I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. The author did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

I adored this book! If you enjoy the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, this will scratch that itch. I was pleasantly caught off guard by their dynamic when it came to the spicy scenes, and it made me appreciate them as a couple even more.

This was a buddy read with my two faves and I absolutely enjoyed this story! It will have you giggling and kicking your feet. Mickey and Diego had quite an interesting dynamic. He was her boss at The Saloon and she was his professor for a summer class. Yet, the chemistry between the two was immediately off the charts. Grumpy Diego could not keep his eyes off of Mickey with her big hair, beautiful face, and even brighter personality. She was exactly what he needed and I enjoyed reading about a widow finding love after grieving for so long. Also, seeing Diego achieve his goals later in life was very refreshing. It’s never too late to work towards becoming a better you. Kudos to Charish for including a FMC with a chronic illness. So many people look okay physically and are suffering internally due to various ailments. This was truly a great read, add it to your list!

I have mixed feelings about this book. I appreciate the portrayal of a power dynamic that goes both ways: Diego is the boss at work, but Mickey is his teacher. I also liked the portrayal of a non-traditional student.

Beyond that, there wasn't much to get excited about. There isn't a whole lot of movement or conflict in the plot. It started well but got more and more boring. I was also unimpressed that two adults could not keep their hands off each other for a couple of weeks, especially considering Mickey's job could have been at risk.

And a matter of personal preference: the sex scenes may have been intended as "dirty talk," but I found them quite cringey. Mileage may vary.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

I absolutely adored this book. The chemistry between Micky and Diego was off the charts and I loved reading a romance with older adults (rather than young early 20 year olds). I really don't have much else to say because I read it so quickly, I just in the zone the entire time.

I enjoyed this so much. The characters were great, the plot was realistic, and I appreciated the chronic illness rep.
I related so much to Mickey as a character, especially her struggles finding job stability.
Diego was vulnerable when he needed to be, and had the most growth. I liked that they were both self-aware, and acknowledged the power dynamics within their relationship (as it related to their jobs). And they went into their relationship with their eyes wide opened.

This was adorable! I loved the characters and their chemistry was on point. The main character dealt with health conditions that aren't often depicted in romance novels. I liked that the author brought attention to the women that share the same struggles as Mickey. Also, I always give bonus points when authors feature plus size women as the main character!!! Bravo!!

I enjoyed this one quite a bit more than I expected. Maybe i related a lot because I am an adjunct professor myself and finding jobs to supplement income to pay medical bills can be exhausting.
I think Mickey was a likable character. Story line was. weird. I definitely would not want to move in to his dead wife's house. but that is just me.
I would recommend this book.
Although there are some heavy themes, it is still fun to read.

I really enjoyed this book! Mickey and Deigo were perfect together. The steam was on point and it was laugh out loud funny too. I loved that chronic illness was a part of this book as someone who deals with chronic pain, it made Mickey even more relatable. I loved all the characters and the fact that it was based in Georgia where I grew up. This book was just perfect all around and I can’t wait to read something else by Charish Reid!

Thank you to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for access to an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book. This book was a romcom masterpiece, and that's the first thing I want anyone reading my review to see. I don't think there's one thing about this story that I would call a downside.

The first few things you learn about Mickey Chambers are as follows: she lives in a town outside of Atlanta, Georgia; she loves her parents and brother; she is an adjunct college instructor and loves teaching despite the lack of class availability and thusly the lack of a livable wage; and she has Hyperthyroidism. It's a beautiful basis on which to build a well rounded, fully developed character, and Charish Reid delivers on that in spades without ever losing sight of who Mickey is at her core.

Following Mickey on her journey to find a secondary source of income, you get to know a bit about her family and best friend and what her life was like growing up the sick girl who ended up falling behind on a lot of learning and living. Eventually, she stumbles across the Saloon just in time for an open interview to help fill out their skeleton crew before an upcoming festival in town. *And* just in time to meet Diego Acosta, the handsome and not-so-subtly grumpy owner of the bar who, as it turns out, is also on the roster as one of Mickey's students for the Summer. Talk about a whole host of confusing, messy power dynamics. How is Diego supposed to get through the Summer with his teacher as one of his employees--especially considering how attracted to her he is from the start? And how is Mickey going to juggle learning from Diego while also trying to teach him something while also trying not to moon over him whenever they're close?

The romance is sweet and funny and emotional and steamy as all get out without ever being the sole focus of the story being told. And even outside of the romance, the side characters are fleshed out and fun and contribute so much heart and soul to the world Mickey and Diego are living in, the descriptions of each shift at the bar were so accurate I was having flash backs to my own time in Food and Bev, and Mickey's lesson plans were fully thought out and interesting and definitely the kinds of classes I would have liked to take myself.

For me, inclusion of a plus sized characters is always something exciting, but Mickey Chambers takes it one step further. She's a plus sized character who is actually at a healthy weight because her Hyperthyroidism made it so difficult to put weight on, and for that to be a known fact in the narrative, to just be okay and accepted and even celebrated was *incredible* to see. But beyond just that, this book was chock full of meaningful representation: multiple POC characters and their backgrounds (the book also played beautifully with the significance of food and family to each culture represented); an immaculate example of the dynamics of a southern family and southern hospitality in general; a plot line that focused on delving deeper into and healing from grief; well thought out and explained representation of an autoimmune disorder, and so. much. more. Plus, the characters are hot, the food descriptions made my mouth water, and the writing was smooth and light and everything I want from a perfect contemporary romance and more.

I highly, *highly* recommend this book. If that wasn't already obvious.

I loved this romance.

Teacher-student relationship that is age appropriate? Sign me up!

This books is romantic, sexy, smart, and funny. I love that the characters are full fledged adults: they have full rich lives and their characterization makes them feel like real people. They grow throughout the book in ways that arer reasonable and well-paced.

I absolutely ADORED this!!! I read this in two days which is saying a lot for me. Something about this just worked for me. I loved the grumpy/sunshine trope & the fact that the characters were older. This was mature and sexy but definitely still fun. If you enjoyed “Get A Life, Chloe Brown” by Talia Hibbert then I think you would love this! Charish Reid is definitely a new favorite romance author for me (and should be for you too after reading this)

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

My Review:

I received a digital review copy of this book from HTP Books in exchange for an honest review and place on this blog tour – thanks!

I loved this book! As was certainly clear from my rating, I am sure. I knew I was going to enjoy this book from the synopsis : who doesn’t love a good sunshine & grumpy romcom? But Mickey Chambers Shakes it Up was a lot more than just that. It’s a book about deciding your future and discovering who you’d like to be – no matter how ‘late’ in life it might seem.

The characters were certainly the heart of this book. Not only Mickey and Diego, but the side characters too. I would love to see more in this little universe (looking at a Cleo book or an Irene x Ollie book). These characters have my heart, along with all the heart they already embody.

It’s so hard to talk about books you’ve adored without spoiling the entire plot. There was just so many things I loved: their deep conversations with each other, the patience they learn to exhibit together, how they become their best selves through their mutual understanding. The growth was written so well. It really helped that we got both of their POVs. Without Diego’s, I believe the story would have certainly suffered. I enjoyed getting to know this grumpy man and to see his excitement over getting Bs on his assignments.

This romance is certainly not without a few… intimate scenes. There is a lot of mutual pining in this novel, when they’re together and when they aren’t. From the first page they have chemistry and that works well throughout the rest of the book. I don’t do “spice ratings” for books because I feel like that’s a bit weird, but if you’re looking for an open door romance you will not be disappointed by this book. 😉

Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up releases June 6th, 2023

I REALLY enjoyed this grumpy/sunshine, workplace slow burn with good chronic illness (hypertension) rep! Mickey is an adjunct English Professor looking to make some extra money to help pay for her meds and Diego is a widower who ends up being both her new boss AND her new student.

Together these two have great chemistry as Mickey's bright cheery nature starts to wear down Diego's natural defenses. Spicy with great emotional depth and well done on audio too narrated by Marissa Hampton.

Recommended for fans of authors like Talia Hibbert or Alyssa Cole. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by Charish Reid and I'm excited to read more of what she writes next!

I also get super excited when the summer books for review come across my email. I always know that I am going to find something amazing. I also know that my reading list is going to be super speed or at least as best, I can manage. Plus, I am always looking for new authors and books to read.

Mickey Chambers is holding on by a thread financially. She has a chronic illness that causes her to scrimp and save paycheck to paycheck to help pay for the meds that she needs to function. She is struggling to get classes at the local university where she is an adjunct professor. On a whim, she interviews at a local bar when she goes by and sees that they are interviewing. That is when she meets her new boss and owner of the bar Diego. Oh my goodness I loved this book so much. I tried so hard to read it in a timely manner but my life is insane right now. When I did read this book, I read it in massive sections 30% at a time, that sort of thing. I loved Mickey she like me has hypothyroidism, which I can feel her pain makes you feel like crap unless you have it under control and managed.

I adored the fact that this was a taboo relationship on several levels. The whole teacher/student thing plus the boss/employee thing. It’s written in such a way that it doesn’t feel “dirty” I guess is the word that I wouldn’t use but can’t come up with the right one at the moment. I loved the way that Mickey brought her boss Diego out of his shell and showed him happiness again especially after the death of his wife 5 years prior. He just sort of retreated into his shell and that is where he stayed. The fact that Mickey had overly involved parents and tried to hide everything from them since she knew they would baby her made her that more relatable. Not everyone’s parents are sunshine and roses like some authors do, so to see the way the author wrote these was refreshing. I will definitely be checking out more books by this author in the near future.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing this book.

I really liked this book. The characters popped off the page and I truly connected with them, which is very refreshing. I really enjoyed Mickey's energy in this book and the fact that she was a real Black girl. Falling in grown-up love is truly beautiful and I felt this book captured that perfectly.

4.5 stars!

I loved "Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up" by Charish Reid so, so much! This grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract OwnVoices romance with a stellar plus-size character is sexy, sweet, spicy, and smart! In fact, Mickey might be one of my favorite main characters this year. I loved everything about her! Mickey is confident, quick to learn and adapt on her feet, communicative, and fine as heck! And Diego...my god, the mouth on him! What a hunk! He's charming and gruff, but not in an overly d1ckish way. I loved his character arc about moving on after heartbreak. The grief storyline is extremely authentic and well-written. I adored how Mickey tried to incorporate Diego's ex into his bar. What she does for him is so thoughtful. This book is successful at having two characters who are not perfect and know it and tell it from the rooftops get together to help each other learn and grow as people and as a couple. So well done! This book has one of the most "necessary," well-handled third-act breakups I've ever read. If there *has to be* a third-act breakup, please let them all be as good as this one. Also, it's awesome that Mickey and Diego are older characters! Finally! Waaaay more of this in romantic fiction, please! I sometimes feel like I am too old to relate to the college experience nowadays, but this takes higher education in a different, fresher direction that resonated with me completely. Two sexy people getting together to make cocktails shake and sparks fly...what more could you ask for?! "Mickey Chambers Shakes it Up" is an insanely charming, witty story that I won't soon forget. Charish Reid is now an automatic "always buy!!!" author for me!

PS: Is Cleo going to get a book?! Pleasepleaseplease let her have a book!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Charish Reid, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Canary Street Press for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.

This story was super charming but still had some spice to it. It is a slow burn but the pay off is worth it. If you enjoyed Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell, you will love this book.

I liked the two lead characters a lot and the surrounding cast of characters too. It was a fun and steamy book

Absolutely loved it! I loved that Mickey and Diego are technically older, especially for contemporary romance. For this to be a romance, the ancillary storylines aren't stale. I can understand Mickey's feelings of being in education and needing more money. I understand Diego becoming hardened after the death of his wife but most importantly Mickey sympathizing with his loss.

Most importantly, the spicy is SPICY!! Whew, I had to step away at some points lol.