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City Love #1
The Boyfriend Sessions
EVEN A RELATIONSHIP JUNKIE KNOWS NOT TO DATE HER BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER . . .
I’ll admit, fleeing the country after a Frenchman’s romantic proposal wasn’t one of my finest moments.
Now that I’m back in Sydney, my girlfriends have announced that I’m a relationship junkie with commitment issues and want me to swear off men for six months. Ouch.
Their extreme rehabilitation plan involves a weekly girls night so they can pick apart my colorful relationship history. And it gets worse—my best friend Maddy is including her older brother for a male opinion.
I never noticed how gorgeous Max is before. When we were growing up, he was always kind of shy and nerdy, but now he seems to have no trouble speaking his mind. And did I mention he’s sweet, too?
I don’t know what my girlfriends are so worried about, though. I can totally survive six months without a guy. And it’s not like I’d be tempted by Max—Maddy would kill me.
Except I hadn’t counted on him being quite so irresistible. Or my past relationship history coming back to torment me.
Please send help . . .
I’ll admit, fleeing the country after a Frenchman’s romantic proposal wasn’t one of my finest moments.
Now that I’m back in Sydney, my girlfriends have announced that I’m a relationship junkie with commitment issues and want me to swear off men for six months. Ouch.
Their extreme rehabilitation plan involves a weekly girls night so they can pick apart my colorful relationship history. And it gets worse—my best friend Maddy is including her older brother for a male opinion.
I never noticed how gorgeous Max is before. When we were growing up, he was always kind of shy and nerdy, but now he seems to have no trouble speaking his mind. And did I mention he’s sweet, too?
I don’t know what my girlfriends are so worried about, though. I can totally survive six months without a guy. And it’s not like I’d be tempted by Max—Maddy would kill me.
Except I hadn’t counted on him being quite so irresistible. Or my past relationship history coming back to torment me.
Please send help . . .
ebook
First published October 23, 2014
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About the author
Belinda Williams
22 books107 followersBelinda Williams is an award-winning Australian author who writes romantic comedy and romantic suspense featuring good guys. She’s occasionally tempted by bad boys, but prefers to write strong women characters and men with big hearts.
When she’s not writing, Belinda is a music lover who sings lead vocals in cover bands. Her other love is the water and she can often be found counting laps instead of words at her local swimming pool.
When she’s not writing, Belinda is a music lover who sings lead vocals in cover bands. Her other love is the water and she can often be found counting laps instead of words at her local swimming pool.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
February 8, 2019
Meh. So much meh. I struggled to finish this. The characters were alright, the story was typical, a lot of conundrums and meh. Didn’t care for the minutiae and dialog was rough. Might just be a cultural thing, honestly.
February 17, 2019
This felt way longer than it needed to be and I was not into it. Plus those are not friends, friends don’t talk to each other that way
February 6, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
my first 'best friend's brother' read. the romance was good, although i did discover an ick i didn't know i had. men wearing sunglasses on top of their heads. ugh.
also any grown ass man who salivates at the idea of their (almost 30yo) gf in their old school uniform is a walking red flag, sorry not sorry
my first 'best friend's brother' read. the romance was good, although i did discover an ick i didn't know i had. men wearing sunglasses on top of their heads. ugh.
also any grown ass man who salivates at the idea of their (almost 30yo) gf in their old school uniform is a walking red flag, sorry not sorry
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November 28, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (11/28/2018)!💝
Blurb:
Christa Morrison has commitment issues, a fact that quickly becomes apparent after she flees a romantic proposal in Paris, the thunder of impending wedding bells ringing in her ears.
Back in Sydney, she turns to her closest friends for reassurance. Instead they offer her a startling and painful diagnosis: she's a relationship junkie. The cure? An extreme rehabilitation program guaranteed to reform even the most L-word illiterate.
With her girlfriends along for the ride, Christa commits to their radical plan and the chances of recovery look good. The only problem is Max Spencer. The one guy Christa—and her friends—never expected her to fall for. But he's proving to be a temptation she may not have the willpower to resist ...
For a shot at happiness, is being with Max worth betraying her friends? And will Christa have the strength to trust her heart when her colorful relationship history comes back to haunt her?
It might just be enough to make a poor girl leave the country (again).
Blurb:
Christa Morrison has commitment issues, a fact that quickly becomes apparent after she flees a romantic proposal in Paris, the thunder of impending wedding bells ringing in her ears.
Back in Sydney, she turns to her closest friends for reassurance. Instead they offer her a startling and painful diagnosis: she's a relationship junkie. The cure? An extreme rehabilitation program guaranteed to reform even the most L-word illiterate.
With her girlfriends along for the ride, Christa commits to their radical plan and the chances of recovery look good. The only problem is Max Spencer. The one guy Christa—and her friends—never expected her to fall for. But he's proving to be a temptation she may not have the willpower to resist ...
For a shot at happiness, is being with Max worth betraying her friends? And will Christa have the strength to trust her heart when her colorful relationship history comes back to haunt her?
It might just be enough to make a poor girl leave the country (again).
February 22, 2015
I really enjoyed this book it's going into my chick lit favorite pile :)
Christa "unlucky" in love is taking a year out travelling and when she arrives in Paris she meets Frenchman Ben. After only 6 weeks Ben proposes and Christas answer is to run, run home to Sidney Australia.
while she's having a feeling sorry for herself couple of weeks her girlfriend's decide to put Christa on a man ban for six months while they have once a week boyfriend sessions to find out why Christa can never be single she's constantly jumping from one relationship to another, and along the way she's had three proposals.
they have also decided to send Christa to exercise boot camp to get her out the house and enjoying exercise again, and who better to help her is max, her best friend Maddys older brother, who Christa grew up with and who has changed from the skinny geek to a hot hot hot nerd :)
Christa also hates her job so with a new career path, boot camp and the boyfriend sessions Christas life will never be the same again.
With laughter and tears four girlfriends along with Max go on a Christa journey to the past , what's the worst that can happen?
but is Christas Mr right , right in front of her??
absolutely loved this
couldn't put it down
Christa "unlucky" in love is taking a year out travelling and when she arrives in Paris she meets Frenchman Ben. After only 6 weeks Ben proposes and Christas answer is to run, run home to Sidney Australia.
while she's having a feeling sorry for herself couple of weeks her girlfriend's decide to put Christa on a man ban for six months while they have once a week boyfriend sessions to find out why Christa can never be single she's constantly jumping from one relationship to another, and along the way she's had three proposals.
they have also decided to send Christa to exercise boot camp to get her out the house and enjoying exercise again, and who better to help her is max, her best friend Maddys older brother, who Christa grew up with and who has changed from the skinny geek to a hot hot hot nerd :)
Christa also hates her job so with a new career path, boot camp and the boyfriend sessions Christas life will never be the same again.
With laughter and tears four girlfriends along with Max go on a Christa journey to the past , what's the worst that can happen?
but is Christas Mr right , right in front of her??
absolutely loved this
couldn't put it down
November 21, 2018
Great book!
This was a great read! Was a funny, quirky and interesting story about love and learning how to true to yourself. It was a great story!
This was a great read! Was a funny, quirky and interesting story about love and learning how to true to yourself. It was a great story!
February 3, 2019
First time reading this author and couldn't put down this book!!
June 30, 2015
The boyfriend sessions
By: Belinda Williams
Published: Pan Macmillan Australia
Released: 23 October 2014
The Word: Refreshingly honest contemporary romance that will leave you to ponder some pretty big life questions.
https://birdslovewords.wordpress.com/...
The Boyfriend Sessions is the first in a series – City of Love, by Belinda Williams. It encompasses the messy emotion of daily life perfectly and encourages you to reflect on your own. There are some steamy scenes, but the book focuses more widely on navigating life rather than intimate sexual encounters.
We follow Christa – a bubbly, bright, happy-go lucky 28 year old who has left a trail of disastrous relationships in her wake. After yet another devastating relationship Christa’s friends hold an intervention and prescribe her six months men free – six months of living the single life to rediscover herself.
Between weekly ‘boyfriend sessions’, where Christa and her friends discuss her failed relationships over a few bottles of red and some Thai takeaway, her freelance graphic design work, and her renewed interest in keeping fit – Christa thinks the six months will be a walk in the park. That is until Max appears on the scene. As Christa delves deeper into her relationship history she also falls deeper for Max. Will denying her feelings for Max be her undoing or can she take the leap and give Max and love a chance?
This book really struck a chord with me – not just because it was set in Australia – but because I felt it discussed a lot of the issues that I face on a daily basis as a 28 year old female. Often when reading New Adult books the females have it all sorted by 25, they have the perfect career and living conditions but have just struggled with their love lives. At 28 I feel I am nowhere close to achieving those things and Christa seems to be in the same place in life. Although she has a good job, supportive friends and a nice apartment, Christa is generally not happy with where she is in life. Her job is unrewarding, her love life has been complicated and she is just going through the motions of daily life. I really felt that Christa reflected life of a late 20 year old, and she wasn’t built up as a fantasy as often NA books can portray.
She had a tight knit friendship group that despite having their secrets and different personalities worked and supported each other – they were a family in their own way. It was a refreshing take away from the usual bimbo yet funny best friend and mean and narky girls you usually encounter in books. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the group, with each friend brining their own unique perspective on Christa’s love life.
Max…. this man is unbelievably perfect. He is tall, well-build, good looking and has all the assets, but he is also a great friend to Christa. (He might just make me swing away from loving the bad boys…might) He complements and encourages Christa to achieve more from her life and patiently waits for her to figure out what she wants in both love and in live. He is a geek at heart and this feature makes him down to earth and just that smidge more adorable.
It was a really refreshing and honest read and it made me reflect on my own life and what I want to achieve. Williams demonstrated how life can be messy and complicated but demonstrated how this makes it all the more beautiful. I definitely learnt a few life lessons from this book. It was a great contemporary romance.
By: Belinda Williams
Published: Pan Macmillan Australia
Released: 23 October 2014
The Word: Refreshingly honest contemporary romance that will leave you to ponder some pretty big life questions.
https://birdslovewords.wordpress.com/...
The Boyfriend Sessions is the first in a series – City of Love, by Belinda Williams. It encompasses the messy emotion of daily life perfectly and encourages you to reflect on your own. There are some steamy scenes, but the book focuses more widely on navigating life rather than intimate sexual encounters.
We follow Christa – a bubbly, bright, happy-go lucky 28 year old who has left a trail of disastrous relationships in her wake. After yet another devastating relationship Christa’s friends hold an intervention and prescribe her six months men free – six months of living the single life to rediscover herself.
Between weekly ‘boyfriend sessions’, where Christa and her friends discuss her failed relationships over a few bottles of red and some Thai takeaway, her freelance graphic design work, and her renewed interest in keeping fit – Christa thinks the six months will be a walk in the park. That is until Max appears on the scene. As Christa delves deeper into her relationship history she also falls deeper for Max. Will denying her feelings for Max be her undoing or can she take the leap and give Max and love a chance?
This book really struck a chord with me – not just because it was set in Australia – but because I felt it discussed a lot of the issues that I face on a daily basis as a 28 year old female. Often when reading New Adult books the females have it all sorted by 25, they have the perfect career and living conditions but have just struggled with their love lives. At 28 I feel I am nowhere close to achieving those things and Christa seems to be in the same place in life. Although she has a good job, supportive friends and a nice apartment, Christa is generally not happy with where she is in life. Her job is unrewarding, her love life has been complicated and she is just going through the motions of daily life. I really felt that Christa reflected life of a late 20 year old, and she wasn’t built up as a fantasy as often NA books can portray.
She had a tight knit friendship group that despite having their secrets and different personalities worked and supported each other – they were a family in their own way. It was a refreshing take away from the usual bimbo yet funny best friend and mean and narky girls you usually encounter in books. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the group, with each friend brining their own unique perspective on Christa’s love life.
Max…. this man is unbelievably perfect. He is tall, well-build, good looking and has all the assets, but he is also a great friend to Christa. (He might just make me swing away from loving the bad boys…might) He complements and encourages Christa to achieve more from her life and patiently waits for her to figure out what she wants in both love and in live. He is a geek at heart and this feature makes him down to earth and just that smidge more adorable.
It was a really refreshing and honest read and it made me reflect on my own life and what I want to achieve. Williams demonstrated how life can be messy and complicated but demonstrated how this makes it all the more beautiful. I definitely learnt a few life lessons from this book. It was a great contemporary romance.
December 17, 2018
Truly enjoyed this one
Simply put, it was a good book from the beginning through the end. Would recommend it as a light read.
Simply put, it was a good book from the beginning through the end. Would recommend it as a light read.
December 30, 2014
This is the first book that I'm reading by this author. The writing is not bad. It pretty good. The book flows nicely.
But... I just don't think it was for me.
I was not feeling any of Christa friends. I thought they were all pushy... In your face kind of people. The way they confronted her about her past relationships... Was just crazy! Like they were any better! But I felt Maddy was the worst! I did not like her at all.
They treated Christa like she was a child. Talked about her as if she was not in the room. They made her agree to a 6 month no man anything while they all analyze and dissected all her past relationships so they can get to the "root of the problem".
I think it wouldn't have been so bad.. If they didn't all confront her the way they did...telling her that she had a problem. I mean... Seriously....
Act like friends... Sit together with a glass of wine and talk to your friend. Because nobody is an expert in the love department. Everyone makes mistakes. So for her friends to come out like the way they did... Just had me seeing red! And the fact that Christa was upset with her friends... But went along with it... Was even more upsetting to me.
So when they started the whole "analyzing"... I thought to myself... Ok this could be funny. Some of it was... I just hated how they were all really dissecting her love life. It's one thing to bring it all in your face... But to be told... I think Christa has to be ready for the change... not be told that it needs to happen now.
You don't tell a drug user they have to stop using drugs or a drinker they have to stop drinking. They have to hit their rock bottom in order to make the decision for themselves that they want to stop the cycle of what they are doing.
Same goes for Christa.... That's someone's life your messing with. I liked to hear the stories... Of her boyfriends. I just hated the friends putting their two cents in. And making her relive some of those painful memories. It just wasn't right and sometimes went to far.
I just wasn't feeling Christa at all. I felt she had no backbone... The way she handled her problems got to me. The way she handled Max upset me. The way she snapped at everyone... When she agreed to let everyone and their mother dissect her love life. Then she would go and run and cry.
When she denied her relationship to her friends about Max. I was pretty much done with her. Who cares if she told her friends she would wait 6 months! They are not her mother or her father. They are just friends! It was just wrong.
And Maddy....
She is no friend at all. All the things she said to Christa. That would be hard to forgive. And even if you do forgive. You can never forget those word spewed from her mouth. Her true feeling came out about her best friend.
This book was just not for me. Everything about this book just set me off. I was upset about how everything played off.
I didn't even have a warm feeling at the end of this book. I was more relieved it was over.
*ARC provide via Netgalley for an honest review*
But... I just don't think it was for me.
I was not feeling any of Christa friends. I thought they were all pushy... In your face kind of people. The way they confronted her about her past relationships... Was just crazy! Like they were any better! But I felt Maddy was the worst! I did not like her at all.
They treated Christa like she was a child. Talked about her as if she was not in the room. They made her agree to a 6 month no man anything while they all analyze and dissected all her past relationships so they can get to the "root of the problem".
I think it wouldn't have been so bad.. If they didn't all confront her the way they did...telling her that she had a problem. I mean... Seriously....
Act like friends... Sit together with a glass of wine and talk to your friend. Because nobody is an expert in the love department. Everyone makes mistakes. So for her friends to come out like the way they did... Just had me seeing red! And the fact that Christa was upset with her friends... But went along with it... Was even more upsetting to me.
So when they started the whole "analyzing"... I thought to myself... Ok this could be funny. Some of it was... I just hated how they were all really dissecting her love life. It's one thing to bring it all in your face... But to be told... I think Christa has to be ready for the change... not be told that it needs to happen now.
You don't tell a drug user they have to stop using drugs or a drinker they have to stop drinking. They have to hit their rock bottom in order to make the decision for themselves that they want to stop the cycle of what they are doing.
Same goes for Christa.... That's someone's life your messing with. I liked to hear the stories... Of her boyfriends. I just hated the friends putting their two cents in. And making her relive some of those painful memories. It just wasn't right and sometimes went to far.
I just wasn't feeling Christa at all. I felt she had no backbone... The way she handled her problems got to me. The way she handled Max upset me. The way she snapped at everyone... When she agreed to let everyone and their mother dissect her love life. Then she would go and run and cry.
When she denied her relationship to her friends about Max. I was pretty much done with her. Who cares if she told her friends she would wait 6 months! They are not her mother or her father. They are just friends! It was just wrong.
And Maddy....
She is no friend at all. All the things she said to Christa. That would be hard to forgive. And even if you do forgive. You can never forget those word spewed from her mouth. Her true feeling came out about her best friend.
This book was just not for me. Everything about this book just set me off. I was upset about how everything played off.
I didn't even have a warm feeling at the end of this book. I was more relieved it was over.
*ARC provide via Netgalley for an honest review*
October 24, 2014
Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review.
After fleeing Paris after being proposed to, Christa’s friends make her promise to be single for awhile and take a look at why her relationships have been unsuccessful. But what starts out as a fun and good-humoured discussion about Christa’s past boyfriends soon turns into a serious evaluation of her life and her past. With this story Williams has created something that is quite complex beneath a jovial exterior, and it isn’t until you are submerged in its characters and narrative that you realise there is a lot more going on, and is sometimes a lot more serious than first impressions suggest.
As soon as Christa promises to swear off men for six months you just know that is when she is going to meet someone but the way Williams explores it is clever and she doesn’t rush anything narrative wise or make it too cheesy or simplistic either. It is interesting to see how it plays it out considering the ban, and it does not always go in the direction you were expecting either which gives it another level.
Williams is very good at capturing the dynamic between the girlfriends and the relationship and friendship between them. The conversations are natural and Williams demonstrates the friend discussions well, each girl talking over the top of one another, interrupting one another, and getting sidetracked onto other things.
Details and histories about characters are also skilfully woven into the narrative and are provided through Christa’s thoughts, casual remarks, and dialogue between characters adding to the realistic nature of the story and makes it feel more natural.
This is not a typical romance novel where Christa’s past relationships are looked at and analysed adoringly. Williams has created a story that looks at how relationships affect people and how not understanding or acknowledging the impact that these cause can have lasting effects. There is a wonderful serious underside to the laughing and the wine and it brings the best out of the narrative. Seeing this switch from the informal and humorous discussions to a real reflection is great and it changes Christa for the better.
I really enjoyed this novel because it didn’t go in any of the directions I thought it would and it is complicated, unexpected, and satisfying. Williams has managed to balance the light heartedness and seriousness wonderfully which has resulted in an engaging and thoughtful story.
A longer version of this review was published on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/20...
After fleeing Paris after being proposed to, Christa’s friends make her promise to be single for awhile and take a look at why her relationships have been unsuccessful. But what starts out as a fun and good-humoured discussion about Christa’s past boyfriends soon turns into a serious evaluation of her life and her past. With this story Williams has created something that is quite complex beneath a jovial exterior, and it isn’t until you are submerged in its characters and narrative that you realise there is a lot more going on, and is sometimes a lot more serious than first impressions suggest.
As soon as Christa promises to swear off men for six months you just know that is when she is going to meet someone but the way Williams explores it is clever and she doesn’t rush anything narrative wise or make it too cheesy or simplistic either. It is interesting to see how it plays it out considering the ban, and it does not always go in the direction you were expecting either which gives it another level.
Williams is very good at capturing the dynamic between the girlfriends and the relationship and friendship between them. The conversations are natural and Williams demonstrates the friend discussions well, each girl talking over the top of one another, interrupting one another, and getting sidetracked onto other things.
Details and histories about characters are also skilfully woven into the narrative and are provided through Christa’s thoughts, casual remarks, and dialogue between characters adding to the realistic nature of the story and makes it feel more natural.
This is not a typical romance novel where Christa’s past relationships are looked at and analysed adoringly. Williams has created a story that looks at how relationships affect people and how not understanding or acknowledging the impact that these cause can have lasting effects. There is a wonderful serious underside to the laughing and the wine and it brings the best out of the narrative. Seeing this switch from the informal and humorous discussions to a real reflection is great and it changes Christa for the better.
I really enjoyed this novel because it didn’t go in any of the directions I thought it would and it is complicated, unexpected, and satisfying. Williams has managed to balance the light heartedness and seriousness wonderfully which has resulted in an engaging and thoughtful story.
A longer version of this review was published on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/20...
October 26, 2014
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley*
Another good one! I'm on a positive streak!!
Christa has learned from very young – with her parents' failed marriage and the consequent suicide of her father - how much being in love can hurt someone. Having been hurt herself more than once from people she cared about, she -unconsciously- closed off that part of herself preferring to frequent men she knew she couldn't possibly be serious about and leaving them just at the right time. After her last disastrous break-up, Christa's friends force her to attend weekly meeting with them to discuss her past romances while she has to endure a six month period of abstinence from men. What better time than this for starting a relationship with her best friend's brother? None, obviously!
Max has been hurt quite bad by his last girlfriend and, while he's not able to talk about it, he thinks he's ready to move on...and what better woman to fall in love with than his sister's best friend? The same best friend that was his first crush and who also happens to be a serial dater with a commitment phobia?! Obviously there couldn't be a better choice!
Sarcasm notwithstanding, those two are a very cute couple and I really liked how their relationship started and developed in the story! But the romance in itself it's not the part I liked the most about this book.
I started this story expecting a fun and light read but The Boyfriend Sessions is more than that.
I don't know...maybe it's just the right-book-at-the-right-time kind of thing but this story gives - in my opinion - an interesting insight on good and bad relationships we (women) find ourselves in and, even more important, about how they leave some long lasting effects we often tend to ignore.
What I liked most of the analysis the book offers on Christa's past romances is that it tries to be objective on both parts' faults: Christa tells her story and her perspective on it, her friends express their opinions and then Max says his. It's all very organized and methodical.
Obviously, as it always happens for love's issues, it's not so simple to learn from our own errors...Christa surely proved that!
In the end I'm quite happy with this book since my expectations of it were definitively exceeded: 4 solid stars! At last I'd like to thank again the author for the opportunity to read her book for free and I hope she appreciates my honest review.
Another good one! I'm on a positive streak!!
Christa has learned from very young – with her parents' failed marriage and the consequent suicide of her father - how much being in love can hurt someone. Having been hurt herself more than once from people she cared about, she -unconsciously- closed off that part of herself preferring to frequent men she knew she couldn't possibly be serious about and leaving them just at the right time. After her last disastrous break-up, Christa's friends force her to attend weekly meeting with them to discuss her past romances while she has to endure a six month period of abstinence from men. What better time than this for starting a relationship with her best friend's brother? None, obviously!
Max has been hurt quite bad by his last girlfriend and, while he's not able to talk about it, he thinks he's ready to move on...and what better woman to fall in love with than his sister's best friend? The same best friend that was his first crush and who also happens to be a serial dater with a commitment phobia?! Obviously there couldn't be a better choice!
Sarcasm notwithstanding, those two are a very cute couple and I really liked how their relationship started and developed in the story! But the romance in itself it's not the part I liked the most about this book.
I started this story expecting a fun and light read but The Boyfriend Sessions is more than that.
I don't know...maybe it's just the right-book-at-the-right-time kind of thing but this story gives - in my opinion - an interesting insight on good and bad relationships we (women) find ourselves in and, even more important, about how they leave some long lasting effects we often tend to ignore.
What I liked most of the analysis the book offers on Christa's past romances is that it tries to be objective on both parts' faults: Christa tells her story and her perspective on it, her friends express their opinions and then Max says his. It's all very organized and methodical.
Obviously, as it always happens for love's issues, it's not so simple to learn from our own errors...Christa surely proved that!
In the end I'm quite happy with this book since my expectations of it were definitively exceeded: 4 solid stars! At last I'd like to thank again the author for the opportunity to read her book for free and I hope she appreciates my honest review.
December 3, 2018
Even though it was pretty obvious how things would turn out a few chapters in, the author still managed to keep cranking up the tension until I couldn’t bear to stop reading. Nicely done.
I had a lot of fun reading this book. I enjoyed the main character, her three best friends, and the guys. I also liked the way she grew and found herself before she could really have her happy ending. I’ll probably read the other books in the series as well.
I had a lot of fun reading this book. I enjoyed the main character, her three best friends, and the guys. I also liked the way she grew and found herself before she could really have her happy ending. I’ll probably read the other books in the series as well.
October 27, 2014
Belinda Williams' new book is a really great romance read and I enjoyed it thoroughly! Williams created a very realistic world where she weaved in friends, career, self-growth and some funny too! The book is very well written and she seamlessly takes us through Christa's thoughts, to her environment, to her friends and her love life/emotions.
I think what impressed me most about this book was how well rounded a character she created with Christa. I really felt like she had lots of reasons for feeling how she did and she wasn't at all a one sided character. She was complicated and had depth, perhaps a bit broken and yet strong at the same time. I like how her past shaped her feelings and how she was ignorant of those feelings for a long time until finally she saw the light.
It was fun to learn all about her exes and her family and how they shaped who she is and her love life. Her friends were really awesome and had interesting personalities and quirks and I got to feel like I was friends with them too. I liked their banter, their "Wine-o-clock" and nicknames for all her exes. I think Williams was creative in these stories as well, almost like mini-stories within the larger tale.
Then of course there's Max! Basically the perfect combination of sexy and smart. And much more like a real man than we see in many romance novels. He had his computer games but at the same time he was into fast cars. I think the ideal man is just a bit geeky and of course who doesn't want a guy that's smart?! But of course he had that nicely sculpted body too!
I also love the landscape that Williams painted of Sydney. I've never been there but I could see it so clearly in her novel through the windows of the office buildings, to the beach to the roadways. I loved the urban feel but also loved that she talked about the ocean and taking hikes etc as well.
Overall, a very worthwhile read and it had some steam to it as well! I can't wait to read more from Williams in the future!
I think what impressed me most about this book was how well rounded a character she created with Christa. I really felt like she had lots of reasons for feeling how she did and she wasn't at all a one sided character. She was complicated and had depth, perhaps a bit broken and yet strong at the same time. I like how her past shaped her feelings and how she was ignorant of those feelings for a long time until finally she saw the light.
It was fun to learn all about her exes and her family and how they shaped who she is and her love life. Her friends were really awesome and had interesting personalities and quirks and I got to feel like I was friends with them too. I liked their banter, their "Wine-o-clock" and nicknames for all her exes. I think Williams was creative in these stories as well, almost like mini-stories within the larger tale.
Then of course there's Max! Basically the perfect combination of sexy and smart. And much more like a real man than we see in many romance novels. He had his computer games but at the same time he was into fast cars. I think the ideal man is just a bit geeky and of course who doesn't want a guy that's smart?! But of course he had that nicely sculpted body too!
I also love the landscape that Williams painted of Sydney. I've never been there but I could see it so clearly in her novel through the windows of the office buildings, to the beach to the roadways. I loved the urban feel but also loved that she talked about the ocean and taking hikes etc as well.
Overall, a very worthwhile read and it had some steam to it as well! I can't wait to read more from Williams in the future!
June 8, 2016
An enjoyable book that makes you feel like part of the group while reading it. This was the second book I read by Belinda Williams and will not be my last. I had read book 2 (The Pitch) in this series first and knew I had to come back to read where it all started. Even with knowing how it was going to end, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book as a whole. There were twists that I wasn't anticipating to make me wonder if Christa may actually change her mind about the men in her life.
The only part that had me a bit skeptical was the end. I loved Max through out the book, but how he reacted to a situation at the end almost made me dislike him. It seemed very un-Max-like and childish to treat Christa the like he did, then it was like he changed his tune on a dime. I had a hard time with that section, but all in all it was a fun ride to see how Christa learned about herself through her ex-boyfriend sessions with her friends. I'm not sure being put on the spot like that and be "judged" could be easy for anyone. Christa managed to keep an open mind and work through her feelings and grew as a person because of it.
Can't wait to keep going with this series!
The only part that had me a bit skeptical was the end. I loved Max through out the book, but how he reacted to a situation at the end almost made me dislike him. It seemed very un-Max-like and childish to treat Christa the like he did, then it was like he changed his tune on a dime. I had a hard time with that section, but all in all it was a fun ride to see how Christa learned about herself through her ex-boyfriend sessions with her friends. I'm not sure being put on the spot like that and be "judged" could be easy for anyone. Christa managed to keep an open mind and work through her feelings and grew as a person because of it.
Can't wait to keep going with this series!
March 25, 2015
What a fabulous fun read by Belinda Williams! The storyline is well developed and has a cast full of witty characters who you won't forget in a hurry. Christa is addicted to men, yet has a problem with commitment issues - a big problem - but you won't believe the levels her four friends go to in order to help her sort her problems out. Yep, they stage a crazy intervention! Their "sessions" will have you laughing out loud and then dropping your jaw in amazement at some of the things these women have gotten up to.
And then there's Max....ah...gorgeous Max...
The boyfriend sessions is at times hilarious, other times quite thought provoking and well worth the read. I loved it and couldn't put it down until it was finished. Belinda has been contracted by Momentum (Pan Macmillan) to write the stories of all the women in "Boyfriend Sessions". Which one will be your favorite amongst the girl friends? Scarlett? Cate? Maddy? I bet you won't be able to choose. Can't wait for the next book, due out in May.
And then there's Max....ah...gorgeous Max...
The boyfriend sessions is at times hilarious, other times quite thought provoking and well worth the read. I loved it and couldn't put it down until it was finished. Belinda has been contracted by Momentum (Pan Macmillan) to write the stories of all the women in "Boyfriend Sessions". Which one will be your favorite amongst the girl friends? Scarlett? Cate? Maddy? I bet you won't be able to choose. Can't wait for the next book, due out in May.
November 11, 2019
2.5*. I started out really liking this because of the friend relationships described. But by halfway through I was tired of the way Christa’s past relationships were torn apart and thrown in her face. Too much blame was placed on her, and far too much was expected of her, especially when it becomes clear that everyone else’s love lives are just as or more screwed up then Christa’s, especially considering Christa’s family history. After a while, it didn’t even make sense - what good friends are going to make you feel like a terrible person for running from a guy that proposes after 6 weeks, especially when those three little words have never been spoken? Thinking back to my girlfriends in our 20’s, I’m pretty sure we would have suggested running faster, not analyzing every past relationship since high school in order to figure out what’s wrong with you.
The way Max ditches her and runs away himself just infuriated me. In all romance novels I hate when the reconciliation ending is tied up by just having the person who left show up with not a sorry but more of a “here I am, decided I’d rather be with you then apart, and I think by leaving I taught you a lesson so now you are ready for me and we are back together and going to live happily ever after.” Ummm....what did Max learn about how messed up he is while he was refusing to answer her attempts at communication for 2 months? Did he see his ex-fiancée? Did he learn to love himself as a single person? (Which it is implied Christa finally did, but I’m not sure it really happened) Isn’t he the one that pursued a woman he had had an adolescent crush on when he knew she was in a bad place and he was still getting over the failed 6 yr relationship? Then he was angry because she wasn’t ready to declare her love for him after only one month? By the end I felt like while Christa may have some trust and commitment issues, they were well within the range of normal and she was actually surrounded by crazy people.
I’m actually tempted to read the rest of the series just because I want vindication for Christa when her friends get into relationships.
The way Max ditches her and runs away himself just infuriated me. In all romance novels I hate when the reconciliation ending is tied up by just having the person who left show up with not a sorry but more of a “here I am, decided I’d rather be with you then apart, and I think by leaving I taught you a lesson so now you are ready for me and we are back together and going to live happily ever after.” Ummm....what did Max learn about how messed up he is while he was refusing to answer her attempts at communication for 2 months? Did he see his ex-fiancée? Did he learn to love himself as a single person? (Which it is implied Christa finally did, but I’m not sure it really happened) Isn’t he the one that pursued a woman he had had an adolescent crush on when he knew she was in a bad place and he was still getting over the failed 6 yr relationship? Then he was angry because she wasn’t ready to declare her love for him after only one month? By the end I felt like while Christa may have some trust and commitment issues, they were well within the range of normal and she was actually surrounded by crazy people.
I’m actually tempted to read the rest of the series just because I want vindication for Christa when her friends get into relationships.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2020
I have to admit that I wasn't totally in love with the main character Christa until about chapter 3. I was pretty indifferent. I didn't hate her, but I wasn't completely rooting for her. I continued to read because I was in a mood. I figured my aversion was of my own doing not due to the writing or characterization. I'm grateful that I continued on. I received this book through Bookbub's edeals which I love when I'm in between ARCs.
Christa literally ran away from a proposal at the Eiffel Tower by a romantic French man. Who does that? Christa--the commitment phobic gal. What should her girlfriends do but stage a relationship intervention showing her exactly what she's doing wrong in each and every relationship she's had beginning with her first love to the French man. During this journey, Christa is forbidden to date, flirt, or have any type of romantic relationship with the opposite sex. She's to focus on being single and enjoy single life. Find herself. Figure out what when wrong in her romantic life. Step 1--Thursday night boyfriend sessions where they evaluate her previous boyfriends. Step 2--return to her exercise regiment, ...ok she usually quit after a few sessions which is why the gals signed her up for a Boot Camp courses in the park to ensure Christa attends, Max (Maddy's geeky older brother) will escort her. No one warned Christa that geeky Max is now hot as sin or that he's had a crush on Christa since the girls were teens. But Max also pushes Christa out of her comfort zone both in and outside of the boyfriend sessions.
One kiss changes everything between them. Is she willing to risk her lifelong friendship with Maddy for Max?
Would her friends ever forgive her for betraying their trust?
Can Max forgive Christa for not being honest with him or herself?
Christa literally ran away from a proposal at the Eiffel Tower by a romantic French man. Who does that? Christa--the commitment phobic gal. What should her girlfriends do but stage a relationship intervention showing her exactly what she's doing wrong in each and every relationship she's had beginning with her first love to the French man. During this journey, Christa is forbidden to date, flirt, or have any type of romantic relationship with the opposite sex. She's to focus on being single and enjoy single life. Find herself. Figure out what when wrong in her romantic life. Step 1--Thursday night boyfriend sessions where they evaluate her previous boyfriends. Step 2--return to her exercise regiment, ...ok she usually quit after a few sessions which is why the gals signed her up for a Boot Camp courses in the park to ensure Christa attends, Max (Maddy's geeky older brother) will escort her. No one warned Christa that geeky Max is now hot as sin or that he's had a crush on Christa since the girls were teens. But Max also pushes Christa out of her comfort zone both in and outside of the boyfriend sessions.
One kiss changes everything between them. Is she willing to risk her lifelong friendship with Maddy for Max?
Would her friends ever forgive her for betraying their trust?
Can Max forgive Christa for not being honest with him or herself?
September 14, 2019
At first I thought this was just a mindless chick lit tale, perhaps one to escape into but how wrong I was! While this is laced with humour, a great group of gal pals & an eclectic group of exes, behind all that was quite a touching romantic tale.
We start with Christa escaping back to her home in Sydney from Paris, where she received a marriage proposal from Ben, who she thought was a holiday fling. Her BFF's start an intervention with her being 'man free' so she can experience a single life for while.
Part of this is weekly sessions where she purges her past relationships. There were some cringe worthy moments as well as those that haunted her. Add in Max, one of her friends brothers, who gives her a male POV & is also her boot camp buddy.
I enjoyed the style of writing & how Christa's past was explained. Add in the the lives of her & her friends, which are future stories. The buildup of Christa's budding secret relationship & how she tries to navigate her feelings was well developed & kept me hoping she could see what was right in front of her.
It been ages since I've read a book that I've enjoyed so much, add in the fact it is mostly set in Oz is a bonus!
November 27, 2018
This was a great read! Was a funny, quirky and interesting story about love and learning how to be true to yourself. It was a really refreshing and honest read and it made me reflect on my own life and I could relate to Christa.
Details and histories about characters are also skilfully woven into the narrative and are provided through Christa’s thoughts, casual remarks, and dialogue between characters adding to the realistic nature of the story.
Max is tall, well-built, good looking and has all the assets, is a geek at heart (this feature makes him down to earth and just that more attractive and lovable) and he is also a great friend to Christa. He complements and encourages her to achieve more from her life and patiently waits for her to figure out what she wants both in love and life.
I really enjoyed this novel as it didn’t go in any of the directions I thought it would, it is complicated, unexpected, eye opening and satisfying. Ms Williams has managed to balance the light heartedness and seriousness exceptionally well which resulted in a keep reading and though provoking story.
Details and histories about characters are also skilfully woven into the narrative and are provided through Christa’s thoughts, casual remarks, and dialogue between characters adding to the realistic nature of the story.
Max is tall, well-built, good looking and has all the assets, is a geek at heart (this feature makes him down to earth and just that more attractive and lovable) and he is also a great friend to Christa. He complements and encourages her to achieve more from her life and patiently waits for her to figure out what she wants both in love and life.
I really enjoyed this novel as it didn’t go in any of the directions I thought it would, it is complicated, unexpected, eye opening and satisfying. Ms Williams has managed to balance the light heartedness and seriousness exceptionally well which resulted in a keep reading and though provoking story.
September 9, 2023
This books was very well written, funny, with a clear end in sight, took you through the whole spectrum of emotions of ‘losing’ that special someone, and it was refreshing to read that friendships like these between women exist in this day and age, because they do. It inspired me to potentially instate some boyfriend sessions with my friends, because sometimes they’re needed, and it’s a great learning curve in that sense, you can see how people see your relationship from the outside, and it brings perspective. It was funny and refreshing, and had a happy ending, and I hope the next book gives us more of a glimpse in the love the characters share, even if it’s focusing on another one of the gals.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2020
Christa has relationship issues and, after her latest disaster, her closest friends do an intervention. They insist she have weekly “therapy” sessions with them and go man-free for 6 months. Of course, she immediately meets Max, someone she never noticed before, but is now irresistibly attracted to. There are multiple small errors, which are always distracting, and the characters reminded me of "Sex in the City" (but not as good): Christa, the talented artist; Cate, the romantic one; Maddy, the successful businesswoman; and Scarlet, the sarcastic man-nizer, but I enjoyed this fun chick lit story that takes place in Sydney.
January 28, 2024
There was so much potential here!!! I found the book premise actually quite clever — commitment-phobe Christa is forced to confront her past relationships by her close friends after (another) proposal she's declined. In their weekly "boyfriend sessions," Christa has to talk through what went wrong in those relationships and what she's learned — to a group that also includes one of her friend's nerdy turned hot older brother, Max, who's there for the "male perspective."
So I enjoyed that aspect of the plot, and Christa and Max were definitely cute and easy to root for (even if I didn't fully see all of their chemistry). But the writing style (especially the dialogue) just was not it for me, and even made it a little hard to get through at times. Not sure if it just felt immature or what, but that tends to make or break a book for me, regardless of subject matter.
3 ⭐️
So I enjoyed that aspect of the plot, and Christa and Max were definitely cute and easy to root for (even if I didn't fully see all of their chemistry). But the writing style (especially the dialogue) just was not it for me, and even made it a little hard to get through at times. Not sure if it just felt immature or what, but that tends to make or break a book for me, regardless of subject matter.
3 ⭐️
September 4, 2019
Loved the actual boyfriend sessions
What did I like most about The Boyfriend Sessions was the actual boyfriend sessions Crista’s friends had her go through. Entertaining I’m hearing about her past relationships and getting the opinion from 3 very different friends and 1 Mighty Max. The sessions with Crista and Max were steamy too.
The beginning and ending kinda dragged a bit but were a big part of the happily ever after.
What did I like most about The Boyfriend Sessions was the actual boyfriend sessions Crista’s friends had her go through. Entertaining I’m hearing about her past relationships and getting the opinion from 3 very different friends and 1 Mighty Max. The sessions with Crista and Max were steamy too.
The beginning and ending kinda dragged a bit but were a big part of the happily ever after.
September 8, 2019
Relationship Doubt?
This is a really good book, bordering on Self Help Self Love. The characters are flawed and real. The discussions of past relationships are enlightening. If you are in doubt about a relationship, follow Maddy’s wise words. “Imagine your life without a person. Of course you can live without them, but do you want to?” Pretty strong stuff. You need to find your own happiness and contentment first, so you can be happy with others. That’s key. For everyone.
This is a really good book, bordering on Self Help Self Love. The characters are flawed and real. The discussions of past relationships are enlightening. If you are in doubt about a relationship, follow Maddy’s wise words. “Imagine your life without a person. Of course you can live without them, but do you want to?” Pretty strong stuff. You need to find your own happiness and contentment first, so you can be happy with others. That’s key. For everyone.
February 15, 2020
Makes for good reading
Read as one persons point of view, Christa, who is lucky to have a close support network of 3 other girlfriends is analysing past failed relationships so that she move on and not make the same mistakes again. She may be a very smart woman but we can somehow relate to her being clueless in the romance department. Long read but a good read. Christa’s cluelessness at times can be grating but happy endings all round.
Read as one persons point of view, Christa, who is lucky to have a close support network of 3 other girlfriends is analysing past failed relationships so that she move on and not make the same mistakes again. She may be a very smart woman but we can somehow relate to her being clueless in the romance department. Long read but a good read. Christa’s cluelessness at times can be grating but happy endings all round.
February 21, 2021
Sophisticated and Brilliant
I chose this book because of the description.
The first 15 minutes I was asking myself where was it going and then....click.... the story grabbed my heart. She is smart and a brilliant artist but she has issues with men, she likes them but well, can they just let her be sometimes? Then she meets, again, her best friend’s brother and.....it gets complicated-interesting. Ain’t life grand???
I chose this book because of the description.
The first 15 minutes I was asking myself where was it going and then....click.... the story grabbed my heart. She is smart and a brilliant artist but she has issues with men, she likes them but well, can they just let her be sometimes? Then she meets, again, her best friend’s brother and.....it gets complicated-interesting. Ain’t life grand???
August 27, 2019
An insightful tale of young love and young lust and how to tell the difference.
Quirky and deep, it takes us through the emotional baggage of one young professional who has made a profession of not getting emotionally attached, and her girlfriends who have decided to have an intervention.
Quirky and deep, it takes us through the emotional baggage of one young professional who has made a profession of not getting emotionally attached, and her girlfriends who have decided to have an intervention.
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August 23, 2021Amazing
Loved every second of it. The Boyfriend Sessions will have you laughing and grinning till the end. A beautiful tale of the best of friends, love, and a healthy dose of honesty, that'll keep you reading till the end. Thank you for the awesome read Belinda.
Loved every second of it. The Boyfriend Sessions will have you laughing and grinning till the end. A beautiful tale of the best of friends, love, and a healthy dose of honesty, that'll keep you reading till the end. Thank you for the awesome read Belinda.
December 12, 2021
Really didn’t care for this book at all and could not even finish it. The main character is not particularly likeable, and her friends are absolutely horrible. The main bright spot in the book is Max, but at the end of the day he wasn’t enough to save the book for me.
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