It's Not Me, It's You

by Jo Lovett

A BRAND NEW sharp, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about finding the one where you least expect it, perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary and Emily Henry One hopeless romantic 💕

One hardened cynic ❤️‍🩹

One bet they’ll never forget... 🔥

Freya writes bestselling romance novels for a living, but off the page, she doesn’t believe in happy endings.

Jake is a divorced divorce lawyer who does believe in romance ­– despite every day seeing the results of failed relationships.

When a TV news segment captures their very public disagreement about modern love, the clip goes viral, and to settle the debate, they strike a Jake will find Freya her perfect match, and Freya will convince Jake that romance is a fairy tale best left in fiction.

The rules are simple. The stakes are high. And the chemistry? Undeniable.🔥

Praise for Jo

'Clever and funny with a sparkling and heartfelt love story, Jo proves once again why she's the queen of page-turning, feel-good romance' Catherine Walsh

'...pacy and funny and romantic... Every single character leapt off the page, and it sparkled with wit and warmth. A triumph of a rom com.' Clare Swatman

'Such a warm, witty book ... The love story was gorgeous - such brilliant energy and chemistry' Kristen Bailey

'A delicious slow burn romance that has you rooting for the characters from the start.' Phoebe MacLeod

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Romance

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2025

Reviews

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Classic Enemies to lovers trope, done quite well!!

Freya writes bestselling romance novels for a living, but off page, she does not believe in happy ever after endings.

Jake is a divorced divorce lawyer who does believe in romance despite every day seeing the results of failed marriages.

When the pair appear on morning TV and have a very public disagreement about modern love the clip goes viral. To settle the debate Jake has to find Freya her perfect match while Freya needs to convince true love is not real for Jake.

The rules are simple (or so it would seem), the stakes are high and the chemistry… undeniable!!

Alright, I have been doing back to back RomComs lately to give me a break from my usual genre, and I know my standards are probably lower (therefore my ratings are higher) than the seasoned RomCom reader, but really all I ever want from this genre is some feels, good vibes, a bit of a conflict that 100% is resolved and lets face it a happy ending… its a romance right.

Well this delivered for me, however there were some irritating factors in this but I think it might be the enemies to lovers trope that I am not that big of a fan of. I like some of the other ones better like second chance romance etc … however I did like Jake and Freya, I also really liked their friends as well they were cute and there was a side romance going on on there.

I hated the TV personality, but you absolutely are supposed to she is out there for likes and views and she is going to get them by every means possible you just want to punch her right in the face a number of times.

Also is this realistic… no not even a little bit but honestly I don’t have that on my list of expectations for a romcom so I don’t care. The writing was good and engaging and kept me wanting to come back to it. I liked the Multi-POV which is one of my fave things in books so it was good to see it from both Freya and Jake’s side.

I did get really frustrated with the conflict but honestly I knew it was coming and to be honest I actually really loved the way it was resolved that was a bit of a awww moment for me. For all my PG Rated friends this is very much closed door with only a bit of ogling from both MCs (over each other) and some kissing and then the door closes and you imagine what those two do …which is very much how I like my romance thank you!! I do not need to be reading this on my lunch break and feel like I have a porno spotlight over my head that everyone knows I am out here reading smut… no thank you!!! Also i just dont enjoy the descriptions of bodily fluids and all that … ick!!!

Overall, if you like a Enemies to Lovers trope, enjoy a light hearted (with a sprinkle Of real topics in here there are some feels that are a bit raw, like Jake’s brother who has had an accident and Freya’s parents who really didn’t appear to love her featured) and a few giggles this will be for you. It is a nice PG romance that has a very cute cover and a couple of likeable main characters… shout out to the MasterChef section I think that was my fave bit.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books andThe author for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my review.

[ella ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

decent, enjoyed the romance yes, basic? extremely. nothing special about it, and if you wer gonna read a book you should read one thats actually really good not just alright

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Such a fun rom-com from new-to-me author Jo Lovett! It’s Not Me, It’s You had all the banter, sparks, and heart I look for, and the opposites-attract angle made it playful and charming. It followed Freya, a romance author who didn’t actually buy into love stories off the page. She ended up clashing on live TV with Jake, a divorce lawyer who—despite his career—still believed in true love. Their heated debate turned into a bet: Jake set Freya up with her perfect match, while she tried to prove to him that romance was nothing more than fiction. What started as a battle of wits quickly grew into something more complicated and sparks flew as their bet blurred into real feelings.

This book had its mix of positives and negatives. I loved the playful premise and the way Jo Lovett blended humor with heartfelt moments. Freya was a great lead—witty, guarded, and easy to relate to—and her banter with Jake brought plenty of laugh-out-loud sparks. I also enjoyed the fresh twist on the opposites-attract trope, with a romance author who doesn’t believe in love going up against a lawyer who does. On the flip side, some of the plot points were a little predictable, and the pacing slowed down at times with side conflicts that weren’t as engaging as the main romance. Even so, the chemistry, humor, and charm between the leads kept it fun, making this a light and enjoyable rom-com overall.

While not without its predictable moments, the witty banter and sweet romance made this a fun, uplifting story to escape into.

Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an advance readers copy in return for my review.

[Alexandria ˙⋆✮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I liked the plot because it's unusual (I've never read anything quite like it before), which is a plus in the romance genre. I'd have liked to rate this book higher than I did, because I truly enjoyed it and found it very funny. However, some aspects didn't work for me.

The characters are labeled as "enemies", but it doesn't feel that way: it feels like they had a minor disagreement, and the author used that as an excuse to make them enemies. The characters themselves are not my favorites: Freya is pretty much annoying. She believes no one can love her, but the reasoning behind this belief doesn't make sense. I mean, it seems a little clichè to think that just because her parents weren't able to have successful love lives, she must be destined for a life of singleness. Jake, on the other hand, goes from hating her to loving her in seconds. This sudden shift just doesn't add up.
I really think some clichè could have been avoided.

The writing style is not my favorite: I strongly believe it needed to be revised by an editor (please, next time, hire an editor, your story will be a hundred times better for it). While some people in the industry might notice certain details, they could significantly enhance the reader's experience.

I feel bad about these little issues that actually impacted my reading experience, because I believe the story had potential.

Overall, it's an enjoyable rom-com to read; it surely brings a smile!

Thanks to NetGalley, Booldwood Books, and the author, who provided me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
It's Not Me, It's You will be published October 28, 2025!

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded to 4 stars for me.

Freya writes romance novels,but she don't believe that romance and happy ending is for her.Jake is a divorce lawyer and divorced, but he believes that there is HEA ending for him.When they meet at TV news segment,they disagree with each other the clip goes viral,and challenge is accepted by them both. Jake will prove that there is happy ending for Freya,and Freya will prove that Jack will not get his happy ever after. Now competing against each other is just a beginning, because while there is strong dislike, there is also a lot chemistry between them.

Who will win the challenge?

I liked how Jack and Freya compete with each other,but there was also a lot of banter between them.Could not stand Sonja, she get away with her behavior very lightly in my opinion.Fun and cute read,plot was interesting, and the ending satisfying. At times emotional, at times fun this book was worth the read.


Thank you netgalley and publisher for my arc,my review is honest and my own.

[Gosia · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF at 45%

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC

Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me.
I’m giving it 3⭐️ cause I think it’s quite alright, just didn’t hold MY interest enough.

Up to 20% I really thought I will rate it 4 or even 5⭐️. There was such a big potential, the idea for the plot was something else and sounded super fun.
Romance writer who doesn’t believe in love (for her) X divorcee lawyer who does believe in love? AND they joint the challange to convince the other one love does/doesn’t exist? Oh it had such big potential for the enemies to become lovers, but… there were no enemies vibes besides their first encounter.

If you’re into extremely cute romances, go for it. I was expecting the enemies to actually be enemies. The challenge part was boring. Freya said multiple times (and I only got to 45%!) that she doesn’t mind Jake finding love, even if it means she will lose the challange, but she’s just too nice to wish him well.
So you see, where’s the enemies part?

Also at some point the writing style felt too… simple, like the sentences’ structure seemed weird, not complex enough. I don’t know exactly how to put it into words, just that there was something with how the sentences were written that was rubbing me the wrong way.

Once I realized that I can’t tell whose (Freya’s or Jake’s) chapter I’m reading I decided it’s time to DNF.

But hey! I really don’t think it’s a bad book! It just wasn’t for me, but objectively I think it’s rather mediocre, but I think there are people who will like it a lot, just not me.

[Chloe Giani · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I picked up this book, I was so excited by the premise of it. It started out cute and writing was spot-on but at the end of it, I think it could’ve been a lot more.

The plot-changing moments were so anti-climactic and the build up was not as intense in feelings so that made it all the more flat. Example of this is when Jake was proven wrong by Freya about his belief of romance novels ruining marriage no more than action films with swoony male leads - this was supposed to be a turning point because Jake made a conscious decision to think of Freya in a different light. The build-up to the “f* it” moment was mostly founded on physical attraction and proximity but it would’ve meant more if they had already connected on a deeper personal level which would have more emotional impact to the audience. Lastly, the psychological aspect of why they act why they are could’ve been explained more through stories and actions, instead of outright just saying this is why she thinks how she does.

Side note on the epilogue, what is it with premarital children for two characters?? Hahaha I found that odd and out of character for both but okay. Over-all, it was still an enjoyable cute read but I really loved the blurb that I really think it could’ve been more - there is still potential to this story to make it emotionally connect better with the audience.

[George (Fueltheblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thanks to Netgalley / Boldwood Books for an e-arc of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I read the blurb I knew I would enjoy this and I was right, I flew through it not wanting to put it down when I had the opportunity to pick it up.

It’s a classic enemies to lovers, but I thought it was done well. Freya and Jake had a disagreement and despite their physical attraction for each other they did not like each other. They were thrown into a challenge by a tv show host and as they say after a string of unsuccessful times the rest is history.

I enjoyed the pace of this book, the alternative POV chapters from the characters and getting into their head.

I would say that it was interesting take for a book and I liked that it was different to any I’ve in a long time. The challenge itself felt a bit odd, like how do you prove that there is no such thing as love in 3 months? I also didn’t enjoy the tv host but I guess that was the point. I would have enjoyed understanding more around the consequences of her actions tbh! I mean Jake is a lawyer.

So yes overall an enjoyable book and if you like this genre then it’s certainly for you, get sucked in and enjoy the all of the romance and humour!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say, I had high hopes that I’d love it. A romance author, Freya, and a divorce lawyer, Jake, having to work together to complete a challenge where they have to prove the other is wrong and see who would win. Especially after having everyone see their discussion on love on TV, things could not get better. And they don’t like each other.

On page it sounds fun rom com that you would enjoy and have a lot of fun. And don’t get me wrong, there are some fun moments like the beginning, some moments from the dates, later in the book and how Jake tries to get to know Freya, and how Freya gets some character development in the end.

But for me? I couldn’t get into it…at all. I have no idea if it was the writing or the characters but it just didn’t click with me enough to be like ‘yes I can’t wait to read more!!’ And it kind of lost me. Sadly, the third act break up wasn’t good for me either.

However, I strongly believe it’s a me problem and that many would enjoy and love the tropes.

Thank you Boldwood Books for giving me chance to read this arc! I appreciate it!

[Tanisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books have always been my happy place, and romance is the genre I never get tired of. Out of all the tropes, one of my favorites is enemies to lovers. I love the tension, the banter, and the moment when the characters finally see each other differently. That is why I was so excited to read this book.

The story grabbed me right away. At first, I did not care much for the MMC because of his attitude, but he grew on me as the story went on. The FMC was easier to like, though her stubbornness did frustrate me at times. Even so, the back-and-forth between them fit the trope perfectly and kept me interested.
By the end, I was happy with how everything worked out. Their resolution felt satisfying, and I especially liked the epilogue that showed a glimpse of their future.

Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable read. It gave me everything I look for in an enemies to lovers story, and I would love to read more from this author.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

It’s Not Me, it’s You is a fun, closed-door rom-com! The storyline is a bit preposterous—but honestly, that’s part of the charm of a rom-com. They’re always more fun when the plot leans a little outrageous. The humor and chemistry between the leads made it an easy, engaging read.

I really enjoyed the book up until around the 70% mark. After that, I didn’t love the way the story handled convincing the FMC that she could have a long-lasting, positive relationship. It leaned a bit too “armchair psychologist” for my taste and pulled me out of the story a little.

Still, if you enjoy lighthearted, slightly over-the-top romances with plenty of charm, this one’s worth checking out.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc.

[Pà · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freya and Jake were both fun and interesting characters, and I liked seeing their personalities clash at first. Their banter made me laugh a lot, and even when they annoyed each other, it kept the story entertaining. I loved the cute side characters and small moments that made me smile. The romance was sweet and playful, with a little tension and lots of chemistry. Overall, it was a fun, and uplifting read. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

[Lorraine Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a bit of a wobbly start, with an awkward and unrealistic premise, involving a talk show interview and subsequent love-themed challenge. A quote from the book sums it up perfectly: “It’s a ridiculously flawed concept.”

However, once the second date of the challenge rolls around, the story becomes more realistic and enjoyable, with a much smoother flow. The remainder of the book includes several genuinely amusing moments, and overall, I’m glad I stuck with it. It turned out to be a fun, lighthearted read with relatable characters.

Thanks to Boldwood Books for the pre-approved copy and to NetGalley for making it available. The book releases on October 28, 2025, and if you enjoy lighthearted rom-coms, this one could be right up your street!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s Not Me, It’s You by Jo Lovett
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

Let me just say: if you’ve ever wanted to watch a romance author who doesn’t believe in love get forced into a dating challenge by a smug, emotionally stunted divorce lawyer who does believe in love—despite literally profiting from its downfall—then Jo Lovett has written the book for you. And possibly for me, because despite the fact that I rolled my eyes so hard during the opening chapters I might need corrective lenses now, I still devoured this with a weird mixture of affection and secondhand embarrassment.

Our heroine, Freya, writes bestsellers filled with swoony endings and emotional closure. In real life? She’s sworn off love like it’s dairy and she’s lactose intolerant. And honestly, I respect her for that. Meanwhile, Jake is the kind of man who, despite being a divorce lawyer who witnesses relationship breakdowns daily, still believes in true love. He’s like a firefighter who thinks arson is romantic.

They meet on live TV—because why not—where they immediately lock horns in a spat so spicy it goes viral. A smirking morning show host proposes a challenge: Jake will find Freya her perfect match, and Freya will convince Jake that love is just a well-marketed scam with good lighting. The stakes are vague, the ethics questionable, and the chemistry? Ridiculous. I was not expecting to root for these two after Jake spent the first few chapters being the human equivalent of a patronizing wink, but Lovett knows what she’s doing.

The dynamic is classic enemies-to-lovers, with a twist of “opposites attract” and a strong helping of “oh no, we have to work together and now my feelings are inconvenient.” Freya’s inner monologue is sharp and dry in that way that makes you want to be her best friend, or at least follow her on every platform she allows public access to. Jake starts off as insufferable, but gradually transforms into someone you might consider introducing to your dog. Progress.

Now, let’s talk pacing. The first act? Strong. The setup is tight, the banter crackles, the premise is delightful chaos. Then we hit the middle stretch where I started to worry we’d wandered into a baking competition. There are a lot of scenes involving food prep. I like scones, I really do, but I started to wonder if I’d accidentally opened a Great British Bake Off tie-in novel. The central tension dipped for a while—there were several dates Freya was sent on that felt more like filler than fire—but it picks back up after the inevitable emotionally vulnerable getaway trip. You know the one. Every rom-com has it. You’d miss it if it weren’t there.

The emotional payoff is where this story earns its keep. Once Freya and Jake stop pretending their only job is to “win” the bet, the story gets real. Freya’s emotional walls start to crack, and Jake—shockingly—becomes someone with depth, softness, and the ability to admit he was wrong (a rare combo in fictional men and real ones, honestly). There’s some lovely commentary here on what love actually means, what it takes to believe in it again after being burned, and how sometimes the hardest thing is letting someone see all the mess and stay anyway.

A few things didn’t totally land. The third-act conflict felt a bit rushed—like someone checked the page count and panicked. Also, a few of the side plots (Jake’s brother’s accident, the inner workings of Freya’s fictional novels, every single on-screen producer) were touched on and then left floating around like open browser tabs no one closed. But honestly? I didn’t mind that much. I was too invested in the slow unraveling of Jake’s deeply repressed feelings and Freya’s refusal to play the good little romantic heroine.

Lovett writes with a warmth that sneaks up on you. Even when the characters are being insufferable—and trust me, they both have their moments—you still want them to find their way to each other. You root for them because they’re flawed in the way real people are: prickly, proud, a little scared, and desperate not to look like they care more than the other person. That’s the sweet spot in rom-coms, and Lovett hits it here.

Quote I absolutely underlined like I was studying for an exam:
“If this is what being wrong feels like, I don’t want to be right.”
Same, Jake. Same.

So no, It’s Not Me, It’s You isn’t perfect. The middle drags, some of the side characters needed fleshing out, and the “viral TV bet” plot occasionally requires more suspension of disbelief than a Marvel movie. But at the end of the day? It’s cozy, funny, sarcastic, and emotionally satisfying. A rom-com that understands people are messy, and love isn’t always tidy—and that’s exactly why it’s worth it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The set-up for this romcom sounded extremely fun. A romance author (who doesn't believe a HEA is in the cards for her personally) and a divorced divorce lawyer (who still believes he'll find the one someday) clash on a morning tv show and get goaded into accepting a challenge by the tv host to attempt to change each other's mind. And there were definitely some stretches where the book was just as much fun as I was hoping from the description. But the set-up, while creating some nice situations between the main characters, didn't actually make much sense, and the further into the book we got, the more ridiculous and implausible the tv presenter/producers started acting. I don't actually see how any of this would a) not get them into legal trouble, and even more significantly b) would even actually make good television.

The hero's immediate initial dislike of the heroine also was very off-putting at first. Her dislike of him made sense because it was due to how he was acting towards her. His dislike of her though was completely unfounded and his reasoning for it utterly ridiculous. However, he actually has an epiphany where he does realize this (about half-way through) and I was thinking that would be the point where I would go from kinda enjoying this to really getting sucked in. Unfortunately, after that point I started to feel less and less pulled into the story, instead of getting more and more invested in Jake and Freya's relationship. I didn't really feel any chemistry between them once they stopped hating each other. And the obstacles they were facing after that point made me roll my eyes in a "that would never happen, would it?" reaction instead of getting me to root for them.

Also, parts of the book felt a little under-developed - like Jake's brother's accident... it was mentioned only in the vaguest terms, but in a cagey way where we were told that there was more to it that Jake wasn't willing to share yet. But then when he did share it, he only shared it with Freya. The reader doesn't get to hear it. Instead other parts include unnecessary details - like I didn't really need to know the details of every meal the characters cook/bake/eat together throughout the story, but skip over the "meaty" parts of relationship-building conversation.

So, all in all not a complete miss. I didn't need to force myself to keep reading it. I actually got through it very quickly and kept turning pages, finishing it in two sittings (would've been one if I didn't have plans that forced me to put it down and leave the house inbetween 😉). And I did have fun and laughed out loud a few times even. But I don't think this'll stay with me much beyond the point of putting it down, writing my review, and moving on. It wasn't that memorable. I don't think I'll ever want to return for a reread. And at times it felt more like an outline/draft (where some plot points or parts of the character backstory hadn't fully been decided yet) than a finished book.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for offering me a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Carlina Kinch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to arc read this book. I truly appreciate it.

I've had the opportunity to be able to arc read a previous book of Jo Lovett's, and there was an instance throughout the last half of it that I really didn't enjoy and I'm forever grateful that, that exact same situation didn't occur with this book. However well this book started out with a bang for me, it didn't end that well for me, ironically enough at about the halfway point too, just for different reasons.

I absolutely loved the first half of this book, it had a great premise, it was hilarious, it was fun, it stole my heart, despite alot of the thought being really disjointed, and some occurences of conversations being that way too. I also really loved the relationship that was starting between Freya and Jake, and their friends.

What I didn't love was how everything started to slip away after the last half of the book. Everything to do with the tv show especially in that last chapter was honestly a little much, and in all honesty that's something that would get an actual person no matter their status sued or charged for. Yes she brought them together but my gosh, no regular person would put up with that. Freya's treatment towards Jake was also very left field from how she was in the beginning half, especially as that was when they were suppose to hate each other, and her logic as to how she's always the problem is extremely flawed. There were much better ways that could have been done, especially when her friend almost had to explain it like Freya was a toddler to about how she wasn't the problem. Ironically enough though she actually was the problem for everything that was going on at that moment. All of the last half, changed everyone, and was honestly so unrealistic that it just breaks my heart, because the beginning was so good.

I do think if you're looking for a quick, cozy, fluffy read, you might really enjoy this book though.

Thank you very much again from the bottom of my heart for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book. I truly appreciate it.

[Rekha O'Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jo Lovett has been sitting on my TBR pile for ages, so when I saw her latest on NetGalley, I pounced. This one’s a contemporary romance about two people who both have differing opinions on romance — which, of course, means they’re destined to trip right into one.

Freya is a romance novelist who loves writing about love but doesn’t believe in it for herself. Jake is a divorce lawyer — charmingly grumpy, and freshly divorced — who blames books, films, and TV for people’s unrealistic expectations of romance. His ex-wife literally cited his lack of “romance hero” energy when they split. Ouch.

When Freya and Jake clash on live morning TV, sparks fly, and social media eats it up. Naturally, the TV producers smell gold and throw down a challenge: Jake has to prove that true love does exist, and Freya has to convince him it’s all a fairy tale.

Now, do I understand why this challenge exists or why either of them agrees to it? Not really. But honestly? Who cares. The writing is sharp, the banter’s delightful, and the chemistry between Freya and Jake practically hums off the page.

Their progression from enemies to reluctant friends to something much more feels genuinely earned, and their adventures together are pure entertainment. Some bits go gloriously off the rails but it’s all part of the fun.

The third-act breakup? Totally unnecessary, in my opinion, but I rolled with it. Also worth noting: it’s closed door — the chemistry is sizzling, but the scenes fade to black. Personally, I think that middle ground doesn’t always land perfectly, but it’s still cute and works OK here.

By the end, everything wraps up in a heap of cheese — the fondue kind, not the good cheddar — but I smiled anyway. It’s funny, charming, and occasionally ridiculous, but it kept me entertained all the way through.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Heidi Lengenfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo Lovett’s It’s Not Me, It’s You is a delightful and sharply witty romantic comedy that cleverly twists the usual opposites-attract formula into something fresh, while still giving readers all the cozy, swoony feels. At its heart are two charmingly flawed protagonists: Freya, a romance novelist whose cynicism about “happily ever afters” feels earned and real; and Jake, a divorce lawyer who may have seen too many failed marriages to be a true romantic — but still believes in love. When their argument on a TV segment about modern love goes viral, they strike a bet: Jake will help Freya find “the one,” and Freya will convince Jake that romance is folly. What follows is a playful, slow-burn dance of banter, vulnerability, and emotional growth.

Lovett’s strength lies in how she balances humor and heart. Her comedic set pieces are sharp (the viral video moment, the awkward public challenges) but grounded by deeper emotional stakes: how past hurt shapes how we approach love, how fear of failure can hold us back even when we desperately crave connection. The supporting cast sparkles, too — friends with secrets, well-meaning familiars, foil characters who force the leads to question their assumptions.

The pacing is almost cinematic: one laugh, one tender silence, then another push and pull. The chemistry is palpable, and despite some familiar tropes, Lovett plays them with enough twist and sincerity that it rarely feels derivative. It’s Not Me, It’s You is perfect for fans of Emily Henry or Beth O’Leary — feel-good, witty, and emotionally satisfying. If you come for the cute meet-cutes, you’ll stay for the honest conversations about what it really means to trust someone with your heart.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alex Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freya writes bestselling romance novels for a living, but off the page, she doesn’t believe in happy endings.
Jake is a divorced divorce lawyer who does believe in romance ­– despite every day seeing the results of failed relationships.

So what happens whenever you put these two together, for REAL? Or, even better...what about a bet?
That's exactly what happens with these two. Jake has to find Freya her absolute perfect match while Freya has to convince Jake that happily ever afters are only in books and NOT real life.
I loved the plot of this so much! I haven't read anything like this at all & truly wasn't sure what to expect going into it. Jake and Freya had so much tension between them, but also good tension? If that makes any sense. Their banter with one another was also just freaking
CUTE!
You can also tell that Jake pretty much falls head over heels for Freja immediately (insta-love w/slow burn, fa sho! at least, IMHO!)

The ending was super cute & I loved the overall writing style of the book.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"I have no interest in making polite conversation with Freya Cassidy. The woman's a homewrecker. Well, her books are. And clearly her books are an extension of her." -Jake (Yall, I was DYING laughing at this!)

"As I bite into a perfectly cooked rare steak, I admit to myself that I'm actually quite grateful to Freya for choosing this restaurant for my date with Charlotte." -Jake

"My heart's pounding as we finish our extremely polite conversation. I'm going to see him. We're going to have a conversation. He'll probably say something about the bet." -Freya

"I'm Mrs. Jake' I whisper to him." -Freya

Read if you like:
Slow Burn ❤️‍🔥
Enemies to Lovers ❌→🤍
Multi-POV 🫵🏽

Huge THANKS to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a copy of this digital ARC! All opinions are my own and my review reflects as such. 🤍

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

Jake is a divorce lawyer who believes in love, Freya is a romance author who doesn't believe in her happily ever after. When they are forced to participate in a talk show as two sides of an argument and then in a subsequent love challenge, they come to see that they are exactly what the other has been searching for.

Honestly, this wasn't one of my favorites of Jo Lovett's. It was a real slow burn for most of the book, and I usually love a good slow burn, but I was itching to read and flip through the dialogue. In the beginning, there was a lot more animosity between the two than yearning - it became repetitive with how much Jake and Freya said they hated each other. The first-person dual POV narration began to sound like a rambling internal dialogue that was hard to read and get into. I honestly got kind of confused during their "hate" banter, and I didn't really feel their chemistry/tension during those scenes. When they did finally begin to realize their attraction to each other, I felt like it was mainly based off of each of their looks more than anything else. It also bugged me that apparently, every woman who looks at Jake succumbs to his charm and looks and throws themselves at him in an obvious manner - it was very superficial.

For me, the story gets good when they each finally realize their deep affection for the other, but past trauma and experiences get in the way. They make a true effort in their burgeoning relationship to move past their respective issues, and Jake really fights for Freya and their relationship. There was a lot more depth and substance than the "hate" sparring that was happening in the beginning of the book. Loved the epilogue.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Lisi Bee (Beth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freya is a romance novelist who doesn't believe that love is in the cards for her. Jake is a divorce lawyer who's most assuredly against romance novels and the unrealistic expectations they set up for real-life relationships. Sparks fly when they're paired up on a morning talk show, setting into motion a series of events that is supposed to pit cynicism against true love. I liked it overall, but I have some mixed feelings about this one. I enjoyed the author's voice quite a bit, and it was a quick read with good pacing and a nice thread of subtle humor throughout. The execution of the premise was convoluted, but in a fun way, and there were dual 1st-person POVs (always a favorite of mine). The two main characters do have strong physical attraction, but they got off to a very rocky emotional start and didn't seem to like each other that much throughout the first half of the book. (It was initially hard to imagine them ending up together, even with the forced proximity. Thankfully things changed in the second half of the book.) I do feel that character development suffered during the first half of the book with too much focus placed on the tension of the bet, although character development was thankfully much stronger during the second half of the story. But for me, the disconnect between the two halves of the story, the slow character development, and the strong initial dislike between the two characters made it hard for me to fully engage in the story. I think fans of forced proximity, opposites-attract, fade to black romances will like this book. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars (on the strength of the likable main characters and the author's sense of humor). Publishes October 28, 2025. This review was based on an eARC of the book, all opinions are my own.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I wasn’t sure about this one. The setup — a daytime talk show interview that spirals into a televised “love challenge” — felt awkward and a little forced. In fact, one of the characters even sums it up by saying, “It’s a ridiculously flawed concept,” which made me laugh because it mirrored exactly what I was thinking.

But once the story settled into the second date of the challenge, it really found its footing. From there, the pacing smoothed out and the interactions between the characters became more authentic. I started to genuinely enjoy the banter, the awkward missteps, and the little sparks of connection that made the romance feel believable.

Jo Lovett also peppers the book with some genuinely funny, lighthearted moments that had me smiling. The mix of humor and heart worked well here, especially once the characters stopped being caricatures of “TV dating contestants” and started feeling like real people. I particularly appreciated the way Lovett balanced the comedic set-ups with more tender and reflective moments — it gave the romance depth beyond the slightly zany premise.

While it’s not without a few rough patches in the beginning, I’m glad I stuck with it. By the end, I was invested in the outcome and found myself rooting for the characters. If you enjoy romcoms that blend humor, quirky situations, and heartfelt connection, this will be a fun addition to your TBR.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for the pre-approved copy and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It’s Not Me, It’s You releases on October 28, 2025.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Not Me, It's You is an incredibly charming story about two polar opposites- Freya, a romance novelist who writes about love but doesn't believe it will ever happen for her, and Jake, a divorced lawyer who still believes that his love is out there somewhere. 

They end up on a morning tv program together and butt heads immediately. The host, seeing how people reacted to the two of them together, poses a challenge: Jake has to convince Freya that her true love exists, and Freya has to convince Jake that love is just a fairy tale. Through some light blackmail tactics, they begrudgingly agree, and what follows is a series of dates between them and each other's friends that get increasingly more and more ridiculous (but wildly entertaining!)

Eventually, they come to a truce and realize that neither will win, but they're bringing in a lot of engagement to the show and continue to do things together for segments. As they spend more time together, they both come to realize that maybe they don't quite hate each other after all.

This was so much fun!!! It's a romcom in every sense of the word- There were several moments in the story where I actually found myself laughing out loud. It's also a true enemies to lovers- they HATE each other at first (and it's great). It's a dual POV and is also a relatively short read so you get right into the story right away and then the whole way through it's just full steam ahead. I finished it in one sitting, I genuinely could not put it down. 

If you're looking for something quick, light, and fun- this one's for you!

[Rachel ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3✨
Thank you NetGalley, Jo Lovett and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review - It’s Not Me, It’s You publishes October 28th.

Freya (a romance writer) and Jake (a divorced, divorce lawyer) get off to a bad start when they buttheads during a TV interview about love. After the interview goes viral, the network offers them a deal for Jake to find Freya her perfect match & Freya to prove to Jake that true love doesn’t exist.

This gets off to a fun start, and I enjoyed that it’s dual POV. I particularly liked how Jake wants to get to know Freya to find her the perfect man and in the process becomes obsessed with her books!

You follow a variety of different dates that they go on and although I really loved the premise of this and the first 25%, I found the mid section dropped off and it felt quite repetitive with the dates and I lost interest.

However I found things picked up from the 60% mark onwards with the weekend away and the character growth particularly in Freya.
The third act conflict came pretty late with the ending then feeling rushed which I think could have been paced better.

Overall I enjoyed Freya’s character and I appreciated the time spent working through their issues with relationships, I think this element was really well done. It’s a really good premise and storyline but the pacing and writing style didn’t quite work for me unfortunately.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎀 Rating: 4.25 ⭐️
🎀 Review: This book has such a fun and clever premise: a divorce lawyer who still believes in true love goes head-to-head with a romance author who doesn’t so they make a bet on TV to prove each other wrong. There were definitely some cute laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled throughout, and although both Jake and Freya could be a little unlikeable in the beginning, they completely grew on me. Underneath their stubbornness, they were sweet, and I found myself rooting for them and their happily-ever-after from the very beginning. One of my favourite parts of the book was the double dates they set up but every time, they just ended up gravitating back to each other. It was so sweet to see how their banter slowly turned into a genuine bond. I also loved the team-building weekend, which had the perfect mix of funny and heartfelt moments. On top of the romance, there’s a strong thread of self-discovery and growth, especially as both characters reflected on their past relationships and mistakes. That layer added a lot of depth to the story. My only tiny critique? I wish Sonja had gotten a bigger slice of karma for how cruel she was! Overall, this was such a charming, witty, and warm romance that gave me everything I hoped for—humour, swoon, and characters finding both love and themselves along the way.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jennifer Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Not Me, It’s You, by Jo Lovett, is a contemporary rom-com but with some serious undertones. Author Freya Cassidy is a well established romance author, although she has dabbled in thrillers under a pseudonym. She is now set to appear on a special Valentine’s Day panel on acclaimed morning show Wake Up Britain. Well known host Sonja will be questioning Freya along with successful divorce lawyer Jake Stone. While Freya is a single romance author who doesn’t believe true love is for her, Jake, although divorced himself and witness to the dissolution of many marriages, believes that his special someone is out there and that a happily ever after is in his future. That said, Jake blames romance authors, and Freya in particular, for setting unrealistic ideals that lead to divorce, at least that’s what his ex said.

The not so friendly back and forth between Freya and Jake leads opportunistic Sonja to set up a competition between them with each required to set up dates for the other to see if either finds the answer. But Sonja runs things more like reality TV, not making either participant happy. The culmination will be a team building event where they will work together.

As the dates become doubles, and the time spent together reveals more about their backstories, this story unfolds in unexpected ways. The characters are well drawn and the plot is set with many a twist. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely fun, quick read.

Freya, a romance writer (who secretly doesn’t believe in happy ever afters) and Jake, a divorce lawyer (who surprisingly does believe in love) are thrown together in a TV interview for romance. What they don’t expect is that their comments will lead to the TV host issuing them with a challenge!
What follows highlights the ups and downs of the challenge, the relationship that builds between them, as well as a whole lot of fun.

There’s humour throughout, as the chapters weave between Freya and Jake’s point of view. I love this style as we really get a good feel for each character and what they are going through. There are some other great characters like Jake’s brother Max as well as their friends. Sonja is a right character, but plays her part well!

I love the pace the author sets, always something happening, always thinking what would work next. The chemistry between the characters is wonderful throughout, I love the banter between them. The characters are both really likeable, even when maybe what they are saying is a little questionable. The author really brings them to life and it feels like they are coming out of the pages for you to observe.

So all in all a great read. Something to loose yourself in and have a laugh along with the characters.

[Abby (Brii) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s Not Me, It’s You is a delightful short, fast-paced contemporary romance with a romance author who doesn’t believe in love and a divorce lawyer who does and they are forced into a reality tv-esc challenge to change the others mind. This book grabbed onto me and refused to let go and I finished it in like two days. It’s a super easy and light read with one of my favorite concepts of romance books I’ve read recently. It also talks about books and whether or not fictional men lead to unrealistic expectations for real-life men and who doesn’t love a book about books. I highly recommend checking out this book if you’re looking for a short and sweet contemporary romance, especially if you want a fade-to-black, low spice romance.

The relationship: Freya and Jake just have a very fun relationship to read about. It’s a very enemies-to-lovers dynamic where they both aggressively hate each other and are very determined to change the other’s mind about love. But the forced proximity happens and we all know where that goes

The characters: They both struggle in ways that feel very realistic and relatable. Also Sonja is just comical in her own way and no I will not elaborate on that because spoilers

[Jade aka MrsTosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freya writes bestselling romance novels for a living, but off the page, she doesn’t believe in happy endings. Jake is a divorced divorce lawyer who does believe in romance ­– despite every day seeing the results of failed relationships.
When a TV news segment captures their very public disagreement about modern love, the clip goes viral, and to settle the debate, they strike a Jake will find Freya her perfect match, and Freya will convince Jake that romance is a fairy tale best left in fiction.

I am so loving these covers lately the animated cartoon style with bright colours. I really judge books by their covers and I had high hopes for this one. It is a rom-com with an enemies to lovers trope the synopsis sounded great. I haven't read anything by the author before so can't judge her on other books but, I think this book should have been edited a bit more to make it easier for the reader. I felt sometimes the sentences and writing just didn't work or flow. I enjoyed the concept, but I didn't really like the characters. Freya was annoying in place and Jake just didn't draw me in. What could have been a really good book was just ok.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Szilvia Kun · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
At first I tougth this would absolutely be for me, another one of my 5 stars even. It was after they went on the team building weekend that everything started to fall apart for me.
Sonja was a disgusting person and it was a dealbreaker for me when she did everything in her way to ruin the experience for Freya. I understand that it was reality Tv but she could have been nicer.
I enjoyed how the author started to build the characters realtionship and background but it was childish of Jake to blame Freya for his divorce but he realised that in the book so it wasn't like he tought it towards the end.
I liked Lizzie and Dan, their story and how they worked out. Also Jake's brother was a great addition to the book I really hated Jake's other friend with the bet. That was the part that really ruined this book for me. I really think that was unnecesery. The story would have been so much better if they had just come clean with their relationship instead of this whole drama. If I were in their shoes I wouldn't have let Sonja in on my weeding day after what se had done so that was really unrealistic. I would also put more depth in the story of why Freya thinks this way about relationships.
Overall it is a good book, if you want to read something quick and fun you should go for it.