Aww, this was very cute. Even though this was pretty standard, Ivy and James's story was very cute, and I like how things were set up for future books with the side characters.

I do wish Ivy and James's tragic backstory misunderstanding had been directly addressed earlier in the story- even if it had just been in each character's internal monologue. It was a bit frustrating as a reader to not know for so long exactly what happened that caused Ivy to mistrust James. Since the information is withheld for so long, Ivy's dislike of James feels a little uncalled for.

Easy fun read. Ivy & James’ back and forth was actually cute. 4 stars. Enemies to friends is one of my favorite tropes. I will be recommnding this book at my next book club. Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to listen and review this book.

4.5⭐ rounded up.
Book 1 in Love in Mirror Valley series

Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, brother's best friend, best friend's sister, wedding planning, supportive family, family Inn, enemies to lovers, slow burn, sweet, cute, clean romance, small town, high ponytails

Ivy & James
James is back in town for his best friend, Luke's, wedding. He's involved right along with Ivy, Luke's sister, in planning the wedding. Ivy isn't too thrilled about seeing James again because of some toolish thing he did in the past. But as they start spending more and more time together they realize that maybe they don't hate each other.

These two were super cute! It wasn't overly enemies to lovers, more like banter nitpickiness to lovers.
Ivy and Luke lost their parents when they were young, so they are really close ~ I really liked their relationship. Most characters were really likable and relatable, but Cam and Lenore leave a little to be desired.
I'd be thrilled to read more from this author in the future and I think I know who book 2 will be about and yay!!

Narrated by Justis Bolding and Oliver Hunt (ello, he's British) for 10 hours and 15 minutes, easy to follow at 2x. It was almost a little too slow and I would have liked an 2.25x option. While overall I was pleased with their narration I could have used more emotion in their voices at times.

A enemies to romance story. Ivy (sister of the groom) and James (grooms best man) are planning her brothers wedding at the family inn. It is her dream to make the inn a destination wedding venue and to run it. Little does Ivy know all of the things going on behind her back. James is working for the company trying to buy the inn from her grandparents and James is spear heading the way unbeknownst to her. And the bride to be??? A total horror show. Ultimately there is a sweet HEA and yet the road there was predictable and I didn’t find there to be much chemistry between any of the couples involved. It was just an okay listen. Light, fluffy and clean, just not terribly exciting.

A cute and clean romance between Ivy and her brother’s best friend, James. I loved the setting of the family inn and a wedding to bring them together. There’s nothing new or different about this story but it’s still a great way to spend an afternoon or two.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I found this book to be hard to get through, predictable and didn't have much sexual tension between Ivy and James. Ivy's brother's fiance was obviously not the right fit for him, and the fact that it continued to the very end was annoying. Good writing and I liked the narrator, I just didn't care for the book.

This audiobook was super cute! I really enjoyed the story, and I found it incredibly sweet and romantic!

The narration for this new adult rom-com was very well done. The humor seems to be based primarily on pranks and pratfalls, which I don’t enjoy. DNF ~13%.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

If you’re a fan of “brothers best friend” or “enemies to lovers” tropes then boy oh boy is this the book for you.

The story follows Ivy as she tries to coordinate the perfect wedding for her older brother’s wedding at her family run Inn; an Inn that Ivy is now managing and trying to make her mark to make her family proud.

Then in walks a blast from the past, James Weston- her highschool nemesis and brother's best friend. Will their feud/ prank war continue all these years later or will their pact to be cordial towards each other for the sake of the wedding last.

In this dual POV, we get a front row seat to Ivy’s and James’ conundrum… they despise each other, so what is that nagging feeling in their chest and what's with the sparks?

I was lucky enough to receive an audio-ARC from NetGalley and Dreamscape media and I’ve got two words for you- British 👏🏻 Accent 👏🏻

This was so cute, with just the right amount of tension and chemistry packed bantering. Small town vibes, big career goals, and just enough drama to keep you on your toes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! All my perfectionists out there will be able to relate to Ivy, and all my little softys will have a hard time not swooning over James. This was the good kind of fluff, and I think fans of Sophie Kinsella, Sarah Adams, Mia Sosa or Mazey Eddings will love this!

4.5 ⭐️

AVAILABLE OCT 3 🎉

PS- I smell a sequel with Ivy’s best friend Daisy … and I’m not mad about it 🥰

It's a cute sweet romance but I wanted more. It was the lack of plot that didn't center around so much miscommunication/no communication/misunderstanding that frustrated me the most. It could have just been my mood though. I think there are those that will love this book.
I listened to this as an audiobook and really enjoyed both of the narrators.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very sweet, quick listen and I was charmed by Ivy, James, and their community. While I did tear through this book, I did do also feel the book's title does it a disservice and the amount of times it reminds the reader/listener that these too are "enemies" is a little exhausting. Overall, this would make an excellent Hallmark movie and I would watch the shit out of it.

Book one in a new series

Ivy recently took over her family's inn. She is determined to put it on the map, and she plans to use her brother's upcoming wedding to do it. Enter James, the best friend. And Ivy's nemesis. As they are forced to repeatedly work together on wedding tasks, they both realize that maybe they don't actually hate each other.

This was a cute (and completely clean) romance. Predictable, yes, but still cute. I love Ivy's awkwardness and that James loved that about her. I enjoyed the secondary characters a lot and was glad to see that this was a new series. I look forward to reading the next book.

I listened to the audio version. The book is a dual POV and there are different narrators for Ivy and James. I am not familiar with either Justis Bolding or Oliver Hunt's work, but they both did a good job.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Next Worst Thing by Sara Woodley.
Publication date: Oct. 4/22
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
I really enjoyed this book! If you are looking for an easy read and quaint love story then this is for you. Sara Woodley has created a sweet love story that manages to keep the reader entertained throughout. I also really enjoyed the narration by Justis Bolding and Oliver Hunt. They brought the characters to life leading the listener to be invested in their hopes and dreams. I would definitely recommend this lovely book.

This was a sweet, small town, dual POV, enemies to lovers, brother's best friend romance perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Kortney Keisel or Cindy Steel. I loved this one audio narrated by Justis Bolding and Oliver Hunt (who does a GREAT British accent).

Set in a small town, as Ivy is helping her brother plan his wedding while also trying to figure out a way to help her grandparent's save their family Inn. Enter James Weston, the posh British corporate guy who returns to be the best man and is forced together with Ivy as they deal with wedding-related activities.

Sweet, swoony and utterly adorable. This was a kissing only type of love story that will give you all the Hallmark movie kind of feels. Highly recommended for fans of Erin Branscomb's Falling Inn love (another small town romance that revolves around saving a family Inn).

Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! I'm excited to read the next book in this series by new to me Indie author Sara Jane Woodley.

If you're in the mood for a generic romance, this fits the bill. It has cuteness, tropes, and a happily ever after. Unfortunately, it just wasn't particularly memorable for me. I found the characters bland and immature, the "enemies" plot line felt unfounded, and the bachelorette party was almost too cringey, which leads me to believe that I am probably not the target audience here.

The narrators of the audiobook did a nice job with the material. It was fun to hear the British male narrator.

All in all, the book was fine, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy to review!