Not What I Expected: A Second Chance Romantic Comedy

Love in the PNW #2

by Lizzy Barlow

Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener…

I found the perfect guy. His name is Brett. He’s smart, funny, charming, very good looking, and a great kisser. He gets me. And I get him. Oh, did I mention that he’s my ex? And did I mention that I just dumped him for a total dud? Yeah, not what I expected…at all.

However, I’m fully prepared to eat crow if it means getting Brett back. But there’s one problem…Brett recently got hired at my workplace, and my boss has a strict policy against inter-office dating. So, getting back together? Not happening. I worked hard for my job and I’m not about to lose it—not even for love.

I can totally work alongside Brett and ignore my feelings. No problem. But when we’re asked to narrate a steamy romance novel together in a tight, cramped audio booth, I can’t take it any longer. I have to have him back. With everything I’ve worked for on the line, I’m forced to ask myself—is love worth the risk?

292 pages, Paperback

Published April 3, 2023

About the author

Lizzy Barlow loves writing books filled with sassy heroines and the guys they fall for. She considers herself not too shabby in the kitchen and wishes the rest of the house would clean itself. When she's not writing, you can usually find her outside trying to nurse the plants she swore she wouldn't kill (this time) back to life.


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Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fickle Fern . . .

With Fern’s attitude, she truly didn’t deserve a great guy like Brett. Always looking for something better than what she has is a very negative way to approach life. I’m surprised she didn’t toss Julie to the curb since there may be “better” friends somewhere else to be found. Throughout the story line, I didn’t like Fern very much and didn’t change my mind about her, knowing what a fickle person she is. I do feel bad for Brett, though. He could do much better than Fern.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initially I didn’t think I was going to like Fern, the female main character, very much. I get being indecisive, making mistakes and changing one’s mind, but the beginning description of her as someone who constantly sees the grass as greener elsewhere and gives up boyfriends, friends and jobs just thinking something else is better? Well, that turned me off of her. Fortunately, I came to like her over the course of the book. Brett, the male main character, is just a good guy. Even when the two end up working together, he is just a stand-up guy. No wonder Fern regrets breaking-up with him, although she really needs to work her way through and figure out what she really wants. There are some interesting side characters, like Fern’s co-workers and family. The real star relationship of the book is Fern’s friendship with Julie, her roommate. It was so lovely and special. Julie was such a great friend and support. Makes me want to read Julie’s story. I read this as a standalone, and I think it definitely was not necessary to read the first book to enjoy this one. For reader’s information, this is an open-door romance, however it is not super detailed, with the exception of a brief quoting of the steamy audiobook Fern and Brett end up narrating together. That is the most descriptive part. There is also some harsh language sprinkled throughout the book. Once I started to like Fern more I enjoyed this book. The epilogue was great.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't like Fern when I started reading this book. She seemed a bit too flighty, with her "grass is always greener" attitude. She dumps the perfect guy (Brett) for the guy she can't get out of her head (Tanner). And finds that the grass most definitely was not greener. Work obstacles prevent Fern and Brett from becoming a couple again, but they figure it out, and I decide that she's actually a great young woman. The book is fun and flirty, and was a joy to read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second chance romance for Fern and Brett, as Fern finds out the grass isn't always greener and leads to regret.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.