Houseswap 101 brings an unique setting and intriguing characters. Robbie, who lives on a houseboat near Seattle, swaps homes with Matt from San Diego to escape the rain and unwittingly finds herself embroiled in a domestic dilemma. She arrives at a cottage that Matt’s ex-wife, Devyn, an ER doctor, didn't know was part of the swap, leading to an awkward yet intriguing first encounter. As Robbie settles in, her presence becomes a catalyst for change in Devyn's structured life, sparking unexpected feelings.

Both characters are deeply relatable, with Robbie's easy-going nature complementing Devyn’s intense career as a doctor. Their relationship unfolds against the backdrop of home improvement projects and daily life adjustments, bringing them closer in unforeseen ways. The story is not just about romance; it delves into personal growth, resilience, and the complexities of moving on from past relationships. The addition of a lovable dog and supportive side characters adds layers to the narrative, making it rich with emotional depth and genuine connection.

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Clevenger's novels. I love that they typically include characters that are complex and realistic. Clevenger’s writing shines in Houseswap 101, combining humour with characters that kept me engaged from start to finish. I loved the housebutch aspect, as this was a new term for me but one I'd love to read more of.

This book is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys contemporary romances with a dash of realism and a lot of heart.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

The characters had sizzling chemistry from the start. The author had done a good job of building a believable connection within a short span of time, and both leads were likeable and relatable. The ending felt a little rushed but I didn’t mind as I liked the main characters and wanted them to have their happy ending. Overall a well written and engaging book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bella Books for an eARC copy of this book!

I enjoyed this book even more than I thought I would! The references to real world events and changes to working life (COVID, remote working, etc) felt seamless, especially given the environments each protagonist works in.

Both the main characters felt very fleshed out, suitably flawed and loveable, and their chemistry was amazing! All the conflict within the novel felt very organic to their characters and situation, and their communication was so refreshing. The third-act conflict can be a real downer on some books, but in this, the conflict was both external to their relationship, and also contributed to each of the characters' growth.

A particular highlight was the relationship itself. They both started on the wrong foot, through no fault of their own, and the way they grew closer and bonded was beautiful. Angel also stole the show so many times, and facilitated their relationship growing throughout the book in such a lovely way! They both shared their interests with one another, and the two of them together was so sweet, and so healthy as well!

I also loved the development the side characters all got. Devyn's friends having marital problems they worked through, Robbie's uncle's own growth and reconnection with someone from his past, and even Devyn's ex-husband to some extent (although I'm a big hater of <spoiler>cheaters in relationships, so even with the development I held a grudge. AND CHEATING ON DEVYN?! Unbelievable.</spoiler>

Overall, I had such a lovely time reading this book and highly recommend it to any romance lovers!

I'd never heard of the term 'housebutch' but now I feel like we all need one.

Robbie switches houses for a month with her work buddy as a favor to him. He's going through a divorce and needs a new scene. She figures going to a sunny place for a month can't be that bad. Turns our her buddy forgot one small detail, notifying his ex-wife.

Devyn is a doctor who works way too many shifts. Coming home to find a stranger hacking down her garden was not in the plan. Apperantly her ex thought getting someone to do his chores he never got around to doing would be a smart thing to do.

I liked how Robbie stayed true to herself despite getting the full brunt of Devyn's frustrations. Devyn on her part could see her own flaws and was willing to work on herself. Growth in characters is always an interesting read.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

This was very interesting story when your have two strangers to live with each other under the same roof. But taking the time to know each other and fall for each other. I thought the story was enjoyable and different. A great read.

This was a light, easy read. I enjoyed it but wouldn't count it as a favorite. The characters were likable and relatable and a dog plays a starring role, so what's not to like?

I just found that the story wasn't pulling me in as I would have liked.

Robbie Price needs a change of scenery, out of the dreary weather. Matt needs to get away from his ex-wife. Robbie and Matt, change locations. The exchange is much smoother for Matt than Robbie. Dr. Devyn Lancaster, did not expect to be divorced but now that she is, her ex-husband suddenly leaves and does not tell her. When she comes home from work, Robbie is there fixing things that Matt failed to do (they were suppose to be preparing the house to sell). It is hard not to like Robbie. She can cook, repair things, and cares for Angel, the awesome dog. Once Devyn clams down and realizes Robbie there could be a good thing.

I really enjoyed Houseswap 101, the premise of the story was well executed. The development of the main characters Devyn and Robbie relationship was believable and relatable. The ending comes with bit of an angst. Overall, a great book and I recommend.



Thank You Bella Books and NetGalley for this ARC..

I enjoyed Houseswap 101 for the most part. The characters were likeable, the story line interesting enough, the banter good and the chemistry between Devyn and Robbie obvious and yet it just lacked something. Perhaps it relied too heavily on the “lack of communication “ between the main protagonists or that the pacing was slightly off or that I couldn’t quite believe certain aspects of the plot.

It was any easy read and has a HEA that makes it an ideal low angst weekend read.

It was really good, I'm not just sure it was the book I wanted to read at the moment. I've been picking some tough sapphic novels. They all seem SLOW. This book took me 11 (!) days to finish.

Doctor Devyn's ex swaps houses with his work friend Robbie. Little does he realise that Robbie and Devyn are going to hit it off in one heck of a way.

Devyn - no labels but seems 100% okay with being into a woman, she's been attracted/crushed on women in the past but never acted on it. But knows she's into ladies.

Robbie - Fully into ladies, and has an intense crush on Devyn from early on. She thinks about asking all the right questions (what Devyn wants, what happened with her ex) lots for most of the book but doesn’t get them out until both women are too far into what they have for it to really matter.

Lots of emotion, lots of heat, the whole thing was lovely.

Devyn Lancaster finds herself still trying to break all ties to her soon to be ex-husband. Fixing their house for the market was supposed to be his job, But like most everything else she’d asked of him he never found the time. Too busy chasing other women, which is the main reason they are getting a divorce. If Devyn was honest with herself that was just one of the many reasons to end her marriage, move on.
Little did Devyn know but her ex was looking for a way to get out of town so unbeknown to her he decided to trade houses with a co-worker. Robbie Price lived with her uncle or I should say had a houseboat next door to her uncles. She couldn’t pass up the chance to go to San Diego where she was sure to find some sun. All she had to do was finish the repair jobs Matt was supposed to do. Of course it’s not until she arrives that she learns Matt never told Devyn his plans.
One month to make the repairs and hopefully get Devyn to like her, while Devyn tells herself it’s only going to be one month. Ms Clevenger has given us another fun read. Devyn and Robbie, well you can't help but cheer them on. Great supporting cast makes this one of Clevenger’s best. Absolutely wonderful from start to finish. Very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bella Books

Really liked reading this one! I loved the development of Devyn and Robbie's relationship, it was a steady and believable build-up. There were realistic obstacles on both sides, and the side characters were well developed. Also, I love the idea of a house swap, super fun premise and I think it was executed well. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a cute slow burn with plenty of interaction between the two main characters. 5/5 stars.

Housebutch. What a fun word to inspire a main character. Devyn Lancaster is a busy emergency room doctor. Her divorce is almost complete with all that needs to be done is fix ups on the house so it can be sold. Her cheating, and soon to be ex husband, offers to switch places with Robbie Prince, a person he works with. They work remotely, mostly online. He will live on her houseboat in Seattle and she will move into the cottage of the San Diego house. Only thing is he doesn’t tell Devyn. Part of the deal is that Robbie will do some of the chores that have been neglected.

Devyn is shocked to find someone else living on her property and wants to send them home. But she realizes the advantage of Robbie and her housebutch skills. Things her ex has neglected are easy chores for Robbie. And of course it helps that her Jack Russell terrier Angel adores Robbie. This is cute and playful. Devyn is Bisexual and has never been with a woman. They both know there is a time limit but that doesn’t stop them from going from strangers to friends and more quickly. The ending comes with a little angst that is short lived, and I like the reality of it.

I’ve read several of Jaime Clevnger’s books and I always enjoy them. Throw in a dog on the cover and I’m going to read it, maybe more than once. This is entertaining and sweet. (4.5 Stars)

Oh how I loved this book. All the feels! And the sexy scenes... *fans face*

I've read some other offerings by Jaime Clevenger but Houseswap 101 is my absolute favorite and makes me want to seek out her back catalogue and get to reading. What a great job of bringing Devlyn and Robbie to life and making me care about them.

There wasn't loads of background info given but there was enough to make the issues they had to deal with believable. And while there was some lack of communication, it didn't feel contrived simply to create drama. I hate that. So much. There was just the right amount of angst. *chef's kiss* A beautiful, slow-burn, not-quite-enemies-to-lovers romance. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Bella Books and NetGalley (especially the read-aloud option on NetGalley's Shelf app) for letting me make a couple new imaginary friends. And thanks to Ms. Clevenger for sharing her imaginary friends with us.

When Devyn Lancaster comes home from a busy shift at the hospital, the last thing she expects to find is a woman weed-whacking her garden. It gets worse when she learns her ex-husband invited the woman to trade houses with him—all without telling her a thing about the plan.

Robbie Price was looking forward to a month-long vacation in San Diego. A break from the Seattle rain in exchange for doing a few home repair projects and taking a cute dog to the beach seemed well worth a house swap. Then she meets her coworker’s ex-wife. For Robbie and Devyn, even tolerating each other feels impossible at first. And neither expect to learn to like each other. But at the end of the month, parting ways is what feels impossible.

This was so much fun. Moving into someone else's house for a while, planning on a quiet wonderful sunny change of pace. Or maybe not! I love how Robbie starts knocking down Devyn's walls. Good steamy scenes in this book! Great characters, great relationship development, enjoyable writing. This is definitely one to pick up if you like Sapphic love stories!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This was a really easy read for me, I loved the house swap setup and can't wait to read more by Jamie in the future.

What can you do when a hot stranger invades your house with no notice? Of course you hate her….and then fall for her completely. Of course!

I received an advance copy from Netgalley for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Devyn’s life has been reduced to working long hours as an ER doctor and getting cuddles from her dog Angel. Her marriage to Matt ended after he couldn’t deal with her work schedule and decided to seek attention from another woman. Or other really, other women. Devyn is left alone in their big house in San Diego while Matt moves into the little cottage in the yard. They have to sell the house in order to get everything finalized with the divorce. But the house is not nearly ready to be on the market because Matt never completed the work that needed to be done.
One day Devyn comes home exhausted after another long shift at the hospital to find a strange woman attacking her precious pollinator garden with a weedhacker. What the actual F?

Robbie is done with the rain in Seattle. She loves her houseboat and she loves her uncle who lives on the same dock. But the rain. Nope, she needs a change of scenery. A sunny escape if you will. The proposition her colleague Matt presents her with comes at the exact right time. A month in sunny San Diego, living rent free, in exchange of doing some DIY projects on his house. Matt himself can’t wait to get away from his ex wife. Robbie and Matt swap houses, each with a to do list for the chores they’ll complete for the other. Robbie arrives and digs into the first job immediately: weeding the garden. She did not expect Devyn to come barging out of the house screaming about bees and butterflies. Nor did she expect that Matt hasn’t told his ex of the plan. Robbie did expect Devyn to be gorgeous, though she would never have predicted that she would find the woman of her dreams right then and there.

Jamie Clevenger can write a very good story. This one had me hooked from page one. The initial situation in which the women meet is hilarious and of course you know that Robbie will charm the pants off of Devyn. The way she does it is so entertaining though. The story is told from both viewpoints, which makes it so much easier to understand where Devyn is coming from. She tries to put up walls as high as the heavens but Robbie chips away it them one DIY project at at time.

It’s heartwarming to see Devyn warming up to Robbie and starting to open up and give glimpses of the woman she actually is. Robbie proves to be such a good and respectful person. She completely understands the demands of Devyn’s job and her hesitations towards trust. Robbie never pushes her to do anything beyond what Devyn is willing to do or feels comfortable with. She truly is a gem!

If you need scorching hot, this book is for you. Robbie and Devyn are very, let me repeat that, very compatible and combustible in the sheets. Or against the wall. And in this case too, Robbie let’s Devyn set the pace and matches her where she is. It doesn’t take long for Devyn to feel completely safe with Robbie and lets herself explore and feel and desire.

The relationship Robbie has with her uncle is so loving and tender. He raised her as his own when her parents failed to do so. Their bond is strong and equal. I love the part where her uncle talks to Robbie about the choices he made in the past about his love life. He wants to protect her from doing the same. I wanted to squeeze the old grump in a tight hug for that.

So, if you like strange but funny situations, scorching scenes and witty banter, this is a story you’ll definitely like!

"House Swap 101" by Jamie Clevenger presents a captivating tale of unexpected encounters and unlikely connections. When Devyn Lancaster returns home to find a stranger tending to her garden, she's thrown into a whirlwind of confusion and frustration. Little does she know, her ex-husband orchestrated a house swap without her knowledge, leading to a clash of personalities with Robbie Price, the unsuspecting house guest.

As Devyn and Robbie navigate the awkwardness of their situation, their initial animosity slowly gives way to unexpected understanding and genuine camaraderie. Clevenger masterfully weaves a story of two women brought together by circumstance, discovering common ground amidst the chaos of their lives.

With vivid prose and authentic character dynamics, "House Swap 101" explores themes of forgiveness, friendship, and the transformative power of unexpected connections. Readers will find themselves drawn into the lives of Devyn and Robbie, rooting for them as they navigate the complexities of love and loss.

Filled with heartwarming moments and poignant insights, Clevenger's novel is a delightful exploration of the bonds that form when we least expect them. "House Swap 101" is a charming read that reminds us of the beauty found in unlikely friendships and the magic of new beginnings.

Sweet, sexy housebutch
A great idea: rain-weary Seattle-denizen Robbie goes for the offer to houseswap with her San Diego colleague … and falls for his unsuspecting ex-wife, Devyn. I loved the idea of a housebutch and Robbie is not only handy with tools around the house but with tools of all sorts (just sayin …). Fun and sexy times are developing quickly.
There is a lot of lightness in this novel, esp. the cute dog and the beach times. The staunch friends of Devyn are a welcome addition. Of course there a bumps on the road to HEA but nothing which can not be handled by true love and a little determination.

I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.

This was a story about Robbie who is an IT systems engineer and her co worker Matt who is just getting divorced from Devyn. Matt is broke and wants to get away from Devyn so reluctantly Robbie agrees to a 30 day job switch. Robbie moves into the guest house in San Diego and Matt moves into Robbie’s houseboat in Seattle.

Robbie and Devyn get off to a bad start when Robbie cuts down her pollinator plants on accident. Both have an instant physical attraction for the other. Devyn is straight and fights her attraction to Robbie. Robbie is really patient and understanding with her and that’s what endeared her to me, eventually they seek each other out and and have the start of a relationship. Until the 30 days ends and…..

I really liked both Robbie and Devyn and Robbie’s uncle. The characters were well developed and we got to know both povs.

Clevenger is always entertaining and a good read for me. Oh and the dog Angel was the star of the book, he was very entertaining.

Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this arc.