I absolutely adored this second chance romance! I’m so glad @authenticbooks introduced me to the wonderful writer that is Ashley … WOW! Her characters were so rich and REAL! It reminded me a lot of an Emily Henry romcom, and it also had so much substance to the plot that went far beyond the main character romance. I so enjoyed being lost in this hilarious and wonderful read, and I hope y’all do too ❤️

This book was not for me unfortunately. Couldn't get into the rhythm of it and couldn't connect with the characters.

I struggled initially to get into this story, except for that first chapter in Disney World. I could envision that whole scene playing out in my head! But then I had a tough time getting into the politics and having to work with your ex for a second chance trope to transpire. I ended up purchasing a physical copy when it released to help and even then it took a few tries until I felt invested in the characters and the story. I think what I struggled with was my distaste for the main character, Lee Stone aka Stoner. I didn't sit well with a few of the personal choices she made towards her sister and her ex/current campaign partner. It wasn't until she allowed herself to work with him and enjoy herself while doing so that I felt intrigued and excited to pick it back up. By the last 100 pages I think I accepted the eye rolling decisions Lee made and just hoped for the best on the ending, which I will say was pretty good with a side of eye rolling still nonetheless!

Maybe I lean more towards Ashley's thrillers but I'm still excited to see what rom coms she chooses to write next! Thank you to Netgalley for a digital copy of FOOL ME ONCE!

Normally I love a second chance romance but Lee came across extremely selfish in this book and at times I wanted to throw it. The good news is that I ended up enjoying it somewhat as I read it quickly. I am not a fan of cheating as a plot device or trope, so if that is a deal breaker for you, pass on this one. Otherwise, this is perfect for Rom Com as so many others did.

I found the main character Lee to be extremely frustrating. Lol. She has some serious trust issues and after experiencing some letdowns and betrayals early in life, when she suspects her grad school boyfriend of cheating, she beats him to the punch by cheating first. Five years have passed and they end up collaborating in their roles of working for the liberal governor of Texas and (Ben) and attempting to get a clean energy bill rolling (Lee).

Normally I love a second chance romance but Lee came across extremely selfish in this book and at times I wanted to throw it. The good news is that I ended up enjoying it somewhat as I read it quicly. I am not a fan of cheating as a plot device or trope, so if that is a deal breaker for you, pass on this one. Otherwise, this is perfect for RomCom fans.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Graydon House for the ARC

Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead is a romantic comedy bringing old flames back together in a second-chance romance trope. Lee Stone and Ben Laderman are forced to work together after a messy breakup 5 years prior.

Fool Me Once surprised me with a smart, political-centric background focusing on some of the most important issues of today. While I wish there had been more character development in our lead character, I found myself laughing out loud and enjoying the book overall.

FOOL ME ONCE
Author: Ashley Winstead
Publisher: Harlequin Trade publishing
Pub Date: 5 April 2022

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️

Read if you Like:
- Liberal politics and environmental concerns
- Witty banter
- Second chance romance

Review:
Fool Me Once pleasantly surprised me and had me hooked within the first few chapters of picking it up. I never knew I needed a politically driven rom com with discussing environmental legislation until I read this book. Ashley Winstead has a unique way of writing and this single POV book was not only easy to read but the plot and romance complemented each other without the politics being overbearing to the romance. It was *the perfect balance*

The Romance: It was great. That's pretty much it - there was tension, there was banter, there were quite a few arguments. All of these elements really drew me into the book even more because I was so invested in what was going to happen next. If you read this, the marathon scene had me laughing out loud. I actually reread that chapter. The politics plot: This side of the book was inspiring. I felt really connected to characters trying their best to pursue their dreams, overcoming adversity, and finding love in the process. I felt like it accurately portrayed politics (hello patriarchy) and all aspects of this plot were both believable and frustrating at the same time.

My only complaint is that our FMC is not very likeable, in fact she is very flawed and doesn't really grow until the very end of the book. I also wanted more of Ben and Lee after they got together. I could use another 100 pages of just their relationship.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 (rounded up)

The more I think about Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead, the more I like it, and I'm glad I waited a minute (ok a month) to write a review for it. The opening scene was absolute hilarity and nicely set the tone for what was to come in this refreshing romcom. I loved that each chapter title gave a little teaser of what was to come, and I really loved Lee as a character, despite her absolutely terrible reason for cheating on Ben. The chemistry between the two of them was fire, and I loved all the banter in this book. Not only between Lee and Ben, but between Lee and her friends as well who were absolute gems. Winstead's writing had a wonderful flow to it, and I swear we have the same sense of humor because I really got a kick out of this book.

And if you love audiobooks like me, you will definitely want to listen to this one. The narrator is Ann Marie Gideon and she was doggone perfect for the story and characters. When (not if) I do a reread of Fool Me Once I will definitely consider listening to it again, but you really can't go wrong either way. I still need to read Winstead's debut In My Dreams I Hold a Knife, and this made me think I really need to stop putting that off. I love how she went from thriller to romcom, and it is clear to me she can write anything. I loved how unique the premise was for this book and Lee was a boss, but all the characters felt flawed, real, and very relatable. If you are in the mood for something different with a touch of politics, I highly recommend checking out Fool Me Once.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Author: Ashley Winstead
Genre: Romance / Contemporary Fiction
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4/5 stars)
Goodreads rating: 4.19
Spice meter: 🌶🌶🌶
*Thank you SO much @graydonhousebooks for my ARC!!!*
TW: yes, DM me!

READ IF YOU LIKE:
🧡Second Chance Romance
🧡Friends to Lovers, turned Enemies to Lovers
🧡Workplace romance
🧡Disney World 🏰💕
🧡THE HATING GAME (I liked this one more though)!
🧡Politics

SHORT SYNOPSIS:
Lee Stone is a hardworking modern woman with a highly respected career. Lee is successful in all areas, except for her love life; she’s been through the ringer in that category. It’s been five years since her relationship with Ben ended, so when she encounters him at a business function, things quickly get complicated…

MY THOUGHTS:
I was so pumped when I heard Ashley was writing her first romance novel! I really loved her debut thriller, In My Dreams I Hold a Knife (and also am so excited to read her upcoming thriller, The Last Housewife, super soon)!

I flew through this one, and found myself hooked from chapter one! I thoroughly enjoy Ashley’s writing style and her perfect mix of lightness and intensity in terms of content.

My favorite parts of this book:
✨I loooove Second Chance Romance
✨BEN - definitely a book boyfriend readers will adore! Patient, forgiving, understanding.. all the things.
✨Lee’s strong, independent, female character
✨How relatable Lee was and how real and raw her experiences were
✨It made me giggle- I love books that actually make me laugh!
✨Lee had an amazing group of true friends that just made my heart smile

The only thing I didn’t love (and the reason for my 4 star rating) was all the political talk + electrical car business aspect. I didn’t love this specific kind of workplace setting. I enjoy workplace romance in general, but I don’t love reading about political things in fictional stories. That is completely a personal opinion, though! Truly adored everything else about this one and highly, highly recommend it for all you romance lovers. Such a great pick for spring. 🧡

I will never not read an Ashley Winstead novel, and that’s that. 👏🏼

This one didn’t quite work for me. It wasn’t a romcom that I enjoyed in that it was too superficial - I didn’t like the characters (especially the main character) and it was so improbable it wasn’t enjoyable

I had no idea what to expect from Ashley Winstead’s first romance but I loved it! I’ve lived in Texas for almost 20 years so it feels like home. Ashley did a great job of making the state a character in the story while not letting it overtake Stoner and Ben’s relationship! I loved the way she handled Stoner’s struggles with opening up romantically coupled with Ben’s tenacity and capacity for forgiveness. It was so fun while also having serious undertones.

Ashley Winstead never disappoints. She in one of my favorite authors who can seriously write any genre and totally kill it!

Unfortunately, this one froze on my Kobo. I am picking up a copy from my local bookstore this week because I know I will enjoy it! Three stars because I cannot in good conscious give 4 until I have read and loved it.

FOOL ME ONCE is quite a book. It made me laugh, concerned, laugh again, and then really worried that the main character Lee Stone will never get her life together. Lee Stone has been a bit of a hot mess since high school. She’s not afraid to party it up with her friends, have their backs fiercely, and stick up for her sister and mother. But Lee’s lesson from the cheating was that you can’t trust men or love. She’s had four big heartbreaks in her life. Trusting men has burned her every time, and she’s bound and determined to not put herself in that situation again. Until in walks Ben Laderman, her last love from graduate school and the one relationship that she imploded. Ben left the state and never talked to her again, and Lee regrets every bit of it.

Lee and Ben are thrown together to work on a green energy bill for the state of Texas, and it’s no easy time for them to be around each other again. Lee is flawed, fiercely protective of her friends and family, utterly reckless with the partying, but she knows how to pull it together for her job. Ben is very competitive and a bit reserved, but he can’t stay away from Lee after all these years. They seem to draw together like magnets.

The narrator of the audiobook was so fantastic. I loved this book more because of the narrator. She made the book fly by and had distinct voices for the characters. The politics storyline was perfect as I imagine things run in real life, and the humor in those situations was brought out. This book starts with Lee dressed as a Disney princess for a themed wedding trying to sneak out of a hotel room, and the hilarious insanity just continues from there. It’s one of the funniest openers I’ve ever read that sets up the book for just what Lee is like, except when she’s all business at work as a communications direct for an electric vehicle company.

I give FOOL ME ONCE a five out of five. The fallout from one of your parents adultery can do a number on a child, and Lee Stone dealt with it by icing her father out of her life, never talking to him for over a decade. Ashley Winstead has written an engaging, well-written, superbly funny novel, and it’s realistic to the extreme in some aspects. Ben and Lee’s relationship is very hot and cold, but I loved listening to them find their way back to each other. There is mention of cheating, parent death, drug and alcohol abuse. Lee’s growth throughout the book is enjoyable.

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC! I was really excited to read Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead after seeing it was a second-chance rom-com!

Honestly, it took a bit of time for me to get into the book in the beginning because I found it hard to connect with Lee aka Stoner after revealing what she did 5 years ago to her ex-boyfriend Ben. But after Ben shockingly moves back to Austin, he and Lee have to work together to get her clean energy bill passed. I definitely got more into the book reading about Ben and Lee working together and throughout this process rekindling their relationship. I really enjoyed their banter, and I loved Lee's friend group too.

This was a quick, light read, and I ultimately enjoyed it! That being said if you hate reading about cheating this might not be the book for you!

Fool Me Once is a laugh-out-loud funny romance that I couldn't put down! Ashley Winstead's romance debut employs the second chance romance trope in such a fun story. Winstead, author of the acclaimed thriller In My Dreams I Hold A Knife, has so perfectly mastered the romance genre here. Lee and Ben reunite while working in the Texas government to pass historical environmental legislation. The political backdrop was fascinating and so well researched. Lee and Ben had off-the-charts chemistry and their banter was so fun. Readers will cheer for these two to confront their past and make amends.

Everything is bigger in Texas - including the opening sequence of the book, which to me was way too overdone to be funny. You are either going to love this or hate this book. Our female lead just doesn't come off to me as strong and brave. Not my cup of tea. This would be too hit-or-miss for a bulk pass out for our little free libraries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC.

This book featured a lot of infidelity and politics, and not much romance. It was definitely too heavy into politics for my taste and seemed very far fetched. Proposing a climate change bill in Texas? Can’t see that happening. Loved the authors thriller book but this romance fell flat for me.

Man, I am disappointed in this one. It was fine I sort of liked the characters I did like the second chance romance I definitely liked the setting. I liked Austin a lot I thought that was a great angle. I guess I just never got into stoners to Dichotomous personalities. Also, the infidelity was a lot for me. I think I might’ve wanted a little more steam a little more romance but I appreciate that the author is writing between so many different genres.

I absolutely loved this book!! The author makes you fall in love with both Lee and Ben and their relationship. I laughed and cried which to me means it’s a fantastic book. Lee learns to love and trust herself in order to make her relationship work before she jumps into a romantic relationship with Ben again and I really appreciate that lesson. I think this book was very well written and much better than one of the other books I’ve read by this author.

This book is the first second chance romance I’ve read and it was a great introduction to the genre! It was funny, cute, and hopeful that flawed characters can find their HEA! I loved how the book didn’t excuse the problems Lee made in her own life, but had her try to overcome them in healthy and relatable ways. Also, it’s a great lesson in forgiveness and seeing past another person’s problems and loving them because of their flaws, not just in spite of them!