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Someone Your Own Age: A spicy, age-gap, secret workplace romance
Sometimes love doesn't follow the rules
On the eve of her forty-second birthday, Esme's husband announces he's leaving her for a twenty-something sound bath practitioner. Desperate to avoid becoming her mother (who left her marriage in tatters and abandoned Esme as a child), she throws herself into her work, but when she meets new office temp Callum, Esme finds herself in the middle of what appears to be a second sexual awakening.
Inexplicably drawn to Callum and the potential of someone eleven years her junior, Callum and Esme embark on a secret affair that gives Esme back the joy she was missing in her staid, joyless marriage. The two grow closer, but Esme knows that she can never be more than a secret, physical connection - she's too old, too career-driven, she's approaching the end of fertility. What could a young, handsome aspiring actor want with her, anyway?
But when Esme is forced to choose between what society deems acceptable and her feelings for Callum, will she follow her heart, or her head?
A sharp, sexy, funny love story about ageing, leaving your baggage behind, and the power of dating like a man. Fans of The Idea of You, Daisy Buchanan, Caroline O'Donoghue and the film Babygirl will love this.
On the eve of her forty-second birthday, Esme's husband announces he's leaving her for a twenty-something sound bath practitioner. Desperate to avoid becoming her mother (who left her marriage in tatters and abandoned Esme as a child), she throws herself into her work, but when she meets new office temp Callum, Esme finds herself in the middle of what appears to be a second sexual awakening.
Inexplicably drawn to Callum and the potential of someone eleven years her junior, Callum and Esme embark on a secret affair that gives Esme back the joy she was missing in her staid, joyless marriage. The two grow closer, but Esme knows that she can never be more than a secret, physical connection - she's too old, too career-driven, she's approaching the end of fertility. What could a young, handsome aspiring actor want with her, anyway?
But when Esme is forced to choose between what society deems acceptable and her feelings for Callum, will she follow her heart, or her head?
A sharp, sexy, funny love story about ageing, leaving your baggage behind, and the power of dating like a man. Fans of The Idea of You, Daisy Buchanan, Caroline O'Donoghue and the film Babygirl will love this.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 30, 2026
Someone Your Own Age by Alex Neve is a compelling women’s fiction romance that blends emotional depth with a richly layered love story. At its heart is Esme, a 42-year-old woman navigating the fallout of a marriage shattered by her husband’s repeated infidelity and eventual departure for a younger woman. What follows is not just a story of heartbreak, but one of rediscovery, resilience, and unexpected passion.
Through her work, Esme meets Callum—a younger man whose connection with her is immediate and electric. Their relationship is charged with chemistry, offering moments that are both tender and undeniably spicy, yet grounded in something genuine and deeply felt. The romance unfolds alongside real-life challenges, making their journey all the more engaging and believable.
What truly stands out in this novel is its exploration of female ageing and self-worth. Esme’s character is written with nuance and strength, portraying a woman who refuses to be defined by societal expectations or past disappointments. Her growth throughout the story is both empowering and relatable.
Alex Neve’s writing style is immersive and fluid, striking a perfect balance between emotional intensity and comforting familiarity. The narrative keeps you fully engaged, with well-developed characters who feel authentic and memorable. It’s ultimately a cosy yet emotionally resonant read that lingers long after the final page.
Thank you NetGalley, Canelo, Author Alex Neve for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: May 28th 2026
Through her work, Esme meets Callum—a younger man whose connection with her is immediate and electric. Their relationship is charged with chemistry, offering moments that are both tender and undeniably spicy, yet grounded in something genuine and deeply felt. The romance unfolds alongside real-life challenges, making their journey all the more engaging and believable.
What truly stands out in this novel is its exploration of female ageing and self-worth. Esme’s character is written with nuance and strength, portraying a woman who refuses to be defined by societal expectations or past disappointments. Her growth throughout the story is both empowering and relatable.
Alex Neve’s writing style is immersive and fluid, striking a perfect balance between emotional intensity and comforting familiarity. The narrative keeps you fully engaged, with well-developed characters who feel authentic and memorable. It’s ultimately a cosy yet emotionally resonant read that lingers long after the final page.
Thank you NetGalley, Canelo, Author Alex Neve for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: May 28th 2026
May 30, 2026
A gloriously tender and deliciously spicy romance. Alex Neve’s voice kept me hooked throughout and made me laugh, sob and all the in between. Make this your next beach/commute/bedtime read! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This sharp, witty story leans into messy reinvention, second chances, and the complicated freedom that can come when life doesn’t go according to plan. It’s bold, funny, and emotionally honest, exploring what it means to rediscover yourself when the version of your life you expected suddenly disappears.
Esme is a refreshingly flawed and relatable protagonist. Her vulnerability, insecurity, and desire to reclaim joy make her journey feel authentic, especially as she grapples with expectations around age, career, and relationships. The narrative handles these themes with humor and bite, balancing introspection with playful, flirty energy.
The romance brings a spark that feels both exciting and complicated. There’s a natural tension between what feels right and what’s considered acceptable, and that push-and-pull drives the emotional core of the story. The chemistry is lively, and the tone remains confident and self-aware throughout.
What stands out most is how the book explores female ageing, societal expectations, and the idea of rewriting your own rules. It’s thoughtful without being heavy, and sharp without losing its warmth. The result is a story that feels empowering, entertaining, and quietly reflective all at once.
Sexy, funny, and self-assured, this is a compelling love story about letting go of limitations and choosing what brings you back to life.
Esme is a refreshingly flawed and relatable protagonist. Her vulnerability, insecurity, and desire to reclaim joy make her journey feel authentic, especially as she grapples with expectations around age, career, and relationships. The narrative handles these themes with humor and bite, balancing introspection with playful, flirty energy.
The romance brings a spark that feels both exciting and complicated. There’s a natural tension between what feels right and what’s considered acceptable, and that push-and-pull drives the emotional core of the story. The chemistry is lively, and the tone remains confident and self-aware throughout.
What stands out most is how the book explores female ageing, societal expectations, and the idea of rewriting your own rules. It’s thoughtful without being heavy, and sharp without losing its warmth. The result is a story that feels empowering, entertaining, and quietly reflective all at once.
Sexy, funny, and self-assured, this is a compelling love story about letting go of limitations and choosing what brings you back to life.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This book broke my heart several times over and yet I could not put it down. Esme is my age and Jesus, did her shitty husband put her through enough (she should have left him sooner but I know that is always easier to say than do). I could relate to her feeling like she is invisible...she is over 30...but enter Callum and whoo boy, Esme is seen.
There was humor in this book but it was also very touching....seeing Esme learn how Callum sees her, so she can see herself differently was something that was done so well in this book and I large part of why I loved it so much. Thrown in Zara and Trevor Collins (side characters with so much life and zest) and Alex Neve has written a damn good book.
Thanks to Hera Books for the ARC!
There was humor in this book but it was also very touching....seeing Esme learn how Callum sees her, so she can see herself differently was something that was done so well in this book and I large part of why I loved it so much. Thrown in Zara and Trevor Collins (side characters with so much life and zest) and Alex Neve has written a damn good book.
Thanks to Hera Books for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Best slow burn age-gap romance Ive read 👌🏻📖🥰😭 I totally enjoyed this book and took my time reading it ! I totally loved the tension that was building with Callum and Esme . What I totally find this book impressive was that instead of a Man being older the woman was the older one ! My fave character was def Zara shes funny and also a very girls girl 🫶🏻🌸 The ending was perfect totally was sad for a bit and then I had happy tears firs time that ever happens to me while reading a book!😭🫶🏻🫣🫣
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book. This was a theme I’ve been dying for and that is unfairly unexplored. Author did a great job bringing to light unfairness and treatment of women of certain age as compared to their male counterparts, as well as exploring female desire and emotional drive in the period of life where the world expects you to wind yourself down.
June 1, 2026
Read this book in record timing for me! It’s so easy to read, surprisingly funny, honest and relatable and raw, along with the perfect amount of sexiness - not too over the top but enough to get you hot under the collar and fantasising happily while drifting to sleep. Very impressive with this debut novel and look forward to seeing what the author comes out with next. :)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews