Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Sometimes in Love #2

Smitten by the Brit

Rate this book
DEFINITELY, MAYBE...OR LOVE, ACTUALLY?

English professor Bonnie Blythe expects her life to play out like her favorite novels, especially now that her long-term boyfriend has finally proposed. So when a shocking discovery leads Bonnie to end her engagement, she decides to close the book on love. But the plot thickens when a brand-new character enters the scene—and quickens Bonnie's heart.

With his brilliant blue eyes, sexy accent, and irresistible charm, Theo Wharton is like a romantic hero straight out of a Jane Austen novel. When fate places Bonnie in England for a summer—conveniently close to Theo—she realizes a hot friends-with-benefits fling is exactly what she needs to start a fresh chapter. Just as Bonnie begins to believe she's falling in love, an eye-opening revelation into Theo's life makes Bonnie feel like she's wandered into one of her favorite books. Will Bonnie have the courage to risk her heart and turn the page with the dashing Brit to find her true happy ending after all?

376 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 28, 2019

44 people are currently reading
1941 people want to read

About the author

Melonie Johnson

13 books1,258 followers
A Star Wars junkie and Shakespeare groupie who quotes both Yoda and the Bard with equal aplomb, USA Today bestselling author Melonie Johnson--aka #thewritinglush--loves dark coffee, cheap wine, and expensive beer. And margaritas. And mimosas. And mules. Basically any cocktail that starts with the letter m. Declared a "writer to watch" by Kirkus and a "fizzy, engrossing new voice" by Entertainment Weekly, her smart funny contemporary romances are known for their witty banter and strong cast of female friendships; including the romantic comedies TOO WRONG TO BE RIGHT (named one of the top 10 Romances of 2023 by Booklist) and TOO GOOD TO BE REAL, as well as her award-winning Sometimes in Love debut series GETTING HOT WITH THE SCOT, SMITTEN BY THE BRIT, and ONCE UPON A BAD BOY. Her stories have been featured in Cosmopolitan and Woman’s World, selected as Amazon Best Books of the month, and appeared on many most anticipated romance lists, including BookPage, Goodreads, BuzzFeed, and BookBub. She lives in Chicagoland with her husband and their two redhead daughters. A former high school English and Theatre teacher, Melonie now spends her days in her Star Wars office, dreaming up meet cutes. Visit her at meloniejohnson.com and find her on Instagram and TikTok at @thewritinglush.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
320 (32%)
4 stars
421 (42%)
3 stars
195 (19%)
2 stars
33 (3%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 553 reviews
Profile Image for Erin .
1,642 reviews1,530 followers
June 20, 2019
Goodreads giveaway win!

Romance A Thon: A romance released in 2019

Smitten by the Brit is a Hallmark movie in book form and I fucks with it HARD!

Bonnie Blythe is an American English professor whose engaged to her childhood sweetheart. Her life is going as planned until she walks in on her fiance doing the nasty with another chick. She ends her engagement and decides to take her dream job in England.

Enter the sweet and handsome Theo Wharton a man straight out of romance novel. She begins a friends with benefits fling but both if them quickly realize they are falling in love.

Smitten by the Brit is predictable and that's why I liked it. I picked up this book because I wanted Bonnie & Theo to fall in love and they did just that. It was light and fun and just what I needed. Smitten by the Brit is actually book 2 in a series but each book can be read as a stand alone. There was some talk of events that happened in book 1 and the characters from that book were side characters in this book but I didn't feel like I missed anything by not reading book 1. I would like to eventually read book 1 & book 3 but since I don't normally buy romance novels I probably won't get to them for awhile.

A great book to read on a rainy summer day.
Profile Image for Anna  (The Bursting Bookshelf).
638 reviews202 followers
June 5, 2019
A review copy of this book was provided by St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.

Earlier this year I read, and thoroughly enjoyed, the first book in the Sometimes in Love Series, Getting Hot with the Scot as an early review copy. Since finishing it, I was counting down until I could read the sequel, Smitten by the Brit. I'm happy say that this book lived up to my excitement and expectations (though it was predictable), and was even better than Getting Hot with the Scot.

Smitten by the Brit picks up a few months after Getting Hot with the Scot ends. Bonnie is back to living with her fiance and teaching lectures at her local university. When she discovers that her fiance has been cheating on her, her carefully laid plans are thrown out the window. Enter Theo - the British duke who Bonnie met during her European adventure a few months prior. I won't say too much more about the plot, but I will say it was predictable. Similar to the first book, there was nothing terribly groundbreaking about the story, but it was executed well and featured thoroughly enjoyable characters. It's a fast paced and there were surprisingly few lags in the story - I found it hard to put the book down. In addition to the main plot, there was a lovely subplot focusing on Cassie and Logan, who were planning their upcoming wedding. Having them heavily featured was a nice callback for readers of the first book, and gave this story a depth that I hadn't anticipated.

One major improvement over the first book was that the cast of characters was reduced down to a smaller core cast. Because the group was smaller, all of the characters got more time to develop and were generally more important as individuals to the plot. Bonnie was a thoroughly enjoyable main character - she was a well defined, career driven woman. It was easy to understand her motivations and to root for her - she was level headed even in the face of adversary and really valued (and supported) her friends. Most importantly, we got to see her grow from a dotting, over-trusting doormat of a fiance into a strong, independent woman who isn't afraid of following her dreams.

Of course in a romance book, one of the most important elements is the chemistry between the two lead characters. In the case of Bonnie and Theo, their chemistry is off the charts - even from their first interactions in Getting Hot with the Scot, they had some of the best organic chemistry I've read in a long time. Not only did their chemistry start strong, it improved and naturally grew as they got to know each other more and more.

Smitten by the Brit did what most sequels don't - it took the best parts of the original and was even more enjoyable. It's a fun, romantic romp that will definitely make for a great beach read. I'd highly recommend it to fans of the first book, or just to anyone looking for a good quality romance book this summer. I look forward to reading anything else that Melonie Johnson writes. 4/5.
Profile Image for Madison Warner Fairbanks.
3,470 reviews496 followers
February 13, 2022
Smitten by the Brit by Melonie Johnson
2nd book in the Sometimes in Love series. Contemporary romance / romantic comedy. Can be read as a stand-alone.
When Bonnie finds her finance in bed with another woman, she takes her ring off and heads to the Waldorf to escape and make some decisions. She reconnects with a handsome friend of a friend and reconsiders her life path.

I knew the ex-finance was going to be out. She deserved better treatment than his lies and I’m glad she didn’t second guess her leaving.
I understood his dilemma of “family responsibility” and absolutely loved how it was ultimately resolved.
Entertaining, a bit humorous, romantic and hea. Everything I love in a romance.
Profile Image for Jewlsbookblog.
2,220 reviews74 followers
May 28, 2019
Theo was a dashing hero with elegant manners and well, a properness about him that I thought was a cute mannerism. Maybe its because he’s a Duke and the impression of strict rules always lurks in the back of my mind...anyhooo...anytime he was around Bonnie, especially in the bedroom, he shed his proper British self to expose a bit of disheveled naughtiness and hmmm, lol! Then there’s his down to earth personality, the way he acted around his sisters, and his ability to know when to retreat in the face of an upset female...Theo is obviously going down as one of my favorite book boyfriends!

I thought Bonnie was charming and sweet, with an effervescent love of all things bookish-a heroine after my own heart! She took a hard knock in the beginning of the story, but managed to pick up her bruised heart and dust it off, kind of hanging in limbo to see where it would lead her next. Watching her decide, on her own, where to go next with her big heart and her quirky humor was a wonderful journey of self discovery I loved best!

Bonnie and Theo have been eye flirting since book one-Getting Hot With the Scot-like scorching chemistry levels, so I was honestly expecting them to have quick sexy action when they met again, free from previous circumstances, and they didn’t! I’m not saying they don’t have sexy action at all...they do...eventually...and it was sweltering hot...but I was taken by surprised with their sexy game of cat and mouse! Seriously. Forward, retreat, regroup, plan, execute. Both sides actually, and I found it frustratingly hilarious yet very sweet!

I am loving Melonie Johnson’s stories! Her characters are down to earth with a wide range of emotions that go a long way in winning me over to the romances! The problems are relatable, ensuing reactions understandable, and the time frame for the romances are quite reasonable. (Okay, I didn’t even realize I ended all my descriptions with “-able”...)

As much as I enjoyed the first book in the Sometimes in Love series, book two was a different level for me! Smitten with the Brit brought all the elements I love about a well-written romance and whipped them into a fantastic read! Dashing hero, independent heroine, witty banter, silly (and sometimes naughty) humor, a sizzling romance, just a teensy amount of uh-oh’s, and a great circle of friends and family! I could continue blathering on thanks to caffeine and sugar, but I’ll behave! I am super excited to have discovered a new author and learning there’s another book in this series!!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Heather andrews.
9,520 reviews162 followers
December 8, 2018

I think Theo appreciates when his woman is being saucy, “I’m currently staring at your bare ***, so I’m probably not in a position to judge,” she admitted, giggling. He glanced over his shoulder, and sure enough , the saucy wench was ogling his naked bum..." I liked this book, I loved Theo.
Profile Image for Dora Okeyo.
Author 25 books202 followers
December 15, 2018
This is the second book in the series and oh, how I loved Bonnie and Theo. These two made this a delightful read and don't get me started on Theo's chivalry, politeness and tenderness because that right there is another thing all together.
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC. I could use some Brit charm myself!
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,341 reviews1,341 followers
May 28, 2019
description

description description

We all remember Bonnie and Theo from the first book. There was already some attraction in London - and now Bonnie is back in Chicago and Theo is there on business for a few days! But of course Bonnie is still engaged to Gabe, right? Yup, but he still hasn't decided on a wedding date - and now he never will - because we just caught him cheating on us!!!!

Now Bonnie is free to for Theo. But of course it's not as easy as that.

Theo's mom needs him to marry someone with lots of money - to save the family.

And Bonnie can't just jump into a new relationship ...

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO BONNIE & THEO???
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT! ☺

══════════════════

description

description

Well, that was adorable!!!!


Such a sweet and funny and British-Hot-Guy romance! ☺

We never liked what we heard about Gabe in the last book - so nobody was sad to see him cheat and leave the picture! Now Theo and Bonnie could get their Happy End - but it might take them a looong while until we'll get there. Lots of obstacles in the way. He's from England. He needs a rich wife. He would be her rebound. But - those are all things they can overcome! And they will - and the reader has an amazing time watching them fight for that happily ever after!

SMITTEN BY THE BRIT was a sweet & beautiful & romantic & literature-y & adorably British love story! READ IT!

Some tiny little things I didn't love-love.... it was a bit slowish here and there.

And I'm not really in love with some the writing. Melonie uses those weirdly constructed sentences a lot. At least one on every page! It probably has an official grammatical name - but I don't know it and I don't like it.
Examples - I don't have my kindle here right now - I highlighted them all. But I think I can create some of my own ... let me think ... A german girl, Bianca has problems understanding this sh*t. / An artist, he never had enough money for food.

Know what I mean??? Me no likey! ☺

BUT - the story was really cute - Theo was soo adorably British and sweet and Bonnie was really great too. Can't wait to read Sadie's book next!

description




Smokin Hot Book Blog Email
Profile Image for MELISSA *Mel Reader*.
1,398 reviews1,508 followers
May 31, 2019
4 Stars!
(ARC provided by St. Martin's Press)

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Bonnie Blythe is a beautiful, Irish 29 yr. old woman living in Chicago who is a bit naive and innocent. She's an English professor who is a lover of all things Shakespeare. She believes in fairy tales and since becoming engaged to her boyfriend feels she's found her happily ever after. Her life is perfect, just like in one of her novels, until all of a sudden it isn't. As her engagement ends her life is going up in flames.

Just when her life is feeling like a storm she's drowning in, two good things come her way. Her dream summer job in England, and a gorgeous Brit who looked like a cartoon prince come to life. He embodied every Austen hero she'd ever crushed on, and when he flashed those dimples she was a goner. He was already tall, dark, and handsome, and then when he spoke, that British accent finished her off.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

-He really was too beautiful for his own good. Dashing when he smiled, absolutely devastating when he laughed.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Now that Bonnie will be across the pond for the summer and closer to the man she can't quit fantasizing about, she thinks a friends with benefits fling might be exactly what she needs. Theo Wharton was charming, and she felt an irresistible pull any time he was near. There had been something between them since the day they met. She'd tried her best to ignore her feelings, but she'd never felt this way or wanted anyone so bad. She was in completely new and unfamiliar territory. While she was obsessing over Theo she soon realizes she might be falling hard for the delicious Brit!

Smitten by the Brit by Melonie Johnson is book two in the Sometimes in Love series. It's a friends to lovers romance full of humor and quirky, lovable characters. I really enjoyed it, and look forward to the next book in the series!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/2W91Lkz
Profile Image for Stacey.
1,446 reviews1,126 followers
March 22, 2019
A Hero any mother would love…

I know there will be a LOT of readers who will absolutely LOVE Theodore, the sixteenth Duke of Emberton. No, this is not a historical romance, it’s contemporary, but we do get to hang out with the upper-crust for a little while. I have to take a step back in reviewing this one because good old Theo does absolutely nothing for me. I didn’t even get a heart flutter, goofy smile and not one skerrick of a contented sigh passed my lips. So, while I thought this was a good story and I was thoroughly entertained, Theo just wasn’t for me. I wonder if you’ll be able to work out why the Duke of Emberton didn’t float my boat…

I was fortunate enough to meet Bonnie and Theo when I read Melonie Johnson’s debut romance, Getting Hot with the Scot. Bonnie, at the time, was engaged to her childhood sweetheart, Gabe, and was looking forward to setting a date for her wedding. Now, I wasn’t feeling overly confident that this date was going to get set, to be honest. I know for a fact, that if I was away from hubby even before he was my hubby we would be communicating every day and numerous times. I did not get that vibe at all. When Bonnie (while still engaged) met Theo, there were sparks flying. Bonnie, being the good girl that she is, ignored those sparks and returned home to the loving arms of her fiancé.

Bonnie shouldn’t have ignored those sparks because Gabe, the douchewaffle, didn’t ignore the sparks flying back at home.

Theo has a lot of family obligations and a duty to see his family line succeed. Unfortunately, the Emberton estates are verging on the brink of bankruptcy and it’s up to him to fill the coffers. What better way than to marry himself off to the highest bidder. He knows that’s what he has to do (as his Mama tells him often) but he also knows that a marriage match like that will probably not involve love. When Theo meets Bonnie sparks fly when he is absolutely enthralled with her red-haired, freckled beauty. If only Bonnie was a millionaire heiress with a good family name.

There was a lot about Bonnie that resonated with me. Her love of Shakespeare and Austen, scribbling down her thoughts and finding comfort surrounded by books, were things I could relate to. There were also things that I couldn’t relate to as well. She was just a wee bit timid, innocent and shy, especially when it comes to meeting blokes. Bonnie had been with Gabe since they were teenagers and had never kissed another man. I can’t even comprehend not having a comparison of good against bad. How would you know you’ve got a good egg if you haven’t dealt with a rotten egg first? I think, Bonnie knew from the first meeting that Theo was the best kind of egg for her.

Theo is the most well-mannered, polite and thoughtful gentleman that I’ve met (in the romance reading world) in a long, long time. He’s not demanding, bossy or arrogant. Theo walks you to the door, places a kiss on your cheek, and wishes you sweet dreams. Kind gestures, thoughtful dates and sweet surprises are exactly what you should expect when dating Theo. He’s the perfect gentleman.

Now, even though Theo was not the perfect hero for me, I did enjoy my time Smitten by the Brit. Seeing the sights, catching up with friends and meeting Theo’s very cool sister, Tabitha, made this a very entertaining read.

BUT

The one thing that did leave me a little frustrated (besides the fact that Theo doesn’t float my boat) was that Bonnie and Theo’s relationship doesn’t really start to come together until the very last pages. Theo’s family obligations and Bonnie’s break up leave them with many obstacles to overcome before they can even attempt a relationship. Don’t get me wrong, I knew they were meant for each other from their very first meeting, it just took them a wee while to catch up to me. We’re not left hanging for some sexy times either, it’s just that these knuckleheads took their bloody time to get to the real connection.

So, did you guess why Theo didn’t float my boat? I’ll give you a hint…

He’s not demanding, bossy or arrogant.

This book will be perfect for a lot of readers because Theo is a sweet, thoughtful and caring hero who uses his manners A LOT. Bonnie will appeal to a lot of readers because she's just like one of us. I highly recommend Smitten by the Brit and will not hesitate to read more from Melonie Johnson in the future.

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
Profile Image for Jessica.
857 reviews24 followers
January 13, 2019
"Heavy-handed there much, Lady Catherine? Bonnie had often wished to be in the middle of an Austen novel. Only now that she was, she couldn't wait to escape."

Okay, the moment when Bonnie meets Theo in Getting Hot with the Scot, I just knew I needed their story. Smitten by the Brit did NOT disappoint. Bonnie is always spouting off Shakespeare and Austen, which makes me love her even more. She's been with the same guy since she was just a little girl, and she cast him, her best friend, and herself in the roles of Anne of Green Gables. She's a total book nerd, which I'm sure many of us can relate to. She is just so sweet, yet strong, and I really enjoy that in a female character. 

Don't even get me started on the dashing and chivalrous Theo. Just kidding, I definitely want to talk about one of my new book boyfriends. We got a peek at the amazingness that is Theo when he helped Cassie in Getting Hot with the Scot, but man you really get to see it in this story. He is just always trying to do what's right. But he does get to experience the saying, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." Will he completely screw everything up, that question is exactly what kept me sucked in to the very end. 

And did I mention Theo's sister helps Bonnie plan a hen party, which ends up being Harry Potter themed?! YES, this book is THAT AWESOME. I already preordered my physical copy, because I need to hold this piece of heaven in my hands.

Special thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
831 reviews52 followers
December 29, 2018
I loved the previous book in this series and I loved this one as well. If Logan had me swooning with his ”lass”, Theo had me with ”love”. I suspected there will be a book about them from Getting Hot with the Scot and I was so happy when I saw that yes, the author made him a main character in the next book. So, if you haven’t read the previous book I strongly recommend to read it (just to give you some background) but since both books are stand-alone, it’s up to you if you want to do that.

I don’t really read classics – such as Jane Austen or William Shakespeare – but I have heard of them (I mean, who didn’t? :D) so I do know a little of their works. I’m saying that because this book is filled with quotes from Austen’s books and also from Shakespeare’s. So if you’re a literary geek, an Austen fan, this is your book. Not only does Bonnie talk a lot about books, what is surprising is that Theo knows some quotes too. They are a match made in heaven, I guess.

As I said for the first book, this was fun to read too. I like Bonnie’s loyalty to her friends and her fiancé, but what it did bother me at the moment was that she kept comparing Cassie’s love life to hers – like how could she marry after knowing a guy for a year while Bonnie was engaged for a year and knowing her fiancé for her whole life. I understood where her thoughts came from but at the same time, I was like ”yeah, you mentioned that before please stop”. But at least, she wasn’t like crazy jealous or something.

Theo, on the other hand, was very loyal to his family. He knew he had responsibilities to the family but at the same time, he didn’t know what to do with his feelings for Bonnie. I love how the author included side characters – his sisters, especially Tabitha – to the story.

Like in the previous books in this too I didn’t like that the POVs weren’t separated. I know, I know, it’s a minor detail but I like to know which POV I’m reading. Since the book releases in May I’m sure all these things will be fixed.

5 stars.


ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Slovenian review and full post here: https://slovenianbookworm.wordpress.com/
Profile Image for Patrice.
981 reviews46 followers
March 10, 2019
This is my first book by Melonie Johnson. I did not read the first book in this series and did not find that it detracted in any way from the story; so this can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed this book. It is kind of lighthearted in its delivery. There are moments when it gets a little "hot and heavy"; but, it plays well into the story and isn't just sex for the sake of sex. The story flowed well and the characters are charming and believable. I found myself routing for Bonnie Blythe the main female lead. She gets her heart broken and is able to come away from it with a better outlook and tends to be "in the moment" now more than she had been. All-in-all a very good and enjoyable story.

I was given an ARC of this book, from Net Galley and the publisher St Martins, for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Somya Sahni.
124 reviews21 followers
January 10, 2019
Just thinking about this book is making me blush . It was super tingling hot with its smut scenes and the super amazing connection between its main characters from the very first chapter . This book is the second book in the series Sometimes In Love (I haven’t read the first so I can say even you don’t even need to, to understand this one ) . So the main characters already know each other that’s why there is a great tension between them. Basically they meet in London where the main girl Bonnie goes with her friends for a trip and even though they have a huge ball of attraction between them she controls it because she is already engaged .

This book starts after about a year after the first one in Chicago . Lets just say the fiancé who was the one between the main characters Bonnie and Theo (Theo is the main guy)gets sidelined because he was a massive dickhead and even though he is the one who cheats he tries to behave as the guilty party . I really liked how Bonnie handles or moreover the author handles her character post breakup. At the same time Bonnie’s best friend is getting married to a Scottish guy she met in London during their trip (The first part revolves around their love story) so its Bonnie coming to terms with her breakup , her not so happening marriage and lets just Theo ends up being a great friend to her during this time. And Theo is in Chicago to do something for his mom and also he is the best friend of the Scottish guy.

So Bonnie is a professor of English in a university in Chicago and loves giving her touch to Shakespearean plays which leads to her getting a job offer to teach a summer program in Cambridge University . So in the midst of her whole future falling down this job acts as a savior. There is a lot of reference to Shakespeare plays and Jane Austen novels in this book which was honestly really fun to read. Now I should even let you all know that there is something Theo is hiding about his identity ( he is part of the British royalty) . And even though royalty , his dad kind of drained there money and so his mom is on a quest of marrying him to a rich girl (uhm uhm !!) . I really liked that when Bonnie came to know that Theo was royal it didn’t make her feel less nor did he become someone unattainable. That the tag of royalty did not matter to much to her . So the first part of book is set in Chicago and the second part in Britain.

This is a really sex positive book . There is a repeated questioning of consent by each of the characters whenever smut scenes occour . Theo repeatedly tries to put the ball in her court so that she gets to make the final decision . There are a lot of funny and honest scenes due to this and I really liked how Bonnie and her friends discuss their doubts and inhibition related to sex with each other ( I believe we all need a friend circle like that ) . I can put this book in the bracket of Insta-Attraction. And it was nice to see through the whole book Bonnie grow as someone who planned every detail of her future to becoming someone who lived in today . And lets just say the time Bonnie and Theo spend in Britain was super fun to read. So if you want to curl up and read a book which promises HEA with a superb connection between the character’s this is a book worth picking up. And this author has been added to the list of my favourite Romance Contemporary / Steamy authors list !!

Thank you so much St. Martins Press for providing me with a e-copy through Netgalley .
Profile Image for Tammy.
143 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Like the first in the series, not only do you have the couple to enjoy, but the friendships and family relationships add a lot to the story as well.

I enjoyed the slow build of the relationship between Theo and Bonnie. After meeting as acquaintances in the first book, they reunite and develop a friendship, and eventually a romance that Theo allows Bonnie to set the pace of. The interactions and sexiness between them were realistic and enjoyable. The only disappointment I did have as a romance lover was that as far as the relationship went by the end, the words "I love you" were never spoken by either. Luckily, their other words and actions definitely conveyed their feelings.

Additional to the development of the relationship, I loved that the reader gets to see the growth of the characters individually. Bonnie is offered a job opportunity that gives her time to be on her own and connect with what really made her happy. Theo reevaluates his choices and priorities so that he can live his best life. Seeing them improve their own situations in addition to finding love gave added depth to the story.

I highly recommend this book (as well as the first) and I look forward to the installments still to come.

*ARC provided by Netgalley
Profile Image for Dianne.
6,817 reviews634 followers
April 18, 2019
Melonie Johnson is back with another fabulous romance in her Sometimes in Love series. SMITTEN BY THE BRIT!

This time out, Bonnie and Theo get their chance at love and while there are moments of quirky humor, there is more uncertainty and sweetness in their budding love story. Wonderful chemistry, a dollop of chivalry and that certain British flare for composure play off the straightforward American way of things perfectly! Toss in some quirky literary mentions and this one is sure to leave readers smiling as two people, clearly perfect for each other stumble through the dance of love.

Sit back and enjoy some romance that will leave you sighing in contentment after a bumpy ride across the pond and a few secrets that could make a royal mess of things!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martin's Paperbacks!

Series: Sometimes in Love - Book 2
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (May 28, 2019)
Publication Date: May 28, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
37 reviews
February 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. This story was a run, steamy romance with great characters. I loved the characters, Bonnie and Theo that it was difficult to put the book down until the last page. This story is part of a series although you can read it alone.

I received this advance copy from Netgalley for a honest review.
Profile Image for Michele.
1,727 reviews
May 11, 2019
When a saucy American female with a passion for all things Shakespeare or Jane Austen meets a proper English duke with impeccable manners who is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, it is the recipe for a great read.

Bonnie and Theo have instant chemistry in Getting Hot With the Scot but she tamps it down because she's engaged. However, in Smitten by the Brit, everything changes when she and Gabe split up. This opens the door for her and Theo to explore their attraction. Unfortunately, Bonnie has a hard time shaking her injured pride and Theo is dealing with financial and family issues. Their timing isn't right initially. Several weeks later, Bonnie goes to England to teach a class over the summer and she and Theo reconnect. They both find that they truly have feelings for one another. Bonnie is all in but Theo is feeling burdened by family responsibilities and his mother's pressure to marry an heiress in order to financially stabilize the family's estate. Will Theo follow his responsibility to family or to his own happiness?

This second installment in Ms. Johnson's Sometimes in Love series was just as fun to read as the first and it allowed us to revisit some of our favorites from the first book. I'm really enjoying this series and look forward to reading the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Linda Quick.
1,330 reviews30 followers
February 18, 2019
Sexy and funny, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. We first met Bonnie and Theo in book one (Hot for the Scot), and this one allows us to learn their story. Bonnie is a literature professor who loves Shakespeare and Austin and has always dreamed of marrying her long time fiance in a literature inspired wedding. However, when things fall apart with her fiance and she is suddenly single, she takes a step outside her comfort zone and travels to England to teach a summer course. Since Theo lives in England, and is a duke that she has been smitten with, there is lots of opportunities for funny scenes and sexy times.

If you enjoy the genre, you will love this book. Since I'm not a Shakespeare fan (sorry), some the quotes were a bit over the top to me, however, they were a part of the character Bonnie. For this reason, I would give this novel 4.5 stars.

I loved the funny scenes and all the wrong assumptions that added to them. Additionally, a new character, Theo's sister Tabitha, added humor to the story. I hope that Tabitha gets her own story in a future book.

Put this one at the top of your TBR list. While part of a series, this is a stand alone novel. I'm adding the author to my must read authors' list. While this is only her second book, she is an author to watch and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
Profile Image for Jackie D.
1,845 reviews26 followers
February 11, 2019
Bonnie and Theo!
A heart mending romance with a Duke whose manners and dimples send the Shakespearian connoisseur with uptight tendencies, into a frenzy!
A beautifully written journey of romance with a humorous edge and a heart of hearts feel the sexual tension between Bonnie and Theo is palpable, with a perfect mixture of reality and fiction.
Hero complexes, insecurities, jobs, family, and friends all wrapped up in a maddening back and forth banter and runaways - it kept me swiping pages, wanting to know how the swoon-worthy Theo and heartsick Bonnie will work out their dilemma!
A stand-alone, #2 in the Sometimes In Love Series, Melonie Johnson has quickly become a fast favorite of mine with her unique stories, and amazing characters! I thought Getting Hot With The Scot was a great read- Smitten With The Brit- Even better!
I look forward to reading the next book!
Arc provided by Netgalley
Profile Image for TeriLyn.
1,385 reviews441 followers
May 14, 2019
**Smitten by the Brit generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

3 "What's the catch?" Stars

This was sugary sweet with some fun angst and growth thrown in the mix. There was a lot of just purely fun romance in this story. The characters, although somewhat predictable, are easy to relate to in a myriad of ways. The chemistry, for me personally, was a bit lacking. There's not a lot of pure passion or yearning in the romance but rather a passion and yearning for bettering themselves individually and understanding who they are and what they ultimately want. However, the sweetness of Theo's gentlemanly ways coupled with Bonnie's naivety was cute.

I didn't realized this book was the second of a series until I started reading it but can definitely be read as a complete stand alone. Melonie Johnson's third person POV writing gets overburdened at times with phrases I didn't know (like some british'isms, I'm assuming, apparent in Bonnie's chapters that were ill fitting for example) and clunky sentence structure but there are really great parts that flow nicely too. Overall, Smitten by the Brit is what I like to call a good beach read, lovely for a day to escape into sweet romance.
Profile Image for Beth.
3,138 reviews301 followers
May 23, 2019
Bonnie has her life all planned out. She is going to marry her childhood friend and finance until she discovers him cheating on her ending her engagement.

Bonnie jumps at the chance to take a professorship in England putting her near Theo, her best friend’s finance’s best friend. I know that sounds convoluted but yes, he’s a hunky brit and even though she’s heart broken she’s undeniably attracted to Theo and her him.

Theo is hot for Bonnie but suddenly he turns as cold as ice and Bonnie doesn’t know why. She soon discovers that she has some unlikely allies in the Wharton home.

Fun and flirty, Johnson writes a rocky romance with that HEA that we all love.

I received this ARC copy of SMITTEN BY THE BRIT from St. Martin's Press. This is my honest and voluntary review. SMITTEN BY THE BRIT is set for publication May 28, 2019.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Melonie Johnson
Series: Sometimes in Love (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Publication Date: May 28, 2019
ISBN-10: 1250193052
ISBN-13: 978-1250193056
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Smitten-Brit-S...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/smit...
Itunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/smitt...
Profile Image for Milena.
907 reviews118 followers
May 29, 2019
Smitten by the Brit is the second book in Sometimes In Love series by Melonie Johnson. This series is like the most delicious candy I can't get enough of. It's indulgent, sweet, and romantic. As soon as I finish one book, I want to pick up the next. I liked Cassie and Logan from Getting Hot with the Scot but I loved Bonnie and her sexy Brit, Theo, even more.

Bonnie is an English professor, who teaches Shakespeare and who loves Jane Austen's novels, so this book has a lot of bookish references and the whole story has an Austen-esque feel to it. If you read the first book, you will know who Theo is (otherwise I will not spoil it for you) and their relationship is a little angsty and oh-so swoony. I rooted for them from the first page, and actually even before, when we first met them in Getting Hot with the Scot.

We also get to revisit all the wonderful characters we met in the first book and are introduced to some new and very interesting characters. I particularly loved Theo's sister, Tabitha, and I want her to have her own book! I hope Melonie Johnson keeps writing this series and keeps giving us all the swoons.

*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jacqueline.
1,718 reviews154 followers
March 8, 2019
3.5 stars

Now this one sneaked up on me and got more enjoyable the more I read.

She's an American academic, obsessed with Shakespeare. He's an English Duke with a stately home and ancestral seat that is in desperate need of hard cash to stay afloat.

As a brit reading this I smiled a few times at some of the phrases used by the Duke and his friend. I'm sure anyone who's ever watched Miss Marple or Downton Abbey is convinced we all partake of high tea of an afternoon and preface our conversations with a haughty 'I say.' I'm sorry to dispel that myth, but sadly Marple and Downton are the only places I've seen that go on. I know, sorry. Perhaps I just need posher friends, idk.

That did yank me out of the story a few times, particularly at the start, but as I read on, I noticed it less and enjoyed the chemistry and the tension and - for I cannot lie - the smut instead.

It's a complete story but part of a series featuring recurring characters. Recommended as a romantic escape read.

Thanks to the publisher via netgalley for the arc.
Profile Image for Debra.
169 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2019
This story follows Bonnie Blythe on her path to rediscovery. She is a book loving teacher who finds herself single and has to figure out how to move on. In walks Theo, a gorgeous Brit whom she met a year before and who is interested in her now. She accepts a job at Cambridge University for the summer. While in England, she becomes closer to Theo but unbeknownst to Bonnie, he is keeping information from her. Bonnie is still trying to find her way and is not fully able to open up her heart to the possibilities with Theo. I won't ruin the ending but it definitely leaves the reader with all the feels.
I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read. It was entertaining and at times hilarious. I had trouble putting it down. The book was well written and very polished. I have not read anything from Melonie Johnson before but she will definitely be on my radar.
February 19, 2019


Smitten by the Brit is the second book in the "Sometimes in Love" Series by "new to me" author Melonie Johnson. I did not read the first one but I had no problems in catching up with the characters. If you plan on reading the series I would recommend starting with the first book before reading this one as you will otherwise spoiler too much of the story.

I really loved the dynamics between the characters. And Theo was really such a lovable guy. And from what I saw of the couple that was featured in the previous book that book is def. worth the read because Logan is simply hot with a capital "H".

The setting of the plot was well developed and the story was written at a good pace. Yet I felt that the development of actual feelings between Bonnie and Theo came a little short within everything that was going on. It was almost like the spark might have happened in the first book where I as a reader was not present to witness it. Which was a shame as the whole setup was otherwise really adorable. I can recommend this book but I also recommend to read it the series in the right order so you hopefully will find that spark I was missing.

═══ PLEASE SUBSCRIBE / LIKE / FOLLOW US ════

Blog : https://www.jerisbookattic.com
FB Page : https://www.facebook.com/JerisBookAttic
Twitter : https://twitter.com/JeriTRyan
Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2...
Bloglovin : https://www.bloglovin.com/@jerisbooka...
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jeris_book_...

Profile Image for Becky Claxon.
2,223 reviews19 followers
February 18, 2019
This is my first book by Melonie Johnson and it won’t be my last! I enjoyed her writing with how Bonnie is a professor in Shakespeare literature, and brining some of the phrases from Shakespeare’s plays. I also loved the dichotomy of the US and Britain. When they were over in England it brought back some of the old Victorian novels to light that I used to always read. It made me feel warm and comfortable. I loved Bonnie and all her crazy friends. They were so funny at times when they got together. Bonnie got a raw deal by her ex fiancé, and I can’t imagine what she went through. I love dimples, accents, and handsome men so I also fell in love with Theo. I thought Theo was a little wimpy at times regarding how he let his mother run his love life. His sisters were great, especially the oldest of the three. She was a real character! I loved the book, and strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Špela.
436 reviews10 followers
February 17, 2019
This book is everything and more.
I really loved all the relations to the Shakespeare, Austen and even Harry Potter.
Story is about Bonnie, who is an English teacher in a Chicago.
She is smitten with the Brit named Theo. He is a wonderful character and a good looking chap. He is also the Duke and this title is wearing him down.
Story picks up from where it is left in the first part Hot with the Scot. But it is not mandatory to read the first part in order to start with the second.
The book has all the feels and indeed I was also smitten by the Brit. He is very polite and considerate but also sexy as hell. I love London and everything about England so I was happy that the book was placed there.
If you love romance, Shakespeare and Austen this book is right down your alley.
I certainly enjoyed it very much.
I received an eARC copy from the NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Wendy Black.
140 reviews2 followers
February 11, 2019
I received a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review......
Bonnie has been with her fiancé Gabe for over 20 years and things are not the best but she blames it on his dissertation for grad school that has been keeping him so distracted and distant. She Never would have thought that he was cheating on her until one night she catches them in her bed ......
Theo is the best friend of Logan who is engaged to Cassie which is Bonnie’s best friend. Sparks have been flying around the two of them since they met in London last year when the girls were on vacation, but nothing could ever happen because was engaged and she would never step over that line. But now that she is no longer engaged things are completely different.......
I can’t wait to see if the author will give us a follow up for these two. I really hope she does
Profile Image for Mary   Beth.
336 reviews52 followers
March 13, 2019
A wonderful romance between two loveable characters. Bonnie has always loved Jane Austen and Shakespeare and been with the same boy since 8th grade while Theo has grown up knowing his life was not completely his own because his mother held the reins of his future. They initially both feel attracted to each other but know it can't go anywhere because Bonnie is engaged and Theo's future is already planned for him. But one untimely realization changes everything they had planned and it begins the sweetest love story.
I enjoyed getting to know Bonnie and Theo and highly recommend that others should get to know them, too. This is the second book of a series but can definitely be read as a stand alone book. I was grateful to receive an arc from Netgalley for an honest review. This wonderful story will be available in May 2019.
Profile Image for Melanie.
1,651 reviews379 followers
September 30, 2024
Smitten by the Brit was a wonderful contemporary featuring a friends to lovers romance.

Bonnie Blythe always thought her life would play out like her favorite novels and now that her long-term boyfriend has proposed, her dream is coming true. But after Bonnie discovers her fiancé cheating on her, she ends their engagement and decides to take a break from relationships. When she's offered the opportunity to teach a course in England for the summer, Bonnie sees it as her chance for a fresh start. And when she runs into Theo Warton, the sexy Brit she met the previous summer on holiday, she realizes a friends-with-benefits fling is perfect thing to jump start the new chapter of her life. But life is never that simple and just as Bonnie finds herself falling for Theo, a revelation about his life has Bonnie questioning everything.

Bonnie is such a great main character and is very relatable. She's incredibly smart and very accomplished in her field. I love how positive she is and even when her personal life was falling apart, she managed to look on the bright side of things. Theo is such a charmer and he was an absolute delight. I will say Theo's secret was incredibly obvious and I figured it out within a few chapters. I'm not entirely sure why he made such a big deal about it but thankfully it doesn't take too long for Bonnie to learn it.

I've been looking forward to Bonnie and Theo's romance since reading Getting Hot with the Scot as I really enjoyed their interactions in that book. With Bonnie in a relationship at the time, nothing happened between them but now that she's single things are different. I loved their relationship from the start, they had so much fun together that it made reading about their romance super enjoyable. The steamy scenes are very well done and I really liked those. After Theo's secret comes out, their relationship does hit a few bumps but overall I was happy with how everything turned out.

The friend group in this series continues to be one of my favorite aspects of these books. Cassie, Sadie, Ana, and Delaney are all there for Bonnie and I appreciate how much these ladies are willing to do for each other. I can't wait to read Sadie's book as she's been my favorite of the group and I'm interested to see how her romance plays out.

Overall Smitten by the Brit was a great read and I'm looking forward to picking up the third book in the series, Once Upon a Bad Boy, soon.

**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Displaying 1 - 30 of 553 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.