4.5 Lost Larping Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 0/5 (There are light descriptions of kissing)

It's books like these that make me so happy about going in blind, with no expectations because it leaves yourself open to being blown away! I am in AWE as I didn't know I would be getting a wholesome full-bodied romance while still being a fun ride!

Holly is looking for her forever man. After finally giving up on the man she's been pining for at work (about time too cause he's a bloody arsehole and not just because he was stringing her along) she decided to start going on dates... The problem is, that everyone she goes on a date with turns out to be an awful date after an awful date. She keeps going to the same restaurant for her dates and so soon one of the bartenders, Jax, notices and they get to talking. Jax MOST DEFINITELY IS NOT THE "GOING STEADY RELATIONSHIP" type and more of a "fling" person. He's also about to change jobs and start his own business guiding trails. So despite their sexual attraction, he is not what Holly is looking for in a partner. But he does have an excellent read on people and their character... so he becomes Holly's dating coach. Now Holly just has to remind herself not to fall for her coach.

I think Jax stole the show. He is the epitome of a green flag. MY GOD! While he might initially be implied to be a player because of his smart mouth and wicked banter, he is so thoughtful, generous, genuine and protective. Like he is so sweet you'd get a toothache from him but enjoy every minute. Throughout the book all the little displays of kindness, considerate actions and gestures he does, MADE MY HEART SWOON! The man PACKED A VANILLA MILKSHAKE and carried it on his back during a gruelling hike just to make sure if Holly didn't like the hike, she'd have something nice at the end of it! Like COME ON! Why can't every man be so romantic and dreamy? He makes Holly push her boundaries and find the version of herself that makes her HAPPY! He is just the perfect portrayal of what you want in a supportive partner, prospective boyfriend, fiancé, husband, or whatever label you want to define a good relationship.

Holly is also pretty much a sweetheart but has the type of personality that makes her seem very gentle and soft, oftentimes leading to people walking all over her (especially her arsehole boss.) She doesn't know what she wants and who she wants to be or what she wants out of a relationship. I loved how in this not only did she form such a profound connection with Jax but she learned to love herself. She grows and starts realising that before she can be happy as a part of a relationship, she needs to be happy with herself.

What I also loved about this is that it mirrored my philosophy and model on what I think about love and what makes a relationship work. That being, you cannot look for a relationship or someone to COMPLETE you, you should look for someone who COMPLIMENTS you. My one is a little more thinking about shapes but it implies the same...

In a relationship where someone completes you, think of yourself as making a circle, which some people say is often the strongest type of relationship because you are "whole". The problem with this is, that you're dependent on each other to be whole, if you remove one half all you're left with is a broken half circle, that cannot exist by itself. Now think of someone who compliments you. This means independently you both should already be a complete circle. You need to ensure that you, yourself, are a whole person and that you meet a whole person. Now if you bring two circles together, you're not getting a circle, you're going to get an infinity sign (I know it's corny but it's sweet ok). Ultimately you bring out the incalculable best in each other, you support each other, you make each other stronger, and you respect each other. Together you can conquer the world...AND If you separate these two - you are still left as a whole.

This was what Jax and Holly's relationship was like. They were the support and cheerleaders each other needed when making difficult decisions and were there for each other through small and big milestones. No matter what each other was going through they were by each other's side. And while Holly had to learn to find her whole before she and Jax came together it was just stunning to see a relationship portrayed in a book that I believe had such a monumental foundation of what makes a relationship work. The banter between the two was top notch and the progression of friends to lovers was PERFECTION! It felt natural and meant to be.

This book also made me cry, but not because it was sad, well maybe not sad for everyone but for me it was... It just had a mention of a short day hike up Stone Mountain and that hike and mountain is one of the really special memories I have of my mom from before she passed... It's also why I giggle every time I sniffle when it's cold...

The Tropes:
▶ Dual Pov
▶ Slow Burn
▶ Dating Coach
▶ Strangers to Lovers
▶ Opposites Attract
▶ Banter
▶ Cinnamon Roll
▶ No Third Act Breakup
▶ One Tent/One Bed
▶ Cute Dog

and Micro Tropes:
▷ Good Girl
▷ Mistaken for Married
▷ Use Me
▷ Grey Sweatpants
▷ Spicy/Steamy Water Scene
▷ He Brings her food and drinks

Overall this was a genuinely cute, sweet and heartwarming story. I commend Katie Bailey who managed to make my smut-loving heart form such an attachment to characters and fall in love with a story that was closed door.

Thank you to Katie Bailey, Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for my gifted Audio copy!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.