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.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

this has to be one of the best books i have read in a long time...just what the doctor ordered....

Devyn arrived home after a long shift at the hospital to find a total stranger in her garden hacking down her pollinator garden for butterflies and that wasnt the worst of it... her dog was also be her side.....

robbie was at devyn house, the plan was she stayed a month and did all the jobs that matt her friend and devyns ex husband was suppose to do around the house...only it seemed that matt hadnt said anything about the swop and devyn wasnt happy at all in fact devyn had told robbie to pack up and leave.... not a great start....

but she couldnt go back home not just yet and so an uneasy truce settled between them both

what a ride this book was.... funny in places and frustrating as hell when things got difficult for them both but the scene with the dog brought a tear to my eye

well worth a read and will be keeping an eye out for more books from this author

I had already been a big fan of Jaime Clevenger’s work but with Houseswap 101 she’s raised the bar yet again. This book has everything I’ve come to expect from this author; well-drawn characters and a story that completely drew me in. As an extra bonus it introduced me to the term “housebutch” which I will now be using copiously.

Like most of Clevenger’s books, the true strength of this story is the chemistry and passion developed between the two main characters, Robbie and Devyn. They don’t start off on the best foot, but the journey from enemies to lovers is swoony and I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting for that first kiss. And oh my goodness, when I said this book was passionate I meant it. Literally some of the best plot-driving spice I have read in a while.

This story isn’t all sweetness and spice though, there is some definite drama during the last quarter and a very well-written will they, won’t they get together that had me hanging on every word. While some of the lack of communication was frustrating, it fit with the personal growth both mc’s had to go through to make it to the HEA I was hoping for them.

Whether you’re already a fan of Jamie Clevenger or not, I highly recommend you buy this book if you’re looking for a steamy, emotionally poignant, and just overall really great piece of sapphic fiction. You will be a fan once you finish reading. 4.5 stars

I received an ARC from Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

Robbie agrees with her best friend from work, Matt, to swap houses between Seattle and San Diego. He wants to escape his soon-to-be ex-wife Devyn (which he still shares the house with). Robbie wants to to exchange the rain in the North with the sun in the South. The deal includes also that both do each other's chores at their respective new location. In Robbie's case this is a number of house repairs needed so that Matt and Devyn can sell the house and finalize their divorce.

This setup includes also a series of more confusing and silly details, like that Robbie and Matt have to impersonate each other at their respective new work location or that Matt "forgot" to inform his ex. Thus, Robbie and Devyn are in for the worst possible start when Devyn finds Robbie mistakenly destroying her garden. But romance has to have its ways, so we get what is going to happen.

I thought that such a silly and unrealistic prerequisite would make this a dull read for me. But surprisingly, after I got around the initial part, it was a really well-written and captivating story with enough realistic detail and secondary characters that make it relatable.

I liked also the emergence of the "housebutch"--not an entirely new concept but fun anyway!

(based on an ARC from NetGalley)

Robbie loves certain aspects of her life, living on a houseboat on a lake near Seattle, being close to her favorite uncle, and cheering on the Mariners. But she hates the constant rain so her work counterpart in San Diego agrees to houseswap for 1 month to also give him a break from a messy divorce. What is not disclosed to Robbie is that Matt did not inform his soon to be ex-wife that Robbie will be living in their cottage on the property to take care of diy projects before it’s sold.

Devyn is an Emergency Room doctor with long hours and not much time for anything else, other than her Jack Russell, Angel. Devyn is a decent human being who just finds herself in an impossible situation and is having a tough time processing the past year. Then a stranger appears. Who wouldn’t feel ambushed if someone shows up at your doorstep unannounced, sent by the lying ex? So when Devyn meets Robbie, there’s a harsh confrontation. I felt for Devyn but I also knew Robbie was a good hearted person. Both are excellent characters but I wanted more depth, even if it meant a longer book. Three weeks is just not enough time to work through both their pasts, their fears, and to fall in love. Don’t get me wrong. Houseswap 101 is a solid romance chockfull of steamy scenes and cute as heck doggy moments. There are also good supporting characters like Devyn’s best friends and Robbie’s uncle. But I wanted to know more about Devyn and Robbie. I recommend if you like cozy romances with a small bit of angst/pining, housebutch/femme tropes, and good boys (dogs) in a story.

Before this I had never read any books by Jaime Clevenger and this was definitely my loss. I am glad that I had the opportunity to read this book and discover this author. We are taken along a journey as all three characters get to know each other (I say three characters because I count Angel as a main character). I admire Ms. Clevenger's writing style, character development and story line. I am off to purchase more of her books.

Enjoyable story with two main protagonists that are easy to like.
Robbie wants to get away from the rain in Seattle and her coworker who is going through a divorce wants a change of scenery (to escape responsibilities 🙄) and suggests a house swap for his cottage in San Diego. Robbie agrees and is staying in a cottage on the property where her co workers ex wife still lives.
Devyn is a doctor at a local hospital and is left with finishing repairs in the house to ready it for market. Her ex husband had agreed to do the repairs, then took off. She stumbles across Robbie, thinking she is a gardener her ex must have hired as he didn’t tell her about the house swap arrangement.
Devyn comes off a bit icey and is irritated at the situation and her exes behavior and lack of communication. She needs the repairs in the house done and since Robbie is there to do it, she acquiesces and lets her stay.
Devyn, who has always been in straight relationships is surprisingly drawn to this “house butch” staying in the cottage. Even her dog, Angel, who hates everyone likes her. She and Robbie settle into sharing space and feelings develop for each other. Will they take a chance? Robbie has responsibilities in Seattle, helping her uncle with the marina and Devyn isn’t really keen on relationships atm.
This is a fun, engaging and sweet read. I’m often found myself smiling as I read. I have enjoyed all of Jaime Clevenger’s books and this one is at the top of my list now. I’d rate is 4.5 stars if I could.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This story has had several positive aspects for me, the main one being that I loved the two protagonists.

One is Robbie, very butch, housebutch according to Devyn's friends,. Devyn, for her part, is very femme, in the process of separating her marriage with Matt, Robbie's co-worker.

The reason that the two of them coincide in Devyn's house is that, with the divorce, and as long as they can't get rid of the house, Matt and Devyn can't stand living near each other and Matt proposes to Robbie a temporary change of residence, between Matt and Devyn's in San Diego and Robbi's in Seattle. All without Devyn having a clue. So, with enormous surprise to Devyn but also to Robbie that Matt didn't say anything to Devyn.

Devyn is straight and not even the first meeting with Robbie made her change this fact. But since that first meeting was somewhat tense, that also contributed to Devyn's lack of attraction or even tolerance for Robbie. It was Robbie's housebutchness that won Devyn acceptance, previously it had been the approval of her Jack Russell, Angel, usually surly towards strangers.

Robbie's good nature and her easy manners and availability to solve any domestic problem, including cooking and taking care of Angel, gradually weakened Devyn's reluctance. Once Devyn decided to take the step, the temperature level rose to the top.

In the final part, as things did not start out completely clear, the situation had an expiration date and each of them had their own issues to solve, it gave rise to the usual and expected small final drama. But overall it was a really interesting story.

This book had me laughing out loud with the hilarious dynamic between these two ladies. Their stark differences made for an entertaining read, though their communication skills left so much to be desired. Despite this, the storyline felt authentic, with relatable expectations and outcomes. While the ending seemed somewhat abrupt, the plot remained engaging throughout. From Devyn's unexpected encounter with a garden intruder to Robbie's unplanned house swap, the narrative unfolds with surprises and humor. Watching their initial disdain turn into unlikely camaraderie was both heartwarming and believable.

You really can’t go wrong with anything by Jaime Clevenger. This was another wonderful book with lovable characters and animals.
As always, they really know how to write spicy scenes.

Gotta hand it to this book to expand my vocabulary. My new word? Housebutch.

I have a couple of issues with this story. I can’t really tell you what they are because I’d basically be spoiling the entire book. Let’s just say most of it comes down to (lack of) communication. I’m learning that I either like my books to be ridiculous and not take very things so seriously, or with substance and communication. This falls right in between and I don’t know how to feel about it.

As always, this Clevenger book is well-written, the story has a certain flow and pace that you can recognise.

It’s an enjoyable read but I had some minor issues with it.

5/5 for me! I couldn’t put this one down and finished it in a day and a half. Would have been sooner if having to work didn’t get in the way. I didn’t have that high of expectations, the cover seemed cutesy. This book was anything but. I think I’m just a big sucker for the enemies to lovers troupe. Emotionally unavailable to falling in love? Sign me up. The fire and spice between the two main characters, I definitely need a cold shower. I am off to read everything else Jaime Clevenger has written. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC! I was surprised at how much I loved this book. The tension and heat had me 🥵

Houseswap 101 continues Jamie Clevenger’s theme about featuring a masc and a femme in the lead character roles. That’s something that I really enjoy, but Clevenger has taken it one step further with featuring a housebutch. A housebutch is someone who can complete needed lawn chores, fix things around the house, and perhaps cook a scrumptious meal. Robbie Price perfectly fills the role of housebutch with the exception of weed whacking the pollinator garden of the home’s owner, Devyn Lancaster, where she is staying. Robbie has swapped houses for a month with her friend and coworker, Matt. He will stay on her houseboat in Seattle and she will stay in a carriage house in San Diego in exchange for doing some home repairs to the main house. Devyn just happens to be Matt’s ex and he has not told Devyn about the house swap.

At first Devyn is frustrated with the stranger, but chore by chore Robbie begins to win over Devyn. As Robbie completes a chore Devyn leaves Robbie an adhesive star ⭐️ to thank her. Eventually Devyn’s attraction begins to grow for Robbie. Robbie already thought Devyn was attractive and smart but somewhat stressed. Another thing that wins Devyn over is Robbie’s instant love of Angel, her Jack Russell terrier who is a combination angel and squirrel killer devil.

Give this rom com with real life situations a try and you won’t be disappointed. 4.25 stars

I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Houseswap 101 is a cute, rom-com style read. Devyn comes home from a long shift at the hospital to find a stranger weedwacking her pollinator garden. And it turns out Robbie is not a gardener her ex hired but she plans to live on the property for a whole month. There’s no way Devyn will allow that. But Robbie manages to knock down wall after wall, one apology or repair at the time. I enjoyed reading this book.
Free ARC via NetGalley

** SPOILERS AHEAD**

This was very cute! Loved the premise and the execution. Robbie is such a dream and just the sweetest person alive and she and Devyn just made such a good match. I do wish we got a bit of a confrontation between Robbie and Matt re. the cheating, it seems like he got off super scot-free, he and Devyn kinda of stayed friends (even wanting to hook up with her again like bro who ARE you) and he didn't even get roasted by Robbie.

Devyn says he was a bad husband but not a bad guy the dude didn't even warn his wife a stranger was gonna live with her for a month - which also set Robbie up for difficulty so he's a bad friend too - not to mention he had never even MET Robbie IRL... so zero concern for his ex-wives safety lol. Also not gonna lie, I fully believe this man told Robbie to do the weeding and didn't tell her about Devyn's garden so that it would get ruined.

I also would have liked to see Robbie meeting Devyn's parents and Devyn meeting Robbie's uncle.

Thank you to Netgally and Bella Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Very enjoyable. The events and characters' behavior pleasantly surprised me, and I appreciated the author's comment about how the book came about. However, I found some repetition of certain sentences, which became quite annoying. Additionally, the communication between the main characters was frustrating. If anyone were to use the communication skills they presented, I would be confused and feel unimportant to that person.

This author is one to watch for even though I'm newer to her books, I absolutely adored this one. Housebutch is not a term I've heard before, but Clevenger definitely did it justice with this book.

Robbie Price decides to houseswap with her friend for a month and live in San Diego to get a break from all the rain in Seattle. She expects a nice vacation and to do some things her friend had meant to do, but hadn't gotten around to. What she doesn't expect is the ex wife to not know about the arrangement and they get off to a very rocky start.

Devyn Lancaster is a busy ER doctor who doesn't expect a stranger at her house weedwhacking her garden and planning to live on her property for a month. She gives in and lets her stay after realizing just how helpful she is around the house and how well she cooks. She doesn't expect to be attracted to her as she'd never been with a woman.

This was enticing, engaging and very, very hot. It was fantastic to read how their relationship evolved and even though they didn't talk about what was happening between them, it was conveyed across the page. I couldn't put this book down and read it in less than a day. I fell in love with the story and I highly recommend.

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

Robbie Price expected a month long vacation in San Diego as part of a house trade with a coworker.

She did NOT expect her coworker's ex-wife to be right there.

Devyn Lancaster is NOT happy.... Matt did not tell her about the trade or about the strange woman staying in her cabin on the property.

On the us side, she's willing to help fix up the place.

Robbie not knowing garden plants in kinda... wtf? Poor Devyn tho. "YOU WEEDWACKED MY FLOWER BED"

They tolerate each other st first, then Devyn realizes she's attracted to Robbie, whom already finds Devyn hot.

The book does have the traditional 'break them up 3/4 through the book for drama' twist, but st least it's not a stupid fight.

Good read, a very solid and well written book.