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Home Sweet Mess

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I was really looking forward to Home Sweet Mess after reading Allison Ashley's debut book Perfect Distraction last year. The two books are connected but this can be read as a standalone.

Jeni is new to Kansas City and the only person she really knows there is her brother Andrew. One day, though, she runs into Logan a number of times and finds out he is good friends with Andrew. It was interesting watching their relationship grow from tentative friends to mutual attraction to a relationship with potential.

I was especially impressed with the character growth throughout the book, especially Logan's. I have to admit I was only feeling so-so about him initially, but he turned out to be an amazing guy. I think having dual POV really gave me the chance to understand him and how his past has shaped him.

This was a really wonderful read and I liked the author's writing and storytelling styles. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

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After a failed experience with love, Jeni has decided that it's just not for her. But when her twin brother is diagnosed with cancer, she ends up spending a lot more time with his best friend Logan. With all the time spent, they each learn they have more in common than expected and Jeni finds herself leaning on Logan for support during her brother's chemotherapy. Will Logan be able to knock down Jeni's walls for good or is all hope lost.

I thoroughly enjoyed this love story! It was a toss up between not being able to put it down and wanting to read slower so that the story wouldn't end. I loved the characters of Logan and Jeni and found that the author added more depth to the characters and the things that they connected on were incredibly sweet and sincere.. This was an excellent read, my only complaint is that I want more!

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Jenni and Logan only have one thing in common at the start of the book, and that is Andrew. Andrew is Jeni's twin and Logans best friend. However, as they unite to support their brother and frined through difficult times, they discover they have a lot more in common, And theres something else there that they cant fight against, despite trying.
I love a simple boy meets girl story, and this ticked that box but also has more to it. Both Jeni and Logan have their own painful stories and demons to overcome and it was an emotional ride as they shared their past.
The story does come with a subtle trigger warning as there are some themes that people may find difficult to read,
I flew through this book and it was the perfect read to wind down with.

Thank you @netgalley for your gifted copy of the book in return for an honest review.

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Enemies to lovers might be my favorite romcom trope and 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦 is one of the most emotional I've read!

Jeni recently moved to Kansas City to be closer to her twin brother, Andrew. She's got the job of her dreams as a social worker and is trying to get over her failed marriage when she meets Logan, Andrew's friend who works for the Kansas City Chiefs football team. He's immediately attracted to Jeni but she can't stand him (the Denver Broncos fan is never going to fall for someone who roots for the Chiefs!) but when Andrew gets diagnosed with cancer, Jeni and Logan find themselves on the same team (excuse the sports pun - I couldn't think of another way to phrase it!).

Ashley writes fantastic banter and there's great chemistry between Jeni and Logan. The story also has a lot of depth to it as it covers Jeni's social work and the charity Logan started and there's a lot that will tug at your heartstrings (there's a helpful trigger warning before the book starts). I also appreciated that Jeni was the one afraid of commitment instead of Logan (isn't it ALWAYS the guy?) and how the steamy scenes (and there is some steam!) weren't only about the physical aspects of sex but also the emotional.

𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀 gave me all the feels, made me crave tacos and had me calling my brother just to say I love him. It's perfect summer read.

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I had quite a giggle at the beginning of this book. As the reader it was amusing that Logan kept appearing everywhere after their awkward first encounter, but for poor Jenny I don't think it would have seemed funny. This immediately made me warm to Jennys character. She seems a little misunderstood.

I like how the story unfolds, through the different relationships, family dramas and difficult times. I really enjoyed the banter between Jenny and Logan and also the sibling love between Jenny and her twin brother Andrew, there bond is so lovely to read about.

I've read a few books with young people in recently and this being about adoptions and caring for children who had no family (through social services and charities) was really lovely.

You shouldn't never judge a person by how they look or act, this may be a cover up for something they're going through, life isn't always as it seems.

I will definitely be recommending this book to others and reading another by Allison Ashley.

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With Home Sweet Mess, Allison Ashley writes a charming follow up to her delightful debut novel Perfect Distraction.

Reformed lady’s man and marketing manager Logan Davis is in like on his best friend’s sister and would love to date her. Jeni Bishop on the other hand doesn’t believe in love but would mind a no strings romp with Logan. But as the help Jeni’s brother, can they resist their growing attraction and the depth of their feelings?

Both Jeni and Logan are wonderful characters I couldn’t help but cheer for. Jeni is caring and smart. Logan is deliciously swoony and wonderfully layers. Their banter was fun and the chemistry between them was sizzling.

The combination between sweet and fun, love and loss was superb and feel that Allison handled the tough subjects with great care.

Home Sweet Mess is a standalone contemporary romance by Allison Ashley. It is an enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend’s sister romance. Told from both POV with a happy ending.

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I haven’t read Perfect Distraction, which I now know is about Andrew and Lauren. I’m going to have to read that, because I enjoyed this story so much! This is Jeni’s story, Andrew’s twin sister.

Jeni is new to Kansas City, moving for a job, when she first encounters Logan. Later that same day, after two more aggravating encounters with him, she learns he is one of her brother’s best friends.

As Andrew has a health crisis, Jeni and Logan become closer. Jeni married young and is now divorced. She says she doesn’t want to get married again. Logan is a little bit of a ladies man. But this time, he wants more and she only wants “friends with benefits.” Or so she says.

This is a very enjoyable romance with fun banter between the two— especially about their differing favorite NFL teams. There is great chemistry between Logan and Jeni. He is a pretty amazing book boyfriend. I did want to reach though my kindle, at times, and tell Jeni to wake up. Logan was genuine and not like her ex-husband.

Thank you to Kate Rock Book Tours, the author , and NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

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3 stars

This book is a quick and easy read. It did pull on my heartstrings. I love a good, enemies to lovers romance and brothers best friend romance. This book ticked all the boxes when it came to these two tropes.

I loved the banter between Jeni and Logan, it was fun and flirty.
That being said I didn't love the characters, now don't get me wrong, they both had some positive and lovable traits, in saying that I just couldn't connect with them. Jeni was stubborn at times and at times I wanted to shake her. Logan, from the very start, I couldn't "warm" to him, fortunately as the book progressed I did start to like him, not as much as I would like for the main character but it was an improvement.

Allison has a great writing technique. Each dialogue was perfectly sculpted, I could feel the characters emotions.

Overall I did enjoy this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

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Home Sweet Mess by Allison Ashley was a sweet romance with some witty banter and lots of football.

Jeni has just moved to Kansas City for her dream job a social worker when her twin brother introduces her to his best friend Logan. Logan works in Social Media for the Chiefs and their first meeting wasn't super successful but their love of football (but not the same teams) is at least one thing in common. When her brother is diagnosed with cancer they find themselves together a lot more but they each have their own reasons why a relationship is a bad idea, but sparks are flying.

There is some wonderful witty banter in this enemies to lovers story and I really liked both characters. Logan was totally charming and easy to fall in love with while reading, Jeni was realistically cautious due to her past failed marriage. I liked how difficult topics such as foster care and cancer were written well and were part of the story,

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This book is a quick read but also super emotional.
I loved Logan with all my heart, he was just such a sweet boy. I also enjoyed the enemies to friends going on between Logan and Jeni.
Although I have to say this book deals serious topics so make sure to read the TW before diving in.

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Cute, contemporary romance about overcoming your past.
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I like when romance books subvert stereotypes - one of the reasons I think they're so successful is that the men often actually get to feel their feelings. This book though, is a bit heavy handed with the subversions.
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Jeni is 'not like other girls'. She likes sports! And beer! And tacos! It just got a little tired in the end. You can have a woman liking all these things without making it sound like it's a remarkable thing (maybe it's just because we see her through Logan's eyes, and he is, well.)
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Sure, we get Logan's backstory and he seems in touch with his feelings, but I still wasn't absolutely sold on him. He seemed to want Jeni to just get over her past experience and be with him, but trauma doesn't work like that ( and I would classify what she experienced as traumatic for her). So although he wanted her more than everything, he didn't leave space for her wishes. Telling someone who doesn't want a relationship and marriage, that you will always love them and never go away, probably isn't the right call. Also, both him and Jeni's brother seemed to think he should have asked the brother for permission to date Jeni, which just annoys me.
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Anyway! There are some cute moments toward the end but I was never really sold on the romance and chemistry between the two leads.

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I absolutely loved Allison Ashley's debut novel, The Perfect Distraction, so much that I was eager (but also a little scared) to read her follow-up book HOME SWEET MESS. But, oh, is it ever good. No, not "good"....FANTASTIC.

HOME SWEET MESS is a delightful Enemies-to-Lovers, teach me sex, friends with benefits, brother's best friend, love story. Yeah, Allison Ashley went for ALL the best tropes and nailed them ALL in one book!

Jeni is the perfect female lead. She is smart and caring and snarky and you will 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! If you like a "reformed rake" then saddle up because Logan is the BEST.

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.

This author stepped up the steam from the first book and I was HERE. FOR. IT. The beautiful part is that the steamy scenes portray both the physical and emotional components of sex. The author finds the balance between lighting the reader's panties on fire and also melting their heart.

HOME SWEET MESS is all the things! Funny, sweet, sexy, and full of feels. Just read this book already. You will LOVE it!!!

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Home Sweet Mess is a delightful romance and a quick read. I enjoyed the main characters right from the beginning (and the secondary characters as well). This is the perfect book to read during the summer! Thank yu to Netgalley for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review!

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This book is absolutely brilliant, a superb read that leaves you feeling empty when the last page is turned!
Jeni moves to be near her twin brother Andrew, she needs stability after trauma and sadness, she immerses herself in working to help others.
Andrew’s best friend Logan is intrigued by Jeni, he’s drawn to the possibility of a long term relationship, Jeni can’t deny the chemistry but struggles with commitment.
When Jeni and Logan unite to help Andrew fight for his health, there’s no denying the love and complexity to their relationship.
A truly enjoyable storyline, Jeni and Logan have an undeniable connection but it takes time to trust and face fears.
There were many serious issues dealt with compassionately, well done to Allison Ashley, a fantastic work!

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

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Allison Ashley grabbed me quickly from the beginning and I was officially on the ride of "Home Sweet Mess". I loved Jeni and Logan's friendship and banter throughout the story. My heart connected with Jeni and her role as a social worker as I too have worked with and advocated for children. She also won me over with her love for softball and football, although I am not as passionate as Jeni. Allison Ashley had a writing that carried me along and made me feel like I was hanging with friends throughout the book. I recommend this contemporary romance for a day at the beach, a rainy day or any day in the near future!

Thank you to Allison Ashley, Kate Rock Book Tours and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The meet cute set the stage for a fun swoony romance. Jeni and Logan's story was a breeze to read and full of heart.

Logan was the ultimate playboy with a heart. He wants real love but doesn't know how to achieve it or what it is supposed to feel like until he meets Jeni. Jeni is new in town and determined to follow her own path without relationships to drag her down. Epic bonus is that Logan is Jeni's twin brother's best friend so when the sparks start to fly complications and hijinks ensue with a bang.

Somehow the author not only gave us an awesome romance but she also managed to cover some very heavy topics including adoption, fostering, cancer, and divorce, and fertility issues.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Alison Ashley in the future!

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Amazing, stupendous, adorable, and show stopping. The characters have been written in a way that grabs you and doesn’t let you go. The story is amazing. I would love to find out what happens next but happy with my glimpse.

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I really enjoyed Home Sweet Mess and think it would make for a great beach read or pool side book if you are looking to add any books to your summer reading. Allison Ashley has such a beautiful writing style that makes you so invested in the story and characters, almost like you feel you are a part of the story. It is a feel good contemporary romance filled with love, friendship and banter. I really enjoyed watching Logan and Jeni's relationship develop; their chemistry was so relatable. I really enjoy when a romance feels believable and honest. If you are a fan of enemies to lovers, with a forbidden Brothers BFF this is totally the book for you.

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Jeni has had a past relationship that still causes her to not want to try again. Andrew is Jeni's twin brother. His best friend is Logan. Jeni first meets Logan as he is leaving the morning after a fun night with her single neighbor.
They meet again later in the day and things don't go any better. When she learns he is her brother's best friend the sparks fly and not in a good way.
I enjoyed all the characters, although I felt Jeni could grow up a little. The flirty, fun banter had me laughing. They both have insecurities they need to work through, but make a cute couple. This is the first book by this author I have read. I did not know there was another book before this one with the same characters. I will be on the lookout for that one. A quick and easy read.

Thanks to netgalley and Allison Ashley for the arc.

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This week I read, 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀, by @authorAllisonAshley and this was such a sweet romance, I couldn’t put it down. ⁣

The book takes place in Kansas City, where Jeni is still settling in after moving to be closer to her twin brother, Andrew. She has her dream job working as a social working for a local government agency and she’s trying to get over the demise of her marriage. She meets Logan, a friend of her brother’s and there’s an immediate interest although they don’t like each other at first. As Andrew has a health crisis, it brings Logan and Jeni together. ⁣

There’s a lot of hilarious banter between these two people especially when it comes to their favorite football teams; she likes the Broncos and he loves and works for the KC Chiefs. (Which is cute, because we all know the Patriots are the best football team!) they also have such amazing sexual chemistry that you can’t help, but root for them. I will say, I wanted to shake Jeni sometimes because she’s was applying all the things that went wrong in her marriage to Logan without seeing they are two very different people. ⁣

I did really love the focus the author brought to social issues. Jeni is a social worker for her job and Logan is the head of a charity he founded to help kids have beds to sleep in that they can call their own. I love that this focus on foster kids and adoption was such a big part of the story. ⁣

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