This was super cute & had more than a few laugh-out-loud moments, and weirdly I liked (even though I really didn’t like it) that both characters exhibited some genuinely unreasonable behavior toward each other instead of it being one-sided. They both need a nap and a snack, honestly.

After a long-term relationship left her wrong-footed and lost, Marina Spicer doesn’t want to waste time dating. She’s ready to settle down, and her list of dating dealbreakers is how she plans to do so (okay, but Marina: please chill).

And so she creates Dealbreakers: a way to filter through the dating sites to avoid wasting your time on partners who don’t meet your specific standards, while also letting other women know what they’re in for (good or bad). And it works… even if it is a little nauseating.

When an attempt at a promotion at work gets Marina paired up with Walking Dealbreaker Lucas Kennedy, she is determined to prove to herself that her ideas (both at work and in her personal life) are correct. The app shows that Lucas has ALL of her dealbreakers, and he’s insufferable in real life, too. Except… he’s really not.

As the two are forced to spend more time together, Marina is forced to face the realities of her snap judgments. And the more she playfully spars with her annoyingly charming coworker, the more she realizes there may be some truth to the idea that opposites attract.

I identified so, so much with Rina! I too had a huge list of criteria for who I would consider dating in my 20s. I too ultimately abandoned that list, and ended up with a tall, curly-haired man with Irish heritage (but no accent, unfortunately 🙂). This was a great book with endearing main characters, plenty of witty banter, and a fun supporting cast. The underlying message that we shouldn’t judge people, especially based on the perceptions of others, is important and it was delivered in an interesting and enjoyable way!

I wanted to like this. It was mostly the plot I just couldn’t really get into, didn’t have me wanting to flip the pages and find out what was going to happen. But at least the writing wasn’t trash lol. So I don’t think it’s the author or anything the story just wasn’t for me.

This was a super sweet elevated beach read I’d say. One thing I just have to mention is that it did remind me (a LOT) of Just My Type by Falon Ballard (work nemeses competing for a promotion by going on date type excursions and writing about them).

The writing was great - bubbly and keeps you engaged. Their back and forth banter was excellent. I found the conclusion a little bit hard to believe though - the main character was so dead set on planning (for biological purposes) and it does not make sense to me that she’s suddenly just not care and want to throw that plan to the wind. If two people really don’t have the same goals for the future (like kids vs no kids) that’s something you have to consider! It didn’t make any sense that she’d put herself back in a situation where she’s with someone who isn’t sure about having a family, even despite the fact that she thinks he’s her “person”. You can be super in love with someone and if you have opposing views on kids, that’s just not a relationship that’s going to work. The fact that she’s just like “I’m giving up my plans for fireworks!” Is unrealistic both in real life and for this character. The book made it seem like love can just overcome all differences and that’s hella untrue. But besides that, this book was great!

3.5 rounded up to 4/5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Marnia boyfriend of 15 year has dumped and she is has been going on a series a date to hopefully find the one who checks everything off on her list of must haves. However she just keeps checking off all the dealbreakers with these men.

Logan is life is full of adventure and just around to casually date. He also checks off all the dealbreakers on Marnia list.

When Marina and Logan get paired up for a company project, will these "enemies" find love with each other.

This is a great quick romance, with no spice ( fades to black). Love watch each of the characters growth. As always with romance, I wish this was told in dual povs.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I found this second novel by Lauren Forsyth to be an absolute delight. The cover does a great job of helping the reader visualize how these characters seem like direct opposites; however, when you think about it, the two MCs are really spending much of their time acting like middle schoolers who don't know how to handle their newfound crushes.

This was a delightful HEA with some obvious, and some downright shocking, twists along the way!

A charming workplace “nemeses”-to-lovers romance. Marina is a talented developer eager for a promotion. She is also reeling from a breakup from her boyfriend of 15 years - someone she thought she would marry and start a family with. Lucas is a writer who doesn’t seem to take life too seriously. He has all the qualities Marina isn’t looking for. So why does she find herself increasingly drawn to him?

Dealbreakers has plenty of cute moments as Marina and Lucas get to know each other while jointly reviewing a series of events including an escape room and mixology competition. Marina and Lucas have good chemistry and there is plenty of back and forth banter. One minor drawback for me was Marina’s over-reliance on her list of qualities in her perfect match and her eagerness to find a man and have kids solely due to turning thirty was a bit grating. Fortunately, she was self-reflective and experienced personal growth as the novel progressed. 3.5 stars.

If you’re in the mood for a fun, light-hearted love story (set in London), give Dealbreakers a read.

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.