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Not Boyfriend Material
Trying not to fall in love can be … challenging.
One might think that as an ER nurse, I live a full and exciting life. If you think this, you are sadly mistaken. I’m pretty sure there's hardly a soul more boring than me. Ask my best friend, she’ll agree. Which is why she's come up with a 30-day plan to transform me from boring Lucy to, well … the real Lucy. The Lucy before the accident. Each day, I have to complete some ridiculous challenge, usually involving something embarrassing or new. That includes getting my coworker, Dr. Graham Shackwell, involved.
The Graham Shackwell. As in my oldest brother’s best friend. Not to mention insanely gorgeous and a self-reformed playboy. He’s definitely outside of the comfort zone I’ve been living in. So when he agrees to do the challenges with me, it not only surprises me, but I find that the more time I spend with him, the more I feel like myself. Unfortunately, this presents a new challenge. The hardest one yet—fighting my growing feelings for a man who is clearly not boyfriend material.
Not Boyfriend Material is a dual POV, closed-door workplace romcom, featuring swoon-worthy chemistry, plenty of witty banter, and a dose of both humor and heart.
One might think that as an ER nurse, I live a full and exciting life. If you think this, you are sadly mistaken. I’m pretty sure there's hardly a soul more boring than me. Ask my best friend, she’ll agree. Which is why she's come up with a 30-day plan to transform me from boring Lucy to, well … the real Lucy. The Lucy before the accident. Each day, I have to complete some ridiculous challenge, usually involving something embarrassing or new. That includes getting my coworker, Dr. Graham Shackwell, involved.
The Graham Shackwell. As in my oldest brother’s best friend. Not to mention insanely gorgeous and a self-reformed playboy. He’s definitely outside of the comfort zone I’ve been living in. So when he agrees to do the challenges with me, it not only surprises me, but I find that the more time I spend with him, the more I feel like myself. Unfortunately, this presents a new challenge. The hardest one yet—fighting my growing feelings for a man who is clearly not boyfriend material.
Not Boyfriend Material is a dual POV, closed-door workplace romcom, featuring swoon-worthy chemistry, plenty of witty banter, and a dose of both humor and heart.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2024
470 people are currently reading
1448 people want to read
About the author
Becky Monson
22 books1,289 followersBy day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last... but it probably won't.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
dnf
August 10, 2024DNF @1%
Assuming this has a 29 year old virgin for a heroine? And already negative self-talk? Hard pass.
I am a bit of a loser. It’s New Year’s Eve, my twenty-ninth one to be exact. And I’ve never, not once, had someone to kiss at midnight to ring in the new year. At twenty-nine, I’ve barely even kissed someone, period.
Assuming this has a 29 year old virgin for a heroine? And already negative self-talk? Hard pass.
April 6, 2024
I absolutely loved everything about this book. Becky Monson is great with the witty banter and the insults in this book had me rolling. I think I'll pick up the habit ;). I loved how Graham and Lucy slowly became friends and then became more. This is slow burn at its best and I read this book in one sitting until I reached the end. Now I need to read it again.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. My review was not required nor influenced.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. My review was not required nor influenced.
October 19, 2024
Okay, this was pretty cute, and I absolutely fell in love with Graham and Lucy.
April 9, 2024
“Maybe Grey’s Anatomy is accurate, but just not at this hospital.”
I’ve always loved a good medical romance and this sweet story hit the spot. Graham is a roguish doctor trying to implement changes in his personal life, while Lucy is a nurse who is very creative with her insults (and left me trying to come up with some of my own). The way they fell into a light, easy, competitive camaraderie left me all warm and fuzzy.
Becky Monson is one of my favorites at writing witty banter with swoon, and I couldn’t get enough of Graham and Lucy. To spice up her life, her best friend gives her daily challenges through the month of January and through an unfortunate event, Graham joins in–let the fierce competition begin! I want to do something like this. Each challenge brought something different–laughs, tender moments, challenges to overcome, and an undeniable, magnetic attraction.
I can’t stop thinking about how much this book spoke to me. My soul danced while my heart sang karaoke and I was completely smitten with this dynamic duo.
Content: mild language; off-page cheating; swoony romance/kissing
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
I’ve always loved a good medical romance and this sweet story hit the spot. Graham is a roguish doctor trying to implement changes in his personal life, while Lucy is a nurse who is very creative with her insults (and left me trying to come up with some of my own). The way they fell into a light, easy, competitive camaraderie left me all warm and fuzzy.
Becky Monson is one of my favorites at writing witty banter with swoon, and I couldn’t get enough of Graham and Lucy. To spice up her life, her best friend gives her daily challenges through the month of January and through an unfortunate event, Graham joins in–let the fierce competition begin! I want to do something like this. Each challenge brought something different–laughs, tender moments, challenges to overcome, and an undeniable, magnetic attraction.
I can’t stop thinking about how much this book spoke to me. My soul danced while my heart sang karaoke and I was completely smitten with this dynamic duo.
Content: mild language; off-page cheating; swoony romance/kissing
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
April 13, 2024
I Couldn’t Put it Down
You’ve Got Mail vibes
Friends to lovers
Brother’s best friend
Hospital setting
A 31 day challenge
This book had so many things going for it! I loved Lucy! She has had some setbacks but used them to care for and comfort others. In her own life she’s been playing it safe until her best friend issues her a challenge for each day in January to help her get out of her comfort zone. When Dr. Graham Shackwell starts doing the challenges with her, it adds a whole new dimension. I loved how Lucy and Graham both helped each other grow. Join them for competitive shenanigans, laugh out loud moments, and an adorable swoony romance!
You’ve Got Mail vibes
Friends to lovers
Brother’s best friend
Hospital setting
A 31 day challenge
This book had so many things going for it! I loved Lucy! She has had some setbacks but used them to care for and comfort others. In her own life she’s been playing it safe until her best friend issues her a challenge for each day in January to help her get out of her comfort zone. When Dr. Graham Shackwell starts doing the challenges with her, it adds a whole new dimension. I loved how Lucy and Graham both helped each other grow. Join them for competitive shenanigans, laugh out loud moments, and an adorable swoony romance!
June 29, 2025
Kisses-only, dual-POV, nurse/doctor romantic comedy
Lucy Price, a 29-year-old ER nurse, has lived an extremely limited existence since a traumatic car accident in her teens torpedoed both her full-ride swimming scholarship and her self-esteem. For twelve years, she has lived a life of quiet desperation. She is a virgin by default, because she rarely dates. Her parents and older brother Kyle have achieved happy marriages and successful parenthood, and her younger brother Ryan, who is engaged to her BFF Morgan, will soon follow suit. Lucy is convinced she is neither worthy nor capable of achieving that same deeply desired domestic bliss.
Then Dr. Graham Shackwell begins a conversation with her, after six months of seeing her almost daily at the hospital where they both work and never offering a personal word. Graham, 34, is Kyle’s estranged best friend and grew up next door, practically part of Lucy’s family. Their home was a desperately needed refuge from the constant bitter arguments between his mother and his philandering father. But instead of breaking that destructive pattern, Graham largely followed in his father’s footsteps, except that he never committed to any woman he might eventually betray. For years, he lived a life of heavy drinking and one-night stands. Until eight months ago, when something snapped. He stopped drinking, started therapy, and began a hard recovery from self-destructive behaviors that bear all the hallmarks of sex addiction. As part of his quest for sobriety, both chemical and sexual, his therapist has urged him to form his very first platonic friendship with a woman. The familiar, kind face he instinctively chooses is Lucy’s.
Meanwhile, Lucy is undergoing her own kind of transformation: with Morgan’s persistent prodding, she begins a 30-day “challenge” to step outside her comfort zone and take one risk per day. Graham surprises them both by deciding to join her.
This romance is low-heat but emotionally satisfying, with a believable friendship-to-romance arc. Both characters are wrestling with painful baggage, and Graham has taken a vow of celibacy, which makes the lack of any physical intimacy between two people who aren't religious feel authentic.
That said, for me personally, my enjoyment of the story was substantially decreased by some frustrating weaknesses:
Missing motivation: Crucial turning points in both Lucy and Graham's backstories are never revealed. Why has Lucy avoided dating for so many years? What finally pushed Graham to seek therapy? And what caused his father to stop cheating on his wife, and when did that happen?
Medical inaccuracies: A glaring error pulled me out of the story completely. A young woman presents with nausea and is kept in the hospital for three days without anyone suspecting pregnancy. That’s not a small oversight. It seriously undermines the believability of the hospital setting, especially since Lucy is a nurse. In reality, a pregnancy test would be standard intake protocol.
Implausible hospital decor: The inclusion of a life-sized promotional cutout for a mass-market romance novel titled, "To Love a Rogue Pirate," displayed at a hospital nurses’ station, is ridiculously unbelievable. No hospital would allow a shirtless pirate poster in a professional space. And the idea that every nurse in the the ER has read and adored a historical romance about pirates, which are extremely passé these days, is just as absurd.
Tone inconsistency: The author repeatedly uses “save” in place of “except,” which gives the narration an oddly archaic flavor that clashes with the otherwise modern voice.
Despite these flaws, I did enjoy watching Lucy and Graham’s relationship evolve. Unlike the vast majority of romances with damaged MCs, this story makes it clear that therapy (not merely the "love of a good woman") is essential to truly heal someone like Graham.
Lucy Price, a 29-year-old ER nurse, has lived an extremely limited existence since a traumatic car accident in her teens torpedoed both her full-ride swimming scholarship and her self-esteem. For twelve years, she has lived a life of quiet desperation. She is a virgin by default, because she rarely dates. Her parents and older brother Kyle have achieved happy marriages and successful parenthood, and her younger brother Ryan, who is engaged to her BFF Morgan, will soon follow suit. Lucy is convinced she is neither worthy nor capable of achieving that same deeply desired domestic bliss.
Then Dr. Graham Shackwell begins a conversation with her, after six months of seeing her almost daily at the hospital where they both work and never offering a personal word. Graham, 34, is Kyle’s estranged best friend and grew up next door, practically part of Lucy’s family. Their home was a desperately needed refuge from the constant bitter arguments between his mother and his philandering father. But instead of breaking that destructive pattern, Graham largely followed in his father’s footsteps, except that he never committed to any woman he might eventually betray. For years, he lived a life of heavy drinking and one-night stands. Until eight months ago, when something snapped. He stopped drinking, started therapy, and began a hard recovery from self-destructive behaviors that bear all the hallmarks of sex addiction. As part of his quest for sobriety, both chemical and sexual, his therapist has urged him to form his very first platonic friendship with a woman. The familiar, kind face he instinctively chooses is Lucy’s.
Meanwhile, Lucy is undergoing her own kind of transformation: with Morgan’s persistent prodding, she begins a 30-day “challenge” to step outside her comfort zone and take one risk per day. Graham surprises them both by deciding to join her.
This romance is low-heat but emotionally satisfying, with a believable friendship-to-romance arc. Both characters are wrestling with painful baggage, and Graham has taken a vow of celibacy, which makes the lack of any physical intimacy between two people who aren't religious feel authentic.
That said, for me personally, my enjoyment of the story was substantially decreased by some frustrating weaknesses:
Missing motivation: Crucial turning points in both Lucy and Graham's backstories are never revealed. Why has Lucy avoided dating for so many years? What finally pushed Graham to seek therapy? And what caused his father to stop cheating on his wife, and when did that happen?
Medical inaccuracies: A glaring error pulled me out of the story completely. A young woman presents with nausea and is kept in the hospital for three days without anyone suspecting pregnancy. That’s not a small oversight. It seriously undermines the believability of the hospital setting, especially since Lucy is a nurse. In reality, a pregnancy test would be standard intake protocol.
Implausible hospital decor: The inclusion of a life-sized promotional cutout for a mass-market romance novel titled, "To Love a Rogue Pirate," displayed at a hospital nurses’ station, is ridiculously unbelievable. No hospital would allow a shirtless pirate poster in a professional space. And the idea that every nurse in the the ER has read and adored a historical romance about pirates, which are extremely passé these days, is just as absurd.
Tone inconsistency: The author repeatedly uses “save” in place of “except,” which gives the narration an oddly archaic flavor that clashes with the otherwise modern voice.
Despite these flaws, I did enjoy watching Lucy and Graham’s relationship evolve. Unlike the vast majority of romances with damaged MCs, this story makes it clear that therapy (not merely the "love of a good woman") is essential to truly heal someone like Graham.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2024
This is such a fun book! I found myself laughing out loud several times, and had to peek around to make sure no one noticed. The challenge, the competitiveness, the pain, the friendship that was built. I loved it all, and definitely need pictures of the loser wearing those scrubs!
Disclaimer: This is not a Christian fiction book, and there is some cussing in it.
~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
Disclaimer: This is not a Christian fiction book, and there is some cussing in it.
~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
April 9, 2024
I am feeling all the things right now with this book! The main characters hit all the marks for a smashing book! The swoony romance, the gutsy competition, the heartfelt therapy, and the honest companionship between a man and a woman! It was all heart stealing goodness! I loved it! Enjoy!
April 17, 2024
THIS IS A MUST READ
August 1, 2025
Okay, I’ve read a lot of romance/ rom-com books over the summer, but I have to say by far this one is my favorite. I’ve been trying to find more closed-door romance novels to read and this one is perfect. The storyline was really good, even though there were certain cliches in there(like pretty much all books do), I really enjoyed it. I loved getting to watch both the main characters grow together in so many ways. I’m sure some of it has to do with the fact that I relate to Lucy a lot. I think I’ve been feeling caught in that loop that she felt like she was in for a while. It makes me want to start up one of those challenges like she did. I feel like a lot of people can relate to being stuck in that comfort zone and being scared to step out of their shell. Anyways, if you’re looking for a closed door rom-com that has playful banter, relatable characters, and a more complex storyline that goes outside of just the two main characters relationships, this is it.
May 8, 2025
4.25
Just one of those adorable romances you pick up and can’t put down! Super cute and cheesy!
Just one of those adorable romances you pick up and can’t put down! Super cute and cheesy!
April 12, 2024
(4.5 stars) - Absolutely delightful from beginning to end!
I always enjoy Becky Monson's books, but this one is my new favorite! The story & the banter are so fun that I think I smiled all the way thru!
There were 3 plot devices that were predictable - 1 moreso than the others - but I didn't mind as it all worked together for a thoroughly entertaining read! Definitely going to be on my re-read list!
*Romance level: passionate kisses but nothing graphic; the MMC is a reforming player, & there are hints of his past habits manipulating women into bed but it's kept discreet
I always enjoy Becky Monson's books, but this one is my new favorite! The story & the banter are so fun that I think I smiled all the way thru!
There were 3 plot devices that were predictable - 1 moreso than the others - but I didn't mind as it all worked together for a thoroughly entertaining read! Definitely going to be on my re-read list!
*Romance level: passionate kisses but nothing graphic; the MMC is a reforming player, & there are hints of his past habits manipulating women into bed but it's kept discreet
November 15, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
This was just a fun easy read (or listen) but it wasn’t anything super amazing or profound. I enjoyed parts of the book, such as the competition, but it also got rather annoying at times. I think I’m getting burnt out on romcoms so I should probably stop reading them for a while so I can fully appreciate them again. They begin to all feel super repetitive and no fun.
I did appreciate the growth in Graham’s character. He did an amazing job at overcoming his past bad character traits and becoming a genuinely good guy.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book and it was okay. The narrators were both really good, but I just wasn’t overly fond of the book in general.
This was just a fun easy read (or listen) but it wasn’t anything super amazing or profound. I enjoyed parts of the book, such as the competition, but it also got rather annoying at times. I think I’m getting burnt out on romcoms so I should probably stop reading them for a while so I can fully appreciate them again. They begin to all feel super repetitive and no fun.
I did appreciate the growth in Graham’s character. He did an amazing job at overcoming his past bad character traits and becoming a genuinely good guy.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book and it was okay. The narrators were both really good, but I just wasn’t overly fond of the book in general.
April 6, 2024
This is one of those books that gives you all the feels. I cried with Lucy and laughed out loud with Lucy. Lucy is wanting to make some changes in her life because she feels like she is in a rut or more that her best friend, Morgan, feels she is in a rut and challenges Lucy to do things she is not accustomed to doing. At one point a doctor at the hospital Lucy works in gets sucked into the challenges with Lucy as he is also trying to better himself in other ways. You can kind of see where this is going but I loved going on the journey with Lucy and Dr. Shackwell as they learn about each other. I loved learning about the characters themselves. They have great chemistry together. It is just Lucy has never been in a relationship and Graham has been in too many but for the wrong reasons that neither of them really knows what it is like to be in love. The challenges Morgan comes up with are hilarious and meaningful. I think you will really enjoy reading this book. I got sucked into the story and couldn't put it down. Hands down, Becky Monson is one of my favorite authors so it was a no brainer that I would absolutely love this book and it did not disappoint. I highly recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 25, 2024
An easy light hearted romance! Just what I needed to get out of a reading funk!
September 2, 2025
Cute fast read 🥰
July 12, 2025
Super cute with a fun dynamic. Really enjoyed this book!
February 9, 2025
mm... i probably wasn't in the mood for a romance because it bored me so muchhhh!
August 12, 2024
This was a quick and cute read. I thought they made a cute couple. It was nice to see them both grow throughout the book. I thought the MMC was pretty hard on himself for too long.
April 14, 2024
Couldn’t read it fast enough!
I adored this book- from the very beginning I got hooked (the prologue will suck you in so be prepared!) and never wanted to put this book down.
The two protagonists, Lucy and Graham, are now my favorite and I loved their witty bantering, their competitive streaks, the sweetness of their friendship, the story’s rising tension, and their toe-curling romance!
Pretty much I loved all the things. The characters had so much depth and heart to them, and automatically you can’t help but root for them and want them to find happiness. It was great having cameos of other characters in Aspen Lake from this author’s other books too.
But I also laughed my head off with this book (Lucy’s version of swearing might become the new thing in my household, and I snort laughed at the image of Graham’s t-shirt picture of Lucy). There was such great chemistry and such a fantastic flow to this story- probably another reason I couldn’t read it fast enough. I definitely think this is one book you don’t want to miss!
I adored this book- from the very beginning I got hooked (the prologue will suck you in so be prepared!) and never wanted to put this book down.
The two protagonists, Lucy and Graham, are now my favorite and I loved their witty bantering, their competitive streaks, the sweetness of their friendship, the story’s rising tension, and their toe-curling romance!
Pretty much I loved all the things. The characters had so much depth and heart to them, and automatically you can’t help but root for them and want them to find happiness. It was great having cameos of other characters in Aspen Lake from this author’s other books too.
But I also laughed my head off with this book (Lucy’s version of swearing might become the new thing in my household, and I snort laughed at the image of Graham’s t-shirt picture of Lucy). There was such great chemistry and such a fantastic flow to this story- probably another reason I couldn’t read it fast enough. I definitely think this is one book you don’t want to miss!
July 25, 2024
If you ever look through my Instagram posts (@theromancebookstagrammer), you'll spot that I'm a fan of Becky Monson's writing. There's a very simple reason for that - her books bring me joy!
Not Boyfriend Material is another 5-star read for me. I've read this in one sitting, and I've lost count of how many times I've laughed out loud.
The mix of the very hot Dr. Graham Shackwell and his lovely co-worker nurse Lucy Price are perfect.
They're both trying to work on themselves for different reasons - Lucy because she feels her life is boring, and Graham because he doesn't like the person he's been in the past - he was a bit of a player. They set about doing a month of daily challenges with brilliant results.
I became so emotionally invested in these two - there's an abundance of humour but also some wonderfully written soul-searching; this is a beautiful tale of building a solid foundation of friendship whilst discovering who you are inside, and finding out what you want, and it has a wonderful slow-burn to it. I also loved the dual POV.
I'm not sure my words can do justice to how fantastic this book is. Becky Monson seems to elevate her writing in each new book, and this showcases just how talented she is.
I'll be adding this to my to-keep & re-read list, and it'll be added to my favourite bookshelf, too.
5-star read - 100% recommend it
Not Boyfriend Material is another 5-star read for me. I've read this in one sitting, and I've lost count of how many times I've laughed out loud.
The mix of the very hot Dr. Graham Shackwell and his lovely co-worker nurse Lucy Price are perfect.
They're both trying to work on themselves for different reasons - Lucy because she feels her life is boring, and Graham because he doesn't like the person he's been in the past - he was a bit of a player. They set about doing a month of daily challenges with brilliant results.
I became so emotionally invested in these two - there's an abundance of humour but also some wonderfully written soul-searching; this is a beautiful tale of building a solid foundation of friendship whilst discovering who you are inside, and finding out what you want, and it has a wonderful slow-burn to it. I also loved the dual POV.
I'm not sure my words can do justice to how fantastic this book is. Becky Monson seems to elevate her writing in each new book, and this showcases just how talented she is.
I'll be adding this to my to-keep & re-read list, and it'll be added to my favourite bookshelf, too.
5-star read - 100% recommend it
April 8, 2024
Every time I read a book by Becky Monson I know I can expect lots of laughs and lots of good feelings. She is the wizard of witty! I truly loved this book and would have read it nonstop if I could have.
I loved this second chance romance with a little friends to more mixed in. It was executed perfectly. I enjoyed having a dual POV as it allowed me to get into the character’s heads.
Things that stood out were:
The supply closet
The Fun Challenges
Crocheting
Competitive Spirit
“Kind” Insults
Desire to change
Family dynamics
And too many more things to mention.
Becky has long been a favorite of mine and this book just reinforced the reasons why that is. Please don’t miss out on this amazingly heartwarming yet hilarious read. You’ll be laughing out loud before you know it.
Content warning: There is some mild cussing.
I loved this second chance romance with a little friends to more mixed in. It was executed perfectly. I enjoyed having a dual POV as it allowed me to get into the character’s heads.
Things that stood out were:
The supply closet
The Fun Challenges
Crocheting
Competitive Spirit
“Kind” Insults
Desire to change
Family dynamics
And too many more things to mention.
Becky has long been a favorite of mine and this book just reinforced the reasons why that is. Please don’t miss out on this amazingly heartwarming yet hilarious read. You’ll be laughing out loud before you know it.
Content warning: There is some mild cussing.
April 10, 2024
This story made me squeal with laughter and sob like a baby.
Lucy Price is an ER nurse who’s never had a serious relationship and stays in her comfort zone. Tired of Lucy’s stagnant existence, her best friend, Morgan, takes charge and issues her a series of daily challenges to pull her out of her rut.
Doctor Graham Shackwell is a coworker who was once Lucy’s brother’s best friend. He has a reputation for superficial flirting and toxic serial dating (remember him?), but Lucy’s never seen it. Graham is ready for authentic friendship without ulterior motives, so when he learns about Lucy’s challenges, he offers to do them with her.
Their competitive nature creates hysterically funny moments from baking shenanigans to a wild karaoke night, with all the smack talk and banter our romcom-loving hearts can’t get enough of, but their friendship lays the foundation for a beautiful story of self-reflection and redemption that I didn’t see coming. For very different reasons, Graham and Lucy are both letting go of past identities that no longer define them, and Graham has to forgive himself in order to move forward. (Insert sobs😭)
Although this is a stand-alone novel, fans of previous Becky Monson and Jennifer Peel books are going to love it even more. The overlapping themes and details create the most fun scavenger hunt. I’m sure it’ll take multiple reads to catch them all... and that's fine, because I never want to leave Aspen Lake. I love it here.💗
Lucy Price is an ER nurse who’s never had a serious relationship and stays in her comfort zone. Tired of Lucy’s stagnant existence, her best friend, Morgan, takes charge and issues her a series of daily challenges to pull her out of her rut.
Doctor Graham Shackwell is a coworker who was once Lucy’s brother’s best friend. He has a reputation for superficial flirting and toxic serial dating (remember him?), but Lucy’s never seen it. Graham is ready for authentic friendship without ulterior motives, so when he learns about Lucy’s challenges, he offers to do them with her.
Their competitive nature creates hysterically funny moments from baking shenanigans to a wild karaoke night, with all the smack talk and banter our romcom-loving hearts can’t get enough of, but their friendship lays the foundation for a beautiful story of self-reflection and redemption that I didn’t see coming. For very different reasons, Graham and Lucy are both letting go of past identities that no longer define them, and Graham has to forgive himself in order to move forward. (Insert sobs😭)
Although this is a stand-alone novel, fans of previous Becky Monson and Jennifer Peel books are going to love it even more. The overlapping themes and details create the most fun scavenger hunt. I’m sure it’ll take multiple reads to catch them all... and that's fine, because I never want to leave Aspen Lake. I love it here.💗
May 11, 2024
Graham and Lucy!! 🩷
Becky Monson’s books are always so fun! I loved this cute story of Graham and Lucy!
When Lucy’s best friend, Morgan, decides Lucy needs some more fun in her life, she issues her a challenge for a month! This challenge will get Lucy out of her comfort zone and bring some excitement into her life. Little does she know, when Dr. Graham Schackwell, her brother‘s ex best friend, finds out what she’s doing, he wants to join in with her! Quickly, the challenges become a competition and they start doing them together. They quickly develop a friendship that turns into more. But, Graham is trying to reform himself from his bad boy past and Lucy’s brother has warned her to stay away from Graham for that exact reason!!
Ahh! These two are so cute! I loved how hard Graham was working on himself to try and be a better man! And I loved how the daily challenges helped get Lucy out of her comfort zone and trying allll the things! These two had great chemistry and such a fun relationship!!
Such a cute, fun book!!
Becky Monson’s books are always so fun! I loved this cute story of Graham and Lucy!
When Lucy’s best friend, Morgan, decides Lucy needs some more fun in her life, she issues her a challenge for a month! This challenge will get Lucy out of her comfort zone and bring some excitement into her life. Little does she know, when Dr. Graham Schackwell, her brother‘s ex best friend, finds out what she’s doing, he wants to join in with her! Quickly, the challenges become a competition and they start doing them together. They quickly develop a friendship that turns into more. But, Graham is trying to reform himself from his bad boy past and Lucy’s brother has warned her to stay away from Graham for that exact reason!!
Ahh! These two are so cute! I loved how hard Graham was working on himself to try and be a better man! And I loved how the daily challenges helped get Lucy out of her comfort zone and trying allll the things! These two had great chemistry and such a fun relationship!!
Such a cute, fun book!!
November 9, 2025
another winner!
I absolutely adore Becky Monson books and this one is definitely a winner 😍. This is part of a collection of interconnected books written by her and Jennifer Peel set in Aspen Lake. It can definitely be read as a standalone but I have really enjoyed seeing characters from each book…they are companion books. Graham (hero) was one of my favorite types of heroes….the reformed playboy….he had been through much emotional pain and neglect growing up, and was now desperately trying to be a better man. Lucy (heroine) was an adorable and sweet heroine….she had a heart of gold and romantically was very innocent. Their challenges, given by Lucy’s BFF, drew Graham and Lucy closer together and helped to change both of their lives….I would like to try them :). A sweet, clean and romantic read that will put joy in your heart and a smile on your face 🥰. Highly recommend! I love Becky Monson’s books!!
I absolutely adore Becky Monson books and this one is definitely a winner 😍. This is part of a collection of interconnected books written by her and Jennifer Peel set in Aspen Lake. It can definitely be read as a standalone but I have really enjoyed seeing characters from each book…they are companion books. Graham (hero) was one of my favorite types of heroes….the reformed playboy….he had been through much emotional pain and neglect growing up, and was now desperately trying to be a better man. Lucy (heroine) was an adorable and sweet heroine….she had a heart of gold and romantically was very innocent. Their challenges, given by Lucy’s BFF, drew Graham and Lucy closer together and helped to change both of their lives….I would like to try them :). A sweet, clean and romantic read that will put joy in your heart and a smile on your face 🥰. Highly recommend! I love Becky Monson’s books!!
June 21, 2024
Cute romance with no descriptive moments
This was a fun read. I really loved "the challenge" that brought Lucy and Graham together. Overall, this had depth, and I found that I appreciated the way the author approached each of the characters' challenges. I liked that Lucy wasn't Graham's fix with life. He was working on himself to try to live a life that he thought would be better for him, and I liked that the story openly talked about therapy. This book took me a while to read. I think it's because I had a hard time getting into it at first. But at about 50%, I plowed through it.
Content: PG. Kissing only. Heavier topics with childhood trauma, a cheating parent, neglect, forgiveness, and therapy.
Language: No language
Religious: No
Happy reading!!
This was a fun read. I really loved "the challenge" that brought Lucy and Graham together. Overall, this had depth, and I found that I appreciated the way the author approached each of the characters' challenges. I liked that Lucy wasn't Graham's fix with life. He was working on himself to try to live a life that he thought would be better for him, and I liked that the story openly talked about therapy. This book took me a while to read. I think it's because I had a hard time getting into it at first. But at about 50%, I plowed through it.
Content: PG. Kissing only. Heavier topics with childhood trauma, a cheating parent, neglect, forgiveness, and therapy.
Language: No language
Religious: No
Happy reading!!
January 28, 2025
K but this was so cute. The cheese was cheesing but I really liked it anyway! I love a dual POV and the You’ve Got Mail undertone but friends to lovers instead of enemies to lovers. It made me happy so it’s getting a 4 🤣 I also plan on insulting people by Lucy’s method from now on. If you didn’t like this book then you’re a soggy toilet paper roll. Or…. A stale breakfast sandwich. A dull dental scaler!
June 15, 2024
Good writing in this one which is always refreshing. Felt extremely similar to “the doctor and the midwife” though and it was hard not to compare them since I love that book. The mildly harsh insults were fun!
April 15, 2024
Super cute!
May 18, 2024
Cute, wholesome, quick romcom.
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