When her parents, the owners of the apartment complex she manages, tell her she’s on her last strike, Ellie knows she can’t break any more rules or risk getting fired. She needs to tread very, very carefully or chance falling straight through this thin ice beneath her feet.
That’s easier said than done when Camden Lane moves into her complex and starts flipping her world upside down. But dating residents is off-limits and getting close to him is a rule she's not willing to break.
Camden Lane can’t get Ellie out of his head.
He may be in town for work, but it’s Ellie that his focus keeps drifting toward. Between his impending departure date and her parent’s rules, he knows nothing can happen. Except, the more time they spend together, the harder and harder it gets to resist the pull they feel toward each other.
When the lines between them start to blur, Camden and Ellie have to decide where their priorities lie. Is what they have worth what’s at stake?
Madison Wright is a hopeless romantic living her own happily ever after in Nashville. After falling in love with reading at a young age, she always dreamed of becoming an author. She writes romances that feel cozy and always feature a happily-ever-after.
She's a big fan of sunshine, pastries, and any book with a love story. When she's not reading or writing, she can be found exploring her city with her husband and dog.
To keep up to date, follow on socials @authormadisonwright, join her newsletter, or go to her website www.authormadisonwright.com.
WHEN HE SECRETLY ADDS HONEY TO HER TEA BECAUSE SHE FINDS IT TOO BITTER *swoon city, population: me*
This is the PERFECT fall romance book! You will want to snuggle up on the couch with a warm mug to devour Ellie and Cam’s love story.
I mean, seriously. Get you a man like Cam. He was so in love with Ellie and all the amazing little things he did for her had my heart exploding.
This was my first time reading from Madison Wright and I can’t wait for what she has in store next!
*note that there is NO SPICE in this book*
”Kissing Ellie would be like indulging myself in the most decadent of desserts, the ones you eat slowly to savor them, the ones that are too rich to rush.”
This book was THE fall book that I didn’t know that I need to read this year! 😭✋🏼 Here we meet Camden and Ellie (or should I say Dave and Daisy?👀🤔). One kissed shared between strangers that begins a new love story. Passion. Desire. And it’s forbidden. Ellie can’t date any of the residents of the houses she works because of her parents rules. Camden is stuck between coming back do LA and his love for Ellie. It’s just a cute and cozy romance 🥹🙈. And the grand gesture? It was not made by the male person… Camden Lane? Freaking goals 🤌🏼😩 what the hell happened here?
Este livro foi O livro de outono que eu não sabia que precisava de ler. Aqui conhecemos a história de Camden e Ellie (ou será Dave e Daisy 🤔👀?). Um beijo entre desconhecidos, que se torna numa paixão, num desejo. Desejo proibido. Ellie tem uns pais complicados que proíbem qualquer tipo de relações com os residentes dos apartamentos onde trabalham. Camden vê a sua vida dividida. LA chama-o mas Ellie roubou o seu coração. Numa relação proibida surge um amor intenso. Um amor tão lindo e tão fofo. Camden Lane, que goals 🤌🏼😩. E este livro (apesar de não ter qualquer spice 🌶️) é tão fofinho e tão aconchegante… e temos provas de amor tão lindas. Para além disse, o famoso grand gesture, não foi feito pelo homem da relação… o que será que aconteceu?
Thank you so much @authormadisonwright for the opportunity to reading this book! 😭😭
I hope you all love Cam + Ellie as much as I do! Their story is a sweet, cozy take on forbidden romance. Read if you love autumn-themed books, cinnamon roll heroes, cute nicknames, and a good hurt/sick moment.
Here's my favorite line!
“You are an explosion of color in a dreary landscape. You’re a striped sweater in a crowd of black dresses. You, Ellie Bates, are the statement piece the whole house is designed around.”
So cute I created a new Goodreads bookshelf to delineate all reads like this: HEA Endings! Long overdue, dontcha think?
A SHORT SYNOPSIS: Ellie is the quirky daughter of two apartment chain magnates down in Nashville, TN. While trying to live up to their expectations for how their business should be run and her part in it - she creates a loving community of residents in the apartment complex her parents have assigned her to manage. When her parents realize she's getting a little too personal and fears it could jeopardize their business - they tell her to create professional distance between herself and her residents. But what happens when you put a quirky, lovable gal in leather pants and a smokin' hot photographer from California in the same concert venue? CHEMISTRY. And when said delicious one-night stand shows back up as one of your new residents? That you're absolutely NOT supposed to fraternize with?
MUSINGS: I think Just Between Us was absolutely adorable, and I always like a down-on-her-luck character that takes a stand. When the main character comes to a healthy level of self-acceptance and takes up for themselves in a healthy way, it's nice because we know how rare that is in real life. (I think all of us are guilty of putting up with crappy behavior from different people throughout our lives!)
CHARACTERS & PLOT THOUGHTS: Many elements of the story for us all to identify with! - The unimpressed/ disappointed parent trope. I'm not even sure if that's a trope, but I'm calling it one because it's so relatable and real. It's not like the parents are evil... just narcissistic and demanding... which believe you me... I think anyone with that kind of parent knows there's a special kind of hell when your parent sends their food back to the kitchen for some small infraction or makes the wait staff cry? You kind of want to curl up and die. **Insert shameful facepalm** - Love Ellie's crazy romantic character. If you're the type that loves with your whole heart, you'll definitely identify with the FMC. I also love that she's not described as overly beautiful, overly smart, or over anything but lovable. She's just that great gal next door that we all love to be friends with! Many of you will also find yourselves in Ellie's inability to ask for help and maybe in her growth to trusting others with her emotions. Whenever I discover a female character that really starts to sort their emotions out, it makes me so happy and sort of feel at home!! - The story is predictable but in a really great way!!! Just Between Us reads and feels like heading into a weekend where you KNOW you're about to relax and eat really good food! - My favorite part of this book is undoubtedly Camden's character. If you were looking for a sweet romance with a real-seeming man - this is the romcom for you. Wright does an exceptional job of creating a realistic MMC. He's figuring out his life path, likes the girl but remains uncertain because of her mixed signals, and showcases vulnerability that we rarely read about. In so many of the romance novels I've read, the men are tough, surly brutes who know exactly what to do, and women pull from their strength.. which is fine. But very rarely is that real life. In real relationships, strength is a give-and-take. My husband and I always joke that only one of us can have a bad day at a time, and there's a true vulnerability reflected in this book that I haven't seen in many others. - With the realistic nature of Camden's character and how his and Ellie's situation-ship unfolds - I think this is the first rom-com in a long time I'd recommend for a guy to read!!!
Favorite Quote(s): - "What time do you have to take it? You're not supposed to drive at night anymore.".."That was a suggestion." - I LOVE a sassy elderly character. Made me actually LOL. :D - "Don't ask him to stay. Just make sure he knows there's something here for him if he decides to." Such healthy and wonderful advice in a world of one-night stands, dating apps, and commitment-phobes.
NOTES: - Alternating POV - Family expectations & disappointment (Thankfully, not many scenes made me relive childhood trauma / secondhand embarrassment lol! More just seen and understood. ) - Spice Level: 🌶🌶/5 - It's sweeter with wholesome romantic moments than anything. (Realistic love development IMO!) - HEA Ending - Standalone but with recurring characters. You don't have to read the books in order! - Love the cartoon romcom cover!! I think this is one I might order to have the physical copy or gift to someone!
**I received this book as an advanced reader copy, but all reviews are my own. - SLR
This is one of those books that I really WANTED to like, so I kept trying (and failing) to get into it. I have a harder time connecting to both characters. Ellie struggles and constantly worries to win her parent's approval, and how awful they treat her, and there wasn't any resolution in the end, hard to read. This book gives you a cozy feeling...the cover is so cute, but I just felt frustrated with Ellie and Cam and the lack of communication, instant love, character development, repeated lines, and back and forth.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Madison Wright for this eARC.
This was light and quick read, yet, unfortunately, not for me. I couldn't connect with the main character, Ellie, I couldn't understand why she is working so hard to get the approval of her parents, who treated her really shitty and no one cared about that, why is she isolating herself from her friends by not sharing her problems, why she needs the job so badly, when it makes her so unhappy and lonely. Characters felt a bit shallow, situations forced and unrealistic, and the neverending push-and-pull between Ellie and Cam got old very soon. I hope the book will find its readers.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
”You shouldn’t say things like that.” I stare down at her, confused. She must see it too, because she murmurs, “It makes it very hard to stay away from you.”
Ellie & Camden. Or Daisy & Dave. *wink*. JBU is super cutie! A great holiday read for fall & christmas!
✨ THINGS & STUFF ✨ -shooting stars -dual pov -best friends husbands best friend -forbidden love: tenant & landlord -opposites attract -found family -Ethel & her chocolates -Halloween scavenger hunt -oh no, you’re wounded! Hurt/comfort -too sweet tea before bed & homemade soup -Nashville setting -picnic under the stars -pineapple on pizza -#IsThisAKissingBook: closed door. “I really wish I could kiss you right now.”
Thank you Madison Wright for an arc! Just Between Us is on shelves Nov. 18th!
I actually enjoyed this. Her parents were infuriating, and at times made me want to throw the book down (and I was listening to the audio, so that says a lot), but other than that? I liked the romance, and the thought of someone being/feeling seen and cared for.
Love seeing someone’s inner child / parental trauma being healed through growth, self love, reassurance and relationships.
“I’m driven by need—a need to touch her, to taste her, to see if she feels for me what I feel for her—but it’s the way she settles into me, swaying slightly to the sound of the music, that calms me down.”
THIS. BOOK. YALL.
If I could describe this book in one word it would be cozy! It wraps you up like a warm hug and you just never want to let go🥰🍯 Madison’s writing style makes me want to get a warm mug of tea and a fluffy blanket and just snuggle up with my boo (or cam…)
Read if you like: ☕️ forced proximity ☕️ witty banter ☕️forbidden romance ☕️ slow burn (but the besssttt kind) ☕️ family drama ☕️ lots of sweet moments and beautiful writing
I would do anything to read this again for the first time😭
i can related to bending over backwards for your parents approval but the mc was just too much lol she's an adult behaving as if her parents have forced her to stay in her job the romance was supposed to be forbidden (she's the building manager and isn't allowed to date tenants) but it was easily fixable Three stars for the nicest guy ever + the girl's brothers were so fun. the girl didn't have a backbone to save her life. I hate reading about toxic parents -_-
This was a sweet and closed door read. I love Wes and Cam's friendship and was glad to see Wes and Lo again!
I had a harder time connecting with Ellie though. I feel the story could have been tied up a lot sooner and that her reason for not being fully in with Cam just wasn't strong enough. Ellie's parents treated her awful, especially her mom, and everyone just let it happen. I didn't feel that it was resolved in the end and it was just brushed under the rug.
I still enjoyed a lot of the story, though I felt there was so much repetitiveness in it.
I'm hoping the next book is about Ellie's brother Alex (he might have been my favorite character!)
**Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book had all of the fall vibes and was absolutely adorable. I don't often find myself reading fade-to-black romances, but this story still had all of the chemistry and tension I could ask for in a romance novel. Super cute and I am definitely excited to read more from this author!
"He was supposed to be quick and simple, a piece of myself I broke off and gave to a stranger without expecting anything in return. But from that first night, he’s just given me back everything I need and more."
Ellie works as a property manager for an apartment complex her parents own. She is sweet, considerate and loves connecting with her residents. Unfortunately, personal relationships are forbidden according to her parents rules; she is not allowed to patronize with the residents.
It starts with a one night kiss when LA transplant and photographer, Camden Lane, meets Ellie and they form an instant connection. They are both surprised when Ellie finds out Cam is her new resident. Ellie is already on thin ice with her demanding parents and she cannot risk another mistake.
Cam and Ellie are constantly thrown together despite their best intentions. Cam gives her butterflies and makes her feel seen in a way no one else does. Will Ellie decide that a relationship with Cam is worth disappointing her parents and losing her job?
My thoughts: This was a sweet and cozy romance. I really enjoyed Wright's writing voice and the whimsical descriptions in the book. Cam was the absolute sweetest male lead- he is patient, understanding, kind, creative and supportive. I had a harder time connecting with Ellie and her relationship with her parents. I think a little bit more background about how her contentious relationship came to be would have been helpful. She mentions that her relationship wasn't always this strained. The ending was cute and I am glad Ellie was able to start living for herself.
Read if you like: -One night kiss -Instant connection -Forbidden romance -Strained family dynamics -Small town, Tennessee setting -All the fall feels -Dual POV
Thank you to the author, Madison Wright, for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.
I recieved this one as an arc and I am pleasantly surprised. I honestly felt like I might not like this one, since the beginning kind of put me off, I can‘t even tell you why but I was convinced I won‘t like this book for a little bit BUT I‘m glad I decided to keep on reading because I ended up liking it. Was it the best book I ever read? No, but it was a cute and quick romance book. I was frustrated with Ellie at quite a few moments of the book, tbh. But I loved Cam so much. Anyway, as I said this was a quick read also thanks to the writing style of the author. It was so easy to read and the story was predictable but still a cute little romance sprinkled with some family issues. I wish the characters had a little more depth but again it‘s a quick romance read where I do not expect depth or feel like it‘s that necessary for the story. I enjoyed it.
Working as the manager of an apartment complex owned by her parents, Ellie Bates is on her last strike or she risks losing her job. When Camden Lane moves into the complex for a few months for work, Ellie is not willing to break the rules which includes not dating residents, but the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes.
This book was so cute and gave me all the fall and cozy vibes! I loved that it was written in dual POV so we got to know what both Ellie and Cam were thinking. There were so many sweet moments between them including their nicknames, when Ellie was sick (soup + tea all day, everyday) and the pineapple on pizza moment, just to name a few. I really enjoyed Ellie as the MC and finally seeing her come to the realization of what she actually wanted, prioritizing her happiness (though I wish she could have gotten there a little sooner!). I would have loved to know a little bit more about her relationship with her parents, why they were so hard on her and how (if) that changed at the end. I enjoyed many of the other characters as well, including Ellie's supportive brothers and Ethel, who was such a fun addition with her humour and advice to Ellie.
Overall, I enjoyed this one! If you are looking for a sweet and cozy closed door romance (which gives you alllllll the tension and chemistry) with the forbidden romance and forced proximity tropes and some family drama, check out Just Between Us (out November 18, 2022!). I will absolutely be going back to read Just Go With It for Wes + Lo's story and I can't wait to see what Madison writes next!
Thank you to the author @authormadisonwright for the opportunity to read an arc!
This was a sweet, feel good, insta love/forbidden romance between property manager, Ellie and photographer, Camden. Ellie's parents are also her employers and they have strict no-fraternization rules so when Ellie finds herself falling for Cam - the cute stranger she meets in a bar one night who also happens to be her new tenant, things get very complicated.
I enjoyed seeing how Cam and Ellie tried to resist their feelings. I also really liked how unapologetically herself Ellie was and how Cam loved her just as she was (unlike her parents who were always trying to fit Ellie into their idea of who she should be). The found family in this book was excellent and it was fun getting more Lo and Wes cameos.
Recommended for fans of Sarah Adams and Melanie Jacobson or anyone looking for a romance full of laughs, heart and low on steam. Much thanks to NetGalley and the author for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! The cover for this book was the first thing to catch my eye and gave me the VERY best Fall vibes - another win from artist @inkandlaurel!!
feel a little disappointed, since i was expecting this to be a 5 star book. what did not work? that little "miscommunication" in the middle where she would not open up about the real reason for not being able to be with him was dragged out for too long - luckily, this book wasn't long but that still "break" my reading rythm. nonetheless, a very strong 4 star read with undoubtedly many adorable moments.
Stagnant and soulless, unfortunately frustration is the only emotion I get from reading this contemporary romance. Going in knowing Just Between Us is a clean romance, the lack of heat is not an issue, but its half-baked characterization and unrealistic plot development really hinders the enjoyment of an otherwise cute, small town love story.
Centering around a low-key 'forbidden romance' (a property manger falling for a resident in the building she manages), the characters treat their situation with an unbelievable sense of doom, constantly vowing they should break it off, paranoid of being discovered, even putting on disguise to go on dates (and then literally being caught together undisguised by the security camera of her own building). This is no Romeo and Juliet with a historical lineage of familial hatred, nor a situation of drastic social/racial discrepancy—I don't understand how the 2 adult characters couldn't resolve their situation in a logical, timely manner (there's nothing stopping the hero from moving out of the complex—problem solved!).
Just Between Us is also overly self-aware as a 'clean' romance; it feels like the author simply replace the typical buildup to intercourse with the act of kissing. So we get repeating monologues/scenes of the hero asking the heroine if she's ready be kissed. There's acknowledging consent, and then there's unrealistic portrayal of 2 full-grown adults treating a kiss like it's a sacred seal or taking away someone's virginity (made even more ridiculous as the story clearly mentions they both have had prior romantic relationship).
Just Between Us leaves me completely baffled and disconnected from its characters; the scenarios might have worked if it's going for straight romantic comedy, but the emotional intensity conveyed (even though the stake is laughably low) suggests otherwise. It would've fared better if the story is about teenagers/young adults going through their first serious romance, but as it stands I don't think this one would be high on my recommendation.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
I struggled to really connect with this book mostly because the main characters were insufferable.
The forbidden romance plotline grew pretty repetitive as well. Ellie and Camden lacked actual depth in their relationship which made it even harder for readers to connect with both characters. And Ellie's parents were downright the most horrible people I've ever read about.
Thank you to netgalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review
Overall cute story! It gave me hallmark vibes. Camden was such a sweet mmc. Ellie on the other hand annoyed me at times- the wishy washyness was aggravating after 200 pages. But still was a very feel good romance!
I love this book so much! It has insta-love, which I don't really like usually but not for this book.
Ellie and Cam is such a sweet couple! I can't get enough of these two. From the beginning of their relationship, they know that it will be hard. Ellie has to follow this kind of rules from her parents not to have a close relationship with the resident she work with. And Cam is her resident. If she is not following this rules, she need to quit this job, but Ellie loves this job so much and also all of her residents.
It's been hard at the beginning, because they constantly want each other but also know they can't be together. But Cam is a such a great man! I love how he always care for Ellie despite Ellie try to distance both of them, how Cam want to give their relationship a try, want to fight for this relationship with Ellie and know for sure what he wants.
Usually, this kind of back and forth really kills me but not this book. I love every doubt, their constantly thought about how to be together. I can't blame Ellie with her hesitant towards Cam, she has something she needs to keep. And I can't hate Ellie because of her attitude, I want to hate her parents actually especially her Mom, I know Ellie just want to be a proud child for her parents, I'm glad for everything turn out for Ellie at the end.
Don't ask me about their relationship. One of the best! It romantic, beautiful, sweet and everything you want in relationship! I love how this book make me smile constantly trough out the book. Highly recommend!
Ellie Bates spends the most romantic night dancing and kissing a man she just met. This man ends up being Camden Lane, a new resident at the complex she manages. While she is thrilled to see him again, she is quickly reminded of the contentious relationship she has with her parents who are the building owners.
While most would think working for their parents would make life easier, Ellie is subject to strict rules that are meant to keep her from fraternizing with the residents. Not to mention the fact that Camden is only in town temporarily, placing an expiration date on their potential relationship.
As with anything you are told you can’t have, Ellie and Cam continue to be drawn to one another. How much of your life would you really be willing to sacrifice in order to be with someone you only recently met? You’ll just have to read and find out!
Review Insight: Greater character development would have made this an easy home run for me! While a compelling read, Ellie and Cam were both very one dimensional. A stronger level of communication between the two would have added a deeper layer of understanding as the story developed. Constructive feedback aside, the author displays a truly promising literary future.
Thank you to Madison Wright and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was a lovely surprise. Did I cried while reading this book? Yes. But how could I not when I related to Ellie so much! Walking on eggshells around your family. Not being allow to being yourself. Being make fun off just for being yourself. The way i could relate with Ellie was painful to read yet i found some solace in her. I felt seen and it made me happy to see her find not only people who supported her and make her believe in herself but also find her voice and see how amazing she truly was. Cam was a delight too. I need a Cam in my life. He was everything I love in a book boyfriend. He was caring and not overbearing and have his own struggles and left Ellie be her own person and find herself yet was still there for her and ugh I love it! I love the side characters too, especially Ethel. Everyone needs an Ethel in their lives. I'm not going to talk about the main conflict because I feel it might be spoilers but just know I was ready to throw hands for Ellie 👊 This book was beautifully written. You could feel the love and care it was put into it. I'll be definitely reading more books from Madison.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: strangers to lovers, forced proximity, forbidden love
This was a sweet slow-burn romance with all of the autumn feels. Ellie is the property manager of her family’s apartment complex and instantly hits it off with Cam, one of her new tenants. As getting involved with a tenant is off limits, Ellie and Cam spend the majority of the book fighting their growing feelings for one another.
While I enjoyed all of this books tropes, I did feel that it was a bit repetitive. Ellie and Cam got together only for Ellie to pull away multiple times throughout the book. Cam was a cinnamon role hero and I loved the growth he displayed when he finally put his foot down after Ellie’s constant back and forth. I wish the characters would’ve had better communication skills as that would’ve made this more enjoyable for me!
Thank you to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for a review. Just Between Us is out now for everyone to enjoy! 💘
This book was. so. cute. Soooo cute! 🥹
The main characters are Cam and Ellie. They meet at a concert and hit it off right away. Turns out, Cam is a new tenant in the building that Ellie manages, for a company run by her parents. They, however, are not very happy with Ellie being in touch with the tenants, so Ellie needs to cut it out. But, is it possible to forget about Cam?
A really nice, cute story that just gives you all the happy feels. It’s got some great quotes as well, which I just loved! Swoon. A perfect romance for everyone who loves slowburns (although the beginning may not give you slowburn vibes, it’s there, I promise), forbidden romance, stripey sweaters, tea and honey and just plain cuteness. It’s also not spicy, which I’ve been enjoying lately. A very cute romance.
This book was the second in a series, but, even though I hadn’t read the first book in the series, I understood the story from the beginning. I will definitely be looking forward to part three of this series, ‘cause I want more.
“You’re a striped sweater in a sea of black dresses.”
Ellie and Camden were such a sweet read. Upon meeting in the first chapter, the sparks FLEW. The palpable connection between the two of them was something I was so excited to explore.
The following day, the two of them met again under very different circumstances and Ellie realized they couldn't be together, I was SCREAMING. That spark blew up in my face and I HAD TO KNOW HOW IT WAS GOING TO PAN OUT.
There was a lot of push and pull from Ellie's side of things. It made the book pretty angsty from her side as Camden tried to navigate her choices and patiently waited for her. She had a lot at risk, but was she willing to risk it all to try things out with Camden? I found myself getting impatient alongside Camden and was (internally) screaming at Ellie to give in!!
Thank you to Madison Wright for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
I AM OBSESSED. this book was so cute, and gives the ultimate warm fuzzy vibes I want all fall
Cam quickly became one of my favorite book boyfriends 🥰🥵😩😍 I love him so much.
The vibes 10/10 The characters 10/10 The story 10/10 The romance 10/10 The tropes 10/10 This book 10/10
As soon as I saw my email with the ARC, I started reading and didn’t stop until I was done. I could not put it down. ahhh the tension and sweet touches gave me kdrama vibes🔥
Do yourself a favor and read this book. you will not regret it. Cannot wait to see what Madison does next! 👏