Skip to main content

Member Reviews

I really loved the premise of this book and I got so excited when I saw that I had been approved for an ARC.

The characters were likeable, relatable and you couldn’t help but root for them. I also loved that this book gave representation to a condition that you don’t see portrayed much in media.

I do feel that a lot happened in such a small amount of pages and that made me feel overwhelmed and confused. I think that due to that, it felt rushed to me at the end. This is just my personal opinion and I can see lots of people picking this up and loving it.

I’m super interested to see what comes next with this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

I judged this book by it's cover because it's beautiful. I loved the fitness aspect in this book because it was not diet culture or abusive. I liked the gym family and the small town aspects. It was quirky (See: town member who thinks they are an alien) but overall a good story.

TW for USA Gymnastics assault plot

Was this review helpful?

Work It Out was the fun, engaging rom com I needed to start my new year off right.
I absolutely adored Rayah and Jake and all the side characters. This book was so much more than I expected in that way. I didn't expect to see such an elaborately built story and world (I would love to visit Explosion Fitness). The fact that it all came together so seamlessly made it that much better and difficult to put down.
There is so much banter not only between the main characters, but between all the characters, I found myself laughing out loud many times.
The way Rayah and Jake feel something they have never felt before for anyone else was a breath of fresh air especially due to the obstacles they both had and still are dealing with in their lives. The way they communicated through jokes and serious conversation was very authentic and not forced at all. Jake is my kind of guy, flirty, fun, doesn't take himself too seriously, but would do anything to fiercely protect someone he loves. Rayah is a strong woman who surrounded herself by a beautiful found family that would move the earth for her, as she would do the same for them.
This was a book I found difficult to put down and read well into the night because of the fun, authentic, heartbreaking at times, then heart mending way it was written. I can't wait to read more from Eva Siedler in the future.

Was this review helpful?

This had a beta hero, small town, chronic illness rep, and found family. But I was bored with the flat writing style and the MMC’d dialogue. If I didn’t have to finish it to review it, I would have DNF at %15

I disliked the dialogue and I struggled to understand some of the characters’ motivations. The relationship felt underdeveloped with way too much telling. And how many times must you use the nickname cupcake? I would have been more interested if I didn’t know Jake’s diagnosis in chapter one. YMMV

Was this review helpful?

This book sadly took me a while to get through but it was a cute read. I really wanted to love this book but I really could not get into it. I personally thought the main characters were lacking a bit of chemistry.

Was this review helpful?

"Work It Out" by Eva Siedler takes readers on a whirlwind of charm, vulnerability, and unexpected sparks that ignite in the unlikeliest of places. Set against the backdrop of a high-end health resort in Arizona, this book isn't just a romance—it's a delightful rollercoaster of emotions and self-discovery.

At the heart of this tale is Jake Newman, an actor on the brink of a career-defining role. But behind the glitz of Hollywood lies a secret he grapples with a condition he's determined to keep hidden. Enter Rayah Summers, a resilient former gymnast pouring her soul into a struggling resort. Their worlds collide, setting off a chain reaction of humor, trust, and undeniable chemistry.

Siedler masterfully crafts characters whose vulnerabilities feel genuine. Jake and Rayah's banter crackles with sarcasm and warmth, drawing readers into their world effortlessly. The dynamic between them is magnetic, a blend of sweetness and sass that leaps off the pages.

The book skillfully navigates themes of disability representation and masculinity while serving up a feast of lighthearted moments and heartfelt connections. From Hogrid the pig stealing scenes to the nuanced discussions on love, ambition, and past traumas, every element adds layers to this engaging narrative.

While some aspects could've received more attention, Siedler's writing style shines through, injecting humor and authenticity into every chapter. The pacing keeps you hooked, making it an addictive read from start to finish.

"Work It Out" isn't just about love; it's about finding strength in vulnerability, embracing imperfections, and daring to chase dreams against all odds. With a blend of spice, heart, and an array of well-developed characters, this book invites you on a rollercoaster of emotions that's utterly satisfying. Whether you're drawn to the romance, the witty banter, or the depth of the characters, this book is a thrilling journey worth embarking on.

Warning: This book is a delightful blend of charm, laughter, and heartache, so prepare to be thoroughly entertained and emotionally invested!

Special thanks go to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for providing the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

This is a somewhat the opposite of many books. Usually, the first few chapters are hard to get through and then the rest of the story is pretty easy to read and addictive. With this book, I was instantly engrossed with the characters and writing style, only for it to fall flat later on in the story.

I loved how both MCs could be vulnerable around each other, both physically and emotionally. I'm usually a hater of name calling (honey, sweetheart) but the way Jake called Rayah 'cupcake' actually felt natural and super cute. They just had great chemistry and trust, and oh my god I loved the sarcasm. The scene where Rayah effortlessly carries Jake (who's much taller than her) had me swooning. Ooh and also their "fur baby" Hogrid the pig, wow he was such a character.

For disability rep, I'll say I was impressed. I hadn't even heard of POTS before reading this book, so the information was quite welcome. Jake has a good number of episodes in the story and seeing how it affected him (and how he tried to keep it a secret) struck a chord with me.

While the story has some great plot points, I was not very happy with the flow in narration, though I loved Siedler's writing style and humor. I'm not going to hate on this book because I enjoyed it, but there's so much that could've been done better. And I'm keeping an eye out for more books by the author!
(Rating is rounded up)

Was this review helpful?

The story revolves around Deanna, a tech-savvy character who relies heavily on numbers and is skeptical about love, and River, an artistic, nerdy, hopeless romantic with a childhood crush on Lexi, who happens to be Deanna's sister. Despite Deanna's early advice to River about moving on from Lexi, the two reconnect when River returns to take care of his ailing grandmother, who happens to live next door to Deanna.

Deanna, deeply engrossed in her tech pursuits, has created a new dating app and is seeking investors to expand its reach. She's meticulous in using algorithms to find perfect matches, including her sister Lexi. When River, all grown up, reenters her life, sparks fly, and Deanna finds herself making a wager with him. The challenge is for River to convince her of the magic of falling in love—if he succeeds, he can pursue Lexi; if not, he must help Deanna maintain Lexi's relationship.

The story unfolds as River and Deanna spend time together, and River unexpectedly finds himself falling for Deanna. The narrative is filled with delightful banter and humor, especially from River's smutty romance novelist grandma. It's refreshing to see a female character take the lead in the tech industry and be the powerhouse in the relationship, and the dynamic between Deanna and River is both fun and endearing. Overall, a charming and entertaining read that I would recommend to fans of romantic comedies.

Was this review helpful?

I was really interested in this book because of the summary, I’m a sucker for a celeb and nonslip romance. However, I struggled to get into the story, as I found the plot and characters hard to follow. Thank you for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this read! The main characters are open, honest, funny and sexy. The romance is too tier and I found myself completely absorbed from the jump.

My favorite part of “Work it Out” is the complexity of the characters. They compliment each other but work very well on their own.

I definitely recommend!

Was this review helpful?

I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I liked the humor in the book. They were a lot of characters to keep up with and I got confused at times as to who was who.

I liked the whole gym scene the book was mostly about.
I liked the main characters too.

There are some triggers in this story so be sure to look into the trigger warnings before reading.

Was this review helpful?

I loved the premise of this book andThis had such potential but just fell flat for me.

I found that I was continually getting confused by the amount of characters - I couldn't keep them all straight! This is also very dialogue heavy with not a lot of letting the characters actions do their talking.

I also struggled with Jake's descriptions of Rayah's body - it felt a little gratuitous after a while.

I did enjoy the medical representation of Jake's POTs and enjoyed his journey of acceptance and struggle. I also enjoyed learning more about Rayah's trauma and her health journey empire.

Unfortunately this one didn't hit the mark for me but it's a brilliant premise!

#rochellereadsit

Was this review helpful?

The summary was SO good for this but I'm a bit taken aback by my lack of interest in the story as well as the extraneous and immature physical descriptions of Rayah from Jake's POV are. I had to actually go back and check who was the author since it seemed like a male was writing. It's been very difficult to get into the story and I'm not getting into it very much.

Was this review helpful?

I really liked the premise of this - B-list TV actor Jake Newman wants to become an action hero just in time to star in the movie adaptation of his favorite comic book. He goes back to his home town in Arizona to train with his childhood best friend. He wants to keep things quiet because he has a secret - he has POTS, or Postural tachycardia syndrome, and his body is pretty unpredictable, but only a few people know that. His friend works for a business that has a giant wellness/fitness/training compound, owned and managed by former gymnast Rayah Summers. Rayah and Jake share an immediate attraction and Jake flirts with her shamelessly while hiding his health condition. There was a lot to like here, but it didn't all completely gel for me. I enjoyed the character development and the interesting juxtaposition of a movie star in a small town, but I think there was maybe too much to tackle in one book - a chronically ill MMC, a FMC with a lot of trauma, a large-ish cast of side characters, etc. It didn't all get the attention that it could have. I did like Siedler's writing a lot and would absolutely read more from her. Content warning for off page sexual assault.

Was this review helpful?

This was a cute read. It did take me awhile to get through the book. There were times where I had trouble connecting with the characters. I really wanted to enjoy this book more. I would’ve loved to see more chemistry between the main characters.

Was this review helpful?

Jake Newman is up for the new superhero role but needs to get in shape quickly and meets Rayah Summers, a former gymnast who will help him get there.
I honestly really enjoyed this romance. I thought it was cute and fast paced. I loved the representation of chronic illness but also the discussion on masculinity (with Jake’s ex, read the book!).
The two main characters were developed with their own past and ambitions, but I wanted more about Jake (especially his past).
I hope there will be more books following other characters in the book. Overall, a fun, spicy romance.
Check the trigger warnings if you are thinking of picking up this book!

Was this review helpful?

This book was so much fun to read! I was literally laughing out loud. I loved the diversity and representation of chronic illness and neurodivergence. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Entangled publishing for providing me with this free eARC. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Gorgeous cover, more like this, please!

---

How far did I get? At least 100 pages in, then I started skimming.

Why did I stop? There was too much going on, and I wasn’t emotionally invested in any of it. The story tries to tackle too many topics at once – the hero’s celebrity status, his secret health condition, the found family at the gym, the heroine’s past, OM/OW drama, and a whole lot more. I was initially interested in the central storyline (celebrity trains for a superhero role and meets a strong, fierce woman in the process), but there’s a LOT more than that going on. That also meant the pacing was off, with the hero’s feelings seeming to develop out of nowhere. I also didn’t love that the heroine’s friend was so clearly in love with her, and the drama that comes from that. I didn’t see the potential for things to improve, so I set it aside.

Was I enjoying it initially? Yeah, kinda. I love the cover and the blurb caught my interest, so I was excited going into this. I’m not a big fan of third-person POV, but it didn’t bother me too much in this instance. I liked the concepts at play, and I was interested in seeing how they’d play out. But once the story got sidetracked, it lost my interest entirely.

Would I finish this? No. If I’m writing a DNF review for an ARC, that means there’s zero chance I plan to finish it. Looking at its Goodreads rating – which always drops post-publication – I can tell that I’m not the only one who couldn’t get behind the story.

Who would I recommend this to? Third-person POV-lovers who enjoy celebrity romances and messy storylines. Anyone who doesn’t mind a hearty dose of drama. I also think it’s going to get darker as it goes, just a heads up!

Was this review helpful?

“One day, you’ll meet someone who makes you feel like a hero for doing all that stuff you don’t want to do. When she bosses you around, you’ll just want to crow about the fact that she’s your boss and no one else’s. When the way she needs you isn’t a suffocating weight but the air you breathe, you’ll know she was meant to be yours, and you’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she feels the same way about you.” Jake and Rayah’s love story, full of mischief, crazy people, swooning but also tough moments will tug at your heart. Simple amazing.

Was this review helpful?

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

This was a really cute sweet book - I had some confusion throughout namely with names. there's a lot and its not fully fleshed out to keep them straight for me and the main MC has 2 names which really threw me a lot.

I also didn't love the terms of endearment used - but after it was explained further I corrected myself in thinking. It's just not names I would like, but they are explained and it was impactful.

Overall, I think this could technically use some more cleaning up - there were a few typos and cleaning up in the sense of making things a bit more clear maybe and a bit less instalove BUT i loved the representation of POTS, the characters and setting.

The book overall was cute, funny, sexy and fun.

Was this review helpful?