Ashleigh's banter and antics with BFF, fellow teacher, Emily were more interesting than her romance with Xander.

Interactions with Em, whether it's chanting wildly inappropriate comments in a public space or a dressing room montage of outfit changes, were just plain hilarious and easily imaginable.

Her interactions with Xander seemed more superficial and physical, lacking any depth. Even with the author returning to their respective past didn't find much explanation of Xander's fascination with Ashleigh. Then there's Ash's relationship with her mom. At a pivotal scene at the dad's wedding then later private meeting between daughter and mother , wasn't sure if the author was striving to show regret or comeuppance for the mom. The uncertainty tainted the read.


This ARC was provided by the publisher, Alcove Press,,via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.



#BedChemistry #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove press for giving me chance to read this book before release date.

Bed Chemistry surprised me. I’ll be honest, the first bit of the book was slow for me and I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to finish it. I’m not the one to ever not finish a book, I will always power through. But once Ashleigh and Xander’s forced proximity sleep study really kicked in, and things started to flow I got hooked.

Ashleigh’s emotional walls took a long time to come down so much so that I found myself more frustrated with her than rooting for her at times, and Xander… well, let’s just say the man knows how to bring both tension and charm to every scene. Their banter felt natural, the awkward moments made me laugh, and when the slow burn finally started to get hot, I couldn’t put it down.

This is sweet, funny, and just the right amount of messy the kind of romance that sneaks up on you.

“What if pretending to sleep beside him every night is exactly the mistake that’ll wreck me or save me?”

This book had the potential to be a really cute rom com. Instead we were given a cringe worthy campy romance.

I mean come on the synopsis set this book up for success. We have recently fired chemistry teacher, Ash, who signs up for a sleep study to make rent money. Instead of doing the study by herself she’s forced to “fake date” an old one night stand, Xander. They have to survive a month of sleeping together. However, Xander still has hurt feelings after Ash left with no notice 11 years ago. Will they be able to get over their past in order to compete the study?!?!

Again come on that synopsis sounds perfect and hilarious. Plus in my opinion unique. I’ve never encountered any romcoms previously that used a sleep study as part of their forced proximity trope. However, even with all that going for it the execution just wasn’t there.

I struggled with Ash big time. She’s the “commitment phobe” so to speak in this romcom. Which is fine I enjoy when the typical stereo types are reversed. However, Ash just wasn’t likeable and her reasoning for lack emotional intimacy felt way too extreme. I understand she went through trauma watching her parents relationship fall apart. But her response to all love in general because of it felt immature.

The only reason I kept reading was for my love of Xander. I love that he was our sunshine romantic. But I do believe he deserves better than Ash (sorry not sorry). My only complaint was I wish we could’ve flushed out his character more.

Overall, this book wasn’t my favorite. I can’t honestly say if I’d recommend it so I’ll leave you guys with this. If you want a quick and easy romcom then pick it up. If you want a romcom with more substantial then keep on a moving.

Lastly thank you to NetGalley & Alcove Publishing for allowing me to read and review an ARC.

This book was alright, but I wanted to like it a lot more than I did. the concept is really interesting, fake dating a one-night-stand you ghosted so you can both take part in a sleep trial - one of you desperate for money, the other, for much-needed sleep.

However, this didn't hit the mark. I think this would make an EXCELLENT rom-com film but the FMC was a little too flat for a book IMO. Which is a shame considering she carries around a lot of depth to her that just doesn't really go anywhere.

I did really enjoy the storyline around her parents, and I loved seeing a really positive best friend relationship that Em and Ash have. I also found some of the humour really funny and did read through this book relatively easily. It's a great

It's a very easy read. It's funny and keeps the reader hooked to see if our main character, Ash, can overcome her fears of love and commitment.
Reading Ash and Xander's story made me laugh out loud. The writing is easy to understand and follow. I would definitely recommend this to readers whose native language isn't English but who want to start reading in it.

If Christina Lauren gave us Love and Other Words, then Bed Chemistry might as well be Love, Lust, and Other Words. This debut contemporary romance from Elizabeth McKenzie—who’s no stranger to storytelling, having written screenplays for feature films—has a cinematic pace that makes it easy to imagine on the big screen. Just be warned: it’s a hefty read, full of subplots and emotional layers that make it more of a slow savor than a one-night binge—very much in the vein of Ali Hazelwood or L.J. Shen.

Synopsis:
Ashleigh Hutchinson, a no-strings-attached chemistry teacher, signs up for a couples-only sleep study to pay the bills, only to end up fake-dating (and bed-sharing) with Xander Miller, the one man who tempts her carefully guarded rules about love and lust.

What Works:
McKenzie’s knack for witty, self-deprecating humor shines through, and the protagonist’s inner monologue is laugh-out-loud funny. There’s a wonderful side character named Em who adds even more charm. But what really sets it apart is the deeper theme: inherited “commandments” about love and lust that the heroine must unlearn, adding layers beyond the rom-com beats.

Critiques:
Sometimes the tone veers a bit juvenile, but it’s all part of the charm. And while the pacing takes its time, that heft is what makes it a richer read—one that can’t be rushed through in a single night.

Verdict:
In the end, Bed Chemistry is a sexy, emotionally layered story that would make an amazing rom-com—just keep that inner monologue intact! Huge thanks to NetGalley and Elizabeth McKenzie for the ARC; all opinions are my own. Fans of The Love Hypothesis and The Paradise Problem will find a lot to love, laugh at, and think about here.

The two characters definitely have chemistry. I liked how I could feel Xavier yearning for Ash throughout the book. I only wish the two main characters got to know each other more.

When I saw the description of this book, I knew that it was going to be exactly my kind of thing, so I requested it and was lucky enough to get it. Thanks!

Ash is so devastated by her parents' relationship and divorce that she decides to live by her mum's book and never catch feelings to avoid getting hurt. She only has one-night stands and never dates.

She finds herself needing money after having lost her job, so her friend Em convinces her to sign in for a sleep study to be able to cover rent before finding another job. That's where she reunites with Xander, the only man who ever made her doubt her no-relationships rule. He suffers from insomnia and really needs to take part in the study, so when they tell them they only need couples, they lie to be accepted and have to sleep in the same bed for a month.

From then on, their banter is phenomenal and Ash starts to question herself regarding her rules because maybe not all men are unfaithful cheaters like her father. Their chemistry is off the charts and Ash tries (not successfully) to convince herself that is only a sexual thing.

The journey of self-discovery she goes through and the way she gets Xander back until they finally get their well deserved HEA is precious.

100% recommended.
Happy reading! ❤️

so was bed chem by sabrina carpenter on repeat? definitely.

ashleigh had such a funny personality and i really loved the references she (along with em) made throughout the book! also tiny abba mention >>

if i had to describe xander in one emoji it would be 😛

it had the perfect amount of spice and tension that definitely had me kicking my feet. and let me just say that elevator scene 😮‍💨.

the concept of the book was really interesting and i loved it. overall it was a great read and definitely 4 stars!

thank you netgalley for the ARC!

(Contains some spoilers)

This book was a cute, funny, easy to read rom-com. So many moments had me laughing / smiling or very close to. I think this author has a lot of potential and I am genuinely excited to read their next book!

I liked the whole fake dating, sharing a bed idea and how problems kept arising which nearly led to their cover being blown a couple of times. As mentioned, I loved the banter. I really liked the relationship between the FMC and her best friend - I need a friendship like that. I also liked how despite everything, the MMC was actively working to help the FMC out with her work problem - though I’m not sure how I felt about the ending / her career change.

My only issue - so the MMC claims to have been in love with her since university (or college, I can’t remember sorry)… but then entered into a 5 year relationship with another woman. If after meeting her again, he realised he still had feelings no issue. But if he knew he was in love with her but led another woman on… I can’t do that.

I also hate this cover. The hot pink colour stands out way too much, and I can’t pinpoint what exactly the problem is but the people… look weird. I might buy the kindle copy, but I’m sorry to say I would never buy the physical book.

I had a fun time, and I would recommend this book.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC of this book!

Oh man, I had trouble getting on board with Ash’s personality. She is like a shotgun blast of horniness, cynicism, and immaturity. It would’ve been great to see a few more lovable qualities in her, especially at the start of the book to get the reader on her team.

Though I think this is such an interesting story premise, I kind of feel like it would be better suited for two strangers. Maybe if Ash had a stuffy, cold acquaintance from school that also randomly signed up for the study that might’ve worked better for me? The couple’s history of the one night stand made everything feel messy, right from the start. Then, any tension that might’ve been built between the pair went right out the window by 25% into the book. I had trouble believing Ash was so obsessed with hookups that she couldn’t hold back for a month, even though she is broke, jobless, and it was pretty much the only rule of the sleep study.

I did appreciate the author’s sense of humor. I found myself chuckling out loud at some of the ridiculous situations Ash got herself into and her unhinged inner thoughts.

Unfortunately, this one was not for me. It definitely had its funny moments and a creative premise, but I couldn’t get on board and root for the female main character. The book felt a little Meghan Quinn to me (mostly in the unhinged shenanigans), but had little of the tension and slow burn that both Ali Hazelwood and Christina Lauren excel at.

When I think of Chemistry teachers, FMC Ashleigh is not what I would expect, she’s more like the high schoolers she teaches during the day. Well she did until she gets fired for what some would call inappropriate behavior of a teacher (wasn’t anything illegal). Needing money to pay rent while she looks for work Ash joins a sleep study paired with a college one night stand she hasn’t seen in 11 years. The sparks between Ash and Xander were flying off the pages right from the start and seriously didn't let up until the last page. But Ash is so phobic of love and relationships, being taught by her mom first hand through mom’s book, radio and tv show deal on how crap relationships and love are. She was cheated on by Ash’s dad so her mom has a warranted reason for being gun shy, but it saddens me when parents issues are put upon their kids, and this fell right on that line. I liked Ash. Honestly it took me about 1/3 into the book before I was able to stop cringing from some embarrassing moments Ash has with Xander, very Bridget Joneses Diary like, so if that kind of kooky personality isn’t your cup of tea be warned, but I found her funny as hell. Her and her bestie Em were hot messes but god they were so fun to read their interactions throughout. I’d love a book where Em is the FMC if that could happen! I laughed throughout, my heart raced on what was going to happen until the final page!! Definitely one of my 2025 favorites.


My favorite quote of the book, there were so many: “Nothing is crazier than a grown-ass woman being convinced that it’s a good idea to regularly put molten hot wax on her vulva.” Haha

NetGalley provided me this ARC for my honest opinion.

The chemistry was strong in this one! We have a Golden retriever MMC in Xander and a Hot mess FMC with Ashleigh. This was such a unique premise that forced committment shy Ashleigh to spend a month of nights sleeping in the same bed as her college ex Xander. This book had only a bit of spice, but loads of sexual tension. It was a fun and emotional story that I could not put down.

WHAT A COUPLE, FRIENDS. WHAT A COUPLE >>>>>>>> The whole idea of being a social experiment to win something while they pretend to be a couple is like a mastermind. The chemistry between them grows in such a delightful way to follow through the pages. It's not over the top. Everything is perfectly balanced. This romance is what I hope for when I find and search for a fake dating relationship!!!!
Thank you NetGalley and the author for the eARC.

This book has so much potential to be an incredible rom com; Ashleigh is a chemistry teacher that for fired of her job, and to cover her rent, she sings up to participate in a month study. What she didn’t know it was that this was a couples-only kind of study, and she agrees to fake date, nobody else than one of her night stands from 11 years ago…that she ghosted!
There’s a lot of banter, tension, pining, fake dating and specially second chance but somehow there’s sooo little plot. The characters were flat and the way the story was written, you dont get any depth or development from them.
The FMC, Ashleigh being a chemistry teacher, felt so dumb through the book, because she and the MMC, Xander, were so emotionally unavailable more than 3/4 of the books, and then, magically they were so in love, while spending all their nights in the sleep study eee they were supposed to be recorded, follow some rules, are monitored for heart rate spikes, how many sleep hours they have, etc, but they just do whatever they want, and nothing else. Ashleigh and Xander didn’t even arrive together at this place, or spent significant time together outside, so everything felt so rushed and without enough substance.
She had a lot of baggage from her parents messy divorce and her mom’s book, which could’ve being explored more and gave her a great moment of realization of the way she treats relationships in her life, or grand gesture towards her love interest, but nothing happened.

It could’ve been written differently, but at the end of the day, was a light read and i can see tropes and certain moments that people can like.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun light read with a premise I haven't heard of. Great for a nice book on a road trip!

Ashleigh Hutchinson is a chemistry teacher who gets fired on the last day of school because her hookup was a little handy when he met her in the school parking lot at the end of the school day. It's terrible because she doesn't have money to pay rent.

To make money to agrees to do a sleep study for 4 weeks to make eight thousand dollars. The only problem is that she has to pretend to be in a relationship with Xander. A guy she ghosted after a one night stand 11 years ago. He's hot and educated and she's does not date.

Bed Chemistry

Author: Elizabeth McKenzie
Publisher: Alcove Press
Release: December 9, 2025

Thank you @alcovepress and @netgalley for an advanced #gifted eARC of Bed Chemistry

Bed Chemistry answers the question, ‘Can love and chemistry coexist?’

Ash has a strict no relationships rule. She never goes beyond one date to mask catching feelings and hurt. She finds her fun through a dating app. However she’s fired for her job for kissing her one night stand on school property and is left to find summer rent money and a new job.

Ash signs up for a paid monthly sleep study at UCLA sleep lab. What she didn’t know was they needed couples only…and the one night stand from 11 years ago agrees to a fake relationship and to help cure his insomnia.

I purposely read this book at night and it helped set the scene. If you’ve ever had a sleep study this was spot on. One bed. Wired bodies. Cameras. Microphones. No raising of heart rates. No sex. Do it “For the sake of the sleep study.”

I thoroughly enjoyed Bed Chemistry. Xander and Ash finally got their second chance at chasing their chemistry. They rewired their brain and hearts to reach happiness and most importantly feel love. This was a fresh take on pseudoscience and the effects of divorce. Witty, funny, and just enough tension to build up to their rule breaking conclusion.

Bed Chemistry is like if a rom-com and a science fair project had a flirty, chaotic baby. The banter? Sharp. The chemistry? Unhinged (in the best way). I spent half the book yelling “JUST KISS ALREADY” and the other half fanning myself.

I really enjoyed this book - it was a good take on the 'one bed' trope and second chance romance. I liked that the character's backstories made sense to who they were in the present plot. I loved reading them finding each other again, and being able to have a second shot.

I found it lighthearted, and an enjoyable read. Would be a good easy read or for a book club!