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Hot Desk
Same desk, different days.
A post-it note is just the beginning…
A must read for fans of Beth O’Leary, Mhairi McFarlane and Sophie Kinsella!
Alice loves her job and wants to keep it – whatever the price. But then she’s told the company is switching to flexible working and hot desking…Alice’s desk might look a mess, but she knows exactly where everything is. Or she did. Until she found out she’s going to share it with the most annoying guy in the office.
Jamie can work from anywhere. He’s quite happy to sweep his work life into a box at the end of the working day. But can sharing a desk with Alice be as much fun as teasing her in person?
With no option but to try it and see, will their relationship turn into open warfare or will it ever progress beyond a post-it note?
Readers can’t get enough of Hot
‘Hard to put down so be prepared to binge this book’ Jess
‘A mix of Bridget Jones in 2021 experiencing a hybrid work environment…the perfect light-hearted read’ Estella
‘Slow burn at it’s best…I enjoyed it immensely’ Emily
‘What a fun read!…a lot of funny post-it notes lead to romance’ Janelle
‘Quick and entertaining read, that once you start, you won’t be able to tear yourself away from’ Laura
‘It brought me out of the slump! I couldn’t put this down and really enjoyed the story…100% recommend this to romance fans’ Georgia
‘This book was funny, heartwarming and poignant and also shows that the best things in life are worth waiting for’ Helen
‘An addictive and enjoyable read…Beautiful dialogue, real character growth and a genuinely sweet story about characters you will grow to genuinely care about’ Rubie
A post-it note is just the beginning…
A must read for fans of Beth O’Leary, Mhairi McFarlane and Sophie Kinsella!
Alice loves her job and wants to keep it – whatever the price. But then she’s told the company is switching to flexible working and hot desking…Alice’s desk might look a mess, but she knows exactly where everything is. Or she did. Until she found out she’s going to share it with the most annoying guy in the office.
Jamie can work from anywhere. He’s quite happy to sweep his work life into a box at the end of the working day. But can sharing a desk with Alice be as much fun as teasing her in person?
With no option but to try it and see, will their relationship turn into open warfare or will it ever progress beyond a post-it note?
Readers can’t get enough of Hot
‘Hard to put down so be prepared to binge this book’ Jess
‘A mix of Bridget Jones in 2021 experiencing a hybrid work environment…the perfect light-hearted read’ Estella
‘Slow burn at it’s best…I enjoyed it immensely’ Emily
‘What a fun read!…a lot of funny post-it notes lead to romance’ Janelle
‘Quick and entertaining read, that once you start, you won’t be able to tear yourself away from’ Laura
‘It brought me out of the slump! I couldn’t put this down and really enjoyed the story…100% recommend this to romance fans’ Georgia
‘This book was funny, heartwarming and poignant and also shows that the best things in life are worth waiting for’ Helen
‘An addictive and enjoyable read…Beautiful dialogue, real character growth and a genuinely sweet story about characters you will grow to genuinely care about’ Rubie
384 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2021
87 people are currently reading
785 people want to read
About the author
Zara Stoneley
34 books347 followersZara Stoneley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Wedding Date.
Born in a small village in the UK, she wanted to be a female James Herriot, a spy, or an author when she grew up. After many (many) years, and many different jobs, her dream of writing a bestseller came true.
She writes about friendship, dreams, love, and happy ever afters, and hopes that her tales make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and occasionally say 'ahhh'.
Zara now lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a lively cockapoo called Harry, and a very bossy (and slightly evil) cat called Saffron.
Zara’s bestselling novels include 'The Wedding Date', 'The Holiday Swap', 'Summer with the Country Village Vet', 'Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage' and the popular Tippermere series - 'Stable Mates', 'Country Affairs' and 'Country Rivals'.
Born in a small village in the UK, she wanted to be a female James Herriot, a spy, or an author when she grew up. After many (many) years, and many different jobs, her dream of writing a bestseller came true.
She writes about friendship, dreams, love, and happy ever afters, and hopes that her tales make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and occasionally say 'ahhh'.
Zara now lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a lively cockapoo called Harry, and a very bossy (and slightly evil) cat called Saffron.
Zara’s bestselling novels include 'The Wedding Date', 'The Holiday Swap', 'Summer with the Country Village Vet', 'Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage' and the popular Tippermere series - 'Stable Mates', 'Country Affairs' and 'Country Rivals'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews
December 14, 2021
Fair Warning: DO NOT expect any measure of brilliance comparable to O'Leary's The Flatshare, though the post-it notes might just be the one happy thing about this book? (They are.)
***
Have you ever found yourself counting down the pages, counting down the seconds until it's over? I hope not.
This was one such book. Felt, till the very end, like climbing a mountain, without the final reward of the magnificent view and a sense of accomplishment.
STORYLINE:
Post-Covid, Alice is enthusiastic to finally return to the office, to the job she loves. Little does she expect that, all too soon, the company has to cut down on expenses and rent out half of their offices, thus introducing hot desking. Oh no!
And yet, Alice soon reconsiders the downsides of this, when she starts to find post-it notes attached to the desk she shares with her charming colleague, Jamie...
The rest, is not worth knowing.
No Nos:
1. The whining. I mean it. It's constant. I struggled, my friends. The narration by Hannah Brown did not help much, though I would not go so far as putting the blame on the audio;
2. The nauseating repetitiveness. I felt discombobulated. Why keep saying the same things?;
3. Predictable through and through
If I tell you that I had to take the speed up to x1.75 to finish this one off, it is to avoid saying more about a book that is not worth your time.
Thanks go to NetGalley and publisher for this audiobook. All thoughts expressed here are my own.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Can't believe I'm saying this, but, can't wait for this to be over.
(At least it's the audio version. *thankful for small mercies*)
***
Have you ever found yourself counting down the pages, counting down the seconds until it's over? I hope not.
This was one such book. Felt, till the very end, like climbing a mountain, without the final reward of the magnificent view and a sense of accomplishment.
STORYLINE:
Post-Covid, Alice is enthusiastic to finally return to the office, to the job she loves. Little does she expect that, all too soon, the company has to cut down on expenses and rent out half of their offices, thus introducing hot desking. Oh no!
And yet, Alice soon reconsiders the downsides of this, when she starts to find post-it notes attached to the desk she shares with her charming colleague, Jamie...
The rest, is not worth knowing.
No Nos:
1. The whining. I mean it. It's constant. I struggled, my friends. The narration by Hannah Brown did not help much, though I would not go so far as putting the blame on the audio;
2. The nauseating repetitiveness. I felt discombobulated. Why keep saying the same things?;
3. Predictable through and through
If I tell you that I had to take the speed up to x1.75 to finish this one off, it is to avoid saying more about a book that is not worth your time.
Thanks go to NetGalley and publisher for this audiobook. All thoughts expressed here are my own.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(At least it's the audio version. *thankful for small mercies*)
August 11, 2021
I’ve really enjoyed some of Zara Stoneley’s other books, but this one didn’t really work for me as well I hoped it would.
The book starts off with Alice being super excited to go back to work after COVID shut down. I, personally, felt completely opposite when I had to start working on site again, so I found that a little hard to connect with. Then the idea that desk sharing would be a plausible solution so soon after a COVID shut down didn’t really make any sense at all. I suppose that in this fictional world, COVID was no longer a concern by the time she’s back in the office, but I feel like if you’re going to include it in the story, it should be a little more accurate. I think it could have easily been left out and the idea of hot desking as a cost saving measure would make even more sense.
I also didn’t really get into the story until well past the halfway mark. The first half was just page after page of Alice thinking about how important all of her possessions are and how she always has to share and just wants her own space. Her past of growing up with three sisters in a small house was not exactly a story that had me feeling sorry for her. I thought she just came off as kind of petty and shallow. That said, I did like that she learned to set boundaries with people in her life and also that holding on to all the stuff wasn’t really necessary.
What really ended up keeping me reading was the relationship with Jamie. I thought their origin story was a little unrealistic, but I enjoyed their banter and was able to start shipping them when they FINALLY started to communicate. I liked how they supported each other and there were several cute, if sometimes cheesy, moments.
Overall, Hot Desk was not really the book for me. While the romance had it’s cute moments, their communication issues drove me a little crazy and Alice’s constant inner monologue about needing her own space and not wanting to share got old really fast. Even though this one didn’t really work out for me, I’ll still be on the look out for more from Stoneley in the future.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 2.5 Stars
The book starts off with Alice being super excited to go back to work after COVID shut down. I, personally, felt completely opposite when I had to start working on site again, so I found that a little hard to connect with. Then the idea that desk sharing would be a plausible solution so soon after a COVID shut down didn’t really make any sense at all. I suppose that in this fictional world, COVID was no longer a concern by the time she’s back in the office, but I feel like if you’re going to include it in the story, it should be a little more accurate. I think it could have easily been left out and the idea of hot desking as a cost saving measure would make even more sense.
I also didn’t really get into the story until well past the halfway mark. The first half was just page after page of Alice thinking about how important all of her possessions are and how she always has to share and just wants her own space. Her past of growing up with three sisters in a small house was not exactly a story that had me feeling sorry for her. I thought she just came off as kind of petty and shallow. That said, I did like that she learned to set boundaries with people in her life and also that holding on to all the stuff wasn’t really necessary.
What really ended up keeping me reading was the relationship with Jamie. I thought their origin story was a little unrealistic, but I enjoyed their banter and was able to start shipping them when they FINALLY started to communicate. I liked how they supported each other and there were several cute, if sometimes cheesy, moments.
Overall, Hot Desk was not really the book for me. While the romance had it’s cute moments, their communication issues drove me a little crazy and Alice’s constant inner monologue about needing her own space and not wanting to share got old really fast. Even though this one didn’t really work out for me, I’ll still be on the look out for more from Stoneley in the future.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 2.5 Stars
September 29, 2023
This wasn’t my favourite book from Stoneley because I felt it took so long to get going. It wasn’t until I was beyond the half-way point did I feel that this was the romance read I was anticipating. Furthermore, I thought the protagonist was waaay to chatty and there was a lot of waffly reflection from Alice that I could have done without.
Don’t get me wrong, Alice seems quite a sweet character. Yet, she seems to contemplate everything to the nth degree and I found this contributed to how slow the story was in the beginning. I liked her chatty nature but wanted Stoneley to reduce this; I was more excited to see the post-it note relationship develop between Alice and Jamie. When it does come, this was the lovely start to a promising romance and I enjoyed watching how Alice stands up to her ex and becomes more forceful over her selfish sister and inconsiderate housemates.
For sure, you cannot read this book without being reminded of the harsh lockdown restrictions that the world experienced during the pandemic. In this case, I could not ignore some of the uncomfortable memories that this provoked, even though Stoneley’s story is set in the aftermath of the illness, with the working-from-home culture become adopted by businesses. I can see why some readers would find this aspect of the story off-putting, especially as a lot of Alice’s behaviour is underpinned by loneliness and isolation.
When the relationship between Alice and Jamie starts to develop, I thought this was where Stoneley comes into the author that I have known from previous stories. I delighted in seeing their relationship develop through desk-sharing and liked the little notes that the two leave for one another. With their added background (which Jamie seems oblivious to), I was keen to see how this would develop into something more serious, especially as Alice’s ex-boyfriend cannot take the hint that their relationship is over.
This was a pretty good read but Alice’s waffling made it more tedious in places. For some parts, I could not help but skim-read because I was just so desperate for her to get to the point and for the plot to move forwards. I think if some of this over-analysing from Alice had been omitted, the story would have been a lot shorter… making way for more of the romancing between Alice and Jamie.
Overall, this provided a little bit of romantic relief but I can’t say it was my favourite from this author. I liked the premise of leaving small notes at a shared desk area but found Alice’s chatty personality a bit too overbearing.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Don’t get me wrong, Alice seems quite a sweet character. Yet, she seems to contemplate everything to the nth degree and I found this contributed to how slow the story was in the beginning. I liked her chatty nature but wanted Stoneley to reduce this; I was more excited to see the post-it note relationship develop between Alice and Jamie. When it does come, this was the lovely start to a promising romance and I enjoyed watching how Alice stands up to her ex and becomes more forceful over her selfish sister and inconsiderate housemates.
For sure, you cannot read this book without being reminded of the harsh lockdown restrictions that the world experienced during the pandemic. In this case, I could not ignore some of the uncomfortable memories that this provoked, even though Stoneley’s story is set in the aftermath of the illness, with the working-from-home culture become adopted by businesses. I can see why some readers would find this aspect of the story off-putting, especially as a lot of Alice’s behaviour is underpinned by loneliness and isolation.
When the relationship between Alice and Jamie starts to develop, I thought this was where Stoneley comes into the author that I have known from previous stories. I delighted in seeing their relationship develop through desk-sharing and liked the little notes that the two leave for one another. With their added background (which Jamie seems oblivious to), I was keen to see how this would develop into something more serious, especially as Alice’s ex-boyfriend cannot take the hint that their relationship is over.
This was a pretty good read but Alice’s waffling made it more tedious in places. For some parts, I could not help but skim-read because I was just so desperate for her to get to the point and for the plot to move forwards. I think if some of this over-analysing from Alice had been omitted, the story would have been a lot shorter… making way for more of the romancing between Alice and Jamie.
Overall, this provided a little bit of romantic relief but I can’t say it was my favourite from this author. I liked the premise of leaving small notes at a shared desk area but found Alice’s chatty personality a bit too overbearing.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2021
I was invited to read this by HarperCollins and NetGalley in return for an honest review.
First, I have to say that given the poor quality of the proof, it was incredibly difficult to read, let alone enjoy. I hope I've put aside my frustration with the quality of the download so that I've solely aimed my comments solely at the contents, not the package.
Second, I think the Covid references sounded unreal and out of touch. Knowing so many people who hot-desked before Covid was ever on the scene, I find it difficult to believe someone would be so unaware of the practice or so hostile to it. The days when jobs were permanent and you got your own desk- are long past!
I think the premise was good, but the execution was not effective. Some judicious editing and perhaps actually starting the story sooner might have helped.
I have to say that this was an incredibly tedious read - long, meandering paragraphs, sections in BLOCK CAPS, shouty thoughts, and endless introspection just seemed to take over the first few chapters. I kept thinking, when is it going to start? I was exhausted by the time the book got going.
.Sorry I hate to be so critical of a writer but I'm afraid this is not my cup of tea. 2.5 stars
First, I have to say that given the poor quality of the proof, it was incredibly difficult to read, let alone enjoy. I hope I've put aside my frustration with the quality of the download so that I've solely aimed my comments solely at the contents, not the package.
Second, I think the Covid references sounded unreal and out of touch. Knowing so many people who hot-desked before Covid was ever on the scene, I find it difficult to believe someone would be so unaware of the practice or so hostile to it. The days when jobs were permanent and you got your own desk- are long past!
I think the premise was good, but the execution was not effective. Some judicious editing and perhaps actually starting the story sooner might have helped.
I have to say that this was an incredibly tedious read - long, meandering paragraphs, sections in BLOCK CAPS, shouty thoughts, and endless introspection just seemed to take over the first few chapters. I kept thinking, when is it going to start? I was exhausted by the time the book got going.
.Sorry I hate to be so critical of a writer but I'm afraid this is not my cup of tea. 2.5 stars
August 11, 2021
One of the major drawbacks of Zara Stoneley books (as per my view) is the ending. The story will be great, so does the narration, but the ending . . . it just lacks that sizzle and the bang. This particular book solves some of these. There is a bang for sure, not at the end, but on the crisis part. And not in my wildest dreams I was expecting that. As for whether it was a nice sort of surprise, I still need to sort that out.
Romance through post-it notes is not an entirely new concept, but it works like a charm. No exceptions here. I loved the growing attachment between Alice and Jamie, that is until Jamie's bombshell came through. It all got awkward after that, sort of like the merging of two storylines. Shouldn't he be taking the other path? Won't this create fissures in their relationship . . . in future? Well, love conquers all and it is blind too. So it might work in the end, though I have some misgivings.
The romance part didn't work for me, obviously. Why the four stars then? Alice, without a doubt. My brave, soft-hearted heroine. I know how hard it is to say 'no' to our dear ones and getting out of a possessive relationship is harder. Kudos to you girl. Lockdown days has made us all vulnerable. Making the right decisions, sticking to them and learning from the initial mistakes . . . one cannot but admire that. Long interior monologues with the 'to be or not to be' theme usually irritate me. But in this story, that is what captivated me the most.
Romance through post-it notes is not an entirely new concept, but it works like a charm. No exceptions here. I loved the growing attachment between Alice and Jamie, that is until Jamie's bombshell came through. It all got awkward after that, sort of like the merging of two storylines. Shouldn't he be taking the other path? Won't this create fissures in their relationship . . . in future? Well, love conquers all and it is blind too. So it might work in the end, though I have some misgivings.
The romance part didn't work for me, obviously. Why the four stars then? Alice, without a doubt. My brave, soft-hearted heroine. I know how hard it is to say 'no' to our dear ones and getting out of a possessive relationship is harder. Kudos to you girl. Lockdown days has made us all vulnerable. Making the right decisions, sticking to them and learning from the initial mistakes . . . one cannot but admire that. Long interior monologues with the 'to be or not to be' theme usually irritate me. But in this story, that is what captivated me the most.
November 17, 2021
I've hesitated writing my review for Hot Desk because I truly wanted to like it more than I did. I have love all of Zara Stonleey's past books, she makes me laugh at loud while reading and this one did make me do that too but BUT, in the end, I just wanted to slap the main characters and shout at them to grow up!! I thought this books was written for a very VERY specific age group and I obviously was not that group, nor is anyone I know including my own adult kids in the group even though one lives in a house share and two of them did so. And what was up with the parents who were written as though they didn't have a brain in their collective heads!? Oooohhh, I hate it when writers make us look like this. Seriously!? Just no. No recommendations here. Do better next time Zara Stoneley! Do better!
November 27, 2021
Hot Desk is the story of Alice, a designer who is looking forward to getting back to work after the lockdown. But to allow for flexible working, Alice must split her hours between working at home and hot desking with Jamie, the most annoying guy in the office.
I really struggled to enjoy this story until around halfway through, and by then my enthusiasm was essentially non-existent. My main issue with this story is Alice’s view of the world. If you’re going to include a devastating pandemic in a story, there needs to be a level of sensitivity regarding the tragedy that billions have had to endure. The lockdown was not a holiday for everyone, so if you’re going to feature it in a story, this needs to be compassionately acknowledged.
Alice’s inner monologues often consisted of shallow complaints, frustration over poor communication (which can be easily fixed in this century), and general immaturity that grew tiresome. A lot of her remarks felt insensitive, especially in the face of a global pandemic. If this story existed outside the world of COVID-19 like a lot of fiction, it would not have come off as superficial as it did.
The premise of this book is great. Part of it reminds me of The Hating Game, and as it is marketed towards fans of Beth O’Leary, Mhairi McFarlane, and Sophie Kinsella, it sounds like the ideal romantic comedy. But the sluggish pace and lack of engaging dialogue lets this book down. The endless paragraphs of Alice’s observations are tedious instead of hilarious, especially earlier in the book. Her growing affection for Jamie redeemed the reading experience, and it had cute moments that suit the genre. Plus, I liked the way their relationship progressed through notes. An office romance can be an exciting backdrop for a love story, and I wish the author had taken further advantage of this kind of dynamic.
While Alice’s character development is good, her personality and constant moaning is irritating. As a result, I found it difficult to connect to the story or sympathise with her. By the end, I felt disappointed in Hot Desk.
I really struggled to enjoy this story until around halfway through, and by then my enthusiasm was essentially non-existent. My main issue with this story is Alice’s view of the world. If you’re going to include a devastating pandemic in a story, there needs to be a level of sensitivity regarding the tragedy that billions have had to endure. The lockdown was not a holiday for everyone, so if you’re going to feature it in a story, this needs to be compassionately acknowledged.
Alice’s inner monologues often consisted of shallow complaints, frustration over poor communication (which can be easily fixed in this century), and general immaturity that grew tiresome. A lot of her remarks felt insensitive, especially in the face of a global pandemic. If this story existed outside the world of COVID-19 like a lot of fiction, it would not have come off as superficial as it did.
The premise of this book is great. Part of it reminds me of The Hating Game, and as it is marketed towards fans of Beth O’Leary, Mhairi McFarlane, and Sophie Kinsella, it sounds like the ideal romantic comedy. But the sluggish pace and lack of engaging dialogue lets this book down. The endless paragraphs of Alice’s observations are tedious instead of hilarious, especially earlier in the book. Her growing affection for Jamie redeemed the reading experience, and it had cute moments that suit the genre. Plus, I liked the way their relationship progressed through notes. An office romance can be an exciting backdrop for a love story, and I wish the author had taken further advantage of this kind of dynamic.
While Alice’s character development is good, her personality and constant moaning is irritating. As a result, I found it difficult to connect to the story or sympathise with her. By the end, I felt disappointed in Hot Desk.
August 26, 2021
Post-COVID and it’s time to return to work. Most were/are nervous about this, but Alice can’t wait because her housemates are loud and working from home just wasn’t the same. However, due to budget issues her company is reducing jobs. Everyone is worried about being sacked, so an emergency meeting is high on tension. Given the news they’re introducing hot-desking, most are relieved but not Alice.
When Alice learns she’s sharing her desk with Jamie, it shocks her. It’s not just because she has a huge crush on him…it’s because Jamie is the one she kissed years ago at Reading and for the last couple of years they’ve worked together he has shown no signs of knowing her.
The book focuses on giving us an insight into Alice and Jamie, their developing friendship and the stuff going on around them. Their feelings were obvious from the start. Things are placed in their way, but they’re only minor obstacles. Being inside Alice’s head was quite exhausting, and it got irritating waiting for them to sort things out.
When Alice learns she’s sharing her desk with Jamie, it shocks her. It’s not just because she has a huge crush on him…it’s because Jamie is the one she kissed years ago at Reading and for the last couple of years they’ve worked together he has shown no signs of knowing her.
The book focuses on giving us an insight into Alice and Jamie, their developing friendship and the stuff going on around them. Their feelings were obvious from the start. Things are placed in their way, but they’re only minor obstacles. Being inside Alice’s head was quite exhausting, and it got irritating waiting for them to sort things out.
August 6, 2021
Cute but predictable AF. Love the cover and the idea but this was somewhat of a miss for me. Not as much of rom-com as I thought it was going to be.
Still recommended. Thanks to Netgalley, Zara Stoneley and Harper Collins UK One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 8/31/21
Still recommended. Thanks to Netgalley, Zara Stoneley and Harper Collins UK One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 8/31/21
August 30, 2021
A sweet, fun read. I throughly enjoyed this. With the company operating a hot desk and working from home, Alice and Jamie must share a desk. Sending post it notes and funny emails I loved both Alice and Jamie, their friendship was so sweet. There is a connection between Jamie and Alice and chemistry. A cute, light hearted read.
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
November 26, 2021
**audiobook version**
Narrator 5 stars
Great voice
Story 3 stars
This is the first time I've come across this author. While I enjoyed her story and the characters were interesting and I was rooting for them, this story didn't give me those RomCom feels.
Narrator 5 stars
Great voice
Story 3 stars
This is the first time I've come across this author. While I enjoyed her story and the characters were interesting and I was rooting for them, this story didn't give me those RomCom feels.
August 31, 2021
3.5 stars! Poor Alice needs boundaries in her life. Everyone takes what they need from her and she is left hoarding small emotional trinkets in her office desk. I loved her growth in the story and how she took baby steps to stand up for herself and her needs.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Alice and Jamie. There post it notes were the perfect precursor to an actual romance. But the eventual impediment to a romance between the two seemed super contrived - how he finds out seems impossible, really. And then, I didn’t like how Jamie pushed her away instead of being honest, when the two of them had such open communication.
A fun office romance with lots of quirks!
I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, and these are my honest opinions.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Alice and Jamie. There post it notes were the perfect precursor to an actual romance. But the eventual impediment to a romance between the two seemed super contrived - how he finds out seems impossible, really. And then, I didn’t like how Jamie pushed her away instead of being honest, when the two of them had such open communication.
A fun office romance with lots of quirks!
I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, and these are my honest opinions.
August 28, 2021
A fun lighthearted read with two engaging and relatable characters. I loved how Jamie and Alice used the post it notes to communicate with eachother once they started sharing the desk- turning the day to day messages into something they both looked forward to each time they were in the office.
August 30, 2021
‘This is so unfair; this can’t be happening. Not now. All the Covid chaos and living in lockdown hell is finally supposed to be over. I need my job; I need to be back in the office. I need normal. They promised us normal!’
In a post Covid world (well … almost) Alice's office has to down-size and she has to share her desk with co-worker, Jamie. Whilst on the surface this may seem a fun-loving enemy to lovers read, there is in fact much more to this hot desk experience. Yes, there is romance in a fun unique way through post-it notes, however, this also tells the story of personal growth through experience.
‘What matters is what I’m doing with those experiences, what I’ve learned. What matters is the way I live my life today, tomorrow. What matters is who I let in, who I share with, where I draw the lines.’
First off, this is fun … just plain ol’ fun! The post-it notes had me grinning from ear to ear as it was sharp and witty, not all sloppy and sappy. Their written conversations were lively! It was also interesting to appreciate how words can be misconstrued and talking things out is always the best way forward.
‘You never really know people, do you? The hurt they carry, why they are like they are? I should be kinder, I should listen more to what people are really saying, not just the words I hear. We all should.’
Many readers were surprised by the Covid inclusion, but really it was hardly a feature at all. It seemed natural to have it in the background but it is often only referred to in passing and the global pandemic was definitely not front and centre. At times the writing could be a bit drawn out especially concerning Alice’s inner monologue and some of her issues I must confess, I was not truly on her side. The ending also came around a bit quick given all her indecision.
‘I need to start doing things differently. I’ve hung on to absolutely everything, because it has connected me to the times when I felt really happy.’
What I truly enjoyed from this read was all that the characters overcame. It really was a journey not just for Alice and Jamie (together and apart) but also for Alice’s sister for example - this all adds good depth to what could be viewed as an otherwise ‘fluffy’ novel. I was more engaged with Alice when she was learning to set boundaries in her personal life of which her desk at work was just the tip of the iceberg. Her character arc went from fear of confrontation and being a people-pleaser, to taking charge over what she truly wants in her life.
‘I’m a work in progress,’ I say, smiling as it hits me just how much progress I have made with my line-drawing. ‘But getting better.’
I found the concept of this book to be both fun and clever. The ‘hot desk’ was the perfect entry into a possible new office life post pandemic and how we must learn to be open to new things. A funny, light, heartwarming and poignant read for our times.
‘Those Post-it notes had been the highlight of the day for a while, reading them, and even trying to come up with a witty response had meant I’d rushed in each morning to give myself extra time before the office filled up and it all got too chaotic.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
In a post Covid world (well … almost) Alice's office has to down-size and she has to share her desk with co-worker, Jamie. Whilst on the surface this may seem a fun-loving enemy to lovers read, there is in fact much more to this hot desk experience. Yes, there is romance in a fun unique way through post-it notes, however, this also tells the story of personal growth through experience.
‘What matters is what I’m doing with those experiences, what I’ve learned. What matters is the way I live my life today, tomorrow. What matters is who I let in, who I share with, where I draw the lines.’
First off, this is fun … just plain ol’ fun! The post-it notes had me grinning from ear to ear as it was sharp and witty, not all sloppy and sappy. Their written conversations were lively! It was also interesting to appreciate how words can be misconstrued and talking things out is always the best way forward.
‘You never really know people, do you? The hurt they carry, why they are like they are? I should be kinder, I should listen more to what people are really saying, not just the words I hear. We all should.’
Many readers were surprised by the Covid inclusion, but really it was hardly a feature at all. It seemed natural to have it in the background but it is often only referred to in passing and the global pandemic was definitely not front and centre. At times the writing could be a bit drawn out especially concerning Alice’s inner monologue and some of her issues I must confess, I was not truly on her side. The ending also came around a bit quick given all her indecision.
‘I need to start doing things differently. I’ve hung on to absolutely everything, because it has connected me to the times when I felt really happy.’
What I truly enjoyed from this read was all that the characters overcame. It really was a journey not just for Alice and Jamie (together and apart) but also for Alice’s sister for example - this all adds good depth to what could be viewed as an otherwise ‘fluffy’ novel. I was more engaged with Alice when she was learning to set boundaries in her personal life of which her desk at work was just the tip of the iceberg. Her character arc went from fear of confrontation and being a people-pleaser, to taking charge over what she truly wants in her life.
‘I’m a work in progress,’ I say, smiling as it hits me just how much progress I have made with my line-drawing. ‘But getting better.’
I found the concept of this book to be both fun and clever. The ‘hot desk’ was the perfect entry into a possible new office life post pandemic and how we must learn to be open to new things. A funny, light, heartwarming and poignant read for our times.
‘Those Post-it notes had been the highlight of the day for a while, reading them, and even trying to come up with a witty response had meant I’d rushed in each morning to give myself extra time before the office filled up and it all got too chaotic.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
February 9, 2022
https://clife.blog/2022/02/07/book-re...
After working from home during the lockdown, Alice returns to the office she and her colleagues learn that they are switching to flexible working and hot desking. From now on she will be sharing a desk with Jamie. Alice likes to decorate her desk with personal items whereas Jamie is quite happy to sweep his work life into a box at the end of the day. Alice is obsessed with her desk as it is the only space in her life where she has her own stuff. If you can be stubborn in work, why not use that assertiveness in your home-life?
Jamie also enjoys teasing Alice though she is rather confused about how she feels about him. So, they begin communicating via post-it-note.
A sweet romantic comedy that developed along predictable lines; though it does explore Alice’s insecurities and her bonds with her sisters along the way. There’s also Dave, her on-and-off boyfriend, who is a real piece of work. Like seriously the first point of call is phoning the police with the way he goes on.
Alice rambles so much it’s literally her every single thought crammed in this which was annoying mostly. Also, if you’re mentioning lockdown within a novel. Mention hand sanitising. That is the biggest thing from the start of this whole thing. No reference in the slightest to it, so why mention the whole lockdown or working from home in the first place? It defeats the purpose.
Overall, a pleasant enough romance that was quite heartwarming.
After working from home during the lockdown, Alice returns to the office she and her colleagues learn that they are switching to flexible working and hot desking. From now on she will be sharing a desk with Jamie. Alice likes to decorate her desk with personal items whereas Jamie is quite happy to sweep his work life into a box at the end of the day. Alice is obsessed with her desk as it is the only space in her life where she has her own stuff. If you can be stubborn in work, why not use that assertiveness in your home-life?
Jamie also enjoys teasing Alice though she is rather confused about how she feels about him. So, they begin communicating via post-it-note.
A sweet romantic comedy that developed along predictable lines; though it does explore Alice’s insecurities and her bonds with her sisters along the way. There’s also Dave, her on-and-off boyfriend, who is a real piece of work. Like seriously the first point of call is phoning the police with the way he goes on.
Alice rambles so much it’s literally her every single thought crammed in this which was annoying mostly. Also, if you’re mentioning lockdown within a novel. Mention hand sanitising. That is the biggest thing from the start of this whole thing. No reference in the slightest to it, so why mention the whole lockdown or working from home in the first place? It defeats the purpose.
Overall, a pleasant enough romance that was quite heartwarming.
September 6, 2021
Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley, too
For my copy of this book, here's my honest review:
This is a contemporary, post two COVID lockdowns, romance
In which returning to work in the office has Alice in a dance.
She's struggled working in her house share flat
Where nothing is private, she's fed up of that.
She's looking forward to having her own desk again
Where all her pieces have their place to keep her sane.
However, there are changes coming that'll impact how
They're going to be working in future from now.
Instead of having their own place and desk this change
Means they'll share desks so things need a rearrange.
How can she share her space with the most annoying guy
Just who selected him to be her partner - and why?
Jamie can work anywhere, any place
His desk never looks like Alice's - hers is a disgrace!
But once the new routine starts
His teasing post it notes help win her heart.
As Alice learns to set boundaries for friends and her sister
She's having problems galore with her ex-mister.
Can she learn to set boundaries that others respect, too?
How will this affect her life and what she can do?
This is a delightful story with humour and fun
As well as some serious life lessons when all is said and done.
There are consequences that need sorting but, given the chance,
There are opportunities, too, for heartwarming romance!
For my copy of this book, here's my honest review:
This is a contemporary, post two COVID lockdowns, romance
In which returning to work in the office has Alice in a dance.
She's struggled working in her house share flat
Where nothing is private, she's fed up of that.
She's looking forward to having her own desk again
Where all her pieces have their place to keep her sane.
However, there are changes coming that'll impact how
They're going to be working in future from now.
Instead of having their own place and desk this change
Means they'll share desks so things need a rearrange.
How can she share her space with the most annoying guy
Just who selected him to be her partner - and why?
Jamie can work anywhere, any place
His desk never looks like Alice's - hers is a disgrace!
But once the new routine starts
His teasing post it notes help win her heart.
As Alice learns to set boundaries for friends and her sister
She's having problems galore with her ex-mister.
Can she learn to set boundaries that others respect, too?
How will this affect her life and what she can do?
This is a delightful story with humour and fun
As well as some serious life lessons when all is said and done.
There are consequences that need sorting but, given the chance,
There are opportunities, too, for heartwarming romance!
August 17, 2021
So when I first received my email that I was getting to read this arc through NetGalley I was super excited. Office romance is one of my favourite troupes. However, this book disappointed me greatly, so much so it took me over a week to try read the whole thing (I usually read books in one sitting)
For the first few chapters all you got was Alice moaning about covid and lockdown and how adjusting to home working was a nightmare. I didn’t realise that including covid would bother me but it did…because for the middle of the book it’s not as prominent as the start plus if it supposed to be last summer the whole concept of hot desking wouldn’t have been a thing.
Secondly, Alice rambles. I don’t mean the character is a bit of a mess (i mean she is) but for a massive chunk of the book all the reader got was a day to day documentary of office life, nothing exiciting, just Alice narrating her boring day.
The romance with Jamie would have been cute… but again the author butchered that too with the whole “complicated issues”. It wasn’t complicated, he just didn’t know how to communicate. And if I had to read Alice explaining the whole Dave and her belongings issue one more time, I swear to god I was going to DNF the book. We get it, your desk is your safe space, you are a pushover and let everyone dictate your life and take your things… don’t know why every deep conversation you have with your crush has to be about that…
Overall, I really didn’t like this book. The plot just didn’t do it for me - really cute cover though!
For the first few chapters all you got was Alice moaning about covid and lockdown and how adjusting to home working was a nightmare. I didn’t realise that including covid would bother me but it did…because for the middle of the book it’s not as prominent as the start plus if it supposed to be last summer the whole concept of hot desking wouldn’t have been a thing.
Secondly, Alice rambles. I don’t mean the character is a bit of a mess (i mean she is) but for a massive chunk of the book all the reader got was a day to day documentary of office life, nothing exiciting, just Alice narrating her boring day.
The romance with Jamie would have been cute… but again the author butchered that too with the whole “complicated issues”. It wasn’t complicated, he just didn’t know how to communicate. And if I had to read Alice explaining the whole Dave and her belongings issue one more time, I swear to god I was going to DNF the book. We get it, your desk is your safe space, you are a pushover and let everyone dictate your life and take your things… don’t know why every deep conversation you have with your crush has to be about that…
Overall, I really didn’t like this book. The plot just didn’t do it for me - really cute cover though!
August 17, 2021
Things are just starting to return to normal for Alice after having to work at home during Covid. Now she finds out she is going to be desk sharing with a co worker who she has somewhat of a past with. Her desk is her safe haven. She can have her things there that she treasures. At first I thought Alice was overreacting to the desk sharing. But as her personality and her past come out I could understand how this would throw her off.
Things are looking up when Jamie and Alice start leaving notes for each other at their desk. But of course it is complicated.! A fun escape read. Nothing earth shattering but fun nonetheless.
Thanks to netgalley and One More Chapter for the advance copy.
Things are looking up when Jamie and Alice start leaving notes for each other at their desk. But of course it is complicated.! A fun escape read. Nothing earth shattering but fun nonetheless.
Thanks to netgalley and One More Chapter for the advance copy.
August 12, 2021
unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. The narration wasn’t my favorite and at points felt either too repetitive or too choppy. Next to that, I had a hard time really getting attached to the story overall. However, I can see how others could enjoy it. My favorite parts of the book were towards the end, where we really delved into Alice’s character development. She really found herself and her voice and I appreciate that. Then again, some of the story felt a bit sloppy or confusing, and it didn’t reach my high expectations. At times I had to push through some of the rougher patches to get to my favorite bits. Overall, this story wasn’t exactly my style but has endearing components to it that make it an easy but thoughtful read.
A great thanks to NetGalley & One More Chapter for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
A great thanks to NetGalley & One More Chapter for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2021
This was described as a good one for fans of The Flatshare and I LOVED that book so I picked this up and it was a total slog for me.
I wanted cute banter via email and post-its and there was like a chapter of that and then everything else was a bunch of stuff that I did not care about at all regarding the ex-boyfriend and a monkey wrench in the leading man's life that felt like it didn't belong.
I wanted cute banter via email and post-its and there was like a chapter of that and then everything else was a bunch of stuff that I did not care about at all regarding the ex-boyfriend and a monkey wrench in the leading man's life that felt like it didn't belong.
November 25, 2021
When I got approved for this audiobook I was very thrilled, because the blurb was very promising. And in a sense it maintains its promise and the authour delivers an enjoyable and well written story, but unfortunately this book was not for me.
I guess it was aimed to a younger reader than myself, it would be perfect for readers in their early twenties in my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I guess it was aimed to a younger reader than myself, it would be perfect for readers in their early twenties in my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2021
I was drawn to this book because the concept reminded me of The flat share.
Turns out, it is a bit too much like the flat share, from the post it use to communicate to the stalkerish ex who does not understand when to quit. I am sad to say, however, that this is the only "positive" thing I have to say.
I was not a fan of the secondary plot, the one involving Jaime. It appeared out of nothing and kind of went nowhere, like the entire book. The story just sort of ended like the author suddenly did not feel like writing anymore.
Alice was a very annoying main character but at least she had some character arc and personal growth, in comparison Jaime felt extremely flat.
And this might just be me being super picky but I found the constant use of the word preggers instead of pregnant really annoying.
*thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an Arc in exchange for my honest review*
Don't forget! Come back to your
Turns out, it is a bit too much like the flat share, from the post it use to communicate to the stalkerish ex who does not understand when to quit. I am sad to say, however, that this is the only "positive" thing I have to say.
I was not a fan of the secondary plot, the one involving Jaime. It appeared out of nothing and kind of went nowhere, like the entire book. The story just sort of ended like the author suddenly did not feel like writing anymore.
Alice was a very annoying main character but at least she had some character arc and personal growth, in comparison Jaime felt extremely flat.
And this might just be me being super picky but I found the constant use of the word preggers instead of pregnant really annoying.
*thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an Arc in exchange for my honest review*
Don't forget! Come back to your
August 31, 2021
Fab, funny and fast, this story warmed my heart, lifted my day and made me wish I worked in an office. Big hearts to post-it notes and hot desking, and thanks to Zara Stoneley for another great read to add to my keeper shelf.
August 6, 2021
3.75 🌟
This was really sweet! An adorable little office romance, with the flirting done through a series of sticky notes and messages left for one another. The setting of this book was done during covid time but used quite casually as a throwaway plot device, which may bother some but I chose not to let it interfere with my enjoyment of the book.
The romance had a great pace and the characters had really great chemistry even in the parts of the book where they weren’t interacting in person, which is hard to do! I do think the resolution of the ‘problem’ that keeps them apart was a little…unrealistic but I could understand she’d kind of written herself into a corner with it.
I really enjoyed this and flew through the book, it’s a nice quick read 🥰
Thank you to One More Chapter for inviting me to review this ARC ❤️
This was really sweet! An adorable little office romance, with the flirting done through a series of sticky notes and messages left for one another. The setting of this book was done during covid time but used quite casually as a throwaway plot device, which may bother some but I chose not to let it interfere with my enjoyment of the book.
The romance had a great pace and the characters had really great chemistry even in the parts of the book where they weren’t interacting in person, which is hard to do! I do think the resolution of the ‘problem’ that keeps them apart was a little…unrealistic but I could understand she’d kind of written herself into a corner with it.
I really enjoyed this and flew through the book, it’s a nice quick read 🥰
Thank you to One More Chapter for inviting me to review this ARC ❤️
September 8, 2021
Meet Alice: a woman who loves her job, doesn’t like to share her things, and has an annoying ex.
Meet Jamie: a man who has some secrets, doesn’t mind sharing, and is not that enthusiastic to return to the office.
They both work for the same company, and when they’re forced to hot desk, they start communicating via notes.
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
Meet Jamie: a man who has some secrets, doesn’t mind sharing, and is not that enthusiastic to return to the office.
They both work for the same company, and when they’re forced to hot desk, they start communicating via notes.
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
August 10, 2021
2.5 stars rounded up
The premise of this story was great but the execution could be better. I liked Alice and I loved how she grew and changed and learnt to stand up for herself and set boundaries throughout the story but at the same time it was exhausting sometimes being in her head. I think this story would be better if it was told in 3rd person insted of 1st. I also wasn't fan of the plot twist that got thrown into Jamie's life/story. It was unnecessary and in my opinion it didn't fit into the story. After that revelation the book started dragging for me and it didn't hold my attention any more. And on top of it all, the love/attraction between Alice and Jamie that was so obvious and a great part of the first half of the book got lost and paled out in the second half in the flood of Jamie's problem and everything else that was happening.
I do feel like it's me and not the book kind of situation because the things that are bothering me about this book are things that someone else wouldn't mind at all. There's nothing wrong with the book or the story at all just the writing style wasn't always to my liking and I didn't enjoy the long paragraphs we spent in Alice's head. Overall I wouldn’t call this bad but I can't bring myself to give it more than 3 stars because when I put the book down I didn't feel the urge to pick it back up.
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The premise of this story was great but the execution could be better. I liked Alice and I loved how she grew and changed and learnt to stand up for herself and set boundaries throughout the story but at the same time it was exhausting sometimes being in her head. I think this story would be better if it was told in 3rd person insted of 1st. I also wasn't fan of the plot twist that got thrown into Jamie's life/story. It was unnecessary and in my opinion it didn't fit into the story. After that revelation the book started dragging for me and it didn't hold my attention any more. And on top of it all, the love/attraction between Alice and Jamie that was so obvious and a great part of the first half of the book got lost and paled out in the second half in the flood of Jamie's problem and everything else that was happening.
I do feel like it's me and not the book kind of situation because the things that are bothering me about this book are things that someone else wouldn't mind at all. There's nothing wrong with the book or the story at all just the writing style wasn't always to my liking and I didn't enjoy the long paragraphs we spent in Alice's head. Overall I wouldn’t call this bad but I can't bring myself to give it more than 3 stars because when I put the book down I didn't feel the urge to pick it back up.
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
August 22, 2021
From crime to romance, the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns provide for an interesting and rich backdrop for authors. In ‘The Hot Desk’, Zara Stoneley uses it as the backdrop to her co-workers with a past history-to-lovers romance.
Sadly this book does not live up to the promise and left me bereft, as I loved the premise and generally like Zara Stonely's books.
Jamie and Alice share a kiss at Reading Festival before Jamie is swept away by the crowd. Its not until a few years later, they both begin their first day at the same company.
The book is begins the first day back at work after a COVID-19 lockdown ends. Alice returns to the office only to discover a cost-cutting exercise has lead their employer to rent half the floorspace with employees now sharing a desk some days and working from home the other.
For the anxious Alice, this is her worst nightmare. She's unable to speak her mind to her family, housemates and co-workers, so found working from home a nightmare. The only place she could exert control is over her desk, which has become a de facto 'home' for her treasured trinkets. For Jamie, this is his dream come true as he loved working from home.
The main issue I have with this book is one repeated in her previous books (especially 'The First Date', 'The Dog Sitter' 'Four Christmases and a secret') - repetitious, unnecessary inner monologues by the heroine, partricularly in the first couple of chapters. It's really noticeable when listening to the audiobooks. Most of the chaper could've been cut, with the rest turned into a dialogue. I ended up skimming the first chapter of Alice trying to get to the office in time for the team meeting because I already got the gist - she's anxious and can't say no to her housemates or family.
However the biggest part that made this book an almost DNF for me was the revelation involving Jamie before limping towards a rushed resolution. I thought it was an unfuriating and unncessary trope that bordered on a deux ex machina to push the characters apart before their inevitable reunitification. I saw the clue earlier and really hoped it wasn't going to go there but sadly it did. I ended up skimming the revelation, fall out before it’s rushed resolution. Its a lazy trope seen in lots of cheesier American romance novels that I detest.
Given this book is set in our COVID-19 pandemic world, it was such a missed opportunity. I realise some people are still traumatised by it (as I write this review I am in lockdown #6), but if you're going to use the pandemic as the backdrop then commit to it. For instance why not weave in things like mask wearing and distancing? Given how the pandemic has kept couples apart, it could've been used to great effect here. The book acts like the pandemic is over (which is fine, it’s fiction) but that just seems like a cop out especially given London had a few lockdowns. Alternatively the seriousness of her ex bf could’ve been woven in better too. He was increasingly unhinged.
The best bits where Alice and Jamie slowly forming a friendship via post-it notes. It had so much potential to go somewhere but it took so long to get to that part then the aforementioned fizzled of a plot development before a rushed resolution that was an anti-climax.
I am still a fan of Zara Stoneley and will read her next novel with an open mind, however for this book I was so disappointed I had to cancel my pre-order.
Thank you One More Chapter/Harper Collins and Netgalley.
Sadly this book does not live up to the promise and left me bereft, as I loved the premise and generally like Zara Stonely's books.
Jamie and Alice share a kiss at Reading Festival before Jamie is swept away by the crowd. Its not until a few years later, they both begin their first day at the same company.
The book is begins the first day back at work after a COVID-19 lockdown ends. Alice returns to the office only to discover a cost-cutting exercise has lead their employer to rent half the floorspace with employees now sharing a desk some days and working from home the other.
For the anxious Alice, this is her worst nightmare. She's unable to speak her mind to her family, housemates and co-workers, so found working from home a nightmare. The only place she could exert control is over her desk, which has become a de facto 'home' for her treasured trinkets. For Jamie, this is his dream come true as he loved working from home.
The main issue I have with this book is one repeated in her previous books (especially 'The First Date', 'The Dog Sitter' 'Four Christmases and a secret') - repetitious, unnecessary inner monologues by the heroine, partricularly in the first couple of chapters. It's really noticeable when listening to the audiobooks. Most of the chaper could've been cut, with the rest turned into a dialogue. I ended up skimming the first chapter of Alice trying to get to the office in time for the team meeting because I already got the gist - she's anxious and can't say no to her housemates or family.
However the biggest part that made this book an almost DNF for me was the revelation involving Jamie before limping towards a rushed resolution. I thought it was an unfuriating and unncessary trope that bordered on a deux ex machina to push the characters apart before their inevitable reunitification. I saw the clue earlier and really hoped it wasn't going to go there but sadly it did. I ended up skimming the revelation, fall out before it’s rushed resolution. Its a lazy trope seen in lots of cheesier American romance novels that I detest.
Given this book is set in our COVID-19 pandemic world, it was such a missed opportunity. I realise some people are still traumatised by it (as I write this review I am in lockdown #6), but if you're going to use the pandemic as the backdrop then commit to it. For instance why not weave in things like mask wearing and distancing? Given how the pandemic has kept couples apart, it could've been used to great effect here. The book acts like the pandemic is over (which is fine, it’s fiction) but that just seems like a cop out especially given London had a few lockdowns. Alternatively the seriousness of her ex bf could’ve been woven in better too. He was increasingly unhinged.
The best bits where Alice and Jamie slowly forming a friendship via post-it notes. It had so much potential to go somewhere but it took so long to get to that part then the aforementioned fizzled of a plot development before a rushed resolution that was an anti-climax.
I am still a fan of Zara Stoneley and will read her next novel with an open mind, however for this book I was so disappointed I had to cancel my pre-order.
Thank you One More Chapter/Harper Collins and Netgalley.
September 13, 2021
Alice Dixon is really glad that the Covid lockdown has now allowed her to return to the office. She lives with several flatmates and since her bedroom is quite small, working from home has been a challenge. She loves having her own desk where she keeps some of her little treasures. She is still trying to get away from her old boyfriend, Dave, who tried to run her life. Getting him to understand that they are over has been very trying.
Back at work, she and many others are called into the office. They are afraid that they are going to be fired. However, the boss has said that office space will be less meaning that desks will be placed close together and employees will be sharing a desk. This is called Hot Desk. Employees will work at the office some days and at home other days to allow their desk to be shared.
Alice is shocked to learn that hottie, Jamie, will share a desk with her. They knew one another back in school but she’s not sure if he remembers her or not. As they divide the desk, Alice has to pack up a lot of her treasures. Jamie draws up a tongue-in-cheek contract with rules for them to follow as they share the desk.
Jamie and Alice begin leaving little funny post-it notes for one another which seems to draw them closer. Is there a future for them?
This book is a mixed bag for me. We have some humor and we have a woman who has a hard time saying no. Her sisters and flatmates take advantage of her and she lets them. Dave is a nutcase and I felt she should have called the police on him. He’s much too wacky. Alice’s relationship with James is too rocky to really call it a relationship. Even at the end of the book, I didn’t feel like things were settled in Alice’s life. However, there is enough to rate this book 4 stars. I’m interested to see what other readers think about it.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Back at work, she and many others are called into the office. They are afraid that they are going to be fired. However, the boss has said that office space will be less meaning that desks will be placed close together and employees will be sharing a desk. This is called Hot Desk. Employees will work at the office some days and at home other days to allow their desk to be shared.
Alice is shocked to learn that hottie, Jamie, will share a desk with her. They knew one another back in school but she’s not sure if he remembers her or not. As they divide the desk, Alice has to pack up a lot of her treasures. Jamie draws up a tongue-in-cheek contract with rules for them to follow as they share the desk.
Jamie and Alice begin leaving little funny post-it notes for one another which seems to draw them closer. Is there a future for them?
This book is a mixed bag for me. We have some humor and we have a woman who has a hard time saying no. Her sisters and flatmates take advantage of her and she lets them. Dave is a nutcase and I felt she should have called the police on him. He’s much too wacky. Alice’s relationship with James is too rocky to really call it a relationship. Even at the end of the book, I didn’t feel like things were settled in Alice’s life. However, there is enough to rate this book 4 stars. I’m interested to see what other readers think about it.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 30, 2021
I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Hot Desk by Zara Stoneley is a fun, lighthearted read. When Alice Dixon was in her first year of university, she and a bunch of friends attended the Reading Festival. There was this one magical moment in the crowd where she bumped into a gorgeous guy she’d never seen before, they kissed, and it was fireworks, but then the crowd surged, they got separated, and he was gone. Fast forward to her first day of work at her current job, and there’s this guy who looks familiar, but it couldn’t be him could it? Alice is pretty sure Jamie Lowe was that guy, but if he was, he doesn’t remember her, and in any case, she’s got a boyfriend. Several years later, Alice is single. With Covid19 playing havoc on the economy, their employer decides to downsize its office space, and desks in the office will be shared, each person being in the office for 2.5 days and then working from home the rest of the time. A friendship develops between them through emails and post-it notes, and it becomes the highlight of Alice’s workday to see what Jamie has left for her.
I enjoyed reading this book very much with a couple of caveats; first, the book treats the pandemic as a short term thing that is over, and everything is back to normal when obviously it is not, and secondly, when they finally confess their feelings to each other and kiss, boom the book is over and I as a reader was left saying wait what about? Steam Level: Light. Publishing Date: August 31, 2021. #HotDesk #ZaraStoneley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #NetGalley #ContemporaryRomance #ContemporaryRomanceReader #RomanceReader #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer
I enjoyed reading this book very much with a couple of caveats; first, the book treats the pandemic as a short term thing that is over, and everything is back to normal when obviously it is not, and secondly, when they finally confess their feelings to each other and kiss, boom the book is over and I as a reader was left saying wait what about? Steam Level: Light. Publishing Date: August 31, 2021. #HotDesk #ZaraStoneley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #NetGalley #ContemporaryRomance #ContemporaryRomanceReader #RomanceReader #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer
August 23, 2021
I loved the last Zara Stoneley book I got from Netgalley so I was so excited to see her back with a new book. Unfortunately I didn't love this one as much as I loved the last one. First off the formatting was so off on my kindle it was so hard to read and comprehend. I know this isn't her fault, but it really did affect the reading experience. For the first 30% of the book all we hear about is how Alice is so mad she has to go back to working remote after the pandemic, and honestly I just cannot relate to that. I've been working remotely for over a year and a half now and love it. I get it not everyone feels that way, but 30% of the book was a lot of chunk to waste on her feelings and her anxieties about working remote without barely any plot happening. Overall, the book felt long and there was maybe 1-2 too many plot lines that were just not needed. Had this book been about two people who shares a desk, who don't like each other and end up liking each other through the cute things, develop a crush and end up dating/falling in love would have been a cute story, and thats what I thought I was getting. But then add in a psycho ex-boyfriend, a surprise kid, a ton of crazy roommates and family who has no boundaries, and its just like too many plates spinning. It took away from the cute relationship forming between Alice and Jamie. I think had this been simpler I would have found it more interesting all the side characters took over Alice and Jamies story.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
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