(Not So) Mad About You

by Sienna Waters

Anger management just got a whole lot harder...

Alli Williams does NOT have a problem. Well, other than the fact that she’s been snatched away from her high-powered job and forced into an anger management program.

Bea Thomas does have a problem. Well, two, no, make that three. Her ex-boyfriend has moved his new girlfriend into their shared flat, and Bea doesn’t even have a job to take her out of the house during the day.

But when Bea’s friend Liz gets a dose of cosmic Karma, Bea finds herself set up as a yoga teacher at an anger management retreat. Where she runs into Alli. Literally.

It’s hate at first glance. Alli thinks Bea is spineless, and Bea thinks Alli’s just plain rude. Except things keep getting hot and steamy, and there isn’t a sauna in sight. And when Bea’s devious boss starts to show his true colors, maybe there’s someone who can teach Bea to stand up for herself...

(Not So) Mad About You is an enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract lesbian romance featuring a very happy ending, from bestselling Sapphic writer Sienna Waters, author of The Wrong Date, Crossing the Pond, and Teaching Hope.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers, LGBT

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2025

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Not So) Mad About You is another hit by Sienna Waters. This sapphic romcom had me chuckling at the very icy, very angry Allie as she is forced into a "relaxation and anger management retreat," to save her job after blowing up at an important client's son during a meeting. She is good at her job, but driven, overworked, stressed, and buried behind an abrasive exterior that protects her mushy insides. She meets Bea, a yoga instructor, at the said retreat. Bea is a pushover and allows her boundaries to be trampled over to avoid conflict and to "be a nice person."
We have two main characters over 30 who experience an epiphany when sparks fly between them. There are interesting side characters and shady business dealings to discover. I like the interactions between the mains and how they empower one another.
I always enjoy this author's writing style and find most of her books to be light, fun, palate-cleansing goodness. This is no different. It was a quick read with a pleasant ending that left me with a fuzzy, happy feeling. I recommend this lovely story.
I received this free ARC from the author through Booksprout. This is my honest opinion.
#romcom #oppositesattract #toasterover #gayforyou #mainsover30 #angermanagement #yogainstructor #icequeen #HEA #UK

[Lyn Denison · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I loved Alli. She’s so… just plain rude. (Bea thinks so too.) Okay Alli gets a little angry occasionally. Who wouldn’t when people are so… annoying. Sending her to an anger management program is simple overreaction, and having to see it through to keep her job is…Ridiculous!

Bea is her polar opposite. Lovely Bea is far too nice, even to her ex and the new girlfriend. When she loses her job she takes a yoga instructor’s position at an anger management retreat. Oh. Opposites attract, don’t they? Will they rescue each other?

Bea is totally spineless, so says Alli, and Alli knows because she just does. So there! Will Bea’s niceness save the day? But wait! Is there some skulduggery afoot? Read this enjoyable story and all questions will be answered as two very different characters stumble towards their HEA. Another great Sienna Waters book.

I received an ARC copy and this is an honest review.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Not So) Mad About You is the first book I have read by Sienna Waters and it was a great introduction to her writing! It is a delightful sapphic rom-com - enemies to lovers, opposites attract, and sapphic awakening rolled into one enjoyable read.

Alli Williams doesn't think she has a problem, but her personal assistants keep quitting and, when she finally takes her temper out on the wrong person, her company gives her an ultimatum - pass an anger management course, or lose her job.

Bea Thomas is the complete opposite of Alli, she accommodates everyone. So much so that her cheating ex-boyfriend and the woman he cheated on her with are living with her in her apartment "temporarily". When her best friend, Liz, breaks her leg, she agrees to fill in for her as a Yoga instructor at the very same anger management retreat that Alli has been forced into attending.

The two meet by literally crashing into each other at a gas station and tempers fly.

The resort is completely sketchy and Alli wants to leave immediately. She blackmails Bea into helping her retrieve her phone by threatening to tel her boss about her rudeness and temper after the fender bender.

Soon, however, attraction sparks between them. Alli rarely dated before and always thought she was broken. She is overwhelmed with the feelings she has around Bea. Bea, who also has only ever dated men, goes with the flow and seems to accept their attraction more quickly.

It heats up quickly, but it isn't all smooth sailing - Alli still needs to get her anger under control, something shady is going on at the resort, and what will happen once the program is over? I definitely recommend finding out for yourself!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Emily G · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first selling point on this book for me was the author. I know to expect a cozy romance with good writing and likeable characters. Then I saw that it has two of my favourite tropes: enemies-to-lovers and opposites-attract. I was sold.
I'm happy to report that this book met my expectations and helped me get back into my reading groove. It was hard to put down. The characters won me over early in the story, and the plot itself was a nice one.
I definitely recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh!! I love this book! This is a beautiful enemies to lovers, opposites attract, slow burn HOT, toaster oven love story. Alli is a hard driven, no nonsense, angry executive. She terrorizes everyone. But she took it a step to far by tearing into an underling of an important client. Only he is the clients son. In order to keep her job, she has to pass a 2 week anger management course.
Bea is a yoga instructor out of a job, and living in her apartment with her ex boyfriend and his new girlfriend. She is a wuss. She takes a job as a favor to her best friend, in a 2 week anger management program.
When Alli and Bea first meet, there are sparks, but not the good kind.Untill they touch. You have to appreciate how they help each other grow and love. 5 stars!!

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the contrast between Alli and Bea at the begging.
Alli was genuinely such a rude character I was a little shocked, but she wasn’t unlikable in my opinion and I liked that. I felt so bad for her when she was talking about how she felt broken and how she doesn’t feel love like other people, everyone deserves love and I’m glad she found it with Bea and realized she wasn’t broken she just hadn’t found the right person. Alli’s growth was amazing, I’m glad she carried on working on herself after Luke’s programme and I’m glad she did what was best for her even though it sounded like the worst thing at the time.
Bea was such a walkover at the beginning, I felt so sorry for her, her situation with her ex and his new girlfriend was awful and she was just letting it all happen, I loved reading her growth as the book went on and I was cheering when she was standing up for herself by the end. I’m so happy that Bea ended up happy, she deserves the world.
I was a little confused when the end of Luke’s retreat was skipped and Alli was just suddenly free and going to her local coffee shop, I thought it was another dream for a few chapters, but I got back into it eventually and I loved it, I was expecting the book to end with the end of the retreat and I did really enjoy reading everything that happened after the retreat and finding out what happened to everyone!

[Carolyn G. Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing Red

Allie has a temper and she has been losing it more as each day on the job passes. When she mouths off to the client’s son, she find herself in an anger management program. Bea is a yoga instructor who is between jobs and needs to stand up for herself when people take advantage of her. As the course starts, Bea finds herself attracted to Allie and Allie feels the same. A romantic-comedy with lots of weird characters. Fun story

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky Characters that for sure. A slow build up and than it goes. Their are some twists and turns but that makes the story flowing.

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alli wasn’t a very likeable person in the beginning of the book. I was also very annoyed with Bea being such a walkover. The characters were able to develop through the story. It was a nice shortbread. I liked that there was a side story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s about Allie and Bea who are opposites with meek acceptance and angry demands. I didn’t particularly like either of them in the beginning as they were both so flawed. SW takes them both through their journeys though, with her skill making them seem real and believable. It wasn’t long before I was rooting for them both to change and be better together.
It’s a quick and lighthearted read with a proper epilogue that gives a complete wrap up to the story with HEA for everyone. If you want good character development and a bit of escapism then it’s a total recommend. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharp-tongued and biting meets sweet and gentle
At first i was extremely annoyed by Alli, who was quite angry and sometimes very rude.
In addition, her charakter counterpart is a lifelike doormat.
Bea is too nice, too good and lets people stomp all over her.
These two can only learn from each other as they come together in a place where neither of them actually wants to be...
A funny, sometimes sweet, but definitely peppery romance. With some sort of angry ice queen and her cotton candy pondon.
Thanks to Sienna Waters for the Arc!

[Maz Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. What’s not to like, 1, a powerful stubborn angry character, 2, a lovable doormat. They meet in the most unlikely of places and attraction gets the better of them. Together they are better than they are separately. They bring out the best in each other.
A really brilliant well written book.

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 - sapphic, contemporary, ice queen, enemies to lovers. An okay read, but a bit lacking. The setting was interesting, haven’t seen a romance set around anger management before, but I didn’t buy into the relationship. The switch up between the MCs being enemies to becoming lovers seemed too quick/lusty to me, especially given that 1. they’re still in an anger management facility! and 2. the program isn’t that long really. To be fair, I did like that Alli eventually recognizes her problem and figures her shit out, so props for that, but otherwise the romance fell flat for me.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Not So) Mad About You is an enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract, sapphic romance featuring Alli Williams and Bea(trice) Thomas.

Alli is all about her job. She doesn't have time for friends or relationships. She has goals she intends to achieve and nothing will stop her... except maybe her mouth. When she has a meeting with an important client's son, and doesn't realize who he is, she says some things she cannot take back; they get her into trouble. Her boss values her and doesn't want to lose her so he offers a solution - Alli completes an anger management program.

Bea is a people pleaser, so much so that when she breaks up with her boyfriend, she allows him to move his new girlfriend into their apartment on the premise the two are saving up for a place of their own. It is getting harder and harder to share a space with them so when her best friend and fellow yoga instructor cannot follow through on a teaching commitment, Bea steps in to replace her. It just so happens to be a the same anger management program where Alli was forcibly enrolled.

Alli is livid. She doesn't want to be there. She doesn't believe she has a problem but accepts that she has to do her time in order to keep her beloved job. While she might be prepared to stay for the duration, she has no intention in participating in this nonsense. In fact, she keeps looking for a way out.

When Bea arrives, the situation at this retreat is not as she was led to believe. The accommodations are sparse, the pay is less than originally communicated, and she is being asked to take on more than just yoga. But Bea, being Bea, just goes along with it.

Alli does not think highly of Bea. She sees how she allows other people to walk all over her. Interestingly, Bea for some reason is able to hold her own with Alli.

Oddly, these two completely opposite characters, seem to offer the other exactly what they need. Neither expected a mutual connection, but they find themselves willing to explore it. Of course like most love stories, theirs isn't all sunshine and rainbows and once out into the real world, their connection is challenged. They'll need to put in the work if they want their budding romance to flourish.

I enjoyed this sapphic romance by Sienna Waters, and look forward to reading more of her works.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alli Williams is an incredibly unlikeable MC at the beginning of this story. She’s got serious anger issues, and no one is safe from her wrath - not even the barista at her coffee shop or the underling sent from one of her company’s biggest clients. But guess what? That underling turns out to be the son of the owner of that big client. And that’s the last straw for Alli. She’s ordered to attend (and graduate) from an anger management program to keep her job - maybe the only thing she actually cares about.

Bea Thomas is the complete opposite of Alli. She’s an unemployed yoga teacher who rarely gets angry, at least not on the outside. She’s always trying to do the right thing and avoid confrontation. This includes letting her ex-boyfriend and his current girlfriend, the one he cheated on Bea with, move into her flat and take over her bedroom. When her best friend breaks her leg and can’t teach yoga at a live-in retreat, Bea agrees to cover for her.

Alli and Bea’s first meeting is literally an accident - a car crash. And it affects them both more than they realize. When it turns out that the live-in retreat and the anger management program are one in the same - the real sparks start to fly.

On the surface, this is an opposites attract, forced proximity sapphic romance. But there’s a really intriguing (and fun to read) mystery subplot. The MCs are interesting and the supporting characters are integral to the plot. There are a lot of little tidbits of information that are presented throughout that feel like they’re just there for decoration, but you realize at the end why they’re there.

(Not So) Mad About You is a really fun read with just the right amount of heart, spice, and mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ei Chaeng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its cute ig. Alli is so unlikeable and the reason i finished this book is just for Bea. Wasted my time though. Plus everything happened just so fast. Cant you believe that they already shouting their love for each other in like 2 weeks. Fuck it even less than that cause they start sleeping literally 1 week after they met. Idk how Bea can easily fall for Alli when she do nothing but insult her and blackmail her. Oh and don’t talk about opposite attract cause I believe a normal person can differentiate a cold person and just purely a bitch. Alli have issues i cant deny it and her redemption seems flat.

Plus the mystery part of this book also just feels boring and obvious. I really wasted my time reading this book. I mean they definitely got chemistry but ig the author keep on rushing the story that it make it so unbearable to read.

One thing i like about this book is how easily and comfortably they accept the feeling of loving another girl. Also love it when an author doesn’t use the cliche “ i never met someone like you” bullshit. And thank god they dont make Bea ex an asshole just for the sake of a lesbian romance. Bea actually loved him and it’s refreshing to see that this author didn’t use the concept of lesbian book that always makes their character having an unhappy relationship before they meet the other mc.

Anyway its a solid 3.5

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alli Williams is a g0-getter, alpha female but her boss decides her temper is getting the best of her after she tells off a nitpicking minion. So he orders her to a wellness/anger management retreat, or she'll lose her job.

Bea is dealing with a ex and his new girlfriend, both sharing her apartment. (She's pretty much a doormat.) When her friend Liz is injured Bea agrees to gill in for her at the wellness retreat she works at, and meets Alli.

(The wellness retreat is incredibly tun down, some staff is untrained and yoga girl will be supervising therapy. )

Alli immediately tries to use Bea to get out, but that fails. Despite her feelings Alli does actually get something out of the program, as well as starting a thing with Bea.

Then things go very wrong...

Good read. Alli and Bea are cute, the mystery is... well predictable, but interesting. I did kind of go 'ok, REALLY?!' at the ending, but eh.
3.5 stars out of 5.

[This · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a standalone comedic book, I guess it's a rom com, giving the reader a snapshot of the lives of Alli and Bea.
Alli is grumpy, rude and not at all likeable. The kind of person that no one wants to encounter in the workplace. She is constantly rude and angry and shouts at everyone. No surprise when she ends up at an anger management course.
Bea is the exact opposite - she goes overboard on the 'nice' to the extreme and everyone walks right over her.
Stick them together on an anger management course and watch them head towards each other.
Neither have had a relationship with a woman before - but they can't stay away from each other.
It's a funny story, with many laughing points. There's also a bit of mystery/crime sub plot just to help things along.
Sienna Waters can write a story based on anything - you could pick and idea out of a hat and she would give you a funny book to read that will actually make you laugh.

[Looby Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angry Alli gets rude and abrasive one time too many and ends up being sent to an anger management program to sort out her behaviour.
Beatific Bea a pushover doormouse gets the escape playing 3rd wheel to her ex and his new gf when her bff breaks her leg. Beatific agrees to be the yoga teacher at the resort.
Banging into each other fuels a hatred of each other until they start to warm up when yoga-ing.
As usual there are an eclectic mix of supporting characters and lots of wit and humour.
Both MC’s are flawed but journey through the shady resort to become best version of themselves they can be.
Opposite attract and enemies to lovers combine to make this a great read. The epilogue was *chefs kiss* too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, sparky and romantic read for those who like enemies to lovers, opposites attract queer fiction. I always feel very safe with Sienna's writing, mostly because she's wonderful at creating distinct characters. I really liked Alli and Bea (no matter how hard they tried to make me not like them!) and found their antagonistic attraction really appealing.

We all like messy women and these two are no exception. I think the narrative leads us quite naturally through their burgeoning relationship and also identifies the ways in which people can connect, understand and even absorb the other's habits and traits. There was definitely some swapping of characteristics and I enjoyed how both women affected the other in positive ways, leading to some self-realisation and (of course) kissing.

If you like prickly meets touchy-feely with some hot romance thrown in, you'll LOVE this.

[Erin F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alli and Bea are complete opposites. Alli is quick to temper without any acceptance or self accountability for her own faults. Bea is way too sweet for her own good, often to her detriment. Sparks fly when they meet but not in a good way.
Bea has an opportunity to break away from her current circumstances for a short term job she hopes may open the door for a long term job, joining an anger management program in her friends place to teach yoga. Alli joins the program after letting her temper slip toward an important client and puts her job on the line. Their fiery sparks turn from dislike to attraction as they get to know each other.

While I didn’t particularly like Alli, she eventually grew on me once she admitted to herself she needed to make some changes. Bea, while possessing the strength she needed, took meeting. Alli before she recognized it in herself. Their story was good and I didn’t lose interest but these characters didn’t capture me and pull me in as much as I’d have liked.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two main MC's: Alli- impatient, angry and mean. Aggressive workaholic on the executive track to an office on the top floor. Her out of control temper gets her a mandated stay at a wellness retreat which she must complete or be fired.
Bea- kind, sweet and generous yoga teacher. Doesn't stand up for herself and let's people like her ex boyfriend walk all over her. When her friend and fellow yoga teacher breaks her leg she has Bea (who needs a job) fill in for her at the retreat. Follows the building of friendship to more in this opposites attract. HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Doug Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Not So) Mad About You matches temper-challenged executive Alli with non-confrontational yoga instructor Bea in a fraudulent anger management program. The defining personality traits of the main characters are a little overdrawn, which makes it more difficult to buy into their developing relationship. Still, this is an opposites-attract tale with several cute moments. There is a diverse set of secondary characters, most with very minor roles. This is an enjoyable read with a satisfying conclusion.

[Ashleigh Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a little bit of getting into as I struggled with one of the MCs, she was pretty toxic. However, if this is a turn off for you, may I suggest persevering as this story has a world of redemption in it and allows the reader to watch a transformation. On the surface the MCs work on their individual issues quickly, but this is both fiction and has the time constraints of a guaranteed HEA. Overall, it was worth the read.

[Kim Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when you mix an angry ice queen with a sweet push over? Well, you get a ridiculously cute couple that brings out the best in each other. Alli and Bea proves that true love can overcome everything. I really enjoyed this book, and you do not want to miss it. I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stephanie Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit by Sienna Waters. This is an opposites attract, slow burn, toaster oven/coming out love story with a happy ending. I loved the MCs though Alli was my favorite - she is so rude but true.

I always enjoy reading this author and she did not disappoint.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a page turner for me. The backstory to each character was awesome. Allie and Bea just have great chemistry the support characters gives the book a bit of flair. The mystery happening also makes you not want to put down the book.

Enjoy this quick read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nabeel Mohammed · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotionally wild ride from start to finish

This ended up being one of the most emotionally raw and real romances I've ever read. With diverse characters and easy to follow differentiation in voices and a real understanding of character emotion. I'm happily following this author and can't wait for more of this series.

[Leonie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bea and Ali are adorable as a pair. Ali getting into the Programm due to anger problems and Bea being the new yoga instructor after her best friend broke her leg. The two of them start off as strangers and go through blackmail and sexual tension up until they finally admit that they want each other after all. It’s a really fun and lighthearted story with a tad of mystery too. Besides that, the conflicts that arise are very well executed as well. I really enjoyed reading the story.
3.75/5 ⭐️

[Jade Doodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun sapphic romance that I couldn’t read fast enough. Alli is forced into a retreat to address her anger issues, whilst there she meets yoga instructor Bea. They make some serious sparks when they come together!