This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!

I was 100% a magpie when it came to this book. I saw the cover and thought "well that looks right up my street, I'll read it". So I went into this completely blind and my choice was based solely on aesthetics; hoping that it would provide the vibes.

Unfortunately, this book ended up being a miss for me. I didn't realise it was quite so short and if I had, I probably would have thought twice. When it comes to romance, I need a little bit of time to warm up so that I feel invested in the relationship between the characters. There was no time for that within the page count so it felt a little bit like taking a cold plunge.

The characters did the exact same thing. After only a couple of days of meeting each other, this pair were deeply in love with each other (though neither would admit it to themselves). Of course, I appreciate that this could happen, love at first sight and all that jazz. However there were words like "finally" and "at long last" used which just didn't seem appropriate. These people waited 2 days before jumping each other's bones, there was hardly an extended period of longing and angst.

I will say that this was a super easy and fast read. It was a nice little light hearted book to use as a palette cleanser. However it unfortunately just didn't move mountains for me.

I appreciate the idea that these two misunderstood people connected serendipitously & I also enjoyed the change they made in each other. But I ultimately struggled to connect with the characters in this book.

Thanks #NetGalley for this ARC

This book is a fast, easy read. The story is simple to follow, but it feels a bit rushed. I wanted to see the characters grow more and the story have more details. If you're looking for something quick and simple with some steamy parts, you'll probably like this.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for providing me an e-arc in change for a honest review.
2 stranger, 1 bed and a heck of a lot of tension 🔥
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would, parts of it I loved however just felt like there was something missing while reading and didn’t get as hooked like I thought I would.

A nice easy evening read with plenty of spice. Overall I enjoyed it, although at times both Josie and Connor frustrated me so much I wanted to climb into the pages and bash their heads together. I wasn’t entirely convinced they’d get a happily ever after as it felt a little flat in terms of emotional connection.

The perfect quick read to start the month!

My first proper spicy romance, and it was so good! Loved the strangers to lovers trope, and the intricacies that Connor and Jodie brought to their story, and the development they go through being each other’s exclusive company.

Hot, funny, sweet, and all tied up with a nice bow. This was a great read.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I read this book in one sitting, mainly because I was in a train! It was easy reading but nothing ground-breaking. At points I found the characters frustrating and there are points in the book that I feel could have been explored more in order for the characters to gene more "real" and 3 dimensional.

The beginning 30% of the book for me was slow. It then picked up a little and I was enjoying it from when they went out for the day together. The ending was cute. I just wish that we saw more or their emotional connection throughout the book just not at the end as well as the physical. Last 40% of the book was much improved and I. thoroughly enjoyed that final chapter it tied off the story nicely. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this early.

Overall, this was a cute and fun read! There were definitely plenty of enjoyable moments, but something about Josie and Connor's relationship just felt off to me. I wasn't thoroughly convinced that they would have a HEA and I really wanted to see more of their emotional connection. Their physical chemistry, however, was off the charts and I think Christy McKellen is a really strong writer.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc!

I wanted an easy rom com with some steam, and that’s what I got with So that happened by Christy McKellan.

We follow Josie and Connor as they battle for and then share a holiday house. While the setting was cute and the premise fun, I found that the book was lacking in character and unfortunately started so abruptly and in a kind of cringe way (the sudden haircut 2 pages in?!) which kinda turned me off things at the start.

Regardless it was still a fun easy read. Perfect for holiday (homes).

Thanks NetGalley for the eARC of this book.

So That Happened is a romance by Christy McKellen. I enjoyed some elements of this story, but overall found little that worked well in Josie and Connor’s relationship other than their physical chemistry.

There were many patriarchal elements to the relationship between Josie and Connor. I was disappointed with a MMC who criticized the FMC for being ambitious and dedicated to her career and got angry with her when she asked him personal questions about her past or anything about having a relationship. Their relationship developed to be more friendly during a steamy holiday together with lots of sex, but overall these characters didn’t seem to get along very well. I didn’t enjoy a love story in which the FMC feels the need to stay quiet and not question the MMC’s behavior in order for them to get along better. It was a stretch to me that after all of Connor’s negative behavior towards Josie, and his lack of any prior close relationships, that he would suddenly decide to change his entire life to be with her. The grand gesture at the end did not fit in with any of his earlier behavior in this book.

The chemistry the characters shared and their physical relationship was well-written and intense. Their physical connection was much stronger than any emotional intimacy they shared. To a younger reader, they may have enjoyed the relationship more. I loved the beautiful setting of Aix-en-Provence and the south of France in the summer. The author’s description made the lavender field crystal clear in my mind. Her description of the farmhouse made it come alive and be the perfect setting for a sexy holiday.

I wish that I had enjoyed this book more, but it was not a good fit for me. In my experience, a man with so much anger and resentment towards women in general could never be the caring and supportive partner that Josie wanted. Thank you to Christy McKellen, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is a charming and witty romance that captures the chaos and sweetness of falling unexpectedly in love. The characters are relatable, their chemistry is undeniable, and the story balances humor with heartfelt moments. The writing is light, engaging, and perfect for readers who enjoy feel-good romances with a modern twist. It’s a quick, satisfying read that leaves you smiling.

I feel like this book started too abruptly, I expected more of a lead up to the plot of the book. I also think it would have been better in first person POV, I find it hard to connect with characters when written in third person. Good idea but just wasn’t for me.

Absolutely fell in love with this book. Josie and Connor made very cute couple. Made my heart warm inside reading them falling in love with one another.

I was so entertained but the mmc needed to get checked lol and I hated that the sister was seen as better than the fmc! I hate when that happens in a book but it's understandable how that made her see things a certain way. I'm glad the fmc and mmc were able to work it out in the end even after the back and forth about being in a relationship

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me.
The book started off kind of cute and i enjoyed both MCs, but the book was a little hard for me to follow and couldn't hold my attention.

Thank you for the eARC in return for my honest review

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

We meet Josie, a bit of a control freak and workaholic, who is urged by her work partner to take some time off. She’s offered a holiday home in the south of France for a much-needed break. However, her plans for rest and relaxation are quickly disrupted when Connor — recently back from a work trip — finds Josie naked in his bed.

Both being stubborn and headstrong, neither is willing to vacate the house, so they strike an uneasy truce and agree to share the space for a few days. Of course, there’s only one bed. Their initial clashes are full of humor, particularly Josie's feisty attempts to stand her ground.

As the story unfolds, deeper family dynamics come into play: Connor turns out to be Josie’s business partner’s estranged brother, and Josie struggles with living in the shadow of her famous TV celebrity sister, constantly striving to win her parents' approval.

While this was a quick, fun, and entertaining read, I found the story a little too predictable, and I wished for more emotional depth and stronger chemistry between the characters.

A pleasant Summer read, about a steamy fling, remembering who we are and not just living for work. An uplifting read to remind us all that the only person’s approval we need is our own!