This was my first novel by Ballard. I'm not totally sure what I went into it expecting but I will say I was pleasantly surprised. There is something about a feel good romance that grabs my attention every time. Personally, I loved The Flat Share and this gave me very similar vibes. While initially skeptical of Jack, I grew to appreciate his perspective and growth. Sadie is obnoxiously lovable and so real in the way she appreciates a good piece of real estate. Great read.

The blurb of this book hooked me from the first line and got me so excited to get into it. Sadly, the characters were boring, the romance lacked chemistry, and the writing style did not hold my interest

What's a girl to do when she is fired from her finance job for blowing up on her boss when she is passed over for a promotion? If you are Sadie Green, you drink away your sorrows, swipe right on some matchmaking apps, and later meet up with a guy for a date ... a guy who wasn't actually looking for a date, but a roommate? That's right, in her drunken stupor, Sadie mixed up a dating app with a roommate app, which is why she is now sitting across from Jack, a guy who is totally not her type, but who is offering up an insane deal on rent at his Brooklyn brownstone. Sadie, freshly unemployed and struggling to make ends meet as it were, would be insane to pass up this offer, especially since it will allow her the opportunity to work towards her dream job - becoming a florist - but what is she to make of the mysterious Jack? Can she actually live with this guy and make it work?

Falon Ballard's Lease on Love is a rom-com-esque novel that really centers itself around Millennial stereotypes. Saddled in student loan debt and ready to make a drastic career change, Sadie's explosion at work is just the catalyst she needs to uproot her life, and Jack just so happens to be there to make her transformation all the easier. Grieving his parents who died in an accident 7 years prior and left him with a sizable fortune, Jack is looking for someone like Sadie to shake up his stolid existence and inject some excitement into his life. They are just what the other needs ... they just don't know it yet. As Jack and Sadie grow closer and he helps her realize her dreams of starting her own floral business, they can't help but feel the chemistry between them ... and because this is a rom-com, you know where this story is headed.

I have hugely conflicted feelings about Lease on Love. There are things that I both loved and hated about it. I really liked this plot premise - strangers living together and falling in love has a lot of potential. I also enjoyed the storyline of Sadie's new business and how she builds it from the ground up (albeit with the help of the men in her life, but we will get to that.) I always like stories that highlight a career, so I appreciated learning about floristry through this novel.

But regardless of everything that I liked about this book, my overall impression was severely tainted by my intense dislike of Sadie. From reading other reviews, it seems I am not alone in my distaste for her, and I am surprised that Ballard wrote such an unlikable main character. Perhaps the worst thing about Sadie is her foul mouth. There is so much gratuitous profanity in this book, I found myself disgusted whenever Sadie opened her mouth to speak. I do not know what Jack saw in her. She is CONSTANTLY dropping f-bombs at the most inappropriate times, but then at other times tries to also come off as sweet and adorable, like when she calls Jack by every variation of his name she can think of (Jack in the Box, Jack of Hearts, Jack o' Lantern). Her character is such a paradox, and it just doesn't work. Her personality clashes so sharply with Jack's, who is basically a perfect Prince Charming, that I had a very hard time believing them in a relationship. To make matters worse, Sadie is full of self-loathing, but the funny thing is that she sure has her own number! Everything she hates about herself is justifiable, despite her friends' protestations that she is a loving, caring, generous person ... newsflash, she is not! Furthermore, in unrealistic fashion, her character does not have to struggle at all as she builds a business completely from scratch because the affluent men in her life swoop in to save the day, bolstering her up and giving her all of the financial support she needs to pursue her pipe dream. But to make matters worse, she doesn't even have the sense to be grateful for all of the help she has been given! Rather, she picks a meaningless fight with Jack at the end of the novel over something completely uncalled for, and further cements herself in the "stay far away from this girl" territory. Yet Jack, of course, continues to think she is great. I definitely see a break-up down the line for this ill-matched couple!

Now that I have gotten that rant out of my system, allow me to clarify that I did not hate this book; I just hated Sadie, but that was enough to almost ruin this novel for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for an e-galley of Lease on Love.

In for a penny, in for a pound, right? When Sadie finds herself passed over for the promotion she has worked towards for years, she decides to go out with a bang. Jobless and stressed, Sadie decides that a fresh start is needed. So back on the dating apps she hops. In the light of a very hungover morning, Sadie realizes that she did not in fact swipe on a dating app, but rather a roommate matching app. But when the rent amount is too good to pass up in light of her unemployment, Sadie takes a leap of faith and moves in with Jack. As she decides to follow her dreams of opening a floral studio, Sadie discovers there is more than meets the eye with her new roommate.

Laugh out loud Funny, I loved this one. This was such a fun cute read. I when I was reading this it came at the right time.

I was really excited when I read the description for this book so when I got approved I was very excited. However, I started this book with a great deal of excitement, it quickly dampened when I started getting into the story. The storytelling felt choppy and I couldn't form any sort of connection with the characters. They weren't compelling to me and their character development wasn't enough to change my mind. It took a lot to finish this one.

𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴:
Did I enjoy this book? Yes. Did I love this book? Not so much.

What I liked:
▫️I loved the characters. This group of friends remind me of a modern day F•r•i•e•n•d•s. They were spunky, witty, extremely supportive, funny, and gave each other crap in all the best ways.
▫️That first chapter. I was cheering Sadie on from the very beginning. Especially during this chapter!
▫️ I love that Sadie quit her corporate job and started her own small business. Both of my little sisters have started their own small businesses doing work they love so I really enjoyed reading about that experience; both the struggles and the joys through Sadie.
▫️ I enjoyed that this book was about a lot more than the romantic storyline. These characters had lots of healing throughout the book & I enjoyed seeing that unfold.

What I didn’t like:
▫️ Sadie 😐 About 2/3 of the time, I found myself annoyed with Sadie. In chapter 1, she seemed to be this headstrong, determined, confident woman who wouldn’t put up with anything less than she deserved. But for most of the book, it was abundantly clear that Sadie had very little confidence in herself, always thought the worst. I understand it was all due to her past, but I felt like it went on longer than necessary. I just kept wanting to see that strong, fierce Sadie from the first chapter.

Sadie Green is a bit uninspired in life, with a dead end job, tight budget, and in need of affordable housing in NYC. She inadvertently finds the perfect roommate via a housing app and embarks on a journey of self discovery, entrepreneurship, and of course, love.

Forbidden relationships, close proximity, and a slow burn romance. This book has it all. I also adore a strong female lead with wit and self deprecation to match a reserved, mysterious male lead. Sophie and her new roomie, Jack fit the bill perfectly.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and GP Putnam Sons for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cute story and characters. It took me al long time to read it though because it didn't hold my interest for more than a chapter or two

I just finished her other book ‘Just My Type’ (which I loved!) so I ran to read this one.

Overall enjoyed it. Loved their friend group and that dynamic. I wanted a little more character development and growth from both Sadie and Jack. They both talk about trauma from their past, but I wanted more on how they deal with it (besides the quick comments exchanged over texts.)

Would certainly recommend this book.

thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. all opinions are my own.

WOW I loved this book -- it had it all! Amazing, kick-ass, self-aware female lead, an amazing diverse group of friends, and a sweet love story. I cried a few times reading this -- I saw and see so much of myself in Sadie. Come for the original and funny love story, stay for the wine, Chinese food, multiple lattes, AND Real Housewives!

I ended up not finishing this after trying many time to love it. The premise was what drew me in but I just couldn't connect to the characters in the end.

I tried to get into this book a few times and ultimately had to give up. I didn't connect with the female main character and actually kind of disliked her. She was selfish and not a great friend which pulled me out of the story. This wasn't a good example of slow burn romance which is my FAVORITE trope. I just left reading the book disappointed.

BOOK REVIEW

BOOK: Lease on Love
AUTHOR: Falon Ballard
FORMAT: eBook
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
PUB DATE: 2/1/22

Thank you so much putnambooks netgalley for my #gifted advanced copy of LEASE ON LOVE, out now!

MY THOUGHTS

Man oh man, I’m conflicted with this one. I have seen SUCH mixed reviews across the board. My own thoughts are essentially one big mixed review.

I’ll start by saying the first 30-40% i absolutely adored & was certain this was going to be a five star read for me. The relatability of the MC was really what sold me. The self deprecating humor, uncertainty about the future & her career, content with being single yet surrounded by good friends, & her brutal honesty. I also thought the humor was solid & I thoroughly enjoyed the modern and contemporary writing style.

At around 40% I fell into the deep dark pit of a reading slump & fell out of love with this book. I shouldn’t have forced myself to keep reading when I stopped vibing with it. But I did. And I did not end up enjoying the book as much as I anticipated. The MC felt a lot more immature as the book progressed. The self deprecating humor became WAY too present. The MC constantly calling herself an asshole was unbearable by the end. The love story was great in the first half, but for me I stopped rooting for the MC and therefore my vision for the love story fell apart in my mind. There was a very brief trauma dump by our MC that did not get nearly enough attention as it could have, & if it had perhaps I may have felt differently about her. And finally, the conflict. I didn’t think there could be much to further my disdain for the MC but alas, the conflict. For me, it was arbitrary & maybe could have happened earlier on instead of at 97% through the book.

Despite my qualms, I was overall very impressed with this being Falon’s debut. Although this one didn’t end up being for me, I look forward to her next release coming February 2023!

Described as Beach Read meets the Flatshare, I was so excited to pick up this read! Sadie (our MC) mixes up a roommate app for a dating app, and finds herself on the doorstep of Jack Thomas’s gorgeous Brooklyn brownstone

so starting off with my overall thoughts: I enjoyed this one! It won’t go down as my favorite reads ever, but it had a unique premise and I’m glad I got to pick it up! Lately I’ve been reading and enjoying so many romances that unfortunately this will just be an ‘average’ read for me, but I still got through this one fairly quickly!

There are a lot of things to love about this book, including allllll the consent, NYC setting, the most amazing found family, and the pining between Jack and Sadie. Like most rom-coms, it was a bit insta-lovey and cheesy, and I didn’t really understand how mistaking a roommate and dating app could be possible, but I’m willing to suspend some belief! I ended up liking Jack way more than Sadie, and there was a lot of character development that messed with the pacing of the story. Overall this was still a good read and I’m looking forward to see what Fallon comes out with next!

This was such a fun read! I enjoyed the characters, the unique storyline and the love. There were twists and turns I was surprised about and truly loved all the supporting characters.

This is a lovely entertaining yet touching at the same time book. After getting past up for promotion Sadie needs to find a new job a place to live and she decide she needs a hook up as well. She think she’s on a dating app yet she ends up at the brownstone of Jack who is still grieving the death of his parents. They decide to live together and Sadie decide to start a forestry business. As they spend time with one another it slowly begins to become more than being roommates. The relationship meets at the appropriate pace and the book is more about Sadie finding herself in order to move on and healthy ways with both job and a relationship. It’s a lovely book.

This feels inspired by the rent lowering in nyc during the pandemic? The book was good, but not a top favorite of mine. I didn't get to read it before it released so some of my opinions may be jaded by other reviews I'd read. I loved the cover though.

cheesy and cliche with an unlikeable protagonist and a shallow love interest, this book does not live up to its premise or its cute cover so i will no be continuing, having read scores of reviews that outline all the reasons they didnt like the book and it is all stuff that i usually hate too.

Excellent premise and I loved the beginning, but the characters didn't quite work for me in this one. 3.5/5 stars.