Highlights: slow-burn, roommates, friends-to-lovers, cinnamon roll hero, found family, NYC setting.

Lease on Love is a charming romance in which down-on-her luck twenty-something woman, Sadie, scores the NYC housing lottery when she finds a very affordable room in a gorgeous brownstone, owned by the nerdy and mysterious Jack. Jack is very reclusive and closed-off after losing both his parents, but Sadie is determined, with the help of her friends, to bring Jack out of his shell and get to know him. And even though both Jack and Sadie are not looking for a relationship, they cannot deny their attraction and growing feelings for each other. But to be together, they both will have to come to terms with past traumas and learn to trust each other.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lease on Love and recommend it to romance readers who enjoy slow-burn, friends-to-lovers trope.

The new year just started, but I can easily say that Lease on Love will be in my top reads of 2022! I loved this book so much, I was immediately pulled into it as soon as I started, and was annoyed that life got in the way and I couldn’t read this in one sitting.

There was so much heart to this book and a cast of characters that all stole my heart. It was the perfect mix of wit and emotion to keep me smiling and wiping away tears while reading. I adored Sadie and the journey she went on of following her dream of becoming a florist and reinventing her life after losing her job. Her and Jack as roommates and friends were the perfect mix for each other and exactly who the other needed. Jack, I just loved him! Even though life handed him an incredibly tough break, he was determined to work through his grief and become the person he needed to be, not just for Sadie, but for himself as well. Gemma, Harley, and Nick were excellent supporting characters. I loved that no matter what, they were always there for each other and were so quick to welcome Jack into their circle.

This is an incredible debut by Falon Ballard and I can’t wait to read anything she writes in the future! I definitely was left with a book hangover from Lease on Love and will be thinking about these characters for a long time.

this book had me squealing! it is such a cute, slow-burn, roommates romance. fired from her job, sadie is attempting to take back control of her life. this leads her to meeting jack. jack is looking for a roommate to move into his brownstone with him. jack is a super shy, slightly grouchy, but very sweet man who lost his parents. sadie is the opposite, outgoing and a self-proclaimed asshole. when the two of them move in with each other and begin to become closer its so cute! at the same time there are some super emotional topics covered. this book was one of my top reads so far, but the end almost ruined the entire book for me. it just felt out of place.

I loved this slow burn strangers to roommates to friends to lovers romance. Jack and Sadie are everything. All the friendships in this book were the best part. I loved their text chains and would love to read more about each of them.

I was provided an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and words are my own.

Full disclosure I read this book in one sitting. I really REALLY enjoyed it. Falon does an awesome job bringing in a diverse cast with their own characteristics and arcs to the story while still focusing in on Jack and Sadie. Their mix up meet cute is a great plot driver reminiscent of The Flatshare while still being unique. You spend the whole book rooting for them as a couple and Sadie individually for following her dreams.

Jack is an awesome book boyfriend to keep on your shelf right next to Adam Carlson. Seriously he’s adorable from the coffee shop onward. He’s completely SMITTEN for Sadie and it’s evident through his interactions with her. He’s one you’ll def compare to any other future men because he’s just wholly good and wants to be good.

My biggest complaint and what keeps this from being a five star book for me is that I wanted MORE of it. I would have loved to see more descriptions and internal struggles for Jack dealing with the death of his parents and flashbacks expanding the trauma Sadie grew up with. Jack kept explaining he wanted to be ready for something with Sadie but we never really got a full understanding of what goals he had for himself to reach first. On the flip side, I loved Falon bringing in the real importance of therapy and mental healing in two different dynamics into the novel.

All in all a great read and interesting story-I am def looking out for more from Falon in the future!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an e-book copy of LEASE ON LOVE by Falon Ballard to review.

Ahhhhhh, this book! There were so many things I loved about it. A few things I wish had been a bit different to push the plot, but overall ... puffy hearts everywhere.

Sadie is a spitfire of a woman. She believes she is a terrible person, yet, other than being a bit superficial, she is actually a really nice person. Because of her upbringing, she sees herself as something she's ... not.

Her accidental roommate, Jack, is dealing with years-long grief. He has secluded himself in the basement of his brownstone and is desperate need of something to give him a spark.

This is a long, very slow burn of a romance. Be prepared! But, the two characters are able to slowly view themselves in a different, positive light BECAUSE of their relationship. There is no "Instalove" here and yay for that!

I loved the way Jack slowly won Sadie over. I loved the way Sadie inspired Jack to want more out of life than video games and seclusion.

My only issues with the plot were things seemed to fall into line too easily for Sadie regarding her career changes. I also thought there was not enough real conflict between the two characters.

After reading a couple of romances that were a bit too edgy for me, this was the comfort blanket I needed on a Friday night.

I rate LEASE ON LOVE four out of five stars.

I overall really enjoyed the debut novel Lease on Love by Falon Ballard. She did a great job of putting together a dynamic set of characters and providing a great slow burn roommates to lovers story.

In the beginning I felt that I was going to connect with the main character, Sadie, more than I did for a chunk of the book, mainly due to the level of snark and self-depreciation that she displayed verbally to others about herself as I found it a little annoying… until towards the end of the book where we start learning more of her backstory and that the snark and self-depreciation was her way of coping with trauma… and then I understood her why’s all too well…

We all have some sort of experience that shapes us in a positive or negative way and I really related Sadie’s struggle with the negative comments being easier to believe than the positive comments about who she is as a person… I also understood the negative self-image and struggle with seeing yourself clearly that she also struggles with. But I loved how the author ensured that the friend group was a constant support for her, the way so many of us need in addition to how Sadie needed it.

Again, I felt like this was such a great slow burn friends/roommates to lover story that had all the elements I look for in a romantic book. I loved the friendships that were shown throughout the story and the idea that the family you have doesn’t have to be the family you were given by blood, and that sometimes the family you choose is who you needed all along.

Content Warning: Death of Parents, Parental Abuse

Sadie Green is that snarky friend who is tough, confident, beautiful and the life of the party but she doesn’t have it all together. Things fall apart at her job and she has to figure out her next move in life. She ends up being a rooming with Jack Thomas, a quiet, introverted guy who lives in a nice house. Jack is mysterious, keeps to himself mostly but is attentive and so considerate. He has this comforting quality about him and I like how they balanced each other out. The slow burn between these two characters is so good, the tension between them builds quietly and honestly Sadie needed that because she is a flight risk due to her past. I was rooting for them hard until the end!

The romance starts off as roommates, then friends, into something much more and I love how it progressed. Sadie is the social butterfly and she brings Jack out of his shell. She doesn’t change him at all, but just draws out the part of him that’s been hiding. The both of them have had some trauma in their past and that’s where they connect. His parents died in a car accident and he is basically all alone. Sadie’s father was abusive so her past haunts her often – in fact when things are going good in her life, his words invades her thoughts to the point of self-loathing. Her defense mechanism is never allowing a guy to get close so she couldn’t get hurt and I love that this story touches on therapy.

Sadie’s group of friends, her found family, is so fantastic. There is Harley, Gemma and Nick, friends she made in college – who know her inside and outside, bad and good and love her anyway. They welcome Jack into their safe space and I love that for him. Also we get to see into their lives as well – they are this group of millennials trying to advance in their jobs, or change their careers, paying off loans, falling in love and taking the next steps in life. They are relatable because they are struggling in some type of way, well except for Nick of course because he’s wealthy. I’d say Jack isn’t struggling financially but he is definitely struggling internally.

I only have minor issues with the book – Sadie has low self-esteem despite the front she puts on and it really affects when she starts getting close . The conflict was resolved rather quickly and it felt a little rushed or maybe I wanted them to have a bigger discussion on it? Maybe I’m just so used to dramatic conflicts in stories or gravitate towards that? But in a way, it fits how I think Jack would handle that moment. I did like how they put space between them so both could cool down and think. It was so mature of them and that was refreshing.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Why you should read it:
*roommates to lovers, Sadie and Jack are so good together
*Sadie’s found family, great group of friends
*light-hearted and fun at times and yet emotional as well

Why you might not want to read it:
*ending conflict is a bit rushed and doesn’t seem like a major conflict

My Thoughts:

Lease on Love has it all. A snarky, ambitious, hardworking main character who wants to open a flower shop. A love interest who is mysterious, introverted and sweet. Two characters who are dealing with some emotional trauma from their past and learning to move on. A group of friends who are supportive and all of them going through the late-twenties issues: dating, career decisions, and trying to live their best lives. And a romance that is a slow burn that gave

Rating: 4.25

Lease on Love is a debut novel about a woman rediscovering her passion and finding love in an unexpected place.

This book was so enjoyable and well written. It is in the heroine’s POV only and has some amazing tropes, like opposites attract and a roommates-to-lovers romance.

I do suggest checking the trigger warnings before reading as there are some sensitive and triggering content.

The plot and overall storyline were so refreshing and relatable. The heroine’s struggle with her mental health, career, and relationships were so well written and developed as well.

The heroine, Sadie Green was absolutely fantastic. Her overall journey and character development was so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. I really liked that she was rediscovering her passion and working towards fulfilling her dreams.

The romance in this book was actually quite sweet. Jack Thomas, the love interest was such an adorable and supportive hero. The relationship between Jack and Sadie while a slow-burn one, was still filled with great tension, chemistry and spice. But I will say though, I would have liked just a bit more communication between them.

The one plot point I would have also liked more elaboration on was concerning Jack and his own personal struggles. It was interesting to read how that was all affecting the romantic development with Sadie, so it would have just given more insight into his character and story.

The friendship group/side characters in this book were all fantastic. They each had their own little storylines and struggles that I found so interesting.

The third act conflict and reconciliation did feel a bit rushed and I would have liked a more deeper conversation between Sadie and Jack, but the conclusion and epilogue was really nice.

Overall, just a wonderfully written debut about romance, friendships, and accomplishing one’s dreams.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ballard’s debut novel, a fantastic read for fans of The Flatshare (2019), is a keenly funny roommates-to-lovers, opposites-attract rom-com.

Reviewed for Booklist, Jan 1, 2022.

I genuinely enjoyed this book. A light, fun, engaging romance without a bunch or drama. Sadie gets fired from her job, and mistakes a roommate app for a dating app and stumbles upon Jack. Sadie quickly realizes she can follow her dreams of owning a flower shop with jacks cheap rent price and ceases the opportunity. She falls head over heels and we get to watch it all unfold. I couldn't put this one down. Thanks netgalley for the arc!

Loved this book, there was only one thing that I had to deduct a star for and that was Sadie. Her self-deprecating attitude, her seriously negative outlook on herself and life, and every page or every other page dropped the F-bomb. This book's intended audience is millennials and I don't think that anyone under the age of 18 should be reading this book.

Other than that, let's discuss what I liked about this novel, it was cute - Jack Thomas is definitely swoon-worthy. He is the perfect book boyfriend, and he is so sweet and considerate. The relationship dynamic between Sadie and Jack was almost like the grump/sunshine trope which I am a huge fan of. It also delved into heavier topics such as grief and family issues, which balanced out the story very well and I felt that the author was able to handle those subjects delicately while making it relatable.

I couldn't put it down, I just wanted to keep reading and find out what would happen next. Although I've never heard of this author before, I definitely was impressed with this story. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good rom-com. This book will be released on February 1, 2022.

Rating: 4/5 Stars ★★★★☆

With a quirky and witty tone, Fallon Ballard tells a story of love, grief, and starting anew. Sadie is a lovable and relatable mess, like most of us. She talks to plants and is honest to a fault, but she is full of love and growth. When her anticipated promotion goes awry, so do her plans for the future. She grieves by getting drunk and mistaking a dating app for a roommate finding app. Between the gorgeous house and cheap rent, the mixup may make dealing with reclusive Jack Thomas worth it. This is the chance Sadie has been waiting for and it may even come with a dose of unexpected love. This is a perfect, light-hearted romance with complex characters and unmatched pining. Seriously, I have never been more excited for pinkies to touch.

A fun, witty, sexy modern-day rom-com featuring roommates to lovers and an overall positively delightful cast.

Sadie is an energetic, smart, hardworking, entertainingly over-the-top individual who finds herself without a job after she rightly, but not so gracefully, calls her boss out on blatant nepotism. A drunken night has her swiping right on Jack, a reclusive, quirky, caring guy who just so happens to be looking for a roommate.

Cue funny friendship text chains, group hijinks, a host of floral arrangements and brimming sexual tension.

This book was fun. The only thing that didn't quite work for me was the attempt at drama or conflict between the main leads. Don't get me wrong both Sadie and Jack had their own issues, but shoehorning in the whole keeping a secret identity thing at the end seemed unnecessary.

That being said, I enjoyed the book overall and would definitely recommend it to romance lovers.

This book was a wonderful surprise!

After losing her job for an outburst she had after she found out she was passed over for a promotion she deserved, Sadie Green is desperate. When she gets drunk and accidentally uses a find a roommate app instead of the dating app she thought she was using, she is surprised to meet Jack Thomas, a nerdy introvert who is offering a room in his brownstone for an insanely cheap rate. Sadie takes the room and Jack and her, despite their differences, grow close as friends, and then maybe more.

I'll be honest, I was not expecting to like this book nearly as much as I did. When I first started it, Sadie got on my nerves. Even though I grew to love her, the only real problem I had with because of her, especially the dumb conflict near the end of the book.

That aside, this is a cute romance book with a lot of heart. I loved meeting Jack who is too adorable for his own good. I also loved how he communicated his thoughts and feelings with Sadie. They both know they like each other but he is clear about letting her know about his feelings while still telling her that he wants to be in a better place before they start a relationship.

Falon Ballard is a master of the slow burn. Usually I am not a fan of the "I love you but we can't be together yet" trope but it was done so well here. I knew where each character stood the whole time and could understand the reasoning behind their choices.

I also really enjoyed seeing Sadie's growth. I appreciated that she was just "fixed" at the end. She still has work to do but she's willing to do it to have healthier relationships with Jack and her (absolutely amazing) group of friends.

If you're looking for a romance book with characters you can't help but root for, this is the one for you.

Review will be posted on my IG @bookatthebeach on Pub Day 2/1:

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“And if i’m not mistaken, that’s a smile I catch out of the corner of his eye”

Sadie has officially lost it. After an outburst in her job that she’s been a pro at for years, she decides its time to take her life in her own hands. When mistakenly that lands her sharing an apartment in Brooklyn with a guy she met on online. She decides it’s worth the shot for cheap rent and a phenomenal place to live. Jack, dealing with his own sad past, and finding a way to move forward, he’s is looking for a roommate to help liven up his life a bit. In walks Sadie with her sassiness and ability to make him come out of his shell. But what happens when these two decide they’d rather be more than roommates? Is it worth the risk of everything?

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I couldn’t put it down. I loved the way that these two were supportive friends to each other above all else. I loved the sweet gestures Jack did for Sadie (lets hope acts of service is her love language!) and I loved the way that Sadie introduced Jack to her live and brought him in when he needed it.

Lighthearted and fun romcom, however, I do have some issues with it. The protagonist, Sadie, is outspoken and witty. Jack is super supportive, attentive and of course, rich. But why is it that in the majority of romance novels, the boyfriend is loaded? Because broke ain’t cute and you can’t solve problems without money. Which is basically what this book was about. Jack treats her like a queen because he’s got the money to do it. Her friends have to the means to help her make her dreams come true. Everything was just too perfect and too easy. Even the wrench that gets thrown in the relationship wasn’t a big deal and was thrown out of proportion.

So in conclusion, this book is big on the sarcasm, funny anecdotes and over the top gestures but pretty low on the realistic scale. But I guess that’s what some want in a romance novel; the fantasy of being swept off your feet. Don’t get me wrong, I do too but I also like it with a dose of realism mixed in.

I LOVED this. If you enjoyed <i>Beach Read</i>, you need this. Immediately. This had the perfect combination of forced proximity + opposites attract + roommates to friends to lovers. There were so many moments that tugged on the heartstrings. And the TENSION. I also really love when a contemporary romance novel includes strong friendships, and this book has one of the best found family friend groups I've ever read. All of Sadie's friends were such interesting characters and I loved how funny their text threads were. The only thing I didn't super-love was the final act conflict. It felt rushed and a little bit forced, but I forgive it because it did allow Sadie's supportive friendships to be highlighted.

Somehow, I both enjoyed this book and was annoyed with a decent amount of it. Mainly, that comes down to Sadie. While she definitely grew on me as the story progressed, oof, she was annoying at first. Conversely, I loved Jack. He was a calming presence in a story with a lot going on. The slow burn of their relationship was lovely. Like that perfect sweatshirt you've broken in over time and becomes a source of comfort.

I'll give this story credit for being original in terms of its meet-cute, but I just wasn't overwhelmed with love for it in its entirety. The conflict happens at the very end of the book and consequently, it's rushed and unnecessary. I might have bought it if it had happened earlier, but when a problem is introduced 95% through the book, you can't help but think it's only to pile on the drama.

What do my dating app profile and Falon Ballard's debut novel have in common? Well, they're both witty, funny, charming, and, if you ask any number of the men who have met me IRL from the apps, a lot more than first meets the eye. Lease on Love is a stunning debut novel set in Brooklyn that follows the life of Sadie Green, a down-on-her-luck woman in desperate need of a fresh start. After a bit of a dating app mix-up she gets offered the deal of a lifetime (seriously, when will it be my turn to have a hot rich roommate who's considerate enough to pay for takeout EVERY. NIGHT.), and gets the chance to remake her life into something she's proud of. While Lease on Love is a happy, feel-good rom-com you can take in in one afternoon, readers should be aware it also touches on some important topics like therapy and death of loved ones, and may not be a light romance for everyone. Perfect for fans of forced proximity, found family, and nerdy men who turn hot 20 minutes after entering a salon.