A bit fast paced and insta lovey for my taste. I also wasn’t a fan of how the “enemies” portion was largely built on the fmc being incredibly immature, terrible at communicating and listening, and very petty overall.

All of the conflict in this book is largely based on miscommunication which is only done to increase the angst. They break up for like 5 minutes at least twice. Also, that man is way too comfortable with her treating him like crap and not once explaining it.

Adults acting like children. My least favorite trope.

I did, however, enjoy this severe binge read because Sophie was an entertaining little girl, and I really did like the aspects of parenthood, grief, and what that does to a relationship. I haven’t seen a couple that looks quite like this in a romance, and their histories did add dimension to the book. I also really loved reading about her friendships, and the background characters were all very dynamic.

It was fun!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

This has all the makings of a good time. Workplace, enemies to lovers, all of it!

Unfortunately, I was not able to connect with the characters. I wanted to love the witty banter and barbs thrown back and forth at each other, but I found it immature and shallow. I know this book is going to be a hit with so many people, it just wasn't for me.

Amy Buchanan’s Let’s Call a Truce is a heartfelt and humorous debut that blends workplace enemies-to-lovers romance with a poignant story of life after loss. Juliana Ryan, a widowed single mom juggling grief, motherhood, and a return to the workforce, is a protagonist you can’t help but root for. Her fiery, witty banter with Ben Thomas, her infuriating yet undeniably charming colleague, is packed with humor, tension, and just the right amount of spice.

Juliana’s character arc is a highlight—watching her rebuild her life and rediscover joy after her husband’s death is deeply moving. Her evolving relationships with her daughters, new friends, and eventually Ben, add layers of warmth and depth to the story. Ben is a swoon-worthy counterpart who balances charm, patience, and his own vulnerabilities, though their third-act conflict feels a bit abrupt and frustrating.

The audiobook narration enhances the experience, with the narrator perfectly delivering snarky humor and heartfelt moments. While some of Juliana’s indecision might test your patience, the overall journey is worth it.

Let’s Call a Truce is a delightful mix of humor, romance, and emotional depth—a must-read (or listen) for fans of workplace romances and second-chance love stories.

3.5/5 stars 💫

In Let’s Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan, single mother Julianna Ryan is a tough chick with serious anxiety. Recently widowed and taking on employment for the first time in seven years, she’s having a tough time adjusting to her new job, mainly because one of her new colleagues—Ben Thomas—is simultaneously attractive and unbearably obnoxious. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy awkward interactions, miscommunication, and a deep sense of taboo around work relationships.

Julianna and Ben’s banter, petty games, and competitive rivalry are very unprofessional in a secretive and salacious way. The intensity between Julianna and Ben is palpable. They both have an attitude problem that I live for. Their dynamic reminds me of a strange combination of characters: Ron Burgundy and Veronica Corningstone in Anchorman meets Violet Sorengail and Xaden Riorson in Fourth Wing. They experience a whirlwind of iconic enemies-to-lovers moments. That being said, their relationship is not the sole focus.

Julianna’s past and role as a mother play significant roles in this story. She also has some interesting interactions with friends and family members. Julianna has many deep relationships, which flesh out her character and make the novel more realistic. Ben and the other secondary characters also have complex relationships, making them more realistic.

My only trouble with this office romance is the confusing timeline. It doesn’t entirely make sense. Other plot holes present left me wondering if I had read something wrong. The narration didn’t really do it for me either. While I appreciated the female narrator’s general accent and emotion, some of the characters sounded a bit off. I would’ve preferred a second narrator for the male parts as well. Overall, I enjoyed the narrative, but it could’ve been improved a bit to make more sense. Also, this novel has open-door spice, so if you’re not into that, this book might not be for you.

Thank you SMP Romance, Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for giving me this ARC/ALC, in exchange for my honest review!!

I enjoyed the characters in this story, they felt very real and relatable, the plot was good and the interactions were well thought out! A very good case of a bad first-ish impression! It was really fun to listen to this one play out! The narrator was pretty good too!

I hated this. The FMC was so immature. I couldn't stand the rivalry between the two coworkers. This attempted to be The Hating Game and missed the main point of THG: the chemistry. The characters had none. The FMC was constantly looking for reasons to leave/be mad and I got so tired of hearing from her.

This book is tender, heartwarming, and sexy as heck! There is so much juicy tension between Juliana and Ben! It’s seriously luscious. (The desk scene? Seriously oh em gee! One of the hottest things I’ve read in a while.)

I’ve been obsessed with this story since I finished it. As a mom in my thirties, I’m finding that I gravitate towards romance stories where the main characters are older. So when I saw Let’s Call a Truce, I knew it was a book for me! Here, we get to see Juliana, a mom, have a second chance career AND a second chance at a loving, fulfilling, and supportive relationship.

@cnorthnarrate does such an amazing job bringing this book to life. I’ve read other audiobooks with this narrator, and the performance is consistently lovely!

Amy Buchanan, this is a stellar debut! Absolutely stunning. Happy pub week to this absolute gem of a book! Can’t wait to pick up my shelf trophy copy later this week.

What makes a contemporary romance unforgettable? Great banter, sizzling tension, just the right amount of spice, and side characters you can’t help but love. This book had all of that and more. There's nothing better than enemies-to-lovers, except when they're in a workplace setting. And this delivered from all points of view.

The pacing was fantastic, keeping me hooked without feeling rushed, the characters so well-developed, and the banter was ON POINT. Let's Call a Truce beautifully explores second chances at life and love, navigating grief, and family dynamics.

The story follows Juliana, a widowed mother of two trying to rebuild her life. Her new job brings her face-to-face with Ben, a coworker who rubbed her the wrong way from day one. Their playful, often heated rivalry simmers for years until they’re forced to work on a project together. Cue the tension, flirtation, and SWOON.

It also delivers a workplace romance with a fresh twist on enemies-to-lovers, plenty of spice, and hilariously witty banter.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook, and a word needs to be said about Charlotte North. Her delivery was outstanding, and I'm glad I got to experience it.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of Let’s Call A Truce!

3.5 stars.

This was an enjoyable listen while working out and doing some cleaning. I think I enjoyed it more on audio than I would have if I was reading a physical copy because the story itself, while fun, was not gripping. I did like the unique concept of the female lead finding herself back in the workforce as a single mom after tragedy strikes. I just wanted a bit more development between the leads. The romance, while fun, was a bit lacking to warrant a 4-5 star.

This one really did not work for me. I enjoy a good enemies/rivals to lovers but this was not it. I did not have a connection to either of the main characters so I could not get into it. DNF at about 38%

A beautiful debut from an author I plan to follow for future books to come!! I tend to be wary of the widow/er trope but in this case, I think it was beautifully done. The single mom/dad trope is always a favorite of mine so that certainly helped offset that unease. I was also very very grateful the author clarified the miscommunication between the two MC's early on because that too can become aggravating for me to read/listen to. Overall, the pacing, storyline, and romance were all good and Amy Buchanan has a repeat reader in me for sure!

Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC.

Juliana, widow and mom of two girls, returns to work. She has immediate issues with Ben, a coworker.

A couple years later they are still bantering and bickering, but has it changed?

They find out their daughters are friends (she wasn't even aware he was a dad) and start hanging out. She is ready for a relationship, but isn't sure he's ready as well. His ex wife is involving herself in their relationship.

Usually a big fan of enemies to lovers but something about this one didn't fully hit for me.

Charlotte North did a great job with the narration. Still a fun listen

I absolutely LOVED this book! In fact, I ended up ordering it in all formats upon release. The main characters are fun, relatable and draw the reader into their worlds. The banter was A+ and had me cracking up to the point where I couldn’t read at the gym because people would stare at me. What a fun book!

Widowed Juliana is re-entering the workforce after years of being a stay-at-home mom and of course she overhears Ben disparaging her lack of experience and need to accommodate her kids. This sets off a rivalry with lots of bickering and maybe a little workplace sabotage for the next two years. It’s probably more than a little unprofessional, considering Juliana is part of the Human Resources department. But then they get stuck together on a work project and need to learn to work together. Oh, and there’s some simmering attraction along with the bickering and rivalry. The romance here follows fairly typical angry flirting and kissing tropes, and when they finally do get together, Juliana wants to keep things quiet so it doesn’t upset her kids or threaten her standing at work. It’s all sorts of messy and while it wasn’t my favorite combination of trope and setting, the book was funny and steamy.

This was 4.5 stars for me (5 rounded up). Loved seeing the characters' angst and rivalry have time to develop. Enjoyed the protagonist being older and having lived through other big relationships, experiences, losses and hurdles and then choosing to be together to move forward. The spice was tasteful and descriptive without feeling like it took away from the plot. I with the pacing would have been a little more steady. The MMC having Juliana wait was unfair. Like her character explained, I agree that was different from what she had asked for. I wish she would've taken the position but understand that would've moved the girls away from their grandparents. I can't wait to read more by this author.

Amy Buchanan’s Let's Call a Truce is a heartfelt and witty exploration of love, forgiveness, and the complexities of relationships. With sharp dialogue and deeply relatable characters, this novel artfully balances humor and emotional depth as it tells the story of two exes navigating a second chance while confronting their past mistakes. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance with a side of personal growth, this book is equal parts charming and cathartic.

I really enjoyed Let’s Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan. The audiobook narrator, Charlotte North, did an excellent job bringing the story to life. This romance was heartfelt and refreshing, focusing on a strong, empowered single mom who steps up for her family after the loss of her husband. The romance itself was sweet and never felt cringy, and I loved the found family aspect woven into the story. While it is a romance, the heart of the book lies in a mother's dedication to her children and her journey to finding love after loss. A beautiful and uplifting read!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Ok, wow. First off, man can that woman hold a grudge! Second, I really enjoyed this audio book.

Workplace romances can be messy, especially if you start off on the wrong foot. When Juliana first meets Ben, they have an instant zinging connection that is quickly diminished by a little bit of miscommunication, a tad bit of pride and a lot a bit of stubbornness. As their relationship progresses, you feel that thin line between love and hate and the story kind of writes itself. I liked the story lines that were given for this book and I will definitely be recommending it to other romance lovers.

Thank you for the copy, this is my honest opinion. Please be aware of any trigger warnings, as your mental health is most important.

There is a spoiler alert in this review. This was an average read. Although I really liked the two main characters and their backstories. What holds me back from giving this a 4 star rating is that the feud went on for 2 years. I think that is a little too long and unrealistic. Both characters were very likable and the issues of mixing romance with children were well displayed. It took me a while to get through as I just wasn't grabbed by it. However, that said it was not a bad book and I think that some others may like it a lot.

This was a feel good rom-com that hits on heavy topics in a realistic and perfect way. It detailed dating as a single parent very accurately and authentically.