This book hit the spot for me. Freya has long wanted to work in the book industry and she's been working as an assistant to a hotshot agent for about 6 months. Her boss has hinted that soon she'll be given some opportunities to work at becoming an agent, herself.

Her first break comes when Jake, one of Freya's favorite authors, is going to NYC for a romance conference and Freya's boss wants her to accompany him. Only he's done himself no favors by bad-mouthing romance books and its fans. Freya needs to try to smooth over ruffled feathers and she isn't fond of Jake, as an individual. He's following his agent's advice, which falls flat and makes things worse at the conference. Freya asks him to be honest with his fans and to come clean about what was happening in his life when he made those comments.

They become friends and then lovers. Neither completely trusts the other and although the sex, affection, and comfort levels grow, there is still conflict. And of course, there's a bad guy who mucks things up.

I love how Freya learns to trust her own instincts and rapidly grows into a more confident woman in many instances. She's doing a great job and wants more opportunity.

There is explicit sex, but it's loving. I enjoyed the book tremendously.

If you are looking for a fast paced book with some of the popular tropes, you might want to pick this up. I read it in around 24 hours and was entertained throughout.

The premise of this book is so strong and the setting being a mix of new York and London was fun... I was engaged and wanted to know what happened to the characters.

My only gripe with it was, occasionally the dialogue felt really clunky and felt overly wordy for the situations.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I thought it was a fine romance, but wouldn't consider it to be 'spicy' as it says in the description. I felt that the characters were built well, but I didn't really see the appeal in the main male. I also felt like the protagonist was way too concerned about how others around her felt. Even when she goes in to quit her job, she's worried about what her boss would say.. but who cares?!? You're quitting. Overall, it was enjoyable to read, but not something I'd read again.

Book: Long Story short
Genre: Romance
Mood: Real, cozy, and full of dreams
Publishing today

Book about the books 📚

💗 This book made me feel everything. It’s not just a story—it’s a whole world.
The MMC is an author who's messed up his image by saying romance is “just a money game” (ugh, really?). The FMC is sunshine girl who wants to be a literary agent and loves New York because of movies ( who doesn't ). And somehow, their paths cross, and it just clicks—messy, emotional, hopeful.

🔥 What I didn’t expect was how real the world felt. Like, yes, it’s fiction—but it gave me a peek into how books are made, how much heart goes into it, how much an author carries inside them. And the best part? Those little mentions of characters from other books—like soft memories you didn’t know you missed.
I like this book—just wanted the ending to feel a bit more realistic, and I wish I got to know the MMC’s perspective too.
Secondly, I loved the feel of New York in it.

❤️ This author’s writing? It feels like a warm hug. Like you’re safe, even while everything is breaking and healing at the same time.
And though the ending wasn’t what I hoped for—it wrap up in a fairy tale way but book felt like reality. A little ache, a little acceptance. And I’m okay with that.

✨ And most of all, this book shows us how to love ourselves, how to believe in our instincts, how to be fair and honest with ourselves—and how to truly own what we say and do.
I didn’t just finish the book—I left a part of me in it.
Now I want to read everything they’ve ever written.

I’ve read and adored all of Vicky’s books, so I was thrilled to receive an early copy of this one. Thank you, Boldwood Books!

This was a fantastic rom-com set in the publishing world and New York City.

I was hooked from the beginning, especially when my favourite film was mentioned early on. I knew I was going to love this!

The book had a perfect blend of romance, chemistry, and sweet moments that left me feeling warm and fuzzy. There were also spicy moments that kept me engaged! 🌶️🌶️

I loved the setting of New York. It felt like I was there, and it brought back fond memories of my own visits, especially the New York Library. It gave me Sex and the City vibes!

The main female character, Freya, was brilliant, honest, clumsy, and chaotic, but I adored her. From her flight to New York, which made me giggle, to the rooftop bars she visited, I enjoyed experiencing New York through her eyes. It was romantic!

Jake was sweet, and I liked the journey he went on. It’s refreshing to read about self-development with a male character, and Vicky wrote it so well.

Overall, this was another great book by Vicky. I’m so glad she’s an automatic go-to author for me. Her books are always heartwarming and lovely, and this one was no exception.

Thanks, Vicky, for being so lovely and listening to me get excited about your books!

Freya, an aspiring literary agent, has been handed a tough assignment by her boss with the implied promise that if all goes well, then she’ll be promoted and given her own authors to look after. The job? Attend a romance conference in New York and rehabilitate the agency’s most important romance author, Jake, whose reputation is in freefall following his disparaging comments about his readers. Problem? Nothing goes right for Freya from the start!

I really enjoyed this story – the characters were real people, the story was intriguing – just why did Jake make those comments and how was Freya going to rescue him, it was easy to read and enjoy. At a panel session during the conference, Jake was asked how to write a romance – his reply talked about the general theme of boy meets girl, sparks fly, misunderstandings happen, then all is resolved leading to happy ever after. This obviously was the thread running through the book and it was so neatly woven together.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I’ll certainly look for more to read in future.

I enjoyed the book

Tropes:

✈️ Grumpy sunshine

✈️ Slow burn

✈️ He falls first

✈️ Enemies to lovers

✈️ Age gap

✈️ Reputation redemption

✈️ Workplace romance

✈️ Spicy

Can Freya fix Jake’s reputation without losing her heart?
Assistant literary agent Freya Harrison never thought her chance at a big break would look like this: at a swanky romance conference in New York, managing the agency’s most insufferable client.

Sure, Jake Richards is a global best-selling author, adored by all his fans. But on meeting him, Freya finds him arrogant, condescending, and, worst of all, a complete phony.

After being overheard calling romance ‘easy money’ and his readers ‘fools’, Jake’s reputation is tanking. And it’s Freya’s job to clean up the mess – and maybe, finally prove her worth to her boss.

But with Jake one slip away from another PR disaster, doubts are starting to set in.

As a long-time fan of Victoria’s cozy romances, I was so excited to start this one, and it didn’t disappoint.
Freya is thrilled to be heading to New York for work… until she finds out she’ll be accompanying a bestselling romance author who just tanked his own career by admitting he doesn’t even believe in romance.
Now she’s stuck managing the worst client ever: Jake Richards. He’s arrogant, infuriating, weirdly hot – and watching their banter explode into chemistry? YES, please.
I took off one star because it leaned a bit too much into cliché territory and didn’t stand out from other romances – but honestly? Still a super fun, bingeable read. I’m always proud to support small authors like Victoria, who continue to deliver stories that make you smile.
If you love enemies-to-lovers with a publishing twist and those classic NYC vibes, this belongs on your summer TBR!

Victoria Walters' Long Story Short is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City. The story follows Freya Harrison, an ambitious assistant literary agent, who is unexpectedly tasked with managing the agency's most challenging client, Jake Richards—a bestselling romance author whose recent disparaging comments about the genre have put his career in jeopardy.

The novel masterfully weaves together beloved romance tropes: grumpy-sunshine dynamics, slow-burn tension, and forced proximity. Freya's determination and Jake's brooding demeanor create a compelling contrast, leading to witty banter and palpable chemistry. As they navigate the high-stakes environment of a romance conference, their professional boundaries blur, revealing deeper layers of vulnerability and growth.

What sets this book apart is its insightful commentary on the publishing industry and the often-overlooked value of romance literature. Walters delves into themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the complexities of love, all while maintaining a light-hearted and engaging tone.

I’d rate it 3.5 stars not a bad read at all, just not one that fully wowed me. The setting was lovely and comforting, and I liked the theme of starting over and finding connection. The main character had some nice growth, and there were touching moments throughout. But at times, it felt a bit slow, and the plot followed a familiar path without many surprises. Still, it had heart, and I appreciated the warmth and hope in the story. A gentle, easy read when you’re in the mood for something light.

This has all the makings of a super cute romcom, and the story? A romance writer disillusioned with love who finds their own romance story. What's not to love here!
I absolutely adored the story of Freya and Jake's trip to New York. Romances that take place in order take a trip to NYC just always have that magic ingredient in them.
I also really liked seeing Freya come into her own and fight for herself and her wants when it came to her career. That empowerment was a huge part of the story which was great to see it not being sidelined for the romance.
There was some steamy moments which I loved, but really it was the sweet, romantic moments that I thought really made this a wonderful read.
I absolutely raced through the book, I just didn't want to put it down. I would love to read more in this publishing world, perhaps Tessa or Ellen could have a feature story as I just loved this world and would love to revisit the characters and see more from them all!

Long Story Short is set against the vibrant backdrop of the publishing world in New York City, a bit different to the normal setting of a book.
The story follows Freya Harrison, an assistant literary agent tasked with managing the agency’s most challenging client, Jake Richards—a globally bestselling romance author who, upon meeting Freya, comes across as arrogant and condescending. When Jake is overheard making disparaging comments about romance novels and their readers, his reputation takes a hit, and it’s up to Freya to manage the fallout and prove her worth to her boss.
As the week unfolds, the tension between Freya and Jake shifts from animosity to undeniable attraction, leading to a slow-burn romance between them. I quite liked Jake’s grumpiness as I like the potential of Freya being able to soften him as he falls for her, plus it also makes his character intriguing, why is he grumpy? Why did he make that remark about romance books?
The only downside of the book for me was the arguments between Jake and the other crime author, which seemed a bit immature and silly, but overall it was a nice quick easy read.

Fans of authors like Emily Henry and Christina Lauren will find Long Story Short to be a cute little read, offering a perfect mix of romance, humor, and heartfelt moments.

Short and fast but unfortunately both the plot and the characters fell flat.

I didn't resonate with either. The FMC was cosìnstantly nagging, the love story didn't make any sense, the MMC too misogynistic

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC copy of this book.
This book was such an easy read. I sped through it in a day and a half.
I loved the focus on Freya’s career which is something I find can be missing in romance books.
I also loved the relationship between Freya and Jake and how that developed over time as well as their own personal journeys.
It was interesting having a book set in the book agent/publishing world and I loved the insight it provided.
Overall, a great romance book. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for the e-arc of this book.

Full disclosure, I DNFed this book at 70%. The premise was promising, but the execution was fumbled. The writing was clunky, making normal conversations seem awkward. The convos weren’t snappy, and all felt a little roundabout even when they were being direct. The characters also annoyed me, especially when trying to be “furtive” but doing PDA in such public places (i.e., the Brooklyn Bridge). I also did not like Hayley, the fmc’s boss, at ALL. She rubbed me the wrong way. Other side characters were okay, but I’m sorry to say this book was not it for me.

2🌟

I love Victoria Walters, she is an instant buy author for me, but this book fell flat for me.

I enjoyed that the romance author was the MMC but I was getting really tired of reading that he had a secret he couldn't reveal. We got it...

My major beef of the novel is the miscommunication between them. he is ten years older than her and acted just as immature as her.

Thank you NetGalley, Victoria Walters, and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this arc!

This is the fourth book in Walter’s London Publishing series, and probably the weakest chapter. Freya is given the assignment of accompanying an author in need of a reputation repair, Jake, to a romance novel conference in NYC. I liked both Jake and Freya as characters, but I felt their development was a bit shallow. Also, I am unsure that Walters has ever been to Manhattan. The Waldorf has been closed for years and, though it will reopen in late 2025, rooms are $1000 a night, no way an agent would pay for two rooms there for a week. And this hotel certainly wouldn’t have a breakfast buffet. It was details like this that completely took me out of this book. There were so many plot conveniences! Also, both characters, including a man in his 30s, were such poor, immature communicators. I think this book could be better with more editing. Perhaps since this is an eARC from Net Galley and Boldwood Books the version sent to print will be better. This book is cozy and doesn’t take a lot of concentration, so if yu are looking for an easy escapist fluffy read, this could be for you. 2.5 stars.

Long Story Short was such a cute New York setting romance and I loved it! Their connection is sweet and I was really rooting for them as a couple but also rooting for them as individuals with their personal struggles. I loved their dynamic as a team professionally and was so happy to see how it progressed romantically throughout the book. If you love a New York City setting, bookish characters, a little bit of spice, and a little humour, this book would be one you should add on your TBR! Long Story Short is releasing on May 19th so you won’t need to wait long! Thank you Victoria Walters, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review!

I picked up Long Story Short hoping for a comforting, uplifting romance — the kind of lighthearted read you reach for after a long day. The premise sounded like a great setup for a fun opposites-attract dynamic: Jack, a once-successful romance author, publicly declares he hates the genre and torpedoes his own career. Enter Freya, the floral-dress-wearing, cowboy-boot-stomping assistant to his agent, who’s been given the impossible task of helping him stage a comeback.

The first 30% of the book was genuinely enjoyable. The pacing was quick, the setup intriguing, and the banter had promise. Jack's fall from grace and Freya’s determination to prove herself made for a strong opening.

But then... the story lost its footing.

Jack, as a male lead, became increasingly frustrating. Instead of meaningful development, we spend most of the book dancing around a secret he refuses to share — the reason he claims to "hate" romance. While this mystery drives the plot, it sidelines the romantic arc and feels like a distraction rather than a compelling emotional conflict.

As for the romance, what started as a promising slow burn quickly shifted into fast-forward. The characters fall for each other over the span of just a few days, which makes their feelings feel rushed and unearned. Their emotional connection is largely told to us rather than shown — we’re told they bond, but there’s little depth to support it. Add to that a 10-year age gap and an overall lack of mature communication, and the relationship never fully clicks.

Freya, despite her charm and ambition, often felt more like a quirky stereotype than a fully fleshed-out character. Her constant outfit of floral dresses and cowboy boots — even in a professional setting — was distracting, and her insistence on Jack opening up felt intrusive at times. Just because readers want answers doesn’t mean they're entitled to them, and this dynamic bordered on uncomfortable.

My biggest critique overall? The writing leaned heavily on telling rather than showing. There were entire paragraphs dedicated to morning routines and outfit choices, while more critical moments of character development were glossed over. At times, it read more like a rough draft or fanfiction than a fully polished novel.

In short: Long Story Short has an entertaining concept and a strong start, but gets lost in inconsistent pacing, underdeveloped emotional arcs, and characters that never quite rise above their quirks. A light read with potential — just not the fully satisfying romcom I was hoping for.

I loved the premise of this book: a jaded male romance author and an assistant literary agent try to salvage his reputation and career at a romance conference in New York.

However, it did not live up to my hopes. The plot was predictable, the characters felt flat and one dimensional, and the overall story felt formulaic. Even though he was ten years older than her, both Jake and Freya were immature, and I found their constanct miscommunication frustrating. I didn’t feel any chemistry between them, so when they got together and fell in love, it felt forced. It had potential, but there was too much telling and not enough showing, and I wanted more depth from the characters.

Thank you to Boldwood Books, Victoria Walters, and NetGalley for the ARC.

📔Long Story Short
✏️Victoria Walters
📆 May 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️

READ IF YOU LIKE:
📚workplace romance
📚he’s a romance author
📚she’s his agent’s assistant
📚grumpy x sunshine
📚forced proximity
📚age gap