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Skeptically In Love
If Love Had A Manual
After a family tragedy leaves Wes Turner as the unexpected guardian of his one-year-old niece, he’s drowning in responsibilities he never asked for. Running his auto shop is hard enough—raising a baby on his own? Impossible. Enter Lena a no-nonsense nanny with a soft heart and a past she keeps locked away.
From the moment she steps into his home, Lena brings order to the chaos, warmth to the cold walls, and a dangerous temptation Wes can’t afford to entertain. She’s supposed to be off-limits—his employee, his saving grace. But with every passing day, she becomes something more.
But Lena has rules. She has boundaries. Because falling for her boss? That’s a mistake she swore she’d never make. And when the lines between duty and desire blur beyond recognition, she has to ask Is she just the nanny… or something more?
From the moment she steps into his home, Lena brings order to the chaos, warmth to the cold walls, and a dangerous temptation Wes can’t afford to entertain. She’s supposed to be off-limits—his employee, his saving grace. But with every passing day, she becomes something more.
But Lena has rules. She has boundaries. Because falling for her boss? That’s a mistake she swore she’d never make. And when the lines between duty and desire blur beyond recognition, she has to ask Is she just the nanny… or something more?
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2025
About the author
Laura Ashley Gallagher
12 books335 followersLaura Ashley was born and raised in Ireland, where she spent a large part of her childhood and teenage years studying music. Drawn to people’s stories and a lifelong storyteller, she went on to study journalism. Laura Ashley specializes in crafting stories with heaps of romance and maybe even a few tears. When she is not writing, she is spending time and having fun with her husband and young son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
October 7, 2025
I have found my new go to for my fluffy romcom fix. This one was just as witty, cute, loveable and entertaining as the first book. Although I don’t think the connection was a strong as the last couple, I still loved them and their little family. What I didn’t expect was the unexpected emotional whiplash. One second I was giggling to myself then suddenly I was tearing up! Even in the sad moments it was still beautiful. Loved it.
August 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5, 🌶️🌶️.5
This was a very good read. Even though it’s book two in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. It’s definitely emotional since both main characters (Wes and Lena) deal with death of loved ones. The author handled grief so well. It didn’t have any annoying third act break up. I found the book slightly dragged in the middle but it was brief. Book one was very good too so I’m looking forward to reading book three in the series.
This was a very good read. Even though it’s book two in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. It’s definitely emotional since both main characters (Wes and Lena) deal with death of loved ones. The author handled grief so well. It didn’t have any annoying third act break up. I found the book slightly dragged in the middle but it was brief. Book one was very good too so I’m looking forward to reading book three in the series.
June 5, 2026
3.5/5
July 6, 2025
Everyone stop what you’re doing and go get your copy of If Love Had A Manual by Laura Ashley Gallagher!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re looking for a cute read this is it! A single nanny looking for a job not for love, a single grumpy mechanic also not looking for love, and a chaotic baby who will make you laugh and smile! This book had me in all of my feels. I was laughing, smiling, giggling, and crying. I don’t want to spoil anything but I absolutely loved Wes and Lena’s love story. I love how they each brought out the best in each other. How Lena helped Wes find love when he thought he was going to be miserable forever. When Lena, who puts everyone else first finally allowed herself happiness and love. I loved the relationship between Lena and her grandpa. It reminded me of my relationship with my grandma (Grammy). Everything about this book was just absolutely perfect. I’m so happy I got to be apart of the ARC team and so happy for Laura on another successful book!
Make sure you get your copy and enjoy this super cute read!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re looking for a cute read this is it! A single nanny looking for a job not for love, a single grumpy mechanic also not looking for love, and a chaotic baby who will make you laugh and smile! This book had me in all of my feels. I was laughing, smiling, giggling, and crying. I don’t want to spoil anything but I absolutely loved Wes and Lena’s love story. I love how they each brought out the best in each other. How Lena helped Wes find love when he thought he was going to be miserable forever. When Lena, who puts everyone else first finally allowed herself happiness and love. I loved the relationship between Lena and her grandpa. It reminded me of my relationship with my grandma (Grammy). Everything about this book was just absolutely perfect. I’m so happy I got to be apart of the ARC team and so happy for Laura on another successful book!
Make sure you get your copy and enjoy this super cute read!!
July 2, 2025
If Love Had A Manual by Laura Ashley Gallagher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, I cried, I felt everything. 💘😭😂
Some heavy topics are tackled, but they’re handled with such care and depth—it only made the story more powerful.
Lena is hilarious, delightfully sarcastic, and refuses to take crap from anyone. Wes is sweet, protective, and everything you want in a book boyfriend. But the real star? Rosie Posie. Absolute scene-stealer. 💕
I loved every moment of this read and can’t wait for book 3! Huge thanks to the author for the ARC.
⸻
If Love Had A Manual de Laura Ashley Gallagher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Ce livre m’a fait vivre toute la gamme des émotions. J’ai ri, j’ai pleuré, j’ai été touchée en plein cœur. 💘😭😂
Certains sujets sont lourds, mais ils sont amenés avec une grande justesse et beaucoup de sensibilité.
Lena est drôle, sarcastique à souhait et ne se laisse pas marcher sur les pieds. Wes est attachant, protecteur… le book boyfriend parfait. Mais ma préférée ? Rosie Posie, sans l’ombre d’un doute. 💕
J’ai adoré ma lecture du début à la fin et j’ai tellement hâte de lire le tome 3. Un immense merci à l’autrice pour la copie ARC !
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, I cried, I felt everything. 💘😭😂
Some heavy topics are tackled, but they’re handled with such care and depth—it only made the story more powerful.
Lena is hilarious, delightfully sarcastic, and refuses to take crap from anyone. Wes is sweet, protective, and everything you want in a book boyfriend. But the real star? Rosie Posie. Absolute scene-stealer. 💕
I loved every moment of this read and can’t wait for book 3! Huge thanks to the author for the ARC.
⸻
If Love Had A Manual de Laura Ashley Gallagher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Ce livre m’a fait vivre toute la gamme des émotions. J’ai ri, j’ai pleuré, j’ai été touchée en plein cœur. 💘😭😂
Certains sujets sont lourds, mais ils sont amenés avec une grande justesse et beaucoup de sensibilité.
Lena est drôle, sarcastique à souhait et ne se laisse pas marcher sur les pieds. Wes est attachant, protecteur… le book boyfriend parfait. Mais ma préférée ? Rosie Posie, sans l’ombre d’un doute. 💕
J’ai adoré ma lecture du début à la fin et j’ai tellement hâte de lire le tome 3. Un immense merci à l’autrice pour la copie ARC !
June 23, 2025
⭐ Rating: 5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 1.5
💘 Tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine, Slow Burn, Single Guardian, Nanny Romance
🌈 Vibes: Childcare, Grief, Healing
Have I been staying up till 2AM reading this book for the past few nights?
Absolutely.
Did I reach page 253 and cry my heart out at 2AM?
Also yes. Very much yes.
Laura Ashley Gallagher is a new-to-me author this year, and I was beyond thrilled to be selected as part of her ARC team for Book 2 in the Skeptically in Love series — and wow, what an emotional ride this was.
THIS BOOK.
The dynamic between Lena and Rosie completely melted my heart. From their very first interaction, I was hooked. Wes? He never stood a chance. Lena and Rosie had him wrapped around their fingers from the start, and watching that trio bond was everything.
I’ll admit, I wondered early on if the pacing might be a bit slow — but it turns out that slow burn was chef’s kiss. Wes starts off guarded and gruff, but the way he slowly unravels for Lena is beautiful. Their relationship builds on mutual respect, emotional vulnerability, and an undercurrent of unspoken longing that had me turning pages like my life depended on it.
This story also dives into grief and how it shapes who we are and how we love. There were scenes that hit hard — honest, raw, and painfully real. I full-on ugly cried at least twice (thanks, Laura 💔😭).
If you love character-driven romance with heart, depth, and healing — this is your next read.
Mark your calendars — publishing July 3rd!
🌶️ Spice Level: 1.5
💘 Tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine, Slow Burn, Single Guardian, Nanny Romance
🌈 Vibes: Childcare, Grief, Healing
Have I been staying up till 2AM reading this book for the past few nights?
Absolutely.
Did I reach page 253 and cry my heart out at 2AM?
Also yes. Very much yes.
Laura Ashley Gallagher is a new-to-me author this year, and I was beyond thrilled to be selected as part of her ARC team for Book 2 in the Skeptically in Love series — and wow, what an emotional ride this was.
THIS BOOK.
The dynamic between Lena and Rosie completely melted my heart. From their very first interaction, I was hooked. Wes? He never stood a chance. Lena and Rosie had him wrapped around their fingers from the start, and watching that trio bond was everything.
I’ll admit, I wondered early on if the pacing might be a bit slow — but it turns out that slow burn was chef’s kiss. Wes starts off guarded and gruff, but the way he slowly unravels for Lena is beautiful. Their relationship builds on mutual respect, emotional vulnerability, and an undercurrent of unspoken longing that had me turning pages like my life depended on it.
This story also dives into grief and how it shapes who we are and how we love. There were scenes that hit hard — honest, raw, and painfully real. I full-on ugly cried at least twice (thanks, Laura 💔😭).
If you love character-driven romance with heart, depth, and healing — this is your next read.
Mark your calendars — publishing July 3rd!
April 7, 2026
I think the nanny trope really bothered me, and I felt like aspects of their relationship lacked depth
October 7, 2025
This is a nanny story, but the banter and chemistry between Lena and Wes is really good. Things are slow, romantically, but once things get going...wow. You know that intensity of a new "physical" relationship? The author captures that feeling perfectly, without encroaching into cringe. I didn't have to skim any pages!
The baby, Rosie, is a little star and it was fun to read about her wacky shenanigans, plus it was nice to read about a man who cares about being a father at risk to his own personal happiness. I feel like that's such a rare occurrence in real life. But, yeah, this was another great story by Laura Ashley Gallagher.
The baby, Rosie, is a little star and it was fun to read about her wacky shenanigans, plus it was nice to read about a man who cares about being a father at risk to his own personal happiness. I feel like that's such a rare occurrence in real life. But, yeah, this was another great story by Laura Ashley Gallagher.
July 10, 2025
First, this book tugged on my heartstrings. I cried throughout the book but that's because I loved the characters. Lena and Wes were wonderful. The banter, the slow burn, and their relationship were perfection. I loved Rosie, Wes' niece, as well as Grandpa. Ugh, it really was a wonderful cast of characters. If you have a heart, you will cry at this one, but I couldn't put it down.
July 13, 2025
5* simply because this ruined me slay. I love a found family romance and the single dad nanny trope was pretty exceptional. Ugh
January 18, 2026
Solid 4* read. I liked that it was a slow burn, friendship established before romance.
My fault for skipping the trigger warning it does deal with grief and family loss, which I wasn’t quite expecting.
Enjoyable romance read.
My fault for skipping the trigger warning it does deal with grief and family loss, which I wasn’t quite expecting.
Enjoyable romance read.
April 1, 2026
Grief with Grace
I appreciated the content warning about dealing with grief cause this still smacked me right in the face. This is a trope I’m much more interested in, and it was knocked out of the park. Sweet and spicy, I loved the tension and the banter.
I appreciated the content warning about dealing with grief cause this still smacked me right in the face. This is a trope I’m much more interested in, and it was knocked out of the park. Sweet and spicy, I loved the tension and the banter.
June 30, 2025
If Love Had a Manual
by Laura Ashley Gallagher
Publication date: 3 July 2025
“He needs a nanny she needs a job.”
“We find love in mysterious ways”
Thank you @lauraashleygallagher I’m so grateful to have received an eARC of If Love Had a Manual.
Synopsis
After a family tragedy leaves Wes Turner as the unexpected guardian of his one-year-old niece, he’s drowning in responsibilities he never asked for. Running his auto shop is hard enough—raising a baby on his own? Impossible. Enter Lena Carter: a no-nonsense nanny with a soft heart and a past she keeps locked away.
From the moment she steps into his home, Lena brings order to the chaos, warmth to the cold walls, and a dangerous temptation Wes can’t afford to entertain. She’s supposed to be off-limits—his employee, his saving grace. But with every passing day, she becomes something more.
But Lena has rules. She has boundaries. Because falling for her boss? That’s a mistake she swore she’d never make. And when the lines between duty and desire blur beyond recognition, she has to ask herself: Is she just the nanny… or something more?
Did I enjoy this?
Absolutely it was such a beautiful story. I found myself crying with tears of happiness one minute followed by tears of sadness.
What starts as an employer ,employee relationship, soon becomes much more . It’s as though their stars were aligned. Lena was meant to apply for that job and Wes was meant to choose her .
The chemistry between Wes and Lena is immediate but not rushed. Their relationship has emotional depth, allowing space for tension, healing, and slow-burn attraction.
Wes and Lena's relationship is beautifully developed throughout the story. The love they share for Rosie is what gets them both through.
As the story develops you can feel the sexual tension between Wes and Lena and you’re just wanting one of them to make the first move . But their relationship becomes so much more . What’s starts as a contract and forbidden love soon becomes a beautiful love story of 2 people who deserve happiness and to be together .
It just shows that sometimes you love can find love in mysterious ways . As the title says “If Love had a Manual” wouldn’t life be so much easier . But it doesn’t it’s upto us to find our way.
Would I recommend it ?
Definitely after reading her last book The Plus One Contract I couldn’t wait to read more by this author. I love her style of writing. She is a wonderful storyteller and her attention to detail with each of the characters meant I felt like I was right there in the story with them . Sometimes you just need a romance novel to curl up with.
it was one of the those books that I could not put down and it gave me a lovely warm feeling inside . Perfect summer rom com. But be warned this story contains themes of grief, loss of loved ones and trauma related to sudden loss. You’ll definitely need the tissues on standby.
#nannyromance
#foundlove
#grief
#forbiddenlove
#abeautifullovestory
by Laura Ashley Gallagher
Publication date: 3 July 2025
“He needs a nanny she needs a job.”
“We find love in mysterious ways”
Thank you @lauraashleygallagher I’m so grateful to have received an eARC of If Love Had a Manual.
Synopsis
After a family tragedy leaves Wes Turner as the unexpected guardian of his one-year-old niece, he’s drowning in responsibilities he never asked for. Running his auto shop is hard enough—raising a baby on his own? Impossible. Enter Lena Carter: a no-nonsense nanny with a soft heart and a past she keeps locked away.
From the moment she steps into his home, Lena brings order to the chaos, warmth to the cold walls, and a dangerous temptation Wes can’t afford to entertain. She’s supposed to be off-limits—his employee, his saving grace. But with every passing day, she becomes something more.
But Lena has rules. She has boundaries. Because falling for her boss? That’s a mistake she swore she’d never make. And when the lines between duty and desire blur beyond recognition, she has to ask herself: Is she just the nanny… or something more?
Did I enjoy this?
Absolutely it was such a beautiful story. I found myself crying with tears of happiness one minute followed by tears of sadness.
What starts as an employer ,employee relationship, soon becomes much more . It’s as though their stars were aligned. Lena was meant to apply for that job and Wes was meant to choose her .
The chemistry between Wes and Lena is immediate but not rushed. Their relationship has emotional depth, allowing space for tension, healing, and slow-burn attraction.
Wes and Lena's relationship is beautifully developed throughout the story. The love they share for Rosie is what gets them both through.
As the story develops you can feel the sexual tension between Wes and Lena and you’re just wanting one of them to make the first move . But their relationship becomes so much more . What’s starts as a contract and forbidden love soon becomes a beautiful love story of 2 people who deserve happiness and to be together .
It just shows that sometimes you love can find love in mysterious ways . As the title says “If Love had a Manual” wouldn’t life be so much easier . But it doesn’t it’s upto us to find our way.
Would I recommend it ?
Definitely after reading her last book The Plus One Contract I couldn’t wait to read more by this author. I love her style of writing. She is a wonderful storyteller and her attention to detail with each of the characters meant I felt like I was right there in the story with them . Sometimes you just need a romance novel to curl up with.
it was one of the those books that I could not put down and it gave me a lovely warm feeling inside . Perfect summer rom com. But be warned this story contains themes of grief, loss of loved ones and trauma related to sudden loss. You’ll definitely need the tissues on standby.
#nannyromance
#foundlove
#grief
#forbiddenlove
#abeautifullovestory
August 22, 2025
3.5 ⭐
October 27, 2025
Cuuuuute
November 26, 2025
Single “dad” (uncle turned guardian) ✅
Nanny turned mother ✅
Cutie baby ✅
Not much of a plot besides baby raising and the clear romance development that comes from being a full time nanny
Nanny turned mother ✅
Cutie baby ✅
Not much of a plot besides baby raising and the clear romance development that comes from being a full time nanny
December 1, 2025
This was so cute. 3.75 ⭐️
July 10, 2026
The way I am loving this series ❤️
Apparently an emotional rom-com is my jam…cracking up one minute and just sobbing the next.
Apparently an emotional rom-com is my jam…cracking up one minute and just sobbing the next.
June 27, 2025
“Rosie’s safe. Lena’s here. The house feels…full. Settled.It won’t last. I know that.But for now, this feels like something close to perfect.”
Excerpt From
If Love Had A Manual
Laura Ashley Gallagher
Received this book as an ARC from the author & i was delighted to read and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Another feel good, slow developing love story from the Skeptically In Love Series - Wes the main male character is left the guardian of his niece, an adorable little girl called Rosie, and in steps Lena as her nanny-
Amidst chaos, running a business, both dealing with emotional baggage and trying to keep the lines from blurring, feelings develop - blending into an emotional, unpredictable and enjoyable tale. It also weaves together the friendships of Wes, Nathan and Julian , that we met in “The Plus One Contract”, and gives us a better insight into all their lives. This is a book to lose yourself in with a coffee ( or whatever drink takes your fancy) and devour it in one sitting! #summer2025
Excerpt From
If Love Had A Manual
Laura Ashley Gallagher
Received this book as an ARC from the author & i was delighted to read and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Another feel good, slow developing love story from the Skeptically In Love Series - Wes the main male character is left the guardian of his niece, an adorable little girl called Rosie, and in steps Lena as her nanny-
Amidst chaos, running a business, both dealing with emotional baggage and trying to keep the lines from blurring, feelings develop - blending into an emotional, unpredictable and enjoyable tale. It also weaves together the friendships of Wes, Nathan and Julian , that we met in “The Plus One Contract”, and gives us a better insight into all their lives. This is a book to lose yourself in with a coffee ( or whatever drink takes your fancy) and devour it in one sitting! #summer2025
June 30, 2025
I received an eARC copy for my honest review. This book was a beautiful journey, I loved every second of it! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book this fast!
Wes and Lena’s relationship develops at the perfect pace and grows beautifully. Wes is a guarded guy, which makes sense with everything he has had to deal with, but has a soft spot for Rosie and Lena. He becomes Rosie’s guardian after his sister and brother-in-law unexpectedly pass away. Lena is a bubbly nanny who abruptly changes Wes’s life for the better. Lena applies for the job to be Rosie’s nanny but she never expected that this would be so much more significant in her life than just another job.
This book dives into grief with a few losses and some raw moments. While reading this book I was experiencing exactly the same loss Lena was going through, at first I didn’t know if I could handle reading that part, but I thought to myself that this book was sent to me for a reason. It truly helped me in those first few tough moments and was so relatable.
This book is 5 stars all around, between the tropes, vibes and spice level. I can’t recommend this book enough! It comes out on July 3rd so mark your calendars!
Wes and Lena’s relationship develops at the perfect pace and grows beautifully. Wes is a guarded guy, which makes sense with everything he has had to deal with, but has a soft spot for Rosie and Lena. He becomes Rosie’s guardian after his sister and brother-in-law unexpectedly pass away. Lena is a bubbly nanny who abruptly changes Wes’s life for the better. Lena applies for the job to be Rosie’s nanny but she never expected that this would be so much more significant in her life than just another job.
This book dives into grief with a few losses and some raw moments. While reading this book I was experiencing exactly the same loss Lena was going through, at first I didn’t know if I could handle reading that part, but I thought to myself that this book was sent to me for a reason. It truly helped me in those first few tough moments and was so relatable.
This book is 5 stars all around, between the tropes, vibes and spice level. I can’t recommend this book enough! It comes out on July 3rd so mark your calendars!
June 30, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of If Love had a Manual and I really enjoyed it. I’ve not read any books Laura Ashley Gallagher before but I definitely will again.
If Love had a Manual is book 2 in the ‘Skeptically in Love series’. It’s a nanny x single ‘dad’(uncle) story, with love, laughs and a very cute toddler, Rosie.
Lena and Wes have chemistry from the get go and their flirty banter is 10/10. There are some excellent side characters, Grandpa! It’s overall a lovely story, with some emotional parts but a well deserved HEA.
Would recommend to anyone who likes Elsie Sliver, Meghan Quinn, that kind of vibes.
4/5 ⭐️
2/5🌶️
If Love had a Manual is book 2 in the ‘Skeptically in Love series’. It’s a nanny x single ‘dad’(uncle) story, with love, laughs and a very cute toddler, Rosie.
Lena and Wes have chemistry from the get go and their flirty banter is 10/10. There are some excellent side characters, Grandpa! It’s overall a lovely story, with some emotional parts but a well deserved HEA.
Would recommend to anyone who likes Elsie Sliver, Meghan Quinn, that kind of vibes.
4/5 ⭐️
2/5🌶️
June 14, 2025
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice : 🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes : Grumpy x Sunshine, Slow burn, Single guardian, Nanny romance.
Vibes : Childcare, Rom-com, Grief, Healing.
Did I receive this book at 11:30pm on a Wednesday? Yes.
Did I get fully sucked in and stay up until 4am the following morning to finish it? Also yes.
Laura Ashley Gallagher is officially on my auto-buy list! She has such a fun, upbeat way of writing, whilst still managing to tackle some really deep, emotional topics in a gritty and respectful way. She's not afraid to break your heart, but don't worry, she'll carefully piece it back together again by the final page.❤️
I loved the dynamic between Lena and Rosie. There's so many adorably sweet moments between them, and of course lots of hilarious chaos that comes with parenting a toddler. Wes never stood a chance, they both have him completely wrapped around their little fingers and they know it! 🤭
Wes starts out gruff and guarded, but watching him slowly soften up and open his heart to Lena was pure perfection. 👏 Their relationship is a very slow burning one, full of mutual respect and so much internal conflict. They're both terrified to risk the stability that Rosie needs in her early childhood, but resisting each other quickly becomes impossible!
This book also explores grief and how it impacts our mental health and relationships with others. There's a couple of scenes that had me full on ugly crying because of how deeply real they felt. The way Lena and Wes support each other through the tough times makes their connection feel that much stronger. They're there for each other, rain or shine, and really show up when it's matters the most.
Highly recommend if you love a rom-com with a lot of heart, strong and memorable characters, and a whole lot of feelings!❤️
If you're more sensitive to themes of grief, just be aware that this story does get quite raw at times.
Thank you so much for the ARC! I'm loving this series and cannot wait for book 3!! 😍
Spice : 🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes : Grumpy x Sunshine, Slow burn, Single guardian, Nanny romance.
Vibes : Childcare, Rom-com, Grief, Healing.
Did I receive this book at 11:30pm on a Wednesday? Yes.
Did I get fully sucked in and stay up until 4am the following morning to finish it? Also yes.
Laura Ashley Gallagher is officially on my auto-buy list! She has such a fun, upbeat way of writing, whilst still managing to tackle some really deep, emotional topics in a gritty and respectful way. She's not afraid to break your heart, but don't worry, she'll carefully piece it back together again by the final page.❤️
I loved the dynamic between Lena and Rosie. There's so many adorably sweet moments between them, and of course lots of hilarious chaos that comes with parenting a toddler. Wes never stood a chance, they both have him completely wrapped around their little fingers and they know it! 🤭
Wes starts out gruff and guarded, but watching him slowly soften up and open his heart to Lena was pure perfection. 👏 Their relationship is a very slow burning one, full of mutual respect and so much internal conflict. They're both terrified to risk the stability that Rosie needs in her early childhood, but resisting each other quickly becomes impossible!
This book also explores grief and how it impacts our mental health and relationships with others. There's a couple of scenes that had me full on ugly crying because of how deeply real they felt. The way Lena and Wes support each other through the tough times makes their connection feel that much stronger. They're there for each other, rain or shine, and really show up when it's matters the most.
Highly recommend if you love a rom-com with a lot of heart, strong and memorable characters, and a whole lot of feelings!❤️
If you're more sensitive to themes of grief, just be aware that this story does get quite raw at times.
Thank you so much for the ARC! I'm loving this series and cannot wait for book 3!! 😍
June 15, 2025
Review: If Love Had a Manual by @authorlaurashleygallagher
I’m so grateful to have received an eARC of If Love Had a Manual and wow, what a journey it was. Did I expect to finish it in a single day? Definitely not. But did I? Absolutely. I laughed, cried, and completely fell for Wes. And my heart ached deeply for Lena her story is so raw and powerful that if she were real, I’d want to wrap her in the biggest hug.
Wes and Lena's relationship is beautifully developed throughout the story. The love they share for Rosie, the grief they each carry, and the way they show up for each other sometimes without even needing words it all felt incredibly real.
Lena arrives in Wes and Rosie’s lives like a balm for their wounds. After the heartbreaking loss of Rosie’s parents/Wes’s sister and brother-in-law, she becomes a light in their darkest times. Wes is gruff and guarded, but watching him slowly let Lena in. Pure magic. Balancing their growing connection with the responsibility of raising a toddler made their relationship all the more poignant and believable.
**Fair warning**this story doesn’t shy away from grief. There are raw, emotionally charged moments that hit me harder than I was prepared for. But it’s also full of warmth, wit, and the kind of banter that makes you smile through tears. The depiction of loss and healing felt incredibly authentic.
This was a solid 5 star read for me. It's a slow burn, but so worth the wait. Laura Ashley Gallagher has masterfully woven deep emotional themes with humor and heart. She’s officially earned a spot on my must read author list.
I’m so grateful to have received an eARC of If Love Had a Manual and wow, what a journey it was. Did I expect to finish it in a single day? Definitely not. But did I? Absolutely. I laughed, cried, and completely fell for Wes. And my heart ached deeply for Lena her story is so raw and powerful that if she were real, I’d want to wrap her in the biggest hug.
Wes and Lena's relationship is beautifully developed throughout the story. The love they share for Rosie, the grief they each carry, and the way they show up for each other sometimes without even needing words it all felt incredibly real.
Lena arrives in Wes and Rosie’s lives like a balm for their wounds. After the heartbreaking loss of Rosie’s parents/Wes’s sister and brother-in-law, she becomes a light in their darkest times. Wes is gruff and guarded, but watching him slowly let Lena in. Pure magic. Balancing their growing connection with the responsibility of raising a toddler made their relationship all the more poignant and believable.
**Fair warning**this story doesn’t shy away from grief. There are raw, emotionally charged moments that hit me harder than I was prepared for. But it’s also full of warmth, wit, and the kind of banter that makes you smile through tears. The depiction of loss and healing felt incredibly authentic.
This was a solid 5 star read for me. It's a slow burn, but so worth the wait. Laura Ashley Gallagher has masterfully woven deep emotional themes with humor and heart. She’s officially earned a spot on my must read author list.
June 15, 2025
I was lucky enough to get the eARC of this book and am SO grateful! I couldn’t put this down - I finished in hours. I fell in love with Wes and Lena 110%. Their banter, their quirks and how much LOVE they had for Rosie. Their relationship grew so beautifully and I truly could not get enough of them. 10/10 recommend!
August 16, 2025
Cute. Sweet. But lacking in the angst department.
March 27, 2026
The Grumpy Mechanic, the Jazz-Singing Nanny, and a Little Girl in a Duck Onesie
I am officially a puddle of tears and laughter. I gave If Life Had a Manual a 5-star rating because it is the most perfect, "shatter-your-heart-then-glue-it-back-together" story I’ve read in a long time. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
We move from the "whiskey-stained napkins" of book one to something much more raw. Wes is a broody, grieving mechanic who has suddenly become a solo guardian to his niece, Rosie, after a tragic accident. Enter Lena, a woman who talks to her car ("Ruby"), moonlights as a jazz singer, and is best friends with her "crusty" 85-year-old grandfather. When she steps in as the nanny, the "domesticated Wes" era begins, and it is everything.
Why it Works:
• The Emotional Depth: Wes detailing the night of the accident three pages in had me sobbing. The grief in this book is so real—especially the moment Wes is just there for Lena when her Grandpa passes. He became her home when she needed it most.
• The Pure Comedy: To keep you from drowning in tears, the humor is 10/10. The poop explosion (Simba-style!) was so relatable I had to read it out loud to my husband. The "pastoral hellscape" of baby yoga and the furniture store trip with a puppy in a stroller had me loling.
• Rosie: She is the absolute star of the show. Every scene with that sweet little angel made the stakes feel so much higher.
• The Cameos: Seeing Nathan and Sienna show up to celebrate Wes’s birthday was the perfect bridge from book one. It’s so satisfying seeing the "napkin contract" couple again!
This was a flawless 5 stars. It’s rare to find a book that handles the "plight of a woman" and deep grief while also making you wheeze-laugh about a man wearing a baseball cap backwards. The paint-covered "I love you" and the ending 10 years later were the perfect finish.
Iconic Quotes to Share:
• "I don’t have time for men. I’m too busy raising an eighty-five-year-old toddler."
• "You’re a warrior. She should have come with a manual."
• "She might not realize it yet, but she’s my everything. My solace, my home, my goddamn purpose."
• "I’m convinced he cried directly into my drink and drugged me with emotional damage."
I am officially a puddle of tears and laughter. I gave If Life Had a Manual a 5-star rating because it is the most perfect, "shatter-your-heart-then-glue-it-back-together" story I’ve read in a long time. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
We move from the "whiskey-stained napkins" of book one to something much more raw. Wes is a broody, grieving mechanic who has suddenly become a solo guardian to his niece, Rosie, after a tragic accident. Enter Lena, a woman who talks to her car ("Ruby"), moonlights as a jazz singer, and is best friends with her "crusty" 85-year-old grandfather. When she steps in as the nanny, the "domesticated Wes" era begins, and it is everything.
Why it Works:
• The Emotional Depth: Wes detailing the night of the accident three pages in had me sobbing. The grief in this book is so real—especially the moment Wes is just there for Lena when her Grandpa passes. He became her home when she needed it most.
• The Pure Comedy: To keep you from drowning in tears, the humor is 10/10. The poop explosion (Simba-style!) was so relatable I had to read it out loud to my husband. The "pastoral hellscape" of baby yoga and the furniture store trip with a puppy in a stroller had me loling.
• Rosie: She is the absolute star of the show. Every scene with that sweet little angel made the stakes feel so much higher.
• The Cameos: Seeing Nathan and Sienna show up to celebrate Wes’s birthday was the perfect bridge from book one. It’s so satisfying seeing the "napkin contract" couple again!
This was a flawless 5 stars. It’s rare to find a book that handles the "plight of a woman" and deep grief while also making you wheeze-laugh about a man wearing a baseball cap backwards. The paint-covered "I love you" and the ending 10 years later were the perfect finish.
Iconic Quotes to Share:
• "I don’t have time for men. I’m too busy raising an eighty-five-year-old toddler."
• "You’re a warrior. She should have come with a manual."
• "She might not realize it yet, but she’s my everything. My solace, my home, my goddamn purpose."
• "I’m convinced he cried directly into my drink and drugged me with emotional damage."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2025
Wow, book 2 in the series was a rollercoaster of emotion - I was laughing out loud to the point of tears and crying tears of sadness too.
When Lena goes for an interview to be a Nanny for little Rosie, neither Lena nor Wes thought it would lead where it does. Rosie is an adorable 1 year old girl who has been dealt a sad loss in life with both her parents being killed in a car crash one evenin. Uncle Wes Turner is granted custody and finds himself thrown into a world of unknown, juggling work life as a car mechanic garage owner and dirty nappies, bottles and a baby.
Lena is the Nanny of dreams - she settles into the house with ease and proves to be a hit with Rosie from the start and even Wes cant believe how well things are going, this is when he starts to have inappropriate thoughts about Lena… this is a professional arrangement nothing more!
The banter between Lena and Wes is absolutely hilarious and I was in hysterics a fair few times with the witty one liners spoken including the comments from Wes’ colleagues was like true banter from work colleagues seeing the situation from the outside looking in.
Then Lena’s grandfather passes away and out come the tissues for tears of sadness - poor Lena’s emotional state is really tested here when it comes to her family’s struggles but with Wes by her side to support her with approval from her Grandfather, she knows she is in safe hands
When Lena goes for an interview to be a Nanny for little Rosie, neither Lena nor Wes thought it would lead where it does. Rosie is an adorable 1 year old girl who has been dealt a sad loss in life with both her parents being killed in a car crash one evenin. Uncle Wes Turner is granted custody and finds himself thrown into a world of unknown, juggling work life as a car mechanic garage owner and dirty nappies, bottles and a baby.
Lena is the Nanny of dreams - she settles into the house with ease and proves to be a hit with Rosie from the start and even Wes cant believe how well things are going, this is when he starts to have inappropriate thoughts about Lena… this is a professional arrangement nothing more!
The banter between Lena and Wes is absolutely hilarious and I was in hysterics a fair few times with the witty one liners spoken including the comments from Wes’ colleagues was like true banter from work colleagues seeing the situation from the outside looking in.
Then Lena’s grandfather passes away and out come the tissues for tears of sadness - poor Lena’s emotional state is really tested here when it comes to her family’s struggles but with Wes by her side to support her with approval from her Grandfather, she knows she is in safe hands
October 14, 2025
The Skeptically in Love series is pure joy, and If Love Had a Manual is no exception. It’s insta-chemistry and found family. It’s romance and lust. What more could you ask for?
Lena, Wes and Rosie are such a strong group, and the family they create is truly beautiful. The former two were definitely blessed with an easyish baby, but I think the genuine care and respect they have for each other makes that possible to.
Both Lena and Wes deal with grief in this book, and its depiction was really quite beautiful even in its anguish. It’s the perfect representation of that gorgeous Wandavision quote: what is grief, if not love persevering? There is so much heartbreak in this book but, with it, comes so much love. Regardless of anything else happening in this story, the characters respect each other’s grief and hold space for them to heal. Neither had that in the past, making it all the more special that they found that in each other.
I was disappointed to have not seen more of an ‘aha!’ moment from Lena when she met Sienna and Nathan, especially since she loves the podcast so much. I also expected the podcast to feature more in the book, rather than just being something mentioned twice as a tie in to the first book of the series.
If Love Had a Manual is sexy and sentimental, hot and heartfelt. It features beautiful found families and unexpected love that takes everyone by surprise. I really truly loved this book.
Lena, Wes and Rosie are such a strong group, and the family they create is truly beautiful. The former two were definitely blessed with an easyish baby, but I think the genuine care and respect they have for each other makes that possible to.
Both Lena and Wes deal with grief in this book, and its depiction was really quite beautiful even in its anguish. It’s the perfect representation of that gorgeous Wandavision quote: what is grief, if not love persevering? There is so much heartbreak in this book but, with it, comes so much love. Regardless of anything else happening in this story, the characters respect each other’s grief and hold space for them to heal. Neither had that in the past, making it all the more special that they found that in each other.
I was disappointed to have not seen more of an ‘aha!’ moment from Lena when she met Sienna and Nathan, especially since she loves the podcast so much. I also expected the podcast to feature more in the book, rather than just being something mentioned twice as a tie in to the first book of the series.
If Love Had a Manual is sexy and sentimental, hot and heartfelt. It features beautiful found families and unexpected love that takes everyone by surprise. I really truly loved this book.
July 10, 2026
It’s tropey
🩷 If Love Had a Manual 🩷
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
I really enjoyed this - it all the single dad / Nanny trope requirements. You get the broody, surly man and the sunshine nanny and it’s bound to make all your dreams come true.
I enjoyed Lena and I enjoyed Wes. They made it so easy to read and be immersed in the story…. But honestly you don’t really root for them. It’s like you already know it’s going to happen-neither really gives these monumental moments that make you wanna bang down the door and shake sense into them. It was just a bit lacking in that respect.
This story did have me sobbing. But not because of the characters themselves but because of Lena’s grandfather. I was so attached because of how attached she was to him, and how he brought so much love to the story.
*SPOILER*
I did get really pissed off by this book in part only because headstones, even if pre-purchased ahead of time, are not ready or set on a gravesite for months. Also, when someone is buried you aren’t sitting on grass. You are sitting on dirt in front of their headstone or grave plate. This truly frustrated me because how are you going to be there after a funeral and an entire headstone be set and grass on the ground right in front of it? That’s not how funerals work and I got pretty upset by that.
📖
🩷 If Love Had a Manual 🩷
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
I really enjoyed this - it all the single dad / Nanny trope requirements. You get the broody, surly man and the sunshine nanny and it’s bound to make all your dreams come true.
I enjoyed Lena and I enjoyed Wes. They made it so easy to read and be immersed in the story…. But honestly you don’t really root for them. It’s like you already know it’s going to happen-neither really gives these monumental moments that make you wanna bang down the door and shake sense into them. It was just a bit lacking in that respect.
This story did have me sobbing. But not because of the characters themselves but because of Lena’s grandfather. I was so attached because of how attached she was to him, and how he brought so much love to the story.
*SPOILER*
I did get really pissed off by this book in part only because headstones, even if pre-purchased ahead of time, are not ready or set on a gravesite for months. Also, when someone is buried you aren’t sitting on grass. You are sitting on dirt in front of their headstone or grave plate. This truly frustrated me because how are you going to be there after a funeral and an entire headstone be set and grass on the ground right in front of it? That’s not how funerals work and I got pretty upset by that.
📖
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