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In the Lonely Hours
What if the line between irritation and attraction is thinner than the wall between you?
After another brutal night in the ER, Dr. Theodora Brennan wants one thing: sleep. What she gets is a new neighbor, Catherine Matthews, a former concert pianist with a rigid routine and music that bleeds through the walls at two in the morning.
What begins as a wary standoff becomes something neither of them expects. Catherine has spent years perfecting the distance between herself and the rest of the world. Theo has spent years running toward everyone else's emergencies to avoid her own. In the quiet hours between their apartments, when defenses slip, something shifts.
In the Lonely Hours is an emotionally intimate slow burn about two women who have spent years avoiding the very thing they are now being offered. Wry, tender, and quietly charged, it explores control and vulnerability, the wounds we carry in private, and the unexpected ways people find each other in the dark.
For readers who love character-driven romance, slow-burn enemies-to-friends-to-lovers tension, and second chances that ache before they heal.
After another brutal night in the ER, Dr. Theodora Brennan wants one thing: sleep. What she gets is a new neighbor, Catherine Matthews, a former concert pianist with a rigid routine and music that bleeds through the walls at two in the morning.
What begins as a wary standoff becomes something neither of them expects. Catherine has spent years perfecting the distance between herself and the rest of the world. Theo has spent years running toward everyone else's emergencies to avoid her own. In the quiet hours between their apartments, when defenses slip, something shifts.
In the Lonely Hours is an emotionally intimate slow burn about two women who have spent years avoiding the very thing they are now being offered. Wry, tender, and quietly charged, it explores control and vulnerability, the wounds we carry in private, and the unexpected ways people find each other in the dark.
For readers who love character-driven romance, slow-burn enemies-to-friends-to-lovers tension, and second chances that ache before they heal.
410 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2026
About the author
Elle Alexanda
2 books156 followersSapphic author fueled by coffee and catastrophic crushes on fictional ice queens ⚢
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
May 5, 2026
I loved Theo and Catherine’s relationship from minute one. Them communicating non stop, from post it, to text, to calls and more. The banter is A class. Seeing their relationhip growing in a crescendo was simply a delight. It was both funny and so tender at the same time. Theo and Catherine are so complementary, and Theo is the perfect representation of patience and thoughtfulness Catherine needed. I don’t think they take that much time to cross the line, yet, this book is a slow burn, with the perfect amount of « gosh when will these fools get together ». Catherine was the one holding back the relationship most of the time but I really understood her being not reasonable, but not being able to fight it. I felt like I was in Mary’s shoes, the lovely neighbor who provided the perfect dose of meddling. Both characters felt layered, with Theo struggling to grow outside parental expectations and Catherine still needing to recover. I love when authors take time to make relationships and characters grow. That’s why I really liked their necessary time apart; it made me savor their reunion so much more because it felt earned. If I had one minor gripe, it would be that I wanted to know more about Catherine's condition and how it impacted her daily life.
I simply devoured this book.
I simply devoured this book.
June 29, 2026
I see now why this book is getting so many positive reviews. The story is the perfect mix of longing for purpose and for love.
Dr. Theo Brennan is a resident in a fast paced emergency room, close to being burnt out but holding on so she can continue on the track laid out by her brilliant surgeon parents. Living only a few doors down from Theo is a world class pianist, Catherine Matthews, who insists on practicing in the wee hours of the night. Their clashes are delightfully diabolical with plenty of sharp banter and a heated undertow. But both characters are hiding from personal struggles that make it difficult for them to trust which makes for a tentative but achingly sweet courting.
I enjoyed this book in so many ways because it diverges from being a spicy, humorous romance, which in itself is wonderful, and morphs into a tender story about two people each finding their truth and then being able to accept love. The support characters are strong and help to drive the story rather than just being background. I also want to mention that music plays a big part in their story. As I was reading the book, I kept marveling at how the author has Theo and Catherine communicate in alternate ways to express their growing intimacy, with gestures, innocuous gifts, and shared songs. I just flat out loved this story.
I recommend for fans of sharp-witted characters, age gap (10 years), high heat chemistry, angst, and love stories that make you gasp with happiness.
Dr. Theo Brennan is a resident in a fast paced emergency room, close to being burnt out but holding on so she can continue on the track laid out by her brilliant surgeon parents. Living only a few doors down from Theo is a world class pianist, Catherine Matthews, who insists on practicing in the wee hours of the night. Their clashes are delightfully diabolical with plenty of sharp banter and a heated undertow. But both characters are hiding from personal struggles that make it difficult for them to trust which makes for a tentative but achingly sweet courting.
I enjoyed this book in so many ways because it diverges from being a spicy, humorous romance, which in itself is wonderful, and morphs into a tender story about two people each finding their truth and then being able to accept love. The support characters are strong and help to drive the story rather than just being background. I also want to mention that music plays a big part in their story. As I was reading the book, I kept marveling at how the author has Theo and Catherine communicate in alternate ways to express their growing intimacy, with gestures, innocuous gifts, and shared songs. I just flat out loved this story.
I recommend for fans of sharp-witted characters, age gap (10 years), high heat chemistry, angst, and love stories that make you gasp with happiness.
June 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 (4.5 stars)
“In the Lonely Hours” WAS SUCH AN EMOTIONAL STORY OH MY!!!
Right from the start I was hooked on the storyline. I initially loved the synopsis and this enemies to friends to lovers trope. So when I started reading and got to this point of the book, I already knew that this was gonna be a good book. And what can I say?
It IS a great book!!
I adored both of our main characters Theodora and Catherine so much and I also loved how the main characters were written, especially Mary (god bless her!) and Harry. Besides that, I also really loved how the story was written and the general writing story and prose. Moreover (and since I mentioned the characters already), I really liked how Elle Alexandra portrayed their struggles and how complex and at one point complicated Theo’s and Catherine’s relationship was. I loved seeing how they got from the initial “you annoy me” vibe to the “I like spending time with you” and then to the point where more happens. But I also loved seeing the struggles that arose during the middle of the story and in my opinion, it made the whole experience feel much more meaningful and real in a way. Like I actually could’ve imagined this scenario playing out in real life at some point. Furthermore, I wanna add that the steamy scenes are incredibly written. I think I’ve bookmarked these pages so often because I was in love with the descriptions used and the way the act itself was portrayed soo beautifully!!
Nevertheless, I did feel like some parts of the story were dragged sometimes or that the ups and downs were somewhat predictable. Still, in my humble opinion, this is a great book, with great character developments and amazing themes!! This is a book which I would totally recommend to everyone who loves a good enemies to lovers story that includes so much more emotional depth than one might think at first glance.
Ps: the epilogue is sooo sweet!! I’m never gonna get over that actually hihi.
“In the Lonely Hours” WAS SUCH AN EMOTIONAL STORY OH MY!!!
Right from the start I was hooked on the storyline. I initially loved the synopsis and this enemies to friends to lovers trope. So when I started reading and got to this point of the book, I already knew that this was gonna be a good book. And what can I say?
It IS a great book!!
I adored both of our main characters Theodora and Catherine so much and I also loved how the main characters were written, especially Mary (god bless her!) and Harry. Besides that, I also really loved how the story was written and the general writing story and prose. Moreover (and since I mentioned the characters already), I really liked how Elle Alexandra portrayed their struggles and how complex and at one point complicated Theo’s and Catherine’s relationship was. I loved seeing how they got from the initial “you annoy me” vibe to the “I like spending time with you” and then to the point where more happens. But I also loved seeing the struggles that arose during the middle of the story and in my opinion, it made the whole experience feel much more meaningful and real in a way. Like I actually could’ve imagined this scenario playing out in real life at some point. Furthermore, I wanna add that the steamy scenes are incredibly written. I think I’ve bookmarked these pages so often because I was in love with the descriptions used and the way the act itself was portrayed soo beautifully!!
Nevertheless, I did feel like some parts of the story were dragged sometimes or that the ups and downs were somewhat predictable. Still, in my humble opinion, this is a great book, with great character developments and amazing themes!! This is a book which I would totally recommend to everyone who loves a good enemies to lovers story that includes so much more emotional depth than one might think at first glance.
Ps: the epilogue is sooo sweet!! I’m never gonna get over that actually hihi.
August 15, 2026
This was EVERYTHING!!
RTC
RTC
May 7, 2026
(rounded up from 4.5)
I enjoyed that this book is extremely low angst/drama. There's no inflated dramatic misunderstandings or nonsense, just adults who are slowly forming a friendship and then a romantic relationship while struggling with their own trauma and problems quietly.
There are a few things that I feel are telling us rather than showing and we fast forward through the real moments of connection over time but generally, this is charming, engaging, and makes me want to root for these characters to end up together because they are genuinely good together. A solid first book for me from this author!
I enjoyed that this book is extremely low angst/drama. There's no inflated dramatic misunderstandings or nonsense, just adults who are slowly forming a friendship and then a romantic relationship while struggling with their own trauma and problems quietly.
There are a few things that I feel are telling us rather than showing and we fast forward through the real moments of connection over time but generally, this is charming, engaging, and makes me want to root for these characters to end up together because they are genuinely good together. A solid first book for me from this author!
June 24, 2026
Leave it to the women who love women to flirt through post it notes. And they do it quite successfully too! If you love the slow burn doctor/musician stumbling through life romance this one is so well done I didn't want to put it down, but I didn't want it to end. My love for both MCs Theo and Catherine, is one I didn't expect but thoroughly enjoy. I recommend this one and give it 5+Bösendorfer stars
May 17, 2026
Wow! The good reviews were truly justified.
An uptight musician neighbour Catherine disturbs a sleep deprived ER doc Theo with her piano playing. Such a simple concept for a plot.
Often it can take time to truly 'like' both MCs but here I had no problem. The author immediately sets you up with enough background and two compelling, complex characters in Theo and Catherine. So you quickly care and are invested in whats going to happen with them.
Great emotional descriptive writing. It's the kinda book you feel yourself smiling, sighing and tearing up to as you read along. Its such a special book I almost wanna keep it a secret.
And why do my fav books often have a Catherine or a Kate?
Anyway many plaudits to the author Elle Alexanda look forward to future books.
I really loved this book! its up on my favourites/must-reread it shelf already. Enjoy
An uptight musician neighbour Catherine disturbs a sleep deprived ER doc Theo with her piano playing. Such a simple concept for a plot.
Often it can take time to truly 'like' both MCs but here I had no problem. The author immediately sets you up with enough background and two compelling, complex characters in Theo and Catherine. So you quickly care and are invested in whats going to happen with them.
Great emotional descriptive writing. It's the kinda book you feel yourself smiling, sighing and tearing up to as you read along. Its such a special book I almost wanna keep it a secret.
And why do my fav books often have a Catherine or a Kate?
Anyway many plaudits to the author Elle Alexanda look forward to future books.
I really loved this book! its up on my favourites/must-reread it shelf already. Enjoy
June 14, 2026
Obsessed. I was hooked from the very beginning and there was no prying this book from my hands—not a chance in hell. In The Lonely Hours exceeded my expectations tenfold and absolutely blew me away.
Catherine and Theo were fleshed-out characters that had chemistry, tension, and witty banter since the hard knock on the door at two a.m. Meet-cutes are my absolute favorite and this one sealed the deal for me. It took me no time at all to love them as individuals before ever becoming a couple. The pace from enemies-to-friends-to-lovers was realistic and progressed smoothly. The storyline was engaging, addictive, and I was invested in not only Catherine and Theo but also the side characters. One of my favorite things about the book was that the author took the actual time to build their friendship before they became lovers.
Despite their differences and age gap, the two just made sense together, and I rooted for them. Catherine was all about routine, maintaining control, and held her cards close to the vest. Theo was witty, impossible not to love, and wore her heart on her sleeve. I deeply empathized with them and the battles they quietly fought. It broke my heart to see them struggle, but their healing and growth was so rewarding.
I couldn’t possibly love this more than I already do. There were a blend of moments where I laughed out loud, moments where I couldn’t keep a smile off my face, and moments so achingly tender that I had to clutch my chest. Overall, it was an emotional ride with enough comedic relief that kept the mood from becoming too heavy. In The Lonely Hours will stay with me, and I’ll gladly keep it forever. I unequivocally fell head over heels in love and I highly recommend this as a must-read.
Catherine and Theo were fleshed-out characters that had chemistry, tension, and witty banter since the hard knock on the door at two a.m. Meet-cutes are my absolute favorite and this one sealed the deal for me. It took me no time at all to love them as individuals before ever becoming a couple. The pace from enemies-to-friends-to-lovers was realistic and progressed smoothly. The storyline was engaging, addictive, and I was invested in not only Catherine and Theo but also the side characters. One of my favorite things about the book was that the author took the actual time to build their friendship before they became lovers.
Despite their differences and age gap, the two just made sense together, and I rooted for them. Catherine was all about routine, maintaining control, and held her cards close to the vest. Theo was witty, impossible not to love, and wore her heart on her sleeve. I deeply empathized with them and the battles they quietly fought. It broke my heart to see them struggle, but their healing and growth was so rewarding.
I couldn’t possibly love this more than I already do. There were a blend of moments where I laughed out loud, moments where I couldn’t keep a smile off my face, and moments so achingly tender that I had to clutch my chest. Overall, it was an emotional ride with enough comedic relief that kept the mood from becoming too heavy. In The Lonely Hours will stay with me, and I’ll gladly keep it forever. I unequivocally fell head over heels in love and I highly recommend this as a must-read.
May 16, 2026
Well, @ellealexanda_author you absolutely did not mess around with In The Lonely Hours!
What starts as two people annoying each other through posted notes quickly turns into texts, late-night calls, and a friendship that slowly becomes impossible to ignore. And honestly? Watching that connection build felt so real and so beautiful.
Beneath all the banter and tension is a deeply emotional story about feeling unseen by the people who were supposed to know you best. One struggling with the pressure of expectations, the other carrying the weight of being made to feel weak because of health struggles.
The healing in this story is soft, patient, and full of compassion. And compassion really is such a beautiful thing. 📸📚
I loved it!
🧡🤍🩷 Meet Ms. Matthew’s and Dr. Brennan
#sapphicbooks #wlwbooks #lesbianbooks
What starts as two people annoying each other through posted notes quickly turns into texts, late-night calls, and a friendship that slowly becomes impossible to ignore. And honestly? Watching that connection build felt so real and so beautiful.
Beneath all the banter and tension is a deeply emotional story about feeling unseen by the people who were supposed to know you best. One struggling with the pressure of expectations, the other carrying the weight of being made to feel weak because of health struggles.
The healing in this story is soft, patient, and full of compassion. And compassion really is such a beautiful thing. 📸📚
I loved it!
🧡🤍🩷 Meet Ms. Matthew’s and Dr. Brennan
#sapphicbooks #wlwbooks #lesbianbooks
June 12, 2026
Incredible! I could not put this book down. Not only because it was fantastic but also because I was physically sick during all of the conflict. The writing made me feel so unbelievably connected to each of these characters that I felt every moment of their pain and grief so comprehensively. This book was truly a journey. I miss Theo and Catherine, ugh, I would read an endless amount of books about them. I want more!
May 20, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Witty and angsty 😊 In the Lonely Hours started hilariously with the post-it note war between neighbours, Theodora and Catherine. Who then became friends and more before things fell apart and they are left to pick up the pieces….slowly over time with help from wonderful supporting characters.
Witty and angsty 😊 In the Lonely Hours started hilariously with the post-it note war between neighbours, Theodora and Catherine. Who then became friends and more before things fell apart and they are left to pick up the pieces….slowly over time with help from wonderful supporting characters.
August 5, 2026
I loved the sample and had to buy the book. So many great lines and I loved the organic way the relationship developed in this good length book. The only thing I didn't quite love was the first physically intimate scene. I added physically deliberately there because so many of the scenes are true intimacy. That is why I thing I found the conversation during the physical scene jarring in a way nothing else in this book has been.
There is a section after this when a plot point comes to the fore and things for the couple change. There is a change in tone of the book. The levity disappears, the emotion does not. This is the rain. I am looking forward to the rainbow.
Oh my! The first third is light, amusing and unfurling. The second is emotional and sad and beautifully written and the third? Emotional and perfect.
This book is a nutritional delight. I enjoy snacks that have no nutritional value but tasty at the time...... A lot of what I have read has been the latter. This, this however is a fulfilling feast. It has none of the intimacy bingo so prevalent today that isn't actually intimate..... Yet the intimacy is off the charts. This is possibly slow burn but not a low burn. It has left a deep impression on me. The rainbow was well worth what went before. Rounded down because you can’t go higher than 5!
There is a section after this when a plot point comes to the fore and things for the couple change. There is a change in tone of the book. The levity disappears, the emotion does not. This is the rain. I am looking forward to the rainbow.
Oh my! The first third is light, amusing and unfurling. The second is emotional and sad and beautifully written and the third? Emotional and perfect.
This book is a nutritional delight. I enjoy snacks that have no nutritional value but tasty at the time...... A lot of what I have read has been the latter. This, this however is a fulfilling feast. It has none of the intimacy bingo so prevalent today that isn't actually intimate..... Yet the intimacy is off the charts. This is possibly slow burn but not a low burn. It has left a deep impression on me. The rainbow was well worth what went before. Rounded down because you can’t go higher than 5!
May 21, 2026
Wow. What a fantastic story with really amazing MCs. 5 ⭐️ are definitely not enough.
I’m hoping there’ll be an audiobook in the future.
I’m hoping there’ll be an audiobook in the future.
July 3, 2026
4.5⭐️ loved the post it notes. Loved the banter. Loved the romance. Loved that the story had a plot ! Theo was hands down my favorite character.
May 15, 2026
First book by Elle Alexanda for me.
I really enjoyed the banter in it and the heartfelt moments. The sticky notes war got me laughing out loud, while the backstories of Theo and Catherine made me want to hug them tight.
Sorta hurt-comfort age gap with a self controlled pianist and a deeply optimistic and "I wear my heart on a sleeve" young ER doctor.
Loved also the secondary characters. Bless Mary lol.
Only one note about this:
"Catherine's fingers froze on the ivory"
Since my native language is not English, I am wondering if this really means "ivory", which luckily started being removed from piano keys from the 50s and in the 80s was officially banned, because of the killing of elephants and other animals for it. Nowadays, you can't even sell just like that an ancient piano with ivory keys.
It would feel a bit out of character for Catherine to own such piano. But maybe the author meant the color... or the ivory touch. My electric piano has ivory touch keys, for example.
Anyway, 4.5 stars. Love me some classical music. Claire de Lune 🥹 Still, loved that Catherine played also Einaudi!
I really enjoyed the banter in it and the heartfelt moments. The sticky notes war got me laughing out loud, while the backstories of Theo and Catherine made me want to hug them tight.
Sorta hurt-comfort age gap with a self controlled pianist and a deeply optimistic and "I wear my heart on a sleeve" young ER doctor.
Loved also the secondary characters. Bless Mary lol.
Only one note about this:
"Catherine's fingers froze on the ivory"
Since my native language is not English, I am wondering if this really means "ivory", which luckily started being removed from piano keys from the 50s and in the 80s was officially banned, because of the killing of elephants and other animals for it. Nowadays, you can't even sell just like that an ancient piano with ivory keys.
It would feel a bit out of character for Catherine to own such piano. But maybe the author meant the color... or the ivory touch. My electric piano has ivory touch keys, for example.
Anyway, 4.5 stars. Love me some classical music. Claire de Lune 🥹 Still, loved that Catherine played also Einaudi!
May 19, 2026
5/5
its been almost a year since i read a 5 stars book.
i had really high expectation for this one when i saw multiple of people i follow in goodreads giving it high score and talking good about it.
it did not disappoint at all.
this a beatiful story where the yearning leaves with your chest tight and waiting for it all to drop.
i'm a bit stunned, every page, every moment was necessary and it never lost my interest. I read for three hours one day and it gave me back the satisfaction of encountering a book that get a hold of your emotions.
i could try and talk about the characters and their dynamic but i think someone elses out there must have explained better.
However, it was a wondeful experience to read Theo and Catherine fell in love.
Since the first sticky note and the petty exchanges to learning to decipher music notes or the sound of a pair of shoes, the author perfectly manage to show how to different world and personalities can tangle around each other so tight that the imprint of the other person will never leave.
its been almost a year since i read a 5 stars book.
i had really high expectation for this one when i saw multiple of people i follow in goodreads giving it high score and talking good about it.
it did not disappoint at all.
this a beatiful story where the yearning leaves with your chest tight and waiting for it all to drop.
i'm a bit stunned, every page, every moment was necessary and it never lost my interest. I read for three hours one day and it gave me back the satisfaction of encountering a book that get a hold of your emotions.
i could try and talk about the characters and their dynamic but i think someone elses out there must have explained better.
However, it was a wondeful experience to read Theo and Catherine fell in love.
Since the first sticky note and the petty exchanges to learning to decipher music notes or the sound of a pair of shoes, the author perfectly manage to show how to different world and personalities can tangle around each other so tight that the imprint of the other person will never leave.
May 14, 2026
I was immediately invested and couldn’t put it down(finished it in a day) Perfect if you want a book that’ll make your heart ache a little. I already wish I could read it again for the first time.
May 10, 2026
Ok, this is a great one.
May 8, 2026
Bravo!
Absolutely fell in love with this book- it had me laughing and crying and falling in love at the same time! All I can say is please take this review seriously and get this book! Absolutely fantastic!
Absolutely fell in love with this book- it had me laughing and crying and falling in love at the same time! All I can say is please take this review seriously and get this book! Absolutely fantastic!
July 19, 2026
Fine for the first half but pulled and I started to skip read and felt I was missing nothing, which was sad. Ok, lucky to have 4*s but the opening dialogues made it worth it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and root for the main characters from the moment they meet, then this is it!
Two characters, A sassy redhead doctor and a perfectionist blonde pianist, who appear to have nothing in common but in reality are more alike than one might expect. Two neighbors both overwhelmed by their careers and the burden of their parents' expected, find thier refuge in one another, becoming each other safe place.
Slow burn is somenthing else, pure perfection 😍; starting with a sticky notes banter, just wait and see, you'll love that passive-aggressive war, then moving on to late-night phone calls and finally shared dinners that end with their version of Netflix and Chill.
Even if it's not very prominent as a theme and you only really feel it in the second half of the book it's also age gap! – so even if you're not a big fan of this trope still give it a chance.
As for the other tropes you can find:
-Slow Burn
-Second chance
-Age Gap
-Irritating stranger neighbors to friends to Lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Kinda Ice Queen
-Almost Kiss
-Contemporary
-HEA
-Femme × Femme
-Pianists × Doctor
-Banter
-Chronic illness (epilepsy) rep
-Hurt / comfort
Overall 4.5 ⭐ and 3 🔥
CW:Grief - on page death - difficult family dynamic - burn out - post traumatic stress - depiction of addiction (side character) - panic attack
Two characters, A sassy redhead doctor and a perfectionist blonde pianist, who appear to have nothing in common but in reality are more alike than one might expect. Two neighbors both overwhelmed by their careers and the burden of their parents' expected, find thier refuge in one another, becoming each other safe place.
Slow burn is somenthing else, pure perfection 😍; starting with a sticky notes banter, just wait and see, you'll love that passive-aggressive war, then moving on to late-night phone calls and finally shared dinners that end with their version of Netflix and Chill.
Even if it's not very prominent as a theme and you only really feel it in the second half of the book it's also age gap! – so even if you're not a big fan of this trope still give it a chance.
As for the other tropes you can find:
-Slow Burn
-Second chance
-Age Gap
-Irritating stranger neighbors to friends to Lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Kinda Ice Queen
-Almost Kiss
-Contemporary
-HEA
-Femme × Femme
-Pianists × Doctor
-Banter
-Chronic illness (epilepsy) rep
-Hurt / comfort
Overall 4.5 ⭐ and 3 🔥
CW:Grief - on page death - difficult family dynamic - burn out - post traumatic stress - depiction of addiction (side character) - panic attack
May 12, 2026
Stumbled upon an advertisement for this book on the author’s Instagram and oh my gosh I am so glad I did. This was SOOOOOO cute I ate it up I love lesbians
August 13, 2026
I was very excited for this novel, and it is unfortunate to say that I had mixed feelings upon reading it. It was good, but also felt like something was missing? As though the parts that I took issue with were regarding things that were not actually on the page. Maybe it’s a me issue; I would not discourage anyone from reading this, and I know several people who enjoyed it more than I did.
The Good:
-There were many wonderful scenes in this novel that I enjoyed a lot. There were some excellent choices made and details I adored. The sticky-notes? Pure gold. I wish there had been considerably more!
-I liked how this novel addressed some more serious topics alongside the whimsy of the central plot. I thought the handling of a certain medical condition was well done.
-I liked the protagonists together, when they were together. I love a supportive partner, or the dynamic when someone can read you so well that its annoying.
-I loved Harry.
Complaint-Town:
-My main issue is that I felt like there was far too much that took place off-page that we didn’t see, and it was some of the good stuff! Through the entire first half I was confused about the nature/status of their relationship; it seemed like off-page they had a ton of conversations that we didn’t know about. Interactions we didn’t see, gifts given that we didn’t know about, etc. One minute I was thinking that they have only exchanged a few sticky-notes but then its referenced that they have had sufficient conversations that they know each others work schedules. Things like that; I would have loved to experience the relationship grow, moreso than be informed that it had happened.
-The elements outside of their direct relationship felt under-developed (though they contributed a lot to the novel!). Simon existed and was a subplot, but it didn’t really seem to matter much or go anywhere. Similar to Theo’s parents; I loved the subplot but then it seemed to get essentially abandoned, and they were very two-dimensional at the best of times.
-Bunch of little things…. Are you writing in British English or American English? Do hospitals work that way? Why is there no soundproofing or rules against 2am concerts?
-I had a hard time getting engaged in the story, and never felt that “pull” to read it. Idk why, probably what’s written above.
The Good:
-There were many wonderful scenes in this novel that I enjoyed a lot. There were some excellent choices made and details I adored. The sticky-notes? Pure gold. I wish there had been considerably more!
-I liked how this novel addressed some more serious topics alongside the whimsy of the central plot. I thought the handling of a certain medical condition was well done.
-I liked the protagonists together, when they were together. I love a supportive partner, or the dynamic when someone can read you so well that its annoying.
-I loved Harry.
Complaint-Town:
-My main issue is that I felt like there was far too much that took place off-page that we didn’t see, and it was some of the good stuff! Through the entire first half I was confused about the nature/status of their relationship; it seemed like off-page they had a ton of conversations that we didn’t know about. Interactions we didn’t see, gifts given that we didn’t know about, etc. One minute I was thinking that they have only exchanged a few sticky-notes but then its referenced that they have had sufficient conversations that they know each others work schedules. Things like that; I would have loved to experience the relationship grow, moreso than be informed that it had happened.
-The elements outside of their direct relationship felt under-developed (though they contributed a lot to the novel!). Simon existed and was a subplot, but it didn’t really seem to matter much or go anywhere. Similar to Theo’s parents; I loved the subplot but then it seemed to get essentially abandoned, and they were very two-dimensional at the best of times.
-Bunch of little things…. Are you writing in British English or American English? Do hospitals work that way? Why is there no soundproofing or rules against 2am concerts?
-I had a hard time getting engaged in the story, and never felt that “pull” to read it. Idk why, probably what’s written above.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2026
Such a beautiful story! Every once in a while I start reading a book and immediately go, dang this is gonna be good. And I was right - the writing was so beautiful and the characters were flawed in ways that made them lovable and relatable (instead of insufferable). Like Catherine, I also have a history of seizures, and this was the first time I’ve seen it repped in a story like this. Theo was such a great character also, it made it easy so root for them.
Also - the sticky note war was just hilarious. Made me want to start leaving sticky notes for people in random places.
Also - the sticky note war was just hilarious. Made me want to start leaving sticky notes for people in random places.
June 3, 2026
first 5 star rating ive ever given to a romance novel and this one is deserved. i adored these characters sooo soo so so so so much. i loved everything about this
August 9, 2026
Great comedic timing, more than believable connection, career adjustments for both MCs, nosy and brilliant supporting characters, managing traumas, solid call backs and an all round HEA. This being the second novel for Elle Alexandra is such a great feat and I hope to be a long standing fan! Brilliant werkkkk. Recommend for sure it made me smile often.
May 7, 2026
This book was exactly what I was looking for! It encompasses everything that a slow burn should be. The tension between the characters was perfectly written. I wish I could read this book again for the first time.
May 10, 2026
So beautiful
June 7, 2026
genuinely the perfect book
August 9, 2026
I feel like if I wasn’t so busy right now I would have read this in one setting! Finally a sapphic book that is very relatable with wlw and didn’t make me cringe!
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