Had a really great time reading this one. Was rooting for both leads and enjoyed their story. Will recommend this book to other romance fans. I really enjoyed the way the MMC started to open up to the FMC throughout and their chemistry.

I really loved this book, it had me hooked from the start, the chemistry between the characters was exactly what I was looking for!
I will be looking out for more of Victoria Walters books!

Long Story Short by Victoria Walters
3 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Victoria Walters for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Summary:
Freya, a hopeless romantic and aspiring literary agent, finally gets her big break: wrangling the grumpy, disgraced romance author Jake Richards at a high-stakes book conference in NYC. Jake needs a PR miracle after slamming romance novels (and their readers), and Freya needs this win to launch her career. Cue forced proximity, snappy tension, and an NYC backdrop made for swooning.

What I liked:

The premise is fun—love letters to romance books, reader fandom, and a conference setting with meet-cute potential.

The climactic romantic moments? Genuinely swoon-worthy and spicy.

The setting (first trip to NYC, first class—living the dream!) adds a splash of fun and glamour.

What didn’t work for me:

The plot and characters felt underdeveloped. Freya spends much of the book in a spiral of self-doubt, over-explaining and second-guessing herself to the point of frustration. Jake stays a little too gruff and cardboard until the final stretch.

Banter and chemistry were lacking outside the big romantic moments—dialogue felt flat, and I was wishing for more genuine connection and spark.

Pet peeve alert: the age gap vibe and lines like “Good girl” during spicy scenes just weren’t for me (your mileage may vary!).

Overall:
A quick, easy read with a fun concept, some steamy romance, and a sweet tribute to the bookish community—but it left me wishing for more character depth, better banter, and a bit more NYC magic. If you love grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance, and bookish settings, you might still enjoy the ride!

I love this author. This was a good book, I really enjoyed the premise and the book conference. Seeing how it all worked and how people got really interested in the author and their books. I felt for Jake even though he had said romance writing was 'easy money.'

The ending was good, the investment that the readers had with romance books was enjoyable to read! We become very invested 😂

I just finished reading this book. The plot was absolutely fantastic! It was quite the page turner, and I could not put the book down once I began reading it. I can't wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

I liked the premise. He messes up and she has to help him restore his relationship with his readers. They head off to a literary convention together to do just that. Sparks ignite, etc.
But, sigh, I just didn’t like either of them. There’s a line between sweet/broody/scared to open up and arrogant/moody/withholding the truth and he crossed over the line into the latter. He was a walking red flag. And she was immature and desperate. Not a winning combo.
Unfortunately, I DNFed at 55%.
2 stars for this one.

Feel a bit cheated with this one, the blurb said for lovers of Emily Henry and unfortunately this was not really the case.
It was a bit too ‘fluffy’ and far-fetched for me, Boy meets girl and they live happily ever after.

It’s a quick easy read if that’s what you’re looking for.

Jake Richards is a best selling romance author who was recently overheard by a journalist trashing the industry and its readers. His career is flailing and the statement that his agent had him put out, claiming that the article was a lie and that his lawyers were looking into it, did not change his fans' opinions. His agent decides that he needs to make an appearance at the romance conference in NYC but sends him with her assistant, Freya, as she will be attending her sister's wedding. Freya wants to become an agent and exclusively reads romance novels. She is striking out finding a man like the romantic novel heroes in real life. While she's eager to impress her boss, she's intimidated by Jake and definitely against the method they're using to try to revive his career.

I love Emily Henry and Christina Lauren so I excitedly requested this on NetGalley. The description sounded like something I would enjoy, but the execution was lacking for me. There were a lot of things that I felt weren't fully fleshed out - the differences between Freya and Jake, especially their age difference, was constantly referenced but none of the obstacles felt insurmountable and there wasn't anything in description of the characters to make the age difference obvious other than constantly mentioning it. I did enjoy the plot, but was constantly distracted by what I felt to be rudimentary writing/story telling. One of the secondary characters, Davis, was more fleshed out than either of the main characters. The story had a lot of potential but just didn't get there.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC for this book. Sadly, I didn't like it.

Although the premise of the story was very promising, I had a few issues with the book and the FMC.

First, I felt like she was overthinking and overreacting all the time. This may be because we only have her point of view, but it may also just be a character trait.

Second, the book was very repetitive, in that we had multiple mentions of the same issue the MC needs to overcome throughout multiple paragraphs. It felt like the story wasn't moving on, or that it was done to add more drama when there wasn't much to begin with.

This brings me to my next issue: the book was overdramatic. The issues were described as if it would be the end of the world if the FMC didn't solve them, even if she had nothing to do with them in the first place.

I also wasn't feeling the romance. I didn't feel that the MMC was interested in the FMC, and the FMC seemed mainly intimidated by him.

In the end, it was a DNF for me. The story didn't grip me enough to overcome all the issues I described above.

A great thanks to Netgalley.uk, Boldwood Books, and the author Victoria Walters for granting my request to read and review this e-ARC!

3.5 ⭐️
🇬🇧 I’ve read other books by Victoria Walters, but this one? Easily my favorite. What looks like your classic enemies-to-lovers rom-com turns out to be way deeper—yes, there’s romance, and swoon-worthy moments, but also a real journey of personal growth and selfestime.
Freya, a no-nonsense assistant at a literary agency, gets stuck babysitting grumpy romance author Jake Richards during a NYC romance book conference. He’s hot, arrogant, and recently fallen in disgrace for trash-talking romance novels and his readers. Sparks fly, egos clash, and somehow—between awkward Q&As and strolls through New York—they start falling for each other.
She calls him out, and basically teaches him how not to be a jerk (and how to save his career) by being more sincere and vulnerable. He, in turn, is smitten and jealous and dedicates her his new book (the one that was risking to never be published). Classic move! Of course, a dramatic misunderstanding threatens their happily-ever-after, but don’t worry—they figure it out, because they learn how to speak for themselves and for what is worth to fight for.
Lovely moments?An hilarious airport meet-cute, Jake being low-key jealous, some spicy scenes, Freya finally getting the recognition she deserves, and a sweet one-year-later ending.
Minus half a star for: the “we’re breaking up because we’re too much insecure” detour and a few scenes and dialogues that dragged a bit.
Still, totally worth it. I recommend this cute story to every rom-com affectionate reader.

#AgeGap #Workplaceromance #enemytolovers #meetcute 🥰 #miscommunication #slowburn #grumpysunshine

*ARC Review: *Long Story Short* by Victoria Walters**
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)

*Long Story Short* is everything I crave in a contemporary romance — funny, emotional, sizzling, and impossible to put down!

Freya is the kind of heroine you immediately root for: smart, determined, and a little chaotic under pressure. Tasked with managing Jake Richards, the grumpy bestselling author whose reputation is hanging by a thread, she finds herself tangled in a hilarious, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers situation that had me *grinning* and *swooning* the entire time.

Jake is the ultimate grumpy hero — brooding, arrogant, but also *secretly vulnerable* in a way that made me fall for him fast. His "he falls first" energy is everything. Watching him soften toward Freya while still being deliciously gruff was *chef’s kiss* perfection. Their chemistry? Absolutely electric, with just the right level of *spice* to make their romance feel both intense and deeply tender.

Victoria Walters balances humor and heart so beautifully here. There are laugh-out-loud moments at the swanky New York romance conference, but also genuine, emotional beats as both characters confront their fears about love, trust, and ambition.

**Tropes I loved:**
- Grumpy Sunshine
- Slow Burn
- He Falls First
- Enemies to Lovers
- Age Gap
- Reputation Redemption
- Workplace Romance
- Spicy

If you love the emotional depth of Abby Jimenez, the banter of Emily Henry, and the swoon of B.K. Borison, *Long Story Short* deserves a top spot on your TBR. Prepare for steamy looks, hilarious disasters, heartfelt confessions, and a love story that lingers long after the final page.

*Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the ARC!*

Thank you to net galley and Boldwood Books for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was super cute loved the idea of a fresh new potential agent and a seasoned hot shot author trying to fix his reputation take on a romance conference, fall in love in the process, and have an HEA. While I really liked both Freya and Jake I did not love he miscommunication trope in this book. It felt repetitive, unnecessary and easily resolvable. I did love the way Freya nd Jake handled Hayley and the consequences she faced for her actions was totally warranted. While, I loved the premise of the book and the writing style was good, this book wasn't really for me.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️



The Short Version (pun intended!)

This one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Touted as a perfect pick for fans of Abbie Jimenez, Emily Henry, and B.K. Borison, Long Story Short felt more like the lite version—romance without the sparkle.



The Premise

Freya, an assistant literary agent, is tasked with salvaging the image of bestselling author Jake, who (plot twist?) doesn’t actually like romance. In fact, he thinks romance readers are a bit… silly. Freya’s job? Help him fix his PR problem and maybe open his eyes to the genre’s magic.



Where It Fell Flat

The writing? Very basic—simple, but not in a charming way.

The characters? Hard to connect with.

The romance? Predictable, and not in a satisfying, comforting way.

The spice? A bit bland.

Jake? Oof. Borderline misogynist vibes. Not the brooding-but-loveable hero I was hoping for.



Silver Lining?

Some behind-the-scenes glimpses into the publishing world were genuinely interesting—but honestly, that was the highlight.



Final Thoughts

Look, I never want to be harsh—but this just wasn’t for me. If you’re looking for sharp writing, depth, or chemistry that leaps off the page, you might want to keep browsing. Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

this one was a lot of fun! I really loved the aspect of grumpy x sunshine, aspiring book agent x romance author. it reminded me a lot of Emily Henry. I didnt want this one to end, I enjoyed how it took place in both the uk and nyc and all the shenanigans they went through to find that happily ever after. a fun ride, I will read anything Victoria Walters writes!

Victoria Walters’ Long Story Short is a spicy New York rom-com that follows assistant literary agent Freya Harrison as she navigates a challenging week managing the agency’s most insufferable client, Jake Richards, at a swanky romance conference. Jake, a global best-selling author, is adored by fans but reveals a condescending attitude toward the romance genre and its readers, calling romance “easy money” and his readers “fools.” Freya finds herself tasked with salvaging Jake’s reputation while also proving her worth to her boss .​

Initially, Jake's arrogance and dismissive behavior made it difficult to connect with his character. His rudeness seemed unnecessary and off-putting, hindering the development of a believable romantic tension between him and Freya. As the story progresses, Freya's persistent efforts to coax Jake into sharing personal secrets, sometimes in public settings, felt intrusive and overbearing. This dynamic raised concerns about boundaries and respect within their evolving relationship.​

Moreover, the imbalance in their relationship, with Freya viewing Jake as an idol of sorts, complicated their interactions. This hero-worship dynamic made it challenging to perceive their bond as genuine or healthy. While the novel offers moments of humor and insight into the publishing world, these problematic dynamics overshadowed the story's potential. Overall, Long Story Short is a decent read with its moments, but it falls short of delivering a fully satisfying narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this story. Very simple and smooth going. I love how all the characters are evolved in an year, especially Freya's.
To be honest, some of the sentences confused me and I had to double take while reading. Other than that I liked the writing. I love short chapters. And it never felt boring while reading.

This enemies-to-lovers romance brings together Freya, a budding literary agent, and Jake Richards, a popular romance author whose career takes a nosedive after he publicly admits he doesn’t actually like the genre he writes in. Their mission: survive a publishing conference in NYC while salvaging Jake’s reputation. Along the way, sparks fly, but so do complications—

The premise is fun and has a lot of potential, and I appreciated the slow-burn dynamic between Freya and Jake. There’s definitely charm in watching two flawed characters grow—not just in their relationship, but individually. Freya learning to speak up for herself and Jake confronting his own disillusionment were satisfying arcs, even if the execution sometimes felt a bit rushed.

That said, parts of the story felt predictable, and the conflict resolution came a little too neatly for my taste. There were moments when the miscommunication dragged a bit, and the stakes—though present—didn’t always feel as urgent as they could have. Still, I did enjoy the glimpses of professional pressure in the literary world and the idea of characters opening themselves up to new experiences, both personally and professionally.

Overall, it’s a cute and quick read with likable characters and a solid (if familiar) story. I’d recommend it to fans of the genre who enjoy stories about finding your voice, second chances, and love in unexpected places. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the advance copy.

I absolutely loved this! Long Story Short is such a lovely, feel-good read, perfect if you’re in the mood for a quick romance that still hits all the right notes.

I was hooked from the first few pages. Victoria Walters’ writing is warm and effortless, and I found myself flying through the story. Freya and Jake completely stole my heart. I had a feeling from the start that they were endgame and I was rooting for them the whole way through.

If you’re after something sweet, comforting, and romantic, this is definitely one to add to your list.

A fun and quick rom-com with a bookish twist!
Set against the backdrop of a NYC romance convention, this story follows Freya, a quirky assistant with big dreams, and Jake, a grumpy romance author trying to salvage his career. With tropes like grumpy x sunshine, age gap, workplace romance, and forced proximity, it’s a charming setup. While some elements felt a bit rushed and the romance leaned toward insta-love, the chemistry was sweet and the premise engaging. A light, low-spice read perfect for fans of character-driven love stories.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a cute quick read - 3 stars for me!

I don't know what it is about books about books/authors but I eat them up & I also live an enemies to lovers trope, so naturally I enjoyed this one.

I did find the characters and their romance to be a bit underdeveloped and insta-lovey, but I liked them together as a couple. I think it is interesting that Freya acted like she "knew" Jake because she had read his books when they had no relationship before the conference (I wish they did, even if it had been more enemies oriented...I think that would have added more dimension to the story).

ALSO while I didn't like Hayley...I do think it is kind of crazy that Freya expected to just become a full fledged agent after only working at the job for 6 months? That just seems kinda crazy lol.

But overall I did think this was a cute story and I enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley & Boldbook Books for the ARC copy!