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Wild About You: A BRAND NEW unforgettable romance of second chances from Jo Lovett for 2026
He's the one that got away...
After the loss of her father, the last thing Flavia expects — or wants to do — is go on the trip of a lifetime her parents had planned together.
Not least because — it turns out — the other ticket is being taken by Dominic Rock, their devastatingly handsome next-door neighbour — with whom, nine years ago, Flavia shared a hot night of passion.
It had felt like love. Real, dizzy, once-in-a-lifetime love. But in the intervening years, Flavia has learnt more about this man, things that make him impossible to trust.
But against the breathtaking landscapes of Cape Town, old sparks may once again reignite. And Flavia must decide whether Dominic is the man who broke her heart — or the one she never truly let go.
After the loss of her father, the last thing Flavia expects — or wants to do — is go on the trip of a lifetime her parents had planned together.
Not least because — it turns out — the other ticket is being taken by Dominic Rock, their devastatingly handsome next-door neighbour — with whom, nine years ago, Flavia shared a hot night of passion.
It had felt like love. Real, dizzy, once-in-a-lifetime love. But in the intervening years, Flavia has learnt more about this man, things that make him impossible to trust.
But against the breathtaking landscapes of Cape Town, old sparks may once again reignite. And Flavia must decide whether Dominic is the man who broke her heart — or the one she never truly let go.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay this started off so strong. I was immediately pulled in. The emotion, the history, that second-chance tension?? And the setup of them going on this trip together to Cape Town (with all that history between them just sitting there??) had me ready to be completely consumed. It had such an easy, summery vibe that made it feel like the perfect sit-down-and-get-lost kind of read. ✨
Butttttttttt… I quickly felt myself slipping out of it. 😔
A lot of that came from being in Flavia’s head so much. And I don’t mind inner thoughts, but this felt like going over the same emotions again and again without much changing. It started to feel repetitive, and instead of getting more invested, I just felt more distant from everything happening. 🥲 Also this is written in first person but for some reason I really struggled to get immersed. I felt like I was just reading off the page 😔
I will say—Dominic’s POV really helped. I wasn’t expecting dual POV, but his perspective added something the story needed and kept me a little more engaged.
Overall, this is still a super easy, cute read. Fade-to-black, low-stakes, nothing complicated, good vacation book you can pick up and get through quickly. And one thing I did like is that underlying idea that sometimes we’re the only ones standing in the way of our own happiness… I just wish it had been explored with a bit more depth instead of feeling repetitive.
things to know about the book ↓
🌅 second chance
🌅 forced proximity/one bed
🌅 vacation romance
🌅 the one that got away
🌅 slowburn
🌅 dual POV
spice rating: 🌶️
swearing: yes (mild)
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books & Jo Lovett for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
got this solely because of the cover + boy next door!!🩷💙💚 can’t wait!
Butttttttttt… I quickly felt myself slipping out of it. 😔
A lot of that came from being in Flavia’s head so much. And I don’t mind inner thoughts, but this felt like going over the same emotions again and again without much changing. It started to feel repetitive, and instead of getting more invested, I just felt more distant from everything happening. 🥲 Also this is written in first person but for some reason I really struggled to get immersed. I felt like I was just reading off the page 😔
I will say—Dominic’s POV really helped. I wasn’t expecting dual POV, but his perspective added something the story needed and kept me a little more engaged.
Overall, this is still a super easy, cute read. Fade-to-black, low-stakes, nothing complicated, good vacation book you can pick up and get through quickly. And one thing I did like is that underlying idea that sometimes we’re the only ones standing in the way of our own happiness… I just wish it had been explored with a bit more depth instead of feeling repetitive.
things to know about the book ↓
🌅 second chance
🌅 forced proximity/one bed
🌅 vacation romance
🌅 the one that got away
🌅 slowburn
🌅 dual POV
spice rating: 🌶️
swearing: yes (mild)
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books & Jo Lovett for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
got this solely because of the cover + boy next door!!🩷💙💚 can’t wait!
April 20, 2026
I really wanted to love this book because the setting held so much promise. For me, pacing was the biggest challenge. A large portion of the story is spent in extended internal dialogue, often circling the same emotional conflict. It began to feel repetitive, especially when the surrounding environment seemed ripe for deeper exploration and impact.
That said, the opening chapters were strong. The first two chapters immediately drew me in and set high expectations for what followed. Unfortunately, the story did not continue in a way that worked for me overall, making this one not the right fit for my reading taste.
2.5 stars
www.pinkstinx.blogspot.com PinkStinx
I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
That said, the opening chapters were strong. The first two chapters immediately drew me in and set high expectations for what followed. Unfortunately, the story did not continue in a way that worked for me overall, making this one not the right fit for my reading taste.
2.5 stars
www.pinkstinx.blogspot.com PinkStinx
I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 26, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
I was surprised by how much I liked this book. I thought it would be just a typical romance, but it was more emotional than I expected. Flavia and Dominic had great chemistry, and I enjoyed learning about their past little by little.
I also really liked the Cape Town setting because it made the story feel more special and realistic. Some moments were predictable, but the emotional parts kept me interested. Overall, it was a sweet and engaging second chance romance.
I was surprised by how much I liked this book. I thought it would be just a typical romance, but it was more emotional than I expected. Flavia and Dominic had great chemistry, and I enjoyed learning about their past little by little.
I also really liked the Cape Town setting because it made the story feel more special and realistic. Some moments were predictable, but the emotional parts kept me interested. Overall, it was a sweet and engaging second chance romance.
May 23, 2026
Ok
It took me a while to get into the story, I wasn’t drawn to either Flavia or Dominic, I found both of them a bit irritating. So much of the book was spent in the thoughts of the main characters, if only they had had an actual conversation, the course of their relationship may have been entirely different.
Twelve years earlier they had spent the night together and thought they had found love but each of them was starting new jobs and a relationship would have meant they would have to make lots of compromises. In the end neither was brave enough to say what they felt and so they went their separate ways. Flavia married a Dominic lookalike for whom she moved to Australia, Jed was flexible with the truth and told her what he thought she wanted to hear, rather than what he meant. Now they were separated and she was back at home in England, where Dominic’s parents were still her Mother’s next door neighbour. Meeting him again seemed inevitable, especially once their respective Mothers had been conspiring to get them together.
The book was well written, I get characters have different traits, Flavia was messy, impulsive and disorganised, while Dominic was a planner, who was fairly controlled and had definite ideas about the ways to approach situations but we heard a lot about their differences and I didn’t find that it added much to their story. I have enjoyed other books by this author but this is not my favourite.
It took me a while to get into the story, I wasn’t drawn to either Flavia or Dominic, I found both of them a bit irritating. So much of the book was spent in the thoughts of the main characters, if only they had had an actual conversation, the course of their relationship may have been entirely different.
Twelve years earlier they had spent the night together and thought they had found love but each of them was starting new jobs and a relationship would have meant they would have to make lots of compromises. In the end neither was brave enough to say what they felt and so they went their separate ways. Flavia married a Dominic lookalike for whom she moved to Australia, Jed was flexible with the truth and told her what he thought she wanted to hear, rather than what he meant. Now they were separated and she was back at home in England, where Dominic’s parents were still her Mother’s next door neighbour. Meeting him again seemed inevitable, especially once their respective Mothers had been conspiring to get them together.
The book was well written, I get characters have different traits, Flavia was messy, impulsive and disorganised, while Dominic was a planner, who was fairly controlled and had definite ideas about the ways to approach situations but we heard a lot about their differences and I didn’t find that it added much to their story. I have enjoyed other books by this author but this is not my favourite.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC of Wild About You in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, this book was just adorable. I almost didn't request an ARC on it because there wasn't much that grabbed me in the description, but I took the leap anyways and it was just too darn cute! I want to first mention that this is a closed door romance so if you're looking for spice, you're not going to find it here. But what you will find is a swoon worthy love story spanning over 10 years that gives you serious goals of what a relationship should look like (and also what it should not look like).
Flavia first met Dominic Rock at a party hosted by her parents when she was 22 years old. Turns out this was in fact not the first time they met, but he had changed greatly over the years since she had first known him when they were kids. Flavia and Dominic's mothers are best friends and it's at this party that instant sparks fly. Fast forward 10+ years and even though they've looked for each other over and over, they've never been able to take the leap to make it work. Present day, Flavia is back home after a failed marriage and the death of her father and she runs into Dominic again at her mother's house for Christmas. As fate would have, Flavia and Dominic win a raffle for a shared safari excursion (little did they know they'd be going together).
In a classic opposites attract and new found (or re-found) love trope, Flavia and Dominic set out on this adventure together all the while relearning each other and what it was that first brought them together over a decade ago. I won't lie, I spent the entire book just constantly hitting my head against a wall because it's blatantly obvious that these two are perfect for each other, they just allow everything else to get in the way of their happiness and it drove me bonkers. I really loved the characters (especially their match making mothers) and how Flavia worked her way through her failed marriage and came out so much better on the other side. This really was such a great read and their chemistry was off the charts (the only thing that would have made this perfect was if it hadn't been closed door because oh my goodness the vibes were there).
This is honestly the perfect beach read for this summer and I can't wait for others to get their hands on it! Solid 4.5 stars in my book!
Okay, this book was just adorable. I almost didn't request an ARC on it because there wasn't much that grabbed me in the description, but I took the leap anyways and it was just too darn cute! I want to first mention that this is a closed door romance so if you're looking for spice, you're not going to find it here. But what you will find is a swoon worthy love story spanning over 10 years that gives you serious goals of what a relationship should look like (and also what it should not look like).
Flavia first met Dominic Rock at a party hosted by her parents when she was 22 years old. Turns out this was in fact not the first time they met, but he had changed greatly over the years since she had first known him when they were kids. Flavia and Dominic's mothers are best friends and it's at this party that instant sparks fly. Fast forward 10+ years and even though they've looked for each other over and over, they've never been able to take the leap to make it work. Present day, Flavia is back home after a failed marriage and the death of her father and she runs into Dominic again at her mother's house for Christmas. As fate would have, Flavia and Dominic win a raffle for a shared safari excursion (little did they know they'd be going together).
In a classic opposites attract and new found (or re-found) love trope, Flavia and Dominic set out on this adventure together all the while relearning each other and what it was that first brought them together over a decade ago. I won't lie, I spent the entire book just constantly hitting my head against a wall because it's blatantly obvious that these two are perfect for each other, they just allow everything else to get in the way of their happiness and it drove me bonkers. I really loved the characters (especially their match making mothers) and how Flavia worked her way through her failed marriage and came out so much better on the other side. This really was such a great read and their chemistry was off the charts (the only thing that would have made this perfect was if it hadn't been closed door because oh my goodness the vibes were there).
This is honestly the perfect beach read for this summer and I can't wait for others to get their hands on it! Solid 4.5 stars in my book!
May 19, 2026
Wild About You is the kind of second-chance romance that thrives on emotional tension rather than manufactured drama — and it works beautifully because of it.
Following the death of her father, Flavia reluctantly embarks on the Cape Town trip her parents had planned together, only to discover she’ll be travelling with Dominic Rock: her handsome next-door neighbour and the man she shared one unforgettable night with nearly a decade ago. What once felt like once-in-a-lifetime love has since become tangled in distrust, unanswered questions, and the painful passage of time.
What Jo Lovett does particularly well is capture the emotional complexity of reconnecting with someone who exists in two forms simultaneously: the person you once adored and the person you’ve spent years convincing yourself you shouldn’t trust.
Flavia was such a compelling protagonist because her grief feels deeply interwoven with the romance. She’s emotionally guarded without becoming cold, and her internal conflict throughout the novel feels mature and believable. The book gives her space to process not only her feelings for Dominic, but also the shifting emotional landscape left behind by her father’s death.
Dominic, meanwhile, is written with enough ambiguity to keep the tension alive throughout the story. There’s a quiet magnetism to him that makes it easy to understand why Flavia struggles to let him go emotionally, even after everything she believes she knows about him.
Their chemistry is rooted in restraint, memory, and emotional history rather than instant gratification. The banter is subtle but effective, and many of their strongest moments happen in quieter conversations loaded with subtext and unresolved longing.
The Cape Town setting adds enormous atmosphere to the novel. From coastal scenery to vineyards and sweeping landscapes, the travel elements create a beautiful sense of escape while also reinforcing the emotional themes of renewal and rediscovery.
The pacing is definitely more reflective and slow-burn than plot-heavy, but it suits the story’s emotional tone perfectly. Jo Lovett’s prose is warm, polished, and immersive, with a strong emotional undercurrent running throughout.
Overall, this was a thoughtful, emotionally satisfying romance about grief, timing, trust, and the people we never quite stop loving.
Following the death of her father, Flavia reluctantly embarks on the Cape Town trip her parents had planned together, only to discover she’ll be travelling with Dominic Rock: her handsome next-door neighbour and the man she shared one unforgettable night with nearly a decade ago. What once felt like once-in-a-lifetime love has since become tangled in distrust, unanswered questions, and the painful passage of time.
What Jo Lovett does particularly well is capture the emotional complexity of reconnecting with someone who exists in two forms simultaneously: the person you once adored and the person you’ve spent years convincing yourself you shouldn’t trust.
Flavia was such a compelling protagonist because her grief feels deeply interwoven with the romance. She’s emotionally guarded without becoming cold, and her internal conflict throughout the novel feels mature and believable. The book gives her space to process not only her feelings for Dominic, but also the shifting emotional landscape left behind by her father’s death.
Dominic, meanwhile, is written with enough ambiguity to keep the tension alive throughout the story. There’s a quiet magnetism to him that makes it easy to understand why Flavia struggles to let him go emotionally, even after everything she believes she knows about him.
Their chemistry is rooted in restraint, memory, and emotional history rather than instant gratification. The banter is subtle but effective, and many of their strongest moments happen in quieter conversations loaded with subtext and unresolved longing.
The Cape Town setting adds enormous atmosphere to the novel. From coastal scenery to vineyards and sweeping landscapes, the travel elements create a beautiful sense of escape while also reinforcing the emotional themes of renewal and rediscovery.
The pacing is definitely more reflective and slow-burn than plot-heavy, but it suits the story’s emotional tone perfectly. Jo Lovett’s prose is warm, polished, and immersive, with a strong emotional undercurrent running throughout.
Overall, this was a thoughtful, emotionally satisfying romance about grief, timing, trust, and the people we never quite stop loving.
May 19, 2026
Short and cute :)
The Story:
Flavia, devastated after her father's death and her own divorce, suddenly finds herself winning an all-expenses-paid trip to an African safari. Much to her dismay, the person traveling with her is none other than Dominic Rock, the man she "almost" fell in love with 12 years ago. After so many years, he now has a dark history of breakups and broken hearts.
Now, on a stressful safari (what if a lion attacks?), Flavia decides she hates Dominic. But does she really? Will commitment-phobic Dominic ever find the courage to say what is on his mind?
My Thoughts:
First, what I liked. The length of the novel was perfect for me. There were no extra tropes fit in just for shock value and the book ended where it should. I also liked the other characters - Julie and Mike, in particular. We see just enough of them to be involved but not overpowered. The little quirks of Flavia and Dominic were also highlighted well. Their families were also so supportive, and I loved it for them. Another thing I liked was that though this book started off as an insta-love trope, the story gave time to both the main characters to grow and know each other before committing to each other.
Now, what I didn't like as much. Spending so much time in Flavia and Dominic's heads was tiring after a while. Because all they were doing were repeating themselves and not doing the sensible adult thing and talking with each other. Even after sleeping together, they still do the "oh, the other person does not love me" thing far too long. Why don't you just talk?
Another thing (totally a me problem) was the name of the main character Dominic Rock. It reminded me of Dom from the Fast and Furious series (yes, he of the family fame) and Dwayne 'Rock' Johnson. Every time he came on screen, I had this bald bodybuilder type of man in my head. But he is described completely differently - mainly he has hair - and it jarred me every time it was mentioned. I know it is a weird issue. But it did dampen my enjoyment.
3.5 stars rounding up to 4.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.
The Story:
Flavia, devastated after her father's death and her own divorce, suddenly finds herself winning an all-expenses-paid trip to an African safari. Much to her dismay, the person traveling with her is none other than Dominic Rock, the man she "almost" fell in love with 12 years ago. After so many years, he now has a dark history of breakups and broken hearts.
Now, on a stressful safari (what if a lion attacks?), Flavia decides she hates Dominic. But does she really? Will commitment-phobic Dominic ever find the courage to say what is on his mind?
My Thoughts:
First, what I liked. The length of the novel was perfect for me. There were no extra tropes fit in just for shock value and the book ended where it should. I also liked the other characters - Julie and Mike, in particular. We see just enough of them to be involved but not overpowered. The little quirks of Flavia and Dominic were also highlighted well. Their families were also so supportive, and I loved it for them. Another thing I liked was that though this book started off as an insta-love trope, the story gave time to both the main characters to grow and know each other before committing to each other.
Now, what I didn't like as much. Spending so much time in Flavia and Dominic's heads was tiring after a while. Because all they were doing were repeating themselves and not doing the sensible adult thing and talking with each other. Even after sleeping together, they still do the "oh, the other person does not love me" thing far too long. Why don't you just talk?
Another thing (totally a me problem) was the name of the main character Dominic Rock. It reminded me of Dom from the Fast and Furious series (yes, he of the family fame) and Dwayne 'Rock' Johnson. Every time he came on screen, I had this bald bodybuilder type of man in my head. But he is described completely differently - mainly he has hair - and it jarred me every time it was mentioned. I know it is a weird issue. But it did dampen my enjoyment.
3.5 stars rounding up to 4.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Editor
🚨 BIG SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! 🚨
I am giving Wild About You by Jo Lovett a glowing 5-star review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was an absolutely great read that perfectly blends some of my favorite tropes: second chance love, brother's best friend, and forced proximity all rolled into one. It’s a story where he falls first and hardest, and honestly, those are always the best kinds of romances.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Boldwood Books, and the author Jo Lovett for the opportunity to enjoy this eARC! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
The Review
I loved Flavia as our FMC; she is so witty and clever, and I found myself absolutely loving her energy throughout the book. But did I love Dominic more? Absolutely yes! He is exactly the MMC you always want—he’s a bit of a mess with other people because Flavia ruined him for anyone else, and he doesn’t even fully realize it until he falls for her all over again.
Dominic is sweet, caring, and such a nerd with his punctuality and tight schedules, but he is all there for her and her impromptu ideas. One of my favorite parts was that the mothers plotted to get them together and everyone else in their lives just... pretended they didn’t know what was happening. It made for such great fun and added a wonderful layer of warmth to the story.
The Good
The chemistry between Flavia and Dominic is top-tier, especially with the history they share. The "he falls first and hardest" dynamic is written so well here, making Dominic's devotion feel incredibly endearing. The secondary characters, especially the meddling mothers, add a lot of humor and heart to the plot.
The Not So Good
Honestly, it was hard to find a flaw in this one. If I had to pick something, I just wanted even more of them together—I could have read another hundred pages of their banter and Dominic trying to stick to his schedules while Flavia upended them!
I am giving Wild About You by Jo Lovett a glowing 5-star review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was an absolutely great read that perfectly blends some of my favorite tropes: second chance love, brother's best friend, and forced proximity all rolled into one. It’s a story where he falls first and hardest, and honestly, those are always the best kinds of romances.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Boldwood Books, and the author Jo Lovett for the opportunity to enjoy this eARC! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
The Review
I loved Flavia as our FMC; she is so witty and clever, and I found myself absolutely loving her energy throughout the book. But did I love Dominic more? Absolutely yes! He is exactly the MMC you always want—he’s a bit of a mess with other people because Flavia ruined him for anyone else, and he doesn’t even fully realize it until he falls for her all over again.
Dominic is sweet, caring, and such a nerd with his punctuality and tight schedules, but he is all there for her and her impromptu ideas. One of my favorite parts was that the mothers plotted to get them together and everyone else in their lives just... pretended they didn’t know what was happening. It made for such great fun and added a wonderful layer of warmth to the story.
The Good
The chemistry between Flavia and Dominic is top-tier, especially with the history they share. The "he falls first and hardest" dynamic is written so well here, making Dominic's devotion feel incredibly endearing. The secondary characters, especially the meddling mothers, add a lot of humor and heart to the plot.
The Not So Good
Honestly, it was hard to find a flaw in this one. If I had to pick something, I just wanted even more of them together—I could have read another hundred pages of their banter and Dominic trying to stick to his schedules while Flavia upended them!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
We follow Dominic and Flavia (double POV) in this sweet, forced proximity, second-chance lovestory. A cute, closed door romance.
The story starts 12 years ago, when 2 young, free and new adults have a meetcute on a family party and had a great time and memorable one-night stand. Timing is not working in their favor, leaving both with an aching heart and the feeling of "the one that got away".
We continue in the present. Flavia had a long and bad year. Her father died in the beginning of the year, and her marriage fell apart. Being back home in England, after living with her ex husband Jed with whom she shared a life in Australia, makes her bump into Dominic once again. Only this time, it is very awkward, with resurfacing unpleasant memories of a broken heart.
When they both win the main price of a raffle, they end up on a (group)trip to Cape-town to celebrate the start of a new year. With a rough start of the holiday, slowly they get to know each other better. With some room mishaps they and up sharing the room. Is the timing finally right or will this turn out in another brutal heartbreak?
Lovett's writing is perky and filled with humor. The story is sweet and engaging and started off so strong. However, we spent a lot "in thoughts" which felt repetitive after some time. I missed a bit more depth of both characters, beside the raw feelings that were (repeatedly) shown - the physical attraction and the feeling of the other being "the one". They were both nice, caring and thoughtfull people, though the conversations stayed quite basic. The actual emotional connection between the two was not completely clear to me, it felt mostly physical. The book is fast & sweet and could be a good holiday read. A perfect palet cleanser.
"𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚" 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚.
The story starts 12 years ago, when 2 young, free and new adults have a meetcute on a family party and had a great time and memorable one-night stand. Timing is not working in their favor, leaving both with an aching heart and the feeling of "the one that got away".
We continue in the present. Flavia had a long and bad year. Her father died in the beginning of the year, and her marriage fell apart. Being back home in England, after living with her ex husband Jed with whom she shared a life in Australia, makes her bump into Dominic once again. Only this time, it is very awkward, with resurfacing unpleasant memories of a broken heart.
When they both win the main price of a raffle, they end up on a (group)trip to Cape-town to celebrate the start of a new year. With a rough start of the holiday, slowly they get to know each other better. With some room mishaps they and up sharing the room. Is the timing finally right or will this turn out in another brutal heartbreak?
Lovett's writing is perky and filled with humor. The story is sweet and engaging and started off so strong. However, we spent a lot "in thoughts" which felt repetitive after some time. I missed a bit more depth of both characters, beside the raw feelings that were (repeatedly) shown - the physical attraction and the feeling of the other being "the one". They were both nice, caring and thoughtfull people, though the conversations stayed quite basic. The actual emotional connection between the two was not completely clear to me, it felt mostly physical. The book is fast & sweet and could be a good holiday read. A perfect palet cleanser.
"𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚" 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Wild About You was such a warm, emotional, and escapist second chance romance. Jo Lovett perfectly balances grief, humour, romance, and gorgeous travel vibes to create a story that feels both heartfelt and comforting.
Flavia and Dominic shared one unforgettable night together years ago before life pulled them in completely different directions. Neither of them ever really forgot the other, so when they unexpectedly end up winning the same trip to South Africa years later, all those unresolved feelings come rushing back. Between the forced proximity, one bed situation, safari adventures, and meddling families, the chemistry between them was impossible to ignore.
I absolutely loved the South African setting — it added so much atmosphere to the story and honestly made me want to book a safari immediately. The travel scenes felt immersive and fun, while the emotional moments surrounding Flavia’s grief and both characters’ fears about relationships gave the romance more depth.
The banter between Flavia and Dominic was sweet and entertaining, and I really enjoyed watching them slowly rebuild trust and rediscover each other after so many years apart. Their relationship felt messy, realistic, and full of longing, which made the payoff feel earned.
This is definitely more of a slow-burn, closed-door romance focused on emotional connection rather than spice, and it worked perfectly for this story. If you love second chance romances, forced proximity, beautiful travel settings, and heartfelt character growth, this is such a lovely read for summer or vacation reading.
Jo Lovett has such an easy, engaging writing style and this completely swept me away. A charming, emotional, feel-good romance that left me smiling by the end.
Wild About You was such a warm, emotional, and escapist second chance romance. Jo Lovett perfectly balances grief, humour, romance, and gorgeous travel vibes to create a story that feels both heartfelt and comforting.
Flavia and Dominic shared one unforgettable night together years ago before life pulled them in completely different directions. Neither of them ever really forgot the other, so when they unexpectedly end up winning the same trip to South Africa years later, all those unresolved feelings come rushing back. Between the forced proximity, one bed situation, safari adventures, and meddling families, the chemistry between them was impossible to ignore.
I absolutely loved the South African setting — it added so much atmosphere to the story and honestly made me want to book a safari immediately. The travel scenes felt immersive and fun, while the emotional moments surrounding Flavia’s grief and both characters’ fears about relationships gave the romance more depth.
The banter between Flavia and Dominic was sweet and entertaining, and I really enjoyed watching them slowly rebuild trust and rediscover each other after so many years apart. Their relationship felt messy, realistic, and full of longing, which made the payoff feel earned.
This is definitely more of a slow-burn, closed-door romance focused on emotional connection rather than spice, and it worked perfectly for this story. If you love second chance romances, forced proximity, beautiful travel settings, and heartfelt character growth, this is such a lovely read for summer or vacation reading.
Jo Lovett has such an easy, engaging writing style and this completely swept me away. A charming, emotional, feel-good romance that left me smiling by the end.
May 23, 2026
Wild About You, by Jo Lovett, follows Flavia James and Dominic Rock as they navigate an unusual relationship over the course of a decade. Dominic is Flavia’s brother Vinny’s good friend. As a kid, he was on the small side but when Flavia meets him again at her father’s birthday party much has changed and they are mutually attracted, in fact to the point of spending the night together in her small childhood bedroom. But after meeting for a meal to say farewell, they head for jobs in different parts of the world.
During the coming years Dominic gains a reputation as a player, not one to make a commitment or enter a relationship. Meanwhile, Flavia marries Jed, a fellow from Australia and settles there until, after five years of marriage, he tells Flavia he no longer wants children, breaking the promises he had made. So not only did the current year take her beloved father from her, but also saw the demise of her marriage
Now it is Christmas and the family and friends have gathered to celebrate together and support Flavia’s mother Sofia this first Christmas without her husband. Included in the gatherers are Dominic and his parents, who are close friends with Sofia. Before the end of the festivities Sofia approaches Flavia to get a raffle ticket for a special trip to raise money for a local charity. Then, Dominic is also approached. After winning, Flavia learns the trip had been a nonrefundable one her parents had bought before her father’s death. But it isn’t until she finds Dominic in the plane seat next to her that she understands he will be on the journey with her, and what a journey it will be!
This is a very good story with well drawn characters, a beautifully designed setting, and a plot with many twists and addressing many big life issues. I very much enjoyed this book and do recommend it!
During the coming years Dominic gains a reputation as a player, not one to make a commitment or enter a relationship. Meanwhile, Flavia marries Jed, a fellow from Australia and settles there until, after five years of marriage, he tells Flavia he no longer wants children, breaking the promises he had made. So not only did the current year take her beloved father from her, but also saw the demise of her marriage
Now it is Christmas and the family and friends have gathered to celebrate together and support Flavia’s mother Sofia this first Christmas without her husband. Included in the gatherers are Dominic and his parents, who are close friends with Sofia. Before the end of the festivities Sofia approaches Flavia to get a raffle ticket for a special trip to raise money for a local charity. Then, Dominic is also approached. After winning, Flavia learns the trip had been a nonrefundable one her parents had bought before her father’s death. But it isn’t until she finds Dominic in the plane seat next to her that she understands he will be on the journey with her, and what a journey it will be!
This is a very good story with well drawn characters, a beautifully designed setting, and a plot with many twists and addressing many big life issues. I very much enjoyed this book and do recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wild About You by Jo Lovett involves childhood neighbors Flavia and Dominic and although they once had a one night stand back in high school. Their adults now so when they find out they have to share the room that has one bed Dominic offers to take the sofa. It seems when he won a ticket at Flavia‘s mom‘s Christmas party she won the other one. This was supposed to be a trip of a lifetime for her parents but sadly her dad recently died not to mention Flavia has recently divorced. So what do you do when you’re sharing a room with your childhood neighbor according to Flavia you lie when other people notice they’re sharing a room she absolutely doesn’t want them thinking they’re a couple and I thought this was so funny especially with the guy that always got off the elevator with them that was really really good. The only problem is Flavia and Dominic still want each other especially when they see each other get out the shower and go to their perspective sleeping places will they wind up together or will everything Flavia thinks about Dominic turn out to be true. Is he her long lost Love? I know this is an age old trope force proximity second chance romance but it wasn’t really a second chance romance all they did was have a one night stand years ago and now they’re sharing a room in South Africa. if they wouldn’t have had other things to do I would’ve finished this book and one sitting for proximity is my favorite trope although I like it better when they’re stuck in the place they have to share but either way this was still a pretty good book and if you love funny romances because this book is pretty funny then you definitely need to read this one. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Books have always been my happy place, and romance is the genre I never seem to get tired of. Lately, I have found myself especially drawn to second chance romances. There is just something so satisfying about watching two people reconnect and finally figure things out the way they could not before. Because of that, and how much I enjoyed “It’s Not Me, It’s You,” I was really excited to pick up this book.
This story pulled me in right away. I really liked that it begins in the past, because it gave a glimpse into what could have been and added an extra layer of emotion from the very beginning. The first person, alternating perspectives also worked really well for me. Being able to see both sides of the story made the tension and longing feel even more real, and it helped me understand why things were not so simple between them.
Both main characters are dealing with their own baggage, and it is clear that their past has shaped how they approach relationships. I appreciated how the story explored those struggles without feeling overwhelming. Watching them slowly come to terms with their feelings and what they truly want felt authentic and earned. The involvement of their family added a nice touch and helped move things forward in a way that felt natural.
All in all, I really loved this book. It had emotion, heart, and a romance that kept me invested from beginning to end. The epilogue was especially satisfying and wrapped everything up in a way that left me smiling.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
This story pulled me in right away. I really liked that it begins in the past, because it gave a glimpse into what could have been and added an extra layer of emotion from the very beginning. The first person, alternating perspectives also worked really well for me. Being able to see both sides of the story made the tension and longing feel even more real, and it helped me understand why things were not so simple between them.
Both main characters are dealing with their own baggage, and it is clear that their past has shaped how they approach relationships. I appreciated how the story explored those struggles without feeling overwhelming. Watching them slowly come to terms with their feelings and what they truly want felt authentic and earned. The involvement of their family added a nice touch and helped move things forward in a way that felt natural.
All in all, I really loved this book. It had emotion, heart, and a romance that kept me invested from beginning to end. The epilogue was especially satisfying and wrapped everything up in a way that left me smiling.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Flavia and Dominic meet in their young twenties and although knew each other as children didn’t instantly recognise each other but sparks flew and they had a one night stand, not through choice but by life events. Roll on 10 years and Flavia is getting over her marriage breakdown and death of her father when at her Mums for Christmas she once again bumps into Dominic. She tried to keep her distance however as their parents are best friends they cook up a plan for them both to win a made up raffle and the prize is a safari to South Africa which Flavia’s parents had arranged to go on.
You can feel the tension between them, of things unsaid but as the trip goes on the chemistry is undeniable and they get together. Dominic however has never had a long term relationship and is doubting whether it’s a good idea to get involved with Flavia, especially as he is good friends with Flavia’s Brother.
I enjoyed the fact this story was told from both main characters point of view and you could feel the sexual tension between the main characters. I found the fact that they had strong family connections a plus point as the family characters all had reason to be in the book. I took away from this book that misunderstandings can happen when things are unsaid.and although I wasn’t keen on Flavia it didn’t detract from the great storyline and the descriptive scenery of South Africa.
Ultimately I would recommend this book so thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood for an advance copy of this book however the opinion is all my own.
You can feel the tension between them, of things unsaid but as the trip goes on the chemistry is undeniable and they get together. Dominic however has never had a long term relationship and is doubting whether it’s a good idea to get involved with Flavia, especially as he is good friends with Flavia’s Brother.
I enjoyed the fact this story was told from both main characters point of view and you could feel the sexual tension between the main characters. I found the fact that they had strong family connections a plus point as the family characters all had reason to be in the book. I took away from this book that misunderstandings can happen when things are unsaid.and although I wasn’t keen on Flavia it didn’t detract from the great storyline and the descriptive scenery of South Africa.
Ultimately I would recommend this book so thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood for an advance copy of this book however the opinion is all my own.
June 9, 2026
Overall, I thought this was a cute read, HOWEVER…
It was honestly just the same thing over and over and over and over …. Again.
The pacing was so meh & I get it. Like, Flavia was pining after Dominic after her divorce & Dominic was pining after Flavia but also trying to respect her space after her newish divorce happening…
My fav quotes though:
💗 Because he really isn't the man I've always remembered him as. I thought he was fun, soulmate material. I was clearly wrong. Yes, he's attractive. Really attractive. But he's also very uptight other than when pat-claiming the sofa bed) and, crucially, my divorce isn't even finalised yet, and we are both in our mid-thirties and entirely able to ignore a little bit of physical lust. Entirely. (Flavia)
💗 'And that is because I was also stupid and I did not realise you could ever be like this. You're in love, mate. Properly. For the first time in your life. With my sister. Who is in love with you. You need to think hard about that! (Vinny, Flavia’s brother)
I nod, slowly. I'm not sure whether he's right, but I
do think that maybe I do need to have a think. (Dominic)
💗 'I love you so much, I say eventually. 'This is wonderful news. Thank you, my beautiful wife, for doing this for both of us. I cannot believe my incredible luck in falling in love with the most perfect woman in the world when I was young, and now getting to be with her forever.' (Dominic)
'Three short words, she says. 'I love you! (Flavia)
🦒Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for my copy of this digital ARC! All opinions are my own.
It was honestly just the same thing over and over and over and over …. Again.
The pacing was so meh & I get it. Like, Flavia was pining after Dominic after her divorce & Dominic was pining after Flavia but also trying to respect her space after her newish divorce happening…
My fav quotes though:
💗 Because he really isn't the man I've always remembered him as. I thought he was fun, soulmate material. I was clearly wrong. Yes, he's attractive. Really attractive. But he's also very uptight other than when pat-claiming the sofa bed) and, crucially, my divorce isn't even finalised yet, and we are both in our mid-thirties and entirely able to ignore a little bit of physical lust. Entirely. (Flavia)
💗 'And that is because I was also stupid and I did not realise you could ever be like this. You're in love, mate. Properly. For the first time in your life. With my sister. Who is in love with you. You need to think hard about that! (Vinny, Flavia’s brother)
I nod, slowly. I'm not sure whether he's right, but I
do think that maybe I do need to have a think. (Dominic)
💗 'I love you so much, I say eventually. 'This is wonderful news. Thank you, my beautiful wife, for doing this for both of us. I cannot believe my incredible luck in falling in love with the most perfect woman in the world when I was young, and now getting to be with her forever.' (Dominic)
'Three short words, she says. 'I love you! (Flavia)
🦒Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for my copy of this digital ARC! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Are you in the mood for a second chance romance? The one that got away, but might return? Then this book might scratch this itch. Dominic and Flavia have always known each other, grew up together and met each other regularly during the dinners their mom's host. However, when Dominic tried to ask her out two years ago, Flavia would leave the country to pursue her career and things didn't work out.
Fast forward to now, Flavia returned to the UK after going through a divorce and happened to win a raffle to go to Cape Town during New Year's. And what a coincidence, so did Dominic. Something starts to blossom during the trip, is it lust or is it love? That is for you to find out. ;)
The first few chapters started out strong, ans set a nice premise of what was to come. Built some anticipation along the way. I thought Flavia was a little in her head too much, kind of an overthinker but fair enough, Dominic made up for that. Where Flavia is somewhat worried and unstructured, Dominic is a realistic thinker with a full agenda. It balances each other out.
During their trip there were cute moments, but those were overshadowed by doubts and thoughts about their definition of a relationship. Is it a one off thing, or is this a, I want to spend the rest of my life with you?
The real romance showed in the last few parts, feelings were cleared up and Ultimately they were together (yay!). So cute.
Final verdict: ☆☆☆ 3,2 stars.
Finally, thank you Boldwood Books, Jo Lovett and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🫶✨️
Fast forward to now, Flavia returned to the UK after going through a divorce and happened to win a raffle to go to Cape Town during New Year's. And what a coincidence, so did Dominic. Something starts to blossom during the trip, is it lust or is it love? That is for you to find out. ;)
The first few chapters started out strong, ans set a nice premise of what was to come. Built some anticipation along the way. I thought Flavia was a little in her head too much, kind of an overthinker but fair enough, Dominic made up for that. Where Flavia is somewhat worried and unstructured, Dominic is a realistic thinker with a full agenda. It balances each other out.
During their trip there were cute moments, but those were overshadowed by doubts and thoughts about their definition of a relationship. Is it a one off thing, or is this a, I want to spend the rest of my life with you?
The real romance showed in the last few parts, feelings were cleared up and Ultimately they were together (yay!). So cute.
Final verdict: ☆☆☆ 3,2 stars.
Finally, thank you Boldwood Books, Jo Lovett and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🫶✨️
May 15, 2026
l adore Jo Lovett's storytelling, and this was a great example of why. It's an adorable forced proximity, second chance Love story with a bonus safari adventure!
Dominic and Flavia have a one night stand at a family party (their parents are very good friends) They both wish that it could be more than that, but time is not on their sides, as they both are off in different directions of the world so they go on with life, leaving them both never truly getting over "the one that got away"
Fast forward to the present where Flavia has just lost her father and her marriage has ended. She comes back home to cope with it all and bumps into Dominic again bringing all those feelings from years ago to the surface. Then unbeknownst to them, their moms set them up to win a raffle and they go on a South African Safari and while spending time together end up rebuilding their friendship as well as the spark between them.
The story was engaging and funny right from the start. The characters are sweet and nice but they were never super deep. The location was a huge character for the story! loved hearing about the adventures they got into on the location because a safari is on my bucket list.
Super fun and cute-this is a great beach read!
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review
Dominic and Flavia have a one night stand at a family party (their parents are very good friends) They both wish that it could be more than that, but time is not on their sides, as they both are off in different directions of the world so they go on with life, leaving them both never truly getting over "the one that got away"
Fast forward to the present where Flavia has just lost her father and her marriage has ended. She comes back home to cope with it all and bumps into Dominic again bringing all those feelings from years ago to the surface. Then unbeknownst to them, their moms set them up to win a raffle and they go on a South African Safari and while spending time together end up rebuilding their friendship as well as the spark between them.
The story was engaging and funny right from the start. The characters are sweet and nice but they were never super deep. The location was a huge character for the story! loved hearing about the adventures they got into on the location because a safari is on my bucket list.
Super fun and cute-this is a great beach read!
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.75 stars rounding up
This was my first Jo Lovett and I really enjoyed this sweet, emotional second-chance romance 💛
Set against a stunning South African backdrop, this story follows Flavia and Dominic in dual POV as they reconnect through a slow-burn, forced proximity (one bed 👀) vacation romance. The setting felt immersive and authentic, and it added so much to the emotional atmosphere of the story.
What stood out most was the depth behind their relationship. This isn’t just about rekindling romance, it’s about grief, growth, and timing. Their connection felt like one that had truly evolved, where both characters had done the work and found each other again at the right moment, which made it feel believable 🥹✨
My main issue was that Flavia’s inner monologue could feel repetitive at times with insecurities, like she was stuck in emotional loops, which made certain decisions harder to connect with.
Overall, this is a character-driven romance with a gorgeous setting and meaningful emotional beats. A great pick if you love second-chance stories with travel vibes that would be a fun read for summer or on vacation ✈️💫
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Jo Lovett for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Jo Lovett and I really enjoyed this sweet, emotional second-chance romance 💛
Set against a stunning South African backdrop, this story follows Flavia and Dominic in dual POV as they reconnect through a slow-burn, forced proximity (one bed 👀) vacation romance. The setting felt immersive and authentic, and it added so much to the emotional atmosphere of the story.
What stood out most was the depth behind their relationship. This isn’t just about rekindling romance, it’s about grief, growth, and timing. Their connection felt like one that had truly evolved, where both characters had done the work and found each other again at the right moment, which made it feel believable 🥹✨
My main issue was that Flavia’s inner monologue could feel repetitive at times with insecurities, like she was stuck in emotional loops, which made certain decisions harder to connect with.
Overall, this is a character-driven romance with a gorgeous setting and meaningful emotional beats. A great pick if you love second-chance stories with travel vibes that would be a fun read for summer or on vacation ✈️💫
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Jo Lovett for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Second chance romance just has a little something extra — am I right?
Flavia and Dominic grew up together, and their family's remain close friends. That didn't stop them from having a passionate tryst in their early twenties, just when both of them were about to embark on new life trajectories. Now years later, Flavia is at the end of her marriage, and she wins a vacation to South Africa in a raffle, and Dominic wins the other ticket.
This is a romance that won't surprise you. At times, it glosses over some of the emotional work, doing more telling than I'd generally prefer, over showing, however, there is a lot of emotional work going on for the characters before they are ready to give into this thing for real. In that sense, it's not 'too easy' of a romance, which I always appreciate.
It was actually quite a pleasant little adventure. A one-day, entertaining, endearing little romance perfect for summer.
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
More reviews at my website thelitertarian.com.
Flavia and Dominic grew up together, and their family's remain close friends. That didn't stop them from having a passionate tryst in their early twenties, just when both of them were about to embark on new life trajectories. Now years later, Flavia is at the end of her marriage, and she wins a vacation to South Africa in a raffle, and Dominic wins the other ticket.
This is a romance that won't surprise you. At times, it glosses over some of the emotional work, doing more telling than I'd generally prefer, over showing, however, there is a lot of emotional work going on for the characters before they are ready to give into this thing for real. In that sense, it's not 'too easy' of a romance, which I always appreciate.
It was actually quite a pleasant little adventure. A one-day, entertaining, endearing little romance perfect for summer.
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
More reviews at my website thelitertarian.com.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3 stars for me.
Flavia didn't expect to lose her father and then go through divorce in a short span of time.Winning a trip is what she needs ,to get away and have some fun.The only thing is Dominic Rock,her younger self one night stand and her parents neighbour son also win a ticket for this trip.Now everything changed,she's a different person and Dominic don't look for more then a fling with his partners.They need to share a room,and the attraction is there,as if it never go away,will they come back with their hearts intact?
It was good summer read.Both characters have some growing up to do,and while flaved they work good together.Flavia was not divorced yet so that was a put off,she could not make up her mind,plus Dominic and his conviction of not being able to commit make me rate the book lower.I liked the plot and this holiday was desribed in a way that I wish I could experience it myself,the romance was lacking and not for me,that being said it's still a good read and I didn't regret my time spend on this book.
Thank you netgalley and boldwoodbooks for arc,my review is honest and my own.
Flavia didn't expect to lose her father and then go through divorce in a short span of time.Winning a trip is what she needs ,to get away and have some fun.The only thing is Dominic Rock,her younger self one night stand and her parents neighbour son also win a ticket for this trip.Now everything changed,she's a different person and Dominic don't look for more then a fling with his partners.They need to share a room,and the attraction is there,as if it never go away,will they come back with their hearts intact?
It was good summer read.Both characters have some growing up to do,and while flaved they work good together.Flavia was not divorced yet so that was a put off,she could not make up her mind,plus Dominic and his conviction of not being able to commit make me rate the book lower.I liked the plot and this holiday was desribed in a way that I wish I could experience it myself,the romance was lacking and not for me,that being said it's still a good read and I didn't regret my time spend on this book.
Thank you netgalley and boldwoodbooks for arc,my review is honest and my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a very entertaining light second-chance romance told from a dual POV. Flavia and Dominic grew up next to each other and their mothers are best friends. Years ago, they had a ONS but due to poor timing nothing more ever came out of it. Now - 12 years later - they both win a trip to south africa and only realize they are in this together at the airport. Could this be a second chance for their relationship?
I really enjoyed reading this book. The main characters were relatable and even though it was kind of obvious what would happen from the start (it is a romance after all) I had fun reading about their trip to South Africa. The whole book has a light summer vibe (even though the trip happens over New Years) and the different characters from their travel group were very entertaining. I could have done with reading a bit less of Flavia‘s thoughts as they felt repetitive after a while but all in all is was a enjoyable witty second-chance romance with a summer feel.
I received an ARC via netgalley.com and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The main characters were relatable and even though it was kind of obvious what would happen from the start (it is a romance after all) I had fun reading about their trip to South Africa. The whole book has a light summer vibe (even though the trip happens over New Years) and the different characters from their travel group were very entertaining. I could have done with reading a bit less of Flavia‘s thoughts as they felt repetitive after a while but all in all is was a enjoyable witty second-chance romance with a summer feel.
I received an ARC via netgalley.com and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 29, 2026
Flavia is having a tough year. She lost her dad and recently, she has separated from her husband who she moved to Australia for. She’s back home in London and she’s visiting her mom for Christmas. She runs into an old fling, Dominic, who is a family friend at her mom’s party. They’re both so awkward, polite, and distant.
Forced proximity when Flavia and Dominic are thrown into a last minute trip to Cape Town for a South African safari. They have a very bumpy start and they’re in total stranger mode.
Their chemistry was so good in the beginning but I felt like it fell so flat in the middle of the book. It definitely picked up and got better but the ending was a little drawn out.
It was a fast read and I felt engaged through most of it. Second chance romance during the holidays. I always enjoy the family dynamics and funny banter.
3.75 rounded up for me
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Forced proximity when Flavia and Dominic are thrown into a last minute trip to Cape Town for a South African safari. They have a very bumpy start and they’re in total stranger mode.
Their chemistry was so good in the beginning but I felt like it fell so flat in the middle of the book. It definitely picked up and got better but the ending was a little drawn out.
It was a fast read and I felt engaged through most of it. Second chance romance during the holidays. I always enjoy the family dynamics and funny banter.
3.75 rounded up for me
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an easy second-chance romance read.
Flavia and her family are still getting over the loss of her father and recovering from a broken marriage, and as they gather with friends, she finds herself face-to-face with someone from her past, someone who may have altered her whole way of thinking about love and romance.
Dominic cannot commit to anyone. He's a good guy, but doesn't think he's good for anyone, long term.
Seeing Flavia after many years stirred emotions he didn't realise were still active.
They find themselves both winners of a prize to Cape Town, South Africa, a trip originally booked for Flavia's parents before her dad passed away.
And there we have the discomfort of being within close proximity with someone you really don't want to be near, but actually kinda do, as well as all the feelings that go with that.
You know when you are already pretty sure what the ending will be, but you enjoy the journey to the destination? That is this book!
Flavia and her family are still getting over the loss of her father and recovering from a broken marriage, and as they gather with friends, she finds herself face-to-face with someone from her past, someone who may have altered her whole way of thinking about love and romance.
Dominic cannot commit to anyone. He's a good guy, but doesn't think he's good for anyone, long term.
Seeing Flavia after many years stirred emotions he didn't realise were still active.
They find themselves both winners of a prize to Cape Town, South Africa, a trip originally booked for Flavia's parents before her dad passed away.
And there we have the discomfort of being within close proximity with someone you really don't want to be near, but actually kinda do, as well as all the feelings that go with that.
You know when you are already pretty sure what the ending will be, but you enjoy the journey to the destination? That is this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Flavia had a one night stand with her brother's friend Dominic, after which they sent their separate ways. Years later, after he has a series of short relationships and her marriage failing, they both win a raffle and end up going on a holiday to Cape Town plus a safari together. How will they cope with being close together for this one in a lifetime trip?
I enjoyed the dual point of view narrative in the story, as a man reading "women's fiction" it makes it easier to relate to the male character and see it from his point of view. Both Flavia and Dominic have relationship problems, which makes their forced proximity difficult for them, especially with the memory of that first night. There are some closed doors scenes, but the main focus of the story is how their relationship can develop, which certainly isn't a forgone conclusion. There are also tantalising glimpses of Cape Town and the safari as a background to the story. A heartwarming read that I did enjoy.
I enjoyed the dual point of view narrative in the story, as a man reading "women's fiction" it makes it easier to relate to the male character and see it from his point of view. Both Flavia and Dominic have relationship problems, which makes their forced proximity difficult for them, especially with the memory of that first night. There are some closed doors scenes, but the main focus of the story is how their relationship can develop, which certainly isn't a forgone conclusion. There are also tantalising glimpses of Cape Town and the safari as a background to the story. A heartwarming read that I did enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I picked this up mostly because I was curious about the dynamic, and it ended up pulling me in more than I expected.
It’s a close-door romance with an opposites-attract setup, and I really liked how that contrast was handled. Their personalities feel very different on the surface, but there’s a natural pull between them that doesn’t feel forced.
What stood out most is how time changes things. They lose track of each other over the years, and when they find their way back again, everything shifts. The connection between them feels familiar but also shaped by everything that happened in between.
I was completely into it once they crossed paths again. The emotional pull, the history, and the way things slowly start falling back into place just worked for me.
By the end, I was fully invested in them.
It’s a close-door romance with an opposites-attract setup, and I really liked how that contrast was handled. Their personalities feel very different on the surface, but there’s a natural pull between them that doesn’t feel forced.
What stood out most is how time changes things. They lose track of each other over the years, and when they find their way back again, everything shifts. The connection between them feels familiar but also shaped by everything that happened in between.
I was completely into it once they crossed paths again. The emotional pull, the history, and the way things slowly start falling back into place just worked for me.
By the end, I was fully invested in them.
May 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wild About You had such a strong start for me. I was immediately pulled into the story and loved the cosy second chance romance vibe. The concept was fun, and made for a comforting, quick read that I finished in just over two days.
Flavia and Dominic’s personalities were complete opposites, which made for some really enjoyable banter throughout.
Unfortunately, after the first few chapters, things started to feel a bit repetitive at times. Flavia and Dominic seemed to go over the same internal thoughts and feelings quite a lot, so I found the middle dragged a little for me and occasionally I found myself thinking, “Didn’t I already read this?”
Overall though, I still enjoyed my time reading this. It’s a cosy romance with cute moments, fun banter, and I think fans of slower paced second chance romances will still really enjoy it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wild About You had such a strong start for me. I was immediately pulled into the story and loved the cosy second chance romance vibe. The concept was fun, and made for a comforting, quick read that I finished in just over two days.
Flavia and Dominic’s personalities were complete opposites, which made for some really enjoyable banter throughout.
Unfortunately, after the first few chapters, things started to feel a bit repetitive at times. Flavia and Dominic seemed to go over the same internal thoughts and feelings quite a lot, so I found the middle dragged a little for me and occasionally I found myself thinking, “Didn’t I already read this?”
Overall though, I still enjoyed my time reading this. It’s a cosy romance with cute moments, fun banter, and I think fans of slower paced second chance romances will still really enjoy it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I accepted an ARC of this book, I planned on reading it as a palate cleanser between heavier reads. The story seemed pretty standard in a frenemies-to-lovers kind of way. Nothing too surprising would happen, I suspected. This is exactly what I got.
Nothing about this storyline was hard to guess ahead of reading it. But, you know what? That's ok. That is what I expected and wanted from this book. The characters were exactly as I expected them to be, too. But again, that is ok. It is what I expected and was looking for. Sometimes it is nice to read a book that you don't have to think too much about and can just enjoy the story and escape from everyday life. For me, this is what this type of book is.
This was a quick, entertaining read. A great palate cleanser.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
Nothing about this storyline was hard to guess ahead of reading it. But, you know what? That's ok. That is what I expected and wanted from this book. The characters were exactly as I expected them to be, too. But again, that is ok. It is what I expected and was looking for. Sometimes it is nice to read a book that you don't have to think too much about and can just enjoy the story and escape from everyday life. For me, this is what this type of book is.
This was a quick, entertaining read. A great palate cleanser.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
June 25, 2026
Thank you to Boldwood Books, Jo Lovett, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
FMC Flavia is really going through it. She is newly divorced and her father just passed away unexpectedly. The last thing she wants to do is be thrown together on a couple's trip with the man that broke her heart years ago (not the ex husband), yet that's exactly what happens. Dominic and Flavia are both fighting resurfaced feelings during this trip, but eventually they give into temptation.
I wanted this to be a five star read, but honestly I finished it less than a week ago and couldn't tell you three things about it. The storyline is cute, but the execution wasn't there. It was a very quick read and I'm sure there are people out there who will love it.
FMC Flavia is really going through it. She is newly divorced and her father just passed away unexpectedly. The last thing she wants to do is be thrown together on a couple's trip with the man that broke her heart years ago (not the ex husband), yet that's exactly what happens. Dominic and Flavia are both fighting resurfaced feelings during this trip, but eventually they give into temptation.
I wanted this to be a five star read, but honestly I finished it less than a week ago and couldn't tell you three things about it. The storyline is cute, but the execution wasn't there. It was a very quick read and I'm sure there are people out there who will love it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Enjoyable second chance at romance trope about a teacher and a lawyer who end up on a safari trip together. Both Flavia and Dominic caught feelings in their early 20’s but timing was never right. Fast forward 12 years and Flavia is newly divorced and resettled in London after living abroad. Dominic still has eyes for Flavia but is a disaster at relationships. This closed-door, no spice story follows them reconnecting on the trip. My only quibble is that Dominic is a bit one-note. There isn’t much to him. Flavia’s character really carries the story. Still
Worth a check out.
Thank you, Boldwood Books, for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Worth a check out.
Thank you, Boldwood Books, for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“Wild About You” is a romance book by Jo Lovett. I really liked the beginning of this book - the set-up was great (match making parents were for once both sweet and annoying … and obvious). But somewhere along the way, it lost its sparkle. Part of it may be because I really wanted the safari (as short as it was) to shine more (I mean, come on, from the cover it seemed to be a big part of the book!). But the other reason is probably because there was a LOT of internal dialogue - going over the same topics. I did like that this was a second chances romance, and I think that worked strongly for this book.
“Wild About You” is a romance book by Jo Lovett. I really liked the beginning of this book - the set-up was great (match making parents were for once both sweet and annoying … and obvious). But somewhere along the way, it lost its sparkle. Part of it may be because I really wanted the safari (as short as it was) to shine more (I mean, come on, from the cover it seemed to be a big part of the book!). But the other reason is probably because there was a LOT of internal dialogue - going over the same topics. I did like that this was a second chances romance, and I think that worked strongly for this book.
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