I LOVE LESBIANS

No but seriously I thoroughly enjoyed this. Give me a book about two women falling back into love while renovating a bed and breakfast and I'm SAT. Especially if there's cooking and gardening involved?! Give it to me!! I do wish we'd gotten a bit more of an explanation about what fell apart the first time, but that wasn't a deal breaker for me. I was so invested in these two, it was ridiculous. I almost wish we'd have gotten an epilogue to give me a little more fluff, but again, minor complaints. I'll definitely be reading whatever Dumond releases next!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was super cute and heartfelt. Bed and Breakup is a perfect summer read.

This is a second chance, forced proximity, enemies to lovers romance. Molly and Robin used to be in love but have been estranged for six years, but happen to return to the Inn they co-own. I thought the relationship between Molly and Robin was realistic and entertaining. The pranks they pulled on each other were hilarious. I feel like we don't get enough pranks in enemies to lovers romcoms/contemporaries. There's a lot of bickering in the beginning too which is really just masking the tension between them. I thought the romance developed at a great pace and was believable. These two ended up being really sweet.

I fell in love with the setting too. The Hummingbird Inn and the town of Eureka Springs sounded wonderful. A safe haven for everyone, especially queer people. It was lovely to see/read.

The book felt like a warm hug. Highly recommend if you like second chance romances, enemies to lovers and summer vibes.

I am a sucker for second-chance romances, but this one took me a little time to get through. Although the writing was a little dense and repetitive, the characters and settings shone throughout. I couldn't necessarily buy the romance between the two main characters, at least not as much as I wanted to as a second-chance sapphic romance reader; I just felt like they weren't fleshed out enough. Granted, each character was distinct and well developed, but the romance itself was not.

This is so sweet my teeth hurt! I was totally engaged in the romance and I liked it very much!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Bed and Breakup is a super cute story of a 2nd chance at love. Robin and Molly are married but separated for many, many years. They basically just never got the paperwork done for divorce. Both return to the Hummingbird Inn in Eureka Springs, Arkansas (a real town per the author's note) which they co-own as a refuge. Robin is a chef taking a breath after her restaurant closed and Molly is a stained glass artist who has a few commissions in town. After initially not tolerating each other, they decide to refurb the inn together, amicably, and sell it so they can move on. I really loved following this story and their journey to decide whether or not they should take a second chance on each other. Both characters are entirely loveable and we get to know them both well through alternating chapters. Dumond does an artful job of showing how they have both matured individually and together since their original relationship. I also appreciated the found family and community that they had and created in the town where it takes place. The book has great representation as a sapphic story with a diverse group of friends. I will definitely pick up Susie Dumond's next book without question!

“Bed and Breakup” was a fun story. It was pretty obvious that Molly and Robin would get back together/stay married in the end, but it was amusing and enjoyable to see (read) what they had to go through to get there — the pranks and intentional irritating behavior; the sexual tension (and eventual release); renovating the Hummingbird Inn a second time; rediscovering their career passion (Robin); addressing the issues that led to their split years ago and how they had individually changed since then.

Bed and Breakup was a fun, emotional, and refreshing change of pace from my usual reads, and I enjoyed every second of it.

This story has all the best romance tropes wrapped up in one chaotic, heartfelt, and utterly entertaining package: forced proximity, enemies to lovers, second chance romance, and even a warm, cozy dose of found family.

Watching Molly and Robin navigate their messy past, renovate a dilapidated inn, and slowly unravel all the complicated threads between them was a joy. Their dynamic was fiery, frustrating, and ultimately satisfying in the best way.

I also loved the queer representation and the unique setting of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, which I now kind of want to visit! The small town charm, quirky side characters, and themes of personal growth and healing added so much depth to the story without ever weighing it down.

This book made me laugh, tugged at my heart, and reminded me why I love second chance romances so much. It’s messy, tender, and brimming with personality. If you are looking for something sweet with a bit of spice and plenty of emotional payoff, this one is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Susie Dumond for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This was a fun story and a great change of pace from my normal reads. It includes all of our favorite troupes in a romance: for dd proximity, enemies to lovers, second chance romance, and found family. *swoon*.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for this book, the publisher, and author.

Absolutely loved everything about this book!! All of your favorite troupes in a romance (forced proximity, enemies to lovers, second chance romance, found family). I loved the queer representation throughout the book and it even made me want to visit Eureka Springs, Arkansas (who would have thought haha)! Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for this book, and Susie, you’ve gained a new follower! Cannot wait to read everything you create!

I’ve read all of Susie Dumond’s sapphic books. The first two were 3 stars, and this one would’ve been a 3.5 if Goodreads allowed that - but alas.

My biggest issue with this book is a classic issue in wlw books: the two main characters sounded EXACTLY alike. They had different careers and motivations, but overall their personalities and voices were exactly the same. It was very hard for me to differentiate mentally who was who in each moment. And frankly, I didn’t care to put in more mental effort because both characters were kind of insufferable. Neither of them wanted to admit their wrongdoings - especially Robin which is interesting because she literally cheated…? Like why at 35 years old are you having trouble admitting that cheating was malicious and a mistake?? I just felt like this book was a bit underdeveloped in the character department, and the story felt a bit rushed at the end. Sometimes I feel like authors are afraid to hit 300 pages. Content is a good thing if it benefits and furthers development!

Thanks to NetGalley for inviting me to read this ARC!

Oh my gooooodness! This BOOK!!!!!!
So many things to love:
exquisitely developed characters (main and side), delicious food and plant descriptions, gorgeous stained glass and artsyness, *the bickering* !!!!! the pranks and messing with eachother, the tension, the renovations, the dislike for the grey landlord special. And! You’ll be happy to know that Susie Dumond’s classic expertise in writing friendships strikes again.
I loved learning about Eureka Springs and the Ozarks. The town sounds so lovely.
I really enjoyed this - the ultimate second-chance strong-dislike-to-lovers-again romance.

Oh my god this was such a good book😭 I love Molly and Robin so much and I loved seeing them find their way back to each other! They’re both such strong, independent women and their story was so captivating! My favorite thing about second chance romances is finding out why things originally didn’t work out, working through it, and then seeing how they overcome those obstacles to be happy in the end. This book had all of that and more! I was truly devouring this book and I never wanted it to end!

I just don’t knooooow if I want to rate this 4 or 5 stars. Either way I am rounding, but neither feel quite right.

This was a great book. There writing was awesome, and the characters were wonderful. There was background, and depth, and character arcs galore. Characters felt like real people. There were fun parts and sad parts, and astrological parts too. I was invested in the story and could not stop reading! I would recommend this novel for sure (although I would recommend the authors other novel Looking For A Sign first, because that one was just perfect!)

A few bits were just underwhelming though, and they were major bits. I loved everything that I read on the page, but I felt like the romance was missing some things. In a second-chance romance I want to see a big conflict that ruined things the first time, and an equal sized rational for why they get back together. I’m not saying this book didn’t have that…. but I am saying that some key elements were a bit weak. This was a great novel, with an ok romance; so your experience might depend on what you are looking for.

My Rating: “A-“
Converted Rating: 4-Stars

Highlights:
-A cat named Marmalade.
-The plot immediately hooked me and kept me engaged. No slow-startup here.
-A lot happened in this story plot-wise. There were whole stages to the story and layers, and I appreciate that!
-I loved Molly’s old-southern-grandma sayings (although I feel like the author forgot about them in the later parts of the books. Shame)
-Pranks! Creepy soulless dolls!
-Getting absolutely called the f*ck out as a Pieces multiple times apparently. I’m talking unfortunately accurate and personalized attacks on me as a person from a book.

Downsides:
-Minor plot holes throughout, but nothing too bad.
-I thought their issues, and the later resolution of those issues, was all a little underwhelming. The book was good, but the conflicts were weak and that left me a little disappointed.
-The ending was way too fast and abrupt. Just felt rushed and didn’t give me the payoff I wanted.
-Question, because I couldn’t answer this: SPOILERS AHEAD: Was Robin cheating? The first time they were together! Its hinted at and talked around, but it wasn’t ever explicitly confirmed OR denied…..and that is causing me to be unsure about my feelings on this

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.

This is a really cute novel about Molly who sees her ex-girlfriend, Robin when she returns to The Hummingbird Inn and sees that Molly is renovating their favorite place. And even though they broke up, Robin has such fond memories here that she begins helping Molly as she is now on social media featuring food creations and they both think it could bring more interest to the Inn. It has great snarky humor and is a quirky fun read!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Bed and Breakup is a sweet and slightly chaotic second chance romance that reunites exes Molly and Robin as they attempt to fix up and sell their once-beloved Hummingbird Inn, while very much still tangled in their feelings.

Set in the charming and queer-friendly town of Eureka Springs, their renovation project quickly turns into a slow burn full of old wounds, petty pranks, and surprisingly tender moments. It’s got just the right mix of banter, awkward tension, and small-town chaos to keep things fun.

I liked how real the conflict felt—Molly and Robin both carry their own baggage and ambitions, and their flaws made them feel fully human. The queer rep and themes of chosen family were also a big win.

That said, the chemistry felt a little off in places. The shift from bickering to flirting happened fast, and some emotional moments, especially near the end, needed more room to breathe. They were also occasionally a bit frustrating, and I found myself wishing they’d just talk instead of tossing emotional grenades.

Overall, it’s funny, a bit messy, and emotionally grounded in all the right ways. If you’re into second-chance romances with queer leads, found family, and a dose of small-town drama, this one’s worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed the southern queer small town haven, and the lovely side characters.

This is so tough. I wanted to like this book so much. Unfortunately I just couldn’t stand Robin, one of the FMC’s. In the first half of the book I thought that her redemption and personal growth would be a plot point, but it’s just… not really? That’s who she is. She’s incredibly selfish and treats Molly like a child. My distaste for Robin obviously soured me on the whole romance situation. I think Molly deserves so much better. Alas. I hope to try another Susie Dumond book in the future where I can fully root for the romance.

Thank you to netgalley and Dial Press Trade for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Reading Bed and Breakup felt like having a heart-to-heart with a friend who just gets it. Susie Dumond captures the messy, painful, and oddly empowering moments that come after a breakup—the kind where you're lying on your bed, surrounded by takeout containers and old playlists, wondering how to start over.

But this book isn’t just about the heartbreak. It’s about what happens next. The laughter that sneaks in when you least expect it. The people who show up for you. The slow, steady rebuilding of confidence. And yes—the butterflies that come when love tiptoes back in, even when you’re not sure you’re ready.

It’s funny, honest, and comforting in that “you’re not alone” kind of way. The main character feels real—raw and relatable—and by the end, I found myself cheering for her, not just in love, but in life.

Bed and Breakup is the kind of book that reminds you healing isn’t linear, but it is possible—and sometimes, starting over leads to something even better.

I always enjoy Susie Dumond’s stories and writing style.

This story centers two “exes” Molly and Robin who are back in their small Eureka, AR town, in their now defunct inn at the same time after 7 years apart. They vow to renovate the inn, sell it, and then go their separate ways. This path forces them to recon with their personal and marital issues in order to complete their goal.

I felt like this story painted a very accurate picture of hatred that’s often harbored in failed relationships. This was the epitome of a second chance love story done right where the characters suck it up and communicate their problems and fears rather than just gloss over it. I really liked the growth in each of the characters we see over the course of the book.

Thank you to the writer and Dial Press / Random House for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

Molly and Robin used to run the now-closed Hummingbird Inn, a charming bed and breakfast they started as newlyweds thirteen years ago. Once a bustling spot in the picturesque town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the inn has turned into a place of conflict as they unexpectedly find themselves needing a temporary place to stay. Over the years, a lot has happened: they restored the old Victorian house; Molly became a talented stained-glass artist; Robin developed her culinary skills and gained some fame as a C-list chef; and, most notably, they went through a bitter separation without ever getting divorced.

The story dives into their unresolved emotions—anger, pain, sorrow, and love—as they navigate their complicated relationship. It follows a classic arc of lovers turning into enemies and then back to lovers, leading to a predictable yet satisfying conclusion. The way Molly and Robin showcase their artistic and culinary talents adds depth to their characters beyond their tumultuous history.

Don’t miss the author’s note at the end of the book, where she shares her inspiration for the story and its setting. Eureka Springs is a real LGBTQ-friendly community that the author knows well.

I was torn on how to review this one. It was alright, but I had JUST read a similar kind of book by Lauren Blakely. And honestly, I think Lauren did it better. I probably would have loved this more, if I hadn't read that other book, first.
Molly was treated pretty poorly by a character called Key. I hated that they treated her like she was a child. She's an adult woman! I also felt like a few things in this book were pretty immature on both of the main characters' parts.
The second-chance romance was lacking, as well. I felt no chemistry between Molly and Robin. It just felt like they hated each other. And in the end when they come together, it still felt like they hated each other. I just wasn't into it.
2.5 stars, rounded down