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Irrelevant Situations
Under the plastic palm trees of San Diego, Izzie Thatcher is focused on her year of community college and preparing for a university transfer while living with her platonic (yes, really) best friend Joe Gavin.
What she didn't plan for was Joe's traitorous older brother, Evan Gavin, crashing on their couch, and her school loan being denied. When she needs a job and is forced to rely on Evan, the one person she can't trust, she discovers that she only knew half the story about Joe's past.
What starts as animosity shifts into a secret romance built on intellectual debates, stolen kisses, and a ticking timeline. Raised in broken families, Izzie tries to convince Evan that their relationship is worth labeling, putting her friendship with Joe and her university transfer at risk.
Irrelevant Situations is a deep exploration of what leads to situationships and whether we accept the version of love offered or let it go to find the love we deserve.
What she didn't plan for was Joe's traitorous older brother, Evan Gavin, crashing on their couch, and her school loan being denied. When she needs a job and is forced to rely on Evan, the one person she can't trust, she discovers that she only knew half the story about Joe's past.
What starts as animosity shifts into a secret romance built on intellectual debates, stolen kisses, and a ticking timeline. Raised in broken families, Izzie tries to convince Evan that their relationship is worth labeling, putting her friendship with Joe and her university transfer at risk.
Irrelevant Situations is a deep exploration of what leads to situationships and whether we accept the version of love offered or let it go to find the love we deserve.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2026
About the author
Alyssa K. Burns
2 books24 followersAlyssa K. Burns is a journalist and young adult author who writes coming-of-age fiction focused on self-destruction to self-discovery. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from California State University, East Bay, and her Master of Business Administration from California State University, San Marcos. Alyssa is an elder emo, iced-mocha enthusiast, and wife and mother who enjoys dancing in the kitchen instead of cooking.
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TikTok: @AlyssaKBurns
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 16, 2026
"My mom didn't give up her life at sixteen for me to be ordinary."
"When are you going to realize you're anything but ordinary?"
I've always really enjoyed YA stories that deal with more unconventional 'romance' tropes (though I am not sure I would necessarily classify this as a romance myself), so when I saw that Irrelevant Situations explores situationships, my interest was piqued.
Going into the book, I found it a bit difficult to connect with the writing. Personally, I felt that the tone was inconsistent. I liked that it was written in third person, and I enjoyed the dry humour, but the dialogue (Mostly Ethan's) often felt unnatural, and I have to admit that I was a little put off at first. However, by the end, I realised that it was sort of fitting. It made the book feel raw and unpolished, which somehow made the emotions feel all the more powerful.
I found Alyssa K. Burns' approach to writing character relationships particularly interesting. The focal point of the novel was obviously the situationship between Izzie and Ethan, which was complex in and of itself, but I also found myself... intrigued? (I'm not sure that's quite the right word, considering the nature of their relationship) by Izzie's relationship with her dad, Henry. I couldn't help but wish that more time had been devoted to exploring that dynamic as well.
While I haven't personally experienced anything similar to what Izzie goes through (with both Henry & Ethan), her journey still resonated with me deeply. I think this book helped me understand how easy it is to fall into the anxious-avoidant trap. It also encouraged me to reflect on my own avoidant tendencies and consider how they might affect the people around me. I'm so glad this book shed light on these dynamics and helped me better understand perspectives beyond my own. (Ah, the joy of reading coming-of-age YA!)
However, while I appreciate that breaking these cycles is portrayed as a tedious process (which makes sense, considering how difficult it can be to break free from them), I did find myself getting frustrated. I just really dislike the whole "I can fix him" mindset, so seeing it personified in this book was basically my worst nightmare haha. That said, I thought Izzie's growth was fantastic. I can't quite say the same about Ethan, though. While I understand that Izzie is the main character, I had hoped we'd get some closure on Ethan's end as well, especially since we also delve quite deep into his past. We get to see how his and Joe's upbringings affected them and their perspectives on relationships in different ways, and given Ethan's role as the main love interest, I wanted to see more development from him. Ultimately, I felt that his character arc was left unresolved, which left me feeling a little unsatisfied.
That said, I absolutely loved Izzie's relationship with Joe! I love it when authors include genuinely platonic male-female friendships in their stories and normalise them. Not every male-female relationship has to be romantic!!! Anyway, Joe is the absolute best, and I hope he finds love one day too.
The ending was definitely the most impactful part of this book for me. I think it would resonate really well with people who have been through similar experiences, and I will definitely recommend it to anyone who has been through a situationship and wonder "was it ever real?".
Thank you Beyond the Books PR and Alyssa K. Burns for providing the book for review consideration via BookFunnel. All opinions are my own.
Love isn't something to be convinced of or accepted in pieces. Love is to be given wholeheartedly.
October 13, 2026
Alyssa K. Burns is back with her second book, Irrelevant Situations. I think Alyssa is extremely talented at writing coming of age YA novels. She understands the range of emotions and depth of characters and takes it to the fullest. I enjoyed this book because the drama was so believable and also entertaining. Her books are easy to read and the story moves quickly as well. I can't wait until she writes more books in this series!
Thank you Burns Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for review consideration via Beyond The Books PR. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Burns Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for review consideration via Beyond The Books PR. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Anyone who has been in a situationship will so very seen and validated by this book. Anyone who has managed to avoid falling into one will understand the mental turmoil that drives you to keep returning to a situationship after reading this book.
Alyssa does such a wonderful job of crafting dynamic, morally gray characters. You want to root for them, but you want to shake them at the same time. This character building made me so invested in the story. Evan is very much the type of guy I would have looked at in my early 20s and been like "I can fix him". He's very black cat boyfriend and not this all around awful person, which is why I felt so hard for Izzie and her sweet, empathetic self as he strung her along. As we learn Evan's story and reasons for why he does the things he does, it's difficult not to feel empathetic towards him. To me, this was so much more effective than just writing some fboy dude who has no redeeming qualities. I fear I too would have let this man ruin my life and then come back for seconds.
I also absolutely loved the friendship between Izzie and Joe. I feel like we don't see a lot of male/female platonic friendship representation in fiction. Usually, there's some unrequited love story or a will they/won't they trope when men and women have these deep friendships in fiction. It was refreshing to see a truly platonic friendship between Izzie and Joe.
I won't give away any spoilers, but the ending of this novel was just perfect. It was one of those endings that proves that not all stories need to have a happily ever after for it to feel complete.
Alyssa does such a wonderful job of crafting dynamic, morally gray characters. You want to root for them, but you want to shake them at the same time. This character building made me so invested in the story. Evan is very much the type of guy I would have looked at in my early 20s and been like "I can fix him". He's very black cat boyfriend and not this all around awful person, which is why I felt so hard for Izzie and her sweet, empathetic self as he strung her along. As we learn Evan's story and reasons for why he does the things he does, it's difficult not to feel empathetic towards him. To me, this was so much more effective than just writing some fboy dude who has no redeeming qualities. I fear I too would have let this man ruin my life and then come back for seconds.
I also absolutely loved the friendship between Izzie and Joe. I feel like we don't see a lot of male/female platonic friendship representation in fiction. Usually, there's some unrequited love story or a will they/won't they trope when men and women have these deep friendships in fiction. It was refreshing to see a truly platonic friendship between Izzie and Joe.
I won't give away any spoilers, but the ending of this novel was just perfect. It was one of those endings that proves that not all stories need to have a happily ever after for it to feel complete.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m sooo thankful to Alyssa, the author, for allowing me to read an advanced copy of her newest book, Irrelevant Situations, in exchange for an honest review. It’s out October 6! I apologize for the long review... this is really just a brain dump for all my thoughts. <3
I really liked book 1 in her Honey Cat series, The Last Special Thing. I was drawn to the reckless first love between Art and Amelia. The author made sure to communicate that book didn’t have a typical happily ever after. So I looked forward to the next book in the series in which she made the same promise. And she kept to it!
Though I would still classify this as a romance. It’s just more of a situationship. There aren’t a lot of romance books about a situationship, or at least one as the main plot. Though I knew what to expect from a situationship-type book, Evan and Izzie, most of the time, did make my heart swoon. And not only because Evan reminded me of Jess Mariano with the leather jacket and cigarettes in his back pocket. They really were cute together; I was rooting for them (we were all rooting for them) like I was rooting for Jess and Rory — they frustrated me to no end, but gosh did they seem both right and wrong for each other at the same time. The author did a good job of making us believe they could actually work… because Izzie really believed she could make it work. That’s how situationships often work; you really think you can change the other person. (‘I can fix him’ mindset.) But there were still the elements that showed me Evan and Izzie were not meant to be.
Something I really, really appreciated in this one is that the guy, Evan, who wouldn’t commit and kept the romance a situationship wasn’t made a villain at all. His avoidant tendencies (was he actually avoidant?) weren’t villainized. He wasn’t written as evil — which is something that modern society tends to paint people with those avoidant tendencies as. Instead, while keeping Izzie as the main character, the author did a good job of showing Evan’s unwillingness to open up and fully commit. Not to make Evan the bad guy or to make Izzie look like a saint, but to breathe life into who Evan was.
That’s something I admire in my favorite romance books — Emily Henry as an example — where I can be in the mind of the MMC without actually giving his POV.
The quality of the writing was top tier. As I was reading, I kept telling myself that this author really respects the craft of writing. Character and plot exposition didn’t go on too long; she delicately crafted these characters and their pain points and their flaws. Especially the flaws. At times (okay, most times), I wanted to get in front of Izzie and say, girl, stop — he doesn’t want to commit. And the author clearly showed that frustration in Izzie’s friends! Without actually having them come out and say it.
If you have ever watched your friend in a situationship, you’d know that continuing to go back to a man who won’t commit is frustrating.
That being said, I enjoyed Izzie’s friendships and painful relationships with members of her family. I slightly wish there was more to it with her dad, but I think any more of that would’ve overpowered Evan and Izzie, which is the main point of the book.
The story flowed very well. The pacing was just right. It didn’t feel rushed and it didn’t peak too high at certain moments. Though there were a few moments with lots of tension that kept me turning the next page. The characters, from our main gal Izzie with all her flaws and childhood trauma, to all the supporting characters, were fleshed out so well. Each supporting character, each friend, contributed something different to the overall plot — which was Izzie. Not Izzie and Evan’s passionate situationship. Just Izzie and her growth. Those supporting characters helped keep the story going.
I loved Izzie and Joe! Though at times the nickname “bud” gave me the ick (sorry, Alyssa, personal preference lol), I really, really liked their friendship. While I absolutely adored the platonic love they shared, I liked the conflict between them. Especially since Joe is Evan’s brother. That conflict only emphasized their platonic love.
I also love that the author gave us another friendship for Izzie in a different setting — Ria! She is so cool; I want to be her friend. I liked how she was a new friend and could offer Izzie a different perspective. I liked how I can get to know Izzie through a different lens, a different friendship.
Oh and Chelsea! I loved how the author painted her. Though her and Izzie weren’t besties, that female friendship proved fruitful for Izzie. She also was a point that brought Joe and Izzie closer. She's so diva -- if I could picture myself as any of the characters, it'd probably be her LOL.
Overall, this was a stellar book. The first book in this series was an emotional rollercoaster, but this one with Izzie’s personal growth tore at my heart strings and kept me on the edge of my seat. So much so that I devoured it on my Kindle in a matter of days — something unheard of because I hate reading on my Kindle. The writing was top tier, and felt like each word was chosen carefully to tell Izzie’s story and give life to important characters like Joe and Evan. I loved reading Izzie’s story and only wish she is coming back for the rest of the series.
I’m beyond excited for the rest of the Honey Cat series — it was so much fun meeting the rest of the band again! I felt like there were a few easter eggs scattered in this book for the next books in the series, but I’m not smart enough for that.
Would I recommend this?
Yes. If you love romance books but with a heartbreaking, devastating twist, then you might like this. (If you loved Normal People, you might like this.) If you have ever found yourself in a situationship that almost broke you, then you might find this book incredibly healing. While I can’t promise a typical happily ever after, I think the ending pages can heal a broken heart and help the reader, regardless if they've ever been in a situationship, feel seen and heard.
Again, thank you Alyssa for my advanced copy. Really, thank you for writing such a wonderful book and sharing Izzie’s story. I hope it resonates with young women and reminds them that it’s okay to choose themselves and put themselves first.
I really liked book 1 in her Honey Cat series, The Last Special Thing. I was drawn to the reckless first love between Art and Amelia. The author made sure to communicate that book didn’t have a typical happily ever after. So I looked forward to the next book in the series in which she made the same promise. And she kept to it!
Though I would still classify this as a romance. It’s just more of a situationship. There aren’t a lot of romance books about a situationship, or at least one as the main plot. Though I knew what to expect from a situationship-type book, Evan and Izzie, most of the time, did make my heart swoon. And not only because Evan reminded me of Jess Mariano with the leather jacket and cigarettes in his back pocket. They really were cute together; I was rooting for them (we were all rooting for them) like I was rooting for Jess and Rory — they frustrated me to no end, but gosh did they seem both right and wrong for each other at the same time. The author did a good job of making us believe they could actually work… because Izzie really believed she could make it work. That’s how situationships often work; you really think you can change the other person. (‘I can fix him’ mindset.) But there were still the elements that showed me Evan and Izzie were not meant to be.
Something I really, really appreciated in this one is that the guy, Evan, who wouldn’t commit and kept the romance a situationship wasn’t made a villain at all. His avoidant tendencies (was he actually avoidant?) weren’t villainized. He wasn’t written as evil — which is something that modern society tends to paint people with those avoidant tendencies as. Instead, while keeping Izzie as the main character, the author did a good job of showing Evan’s unwillingness to open up and fully commit. Not to make Evan the bad guy or to make Izzie look like a saint, but to breathe life into who Evan was.
That’s something I admire in my favorite romance books — Emily Henry as an example — where I can be in the mind of the MMC without actually giving his POV.
The quality of the writing was top tier. As I was reading, I kept telling myself that this author really respects the craft of writing. Character and plot exposition didn’t go on too long; she delicately crafted these characters and their pain points and their flaws. Especially the flaws. At times (okay, most times), I wanted to get in front of Izzie and say, girl, stop — he doesn’t want to commit. And the author clearly showed that frustration in Izzie’s friends! Without actually having them come out and say it.
If you have ever watched your friend in a situationship, you’d know that continuing to go back to a man who won’t commit is frustrating.
That being said, I enjoyed Izzie’s friendships and painful relationships with members of her family. I slightly wish there was more to it with her dad, but I think any more of that would’ve overpowered Evan and Izzie, which is the main point of the book.
The story flowed very well. The pacing was just right. It didn’t feel rushed and it didn’t peak too high at certain moments. Though there were a few moments with lots of tension that kept me turning the next page. The characters, from our main gal Izzie with all her flaws and childhood trauma, to all the supporting characters, were fleshed out so well. Each supporting character, each friend, contributed something different to the overall plot — which was Izzie. Not Izzie and Evan’s passionate situationship. Just Izzie and her growth. Those supporting characters helped keep the story going.
I loved Izzie and Joe! Though at times the nickname “bud” gave me the ick (sorry, Alyssa, personal preference lol), I really, really liked their friendship. While I absolutely adored the platonic love they shared, I liked the conflict between them. Especially since Joe is Evan’s brother. That conflict only emphasized their platonic love.
I also love that the author gave us another friendship for Izzie in a different setting — Ria! She is so cool; I want to be her friend. I liked how she was a new friend and could offer Izzie a different perspective. I liked how I can get to know Izzie through a different lens, a different friendship.
Oh and Chelsea! I loved how the author painted her. Though her and Izzie weren’t besties, that female friendship proved fruitful for Izzie. She also was a point that brought Joe and Izzie closer. She's so diva -- if I could picture myself as any of the characters, it'd probably be her LOL.
Overall, this was a stellar book. The first book in this series was an emotional rollercoaster, but this one with Izzie’s personal growth tore at my heart strings and kept me on the edge of my seat. So much so that I devoured it on my Kindle in a matter of days — something unheard of because I hate reading on my Kindle. The writing was top tier, and felt like each word was chosen carefully to tell Izzie’s story and give life to important characters like Joe and Evan. I loved reading Izzie’s story and only wish she is coming back for the rest of the series.
I’m beyond excited for the rest of the Honey Cat series — it was so much fun meeting the rest of the band again! I felt like there were a few easter eggs scattered in this book for the next books in the series, but I’m not smart enough for that.
Would I recommend this?
Yes. If you love romance books but with a heartbreaking, devastating twist, then you might like this. (If you loved Normal People, you might like this.) If you have ever found yourself in a situationship that almost broke you, then you might find this book incredibly healing. While I can’t promise a typical happily ever after, I think the ending pages can heal a broken heart and help the reader, regardless if they've ever been in a situationship, feel seen and heard.
Again, thank you Alyssa for my advanced copy. Really, thank you for writing such a wonderful book and sharing Izzie’s story. I hope it resonates with young women and reminds them that it’s okay to choose themselves and put themselves first.
October 5, 2026
Review of the advanced readers copy
Overall I enjoyed the book though it felt a bit cliche at times.
I believe younger me would have enjoyed this one more (literally saying this for all books that have morally gray characters).
Not the biggest fan of the ending, but I see why the point there!!
I did enjoy the platonic love more in this one!
Overall I enjoyed the book though it felt a bit cliche at times.
I believe younger me would have enjoyed this one more (literally saying this for all books that have morally gray characters).
Not the biggest fan of the ending, but I see why the point there!!
I did enjoy the platonic love more in this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author and Beyond the Books PR for the chance to read this book!
Once again, Alyssa has written a fabulous story on an important topic with real characters who evoke every emotion imaginable. I gravitate toward stories that show life as it actually is, and that's what I love so much about Alyssa's writing. Not everything in life has a fairy tale ending, but that doesn't mean the endings aren't meaningful. If you've ever been in a situationship, this is a must-read.
Once again, Alyssa has written a fabulous story on an important topic with real characters who evoke every emotion imaginable. I gravitate toward stories that show life as it actually is, and that's what I love so much about Alyssa's writing. Not everything in life has a fairy tale ending, but that doesn't mean the endings aren't meaningful. If you've ever been in a situationship, this is a must-read.
October 6, 2026
I don't normally read blurbs before reading books, but this front cover - although absolutely beautiful - gave nothing away and so I admit to a quick skim read.
I'd never read this author before but I absolutely love an angsty romance that was going to no doubt give me all the feels.
I also try not to read books in a series out of order, yet this was my first read of this series.
Although this is book 2, we do follow a different couple in each book, so I wasn't too worried about this being an issue.
I absolutely loved our characters - they were so relatable and this took me right back to my youth when life seemed so simple, yet so much all at the same time.
I loved the way Izzie was completely drawn to Evan even though she absolutely knew that he was going to be bad for her.
Evan presented as such a mess and the whole relationship was one of those that you look back on and realise just why it would never work - but at the time, it's everything.
I loved the development of Evan and as more of his backstory unfolds, we realise just how he got to the place he's now at.
I really loved the interactions and the friendship that Izzie and Joe had together.
This is the perfect example of the best kind of platonic friendship - I loved Joe.
This storyline follows a more realistic look at relationships and so without spoilers, the ending was a little surprising - but totally understandable.
The writing style had me gripped and totally immersed from start to finish.
It was an emotional rollercoaster but isn't that just life!?
I really need to go back and grab book one and catch up before the next release as I really want to follow this through and see if there's any follow on for the characters from the early books later on in the series?
I'd never read this author before but I absolutely love an angsty romance that was going to no doubt give me all the feels.
I also try not to read books in a series out of order, yet this was my first read of this series.
Although this is book 2, we do follow a different couple in each book, so I wasn't too worried about this being an issue.
I absolutely loved our characters - they were so relatable and this took me right back to my youth when life seemed so simple, yet so much all at the same time.
I loved the way Izzie was completely drawn to Evan even though she absolutely knew that he was going to be bad for her.
Evan presented as such a mess and the whole relationship was one of those that you look back on and realise just why it would never work - but at the time, it's everything.
I loved the development of Evan and as more of his backstory unfolds, we realise just how he got to the place he's now at.
I really loved the interactions and the friendship that Izzie and Joe had together.
This is the perfect example of the best kind of platonic friendship - I loved Joe.
This storyline follows a more realistic look at relationships and so without spoilers, the ending was a little surprising - but totally understandable.
The writing style had me gripped and totally immersed from start to finish.
It was an emotional rollercoaster but isn't that just life!?
I really need to go back and grab book one and catch up before the next release as I really want to follow this through and see if there's any follow on for the characters from the early books later on in the series?
September 28, 2026
My first ever ARC! 🖤 And honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better book to be my first.
Irrelevant Situations was such an easy read for me. I finished it within a few hours because I genuinely did not want to put it down. I HAD to know how it ended and REFUSED to wait until later to find out. I found myself spiraling alongside Izzie through all of the uncertainty and overthinking moments that come with a situationship.
I really enjoyed following Izzie through everything she was balancing. She had a plan for her future and was working hard to make it happen, all while still holding onto hope that things with Evan could work. You could understand why she wanted him so badly, even when there were definitely moments where I wanted to yell at her to listen to the people around her. 😂
This wasn’t the typical HEA I’m used to getting from romance, but I still really enjoyed the journey and felt invested in Izzie’s story. I also loved the relationships she had with the people around her and the different ways they supported her.
And having the story set somewhere that feels close to home made getting my first ARC even more special. 🥹
This book had me hoping, overthinking, and definitely spiraling.
Thank you again for letting me be apart of the ARC team, I am truly grateful! ✨
Irrelevant Situations was such an easy read for me. I finished it within a few hours because I genuinely did not want to put it down. I HAD to know how it ended and REFUSED to wait until later to find out. I found myself spiraling alongside Izzie through all of the uncertainty and overthinking moments that come with a situationship.
I really enjoyed following Izzie through everything she was balancing. She had a plan for her future and was working hard to make it happen, all while still holding onto hope that things with Evan could work. You could understand why she wanted him so badly, even when there were definitely moments where I wanted to yell at her to listen to the people around her. 😂
This wasn’t the typical HEA I’m used to getting from romance, but I still really enjoyed the journey and felt invested in Izzie’s story. I also loved the relationships she had with the people around her and the different ways they supported her.
And having the story set somewhere that feels close to home made getting my first ARC even more special. 🥹
This book had me hoping, overthinking, and definitely spiraling.
Thank you again for letting me be apart of the ARC team, I am truly grateful! ✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
OH MY GOSH. I feel so seen. First of all, I appreciate how realistic it was. Like stuff doesnt always work out. I was basically in a 12 year situationship with my ex husband. He even lived in my guest bedroom for 2 years after we divorced (thanks covid 🫠). For years I felt insane, literally. Haha. I'm in a happy healthy marriage now, but I still have years of trauma to unpack. Basically I say all that to say it was honestly really healing to read such emotional turmoil and know that I'm not broken because I went through that.
I also loved that she actually had a job and actually went to work 🤣
Izzie and Evan each had their own issues. While they were flawed I appreciated Evan's honesty about himself, and Izzie ultimately choosing herself.
I also loved that she actually had a job and actually went to work 🤣
Izzie and Evan each had their own issues. While they were flawed I appreciated Evan's honesty about himself, and Izzie ultimately choosing herself.
October 16, 2026
This was such a great read. I loved the relationship Thatcher had with Joe. Yes, the opposite sex can be just friends lol. It’s when his brother Evan shows up that things start to get convoluted. Thatcher can’t stand Evan and he feels the same way about her. But time spent together starts to change things. And things in Thatchers life become complicated. I loved that what should’ve been a simple friendship with Joe turned into so much more with his brother and with her education. This had some great twists and turns. The emotions were brought into this, and it grabbed my heart. I had the best time with Thatcher, Joe, and Evan. This was a really great read.
October 9, 2026
How many girls have been right were Izzie is? I know I have... multiple times. I feel like this book is for and about all the girls attracted to those emotionally damaged/unavailable guys and thinking they are the ones who are different and can "fix" him.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was painfully relatable in the best way. If you’ve ever been stuck in a situationship, Izzie’s thoughts and choices will feel a little too familiar. You’ll want to shake her, tell her to run, and somehow completely understand why she keeps going back.
Evan is the perfect kind of morally gray character, you know he’s going to hurt you, but then you get his backstory and suddenly you understand why he is the way he is. And honestly, early-20s me absolutely would have thought, “I can fix him.” Izzie and Evan were messy, complicated, and frustrating, but their relationship felt incredibly real.
I also loved Izzie and Joe’s friendship. Their completely platonic bond was such a refreshing addition, and Joe was honestly chef’s kiss. The whole story brings heartbreak, hope, spice, chaos, and friendships without forcing everything into a perfect fairytale ending.
Although this was not my favorite ending, I totally understand the need to have it pan out this way, sometimes life doesn’t always get happy endings and I just hope that Evan can have redemption somewhere in his life.
Thank you Beyond the books PR & Alyssa for an advance copy for my honest review.
Evan is the perfect kind of morally gray character, you know he’s going to hurt you, but then you get his backstory and suddenly you understand why he is the way he is. And honestly, early-20s me absolutely would have thought, “I can fix him.” Izzie and Evan were messy, complicated, and frustrating, but their relationship felt incredibly real.
I also loved Izzie and Joe’s friendship. Their completely platonic bond was such a refreshing addition, and Joe was honestly chef’s kiss. The whole story brings heartbreak, hope, spice, chaos, and friendships without forcing everything into a perfect fairytale ending.
Although this was not my favorite ending, I totally understand the need to have it pan out this way, sometimes life doesn’t always get happy endings and I just hope that Evan can have redemption somewhere in his life.
Thank you Beyond the books PR & Alyssa for an advance copy for my honest review.
dnr
September 8, 2026Please delete ‘she thinks she can fix him’ trope from existence. Women are not a tool for men’s redemption
October 12, 2026
REVIEW OF THE ADVANCE READER COPY FROM AUTHOR
4/5
Spice:🌶️/5
Refreshing YA read about a girl navigating friendship and relationships aka situationship.
Thank you, Alyssa K. Burns and beyondbooks pr for this ARC.
Fav moments:
*They saw each other in a way she hadn’t experienced before, one she hadn’t known possible. While they learned new things about each other, an understanding was already threaded through their answers. He never found her questions strange or her goals too ambitious. He took her exactly as she was and seemed to only want more of her.
*They traded their broken pieces, and then, when the validation struck an unfamiliar chord, they stopped talking and spoke in other ways.
*She wanted to keep talking to him. To learn more about his history. What he envisioned for his future. Questions she was determined not to care about only months ago, and now she couldn't stop them from infiltrating her mind.
*They weren’t irrelevant situations. They were the same because she allowed herself to be treated the same. No matter who the man was, she let them decide her role in the relationship.
*All she could think of was that she loved him. No matter how broken he was on the outside or how broken he claimed he was on the inside. No matter how upset Joe was. She would always love Evan, as if it were written in the stars.
*It’s important that you make space for found family, because at the end of the day, it’s the family you create that will make your life big and loud.”
*Love isn’t something to be convinced of or accepted in pieces. Love is to be given wholeheartedly.
Irrelevant Situations has been a refreshing read, different from my usual hea go to romances, though it's more of a situationship with lots of self discovery.
It's about choosing between what feels exciting and what is right for us.✨✨
Izzie Thatcher the FMC is a girl who is just like us, navigating her life with so many responsibilities and goals that she wants to achieve. She made me feel so many emotions, and her character was relatable in many instances. 💕
I loved her friendship with Joe . 💖.,it was platonic but also felt emotionally deep as they were there for each other in every situation, be it happy or sad, the way he was there for her when the moment came because he didn't want her heartbroken in the end was heartwarmingly beautiful and the way his girlfriend Ria subtly reminded Izzie to choose herself over anyone and anything was a good life lesson.
Liked the MMC Evan he was sweet in many moments, but the baggage his family left behind really shaped him into the person he is now, who is struggling to commit to a relationship, but thereason why he couldn't was shown in a really good way without making him the bad guy as Izzie said they were good but were not meant to be together. 🩷
Trust me I was dying😭 to hear him say he will try better but alas he didn't which was sad but yeah that's how life is ... I like to think in some other universe these two were together where Evan found the courage to make this work.
There sweet moments were the heart of this book as there was no to low spice. it's easily a young adult recommendation. .
Chelsea's character felt like it was a reflection of us readers😫, and she was on point with her remarks about the lead's situationship and one of the best friendships, Izzie, found in her journey.
I also liked the way they ended their relationship without any blaming and drama, just quite an understanding of what's right for them and their future.
The writing was beautifully paced made it easy to relate to the story
4/5
Spice:🌶️/5
Refreshing YA read about a girl navigating friendship and relationships aka situationship.
Thank you, Alyssa K. Burns and beyondbooks pr for this ARC.
Fav moments:
*They saw each other in a way she hadn’t experienced before, one she hadn’t known possible. While they learned new things about each other, an understanding was already threaded through their answers. He never found her questions strange or her goals too ambitious. He took her exactly as she was and seemed to only want more of her.
*They traded their broken pieces, and then, when the validation struck an unfamiliar chord, they stopped talking and spoke in other ways.
*She wanted to keep talking to him. To learn more about his history. What he envisioned for his future. Questions she was determined not to care about only months ago, and now she couldn't stop them from infiltrating her mind.
*They weren’t irrelevant situations. They were the same because she allowed herself to be treated the same. No matter who the man was, she let them decide her role in the relationship.
*All she could think of was that she loved him. No matter how broken he was on the outside or how broken he claimed he was on the inside. No matter how upset Joe was. She would always love Evan, as if it were written in the stars.
*It’s important that you make space for found family, because at the end of the day, it’s the family you create that will make your life big and loud.”
*Love isn’t something to be convinced of or accepted in pieces. Love is to be given wholeheartedly.
Irrelevant Situations has been a refreshing read, different from my usual hea go to romances, though it's more of a situationship with lots of self discovery.
It's about choosing between what feels exciting and what is right for us.✨✨
Izzie Thatcher the FMC is a girl who is just like us, navigating her life with so many responsibilities and goals that she wants to achieve. She made me feel so many emotions, and her character was relatable in many instances. 💕
I loved her friendship with Joe . 💖.,it was platonic but also felt emotionally deep as they were there for each other in every situation, be it happy or sad, the way he was there for her when the moment came because he didn't want her heartbroken in the end was heartwarmingly beautiful and the way his girlfriend Ria subtly reminded Izzie to choose herself over anyone and anything was a good life lesson.
Liked the MMC Evan he was sweet in many moments, but the baggage his family left behind really shaped him into the person he is now, who is struggling to commit to a relationship, but thereason why he couldn't was shown in a really good way without making him the bad guy as Izzie said they were good but were not meant to be together. 🩷
Trust me I was dying😭 to hear him say he will try better but alas he didn't which was sad but yeah that's how life is ... I like to think in some other universe these two were together where Evan found the courage to make this work.
There sweet moments were the heart of this book as there was no to low spice. it's easily a young adult recommendation. .
Chelsea's character felt like it was a reflection of us readers😫, and she was on point with her remarks about the lead's situationship and one of the best friendships, Izzie, found in her journey.
I also liked the way they ended their relationship without any blaming and drama, just quite an understanding of what's right for them and their future.
The writing was beautifully paced made it easy to relate to the story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Recently, I’ve been left speechless, not by one, but by two books. And one right after the other.
I’m not going to lie, I LOVE happy endings. I love the happiness a book gives me when it has the “perfect” ending. I love romance and all the possible clichés. So when a book doesn’t go that way, it gets to me, a lot. Because what I look for in books is something that takes me away from my reality, not something that reflects it. HAHAHAHAHA.
Luckily for me, this has happened to me more than once this year. But this book?
This one definitely takes the crown.
Irrelevant Situations somehow broke me, but it also confirmed to me that sometimes the hardest decision, and the one that hurts the most, is the right one.
Izzy and Evan are everything I NEVER want to be again, but they are also everything many of us have been.
Izzy is smart, determined, and a fighter. She is determined to go to her dream university, but what she didn’t expect was to fall in love with Evan, her best friend’s brother.Their “relationship” was like a shooting star in the sky: a collection of stolen moments, filled with insecurities and indecision.Evan is a character carrying a suitcase full of unresolved things, and he is constantly struggling with what he feels for Izzy. Because of his own trauma, he doesn’t know how to fully let her in and constantly pushes her away. Evan isn’t portrayed as a bad person, just as a guy who hasn’t known how to deal with his issues and also doesn’t know how to let Izzy go.
At first, I wasn’t really sure where the story was going, until I saw it. I knew what the ending would be, and even though it’s not what I usually like, it definitely made me think. I also saw a lot of myself in Izzy and, at some moments, even in Evan.
I think this is a book that makes us realize and reflect on the fact that, at some point, we will have to make decisions that, even if they feel like they are breaking our hearts, still need to be made.
That sometimes loving someone is not enough for that person to love you back.
That boundaries are necessary in all our relationships: romantic relationships, family, even friends and work.
I hope this book finds someone who truly needs it. And if it doesn’t, I hope it finds someone like me, to remind them why they left, why it was necessary, and that even though it hurts, it was for the best.
I’m not going to lie, I LOVE happy endings. I love the happiness a book gives me when it has the “perfect” ending. I love romance and all the possible clichés. So when a book doesn’t go that way, it gets to me, a lot. Because what I look for in books is something that takes me away from my reality, not something that reflects it. HAHAHAHAHA.
Luckily for me, this has happened to me more than once this year. But this book?
This one definitely takes the crown.
Irrelevant Situations somehow broke me, but it also confirmed to me that sometimes the hardest decision, and the one that hurts the most, is the right one.
Izzy and Evan are everything I NEVER want to be again, but they are also everything many of us have been.
Izzy is smart, determined, and a fighter. She is determined to go to her dream university, but what she didn’t expect was to fall in love with Evan, her best friend’s brother.Their “relationship” was like a shooting star in the sky: a collection of stolen moments, filled with insecurities and indecision.Evan is a character carrying a suitcase full of unresolved things, and he is constantly struggling with what he feels for Izzy. Because of his own trauma, he doesn’t know how to fully let her in and constantly pushes her away. Evan isn’t portrayed as a bad person, just as a guy who hasn’t known how to deal with his issues and also doesn’t know how to let Izzy go.
At first, I wasn’t really sure where the story was going, until I saw it. I knew what the ending would be, and even though it’s not what I usually like, it definitely made me think. I also saw a lot of myself in Izzy and, at some moments, even in Evan.
I think this is a book that makes us realize and reflect on the fact that, at some point, we will have to make decisions that, even if they feel like they are breaking our hearts, still need to be made.
That sometimes loving someone is not enough for that person to love you back.
That boundaries are necessary in all our relationships: romantic relationships, family, even friends and work.
I hope this book finds someone who truly needs it. And if it doesn’t, I hope it finds someone like me, to remind them why they left, why it was necessary, and that even though it hurts, it was for the best.
October 9, 2026
Hello my delulu bookworms🖤
ARC review:
This book felt way too relatable. The way Izzie loved Evan despite having emotional baggage of her own while he couldn't do the same for her made me understand what people mean when they say If he wanted to he would.Evan didn't want to be with her forever. He didn't love her like that he just liked having her around. He didn't want to leave a situation that made him happy even if it meant hurting her in the process. It was all about him and how he felt. He never really stopped to look at things from her side.Of course their moments together were lovely but they were equally heartwrenching because deep down it felt like they were never meant to last. I know Evan was messed up because of his past but he didn't even try to overcome it for them while Izzie would've done everything she could to make things work. I was so proud of her when she finally let go and took control of her life for herself. It takes guts to do that. 🥹❤️
Putting the emotional side aside I absolutely loved the friendship between Izzie and Joe. It reminded me of my best friend❤️ The way they were each other's emotional support was so heartwarming. They would fight and criticize each other's choices but at the end of the day they were each other's pillars❤️They never sugar coated their feelings just to make the other person happy. They were real with each other and that made their friendship feel even more like family🥰
ARC review:
This book felt way too relatable. The way Izzie loved Evan despite having emotional baggage of her own while he couldn't do the same for her made me understand what people mean when they say If he wanted to he would.Evan didn't want to be with her forever. He didn't love her like that he just liked having her around. He didn't want to leave a situation that made him happy even if it meant hurting her in the process. It was all about him and how he felt. He never really stopped to look at things from her side.Of course their moments together were lovely but they were equally heartwrenching because deep down it felt like they were never meant to last. I know Evan was messed up because of his past but he didn't even try to overcome it for them while Izzie would've done everything she could to make things work. I was so proud of her when she finally let go and took control of her life for herself. It takes guts to do that. 🥹❤️
Putting the emotional side aside I absolutely loved the friendship between Izzie and Joe. It reminded me of my best friend❤️ The way they were each other's emotional support was so heartwarming. They would fight and criticize each other's choices but at the end of the day they were each other's pillars❤️They never sugar coated their feelings just to make the other person happy. They were real with each other and that made their friendship feel even more like family🥰
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay but The Irrelevant Situation by Alyssa K. Burns??? I AM NOT OKAY. 😭💜 The whole “we absolutely cannot stand each other” → “oops, why are we kissing?” pipeline had me HOOKED. Izzie and Evan’s banter, those intellectual debates, the stolen kisses, the secret-romance tension… HELLO??? Give me a second to BREATHE. 😭
The fact that Evan is basically the one person Izzie is convinced she shouldn’t trust, and somehow becomes the person she can’t stop thinking about?? THE ANGST. And that ticking timeline makes everything feel even more intense because you KNOW every little moment between them is borrowed time.
I loved how messy and complicated everything felt, friendship, family secrets, university dreams, trust, and this relationship neither of them really knows what to do with. It’s giving forbidden-ish romance + enemies-to-lovers energy + secret relationship + stolen kisses + emotional damage, and as a certified romance girly, I was DEVOURING every bit of it. 🫠💜
Honestly, the author really said “let’s put two people who absolutely should NOT fall for each other in the same situation and see what happens” and I said YES, PLEASE, MAKE IT WORSE. 😭📖✨ And now I’m sitting here desperately needing more from the Honey Cat series because apparently two books are NOT enough for me. 💅🏻💜
The fact that Evan is basically the one person Izzie is convinced she shouldn’t trust, and somehow becomes the person she can’t stop thinking about?? THE ANGST. And that ticking timeline makes everything feel even more intense because you KNOW every little moment between them is borrowed time.
I loved how messy and complicated everything felt, friendship, family secrets, university dreams, trust, and this relationship neither of them really knows what to do with. It’s giving forbidden-ish romance + enemies-to-lovers energy + secret relationship + stolen kisses + emotional damage, and as a certified romance girly, I was DEVOURING every bit of it. 🫠💜
Honestly, the author really said “let’s put two people who absolutely should NOT fall for each other in the same situation and see what happens” and I said YES, PLEASE, MAKE IT WORSE. 😭📖✨ And now I’m sitting here desperately needing more from the Honey Cat series because apparently two books are NOT enough for me. 💅🏻💜
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to Alyssa and Beyond the Books PR for an ARC of this book!
So, Izzie is our main gal. She's focused, has big dreams, and when I clocked that she's a Swiftie, I smiled. (I say this as a Swiftie in recovery. Evermore is still a great album.) I really liked Izzie. I liked Evan less, but that's probably personal hang ups that linger on, and I'm not sold that I was even meant to like him all that much. He's a little bit older than Izzie and her roommate/bestie and his own brother, Joe, and I was just like...bro, let her go, you know?
But at the end of the day, Evan isn't a villain. He's just a dude who's frontal lobe hasn't finished developing or whatever. Nor has Izzie's, for what it's worth. That doesn't erase times Evan wasn't as thoughtful as he should have been. Proximity might have been their biggest problem. Proximity-driven chemistry.
Alyssa is a nuanced, lovely writer, and I appreciate her ability to funnel through the, and forgive me for the term, BS that is often associated with writing new adult romance or spice. She's skilled at making the characters real, and taking me back to my own college experience.
My personal takeaway from Irrelevant Situations is that any guilt one feels for not being true to herself hopefully becomes temporary. I'm working on it. I know I'm not alone. I think that's the most important part of Alyssa's work here.
So, Izzie is our main gal. She's focused, has big dreams, and when I clocked that she's a Swiftie, I smiled. (I say this as a Swiftie in recovery. Evermore is still a great album.) I really liked Izzie. I liked Evan less, but that's probably personal hang ups that linger on, and I'm not sold that I was even meant to like him all that much. He's a little bit older than Izzie and her roommate/bestie and his own brother, Joe, and I was just like...bro, let her go, you know?
But at the end of the day, Evan isn't a villain. He's just a dude who's frontal lobe hasn't finished developing or whatever. Nor has Izzie's, for what it's worth. That doesn't erase times Evan wasn't as thoughtful as he should have been. Proximity might have been their biggest problem. Proximity-driven chemistry.
Alyssa is a nuanced, lovely writer, and I appreciate her ability to funnel through the, and forgive me for the term, BS that is often associated with writing new adult romance or spice. She's skilled at making the characters real, and taking me back to my own college experience.
My personal takeaway from Irrelevant Situations is that any guilt one feels for not being true to herself hopefully becomes temporary. I'm working on it. I know I'm not alone. I think that's the most important part of Alyssa's work here.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book!💜🐈⬛️🎸
»»——— ᢉ𐭩 ———««
Ah situationships the one dreadful thing I hate but have faced in my early 20s myself in the past 5 years or so, they are so melancholic, toxic yet weirdly addicting (you get use to the precense of a person without any commitment whatsoever) we all have been there done that.
And this was the plot of the book, as much as i adored this book, evan I understand he is a complex character and I understood his circumstances but o just couldn't find myself to have a soft spot for him somehow, he nearly triggered me with his actions most of the time and you can tell author have talent of writting from there, he is a so called black cat guy you crush over in uni somehow who is not good for you at all.
I loved our fmc, her relationship and how her pov flowed it was enjoyable to read and i absolutely adored her and joes dynamic alot, they truly are the best friends one could admine.
The plot and pacing of the book was nice as well and it was so easy to read and i was so hooked i finished the book in one sitting, overall a great book and I cannot wait to read the authors other books and wish them the very best with the publishing of the book 🤍
»»——— ᢉ𐭩 ———««
Ah situationships the one dreadful thing I hate but have faced in my early 20s myself in the past 5 years or so, they are so melancholic, toxic yet weirdly addicting (you get use to the precense of a person without any commitment whatsoever) we all have been there done that.
And this was the plot of the book, as much as i adored this book, evan I understand he is a complex character and I understood his circumstances but o just couldn't find myself to have a soft spot for him somehow, he nearly triggered me with his actions most of the time and you can tell author have talent of writting from there, he is a so called black cat guy you crush over in uni somehow who is not good for you at all.
I loved our fmc, her relationship and how her pov flowed it was enjoyable to read and i absolutely adored her and joes dynamic alot, they truly are the best friends one could admine.
The plot and pacing of the book was nice as well and it was so easy to read and i was so hooked i finished the book in one sitting, overall a great book and I cannot wait to read the authors other books and wish them the very best with the publishing of the book 🤍
October 6, 2026
This was such an enjoyable read! I really liked the dynamic between Izzie and Evan, especially how their relationship developed from constant bickering to something much more complicated.
Izzie was a character I could appreciate because she had her own goals and dreams. Between college, work, trying to get into Berkeley, and figuring out her feelings for Evan, she had a lot on her plate. I also liked how Evan helped her academically, and their intellectual debates and little moments together were some of my favourite parts.
What I enjoyed most was the mix of romance, emotional struggles, family issues, and the uncertainty that came with their relationship. Their story wasn't always easy, and there were moments when I wanted things to be a little less complicated for them.
The best friend's brother trope, forced proximity, secret romance, and musician love interest made this a fun read for romance lovers. I also appreciated that Izzie's future and personal ambitions remained an important part of her story.
Overall, Irrelevant Situations was a lovely romance that kept me invested in Izzie and Evan's journey. It had its emotional moments, and I'm glad I got the chance to read it as an ARC.
A solid 4.5 star read from me! 💜
Izzie was a character I could appreciate because she had her own goals and dreams. Between college, work, trying to get into Berkeley, and figuring out her feelings for Evan, she had a lot on her plate. I also liked how Evan helped her academically, and their intellectual debates and little moments together were some of my favourite parts.
What I enjoyed most was the mix of romance, emotional struggles, family issues, and the uncertainty that came with their relationship. Their story wasn't always easy, and there were moments when I wanted things to be a little less complicated for them.
The best friend's brother trope, forced proximity, secret romance, and musician love interest made this a fun read for romance lovers. I also appreciated that Izzie's future and personal ambitions remained an important part of her story.
Overall, Irrelevant Situations was a lovely romance that kept me invested in Izzie and Evan's journey. It had its emotional moments, and I'm glad I got the chance to read it as an ARC.
A solid 4.5 star read from me! 💜
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay so I know this is only Alyssa's second book, but she's already a must-buy author for me. And if you weren't 100% sure after her first book, read this second one because they make each other even better than they are separately, and this one is JUST. SO. GOOD. Where TLST was new experiences and the madness and whirlwind of love, IS is clinging on to love even when it breaks you and relatability for the one thing us girls hate but can't seem to avoid--situationships. IS and Izzie Thatcher were relatable to me in a way that hurts so good. Every single thing Izzie did I've done, and every single thing Izzie thought, felt, and said I've experienced. I cried with her, chased Evan with her, and broke with her when we both had to choose ourselves even though we really didn't want to let go. The side characters in this book were, of course, incredible. I love the whole Honey Cat world, but this book has such a special place in my heart! Be ready to break, be ready to read this book in two days, be ready to refresh Alyssa's Instagram until she announces book three. Ugh, I can't say enough about Irrelevant Situations--thanks for releasing my diary to the whole entire world, Alyssa!
Review of advance copy
thank you to Beyond the Books PR and the author for the eARC!
situationship!! who actually enjoys being in one? definitely not me, and reading this book only made that feeling stronger.
To be very honest, I was pissed for most of the book. I hated the dynamic between Izzie and Evan. Their whole arrangement had me fuming, because it was too accurate. That back and forth, almost but not quite relationship? yeah get this book out of my face but I couldn't stop reading it.
I despised Evan as a character but I'm so glad that the author didn't romanticise him or villanise him. He has commitment issues. He is emotionally unavailable. He is shown as he is.
What I personally enjoyed about this book was Izzie outside of Evan. Watching her figure out life - her lifelong friendship with Joe, newly formed friendship with Ria, the not so awkward but awkward friendship with Chelsea, her complicated relationship with her dad, and how supportive she is of her mom, getting into university. It felt too real and raw.
This is my first time reading a book with such kind of ending and I never expected to love it.
Definitely recommend if you are looking for a raw, realistic take on situationship dynamics.
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔:
plot: 4★
characters: 3.5★
themes: 3.5★
writing style and structure: 3.5★
ending: 4★
OVERALL: 3.75★
situationship!! who actually enjoys being in one? definitely not me, and reading this book only made that feeling stronger.
To be very honest, I was pissed for most of the book. I hated the dynamic between Izzie and Evan. Their whole arrangement had me fuming, because it was too accurate. That back and forth, almost but not quite relationship? yeah get this book out of my face but I couldn't stop reading it.
I despised Evan as a character but I'm so glad that the author didn't romanticise him or villanise him. He has commitment issues. He is emotionally unavailable. He is shown as he is.
What I personally enjoyed about this book was Izzie outside of Evan. Watching her figure out life - her lifelong friendship with Joe, newly formed friendship with Ria, the not so awkward but awkward friendship with Chelsea, her complicated relationship with her dad, and how supportive she is of her mom, getting into university. It felt too real and raw.
This is my first time reading a book with such kind of ending and I never expected to love it.
Definitely recommend if you are looking for a raw, realistic take on situationship dynamics.
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔:
plot: 4★
characters: 3.5★
themes: 3.5★
writing style and structure: 3.5★
ending: 4★
OVERALL: 3.75★
September 29, 2026
The many times I’ve cried during this book is unreal 😭. Alyssa did such an amazing job with capturing the ways of what being in a situationship is like. I’ve caught myself many times during my reading thinking to myself “hey I’ve been in that situation before” or knowing exactly how something is going to play out. It truly sucks when you find the person you are wanting to be with and you know deep down in your heart things could work if only they would be willing to commit. Eventually we will see that those “what if” moments aren’t going to lead us anywhere aside from a heartbreak. They love the idea of having you around and they know you will always be there just by sending a quick “I miss you text”. They basically love the idea of you but won’t give you more🙄. This book will bring out so many emotions and you yourself will be spiraling along with the FMC. This was such a fast read for me and it kept me saying “one more chapter” and by the time I knew it I was finishing it. I absolutely love the very last sentence in this book and I can’t wait for everyone to read it. This was an easy ♾️⭐️ for me.
October 5, 2026
"No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't think of a counterargument. They weren't irrelevant situations. They were the same because she allowed herself to be treated the same. No matter who the man was, she let them decide her role in the relationship."
I loved it! Irrelevant situations was my favorite of the Honey Cat Series so far!
I resonated with Izzie so much, that it almost hurt to read and was comparing my own life with hers. She was so strong and I really loved how Alyssa wrote her character. Evan was really sweet and I can see why he felt the way he did. Sometimes I did want to knock him upside the head lol.
Alyssa's books are super easy to read, and they take you back to when you were early 20's and feeling everything new for the first time. First time away from home, first love, first loss. So much nostalgia!
Thank you so much to Beyond The Books PR and Alyssa for the opportunity to read early!
I loved it! Irrelevant situations was my favorite of the Honey Cat Series so far!
I resonated with Izzie so much, that it almost hurt to read and was comparing my own life with hers. She was so strong and I really loved how Alyssa wrote her character. Evan was really sweet and I can see why he felt the way he did. Sometimes I did want to knock him upside the head lol.
Alyssa's books are super easy to read, and they take you back to when you were early 20's and feeling everything new for the first time. First time away from home, first love, first loss. So much nostalgia!
Thank you so much to Beyond The Books PR and Alyssa for the opportunity to read early!
Review of advance copy
Irrelevant Situations by Alyssa K Burns is unique and original, focussing on contemporary dating and with it, keeping me rapt, hoping upon hope that the situationship would develop!
This is what I really, really enjoyed about this book. I love a book that carves a niche for itself within a genre while creating its own sub-genre. Original and not cliched, unpredictable and intriguing
This is Book 2 of the Honey Cat series and I have not as yet read book 1 so I was flying in blind!
Izzie is getting ready to transfer to University from Community College. She's living with her platonic male friend Joe and everything is ticking over nicely until Joes Older brother Gavin shows up and flips the peace and tranquillity upside down, back to front and sideways. Izzie, is not a fan.
Will these enemies grow into lovers? Will the fates align to bring them together? Or will the universe decide that it is just not cupids day?
I adored how real the characters were. Evan isn't ready to commit to a relationship and while Izzie is besotted with him, it is more a case of her going through the process of growing emotionally, to understand when it is time to stop chasing.
This book is also fascinating in how it tracks Izzie's other relationships, with family and with friends and in turn this builts a type of web of connectedness and disconnect that sheds light on how she approaches her relationship with Evan. It's worth a re-read to look at from different perspectives and each time you will experience a different story, such is the power of Burns' writing
In short, refreshing, intriguing, and utterly relatable on every level. This is a series (and an author) that I am really looking forward to getting behind. Brilliant!
Thank you to the author and Beyond the Books PR. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
This is what I really, really enjoyed about this book. I love a book that carves a niche for itself within a genre while creating its own sub-genre. Original and not cliched, unpredictable and intriguing
This is Book 2 of the Honey Cat series and I have not as yet read book 1 so I was flying in blind!
Izzie is getting ready to transfer to University from Community College. She's living with her platonic male friend Joe and everything is ticking over nicely until Joes Older brother Gavin shows up and flips the peace and tranquillity upside down, back to front and sideways. Izzie, is not a fan.
Will these enemies grow into lovers? Will the fates align to bring them together? Or will the universe decide that it is just not cupids day?
I adored how real the characters were. Evan isn't ready to commit to a relationship and while Izzie is besotted with him, it is more a case of her going through the process of growing emotionally, to understand when it is time to stop chasing.
This book is also fascinating in how it tracks Izzie's other relationships, with family and with friends and in turn this builts a type of web of connectedness and disconnect that sheds light on how she approaches her relationship with Evan. It's worth a re-read to look at from different perspectives and each time you will experience a different story, such is the power of Burns' writing
In short, refreshing, intriguing, and utterly relatable on every level. This is a series (and an author) that I am really looking forward to getting behind. Brilliant!
Thank you to the author and Beyond the Books PR. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
October 15, 2026
For lovers of Normal People or the Jess storyline in Gilmore Girls, this is a book for you! Irrelevant Situations follows Evan and Izzie, two friends-turned-situationship. I found so much of this story relatable, and I feel like most of us have encountered some version of a situationship in our lives!
The chemistry, banter, and deep emotional connection between Izzie and Evan were such a fun, beautiful part of the story. Exploring both of their pasts and familial trauma added so much depth to their characters, and I loved seeing how they developed by the book’s end. While I can’t guarantee a typical HEA, I feel like the twists and turns of the book will tug at your heartstrings and maybe even provide a bit of healing if you’ve ever been an Izzie. Both characters are so likable and charming, you'll be rooting for them from page one! It’s just so beautifully written and compelling; I couldn’t put it down!
Thank you Beyond the Books PR and Alyssa K Burns for this ARC!!
The chemistry, banter, and deep emotional connection between Izzie and Evan were such a fun, beautiful part of the story. Exploring both of their pasts and familial trauma added so much depth to their characters, and I loved seeing how they developed by the book’s end. While I can’t guarantee a typical HEA, I feel like the twists and turns of the book will tug at your heartstrings and maybe even provide a bit of healing if you’ve ever been an Izzie. Both characters are so likable and charming, you'll be rooting for them from page one! It’s just so beautifully written and compelling; I couldn’t put it down!
Thank you Beyond the Books PR and Alyssa K Burns for this ARC!!
October 16, 2026
IRRELEVANT SITUATIONS was an easy, engaging read that kept me turning pages. For the dedicated romance readers out there, take note: this is more of a situationship story than a traditional romance. It also isn't the typical happily-ever-after I've come to expect from the genre, but I appreciated the exploration of messy relationships, complicated feelings, and figuring out what kind of love we deserve. And while this book is part of a larger universe, I had no trouble enjoying it as a standalone!
Alyssa K. Burns has a real talent for writing complex, flawed characters who grow on you as their stories unfold. I especially loved Izzie and Joe's platonic friendship. It's refreshing to see a meaningful male-female friendship that doesn't need to become something romantic. I'd definitely recommend this one to romance lovers looking for a little palate cleanser!
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Alyssa K. Burns has a real talent for writing complex, flawed characters who grow on you as their stories unfold. I especially loved Izzie and Joe's platonic friendship. It's refreshing to see a meaningful male-female friendship that doesn't need to become something romantic. I'd definitely recommend this one to romance lovers looking for a little palate cleanser!
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 16, 2026
This book was provided to me as an advanced reader copy and my review is entirely voluntary. My thoughts, opinions, and comments are all my own!
I truly enjoyed reading about Izzie, Joe, and Evan. We get to see the friendship between Izzie and Joe, then how Izzie develops feelings for his older brother, Evan. She knows that he should be off-limits, but they’re both cross that line and go down a journey that brings out so many emotions.
I would say this is the perfect representation of a situationship. We watch Izzie develop deeper feelings for Evan, trying not to pressure him into anything at first since he speaks the words that can calm her anxiety. Yet we watch as she slowly realizes that he will never give her what she truly wants, and deserves. Even Joe voices his concerns and we see the tension between them as he tries to warn Izzie.
I appreciated the development that came from the characters and I do think it was all written in a very realistic, relatable manner.
I truly enjoyed reading about Izzie, Joe, and Evan. We get to see the friendship between Izzie and Joe, then how Izzie develops feelings for his older brother, Evan. She knows that he should be off-limits, but they’re both cross that line and go down a journey that brings out so many emotions.
I would say this is the perfect representation of a situationship. We watch Izzie develop deeper feelings for Evan, trying not to pressure him into anything at first since he speaks the words that can calm her anxiety. Yet we watch as she slowly realizes that he will never give her what she truly wants, and deserves. Even Joe voices his concerns and we see the tension between them as he tries to warn Izzie.
I appreciated the development that came from the characters and I do think it was all written in a very realistic, relatable manner.
Review of advance copy received from Author
★★★★★ 5/5
I received an ARC of Irrelevant Situations by Alyssa K. Burns, and I already know this is a book I’ll be reading again.
If you’ve ever been in a situationship that left you questioning yourself, wondering if you misunderstood the connection, read too much into someone’s words, or if your gut was trying to tell you something…this book is going to feel very real.
That’s what I loved most about it. It captures that confusing space between a relationship and a situationship where you start wondering, “Am I crazy? Did I imagine all of this?” It felt relatable without feeling forced, and I couldn’t put it down.
No spoilers because I really think you need to experience this story for yourself. I’m so proud of Alyssa. This was an easy 5-star read, and like I said, I already know I’ll be going back for a reread.
ARC provided for review. All opinions are my own.
I received an ARC of Irrelevant Situations by Alyssa K. Burns, and I already know this is a book I’ll be reading again.
If you’ve ever been in a situationship that left you questioning yourself, wondering if you misunderstood the connection, read too much into someone’s words, or if your gut was trying to tell you something…this book is going to feel very real.
That’s what I loved most about it. It captures that confusing space between a relationship and a situationship where you start wondering, “Am I crazy? Did I imagine all of this?” It felt relatable without feeling forced, and I couldn’t put it down.
No spoilers because I really think you need to experience this story for yourself. I’m so proud of Alyssa. This was an easy 5-star read, and like I said, I already know I’ll be going back for a reread.
ARC provided for review. All opinions are my own.
October 6, 2026
Irrelevant Situations is a deep-dive into the inner workings of a situationship, and the eventual point where one must ultimately make a decision to keep going, knowing things will never progress beyond that, or walk away. Izzie lives with her best friend, Joe. They have a completely platonic, but beautiful friendship. His brother, Evan, ends up moving in with them, and, after some tension due to past issues between them, Evan and Izzie end up in a passionate situationship. He doesn't want to commit to anything, and eventually she wants to stop hiding their "relationship." Izzie ultimately has to decide whether to keep trying to make it work, or move on with her life. The author definitely brought the mixed feelings of being in a situationship to life and made it very relatable, and in a way that Evan was not villanized or made to be a bad guy, even though he couldn't commit.
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