2.5 ⭐️

ARC REVIEW COURTESY OF NET GALLEY FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

TROPES:
🩷Fake Dating
🩷Second Chance
🩷Tension And Pining
🩷 Hate To Love
🩷Close Proximity

This was a quicky, witty read with lots of banter between our main characters. When chemistry teacher Ashleigh is fired, she enters a sleep study to make some money..the problem? It’s couples only. And who walks in? Xander Miller, the one that she got away from. After a One night Stand turned their friendship on its head 11 years ago, both Ashleigh and Xaden agree to help one another. By pretending to be a couple. Only issue is, Ashleigh does not date, she does not get involved and she does not fall in love.

The potential this book had was huge, close proximity, tension and pining with a second chance love interest has all the makings of an amazing Rom-com with witty banter and that wholesome ending. However the sleep study and plot line had a few plot holes that really took me out of the story, this was a couple who had supposedly been together for 11 years. Yet they showed up separately and left separately every time. They turned around to change in front of one another too, which is just unbelievable. There are cameras in this room, and yet when they argue, are monitored for heart rate spikes ect, it’s never actually heard? I thought a recorded sleep study would record sound too? Also they were able to drink within the study? It just didn’t make sense to me that a scientific study would allow variables such as drinking ect.

I think it’s sad notion that Ashleigh lives her life by the book and words of a scorned woman and whilst I understand her issues stem from deep rooted trauma. It was hard that we didn’t have this massive explosive moment of realisation or grand gesture to get Xander back. No grovelling? However my favourite part of the whole thing was Xander picking apart her mother’s book, to her face. Some parts felt rushed and unexplained, and in times the plot holes were just too much and too neat for me.

But I can see why a lot of people would love this and it would make for a light easy read when you need a reset.

Thanks again to NetGalley

Thanks netgalley for the arc!

The writing was solid, the premise was unique and pacing was great.

Not so good- Ashleigh the main character. She is the worst. She’s delusional about healthy adult relationships, has no redeeming qualities, and acts very immature for someone around 30(graduated college 10ish years ago). No way would she be promoted to principal. Her friend Emily and love interest Xander seem normal and nice. No idea why they’re drawn to such an emotionally stunted person.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a very light, cozy read and I really liked the characters and their relationship. The writing could have been a little bit better, but it's still pretty decent and I think the author really has a potential.

What I enjoyed the most is Ashleigh's quips on her life whether it be her announcing she is dressed like an English royal with a dirty mind of a stable boy or living her life as a screenwriter singing to LeeAnn Rimes regarding the Moonlight. This book is hilarious but reflective as how much one can lose in love while acting as it is impossible and only through immediate gratification such as Bone It, does any type of interaction makes sense. Ashleigh has always loved Xavier since she commando crawled out of his apartment. Of course they had the connection due to Oxytocin, but he made her feel loved and heard. Em did not need a penis parade to confirm. I adored this book. It makes one believe in romance and the timing of it and why it is worth the wait. Her Mom's book wad incorrect as well as Ashleigh living that life for eleven years. Love and lust are not inseparable.

This book was a character study, with a slightly unreal storyline and without much of a plot. That is not to say it was not good or enjoyable.

It was hilarious. And I was pleasantly surprised to have a main character with the same name as me. However, it was almost painful to see how stubbornly set some of these characters were — it got to the point at times where it felt unrealistic. I understand the premise of the concepts expressed, but I do enjoy a slightly more realistic, if not, relatable romance novel.

This might also be because I’m not a big second chance romance girl. But again, there are very specific cases in which second chance romance works out healthily in the real world. I don’t see this as one of them, because I can’t really imagine it at all.

I also felt that the beginning and the middle of the novel did a pretty good job of integrating the reader into the characters’ worlds and mindsets, but the end felt slightly rushed. After all of that instability, it would have been nice to study the MCs relationship in a more stable state. Or even to understand the point and the outcome of the study. Why was it distracting for heart rate monitors to go off — are couples generally not excited by each other? It doesn’t really make sense to me.

Then, the best friend seemed to have a plot line that was just detailed enough to peak my interest, but so vague that it was confusing as to why we’d get any real details about it.

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC

Amazing book loved the characters and plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

I would definitely recommend this as a fun, banter filled, second chance romance!

The concept of the story is so intriguing and such a fun spin on the one bed trope. I did however feel that the characters were too surface level and therefore some of their connection didn’t feel as believable. I found it odd that Ashleigh (being a scientist) never checked for evidence to corroborate the entire theory she built her life around. I also think maybe getting Xander’s POV would have been beneficial in believing he felt so deeply so quickly for her.

I think some people would absolutely LOVE this book, and there were definitely certain aspects of it that I did!

I can definitely see how this had the potential to be a cute and funny romcom. The setup was there, and the banter between the characters was honestly the highlight of the whole book. Unfortunately, that’s pretty much where it stopped working for me. The characters felt flat and lacked any real development, which made it hard to get invested in their story. The plot itself didn’t offer much depth either—it felt surface-level and predictable. Overall, it had a fun vibe but not enough substance to really leave an impact.
Thank you Net galley for the book in exchange for a honest review

I can see how this would be a cute and funny romcom but the characters left a LOT to be desired and there was hardly any depth to the story itself. The only good part was the banter.

I was really excited for this one but it fell short from the start. I gave this one the best chance I could but at 40% I DNF it. I can see where this could be a great read for some just not for me. I think when it comes out on audio I'd give it a second chance.

Thanks for the ARC

Ashleigh, recently fired from her high school chemistry job, signs up for a sleep study to make ends meet—only to discover she’s been paired with the one man who ever made her rethink her casual-encounters-only lifestyle. Though the couple's study requires them to fake a relationship, old sparks resurface, and a second-chance romance unfolds.

I struggled with this one. While the premise is fun and Xander has some appealing qualities, I found Ashleigh a difficult character to connect with. Her commitment to avoiding emotional intimacy felt extreme, and though her backstory attempts to explain her fears around relationships, it didn’t quite land for me. The trauma from her parents’ past is mentioned often but it still doesn't warrant her ridiculous attitude toward love, and her reactions to Xander's genuine interest in her felt more immature than emotionally complex.

The dynamic between the two leads lacked the grounding needed for me to root for their relationship, and some aspects of Xander’s character weren’t fully fleshed out. This may appeal to readers who enjoy edgy romantic setups and deeply flawed protagonists, but it just didn’t work for me.

Readers who gravitate toward unconventional heroines with sharp edges and emotional baggage may find more to appreciate here.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

*arc review*

Just a cozy fun romance! I liked the concept of the book and loved the characters but I do feel like the “romance” was just a bit too rushed. We obviously see the tension and like know its going to happen but I feel nothing really went down until the last 10% of the book. The FMC was definitely interesting and I thought her ideals and things she watched from her parents previous relationship was a nice twist. I do wish would’ve explored more of the wedding and wish the book was just a bit more detailing of the relationship but overall a fun read!

Bed Chemistry made me actually laugh out loud, which is rare and always a win. I flew through it in just a few days and there wasn’t a single boring page. Ashleigh is emotionally guarded in a way that felt really real and at times frustrating, but it’s her friendship with her bestie that brings out her softness and totally won me over. The banter, the heart, the chemistry (pun intended), I was hooked.

Highly recommend if you love your romcoms smart, funny, and full of depth.

Can’t wait to read more from this author!

This is a super cute, second chance rom-com. Ashleigh and Xander had great chemistry and the tension was well-written! However, Ashleigh was a little too much of an emotional introvert - she really needed to start opening up earlier. And, with the book only being written from her POV, it doesn't give the reader the chance to see exactly what Xander sees in her. I would have liked to see his POV and how he pined for her since their hookup in college. It would have made Ashleigh a much more enjoyable character. However, I do recommend if you like second-chance, slow burn, only-one-bed rom-coms.

An achingly tender story that lingers long after the last page—full of quiet moments, stolen glances, and emotions that speak louder than words. It’s less about what happens, and more about what’s felt

This was so good! I really liked the title (Sabrina Carpenter fan here!) and the cover is so colorful and cute.

This was a unique and fun twist on the one bed trope. It was clever and helped make this plot feel different from other romcoms. This had great banter, chemistry between the leads and the comedy hit. The awkward moments were hilarious. I thought the romance was well paced and developed nicely. I would say Ashleigh and Xander have major black cat x golden retriever energy. I really liked this couple a lot.

A quick, uniquely fun and steamy romcom. Would recommend!

Thanks to alcove press and NetGalley for this arc!

This is a different take on the one bed, second chance romance tropes.
It was very cute, very quick read. I read it in just a couple hours on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

It’s perfect for mood readers who want a spicy, fun rom com!

the only reason i applied for this was because it gave me sabrina vibes ikykyk
OMG im literally in love.
the chemistry was perfect!!!! and the sexual tension!
this was such a unique book with such a different plot and im so here for it.
THE ONLY bad thing was her mum for Obvious reasons if you read the book and how she made ash believe love wasnt real and that all men cheat.
i was giggling and blushing SO hard.
this is a cute little rom-com with a tiny bit of spice, but loads of sexual tension

thankyou so much netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Bed Chemistry centers on wrongfully-fired teacher Ashleigh who finds herself desperate to make enough money to cover rent. This desperation leads her to a month-long sleep study where she reconnects with Xander, a man she knew in college but whom she ghosted after a one night stand. Because the study is only looking for couples, the two lie so that they can join the study, but their attraction to each other is anything but in the past.
While the pacing of this book is fine and there are definitely moments of witty banter, overall, I just took a lot of issue with Ashleigh, the main character, and I found it hard to root for her and Xander. Ashleigh obviously has a lot of trauma from her parents’ divorce, but her philosophy about love and relationships is so frustrating- like, do you mean to tell me that she has no examples of healthy relationships at all in her life? She is supposedly a teacher: there aren’t ANY families that she has witnessed that show her mom’s mantra about infidelity and relationships is not always true? Also, she is apparently desperate for this money but can go eat lunch at cafes in every other scene, get waxed, drink copious amounts of alcohol, and Door Dash food. Ash, how about a budget, friend? This isn’t her first summer as a teacher and she would have been entitled to the rest of her salary for the contract year she finished, which is how teachers get paid over the summer. Other than paying her rent, she just did not seem concerned about the amounts of money she was spending. The implausible nature of the whole situation just took me out of it. Additionally, I just found Ash mean for much of the story, and while she did start to grow on me at the end, it wasn’t until about 70% of the way through the book. Also, her ending love declaration did NOT feel believable; Xander, I know you’re apparently hung up on her, but I do think you can do better. Lastly, I wish that Ash would have been given a profession other than a teacher because, as a 17-year veteran teacher, there were SO many ridiculous things in this book that just aren’t how teaching works, but I suspect those who are teachers don’t need me to point them out and those who aren’t teachers don’t care.
Thank you to Alcove Press and Net Galley for this ARC!

Loved this book. The sleep study premise is such a fun, fresh take on the "one bed" trope, and it totally delivers. What stood out most to me was how actually funny this romcom is. So many books in this genre lean cheesy or try-hard, but this one felt sharp and genuinely hilarious.

Ash, the FMC, is one of my favorite parts. She’s emotionally avoidant, but not in the typical "my heart was broken" kind of way. It feels more grounded and real, like it’s just who she is and something she’s trying to figure out. I loved that.

The tension and banter between Ash and Xander is great, the setup is unique, and it had the perfect mix of good steam, awkwardness, and heart.

Also, how adorable is that cover? While I’m all about what’s inside the pages, this book is gonna look so good on my shelf. :)

Highly recommend if you like your romcoms smart, really funny, and a little messy in the best way.