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In a Desert Daze: A Spicy Childhood Friends to Lovers Romance
One chance to save her hotel. One chance to save his career. One last chance at each other.
Daisy Johnson is hell-bent on keeping her late mother’s hotel in the California desert alive, despite costly renovations and vacation rentals sucking business dry. She can handle everything on her own just fine, thank you, but she falters when her childhood best friend returns home. He’s the boy she encouraged to chase his dreams eight years ago, even though those dreams took him away from her.
After a scandal crushes Max Weber’s art curator career, he has no choice but to return to Harlow, California, and plan his comeback. Once eager to escape his hometown and disapproving parents, he always found refuge in Daisy—so he’s surprised to find her so guarded now. Even with oceans and years apart, he could never forget her. Surely, their back-and-forth voicemails were proof of that…
Max and Daisy team up to salvage her hotel and his career, and while the project only goes until the end of the summer—he’ll leave, and she’ll stay—they can’t get each other out of their systems. As they reignite a spark they’ve both long ignored, the two must face what broke them apart and what’s still holding them together.
In a Desert Daze is a spicy childhood friends to lovers romance set in a small desert town, perfect for fans of the estranged friends to lovers in It's Different This Time by Joss Richard, the hopelessly devoted male main character in Savor It by Tarah Dewitt, and the heart and heat of Jessica Joyce books.
Daisy Johnson is hell-bent on keeping her late mother’s hotel in the California desert alive, despite costly renovations and vacation rentals sucking business dry. She can handle everything on her own just fine, thank you, but she falters when her childhood best friend returns home. He’s the boy she encouraged to chase his dreams eight years ago, even though those dreams took him away from her.
After a scandal crushes Max Weber’s art curator career, he has no choice but to return to Harlow, California, and plan his comeback. Once eager to escape his hometown and disapproving parents, he always found refuge in Daisy—so he’s surprised to find her so guarded now. Even with oceans and years apart, he could never forget her. Surely, their back-and-forth voicemails were proof of that…
Max and Daisy team up to salvage her hotel and his career, and while the project only goes until the end of the summer—he’ll leave, and she’ll stay—they can’t get each other out of their systems. As they reignite a spark they’ve both long ignored, the two must face what broke them apart and what’s still holding them together.
In a Desert Daze is a spicy childhood friends to lovers romance set in a small desert town, perfect for fans of the estranged friends to lovers in It's Different This Time by Joss Richard, the hopelessly devoted male main character in Savor It by Tarah Dewitt, and the heart and heat of Jessica Joyce books.
- GenresRomance
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 7, 2026
19 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Christine
3 books43 followersTheresa Christine writes contemporary romances where wanderlust meets heartfelt heat. Drawing on her years as a travel journalist, she sets her stories in unforgettable places around the world. She is the author of the vacation novella Match Made in the Maldives and the small-town Ireland romance The Half of It. She currently lives in Hamburg, Germany, with her husband and their two energetic cats. To stay up to date on Theresa's books, follow her on social media @theresachristinewrites or sign up for her newsletter at her website: www.theresachristine.com
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May 4, 2026𓂃 ོ⋆☀︎𓂃ᨒོ
pre-read : First title from Love Notes PR ♡ and I cannot wait to dive right in!
pre-read : First title from Love Notes PR ♡ and I cannot wait to dive right in!
May 4, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this as an arc!
In a desert daze follows Daisy and Max, two childhood best friends that grew apart after the end of high school. After years of complete silence, they reconnect after Max comes back to their hometown unexpectedly.
This was my first book by this author so I really didn’t know what to expect in terms of writing style and storytelling, I have to say I enjoyed her style and I will probably be inclined to check her other works/next releases. I mostly enjoyed the story too, the first half of the book was really nice and it managed to hold my attention but the second half slowed down and I had some trouble getting through it. I think what bothered me the most was all the miscommunication between the characters, at one point I couldn’t stand our fmc Daisy. I just wanted to plant my hand on her shoulders and shake her until she came to her senses😂
The setting was gorgeous, the descriptions of the desert made me feel like I was there.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this as an arc!
In a desert daze follows Daisy and Max, two childhood best friends that grew apart after the end of high school. After years of complete silence, they reconnect after Max comes back to their hometown unexpectedly.
This was my first book by this author so I really didn’t know what to expect in terms of writing style and storytelling, I have to say I enjoyed her style and I will probably be inclined to check her other works/next releases. I mostly enjoyed the story too, the first half of the book was really nice and it managed to hold my attention but the second half slowed down and I had some trouble getting through it. I think what bothered me the most was all the miscommunication between the characters, at one point I couldn’t stand our fmc Daisy. I just wanted to plant my hand on her shoulders and shake her until she came to her senses😂
The setting was gorgeous, the descriptions of the desert made me feel like I was there.
April 26, 2026
Ok, I think this is a 3.75 for me but I’m rounding up for Goodreads’ sake.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but as we got deeper into it I just became less and less sympathetic with the FMC which SUCKS because I always want to root for them. Like she truly put this man through the wringer when all he’d ever done was love her 😭 and I understand she has her own reasons but I think what bothered me was that she and people around her almost treated the MMC like he was the one poised to hurt her when it was most certainly her poised to hurt him (AGAIN, mind you). Like that man has been down bad for decades and I just felt like the fmc’s outlook on the situation grated on me, but I don’t want to begrudge anyone their journey or discredit her growth by the end. So I landed at a 3.75 because the writing was good! The banter was good! The flashbacks are delicious! I love friends to lovers!! The history and the yearning!! The spice!! Max Weber is a gem of a human (even if he’s a Pisces man). I just think that the FMC needed therapy to work through her issues before making assumptions and treating Max the way she does when he’s never given her any reason to doubt him. But also like she’s human? No one is perfect??? Am I being too harsh??? Idk I think maybe the ending needed to be handled a little differently. So I am sticking with 3.75 💀
Thank you to Love Notes PR for the advanced copy to review!
I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but as we got deeper into it I just became less and less sympathetic with the FMC which SUCKS because I always want to root for them. Like she truly put this man through the wringer when all he’d ever done was love her 😭 and I understand she has her own reasons but I think what bothered me was that she and people around her almost treated the MMC like he was the one poised to hurt her when it was most certainly her poised to hurt him (AGAIN, mind you). Like that man has been down bad for decades and I just felt like the fmc’s outlook on the situation grated on me, but I don’t want to begrudge anyone their journey or discredit her growth by the end. So I landed at a 3.75 because the writing was good! The banter was good! The flashbacks are delicious! I love friends to lovers!! The history and the yearning!! The spice!! Max Weber is a gem of a human (even if he’s a Pisces man). I just think that the FMC needed therapy to work through her issues before making assumptions and treating Max the way she does when he’s never given her any reason to doubt him. But also like she’s human? No one is perfect??? Am I being too harsh??? Idk I think maybe the ending needed to be handled a little differently. So I am sticking with 3.75 💀
Thank you to Love Notes PR for the advanced copy to review!
April 29, 2026
Thank you to Theresa Christine and Love Notes PR for this ARC!
I read The Half of It by Theresa Christine last year, and loved it. I am so glad to have read this one, too!
Daisy and Max are such lovely characters, and it was great fun to read about them, their friendship, and their love story. The setting is homey and filled with love and warmth—the perfect place for a romance.
I read The Half of It by Theresa Christine last year, and loved it. I am so glad to have read this one, too!
Daisy and Max are such lovely characters, and it was great fun to read about them, their friendship, and their love story. The setting is homey and filled with love and warmth—the perfect place for a romance.
Review of advance copy
This book felt like standing in the middle of a desert at sunset… warm, a little lonely, a little magical, and then suddenly everything is on fire in the best way.
In a Desert Daze by Theresa Christine completely swept me away. I went in expecting a cute second-chance romance and instead got this aching, slow-burn, emotionally rich story that just quietly wrecked me.
Daisy Johnson??? I loved her so much. She’s holding onto her mum’s hotel with both hands, refusing to let it slip through her fingers even when everything is stacked against her. She’s strong but tired, independent but carrying way too much alone. There’s this softness under her stubbornness that made every moment hit harder.
And Max Weber… sir, you do not just walk back into town with all that history and expect me to be normal about it. This man is down bad in the most delicious way. Even after everything, even after years apart, you can feel how much he still loves her in every interaction. The voicemail history?? STOP. That detail alone had me melting.
Their dynamic is pure slow-burn tension. Not loud, not chaotic… just this constant pull. Like gravity decided to get involved personally. You can feel the weight of what they were, what they lost, and everything they’re too scared to say out loud. Every look, every almost-touch, every conversation that skirts around the truth… it builds and builds until you’re practically begging them to just TALK.
And the setting?? The desert town feels alive. Dusty roads, golden light, that quiet, tucked-away feeling where everything important happens behind the scenes. The hotel storyline adds so much heart too… it’s not just a backdrop, it’s part of Daisy, part of her grief, her love, her fight.
I also loved how real their conflict felt. This isn’t miscommunication for drama… this is years of distance, hurt, timing, choices. The “end of summer” deadline hanging over them made everything sharper, like every moment mattered more because it might be the last.
And when things finally shift between them?? The chemistry is SO good. It’s emotional first, physical second, and that just makes it hit ten times harder.
Max being that hopelessly devoted, slightly wrecked, still-only-ever-her kind of man?? I am unwell. Daisy slowly letting her walls crack open?? Ruined me.
This book isn’t just about falling in love… it’s about finding your way back to something you never really let go of.
Five stars, easily. My heart is somewhere in that desert with Daisy and Max, probably sitting on a motel balcony watching the sun go down and refusing to leave 🌵✨📚
In a Desert Daze by Theresa Christine completely swept me away. I went in expecting a cute second-chance romance and instead got this aching, slow-burn, emotionally rich story that just quietly wrecked me.
Daisy Johnson??? I loved her so much. She’s holding onto her mum’s hotel with both hands, refusing to let it slip through her fingers even when everything is stacked against her. She’s strong but tired, independent but carrying way too much alone. There’s this softness under her stubbornness that made every moment hit harder.
And Max Weber… sir, you do not just walk back into town with all that history and expect me to be normal about it. This man is down bad in the most delicious way. Even after everything, even after years apart, you can feel how much he still loves her in every interaction. The voicemail history?? STOP. That detail alone had me melting.
Their dynamic is pure slow-burn tension. Not loud, not chaotic… just this constant pull. Like gravity decided to get involved personally. You can feel the weight of what they were, what they lost, and everything they’re too scared to say out loud. Every look, every almost-touch, every conversation that skirts around the truth… it builds and builds until you’re practically begging them to just TALK.
And the setting?? The desert town feels alive. Dusty roads, golden light, that quiet, tucked-away feeling where everything important happens behind the scenes. The hotel storyline adds so much heart too… it’s not just a backdrop, it’s part of Daisy, part of her grief, her love, her fight.
I also loved how real their conflict felt. This isn’t miscommunication for drama… this is years of distance, hurt, timing, choices. The “end of summer” deadline hanging over them made everything sharper, like every moment mattered more because it might be the last.
And when things finally shift between them?? The chemistry is SO good. It’s emotional first, physical second, and that just makes it hit ten times harder.
Max being that hopelessly devoted, slightly wrecked, still-only-ever-her kind of man?? I am unwell. Daisy slowly letting her walls crack open?? Ruined me.
This book isn’t just about falling in love… it’s about finding your way back to something you never really let go of.
Five stars, easily. My heart is somewhere in that desert with Daisy and Max, probably sitting on a motel balcony watching the sun go down and refusing to leave 🌵✨📚
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book felt like sunshine on warm skin. Soft, safe, and unexpectedly hot 🔥 🌶️
I went in with zero expectations and got a beautiful story that felt genuinely real. I love the lack of forced drama and over-the-top angst! It is just two people who have known each other forever, quietly circling something that’s been there all along.
The childhood friends-to-lovers dynamic between Daisy and Max works beautifully because the foundation is already solid. There’s history, trust, and that deep familiarity that makes everything feel grounded.
Daisy was a standout for me. She’s independent, still figuring things out, and not magically “put together” from the start, which felt refreshingly honest. Max, on the other hand, starts off almost too perfect, a little pedestal-coded… but then softens into something much better: a passionate, slightly vulnerable guy who’s been gone for her since day one.
What really carries this book is the emotional safety. These two don’t tear each other down. They support, they hesitate, they grow and watching them navigate adulthood, career decisions, and the question of “what now?” felt authentic in a way a lot of romance misses.
The spice is very much there. Adult, natural, and actually woven into the relationship instead of feeling like the story exists for it. I loved the balance. It never felt forced, just like a natural extension of their connection, even if one or two moments of tonal shift (hello, sudden dirty talk) felt slightly out of place.
What surprised me most was what the book didn’t do. No last-minute drama explosion. No artificial conflict to “earn” the happy ending. I kept waiting for it and it fortunately never came. Instead, the story just flows from one life moment to the next. That felt so damn healing.
The only real drawback was the structure. The dual POV works perfectly but adding a second timeline (past + present from both perspectives) felt unnecessary. The writing is strong enough that the past is already felt through the present. Going back to explicitly show it didn’t add depth, but slowed things down. By the end, those sections felt skippable.
Still… this is a story I’d come back to.
It's heartwarming, intimate, and feels as safe as a hug from your favourite person.
Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I went in with zero expectations and got a beautiful story that felt genuinely real. I love the lack of forced drama and over-the-top angst! It is just two people who have known each other forever, quietly circling something that’s been there all along.
The childhood friends-to-lovers dynamic between Daisy and Max works beautifully because the foundation is already solid. There’s history, trust, and that deep familiarity that makes everything feel grounded.
Daisy was a standout for me. She’s independent, still figuring things out, and not magically “put together” from the start, which felt refreshingly honest. Max, on the other hand, starts off almost too perfect, a little pedestal-coded… but then softens into something much better: a passionate, slightly vulnerable guy who’s been gone for her since day one.
What really carries this book is the emotional safety. These two don’t tear each other down. They support, they hesitate, they grow and watching them navigate adulthood, career decisions, and the question of “what now?” felt authentic in a way a lot of romance misses.
The spice is very much there. Adult, natural, and actually woven into the relationship instead of feeling like the story exists for it. I loved the balance. It never felt forced, just like a natural extension of their connection, even if one or two moments of tonal shift (hello, sudden dirty talk) felt slightly out of place.
What surprised me most was what the book didn’t do. No last-minute drama explosion. No artificial conflict to “earn” the happy ending. I kept waiting for it and it fortunately never came. Instead, the story just flows from one life moment to the next. That felt so damn healing.
The only real drawback was the structure. The dual POV works perfectly but adding a second timeline (past + present from both perspectives) felt unnecessary. The writing is strong enough that the past is already felt through the present. Going back to explicitly show it didn’t add depth, but slowed things down. By the end, those sections felt skippable.
Still… this is a story I’d come back to.
It's heartwarming, intimate, and feels as safe as a hug from your favourite person.
Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
3 stars.
"In a Desert Daze" by Theresa Christine is a fine small-town childhood-to-best-friends-to-lovers second-chance-ish romance. I didn't love it, but I certainly didn't hate it. I just "liked" it. My biggest issue here is that there is A LOT of miscommunication in this story, and it just didn't work for me. It frustrated me more than I understood the need for it. The main characters, Daisy and Max, are just not honest with each other, like, EVER. They were childhood friends who lost contact because Max wanted Daisy more than he knew she wanted him, but they both liked each other more than friends (then AND now!). He left town, she inherited a hotel, he comes to her rescue, they are back in each other's orbits, they refuse to say what they fell over and over and overrrrrrrrr!!!!! As a reader, I was *screaming* and *pulling my hair out* for them to be truthful, to communicate properly with one another about their wants and needs! Their immaturity really killed any potential yearning that could have been built up over time. My favorite thing about this book is the setting. Christine paints such a terrific picture of the hotel Daisy's late mother left her in the California desert. It might help that I live here, but her descriptions are spot-on; I could see the hotel in my mind while I was reading, see the sun setting, see the cactuses, I could smell the desert air, everything! I think the bones of a great story are here, but for me personally, I could not get over the constant miscommunications. It sort of took the fun out of reading about Daisy and Max. I have a feeling lots of readers will be thrilled by this book, though, and I will definitely read this author again in the future.
Thank you to Theresa Christine and Love Notes PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"In a Desert Daze" by Theresa Christine is a fine small-town childhood-to-best-friends-to-lovers second-chance-ish romance. I didn't love it, but I certainly didn't hate it. I just "liked" it. My biggest issue here is that there is A LOT of miscommunication in this story, and it just didn't work for me. It frustrated me more than I understood the need for it. The main characters, Daisy and Max, are just not honest with each other, like, EVER. They were childhood friends who lost contact because Max wanted Daisy more than he knew she wanted him, but they both liked each other more than friends (then AND now!). He left town, she inherited a hotel, he comes to her rescue, they are back in each other's orbits, they refuse to say what they fell over and over and overrrrrrrrr!!!!! As a reader, I was *screaming* and *pulling my hair out* for them to be truthful, to communicate properly with one another about their wants and needs! Their immaturity really killed any potential yearning that could have been built up over time. My favorite thing about this book is the setting. Christine paints such a terrific picture of the hotel Daisy's late mother left her in the California desert. It might help that I live here, but her descriptions are spot-on; I could see the hotel in my mind while I was reading, see the sun setting, see the cactuses, I could smell the desert air, everything! I think the bones of a great story are here, but for me personally, I could not get over the constant miscommunications. It sort of took the fun out of reading about Daisy and Max. I have a feeling lots of readers will be thrilled by this book, though, and I will definitely read this author again in the future.
Thank you to Theresa Christine and Love Notes PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In a Desert Daze 🌺
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Theresa Christine for trusting me with this ARC !💛
Daisy is focused on keeping her late mother's hotel alive,while Max has to return back to his hometown after a scandal crushes his promising career.They both feel like their world has ended,when in reality it has just started.
In a Desert Daze is such a lovely spring read that is definitely worth your time.
We follow a beautiful childhood friends to lovers romance,that personally had me giggling me feet,and literally I was unable to stop reading (no jokes I read it in ONE SITTING).More,it is easy to follow,with that making it perfect even if you are on the reading slump trenches.
Now,getting into our characters.Daze (aka Daisy Flower)is our small town struggling with life decisions kind of fmc. She is cute,funny,relatable and you cannot not love her the moment you read about her.Her story,is one of finding your inner peace and strength,which is something really refreshing to read in the every day chaos.On the other side, Max is a more complicated character to look at,since he has to re adjust in a new workplace,town,and life that he though hit was long gone.If you ask me,I really do think he found his true self during that time,and as reader you get that big cities and career tend to not be as glamorous as it is though to be,and your real self may be hiding back in the small city that you wanted to live so much,and yes having a nice girl paired with that may be good to.✨
Ending,if you want a beautiful spring,lovely read for those first weeks of May,In a Desert Daze is the perfect for you
Out In May,7th 🦋
3⭐
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Theresa Christine for trusting me with this ARC !💛
Daisy is focused on keeping her late mother's hotel alive,while Max has to return back to his hometown after a scandal crushes his promising career.They both feel like their world has ended,when in reality it has just started.
In a Desert Daze is such a lovely spring read that is definitely worth your time.
We follow a beautiful childhood friends to lovers romance,that personally had me giggling me feet,and literally I was unable to stop reading (no jokes I read it in ONE SITTING).More,it is easy to follow,with that making it perfect even if you are on the reading slump trenches.
Now,getting into our characters.Daze (aka Daisy Flower)is our small town struggling with life decisions kind of fmc. She is cute,funny,relatable and you cannot not love her the moment you read about her.Her story,is one of finding your inner peace and strength,which is something really refreshing to read in the every day chaos.On the other side, Max is a more complicated character to look at,since he has to re adjust in a new workplace,town,and life that he though hit was long gone.If you ask me,I really do think he found his true self during that time,and as reader you get that big cities and career tend to not be as glamorous as it is though to be,and your real self may be hiding back in the small city that you wanted to live so much,and yes having a nice girl paired with that may be good to.✨
Ending,if you want a beautiful spring,lovely read for those first weeks of May,In a Desert Daze is the perfect for you
Out In May,7th 🦋
3⭐
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I absolutely devoured Daisy and Max's story! Theresa Christine completely transported me to the sun-soaked town of Harlow, and I felt like I was right there watching their story unfold in real time.
Daisy is such a compelling heroine. Taking over The Mirage after her mother's tragic passing is no small thing, and Christine does a beautiful job showing the weight she carries alongside the warmth and resilience that make her impossible not to root for. And Max — oh, Max. All he wants is to make Daisy happy, and that devotion radiates from every single page. The man had my heart from the start.
What absolutely wrecked me was knowing these two had been childhood best friends carrying feelings for each other for a decade without either of them being brave enough to say it out loud. The tension and longing that builds from that history is just chef's kiss. And when Max finally says "just my Daisy" — I had to put the book down for a moment because my heart was so full.
What also sets this story apart is the desert setting, which feels alive and atmospheric — almost like a character in its own right. It perfectly mirrors the slow-burn, hazy, dreamy quality of the romance.
If you're looking for a book that wraps around you like a warm desert night and refuses to let go, this is it. In a Desert Daze is an absolute gem and Theresa Christine is now firmly on my auto-buy list!
Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Daisy is such a compelling heroine. Taking over The Mirage after her mother's tragic passing is no small thing, and Christine does a beautiful job showing the weight she carries alongside the warmth and resilience that make her impossible not to root for. And Max — oh, Max. All he wants is to make Daisy happy, and that devotion radiates from every single page. The man had my heart from the start.
What absolutely wrecked me was knowing these two had been childhood best friends carrying feelings for each other for a decade without either of them being brave enough to say it out loud. The tension and longing that builds from that history is just chef's kiss. And when Max finally says "just my Daisy" — I had to put the book down for a moment because my heart was so full.
What also sets this story apart is the desert setting, which feels alive and atmospheric — almost like a character in its own right. It perfectly mirrors the slow-burn, hazy, dreamy quality of the romance.
If you're looking for a book that wraps around you like a warm desert night and refuses to let go, this is it. In a Desert Daze is an absolute gem and Theresa Christine is now firmly on my auto-buy list!
Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the ARC « In a Desert Daze » by Theresa Christine
The story is a high-heat, emotionally charged "Childhood Friends to Lovers" story set against the backdrop of a struggling California desert hotel. When Max Weber returns to his hometown after a career-ending scandal, he finds himself back in the orbit of Daisy Johnson the girl he left behind to chase his dreams. As they work together to save her hotel, they have to face the years of silence, the "what-ifs," and a spark that refuses to die.
What I Loved:
• The Setting: The California desert atmosphere is a character in itself. You can feel the heat and the dust, which mirrors the simmering tension between Max and Daisy.
• The Growth: Daisy’s independence is admirable, even when it’s stubborn. Her struggle to keep her mother’s legacy alive while guarding her heart feels very earned.
The Emotional Core:
• The "Wait" Factor: While Max is clearly "hopelessly devoted," I struggled at times with his choices over the last eight years. It was frustrating to see him date others while clearly pining for Daisy, rather than fighting for her or being honest about his feelings before he left. Similarly, Daisy’s self-sacrifice pushing him away "for his own good" led to a decade of unnecessary heartbreak. Their lack of communication made the pining feel more painful than it needed to be!
The story is a high-heat, emotionally charged "Childhood Friends to Lovers" story set against the backdrop of a struggling California desert hotel. When Max Weber returns to his hometown after a career-ending scandal, he finds himself back in the orbit of Daisy Johnson the girl he left behind to chase his dreams. As they work together to save her hotel, they have to face the years of silence, the "what-ifs," and a spark that refuses to die.
What I Loved:
• The Setting: The California desert atmosphere is a character in itself. You can feel the heat and the dust, which mirrors the simmering tension between Max and Daisy.
• The Growth: Daisy’s independence is admirable, even when it’s stubborn. Her struggle to keep her mother’s legacy alive while guarding her heart feels very earned.
The Emotional Core:
• The "Wait" Factor: While Max is clearly "hopelessly devoted," I struggled at times with his choices over the last eight years. It was frustrating to see him date others while clearly pining for Daisy, rather than fighting for her or being honest about his feelings before he left. Similarly, Daisy’s self-sacrifice pushing him away "for his own good" led to a decade of unnecessary heartbreak. Their lack of communication made the pining feel more painful than it needed to be!
Review of advance copy
I’m a sucker for a friends to lovers, especially if they already had feelings for one another before being separated for one reason or another, so I had a feeling I'd really enjoy this, and it didn’t disappoint. I truly loved Daisy and Max as a pairing. They already had such a great understanding of one another from when they were children that when they were rediscovering one another, the tension and feelings didn’t feel false or sudden. Speaking of tension, there’s a lot of it from both ends. You could feel Daisy and Max's long held love from childhood. I loved the lingering gazes, the yearning and the communication they built in the end. I also enjoyed them as separate characters with Daisy's independence and Max’s softness.
The story is structured really well, with shifting timelines from the present day to their childhoods, so we get to see their friendship when they were younger, which I so enjoyed reading. The setting felt so new to me within this book, maybe I've just not read anything set in the California desert, but it felt so fitting for the story and added to the atmosphere and tension. This is my first Theresa Christine book, but I will be reading more of hers, especially if we get more of the characters involved in this story. If you’re looking for a heartfelt childhood friends to lovers, you should definitely consider this!
Thank you to Love Notes PR for the ARC! ♥︎
The story is structured really well, with shifting timelines from the present day to their childhoods, so we get to see their friendship when they were younger, which I so enjoyed reading. The setting felt so new to me within this book, maybe I've just not read anything set in the California desert, but it felt so fitting for the story and added to the atmosphere and tension. This is my first Theresa Christine book, but I will be reading more of hers, especially if we get more of the characters involved in this story. If you’re looking for a heartfelt childhood friends to lovers, you should definitely consider this!
Thank you to Love Notes PR for the ARC! ♥︎
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
REVIEW OF ADVANCE COPY RECEIVED FROM PUBLISHER
In a Desert Daze is a sweet, estranged‑friends‑to‑lovers romance filled with unresolved tension. There’s a steady tug‑of‑war chemistry between the two main characters, Max and Daisy, that pulls you in from the start.
The story follows Daisy and Max, who grew up together in the small desert town of Harlow. Daisy is determined to keep her late mom’s boutique hotel alive, pouring everything she has into it. Max, after spending several years working overseas, returns home after losing his job under tough circumstances. The moment he’s back in Harlow, he and Daisy reconnect, and their old bond begins to spark again.
As they slowly rebuild their friendship, their chemistry heats up—flirty, believable, and rooted in years of shared history. The dual timeline works beautifully, showing how their unresolved feelings never really faded and how those emotions surge back the moment Max returns. I especially loved how the present‑day storyline gives them real obstacles to face, highlighting their growth and their willingness to work through things together.
This book is perfect for readers who love a well‑developed, spicy, character‑driven romance with plenty of small‑town charm.
Overall, I loved this story. It’s heartfelt, charming, and had me rooting for Max and Daisy from the very beginning.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.
In a Desert Daze is a sweet, estranged‑friends‑to‑lovers romance filled with unresolved tension. There’s a steady tug‑of‑war chemistry between the two main characters, Max and Daisy, that pulls you in from the start.
The story follows Daisy and Max, who grew up together in the small desert town of Harlow. Daisy is determined to keep her late mom’s boutique hotel alive, pouring everything she has into it. Max, after spending several years working overseas, returns home after losing his job under tough circumstances. The moment he’s back in Harlow, he and Daisy reconnect, and their old bond begins to spark again.
As they slowly rebuild their friendship, their chemistry heats up—flirty, believable, and rooted in years of shared history. The dual timeline works beautifully, showing how their unresolved feelings never really faded and how those emotions surge back the moment Max returns. I especially loved how the present‑day storyline gives them real obstacles to face, highlighting their growth and their willingness to work through things together.
This book is perfect for readers who love a well‑developed, spicy, character‑driven romance with plenty of small‑town charm.
Overall, I loved this story. It’s heartfelt, charming, and had me rooting for Max and Daisy from the very beginning.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Theresa Christine for the early digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts !
In a desert daze is a small town steamy romance that follows Daisy and Max. She owns a hotel and he's an art curator. He comes back to Harlow after a huge scandal broke out at the company he was working at.
They were friends in high school, both dating other people but never finding the right person because ... flash news : they both liked the other as more than friends.
I really liked the premise of the book. I'm a sucker for small towns and this one was no different.
Our mcs teaming up to save both their careers was a nice touch. The pop up museum they created was a hit, and I liked how daisy didn't back down on some of her wants for it (like including local artists instead of aiming for only hotshots ones).
However, I wasn't a fan of the miscommunication. To be honest I don't know if it's miscommunication or total lack of communication on both sides. It seemed like they were repeating past mistakes once again and didn't learn much from them... ie: communication is KEY.
I did like how the both got their happy ending, especially that daisy learned to let go of some things and found another field that makes her happy.
In a desert daze is a small town steamy romance that follows Daisy and Max. She owns a hotel and he's an art curator. He comes back to Harlow after a huge scandal broke out at the company he was working at.
They were friends in high school, both dating other people but never finding the right person because ... flash news : they both liked the other as more than friends.
I really liked the premise of the book. I'm a sucker for small towns and this one was no different.
Our mcs teaming up to save both their careers was a nice touch. The pop up museum they created was a hit, and I liked how daisy didn't back down on some of her wants for it (like including local artists instead of aiming for only hotshots ones).
However, I wasn't a fan of the miscommunication. To be honest I don't know if it's miscommunication or total lack of communication on both sides. It seemed like they were repeating past mistakes once again and didn't learn much from them... ie: communication is KEY.
I did like how the both got their happy ending, especially that daisy learned to let go of some things and found another field that makes her happy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this ARC from NetGalley.
I read this book in two days. It immediately hooked me!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
SPOILERS
Our FMC Daisy owns a hotel called the Mirage in Harlow (Southern California). She took over ownership after her mother passed away. It’s not her dream job but she’s doing everything she can to keep it running for her mother.
Our MMC Max is an art curator. He was working in Dublin until his job went up in flames due to his shady employer. He decides to return to his hometown, Harlow.
Daisy and Max have a long history. They first met in second grade and had been inseparable since. Until Max got the offer of a lifetime and moved away at 18. He always wanted Daisy but he was basically friend zoned. He yearned for her so badly.
So when he returns to Harlow, he and Daisy reconnect.
It turns out Daisy did have the same feelings toward him. She was just too scared. Too scared to hold him back from life and his dreams. She thought she wasn’t good enough.
Forced proximity, friends to lovers, & small town romance with a HEA. And so much yearning!
There is a third act break up but it didn’t bother me. I honestly got teary eyed at the end.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Theresa Christine!
I read this book in two days. It immediately hooked me!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
SPOILERS
Our FMC Daisy owns a hotel called the Mirage in Harlow (Southern California). She took over ownership after her mother passed away. It’s not her dream job but she’s doing everything she can to keep it running for her mother.
Our MMC Max is an art curator. He was working in Dublin until his job went up in flames due to his shady employer. He decides to return to his hometown, Harlow.
Daisy and Max have a long history. They first met in second grade and had been inseparable since. Until Max got the offer of a lifetime and moved away at 18. He always wanted Daisy but he was basically friend zoned. He yearned for her so badly.
So when he returns to Harlow, he and Daisy reconnect.
It turns out Daisy did have the same feelings toward him. She was just too scared. Too scared to hold him back from life and his dreams. She thought she wasn’t good enough.
Forced proximity, friends to lovers, & small town romance with a HEA. And so much yearning!
There is a third act break up but it didn’t bother me. I honestly got teary eyed at the end.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Theresa Christine!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rounding up from 3.5
Max and Daisy
* Childhood friends
* Friends-to-more
* Mutual crush
* Returning home
* The girl next door
* Dual/Various timelines
Daisy is struggling to keep her grandma’s hotel running. She fell into it instead of chasing her dreams, so she seems to be stuck in a rut.
Max has only returned to hide from a scandal, and their friendship had slowly fallen apart, leaving voicemails without laying eyes on each other for 8 years…
The flashbacks give an idea of why, but one statement really threw me…
“I know you told me not to come to the funeral, but I…I feel terrible about missing it. For you.”
A friend would not have missed it.
This is a story of miscommunication, which frustrates me… That has to be one of my most disliked microtropes… There are others, but it’s such a silly thing to think that ALL of their troubles could have been avoided if they just… You know… talked?
The biggest issue I have is the pacing. It just felt slow. I’m not sure if it’s the flashbacks in the early chapters, but it just felt like it took forever to even get anywhere!
Thanks, Theresa Christine, for the advance copy.
I enjoyed this. I really did.
But it also felt a teeny bit flat.
Max and Daisy
* Childhood friends
* Friends-to-more
* Mutual crush
* Returning home
* The girl next door
* Dual/Various timelines
Daisy is struggling to keep her grandma’s hotel running. She fell into it instead of chasing her dreams, so she seems to be stuck in a rut.
Max has only returned to hide from a scandal, and their friendship had slowly fallen apart, leaving voicemails without laying eyes on each other for 8 years…
The flashbacks give an idea of why, but one statement really threw me…
“I know you told me not to come to the funeral, but I…I feel terrible about missing it. For you.”
A friend would not have missed it.
This is a story of miscommunication, which frustrates me… That has to be one of my most disliked microtropes… There are others, but it’s such a silly thing to think that ALL of their troubles could have been avoided if they just… You know… talked?
The biggest issue I have is the pacing. It just felt slow. I’m not sure if it’s the flashbacks in the early chapters, but it just felt like it took forever to even get anywhere!
Thanks, Theresa Christine, for the advance copy.
I enjoyed this. I really did.
But it also felt a teeny bit flat.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m very grateful NetGalley and Theresa Christine providing the book.
“Daisy Johnson is hell-bent on keeping her late mother’s hotel in the California desert alive, despite costly renovations and vacation rentals sucking business dry. She can handle everything on her own just fine, thank you, but she falters when her childhood best friend returns home. He’s the boy she encouraged to chase his dreams eight years ago, even though those dreams took him away from her.”
(Book description).
Reading time:3h25min11s Star rating: 4 Style: A Good Friends to Lovers Romance 💕
Dual Pov
Friends to Lovers
Teenage sweethearts
I simply loved the book.
The characters were complex. Neither felt good enough for the other. Max thought Daisy could have someone else, and Daisy was afraid they would become like her parents, thought Max was intelligent and needed someone like that.
These characters needed to grow up to be together; they are truly a good couple.
I loved the moment when Max displays Daisy's portrait at their exhibition. 💕
While I was reading the book, I was reminded of the movie Love, Rosie... There are quite a few similarities.
#IADD #NetGalley
Publication date: May 7, 2026
Publisher: Theresa Christine
“Daisy Johnson is hell-bent on keeping her late mother’s hotel in the California desert alive, despite costly renovations and vacation rentals sucking business dry. She can handle everything on her own just fine, thank you, but she falters when her childhood best friend returns home. He’s the boy she encouraged to chase his dreams eight years ago, even though those dreams took him away from her.”
(Book description).
Reading time:3h25min11s Star rating: 4 Style: A Good Friends to Lovers Romance 💕
Dual Pov
Friends to Lovers
Teenage sweethearts
I simply loved the book.
The characters were complex. Neither felt good enough for the other. Max thought Daisy could have someone else, and Daisy was afraid they would become like her parents, thought Max was intelligent and needed someone like that.
These characters needed to grow up to be together; they are truly a good couple.
I loved the moment when Max displays Daisy's portrait at their exhibition. 💕
While I was reading the book, I was reminded of the movie Love, Rosie... There are quite a few similarities.
#IADD #NetGalley
Publication date: May 7, 2026
Publisher: Theresa Christine
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This estranged-to-lovers, small-town romance had a lot of promise and and a great premise, but it didn’t fully come together for me in the way I was hoping. The writing itself was solid, and there were elements of the story I enjoyed, but I found it a bit difficult to fully connect with the characters. I kept wanting a little more emotional depth to really draw me in.
Max, the MMC, had some good moments, but at times I felt a bit unsure about him. The story seemed to lean more toward his perspective, which made Daisy feel slightly underdeveloped in comparison. I would have loved to see more of her inner world to better understand her and feel more connected to their relationship.
The dual timeline felt unnecessary at times and did not add much context, and I found myself wishing it had been explored a bit more.
Max’s feelings for Daisy were clear, but some of the miscommunication felt a little drawn out, which made it hard to connect with the characters. I think with a bit more balance between the characters and more depth, their connection could have felt more impactful.
It was a decent read with a good concept, even if it didn’t fully resonate with me.
I wanted to thank Netgalley for this ARC
Max, the MMC, had some good moments, but at times I felt a bit unsure about him. The story seemed to lean more toward his perspective, which made Daisy feel slightly underdeveloped in comparison. I would have loved to see more of her inner world to better understand her and feel more connected to their relationship.
The dual timeline felt unnecessary at times and did not add much context, and I found myself wishing it had been explored a bit more.
Max’s feelings for Daisy were clear, but some of the miscommunication felt a little drawn out, which made it hard to connect with the characters. I think with a bit more balance between the characters and more depth, their connection could have felt more impactful.
It was a decent read with a good concept, even if it didn’t fully resonate with me.
I wanted to thank Netgalley for this ARC
Review of advance copy
After reading the description, I knew I had to get my hands on this book. While I didn’t grow up in the desert, I moved here shortly after my father passed with someone I’ve known since I was four. This story hit close to home in a way I knew would get me but I didn't realize just how much.
I loved how the chapters are woven together. We get the present timeline while also stepping back into the most meaningful parts of their past. The structure is done so well, it reveals information at just the right moments, letting the story unfold in a way that feels intentional and immersive. It’s a bit of a slow burn as we peel back each layer, especially around the history that was left unfinished.
I think I cried through the last 10–15%. I won’t spoil anything, but from the end of chapter 43 on… woah, buddy. The entire book was strong, but the ending is what truly pulled everything together. As readers we finally have all the pieces to the story, and the characters finally know all of the information.
It felt like pulling a single thread that suddenly stitches the whole story into place; everything aligning in a way that’s powerful, emotional, raw, and completely unforgettable.
I loved how the chapters are woven together. We get the present timeline while also stepping back into the most meaningful parts of their past. The structure is done so well, it reveals information at just the right moments, letting the story unfold in a way that feels intentional and immersive. It’s a bit of a slow burn as we peel back each layer, especially around the history that was left unfinished.
I think I cried through the last 10–15%. I won’t spoil anything, but from the end of chapter 43 on… woah, buddy. The entire book was strong, but the ending is what truly pulled everything together. As readers we finally have all the pieces to the story, and the characters finally know all of the information.
It felt like pulling a single thread that suddenly stitches the whole story into place; everything aligning in a way that’s powerful, emotional, raw, and completely unforgettable.
Review of advance copy
The blurb and concept felt really cute, and I was excited to get into the story. The FMC and MMC are childhood best friends but haven’t seen each other for eight years. Their only contact has been through voicemails over the past two years. We slowly learn through flashbacks why they drifted apart, which I really enjoyed. It was a clever way to give us pieces of the story at the right time.
I enjoyed parts of the book, but it never fully pulled me in. Something felt slightly off, and I had a hard time staying immersed. Some of the dialogue didn’t feel completely natural, and a few moments came across as abrupt, which took me out of the story.
The biggest issue for me was the miscommunication. It kept driving the conflict, and I found it more frustrating than emotional. It also felt a bit unbalanced in terms of responsibility between the characters.
That said, I did appreciate the emotional core. The FMC’s fears felt relatable, and her growth made sense. The setting and the second chance trope were definite highlights. It didn’t fully click for me, but I still had a nice time reading it.
I enjoyed parts of the book, but it never fully pulled me in. Something felt slightly off, and I had a hard time staying immersed. Some of the dialogue didn’t feel completely natural, and a few moments came across as abrupt, which took me out of the story.
The biggest issue for me was the miscommunication. It kept driving the conflict, and I found it more frustrating than emotional. It also felt a bit unbalanced in terms of responsibility between the characters.
That said, I did appreciate the emotional core. The FMC’s fears felt relatable, and her growth made sense. The setting and the second chance trope were definite highlights. It didn’t fully click for me, but I still had a nice time reading it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much netgalley for this arc!
3 stars
I enjoyed this book for several reasons but the main reason has to be how much i saw myself in Daisy - now it is not rare to see such a strong independent female lead but for them to be done well and with character growth and development that is realistic, thats rare.
The book build up the tension right from the start but i appreciated the lack of slowburn, jumping straight into the romance. The side characters are some of the strongest points in the story for example Stacey - i just wish we got to learn a little more about her.
However for me what brought the book down was the lack of good communication - for me this is vital. I can appreciate that miscommunication happens however it got to a point where i just started to feel frustrated and it felt like a barrier in the book. For example the plot i felt like slowed down around this so that the lack of communication was drawn out.
All in all it was a fun and steamy romance!
all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
3 stars
I enjoyed this book for several reasons but the main reason has to be how much i saw myself in Daisy - now it is not rare to see such a strong independent female lead but for them to be done well and with character growth and development that is realistic, thats rare.
The book build up the tension right from the start but i appreciated the lack of slowburn, jumping straight into the romance. The side characters are some of the strongest points in the story for example Stacey - i just wish we got to learn a little more about her.
However for me what brought the book down was the lack of good communication - for me this is vital. I can appreciate that miscommunication happens however it got to a point where i just started to feel frustrated and it felt like a barrier in the book. For example the plot i felt like slowed down around this so that the lack of communication was drawn out.
All in all it was a fun and steamy romance!
all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
April 27, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Victory editing for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️
When I read the description of the book and saw that the female lead character not only had an fabulous name (hehe) but was also a very strong independent woman (maybe a little bit too independent which I can relate to, must be the name ) I was immediately intrigued by what this story could be mix that with it being friends to lovers and I was sold.
How I wished these two just were honest with each other but also with themselves ugh. I don’t really love miscommunication but sometimes it is necessary to grow on your own, something Max really needed!
Overall I really enjoyed the story and I can’t wait to read more from Theresa!!
*might me a tiny spoiler but I have to mention it, so read it at your own risk*
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR KEEPING FREDDIE ALIVE!!! I was so scared during the epilogue for nothing so thank you I wouldn’t have handled it well🫣
3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️
When I read the description of the book and saw that the female lead character not only had an fabulous name (hehe) but was also a very strong independent woman (maybe a little bit too independent which I can relate to, must be the name ) I was immediately intrigued by what this story could be mix that with it being friends to lovers and I was sold.
How I wished these two just were honest with each other but also with themselves ugh. I don’t really love miscommunication but sometimes it is necessary to grow on your own, something Max really needed!
Overall I really enjoyed the story and I can’t wait to read more from Theresa!!
*might me a tiny spoiler but I have to mention it, so read it at your own risk*
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR KEEPING FREDDIE ALIVE!!! I was so scared during the epilogue for nothing so thank you I wouldn’t have handled it well🫣
Read
April 12, 2026Daisy nunca ha salido de su pueblo ni del hotel que su mamá le dejó y ahora todo recae sobre ella aunque no se sienta lista. Hace lo que puede para mantenerlo funcionando, cargando con la presión, los recuerdos y esa sensación constante de que en cualquier momento todo podría venirse abajo.
Max , su ex mejor amigo regresa trayendo consigo todo lo que ella creía superado. Su historia no terminó bien y hay demasiadas cosas sin resolver, pero el destino los pone a trabajar juntos en algo que podría salvar el hotel. Eso los obliga a convivir, a mirarse de nuevo y a enfrentar lo que todavía duele.
Mientras intentan sacar adelante el proyecto, también tienen que lidiar con lo que hicieron y no hicieron, lo que cambió y lo que quizá aún sigue ahí.
__
Disfrute del libro, pero no me gustó que de principio a fin Daisy se sintiera insuficiente para él.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Max , su ex mejor amigo regresa trayendo consigo todo lo que ella creía superado. Su historia no terminó bien y hay demasiadas cosas sin resolver, pero el destino los pone a trabajar juntos en algo que podría salvar el hotel. Eso los obliga a convivir, a mirarse de nuevo y a enfrentar lo que todavía duele.
Mientras intentan sacar adelante el proyecto, también tienen que lidiar con lo que hicieron y no hicieron, lo que cambió y lo que quizá aún sigue ahí.
__
Disfrute del libro, pero no me gustó que de principio a fin Daisy se sintiera insuficiente para él.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
April 20, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ This is my second read by Theresa Christine, and I think she’s become an auto buy author for me! I stumbled across the first book in this series a while ago and am so glad I did! I love her writing, it’s so easy to read and flows well.
I absolutely adored the desert setting and the name and play on words weaved into the story is so clever. It is such a unique and refreshing setting having a romance book based in the desert and it really felt authentic. 🏜️
Daisy was an independent, intelligent FMC and Max was such a sweetheart. I love the way their relationship evolved over the years and the flashbacks really bought the entire story together.
All the side characters are worthy of a mention; they were all so well developed and made the story whole. Plus a little cameo from the two MCs from book 1 had me giddy! 😍
There is the perfect amount of spice too. Thank you so much to Theresa Christine for reaching out to read this arc and to Love Notes PR for providing a copy.
I absolutely adored the desert setting and the name and play on words weaved into the story is so clever. It is such a unique and refreshing setting having a romance book based in the desert and it really felt authentic. 🏜️
Daisy was an independent, intelligent FMC and Max was such a sweetheart. I love the way their relationship evolved over the years and the flashbacks really bought the entire story together.
All the side characters are worthy of a mention; they were all so well developed and made the story whole. Plus a little cameo from the two MCs from book 1 had me giddy! 😍
There is the perfect amount of spice too. Thank you so much to Theresa Christine for reaching out to read this arc and to Love Notes PR for providing a copy.
May 3, 2026
This is an ARC review and given by the author.
This book was amazing! I love the small town romances and the lost love that was found! This book gave me all the feels! The character development was amazing. I love that Daisy felt that she needed to be so independent all the time and do things alone. I think this resonates with most women a lot. In the end I’m so glad that she realized she could relax and follow her dreams by accepting help from others!! It doesn’t mean that you failed. I love that she finally realized that she wanted to be with Max and she took the chance that she missed years earlier!
Max knew what he always wanted. However, he kept being pushed away by the one he wanted. That was hard on him and I loved seeing that part of him in the book. In the end he had to realize he needed to wait for Daisy to be ready to pursue a future with him. She finally came to her senses, thank god lol.
This book was amazing! I love the small town romances and the lost love that was found! This book gave me all the feels! The character development was amazing. I love that Daisy felt that she needed to be so independent all the time and do things alone. I think this resonates with most women a lot. In the end I’m so glad that she realized she could relax and follow her dreams by accepting help from others!! It doesn’t mean that you failed. I love that she finally realized that she wanted to be with Max and she took the chance that she missed years earlier!
Max knew what he always wanted. However, he kept being pushed away by the one he wanted. That was hard on him and I loved seeing that part of him in the book. In the end he had to realize he needed to wait for Daisy to be ready to pursue a future with him. She finally came to her senses, thank god lol.
Review of advance copy
Best friends to more
I really enjoyed this story set in the desert in California.
Daisy has inherited her mother’s hotel and is struggling with keeping it afloat.
Max comes back from overseas after his career imploded, to regroup and try to start again.
Needing a fresh start and time with his best friend Daisy who he hasn’t seen for quite some time.
Meeting again seems a bit strained as both harbour feelings for each other that neither know about.
This story follows their journeys from children to current time filling us in along the way how their relationship evolved and also how they grew apart.
Can they find their way back to each other and be brave enough to admit they want more?
Or will Max leave again to pursue his career? Leaving Daisy behind.
A story full of love, fun, tension and bravery with wonderful characters.
Thank you Theresa Christine and Love Notes PR for the opportunity to read this story.
I really enjoyed this story set in the desert in California.
Daisy has inherited her mother’s hotel and is struggling with keeping it afloat.
Max comes back from overseas after his career imploded, to regroup and try to start again.
Needing a fresh start and time with his best friend Daisy who he hasn’t seen for quite some time.
Meeting again seems a bit strained as both harbour feelings for each other that neither know about.
This story follows their journeys from children to current time filling us in along the way how their relationship evolved and also how they grew apart.
Can they find their way back to each other and be brave enough to admit they want more?
Or will Max leave again to pursue his career? Leaving Daisy behind.
A story full of love, fun, tension and bravery with wonderful characters.
Thank you Theresa Christine and Love Notes PR for the opportunity to read this story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC of In a Desert Haze through NetGalley.
One of the things I liked most about this book was the desert setting. I don’t think I’ve read many romances set somewhere like that, and it gave the story a different atmosphere.
Stacey was probably my favourite character. She was such a fun side character, and I kept imagining everything she said in her Southern accent, which made her scenes even better.
I also liked Daisy as a main character. She’s very independent and clearly used to relying on herself.
One thing that didn’t really work for me was the lack of communication between the main characters.
The pacing also felt a bit slow in places, but overall I still thought it was a cute read. If you’re looking for something fun with a different setting, it’s worth picking up.
Overall: 3.5 stars ⭐️
One of the things I liked most about this book was the desert setting. I don’t think I’ve read many romances set somewhere like that, and it gave the story a different atmosphere.
Stacey was probably my favourite character. She was such a fun side character, and I kept imagining everything she said in her Southern accent, which made her scenes even better.
I also liked Daisy as a main character. She’s very independent and clearly used to relying on herself.
One thing that didn’t really work for me was the lack of communication between the main characters.
The pacing also felt a bit slow in places, but overall I still thought it was a cute read. If you’re looking for something fun with a different setting, it’s worth picking up.
Overall: 3.5 stars ⭐️
April 27, 2026
First, thank you Theresa & the team at Lovenotes PR for this ARC. 🫶
I am so glad one of my reading goals for this year is to read new (to me) authors because it has led me to some of my favorite reads this year, In a Desert Daze being one of them.
I absolutely loved this story. I was a little worried around the 80% mark but I knew our girl Daze would come around. This is one of my favorite childhood friends to lovers, second chance, it's always been you, romances I have read in a really long time. I really enjoyed the dual timelines and getting the flashbacks from their childhood because it really helps us understand Max & Daisy as adults.
I am so glad one of my reading goals for this year is to read new (to me) authors because it has led me to some of my favorite reads this year, In a Desert Daze being one of them.
I absolutely loved this story. I was a little worried around the 80% mark but I knew our girl Daze would come around. This is one of my favorite childhood friends to lovers, second chance, it's always been you, romances I have read in a really long time. I really enjoyed the dual timelines and getting the flashbacks from their childhood because it really helps us understand Max & Daisy as adults.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with an e-ARC of this book.
While I think this story will resonate with many readers, it ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me, and I chose to DNF at 47%.
I had trouble connecting with the characters and staying engaged in the storyline, though I can see the appeal, especially for readers who enjoy friends-to-lovers dynamics, dual timelines and POVs, and small-town romance settings.
For me, the pacing felt a bit off, which made it harder to stay invested in what would happen next. That said, I appreciate the opportunity to have read and reviewed this book.
If these tropes and themes appeal to you, I’d still recommend giving it a try, as it could be a great match for the right reader.
Thank you again to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read this e-ARC.
While I think this story will resonate with many readers, it ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me, and I chose to DNF at 47%.
I had trouble connecting with the characters and staying engaged in the storyline, though I can see the appeal, especially for readers who enjoy friends-to-lovers dynamics, dual timelines and POVs, and small-town romance settings.
For me, the pacing felt a bit off, which made it harder to stay invested in what would happen next. That said, I appreciate the opportunity to have read and reviewed this book.
If these tropes and themes appeal to you, I’d still recommend giving it a try, as it could be a great match for the right reader.
Thank you again to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read this e-ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC
This is a childhood friends to lovers romance between Daisy and Max who grew up in the desert of California. The setting of this book is what intrigued me. I just recently went on a vacation to the desert and absolutely fell in love with its charm. This book really encompasses that in a way that I don't think I have seen in romance novels before. It's very obvious there are strong feelings on both sides from the beginning but they deal with a ton of communication issues surrounding their feelings. At the end of the day, Daisy just wanted what was best for Max, and Max just wanted Daisy.
Although I couldn't quite feel connected to the characters, this was an easy, cute and feel good read. 3.5 stars
This is a childhood friends to lovers romance between Daisy and Max who grew up in the desert of California. The setting of this book is what intrigued me. I just recently went on a vacation to the desert and absolutely fell in love with its charm. This book really encompasses that in a way that I don't think I have seen in romance novels before. It's very obvious there are strong feelings on both sides from the beginning but they deal with a ton of communication issues surrounding their feelings. At the end of the day, Daisy just wanted what was best for Max, and Max just wanted Daisy.
Although I couldn't quite feel connected to the characters, this was an easy, cute and feel good read. 3.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review 🤍
Daisy and Max are childhood friends to lovers, who ultimately spent years yearning for eachother (without realising it).
Max lived abroad, but moves back to their cosy hometown to escape a scandal involving his last job. Here, he realises he still loves Daisy despite their years apart.
Daisy is coming to terms with her mothers death, and crumbling under the weight of keeping her mothers hotel running. Max sees a mutually beneficial solution to their problems.
This book was lighthearted for the most part while still touching on deeper topics like dealing with grief, and changing your life path!
There was a lot of miscommunication in this book, which at times can be annoying but in my opinion, it makes it that much better when Daisy and Max reveal their true feelings 🤍
Daisy and Max are childhood friends to lovers, who ultimately spent years yearning for eachother (without realising it).
Max lived abroad, but moves back to their cosy hometown to escape a scandal involving his last job. Here, he realises he still loves Daisy despite their years apart.
Daisy is coming to terms with her mothers death, and crumbling under the weight of keeping her mothers hotel running. Max sees a mutually beneficial solution to their problems.
This book was lighthearted for the most part while still touching on deeper topics like dealing with grief, and changing your life path!
There was a lot of miscommunication in this book, which at times can be annoying but in my opinion, it makes it that much better when Daisy and Max reveal their true feelings 🤍
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