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Oxford Romance #2
Tempting Olivia
Olivia Sachdeva’s life is flawless. With a first from Oxford and as the youngest partner at Bentley lawyers, she expects high standards from everyone. Her only indulgences are eating iced desserts and repeat watching romcoms, especially those featuring Kate Laurence – pure escapism and cinematic perfection.
But, when the actor walks into Olivia’s office with a bag full of divorce and a messy personal life, that perfect bubble bursts. Kate seems nothing like the screen goddesses she plays, and Olivia must put aside her comfort viewing and handle the case like the true professional she is.
It requires secrecy, especially with indiscreet friends. Will best-friend Charlotte ever read the room? And will Millie, who instantly reads the room, ever stop commenting loudly?
And Kate? She doesn’t know what to think about this frosty lawyer. But she needs a quick divorce from a mistake of a marriage, which was over before it started, and Olivia Sachdeva is the best.
But little by little, Olivia and Kate glimpse behind the mask, to find someone they weren’t looking for, who may not even be perfect, but might be the right person for them.
Read as a stand-alone romance or book two of the Oxford Romance series.
But, when the actor walks into Olivia’s office with a bag full of divorce and a messy personal life, that perfect bubble bursts. Kate seems nothing like the screen goddesses she plays, and Olivia must put aside her comfort viewing and handle the case like the true professional she is.
It requires secrecy, especially with indiscreet friends. Will best-friend Charlotte ever read the room? And will Millie, who instantly reads the room, ever stop commenting loudly?
And Kate? She doesn’t know what to think about this frosty lawyer. But she needs a quick divorce from a mistake of a marriage, which was over before it started, and Olivia Sachdeva is the best.
But little by little, Olivia and Kate glimpse behind the mask, to find someone they weren’t looking for, who may not even be perfect, but might be the right person for them.
Read as a stand-alone romance or book two of the Oxford Romance series.
404 pages, Unknown Binding
Published March 1, 2024
708 people are currently reading
6360 people want to read
About the author
Clare Ashton
16 books1,607 followersClare Ashton loves writing sapphic stories. Whether it’s a romcom or mystery, there’s always a queer woman about. With gorgeous settings, from the hills of Wales to college halls of Oxford, every book is a travel destination from the comfort of an armchair. Best known for her award-winning, sunny romance, Poppy Jenkins, and rollercoaster family drama, The Goodmans, Clare has a new series that captures the best of both and more, with Meeting Millie kicking off The Oxford Romance series.
Clare lives in the UK with her wife and kids and can be found spending too much time on social media – https://linktr.ee/clareashton
Clare lives in the UK with her wife and kids and can be found spending too much time on social media – https://linktr.ee/clareashton
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 508 reviews
September 20, 2024
DNF @60%
This was so incredibly boring. I haven't read the first book in this series and just jumped right into this one due to the cover but I've read other reviews expressing that the characters were a bit butchered in this one in comparison to the first book.
I can't speak to that but I can say that it moved at a snails pace, the characters were super bland- and just not very likable. It's another character driven story with unimaginative, stiff, lackluster flat characters.
The ADHD rep was horrid.
I may check out another book from this author in the future but right now I'll pass. I can't recommend this one.
This cover gives such seasonal vibes! 😍 Looking for my next epic sapphic romance✨
This was so incredibly boring. I haven't read the first book in this series and just jumped right into this one due to the cover but I've read other reviews expressing that the characters were a bit butchered in this one in comparison to the first book.
I can't speak to that but I can say that it moved at a snails pace, the characters were super bland- and just not very likable. It's another character driven story with unimaginative, stiff, lackluster flat characters.
The ADHD rep was horrid.
I may check out another book from this author in the future but right now I'll pass. I can't recommend this one.
September 11, 2024
**'I think some readers mistakenly believe that the follow-up book of any ongoing chronicle is just the best maybe because of who the central characters are and it's premise. But always take into consideration on the writing/storytelling because this do count as an enticement..'
4.5 stars!
Such a well-paced, enjoyable, charming and also well-written book #2 of Clare Ashton's 'Oxford Romance' series. I do love me some Millie and her sporadic self --- but let me don't forget their (Olivia & Kate) chemistry and cute interactions.
A highly recommended book and series!
4.5 stars!
Such a well-paced, enjoyable, charming and also well-written book #2 of Clare Ashton's 'Oxford Romance' series. I do love me some Millie and her sporadic self --- but let me don't forget their (Olivia & Kate) chemistry and cute interactions.
A highly recommended book and series!
March 3, 2024
If the next book in this series is the pairing I think it is, I’m not sure I can wait omg
Loved this book! Highly recommend
Loved this book! Highly recommend
October 28, 2024
Edit: October 28th, 2024, audiobook review
Since I already reviewed the book, I’ll start with the part that was new to me, the narration. Shiloh Grey’s voice surprised me at first, and she’s not who I would have thought of to narrate Olivia’s story. Yet the more I listened, the more I appreciated her performance. It has flaws—the characters’ voices aren’t always distinguishable, there are longish blanks between sentences at times—but overall it didn’t matter at all. I can’t really explain why but it works, very much so. In some way, it feels like she emphasises the characters’ humanity. And while it’s easy to love Charlotte, Kate, or Millie, Olivia takes some time to warm up to. Olivia the person, not Olivia the character, whom Clare Ashton makes extremely relatable. As someone who would rather avoid skin proximity with most people (why are cheek kisses and handshakes a thing?), I understood exactly how Olivia felt when she got to physically connect with the love of her life for the first time. Being highly sensitive to touch is often unpleasant, but contacts that are chosen, desired, are heightened as well. And the ADHD representation through Charlotte feels extremely accurate. Charlotte is one of my favourite characters ever, even more so in this book than in her own. Happiness suits her.
Also, I’m both terrified and half in love with Nicola and I can’t wait to read more about her.
Clare Ashton has the precious gift of being able to write stories that are hilarious and heart wrenching in turn, bringing to the reader’s eyes tears of laughter followed by tears of despair. Temporary despair, since the happy ending is promised, which makes it the most delicious kind of despair. 5⭐️
Video review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBeFUn...
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Okay, so this book messed with my brain and with my heart and I loved every second of it. I didn’t expect to find Olivia so relatable. Are we starved for accurate neurodivergent representation or what? The way Ashton describes the world and human relationships as experienced by Olivia felt so real, even though there are also a lot of ways in which she’s definitely extremely different from me. But the parts that resonate resonated deeply. As did Charlotte’s ADHD journey. And the clumsiness? Hello, dyspraxic here.
Let me back up a little. We met Olivia in Meeting Millie, and I don’t think I’m wrong when I say many of us hoped for her story. Olivia is Charlotte’s best friend, still not completely over her despite Millie obviously being “the one” for her charming and easily distracted friend. Then Kate Laurence waltzes into her office. Olivia’s teenage crush, her favourite actress, the one whose movies help her relax after spending her days deep in divorces and other family law matters. Olivia prides herself on her ability to compartmentalise, yet when it comes to Kate, she fails spectacularly. The multi-Oscar winning superstar juggling work and caring for her two children melts her walls in the most delicious and unprofessional fashion.
Both Olivia and Kate have so many layers, despite Olivia believing she’s straightforward. She’s full of surprises, all delightful. She knows who she is, always has, and yet there was room for growth. As for Kate, she’s wonderful, an overwhelmingly talented star with her own insecurities and certainties. On paper, they probably shouldn’t work and yet they do, beautifully, organically. They simply make sense.
I smiled a lot while reading this book. From the fledgling relationship between the MCs, the wonders of getting to know someone who just feels right. From Millie’s contagious pleasure at rattling Olivia. From Kate’s moments with her children and from Olivia finding unexpected kinship. From the author’s ability to insert humour and lightness with ideal timing. My heart cried too, breaking along with the characters’. Clare Ashton writes the dark days of longing and frustration with the same skill as the exaltation of falling irresistibly in love.
There’s also so much more in this book, about family—biological and chosen, about who and what we take for granted, about trust, fears, confidence. About masking, boundaries, respect.
If anyone wonders why Clare Ashton’s name is one of the first I mention when asked for book recommendations, they should read her Oxford Romance series. These two books are a perfect place to start if you’re not familiar with her writing yet.
And if the third book goes the way this one hints at, I’m going to be extremely happy. 4.5⭐️
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
Since I already reviewed the book, I’ll start with the part that was new to me, the narration. Shiloh Grey’s voice surprised me at first, and she’s not who I would have thought of to narrate Olivia’s story. Yet the more I listened, the more I appreciated her performance. It has flaws—the characters’ voices aren’t always distinguishable, there are longish blanks between sentences at times—but overall it didn’t matter at all. I can’t really explain why but it works, very much so. In some way, it feels like she emphasises the characters’ humanity. And while it’s easy to love Charlotte, Kate, or Millie, Olivia takes some time to warm up to. Olivia the person, not Olivia the character, whom Clare Ashton makes extremely relatable. As someone who would rather avoid skin proximity with most people (why are cheek kisses and handshakes a thing?), I understood exactly how Olivia felt when she got to physically connect with the love of her life for the first time. Being highly sensitive to touch is often unpleasant, but contacts that are chosen, desired, are heightened as well. And the ADHD representation through Charlotte feels extremely accurate. Charlotte is one of my favourite characters ever, even more so in this book than in her own. Happiness suits her.
Also, I’m both terrified and half in love with Nicola and I can’t wait to read more about her.
Clare Ashton has the precious gift of being able to write stories that are hilarious and heart wrenching in turn, bringing to the reader’s eyes tears of laughter followed by tears of despair. Temporary despair, since the happy ending is promised, which makes it the most delicious kind of despair. 5⭐️
Video review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBeFUn...
------------------------------------------------
Okay, so this book messed with my brain and with my heart and I loved every second of it. I didn’t expect to find Olivia so relatable. Are we starved for accurate neurodivergent representation or what? The way Ashton describes the world and human relationships as experienced by Olivia felt so real, even though there are also a lot of ways in which she’s definitely extremely different from me. But the parts that resonate resonated deeply. As did Charlotte’s ADHD journey. And the clumsiness? Hello, dyspraxic here.
Let me back up a little. We met Olivia in Meeting Millie, and I don’t think I’m wrong when I say many of us hoped for her story. Olivia is Charlotte’s best friend, still not completely over her despite Millie obviously being “the one” for her charming and easily distracted friend. Then Kate Laurence waltzes into her office. Olivia’s teenage crush, her favourite actress, the one whose movies help her relax after spending her days deep in divorces and other family law matters. Olivia prides herself on her ability to compartmentalise, yet when it comes to Kate, she fails spectacularly. The multi-Oscar winning superstar juggling work and caring for her two children melts her walls in the most delicious and unprofessional fashion.
Both Olivia and Kate have so many layers, despite Olivia believing she’s straightforward. She’s full of surprises, all delightful. She knows who she is, always has, and yet there was room for growth. As for Kate, she’s wonderful, an overwhelmingly talented star with her own insecurities and certainties. On paper, they probably shouldn’t work and yet they do, beautifully, organically. They simply make sense.
I smiled a lot while reading this book. From the fledgling relationship between the MCs, the wonders of getting to know someone who just feels right. From Millie’s contagious pleasure at rattling Olivia. From Kate’s moments with her children and from Olivia finding unexpected kinship. From the author’s ability to insert humour and lightness with ideal timing. My heart cried too, breaking along with the characters’. Clare Ashton writes the dark days of longing and frustration with the same skill as the exaltation of falling irresistibly in love.
There’s also so much more in this book, about family—biological and chosen, about who and what we take for granted, about trust, fears, confidence. About masking, boundaries, respect.
If anyone wonders why Clare Ashton’s name is one of the first I mention when asked for book recommendations, they should read her Oxford Romance series. These two books are a perfect place to start if you’re not familiar with her writing yet.
And if the third book goes the way this one hints at, I’m going to be extremely happy. 4.5⭐️
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
Read
March 10, 2024Tempting (adj.): intriguing, seductive, enticing.
Lawyer Olivia Sachdeva doesn’t do intriguing, seductive, or enticing, except when there’s a case to win, or a higher standard to reach, or when she escapes into the third or twenty-seventh rewatching of a Kate Laurence film—the last a secret kept so locked away that only her best friend, Charlotte, is aware of its existence. Temptation leads to disorder. It means wandering outside the very rigid, very precise, utterly flawless circle that Olivia has created to enclose her life.
And Olivia has never been prone to wandering anywhere.
Kate Laurence, she of the very secret repeat viewing, does not wander, but, rather, walks dramatically into Olivia’s office; that very precise office in that very precise circle, bringing a messy divorce case, and a messy personal life. Bringing temptation, seduction, and intrigue. Olivia’s internal monologue is no longer thoughts about how to align the coasters in her lounge room. Suddenly, there are thoughts—secret messy thoughts—that reveal themselves too often in facial expressions that had behaved themselves until Kate.
Everything was until Kate.
I’ve decided that Clare Ashton, like so many authors I admire, wields magic. Without giving too much away—well, sort of—I discovered two things (proper author-y word). The first is that in the beginning of the book, Olivia’s chapters are written with clipped sentences. The speaking, the thinking, and the general narration bit. All of it precise, nothing extraneous, perfect word choice, as if we are in Olivia’s head observing her life, which we are but you get what I mean. Then, when it’s Kate’s turn to think, and feel, and be, the sentences are longer where the perfect words are bookended with an ‘extra’ like she’s waving her hands about while she looks at her surroundings. Olivia doesn’t do hands-waving-about. It’s brilliant. The characters inhabit their own chapters for as long as they can, then the pebble is tossed into Olivia’s serene pond of raised eyebrows, and suddenly chapters are laden with scene break asterisks. Points of view quicken. And masks are removed.
The theme of masks pervades the story. The mask that Olivia wears for protection, the mask that Kate has worn for so long that her persona has become her identity. There is a scene much later in the book—oh! This is a spoiler-y bit—where Kate and Olivia attend a masquerade party. It didn’t have to be a masquerade party. It could have been any old bog-standard version, but Ashton made it a masquerade party because it was important for Olivia and Kate to dance, and connect, and breathe so closely that whispers of thoughts could be felt on each other’s skin. It was important for Olivia and Kate to lift each other’s mask to see. Not to look. That’s easy. But they see, and it’s gorgeous.
The mask theme continues along another train track in the story. That of neurodivergence. Neurodivergent people are very good at masking. Fitting in. Appearing normal. Ashton writes gently, softly about Charlotte’s realisation, her a-ha moment, about her ADHD. She lets Charlotte slip off her mask herself. It is telling that Olivia observes the unconditional love that Millie, Charlotte’s girlfriend, has for Charlotte, and realises, with regret and sadness, that she hadn’t seen the signs of Charlotte’s way of navigating the world in all their years of friendship.
As readers, we make the assumption that Olivia is neurodivergent. Readers are supposed to make assumptions. We take notice of Olivia’s modus operandi. We discover how love affects her very being, her carefully constructed neurodivergent life. And we witness Olivia dipping her toe into the waters of chaos, then Kate reaching for her hand to guide Olivia into the safety of their small boat as if to say, “We’re in this together because here’s my life, and it’s not perfect, and you’ve shown me yours and it’s not perfect either, so how about our hearts guide this vessel to forever.”
That John Venn bloke knew what he was talking about when he tossed two hula hoops in the air and found that union in between. He probably had Olivia Sachdeva and Kate Laurence in mind, because they are the epitome of two circles which inexplicably, wonderfully, grab hold of a magnetism to find that perfect union in between.
For all the quotes and adages and beards pretending to be old men sitting in rocking chairs smoking pipes telling everyone, who’ll stand still long enough to listen, that temptation is bad bad awful awful bad and good luck trying to step away, resisting temptation is actually easy.
It’s safe.
So, there’s strength in taking those steps towards temptation, even though you’re not sure it’s a good idea, but you do. And it’s incredible when you get there so you wonder why it took you so fucking long to realise that temptation was where you should have been in the first place. Olivia gets there. Without the swearing bit.
Lawyer Olivia Sachdeva doesn’t do intriguing, seductive, or enticing, except when there’s a case to win, or a higher standard to reach, or when she escapes into the third or twenty-seventh rewatching of a Kate Laurence film—the last a secret kept so locked away that only her best friend, Charlotte, is aware of its existence. Temptation leads to disorder. It means wandering outside the very rigid, very precise, utterly flawless circle that Olivia has created to enclose her life.
And Olivia has never been prone to wandering anywhere.
Kate Laurence, she of the very secret repeat viewing, does not wander, but, rather, walks dramatically into Olivia’s office; that very precise office in that very precise circle, bringing a messy divorce case, and a messy personal life. Bringing temptation, seduction, and intrigue. Olivia’s internal monologue is no longer thoughts about how to align the coasters in her lounge room. Suddenly, there are thoughts—secret messy thoughts—that reveal themselves too often in facial expressions that had behaved themselves until Kate.
Everything was until Kate.
I’ve decided that Clare Ashton, like so many authors I admire, wields magic. Without giving too much away—well, sort of—I discovered two things (proper author-y word). The first is that in the beginning of the book, Olivia’s chapters are written with clipped sentences. The speaking, the thinking, and the general narration bit. All of it precise, nothing extraneous, perfect word choice, as if we are in Olivia’s head observing her life, which we are but you get what I mean. Then, when it’s Kate’s turn to think, and feel, and be, the sentences are longer where the perfect words are bookended with an ‘extra’ like she’s waving her hands about while she looks at her surroundings. Olivia doesn’t do hands-waving-about. It’s brilliant. The characters inhabit their own chapters for as long as they can, then the pebble is tossed into Olivia’s serene pond of raised eyebrows, and suddenly chapters are laden with scene break asterisks. Points of view quicken. And masks are removed.
The theme of masks pervades the story. The mask that Olivia wears for protection, the mask that Kate has worn for so long that her persona has become her identity. There is a scene much later in the book—oh! This is a spoiler-y bit—where Kate and Olivia attend a masquerade party. It didn’t have to be a masquerade party. It could have been any old bog-standard version, but Ashton made it a masquerade party because it was important for Olivia and Kate to dance, and connect, and breathe so closely that whispers of thoughts could be felt on each other’s skin. It was important for Olivia and Kate to lift each other’s mask to see. Not to look. That’s easy. But they see, and it’s gorgeous.
The mask theme continues along another train track in the story. That of neurodivergence. Neurodivergent people are very good at masking. Fitting in. Appearing normal. Ashton writes gently, softly about Charlotte’s realisation, her a-ha moment, about her ADHD. She lets Charlotte slip off her mask herself. It is telling that Olivia observes the unconditional love that Millie, Charlotte’s girlfriend, has for Charlotte, and realises, with regret and sadness, that she hadn’t seen the signs of Charlotte’s way of navigating the world in all their years of friendship.
As readers, we make the assumption that Olivia is neurodivergent. Readers are supposed to make assumptions. We take notice of Olivia’s modus operandi. We discover how love affects her very being, her carefully constructed neurodivergent life. And we witness Olivia dipping her toe into the waters of chaos, then Kate reaching for her hand to guide Olivia into the safety of their small boat as if to say, “We’re in this together because here’s my life, and it’s not perfect, and you’ve shown me yours and it’s not perfect either, so how about our hearts guide this vessel to forever.”
That John Venn bloke knew what he was talking about when he tossed two hula hoops in the air and found that union in between. He probably had Olivia Sachdeva and Kate Laurence in mind, because they are the epitome of two circles which inexplicably, wonderfully, grab hold of a magnetism to find that perfect union in between.
For all the quotes and adages and beards pretending to be old men sitting in rocking chairs smoking pipes telling everyone, who’ll stand still long enough to listen, that temptation is bad bad awful awful bad and good luck trying to step away, resisting temptation is actually easy.
It’s safe.
So, there’s strength in taking those steps towards temptation, even though you’re not sure it’s a good idea, but you do. And it’s incredible when you get there so you wonder why it took you so fucking long to realise that temptation was where you should have been in the first place. Olivia gets there. Without the swearing bit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2024
Olivia Olivia Olivia…wow!! I loved this book so much. Olivia and Kate are a DREAM couple and have I mentioned that I’m head over heels in love with Olivia?? Okay so the romance was obviously top-notch and the best part of the book, but I loved all the side characters so much too?? Charlotte and Millie are more lovable than ever, and Charlotte may be my new comfort character because I resonate with her so much. Also, this book is so freaking funny: I died of laughter at least twice. Anyway I think this might be my new favorite Clare Ashton book!!
Also…do I smell a BOOK THREE??
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2/21/24: Losing my ever loving mind at this COVER! Olivia is so beautiful I'm about to propose to her, please send help
Also…do I smell a BOOK THREE??
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2/21/24: Losing my ever loving mind at this COVER! Olivia is so beautiful I'm about to propose to her, please send help
March 16, 2024
Probably the biggest book upset in a long time. As a friend said, if you read this book completely unrelated to Meeting Millie then it’s just fine. The problem is that I can’t read it that way. Olivia, Charlotte, and Millie are all just a bit too different from their characters in Meeting Millie and not in a good way.
The ADHD storyline seemed forced and I really didn’t see the point? Actually, I do know the point but I feel there could’ve been a better way to go about it than what Ashton chose to do.
My biggest issue was Olivia. While I loved her in Meeting Millie, it didn’t happen here. I honestly couldn’t see what Kate saw in her.
That being said, I hope the next book stars Geeta and Nicola because I’m here for that.
The ADHD storyline seemed forced and I really didn’t see the point? Actually, I do know the point but I feel there could’ve been a better way to go about it than what Ashton chose to do.
My biggest issue was Olivia. While I loved her in Meeting Millie, it didn’t happen here. I honestly couldn’t see what Kate saw in her.
That being said, I hope the next book stars Geeta and Nicola because I’m here for that.
November 19, 2025
Update 2nd Read 11/19/25: I forgot that this one made me cry. Loved the book all over again.
Olivia Sachdeva is the youngest partner at her prestigious law firm in Oxford, a perfectionist who holds herself to the highest standards and who achieves them. She spends some of her free time with her best friend, Charlotte, but otherwise is mostly devoted to her work. Then her lifelong celebrity crush, Kate Laurence, becomes her client and Olivia’s life is upturned.
I absolutely adored Book 1 in this series, Meeting Millie, and gushed in my original review. Although I was looking forward to Book 2, I kept low key in my thoughts as to how good it might be in comparison with the first one. But I’m here to say, Tempting Olivia is even better than Meeting Millie. Maybe that’s the wrong way to express my views. I should say the character of Olivia resonates more deeply with me than any other character written by this author. Olivia is dynamic in her thinking, her actions, and her feelings. Professional and ambitious, she is determined to be at the top of her profession but she is also human with the need to connect. She navigates her way through her relationship with Kate, Charlotte, and even with her mother in ways that made my heart burst and then quietly broke my feelings. But in the end, made the world a triumphant place, proving that people who are reserved are just as passionate as the extroverts of the world. Hot and sexy, funny and charming, probably my favorite 2024 read already. Wonderful narration by Shiloh Grey as well.
Olivia Sachdeva is the youngest partner at her prestigious law firm in Oxford, a perfectionist who holds herself to the highest standards and who achieves them. She spends some of her free time with her best friend, Charlotte, but otherwise is mostly devoted to her work. Then her lifelong celebrity crush, Kate Laurence, becomes her client and Olivia’s life is upturned.
I absolutely adored Book 1 in this series, Meeting Millie, and gushed in my original review. Although I was looking forward to Book 2, I kept low key in my thoughts as to how good it might be in comparison with the first one. But I’m here to say, Tempting Olivia is even better than Meeting Millie. Maybe that’s the wrong way to express my views. I should say the character of Olivia resonates more deeply with me than any other character written by this author. Olivia is dynamic in her thinking, her actions, and her feelings. Professional and ambitious, she is determined to be at the top of her profession but she is also human with the need to connect. She navigates her way through her relationship with Kate, Charlotte, and even with her mother in ways that made my heart burst and then quietly broke my feelings. But in the end, made the world a triumphant place, proving that people who are reserved are just as passionate as the extroverts of the world. Hot and sexy, funny and charming, probably my favorite 2024 read already. Wonderful narration by Shiloh Grey as well.
September 24, 2024
Clare Ashton is a master storyteller and each of her books is better than the last. This romance is utter perfection - really, you couldn’t ask for anything more.
Delicious, beautiful and romantic. A setting to die for, wonderful, diverse characters, and a lovely tease of what’s to come. I’ll need this in every format, please and thank you! SA-WOON.
Update after audiobook listen -
Gabrielle Baker beautifully narrated Meeting Millie and it would have been ideal had she been able to voice this follow-up book. This installment is performed by Shiloh Grey and while she does a fairly good job, she doesn’t add to the experience. There is improvement when Millie arrives on the scene because she’s such a lively, gregarious character, but Grey doesn’t capture the emotion of the book as well as I would have liked. It’s still good - don’t get me wrong. And that’s all due to Ashton’s wonderful storytelling. But the audio would have been better served by a stronger narrator.
Delicious, beautiful and romantic. A setting to die for, wonderful, diverse characters, and a lovely tease of what’s to come. I’ll need this in every format, please and thank you! SA-WOON.
Update after audiobook listen -
Gabrielle Baker beautifully narrated Meeting Millie and it would have been ideal had she been able to voice this follow-up book. This installment is performed by Shiloh Grey and while she does a fairly good job, she doesn’t add to the experience. There is improvement when Millie arrives on the scene because she’s such a lively, gregarious character, but Grey doesn’t capture the emotion of the book as well as I would have liked. It’s still good - don’t get me wrong. And that’s all due to Ashton’s wonderful storytelling. But the audio would have been better served by a stronger narrator.
March 3, 2024
the third book should be interesting :). if there is a third.
March 1, 2024
When I finished it, I turned back to page one and immediately read it again. That is how good this book is! A frosty Oxford lawyer slowly thawing and being turned to utter mush by the charms of her secret moviestar crush. A deliciously slow burn romance, Clare Ashton is definitely at the top of the romance empire!
I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Olivia Sachdeva is Oxford’s top family law and divorce lawyer. Her fierce work ethic and knowledge has propelled her to be the best of the best. She’s dealt with all kinds of clients and led them with a steady hand through a difficult time in their lives. While elegant and always proper, Olivia has a few ways to escape her high strung daily life. One of them being disappearing into the works of her favorite actress Kate Laurence. And indulgence no one knows about, besides her best friend Charlotte.
One morning a new client knocks on her pristine’s office door. Olivia does a double take. Walking into her office is none other than Kate Laurence. Or is it Kate Woodhouse? However, will Olivia be able to temp down her own admiration and, let’s face it, blatant attraction, to this remarkable creature, to be able to handle Kate’s divorce as the professional she is?
Kate Woodhouse is done with the mess that is her life. She needs to find a place where she can sort out everything while giving her kids the stability they need. She decides on Oxford, the location for shooting her next film. And it also happens to be the home of a powerful divorce lawyer that came highly recommended. Hopefully this woman can help her with a clean break and set her up for a much less stressful life. But why oh why does lawyer Olivia have to be so enticing in the process?
There are too many ways in which I absolutely adore this story. I thought the first in the Oxford series, Meeting Millie, couldn’t be topped, but I think Clare Ashton actually did it. We’ve met Olivia in book 1 as a prim and proper, perfectionist lawyer. She likes things a certain way and she detests people, except for a few. It is a wonderful experience to dive into the mind of Olivia. And to see her become more human as the story unfolds is sublime. The way she handles her attraction to Kate is perfectly inlign with her character.
Olivia’s relationship with Charlotte is intense. Olivia still considers her to be the one that got away. It’s great to see that Charlotte is developing into a stronger version of herself now that she has Millie’s undying support. And that in and of itself is hard on Olivia, because she thought she had the strongest bond with Charlotte. During the story their friendship evolves because Olivia is learning about herself in new ways. And that is what makes their relationship even more solid then before.
The struggles Kate has to face are many. But her attraction to Olivia is clear as day. I loved the fact that Kate is all in and appreciates all the little nuances that make up Olivia.
And then there’s beautiful Oxford. The town that this series is set in and that plays a pivotal role. The city is as charming as the story. I have never been there in real life, but these books make me want to book a trip and go wander across the cobbled streets where these characters live their lives.
If you’ve read any of Clare Ashton’s stories you’ll agree with me that she has a way with words that will leave you breathless. I can’t help sharing one quote that gave me all the feels:
‘Olivia’s head spun, light and free, lost in a kiss that understood how to catch her.’
And that sums up this book for me. If you’ve made it this far into this review, I can’t help but wonder, what are you waiting for? Go, get that ticket to Oxford and enjoy the ride.
I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Olivia Sachdeva is Oxford’s top family law and divorce lawyer. Her fierce work ethic and knowledge has propelled her to be the best of the best. She’s dealt with all kinds of clients and led them with a steady hand through a difficult time in their lives. While elegant and always proper, Olivia has a few ways to escape her high strung daily life. One of them being disappearing into the works of her favorite actress Kate Laurence. And indulgence no one knows about, besides her best friend Charlotte.
One morning a new client knocks on her pristine’s office door. Olivia does a double take. Walking into her office is none other than Kate Laurence. Or is it Kate Woodhouse? However, will Olivia be able to temp down her own admiration and, let’s face it, blatant attraction, to this remarkable creature, to be able to handle Kate’s divorce as the professional she is?
Kate Woodhouse is done with the mess that is her life. She needs to find a place where she can sort out everything while giving her kids the stability they need. She decides on Oxford, the location for shooting her next film. And it also happens to be the home of a powerful divorce lawyer that came highly recommended. Hopefully this woman can help her with a clean break and set her up for a much less stressful life. But why oh why does lawyer Olivia have to be so enticing in the process?
There are too many ways in which I absolutely adore this story. I thought the first in the Oxford series, Meeting Millie, couldn’t be topped, but I think Clare Ashton actually did it. We’ve met Olivia in book 1 as a prim and proper, perfectionist lawyer. She likes things a certain way and she detests people, except for a few. It is a wonderful experience to dive into the mind of Olivia. And to see her become more human as the story unfolds is sublime. The way she handles her attraction to Kate is perfectly inlign with her character.
Olivia’s relationship with Charlotte is intense. Olivia still considers her to be the one that got away. It’s great to see that Charlotte is developing into a stronger version of herself now that she has Millie’s undying support. And that in and of itself is hard on Olivia, because she thought she had the strongest bond with Charlotte. During the story their friendship evolves because Olivia is learning about herself in new ways. And that is what makes their relationship even more solid then before.
The struggles Kate has to face are many. But her attraction to Olivia is clear as day. I loved the fact that Kate is all in and appreciates all the little nuances that make up Olivia.
And then there’s beautiful Oxford. The town that this series is set in and that plays a pivotal role. The city is as charming as the story. I have never been there in real life, but these books make me want to book a trip and go wander across the cobbled streets where these characters live their lives.
If you’ve read any of Clare Ashton’s stories you’ll agree with me that she has a way with words that will leave you breathless. I can’t help sharing one quote that gave me all the feels:
‘Olivia’s head spun, light and free, lost in a kiss that understood how to catch her.’
And that sums up this book for me. If you’ve made it this far into this review, I can’t help but wonder, what are you waiting for? Go, get that ticket to Oxford and enjoy the ride.
March 3, 2024
Leave it to Clare Ashton to pull me out of my terrible reading slump immediately to where I read at super speed pace because I couldn’t get enough of this book. The feelings. The chemistry. The passion. And the ending, so perfect. Now I’ll be trying to patiently wait for Geeta and Nicola’s story.
March 25, 2024
An absolutely captivating and enjoyable read! I couldn't find a single thing to complain about. And that ending, oh my! I can't help but wonder if there will be a third book in the series, featuring that certain someone. If you've read Tempting Olivia, you know exactly who I'm talking about here! 😉
March 2, 2024
5 Stars!!!!
Aaaaaaahhhhhh that cliffhanger!!! I can’t!!! I’m gonna explode!!! I can’t wait for that story to unravel!!! These women!!! Or more like Clare Ashton!! She’s killing my poor heart!
Ok, I adore this story because it’s more than just tempting Olivia. It has legal proceedings regarding divorce and the effects of such undertaking. It not just the usual, boring lust-filled longing, etc.
In addition to that, the venture on neurodivergent characters! My god! My wife has ADHD and reading the traits/symptoms on paper simply pulled at my heartstrings (btw, it really helps to be on medication according to my wife. It helps with the focus on life things). The author portrayed the condition intimately and accurately. Brava to that!
I guess what bumps Clare Ashton’s books from other contemporary romance is her character building. They’re very distinct, almost feeling real. It gives the story more credence instead of just run-of-the-mill sapphic romance stories.
Aaaaaaahhhhhh that cliffhanger!!! I can’t!!! I’m gonna explode!!! I can’t wait for that story to unravel!!! These women!!! Or more like Clare Ashton!! She’s killing my poor heart!
Ok, I adore this story because it’s more than just tempting Olivia. It has legal proceedings regarding divorce and the effects of such undertaking. It not just the usual, boring lust-filled longing, etc.
In addition to that, the venture on neurodivergent characters! My god! My wife has ADHD and reading the traits/symptoms on paper simply pulled at my heartstrings (btw, it really helps to be on medication according to my wife. It helps with the focus on life things). The author portrayed the condition intimately and accurately. Brava to that!
I guess what bumps Clare Ashton’s books from other contemporary romance is her character building. They’re very distinct, almost feeling real. It gives the story more credence instead of just run-of-the-mill sapphic romance stories.
March 6, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
I have to say that it took me a while to warm up to Tempting Olivia, after having loved so much Meeting Millie, but in the end Clare Ashton got me sucked in the whirpool of events, as usual. Every single time.
The story grew on me and when the tension started building up more and more, I was totally gone.
Tempting Olivia is not the usual actor meets cute novel. You won't find the glamour of the Tinseltown in it. What you will find is that an actor can be a person just like everybody else, with their messy, complicated life to handle on an everyday basis.
Olivia Sachdeva is perfection itself. Mid-thirties, a rising career as a lawyer in the Bentley firm, where also her best friend Charlotte works now, and a flawless attitude towards life and people in general.
Olivia likes her life the way it is, with a practical order and with a bit of day-dreaming provided by her secret passion: her love for Kate Laurence's movies. When a new client approaches her firm for help settling a divorce, Olivia's stable reality is shaken to the core. Her new client is none but someone she only pictured in her dreams. Will she be able to maintain her walls intact or will they crumble and surrender to a new reality that seems better than any of her fantasies?
I give it to Clare Ashton in surprising me with the plot and cast for this novel, because when I read Meeting Millie, my hopes where on a totally different story. The cover suggested me I had it all wrong, and then my curiosity sparkled. I mean, we are talking about Olivia here...
What could possibly that woman have in common with an actor? And yet, it all fell into place. It all fell "right". It all felt, there is more to Olivia than I thought there was in Meeting Millie... where I was all supporting Millie and kind of being annoyed a bit by Olivia. The weirdest thing ever? In Tempting Olivia it was the other way round. Clever the author to make me want to be protective of the main character and shield her from the teasing.
I loved how mature both Olivia and Kate are, and how the story developed. Every time I had a feeling something felt unresolved, Clare Ashton solved it on the spot, giving me closure on many questions I had regarding the secondary characters.
I would have loved to read even more of Kate's world, but then the book would have been much longer.
In any case, there are few sapphic authors out there that can write such sizzling chemistry build-up/explosion/impossibility/forbidden love/torture of doing what's right for the mind and what the heart wants... and I enjoyed every minute of it. Some scenes were just awesome!
The diversity of the characters and their neurodivergence and adjustments to everyday life is the cherry on top. We are all different and perfect the way we are, we just need to talk about it with the people we care about and know they care about us too.
I so can't wait for book 3... because... seriously?!!!
I have to say that it took me a while to warm up to Tempting Olivia, after having loved so much Meeting Millie, but in the end Clare Ashton got me sucked in the whirpool of events, as usual. Every single time.
The story grew on me and when the tension started building up more and more, I was totally gone.
Tempting Olivia is not the usual actor meets cute novel. You won't find the glamour of the Tinseltown in it. What you will find is that an actor can be a person just like everybody else, with their messy, complicated life to handle on an everyday basis.
Olivia Sachdeva is perfection itself. Mid-thirties, a rising career as a lawyer in the Bentley firm, where also her best friend Charlotte works now, and a flawless attitude towards life and people in general.
Olivia likes her life the way it is, with a practical order and with a bit of day-dreaming provided by her secret passion: her love for Kate Laurence's movies. When a new client approaches her firm for help settling a divorce, Olivia's stable reality is shaken to the core. Her new client is none but someone she only pictured in her dreams. Will she be able to maintain her walls intact or will they crumble and surrender to a new reality that seems better than any of her fantasies?
I give it to Clare Ashton in surprising me with the plot and cast for this novel, because when I read Meeting Millie, my hopes where on a totally different story. The cover suggested me I had it all wrong, and then my curiosity sparkled. I mean, we are talking about Olivia here...
What could possibly that woman have in common with an actor? And yet, it all fell into place. It all fell "right". It all felt, there is more to Olivia than I thought there was in Meeting Millie... where I was all supporting Millie and kind of being annoyed a bit by Olivia. The weirdest thing ever? In Tempting Olivia it was the other way round. Clever the author to make me want to be protective of the main character and shield her from the teasing.
I loved how mature both Olivia and Kate are, and how the story developed. Every time I had a feeling something felt unresolved, Clare Ashton solved it on the spot, giving me closure on many questions I had regarding the secondary characters.
I would have loved to read even more of Kate's world, but then the book would have been much longer.
In any case, there are few sapphic authors out there that can write such sizzling chemistry build-up/explosion/impossibility/forbidden love/torture of doing what's right for the mind and what the heart wants... and I enjoyed every minute of it. Some scenes were just awesome!
The diversity of the characters and their neurodivergence and adjustments to everyday life is the cherry on top. We are all different and perfect the way we are, we just need to talk about it with the people we care about and know they care about us too.
I so can't wait for book 3... because... seriously?!!!
March 6, 2024
Tempting Olivia by Clare Ashton is set in the OXFORD ROMANCE universe and is a beautiful celebrity romance that brings all the feels.
Olivia, Olivia, Olivia! How I love Olivia.
Getting to know Olivia Sachdeva better is a privilege.
We first meet Olivia in Meeting Millie (the first book in this series). Olivia is frosty, standoffish, and a perfectionist. She doesn’t like messy, barely tolerates people, and is not afraid to say or show what she thinks. She is head of family law, in a small but prestigious law firm, Bentley and Partners.
Olivia is an expert at compartmentalising. She’s not a fan of those compartments spilling over into others. So, when her favourite actress, whose films also happen to be her escape from reality, walks into her office, Olivia’s compartments become an unorganised disaster.
It was so interesting to see her slowly fall for Kate. Someone she only knows as the characters she plays. She is not someone to have her head turned by a pretty woman, she needs to know the person behind the facade in order to develop feelings.
Kate is a multi-Oscar-winning actress. She plays multiple roles, but her biggest role, and the one she wants to succeed most at is that of a mother. She has two children and after traveling for most of her career she’s ready to settle down. But first, she must get a divorce from a marriage that was over as soon as it began. Kate takes her work seriously, but she is plagued with insecurities about life outside the roles she plays. Kate’s life is messy, has little routine, and definitely has no room for romance.
For two people who live their day-to-day lives very differently, this pair are perfect for each other. I so enjoyed the push, pull, they had, and I loved the witty sarcastic banter they had going on. The slow burn between them is very subtle to start with, it’s handled with care and gently stoked until it burns hot and bright.
I think this is one of the most romantic books I’ve ever read! It’s so delicious. There’s a dance scene that had me weak at the knees, enough steam to require a cooling off, and just the right amount of anguish to keep you on your toes.
Kate is a delight, the way she ‘gets’ Olivia made me swoon. She is so soft in her approach, that poor Olivia doesn’t stand a chance. And my god, Olivia in love is a sight to behold. I actually cried big happy tears when she turned to mush. Ashton has taken two complex characters who really shouldn’t work together, giving us one of the most loving and understanding couples ever. Olivia of so few words. Kate of so many. Yet at times Olivia couldn’t help but say how she felt in a rush of words and Kate would be so overwhelmed with emotion that she couldn’t form words. It’s magical.
The writing from this author is as always, beautiful. She uses her distinctive skills to draw you in, make you feel, and transport you to the streets of Oxford. Ashton has a way of making every word count. I soak them all up and I’m always disappointed when I reach the end.
I loved it all (I think I loved it more than Meeting Millie 👀) and I can’t wait for the next book in this series of standalones, because if the end of Tempting Olivia is anything to go by. It’s going to be one hell of a ride!
Olivia, Olivia, Olivia! How I love Olivia.
Getting to know Olivia Sachdeva better is a privilege.
We first meet Olivia in Meeting Millie (the first book in this series). Olivia is frosty, standoffish, and a perfectionist. She doesn’t like messy, barely tolerates people, and is not afraid to say or show what she thinks. She is head of family law, in a small but prestigious law firm, Bentley and Partners.
Olivia is an expert at compartmentalising. She’s not a fan of those compartments spilling over into others. So, when her favourite actress, whose films also happen to be her escape from reality, walks into her office, Olivia’s compartments become an unorganised disaster.
It was so interesting to see her slowly fall for Kate. Someone she only knows as the characters she plays. She is not someone to have her head turned by a pretty woman, she needs to know the person behind the facade in order to develop feelings.
Kate is a multi-Oscar-winning actress. She plays multiple roles, but her biggest role, and the one she wants to succeed most at is that of a mother. She has two children and after traveling for most of her career she’s ready to settle down. But first, she must get a divorce from a marriage that was over as soon as it began. Kate takes her work seriously, but she is plagued with insecurities about life outside the roles she plays. Kate’s life is messy, has little routine, and definitely has no room for romance.
For two people who live their day-to-day lives very differently, this pair are perfect for each other. I so enjoyed the push, pull, they had, and I loved the witty sarcastic banter they had going on. The slow burn between them is very subtle to start with, it’s handled with care and gently stoked until it burns hot and bright.
I think this is one of the most romantic books I’ve ever read! It’s so delicious. There’s a dance scene that had me weak at the knees, enough steam to require a cooling off, and just the right amount of anguish to keep you on your toes.
Kate is a delight, the way she ‘gets’ Olivia made me swoon. She is so soft in her approach, that poor Olivia doesn’t stand a chance. And my god, Olivia in love is a sight to behold. I actually cried big happy tears when she turned to mush. Ashton has taken two complex characters who really shouldn’t work together, giving us one of the most loving and understanding couples ever. Olivia of so few words. Kate of so many. Yet at times Olivia couldn’t help but say how she felt in a rush of words and Kate would be so overwhelmed with emotion that she couldn’t form words. It’s magical.
The writing from this author is as always, beautiful. She uses her distinctive skills to draw you in, make you feel, and transport you to the streets of Oxford. Ashton has a way of making every word count. I soak them all up and I’m always disappointed when I reach the end.
I loved it all (I think I loved it more than Meeting Millie 👀) and I can’t wait for the next book in this series of standalones, because if the end of Tempting Olivia is anything to go by. It’s going to be one hell of a ride!
November 7, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ I listened to the audio book on Meeting Millie and loved the narration and the story. So I was looking forward to reading this one too, but honestly my expectations were not as high as the first book. So I am happy to say that this book was just as good as the first book.
I loved the instant chemistry between Olivia and Kate. And how Olivia tried to ignore it. How they pretended to have this all business attitude but flirted intellectually with each other.
I enjoyed Aston's writing style and her word choices to describe both Olivia and Kate's feelings. I always like when we have both MCs point of view written into he story. Their affection and loyalty to each other was my favorite part of the story.
It was great reading about Mille and Charlotte again and learning more about their personalities. Millie is so outrageously over the top. Many times I found myself laughing at her antics and trouble making. She is so funny.
Charlotte is such a klutz and Millie is so patient and supportive of her. Olivia is a hard character to like on the surface and it took a while to understand her. I liked how Kate had a very down to earth personality for a big celebrity. Her adoration for her children made me like her more. I was very curious as to how Olivia would relate to her kids. And I would say that perhaps that part of the story could have been developed more. Her ease with them seemed too quick and easy based on her personality.
Olivia's mom Geeta is a great character and her possible future relationship with Charlotte's mom Nicola is something I am very much looking forward to how Ashton matches them up.
I loved the instant chemistry between Olivia and Kate. And how Olivia tried to ignore it. How they pretended to have this all business attitude but flirted intellectually with each other.
I enjoyed Aston's writing style and her word choices to describe both Olivia and Kate's feelings. I always like when we have both MCs point of view written into he story. Their affection and loyalty to each other was my favorite part of the story.
It was great reading about Mille and Charlotte again and learning more about their personalities. Millie is so outrageously over the top. Many times I found myself laughing at her antics and trouble making. She is so funny.
Charlotte is such a klutz and Millie is so patient and supportive of her. Olivia is a hard character to like on the surface and it took a while to understand her. I liked how Kate had a very down to earth personality for a big celebrity. Her adoration for her children made me like her more. I was very curious as to how Olivia would relate to her kids. And I would say that perhaps that part of the story could have been developed more. Her ease with them seemed too quick and easy based on her personality.
Olivia's mom Geeta is a great character and her possible future relationship with Charlotte's mom Nicola is something I am very much looking forward to how Ashton matches them up.
October 8, 2024
A story revolving around Olivia was always going to be a hard sell for me since I didn’t love her in Meeting Millie and because I don’t always love ice queens. But I eventually came around to Olivia in this, except for her thoughts about Charlotte. I was never sure if she actually liked her despite Charlotte being “the one who got away” for Olivia. It was kind of weird. I actually reread Meeting Millie before reviewing this to see if I misremembered anything.
The love story lacked some depth and I kind of wish the love interest was someone different. I liked Kate a lot though. And someone like Olivia makes a lot of sense for her. I did root for them getting together.
My favorite parts of this novel involved Charlotte and Millie, though—especially Millie. No surprise there. The best part of a series is seeing my book 1 faves.
I also thought the ADHD stuff was handled/explained very well. At least what I know about it as someone with a spouse with ADHD. (Is ADHD in every novel now? lol. It’s been so prevalent lately).
Onto book 3? Will be interesting to see that teased pairing come to be…
The love story lacked some depth and I kind of wish the love interest was someone different. I liked Kate a lot though. And someone like Olivia makes a lot of sense for her. I did root for them getting together.
My favorite parts of this novel involved Charlotte and Millie, though—especially Millie. No surprise there. The best part of a series is seeing my book 1 faves.
I also thought the ADHD stuff was handled/explained very well. At least what I know about it as someone with a spouse with ADHD. (Is ADHD in every novel now? lol. It’s been so prevalent lately).
Onto book 3? Will be interesting to see that teased pairing come to be…
August 19, 2025
You should read Meeting Millie before this book, as one of the FMC appears prominently in that book. Then after Tempting Olivia, go read Discovering Nicola because the entire series is awesome.
[August 2025] This book has a brutal-in-the-best-way 3AB. Perfectly motivated and just devastating which makes the reconciliation land hard. There was crying (on reread!) but not ugly crying which is a win, right?
[July 2025]
This might be the first time I ever read the words "The End" and burst into tears, because I loved the book so much.
[August 2025] This book has a brutal-in-the-best-way 3AB. Perfectly motivated and just devastating which makes the reconciliation land hard. There was crying (on reread!) but not ugly crying which is a win, right?
[July 2025]
This might be the first time I ever read the words "The End" and burst into tears, because I loved the book so much.
November 9, 2025
Very weak 3 ⭐️- I listened to this on Audible and the author changed narrators from book one and I didn’t enjoy this one as much. Also, I got very bored in the middle of this book and put it to the side for quite a long time. I finally decided I just needed to power through to the end and get it finished. I don’t know why the story didn’t interest me, but I didn’t feel the chemistry between the leads and I just really didn’t care what happened to them or their relationship. I found the whole thing a slog. Normally I love Clare Ashton, but for some reason this book just didn’t work for me. I’m still looking forward to picking up the third book in the series though.
October 7, 2024
Like how the family gets involved. More questions answered and some raise..... hmmmm. will there be another book in the series?
April 4, 2024
My memories of Olivia in Missing Millie were not stellar ones. She came across as uptight and bossy, a woman convinced she knew Millie was all kinds of wrong for her best friend, the clumsy, quirky Charlotte. I never questioned that Olivia was a detail oriented, excellent lawyer. She needs all of her skills and professionalism when she is handed the divorce case for her silver screen crush, Kate Laurence.
From the moment Kate walks into Olivia’s office, all I could see was Cate Blanchett. This made for additional and understandable heat and I could appreciate the challenges Olivia faced concentrating on the job at hand. I enjoyed watching their ups and downs as they tried to keep the personal from interfering with their professional lives. It was easy to warm up to Olivia seeing her growth as a woman in love.
Looking forward to what looks to be another potential book for this Oxford Romance series
From the moment Kate walks into Olivia’s office, all I could see was Cate Blanchett. This made for additional and understandable heat and I could appreciate the challenges Olivia faced concentrating on the job at hand. I enjoyed watching their ups and downs as they tried to keep the personal from interfering with their professional lives. It was easy to warm up to Olivia seeing her growth as a woman in love.
Looking forward to what looks to be another potential book for this Oxford Romance series
February 26, 2025
5⭐️ . Amazing!
March 7, 2024
I love Clare Ashton's books, and I really tried with this one, but I found my self skipping so many parts. This just wasn't for me, sadly.
March 17, 2024
Olivia Sachdeva is a young partner at the law offices of Bentley. She is their top divorce lawer. When one day she has an appointment with a Ms. Kate Woodhouse. Who happens to be the actress Kate Laurence. Someone who Olivia has followed and had a crush on since she was a teenager. Kate is there to divorce her wife Natalie (Nat).
We met Olivia in Meeting Millie. In fact both Charolette and Millie are in this book too.This is a great Ice Queen/HOT love story. Along with Meeting Millie it's a favorite! Should be more than 5 stars!
We met Olivia in Meeting Millie. In fact both Charolette and Millie are in this book too.This is a great Ice Queen/HOT love story. Along with Meeting Millie it's a favorite! Should be more than 5 stars!
September 8, 2024
(rounded up from 4.5)
I'll admit when I'm wrong: I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. I read the first book in this series, was thoroughly underwhelmed and so put off reading this second book in the series for far too long, despite everyone assuring me that I would enjoy it and so I did.
I loved the neurodiverse representation and acknowledgement that yes, birds of a feather do tend to gravitate together, as this friend group proves. I found Millie to be fairly annoying and over the top in this book, but that was a slight quibble and I can't recall the first book enough to say if this is a massive shift from the first to second books but this book isn't about her so fair enough and let's move on.
I did really enjoy the gentle banter between two people who are from different worlds and are absolutely swearing off relationships after being burned a few times, yet can't help but be pulled together. I loved the little bits of comedy thrown in with Olivia hiding that she's actually a superfan of Kate's movies and really appreciated the little touches we see of family issues from the secondary characters.
In summation: I loved this one and I dearly hope there is a third in the series and the little hook at the end of this one is what we get to see in the next book because I love that for us.
I'll admit when I'm wrong: I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. I read the first book in this series, was thoroughly underwhelmed and so put off reading this second book in the series for far too long, despite everyone assuring me that I would enjoy it and so I did.
I loved the neurodiverse representation and acknowledgement that yes, birds of a feather do tend to gravitate together, as this friend group proves. I found Millie to be fairly annoying and over the top in this book, but that was a slight quibble and I can't recall the first book enough to say if this is a massive shift from the first to second books but this book isn't about her so fair enough and let's move on.
I did really enjoy the gentle banter between two people who are from different worlds and are absolutely swearing off relationships after being burned a few times, yet can't help but be pulled together. I loved the little bits of comedy thrown in with Olivia hiding that she's actually a superfan of Kate's movies and really appreciated the little touches we see of family issues from the secondary characters.
In summation: I loved this one and I dearly hope there is a third in the series and the little hook at the end of this one is what we get to see in the next book because I love that for us.
May 14, 2024
This was an incredible follow-up to one of my all-time favorites, Meeting Millie, and this sequel recaptured the magic of the first novel in a very satisfying way. I want twenty more sequels for the women of Oxford, and I will gobble them all up. This novel had a lot of amazing elements to it and essentially nothing for me to complain about (THANK you for avoiding all the standard annoying tropes!). I loved the follow-up on the characters from the previous novel (thaaaaank you again!!), which sometimes you don’t get in sequels or companion novels like this. Full marks, recommend to everyone!
Highlights:
-Olivia and Bea, when together. It’s not a huge part of the novel but these scenes were my favorite, hands down. Their dynamic was perfect, and I wish I could have seen so much more of them!
-The writing itself was incredible. It was snappy and clever, and delightful in its own right. The content of this novel was of course amazing, but so was the writing was all on its own.
-The slow burn! The micro reactions and attractions that dominated the first third of the novel were incredibly satisfying. The relationship growth was organic and incredibly believable and worked very well for the characters. Their relationship was very sweet and supportive, and I loved how much it was built on a foundation of mutual understanding and support.
-The author did an incredible job dancing around with the secret in the first half of the novel before the eventual reveal. This is the sort of thing that could have been agonizing, frustrating, or unrealistic, yet in this novel it was very satisfying and a LOT of fun to read. The buildup was satisfying and the reveal was incredibly sweet.
-All of the relationships, outside the main one, were delightful. There was a complex web of relationships set up in the first novel that were more thoroughly explored in this one (great use of the benefits of a series!). There was a deep exploration of friendship and family dynamics in addition to the romance.
-The mental health representation and discussion were very well done. It not only added a lot to the novel, particularly with regards to opportunities for character growth and connection, but it was well handled. I love the concept of how there was a character who was clearly ADHD coded in the first novel, but it was never addressed, and now in the second novel it was like the pieces all fell together. The reader and “that character” both experienced the transition from not knowing to realizing it together.
The author ended off with a teaser for what I assume is the next novel, and this could be amazing depending on how its executed. You had better deliver! Ill be getting the novel regardless though and am very sad I need to wait.
Highlights:
-Olivia and Bea, when together. It’s not a huge part of the novel but these scenes were my favorite, hands down. Their dynamic was perfect, and I wish I could have seen so much more of them!
-The writing itself was incredible. It was snappy and clever, and delightful in its own right. The content of this novel was of course amazing, but so was the writing was all on its own.
-The slow burn! The micro reactions and attractions that dominated the first third of the novel were incredibly satisfying. The relationship growth was organic and incredibly believable and worked very well for the characters. Their relationship was very sweet and supportive, and I loved how much it was built on a foundation of mutual understanding and support.
-The author did an incredible job dancing around with the secret in the first half of the novel before the eventual reveal. This is the sort of thing that could have been agonizing, frustrating, or unrealistic, yet in this novel it was very satisfying and a LOT of fun to read. The buildup was satisfying and the reveal was incredibly sweet.
-All of the relationships, outside the main one, were delightful. There was a complex web of relationships set up in the first novel that were more thoroughly explored in this one (great use of the benefits of a series!). There was a deep exploration of friendship and family dynamics in addition to the romance.
-The mental health representation and discussion were very well done. It not only added a lot to the novel, particularly with regards to opportunities for character growth and connection, but it was well handled. I love the concept of how there was a character who was clearly ADHD coded in the first novel, but it was never addressed, and now in the second novel it was like the pieces all fell together. The reader and “that character” both experienced the transition from not knowing to realizing it together.
The author ended off with a teaser for what I assume is the next novel, and this could be amazing depending on how its executed. You had better deliver! Ill be getting the novel regardless though and am very sad I need to wait.
March 13, 2024
A romantic, intimate book. I read it with a smile on my face apart from during the dramatic points when my teeth were clenched. I loved this book and understand why many reviews have said they cannot wait for the next in the series. This story wasn’t only a love affair between two protagonists but also between bff’s. All beautifully handled. Rounded up from 4.8!
July 14, 2024
Loved this story and characters. It was everything I have come to expect from Clare Ashton. Complex main characters with interesting secondary characters. It will be a comfort read for me.
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