Many thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and the author for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love reinvention stories, especially ones where the MCs have the courage to let it all fall apart and build it from scratch. But what I didn't expect was to enjoy, love, and root for Elle the way I did. Elle works in a grueling corporate job with a boss who takes her for granted and men who are waiting to steal her accounts and hard work. When she is betrayed in the worst way, she finally comes to terms with the fact that she is not happy with the world she built and it's time for a change. I expected this to be a story where the character goes through a breezy-ish transition with some obstacles but overall peachy; however, what I got was a raw, honest, and dare I say grounded story about a woman in her 30s turning her life around for her own happiness, with real issues like dealing with grief, finances, mental health, loss, and the curve balls that life throws at you.

The story switches between present and past, conversations with therapist, friends, flirty dates, and cozy trips. Elle follows her dreams with a 'better late than never' attitude. She holds her ground when life tries to pull her off the right track with the help of her support system.

The book, in spite of being a debut, reads well but could shine with a bit more polishing. The narrator was excellent, but I was not a fan of some of the male voices.

I will recommend this story to fans of Sarah Ready, Rowan Coleman, and everyone who enjoys a romance with a side of romance and found family.

TW: Anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, emotionally distant abusive parent, loss of parents/grandparents, parental abandonment.

Spoilers Ahead: I genuinely loved how the 'right person, wrong times' played out not once but twice, very organically. A few other things I loved:
• Jude being respectful and a gentleman.
• Barret showing up with all his vulnerability on show.
• Mental health being talked about and represented the right way.
• No cheating
• Elle holding her ground on not wanting children (I hate it when FMC's either magically change their mind or are forced into it)
• All the men in the story showing genuine emotions
• We got characters living entirely different wavelengths of life and yet banding together for each other
• Louie
• The way grief, loss, mental health, panic attacks were shown
• She falls in love and yet lets go, because she is not ready to step off what she knows about herself.

My heart broke for Barret, the way he wanted to reinvent himself too and yet resigned to fate. I would love to read his story, just to know he didn't end like his father with Margaret as he feared. Chris deserved retribution, yet again that never happens in real life now, does it?

FINALLY a book with likable characters! This was such a heartwarming story. I stayed up until 1 a.m. so I could finish it! I started and stopped two other books yesterday, but I could not get into them. I was saving this one for later because it doesn’t come out until September, but I am so glad I had this one jump the line! I needed this reading reboot.

There are so many different topics in this book: love, career, loss of a loved one, being a homemaker/stay at home mom, following your dreams and even suicide, among others, and they were all treated with respect and not in a condescending or pandering way.

I am so happy to have read love triangle romance where the one the FMC ends up with isn’t an easy/obvious choice. There were two men who loved her deeply, and she could not have made a poor choice here. I did love the theme of choosing herself. It was refreshing to read a story with adult relationships without major themes of jealousy, infidelity, manipulation or a toxic relationship.

While there were some heavy themes here, this book was a breath of fresh air. I have read several mediocre books this summer and DNFd two this past week, so thank you to Jourdana Webber for a solid romance novel to end the summer on before going back to teaching next week! I am looking forward to seeing more from her. No notes.

Unconventionally, Elle was my first read by Jourdana Webber, and it definitely won’t be my last. This sweet, heartfelt romance swept me up in its emotion and left my heart feeling full. Webber crafts a story filled with believable tension, real vulnerability, and a satisfying resolution that feels earned and authentic.

Elle’s chemistry with both of the main male characters was palpable and well-developed. It never felt forced or overly dramatic—instead, it was natural and compelling, making the romantic tension all the more engaging. What stood out most was that, even though Elle ultimately chooses just one of them, the story unfolds in such a way that it feels like everyone “wins” in the end. It’s a rare romance that can pull that off, and Webber does it beautifully.

Elle herself is a character with real depth. Her openness about past struggles adds a layer of vulnerability that makes her not only relatable but genuinely lovable. You root for her happiness from beginning to end.

The narration was also a highlight—bringing each character vividly to life and enhancing the emotional pull of the story.

If you’re a fan of sweet, second-chance romances that offer both heart and hope, Unconventionally, Elle is well worth the read. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and Jourdana Webber for giving me access to this ALC.

4.5

I went into this one completely blind. Didn’t read the synopsis, just got pulled in by the cover. I thought it would be something light—fun, maybe a bit quirky. What I didn’t expect was how real and layered it would be.

This book surprised me in the best way. It’s about love, yes, but also about mental health, hard choices, regrets, and how life rarely goes in a straight line. I found myself rooting so hard for one character for most of the book, but when things took a turn, I got it. I really got it. I would’ve done the same.

It touches on therapy in such an honest, respectful way. That hit home for me—last year, I went through some really dark months with depression and anxiety, and I don’t think I could’ve made it out without therapy. When you’re in that space, hiding feels easier than trying. This book didn’t shy away from that. It showed the quiet power of having people who care, and access to help.

I finished it in two days. Stella Bloom’s narration was so good—she pulled me right in. And while the cover might look like a cute rom-com, don’t let it fool you. This story has depth, heart, and so much compassion.

Highly recommend. Especially if you’ve ever felt a little broken, or found yourself on a path you never expected.

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and Everwild Publishing for the ALC.

3.75 stars
I feel that there are times when a book is decent and there’s good writing potential but maybe the characters just don’t click for the reader. This is the case for me as I read this one on audio. The narrator is good and I didn’t have any real issues with the narration but nothing really wowed me or pulled me in to feel a connection to the story. It was a bit predictable and if I’m honest could see some of the ways the main characters were self-sabotaging themselves. Sometimes it’s painful to read a story that feels destined in a certain direction without much in the way of nuances to thrill the plot. This is an okay story that I am giving 3.5 stars. I’m rounding up because perhaps the main issue in the story is me the reader and not the narration or the writing so I want to give a debut author some credit.

This debut has a lot of potential! I liked the message about walking away from burnout and chasing your dreams — Elle’s journey from corporate grind to aspiring writer was one of the highlights.

That said, I struggled to fully connect with the story. The characters didn’t grab me (except Elle’s guy BFF — loved him!), and the love triangle didn’t feel very balanced. It was pretty clear Elle wasn’t over her first love, so the other romance felt kind of doomed from the start...was only wondering when that time will come. :D

The final chapter from Jude’s POV was a great addition, though I wish we’d seen more of his side earlier on. The writing shows promise, and I think many readers will click with this more than I did — I’m curious to see what the author does next!