Can we just take a minute and sink into the loveliness and realism that is this romance novel, please? Excellent, thank you.

To start with, Laura Bradbury sent the ARC approval herself and introduced the fact that she has lived experience with the rare liver disease and transplant storyline her MC lives. As someone with a chronic illness and pain condition, knowing the author understands in some way always makes me more excited to read a book.

Then, the dedication. Just trust me, it's brilliant and if all spoonies don't feel as seen and acknowledged as I did I will be shocked.

Jules has PCS, a rare liver disease that will kill her if she doesn't get a transplant. Meanwhile, she is kicking butt as CEO of a mostly female run startup (except for her brilliant best friend Alan) and they have just moved into a shared space with what seems like the typical bro dude start up. She immediately clashes with their CEO Tom but they are forced to work both as competition and collaboratively to achieve funding. Then something unexpected happens and Jules gets her liver, which changes everything.

I loved this story! I haven't read anything by Laura Bradbury before but am definitely going to check out her backlist now. Though I don't have the same experiences she does, there are some universal traumas, stresses, and emotions that come with the territory of living with an illness and going through the medical system.

I haven't said this in a while but I think this could make a great movie! Thank you to NetGalley and Laura Bradbury for the advanced copy. I look forward to reading the final version when it comes out on May 26/22. A condensed version of this review will live in my ARC Reviews highlight on Instagram @chronically_KD.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing the ARC.

This was a very interesting take on a romantic comedy. I wasn't sure what I would get from a terminal illness story, but it ended up being a pretty delightful read.

Jules was a trooper, dealing with what she was doing and working at the same time. I also appreciate the author trying to portray her in a way that came across as her illness not being the sole point of her identity as a character, but rather just a facet. I've never known anyone who has gone through a transplant, so I can't speak to how accurate it is for the range of emotions that she felt, but from my limited experience, I feel like it was handled with a lot of grace and empathy.

Tom, on the other hand, I actually didn't like. I feel like I would have had a better sell of him if he hadn't started his journey making a bunch og sexist and misogynistic remarks towards women in STEM. There are much better ways to portray animosity without hitting on something like that and having the MC fall for them anyways. I don't know if I would have been so forgiving if that had been my first interaction with someone.

Overall, it's what you would expect from a romcom. There's nothing super standout abouy this book, but it is an easy read for those who would enjoy that. Characters could use some work, but I think they were mostly fine overall.

First I want to say that I received this book from Netgalley (thanks, I love you sm!) This morning and I immediately started reading it without being able to detach myself from those pages, until after hours and hours of reading I finished this fantastic book and now I'm ready to review it.

Unlikely match is a workplace romance enemies to lovers, but it is not only this, in fact it also deals with very important themes that are often not dealt with in books, such as living with a rare disease.

Jules Kelly, a certified bohemian boss, and Tom Davenport, also a CEO, will be forced to work in the same building for a period of time and in addition to a thousand problems and competitions, perhaps something more will break out between the two.

I found the characters very real and vivid, everyone has a turbulent past, and also a present that is not exactly easy, but the two will manage to find a balance and make their present joyful.
I also really like how the book shows the realism of the medical world and the before and after experience a patient goes through, especially in this case a transplant.

In a nutshell I loved this book and I absolutely recommend it: it is romantic, fun, a quick read, it deals with important topics and it is really well written... what more could you ask for?

Thanks again to Netgalley and Laura Bradbury for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts in this review are mine.

I loved Jules and Tom. They were so great. I loved their background history and their chemistry, the love and support for one another, the angst, the push and pull, the sexual tension between them, everything was so well executed by the author

. The characters were not perfect, they had their own struggles and obstacles they had to overcome before they came to the realization that they are better together than apart. I’m so happy with how everything wrapped up at the end. It was such an enjoyable book.

The author does such a beautiful job curating these endearing and wonderful characters with seemingly real personalities and ambitions. I absolutely busted out laughing and crying so many times! This book was so heartbreaking, witty and honest. I hope the author continues to write more books like this.

A heartwarming tear-jerker transplant romance. I mean, the moment I saw the dedication I almost cried; that's when I knew that this book would be a 5-star read for me.

Jules Kelly maybe one of the best female lead I know, her way of thinking on both timelines deserves recognition. The women empowerment she showed from the first part of the book, even when at the time she lost hope about her illness.

I love the banter of this couple and their slow burn romance. I saw the hesitation Jules had in entertaining her feelings for Tom especially the after part of her surgery. They both have acknowledged their faults and acted upon it to make better versions of their selves.

I like how the book shows the realism of the medical world and the before and after experience a patient goes through, especially in this case a transplant. I even like the way Tom fought his way into success after what his past was like.

I didn't notice the time when I was reading this book, that's how amazing it is. This book has a soft spot in my heart knowing I have a glimpse of what Jules has gone through🥺❤️

“not that long ago we were enemies.”
“that was fun too.”😏

tropes: workplace romance, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and more that i don’t want to spoil😁

when i tell you i started this book last night and it is now 3 am because i read the entire thing in one sitting… THAT IS HOW AMAZING THIS BOOK IS!! wow i genuinely loved every single thing about it!! this book made me laugh, cry, and smile like a lunatic!😂 i absolutely loved this story between two imperfect people who were perfect for each other!!

jules is an absolute sweetheart! she was handed such a rough card in life but she never let that get her down. she was always there to help someone if they needed it and always put others before herself. she’s such a kind, badass, and incredibly strong woman and anyone would be lucky to have someone like her in their life🥺

and then tom… wow i love him so much!! he also had such a hard life but he worked his booty off to be where he was and it was so admirable. although in the beginning he was a bit of an “asshat” (as jules would say lol), he really is such an amazing guy and i can’t emphasize that enough! he also puts others before himself and wants the best for everyone❤️

overall, this is definitely one of my top books of the year and i’m so grateful for netgalley for sending me an early copy! YALL WILL LOVE THIS BOOK I PROMISE!!! i literally could not put this book down!! it makes me want to reread it all over again! i 10000% recommend this book if you love enemies to lovers with a twist!💗

I adored Jules and her story with PSC. I loved how everything was explained and really thought out (which makes sense, since the the author also had PSC).

Jules Kelly: Hippy CEO girlboss who’s trying her hardest to get through her autoimmune disease. Tom Davenport: Grumpy “asshat” CEO who has to share office space with his exact opposite…what could go wrong?

My favorite things about the book:
- Every scene where Jules was in the hospital or around medical personnel was done incredibly well.
- The stressed importance of therapy and getting through hard times.
- Tom and his background with the foster system
- There 3rd act breakup felt realistic for what was going on.

My least favorite things about the book:
- I felt as though they didn’t have enough chemistry by the time the climax came around.
- Everything happened pretty fast in the grand scheme of the book.