Such a cute and spicy read. The chimney was off the charts and Grady successfully melted my heart more and more every time he was on the page. Also, the opening sentence instantly had me hooked

This one is a little difficult because I loved the town and everyone in the book, except for the FMC. The writing style was well done, the backdrop of the small town was really nice, but the FMC was determined to stay stagnant. There is zero % character growth on her end, until after 90%, and it’s frustrating. At times, she was actively talking herself OUT of growing. So many times it’s like she almost gets it, but then she runs 100 steps on the opposite direction and we’re starting all over again. She was honestly selfish and not really a great friend.

For the book itself, I think the sex scenes were a little awkward and super short, but ultimately okay. Condom usage was mentioned the very first time and then they were never used again and there was no conversation about diseases or other birth control methods, which is really concerning in this day and age. after the first time they just use the pull out method which we all know is not a viable form of birth control.

⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️Random notes from my read: CAN BE CONSIDERED SPOILERY⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️

* a travel influencer? Eh
* INNER SANCTUM??? Absolutely not
* Was the condom usage the first time just gratuitous? They haven’t used one since then and no conversation was had. Nothin about other birth control like the pill or shot. Nope, just the pull out method
* How are you going to just surprise someone with a speech they need to give, right before they need to give it?? That’s not how you do things if you want them to go well
* A scholarship that you already promised the amount for and if he doesn’t make it at this event, he has to pay out of pocket?!! That’s a terrible surprise
* Gush *shudder*
* How is the girl who doesn’t have a job or a place to stay, out of your league, just because she’s traveled??
* Yeah, it’s official. I don’t like Spencer. Her refusing to shut down Carter when he keeps asking her for a date right in front of Grady is awful. And Carter is right, saying raincheck is the same thing as saying yes, but not right this minute. And then she gets mad when Grady walks them away from him?? And when Grady is clearly having a hard time and seems to be having a mild panic attack, she just walks away to peruse the wall of trophies and team photos? She sucks so much
* “You don’t need to be jealous of Carter”, as you actively don’t turn him down in front of Grady. “You’re cute when you’re jealous”, gross behavior when you’re seemingly making him jealous on purpose
* You’re supposed to be capturing photos of his moments and you spend the whole times he’s making a speech for the scholarship on the phone, caught up in your own nonsense for a job you’re in no way qualified for
* Awesome behavior, Spencer. Lie and tell him you’ll be gone a few days while you’re planning to just leave forever
* Is this actually written by a woman? Water sex does not work like that. Water washes away all natural lubricant
* You need to go back or you’ll lose your place, even if you don’t get the job, except you can’t PAY for that place with that job.
* I hate being at 80% and having no growth from the FMC
* She tells him when she’s leaving, THE DAY BEFORE
* He re-did his whole life for her
* You’re right, you are selfish
* “I’ve had to work harder than most people who go to college”. Um, no. Some of us have had the exact same struggles as her on top of balancing college. That doesn’t make us better than those who didn’t, but it also doesn’t make her better than those of us who did.
* Newborns always have blue eyes…
* I don’t think she told him she loved him a single time in the whole book

Thank you Meg Riley, and NetGalley for this e-ARC for The Boyfriend Boycott in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Read if you love:
-Friends with Benefits
-Hilarious Banter
-Spicy Scenes
-He Falls First and Harder
-Travel Blogger x Small Town Business Owner
-No Third Act Break-Up

This was my first time reading Meg Riley, and I had no idea going in that this was the second book! I will definitely be going back and reading the first installment of the series, but enjoyed this well enough without doing so prior.

Spencer has lived her whole life avoiding anything permanent. Forced to grow up way too fast has left her without a desire to plant roots anywhere. She lives her life going one place to the next - blogging her travels and looking for the next best opportunity.

Then we have Grady - our local tatted, motorcycle riding - small town bar owner... who happens to be the brother of Spencer's best friend's husband.

When contract opportunities start dwindling for Spencer - she begins to get worried about her long term stability. Her current (and last) contract brings her to Heartwood. This is the town where her childhood best friend, her husband ... and Grady are from. Sparks fly when the two encounter one another- setting off a no strings attached friends with benefits relationship.

Overall I enjoyed this one. I rated 3 stars because I had such a hard time relating to Spencer and her over the top reactions at times, and the predicability of the overall story.

"The Boyfriend Boycott" by Meg Riley is a delightful small-town romance that skillfully blends humor, heart, and heat. The story follows Spencer, a travel blogger determined to avoid relationships, and Grady, a devoted bar owner who challenges her resolve. Their chemistry is palpable, and the progression from a no-strings-attached arrangement to something deeper is both engaging and satisfying.​

Riley's writing shines in portraying the complexities of personal trauma and the journey toward healing. Spencer's internal struggles are relatable, and Grady's unwavering support makes him an endearing character. The small-town setting adds charm, with a cast of supportive friends enhancing the narrative.​

While the plot follows some predictable romance tropes, the authentic character development and witty dialogue keep the story fresh. Overall, "The Boyfriend Boycott" is a heartwarming read that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance seeking a story with depth and spice.

The Boyfriend Boycott is fresh, funny, and full of heart. Meg Riley nails the voice of modern romance with sharp banter, lovable characters, and a premise that’s as empowering as it is entertaining. It’s the kind of feel-good rom-com that leaves you grinning, swooning, and wishing for just one more chapter.

This book was not something I would’ve ever picked out myself!

But so grateful that I got to read it! This was such a feel good read! I really enjoyed Spencer’s development throughout the book although there were some points I was annoyed with her tatics.

I loved Grady from the start. He truly wears his heart on his sleeve & I related to that a lot. Putting everyone before himself! Bending over backwards to make sure everyone else is happy prior to himself.

The way the characters came together to figure it out was written so beautifully! Can’t wait to read more from Meg!

It was okay. The characters were both fine and their chemistry was there but for some reason this book just didn’t hit the spot for me. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was that stopped me fully falling into this novel.

Meg Riley’s The Boyfriend Boycott is a fun, heartwarming romance that had me hooked from the very first page. The story follows Spencer, who has sworn off relationships after seeing too many women in her family let love take over their lives. But her resolve is put to the test when she crosses paths with Grady Landry, the charming and persistent bar owner who makes it clear he’s interested in more than just friendship.

One of the things I loved most about this book was the dynamic between Spencer and Grady. Their chemistry is undeniable, filled with witty banter, electric tension, and moments that made me both laugh and swoon. Spencer’s reluctance to open her heart felt real and relatable, and watching her journey unfold was incredibly satisfying. Grady, on the other hand, is the perfect balance of charming and patient, making him an easy character to root for.

Beyond the romance, I appreciated how Riley explored deeper themes of independence, trust, and the struggle of breaking free from generational patterns. The small-town setting added an extra layer of warmth to the story, making it feel even more immersive.

Overall, The Boyfriend Boycott is a fantastic read that balances humor, heartfelt moments, and a swoon-worthy romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to read more from Meg Riley!

The writing in this book is truly excellent and the small town vibes were perfect. The bar, the homes, all so incredibly descriptive and beautiful. The characters were also incredibly beautiful and swoony. However, there is a lot of past trauma in this book - housing instability, and just all of the trauma that results. That alone was really doing a number on my mental health and when the baby was born premature and there were issues I realized that I could no longer continue this book due to my own history and experiences. I really do think this book is so amazing and I was rather sad to DNF it. Thank you so much to Meg Riley, Netgalley, and the publisher for this e-arc!

This was a cute and spicy book that I enjoyed. Grady and Spencer's relationship was fun to read about and see evolve. Thank you for allowing me to read and review this ARC

Meg Riley’s The Boyfriend Boycott is a steamy and heartfelt small-town romance that sizzles with chemistry. Jess’s struggle to uphold her self-imposed ban on relationships is both relatable and compelling, especially as Grady Landry challenges her resolve with his unwavering support and charm. With a mix of humor, emotional depth, and undeniable sparks, this book is a delightful exploration of love, trust, and second chances. Perfect for fans of spicy, feel-good romances.

I have to admit it took me a while to get into the story, but the author's writing is great, so I kept reading.

Grady is such a sweetheart—definitely a golden retriever type—and I really liked Spencer too. I enjoyed seeing their growth together. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing, and the story ended up feeling a bit flat to me.

Even though this one wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, I’m still interested in checking out more of the author's work!

I loved the premise of this book, but really didn’t enjoy the writing. I wish I realized it was part of a series before reading it, maybe I would’ve liked it more. I didn’t like Spencer as a character and I felt like the dialog was a little too contrived for me. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Meg Riley, NetGalley, and Wild Rose Press for the ARC.

The Boyfriend Boycott had all the elements of a story I usually enjoy, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. The plot felt unrealistic and quite predictable. One moment, the FMC is determined to avoid the MMC, and the next, she’s suddenly proposing a business deal with him? It left me feeling pretty confused.

I really loved the concept behind this book, and the writing style itself was enjoyable, but overall, the story fell flat. I wanted so badly to love it, but in the end, I just felt indifferent.

A fun read,the story of Spencer and Grady. She is always on the move and he missed his chance with her past time she was in town, so will things be different this time round? I liked how it was told from both points of view.

This book was amazing! The romance was very well written and I really loved the main male character. He was such a sweet person and really cared about the FMC.

I loved this book more than I first thought! The characters, Grady and Spencer were so fun to get to know trough the story. spencer why did you need to be such a stubborn man all the time!😩😂 Grady her story also involved her trauma’s and she needed to work out those thing first to see the good things. The things he says are what every girl wants to hear for real.. and oh my his dirty-talk, don’t get me started about that one 😳🥵
He goes from golden retriever to the tattooed hot take charge male in just a minute and that absolutely makes me swoon.

I haven't read the first book since I got an ARC but I will definitely have it on my TBR. This was luckily a stand alone I read so the order doesn’t really matter.


💌
"You and I both know that this isn't the last time, Rebel," he murmurs. "You and I are inevitable, and if you can't see that yet, let me see it for the both of us."

Thank you for the ARC NetGalley & Meg Riley

I loved this book so much! It felt like the perfect blend of a cozy small town romance and a slow burn, almost fake dating/forced proximity kind of book. Seriously so enjoyable!

The writing style was so easy to follow, super sweet and fluffy while still presenting a lot of depth to the characters, and giving them some really traumatic past experiences that had shaped them into the kind of characters that they are here.
I wasn’t initially sold on the chemistry between Grady and Spencer. I thought it was going to be really fast paced and almost insta love/lust because of how the book was set up right at the beginning (with them both freaking out that the other person was going to be at this family/friend gathering because they had a moment in the past) but it really wasn’t. After that moment things really slowed down and took their time, which I did actually really enjoy. It’s just that at times they seemed like total opposites to each other, and like they weren’t really compatible? It also really seemed like they both had to change significantly to fit together in the end, and while I don’t hate how it ended or how they actually got together, I don’t like it when characters start changing so much of themselves over the course of a book so that they are more appealing to the other love interest, or rather so that they fit together better? Idk how to explain it.

On a different note, I did actually like how Grady was the one to fall fast and hard first! Usually its the FMC trying to convince the male lead to love her back so I really really really loved that it was flipped on its head this time, and that Grady was adamant he was going to be In her life, that he was going to play by her rules but twist them to his advantage SO SHE WOULD OPEN UP TO HIM AND GIVE HIM A CHANCE UGHHHHH

Overall this was really enjoyable and cute, defiantly a light hearted read for when you just want something that is a cozy next door kinda romance, I think I just read a little bit too much into how Grady and Spencer were interacting lol.

This was quite cute. It was very sweet. I really liked the idea of the romance in this book. I wasn’t quite sold initially on the chemistry between the two main characters, Spencer and Grady, but it developed nicely and it was quite steamy in parts.

The writing flowed well and was quite readable, but I felt like the pacing was off a little. The external plotline involving saving the town went a little quickly whilst the romance was dragged out just a little. I think maybe the book was just a little long.

That said, it was a very light and cute book and I did enjoy reading it. I would recommend it if you’re looking for a lighthearted small town romance. I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes: Absent parent, death of a parent (in past), 0n-page sex, unprotected sex, oral sex, fingering, rough sex.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Very enjoyable slow burn and Spencer and Grady had the perfect amount of chemistry, Meg Riley’s writing drew me in from the first page and I couldn’t put it down.

Spicy, playful and the perfect small town romance. It was just what I needed!

Friends-with-benefits to something more!
Grumpy FMC x Golden Retriever MMC

Grady was so head over heels and he showed up for Spencer each time.