Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for sending me this eARC! There’s no other way to say it than I simply adored this book. It’s maybe even a new all time favorite romance. First of all, Lee is an amazing character (honestly, every character is). She’s hilarious and relatable, and I want to emulate her badassness in every interaction. And Ben! Oh Ben. I wish he were real with my whole heart. All of that plus the politics in this book! Truly a dream come true. A must read.

4.5 stars - Fool Me Once is funny, sexy, and at times ridiculous. The hero, Ben, seems to really have his $hit together. The heroine is a PR boss, but a mess in her personal life -- like a hot mess. Thank goodness for second chances. I enjoyed it!

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

Let me preface this by saying , the book was well written. It was also very well edited, and the story flowed nicely. It also was the perfect length typically I find that stories like these are too short. These aspects alone are the reason this gets 3 stars, because the book was readable. Now lets get into the plot. Never have I hated a main character, the way I hated Lee. She was absolutely horrible, and honestly the only reason I kept reading is because I hoped something bad would happen to her that made her see the errors of her ways.. I have no respect for Ben, nobody in their right mind would have gotten back together with Lee, if she truly did what she did. I kept waiting for Lee to have some kind of suffering, but it never happened, she had some minor issues but in the end still got her happy ending that based on the book she didn't deserve. Ben, he's also not a good character. If that was my friend, no way would I let him get back with Lee. I mean she cheats on him and he admits she ruins his life, yet he pretty much jumps right back in with her, without any groveling. Also thee political nature of the book was interesting, but in real life the governor doesn't take meetings and get that involved with low level lobbyist as this book portrays. Actually as I think more about it, and how awful Lee and Ben are in this story, I have to drop this to a two star review, because Lee was just that unlikeable as a character.

I have no words….This book was incredible! This is 100% the next viral Booktok Rom-Com. This book pulls you in from the very first page and does not let you go until the very end. I have never found a main character more relatable than Lee, someone who is not perfect but makes no apologies for who she is. This book was so funny and witty. Lee and Ben are my new favorite book couple. This book had it all the plot, the spice, the strong independent female lead, the TENSION. I devoured this book in one sitting and am currently wishing I could read it for the first time all over again.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Harlequin Trade Publishing and #NetGalley for my honest opinion

What a quaint, fun read many will enjoy.

This book is good if you like cheating and second hand embarrassment. Lee Stone, or Stoner to her friends, is trying to pass a green energy bill. To do it though, she has to work with her ex-boyfriend she cheated on five years ago. Of course, they still have chemistry, and the romance builds from there. While Winstead gives Lee some backstory as to why she feels she doesn’t deserve love, the cheating storyline just wasn’t for me. And it’s not just Lee, there’s lots of cheating- her sister’s boyfriend cheats, and one of her coworkers cheats. I prefer my romance novels to at least be a little bit more ethical and conventional. And while this book made me laugh out loud a few times, mostly I was just embarrassed for Lee. From falling in a fountain dressed as a Disney princess to crawling to the finish line of a marathon she didn’t train for, I felt the anxiety and embarrassment, and I read to get away from those things. The main thing this books does have going for it though was the relationship between Lee’s friends. The characters of Lee’s friends were well developed, and I wish there had been more scenes to explore those characters.

I pulled an all-nighter last night, and woke up without an alcohol hangover, but a BOOK HANGOVER. I set myself up for a little date (with myself). I needed to set the mood and channel my inner romantic. I haven’t read a romance novel since I was stealing my grandmother’s cowboy riding paperbacks. Anyway, I poured myself a glass of wine, lit some candles, and jumped in the tub. Ashley Winstead , my girl, you have done it to me again. You rock my world.

This is not your typical romance novel. This is also highly comedic. I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more. I was completely consumed and addicted to this novel. My tub water got cold, my skin pruned, but I just couldn’t get out. I needed to finish.

Lee might just be my alter-ego, the sarcasm, the work ethic and the refuse to lose attitude. Lee knows what she wants and she will not stop until she gets it. They say second chances are for suckers, but what if that second chance could end up being your soul mate?

And her obituary reads “Lee Stone died as she lived, embodying the height of glamour and respectability – not wicked hungover, thoroughly dicked and dressed head-toe-toe as the fifth best Disney princess.

Seriously? That is just chapter ONE.

Ashley, if someone told me that you wrote the Bible, I would be reading that as well, too. I can not rave more about Fool Me Once. I hate to admit but it is not a thriller that is my favorite book thus far, but actually this ROMCOM. Do yourself a favor and just go pre-order it. You can thank me later. Due out April 5, 2022. Seems like a long time away right ? Imagine how Lee felt when Ben shows up 5 years later. 😉 I promise you, anything worth having is worth waiting for ♥️ Can I give this book 10 stars ? No? Fine! 5 stars it is !

What a fantastic read! I was already a huge fan of Ashley Winstead from her debut thriller, In My Dreams I Hold a Knife. When I had the opportunity to read her second novel I was thrilled and being that it was a Women’s Fiction/Romance I was keeping my fingers crossed she would rock these genres too…spoiler alert—she did that and then some!

Fool Me Once is a second-chance-romance that had me at hello! The endearing characters and witty storyline had me staying up way past my bedtime! I loved that the main character is a strong, capable female in a male-dominated job busting her butt and changing things!!! So darn refreshing!!!!!

I knew this book was going to be up my alley! Fool Me Once is a 5 star novel that I recommend to everyone! This gem releases just in time to be put at the top of your spring/summer reading list! Ashley Winstead is officially an automatic must read! I am so excited to see what she comes out with next!