What do you think?
Rate this book
The Opposite of Romance
A romance author. A dating experiment. An unexpected love.
Getting divorced and starting over with my two kids isn’t a story I thought I’d ever have to
live in real life. But that’s exactly how I ended up here, moving into a brand-new house
and trying to date again at thirty-six.
When my sister suggests I date men based on their “romance book tropes”, an
experiment which turns out to be more than a bust, the last thing I expect to find is
love…
Except, that’s exactly what shows up on my doorstep.
He’s hot, young, single, and he’s working on my house, which is a recipe for a disaster.
I’ve already been burned once by love, but the heart wants what it wants. Will history
repeat itself and leave me broken-hearted all over again? Or will I finally discover my
very own happily ever after?
Getting divorced and starting over with my two kids isn’t a story I thought I’d ever have to
live in real life. But that’s exactly how I ended up here, moving into a brand-new house
and trying to date again at thirty-six.
When my sister suggests I date men based on their “romance book tropes”, an
experiment which turns out to be more than a bust, the last thing I expect to find is
love…
Except, that’s exactly what shows up on my doorstep.
He’s hot, young, single, and he’s working on my house, which is a recipe for a disaster.
I’ve already been burned once by love, but the heart wants what it wants. Will history
repeat itself and leave me broken-hearted all over again? Or will I finally discover my
very own happily ever after?
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2025
85 people are currently reading
508 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
June 14, 2025
Sadie and Logan's love story was sweet and spicy. She's recently divorced and feeling unloved, most of her marriage she felt invisible. So she moves to the small town her sister lives in and hires Logan to build a deck for her kids. They have an instant attraction but she feels she's too old for him. Logan does what he can to prove that's untrue. She finally agrees to a date and knows it is just casual, or so she thought. Logan wants more but she's afraid. Can he show her that his feelings are real and she can learn to love and trust again?
June 1, 2025
One word…swoon-worthy 😍. This book is everything I was looking for in a cute romance story. It felt real unapologetically raw, and makes you realise we all deserve our happily ever after.
It’s the best kind of slow burn and the fuck it moment, oh jeez it was perfect. Once we get the spice, WE GET THE SPICE 😏🥵 the wait was so worth it.
Sadie is amazing. She’s strong, whilst also navigating the hardest part of her life but she kicks ass at it.
Logan is absolutely adorable whilst also being a top tier dirty talker, this man made me feel things.
All the moments between Logan and Sadie will forever be living rent free in my mind. This is the kind of book that just makes you feel good and it’s one I will definitely be reading again.
It’s the best kind of slow burn and the fuck it moment, oh jeez it was perfect. Once we get the spice, WE GET THE SPICE 😏🥵 the wait was so worth it.
Sadie is amazing. She’s strong, whilst also navigating the hardest part of her life but she kicks ass at it.
Logan is absolutely adorable whilst also being a top tier dirty talker, this man made me feel things.
All the moments between Logan and Sadie will forever be living rent free in my mind. This is the kind of book that just makes you feel good and it’s one I will definitely be reading again.
June 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
📕 Standalone
🖤 MF
🗣️ Dual POV [But not until a little over halfway through]
Its been a little bit since i've read a RomCom, and this one was just what I needed. Sadie is a Romance Author who ends her loveless marriage after 11yrs to find her happiness that she always writes about in her books. Logan is a younger, successful contractor that takes pity on Sadie and builds her the deck of her dreams in the new house that her and her kids move into after the divorce [since her sanity seems to be holding on by a thread]. Thats not where the story ends, its only where it gets started.
Sadie and her sister Sandy [who is also her PA but on Maternity leave], are super close, and its a beautiful sisterfriendship to read about. Sandy being Sandy creates a romance tropes list and is determined to attribute all of Sadie's post divorce dates to one or more of the tropes. While this isnt roll on the floor, stitch in your side funny, I did chuckle a bit at some of these situations knowing that this really does seem to be how the dating scene is. While I am not in the trenches of this cesspool that is the dating world, I do have friends who are, and their stories are on par with the book instances.
Obviously none of those work out, and we see Logan for who he truly is....Which is Sadie's perfect match.
Is the book perfect? no, there are some cliche things obviously and some things where they are a little over the top and you roll your eyes a little but its a good solid, enjoyable read. Also, the spice is spicing! Logan is OBSESSED with Sadie and the control 🫠🫠🫠🫠 [I dont have enough space for all the melting that I need to convey], there isnt any way that you read this book and not think immediately that he loves this woman.
There is an Epilogue, and a Bonus Epilogue....and that damn bonus one had me tearing up. WTF that was not what I was expecting 😭
Tropes:
🖤 Single Mom
📕 Divorced
🖤 Boss x Employee-ish [He Calls her Boss 😉]
📕 Reverse Age Gap [FMC is 36, MMC is 29]
🖤 Possessive MMC
📕 Romance Author x Blue Collar
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
📕 Standalone
🖤 MF
🗣️ Dual POV [But not until a little over halfway through]
Its been a little bit since i've read a RomCom, and this one was just what I needed. Sadie is a Romance Author who ends her loveless marriage after 11yrs to find her happiness that she always writes about in her books. Logan is a younger, successful contractor that takes pity on Sadie and builds her the deck of her dreams in the new house that her and her kids move into after the divorce [since her sanity seems to be holding on by a thread]. Thats not where the story ends, its only where it gets started.
Sadie and her sister Sandy [who is also her PA but on Maternity leave], are super close, and its a beautiful sisterfriendship to read about. Sandy being Sandy creates a romance tropes list and is determined to attribute all of Sadie's post divorce dates to one or more of the tropes. While this isnt roll on the floor, stitch in your side funny, I did chuckle a bit at some of these situations knowing that this really does seem to be how the dating scene is. While I am not in the trenches of this cesspool that is the dating world, I do have friends who are, and their stories are on par with the book instances.
Obviously none of those work out, and we see Logan for who he truly is....Which is Sadie's perfect match.
"So yeah, maybe we'll fight. Maybe you'll get annoyed with me, or maybe I'll get annoyed with you. But one thing that won't happen is you becoming invisible to me. You're all I fucking see"This man is sheesh, he knows what he wants, and he is all in! He never dulls her shine, he supports and CELEBRATES her accomplishments, he stands up for her, but most important he SEES her. Coming from a loveless marriage, Logan steps up his game to make sure that the insecurities that Sadie has, are a mute point in the way that he shows up for her.
Is the book perfect? no, there are some cliche things obviously and some things where they are a little over the top and you roll your eyes a little but its a good solid, enjoyable read. Also, the spice is spicing! Logan is OBSESSED with Sadie and the control 🫠🫠🫠🫠 [I dont have enough space for all the melting that I need to convey], there isnt any way that you read this book and not think immediately that he loves this woman.
There is an Epilogue, and a Bonus Epilogue....and that damn bonus one had me tearing up. WTF that was not what I was expecting 😭
Tropes:
🖤 Single Mom
📕 Divorced
🖤 Boss x Employee-ish [He Calls her Boss 😉]
📕 Reverse Age Gap [FMC is 36, MMC is 29]
🖤 Possessive MMC
📕 Romance Author x Blue Collar
June 22, 2025
Sadie is a single mom of two recently divorced and trying to start over. Her relationship with her sister, Sandy, is totally like my own with my sister. Having a sister like Sandy who just gets you and is there for you is the absolute best thing in the world.
Sadie has felt unloved for years and really wants to just be loved, but she also feels like she doesn't deserve it.
Enter Logan who is building a deck for her new house. He falls fast for her but knows that Sadie is going to need time, and he gives it to her.
Just the right amount of spice and heat in this book.🌶🌶.5
Reverse Age gap and possessive mmc are two of my favorite tropes and Nadia writes them so well.
Thank you, Nadia, for the ARC.
Sadie has felt unloved for years and really wants to just be loved, but she also feels like she doesn't deserve it.
Enter Logan who is building a deck for her new house. He falls fast for her but knows that Sadie is going to need time, and he gives it to her.
Just the right amount of spice and heat in this book.🌶🌶.5
Reverse Age gap and possessive mmc are two of my favorite tropes and Nadia writes them so well.
Thank you, Nadia, for the ARC.
June 6, 2025
⭐ 4.25
🌶️ 4
🥵 Spicy chapters: 14, 21, 24, 26, 30, 31, 35, 36, 39, 40, 42 epilogue
📚 Tropes/Themes: single mom, divorced, boss X employee-ish, reverse age gap, possessive MMC, romance writer X construction company owner
👀 Dual POV 1st person
🛍️ Available: 6/14
💬 All right, this book was fabulous, and I really enjoyed it. I devoured it pretty quickly. It has a different vibe from her previous writing (the also fabulous BYC series) but still so good!
I loved the tropes list and how Sadie and her sister were crossing them off. Oh and her sister too is just another fabulous character. The banter between them is hilarious. And I especially enjoyed how Neale kept breaking the fourth wall.
Most of the story focuses on Sadie, a romance writer who has recently divorced her husband. I LOVED Sadie's character. She's sweet and vulnerable and heartbreakingly honest. I just wanted to wrap her up in a fluffy blanket and give her a big hug.
My only complaint with Sadie.... and it's probably because I'm older than her 😂......
I absolutely 100000% understand why she's complaining about how "old" she is at 36 but at the same time it really bums me out to hear that. And I get that it's to build tension for the age gap thing and everything else but idk I just wish that society would stop acting like 30 something is so ancient.
TBF, I know I felt the same in my 30s (and if I'm being honest now in my 40s) but I don't think it's a good mindset to encourage.
I do wish that we'd gotten to learn more about Logan, but I understand why we didn't, and it says at the beginning that Sadie is very much the main character here.
Also, while I really really like this book but I think even if it's totally warranted, the whole low self esteem/I'm not good enough/the other person thinks this is just a fling/they're not really interested trope is just not my jam. That's not a critique on this book, just me realizing that about myself.
Per usual from Neale, this book is super spicy, which we love 🔥 it's a little bit of a slow burn but def worth the wait. It does mention in the beginning of the story that there are BDSM themes, but they were very, very mild.
All in all, this is an excellent read that I would recommend to anybody
🌶️ 4
🥵 Spicy chapters: 14, 21, 24, 26, 30, 31, 35, 36, 39, 40, 42 epilogue
📚 Tropes/Themes: single mom, divorced, boss X employee-ish, reverse age gap, possessive MMC, romance writer X construction company owner
👀 Dual POV 1st person
🛍️ Available: 6/14
💬 All right, this book was fabulous, and I really enjoyed it. I devoured it pretty quickly. It has a different vibe from her previous writing (the also fabulous BYC series) but still so good!
I loved the tropes list and how Sadie and her sister were crossing them off. Oh and her sister too is just another fabulous character. The banter between them is hilarious. And I especially enjoyed how Neale kept breaking the fourth wall.
Most of the story focuses on Sadie, a romance writer who has recently divorced her husband. I LOVED Sadie's character. She's sweet and vulnerable and heartbreakingly honest. I just wanted to wrap her up in a fluffy blanket and give her a big hug.
My only complaint with Sadie.... and it's probably because I'm older than her 😂......
I absolutely 100000% understand why she's complaining about how "old" she is at 36 but at the same time it really bums me out to hear that. And I get that it's to build tension for the age gap thing and everything else but idk I just wish that society would stop acting like 30 something is so ancient.
TBF, I know I felt the same in my 30s (and if I'm being honest now in my 40s) but I don't think it's a good mindset to encourage.
I do wish that we'd gotten to learn more about Logan, but I understand why we didn't, and it says at the beginning that Sadie is very much the main character here.
Also, while I really really like this book but I think even if it's totally warranted, the whole low self esteem/I'm not good enough/the other person thinks this is just a fling/they're not really interested trope is just not my jam. That's not a critique on this book, just me realizing that about myself.
Per usual from Neale, this book is super spicy, which we love 🔥 it's a little bit of a slow burn but def worth the wait. It does mention in the beginning of the story that there are BDSM themes, but they were very, very mild.
All in all, this is an excellent read that I would recommend to anybody
June 13, 2025
Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that is about to be released on June 14th called, The Opposite of Romance. This book was incredible! This was about Sadie, she is a romance author who just got divorced, she has 2 kids, and is moving into a new house on her own. She finally feels free and like she is living for herself again, but the house needs a few things before it'll feel like home for her and the kids, one of those things being a new deck for the backyard and pool area. She hires someone for the job and as the days heat up, so does her love life. Her sister recommends dating men based on romance tropes, but as she's going on dates and checking tropes off her list, the one constant man in her life is Logan. He's the guy building her deck who she chats with and brings coffee to each day, who she eats lunch and hangs out with, and who happily takes time out of his busy workday to teach her kids how to properly use tools and help him with the deck. She keeps reminding herself this isn't one of her romance novels, it's real life. But as much as they try to resist the pull between them, the chemistry between Sadie and Logan is absolutely undeniable. I couldn't get enough of these characters and I couldn't read this book fast enough! This story is real, and raw, and steamy, and oh so good! This is the author's fourth book she's written so far and I have been lucky enough to receive all four of her books as arcs. So I can confidently say she is truly an absolutely incredible author! I really love her writing style and her story telling, her characters always have depth, and the stories always capture your attention from the start. I always read her books so fast, because they're always just so well done! I can't wait to read whatever she writes next! 🩷📚
Thank you to the author and to the publisher for this ARC of The Opposite of Romance, in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author and to the publisher for this ARC of The Opposite of Romance, in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2025
The Opposite of Romance - what a swoon-worthy read!
I’m so thankful to Nadia for giving me another opportunity to ARC read for her. I’ve read all of her books currently available, including The Opposite of Romance, which was released on June 14, 2025.
Nadia, you managed to surprise me once again! This book was dramatically different from the BYC series, but it was amazing in all the best ways. I absolutely loved the story between Sadie and Logan - it was raw, beautiful, and exactly what I needed.
What started as a marriage with only a ghost of love turned into a dating experiment dreamed up by her sister, and ultimately led to Sadie’s happily ever after.
This book touched on some heavy and intimate topics, including a loveless marriage, rediscovering herself in a newly divorced and single chapter of her life, and the pressure of meeting a looming deadline after already pushing it back.
I loved watching the relationships between each of the characters bloom and grow - it made the entire journey feel that much more seamless and real.
Being on Sadie's journey as she learned to find herself again after years of feeling unloved and shamed was a beautiful thing to witness. I’m so glad she found a safe space in Logan to begin that process.
Nadia’s writing was tender and honest - she didn’t shy away from the emotional depth of Sadie’s story, and I appreciated that. I absolutely love reading Nadia's work, and it was refreshing to experience something a little different from her previous series. I would recommend picking up this book if you’re looking for a fast-paced, spicy romcom — it ticks all the boxes (even Sadie’s).
I’m so thankful to Nadia for giving me another opportunity to ARC read for her. I’ve read all of her books currently available, including The Opposite of Romance, which was released on June 14, 2025.
Nadia, you managed to surprise me once again! This book was dramatically different from the BYC series, but it was amazing in all the best ways. I absolutely loved the story between Sadie and Logan - it was raw, beautiful, and exactly what I needed.
What started as a marriage with only a ghost of love turned into a dating experiment dreamed up by her sister, and ultimately led to Sadie’s happily ever after.
This book touched on some heavy and intimate topics, including a loveless marriage, rediscovering herself in a newly divorced and single chapter of her life, and the pressure of meeting a looming deadline after already pushing it back.
I loved watching the relationships between each of the characters bloom and grow - it made the entire journey feel that much more seamless and real.
Being on Sadie's journey as she learned to find herself again after years of feeling unloved and shamed was a beautiful thing to witness. I’m so glad she found a safe space in Logan to begin that process.
Nadia’s writing was tender and honest - she didn’t shy away from the emotional depth of Sadie’s story, and I appreciated that. I absolutely love reading Nadia's work, and it was refreshing to experience something a little different from her previous series. I would recommend picking up this book if you’re looking for a fast-paced, spicy romcom — it ticks all the boxes (even Sadie’s).
June 12, 2025
This book was so fun.
The concept was really cool - The FMC, a romance author, is recently divorced due to having no romance in the marriage. She then has her sister (pa) set her up with dates that resemble different tropes in romance books for example, single dad, billionaire trope etc. Meanwhile, the young hot tradie that has been building her deck has been slowly falling for her.
This is a slow burn & I was NOT prepared for the amount of spice in the second half of the book. (Definitely not complaining at all, the 🌶️ was written well and was fun to read.)
I also really loved the relationship between the FMC and her sister - how close they are and how they made a hard situation positive.
This book was super fun and enjoyable & I would recommend to others who enjoy spicy romance books with a HEA.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The concept was really cool - The FMC, a romance author, is recently divorced due to having no romance in the marriage. She then has her sister (pa) set her up with dates that resemble different tropes in romance books for example, single dad, billionaire trope etc. Meanwhile, the young hot tradie that has been building her deck has been slowly falling for her.
This is a slow burn & I was NOT prepared for the amount of spice in the second half of the book. (Definitely not complaining at all, the 🌶️ was written well and was fun to read.)
I also really loved the relationship between the FMC and her sister - how close they are and how they made a hard situation positive.
This book was super fun and enjoyable & I would recommend to others who enjoy spicy romance books with a HEA.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 2, 2025
I loved this!
I enjoy when a book has good banter and even better chemistry between its characters, so I really enjoyed this one.
Sadie is a newly divorced mom of two who lost herself and her confidence in what ended up as a loveless marriage. Logan is a small town contractor who enjoys his work but knows he’s still missing…something. When Sadie’s desperation to make her new house a home for her and the kids leads her to hiring Logan to build an outdoor entertainment space in her backyard , they both get more than they bargained for.
I thought that her sister’s idea to date according to romance tropes was hilarious— billionaire, mafia, single dad. The author did a great job of weaving in those situations and not making them seem completely far fetched.
I loved the tension between Sadie and Logan. And Logan’s dirty talk. And their spicy time.
If you’re looking for a funny, sweet, emotional story with some spicy time and a HEA then you should read this!
I enjoy when a book has good banter and even better chemistry between its characters, so I really enjoyed this one.
Sadie is a newly divorced mom of two who lost herself and her confidence in what ended up as a loveless marriage. Logan is a small town contractor who enjoys his work but knows he’s still missing…something. When Sadie’s desperation to make her new house a home for her and the kids leads her to hiring Logan to build an outdoor entertainment space in her backyard , they both get more than they bargained for.
I thought that her sister’s idea to date according to romance tropes was hilarious— billionaire, mafia, single dad. The author did a great job of weaving in those situations and not making them seem completely far fetched.
I loved the tension between Sadie and Logan. And Logan’s dirty talk. And their spicy time.
If you’re looking for a funny, sweet, emotional story with some spicy time and a HEA then you should read this!
May 10, 2025
This book was amazing! The plot of dating different romance tropes was fun, and the way Sadie discovers herself before and after her divorce was so thoughtful. I love the author’s writing style so much, it pulls you in and keeps you captivated. This book was relatable and realistic, but still a great escape from the real world. I’m kind of kicking myself for devouring it in less than 10 hours, but damn, it was incredible. It just may be my new “comfort read”
August 30, 2025
The BEST!!!
This book is everything a book should be, and a lot more vulnerable than other books. I laughed, I cried, and we all got a happily ever after. About a woman choosing herself. Just lovely, and honest, and nice to see a main character in her thirties!! I loved it!!!
This book is everything a book should be, and a lot more vulnerable than other books. I laughed, I cried, and we all got a happily ever after. About a woman choosing herself. Just lovely, and honest, and nice to see a main character in her thirties!! I loved it!!!
June 16, 2025
1st time reading a book by Nadia Neale and within a couple of chapters I was hooked and knew I wanted to look for more of her work.
Really enjoyed reading this book and it was so relatable for me. Loveable characters and a good plot, I couldn’t put it down.
It takes a lot for me to give high marks but I will likely read this book again and again.
Really enjoyed reading this book and it was so relatable for me. Loveable characters and a good plot, I couldn’t put it down.
It takes a lot for me to give high marks but I will likely read this book again and again.
June 15, 2025
ARC review:
Recently divorced out of a loveless marriage.
Romance author Sadie, starts a list of romance tropes she writes about, to experience for herself.
More of a slow burn compared to her previous books, however when the 🌶️ scenes arrive they indeed do arrive.
Looking forward to seeing more of Nadia's work
Recently divorced out of a loveless marriage.
Romance author Sadie, starts a list of romance tropes she writes about, to experience for herself.
More of a slow burn compared to her previous books, however when the 🌶️ scenes arrive they indeed do arrive.
Looking forward to seeing more of Nadia's work
June 23, 2025
Sadie is a romance author navigating life after a difficult divorce, juggling the challenges of single motherhood and looming book deadlines—all while searching for her own happily ever after.
If you’re craving a swoon-worthy, younger hero who just so happens to be a charming carpenter and falls first, then Logan is the man for you!
This story brings the heat with some seriously spicy moments, but it’s more than just steam. Stick with it until the end—you’ll be left wondering whether Sadie will find her own real-life romance or if the love she writes about is just fiction after all.
If you’re craving a swoon-worthy, younger hero who just so happens to be a charming carpenter and falls first, then Logan is the man for you!
This story brings the heat with some seriously spicy moments, but it’s more than just steam. Stick with it until the end—you’ll be left wondering whether Sadie will find her own real-life romance or if the love she writes about is just fiction after all.
October 27, 2025
I loved that the FMC was in her 30s and divorced. You don't get enough books with that in it. However, this book was too fluffy for my taste. I would love to see some darker aspects in this story. Overall, this book is great for those that like the light fluffy stories.
June 14, 2025
Sadie is a romance author. She agrees to a dating experiment. But, finds love in the most unexpected of places.
Sadie never thought that she would be getting a divorce and starting all over with her two kids, that was never the story of her life she wanted. But, life had other plans for her, and that's how Sadie and her two kids ended up moving into a new house and Sadie found herself trying to date again, all at thirty-six.
Sadie's sister suggested that Sadie date men based on their “romance book tropes”, and Sadie finds that experiment to be more than a disaster, it's the last thing that Sadie expected to find is actual love...
But, love it exactly what showed up on Sadie's doorstep.
He's extremely hot, thankfully single, there to work on her house, and she knows that this is all a recipe for the perfect storm.
Sadie has already been burned once by love, but we all know that the heart wants what it wants.
Is history going to repeat itself and leave Sadie brokenhearted? Or Will Sadie finally find that she gets her own happily ever after?
The Opposite of Romance by Nadia Neale is a Spicy Rom-Com and I have to say that it is full of warmth, and whit, and it takes a mature and emotionally grounded approach to love after heartbreak. Nadia has managed to write a balanced story between romance and self-discovery that makes this book both engaging and very satisfying to read.
We find that Sadie is a relatable, resilient, strong, intelligent FMC who is managing to walk the rocky road of trying to find a second chance at love. Sadie is not some naive teenager, she is older and more mature at 36 and I love that she is a romance author. She is newly single having gone through a divorce and has 2 kids to think about as well.
She suddenly finds herself in a new world of dating and her sister suggests she do an experiment of dating men based on their romance book tropes (ie: grumpy – sunshine, bad boy, Alpha, and the likes) this experiment proves to be awkward rather than inspiring and ends up going nowhere till Sadie gets a surprise in the form of the younger, most handsome, construction contractor she had hired to do some work on her house.
Nadia does a fantastic job of playing with the expectations of this genre while still giving us the expectations of the romance and gives us the emotion that we all want in a book like this. You can feel the chemistry between Sadie and Logan sizzling off the page, what really gives this book the umph and elevation is our FMC's voice. She is smart, obviously self-aware, and she is completely honest about the chaos of what it's like to start over, raising 2 kids on her own, and trying to date again. Nadia handles the single parenting angle with such care and realism that it adds depth that doesn't drag down the story or the romance, it only adds to the story and the plot.
I found the trope-dating aspect of this book to add humor and levity to the book. And while it could have been fleshed out a little bit more and the earlier scenes could have been expanded a bit more. I found that I much preferred the main romance over the trope-dating aspect of the book as it is what gives the book its rhythm the full arc, and it just feels more mature.
If you are looking for a light-hearted rom-com romance that is swoon-worthy and mature and will give you all the giggles and still make you feel all light-hearted and fuzzy, then this is the book for you. I love Nadia Neale and her writing and I will read anything by her whenever I can get my hands on one of her books.
Sadie never thought that she would be getting a divorce and starting all over with her two kids, that was never the story of her life she wanted. But, life had other plans for her, and that's how Sadie and her two kids ended up moving into a new house and Sadie found herself trying to date again, all at thirty-six.
Sadie's sister suggested that Sadie date men based on their “romance book tropes”, and Sadie finds that experiment to be more than a disaster, it's the last thing that Sadie expected to find is actual love...
But, love it exactly what showed up on Sadie's doorstep.
He's extremely hot, thankfully single, there to work on her house, and she knows that this is all a recipe for the perfect storm.
Sadie has already been burned once by love, but we all know that the heart wants what it wants.
Is history going to repeat itself and leave Sadie brokenhearted? Or Will Sadie finally find that she gets her own happily ever after?
The Opposite of Romance by Nadia Neale is a Spicy Rom-Com and I have to say that it is full of warmth, and whit, and it takes a mature and emotionally grounded approach to love after heartbreak. Nadia has managed to write a balanced story between romance and self-discovery that makes this book both engaging and very satisfying to read.
We find that Sadie is a relatable, resilient, strong, intelligent FMC who is managing to walk the rocky road of trying to find a second chance at love. Sadie is not some naive teenager, she is older and more mature at 36 and I love that she is a romance author. She is newly single having gone through a divorce and has 2 kids to think about as well.
She suddenly finds herself in a new world of dating and her sister suggests she do an experiment of dating men based on their romance book tropes (ie: grumpy – sunshine, bad boy, Alpha, and the likes) this experiment proves to be awkward rather than inspiring and ends up going nowhere till Sadie gets a surprise in the form of the younger, most handsome, construction contractor she had hired to do some work on her house.
Nadia does a fantastic job of playing with the expectations of this genre while still giving us the expectations of the romance and gives us the emotion that we all want in a book like this. You can feel the chemistry between Sadie and Logan sizzling off the page, what really gives this book the umph and elevation is our FMC's voice. She is smart, obviously self-aware, and she is completely honest about the chaos of what it's like to start over, raising 2 kids on her own, and trying to date again. Nadia handles the single parenting angle with such care and realism that it adds depth that doesn't drag down the story or the romance, it only adds to the story and the plot.
I found the trope-dating aspect of this book to add humor and levity to the book. And while it could have been fleshed out a little bit more and the earlier scenes could have been expanded a bit more. I found that I much preferred the main romance over the trope-dating aspect of the book as it is what gives the book its rhythm the full arc, and it just feels more mature.
If you are looking for a light-hearted rom-com romance that is swoon-worthy and mature and will give you all the giggles and still make you feel all light-hearted and fuzzy, then this is the book for you. I love Nadia Neale and her writing and I will read anything by her whenever I can get my hands on one of her books.
June 12, 2025
arc review ‼️
this was my first ever book by this author and it’s safe to say i will indeed be reading all of her books.
this was also my first single mom romance, and although i couldn’t relate to that topic specifically, it really hit different as i saw some of the similar insecurities as the FMC to my own mom who was single raising 3 kids. it made this book feel more raw and real.
i loved the slow burn, the pent up tension and chemistry. the spice!!!
i also really enjoyed that Logan accepted Ash & Liv fairly quickly, he didn’t get annoyed with kids or get turned away by the fact she had two kids & it made me root for this man even more!
overall, i loved this book. the plot of dating different men that land on different romance tropes had me kicking my feet & giggling.
it was a cute love story full of laughter, jealousy, everyday situations and happiness. it was one of the most realistic books ive read in a long time and it was nice to see a FMC with real emotions that everyone that went through divorce (even hard break ups) or being a single parent can relate to.
tropes in the book ;
❣️reverse age gap 🤭
👩🏻🍼single mom
👷🏻♂️blue collar mmc
💞he falls first (and harder)🤭
🔥slow burn
🌹small town romance
📝 romance author fmc
spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
quotes ;
✨“you want to get fckd here in secret, while you’re on a date with another man? Is that what gets you hot?”
✨“Love would be great, yeah. But in the meantime, can i please just have some dick?”
✨“Yell all you want, princess, but no one will hear you here.”
✨“I don’t want options, I want you.”
✨”That’s it. Take my c**k like a fcking good girl. Maybe someone will walk into the backyard and see how well you take it.”
✨ “I’m saying that I want you to be happy. And if at some god-awful point in our lives, I’m not the one bringing you happiness, I want you to choose yourself, every single time.” I shake my head, but he continues, “I’m sorry to have made you cry on your birthday. But it was important for me to say. I love you, Sadie. And I would never want to see you wilt away.”
✨ “Call me high maintenance, but I want a bed this time.”
✨ “If he kidnaps and murders me, tell my kids I loved them.”
this was my first ever book by this author and it’s safe to say i will indeed be reading all of her books.
this was also my first single mom romance, and although i couldn’t relate to that topic specifically, it really hit different as i saw some of the similar insecurities as the FMC to my own mom who was single raising 3 kids. it made this book feel more raw and real.
i loved the slow burn, the pent up tension and chemistry. the spice!!!
i also really enjoyed that Logan accepted Ash & Liv fairly quickly, he didn’t get annoyed with kids or get turned away by the fact she had two kids & it made me root for this man even more!
overall, i loved this book. the plot of dating different men that land on different romance tropes had me kicking my feet & giggling.
it was a cute love story full of laughter, jealousy, everyday situations and happiness. it was one of the most realistic books ive read in a long time and it was nice to see a FMC with real emotions that everyone that went through divorce (even hard break ups) or being a single parent can relate to.
tropes in the book ;
❣️reverse age gap 🤭
👩🏻🍼single mom
👷🏻♂️blue collar mmc
💞he falls first (and harder)🤭
🔥slow burn
🌹small town romance
📝 romance author fmc
spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
quotes ;
✨“you want to get fckd here in secret, while you’re on a date with another man? Is that what gets you hot?”
✨“Love would be great, yeah. But in the meantime, can i please just have some dick?”
✨“Yell all you want, princess, but no one will hear you here.”
✨“I don’t want options, I want you.”
✨”That’s it. Take my c**k like a fcking good girl. Maybe someone will walk into the backyard and see how well you take it.”
✨ “I’m saying that I want you to be happy. And if at some god-awful point in our lives, I’m not the one bringing you happiness, I want you to choose yourself, every single time.” I shake my head, but he continues, “I’m sorry to have made you cry on your birthday. But it was important for me to say. I love you, Sadie. And I would never want to see you wilt away.”
✨ “Call me high maintenance, but I want a bed this time.”
✨ “If he kidnaps and murders me, tell my kids I loved them.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2025
Sometimes I finish a book and have no idea what to say.. like I don’t know how to say anything nice? While I don’t feel this is as bad as the one star books I’ve read.. it wasn’t good. The dialogue was cringy, the sex scenes were just.. not it, the hissing was so weird, the nickname princess.. puke. Sadie’s kids were really the only part I liked? I love that Liv could be herself with Logan, I love that Asher and Liv loved Logan, I love how patient Logan was with the kids. It’s amazing that Logan read Sadie’s books. But otherwise I was just confused.. was he supposed to be morally grey? grumpy sunshine? golden retriever? His mood changed so often and it was not sexy.
Sadie left her husband.. that’s badass, I love her for it, but then she finds a guy a few months later who is full of red flags.. girl. She also acts kind of pathetic.. The dating trope thing Sandy comes up with is super weird. The “billionaire” date, the single dad who is still in love with his ex date, and the motorcycle gang date were so fucking unnecessary. This book had zero depth.. I have no idea how this is considered slow burn or spicy. I also have ZERO clue how our FMC and MMC fall in love when they don’t even know each other. You would think a single mom would be a little more cautious about who she lets around her kids.. I also don’t know how she keeps justifying that her ex is a good father when he clearly isn’t?? I hated the dual POV (shocker, I know) and I didn’t care about our main characters at all. Ugh, BookTok why do you hate me!?
I’m going to stop here because I truly need to be done thinking about this book. This needs heavy editing and maybe a solid rewrite. Like the concept of the book could be something but it just didn’t get there. I forced myself to read the extended epilogue and why did the ending have to be so sad! I’m really concerned for anyone who rated this five stars and honestly I don’t recommend it.
Sadie left her husband.. that’s badass, I love her for it, but then she finds a guy a few months later who is full of red flags.. girl. She also acts kind of pathetic.. The dating trope thing Sandy comes up with is super weird. The “billionaire” date, the single dad who is still in love with his ex date, and the motorcycle gang date were so fucking unnecessary. This book had zero depth.. I have no idea how this is considered slow burn or spicy. I also have ZERO clue how our FMC and MMC fall in love when they don’t even know each other. You would think a single mom would be a little more cautious about who she lets around her kids.. I also don’t know how she keeps justifying that her ex is a good father when he clearly isn’t?? I hated the dual POV (shocker, I know) and I didn’t care about our main characters at all. Ugh, BookTok why do you hate me!?
I’m going to stop here because I truly need to be done thinking about this book. This needs heavy editing and maybe a solid rewrite. Like the concept of the book could be something but it just didn’t get there. I forced myself to read the extended epilogue and why did the ending have to be so sad! I’m really concerned for anyone who rated this five stars and honestly I don’t recommend it.
May 20, 2025
The Opposite of Romance by Nadia Neale
Rating: ★★★★¼ (4.25/5)
In The Opposite of Romance, Nadia Neale delivers a warm, witty, and emotionally grounded take on love after heartbreak, centering on a relatable, resilient heroine navigating the rocky path of second chances. With humor and heart, Neale strikes a compelling balance between romance and self-discovery, making this an engaging and satisfying read.
The story follows a thirty-six-year-old romance author and newly single mom who finds herself thrust into the modern dating world after a divorce. Encouraged by her sister to date men based on popular romance tropes (think “grumpy-sunshine,” “bad boy,” and more), her experiment proves more awkward than inspiring—until a surprise shows up in the form of a younger, handsome contractor hired to work on her house.
Neale plays with genre expectations while still giving romance fans the satisfying emotional payoff they crave. The chemistry is undeniable, but what really elevates the book is the protagonist’s voice—smart, self-aware, and refreshingly honest about the chaos of starting over. The parenting angle is handled with care and realism, adding depth without bogging down the romantic tension.
The only knock is that the trope-dating setup, while funny and promising, could’ve been more fully explored; some of the earlier scenarios wrap up a bit too quickly. But once the core romance kicks in, the story finds its rhythm and delivers a satisfying arc that feels both swoon-worthy and mature.
Verdict:
A delightful, grown-up romance with charm, heart, and just the right touch of spice. The Opposite of Romance may poke fun at the genre’s clichés, but in doing so, it earns its own place among the ones worth reading.
Rating: ★★★★¼ (4.25/5)
In The Opposite of Romance, Nadia Neale delivers a warm, witty, and emotionally grounded take on love after heartbreak, centering on a relatable, resilient heroine navigating the rocky path of second chances. With humor and heart, Neale strikes a compelling balance between romance and self-discovery, making this an engaging and satisfying read.
The story follows a thirty-six-year-old romance author and newly single mom who finds herself thrust into the modern dating world after a divorce. Encouraged by her sister to date men based on popular romance tropes (think “grumpy-sunshine,” “bad boy,” and more), her experiment proves more awkward than inspiring—until a surprise shows up in the form of a younger, handsome contractor hired to work on her house.
Neale plays with genre expectations while still giving romance fans the satisfying emotional payoff they crave. The chemistry is undeniable, but what really elevates the book is the protagonist’s voice—smart, self-aware, and refreshingly honest about the chaos of starting over. The parenting angle is handled with care and realism, adding depth without bogging down the romantic tension.
The only knock is that the trope-dating setup, while funny and promising, could’ve been more fully explored; some of the earlier scenarios wrap up a bit too quickly. But once the core romance kicks in, the story finds its rhythm and delivers a satisfying arc that feels both swoon-worthy and mature.
Verdict:
A delightful, grown-up romance with charm, heart, and just the right touch of spice. The Opposite of Romance may poke fun at the genre’s clichés, but in doing so, it earns its own place among the ones worth reading.
May 31, 2025
First ARC review 🫶🏼
The main plot is about a mother of two, who is figuring out how to pick up the pieces of her life after getting a divorce. Not my usual topic choice but the book summary is alluring.
First and foremost I want to mention that this book (on KU) is only 307 pages. It was a super cute, easy read but didn’t get into a lot of depth. It talks about a lot of surface level concerns, but I feel like we didn’t get deep into the single mother struggles.
To lighten up the storyline, Sadie’s sister creates a Love Trope quest for her to go on. And of course, Sadie met some duds before realizing her HEA is right in front of her.
Personally for me, I wanted more from the characters. I feel like there was more of Sadie pining over Logan through the window, than actual conversation before they started hooking up. And with every interaction, Sadie was awkward and uncomfortable. So I just didn’t really feel the chemistry or sparks fly between the characters. On the other hand, there was lots of sparks flying during the spicy scenes. I have absolute no complaints there 🥵 I guess for me, when they stated that they both love each other, I kind of thought to myself, “how did we get to this point?”
Like I said above, I enjoyed reading this book. I definitely recommend it! I love the authors writing style and I devoured it real quick. I just anticipated more character building. I also imagined myself if I were in Sadie’s shoes, and my biggest concerns actually weren’t mentioned. More could have been done, but it was nice not reading a super long and slow book for a change.
The main plot is about a mother of two, who is figuring out how to pick up the pieces of her life after getting a divorce. Not my usual topic choice but the book summary is alluring.
First and foremost I want to mention that this book (on KU) is only 307 pages. It was a super cute, easy read but didn’t get into a lot of depth. It talks about a lot of surface level concerns, but I feel like we didn’t get deep into the single mother struggles.
To lighten up the storyline, Sadie’s sister creates a Love Trope quest for her to go on. And of course, Sadie met some duds before realizing her HEA is right in front of her.
Personally for me, I wanted more from the characters. I feel like there was more of Sadie pining over Logan through the window, than actual conversation before they started hooking up. And with every interaction, Sadie was awkward and uncomfortable. So I just didn’t really feel the chemistry or sparks fly between the characters. On the other hand, there was lots of sparks flying during the spicy scenes. I have absolute no complaints there 🥵 I guess for me, when they stated that they both love each other, I kind of thought to myself, “how did we get to this point?”
Like I said above, I enjoyed reading this book. I definitely recommend it! I love the authors writing style and I devoured it real quick. I just anticipated more character building. I also imagined myself if I were in Sadie’s shoes, and my biggest concerns actually weren’t mentioned. More could have been done, but it was nice not reading a super long and slow book for a change.
June 6, 2025
"𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕.”
This sweet and spicy romantic comedy hits all the spots. I was surprised at the way this book made me feel, and yet it was done with such perfection that once I started, I couldn't put it down.
We discover FMC Sadie is freshly divorced after feeling nothing from her husband for years and starting over in her mid thirties. She settles in a new town and leans on her sister for support with raising her two kids.
Enter the super hot contractor she hires to build her a deck.
This isn't your typical rom com, she doesn't immediately date the contractor. Instead, the realistic turn in which Nadia makes you feel for this FMC is fantastic. After multiple bad dates, she finally gives in to her base urges, granting herself a reprieve from the way her husband had made her feel about herself for years.
“𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒚 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
Things become more and she fights to maintain her dignity, pushing him away before she can get attached. I do love me a man who knows what he wants though and he doesn't buy into her B.S.
“𝑺𝒐 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒉, 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒆’𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕. 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆, 𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆. 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑰 𝒇**𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒆𝒆.”
Real. Raw. Spicy as fook.
Rating: 5 ⭐
Spice: 3 🌶️
This sweet and spicy romantic comedy hits all the spots. I was surprised at the way this book made me feel, and yet it was done with such perfection that once I started, I couldn't put it down.
We discover FMC Sadie is freshly divorced after feeling nothing from her husband for years and starting over in her mid thirties. She settles in a new town and leans on her sister for support with raising her two kids.
Enter the super hot contractor she hires to build her a deck.
This isn't your typical rom com, she doesn't immediately date the contractor. Instead, the realistic turn in which Nadia makes you feel for this FMC is fantastic. After multiple bad dates, she finally gives in to her base urges, granting herself a reprieve from the way her husband had made her feel about herself for years.
“𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒚 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
Things become more and she fights to maintain her dignity, pushing him away before she can get attached. I do love me a man who knows what he wants though and he doesn't buy into her B.S.
“𝑺𝒐 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒉, 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒆’𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕. 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆, 𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆. 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑰 𝒇**𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒆𝒆.”
Real. Raw. Spicy as fook.
Rating: 5 ⭐
Spice: 3 🌶️
June 15, 2025
“So yeah, maybe we’ll fight. Maybe you’ll get annoyed with me, or maybe I’ll get annoyed with you. But one thing that won’t happen is you becoming invisible to me. You’re all I fucking see.”
5/5⭐️
3/5🌶️
Sadie is a newly divorced, single mom of two trying to put herself back out there to find the love she spends her time writing about. After multiple bad dates, she’s starting to believe that kind of love just doesn’t exist for her. Well, until she realizes her very own love trope has been spending all of his time working in her backyard.
I love Sadie and Stella’s relationship so much. Stella is such a little sister vibe, inserting herself into Sadie’s love life, while still making sure she puts herself first. I love that she’s constantly reminding Sadie that’s she’s deserving of the love she wants out of her life. They continue to show up for one another through challenging times in their lives and that’s so heartwarming. And the trope list idea? How freaking cute.
Logan, the 29 year old contractor, carved out time to work on Sadie’s backyard all by himself just because he likes her. And he’s prolonging the project just to hang around her and her children? Swoon. Not to mention how attentive he is to Sadie’s needs. The spice and chemistry between the two of them after Sadie finally realized??? Chef’s kiss. So here for the reverse age gap when he acts like SUCH a MAN.
Sadie is such a strong woman for leaving a loveless marriage to find her happiness. So much of this story felt so real and raw and I can’t get over it. Don’t for a second think I missed the BYC girlies shoutout because I didn’t - I loved it so much!
Nadia has quickly become one of my favorite authors to read and she continues to show me why.
5/5⭐️
3/5🌶️
Sadie is a newly divorced, single mom of two trying to put herself back out there to find the love she spends her time writing about. After multiple bad dates, she’s starting to believe that kind of love just doesn’t exist for her. Well, until she realizes her very own love trope has been spending all of his time working in her backyard.
I love Sadie and Stella’s relationship so much. Stella is such a little sister vibe, inserting herself into Sadie’s love life, while still making sure she puts herself first. I love that she’s constantly reminding Sadie that’s she’s deserving of the love she wants out of her life. They continue to show up for one another through challenging times in their lives and that’s so heartwarming. And the trope list idea? How freaking cute.
Logan, the 29 year old contractor, carved out time to work on Sadie’s backyard all by himself just because he likes her. And he’s prolonging the project just to hang around her and her children? Swoon. Not to mention how attentive he is to Sadie’s needs. The spice and chemistry between the two of them after Sadie finally realized??? Chef’s kiss. So here for the reverse age gap when he acts like SUCH a MAN.
Sadie is such a strong woman for leaving a loveless marriage to find her happiness. So much of this story felt so real and raw and I can’t get over it. Don’t for a second think I missed the BYC girlies shoutout because I didn’t - I loved it so much!
Nadia has quickly become one of my favorite authors to read and she continues to show me why.
June 22, 2025
Opposite of Romance is a spicy, close proximity, single mom romance and is the story of Sadie and Logan.
Sadie is a romance writer who realizes that her marriage is nothing like the novels she writes and that to save herself, she must divorce her husband and move on. While she is not looking for love, it is something she desires more than can say. As Sadie starts over in her home town, her sister decides she needs to date based on romance book tropes and try to find love. To help make her house a home for her and her children, she hires Logan to build a deck in her backyard for the pool. As the weeks pass, Sadie and Logan share moments together that Sadie sees as innocent, until Logan sees her on one of her romance trope dates and rescues her when she is left without a ride home. Those shared moments and touches turn to more but can Sadie trust her heart again and is she enough for Logan.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book so much, the writing is stellar and the story is different from other romance stories I have read. The way that Logan kept showing up for Sadie and her children, showing Sadie bit by bit that he can be there long term and she can trust him with her and her children's hearts. The spice was fantastic and the mouth on Logan, damn! Witty, sweet, spicy and a well deserved HEA is what this book delivers. Well done Nadia, as usual!
Sadie is a romance writer who realizes that her marriage is nothing like the novels she writes and that to save herself, she must divorce her husband and move on. While she is not looking for love, it is something she desires more than can say. As Sadie starts over in her home town, her sister decides she needs to date based on romance book tropes and try to find love. To help make her house a home for her and her children, she hires Logan to build a deck in her backyard for the pool. As the weeks pass, Sadie and Logan share moments together that Sadie sees as innocent, until Logan sees her on one of her romance trope dates and rescues her when she is left without a ride home. Those shared moments and touches turn to more but can Sadie trust her heart again and is she enough for Logan.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book so much, the writing is stellar and the story is different from other romance stories I have read. The way that Logan kept showing up for Sadie and her children, showing Sadie bit by bit that he can be there long term and she can trust him with her and her children's hearts. The spice was fantastic and the mouth on Logan, damn! Witty, sweet, spicy and a well deserved HEA is what this book delivers. Well done Nadia, as usual!
May 19, 2025
Sadie is a freshly divorced romance author who stated in a loveless marriage for years before realizing you can’t write happily ever afters if you aren’t even happy yourself.
She’s just moved into a new dream home when she meets Logan, a local handyman who has agreed to build her the deck of her dreams to make this mew start magical for Sadie and her two kids. Unfortunately, leaving her loveless marriage is only the first step to happiness and Sadie isn’t quite sure she’s ready or worthy of all the other steps. Luckily, her sister Sandy is there with a challenge to get her started: date men who fit romance book tropes. It’s so crazy, it might just be what it takes to find real love or to realize she’s been worthy of it this whole time.
The Opposite of Romance was an entertaining read. The spice was spicy and I enjoyed that Sadie was an author. I did get frustrated with her low feelings of self worth and realize the I am not worthy of true love trope might not be for me. I also struggled with the POV switch to Logan which went back and forth but didn’t start until over halfway through the book. I think I would have liked it more if he had remained more of a mystery
She’s just moved into a new dream home when she meets Logan, a local handyman who has agreed to build her the deck of her dreams to make this mew start magical for Sadie and her two kids. Unfortunately, leaving her loveless marriage is only the first step to happiness and Sadie isn’t quite sure she’s ready or worthy of all the other steps. Luckily, her sister Sandy is there with a challenge to get her started: date men who fit romance book tropes. It’s so crazy, it might just be what it takes to find real love or to realize she’s been worthy of it this whole time.
The Opposite of Romance was an entertaining read. The spice was spicy and I enjoyed that Sadie was an author. I did get frustrated with her low feelings of self worth and realize the I am not worthy of true love trope might not be for me. I also struggled with the POV switch to Logan which went back and forth but didn’t start until over halfway through the book. I think I would have liked it more if he had remained more of a mystery
May 31, 2025
ARC REVIEW
The Opposite of Romance: A Spicy Rom-Com
by Nadia Neale
This book is indeed what the title stats: a spicy Rom-Com. It's also a slow burn and a good one.
The plot is different from what we are used to, as the FMC is a romance author, so there are many references that us readers can reconnect with. And it was refreshing to read that.
The FMC is a strong and loving mother and yet a lonely just divorced and scared of the future romance author navigating life after a recent divorce.
The MMC is a hard working and young and sexy and charming contractor that likes handy work :).
Between the FMC, the MMC, the kids, the sister, the dates, the search for the man that fits the perfect romance trope... Nadia wrote a spicy and loving book.
And the bonus epilogue is a much needed HEA.
---
Some of my favorite quotes:
"He swallows me whole with a simple, passionate, consuming kiss."
"It's dangerous, the way he has me under his spell with a few dirty words and simple touches."
"You've turned my life into a romance book."
"I'm not even asking, I'm telling you. Marry me."
The Opposite of Romance: A Spicy Rom-Com
by Nadia Neale
This book is indeed what the title stats: a spicy Rom-Com. It's also a slow burn and a good one.
The plot is different from what we are used to, as the FMC is a romance author, so there are many references that us readers can reconnect with. And it was refreshing to read that.
The FMC is a strong and loving mother and yet a lonely just divorced and scared of the future romance author navigating life after a recent divorce.
The MMC is a hard working and young and sexy and charming contractor that likes handy work :).
Between the FMC, the MMC, the kids, the sister, the dates, the search for the man that fits the perfect romance trope... Nadia wrote a spicy and loving book.
And the bonus epilogue is a much needed HEA.
---
Some of my favorite quotes:
"He swallows me whole with a simple, passionate, consuming kiss."
"It's dangerous, the way he has me under his spell with a few dirty words and simple touches."
"You've turned my life into a romance book."
"I'm not even asking, I'm telling you. Marry me."
June 26, 2025
Thank you to Nadia Neale for letting me review this as an ARC!
Sadie, being a recently divorced single mom, was such different type of FMC than I typically see in books. I loved the new perspective, especially seeing her fall in love in a reverse age gap situation and really start to see herself for who she is and not how her ex-husband saw her. That whole journey was relatable even to someone who has not even been in that situation before. I also loved the plot line of dating through the different romance book tropes!
Logan comes to help build Sadie’s deck last minute, seeing her in a pinch trying to do something nice for her kids after her recent divorce. Little does he know just how much he has done for their family. He makes everyone fall in love with him, from Sadie, to her kids, to the readers!
The slow burn of this book really took me a minute to get into it, but once it got good, it GOT GOOD and I couldn’t put it down. I have thoroughly enjoyed every book of Nadia Neale’s that I have read and cannot wait for more to come!
Sadie, being a recently divorced single mom, was such different type of FMC than I typically see in books. I loved the new perspective, especially seeing her fall in love in a reverse age gap situation and really start to see herself for who she is and not how her ex-husband saw her. That whole journey was relatable even to someone who has not even been in that situation before. I also loved the plot line of dating through the different romance book tropes!
Logan comes to help build Sadie’s deck last minute, seeing her in a pinch trying to do something nice for her kids after her recent divorce. Little does he know just how much he has done for their family. He makes everyone fall in love with him, from Sadie, to her kids, to the readers!
The slow burn of this book really took me a minute to get into it, but once it got good, it GOT GOOD and I couldn’t put it down. I have thoroughly enjoyed every book of Nadia Neale’s that I have read and cannot wait for more to come!
May 28, 2025
So imagine you’re a newly divorced romance author and your sister talks you into dating according to a tropes list. Just to get you back out there.
WOW this was such a fun read, I kind of loved that Sadie didn’t meet her right guy off the get go and dated a little before hand. I also love a blue collar man so the fact that the Logan was a carpenter well… the man could obviously use his hands well and he’s a professional dirty talker.
The relationship they build together is sweet and will warm your heart.
If contemporary romance is your this, this book is for you. If you need a little break from dark romance, this book is for you.
Favourite Quotes-
“Technology is mind-blowing. But it can hardly replace the touch of a man you can’t live without. The kind of touch that burns through your skin, giving you more than physical pleasure.”
“I meant what I said. I want you dripping my cum for the rest of the day, so you don’t forget, for a second, who owns this pretty pussy”
June 16, 2025
I just finished reading a book by Nadia Neale, and let me tell you, I'm officially hooked! It was my first time diving into her work, and it definitely won't be the last.
The story starts off kind of slow and gentle, but trust me, it really builds into something amazing! It's like watching a fire slowly grow warmer and warmer until it's blazing.
I especially loved Sadie, the main character. She's in her 30s, a mom, and just went through a divorce. It's so relatable to watch her figure things out, try dating again, and really rediscover herself.
What I loved most was how honest and real she was about her feelings throughout the entire book. It made her feel so authentic and like someone you could actually be friends with.
Then there's Logan... a young, super attractive contractor who Sadie hires. I can't tell you too much about where that goes without spoiling things, but let's just say you'll definitely want to read it to find out!
Honestly, this book completely grabbed my attention. It's been ages since I've devoured a book in just a few days. I was so caught up in the story and the characters that I didn't want it to end!
Now I'm already looking forward to reading more of Nadia Neale's books.
If you're looking for a captivating read with relatable characters and a story that will keep you hooked, I highly recommend giving this one a try!
You won't be disappointed!
The story starts off kind of slow and gentle, but trust me, it really builds into something amazing! It's like watching a fire slowly grow warmer and warmer until it's blazing.
I especially loved Sadie, the main character. She's in her 30s, a mom, and just went through a divorce. It's so relatable to watch her figure things out, try dating again, and really rediscover herself.
What I loved most was how honest and real she was about her feelings throughout the entire book. It made her feel so authentic and like someone you could actually be friends with.
Then there's Logan... a young, super attractive contractor who Sadie hires. I can't tell you too much about where that goes without spoiling things, but let's just say you'll definitely want to read it to find out!
Honestly, this book completely grabbed my attention. It's been ages since I've devoured a book in just a few days. I was so caught up in the story and the characters that I didn't want it to end!
Now I'm already looking forward to reading more of Nadia Neale's books.
If you're looking for a captivating read with relatable characters and a story that will keep you hooked, I highly recommend giving this one a try!
You won't be disappointed!
June 12, 2025
This one surprised me in the best way. Sadie is one of those characters that feels familiar, strong, messy, and honest. I liked how she owns her past but doesn’t let it define her. And particularlyloved that she was in er 30s and divorced, it added a nice and real touch imo. Logan was the totally the kind of character who grows on you fast. Quiet, steady, a bit dirty in the best way, but still soft when it counts. Their dynamic works because it’s not forced, it builds in a way that feels natural. The slow burn is strong, but when things happen, they *really* happen. The pacing felt real, the emotions were raw without being over the top, and the writing style just pulls you in without trying too hard. Definitely one of those reads that leaves you with a good feeling at the end. Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.
May 21, 2025
🍃 ARC REVIEW 🍃
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Opposite of Romance is packed with micro tropes that felt like hidden gems throughout the story, making the whole experience feel like a fun, romantic adventure.
I was obsessed with Logan and Sadie from the very beginning. Logan’s instant connection with her practically jumped off the page, and the way he was so clearly taken with her? Beautiful!!
And okay, Logan in the sheets? Phew. That man can come build something in my yard anytime! 🙈
I’ll be honest, I usually don’t gravitate toward single mum tropes, but this was my first one and I absolutely loved it. Nadia Neale wrote Sadie’s journey with so much heart and strength, and it added such depth to the story without ever feeling heavy.
If you’re into a romance that blends heat, heart, and a dash of tropey goodness, this one’s a must-read🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Opposite of Romance is packed with micro tropes that felt like hidden gems throughout the story, making the whole experience feel like a fun, romantic adventure.
I was obsessed with Logan and Sadie from the very beginning. Logan’s instant connection with her practically jumped off the page, and the way he was so clearly taken with her? Beautiful!!
And okay, Logan in the sheets? Phew. That man can come build something in my yard anytime! 🙈
I’ll be honest, I usually don’t gravitate toward single mum tropes, but this was my first one and I absolutely loved it. Nadia Neale wrote Sadie’s journey with so much heart and strength, and it added such depth to the story without ever feeling heavy.
If you’re into a romance that blends heat, heart, and a dash of tropey goodness, this one’s a must-read🤍
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews