⋆｡°✩ ARC review

Warning: Spoilers May Be Ahead

Let’s start with what the premise of the book is

It’s marketed as a second chance romance between Dawn and Callan, they met in the UK one summer and had an epic fling that ended on bad terms. Fast forward a year later and Callan is in the US to Dawns surprise, what happens when sparks fly again?

Now i’ll admit this is probably one of the first second chance romances I have ever read because honestly it’s really hard to please me with it, I’m a grudge holder and if I feel the persons actions and words don’t make up for whatever the conflict was, then the story is ruined for me plain and simple. Which is unfortunately the case here. Callan ROYALLY fucked up multiple times and there was not one ounce of groveling at all, it was a simple “sorry, but like I’ve got trauma so forgive me please 🥹”, like sorry buddy I need you to actually fucking prove you’re a better person this time.

Also a forewarning it is written in third person, which I didn’t know beforehand and i’m usually not a fan of because it can be hard to stay in the story when you can’t actually understand what’s going through the characters minds, but I think the author did a good job for the most part of still trying to give us insight while in third person.

Now, here’s the hard part for me, I honestly truly believe this would’ve been better suited as a simple fluffy romance with no spice and just fade to black sex scenes, bc…TO ME the sex scenes felt juvenile, like I felt like I was reading about two awkward teenagers who just hit puberty. Their monologue during was just soooo awkward. To give some quotes Dawn looks at Callan and says “Let’s get to the naughty part” as she pulls his pants down?? like what in the middle schooler? And the authors word choices for describing certain acts? Callan at one point “erupted with an animalistic roar” and Dawn “closed her eyes as he continued to pet her” (and for better context he’s “petting” her breasts). Like idk man, this might be someone’s cup of tea but I just cringed during every sex scene.

Okay so now let’s discuss them individually. Dawn, miss ma’am. As much as she convinced Callan to get some professional help, I think she needed it just as much, because this bitch was DELULU. First of all, during the summer when they first met, this girl becomes utterly obsessed with Callan, like insta-love, and is imagining marrying this man within the first week. Bitch, I need you to slow down. And she just plays along with him and is convinced she can stay in Europe and they’ll be together without ever ONCE actually communicating her feelings to this man, or asking him HIS feelings about her?? hello?? And once they rekindle she’s even worse. First, she just accepts his excuse for what he did last summer, like yes okay, he has trauma and that may be WHY he did what he did, but it doesn’t excuse it whatsoever, and she just takes it at face value. Second, this man outright says he’s not promising her marriage, kids, basically not even a serious relationship and she’s like, okay well atleast we’re together YAY. PLEASE STAND UP DAWN PLEASE. Let me provide some quotes as evidence of her level of delusion. “She’d play along. Be the cool girl, up for a fling or whatever non-committal, non-permanent bullshit he’d sold himself on. She’d show him how much they belonged together” “She was convinced he loved her; he just didn’t know it”. Y’all get the picture i’m painting yet? And for the love of god, she was so hypocritical, she consistently nagged on him to get professional help for his “betterment” but the minute he even mentions just simply helping her look for a new job she’ll actually enjoy she says “He had no right to pester her about her career” and she goes absolutely berserk on him, like she was acting crazy man. He has no right? But obviously she had the right to keep telling to get to help, and she had the right to tell her boss about his panic attacks. Because yeah we’ve got double standards for days in this bitch. She’s just, insufferable. I can’t talk about her anymore, or I might pull my hair out.

So let’s move on to Mr. Callan :). Tsk, tsk, tsk. A lot of your issues were mentioned in Dawns paragraph so we’ll keep it a little shorter here. My main axe to grind is the fact that he used Dawn that summer and proceeded to whine and bitch and moan to everyone after she left like he loved her. He repeats over and over that it’s “Just a Fling” (ha see that’s where the title comes in ;) ) but never once expresses this to Dawn, he’s over here treating this girl like his wifey and she ain’t got a clue in the world he’s planning on dropping her on her ass once she leaves. My other problem with man is something I mentioned earlier, he just doesn’t do enough to make up for his bullshittery. He ditched her at an airport without explanation, withheld his intentions for that summer, shows up out of nowhere still not providing an explanation, wins her back, gives an explanation, and then turns around and immediately jumps down her throat over a misunderstanding and says “You’re in love with me. How sad is that? Loving someone who can’t love you back, who is going to leave you when this thing has run it’s course”. He’s just a terrible love interest. He says and does bad things, weasels his way back in without any proper making up, and everything is just hunky dory. It’s annoying, I’m just tired or reading books with FMC’s that have no backbone.

I’ll give you my one positive, the ending was saved a little with that tear jerker of an epilogue. The letter to his deceased daughter, holy shit it was waterworks central, balling my eyes out. But, again I didn’t feel I got good closure, in the last chapter he shows up again with this whole “sorry, I got help this time so I’m like ready to commit now, let’s go babe”. And she ofc takes him back, and then we jump immediately into an epilogue where they have a kid and they’re all happy and whatnot, so again absolutely no groveling.

If you read all of this, then congratulations babe you’re a real one. I just think this book had a lot my strongest pet peeves rolled up into one neat little basket so it felt my full wrath. But i’m just here to provide some facts and what you do with them, is up to you.

Thank you to Katherine, WildRose Press, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review <3

My Thoughts:

Okay, I'm still reeling with emotions after reading this one. 😉🫣🥵😁🤣😭😢😡😭🥰
Dawn and Callan are so perfect for each other, yet so
much stands in their way, like an entire ocean for one.

For most of this story we know Callan was married before
and they are no longer together, we dont know why, but we do
know it will be tragic. When the reason for the wife's absence is revealed? 🫣

Callan has issues, man. I wanted to shake sense into him, still not sure why
exactly Gemma, Sarah and Will didn't , but i get it by the end. We are definitely
rooting for Dawn and Callan to get it together and just be happy.

"Love should be easy. Loving Jane is easy. Love shouldn't be painful. Don't do that."

Love is just crazy. Just a Fling fits right in the craziness.

Read it. You wont be sorry! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 💕💕💕💕💕

I was not expecting so much heaviness from a book titled "Just A Fling." Katherine Grace is a new to me author, and I would be open to trying her again, though I admit I like my romance novels a little bit lighter and a little more escapist. Here, Callan and Dawn meet in Cambridge while she is there studying abroad during law school. They embark on what he sees as just a fling (though he did not deign to share that viewpoint with her) and wind up in something much more. Callan suffered a large loss a few years back and is emotionally scarred by it, thus feeling he has nothing left to give to a romantic partner. Dawn is young, driven, and in love with Callan despite knowing that there is something off. When Callan abandons her, Dawn flees back to NY and a life of cold corporate law, only for Callen to walk into the law firm at which she works a year later, setting up circumstances leading them back together.

I am not sure how I feel about Dawn and Callan together. Callan is a literal mess who refuses to get help then lies about getting help. He hurts Dawn repeatedly but also cannot leave her alone. His past is tragic but he threatens to steal her future. Dawn gives Callan all the chances - too many chances, it feels like towards the end. All that said, I did like that the author gave the couple time apart for Callan to begin to figure himself out before bringing them back together. I also appreciated that she made the fact that grief is a sort of never-ending journey obvious - Callan was never mysteriously 100% fixed. The epilogue was the strongest and most beautiful part of the book.

Three stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and The Wild Rose Press for an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

This should have been a homerun of a read - Dawn is spending her summer abroad in Cambridge attending law school. She has a meet cute with Callan, a older VERY attractive local when they literally run into one another.

What follows is a summer fling -- or could it be more?

Dawn definitely catches feelings for Callan. Callan feels the same way - but due to a mysterious, traumatic event in his past, something he can't talk to her about, he leaves her at the airport.

Jump ahead a year - and Callan shows up at the law firm Dawn works for in NYC.

and so begins the circus.

What can I say... this felt like it was written with a checklist in mind:

* meet cute - check
* summer abroad - check
* VERY physically attractive - check
* a traumatic past - check
* a second-chance - check
* another break-up - check
* ,mental health issues

and then a HEA

It just felt like it was *too* much. It annoyed me how much they went on and on about the others physical appearance .

I don't know. Maybe I was just in the wrong headspace when I read this - because I do LOVE romance reads - and sexy British male leads... this just fell flat.

This wasn't a winner for me - but based on other's reviews - people have really enjoyed this story. I just can't give it more than 1.75 stars.

Law student Dawn Mathison thought that her fling with solar developer Callan Marlowe was just a fling, but as they spend more time together, she feels that he is the one. Reorganising her life for him, it all comes crashing down when he dumps her, just as she thinks they are ready to settle down together.
When they meet again, Dawn has an amazing job in New York City and Callan’s company is enlisting Dawn’s firm for its legal processes. Yet, this chance meeting turns into more and Callan begins to rethink his future, even if he might not be able to cope with it all.
The title made me think that this might be a light read, but as I explored the complexity of this story, I found myself captivated. The intensity of Callan’s past is gradually revealed so much so, that I wondered whether this couple could rise above it all. A great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The storyline started off strong but went down hill after 10% in. I simply lost interest in reading. DNF

******************************I received an ARC for my honest opinion form NetGalley************************************

Thank you NetGalley & The Wild Rose Press for this advanced ebook copy of Just A Fling for an honest review. I absolutely thought this was a good easy read. I loved the back and forth between Dawn and Callan and it seemed like real life. I liked the second chance romance aspect and thought Dawn & Gemma were two of my favorite characters. I would definitely recommend.

What I liked:
•second chance romance
•two timelines
•legal aspect
•travel
•characters seemed very real
•loved Dawn’s growth throughout the book
•Dawn’s best friend
•British vibe

What I disliked:
•I did get frustrated at Callan’s character through some of the book
•I wish it would have had a bit more spice
•spice words were less than desirable

"Dawn...I am in love with you. Desperately, madly in love with you."
Siri, play Truly Madly Deeply by One Direction.

Thank you NetGalley, The Wild Rose Press, and the author for this ARC!

So...wow. I cried a few times, but the tears came heavy at the end.

Don't be fooled by the title or the cover; this is a deep, angsty romance that breaks your heart and mends it at once. It features grief, and the guilt of letting someone go and moving on. The pain felt very real, as did the conflicted feelings the MMC, Callan, battled with throughout the entirety of the novel.

Dawn is a great character--I actually adore her. She is funny and strong, but a hopeless romantic at heart. She is also wayyyyy more forgiving than I could dream to be.

Callan is charming, and kind, and really gives his all to the people he loves. You can tell. I mean, the man read Dawn's readings on CASE LAW when she was sick, and summarized them for her so she wouldn't be behind on her work--and even took notes by HAND. T'was a very swoon-worthy moment.

He's also a tall, broad, gorgeous, British man. That definitely helps.

"I'm going to kiss you now," Callan said. "Thoroughly."
UGHHH. I don't know why that gets me.

Also, I must say...the spice?? Chef's kiss.

The only critique I have is that sometimes the book was slow-moving because the plot starts to dominate a bit, as do the relationships with the side characters--I think a little more action between them would have been great. But the plus side is that this is strong, solid writing. You can tell the author knows what she's talking about! Also...if it were up to me, there would be at least two more chapters of groveling, but I might just be crazy.

This book comes out tomorrow, April 5th, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a spicy, swoon-worthy romance with depth; this is definitely the one.

I dnf'd this book at 14%. I was all in for this turned enemies to lovers again romance novel but it just felt very bland and she is way too into this man who broke her heart all those years ago. Idk I just would have liked the main female character to hate the guy a bit more instead of wanting to jump his bones so quickly, Tbh the characters weren't interesting enough for me to want to continue reading.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What could possibly happen in the chemistry behind summer flings for Dawn and Callan?

Summer fling can be a blast, right? But how awful could it be when after that hot steamy-filled summer loving with one another, then all of a sudden one of you ditches another? It’s a jerk move, I know. But keep yourself calm. This is a second chance romance. So, expect some twists and turns, stressful moments and complicated circumstances.

The book is written in two timelines – summer and the present. It has POV’s of the MC’s. It has helped me to connect easily with the characters; at the same time, their dynamics are enjoyable. It’s convincing for me that Dawn and Callan are really made for each other. Aside from the steamy open-door romance, can I also just share that there are funny moments in between them? I found myself laughing alone while reading this in a coffeeshop. Lucky enough, I was thankful at that time. There were only few customers.

Anyway, this book is actually so much more. It explores different forms of love – self-love, love in between family members, friendships and dysfunctional love. The romance is realistic. It catches a glimpse of a realistic love story that could be relatable to anyone. A realistic love that we can learn from. It also addresses real issues such as climate change, human trafficking and depression.

Overall, the story is well-written by @authorkatherinegrace . The book entertains me well that has made me satisfied until the ending.

This book was a extremely well written, second chance (3rd chance) romance. These characters were beautifully flawed in a way that only a reader could love it. Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down.
Dawn is a character who reminds me of myself. She is extremely driven and is almost too worried about accolades over her happiness for all firstborn children. She is an extremely relatable character.
Callan on the other hand is dealing with a grief that is almost unimaginable. I think that the author does an extremely good job of describing how grief is felt by a man.

What a book. I loved it There was so much pain and hope in the book that just messed with my heart. Bill was such a fun character and Gemma is what I hope to become. I loved the progression of the plot, but I think it did move a little too fast, it felt a little insta-love, which is a preference thing. It’s also definitely a new adult romance, not YA, which I do prefer.

Dawn is a great hopeful character who strives for best but because of this she pressures herself a lot. I think she lives with a lot of internalized pressure and it makes a really relatable character because she’s just in her head. She’s a very well-written and strong character. She was just super well done. She could have been tougher on Callan though, I think she was way too easy on him.

Callan had layers, at first he seems happy, but as you get to know him, you see that he’s struggling with his past. He’s been through a difficult thing, and needs to move on, I loved that Dawn pushed him to be better. He needed to understand that he has to face his past to move forward.

Overall, a really wonderful book, but I think the romance is a little overshadowed by the other themes of the book (which isn’t bad). It does deal with grief and depression, so maybe trigger warning. But I really enjoyed reading it and couldn’t put it down! I’m hoping the next book is Gemma’s!

This poignant and heartfelt novel covers Dawn and Callan as they navigate being together and apart as Callan learns to reconcile his tragic past. There's a lot going on in their workplace and Dawn in particular has to hold herself true to her values. A great read with a wonderful HEA for these two. It's certainly more than just a fling for both of them!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC

This story begins with a very attractive British man named Callan who has started his own company and Dawn a law school student studying at Cambridge for the summer. They have a “rom-com” chance meeting at a coffee shop, and the rest is history. They begin a passionate love affair for the summer that has them both questioning their own personal goals and dreams. However, their epic love story isn’t that simple and their summer romance is cut short due to Callan’s tragic past. Fast forward a year and they then run into each other by fate again back in the States unexpectedly. They both realize that they have unfinished business. Secrets are revealed and old wounds begin to heal as Callan faces hard truths, accepts that the past is the past, and allows someone new to show him that he can be happy again without having to forget the people he had lost.

I throughly enjoyed this story. I had never read a second chance romance quit like this. I fell in love with the characters and how they interacted with each other. The way Dawn helped Callan heal from his past was an unique perspective that I hadn’t read before. I also liked the fact that it was semi-realistic and how correctly portrayed grief and how it is unique to each individual. The way a person deals with loss isn’t a universal concept.

I would recommend this book, especially if they wanted a quick light read with a happy ending. The “spice” was also minimal which I thought was refreshing. It allowed me to be able to focus more on the plot which would appeal to more readers. I would classify this as a Young Adult novel.

This story encompasses a lot of things I love in a romcom or romance book his/her POVs, two timelines, and second chance romance storyline. In the beginning it seemed like the author was trying to play up the age gap thing, but really the characters are like 5 years apart (her 25ish and him 30ish) so it’s completely appropriate for Callan and Dawn to be interested in each other. I love the chapters set in Cambridge, the descriptions made it sound so quaint and beautiful in contrast to the busy corporate NYC setting that the “now” takes place in (lovely juxtaposition there). Random, but I also love that Dawn is tall, I’m personally not, but I can appreciate when an author deviates from the typical FMC appearance.

Oh boy this book just gutted me. I beautiful story about how complicated real relationships can be with the baggage of the past haunting you. Great book that tugged at my heart string and made me happy cry at the end

A very cute second chance romance, with some darker themes! Callan put us through the wringer, but he came out on top! Dawn’s character growth throughout the story was so well done. I was also appreciative of Callan’s backstory - it explained so much!

I haven’t read many books in third-person, but I really enjoyed this!

Just a Fling by Katherine Grace IS a surprise, as a few reviewers have observed. Law student, Dawn, meets business owner, Callan, while studying at Cambridge for the summer. Their “fling” ends with Callan retreating from the relationship and Dawn broken-hearted. The second chance happens a year later when they are thrown together by work. Beyond the romance and sexual chemistry, there are plot lines involving careers, life passions, and psychological trauma. All of these facets are explored in a well-written, and perhaps, deeper manner than a basic romance novel. However, for the first part of the book, the author hints at reasons for the male protagonist’s fear of commitment with our heroine. I think it was drawn out too much because I was angry at his behavior and frustrated by the lack of explanation for it. We do finally get the reason in the last third of the novel.

It was a very satisfying read, and I appreciate the ARC from NetGalley.

I loved this book!!! It had all the feels. It was very well written and I loved the characters in the book. I couldn’t put the book down. I finished it in 2 days!! Best book I read all year!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Wild Rose Press and Katherine Grace for the opportunity to read an ARC for “Just a Fling”, this is my honest and unpaid review of the book.
This book surprised me. I was expecting the usual romance sort of story I’ve read in countless other books but this one had much more depth. I loved how the characters struggled with making choices, even when they were hard ones to make. These characters had more to them then the average romance novel stock character, these ones had complexity, and it was refreshing. I enjoyed reading their story!