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The Wilmot Sisters #3
Once Smitten, Twice Shy
Star-crossed lovers learn that practicing romance leads to the perfect happy ending in this steamy reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
Since heartbreak entered the scene, Juliet Wilmot, once a hopeless romantic, has sworn off love. But when she’s presented with the chance to revisit romance—purely for practice—with the gorgeous, off-limits guy she keeps serendipitously running into, it feels like a sign from the universe.
Quiet, shy Will Orsino knows happily-ever-after isn’t on his horizon. Problem is, for the sake of the family business, marriage is. Resigned to the inevitable, but with no confidence he can woo a wife, he can hardly say no when fate hands him the alluring, unattainable woman he keeps crossing paths with, offering to help him learn the ropes of romance.
Neither of them looking for love, Jules and Will agree they’re the perfect pair to practice romance. Except that practicing to perfection leads to an irresistible attraction. Their once smitten hearts, though still twice shy, might have happily-ever-after written in the stars for them, after all.
Since heartbreak entered the scene, Juliet Wilmot, once a hopeless romantic, has sworn off love. But when she’s presented with the chance to revisit romance—purely for practice—with the gorgeous, off-limits guy she keeps serendipitously running into, it feels like a sign from the universe.
Quiet, shy Will Orsino knows happily-ever-after isn’t on his horizon. Problem is, for the sake of the family business, marriage is. Resigned to the inevitable, but with no confidence he can woo a wife, he can hardly say no when fate hands him the alluring, unattainable woman he keeps crossing paths with, offering to help him learn the ropes of romance.
Neither of them looking for love, Jules and Will agree they’re the perfect pair to practice romance. Except that practicing to perfection leads to an irresistible attraction. Their once smitten hearts, though still twice shy, might have happily-ever-after written in the stars for them, after all.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2025
292 people are currently reading
21336 people want to read
About the author
Chloe Liese
21 books10.2k followersChloe is a USA Today bestselling author who writes romantic fiction reflecting her belief that everyone deserves a love story. When not dreaming up her next novel, you'll find her reading, trying new recipes, savoring nature, and soaking up time with her big, beautiful family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,485 reviews
February 7, 2025
This is now the third Chloe Liese book I've read and I'm slowly starting to realize that this author is just not for me.
I'm sure many people will enjoy this. I didn't like the characters as much as in Two Wrongs Make a Right and found them more annoying like in Better Hate than Never.
They're extra and too much and just not my cup of tea. Like, we'd never hang out in the real world. And the romance between these two was so sudden and insta... I really didn't buy the whole thing at all.
I just haven't gotten on with the last couple of books from the author - I find them boring, and the inner monologuing drags on forever. I just didn't understand why Will and Juliet couldn't just be adults and date, so the whole novel didn't really work for me.
It's this ick I get from the characters. They're supposed to be adults but they act so immature.
🎀Cinnamon Roll MMC
💗Disability Rep
🎀Neurodivergence/Anxiety/Chronic Illness Rep
💗FMC Gives Dating Lessons to MMC
🎀No Third-Act Breakup
💗Second Chance Romance
🎀Fake Dating
Anticipated Release Date - 01/14/25
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced digital copy- all thoughts and opinions are my own. 💐🩷
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
I'm sure many people will enjoy this. I didn't like the characters as much as in Two Wrongs Make a Right and found them more annoying like in Better Hate than Never.
They're extra and too much and just not my cup of tea. Like, we'd never hang out in the real world. And the romance between these two was so sudden and insta... I really didn't buy the whole thing at all.
I just haven't gotten on with the last couple of books from the author - I find them boring, and the inner monologuing drags on forever. I just didn't understand why Will and Juliet couldn't just be adults and date, so the whole novel didn't really work for me.
It's this ick I get from the characters. They're supposed to be adults but they act so immature.
🎀Cinnamon Roll MMC
💗Disability Rep
🎀Neurodivergence/Anxiety/Chronic Illness Rep
💗FMC Gives Dating Lessons to MMC
🎀No Third-Act Breakup
💗Second Chance Romance
🎀Fake Dating
Anticipated Release Date - 01/14/25
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced digital copy- all thoughts and opinions are my own. 💐🩷
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
October 14, 2025
unfortunately this book was absolutely not for me, I didn’t vibe or relate to both main character to the slightest bits!!
this may sound crazy BUT they were both so lovey dovey from the first chapter to the last. No conflict, no problems. they communicated absolutely peacefully and cutesy 😭 and I sat there like - “so why am I here?” - both of them were rays of sunshine and maybe I’m too grumpy but that pissed me off lmaoo. also yes they were peaceful start to end but even that was boring?? Like I read some sweet romances with no conflict and they were somehow enjoyable but not this one. and lastly the mmc is ginger.. a ginger guy traumatized my bestie so i hold a grudge against that species.
***ARC Provided by the Publisher—Berkley Publishing Group—in exchange for an honest Review.***
this may sound crazy BUT they were both so lovey dovey from the first chapter to the last. No conflict, no problems. they communicated absolutely peacefully and cutesy 😭 and I sat there like - “so why am I here?” - both of them were rays of sunshine and maybe I’m too grumpy but that pissed me off lmaoo. also yes they were peaceful start to end but even that was boring?? Like I read some sweet romances with no conflict and they were somehow enjoyable but not this one. and lastly the mmc is ginger.. a ginger guy traumatized my bestie so i hold a grudge against that species.
***ARC Provided by the Publisher—Berkley Publishing Group—in exchange for an honest Review.***
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January 17, 2025Happy Juliet and Will Day!! The Wilmot Sisters series is now complete <3. I hope you love my sweet, goofy, super-hot-for-each-other-friends-who-practice-date darlings, Will & Jules. I hope they make you feel like you’ve been hugged, seen, loved, laughed with, hoped & believed in. I hope they make you kick your feet & smile ‘til your face hurts. I hope you have the best darn time reading & adore them as much as I do. This one is for the romantics, the sensitive ones, for every tender soul out there who needs the reminder of how much they deserve. I can’t wait for you to read it.
Order Your Signed & Personalized Copy here!
Read now via Paperback, E-book, & Audiobook.
Don't forget to request your preferred format from your library, too! It's as simple as an email to your local branch. You can even send them this link to make your librarians' lives easier.
Enjoy book playlists? Like all my books, ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY has a playlist, one song per chapter, including the prologue. Listen with Spotify.
Order Your Signed & Personalized Copy here!
Read now via Paperback, E-book, & Audiobook.
Don't forget to request your preferred format from your library, too! It's as simple as an email to your local branch. You can even send them this link to make your librarians' lives easier.
Enjoy book playlists? Like all my books, ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY has a playlist, one song per chapter, including the prologue. Listen with Spotify.
June 18, 2025
4.5⭐️ oh i LOVED this. will is the most down bad endearing character you will ever meet i am obsessed with him
February 14, 2025
“I hope you never change and never forget what you deserve— love that makes you feel like you never have to.”
ˋ°•*⁀➷ Tropes
🎀 Reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
🎀 Star crossed lovers
🎀 Romance practice lessons
🎀 Grumpy x sunshine
🎀 Neurodivergent rep
🎀 Chronic illness rep
This was a super sweet read and had amazing representation!
Juliet and Will's relationship was tender and wholesome. Will complimented Juliet perfectly as he is such a sweet human being and took the time to appreciate her. She definitely deserved it after the toxic relationship she came out of. It was the small romantic moments between them that won me over. Neither Will or Juliet are perfect but they have self-awareness and are trying to heal.
The portrayal of chronic illness and disability was conveyed in a meaningful way. You can tell Chloe poured her heart out on these pages to offer much needed representation.
Unfortunately, I did struggle staying engaged because the internal dialogue was very long and it took me out of the moments I enjoyed between Juliet and Will. There wasn't much development in the story plot wise as the relationship developed early on.
Overall, this is a cute, cozy romance that you can enjoy if you're in the mood for something with a slower pace.
✨ Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
ˋ°•*⁀➷ Tropes
🎀 Reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
🎀 Star crossed lovers
🎀 Romance practice lessons
🎀 Grumpy x sunshine
🎀 Neurodivergent rep
🎀 Chronic illness rep
This was a super sweet read and had amazing representation!
Juliet and Will's relationship was tender and wholesome. Will complimented Juliet perfectly as he is such a sweet human being and took the time to appreciate her. She definitely deserved it after the toxic relationship she came out of. It was the small romantic moments between them that won me over. Neither Will or Juliet are perfect but they have self-awareness and are trying to heal.
The portrayal of chronic illness and disability was conveyed in a meaningful way. You can tell Chloe poured her heart out on these pages to offer much needed representation.
Unfortunately, I did struggle staying engaged because the internal dialogue was very long and it took me out of the moments I enjoyed between Juliet and Will. There wasn't much development in the story plot wise as the relationship developed early on.
Overall, this is a cute, cozy romance that you can enjoy if you're in the mood for something with a slower pace.
✨ Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
March 20, 2025
still not sure this author's books are for me. i ADORE how she includes mental illness/neurodiversity/chronic illness/disability into her books, but the romances always fall a little flat. the hero was such a sweetie and the heroine was great too. i just prefer a little more angst and tension in my romances. this felt too low stakes because they were both SO sweet and so willing to fall for each other idk.
January 21, 2025
I can honestly say this is the sweetest, the most adorable book of the series! I’m rooting for Juliet Wilmot; twin sister of Bea since “Two Wrongs Make A Right”, seeing her vulnerability and her toughness after getting through toxic relationship, being brave enough to end things with her douche manipulative fiancée, expecting to read her own book, crossing my fingers for her highly earned happily ever after.
It’s impossible not to root for her significant other Will Orsino, cinnamon bun hiding behind introvert, quiet, socially awkward, incarnated duke who is caring of his entire family wholeheartedly.
Their path crosses at a pub in Scotland where they find themselves dance together and get so close to share a kiss. Juliet walks out because she’s not in a good place to start something new and hiding in a Scotland cottage is her way to her heal her wounds after heartbreaking broken heart that makes her second guess about men’s motives.
But she doesn’t count to meet this ginger haired, charming, man of few words stranger at the greenhouse of her mother, sleeping peacefully on the ground throughout rain dripping down and attacks him with a shovel, thinking he’s stalking her. When she finds out he’s the best friend of Christopher ( the leading character of second book: Better Hate Than Never, her sister Kate’s boyfriend) she realizes he’s Orsino ( call him with his last name) Christopher is always talking about.
When the next day, Juliet runs for his help to work the complicated coffee machine at Christopher’s house that turns into a long chat while they sit on ancient family swing that fails to carry Will, the abruptness turns into flirty teasing which Will always fails to achieve because he doesn’t have social cues to conduct a long conversation which affects his relationship status. On the other hand Juliet feels too rusty to flirt after closing her heart to love and second guess of her each decision she’s made.
Will needs a partner in her life who can help her to conduct family business as a sales representative of their famous whiskey distillery but for finding a proper candidate he has to break his shyness and put himself out there with right cues. And Juliet needs to practice to embrace her confidence to build a trustworthy relationship. They decide to help each by friendly courting to practice romance for getting ready of their future entanglements but they don’t count that growing attraction they felt for each is meant to push their friendship boundaries and they have to face their mutual blooming intimacy that they hardly resist.
Will thinks his best friend Christopher sees Juliet as little sister which puts her off limits and Juliet still gets scared to leave her trust to anybody but what if they take risk in the name of love that conquers every single obstacle!
Overall: I loved this friends to lovers, super sweet and slow burn romance! It was also fun to see cameos of Bea-Jamie and Kate-Christopher whose love stories at the previous books are amazing! Neurodivergence sensitive Shakespearean adaptations to the real world couldn’t be written so brilliantly. Even though Wilmot sisters’ saga concludes with this book, I still wish Chloe Liese reimagines more Shakespearean stories and introduce us more vivid and memorable characters we easily engage! She did amazing job as always.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for sharing this amazing romance’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange of my honest thoughts.
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It’s impossible not to root for her significant other Will Orsino, cinnamon bun hiding behind introvert, quiet, socially awkward, incarnated duke who is caring of his entire family wholeheartedly.
Their path crosses at a pub in Scotland where they find themselves dance together and get so close to share a kiss. Juliet walks out because she’s not in a good place to start something new and hiding in a Scotland cottage is her way to her heal her wounds after heartbreaking broken heart that makes her second guess about men’s motives.
But she doesn’t count to meet this ginger haired, charming, man of few words stranger at the greenhouse of her mother, sleeping peacefully on the ground throughout rain dripping down and attacks him with a shovel, thinking he’s stalking her. When she finds out he’s the best friend of Christopher ( the leading character of second book: Better Hate Than Never, her sister Kate’s boyfriend) she realizes he’s Orsino ( call him with his last name) Christopher is always talking about.
When the next day, Juliet runs for his help to work the complicated coffee machine at Christopher’s house that turns into a long chat while they sit on ancient family swing that fails to carry Will, the abruptness turns into flirty teasing which Will always fails to achieve because he doesn’t have social cues to conduct a long conversation which affects his relationship status. On the other hand Juliet feels too rusty to flirt after closing her heart to love and second guess of her each decision she’s made.
Will needs a partner in her life who can help her to conduct family business as a sales representative of their famous whiskey distillery but for finding a proper candidate he has to break his shyness and put himself out there with right cues. And Juliet needs to practice to embrace her confidence to build a trustworthy relationship. They decide to help each by friendly courting to practice romance for getting ready of their future entanglements but they don’t count that growing attraction they felt for each is meant to push their friendship boundaries and they have to face their mutual blooming intimacy that they hardly resist.
Will thinks his best friend Christopher sees Juliet as little sister which puts her off limits and Juliet still gets scared to leave her trust to anybody but what if they take risk in the name of love that conquers every single obstacle!
Overall: I loved this friends to lovers, super sweet and slow burn romance! It was also fun to see cameos of Bea-Jamie and Kate-Christopher whose love stories at the previous books are amazing! Neurodivergence sensitive Shakespearean adaptations to the real world couldn’t be written so brilliantly. Even though Wilmot sisters’ saga concludes with this book, I still wish Chloe Liese reimagines more Shakespearean stories and introduce us more vivid and memorable characters we easily engage! She did amazing job as always.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for sharing this amazing romance’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange of my honest thoughts.
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November 3, 2024
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
I’m a sucker for Chloe Liese’s romances, and this one was no different. I mean, a shy neurodivergent character (Will) who has ‘thinking thoughts’ that jump out of his mouth so quickly and become ‘talking thoughts’. I sighed with a huge smile on my face because of his sweetness. And NO third-act breakup. That alone almost earned that fast hit on the five-star button.
Once Smitten, Twice Shy is a slow-burn romance with excellent writing (of course, because, well, Chloe Liese) and lots of inner thoughts. I loved to be inside Juliet’s and Will’s minds. I liked fierce and, at the same time, vulnerable Juliet with her celiac disease and her stiff joints, but Will, sweet, autistic, sensory-issued Will, is the real star of this story. In my review of Two Wrongs Make a Right, the first of this series, I said that Jamie was the cutest of cutest cinnamon rolls, but I found a new one. Will simply outshines Jamie. Please read this book if you don’t believe me because he really, really does!
Thank you, Penguin Random House International, for one of my most anticipated 2025 reads! I loved reading this ARC.
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I’m a sucker for Chloe Liese’s romances, and this one was no different. I mean, a shy neurodivergent character (Will) who has ‘thinking thoughts’ that jump out of his mouth so quickly and become ‘talking thoughts’. I sighed with a huge smile on my face because of his sweetness. And NO third-act breakup. That alone almost earned that fast hit on the five-star button.
Once Smitten, Twice Shy is a slow-burn romance with excellent writing (of course, because, well, Chloe Liese) and lots of inner thoughts. I loved to be inside Juliet’s and Will’s minds. I liked fierce and, at the same time, vulnerable Juliet with her celiac disease and her stiff joints, but Will, sweet, autistic, sensory-issued Will, is the real star of this story. In my review of Two Wrongs Make a Right, the first of this series, I said that Jamie was the cutest of cutest cinnamon rolls, but I found a new one. Will simply outshines Jamie. Please read this book if you don’t believe me because he really, really does!
Thank you, Penguin Random House International, for one of my most anticipated 2025 reads! I loved reading this ARC.
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August 18, 2024
This was definitely a very cute romance.
What I loved most about this one was how self aware Juliet was. There was definitely a lot of introspection and I liked reading about Bea & Jamie again.
But - there was A LOT of internal dialogues. Now I don’t mind them when they add to the story but (IMO), there were too many. I kept zoning out and it hindered my cutesy vibe reading a little.
This book focuses on the healing journey of 2 characters that had a few misfortunes in their love lives… so there’s no actual plot. Will & Juliet were adorable but I kept having the feeling that something was missing.
I also ended up skimming the sex scenes because I felt like they didn’t fit in with all the fluff.
Overall, I recommend this if you’re looking for a light cutesy read! (BTW, there’s no 3rd act breakup!!🥳)
—• The wilmot sisters trilogy
Two wrongs make a right : 5✨
Better hate than never : 2✨
Once smitten twice shy : 3✨
—• Pre read
Yay!! Thanks NetGalley & Berkley for this ARC 🥹 I’m super excited. The first book in this trilogy was a 5✨ read for me so I hope this one will live up to it! The title & the cover are sooo cute
What I loved most about this one was how self aware Juliet was. There was definitely a lot of introspection and I liked reading about Bea & Jamie again.
But - there was A LOT of internal dialogues. Now I don’t mind them when they add to the story but (IMO), there were too many. I kept zoning out and it hindered my cutesy vibe reading a little.
This book focuses on the healing journey of 2 characters that had a few misfortunes in their love lives… so there’s no actual plot. Will & Juliet were adorable but I kept having the feeling that something was missing.
I also ended up skimming the sex scenes because I felt like they didn’t fit in with all the fluff.
Overall, I recommend this if you’re looking for a light cutesy read! (BTW, there’s no 3rd act breakup!!🥳)
—• The wilmot sisters trilogy
Two wrongs make a right : 5✨
Better hate than never : 2✨
Once smitten twice shy : 3✨
—• Pre read
Yay!! Thanks NetGalley & Berkley for this ARC 🥹 I’m super excited. The first book in this trilogy was a 5✨ read for me so I hope this one will live up to it! The title & the cover are sooo cute
October 15, 2025
"I don't often have the right words, let alone the perfect ones that you deserve. But I do have this--a heart for loving that's all yours, for always, if you'll have me."
4.25 stars
Finally the ending I have been searching for in this series!
This story was pretty adorable, and Will was such a cutie patootie. And NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP. There was some complicated, legitimate feelings happening toward the end but do you know how you get through those feelings? Communicating!!
I wasn't 100% sold on the premise of this one, I didn't really connect with it and was just kinda meh for me. But I love Chloe's writing and the ending was great.
Will always recommend this series to anyone who loves romance and loves to read about neurodiversity 🩷
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
4.25 stars
Finally the ending I have been searching for in this series!
This story was pretty adorable, and Will was such a cutie patootie. And NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP. There was some complicated, legitimate feelings happening toward the end but do you know how you get through those feelings? Communicating!!
I wasn't 100% sold on the premise of this one, I didn't really connect with it and was just kinda meh for me. But I love Chloe's writing and the ending was great.
Will always recommend this series to anyone who loves romance and loves to read about neurodiversity 🩷
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
January 17, 2025
ೀ 3★ .ᐟ
𐙚⋆°. finished: 13.1.24
This was definitely better than the second one but it still did not live up to the first one. This is definitely a cute romance that had me giggling at times for Will. There was definitely too much of internal dialogue which did threw me off and made me want to skip paragraphs which I held off from doing. I also did find myself a bit bored of it since it felt a bit repetitive. I loved how there was no third act breakup and no miscommunication.
⤿ Juliet
I love how self aware she is. I loved how she was so gentle with Will. I do wish that we got more information on her past toxic relationship since this book barely had anything on it except the part where she was heartbroken for months. I was expecting to get details on it since it was mentioned in the last book so much and as well at this book. Also since this book can be read as a standalone you would expect for there to be a breakdown on why she broke up with her ex regarding the whole toxic relationship because I have such bad memory I cannot for the life of myself remember what went down.
⤿ Will
He was such a cinnamon roll. He’s literally the most sweetest person in this series that everything he’s done had me giggling. The way he gets along with people so well honestly brings so much to his character. The relationship he has with his niece is honestly so adorable. The way he also put himself out there to Juliet friends and really did he best to get along with everything was probably the best part of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
ೀ preread ᡣ𐭩
𐙚⋆°. started: 12.1.25
I’m so dreading reading this now since I did not like the second one and it’s so fresh in my mind but I did get the arc for this book so I do have to read it.
𐙚⋆°. finished: 13.1.24
This was definitely better than the second one but it still did not live up to the first one. This is definitely a cute romance that had me giggling at times for Will. There was definitely too much of internal dialogue which did threw me off and made me want to skip paragraphs which I held off from doing. I also did find myself a bit bored of it since it felt a bit repetitive. I loved how there was no third act breakup and no miscommunication.
⤿ Juliet
I love how self aware she is. I loved how she was so gentle with Will. I do wish that we got more information on her past toxic relationship since this book barely had anything on it except the part where she was heartbroken for months. I was expecting to get details on it since it was mentioned in the last book so much and as well at this book. Also since this book can be read as a standalone you would expect for there to be a breakdown on why she broke up with her ex regarding the whole toxic relationship because I have such bad memory I cannot for the life of myself remember what went down.
⤿ Will
He was such a cinnamon roll. He’s literally the most sweetest person in this series that everything he’s done had me giggling. The way he gets along with people so well honestly brings so much to his character. The relationship he has with his niece is honestly so adorable. The way he also put himself out there to Juliet friends and really did he best to get along with everything was probably the best part of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
ೀ preread ᡣ𐭩
𐙚⋆°. started: 12.1.25
I’m so dreading reading this now since I did not like the second one and it’s so fresh in my mind but I did get the arc for this book so I do have to read it.
January 6, 2025
4.25 stars
I have been looking forward to Juliet’s book since I read the first book in ‘The Wilmot Sisters’ series and adored it. Will and Juliet were couple goals; their romance was so swoony and left a huge smile on my face.
Will and Juliet meet when she is traveling, and it’s a short meeting, but they hit it off. Fast forward months later, and she sees him again. He’s Christopher’s college friend. It’s serendipitous. They become fast friends and decide to help each other out. Will is shy, and Juliet has sworn off love for now. But with time, Will comes out of his shell with Juliet and she becomes a believer again.
Watching two people able to be their truest selves with one another and seeing that love unfold… never gets old. Will and Juliet’s story was so romantic. I also loved seeing more from Bea and Jamie, as well as Kate and Christopher. This series was wonderful as a whole, and Chloe Liese writes such lovely and relatable characters. I highly recommend checking all of these books out!
With Juliet, I don’t feel self-conscious- I feel seen.
I have been looking forward to Juliet’s book since I read the first book in ‘The Wilmot Sisters’ series and adored it. Will and Juliet were couple goals; their romance was so swoony and left a huge smile on my face.
Will and Juliet meet when she is traveling, and it’s a short meeting, but they hit it off. Fast forward months later, and she sees him again. He’s Christopher’s college friend. It’s serendipitous. They become fast friends and decide to help each other out. Will is shy, and Juliet has sworn off love for now. But with time, Will comes out of his shell with Juliet and she becomes a believer again.
Watching two people able to be their truest selves with one another and seeing that love unfold… never gets old. Will and Juliet’s story was so romantic. I also loved seeing more from Bea and Jamie, as well as Kate and Christopher. This series was wonderful as a whole, and Chloe Liese writes such lovely and relatable characters. I highly recommend checking all of these books out!
Want to read
December 3, 2023PLEASE BE SAPPHIC PLEASE BE SAPPHIC
—unfortunately it is not. Chloe Liese please write a sapphic romance 😩
—unfortunately it is not. Chloe Liese please write a sapphic romance 😩
August 13, 2024
ugh y’all this book :) i’m so sad that this series is over but i’m so happy that we got will orsino! i love him so much guys like this is the definition of a gentle GIANT my goodness what a soft lover boy. and y’all know i love miss juliet and just getting to be in her head this book was a treat within itself! i had fun reading this book, a perfect end to this trilogy!
July 6, 2025
Liese has concluded her Wilmont Sisters trilogy beautifully with this cozy and cute fake-dating insta-love reimagined romance.
For fans of B.K. Borison’s Lovelight series and Jess and Nick from the tv show New Girl
. 🧡 If only it followed the original Shakespearean narrative more.
[ Contains some spoilers ]
PLOT SUMMARY
Freelance writer Viola Juliet Wilmot (who goes by the name Juliet) has recently gotten out of a toxic relationship and has headed to Scotland in December for a break from everything. She has mixed connective tissue disease and celiac disease which gives her issues in her joints. There at a bar, she bumps into 34-year-old whiskey distiller Will Orsino, a very shy and socially awkward but sweet man with autism. Sparks fly instantly but, not wanting to be hurt again, Juliet flees the scene, satisfied that they will not meet again.
Seven months later, back at home in America, their paths hilariously cross again in her greenhouse. It turns out Will is best friends with her surrogate brother and neighbour, Christopher Petruchio. The two of them decide from this that nothing serious can come of them: Julia’s toxic ex was Christopher’s friend and the end of their relationship meant Christopher lost the friendship, so she does not wish to risk friendship fallouts again; Will considers Juliet off limits because she is like a sister to Christopher.
Will has pressure on him: intending to take over the family business at the whiskey distillery and farm, he intends to find a wife who can handle the socialising and networking aspects because this isn’t his strong suit. Therefore, Will wants to improve his romantic side so he can woo someone. Juliet has been rusty with romance and wants to get more comfortable with it again to get back out on the dating scene. She is tired of seventh-wheeling her family.
So, they concoct a plan: they will fake date to help each other out. And, of course, things become far more complicated than they expect, and real feelings are caught.
This is told from the first-person present-tense POV of Juliet and Will.
OVERALL OPINIONS
Once Smitten, Twice Shy is the 3rd book in The Wilmot Sisters series about the oldest sister Juliet. You could say that finding this was “serendipitous” (iykyk). It is a tragedy (no, not the book!) that I have not read the other two sooner, I do want to get around to this! Her other sisters, Bea (from Book 1) and Kat (Book 2) and their beaus, feature in this book. I love their humour and the heart-to-heart they eventually all have near the end is so sweet! Liese really captures the essence of sisterhood, as it reminds me of my sister.
The title is so fitting and I love it. The expression “once smitten twice shy” essentially means that you have had a negative experience and now are cautious because of it. Both our main characters have this: Juliet is wary of starting a new relationship thanks to the trauma from her previous one and Will is very self-conscious and worried because none of his previous attempts at dating has got past the third date. It is so heartwarming that they both help each other heal, and this therefore has a special place in my heart. There is nothing better than coming out of a toxic relationship into a healthy one, although there can be some insecurities that show.
ㅤ 🧡 the reimagining aspect
This is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” which is unique, but actually the story’s weakest element. Other than some names and the fact the story begins in December, this is nothing like the original. I expected a few quotes from the play, a plot closer to the original, and far more counterpart characters. I am well aware a reimagining is different from a retelling as a reimagining has far more creative liberties but this just felt like false advertising.
For those who are unaware of the original story, there is a love triangle: Viola (disguised as a man) loves Orsino but he loves Olivia but Olivia loves Viola (not knowing Viola is a woman).
Now, I was worrying about Olivia as she doesn’t show up in the first half of the story (whereas she appears quite early on in Act 1 Scene 5 in the play). We do get Olivia briefly as Olivia Tobias a social media influencer and photographer – but it’s one interaction with Juliet at the nightclub! This felt like a useless plot device as she doesn’t move the story on. I expected the plot to be that Will wants to practice with Juliet so he can try and get Olivia to be his wife. Perhaps Juliet’s bisexuality could have had more to do with the plot too. This would have been far closer than what we got. And the opportunity to include a character akin to the pompous Malvolio was wasted. He could have been the ex, for example!
It could be argued, though, that two most important aspects of the story remain the same: firstly, the laughs and celebration of love (shown through Will and Juliet’s ) and secondly and most importantly, Orsino (Will) eventually realises that, despite only knowing Viola (Juliet) as a friend, he has fallen in love with her.
There are some excellent Shakespearean references, though, which I will list below:
❧ Illyria (this is where the play is set; this is where Will stays in the book).
❧ Starts in December (the play is set during the Christmas season; the book starts in December though swiftly moves on from this).
❧ Olvia mistakes an identity (in the play, she mistakes Viola’s brother Sebastian for Viola because she was dressed as a man throughout; in the book, she mistakes Juliet for her friend/lover Basti at the nightclub).
❧ Names (“Twelfth Night”: Will Orsino is Duke Orsino, Juliet Viola Wilmot is Viola, Olivia Tobias is Countess Olivia, Olivia’s lover Basti is equivalent to Sebastian, Will’s witty assistant Fest is clearly the jester Feste, | “Romeo and Juliet”: Juliet’s name is Juliet, Will’s family name Montag is Montague, Will’s horrid neighbours Capulettis are the Capulets | Will’s name refers to William Shakespeare).
❧ “Romeo and Juliet” (Juliet’s name, Will strives to become a Romeo character, able to be bold and say poetic romantic things, the fact Will sees Juliet on the balcony and he later on serenades her with music there).
❧ “If music be the food of love, play on” (this feels like it is used when he serenades her with music)
ㅤ 🧡 representation
I think representation is so important in stories these days, and what Chloe Liese has covered here has been amazing! We get the representation of chronic conditions and neurodiversity through Juliet and Will respectively.
A chronic illness is one of the worst things that can get overlooked quite easily because it’s not always physical. Liese raises awareness of celiac disease and MCTD (mixed connective tissue disease), the problems of having this, and the fact that chronic health issues change so much with each day. I know people with chronic health problems, and this is unfortunately so true! One day it’s much more manageable, the next it’s not. Julia certainly finds this as her condition gives her joint problems which can suddenly act up and cause her leg to stiffen. Thank goodness Will is there to catch her most of the time when this does happen! Liese also explores how helpless it can make Juliet feel at times, and how she dislikes being treated like she is delicate, mostly by her parents. Will is sweet in that he ensures she’s alright but doesn’t fuss over her much as he realises that’s the last thing she wants.
Neurodiversity is arguably more difficult to cover as no two people are the same. Will has sensory and social issues, often experienced by people with autism, and handles this either through earplugs in noisy spaces or by withdrawing himself from the situation. It is nice that the people around him check in and ensure he’s okay. Juliet, sensing the noise in the café bothers him, suggests they go to the park, which is nice of her. And when he goes to the party, fellow introvert Jamie suggests if he gets overwhelmed there’s the balcony.
ㅤ 🧡 the story itself
I loved this so much, I didn’t want to put this down! Let’s start there. It reminds me so much of “Business Casual” by B.K. Borison, which I read and liked very much last year.
The thing I adored the most was the fact these two, who are in their 30s, communicate! I’m quite shocked by this haha because there are so many stories where characters simply don’t act their age and it gives high school drama vibes. It makes a refreshing change having them in their 30s, as characters in most romances are either in their late teens or early twenties.
They do this cute thing of pinkie promising to always be truthful, so they never downplay things or don’t discuss problems. Miscommunication is one of my least favourite tropes so I’m very glad that’s not in here. Oh, and a lot of you will be thrilled to hear there is no 3rd act breakup – thank goodness!
<< Positives >>
🠚The coverrr! The fact it’s the outfit from their first date (and, for those who know, the epilogue) with her lavender dress and his orange jumper ahhh! Utterly gorgeous!
🠚The fact that this story begins in Scotland, and Will’s family are part Scottish, makes me, a Scotswoman, so delighted – I had no idea! This might make me biased haha. And Liese is a real one for having “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” playing in the first chapter!
🠚Will and Juliet have very cute and oftentimes amusing interactions! The scene where Juliet asks Will about the broken coffee machine via written signs reminded me of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with Me” music video. I laughed when they encounter each other again in the greenhouse was hilarious! I never expected to hear someone being held “at trowel point” haha! Oh and that scene at the restaurant where everything went wrong! My absolute favourite moment is Juliet doing that “rewind” across the coffee shop so Will can try again with his flirting, it is so funny and cute!
🠚The communication and maturity level of Will and Juliet.
🠚I love that they both consider the other very brave and this inspires them to be brave too. The fact that they are doing that without realising is just super adorable!
🠚I’m especially glad Juliet reveals early on that she more uses Juliet than Viola as a name.
🠚The spice is exquisite! He was really fulfilling those Highlander romance fantasy, dayum.
🠚Her sisters all make an appearance again, with their loved ones.
🠚The group chat is so unhinged, it was brilliant haha! Reminds me of the group chat in Lyla Sage’s Swift and Saddled.
🠚There is this really lovely moment between Will and his sister Mimi.
🠚Playlist/Music recommendations are included for every chapter!
🠚The epilogue was so sweet!
🠚Bisexual representation through Juliet.
🠚Chronic illness representation through Juliet.
🠚Neurodiversity representation through Will.
<< Negatives >>
🠚There wasn’t a great amount of conflict. The only conflict that was considered was the surrogate brother but this didn’t really amount to anything. If Christopher had appeared more often, if he had originally disapproved of him for some reason, perhaps (like in Business Casual). There could have been more explored with Will and his feeling of not needing to necessarily love someone to marry them. Either a slow and gradual shift from this mindset, or he shuts her down saying he cannot love her the way she loves him. Or he starts by lusting for her and shifts to love.
🠚I think Juliet’s past should have made her more insecure, or she should have had something so there was more of a weakness. Don’t get me wrong, we get that moment where she doesn’t hear from Will, overthinks and then believes she messed up Christopher and Will’s friendship, but there was not enough of this feeling. Or have a moment where Will is talking to another woman like Olivia and Juliet can feel jealous or upset. I too have gotten to the point where I am at peace with what happened to me from a toxic ex, and it’s beautiful. But it can take a while before that happens or you might think it’s fine then something rears its head.
🠚The pacing was rather fast. I didn’t expect us to meet Will so early on, and for it to be insta-love – the latter isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But they meet at the bar, a chapter set some time later they’ve met again. I was disappointed the scene where there was karaoke and success of the whiskey sales was missing, they just briefly talk about it afterwards.
🠚Will’s anxiety makes him order the wrong food. I feel like Juliet should have helped him order the right thing, actually.
🠚If I had a nickel for every time Juliet smiled in this book? I’d be rich. There is nothing wrong with smiling but she does it so often and the word choice was nearly always “I smile”. Too repetitive. Do some synonyms: “I grin, I beam, I smirk”. Same with “I laugh”: not once is there a giggle or a chortle.
🠚Minor thing but, while the imagery of bikes is mentioned throughout, I nearly forgot about the cute thing where Juliet had but two blue bike emojis next to her name on Will’s phone. I would have loved a moment where Will looks at it again and feels sad, or that bikes get referred to in the epilogue.
🠚Cannot believe Liese missed the opportunity for Juliet to say “I will, Will!” when he asks her will she marry him!
CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Juliet꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Scary thing: her birthday is June 20th – exactly like me!! She is so relatable too. All her friends are “busy being full time employed, happily paired off, hands full with all their commitments – capital A Adults.”. It is nice that she looks for the good in people, and is open to ideas. I’m glad that she talks to her parents about that she wants to be fussed over less.
-ˋˏ ꒰ Will꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ He’s an action-speaks-louder-than-words guy. He reads people well. I am probably more like him in the sense that I prefer emails/texting than talking on the phone. He likes to do sudoku – same! Such a green flag all around, I love him! He is super adorable!
FAV QUOTES
• The plan was to get out, have a few drinks, then go home without incident. Dancing with a handsome stranger who makes my heart fly definitely qualifies as an “incident.”
• My gaze slips down to Juliet, her eyes still set on the sky. She looks so peaceful, so reflective. I want to know what she’s thinking, feeling, wondering. I want to know so much.
• I stare at her, the sun sparkling in her eyes, dark hair whipping in the wind, those soft dimples always waiting in her cheeks. “You just look . . . real lovely.” …I don’t tell her I didn’t even mean to say it, that my brain was thinking it and my mouth just said it. I don’t tell her I wasn’t trying to practice at all.
• “When I spend time with you, I forget everything else that ever made me happy... And when I’m not with you, when everything else that brings me happiness is all that’s left, the only thing I can think is just how much I want to share that with you, how much I want you to share with me what makes you happy, too.”
• With Juliet, I don’t feel self conscious— I feel seen.
• “The most important people in our lives— because of how deeply they matter to us, how much of ourselves we entrust to them— it means they hold our heart in their clutches. That is terrifying. And some days the fear of how . . . exposed that makes us feel, all the unknowns it introduces, well, that fear is loud. But the love, the joy it brings you, the hope it gives you, can be even louder, the more you turn toward it, the more you give yourself over to it, the more you choose it. That’s how love gets the last word.”
• “not only could my heart be loved and love you . . . it was *made* to love you.”
• I smile up at him, this man I love so very much, and lift my pinkie. “Promise.” He smiles down at me as he hooks his pinkie with mine, then lets go, bracing himself over me again. His eyes hold mine. My breath stutters in my chest. And then he lowers his mouth to mine.
• Summer’s lush beauty glows around us— golden sun, tall lime green grass, a sea of magenta, violet, and buttercup yellow blossoms. Any other day, I’d be stopped in my tracks, soaking in the glorious view, the vast beauty all around me. But not today. Because Juliet is here. And her beauty is the only beauty I see.
• The woman I am when I love Will is my best self, and that’s not because I’m always at my best, but because Will loves all of me and I’m safe to love him just as much, as we share our flaws and fears and frailty, knowing our love isn’t burdened by those truths but strengthened for having weathered them, and nothing could be better than that.
══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Chloe Liese, Little Brown Book Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.
“I love you,” I whisper. And I love that I don’t even know exactly when it happened, not like it seems to in my favorite stories, when it’s some grand epiphanic moment. Falling in love with Will has been like slowly wading into water since the moment I saw him, and now I’m saturated, neck deep in it, its power and beauty, our trust, and tenderness, and safety surrounding me.
[ Contains some spoilers ]
PLOT SUMMARY
Freelance writer Viola Juliet Wilmot (who goes by the name Juliet) has recently gotten out of a toxic relationship and has headed to Scotland in December for a break from everything. She has mixed connective tissue disease and celiac disease which gives her issues in her joints. There at a bar, she bumps into 34-year-old whiskey distiller Will Orsino, a very shy and socially awkward but sweet man with autism. Sparks fly instantly but, not wanting to be hurt again, Juliet flees the scene, satisfied that they will not meet again.
Seven months later, back at home in America, their paths hilariously cross again in her greenhouse. It turns out Will is best friends with her surrogate brother and neighbour, Christopher Petruchio. The two of them decide from this that nothing serious can come of them: Julia’s toxic ex was Christopher’s friend and the end of their relationship meant Christopher lost the friendship, so she does not wish to risk friendship fallouts again; Will considers Juliet off limits because she is like a sister to Christopher.
Will has pressure on him: intending to take over the family business at the whiskey distillery and farm, he intends to find a wife who can handle the socialising and networking aspects because this isn’t his strong suit. Therefore, Will wants to improve his romantic side so he can woo someone. Juliet has been rusty with romance and wants to get more comfortable with it again to get back out on the dating scene. She is tired of seventh-wheeling her family.
So, they concoct a plan: they will fake date to help each other out. And, of course, things become far more complicated than they expect, and real feelings are caught.
For me, getting emotionally comfortable and at ease in romance again will lead right into comfort and ease with romantic physical intimacy. But as I stare at him, I’m realizing, even if I *did* want to directly practice the physical aspect, I wouldn’t want practice to be the reason for his touch. I would want it to happen because he wanted me and I wanted him and nothing else.
This is told from the first-person present-tense POV of Juliet and Will.
OVERALL OPINIONS
Once Smitten, Twice Shy is the 3rd book in The Wilmot Sisters series about the oldest sister Juliet. You could say that finding this was “serendipitous” (iykyk). It is a tragedy (no, not the book!) that I have not read the other two sooner, I do want to get around to this! Her other sisters, Bea (from Book 1) and Kat (Book 2) and their beaus, feature in this book. I love their humour and the heart-to-heart they eventually all have near the end is so sweet! Liese really captures the essence of sisterhood, as it reminds me of my sister.
The title is so fitting and I love it. The expression “once smitten twice shy” essentially means that you have had a negative experience and now are cautious because of it. Both our main characters have this: Juliet is wary of starting a new relationship thanks to the trauma from her previous one and Will is very self-conscious and worried because none of his previous attempts at dating has got past the third date. It is so heartwarming that they both help each other heal, and this therefore has a special place in my heart. There is nothing better than coming out of a toxic relationship into a healthy one, although there can be some insecurities that show.
ㅤ 🧡 the reimagining aspect
This is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” which is unique, but actually the story’s weakest element. Other than some names and the fact the story begins in December, this is nothing like the original. I expected a few quotes from the play, a plot closer to the original, and far more counterpart characters. I am well aware a reimagining is different from a retelling as a reimagining has far more creative liberties but this just felt like false advertising.
For those who are unaware of the original story, there is a love triangle: Viola (disguised as a man) loves Orsino but he loves Olivia but Olivia loves Viola (not knowing Viola is a woman).
Now, I was worrying about Olivia as she doesn’t show up in the first half of the story (whereas she appears quite early on in Act 1 Scene 5 in the play). We do get Olivia briefly as Olivia Tobias a social media influencer and photographer – but it’s one interaction with Juliet at the nightclub! This felt like a useless plot device as she doesn’t move the story on. I expected the plot to be that Will wants to practice with Juliet so he can try and get Olivia to be his wife. Perhaps Juliet’s bisexuality could have had more to do with the plot too. This would have been far closer than what we got. And the opportunity to include a character akin to the pompous Malvolio was wasted. He could have been the ex, for example!
It could be argued, though, that two most important aspects of the story remain the same: firstly, the laughs and celebration of love (shown through Will and Juliet’s ) and secondly and most importantly, Orsino (Will) eventually realises that, despite only knowing Viola (Juliet) as a friend, he has fallen in love with her.
There are some excellent Shakespearean references, though, which I will list below:
❧ Illyria (this is where the play is set; this is where Will stays in the book).
❧ Starts in December (the play is set during the Christmas season; the book starts in December though swiftly moves on from this).
❧ Olvia mistakes an identity (in the play, she mistakes Viola’s brother Sebastian for Viola because she was dressed as a man throughout; in the book, she mistakes Juliet for her friend/lover Basti at the nightclub).
❧ Names (“Twelfth Night”: Will Orsino is Duke Orsino, Juliet Viola Wilmot is Viola, Olivia Tobias is Countess Olivia, Olivia’s lover Basti is equivalent to Sebastian, Will’s witty assistant Fest is clearly the jester Feste, | “Romeo and Juliet”: Juliet’s name is Juliet, Will’s family name Montag is Montague, Will’s horrid neighbours Capulettis are the Capulets | Will’s name refers to William Shakespeare).
❧ “Romeo and Juliet” (Juliet’s name, Will strives to become a Romeo character, able to be bold and say poetic romantic things, the fact Will sees Juliet on the balcony and he later on serenades her with music there).
❧ “If music be the food of love, play on” (this feels like it is used when he serenades her with music)
ㅤ 🧡 representation
I think representation is so important in stories these days, and what Chloe Liese has covered here has been amazing! We get the representation of chronic conditions and neurodiversity through Juliet and Will respectively.
A chronic illness is one of the worst things that can get overlooked quite easily because it’s not always physical. Liese raises awareness of celiac disease and MCTD (mixed connective tissue disease), the problems of having this, and the fact that chronic health issues change so much with each day. I know people with chronic health problems, and this is unfortunately so true! One day it’s much more manageable, the next it’s not. Julia certainly finds this as her condition gives her joint problems which can suddenly act up and cause her leg to stiffen. Thank goodness Will is there to catch her most of the time when this does happen! Liese also explores how helpless it can make Juliet feel at times, and how she dislikes being treated like she is delicate, mostly by her parents. Will is sweet in that he ensures she’s alright but doesn’t fuss over her much as he realises that’s the last thing she wants.
Neurodiversity is arguably more difficult to cover as no two people are the same. Will has sensory and social issues, often experienced by people with autism, and handles this either through earplugs in noisy spaces or by withdrawing himself from the situation. It is nice that the people around him check in and ensure he’s okay. Juliet, sensing the noise in the café bothers him, suggests they go to the park, which is nice of her. And when he goes to the party, fellow introvert Jamie suggests if he gets overwhelmed there’s the balcony.
ㅤ 🧡 the story itself
I loved this so much, I didn’t want to put this down! Let’s start there. It reminds me so much of “Business Casual” by B.K. Borison, which I read and liked very much last year.
The thing I adored the most was the fact these two, who are in their 30s, communicate! I’m quite shocked by this haha because there are so many stories where characters simply don’t act their age and it gives high school drama vibes. It makes a refreshing change having them in their 30s, as characters in most romances are either in their late teens or early twenties.
They do this cute thing of pinkie promising to always be truthful, so they never downplay things or don’t discuss problems. Miscommunication is one of my least favourite tropes so I’m very glad that’s not in here. Oh, and a lot of you will be thrilled to hear there is no 3rd act breakup – thank goodness!
<< Positives >>
🠚The coverrr! The fact it’s the outfit from their first date (and, for those who know, the epilogue) with her lavender dress and his orange jumper ahhh! Utterly gorgeous!
🠚The fact that this story begins in Scotland, and Will’s family are part Scottish, makes me, a Scotswoman, so delighted – I had no idea! This might make me biased haha. And Liese is a real one for having “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” playing in the first chapter!
🠚Will and Juliet have very cute and oftentimes amusing interactions! The scene where Juliet asks Will about the broken coffee machine via written signs reminded me of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with Me” music video. I laughed when they encounter each other again in the greenhouse was hilarious! I never expected to hear someone being held “at trowel point” haha! Oh and that scene at the restaurant where everything went wrong! My absolute favourite moment is Juliet doing that “rewind” across the coffee shop so Will can try again with his flirting, it is so funny and cute!
🠚The communication and maturity level of Will and Juliet.
🠚I love that they both consider the other very brave and this inspires them to be brave too. The fact that they are doing that without realising is just super adorable!
🠚I’m especially glad Juliet reveals early on that she more uses Juliet than Viola as a name.
🠚The spice is exquisite! He was really fulfilling those Highlander romance fantasy, dayum.
🠚Her sisters all make an appearance again, with their loved ones.
🠚The group chat is so unhinged, it was brilliant haha! Reminds me of the group chat in Lyla Sage’s Swift and Saddled.
🠚There is this really lovely moment between Will and his sister Mimi.
🠚Playlist/Music recommendations are included for every chapter!
🠚The epilogue was so sweet!
🠚Bisexual representation through Juliet.
🠚Chronic illness representation through Juliet.
🠚Neurodiversity representation through Will.
<< Negatives >>
🠚There wasn’t a great amount of conflict. The only conflict that was considered was the surrogate brother but this didn’t really amount to anything. If Christopher had appeared more often, if he had originally disapproved of him for some reason, perhaps (like in Business Casual). There could have been more explored with Will and his feeling of not needing to necessarily love someone to marry them. Either a slow and gradual shift from this mindset, or he shuts her down saying he cannot love her the way she loves him. Or he starts by lusting for her and shifts to love.
🠚I think Juliet’s past should have made her more insecure, or she should have had something so there was more of a weakness. Don’t get me wrong, we get that moment where she doesn’t hear from Will, overthinks and then believes she messed up Christopher and Will’s friendship, but there was not enough of this feeling. Or have a moment where Will is talking to another woman like Olivia and Juliet can feel jealous or upset. I too have gotten to the point where I am at peace with what happened to me from a toxic ex, and it’s beautiful. But it can take a while before that happens or you might think it’s fine then something rears its head.
🠚The pacing was rather fast. I didn’t expect us to meet Will so early on, and for it to be insta-love – the latter isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But they meet at the bar, a chapter set some time later they’ve met again. I was disappointed the scene where there was karaoke and success of the whiskey sales was missing, they just briefly talk about it afterwards.
🠚Will’s anxiety makes him order the wrong food. I feel like Juliet should have helped him order the right thing, actually.
🠚If I had a nickel for every time Juliet smiled in this book? I’d be rich. There is nothing wrong with smiling but she does it so often and the word choice was nearly always “I smile”. Too repetitive. Do some synonyms: “I grin, I beam, I smirk”. Same with “I laugh”: not once is there a giggle or a chortle.
🠚Minor thing but, while the imagery of bikes is mentioned throughout, I nearly forgot about the cute thing where Juliet had but two blue bike emojis next to her name on Will’s phone. I would have loved a moment where Will looks at it again and feels sad, or that bikes get referred to in the epilogue.
🠚Cannot believe Liese missed the opportunity for Juliet to say “I will, Will!” when he asks her will she marry him!
CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Juliet꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Scary thing: her birthday is June 20th – exactly like me!! She is so relatable too. All her friends are “busy being full time employed, happily paired off, hands full with all their commitments – capital A Adults.”. It is nice that she looks for the good in people, and is open to ideas. I’m glad that she talks to her parents about that she wants to be fussed over less.
“And yes, romance novels are fictions, happy, hopeful stories. But I think they often capture very realistic human fears and hopes, and how the former often stop us from going after the latter, how love can make us feel safe and brave enough to change that.”
-ˋˏ ꒰ Will꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ He’s an action-speaks-louder-than-words guy. He reads people well. I am probably more like him in the sense that I prefer emails/texting than talking on the phone. He likes to do sudoku – same! Such a green flag all around, I love him! He is super adorable!
I want to kiss her. Badly. I want to cup her face and take her mouth with mine, make her melt into my touch. I want to show her that I might not be the smoothest talker or the most capable romancer or the life of the party, but I’m plenty capable in other ways. Ways that could make her feel so damn good.
FAV QUOTES
• The plan was to get out, have a few drinks, then go home without incident. Dancing with a handsome stranger who makes my heart fly definitely qualifies as an “incident.”
• My gaze slips down to Juliet, her eyes still set on the sky. She looks so peaceful, so reflective. I want to know what she’s thinking, feeling, wondering. I want to know so much.
• I stare at her, the sun sparkling in her eyes, dark hair whipping in the wind, those soft dimples always waiting in her cheeks. “You just look . . . real lovely.” …I don’t tell her I didn’t even mean to say it, that my brain was thinking it and my mouth just said it. I don’t tell her I wasn’t trying to practice at all.
• “When I spend time with you, I forget everything else that ever made me happy... And when I’m not with you, when everything else that brings me happiness is all that’s left, the only thing I can think is just how much I want to share that with you, how much I want you to share with me what makes you happy, too.”
• With Juliet, I don’t feel self conscious— I feel seen.
• “The most important people in our lives— because of how deeply they matter to us, how much of ourselves we entrust to them— it means they hold our heart in their clutches. That is terrifying. And some days the fear of how . . . exposed that makes us feel, all the unknowns it introduces, well, that fear is loud. But the love, the joy it brings you, the hope it gives you, can be even louder, the more you turn toward it, the more you give yourself over to it, the more you choose it. That’s how love gets the last word.”
• “not only could my heart be loved and love you . . . it was *made* to love you.”
• I smile up at him, this man I love so very much, and lift my pinkie. “Promise.” He smiles down at me as he hooks his pinkie with mine, then lets go, bracing himself over me again. His eyes hold mine. My breath stutters in my chest. And then he lowers his mouth to mine.
• Summer’s lush beauty glows around us— golden sun, tall lime green grass, a sea of magenta, violet, and buttercup yellow blossoms. Any other day, I’d be stopped in my tracks, soaking in the glorious view, the vast beauty all around me. But not today. Because Juliet is here. And her beauty is the only beauty I see.
• The woman I am when I love Will is my best self, and that’s not because I’m always at my best, but because Will loves all of me and I’m safe to love him just as much, as we share our flaws and fears and frailty, knowing our love isn’t burdened by those truths but strengthened for having weathered them, and nothing could be better than that.
══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Chloe Liese, Little Brown Book Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.
February 24, 2025
Very cute, suggest to anyone that loves romance💖
February 13, 2025
4.25 stars
I want to scream into a pillow about how much I loved this book😭💗
• romance-loving sunshine x the sweetest shy cinnamon roll MMC
• strangers to friends to lovers
• neurodivergent, chronic illness, bisexual rep
• practice dates that are actually real
• learning to love again after heartbreak
• so much (mutual) pining
• no 3rd act breakup
• lots of LOLs
• chaotic & close-knit family & friend group
• so much heart I was bursting at the seams
this book felt like a massive, warmest, most comforting hug and I ate up every second of it 💕
I want to scream into a pillow about how much I loved this book😭💗
• romance-loving sunshine x the sweetest shy cinnamon roll MMC
• strangers to friends to lovers
• neurodivergent, chronic illness, bisexual rep
• practice dates that are actually real
• learning to love again after heartbreak
• so much (mutual) pining
• no 3rd act breakup
• lots of LOLs
• chaotic & close-knit family & friend group
• so much heart I was bursting at the seams
this book felt like a massive, warmest, most comforting hug and I ate up every second of it 💕
November 8, 2024
One of my most anticipated books and the end to a very loved series. I love the Wilmot sisters and love watching them fall in love. Unfortunately, Juliet’s book came a little bit short for me. I struggled with the writing sometimes it seemed like it lacked, and I had a little issue with the pacing. Overall it was enjoyable and I’m sad to see this series go!
January 16, 2025
I love Chloe Liese's books, but unfortunately, this one didn't become my favorite. The relationship between the characters is great from the very beginning, with no conflicts or breakups, and that's the issue. The book felt too calm, lacking emotional moments.
This is the final book in the series, and for now, I can say that the first one is my favorite.
This is the final book in the series, and for now, I can say that the first one is my favorite.
May 9, 2025
Why are people rating this book! There’s legit nothing out for it yet.
January 19, 2025
Juliet is recovering from cancelling her wedding after discovering her fiancé was cheating and also from adjusting her life to accommodate her new chronic illness diagnosis.
Will is in his mid-30’s and is looking for a practical marriage, one where he and his wife mutually respect one another and help each other run the farm, but he has given up on love. He is also very awkward in social situations.
Will and Juliet agree to become “workout buddies” so they can figure out how to become good at dating before entering the dating pool again. But of course things don’t necessarily go as planned.
This book is sweet and emotional, I loved floating around in the cotton-candy safety of Will’s world. Juliet is an outgoing, bubbly personality to Will’s quiet introspection. He is instantly attracted to her, but doubts he can be what she needs and Juliet needs to regain the confidence to trust herself after her last relationship and gain the newfound confidence to trust someone to love her with her new physical limitations.
We also get to Juliet’s sisters safely ensconced in their relationships from the first two book in the Wilmot Sisters series.
Thank you Berkley for sending me a free copy of this book!
Will is in his mid-30’s and is looking for a practical marriage, one where he and his wife mutually respect one another and help each other run the farm, but he has given up on love. He is also very awkward in social situations.
Will and Juliet agree to become “workout buddies” so they can figure out how to become good at dating before entering the dating pool again. But of course things don’t necessarily go as planned.
This book is sweet and emotional, I loved floating around in the cotton-candy safety of Will’s world. Juliet is an outgoing, bubbly personality to Will’s quiet introspection. He is instantly attracted to her, but doubts he can be what she needs and Juliet needs to regain the confidence to trust herself after her last relationship and gain the newfound confidence to trust someone to love her with her new physical limitations.
We also get to Juliet’s sisters safely ensconced in their relationships from the first two book in the Wilmot Sisters series.
Thank you Berkley for sending me a free copy of this book!
December 12, 2024
the two of them are in need of some dating training wheels. will is neurodivergent and needs to get some experience and juliette needs to get back out there after a bad breakup. they decide to spend a month practicing romance with each other and end up falling helplessly in love.
this is my fav of the series! will was such a sweet cinnamon roll. juliette was so caring and met him without judgement. the two them really were meant to be. the two of them learned to be brave together and I just 🥹
I loved all the family and friends dynamics. this cast of characters is so supportive of each other and I loved the sisterly dynamics.
this one is def cozy. aside from their plan to practice dates, there’s not much plot. it’s way more of a character driven cozy story. buuuut there���s no dumb third act breakup like in book 1 so that was nice.
🎧 charlotte north and tim page brought these characters to life! their performances were really well done. the dual pov was great! their accents for different characters really brought this book to life. highly recommend the audio for this one!
thank you so much berkley romance and prh for the arc and alc 💖
what to expect
⟢ grumpy x sunshine
⟢ practice dates that maybe are actually real
⟢ so much pining
⟢ neurodivergent rep
⟢ chronic illness rep
⟢ bi rep
this is my fav of the series! will was such a sweet cinnamon roll. juliette was so caring and met him without judgement. the two them really were meant to be. the two of them learned to be brave together and I just 🥹
I loved all the family and friends dynamics. this cast of characters is so supportive of each other and I loved the sisterly dynamics.
this one is def cozy. aside from their plan to practice dates, there’s not much plot. it’s way more of a character driven cozy story. buuuut there���s no dumb third act breakup like in book 1 so that was nice.
🎧 charlotte north and tim page brought these characters to life! their performances were really well done. the dual pov was great! their accents for different characters really brought this book to life. highly recommend the audio for this one!
thank you so much berkley romance and prh for the arc and alc 💖
what to expect
⟢ grumpy x sunshine
⟢ practice dates that maybe are actually real
⟢ so much pining
⟢ neurodivergent rep
⟢ chronic illness rep
⟢ bi rep
July 29, 2025
3.75/5
how did this couple not get together until 70% and it still feels insta lovey??
chloe liese is my girl, so rating my first book of hers under four stars hearts my heart. sadly i just didn't connect with the romance between will and juliet. while i did enjoy closing out the story of the wilmot sisters, this book wasn't my fav. the story includes some fake dating and some friends to lovers goodness, i am just a girlie who needs tension and angst... friends to lovers is not my friend..
will is struggling with finding a partner because of his communication style and juliet has been burned by love so the two of them strike up a deal to practice romance on each other. the two of them were very sweet together and there were some moments of chemistry that had me shocked. the scene between them after the second date... i see you. other than minor moments of chemistry and sickly sweet love confessions, nothing else was going on. our main characters made up the fact that their romance would be an issue and kept calling it off limits when it very much was not. i hate when stakes are made with no evidence to back it up.
overall my love for this author carries the rating. yeah there's a bias... sue me. for the current mood i'm in, this story was just too full of saccharine moments. its lovely to see two people in love but 340 pages of nothing but good vibes isn't always for me. if you're looking for a slow romance that will make you smile and remind you about good men, here you go!
how did this couple not get together until 70% and it still feels insta lovey??
chloe liese is my girl, so rating my first book of hers under four stars hearts my heart. sadly i just didn't connect with the romance between will and juliet. while i did enjoy closing out the story of the wilmot sisters, this book wasn't my fav. the story includes some fake dating and some friends to lovers goodness, i am just a girlie who needs tension and angst... friends to lovers is not my friend..
will is struggling with finding a partner because of his communication style and juliet has been burned by love so the two of them strike up a deal to practice romance on each other. the two of them were very sweet together and there were some moments of chemistry that had me shocked. the scene between them after the second date... i see you. other than minor moments of chemistry and sickly sweet love confessions, nothing else was going on. our main characters made up the fact that their romance would be an issue and kept calling it off limits when it very much was not. i hate when stakes are made with no evidence to back it up.
overall my love for this author carries the rating. yeah there's a bias... sue me. for the current mood i'm in, this story was just too full of saccharine moments. its lovely to see two people in love but 340 pages of nothing but good vibes isn't always for me. if you're looking for a slow romance that will make you smile and remind you about good men, here you go!
November 24, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ This was cute and honestly gave me exactly what I expected. It’s soft and easy to get through, and I did enjoy it while I was reading, but it never hit obsession level. Cozy vibes, low stress, good intentions, just not something that lingered once I finished.
─────────୨ৎ─────────
✮⋆˙tropes˙⋆✮
➪ fake dating / 'practice dating'
➪ opposites attract
➪ workplace / creative partner dynamic
➪ found family
➪ neurodivergent + chronic illness rep.
─────────୨ৎ─────────
✧° I’ve liked Juliet since book one, so I was genuinely excited to get her story. She’s guarded and understandably tired, and I appreciated that she wasn’t written as fake-sunshiney. But even with all that, I never fully clicked with her. I got her, sure, but she still felt a bit underwritten, like the idea of Juliet landed harder than the character on the page.
✧° Will, however? Yeah, he carried. He’s thoughtful, anxious, soft, genuinely trying, and actually communicates like an adult. Every time the book focused on him: his fears, his growth, the way he cares for people, I was in.
─────────୨ৎ─────────
✮⋆˙what worked˙⋆✮
⊹ Will — thoughtful, soft, emotionally grounded
⊹ cozy + gentle + low stress
⊹ practice dating is cute
⊹ respectful + intentional representation
⊹ supportive family dynamics
─────────୨ৎ─────────
Their chemistry? Sweet, gentle, and cute, but it never quite hit that swoony level. For a book built on ‘practice dating’, I expected more tension or at least one moment of feral energy, but it never really happened. It’s a very calm, romantic type of love story.
The representation, though, is handled thoughtfully, and I appreciated the care that was put into the chronic illness and neurodivergent representation. That’s something you can always count on with Chloe Liese’s work and I love that.
─────────୨ৎ─────────
✮⋆˙what was missing ˙⋆✮
⟢ not enough chemistry + tension + swoon
⟢ Juliet feels slightly underdeveloped
⟢ slow scenes + rushed emotional moments
⟢ premise had slightly more potential than delivery
⟢ predictable plot points
─────────୨ৎ─────────
Overall, I liked it. It’s comforting, warm, and kind, and I don’t regret picking it up for a second, it just didn’t leave much behind. If you’re in the mood for a gentle romance with a cinnamon roll MMC and basically zero stress, this will scratch the itch.
─────────୨ৎ─────────
✮⋆˙favourite quotes˙⋆✮
✧ “I don’t know if you believe in soulmates, Will, but I think that’s who your soulmate is—someone whose existence blows your world wide open, someone who makes you want to be brave and curious.”
✧ “I’m in your corner just as much as you’re in mine, okay? On the hard days, I’ll be the arm to hold on to, the pair of hands to do what you can’t, the feet that carry you when yours won’t take another step. And on the gentle days, the feel-good days, I’ll be there, too, grateful that I get to be your friend and see you shine.”
✧ “I know I can’t take away your pain, as damn hard as I wish I could. I just need to know, before we do this, that I won’t ever be adding to it.”
✧ “Can’t stand to spend another second in your presence without you knowing that I might not be sure yet, if my heart’s love will be enough for you. But every corner of that heart, in all its imperfection, is yours, if you want it. And if you don’t…well, I’ll more than understand.”
✧ “I love love. Friend love. Family love. Romantic love. Romance novels celebrate all of that.”
✧ “I believe we all deserve the kind of happily ever after that we want. If we’re brave enough to put our true selves out there, we can find someone who wants us for all of that, who wants that same kind of happily ever after, too.”
─────────୨ৎ─────────
✦. ── series ranking:── .✦
❀ two wrongs make a right⋮ ⟶ 3.5 ⭐️
❀ better hate than never⋮ ⟶ 2.75 ⭐️
❀ once smitten, twice shy⋮ ⟶ 3.5 ⭐️
─────────୨ৎ─────────
─────────୨ৎ─────────
✮⋆˙tropes˙⋆✮
➪ fake dating / 'practice dating'
➪ opposites attract
➪ workplace / creative partner dynamic
➪ found family
➪ neurodivergent + chronic illness rep.
─────────୨ৎ─────────
✧° I’ve liked Juliet since book one, so I was genuinely excited to get her story. She’s guarded and understandably tired, and I appreciated that she wasn’t written as fake-sunshiney. But even with all that, I never fully clicked with her. I got her, sure, but she still felt a bit underwritten, like the idea of Juliet landed harder than the character on the page.
✧° Will, however? Yeah, he carried. He’s thoughtful, anxious, soft, genuinely trying, and actually communicates like an adult. Every time the book focused on him: his fears, his growth, the way he cares for people, I was in.
─────────୨ৎ─────────
✮⋆˙what worked˙⋆✮
⊹ Will — thoughtful, soft, emotionally grounded
⊹ cozy + gentle + low stress
⊹ practice dating is cute
⊹ respectful + intentional representation
⊹ supportive family dynamics
─────────୨ৎ─────────
Their chemistry? Sweet, gentle, and cute, but it never quite hit that swoony level. For a book built on ‘practice dating’, I expected more tension or at least one moment of feral energy, but it never really happened. It’s a very calm, romantic type of love story.
The representation, though, is handled thoughtfully, and I appreciated the care that was put into the chronic illness and neurodivergent representation. That’s something you can always count on with Chloe Liese’s work and I love that.
─────────୨ৎ─────────
✮⋆˙what was missing ˙⋆✮
⟢ not enough chemistry + tension + swoon
⟢ Juliet feels slightly underdeveloped
⟢ slow scenes + rushed emotional moments
⟢ premise had slightly more potential than delivery
⟢ predictable plot points
─────────୨ৎ─────────
Overall, I liked it. It’s comforting, warm, and kind, and I don’t regret picking it up for a second, it just didn’t leave much behind. If you’re in the mood for a gentle romance with a cinnamon roll MMC and basically zero stress, this will scratch the itch.
─────────୨ৎ─────────
✮⋆˙favourite quotes˙⋆✮
✧ “I don’t know if you believe in soulmates, Will, but I think that’s who your soulmate is—someone whose existence blows your world wide open, someone who makes you want to be brave and curious.”
✧ “I’m in your corner just as much as you’re in mine, okay? On the hard days, I’ll be the arm to hold on to, the pair of hands to do what you can’t, the feet that carry you when yours won’t take another step. And on the gentle days, the feel-good days, I’ll be there, too, grateful that I get to be your friend and see you shine.”
✧ “I know I can’t take away your pain, as damn hard as I wish I could. I just need to know, before we do this, that I won’t ever be adding to it.”
✧ “Can’t stand to spend another second in your presence without you knowing that I might not be sure yet, if my heart’s love will be enough for you. But every corner of that heart, in all its imperfection, is yours, if you want it. And if you don’t…well, I’ll more than understand.”
✧ “I love love. Friend love. Family love. Romantic love. Romance novels celebrate all of that.”
✧ “I believe we all deserve the kind of happily ever after that we want. If we’re brave enough to put our true selves out there, we can find someone who wants us for all of that, who wants that same kind of happily ever after, too.”
─────────୨ৎ─────────
✦. ── series ranking:── .✦
❀ two wrongs make a right⋮ ⟶ 3.5 ⭐️
❀ better hate than never⋮ ⟶ 2.75 ⭐️
❀ once smitten, twice shy⋮ ⟶ 3.5 ⭐️
─────────୨ৎ─────────
January 14, 2025
You know those books that wrap around your heart like a warm blanket on a cold day? This is exactly what Chloe Liese has gifted us with in her latest masterpiece. From the very first page, I found myself completely immersed in Jules and Will's world, and let me tell you - what a beautiful world it is.
I went into this book expecting another romance, but what I discovered was a profound story about healing, trust, and finding the courage to love again. Jules' journey especially touched me - watching her navigate the aftermath of a toxic relationship felt incredibly real. The way she slowly, cautiously opens herself to the possibility of love again with Will... it's like watching someone learn to dance after believing they'd never hear music again.
Will, oh Will. There's something so refreshingly genuine about his character. He's not your typical romance hero who sweeps in to "fix" everything. Instead, he's someone who's fighting his own battles, making him feel wonderfully human. The way these two broken souls find their way to each other, helping each other heal while dealing with their own struggles, is simply beautiful.
What truly sets this book apart is its incredible representation. The author's portrayal of chronic illness and neurodivergent characters isn't just token inclusion - it's woven seamlessly into the fabric of the story, making it feel authentic and meaningful. It's refreshing to see these experiences portrayed with such care and understanding.
Is it perfect? Maybe not. The pacing occasionally slows in the middle, and some readers might find certain emotional scenes a bit intense. But these minor issues fade away in light of the book's overwhelming heart and authenticity.
I went into this book expecting another romance, but what I discovered was a profound story about healing, trust, and finding the courage to love again. Jules' journey especially touched me - watching her navigate the aftermath of a toxic relationship felt incredibly real. The way she slowly, cautiously opens herself to the possibility of love again with Will... it's like watching someone learn to dance after believing they'd never hear music again.
Will, oh Will. There's something so refreshingly genuine about his character. He's not your typical romance hero who sweeps in to "fix" everything. Instead, he's someone who's fighting his own battles, making him feel wonderfully human. The way these two broken souls find their way to each other, helping each other heal while dealing with their own struggles, is simply beautiful.
What truly sets this book apart is its incredible representation. The author's portrayal of chronic illness and neurodivergent characters isn't just token inclusion - it's woven seamlessly into the fabric of the story, making it feel authentic and meaningful. It's refreshing to see these experiences portrayed with such care and understanding.
Is it perfect? Maybe not. The pacing occasionally slows in the middle, and some readers might find certain emotional scenes a bit intense. But these minor issues fade away in light of the book's overwhelming heart and authenticity.
May 10, 2025
Once Smitten, Twice Shy is fun read. I like Will. He is my book boyfriend. He is so cute. Juliet is more difficult for me to connect with, but Miss Liese makes her story entertaining.
The banter, the character development are being well written.
4 stars
The banter, the character development are being well written.
4 stars
April 17, 2025
this probably finishes at the 4 ⭐️ mark
i loved the first book of this little trio which was also my first chloe liese book. i loved how soft and sweet the characters were and knew this one would deliver the same!
will and juliet were such a great couple. will, our cinnamon roll, socially awkward, cute and sexy asf scottish redhead, was perfect. not only did i find myself in him, but chloe really delivered on the highlander fantasies which had me panting!!!! give me jamie fraser or give me death! or in this case, will orsino... which is not a bad deal. he's calm, patient, supportive, a gentle giant, and will research restaurants he brings you to to make sure they're gluten free for your celiac disease.
juliet was sweet but she didn't shine to me. i loved how gentle she was with will, but wish that we had gotten more information about her toxic past relationship. while i did read the first book where it technically goes down, do you expect me to remember? also, if it's to work as a standalone, there needs to be enough meat in this book for readers who haven't read the others to understand the scope of the situation. unfortunately, with my poor memory and time simply deteriorating the situation, i dont remember what happened with her and her ex and probably now never will!
together, they were so sweet. they communicated well and often, they were vulnerable and soft and brave. it was so wholesome and so beautiful to read.
we also got some amazing cameos of my babes jamie and bea, and kate and christopher. i didnt read the second book BUT we see jamie and bea get married and y'all!!!!!! MY BABIES!!!!
ALSO NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP
i did have some problems with the book but i realize that they are more personal preferences. there was not a lot of plot, for instance, and the internal monologue of both the characters were near identical for majority of the book which hindered my ability to see them as separate entities. it got a little blurry and repetitive and muddy in the middle with both of them and wish there was just *something* in the plot to distinguish their day-to-day aside from just being together 24/7 and talking or thinking about each other 24/7. it also felt to me that every side character was there to serve as a buffer for their relationship moving forward and i personally am not a fan of that.
overall, it's a cute fluffy book, and if you are a diehard fan of liese's other work, you will love this! it definitely delivers on all of her promises of a sweet romance
thank you berkley for the arc!!!
--
omg this cover!!!!
i loved the first book of this little trio which was also my first chloe liese book. i loved how soft and sweet the characters were and knew this one would deliver the same!
will and juliet were such a great couple. will, our cinnamon roll, socially awkward, cute and sexy asf scottish redhead, was perfect. not only did i find myself in him, but chloe really delivered on the highlander fantasies which had me panting!!!! give me jamie fraser or give me death! or in this case, will orsino... which is not a bad deal. he's calm, patient, supportive, a gentle giant, and will research restaurants he brings you to to make sure they're gluten free for your celiac disease.
juliet was sweet but she didn't shine to me. i loved how gentle she was with will, but wish that we had gotten more information about her toxic past relationship. while i did read the first book where it technically goes down, do you expect me to remember? also, if it's to work as a standalone, there needs to be enough meat in this book for readers who haven't read the others to understand the scope of the situation. unfortunately, with my poor memory and time simply deteriorating the situation, i dont remember what happened with her and her ex and probably now never will!
together, they were so sweet. they communicated well and often, they were vulnerable and soft and brave. it was so wholesome and so beautiful to read.
we also got some amazing cameos of my babes jamie and bea, and kate and christopher. i didnt read the second book BUT we see jamie and bea get married and y'all!!!!!! MY BABIES!!!!
ALSO NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP
i did have some problems with the book but i realize that they are more personal preferences. there was not a lot of plot, for instance, and the internal monologue of both the characters were near identical for majority of the book which hindered my ability to see them as separate entities. it got a little blurry and repetitive and muddy in the middle with both of them and wish there was just *something* in the plot to distinguish their day-to-day aside from just being together 24/7 and talking or thinking about each other 24/7. it also felt to me that every side character was there to serve as a buffer for their relationship moving forward and i personally am not a fan of that.
overall, it's a cute fluffy book, and if you are a diehard fan of liese's other work, you will love this! it definitely delivers on all of her promises of a sweet romance
thank you berkley for the arc!!!
--
omg this cover!!!!
January 4, 2025
I have loved these books so very much and I couldn't wait to see Juliet get her HEA.
I love love love this cast of characters. Juliet and Will are both loyal and tender hearted and cautious to fall in love. It was wonderful reading their open and honest conversations and how they slowly slowly (oh so fucking slowly) meander from partners to friends to more. Of course seeing Bea and Kate and everyone was perfect.
Plot wise, it was absolutely delicious. Seriously, no notes. I loved everything about this story. Okay, I could have read another 100 pages or a future take or anything else, but I am also satisfied with the ending and can't wait to reread this family.
Overall, it's just so good. Read them now.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I love love love this cast of characters. Juliet and Will are both loyal and tender hearted and cautious to fall in love. It was wonderful reading their open and honest conversations and how they slowly slowly (oh so fucking slowly) meander from partners to friends to more. Of course seeing Bea and Kate and everyone was perfect.
Plot wise, it was absolutely delicious. Seriously, no notes. I loved everything about this story. Okay, I could have read another 100 pages or a future take or anything else, but I am also satisfied with the ending and can't wait to reread this family.
Overall, it's just so good. Read them now.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
December 21, 2025
Veee Wilmot kız kardeşlere bu kitapla beraber veda ettim. Jules ve Will okuması keyifli harika karakterlerdi. Yüzünüzde tebessüm, sımsıcak hisler uyandıracak bir kitap okumak isterseniz seri komple tavsiyedir.
January 14, 2025
This had one of the best endings in any romance book I've ever read 🥹
~Two random meetings and a mutual friend keep bringing Jules and Will together. She used to be a hopeless romantic but has no idea how to get back into the dating world. He's not looking for the conventional relationship but has no idea how to start, or even flirt. They seem to be the perfect pair to practice romance.. they just never intended on falling for each other. ~
Strangers to friends to lovers is a trope I didn't know I loved! 😍 These two were so perfect for each other. I loved the simplicity between them. Their romance was so natural and powerful. 🔥
fake dating x (strangers to) friends to lovers x autism rep
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review with my honest opinion.*
~Two random meetings and a mutual friend keep bringing Jules and Will together. She used to be a hopeless romantic but has no idea how to get back into the dating world. He's not looking for the conventional relationship but has no idea how to start, or even flirt. They seem to be the perfect pair to practice romance.. they just never intended on falling for each other. ~
Strangers to friends to lovers is a trope I didn't know I loved! 😍 These two were so perfect for each other. I loved the simplicity between them. Their romance was so natural and powerful. 🔥
fake dating x (strangers to) friends to lovers x autism rep
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review with my honest opinion.*
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