While You Were Seething: A Sizzling Enemies-to-Lovers Bookish Romance

by Charlotte Stein, Imogen Wilde (Narrator)

The road to love is bumpy in Charlotte Stein’s WHILE YOU WERE SEETHING — a sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance filled with fake dating hijinks, delicious forced proximity, and top tier banter.

Daisy Emmett has been enemies with famous romance author Caleb Miller since they were in college together, and time hasn’t lessened their mutual loathing. So, when she agrees to maneuver him through a PR disaster of his own making, she knows it’s not going to be easy. She just doesn’t realise how not easy until they somehow end up trapped in the same truck, on an endless road trip from one book tour stop to another, bantering and butting heads along the way.

Then, even more people appear to be mistaking her for the woman he dedicates all his books to. The love of his life, his adored beloved—the one who doesn’t actually exist. Now they’re trapped into pretending she does and that Daisy is her, each fake kiss and phony embrace ratcheting up the tension to the point where enemies suddenly seems a lot closer to lovers than either of them would like.

Or so they’re telling themselves.

But sometimes it’s hard to be sure, when seething turns into something so much more . . .

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Forced Proximity, Books About Books

Audible Audio

Expected publication April 9, 2026

About the author

Charlotte Stein is the RT and DABWAHA nominated author of over fifty short stories, novellas and novels. When not writing deeply emotional and intensely sexy books, she can be found eating jelly turtles, watching terrible sitcoms and occasionally lusting after hunks. For more on Charlotte, visit: www.charlottestein.net

Reviews

[Mai ༊*·˚]

alright, contemporary romance enemies to lovers, please don't disappoint me 🫂


______________

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

[cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are books that grab you from page one, and then there are books that make you keep checking how much is left. While You Were Seething landed somewhere in between for me. It has so many tropes I usually devour—fake dating, enemies circling each other like feral cats, forced proximity.

Daisy ends up on this book tour because she’s trying to grow her own PR business, and managing a famous author’s image is a chance she can’t really turn down—even if he happens to be the same guy she’s disliked since college. 👀 It’s supposed to be a professional opportunity, a way to build her brand, not some emotional trap she falls face-first into.

But the real chaos starts when readers assume Daisy is the mysterious woman he dedicates all his books to. The muse everyone has theories about. The secret beloved no one has ever seen. 🫣🫣 Suddenly, pretending to be his great love becomes the only way to keep his reputation from imploding, and she’s stuck fake-dating the man who has never been anything but confusing and cold toward her. Except… that fake affection starts blurring lines fast. And those “just for show” moments get heated before either of them seems prepared. (The tent scene felt like an emotional jump scare. Like WHERE DID THAT COME FROM????) 🥲🥲🥲

The tension should’ve been a slow simmer, but instead it leaps from snark to spice so fast it feels like missing chapters. The banter has its charms, but the writing can get unclear enough that I found myself rereading scenes… not because they were deep, but because I genuinely couldn’t tell what just happened. 😭😭 Caleb’s “grumpy” behavior also leans more cruel than broody in a way that’s tiring, even once his reasons are revealed. (There’s a fine line between brooding and just being a jerk, and he tap-dances allll across it 🫩🤚🏼)

Meanwhile, Daisy keeps acting like there’s no possible universe where he might like her, even when he’s basically holding up a neon sign. At first it’s relatable insecurity… then it just becomes irritating. (like someone please hand her a clue. Or glasses. Or a mirror. GOSH🙄)

She’s also described as curvy, which could’ve been beautiful representation if it were actually explored. Instead it’s mentioned and dropped without adding depth, confidence, or anything meaningful to her character. So disappointing 😖😖

Even with all of this, I can’t say the story is boring. It kept me curious enough to finish, there are cute moments, and the premise itself is eye-catching. It just never quite reaches the emotional payoff it promises, and the confusion in the writing kept pulling me out of the story. 😔

Overall? A one-time read. Fun concept, surprising spice, but… messy execution. 🤷🏼‍♀️

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

"I thought she was the most attractive woman I'd ever laid eyes on. And I say attractive on purpose, because sure, she's beautiful, she's gorgeous, but it was more than that. More than just looking at someone and seeing that everything is pleasing to your eye. I was drawn to her, drawn in by her, in a way I'd never experienced before."

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

things to know about the book ↓

📚 enemies→lovers
📚 forced proximity
📚 fake dating
📚 second chance (kinda)
📚 third person POV

A huge thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Charlotte Stein for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stoic, romance author mmc who dedicates all his books to a secret lost love?!

Plus he’s her enemy from college.

Plus they’re stuck on a road trip.

PLUS now they have to fake date.

Talk about a recipe for success.

I binged this in a single sitting. These two imperfectly perfect idiots will have you screaming “OMG JUST ADMIT YOU LOVE EACH OTHER ALREADY” (complementary)! I loved all the angst and wanting. You know how this ends, and yet you can’t help but lap up every crumb the author offers.

Gosh I love these two idiots.

There is something extra special about a single pov romance with a stoic mmc… You know he’s secretly obsessed, but you don’t know know, and that unknown makes it so delicious!

Whats to love…
- accidental fingering from your mortal enemy
- enemies to lovers
- road trip with your enemy
- only one tent, bed, elevator
- slow burn
- delicious “take what you need” spice
- She’s too much, he’s too much - together they aer just enough
- Beck cameos! 10/10

My only critique…
- I do wish we got just a bit more backstory on each characters personal trauma, the emotional depth was good but it could have been great.

Audiobook: 4/5 | Narrator: Imogen Wilde | Length: 8hrs 33mins |
I thoroughly enjoy this narrator. She’s easy to listen to and delivers impeccable timing/delivery that only enhances the laughs, the angst, and the drama. Her pacing is consistent, though I do think the pausing at each sentence is ever so slightly long — it’s not something that would keep me from listening or recommending. Her American accent for the MMC is enjoyable, although it definitely feels a little humorous vs an accurate depiction. I find it cute, but I could see others not loving this. Overall I loved the audiobook and will listen to more narrated by her in the future.

4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |

Thank you St Martins Press & Macmillan Audio for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[ashlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off slow then picked up enough to get my attention a little more. I wish I could say I loved this but it was hard. There was so much banter that it made me want to stop reading. The premise and concept of the book was good just wished it was presented a bit differently. I must say the spice was spicing and the author didn’t hold back on that.

✨ T r o p e s + T r i g g e r s ✨
Enemies to Lovers
Contemporary Romance | Second Chance
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
Too Much Banter
Heavy Spice
Road Trip | One Tent
Slow Burn

Book Cover ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Would I recommend this book to you? Yes

Expected Release Date: 04/14/2026

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Author Charlotte Stein for the arc. All thoughts in this review are my own.

[⊹₊⟡⋆Mandy Darling⊹₊⟡⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started While You Were Seething, I was genuinely giddy. Like, kicking-my-feet, grinning-like-a-moron, squealing-over-the-banter levels of giddy. The chemistry and back-and-forth between Daisy and Caleb had me hooked immediately. I was absolutely inhaling this book. I finished it in about two days, and there were multiple moments where I was supposed to be working but instead was mentally counting down until I could sneak in another chapter.

Yes, I figured out the general direction of the plot pretty early on, but honestly? I didn’t care. Watching it all unfold was still an absolute blast. The slow burn enemies-to-lovers combined with the fast-paced, razor-sharp banter was IMMACULATE. Charlotte Stein really knows how to make dialogue sparkle.

That said, there were two things that kept this from being a full 5-star read for me.

First, the initial spicy scene between Daisy and Caleb felt like it went from 0 to 100 out of nowhere. Caleb shifts from controlled, grumpy, tightly wound man to full-on dirty talker in a way that didn’t quite match the emotional pacing or either character’s personality at that point. Don’t get me wrong, it was hot, but it felt like something that should have happened later, after a few more emotional walls had come down.

Second, the big emotional realizations toward the end felt rushed. Daisy’s emotional baggage gets a lot of attention, but Caleb’s is mostly skimmed over. I really wanted more depth there. More unpacking, more insight into his internal world, and a better understanding of how he processed everything that happened. It felt like there was so much potential to explore his story further, and I wish the book had slowed down just a bit to do that.

Even with those issues, I still really loved this book and would absolutely recommend it. It’s a fun, quick read with delicious banter, satisfying slow burn tension, and plenty of steam.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! 🧡

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was personally attacked and highly turned on by this book. It was so so good and hurt all my feelings. It also made me laugh. It was thoroughly delightful and scratched all of my itches.

[T Rojo · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW! (Thanks NETGALLEY!)

Eh book was fine, but it me, it was basically When Grumpy met Sunshine again just kind of watered down. There was a bunch of flashback chapters that didn’t really add much to the story. I wish Charlotte Stein would go back to her unconventional borderline creepy MMCs, these guys just seem like asexual weirdos.

[Harleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 40%

The plot sounded promising, but I couldn't get past the writing. At times, I had to keep rereading a section because it was unclear or awkwardly phrased. Also, I love a grumpy mmc, but Caleb didn’t do it for me 🥲

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Griffin for the arc. All opinions are my own.

[Lexa K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Charlotte Stein please don't make this your last rom-com! I loved My big fat fake marriage, and While you were seething had everything I could ask for.

Enemies to lovers AND fake dating in one book? YASSS!!!

The tropes come thick and fast in this one, and the chemistry between Daisy and Caleb was spot on right from the start.

Was it predictable? Absolutely. Was it un-putdownable anyway? 💯

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very very unique in its treatment in the beginning and that probably just made me have a bit of unique expectations, so I was a bit bummed at things progressing in a typical way, its still the good and right way but gosh it's first act was so good that i had a bit too much expectations 😂🩷

[Jnj_turning_pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

While You Were Seething is a romcom full of all the best tropes. You like second chances, it's got it. Love grumpy/sunshine, it's got one of the grumpiest. Oh, you love only one bed... How about only one tent? The witty banter and spicy tension will keep you turning pages and asking "will they or won't they?"

Caleb, famous romance writer, must save his reputation after his less than flattering, and very public, comments about love. Enter Daisy, PA and celebrity handler, to save the day. However, Caleb and Daisy have history. They attended the same college and were "enemies". Daisy must navigate his eccentricity and get him back in the fans good graces, but it backfires when the fans believe it is her that he is dating and not the actor they hired.

I really loved the literary banter and strong opinions of both characters. And let's talk about the naughty mouth on Caleb. It's hard to believe a man that talks like that doesn't believe in love. The plot was great and really cute. The speed was a bit wonky at times, with some things being sped through and others slowly progressing. Even with that, I loved this book. Solid 4 stars.

Thank you to charlotte.stein, st. martins press, and netgalley for the opportunity.

[Macy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was POETRY. If you enjoy some of the old classics where the characters are living so internally you wonder how they don’t accidentally just walk straight off a cliff, then you’ll love this.

Daisy and Caleb hated each other in college, fast forward a decade and now they’re thrown into fake-dating hijinks. YEARNING ENSUES. 😭

Daisy is easily one of my favorite FMCs I’ve read this year. She’s smart, hilarious, and completely, vulnerably, *almost* unapologetically herself.

When I tell you Caleb is more emotionally tortured than these FANTASY DUDES, who literally never get a break. 💀 He’s everything. In his ratty henley and his bigass boots, I could literally fix him. He’s been writing romance novels for years, but doesn’t believe he deserves anything gentle or genuine for himself. Enter Daisy 🥹🌼

Honestly, my favorite part about this book - beyond the epic love story - was the way it unfolds in Daisy’s mind. She’s so painfully observant it makes you wonder if you’ve ever truly, deliberately looked at another person before. The way love is described is poetry, the way their shortcomings are described is poetry, the dedications at the beginning of Caleb’s books??? POETRY.

Personally, I adored this book and there are some sentences I know I’ll come back to again and again. ❤️

Excuse me while I go read every other book Charlotte Stein has ever written.

[Lisi Bee (Beth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy is a people pleaser and a fixer who has channeled her innate helpfulness into owning and running her own. celebrity assistance firm. She's hired to help Caleb, a capital-G grumpy author who is skittish about going on a media junket for the release of his latest book. Caleb also happens to be an acquaintance from college, where they had a mostly-adversarial relationship. Will Daisy and Caleb make it through the press tour without killing each other? I love this author and I enjoyed the book overall, but I struggled with it at times. Cheerful but practical Daisy has spent her adult life toning herself down, and curmudgeonly Caleb has seemingly always been grumpy (think Ron Swanson being forced to deal with other humans when he'd prefer to be holed up in his cabin in the middle of the woods). I did like the opposites-attract dynamic, as well as their banter. And without giving away specific details of Daisy and Caleb's relationship, I think it's fair to say that their dynamic relies heavily on the miscommunication/misunderstanding trope. It's not a trope I typically enjoy, which is maybe why I felt some disconnect with their evolving relationship during the press junket. I also think some of the disconnect was due to the story being told from only Daisy's perspective. While it helped to convey her general cluelessness into Caleb's thought processes, it also left the reader a little high-and-dry to them as well. (And Caleb is most definitely a walled-off mountain of a man.) And although there is some eventual clarity into Caleb's feelings (as there must be in a romance novel), they come later in the story. The author really made them work for their HEA, holy cow. It was a little frustrating to read at times as clearly they're both tormented by their own repressed emotions and their misconceptions (as well as their dysfunctional emotional history which is repeating itself in the present day). I did like this book overall, but their relationship asks for a *lot* of patience from the reader. I just wish they'd had their emotional epiphanies a little sooner. I will say that Stein's characters are always chock full of insecurities, in the best way possible. They all just want someone to make them feel seen, even if they don't know that's what they want, and they always find it in their romantic partner. It's very relatable and makes her characters incredibly endearing, and it's one of the reasons I keep coming back to her books. That, and her keen sense of the absurd, I truly love it and it makes reading her books so much fun! I think readers who are in mood for an opposites-attract, slow-burn, GRUMPY-sunshine (yes it's capitalized on purpose, Caleb was practically shouting his grumpiness for the bulk of the book), fake-dating, open-door romance will enjoy this book. Publishes April 11th, 2026. This review is based on a complimentary eARC of the book, all opinions are my own.

[Lindsey Domokur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers with a broody hero that you just know is in love with the heroine.. check. That is what I want to read.
Caleb and Daisy have a long history and now Daisy has to travel with Caleb on a book tour, to basically babysit him. She loathes him and seemingly can't stand being around her. As the time goes on and they are thrown together for the tour, Daisy is realizing things aren't what they seem.
I do love a grumpy hero and I liked that he was very into her even if she didn't realize it till much later. The issue I had with the book is that it was really hard to read for me. I understand that the author isn't from the US, and I had trouble with another book that I had read by her, but I thought I could overcome it. Unfortunately, I couldn't. It was really hard to understand and things just didn't flow in a way that made me engrossed at any point in time. I thought the bones of this story were well done, but the execution of their relationship progressing was awkward at the best of times.
If you are familiar with this author and the writing style, I feel that you will enjoy it much more than I did.

[Lyndzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review, thank you NetGalley and Charlotte Stein for the opportunity to read this!

I love a good enemies to lovers story, but oftentimes the enemy part doesn't come easily and it feels forced -- this book, though? Absolutely not. Caleb is a true-blue Grump throughout this novel (and I love him for that). The animosity between Daisy and Caleb felt very real, the tension was thick, and their hatred was palpable. Their bickering was hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud as many times as I found myself grimacing by their jabs.
This novel is a definitely a slow burn, but once you get to the fire -OH WOW- is it hot! 🥵 Sometimes slow burns can feel a little tedious, but the chemistry between these two was electrifying from the get go. When it finally got to the spice, the build up to that level of hotness was like a dam bursting. I'm giving this book personal, mental bonus star (on top of the 5) for those sex scenes. ⭐
The main characters are both delightfully weird and eternally flawed, in ways that contrast and compliment one another so well. I strongly relate to Daisy and her struggle to understand a complicated --and silent-- man (they're the worst, why do we love them? 😅) I don't want to spoil what makes me love Caleb so much, but let's just say it's what turns him on. His "kinks" are one of the best things about him, IYKYK. 🥴
The narrative switches back and forth from the past to the present, which can be a bit confusing at times, referencing things in the past that we, the reader, have not discovered yet, but all gets explained eventually, and it has a very satisfying conclusion. I had never read this author before, and now I'm going to go read everything else she has written.

[Sky DeBoer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took a minute to get into but once we hit 50% of the way in I was LOCKED IN. WOW. The number of times daisy said something and didn’t think it through is sooooo me. Girls when they don’t understand the concept of thinking before you speak. Guys who barely speak and then say positively filthy things. YUP!!! So much yearning but also much more serious emotions from both of them that just hit home

Thank you to Charlotte Stein, St. Martin’s Press, and Net Galley for the arc!!! Baby’s first!!

[Katlyn Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: While You Were Seething by Charlotte Stein ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Charlotte Stein delivers yet another laugh-out-loud, steamy, and heartfelt enemies-to-lovers romance. Daisy and Caleb’s road trip gone wrong has everything you didn’t know you needed! Fake dating, public scandal, sharp banter, and emotional tension that builds beautifully.

The fake dating + road trip combo? Perfection. It’s got the “we can’t stand each other” energy, the emotional gut punches, and just enough spice to make you blush while grinning like an idiot.

If you love slow-burn tension, forced proximity, and messy but magnetic characters, While You Were Seething is a must-read!!!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like the author was trying so hard to have witty banter but it just came out kind of stilted and strange in a lot of places? The mmc almost reads like Sheldon from the Big Bang theory if he also had ocd, I don’t know how I’m supposed to find him sexy? He also definitely thinks of himself as some sort of unworthy bad guy and the self hating angsty type isn’t for me, oh she’s sunshine and I’m just black and white I could never deserve her, it’s just a little cringe to me? He felt so 2 dimensional. And Daisy felt like she was supposed to be a rip off of a Gilmore girl but missed the mark. It wasn’t bad, just a lot of the first half wasn’t for me. There’s also pages and pages of description for each little action that got so annoying, this was just a problem with the writing style I guess but why are we describing this man taking off his boots for 2.5 whole pages as if it’s the sexiest thing on gods earth, HES REMOVING BOOTS. I started skimming because you’re genuinely getting paragraphs over analyzing every touch I think it’s supposed to build angst but it was just mind numbing nobody analyzes a shoulder touch that much bud. It just ended up being incredibly cringey not sexy to me.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

While You Were Seething took a little while to get going for me the opening felt slow, and the early pacing had me wondering if this one just wasn’t going to land. But once it finds its rhythm, Charlotte Stein’s trademark wit, intimacy, and emotional sharpness kick in and absolutely pull you back in.

As a sucker for rivals to lovers and a good fake-dating setup, I held on, and I’m glad I did. The chemistry between the leads builds with that uniquely Stein blend: messy, charged, and unexpectedly vulnerable. When the banter finally starts firing, it really fires.

The time jumps, while we’re warned about them, still felt a bit abrupt and sometimes cut into the flow. Even so, they add a kind of quirky, off kilter momentum that matches the chaos of the characters themselves.

What really elevates the book are the small things Stein always nails:
✨ Dialogues that feel raw and real
✨ A heroine who is both prickly and soft in the best ways
✨ A hero who’s quietly magnetic beneath the grump
✨ Emotional beats that sneak up on you by the end

It may not be my top Stein, but it’s still clever, spicy in her signature unconventional way, and filled with moments that remind you why she has such a devoted fan base. If you can ride out the slower opening, there’s a surprising amount of heart, and heat, waiting on the other side.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Sydney St Onge · Rating 2 out of 5]

thanks Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

I read this for HYRCED prompt of "a book with a main character with the same name as one of your favorite people." Unfortunately this wasn't my favorite (and they called each other by their last names, so it might not even count towards the prompt).

The way that this is written is all banter, and not just between the two main characters but between the narrator and the reader. It is to the point however that it feels so forced and quirky it's unrelatable. There were too many similes and descriptions, however I kept getting lost about where we were in the story.

This is just not rooted in any reality, but feels like an exaggeration of tropes and characters. Caleb's constant discomfort at her eating, how loud she is and how so particular he is about everything went too far and then he just switches abruptly in the middle after Daisy gives him lessons.

Nothing more annoying than a women having to teach a man about empathy and how to act in public.... it felt like his annoyance and her frivolity would have worked better in a regency romance.

It feels unbelievable that our MMC made a living as a romance novelist but never heard of any popular tropes. But instead of a one bed trope we get them stuck in the forest in a tent....?

my favorite motto is "if I'm too much, you can go find less" and I think that's what should have happened here.

[Mara Lopreiato · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

📆 Pub Date April 14th 2026

💕Enemies to lovers
📚Grump and Sunshine
💕Stuck Together
📚BANTER
💕Fake dating

Daisy and Caleb are basically fighting for their lives out of a huge miscommunication trope. Daisy and Caleb HATE each other, however, Daisy agrees to assist the renowned romance author, Caleb, on his book tour to help gain back likability after a PR disaster, leading her to question her dislike for him since college.

The chemistry between the two characters feels a bit off at first, and the disconnection continues as Caleb's personality changes from shy and unfeeling to an entirely different person. Despite enjoying the storyline, it felt a little disjointed in third-person perspective without dual points of view. It would've been fun to read what was going on inside both of their minds.

Daisy was likable and relatable, but Caleb's inconsistent characterization fell flat. However, I still recommend giving this book a read.

[Kelsey Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

My thoughts: where are the werewolves? There are no werewolves? Why are there no werewolves? Wait, so she’s not a witch or a siren or immortal in some way? I am so confused. Why do you NEVER read the description, Kelsey??
Also, spoiler alert. This is a contemporary enemies to lovers forced proximity romance. With no paranormal characters or other stuff. Just in case you were wondering. K thx, bye… out of 10.

[monica • · Rating 3 out of 5]

the writing style needs to be changed I think. I love charlotte and the heart of her books. they always have so much emotion but I just think the writing style prevents a good plot and reduces the depth of the story.

[liz ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. I didn’t feel any sort of way towards it. I didn’t connect with the characters or their story. Additionally, the flashback chapters didn’t really add anything to the story, in my opinion.

[Felisha]

This book is primarily the miscommunication trope for 3/4 of the book which was painful, to me, and after all that, the story didn't really get a satisfying explanation or resolution.

I will say the title is apt.

Unfortunately, this was not the book for this reader

Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Bullying, Eating disorder

Edit Review

[Anastasia ｼ]

This sounds fun!
Thank you for the ARC, St. Martin's Press!

[Amanda Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Loved this enemies to lovers contemporary romance. The characters and writing were in top form. Very witty and sharp! And the fake dating trope is one of my favorites. This book worked for me on all fronts.. Highly recommend it! *Thanks to Charlotte Stein and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte's writing style has always delighted me and this, her latest, is no different. Our H, Caleb is a grumpy pining king after meeting Daisy at college (both as older students) and the story kicks off ten years later after Daisy has been sent by Henry - from My Big Fat Fake Marriage - to wrangle Caleb on a face-saving book tour in the US.

The series-wide trope of fake dating appears, alongside a classic theres-only-one-bed during their road trip together. Lots of feels and yearns along the way. I loved it, your honour.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC copy, all opinions though are my own.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review!
The main characters have a lot of really good back-and-forth banter, along with some in-depth read in between the lines type of conversations. I love a grumpy x sunshine trope. The female main character was a chaotic girl who just loves life in. The main male character seems to have a lot of unresolved trauma that I wish was looked into a little bit further. He gives off very subtle touch her and die vibes which I love!

-forced proximity
-one bed (tent)
-grumpy x sunshine
-fake dating

[Truusje · Rating 3 out of 5]

While You Were Seething is the third of Charlotte Stein’s series of fake dating romcoms. It’s set in the same world as the previous books but this time the two MCs knew each other years ago and hated each other. Or did they? My criticism of the first two books was that it was so obvious the MMC was crazy about the FMC and it made it a little hard to believe she thought he didn’t. This book also has an MMC head over heels with the FMC but it was easier to accept that she just didn’t see it. The way she saw herself, and the way she thought other people saw her, were clearly the result of being told over and over again that she was too much.

For me this book didn’t work as well as the previous book in this series. I don’t think the funny bits really landed with me, but that may be because the book as a whole felt a little clunky to me. There were these jumps in place and time that puzzled me at times. There were also flashbacks to when they first knew each other, but often I didn’t realise we had gone back in time until I was truly confused. To be fair, those chapters are labelled ‘then’ but to me that looked the same as the chapter numbers. I also thought there were some inconsistencies. What’s more, I feel we needed some more backstory, especially for Caleb; I don’t think I ever got to know him.

Of course the sexy bits were very sexy and I enjoyed the last part of the book, but overall, I’m a bit disappointed: 3 stars.

*** I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***