Venus Love Trap

by Jessica Sherry

A heartbroken single dad. A restless scientist. One reunion that’s as angsty as it is irresistible in this spicy second chance romance from the author of Yes No Maybe and Every Chance After .

The two most important people in Henry Greene’s life are his six-year-old son, Olly, and Venus Blake—his high school sweetheart that he hasn’t seen in ten years, not since the night that changed everything. He’s tried to forget her, but he can’t. Henry is caught between missing his best friend and resenting her for abandoning him.

Venus Blake relies on logic, not love. Love is a trap—stifling, confining, no room to breathe. Venus craves space, adventure, and the freedom to indulge impulses that only hurt those closest to her—especially Henry, the only person she’s ever loved. For a decade, she’s traveled the world in the name of science, avoiding relationships, avoiding Henry, avoiding love.

But Venus can’t run forever. When her impulses cause dire consequences, she must face what she’s avoided most—her hometown… and Henry.

When her father forces their angsty reunion and a second chance, feelings clash with complications. He can’t walk away. She doesn’t know how to stay. But one last summer might be enough to rewrite their story—if their hearts can survive the experiment.

Genres: Romance

456 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

Jessica loves stories that make her heart race, one way or another, so it’s no wonder that she writes mysteries and romances. Her novels feature broken, imperfect people, emotional plots, quirky found families, and better-ever-afters. She aches for a good story and loves building worlds where people laugh, cry, hurt, find themselves, and, of course, fall in love. When she isn’t lost in a book, she finds inspiration at the beach, on her daily park walks, thrift store shopping, and hanging out in beautiful Wilmington, NC, where she lives with her family. Connect and follow her on Instagram & TikTok @authorjessicasherry

Reviews

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

I would actually d!e for Venus Blake.

Slutty little glasses and slutty little inhaler Henry is perfect.

Full RTC but seriously I love Venus + Henry so f-ing much. They are perfect.

p.s. the cameos in this book are next level good.

| IG | TikTok |

I received a gifted early copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

[Romancing the Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in awhile I get a book that caters EXACTLY to my niche interests, and feels like it speaks to me. And this was one of them.

📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Venus Love Trap by Jessica Sherry

📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Standalone

📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book ARC on Kindle.

📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary romance

📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Second Chance, neurodivergent FMC, single father, all the feels.

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Venus is fired from her research position and forced to return home to teach in North Carolina, after leaving the town and her traumatic past behind. But coming back means seeing Henry, her soul mate who she left without warning almost a decade ago.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I probably could wax poetic about this book for paragraphs, but I have character limits. To keep it short(ish)… came for the eye-catching cover, stayed for the complete axe to my chest.

This book was HEAVY, but in the best ways. Venus suffers from ADHD, and her life of being misunderstood and maladapted led her to feeling out of place all of the time, with every single person. It was hard to read, especially as someone who feels that way a lot too. Venus’ instability, her inner monologue… it all spoke to me.

These two characters love each other deeply. They pine for one another. They never, for one second, stop loving each other. The entire book is a lesson in how finding the one person your meant for might not coincide with your life’s plans, and the way these two are so gracious and careful with each other through it all… whew.

On top of this being an absolute love letter to plants and science, as well as the art inherently draping over both of those.

It was beautiful. I can’t wait to read more of Jessica Sherry’s work.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.

[Brooke ✌︎㋡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was sooooo cute! Venus has got to be one of my favorite FMCs of all time now. Her simplistic views on how life works and just how people perceive her.

Venus and Henry were childhood friends turned into high school sweethearts. Due to her feeling like Henry would be better off without her and the constant ridicule of how Venus approaches life in general, Venus just takes off and ghosts Henry for YEARS. But the brief flashbacks to their childhood adventures will just MELT your heart! 🫠 I’m now a big fan of Frank the Frog. 😂 Everything is just so cute. Henry has asthma and an overprotective and judgmental mother and a father that constantly belittles him so he has a bit of a problem coming out of his shell until he meets Venus. Venus shows him how to have adventures and basically makes Henry LIVE life.

BUT Venus comes back home after many years pass to help teach her dad’s class and unexpectedly runs into Henry after her dad did a little rug pull and tricked her into running into him. Over the years, neither of them could stop thinking about each other and when she sees Henry she bolts and when Henry sees her he has an asthma attack 🤣. So so cute.

I can’t recommend this book enough! I mean! Hello! It’s sweet, it’s cute, it’s funny and it’s sexy! Also romantic in a very pragmatic way according to Venus. I love love love how she views romance 🥰.

🌹TROPES🥀
✌🏻Second-chance romance
🏘️Small town
💘Childhood friends to High school sweethearts
🫠Angsty
🧍🏼Single dad

Favorite parts:
🐸Frank the Frog
⛈️They hold each other during a storm when they’re only 8 years old
🖕🏼Their “Fuck-It Experiment”
⛴️”I think that’s why I jumped into the ocean so many times aboard that ship…I wanted you to find me again.” - Venus
👗She buys more dresses because Henry, ahem…can “access” her 🌸much more easily 😂 and mmmm yeah
🥸”You’ve covered yourself in lovely sex organs.” (Gotta read it to find out!)

Anyways! There’s soooo many more good parts I could highlight but just go read it!!

Thank you soooo much to Good Girls PR and Jessica Sherry for the gift of this AMAZING book in exchange for my honest review! I am buying this as a shelf trophy as well because props to the cover artist!!!!! I wish there was a Venus fly trap emoji! Used to be my favorite plant as a kid too. Might still be!

[Katie Buglewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has 2 of my least favorite tropes and yet Jessica Sherry managed to capture my attention regardless! My expectations were met and even exceeded by the time I reached the ending of this book. What I thought would be another small town romance truly turned into so much more! This book explores the topics of grief, finding yourself, returning home, choosing happiness, and so much more in the most beautiful way.

The FMC, Venus, took time to grow on me. As a whole, her character is very un-relatable for me personally. She is scientific, logical, blunt, and strategic. Following her character arc and growth was so rewarding! By the end of the book I was surprised to see how attached to her I had become.

The MMC, Henry, is such a cinnamon roll! As a single dad we see a lot of sides of him. Jessica Sherry did a great job of portraying his grief while also navigating being a single dad pining over his best friend. Henry really defies all odds and I was rooting for him from the very beginning! His son Olly was truly the cutest little kid and I absolutely adored every single scene he was in!

If you’re looking for a unique twist on a small town, second chance, friends to lovers, then you won’t be disappointed with Venus Love Trap! Thank you to Jessica Sherry for the ARC! xx

[Riri is Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought out emotions I had not felt in a very long time. @authorjessicasherry writes in a way that made me feel every hurt and heartbreak her characters were feeling. Venus is a greatly misunderstood genius who finds herself back in her hometown reunited with her childhood love Henry. He is the only one who understands her quirks and loves her for them not inspite of them. She’s known as reckless, direct, and disruptive. Maybe that’s what made her relatable. To make things even better the spice and chemistry between Venus and Henry are top tier. This book is for the girls who were ever told they were too much and thought it made them hard to love. #romance #books #tbr #bookstagram

[Luna Gerrits · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a beautiful love story. i loved venus as a character, and though some have described her as difficult, she is mostly just special. she has a special place in my heart, so smart yet too different from other people, having a hard time finding a place to belong. and i loved how henry and olly just accept her for who she is, never asking her to change and allowing her to be as wild as she wants. veryvery good story, and especially fun if you like plants. i definitely recommend anything by jessica sherry.

thank you to the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

[rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Venus Love Trap
by Jessica Sherry (Review)

Book Rating: 3 ⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Summary: Venus Blake is brought back to her home town after her work situation sours and she must face not only her family, but Henry Greene, her childhood friend/boyfriend that she left behind a decade earlier.

Tropes:
Childhood Friends to Lovers
Second Chance
Single Dad

Review:
I’ll be honest, this wasn’t for me. For the right audience, this was well done. The writing style was enjoyable and easy to read, the characters were complex, and the romance had its sweet, swoony moments. However, this book was heavily built on miscommunication/lack of communication and that’s not my cup of tea. Don’t get me wrong, it made sense for the characters given their personal and romantic histories, it wasn’t just drama for the sake of drama, which I can appreciate. I don’t mind it if it’s a natural third act breakup situation/only lasts for a little while, but other than that, miscommunication/lack of communication/deciding the other person’s thoughts in your head, just frustrates me, even if it makes sense for the characters. That kind of angst just isn’t enjoyable for me. Ultimately, if what I stated doesn’t bother you, then I do believe you would enjoy this book.

I really loved Every Chance After by Jessica Sherry and I enjoyed the glimpses of those characters in this book, but this one just didn’t hit the mark for me like Every Chance After did. However, I still plan to read more of Jessica Sherry’s books because I do think she’s a genuinely talented writer.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

Thank you to Good Girls PR for allowing me to read and review this arc. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[jessie_bookmind · Rating 5 out of 5]

After years of believing she is a burden to others, Venus is reunited with Henry, her childhood bff and sweetheart. Venus and Henry are such genuine characters, it’s impossible to not root for them. Venus was a gifted child with ADHD and possibly other neurodivergence struggling socially and behaviorally throughout her childhood. It was heartbreaking to go back to a time and place where people didn’t understand her, and she was deemed “difficult” in basically every aspect of her life. Henry was her best friend through it all, but maybe didn’t stand up for her like he could have or unable to since he was just a kid himself. Retrospectively, they are able to examine some of those hurts and injustices especially since they’ve both grown a lot in 10 years and aren’t kids/teenagers anymore. Henry is now a teacher, and a single father mourning over the recent loss of his uncle. Venus is returning an accomplished botanist with multiple degrees and stories of her adventures.

I love Jessica Sherry’s writing so much and I loved this book! Every character is interesting, caring, and lovable. They have real problems to deal with and emotional baggage from the past. If you have ever been different from your peers for whatever reason, you can identify with Venus and all she has dealt with. Henry is the sweetest and patient book boyfriend and lucky for us, a hot nerd. There is a lot of spice in this book, as these two have a lot of lost time to make up for.

Thank you so much to Jessica Sherry and Good Girls PR for an advanced digital copy of this book. I will be recommending it to everyone!

[Brandi Augustine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read by this author and I am hooked after reading this book! I love how real it felt in dealing with life and everything that comes with it.

Venus has a different way of thinking and feels like she doesn't belong until she meets Henry as a kid. The two of them were best friends and there for each other when it didn’t seem others were. Their friendship grew to be more but something changed all of that and Venus fled believing it was best for everyone.

Henry is a great MMC and is obviously bitter about Venus leaving years ago. She was the person who believed he was brave even when he was told otherwise as a kid. Now that he is a single dad, you can tell Venus is still on his mind by the stories he tells his son.

Venus comes back home due to some circumstances and the way her and Henry see each other again just had me tearing up because I wanted them to be back together. I just love this book and the flashbacks when they were younger just made this book. I really enjoyed the side characters too and Olly is just the cutest. Definitely recommend this book!

Thank you Good Girls PR and Jessica Sherry for allowing me to ARC read this. This is my honest review.

[Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know how to describe this story. It was just an all-around cute, adorable story. Everything was just so…. Cute 😊

Venus and Henry were childhood friends and they fell in love. But then Venus left because she thought Henry would be better off without her and her ‘drama’. So she leaves and just don’t see Henry for years. Now years later Venus finds herself back in her hometown, and comes face to face with her teenage love…

I freaking loved this story. It was just what I need to read as I have been stuck in a rut. And this one came at the right time. Seeing flashbacks of their back story was sweet and totally made you fall in love with these two and wanting them to be together and have a happily ever after.

Henry was such a great character, I loved that he let Venus be who she was, he didn’t try to change her or want her to be different. This story was heartfelt, emotional, it was adorable, sweet and just felt like you were living the whole love story with the characters. I was totally invested in everything about these two 😊Beautifully written, second chance romance!

This was also my first story by this author and definitely wont be the last, hopefully …

[V G · Rating 5 out of 5]

While a Venus flytrap takes 5-12 days to devour its meal, I devoured the book in just 2! I fell in love with absolutely every part of this book from the leading couple to the various scientific facts sprinkled throughout.

While I usually find myself leaning towards one of the main characters, in this book I found myself connecting equally with both. From the socially awkward Venus who has trouble connecting with anyone to the lovable teacher and dad Henry. Both characters felt real and relatable and the author does an amazing job of switching perspectives so you understand both of their views. My heart bleeds for Venus, just trying to figure out how she fits into this world.

I also enjoyed all the side characters from their blended families to their found family, the backdrop of Henry’s museum balanced out the educational tidbits Venus would sprinkle in. This hit every note for me and I can’t wait for others to read it!

Thank you Good Girls PR for this gifted eARC, all thoughts are my own.

[Leahspinkpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I tell you that Venus Is a baddie!
She is the kind of woman who will do anything for the person she loves and cares for 🩷

Henry and Venus were childhood friends and that blossomed into a friendship into them being together when they got to high school. As some of us Venus got to a place where she felt that Henry would be okay with not having to deal with her or be with her so she decided it would be best that they would go there own ways.

But how can she just leave Henry and not say much well years have passed and we’ll like they say can time heal all wounds? Maybe not for Henry he has realized that she hurt him but mostly he also wants answers.

I am so in love with the way this second chance romance book was written and thank you to Good Girls Pr for this amazing gift it was an amazing book to devour 🩷

[Nati · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I didn’t come with as many smiles as other people. However, their rarity makes them even more precious. That doesn’t mean I’m not…smiling on the inside” “ Don’t try to control the uncontrollable, Henry. Love isn’t complicated. People are. If the love is strong enough, it’ll bulldoze right through any complication. You have to want it and believe in each other badly enough” “ Everyone wants love. Everyone, Henry. Anyone who says otherwise probably needs it more than most” “ I wish I’d talked to you more about things that matter” “I wish I’d listened, even when you weren’t saying anything” imperfectly perfect together, Henry and Venus’s love story is passionate, strong, full of emotions, big feelings, fears, regrets, forgiveness and so much more. Jessica’s way of telling stories is unique and amazing.

[Joselyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ arc review ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Venus is going to be a character I think about for the rest of my life. I often relate to lead characters, but not to this degree. I needed to pace myself and take a few breaks because I found myself relating on such a deep level and needing to reflect. I loved her journey and growth into being a more confident person. I admire her so much.

Henry, *swoons* what a guy. Acknowledging he messed up when they were younger and making it up to Venus by being her fiercest protector and supporter. All a girl wants is a guy who’s willing to move heaven and earth for her! I was not expecting those last few chapters with Henry’s mom but they were a wonderful, emotional, and touching way to end the book.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Jessica Sherry and Good Girls PR.

[Katie Gullo · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW*

Every ARC I’ve read recently has been a hit - and this is no different! I really enjoyed this second chance, childhood friends to almost lovers to strangers(?) to lovers again.

Venus is so unique and I just loved her character. Henry and Olly are super sweet and cute and GAH they’re just the sweetest.

I love a good STEMinist book! I always feel smarter after reading. This definitely is a good choice for someone who’s a fan of Ali Hazelwood.

[Marina Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written! I had to take my time with this one. I resonated with Venus more than I’d like to admit. That being said, Venus and Henry’s storyline was perfect! It captured all of the hardships that come with having such a deep anxiety. as well as it captured the beauty in healing. I honestly couldn’t have imagined a better ending for this book!

[jamie Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to say this book is beautifully written! I love the story and Characters it’s a beautiful love story with a lot of emotions and it’s a really great read. I would recommend this beautiful book 📕 to all of the romance readers out there!😃❤️

[Melissa Samartino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel about Venus and Henry combines lots of delicious tropes for an unforgettable story. There is plenty of spice with a fantastic plot. If you enjoy a strong FMC then this is a book for you!

[ShelfishlyKelly📚]

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Venus Love Trap is part of Jessica Sherry’s interconnected standalone series. In this story, Venus and Henry get a second chance at the romance that never quite had its moment the first time around.

Venus and Henry were best friends growing up, and over time Henry came to see Venus as the center of his world, even though he hasn’t seen her in ten years.

Venus was often labeled “difficult” by the adults in her life—people who didn’t know how to handle her advanced intelligence or her sometimes stormy personality. Henry, however, always seemed to understand her in a way no one else could. He was the calm to her chaos. And while Henry was an asthmatic kid with a slightly overprotective mother and plenty of fears of his own, Venus somehow made him feel brave.

But ten years ago, instead of running to Henry for comfort like she always had, Venus ran away without saying goodbye.

Now she’s back to cover her father’s summer class, and Henry is both relieved and confused by her return. He knows he wants her, while also knowing she’s not likely to stay past the summer. Venus has never really felt like she belongs anywhere except with Henry—but he wasn’t enough to make her stay before. Can he be enough now?

Through no fault of the author, this book took me longer than usual to finish. Some life stuff got in the way and made this a slower start for me than I would normally expect.

One thing I appreciated about this story is that the romance is built on years of history rather than a meet-cute. Compared to other books in this universe, Venus and Henry already have a deep emotional foundation. I often say I prefer couples who have a past together rather than falling in love within a week of meeting, and this story definitely leans into that dynamic.

That said, while I liked both characters and was rooting for them, this pairing didn’t end up being my favorite couple from the series so far. I’m not entirely sure why, because on paper they have a lot of elements I usually love.

Venus is passionate about both science and art. Named after her father’s favorite plant, it almost feels inevitable that she would develop an interest in plants and wildlife. Her field journals are filled with detailed sketches, and some of those designs have even made their way onto her skin as tattoos. She’s fiercely independent and has long believed that love is more of a social construct than a necessity—thanks to some misguided advice from her father when she was younger. Still, she knows that if she were ever going to give in to love, it would be with Henry.

Henry has always been the more cautious one, except when it comes to Venus. While Venus grew close to Henry’s mom as a child—having no relationship with her own surrogate mother—Maggie still worried about the influence Venus had on him.

After Venus left, Henry tried to move forward. Near the end of college, his girlfriend became pregnant, and he genuinely tried to build a life and relationship with her for the sake of their family. Ultimately the romantic side of things never quite developed, but they’ve created an arrangement that works for them, and Henry wouldn’t trade their son Olly for anything in the world. Over the years, he’s told Olly plenty of stories about the adventures he used to have with Venus.

I really liked both of our leads. I’m always a fan of a strong female character paired with a sweet, emotionally intelligent male lead, and these two definitely have chemistry. Their dynamic is interesting as well—Henry tends to lean more romantic, while Venus approaches things with a more analytical mindset, even though both of them clearly feel things deeply.

One of my favorite moments in the book was the scene where Olly and Venus meet for the first time. It was incredibly sweet and ended up being one of the standout moments for me.

There were also a couple small details that stuck out while reading. In one of the early intimate scenes between Venus and Henry, the word “breathy” appears quite a few times in close proximity. It was noticeable enough that it briefly pulled me out of the moment.

And in a couple scenes Henry runs down the stairs two at a time—something that always breaks my brain a little when I read it. I even took this question to Threads because I was convinced this was unrealistic, but apparently tall people really do this. I’ve just never personally seen it happen, so it always feels slightly unbelievable to me when it pops up in a book.

Overall, this was still an enjoyable return to this world and another solid installment in the series.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into The Venus Love Trap by Jessica Sherry expecting a smart, character-driven romance…but what I found was something far more layered and quietly moving.

Venus is one of those protagonists who lingers with you long after you close the book. Although it’s never explicitly stated, I couldn’t shake the impression that she may be neurodivergent. She takes things very literally, processes language with striking precision, and possesses extraordinary intelligence. Yet despite that sharp mind, she struggles profoundly with reading other people; especially their emotional subtext. There’s a heartbreaking gap between what she understands intellectually and what she intuits socially.

One of the most poignant threads in the story is how deeply she internalizes something her father told her about love as a young child. She holds onto his words with unwavering literalness, shaping her identity around them in ways that ripple into adulthood. It’s such an authentic portrayal of how a single message, especially delivered in childhood, can calcify into belief. Venus presents herself as extraordinarily confident, almost formidable. But beneath that surface, you can see the erosion. She cannot quite articulate how certain words from teachers and certain dismissals (don’t want to spoil by saying whom!), have chipped away at her self-esteem over the years. That emotional bottleneck feels painfully real.

What makes this story shine is that it isn’t about “fixing” Venus. It’s about understanding her. It’s about someone taking the time to see how her mind works, to appreciate her literalness and brilliance rather than being frustrated by it. The romance between Henry and Venus feels earned because it’s rooted in recognition and patience. Watching Venus slowly come into her own and separating inherited narratives from her true self is deeply satisfying.

This is a lovely, tender story about self-discovery and finding someone who truly understands you: not despite who you are, but because of it. If you’re drawn to character-driven romance with emotional depth and a heroine who feels refreshingly different, this one is well worth your time.

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance.
Single dad.
Childhood best friends who never actually stopped loving each other.
Yeah… this one hurt a little. In a good way.🥹

Henry and Venus were everything to each other growing up. Safe place. Adventure partners. First love. And then one night changes everything and she leaves. Just… gone. For ten years. And when she comes back to town? He’s still wrecked. Still in love. Still angry. Still soft.

And the reunion scene... When she runs and he literally has an asthma attack seeing her again...

What made this book hit deeper for me though was Venus. She isn’t your typical FMC. She’s logical, literal, fiercely intelligent, and she genuinely believes love is a trap. That it limits you. That staying means shrinking. And you can feel how much of that belief was shaped by things said to her when she was young.
Words that stuck.
Words that calcified.

There’s this line that just sat in my chest:
“Love is freedom, Venus. To be yourself without compromise, to discover your passion, to belong.”
That’s the entire book right there.

Henry sees her. Not in a “let me fix you” way. But in a patient, steady, I know how your brain works kind of way. And that felt so mature. Their communication surprised me too... when they talk, they actually talk. No endless drama just for drama’s sake. It’s messy because they’re human, not because they’re immature.

Also… the spice? Quietly feral. 😌
The “Fuck-It Experiment”? I beg your pardon??

And the ocean line:
“I think that’s why I jumped into the ocean so many times aboard that ship… I wanted you to find me again.”

Babe. That is unhinged romance in the best way.

Henry as a single dad melted me. Watching Venus slowly realize that leaving wasn’t strength it was fear and that staying doesn’t mean losing yourself? That growth arc felt earned.

If you love:
💘 second chance
🌻 childhood friends to lovers
🏡 small town returns
🧍‍♂️ soft single dads
🔥 angsty but emotionally intelligent spice
This one will absolutely get you.

Tender. A little chaotic. A little nerdy. A lot of heart.
And yes… I would let Henry Greene ruin my life for a summer. 😌

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

Another great read from Jessica Sherry. Venus Love Trap will pull on your heartstrings with its emotional and tender moments. I really liked Venus as a FMC: she always put other people above herself; even if her reasoning was flawed, she never acted with the intention to hurt the people she cared about. Like her namesake, on the surface, Venus seems to be all bite. But in reality, she's deeply caring and protective over the people she loves. From the beginning, Henry seems to be one of the only people who really see her for who she is through her tough exterior. Henry is an absolute sweetie pie. He's the opposite of Venus, and throughout their lives, he's given her his patience and unconditional love.

Originally friends to lovers, Venus and Henry are torn apart by an unfortunate accident, but are forced to reunite ten years later when Venus is called back into town by her father. While I was expecting a lot of bitterness and avoidance in the beginning of their reunion, I was pleasantly surprised by the immediate honest communication between Venus and Henry. They had open conversations and were always clear with their intentions towards each other. I loved how they were able to get their feelings on the table and resolve their conflicts, allowing them more time to rebuild the foundation of their relationship and make it stronger. It was a breath of fresh air to see them embark on a mature relationship/romance. While Venus still has her flight reflex in the face of emotional conflicts, Henry is there to ground her and help her through it. It was beautiful to see Venus's character development from her past and how she was dedicated to improving herself for Henry and her family.

I love a good second-chance romance, and this hit the spot.

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

[Jade Simons · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off thank you so much Jessica for allowing me to be an arc reader.

I have to made this super known- I don't cry often at books- but this book shattered me in the best way possible. I have also have never read a book where a main character has a special needs factor in play.

When I first started reading I thought- wow this girl reminds me of Sheldon from the big bang theory some. She didn't have the tendencies he does (like knocking 3 times on a door while saying their name 3 times) but she is definitely high IQ and struggles when people explain things to her certain ways when she clearly understands the curriculum just fine. So I originally thought she's on the spectrum for Autism.... turns out she has ADHD and Impulsive disorder combined.

Regardless of her characteristics I loved this book. I felt like I had a true insiders perspective of how someone who has been labeled as "difficult" her whole life feels and lives. I can't imagine never feeling like they were enough for anyone so they just run away thinking that's the best for everyone.

Venus's growth throughout the years is amazing. It shows that she wants to be better and be a part of her family and soulmates lives again. It shows that the time away taught her how to better control and express her feelings in a healthier light.

Henry's love for Venus never waivered. It appears that it did for awhile but deep down while he was writing or telling stories of their adventures it becomes adamant that he never stopped loving her. He was just hurt she left with no explanation.

Once again thank you Jessica for allowing me to be an arc reader. I look forward to your next book.

[Jenny | The Jenny Edit · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

With The Venus Love Trap, I was expecting what I usually get with Jessica's stories -- a clever, witty, unique romance — that's what she always delivers in such an amazing way. But with this amazing book, we also get a deeply moving, nuanced story with incredible depth and emotional resonance from beginning to end.

FMC Venus is unforgettable — a genius with a mind for facts but wildly out of sync with everyone else’s emotional subtext. The gap between her intellect and intuition is both funny and quietly heartbreaking. While it's not explicit beyond discussion of her ADHD diagnosis, she seems to have clear neurodivergence and it's beautiful to read every moment with this captivating character. I loved Venus with my whole heart — she's endearing, deeply flawed, and still determined to own her mistakes and show up for the people she loves.

MMC Henry, a single dad who has been Venus' friend since second grade, sees the real Venus. He’s gentle where she’s jagged, patient when she's more analytical than emotional — and he’s loved her, wholly and without hesitation, for all these years. We get tender flashbacks of her and Henry growing up together, which is easily one of my favorite parts of the book too.

In the end, this is a beautifully crafted, character‑driven second‑chance romance that isn’t afraid to let its characters confront their messiness — and tug hard at your heartstrings.

[Sarah Copeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the character development of Venus. She's a complex, STEM-focused braniac who heavily struggles to deal with her own emotions, choosing instead to run away from her problems. The only person she could never truly outrun is her childhood best friend, Henry. Running away after an incident that left them both traumatized, she returns to their small town after 10 years and runs into Henry, causing all their feelings to come rushing back to the surface.

Venus (FMC) - a mix of Nesta Archeron + Sheldon Cooper, but in the BEST possible way (speaking as someone who still dislikes Nesta even after reading ACOSF and seeing her small redemption).

Henry (MMC) - single dad, the sweetest little cinnamon roll; always there for Venus and understands her better than she knows herself. He never pressures her into changing who she is to make things easier on him or those around them, but he struggles with how he views his past self, thinking he wasn't enough of a friend to her.

I love that the FMC is the logical thinker with a hard time admitting her feelings, and the MMC is the open book who wears his heart on his sleeve. This book has family drama, a lesson on self-love and self-acceptance, the importance of family and friendship, and more.

Thank you to Jessica Sherry and Good Girls PR for the eARC. While I did receive an ARC in exchange for my review, my review is honest and all words are my own with no influence from the author.

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of traditional romance for as long as I can remember, and second chance stories are always near the top of my list. After loving “Every Chance After,” I was really excited to dive into this book and see what the author would do next. It did not take long for me to realize this story was going to stay with me.

This book gave me an experience I do not think I have ever had before as a reader. I found myself wishing I could step into the pages just to give one of the characters a hug. Venus completely captured my heart. Watching her navigate the world, especially while dealing with challenges in communication and social situations, felt incredibly emotional and real. It is hard to watch a character be misunderstood, and I kept hoping someone would truly see her for who she is. That emotional connection made the story even more powerful and meaningful for me.

What I appreciated most was how much heart this book had. It balanced emotional depth with a romance that felt genuine and earned. By the end, I was fully invested in these characters and deeply satisfied with where their journey led.
All in all, this book was amazing. It left a lasting impression on me, and I cannot wait to see what this author writes next.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Hridya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first-ever STEM novel, and I should say that the science part was amazing. I have a deep interest in science, and I really loved Venus for that. Her curiosity and adventurous spirit are something I crave too. Henry was good on his side as well. From being underconfident to becoming passionate enough to claim his love for her, he grew a lot. But the main issue was that the plot was not very engaging and it lagged too much. I mean, it was obvious that Henry and Venus had a deep connection, but there wasn’t anything in the story to keep the readers hooked. There was no suspense or tension, you could easily predict the ending. Their chemistry was good and the yearning was portrayed well, spice was top notch, but the story just wasn’t moving forward. I prefer stories with good tension, suspense, or plot twists. This book had neither of them, and that was a problem I noticed. On the other hand, the character development was shown very well, and the romance was on point. Had the story included a few more elements to keep the readers hooked, this book would have been even better. Besides, if you are looking for a book to read after a tiring day, you could definitely go for it because you don’t have to think much while reading it. It’s a cozy summer read.
Overall, I would give it a 4/5.

[Daniela Casso · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Love is freedom, Venus. To be yourself without compromise, to discover your passion, to belong. This is what I hope for you.”
🌻🐸🪴🐦

This story is about Henry and Venus; best friends and each other’s safe place all their childhood and throughput high school, until one day when everything changes. Venus leaves their hometown with no return and Henry is left devastated and heartbroken. Ten years later, Venus is back in their hometown and the old flame resurface; making Henry and Venus wonder if what they had can come back or if they can build a new future together.

I think this is a very cute story; Venus is a neurodivergent STEM woman with an impressive mind and fear of her strong feelings towards Henry, and throughout the book I found myself having more and more empathy towards her and her reasons of leaving. And Henry is a sweet man, a single father with a big heart and strength to leave his fears aside and follow his heart. Their relationship from the beginning is so sweet and you can just tell how much they love each other and how much they’re willing to learn from their past and grow to rebuild their love and trust for each other. It is a heartwarming (and educational btw, I never knew so much about plants in my life) story and I always rooted for Henry and Venus to end up happy without leaving their dreams aside. The only thing I didn’t love was how they kept going around the same problem and how they wouldn’t communicate what they wanted. Otherwise this was a nice and sweet love story.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This is a second-chance romance between childhood friends turned high school sweethearts. It’s character-driven, full of angst and emotional. I fully expected to love this but it just never completely hooked me.
It’s told through the dual POVs of scientist Venus and single dad Henry. I adored Henry and his son Olly but had a hard time when it came to Venus (even if I did find her a bit relatable). She did eventually grow on me though, especially when it became clear just how deeply she was affected by what was said to and about her as a child. I loved the neurodivergence rep and her growth by the end of the book was amazing.
The romance between Venus and Henry was sweet and I enjoyed the flashbacks to their childhood. My favorite thing about their relationship was how understanding and accommodating Henry was towards Venus. He never tried to change her and even after reconnecting, it was still all about understanding what she needed. I was rooting for them and for Venus to stop running and stay this time.
I loved Every Chance After so it was great seeing Marnie and Grady again! I'm looking forward to reading whatever Jessica Sherry writes next.

Many thanks to Good Girls PR and Jessica Sherry for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristi Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Good Girls PR for the advanced copy of Venus Love Trap by Jessica Sherry 💌

✨ Second chance romance
✨ Childhood best friends → first love
✨ Single dad
✨ Scientist FMC
✨ Angsty reunion
✨ One last summer

Henry Greene is a heartbroken single dad whose entire world revolves around his son… and the girl who broke his heart ten years ago. Venus Blake is a restless scientist who believes love is a trap—something that limits her freedom and always ends in pain. When circumstances force Venus back to her hometown, she and Henry are thrown into an angsty reunion neither of them is prepared for. Old feelings resurface, past wounds reopen, and they’re faced with the possibility of one last summer to see if they can rewrite their story.

The premise had so much potential, and I appreciated the emotional tension, spice, and second-chance setup. Unfortunately, I never fully connected with the characters, which made it hard for the romance to truly resonate with me. While I can see this working really well for readers who love angst-heavy reunions and complicated pasts, it just didn’t quite hit for me.