LET'S CALL A TRUCE is a workplace rivals-to-lovers romance about juliana, a widowed mom of two who finds herself re-entering the workforce after years of being a stay-at-home mom, only to immediately butt heads with her attractive but annoying coworker, ben. years later, the two are forced to work together on a career-defining project that they can't afford to mess up, so they have no choice but to call a truce. except as they spend more and more time together, things between them start to heat up, leading to desk-clearing kisses and quality time spent out of the office.

i haven't stopped thinking about this book since i first read it and it's not an exaggeration to say i think about the desk scene at least once a day. this book is so much more than just a romance—it touches on so many subjects like grief, parenthood, identity, rebuilding your life after loss, and so much more. but amy manages to handle these topics with grace and compassion, while also delivering witty banter, swoon-worthy romance, and such a strong connection between juliana and ben. beyond being a romance heroine, juliana is so much more—she's a good friend and a loving mother, even if she struggles sometimes.

this is such an incredible book, especially for a debut author, and there's not a single doubt in my mind that there are great things in amy's future. thanks to netgalley and st. martin's press for the advanced copy! LET'S CALL A TRUCE comes out january 14!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

This book was flirty and fun and full of the best mean banter. I thought Juliana's backstory make this story feel fun and fresh even with the tropes we know and love. I didn't love their love story as much as I wanted to but it was still a quick, entertaining read!

After Juliana Ryan's husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her with two grieving kids and a stunted career from years as a stay-at-home mom, she has no choice but to make it work all on her own. But her confidence crashes around her when she overhears her condescending but infuriatingly attractive new colleague, Ben Thomas, talking about how her kids and inexperience are a liability the company can’t afford. This sets off a feud between the two, as Juliana vows to prove him wrong.
Two years later, their feud rages on, but it may be charged with something they aren't willing to admit. When they are forced onto a career-making project together, Juliana has no choice but to call a truce. As their lives become more intertwined in and out of the office, Juliana finds it hard to ignore Ben’s perpetual smile and charming determination. What started as a truce grows into more, as boardroom-clearing arguments turn to desk-clearing kisses. Could the man she deemed her nemesis understand her life–her stress and responsibilities–better than anyone?
But just when Juliana decides to open her heart again, Ben’s past threatens their newfound bliss, and she has to figure out whether this second chance at love is worth it after all.

Who can resist the charm of a steamy workplace romance, especially one packed with enemies-to-lovers, second chances, and forced proximity tropes, spiced up with witty, entertaining banter? Juliana and Ben first meet in a classic "meet cute" at work, but their budding connection quickly turns sour after Juliana overhears Ben making a hurtful comment, doubting her ability to return to work after taking a long break for motherhood. Unable to forgive his unfair words—particularly after losing her daughters' father in a tragic accident—Juliana sharpens her resolve to make his work life difficult.

Two years pass, and Juliana's frustration only grows as Ben repeatedly shows up at her door requesting help finding candidates for his department. As if things couldn’t get worse, Juliana learns she’s up for a promotion—but the only way to prove herself is by working closely with Ben on a special project for their company’s Boston-based architecture department. Forced to bury the hatchet and work together, their chemistry becomes undeniable, turning the workplace into a hotbed of tension and barely-contained desire.

Juliana eventually discovers that Ben’s hurtful comment has its own explanation—he, too, has been battling his own struggles. This mutual understanding allows them to connect on a deeper level. But can Juliana trust him after losing the love of her life? And beyond their physical attraction, is she ready to let him into her heart and her daughters' lives?

I have to say, the enemies-to-lovers dynamic and the steamy office romance definitely drew me in, making Juliana and Ben’s second-chance story captivating. However, the last third of the book veered into unnecessary melodrama. Ben, who initially came across as patient, honest, and determined—despite his initial hurtful comment—left me disappointed by the end. The story introduced a not-quite-love-triangle situation that felt excessive, and Juliana’s stubbornness and impulsive reactions added to the drama in a way that felt forced.

Ultimately, I dropped my rating to 3.5 stars due to the overly dramatic conclusion, though I’m rounding it up to 4 stars for my love of the tropes, the romance, and the portrayal of Juliana’s adorable daughters. The beginning was so strong, and I was rooting for Juliana and Ben, but the overly dramatic ending just didn’t live up to my hopes. Nevertheless, it’s an enjoyable read for fans of the genre.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this addictive romance's digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

It started out fun and snarky, with a good mix of flirty banter. But there is a time jump of 2 years that felt unnecessary and Juliana wasn’t the most enjoyable FMC. It almost felt like the flirty fighting in the beginning was part of a different book than the second half of the book. It’s not my favorite rom-com book but it had parts I liked enough to make it enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this, so much. If you loved the hating game, with a bit more emotion with the single parent trope, then you will devour this. The banter and tension throughout the beginning to middle of the book made the slow burn so worth it. There's nothing like a man down bad, and Ben WAS DOWN BAAAAAAAD.

4/5 Stars
1.5/5 SPICE

Credit where credit is due - this book got me as close to The Hating Game as I've felt since that book came out, but for other reasons, this was not a winner.

I really struggled with Juliana's behavior in the first half of the book - she did not read as a grown adult, let alone a single mother of two. She read more like a college student holding a pointless grudge. And that's what it was. Because Ben, sweet Ben, underdeveloped as a character Ben, clearly had just put his foot in his mouth one time but Juliana couldn't be an adult about it.

I also felt like the story itself was shallow - I never felt connected to either character, their grudges, their sudden lack of grudges, etc. And when they were suddenly kissing after working a late night, I realized that the romance wasn't developing enough for me and I couldn't root for their HEA.

As this is a debut, I def see the room for the author to grow with future releases, because there is some good bones here, but the meat just wasn't too my taste.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

An enemies to lovers romance with lots of heart and genuine representation of grieving and single parenthood.

I loved this book and it was such a surprise! I requested on NetGalley because I thought this would be a fun enemies to lovers workplace romance, but it was so much more. Julianne is a single mother who lost her husband and is trying to adjust to parenthood without her partner. Ben is one of her coworkers and on her second day she hears him gossiping to another coworker about how "her kids aren't his problem". This causes their feud to start and eventually it is hard to tell if it is truly hate causing this tension or something else...

The way that grief(from many standpoints) is addressed as well as the challenges of going from a stay at home mother to a working mother are portrayed in this book was so genuine and heartfelt. Emotionally this book brought it and I was here for the longing and tension! Also loved the found family aspect of this story!

Highly recommend this book!!!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC!

LET’S CALL A TRUCE is a sweet blend of sexy, new beginnings with a dash comedy. For a debut novel, Amy Buchanan will be on my radar moving forward!

We meet our characters 2 years priors at their job where a misunderstanding causes a feud between the two. From there, they are put closer proximity where they find out they might actually have a future as more than “enemies”.

If you’re into second chances, mid-level spice and friend groups that will warm your heart I think you’ll like this!


I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Let's Call a Truce was a fun read. It had good flow but also had some minor annoyances for me. Overall worth the light read.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Juliana is worried about returning to the work force. When she is forced to work with a coworker, she decides to give him a chance. A quick.

This was a first of Amy’s books for me. Let me start by saying I am a SUCKER for enemies to lovers and single dad trope and she did those wonderfully. You feel the tension between Julianna, a widow and single mother of two girls, and Ben, a single father(kind of spoiler¿), from the moment they meet. However misunderstandings and projections set them into a years long feud. When they are forced to spend time together due to mutual friends and work trip/project they then realize who each other truly are and the behind the scenes thoughts and experiences unravel(read to find out). However then an ex shows up who nearly ruins everything, and I was so angry at that point. This book had me laughing from the snark and sass, to swooning over the romance and groveling, to crying for the kids and for the characters and their struggles. This book was very well written, I loved it and can’t wait to read more of her books.

Sweet, emotional, witty, funny...This book has ALL the things.

I adored this book. The characters are SO relatable. Their backstories, will pull at your heartstrings. Their present interactions are authentic, and very believable. This book breaks all the romance rules, but in the best way.

The characters story evolves in such a messy, one step forward - two steps back, authenticly human way. Amy takes these two on an emotional roller coaster. But each peak and valley feels genuinely part of a real romantic story. She does not give them a rom-com meet-cute, with a perfectly progressive romance. The third-act break-up is not immediately resolved by the MMC apologizing with no real work. Each character has moments of fear, pain, indecision, and guilt. But they also have hope, and a little faith that is built on trust they make each other earn.

The part that is authentic to the romance genre, the tension. Amy has written a slow-burn story, that is full of ALL the tension. Each time they almost connect, it comes to a crashing stop. You will be begging to have them put out of their misery, but you will love every second of it.

If you are looking for a single mom romance, with an Alpha MMC who grows in humility, adorable side characters who will have you laughing until you cry, and a story that makes love and story book romance feel atainable, make sure to grab Let's Call A Truce. I will be reccomending to all of my friends.

I'm a sucker for a good enemies to lovers trope. I thought this one was also unique in that it dealt really well with loss of a loved one and moving on as well as a genuine and poignant view of single parents. Overall, I really liked this one. Good characters!

Let’s Call A Truce

This book has a cute concept, full of tropes I like; enemies to lovers at a workplace, single parent, second chance romance. But I had to stop myself from DNFing so many times because I hated the FMC. She acted like a petulant child so often! The final straw was when the MMC said she was so out of his league- ha! I am a therapist and understand how grief can totally ravage a person, especially when you are left alone to raise two small children. But Ben and Juliana had that in common. They could have shared and understood one another, rather than Juliana being so hot and cold. Is there a male version of the manic, pixie, dream girl? If so Ben is that type of book boyfriend. Who would wait 2 years for someone who treated them like crap and played so many games?

There were also things I have to call BS on. Working in a college there is no way that Juliana would be hired as a full professor to teach an intro level course. She would be an adjunct. No first year professor is going to have an income large enough for a single mother of two. I just… sigh.

The secondary characters were interesting and I liked how supportive Juliana’s family and boss were. I like the diversity in the characters, it seemed like real life, and addressed some current issues in the workplace (returning to work from being a stay at home mom, women being taken seriously at work, promoting diversity in hiring practices, getting rid of toxic work cultures).

This author is a good writer. There was nothing cringy about the spice. I just really didn’t believe why everyone was giving Juliana so much slack. I would read another book by her, just this one was tough for me. If you are someone who is looking for fluffy romances where everything will always work out for the main characters no matter what (even a super convenient plot twist) you will like this book. 3 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Florida natives RISE UP!!! I truly cannot recall any other book I've ever read before that was set in Orlando. I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. Let's Call a Truce is workplace romance (enemies to lovers/but he loved her the whole time) and it's such a rollercoaster of emotions.

This is an amazing debut novel by Amy Buchanan, and I'm sure everyone is going to love it.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

4 stars!! I struggled a bit but overall ended up loving this. First, I love so many things about the main man, Ben. He is smirky, attitude and loved the smirks, soft side, and all-in energy. Juliana is quite the opposite and very grumpy energy. The grudges held! Jesus. Her snarky attitude in many moments kinda bugged me and was one of the reasons I struggled. This was a slow burn and I think a bit too slow since the whole grudge/fighting lasted so long. I really wanted more of them together instead of all the infighting.
I love the way the author starts to blend the two main characters together off of work and at work since it's a workplace romance. The additional characters really make the story come together and the BFF’s are great.
Overall, Let’s Call a Truce is an enjoyable read but I really would have loved it we had more loving than fighting.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc!

Hating Game stans rise up! This deliciously sexy debut had everything - a Very Hot hero, a messily real and relatable heroine in Juliana, precocious, funny kiddos, and so much substance. It’s a charming, steamy romp but it’s ALSO a book about grief and loss and navigating new love and hope despite that - with a truly tear-jerking epilogue I loved. Amy’s book was perfectly paced, and I blew through this in almost one sitting. (And that desk scene — oof. Was everything I wanted it to be and more.) Fans of Sally Thorne, Livy Hart, and Elena Armas will NOT want to skip this one.

Thank you to Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

“Let’s Call a Truce” had plenty of humorous moments— the “war” of words and pranks between Juliana and Ben, the scheming of Juliana’s daughter Sophie, the conversations between Juliana and her friends (especially about Ben), the situation in which Juliana discovered Ben was a father. There were some poignant moments, especially Juliana talking about her deceased husband (Jason). If you are a parent, you will likely be upset/angered about how dismissive Stephanie is of her daughter, Paris. The story has plenty of tension as Ben and Juliana’s relationship evolves from coworkers and combatants to friends to possibly something more, and then when it appears that a relationship is possible, a major hurdle arises that might ruin everything.

This debut was such a fun and steamy workplace romance. There was plenty of banter and tension that kept me invested in the story the whole way through!

A very cute debut!

I'm normally not immediately drawn to an office romance but I thoroughly enjoyed this! The chemistry between the MMC and FMC was amazing, and overall I felt connected to the characters and their backstories.

A 3.5 romance!