Two strangers dance together in Scotland and now randomly meet again, except she's running from heartbreak and he's trying to find a way to communicate, but when they realize they can help each other out they agree to practice fake dating.... except they might really be falling for one another. Juliet Wilmot is a hopeless romantic who has sworn off romance, she left to visit Scotland and there she meets a handsome stranger named Will.... then months go by and they run into each other again except Will is actually her brother's best friend, making him completely off limits. Will Orsino is a shy guy who's had problems with communicating, he just can't seem to make a romance work and he feels like he needs a marriage to work especially for his family's business... but he's resigned to the fact that happily ever after isn't in the cards for him until he meets Juliet. Something about Juliet calls to him but she's completely off limits since she's his best friend's sister. Yet when they both meet again and offer to help one another, going on fake dates, befriending each other, and supporting one another... maybe this isn't as fake as they thought and this is in fact real romance. This was such a sweet romance book, I was completely smitten from the get go. As a huge fan of Chloe's books, this was such a great read. I loved the romance between Juliet and Will so much, it was just so sweet and soft. I really had such a wonderful time reading this and would absolutely recommend this for fans of a book that will just leave you smiling.

Release Date: January 14,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This is the third and final book in Chloe Liese’s Wilmot Sisters Series. I am so sad to be at the end of this fun series. I have loved all the couples, friends, and family that were in the pages of these books. Each couple was modeled after a different Shakespearean couple, and I loved that. That is the hook that got me into this series in the first place.

Juliet & Will’s love story was an adaptation of Twelfth Night. Their story was probably the least like the source material, but I loved all the nods to the original work as well as the additional rivalry between Will’s family, Montag, and their neighbors, the Capulettis. It wasn’t a huge plot point, but it was a nice addition and gives me a little hope for more stories set in this world maybe focusing on another group of sisters. (Fingers crossed.)

Recommended for: romance readers that like fun banter and sweet characters

Content warning: profanity; explicit sex scenes

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As far as I’m concerned, Chloe Liese can do absolutely no wrong. I adore her romance books and I’m always impressed by how well she incorporates diverse abilities and experiences into her romance. Once Smitten, Twice Shy may be one of my new favorites from her catalog. I absolutely adored our FMC and her ability to advocate for herself and her growing ability to do so. I also really enjoyed our MMC and felt like he was a really honest character. It didn’t feel trope-y or stereotypical of a person with autism however, I think that this is a really realistic interpretation of someone on the spectrum I was giddy, kicking my feet and loving the story from start to finish and I cannot wait to recommend it to my friends and other readers. Thank you so much to Berkeley romance for granting me access to Once Smitten, Twice Shy.

REVIEW✨
Once Smitten, Twice Shy
(The Wilmot Sisters, #3)
By Chloe Liese

“I'm weird, but I generally like my weirdness ... that's what makes me me. Because it's not all hard parts, having a brain like mine.”

I loved this book so much! Will Orsino is a wonderful book boyfriend with all the green flags and more. He is so caring and sweet to Juliet Wilmot and thinks about her all the time. It was wonderful to see representation for a main character that is neurodivergence, I felt very relatable to him. I felt that it was done so well! I loved seeing a character like Juliet with mixed connective tissue disease and celiac disease as well. The writing was so amazing! So many inner thoughts but also how she describes Will’s house and farmland made me want to move there. The plot was great, the pacing was smooth, there is no third act break up, and the characters are so sweet and kind. The romance is really smutty and very steamy.
If you are looking for a friends to lovers, fake dating, where FMC gives flirting lessons to MMC, and it is just overall just a wonderfully sweet romance. This is the book for you.

🌸Cinnamon Roll Male Lead
🌸Neurodivergence Rep
🌸Celiac Disease/ Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Rep
🌸Fake Dating & Flirting Lessons
🌸No Third-Act Breakup
🌸Dual POV (Will & Juliet)
🌸Healing From Past Relationships
🌸Families With So Much Love

Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance @acebookspub for the free book!

Plot points: 💥💥💥💥💥
Spice Level:🔥🔥🔥🔥
Romance level: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Out everywhere January 14, 2025
•
•
#AceBooksPartner #BerkleyPartner
•

I am and always will be a Chloe Liese stan. I love this world that she created and am grateful that it ended on such a high note. the way that Chloe builds emotional intimacy makes her romances feel more genuine and keeps me coming back for more

I am so excited for my first Berkley romance/Berkley partner free book to review! This book was SO GOOD and took me out of a four month reading slump! I flew through it in less than 24 hours. This had everything: heartwarming plot, funny anecdotes, softness and vulnerability, and some sweet sweet spice!

This book has a pair of star-crossed lovers who decide to work together to get back into the dating game. The pair initially meets in Scotland, where they have an instant connection, but Juliet, having recently broken off a toxic engagement and is trying to figure out how to get back out there again, gets nervous, and leaves. Will is neurodivergent and feels like he never quite fit what people were looking for in a partner, so when they meet again back stateside and find they have a mutual friend connection, Will agrees to practice date Juliet. This way she can get back on the bike, and he can learn how to ride in the first place. They can be each others “training wheels”.

I adored this book and their relationship so much. It was such a sweet development, a slow-burn friends to lovers with all the tension that leads to such a beautiful relationship! I love how they worked together and communicated throughout their “practice”. They really brought out the best in each other and leaned on each other so much. I love them. And I have to say, Will is probably one of my favorite MMCs I’ve read. He is such a cinnamon roll, so soft and sweet but the man knows what he’s doing 👀

I love how Chloe writes inclusively as well, with both Will and Juliet being neurodivergent and chronically ill, respectively, and how well the representation of both of these are done. It blends seamlessly into the characters without being the sole thing about them. It also made these characters so patient and understanding with each other, and was such a normalized thing. It was really beautifully done!

I had a copy from prh audio and was able to go back and forth between physical and audio while reading. The dual POV was great and I loved the narrators! Their voices fit the characters well and I would definitely listen to books with these narrators in the future.

Read if you like:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Mutual Pining
Strangers to Friends to Lovers
Neurodivergent, Chronic Illness, and Bisexual Rep

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✦Series: Wilmot Sisters # 3
✦POV: Dual first-person
✦Spice: Open door, explicit

» Star-crossed lovers learn that practicing romance leads to the perfect happy ending in this steamy reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

» Juliet travels to Scotland to heal her heart after a traumatic breakup and meets Will in a pub when he asks her dance. They feel an instant connection, but neither believes they’re in a place to give or receive the kind of love they deserve.

» Juliet doesn’t trust her heart anymore. She’s struggling with that and learning to live with chronic illness. She’s always felt like the glue that holds her sisters together, but she needs to give herself a break. Juliet is a strong FMC; sympathetic, relatable, and easy to root for.

❝I gravitated toward romance novels because they never made me anxious, because I could always count on a happily ever after. Even when things get rough in the story, it always worked out. That reliability is really comforting. And . . . I love love. Friend love. Family love. Romantic love. Romance novels celebrate all of that.❞

» Will is neurodivergent, living with Autism, and his negative experiences of romance have conditioned him to believe that it won’t happen for him. He lives in the friendzone. Through his “training wheels” romance practice with Juliet, he gets exactly what he needs to be the inherently swoon-worthy man that he is, and it is gorgeous! He’s exactly the right amount of self-deprecating to make me cheer for him and sit at the edge of my seat in anticipation of exactly the god-tier swoony actions he takes and words he speaks. He loves Juliet with admiration and devotion. Utter perfection, A+ MMC.

❝Like... fireworks. When you’re staring up at the sky, watching them light up the night, all sparkle and glitter, there’s nothing else that should follow that beauty but an epic boom. That’s... what your laugh feels like, like it should be— as loud as it is pretty.❞

» It was satisfying to watch their story unfold from friendship while practicing romance despite being obviously attracted to each other when they met in Scotland. It was a wholesome start for a pair who are healing and allows for excellent growth.

» I read the previous books in the series which feature Juliet’s sisters, Bea (Jamie) and Kate (Chris). I was delighted to see how Juliet’s story incorporates them in measured and well-played doses. They are all great characters, and I loved seeing them connect on the page.

» Chloe’s writing is straight up poetry: the vivid descriptions of settings, characterisations, dialogue and inner monologues. It will make your heart ache from wanting to explode with the kind of stunning beauty she masterfully executes.

✩ Chloe is a champion of disability rights and representation. She writes her characters sensitively, avoiding the usual pity-p*rn and inspo-p*rn which often makes its way into characterisation of people with disabilities. I will never stop recommending her books because of this and am proud to have introduced her work to other folks and book clubs. Standing ovation and honourable mention, indeed! 👏

♡ Once Smitten, Twice Shy is a solid read and ending to the Wilmot Sisters series. I give it all the stars and wholeheartedly recommend it!

Thank you, @berkleypub, for an advanced digital copy of this book!

Once Smitten, Twice Shy was a delightful and heartwarming read that captured my attention from the first page. Chloe Liese’s ability to craft characters who are both neurodivergent and vulnerable is something I deeply admire, and this book is no exception. Will and Juliet were easy to connect with; their personalities were rich with green flags, but they also had flaws that made them feel authentic and well-rounded. I found myself rooting for them from their first encounter, as their communication and vulnerability with one another were central to their developing relationship.

The way they navigated their emotions and built trust was genuinely moving, making their love story all the more believable and heartwarming. Will is the ultimate soft boy—shy and quiet but with an incredibly kind heart that melted me. And when the chemistry between them heated up, it was undeniable. The family dynamics were equally delightful, adding depth to the story. The clever incorporation of rom-com tropes and references to romance novels and movies was a fun touch, and the eclipse reference was a perfect little bonus.

Overall, this slow-burn, fake-dating romance was both funny and endearing. Once Smitten, Twice Shy is a must-read if you’re looking for a light, feel-good romance with lovable characters. Chloe Liese truly delivered a charming and enjoyable story.

Absolutely adorable 💖

I’m glad the series finished off strong. I liked book one. But DNF’d book two, so I’m glad to end the series with a win.

This book is perfect for shy, quiet romantics—the ones who wish for love but fear they might not find it. Both Juliet and Will were undeniably sweet and thoughtful. They were also genuine and communicative. When they weren’t sure about something they talked through it like adults.

No miscommunication, no nonsense.

It is just a slow, sweet, tender journey to love.

100% Swoon worthy!! 4.25 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first Chloe Liese romance novel and I am SOLD! I mean, the MMC, Will, a neurodivergent character is a total golden retriever. The things that jump out of his mouth are adorable and endearing. Will calls them thinking thoughts that shouldn't have turned into talking thoughts :) The FMC, Juliet, is beautiful inside and out.
Will and Juliet have a chance meeting in Scotland and then meet again months later at Juliet's "brother's" home. The two decide to become romance practice buddies to overcome their hurts and hopefully find love again. You can guess the rest....

"I'm not strong enough. I can't stand to spend another second in your presence without you knowing that I might not be sure yet; if my heart's love will be enough for you. But every corner of that heart, in all its imperfection, is yours, if you want it. And if you don't.....well, I'll more than understand."


* No third-act breakup!!!
* Starcrossed lovers
* Friends to lovers
* Major slow burn
* Fake dating
* Neurodivergent character representation
* chronic disease rep

This was so cute! You couldn’t not root for these two! This had very realistic representation of a variety of things such as celiac disease and autism. The slow burn friends to lovers was done so well and made me fall in love with them all the same time. Def recommend

Another fantastic book in this series, from a local author (to me)! I’m not a Shakespeare girlie but love this take on another one of his plays.

Once Smitten, Twice Shy
Genre - Contemporary romance
Rating - really enjoyed/ 3.5⭐️

Thanks @berkleypub for the advanced copy and having me on the release tour. This book is out on January 14!🙌🏻

This is book #3 in the Wilmot Sisters series - this works fine as a standalone but I recommend starting with Two Wrongs Make a Right to get the most out of the characters' actions.

I love this author, I really do. While I still prefer the Bergman Brother series, this was still a lovely series full of disability representation and found family. The side characters in the friend group were such a diverse group that had me chuckling often while reading. One hangup that made me not absolutely love this book was that I often have a hard time when characters overthink things. In this instance, they insist they can't be together, when really there's zero reason why they shouldn't be. BUT no third act breakup made up for this a bit!

A final item to note - this series are all Shakespeare retellings. I've read next to nothing of his work but I could feel a lot of references, so classics fans may really get a kick out of this.

Can't wait to see what's next from this author!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was the perfect mix of funny, steamy, and emotional, without being corny. Perfect for lovers of Ali Hazlewood, Lucy Score, and Abby Jimenez.

Chloe Liese is one of my favorite romance writers and I will read anything she writes 🩷

ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY is a modern reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Juliet Wilmot and Will Orisino aren’t looking for love, but make a pact to practice romance together.

Chloe’s characters are always easy to root for and are a reminder that everyone is deserving of a happily-ever-after. Juliet and Will are sweet souls that bring out the best in each other.

What I loved —
🩷 fake dating
🩷 cinnamon roll MMC
🩷 neurodivergence rep
🩷 chronic condition rep

I have enjoyed reading this series so much and lovef all the cameos from the previous MCs!

Actual rating: 4.5 stars
rep: Autism, connective tissue disease, celiac disease and anxiety

I truly adored this one, which honestly comes as no surprise to me, I am a huge Chloe Liese fan. For me she is one of those "If she wrote it, I'll read it authors". I just love how she is able to create characters that feel so genuine, flawed in a human way and deserving of love.
For the start I have loved this series and I really am so happy with how everything tied together. We got the perfect amount of all three sisters together, little glimpses into Bea and Kate's lives, heard for mom and dad in a few family scenes, truly I love this family and how its grown throughout the trilogy.
I think the main thing to note in this book is definitely the romance, I mean yes it is a romance book, but truly this book handled romance and the complexity of it in such a pure way, it really was precious to read about. Juliet has been burned by love recently and decides maybe she needs to put her guards up a little higher and WIll, ugh sweet WIll, this man is the definition of a gentle giant To keep to short, Will doesn't think he's worthy of love, but he is determined to make some sort of arrangement work out. How? He'e not exactly sure but he needs a buisness partner, a wife, to help him take over his family's company. In one may say, a sign of fate, these two keep ending up in each others paths, a few times, and it all seems to fall into place, who better to practice getting back into dating? Juliet needs to be reminded how to flirt and WIll, well he honest needs to learn to to flirt, so they set up "practice" dates with each other, only the dates don't really feel like practice.... and the feelings growing definitely don't... and GOSH It is so sweet to read about!!!
I also absolutely need to note how amazing the representation in this book was. As also Chloe Liese to no stranger to writing books with disabled, neurodivergent and chronic ill main characters and from all the ones I have read by her, it is always a vocal point for me and this book was no exception. As someone that has very similar conditions to Juliet, I truly felt so seen in her, one small example in the book was about not being able to go to a restaurant and order whatever you want because not being able to eat gluten. That truly hit so close to home for me and again just a small example of how much detail and care Chloe Liese puts into writing these characters. I will forever be grateful to be able to read books like hers and see myself truly seen in the books I am reading.

Thank you berkley romance for the gift cope of this book #BerkleyPartner

Oh I adored this book! Juliet and Will were an amazing pair. They had such great chemistry and I really loved the way their story unfolded. This was a fantastic romance that made me happy!

Chloe Liese has done it again. I loved this book with my whole heart. It was exceptional and a lovely conclusion to this little series.

*spoilers* the only reason I gave it four stars is because I found it weird that they got engaged the morning after Jamie and Bea’s wedding, it felt like it encroached on their moment when in book one it was established Bea felt left out sometimes anyways

Chloe Liese hits it out of the park! Once Smitten is a fantastic wrap up on a reimagined Shakespeare, sister trilogy. In my opinion, Chloe Liese is one of the best authors out there for contemporary romance that is neurodivergent and chronic condition inclusive. She is just stellar and has become an author that I can rely on to give me a great story.

Now, about the book itself and its characters. I literally couldn’t stop smiling the entire book. I loved seeing Juliet open herself back up to romance and love after being in an abusive relationship. It showed great strength of character and purpose. I really related to her character as someone who is trying to be brave enough to put herself out there and be vulnerable. One of my favorite quotes from Juliet is, “Because I believe we all deserved the kind of happily ever after that we want. If we’re brave enough to put our true selves out there, we can find someone who wants us for all of that, who wants the same kind of happily ever after, too.” As someone who is also the only single in my group of friends, I related to her being so happy for them, but also sad for herself. There were just so many great moments with Juliet that I really related to.

Will was just the sweetest man in the world. As an autistic person, he struggled with reading nonverbal language and had sensory issues. I loved seeing him and Juliet practice being romantic and being wobbly together. I loved that they took each other's needs into account, but also pushed themselves to go a little bit further for each other.

Just an absolute hug of a book and I highly recommend it.

Tropes: friends to lovers, fake dating/romance practice, inclusive representation

it’s not even a where to begin this one but a how to begin with this one. chloe liese has quickly and rightfully become one of my favorite romance authors in the publishing sphere right now. she excellently crafts queer and disabled identities into her works, showcasing just how truly well and deserving these stories are. and juliet and will’s story takes these pillars and holds them up with such grace and with many tear-jerking moments.

i think i say this with every publication of hers, but this may just be my new favorite chloe liese book. juliet and will are held so dear to my heart, with their life stories fitting so closely to my own. juliet, working through her diagnoses with chronic illness, relearning what she can and cannot do and taking pride in knowing her limits, but never letting her limits make her feel less than. experiencing the differences in her abilities on the daily, where some days she is able to do more with her body, and some days she just needs to rest up. and that regardless of her disabilities, it makes her no less deserving of finding love, if that is what she choses.

there were two scenes specifically with juliet and her disabilities that made me tear up (in a good way!!), one being when she first pulls out the cane she begins using. she doesn’t let her body’s pain and discordance to her plans stop her, she makes it work. she reminds me so much of myself, someone dealing with similar join and chronic pain issues. someone who was worried about using a cane for a long while to assist on the bad days. honestly, juliet’s character gave me the strength i needed to begin looking into a cane for myself again. and that is the power of a story with well written chronic illness. because if it made *me* feel seen, i know i won’t be the only one. i know juliet will bring that same feeling for tens, possibly hundreds of others in the same position. and i think this is, at the core, the real reason why jules’ story may end up being considered my favorite chloe liese book… ever. and that is without counting the beautifully executed romance.

i mean, i haven’t even spoke about juliet or will in the romance context, let alone about the discussions surrounding his neurodivergence. i have so much more to say about their romance, about will and the many many times i had myself kicking my feet, real time updating my friend (who buddy read this with me) about all the silly scenarios, the beautiful lines. my kindle might be half highlighted for this book, because their romance was just so damn sweet. will was so open to learning and trying new things in regards to friendship and to romance. and juliet is just such a trusting person and ensured proper communication between them, despite all her hardships and worries from a previous toxic relationship. we had the chance to see juliet in small bits on the side for her sisters’ romances and i think having her last was beyond worth the payoff to see her heal, to see her open herself up again.

i cannot stress enough how so obvious it was they had strong feelings for each other since the beginning. like prequel beginning. and when you get to a certain conversation!! i think upon a reread you could see exactly what is mentioned in that conversation surrounding love, and more specifically love at first sight. i think a re-read of this book would bring upon even more master craft surrounding their romance’s progression. because you *know* they followed along that exact conversation, unintentionally to them, but most certainly by smart writing. and god!! i cannot say much more without spoiling big portions of the book. please just go pick up this book. actually, go pick up her sisters’ romances first though if you haven’t already. since even though they’re companions but run chronologically.

this whole series is romance that will make you swoon, laugh, cry, and make your heart feel whole. i’m so sad to see this series completed, but i cannot wait for whats next (especially since we just got our next chloe liese book announced today!)

and ps: yes, i am *still* holding out hope for a sapphic romance. please chloe i am begging you over here!!

original review
y'all are going to have to give me a day or so to process all my thoughts before i write my review, because my GOD!!!

rep noted before i forget:
FMC: bisexual, celiac's disease, connective tissue disease (ambulatory cane user)
MMC: ASD (and i want to say a bit on the ace spectrum?? maybe???)