“Let’s Call a Truce” by Amy Buchanan
2 single parents & One Spicy Story
For the most part I really enjoyed this story. The trauma of loss was a major player for two of the characters which in turn had an impact on other characters with head vs heart choices to be made. There were a few times I thought the story dragged just a bit; I am glad I persevered! There were a few scenes that shared descriptions that I would rather not see, although I guess that is what sell stories. It is a good story, a rather long story redeemed with a happy ending.

Let’s Call A Truce is a wonderful, well written, contemporary romance for the author’s debut book. This is enemies to lovers delight! I loved Juliana & Ben, watching them both overcome anxiety and grief and learn to lean on each other was so heartwarming. The banter between the two had me giggling and kicking my feet. The development of their relationship was so pure and beautiful written.

This book deals heavily with grief of losing a spouse. You could feel the pain Juliana and her kids were going through. I’ve read many single mother/widow stories but this is the first one that made me feel like I was there with the characters experiencing their feelings.

i devoured this book!

i don’t have kids, but reading juliana’s struggles with being enough for her children will resonate with anyone. she was relatable and easy to love. ben thomas? SO HOT. the office banter and forbidden romance aspect just added so much tension to the plot.

this was a fun enemies to lovers book and i had such a great time!!

thank you st. martin’s for an e-arc!

Thank you NetGalley for my ebook arc

The first half of this book, the FMC frustrated me to no end but damn the tension between the two of them kept me going. I love this second chance romance and a second chance at love. I even cried a little bit. This was such a cute and funny read

I went into this book blind & it did not disappoint! A story about overcoming grief, forgiveness & a little hate to love workplace romance.

Such a sweet book. I felt so many different emotions while reading this. I giggled, I teared up, I got annoyed, and I felt joy. I also really enjoyed Amy Buchanan's writing style.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶

📖: Let's Call a Truce-standalone

✍️ By: Amy Buchanan-debut author

📃 Page Count: 335 eBook

🎧 Narrator: Charlotte North voices all the characters with standouts from characters: Juliana, Ben, and Asia. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.

🏃🏾‍➡️ Run Time: 10:03

🗓️ Publication Date: 1-14-25 | Read 12-27-24

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Amy Buchanan for this ARC and ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

🌎Setting: Orlando, FL to Boston, MA

Genre: Adult Fic, Contemporary Romance

Tropes: enemies to lovers, workplace romance, rivals, single parents

☝🏾POV: 1st person, single

⚠️TW: grief-death of spouse, bullying, parental abandonment, therapy

💭Summary: Juliana has her first day back to work at Keller, Munoz, and Griffin Architecture and Interior Design company since her husband's passing nine months ago. The stay-at-home mother of two is still grieving and trying to balance home life when she runs into Ben. She overhears him talking badly about her inexperience and having children, so they become each other's work nemeses. Two years pass and they are still at each other but when both are up for promotion, they must work together on an internship project with Billings College.

🚺Heroine: Juliana Ryan-35

🚹 Hero: Ben Thomas-39

🎭Side cast:

• Sophie and Clara-Juliana's daughters 7 and 9

• Eduardo Munoz-Juliana's boss, CEO of KMG

• Jason-Juliana's deceased husband

• Asia Taylor-Juliana's BFF, co worker

• Christina-Juliana's boss, VP of KMG


🤔My Thoughts: Juliana and Ben unknowingly had a lot in common, but their egos got in the way. Both were career driven and tried to sabotage each other with quips and witty banter. I felt for their mutual friend Asia who knew about their tragedies, but didn't want to be in the middle. There was a 3rd act breakup but ended with a blended family HEA.

Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 4/5
😭: Emotion 5/5
❤️: Couple 5/5
⭐️: Rating 4.5/5

This was a fun contemporary romance but I don’t think it was for me. I’m not a huge fan of the tropes in this book and truly believe third act breakups should be outlawed. However, I really enjoyed the writing and the depth of this story. The grief of our FMC is incredibly well written and palpable. I appreciate the inclusion of her storyline and enjoyed the aspect it lent to her new romance. So, while I don’t think I’m the target audience, I do think this is worth the read!

I loved everything about this gorgeous, gorgeous book! Between the heartfelt tear-jerker moments and the giggle-while-kicking-my-feet moments, this one had everything I could have hoped for. I was treated to lovely conversations between family members, YEARNING, and scenes that came with a side of extra-hot chili peppers. The FMC took her time to think about her choices and I appreciated being brought along in that process. The MMC, my oh my, I swear my knees were in a constant jelly-like state every time he hit the page. Highly recommended, can't wait for my signed pre-ordered copy to arrive!

Unexpectedly widowed, Juliana Ryan must reenter the workforce after many years away as a stay at home mom. Her prior mentor helps her land a new job, where she starts as a bundle of nerves. So much so, she literally crashes into a coworker dumping coffee over them all. What a way to make a first impression!

Things only go downhill when she overhears the same colleague, Ben Thomas, groaning about her lack of experience and demands of being a single parent, and the discord begins! It doesn't help that she's already dealing with a heavy dose of self-doubt, but adding fuel to the fire is that Ben is one gorgeous specimen.

As time marches on, Juliana has proven her value and also found herself some new best friends after all her prior "friends" distanced themselves when she returned to the workforce. But the war is still raging against Ben. They trade barbs and argue at every chance. When potential promotions arise, they agree to call a truce and attempt to get along.

Well written and a fast read, this was enjoyable! I loved how the mutual best friend remained neutral and supportive (everyone needs someone like this) and the humor of another in the women's group was outstanding - could have used a little more from Dani! But best of all was the parents always putting the children first.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Amy Buchanan for the eARC.

Pub Date Jan 14 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

I thought this was very sweet and a fun read! I really have been into enemies to lovers and this one exceeded my expectations! I loved the depth of the characters- Juliana’s character was so true and well developed- I felt like I really knew her and what she was feeling! I really loved this one.

Let's Call a Truce touches on so many sensitive subjects that it's so much more than just an enemies-to-lovers book. After the tragic death of her husband, Juliana is suddenly forced back into the work field after being a stay-at-home mother and has to balance a very demanding job with caring for her 2 daughters. This book touches on so many subjects that has me rooting for Juliana and grieving for her loss and fears with opening herself up to a new relationship. Amy Buchanan knocked it out of the park with this one. Truly, an enjoyable read.

ARC Review: Let's Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan
Pub Date: January 14, 2025

Juliana is grieving the loss of her husband, trying to raise their two girls on her own, and navigating starting working again after being a say at home mom. She's doing the best she can but of course on her first day back at work, she has to cancel meetings due to an issue with one of her kids. While her job is understanding, one of her colleagues is...not. After she overhears him complaining about her and saying that her kids aren't his problem, she declares him enemy number 1. Flash forward two years later and Juliana and Ben still antagonize each other at every turn. When they're forced to work on a new initiative together, they realize that some of those sparks might be more attraction than hatred...

There were definitely parts of this that I liked! I love the three girls together (because Ben is a single dad too) - I thought the kids were written really well and they are often not my favorite thing in romance books. The spice here was also realllll good! Once it started, it went hard and fast, and I was here for it. I also think the grief representation was done really well - I loved that Ben didn't shy away from discussing Juliana's husband and actually invited him into conversation multiple times.

I did struggle with parts of this book. While I initially understood the Juliana's hesitation to really give in to the attraction, eventually I just got annoyed by how long it was taking her to give in. And then of course the second she did, Ben's ex-wife shows up?? I absolutely HATED that entire third act conflict and how long it went on. Again while I kinda understand Ben's motivation there, the back and forth was just too much for me.

I did enjoy the narration by Charlotte North. I'm actually not sure I've listened to her before but I would listen again, even if she's not a new favorite right away.

Thank you to SMP Romance for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This gave me The Hating Game vibes in all the right ways. When you need a great rom-com vibe, pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed.

*Thank you to SMP Romance, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC/ALC in exchange for my honest review*

I really wanted to like this book, but it just didn't hit for me. I didn't like Juliana when she was at work, but the whole point of this book is that it's a workplace romance soooo.... I don't know. The petty pranks were funny though!

I was far more interested in her relationship with her kids and her grief over losing her husband. Any scenes that the kids were in really softened Juliana and Ben to me. The side characters were great overall, and Quinn might even get her own book? I dunno, I just got those vibes. But the big twist at the end was infuriating and I didn't understand why Ben would even entertain it. Like... why are we doing this?? This is just a case of avoidance ruining a perfectly good time.

LOVE!!
Amy Buchanan is amazing!!
This enemies-to-lovers workplace romance has my entire heart! I literally loved every second of this book!
The chemistry from both of the MC's had me ON THE FLOOR!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Amy Buchanan for this ARC!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. It has taken me a minute to decide how I feel about this book, while i loved the premise, i mean workplace and enemies (ish) to lovers? i truly see little wrong with those two combinations. usually deliciously good, but i was hoping for more from this book.

the premise of this book, was good. I enjoyed Amy's writing, a lot chaotic at times, but felt fitting for the plot in some ways.
I think mostly I struggled with Juliana. however, both characters were a tad frustrating at times and the drama was a little unnecessary as well. i felt the banter between characters was good, but i also didn't quite feel a huge connection between the two characters until the very end after all the drama played out.

I'm excited to see what else Amy comes up with. thank you netgalley, publisher and author for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

OhMyGod, I am obsessed with this book, it's an enemy-lovers story, spicy and very cute. Juliana unfortunately finds herself a widow with two children, and has difficulty juggling work and personal life, fortunately her life is not a total disaster. However the dark Ben also gets involved in the job. Juliana hears or rather eavesdrops on Ben complaining about her and her work and feels that he criticizes her as a working woman with children. For Juliana he obviously becomes the number one enemy to defeat. Two years later, we find ourselves in the fight again, but this time there is something more, let's say a few more sexy sparks.
The book will be released on January 14, 2025.
Please read it and give due appreciation to Amy Buchanan's debut. Thanks to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to preview this book.

Three stars for solid writing but this book was just not for me. The first half of the book was a good enough read, though I had trouble connecting with Juliana and found her a little insufferable. It picked up a bit when she and Ben got together and it made me hopeful. But the return of his ex made me so absolutely angry and turned the story itself insufferable for me. I know he did what he did under the guise of protecting his daughter, but honestly all it did was make me angry and wish he would grow a backbone. His reasoning did not fly with me at all, and then I no longer cared about what happened in the rest of the book.

Mini Review: I did technically finish it, but there was a lot of skimming in the middle, so I can't really say I "completed" it.

Was I enjoying it initially? Yes and no. I do generally love these tropes and I loved the concept of a widow trying to get back into her career after leaving it to raise children, only to be met with a roadblock in the form of an aggravatingly sexy coworker. I also loved the surprise we get in the middle, though I won't spoil that. Definitely some potential in these concepts, which is why it was so disappointing that I didn't love the story. Every time I would start to get into it, something would pull me right back out again. And then the third act conflict left me with a sour feeling.

Why did I skim? Well, the vibes were off from the beginning, but I loved the premise, so I was hoping things would improve. I began skimming once it was clear that probably wasn't going to happen. The two-year time jump near the beginning throws the pacing off in a big way. I loved the setup, but it wasn't executed all that well. Things improved somewhat in the middle, then the third act conflict kicked in, and it extinguished all those warm and fuzzy feelings. So my thoughts were all over the place with this one.

Who would I recommend this to? Fans of Elena Armas or The Hating Game would be the natural fit, if you're just looking to satisfy that office rivals craving.