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Leade Park #3
The Write Choice
Loving someone is seeing their worst moments and choosing them anyway.When Katie and Brandon unexpectedly became parents, they were just starting to fall in love with their baby and each other. Life was good.Now, seven years later, Brandon has a wife, two kids, and a career in New York City. He’s just having trouble figuring out how to balance it all.Katie—eight years sober and immersed in motherhood—is frustrated with her husband’s late nights and her own loneliness. She’d love to fill the gaps with her art, but she doesn’t have much time.Suddenly, Brandon is offered a golden taking over his parents’ architecture firm. The catch? It’s in Chicago. But when Katie’s sobriety is put at risk, he makes a quick decision to transplant his family to suburban Leade Park, Illinois.Katie begrudgingly gives Brandon two months to persuade her that this move will be better for everyone. If he can’t, she’s going to pack up the kids and go back. With or without him.With the kids in school, she’ll have time for her art, and they’re finally reunited with friends and family. It should be easy to convince her, right?But the familiar pull of the job and the unfamiliarity of a new place have them slipping further away from each other with each passing day.Can Katie and Brandon blend their visions and design the life they want? Or will they choose to go their separate ways?
325 pages, Paperback
Published January 16, 2024
70 people are currently reading
743 people want to read
About the author
Allie Samberts
14 books304 followersAllie Samberts is a romance writer, book lover, and high school English teacher. She was voted funniest teacher of the year for 2023 by her students, which is probably her highest honor to date. She is also a runner, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two kids, and a very loud beagle. You can follow her on Instagram @alliesambertswrites, read her blog at alliesamberts.substack.com, and get other updates at www.alliesamberts.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
January 10, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
The last story of the Leade Park series feels bittersweet! 🥹 These characters feel like home and I love how Allie Samberts weaves them throughout her books.
Katie and Brandon’s story felt real and vulnerable. Life is tough and I enjoyed reading a story that felt relatable. Katie was guarded and stubborn in the first part of the story but I enjoyed seeing her grow and evolve as she tackled therapy and became more confident and introspective. Brandon was a supportive husband and I loved the intimate moments and added spice. 🌶️
The ending was emotional and gave me the closure I was hoping for.
I’m sad Leade Park has come to an end but can’t wait to see with Allie comes out with next!
The last story of the Leade Park series feels bittersweet! 🥹 These characters feel like home and I love how Allie Samberts weaves them throughout her books.
Katie and Brandon’s story felt real and vulnerable. Life is tough and I enjoyed reading a story that felt relatable. Katie was guarded and stubborn in the first part of the story but I enjoyed seeing her grow and evolve as she tackled therapy and became more confident and introspective. Brandon was a supportive husband and I loved the intimate moments and added spice. 🌶️
The ending was emotional and gave me the closure I was hoping for.
I’m sad Leade Park has come to an end but can’t wait to see with Allie comes out with next!
January 16, 2024
✨ The Write Choice by Allie Samberts ✨
Memorable Moments/Ideas:
💜 Found Family
✨ Second Chance-ish Love
💜 Friday Night Girls Pasta Night
✨ Best Friends Who Call You on Your Bullshit
💜 Romance Through Marriage
All. I’ve read all three Leade Park books. I liked the first, I loved the second, but I am utterly broken (in all the best ways) by the third. 😭💕
The first two in the series focus on teachers, and this third one focuses more on a mother and her finding herself through marriage and children. It reads so unlike the first two in the sense it’s not a traditional romance narrative and doesn’t focus on falling in love, but rather, falling back in love, with others AND ONESELF. The idea of self love isn’t bullshit, but is a genuine thing people — teachers — MOTHERS — can struggle with, and this narrative got all of that so, so right.
Katie is prickly, distant, and stubborn to a fault. I adore her and her character’s growth. She’s a mom. She’s involved. She’s overstimulated (oh god, aren’t we all) and she’s in therapy, actively working on herself, and we are privy to every good, bad, and ugly thought she processes. There’s such a raw, rare truth in what Katie endures, both in the present and past, and helps to show how incredibly strong she is. Brandon in many ways reminds me of my own partner — determined, loving, and can easily rock a man-bun. To say that one of the situations Katie and Brandon faced (work taking precedence) is something my partner and I have traversed in the past. These two are broken, flawed, and super freaking relatable.
It’s really refreshing to read a romance where it’s not about the initial falling in love, but the active HARD work that goes into marriage and partnership to keep that love blossoming and alive. The honeymoon phase is almost always what we see in books, and it’s lovely and cute and fun, but eventually, shit gets really real, and to see a book actively capturing that, it’s amazing.
This book made me feel seen and broken and repaired in so many ways. Friends with children, friends working to maintain loving, active marriages or partnerships, and friends who love a new take on romance, read this book.
Spice: 🌶️
Recommend. Hell yes.
Audience: Mothers. Wives. Partners in relationships. Anyone who wants to read a story about making the CHOICE to love after the honeymoon phase is over.
💕 Special thank you to Allie for including me as an ARC reviewer in exchange for an honest (and maybe to expletive filled — sorry!) review 💕
Memorable Moments/Ideas:
💜 Found Family
✨ Second Chance-ish Love
💜 Friday Night Girls Pasta Night
✨ Best Friends Who Call You on Your Bullshit
💜 Romance Through Marriage
All. I’ve read all three Leade Park books. I liked the first, I loved the second, but I am utterly broken (in all the best ways) by the third. 😭💕
The first two in the series focus on teachers, and this third one focuses more on a mother and her finding herself through marriage and children. It reads so unlike the first two in the sense it’s not a traditional romance narrative and doesn’t focus on falling in love, but rather, falling back in love, with others AND ONESELF. The idea of self love isn’t bullshit, but is a genuine thing people — teachers — MOTHERS — can struggle with, and this narrative got all of that so, so right.
Katie is prickly, distant, and stubborn to a fault. I adore her and her character’s growth. She’s a mom. She’s involved. She’s overstimulated (oh god, aren’t we all) and she’s in therapy, actively working on herself, and we are privy to every good, bad, and ugly thought she processes. There’s such a raw, rare truth in what Katie endures, both in the present and past, and helps to show how incredibly strong she is. Brandon in many ways reminds me of my own partner — determined, loving, and can easily rock a man-bun. To say that one of the situations Katie and Brandon faced (work taking precedence) is something my partner and I have traversed in the past. These two are broken, flawed, and super freaking relatable.
It’s really refreshing to read a romance where it’s not about the initial falling in love, but the active HARD work that goes into marriage and partnership to keep that love blossoming and alive. The honeymoon phase is almost always what we see in books, and it’s lovely and cute and fun, but eventually, shit gets really real, and to see a book actively capturing that, it’s amazing.
This book made me feel seen and broken and repaired in so many ways. Friends with children, friends working to maintain loving, active marriages or partnerships, and friends who love a new take on romance, read this book.
Spice: 🌶️
Recommend. Hell yes.
Audience: Mothers. Wives. Partners in relationships. Anyone who wants to read a story about making the CHOICE to love after the honeymoon phase is over.
💕 Special thank you to Allie for including me as an ARC reviewer in exchange for an honest (and maybe to expletive filled — sorry!) review 💕
January 24, 2024
Arc Review
⬥︎ I can't describe enough how much I loved this book, I've never felt so represented in a story as I did in this one.
⬥︎ This book tells us about Brandon and Katie's marriage in crisis, which over time has fallen into a routine and Katie wonders if this is what she should be doing with her life or if she should have taken a different path.
⬥︎ This book deals with real characters with problems that we can easily identify with.
Brandon is a father who loves the family he has built and makes an effort to give them what they want.
Katie, on the other hand, feels lost despite loving every aspect of motherhood.
⬥︎ After a move that changes their lives completely, Katie and Brandon no longer know how to act towards each other. Until Brandon comes up with the idea to make Katie fall in love with him all over again.
⬥︎ I loved every aspect of this book, I loved how I could see all the characters' thoughts and feel that I was going through that difficult time with them.
⬥︎ As a mum of two little ones, I could understand where all Katie's doubts were coming from. Have I made the right decision? Is this what I want for myself? When I'm alone what I'm supposed to do? The difference between me and Katie, who apart from wondering if she's a good mum or if she's doing enough for her family, is that she still has to maintain her sobriety.
⬥︎ I LOVED Katie's development, and although she doesn't seem to have changed drastically, we can see the small changes throughout the book (besides, in real life nobody changes in a matter of weeks). I really enjoyed seeing that even though things didn't turn out the way she wanted and there was always the urge to drink herself into oblivion, she resisted temptation and focused on what really mattered, her family. I loved reading the therapy scenes where she admitted she didn't know what she wanted or what the next step was, and I think we've all felt that way at some point.
⬥︎ Although I identify with Katie's character, I can also understand Brandon's perspective, who thought he knew what Katie wanted when she herself had no idea. We also see a change in his behaviour and the way he gradually realises the real reason why he and his wife are disconnected from each other. For me, the best part of Brandon was seeing him strive to be better and more present, and even though he failed on a few occasions, he never gave up on his ultimate goal, spending more time with his family.
⬥︎ One of the things I liked most about this book was the fact that Katie denied having sex with Brandon, not to punish him (perhaps initially), but also so that they would have more opportunities to open up and be vulnerable with each other, and not fall back into the routine of getting upset and then making up with sex.
⬥︎ Even though the book focused on Brandon and Katie's marriage, we also got to see family moments that make us laugh, and more intimate moments with their friends.
⬥︎ This is that book that I didn't know I needed until I read it, my only regret is not having read the first two because I loved the secondary characters. Definitely a favourite ♡
⬥︎ I can't describe enough how much I loved this book, I've never felt so represented in a story as I did in this one.
⬥︎ This book tells us about Brandon and Katie's marriage in crisis, which over time has fallen into a routine and Katie wonders if this is what she should be doing with her life or if she should have taken a different path.
⬥︎ This book deals with real characters with problems that we can easily identify with.
Brandon is a father who loves the family he has built and makes an effort to give them what they want.
Katie, on the other hand, feels lost despite loving every aspect of motherhood.
⬥︎ After a move that changes their lives completely, Katie and Brandon no longer know how to act towards each other. Until Brandon comes up with the idea to make Katie fall in love with him all over again.
⬥︎ I loved every aspect of this book, I loved how I could see all the characters' thoughts and feel that I was going through that difficult time with them.
⬥︎ As a mum of two little ones, I could understand where all Katie's doubts were coming from. Have I made the right decision? Is this what I want for myself? When I'm alone what I'm supposed to do? The difference between me and Katie, who apart from wondering if she's a good mum or if she's doing enough for her family, is that she still has to maintain her sobriety.
⬥︎ I LOVED Katie's development, and although she doesn't seem to have changed drastically, we can see the small changes throughout the book (besides, in real life nobody changes in a matter of weeks). I really enjoyed seeing that even though things didn't turn out the way she wanted and there was always the urge to drink herself into oblivion, she resisted temptation and focused on what really mattered, her family. I loved reading the therapy scenes where she admitted she didn't know what she wanted or what the next step was, and I think we've all felt that way at some point.
⬥︎ Although I identify with Katie's character, I can also understand Brandon's perspective, who thought he knew what Katie wanted when she herself had no idea. We also see a change in his behaviour and the way he gradually realises the real reason why he and his wife are disconnected from each other. For me, the best part of Brandon was seeing him strive to be better and more present, and even though he failed on a few occasions, he never gave up on his ultimate goal, spending more time with his family.
⬥︎ One of the things I liked most about this book was the fact that Katie denied having sex with Brandon, not to punish him (perhaps initially), but also so that they would have more opportunities to open up and be vulnerable with each other, and not fall back into the routine of getting upset and then making up with sex.
⬥︎ Even though the book focused on Brandon and Katie's marriage, we also got to see family moments that make us laugh, and more intimate moments with their friends.
⬥︎ This is that book that I didn't know I needed until I read it, my only regret is not having read the first two because I loved the secondary characters. Definitely a favourite ♡
January 16, 2024
I really enjoyed reading Brandon and Katie’s story.
It was so raw and real. I liked that the author wrote about some of the struggles within marriages and the complex situations that come up that this couple had to work though.
I adored the MMC’s love that he has for his wife and the patience that he gives to her until she is ready to let her walls down. I loved that Katie was able to find great friendships, a place she felt included and could be herself. Something to look forward to for herself.
It was a really good story with good character development, and I was so happy to have the other previous characters thrown in so many parts of the books as well.
Thank you to Allie Samberts for this eARC in return for my honest review.
It was so raw and real. I liked that the author wrote about some of the struggles within marriages and the complex situations that come up that this couple had to work though.
I adored the MMC’s love that he has for his wife and the patience that he gives to her until she is ready to let her walls down. I loved that Katie was able to find great friendships, a place she felt included and could be herself. Something to look forward to for herself.
It was a really good story with good character development, and I was so happy to have the other previous characters thrown in so many parts of the books as well.
Thank you to Allie Samberts for this eARC in return for my honest review.
January 22, 2024
Did I expect to cry probably 50% of this book? No
Do I regret reading it? NO!
I know that my feelings 100% reflect where I am at in my life right now. But guys, this book hit my mama heart in the feels. I felt so seen but also a little less alone.
Katie is a former artist turned SAHM after a hot and heavy week with her now husband Brandon. Bare with me, it's really good.
We follow them along, 8 years after they first met. Married with two kids living in New York. Their marriage is in shambles. Neither wanting to take blame for how they ended up here. When Brandon blindsides Katie with a new job and a new house .. in a new state, she is.... Not happy to say the least. She gives him 2 months to make their lives better. But what happens is so much more than either of them could have imagined.
This is a story of love lost, resentment, the struggle with sobriety, the struggle of motherhood, the struggle of work/home/family balance, the struggle to communicate, finding yourself, LOVING YOURSELF, and most importantly finding love again.
I absolutely loved this story. I found myself resonating with so many aspects of it.
Beautifully written, Allie. 🤍🤍
Do I regret reading it? NO!
I know that my feelings 100% reflect where I am at in my life right now. But guys, this book hit my mama heart in the feels. I felt so seen but also a little less alone.
Katie is a former artist turned SAHM after a hot and heavy week with her now husband Brandon. Bare with me, it's really good.
We follow them along, 8 years after they first met. Married with two kids living in New York. Their marriage is in shambles. Neither wanting to take blame for how they ended up here. When Brandon blindsides Katie with a new job and a new house .. in a new state, she is.... Not happy to say the least. She gives him 2 months to make their lives better. But what happens is so much more than either of them could have imagined.
This is a story of love lost, resentment, the struggle with sobriety, the struggle of motherhood, the struggle of work/home/family balance, the struggle to communicate, finding yourself, LOVING YOURSELF, and most importantly finding love again.
I absolutely loved this story. I found myself resonating with so many aspects of it.
Beautifully written, Allie. 🤍🤍
January 1, 2024
4.5⭐️s
SO happy this was my last read of 2023! allie killed it with this! she gave me my favorite couple in the series then decided to be done with leade park which is so sad for me, but i’m happy with how she ended the series!
as someone with no knowledge on how a marriage is supposed to thrive, i think katie & brandon’s story was super real. i think a lot of people who read this will be able to relate to the struggles katie & brandon went through
gonna miss leade park so much but i’m excited to see what allie writes next <33
thank you allie for the arc!!
SO happy this was my last read of 2023! allie killed it with this! she gave me my favorite couple in the series then decided to be done with leade park which is so sad for me, but i’m happy with how she ended the series!
as someone with no knowledge on how a marriage is supposed to thrive, i think katie & brandon’s story was super real. i think a lot of people who read this will be able to relate to the struggles katie & brandon went through
gonna miss leade park so much but i’m excited to see what allie writes next <33
thank you allie for the arc!!
July 10, 2024
my favorite in the series
This is by far my favorite Leade Park book so far. I loved Brandon and Katie so much. It felts so real and emotional. So so so good.
This is by far my favorite Leade Park book so far. I loved Brandon and Katie so much. It felts so real and emotional. So so so good.
December 30, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Brandon & Katie
& of course Mason & Christine
So if Katie decides to ditch Brandon I volunteer as tribute!!! Sign me up please
I love how each book in this series comes with a life lesson…Brandon & Katie’s lesson is definitely communication….those two are horrible at communicating with each other….they both start out on the right track (when they remember to communicate) but something always gets lost before the words hit their mouth
I also love that we still get tidbits of everyone’s lives from the last two books…even though we read about Brandon & Katie in past books I’m glad they got their own book…it was like I already knew them coming into the story
& then you have Mason & Christine…those kids are so much fun even if they have little (or major) meltdowns….its part of being a kid….it was so easy loving Masons excitement & Christines ‘pahwease’….those kids were to much fun…hopefully Mason can adopt a turtle when he gets a couple of years older…
I’m going to miss the Leade Park crew…when you hear ‘family isn’t always blood related’ these are the people they are talking about
Can this book be read as a standalone??? Yes…. Would I recommend reading the whole series??? again Yes…if you read the series out of order it spoils the other books but it’s doable…
BUT for the main question: would I recommend this book or series??? YES!!! At this point I feel like I know all of characters personally…they were a lot of fun & I enjoyed the read
There are very few triggers but check the warnings anyways before reading…I think the main one was a moment of weakness but it was still touched on so check it out
Brandon & Katie
& of course Mason & Christine
So if Katie decides to ditch Brandon I volunteer as tribute!!! Sign me up please
I love how each book in this series comes with a life lesson…Brandon & Katie’s lesson is definitely communication….those two are horrible at communicating with each other….they both start out on the right track (when they remember to communicate) but something always gets lost before the words hit their mouth
I also love that we still get tidbits of everyone’s lives from the last two books…even though we read about Brandon & Katie in past books I’m glad they got their own book…it was like I already knew them coming into the story
& then you have Mason & Christine…those kids are so much fun even if they have little (or major) meltdowns….its part of being a kid….it was so easy loving Masons excitement & Christines ‘pahwease’….those kids were to much fun…hopefully Mason can adopt a turtle when he gets a couple of years older…
I’m going to miss the Leade Park crew…when you hear ‘family isn’t always blood related’ these are the people they are talking about
Can this book be read as a standalone??? Yes…. Would I recommend reading the whole series??? again Yes…if you read the series out of order it spoils the other books but it’s doable…
BUT for the main question: would I recommend this book or series??? YES!!! At this point I feel like I know all of characters personally…they were a lot of fun & I enjoyed the read
There are very few triggers but check the warnings anyways before reading…I think the main one was a moment of weakness but it was still touched on so check it out
January 17, 2024
I’m a fan of Samberts, so I was excited to read this book and be taken back to the characters in Lead Park. This is the third book in the LP collection that consists of three standalone romance books. I highly suggest reading the other two books, they’re so good!
I especially loved the Write Choice because it is a romance between two sleep deprived parents of young children. Samberts handled the topic like a pro and depicted a very accurate portrayal of how parenthood affects each parent differently. Having young kids myself, I was laughing a lot and felt very seen. 💕
I especially loved the Write Choice because it is a romance between two sleep deprived parents of young children. Samberts handled the topic like a pro and depicted a very accurate portrayal of how parenthood affects each parent differently. Having young kids myself, I was laughing a lot and felt very seen. 💕
March 30, 2024
I have a soft spot for broken marriages being repaired.
I had trouble liking Katie though. She complains about tasks that are absolutely necessary and normal when you have young kids. Yes, her husband works a lot (if working a lot is staying home to get the kids ready AND taking them to school daily and getting home somewhere around dinner, so actually he��s working less hours than most corporate jobs require, but whatever.) She spends so much time complaining and emotionally manipulating him. It’s like Katie is living in a different reality and what the reader is being shown. She tells him he’s never home and when he is, he’s distant, but the entire book he’s been with them other than having to work a normal amount and fully involved with his family when he is home. I get that his old job may have been demanding when the kids were little, but she literally had every privilege at her fingertips. It makes no sense. I get it, life and raising young kids is exhausting, but she has it relatively easy compared to most people. A husband who loves her and is a committed father, two smart and healthy kids, a beautiful home in a safe neighborhood, friends and family near by, plenty of money so she can choose to hire help if she needs to, the choice to work or not, etc. Instead of communicating, she denies her husband sex because she’s mad at him, but then get frustrated when he doesn’t “make a move” first. It makes no sense. It’s just her way of manipulating him into doing exactly what she wants. She throws tantrums and he tiptoes around her and tries desperately to do and say the right thing. It’s like he’s always scared and waiting for her to either smile at him or ice him out. If the roles were reversed, people would say he’s emotionally abusive to her and they’d be right. He’s not perfect and if I step back and try to give her the benefit of the doubt that her issues aren’t fully her fault, she definitely needs a lot of help—trauma therapy, AA and an antidepressant to start.
I had trouble liking Katie though. She complains about tasks that are absolutely necessary and normal when you have young kids. Yes, her husband works a lot (if working a lot is staying home to get the kids ready AND taking them to school daily and getting home somewhere around dinner, so actually he��s working less hours than most corporate jobs require, but whatever.) She spends so much time complaining and emotionally manipulating him. It’s like Katie is living in a different reality and what the reader is being shown. She tells him he’s never home and when he is, he’s distant, but the entire book he’s been with them other than having to work a normal amount and fully involved with his family when he is home. I get that his old job may have been demanding when the kids were little, but she literally had every privilege at her fingertips. It makes no sense. I get it, life and raising young kids is exhausting, but she has it relatively easy compared to most people. A husband who loves her and is a committed father, two smart and healthy kids, a beautiful home in a safe neighborhood, friends and family near by, plenty of money so she can choose to hire help if she needs to, the choice to work or not, etc. Instead of communicating, she denies her husband sex because she’s mad at him, but then get frustrated when he doesn’t “make a move” first. It makes no sense. It’s just her way of manipulating him into doing exactly what she wants. She throws tantrums and he tiptoes around her and tries desperately to do and say the right thing. It’s like he’s always scared and waiting for her to either smile at him or ice him out. If the roles were reversed, people would say he’s emotionally abusive to her and they’d be right. He’s not perfect and if I step back and try to give her the benefit of the doubt that her issues aren’t fully her fault, she definitely needs a lot of help—trauma therapy, AA and an antidepressant to start.
April 25, 2025
"Loving someone isn't just about loving the easy stuff. It's about loving the hard stuff, too.
I am so sad to have to leave the Leade Park crew behind but this book was the perfect conclusion to the series.
Brandon and Katie are both perfectly flawed, complex characters. Most of the romances I have read have been about meeting the one and falling in love and navigating a new relationship. It was so refreshing to read a story about a well established, married couple with children navigating falling back in love with each other. There are so many beautiful moments in this book and the chemistry between the two main characters was off the charts. I also loved that we had appearances from the other Leade Park leading couples.
I also loved this quote - as someone who struggles with OCD and anxiety I really resonated with this.
"They're just thoughts, Katie. You are not your thoughts.”
Read if you like:
💜 marriage struggles
💜 found family
💜 cute kids
💜 mental health and substance abuse rep
💜 grey sweatpants
I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am so sad to have to leave the Leade Park crew behind but this book was the perfect conclusion to the series.
Brandon and Katie are both perfectly flawed, complex characters. Most of the romances I have read have been about meeting the one and falling in love and navigating a new relationship. It was so refreshing to read a story about a well established, married couple with children navigating falling back in love with each other. There are so many beautiful moments in this book and the chemistry between the two main characters was off the charts. I also loved that we had appearances from the other Leade Park leading couples.
I also loved this quote - as someone who struggles with OCD and anxiety I really resonated with this.
"They're just thoughts, Katie. You are not your thoughts.”
Read if you like:
💜 marriage struggles
💜 found family
💜 cute kids
💜 mental health and substance abuse rep
💜 grey sweatpants
I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 15, 2024
I have always been a fan of Marriage in distress/ trouble romance, I like reading about couples finding their way back. But it has always been a hit or miss with authors with how they show grovelling but also the growth in characters and not only one who messes up but also the other one.
I fell in love with Brandon & Katie. Though this was the third book in the series and a goodbye to Lede Park it dealt with heavier topics (with a good laugh and spice!)
The importance of communication and just showing up was shown beautifully in this book. A relationship that started with an accidental pregnancy leading to them being together and their falling apart due to life outside family and the Chase to do everything right.
I enjoyed reading about Brandon and Katie and how they found their way back to each other. The way found family aspect was shown was beautiful and I can’t wait to read more by Allie.
I fell in love with Brandon & Katie. Though this was the third book in the series and a goodbye to Lede Park it dealt with heavier topics (with a good laugh and spice!)
The importance of communication and just showing up was shown beautifully in this book. A relationship that started with an accidental pregnancy leading to them being together and their falling apart due to life outside family and the Chase to do everything right.
I enjoyed reading about Brandon and Katie and how they found their way back to each other. The way found family aspect was shown was beautiful and I can’t wait to read more by Allie.
September 22, 2025
Katie and Brandon are teetering on the edge of an inflection point in their marriage. He’s absent, constantly working. She’s lonely raising their two kids and doesn’t have much support to speak of. She’s also a recovering alcoholic so when she relapses and confesses that she doesn’t love their life in NYC, Brandon immediately puts a move to Chicago in motion. He has a job and friends waiting for them there, he thinks it is just what they need to right their marriage. Except… he doesn’t tell her about all of this until the decisions have been made. She begrudgingly goes to Leade Park and gives him two months to make it worth her while. And while they both commit and say the right things, as with all marriages, they fuck up and circle around the same root problems over and over. Life is hard, kids are hard, his job actually sucks, she’s more lonely than ever. This is a book about the amount of hurt and grit it takes to pull a marriage back from the brink.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
This book didn’t have a giant, sweeping narrative arc. Rather it was a reflection of the work that goes into building a life with someone else: there’s no one magical conversation that fixes everything. Three steps forward, two steps back, forever. This book didn’t such a lovely job representing the paradox of loving someone so deeply and yet being the primary source of pain for that person. Then add kids. Woof.
Marriage in crisis is easily one of my favorite tropes because it tends to create a more real, more nuanced story than a book about falling in love. Falling in love is so easy. Now try to walk in Katie and Brandon’s shoes.
I loved both of these characters because they were both excellent people and also they both fucked up. They both contributed to their marital issues and both committed to working through them in their own ways. The therapy rep in this book is excellent. Katie’s anger and loneliness was so relatable. I think a lot of stay at home moms will see themselves in her story. Honestly this book made me glad I chose not to have kids. I am more confident I would be a terrible partner if I was also a parent after reading this book.
Katie’s recovery story was unique and well done too. I like that she was in recovery although never went to rehab or went through a program. It was a new take on that narrative.
🫡 Tropes deployed: marriage in crisis, SAHM, alcoholism rep, found family
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
This book didn’t have a giant, sweeping narrative arc. Rather it was a reflection of the work that goes into building a life with someone else: there’s no one magical conversation that fixes everything. Three steps forward, two steps back, forever. This book didn’t such a lovely job representing the paradox of loving someone so deeply and yet being the primary source of pain for that person. Then add kids. Woof.
Marriage in crisis is easily one of my favorite tropes because it tends to create a more real, more nuanced story than a book about falling in love. Falling in love is so easy. Now try to walk in Katie and Brandon’s shoes.
I loved both of these characters because they were both excellent people and also they both fucked up. They both contributed to their marital issues and both committed to working through them in their own ways. The therapy rep in this book is excellent. Katie’s anger and loneliness was so relatable. I think a lot of stay at home moms will see themselves in her story. Honestly this book made me glad I chose not to have kids. I am more confident I would be a terrible partner if I was also a parent after reading this book.
Katie’s recovery story was unique and well done too. I like that she was in recovery although never went to rehab or went through a program. It was a new take on that narrative.
🫡 Tropes deployed: marriage in crisis, SAHM, alcoholism rep, found family
July 22, 2025
I loved this book even more than I thought I was going too! I really love a second chance, and while this is definitely a marriage in crisis, it’s still a second chance!! I loved being back in Leade Park! I loved how much the whole crew wanted to just fold Katie and Brandon into their lives, while still giving them the space to figure out what they needed. Everything about this was so well written! The balance between the love and the hurt and the struggles they were both holding on to was just done so well. It feels SO bittersweet that this is the end of the series, but it was the perfect end!
Watching Katie and Brandon figure it out was BEAUTIFUL. Their individual journeys were also SO good, because they had to work on themselves first, figure out what they needed first, before fixing themselves as unit. Katie was so strong and stubborn and so guarded and I REALLY loved her journey to finding what SHE needed. I loved how much Brandon loved her, and how much he did for her. But I also really appreciated that it was clear he was not perfect, that even when he said he was going to fix things and do better, it wasn’t as easy as he wanted it to be. It gave him a chance to actually work to be better, and Katie really needed to see him do something different. And really I just LOVED them. They were good together, even though this was mostly them trying to figure it out, they LOVED each other SO MUCH!
Like I said this was the perfect end to such a sweet series! I can’t wait to keep reading through the rest of Allie’s backlist!!
Watching Katie and Brandon figure it out was BEAUTIFUL. Their individual journeys were also SO good, because they had to work on themselves first, figure out what they needed first, before fixing themselves as unit. Katie was so strong and stubborn and so guarded and I REALLY loved her journey to finding what SHE needed. I loved how much Brandon loved her, and how much he did for her. But I also really appreciated that it was clear he was not perfect, that even when he said he was going to fix things and do better, it wasn’t as easy as he wanted it to be. It gave him a chance to actually work to be better, and Katie really needed to see him do something different. And really I just LOVED them. They were good together, even though this was mostly them trying to figure it out, they LOVED each other SO MUCH!
Like I said this was the perfect end to such a sweet series! I can’t wait to keep reading through the rest of Allie’s backlist!!
January 12, 2024
Can I just say how much I loved that this romance was about an established, married couple with kids? It was so refreshing to read something I was able to fully relate to.
Brandon and Katie are struggling in their marriage. Marriage is hard already. Marriage with kids is harder- add in the stresses of changing jobs, moving, wanting to fit in and find friends, motherhood, and then struggling with alcoholism… They really have it rough. But they are fighting to keep afloat the entire time.
I loved that Katie struggled with drinking because it’s a common problem in today’s world, but I loved even more that she was actively trying to not succumb to alcohol despite the stress she was facing. She did give in one night while trying to fit in, and that lets you know that oftentimes people can fall short but still want to do better. I loved how REAL motherhood was painted in this story. The exhaustion, the constant stress, having to do most of the work- not because your husband won’t, but because it’s easier to just do it yourself despite how badly you want help. I also loved that Katie was an artist and loved to paint. Seeing her find herself after motherhood and begin to have purpose again was so sweet!
Overall, I just LOVED this book. It showed a couple with children navigating life while desperately trying to fall back in love. It was beautiful, heartwarming, and just everything I needed! I could go on and on about it but just know that I highly recommend it! 💗
Brandon and Katie are struggling in their marriage. Marriage is hard already. Marriage with kids is harder- add in the stresses of changing jobs, moving, wanting to fit in and find friends, motherhood, and then struggling with alcoholism… They really have it rough. But they are fighting to keep afloat the entire time.
I loved that Katie struggled with drinking because it’s a common problem in today’s world, but I loved even more that she was actively trying to not succumb to alcohol despite the stress she was facing. She did give in one night while trying to fit in, and that lets you know that oftentimes people can fall short but still want to do better. I loved how REAL motherhood was painted in this story. The exhaustion, the constant stress, having to do most of the work- not because your husband won’t, but because it’s easier to just do it yourself despite how badly you want help. I also loved that Katie was an artist and loved to paint. Seeing her find herself after motherhood and begin to have purpose again was so sweet!
Overall, I just LOVED this book. It showed a couple with children navigating life while desperately trying to fall back in love. It was beautiful, heartwarming, and just everything I needed! I could go on and on about it but just know that I highly recommend it! 💗
April 24, 2025
Stop. Y’all. Please. This bookkkk!
it is World Book Day so I want to yap to you about one of my new favorite books!!!
The Write Choice by @alliesambertswrites 🥹
Katie started working her way into my heart in the right time, but she STOLE my heart in this book. Kate + Brandon have a marriage in crisis, but still deeply love each other. And it is so dang raw and real and emotional.
The found family literally has me weeping in the pick up line today.
Not to play favorites, but this is right up there with Not a Strong Enough Word (comes out next month!!!)
Quote below if you wanna be in your FEELS…if not skip it!!!
✨✨✨✨
“Maybe this is how you build a home. It’s not you and your tiny family against the big, bad world and all its temptations. It’s you and your family and the people who want to hold you up, for no other reason than that they love you and want you to be happy.” -Allie Samberts
it is World Book Day so I want to yap to you about one of my new favorite books!!!
The Write Choice by @alliesambertswrites 🥹
Katie started working her way into my heart in the right time, but she STOLE my heart in this book. Kate + Brandon have a marriage in crisis, but still deeply love each other. And it is so dang raw and real and emotional.
The found family literally has me weeping in the pick up line today.
Not to play favorites, but this is right up there with Not a Strong Enough Word (comes out next month!!!)
Quote below if you wanna be in your FEELS…if not skip it!!!
✨✨✨✨
“Maybe this is how you build a home. It’s not you and your tiny family against the big, bad world and all its temptations. It’s you and your family and the people who want to hold you up, for no other reason than that they love you and want you to be happy.” -Allie Samberts
January 16, 2024
Honestly I am so sad to leave Leade Park but what a finale to this trilogy.
Brandon and Katie have been married for 7 years after accidentally getting pregnant. They have gone through everything together including Katie struggling to stay sober. They have hit a rough patch in their marriage where they are sleeping in separate rooms and haven't actually been intimate for months.
Brandon accepted a job where they have to move to Leade Park and he is looking at it as a fresh start for them, but Katie is holding a grudge against him for not telling her that he already placed an offer on a home there.
I am obsessed with the growth these two have during this story and honestly I wasn't sure how I would fell about the broken marriage trope but I was honestly here for it and it was probably my favorite book of the series.
Absolutely give this one a go friends! This one releases 1/16/24.
Tropes
-broken marriage
-second chance
- GRAY SWEATPANTS YALL
-past addiction rep and working through it
4.5/5 stars
1.5/5 spice
Brandon and Katie have been married for 7 years after accidentally getting pregnant. They have gone through everything together including Katie struggling to stay sober. They have hit a rough patch in their marriage where they are sleeping in separate rooms and haven't actually been intimate for months.
Brandon accepted a job where they have to move to Leade Park and he is looking at it as a fresh start for them, but Katie is holding a grudge against him for not telling her that he already placed an offer on a home there.
I am obsessed with the growth these two have during this story and honestly I wasn't sure how I would fell about the broken marriage trope but I was honestly here for it and it was probably my favorite book of the series.
Absolutely give this one a go friends! This one releases 1/16/24.
Tropes
-broken marriage
-second chance
- GRAY SWEATPANTS YALL
-past addiction rep and working through it
4.5/5 stars
1.5/5 spice
August 4, 2024
This is the final book in the Leade Park series, and I can’t recommend it enough. I devoured the entire three-book series in just a week. If you’re in need of a book to pull you out of a slump, Allie Sambert’s books are the perfect remedy! The characters are soo vivid that I could almost see the story playing out like a movie or TV show.
Here’s a glimpse into this story: Katie and Brandon’s life seemed perfect when they became parents, but seven years later, their marriage is struggling. Brandon’s demanding job in NYC is taking a toll, and Katie feels increasingly isolated. When Brandon gets an opportunity to run his family’s architecture firm in Chicago, Katie agrees to the move—but only if he can show it’s worth the upheaval. As they adjust to their new life, they face challenges that threaten their relationship. Will they be able to rediscover their love and save their marriage before it’s too late?
Here’s a glimpse into this story: Katie and Brandon’s life seemed perfect when they became parents, but seven years later, their marriage is struggling. Brandon’s demanding job in NYC is taking a toll, and Katie feels increasingly isolated. When Brandon gets an opportunity to run his family’s architecture firm in Chicago, Katie agrees to the move—but only if he can show it’s worth the upheaval. As they adjust to their new life, they face challenges that threaten their relationship. Will they be able to rediscover their love and save their marriage before it’s too late?
January 10, 2024
This book emotionally destroyed me in the best way. It was so raw and real and deep, it just drew me into the characters. I related to them, even if I don’t have kids and I’m not married. I wanted to hang out with them (and the whole Leade Park crew tbh)
I really related to Katie, though. She’s kinda awkward and prickly and stubborn, especially when she’s hurt, which are all things people have said about me. But she was healing. And she was so strong for that. I just absolutely adored her.
This was the best spice out of the trilogy too 😉
I’m sad this series over, but I can’t wait to see what Allie had planned next!
I really related to Katie, though. She’s kinda awkward and prickly and stubborn, especially when she’s hurt, which are all things people have said about me. But she was healing. And she was so strong for that. I just absolutely adored her.
This was the best spice out of the trilogy too 😉
I’m sad this series over, but I can’t wait to see what Allie had planned next!
February 15, 2025
Not Much of a Journey
Married romance is a difficult trope. However, it can be done. And it should definitely be about more than the sex (because marriage is SO much more than sex).
I was excited to see this book in dual POV. And I liked Brandon so much better than Katie. I’m not sure either of them changed, though. So why was their marriage suddenly okay?
Again, not much of a comedy here. The previous alcoholism was hammered and hammered, while the anxiety issues (why she self-medicated in the first place?) weren’t really addressed.
I enjoyed seeing Mac and Jenny and their guys again, but I could have ended happily after the second book.
Married romance is a difficult trope. However, it can be done. And it should definitely be about more than the sex (because marriage is SO much more than sex).
I was excited to see this book in dual POV. And I liked Brandon so much better than Katie. I’m not sure either of them changed, though. So why was their marriage suddenly okay?
Again, not much of a comedy here. The previous alcoholism was hammered and hammered, while the anxiety issues (why she self-medicated in the first place?) weren’t really addressed.
I enjoyed seeing Mac and Jenny and their guys again, but I could have ended happily after the second book.
January 14, 2024
This was another great read from Allie, albeit bittersweet knowing it’s the last in the Leade Park series. I loved how the characters from the previous books were woven throughout this one and yet still, Brandon and Katie were the focus. It felt very honest and real. Two people who desperately love each other but are struggling. Work life balance stops Brandon spending time with his family, leaving Katie feeling lonely and under valued. The sexual tension was high and I was rooting for the couple to find a way back to happiness again.
November 14, 2023
I had the honor of beta reading this amazing book. Never have I read a character as related as Katie. I loved the chemistry that Allie created from the prologue all the way to The End. Allie has topped her previous two books with this one and I cannot wait for it to be in the world for everyone to read. Beautiful, relatable and absolutely perfect end to the Leade Park crew. You’re gonna love this one.
January 16, 2024
ARC Review.
I thought this story was okay. Definitely well written, but the main characters irked me.
I absolutely HATE the miscommunication trope so this book was not my favorite. Also not the biggest fan of how the MMC kept continously asking the FMC to marry him multiple times until she finally agreed? That truthfully gave me the ick. I wanted really badly to just love this story, but I couldn't.
I thought this story was okay. Definitely well written, but the main characters irked me.
I absolutely HATE the miscommunication trope so this book was not my favorite. Also not the biggest fan of how the MMC kept continously asking the FMC to marry him multiple times until she finally agreed? That truthfully gave me the ick. I wanted really badly to just love this story, but I couldn't.
January 17, 2024
This is the first book I’ve read in the #LeadeParkseries & I loved it! I want to read the rest of the series, now, but I didn’t feel lost not having read them yet. Katie & Brandon are such a lovable couple. I enjoyed reading their realistic story from the very first moment.
Thank you, Allie Samberts, for my copy! All opinions are my own.
Thank you, Allie Samberts, for my copy! All opinions are my own.
January 31, 2024
I loved seeing these two characters find their way back to happy. And getting so many awesome moments with the characters from the first 2 books made it all that much better. They folded Katie and Brandon into their found family without question. This one hit so many emotions 💜
November 20, 2023
I LOVE MARRIED ROMANCE
January 6, 2024
First off, if you haven’t read The Write Place followed by The Write Time, you’ll want to do that before you jump into this one. It’s not required, but the main characters from those books are in this one and you’ll be happier if you’re up to speed. Plus, you’d regret not hearing their stories first because as soon as you read Allie’s writing, you’ll be absolutely feral for all her books and will be mad you spoiled them all for yourself by skipping ahead.
Okay. So now you’ve read books 1 and 2 and I’m here to convince you to read book 3.
I immediately related to Katie as a stay-at-home-mom struggling to find her identity past the sandwich-maker-laundry-folder (lol jk I don’t fold that stuff it just piles up in drawers at best) and figure out who she is outside of motherhood. Unfortunately, her husband Brandon has thrown himself even more into work, and their marriage is struggling.
I really loved the way Katie and Brandon actually worked at improving themselves and their marriage, rather than there just being an immediate fix that solved everything- Brandon didn’t just say oh sure I’ll cut back on my hours at work so you can paint more and then they all lived happily ever after. They talked. They made promises that got broken. They had to put in a whole lot of work to get to their happy ending, and it just felt all the more real that way.
If you love Jenny and Mac, you’ll be very happy to know they feature heavily in this book as Katie’s new friends (yes, I’m jealous, I want to be their friend but, you know, they’re not real apparently) and we get to hang out with all their guys together too which is a great way to end the series and say goodbye to Leade Park.
Okay. So now you’ve read books 1 and 2 and I’m here to convince you to read book 3.
I immediately related to Katie as a stay-at-home-mom struggling to find her identity past the sandwich-maker-laundry-folder (lol jk I don’t fold that stuff it just piles up in drawers at best) and figure out who she is outside of motherhood. Unfortunately, her husband Brandon has thrown himself even more into work, and their marriage is struggling.
I really loved the way Katie and Brandon actually worked at improving themselves and their marriage, rather than there just being an immediate fix that solved everything- Brandon didn’t just say oh sure I’ll cut back on my hours at work so you can paint more and then they all lived happily ever after. They talked. They made promises that got broken. They had to put in a whole lot of work to get to their happy ending, and it just felt all the more real that way.
If you love Jenny and Mac, you’ll be very happy to know they feature heavily in this book as Katie’s new friends (yes, I’m jealous, I want to be their friend but, you know, they’re not real apparently) and we get to hang out with all their guys together too which is a great way to end the series and say goodbye to Leade Park.
January 17, 2024
The Write Choice by Allie Samberts was one of the most coziest reads ever. The book weaves a story of Katie and Brandon, two people coming from two different worlds yet are perfect together. The representation of the trope of found family is my favourite part of this book. Each of the characters feels like a piece of your own home.
The story exposed me to the ideas of insecurities of different people and how we cope up with them. The love shared by all the characters feels like magic.
The story exposed me to the ideas of insecurities of different people and how we cope up with them. The love shared by all the characters feels like magic.
September 17, 2024
I was looking forward to reading Brandon and Katie's book. I love seeing what "real life" does to a marriage, and their relationship started differently then most. I had a hard time with Katie's character, I wanted to relate and like to her, but I didn't. I kept feeling that she was not living in the real world or had realistic expectations. She was overwhelmed with the kids and lost herself in being a mom and I felt for her. This is so relatable and true; but she had so many options and resources at her disposal that she refused to use. She complained about things that are absolutely necessary and normal when you have young kids. Her husband works a lot, but that again is pretty normal for corporate jobs. Especially, if he has a commute into Chicago every day. If he is dropping kids off at school and trying to get home by dinner, I don't know how he's putting in 40 hours, and as an executive 40 hours is the minimum. She spends so much time complaining but not offering any real solutions. I kept getting the feeling that she wanted to be angry and upset. I understand that this was her mental health failing but I kept getting the impression that she just wanted to complain and was always looking at the negative with every experience and solution. She was emotionally manipulative and instead of communicating she freezes her husband out. He's always walking on egg shells hoping to say and do the "right thing". I had to keep reminding myself that she needs more therapy and probably an anti-depressant.
I absolutely loved Brandon, all he wanted was Katie to be happy. He is big, cuddly sweetheart He loves his children completely, wants to be around them, and takes an active role when home. He truly wanted to provide a safe and happy home for his family. Yes, he should have discussed the move with Katie beforehand, but honestly, the way she was acting I would have been tempted to do the same thing. Katie was floundering and had been for years. He thought she was spirally back to bad habits and with his brother's addiction problems he probably over reacted. But isn't that better then ignoring it? I feel that he kept being set up to fail; he kept striving for perfection that can't be reached.
Includes:
-marriage in trouble
-dual POV
-found family
-past addiction rep
I absolutely loved Brandon, all he wanted was Katie to be happy. He is big, cuddly sweetheart He loves his children completely, wants to be around them, and takes an active role when home. He truly wanted to provide a safe and happy home for his family. Yes, he should have discussed the move with Katie beforehand, but honestly, the way she was acting I would have been tempted to do the same thing. Katie was floundering and had been for years. He thought she was spirally back to bad habits and with his brother's addiction problems he probably over reacted. But isn't that better then ignoring it? I feel that he kept being set up to fail; he kept striving for perfection that can't be reached.
Includes:
-marriage in trouble
-dual POV
-found family
-past addiction rep
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