Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Weekends with You by Alexandra Paige. Lucy is a struggling London florist, who moves into a flat with 7 other roommates to save money. Of course, one of the other flat mates is an attractive available man, but he travels all the time for his job as a photographer. He is there once a month, and when he is, the group does a fun group activity, chronicled in each chapter. Cute story, would be a good summer read. #weekendswithyou #alexandrapaige #bookstagram #lovetoread #advancedreadercopy #netgalley #booksbooksbooks #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #romance

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for a review copy of Weekends with You in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is a debut romance novel which centers around a young florist in London who is having trouble making ends meet, so she moves into a warehouse apartment with a bunch of roommates. They get together once a month to do a roommate-bonding type of activity, with a different roommate in charge of planning each month. Each chapter of the book skips to the next month, as we see a year pass over the course of the book. Lucy, the main character, develops feelings for one of her new roommates, Henry, who travels all but one weekend each month. Luckily, his weekend at home coincides with the weekend the roommates spend their time together. Can Lucy balance her flower shop and her crush on a housemate?

Weekends With You
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Alexandra Paige

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Avon Books and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Flowers have always been the best communicators. They’ve mastered falling over one another in the perfect way to announce exactly what they need: sunlight, water, space. They do not rush. They do not bloom before their time. They do not take without giving in return…

They are nothing like the rest of London.

Between trying to keep her north London flower shop, The Lotus, afloat and falling for a flatmate, Lucy Bernstein is going to have to rethink everything she knows about “creative arrangements.”

Unwillingly becoming one of eight flatmates in a quirky warehouse conversion would have been difficult enough without any romantic entanglements, but when Lucy lays eyes on Henry Baker, the traveling photographer who only comes home twelve weekends a year, she knows her hands will be full with more than just posies. As each weekend progresses, Lucy also finds herself unexpectedly falling for all her new flatmates, along with this bustling but ultimately sweeter home.

Can Lucy learn from the flowers she tends to and bravely reach for all that she needs to bloom?

My Thoughts: This was a contemporary new adult romance with emphasis on friendship building as well. I like a good YA or New Adult, even though I am approaching 50, and to not be where a new adult is in the dating world is such a relief and to have my spouse of almost 30 years by my side is a godsend. Lucy loves flowers and how they communicate things to the world, the simplicity behind a rose, a tulip, a carnation, give it care by water and sun, and it will bring you joy and fragrance. She moved out of her apartment and into a shared warehouse flat that is shared with 8 roommates. Her best friend lives here, as well as Henry Baker. Henry is a traveling photographer whom is only home for one weekend a month. The weekend he is home is the same weekend they have planned activities for all the roommates. She would like to get to know him better, as their chemistry has been interesting. Lucy finds herself falling for her flatmates, especially Henry. Can Lucy take lessons from her flowers and be brave?

There was a lot of angst and tension playing side by side with on and off again. I understand lack of communication and miscommunication tropes and even like them to a degree, but the lack of communication here was really severe and unnecessary. Lucy was balancing building her career through her flower shop and put relationships on the back burner so there was a love v career dilemma occurring. I loved the unique premise of the flatmates doing something fun in London every month and I was excited to see where their adventures would take them. I really enjoyed watching the flatmates go from strangers to found family. I wish the budding relationship between Lucy and Henry was stronger, I felt like he messed up a lot, even for a book boyfriend, and Lucy continued to forgive him, almost to a toxic level. It is almost as Henry is not ready to commit, where Lucy is absolutely ready for a long-term relationship.

Lucy is smart, optimistic, caring, and loves to make others happy through flowers. Henry is kind of aloof, charming, a bit on the immature side, and noncommittal. The characters were well developed with witty banter, some chemistry, creative, and intriguing. The supporting characters were absolutely amazing and really elevated the story to another level. The author’s writing style was complex, funny, heartfelt, magical, and engaging. Paige really knocked it out of the park with the London setting, the details provided were so descriptive that I felt like I was there in London with these flatmates, riding along on the adventures. The author builds up the characters in a slow burn fashion, the plot is delivered throughout the storyline, and the ending was fantastic.

This was Paige’s debut novel. For a debut novel, it was fantastic and I know we are going to see amazing things from this author. My only con is Henry. I wish he was a more solid character instead of so fluid. With that being said, I still loved this story. It was sweet, heartfelt, funny, and beautifully written. I really enjoyed the message of this story though, to always find your own path and own it, stand in your truth. I would definitely recommend to other readers.

Lucy is a florist that moves into a warehouse with 6 or 7 other flatmates when she's finding it hard to make ends meet. The steadfast rule of the roommates is that they have one weekend a month where they all come together and take turns planning group activities. On her first "warehouse Weekend" is when Lucy finally meets Henry who is a flatmate, but travels for his photography profession the majority of the month.

Sparks almost immediately fly between the two, but they really only see each other on these weekends although they try to make a long distance relationship work. That is until Lucy tries to surprise Henry and is made to feel as if she has made a huge mistake. Just when she thinks she is getting over him, he worms his way back into her heart.

Even though I loathe when there is miscommunication by lack of any communication at all, it was an otherwise good novel with likeable characters and great friendships.

Thanks to Avon and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

This was a cute debut romance, the story of two people who only get to spend one weekend a month together as they try to understand their feelings and their future. I thought a lot about Lucy and Henry was cute, though at times it was hard to see what they saw in each other besides a general attraction. The book hints at interesting and incredible conversations, but since each chapter focuses on the weekend they see each other each month (the premise is actually pretty cute and not as tired as I thought it would be), its difficult to see things build between them. This is single POV and I think it would have been great to at least get one month with Henry to get some insight into his life, but either way this was a cute fast read and I can't wait to see what Paige writes next.

Would recommend for fans of…
💐 Beth O’Leary
💐 Sophie Cousens
💐 Josie Silver

There’s just something about a British rom com that hits different! I don’t know if it's the setting or the cozy vibes but they are just some of my favorites.

Weekends With You absolutely fits that bill. In addition to the setting, the premise, which follows Lucy over the course of a year as photographer Henry drifts in and out of her life as she navigates job at a flower shop and her relationship with her eight flatmates. All of this gives the story a very early 2000s ensemble rom com feel, like if Love, Actually had been set in the spring, or if Bridget Jones had been a little less frazzled, with just one main love interest. I could only picture Henry as a young Hugh Grant when I was reading.

While the vibes were next level, I personally felt like the story overall could have used a bit more depth. I’m not sure if it was the “snapshot” structure of having each chapter cover selects events of one month, but I felt like a little more detail could have helped strengthen the connection between the reader and the characters.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted, closed door rom com that’s full of good vibes, Weekends With You is the perfect book for you!

Weekends With You is out now. Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book so much! I finished a few weeks ago and keep finding myself thinking about it! Can’t wait for more from Alexandra ♥️

Set against the enchanting backdrop of modern-day London, Alexandra Paige's "Weekends with You" is an exquisitely heartwarming and romantic tale that unfolds over the course of a year, with each month marked by weekends that weave magic and love.

Lucy Bernstein, a flower shop enthusiast, dreams of more than just bouquets. When she becomes one of eight quirky flatmates in a warehouse conversion, her life takes an unexpected turn. Among them is Henry Baker, a traveling photographer who graces London with his presence only twelve weekends a year. Lucy’s heart is soon entangled not only with posies but also with newfound friendships and the promise of love. Alexandra Paige’s prose captures the essence of Lucy’s blossoming journey. The characters leap off the page, and the London setting feels like home. As Lucy navigates creative arrangements and heartfelt connections, readers will find themselves falling in love alongside her.

This spellbinding debut is a symphony of emotions that lingers long after the final page. If you’re seeking a story that combines humor, heartache, and sheer magic, look no further. Alexandra Paige has crafted a sweet story that will stay with you long after the final page is turned.

Really fun debut with absolutely beautiful writing that will keep me coming back for more of her books! I think the MFC forgave a bit too easily but I love to hold a grudge lol soooo take that with a grain of salt 😂. MMC absolutely drove me bananas at times (and then enters easy forgiveness) butttt what's a HEA without hurdles to overcome?!

I enjoyed this debut from Alexandra Paige and will be looking out for future novels from her.

The romance of this and overall plot was cute and reminded me of New Girl. I liked the found family aspects and overall friendships. I liked the main female character’s journey as well.

Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it.

First time reading this author. Story of friendship and love told over the course of a year in monthly weekend installments .Lucy is an American living in the UK. She can't afford her rent increase and moves in with her best friend in a warehouse shared with six other people. The roommates have busy lives and agree to spend an entire weekend together 1 weekend a month. Generally they meet just one weekend a month because that's when their flat mate , Henry, is back in town after traveling the rest of the month for work. Lucy has an attraction to handsome and mysterious Henry . But she is also trying to live out her dream as a florist at a struggling flower shop. We learn about Lucy in the book but the remaining characters are not well developed and I found it hard to keep track of them . I felt the book could have flowed better. The writing did not pull me in to get invested in trying to learn about the multitude of characters.

Thanks for the ARC. 2.75 stars.

I loved the authors writing style. I’ll definitely read more books by her.
The summary made me so excited to read this book. However, I really didn’t like Henry. He was annoying and unlikable and it made the book hard to read. I usually love the roommate trope but this one wasn’t it for me.

Is one weekend each month enough to fall in love? Henry and Lucy are about to find out. A diverse quirky but realistic group of friends share warehouse lofts. With busy schedules, a monthly Warehouse Weekend helps them each catch up and have a good time doing it. Enter Henry, the traveling photojournalist who's only home one weekend each month.
Paige's debut novel is funny and lighthearted. She has room to grow and improve as an author, and I can't wait to watch her do it in future novels.
Thank you for your review.

Was unable to connect with book./plot several chapters/weekends in. Will not be finishing, but wish the author the best.

Weekends with You is a cute coming-of-age romance where a down-on her luck florist moves in with 8 roommates to help save money only to fall in love with the least available man in the house. Henry is only home twelve weekends out of the year, and each weekend he is home al of the roommates set out to do something fun all together. Because of Henry's minimal time, the romance between Lucy and Henry was a very slow burn and at times felt like it was more surface level than swoon worthy. Lucy looked at him with hearts in her eyes, falling for his charmingly good looks, but it was hard as a reader to see the connection between the two of them past physical attraction. I loved getting to know about types of flowers and London, and thought the multiple roommate dynamic was very fun and relatable.

Lucy is a florist in London and her financial issues have her moving into a warehouse flat situation with her best friend and 5 others, including Henry. Henry is immediately drawn to Lucy but Henry’s job leaves him traveling all but one weekend a month. The flatmates take turns hosting a Warehouse Weekend where they all hang out and this is the only time that Lucy and Henry see one another. They have an on again off again situation while Lucy is trying to figure out her career and Henry is trying to figure out his life.
This was a very interesting concept for a romance story and generally speaking a liked it. There was a lot of miscommunication between Lucy and Henry, or rather non-communication, that led to relationship issues which is a frustrating trope for me, but it did work in the context of the story. I did feel frustrated with Henry in parts of the story but I was still rooting for Lucy and Henry and I was pleased by the seemingly happily ever after. I also really enjoyed the other characters in the story. The banter between all of the roommates was funny and witty and they all had such unique personalities that came out in the various Warehouse Weekends that they each planned. I thought this was a fun fairly quick read that I would recommend.

2.25 stars.

It kind of hurts me to have to rate this so low, because I really enjoyed Alexandra Paige's writing style. AND!!!!!! despite my rating, I actually think this is a very good debut novel. However, this is marketed as a romance novel, so I feel that I have to base my review on the romantic relationship between the main characters. Slight spoilers ahead!!!!

FIRST let me start with what I loved:
- As I said before, I love how Alexandra writes. She did a great job at making me feel like I was actually in London living with this insane group of people. There were a loootttt of characters in this, and each of them was dynamic in their own way.
- Speaking of all of those characters, I adored their little apartment. Living with that many people at once sounds like my own personal hell, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about it and the complexities of the relationships between roommates. Everyone had their own little quirks that made them both more and less lovable to their flatmates, and it was just so fun to explore that.
- My favorite part of the book was Lucy's professional journey and her learning how to combine her love for flowers with her ambitions to bring the store to new heights. If the book was mostly focused on this, I would've been very happy with it, but I felt like her own plot line was overshadowed by that man (gross.)

Now.......... what I didn't love:
- This book so perfectly depicts exactly what it's like to date in your 20s in the worst way possible. I constantly felt triggered (YES, TRIGGERED) by the things that man would do and say to the point that I was getting Vietnam-War-style flashbacks to shitty men in my own past. I fell in love with Lucy, and now you're telling me I have to watch her fall all over herself for a fucking loser......... Don't piss me off.
- That man was SO manipulative that it physically hurt to finish reading this. Lucy deserved so much better than to spend an entire year on that man's hook. I do not care if you can't decide where you want to live, you can't drag people along while you figure it out. I'm not faulting him for having his own struggles, I'm sure it was very hard to feel like he did, but he was so unfair in the way he approached things with Lucy, and I wish the author had given her a stronger backbone. She's sitting around and waiting for a man that might never come when she has so much other shit to worry about?!?!?!?! BYEEE

Okay that's as far as I'm going to go without giving too too much away or going off on a misandrist rant.

TLDR; Alexandra Paige, I love you, but I wish you would've killed off your MMC <3

Thank you so much NetGalley, Avon, and Alexandra Paige for an advanced copy of this book.

Lucy Bernstein's life is changing. She has to help manage the Lotus Flower Shop, which is in financial difficulties, and she just moved into a new flat (the WAREHOUSE) with a bunch of people including her bestie, Raja. She begins to fall for Henry, who is only around one weekend a month due to his job as a traveling photographer.

As we watch Lucy's life play out, she has to come to terms with what she wants and who she is.

Writing is fine, you will read a lot of the details about Lucy and her flatmates, which was not quite what I was expecting. Not meant to be funny but more poignant.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book #sponsored

Such a great, light-hearted read. This book was such a good read to drown out the rest of the world and had me grinning from beginning to end!