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Expecting an Argument
“You are worth staying for. You always were.”
Olivia Adams is a winner. After graduating top of her class, Olivia left her small town and scored a big salary at the best law firm in the city. She was on top of the world, but a tryst at her ten-year class reunion shattered that perfect world when she ended up pregnant…with twins. Stranded and alone in the big city, Olivia returns to her home town to seek help from the person she swore she’d never see again…her high school rival.
Beau Fontaine is rich…and that’s all. He has a useless job at his father’s oil company, is a failed athlete, and lives alone on his family’s massive ranch. When he least expects it, his nemesis from school reveals that she’s pregnant…and he’s the father! Though he’s suspicious that his old rival is only after his family’s fortune, he offers to let her move into his eclectic manor. Those babies are his, after all, and he wants to keep a close eye on them.
As the pregnancy goes on, Beau and Olivia risk burning Fontaine Manor to the ground with their constant arguing. Though they can’t stand each other, they soon find that they can’t stand to be away from each other, either. Passion and pride are an explosive mix, but Beau and Olivia will have to put aside their differences to ace the group project neither of them signed up for—parenthood.
Olivia Adams is a winner. After graduating top of her class, Olivia left her small town and scored a big salary at the best law firm in the city. She was on top of the world, but a tryst at her ten-year class reunion shattered that perfect world when she ended up pregnant…with twins. Stranded and alone in the big city, Olivia returns to her home town to seek help from the person she swore she’d never see again…her high school rival.
Beau Fontaine is rich…and that’s all. He has a useless job at his father’s oil company, is a failed athlete, and lives alone on his family’s massive ranch. When he least expects it, his nemesis from school reveals that she’s pregnant…and he’s the father! Though he’s suspicious that his old rival is only after his family’s fortune, he offers to let her move into his eclectic manor. Those babies are his, after all, and he wants to keep a close eye on them.
As the pregnancy goes on, Beau and Olivia risk burning Fontaine Manor to the ground with their constant arguing. Though they can’t stand each other, they soon find that they can’t stand to be away from each other, either. Passion and pride are an explosive mix, but Beau and Olivia will have to put aside their differences to ace the group project neither of them signed up for—parenthood.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 5, 2026
Normally the pregnancy trope makes me want to run for the hills but it worked perfectly in EXPECTING AN ARGUMENT, a romcom with a lot of heavier beats. I think that's because both leads make it unequivocally clear from the very beginning how much it means to them to be able to start a family. There's no indecision or coercion; that is so important to me, especially with the lead, Olivia, a high-powered lawyer with an axe to grind.
This is rivals to lovers and it's done so well. Beau and Olivia were school rivals when they were young and when they meet at a class reunion, the sparks of their mutual enmity lead to a delicious hate-fuck that culminates in, ahem, impregnation. To make matters worse, Olivia loses her job for being TOO SUCCESSFUL (sexism, am I right?) which means that the nearly-three-million-dollar payout she was promised is out the window.
Beau, a billionaire (almost), is more than willing to Pretty Woman her, but Olivia doesn't want it to come at the expense of her soul. As someone who had to work her ass off for everything she got and was still bullied for having to accept handouts, the comfort Beau can offer her feels more like a leash, and she can feel it tightening with every gift, check, and sneer.
I laughed through this whole book and I also cried, too. The last romcom that made me feel like this was by Rebecca Kinkade. Perci Jay juggles plot, feels, banter, and spice so well, and while I loved her new adult fantasy BRIDE OF LYCASTER, I actually think this might be my new favorite book of hers (even though it has my least favorite trope! I KNOW RIGHT). I just love the way she writes flawed women. There's something so healing about the lack of judgement in which she writes her characters. It makes me feel seen and acknowledged, all at once. I can't wait to see what she does next.
5 stars
This is rivals to lovers and it's done so well. Beau and Olivia were school rivals when they were young and when they meet at a class reunion, the sparks of their mutual enmity lead to a delicious hate-fuck that culminates in, ahem, impregnation. To make matters worse, Olivia loses her job for being TOO SUCCESSFUL (sexism, am I right?) which means that the nearly-three-million-dollar payout she was promised is out the window.
Beau, a billionaire (almost), is more than willing to Pretty Woman her, but Olivia doesn't want it to come at the expense of her soul. As someone who had to work her ass off for everything she got and was still bullied for having to accept handouts, the comfort Beau can offer her feels more like a leash, and she can feel it tightening with every gift, check, and sneer.
I laughed through this whole book and I also cried, too. The last romcom that made me feel like this was by Rebecca Kinkade. Perci Jay juggles plot, feels, banter, and spice so well, and while I loved her new adult fantasy BRIDE OF LYCASTER, I actually think this might be my new favorite book of hers (even though it has my least favorite trope! I KNOW RIGHT). I just love the way she writes flawed women. There's something so healing about the lack of judgement in which she writes her characters. It makes me feel seen and acknowledged, all at once. I can't wait to see what she does next.
5 stars
April 28, 2026
The book had several nonessential mysteries. None were explained!
What happened to Beau Fontaine II? How is Chuck Olivia’s half-brother? What’s in the attic at the Fontaine house? Did Beau finally throw away the photos of Katie? What did the portrait of Beau Fontaine II look like for Beau Fontaine III to hide it from Olivia in the beginning of the book?
What happened to Beau Fontaine II? How is Chuck Olivia’s half-brother? What’s in the attic at the Fontaine house? Did Beau finally throw away the photos of Katie? What did the portrait of Beau Fontaine II look like for Beau Fontaine III to hide it from Olivia in the beginning of the book?
Did Not Finish
June 27, 2026DNF at 25%. I’m sorry, I wanted to love this, but there is NO way these two main characters fall in love and have a HEA. This MMC is NOT it for me. This man did and said things to the FMC that had me disliking him more and more. I feel like I would be that one best friend who would get angry at the FMC for even starting to develop feelings. This was a big NOPE.
Did Not Finish
May 30, 2026DNF at 32%. Both the MCs were immature and insufferable. FMC was a hypocrite. She was all, "I'm not taking a single dime from you!" to spending and donating his money because she was pregnant with his twins.
May 25, 2026
* sigh *
April 23, 2026
My, oh my — this book!
When I say I want enemies to lovers, these two are definitely being added to my list of prime examples. Their hate s*x? Exquisite.
Olive was the perfect definition of needing to get out of your own way and needing to heal you trauma instead of allowing it to run you. Also, the whole “I’m an independent woman” thing she had was annoying sometimes because it was like girl, no way your jobless butt is going to be able to raise two babies on your own! She really made me roll my eyes sometimes with the way she blocked her own blessings at times. I was happy she finally had her own revelations and growth.
Beau was more soft and sweet than I was anticipating with his POV chapters, which I loved. I love that they were enemies to lovers but not he was constantly putting her down or disrespecting her. I do wish we would’ve had a tiny bit more of confirmation of the *what* with his dad rather than what was revealed, it still felt like a mystery
I enjoyed this book so much — it made my heart warm, made me laugh, and annoyed sometimes. These characters had so much depth and the book had a nice build up in the beginning, even though things picked up QUICKLY.
When I say I want enemies to lovers, these two are definitely being added to my list of prime examples. Their hate s*x? Exquisite.
Olive was the perfect definition of needing to get out of your own way and needing to heal you trauma instead of allowing it to run you. Also, the whole “I’m an independent woman” thing she had was annoying sometimes because it was like girl, no way your jobless butt is going to be able to raise two babies on your own! She really made me roll my eyes sometimes with the way she blocked her own blessings at times. I was happy she finally had her own revelations and growth.
Beau was more soft and sweet than I was anticipating with his POV chapters, which I loved. I love that they were enemies to lovers but not he was constantly putting her down or disrespecting her. I do wish we would’ve had a tiny bit more of confirmation of the *what* with his dad rather than what was revealed, it still felt like a mystery
I enjoyed this book so much — it made my heart warm, made me laugh, and annoyed sometimes. These characters had so much depth and the book had a nice build up in the beginning, even though things picked up QUICKLY.
June 13, 2026
The FMC, Olivia, was sooo annoying. Sorry, but it is what it is. 😭 I understood what the author was trying to do with her character, but instead of feeling invested, I just found myself getting irritated.
Now Beau? Loved him. ❤️ Sure, he spent a lot of time stuck in the past, but at least his character actually moved the story forward and showed growth. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for Olivia.
One thing that really threw me off was the pacing. I’d have a scene perfectly pictured in my head, everything flowing nicely, and then BOOM 💥 — suddenly it’s the next day, the next week, or even the next month. It felt like I missed pages somewhere.
And can we talk about all the unanswered questions?! 🤨
• Did Beau II (father) died? Why leave that up to interpretation?
• What was the deal with the manor’s absolutely wacky décor? I get that it had something to do with Beau’s mom, but… why? 😅
• And most importantly… HOW THE HELL is Chuck Olivia’s half-brother?! Give me some context! Throw me a bone here! 😂
There were so many moments where I felt like the author expected readers to just connect the dots themselves, but some of those dots were miles apart.
Overall, it’s an okay read. Not terrible, not amazing. I enjoyed Beau’s character enough to keep reading, but the confusing pacing and lack of explanations definitely knocked it down a few points for sure!
Now Beau? Loved him. ❤️ Sure, he spent a lot of time stuck in the past, but at least his character actually moved the story forward and showed growth. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for Olivia.
One thing that really threw me off was the pacing. I’d have a scene perfectly pictured in my head, everything flowing nicely, and then BOOM 💥 — suddenly it’s the next day, the next week, or even the next month. It felt like I missed pages somewhere.
And can we talk about all the unanswered questions?! 🤨
• Did Beau II (father) died? Why leave that up to interpretation?
• What was the deal with the manor’s absolutely wacky décor? I get that it had something to do with Beau’s mom, but… why? 😅
• And most importantly… HOW THE HELL is Chuck Olivia’s half-brother?! Give me some context! Throw me a bone here! 😂
There were so many moments where I felt like the author expected readers to just connect the dots themselves, but some of those dots were miles apart.
Overall, it’s an okay read. Not terrible, not amazing. I enjoyed Beau’s character enough to keep reading, but the confusing pacing and lack of explanations definitely knocked it down a few points for sure!
June 22, 2026
-- 4.75 --
This is a funny and quick read. The way she talks about her mother is so kind, also a little funny with how she carries the urn. I really want a book with more of an update of their family that is not just the epilogue. Also there is a bit that was unattached on, like the journal that his mother took. Just a small thing that I feel like would have made a bit of a difference.
This is a funny and quick read. The way she talks about her mother is so kind, also a little funny with how she carries the urn. I really want a book with more of an update of their family that is not just the epilogue. Also there is a bit that was unattached on, like the journal that his mother took. Just a small thing that I feel like would have made a bit of a difference.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2026
Rivals to enemies to lovers
Loved the damaged/flawed MMC and FMC. Accidental pregnancy is my favorite trope, so this really hit all the right spots and more. I really enjoyed reading about Olivia and Beau and enjoyed the angst and yearning.
Loved the damaged/flawed MMC and FMC. Accidental pregnancy is my favorite trope, so this really hit all the right spots and more. I really enjoyed reading about Olivia and Beau and enjoyed the angst and yearning.
April 20, 2026
I really enjoyed this! The couple started out so contentious that I wasn't sure how it was going to pan out in the end, but I was absolutely delighted by the characters and their dynamic. Bonus points for accurate depictions of pregnancy. Very cute book, devoured it in one sitting.
March 29, 2026
Scenes to skip for closed door girlies
May 6, 2026
Olivia and Beau
The story reels you in from the start. You want them to open up to love but it takes them a long time to accept it. The story has a happy ending
The story reels you in from the start. You want them to open up to love but it takes them a long time to accept it. The story has a happy ending
May 9, 2026
3.75
May 18, 2026
Soooo good I loved it
May 20, 2026
Totally unexpected
But I loved everything about Beau and Olivia. The hate/rivalry, the surprise babies, the forced proximity wow exquisite. And of course a happy ending :)
But I loved everything about Beau and Olivia. The hate/rivalry, the surprise babies, the forced proximity wow exquisite. And of course a happy ending :)
May 24, 2026
I just was not a fan of this one.
May 28, 2026
Nice but a few unresolved issues. Chuck being the biggest one and I assume he will get his own book. I missed how she could just be fired for doing what exactly.
May 29, 2026
2,75⭐️
June 1, 2026
Cute but different, good palate cleanser
June 7, 2026
An enjoyable read.
June 8, 2026
While I had some small trouble keeping up with the pace in the first half of the book, the second half did make up for it. I had a lot of fun reading this and the ending is so cute!
February 27, 2026
Perci knocks it out of the park once again. While deviating from her established work on the Lycaster series, Expecting an Argument, feels familiar. I laughed, I cried, I smiled.
And I have questions. Would love to see a sequel.
And I have questions. Would love to see a sequel.
April 14, 2026
So darn good! I’m more of a short fiction reader but this one gripped me. Was it slow at times? Yes, but it all felt relevant.
I did get frustrated with Olivia during the third act breakup cause how could you? Felt like her reason was kinda stupid but you can’t explain trauma and her childhood left scars. The characters were really fleshed out. I enjoyed it.
I did get frustrated with Olivia during the third act breakup cause how could you? Felt like her reason was kinda stupid but you can’t explain trauma and her childhood left scars. The characters were really fleshed out. I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews