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Here lies Ophelia Finnegan, Hopeless Romantic. Not to be dramatic, but I'm pretty sure that's what my tombstone is going to say.
During my thirty years on this planet, I've made a lot of poor decisions pursuing my ideal man. It may have something to do with my slight obsession with romantic comedies, especially those of the British variety. I mean, if Bridget Jones could find her Mr. Darcy, surely I can too, right?
And if I can't live it, I can at least write a steamy romance novel about it. Except I'm too scared to do that. It's so much safer to stay in my not-at-all fulfilling job and live vicariously through the ClikClak video app. It's all well and good, until my surprise visit to my boyfriend doesn't go as planned, and the video of my humiliation ends up going viral.
In a surprise twist (like any good romantic comedy should have), the guy I'd handed off my phone to film my unexpected humiliation turns out to be hotter than hell British soccer player Xavier Henry. And he's looking to get traded up here to Boston. The quickest way to make that happen is if he becomes an American citizen … by marrying an American woman.
I volunteer as tribute!
OMG, marriage of convenience is my favorite romantic trope of all time, and now I get to live it. If nothing else, I'll have great material for that book I swear I'm going to write. All I have to do is remember that this is pretend and that those rock-hard abs aren't really mine to stroke and lick.
Put me in, coach! I'm ready to take one for the team.
Kisses and hugs, Ophelia
#XOXO
During my thirty years on this planet, I've made a lot of poor decisions pursuing my ideal man. It may have something to do with my slight obsession with romantic comedies, especially those of the British variety. I mean, if Bridget Jones could find her Mr. Darcy, surely I can too, right?
And if I can't live it, I can at least write a steamy romance novel about it. Except I'm too scared to do that. It's so much safer to stay in my not-at-all fulfilling job and live vicariously through the ClikClak video app. It's all well and good, until my surprise visit to my boyfriend doesn't go as planned, and the video of my humiliation ends up going viral.
In a surprise twist (like any good romantic comedy should have), the guy I'd handed off my phone to film my unexpected humiliation turns out to be hotter than hell British soccer player Xavier Henry. And he's looking to get traded up here to Boston. The quickest way to make that happen is if he becomes an American citizen … by marrying an American woman.
I volunteer as tribute!
OMG, marriage of convenience is my favorite romantic trope of all time, and now I get to live it. If nothing else, I'll have great material for that book I swear I'm going to write. All I have to do is remember that this is pretend and that those rock-hard abs aren't really mine to stroke and lick.
Put me in, coach! I'm ready to take one for the team.
Kisses and hugs, Ophelia
#XOXO
391 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2022
88 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn R. Biel
27 books374 followersKathryn R. Biel writes low-to-no spice contemporary romance, rom-com, sports romance, and women’s fiction full of humor, heart, and happily-ever-afters. Her books balance the drama and challenges of real life with witty banter, strong heroines, and swoony cinnamon-roll heroes. Whether she’s writing laugh-out-loud romantic comedies, emotional women’s fiction, or heartfelt sports romances, Kathryn delivers stories where resilience, love, and laughter take center stage.
Kathryn is the author of more than 20 books, including the award-winning Live for This, Made for Me, and The UnBRCAble Women Series (Ready for Whatever, Seize the Day, and Underneath It All).
Kathryn is the author of more than 20 books, including the award-winning Live for This, Made for Me, and The UnBRCAble Women Series (Ready for Whatever, Seize the Day, and Underneath It All).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
February 12, 2023
This was good enough to finish but it’s not great. The heroine is a “hot mess” quirky girl who speaks/acts before she thinks.
And the drama is ridiculous. But at least it’s not the kind of drama I thought.
It feels meta. This woman wants to be a romance writer and she’s on click clack (TikTok). Since I first discovered this book through the author’s TikTok, feels a little autobiographical, tho I hope she’s not a hot mess like her heroine.
While we’re told these people have fallen in love with each other, I didn’t feel it. The heroine is secretly writing a romance book and doesn’t tell the hero why she married him. It’s stupid drama for no reason.
There is SO MUCH stupid drama.
For instance, towards the end, the hero and heroine get news that they have the dumbest incompatibility ever. He loves birds and she’s afraid of them. It’s a last minute drama point.
The heroine is super quirky and for a moment I think maybe she’s neurodivergent, but no. She’s just a ditzy heroine.
It was fine but was it worth buying (it’s not available on KU or the library)?
I would NOT recommend paying for it like I did.
And the drama is ridiculous. But at least it’s not the kind of drama I thought.
It feels meta. This woman wants to be a romance writer and she’s on click clack (TikTok). Since I first discovered this book through the author’s TikTok, feels a little autobiographical, tho I hope she’s not a hot mess like her heroine.
While we’re told these people have fallen in love with each other, I didn’t feel it. The heroine is secretly writing a romance book and doesn’t tell the hero why she married him. It’s stupid drama for no reason.
There is SO MUCH stupid drama.
For instance, towards the end, the hero and heroine get news that they have the dumbest incompatibility ever. He loves birds and she’s afraid of them. It’s a last minute drama point.
The heroine is super quirky and for a moment I think maybe she’s neurodivergent, but no. She’s just a ditzy heroine.
It was fine but was it worth buying (it’s not available on KU or the library)?
I would NOT recommend paying for it like I did.
July 20, 2022
First off thanks to the author for an ARC copy of XOXO in exchange for an honest review.
Overall I enjoyed this book quiet a bit. It follows Ophelia and Xavier who both for varying reasons find themselves in some drama and decide that a marriage of Convenience maybe the answers to their issues.
I will admit that the build up to that point was a bit slow and drawn out for me. I would of rather seen it come about a little quicker and had more of them actually living out the relationship then we actually did because once we got there it was fun and cute.
I really enjoyed the characters both on their own and together. Xavier was a great calming balance to Ophelia who was little chaotic and all over the place at times. But I love that he totally saw her for her and didn’t judge her the way everyone else seemed too.
While this was my first book by Kathryn Biel it wouldn’t be my last.
Overall I enjoyed this book quiet a bit. It follows Ophelia and Xavier who both for varying reasons find themselves in some drama and decide that a marriage of Convenience maybe the answers to their issues.
I will admit that the build up to that point was a bit slow and drawn out for me. I would of rather seen it come about a little quicker and had more of them actually living out the relationship then we actually did because once we got there it was fun and cute.
I really enjoyed the characters both on their own and together. Xavier was a great calming balance to Ophelia who was little chaotic and all over the place at times. But I love that he totally saw her for her and didn’t judge her the way everyone else seemed too.
While this was my first book by Kathryn Biel it wouldn’t be my last.
May 4, 2025
Pleasant, easy read.
Author could have done a tad more research, into British phrases and what accountants actually do.
Overall, a decent enough RomCom, however I'm not going to rush out to get the sequel or the author's back catalogue.
Author could have done a tad more research, into British phrases and what accountants actually do.
Overall, a decent enough RomCom, however I'm not going to rush out to get the sequel or the author's back catalogue.
July 25, 2022
I was an ARC Reader for XOXO. I really loved this book! It was a very compelling and easy read! The characters were intriguing and so loveable. XOXO is a low spice (mostly fade to black scenes) romantic comedy that lets you feel all the feels. Kathryn Biel does an amazing job creating a familiar setting that a majority of readers can relate to, as it takes place in the present post-COVID world. Kathryn also does a great job at creating tension that the reader is aware of but the characters are unaware of. There are moments that have the perfect amount of predictability where the reader is left thinking "I KNEW IT!" without feeling like the predictability ruins the story. It's the most satisfying moment when you correctly (or mostly correctly) predict the outcomes of the characters actions. If you want to read a feels-good romantic comedy, then this book is definitely for you! It's a quick, easy, and very satisfying read! I would highly recommend!
September 12, 2023
I was really entertained by this entire book. I loved the characters, their baggage, their journey, and I feel like I'll love the rest of Xavier's team in the future books. And the author, as well as both audiobook narrators were new to me, so that I loved it so much was a good surprise. Things that I didn't love, were the whole CliClak (TikTok's fictional equivalent) bit, as I don't use the app or see the appeal of it. And I didn't love Ophelia's family, and that whole storyline was never really resolved. Those few things, along with the fact that the story was CLEAN in that the scenes were all Fade-to-Black, made me knock off a star. That can be fine, if that's what you're looking for, but it's a shock to my dirty system when I dive in expecting smut. But again, the rest of the story, and the narration, made up for it to me.
June 18, 2023
Cute Story, Great Premise
This book was very well written and I quite enjoyed it!! I could barely put it down!
It is very low on the steam scale. They don’t shy away from talking about it, and there is some steamy kissing and talk about fun adult times but this author doesn’t write out the acts on page.
It absolutely does not detract from the story though. I still felt their connection grow and you still feel the passion between them as it builds and at the end when she helps save his career. ❤️❤️
This book was very well written and I quite enjoyed it!! I could barely put it down!
It is very low on the steam scale. They don’t shy away from talking about it, and there is some steamy kissing and talk about fun adult times but this author doesn’t write out the acts on page.
It absolutely does not detract from the story though. I still felt their connection grow and you still feel the passion between them as it builds and at the end when she helps save his career. ❤️❤️
December 27, 2025
This soccer romance is unoriginal in parts and really cute in other parts. Ophelia is an accountant who has a viral moment on social media. Xavier is a British soccer star who is strugging with his current team but can't be traded due to restrictions on international players in the U.S. league. They randomly meet on the street, and she asks him to film the video that later goes viral for all the wrong reasons. Such begins their relationship and ultimately their marriage of convenience. While over-the-top in some scenes, others are sweet and romantic. It never had any emotional pull for me, but I enjoyed it for what it was. The audio narrators weren't my favorite-take this one in with your eyes.
July 21, 2022
4.5⭐️
OMG what a cute and adorable romcom! I received this ARC for my honest review.
Ophelia is me but with way more public humiliation. My social awkwardness is at least not in front of the world social media world. But that made instantly accept and love this character!
Xavier ended up being a great guy and good book boyfriend. But I did get a little put off by how much he dislikes America. I totally understand not wanting to give up your country but it was a bit much.
All in all I would read this trope and watch this movie over and over again. I will also be reading everything by this author!!
OMG what a cute and adorable romcom! I received this ARC for my honest review.
Ophelia is me but with way more public humiliation. My social awkwardness is at least not in front of the world social media world. But that made instantly accept and love this character!
Xavier ended up being a great guy and good book boyfriend. But I did get a little put off by how much he dislikes America. I totally understand not wanting to give up your country but it was a bit much.
All in all I would read this trope and watch this movie over and over again. I will also be reading everything by this author!!
July 27, 2022
Love this marriage of convenience sports rom com! Ophelia and Xavier are amazing characters. I was lucky enough to have received a review copy from Kathryn R. Biel.
July 11, 2023
Heartwarming laugh out loud fun
This book gave me all the feels in the best way. I laughed out loud constantly with a big goofy grin on my face. This book warmed my heart. It broke my heart and put it back together again. It read like the best kind of hallmark movie, but unique in its own way. I highly recommend reading this book if you’re a fan of romantic comedies. It has dual alternating POV, but that somehow makes it even better as you get both sides of the story. The characters are super cute and relatable and real. I will definitely be reading this book again and again!
This book gave me all the feels in the best way. I laughed out loud constantly with a big goofy grin on my face. This book warmed my heart. It broke my heart and put it back together again. It read like the best kind of hallmark movie, but unique in its own way. I highly recommend reading this book if you’re a fan of romantic comedies. It has dual alternating POV, but that somehow makes it even better as you get both sides of the story. The characters are super cute and relatable and real. I will definitely be reading this book again and again!
July 27, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
I was provided a free ARC copy by the author for an honest review.
XOXO is a sports romcom. It’s first person dual pov which is my jam. I love books written like that.
I love the incorporation of soccer in this sports romance. You don’t see enough sports romances about soccer players which is a shame.
This is my first time reading a marriage of convenience story and I was expecting them to be married fairly early and have most of the book be romantic tension as they pretend the relationship is real in public and then start falling for each other and blurring the lines. The wedding doesn’t take place until 50% into the book so the PDA to keep their relationship believable didn’t come into play until after that which was a minor let down as it’s my favorite part of any kind of fake relationship. But after their marriage they did have those moments so that made up for it.
Ophelia has embarrassingly funny moments akin to those in romcom movies and they were funny but they also had me feeling secondhand embarrassment for her. I could see a few of her misconceptions before they took place and I found myself wanting to read to see them play out but also not wanting them to happen.
I wasnt expecting the Covid 19 aspect of this story. I haven’t yet read a story that takes place during/after the pandemic. It helped with the plot and made sense for the story but I didn’t necessarily love that aspect of it. I read to escape and I prefer to escape to contemporary worlds without the pandemic backdrop. That being said it wasn’t a dealbreaker.
Overall XOXO is a fun read. As a romcom and one with a marriage of convenience it requires some suspension of belief but once you lean into the improbability of some of the circumstances it’s a good time. If you like romcoms with klutzy, socially awkward heroines and heroes who are honestly nice guys you’ll enjoy this book.
I was provided a free ARC copy by the author for an honest review.
XOXO is a sports romcom. It’s first person dual pov which is my jam. I love books written like that.
I love the incorporation of soccer in this sports romance. You don’t see enough sports romances about soccer players which is a shame.
This is my first time reading a marriage of convenience story and I was expecting them to be married fairly early and have most of the book be romantic tension as they pretend the relationship is real in public and then start falling for each other and blurring the lines. The wedding doesn’t take place until 50% into the book so the PDA to keep their relationship believable didn’t come into play until after that which was a minor let down as it’s my favorite part of any kind of fake relationship. But after their marriage they did have those moments so that made up for it.
Ophelia has embarrassingly funny moments akin to those in romcom movies and they were funny but they also had me feeling secondhand embarrassment for her. I could see a few of her misconceptions before they took place and I found myself wanting to read to see them play out but also not wanting them to happen.
I wasnt expecting the Covid 19 aspect of this story. I haven’t yet read a story that takes place during/after the pandemic. It helped with the plot and made sense for the story but I didn’t necessarily love that aspect of it. I read to escape and I prefer to escape to contemporary worlds without the pandemic backdrop. That being said it wasn’t a dealbreaker.
Overall XOXO is a fun read. As a romcom and one with a marriage of convenience it requires some suspension of belief but once you lean into the improbability of some of the circumstances it’s a good time. If you like romcoms with klutzy, socially awkward heroines and heroes who are honestly nice guys you’ll enjoy this book.
September 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this! it was a quick read with good banter. I definitely recommend for a good sports romance!
December 31, 2024
This book was awful. The main character was insufferable. It was like she was written by a man. There was nothing endearing about her, and she had no redeeming qualities. The use of the pandemic and tiktok (aka click clack 🙄) slang was trite and I could stand the way she said “yo” after some of her sentences. The only reason I finished it was because I did a “read the alphabet” challenge and there aren’t many books that start with an X.
August 1, 2022
4.5 stars! A very (VERY) relatable main character in Ophelia, a thirty year old woman, working from home as an accountant, living with her cat, and hopeless romantic, a romance novel and movie junkie who has secretly dreamed of being an author since she was young. She’s also incredibly impulsive when it comes to her love life, desperately in search of her own happily ever after. After her latest relationship goes bust in a most spectacular way, for all the world to witness on social media, you’d think she’d take a step back and reassess, but no, she just keeps digging herself deeper and deeper.
Xavier is a pro footballer (American soccer), currently playing for a team in Baltimore after being blackballed in England, and really all of Europe. His current situation has him in a tight spot in his career, and he is desperate to find a way to move forward, which would mean getting traded to another team. As he is leaving a party after their last season game, Xavier finds himself as a front witness row witness to Ophelia’s humiliation. And while he feels bad for her, he has his own problems to deal with, and initially it doesn’t impact him in any significant way.
Ophelia and Xavier’s paths don’t actually truly cross in a meaningful way until later, after things continue to escalate on social media, and Xavier comes across one of the posts and decides to send a supportive message to her after seeing all the negativity she’s enduring. It’s a huge indicator of his personality - he’s very sweet and caring about others, and it ultimately has often come back to work against him. Both of them possess a certain level of awkwardness in their own ways that is very endearing. As they start chatting, things are very light, simple. But a drunken face time chat after a particularly disaster ridden date for Ophelia results in her offering to marry him to help him gain the citizenship he needs to get a quick trade to another team and help his career.
The whole thing is very innocent. Xavier is tentative, but desperate, and Ophelia is convinced she’ll never get her real happy ever after, so she dives in headfirst to her favorite romantic trope, the marriage of convenience. The more they get to know each other, the more the little fires of interest start to spark, but neither of them is keen on making a move. Even when they do finally connect, things are still curiously awkward between them.
Overall, this is a fun, sweet, funny, and emotional journey. The story moves at a quick, but steady and good pace, and nothing is so over the top that it doesn’t make sense or fit with the characters or plot. The humor is balanced well with the sweetness, but also throws in a healthy dose of drama to keep things interesting. The romance is also very sweet, with fade to black spice that still holds up well and gives a good feel for their passion and connection to each other. Very relatable, but with just a dash of the absurd that makes it more fun and keeps your interest to the end.
Xavier is a pro footballer (American soccer), currently playing for a team in Baltimore after being blackballed in England, and really all of Europe. His current situation has him in a tight spot in his career, and he is desperate to find a way to move forward, which would mean getting traded to another team. As he is leaving a party after their last season game, Xavier finds himself as a front witness row witness to Ophelia’s humiliation. And while he feels bad for her, he has his own problems to deal with, and initially it doesn’t impact him in any significant way.
Ophelia and Xavier’s paths don’t actually truly cross in a meaningful way until later, after things continue to escalate on social media, and Xavier comes across one of the posts and decides to send a supportive message to her after seeing all the negativity she’s enduring. It’s a huge indicator of his personality - he’s very sweet and caring about others, and it ultimately has often come back to work against him. Both of them possess a certain level of awkwardness in their own ways that is very endearing. As they start chatting, things are very light, simple. But a drunken face time chat after a particularly disaster ridden date for Ophelia results in her offering to marry him to help him gain the citizenship he needs to get a quick trade to another team and help his career.
The whole thing is very innocent. Xavier is tentative, but desperate, and Ophelia is convinced she’ll never get her real happy ever after, so she dives in headfirst to her favorite romantic trope, the marriage of convenience. The more they get to know each other, the more the little fires of interest start to spark, but neither of them is keen on making a move. Even when they do finally connect, things are still curiously awkward between them.
Overall, this is a fun, sweet, funny, and emotional journey. The story moves at a quick, but steady and good pace, and nothing is so over the top that it doesn’t make sense or fit with the characters or plot. The humor is balanced well with the sweetness, but also throws in a healthy dose of drama to keep things interesting. The romance is also very sweet, with fade to black spice that still holds up well and gives a good feel for their passion and connection to each other. Very relatable, but with just a dash of the absurd that makes it more fun and keeps your interest to the end.
July 31, 2022
"For the time that we're married, I get the knowledge that people are looking at us, wondering how I was able to land you." I shrug again. "I want to be special for once. And if I'm married to you, people will think I must be special."
I haven't read too many soccer romances, not for lack of trying, and XOXO by Kathryn Biel is a GOAL! The storyline is so cute and romantic. The comedy in this story was fantastic; I appreciated the author's sense of humor weaved into the characters and plot. The interactions between the two characters were fun and refreshing. The soccer aspect of the story was full of soccer-isms and characters. I love to see more soccer reads, and this one was great!
"What's rule number two?" I ask in between kisses. "No licking your abs." Now it's my turn to stop kissing. "These rules are rubbish. Throw them all out, and lick away."
Ok. So. This book made me laugh and cringe and sigh in frustration more than any other book I've read this month. I felt for Ophelia after her rise to viral dom with the social media video she posted to ClickClack. She was so full of life and authentic and free-spirited; it was hard to see how the viral video and its outfall tried to destroy that. Ophelia was impulsive, even when she was on the down and outs, usually as her way of trying to get back to happiness. That meant there were a lot of cringe moments that did not go the way one would hope. But it also meant some hilarious moments that made me laugh in irony.
"Here, Boston pigeons are like drivers. Full of moxie and sick of everyone's shit."
Xavier Henry was a wonderfully written human being. He wasn't without his faults, but he was genuinely nice. He cared about people around him, even when it was to a fault. He cares for Ophelia and ultimately tries to do the right thing by her. I love how he stands up to Ophelia's family for her and is always ready to negate her self-deprecating ways.
"What if he thinks because I showed him my lady cat that I expect him to make a purchase at the pet store?"
Soccer is Xavier's passion, and he's willing to do whatever he can to ensure he can continue to play soccer on American soil since he no longer can in England. That means even marriage is on the table if it will help him become an American citizen so he can play. In comes the marriage of convenience, Ophelia's favorite trope. I love how the author wrote this trope, the slow burn, the fade to black romance, and the difficulties they encountered. It was a great read. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
"Hullo, my name is Xavier Henry. I'm a footballer. Will you marry me? In my head, that plays with an Inigo Montoya Spanish accent, though I'm neither Spanish nor in The Princess Bride."
Thank you to the author for the ARC to read and review!
I haven't read too many soccer romances, not for lack of trying, and XOXO by Kathryn Biel is a GOAL! The storyline is so cute and romantic. The comedy in this story was fantastic; I appreciated the author's sense of humor weaved into the characters and plot. The interactions between the two characters were fun and refreshing. The soccer aspect of the story was full of soccer-isms and characters. I love to see more soccer reads, and this one was great!
"What's rule number two?" I ask in between kisses. "No licking your abs." Now it's my turn to stop kissing. "These rules are rubbish. Throw them all out, and lick away."
Ok. So. This book made me laugh and cringe and sigh in frustration more than any other book I've read this month. I felt for Ophelia after her rise to viral dom with the social media video she posted to ClickClack. She was so full of life and authentic and free-spirited; it was hard to see how the viral video and its outfall tried to destroy that. Ophelia was impulsive, even when she was on the down and outs, usually as her way of trying to get back to happiness. That meant there were a lot of cringe moments that did not go the way one would hope. But it also meant some hilarious moments that made me laugh in irony.
"Here, Boston pigeons are like drivers. Full of moxie and sick of everyone's shit."
Xavier Henry was a wonderfully written human being. He wasn't without his faults, but he was genuinely nice. He cared about people around him, even when it was to a fault. He cares for Ophelia and ultimately tries to do the right thing by her. I love how he stands up to Ophelia's family for her and is always ready to negate her self-deprecating ways.
"What if he thinks because I showed him my lady cat that I expect him to make a purchase at the pet store?"
Soccer is Xavier's passion, and he's willing to do whatever he can to ensure he can continue to play soccer on American soil since he no longer can in England. That means even marriage is on the table if it will help him become an American citizen so he can play. In comes the marriage of convenience, Ophelia's favorite trope. I love how the author wrote this trope, the slow burn, the fade to black romance, and the difficulties they encountered. It was a great read. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
"Hullo, my name is Xavier Henry. I'm a footballer. Will you marry me? In my head, that plays with an Inigo Montoya Spanish accent, though I'm neither Spanish nor in The Princess Bride."
Thank you to the author for the ARC to read and review!
July 22, 2022
I am smiling ear to ear and feeling all giddy inside writing this review of XOXO-First Comes Marriage by Kathryn Biel!
Love all the feels? ✅
Love romcoms? ✅
Love Hallmark movies? ✅
Love being able to smile while reading? ✅
Do you just love feel good books? ✅
This is the book for you!
I could not put this book down and loved every minute of it! Xavier and Ophelia’s story is one I will remember for a long time and will definitely be one I continue to persuade others to read! It’s a slow burn, but I love that…it is all worth it with what happens along the way! I do not agree with others that the beginning was too slow. I loved the banter and learning about the characters in the beginning. I felt like I was there with them! I caught myself laughing out loud, smiling, and tearing up throughout the book, and I couldn’t get enough! I loved how the chapters switched POVs. I would love to see more books from this whole cast of characters I just adore! You will not regret purchasing and reading this book! I can’t wait to read more from her! Did I mention that I love Xavier?!?🥰
Love all the feels? ✅
Love romcoms? ✅
Love Hallmark movies? ✅
Love being able to smile while reading? ✅
Do you just love feel good books? ✅
This is the book for you!
I could not put this book down and loved every minute of it! Xavier and Ophelia’s story is one I will remember for a long time and will definitely be one I continue to persuade others to read! It’s a slow burn, but I love that…it is all worth it with what happens along the way! I do not agree with others that the beginning was too slow. I loved the banter and learning about the characters in the beginning. I felt like I was there with them! I caught myself laughing out loud, smiling, and tearing up throughout the book, and I couldn’t get enough! I loved how the chapters switched POVs. I would love to see more books from this whole cast of characters I just adore! You will not regret purchasing and reading this book! I can’t wait to read more from her! Did I mention that I love Xavier?!?🥰
July 21, 2022
Ophelia + Xavier = XOXO, indeed! *hearteyes*
I reallyreally loved this story: it was equally funny, sweet, cringe-, and swoon-worthy. I adored Ophelia in all her impulsive glory and Xavier (truly one of the good guys), and I felt so bad for them when pretty much every one of their well-intentioned plans went so horribly, horribly wrong. (Which made the final resolution of that convoluted mess they managed to get themselves into all the sweeter. :) )
And while I might have been gnashing my teeth a tiny bit because I would have liked Ophelia and Xavier to get together a leeeettle bit sooner, Kathryn R. Biel's writing is excellent, as always. The setup for Ophelia's initial social media debacle, for example, is just... *chef's kiss*
I don't know if there are currently any plans, but but I would really love to read more rom-coms set in this world.
I reallyreally loved this story: it was equally funny, sweet, cringe-, and swoon-worthy. I adored Ophelia in all her impulsive glory and Xavier (truly one of the good guys), and I felt so bad for them when pretty much every one of their well-intentioned plans went so horribly, horribly wrong. (Which made the final resolution of that convoluted mess they managed to get themselves into all the sweeter. :) )
And while I might have been gnashing my teeth a tiny bit because I would have liked Ophelia and Xavier to get together a leeeettle bit sooner, Kathryn R. Biel's writing is excellent, as always. The setup for Ophelia's initial social media debacle, for example, is just... *chef's kiss*
I don't know if there are currently any plans, but but I would really love to read more rom-coms set in this world.
July 27, 2022
I received this as an ARC and I couldn’t be more happy that I did! I absolutely loved this story from beginning to end. There was humor from the very beginning that actually had me laughing out loud at some points. I grew up playing soccer and my family and I are still soccer fanatics, so added the romance in with the comedy and the sports talk kept me interested the whole time. Don’t let the sports thing not make you read this though because it hardly has any true sporting events. It’s part of the plot yes but it’s the romance and comedy that takes over in this story. Also it was pretty awesome seeing the author talk about Avon Old Farms as I literally live ten minutes from there. This book seriously has me saying that I will absolutely read anything that this author writes! Great writing Kathryn Biel, bravo!
July 27, 2022
Received an ARC copy for honest review.
I really enjoyed this book as a whole. It is a fun RomCom read with a little spice. It is a slow burn which I don’t usually mind but in this case I wish things moved along just a little quicker. I love the dual point of views that allow us to understand and get to know both Xavier and Ophelia from their perspective. You have the athlete and the social media influencer/hopeless romantic. Each with their own issues and situations to navigate through. Circumstances continue to bring them together. They are opposites in many ways but as they say, opposites attract. This book was overall easy to read and very enjoyable.
I really enjoyed this book as a whole. It is a fun RomCom read with a little spice. It is a slow burn which I don’t usually mind but in this case I wish things moved along just a little quicker. I love the dual point of views that allow us to understand and get to know both Xavier and Ophelia from their perspective. You have the athlete and the social media influencer/hopeless romantic. Each with their own issues and situations to navigate through. Circumstances continue to bring them together. They are opposites in many ways but as they say, opposites attract. This book was overall easy to read and very enjoyable.
July 24, 2022
I got to read XOXO as an ARC for my honest review
Ophelia - what could go wrong with a surprise trip to see you boyfriend and put it all on social
Xavier - playing soccer in America because you can't in England. Your career is about to be over until your agent comes up with an idea.
A marriage to a stranger.... what could go wrong?
I loved reading this, i felt like I was listening (even though I was reading lol) to a friend telling me her story. With everything going on with covid you could feel like this was something happening in the real world.
Xoxo won't disappoint! Laugh out load, cry, smile with ophelia and Xavier, rooting for them all they way!
Ophelia - what could go wrong with a surprise trip to see you boyfriend and put it all on social
Xavier - playing soccer in America because you can't in England. Your career is about to be over until your agent comes up with an idea.
A marriage to a stranger.... what could go wrong?
I loved reading this, i felt like I was listening (even though I was reading lol) to a friend telling me her story. With everything going on with covid you could feel like this was something happening in the real world.
Xoxo won't disappoint! Laugh out load, cry, smile with ophelia and Xavier, rooting for them all they way!
July 23, 2022
This is a very sweet book, has a corky romantic female lead, and a male lead to make your mouth water! Interesting and different take on modern romance in the modern era of social media. If you like main characters that will keep you guessing what their reaction is going to be and want a HEA this is the book for you.
August 1, 2022
Laugh-out-loud funny, emotional read!
Author Kathryn Biel scored a game winning goal with this book! Ophelia Finnegan, hopeless romantic, accountant, and aspiring author, gets humiliated after going viral on social media for all of the wrong reasons. Xavier Henry, a British soccer player playing in the United States, is grasping at straws to save a career playing the game he loves. The two meet under the strangest of circumstances when Xavier films Ophelia’s grand gesture for boyfriend Trent for ClikClak. Turns out Trent the Tosser is a cheating loser, but it takes the whole world berating Ophelia online for her to even realize it. Ophelia then turns to ClikClak asking for followers to find the love of her life. After two terrible dates, Ophelia feels like giving up. Ophelia and Xavier connect via social media and begin conversing about their personal troubles. This leads to a drunken FaceTime call that ends with Ophelia offering to marry Xavier in a marriage of convenience to save his career. There are plenty of ups and downs, but Ophelia and Xavier get their happily ever after, XOXO
This book made me laugh and cry (happy and sad tears). I can’t wait to read more of Kathryn’s work.
Author Kathryn Biel scored a game winning goal with this book! Ophelia Finnegan, hopeless romantic, accountant, and aspiring author, gets humiliated after going viral on social media for all of the wrong reasons. Xavier Henry, a British soccer player playing in the United States, is grasping at straws to save a career playing the game he loves. The two meet under the strangest of circumstances when Xavier films Ophelia’s grand gesture for boyfriend Trent for ClikClak. Turns out Trent the Tosser is a cheating loser, but it takes the whole world berating Ophelia online for her to even realize it. Ophelia then turns to ClikClak asking for followers to find the love of her life. After two terrible dates, Ophelia feels like giving up. Ophelia and Xavier connect via social media and begin conversing about their personal troubles. This leads to a drunken FaceTime call that ends with Ophelia offering to marry Xavier in a marriage of convenience to save his career. There are plenty of ups and downs, but Ophelia and Xavier get their happily ever after, XOXO
This book made me laugh and cry (happy and sad tears). I can’t wait to read more of Kathryn’s work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 29, 2022This medium spice romantic comedy contains adult language and adult situations, including fade-to-black love scenes. For your consideration, there are mentions of drug use, drunk driving, inappropriate exposure, and fear of birds.
August 2, 2022
I was an ARC reader for this book and I am so glad thar I did. I absolutely loved the main characters and thought the story flowed well and kept me interested the whole time. I would definitely recommend reading!
August 6, 2022
This is my favorite book of the summer. I hardcore relate to Ophelia in multiple ways and am pretty much in love with Xavier. There were times where Xavier was annoying (dude, why does it just have to be a business arrangement, y'all are married - enjoy it) but overall he seems like a truly good human. I think this was probably the most relatable to me of any of the books I've read this year, even with the fake relationship and the whole pro athlete factor. I highly recommend this one.
July 28, 2025
Pros:
There are definitely cute parts and some character growth moments to enjoy in this romcom. Lots of miscommunication and popular tropes.
Cons:
I don’t feel like this is a book I will remember in a month or maybe even a week. It isn’t poorly done, it just feels like so many others.
There are definitely cute parts and some character growth moments to enjoy in this romcom. Lots of miscommunication and popular tropes.
Cons:
I don’t feel like this is a book I will remember in a month or maybe even a week. It isn’t poorly done, it just feels like so many others.
July 19, 2022
If you love crazy erratic females and strong males that love them just they way they are then this should be your next read! ❤️ I can’t even begin to say how much this book made me laugh! It was exactly what I needed right now. The characters were very well written and absolutely relatable! I highly recommend this book and will now go delve into other books that Kathryn R. Biel has written.
July 23, 2022
Excellent and endearing story.. I loved it and can’t wait to read it again!
July 24, 2022
I will add a more in-depth review later, but I love the author's writing style and the humor in the book had me in stitches. I've already told my friends to definitely add this book to their tbr
July 27, 2022
I received and advanced copy to review and I have to say it just became my favorite book this year. It was so cute and absolutely hilarious!!! This is the first book of hers I read and now I will grabbing her other ones.
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