Enemies to lovers trope is my second favorite in the romance genre. Jeni and Logan are two different people who never expected to fall for each other. But a love story like this doesn't come easy. I mean, the story has a few very emotional moments, and it is a bit heavy. But that also what makes this book unputdownable. The characters are well-written, and the triggers were told with empathy and sensitivity. Also, it has many charming and sexy/steamy moments, which also added to the exciting and appealing love story. This is the author’s second book, and she did great in telling the character’s story. If you haven't done it yet, get yourself a copy!

I always go into the sophomore book of an author with a bit of trepidation - especially when I loved the debut book SO much. So I’m pleased to report Allison Ashley has done it again!!! Home Sweet Mess is just as charming, just as sweet, just as swoony, and just as heartwarming as Perfect Distraction.

Jeni Bishop’s first interactions with Logan Davis don’t paint him in the best light, as far as Jeni is concerned. Then she finds out Logan happens to be her brother Andrew’s best friend, setting the stage for a humorous, combative relationship. But when Andrew is diagnosed with lymphoma, Jeni and Logan set their differences aside to be the support Andrew needs during his battle against cancer (which takes place in Perfect Distraction). And the more time Jeni spends with Logan, the more she realizes there’s more to Logan than his megawatt smile and charming, flirty banter. Which is inconvenient since she swore off men after her short marriage ended in divorce two years ago.

Logan is one swoony hero (despite a sleazy comment he made to Jeni as he was leaving her next door neighbor’s house early one morning 😳). I’m not gonna lie, I kinda had the same opinion of Logan that Jeni initially did. But Logan’s inner-cinnamon roll won me over. I am always going to love a book that develops the emotional relationship between the couple before the physical one - especially when it’s an intentional effort by the hero.

And I loved how this author slowly revealed Logan’s and Jeni’s pasts so we were able to understand their motivations, but did so in a way that made me want to keep reading to find out their stories - yet didn’t remind us constantly that there are mysterious things in the past we didn’t know. Logan and Jeni are compelling characters with realistic issues to work through and they deal with them with maturity. There's no unnecessary angst or drama, just two really good people doing their best to find what they need to be happy in life.

I thoroughly LOVE Allison Ashley’s writing, her characters, her storylines, and I love that she manages to make a story totally swoony without graphic steamy times. I love a book that makes me laugh but also tugs hard on my heart and this author has done exactly that. I can’t wait to read more by Allison Ashley!

* thank you to NetGalley and Allison Ashley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Jeni Bishop is a no nonsense social worker who is new to town. Still reeling from a bad divorce, she’s ready to start fresh. The only person she really knows in her new locale is her twin brother who vows to help her get accustomed to her surroundings.

Part of getting acclimated involves introducing Jeni to his good friend, Logan. The only problem is Logan and Jeni have already met before- each brief experience being worse than the last one. The two acknowledge there’s a physical attraction to the other, but personality wise, they just don’t jive.

Then Jeni’s brother gets some bad news that forces Jeni and Logan to band together. But the more they spend time with each other, the more they realize that writing the other off might be harder to do than they realized. They agree to keep it casual, until they start to catch feelings. Now they’re both left wondering if they can live with, or without, the other.

Hope Sweet Mess is marketed as an enemies to lovers romance. This also happens to be my favorite trope. There’s a definite witty banter in the beginning that sets things up well, but I would say it shifts out of enemies to lovers territory and more into second chance romance territory fairly quickly. Rounding out the story is an undercurrent about the importance of family and how hard it can be to let go and trust someone completely. This is the perfect light read with Jeni and Logan as a home team you can root for.

A big thank you to @katerockbooktours, @netgalley and @authorallisonashley for including me in celebrating the recent release of this sweet romance novel!

My heart is full right now! I was up all night reading this one, savoring every word!
Logan is one of the cutest people I met on books and yes, that sort of person someone needs in their life.
Jeni meets Logan through her neighbor. Not meet meet, of course, she just sees him. But she meets him again that day, as Logan is the best friend of her twin brother, Andrew. When Andrew gets cancer, they tend to meet more, and Jeni doesn't date or want any relationship. But Logan is falling for her, hard. Will he be the person Jeni decides to trust again to be in her life or that's the end of a chapter?
My thoughts: I get where Jeni was coming from. I definitely get why she didn't let anyone in her life. The author perfectly wrote Jeni's character, just how maybe a person will be messed up and afraid to let someone in their life.
I loved how Jeni and Logan's friendship grew and how amazing the dynamic between all three of them- Andrew, Jeni, Logan. Also, if I had a best friend would definitely want him or her to get along(romantically) with my sister or brother(not that I have any of those), cause I take bonds seriously, and if I make a friend -they are practically family and I love them dearly. That's why I guess my siblings are my only friends😃it's easier. Anyway, back to the book- I love the friendship between Logan and Andrew, the bond between Andrew and Jeni, cause it was the perfect show of sibling bond.
Thank you Netgalley for sending me an arc,I loved it.

I enjoyed reading how the romance blossoms between Jeni and her brother's best friend, Logan. Jeni is not ready for serious dating after her painful past and Logan comes off as a player so it was interesting to find how they fall for each other and how their past keeps throwing some curveballs in their present lives. The more we get to know about Logan , he absolutely becomes an adorable boyfriend especially after knowing about his family situation.

It was a slow burn romance which shows how the right person at the right time can make the life so beautiful!

Trigger warning: Lymphoma

Jeni Bishop is a social worker and Logan is a marketing expert. They meet a couple of times in awkward situations and don't get along well. Jeni's twin, Andrew is Logan's best friend and that's how they end up meeting and knowing each other better.
Logan finds it difficult to fall in love and Jeni has had her share of harsh experiences in love. Will the two fall into a relationship?

I loved reading this easy and quick read. Fun conversations, good character development and lucidity in the story makes it a perfect read for a lazy chill day. Enjoyed reading it thoroughly !!

Home Sweet Mess by Allison Ashley
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Thank you to @katerockbooktours and @authorallisonashley for my eARC of this novel!
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When Jeni Bishop meets Logan Davis as he makes the walk of shame out of her neighbor’s house, she instantly dislikes him. When fate brings them together again and she finds out he’s actually her brother’s best friend, she decides to play nice, even if he works for a rival NFL team. As the two spend time together, Logan starts to crush on Jeni, even though he knows she’s off limits. Jeni has no interest in love after a bad relationship, but she finds Logan attractive and thinks he may be good for other things. When Jeni’s brother is diagnosed with cancer, the two come together to help him and must continue to resist their attraction to each other.
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This book was absolutely adorable. It is the perfect summer read! The characters are fun and relatable and I found myself just wanting to find out what happened next in their relationship (or lack of relationship)! I highly recommend that all romance lovers fit this one into your summer TBR!
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Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved this book! Such an easy read that hooks you in right away. Almost get the How to Lose a Guy in Ten Day vibe between Jeni and. Logan at first. Highly recommended!

This is a romance novel starring Jeni and Logan. Jeni is divorced at 26, and works in a welfare organization with children looking for foster care. Logan, who works at the Chiefs, has always been a non committal person and very popular among women. When the two opposites meet, a spark is sure to ignite.

This is a light hearted and humorous story. It is mainly centered around family and relationships. The topic of foster care and its significance is very well presented. I would suggest not to have very high hopes from the book, but it is a perfect read after a dystopian fiction or thriller. If you are a fan of enemies to lovers and slow burn, then it is recommended to you. Also, I really liked the pretty cover of this book.

Home Sweet Mess is the first book I read by this author and I quite liked it, as I have come to appreciate the enemies to lovers and the friends to lovers tropes and I feel like both of those were present in the book. The chemistry between the two characters was strong and realistic, just what I need from the rare romance book I read.

While I didn't care for the back-drop setting of football and softball, I loved the banter between Logan and Jeni. I grinned more than once at the texts going back and forth between the two, as they just seemed so recognizable. Beyond the obvious enemies-to-lovers story, I enjoyed learning more about Logan's background and Jeni's job in the Foster Care system. Similarly, I enjoyed the relationship between Jeni and her brother as he goes through his chemo.

All the same, the book is a bit of a slow burn and I am not sure I stayed connected with Jeni all the way through. I found her to be too unrelenting and too stubborn. Funny, after taking some time to connect with Logan in the beginning.

All in all, this was a good romance, cute, with plenty of banter and just that little bit of backstory making it more than just a steamy romance novel.

Jeni desipe Logan yet he's got a crush on her. Logan has install the help of her brother to get closer to her. The tragic of what. It's quick it's witty the book is over before you know you've started. I want to read more about Jeni and Logan. Their chemistry I really enjoyed.

This was such a sweet romance read! I loved Perfect Distraction by Allison Ashley and was so excited when she sent me her newest book, Home Sweet Mess. I didn't realize it was a spinoff story about characters from her first book and it was so fun being transported back to that setting! This one tells the love story of Andrew's twin sister, Jeni, and his best friend, Logan. While this is fun as a spinoff, it can totally be read as a standalone. 🧡 I recommend reading both!!

Things I loved:

🏈 All of the NFL talk. I am a huge football lover (Go Bucs!) and loved that Jeni was a superfan.

💜 Jeni is a social worker who works with foster children and Logan grew up in foster care. I got emotional reading about how they connected over their shared passion for helping children.

🔥 Enemies to lovers!

🌮 TACOS AND BEER. Enough said.

The only issue I had with this book was Jeni's attitude at times. She was extremely stubborn, which I don't really mind, but it grated on my nerves a little how she kept rejecting Logan. 
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Thank you NetGalley, author Allison Ashley, and publisher for giving me a free arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars
TW: Cancer and infertility
This author pulled out all the stops in this incredible book! An enemies-to-lovers/sibling's best friend troupe...YES please!
This was such a delight. The characters were so well developed and engaging! I loved the wit, banter, and of course, chemistry between Jeni and Logan was very realistic and swoon worthy. The writing and storyline flowed well, which led me to complete this book in no time and left wanting more and tacos! I also liked the balance the author was able to create between humor and heartache. I appreciated how well the author handled and wrote about some very tough topics. These topics were true to the story and the characters and not just included in order to add unnecessary drama. The physical aspects of the relationship between Jeni and Logan had a lot of emotional connection not just the act! I loved how much Logan wanted to be worthy of Jeni! His desire to take care of her and think of her with the gifts he knew she would like really showed Jeni and the readers he was serious in wanting to create a life with Jeni by his side. I also could understand why Jeni was very hesitant in wanting to be in a relationship with Logan. I was glad she had an amazing support system around her and was able to put a voice to her fears in a very realistic way. The ending was very satisfying with all the story lines wrapped up well. Overall, I can't recommend this book enough to those who are looking for a wonderful romance! I will be looking for more new releases by this author in the future!

Home Sweet Mess was Allison Ashley's follow-up novel to last year’s Perfect Distraction, and I loved both! I’ll read anything else she writes moving forward, her writing is so fun and fresh.


Home Sweet Mess is a contemporary romance with an enemies-to-lovers trope. It starts off just before Perfect Distraction and then runs along the same timeline. Jeni Bishop has been living in Kansas City for a month, escaping a bad marriage and starting over. She doesn’t have any friends in the city except for her twin brother and best friend, Andrew. He quickly introduces her to his best friend, Logan, who Jeni notes is a womanizer. Shortly after they meet, Andrew learns of a cancer diagnosis, forcing Jeni and Logan to grow closer.

Logan and Jeni quickly bond over Andrew, their love of sports (and fierce dislike of each other’s NFL teams), tacos, beer, social work in foster care, which is an important cause to them both. It seems too good to be true, but something is holding Jeni back, and will Logan be able to convince her to give love another shot?!

This is my first book by this author and will not be the last. She draws you in with the witty banter and multi dimensional characters. The book deals with difficult topics with ease.
Logan Davis has a devil may care attitude towards relationships. Until he meets his match, but dating his best friends sisters is a landmine all on its own. Dealing with her barriers and his past takes them on a nice twist to a new relationship.
Jeni Bishop could be called stubborn and opinionated, but she loves helping others, especially the foster kids she works with. When she meets Logan he does not make the best first impression, but she simply can't get away from him. And the attraction is undeniable. Can she overcome her own issues with relationships and find a way to happy with the one man who might be perfect for her?

Home Sweet Mess is a heartfelt romance told from Jeni and Logan's perspectives. Young divorcee and social worker Jeni is determined not to be in a relationship again... but enter her twin brother Andrew's best friend and NFL marketing manager, Logan. When we first meet Logan, he's portrayed as a self-confident ladies man... but enter Jeni, the only woman he can now imagine himself in a relationship with. The pair grow closer when Andrew is diagnosed with cancer, but will they compromise for true love?

I really liked Home Sweet Mess. I loved the juxtaposition of Jeni's snarky comments with Logan's sweetness. I also appreciated this was a romance with a difference - she's the one that wanted to keep things casual, while he disagreed and wanted a relationship. Both the character development and chemistry was flawless in my opinion. I also loved how their joint love of the NFL and the fostering system were strong themes in the book. So, if you're looking for a relatable and unique romance novel to enjoy this summer, I encourage you to read Home Sweet Mess.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
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Charming NFL marketing manager Logan Davis has a major crush on his best friend’s sister. Despite the fact that pursuing her would be a Bad Idea, she makes him want to abandon casual dating.

Sassy social worker Jeni Bishop has lost faith in love. She can’t stand Logan or the NFL team he works for, but can’t help thinking he could help her scratch an itch.

When Jeni’s brother and Logan’s closest friend is diagnosed with cancer, they unexpectedly find themselves on the same team. With Logan interested in a relationship and Jeni ardently avoiding them, they resist their growing attraction even as their lives continue to intertwine in unexpected ways. Can a man who has never experienced love convince a woman hardened by it that romance isn’t dead?
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I loved this book so much! I really enjoyed both Jeni and Logan as characters and enjoyed getting to know them both. I also really liked the subplot of Jeni's brother's cancer diagnosis and treatment and would love to see his life fleshed out further in a future novel (and really can see a set up for that in the book). My only problem with this book is that Jeni's loss of faith in love is perhaps a little bit drawn out and gets to be tiresome be the end of the book. I was really rooting for Logan, but by the end, Jeni had become a little tiresome for me. I also didn't really think the title fit with the plot of the book, and I also thought the cover art could have been chosen more thoughtfully. Still, all in all, this was a solid four stars for me, and I look forward to reading more from this author!

What a totally engaging book from new to me author Allison Ashley. "Home Sweet Mess" is a captivating read right from the beginning. The two primary characters, social worker Jeni Bishop, and social media guru Logan Davis, have seductive chemistry that cannot be denied. Their tragic pasts play a huge role in their ability to forge a forever together.

Due a bad marriage, Jeni has no desire to form a romantic relationship in any way. Deciding to restart her life with a clean slate, she leaves Nebraska for a social worker position in Kansas City. Her brother is already living there, studying to be an attorney. Helping children within the foster care system is her true calling, and she is very good at it. Her brother introduces her to his best friend Logan, and they immediately take a dislike to each other. However, when Jeni's brother is diagnosed with cancer, they form a friendship that leads to much more over time.

I liked this story and the way the author evolved the romantic relationship between Jeni and Logan. Jeni's rules were a constant barrier to love, while Logan's sensibilities and warmth created a wonderful dynamic. The antics of Jeni's mom and sisters added a bit of humor to a sad situation. Overall, a nicely-written romantic read.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

What a sweet and lovely book. Jeni and Logan did not have a great first meeting. He was her neighbors one night stand. After their first awkward meeting, Jeni found out he’s her twin brother’s best friend. Soon after her brother received his cancer diagnosis she learned that she had to get along with Logan for her brothers sake. From there their relationship slowly developed between them that was beautiful. Both have serious past hang ups that they had to work on to be together. Which was understandable and appreciated. There were some serious topics that was presented in a caring and compassionate manner. Overall, I loved this book. It was like a warm hug. I totally recommend this book.
I received this ARC from the publisher and Netgalley for my honest review and opinion.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me read this book in exchange for an honest review!

I had a great time reading this book! The world building was a major plus for me, and so were the relationships. I love reading about a tough, independent female characters with a soft spot for those she loves.

Many of the romance novels I have been reading are only written in one perspective so it was refreshing to see two. For this book in particular it made so much sense to play off the two perspectives to better understand the two main characters and their personal struggles.

Jeni is a social worker with a competitive streak who moves to Kansas City after facing a tough divorce. She promised herself to never get into another relationship again. Then in a series of unfortunate events that day leads her to Logan. A social media communicator with a ladies man exterior, and who also happens to her twin brothers best friend.

After a rough start, they both promise to put their walls down and get to know each other for Andrew, her brother and his best friend. One thing leads to another and Jeni suggests that they become friends with benefits. Logan on the other hand has another idea in mind, like actually having a serious relationship with her.

Their fun banter is great but I don’t know if I could call this an enemies to lovers trope. Yes, in the beginning Jeni blamed Logan for all the mishaps of the day but once she realizes he is her twin brothers best friend that aspect is dropped fairly quickly. A friendship blooms when a terrible news hits and a attraction is sparked.

It was great to see the character development throughout the book. Both Jeni and Logan had there own separate things to figure out about themselves. Their relationship brought those things to light and walls are broken down.

Overall, I would recommend this book to everyone! Can’t wait to see wait to see out!