Square Waves is the perfect bite-sized summer romance!

This one reminded me of how much I loved Big Fan and Alexandra Romanoff’s writing. She has truly mastered the ability to craft rich, layered, meaningful stories packed into the novella format, which is not an easy feat. I adored the characters in Square Waves. They perfectly captured that ache of your late twenties, when you feel like you should have it all figured out, but the fact that you don’t makes it feel like you’re doing it all wrong. Leon and Cass were incredible together, proving once again that I have a deep weakness for childhood friends/nemesis to lovers. I loved watching them explore all the hidden layers of their relationship as adults. A+++

Many thanks to NetGalley & 831 Stories for the ARC of this book!

I love that we are already seeing a repeat author for 831 Stories and Alexandra Romanoff did not disappoint! She knows how to write a story that's short, but thoughtful enough to make you fully invested in the characters. I enjoyed the dynamic and tension between Cassidy and Leon, though I wouldn't have considered this an "enemies to lover" trope. Either way I really enjoyed the story and was excited to see the Big Fan universe continue on. 4.5 stars!

831!!!1 i !! love !! you!! set in the bay and there's a legitimate reason as to why they need to break up...yeah yeah love yall!!

This book felt very honest and true to life in Cassidy’s thoughts and experiences throughout the book. It felt like a real depiction of where you are in life at 28 and the ways in which your life can differ so greatly from people who are your age. I really appreciated the way this was portrayed. Truly a great romance with a lot of extra detail going on in such a quick read.

Square Waves is a sharp, flirty enemies-to-lovers romance with a side of emotional depth. The story follows Cassidy, a former political aide trying to escape her tabloid past, who returns to Berkeley and unexpectedly reconnects with her high school nemesis, Leon. Their chemistry is undeniable, and as they collaborate on a friend's ceramics studio, old perceptions are challenged, leading to surprising revelations. Romanoff's writing is witty and heartfelt, making this a breezy yet satisfying read that explores themes of redemption and personal growth.

The story follows Cassidy, who’s coming back to her hometown after a pretty rough public scandal. She’s hoping for a fresh start and definitely not expecting to run into Leon, her old high school rival. But one unexpected hookup later, they’re suddenly thrown together again, this time to help open a friend’s ceramics studio. What starts out as a classic enemies-to-lovers vibe slowly turns into something much deeper, and I was so here for it.

The book had me hooked from the very beginning. The opening is strong, the pacing is solid, and Romanoff does a great job balancing character backstory with moving the plot forward. I especially loved how she explored the way people grow and change between their teenage years and adulthood—it felt really honest and real. And if you’re a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, this one delivers. Their chemistry? Chef’s kiss.

The only downside for me was the ending. It felt a little rushed, like there were still a few things I wanted more time to sit with or explore. I just wanted a bit more breathing room before it all wrapped up.

Still, this was a super enjoyable read—emotional, well-written, and full of heart. If you like second chances, complex relationships, and a bit of angst mixed with sweetness, definitely give it a go.

I was a big fan of Big Fan, so in all honesty, the bar for SQUARE WAVES was rather high for me, and the book absolutely met my expectations. Alexandra Romanoff is such a sharp, thoughtful, precise writer, and her characters are as relatable as they are entertaining. Beyond the banter, the tension, and the undeniable chemistry between Cassidy and Leon—such a great romance hero—I loved witnessing Cassidy's transformation as she moved through internalized shame and opened herself up to true connection. SQUARE WAVES hits all the right marks, and Alexandra Romanoff has cemented herself as an auto-buy author for me. Another great hit from 831 Stories!

*Square Waves* by Alexandra Romanoff is a captivating, thought-provoking exploration of love, technology, and human connection in a modern world. The narrative weaves together complex characters and intriguing ideas, challenging the boundaries between the virtual and real. Romanoff’s writing is both poetic and sharp, creating a sense of intimacy that pulls you deeper into the story. This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy a blend of philosophical musings with compelling, character-driven fiction.

This might be my favorite novella yet from 831 Stories. The tension between Cassidy and Leon had me flying through the pages. The character growth was done so well, especially in so few pages, and the resolution was so satisfying. I would love to read Willa's story or Izzy and Jo's.

Alexandra Romanoff and 831 Stories have done it again! All of their books are smart, sexy and FUN. I cannot wait to see what's next from what has quickly become my new favorite publisher!

Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Alexandra Romanoff does not miss!! Loved Big Fan, and I love this one just as much. Loved how this one focused on important topics and had a parallel to real life events. It made me think differently about historical events.

LOVED IT.

Being involved in a political sex scandal was never part of Cassidy Weaver's life plan, but somehow, that's where she ended up. Years later, she's still trying to get back to her old self, which she's starting to realize isn't possible. On a semi-forced vacation, Cassidy goes back home and reconnects with friends (and enemies) from her past.

Square Waves offers a fresh take on the enemies-to-lovers trope. The story follows Cassidy, a former campaign intern seeking redemption after past mistakes, and Leon, her high school nemesis with a laid-back attitude. Their unexpected encounter leads to a one-night stand, setting the stage for a deeper connection as they collaborate to help a mutual friend open a ceramics studio.

Romanoff skillfully blends humor, tension, and emotional depth, creating characters that feel authentic and relatable. The chemistry between Cassidy and Leon is palpable, and their journey of self-discovery and mutual understanding is both heartwarming and engaging.

While the plot may follow familiar romantic tropes, Romanoff's witty writing and well-developed characters elevate the narrative, making it a compelling read for fans of contemporary romance.

Many thanks to 831 Stories and Netgalley for the e-arc.

I only recently found Alexandra Romanoff and her writing but I am so thankful that I did. Big Fan has been one of the biggest surprises of my reading year, so when I saw that there was going to be a second book in the series, I was ecstatic, and she didn't disappoint.

I loved getting to follow Cassidy. I was a bit confused on how the original story was going to interact with this one, and I think it was perfect. She still had a bit of a naiveté about her, and I think that is to be expected with what happened to her when she was 22. Leon was a huge standout for me. He seemed like such a sweet, genuine guy who does just want to make everyone happy, like Cassidy does, and I think that's why they work so well together.

My biggest critique is that it wasn't longer, because some elements, especially the ending, felt extremely rushed, which led to some parts not feeling as satisfying as they could have with just a few more pages to wait.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
I have enjoyed the romances I have read from 831 stories. This one wasn’t my favorite, but I still enjoyed it. I liked the political scandal aspect of it (as someone who didn’t live through Monica Lewinsky, but is very intrigued by it).
Overall, a nice romance read.

It’s hard to not compare this one to Big Fan, and while the tension and chemistry is there, the FMC is frustrating while the MMC is essentially flawless (at least in our current timeline), which doubled my frustration. Still, an easy read, and the romance is supported by friendship love story as well. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Net Galley for a free ebook in exchange for this honest review!

This is the second novella that I have read by Alexandra Romanoff, and I loved it just as much as the first! I always enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers romance, and this book was that and so much more. It checks all the boxes: romance and heat, meaningful story, intriguing characters, and the perfect Bay Area backdrop. You will definitely devour this fun book in one sitting!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and 831 Stories for an advanced copy of this book.

Officially a fan of Alexandra Romanoff. I loved Big Fan, and Square Waves is great, too. Picking Cassidy as the next lead was not the obvious choice, at all, and I appreciated the thoughtfulness of her plot points. Although I think enemies is a strong word here — more like high school opposites who have always annoyed each other — the tension and dynamic between Cassidy and Leon had me invested. I love what 831 Stories is doing and will keep following along. Many thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley and 831 stories for providing me with the ARC for this novella!

I can say with certainty I will read anything Alexandra Romanoff writes. Her prose is amazing and her characters always stand out to me, either by their depth, self-awareness or their witty banter. I liked this story because it dealt with various themes in a short amount of time, and each was dealt with gracefully.

I wish it had been longer so the ending didn’t feel rushed. I also wish we could have gotten more time into exploring Leon and Cass as a couple.

Totally recommend this for the rivals to lovers, angst and yearning trope fans.

4.5

After finishing Big Fan which I absolutely LOVED, I was really excited to read about Cassidy’s story and her second chance after the huge political sex scandal in Big Fan. While I really was rooting for Cassidy, I really didn’t find her romance with Leon to be believable… if anything I understood the lust and thrill. I thought this book spent too much time talking about Willa and didn’t spend enough time growing the relationship between Leon and Cassidy. Overall not a bad story but not as believable and swoony as I would have like, and I didn’t feel that invested in this couple.