"It's Getting Hot in Here" lives up to its title in more ways than one!

Jane Costello brings us Lisa Darling, a twice-divorced TV executive whose life is heating up both literally (thanks, perimenopause!) and figuratively when a handsome new colleague arrives at work.

Between managing hot flashes and office drama, Lisa's world is delightfully chaotic. She's got a teenage son who occasionally remembers she exists, a best friend facing cancer, and even a hamster named Alan who might just be the most well-adjusted character in the book. The PTA meetings read like wine-fueled social experiments, and Lisa handles it all with the kind of humor that makes you genuinely laugh out loud.
The romance with Zach Russo develops at a perfect simmer. Their chemistry feels natural, probably because they're both too busy dealing with real life to force the romance. And speaking of real life, Costello tackles perimenopause with refreshing honesty and humor, making it less of a taboo topic and more of a "welcome to the club" conversation.

The book strikes a great balance between lighter moments (like Lisa's internal monologues about her body's surprise performances) and deeper themes about friendship, family, and finding love later in life. It's the kind of story that makes you laugh while also nodding in recognition.
This was my first Jane Costello book, but it certainly won't be my last. Strongly recommend for anyone who enjoys their romance with a healthy dose of humor. Just maybe keep a fan handy while reading - you know, just in case!

Thank you to NetGalley and Zibby books for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Funny and so relatable! Lisa Darling is a single mother trying to juggle work, kids activities, PTA meetings, and get to do lists done. She feels like she is failing her son as they keep fighting and he is being defiant by vaping and drinking. She needs her ex-husband to step up and be more reliable and help out more. She is always saying “yes” to PTA things and she keeps getting taken advantage of.

Lisa is 47 and she is experiencing hot flashes and keeps thinking her HRT need to be adjusted. Her best friend Rose has been diagnosed with cancer so she goes with her to treatments. Rose takes time away from work and Zach Russo steps in to take her spot. Lisa is having steamy dreams about her coworker and soon he is all she thinks about.

I liked all Lisa’s to do lists and how she kept track of everything. She soon discovers that she needs to put herself first and make some boundaries. I just breezed through this book as it was a sheer delight.

This was first book by this author and will be looking for more. The story had so many moving parts to keep you entertained .

Based on the synopsis, I really wanted to love this book but I just could not connect with the author’s writing style. Might be for others but it was not for me.

Fun, witty and relatable - I'm always looking for a good romcom, especially about middle age. Well written and an easy read. I'll be looking at others for this author.

I had high hopes for this book! The description sounded great, and Zibby Books reached out to me to see if I wanted to read this ARC and that interested me, but I wound up unfortunately not finishing this book. I read up until Chapter 9, and there were a lot of B stories during this timeframe that was a bit distracting. Perhaps I should have read more of it to get to the romance part, but the story felt a bit overwhelming. I would have loved to see the romance plot be front and center, and have the storyline with Rose and her friendship more at the forefront rather than the FMC's home life.

Lisa is a divorced single mom, raising 2 boys, one of which is a rebellious teenager. She’s in over her head on PTA committees, heading events to be the “good mom” while supporting her ill friend and working full time. She hasn’t a moment to spare, but I can’t help thinking about the temporary replacement for her bestie at work. Does he think he can waltz in and make waves when he’s only temporary? Is that a hot flash or is it the new guy?!!

Funny & relatable to moms and women of a certain age, romance and some spice. We all need a happy ending. Check this one out in February. Thanks to #netgalley and #zibbybooks for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Single mum of two, based in the Manchester office of an American television conglomerate, Lisa Darling has a lot on her plate. The twice divorced Lisa's job keeps her very busy, but she is guilted into volunteering for the kid's school's PTA, because she feels she will be a better mother if she does. Her mum and her best friend hate her second husband who is never around to help parent the kids, busy as he is with his new life and new love interest. She certainly needs help with the boys-especially 15 year Leo who is blowing off his good grades in favor of a wishful rugby career. It seems that both Lisa and Leo are having "hormonal issues," one as he grows into adolescence and the other as she experiences the change and deals with roller coaster symptoms and HRT corrections. Lisa is also surrounded by good friends in and out of her workplace. But her best work friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer-she has to take a leave of absence to have an operation and subsequent treatment. They are both curious about the new guy sent from the L.A. office to take her place for the six months she's in recovery.
This new guy, Zach, will be closely working with Lisa and her team-she finds and greenlights television shows, and his office does the scheduling. She takes a meeting with him to discuss their possible new acquisition and so she can check him out-and as soon as he comes into the room she gets her first hot flash...or is he just, well, hot? Unfortunately he's also obnoxious, criticizing her new show and cutting the meeting short-Lisa knows this is going to be a long six months. Can this work relationship turn into a love relationship...not bloody likely and yet....
A cut above frothy, Costello's rom-com actually transcends the genre, placing romance as a part but not the heart of her novel. Yes, there is the steamy action with love interest Zach, but it's not really the center of the book-balancing friendship, work, and motherhood takes precedence. This is a smart take on growing up, determining what you really want, and learning how to get it. Good women's read.

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So good and so relatable! I'm around the game age as the main character and I identified with her so much and laughed so much during this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Lisa Darling is fortysomething divorced, television executive trying to balance it all. Her two boys keep her on her toes, her ex-husband is horribly disconnected, the PTA is utterly obtuse. Dating is the last thing Lisa and even fathom contemplating.

When Lisa's friend and coworker has to step back from work due to breast cancer treatments, she has to contend with LA based Zach. He is standoffish and competitive--torpedoing her show before it even gets off the ground.

When the two begin working together more closely, they have great banter and she feels flush. Is this another perimenopause symptom? Could she have an attraction to Zach?

I think so many women in this phase of life will enjoy watching Lisa attempt to juggle it all--while keeping a modicum of pleasure for her personal life. I adored her character. This book was so fun, and I enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes view of reality tv!

Thank you to Netgalley and Zibby Books for the advanced copy of this gem.

The formatting of the proof made it challenging to maintain a smooth flow, leading to a somewhat disjointed reading experience. Nevertheless, the story itself was delightful, featuring humorous characters that enhanced the plot.

Fun, hen-lit style rom-com. I always like to see firmly middle aged characters staring in these, especially when they acknowledge some of the realities of midlife. (Perimenopause, health scares, co parenting, etc.) I’ll definitely read more by Jane Costello.

It’s getting Hot in here
By: Jane Costello
Pub Date: September 5, 2024
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton

I have found a new rom-com author. This one was so much fun. The witty banter between Lisa Darling and Zach Russo while their relationship heated had me flying though the pages.

Lisa is a TX exec and a mother of two who has been divorced twice. When one of her colleges and friends has to be out on leave she has to work with Zach on a temporary basis.

All kinds of sparks fly good and bad. Does she want to find love again?

I was so pleased to see a book written about the stages of menopause that doesn't gloss over it. It's a proper topic that should receive more attention in writing. I appreciated Costello's story and thought her characters were relatable and believable. I was laughing and hoping and praying as I read this story. Thanks to NetGalley and Zibby Books for the ARC.