immediately went over and purchased it from Amazon upon finishing this book. Can't wait to dive into that one next.

I always love a good enemies-to-lovers story - the banter, feelings, and slow-burn are so fun to read, and this story definitely contains all three. But there are some heavier topics that make this story extra emotional and satisfying. The meet-cute between Jeni and Logan was perfect and really set the tone for the rest of the story. They two have undeniable chemistry and watching them acknowledge it was entertaining. I especially enjoyed the social work part of the story and Jeni's involvement in the foster care system. There were parts when I wanted to scream at Jeni to JUST ACCEPT LOGAN (come on, he's perfect!) but I know her past prevented that quick decision. Once everything is on the table and choices are made, it made for a great ending. I hope there is a sequel because I need more of Jeni and Logan! I also so appreciate the trigger warnings in the front of the book. I think all books should contain this.

Allison Ashley wrote an insightful book about family, love and fostercare. I loved her characters Lauren, Andrew, Logan and of course, Jeni. This was a strong work of fiction that I couldn't put down and read in one sitting. Ashley truly brings her characters to life with their imperfections and makes them come alive off the page. I cannot wait to see what else she publishes.

Thank you netgalley for letting me resd and review this book!

Initially, Logan was not my favorite person. But, as I kept reading I absolutely fell in love with Jeni and Logan. Jeni works as a social worker in CPS and Logan works for the NFL Chiefs. Their paths cross in a few different ways, but Logan is good friends with Jeni’s twin brother Andrew. Jeni is determined not to fall for Logan after gave up on marriage following her recent divorce. He’s persistent though! I loved how close Andrew and Jeni are. Their “twin connection” was beautiful to read about. There are so many beautiful themes throughout the novel, like the family you choose, the family that chooses you, friendship and trusting yourself and others. I absolutely loved their banter, their story and Logan’s mom. She was so supportive and told it like it was! I totally recommend this one and would love to see more of Logan and Jeni’s story!