Freya is an aspiring literary agent who finds herself developing feelings for Jake, a grumpy author client. While I normally love the grumpy/sunshine trope there was something that fell a bit short for me here. I found myself becoming frustrated with both Freya and Jake more often than not.

Long Story Short is an easy and quick read and while relatively predictable, it's a great option for those wanting searching for a summer read.

I was drawn to Long Story Short when I read the description and saw the adorable cover. The premise of the book is really interesting and sounded different than anything I’ve read before. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this book. The characters weren’t entertaining, and I didn’t feel any chemistry or spark between them.

I love many of the tropes in this book: grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance, slow burn, he falls first, and enemies to lovers. Freya is a literary agent assistant who is tasked with representing Jake, a famous romance author, at an upcoming large book conference in New York City. Freya is thrilled for this opportunity and the chance to experience being in New York. Jake seemed annoyed and unhappy with all of it: his career, the trip to NYC, the conference, and Freya. Romance writers are often connoisseurs of the genre who adore love stories, romance, and drama. Jake’s character was extremely stoic, showed little emotion, and seemed an unlikely choice for a bestselling romance author.

Freya is introduced as a young woman dedicated to her career and focused on becoming a literary agent. She is hard-working, yet her main focus throughout the book seemed to be on Jake and his well-being. During the conference, she did some networking for him, but largely seemed to be worrying about what he was thinking (personally, not professionally). Jake was preoccupied with his own personal issues, and showed little interest in Freya. I was surprised when she and Jake began dating and sleeping together, as there was little physical attraction or even minimal conversation between the characters beforehand. Jake’s character was extremely closed off emotionally, and seemed unhappy with everything. It was hard for me to like him because his character was serious and reserved to the point of being impassive. These characters had very little chemistry in general, so I was not invested in their relationship.

This book had so much potential. Freya has long loved New York City through many favorite movies and TV shows, and the city could have been a magical destination for her and Jake. The controversy surrounding Jake and his public comments about romance presented a large problem to solve in the book. The conference was supposed to be career- and life-changing for Jake, but it was largely a flop. Jake’s big secret felt insignificant to me. Both characters were very immature for their age, and felt one-dimensional to the reader. The pacing felt uneven to me, with several parts dragging on with little action, and then many significant events happened right before the story ended.

In my opinion, this book would appeal to a younger reader looking for a light, easy read and a workplace romance set in London. The behind-the-scenes of the book publishing world was intriguing and the setting of New York City was a good choice. This book didn’t work for me, but I’m sure there are others who will enjoy it.

Thank you to Victoria Walters, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was a light hearted, easy read. Light on the spice and angst. But the plot was great and quite enjoyable. The characters fell a little bit flat for me however I feel that is more to do with my personal take on grumpy/sunshine. I would definitely read this authors work again. .

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

Freya, an aspiring literary agent with a propensity to embarrass herself, catches feelings for Jake, a grumpy author client. I wasn’t entirely convinced by the “he falls first” side of things and often found both characters super frustrating.

It’s a fine read, super easy, very predictable. A great option for those wanting something nice to read by a poolside.

I want to start this review by saying this a fast read, it took me three days to read and i wanted to finish reading to see how it ended.

However, if i was to describe this book in one word it would be - fine. The tropes listed fall a little flat and i think a large part of that is due to Jake, the MMC, not feeling like a fully rounded character. He comes across as quite 2D, and unfortunately i didn’t buy into his backstory being as impactful to him as it was portrayed and built up for the first half of the book.

The trope I was most disappointed in was “he falls first”, when they have a conversation around this its revealed he felt something for her on their second interaction in the book - this is not the second time they’ve met though, and is only a couple of days ago in relation to the timeline. If it had been revealed he’s felt something for her from months ago (pre-book start) i would agree with listing that trope for this book.

There’s quite a big switch up of how 2 characters are portrayed over 2 chapters which feels like these reveals were planned to help the plot but not thought through and added in later.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book

I enjoyed this book. I read it in one sitting!

Freya and Jake had me laughing out loud.

✔️Grumpy sunshine
✔️Slow burn
✔️He falls first
✔️Enemies to lovers
✔️Age gap
✔️Reputation redemption
✔️Workplace romance
✔️Spicy

Long Story Short is a romance between Freya (a literary agent) and Jake (a romance author). Jake gets caught saying he hates writing romance novels and it's Freya's job to help repair his reputation so he can publish another book.

Overall, I found this book to be very predictable but cute. It hit all the notes that you expect from a romance novel. I could have told you the plot without reading it, but even so, I found myself enjoying it well enough.

This is very "grumpy/sunshine" trope-heavy. I didn't understand when they instantly fell in love with each other. I felt like there was no real connection or conversation that moved them in that direction that made it understandable. A few times Jake said that Freya "wasn't like anyone else he ever met before", but why? I still don't know what he found to be so unique. Little things like this could have been more fleshed out.

This is a quick read and a good romance.

This had the potential to be a fun, fluffy rom-com like a literary agent trying to wrangle a hot-mess author in the Big Apple. And to be fair, it did have moments where you could almost see the fun trying to peek through.

The setup was promising: a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing world, with a prickly agent and a best-selling author who's maybe a little too good at playing the arrogant jerk. But, sadly, this book took that "jerk" thing a bit too far.

The problem? There's a lot of misogyny. Instead of witty banter, we get a lot of cringe-worthy comments aimed at the heroine that are supposed to be funny but mostly just made me roll my eyes. It's like the book thinks being a successful author gives you a free pass to be a sexist pain. And while the author tries to redeem the hero, it felt rushed and, frankly, not convincing enough to make up for all the earlier eye-rolling.

It's not a total disaster; there are glimpses of the charming rom-com it could have been. But be warned: you'll have to wade through a lot of problematic stuff to get to them.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
This was a cute, easy to read book. It reads like the plot of a romcom film.

I loved the basic premise of this book, the grumpy romance novelist needing to redeem himself after being caught off-guard by a journalist over indiscreet comments about romance novels & the adoring fans who buy his books.

When we meet Jake Richards, he appears every bit as grumpy as his reputation makes him out to be. Freya, assistant to his agent Hayley Harper, is 10 years younger than him, & of a much sunnier disposition. After the news about his comments breaks, Hayley launches a damage limitation campaign to redeem Jake’s public image & ensure a good deal for his recently finished novel. This involves a trip to New York to attend the Romance Readers Club international conference for Jake accompanied by Freya who will manage their programme whilst there. Hayley promises this will be Freya’s big chance to prove herself. Freya is excited about going to New York for the first time, but is also dreading it due to Jake’s grumpiness, & her unfortunate ability to embarrass herself in front of him.

There was a spark between Jake & Freya from quite early on. They are very different personalities & it’s definitely a situation of opposites attract - she’s friendly & outgoing, speaks before she thinks, whilst Jake is moody & grumpy, though he can turn on the charm when he chooses. Jake’s resentment at having to attend the conference meant the way he spoke to Freya at times was unpleasant & consequently there was some tension between them. I did find Freya frustrating at times as she seemed quite ditzy & naïve at times in her approach to life. They seemed to get on a bit better away from the conference, & some of the most believable moments between them were when he was showing her round New York. I haven’t been to New York so I enjoyed the setting & seeing some of the touristy parts through Freya’s eyes.

A key element in the story was Freya’s career development, she was determined to succeed & develop a career as a literary agent, a theme which ran through the book. Hayley was an unpleasant character, she really was the boss from hell who reneged on promises & took credit that was due to others. Although I found Freya frustrating, I did think she was likeable & did not deserve the way Hayley treated her.

I thought this was a light, fun book which would make a good holiday read

Thanks to Netgalley & Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Thank you to Boldwood books for the advanced copy of this novel.
It started with a penis pencil and ended with Freya saving Jake's a$$ when his mouth caught up to him.

This story introduces Freya, an insanely honest and stress dressing MFC and broody author Jake,who pissed off his fans and has been cancelled in the literary world. Freya is assigned as his fill in agent to try to restore his reputation and earn back the favor of his romance fans. She is basically the Tree Paine to Taylor Swift. He might as well be climbing MT Everest to save his career. Freya is in a kill or be killed industry and appears to be the only one with an ounce of decency and honesty. She ends up using this to her favor and gains the trust of Jake, who slowly sheds his hardened shell.

The enemies to lovers, slow burn was so worth it and so well played. The cause of Jake's fall from grace is revealed slowly as the author focuses on peeling back the layers of each character and creating a solid foundation for the two.

The main source of conflict comes by Freya's cut throat boss who is basically Miranda Presley and a lion in sheep's clothing. This was enough conflict and propelled the story forward, but at last, we were given a third act breakup that didn't need to happen.

I went into this story very excited because the premise of this book sounded amazing! While it was amazing, the writing kind of threw me off. I was appalled at some of the outfit choices that were made, annoyed at how many times they said that he was “10 years older”, and cringed out by the use of the phrase “good girl” bc it was just thrown in so randomly and didn’t fit the scenes at all. Then to make matters worse instead of doing a conflict where they work through it like adults, we get miss communication and a third act breakup that lasted longer than necessary. Almost DNF at 35% and 46% but made it past 50% & decided to see it through. Jake seemed hot tho 😫 thanks for the Arc Netgally

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

Well not my favorite story, it was still a good read. I couldn’t necessarily fill the connection between these two except for maybe in the bedroom. I loved the idea behind the story of these two. And who can resist a romance author! I did love their meet cute as well. I look forward to more work from this author!

I really liked the premise of this book, however, the execution just wasn't for me. Some of the dialogue felt really heavy handed, and there were far too many descriptions of exactly what characters were wearing, or really detailed moments that felt a bit too much. It really took me out of the narrative, which I think I would have otherwise really enjoyed. I did really enjoy the setting and the character development, however, I was too distracted by the writing style to enjoy it that much.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this e-ARC, the book comes out on 19th May!

Long Story Short is an uplifting, charming rom-com that offers more than just romance. It’s a story about self-worth, taking risks, and finding your voice—in love and in life. Perfect for fans of the genre, and a great pick if you’re in the mood for something lighthearted yet meaningful. This book is a lovely page turning weekend escape.

😊 Uplifting | 💕 Lighthearted | Spicy 🌶️​ | 🇬🇧 London / ​🇺🇲​ New York

Freya Harrison is a devoted personal assistant at a London literary agency with dreams of becoming a full-fledged agent. When her boss, Hayley, is unable to attend a prestigious romance conference in NY, Freya is sent in her place to chaperone the agency’s most difficult client— Jake Richards, a bestselling romance author whose recent off-the-record remarks about the genre have sparked a PR disaster. Jake may be adored by millions of fans, but to Freya, he’s arrogant, dismissive, and not at all the romantic hero his books promise. Her mission is simple: keep Jake in line, repair his public image, and make the conference a success. But as Freya peels back the layers of Jake’s persona, she finds herself reevaluating her assumptions—not just about him, but about her own career and the role love plays in her life.

Having read several of Victoria Walters’ books, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this one—her ninth that I’ve read so far. While early reviews were mixed, I went in with an open mind, and I’m so glad I did. Long Story Short surprised me in the best way. It’s engaging, layered, and offers more than just a conventional romantic arc.

The story shines in its detailed exploration of the publishing world. Walters clearly understands the industry, and her insider knowledge adds authenticity and intrigue. Freya’s professional aspirations are just as central to the story as her romantic entanglements, which gave the novel a refreshing depth. Watching her grow, both personally and professionally, was deeply satisfying.

Freya is a thoroughly relatable heroine—bookish, passionate about romance, and determined to prove herself. Jake, though initially frustrating, reveals complexity and vulnerability as the story unfolds. Their chemistry builds naturally, and their banter is sharp and entertaining.

That said, the book isn’t without its flaws. One of the more noticeable issues is character depth. While Freya and Jake are likable, they often felt one-dimensional. Freya’s constant clumsiness, flustered behavior, and inexperienced persona occasionally veered into caricature, especially considering her age and ambitions. Similarly, Jake’s emotional walls and arrogance took a bit too long to break down, making it hard to fully connect with him early on.

At times, both characters behaved immaturely—particularly in moments of conflict or miscommunication that felt forced rather than authentic. Their reactions didn’t always align with the professionalism or maturity one might expect from people in their late twenties or early thirties. This led to a few eye-roll moments that disrupted the otherwise engaging pace.

New York serves as a vivid and enchanting backdrop. Walters’ descriptions of the city are immersive and evocative—I felt transported to its bustling streets and romantic skyline. As someone who dreams of visiting NYC, this book only fueled my wanderlust.

As a long-time reader of Walters I appreciated the subtle nods to familiar characters like Liv and Tessa, adding a lovely sense of continuity across her books. The spicy scenes are well-executed—more refined than in some of her previous novels—and feel natural within the story’s emotional arc.

Yes, the story has its predictable moments, and the ending veers a little into the overly sentimental. But even those flourishes feel earned. It’s a feel-good read that delivers exactly what it promises: a heartwarming, modern romance with real emotional stakes.

I kindly received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Boldwood Books.

An interesting story with entertaining characters.

Assistant literary agent Freya is sent to a romance book conference with one of her company's authors. There she's supposed to help clean up a big mess he made with his fans and she's trying to prove she's enough to be an agent with her own clients. However, things go wrong when Freya and James arrive at the conference and he makes an even worse PR situation.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

An interesting premise but poorly executed. The writing was a huge let down - everything just felt over-explained and there were repetitive dialogues and thoughts - even my primary school students know not to repeat adjectives and verbs in their writing. I don't know how many times Freya "drained" her coffee or fished out a "favourite" dress during a five day business trip to New York. I'm not sure what the straw hat and heart-shaped sunglasses were about because this character totally forgot that she was visiting New York in a professional capacity.

Freya's character really irked me and I found her to be quite immature. Jake's character was one-dimensional; there was absolutely nothing there to suggest that he was a mature thirty-five year old with a successful career. The couple lacked chemistry and their more intimate scenes were cringeworthy and seemed to comprise of very lengthy (unnecessary) dialogues.

I thought that the whole romance conference was a cute idea but it could have been cuter. The conference was bland and devoid of anything romantic.

What I did like were the little crossovers/mentions of characters from the author's previous books.

Victoria Walters' books have now become a hit and miss for me. In stark contrast to the strong female protagonists in her Glendale series books or her earlier standalone ones, the main female characters in all her recent books have been too similar to each other. Having the same characteristics and personalities, they literally could all be the same person.

The writing was light, entertaining and had suspense and tension throughout. I just wanted to keep on reading to see what was going to happen next! I became very invested in the characters lives and wondered how it would all pan out in the end. There was a lot of will they, won't they, but it was done in such a way that kept my attention. I liked that text messages were included as this broke up the text and added some realism to the story. I looked forward to picking it back up at each reading session.

The chapters were fairly long, which meant that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. The chapters flowed nicely into each other. At some points you were just carrying on the conversation from the previous chapter which was interesting. It certainly helped to keep the story moving forward.

Despite the longer chapters and the will they, won't they, the story had a good pace to it. Lots of little things happened to keep your attention and encouraged you to keep on reading.

The characters created suspense and tension with the way that they mistrusted each other and were too shy to tell each other what they were thinking. I was completely taken in and was willing them to work it out.

I liked how the main character was honest and was gradually brought out of her shell despite everything that she had to overcome. I also liked how she made the people around her better with her honesty (except her boss who certainly added a darker side to the story).

Lastly the settings. Whilst it was mainly a character focused story, there were more detailed descriptions to enhance what was going on around the characters' certain storylines. I enjoyed reading about the Romance Conference and willed the characters to succeed.

Overall an entertaining story with lots of will they, won't they, plus a few spicy scenes.

Giiirrll... where's playing hard to get?! These two dove straight into chemistry, and I was here for it., (I'm usually not but we are in NY)

Long Story Short delivers exactly what it promises, a feel-good, heartwarming romance & happy awkward moments
I loved that it skipped the usual swooning-over-abs trope and gave us something with a little more depth.
What really stood out for me was the character development. Both leads start in a place of self-doubt and slowly, organically, grow into their confidence, from Insecurity to self esteem not just because of each other, but for themselves. That's the kind of growth I love to see in a romance.

Also, The connection between them felt genuine, with conversations that had me smiling and rooting for them all the way.
It’s a classic meet-cute with a side of emotional substance.

If you want a refresh after a long day at work, then this happily ever after is exactly what you need.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review