I am a full fledged HBY fan! I absolutely fell in love with Out on a Limb and Out of the Woods. So when I got the chance to read People Watching, I couldn't believe my luck. And I was definitely NOT disappointed! PW is such a beautiful, sexy, and emotional story between two people essentially looking for home (in different ways from different upbringings). Milo and Prue had me hooked from their first interaction. A reverse golden retriever x black cat dynamic is so refreshing! We went through the ups and down of their situation-ship right along with them and honestly it felt like I was in the story. HBY has such a way with words that the setting is so vividly described. Along with some passages feeling like straight up romantic poetry or someone's love letters. Literally swooning. This is was definitely another high ranking book for me!

This author has such a gift of making you feel and care for her characters - thought this was such a delight to read and I can't wait to recommend to others.

PEOPLE WATCHING was such an ode to good romantic screenplay writing, and I felt like I was watching a movie with my mom while reading this. The alzheimer's pieces were only slightly triggering for me and kept me from fully falling into the story with my whole chest (I was holding myself back), but ultimately here's the goddamn truth: Hannah Bonam-Young is a gem and her writing makes people feel.

If Hannah writes it, I’m reading it. No questions asked. People Watching pulled me in right away—I loved the small-town vibes, the cozy community, and especially the Welch and Kablukov families.

Prue and Milo were easy to root for. I loved their resilience, the quiet strength in both of them, and the slow build of their connection. Also: the laugh-out-loud moments?? The scene when Nik had Milo on speakerphone in front of Prue had me cackling. And while we’re here…Milo’s tattoo?? IYKYK!!! RU KIDDING. Also he calls her “Killer” as a pet name 😅 obsessed

Milo is a reformed slutty man with a current slutty mustache, Prue is the opposite, We’re getting the classic “teach me” trope but honestly, Prue was just… naturally good at everything and there really wasn’t much teaching going on? Not a complaint!

If I had one wish, it’d be for a little more backstory—Milo’s bond with Prue’s mom was a theme in the story but never fully dug into their past relationship. I would’ve loved a few flashbacks. I was also left wondering what really happened with the Kablukovs when they were young but I suspect we’ll find out as the “series” continues. Still, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it.

Warm, funny, emotional, and swoony. Exactly what I expect (and love) from an HBY book

People Watching is another amazing romance by HBY. I loved Prue and Milo, They're a different vibe from the other stories I've read by her but I really, really loved it! They meet in a time where both of their lives are basically in shambles emotionally and while they hate each other in the beginning they then inevitably fall madly in love with each other, and it was perfect.

Milo is the textbook definition of a guy with commitment issues born from a troubled past, and Prue is the only daughter of two loving parents that are falling apart later in life. Prue is happy with her small town life, and has no desire to move. Meanwhile Milo can't stay in the same place for more than a few months. A classic story of opposites attract and honestly, love at first site. I really liked both of our lead characters and was interested in learning about what made them tick, and their motivations for everything. I believed in their chemistry and wanted their eventual coupling, but I will say the story felt insta-lovey at times. I wanted more time alone with the two of them to grow their connection. But nevertheless, I will buy anything Bonam-Young puts out!

I was given access to a book arc from netgalley for an honest review. I loved this book Milo and Prue were extremely relatable I just loved out on a limb slightly more so I give this book 4.5 stars. Overall everyone should read this if they like romance. Also bonus points for the Ontario representation.

Oooo this was spicy, sweet and had some heavy moments! I love to see diseases every reader has been touched by in some way like Alzheimers be represented so raw and realisticly. Milo 😍🥵 no words needed.

i love this one!!
the dual pov was everithing to me.
i connected with the charactes a lot more
i love how the author always convine big problems with a romantic history.
i always finish his books with hope.
please read this book.

A sweet story set in Northern Ontario. There were many layers to this story. Budding romance between Prue and Milo, aging parents and tough family issues.

The main characters are charming, if somewhat unbelievable.. part of the joy in reading a novel like this is the fantasy of small town life and relationships.

This book is the perfect escape read! Would recommend to anyone looking to spend a cozy afternoon with a cute story... and a little smut thrown in.

Holy moly - HBY creates magic in her books that make it impossible to put down. I finished this book in mere hours because I loved the setting and the characters sooo much.

It’s definitely different than her last few books but in a sexy, grown, and beautiful way. The characters are more mature and dealing with such difficult situations with families. I love seeing them grow into themselves without changing who they are.

I loved this book so much I created a Pinterest board around it and I just feel like I could step into their world. One of the best books HBY has written and just another reason she’s my favorite author and will buy anything she publishes.

I tend to not enjoy books with spiciness. They always feel fake and like they are either throwing some spiciness in unnecessarily, or there is no plot and just sex. This was a good story with some depth that included some descriptive sex scenes that felt necessary. The couple had chemistry, they were in a new relationship- it felt very real. The sex scenes added to the plot, it helped develop the characters.

I usually reserve 5 stars for books with mass appeal and this won’t be a book for everyone but it is certainly one I will recommend to many.

I was disappointed by this one completely? I usually love HBY but it felt like it was written by a different author? the meetcute didn’t have that spark and I was very confused about where this was actually set?

I laughed. I cried. I fell more in love with HBY’s writing. Amazing, zero complaints. She isn’t capable of putting out a bad book.

I have to admit, the first 100 pages or so of this book didn't feel like a HBY novel. The beginning was a bit slow and the characters didn't feel relatable. After that initial hump, we were off to the races! The storyline really picked up and I found myself recognizing the characters as people I knew in real life, struggling with family illness, traumatic childhoods and trust issues. This story really hit home in a way that I wasn't expecting at all; as the granddaughter of someone with Alzheimers/Dementia this story felt personal.

I loved all of Hannah's previous books and this one was one of my more anticipated books releasing in 2025. I wanted to love this so bad, but it just wasn't for me. There was way too much insta-love, which is one of my biggest book pet peeves. I also think that there might have been too many subplots going on that really took away from the romance, making it seem rushed and not very fleshed out.

✨Book Review✨

📚 Hannah has created characters that are unique and interesting, people you want to be friends with in real life. Both Prue and Milo have complicated family dynamics for completely different reasons. The spicy scenes are extremely descriptive with a door wide open. I love the way Hannah Bonam-Young has tackled some difficult issues in her book. Early Onset Alzheimer’s was a serious topic to bring into the book, and she did so with grace and intentionality. In the same vein, abusive childhoods and strained family relationships because of that shared history is not an easy topic to include in a book, and Hannah has done this well too.

A special thank you to @NetGalley and @AuthorHannahBY for the Advanced Reader Copy!

🌟 If you’re into contemporary romances that are set in small towns, have family relationships that are dynamic, and open door smutty scenes then this book is for you! Preorder it today - it’s set to publish September 9th.

More about: People Watching - Hannah Bonam-Young

📖 Prue likes her life. Sure taking care of a Mom with Early Onset Alzheimer’s is demanding but she is content in her routines and working at her father’s gas station grocery store and writing poetry in her slices of free time. As her Mom’s condition worsens and her world begins to slip out of control Milo enters the scene. Milo is a free spirit who can provide the friendship that Prue needs and maybe even more if they can come to an agreement. Milo isn’t one to settle down, but he’s come to Baysville at the call of his brother who’s in need of help getting his Brewery open. Prue and Milo both have some learning to do from one another: about life, sex, and maybe even… love?

|| Book Review, People Watching, Hannah Bonam-Young, Contemporary Romance ||

oh people watching, how i love you!

hannah has reeled me in again and imm here to stay with book! this is a non spoiler review so i don’t do too much but my goodness you can tell each character in story was written with love. like wholeheartedly. they felt lived in like you’re watching your favorite show and start mid season but it’s comfortable, you know that feeling? yeah she did that. i want to know more so badly. prue is my girl, i related to her in more ways than one, she’s so likable and personable, and growing with her throughout the story was fun. and my softest boy ever, milo. i love him your honor. he deals with a lot and handles it the way i would so i love him even more! and lizzy mcalpine is the perfect person to listen to while reading this one i’ll tell you that! anyways i hope aleks and nadia get a book because the build up is thereeee

I'm a big fan of Hannah Bonam Young and I will read basically anything she writes. My absolute favorite book of her is Out on a Limb. While I don't think this one tops that, I still enjoyed it. The story follows the main character, Prudence, as she tries to deal with a parent with early Alzheimers. She meets Milo who is just passing through town and they hit it off. I liked them both as characters and that the third act break up was not really even a break up but more about communication. I appreciate that Bonam-Young's writing never feel formulaic and that each of her novels has it's own plot. I think it can be tricky to find romance books these days that don't rely heavily on the usual tropes. Overall, it was a fun read.

People Watching is the kind of story that feels like slipping into your favorite hoodie: warm, lived-in, and unexpectedly emotional in all the right ways. Hannah Bonam-Young has such a gift for writing characters who feel real—messy, kind, awkward, stubborn, and deeply human. Prue tugged at every thread of my heart. She’s quietly resilient, shaped by a life she didn’t plan for but lives with fierce care and grace. And Milo? Milo is joy personified. He’s that rare sunshine-love-interest who actually feels complex, not just quirky for the sake of it. Their dynamic is flirty, hot, and full of that soft kind of tension that makes you grin like an idiot while reading.

What I loved most, though, is how tenderly this book explores the emotional labor of caregiving, grief before loss, and the desire to feel chosen—not out of obligation, but because someone sees your full, flawed self and stays. The spice? Top tier. The banter? Immaculate. But it’s the quiet, vulnerable moments that stuck with me. Bonam-Young writes romance with real heart, and People Watching is another gem I’ll be recommending to everyone who needs something a little gentle, a little sexy, and a whole lot of meaningful.