What a fantastic debut novel by Neely Tubati-Alexander. I loved this story of a missed connection between Serena and Julian. The instant chemistry the night they met, feeling like fate when they realized they lived so close to one another and then the unfortunate events leading up to them leaving one another without exchanging information. I love the message that Serena sends throughout the novel, that it's okay to not have it all figured out by thirty. The courage she has to quit her job, break up with her boyfriend and go on a journey to find her happy is admirable. I could not put the one down, reading it in one sitting, having to know if they found one another again.

LOVE BUZZ – Neely Tubati Alexander
Harper Perennial
ISBN: 978-0-06-329291-8
May 4, 2023
Contemporary Fiction

New Orleans & Seattle – Present Day

Serena Khan is miserably attending a bachelorette party for her cousin, Coral, in New Orleans. She hasn’t been close to her cousin since Serena’s mother died but Coral has chosen her to be the maid of honor. The Mardi Gras is going on around them, but Serena isn’t enjoying herself—until she meets Julian, a stranger who happens to be in the bar where the party is being held. A couple of hours with Julian has Serena falling for him. But after attending to her sick cousin, she comes back to find Julian gone. She doesn’t know his last name and only that he lives in another part of Seattle near where she lives. She wonders if she can find him once she’s returned home.

Once home, Serena, who has a decent job at a good accounting firm quits her job. Well, she really hated the job, but she has no other job prospects. She then breaks off with the guy she’s been dating and learns that he was about to propose to her. Now she has no job and no boyfriend. But she continues to fantasize about Julian. Soon, Serena is on a quest to find Julian in LOVE BUZZ. Will she succeed?

The title LOVE BUZZ comes from a popular song by the grunge group Nirvana. Julian has eclectic music tastes and that is one of his favorite groups. From the start in this tale, it appears that Serena and Julian have little in common, yet she is willing to change her tastes to fit his, even though he is not currently in her life. She even begins to haunt his part of Seattle hoping to see him. One good thing does happen when she gets a job in a fashion boutique shop and starts a new career selling unique clothing. But Julian? While she frequents places where she hopes to see him, such as a concert for one of his fave groups, she has trouble finding her man. That is, until one day Serena spots him in a coffee shop. She makes a scene, and he doesn’t recognize her. Has she messed up her life for an impossible dream?

One can definitely say that LOVE BUZZ is a different kind of read. For one, it is based on Serena’s obsession with a guy she barely knows. Yet she has decided that he is “the one” and will do anything to meet him again. She has plodded along in life after her mother died just before Serena graduated from the University of Washington. Afterward, she took a job at a prestigious company because she thought her mother would be proud of her. She dated Danny because she thought this was what her mother would want. Yet, once she meets Julian, she is ready to toss it all out the window. Does she make the right decision? Serena’s quest for Julian is complicated by bumps along the way. She has ups and downs. In the background is a request from an old college professor of hers to do an interview about what she is up to at the age of thirty. Serena is about to turn that age. What can she tell an interviewer about herself now? Her life is so much different than it was weeks ago.

An intriguing novel about the coming of age of a woman who feels unhappy about her life. Along the way, Serena makes changes. Does she find the man of her dream—Julian? Find out the answer by grabbing a copy of LOVE BUZZ.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

What a debut!! Neely Tubati-Alexander is officially on my auto buy list!

Love Buzz was the read I didn’t know I needed. I’m such a mood reader and sometimes when I commit to an ARC it takes a while for me to connect to the characters and be sucked into the story. That was NOT the case here.

I couldn’t put it down. Serena, our FMC, was so compelling and I couldn’t help but root for her in her journey of discovery. I did catch myself thinking “really? Still?” when she was still pining over Julian months after meeting, but I think that just speaks to the power of attraction. In this case, that attraction was the catalyst Serena needed to start living the life she truly wanted rather than the one she thought she should. Trauma of life and loss is a powerful thing and it was inspiring to be on this journey with Serena as she worked through it.

The thing I loved most about Love Buzz wasn’t the romance itself, but was Serena’s relationships with the people in her life - both new and old. Odette and Clarence were hilarious and their easy friendship made me want to join them for 7am mimosas and gossiping over dating profiles!

Usually single POVs are not my fave, but it really worked for Serena’s story. You were able to feel and see a wider range of details through her conversations with those around her, rather than being entirely focused on her internal monologue.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Harper Perennial and Neely Tubati-Alexander for an advanced copy. This is my honest review.

*review to be posted on Instagram @hungrybibliophile on May 2.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. Will recommend it to everyone I know!

Ever want to blow your life up, quit your job, and start over? That's exactly what Serena did after meeting Julian and I couldn't look away to see what was next!

Let's not give Julian all the credit for this re-start either. Her 30th birthday, an upcoming feature in her alumni newspaper, and self-imposed pressure to live up to her mother's expectations weighed heavily on her mind.

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘇𝘇 leans more women's fiction than romance as Serena searches for Julian and herself. With bff Clarence by side and a new "I can do anything" attitude, Serena's new life is a trainwreck don't want to miss. The heartfelt life messages are bonus.

Thanks to @netgalley for an advance copy.

I am about halfway through this book and while there are some great moments, I find that it is difficult to engage and root for the main characters finding each other. Some chapters fall flat for me and it is hard to get back into reading this and finishing! I will continue on (I think) just to see if she really does find Julian (and how) but the chemistry is lacking for me, unfortunately.

I like how this novel ended up being less of a romance novel and more about finding self-love. However, this novel just wanted for me. I wasn't a big fan on the writing style or plot.

Serena is not excited to be at her cousins bachelorette party in New Orleans. While she stands to the side watching the others dancing on the bar, and waiting for her cousin to need her hair held back again while she pukes, Serena meets Julian. The sparks are immediate, but he has to leave quickly when his friend gets thrown out of the bar. They both live in Seattle, how hard could it be to find him?

Oh man this book. The side characters were beyond fantastic. What really hit me though was the entire premise of this book. When you turn 30 you are supposed to have it all figured out. Have the career, the relationship, the house, the 2.5 kids and the white picket fence. How many people is that actually true for though? I loved following along as Serena realized the things in her life that didn’t fulfill her and began to make the changes that would. Looking for Julian and the love story was an added bonus, but the true meaning behind this one was finding yourself, not just a partner. I really loved every second of reading this one!

This was a bit like the movie Serendipity, which is one of my all time favorites! So you can imagine that I enjoyed this thoughtful, modern take on a similar premise -- I absolutely adored Serena and, not only that, I felt like I understood her. This book was well written and the characters were well developed. I absolutely devoured this book in one day and cannot wait to read more by this author!!

Love Buzz comes out next week on May 2, 2023, and you can purchase HERE! I definitely recommend this one!

So here we are, at the last bar of the last night per Melody's itinerary. She's planned every second of this trip, down to the bathroom breaks. The fact I haven't shit on command during slotted times is probably adding to her deep distaste for me. We're at some bar with Bourbon in the name, just like the last three we've patroned.

A few more hours and this torture will be over.

Love Buzz was an enjoyable debut novel from Neely Tubati-Alexander. If you go into this one thinking that it's a romance, you may be disappointed. It's a tale of self discovery, growth, and realizing that it's okay to not have everything figured out by age 30 - with a few touches of romance. If you enjoy women's fiction, be sure to check this one out.

Unfortunately, this one missed for me. Serena finds herself a bridesmaid for her cousin and at her bachelorette party in New Orleans. She doesn’t feel she fits in with the other girls, and strikes up a conversation with Julian. She feels a pull towards him, but has to leave before getting his number. She then flies home to Seattle, where coincidentally Julian also lives. She can’t get him out of her head and spends the next chapters thinking obsessively about him.

This book is about self discovery and growth, not a romance. Serena made a lot of major life choices after the bachelorette party, and they seemed to come from meeting Julian and wanting him in her life, Despite not know him at all and talking to him for 20 minutes at a bar. I think because I didn’t like this plot of the book, I just couldn’t get behind Serena as a character. This is a total me problem as I’m sure many others would enjoy this book about growth and self happiness!

I was expecting Love Buzz to be more of a romance and was surprised to find more a book on finding yourself. However, as someone turning 30 this year, I really appreciated the focus on Serena’s struggles of turning 30 and feeling like you need to have your life together and her realization that she can only live her life for herself. I loved the characters of Odette and Clarence and wish I had gotten a few more chapters from Julian’s perspective. The middle/website launch portion dragged a little for me but I loved how it all came together in the end.

Thank you Neely Tubati-Alexander, Harper Perennial, and Netgalley for the gifted eARC.

While at her cousins Bachelorette party in New Orleans, Serena meets a handsome stranger named Julian. Turns out they are both from Seattle. They start talking and things between them are magnetic. Their conversation is cut short, but Serena can't get Julian out of her head. Serena uses the few facts she knows about Julian to set out to find him in Seattle. As she searches for Julian, Serena begins to realize that what she thought she always wanted may not be what she wants at all.

Love Buzz is an incredible debut by Neely Tubati-Alexander. This novel is a women's fiction with a small side storyline of romance. Serena goes through such a transformative journey throughout the course of this book because of the impactful characters she meets along the way. Julian, Odette, and Tatiana are such memorable characters who came into Serena's life when she needed them the most but didn't quite know that she needed them. This novel isn't just a story about finding love. It's about family, forgiveness, finding happiness and contentment in your life, and being confident in yourself and in your body. This book was not at all what I was expecting, but in a good way. This is my favorite read of the month.

When Serena meets Julian on Bourbon Street while on her cousin's bachelorette party, sparks fly...but not for long. The fates halt their interaction leaving her wondering what if as she heads back home, set on finding Julian again. As she completely uproots her life in search of love, she also learns about herself and what she really wants out of her future.

This one started strong but fell flat for me. I loved the concept but couldn't relate to Serena at all. As a single girl also in her 30s, I wanted her to change her life because SHE wanted to, not because she met this guy. Also, her obsession with him but then her lack of action of trying to find him really disappointed me.

While this one wasn't my favorite, I look forward to see what else this author will put out.

Thank you to Harper Perennial for providing the e-ARC for this review.

This reads more like a women’s fiction novel than what I thought it would be, romance. There are a few romantic moments but the story is focused on Serena’s life and the reflections centered around turning 30.

Neely Tubati Alexander writes warm, relatable characters who have real struggles, make mistakes, and try to find their joy. The settings are memorable, the dialogue is snappy, and the tone is light-hearted and fun. She leaves enough hints that you are pulled into wanting to know what happens and her reveals are clever and unexpected. As soon as I started reading, I was rooting for Serena and was delighted by the twists and turns her journey took.

At a New Orleans bachelorette party for her cousin, Serena meets Julian at a bar and instantly feels something. Though their meeting is brief, she learns he works in tech, loves Nirvana, and lives just 30 short minutes away from her in Seattle. Serene is convinced that there was truly something between the two and vows to find Julian once they’re back home. The only problem? She doesn’t know his last name, doesn’t know the company he works for, and can’t figure out where to even start. The other problem? Her boyfriend.

At first glance, this book is a typical romance. Instantaneous love, a big romance, and the need to find that other half. But as you dig deeper into Love Buzz, this book is about so much more. It’s about finding your own happiness, no matter what other people say. It’s about how grief changes you and everything you thought you knew. It’s about going after what you want, even if it doesn’t look good on paper.

And for all of these reasons, I loved this book. The character of Serena was one that at times you want to shake and tell her to just go after what she wants. And at other times you completely understand her. She wants more from life, and who hasn’t felt that a time or two?

Though this book is ultimately about Serena trying to find Julian, it’s really about Serena finding herself. I hope that this debut is just the beginning for this author, I cannot wait to read more from her.

This book will be featured on episode 88 of the Reading Through Life podcast, out May 10, 2023.

3.5 stars!

Serena has a brief conversation during Mardi Gras with fellow Seattle-dwelling Julian. When they don't get each other's contact information, it leads to a search to reconnect.

There was a lot to love about this own-voices romance - a vibrant Seattle setting, decent side characters, and real-life issues (but not too many), however it is DRAWN OUT in a huge way. The majority of the story is Serena pining after a man she had a brief encounter with, but she does very little to solve her problem, despite the many, many clear ways she easily could have.

I did enjoy parts of this novel, but it was very, VERY predictable, and there was not quite enough conflict for me to buy in to the angst and drama of Serena's search for Julian.

There is a lot to like here, and it is a super easy read so it was perfect for a warm couple of days to enjoy reading outside!

[arc review]
Thank you to Harper Perennial for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Love Buzz releases May 2, 2023

Serena and Julian meet in New Orleans during Mardi Gras on their last night. Serena is there for her cousin’s bachelorette party, and Julian is celebrating his friend’s birthday. It just so happens that they both live in Seattle.
Their scenario presents itself as a love at first sight/the one that got away (at least from Serena’s one-sided perspective).

This seemed cute at first until I was made aware that the whole time Serena was daydreaming of and heavily pining after Julian, she was in an existing committed relationship. That really rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t care if nothing physical happened, emotional cheating is still a thing, and is gross behaviour that I don’t tolerate.
Even during the dinner with her boyfriend the first day back from her trip, Serena internally vocalizes things like “why does the idea of going on vacation with my boyfriend make me feel like I’d be cheating on Julian?” and “I continue having to remind myself that I do, in fact, have a boyfriend.”

I just can’t fathom the drastic 180 actions shown here. Serena and Julian talked for all of maybe 30 minutes, and that was enough for her to completely upend her life by quitting her secure job of 8 years, and breaking up with her boyfriend, whom she had no qualms about marrying just one week prior.

The extremely detailed sex dream Serena had involving Julian on the night she broke up with her boyfriend was straight up cringey.

This read like a post quarter life crisis with an obsessive woman and solidifies why love at first sight is not a thing. Lust maybe, but love? Girl you don’t even know him!
I wish this dived deeper into the familial bonds between Serena and Carol, and what it’s like working through grief as a 22 year old trying to get her life together with the added burden of living up to the expectations of poc parents who work so hard to give their children a chance at a future (because trust me, I know what that’s like).
Julian was not developed enough as a character to be convincing and it was more like this fantastical idea that hinged upon him being perfect and The One. I would have rather read a strictly womens fic novel without the romance since there were already strong points tied with Tatianna and Sadie.

Absolutely perfect novel about the myth of finding yourself and having it all figured out by the time you turn 30. It’s also a love story about finding the one but it’s really about making sure you’re the one first. It also tackles the grief of losing a parent and in the process of that pushing away the other people who love you.

The only unbelievable part for me was that in the year of 2023 these two bozos couldn’t find each other on the internet immediately. But I really did love it.