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Perks & Benefits #1
Water Under the Bridge
Debut authors Kels & Denise Stone make waves in this sexy, rivals-to-lovers, workplace romantic comedy.
Avery Soko, a bright-eyed and ambitious do-gooder, is on the cusp of getting her dream fundraising job at the Oceanic Research Organization. Her hopes are dashed by Luca Navarro, a former corporate lawyer with an extravagant tie collection and an irritatingly gorgeous smirk.
Luca grasps Avery's future in his very large hands, and he seems to revel in crushing her dreams when delivering the news of her rejection.
But Avery will do anything to pursue her passion, even accept a job at a struggling start-up. Her spell of bad luck finally turns when a competition is announced at a grandiose gala that could save her and her new team from going under. Of course, Avery's least favorite person, Luca, also joins the running for the multimillion-dollar prize.
At the height of the competition, Avery and Luca realize they've met their match. But will their tense moments and the string of games and bets between them lead to more rejections, or will they win something more than a sparring partner?
Avery Soko, a bright-eyed and ambitious do-gooder, is on the cusp of getting her dream fundraising job at the Oceanic Research Organization. Her hopes are dashed by Luca Navarro, a former corporate lawyer with an extravagant tie collection and an irritatingly gorgeous smirk.
Luca grasps Avery's future in his very large hands, and he seems to revel in crushing her dreams when delivering the news of her rejection.
But Avery will do anything to pursue her passion, even accept a job at a struggling start-up. Her spell of bad luck finally turns when a competition is announced at a grandiose gala that could save her and her new team from going under. Of course, Avery's least favorite person, Luca, also joins the running for the multimillion-dollar prize.
At the height of the competition, Avery and Luca realize they've met their match. But will their tense moments and the string of games and bets between them lead to more rejections, or will they win something more than a sparring partner?
378 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2022
656 people are currently reading
19323 people want to read
About the author
Kels Stone
12 books735 followersImpactful Love Stories
Kels & Denise are authors, best friends, and the definition of the found family trope. The pair bonded over their love for romance and turned all their late-night chats into writing together. Their enjoyment for storytelling morphed into writing impactful love stories.
@authorkelsdenisestone
kelsdenisestone.com/kdstone
For exclusive bonus content: www.patreon.com/authorkelsdenisestone
Kels & Denise are authors, best friends, and the definition of the found family trope. The pair bonded over their love for romance and turned all their late-night chats into writing together. Their enjoyment for storytelling morphed into writing impactful love stories.
@authorkelsdenisestone
kelsdenisestone.com/kdstone
For exclusive bonus content: www.patreon.com/authorkelsdenisestone
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,397 reviews
October 17, 2022
[ 2.25 stars ]
“Lift your hips, my gorgeous girl.”
YOU CANT OUTDO THE DOER OKAY??? (Aaron Warner <3)
YOU CANT OUTSHINE THE SHINER BABY
no one beats Aaron ”lift your hips for me love” Warner NOBODY
back to the review
this was good for a debut novel but it didn’t wow me, a lot of insta lust/love and just plain annoying characters, the relationship didn’t feel developed?? the plot was just lacking so many elements and didn't feel like a plot at all the side characters were just there? idk that's just me.
Avery just pissed me off and said some real stupid shit example:
she was just your basic tote bag girly who wants to make a change in the world!! she definitely uses a metal straw to save the turtles!!! because she's not like other girls!! sksksksk
I honestly am so disappointed because the enemies to lovers workplace trope had so much potential and it wasn’t really executed right. It was literally “insta lust/love” from first sight and this book is the perfect example of the “he only bullies/hates you because he likes you omg!!!” trope?/?/?/
which was kind of true for this
➣ the banter was almost nonexistent
➣ tension was um... mid
➣pacing was WAY too fast. like you're telling me after one night of sleeping together you're already saying I love you the next day (not the next day but you know what I mean)😭??? make it make sense.
➣whtaever the hell this means: "I want to pull her into my arms right here and let our bodies sway together to the rhythm of our breathing." *crickets*
I see what the authors were trying to do there it just didn't work out.
Luca wasn't appealing (??) to me. I didn't feel that "spark" at all just your typical guy really he could have been better tbh.
despite the rating and the negativity there were some cute moments in this book :)
thats pretty much it lol I only read this to help me recover za 4 (i feel better😀)
I wouldn't recommend but to be honest for a debut novel it was really really good and I think there's lots of room for improvement :) <3
“Lift your hips, my gorgeous girl.”
YOU CANT OUTDO THE DOER OKAY??? (Aaron Warner <3)
YOU CANT OUTSHINE THE SHINER BABY
no one beats Aaron ”lift your hips for me love” Warner NOBODY
back to the review
this was good for a debut novel but it didn’t wow me, a lot of insta lust/love and just plain annoying characters, the relationship didn’t feel developed?? the plot was just lacking so many elements and didn't feel like a plot at all the side characters were just there? idk that's just me.
Avery just pissed me off and said some real stupid shit example:
“I’ve never had such a delicious wet cake before.” JAILLLL NOW
“You like big things, Avery?”
“Yes.” PLEASE SHUTTHEFUCKUP
she was just your basic tote bag girly who wants to make a change in the world!! she definitely uses a metal straw to save the turtles!!! because she's not like other girls!! sksksksk
I honestly am so disappointed because the enemies to lovers workplace trope had so much potential and it wasn’t really executed right. It was literally “insta lust/love” from first sight and this book is the perfect example of the “he only bullies/hates you because he likes you omg!!!” trope?/?/?/
➣ the banter was almost nonexistent
➣ tension was um... mid
➣pacing was WAY too fast. like you're telling me after one night of sleeping together you're already saying I love you the next day (not the next day but you know what I mean)😭??? make it make sense.
➣whtaever the hell this means: "I want to pull her into my arms right here and let our bodies sway together to the rhythm of our breathing." *crickets*
I see what the authors were trying to do there it just didn't work out.
Luca wasn't appealing (??) to me. I didn't feel that "spark" at all just your typical guy really he could have been better tbh.
despite the rating and the negativity there were some cute moments in this book :)
“How many more examples will it take for you to realize I remember everything about you?” he says. My heartbeat quickens. “Every ordinary and extraordinary piece of you, Avery, has a home within me.”
“This is my prize for winning.” “What? An injured woman?” I crane into his chest, now exposed by the wet fabric of his shirt. “No.” He pulls me near his lips. “I get to hold you close again.”
“Avery?” He sprints over to me. “What happened? Are you hurt?” He puts his arm around my shoulders and, in a sudden motion, scoops me up under the knees as though I were weightless like a wise woman once said that's hot
“You and me, Ave, is so much better than you versus me.”
thats pretty much it lol I only read this to help me recover za 4 (i feel better😀)
I wouldn't recommend but to be honest for a debut novel it was really really good and I think there's lots of room for improvement :) <3
November 27, 2022
a fun, spicy & quick read!!! i really liked the environmental plot + the characters. avery was a strong fmc, and luca was the perfect mix of grumpy but boy obsessed.
i love me a good workplace romance. it reminded me a lot of the hating game meets tsld vibes. there were times i was a little bored but i still had a good time.
ps: avery being obsessed w coffee was very much a yes for me.
excited to read more books in this universe 😈
i love me a good workplace romance. it reminded me a lot of the hating game meets tsld vibes. there were times i was a little bored but i still had a good time.
ps: avery being obsessed w coffee was very much a yes for me.
excited to read more books in this universe 😈
December 20, 2023
*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I knew from the first chapter that this book wasn't going to be for me, but because I received the ARC, I wanted to be able to push through for my review. However, it took me much longer than it should have for me to get to the halfway point, mainly because I had to take a break after every chapter.
It reads very much like fans of the romance genre that weren't able to execute it well.
I found the writing juvenile. It's very stream-of-consciousness in style, and I'm also not a fan of the excessive use of exclamation points in non-dialogue contexts (and if you're writing dialogue well, you don't even need them there, either, in my opinion). There is also a LOT of exposition to explain context behind things, but again, from a first-person POV, it's not executed well.
I also didn't care for either of the main characters. They weren't for me. Avery Soko, the FMC, has a very childish tone to her POV (in that if I wasn't told her age, I'd think she was a teenager and not a grown woman). The "enemies" part of things is due to the fact that because she's immature, she doesn't forgive misunderstandings/doesn't offer Luca the chance to actually show his side of things because she constantly assumes the worst about him. She cares more about winning than the mission of her start-up, seen when she is reluctant to work with Luca's team even though their conservation efforts are complementary. She also doesn't handle rejection well - which, you would think would be a point of development for her - but at the point I stopped at, it seemed very much like she was being pandered to by the other characters who validated her instead of actually trying to be mature about things.
Luca Navarro, the MMC, is an attempt at a grumpy character that again, I don't think was executed well.
If you have to constantly spell it out for the reader that this is grumpy x sunshine/enemies or rivals-to-lovers, you're doing it wrong. Luca has a soft spot for Avery, but cannot seem to do so without putting other women down and comparing them to her. No thanks. They also "compete" with each other, which often just ended in Avery winning because Luca loses all brain cells when she's around. If there's a rivals-to-lovers story, it should be evenly matched.
They also BOTH sexualize each other very early on (probably to play up the tension aspect). I can't root for characters who can't even be around each other without thinking about doing XYZ or thinking about XYZ body parts. If I didn't know any better, I'd think at least Luca's POV was written by a man because of how bad he sexualizes Avery (not that she's much better about it in her POV).
I knew from the first chapter that this book wasn't going to be for me, but because I received the ARC, I wanted to be able to push through for my review. However, it took me much longer than it should have for me to get to the halfway point, mainly because I had to take a break after every chapter.
It reads very much like fans of the romance genre that weren't able to execute it well.
I found the writing juvenile. It's very stream-of-consciousness in style, and I'm also not a fan of the excessive use of exclamation points in non-dialogue contexts (and if you're writing dialogue well, you don't even need them there, either, in my opinion). There is also a LOT of exposition to explain context behind things, but again, from a first-person POV, it's not executed well.
I also didn't care for either of the main characters. They weren't for me. Avery Soko, the FMC, has a very childish tone to her POV (in that if I wasn't told her age, I'd think she was a teenager and not a grown woman). The "enemies" part of things is due to the fact that because she's immature, she doesn't forgive misunderstandings/doesn't offer Luca the chance to actually show his side of things because she constantly assumes the worst about him. She cares more about winning than the mission of her start-up, seen when she is reluctant to work with Luca's team even though their conservation efforts are complementary. She also doesn't handle rejection well - which, you would think would be a point of development for her - but at the point I stopped at, it seemed very much like she was being pandered to by the other characters who validated her instead of actually trying to be mature about things.
Luca Navarro, the MMC, is an attempt at a grumpy character that again, I don't think was executed well.
If you have to constantly spell it out for the reader that this is grumpy x sunshine/enemies or rivals-to-lovers, you're doing it wrong. Luca has a soft spot for Avery, but cannot seem to do so without putting other women down and comparing them to her. No thanks. They also "compete" with each other, which often just ended in Avery winning because Luca loses all brain cells when she's around. If there's a rivals-to-lovers story, it should be evenly matched.
They also BOTH sexualize each other very early on (probably to play up the tension aspect). I can't root for characters who can't even be around each other without thinking about doing XYZ or thinking about XYZ body parts. If I didn't know any better, I'd think at least Luca's POV was written by a man because of how bad he sexualizes Avery (not that she's much better about it in her POV).
September 9, 2022
This was a nice quick-paced read.
I was excited to read this at first and it started strong. Something just missed the mark, unfortunately, because I couldn’t totally connect to the characters.
Avery got kinda annoying in the middle of the book for some reason. I couldn't get over how she was way too competitive. But I eventually liked her more by the end.
Luca was so cute though. The way he would simp over Avery was hilarious. And the fact that he always found ways to link her with everything was adorable.
The dialogue was sometimes too sweet and cringe but I liked it? It was adorable when he said it okay!
𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
There was a lot of focus on the environmental issues and I found that nice <3
Ngl I didn’t care much about all the friendships and stuff.
**𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝑲𝒆𝒍𝒔 & 𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒄 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘**
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
“Why do I even care what she thinks? But here I am, chasing after her like a fool.”
“If my loss means she’s happy, I’ll concede it.”
“Avery could ask me to roast coffee beans by hand, and I would simply ask her for how long.”
“You and me, Ave, is so much better than you versus me.”
I was excited to read this at first and it started strong. Something just missed the mark, unfortunately, because I couldn’t totally connect to the characters.
Avery got kinda annoying in the middle of the book for some reason. I couldn't get over how she was way too competitive. But I eventually liked her more by the end.
Luca was so cute though. The way he would simp over Avery was hilarious. And the fact that he always found ways to link her with everything was adorable.
The dialogue was sometimes too sweet and cringe but I liked it? It was adorable when he said it okay!
𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
There was a lot of focus on the environmental issues and I found that nice <3
Ngl I didn’t care much about all the friendships and stuff.
**𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝑲𝒆𝒍𝒔 & 𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒄 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘**
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
“Why do I even care what she thinks? But here I am, chasing after her like a fool.”
“If my loss means she’s happy, I’ll concede it.”
“Avery could ask me to roast coffee beans by hand, and I would simply ask her for how long.”
“You and me, Ave, is so much better than you versus me.”
May 16, 2023
4/5 ☆
Avery is passionate about the environment and is willingly to do just about anything to make a difference. When her interview at her dream job goes awry, she takes her chances on an environmental tech start up and enters a multi-million competition to win funding for her team. Enter Luca Navarro - the arrogant (and gorgeous) man who she met during her interview and is now her sworn enemy after he too enters the competition. As they go head to head, there’s no denying the attraction they have for each other. Soon Avery has to decide: will she let her feelings for Luca deter her away from her dreams or will she risk it all for a chance at something special?
This was such a well done debut novel by Kels and Denise. The writing was good and the plot was well developed. I loved how passionate Ave and Luca were and why they specifically chose this industry as a career. Sheds light on a very important issue and how we need to be doing more for our planet.
Avery and Luca’s relationship also developed very naturally; it didn’t feel forced or rushed. I was even wanting a bit more of them, which is something Kels and Denise nailed for a slow burn. Every little moment we get of them flirting or interacting made me giddy and excited. Bonus points for characters that actually communicate to each other and respect one another. I love me a no third act break up. ♡
This made me so excited for their next book! Avery and Luca are great characters and I can tell they meant a lot to the authors. Congrats Kels and Denise on your first novel - can’t wait to read the next!
Tropes:
-Workplace romance
-Rivals/enemies to lovers
-Soft slow burn
-Strong MCs
Avery is passionate about the environment and is willingly to do just about anything to make a difference. When her interview at her dream job goes awry, she takes her chances on an environmental tech start up and enters a multi-million competition to win funding for her team. Enter Luca Navarro - the arrogant (and gorgeous) man who she met during her interview and is now her sworn enemy after he too enters the competition. As they go head to head, there’s no denying the attraction they have for each other. Soon Avery has to decide: will she let her feelings for Luca deter her away from her dreams or will she risk it all for a chance at something special?
This was such a well done debut novel by Kels and Denise. The writing was good and the plot was well developed. I loved how passionate Ave and Luca were and why they specifically chose this industry as a career. Sheds light on a very important issue and how we need to be doing more for our planet.
Avery and Luca’s relationship also developed very naturally; it didn’t feel forced or rushed. I was even wanting a bit more of them, which is something Kels and Denise nailed for a slow burn. Every little moment we get of them flirting or interacting made me giddy and excited. Bonus points for characters that actually communicate to each other and respect one another. I love me a no third act break up. ♡
This made me so excited for their next book! Avery and Luca are great characters and I can tell they meant a lot to the authors. Congrats Kels and Denise on your first novel - can’t wait to read the next!
Tropes:
-Workplace romance
-Rivals/enemies to lovers
-Soft slow burn
-Strong MCs
November 17, 2022
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ A RIVALS-TO-LOVERS WORKPLACE ROMANCE THAT MADE ME SMILE SO MUUUCH
this for sure became one of my favorite books of this year! i couldn't stop smiling and screaming while reading it. luca and avery are adorable and i love their journey!!!! if you love the spanish love deception, you will love this one as well. it's much steamer than tsld so if you wanted more smut in your book, this is the one for you.
i love that we got luca's pov because you know instantly that he cannot stop thinking about avery and he is definitely an obsessed boy AND HE FALLS FIRST! while avery hates him and thinks the worst of him lmao. it's definitely that one-sided rivalry where the fmc only thinks they have a rivalry ♡ and he's always thinking ways to be close to her and!!! i love their little bets and games THEY WERE SO CUTEEE luca navarro really is the MAN HE'S IT MY FRIENDS.
WHEN HE TOOK HER TO HIS PLACE AND SAID THIS IS "OUR" CLOSET AND OUR BED KSKJNDSJNDSKFDS AFTER ONE NIGHT HE'S SO OBSESSED!!!
this for sure became one of my favorite books of this year! i couldn't stop smiling and screaming while reading it. luca and avery are adorable and i love their journey!!!! if you love the spanish love deception, you will love this one as well. it's much steamer than tsld so if you wanted more smut in your book, this is the one for you.
i love that we got luca's pov because you know instantly that he cannot stop thinking about avery and he is definitely an obsessed boy AND HE FALLS FIRST! while avery hates him and thinks the worst of him lmao. it's definitely that one-sided rivalry where the fmc only thinks they have a rivalry ♡ and he's always thinking ways to be close to her and!!! i love their little bets and games THEY WERE SO CUTEEE luca navarro really is the MAN HE'S IT MY FRIENDS.
WHEN HE TOOK HER TO HIS PLACE AND SAID THIS IS "OUR" CLOSET AND OUR BED KSKJNDSJNDSKFDS AFTER ONE NIGHT HE'S SO OBSESSED!!!
September 8, 2022
5⭐️
🐢 he falls first
🐢 workplace romance
🐢 she’s a bit grumpy 🥰
🐢 he’s a bit grumpy too but then gets the office a new coffee machine 😮💨
🐢 no third act break up💖💖💖💖💖
this was so cute? i was hooked from the first few pages! the intro to Avery’s character was absolutely insane. i couldn’t stop laughing. and Luca?????? oh my god pls come help fix my printer 👉👈🥺
listen i’m not a fan of workplace romances or anything like that bc getting with someone from work personally would give me the ick BUT THIS BOOK?!????? loved it so much oh my god. it was so well done. the writing was great and it never felt disjointed. i loved the dual pov in this book so much, especially showing the big moments of one character in the other’s pov and seeing their reaction to making them happy/hurting them. SO WELL DONE
avery and luca’s banter had me laughing and hyperventilating at times. the spice in this book?!???? WHEW i mean don’t let the innocent cover fool you. the games they constantly played made me feel so happy?? i did cry a few times, i must say lol
just love it when a book makes you feel so many things??
and luca 😮💨 god he was just on another level??? those suits?? in neutral colours???? yes please. he was just so infatuated with avery from the start and didn’t even beat around the bush he just knew what he wanted and constantly tried to win her over 🥹
i also really cannot wait to see more of nico and lily??????? 👀👀👀👀👀
this was such a feel good romcom, impeccable writing, very relatable female character, sPiCy, and so funny??? i cannot wait to read more of kels and denise’s work in the future
thank you for the arc ladies 🥰
🐢 he falls first
🐢 workplace romance
🐢 she’s a bit grumpy 🥰
🐢 he’s a bit grumpy too but then gets the office a new coffee machine 😮💨
🐢 no third act break up💖💖💖💖💖
this was so cute? i was hooked from the first few pages! the intro to Avery’s character was absolutely insane. i couldn’t stop laughing. and Luca?????? oh my god pls come help fix my printer 👉👈🥺
listen i’m not a fan of workplace romances or anything like that bc getting with someone from work personally would give me the ick BUT THIS BOOK?!????? loved it so much oh my god. it was so well done. the writing was great and it never felt disjointed. i loved the dual pov in this book so much, especially showing the big moments of one character in the other’s pov and seeing their reaction to making them happy/hurting them. SO WELL DONE
avery and luca’s banter had me laughing and hyperventilating at times. the spice in this book?!???? WHEW i mean don’t let the innocent cover fool you. the games they constantly played made me feel so happy?? i did cry a few times, i must say lol
just love it when a book makes you feel so many things??
and luca 😮💨 god he was just on another level??? those suits?? in neutral colours???? yes please. he was just so infatuated with avery from the start and didn’t even beat around the bush he just knew what he wanted and constantly tried to win her over 🥹
i also really cannot wait to see more of nico and lily??????? 👀👀👀👀👀
this was such a feel good romcom, impeccable writing, very relatable female character, sPiCy, and so funny??? i cannot wait to read more of kels and denise’s work in the future
thank you for the arc ladies 🥰
November 28, 2022
This was such a freaking cute read. Not only was I obsessed with the characters and their workplace romance but I also adored the fact that Avery was 5’9. I felt very seen seeing a tall fmc because it almost NEVER happens.
Luca and Avery are the cutest and I can’t wait for more books in this universe. 💛
Luca and Avery are the cutest and I can’t wait for more books in this universe. 💛
September 10, 2022
Water Under The Bridge is a debut novel by Kels & Denise Stone. This is a slow burn, contemporary, workplace romantic comedy. It’s book one of the Perks & Benefits series and can be read as a standalone.
Hey all! We wrote a book. How exciting?! (Someone pinch us, we still can't believe it.) ☀️ Thank you so much for giving our debut novel a chance! We hope you all fall in love with Luca & Avery as much as we enjoyed writing their special love story. #Luvery #WUTB 🌊🤍🌉
🐢 Release Date: September 14th
You can preorder now:
Preorder link USA
Preorder link UK
Preorder link Canada
Subscribe to The Sticky Note for exclusive updates & giveaways. 💕
Content warnings: HERE (contains spoilers)
Find Kels & Denise Online:
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3U0g4SM
TikTok - https://bit.ly/3BcEQ9I
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3d1PYhl
Website - https://bit.ly/3RW8ZR1
Hey all! We wrote a book. How exciting?! (Someone pinch us, we still can't believe it.) ☀️ Thank you so much for giving our debut novel a chance! We hope you all fall in love with Luca & Avery as much as we enjoyed writing their special love story. #Luvery #WUTB 🌊🤍🌉
🐢 Release Date: September 14th
You can preorder now:
Preorder link USA
Preorder link UK
Preorder link Canada
Subscribe to The Sticky Note for exclusive updates & giveaways. 💕
Content warnings: HERE (contains spoilers)
Find Kels & Denise Online:
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3U0g4SM
TikTok - https://bit.ly/3BcEQ9I
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3d1PYhl
Website - https://bit.ly/3RW8ZR1
November 12, 2022
Sweet but a little boring.
Luca is the sweetest simp boy ever and I did love him, he was the book basically. And I love a latin king!
There was just soooo much filler! Their environmentalist which is so cool but it went so heavy on the corporate inner workings of a non profit, I was bored to tears. There were so many subplots and side characters and they just fell kinda flat.
So basically three stars to sweet Luca bc he was divine.
Luca is the sweetest simp boy ever and I did love him, he was the book basically. And I love a latin king!
There was just soooo much filler! Their environmentalist which is so cool but it went so heavy on the corporate inner workings of a non profit, I was bored to tears. There were so many subplots and side characters and they just fell kinda flat.
So basically three stars to sweet Luca bc he was divine.
September 22, 2022
Have you ever read a book that was just SOOO good you struggled to form the proper words to express the amount of love you had for it?
That’s me with this one.
It took me by surprise, I was not expecting to adore it this much. I’ve already blabbered about it so much to a few friends they can’t wait for release day to read it themselves!
From a messy job interview, to being co-creaters who place bets on nearly everything.. to becoming lovers.🥹
Workplace romance, slowburn, rivarly, ocean conservation, HE FALLS FIRST(and he falls hard, it’s the sweetest thing ever!), spice.. with some added praise😏 & to top it all off, BANTER!
Which flowed so easily with these two, I loved every interaction between them, the push & pull really gets you hooked!
Luca is a grumpy workaholic, who has a younger brother that wants him to just let loose & breath.
I guess you could say, when he isn’t thinking about work, he’s busy thinking of Avery & making sure he knows her coffee order.🥹
Avery is the definitely a girl boss. Yet, she has far too many expectations for where she should be in life. She’s just out here trying to achieve her dreams & won’t let anything or anyone get in her way.
Getting both of their POV was perfect, I feel like that really brought the book together as both characters have such strong emotions, it was nice to see how they both felt about things!
I just wanted to clear the air now…
Luca Navarro is MY book boyfriend. I’m calling dibs. okay.🫶🏼
Thank you so freaking much loves for this ARC, I’m so excited to see what else you two write in the future.. hopefully a book about Lily & Nico because they BETTER become a couple. They’d be perfection.. okay that’s all.
Muahh💋
That’s me with this one.
It took me by surprise, I was not expecting to adore it this much. I’ve already blabbered about it so much to a few friends they can’t wait for release day to read it themselves!
From a messy job interview, to being co-creaters who place bets on nearly everything.. to becoming lovers.🥹
Workplace romance, slowburn, rivarly, ocean conservation, HE FALLS FIRST(and he falls hard, it’s the sweetest thing ever!), spice.. with some added praise😏 & to top it all off, BANTER!
Which flowed so easily with these two, I loved every interaction between them, the push & pull really gets you hooked!
Luca is a grumpy workaholic, who has a younger brother that wants him to just let loose & breath.
I guess you could say, when he isn’t thinking about work, he’s busy thinking of Avery & making sure he knows her coffee order.🥹
Avery is the definitely a girl boss. Yet, she has far too many expectations for where she should be in life. She’s just out here trying to achieve her dreams & won’t let anything or anyone get in her way.
Getting both of their POV was perfect, I feel like that really brought the book together as both characters have such strong emotions, it was nice to see how they both felt about things!
I just wanted to clear the air now…
Luca Navarro is MY book boyfriend. I’m calling dibs. okay.🫶🏼
Thank you so freaking much loves for this ARC, I’m so excited to see what else you two write in the future.. hopefully a book about Lily & Nico because they BETTER become a couple. They’d be perfection.. okay that’s all.
Muahh💋
August 23, 2023
I loved how their jobs were based around helping the environment.
This book is really underrated.
It was another top romcom for me in my opinion.
Luca was smitten with Avery when she was in the beginning kind of viewing him as an enemy, it was a funny read I enjoyed it.
Five stars.
This book is really underrated.
It was another top romcom for me in my opinion.
Luca was smitten with Avery when she was in the beginning kind of viewing him as an enemy, it was a funny read I enjoyed it.
Five stars.
Want to read
August 8, 2024Evelyn Hugo, what are you doing on this book's original book cover?
Story time:
I think it was last Summer when I constantly used to see reels of book 2 of this series, it was really popular for some time, and it honestly grabbed my attention. Though I don't know why, but I seem to not have ever added it in my tbr.
Fast forward to not so long ago, when I saw the new cover versions of this entire series and became instantly OBSESSED with them.
The one that had caught my eyes the most was book 3. But it would've been weird to have added a middle book from a series and not the first one which basically starts it all. So I added this one and am hoping to get to them soon.
Story time:
I think it was last Summer when I constantly used to see reels of book 2 of this series, it was really popular for some time, and it honestly grabbed my attention. Though I don't know why, but I seem to not have ever added it in my tbr.
Fast forward to not so long ago, when I saw the new cover versions of this entire series and became instantly OBSESSED with them.
The one that had caught my eyes the most was book 3. But it would've been weird to have added a middle book from a series and not the first one which basically starts it all. So I added this one and am hoping to get to them soon.
September 24, 2022
4.5 stars!!! I LOVED THIS SO MUCH!! What a great debut novel! Avery & Luca have my heart! I just really love the pacing and the story<3 Avery is such a girl boss! I truly admire her so much. Luca is just amazing! THE THINGS HE SAID HAD ME BLUSHINGGG! I also really love how much they care about the ocean<3 I’m SO PROUD OF MY GIRLS KELS & DENISE!
September 10, 2022
Water Under The Bridge is a debut novel by Kels & Denise Stone. This is a slow burn, contemporary, workplace romantic comedy. It’s book one of the Perks & Benefits series and can be read as a standalone.
Hey all! We wrote a book. How exciting?! (Someone pinch us, we still can't believe it.) ☀️ Thank you so much for giving our debut novel a chance! We hope you all fall in love with Luca & Avery as much as we enjoyed writing their special love story. #Luvery #WUTB 🌊🤍🌉
🐢 Release Date: September 14th
You can preorder now:
Preorder link USA
Preorder link UK
Preorder link Canada
Subscribe to The Sticky Note for exclusive updates & giveaways. 💕
Content warnings: HERE (contains spoilers)
Find Kels & Denise Online:
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3U0g4SM
TikTok - https://bit.ly/3BcEQ9I
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3d1PYhl
Website - https://bit.ly/3RW8ZR1
Hey all! We wrote a book. How exciting?! (Someone pinch us, we still can't believe it.) ☀️ Thank you so much for giving our debut novel a chance! We hope you all fall in love with Luca & Avery as much as we enjoyed writing their special love story. #Luvery #WUTB 🌊🤍🌉
🐢 Release Date: September 14th
You can preorder now:
Preorder link USA
Preorder link UK
Preorder link Canada
Subscribe to The Sticky Note for exclusive updates & giveaways. 💕
Content warnings: HERE (contains spoilers)
Find Kels & Denise Online:
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3U0g4SM
TikTok - https://bit.ly/3BcEQ9I
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3d1PYhl
Website - https://bit.ly/3RW8ZR1
September 12, 2022
“How many more examples will it take for you to realize I remember everything about you?” he says. My heartbeat quickens. “Every ordinary and extraordinary piece of you, Avery, has a home within me.”
Fans of the hating game, the spanish love deception, and christina lauren's books, this one's for you!
(*) I didn't like TSLD, but I can see that both books share the same vibes.
4.5 | full review to come.
September 30, 2023
tropes:
🏢 workplace romance
😈 rivals to lovers
📆 age gap
😾 grumpy/sunshine
🐌 slow burn
🙆♂️ he falls first
👯♀️ found family/good supporting characters
🌎 protect our environment!!
🌶️ it was there!! spice!
avery has grown up wanting to help the environment, she lands an interview with her dream company that is run by a woman she idolizes. after a quick rejection from the job, she takes her talents to an environmental tech start up and enters a competition for a multimillion dollar to win funding for her team. however, this competition soon turns into a merger where she has to work with luca, aka the same guy who denied her the job at her dream company. she’s already sworn him as her true enemy, but as they are now forced to work together - can they put aside their differences to fund their one goal?
—— thoughts/opinions/spoilers
ok so i loved this, i ate this up!!! luca had me swooning y’all — like WHAT, he was honestly one of my favourite grumpy men i think, giving me grumpy but smooth, suave and just held this confidence about him wowoweeee
tbh, i couldn’t get the company names, ‘plastech’ was easy but what did ORO stand for? idk — anywho, avery was great, i thought she it was cool to see such a smart, intelligent and no bs kinda main character.
i thought their relationship did grow naturally, even if it felt slow — but i preferred that they would just banter and play their lil ‘games’ for a few months/weeks. like that running bit? cute. that part where he brought her to that mexican place to eat? hella cute. him buying her that $70k coffee maker? hubba hubba amirite 😍
i wish we had saw more of the characters like the plastech guys, luca’s brother and her roommate bc i know they’ll be in the next books, but tbh i didn’t care much for them but it didn’t rlly make like the book more or less? so it’s chill
also!! barely a 3rd act breakup - win in my column!!!
im looking forward to reading the rest of these books!
— 2nd read April 2023
i fkn love this book and am so excited for our scourching summer!!! GIMMIE NICO AND LILYYYYY
🏢 workplace romance
😈 rivals to lovers
📆 age gap
😾 grumpy/sunshine
🐌 slow burn
🙆♂️ he falls first
👯♀️ found family/good supporting characters
🌎 protect our environment!!
🌶️ it was there!! spice!
avery has grown up wanting to help the environment, she lands an interview with her dream company that is run by a woman she idolizes. after a quick rejection from the job, she takes her talents to an environmental tech start up and enters a competition for a multimillion dollar to win funding for her team. however, this competition soon turns into a merger where she has to work with luca, aka the same guy who denied her the job at her dream company. she’s already sworn him as her true enemy, but as they are now forced to work together - can they put aside their differences to fund their one goal?
—— thoughts/opinions/spoilers
ok so i loved this, i ate this up!!! luca had me swooning y’all — like WHAT, he was honestly one of my favourite grumpy men i think, giving me grumpy but smooth, suave and just held this confidence about him wowoweeee
tbh, i couldn’t get the company names, ‘plastech’ was easy but what did ORO stand for? idk — anywho, avery was great, i thought she it was cool to see such a smart, intelligent and no bs kinda main character.
i thought their relationship did grow naturally, even if it felt slow — but i preferred that they would just banter and play their lil ‘games’ for a few months/weeks. like that running bit? cute. that part where he brought her to that mexican place to eat? hella cute. him buying her that $70k coffee maker? hubba hubba amirite 😍
i wish we had saw more of the characters like the plastech guys, luca’s brother and her roommate bc i know they’ll be in the next books, but tbh i didn’t care much for them but it didn’t rlly make like the book more or less? so it’s chill
also!! barely a 3rd act breakup - win in my column!!!
im looking forward to reading the rest of these books!
— 2nd read April 2023
i fkn love this book and am so excited for our scourching summer!!! GIMMIE NICO AND LILYYYYY
June 3, 2024
🐢 ARC REVIEW 🐢
No but I’m actually obsessed. I think Water Under the Bridge has taken the crown for the best debut novel I’ve ever read.
I devoured Water Under the Bridge in a day. I cannot explain how much I loved it. I wish I could read it all over again for the first time!
The book was so beautifully written, with such creative and descriptive writing, with such a well developed plot. And the characters have my entire heart!!! Avery and Luca’s banter had me cackling, and like, where can I find a man who will buy a super xx-ey coffee machine for the workplace office because he knows I want one?? AND THE SPICE IN THIS BOOK. Praise kink activated for sure.
Tropes to expect:
- Workplace romance
- Enemies/rivals to lovers
- Slow burn
- He falls first
- No third-act break up (woohoo!!)
If there are not upcoming novels for some of the side character, I’ll riot. I just need more!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
No but I’m actually obsessed. I think Water Under the Bridge has taken the crown for the best debut novel I’ve ever read.
I devoured Water Under the Bridge in a day. I cannot explain how much I loved it. I wish I could read it all over again for the first time!
The book was so beautifully written, with such creative and descriptive writing, with such a well developed plot. And the characters have my entire heart!!! Avery and Luca’s banter had me cackling, and like, where can I find a man who will buy a super xx-ey coffee machine for the workplace office because he knows I want one?? AND THE SPICE IN THIS BOOK. Praise kink activated for sure.
Tropes to expect:
- Workplace romance
- Enemies/rivals to lovers
- Slow burn
- He falls first
- No third-act break up (woohoo!!)
If there are not upcoming novels for some of the side character, I’ll riot. I just need more!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
October 31, 2022
this book would be better if i threw it under a bridge
September 6, 2022
this is one of the best books by a debut author(s) i have ever read so let’s buckle up *cracks knuckles* because this review is gonna be LONG but worth it
I want to start by saying that it’s so fun seeing content creators who you’ve grown to love because of their love for books become authors
This book had me hooked the moment I read the synopsis, i am a sucker for a good grumpy/sunshine workplace romance trope but this one stands out amongst all the other ones i read about for so many different reasons starting with the workplace, now there’s lots of workplace romances i’ve read where yes women and men work together but never in such a cohesive way that they’re equals the woman is always fighting to prove her worth (or she’s just the man’s secretary or something) where in this avery is worthy from the start and luca sees it she never has to prove that to him, the men and women in the workplace get along like coworkers who respect each other and the job that everyone does and it’s just refreshing to see a nontoxic nonmisogynistic workspace
Now onto the main topic Avery and Luca, i loved their dynamic they’re both grumpy and they’re both the sunshine just depended on the scene, I adored the bickering and the jokes, and the friendly wholesome competition, I loved how competitive avery was and i loved that luca let her be competitive and didn’t ever back down. They brought each other out of their shell, but also understood the depths of what their work meant to them, It definitely gave dislike to lovers instead of enemies to lovers and the guy falls first trope because luca fell HARD the sexual tension was jumping off the pages, i was literally begging avery to jump this man’s bones and put him out his misery 😂.
Also we must discuss how this is a very cohesive romance novel without a miscommunication trope at the end where the couple breaks up and you spend the next 20 pages reading about how they both can’t communicate like normal fully functioning adults. AUTHORS PLS TAKE NOTE!! YOU CAN DO IT! It was so good to see because i always hate the random miscommunication at the end of a book just for a little sprinkle of drama, it was so nice to see them be upset about something and then TALK IT OUT and come up with a solution that works for the both of them and doesn’t drag me along for chapters of unneeded angst.
this book has been my first 5 star read in such a long time and was the perfect book to bring me out of the reading slump the month of august put me in, there’s so much more i want to discuss but it will have to wait until release day so i don’t spoil 😂
I want to start by saying that it’s so fun seeing content creators who you’ve grown to love because of their love for books become authors
This book had me hooked the moment I read the synopsis, i am a sucker for a good grumpy/sunshine workplace romance trope but this one stands out amongst all the other ones i read about for so many different reasons starting with the workplace, now there’s lots of workplace romances i’ve read where yes women and men work together but never in such a cohesive way that they’re equals the woman is always fighting to prove her worth (or she’s just the man’s secretary or something) where in this avery is worthy from the start and luca sees it she never has to prove that to him, the men and women in the workplace get along like coworkers who respect each other and the job that everyone does and it’s just refreshing to see a nontoxic nonmisogynistic workspace
Now onto the main topic Avery and Luca, i loved their dynamic they’re both grumpy and they’re both the sunshine just depended on the scene, I adored the bickering and the jokes, and the friendly wholesome competition, I loved how competitive avery was and i loved that luca let her be competitive and didn’t ever back down. They brought each other out of their shell, but also understood the depths of what their work meant to them, It definitely gave dislike to lovers instead of enemies to lovers and the guy falls first trope because luca fell HARD the sexual tension was jumping off the pages, i was literally begging avery to jump this man’s bones and put him out his misery 😂.
Also we must discuss how this is a very cohesive romance novel without a miscommunication trope at the end where the couple breaks up and you spend the next 20 pages reading about how they both can’t communicate like normal fully functioning adults. AUTHORS PLS TAKE NOTE!! YOU CAN DO IT! It was so good to see because i always hate the random miscommunication at the end of a book just for a little sprinkle of drama, it was so nice to see them be upset about something and then TALK IT OUT and come up with a solution that works for the both of them and doesn’t drag me along for chapters of unneeded angst.
this book has been my first 5 star read in such a long time and was the perfect book to bring me out of the reading slump the month of august put me in, there’s so much more i want to discuss but it will have to wait until release day so i don’t spoil 😂
September 5, 2022
Sitting here trying to think of how to put into words all of the things I absolutely adored about this book. Let me just start of by saying thank you and what an amazing job Kels and Denise both did in writing this book I am just in awe and am fully addicted to both Luca and Avery now and forever. This book was the perfect mix of slow-burn, enemies to lovers, work place romance, spice, laugh out loud moments, he falls first, grumpy sunshine. I just can't believe so many of my favorite things are in all of the pages of this book!
Luca and Avery (can I just start off by saying I'm obsessed with their names, something about characters with good names does it for me). These two have banter and competition like no other that had me laughing out loud multiple times in this book that fits perfectly with the enemies to lovers and grumpy sunshine trope. Avery is one determined and spirited individual who has to learn to let go of expectations of where she is supposed to be and I have never related more. Luca, the hottie grump with expensive suits and ties has to learn to let go of past mistakes and go after the things that make life worth it. I am obsessed with these two as individual characters and their relationship together. If you haven't already preorder it please do, it comes out September 14th and you need to have your hands on it!
Luca and Avery (can I just start off by saying I'm obsessed with their names, something about characters with good names does it for me). These two have banter and competition like no other that had me laughing out loud multiple times in this book that fits perfectly with the enemies to lovers and grumpy sunshine trope. Avery is one determined and spirited individual who has to learn to let go of expectations of where she is supposed to be and I have never related more. Luca, the hottie grump with expensive suits and ties has to learn to let go of past mistakes and go after the things that make life worth it. I am obsessed with these two as individual characters and their relationship together. If you haven't already preorder it please do, it comes out September 14th and you need to have your hands on it!
September 5, 2022
I’m in awe. this book was, what listening to Taylor swift feels like. An overall enjoyable work place romance!
Release date: 14th September!
i just can’t say a bad word! I loved Avery and Luca and especially them together. Their interactions left me giggling and smiling. We all want someone like Luca. And we all aspire to be someone like Avery. Or at least I am. She’s such an inspirational person. And as a female lead exactly what I want to read about. No immature or childish behavior to portray her as the sunshine. She’s the sunshine of the book that has some rainy days and that makes her all the mit realistic.
This novel does not at all feel like a debut novel. Kels and Denise Stone have created something incredibly amazing and I just had the best time reading this book. I was constantly smiling and giggling like a little kid at Christmas throughout the entire book. I kid you not - devoured this in a few hours. This was the perfect length and pace. Not to fast. Not too slow. Not unreasonably dragged on but also not cut short. Just as it should be. Perfect. Just like everything was perfect. Just exactly how I want it.
It has the perfect amount of everything. Entertainment. Feelings. Spice. Teasing. Friendship.
An impeccably well balanced rom com. Toe curling spice scene. Dialogues to leave you giddy and excited. Teasing. And a too good to be true love interest.
And damn I even learned something about the environment in the meanwhile. But not overly annoying. Just perfectly woven into the story - just how I like it.
I can only encourage everyone to read this. If you enjoy romance just a tiny bit - then give this novel a chance. I am convinced it will not disappoint. Because there is not a single disappointing aspect to say about this. At least not in my eyes. It’s just making you happy to read about these two and their amazing friends and colleagues and siblings.
There wasn’t even the annoying typical 70-80% barrier conflict happening. The characters all acted reasonable and mature and where just overly enjoyable to read about and feel with and i loved every single character in this book. All of them where Special a d necessary for the story without stealing the spotlight from our main couple. This is a total feel good read!! And also pulled me single handedly out of a major reading slump!
5🌟
—————————
thank you kels and denise for the arc in exchange for an honest review
Release date: 14th September!
i just can’t say a bad word! I loved Avery and Luca and especially them together. Their interactions left me giggling and smiling. We all want someone like Luca. And we all aspire to be someone like Avery. Or at least I am. She’s such an inspirational person. And as a female lead exactly what I want to read about. No immature or childish behavior to portray her as the sunshine. She’s the sunshine of the book that has some rainy days and that makes her all the mit realistic.
This novel does not at all feel like a debut novel. Kels and Denise Stone have created something incredibly amazing and I just had the best time reading this book. I was constantly smiling and giggling like a little kid at Christmas throughout the entire book. I kid you not - devoured this in a few hours. This was the perfect length and pace. Not to fast. Not too slow. Not unreasonably dragged on but also not cut short. Just as it should be. Perfect. Just like everything was perfect. Just exactly how I want it.
It has the perfect amount of everything. Entertainment. Feelings. Spice. Teasing. Friendship.
An impeccably well balanced rom com. Toe curling spice scene. Dialogues to leave you giddy and excited. Teasing. And a too good to be true love interest.
And damn I even learned something about the environment in the meanwhile. But not overly annoying. Just perfectly woven into the story - just how I like it.
I can only encourage everyone to read this. If you enjoy romance just a tiny bit - then give this novel a chance. I am convinced it will not disappoint. Because there is not a single disappointing aspect to say about this. At least not in my eyes. It’s just making you happy to read about these two and their amazing friends and colleagues and siblings.
There wasn’t even the annoying typical 70-80% barrier conflict happening. The characters all acted reasonable and mature and where just overly enjoyable to read about and feel with and i loved every single character in this book. All of them where Special a d necessary for the story without stealing the spotlight from our main couple. This is a total feel good read!! And also pulled me single handedly out of a major reading slump!
5🌟
—————————
thank you kels and denise for the arc in exchange for an honest review
December 11, 2022
4/5⭐
“You and me, Ave, is so much better than you versus me.”
Underrated romance alert!
I truly enjoyed reading this, but I'm disappointed because the enemies-to-lovers workplace trope had a lot of potential but it wasn’t really executed right. The guy fell in love with her the moment he saw her and got to know her and she took a little bit more time, but from the moment they met, she was attracted to him and his suits. However, I enjoyed their banter of getting under each other skin's and all those stupid bets to be close to each other.
I also think it was a bit cringey at parts and the ending was wayyy too much. Like I get that the dude had money to buy anything but all those gifts? Too over the top. And I would've also loved to see Lily and Nico together but maybe they're in the next book, who knows.
Overall it was a fast-paced, fun, cute, and spicy romance. If you're looking for that, definitely read this. It also has a good environmental plot (women in STEM) and likable characters. The protagonist, Avery, was really funny and smart and Luca was grumpy (not the mean kind tho, just like not talkative) and ambitious.
“You and me, Ave, is so much better than you versus me.”
Underrated romance alert!
I truly enjoyed reading this, but I'm disappointed because the enemies-to-lovers workplace trope had a lot of potential but it wasn’t really executed right. The guy fell in love with her the moment he saw her and got to know her and she took a little bit more time, but from the moment they met, she was attracted to him and his suits. However, I enjoyed their banter of getting under each other skin's and all those stupid bets to be close to each other.
I also think it was a bit cringey at parts and the ending was wayyy too much. Like I get that the dude had money to buy anything but all those gifts? Too over the top. And I would've also loved to see Lily and Nico together but maybe they're in the next book, who knows.
Overall it was a fast-paced, fun, cute, and spicy romance. If you're looking for that, definitely read this. It also has a good environmental plot (women in STEM) and likable characters. The protagonist, Avery, was really funny and smart and Luca was grumpy (not the mean kind tho, just like not talkative) and ambitious.
February 5, 2023
I don’t why I took this long to pick up this book. It was truly a remarkable debut and I loved every second of it. Avery is such a girl boss and I admired how passionate she was about her career. Her witty remarks and the way she is so hardworking made me love her ten times more. Luca on the other hand, when he was first introduced, I was like “here he comes with his arrogant ass” but boy did I love him so much. The tension between Luca and Avery was everything and I was so consumed by their chemistry. Their bets and games were the highlight of the story and I just wished we had more of them 😩.
This was really a great debut and I cannot wait to read more of the authors books.
This was really a great debut and I cannot wait to read more of the authors books.
October 4, 2024
"Sometimes the people who are meant to love you forget how to, and you wander through life alone. That ache of loneliness simply dulls to resemble a fading bruise"
"I have simply fallen off the deep end with my love for her, and having her near me at every possible opportunity is becoming a necessity.
My brilliant and exquisite Avery."
“How many more examples will it take for you to realize I remember everything about you?” he says. My heartbeat quickens. “Every ordinary and extraordinary piece of you, Avery, has a home within me.”
♡♡♡♡♡
I'm sorry, i refuse to believe that this was a debut. there is no way!! please explain how it was so utterly perfect if it is one? how it is absolutely flawless in every way??
I feel like this book is the epitome of what Ali Hazelwood was aiming for herself as an author. i mean ocean cleanup and workplace romance??? hazelwood is punching the air right now. the tropes were just executed so well. The authors deserve a standing ovation 👏
okay, i love so many things in this book and I'm feeling overwhelmed. lets list:
- i loved that our mc is tall. that's it.
- there was no breakup plotline!!!!! OH MY GOD THIS MADE ME SO HAPPY YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE. I've come to hate it so much when the characters break up over something inconsequential or miscommunication when the mark hits 75% and that's happened in almost all of the romance books that I've read and reading about a book with no breakup plotline just hits so different!!!! i will never get over this!!!!!!!!!!!
- fast paced but it was also a slowburn and an excellent one at that
- amazing characters! they were all so sensational. i loved our suit wearing, coffee making male lead, Luca. it was just so cute seeing him getting attacked by dogs and him falling first and so hard for avery and overall, just him being utterly infatuated with her
i would quite literally quiver and die if someone (luca) called me cariño.
~ i adored our caffeine enthusiast as well. i thought avery was a great, headstrong character. i liked that she hadn't given up when she didn't get her dream position at oro and quickly got back on her feet. i loved that the authors didn't make her personality trait to be quirky and i was ecstatic to see that it was the complete opposite. i thought she might have been a bit harsh with luca but he did kind of deserve it, at first, and she's still amazing.
~ i also adored ollie, mathew, molly, robert, lily and nico!! they were lovely side characters and I'm looking forward to reading lily and nico's book. i don't even know if they're getting one but fingers crossed they are!!!!
a few things I would have liked to see but the book missed out on:
- avery meeting luca's parents!! they seemed really great; as well as avery reconciling with her mum
- seeing the plastech team combined with ORO actually going to gaya island! maybe as a bonus chapter?????
hoping to see these in the next book!!
overall, would definitely read again.
"I have simply fallen off the deep end with my love for her, and having her near me at every possible opportunity is becoming a necessity.
My brilliant and exquisite Avery."
“How many more examples will it take for you to realize I remember everything about you?” he says. My heartbeat quickens. “Every ordinary and extraordinary piece of you, Avery, has a home within me.”
♡♡♡♡♡
I'm sorry, i refuse to believe that this was a debut. there is no way!! please explain how it was so utterly perfect if it is one? how it is absolutely flawless in every way??
I feel like this book is the epitome of what Ali Hazelwood was aiming for herself as an author. i mean ocean cleanup and workplace romance??? hazelwood is punching the air right now. the tropes were just executed so well. The authors deserve a standing ovation 👏
okay, i love so many things in this book and I'm feeling overwhelmed. lets list:
- i loved that our mc is tall. that's it.
- there was no breakup plotline!!!!! OH MY GOD THIS MADE ME SO HAPPY YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE. I've come to hate it so much when the characters break up over something inconsequential or miscommunication when the mark hits 75% and that's happened in almost all of the romance books that I've read and reading about a book with no breakup plotline just hits so different!!!! i will never get over this!!!!!!!!!!!
- fast paced but it was also a slowburn and an excellent one at that
- amazing characters! they were all so sensational. i loved our suit wearing, coffee making male lead, Luca. it was just so cute seeing him getting attacked by dogs and him falling first and so hard for avery and overall, just him being utterly infatuated with her
i would quite literally quiver and die if someone (luca) called me cariño.
~ i adored our caffeine enthusiast as well. i thought avery was a great, headstrong character. i liked that she hadn't given up when she didn't get her dream position at oro and quickly got back on her feet. i loved that the authors didn't make her personality trait to be quirky and i was ecstatic to see that it was the complete opposite. i thought she might have been a bit harsh with luca but he did kind of deserve it, at first, and she's still amazing.
~ i also adored ollie, mathew, molly, robert, lily and nico!! they were lovely side characters and I'm looking forward to reading lily and nico's book. i don't even know if they're getting one but fingers crossed they are!!!!
a few things I would have liked to see but the book missed out on:
- avery meeting luca's parents!! they seemed really great; as well as avery reconciling with her mum
- seeing the plastech team combined with ORO actually going to gaya island! maybe as a bonus chapter?????
hoping to see these in the next book!!
overall, would definitely read again.
September 11, 2022
4.5⭐
You guys!
I just finished tis book, so I'm going to try to put my thoughts into words, so bear with me.
This was such an amazing debut novel by Kels & Denise. It has everything.
It's fun, It's cute, It's steamy
It has TENSION
I've mentioned it before, but I LOVE to read about strong women and that's Avery. She has a passion she truly believes in. Nothing should come between her and her career, before she reaches her goals. I loved that and related to that so much. Reading this book was a little bit therapeutical. It's okay to have both, it's okay to let people in and still reach all the goals you dream of reaching. YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL. I truly believe it. I loved the environmental theme and that they both share their passion.
Luca, oh he's going to become bookstagrams/-toks new book boyfriend. I seriously think I highlighted everything he said. Seriously, he was so funny and so freaking sweet. Also, I love his ties...
Their relationship develops very naturally, they are both very competitive and it's very fun to follow all their bets and their inner battles. But what I loved the most were the mutual respect and the communication between them. That's on a healthy relationship.
Amazing job, Kels & Denise. I can't wait for the next book.
You guys!
I just finished tis book, so I'm going to try to put my thoughts into words, so bear with me.
This was such an amazing debut novel by Kels & Denise. It has everything.
It's fun, It's cute, It's steamy
It has TENSION
I've mentioned it before, but I LOVE to read about strong women and that's Avery. She has a passion she truly believes in. Nothing should come between her and her career, before she reaches her goals. I loved that and related to that so much. Reading this book was a little bit therapeutical. It's okay to have both, it's okay to let people in and still reach all the goals you dream of reaching. YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL. I truly believe it. I loved the environmental theme and that they both share their passion.
Luca, oh he's going to become bookstagrams/-toks new book boyfriend. I seriously think I highlighted everything he said. Seriously, he was so funny and so freaking sweet. Also, I love his ties...
Their relationship develops very naturally, they are both very competitive and it's very fun to follow all their bets and their inner battles. But what I loved the most were the mutual respect and the communication between them. That's on a healthy relationship.
Amazing job, Kels & Denise. I can't wait for the next book.
September 27, 2022
Look I was in there until he bought clothes for a woman he's not in a relationship with. That's not a romance that's a horror, girl run.
May 23, 2025
4⭑
This was really good for a debut and it took me by surprise how much I actually enjoyed it given that the authors are from tiktok.
The romance side of Booktok has a reputation for just talking about spice in books and I was worried that this would only be filled with sexual tension and spicy scenes but I was pleasantly surprised to know that this is actually a slow burn and nothing spicy happens until around the 60% mark.
I think the tropes were written into the story extremely well and it all just felt very natural. The relationship development between main characters felt very realistic and I enjoyed seeing how open and honest the characters were with each other as soon as they knew they were both on the same page romantically.
The only thing stopping me from rating this any higher was actually because of how quick their relationship developed AFTER they both acknowledged their feelings towards one another. This part felt very insta love, with the hero suggesting to the heroine that she can move in and can already have as much space as she wants in his wardrobe… it just felt a bit much.
But other than that, it was an excellent debut and I would read more of this authors work.
This was really good for a debut and it took me by surprise how much I actually enjoyed it given that the authors are from tiktok.
The romance side of Booktok has a reputation for just talking about spice in books and I was worried that this would only be filled with sexual tension and spicy scenes but I was pleasantly surprised to know that this is actually a slow burn and nothing spicy happens until around the 60% mark.
I think the tropes were written into the story extremely well and it all just felt very natural. The relationship development between main characters felt very realistic and I enjoyed seeing how open and honest the characters were with each other as soon as they knew they were both on the same page romantically.
The only thing stopping me from rating this any higher was actually because of how quick their relationship developed AFTER they both acknowledged their feelings towards one another. This part felt very insta love, with the hero suggesting to the heroine that she can move in and can already have as much space as she wants in his wardrobe… it just felt a bit much.
But other than that, it was an excellent debut and I would read more of this authors work.
September 10, 2022
4.5 stars, 2 spice
Avery and freaking Luca!! Such an amazing Rivals-to-Lovers. This book had me by the throat, I could not put it down (I was up till 2 am reading the first night)! The banter was so good! THE TENSION! You have to wait a bit for the spice, and they do tease us a bit haha, but when you finally get there it is really good.
Denise and Kels did a great job making these characters feel real. The dialogue felt natural and dynamic, and workplace setting and the ocean conservation aspect were also well done. I am so happy they chose to make this dual POV because Luca's POVs had me melting.
I appreciated that this wasn't just their story, but also included self reflection and growth, especially on Avery's part, as she had to figure out what her career goals really were and what success meant to her.
I am hoping we get to see more of Lily and Nico? Maybe in their own book(s)?
The only thing I would have liked to see in addition would have been Avery meeting Luca's Mami and Papi. They seemed like they would be fun characters, and I wish we saw a bit more resolution with Avery's mother, it felt a little open ended.
Overall such a good book, I have no doubt this will take booktok by storm. It does have some really sought after tropes, in addition to a nicely flushed out story with dynamic characters.
Can't wait for the next one!!! Congrats Denise & Kels on this fantastic Debut novel!
Tropes:
Rivals-to-lovers
Workplace romance (has a unique twist)
Slow burn
He falls first (and hard)
Strong main characters
Avery and freaking Luca!! Such an amazing Rivals-to-Lovers. This book had me by the throat, I could not put it down (I was up till 2 am reading the first night)! The banter was so good! THE TENSION! You have to wait a bit for the spice, and they do tease us a bit haha, but when you finally get there it is really good.
Denise and Kels did a great job making these characters feel real. The dialogue felt natural and dynamic, and workplace setting and the ocean conservation aspect were also well done. I am so happy they chose to make this dual POV because Luca's POVs had me melting.
I appreciated that this wasn't just their story, but also included self reflection and growth, especially on Avery's part, as she had to figure out what her career goals really were and what success meant to her.
I am hoping we get to see more of Lily and Nico? Maybe in their own book(s)?
The only thing I would have liked to see in addition would have been Avery meeting Luca's Mami and Papi. They seemed like they would be fun characters, and I wish we saw a bit more resolution with Avery's mother, it felt a little open ended.
Overall such a good book, I have no doubt this will take booktok by storm. It does have some really sought after tropes, in addition to a nicely flushed out story with dynamic characters.
Can't wait for the next one!!! Congrats Denise & Kels on this fantastic Debut novel!
Tropes:
Rivals-to-lovers
Workplace romance (has a unique twist)
Slow burn
He falls first (and hard)
Strong main characters
May 29, 2025
I. Am. In. Love. With. This. Book.
Debut novelists Kels and Denise Stone have seriously hit the mark with this one.
Enemies to lovers, workplace romance, he falls first, top tier banter and he speaks Spanish to her? What more could you want?!
Avery and Luca (SUCH a sexy name btw) have one of the best relationships I’ve read on paper this year. Their banter and complete unwillingness to give into their feelings is so much fun to read. This man is so head over heels for her it makes me SQUEAL!!
Avery is such a badass FMC saving the world one water bottle in Central Park at a time. She is so passionate about protecting the planet and it’s wildlife, how could Luca NOT fall in love?
I mean, the things this man does for her I can’t. He buys a ridiculously expensive espresso machine with every flavor imaginable just to see her smile, pulls a Tom Holland and covers her from the crowd when her dress is exposed, and that EPILOGUE. — hands down one of the best endings I’ve read in a while. SO. FREAKING. GOOD.
Also, this man is a complete hero. Not only is he saving the earth alongside our absolute QUEEN Avery, but he also is a female rights advocate, consent king and is so adamant about complete equality in the workplace… #swoon
10/10 reccommend. 5 stars all around. Butterflies the entire way through.
Dear Luca Nevarro, if you could just hop off the page and into my arms right now my life would be complete.
Congrats Kels and Denise on such a great debut!!!
Debut novelists Kels and Denise Stone have seriously hit the mark with this one.
Enemies to lovers, workplace romance, he falls first, top tier banter and he speaks Spanish to her? What more could you want?!
Avery and Luca (SUCH a sexy name btw) have one of the best relationships I’ve read on paper this year. Their banter and complete unwillingness to give into their feelings is so much fun to read. This man is so head over heels for her it makes me SQUEAL!!
Avery is such a badass FMC saving the world one water bottle in Central Park at a time. She is so passionate about protecting the planet and it’s wildlife, how could Luca NOT fall in love?
I mean, the things this man does for her I can’t. He buys a ridiculously expensive espresso machine with every flavor imaginable just to see her smile, pulls a Tom Holland and covers her from the crowd when her dress is exposed, and that EPILOGUE. — hands down one of the best endings I’ve read in a while. SO. FREAKING. GOOD.
Also, this man is a complete hero. Not only is he saving the earth alongside our absolute QUEEN Avery, but he also is a female rights advocate, consent king and is so adamant about complete equality in the workplace… #swoon
10/10 reccommend. 5 stars all around. Butterflies the entire way through.
Dear Luca Nevarro, if you could just hop off the page and into my arms right now my life would be complete.
Congrats Kels and Denise on such a great debut!!!
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