Tessa Harper I was back in town for two weeks for my brother’s wedding. Two weeks, and then I’d be headed back home to Hollywood to start filming a brand new TV show. I’d been cast as the lead, and I still couldn’t believe they wanted me. Except being home in Portland made me realize just what I’d been missing in LA. And one night with Oliver Graham made me question everything…
Oliver Graham There were a few things I knew to be true. One, Tessa Harper was the most beautiful woman I’d ever met. And two, her brother was marrying my cousin. It could never work. Except two weeks together showed me just how good it could be between us. And the moment I said goodbye, I knew I couldn’t let her go. Not when she was brighter than any star, and my life felt empty without her in it.
This spicy, friends to lovers novella is a spin-off of the Best Friends Book Club series by Amazon bestselling author Jennifer Chipman.
Unfortunately, I don’t think this novella was for me. This was my first of Jennifer Chipman’s books and although it was a quick and cute read, I didn’t particularly enjoy it. I found the writing (specifically the smut) to be oddly juvenile and basic, and the spice was… not my favorite. I do think though that this book and these characters would’ve benefitted from having a full length book rather than a novella because the fast pace was detrimental to the plot.
That being said, if you’re looking for a quick, cute, and cheesy read for Valentine’s Day, give this one a try!
Sometimes the softest love stories are the ones that stay with you the longest.
Famously Mine is a tender, feel good romance that quietly pulls you in and holds you there. When Tessa and Oliver reconnect at her brother’s wedding, their history and lingering feelings resurface in a way that feels natural and deeply sincere. The fact that Oliver has always seen her beyond the fame makes their connection feel intimate and grounding.
I really appreciated how the story balances Tessa’s public Hollywood life with the private, uncertain parts of herself she is still learning to trust. The emotional pacing is gentle but intentional, allowing their chemistry to build steadily rather than explosively. Oliver falling first and harder adds a layer of sweetness that makes every moment between them feel earned.
It may be a short novella, but it delivers warmth, longing, and just enough tension to make the payoff satisfying. I found myself wishing for more time with them simply because I was so invested.
It’s the perfect little comfort read when you want something heartfelt and hopeful.
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Huge thank you to Jennifer Chipman and Valentine PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
Famously Mine was adorable! Tessa and Oliver were instantly lovable, and their chemistry was there from the very first meeting at a wedding (her brother and his cousin - hello fate). What is supposed to be just two weeks together quickly turns into so much more. If you are in the mood for a short, sweet, can’t put it down romance, this one is a must read. Huge thank you to Jennifer for the ARC, I absolutely loved it!
DNF’d at 20%. Since this was a novelette, 20% equates to approx 10 pages, so I don’t think it’s fair to give a star rating at this point. The writing wasn’t for me. This is the only book I’ve tried by this author, so I don’t know if this is her typical writing style. The sentence structure was choppy, awkward, and incomplete. The dialogue felt robotic.
Thank you to Valentine PR for the eARC of this story to read and review.
“You’re a star, Tessa Harper, and I want to bask in your light.”
This spicy little novella was so well rounded! Tessa and Oliver fall into love quickly and I enjoyed every second of it.
“If you’re mine, I’m yours.”
What started as a wedding hookup turned into the sweetest kind of relationship. I was rooting for these two to make it work. Their lives might have been polar opposites, but their hearts were one.
The spice in this story is freaking amazing. I was having heart palpitations while this man fed her red velvet cake! 😮💨🍰
“Take me to bed, Oliver.” “With pleasure, Hollywood.”
Oliver was a man down bad and completely OBSESSED with worshiping his ‘Hollywood’!
If you are looking for a sweet & spicy read, DEFINITELY go download this one today! When it ended I just wanted MORE!
Tropes: 💖 Actress x Tech Guy 🤭 Best Friend’s Sister 🫶🏼 He Falls First ❤️🔥 Spicy Fast Burn 🥵 “Atta girl.”
This was a sweet, quick read. I flew through it in just a few hours.
Oliver, a software engineer, and Tessa, an actress, have known each other for years thanks to her brother and his cousin finally getting married. Despite long-standing crushes on both sides, nothing ever came of it, with one living in L.A. and the other in the PNW.
When Tessa house-sits for her brother during his honeymoon, they finally decide to take a chance and see where things go. Those two blissful weeks are more than enough for them to realize they’d already fallen for each other long before they ever admitted it. Their connection was sweet and the spice was balanced perfectly in the quick read.
My only critique is that I wish the story had been longer. Some of their backstory (and especially the time jumps into the future, including their connection after Tessa returns to L.A.) could have been explored more fully with a few additional chapters. That said, it’s very much the nature of novellas.
Thank you to Jennifer and Valentine PR for the ARC.
Famously Mine by Jennifer Chipman was such a fun, feel-good romance and exactly what I needed when I picked it up. I flew through this book and loved every minute of it.
One of my favorite tropes is friends to lovers, and this story really delivered on that slow emotional shift from comfort and trust into something deeper. Watching their relationship grow instead of feeling rushed made the romance feel genuine and satisfying. There’s something so special about seeing two people who already care about each other realize they want more.
And can we talk about the MMC? Total cinnamon roll hero energy. Sweet, supportive, and emotionally available — which made the romance even better. I loved that the story focused not just on attraction, but on connection and friendship first.
What I enjoyed most was how the book balanced heart and heat. It was romantic, a little steamy, and still full of warmth. The pacing was perfect for a quick contemporary romance, and it kept me engaged from start to finish without ever feeling heavy or overcomplicated.
If you love: • friends-to-lovers romance • cinnamon roll MMCs • emotional connection before spice • short, swoony contemporary reads
…I would absolutely recommend this one. This was such an easy five-star read for me, and I’d happily pick up more from this author.
Thank you to Valentine PR for the eARC — this was a wonderful read!
Famously Mine is a soft, emotional romance that leans into longing, timing, and the complicated pull between a private heart and a very public life. From the very first chapters, the story settles into a cozy but charged rhythm that makes it easy to sink into the characters’ world and feel invested in their choices.
Tessa is a relatable and grounded main character, someone who feels real in her uncertainty and growth rather than overly polished. Her perspective carries a quiet vulnerability that makes her easy to root for, especially as she navigates love that feels both exhilarating and intimidating. Oliver, on the other hand, brings the tension. His fame adds layers to the romance without completely overpowering it, and the story does a good job of showing how success can complicate even the most genuine connection.
What stands out most is the emotional pacing. The relationship develops in a way that feels natural, with moments of warmth, hesitation, and ache that mirror real-life relationships. The chemistry is steady rather than explosive, which works well for this story and makes the emotional payoff more satisfying. The writing style is smooth and accessible, pulling you along without feeling rushed.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary romance with heart, especially stories that explore what it means to choose love when life is pulling you in different directions. Famously Mine delivers a comforting yet emotional reading experience that lingers after the final page.
STEM MMC: software engineer Academically Yours is my all time favorite Jen Chipman romance, and it’s also where we first see Tessa and Oliver. I’ve been waiting for their story for so long! I feel like the Oliver that we knew (and the Oliver at the start of this novella) is not the same as the uber confident dirty mouthed man we get for the majority of this novella. I felt such a disconnect with his character, and that made me sad. Don’t get me wrong, it was still hot, but it just didn’t feel like him. There was a ton of spice for how short this novella was, and I feel like we missed out on their emotional connection because of it. I wanted this to be sweeter than spicer, but it was hot. At least we finally got their story, and you can read through it super fast. I recommend at least having read Academically Yours before reading this one though. You don’t have to read the full best friends series first but the wedding of that first couple is where this book starts.
Famously Mine follows Oliver, software engineer, and Tessa, Hollywood star. The two have a connection instantly when Oliver’s cousin and Tessa’s brother introduce them to one another. Oliver falls first and harder.
Oliver lives in Portland and Tessa lives in LA. The two spend 2 weeks together and it’s a dream; but then it ends. Then….
So cutie. Shoutout (and thanks) to Jennifer Chipman for sending me this arc. I always love Jennifer’s books because they’re happy and sweet. This was spicy, but not too spicy! It was a short novella and I read it in one sitting (duh) ((how could I not)). Definitely recommend for a sweet, short, feel good, and cute read!
Famously Mine is a short, spicy, friends to lovers novella perfect for reading in one sitting. Unfortunately, I just couldn't particularly get into this one, and I did rate it 3 stars. However, Tessa and Oliver were cute, and perhaps if it had been longer, I might've enjoyed it a bit more. In saying that for the length, it was fairly well paced though! All in all, thank you for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review! 🧡
REMINDER!!!: Just because a story wasn't my favorite, that doesn't mean that it doesn't have the potential to be your next 5-star read! Please check it out yourself and form your own opinions<3
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️🌶️ This is a great spicy novella. I loved the characters and even without reading the full series I was able to follow the story just fine. Tessa and Oliver have such chemistry. Since this is a fling turned more book there are a lot of super spicy scenes. I loved their journey from two weeks to more. I also loved the extended epilogue. I've added this author's other works to my TBR. If you want a quick spicy read with heart, then you will love this book.
My first book by this author, and sadly might be my last.
The MCs are like 22 and 29, but if you told me they were both 16 I would have believed you. They talk and act like teenagers and the smut was awkward at points. It read like a teenager wrote it.
Thanks for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
“I still couldn’t take my eyes off her. Not even for a second.”
JENNIFER!!! I am absolutely obsessed with Tessa and Oliver. Famously Mine is an absolutely adorable & spicy novella full of pining and intense chemistry.
In this story, we follow Tessa and Oliver as they watch the people they love the most get married. For a novella, Jennifer did an amazing job building their relationship and really capturing the essence of each character. I truly loved these two and was glad to see some of my favorite characters from the series make an appearance.
This book is perfect for readers who love: * Friends to Lovers * Mutual Pining * Vacation Fling * Love at First Sight * Cinnamon Roll MMC
Overall, this book was absolutely adorable. I am giving it 5 stars and would definitely recommend it.
This was a sweet & spicy novella. The perfect thing before Valentine’s Day. Now that I’ve read this one, I’m going to go back and read Academically, Yours! Thank you VPR & Jennifer Chipman for this ARC! I can’t wait to dive into the regular length series
I felt like this was just so simplistic that it wasn’t really enjoyable. Novellas are tricky because a lot has to happen in not very many pages and unfortunately this story just fell short for me. The characters were boring. There were a lot of spicy scenes, but they just felt cliché, like the author was trying to combine different clips and phrases she’d read in other books. I kept looking at the page count to see how many pages I had left to read.
On the upside, this is a very easy and quick read. There is no real drama, and it has a sweet ending. So if you’re looking for just a gentle little read this might be for you.
Thanks to Valentine PR for the arc In exchange for my honest opinions.
Instant attraction, years of mutual yearning & tension? I loved it! There was a lot of plot & character development in this short but sweet romance! The third act conflict was resolved relatively quickly & was actually pretty realistic, and involved a grand gesture - which I’m a sucker for!
What to expect: Friends to lovers Yearninggggg Spicy
Favorites lines:
“Because she wasn’t mine. I didn’t get to keep her.”
“You look so good with me wrapped around you” - this one had me saying “daaaaamn girl” out loud😂
Thank you Jennifer Chipman & Valentine PR for the eARC!
Less than 100 pages, a spin off from an already loved series, an author that I love, what else could I want!? A longer book!!! Jennifer Chipman has written a novella that is part somewhat of a spin off from her Best Friends Book Club. Our FMC and MMC are brought back together thanks to a family wedding. Having known each other in high school, one has been in love with the other for some time. I loved seeing them reunite and allow the small spark between them to ignite.
Tessa and Oliver were classmates in high school Oliver loved Tessa before everyone knew who she was. Having found success in Hollywood, Tessa is recognized by many, only known by a few for who she truly is. When she comes home for her brother’s wedding, she is taken by how Oliver sees her for her and not her fame and name only. One thing leads to another and the connection they have both been looking for is locked into place. However, Tessa is supposed to go back home to start filming again in 3 weeks, which means Oliver needs to show her they are meant to be before she leaves again.
Jennifer always writes sweet, romantic, and perfectly spiced stories that I love. Easy to connect to characters, the storyline stays consistent and intriguing that you won’t want to stop reading. Oliver has it bad for Tessa and now that he has the opportunity to show her exactly how he feels, he isn’t wasting a moment. Tessa needed to know she was still valued outside of her talent and name. I absolutely recommend this short novella!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect: 🧡Vacation Fling 💠Cinnamon Roll MMC 🧡Instalust/Instalove 💠Mutual Pining 🧡Friends to Lovers 💠Actress FMC 🧡Novella
Two weeks. That’s all Tessa Harper has before she leaves her hometown again — this time for Hollywood and a role of a lifetime. Coming back for her brother’s wedding should’ve felt temporary… until it reminded her of everything she walked away from. Oliver Graham never expected to fall for his cousin’s future in-law. Especially not someone with a life that shines as brightly as Tessa’s. But spending those stolen moments together makes the inevitable goodbye feel impossible.
This friends-to-lovers filled with longing, chemistry, and a perfect amount of spice is a chef’s kiss (for a novella) was what I needed to start my February!
Short, steamy, and full of heart — this spin-off is perfect for individuals that love romances and question: “What if staying is worth the risk? “
Thank you to Valentine PR & Literary Management and author, Jennifer Chipman for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC prior to release date!! Forever will be a Tessa and Oliver stan ❤️
OLIVER OLIVER OLIVER…. My clever, handsome, and GOODNESS GRACIOUS man… Those dirty talks, that sizzling hot charm – is this a joke? Oliver and Tess are coming to set you ablaze. After two weeks, reading about that magical love that made them beat for each other and overcome distances, drawing them closer, was wonderful. And oh, Oliver, who would do anything for the woman he loves. Oliver, who would even give up the home he calls his own for the sake of his beloved woman's dreams and his love. I wish we could read more about you.
🎬Friends to Lovers 🎬Cinnamon Roll MMC 🎬Hollywood Star FMC 🎬Vacation Fling 🎬Spicy Novella
"I just have this feeling is all." “And what's that?" "You're going to be the brightest star there, Hollywood.”
“Every party, every time I saw you, it was all I could think about. What those lips would feel like. What you'd taste like."
She tasted perfect. Like sunshine and honey.
“You're a fucking dream.”
"You're going to be the death of me,"
"I'm a mess." "I like you messy.”
“I want our two weeks back. I want them to be forever." "Good.Because I love you, and I can't imagine another night where you're not in my arms."
he was everything I'd ever wanted He was my happy ending. And damn if I wouldn't fight for it every day for the rest of our lives.
If you’re looking for a spicy, one-sitting read that feels like a warm hug (with a side of heat!), Famously Mine is exactly what you need. I gave it 4 stars because it delivers everything a good novella should: great chemistry, relatable longing, and a satisfying ending without any unnecessary fluff.
The story follows Tessa, a TV actress returning home for her brother’s wedding, and Oliver, the computer engineer who has clearly been pining for her forever. I loved the "actress vs. regular guy" dynamic—it wasn’t about the glitz and glam, but about two people finally acknowledging the spark that’s always been there. Their transition from long-time friends to a "no-strings-attached" fling (that we all know won't stay that way) was executed so well.
As someone who listens to a lot of stories on the go, I found the pacing of this novella perfect for a quick escape. It forces you to think about that classic dilemma: do you keep chasing the high-profile career, or is "home" actually a person? The spice is definitely there and hits all the right notes, making it a very steamy addition to the Best Friends Book Club universe.
It’s a fluffy, sexy, and heartfelt story that leaves you with a big smile. If you’re already a fan of Jennifer Chipman’s style, this spin-off is a must-read!
This was a quick, easy novella that tells the story of Tessa and Oliver. I’ll preface this by saying that I’m generally not a big fan of novellas unless they function as a prequel or add meaningful depth to an existing story. With such a short page count, it’s hard to fully invest in the characters or their relationship.
While the story itself was cute, I struggled to feel truly connected. The romance followed a very familiar pattern: instant attraction, years of mutual pining, and then finally acting on it. We do get a time jump, but there’s little insight into what actually happens between them during those years, which left their relationship feeling underdeveloped.
I liked Oliver well enough, but neither he nor Tessa felt particularly fleshed out, and both lacked the substance needed to make their story fully compelling. Unfortunately, the highlights for me were the spice and the final couple of chapters once they were officially together.
Overall, it was a fine, quick read, but I wanted more depth and development to really make it memorable.
Tropes: Small Town Romance Instalust Friends to Lovers Cinnamon Roll MMC Actress FMC Mutual Pining
Thank you Jennifer and Valentine PR for an eARC in exchange of my honest review.
This sweet and short novella gives a little more info about some background characters we haven't seen a lot about. Oliver is Noelle's cousin, but looks so much like her he could be her brother. Tessa is Matthew's sister, which is originally what held Oliver back to asking her out when he first met her.
At a certain age, I don't think it matters if you date your friend's sibling, no matter what your reputation beforehand was. Oliver should have 100% asked Tessa out when he first saw her. He didn't have the reputation of a player, and seemed like a genuinely nice guy. I don't see what Matthew would have a problem with.
Even though it took two more years for them to finally make a move on each other, it did feel right. What is a more romantic time than on the wedding day of the people you're closest with. It felt like their time to get together, and it gave their story a little bit more tension.
The title was a little misleading, because Tessa isn't famous yet. She is just starting out with her first major role. I would have liked to see them more in the world where Tessa is more widely recognized.
Thank you Jennifer Chipman and Valentine PR for the e-ARC. All thoughts are my own.
✨️ Thanks @jennchipmanauthor and @valentine_pr_ for the ARC
🔥 “You’re going to be the brightest star there, Hollywood.
🔥 “Patience, Hollywood. We’re just getting started.”
🔥 "You like that, huh? Being my good girl?"
Tessa Harper is back in town to celebrate her brother’s wedding and she is looking forward to make the most of her two week stay. Even with her career set to explode after landing a lead role in a new TV show, she can't help but feel homesick. This feeling is compounded after an unexpected night with Oliver Graham. Since Tessa's brother is marrying his cousin, Oliver has kept his distance. Now that boundaries have been cross, will their distant lives ruin their chance at happily ever after?
After reading Academically Mine, I had no idea I needed Tessa and Oliver's story - but I am so glad we got it. This was such a cute novella and has me searching for more of the wedding hook-up trope. The pep talks between Matthew and Oliver were so sweet and heartwarming 🥰. And can we talk about how obsessed Oliver is with Tessa?! We love a supportive and obsessed man. Let's also take a moment to appreciate this gorgeous cover 😍.
🎥 Spicy Novella 🎥 Friends to Lovers 🎥 Mutual Pining 🎥 Vacation/Wedding Fling 🎥 Actress × Tech Pro
4.5⭐️ I love each book Jennifer writes and this one was no different! Famously Mine was the perfect romance novella and I enjoyed every single page.💛
Tessa and Oliver are so perfect for each other. I loved the cinnamon roll MMC, the mutual pining, and the friends to lovers!🤭 Jennifer always writes the best combo of tropes and I have always loved a friends to lovers romance.💛 The ending was definitely my favourite.🥹 I really enjoyed the extended epilogue. It was so perfect and I wish I could read it for the first time again.🤭
This was a Best Friends Book Club novella so I definitely recommend at least reading book one of that series, Academically Yours, as these two characters are related to the main characters in that book.🤭
🎥If you love: ~Friends to lovers ~Romance novella ~Instalust ~Actress FMC x Computer engineer MMC ~Dual pov And you’re looking for a really good and quick read, I definitely recommend Famously Mine.💛
Thank you so much for the arc copy, Jenn! Being part of your arc team is something I am so grateful for.🥹💛
Famously Mine by Jennifer Chipman is a glamorous and steamy contemporary romance that captures the dazzle of Hollywood fame, forbidden attraction, and heartfelt redemption with sizzling tension. The story revolves around a down-to-earth heroine entangled with a charismatic A-list actor, whose worlds collide amid paparazzi drama, industry secrets, and a magnetic pull that defies the spotlight. Chipman's vivid storytelling blends glitzy settings with raw emotion, keeping the pages turning.
I loved the hero's charm cracking open to reveal vulnerability, the heroine's grounded strength shining through chaos, and their push-pull chemistry that delivers swoony banter and passionate payoff. The fame-vs-privacy conflict adds stakes without overwhelming the romance.
While celebrity tropes feel familiar, Chipman's fresh emotional layers and steamy heat make it pop. Overall, I’m giving Famously Mine four stars. It’s a captivating, sexy escape perfect for fans of Hollywood romances with heart.
I went into Famously Mine excited for the friends to lovers setup, mutual pining, and a sweet cinnamon roll MMC. The premise had so much promise, especially with the vacation fling angle mixed in. Unfortunately, this one just was not the right fit for me.
I struggled with how quickly the relationship developed. I was hoping for more slow burn tension and deeper character development to really sell their connection. Instead, the story leaned heavily into physical chemistry, and with so much of the novella focused on spice, I never felt fully invested in their emotional journey. Some of the side relationships also felt overly cheesy, which pulled me out of the story at times.
That said, readers who enjoy fast moving romances with lots of heat and a soft, devoted hero may have a great time with this one. It simply came down to personal taste for me, and this one was not quite my cup of tea.
I LOVE Jennifer Chipman, I’ve said it before, but it deserves repeating. I’m slowly working my way through her backlist, so I was beyond excited for this novella.
Famously Mine is a spin-off of the Best Friends Book Club series and follows Tessa and Oliver as they navigate an instant attraction challenged by distance and timing. From the very first meeting, the chemistry is evident and it never fades. While this book DELIVERED (🥵) on spice it also delivered the sweet romance.
The yearning in this story was next level. Pure, can’t-stop-thinking-about-each-other energy that had me fully invested from start to finish.
And that barn scene? SWOONING (swipe for some stunning character art)
⭐️ actress fmc x computer engineer mmc 💛 friends to lovers ✨ wedding hookup/vacation fling 🍂 mutual pining ☀️ she lives in los angeles, he lives in portland 🍁 novella ⭐️ cinnamon roll MMC
ARC REVIEW (Spoiler Free) and HAPPY RELEASE DAY! Famously Mine by Jennifer Chipman
Tropes - Friends to lovers - Cinnamon roll MMC - Vacation fling - Instalust/spicy novella
If you’re looking for instant attraction and a quick read, this novella is for you!
Tessa & Oliver meet and the attraction starts immediately. When they are helping dog sit for Tessa’s brother and Oliver’s cousin, they spend 2 weeks together in their house but that’s all they get. Then it’s back to their lives as though the 2 weeks didn’t happen and feelings weren’t created. In this quick read you see emotions opening up raw and quick and they have to decide if they are going to sacrifice what they have for what could be.
This is the most recent story in the Best Friends Book Club series. The author still brought along characters from past stories even in this novella and tied together a new relationship really well!