One Bed

by Joss Wood

'Bea’s snark and Gibson’s charm made for some delicious banter, and the chemistry between them crackles like the Santorini sunsets. You can feel the heat in every glance and every argument'

Rising star author Bea Williams needs a vacation.

And her godmother’s snug Greek island retreat is the perfect place to use as an escape from her writer’s block.

Until she finds she’s going to have to share her idyllic one bed cottage with him – Gibson Caddell, one time childhood friend and a great big, drop-dead-gorgeous red flag.

As the sun sets on Santorini, Bea’s thoughts soon turn to something much more pressing – there’s two of them. And only one bed…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Forced Proximity, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Chick Lit, Slow Burn

Audible Audio

Published December 31, 2024

About the author

Joss Wood loves books and travelling— especially to the wild places of Southern Africa and, well, anywhere.

She’s a wife, a mom to two teenagers, and is bossed around by two cats and a Great Dane X the size of a baby cow. After a career in local economic development, she now writes full time.


Be sure to follow Joss on BookBub for the latest on my releases https://www.bookbub.com/profile/joss-...

Reviews

[Clace · Rating 2 out of 5]

It delivered on the one bad aspect but it was still overall so 🫳🏻🫴🏻 like I didn't really feel their chemistry it was more physical and I wanted more. There was definitely insta love present. I did have fun at times and I enjoyed it so I wouldn't say it was completely bad but it was boring at time and I wanted to skim. I'd say that it serves as a perfect palette cleanser when needed. The characters share a good banter so that was easy to read as well but everything that was happening felt way too rushed and honestly it wasn't grabbing my attention like I wanted it too 😔 so that was a bummer. The spice was okay as well. It's wasn't bad but I feel like with a couple more chapters and with attention to the detail this book could've been way better. I see the potential in this one and to be honest I may come back and read it when I need a palette cleanser it may increase my rating as well. It wasn't bad.
___
I am not even joking- I just saw the title and requested it so hopefully it'll be good.

*Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK and one more chapter for giving me and arc of this book!!*

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Bea is an author of a sort of Percy Jackson like book who uses a pseudonym to keep her identity hidden. Gib is the CEO of a company that represents authors among other businessy things that they do. They are opposites, Bea is shy and Gib is outgoing. Bea has indoor cat energy while Gib is an outdoor Golden Retriever. When Bea is planning her godmother's retirement party in Greece and Gib is staying at the same cottage that she is supposed to be staying at they have to share one bed.

This book is incredibly entertaining. While it is not literature by any means, it kept me fully engaged until I finished the whole thing in one sitting. My favorite part was the godmother, she was absolutely bananas, I loved her. I deducted a star and a quarter because the conflict was absolutely minimal and it didn't feel like there were any stakes at any point. He also kept negging her in his head which I didn't like and I will never give a "she falls first" book five stars. Overall though I thought it was a fun quick read that I would definitely recommend.

Tropes: she falls first, one bed, CEO romance, millionaire romance

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter, and Joss Wood for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[bookishy · Rating 2 out of 5]

One Bed was fun, but nothing special. Gib was annoying the hell out of me with his trying to get Bea to open up and then telling her it's just a fling when she asked him a simple question. And Bea was such a pushover - I avoid conflicts as best as I can, but Bea took that to another level. And I can't believe she was willing to be just a fling for Gib when he comes to London, when he literally didn't budge an itch. Also, Golly is so ridiculous and self-centred (I mean she also hilarious, but she sounded exhausting). The setting was nice, but the descriptions were too long sometimes - I really don't need a detailed description every time Gib drinks water. And there was one scene where Bea was having a breakdown because her editor didn't like her book, and Gib's only thought was that she won't sleep with him? Outrageous.

It was a quick read, that's for sure. And spicy scenes were well-written, but the relationship and the repetition of the characters' thoughts annoyed me so much. It's a shame, because this sounded so good.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

[thatbeccagirl_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the definition of a cozy, low-stakes rom-com.

Bea, the introverted author of a Percy-Jackson-esque series, ends up sharing a Santorini cottage (and one bed, duh) with Gib, her outgoing, CEO-golden-retriever energy childhood friend. Add in a chaotic godmother, Golly—an absolute scene-stealer—and you’ve got a fun, escapist read.

The setting? Stunning. The godmother? Unhinged perfection. The chemistry? Super cute

Still, this was such a breezy, adorable read—perfect for fans of the “one bed” trope.

I received an advance review copy from netgalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lively rom-com, a writer reconnects with a Chris Hemsworth type man who she knew as a child and sparks fly. It's actually quite an adorable book , with her outrageous Godmother Golly, and the beautiful setting and the "only one bed" trope. I didn't really love the male main character Gib, who came off as a bit arrogant at times, and Bea was sweet but kept looking back at a past relationship that went wrong.
There is nothing wrong with the writing, and overall this book has loads to offer romance readers, it just fell a little bit flat for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Barbara Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute read with oodles and oodles of steam. So if you like it hot and you like the one bed trope, this book is for you!
Bea is a successful YA writer with a mother who is an influencer and so Bea writes under a pseudonym so no one will connect her to her mom. She goes to her Godmothers place in Greece to get to work on her next book only to find out that her Godmother has also offered the place to Gib, a Chris Hemsworth type successful man, who she met as a kid and to ensure that they get together Golly has also taken out the spare bed so they have no choice but to cohabit if they want to stay
It was entertaining and enjoyable and Golly was so fun and OTT and I could have read in one sitting if id had the time. I didn't love the third act miscommunication trope that always comes with these types of stories, but it's resolved in a satisfying way
If you like one bed, she falls first, millionaires romance, beautiful scenery youll enjoy this one.
Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

[Lotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book follows Bea and Gib. Bea is an author writing under a pseudonym struggling to write her next book and is in desperate need of an escape. Gib is a big-time businessman who needs to get away and hopes to relive his favourite childhood vacation.

As the title already insinuates, the two are forced to share a bed in the only cottage available to them and a romance develops from there.

All this sounded right up my street but unfortunately, the writing just didn't do it for me. The story took ages to get going and I honestly felt no chemistry between Bea and Gib. There was also a lot of telling instead of showing going on. Both Bea and Gib tell us a lot about themselves and their surroundings but it just feels like an info-dump.

I felt like some of the plot points weren't sufficiently expanded upon:

1. The whole bit about Pip being based on Gib was glossed over. Nowhere did Gib clock the similarities and discuss this with Bea. The fact that Bea mentions it constantly would imply that it is an important plot point but it just never gets wrapped up properly.

2. The fact that Bea writes under a pseudonym seemed very important and I assumed this would be the main driver of the story. But it gets put on a back-burner until we almost reach the end of the book and it gets solved way too quickly.

3. What was up with the Gerry guy? The man felt so one-dimensional and had zero redeeming qualities, the same goes for Bea's mother. And Gib's mother to be honest. They didn't feel layered and seemed to function exclusively as backstory for our main characters' trauma.

Personally, I feel like the book had great promise but it was trying to do too much at once. Most of the characters feel one-dimensional, too many plotlines aren't properly explored, dialogue sometimes feels cringy and unnatural. I think a lot could've been solved by only including one POV instead of two. Right now it feels like both main characters are only half developed.

Overall, I wanted more from this book. It has potential but if I'm honest, I would have DNF'd this if I hadn't received this for review.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bestselling romance author Bea Williams escapes to a charming Greek island to cure her writer’s block—only to discover she has to share her cozy one-bed cottage with Gibson Caddell, her once childhood friend turned grown-up heartthrob (and major red flag).
Now stuck together under the Santorini sun, tension simmers, sparks fly, and there’s just one small problem… only one bed.

I honestly think giving this book 3 stars might even be too generous. I probably had high expectations—it seemed like the perfect beach read. And while it did have some elements that fit that vibe, it just didn’t work for me at all. I felt like I had to force myself to finish it.
I didn’t connect with the characters. Bea seemed somewhat reasonable and easy to relate to, but in some parts, her reactions felt overly dramatic. And Gib? He really didn’t work for me. He expected too much from Bea while offering almost nothing in return. Everything bothered him, and it was all just “a fling”? I couldn’t make sense of him.
The one saving grace was Golly, an amazing side character—fun, quirky, and interesting.
Overall, the story was predictable, chapters were quite long, and the writing style felt a bit odd at first—but I eventually got used to it. If you’re looking for something light, easy, and predictable to relax with (without needing to think too hard or expect deep development), this book might still be a good fit for you.

*Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, Joss Wood, for providing me with this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.*

[Cait · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've typed--and retyped--the first sentence for this review about 4 different times, and none of them quite capture the tone and real feeling I had about One Bed. They're either too harsh, making it seem as though this was a trainwreck of a book (which it isn't) or it's too blandly nice, which also isn't my style. So in the end, all I can say is One Bed is....fine, but it really isn't the writing I had hoped to read.

One of the first things writers get beaten into them is "show don't tell," but, more or less all the writing in this book IS tell. From chapter 1 on, it's just information after information being told to us readers. No mystery, no character layers to peel back. Just "this character is traumatized from X so they do X." And I thought to myself, "maybe this is the erotica genre" (since the book is tagged on NetGalley as such), but then, I get to the sex and it's not interesting sex writing. I've read hotter, more explicit sex in just regular "open door" romances, so the erotica tag feels very un-earned.

And maybe all this would have been forgivable if the characters were interesting. But no, both of them just use their traumas as excuses not to be adults about situations until the last 20% of the book or so. And don't even get me started on the side characters. Most of them could be replaced with cardboard cutouts, and Golly, Bea's godmother is supposed to be this quirky dynamo we fall in love with, but frankly, I found her immature and annoying. I could not WAIT for her to get out of each scene.

Yet, I read the whole book. So. Take from that what you will. At least the descriptions of Santorini's sunsets were nice.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hot romance that takes place on a scenic island Greek island! Bea has arrived on the island of Santorini to help her godmother, Golly, celebrate her 70th birthday. Bea is an author who also plans to spend a good chunk of time writing her next book. All of her carefully laid plans are sabotaged when she meets Gib, who just happens to be staying in Bea's cottage, thanks to Golly, and there is only one bed. There is the appropriate amount of not getting along and complaining and trying to sleep elsewhere but then dang it if they both aren't absolutely perfect for each other and sparks fly! Yes, it is all eye-rollingly predictable, but I really enjoyed it. The Greek retreat, the good food, the good company, lots of good sex! And while they were each unrealistically perfect for each other, I did find both Bea and Gib to be realistically flawed. Especially Bea, as her insecurities really resonated with me. Turns out Gib's mother was a psychologist and bless his heart if he didn't know how to call Bea out on her insecurities and really ground her. I tell you, if this isn't the absolute perfect fantasy of a man.... oh wait, Gib is flawed too! I really like this, because while the premise is absolutely unrealistic, the characters are people you could already know in your daily life and I really appreciate that. Sign me up for their next trip to Greece, please! Bea and Gib's hot story was a nice escape from my own current cold, winter reality.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the DRC in exchange for my honest review.

[Danni The Girl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be a fun chicken flick book with a bit of sauce. It turned out to be a predictable cringe fest with laughable dialogue.

Golly is Beas godmother who is hosting a party in Santorini and Bea is helping to organise it. Bea always stays in the guest house, but Golly has also rented it out to a friend called Gib. Oh no! And there's only one Bed and nowhere else anywhere for one of them to stay.

So it takes Bea until three quarters of the way through to click that Golly set them up. Really?! Considering how close Bea is to her godmother I thought that would have been pretty obvious.
So Bea and Gib have been set up and once them two are getting it on it's just so cringey to read. Bea is so naive and inexperienced I found myself just laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. The dialogue between them both is awful, one minute they are in love and next it's just a fling. It's just all really silly and naive and doesn't suck me into a world of a romantic exciting holiday. The setting was believable in the beginning but quickly fell apart and they could have been anywhere.

It just wasn't great.

Thanks Netgally and Harper Collins for my copy in return for an honest review.

[er · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley, One More Chapter and Joss Wood for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review purposes!

Either 2.5 or 3 ⭐
One Bed is the story of Bea, a bestselling author that finds herself at a crossroad and has to take one of the biggest decisions of her life, and Gibson, a closed-off CEO that desperately needs a holiday. The two end up having to share a living space thanks to Golly, Bea’s godmother/grandmother/literary agent, who promised the cottage to both of them.
As you can probably guess from the title, the one bed trope plays a huge role in the development of this story.

The story was entertaining but there wasn’t anything that caught my attention and made me excited to keep reading and figure out what was going to happen next. Despite the long chapters that initially made it a tad difficult to get into the story, I wasn’t bored or anything. I just didn’t really care.

[Jenna La Bollita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this arc!

Bea is a shy and insecure author, writing a bestselling series under a pseudonym. When her godmother, who she is forever grateful for AND who also doubles as her literary agent, invites her to stay in Greece with her, she jumps at the chance.
Gibson "Gib" is a rigid CEO who is known for being all work and no play, and eventually decides to take a Greek vacation. Gib and Bea change each other lives during this trip.

Overall, I enjoyed the story for the most part. Getting to vicariously be in Santorini was awesome, and I want to be Golly when I grow up. Gib and Bea's storyline was interesting, but lacked tension/edge in my opinion. It felt like a rock skipping over a pond - there was some depth and conflict, but it was resolved pretty quickly and the plot felt a little rushed. Overall, still a decent read!!

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m honestly not even sure where to begin or why I stuck with this book until the end. Aside from the annoying nicknames (Bea-Darling and Bea-baby 🤢), the immature and attention seeking godmother, there was absolutely no fleshing out of what the story was actually supposed to be. The main female character and the main male character fall in love? Ok. WHY? I’ll never know because this is something that was never really addressed in the book. The female main character is an author writing under a pen name yet sits down only once to my recollection to do her actual job. So much more that could be said but I’ll simply end with: Skip this one and don’t waste your time like I did.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Bed starts slowly, with a focus on setting the stage and peeling back the layers of Bea and Gibson’s personalities. Their dynamic builds gradually, and the chemistry between them evolved slowly - That can be a good thing but in this case also felt a little slow to get into a relatively long romance book overall.

However, the characters’ growth and the progression of their relationship seemed relatable but just felt repetitive at times. Bea’s sharp humor and Gibson’s guarded demeanor created a nice balance of personalities though.

[moonx · Rating 4 out of 5]

As female main character began to grow and develop she became more compelling as she began to reveal more of herself to the MMC. I love great character development
The side characters in this book are so funny and well-developed! I have a good image of who these people are and am able to easily picture them.
Sometimes you just need a funny, light hearted romance and this serves that purpose wholeheartedly

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joss Wood is a new author for me, and her book hit the spot! This was a cute, homey read, that hit all the feels! The characters were very likable and had good character development. Things seemed a little too rushed at times with their connection, and there was a little too long narration, but I would definitely recommend this book for a lighthearted read! I will be reading Joss Wood back-log!

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

3.5 stars!

[Jule · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up wanting to read a light summer romance and „One Bed“ delivered. The plot wasn’t super entertaining, but I liked the characters and the setting. I had to get used to the writing style a little and thought the ending was rushed and the epilogue pretty much unnecessary. But I still enjoyed the read!
3.5 stars rounded down.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.7⭐️




La trama estuvo entretenida, pero el estilo de escritura no me gustó, por lo que no llegué a disfrutar del todo el libro.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Terri Worsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two weeks and a holiday fling that is so much more. Loved this story and getting to understand Bea and Gib’s hang ups about relationships.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really a 2.75. This was a fun, steamy romance. I liked it. Nothing super special, classic one-bed trope, characters with major emotional baggage learning to get over themselves. Points taken off for some major editorial errors: character names spelled differently on the same page, referring to someone’s outfit with two completely different descriptions (shirt/pants AND a dress in the same paragraph), other minor typos that were clearly part of plot edits that didn’t get smoothed out. These were all glaring and I cannot believe an editorial team didn’t catch them.

[Amanda Chaffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a cute read, I felt the story was a bit rushed, while not really giving a lot of info. I'm all for insta-love but I also prefer it to have more substance. The banter was fun and Golly was an amazing character!

[Steff Gwilliam-Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a bit slow to start with and found myself struggling to remember which character was which or build a vision of a character in my mind but I'm glad I stuck with it. It soon picked and I loved the different relationships between the characters.

I often have a few books on the go at the same time which is why I sometimes struggle with the plots but found once through the first few chapters, I easily fell back into the story each time I picked it up.

The main character Bea reconnects with the brooding Gib later in life having crossed paths as kids and both realise the other might have a few skeletons in their closets and in fact may not be the same people they thought they were from years ago. Coupled with Bea's outrageous godmother Golly to keep them on their toes, this is a light hearted easy rom-com.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book!

[Kenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this arc! The characters had amazing growth, but the story lacked a decent plot so it did fall a little bit. The one bed trope was done well, but I hated how the plot was centered fully around a side character who wasn't that good. As it is a summer book, I think I would have liked it better if I had read it in summer not winter

Tropes
- One Bed
- Forced Proximity

[Gwen|| Bookish Blondie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some charming moments, especially with the godmother, who added a refreshing spark to the story. She’s hands down the standout character, bringing humor and warmth to an otherwise pretty average read. However, Bea’s personality didn’t quite land – she often came across as immature and a bit too prickly, making it tough to root for her. The romance was a miss for me, too; Bea and Gibson’s dynamic didn’t have the spark you'd hope for, and his "Chris Hemsworth clone" vibes felt a tad forced and overdone. The writing itself is competent, but the story ultimately feels flat, lacking the depth or originality needed to truly stand out. It’s an easy read, but one that’s forgettable once the final page is turned.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the free e-book for a review.

[Bethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Bed
By Joss Wood
Chapter 2, Page 22

::|| Gib'd met Golly at the Ivy in London. He'd been keeping Navy company while he had been waiting for Golly to arrive for their lunch meeting. She wore an aqua sheath with an acid-yellow half jacket and biker boots and carried an unlit cigarillo. Her fingers ended in inch-long, vampire-red nails, her accent was Upper West Side arty. Her attitude was pure Brooklyn street fighter.
After a drink at the bar, a G&T that was heavy on the gin and light on the tonic, she demanded Gib join her and Navy for lunch. He agreed, and she reminded him they’d met before, when he and his dad had stayed at her villa when he was … what? Eleven? ||::

In this story we meet Bea, a writer who is in search of her voice when writers block strikes, causing her to create a hole in her life that can only be filled by one person. Golly, her eccentric, lovable rogue-diva godmother, who brought her up and taught her that having bad parents does not make you or define your character in any sort of way.
Although.. they could and did for a little while and her precarious situation was not helped by her ex boyfriend.. Bea was finally trying to heal.. But this weekend in her favourite Greek haunt, was about Golly and her blow-out party, nothing else mattered. Not even when she found a man .. in her bed.. quite literally. Soon she was falling down a rabbit hole that would force her into situations she had yet to face, hold a mirror up to her fears, stand her ground and allow her the time and energy to battle her insecurities, showing her just how strong she could be.
She had to be.
She needed to be.
And all because of him. Gib.
No. Golly.
Golly is the one she should be thinking about, right?

Meeting Bea for the first time, reminded me of when I was a shell of a person and tip-toed around people to make sure I wasn't making them feel anything but happiness, regardless of my own feelings. It made me realise that, maybe every girl at some point in their life goes through this stage and this book was the perfect sentiment to bring about such an awkward and sometimes painful time in our lives.
The glamorous Golly is someone we all need to prop us up and I wish I knew one! I could feel the string her meddling fingers were pulling, and pushing Bea and Gib together, also the love between them both radiated out of the book like a beacon.
And Gib the silent but damaged type, every girl looks for and tries to fix is heart-flutteringly perfect. Especially when he is describing in alarming details all the things he wants and does do to her!
What more could you want?
It's an uplifting and very spicy read!

Thank you so much to Joss Wood, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and relay my honest feedback.

[J. Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions and review.

In One Bed, thirty-year-old Bea finds herself on Santorini celebrating her godmother's retirement. It's a bittersweet celebration, as Golly is also Bea's literary agent and Bea isn't prepared to step out from behind her pseudonym "Parker Kane" in order to acquire a new agent. Also on the island is Gib, the young CEO who's married to his work due to a self-aware inability to process emotions beyond those at the most surface-level of consciousness. He'd visited Santorini as a child and had actually met Bea then - though the two of them barely remember this meeting, and what they do remember is that they didn't like each other at that time. Unfortunately for both, Golly announces that both of them have to share the cottage on the estate. A cottage with only one king-sized bed. Doubly unfortunate for Bea and Gib is that they both find each other incredibly attractive. As Golly's days-long party continues, the two grow closer to each other - that is until Gib's cousin, an up-and-coming literary agent who wants to sign Parker Kane, makes the connection and reveals he knows Bea is Parker.

This book was, unfortunately, just not for me. While it had the bones of something that could have been fun, there were too many possible plotlines that went unexplored. For one example, Golly mentions Lou, Bea's mother, will be attending the party and that Bea needs to get over her ghosts from the pain her mother's caused. However, this never happened. What was possibly a great tension and growth scene just... disappeared. I don't remember if Lou actually made an appearance, but if she did there definitely wasn't a confrontation. In addition, and probably more of a reason why my experience wasn't the best, is that I could not bring myself to connect with Gib, Bea, or Golly. I connected with Reena and the other background characters who had names, but the main characters were difficult. One final thing I'll say, as I don't like to write a treatise when I don't enjoy books, is that there were quite a few scenes where I was left feeling just really icky, for lack of a better term. Many of these feelings were because of what felt like internalized misogyny among the characters.

[Cobalt's Son · Rating 4 out of 5]

"‘You’ll have to kill me while I sleep because it’s the only way you’re going to get my body out of this cottage!’
‘There’s no need to be dramatic. I could always just pick you up, toss you out, and lock the door behind you.’
Ha! ‘The patio doors don’t have locks, and neither does the bathroom window,’ she retorted. ‘I’ll be back inside and in that big bed before your head hits the pillow.’
‘Are you that desperate to sleep with me?’"

"Marriages and partnerships made people realise the world did not spin for them alone, and not everything was about them. Sometimes, most times, compromise and patience were required. "

"One Bed" tells the story of Bea, a struggling writer who seeks inspiration in her godmother's Greek villa. Unexpectedly, she finds herself sharing a room with Gib, a former fling she hasn't seen in years. As old flames reignite, their passionate reunion is set against the backdrop of a sun-drenched Greek island.
This romantic comedy offers a delightful escape with its charming characters and sizzling chemistry. The "one bed" trope is handled with finesse, avoiding the clichés often associated with this premise. While the physical attraction between Bea and Gib is undeniable, I yearned for a deeper exploration of their emotional connection. The plot could have benefited from further delving into Bea's writer's block and the underlying reasons for her creative struggles.
Despite these minor quibbles, "One Bed" is a captivating read that captures the essence of a summer fling. The Greek setting is vividly described, adding a sense of escapism to the story. However, I couldn't help but wish for more character development, especially regarding the complexities of their past relationship. Overall, it's a quick and enjoyable read that leaves you wanting to know more about these intriguing characters

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc!


—2.5 rounded to 3—

I literally cannot get over how cute this was. Bea and Gibson (I totally can’t call him Gib I’m sorry! My brain goes right to Gibby from icarly and then I giggle uncontrollably) are childhood enemies turned adult forced-by-Golly-proximity-lovers!?!?!? I die. Excuse me while I find more third party interloper helping hand books. And my own Golly. Bea is in Greece to help get over writers block and to help her grand?-god mother plan a blowout retirement party. Gibson is in Greece to get back in touch with his roots where he was closest to his dad. Which means staying at Golly’s guest house. Beas room. And oh my GOODNESS I DOUBLE BOOKED YALL. see where I’m going?
Golly doesn’t know the word “stop” or “no” and sometimes that’s GREAT. Other times it was super annoying and she felt like a spoiled petulant rich lady-baby. Been there, seen that IRL, over it. If it weren’t for the smaller side characters and me liking the main characters so much I’d have skipped tbh with how bad golly was and the massive time leap at the end.
Bea has a BAD BAD habit of bringing up her ex. A lot. Like. A LOT A LOT and comparing Gibson to him. A LOT. with little to no backstory, history; clear reasoning and despite her claims “I’m over him! It was five years ago!” GIRL IF IT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO WHY DO YOU BRING HIM UP EVERY OTHER CHAPTER, and who tf goes celibate for five years IN THEIR PRIME DATING YEARS BY CHOICE BECAUSE OF A BREAKUP. PLEASE.
— But I’m glad I stuck around to watch them fall in love with now. This DOES HAVE MISCHIEVOUS CHARACTER ARCS AND THE MISCOMMUNICATION TROPE. both things I’m not too big a fan of. But if you are? Oh 1000000% best read of the year. But for me this is a safe bet for a good but not great.

[Marea McMahon · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

One Bed was such a fun and addictive read! From start to finish, I was hooked on Gib and Bea’s story, and I really enjoyed the balance between the romance, humor, and the moments of vulnerability that made the characters feel real. Gib I absolutely loved Gib. He’s funny, charming, and surprisingly tender under his confident, flirty exterior. I loved watching him navigate his feelings for Bea and how protective he could be without being overbearing. His personality really carried a lot of the book, and I found myself rooting for him constantly. Bea was fantastic. She’s smart, independent, and has such a strong personality that made her feel like a fully realized character. I loved seeing her interact with Gib—she kept him on his toes, and their banter was honestly some of my favorite parts of the book. There were moments where I wished she could have let herself be more vulnerable sooner, but that just made her growth throughout the story feel more satisfying. The plot was really entertaining and kept me turning pages. The “forced proximity” trope of sharing a bed could have been predictable, but the way Joss Wood handled it was so clever and engaging. There were plenty of twists and fun situations that made the story feel fresh, and I genuinely enjoyed seeing Gib and Bea work through misunderstandings, challenges, and moments of connection. Overall, One Bed was a really enjoyable read. It wasn’t my absolute favorite romance of the year, but Gib and Bea’s chemistry, combined with the fun plot, made it a strong four-star book. I definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a cute, flirty, and heartfelt romance.