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Lucky Girl: Shelf-Life of a Single Woman
After a lifetime of romantic letdowns - including a father who vanished like a plot twist and a fiancé who turned "I do" into "I...don't think so" less than a year ago - Stella Duprey has officially sworn off men. Her heart is now strictly reserved for her one true love: Between the Covers, the cozy bookshop she owns, where the romance and fairytale happy endings stay tucked between the pages.
She's built a peaceful, man-free life surrounded by her loyal inner circle: her stoic mom and supportive sister, her brutally honest neighbor-turned-bestie, and her one employee, Gina, who's brilliant, devoted, and only slightly terrifying when caffeinated.
Stella is happily hiding from love behind towers of beloved novels - until Theo Steele walks in. A local firefighter with a habit of rescuing kittens and people, Theo is inconveniently attractive and dangerously...nice. Worst of all, he seems determined to help Stella believe in happily-ever-afters again.
Now Stella must choose: stick with the safety of her book-bound world, or let Theo- and possibly love- burn down the walls she's built around her heart.
She's built a peaceful, man-free life surrounded by her loyal inner circle: her stoic mom and supportive sister, her brutally honest neighbor-turned-bestie, and her one employee, Gina, who's brilliant, devoted, and only slightly terrifying when caffeinated.
Stella is happily hiding from love behind towers of beloved novels - until Theo Steele walks in. A local firefighter with a habit of rescuing kittens and people, Theo is inconveniently attractive and dangerously...nice. Worst of all, he seems determined to help Stella believe in happily-ever-afters again.
Now Stella must choose: stick with the safety of her book-bound world, or let Theo- and possibly love- burn down the walls she's built around her heart.
- GenresRomance
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2025
8 people are currently reading
2331 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Wenzler
5 books78 followersKimberly was born and raised on Long Island where she currently resides with her husband and their two sons. She blogs at www.kimberlywenzler.com using humor to share her personal views on life, reading and writing. Kimberly is currently at work on her next novel. Feel free to drop a line and say hi. She loves visitors.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 18, 2025
Lucky Girl : Shelf-Life of a Single Woman is a contemporary romance set in New York.
Book shop owner Stella has sworn of men after her father walked out when she was a child and later she was left at the altar by her fiancé. Now she just wants to concentrate on her business while regularly spoiling her young niece and nephew.
On a trip to the aquarium with her young relatives she meets Theo who is entertaining his own niece. While the two girls become friends, Stella is aware of her attraction for Theo, but she is determined to keep him in the ‘friends only’ bracket.
Stella’s life is kept busy with drama from her family, her neighbours and events at the book shop. She takes on an assistant and together they work hard to build-up the shop. Her friendship with Theo is tantalisingly slow; Stella has a lot of personal dilemmas to work through. I don’t want to say any more about the plot and spoil it for other readers.
However, I loved every minute of this story. I was emotionally attached and didn’t want to put the book down; it felt like real-life and escapism all at the same time.
Book shop owner Stella has sworn of men after her father walked out when she was a child and later she was left at the altar by her fiancé. Now she just wants to concentrate on her business while regularly spoiling her young niece and nephew.
On a trip to the aquarium with her young relatives she meets Theo who is entertaining his own niece. While the two girls become friends, Stella is aware of her attraction for Theo, but she is determined to keep him in the ‘friends only’ bracket.
Stella’s life is kept busy with drama from her family, her neighbours and events at the book shop. She takes on an assistant and together they work hard to build-up the shop. Her friendship with Theo is tantalisingly slow; Stella has a lot of personal dilemmas to work through. I don’t want to say any more about the plot and spoil it for other readers.
However, I loved every minute of this story. I was emotionally attached and didn’t want to put the book down; it felt like real-life and escapism all at the same time.
November 9, 2025
"Lucky Girl" is not something I'd describe as a romance, to be honest. The romance part is much on the sidelines as we follow Stella, the main character, work around her issues with life, accepting help from others and opening her heart to new friendships and, eventually, love.
Stella's life is scarred by men leaving her with no good reason (as she is convinced), and this weighs in on every decision she makes and how she intends to live her life going forward. Although a younger child, in my opinion she very much embodies a lot of characteristics of the eldest daughter: overly independent, refusing to accept help, self-sabotaging new relationships, convinced everything will end the same way regardless of what she'll do, etc.
The scales start to move a bit when she meets Theo and when her older sister needs her more than she ever did. I enjoyed the journey Stella went on and the support of her extended "village", while she worked through developing her own bookshop and her life. However, I feel like way earlier someone should've told her to go to therapy and this topic is never breached. It's like non-existent in this world and even though everyone has problems, they all seem to just be pushing through them with their willpower, or just bottling it in. This would resolve a lot of the issues the characters go through a lot sooner.
I did like the book very much, and it was a quick read, I was attached from the very first chapter. The story flows well, and the prose adds a sprinkle of magic (although I'm a bit salty about the abrupt ending, in my opinion), so I'll definitely be checking out more from this author.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
Stella's life is scarred by men leaving her with no good reason (as she is convinced), and this weighs in on every decision she makes and how she intends to live her life going forward. Although a younger child, in my opinion she very much embodies a lot of characteristics of the eldest daughter: overly independent, refusing to accept help, self-sabotaging new relationships, convinced everything will end the same way regardless of what she'll do, etc.
The scales start to move a bit when she meets Theo and when her older sister needs her more than she ever did. I enjoyed the journey Stella went on and the support of her extended "village", while she worked through developing her own bookshop and her life. However, I feel like way earlier someone should've told her to go to therapy and this topic is never breached. It's like non-existent in this world and even though everyone has problems, they all seem to just be pushing through them with their willpower, or just bottling it in. This would resolve a lot of the issues the characters go through a lot sooner.
I did like the book very much, and it was a quick read, I was attached from the very first chapter. The story flows well, and the prose adds a sprinkle of magic (although I'm a bit salty about the abrupt ending, in my opinion), so I'll definitely be checking out more from this author.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
November 23, 2025
While on the surface, this latest book by Wenzler seems like your typical romance, but it is so much more. I was truly rooting for Stella. While her growth throughout the novel was at times maddeningly slow, it was messy and realistic. Throw in a handsome firefighter, a bookstore and quirky supporting characters and I was all in.
November 13, 2025
“If we’d only hold onto some of the past, maybe the present wouldn’t be so…hard.”
This book is so much more than a romance. It’s an exploration of family, relationships, and the struggle of moving forward after life has continually knocked you down. Stella Duprey is the owner of Between the Covers bookstore, a dream she made a reality. She was literally left at the altar almost a year prior and has sworn off love and dating ever since. Following her heartbreak, she throws herself into making her store a success and being a loving aunt to her adorable niece and nephew.
While at the aquarium with her niece Maddie and nephew Mason, Stella meets Theo and his niece Sam. Maddie and Sam become fast friends and they all spend the afternoon together. It is obvious there is a spark between Stella and Theo but Stella sticks to her plan of not getting romantically involved, insisting they instead become friends. Theo is a firefighter at a station near Stella’s bookstore and he stops in the store frequently. The spark grows even brighter.
Life gets more complicated for Stella when her sister Charlie is diagnosed with breast cancer.
Between financial worries for her store, her sister’s diagnosis, her growing feelings for Theo, and unresolved grief over losing her Dad at a young age, Stella’s world is spiraling. Hard lessons and even harder circumstances will allow Stella to see she has special friends in her life that care deeply. Little by little she begins to open her heart. She learns the importance of being brave, stepping out of her comfort zone, accepting help, and being truthful to herself and those she loves.
“If you let your fear keep you from opening your heart to love, you’ll have lost anyway.”
I loved Stella’s journey. At times I was frustrated with her and her decisions but I recognized her fears and the walls she put up to protect herself. This is such a multi-layered, emotional story that completely consumed me with its nostalgia, life reflections, entertaining cast of characters (even a cat named Hemingway), and the undeniable power of family and love. Stella faced many hardships but learned that the strength of love can pull you through and that life is meant to be lived not feared.
“To love is to open yourself to hurt. It’s the greatest gift you can give yourself. Nothing is guaranteed.”
This book is so much more than a romance. It’s an exploration of family, relationships, and the struggle of moving forward after life has continually knocked you down. Stella Duprey is the owner of Between the Covers bookstore, a dream she made a reality. She was literally left at the altar almost a year prior and has sworn off love and dating ever since. Following her heartbreak, she throws herself into making her store a success and being a loving aunt to her adorable niece and nephew.
While at the aquarium with her niece Maddie and nephew Mason, Stella meets Theo and his niece Sam. Maddie and Sam become fast friends and they all spend the afternoon together. It is obvious there is a spark between Stella and Theo but Stella sticks to her plan of not getting romantically involved, insisting they instead become friends. Theo is a firefighter at a station near Stella’s bookstore and he stops in the store frequently. The spark grows even brighter.
Life gets more complicated for Stella when her sister Charlie is diagnosed with breast cancer.
Between financial worries for her store, her sister’s diagnosis, her growing feelings for Theo, and unresolved grief over losing her Dad at a young age, Stella’s world is spiraling. Hard lessons and even harder circumstances will allow Stella to see she has special friends in her life that care deeply. Little by little she begins to open her heart. She learns the importance of being brave, stepping out of her comfort zone, accepting help, and being truthful to herself and those she loves.
“If you let your fear keep you from opening your heart to love, you’ll have lost anyway.”
I loved Stella’s journey. At times I was frustrated with her and her decisions but I recognized her fears and the walls she put up to protect herself. This is such a multi-layered, emotional story that completely consumed me with its nostalgia, life reflections, entertaining cast of characters (even a cat named Hemingway), and the undeniable power of family and love. Stella faced many hardships but learned that the strength of love can pull you through and that life is meant to be lived not feared.
“To love is to open yourself to hurt. It’s the greatest gift you can give yourself. Nothing is guaranteed.”
November 15, 2025
ARC REVIEW
I have been having bad experiences with ARCs since a long time and so I didn't really have much expectations. But this one was SO cute! Stella's ex fiance broke her heart and trust, thus she sworn off men (good decision 🫡) but Universe had something else in mind so she met Theo. I love the single mom rep (not the FMC, her mother) and I love the inner monologue, this was a single POV and I don't usually like that (i want to know both characters thoughts, I have trust issues what if the other person is just faking it or in it for wrong reasons 😭) One thing I loved about this book was that the side characters didn't just exist to make the story better they had their own struggles, own story going on. I expected this book to be more of a rom-com but it touches on so many important, painful topics and the author has done beautiful job at it. Almost till the end of book I thought I had get a sad ending in Romance department but it didn't make me sad because the book is so beautifully described as life. But the ending was so satisfactory. I absolutely adore every character in this story!
I am so glad I read this book. Highly recommended!
I have been having bad experiences with ARCs since a long time and so I didn't really have much expectations. But this one was SO cute! Stella's ex fiance broke her heart and trust, thus she sworn off men (good decision 🫡) but Universe had something else in mind so she met Theo. I love the single mom rep (not the FMC, her mother) and I love the inner monologue, this was a single POV and I don't usually like that (i want to know both characters thoughts, I have trust issues what if the other person is just faking it or in it for wrong reasons 😭) One thing I loved about this book was that the side characters didn't just exist to make the story better they had their own struggles, own story going on. I expected this book to be more of a rom-com but it touches on so many important, painful topics and the author has done beautiful job at it. Almost till the end of book I thought I had get a sad ending in Romance department but it didn't make me sad because the book is so beautifully described as life. But the ending was so satisfactory. I absolutely adore every character in this story!
I am so glad I read this book. Highly recommended!
November 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lucky Girl is an engaging, heartfelt read that blends family drama, personal growth, and emotional depth in a way that feels both authentic and uplifting. From the very first chapters, I was invested in the characters and the complicated dynamics that shaped their journeys.
While a few moments felt slightly predictable, the emotional payoff more than made up for it. It’s a thoughtful, beautifully written story that lingers long after you turn the final page
Lucky Girl is an engaging, heartfelt read that blends family drama, personal growth, and emotional depth in a way that feels both authentic and uplifting. From the very first chapters, I was invested in the characters and the complicated dynamics that shaped their journeys.
While a few moments felt slightly predictable, the emotional payoff more than made up for it. It’s a thoughtful, beautifully written story that lingers long after you turn the final page
December 11, 2025
3.5 stars. It’s engaging, funny, and honest, though at times some parts feel uneven and repetitive. Overall a good pick when you want something not too heavy. I won this in a goodreads giveaway.
December 20, 2025
📚Lucky Girl
✍🏻Kimberly Wenzler
Blurb:After a lifetime of romantic letdowns - including a father who vanished like a plot twist and a fiancé who turned "I do" into "I...don't think so" less than a year ago - Stella Duprey has officially sworn off men. Her heart is now strictly reserved for her one true love: Between the Covers, the cozy bookshop she owns, where the romance and fairytale happy endings stay tucked between the pages.
She's built a peaceful, man-free life surrounded by her loyal inner circle: her stoic mom and supportive sister, her brutally honest neighbor-turned-bestie, and her one employee, Gina, who's brilliant, devoted, and only slightly terrifying when caffeinated.
Stella is happily hiding from love behind towers of beloved novels - until Theo Steele walks in. A local firefighter with a habit of rescuing kittens and people, Theo is inconveniently attractive and dangerously...nice. Worst of all, he seems determined to help Stella believe in happily-ever-afters again.
Now Stella must choose: stick with the safety of her book-bound world, or let Theo- and possibly love- burn down the walls she's built around her heart.
My Thoughts:
I'm married to a firefighter so I loved this book, I love a firefighter romance Book shop owner Stella has sworn of men after her father walked out when she was a child and later she was left at the altar by her fiancé. Now she just wants to concentrate on her business while regularly spoiling her young niece and nephew., On a trip to the aquarium with her young relatives she meets Theo who is entertaining his own niece. While the two girls become friends, Stella is aware of her attraction for Theo, but she is determined to keep him in the ‘friends only’ bracket.
The scales start to move a bit when she meets Theo and when her older sister needs her more than she ever did. I loved Stella’s journey. At times I was frustrated with her and her decisions but I recognized her fears and the walls she put up to protect herself.. The side characters didn't just exist to make the story better they had their own struggles, own story going on. I expected this book to be more of a rom-com but it touches on so many important, painful topics
Thanks NetGalley, Seaplane Publishing and Author Kimberly Wenzler for the advanced copy of "Lucky Girl" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#SeaplanePublishing
#KimberlyWenzler
#LuckyGirl
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Kimberly Wenzler
Blurb:After a lifetime of romantic letdowns - including a father who vanished like a plot twist and a fiancé who turned "I do" into "I...don't think so" less than a year ago - Stella Duprey has officially sworn off men. Her heart is now strictly reserved for her one true love: Between the Covers, the cozy bookshop she owns, where the romance and fairytale happy endings stay tucked between the pages.
She's built a peaceful, man-free life surrounded by her loyal inner circle: her stoic mom and supportive sister, her brutally honest neighbor-turned-bestie, and her one employee, Gina, who's brilliant, devoted, and only slightly terrifying when caffeinated.
Stella is happily hiding from love behind towers of beloved novels - until Theo Steele walks in. A local firefighter with a habit of rescuing kittens and people, Theo is inconveniently attractive and dangerously...nice. Worst of all, he seems determined to help Stella believe in happily-ever-afters again.
Now Stella must choose: stick with the safety of her book-bound world, or let Theo- and possibly love- burn down the walls she's built around her heart.
My Thoughts:
I'm married to a firefighter so I loved this book, I love a firefighter romance Book shop owner Stella has sworn of men after her father walked out when she was a child and later she was left at the altar by her fiancé. Now she just wants to concentrate on her business while regularly spoiling her young niece and nephew., On a trip to the aquarium with her young relatives she meets Theo who is entertaining his own niece. While the two girls become friends, Stella is aware of her attraction for Theo, but she is determined to keep him in the ‘friends only’ bracket.
The scales start to move a bit when she meets Theo and when her older sister needs her more than she ever did. I loved Stella’s journey. At times I was frustrated with her and her decisions but I recognized her fears and the walls she put up to protect herself.. The side characters didn't just exist to make the story better they had their own struggles, own story going on. I expected this book to be more of a rom-com but it touches on so many important, painful topics
Thanks NetGalley, Seaplane Publishing and Author Kimberly Wenzler for the advanced copy of "Lucky Girl" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#SeaplanePublishing
#KimberlyWenzler
#LuckyGirl
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 8, 2025
Some books don’t shout their message, they whisper it into your heart, Lucky Girl by Kimberly Wenzler is exactly that kind of story. It’s one of those short, wholesome reads (just around 200 pages!) that you start thinking it’ll be simple, but before you know it, you’re teary-eyed, hugging the book, and realizing it’s quietly changed something in you.
We follow Stella Duprey, a woman learning what it means to open her heart again after life and love have both let her down a few too many times. She runs this cozy little bookstore that instantly feels like a hug full of warmth, chatter, and people with their own stories stopping by, including the book club members and an author named Olivia who somehow ties it all together.
Then there’s Theo gentle, patient, and genuinely good the kind of man who makes you believe in trust and tenderness again. I also adored her best friend Gini, who balances sass with loyalty, and her sister Charlie, whose family (her husband and the kids!!) added so much joy and cuteness to the story. The family dynamics were one of my favorite parts real, flawed, messy, but at the end of the day, they’re home.
There’s this recurring theme of overthinking, trust, and the way we sometimes hide our hearts even from the people who love us most. One quote that really stayed with me was, “To love is to open yourself to hurt. It’s the greatest gift you can give yourself. Nothing is guaranteed.” That line right there sums up the heart of this book the bravery of being vulnerable.The writing is calm and lifely it doesn’t rush, it breathes. You move through Stella’s journey slowly, like you’re walking with her through each quiet realization, every hesitant smile, every second chance. And the last few pages? Oh, they completely stole my heart soft, surreal, and so full of life that I had to pause before closing it.
If you love stories that feel like a fresh start, that remind you of the power of family, friendship, and second chances, Lucky Girl is the kind of book that’ll find you when you need it most. It’s simple, sincere, and utterly beautiful.
We follow Stella Duprey, a woman learning what it means to open her heart again after life and love have both let her down a few too many times. She runs this cozy little bookstore that instantly feels like a hug full of warmth, chatter, and people with their own stories stopping by, including the book club members and an author named Olivia who somehow ties it all together.
Then there’s Theo gentle, patient, and genuinely good the kind of man who makes you believe in trust and tenderness again. I also adored her best friend Gini, who balances sass with loyalty, and her sister Charlie, whose family (her husband and the kids!!) added so much joy and cuteness to the story. The family dynamics were one of my favorite parts real, flawed, messy, but at the end of the day, they’re home.
There’s this recurring theme of overthinking, trust, and the way we sometimes hide our hearts even from the people who love us most. One quote that really stayed with me was, “To love is to open yourself to hurt. It’s the greatest gift you can give yourself. Nothing is guaranteed.” That line right there sums up the heart of this book the bravery of being vulnerable.The writing is calm and lifely it doesn’t rush, it breathes. You move through Stella’s journey slowly, like you’re walking with her through each quiet realization, every hesitant smile, every second chance. And the last few pages? Oh, they completely stole my heart soft, surreal, and so full of life that I had to pause before closing it.
If you love stories that feel like a fresh start, that remind you of the power of family, friendship, and second chances, Lucky Girl is the kind of book that’ll find you when you need it most. It’s simple, sincere, and utterly beautiful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2025
4 Stars! Cute book. The main characters are Stella & Theo and I liked them both even though I wanted to slap both of them at times. I resonated a lot with Stella, I’m a big (romance) book reader too. Stella’s sister gets cancer which I understand well since I survived cancer when I was just a kid. It’s a terrifying diagnosis but more & more people are surviving nowadays, it’s not always a death sentence anymore. Adult chemo & kid chemo is different though. I used to be admitted into the hospital for at least a week long stay to get chemo, every 2 weeks, unless I got an infection of some kind. Anyway, back to the book. The HEA ending was a bit rushed for me but the rest of it was enjoyable. The epilogue was good but I wish it was longer. Not much romance in the book, I felt it was more about Stella and how she handles all the garbage life can sometimes throw at you. I find it helps to always find the positives, even in a bad situation. I’ve never had my heart broken like Stella, but I am disillusioned with finding love too. It’s difficult for me to get up and out of the house often because I have a lot of medical issues from being sick as a kid. If only I could find a sexy firefighter of my own!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
December 19, 2025
This book should really be Women's Fiction, not romance. There's an ounce of romance in the book but it's really a story about struggle/journey of Stella. She's a headstrong, stubborn business owner that met a guy, THE Guy, but not ready in her emotional life to receive him. It was a meet cute and you want to root for them, but Stella just kept getting in her own way.
She has daddy issues (which later on found out was mental health related), then her exfiance that stood her up at the alter (realized that she hasn't been honest to herself), now can she receive this impeccable hero of a firefighter into her life, knowing the men she loves leaves her and this time, he might be risking his life for others while she selfishly thinks of herself.
Stella is really a head case and totally doesn't know a good thing biting her in the ass. Thank goodness of her sister Charlie and her neighbor Phillipe who even when Stella is grumpy and taking it out on them and her worker Gina who sees her, they stood by her. Some part of Stella's stubbornness overstayed in the story. Wish there's more time with Theo, but I get it. I liked the opening, the pacing, but latter half kind dragged.
Thank you NetGalley & Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC
She has daddy issues (which later on found out was mental health related), then her exfiance that stood her up at the alter (realized that she hasn't been honest to herself), now can she receive this impeccable hero of a firefighter into her life, knowing the men she loves leaves her and this time, he might be risking his life for others while she selfishly thinks of herself.
Stella is really a head case and totally doesn't know a good thing biting her in the ass. Thank goodness of her sister Charlie and her neighbor Phillipe who even when Stella is grumpy and taking it out on them and her worker Gina who sees her, they stood by her. Some part of Stella's stubbornness overstayed in the story. Wish there's more time with Theo, but I get it. I liked the opening, the pacing, but latter half kind dragged.
Thank you NetGalley & Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC
November 14, 2025
For some reason that remains unkown to me to this day, I love firefighter romances, so of course I jumped at the chance to request this book, and then did some more jumping when I got the request accepted mail.
Did this book deliver? Yes. Did I read it in less than a day because it's way too fucking cute? Also yes.
So five stars it gets, and man, am I not happy about it: the story, the development, the man, the cat, the niblings... I'm even considering adding the snowman they built into the list just because man, what a fucking date that was.
So yeah, ten outta ten. 100% recommended.
Did this book deliver? Yes. Did I read it in less than a day because it's way too fucking cute? Also yes.
So five stars it gets, and man, am I not happy about it: the story, the development, the man, the cat, the niblings... I'm even considering adding the snowman they built into the list just because man, what a fucking date that was.
So yeah, ten outta ten. 100% recommended.
November 24, 2025
Lucky Girl starts strong, dips a little in the middle, then finds its rhythm again with a solid ending. I love the sister relationship and the layered mother-father-daughter dynamics. The bookshop setting adds charm, and the firefighter element is interesting and fresh to me. The romance feels more like a subplot, with the real focus on personal growth and healing. It reads more like thoughtful literary fiction than a typical romance, and I enjoyed that. A good, heartfelt read overall.
Thank you NetGalley and Seaplace Publishing for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and Seaplace Publishing for the ARC!
November 30, 2025
Stella’s heart has been shattered too many times. Starting with a father who vanished one day, a finishing with a fiance not showing at their wedding day. She wants a quiet life, with her books, her bookshop, her family and his neighbor. Enter handsome and charming Theo. A firefighter with a penchant for saving people and cats. Can he save her from her lonely life and show Stella that risking her heart is worth the risk? A modern fairytale. Thanks to NetGalley and Seaplave publishing for the ARC. This is y honest review.
December 1, 2025
Thank you to Kimberly Wenzler for this ARC. I would love to read more books by her.
Stella is our female main character and she is 37 and has never had a relationship with men because of some deep issues she's had since childhood.
Theo is our male main character and a firefighter and he meets stella on a Monday afternoon at an aquarium and they start off as friends and they work to overcome stella's issues with men and eventually they get a HEA and I liked Charlie and her kids that's Stella's sister and niece and nephew.
Stella is our female main character and she is 37 and has never had a relationship with men because of some deep issues she's had since childhood.
Theo is our male main character and a firefighter and he meets stella on a Monday afternoon at an aquarium and they start off as friends and they work to overcome stella's issues with men and eventually they get a HEA and I liked Charlie and her kids that's Stella's sister and niece and nephew.
November 9, 2025
I love a firefighter romance, and thought Theo and Stella complimented each other well. I do wish we had gotten to see more of them together, as in some ways this book did not feel much like a romance. It was definitely more of an exploration of Stella and how she's handling her life. I did like how we saw Stella move on from her past, and start taking steps to move forward. Her relationships with her family were complex, but interesting to explore. I thought this was an enjoyable read.
December 1, 2025
Oh my, first off, thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!
This book is the definition of cozy, rainy-reading days. I don’t have much time to read with work and my son, but every chance I got, I allowed myself to dive more and more into the world. The growth was magnificent between the main character and even her gay best man. Although the ending seemed a bit rushed, I would have loved to have it go on just a bit longer. Such an amazing book if you like slow-burn and coziness.
This book is the definition of cozy, rainy-reading days. I don’t have much time to read with work and my son, but every chance I got, I allowed myself to dive more and more into the world. The growth was magnificent between the main character and even her gay best man. Although the ending seemed a bit rushed, I would have loved to have it go on just a bit longer. Such an amazing book if you like slow-burn and coziness.
December 13, 2025
Enjoyable story
I received a free digital copy of this book as part of a give-a-way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Not simply a romance, this book presents a wonderful and complex of a emotionally scarred bookworm who is frightened to let herself trust, love, and lose someone else. I really enjoyed the flawed FMC. This is well worth the read.
I received a free digital copy of this book as part of a give-a-way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Not simply a romance, this book presents a wonderful and complex of a emotionally scarred bookworm who is frightened to let herself trust, love, and lose someone else. I really enjoyed the flawed FMC. This is well worth the read.
December 30, 2025
I received a copy of this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Stella just could not get out of her own way. Initially, I had hope for her personal growth and development, but about 45% in, I just got annoyed. The rest of the story was engaging and well-rounded, but I rolled my eyes at most of our heroine's behavior.
Stella just could not get out of her own way. Initially, I had hope for her personal growth and development, but about 45% in, I just got annoyed. The rest of the story was engaging and well-rounded, but I rolled my eyes at most of our heroine's behavior.
November 17, 2025
This book was so good. It was a perfect emotional roller coaster. Stella’s emotions were so well described and I could feel her pain and everything else like it was my own. I couldn’t put the book down. I had to know that she would get her happy ending !
November 14, 2025
I enjoyed this book. I loved the references to other books. I even had to look some of those books up.
The characters were all very relatable and interesting.
The characters were all very relatable and interesting.
November 29, 2025
A sweet and cozy read. Really enjoyed this. Every girl needs a Theo
November 30, 2025
i lovedddd how he was always interested in her even when they first met!!! so cute!! loved the firefighter x bookstore manager🫶🏻
December 27, 2025
It took me a bit to get into it. Felt like it would end on a sad note for a second. But it took an up swing and turned out to be a pleasant read!
December 15, 2025
This was a very cute book, with such a relatable, coming-to-love-yourself plot that I very much enjoyed! The whole concept of woman scorned by love and re-focusing on her job, life, herself, instead of centering her life around a man is something I believe every woman above a certain age (28) can relate to.
Stella was a slow burn, and if we're calling this book a "romance", I think the romance is more between Stella and herself, rather than her and Theo. I think the main love interest in this book is herself, as she grows to accept life, friendships, her situation -- and finalllyyyyy, at the very, a romance.
This definitely didn't read like a true romance to me, which is not a bad thing, but it could be misleading to label it as such. I'd categorize this as a woman's fiction, with a romantic sub-plot.
Very enjoyable, very relatable. A good read for women of all ages!
Stella was a slow burn, and if we're calling this book a "romance", I think the romance is more between Stella and herself, rather than her and Theo. I think the main love interest in this book is herself, as she grows to accept life, friendships, her situation -- and finalllyyyyy, at the very, a romance.
This definitely didn't read like a true romance to me, which is not a bad thing, but it could be misleading to label it as such. I'd categorize this as a woman's fiction, with a romantic sub-plot.
Very enjoyable, very relatable. A good read for women of all ages!
December 16, 2025
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway, and while it was mostly enjoyable, it felt like it was dragging at times, repetitive and I lost interest here and there.
The romance was kind of a side story, with some weird interactions, one sudden intimate scene, more interactions that felt like there was zero chemistry, a gap of 3+ months and suddenly being in love, and ending with a pregnancy with no other background to what else had happened in the “18 months later.”
⭐️ ⭐️
The romance was kind of a side story, with some weird interactions, one sudden intimate scene, more interactions that felt like there was zero chemistry, a gap of 3+ months and suddenly being in love, and ending with a pregnancy with no other background to what else had happened in the “18 months later.”
⭐️ ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2025
After being jilted at the alter, headstrong bookstore owner Stella spends her days growing her small Brooklyn business with fun and interesting ways to draw in new customers. The story is a wonderful blend of realistic fiction and sweet romance as Stella balances intricate relationships with her sister, mom, and a plethora of interesting side characters that at times, made me laugh out loud, and make the story all the more enjoyable. Guarded and unwilling to giver her heart away again, Stella vehemently works to circumnavigate the growing heat between her and handsome firefighter, Theo, keeping him and her own desires, at arms length.
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