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Peach Blossom #2
The Relationship Mechanic
They can't put the brakes on their desires!
Jessica Jae-un Miller arrives in Peach Blossom for a getaway, but when her hire car breaks down, local mechanic Lavenia 'Vini' Williams provides a tow – and a very welcome jump start to Jessica’s heart.
Vini knows herself and what she wants. She loves her job, her family, her hometown – she’d love to fall in love. Jessica stirs up all the right feelings, but the city girl has no intention of staying in Peach Blossom. Why sign up for a broken heart?
But the temptation is real as Vini goes out of her way to drive a carless Jessica around town. The pair can’t seem to keep their distance – or their hands to themselves.
There’s more than one way to love and more than one place to call home in this rousing small-town romantic comedy that’s sure to charm fans of Hannah Bonam-Young’s Next to You and Ashley Herring Blake’s Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date.
Jessica Jae-un Miller arrives in Peach Blossom for a getaway, but when her hire car breaks down, local mechanic Lavenia 'Vini' Williams provides a tow – and a very welcome jump start to Jessica’s heart.
Vini knows herself and what she wants. She loves her job, her family, her hometown – she’d love to fall in love. Jessica stirs up all the right feelings, but the city girl has no intention of staying in Peach Blossom. Why sign up for a broken heart?
But the temptation is real as Vini goes out of her way to drive a carless Jessica around town. The pair can’t seem to keep their distance – or their hands to themselves.
There’s more than one way to love and more than one place to call home in this rousing small-town romantic comedy that’s sure to charm fans of Hannah Bonam-Young’s Next to You and Ashley Herring Blake’s Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 2025
171 people are currently reading
6178 people want to read
About the author
Karmen Lee
27 books233 followersKarmen Lee is an avid reader of anything and everything. She’s a lifelong Southerner living it up in Atlanta, Georgia with her kid, her cats, and humidity. When she’s not packing lunches or working her normal nine-to-five, you can usually find her drinking coffee too late at night, watching House Hunters International and dreaming up ways to show her readers a good time. You can keep up with her on Twitter (@Author_KLee) or Instagram (@authorkarmenlee).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 313 reviews
January 19, 2025
While this sweet and charming small-town romance gave me everything I wanted on the surface, I was left needing more when it came to depth, emotion, and the small details. I loved Vini and Jessica separately, but, I don't know if their relationship had enough to stand on its own in the end. Not to mention, this was insta-lust to the extreme and with 4+ sex scenes, I wish there was some more variety than just one way of intimacy. With the constant scenes, the story just felt very repetitive and ultimately one-dimensional. I'm not writing off this author yet, I want to give her other books a read because at its core, this book has so much potential!
~Many thanks to Harlequin for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
~Many thanks to Harlequin for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
September 22, 2025
The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee is a delightful addition to the Afterglow Books series, following 7-10 Split. This small-town rom-com is packed with charm, sizzling chemistry, and laugh-out-loud moments that will have you rooting for Jessica and Vini from start to finish.
First, let’s talk about the cover—gorgeous! It’s absolutely stunning, with a vibrant, inviting design that perfectly captures the warmth and charm of the story. I couldn’t stop staring at it, and it’s definitely one of my new favorite covers.
Jessica Jae-un Miller is a city girl through and through, stuck in Peach Blossom, Georgia, after her car breaks down. Enter Lavenia “Vini” Williams, the local mechanic with a heart of gold and the ability to stir up all kinds of feelings. Their dynamic is the perfect mix of fiery banter and undeniable chemistry, both in and out of the bedroom. The flirtation and tension between them are fantastic—Lee’s humor shines in their witty exchanges, and their steamy moments are next-level hot!
One of the great things about Karmen Lee’s storytelling is the natural integration of diverse characters. Vini and Jessica’s relationship feels authentic and beautifully layered, exploring themes of self-awareness, vulnerability, and what it means to find home and love. The book’s use of “situationship” as a central plot conflict gave me pause and yet I found it refreshing—it’s a term rarely seen in romance novels, but it captures a very real and relatable dynamic. While the lack of communication between the characters can be frustrating at times, it’s also realistic, and I’m sure many readers will see themselves in their struggles.
The straightforward writing style might not be for everyone, but it works well here, keeping the story accessible and engaging. Lee excels at creating a cozy, small-town setting full of charm and personality, and the relationships—both romantic and familial—add depth and heart to the story.
If you’re looking for a fun, steamy romance with realistic conflict, relatable characters, and a dash of small-town magic, The Relationship Mechanic is a great pick. Vini and Jessica’s journey is sure to leave you smiling, and I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series! Plus, that cover? I LOVE IT!
First, let’s talk about the cover—gorgeous! It’s absolutely stunning, with a vibrant, inviting design that perfectly captures the warmth and charm of the story. I couldn’t stop staring at it, and it’s definitely one of my new favorite covers.
Jessica Jae-un Miller is a city girl through and through, stuck in Peach Blossom, Georgia, after her car breaks down. Enter Lavenia “Vini” Williams, the local mechanic with a heart of gold and the ability to stir up all kinds of feelings. Their dynamic is the perfect mix of fiery banter and undeniable chemistry, both in and out of the bedroom. The flirtation and tension between them are fantastic—Lee’s humor shines in their witty exchanges, and their steamy moments are next-level hot!
One of the great things about Karmen Lee’s storytelling is the natural integration of diverse characters. Vini and Jessica’s relationship feels authentic and beautifully layered, exploring themes of self-awareness, vulnerability, and what it means to find home and love. The book’s use of “situationship” as a central plot conflict gave me pause and yet I found it refreshing—it’s a term rarely seen in romance novels, but it captures a very real and relatable dynamic. While the lack of communication between the characters can be frustrating at times, it’s also realistic, and I’m sure many readers will see themselves in their struggles.
The straightforward writing style might not be for everyone, but it works well here, keeping the story accessible and engaging. Lee excels at creating a cozy, small-town setting full of charm and personality, and the relationships—both romantic and familial—add depth and heart to the story.
If you’re looking for a fun, steamy romance with realistic conflict, relatable characters, and a dash of small-town magic, The Relationship Mechanic is a great pick. Vini and Jessica’s journey is sure to leave you smiling, and I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series! Plus, that cover? I LOVE IT!
February 25, 2025
Delightful small town sapphic romance that is equally sexy and cozy! The Relationship Mechanic follows Vinny, the owner of an auto repair shop, falling for a woman who is only in town for a few weeks and never settles anywhere. Jessica is hiding from the fallout of being caught with two of her actress mom's co-stars, staying with a friend for a few weeks.
The chemistry between the two is instant. What's between them is only supposed to a short term, no-strings-attached fling, but hearts get more involved than anyone planned on. I really enjoyed this, and I also like how it addresses over-protective older siblings needing to realize the younger ones are adults who can make their own choices. I didn't love the audio narrator though, especially for how spicy this book gets. She sounded very matter of fact, like reading off a list of things happening instead of evoking the feelings of the characters if that makes sense. Otherwise though, the actual story was good. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
The chemistry between the two is instant. What's between them is only supposed to a short term, no-strings-attached fling, but hearts get more involved than anyone planned on. I really enjoyed this, and I also like how it addresses over-protective older siblings needing to realize the younger ones are adults who can make their own choices. I didn't love the audio narrator though, especially for how spicy this book gets. She sounded very matter of fact, like reading off a list of things happening instead of evoking the feelings of the characters if that makes sense. Otherwise though, the actual story was good. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
January 19, 2025
The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee
Peach Blossom series #2. Contemporary romance, diverse. Harlequin Afterglow. Can be read as a stand-alone but the couple from the first book play secondary roles in this book.
Jessica Jae-un Miller’s rental car breaks down outside of Peach Blossom, Georgia. Lavenia “Vini” Williams owns a local garage and tows the rental car in for repairs. Jessica and Vini do a bit of flirting and are soon in a no-strings affair. That’s all Jessica wants. She’s a wandering city girl with no intentions of settling down. Vini is having a wonderfully sexy time with Jessica but knows their time is limited. Jessica isn’t meant for small town living, so why does Vini end up with her heart in the game?
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this story narrated by Laly Laurent. The performance is well done and the two main characters are clearly distinguishable. Emotions are expressed with passion and sincerity as the reader is swept along with the ups and downs of a new relationship. The playback is even and pleasing to listen to without and abrupt changes. I listened to this at my preferred speed of 1.5 easily and could have gone a smidge higher to match a regional conversation and reading speed. A very good option over an ecopy.
Steamy and appealing.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Peach Blossom series #2. Contemporary romance, diverse. Harlequin Afterglow. Can be read as a stand-alone but the couple from the first book play secondary roles in this book.
Jessica Jae-un Miller’s rental car breaks down outside of Peach Blossom, Georgia. Lavenia “Vini” Williams owns a local garage and tows the rental car in for repairs. Jessica and Vini do a bit of flirting and are soon in a no-strings affair. That’s all Jessica wants. She’s a wandering city girl with no intentions of settling down. Vini is having a wonderfully sexy time with Jessica but knows their time is limited. Jessica isn’t meant for small town living, so why does Vini end up with her heart in the game?
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this story narrated by Laly Laurent. The performance is well done and the two main characters are clearly distinguishable. Emotions are expressed with passion and sincerity as the reader is swept along with the ups and downs of a new relationship. The playback is even and pleasing to listen to without and abrupt changes. I listened to this at my preferred speed of 1.5 easily and could have gone a smidge higher to match a regional conversation and reading speed. A very good option over an ecopy.
Steamy and appealing.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
February 26, 2025
This was cute and fluffy with some good rep (I don't think I've read anything with a Blasian MC), but I wasn't really grabbed by the story or the writing. Also Ava was so annoying lol.
If you're looking for something kind of breezy, this is definitely up your alley.
If you're looking for something kind of breezy, this is definitely up your alley.
April 29, 2025
Cute and spicy sapphic romance set in a small town 😮💨💕
I loved seeing Vini and Jessica’s lil fling grow into something much more than either of them could’ve imagined ☺️ I also loved that Vini owned her own mechanics shop. It really reminded me of Lucy from First Time Caller by BK Borrison 🫶🏽 All in all, this was pretty good and v spicy. Probably gonna end up reading the other books in this peach blossom series tbh 🙂↕️💕
I loved seeing Vini and Jessica’s lil fling grow into something much more than either of them could’ve imagined ☺️ I also loved that Vini owned her own mechanics shop. It really reminded me of Lucy from First Time Caller by BK Borrison 🫶🏽 All in all, this was pretty good and v spicy. Probably gonna end up reading the other books in this peach blossom series tbh 🙂↕️💕
December 31, 2024
I liked this novel, it was an enjoyable and easy read. I didn't realize it was a sequel but I don't think that was a problem thankfully, and I enjoyed this enough that I will be going back and reading the first one. This novel wasn't particularly impactful or incredible, but I also have almost nothing bad to say about it. I would recommend it as it is enjoyable, fairly short and quick to read.
This was a relatively simple novel. There was a lot of spicy content (which was well done) and some sweet and fun scenes in between. The protagonists were very sweet together. Not a lot happened in terms of plot outside of their romance (and bedroom antics), which different people will have different opinions on.
Most of the plot essentially revolved around the protagonists not discussing their relationship (I haven't seen "situationship" actually used in a novel before but this perfectly demonstrated what the term means!). To me this was annoying and a very weak conflict/plot, but at the same time it resonated as very realistic and I bet a lot of people would be able to relate to this. The lack of communication fell short of being annoying, so I'm counting it as a neutral point and not against it.
My Rating: "B+"
GoodReads: 4-Stars
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a relatively simple novel. There was a lot of spicy content (which was well done) and some sweet and fun scenes in between. The protagonists were very sweet together. Not a lot happened in terms of plot outside of their romance (and bedroom antics), which different people will have different opinions on.
Most of the plot essentially revolved around the protagonists not discussing their relationship (I haven't seen "situationship" actually used in a novel before but this perfectly demonstrated what the term means!). To me this was annoying and a very weak conflict/plot, but at the same time it resonated as very realistic and I bet a lot of people would be able to relate to this. The lack of communication fell short of being annoying, so I'm counting it as a neutral point and not against it.
My Rating: "B+"
GoodReads: 4-Stars
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2025
Talk about SPICY.
I liked THE RELATIONSHIP MECHANIC a lot more than the first book. While book one was a bit slower and sometimes had me falling asleep mid-read, this story felt more compelling.
And while I love me some spice, I found that there was a bit too much sex BUT I did like the connection between the two characters. I felt their tension more than in book one.
This was a bit insta-lust for me, hence the three star rating. THE RELATIONSHIP MECHANIC was fun for what it was, even though the sister was hella annoying and presumptive.
I wish we learned more about the small town. The more surface level aspect of these books are what keep me from giving them a higher rating, BUT I have already preordered book three.
Happy reading!
I liked THE RELATIONSHIP MECHANIC a lot more than the first book. While book one was a bit slower and sometimes had me falling asleep mid-read, this story felt more compelling.
And while I love me some spice, I found that there was a bit too much sex BUT I did like the connection between the two characters. I felt their tension more than in book one.
This was a bit insta-lust for me, hence the three star rating. THE RELATIONSHIP MECHANIC was fun for what it was, even though the sister was hella annoying and presumptive.
I wish we learned more about the small town. The more surface level aspect of these books are what keep me from giving them a higher rating, BUT I have already preordered book three.
Happy reading!
June 14, 2025
This was such a fun and horny FF romance! Mechanic & audiobook narrator, small town vibes, big family that cares, instant chemistry between the leads.
The narration was great, the chemistry worked so well, vibes were vibing! Enjoyable listen :)
Audio ARC provided by Netgalley.
The narration was great, the chemistry worked so well, vibes were vibing! Enjoyable listen :)
Audio ARC provided by Netgalley.
September 20, 2025
It's love to Jessica and Vini!!
Age gap, sneaky link, scandal. Then Vini's reaction to the rude customer at her mechanic shop! Lmao that scene will remain with me.
Now, Ava, you know your reaction was quite over the top. I get it, but at the same time, nah nah that's not your business forreal. The good thing is Ava does address her actions. Consumed this story in one day!
Age gap, sneaky link, scandal. Then Vini's reaction to the rude customer at her mechanic shop! Lmao that scene will remain with me.
Now, Ava, you know your reaction was quite over the top. I get it, but at the same time, nah nah that's not your business forreal. The good thing is Ava does address her actions. Consumed this story in one day!
July 12, 2025
Loved the book so much. My favorite contemporary romance series at the moment and so excited for the next book.
February 5, 2025
Somehow this fae-like creature had fallen into her life, and now she was frozen with the need to capture it forever.
Perhaps more of a 3.25 stars. I liked this, happily! Quite a bit more than the first book in the series. At first, it was just okay, and I had a couple issues with the way it progressed, and with the conflict. But the romance won me over eventually, and the last few chapters especially were really good. Not perfect, but enough to give me mostly positive feelings about this. This time, we're following the youngest Williams sister, Vini, the town mechanic; and Jessica, a semi-famous out-of-towner looking to lay low for a while. They meet after Jessica's rental car ends up needing a tow into town. They make an agreement for Vini to give Jessica car lessons, which quickly turns into a FWB situation.
As with a lot of quick-burn novels, this didn't really hook me at first. Jessica and Vini have a lot of chemistry, but I don't know that I FELT it at first? They have a lot of hookups early on, and agree to keep it casual, mostly because Jessica doesn't do relationships, and she's recovering from a minor scandal. So I understand that romantic feelings weren't really on the table at first. But still, it took a while before their scenes together really felt charged and impactful. It was just a bunch of sex. One major source of conflict is Ava, Vini's sister, being overprotective, because she knows Jessica is a but of a player. I really didn't like that conflict. I know I always say I prefer when, in romances, the conflict is external, stemming from something/someone other than the couple. But not in this way. Having a sibling who's all up in Vini's business, and who gets mad at the thought of Jessica being into Vini, is almost as bad as the "evil ex" trope. It got annoying real fast, and when it blew up in the third act, I was over it. Even though she obviously has a change in attitude (this is a romance, after all) this made me kinda dislike Ava, when I'd been more or less apathetic towards her in her own book.
The book also does the thing where it skips over certain scenes that really would have benefitted from being on page. Nothing major, I guess, but I hate when we're told about certain things in hindsight, rather than seeing it in a scene. Like when Tony the mechanic came to pick up the jerk customer's truck. She sounded like an interesting character, and I thought we'd get to meet her, but nope. Or conversations about Jessica's family; not enough of those were on page. Or like, we're told that Jessica brings lunches for Vini and Aiden all the time, but we only see that a couple times, too. This is such a short book, and having more fleshed out conversations between the couple, more interactions with townspeople, could have made this feel more well-rounded.
Buuuuuut idk, I still ended up liking this, because the ending is so cute! The book's other major conflict, about Jessica not knowing if she can commit, or wants to commit, was a good enough hook for me. The couple had some cute moments all throughout the book, but the ending, and the way it called back to the beginning, was my very very favourite. I went from feeling 'meh' to smiling a lot in the last quarter. And I do think, on a whole, this was better written and structured than the first book in the series. Listened to the audiobook as read by Laly Lauret, and it was pretty good. Not my favourite voice, but I had a good time. This is probably the best thing I've read from this author! It's nice to be on an upward trend, since I do want to read the book about the third sister. Hopefully that one is even better.
November 29, 2024
thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for a review! how could i not request a book with such a gorgeous cover THAT ALSO contributes to my goal of actually finishing series i have already started???
unfortunately i just never got attached to jessica :(( but i really loved vini which basically averaged out to me liking this about the same amount as the 7/10 split. these are cute and short reads though and they are helping increase the amount of black sapphic romances so i will continue to support and read :)
unfortunately i just never got attached to jessica :(( but i really loved vini which basically averaged out to me liking this about the same amount as the 7/10 split. these are cute and short reads though and they are helping increase the amount of black sapphic romances so i will continue to support and read :)
March 7, 2025
This was cute and cozy (and steamy!) and I loved that we had a heroine who was a mechanic, but it still felt like something was missing for me. I think I wanted to know the characters better and really believe their instant connection. They didn’t feel as three dimensional as I was hoping, but I definitely want to try more books from this author in the future!
April 13, 2025
4.25/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Very spicy and very sapphic! I loved it! I enjoyed Jessica and Vini’s story for many reasons but their connection was unmistakable! That chemistry was intense and I could not get over how perfect they were for each other. Friend with bennies never looks so good!
Jessica’s past looks dark behind her but she didn’t let that change her. I liked how flirty she was and the was she pulled Vini. I was an absolute puddle over it! She was funny and open but her growth really made me happy to see.
Vini was the strong little sister who couldn’t help but fall for Jessica. Who could blame her?! I like how she went for what she wanted and how patient she was with Jessica.
The family drama is this one didn’t hit as much for me because I haven’t read the other book in the series but I think that reader who enjoy strong family ties and protective family members will really resonate with that aspect of the story.
I would recommend this book to contemporary romance readers and lovers of small town romance! Thank you to the publisher and the author for a copy of this story for review!
3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Very spicy and very sapphic! I loved it! I enjoyed Jessica and Vini’s story for many reasons but their connection was unmistakable! That chemistry was intense and I could not get over how perfect they were for each other. Friend with bennies never looks so good!
Jessica’s past looks dark behind her but she didn’t let that change her. I liked how flirty she was and the was she pulled Vini. I was an absolute puddle over it! She was funny and open but her growth really made me happy to see.
Vini was the strong little sister who couldn’t help but fall for Jessica. Who could blame her?! I like how she went for what she wanted and how patient she was with Jessica.
The family drama is this one didn’t hit as much for me because I haven’t read the other book in the series but I think that reader who enjoy strong family ties and protective family members will really resonate with that aspect of the story.
I would recommend this book to contemporary romance readers and lovers of small town romance! Thank you to the publisher and the author for a copy of this story for review!
November 21, 2024
The cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, the content fell a bit flat for me. I did like both Jessica and Vini and it is a cute sapphic romance. The pacing was confusing though. We race through their "relationship" with big time jumps but nothing really happens. All they seemed to do was eat or have sex. We're supposed to believe they're feeling more for each other than just a fling but we never see them just interacting or having deep conversations. They don't know anything about each other. I didn't feel a connection to the characters.
The sister drama was so ridiculous. They are grown adults and the argument blowing up was a mess. It made the third act breakup feel really immature. The end was cute though I did love some of the side characters as well. Vini's dad was sweet and Aiden seemed like a great guy.
This is the second book in an interconnected series and I don't think I'll go back for the first
I read an arc via netgalley
The sister drama was so ridiculous. They are grown adults and the argument blowing up was a mess. It made the third act breakup feel really immature. The end was cute though I did love some of the side characters as well. Vini's dad was sweet and Aiden seemed like a great guy.
This is the second book in an interconnected series and I don't think I'll go back for the first
I read an arc via netgalley
February 22, 2025
Content warnings: alcohol, references to some kind of scandal (i don't remember if it was actually said it was?)
Rep: Vini (MC) is cis, Black and lesbian (?? once again, no label is used on page). Jessica is cis, Korean-African-American, and lesbian (?? once again no label is used on page).
I enjoyed this one a lot more than I enjoyed the 7-10 Split.
Vini's as a character was so fun to read. I enjoyed the chemistry between her and Jessica, and found their sex scenes to also be so well written and evocative.
Ava was a bit of a =/ to me, this book. Like, chill, bestie.
All in all, this is a 3.5 rounded up for Goodreads.
Rep: Vini (MC) is cis, Black and lesbian (?? once again, no label is used on page). Jessica is cis, Korean-African-American, and lesbian (?? once again no label is used on page).
I enjoyed this one a lot more than I enjoyed the 7-10 Split.
Vini's as a character was so fun to read. I enjoyed the chemistry between her and Jessica, and found their sex scenes to also be so well written and evocative.
Ava was a bit of a =/ to me, this book. Like, chill, bestie.
All in all, this is a 3.5 rounded up for Goodreads.
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April 14, 2025
Not a lot of plot but there's a whole lot of sexy times.
I'm not complaining.
I don't think that either Vini or Jessica are HEA, but they are definitely HFN, and that's also okay.
I'm not complaining.
I don't think that either Vini or Jessica are HEA, but they are definitely HFN, and that's also okay.
January 17, 2025
Short and sweet, this drama filled small town romance was a lot of fun but sadly didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
I think my main issue is simply that I craved a bit more depth and I’m not sure the length of this book would have allowed for that without aspects being removed.
I really warmed to both Vini and Jessica’s individual characters but as a couple, I struggled to feel all that invested. I desperately wanted more of an emotional connection but we barely see them have any thing beyond surface level conversations. Their internal monologue told us that they liked each other, it just would have been nice to have seen that unfold beyond physical intimacy.
The drama surrounding Vini’s sister also didn’t quite work for me but again, I think it’s because it felt too big for such a small book. The last few chapters all happened so dramatically and ended so quickly, I felt like I was left with whiplash.
That being said, I did enjoy my time with this book overall. I think the fact that my main complaint is simply that I wanted more from says as much. It was so close to being something I could have really loved but just didn’t quite get there however I’d definitely be interested in reading Karmen Lee’s work again in the future.
What to expect:
- small town
- age gap
- only one bed
- forbidden romance
- big city x small town
I think my main issue is simply that I craved a bit more depth and I’m not sure the length of this book would have allowed for that without aspects being removed.
I really warmed to both Vini and Jessica’s individual characters but as a couple, I struggled to feel all that invested. I desperately wanted more of an emotional connection but we barely see them have any thing beyond surface level conversations. Their internal monologue told us that they liked each other, it just would have been nice to have seen that unfold beyond physical intimacy.
The drama surrounding Vini’s sister also didn’t quite work for me but again, I think it’s because it felt too big for such a small book. The last few chapters all happened so dramatically and ended so quickly, I felt like I was left with whiplash.
That being said, I did enjoy my time with this book overall. I think the fact that my main complaint is simply that I wanted more from says as much. It was so close to being something I could have really loved but just didn’t quite get there however I’d definitely be interested in reading Karmen Lee’s work again in the future.
What to expect:
- small town
- age gap
- only one bed
- forbidden romance
- big city x small town
December 31, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance for this ARC!
Relationship Mechanic felt so real. I enjoyed a woman in a man’s field standing up for herself, the southern hospitality and how it can make things worse accidentally, and the real-feeling portrayal of a lesbian situationship. I found myself rooting for Vini and Jessica and my heart breaking for them in moments where things didn’t go perfectly smoothly. This book felt like home to me and I would highly recommend you pick it up, too!
Relationship Mechanic felt so real. I enjoyed a woman in a man’s field standing up for herself, the southern hospitality and how it can make things worse accidentally, and the real-feeling portrayal of a lesbian situationship. I found myself rooting for Vini and Jessica and my heart breaking for them in moments where things didn’t go perfectly smoothly. This book felt like home to me and I would highly recommend you pick it up, too!
July 10, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Another just a cute little spicy as hell read from Karmen Lee. Jessica and vini was the cutest little secret couple of Peach Blossom and I was just so here for it. The spice in the book was top tier and the wording of what happened in this book was......... DAMN
I could not even believe the wording at all. Wow that was a great book.
Yolandas Books
Another just a cute little spicy as hell read from Karmen Lee. Jessica and vini was the cutest little secret couple of Peach Blossom and I was just so here for it. The spice in the book was top tier and the wording of what happened in this book was......... DAMN
I could not even believe the wording at all. Wow that was a great book.
Yolandas Books
May 29, 2025
That’s it, I’m back on the Peach Blossom bandwagon!! I must thank my friend Adriana for making me give Karmen Lee another try. From the third page, I knew Relationship Mechanic would be a much better time than The 7-10 Split! In a time of social media slop and AI-enhanced writing, it’s becoming concerningly rare for authors to IMPROVE as time goes on. This is a pleasant exception!!!
I loved seeing Vini step out of her shell, and watching Jessica make peace with her shame about relationships. At first, I was concerned about the age gap (a little over 4 years), but I think Lee ultimately made it work as a “same stage of life” thing. Essentially, the author’s argument is that a 23-year-old in the country who’s been managing a business since their high school graduation has about the same “adulting” experience as a 27-year-old freelancer who jetsets between Italy/Seoul/LA and still hasn’t figured out what they want to be when they grow up. If you’re okay with that premise, please keep reading!! If you’re not okay with this, also fine! In fact, great job for putting you first—there are lots of lovely, trigger-free books out there waiting on you. 🫂 My DMs are always open if you want recs!
Back into our story: the surrounding cast of characters is a mixed bag. Most non-couple characters are plot devices, but Vini’s dad and eldest sister (Dani) cohere enough to become sources of wisdom. They both pose valid concerns about Vini having jumped into adulthood too quickly without allowing for youthful mistake-making. They seemed like realistic, reasonable family members that added some much needed nuance to the book. I say this because our other supporting characters, Grace and Ava, suck in both in book 1 and book 2!!! It took The Relationship Mechanic for me to realize that the characters, not the author, might have been the issue with The 7-10 Split. These bitches SUCK!!! Just controlling and conceited and BORING. I know they’ll likely resurface in Book 3, but I wish they wouldn’t. 😭
Three other (minor) complaints: Karmen Lee loves doing this passive voice thing with sex scenes that I think is sposed to keep readers from confusing the characters? It just annoyed me, though. Also, WE GET IT JESSICA IS BLASIAN it just felt like fetishy overkill at a certain point. Finally, this was NOT easy to read alongside a very engaged weekly book club for Dean Spade’s Love In A Fucked-Up World. Let’s just say The Relationship Mechanic is allll about the romance myth, and it required some serious multitasking to appreciate both texts without feeling guilty!!
Outside of all this, would recommend. I’ll see y’all in the fall for Book 3! 😊
I loved seeing Vini step out of her shell, and watching Jessica make peace with her shame about relationships. At first, I was concerned about the age gap (a little over 4 years), but I think Lee ultimately made it work as a “same stage of life” thing. Essentially, the author’s argument is that a 23-year-old in the country who’s been managing a business since their high school graduation has about the same “adulting” experience as a 27-year-old freelancer who jetsets between Italy/Seoul/LA and still hasn’t figured out what they want to be when they grow up. If you’re okay with that premise, please keep reading!! If you’re not okay with this, also fine! In fact, great job for putting you first—there are lots of lovely, trigger-free books out there waiting on you. 🫂 My DMs are always open if you want recs!
Back into our story: the surrounding cast of characters is a mixed bag. Most non-couple characters are plot devices, but Vini’s dad and eldest sister (Dani) cohere enough to become sources of wisdom. They both pose valid concerns about Vini having jumped into adulthood too quickly without allowing for youthful mistake-making. They seemed like realistic, reasonable family members that added some much needed nuance to the book. I say this because our other supporting characters, Grace and Ava, suck in both in book 1 and book 2!!! It took The Relationship Mechanic for me to realize that the characters, not the author, might have been the issue with The 7-10 Split. These bitches SUCK!!! Just controlling and conceited and BORING. I know they’ll likely resurface in Book 3, but I wish they wouldn’t. 😭
Three other (minor) complaints: Karmen Lee loves doing this passive voice thing with sex scenes that I think is sposed to keep readers from confusing the characters? It just annoyed me, though. Also, WE GET IT JESSICA IS BLASIAN it just felt like fetishy overkill at a certain point. Finally, this was NOT easy to read alongside a very engaged weekly book club for Dean Spade’s Love In A Fucked-Up World. Let’s just say The Relationship Mechanic is allll about the romance myth, and it required some serious multitasking to appreciate both texts without feeling guilty!!
Outside of all this, would recommend. I’ll see y’all in the fall for Book 3! 😊
January 29, 2025
I wanted to love this but unfortunately it fell a little flat for me! I didn't quite buy this as a love story—it was equal parts instalust and budding friendship, but Jessica and Vini being in love with one another was something I had a difficult time grasping. Part of me felt like hetero romance novels pull this frequently, so why can't a queer couple? But at the same time, I am always looking for romance novels that are more story and plot than spice, and this was more spice than story and plot. So much so that the conflict was NOT a conflict, and it was more than a little strange and contrived that Vini's sister was so mixed up in who Vini was dating and was trying so hard to prevent her from dating Jessica.
In addition to Jessica and Vini's love story being underdeveloped, I also felt like they were underdeveloped as main characters. The side characters—their families—were one-dimensional set dressing, and their existence/objections didn't cause anything except pure confusion at times. I wish that more life had been given to them, but this is a quick read, so I feel like Lee focused on what moved the plot along.
However, I overall felt like Lee's writing was engaging, easy to stick with. This love story just wasn't for me!
3 ⭐️s
3 🌶️
Harlequin, Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!
In addition to Jessica and Vini's love story being underdeveloped, I also felt like they were underdeveloped as main characters. The side characters—their families—were one-dimensional set dressing, and their existence/objections didn't cause anything except pure confusion at times. I wish that more life had been given to them, but this is a quick read, so I feel like Lee focused on what moved the plot along.
However, I overall felt like Lee's writing was engaging, easy to stick with. This love story just wasn't for me!
3 ⭐️s
3 🌶️
Harlequin, Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!
March 12, 2025
2.75 stars rounded up
I was bored chile. The smut was good but after a while you don’t even care because the book is kinda boring.
I was bored chile. The smut was good but after a while you don’t even care because the book is kinda boring.
February 2, 2025
Vini owns and runs the small town car repair shop that has been in their family for a while. Jessica has come to stay with her friend Grace to get away from a situation she made after being found in a compromising position! When Jess’s rental car breaks down on the way south from Atlanta, Vini comes to her rescue.
This is a fun story, with both Jess and Vini being lovely characters. I especially enjoyed the down to earth quality and the openness of Vini. However, her family is a bit much, especially her overbearing sister Ava, Grace’s girlfriend.
At the beginning the relationships between people were a bit confusing, especially Grace, as we were thrown right into it without much explanation. But as the story progresses it gets clearer and so much better, and some of the dialogue is just so witty.
This is a fun story, with both Jess and Vini being lovely characters. I especially enjoyed the down to earth quality and the openness of Vini. However, her family is a bit much, especially her overbearing sister Ava, Grace’s girlfriend.
At the beginning the relationships between people were a bit confusing, especially Grace, as we were thrown right into it without much explanation. But as the story progresses it gets clearer and so much better, and some of the dialogue is just so witty.
July 23, 2025
real rating: 3.5 ⭐️ s
enjoyed this book throughly. couldn’t put it down at time. i probably could have finished in a day if i didn’t have work all the time lol 😭
hated ava & grace was annoying at times, but i LOVED both the mc’s! vini was definitely my favorite by far tho 🤭🫶🏾
spice level 🌶️: 3.5/5 - it gets pretty spicy and it’s v well written too!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
enjoyed this book throughly. couldn’t put it down at time. i probably could have finished in a day if i didn’t have work all the time lol 😭
hated ava & grace was annoying at times, but i LOVED both the mc’s! vini was definitely my favorite by far tho 🤭🫶🏾
spice level 🌶️: 3.5/5 - it gets pretty spicy and it’s v well written too!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
April 3, 2025
*2.5
Going into this book, I didn't know it was part of a standalone series with the first book focusing on Vini's sister, Ava, and her girlfriend, who show up as side characters in here. All I knew was that that cover was absolutely gorgeous, and I snatched it off my library's display without a second thought.
After an exposed fling threatens her mother's business, Jessica hides away in the small town of Peace Blossom until the storm passes. When her car breaks down, she meets Vini, the local mechanic who's just too cute to pass up. Despite the warnings of their friends and family, the two enter a friends-with-benefits situationship that quickly becomes as messy as it is heated.
(Quick note: in this book, Vini is right on the cusp of 23. This made her exactly the same age as me! So that was fun lol.)
I knew this was a "Harlequin novel" according to the cover, but it still felt disappointingly surface-level. There's no real meet-cute, it's just Vini picking up Jessica from her car and the two of them being physically attracted to each other. They hook up after their third interaction and spend the ENTIRE rest of the book being horny.
That was what let me down the most. I'm all for a FWB situation where real feelings start coming into play! But I swear, every ten pages was a sex scene. The plot takes place over three months, but from the pacing it felt like these girls were ready to go every hour of the day!
Ultimately, this book committed the worst sin of this genre - focusing more on the "benefits" part than the "friends." There's barely any real connection between Vini and Jess. When they're not hooking up, they're giving each other bedroom eyes and counting down how long before Jessica can go knee-deep in the passenger seat.
The drive-in date was cute, but I was disappointed that it ended, as many scenes did, with them sleeping together. Give me ONE scene where they just talk or bond! The only time they have a real conversation is when they're talking over the phone!
Also, this is minor, but the grammar here isn't great. There were multiple points where I kept thinking "we're missing a comma," and I spotted a couple of typos. And the descriptions got repetitive. "Engorged" was used in four different sex scenes, "aborted" was used twice in two back-to-back paragraphs, and when Jess meets Vini's nephew he's described as having "deep brown skin." Two sentences later, she meets Vini's dad, who also has "deep brown skin." We couldn't switch it up a little bit?
But those critiques aren't big. The main thing was that Vini and Jess didn't have a real relationship, only a physical attraction with vague references to them catching feelings. I've read good emotional sex scenes before - I didn't find any in here.
The big drama in this book comes from Vini's sister Ava warning Vini against getting involved with Jess, as Jess has a history of being a player. Vini ignores her, but when Ava finally catches them kissing she's... kind of awful. She freaks out yelling at both of them, going so far as to accuse Jess of "forcing" Vini?? Their older sister, Dani, has a sit-down with them to clear the air, where she basically says "you know Vini's not a baby, right?" and Ava goes "oh shit I didn't think of that." I mean, I sort of get it, but I'm just saying I wouldn't forgive Ava so easily.
But that's not the real seed of the angst between V&J. Vini is happy in Peach Blossom with her shop and doesn't want to leave. Jess is a free spirit who frequently travels around the world. This is a very real and pertinent reason against them having a real relationship, but there's so little plot in here that this issue never gets properly resolved. And the ultimate confession at the end felt underdone, with both sides giving dramatic professions of love that felt out of nowhere given their purely physical connection. Oh well!
2.5/5 stars. If I wanted a PWP, I'd just pull up ao3.
Going into this book, I didn't know it was part of a standalone series with the first book focusing on Vini's sister, Ava, and her girlfriend, who show up as side characters in here. All I knew was that that cover was absolutely gorgeous, and I snatched it off my library's display without a second thought.
After an exposed fling threatens her mother's business, Jessica hides away in the small town of Peace Blossom until the storm passes. When her car breaks down, she meets Vini, the local mechanic who's just too cute to pass up. Despite the warnings of their friends and family, the two enter a friends-with-benefits situationship that quickly becomes as messy as it is heated.
(Quick note: in this book, Vini is right on the cusp of 23. This made her exactly the same age as me! So that was fun lol.)
I knew this was a "Harlequin novel" according to the cover, but it still felt disappointingly surface-level. There's no real meet-cute, it's just Vini picking up Jessica from her car and the two of them being physically attracted to each other. They hook up after their third interaction and spend the ENTIRE rest of the book being horny.
That was what let me down the most. I'm all for a FWB situation where real feelings start coming into play! But I swear, every ten pages was a sex scene. The plot takes place over three months, but from the pacing it felt like these girls were ready to go every hour of the day!
Ultimately, this book committed the worst sin of this genre - focusing more on the "benefits" part than the "friends." There's barely any real connection between Vini and Jess. When they're not hooking up, they're giving each other bedroom eyes and counting down how long before Jessica can go knee-deep in the passenger seat.
The drive-in date was cute, but I was disappointed that it ended, as many scenes did, with them sleeping together. Give me ONE scene where they just talk or bond! The only time they have a real conversation is when they're talking over the phone!
Also, this is minor, but the grammar here isn't great. There were multiple points where I kept thinking "we're missing a comma," and I spotted a couple of typos. And the descriptions got repetitive. "Engorged" was used in four different sex scenes, "aborted" was used twice in two back-to-back paragraphs, and when Jess meets Vini's nephew he's described as having "deep brown skin." Two sentences later, she meets Vini's dad, who also has "deep brown skin." We couldn't switch it up a little bit?
But those critiques aren't big. The main thing was that Vini and Jess didn't have a real relationship, only a physical attraction with vague references to them catching feelings. I've read good emotional sex scenes before - I didn't find any in here.
The big drama in this book comes from Vini's sister Ava warning Vini against getting involved with Jess, as Jess has a history of being a player. Vini ignores her, but when Ava finally catches them kissing she's... kind of awful. She freaks out yelling at both of them, going so far as to accuse Jess of "forcing" Vini?? Their older sister, Dani, has a sit-down with them to clear the air, where she basically says "you know Vini's not a baby, right?" and Ava goes "oh shit I didn't think of that." I mean, I sort of get it, but I'm just saying I wouldn't forgive Ava so easily.
But that's not the real seed of the angst between V&J. Vini is happy in Peach Blossom with her shop and doesn't want to leave. Jess is a free spirit who frequently travels around the world. This is a very real and pertinent reason against them having a real relationship, but there's so little plot in here that this issue never gets properly resolved. And the ultimate confession at the end felt underdone, with both sides giving dramatic professions of love that felt out of nowhere given their purely physical connection. Oh well!
2.5/5 stars. If I wanted a PWP, I'd just pull up ao3.
June 5, 2025
I went into The Relationship Mechanic curious about its fresh take on relationships. While the concept—treating relationships like a mechanic fixes a car—is clever, the execution didn’t fully win me over. The advice is practical and straightforward, but at times it felt somewhat clinical and repetitive, which made the emotional aspect of things feel somewhat flat. I wanted more depth and warmth to balance the structure.
That said, listening to Laly Lauret narrate changed the experience for me. Her warm, clear, and engaging voice brought energy and personality to the material, making even the drier sections more approachable and easier to follow. She paced the story beautifully and added just the right nuance, which kept me hooked when the book itself might have lost me. Honestly, her narration elevated the whole thing and made the listening genuinely enjoyable. So, while the book had its ups and downs, Laly’s fantastic narration made it well worth the time.
That said, listening to Laly Lauret narrate changed the experience for me. Her warm, clear, and engaging voice brought energy and personality to the material, making even the drier sections more approachable and easier to follow. She paced the story beautifully and added just the right nuance, which kept me hooked when the book itself might have lost me. Honestly, her narration elevated the whole thing and made the listening genuinely enjoyable. So, while the book had its ups and downs, Laly’s fantastic narration made it well worth the time.
February 10, 2025
As much as I love a spicy sapphic small town romance, this one lacked in depth for me, and when we did get the depth, it wasn’t particularly healthy in my opinion. There was a lot of expectations on this friends with benefits situation, and I genuinely don’t understand why they just couldn’t talk things out as they are both grown adults. If you just want a fun sexy time, go for it, if you want more, then skip it!
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