Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

WILL DO YOU NEED A WIFE?! Gosh I am in love with this man and he may just be my new top tier book boyfriend. Chloe, you knocked this out of the park. I fell in love with Will and Juliet. I loved the representation. I loved how emotional and connected they were. This was everything to me. I may have cried tears of joy at the end.

As someone who’s neurodivergent, getting to see it in such a positive light and be celebrated was so nice. I love Chloe’s writing and this was no different. I absolutely loved this. Go read it.

Chloe Liese never misses. This book was fabulous. I loved the neurodivergence and chronic illness representation that Liese does so well. The fake dating/relationship of convenience was executed perfectly. I also loved the Shakespeare references throughout this entire series. Juliet and Will were such a perfect match. There were so many beautiful moments about love and relationships, which made this story so easy to enjoy. It was great seeing the other two sisters so happy, and I loved the heartfelt times between all three of them. I loved the spice and the tender moments and generally enjoyed this book from cover to cover. Thank you to Berkley for the ARC to read and review!

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free book. These opinions are my own.

This is the third book in the Wilmot Sisters series. Each book is a new take on a different Shakespeare play. For Once Smitten, Twice Shy, we conclude with Twelfth Night. This book could stand alone, but it regularly references our FMC's heartbreak. And we see all that background in the first book in the series, Two Wrongs Make a Right. So as always, I end up recommending reading the whole series in order. And Chloe Liese wrote it, so really, it makes sense to read them all.

In this book, Will and Jules agree to "practice" date to help her after heartbreak and help him decide he deserves romance. Apparently, I now like the practice dating trope even more than fake dating.

This is my new favorite of the series. It brings so much fate and serendipity as Will and Jules come together. And it's just the loveliest time. I love getting to see the whole friend group from previous books and also meeting all of Will's amazing sisters and family.

When I met Chloe Liese at a conference, I got one of her bookmarks that says, "Everyone deserves a love story." And this book speaks to that belief more than any other I have read. It has both chronic pain and neurodivergent rep. And some of the conversations about deserving love brought me to tears. I highlighted so many quotes; I read them out loud to share them with family and reassure those who struggle with loving their own brain and body.

When I was deep in the trenches of my Master’s dissertation on Shakespeare, people would always ask what I loved so much about the playwright.

I would tell them how even 500 years later, the characters, their struggles, their messy feelings, their growth, are all still so relatable. We may dress them up in modern settings, but the stories are timeless. I will never tire of seeing a Shakespeare play true to the words or a modern Shakespeare retelling, and lucky for us, there is an abundance of them!

Chloe Liess is one such author who puts her own spin on these iconic tales. Her most recent, “Once Smitten, Twice Shy”, is a romcom spin on Twelfth Night. The third of the series, Juliet, once a hopeless romantic, has sworn off love. However, the fate has other plans by sending her Orsino, the quiet, strong redhead who agrees to “practice” romance with her. It was, after all, written in the stars!

Thank you @prhaudio for the gifted audiobook, and Berkley and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

It always feels like a silly task writing a review for one of Chloe’s books – how can my words possibly capture the soul-altering experience of reading the lyrical, vulnerable, and immersive stories she puts into the world? And frankly, Once Smitten, Twice Shy is Chloe’s strongest book yet, so this is particularly challenging.

I love how Will and Juliet are brought together in serendipitous circumstances, and they are such fools for thinking they can “practice” dating each other while becoming close friends. Each character has their vulnerabilities – both in relationships and in navigating everyday life – and yet they both see each other and make space for the other person. As with any good interconnected series, we get to see glimpses of the two other Wilmot sisters and their partners, and Will fits so seamlessly into their group. It was a perfect bow on top of this sisters series that took a modern spin on Shakespeare classics, with representation and frankly swoon that you come to expect when you read Chloe’s work.

I want to share one quote I highlighted: “The fear of how… exposed that makes us feel… that fear is loud. But the love, the joy it brings you, the hope it gives you, can be even louder…” Honestly, this quote – and this whole story – found me at just the right time, and I cannot recommend this story enough.

Thanks so much to @berkleyromance for the free book!

Chloe Liese has created a love letter to all the hopeless romantics, the romantics who are healing, and to anyone who questions if they’re worthy of love.

I have been a long time fan of Liese’s work and her mission to show that everyone is deserving of their own love story that rivals our favorite romance books. And in this last installment in the Wilmot Sisters series we get another perfect example of this.

One thing I will always love about Liese’s characters is the representation we get. In this case our FMC, Juliet, has mixed connective tissue disease and celiac disease. And what I loved about this is is was never used as something that limited Juliet but instead was just part of who she is. This story showed so many how Juliet learned to navigate life after these diagnoses. And I loved how strong Juliet was and how important it was for her to not be treated differently.

We also got neurodivergence in our MMC, Will, who has autism. As a fellow neurodivergent it was amazing to see how he interacted with others and learned that he was capable of falling in love like everyone else. I loved watching how he handled environments that could lead to overstimulation by using earplugs or knowing when his social battery was draining. I also enjoyed his journey of thinking he could never have that full romantic love story to feeling love for someone who accepted every piece of him. It was extremely beautiful to see the whole experience unfold as a training to be a good date turned into falling for a girl who made him want to branch out of his comfort zone every once in awhile.


And don’t get me started on how swoonworthy this whole book was. Maybe it was because they were both using it as a learning experience but every date and interaction had me giggling. I mean he read romance books for her, and dressed up as one of her favorite romantic hero types! Oh and don’t even get me started on the Drive In scene…truly my whole heart melted at this point. And a lot of this is what makes me say this whole book was a love letter to romantics.

Overall this lovely book was filled with heart and an amazing way to finish the series. I loved getting to see all our favorite characters throughout this book along with a few new faces, and it felt like a perfect ending. I would love to give more insight into the way this was a modern retelling of Twelfth Night…but it’s been quite awhile since I’ve read it so it wouldn’t be fair. But I loved all the nods to Shakespeare’s works through this entire series and the modern retellings.

This is my go-to author for a feel-good romance. Of course, Juliet’s book is no different!

(And it can totally stand alone, though you’ll want to read the two previous books featuring her sisters because they’re just so good!)

A Twelfth Night retelling, Jules and Will decide to practice romance.

It makes sense - Jules got out of a toxic relationship, and Will is certain he’ll never find love for himself.

Except the fake dating isn’t as fake as they think…

To be fair, both Jules and Will are so adorable. How could they not fall for each other?

Jules is sweet and brave, and such a great sister.

Will is so earnest and honest— I just fell in love with his character.

No spoilers, but how they meet is so romantic! As are the fun Highlander references — Will is an enormous redhead whose family is in the whiskey business.

There’s nothing I don’t love about this story! The autism, celiac, and representation of abilities was so lovingly written, the romance felt so honest, and all the characters were just so kind.

Plus there were so many funny moments that made me laugh but also cover my eyes — this author doesn’t shy away from an embarrassing moment!

I highly recommend this to lift the winter blues. Read for an excellent romance with two of the most lovable characters I’ve ever come across.

This entire cast, really, are folks I would love to call friends.

This riff on Twelfth Night is a steamy tale of two romantics dipping their toes back into love through dating lessons. Their chemistry ignites the two gentle souls in a slow burn, tender story that has a gentle giant hero and sunshine heroine. Liese depicts autism, celiac disease, and loose joint disorder with one character using a mobility aid. A charming conclusion in her series retelling Shakespeare classics.

For a book that is so light on plot, Once Smitten, Twice Shy , which is built around a dating lessons trope, is a seriously enjoyable warm hug of a romance.

Although I liked both main characters, my enjoyment here is almost 100% due to Will, the socially awkward hero who doesn't believe love and romance are in his future but who still wants to find a life partner. He is extraordinary, imperfect and loveable, and I never wanted to stop reading him.

I also loved that this novel was low-angst, with no contrived third-act break-up, and that it still felt genuine and satisfyingly complex.

I loved this book so much!

Thank you so much to Berkley for the eARC of this one via NetGalley! These are my honest thoughts.

This was truly an amazing ending to the Wilmot Sisters series. I've been WAITING for Juliet to get her redemption story since the end of the first book, and WILL ORSINO WAS WORTH THE WAIT. In the most complimentary way, Will and his family felt like an extension of the Bergman family, and only fans of Chloe's will know what I mean when I say that. It felt like a warm hug when you need it the most.

Will Orsino is the epitome of what book boyfriend dreams are made of, and Juliet will remind every reader what it means to love someone the way THEY need to be loved!

From the dedication until the very last page, I was in love with this story (call me a hopeless romantic).

Juliet and Will have a meet-cute in a bar in Scotland, where Juliet is escaping from her horrible break-up. Instead of wallowing, she braves the little Scottish bar and gets asked to dance by a giant red-headed, flannel-wearing man after a little bit of whiskey. They don't go beyond dancing that night, but when she happens to run into him in the most obscure place back home several months later, it seems like these two were meant to cross paths one day. Enter: a fake dating scheme to "practice" getting back out there (for Juliet) and to have some positive dating experiences in order to attract "the one" (for Will). They need each other to get out of their dating ruts, and a beautiful friendship blossoms.

These two are so tender with one another, existing as they are and perfect for one another in that rawness, something neither has experienced. The pretenses of fake dating allow each character to explore what it would be like to fall in love with someone who loves them for exactly who they are, and it's BEAUTIFUL.

Will is such a soft boy. Being raised by a romantic mama and surrounded by four sisters, he just reads Juliet so well for someone with autism who has trouble reading people at all. And it turns out, when he's with someone he cares about, he doesn't need a romance coach... it just comes naturally.

READ THIS IF YOU LOVE:
- Disability rep + accepting partners
- The sweetest cinnamon roll MMC
- Ensemble cast of characters we've grown to love in this series
- LGBTQAI+ reps
- Fake dating/"practice"
- Game nights, nights out with friends, when characters show up for each other
- Romance after heartbreak
- Soulmates
- Cute dogs
- Romantic dates
- When characters truly see each other
- Swoon + spice

After sitting with this one, I upgraded from 4.5 to 5 stars. This one stuck with me for many days after finishing, and my heart is still so full from the love these characters share. I'll miss this universe a whole lot.

This was my first Chloe Liese book but it will absolutely NOT be my last. I’ve heard the ravings about the Bergman Brothers series before and her writing definitely stands up.
As a person with chronic illnesses I loved the representation here, as well as that for neurodivergence. Juliet and Will were adorable, this was humorous and with, and the serendipity… ahhhh!

As a chronic illness girlie myself, I truly appreciated reading this story with its chronic illness representation. "Once Smitten, Twice Shy" is book 3 in the Wilmot sisters series by Chloe Liese and I believe it is my favorite.

I felt connected with the FMC, Juliet, not just for her chronic illness struggles but with her hesitant attitude towards dating initially. I had my own worries regarding that as it pertains to my diagnosis as well. Juliet made me feel like I was seen. I can also tell that Will is sure to be many people's next book boyfriend.

Chloe Liese will definitely be an auto-buy author for me moving forward. I can't wait to read her backlist as well.

Thank you to Berkley for selecting me as part of the Influencer Hub for Underrepresented Voices and to NetGalley for facilitating the copy of the e-arc. I loved it.

Wow what a sweet way to wrap up the Wilmot series! I can't imagine this trilogy ending any other way. Chloe Liese has such a talent for writing the neurodivergent experience, especially with the way her characters navigate relationships within their spectrum boundaries. I felt so seen by Will, especially how he brings earplugs with him to public places so he doesn't get overwhelmed by noise.

If you like neurodivergent main characters, amazing communication, and characters going from relationship wobbles to standing strong, this is the series for you!

”I think that’s who your soulmate is – someone whose existence blows your world wide open, someone who makes you want to be brave and curious.”

✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ Strangers to Friends to Lovers
✨ Mutual Pining
✨ Neurodivergent, Chronic Illness, and Bisexual Rep
✨ Practice Dates
✨ Hilarious and Inclusive Friend Group
✨ Adorable pittie pup – Hector
✨ Reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”

This is the 3rd and last book in The Wilmot Sisters series and follows Juliet Wilmot and Will Orsino. Juliet was a hopeless romantic but has since sworn off love and romance due to a toxic relationship. She once met Will in a Scottish pub and serendipitously keeps crossing paths with him. Will is quiet and shy and is resigned to the fact that he needs to marry to keep up with his family business. Juliet and Will devise a plan to practice romance with each other in the hopes that Will can work on his flirting abilities and Juliet to believe in romance again.

Queue the big smiles, feet kicking, and squeals! 😍 I completely adore Juliet and Will together. Their relationship progression from friends to lovers (filled with all the tension) is absolute perfection! They are both caring and understanding of one another and their needs (Will being neurodivergent and Juliet being chronically ill) and it just makes my heart warm and fuzzy. I love them so much. Will is such a cinnamon roll and despite his so-called dating shortcomings, he sure knows his way around the bedroom. 🔥

One of the big reasons why I started this series was Chloe Liese’s inclusivity in her stories. She creates beautiful characters who are neurodivergent and chronically ill and normalizes their conditions. She seamlessly weaves these representations into her stories without them being the sole focus of the narrative. It makes my neurodivergent self feel seen and I appreciate that so much!

I also have a thing for Scotland and Chloe absolutely delivered with the meet cute, Juliet’s penchant for Highland romances, Will in a kilt (!), and the whiskey distillery family business.

Thank you so much to Berkley for the advanced copy! ❤

📚 Read if you like: friends to lovers, relationship practice, slow burn, neurodivergent rep, chronic pain rep, instant attraction

Out today! This is the third and final installment in the Wilmot Sisters series and I thought it was lovely! This was a very sweet, swoony romance with minimal conflict which is exactly what I needed this week. I thought Juliet and Will were well suited together and had nice chemistry and lots of cute moments together. While it’s for sure a slow burn, there are some tasty spicy scenes once you hit around 70%. And their first kiss is a “fuck it” moment and I loved ittttt! It seems like I’ll pretty much always be happy ready a Chloe Liese book because the love is big, the family of characters is cozy and the rep (neurodivergence and chronic pain in this one) is always handled with care. I loved getting to see all my fav characters from the rest of the series and the epilogue made me weepy 🥹 Chloe Liese just announced her new standalone book that’s coming out in 2026 and I’m already excited for it! Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am so honored and excited to have gotten to read this book!
I love this whole series so much! I love the way Chloe writes her characters and the growth and love we get to see between the MCs. I thought I couldn’t love the series more but turns out, I can!!
Thank you so much Berkley and Chloe for this E-ARC!

This book is my first Chloe Liese novel, and I adored it! I do need to grab the other two in the series. I read this out of order, but it didn’t hinder anything or give big spoilers for the previous books.

I adored Juliet’s story. She’s trying to recover from a toxic relationship and learning to navigate her new health issues. I loved how she takes her journey seriously and doesn’t just throw everything away when she meets a handsome guy. I am sure I missed a lot with the previous books, but that’s okay. I’m going to get there eventually. I loved her family so much! I love the Sunday dinners and how they cared for her. I know she felt smothered at times, but she’s so lucky.

Then we have Will. He’s a huge cinnamon roll type of guy. He’s also neurodivergent, with a lot of anxiety on top of that. I loved how he always has these inner thoughts that come out so fast and become “talking thoughts.” I loved how he was with all the people around him, especially his sisters and nieces. He gave a lot of big green flags throughout this whole book.

When he runs into Juliet twice, it seems like fate. I adored getting his POV throughout the whole book. You see how he is completely smitten with her from the get-go. Their relationship was so sweet and beautiful to watch. A good friends-to-lovers relationship! They were so open with each other and very respectful of each other’s feelings/difficulties. I have seen some things about how this was just too sweet. They have a point, but I found it so refreshing! It was nice to see this friendship blossom into a romance. There are several angsty moments throughout their pact.

Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot! I cannot wait to go back and read the other two books. I loved all the friendships, banter, families, and this sweet romance. I have heard a lot of praise for Chloe Liese, and now I understand why! I can’t wait to read more from her!

Thank you, Berkley (and Netgalley), for the e-ARC and the blog tour opportunity!! All thoughts and opinions are my own! 🙂

Well, I adored this book. I loved how sweet and soft it was, how kind and genuine these characters were, how romantic and thoughtful Will was—especially when he was planning dates for Juliet. I truly could not stop smiling while reading this. Books with such minimal angst don't always work for me but right now, at this moment, this one worked perfectly for me. Overall I've enjoyed this series quite a lot and Juliet and Will's romance was a delightfully fun conclusion.

This was a modern day retelling of Twelfth Night, and it was absolute perfection! In fact, I think it was my favorite of the series.
Juliet is a romantic at heart, but has been burned badly by love, and after being diagnosed with a connective tissue disease, has had to change her entire life. She keeps running into Will, a tall, ginger, extremely handsome gentle giant, and it seems like it’s fate. But instead of giving in to their attraction to each other, they decide to use each other as “romance workout buddies” and practice a relationship. They spend the entire book trying so hard to stay just friends, and the angst, pining, yearning, and longing was INCREDIBLE. Will is neurodivergent and is very shy and quiet, but he gets out of his comfort zone for Juliet and it’s so heartwarming. Also, he can play the guitar and sing, and he couldn’t be more perfect. Chloe does an amazing job of creating characters that are honest, raw, and earnest. And her love stories are soulful, swoony, and very sweet. I adored this book!
🚲
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
🚲
Read if you like:
▫️romance practice
▫️just friends to lovers
▫️he’s a cinnamon roll
▫️they both fall hard
▫️slow burn
▫️dual POV
🚲
Thank you to Berkley Romance, Chloe Liese, and NetGalley for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

“I just like you, Will Orsino. That is all.”
His cheeks turn pink. His gray-green eyes glitter like starlight on frosty leaves.
“I like you, too, Juliet Wilmot”

Thank you for the free book Berkley Romance #berkley #berkleypartner All opinions are my own.

Once Smitten, Twice Shy is a warm hug, in book form. It is the third and final book of the Wilmot Sisters Series and unequivocally my favorite. The vibe is sweet, the communication is strong and the characters are ones that you won’t soon forget.

Juliet, a hopeless romantic who feels she can no longer trust her judgement when it comes to love and Will, a quiet neurodivergent soul who doesn’t believe that true love is meant for him, keep crossing paths in a way that feels nothing short of serendipitous. Neither is confident in their ability to find love so they decide to help each other out by “practicing” romance. But you know what they say about practice… sometimes it makes perfect!

The characters in this one are what make this book so special. I loved Will and Juliet so much and was invested in their journey towards happily-ever-after right from the start. The trust that develops as they open themselves up to one another is beautiful and inspiring. Their relationship is honest and sweet and it made this book such a delight to read. I enjoyed all of the books in this series but this one has my heart.