Bed Chemistry

by Elizabeth McKenzie

With a fun and steamy twist on the only-one-bed trope, this debut contemporary romance will delight fans of THE PARADISE PROBLEM and THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS

Chemistry teacher Ashleigh Hutchinson knows better than anyone that love and lust don’t mix. The feelings come from different hormones, they trigger different responses, and they demand different reactions. Which is why she doesn’t date. She hooks up. No catching feelings required.

When Ashleigh is fired from her job without notice, she signs up to participate in a month-long sleep study, which will pay her enough to cover rent while she job hunts. It seems easy enough—until she walks into the clinic and finds herself staring right into the gorgeous eyes of Xander Miller, the only man to have ever tempted her to abandon her no-relationships rule.

When Xander and Ashleigh realize the study is only looking for couples, they agree to pretend to be together—which means sleeping in the same bed every night for the next few weeks. How hard can it be to keep their cool under the covers?

You can expect...
- Fake dating (for science)
- Only one bed (every night)
- No feelings (allegedly)
- Second chance romance
- Golden retriever MMC
- Hot mess FMC
- Banter as a love language
- Undeniable chemistry!

Genres: Romance, Fake Dating, Spicy, Second Chance, Audiobook, Fiction, Forced Proximity

304 pages, Paperback

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[joe (hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5⭐

Huge thanks to Elizabeth McKenzie, Alcove Press, and Grey's Promotions for this ARC in exchange for an honest review💌

📍I take my ARC reviews very seriously, as I think authors could really benefit from these constructive criticism. Please do not take any of these to heart🫂

This entire book was basically just how a man would write romance novels🥴

Let's begin with the positives first. I will also refrain from ranting my heart out in this review, seeing that this is Elizabeth's debut novel. — I know how hard it is to complete one manuscript, esp when ur new @ this.

🎯positives:

personal ones
1. I, personally, am a HUGE (and i say huge) Criminal Minds fan, so I was delighted when they appeared throughout the book. It was kinda unnecessary but I appreciate the shoutout.

2. And Mario Kart. I am basically a child frothing at the mouth when it comes to Mario Kart. I had a huge MK phase, and I do not regret it.

3. Add in Sabrina Carpenter too. Someone mentioned that this was one of her songs' title and yeah, the girlies and I love SC🫶🫶 so +1 point for that🫂

general
3. Some scenes were funny.

"To learn all about our hopes and dreams ...," Xander starts but deliberately stops, giving me time to react.
"Gag."

4. And when you ignore the negatives (below), this scene "hit me like a pang in the chest";

Then we go our separate ways. And that's when the yearning starts.

5. Lastly, I really appreciate this comment in the acknowledgments. It was funny.

Thank you for opening your hearts (and wallets) to Ash and Xander.

🎯negatives:

1. Her name is Ashleigh The biggest thing is, unfortunately, she lusts after him the whole. book. This is the first EVER scenario where I've ever felt bad for a man and I was really mad at that. Really, every single thought abt that man from start to finish was only abt his looks and he loves her so. much. I truly think that if the roles were reversed this book wld get cancelled. I bring receipts;

An objectively hot male, named Xander, with very nice forearms and hairless knees, has locked his eyes on me.

First time meeting, btw (and it continues that way).

2. I think absolutely nobody in the entire reading community likes the mention of real life in fiction books. I had to get used to the regular mentions of these e.g. Tiktok, Taylor Swift and Beyonce.

3. Some scenes were unrealistic. Why would a lawyer (in this economy) give up 8 THOUSAND dollars to a girl who broke his heart 11 years ago?? No sane man wld do that.

4. I really cannot with people saying "fucking fuck". This reminds me of my villain-origin-story-author that got me into hate-reviewing and I'd rather not bring her up right now or I'd spiral rly fucking hard. This is her TOP phrase, and I genuinely cannot take anyone who says this phrase seriously. If you know, you know. *deep breaths, next!*

And also this: "Abso-fucking-lutely" OH MY GOD. Is she stalking me?????

5. I just have to note this:

Like a predator stalking his prey.

Man, you're talking abt a golden retriever mmc who was sipping his coffee on a random morning. ???

6. Honestly, the only turn-off for me @ Xander is that when he convinces Ash that her father (who cheated on her mom and proceeded to cut contact with his only daughter), can redeem himself when he married another woman. Like, no thanks. This sounds like THAT author to me.

7. I js wanna say that, if I get proposed to like that (how ASH proposed to XANDER), I will turn my back on my partner and run tf away.

🎯notes:

-I have held back in this review, if you're reading this and is insulted, I am truly and deeply sorry. Goodbye.

[rosie (jason todd's version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

(⭐3.25)

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ 1. First Impressions
My absolute first impression of this book was "Woah! Bed Chem! Sabrina!" 💃

Then, I took the time to read the synopsis, and what followed was an enthusiastic click on the 'request' button.

The premise of this book was so delightfully unique! I was positively buzzing in anticipation, checking my email over and over to see if I would get accepted for this one, because HOW CAN I RESIST A FORCED PROXIMITY ONE BED SITUATION THAT PERSISTS FOR 30 DAYS?!

If you're unaware, one bed situations and forced proximity almost never fails to make me giggle and kick my feet like a lovesick teenage girl (as if I'm not one already).

I am not ashamed to admit that I did let out a squeal of excitement when I was accepted to read this ARC, so thank you sososo much to Netgalley and Alcove Press again for this!! I'm overall so glad I read this 🥹💖

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ 2. Ashleigh...
I do regret to inform the jury that I did NOT like our FMC...

Hold your tomatoes and boos for the moment please, and let me explain my case! (Getting sick of the lawyer lingo? Blame Xander 😋)

She thinks men who wear fedoras are hot.

Yes, she's for real (for about half the book anyway) and yes, I have a more nuanced opinion on this. Hold please.

In all seriousness, I just simply didn't feel a connection with Ashleigh. And when the entire book is composed of her point of view and when we're in her brain 100% of the time, that gets a little disheartening. I felt like she was very hot-and-cold, and obviously her past had a great part to play in that, but I just got really tired of it by the end. I do have to admit I let out a groan at the third act conflict. Poor Xander was just there for her constantly and she just broke his (my) heart like that. Sigh.

I looooved Xander though, he was such a cutie patootie! He didn't deserve all of the switching up that Ash did on him 💔💔

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ 3. CHILLAX!
In the epilogue and the last few chapters, it really felt like everything was just smushed in to the last 20%. Everything was rushed and fell into place a bit too easily. Like you're telling me we're starting a court case like 15% from the end...? Dang 😔

Also HELLO THE SPICE SCENES?! This one was suuuuper heavy with the 🌶️ scenes and honestly, that's on me for not putting two and two together with the title 'Bed Chemistry'. My fault, my fault 😔🙏

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ 4. Final Thoughts
Overall, this one was definitely worth a read! I'm very glad I picked this up and I think it was overall a really cute romance. Great palate cleanser and very quick to read, just nothing overly special to me! Some of the humour and references were a bit cringe, but I honestly love when a book is happily cringe. They're not hurting anyone. Be cringe and free, my love.


ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ pre-read:

okay, YES, i admit it, half of the reason i requested this because the title was SO sabrina carpenter. but the other half of the reason was that the premise of this sounds sososo good!! can’t wait to get into this one 🤭

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Alcove Press for providing me with the e-ARC!! Bed Chemistry will be released on December 9th!

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

She, just got fired and needs some extra cash while she is figuring out her life.  He, doesn't sleep well and desperately wants to figure out how to fix that in his life.  The study only needs couples and desperate, for different reasons, Ashleigh and Xander agree to pretend to be a couple.  Bed Chemistry is a debut novel taking two extremely different people and throwing them into a room and a bed together from 6 pm on for a month as part of a sleep study.

I enjoy forced proximately situations and a good opposites attract scenario.  Bed Chemistry definitely had that.  Xander (anyone else think of Buffy the Vampire Slayer when they hear that name) is basically a labradoodle.  He is such a genuine good person.  He is a lawyer, a surfer and has a very laid back attitude.  He didn't judge Ash for anything she was currently doing in her life or the choices she was making.  I unfortunately did and because we don't learn of the reasons from her childhood until later into the book I struggled with liking her character at all.

I really wish this had a dual PoV.  Ash is the voice of the book and she is beyond a hot mess.  While she is a great teacher, fired for questionable reasons, that is the only part of her life that I could relate to.  She is part of the want it now, no substance needed, just visual easy hookup culture and I struggled with that.  Ash basically says multiple times how she doesn't care if they have a brain as long as they are attractive and can go the distance and then leave...gross.  I'm sure that isn't going to be an issue for some readers, but I'm over forty and I just couldn't connect with that culture or mindset.  With Ash as the only PoV though if you don't like her you probably are going to struggle with the book.

Xander, however is fantastic and it is hard to find anything I didn't really like about him, other than him accepting that Ash runs so hot and cold.  He really liked her eleven years ago and thought he had found something pretty special until they slept together and she ghosted him afterward.  As they work out their past and present, there were some cute moments and times I genuinely laughed.  When Xander meets Ash's mom I thought it was fantastic and loved how he basically lawyered her entire book premise in twenty seconds flat (it was my favorite scene).   Ash's best friend is also a shining light in her life and sometimes a good voice of reason.  I would have liked to see a couple more heartfelt moments between them as well.

A few other notes.  Ash's behavior and lifestyle is directly correlated to her parent's divorce and her mother's subsequent book and Netflix deal on why lust is the only thing and love is an illusion basically.  We do get a conversation with Ash's mom that helps to sort out her head.  But I really wish the author would have found a moment to put in a conversation with her father.  He is getting remarried and Ash is sure once a cheater always a cheater but there really wasn't any closure on that portion of her life.

Overall Xander is great!!! The sleep study is an interesting approach to the fake dating + close proximity trope that I found pretty inventive.  I didn't like Ash and found it really hard to connect to her as a character or commitment phobia especially since she is supposedly an extremely smart chemistry teacher.  The ending was okay and a satisfying conclusion to the story.

This is Elizabeth McKenzie's first novel.  The writing itself and some of the humor was really good.  I will be interested to see her growth going into her next novel as there is a lot of talent and creativity to work with.

Narration:
Performance: ★★★★
Character Separation: ★★★
Diction: ★★★★
Pacing/Flow: ★★★
Sound Effects: None

Jessie Elwyn is a new to me narrator.  She was a good selection for the Single PoV narration and Ash's voice.  I was able to tell most of the voices apart but think if the casting was bigger I would have struggled to find some distinction between them as some of the male characters blurred a little if they weren't Xander.  Overall a solid performance and the pacing was good for the story being told, no weird pauses or dead space.  I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.

Listen to a clip:  HERE

[Chrissy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Ashleigh is fired from her teaching job and she decides to enroll in a sleep study over the summer to pay the rent. The catch: the sleep study is only looking for couples, so when she runs into Xander, her college one-night-stand who also wants to enroll in the sleep study to cure his insomnia, they decide to enroll as a fake couple.

This skewed a little too much toward only emphasizing the sexual tension between Ash and Xander, it got a little repetitive with the off-the-charts sexual attraction backed up by nothing else shown in the relationship between the characters - until suddenly they were supposedly "completely in love all along". While the banter was sometimes fun, too often it veered too far into just being-an-asshole-to-each-other territory. I'm not a fan of the emotionally unavailable love interest trope, and Ashleigh was more emotionally unavailable than any other character I've ever read. Turns out I like it even less when the emotionally unavailable part of the "couple" is the only POV character in the book. If I don't believe the characters in a rom-com are both equally good for each other, I can't really get into it. And Ashleigh's character growth happened too little too late in the book for her to redeem herself to me. It didn't feel earned. And the HEA didn't feel believable, not without years of therapy before getting there. The writing wasn't bad, the pacing was fine, I finished the book quickly and was never bored by it, but I was exasperated with the main character the entire time. The reason she was fired was completely unfair and unacceptable, and I actually think she was a good teacher, so I was rooting for her to get her job back or find another way too keep being a teacher. But I just couldn't root for the relationship. And while with other genres that might not be a big deal, it is what makes or breaks a rom-com. It's not like a mystery or fantasy book where I can take or leave the romantic subplot if it isn't working for me. With a rom-com the relationship is the whole point of the book. And for me personally, this one missed the mark unfortunately.

I enjoyed Xander's smack-down "review" of Ashleigh's mom's bestselling book - that was the only scene in here that had me actually cheering.

Thank you to Alcove Press for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[b cozy book lounge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bed Chemistry is a sweet, funny, slow-burn romance with electric chemistry, emotional baggage, and a golden-retriever hero you will absolutely fall for.

Xander and Ashleigh share a four-month friendship that ends with one unforgettable night, until Ash sneaks out and ghosts him. After growing up in the fallout of her father’s infidelity and her parents’ divorce, Ash has zero faith in love or long-term relationships. She sticks strictly to no-strings hookups and uses the “Bone It” app to keep things simple and detached.

But life doesn’t stay simple for long.

After losing her job as a chemistry teacher, Ash is desperate for money and signs up for a sleep study program. She can sleep anywhere, anytime, so she’s a perfect candidate. But during the interview, she comes face-to-face with Xander again… who is the opposite. He can barely sleep at all, lucky to catch even an hour a night.

There’s only one spot left in the study, so they strike a deal: pretend to be a couple so they can both get in.

From their first reunion, it’s clear the chemistry never left. The banter is chef’s kiss—sparky, flirty, and filled with that delicious tension you can’t fake. Ashleigh wants nothing to do with feelings, and she fights it every step of the way. Xander, on the other hand, is patient, gentle, and absolutely smitten. He respects her boundaries—no dating, no sex, no falling in love—even though he’s already halfway there.

Dr. Winter, not oblivious to the heat simmering between them, insists they go on a few dates.

Xander jumps at the chance, and Ashleigh reluctantly follows. What unfolds is a series of thoughtful, sweet, and genuinely romantic dates that show just how committed Xander is, not just to the experiment, but to understanding her heart.

He’s the ultimate golden retriever hero: supportive, attentive, emotionally available, and completely devoted. You will swoon.

This book balances humor, chemistry, and emotional vulnerability so well.

It’s about two people navigating trauma, trust, and desire, and slowly learning that love doesn’t have to be scary, or messy, or doomed to fail.

If you love:
✨ Fake dating
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Golden-retriever heroes
✨ Sexual tension + slow burn
✨ Banter that hits
You’ll adore this one.

[Brandi Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Rounded Down

Bed Chemistry was a completely new take on the one-bed/forced proximity tropes and it definitely worked for me!

Ash has found herself without a job and in a bind to pay rent when her best friend Em, finds a 4 week sleep study that pays, which will end Ash's turmoil over how to pay the rent. What Ash doesn't know, is that this sleep study will bring Xander back into her life as they pretend to be a couple when the sleep study is only looking for couples. But, Ash has rules and falling in love isn't part of them.

Xander, is the complete perfect book boyfriend. He's a lawyer who actually struggles with insomnia and needs Ash's help, so he can figure out why he can't sleep. Xander has been in love with Ash ever since she ran away after a one night stand in college.

This book had fantastic banter and the chemistry was hot. However, Ash's character was unlikable in that she was very immature and it made me definitely feel like Xander deserved a whole lot better. But, for those readers looking for a very lighthearted romance without anything deep, this might be the perfect read for you.

Expected Publication Date 📅: December 9th, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Joyffree · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those I personally feel readers are either going to love it or hate it
Not really a middle road here

"We are at a sleep clinic, not a sleep 'with' clinic."

I adored Xander.
And the way he called Ash out on her leering...
Every dang time - lol
And there was a lot of leering and lusting coming from Ash
The upsetting part for me was that Xander truly adored her
As a person, not a smexual object

Yes, we get a happy enough for now, but getting there at times was a bit rough

"rock. hard place. me"
Ash was just an emotional mess.
It's one thing not to believe in love - it's another, however, to deny your own feelings.
Repeatedly.
There were times I wanted to shake some sense into her, as well as wipe the drool from her chin
She figures her way past her mom's brainwashing, but the road there was pretty painful at times (for both of us)

Fun read. Lots of laughs. Some high heat smexy times.
And some great secondary/supporting characters -
Like poor Ben, I wonder if he will choose a different career path, lmao, and Em, Ashes BFF, she was a blast. That girl was 50 shades of idgaf.

[Mohammad Anas · Rating 4 out of 5]

[NetGalley Read #56]
4.00 ⭐️

"You deny yourself what you really want just to avoid the mess that comes with it," he says... "But the mess is the best part."

This was a fun read.

The premise is interesting. The general rom-com stuff is executed very well. The language is explicit. Sometimes a little cringe but never to the point of turning you off.
It's funny with it's banter, Ash and Em's friendship and has a good emotional core with Ash's relationship with her parents, the effects of their divorce on her life, and her whole lifestyle, in general. Xander's insomnia could've been explored a little bit more, I thought. But the three dates (carnival, beach, and UCLA) made for a good, fleshed out character.
The sex scenes were good in the start and the middle. But, by the end, I was more invested in the resolution of Ash's personal struggles and the scenes just felt repetitive by that point.

It's a short book (220+ pages). Easy to read. Also, you'll know after reading the first few chapters whether this book is for you or not. Worth sticking with it for the whole ride, though. The ending is good.

Recommended. 👍

[Lexie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had the potential to be a really cute rom com. Instead we were given a cringe worthy campy romance.

I mean come on the synopsis set this book up for success. We have recently fired chemistry teacher, Ash, who signs up for a sleep study to make rent money. Instead of doing the study by herself she’s forced to “fake date” an old one night stand, Xander. They have to survive a month of sleeping together. However, Xander still has hurt feelings after Ash left with no notice 11 years ago. Will they be able to get over their past in order to compete the study?!?!

Again come on that synopsis sounds perfect and hilarious. Plus in my opinion unique. I’ve never encountered any romcoms previously that used a sleep study as part of their forced proximity trope. However, even with all that going for it the execution just wasn’t there.

I struggled with Ash big time. She’s the “commitment phobe” so to speak in this romcom. Which is fine I enjoy when the typical stereo types are reversed. However, Ash just wasn’t likeable and her reasoning for lack emotional intimacy felt way too extreme. I understand she went through trauma watching her parents relationship fall apart. But her response to all love in general because of it felt immature.

The only reason I kept reading was for my love of Xander. I love that he was our sunshine romantic. But I do believe he deserves better than Ash (sorry not sorry). My only complaint was I wish we could’ve flushed out his character more.

Overall, this book wasn’t my favorite. I can’t honestly say if I’d recommend it so I’ll leave you guys with this. If you want a quick and easy romcom then pick it up. If you want a romcom with more substantial then keep on a moving.

Lastly thank you to NetGalley & Alcove Publishing for allowing me to read and review an ARC.

[Amee · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I think of Chemistry teachers, FMC Ashleigh is not what I would expect, she’s more like the high schoolers she teaches during the day. Well she did until she gets fired for what some would call inappropriate behavior of a teacher (wasn’t anything illegal). Needing money to pay rent while she looks for work Ash joins a sleep study paired with a college one night stand she hasn’t seen in 11 years. The sparks between Ash and Xander were flying off the pages right from the start and seriously didn't let up until the last page. But Ash is so phobic of love and relationships, being taught by her mom first hand through mom’s book, radio and tv show deal on how crap relationships and love are. She was cheated on by Ash’s dad so her mom has a warranted reason for being gun shy, but it saddens me when parents issues are put upon their kids, and this fell right on that line. I liked Ash. Honestly it took me about 1/3 into the book before I was able to stop cringing from some embarrassing moments Ash has with Xander, very Bridget Joneses Diary like, so if that kind of kooky personality isn’t your cup of tea be warned, but I found her funny as hell. Her and her bestie Em were hot messes but god they were so fun to read their interactions throughout. I’d love a book where Em is the FMC if that could happen! I laughed throughout, my heart raced on what was going to happen until the final page!! Definitely one of my 2025 favorites.

My favorite quote of the book, there were so many: “Nothing is crazier than a grown-ass woman being convinced that it’s a good idea to regularly put molten hot wax on her vulva.” Haha

NetGalley provided me this ARC for my honest opinion.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one, unfortunately, just wasn’t for me. I’m not going to dig too deeply into every issue, but the biggest hurdle was how wildly unrealistic so many moments felt. Every time I tried to sink into the story, another out-of-place pop-culture reference would pop up like an intrusive thought, and instead of adding charm or grounding the plot, they just sat there… awkwardly. It felt less like natural dialogue and more like the author was trying to score relatability points, which only made it more distracting.

And I’ll be honest: I actually paused mid-read to double-check the author because the voice felt so noticeably off. It read like it had been written by a man trying to approximate a female perspective rather than a female author writing authentically from her own lens. The internal thoughts, reactions, even some emotional beats just didn’t ring true, and that disconnect never really improved.

Overall, despite the premise having potential, the execution left me struggling to stay engaged.

I was fortunate to receive a complimentary eARC from Alcove Press via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.

[Asia]

dnf at 25%

It started so well but I was so disappointed by this book. I like the fake dating and only one bed trope but the characters are annoyong. I hate when FMC is always so helpess around MMC and daydreams about him and blushes and is so wet it's like a waterfall down there when she sees him, while he's so smug about it but unaffected otherwise. I hate this dynamic because he seems to have so much more power than her.

And this is exactly what this book is like. FMC is this helpless creature who can't breathe because she wants to fuck MMC so much, and he's smirking and that's it, seems like he doesn't care about her but is smug that she wants him.

And he KNOWS that she wants him. She sees as she's masturbating herself (while she's asleep) and moaning his name, AND he witnesses as she's sitting in the restaurant with her friend and screams about how much she wants to fuck him.

I mean seriously. She's 30 and yet she screams out loud she wants to fuck him for the whole restaurant to see. She's not drunk or anything like that. Why the fuck?????? She's supposed to be 30, not 15! Are you kidding me??????????

I had to dnf at this point. I gave this book the benefit of the doubt after the 'waking up while touching himself while he knew and teased her about it' scene, but there's no saving this book. It was awful.

[whatthesmutt · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

ARC REVIEW COURTESY OF NET GALLEY FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

TROPES:
🩷Fake Dating
🩷Second Chance
🩷Tension And Pining
🩷 Hate To Love
🩷Close Proximity

This was a quicky, witty read with lots of banter between our main characters. When chemistry teacher Ashleigh is fired, she enters a sleep study to make some money..the problem? It’s couples only. And who walks in? Xander Miller, the one that she got away from. After a One night Stand turned their friendship on its head 11 years ago, both Ashleigh and Xaden agree to help one another. By pretending to be a couple. Only issue is, Ashleigh does not date, she does not get involved and she does not fall in love.

The potential this book had was huge, close proximity, tension and pining with a second chance love interest has all the makings of an amazing Rom-com with witty banter and that wholesome ending. However the sleep study and plot line had a few plot holes that really took me out of the story, this was a couple who had supposedly been together for 11 years. Yet they showed up separately and left separately every time. They turned around to change in front of one another too, which is just unbelievable. There are cameras in this room, and yet when they argue, are monitored for heart rate spikes ect, it’s never actually heard? I thought a recorded sleep study would record sound too? Also they were able to drink within the study? It just didn’t make sense to me that a scientific study would allow variables such as drinking ect.

I think it’s sad notion that Ashleigh lives her life by the book and words of a scorned woman and whilst I understand her issues stem from deep rooted trauma. It was hard that we didn’t have this massive explosive moment of realisation or grand gesture to get Xander back. No grovelling? However my favourite part of the whole thing was Xander picking apart her mother’s book, to her face. Some parts felt rushed and unexplained, and in times the plot holes were just too much and too neat for me.

But I can see why a lot of people would love this and it would make for a light easy read when you need a reset.

Thanks again to NetGalley

[Kayla Mclagan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do we not care about science anymore? This felt like a reckless immature girl who cannot take accountability for her actions continuing to ignore the consequences of her own decisions (army crawling out of Xander’s room) and decided to bias a research study. For someone who won’t shut up about chemistry she sure doesn’t seem to care about the work of other people.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

My Selling Pitch:
Don’t let the cover fool you, this is not Sabrina fanfic. Avoidant girlie enters a sleep study with her college ONS. How will they possibly resist boinking??? You know, while they’re on cameras, in a lab, and on heart monitors. Fine, bordering on bad, but everyone needs therapy real bad.

Pre-reading:
This Sabrina cover has aged like milk.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Hold up. I thought this was a Sabrina Barry book. But it’s a HARRY book. That's crazy. (Not even!)

Rom-com mentions serial killers sin.

So take this to court because there’s no way that’s not wrongful termination.
Lol I don’t buy it.

Sorry, there's definitely an open position for the best chemistry teacher in the state. Schools would be fighting over her. Also, just tutor????

OK, she’s gotta stop referencing Criminal Minds.

This book is a little too repetitive.

It reminds me of Wildfire’s family drama.

Paying someone to wax you while you don’t have money is crazy.

Oh god, another lawyer romance. I’m weak.

If they can leave to go to the bathroom, why didn’t they just change in the bathroom?

Fuck, I could go for a Cuban.

Juicy Fruit is a new one.

This book is full of pop culture references.

How is the sleep study just chill with y’all drinking and heavy petting? Like they’re gonna have to exclude your results.

G spot sin

Who the fuck likes candy corn?

Girl, your daddy issues are nuts. Go to therapy.

Taylor Swift sin

Peaking?!? Ew.

So she’s like not qualified to be a principal

Also principal of a private school has to also be making bank.

Post-reading:
Look, the book’s title makes sense, given the plot, but everyone’s picking this up expecting Barry and Sabrina. That’s the furthest thing from this book.

If you can suspend your disbelief that girlypop got fired and subsequently has no choice but to defraud researchers for the sake of survival, a sleep study used for forced proximity could be a silly goofy good time. It’s not really that either. I kept getting annoyed on behalf of the sleep tech with all their antics. It’s kinda unbelievable that a real scientific study, paying out the nose no less, is just gonna be chill with on-camera hanky panky. Doesn’t that constitute some level of workplace sexual harassment?

The FMC is pretty unlikable. Her entire personality is that she used to teach chemistry and rejects any and all romantic relationships because her parents got divorced. The whole book you’re gonna be like girl, grow up. Try therapy. The MMC is equally flat. He’s a lawyer who surfs and has curly hair. That’s about it. He’s inexplicably obsessed and hung up on the FMC.

The book’s chock-full of pop culture references. I don’t mind it in my contemporaries, but I know a lot of other readers can’t stand it, especially when it’s not used sparingly. This is practically every other page.

The sex scenes are generic and not particularly hot. The minimal dirty talk feels forced and disingenuous.

The ending’s pretty bonkers. Who’s giving up 8k to their college ex on nothing? Also, there’s no way girlypop has the credentials to be a private school principal.

There’s not really anything to redeem it, but it is just kind of so bland, it’s inoffensive. Do I think you should pick this up when there’s so many better romances out there? No. But I also don’t think you’ll have the absolute worst time getting through this if this was a cover buy for you. I don’t think I’d try this author again.

Who should read this:
Contemporary romance fans

Ideal reading time:
Summer

Do I want to reread this:
Nope

Would I buy this:
No

Similar books:
* Wildfire by Hannah Grace-contemporary romance, family drama
* Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings-contemporary, second chance romance, enemies to lovers
* Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood-contemporary romance, enemies to lovers

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Em (chronic_listener) · Rating 4 out of 5]

US pub date: Dec 9

BED CHEMISTRY was a great debut — filled with sizzling chemistry, quirky humor and witty writing, I think you'd love this one if you are a fan of Ali Hazelwood: a smart-as-hell FMC in STEM who is a bit of a chaos goblin outside of her job, and a man who is capital S Smitten with her.

The premise sounded so incredibly fun that I dropped everything and picked this up as soon as the approval came through:

Ashleigh — certified hot mess™ — just got fired from her teaching job and, in order to afford rent, signs up for a sleep study. What she didn't expect: to run into Xander, her college-friend-turned-one-night-stand she ghosted 11 years ago, in the waiting room. When they find out the study only accepts couples, they quickly decide to fake date. Enter a decade old unresolved tension, palpable chemistry, and all the forced proximity that comes with sharing one bed for a month.

I was really vibing with the humor, and even though the whole thing was a bit outrageous (complimentary) at times, I was enjoying myself and cackling out loud at several points. I also liked the twist that the FMC (rather than the MMC) was the horny commitment-phobe and the MMC was the emotionally available one. Ashleigh working through her issues™ was pleasing.

One of my favorite parts about this was the female friendship: Emily was really a ride-or-die kinda bestie. The ultimate hype girl who enables your delusions but also never hesitates to call you out on your bullshit, who cheers you on on your best day, lets your cry on her shoulder on your worst day, and is by your side every day in between.

Usually, I'm not a big fan of hyper-modern writing with this many pop culture references but in this one if feels like they were tailored specifically to me so I actually enjoyed most of them!

The reasons it wasn't a five star read to me: it lost it's momentum a bit towards the middle, the transitions between heated tension to actual ✨happenings✨ felt a bit abrupt each time — I would have loved for it to feel a bit more natural / smoother. Also, while Xander was certainly hot and swoony, it was hard to fully connect with him — I wanted a bit more depth in that department!

BED CHEMISTRY was funny, charming, filled with tension, chemistry, growth and an overall slightly unhinged vibe I enjoyed — I will for sure keep an eye out for Elizabeth McKenzie's future publications!

✨ rom-com
✨ single POV in first person
✨ fake dating (for science!)
✨ forced proximity
✨ one bed (also for science)
✨ second chance (-ish)
✨ hot mess FMC
✨ tall, tattooed MMC

🎧 I really enjoyed the narration by Jessie Elwyn, she perfectly captured Ashleigh's quirky character, it was so fun!

🌶️ 3/5 — 3+ explicit scenes with a generally horny inner monologue

Thank you NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alexia Gauthier · Rating 2 out of 5]

When the one bed trope just… doesn’t hit

2.25 ⭐ | 2 🌶️

Bed Chemistry had all the makings of a fun, tropey good time: forced proximity, fake dating, and a “we definitely shouldn’t, but absolutely might” kind of tension. As a debut, Elizabeth McKenzie shows a spark of something promising, and I was excited going in… but unfortunately, the execution just didn’t click for me.

The pacing is glacial; so slow that I kept waiting for the story to find its rhythm, only for it to keep wandering. The plot threads felt scattered, and the emotional development never quite landed. On top of that, the opening conflict left a bitter taste. Watching the FMC get punished for her consensual dating choices felt outdated and unnecessary, and it made it hard for me to get fully on board with her journey.

Ashleigh’s dynamic with Xander also didn’t deliver the emotional payoff I hoped for. He’s the guy who never got over being a one-night stand, and she’s the woman who refuses to catch feelings, and without his POV, so much feels like guesswork. I’m a firm believer that dual POV can make or break a romance, and here, the lack of it made me feel like half the story was missing.

All that said, the concept isn’t bad. There are funny moments, some simmering chemistry, and a few scenes that show genuine potential. It just wasn’t enough to overcome the issues that kept pulling me out of the narrative.

Huge thanks to Grey’s Promotions for the e-ARC, and wishing Elizabeth McKenzie all the best with this release. Even though this one wasn’t for me, I’ll be curious to see how her writing grows from here.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️
Bed Chemistry centers on wrongfully-fired teacher Ashleigh who finds herself desperate to make enough money to cover rent. This desperation leads her to a month-long sleep study where she reconnects with Xander, a man she knew in college but whom she ghosted after a one night stand. Because the study is only looking for couples, the two lie so that they can join the study, but their attraction to each other is anything but in the past.
While the pacing of this book is fine and there are definitely moments of witty banter, overall, I just took a lot of issue with Ashleigh, the main character, and I found it hard to root for her and Xander. Ashleigh obviously has a lot of trauma from her parents’ divorce, but her philosophy about love and relationships is so frustrating- like, do you mean to tell me that she has no examples of healthy relationships at all in her life? She is supposedly a teacher: there aren’t ANY families that she has witnessed that show her mom’s mantra about infidelity and relationships is not always true? Also, she is apparently desperate for this money but can go eat lunch at cafes in every other scene, get waxed, drink copious amounts of alcohol, and Door Dash food. Ash, how about a budget, friend? This isn’t her first summer as a teacher and she would have been entitled to the rest of her salary for the contract year she finished, which is how teachers get paid over the summer. Other than paying her rent, she just does not seem concerned about the amounts of money she is spending and seems irresponsible. The implausible nature of the whole situation just took me out of it. Additionally, I just found Ash mean for much of the story, and while she did start to grow on me at the end, it wasn’t until about 70% of the way through the book. Also, her ending love declaration did NOT feel believable; I know Xander is apparently hung up on her, but I do think he can do better. Lastly, I wish that Ash would have been given a profession other than a teacher because, as a 17-year veteran teacher, there were SO many ridiculous things in this book that just aren’t how teaching works (in my experience), but I suspect those who are teachers don’t need me to point those issues out and those who aren’t teachers don’t care.
Thank you to Alcove Press and Net Galley for this ARC!

[Myra Schietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Elizabeth Mckenzie herself for dming me offering me this arc! I I ate it up! Enjoyed it so much and the chemistry between Xander and Ashleigh obsessed! I was cracking up the whole time and loved seeing her love for Taylor Swift and 1D! The future teacher in me also loved that Ashleigh is a teacher and has a passion for it that I can’t wait to have! I related this to bed chemistry by Sabrina Carpenter since I was going to her short and sweet tour and this was so fitting unintentionally. We got surprised with her song bed chem from her new album and Sabrina preforms it like a little sleepover which happens often between Xander and Ashleigh since they attend a sleep study while fake dating and have to have sleepovers every night which leads them to fall in love finally after 11 years! Everyone go read this when it comes out next month so I have people to talk about it with!

[Caroline F · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new-to-me author.

Ashleigh was a woman whose upbringing was damaged by her parents' divorce and behaviour. She was a one-and-done type and shied away from any kind of feelings or commitment. Xander was the only guy who was ever a danger to her rules. Eleven years later, he was shockingly back in her life, and they need each other, so they fake a relationship.

The chemistry between Ashleigh and Xander was really something but she was one stubborn woman, and almost wilfully negative about a relationship with him, to the point of hurtful. I would have snapped that guy up in a heartbeat! He showed her in so many ways that he cared about her, and she even acknowledged to herself that she was cared about him, and yet, she was so conditioned by what father had done and then subsequently what her mother had done, that it was extremely difficult to think of love in a positive light. I found the first part of the book slow-ish and I started getting invested about halfway through. Xander definitely won the day for me and I wished that Ashleigh had had to work harder for him.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooof one could say the pre-read thoughts had me nervous. Readers are told in the synopsis that this one’s for you if you like The Paradise Problem and The Love Hypothesis, so okay, I’m here for it but I’m going to be nervy as heck. Overall, this book was cute but I don’t know if I would have compared those books to this one.

Elizabeth McKenzie’s Bed Chemistry is set to release this December, just in time for readers to start putting down those holiday romances for something a little different. The book follows Ashleigh, a chemistry teacher who is a dedicated Bone It user, yup, you heard me. What is Bone It you may ask, haha, Tinder, so good for you girlie 👏🏻. But unfortunately due to one of her casual hookup interactions…briefly (it was an ass grab right before she was considered off property) on school grounds, she gets fired. Honestly? The principal is an ass and pretty much states she’s promiscuous, I mean…maybe she is, but she’s overall kept her home life separate from her work life. Smells like a lawsuit to me.

Desperate for cash due to having no money for rent, she turns to month-long sleep study…next to enter the villa…ex-friend/fling, Xander Miller. The only guy she’s ever contemplated saying the L word to. In order to stay in the study, they have to act as a couple. Cue the one-bed trope and the slow burny goodness. This book was definitely sex-positive and the banter between Ash and Sawyer was great! My biggest issue with the book was that it felt rushed and short, it was a really cute concept but I needed a bit more.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press.
3.5 stars!

[Jensen Senson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good. The ending in particular. It definitely dragged at moments but I think many of us will resonate with the fear of truly giving ourselves to someone. Even when they’ve done everything to earn the trust, love always comes with a level of uncertainty and fear. I think this was so well written to portray that. I loved how the author wrapped this story up. Also loved the different take on a one bed and forces proximity trope! Loved it so much! Definitely recommend!

[Brigettha]

Thank you so much for giving me a chance to arc review this book. Unfortunately this has become my first dnf of 2026. I really tried to get into this story but just couldn’t seem to 😞 it wasn’t a book for me, but it’s a book for another reader

[Jen Friemann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway! It had me laughing in certain parts of the book. It’s a good read!

[Brooke Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

They deserve jail time for comparing this to Paradise Problem and Love Hypothesis

[Tia · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5

[Tilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A library browsing pickup and it was exactly as I’d imagined, although better than I feared. The premise is that they have to share a bed for a month (for a paid sleep study) and pretend to be a couple. Obvs they should just get together on day one but I thought her commitment phobia (from her parents divorce) gave a good barrier to that.

[Julie Mertus · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

When Ashleigh loses her job and signs up for a sleep study, she runs into the one man who tempted her to break her no-dating rule: Xander Miller. To qualify for the study, they must pretend to be a couple and share a bed for weeks. What could go wrong? This steamy debut contemporary romance blends humor, tension, and the classic "only one bed" trope.

For me, this book had all of the vibes of the movie "No Sleep 'Til Christmas" - with a bit more spice. I loved the banter of Ashleigh and Xander - and the "shared bed" and "second chance romance" trope combo. It progressed pretty much as expected, giving me the ending I wanted; however, getting there felt a little rushed in the last 10%.

Also - I found the FMC to be immature (at one part - I was really pissed, to be honest. I'll leave the details vague intentionally as to not spoil anything but - IYKYK!) Xander honestly deserved better.

That being said, I did overall enjoy the book and found the general storyline to be unique, compared with anything else I have read.

Thank you to Elizabeth McKenzie, Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jess Reads2Much · Rating 1 out of 5]

Besides the FMC being terribly unlikeable she throws out lines like "I changes my ringtone to a song like a geriatric millenial" and I'm like bish anyways

[monica ✨ romantasyreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spice spice babyyyyy

Forced proximity will never not be delicious. Add in a forbidden aspect and former crushes? I was locked in.

Xander was kinda mysterious and I wish we got a bit more from him. Ashleigh was kinda forgettable to me. Basically her whole personality was lusting over Xander and being pissed at her dad.

It was a super quick read and maybe a good palate cleanser for some. I just wanted a bit more