Just finished another great read. *So that Happened* . Such a light and funny laugh out loud comedy romance. Another great one. loved the one bed trope, playing hard to get and different “worlds”. Was a super quick read.

This was a "it's me, not you" problem. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. It felt rushed and flat. I wanted more of a backstory from both Josie and Connor. Then once they did get together, it felt rushed and not flushed out. I enjoyed the descriptions of France and loved the feel of the little cottage, but I just wanted more.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions written are completely honest and my own.

DNF
I was excited to have a quick book to read while I relaxed this afternoon, sadly I could not get past the forth chapter.

I kept feeling as though an important part of the book was missing. I felt out of a fictional loop and it became frustrated.

One of the spiciest romance I've read, loved the instant chemistry between them with the forced proximity and all.

Love every single book by Christy McKellen.

When Connor finds a naked woman in his bed, he thought his stalker ex-girlfriend was following him again. Turns out it was Abigail’s business partner, Josie, who is staying at the same house. After traveling for three months the only thing he wants is to sleep in his own bed, actually, the only bed in the house, so the first night he settled for the sofa.
Spicy funny story about two strangers forced to spend time together.
Thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

I enjoyed the sexy, sassy romance in this novel! It didn’t shy away from the messy realities of love, making Josie and Connor’s journey feel raw and relatable. Their struggles weren’t just obstacles—they were the very things that made their connection so compelling.

As they spend time together, they begin to tear down the emotional barriers they’ve built, challenging old habits and learning to let each other in. Their relationship forces them to slow down, embrace the present, and reconnect with the parts of themselves they had long neglected. It’s more than just romance—it’s about rediscovering happiness and figuring out what truly matters.

Quick romance read about a workaholic woman.
The setting is in France.
Main characters, Josie and Connor, were delightful and fun to get to know.
Perfect best friends brothers romance.

This was a cute, quick read. Best Friend/Coworker's Brother & one bed trope. Cozy cottage in France - personally I loved the multiple mentions of the lavender fields. FMC is a workaholic on holiday. MMC helps her to unwind and enjoy herself. A perfect summer book!!

A MUST READ !!

Such a good story !! And I will recommend this to anyone and everyone !!

Wow !!

A best friends brother romance. Josie and Connor meet in the French farm house where both of think they will have a quiet holiday, not expecting anyone else to be there. A fun read, I liked the setting and how it was told from both points of view.

So That Happened by Christy McKellen is a light, cute romance perfect for a weekend escape. Josie, a workaholic on a mandatory break, finds herself sharing a house with Connor—the charming owner with a knack for pushing her buttons. As expected, sparks fly.

The premise is fun and the chemistry between the characters is sweet, though the plot leans on the predictable side. Still, it delivers on the cozy, feel-good vibes you'd expect from a romantic getaway read.

The author creates a believable attraction between Josie and Connor from their first meeting. Both have potent personalities, but equally, both have issues in their past that make them wary of commitment. It's a passionate and poignant romance, not the no-strings affair that both believe it to be. The setting in the South of France adds to the romance, and their deepening emotional connection mirrors their self-realisation. It's a heartwarming, humorous and romantic tale.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

So That Happened is a sizzling, fast-paced romance with plenty of tension and banter. Christy McKellen crafts a fun, engaging dynamic between Josie and Connor, throwing them into a classic "only one bed" situation that practically guarantees sparks will fly. Josie's strong-willed personality clashes beautifully with Connor’s determination, making their interactions sharp and entertaining. While the premise might be familiar to fans of the genre, the setting in the South of France adds a layer of luxury and escapism, perfect for readers looking for a bit of heat and humor. Expect steamy chemistry, witty back-and-forth, and a battle of wills that keeps things interesting.

This was a super quick read set in a holiday home with one bed where two people stumble across each other, both thinking they had exclusivity. I was excited about the prospect of this story but I didn't find myself reaching for it and got lost in the writing at parts

a hot, addictive book following high-strung Josie learning to embrace the magic of fun. helping her with what - and maybe who - to do is Connor. set in the idyllic french countryside, Connor and Josie are on a sparking collision course. when things come to a head what will happen when an immovable object meets and unstoppable force? this had me hooked from the beginning with the only one bed, opposites attract, and the realisation that casual may not cut it with these two. there is a 3rd act conflict, which while being slightly frustrating, does suit the characters and their personalities. complete with a satisying HEA, this is the perfect summer

I enjoyed reading So That Happened by Christy McKellen. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Christy McKellen's So That Happened is a modern romance novel that celebrates the popular strangers-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes with a scorching spin. Against the opulent French farmhouse setting, the narrative tracks Josie Marchpane, a workaholic who has been dragged on vacation, and Connor Preston, an entrepreneur who has spent months on the road before coming home to find a surprise occupant in his bed.

The book starts off with the time-honored grumpy-meets-sunshine formula. Josie, determined to make the most of her holiday, refuses to back down when Connor insists that she leave. Their one-bed crisis is the platform for tension, snarky dialogue, and undeniable attraction. The romance is skillfully constructed by the author through slow-burn attraction, competitive tension, and vulnerable moments that endear both characters.

Josie is a forceful heroine who feeds on being in control and so her breakaway is tested. Connor, by contrast, is just as obstinate but has an underlying sense of weariness that renders him fascinating. They are firecracker sparky with one another, yet despite their combative first meeting being fun, their emotional transformation is what sets the story ablaze.

The author's pace is quick and the writing engaging, so it's a speedy, addictive read. The banter is quick, the tension is high, and the romance develops organically. Some have complained, however, that third-person point of view creates a slight distance from the characters' feelings, which makes it more difficult to be fully immersed in their experience.

The book fulfills its romantic tension, humor, and chemistry. The forced proximity trope is well done, and readers are kept engaged. Some readers may anticipate a hotter romance. Also, the sudden beginning may be too rushed for those who like a slower build-up.

So That Happened is a flirty, lighthearted romance that will be enjoyed by fans of Tessa Bailey and Christina Lauren. If you enjoy forced proximity, clever banter, and a dash of competitive romance, this novel is worth reading. Though it's not the most emotionally profound read, it is well-suited to deliver entertainment and escapism.

This flirty, feel-good romance brings the classic “only one bed” trope to life with sharp banter, sizzling chemistry, and just the right touch of emotional depth. When two strangers find themselves double booked at a luxurious French farmhouse, sparks fly immediately, and not just from frustration. He’s a broody entrepreneur looking for solitude, she’s a driven workaholic forced to slow down, and neither is ready to share space, let alone a bed. But as their stubborn standoff heats up, it becomes clear that the real tension isn’t just about who gets the room, it’s about what happens when attraction becomes impossible to ignore.

What really makes this story pop is its fast pace and the playful dynamic between the leads. Both characters are competitive, guarded, and hilarious in their attempts to outwit each other, creating a back and forth that’s as entertaining as it is steamy. There’s plenty of spice, but also a surprising amount of heart as layers peel back and vulnerability starts to crack through their defenses. It’s a fun, fiery romantic comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still delivers those deeper moments that make the payoff satisfying. Perfect for anyone craving a quick escape full of laughter, heat, and undeniable charm.

Connor Preston is sunburned, jet-lagged, and spiritually allergic to people after three months of globe-trotting. All he wants is to crawl into his own bed in his vacation home and hibernate like a grumpy millionaire bear. Instead, he walks in to find a very naked, very annoyed woman claiming she lives there now.

Enter Josie Marchpane: over-caffeinated, dangerously competitive, and the kind of woman who treats relaxing like a full-contact sport. Her business partner sent her to unwind. She didn’t expect to be bunking with a man who looks like he was carved out of marble, and who has zero intention of sharing his bed, let alone his life.

The house has only one bed, and neither of them is willing to be the grown-up and sleep on the couch. Cue passive-aggressive towel folding, seductive sabotage, and sexual tension so thick you could possibly spread it on a baguette.

Prepare for some laugh-out-loud moments, an engaging storyline, and everything else a real romance fan would be craving for. Are you Team Connor, Team Josie or Team Happily Ever After?

This book gave me whiplash because while I loved the steam, the actual relationship between the main characters frustrated me to no end. It's a quick, fun read if you want to skim the book a bit, I will admit I did my fair bit, 3 stars.