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All's Fair
Landlord Wars
All's fair in love and rentals...
I found the perfect rental in the overpriced city I can’t quit. My only problem? The arrogant landlord is my new roommate’s best friend.
Max Burrows comes from one of the wealthiest families in San Francisco—and I come from one of the poorest. We have nothing in common. Max is tall, built, with chiseled good looks, while I struggle to keep stains off my blouse.
Under the guise of spending time with his friend, Max has been known to share embarrassing personal facts to potential suitors and steal my expensive chocolate.
The man is a nuisance. But the more I get to know him, the more I start to wonder if he’s intentionally driving men away from me.
And then I remember that his mother treats me like the help, and his ex-girlfriend is rich and beautiful, and she wants him back.
There is no way our worlds could ever come together. No way a man like that would take me seriously.
But the near kiss in the kitchen has me wondering if the attraction isn’t only one-way.
I found the perfect rental in the overpriced city I can’t quit. My only problem? The arrogant landlord is my new roommate’s best friend.
Max Burrows comes from one of the wealthiest families in San Francisco—and I come from one of the poorest. We have nothing in common. Max is tall, built, with chiseled good looks, while I struggle to keep stains off my blouse.
Under the guise of spending time with his friend, Max has been known to share embarrassing personal facts to potential suitors and steal my expensive chocolate.
The man is a nuisance. But the more I get to know him, the more I start to wonder if he’s intentionally driving men away from me.
And then I remember that his mother treats me like the help, and his ex-girlfriend is rich and beautiful, and she wants him back.
There is no way our worlds could ever come together. No way a man like that would take me seriously.
But the near kiss in the kitchen has me wondering if the attraction isn’t only one-way.
Unknown Binding
First published March 7, 2023
751 people are currently reading
982 people want to read
About the author
Jules Barnard
27 books1,214 followersJules Barnard is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic comedy and romantic fantasy. Her rom-com series include the All’s Fair, Never Date, and Cade Brothers series. She also writes romantic fantasy under J. Barnard in the Halven Rising series Library Journal calls ''...an exciting new fantasy adventure.'' Whether she’s writing about sexy men in Lake Tahoe or a Fae world embedded in a college campus, Jules spins addictive stories filled with heart and humor.
When Jules isn’t in her sweatpants writing and rewarding herself with chocolate, she spends her time with her husband and two children in their small hometown in the Pacific Northwest. She credits herself with the ability to read while running on the treadmill or burning dinner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
May 24, 2023
Nothing romantic or comedic about this story. DNF.
Yikes. I hate to rate so poor, and I really tried to push my self to finish. But I kept going and was enjoying it less and less, so I finally decided pushing through wasn’t worth it. I was mostly getting more annoyed and angry the further I read.
This is NOT A romantic, comedy, or a grumpy hero story. I would not even call the hero Max grumpy. He’s really just a Grade A entitled jerk. From the very first time he laid eyes on Sophia, he treated her like trash. He basically called her garbage, completely trashes her career, and is nothing but awful towards her. We are to believe that it’s because he cares so much for his friend, who is her new roommate, and he’s trying to be protective over his friend. I do not buy that. The guy is just an A hole. Not only is he rude to her at every opportunity, to the point of cruel, but he repeatedly keeps eating all of the extremely expensive imported truffles that he has been made aware are hers. He continues to do it knowing that it upsets her, and also knowing that he is a billionaire, and she is not remotely close to that. This is a large expense for her, and is one of her a few indulgences. But he purposely keeps eating them, while smirking about it, knowing that it’s costing her a lot of money. Who does that? I’ll tell you. An entitled jerk who doesn’t care that some people weren’t born with silver spoons in their mouths. Why she didn’t just put them in her room after the first time, I also don’t know. We know that Sophia and her previous boyfriend broke up a year prior, and that Paul came from money, and she was “not worthy” of his social status or good enough for his family. So I refuse to believe that with that background, not to mention the entitled arrogance and venom he has spewed at her, that she would ever find herself swooning over him. I’m pretty sure he was the school boy that pulled girls’ hair and bullied them until they cried, while the adults laughed it off with a “that means he likes you!” and “Boys will be boys!” And she fed into that disgusting belief when she went on a date with a nice guy that treated her well and did nothing for her romantically, while feeling a “spark” from the guy that treated her like scum and degraded her. Because, you know, abusive men are SO HOT 🙄
Nothing so far has been funny. Not remotely. Nothing so far leads me to believe that there will be any romance. Nothing so far would ever convince me that these two would ever be in a believable relationship. And nothing would convince me that this horrible guy would ever be someone swoon worthy.
I tried. But something labeled as a romantic comedy shouldn’t be increasing annoying and anger inducing. Yikes.
Yikes. I hate to rate so poor, and I really tried to push my self to finish. But I kept going and was enjoying it less and less, so I finally decided pushing through wasn’t worth it. I was mostly getting more annoyed and angry the further I read.
This is NOT A romantic, comedy, or a grumpy hero story. I would not even call the hero Max grumpy. He’s really just a Grade A entitled jerk. From the very first time he laid eyes on Sophia, he treated her like trash. He basically called her garbage, completely trashes her career, and is nothing but awful towards her. We are to believe that it’s because he cares so much for his friend, who is her new roommate, and he’s trying to be protective over his friend. I do not buy that. The guy is just an A hole. Not only is he rude to her at every opportunity, to the point of cruel, but he repeatedly keeps eating all of the extremely expensive imported truffles that he has been made aware are hers. He continues to do it knowing that it upsets her, and also knowing that he is a billionaire, and she is not remotely close to that. This is a large expense for her, and is one of her a few indulgences. But he purposely keeps eating them, while smirking about it, knowing that it’s costing her a lot of money. Who does that? I’ll tell you. An entitled jerk who doesn’t care that some people weren’t born with silver spoons in their mouths. Why she didn’t just put them in her room after the first time, I also don’t know. We know that Sophia and her previous boyfriend broke up a year prior, and that Paul came from money, and she was “not worthy” of his social status or good enough for his family. So I refuse to believe that with that background, not to mention the entitled arrogance and venom he has spewed at her, that she would ever find herself swooning over him. I’m pretty sure he was the school boy that pulled girls’ hair and bullied them until they cried, while the adults laughed it off with a “that means he likes you!” and “Boys will be boys!” And she fed into that disgusting belief when she went on a date with a nice guy that treated her well and did nothing for her romantically, while feeling a “spark” from the guy that treated her like scum and degraded her. Because, you know, abusive men are SO HOT 🙄
Nothing so far has been funny. Not remotely. Nothing so far leads me to believe that there will be any romance. Nothing so far would ever convince me that these two would ever be in a believable relationship. And nothing would convince me that this horrible guy would ever be someone swoon worthy.
I tried. But something labeled as a romantic comedy shouldn’t be increasing annoying and anger inducing. Yikes.
February 27, 2023
If you want a cute enemies to lovers then this book is for you! Sophia just moved into her new apartment and meets her handsome new landlord, and owner of the building, but instead of a warm welcome she gets scolded by him. Well at least she doesn’t have to really see him more than necessary right? Wrong! Max the landlord just so happens to be her new roommates best friend who loves to hang out in their apartment.
Max comes from a very rich and elite family who wants his life to look a certain way. Sophia is from a lower class family and a mother who is a hoarder. Very different people who happen to share a love of chocolate. Which Sophia finds out when Max keeps stealing all her high end chocolate.
The banter between these two was cute and I loved the side characters in this book. I really hope we get to see Jack’s story in the next book. I do think that this book was really fast paced and we didn’t get much of them dating before the inevitable uh oh. But overall a good book that was fun to read!
Max comes from a very rich and elite family who wants his life to look a certain way. Sophia is from a lower class family and a mother who is a hoarder. Very different people who happen to share a love of chocolate. Which Sophia finds out when Max keeps stealing all her high end chocolate.
The banter between these two was cute and I loved the side characters in this book. I really hope we get to see Jack’s story in the next book. I do think that this book was really fast paced and we didn’t get much of them dating before the inevitable uh oh. But overall a good book that was fun to read!
March 27, 2023
1.5/5 stars (rounded up to 2 for GR), 1/5 spice
This is very much a “it’s not the book it’s me” type of situation and I can totally see others LOVING this story. I felt like there was too much internal monologue about what Sophia was thinking, and the timing / switching of the POVS mid chapter felt a bit awkward. The character relationships seemed so underdeveloped and it literally went from them “hating” each other to WEREDATINGNOW!!!
All of the sub plots felt kind of weird and awkward. Gwen didn’t really feel like the villain and I thought there was so much opportunity missed to really develop her character and role in the story. I enjoyed the touch on mental health with the mom, but no one gets better that fast after YEARS of trauma and just accepts its time to change?? The storyline of buying the business and cityscape was so underdeveloped and I honestly don’t even really know what it was.
The “spicy” scenes were cringe and it seemed like the characters were literally 12 years old and not 28/30. No 30 year old says those things (outloud) in the bedroom. I promise.
Overall, I think the author has good ideas with her stories but needs to work on building up those character relationships/identities so they don’t feel so shallow. Wouldn’t be surprised if this was an interconnected standalone series and the next title was “My sister’s roommate” or “Get Jack’d”
A complimentary copy of this book was provided for me in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my review.
This is very much a “it’s not the book it’s me” type of situation and I can totally see others LOVING this story. I felt like there was too much internal monologue about what Sophia was thinking, and the timing / switching of the POVS mid chapter felt a bit awkward. The character relationships seemed so underdeveloped and it literally went from them “hating” each other to WEREDATINGNOW!!!
All of the sub plots felt kind of weird and awkward. Gwen didn’t really feel like the villain and I thought there was so much opportunity missed to really develop her character and role in the story. I enjoyed the touch on mental health with the mom, but no one gets better that fast after YEARS of trauma and just accepts its time to change?? The storyline of buying the business and cityscape was so underdeveloped and I honestly don’t even really know what it was.
The “spicy” scenes were cringe and it seemed like the characters were literally 12 years old and not 28/30. No 30 year old says those things (outloud) in the bedroom. I promise.
Overall, I think the author has good ideas with her stories but needs to work on building up those character relationships/identities so they don’t feel so shallow. Wouldn’t be surprised if this was an interconnected standalone series and the next title was “My sister’s roommate” or “Get Jack’d”
A complimentary copy of this book was provided for me in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my review.
dnf
March 19, 2023DNF at 46% because everyone is so immature and everything gave me the ick
March 23, 2023
slow
Advertised as funny. I never found anything funny in the whole book. Was slow and boring most of the time. Writing was great just not the story.
Advertised as funny. I never found anything funny in the whole book. Was slow and boring most of the time. Writing was great just not the story.
March 9, 2023
This book was provided by Grey's Promotions in exchange for an honest review
“He lives above me. I can feel his negative energy seeping through the drywall and down into my bedroom” — Sophia
In this romantic comedy written by Jules Barnard our heroine Sophia rents a room in a Victorian style house in San Francisco. She gets along well with her new flatmate Jack who sublet the room to her at a very affordable price. Now Jack’s best friend and landlord Max is another story. He’s a rich guy who lives on the floor above and actually owns the building. Jack had and affair with his former flatmate and she destroyed the flat before leaving him so Max is very reluctant to have another woman living with Jack. Both he and Sophia clash at first sight, but they also feel an unwanted attraction towards each other. The problem is that Sophia can’t afford anything else in that area and she not only pays the rent but also helps her sister with her studies, and supports a mother she can’t live with. And Jack doesn’t have a problem with Sophia’s sister Elise staying with them now and then. So it all comes down to Max, for whom she has the sobriquet ‘Landlord Devil’.
This was an easy fun book to read which was what I needed at the moment. The banter between Sophia and Max was as hilarious as irrational Max’s fears were. The fact that he almost expected every woman his best friend shared a flat with fell in love with was ridiculous and the same goes for holding a grudge for the mess somebody else made in the past. But ridiculousness is the basics of rom-coms. And this one was quite enjoyable for me. I had a good time reading Max’s and Sophia’s sparkly bickering and also the antagonism between Elsie and Jack. The humor was excellent and the sexy moments of all of them trying to fight their own feelings and failing.
Jules Barnard doesn’t shy away from bringing serious topics into her story. Sophia’s mother suffering from depression, grief and mental issues was carefully depicted with a compassionate and kind tone in the writing and also how her condition impacted the daughters, making them develop anxiety and a slight touch of OCD. But fear not, Barnard doesn’t dwell on drama for shock value, after all this is a rom-com, although I also had the impression that she took advantage of Sophia’s family situation to reveal Max as a man with a heart of gold, which I had already suspected he had. He seemed gruff and arrogant, and he also had a somewhat difficult relationship with his own busybody parents.
So despite all the barriers between them, this hardworking woman and the grumpy hero with the heart of gold fall in lust, then in love and fight all the odds to reach their happily ever after, leaving the reader with a warm heart and a smile on the face.
“He lives above me. I can feel his negative energy seeping through the drywall and down into my bedroom” — Sophia
In this romantic comedy written by Jules Barnard our heroine Sophia rents a room in a Victorian style house in San Francisco. She gets along well with her new flatmate Jack who sublet the room to her at a very affordable price. Now Jack’s best friend and landlord Max is another story. He’s a rich guy who lives on the floor above and actually owns the building. Jack had and affair with his former flatmate and she destroyed the flat before leaving him so Max is very reluctant to have another woman living with Jack. Both he and Sophia clash at first sight, but they also feel an unwanted attraction towards each other. The problem is that Sophia can’t afford anything else in that area and she not only pays the rent but also helps her sister with her studies, and supports a mother she can’t live with. And Jack doesn’t have a problem with Sophia’s sister Elise staying with them now and then. So it all comes down to Max, for whom she has the sobriquet ‘Landlord Devil’.
This was an easy fun book to read which was what I needed at the moment. The banter between Sophia and Max was as hilarious as irrational Max’s fears were. The fact that he almost expected every woman his best friend shared a flat with fell in love with was ridiculous and the same goes for holding a grudge for the mess somebody else made in the past. But ridiculousness is the basics of rom-coms. And this one was quite enjoyable for me. I had a good time reading Max’s and Sophia’s sparkly bickering and also the antagonism between Elsie and Jack. The humor was excellent and the sexy moments of all of them trying to fight their own feelings and failing.
Jules Barnard doesn’t shy away from bringing serious topics into her story. Sophia’s mother suffering from depression, grief and mental issues was carefully depicted with a compassionate and kind tone in the writing and also how her condition impacted the daughters, making them develop anxiety and a slight touch of OCD. But fear not, Barnard doesn’t dwell on drama for shock value, after all this is a rom-com, although I also had the impression that she took advantage of Sophia’s family situation to reveal Max as a man with a heart of gold, which I had already suspected he had. He seemed gruff and arrogant, and he also had a somewhat difficult relationship with his own busybody parents.
So despite all the barriers between them, this hardworking woman and the grumpy hero with the heart of gold fall in lust, then in love and fight all the odds to reach their happily ever after, leaving the reader with a warm heart and a smile on the face.
March 10, 2023
This was such a fun read and I was hooked from page one! There is nothing I love more than a romcom that has enemies to lovers, great banter, and two characters that start off hating each other with a VERY blurred line between hate and attraction - this book had all of that and more! It had a grumpy sunshine MMC Max that we see turn into a love sick puppy dog when it comes to the FMC Sophia- that had me absolutely swooning just as much as the beginning stages where he did everything in his power to get a reaction out of her and I couldn't get enough!
To say I'm obsessed with Max and Sophia is an understatement - they come from two EXTREAMLY different world and from an outsider looking in they dont make any sense. He's son of one of San Francisco's wealthy first families and she comes from a humble one - but somehow they fit perfectly together. No not just their shared love for expensive chocolate but once a few misunderstandings got cleared up they both realized just how much their values and outlooks on life matched. I LOVED how they just fit together so naturally and it pulled at my heart strings.
Not only did I love Max and Sophie - but I loved their inner circles. This has so many lovable characters and they were all so relatable as well and that made this even better. NOW we can't have a romcom without some plot twists / drama right?! With some books your reading them and the situations make you roll your eyes but the plot twists and resolution in this book were done so PERFECTLY that it added the perfect amount of drama and it was a pivotal point in Max's and Sophia's relationship.
I cannot recommend this enough! I absolutely loved Jules's writing and now plan on reading more of her books! This was honestly romcom PERFECTION, I loved every minute of it and I know you will too! You absolutely do not want to miss this!
Thank you to Jules Barnard and Grey's Promotions for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
To say I'm obsessed with Max and Sophia is an understatement - they come from two EXTREAMLY different world and from an outsider looking in they dont make any sense. He's son of one of San Francisco's wealthy first families and she comes from a humble one - but somehow they fit perfectly together. No not just their shared love for expensive chocolate but once a few misunderstandings got cleared up they both realized just how much their values and outlooks on life matched. I LOVED how they just fit together so naturally and it pulled at my heart strings.
Not only did I love Max and Sophie - but I loved their inner circles. This has so many lovable characters and they were all so relatable as well and that made this even better. NOW we can't have a romcom without some plot twists / drama right?! With some books your reading them and the situations make you roll your eyes but the plot twists and resolution in this book were done so PERFECTLY that it added the perfect amount of drama and it was a pivotal point in Max's and Sophia's relationship.
I cannot recommend this enough! I absolutely loved Jules's writing and now plan on reading more of her books! This was honestly romcom PERFECTION, I loved every minute of it and I know you will too! You absolutely do not want to miss this!
Thank you to Jules Barnard and Grey's Promotions for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2023
This book is so so so bad. I knew within first 10 pages it would be bad as soon as she described her own self in the most irritating ways “me and my frizzy hair” “my dress hung on me like a burlap sack from all that weight I loss :(“
Then the ridiculous idea that this adult WOMAN thought it was perfectly reasonable that her sister would move into the bedroom she’s renting from her roommate? Indefinitely? Sorry what? It just didn’t make sense… as a real idea.
Truly - terrible writing and has such a promising premise. Do not read if you value your brain not turning to mush!
Then the ridiculous idea that this adult WOMAN thought it was perfectly reasonable that her sister would move into the bedroom she’s renting from her roommate? Indefinitely? Sorry what? It just didn’t make sense… as a real idea.
Truly - terrible writing and has such a promising premise. Do not read if you value your brain not turning to mush!
August 25, 2023
This was so cute and an easy read. Rom coms are my guilty pleasure. Even though max was a douche in the first half, once he was serious about Sophia, he had me giggling and kicking my feet. 🤭
I like to mix a little fluffy romance between thrillers and fantasy. Variety is the spice of life. (Looking at you Britt)
I will say I took a star off because of how douchey he was and how quickly they fell in love. I would be weary of this man for awhile if he treated me like that in the beginning but that’s why this is fiction.
4 ⭐️
I like to mix a little fluffy romance between thrillers and fantasy. Variety is the spice of life. (Looking at you Britt)
I will say I took a star off because of how douchey he was and how quickly they fell in love. I would be weary of this man for awhile if he treated me like that in the beginning but that’s why this is fiction.
4 ⭐️
March 12, 2023
Excellent romantic comedy
It's an excellent romance, tender, funny, with enemies more like "Pride and Prejudice" at the beginning when it comes to Max, a man from a wealthy family, owner of an apartment that he rents to his best friend. He has found a roommate, Sophia, but Max thinks she will take advantage of his friend. Between prejudices, social gap, and ambition, the story is a very good romantic comedy.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
It's an excellent romance, tender, funny, with enemies more like "Pride and Prejudice" at the beginning when it comes to Max, a man from a wealthy family, owner of an apartment that he rents to his best friend. He has found a roommate, Sophia, but Max thinks she will take advantage of his friend. Between prejudices, social gap, and ambition, the story is a very good romantic comedy.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
October 23, 2025
3.8 easy, cute and fun 💕✨ (audiobook)
March 10, 2023
What a great enemies to lovers romance! This book is loaded with great bantering between Max and Sophia! I found myself laughing out loud so many times throughout this book!
Sophia is excited to have found a great apartment at a great price until she meets Max, the hot Landlord with a serious attitude problem. Little does she know, he is just protecting his best friend, Jack (who happens to be her new roommate). Max is from an elite family but thankfully outside influence growing up (Jack's family) to show him what was truly important…thus the over-protective attitude Max has for him.
They quickly become entangled in each other's lives and the more they get to know each other that bitterness seems to disappear…except when Max steals her fancy chocolates! While their backgrounds are completely opposite, they are both broken in their own way but they realize just how much they have in common.
I loved these characters. Sophia was a little annoying to me at times but it is clearly understandable the hoarder environment that she grew up in. Max definitely started out as a bully but I just loved the soft-caring side of him when he gave into his feelings for Sophia.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜…
Enemies to Lovers
Grumpy/Sunshine
Landlord/Tenant
Forced Proximity
Miscommunication
I really look forward to reading more books by Jules. Her writing made me feel all of the feels. I enjoyed the strong FMC who was dealt a bad hand and truly overcame all of the challenges! I hope to see more of Jack & Elise's story!
Thank you to Grey's Promotion and Jules Barnard for the Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for my honest review!
Sophia is excited to have found a great apartment at a great price until she meets Max, the hot Landlord with a serious attitude problem. Little does she know, he is just protecting his best friend, Jack (who happens to be her new roommate). Max is from an elite family but thankfully outside influence growing up (Jack's family) to show him what was truly important…thus the over-protective attitude Max has for him.
They quickly become entangled in each other's lives and the more they get to know each other that bitterness seems to disappear…except when Max steals her fancy chocolates! While their backgrounds are completely opposite, they are both broken in their own way but they realize just how much they have in common.
I loved these characters. Sophia was a little annoying to me at times but it is clearly understandable the hoarder environment that she grew up in. Max definitely started out as a bully but I just loved the soft-caring side of him when he gave into his feelings for Sophia.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜…
Enemies to Lovers
Grumpy/Sunshine
Landlord/Tenant
Forced Proximity
Miscommunication
I really look forward to reading more books by Jules. Her writing made me feel all of the feels. I enjoyed the strong FMC who was dealt a bad hand and truly overcame all of the challenges! I hope to see more of Jack & Elise's story!
Thank you to Grey's Promotion and Jules Barnard for the Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for my honest review!
March 21, 2023
This was a good book and I enjoyed the characters, but it really suffered for two reasons:
1) Way too much time was put towards Elyse and Jack, the secondary characters. It felt like once Sophia and Max got together the story shifted and half the conversations were about E and J at the expense of building the chemistry between the main characters. If so much time is going to be on secondary characters, there needs to be more resolution and not just loose ends that are clearly meant for a sequel. It’s irritating.
2) This was excellent in the beginning. Definitely headed to 4 or 5 stars. But again, once they got together there was just other stuff that took too much attention (his parents financial problems, her mom’s hoarding, her ex Paul, crazy Gwen, etc). It got boring and all the tension and chemistry between the leads that had built was lost.
Still enjoyed it and thought it was well written, and would recommend.
1) Way too much time was put towards Elyse and Jack, the secondary characters. It felt like once Sophia and Max got together the story shifted and half the conversations were about E and J at the expense of building the chemistry between the main characters. If so much time is going to be on secondary characters, there needs to be more resolution and not just loose ends that are clearly meant for a sequel. It’s irritating.
2) This was excellent in the beginning. Definitely headed to 4 or 5 stars. But again, once they got together there was just other stuff that took too much attention (his parents financial problems, her mom’s hoarding, her ex Paul, crazy Gwen, etc). It got boring and all the tension and chemistry between the leads that had built was lost.
Still enjoyed it and thought it was well written, and would recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2023
3.5 stars
Thank you Forever and Always PR for the Audio Arc of this.
This was a fun story, but I HATED the third act complication. It just seemed so unnecessary. Plus, I wanted more Max.
Sophie has just moved into a sublet in a great building in SF, only problem, the new landlord is a total jerk. He also happens to be her new roommates best friend so he is over at their apartment eating her chocolate all the time. Also, he is super rich and she is quite poor so of course that is going to cause many problems between them.
Overall, I had a good time with this, but Sophie could be very infuriating at times and like I said the third act was way over the top.
Thank you Forever and Always PR for the Audio Arc of this.
This was a fun story, but I HATED the third act complication. It just seemed so unnecessary. Plus, I wanted more Max.
Sophie has just moved into a sublet in a great building in SF, only problem, the new landlord is a total jerk. He also happens to be her new roommates best friend so he is over at their apartment eating her chocolate all the time. Also, he is super rich and she is quite poor so of course that is going to cause many problems between them.
Overall, I had a good time with this, but Sophie could be very infuriating at times and like I said the third act was way over the top.
April 12, 2024
It was a cute enemies to lovers that had the opportunity to be so good. The ending really fell flat to me, everything leading up to the ball fell into the classic enemies to lovers trope and kept me wanting more. But at 80% through the book it had this weird switch where it felt like the author ran out of ideas. They completely stopped mentioning Elise who was a major part of the story, Paul’s character came back and became a big part in the ending of the books, (he was brought up a little rather starts and then most of the ending) the moms big secret was brushed over and Max didn’t do near enough groveling (but that’s just my take).
The ending was very frustrating and felt rushed. Read this book if you want a happy ending that leaves you annoyed.
The ending was very frustrating and felt rushed. Read this book if you want a happy ending that leaves you annoyed.
November 7, 2024
Oh I just absolutely LOVED this book! I love the new perceptive to the billionaire trope of the story taking place in San Francisco instead of NYC, Chicago, or LA! Jules Barnard took such care in portraying having a parent with a mental illness and the dynamic parental/child relationships. What a wonderful read and I absolutely look forward to reading more by one of my new favorite authors!
April 8, 2023
I had a hard time with this. I thought it would be spicier but there was only one scene and not until 82%. There was a lot going on in this story and not all of it worked. The dynamic between Sophia and max was not something I cared for and I found myself becoming more interested in what was going to happen with Jack and Elise. Idk just fell a little flat for me.
March 20, 2023
Too silly
Gave up in the first chapter. Silly, and actions didn't add up to what was stated. You might like this book but not for me.
Gave up in the first chapter. Silly, and actions didn't add up to what was stated. You might like this book but not for me.
March 10, 2023
Amazon
Sophia's found a reasonably priced place to live with a sweet roommate whom she rarely sees. But when Jack's best friend comes around and turns out to be the landlord and owner of the building, she's wondering if perhaps she can't find another place because Max is exactly the kind of rich guy she can't stand - smug, rude, judgmental, and stuck up AND he steals her chocolate!
Max is fascinated with his best friend's new roommate. He loves riling her up and getting under her skin. And he's finding he wants a lot more than that with her even though she irritates him and he's realizing he misjudged her from their first meeting. What will they do when they realize all their antagonism is masking something a lot more than contempt? Will they give into their simmering attraction?
This is such a cute enemies to lovers rom com. It was obvious where it was going, but getting there is all kinds of fun, sexy and snarky. I love how much they snipe and jab at each other all while trying not to admit just how much they were falling for the other, how much they had misjudged each other. I'm not sure if there's more to come from this world, but I'd love it if Jack were to get his own story after having seen what a sweetheart he is.
ARC provided by Grey's Promotions for an honest review.
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July 24, 2023
Landlord Wars is the grumpy sunshine, enemies to lovers, billionaire, romantic comedy of Max Burrows and Sophia Markas.
Sophia is ecstatic when she finds an amazing apartment at an affordable price in San Francisco meaning she can finally escape the intolerable hoarding situation her mother has created at home, since becoming a widower. Sophia is super happy to have a laid back, chill roommate like Jack, a guy who spends most of his time in his room designing video games. Max, Jack’s best friend, landlord and building owner is a grump and the complete opposite of Jack, who lays down a list of ground rules for Sophia as he feels she’ll be just another of those women who use Jack as an ATM. Sophia immediately nicknames him Landlord Devil and is ready to chop his balls off when he keeps eating her expensive chocolate. The more time she spends with Max she starts to see that he isn’t the rich, arrogant jerk she initially thought he was, he’s one of the good guys and when he shows up at her Mum’s house and see’s the conditions her Mum lives in, he is very kind and respectful, unlike her ex who broke up with her when he realised her family was a world away from his. Can two people from different wealth brackets and social statuses make a relationship work?
Max belongs to one of the most affluent first families of San Fransisco. His parents made a risky investment against Max’s advice, and they lost heavily! Max’s girlfriend Gwen dumped him as his family would no longer be on the list of the wealthy, affluent and influential. Max and Jack have been friends since middle school, it didn’t matter that Jack’s family was poor, Max preferred Jack’s family to his own. He liked that they had time for each other and compassion for others. Max has always been protective of Jack but more so since Jack’s last roommate turned girlfriend used him as a cash machine then dumped him and set fire to his apartment. So, when Jack takes in another roommate, Max is very rude and abrupt and immediately pegs her as a gold digger with an ulterior motive for renting the room. Max takes great pleasure in pushing Sophia’s buttons; however, he soon finds that loathing and lust are two sides of the same coin and will stop at nothing to make sure he is worthy of her.
The fabulous Zachary Webber and Susannah Jones bring Max and Sophia and my goodness, what an amazing job they do!
Zachary’s performance as the wealthy, entitled Max who uses his money for worthy causes was fantastic. Zachary brought out the grumpy, alpha, billionaire jerk to perfection. Susannah’s portrayal of the expensive chocolate addicted indoor green designer who supports her family was incredible. She perfectly showcased Sophia’s strength, resilience, and vulnerability.
I loved this audiobook! It was the perfect sweet, steamy, sassy, sarcastically hilarious, heart-warming romantic comedy that will have you all up in your feels, have you rooting for the FMC from the very beginning, have you wanting to kick the MMC in the nuts for a chunk but ultimately falling for him and hoping that Jack gets his own book as he’s a total sweetheart!
Sophia is ecstatic when she finds an amazing apartment at an affordable price in San Francisco meaning she can finally escape the intolerable hoarding situation her mother has created at home, since becoming a widower. Sophia is super happy to have a laid back, chill roommate like Jack, a guy who spends most of his time in his room designing video games. Max, Jack’s best friend, landlord and building owner is a grump and the complete opposite of Jack, who lays down a list of ground rules for Sophia as he feels she’ll be just another of those women who use Jack as an ATM. Sophia immediately nicknames him Landlord Devil and is ready to chop his balls off when he keeps eating her expensive chocolate. The more time she spends with Max she starts to see that he isn’t the rich, arrogant jerk she initially thought he was, he’s one of the good guys and when he shows up at her Mum’s house and see’s the conditions her Mum lives in, he is very kind and respectful, unlike her ex who broke up with her when he realised her family was a world away from his. Can two people from different wealth brackets and social statuses make a relationship work?
Max belongs to one of the most affluent first families of San Fransisco. His parents made a risky investment against Max’s advice, and they lost heavily! Max’s girlfriend Gwen dumped him as his family would no longer be on the list of the wealthy, affluent and influential. Max and Jack have been friends since middle school, it didn’t matter that Jack’s family was poor, Max preferred Jack’s family to his own. He liked that they had time for each other and compassion for others. Max has always been protective of Jack but more so since Jack’s last roommate turned girlfriend used him as a cash machine then dumped him and set fire to his apartment. So, when Jack takes in another roommate, Max is very rude and abrupt and immediately pegs her as a gold digger with an ulterior motive for renting the room. Max takes great pleasure in pushing Sophia’s buttons; however, he soon finds that loathing and lust are two sides of the same coin and will stop at nothing to make sure he is worthy of her.
The fabulous Zachary Webber and Susannah Jones bring Max and Sophia and my goodness, what an amazing job they do!
Zachary’s performance as the wealthy, entitled Max who uses his money for worthy causes was fantastic. Zachary brought out the grumpy, alpha, billionaire jerk to perfection. Susannah’s portrayal of the expensive chocolate addicted indoor green designer who supports her family was incredible. She perfectly showcased Sophia’s strength, resilience, and vulnerability.
I loved this audiobook! It was the perfect sweet, steamy, sassy, sarcastically hilarious, heart-warming romantic comedy that will have you all up in your feels, have you rooting for the FMC from the very beginning, have you wanting to kick the MMC in the nuts for a chunk but ultimately falling for him and hoping that Jack gets his own book as he’s a total sweetheart!
March 12, 2023
Love-Hate Battle With the Landlord . . .
Sophia Markos found a perfect apartment in San Francisco. But the landlord owner is very annoying and is her roommate Jack’s best friend. She had rushed off to work that morning, tossing things out of her way in a rush, so when he stopped by to meet her, he calmly informed her she had left her pink panties hanging off the couch! He hadn’t even introduced himself yet! Then he commented that hearing she was an interior designer, he had assumed she would be more organized. This was not a pleasant meeting for Sophia. She was already angry. She had only recently moved in – what did he expect? Maxwell Burrows was very wealthy and not a normal part of her world. Jack had picked a bad roommate the last time, so Max was predisposed to be extra-critical of Sophia. But she took offense when he told her not to cause any trouble! And he would have to wait until the weekend until she had time to clean up and unpack (although the panties would be put away as soon as he left). As he prepared to leave, he told her he lived upstairs… and he took a final look at her pink panties!
After getting Jack’s permission to let her sister Elise stay overnight every now and then, Sophia met Elise for dinner at a reservation-only place. Unfortunately, her ex-boyfriend Paul walked in with his fiancée. And Sophia had misplaced the reservation number and was holding up the line. As she was about to walk away, a deep voice told the hostess to give her his reservation – her landlord! Paul gave an annoyed glare at Max.
Days later, Max was waiting for his mother who had demanded he escort her upstairs to the roof party. Instead, she and his father arrived with his ex-girlfriend, Gwen DuPont. It was an obvious setup and he was not pleased. Sophia was returning from work and saw his expression. She didn’t want to approach him when she was tired and wrinkled, with a waffle-sized coffee stain on her skirt. She hoped he wouldn’t notice her as she walked past him. But he did. She made it to the apartment, started to tell Jack what occurred, and there was a knock at the door! Jack moved her aside, greeting Max and introducing his best friend to her! He accused her of eavesdropping on his private conversation. Then he made a snarky comment about her leaving half-full mugs of cold tea all over the apartment.
When Sophia decides to start dating after her break-up a year ago with Paul, Jack acts as her wingman. As hard as he works to find suitable men to chat with her, Max shoots them down trying to make her less interesting to them. If it wasn’t for the near-kiss they almost had in the kitchen the night before, she would think he didn’t like her and was trying to ruin her dating attempts. When would she realize he has at last discovered his attraction for her and is indeed jealous of her trying to hook up with someone else?
Sophia Markos found a perfect apartment in San Francisco. But the landlord owner is very annoying and is her roommate Jack’s best friend. She had rushed off to work that morning, tossing things out of her way in a rush, so when he stopped by to meet her, he calmly informed her she had left her pink panties hanging off the couch! He hadn’t even introduced himself yet! Then he commented that hearing she was an interior designer, he had assumed she would be more organized. This was not a pleasant meeting for Sophia. She was already angry. She had only recently moved in – what did he expect? Maxwell Burrows was very wealthy and not a normal part of her world. Jack had picked a bad roommate the last time, so Max was predisposed to be extra-critical of Sophia. But she took offense when he told her not to cause any trouble! And he would have to wait until the weekend until she had time to clean up and unpack (although the panties would be put away as soon as he left). As he prepared to leave, he told her he lived upstairs… and he took a final look at her pink panties!
After getting Jack’s permission to let her sister Elise stay overnight every now and then, Sophia met Elise for dinner at a reservation-only place. Unfortunately, her ex-boyfriend Paul walked in with his fiancée. And Sophia had misplaced the reservation number and was holding up the line. As she was about to walk away, a deep voice told the hostess to give her his reservation – her landlord! Paul gave an annoyed glare at Max.
Days later, Max was waiting for his mother who had demanded he escort her upstairs to the roof party. Instead, she and his father arrived with his ex-girlfriend, Gwen DuPont. It was an obvious setup and he was not pleased. Sophia was returning from work and saw his expression. She didn’t want to approach him when she was tired and wrinkled, with a waffle-sized coffee stain on her skirt. She hoped he wouldn’t notice her as she walked past him. But he did. She made it to the apartment, started to tell Jack what occurred, and there was a knock at the door! Jack moved her aside, greeting Max and introducing his best friend to her! He accused her of eavesdropping on his private conversation. Then he made a snarky comment about her leaving half-full mugs of cold tea all over the apartment.
When Sophia decides to start dating after her break-up a year ago with Paul, Jack acts as her wingman. As hard as he works to find suitable men to chat with her, Max shoots them down trying to make her less interesting to them. If it wasn’t for the near-kiss they almost had in the kitchen the night before, she would think he didn’t like her and was trying to ruin her dating attempts. When would she realize he has at last discovered his attraction for her and is indeed jealous of her trying to hook up with someone else?
March 1, 2023
Cute story! This is a new author for me but I will be reading more of her books.
Sophie Markos needs to find an affordable place to live in San Francisco. She has been living at home with her widowed mother and younger sister, Elise. Her mother's hoarding is out of control and the situation has become intolerable.
She answers an ad for a bedroom with bath in Jack's apartment. She immediately likes Jack in a brotherly way. However, Maxwell Burrows, his best friend and owner of the building, not at all! She immediately nicknames him Landlord Devil. Wait until he learns she plans to have Elise live there part-time, too. But if he doesn't stop eating her chocolate, she's going to maim him!
Jack is a cute and very laid back kinda guy. He spends most of his time in his room designing video games or gaming. He has terrible taste in women. They use him as an ATM and the last one set fire to his apartment. Now he's met Elise...
Max belongs to one of San Francisco's first families. He and Jack have been friends since middle school despite the difference in family wealth and social status. Max actually likes Jack's family better than his own. Max is very protective of Jack and isn't wild about this new roommate and her pink panties hanging off the couch. He takes an instant dislike to her and questions her motives for renting the room. Although, she doesn't seem too impressed with him either and that's just not normal...
About a year ago, Sophia's rich boyfriend broke up with her after meeting her mother. Her family was just not suitable. So she's not in the market for another rich boyfriend.
Sophia has a degree in design and then went to business school. She's a design/manager at Green Aesthetic working with indoor green designs. She hopes to some day have her own company. She may get her chance sooner than she thought.
Jack is trying to do good for others in the world. His real estate development company's "Cityscape" project is trying to build affordable housing. This isn't making his parents happy!
His parents made a risky investment, against his advice, and lost big time. To hear them, they're down to their last nickel. The want him to back a "Starlight" development to gain back their wealth. It's his duty! And he better hurry up before word gets out that they're in financial difficulty! Horrors! And why is Gwen, his ex-fiancèe back and his mother announcing their re-engagement at the gala?
I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Sophie Markos needs to find an affordable place to live in San Francisco. She has been living at home with her widowed mother and younger sister, Elise. Her mother's hoarding is out of control and the situation has become intolerable.
She answers an ad for a bedroom with bath in Jack's apartment. She immediately likes Jack in a brotherly way. However, Maxwell Burrows, his best friend and owner of the building, not at all! She immediately nicknames him Landlord Devil. Wait until he learns she plans to have Elise live there part-time, too. But if he doesn't stop eating her chocolate, she's going to maim him!
Jack is a cute and very laid back kinda guy. He spends most of his time in his room designing video games or gaming. He has terrible taste in women. They use him as an ATM and the last one set fire to his apartment. Now he's met Elise...
Max belongs to one of San Francisco's first families. He and Jack have been friends since middle school despite the difference in family wealth and social status. Max actually likes Jack's family better than his own. Max is very protective of Jack and isn't wild about this new roommate and her pink panties hanging off the couch. He takes an instant dislike to her and questions her motives for renting the room. Although, she doesn't seem too impressed with him either and that's just not normal...
About a year ago, Sophia's rich boyfriend broke up with her after meeting her mother. Her family was just not suitable. So she's not in the market for another rich boyfriend.
Sophia has a degree in design and then went to business school. She's a design/manager at Green Aesthetic working with indoor green designs. She hopes to some day have her own company. She may get her chance sooner than she thought.
Jack is trying to do good for others in the world. His real estate development company's "Cityscape" project is trying to build affordable housing. This isn't making his parents happy!
His parents made a risky investment, against his advice, and lost big time. To hear them, they're down to their last nickel. The want him to back a "Starlight" development to gain back their wealth. It's his duty! And he better hurry up before word gets out that they're in financial difficulty! Horrors! And why is Gwen, his ex-fiancèe back and his mother announcing their re-engagement at the gala?
I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
March 24, 2023
Title: Landlord Wars
Author: Jules Barnard
Hero/Heroine: Max & Sophia
Tropes: Landlord, Neighbours, Hate at First Sight, He Falls First
TW/CW: Mental illness, death of a parent (off page),
THE GOOD 😀
Another first time author for me, I’m afraid to say I’m late to the Jules Barnard party as well. This book was so funny and sweet, I read it in under 24 hours, and trust me, it was worth staying up late for.
Sophia has been living at home, taking care of her mother and sister and working her fingers to the bone to keep a roof over their heads. When she finds the perfect room to rent in the centre of San Francisco, she snaps it up without a backward glance. Only downside? It comes with a landlord who seems to have taken an instant dislike to her, and she has no idea why.
I loved Sophia’s character throughout this story; she was so headstrong yet vulnerable, she only ever wanted to take care of those she loved. Max, in all his grumpiness and surly attitude, was so rude to her from the first moment they met, I was unsure if he’d ever be able to redeem himself. But redeem himself he did. Even with all the thinly veiled barbs and insults, the tension between these two was off the charts, and at times it had me wanting to lie back and kick my legs in the air, squealing like a girl with her first crush.
With dual POV, this story was addictive and fast paced, and I loved being able to see it from both sides. Max and Sophia were both experiencing their fair share of family troubles, and I felt that this helped build trust between them, as they slowly began to confide in one another. Sophia, constantly feeling like she wasn’t ever good enough, constantly questioned her worth in relation to Max, however he never made her feel that way and I loved him for it.
Landlord Wars was such an enjoyable story and I loved the dynamic between the characters. Now I wait patiently for Jack and Elise’s book, I just know that these two have one hell of a story to tell.
THE BAD ☹️
Gwen. Anytime she appeared on the page I found myself rolling my eyes and snarling ever so slightly. So, yeah, not my favourite character if you couldn’t tell.
Thank you to the author and @greyspromo for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Funny and sweet, this story was a delight from start to finish
STEAM LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥
STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Jules Barnard
Hero/Heroine: Max & Sophia
Tropes: Landlord, Neighbours, Hate at First Sight, He Falls First
TW/CW: Mental illness, death of a parent (off page),
THE GOOD 😀
Another first time author for me, I’m afraid to say I’m late to the Jules Barnard party as well. This book was so funny and sweet, I read it in under 24 hours, and trust me, it was worth staying up late for.
Sophia has been living at home, taking care of her mother and sister and working her fingers to the bone to keep a roof over their heads. When she finds the perfect room to rent in the centre of San Francisco, she snaps it up without a backward glance. Only downside? It comes with a landlord who seems to have taken an instant dislike to her, and she has no idea why.
I loved Sophia’s character throughout this story; she was so headstrong yet vulnerable, she only ever wanted to take care of those she loved. Max, in all his grumpiness and surly attitude, was so rude to her from the first moment they met, I was unsure if he’d ever be able to redeem himself. But redeem himself he did. Even with all the thinly veiled barbs and insults, the tension between these two was off the charts, and at times it had me wanting to lie back and kick my legs in the air, squealing like a girl with her first crush.
With dual POV, this story was addictive and fast paced, and I loved being able to see it from both sides. Max and Sophia were both experiencing their fair share of family troubles, and I felt that this helped build trust between them, as they slowly began to confide in one another. Sophia, constantly feeling like she wasn’t ever good enough, constantly questioned her worth in relation to Max, however he never made her feel that way and I loved him for it.
Landlord Wars was such an enjoyable story and I loved the dynamic between the characters. Now I wait patiently for Jack and Elise’s book, I just know that these two have one hell of a story to tell.
THE BAD ☹️
Gwen. Anytime she appeared on the page I found myself rolling my eyes and snarling ever so slightly. So, yeah, not my favourite character if you couldn’t tell.
Thank you to the author and @greyspromo for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Funny and sweet, this story was a delight from start to finish
STEAM LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥
STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 25, 2023
Peculiar Heroine
At the book review website where I downloaded this book, the author listed one trope as being grumpy/sunshine. I did not find the heroine remotely sunshine at all, while the hero certainly was grumpy. (Note to authors: I would love to see the whole grumpy/sunshine thing flipped occasionally: let's make the heroine grumpy and the hero sunshine!) The two certainly get off on the wrong foot, and he continues to be an alph-hole for far too long. He owns the building where she is subletting a room from a man whom she later finds out is the owner’s best friend. The best friend/roommate is a bit of a recluse but comes across as a nice guy (though he clashes with the heroine’s younger sister). For some reason, the heroine is super prickly and more than a bit odd in ways we rarely see in what is supposed to be a romantic comedy. The reader doesn't learn why until later in the book, so she just comes across as strange for a long time. She has this real fear of getting close to people, being concerned with what they think about her, feeling put under extreme pressure by other people, etc. Her thoughts and reactions seem really outsized to what she is going through at the time. She comes across as very high-strung, not a favorite quality in a romantic heroine. I was surprised at the reason when it was revealed, and I didn't like it. Frankly, it made me very uncomfortable that it was *this* that dominated her life in such a way. It didn't seem like a good enough reason to me., and I DNFed the book soon after it was revealed. The hero treats her just terribly throughout the part that I read for no good reason that I could ascertain, other than he's trying to be protective of his friend. Not a good enough reason for an adult male to treat a female the way he treated the heroine. Not hero material in my book. There are scads of romantic comedies and billionaire romances out there, and I suggest you find a better one.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
At the book review website where I downloaded this book, the author listed one trope as being grumpy/sunshine. I did not find the heroine remotely sunshine at all, while the hero certainly was grumpy. (Note to authors: I would love to see the whole grumpy/sunshine thing flipped occasionally: let's make the heroine grumpy and the hero sunshine!) The two certainly get off on the wrong foot, and he continues to be an alph-hole for far too long. He owns the building where she is subletting a room from a man whom she later finds out is the owner’s best friend. The best friend/roommate is a bit of a recluse but comes across as a nice guy (though he clashes with the heroine’s younger sister). For some reason, the heroine is super prickly and more than a bit odd in ways we rarely see in what is supposed to be a romantic comedy. The reader doesn't learn why until later in the book, so she just comes across as strange for a long time. She has this real fear of getting close to people, being concerned with what they think about her, feeling put under extreme pressure by other people, etc. Her thoughts and reactions seem really outsized to what she is going through at the time. She comes across as very high-strung, not a favorite quality in a romantic heroine. I was surprised at the reason when it was revealed, and I didn't like it. Frankly, it made me very uncomfortable that it was *this* that dominated her life in such a way. It didn't seem like a good enough reason to me., and I DNFed the book soon after it was revealed. The hero treats her just terribly throughout the part that I read for no good reason that I could ascertain, other than he's trying to be protective of his friend. Not a good enough reason for an adult male to treat a female the way he treated the heroine. Not hero material in my book. There are scads of romantic comedies and billionaire romances out there, and I suggest you find a better one.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
January 21, 2025
Sort of cute but mostly stupid.
There was a total of like 3 instances of this so called “landlord wars” and they weren’t even good. Don’t suggest a sort of enemies to lovers and not have any real clashings between the MCs.
They were dating for a week and all of a sudden she’s the love of his life… yeah sure.
His confrontation with his parents was half assed. He wants us to believe he takes his business seriously and yet he just stands there while it’s obvious his parents are trying to bribe someone on his behalf? Really?
She’s so upset with how she’s treated by his family but honestly what did they really do to her? At the rooftop party they were cordial enough and really just wanted to make sure she didn’t take advantage of Jack. Which is sweet actually. She didn’t speak up for herself during the consult and lugged the plants around the room. That’s your business act accordingly but she just does whatever to please a potential client. That’s not on his parents. She had no idea her son was even interested in her and they hadn’t officially been dating. And at the ball again they didn’t even know that they had been dating for a week. Her announcement of the engagement was less about her and more about his mother not listening to him saying Gwen and him were over. None of this was done maliciously towards her. The only thing was the comment his mom made to him when he confronted her. A comment she knew nothing about.
His parents are not great people where money is concern obviously. But none of it was really directed at her specifically. She projected soooo much from her previous relationship.
And the complete turn round with his mom.. yeah get real.
Jack was by far the highlight. Sort of makes me want to read the next book just to get a bit more insight on him but I figure it will end up being the same sort of stupid as this one.
There was a total of like 3 instances of this so called “landlord wars” and they weren’t even good. Don’t suggest a sort of enemies to lovers and not have any real clashings between the MCs.
They were dating for a week and all of a sudden she’s the love of his life… yeah sure.
His confrontation with his parents was half assed. He wants us to believe he takes his business seriously and yet he just stands there while it’s obvious his parents are trying to bribe someone on his behalf? Really?
She’s so upset with how she’s treated by his family but honestly what did they really do to her? At the rooftop party they were cordial enough and really just wanted to make sure she didn’t take advantage of Jack. Which is sweet actually. She didn’t speak up for herself during the consult and lugged the plants around the room. That’s your business act accordingly but she just does whatever to please a potential client. That’s not on his parents. She had no idea her son was even interested in her and they hadn’t officially been dating. And at the ball again they didn’t even know that they had been dating for a week. Her announcement of the engagement was less about her and more about his mother not listening to him saying Gwen and him were over. None of this was done maliciously towards her. The only thing was the comment his mom made to him when he confronted her. A comment she knew nothing about.
His parents are not great people where money is concern obviously. But none of it was really directed at her specifically. She projected soooo much from her previous relationship.
And the complete turn round with his mom.. yeah get real.
Jack was by far the highlight. Sort of makes me want to read the next book just to get a bit more insight on him but I figure it will end up being the same sort of stupid as this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2023
This is my first romance by this talented storyteller and it definitely will not be the last. It snagged my attention from the very first page and tickled my funny bone all the way through. The premise was a new one to me, so points for that, as well.
Sophia Marks has a lot on her plate. Her mother needs financial help and looking after, she's paying for her sister's college education, and she's her boss's right hand at a green design company. She lucks out when she finds an affordable room to rent from a guy named Jack who rarely comes out of his room. It seems like the perfect situation until she meets the owner of the building and Jack's best friend, Max Burrows.
And here's where it gets interesting. Max is a judgmental, colossal jerk to Sophia. He behaves as most affluent people who have never had to work for anything in their lives, flaunting his money and looking down his nose at those not on his level. At least that's how he appears at first glance. But both Max and Sophia are guilty of judging a book by its cover, which they soon find out.
Holy wow, I love these two so much! They're spirited and snarky and love winding each other up, and I swear the sparks they were throwing off could set my Kindle on fire. But there's so much more to them, and I really enjoyed seeing the layers peel back and their relationship develop.
I laughed until I cried and had my heartstrings manipulated in the very best of ways in this rom-com gold of a read. Sweet, steamy and heartfelt yet sassy, sarcastic and hilarious, this is one of my very favorite rom-com reads this year. Run to your favorite retailer and click that buy button immediately. This is one you absolutely won’t want to miss!
Sophia Marks has a lot on her plate. Her mother needs financial help and looking after, she's paying for her sister's college education, and she's her boss's right hand at a green design company. She lucks out when she finds an affordable room to rent from a guy named Jack who rarely comes out of his room. It seems like the perfect situation until she meets the owner of the building and Jack's best friend, Max Burrows.
And here's where it gets interesting. Max is a judgmental, colossal jerk to Sophia. He behaves as most affluent people who have never had to work for anything in their lives, flaunting his money and looking down his nose at those not on his level. At least that's how he appears at first glance. But both Max and Sophia are guilty of judging a book by its cover, which they soon find out.
Holy wow, I love these two so much! They're spirited and snarky and love winding each other up, and I swear the sparks they were throwing off could set my Kindle on fire. But there's so much more to them, and I really enjoyed seeing the layers peel back and their relationship develop.
I laughed until I cried and had my heartstrings manipulated in the very best of ways in this rom-com gold of a read. Sweet, steamy and heartfelt yet sassy, sarcastic and hilarious, this is one of my very favorite rom-com reads this year. Run to your favorite retailer and click that buy button immediately. This is one you absolutely won’t want to miss!
July 20, 2023
Perfect Grumpy Billionaire Love Story!
Oh, how I loved this book! Jules really knows how to write the perfect Rom Com enemies to lovers’ story! I fell in love with the characters so much and I was so engrossed in the book that before I knew it, I was on the last chapter!
Zachary and Susannah are simply perfect together and their narration was just so amazingly good I did not want it to end!
Sophia gets the wrong impression of Max at first who is this broody billionaire and initially is horribly rude and arrogant towards her. She does not know though that he is only looking out for his best friend Jack who is subleasing and sharing an apartment with her.
At first it seems like they go together incompatible but when he slowly reveals that he is humble, has a big heart and is fiercely protective for those that he cares about she allows him in, and he is very persistent in in his pursuit of her. To him, she is a breath of fresh air and they eventually become inseparable.
His ex tries to sabotage his relationship with Sophia with his mother’s help, but only because his mom does not know that he ended things with his ex and is in love with his girlfriend. He helps her mother tremendously when she becomes ill and is then able to win Sophia back after a huge misunderstanding.
This is a light, funny, spicy romantic story with a wonderful HEA.
You will love it too!!
"I want to be with you, what happened at the ball was horrible and I’ll forever be sorry for my mother's actions and how I handled things leading up to that moment ....
"I love you Sophia, he said closing his eyes briefly. I made a mistake in not telling my parents about us sooner and I wish I could go back and do things differently “
ALC Review
Oh, how I loved this book! Jules really knows how to write the perfect Rom Com enemies to lovers’ story! I fell in love with the characters so much and I was so engrossed in the book that before I knew it, I was on the last chapter!
Zachary and Susannah are simply perfect together and their narration was just so amazingly good I did not want it to end!
Sophia gets the wrong impression of Max at first who is this broody billionaire and initially is horribly rude and arrogant towards her. She does not know though that he is only looking out for his best friend Jack who is subleasing and sharing an apartment with her.
At first it seems like they go together incompatible but when he slowly reveals that he is humble, has a big heart and is fiercely protective for those that he cares about she allows him in, and he is very persistent in in his pursuit of her. To him, she is a breath of fresh air and they eventually become inseparable.
His ex tries to sabotage his relationship with Sophia with his mother’s help, but only because his mom does not know that he ended things with his ex and is in love with his girlfriend. He helps her mother tremendously when she becomes ill and is then able to win Sophia back after a huge misunderstanding.
This is a light, funny, spicy romantic story with a wonderful HEA.
You will love it too!!
"I want to be with you, what happened at the ball was horrible and I’ll forever be sorry for my mother's actions and how I handled things leading up to that moment ....
"I love you Sophia, he said closing his eyes briefly. I made a mistake in not telling my parents about us sooner and I wish I could go back and do things differently “
ALC Review
February 27, 2023
Sophia carries the weight of the world on her shoulders, trying to stay afloat and sane isn't easy with helping a younger sister and a mother who has major issues. I can relate with Sophia on so many levels, overworked to keep her family afloat, the mental and physical struggles of keeping a family sane and afloat, and the need to make sure everyone is doing well, but forgetting her own needs and wants. Sophia worries about everyone around her as she navigates towards her dreams while supporting her mom and sister, putting others needs above her own. When Sophia moves closer to work into Jack's sublease apartments room, she isn't aware her whole life is about to change. Sophia's new landlord is very handsome, but not so nice to her, when she finds out he is also the best friend of who subleased her room from she questions her decision. However, her new roommate Jacks who also happens to be the landlord's best friend and a super sweet hermit convinces her to stay. Sophia and her landlord devil, Max bicker constantly from the moment she moved in, and he is a Chocolate thief, soon their bicker turns to more bringing out each other's true feelings. Max is a typical man who reverts back to his boy ways of behaving badly when he likes a girl. Max is caught between his family issues of what his family believes to be "proper" and what is 'expected of him.
, the project he wants to start and his unexpected feelings to one of his renters. I love Jack and Max brotherly friendship. I love the banter between Sophia and Max, and Jack. This is a cute book.
, the project he wants to start and his unexpected feelings to one of his renters. I love Jack and Max brotherly friendship. I love the banter between Sophia and Max, and Jack. This is a cute book.
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