My thoughts


Narrative and Plot





Let's Get Quizzical is a second-chance contemporary romance that takes place in the world of brainy game shows, as the name suggests. My personal experience with game shows is limited to a relative once participating in the regional version of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.







The story is told from both Eli's and Charlotte's perspectives. They both could use some financial assistance, which comes in the form of a game show. But they do have a bitter history that they need to conquer in order to get to their goals. The plot sounds interesting, but it doesn't exactly deliver on the promise.




There could be so much excitement around the game show and the drama of it all. Of course, there is drama, but it didn't hit the mark for me. The pacing wavered in the middle and by the time it got back on track, it was too little, too late. Remember the tension in the English movie Slumdog Millionaire? It set out to get that kind of tension, but never really got there. Part of it goes to the plot, which focuses on the game show and then the outside. Somehow, the gap in the filming and the structure of the game show took away the tension that we were supposed to feel.










Characters and Conflicts




Eli and Charlotte had great chemistry right from the start. It kept the story going forward. However, towards the end, the story focuses mostly on Eli. He was the active character, while Charlotte remained passive.

The conflict pretty much centered around Eli, too. Of course, Charlotte was part of it but felt more like a passive character.

The ensemble cast was entertaining whenever they were involved. And the ending had the flair and drama of a second-chance romance.



















Conclusion

Overall, Let's Get Quizzical is a one-time fun read for me. If you are into trivia and fun facts with the backdrop of romance, give this one a try.

I love this cover and unique romcom setting or rivals getting a second chance at love on a trivia game show! The author created relatable main characters with unique quirks, insecurities, and family drama that allowed for growth from their juvenile young romance into a more adult connection. My favorite part of the story was seeing the game show segments, learning trivia facts, and the nerdy mains. However, I was disappointed in the cause of the initial breakup (in the past) and thought their romance fell flat in both timelines; I just was never fully invested in their outcome as much as I wanted. However, the on-air banter/tension, the romantic grand gesture, and the solid writing made this cute rom-com a quick and fun read.

What are the odds that your lifelong dream comes true and you're selected to play on your favourite game show but it turns out your teammate is none other than the ex that got away so many years ago! This is the case for Charlotte and Eli. Both want to win the game, both needing the money to help their families but with their past left unresolved, tension arises. Can they do it?

I really enjoyed the game show setting of this book and thought the love story was sweet although a little basic. The ending and grand gesture by Eli at the end was the best though! This is my first book by this author however I'll be on the lookout to read more.

I've had this one on my radar for months. It looked so cute so I requested the ARC. I used to watch game shows with my grandma. When I read the first few chapters I was so excited. It was going to be funny and I was going to learn some fun trivia along the way. Unfortunately it fell flat for me. We are told about their relationship as teenagers but not shown it. They meet up at age 30 both being on a game show and we just know that the guy broke her heart. But the breaking of the heart was weird too. He told her to meet him under the bleachers during school and then she got caught and he didn't. Then he didn't talk to her again. I mean you see him every day at school and never before school, after school, during school, or go to his house and ask what happened? He saw the teacher coming. That's it. That seems legitimate to me of why he didn't come out there. So when they both meet back up they both still want each other, but since we didn't get to see their love actually happen, I did not have feelings one way or the other about if they should be together. We were just told they loved each other and now they love each other again. And then what happened at the game show was weird too. I won't get into it as a spoiler but it just kind of fell flat to me also.

-Never apologize for taking up space.

My sincere thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Let's Get Quizzical by Kelly Ohlert. I give my unbiased opinion of it in the following review.

First of all, I have to say I love the title Let's Get Quizzical. It gives a fun vibe with maybe a little tension due to the competition involved and implied by the cover itself. I was all in for trying this book by Kelly Ohlert because I really liked her debut novel. This one is a second chance romance which I tend to gravitate towards when choosing a new romance to read. That being said, I really didn't love Eli and Charlotte together. I wish there would have been more about their past to make me believe that they really carried torches for each other for so long. More remembrances with more detail. More depth to their teenage romance. I liked that Eli was doing his very best to be honest and above board with Charlotte all along in a real attempt to make up for his past mistakes. She on the other hand was a little too self-righteous while at the same time thinking just as much about the physical as she was the quizzical. I honestly don't think the book needed the hook-up in the middle. It felt too rushed to me.

My favorite part was the whole quiz show aspect of the book. I thought it sounded so unique and I really liked how it started out with them being thrown back together in this unexpected way. I wasn't as much of a fan of all the other stuff about the show that became part of the new conflict. I was hoping for more getting to know each other again in a deeper way as adults as they worked toward a shared goal. I don't know - I just wanted something different than I got. There was also another sub-plot that I just didn't see any reason for. I didn't think it made sense with the rest of the book. I really wanted to like this book more, but it just fell short for me. I do think that there is an audience for this book, and I don't mind telling people to give it a try if I think they might enjoy it.

This was a very sweet second chance romance - quite unexpected from what I thought when I first read with the synopsis but going back now, it matches pretty much exactly! I don’t know why I had different thoughts about it.

I really quite enjoyed it and it was a very sweet reunion of high school sweethearts but after breaking up before senior year, unexplained, Charlotte has had 13 years to wonder why she wasn’t good enough for Eli, and has focused her life on learning all the trivia so she could get to this one day - getting onto her favorite game show… it just wasn’t what she imagined, especially when paired up with the heartbreaker, Eli himself. They make it work since they both have desperate reasons in their lives for the prize money, and when sequestered together and studying more trivia facts, as well as out touring the town, they learn a not-too-happy fact about the show they would rather forget.

I enjoyed it but it was very low steam (would have enjoyed some more), but do definitely recommend this to all romance readers out there, especially if you enjoy trivia and game shows. That part was quite fun!

I received a copy from NetGalley and Alcove Press, and this is my honest feedback.

Charlotte has a chance to compete on her favorite trivia game show, and she's over the moon. But when she arrives on set, Eli, her high school first love, at least until their shattering breakup is one of the contestants, and they get paired up. And the public loves their bickering.
This is an enemies to lovers, second chance romance. The whole game show premise of this book was super fun. I did not like, however, the premise of the second chance for Eli and Charlotte and whta happened over a decade ago (and the fact that they never talked again for over a decade over this). And Charlotte came across as selfish most of the time. If you want a quick read full of fun facts, this one is for you!
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Achei bem levinho.
Principalmente para quem quer treinar o inglês

Para Charlotte, focada na família, a chance de competir em seu game show de perguntas e respostas favorito é um sonho que se torna realidade – o prêmio em dinheiro pode garantir os melhores cuidados para sua avó idosa. Mas quando ela chega no set, quem ela vê entre os outros concorrentes? Eli, seu primeiro amor no ensino médio, pelo menos até a separação devastadora. Ele tem seus próprios motivos para competir, entre eles o estresse de vários empregos, cursos universitários e um pai que teve vários desentendimentos com a lei.

Quando o departamento de elenco os coloca em uma equipe, Charlotte e Eli estão determinados a cerrar os dentes e tirar o melhor proveito disso. É mais fácil falar do que fazer, é claro, e em pouco tempo o público nacional os observa, sem fôlego, brigando e expondo ressentimentos de anos atrás. Longe de ficarem zangados, os produtores do programa estão em êxtase – os índices de audiência estão subindo positivamente.

Enquanto competem juntos em vários episódios da série, Charlotte e Eli começam a suspeitar que velhas feridas podem realmente sarar. Viajar por Los Angeles em seu tempo livre lhes deu a oportunidade de se conhecerem novamente – e despertou sentimentos difíceis de resistir. Até que os produtores do programa alterem seus planos esperançosos que comprometerão tudo pelo que Charlotte e Eli trabalharam tanto.

O segundo romance caloroso e espirituoso de Kelly Ohlert prova que a melhor coisa a conhecer é sempre o seu próprio coração.

Charlotte is excited for the chance to compete on her favorite game show! If she wins, Charlotte can help pay for the best care for her grandmother.

Charlotte is shocked to see her high school first love, Eli, on set! Eli is competing as a contestant!

When the casting department puts Charlotte and Eli on the same team, both are determined to make the best of it. That's difficult to do, and the audience loves the bickering between the two of them! Ratings are soaring.

As they compete, both realize their wounds can heal. They begin exploring LA together, and they realize that the feelings they once had might be resurfacing.

This is a cute second chance romance. I liked the cover a lot.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This a perfect read for second chance romance lovers and of course quiz game lovers. The book follows Charlotte an intelligent woman who puts family first who gets an opportunity of a life time to be on her favorite trivia game show. It's a dream come true as she wants the prize money desperately. Her optimism is broken when she sees one of her contestants is Eli her high school sweetheart who broke her heart. They both have a reason for why they need the money. It's a refreshing take on second chance romance and absolutely a delight to read. Enjoyed it so much. I look forward to more Kelly Ohlert books

Fun fact, Charlotte has always been good with trivia. In fact, her dream has always been to one day get the chance to put her random knowledge to good use on her favorite game show. Now, with her grandmother’s ailing health and the medical expenses piling up, she has all the more reason to be in jeopardy, if not on it. Then Charlotte gets the call that she’s in and she hopes her luck is finally turning around.

Fellow contestant Eli has his own reasons to roll the dice, namely to help mounting bills due to debt and his father’s bad track record with the law. But what neither could have anticipated was the presence of the other when the cameras begin to roll. Suddenly, it’s not just the flashing stage lights, but the unexpected flashbacks that assault the pair. See, some years ago in high school Charlotte and Eli dated, but it was game over once a misunderstanding broke then apart.

Their tension palpable, the audience begins to root for the team’s success, if only to catch a glimpse of the drama unfolding on air. But behind the scenes, a much bigger and dangerous game is brewing- one that breaks all the rules in love, and in life. Will Charlotte and Eli play the game, or are they ones being played?

I was drawn to Let’s Get Quizzical for its fun premise and unique setting. As far as I know, a game show has never been a backdrop for romance. But the deeper I got into the story, the more I felt a bit confused. The first half had a definitive, young adult feel to it-perhaps because their fallout felt juvenile in nature. But as the story progressed the tone changed, ending in a suspense filled final act full of pop up propaganda instead of pop culture pandemonium. In my opinion, the story would have carved out a new niche if it stayed in the trivia trope lane. Instead, the reader is the one played in its truncated trivial pursuit for a fun romance.

A cute lighthearted read. The romance was a little flat, but the quiz show moments were well done. I thought the characters were interesting but lacked some depth. I did want to find out how the story ended and was satisfied with the resolution of the conflict. If you're in the mood for a cute game-show rom-com and not looking for anything too deep, you'll likely enjoy this tale.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Let's Get Quizzical by Kelly Ohlert was an emotional second chance romance set in the unique background of a quiz game show. Charlotte and Eli are very real characters with their flaws and issues and emotional baggage. It was full of emotional ups and downs. And it was definitely full of spicy slow burn chemistry. Sometimes there are laugh out loud moments. Sometimes there are angsty moments. Overall it is a very real love story.

Don't get fooled by the cute cover. It is not a rom com. And that is perfectly fine with me! Charlotte got a chance to participate in her favorite game show after trying for years and she needs the prize money to use in treatment of her sick grandmother. And she gets a big surprise. Because his partner is none other than Eli, the boy who broke her heart in high school. Eli needs the prize money too because his family situation. Can he convince Charlotte to give him a second chance and can they really be a team?

Eli is a sweetheart but he also has so much swagger and c0cky charm. He broke Charlotte's heart in high school for a good reason..yes he could have done everything in a better way but he was a young man caught in his circumstances. He is still fighting for every part of his life. He is in a more desperate state than Charlotte. He has never stopped loving her. But when the temptations and manipulations push within the game, things became difficult. I feel Charlotte was being a bit too hard on him. She holds honesty and truth above everything because her family has a history of devastating lies breaking them. But don't we all use white lies? When do lies become really a sin? It was a difficult question for them. I love a nerdy heroine and Charlotte was definitely an awesome one. She was just fixated on past and rigid rules and didn't want to listen to her heart that believed that Eli won't hurt her. It was heartbreaking. But fortunately everything sorted out and they had a happily ever after. I didn't expect it to be this spicy but I am happy with all the steam.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

When I saw this book, I was immediately attracted by the fun cover (with cute punchy colours) and the adorable punny title.

The story itself was a bit lacking.

LOVED that this is a quiz show romance and I loved all the various fun facts. A really refreshing take on the romcom genre.

I do wish the author would have tightened up the book. There were random moments that only distracted from the story (weird old car in LA, chlorine in the pool, etc.) as well as plot lines that were partly relevant but also not really (Kenneth, Lucky).

Regarding Kenneth, I was very happy Charlotte called him out on not being sorry but only being sorry he got caught.

Charlotte and Eli were believable and I bought their ex-friends/lovers to lovers arc. There could have been better communication but that is usually the case in romance books.

And I just wish I will be someone’s final answer in the future. Cute!!!!!!

3.5 stars rounded up because of the title and cover.

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.

This is a fun, captivating, good read. Eli and Charlotte are entertaining, intriguing, relatable, fun characters. I enjoyed getting to know Eli and Charlotte and their romance. It’s not a straight line, but the ride is a fun one. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story. I was hoping to see more of the Sarah than we did. The book is easy to read and consume. I enjoyed the read overall.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I liked the premise of this: the quiz show bringing together two people who dated and had a bad break-up in high school. However, the overall execution didn't really work for me: there is so much going on with family issues and nefarious behind-the-scenes happenings that the romance part gets overshadowed. It felt off-balance somehow: I'd have preferred a little more exploration of Eli and Charlotte's chemistry and a little less emphasis on random trivia facts. Eli is a great character, and his development since his teenage years is well done. Charlotte, however, seems a bit one-dimensional in comparison and her blinkered point of view gets annoying at times. I do love a second-chance romance, but this one was more miss than hit for me.

What a cute little story! I learned a lot from the random facts throughout the novel. Following Charlie and Eli as they reconnected for the first time since high school, showing how they’ve grown in that time was such a fun reading adventure to go on- game show style! A unique storyline for this young romance novel.

DNF 53%
The premise was cute. I love that they’re from areas I’m familiar with in Michigan. The characters love for trivia and knowledge is endearing.

I just didn’t find myself rooting for the characters or the romance. Charlie is constantly assuming the worst in people. I love a second chance romance but the backstory isn’t fleshed out. She talks about all the reasons she hates Eli from the past but none of the reasons she was apparently madly in love with him. Eli just feels like a one dimensional character and I didn’t feel any tension built between the characters. Charlie is also hyper fixated on honesty and not just being honest (that’s a good thing) but this idea of “honesty at any price no matter who it hurts in the process”. I just know there will be some 3rd act breakup and I’m not willing to read through that for characters I’m not interested in.

Let's Get Quizzical by Kelly Ohlert is a sweet and nerdy second chance romance novel.

When high school exs get paired together on a game show, will they be able to put the past behind them for the good of the game ?!?