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Average Gents #6
All This Time
What’s worse than having an enemy you don’t actually hate? Having that enemy become your roommate.
When Molly’s long-term boyfriend decides he doesn’t wanna live together, she’s determined to find a place where she doesn’t have to live alone.
Though what she isn’t expecting is ending up being one on one with her biggest hater, Garrett.
Garrett likes to keep to himself. He likes going to his job as a mechanic, coming home to solitude, gaming online, and being left alone.
But when the girl he kept out of bounds becomes his new roommate, he’s forced to face things he wanted to leave buried.
Many nights with just the two of them makes him have to face the fact that the feelings he thought he’d gotten rid of, were nowhere near gone.
Unfortunately, for Garrett, he doesn’t know the first thing about how to be nice to Molly, and has to find a way to make her realize that he’s not as bad as he once portrayed.
But will he be able to open himself up in ways that Molly needs? Or will they just end up right where they started?
When Molly’s long-term boyfriend decides he doesn’t wanna live together, she’s determined to find a place where she doesn’t have to live alone.
Though what she isn’t expecting is ending up being one on one with her biggest hater, Garrett.
Garrett likes to keep to himself. He likes going to his job as a mechanic, coming home to solitude, gaming online, and being left alone.
But when the girl he kept out of bounds becomes his new roommate, he’s forced to face things he wanted to leave buried.
Many nights with just the two of them makes him have to face the fact that the feelings he thought he’d gotten rid of, were nowhere near gone.
Unfortunately, for Garrett, he doesn’t know the first thing about how to be nice to Molly, and has to find a way to make her realize that he’s not as bad as he once portrayed.
But will he be able to open himself up in ways that Molly needs? Or will they just end up right where they started?
Unknown Binding
About the author
J.S. Wood
31 books203 followersJ.S. Wood is the author of the Average Gents series. After coining the phrase "Nice Guy Romance", she has used this to make a brand for herself to represent the underrated nice guy. Originally from Colorado, she now resides with her husband and children in Wyoming, writing anything that inspiration strikes. Her next series, The Three Rivers Trevors Ranch, is inspired by her horse training upbringing and will bring a slew of 'touch her and ---" cowboys. You can connect with her on Instagram @authorjswood, TikTok, @authorjswood, or her website www.jswoodauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 21, 2026
✨ARC Book Review✨
Rating~ 3.5 rounded up
Molly wants her boyfriend, Jared, to take the next step in their relationship and move in together. When he doesn’t agree to it, she moves in with her friends and Garrett instead. Garrett isn’t too happy that she’s there. Over time, the forced proximity has them both wanting more from each other than they ever thought possible.
I totally get Molly! She wants to take the next step with her boyfriend and move in together. I think that’s completely normal. She doesn’t notice that her boyfriend’s stories about work don’t add up. There’s a fine line between being gullible and trusting someone, but you normally trust your boyfriend. I think she’s just a normal girl who wanted her happily ever after. I also think she handled Garrett’s odd behavior well considering at times she perceived him to hate her.
Garrett is such a unique character. He’s quiet and very opinionated. I guess Molly’s boyfriend rubbed him the wrong way. Him digging up dirt on her boyfriend was borderline for me. I’d listen if someone I knew felt the need to do that, but I also think it was a little odd.
Their romance developed slow and steady. There were definitely moments of passion that were exciting. Garret really fell in love with Molly, but he struggled to communicate that the way he wanted. The yearning was so genuine and touching.
The ending made sense to me, too. I don’t think Molly asked too much of Garrett. Seeing how Garrett addressed their final issue was heartwarming and admirable. His character really grew so much!
Rating~ 3.5 rounded up
Molly wants her boyfriend, Jared, to take the next step in their relationship and move in together. When he doesn’t agree to it, she moves in with her friends and Garrett instead. Garrett isn’t too happy that she’s there. Over time, the forced proximity has them both wanting more from each other than they ever thought possible.
I totally get Molly! She wants to take the next step with her boyfriend and move in together. I think that’s completely normal. She doesn’t notice that her boyfriend’s stories about work don’t add up. There’s a fine line between being gullible and trusting someone, but you normally trust your boyfriend. I think she’s just a normal girl who wanted her happily ever after. I also think she handled Garrett’s odd behavior well considering at times she perceived him to hate her.
Garrett is such a unique character. He’s quiet and very opinionated. I guess Molly’s boyfriend rubbed him the wrong way. Him digging up dirt on her boyfriend was borderline for me. I’d listen if someone I knew felt the need to do that, but I also think it was a little odd.
Their romance developed slow and steady. There were definitely moments of passion that were exciting. Garret really fell in love with Molly, but he struggled to communicate that the way he wanted. The yearning was so genuine and touching.
The ending made sense to me, too. I don’t think Molly asked too much of Garrett. Seeing how Garrett addressed their final issue was heartwarming and admirable. His character really grew so much!
July 28, 2026
4🌟, 3🌶️
Falling headfirst into a cozy grumpy sunshine romance with top-tier forced proximity is always an absolute joy.
Garrett has spent years hiding his deep obsession behind a prickly exterior because he struggled to communicate, leaving Molly convinced he could not stand her. Watching them transition from perceived hostility to undeniable chemistry is completely effortless and fun.
The real magic lies in the agonizingly good yearning and the raw emotional healing both characters experience. Garrett carries a heavy past that makes vulnerability terrifying, and watching him try to become the man Molly deserves is deeply moving. Molly balances his guarded nature with incredible patience, creating a connection rooted in true emotional safety and mutual support.
Surrounded by a comforting background of close friends, their journey hits all the right emotional notes and delivers a deeply satisfying payoff. Every small shift in trust builds up to a heartwarming conclusion that feels entirely earned.
If you are looking for a comforting romance packed with plenty of yearning and genuine emotional growth, you will find that this one truly shines brightly.
~~~~
Huge thank you to J.S. Wood and Hambright PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
Falling headfirst into a cozy grumpy sunshine romance with top-tier forced proximity is always an absolute joy.
Garrett has spent years hiding his deep obsession behind a prickly exterior because he struggled to communicate, leaving Molly convinced he could not stand her. Watching them transition from perceived hostility to undeniable chemistry is completely effortless and fun.
The real magic lies in the agonizingly good yearning and the raw emotional healing both characters experience. Garrett carries a heavy past that makes vulnerability terrifying, and watching him try to become the man Molly deserves is deeply moving. Molly balances his guarded nature with incredible patience, creating a connection rooted in true emotional safety and mutual support.
Surrounded by a comforting background of close friends, their journey hits all the right emotional notes and delivers a deeply satisfying payoff. Every small shift in trust builds up to a heartwarming conclusion that feels entirely earned.
If you are looking for a comforting romance packed with plenty of yearning and genuine emotional growth, you will find that this one truly shines brightly.
~~~~
Huge thank you to J.S. Wood and Hambright PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
September 7, 2026
Truthfully, the story itself wasn't bad. The writing was okay. The characters were tolerable. The only problem for me was that everything in this story fell flat somewhere along the way so after I finished skimming through the book, I didn't remember what I read. There wasn't anything memorable as the story simply flowed smoothly without unexpected plot twists or an astonishing revelation of secret from the protagonists. The ending was also a predictable happily ever after. All in all, All This Time was just a bland read for me and I didn't think I would continue picking up the rest of this series.
***Thanks to the author and Hambright PR for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
***Thanks to the author and Hambright PR for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
July 25, 2026
4.5 🌟
Review ⚙️🌌
How come I’ve never heard of this series before?!?! I had such a good time!!
All This Time is the sixth book in the Average Gents series, and I believe it’s the last book(?) as well (pls correct me if I’m wrong)
All This Time follows Molly & Garett in their relationship from enemies to friends to lovers 💘
Molly is a succesful event planner and is now ready to move in with her boyfriend, Jared - but Jared doesn’t really share that same sentiment with her. So she moves in with her friends & Garett.
Garett is a mechanic and is living in a apartment with his friends; when suddenly one of his friends moves out, he couldn’t guess in a million years that Molly would move in. Both of them just hated each other since they first met, but will living together change something?
The forced proximity in this is so delicious chefs kiss 💋 I love how the story builds & the slow burn was burning 🔥
First impressions; I love Molly - she’s sweet and kind, is a sunshine with the best personality. Now Garett I find unnecessarily rude in the first few scenes - but as I read on, he was such a sweetheart and his actions speaks volumes DAMN I LOVE THIS MAN
THE YEARNING GOSHHH
I love how their relationship slowly builds; with communication & how to adapt with each other especially on things out of your comfort zone but its the effort that counts - and I very much love how that was portrayed in this book
My heart goes out to Garett after knowing about his past - and Molly for being patient & understanding through it all - its so important to talk about your past in order to heal for your future ❤️🩹
Some parts were a little slow for me, and some were sweet and cute but all in all, I had such a great time reading this
This book caught me off guard in the best way possible, I didn’t expect to love it so much despite the cliché plot and how slow it was at first but the best things are never expected 🫶🏻
Now I think I need to read the rest of the books to know more about the couples!!
Thankyou to the author & Hambright PR for giving me an ARC 💘
All This Time releases on 28th July <33
XOXO
Review ⚙️🌌
How come I’ve never heard of this series before?!?! I had such a good time!!
All This Time is the sixth book in the Average Gents series, and I believe it’s the last book(?) as well (pls correct me if I’m wrong)
All This Time follows Molly & Garett in their relationship from enemies to friends to lovers 💘
Molly is a succesful event planner and is now ready to move in with her boyfriend, Jared - but Jared doesn’t really share that same sentiment with her. So she moves in with her friends & Garett.
Garett is a mechanic and is living in a apartment with his friends; when suddenly one of his friends moves out, he couldn’t guess in a million years that Molly would move in. Both of them just hated each other since they first met, but will living together change something?
The forced proximity in this is so delicious chefs kiss 💋 I love how the story builds & the slow burn was burning 🔥
First impressions; I love Molly - she’s sweet and kind, is a sunshine with the best personality. Now Garett I find unnecessarily rude in the first few scenes - but as I read on, he was such a sweetheart and his actions speaks volumes DAMN I LOVE THIS MAN
THE YEARNING GOSHHH
I love how their relationship slowly builds; with communication & how to adapt with each other especially on things out of your comfort zone but its the effort that counts - and I very much love how that was portrayed in this book
My heart goes out to Garett after knowing about his past - and Molly for being patient & understanding through it all - its so important to talk about your past in order to heal for your future ❤️🩹
Some parts were a little slow for me, and some were sweet and cute but all in all, I had such a great time reading this
This book caught me off guard in the best way possible, I didn’t expect to love it so much despite the cliché plot and how slow it was at first but the best things are never expected 🫶🏻
Now I think I need to read the rest of the books to know more about the couples!!
Thankyou to the author & Hambright PR for giving me an ARC 💘
All This Time releases on 28th July <33
XOXO
July 23, 2026
3 stars
Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Tropes:
Roommates to lovers
Yearning
He falls first
Dislike to lovers (mild and mainly one sided)
Forced proximity
I enjoyed the first half of this book. I’m a sucker for the roommate’s trope and the forced proximity that comes with it. Molly and Garrett unexpectedly find themselves living together after Molly’s boyfriend doesn’t want to live together and Garrett’s previous roommates move out.
Initially there’s some dislike there. I wouldn’t really call it ‘enemies to lovers’ because it’s mainly him being a dick and her thinking he hates her. But he doesn’t, in fact he’s been obsessed with her since they met but he just sucks at communication and they’re had some misunderstandings and dug themselves into a bit of a hole. That’s totally fine and I didn’t mind it, even though I’m not a huge fan of the whole ‘He’s mean to you because he likes you narrative’.
My main issue with the romance comes from how quickly they drop the ‘dislike’ and jump straight into falling for each other. It literally takes like one evening for them to just start being friends and then 20 pages later….they’re full on in love it feels. I think there’s some time jumps in the narrative so it doesn’t actually progress over a day or two but it felt like it did. I wanted more of the ‘to’ section in ‘dislike to lovers’ if you know what I mean. The actual development of the relationship before we get the boyfriend/girlfriend part because otherwise id doesn’t feel earned. It was a healthy relationship though, and they had cute moments that I liked and little quirks which made it feel fun to read. I just wish they hadn’t jumped so fast from the ‘dislike’ part. I mean it literally time jumps between Halloween, thanksgiving and Christmas in like 10 pages. Not actually giving us any of that initial romance stage. Which I think is a shame.
Garrett: He was sweet once we got past him being a dick to Molly. He kinda won me over just by how obsessed with her he was. His trauma was interesting and I found him more engaging as a character as opposed to Molly surprisingly. It felt like he was more fleshed out.
Molly: She was hard to hate, I mean she’s a cutie whose job is helping people so she’s just a typical kind FMC who everyone loves. I am glad Garrett was good for her though I think she could’ve had more of a backbone when he was mean to her because the second he began acting nice, she just got over all the nasty things he’d said like it was nothing. I’d have liked for her to give him some pushback and not just be seemingly waiting for him to be nice to her, if you know what I mean. She did stand on business with Jared though so good for you girlie.
In conclusion, this wasn’t a bad read and if you want something simple, I’d recommend but overall it just didn’t hook me. I didn’t feel the need to keep reading, especially after they got together so soon.
I’m not trying to be harsh, the writing was good and I had a decent time. I’d check out this author again for another book. This one just didn’t hit as I’d hoped.
Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Tropes:
Roommates to lovers
Yearning
He falls first
Dislike to lovers (mild and mainly one sided)
Forced proximity
I enjoyed the first half of this book. I’m a sucker for the roommate’s trope and the forced proximity that comes with it. Molly and Garrett unexpectedly find themselves living together after Molly’s boyfriend doesn’t want to live together and Garrett’s previous roommates move out.
Initially there’s some dislike there. I wouldn’t really call it ‘enemies to lovers’ because it’s mainly him being a dick and her thinking he hates her. But he doesn’t, in fact he’s been obsessed with her since they met but he just sucks at communication and they’re had some misunderstandings and dug themselves into a bit of a hole. That’s totally fine and I didn’t mind it, even though I’m not a huge fan of the whole ‘He’s mean to you because he likes you narrative’.
My main issue with the romance comes from how quickly they drop the ‘dislike’ and jump straight into falling for each other. It literally takes like one evening for them to just start being friends and then 20 pages later….they’re full on in love it feels. I think there’s some time jumps in the narrative so it doesn’t actually progress over a day or two but it felt like it did. I wanted more of the ‘to’ section in ‘dislike to lovers’ if you know what I mean. The actual development of the relationship before we get the boyfriend/girlfriend part because otherwise id doesn’t feel earned. It was a healthy relationship though, and they had cute moments that I liked and little quirks which made it feel fun to read. I just wish they hadn’t jumped so fast from the ‘dislike’ part. I mean it literally time jumps between Halloween, thanksgiving and Christmas in like 10 pages. Not actually giving us any of that initial romance stage. Which I think is a shame.
Garrett: He was sweet once we got past him being a dick to Molly. He kinda won me over just by how obsessed with her he was. His trauma was interesting and I found him more engaging as a character as opposed to Molly surprisingly. It felt like he was more fleshed out.
Molly: She was hard to hate, I mean she’s a cutie whose job is helping people so she’s just a typical kind FMC who everyone loves. I am glad Garrett was good for her though I think she could’ve had more of a backbone when he was mean to her because the second he began acting nice, she just got over all the nasty things he’d said like it was nothing. I’d have liked for her to give him some pushback and not just be seemingly waiting for him to be nice to her, if you know what I mean. She did stand on business with Jared though so good for you girlie.
In conclusion, this wasn’t a bad read and if you want something simple, I’d recommend but overall it just didn’t hook me. I didn’t feel the need to keep reading, especially after they got together so soon.
I’m not trying to be harsh, the writing was good and I had a decent time. I’d check out this author again for another book. This one just didn’t hit as I’d hoped.
July 31, 2026
Review of Advanced Copy received from Author
All This Time by J.S. Wood completely stole my heart. What starts as an enemies-to-roommates romance quickly transforms into a beautifully emotional story filled with healing, vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry.
Garrett was everything I love in a romance hero. Quiet, gruff, emotionally guarded, and absolutely clueless when it comes to expressing his feelings. Watching him slowly tear down the walls he’d built around himself was incredibly rewarding, and every small gesture toward Molly felt meaningful. His character growth was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Molly was easy to root for. After having her world turned upside down, she finds herself living with the one person she never expected, and their constant banter, awkward moments, and slow shift from enemies to something so much deeper had me smiling the entire time.
The forced proximity was perfection, and the slow burn was worth every page. Their relationship developed naturally, making every vulnerable conversation and heartfelt moment hit even harder. I loved how the story explored past misunderstandings, emotional baggage, and learning to trust someone who once seemed impossible to understand.
If you love:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Roommates/forced proximity
✨ Grumpy hero
✨ Slow-burn romance
✨ Emotional healing
✨ Protective MMCs
…this book deserves a spot on your TBR.
J.S. Wood delivered a heartfelt romance that balances humor, tension, and emotional depth beautifully. Garrett and Molly’s journey proves that sometimes the person you’ve been fighting with all along is the one who’s been quietly loving you the entire time. A heartfelt, swoony read that I couldn’t put down.
All This Time by J.S. Wood completely stole my heart. What starts as an enemies-to-roommates romance quickly transforms into a beautifully emotional story filled with healing, vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry.
Garrett was everything I love in a romance hero. Quiet, gruff, emotionally guarded, and absolutely clueless when it comes to expressing his feelings. Watching him slowly tear down the walls he’d built around himself was incredibly rewarding, and every small gesture toward Molly felt meaningful. His character growth was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Molly was easy to root for. After having her world turned upside down, she finds herself living with the one person she never expected, and their constant banter, awkward moments, and slow shift from enemies to something so much deeper had me smiling the entire time.
The forced proximity was perfection, and the slow burn was worth every page. Their relationship developed naturally, making every vulnerable conversation and heartfelt moment hit even harder. I loved how the story explored past misunderstandings, emotional baggage, and learning to trust someone who once seemed impossible to understand.
If you love:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Roommates/forced proximity
✨ Grumpy hero
✨ Slow-burn romance
✨ Emotional healing
✨ Protective MMCs
…this book deserves a spot on your TBR.
J.S. Wood delivered a heartfelt romance that balances humor, tension, and emotional depth beautifully. Garrett and Molly’s journey proves that sometimes the person you’ve been fighting with all along is the one who’s been quietly loving you the entire time. A heartfelt, swoony read that I couldn’t put down.
July 26, 2026
All This Time is a heartwarming story about two people, Garrett and Molly, who are in the same friend group. Molly wants to get to know Garrett better but he pushes her away and treats her like he can’t stand her. Fast forward a few years and Molly becomes Garrett’s roommate in his loft.
Things get off to a rocky start for them. Molly talks to her girlfriends about Garrett and she doesn’t understand why he hates her. Garrett avoids Molly at all costs and rejects every nice gesture she makes towards him. Garrett finds himself falling for Molly but doesn’t know how to switch gears and start being nicer to her without letting his attraction to her show.
I found Garrett to be very sweet and caring despite his grumpy exterior. He carries emotional trauma from his past. He hates Molly’s boyfriend Jared, and goes out of his way to protect her.
Molly is an all around wonderful person. She is a hard worker for her job and loves helping people. Molly also has some emotional trauma from her past.
The slow burn and yearning these characters have for each other was so good! The spice is low but the story focuses more on their emotional bonding which was fine with me! Garrett and Molly’s relationship hit a few snags but the ending was very satisfying. The bonus epilogue from the author was great!
Things get off to a rocky start for them. Molly talks to her girlfriends about Garrett and she doesn’t understand why he hates her. Garrett avoids Molly at all costs and rejects every nice gesture she makes towards him. Garrett finds himself falling for Molly but doesn’t know how to switch gears and start being nicer to her without letting his attraction to her show.
I found Garrett to be very sweet and caring despite his grumpy exterior. He carries emotional trauma from his past. He hates Molly’s boyfriend Jared, and goes out of his way to protect her.
Molly is an all around wonderful person. She is a hard worker for her job and loves helping people. Molly also has some emotional trauma from her past.
The slow burn and yearning these characters have for each other was so good! The spice is low but the story focuses more on their emotional bonding which was fine with me! Garrett and Molly’s relationship hit a few snags but the ending was very satisfying. The bonus epilogue from the author was great!
August 9, 2026
💛 All This Time 💛
((Spoiler- Free ARC Review ))
Title- All This Time
Author- J.S. wood
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Series- Average Gents Book 6
Trope City-
💛 Forced Proximity
💛 Enemies to Lovers
💛 Slow Burn
💛 Roommates
💛 He Falls First
The Average Gents series gives me all the feels! I’ve loved every arc I’ve been gifted from this series! The characters are always so well rounded and relatable. The 6th book is Garrett and Molly’s story! Garrett (MMC) is a veteran who lives with his close friends. He does odd end jobs and keeps to himself for personal reasons. Molly (FMC) is a bright, shiny light who becomes one of his roommates! She’s dating Jared during her move in, causing Garrett to create a cold distance between the two of them. Garrett intervenes on a few unfortunate interactions between Jared and Molly. Molly finally sees the real Jared and finds herself single and being treated nicely by Garrett. His past is so dark and challenging. He’s created walls no one has ever been able to climb. Could Molly finally be the one woman that can open him up to the world?
Thank you Hambright Pr and JS Wood for sharing this with me! 💛
((Spoiler- Free ARC Review ))
Title- All This Time
Author- J.S. wood
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Series- Average Gents Book 6
Trope City-
💛 Forced Proximity
💛 Enemies to Lovers
💛 Slow Burn
💛 Roommates
💛 He Falls First
The Average Gents series gives me all the feels! I’ve loved every arc I’ve been gifted from this series! The characters are always so well rounded and relatable. The 6th book is Garrett and Molly’s story! Garrett (MMC) is a veteran who lives with his close friends. He does odd end jobs and keeps to himself for personal reasons. Molly (FMC) is a bright, shiny light who becomes one of his roommates! She’s dating Jared during her move in, causing Garrett to create a cold distance between the two of them. Garrett intervenes on a few unfortunate interactions between Jared and Molly. Molly finally sees the real Jared and finds herself single and being treated nicely by Garrett. His past is so dark and challenging. He’s created walls no one has ever been able to climb. Could Molly finally be the one woman that can open him up to the world?
Thank you Hambright Pr and JS Wood for sharing this with me! 💛
August 2, 2026
I loved Molly and Garrett’s story. It is an easy read. Molly stole my heart, she is ready to take the leap and move in with her boyfriend, Jared. He, however, does not deserve her trust. So, she moves in with her friends and Garrett.
Garrett, you were not my favorite to begin with. You grew on me. I found your actions a little off, and I do not always agree with your opinions. Especially since we think you do not like Molly.
The relationship between Molly and Garrett is a slow growth, you can see the progression and feel the chemistry develop.
I am glad I read this book, what initially was just another roommates to lovers romance, become so much more. The journey of both our characters to heal and grow.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review
Garrett, you were not my favorite to begin with. You grew on me. I found your actions a little off, and I do not always agree with your opinions. Especially since we think you do not like Molly.
The relationship between Molly and Garrett is a slow growth, you can see the progression and feel the chemistry develop.
I am glad I read this book, what initially was just another roommates to lovers romance, become so much more. The journey of both our characters to heal and grow.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review
July 26, 2026
Molly becomes roommates with Garrett, who makes it pretty obvious from the very beginning that he doesn’t like her. Things take an unexpected turn when Garrett realizes that what he thought was dislike was actually buried feelings he’d had for Molly all along.
I really enjoyed Garrett’s character. He was hot-headed, but he cared deeply for Molly. He didn’t have the best childhood, so he carried a lot of emotional baggage, which made his character feel even more real.
I’ve been waiting for Garrett’s book, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. It was such a cute, fast read that I couldn’t put down.
One of my favorite little details was that Molly cooked for him. It might not sound like a big deal, but if you’ve read the book, you’ll know exactly why food means so much to Garrett.
Thank you to J.S. Wood for the gifted copy. It was amazing, and I couldn’t get enough of these two!
Thank you to @hambright_pr for the gifted eARC.
#HPRAllThisTime
#JSWood
#HambrightPR
I really enjoyed Garrett’s character. He was hot-headed, but he cared deeply for Molly. He didn’t have the best childhood, so he carried a lot of emotional baggage, which made his character feel even more real.
I’ve been waiting for Garrett’s book, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. It was such a cute, fast read that I couldn’t put down.
One of my favorite little details was that Molly cooked for him. It might not sound like a big deal, but if you’ve read the book, you’ll know exactly why food means so much to Garrett.
Thank you to J.S. Wood for the gifted copy. It was amazing, and I couldn’t get enough of these two!
Thank you to @hambright_pr for the gifted eARC.
#HPRAllThisTime
#JSWood
#HambrightPR
July 27, 2026
AND THEN THEY WERE ROOMMATES ✨
I loved this story of Garett and Molly, the struggle between feelings and wanting to be enough for someone is so real and honest.
Garett is an amazing guy who deserves all the happiness but struggled with his pain from the past. Molly helped him find that security and I think these two work so well together . The story itself was fast paced but super cute with such tender moments and so much to unpack.
I loved this story of Garett and Molly, the struggle between feelings and wanting to be enough for someone is so real and honest.
Garett is an amazing guy who deserves all the happiness but struggled with his pain from the past. Molly helped him find that security and I think these two work so well together . The story itself was fast paced but super cute with such tender moments and so much to unpack.
August 1, 2026
All This Time was such a fun, easy read, J.S. Wood always delivers that warm, character-driven romance that makes you root for everyone involved. The enemies-to-lovers setup had such a good hook right from the start, that whole "having an enemy you can't stop thinking about" energy is such a fun way to kick things off, and I loved watching the walls slowly come down between them.
Her writing always has this charm where even the "nice guy" love interests feel layered instead of one-note, and this one was no exception. The tension between the leads felt earned rather than forced, and I liked that the banter had real bite to it before it softened into something sweeter.
The pacing kept me engaged throughout, and the found-family/friend group energy she always weaves into her books gave this one such a cozy, connected feel even with all the enemies-to-lovers tension driving the main story.
Only reason it's not a full 5 is I wanted a touch more resolution in the back half, felt like a couple of threads wrapped up a little quickly. But overall such a charming, feel-good read, and another solid entry from an author who consistently delivers. Recommend if you're into slow-burn enemies to lovers with real heart underneath the sparring.
Her writing always has this charm where even the "nice guy" love interests feel layered instead of one-note, and this one was no exception. The tension between the leads felt earned rather than forced, and I liked that the banter had real bite to it before it softened into something sweeter.
The pacing kept me engaged throughout, and the found-family/friend group energy she always weaves into her books gave this one such a cozy, connected feel even with all the enemies-to-lovers tension driving the main story.
Only reason it's not a full 5 is I wanted a touch more resolution in the back half, felt like a couple of threads wrapped up a little quickly. But overall such a charming, feel-good read, and another solid entry from an author who consistently delivers. Recommend if you're into slow-burn enemies to lovers with real heart underneath the sparring.
July 17, 2026
He doesn’t hate her, he’s just catastrophically in love
4.5 ⭐️ | 2.25 🌶️
What’s worse than moving in with the man who seemingly cannot stand you? Realising that all that grumpiness might be hiding something far more dangerous; and considerably hotter.
I was already familiar with J. S. Wood’s writing after reading the first book in the Average Gents series, so it was genuinely lovely to return to this group for the sixth and final instalment. And what a deeply emotional way to say goodbye.
Molly works as an event planner for charities and galas, and although she appears to be happily settled in a long-term relationship, the cracks are beginning to show. Her boyfriend has become increasingly distant, her lease is ending, and the future she thought they were building together suddenly feels far less certain. When she moves into her friends’ loft with three roommates, she finds herself sharing a home with the one man who has always made her feel as though she is firmly on his bad side.
Garrett. Grumpy, withdrawn, emotionally constipated Garrett, who likes his job as a mechanic, his gaming, his solitude, and absolutely nothing that requires him to discuss his feelings. Except Garrett does not actually hate Molly.
The man is so painfully, helplessly, catastrophically in love with her that he has no idea how to behave like a functioning human being in her presence. Instead of communicating, he keeps his distance, acts cold, and somehow convinces everyone, including Molly, that he cannot stand her.
Sir, please. Your yearning is showing.
The forced proximity between them creates a deliciously tense slow burn, but this story is so much more than teasing banter and lingering glances across a shared living space. Their relationship develops gradually, giving every small shift in trust and intimacy real weight. It is raw, deep, achingly vulnerable, and filled with the kind of emotional tension that quietly crawls beneath your skin.
Garrett’s past absolutely broke my heart. As the reasons behind his guarded personality slowly become clearer, it becomes impossible not to understand why opening up feels so terrifying for him. There were moments when he spoke about his upbringing that genuinely brought tears to my eyes. I wanted to reach into the book, wrap him in the biggest hug, and protect him from everything he had been forced to carry alone.
Watching him try to become the man Molly needs, while still believing that he may never be good enough for her, was gut-wrenching. His feelings are not polished or easy. They are messy, overwhelming, deeply buried, and painfully sincere.
And Molly deserves credit too. She is not simply there to rescue or soften him. She is navigating the collapse of a relationship, the uncertainty of a new living situation, and the confusing reality that the man she thought despised her may understand her in ways she never expected.
Their connection is sexy without losing its tenderness, heartbreaking without feeling manipulative, and emotional without sacrificing the chemistry. The slow burn truly earns its payoff, and Garrett’s intense, silent yearning had me completely invested.
All This Time is a beautiful conclusion to the Average Gents series: a story about buried feelings, painful histories, emotional healing, and learning that sometimes the person keeping you at a distance is the one who has loved you the longest.
Thank you to Hambright PR for sending me the e-ARC, and congratulations to J. S. Wood on the upcoming July 28 release.
Now I need to go back and read every book in the series that I missed, because apparently one emotionally damaged, secretly lovesick mechanic was all it took to pull me back in.
4.5 ⭐️ | 2.25 🌶️
What’s worse than moving in with the man who seemingly cannot stand you? Realising that all that grumpiness might be hiding something far more dangerous; and considerably hotter.
I was already familiar with J. S. Wood’s writing after reading the first book in the Average Gents series, so it was genuinely lovely to return to this group for the sixth and final instalment. And what a deeply emotional way to say goodbye.
Molly works as an event planner for charities and galas, and although she appears to be happily settled in a long-term relationship, the cracks are beginning to show. Her boyfriend has become increasingly distant, her lease is ending, and the future she thought they were building together suddenly feels far less certain. When she moves into her friends’ loft with three roommates, she finds herself sharing a home with the one man who has always made her feel as though she is firmly on his bad side.
Garrett. Grumpy, withdrawn, emotionally constipated Garrett, who likes his job as a mechanic, his gaming, his solitude, and absolutely nothing that requires him to discuss his feelings. Except Garrett does not actually hate Molly.
The man is so painfully, helplessly, catastrophically in love with her that he has no idea how to behave like a functioning human being in her presence. Instead of communicating, he keeps his distance, acts cold, and somehow convinces everyone, including Molly, that he cannot stand her.
Sir, please. Your yearning is showing.
The forced proximity between them creates a deliciously tense slow burn, but this story is so much more than teasing banter and lingering glances across a shared living space. Their relationship develops gradually, giving every small shift in trust and intimacy real weight. It is raw, deep, achingly vulnerable, and filled with the kind of emotional tension that quietly crawls beneath your skin.
Garrett’s past absolutely broke my heart. As the reasons behind his guarded personality slowly become clearer, it becomes impossible not to understand why opening up feels so terrifying for him. There were moments when he spoke about his upbringing that genuinely brought tears to my eyes. I wanted to reach into the book, wrap him in the biggest hug, and protect him from everything he had been forced to carry alone.
Watching him try to become the man Molly needs, while still believing that he may never be good enough for her, was gut-wrenching. His feelings are not polished or easy. They are messy, overwhelming, deeply buried, and painfully sincere.
And Molly deserves credit too. She is not simply there to rescue or soften him. She is navigating the collapse of a relationship, the uncertainty of a new living situation, and the confusing reality that the man she thought despised her may understand her in ways she never expected.
Their connection is sexy without losing its tenderness, heartbreaking without feeling manipulative, and emotional without sacrificing the chemistry. The slow burn truly earns its payoff, and Garrett’s intense, silent yearning had me completely invested.
All This Time is a beautiful conclusion to the Average Gents series: a story about buried feelings, painful histories, emotional healing, and learning that sometimes the person keeping you at a distance is the one who has loved you the longest.
Thank you to Hambright PR for sending me the e-ARC, and congratulations to J. S. Wood on the upcoming July 28 release.
Now I need to go back and read every book in the series that I missed, because apparently one emotionally damaged, secretly lovesick mechanic was all it took to pull me back in.
August 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️.5/5 rounded up for goodreads
🌶️/5
This one is a bit of a tough review for me because there were aspects I really liked and others that just didn’t quite work for me. Overall, it ended up being a bit of a mixed bag.
Looking at the story as a whole, it’s a cute roommates-to-lovers romance with a touch of enemies-to-lovers energy (though I wouldn’t fully call it that). Molly was definitely the highlight for me. She was sweet, fun, and just an easy character to root for. I also really loved the friend group. I’m a sucker for found family and close-knit friendships, and I thought the author did a great job making those relationships feel genuine. The roommate aspect was another win for me. I always enjoy a good forced proximity setup, and I genuinely wanted Molly and Garrett to end up together.
Where things started to lose me was the execution. I completely understood what the author was trying to do with Garrett. His childhood trauma explains a lot about why he is the way he is, but if I’m being honest, for the first half of the book he mostly just came across as an asshole. There were several moments where I actually winced at the way he spoke to Molly. There’s a fine line between an emotionally guarded MMC who doesn’t know how to handle his feelings and one who’s simply unpleasant, and for me Garrett crossed that line a little too often. As they started spending more time together, I definitely warmed up to him, but it took me a while to get there.
I also struggled with the pacing. Some of the bigger emotional moments felt rushed, while other parts dragged a bit. I actually loved watching Molly and Garrett slowly settle into a friendship, like watching movies together, asking about each other’s day, and building that comfortable routine. Those quieter moments were my favorite part of the book, and I wish we had gotten more of them before everything shifted into we’re in love.
At the end of the day, when I step back and look at the book as a whole, I do think it was a cute story, and I was happy to see Molly and Garrett get their HEA. I just think the execution(and maybe even the writing style) weren’t quite the right fit for me.
If you enjoy roommates-to-lovers romances, don’t mind an MMC who’s a little rough around the edges, and are looking for a quick read, this one might still be worth checking out.
🌟 thank you to Hambright PR for this ARC and the opportunity to read and provide my honest review.
🌶️/5
This one is a bit of a tough review for me because there were aspects I really liked and others that just didn’t quite work for me. Overall, it ended up being a bit of a mixed bag.
Looking at the story as a whole, it’s a cute roommates-to-lovers romance with a touch of enemies-to-lovers energy (though I wouldn’t fully call it that). Molly was definitely the highlight for me. She was sweet, fun, and just an easy character to root for. I also really loved the friend group. I’m a sucker for found family and close-knit friendships, and I thought the author did a great job making those relationships feel genuine. The roommate aspect was another win for me. I always enjoy a good forced proximity setup, and I genuinely wanted Molly and Garrett to end up together.
Where things started to lose me was the execution. I completely understood what the author was trying to do with Garrett. His childhood trauma explains a lot about why he is the way he is, but if I’m being honest, for the first half of the book he mostly just came across as an asshole. There were several moments where I actually winced at the way he spoke to Molly. There’s a fine line between an emotionally guarded MMC who doesn’t know how to handle his feelings and one who’s simply unpleasant, and for me Garrett crossed that line a little too often. As they started spending more time together, I definitely warmed up to him, but it took me a while to get there.
I also struggled with the pacing. Some of the bigger emotional moments felt rushed, while other parts dragged a bit. I actually loved watching Molly and Garrett slowly settle into a friendship, like watching movies together, asking about each other’s day, and building that comfortable routine. Those quieter moments were my favorite part of the book, and I wish we had gotten more of them before everything shifted into we’re in love.
At the end of the day, when I step back and look at the book as a whole, I do think it was a cute story, and I was happy to see Molly and Garrett get their HEA. I just think the execution(and maybe even the writing style) weren’t quite the right fit for me.
If you enjoy roommates-to-lovers romances, don’t mind an MMC who’s a little rough around the edges, and are looking for a quick read, this one might still be worth checking out.
🌟 thank you to Hambright PR for this ARC and the opportunity to read and provide my honest review.
September 26, 2026
“She doesn’t deserve my anger. She doesn’t deserve to be treated like I hate her, when that is the furthest thing from the truth.”
General thoughts:
I need to be clear right off the bat that I did enjoy this story. It was sweet and I liked getting to know the characters. I thought the representation of Garrett’s trauma was unique and somewhat well done. More than anything I just wish that was acknowledged a lot more. I felt underwhelmed with how quickly he convinced himself to push through and get over it. When trauma behaviours typically do not work like that. I felt like Garrett was building up that he had done something terrible to survive his trauma, but instead it felt like he was just ashamed that others had treated him horribly as a child. Like it was his fault and his shame to bear. And I didn’t feel like that was ever fully addressed. I also found that a lot of Garrett’s behaviour either fell under ✨I’m being mean because I have trauma✨ or ✨I’m being mean because I like you✨ and I just don’t think either of those are great.
I also found everything with Jared rather underwhelming. I don’t know if I just didn’t quite get it, but the explanation didn’t match up with the urgency that was described when he wanted to go into the charity event.
But the most important thing for me, is that it had something I typically immediately DNF for. It included the phrase “the mess he’s making triggering my OCD nature”. OCD is a serious anxiety disorder. It isn’t a nature, nor is it something to be belittled to someone wanting things a bit tidier. Or wanting things clean. This was very early on, and I kept hoping that it would become apparent that the character actually had OCD and was going to address their struggles, but that never happened. I am not quite sure why I didn’t DNF when I typically immediately would, but I have just come out a reading slump so maybe that had something to do with it.
TLDR:
A sweet romance but it had one of my instant DNF sentences and also overall did not do a great job at representing trauma or mental illness.
✨This book has been given a 2.5⭐️ as a neutral rating. I have not done my full review template as I feel that it would just repeat what I have said in the main review. I don’t wish the author any ill will from my review and am giving my honest opinions. I read a free e-copy of this book.✨
General thoughts:
I need to be clear right off the bat that I did enjoy this story. It was sweet and I liked getting to know the characters. I thought the representation of Garrett’s trauma was unique and somewhat well done. More than anything I just wish that was acknowledged a lot more. I felt underwhelmed with how quickly he convinced himself to push through and get over it. When trauma behaviours typically do not work like that. I felt like Garrett was building up that he had done something terrible to survive his trauma, but instead it felt like he was just ashamed that others had treated him horribly as a child. Like it was his fault and his shame to bear. And I didn’t feel like that was ever fully addressed. I also found that a lot of Garrett’s behaviour either fell under ✨I’m being mean because I have trauma✨ or ✨I’m being mean because I like you✨ and I just don’t think either of those are great.
I also found everything with Jared rather underwhelming. I don’t know if I just didn’t quite get it, but the explanation didn’t match up with the urgency that was described when he wanted to go into the charity event.
But the most important thing for me, is that it had something I typically immediately DNF for. It included the phrase “the mess he’s making triggering my OCD nature”. OCD is a serious anxiety disorder. It isn’t a nature, nor is it something to be belittled to someone wanting things a bit tidier. Or wanting things clean. This was very early on, and I kept hoping that it would become apparent that the character actually had OCD and was going to address their struggles, but that never happened. I am not quite sure why I didn’t DNF when I typically immediately would, but I have just come out a reading slump so maybe that had something to do with it.
TLDR:
A sweet romance but it had one of my instant DNF sentences and also overall did not do a great job at representing trauma or mental illness.
✨This book has been given a 2.5⭐️ as a neutral rating. I have not done my full review template as I feel that it would just repeat what I have said in the main review. I don’t wish the author any ill will from my review and am giving my honest opinions. I read a free e-copy of this book.✨
July 20, 2026
Thank you to J.S. Wood and Hambright PR for this ARC of All This Time!
This book was a whirlwind. Our main characters are Molly and Garrett. They are both a part of a fairly large friend group but Molly believes that Garrett hates her. Over time we realize it's just him acting like an elementary school boy and teasing her because he likes her. After he steps in to protect her from her boyfriend who is a con artist and super secretive about his past- they slowly become closer and develop a friendship that turns romantic.
I loved their relationship. Aside from the aspect of them being roommates and sharing a bed every night, their relationship progressed slowly and very sweetly. But then, Garrett does the exact thing that was the relationship ender for her and her ex and is super secretive about his past, hiding everything from her and still keeping her shut out of certain pieces of her life, when she's begging him to open up to her. However, Molly puts some big girl pants on and straight up moves out of their place and makes Garrett realize, either you open up or we're done. And though I don't typically feel this way, I feel like Garrett truly does earn her back.
I did like this book overall but I will say- I think the pacing was off in certain places. Important things felt rushed over-making them feel fanciful and unrealistic and other areas did drag a bit. Also, I felt there were some things that were skipped that could've been addressed like Garrett's nickname for her never coming back up even though it wasn't intended to be mean, they just never addressed it again. Like I said, I liked the book and I do think it is a good book, just not a favorite for me.
Also, that hallway kiss scene... whooooo Nelly, that was so swoony (as Molly would say about Garrett).
Thank you again to J.S. Wood and Hambright PR for the ARC opportunity. 🩷
Quotes:
"'It's not about them being worth it. It's about the fact that you are'"
"But I want her there. I want her scent on my pillow and blankets."
"I've never been someone's safe place, but I pray to God I can always be hers."
This book was a whirlwind. Our main characters are Molly and Garrett. They are both a part of a fairly large friend group but Molly believes that Garrett hates her. Over time we realize it's just him acting like an elementary school boy and teasing her because he likes her. After he steps in to protect her from her boyfriend who is a con artist and super secretive about his past- they slowly become closer and develop a friendship that turns romantic.
I loved their relationship. Aside from the aspect of them being roommates and sharing a bed every night, their relationship progressed slowly and very sweetly. But then, Garrett does the exact thing that was the relationship ender for her and her ex and is super secretive about his past, hiding everything from her and still keeping her shut out of certain pieces of her life, when she's begging him to open up to her. However, Molly puts some big girl pants on and straight up moves out of their place and makes Garrett realize, either you open up or we're done. And though I don't typically feel this way, I feel like Garrett truly does earn her back.
I did like this book overall but I will say- I think the pacing was off in certain places. Important things felt rushed over-making them feel fanciful and unrealistic and other areas did drag a bit. Also, I felt there were some things that were skipped that could've been addressed like Garrett's nickname for her never coming back up even though it wasn't intended to be mean, they just never addressed it again. Like I said, I liked the book and I do think it is a good book, just not a favorite for me.
Also, that hallway kiss scene... whooooo Nelly, that was so swoony (as Molly would say about Garrett).
Thank you again to J.S. Wood and Hambright PR for the ARC opportunity. 🩷
Quotes:
"'It's not about them being worth it. It's about the fact that you are'"
"But I want her there. I want her scent on my pillow and blankets."
"I've never been someone's safe place, but I pray to God I can always be hers."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2026
Thank you to J.S. Wood and Hambright PR for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
All This Time may be an interconnected standalone, but personally, I think readers will get the most out of this story by reading the previous books in the series first.
Going in without having read the earlier books, I felt like I was missing some of the emotional history between the characters and their wider friendship group. Because of that, it took me a little longer to connect with Garrett and Molly's relationship than I think it otherwise would have.
That said, Garrett's emotional journey was undoubtedly the highlight of this book. His character growth felt authentic and thoughtfully developed, and I found myself becoming more invested in his story as the book progressed.
One quote that really stuck with me was:
"She's f*cking amazing, and she's someone I would always bet on."
To me, it perfectly captured the quiet devotion that runs through this story. Rather than relying on grand gestures, it's the unwavering belief the characters have in one another that makes their relationship feel so genuine.
While I enjoyed Molly's journey, I didn't feel quite as emotionally connected to her character. I found myself wanting a little more depth from her perspective to match the strength of Garrett's arc.
One thing J.S. Wood does exceptionally well is making the quieter moments feel just as meaningful as the bigger ones. Some of my favourite scenes were the everyday moments between the characters—the small acts of care, the domestic interactions, and the gentle romance that made their relationship feel genuine. I also loved the pop culture and movie references sprinkled throughout the story, which added a fun and relatable touch.
Overall, this was a well-written, easy-to-read romance that balances lighter moments with heavier themes. If you're planning to pick it up, I'd recommend checking the content warnings beforehand.
I think readers who have followed this series from the beginning will likely have an even richer reading experience than I did.
All This Time may be an interconnected standalone, but personally, I think readers will get the most out of this story by reading the previous books in the series first.
Going in without having read the earlier books, I felt like I was missing some of the emotional history between the characters and their wider friendship group. Because of that, it took me a little longer to connect with Garrett and Molly's relationship than I think it otherwise would have.
That said, Garrett's emotional journey was undoubtedly the highlight of this book. His character growth felt authentic and thoughtfully developed, and I found myself becoming more invested in his story as the book progressed.
One quote that really stuck with me was:
"She's f*cking amazing, and she's someone I would always bet on."
To me, it perfectly captured the quiet devotion that runs through this story. Rather than relying on grand gestures, it's the unwavering belief the characters have in one another that makes their relationship feel so genuine.
While I enjoyed Molly's journey, I didn't feel quite as emotionally connected to her character. I found myself wanting a little more depth from her perspective to match the strength of Garrett's arc.
One thing J.S. Wood does exceptionally well is making the quieter moments feel just as meaningful as the bigger ones. Some of my favourite scenes were the everyday moments between the characters—the small acts of care, the domestic interactions, and the gentle romance that made their relationship feel genuine. I also loved the pop culture and movie references sprinkled throughout the story, which added a fun and relatable touch.
Overall, this was a well-written, easy-to-read romance that balances lighter moments with heavier themes. If you're planning to pick it up, I'd recommend checking the content warnings beforehand.
I think readers who have followed this series from the beginning will likely have an even richer reading experience than I did.
July 16, 2026
ALL THIS TIME by J.S. WOOD ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All This Time is the sixth (#6) book in the AVERAGE GENTS series.
When Molly breaks up with her long- term boyfriend after he refuses to live together or commit, she’s desperate to find somewhere with roommates.
When she ends up living alone with the man that has made it clear as long as she’s known that he hates her, she starts to question her decision.
Quirky Garrett is a loner. Childhood trauma has led him to live a solitary existence. When he is forced to interact with the woman that he pretends to hate (though secretly loves), he struggles to keep her at arms length, he self enforced walls are crumbling….
———————————
This is a super, sweet romance with a quirky hero who has childhood trauma and a heroine who just wants to find someone to have a meaningful relationship with. Although this is the sixth (#6) book in the series, you certainly don’t have to have read any other book in the series to thoroughly enjoy this book. It is an interconnected standalone read.
You can’t help but feel for Garrett. His experiences and upbringing have left him with zero confidence where women are concerned- how can he keep Molly happy without exposing his painful past?
Mollys experiences have left her doubting her own worth. She can’t understand why the men in her life won’t commit so when Garrett won’t even share his past with her, she takes it as a personal attack.
The story is well written and well paced. Garrett and Molly’s relationship is believable and they have great chemistry.
The two MCs are surrounded by an interesting group of friends who make for interesting scenes and some lighter moments.
I read an ebook copy of this book, with around 420 pages (print version), an illustrated couples cover and great editing. This book releases on July 28th.
With thanks to J.S.Wood and Hambright PR for an early chance to read this sweet book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
🎮 Enemies To Lovers
🎮 He Falls First
🎮 Slow Burn
🎮 Found Family
🎮 Roommates
All This Time is the sixth (#6) book in the AVERAGE GENTS series.
When Molly breaks up with her long- term boyfriend after he refuses to live together or commit, she’s desperate to find somewhere with roommates.
When she ends up living alone with the man that has made it clear as long as she’s known that he hates her, she starts to question her decision.
Quirky Garrett is a loner. Childhood trauma has led him to live a solitary existence. When he is forced to interact with the woman that he pretends to hate (though secretly loves), he struggles to keep her at arms length, he self enforced walls are crumbling….
———————————
This is a super, sweet romance with a quirky hero who has childhood trauma and a heroine who just wants to find someone to have a meaningful relationship with. Although this is the sixth (#6) book in the series, you certainly don’t have to have read any other book in the series to thoroughly enjoy this book. It is an interconnected standalone read.
You can’t help but feel for Garrett. His experiences and upbringing have left him with zero confidence where women are concerned- how can he keep Molly happy without exposing his painful past?
Mollys experiences have left her doubting her own worth. She can’t understand why the men in her life won’t commit so when Garrett won’t even share his past with her, she takes it as a personal attack.
The story is well written and well paced. Garrett and Molly’s relationship is believable and they have great chemistry.
The two MCs are surrounded by an interesting group of friends who make for interesting scenes and some lighter moments.
I read an ebook copy of this book, with around 420 pages (print version), an illustrated couples cover and great editing. This book releases on July 28th.
With thanks to J.S.Wood and Hambright PR for an early chance to read this sweet book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
🎮 Enemies To Lovers
🎮 He Falls First
🎮 Slow Burn
🎮 Found Family
🎮 Roommates
July 23, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
I absolutely adored this book! 💛
All This Time completely stole my heart, and I couldn't put it down. J.S. Wood delivered the perfect blend of humor, tension, heartfelt moments, and romance, and I was hooked from the very first chapter.
Garrett and Molly had me invested from the start. Their "enemies"... or maybe "people who completely misunderstand each other"... dynamic was so much fun to watch unfold. Being forced to become roommates created so many awkward, funny, and swoon-worthy moments, and I loved watching all those walls slowly come tumbling down.
Garrett quickly became one of my favorite book boyfriends. Beneath his grumpy, closed-off exterior was a man carrying so much more than anyone realized. Watching him learn how to open his heart, communicate his feelings, and fight for the woman he loved made me fall for him right alongside Molly.
And Molly? She was such an easy heroine to root for. Strong, relatable, and wonderfully patient, she never lost herself while navigating everything life threw at her. Together, these two had incredible chemistry, plenty of laugh-out-loud banter, and so many sweet moments that had me smiling from ear to ear.
J.S. Wood did such a fantastic job balancing the emotional moments with lighthearted romance. Every chapter pulled me in deeper, and before I knew it, I had reached the last page wondering where the time had gone.
If you love enemies-to-lovers, roommates, grumpy sunshine vibes, slow-burn romance, emotional healing, and a hero who completely steals your heart, then All This Time is definitely one to add to your TBR.
This was such a wonderful read, and I'll absolutely be picking up more from J.S. Wood in the future! ❤️
I absolutely adored this book! 💛
All This Time completely stole my heart, and I couldn't put it down. J.S. Wood delivered the perfect blend of humor, tension, heartfelt moments, and romance, and I was hooked from the very first chapter.
Garrett and Molly had me invested from the start. Their "enemies"... or maybe "people who completely misunderstand each other"... dynamic was so much fun to watch unfold. Being forced to become roommates created so many awkward, funny, and swoon-worthy moments, and I loved watching all those walls slowly come tumbling down.
Garrett quickly became one of my favorite book boyfriends. Beneath his grumpy, closed-off exterior was a man carrying so much more than anyone realized. Watching him learn how to open his heart, communicate his feelings, and fight for the woman he loved made me fall for him right alongside Molly.
And Molly? She was such an easy heroine to root for. Strong, relatable, and wonderfully patient, she never lost herself while navigating everything life threw at her. Together, these two had incredible chemistry, plenty of laugh-out-loud banter, and so many sweet moments that had me smiling from ear to ear.
J.S. Wood did such a fantastic job balancing the emotional moments with lighthearted romance. Every chapter pulled me in deeper, and before I knew it, I had reached the last page wondering where the time had gone.
If you love enemies-to-lovers, roommates, grumpy sunshine vibes, slow-burn romance, emotional healing, and a hero who completely steals your heart, then All This Time is definitely one to add to your TBR.
This was such a wonderful read, and I'll absolutely be picking up more from J.S. Wood in the future! ❤️
August 6, 2026
Thank you so much Hambright PR and J.S. Wood for gifting me a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
My Rating 4.5 stars.
When I saw this book had the tropes forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and He Falls First, I knew I needed to read this! This is the 6th book in the Average Gents series, but can be read as a standalone. I’m really curious about the other couples so I’m excited to read the rest of the series!!
Our FMC, Molly, is a successful event planner. She is ready to have her “happily ever after” and asks her long term boyfriend, Jared, to move in. When he turns her down, her friend is moving out of an apartment and tries to find out MMC, Garrett, a new roommate. So Molly moves in.
Garrett is a mechanic that is a gamer in his free time. He prefers to live a quiet and private life. Garrett’s childhood wasn’t the greatest, but he’s trying to forget about his past and chooses not to tell anyone else about it. Did I forget to mention that he HATES Molly? So when she moves in, he isn’t that crazy about it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Molly is very cheerful, a creative thinker, gets along well with most people. Garrett is our typical grumpy man with his secrets, but after reading about his past, I can understand why he is the way he is. The main characters have multiple layers to them. Honestly, I’d love to be friends with Molly because she just seems like a great person overall. I found myself rooting for her the entire book! The romance was also very well written. Slow burn, true enemies to lovers, roommates, protective MMC.. it seemed to have it all.
My Rating 4.5 stars.
When I saw this book had the tropes forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and He Falls First, I knew I needed to read this! This is the 6th book in the Average Gents series, but can be read as a standalone. I’m really curious about the other couples so I’m excited to read the rest of the series!!
Our FMC, Molly, is a successful event planner. She is ready to have her “happily ever after” and asks her long term boyfriend, Jared, to move in. When he turns her down, her friend is moving out of an apartment and tries to find out MMC, Garrett, a new roommate. So Molly moves in.
Garrett is a mechanic that is a gamer in his free time. He prefers to live a quiet and private life. Garrett’s childhood wasn’t the greatest, but he’s trying to forget about his past and chooses not to tell anyone else about it. Did I forget to mention that he HATES Molly? So when she moves in, he isn’t that crazy about it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Molly is very cheerful, a creative thinker, gets along well with most people. Garrett is our typical grumpy man with his secrets, but after reading about his past, I can understand why he is the way he is. The main characters have multiple layers to them. Honestly, I’d love to be friends with Molly because she just seems like a great person overall. I found myself rooting for her the entire book! The romance was also very well written. Slow burn, true enemies to lovers, roommates, protective MMC.. it seemed to have it all.
July 31, 2026
ARC Review 4.25 ⭐️
This is a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance with forced proximity, and I loved watching Garrett and Molly’s relationship unfold. Finding out Garrett had secretly been crushing on Molly all this time made so many of their interactions even sweeter. When Molly unexpectedly needs a place to stay and ends up becoming Garrett’s roommate, the walls between them slowly begin to come down. Their banter, playful nicknames, and constant teasing had me smiling throughout the book.
Garrett completely stole my heart. Beneath his grumpy exterior is a kind, thoughtful man carrying years of pain, and his heartbreaking backstory made me want to reach into the pages and give him the biggest hug. Watching him slowly learn to trust, open up, and communicate his feelings was one of my favorite parts of the story.
Molly was exactly the partner Garrett needed. She was patient, compassionate, and knew when to encourage him while still respecting his boundaries. I loved that she never tried to change him, she simply made him feel safe enough to be himself.
J.S. Wood’s writing is warm, heartfelt, and effortlessly engaging. She creates characters who feel genuine and emotionally layered, making it easy to connect with their journeys.
Overall, All This Time is a heartwarming story about love, healing, trust, and finding someone who accepts every part of you. If you enjoy slow-burn romances, forced proximity, found family, emotional depth, and plenty of swoony moments, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
This is a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance with forced proximity, and I loved watching Garrett and Molly’s relationship unfold. Finding out Garrett had secretly been crushing on Molly all this time made so many of their interactions even sweeter. When Molly unexpectedly needs a place to stay and ends up becoming Garrett’s roommate, the walls between them slowly begin to come down. Their banter, playful nicknames, and constant teasing had me smiling throughout the book.
Garrett completely stole my heart. Beneath his grumpy exterior is a kind, thoughtful man carrying years of pain, and his heartbreaking backstory made me want to reach into the pages and give him the biggest hug. Watching him slowly learn to trust, open up, and communicate his feelings was one of my favorite parts of the story.
Molly was exactly the partner Garrett needed. She was patient, compassionate, and knew when to encourage him while still respecting his boundaries. I loved that she never tried to change him, she simply made him feel safe enough to be himself.
J.S. Wood’s writing is warm, heartfelt, and effortlessly engaging. She creates characters who feel genuine and emotionally layered, making it easy to connect with their journeys.
Overall, All This Time is a heartwarming story about love, healing, trust, and finding someone who accepts every part of you. If you enjoy slow-burn romances, forced proximity, found family, emotional depth, and plenty of swoony moments, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
July 29, 2026
If you’re looking for a romance that delivers slow burn and one of the most lovable grumpy heroes ever, All This Time by J.S. Wood deserves a spot on your TBR!
Molly has spent years imagining a future with her boyfriend, Jared, but when he’s unwilling to take the next step and move in together, she’s forced to rethink everything she thought she knew about their relationship. With nowhere else to go, she ends up moving into a loft with her friends, and Garrett.
What follows is a beautifully paced roommates romance where every awkward interaction, and quiet moment chips away at years of misunderstanding. Garrett may come across as cold, but beneath his grumpy exterior is a man carrying so much emotional pain that he genuinely doesn’t know how to let someone love him.
Molly was such an easy MFC to root for! She simply wanted someone who chose her wholeheartedly, and I loved how patient, kind, and compassionate she remained throughout the story without ever losing her sense of self. Their chemistry wasn’t built on instant attraction, it grew through trust.
The yearning in this book was everything! The tension was stronger than the spice honestly. Garrett’s backstory absolutely broke my heart, and seeing his character growth by the end made the payoff incredibly satisfying!
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity / Roommates
Grumpy × Sunshine
He Falls First
Slow Burn Romance
Mechanic MMC
Interconnected Standalone
Molly has spent years imagining a future with her boyfriend, Jared, but when he’s unwilling to take the next step and move in together, she’s forced to rethink everything she thought she knew about their relationship. With nowhere else to go, she ends up moving into a loft with her friends, and Garrett.
What follows is a beautifully paced roommates romance where every awkward interaction, and quiet moment chips away at years of misunderstanding. Garrett may come across as cold, but beneath his grumpy exterior is a man carrying so much emotional pain that he genuinely doesn’t know how to let someone love him.
Molly was such an easy MFC to root for! She simply wanted someone who chose her wholeheartedly, and I loved how patient, kind, and compassionate she remained throughout the story without ever losing her sense of self. Their chemistry wasn’t built on instant attraction, it grew through trust.
The yearning in this book was everything! The tension was stronger than the spice honestly. Garrett’s backstory absolutely broke my heart, and seeing his character growth by the end made the payoff incredibly satisfying!
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity / Roommates
Grumpy × Sunshine
He Falls First
Slow Burn Romance
Mechanic MMC
Interconnected Standalone
July 30, 2026
Thank you Hambright PR for this ARC!
This was a sweet book that made me feel very giddy and had me kicking my feet! This one had all my favorite tropes-- grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, and enemies to lovers (although it was really he was in love with her and just acted like he hated her which is revealed pretty quickly).
Garrett and Molly's story is told through dual pov and this flows really well! It's nice to get to the story from both of them. It creates a well-rounded narrative! It was also sweet to see how they were secretly pining for one another as they got closer! Garrett's backstory is pretty tragic and Molly's has its own sense of tragedy.
I know this is a romance novel and that was the main plot point but I do wish that some elements were more fleshed out. I wish we could have gotten to know Garrett a little more than we did. He reveals a lot but there's still a sense of mystery. Molly is much more of an open book and perhaps this was done intentionally but I did find myself wondering about Garrett. I don't doubt his love for Molly just, I just wish we knew more about him individually beyond his stoicism and tragic backstory. I also wish that certain plot points had been more fleshed out and developed but I won't reveal too much because of spoilers.
Generally, this was a really enjoyable read and I read it in less than a day! This was my first JS Wood novel and I hope to read more!
This was a sweet book that made me feel very giddy and had me kicking my feet! This one had all my favorite tropes-- grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, and enemies to lovers (although it was really he was in love with her and just acted like he hated her which is revealed pretty quickly).
Garrett and Molly's story is told through dual pov and this flows really well! It's nice to get to the story from both of them. It creates a well-rounded narrative! It was also sweet to see how they were secretly pining for one another as they got closer! Garrett's backstory is pretty tragic and Molly's has its own sense of tragedy.
I know this is a romance novel and that was the main plot point but I do wish that some elements were more fleshed out. I wish we could have gotten to know Garrett a little more than we did. He reveals a lot but there's still a sense of mystery. Molly is much more of an open book and perhaps this was done intentionally but I did find myself wondering about Garrett. I don't doubt his love for Molly just, I just wish we knew more about him individually beyond his stoicism and tragic backstory. I also wish that certain plot points had been more fleshed out and developed but I won't reveal too much because of spoilers.
Generally, this was a really enjoyable read and I read it in less than a day! This was my first JS Wood novel and I hope to read more!
August 31, 2026
"My heart beats a little faster at the prospect, and I tell that b1tch to calm down."
All This Time was a 4.5 ⭐ contemporary romance read for me. I really enjoyed the author's writing style, and I felt very ingrained in the story! I finished in a day, I couldn't put it down.
"There are a lot of times I love her for being the human version of organized chaos, but this right here is my favorite."
We had a enemies-to-lovers, roommate situation, with a few twists. I loved the bit of suspense in finding out what the deal was with Molly's ex, and the backstory for both the MMC and FMC. This was an interconnected standalone and honestly, it made me want to scoop up the rest of the books in the series. The supporting characters were all so interesting to me as well.
"The more I can lessen the chances of having to interact with the outside world, the better."
I thought the connection between Molly and Garrett was so endearing. He loved her so hard and I could almost see the feelings simmering. It was intense and moving watching them work through their past trauma, no matter how different they were.
"But that fvcking smile. That's what gets me."
This was an amazing palette cleanser for me between dark and heavy reads. Thank you to Hambright PR and JS Wood for the opportunity to check this out!
What To Expect:
🌼Forced Proximity
🌼Enemies-to-Lovers
🌼Yearning
🌼He Falls First
🌼Roommates
🌼Hopeless Romantic Heroine
*This was an ARC read*
All This Time was a 4.5 ⭐ contemporary romance read for me. I really enjoyed the author's writing style, and I felt very ingrained in the story! I finished in a day, I couldn't put it down.
"There are a lot of times I love her for being the human version of organized chaos, but this right here is my favorite."
We had a enemies-to-lovers, roommate situation, with a few twists. I loved the bit of suspense in finding out what the deal was with Molly's ex, and the backstory for both the MMC and FMC. This was an interconnected standalone and honestly, it made me want to scoop up the rest of the books in the series. The supporting characters were all so interesting to me as well.
"The more I can lessen the chances of having to interact with the outside world, the better."
I thought the connection between Molly and Garrett was so endearing. He loved her so hard and I could almost see the feelings simmering. It was intense and moving watching them work through their past trauma, no matter how different they were.
"But that fvcking smile. That's what gets me."
This was an amazing palette cleanser for me between dark and heavy reads. Thank you to Hambright PR and JS Wood for the opportunity to check this out!
What To Expect:
🌼Forced Proximity
🌼Enemies-to-Lovers
🌼Yearning
🌼He Falls First
🌼Roommates
🌼Hopeless Romantic Heroine
*This was an ARC read*
August 25, 2026
Thank you to Hambright PR for this gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When Molly gets rejected by her boyfriend to move in together, she decides to move in with her friends instead... and Garett, the mechanic she’s basically hated since the day they first met. When one of Garrett's roommates moves out, he never expected Molly would be the one taking the spare room. But who knows what living together will bring?
This is a slow-burn romance. You'll see how their relationship builds naturally, with no exaggerated drama. It’s all about talking to each other, figuring out how to fit into each other’s lives, and stepping out of your comfort zone just because you want to make it work. It’s the little consistent efforts that get me every time.
Their dynamic is so healthy; it’s actually refreshing. So many cute moments and silly little banter between them that just made me smile while reading. No toxic stuff, just two people who start on the wrong foot and slowly realize they might actually be perfect for each other.
Every vulnerable talk and sweet moment hits harder because it feels real. They work through past misunderstandings, their own emotional baggage, and learn how to trust someone they thought they’d never get along with.
If you’re into slow-burn, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers that actually feels genuine, pick this one up!
When Molly gets rejected by her boyfriend to move in together, she decides to move in with her friends instead... and Garett, the mechanic she’s basically hated since the day they first met. When one of Garrett's roommates moves out, he never expected Molly would be the one taking the spare room. But who knows what living together will bring?
This is a slow-burn romance. You'll see how their relationship builds naturally, with no exaggerated drama. It’s all about talking to each other, figuring out how to fit into each other’s lives, and stepping out of your comfort zone just because you want to make it work. It’s the little consistent efforts that get me every time.
Their dynamic is so healthy; it’s actually refreshing. So many cute moments and silly little banter between them that just made me smile while reading. No toxic stuff, just two people who start on the wrong foot and slowly realize they might actually be perfect for each other.
Every vulnerable talk and sweet moment hits harder because it feels real. They work through past misunderstandings, their own emotional baggage, and learn how to trust someone they thought they’d never get along with.
If you’re into slow-burn, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers that actually feels genuine, pick this one up!
August 12, 2026
⭐ Overall Rating: 4.25/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 3.5/5
Another good book from J.S. Wood!
I’ve been reading the Average Gents series since book 4, and one thing I really like about this series is that you can jump in with basically any book. Each couple gets their own story, so you don’t feel like you have to start all the way back at book one to enjoy it.
Molly and Garrett’s story gave me enemies-to-lovers mixed with roommates/forced proximity, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship change once they were stuck living together.
Garrett is used to keeping to himself, while Molly suddenly finds herself living with the person who might be her biggest hater. 😂 Obviously, putting these two under the same roof was going to get interesting.
I especially liked watching the walls between them slowly come down and seeing Garrett realize that some of the feelings he thought were gone might not actually be gone at all.
If you like interconnected standalone series where you can jump in without feeling lost, this is definitely one to check out.
Thank you to Hambright PR and author J.S. Wood for the opportunity to read and review All This Time! 🤍
🔥 Burn Level: 4/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 3.5/5
Another good book from J.S. Wood!
I’ve been reading the Average Gents series since book 4, and one thing I really like about this series is that you can jump in with basically any book. Each couple gets their own story, so you don’t feel like you have to start all the way back at book one to enjoy it.
Molly and Garrett’s story gave me enemies-to-lovers mixed with roommates/forced proximity, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship change once they were stuck living together.
Garrett is used to keeping to himself, while Molly suddenly finds herself living with the person who might be her biggest hater. 😂 Obviously, putting these two under the same roof was going to get interesting.
I especially liked watching the walls between them slowly come down and seeing Garrett realize that some of the feelings he thought were gone might not actually be gone at all.
If you like interconnected standalone series where you can jump in without feeling lost, this is definitely one to check out.
Thank you to Hambright PR and author J.S. Wood for the opportunity to read and review All This Time! 🤍
July 22, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. Garrett and Molly are both part of a friend group. Molly needs a new place to live once her lease is up and her boyfriend (now ex) doesn't want to move in together. Her friends let her move into the loft with them, which just so happens to be where Garrett also lives. Things are tense in the beginning and then when Nora and Enzo announce that they are moving out Molly isn't sure how things are going to go. Garret is in a mood but it's because he doesn't know how to handle all the feelings that he is feeling and how to talk to Molly without saying something the wrong way. I loved their dynamic, they are perfect for one another. Once Molly realizes his hangups with certain things she helps him, and I love how he tried to move past those hangups for her even though he struggled at times. I loved the way that he went about winning her back, he showed up every evening no matter how hard it was for him to give her pieces of his story. I loved the way that none of the friends were shocked that things happened the way that they did between them getting together. The could all see it building up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2026
am unashamed to admit I read this book in TWO DAYS and a half in one sitting! 🤭 I really enjoyed this book! I loved the writing and felt like it kept me engaged and wanting more. The main characters, Garret and Moly, felt so real, and their relationship was full of chemistry but also very heartfelt. The enemies-to-lovers trope is one of my favorite tropes, and even though they weren’t true enemies-to-lovers, we still got plenty of banter and tension. I loved broody Garret, and the way he had to learn how to be a partner and move on from past traumas to be in a relationship with Molly was so sweet but also really deep when you digest the mental health representation that was shown. If you like a fast-paced, cutesy contemporary romance, I would highly recommend checking this book out! This is number six in the interconnected standalone series, and I got to briefly meet some of the characters from the other books. Although I do not think you need to have read any of those to enjoy All This Time, I do want to go back and officially meet these characters and read their stories sometime soon!
July 28, 2026
This book hooked me immediately with its roommate premise. After Molly’s plans completely fall apart, the last person she expects to end up living with is Garrett. The guy who has spent years acting like he can’t stand her. What follows is a slow burning, tension filled romance that balances humor, angst, and emotional growth.
Garrett was definitely the star of the story for me. Beneath his grumpy, closed off exterior is a man carrying around feelings he never truly got over. Watching him struggle to communicate and figure out how to show Molly who he really is, was both frustrating and endearing.
Molly was easy to sympathize with as well. After years of believing Garrett disliked her, she had every reason to be skeptical of his changing behavior. Their dynamic was full of awkward moments, banter, and unresolved tension that made the romance feel satisfying.
Living together created plenty of opportunities for vulnerability and emotional intimacy, allowing both characters to peel back the layers of misunderstanding between them. The chemistry was strong, and the payoff was worth the wait.
Garrett was definitely the star of the story for me. Beneath his grumpy, closed off exterior is a man carrying around feelings he never truly got over. Watching him struggle to communicate and figure out how to show Molly who he really is, was both frustrating and endearing.
Molly was easy to sympathize with as well. After years of believing Garrett disliked her, she had every reason to be skeptical of his changing behavior. Their dynamic was full of awkward moments, banter, and unresolved tension that made the romance feel satisfying.
Living together created plenty of opportunities for vulnerability and emotional intimacy, allowing both characters to peel back the layers of misunderstanding between them. The chemistry was strong, and the payoff was worth the wait.
August 7, 2026
All This Time by J.S. Wood💐(ARC)
How have I not heard of the Average Gents series before? This was an absolutely adorable modern romance story.
This is my first time reading a roommates trope, and it’s an enemies to lovers as well. This felt like the most realistic enemies to lovers in the real world I’ve ever read. Molly is hilarious and such a sweet character, and as a later addition to this friend group I loved seeing how she adjusted and was welcomed in.
I loved the dual perspective Wood used, and Garrett was such a complex and interesting character to get to know. The final chapters (no spoilers) showcasing a series of confessions was so beautifully done, and I adored it. This book does feature miscommunication, which I usually despise as a trope, but Wood executed it so thoughtfully. I didn’t find myself getting frustrated with any of the characters.
I am so intrigued by the whole friend group introduced, and will definitely be looking into exploring the rest of the series to explore their stories. Despite this being the last couple in this series, it didn’t feel confusing or difficult to follow.
This was such a fun read, and I can’t wait to explore more of Wood’s work! Romance books in summer are always a win!
A huge thank you to @hambright_pr and @authorjswood for allowing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I had an absolute blast with this book!
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