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The Love Potion
Can a love potion help her find real love—or just make her see what’s been there all along?
Ally Hawkins has never had a Valentine’s Day date—but this is her year. She can feel it in her endlessly optimistic heart. So when she stumbles upon a love potion at a county fair, she figures…why not? It’s silly, it’s smelly, and she’s a grown woman. But then—bam—the very guy she’s been crushing on asks her to lunch. Coincidence? She thinks not.
But while Ally’s busy swooning, her office BFF Josh Wise starts acting weird. Distant. Not his usual flirty, funny, charming self. And Ally realizes she might miss him more than she expected. Maybe the potion isn’t magic at all, maybe it’s just opening her eyes.
Now she’ll have to figure out what (or who) she really wants…before the spell wears off for good.
Ally Hawkins has never had a Valentine’s Day date—but this is her year. She can feel it in her endlessly optimistic heart. So when she stumbles upon a love potion at a county fair, she figures…why not? It’s silly, it’s smelly, and she’s a grown woman. But then—bam—the very guy she’s been crushing on asks her to lunch. Coincidence? She thinks not.
But while Ally’s busy swooning, her office BFF Josh Wise starts acting weird. Distant. Not his usual flirty, funny, charming self. And Ally realizes she might miss him more than she expected. Maybe the potion isn’t magic at all, maybe it’s just opening her eyes.
Now she’ll have to figure out what (or who) she really wants…before the spell wears off for good.
Audible Audio
First published April 21, 2021
About the author
Becky Monson
25 books1,442 followersBy day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last... but it probably won't.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
May 9, 2021
Short, sweet, and very, very satisfying, especially after a day of hard work. I absolutely adored Josh, and Ally was quirky in an attractive and endearing way. I also liked the fact that she did some growing up in the course of the story, even though it was only a novelette. Well done, Ms Monson. And I was so chuffed when I realized there was a character in there (Chase) who is the hero of another novel by this author which I really liked (The Accidental Text)! The events of this story happen more less at the beginning of the other one, so if you like tie-ins, you might check it out as well.
December 23, 2021
This one was so sweet. I loved it and Ally- poor oblivious Ally- with a cute sense of style in her retro dresses. I really wanted more of this book and I definitely would have loved an epilogue to see that Valentine's date with Josh! The kissing gave me goosebumps. A few instances of mild swearing.
I read this as part of the Love In The City collection. 4.5 stars, rounding up!
I read this as part of the Love In The City collection. 4.5 stars, rounding up!
February 1, 2022
Super cute rom com and perfect for Valentine’s Day season!
January 29, 2025
I wasn’t expecting this level of cuteness!
Surprise, surprise—I didn’t hate the love triangle. I know, who am I? I think it’s because even though Monson structured a love triangle, Mr. Right was obvious.
This was pure fluff and cuteness. I can’t say there was a real theme or deep message… unless it’s don’t be oblivious to what’s right in front of you or be so focused on positivity you miss the signs of your best friend’s struggle with depression.
So, if you’re in the market for a fluffy Valentine’s Day read featuring a 1950s fashionista heroine, a friends-to-lovers office romance, an alleged love potion, and a cake fight of the century—check this one out!
Content: mild language; mentions of cheating (not the MCs)
Surprise, surprise—I didn’t hate the love triangle. I know, who am I? I think it’s because even though Monson structured a love triangle, Mr. Right was obvious.
This was pure fluff and cuteness. I can’t say there was a real theme or deep message… unless it’s don’t be oblivious to what’s right in front of you or be so focused on positivity you miss the signs of your best friend’s struggle with depression.
So, if you’re in the market for a fluffy Valentine’s Day read featuring a 1950s fashionista heroine, a friends-to-lovers office romance, an alleged love potion, and a cake fight of the century—check this one out!
Content: mild language; mentions of cheating (not the MCs)
September 26, 2026
G-rated, chick-lit/romcom, Valentine's Day novella
Ally is 26 and currently temporarily living with her parents because something went wrong with the apartment she was sharing with her BFF, who has also been forced to move back in with her parents. Unfortunately, her friend has also lost her job, and even if they could find a viable alternative apartment to move to, her friend cannot afford to pay rent. This puts Ally in a difficult position, because she doesn't want any other roommate but her BFF, and she can't afford rent on her own.
Ally loves wearing colorful, vintage designer clothing, which is clearly meant to characterize her as a fascinatingly unique young woman. She has worked a few years at a marketing firm whose primary customers are grocery store chains. She doesn't have her own office but sits at a table with five other 20-something employees. There are quite a few scenes of her at her job. As is typical of chick lit, Ali is a doormat FMC who is completely powerless against the misery one of her teammates, a cliche sneering Mean Girl, regularly causes her.
Ally has only one story goal, to have for the first time ever a Valentine's Day date with someone who goes all out to make it a joyous occasion for her. The boy she dated in college ultimately rang the death knell on their relationship when it never occurred to him to do anything at all for Ally on her favorite holiday.
Ally has a crush on a coworker who is fellow 20-something but who is not a member of her team. He is a handsome, narcissistic womanizer, but all Ally notices is his good looks. She totally overlooks a much better option, her office BFF, Josh, who is an adorable Cinnamon Roll on her work team.
The titular love potion comes into the story when Ally obtains it through a mysterious woman at a county fair and uses it at her job. She dabs the love potion on her pulse points as if it were expensive perfume, not even noticing it's awful smell until Josh comments on the fact that she stinks. She rushes to the bathroom to wash it off, but the smell doesn't fully go away. And soon after, when her crush is more friendly to her than usual, she superstitiously decides that it's working. As a result, she continues dabbing it on daily in hopes that her crush will eventually become her mythically perfect Valentine date.
For readers who like chick lit, with its expected theme of a hapless FMC making immature, ridiculous life choices throughout most of the story, until she finally grows up enough near the very end to be rewarded with a decent man as her love interest, this might be an enjoyable read. I received access to this novel in its audiobook version through my Audible membership, which is the only reason I read it, and I had to increase the speed of play to get through it as quickly as possible. I don't particularly like chick lit at the best of times, and this book only reinforced my negative opinion of that subgenre of women's fiction.
It is never made clear whether the love potion is actually magical. But the fact that Ally believes it is and is willing to force someone to bend to her will and basically become her love slave is morally repugnant, even if it's done as supposed comedy.
In addition, it makes no sense that the only person who comments on the fact that Ally stinks is Josh. It would realistically provide prime opportunities for putdowns by her work enemy, the Mean Girl.
Finally, I found the excessive number of scenes at Ally's job boringly redundant.
Ally is 26 and currently temporarily living with her parents because something went wrong with the apartment she was sharing with her BFF, who has also been forced to move back in with her parents. Unfortunately, her friend has also lost her job, and even if they could find a viable alternative apartment to move to, her friend cannot afford to pay rent. This puts Ally in a difficult position, because she doesn't want any other roommate but her BFF, and she can't afford rent on her own.
Ally loves wearing colorful, vintage designer clothing, which is clearly meant to characterize her as a fascinatingly unique young woman. She has worked a few years at a marketing firm whose primary customers are grocery store chains. She doesn't have her own office but sits at a table with five other 20-something employees. There are quite a few scenes of her at her job. As is typical of chick lit, Ali is a doormat FMC who is completely powerless against the misery one of her teammates, a cliche sneering Mean Girl, regularly causes her.
Ally has only one story goal, to have for the first time ever a Valentine's Day date with someone who goes all out to make it a joyous occasion for her. The boy she dated in college ultimately rang the death knell on their relationship when it never occurred to him to do anything at all for Ally on her favorite holiday.
Ally has a crush on a coworker who is fellow 20-something but who is not a member of her team. He is a handsome, narcissistic womanizer, but all Ally notices is his good looks. She totally overlooks a much better option, her office BFF, Josh, who is an adorable Cinnamon Roll on her work team.
The titular love potion comes into the story when Ally obtains it through a mysterious woman at a county fair and uses it at her job. She dabs the love potion on her pulse points as if it were expensive perfume, not even noticing it's awful smell until Josh comments on the fact that she stinks. She rushes to the bathroom to wash it off, but the smell doesn't fully go away. And soon after, when her crush is more friendly to her than usual, she superstitiously decides that it's working. As a result, she continues dabbing it on daily in hopes that her crush will eventually become her mythically perfect Valentine date.
For readers who like chick lit, with its expected theme of a hapless FMC making immature, ridiculous life choices throughout most of the story, until she finally grows up enough near the very end to be rewarded with a decent man as her love interest, this might be an enjoyable read. I received access to this novel in its audiobook version through my Audible membership, which is the only reason I read it, and I had to increase the speed of play to get through it as quickly as possible. I don't particularly like chick lit at the best of times, and this book only reinforced my negative opinion of that subgenre of women's fiction.
It is never made clear whether the love potion is actually magical. But the fact that Ally believes it is and is willing to force someone to bend to her will and basically become her love slave is morally repugnant, even if it's done as supposed comedy.
In addition, it makes no sense that the only person who comments on the fact that Ally stinks is Josh. It would realistically provide prime opportunities for putdowns by her work enemy, the Mean Girl.
Finally, I found the excessive number of scenes at Ally's job boringly redundant.
April 23, 2021
This one was adorable. Ally is a positive, cheerful MC who thinks her life has been changed by a love potion she bought at a flea market. When Dylan, a handsome coworker, starts paying her attention after she wears it, she is sure she will have her first Valentine. But Josh, her friend and next-door coworker, has a beef with Dylan for some reason, and he won’t tell her why. Is her dream about to come true, or will everything come crashing down around her? Are love potions real? This story is super cute. Love Monson’s romances. They’re funny, clean, and swoony.
May 31, 2026
Another super-sweet romance from Becky Monson.
Ally walks into work accompanied by an awful smell... a love potion she bought at a fair. She is quickly reminded that its potency is more smelly than sexy, so she attempts to remove the stench... only to attract the attention of her work crush.
But she also notices a change in the behaviour of her work bestie, Josh, and not for the most positive of reasons.
Okay, so this was another lovely, easy listen with a most satisfying end, and what was even better was that there was a character in here from one of my previous Becky Monson listens, Chase from The Accidental Text, and I love it when there is a little appearance of characters I have already met before!
Ally walks into work accompanied by an awful smell... a love potion she bought at a fair. She is quickly reminded that its potency is more smelly than sexy, so she attempts to remove the stench... only to attract the attention of her work crush.
But she also notices a change in the behaviour of her work bestie, Josh, and not for the most positive of reasons.
Okay, so this was another lovely, easy listen with a most satisfying end, and what was even better was that there was a character in here from one of my previous Becky Monson listens, Chase from The Accidental Text, and I love it when there is a little appearance of characters I have already met before!
March 7, 2022
Cute Novella
This is a sweet romance about how sometimes love is right in front of you if only you look for it. I am not sure which came first, this book or The Accidental Text, but it doesn't really matter which one you read first. I read The Accidental Text first and really wanted to see about Chase's beginning with the texts start. So yeah, you might want to read this one first.
Like I said sweet romance, but still has conflict. Which is a good thing. Also, it's a clean romance if you are interested. I enjoyed the characters, the romance and the growth of the main character, Ally. Recommended to romance readers who may want a shorter read occasionally.
This is a sweet romance about how sometimes love is right in front of you if only you look for it. I am not sure which came first, this book or The Accidental Text, but it doesn't really matter which one you read first. I read The Accidental Text first and really wanted to see about Chase's beginning with the texts start. So yeah, you might want to read this one first.
Like I said sweet romance, but still has conflict. Which is a good thing. Also, it's a clean romance if you are interested. I enjoyed the characters, the romance and the growth of the main character, Ally. Recommended to romance readers who may want a shorter read occasionally.
March 14, 2023
DNF
There were already a bunch of things that annoyed me within the first two and a half chapters but this major dum-dum vibe and talking kinda mean about her supposed to be best friends... I just don't have the nerve for it.
I was really ready to give it another chance in chapter 3 but this just sent me over the edge:
"I quickly log out of my computer. We’re not allowed to leave an unattended computer screen open at SurveyWave—it’s a big no-no here. I feel like it’s a little over the top. We are on the same team, after all. We all work for the same place."
There were already a bunch of things that annoyed me within the first two and a half chapters but this major dum-dum vibe and talking kinda mean about her supposed to be best friends... I just don't have the nerve for it.
I was really ready to give it another chance in chapter 3 but this just sent me over the edge:
"I quickly log out of my computer. We’re not allowed to leave an unattended computer screen open at SurveyWave—it’s a big no-no here. I feel like it’s a little over the top. We are on the same team, after all. We all work for the same place."
February 27, 2022
Quick read, but so entertaining. So sweet and cute. A little cheesy, but I love that.
I can’t wait to continue on with Chase in The Accidental Text.
I can’t wait to continue on with Chase in The Accidental Text.
July 30, 2023
4 star = I liked it
This was a cute and light. I liked it just as well as Chase's book (I didn't realize this was the same author when I picked this up)
This was a cute and light. I liked it just as well as Chase's book (I didn't realize this was the same author when I picked this up)
September 16, 2023
3.5 out of 5 stars
March 4, 2025
Just a cute short read.
June 29, 2026
Becky Monson, I LOVE YOU! Not as funny and witty as her other reads but she is so good at creating the sweetest Hallmark-esque stories!
June 20, 2021
3.5 stars
It was a fun and quick read. Quite cliché and predictable but it was entertaining nonetheless.
I enjoyed reading about Ally's friendship with Hazel. I adored Josh! There wasn't a lot of depth in the characters, but it's understandable since it's just a novella.
This will be a perfect read for people who are looking for something quick and easy to read that will definitely pull you out of a reading slump.
I'm excited to read The Accidental Text, which is the full novel that follows one of the characters from here.
It was a fun and quick read. Quite cliché and predictable but it was entertaining nonetheless.
I enjoyed reading about Ally's friendship with Hazel. I adored Josh! There wasn't a lot of depth in the characters, but it's understandable since it's just a novella.
This will be a perfect read for people who are looking for something quick and easy to read that will definitely pull you out of a reading slump.
I'm excited to read The Accidental Text, which is the full novel that follows one of the characters from here.
January 27, 2024
cute novella
This is a short and sweet read that lets you meet a few characters. I loved seeing more of Chase even if it was minimal.
This is a short and sweet read that lets you meet a few characters. I loved seeing more of Chase even if it was minimal.
June 2, 2021
She Can Attract... Readers
From master romantic comedy author Becky Monson comes a bonus story of an almost desperate corporate drone whose major complaint is that she's never has a valentine. Either the to king isn't right or there's nobody to love her own February 14th. She goes to a fair an be buys a "love potion" from an old gypsy. Reluctant to believe in its power, she has she has nothing to lose and applies it lavishly a few days before The Day itself. Her workplace bff, Josh, take her she smells it a gas station bathroom, so she washes most of it off. The book was billed was an explanation of how Chase came to own Maggie's mother's cell phone and number (a key part of the premise of The Accidental Text), and it does explain it, but that's a short part of a book that's mostly about Ally tying to find a valentine with a dubiously effective love potion. It seems to work perfectly when handsome Dylan arrives and so the her off her feet. Ally loves it, Josh isn't convinced Dylan is all she thinks he is, and Dylan just keeps getting more and more charming.
As Valentine's Day there closer, Ally steps up her love potion usage and Josh steps up his snide commentary until Ally is nearly crazy with irritation at his comments about her dream man. But as Valentine's Day gets closer, Dylan becomes less and less charming. He repeats the jokes and even the song he sang from "Hamilton", driving Ally nearly crazy as well.
Who is Ally's real valentine, and will she discover it in time to avoid another year without a valentine? So much drama, and so much Ally needs to learn. For the reader's sake, everything is resolved by the end. We figure it out just before she does, and it's satisfying to see her with the right guy after so many red herrings and dead ends. A real treat!
From master romantic comedy author Becky Monson comes a bonus story of an almost desperate corporate drone whose major complaint is that she's never has a valentine. Either the to king isn't right or there's nobody to love her own February 14th. She goes to a fair an be buys a "love potion" from an old gypsy. Reluctant to believe in its power, she has she has nothing to lose and applies it lavishly a few days before The Day itself. Her workplace bff, Josh, take her she smells it a gas station bathroom, so she washes most of it off. The book was billed was an explanation of how Chase came to own Maggie's mother's cell phone and number (a key part of the premise of The Accidental Text), and it does explain it, but that's a short part of a book that's mostly about Ally tying to find a valentine with a dubiously effective love potion. It seems to work perfectly when handsome Dylan arrives and so the her off her feet. Ally loves it, Josh isn't convinced Dylan is all she thinks he is, and Dylan just keeps getting more and more charming.
As Valentine's Day there closer, Ally steps up her love potion usage and Josh steps up his snide commentary until Ally is nearly crazy with irritation at his comments about her dream man. But as Valentine's Day gets closer, Dylan becomes less and less charming. He repeats the jokes and even the song he sang from "Hamilton", driving Ally nearly crazy as well.
Who is Ally's real valentine, and will she discover it in time to avoid another year without a valentine? So much drama, and so much Ally needs to learn. For the reader's sake, everything is resolved by the end. We figure it out just before she does, and it's satisfying to see her with the right guy after so many red herrings and dead ends. A real treat!
February 5, 2026
Indie author Becky Monson’s book The Love Potion, first published in 2021, is available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook formats. The audiobook narrated by Holly Warren is approximately 3 hours of easy listening.
Two weeks before Valentine’s Day, Ally Hawkin wants to be optimistic, but her success rate has her resorting to a love potion she obtained from the fair’s fortune teller. Ally doesn’t really believe in a magic potion, still, when she accidentally spills some on herself, the guy she’s been crushing on asks her on a coffee date, coincidence, or not?
Ally gets so wrapped up in the budding relationship between her and Dylan that her rose colored glasses make her ignore warnings and red flags. She misses cues from friends or dismisses them altogether. Until she realizes perhaps Dylan isn’t her perfect Valentine’s after all, and the person who’s been beside her at work all these years is actually her perfect fit, but is it too late?
Monson’s storyline feels rushed, leaving little room for proper character development. It’s a cute Valentine’s tale without any depth or substance, making this a 1-star read.
For more reviews, please visit my site: https://roxannacross.com/category/boo...
Two weeks before Valentine’s Day, Ally Hawkin wants to be optimistic, but her success rate has her resorting to a love potion she obtained from the fair’s fortune teller. Ally doesn’t really believe in a magic potion, still, when she accidentally spills some on herself, the guy she’s been crushing on asks her on a coffee date, coincidence, or not?
Ally gets so wrapped up in the budding relationship between her and Dylan that her rose colored glasses make her ignore warnings and red flags. She misses cues from friends or dismisses them altogether. Until she realizes perhaps Dylan isn’t her perfect Valentine’s after all, and the person who’s been beside her at work all these years is actually her perfect fit, but is it too late?
Monson’s storyline feels rushed, leaving little room for proper character development. It’s a cute Valentine’s tale without any depth or substance, making this a 1-star read.
For more reviews, please visit my site: https://roxannacross.com/category/boo...
January 23, 2025
The Love Potion
by: Becky Monson
@bmonsonauthor
-I give 4.5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
“You just say the word, and I’m yours. You don’t need to buy a potion to get me.”
-The Love Potion, is a short but such a delightful story that mostly takes places in the workspace. It’s a dear story about realizing and coming to see what is right in front of you, that matters most! With endearing and relatable characters, delightful humor and banter, cake fighting dilemmas, the importance of being true to oneself, and swoony moments, this cute story is one that is worth the read!🙌🏻📚🩷
“We all could use a little more nice in this world.“
#thelovepotion
#beckymonson
#worththeread
#gogetyourselfthisamazingdeal
#allaboutthebestreads
“I see you,” I say. “And I want…you.”
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
by: Becky Monson
@bmonsonauthor
-I give 4.5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
“You just say the word, and I’m yours. You don’t need to buy a potion to get me.”
-The Love Potion, is a short but such a delightful story that mostly takes places in the workspace. It’s a dear story about realizing and coming to see what is right in front of you, that matters most! With endearing and relatable characters, delightful humor and banter, cake fighting dilemmas, the importance of being true to oneself, and swoony moments, this cute story is one that is worth the read!🙌🏻📚🩷
“We all could use a little more nice in this world.“
#thelovepotion
#beckymonson
#worththeread
#gogetyourselfthisamazingdeal
#allaboutthebestreads
“I see you,” I say. “And I want…you.”
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
March 26, 2022
𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 : 🌟🌟🌟🌟
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 :
⚗️ novelette
⚗️ workplace romance
⚗️ best friends to lovers
𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 : suitable for young readers; available on Kindle Unlimited!
——————————
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 is a short and sweet romance read, that has a finding oneself theme sprinkled in! following sunshine girl 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬, this book serves sort of as a prequel to 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭, a full novel belonging to a series☺️
this was a super enjoyable read, and I actually love that the page count was minimal; there's not a lot you need to add to a story that was already so well wrapped up after all🤍
the story, told from the female protagonist's point of view was to the point, but I love how it still allowed for her to do a little bit of growing up along the way. such a cute read, I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author🥰
——————————
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 :
⚗️ novelette
⚗️ workplace romance
⚗️ best friends to lovers
𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 : suitable for young readers; available on Kindle Unlimited!
——————————
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 is a short and sweet romance read, that has a finding oneself theme sprinkled in! following sunshine girl 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬, this book serves sort of as a prequel to 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭, a full novel belonging to a series☺️
this was a super enjoyable read, and I actually love that the page count was minimal; there's not a lot you need to add to a story that was already so well wrapped up after all🤍
the story, told from the female protagonist's point of view was to the point, but I love how it still allowed for her to do a little bit of growing up along the way. such a cute read, I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author🥰
——————————
September 17, 2026
A Little Love, A Little Magic 💕✨
The Love Potion is absolutely adorable! It’s funny, charming, and filled with engaging characters who make the whole story so easy to fall into.
Becky Monson has created such a fun interconnected universe with her books. One of my favorite surprises in this one was discovering that it actually gives you a little insight into how The Accidental Text came to be. I loved The Accidental Text, so seeing that connection made this story even more fun for me.
These are exactly the kind of romances I enjoy: cozy, funny, heartfelt rom-coms without all the smut. You still get the chemistry and romance, but the characters and their stories get to be the heart of the book.
Sweet, funny, and genuinely entertaining. Becky Monson’s little rom-com universe has me hooked, and I’ll definitely be reading more.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely recommend!
The Love Potion is absolutely adorable! It’s funny, charming, and filled with engaging characters who make the whole story so easy to fall into.
Becky Monson has created such a fun interconnected universe with her books. One of my favorite surprises in this one was discovering that it actually gives you a little insight into how The Accidental Text came to be. I loved The Accidental Text, so seeing that connection made this story even more fun for me.
These are exactly the kind of romances I enjoy: cozy, funny, heartfelt rom-coms without all the smut. You still get the chemistry and romance, but the characters and their stories get to be the heart of the book.
Sweet, funny, and genuinely entertaining. Becky Monson’s little rom-com universe has me hooked, and I’ll definitely be reading more.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely recommend!
July 17, 2022
It’s fine.
I like Becky Monson. Her characters are almost always nice people worth rooting for. This story is really no different. But, I don’t want to say the female lead is dumb, but she doesn’t behave in the smartest of ways. And I’m not even talking about the love potion. Weirder things have happened in romcoms. She misses clues about pretty much everything happening around her that a blind person in the other room would have caught. Her best friend, her co-worker, her love interest, her parents. All of them give her big, obvious clues about what’s happening and she just wanders around oblivious to all of it. It was short though, and I did like seeing Chase from The Accidental Text, so there’s that.
I like Becky Monson. Her characters are almost always nice people worth rooting for. This story is really no different. But, I don’t want to say the female lead is dumb, but she doesn’t behave in the smartest of ways. And I’m not even talking about the love potion. Weirder things have happened in romcoms. She misses clues about pretty much everything happening around her that a blind person in the other room would have caught. Her best friend, her co-worker, her love interest, her parents. All of them give her big, obvious clues about what’s happening and she just wanders around oblivious to all of it. It was short though, and I did like seeing Chase from The Accidental Text, so there’s that.
February 1, 2026
A second book is enough for me to figure out this author is not for me 🤷🏽♀️.
Ally seems to be going through a mid-life crisis and has never had a valentine and when we are desperate sometimes, we do things out of desperation, right? Ally decided to try out a love potion that even from the first time she used it Josh told her it stinks 😂 but it wasn't enough for her to realize that she didn't have to use anything? Even her parents are giving her hints to find an apartment and get out of their house, they are more than ready to enjoy their empty nesters time 😂.
The poor guy had tried anything to show Ally he's interested in her and the way she rewards him is with the friendzone and let me try to hook up with the asshole of the office who also seems to have some beef with Josh 😂.
Let me tell you the whole books is not worth anybody's time. I could find something way better in Wattpad and that makes me mad.
Ally seems to be going through a mid-life crisis and has never had a valentine and when we are desperate sometimes, we do things out of desperation, right? Ally decided to try out a love potion that even from the first time she used it Josh told her it stinks 😂 but it wasn't enough for her to realize that she didn't have to use anything? Even her parents are giving her hints to find an apartment and get out of their house, they are more than ready to enjoy their empty nesters time 😂.
The poor guy had tried anything to show Ally he's interested in her and the way she rewards him is with the friendzone and let me try to hook up with the asshole of the office who also seems to have some beef with Josh 😂.
Let me tell you the whole books is not worth anybody's time. I could find something way better in Wattpad and that makes me mad.
April 28, 2021
Cute Office Romance.
If you are looking for something to fill in an afternoon or a night of reading, and you want to walk away feeling happy, grab this one. It’s an office romance, with a girl that’s full of positivity (loved seeing that) and was loyal to everyone. It’s only 95 pages but it felt complete by the end, I didn’t feel it skipped steps due to being a novella. Could I have read more about this couple, yeah! Loved them. Maybe they might be weaved into a full length novel at some point as I’d like to know more about them and how Hazel faired. Definitely worth the read.
If you are looking for something to fill in an afternoon or a night of reading, and you want to walk away feeling happy, grab this one. It’s an office romance, with a girl that’s full of positivity (loved seeing that) and was loyal to everyone. It’s only 95 pages but it felt complete by the end, I didn’t feel it skipped steps due to being a novella. Could I have read more about this couple, yeah! Loved them. Maybe they might be weaved into a full length novel at some point as I’d like to know more about them and how Hazel faired. Definitely worth the read.
April 20, 2026
To be fair, this rating is valid only among the books by Becky Monson, that I've listened to. I liked it, I just didn't like how the main character didn't think her good friend was worth listening to. I get that people can change, but no one else seemed to like this guy and to me that sounds like he's a jerk but has a reason to be nice to her. Personally I don't like people who are jerks to other people even if they are nice to me. Anyway, still enjoyed this and I might have been listening too many in a row, that I might be getting a bit of a burnout. I did like seeing Chase in this book, because I really like liked The Accidental Text.
November 27, 2025
This gave off major The Hating Game vibes. Only the heroine here had a crush on someone else and it was friends to lovers. My biggest complaint here is how long it took the heroine to see om for what he was. All the signs pointed to him being a jerk and she ignored them all. It took her way too long to see the hero and, at one point, it really seemed like she was gonna lose her friendship with the hero for om. I really wish she chose the hero sooner.
And I loved the hero. He was so in love with her and it was so obvious to everyone around them, except her. I love a pining hero.
And I loved the hero. He was so in love with her and it was so obvious to everyone around them, except her. I love a pining hero.
January 13, 2026
This is a good, clean cute pre-Valentine’s Day story that I’m pretty sure is in the novella category. I enjoyed listening to it on Audible. I didn’t like the “love potion” perfume aspect of it or the mention of getting it from a “fortune teller” at a carnival. Josh is among the best male MCs that I can think of in recent fictional reads. He’s honest, kind, and funny without trying. I’ve become a fan of Becky Monson‘a books- she has a talent for creating protagonists who are enthusiastic and who seem real.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2021
What a fun novella! Author Becky Monson immediately gets you into the story, and invested in the authentic characters in only 79 pages! I am amazed! I got a kick out of Ally and her best friend Hazel, and Ally's co-worker and 2nd best friend Josh. And the craziness that ensues when she wears a 'love potion' to work. Written with her signature humor, and meaningful storytelling, Becky Monson pens another very enjoyable story!
March 22, 2022
I didn’t realize this was a novella when I decided I wanted to read it; that’s my bad! It was a short, sweet little thing. The writing was kind of weird to me though? I don’t know, it just didn’t sit right with me. It might’ve been the first person, I’m not sure. The story line was kind of cheesy and predictable too. I also wish we would’ve got to see the Valentine’s day date. Overall though it was a cute little Valentine’s Day novella!
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