4.5/5

Once Smitten, Twice Shy is a heartwarming and uplifting romance that left me smiling from start to finish. The story follows two characters, Juliet and Will, who, after both facing personal challenges, decide to practice dating on each other. What begins as a fun experiment soon blossoms into something much deeper, as they realize they might just be the perfect match. This book is a delightful, feel-good read that exudes warmth and love.

Juliet and Will are incredibly relatable and well-developed characters. Juliet is navigating a new chronic illness diagnosis, while Will is neurodivergent—both aspects are thoughtfully explored throughout the narrative. I really appreciated how the book doesn’t shy away from these representations but embraces them fully. As a neurodivergent person myself, the representation in this book made me feel so seen.

Reading Once Smitten, Twice Shy was such a cozy, comforting experience. It’s the perfect pick-me-up for when you need a little lift.

Thank you Berkely Pub for my free copy!!!!!!

If there is something you can count on Liese to do well it's:
1) excellent neurodivergent or chronic illness rep
2) deeply developed characters who don't feel like stereotypes.

And Once Smitten, Twice Shy delivers on both. Liese is an auto-buy author for me and I was really glad to get an early copy of the book, but it doesn't quite live up to the two previous books in the Wilmot Sisters trilogy. A well-crafted Twelfth Night reimagining for sure, but the pacing felt a little bit off, and because of the plot being so character-driven, the slowburn/insta-adoration didn't quite hit the right note.

Julia and Will's romance is sweet and their fake-dating is adorable, and I particularly enjoyed the interactions with the characters from the previous Wilmot sisters books. While I felt like this wasn't Liese's strongest work, it's like saying you didn't like the pizza. Even less-than-amazing pizza is still pizza.

Once Smitten, Twice Shy is a swoon-worthy, heartfelt reimagining of Twelfth Night that delivers everything you could want in a contemporary romance—achingly sweet slow-burn tension, off-the-charts chemistry, and characters you can't help but fall in love with.

Juliet and Will's "practice romance" is brimming with playful banter, mutual longing, and the kind of tenderness that makes you believe in love all over again. Jules, a former romantic turned skeptic, and Will, an introvert resigned to duty, form an unlikely but perfect pair as they navigate the delicate dance of staged affection turning into something real. Chloe Liese beautifully balances humor, emotion, and steamy moments, making their journey both deeply touching and irresistibly charming.

Liese's signature representation shines through, with thoughtful depictions of neurodivergence and emotional depth that make the characters feel authentic. Fans of Shakespearean retellings and heartfelt contemporary romance will adore this book. It's an absolute must-read for those who believe that sometimes, love finds you when you least expect it—but exactly when you need it most.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me access to this book. Ive been such a fan of Chloe Liese since I read Two Wrongs Make a Right. Which then led me to reading her backlist I really felt seen by her and the characters she wrote. These two romantic goofballs were the light of my life. I had so much fun reading about them and seeing the previous couples from the first two books. I did shed a tear or two when a certain couple got married. As well as cried at the scene in the end of the book. Im sad to see this series end but I loved it nonetheless.

I love this romance series of reimagining's of classics, so I was excited to get this one, inspired by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. It's funny, romantic, emotional, and sweet and I would recommend this to fellow readers any day.

4 stars

Will and Juliet being each others’ safe spaces will go down in history as some of my favorite moments between a Chloe Liese pairing. This felt like such a cozy read, romantic and sweet and soft. Beautiful ending to the series.

At this point we all know the Chloe Liese formula. I'm convinced she uses a chronic illness generator to come up with the checklist of challenges her MCs always face. Tired at this point, but if you are reading the 3rd book in a series you know why you're here!

Book 3 in the Wilmot Sisters series, this is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night! Both main characters have sworn of HEA, What starts as a fake, practice, romance quickly turns to more. A great, sweet read.

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for an advance copy of Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese. I really enjoyed this one!

I have enjoyed this entire series, and I was so looking forward to this one. It did not disappoint! I loved the characters, the romance, the story...I loved all of it! I was really invested in this story from the very beginning, and I think a lot of readers will identify with the characters just like I did. I think Chloe does such a good job writing characters that speak to her readers, and this book does just that!

“The pub is a kaleidoscopic blur as I spin, arms up, whiskey glass in hand.”
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Well she is having fun! And I had fun reading Once Smitten, Twice Shy, the third book in the Wilmot Sisters series by Chloe Liese. Although it is the third book, it can definitely stand alone nicely.
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We now what we can expect from this author now, from her delicious Bergman Brothers books to these Wilmot sisters, she consistently delivers witty banter, fun characters, and clever situations. All of which this book used to its best advantage.
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When a book is filled with great side characters, I love to see the author give them a book of their own. This was worth the wait. It can also hook you and make you go back and read the first two!
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If you need a fun release after Onyx Storm, heavy literature, or edge of your seat thrillers, grab this for a breath of fresh air.

Absolutely loved this book! Chloe's books always have some fabulous representation to help the romance genre stay diverse. This book was no exception. I related very closely to both characters and all that they went through. I was rooting for them the whole time, and I truly appreciated Chloe's writing and storyline. This book is precious, and Will must be protected at all costs!

I LOVE Chloe’s books. They’re truly all phenomenal and they have such good representation, too. This book follows a neurodivergent male lead and a female lead with a chronic illness. It’s also got a bit of fake dating/lessons on how to date/flirt, which is so fun.

I thought the friendship that developed between these two was so precious and I was rooting for them the whole time. They originally met in another country and bump into one another through a mutual friend. They end up striking a deal to help Will learn to flirt/date and hopefully find someone to help him build a life. We all know what happens when two people who are attracted to one another pretend to date…

I loved them so much. A few out of date mentions that I need contemporary romance authors to leave alone but otherwise such a solid addition to Chloe's ever growing repertoire. A thoughtful and sweet romance that had me giggling and kicking my feet. If there's one thing - okay two - it is write disabled main characters getting their happy endings without needing to be "healed" and dialogue and interactions that aren't always banter but are always both somehow so real and so there's no way a white man said there (non-derogatory). I will miss the WIlmots but I think Juliet and Will were the perfect couple to end this trilogy.

Thank you to @netgalley @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @berittalksbooks and @dg_reads for including me on this buddy read.

Chloe Liese's 'Once Smitten, Twice Shy' is a heartwarming and poignant read that wraps around you like a cozy blanket. From the opening page, I was captivated by the enchanting world of Jules and Will, and their journey of healing and self-discovery.

I anticipated a typical romance, but Liese delivers a much deeper story. Jules's struggle to overcome the trauma of a past relationship is portrayed with raw honesty, her cautious steps towards love resonating deeply. Will, with his own personal demons, is a refreshing departure from the typical "knight in shining armor" trope. His genuine vulnerability makes him incredibly endearing.

The true strength of this novel lies in its authentic representation of chronic illness and neurodivergence. These aspects are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, offering a meaningful and respectful portrayal of lived experiences.

While the pacing occasionally dips in the middle, and some readers might find certain emotional scenes particularly intense, these minor drawbacks are overshadowed by the book's profound emotional core and undeniable authenticity. 'Once Smitten, Twice Shy' is a truly special story about finding love and healing in unexpected places.

4 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #berkleypub #berkleyromance #berkleybuddyreads #berkelywritesstrongwomen #oncesmittentwiceshy #chloeliese

Unfortunately this iBook was not for me, which is unfortunate because I love Chloe Liese and have enjoyed this series. I found that I read this and forgot everything about it. I’m sure other people will love, but this is not her best work.

5⭐️
2🔥

Quick Breakdown

Friends to Lovers
Fake Dating for Practice
Cinnamon Roll Hero
Chronic Pain / Neurodivergent Rep
Slow Burn
No 3rd Act Breakup
Dual POV
Open Door - Mild to Moderate

Thank you @berkleyromance for the eARC and gifted finished copy & @prhaudio for the ALC #berkleypartner

Juliet & Will first meet in a bar in Scotland. He was the handsome fellow American stranger who asked her to dance in a crowded pub. They share a moment that feels like magic before a recently heartbroken Jules bolts. They run into each other again, in her parent’s backyard of all places. Their neighbor, Christopher coincidentally one of Will’s best friends from college. These equally lost in romance idiots (said with all the genuine love) decide to help each other. Jules, is unsure of herself after her toxic ex while Will, the gentlest ginger giant, is looking for a life partner but has yet to met someone who sees him that way. They decide to be “romance workout warriors” & practice dating together - because no true feelings could blossom in this safe space, right??

Another win for the soft & swoony romances!

There is something about fake dating for practice that gets me every single time. These two beautiful fools don’t realize that every bit of practice was them slowly opening themselves up and falling in love for real. Once again, CL tackled the serious topics of chronic illness and neurodivergent MCs while keeping the romances light. There was growth & healing for both & no third act breakup that only further helped to melt my stressed out heart.

In OSTS, we get to meet Will’s big whiskey making family who I instantly fell in love with. While I’m sad to say goodbye to the Wilmot sisters, I’m also over here speculating in my head the possibility of a new Chloe series surrounding this new bunch of characters 🤞🏻

I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for a good Shakespeare-inspired romance, and this steamy reimagining of Twelfth Night did not disappoint! With its mix of serendipity, slow-burn chemistry, and characters you can’t help but root for, this book charmed its way into my heart.

Juliet "Jules" Wilmot was such a relatable protagonist. Her journey from heartbreak to cautiously opening herself up to the idea of love again felt authentic and deeply moving. I loved her blend of vulnerability and strength, and her banter with Will had me grinning from ear to ear. Speaking of Will Orsino—what a dreamboat! Quiet, shy, and adorably awkward, he’s a refreshing departure from the typical alpha male hero. His genuine sweetness and the way he slowly gained confidence throughout the story made him impossible not to love.

The "practice romance" setup was both fun and clever, creating the perfect framework for Jules and Will’s relationship to develop. Their connection felt organic, and the way their feelings grew over time was beautifully paced. The romantic tension between them was palpable, and when they finally gave in to their attraction, it was as satisfying as it was steamy.

What really stood out to me, though, was how the book balanced the lighthearted, romantic moments with deeper themes of self-discovery and healing. Both Jules and Will had their own emotional baggage to work through, and watching them support each other through those challenges added so much depth to their story.

If I had one minor critique, it would be that some of the secondary characters felt a bit underdeveloped. I would have loved to see more of the supporting cast—especially the family dynamics on Will’s side, which were hinted at but not fully explored.

Overall, this was a delightful, heartfelt read that left me with a big smile on my face. If you’re a fan of Shakespeare retellings, swoon-worthy romance, or stories about finding love when you least expect it, this book is definitely worth picking up. Four stars!

will and jules my beloveds! 🫶🏼

first of all, i’m emotional that this series has come to an end, i didn’t know that when i picked up two wrongs make a right years ago that my life would chance, my brain chemistry would be altered, and i’d make it my whole personality lol
i still bring up that book to my friends,
this series has just been so heartwarming and beautiful from the start to me
i have fallen in love with these characters and their flaws, i appreciate them so much

will and jules are no exception, they have the biggest tender hearts and godddd reading their journey, letting each other in, and changing that mindset that they had they are damaged and not capable of loving or fearing to fall in love, the trust they had, my heart truly aches and yearns for them
they are hopeless romantics that just want to be seen 🥹 and dammit did they see that in each other
they were cute, they were comforting, they were everything! i laughed and kicked my feet, teared up a couple times, they were so peaceful and i loved that! 💕

chloe, i am in awe of your mind, your stories of people finding someone so deserving of them and seeing them for who they are is truly beautiful, your acknowledgements had me in tears, i love you girlie 🫶🏼

oh and i loved the cameos! even my homie little cornelius popped up 🦔, every one was there! BEA AND JAMIE 🫶🏼 ahhh the epilogue had me in tears

many thanks to Berkley for the arc!

Thank you PRH Audio and Berkley Romance #PRHAudioPartner for the gifted e-ARC and audiobook.

After loving Two Wrongs Make a Right, I was excited to dive back into the Wilmont sisters series. Chloe Liese creates such relatable and real characters. I appreciate her depiction of autism through her stories and acknowledgment that experiences vary.

Juliet and Will have such a sweet story. I love how both of them gain confidence and discover new parts of themselves through this story. Their chemistry sizzles, and the slow burn feels incredibly rewarding in this practice dating/friends to lovers romance.

Great narration from Charlotte North and Tim Paige.

Chloe Liese is now an auto-read author. I’m excited to go back and read book two of The Wilmont Sisters series. Have I mentioned that I’m a chaotic reader? 🤭

Who doesn’t love a man who looks exactly like a Scottish Highlander out of one of your favorite historical romances?

This book was so freakin cute. I have loved every single one of these books in this series so much. I couldn’t have pictured a better couple for the ending of this series. Juliet and Will are absolutely perfect for each other and deserve the world. Their cute little “practice dates”, the way that they supported and reassured each other when the other felt like they were doing something wrong, I just loved them so so much.

I’m really excited to see what Chloe Liese comes up with next in that beautiful brain of hers!