Josie and Nate are childhood best friends who’ve lost touch over the past couple of years and are now going to be living in the same place again.

I liked the premise of this book, and enjoyed the Australian setting. I also appreciated the health anxiety representation and thought this element of the story was handled with care and thoughtfulness.

The relationship between Josie and Nate was the part of the story that felt underdeveloped to me, the level of miscommunication between them had me feeling that they were still the teenagers they were when they first met. I thought the chemistry between the two of them relied quite heavily on tell, rather than show too.

Overall 3 stars, I liked the premise and would be interested to read other books by the author.

Josie and Zac have been friends for 14 years. There were times when they could have been more, but it never went beyond friendship. Two years after tragedy made them drift apart, Josie gets sent from Sydney to Newcastle to cover a reporter's leave and it's her chance to prove that she can handle reading the news. But her health anxiety and denial of her ever-growing feelings for Zac are making her question everything about her life.

It's not bad, but it felt like a chore to read because even the loving interactions feel weighed down by Josie's anxiety. It's a very anxious book and while I appreciate the focus on something that many people silently endure, it didn't exactly make for a relaxing read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the read!

Friends to lovers can be really hard to do, in my opinion but I really loved the tension and build up here. Murray did a great job with these characters and this love story!

I enjoyed reading Love, Just In b y Natalie Murray. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Love Just In is a fascinating friends-to-lovers slow-burn romance that essentially takes place over fourteen years, though it is the six months during which the romance finally sparks that is central to this story. TV reporter Josie Larsen has been posted to Newcastle for six months to fill in and possibly get her big break as a TV news anchor. She’s slick and professional and outstanding at her job, except when reporting on cancer-related issues. Having lost her aunt and her grandmother to breast cancer, Josie is morbidly fearful that she will be the next one to die. As the story progresses, this crippling fear dominates her thoughts and actions more and more, affecting her work and her budding relationship with best friend Zac Jameson. Zac has his own demons to slay having survived the head-n car crash that killed his fiancée two years ago. As a paramedic, he’s lived with the guilt of not being able to save her life and he’s spent the past two years trying to rebuild his life in Newcastle. Josie’s arrival on the scene is one more challenge he has to deal with. These two are fabulous characters. They share quirky and snortingly funny text messages but struggle at times to have a simple conversation. It’s clear they’re both a little mixed-up and also clear they are in love with each other, even if neither seems willing to accept that fact and move from best friends to something more. I loved watching their journey, while the flashbacks through the story filled in the gaps as to what led them to this point. This is a complex romance with a secondary thread that adds depth. I really loved this story.

This book definitely came across with a similar vibe to Emily Henry's You & Me On Vacation. I really loved the mental health representation in this book with our protagonists struggles with anxiety/panic attacks. Natalie Murray did a great job incorporating scenes from different stages in the characters history with one another as they navigated reconnecting after years apart.

Overall, this book is a heartwarming journey that captures the essence of romance, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking to lose themselves in a love story. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the genre or just looking for a feel-good read, this novel is sure to leave you with a smile.

I enjoy reading a book set in Australia. The mental health rep in this story was very well written & the anxiety the fmc felt was very relatable. The dual timeline pov really provided a lot of depth to the relationship between Josie & Zac

This book wasn’t my writing style. The plot and characters were good but I couldn’t get over words that were being used and the flipping between different pov. Nothing abbots this author just this one wasn’t for me,

This story was emotional, raw, and beautifully written. I loved how it tackled heavy topics like health anxiety, grief, and loss with such compassion. The characters were rich and full of depth, and even the side characters made you feel for them. I’m usually not a fan of friends-to-lovers, but this was the exception—the tension and angst were everything. I found myself rooting for the characters to finally catch a break and be together. I’m definitely reading more from this author; I’m impressed!

If it bleeds, it leads.

Synopsis: Self-centered, pick-me TV news reporter Josie and boring paramedic Zac are childhood friends to lovers with an extremely inappropriate, immature friendship along the way. Josie suffers an on-air panic attack in Sydney and takes on a new assignment in Newcastle, where her old bestie Zac lives.

What I liked: I was all in when I read the book is in the same vein as Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation. (Yes, there are some similarities.) I appreciated that this book’s FMC dealt with health anxiety, as I do too, and I haven’t yet read a novel with that as an aspect. As well, I enjoy reading rom-coms from other countries (like Dolly Alderton). A much more heavy book than would be assumed from a cartoon cover.

What I disliked: With this being a rom-com, there were too many serious topics that were presented that just didn’t work with the tone of the rest of the book. Sexual harassment and driving under the influence are too breezily swept under the rug. Then, Josie does whatever she can to get ahead at work, even treating incredibly serious events (m*rd**r, cancer, house fire, etc.) without basic empathy, all in the name of work deadlines. Also, Josie and Zac have a very inappropriate “friendship” that is disrespectful of their partners — and Josie’s partner Lindsay is awful in his own way, too. Josie constantly asks why Zac isn’t paying attention to her when he, a paramedic, has a history of trauma, both in his personal and professional lives, and he’s obviously mentally preoccupied. (Josie needs a lot of self-reflection and therapy for her anxious attachment style.) Like other reviewers have said, the setup was great, but the payoff was not.

TW: health anxiety; grief; mentions of childhood death, cancer, car accident, drunk driving

Thank you to #NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the advanced reader copy of #LoveJustIn.

Was in need of a cute romance and this book was exactly that. I loved the basis of best friends turned to lovers, and they fact they were friends for so long. I also enjoyed the health anxiety aspect and the hiding it from friends and family, it seemed like a realistic issue instead of the silly ones that are usually in romance novels. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

*Love, Just In* by Natalie Murray is a refreshing and delightful romance that offers a modern twist on love and second chances, set against the fast-paced, ever-changing world of broadcast journalism. This novel is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys smart, witty dialogue, complex characters, and a storyline that balances heartwarming moments with real-life challenges.

The story follows the ambitious and talented reporter, Justine "Just" Drake, whose career has always been her top priority—until a surprise reunion with her first love throws her carefully planned life into disarray. As she navigates the demands of her job, the pressures of the news industry, and the unexpected resurgence of old feelings, Just must figure out what really matters most to her.

What makes *Love, Just In* stand out is how authentically it captures the tension between personal ambition and emotional fulfillment. Just is a strong, driven protagonist who is easy to root for, but she’s also deeply human—grappling with doubts, fears, and the ghosts of her past. Murray does an excellent job of portraying her inner conflict, making her journey toward understanding her own heart both relatable and compelling.

The romance at the heart of the story is beautifully developed. It’s not just about rekindling a past flame; it’s about two people who have grown and changed, finding their way back to each other in a new, more mature way. The chemistry between Just and her love interest is palpable, and their interactions are filled with the kind of banter and tenderness that makes you want to keep turning the pages.

Murray also weaves in the exciting, sometimes chaotic backdrop of the news world, adding a layer of realism and urgency to the story. The fast-paced environment serves as a perfect contrast to the slower, more introspective moments of Just’s personal life, creating a dynamic reading experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Overall, *Love, Just In* is a standout contemporary romance that’s as thoughtful as it is entertaining. With its well-drawn characters, sharp writing, and a plot that expertly balances career ambitions with the messiness of love, this book is a four-and-a-half-star read that’s sure to resonate with anyone who has ever had to choose between following their heart or their dreams.

I did not care for this book. I understand the comparisons to Emily Henry's People We Meet on Vacation in concept (and it doesn't help that that's my least fave EH book); however, there is a staggering difference in quality, maturity of writing, and flow. There is also an element of pining on the MMCs part that is reminiscent of Ali Hazelwood, but again the comparison stops there.

I found both the FMC and many of her interactions to be incredibly juvenile. She'd fluctuate between being overly naive and overly flirtatious, she'd play silly "pranks", and generally act like a child in uncharming ways.

For me, Lindsey, the MMCs foil, could have just not been in the book. He was cartoonishly gross and unlikable. Nothing interesting or nuanced could have been learned by our FMCs romance with him.

Finally, it did not seem like this author had a true story arc mapped out for this couple. She tried to straddle this romance between friends as concurrently completely new and surprising to the FMC and also something she had always wanted/was meant for "invisible string" style. I could see this approach working, but it was so clumsily done. And frankly the FMC was not developed enough as a character to sustain this dichotomy.

Best thing I could say about this book is I considered DNFing but I did not. Some of the pining was enjoyable and maybe some of the health anxiety girlies out there might enjoy the representation in this book. Although, tbh, even as a GAD girlie, that did not hit for me.

Actually, one last, admittedly, nitpicky thing: The FMC kept referring to the MMCs *LATE* fiance as his ex. When a current partner or spouse dies, they do not become an ex. Incredibly strange wording. We do get some more info later in the book that reveals "ex" to be, in fact, more apt wording, but our narrator, the FMC, does not have that info for most of the book.

Josie and Zac are childhood friends who become lovers whilst tackling some very real issues such as mental health struggles and problems at work. It was a really easy book to read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This one was good! Heavy at times, but who doesn't love friends turned strangers turned lovers?! It was so good to watch them come back together. Will read more by this author. 4 stars!

Who doesn't love a childhood friends to lovers trope right?! This was such a great read! The strong connection between Josie and Zac was so evident and my heart wanted nothing more than for them to find their happily ever after together!

TV presenter Josie Larsen is nearing 30 and feels like she is failing at life. After a panic attack on live TV, her boss sends her from Sydney to a regional bureau in Newcastle as punishment for 6 months.

In Newcastle lives Zac Jameson, her best friend since high school. This should be a delight for Josie, but 2 years ago Zac's fiance was killed in a car accident and he left Sydney to cope with his grief and hasn't spoken to Josie since.

Thrown back into each others lives, Zac and Josie need to rekindle their friendship but is the spark of friendship the only spark these two will find or will their secret attraction to each other finally ignite into a love that has been burning in the background for so long?!

Light, cute childhood friends to loves trope - just a fun read! I enjoyed this cute tale and would consider reading this author again!

I don't know, I expected more from this book and it didnt end up being my favorite. I will check out more of natalie's books tho.

What a fun romance to pick up! Absolutely perfect for fans of Emily Henry! Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy of this book!