Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review of Flirty Little Secret!

There were many things I loved about this book, mainly how the female MC struggled with depression, anxiety, and ADHD. I think most of us can relate to that in some form these days, and Lepe covered in in a fantastic fashion. I love a good HEA and this book definitely checked that off.

The only thing that really bothered me was how quick the two MC's fell for each other in real life. It felt rushed, and missing some details for them to feel that strongly about each other. so soon.

I was excited for this book, but considering I verbally said "what the f*ck is wrong with this book" my the mid-point, it ended up being a slog to finish.

This just didn't connect with me at all. While the writing was technically fine, the pacing was incredibly off, there was a boat load of exposition and info-dumping of back story in the first chapters, no chemistry at all between the leads, and a whole lot of scenes/side-plots that added nothing to the couple's story.

A swing and a miss for me.

This was just a gem of a read. There were so many things I like. First, Lucy and Fletcher are characters (and a couple) you find yourself rooting for. Second, Lucy and Fletcher are written in such a real way. For Lucy, that means, her struggles with anxiety, ADHD and depression are part of who she is and her story, and for Fletcher, it means that his relationships and career shift are part of what most impacts him. Fletcher and Lucy are new co-workers, but they've actually know each other far longer. Fletcher has made an online connection with @TheMissGuidedCounselor - except what neither one of them realizes is that it's actually Lucy. So, this one is about their online relationship and their IRL life one, and as you can imagine, there are some obstacles throughout. This was one I just adored. Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this March 2024 release!

The concept of a MFC with anxiety, depression, and ADHD struck a chord with me and I do love a HEA, but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me.

While I’m sure many readers will adore this, I had a difficult time getting into the rhythm of the plot and found Lucy’s inner voice and interactions to be too junior high-esque for what I was expecting.

I wasn’t the reader for this.



Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the DRC

I loved this one! Flirty Little Secret is a delight of a romance novel, complete with secret identities, and some amazing anxiety and depression representation.

Lucy is incredibly relatable with her feeling that she has to mask her symptoms of depression and anxiety behind a happy face and her secret influencer account @MissGuidedCounselor. While Fletcher is the male main character, Lucy is clearly the star of the show and we see much more of her life and internal monologue, but just enough of Fletcher’s to know he’s human, too.

As an educator, I really appreciated how Lucy approaches her students and supports them, although there was a strong push for college that doesn’t always make sense for everyone!

Plus, Lucy is Sephardi (Jewish from an Iberian Peninsula heritage), which is not a highly represented experience, especially in romance novels. I love seeing how her Jewish family is similar to my own, and also their traditions that differ. It’s a must-read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and Jessica Lepe for this advanced copy!

This story features charming main characters and an excellent supporting cast. I enjoyed the overall story but see this appealing more to a YA audience. The main characters model insecurity, anxiety, and misunderstandings well, together with how to work through them. As an adult reader, I felt that there were too many scenes of self-doubt and self-loathing by Lucy. However, for a YA audience, it seems about right.

*Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is so cute! Loved the awkward meet cute between the two main characters. It was funny and adorable.

A unique take on You've Got Mail (which was really just Shop Around the Corner), this book features a character with anxiety, ADHD, and depression in a way that is really relatable for the reader. We not only get a cute, quick rom-com, we also learn a little bit about other people in the world around us. Our protagonists are friends IRL as well as online, and it's an interesting dynamic when one realizes that they know each other long before the other one does...especially since the online persona is her safe space, and she feels violated by his knowing her in real life. With a quirky supporting cast of characters, this book tackles some big issues in a fun way.

a quick read for me! pacing was great. also kind of a timely read for me — i really felt for lucy and her mental health struggles. it was refreshing to read such a relatable main character! how fletcher supported her and loved her was done really well. some may say their relationship was kind of insta-lovey, but i think if you take into consideration how long they’d been friends online, and how deeply they divulged, their timeline makes a lot of sense. hoping… PRAYING this is a new series, because i need julieta x brodie YESTERDAY!

#netgalley

This was such a fun read from a debut author!
Lucy and Fletcher just felt so real to me. It has a great setting, strong mental health rep, and very wholesome vibe. Forever is pitching this as You’ve Got Mail meets Abbott Elementary and it delivered. I was also impressed with how it handled multicultural identity and not feeling like you’re enough.
Also, the teens in this book genuinely made me laugh!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Before I dive into my thoughts, a massive shoutout and thank you to NetGalley for this sneak peek in exchange for my honest review!

Summary:
Lucy is a public school guidance counselor who struggles with her mental health - specifically, depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Lucy often finds herself struggling to say and do the right thing in her daily life, which is what prompts her to create a totally anonymous Instagram account with the handle @TheMissGuidedCounselor. Through this account, she is able to be the composed, confident person she aspires to be. As @TheMissGuidedCounselor, Lucy befriends a follower - a follower who quickly becomes one of her best friends. But when Lucy meets the newest history teacher at her school, Fletcher, her days of online anonymity may be over.

Review:
Discovering that "Flirty Little Secret" is Jessica Lepe's debut surprised me—I wouldn't have guessed it from the seamless storytelling. While I noticed a few minor typos and inconsistencies, they didn't overshadow the overall well-crafted narrative.

I typically steer clear of multiple-POV books, but this one was a pleasant exception. It proved crucial in understanding Lucy, a character who doesn't see her own charisma. The switch in perspectives offered valuable insights into each character's struggles, enhancing their complexity and relatability.

As someone juggling anxiety, depression, and ADHD—an admittedly challenging personal cocktail—I resonated deeply with Lucy. Her relatable and humorous portrayal, despite her awkward moments, made her endearing. There were times I wanted to shake some sense into her, but truth be told, I've probably been guilty of similar actions. Lucy's authenticity shines through her actions and reactions to the world around her.

Beyond Lucy, the depiction of her family was a standout. The palpable love between family members, evident in actions and words, added depth to the narrative. Their support during challenging times and playful teasing showcased a true family dynamic.

Despite a few hiccups, "Flirty Little Secret" is an engaging debut novel and an effortless read. I thoroughly enjoyed this advanced copy and eagerly anticipate Jessica Lepe's future works.

Rating: 4/5 stars - A promising start, and I look forward to more from this author!

i wanted to really like this book but unfortunately, i just wasn’t feeling any of it. it wasn’t bad, just wasn’t for me. i didn’t feel connected to any of the characters or romance.

Once I read You’ve Got Mail meets Abbott Elementary I had high expectations. And though I enjoyed the story it felt a bit flat. Some of the inner monologues were a bit repetitive and too long. The mental health talk and representation was great and well done, Lucy felt very relatable in that aspect. Since Lucy and Fletcher knew each other and hade become friends prior to meeting their instant attraction felt more natural. I do did wish he had been more upfront with Georgia and just avoid that conflict. Also having a mixed family myself I really appreciated the inclusion of Lucy's cultures and the way she interacted with her family. Overall it was a cute and easy read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Jessica Lee for the the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Where do I start??? I LOVED this book. I LOVED every second of it and I didn't want it to end. Lucy and Fletcher grabbed me from page one. I looked for every opportunity I had to pick it up and keep reading. Their individual neuroses and concerns are ones shared by so many people these days. Hiding behind an online persona is such a common phenomenon. What happens when you have to let down that online shield? Such a fantastic book!! Please tell us what happens with them next! Book 2??

I enjoyed this book. It kept my attention even though it was a tad predictable.

I liked the neurodivergent representation. I also enjoyed the multicultural identity crisis aspect.

I didn’t really understand why Lucy was so upset when she figured out who Fletcher was but maybe that was part of the anxiety she had?

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a good book! I initially felt that Lucy and Fletcher fell for each other too quickly and was a big put off by that, but I loved the characters so I kept reading. There’s a bit toward the beginning where it skips forward three weeks and mentions that they’d both fallen for each other during that time as they had little encounters and conversations at work. I wish we’d seen a little more of that so their very deep feelings didn’t feel so rushed (but maybe I just like a slow-burn). Regardless of this, their relationship is actually very deep because of their online relationship.
The romance isn’t even necessarily the star of the show for me, even though it was great. The characters were just so good individually too. I absolutely loved Lucy and her journey. She had so many characteristics that she viewed as flaws but by the end of the book, she can appreciate herself as the amazing person that everyone else knows her to be. I love, love, loved her relationship with her family and friends. This may have been my favorite part of the book. Her family members were such great characters and I really appreciated the glimpse into their culture and religion too. Grown women with genuine, deep friendships with other women is so refreshing to read.
I really appreciated Fletcher’s growth as well. He was quick to learn and accept responsibility for his actions when he was wrong (they both did this!). I love that he did this not only in regard to Lucy, but also in his perception of his sister.
I especially appreciated the friendly relationship that developed between Lucy and Georgia. It was just a small part of the book, but it was this attention to having well-rounded characters that made me want to keep reading. Georgia wasn’t just the villain or other woman necessary for a plot point, she was an actual human. There were no villains. Just real people, who are sometimes right and sometimes wrong.
I think the main theme of the book was ultimately growth, not just romance. I loved it and was inspired.
I would absolutely read more books by this author.

This book gave so much Disney Channel (with 1.5 🌶️) energy. It was definitely an adult book, but it had a lot of cheesy and wholesome elements with a HEA. I loved the representation with not only a neurodivergent guidance counselor, but also someone who is multiracial and struggles with her identity.

While the book was a little ✨too✨ cheesy at times, as well as the questionable funny bits (e.g., Konfident Kids Klub/KKK), it discussed a variety of heavy topics in a very palatable way. As someone who has worked in a school setting and goes to therapy for anxiety, it was very relatable. It was also extremely informative regarding mental health topics and how to navigate the world with an anxiety disorder (among other diagnoses). I also loved how the author shares the same diagnoses as the FMC, which made it feel more authentic.

Overall, it was a very cute and quick read. Definitely a feel-good palate cleanser!

Flirty Little Secret by Jessica Lepe is a sweet and heartwarming rom-com.
The characters were fully realized and fleshed out, the romance was on pare.
I love how the author weaves a swoon worthy love story in with real life issues.
It truly was an amazing read and one I definitely recommend you pick up and check out.

Thank You NetGalley and Forever for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This book was everything!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review! I was initially drawn to this book by the super cute cover, and the description of the book: You’ve Got Mail meets Abbott Elementary, and was captivated by the well-thought out main characters and the lovely writing style.

The premise of an anonymous FMC social media account being admired by the MMC follower reminded me of Love on the Brain in the best way! I loved seeing the two interacting as Lucy & Fletcher, and TheMissGuidedConselor & BravesGuy93, and essentially falling for each other twice over. And the mental health rep?? This felt incredibly personal and manages to encapsulate so much of what I (and so many others) feel every day.

The banter was great, the pacing felt really smooth, and the resolution was satisfying! I think we have a real winner on our hands here, and my only regret about reading this so soon is I have no one to talk about it with!

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Jessica Lepe and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this E-ARC!

As someone diagnosed with both ADHD and anxiety, Lucy's character profoundly resonated with me. It felt incredibly empowering to see these aspects portrayed with authenticity and care, adding a layer of depth to this already charming rom-com. Lucy, the guidance counsellor with a penchant for chaos, instantly became a relatable and endearing protagonist.

The references to "Abbott Elementary" caught my attention, and I'm thrilled to say that this book exceeded my expectations. From the hilarious spill-the-tea moment between Lucy and Fletcher, the handsome history teacher, to the complexities of Lucy's anonymous Instagram alter ego, @TheMisguidedCounselor, this rom-com expertly weaves humor, romance, and meaningful issues.

Lucy's battles with anxiety and ADHD are portrayed with remarkable sensitivity, making her character even more relatable. The chemistry between Lucy and Aldrich, especially through their online interactions, adds an extra layer of charm to the story. As their connection deepens, so does the anticipation for the moment Aldrich reveals he knows Lucy's online identity.

The depiction of mental health challenges, ADHD, and the pressure to have it all together resonates authentically, making the characters and their struggles feel genuine. What a breath of fresh air to witness a romance novel that not only entertains but also tackles important themes.

Flirty Little Secret is a heartwarming rom-com with depth, reminding readers that even counsellors have their battles. Jessica, in her debut novel, has crafted a captivating narrative with an irresistible mix of sweetness, humour, and a dash of spice. This book deserves a spot on your must-read list!

- I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 Stars!