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One-Track Mind: A Second Chance, Friends to Lovers Romance with Spicy Lessons
He's one of country music's biggest heartbreakers.
She's his manager and best friend. She's also been in love with him for years...
But he has no idea the first heart he ever broke was hers.
As a member of the band Outlaw, Josh Harper is country music royalty. Long before the sold-out tours and platinum albums, he was just my best friend.
He still is.
He’s also the man I’ve loved for half my life… but that’s a closely guarded secret.
I tried to move on once, building a life away from the memories, from the music, from him. My head told me I was finally free, but my heart knew better.
When Josh needed me, I came back.
Now, a decade later, we’re still tangled up in each other, crushed under the weight of everything I’ve spent years pretending not to feel.
Until one night when he offers me something I can’t refuse:
Friends with benefits.
I’ve tried every other way to get over him… maybe getting under him will finally do the trick.
Perfect for readers who love:
Best Friends to Secret Lovers
Spicy Lessons
Second Chance Romance
It's Always Been You
Inexperienced FMC
Reformed Playboy MMC
Pining, Angst, and Humor
This is book 3 in the Outlaw Series, but each book can be read as a standalone. HEA guaranteed!
Outlaw Series:
Every Now and Then
Set the Record Straight
One-Track Mind
She's his manager and best friend. She's also been in love with him for years...
But he has no idea the first heart he ever broke was hers.
As a member of the band Outlaw, Josh Harper is country music royalty. Long before the sold-out tours and platinum albums, he was just my best friend.
He still is.
He’s also the man I’ve loved for half my life… but that’s a closely guarded secret.
I tried to move on once, building a life away from the memories, from the music, from him. My head told me I was finally free, but my heart knew better.
When Josh needed me, I came back.
Now, a decade later, we’re still tangled up in each other, crushed under the weight of everything I’ve spent years pretending not to feel.
Until one night when he offers me something I can’t refuse:
Friends with benefits.
I’ve tried every other way to get over him… maybe getting under him will finally do the trick.
Perfect for readers who love:
Best Friends to Secret Lovers
Spicy Lessons
Second Chance Romance
It's Always Been You
Inexperienced FMC
Reformed Playboy MMC
Pining, Angst, and Humor
This is book 3 in the Outlaw Series, but each book can be read as a standalone. HEA guaranteed!
Outlaw Series:
Every Now and Then
Set the Record Straight
One-Track Mind
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
August 1, 2026
4🌟, 3🌶️
I had such a fun time with this one.
Best friends to lovers is already a favorite trope of mine, and adding years of hidden feelings and the country music setting made it so easy to get invested. Josh and Charlotte’s shared history gave their relationship so much depth, and I loved watching years of friendship slowly turn into something more.
Charlotte was such an easy heroine to root for, and Josh surprised me in the best way. Beneath his carefree reputation was someone thoughtful, loyal, and incredibly devoted once he finally opened his eyes to what had always been right in front of him. Their chemistry felt effortless, the banter kept me smiling, and the emotional moments landed well without ever feeling overdone.
I did wish there had been a little more communication before a few of the conflicts were resolved, which kept this from being a full five-star read for me. Even so, I really enjoyed Josh and Charlotte’s journey and loved the balance of humor, heart, and romance.
I’m really glad I gave this one a chance, and I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Erin Oliver and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
I had such a fun time with this one.
Best friends to lovers is already a favorite trope of mine, and adding years of hidden feelings and the country music setting made it so easy to get invested. Josh and Charlotte’s shared history gave their relationship so much depth, and I loved watching years of friendship slowly turn into something more.
Charlotte was such an easy heroine to root for, and Josh surprised me in the best way. Beneath his carefree reputation was someone thoughtful, loyal, and incredibly devoted once he finally opened his eyes to what had always been right in front of him. Their chemistry felt effortless, the banter kept me smiling, and the emotional moments landed well without ever feeling overdone.
I did wish there had been a little more communication before a few of the conflicts were resolved, which kept this from being a full five-star read for me. Even so, I really enjoyed Josh and Charlotte’s journey and loved the balance of humor, heart, and romance.
I’m really glad I gave this one a chance, and I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Erin Oliver and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
July 22, 2026
One Track Mind had me invested from the first chapter!
Josh a country music star and Charlotte the bands manager have been best friends since high school and Charlotte has been secretly in love with Josh since then. We get a glimpse of their relationship growing up and before the band got famous. This was so beautifully written, my first by this author and will definitely will not be my last and their journey to forever was a joy to read. Josh was the most dreamy male character, the way he took care of Charlotte was perfection and them together left you wanting more. This friend’s to lovers romance filled with banter and a wonderful cast of characters was a joy to read. It is spicy and contains some topics some might struggle with so please check if you have triggers. Would highly recommend this one!
I received a complementary copy from the author.
Josh a country music star and Charlotte the bands manager have been best friends since high school and Charlotte has been secretly in love with Josh since then. We get a glimpse of their relationship growing up and before the band got famous. This was so beautifully written, my first by this author and will definitely will not be my last and their journey to forever was a joy to read. Josh was the most dreamy male character, the way he took care of Charlotte was perfection and them together left you wanting more. This friend’s to lovers romance filled with banter and a wonderful cast of characters was a joy to read. It is spicy and contains some topics some might struggle with so please check if you have triggers. Would highly recommend this one!
I received a complementary copy from the author.
August 6, 2026
✨ARC review✨
🩷🤍One Track Mind by: Erin Oliver🤍🩷
——————————————————————————————
First…a special thank you to Erin Oliver for trusting me with this arc copy…as always, all thoughts and opinions below are my own 🥰
Ok guys I loved this book! 🥺🫶
This was my first ever read from Erin Oliver & the from the Outlaw Series and I can guarantee you it won’t be my last! The characters in this book are so easy to fall in love with. Reading about Charlotte and Josh broke my heart knowing that the love has been there for so long 😭. The longing…the chemistry…so many unspoken feelings…best friends…UGH it made this book so addicting. OH and you best believe I’m going to read the first two books in this series the first chance I get.
Tropes:
🩷Second Chance
🤍Friends to Lovers
🩷Spicy Lessons
🤍Rockstar Romance
🩷Opposites Attract
🤍It’s always been you
🩷🤍One Track Mind by: Erin Oliver🤍🩷
——————————————————————————————
First…a special thank you to Erin Oliver for trusting me with this arc copy…as always, all thoughts and opinions below are my own 🥰
Ok guys I loved this book! 🥺🫶
This was my first ever read from Erin Oliver & the from the Outlaw Series and I can guarantee you it won’t be my last! The characters in this book are so easy to fall in love with. Reading about Charlotte and Josh broke my heart knowing that the love has been there for so long 😭. The longing…the chemistry…so many unspoken feelings…best friends…UGH it made this book so addicting. OH and you best believe I’m going to read the first two books in this series the first chance I get.
Tropes:
🩷Second Chance
🤍Friends to Lovers
🩷Spicy Lessons
🤍Rockstar Romance
🩷Opposites Attract
🤍It’s always been you
August 2, 2026
I love the focus on how Josh and Charlotte’s friendship developed through multiple timelines and how they battled feelings for each other. I could picture just how Josh was pushing her buttons constantly, but being the best supporter of her. I found myself smiling while reading several times, and occasionally cackling out loud. The dynamic between Josh and Charlotte and banter with the rest of the characters is perfect. Thank you to Erin and The Smuthood for the ARC of this book. You bet I’ll be reading the rest of the series and anything else Erin writes!
July 30, 2026
✨ One Track Mind – Erin Olivier ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
🎸🤍🎤❤️🔥🎶
If you love:
• best friends to lovers
• friends with benefits
• country music romance
• “it’s always been you”
• years of pining
• reformed playboy MMC
• emotional slow burn
This book completely stole my heart! If you’re a sucker for years of unresolved feelings, emotional tension, and the moment everything finally comes to the surface, this one delivers. ❤️
Josh Harper is one of country music’s biggest stars, but long before the fame, he was simply her best friend. While he’s been living his dream, she’s spent years hiding the fact that she’s loved him almost her entire life. Watching all those unspoken feelings finally collide made this romance impossible to put down.
Josh was such a lovable hero. Beneath his playboy reputation is a man who’s loyal, caring, and completely devoted once he realizes what’s been in front of him all along. Seeing him fall just as hard had me smiling through so many chapters.
The FMC completely won me over. She was strong, patient, and incredibly easy to root for. My heart hurt for everything she’d kept bottled up for so many years, and I loved watching her finally put herself first while still opening her heart.
The chemistry between these two was incredible. The friendship, the teasing, the emotional vulnerability, and the transition into something deeper felt so natural. Every chapter had me hoping they’d finally stop dancing around their feelings.
The country music backdrop was another highlight. It added just the right amount of glamour without taking away from what really mattered—the relationship between Josh and the woman who had always been his biggest supporter.
The reason this is a 4.5-star read instead of a full five is that I wanted just a little more communication before some of the conflicts were resolved. Even so, the emotional payoff was absolutely worth the wait.
Overall, One Track Mind is a heartfelt romance filled with pining, friendship, second chances, and the realization that sometimes your forever person has been right beside you all along. If you love country music romances, best friends-to-lovers, and an “it’s always been you” love story, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. 🎸🤍✨
Thank you for this ARC copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
🎸🤍🎤❤️🔥🎶
If you love:
• best friends to lovers
• friends with benefits
• country music romance
• “it’s always been you”
• years of pining
• reformed playboy MMC
• emotional slow burn
This book completely stole my heart! If you’re a sucker for years of unresolved feelings, emotional tension, and the moment everything finally comes to the surface, this one delivers. ❤️
Josh Harper is one of country music’s biggest stars, but long before the fame, he was simply her best friend. While he’s been living his dream, she’s spent years hiding the fact that she’s loved him almost her entire life. Watching all those unspoken feelings finally collide made this romance impossible to put down.
Josh was such a lovable hero. Beneath his playboy reputation is a man who’s loyal, caring, and completely devoted once he realizes what’s been in front of him all along. Seeing him fall just as hard had me smiling through so many chapters.
The FMC completely won me over. She was strong, patient, and incredibly easy to root for. My heart hurt for everything she’d kept bottled up for so many years, and I loved watching her finally put herself first while still opening her heart.
The chemistry between these two was incredible. The friendship, the teasing, the emotional vulnerability, and the transition into something deeper felt so natural. Every chapter had me hoping they’d finally stop dancing around their feelings.
The country music backdrop was another highlight. It added just the right amount of glamour without taking away from what really mattered—the relationship between Josh and the woman who had always been his biggest supporter.
The reason this is a 4.5-star read instead of a full five is that I wanted just a little more communication before some of the conflicts were resolved. Even so, the emotional payoff was absolutely worth the wait.
Overall, One Track Mind is a heartfelt romance filled with pining, friendship, second chances, and the realization that sometimes your forever person has been right beside you all along. If you love country music romances, best friends-to-lovers, and an “it’s always been you” love story, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. 🎸🤍✨
Thank you for this ARC copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2026
If you love country music, years of unresolved tension, and a hero who finally realizes the love of his life has been standing beside him all along, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
Josh Harper is one of country music’s biggest heartbreakers. Long before the sold-out tours and platinum albums, he was just Charlotte’s best friend.
He still is.
Charlotte has been in love with him for years, but Josh has no idea the first heart he ever broke was hers.
One Track Mind is book three in the Outlaw series, and even though I hadn’t read the first two books, I had absolutely no trouble following along. I was able to jump right into the story without feeling lost, but after spending time with this group of characters, I’ll definitely be going back to read books one and two.
Second-chance romance and “it’s always been you” are two of my favorite tropes, so this book already had me invested. Charlotte and Josh have been best friends forever, and now Charlotte manages Josh’s country band. Watching their relationship evolve from lifelong friends, to coworkers, to friends with benefits, and finally into something more felt natural and completely believable.
This book had me laughing out loud more than once. The group chat alone was worth the read. Erin Olivier did such a great job balancing the humor with the emotional moments, and I loved seeing Charlotte and Josh finally work through years of unresolved feelings.
And yes…when the steamy moments finally arrived, they definitely delivered. They weren’t constant, but when they happened, they felt well-earned and fit the story perfectly.
I had such a great time with this book and am officially hooked on the Outlaw series. I can’t wait to go back and read the first two books, and I’ll definitely be picking up book four.
Josh Harper is one of country music’s biggest heartbreakers. Long before the sold-out tours and platinum albums, he was just Charlotte’s best friend.
He still is.
Charlotte has been in love with him for years, but Josh has no idea the first heart he ever broke was hers.
One Track Mind is book three in the Outlaw series, and even though I hadn’t read the first two books, I had absolutely no trouble following along. I was able to jump right into the story without feeling lost, but after spending time with this group of characters, I’ll definitely be going back to read books one and two.
Second-chance romance and “it’s always been you” are two of my favorite tropes, so this book already had me invested. Charlotte and Josh have been best friends forever, and now Charlotte manages Josh’s country band. Watching their relationship evolve from lifelong friends, to coworkers, to friends with benefits, and finally into something more felt natural and completely believable.
This book had me laughing out loud more than once. The group chat alone was worth the read. Erin Olivier did such a great job balancing the humor with the emotional moments, and I loved seeing Charlotte and Josh finally work through years of unresolved feelings.
And yes…when the steamy moments finally arrived, they definitely delivered. They weren’t constant, but when they happened, they felt well-earned and fit the story perfectly.
I had such a great time with this book and am officially hooked on the Outlaw series. I can’t wait to go back and read the first two books, and I’ll definitely be picking up book four.
July 31, 2026
I have absolutely loved receiving early copies of each book in this series! They are interconnected stand alones so you can read whichever one you want first without being confused about what’s going on! Set the Record Straight may be my favorite one so far but One Track Mind was still super good!
Josh and Charlotte were best friends in high school and the attraction was always there but nothing ever happened (what a shame! But then again we wouldn’t have this book if something did!) So now as the manager of his Band years later , they finally decide to be friends with benefits. And we all know what happens next in these books when that happens. And if not I’ll tell you: they naturally realize they’ve always loved each other !
I Deifntiely enjoyed the spicy lessons that were involved but think this could have been played up a little more. Like it felt more like they just wanted to relieve some tension than an actual lesson being taught. The spicy scenes were good though and didn’t make me cringe with any of the word choice! Josh and Char has good chemistry and I loved the jokes they shared . There really wasn’t much conflict in here either other than each of them getting over the fear of the unknown that a relationship together would bring. Which is great because I hate a third act breakup over that stuff!
Overall the book was fun and I would deifntiely recommend it to anybody who loves a rockstar or friends to lovers romance !
Josh and Charlotte were best friends in high school and the attraction was always there but nothing ever happened (what a shame! But then again we wouldn’t have this book if something did!) So now as the manager of his Band years later , they finally decide to be friends with benefits. And we all know what happens next in these books when that happens. And if not I’ll tell you: they naturally realize they’ve always loved each other !
I Deifntiely enjoyed the spicy lessons that were involved but think this could have been played up a little more. Like it felt more like they just wanted to relieve some tension than an actual lesson being taught. The spicy scenes were good though and didn’t make me cringe with any of the word choice! Josh and Char has good chemistry and I loved the jokes they shared . There really wasn’t much conflict in here either other than each of them getting over the fear of the unknown that a relationship together would bring. Which is great because I hate a third act breakup over that stuff!
Overall the book was fun and I would deifntiely recommend it to anybody who loves a rockstar or friends to lovers romance !
July 30, 2026
Okay, first of all… the playlist! I love when a book comes with its own soundtrack, and this one absolutely delivered. It was packed with some of my favorite songs, and I’m still listening to it even after finishing the book.
Now, onto the actual story. One Track Mind by Erin Olivier is the third book in the Outlaw series, and I had such a great time with it. Friends-to-lovers is one of my all-time favorite tropes, and this book reminded me exactly why.
Josh Harper is the lead bassist for one of country music’s biggest bands, Outlaw, while Charlotte is the band’s manager. They’ve also been best friends since they were kids. Charlotte has secretly been in love with Josh for years, but she’s always kept those feelings to herself. That changes when the two agree to a friends-with-benefits arrangement so Josh can help Charlotte gain a little more experience. Of course, things get complicated when real feelings are involved. Can Charlotte keep her heart out of it, or was this relationship always destined to become something more?
I ended up giving this one 4 stars. I loved Josh and Charlotte’s history together, their chemistry felt authentic, and the slow shift from friendship to something deeper had me rooting for them the entire time. And yes… the spice definitely delivered, too.
If you’re a fan of friends-to-lovers romances, country music settings, and plenty of chemistry, I’d definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.
Now, onto the actual story. One Track Mind by Erin Olivier is the third book in the Outlaw series, and I had such a great time with it. Friends-to-lovers is one of my all-time favorite tropes, and this book reminded me exactly why.
Josh Harper is the lead bassist for one of country music’s biggest bands, Outlaw, while Charlotte is the band’s manager. They’ve also been best friends since they were kids. Charlotte has secretly been in love with Josh for years, but she’s always kept those feelings to herself. That changes when the two agree to a friends-with-benefits arrangement so Josh can help Charlotte gain a little more experience. Of course, things get complicated when real feelings are involved. Can Charlotte keep her heart out of it, or was this relationship always destined to become something more?
I ended up giving this one 4 stars. I loved Josh and Charlotte’s history together, their chemistry felt authentic, and the slow shift from friendship to something deeper had me rooting for them the entire time. And yes… the spice definitely delivered, too.
If you’re a fan of friends-to-lovers romances, country music settings, and plenty of chemistry, I’d definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.
July 31, 2026
✨This was such a good time! I’m a sucker for friends to lovers, and when you throw in years of pining, a little friends with benefits chaos, and I’m automatically interested.
I felt so bad for Charlotte because she’s been in love with Josh forever, and he was just… completely clueless.😂 I enjoyed watching Josh slowly realize what had been right in front of him all along.🥹Once he started putting the pieces together, it was impossible not to root for them.🤌🏽
Charlotte is driven, witty and resilient. Watching her become more confident and standing up to herself was amazing.❤️🩹Then there is Josh, seeing whats more in him than just the fun and happy guy had me invested.🫠Even though I wanted to shake him sometimes I was rooting for him.🤭
Their chemistry felt effortless because their friendship was already so solid,🔥and I loved seeing them finally take a chance on something more. The pining, the tension, the years of friendship will get you hooked like I was.❤️🔥
⭐️Overall, this was a sweet, heartfelt romance with great banter, plenty of unresolved tension, and a couple that had me smiling by the end. This is definitely worth picking up.🙌🏽
Thank you to the Author Erin Olivier and Smuthood for the opportunity to read this ARC!💜
I felt so bad for Charlotte because she’s been in love with Josh forever, and he was just… completely clueless.😂 I enjoyed watching Josh slowly realize what had been right in front of him all along.🥹Once he started putting the pieces together, it was impossible not to root for them.🤌🏽
Charlotte is driven, witty and resilient. Watching her become more confident and standing up to herself was amazing.❤️🩹Then there is Josh, seeing whats more in him than just the fun and happy guy had me invested.🫠Even though I wanted to shake him sometimes I was rooting for him.🤭
Their chemistry felt effortless because their friendship was already so solid,🔥and I loved seeing them finally take a chance on something more. The pining, the tension, the years of friendship will get you hooked like I was.❤️🔥
⭐️Overall, this was a sweet, heartfelt romance with great banter, plenty of unresolved tension, and a couple that had me smiling by the end. This is definitely worth picking up.🙌🏽
Thank you to the Author Erin Olivier and Smuthood for the opportunity to read this ARC!💜
July 21, 2026
Thank you Erin Oliver for allowing me to read this book early!
I gave One Track Mind by Erin Oliver 3.5 stars. Rounded up to 4.
After absolutely loving the first two books in the Outlaw series, this one just didn’t hit the same for me. I was so excited for Josh and his manager/best friend (Char) story because I love a good longtime friends to lovers romance mixed with unrequited love and country music. The chemistry was definitely there, and there were some sweet moments between them, but something about the story felt a little off compared to the previous books.
The first two books completely pulled me in and had me flying through the pages, while this one felt slower and didn’t have the same emotional impact I’d come to expect from the series. I still enjoyed getting to spend more time with the Outlaw crew and seeing familiar characters again, but this installment just wasn’t my favorite.
If you’ve been following the series, it’s still worth reading to continue the band’s journey, even if it didn’t quite capture the magic of the earlier books for me. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where Erin Oliver takes the series next.
I gave One Track Mind by Erin Oliver 3.5 stars. Rounded up to 4.
After absolutely loving the first two books in the Outlaw series, this one just didn’t hit the same for me. I was so excited for Josh and his manager/best friend (Char) story because I love a good longtime friends to lovers romance mixed with unrequited love and country music. The chemistry was definitely there, and there were some sweet moments between them, but something about the story felt a little off compared to the previous books.
The first two books completely pulled me in and had me flying through the pages, while this one felt slower and didn’t have the same emotional impact I’d come to expect from the series. I still enjoyed getting to spend more time with the Outlaw crew and seeing familiar characters again, but this installment just wasn’t my favorite.
If you’ve been following the series, it’s still worth reading to continue the band’s journey, even if it didn’t quite capture the magic of the earlier books for me. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where Erin Oliver takes the series next.
August 4, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. From start to finish there was always something happening, no lulls in the story. There were parts of this book where i couldn’t read fast enough because i needed to know what happened next. It was so easy to get lost in this book because not only was the story written well, the characters were thoroughly written as well, it was so easy to love Charlotte and Josh and see how much their story had changed in the time they’d known each other,
I was fortunate enough to have read this as an ARC and i plan on reading more books by this author!
I was fortunate enough to have read this as an ARC and i plan on reading more books by this author!
August 2, 2026
Gahhh I have never wanted to slap a MMC so badly to get his brain working lol I loved Josh even though it took him forever to truly acknowledge his feelings. I was rooting for him and char the entire book. I loved the jealousy between them and the chemistry, and the LOL moments had me physically cracking up, especially with the cups (iykyk)
August 2, 2026
🎸 Finally the Right Song 🎸
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️
If you love country music, lifelong best friends, years of unresolved tension, and an "it's always been you" romance, One Track Mind is one you won't want to miss. Erin Olivier perfectly balances humor, heart, and chemistry to create a love story that feels authentic from beginning to end. Even though this is the third book in the Outlaw series, I had no trouble jumping into this world, and by the time I finished, I was already planning to go back and read the first two books.
Charlotte and Josh have spent years orbiting each other. Best friends since high school, they've been through every milestone together, from building Outlaw into one of country music's biggest bands to navigating life on the road. Charlotte has loved Josh for years, but she's convinced those feelings will never be returned. When Josh suggests they become friends with benefits, believing it can help Charlotte gain a little more experience, it becomes impossible for either of them to ignore the feelings that have been quietly growing beneath the surface all along.
Josh ended up being one of my favorite parts of this book. I loved watching him slowly realize that the woman he'd been searching for had been standing beside him the entire time. Once everything finally clicks into place, his devotion to Charlotte is undeniable. He isn't flashy or over-the-top romantic. Instead, he shows his love through loyalty, protectiveness, and the quiet moments that made their relationship feel genuine. Charlotte was equally easy to root for. After carrying these feelings for so many years, watching her finally stop settling for "almost" and believe she deserved to be chosen made her journey incredibly satisfying.
One of my favorite surprises was just how funny this book was. The group chat alone had me laughing out loud more than once, and the entire Outlaw crew brought so much personality to every scene they were in. Erin Olivier does a wonderful job balancing those lighter moments with emotional conversations, allowing the romance to develop naturally without losing the playful dynamic that made Josh and Charlotte such believable best friends. And when the spice finally arrived, it felt completely earned after all the years of longing between them.
I also have to mention the playlist at the beginning of the book. As someone who always checks an author's playlist, I loved how much it added to the reading experience. It immediately set the tone for the story and made the country music atmosphere feel even more immersive.
One Track Mind is a romance about timing, friendship, and finally finding the courage to admit what's been true all along. If you're looking for a heartfelt country music romance filled with years of pining, witty banter, found family, emotional payoff, and a hero who finally realizes the love of his life has been beside him all along, this book absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
Thank you to Erin Olivier and The Smuthood for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️
If you love country music, lifelong best friends, years of unresolved tension, and an "it's always been you" romance, One Track Mind is one you won't want to miss. Erin Olivier perfectly balances humor, heart, and chemistry to create a love story that feels authentic from beginning to end. Even though this is the third book in the Outlaw series, I had no trouble jumping into this world, and by the time I finished, I was already planning to go back and read the first two books.
Charlotte and Josh have spent years orbiting each other. Best friends since high school, they've been through every milestone together, from building Outlaw into one of country music's biggest bands to navigating life on the road. Charlotte has loved Josh for years, but she's convinced those feelings will never be returned. When Josh suggests they become friends with benefits, believing it can help Charlotte gain a little more experience, it becomes impossible for either of them to ignore the feelings that have been quietly growing beneath the surface all along.
Josh ended up being one of my favorite parts of this book. I loved watching him slowly realize that the woman he'd been searching for had been standing beside him the entire time. Once everything finally clicks into place, his devotion to Charlotte is undeniable. He isn't flashy or over-the-top romantic. Instead, he shows his love through loyalty, protectiveness, and the quiet moments that made their relationship feel genuine. Charlotte was equally easy to root for. After carrying these feelings for so many years, watching her finally stop settling for "almost" and believe she deserved to be chosen made her journey incredibly satisfying.
One of my favorite surprises was just how funny this book was. The group chat alone had me laughing out loud more than once, and the entire Outlaw crew brought so much personality to every scene they were in. Erin Olivier does a wonderful job balancing those lighter moments with emotional conversations, allowing the romance to develop naturally without losing the playful dynamic that made Josh and Charlotte such believable best friends. And when the spice finally arrived, it felt completely earned after all the years of longing between them.
I also have to mention the playlist at the beginning of the book. As someone who always checks an author's playlist, I loved how much it added to the reading experience. It immediately set the tone for the story and made the country music atmosphere feel even more immersive.
One Track Mind is a romance about timing, friendship, and finally finding the courage to admit what's been true all along. If you're looking for a heartfelt country music romance filled with years of pining, witty banter, found family, emotional payoff, and a hero who finally realizes the love of his life has been beside him all along, this book absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
Thank you to Erin Olivier and The Smuthood for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all I want to say thank you to Erin Olivier and Samantha Nicole at Smuthood for the ARC of One Track Mind! Y'all... I loved everything about this book!
I enjoy a good rockstar romance but throw a cowboy in the mix... I'm done for. This story was everything I'd hoped it would be
One of the coolest things about One Track Mind was the fact that we got to experience Josh and Charlotte's history instead of being told about it. What that did was make every moment between the two of them added so much depth to their story. Once the puzzle pieces start to fit, I was 1000% hooked with their journey's
I want to give Erin Olivier a ton of credit with Book 3 because I didn't feel like I had to stop to figure out what I'd missed previously. She did a fantastic job of weaving in the other characters from the previous books. I haven't read the first two books of this series but now I am definitely going to go back and read Books 1 and 2
I learned very quickly that Josh is the carefree member of the band, but in his book you realize his humor is armor for him, which adds so many layers to him, which were fun to peel back throughout this book. Seeing his vulnerable side, and his past being revealed added emotional depth to his character that you probably didn't get to see in the first two books. Again, I gotta go read the previous books in this series
Josh and Charlotte's growth from high school friends to adulthood with years of unresolved feelings made their journey feel that much authentic and the end for both is extremely rewarding. Their chemistry was EVERYTHING! I freaking loved the banter between these two, you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Friends-to-lovers tension never disappoints, it's so good. Y'all, their inability to admit how they feel about each other created a lot of entertaining moments, which added some light to some very heavy topics. Josh and Charlotte's relationship felt very natural and heartfelt, which made it beautiful and satisfying to watch unfold
The romance and chemistry is sweet and spicy at the same time. With that being said, this story tackles some heavier topics in a delicate way. Those would include alcohol abuse, neglect from a parent, mental/emotional abuse, and poverty. These themes added weight to a story but didn't overshadow the light at the end of tunnel. There was so much hope, healing, and heart in this story that balanced out the heavy stuff to perfection
Overall, One Track Mind is full of emotions, banter, spice, and heart... where can you go wrong with those things all wrapped up in one story with a bow at the end. If you are a fan of friends-to-lovers, found family, hilarious banter, a lot of chemistry (fire off the pages), and emotionally layered characters, then this book is for you
5 Stars! Again, thank you to Erin Olivier and Smuthood for the ARC! Y'all... I cannot recommend this book enough, it was fan freaking tastic :)
I enjoy a good rockstar romance but throw a cowboy in the mix... I'm done for. This story was everything I'd hoped it would be
One of the coolest things about One Track Mind was the fact that we got to experience Josh and Charlotte's history instead of being told about it. What that did was make every moment between the two of them added so much depth to their story. Once the puzzle pieces start to fit, I was 1000% hooked with their journey's
I want to give Erin Olivier a ton of credit with Book 3 because I didn't feel like I had to stop to figure out what I'd missed previously. She did a fantastic job of weaving in the other characters from the previous books. I haven't read the first two books of this series but now I am definitely going to go back and read Books 1 and 2
I learned very quickly that Josh is the carefree member of the band, but in his book you realize his humor is armor for him, which adds so many layers to him, which were fun to peel back throughout this book. Seeing his vulnerable side, and his past being revealed added emotional depth to his character that you probably didn't get to see in the first two books. Again, I gotta go read the previous books in this series
Josh and Charlotte's growth from high school friends to adulthood with years of unresolved feelings made their journey feel that much authentic and the end for both is extremely rewarding. Their chemistry was EVERYTHING! I freaking loved the banter between these two, you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Friends-to-lovers tension never disappoints, it's so good. Y'all, their inability to admit how they feel about each other created a lot of entertaining moments, which added some light to some very heavy topics. Josh and Charlotte's relationship felt very natural and heartfelt, which made it beautiful and satisfying to watch unfold
The romance and chemistry is sweet and spicy at the same time. With that being said, this story tackles some heavier topics in a delicate way. Those would include alcohol abuse, neglect from a parent, mental/emotional abuse, and poverty. These themes added weight to a story but didn't overshadow the light at the end of tunnel. There was so much hope, healing, and heart in this story that balanced out the heavy stuff to perfection
Overall, One Track Mind is full of emotions, banter, spice, and heart... where can you go wrong with those things all wrapped up in one story with a bow at the end. If you are a fan of friends-to-lovers, found family, hilarious banter, a lot of chemistry (fire off the pages), and emotionally layered characters, then this book is for you
5 Stars! Again, thank you to Erin Olivier and Smuthood for the ARC! Y'all... I cannot recommend this book enough, it was fan freaking tastic :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book Review: One Track Mind by Erin Olivier
⭐ Rating: 5 Stars
🌶️ Spicy Level: 5/5
First, thank you to Erin Olivier for trusting me with an advanced copy of this story. I truly appreciate the opportunity!
Let's start with Charlotte. Compared to the first two books in the series, we've mainly seen her as the band's manager—the one constantly fixing the guys' problems, handling PR disasters, and cleaning up tabloid messes. We never really got to know much about her beyond that role. In One Track Mind, we finally get to see Charlotte on a much deeper level. We learn not only who she is in the present but also who she was in high school and the experiences that shaped her into the person she is today. Overall, I found her to be funny, witty, intelligent, and incredibly resilient as she learns to stand up for herself and break free from her mother's control.
Then there's Josh, the band's bassist and backup vocalist for Outlaw. In my opinion, he's always been the lovable goofball of the group. After all, he and his brother earned the nicknames "Dumb & Dumber"! But this story reveals so much more beneath that fun-loving exterior. We get to see why Josh is so guarded emotionally, even if most people don't realize it. Like Charlotte, we also get to explore his past, going back to high school to understand where he came from and how he became the man he is today.
Now for the story itself—I absolutely loved it! I was laughing throughout the entire book thanks to Josh and Charlotte being completely oblivious to each other's feelings, their hilarious banter, the outrageous situations they find themselves in, and the unforgettable stories along the way. Watching their longtime friendship evolve from high school friends into a complicated friends-with-benefits arrangement was entertaining, emotional, and incredibly satisfying.
This book doesn't shy away from heavier topics either. It thoughtfully explores alcohol abuse, parental neglect and mistreatment, emotional and mental abuse, and poverty. I loved seeing both Josh and Charlotte support one another thru out their life starting from high school to the current time and found the strength to heal and grow together.
Overall, One Track Mind was an emotional, hilarious, spicy, and heartfelt read that had me hooked from beginning to end. If you've been following the Outlaw series, this is a must-read, and if you love friends-to-lovers romances with plenty of humor, emotional depth, and sizzling chemistry, I highly recommend picking this one up!
⭐ Rating: 5 Stars
🌶️ Spicy Level: 5/5
First, thank you to Erin Olivier for trusting me with an advanced copy of this story. I truly appreciate the opportunity!
Let's start with Charlotte. Compared to the first two books in the series, we've mainly seen her as the band's manager—the one constantly fixing the guys' problems, handling PR disasters, and cleaning up tabloid messes. We never really got to know much about her beyond that role. In One Track Mind, we finally get to see Charlotte on a much deeper level. We learn not only who she is in the present but also who she was in high school and the experiences that shaped her into the person she is today. Overall, I found her to be funny, witty, intelligent, and incredibly resilient as she learns to stand up for herself and break free from her mother's control.
Then there's Josh, the band's bassist and backup vocalist for Outlaw. In my opinion, he's always been the lovable goofball of the group. After all, he and his brother earned the nicknames "Dumb & Dumber"! But this story reveals so much more beneath that fun-loving exterior. We get to see why Josh is so guarded emotionally, even if most people don't realize it. Like Charlotte, we also get to explore his past, going back to high school to understand where he came from and how he became the man he is today.
Now for the story itself—I absolutely loved it! I was laughing throughout the entire book thanks to Josh and Charlotte being completely oblivious to each other's feelings, their hilarious banter, the outrageous situations they find themselves in, and the unforgettable stories along the way. Watching their longtime friendship evolve from high school friends into a complicated friends-with-benefits arrangement was entertaining, emotional, and incredibly satisfying.
This book doesn't shy away from heavier topics either. It thoughtfully explores alcohol abuse, parental neglect and mistreatment, emotional and mental abuse, and poverty. I loved seeing both Josh and Charlotte support one another thru out their life starting from high school to the current time and found the strength to heal and grow together.
Overall, One Track Mind was an emotional, hilarious, spicy, and heartfelt read that had me hooked from beginning to end. If you've been following the Outlaw series, this is a must-read, and if you love friends-to-lovers romances with plenty of humor, emotional depth, and sizzling chemistry, I highly recommend picking this one up!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a short fun and easy read!!! I knew from the last book that Josh was going to be an interesting MMC later on and boy did he deliver!!! And I felt for Charlotte bc I knew homegirl was going through it and it would be a rough journey to our HEA.
But Charlotte and Josh’s chemistry was undeniable even then and this book just cemented that fact.
I’m a sucker for any friends to lovers romance and I fell HARD for these two. Charlotte has this relatability and seriousness and strength to her which Josh foils beautifully with his goofyness and “peacocking”. Sometimes when I read books with these tropes you don’t really get the buildup as to why they’re friends but in this book you really do feel it. Their relationship, while messy and complicated, is wholly their own.
I loved their banter and the way they communicated with each other especially at the end. Getting to see them grow as individuals and together as a unit was EVERYTHING. Also, they’re both so funny. Like their humor complements each other so well and you can’t really see them with anyone else (friends to lovers SUPREMACY)
Usually I end up liking one character slightly more than the other, but this time Josh and Char both took my heart and never let it go. <3 their parental traumas inform how they see their relationship and the fact that they help each other through those dark moments is the healthy relationship I want to see more of. Let’s normalize protecting your peace and going no contact!!!
The scene with the period cup and when they’re scrambling to hide their relationship from Jane (her sister)….that was GOLD. I was chuckling and smiling the whole time. It’s rare for a romance book to elicit that type of response from me. Usually I’m crying or feeling angsty so it was definitely different but super nice.
This book, plot-wise and stylistically marked a departure from the other books in the series which is what made it stand out in my opinion. I think it’s my favorite book so far! (time will tell). The fact that the couple also wished to remain childfree!! Yes please!! I loved that representation and want to see more of it in romance.
All in all, I LOVED this book and can’t wait to see what story Erin comes up next!!
But Charlotte and Josh’s chemistry was undeniable even then and this book just cemented that fact.
I’m a sucker for any friends to lovers romance and I fell HARD for these two. Charlotte has this relatability and seriousness and strength to her which Josh foils beautifully with his goofyness and “peacocking”. Sometimes when I read books with these tropes you don’t really get the buildup as to why they’re friends but in this book you really do feel it. Their relationship, while messy and complicated, is wholly their own.
I loved their banter and the way they communicated with each other especially at the end. Getting to see them grow as individuals and together as a unit was EVERYTHING. Also, they’re both so funny. Like their humor complements each other so well and you can’t really see them with anyone else (friends to lovers SUPREMACY)
Usually I end up liking one character slightly more than the other, but this time Josh and Char both took my heart and never let it go. <3 their parental traumas inform how they see their relationship and the fact that they help each other through those dark moments is the healthy relationship I want to see more of. Let’s normalize protecting your peace and going no contact!!!
The scene with the period cup and when they’re scrambling to hide their relationship from Jane (her sister)….that was GOLD. I was chuckling and smiling the whole time. It’s rare for a romance book to elicit that type of response from me. Usually I’m crying or feeling angsty so it was definitely different but super nice.
This book, plot-wise and stylistically marked a departure from the other books in the series which is what made it stand out in my opinion. I think it’s my favorite book so far! (time will tell). The fact that the couple also wished to remain childfree!! Yes please!! I loved that representation and want to see more of it in romance.
All in all, I LOVED this book and can’t wait to see what story Erin comes up next!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2026
ARC Review
⭐4.5/5
🌶️3/5
📌Check TW
Erin Olivier delivered everything I could have wanted from a friends-to-lovers romance and somehow made me fall even harder for these characters than I expected.
One of my favorite things about Josh and Charlotte's relationship was that we actually got to see where it all began. Instead of simply hearing about their past, we get flashbacks to their high school years and watch their friendship grow into something much more complicated. Seeing every step of their journey made their connection feel so authentic, and by the time they found themselves navigating that messy friends-with-benefits stage, I was completely invested.
Their chemistry is incredible, but what truly made them shine was their banter. They have the kind of effortless back-and-forth that makes you smile through every conversation, and there were so many moments that had me laughing out loud. This book balances emotional depth with humor so well that I never wanted it to end.
Josh quickly became one of those book boyfriends that completely sneaks up on you. On the surface, he's the funny, carefree bassist and backup singer who always has a joke ready, but underneath all that humor is someone carrying years of hurt.
Charlotte was just as easy to love. As the band's manager, she's constantly cleaning up everyone else's messes while quietly dealing with her own. She's strong, witty, fiercely loyal, and determined to build a life that isn't defined by the toxic relationship she has with her mother.
Erin Olivier also handled the heavier themes with so much care. The story explores parental neglect, addiction, and poverty without losing its hopeful heart. Josh and Charlotte both carry scars from their past, and seeing them learn how to love each other while also healing themselves made their happily ever after feel incredibly earned.
If you love friends-to-lovers romances, country music stars, found family, unforgettable banter, emotional healing, and characters who have loved each other for years without realizing they were always meant to be together, you need to add One Track Mind to your TBR.
Thank you so much to Erin and The Smuthood for this great eARC!
⭐4.5/5
🌶️3/5
📌Check TW
Erin Olivier delivered everything I could have wanted from a friends-to-lovers romance and somehow made me fall even harder for these characters than I expected.
One of my favorite things about Josh and Charlotte's relationship was that we actually got to see where it all began. Instead of simply hearing about their past, we get flashbacks to their high school years and watch their friendship grow into something much more complicated. Seeing every step of their journey made their connection feel so authentic, and by the time they found themselves navigating that messy friends-with-benefits stage, I was completely invested.
Their chemistry is incredible, but what truly made them shine was their banter. They have the kind of effortless back-and-forth that makes you smile through every conversation, and there were so many moments that had me laughing out loud. This book balances emotional depth with humor so well that I never wanted it to end.
Josh quickly became one of those book boyfriends that completely sneaks up on you. On the surface, he's the funny, carefree bassist and backup singer who always has a joke ready, but underneath all that humor is someone carrying years of hurt.
Charlotte was just as easy to love. As the band's manager, she's constantly cleaning up everyone else's messes while quietly dealing with her own. She's strong, witty, fiercely loyal, and determined to build a life that isn't defined by the toxic relationship she has with her mother.
Erin Olivier also handled the heavier themes with so much care. The story explores parental neglect, addiction, and poverty without losing its hopeful heart. Josh and Charlotte both carry scars from their past, and seeing them learn how to love each other while also healing themselves made their happily ever after feel incredibly earned.
If you love friends-to-lovers romances, country music stars, found family, unforgettable banter, emotional healing, and characters who have loved each other for years without realizing they were always meant to be together, you need to add One Track Mind to your TBR.
Thank you so much to Erin and The Smuthood for this great eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm a sucker for a good rockstar romance, but throw a cowboy hat into the mix and I don't stand a chance. One Track Mind was everything I was hoping it would be.
One of the things I loved most was that we actually got to experience Josh and Char's history instead of just being told they had one. I absolutely loved that because it made every moment between them feel so much more meaningful. By the time everything started coming together, I was completely invested in them.
Their chemistry just worked. The friendship, the banter, the tension...it all felt so natural. The friends-with-benefits storyline never felt forced because their connection already felt so real. The spice was definitely there, but honestly, it was their relationship that completely won me over.
I also have to give Erin Olivier so much credit because this is Book 3, and I never once felt like I needed to stop and figure out what I'd missed. She did such a great job weaving in the other characters that now I genuinely want to go back and read their stories too.
I honestly thought Josh was going to steal the show for me because he had me laughing so many times, but Char completely surprised me. She absolutely held her own, and I ended up loving her just as much.
I also loved that their happily ever after looked like “their”happily ever after. It wasn't the typical romance ending, and I really appreciated that Erin stayed true to these characters and gave them the ending that fit THEM.
This book had me laughing, swooning, smiling...and constantly telling myself, “Just one more chapter." Before I knew it, I was turning the last page because I honestly could not put it down.
I honestly could tell you so much more, but I don't want to spoil anything. Just trust me on this one. ❤️
If you're looking for:
Rockstar romance
*Friends to lovers
Friends with benefits
A love story where you actually get to experience their history
Great chemistry with just the right amount of spice
Banter that'll make you laugh and moments that'll have you swooning
...I absolutely recommend picking this one up.
And seriously...don't skip the epilogue. 😂
One of the things I loved most was that we actually got to experience Josh and Char's history instead of just being told they had one. I absolutely loved that because it made every moment between them feel so much more meaningful. By the time everything started coming together, I was completely invested in them.
Their chemistry just worked. The friendship, the banter, the tension...it all felt so natural. The friends-with-benefits storyline never felt forced because their connection already felt so real. The spice was definitely there, but honestly, it was their relationship that completely won me over.
I also have to give Erin Olivier so much credit because this is Book 3, and I never once felt like I needed to stop and figure out what I'd missed. She did such a great job weaving in the other characters that now I genuinely want to go back and read their stories too.
I honestly thought Josh was going to steal the show for me because he had me laughing so many times, but Char completely surprised me. She absolutely held her own, and I ended up loving her just as much.
I also loved that their happily ever after looked like “their”happily ever after. It wasn't the typical romance ending, and I really appreciated that Erin stayed true to these characters and gave them the ending that fit THEM.
This book had me laughing, swooning, smiling...and constantly telling myself, “Just one more chapter." Before I knew it, I was turning the last page because I honestly could not put it down.
I honestly could tell you so much more, but I don't want to spoil anything. Just trust me on this one. ❤️
If you're looking for:
Rockstar romance
*Friends to lovers
Friends with benefits
A love story where you actually get to experience their history
Great chemistry with just the right amount of spice
Banter that'll make you laugh and moments that'll have you swooning
...I absolutely recommend picking this one up.
And seriously...don't skip the epilogue. 😂
July 30, 2026
Listen to me... I love a good rockstar romance, but throw a cowboy into the mix?! I am completely DONE FOR. 🎸🤠 One Track Mind by Erin Olivier was absolute perfection from start to finish, and if you are obsessed with friends-to-lovers, this book is literal gold! What made Josh and Charlotte’s story so special was that we actually got to experience their high school history through flashbacks instead of just being told about it. Watching them go from high school besties to a messy, complicated, friends-with-benefits setup made their chemistry off-the-charts explosive! 🥵 Their banter had me grinning like a fool, and their protective, "meant for each other" energy had me kicking my feet. Between the hilarious period cup scene, the scrambling to hide from her sister, and those unhinged band group chats, I was literally laughing out loud in front of my family! 😂
Both of these characters completely stole my heart in ways I didn't expect. Josh is the band’s bassist and backup singer who seems like a lovable goofball at first, but you quickly realize his humor is just armor to hide his past and emotional scars. Seeing his vulnerable side peel back made me fall so hard for him! 🥹 Then there’s Charlotte, the band’s badass manager who is constantly fixing the guys' PR disasters while secretly fighting her own battles and breaking free from a toxic mother. She’s witty, resilient, and holds her own so well against the guys.
Erin Olivier handled some heavier topics—like parental neglect, alcohol abuse, and poverty—with so much delicacy, hope, and heart. Their shared traumas informed how they loved each other, and watching them heal, set boundaries, and protect their peace together was so rewarding. Plus, can we please normalize childfree-by-choice representation in romance?! Seeing them get a happily-ever-after that was uniquely theirs was everything. 🤍
Even though this is Book 3 in the series, it works totally fine as a standalone, but the found family was so good that I am immediately going back to read Books 1 and 2! If you love a country star MMC who uses humor as armor, a fierce manager FMC, top-tier banter, and sweet-meets-spicy friends-to-lovers tension.
Both of these characters completely stole my heart in ways I didn't expect. Josh is the band’s bassist and backup singer who seems like a lovable goofball at first, but you quickly realize his humor is just armor to hide his past and emotional scars. Seeing his vulnerable side peel back made me fall so hard for him! 🥹 Then there’s Charlotte, the band’s badass manager who is constantly fixing the guys' PR disasters while secretly fighting her own battles and breaking free from a toxic mother. She’s witty, resilient, and holds her own so well against the guys.
Erin Olivier handled some heavier topics—like parental neglect, alcohol abuse, and poverty—with so much delicacy, hope, and heart. Their shared traumas informed how they loved each other, and watching them heal, set boundaries, and protect their peace together was so rewarding. Plus, can we please normalize childfree-by-choice representation in romance?! Seeing them get a happily-ever-after that was uniquely theirs was everything. 🤍
Even though this is Book 3 in the series, it works totally fine as a standalone, but the found family was so good that I am immediately going back to read Books 1 and 2! If you love a country star MMC who uses humor as armor, a fierce manager FMC, top-tier banter, and sweet-meets-spicy friends-to-lovers tension.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There might not be anything I love more than a friends to lovers, second chance romance. There is something so satisfying with this trope combo that you just can’t help but fall in love with it. I was immediately pulled into Josh and Charlotte’s love story that was just years in the making.
Josh has that rockstar cowboy mix of swagger and softness he pretends he doesn’t have. Charlotte is steady, loyal, has quietly in love with him for almost two decades. She has been the one keeping his world from falling apart as his friend and band manager. Hearing that she tried to move on but couldn’t and that it hindered her own dating/personal life because she tried to convince herself that loving him from a distance is enough… it hits hard.
Their eight week agreement is supposed to be simple. Just spicy lessons.Just structure. Just a way to help Josh get his emotional life together for sake of ever having a relationship and to help Charlotte gain some experience she is lacking, and confidence too after an ex made her feel lesser, But the second they set those boundaries, you can feel them cracking. Every “lesson” pulls another thread loose. Every moment together feels like something they’ve both been avoiding for years. It’s the kind of setup that pretends to be practical but is absolutely not fooling anyone. Josh is attentive, filthy mouthed, and coming to the realization that Charlotte is more to him than just his best friend.
"You're the only person I'd get on my knees for, kitten."
The friends to lovers tension is delicious. They have all that shared history, all the almost‑moments, all the ways they’ve already built a life together without admitting it. And the lessons are just the perfect catalyst for these two to FINALLY be together. Intentional closeness, forced honesty, all the emotional intimacy they’ve been dodging. Josh and Charlotte go together like PB&J: familiar, comforting, and so obviously meant to be that you want to shake them both.
“I loved you then. I love you now. And I will always love you.”
A huge thank you to Erin Olivier & The Smuthood PR for the early copy! I am loving the Outlaw Series!
Josh has that rockstar cowboy mix of swagger and softness he pretends he doesn’t have. Charlotte is steady, loyal, has quietly in love with him for almost two decades. She has been the one keeping his world from falling apart as his friend and band manager. Hearing that she tried to move on but couldn’t and that it hindered her own dating/personal life because she tried to convince herself that loving him from a distance is enough… it hits hard.
Their eight week agreement is supposed to be simple. Just spicy lessons.Just structure. Just a way to help Josh get his emotional life together for sake of ever having a relationship and to help Charlotte gain some experience she is lacking, and confidence too after an ex made her feel lesser, But the second they set those boundaries, you can feel them cracking. Every “lesson” pulls another thread loose. Every moment together feels like something they’ve both been avoiding for years. It’s the kind of setup that pretends to be practical but is absolutely not fooling anyone. Josh is attentive, filthy mouthed, and coming to the realization that Charlotte is more to him than just his best friend.
"You're the only person I'd get on my knees for, kitten."
The friends to lovers tension is delicious. They have all that shared history, all the almost‑moments, all the ways they’ve already built a life together without admitting it. And the lessons are just the perfect catalyst for these two to FINALLY be together. Intentional closeness, forced honesty, all the emotional intimacy they’ve been dodging. Josh and Charlotte go together like PB&J: familiar, comforting, and so obviously meant to be that you want to shake them both.
“I loved you then. I love you now. And I will always love you.”
A huge thank you to Erin Olivier & The Smuthood PR for the early copy! I am loving the Outlaw Series!
July 30, 2026
One Track Mind is a beautifully written friends to lovers romance that follows Charlotte, Outlaw’s hardworking band manager, and Josh, the charismatic country music star and bassist. Their relationship spans years of friendship, hidden feelings, and shared history, making their journey feel authentic and deeply emotional.
One of the book’s standout features is it allows us to experience Josh and Charlotte’s bond from their high school days through the present. Rather than simply being told about their past, we get to witness the moments that shaped their connection, making every interaction feel meaningful.
Charlotte is a fantastic heroine: witty, intelligent, resilient, and fiercely loyal. Seeing her step out from behind her role as the band’s problem-solver and finally prioritize her own happiness was incredibly rewarding. Josh also shines as a character, revealing a much deeper and more vulnerable side beneath his carefree and humorous exterior.
The chemistry between Josh and Charlotte is exceptional. Their banter is funny and effortless, the slowburn tension keeps the pages turning, and their transition from best friends to something more feels natural and believable. Josh’s protectiveness, care, and unwavering support for Charlotte make him an especially swoon-worthy romantic lead.
Beyond the romance, the story explores the elements that adds emotional depth without taking away from the warmth, humor, and hope at the heart of the story.
The book strikes a great balance between heartfelt moments, LOL humor, and plenty of spice. The group chats, playful interactions, and found-family dynamics make the supporting cast just as memorable as the main couple.
Overall, it is an emotional, funny, spicy, and heartwarming romance that delivers everything fans of the friends-to-lovers trope could want. With strong character development, genuine chemistry, and a satisfying happily-ever-after that stays true to the characters, it’s a highly recommended read for romance lovers.
A total 5 star read.
Thank you Erin for the advanced copy!!
One of the book’s standout features is it allows us to experience Josh and Charlotte’s bond from their high school days through the present. Rather than simply being told about their past, we get to witness the moments that shaped their connection, making every interaction feel meaningful.
Charlotte is a fantastic heroine: witty, intelligent, resilient, and fiercely loyal. Seeing her step out from behind her role as the band’s problem-solver and finally prioritize her own happiness was incredibly rewarding. Josh also shines as a character, revealing a much deeper and more vulnerable side beneath his carefree and humorous exterior.
The chemistry between Josh and Charlotte is exceptional. Their banter is funny and effortless, the slowburn tension keeps the pages turning, and their transition from best friends to something more feels natural and believable. Josh’s protectiveness, care, and unwavering support for Charlotte make him an especially swoon-worthy romantic lead.
Beyond the romance, the story explores the elements that adds emotional depth without taking away from the warmth, humor, and hope at the heart of the story.
The book strikes a great balance between heartfelt moments, LOL humor, and plenty of spice. The group chats, playful interactions, and found-family dynamics make the supporting cast just as memorable as the main couple.
Overall, it is an emotional, funny, spicy, and heartwarming romance that delivers everything fans of the friends-to-lovers trope could want. With strong character development, genuine chemistry, and a satisfying happily-ever-after that stays true to the characters, it’s a highly recommended read for romance lovers.
A total 5 star read.
Thank you Erin for the advanced copy!!
July 30, 2026
One Track Mind
By @authorerinolivier
Erin is a must read author for me! I devoured this book in 24 hours and I want the next book- like yesterday!
Book 3 in the Outlaw series
Our story opens with Charlotte, band manger extraordinaire to Country Music’s hottest band, Outlaw-picking up Josh,aka dumber and bassist from his hookup gone weird, let’s just say things we’re suggesting to enter holes that should not, and I will leave it at that!
So it’s late night and Charlotte is on best friend/manager duty to save ole Josh!
Flashback to there first meeting as juniors in high school, Charlotte spun 32-26-54 on her locker and nothing happened, until a handsome stranger, Josh offered her sound advice to actually open her locker and then they became inseparable. Josh introduced her to his brother and best friends, who would go on to be band mates and hence Outlaw was birthed, and Charlotte was there from the beginning, there friend and manager and secretly crushing on Josh and he was too 😏 don’t worry, Kitten ❤️
They lost touch for a little while for Charlotte to pursue her college degree and before the band made it big- thus causing some trust issues, but these two were meant to be reunited and make there way back…
Now present day, all the band members are attached with partners and Dumber is odd man out, Charlotte is coming off of a break up too- so these two strike up a casual arrangement and like most of these “it stopped being casual the moment it started.”
A must read to see how these two work their way back to each other…
“Because I’ve been in love with Josh since I was 16 years old.” Char-
“And with sudden, startling clarity, it hits me. I’m in love with Charlotte.” Josh
These two are music to my ears and run, don’t walk to download today! I’m not sure what Erin puts into her books, but I love them so and you will too!!!
100/10 banter- period cups, if you know you know, the hottest chemistry and country music hotties, I give this one an endless song rating 🎶
I’ll follow you anywhere Erin, this series has my heart❤️
It’s out today, now gooooooooo!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
One Track Mind by @authorerinolivier
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“But maybe falling in love isn’t some cataclysmic, impossible to miss event. Maybe love is quieter than that. Maybe love isn’t found in grand gestures. Perhaps it hides inside the tiny, ordinary moments until one day, without either of you realizing it, they become something special. Something sacred.” ✨
🅐🅡🅒 🅡🅔🅥🅘🅔🅦
You guys, this book! The slow burn, the friends to lovers, the hilarious group chats, the banter and connection between the characters in this story…it all just leaves you wanting more.
Josh’s protectiveness, care, and tenderness with Charlotte from the moment they meet is the absolute most swoon thing ever.
Charlotte’s witty, determined, independent, and fiercely loyal personality makes it easy to love her.
I loved the humor thrown into the story at just the right moments. I would be all in my feels and suddenly, there’s a group chat that has me literally laughing out loud in front of my family who now think I have lost my mind.
You cannot read this book and not fall in love with these people and the way they have held each other through every season of life. We all want that and this story embodies that on every level.
Some things to note:
1. The spice was spicing. Personally, I would give this a 5 on the 🌶️ rating but then again I get red faced and awkward when there is any spice so maybe this is just me but I felt it was very spicy. 😂 It is definitely an open door relationship for those who wish to know that before reading.
2. There are some subjects that might be sensitive for some readers such as parental abandonment, alcoholism, parental emotional abuse and neglect, and loss.
I want to say thank you again to @thesmuthood and @authorerinolivier for entrusting little old me to read your story and provide a review. It was truly an honor and I hope you have an amazing release day! 🎉
Until Next Time Readers,
𝓚𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝔂 ✨
#thesmuthood #erinolivier #onetrackmind #smuthoodpromo #booksta
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“But maybe falling in love isn’t some cataclysmic, impossible to miss event. Maybe love is quieter than that. Maybe love isn’t found in grand gestures. Perhaps it hides inside the tiny, ordinary moments until one day, without either of you realizing it, they become something special. Something sacred.” ✨
🅐🅡🅒 🅡🅔🅥🅘🅔🅦
You guys, this book! The slow burn, the friends to lovers, the hilarious group chats, the banter and connection between the characters in this story…it all just leaves you wanting more.
Josh’s protectiveness, care, and tenderness with Charlotte from the moment they meet is the absolute most swoon thing ever.
Charlotte’s witty, determined, independent, and fiercely loyal personality makes it easy to love her.
I loved the humor thrown into the story at just the right moments. I would be all in my feels and suddenly, there’s a group chat that has me literally laughing out loud in front of my family who now think I have lost my mind.
You cannot read this book and not fall in love with these people and the way they have held each other through every season of life. We all want that and this story embodies that on every level.
Some things to note:
1. The spice was spicing. Personally, I would give this a 5 on the 🌶️ rating but then again I get red faced and awkward when there is any spice so maybe this is just me but I felt it was very spicy. 😂 It is definitely an open door relationship for those who wish to know that before reading.
2. There are some subjects that might be sensitive for some readers such as parental abandonment, alcoholism, parental emotional abuse and neglect, and loss.
I want to say thank you again to @thesmuthood and @authorerinolivier for entrusting little old me to read your story and provide a review. It was truly an honor and I hope you have an amazing release day! 🎉
Until Next Time Readers,
𝓚𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝔂 ✨
#thesmuthood #erinolivier #onetrackmind #smuthoodpromo #booksta
July 30, 2026
• ARC REVIEW •
• ONE TRACK MIND: ERIN OLIVIER •
• CHARLOTTE & JOSH•
•⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️•
First and foremost I want to thank Erin and her team for my ARC copy! I have been waiting for Charlotte and Josh's story since the first book, and oh my gosh I am so obsessed with it! I was so obsessed with the banter, the spice and the overall storyline of this book!
Char and Josh have been best friends since high school, and their relationship has been there for quite a while, but not necessarily how they both wanted it to be at the time. They had their own demons to face. Fast forward to now, and that relationship is only growing!
Charlotte was defiantly the highlight for me in this book. He personality is one I can relate to! She is funny, independent (but willing to ask for help) and so smart! She knows what she wants in her life and I loved how she stands up for herself. I loved getting to know her in such a deeper and personal level.
Josh, oh josh. The fun loving one of the band that everyone just can't help but love! Like Charlotte I loved getting to know him in a deeper level. Learning about his life growing up, and why he keeps things to himself, even when people don't see this. And I adored how he cared for Charlotte, and his band. It was so special to read.
I loved that this book started with flashbacks, and gave us that story of before. Seeing how their past shaped how they are now, and how their story actually began!
I absolutely loved seeing the past characters! Watching their stories continue to grow is so special and seeing their impacts on this story was also extra special!
Unfortunately, unlike the other two books in this series, this one took me a while to get into. And the nickname he chose for her gave me a bit of the ick, IYKYK. In saying that though, I still enjoyed the story and loved seeing Char and Josh's relationship grow.
I can't wait to see what Erin has in store for us next! I just know its going to be good!!
• ONE TRACK MIND: ERIN OLIVIER •
• CHARLOTTE & JOSH•
•⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️•
First and foremost I want to thank Erin and her team for my ARC copy! I have been waiting for Charlotte and Josh's story since the first book, and oh my gosh I am so obsessed with it! I was so obsessed with the banter, the spice and the overall storyline of this book!
Char and Josh have been best friends since high school, and their relationship has been there for quite a while, but not necessarily how they both wanted it to be at the time. They had their own demons to face. Fast forward to now, and that relationship is only growing!
Charlotte was defiantly the highlight for me in this book. He personality is one I can relate to! She is funny, independent (but willing to ask for help) and so smart! She knows what she wants in her life and I loved how she stands up for herself. I loved getting to know her in such a deeper and personal level.
Josh, oh josh. The fun loving one of the band that everyone just can't help but love! Like Charlotte I loved getting to know him in a deeper level. Learning about his life growing up, and why he keeps things to himself, even when people don't see this. And I adored how he cared for Charlotte, and his band. It was so special to read.
I loved that this book started with flashbacks, and gave us that story of before. Seeing how their past shaped how they are now, and how their story actually began!
I absolutely loved seeing the past characters! Watching their stories continue to grow is so special and seeing their impacts on this story was also extra special!
Unfortunately, unlike the other two books in this series, this one took me a while to get into. And the nickname he chose for her gave me a bit of the ick, IYKYK. In saying that though, I still enjoyed the story and loved seeing Char and Josh's relationship grow.
I can't wait to see what Erin has in store for us next! I just know its going to be good!!
August 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Erin always delivers! 👏
I have been anxiously awaiting Josh & Char’s story since the moment I finished book two, and they did not disappoint! I feel like Erin is my dealer feeding my addiction to this series & I CANNOT GET ENOUGH! I know I have said it before but I will say it again, the Outlaw Series is hands down one of my favorite romance series of all time! The angst & yearning between Josh & Char is delicious & I ate up every bit.
Charlotte is the ultimate FMC, providing a steady stream of witty one-liners & Josh is the playboy of one of Nashville’s most famous bands Outlaw. They two have been best friends since childhood and always kept the ultimate secret… they have always had feelings and struggled to hide them to protect the friendship. The writing in this book is top notch and does not miss a beat, I was hooked and could not put it down.
Fast forward to adulthood, and Charlotte is a powerhouse manager of Outlaw & thrives on her boundaries, and Josh is allergic to boundaries and delivers a proposal to Char that she cannot resist, friends with benefits. We all know how this is going to go.
Book three delivered in the best ways & brought you into a friendship turned decades long love story. Their story swept me away & I really loved every moment & how it really tugged at my heart in the best ways. This series is filled with books that leave you wanting to read them over and over. There are several moments in this series that live rent free in my head permanently and cannot be beat. Do yourself a favor & ready it - I swear you will love it!
Thank you @authorerinolivier and @thesmuthood for allowing me to ARC read for you, and I cannot wait for what is next for our favorite Nashville band. I will continue to shout this series from the rooftops, it’s truly that good!
What to Expect:
💕Best Friend to Secret Lovers
💕Spicy Lessons
💕It’s Always Been You
💕Small Town Histories
💕Spicy Slow Burn
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Erin always delivers! 👏
I have been anxiously awaiting Josh & Char’s story since the moment I finished book two, and they did not disappoint! I feel like Erin is my dealer feeding my addiction to this series & I CANNOT GET ENOUGH! I know I have said it before but I will say it again, the Outlaw Series is hands down one of my favorite romance series of all time! The angst & yearning between Josh & Char is delicious & I ate up every bit.
Charlotte is the ultimate FMC, providing a steady stream of witty one-liners & Josh is the playboy of one of Nashville’s most famous bands Outlaw. They two have been best friends since childhood and always kept the ultimate secret… they have always had feelings and struggled to hide them to protect the friendship. The writing in this book is top notch and does not miss a beat, I was hooked and could not put it down.
Fast forward to adulthood, and Charlotte is a powerhouse manager of Outlaw & thrives on her boundaries, and Josh is allergic to boundaries and delivers a proposal to Char that she cannot resist, friends with benefits. We all know how this is going to go.
Book three delivered in the best ways & brought you into a friendship turned decades long love story. Their story swept me away & I really loved every moment & how it really tugged at my heart in the best ways. This series is filled with books that leave you wanting to read them over and over. There are several moments in this series that live rent free in my head permanently and cannot be beat. Do yourself a favor & ready it - I swear you will love it!
Thank you @authorerinolivier and @thesmuthood for allowing me to ARC read for you, and I cannot wait for what is next for our favorite Nashville band. I will continue to shout this series from the rooftops, it’s truly that good!
What to Expect:
💕Best Friend to Secret Lovers
💕Spicy Lessons
💕It’s Always Been You
💕Small Town Histories
💕Spicy Slow Burn
Review of advance copy received from Author
4 ⭐️’s | ARC REVIEW
I have been so anxious for Josh's story ever since we really got to know him in Set the Record Straight. And I'll be honest... I did NOT like him at all. 😂 He was such a jerk! But the second I found out book three was going to be his story, I knew Erin was going to give us an incredible redemption story!!
This book felt so different from the first two!! While books one and two leaned more into the heavier drama, tension, and emotional punches, this one brought so much humor, and I absolutely LOVED it. Erin had me laughing out loud so many times!! The banter, awkward moments, and inner dialogue were hilarious. Erin... I think you need to write more rom-com cause this was fantastic!!! But even thought this had humor, this story still had some emotional vibes to it! At its heart, it's about two people who have spent their lives just wanting to be chosen. Josh carries the wounds of being abandoned by his mother, while Char has spent years dealing with the emotional damage from her toxic relationship with her own mom. Watching them find comfort, safety, and healing in each other was such a beautiful part of this story.
Now, best friends to lovers isn't usually my favorite trope, but Erin added a little twist that made this one so much fun. The "friends with benefits" arrangement gave off just enough fake-dating energy that the tension, flirting, and banter between Josh and Char had me grinning the entire time. And I freaking LOVED Char, she was hilarious!! I knew we were going to get a lot of joke and humor with Josh based on the previous books, but man, the awkward moments with Char was just amazing!!!
I've been loving the Outlaw series so much, and now I'm dying to know who book four is about because I honestly have no clue! 😂
Thank you so much Erin Oliver for this ARC opportunity!!!
I have been so anxious for Josh's story ever since we really got to know him in Set the Record Straight. And I'll be honest... I did NOT like him at all. 😂 He was such a jerk! But the second I found out book three was going to be his story, I knew Erin was going to give us an incredible redemption story!!
This book felt so different from the first two!! While books one and two leaned more into the heavier drama, tension, and emotional punches, this one brought so much humor, and I absolutely LOVED it. Erin had me laughing out loud so many times!! The banter, awkward moments, and inner dialogue were hilarious. Erin... I think you need to write more rom-com cause this was fantastic!!! But even thought this had humor, this story still had some emotional vibes to it! At its heart, it's about two people who have spent their lives just wanting to be chosen. Josh carries the wounds of being abandoned by his mother, while Char has spent years dealing with the emotional damage from her toxic relationship with her own mom. Watching them find comfort, safety, and healing in each other was such a beautiful part of this story.
Now, best friends to lovers isn't usually my favorite trope, but Erin added a little twist that made this one so much fun. The "friends with benefits" arrangement gave off just enough fake-dating energy that the tension, flirting, and banter between Josh and Char had me grinning the entire time. And I freaking LOVED Char, she was hilarious!! I knew we were going to get a lot of joke and humor with Josh based on the previous books, but man, the awkward moments with Char was just amazing!!!
I've been loving the Outlaw series so much, and now I'm dying to know who book four is about because I honestly have no clue! 😂
Thank you so much Erin Oliver for this ARC opportunity!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW - One-Track Mind by Erin Olivier
I've been waiting for Josh and Charlotte's story ever since meeting them in the first two Outlaw books and seeing their push/pull over the earlier storylines. I loved finally getting to see how everything started!
The flashbacks to their teenage years were one of my favorite parts. It was enjoyable to learn all the backstory after knowing them more as side characters for so long.
Josh has been through a lot, so it made sense why he struggled with relationships. I really liked seeing how much he grew throughout the book. He definitely made some immature decisions when he was younger, especially around his relationship with Charlotte, but that's part of growing up, and by the end he had become the kind of partner Charlotte deserved- devoted, kind, strong, and protective.
Once these two got out of their own way to a degree and decided to give a friends-with-benefits arrangement a try... let's just say the spicy lessons definitely delivered. 🌶️🔥
My only real hang-up was that Charlotte's parents never seemed to notice just how much time Josh was spending in her room or how close the two were in their teenage years. Sneaking in through the window, sleeping over... for years? That felt a little hard to believe, even with the explanation that they were pretty disconnected.
But that didn't impact my overall impression or enjoyment of this book. I had such a good time with this one. Erin Olivier always pulls me right back into the Outlaw world, and I loved finally getting to know Charlotte beyond the glimpses we got in the earlier books where she was always more of a supporting side character. Watching her get her (child free by choice) HEA with Josh made me so happy!
Tropes:
🎸 Best Friends to Lovers
🎸Second Chance Romance
🎸Spicy Lessons
🎸It's Always Been You
🎸Inexperienced FMC
🎸Reformed Playboy MMC
I've been waiting for Josh and Charlotte's story ever since meeting them in the first two Outlaw books and seeing their push/pull over the earlier storylines. I loved finally getting to see how everything started!
The flashbacks to their teenage years were one of my favorite parts. It was enjoyable to learn all the backstory after knowing them more as side characters for so long.
Josh has been through a lot, so it made sense why he struggled with relationships. I really liked seeing how much he grew throughout the book. He definitely made some immature decisions when he was younger, especially around his relationship with Charlotte, but that's part of growing up, and by the end he had become the kind of partner Charlotte deserved- devoted, kind, strong, and protective.
Once these two got out of their own way to a degree and decided to give a friends-with-benefits arrangement a try... let's just say the spicy lessons definitely delivered. 🌶️🔥
My only real hang-up was that Charlotte's parents never seemed to notice just how much time Josh was spending in her room or how close the two were in their teenage years. Sneaking in through the window, sleeping over... for years? That felt a little hard to believe, even with the explanation that they were pretty disconnected.
But that didn't impact my overall impression or enjoyment of this book. I had such a good time with this one. Erin Olivier always pulls me right back into the Outlaw world, and I loved finally getting to know Charlotte beyond the glimpses we got in the earlier books where she was always more of a supporting side character. Watching her get her (child free by choice) HEA with Josh made me so happy!
Tropes:
🎸 Best Friends to Lovers
🎸Second Chance Romance
🎸Spicy Lessons
🎸It's Always Been You
🎸Inexperienced FMC
🎸Reformed Playboy MMC
August 1, 2026
Funny, Sexy, Sweet, and Completely Addictive
I literally said “loved it” out loud when I finished One-Track Mind.
Charlotte and Josh have the kind of connection that feels like an invisible string has always kept them in each other’s orbit. Their friendship has already survived time apart, years of working closely together, and all the complicated feelings neither of them has fully confronted. That history made their transition from friends to something more feel natural, emotional, and completely earned.
I especially loved Charlotte. She is confident and take-charge in her career, and she never felt like a passive victim of unrequited love. She knows what she feels for Josh, but she has also built a full life for herself. Watching her grow in both her personal life and career was one of my favorite parts of the story.
The sex-lessons premise was so well executed because it was not simply an excuse to add spice. It became an important part of Charlotte rebuilding the confidence a past relationship had taken from her, while also forcing Josh to look more closely at the feelings he had never fully understood.
Their chemistry was playful, sweet, and at times downright sexy. Josh made Charlotte feel special, cherished, and confident. He stood up for her, cared for her when she was struggling, and showed through his actions that he would always be there when she needed him. Charlotte showed that same devotion to Josh, even when protecting her own heart would have been easier.
This was funny, sexy, sweet, and had exactly the right amount of drama. The friendship, emotional connection, character growth, and spice all worked together beautifully. An easy five stars.
I received an advance reader copy (ARC) from Smuthood Promo in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I literally said “loved it” out loud when I finished One-Track Mind.
Charlotte and Josh have the kind of connection that feels like an invisible string has always kept them in each other’s orbit. Their friendship has already survived time apart, years of working closely together, and all the complicated feelings neither of them has fully confronted. That history made their transition from friends to something more feel natural, emotional, and completely earned.
I especially loved Charlotte. She is confident and take-charge in her career, and she never felt like a passive victim of unrequited love. She knows what she feels for Josh, but she has also built a full life for herself. Watching her grow in both her personal life and career was one of my favorite parts of the story.
The sex-lessons premise was so well executed because it was not simply an excuse to add spice. It became an important part of Charlotte rebuilding the confidence a past relationship had taken from her, while also forcing Josh to look more closely at the feelings he had never fully understood.
Their chemistry was playful, sweet, and at times downright sexy. Josh made Charlotte feel special, cherished, and confident. He stood up for her, cared for her when she was struggling, and showed through his actions that he would always be there when she needed him. Charlotte showed that same devotion to Josh, even when protecting her own heart would have been easier.
This was funny, sexy, sweet, and had exactly the right amount of drama. The friendship, emotional connection, character growth, and spice all worked together beautifully. An easy five stars.
I received an advance reader copy (ARC) from Smuthood Promo in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
You know the romance plot where everything could be fixed if the two of them would just sit down and have one honest conversation? This is that book, and for once I got why they weren't talking.
So often the miscommunication trope falls apart because the reasons the characters stay silent make no sense and you want to shake them. Not here. The reasons these two weren't talking about certain things were reasonable enough that I probably would have made the same call in their shoes. That one choice is what made the whole book work for me.
The slow burn is well done and the spice is written well. I loved that the male lead stood up for her when she needed it and still never treated her like she was weak or incapable in the moments when she was perfectly capable of handling things herself.
There are a lot of smaller conflicts threaded through the story that kept things moving, so it never stalled out waiting on the big one. The ending got a little sappy for my taste, although I still enjoyed it.
One more thing worth mentioning. This is the second romance I've read lately with characters who are child free by choice, and I love that it seems to be gaining momentum. I'm a very happy mom, and I still think it matters that people aren't shamed for choosing a different path. Books that put those choices on the page without judgment are one way we normalize it, and I want more of them.
This was my first Erin Olivier book and I'm already looking for the rest of her backlist.
If the "why won't they just talk to each other" trope usually makes you want to throw your Kobo across the room, this is the one that gets it right. Have you read Erin Olivier before? Tell me where to go next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book.
So often the miscommunication trope falls apart because the reasons the characters stay silent make no sense and you want to shake them. Not here. The reasons these two weren't talking about certain things were reasonable enough that I probably would have made the same call in their shoes. That one choice is what made the whole book work for me.
The slow burn is well done and the spice is written well. I loved that the male lead stood up for her when she needed it and still never treated her like she was weak or incapable in the moments when she was perfectly capable of handling things herself.
There are a lot of smaller conflicts threaded through the story that kept things moving, so it never stalled out waiting on the big one. The ending got a little sappy for my taste, although I still enjoyed it.
One more thing worth mentioning. This is the second romance I've read lately with characters who are child free by choice, and I love that it seems to be gaining momentum. I'm a very happy mom, and I still think it matters that people aren't shamed for choosing a different path. Books that put those choices on the page without judgment are one way we normalize it, and I want more of them.
This was my first Erin Olivier book and I'm already looking for the rest of her backlist.
If the "why won't they just talk to each other" trope usually makes you want to throw your Kobo across the room, this is the one that gets it right. Have you read Erin Olivier before? Tell me where to go next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book.
Review of advance copy
Thank you Erin Oliver and The Smuthood for an arc read of One Track Mind.
Summary:
Charlotte has been in love with her best friend ever since they first met in high school. Afraid of losing their close friendship, Josh refuses to take their relationship any further. The two drift apart during Charlotte’s college years until they reunite when she becomes the manager of Josh’s country music band. There, she watches him drift through life and relationships while secretly holding on to the love she’s carried for him since high school. To make things even more complicated, Josh proposes a friends-with-benefits arrangement where he’ll teach Charlotte about the physical side of a relationship while she helps him understand the emotional side. But will it bring them closer together, or will it ruin their friendship forever?
Thoughts:
-This book had my heart in a vice right from the start. I knew it was going to be emotional.
-I find childhood friends-to-lovers stories to be such an emotional ride, and this book absolutely lived up to the trope.
-My heart hurt for both of these characters during their younger years, and even more so for Charlotte in her mid-thirties.
-This friends-with-benefits romance truly lived up to the trope. The emotions are so intense right from the beginning, which made this book so freaking good.
-I loved the growth both of these MCs experienced throughout their younger and adult years as they matured into better people, stronger friends, and career-driven individuals.
-I did struggle with how Josh wasn’t completely honest with Charlotte about some major events, especially since she was honest about most things between them. Then again, she wasn’t always completely honest either. It still made for an enjoyable and emotional read!
Summary:
Charlotte has been in love with her best friend ever since they first met in high school. Afraid of losing their close friendship, Josh refuses to take their relationship any further. The two drift apart during Charlotte’s college years until they reunite when she becomes the manager of Josh’s country music band. There, she watches him drift through life and relationships while secretly holding on to the love she’s carried for him since high school. To make things even more complicated, Josh proposes a friends-with-benefits arrangement where he’ll teach Charlotte about the physical side of a relationship while she helps him understand the emotional side. But will it bring them closer together, or will it ruin their friendship forever?
Thoughts:
-This book had my heart in a vice right from the start. I knew it was going to be emotional.
-I find childhood friends-to-lovers stories to be such an emotional ride, and this book absolutely lived up to the trope.
-My heart hurt for both of these characters during their younger years, and even more so for Charlotte in her mid-thirties.
-This friends-with-benefits romance truly lived up to the trope. The emotions are so intense right from the beginning, which made this book so freaking good.
-I loved the growth both of these MCs experienced throughout their younger and adult years as they matured into better people, stronger friends, and career-driven individuals.
-I did struggle with how Josh wasn’t completely honest with Charlotte about some major events, especially since she was honest about most things between them. Then again, she wasn’t always completely honest either. It still made for an enjoyable and emotional read!
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