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Love Buzz
A chance romantic encounter during a wild night at a Mardi Gras bachelorette party sends strait-laced Serena Khan’s carefully constructed life into chaos.
A wretched maid of honor. A hangover from hell. Raucous Mardi Gras crowds. There isn’t much Serena Khan is enjoying about this four-day New Orleans destination bachelorette party for her semi-estranged cousin, the bride-to-be—until sparks fly with a handsome stranger, who, like her, is also from Seattle. After their conversation is cut short, Serena is overwhelmed by the desire to find the charming man with the brooding eyebrows, but her list of clues is pretty short:
His name is Julian.
He lives on Chamber Hill.
He works at a tech company.
He loves Lil Wayne and Nirvana.
The need to find him is, for Serena, both irresistible and totally irrational. In a few short weeks, her college alumni magazine is featuring her in a “Life at Thirty” feature, cementing her as a success story. She will have officially achieved the safe, stable life her late mother insisted upon. Julian is not part of the plan.
As she combs Seattle for her New Orleans flame, stripping away the perfectly curated life that would have made her mother proud, Serena must decide if the pursuit of real passion is worth it—and fast, before she destroys the life she always thought she wanted.
A wretched maid of honor. A hangover from hell. Raucous Mardi Gras crowds. There isn’t much Serena Khan is enjoying about this four-day New Orleans destination bachelorette party for her semi-estranged cousin, the bride-to-be—until sparks fly with a handsome stranger, who, like her, is also from Seattle. After their conversation is cut short, Serena is overwhelmed by the desire to find the charming man with the brooding eyebrows, but her list of clues is pretty short:
His name is Julian.
He lives on Chamber Hill.
He works at a tech company.
He loves Lil Wayne and Nirvana.
The need to find him is, for Serena, both irresistible and totally irrational. In a few short weeks, her college alumni magazine is featuring her in a “Life at Thirty” feature, cementing her as a success story. She will have officially achieved the safe, stable life her late mother insisted upon. Julian is not part of the plan.
As she combs Seattle for her New Orleans flame, stripping away the perfectly curated life that would have made her mother proud, Serena must decide if the pursuit of real passion is worth it—and fast, before she destroys the life she always thought she wanted.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2023
141 people are currently reading
28402 people want to read
About the author
Neely Tubati Alexander
3 books375 followersNeely Tubati Alexander is originally from the Pacific Northwest and resides in Arizona with her husband and two children. Her debut novel, LOVE BUZZ, won the Zibby Award for Best Beach Read and was hailed by Good Morning America as "the perfect escapist read...absolutely delightful." Her books have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Elle, and Nerd Daily, with starred reviews of her work from Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and Kirkus. Booklist declared her "an exciting new romance writer."
Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neelyalexan...
Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neelyalexan...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 621 reviews
January 4, 2023
From the first chapter, this book sizzled with the kind of knowing that it was going to be a good one. Neely's voice is fun and playful while the heroine goes through a journey of following her gut about what she really wants out of life. I am a huge fan of that message but honestly even more, this book is just plain FUN, and those two reasons together are why I love these kind of books. Because they can be meaningful and have that sizzle of joy to them. It straddles the line between Serena's emotional/life journey and her romance, and for me personally? That's my favorite line to walk.
April 9, 2023
3.5⭐️Love Buzz is Neely Tubati Alexander’s debut and is perfect if you are looking for a women’s fiction read with a side romance storyline.
Synopsis: Serena Khan spent her 20s staying within her comfort zone. From her secure job, stable boyfriend and growing savings account, she knows she will be making her late mother proud. However, after a bachelorette trip to New Orleans leads to a run-in with a guy who she believes is her soulmate, Serena begins to reexamine the choices she has made and where she wants to be at 30. With this new mindset, will Serena finally find the happiness she is looking for or will her life end up in ruin?
Thoughts: There was a lot I enjoyed in the story. As a soon to be thirty-year-old, I appreciated the themes of finding what makes you happy, knowing it is never to late to change your career path and following your heart. Serena is definitely a main character a lot will relate to, as she has real struggles, makes mistakes and has those crying breakdown like we all do. What did not work for me as much as I hoped was the plot itself. I really struggle with the idea that you can meet someone for 15 minutes and know right away they are the love of your life. I also would not have that mindset while dating someone else, but again this may just be a me thing. There was also not as much romance as I wished. At the end, we learn how AMAZING Julian is, and while I know so much of the story was about self-discovery, I would have loved to have some chapters at the end that focused on their relationship since Serena was thinking about Julian the entirety of the book. Still, this is one I would recommend to read!!
Read if you like:
-Women’s fiction with a side romance storyline
-Strong character growth and self-discovery
-Stories about finding your soulmate
-Chemistry-based relationships
-Adorable meet-cutes
-Nola and Seattle settings
-Nirvana
Thank you Harper Perennial for the ARC. Pub date 5/2/23
Synopsis: Serena Khan spent her 20s staying within her comfort zone. From her secure job, stable boyfriend and growing savings account, she knows she will be making her late mother proud. However, after a bachelorette trip to New Orleans leads to a run-in with a guy who she believes is her soulmate, Serena begins to reexamine the choices she has made and where she wants to be at 30. With this new mindset, will Serena finally find the happiness she is looking for or will her life end up in ruin?
Thoughts: There was a lot I enjoyed in the story. As a soon to be thirty-year-old, I appreciated the themes of finding what makes you happy, knowing it is never to late to change your career path and following your heart. Serena is definitely a main character a lot will relate to, as she has real struggles, makes mistakes and has those crying breakdown like we all do. What did not work for me as much as I hoped was the plot itself. I really struggle with the idea that you can meet someone for 15 minutes and know right away they are the love of your life. I also would not have that mindset while dating someone else, but again this may just be a me thing. There was also not as much romance as I wished. At the end, we learn how AMAZING Julian is, and while I know so much of the story was about self-discovery, I would have loved to have some chapters at the end that focused on their relationship since Serena was thinking about Julian the entirety of the book. Still, this is one I would recommend to read!!
Read if you like:
-Women’s fiction with a side romance storyline
-Strong character growth and self-discovery
-Stories about finding your soulmate
-Chemistry-based relationships
-Adorable meet-cutes
-Nola and Seattle settings
-Nirvana
Thank you Harper Perennial for the ARC. Pub date 5/2/23
May 24, 2023
So fun! This was a delightful women's fiction book sprinkled with some romance. More to come!
January 19, 2024
Do you enjoy books set around where you live?
I do! If, and only if, the author has done their research or lived here themselves – otherwise I get too annoyed lol.
Once chance encounter, at her cousins bachelorette party in New Orleans, throws Serena’s carefully laid out life for a loop, but that’s all it took. Love at first sight is real, as Serena quickly learned. She’s shocked to find out that her new love interest, is not only utterly handsome, but lives in the same commuting area as her. But, before she has to get his contact information she is forced to leave.
Now back home, she can’t get over him and struggles picking up her life. Suddenly everything seems out of whack and she begins to realize that she is looking for her true passion. Will she be able to figure this all out, and find her mystery man, before her life ends up in total ruin?
This was a fun romantic debut, and it left me wanting more from this author. I do think the pacing was a little slow for my liking. While this book was supposed to be a romance, it was all chemistry based, and even then, it was mainly Serena looking for her partner. It was like a one-sided romance, while Serena had a coming-of-age story. I think I would have enjoyed this one more if Serena would have met her partner way sooner and figured her life out in the meantime. To me this is more of a women’s fiction novel with a flair of romance. This one was a solid read for me and I would still recommend it however, just know what you’re getting into.
This one is out May 2nd.
Thank you to the publisher, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, Harper Paperbacks, @harperperennial, Netgalley, @netgalley, and the author, for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I do! If, and only if, the author has done their research or lived here themselves – otherwise I get too annoyed lol.
Once chance encounter, at her cousins bachelorette party in New Orleans, throws Serena’s carefully laid out life for a loop, but that’s all it took. Love at first sight is real, as Serena quickly learned. She’s shocked to find out that her new love interest, is not only utterly handsome, but lives in the same commuting area as her. But, before she has to get his contact information she is forced to leave.
Now back home, she can’t get over him and struggles picking up her life. Suddenly everything seems out of whack and she begins to realize that she is looking for her true passion. Will she be able to figure this all out, and find her mystery man, before her life ends up in total ruin?
This was a fun romantic debut, and it left me wanting more from this author. I do think the pacing was a little slow for my liking. While this book was supposed to be a romance, it was all chemistry based, and even then, it was mainly Serena looking for her partner. It was like a one-sided romance, while Serena had a coming-of-age story. I think I would have enjoyed this one more if Serena would have met her partner way sooner and figured her life out in the meantime. To me this is more of a women’s fiction novel with a flair of romance. This one was a solid read for me and I would still recommend it however, just know what you’re getting into.
This one is out May 2nd.
Thank you to the publisher, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, Harper Paperbacks, @harperperennial, Netgalley, @netgalley, and the author, for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2023
The central message of this book is a beautiful and important one. Self-love and personal discovery is messy, but so worth it. And I think had this book been marketed as a contemporary rather than a romance, it would’ve prepared readers more for what type of story it actually is. But all of that aside, I could NOT get behind the absurdity of the plot and the main character’s immature and sometimes even bratty behavior. She blows up her life for a man she talked to for 20 minutes? The fact that we’re supposed to be rooting for such an unlikable and grating character is WILD to me.
March 21, 2023
This was hands down a phenomenal debut. This book takes on life, grief, and hope. Neely Tubati Alexander writes a book that will captivate your soul. I put myself into the characters' shoes and felt the emotions that she went through. I am the same age as the character in this novel, and i myself dont have my life figured out yet, and it's a very relatible experience i had with the character. This might be one of my favorite novels of the year.
February 1, 2023
I really loved this debut novel from Neely, and truly look forward to more of her work! The main character Serena was so lovable and relatable, tugging at that part of all of us that at one time or another feels so lost. I loved following her through what was such a long grief journey, proving there is no timeline for healing, love, and even success. A funny, heart tugging, romance that you won’t want to put down.
May 25, 2023
This was perfect. That’s all.
A chance romantic encounter during a wild night at a Mardi Gras bachelorette party sends strait-laced Serena Khan’s carefully constructed life into chaos.
I love, love finding amazing debut novels and, friends, LOVE BUZZ is a winner! I adored everything about this witty, flirty story of self-discovery, with a side of romance. Serena was a lovable main character, going through the motions in her carefully planned and constructed life. But, I became her biggest cheerleader as she changed course to discover her passions and began to live the life she truly wanted. I think this story will appeal to a wide range of readers and is the perfect book to pack in your beach bag or carry-on! 5 ⭐️
A chance romantic encounter during a wild night at a Mardi Gras bachelorette party sends strait-laced Serena Khan’s carefully constructed life into chaos.
I love, love finding amazing debut novels and, friends, LOVE BUZZ is a winner! I adored everything about this witty, flirty story of self-discovery, with a side of romance. Serena was a lovable main character, going through the motions in her carefully planned and constructed life. But, I became her biggest cheerleader as she changed course to discover her passions and began to live the life she truly wanted. I think this story will appeal to a wide range of readers and is the perfect book to pack in your beach bag or carry-on! 5 ⭐️
November 16, 2022
Neely Tubati Alexander writes warm, relatable characters who have real struggles, make mistakes and try to find their joy. The settings are memorable, the dialogue is snappy, and the tone is light-hearted and fun. She leaves enough hints that you are pulled into wanting to know what happens and her reveals are clever and unexpected. As soon as I started reading, I was rooting for Serena and was delighted by the twists and turns her journey took.
April 13, 2023
Okay, this was a cute one. I love the opening banter between Julian and Serena. Funny engaging chatter is my kryptonite when it comes to romance and Neely Tubati Alexander delivers it! This really isn't a traditional romance, more a self-discovery read about a woman who needs to take a good hard look at herself and what she truly wants in all facets of her life. Here's hoping Alexander will revisit this world and what transpires after Love Buzz ends. We can only hope.
~Tanja
*ARC provided by the publisher
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~Tanja
*ARC provided by the publisher
Follow me on
✿KTBookReviews✿Instagram✿Twitter✿Facebook✿TikTok
May 3, 2023
I went in thinking this was a romance book based on the title and the summary, but it definitely isn’t. I felt really disappointed because I kept expecting a rom com but it didn’t happen. I think that expectation definitely clouded my enjoyment of this.
I found Serena to be really childish for her age and not relatable. The lengths she goes to to find a stranger were extreme and the fact that her friends just supported it was confusing. I also found how she blew up her life to again be extreme. All of this made Serena come off as a stereotype for a messy 20 year old and it rubbed me the wrong way.
Overall, this one was a miss for me despite my high hopes.
Thank you @harpercollins for the ARC.
I found Serena to be really childish for her age and not relatable. The lengths she goes to to find a stranger were extreme and the fact that her friends just supported it was confusing. I also found how she blew up her life to again be extreme. All of this made Serena come off as a stereotype for a messy 20 year old and it rubbed me the wrong way.
Overall, this one was a miss for me despite my high hopes.
Thank you @harpercollins for the ARC.
March 15, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
Thank you to the Harper Collins Perennial for sending me an ARC copy of this #ownvoices debut book from Neely Tubati Alexander!
I was so intrigued by the premise for this book: a woman falls for a complete stranger during Mardi Gras while she's there for a bachelorette party. The instant connection between Serena and Julian leaves Serena wondering 'what if' long after she returns home. But the only info she has about Julian is his name and that he also lives and works in Seattle like her.
Part mid-life crisis story, part romance, this was a bit of a rocky read for me. I enjoyed the start and the end but struggled a bit through the middle. There was also a mistaken identity third act mix-up I didn't love but I did enjoy when the POV switched from Serena to Julian in the last part of the book.
Overall still an entertaining read and worth sticking out til the end. I liked the audio narration by Deepa Samuel too. Recommended for fans of 30 things I love about myself by Radhika Sanghani. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for what this debut author writes next. Many thanks also to NetGalley for an early digital and audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to the Harper Collins Perennial for sending me an ARC copy of this #ownvoices debut book from Neely Tubati Alexander!
I was so intrigued by the premise for this book: a woman falls for a complete stranger during Mardi Gras while she's there for a bachelorette party. The instant connection between Serena and Julian leaves Serena wondering 'what if' long after she returns home. But the only info she has about Julian is his name and that he also lives and works in Seattle like her.
Part mid-life crisis story, part romance, this was a bit of a rocky read for me. I enjoyed the start and the end but struggled a bit through the middle. There was also a mistaken identity third act mix-up I didn't love but I did enjoy when the POV switched from Serena to Julian in the last part of the book.
Overall still an entertaining read and worth sticking out til the end. I liked the audio narration by Deepa Samuel too. Recommended for fans of 30 things I love about myself by Radhika Sanghani. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for what this debut author writes next. Many thanks also to NetGalley for an early digital and audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
April 19, 2023
LOVE BUZZ was such an amazing debut!! I really enjoyed it and am for sure going to be looking forward to more by Neely Tubati Alexander.
LOVE BUZZ was a unique romance/women's fiction story that centers around Serena, who just went to her cousin's bachelorette party in New Orleans and met someone named Julian and they both happen to be from Seattle. Serena & Julian have to part ways quickly in NOLA and aren't able to exchange numbers. When Serena gets back to Seattle, she decides that the life she is living may not be what she wants. She starts a quest to find Julian and I so enjoyed coming along with her on her journey. There were tons of music references - Nirvana, Lil Wayne & more - and the wedding scenes had me absolutely laughing my butt off. The characters were so likable and I loooooved what Odette & Clarence brought the book!
It was a sweet and warmhearted debut that is also laced with grief and how different people handle it. I felt like it wasn't overly "romcom"-ish and felt more like women's fiction than romance but it didn't take away from the story for me. A big thank you to Harper Books for my ARC & finished copy of LOVE BUZZ!
Quick thoughts:
-debut novel/author
-romance + women's fiction
-west coast setting
-fun and flirty but also laced with heavy topics
LOVE BUZZ was a unique romance/women's fiction story that centers around Serena, who just went to her cousin's bachelorette party in New Orleans and met someone named Julian and they both happen to be from Seattle. Serena & Julian have to part ways quickly in NOLA and aren't able to exchange numbers. When Serena gets back to Seattle, she decides that the life she is living may not be what she wants. She starts a quest to find Julian and I so enjoyed coming along with her on her journey. There were tons of music references - Nirvana, Lil Wayne & more - and the wedding scenes had me absolutely laughing my butt off. The characters were so likable and I loooooved what Odette & Clarence brought the book!
It was a sweet and warmhearted debut that is also laced with grief and how different people handle it. I felt like it wasn't overly "romcom"-ish and felt more like women's fiction than romance but it didn't take away from the story for me. A big thank you to Harper Books for my ARC & finished copy of LOVE BUZZ!
Quick thoughts:
-debut novel/author
-romance + women's fiction
-west coast setting
-fun and flirty but also laced with heavy topics
March 9, 2023
Wow, what a debut novel! I really loved this. There was so much more to this book than I realized. A girl who realizes she doesn’t really know what she wants out of life and meeting one man changes everything for her. Serena meets the man of her dreams in a dingy bar during Mardi Gras in New Orleans who she finds out lives in very close proximity to her across the country. That one night changed her whole life and started a chain of events that would ultimately bring her to happiness. What I loved most about this book is that it started out as a typical meet cute story, but her love interest who makes her question everything about her life doesn’t even come back into the book until closer to the end. She makes a series of brave choices and we see how they all play out throughout the book. Meeting Julian made her look within her self to really determine who and what she values. A beautiful story and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thank you to Net Galley & the publishing company for the advanced copy of this book.
Thank you to Net Galley & the publishing company for the advanced copy of this book.
dnf
June 10, 2023dnf at 48%
i just lost all interest to be completely honest
i just lost all interest to be completely honest
May 2, 2023
This debut novel was a great book. It's a coming of age story for a woman who is turning 30 and questioning everything about her life. She's trying to find a path in life that will make her happy and fulfilled and help her learn to love herself. There's some romance, a bit of mystery plus a lot of laughs as she takes life head-on.
Serena is about to turn 30. She's lived her 20s being comfortable with her life - she's an accountant because that's what she promised her mother before she died, her boyfriend is comfortable but there are no sparks left between then. When she meets Julian at a bar in New Orleans during a destination bachelorette party, she feels an instant connection and a lot of lust. She is thrilled when she finds out he also lives in Seattle. Their evening ends quickly and they leave without exchanging numbers. When she returns home, all she can think about is Julian. She has no idea how to find him but tries to find him on social media and by walking around his neighborhood. Her search causes her to question her relationship with her long term boyfriend. Are they in love with each other or are they just a comfortable habit? She then begins to question her career - does she really want to be an accountant taking care of rich people and their taxes or is there a job out in the world that will make her more fulfilled? She has to decide quickly whether to continue to pursue passion in her life before she manages to destroy the life that she always thought she wanted. Will she continue on her safe path in life - one that her mom wished for, or will she throw away her comfort to find the life that is fulfilling?
This book had some really great characters. Even though I'm much older than Serena was, I could totally understand pursing a path in life that makes you happy and fulfilled. She had some great friends and managed to get into some humorous situations thanks to their 'help' like when they signed her up for a dating site and she went on several dates with total losers. It's a fun story full of sarcasm from Serena and a lot of laughs while she faces the big changes in her life. After reading this debut, I look forward to future books from this author.
Serena is about to turn 30. She's lived her 20s being comfortable with her life - she's an accountant because that's what she promised her mother before she died, her boyfriend is comfortable but there are no sparks left between then. When she meets Julian at a bar in New Orleans during a destination bachelorette party, she feels an instant connection and a lot of lust. She is thrilled when she finds out he also lives in Seattle. Their evening ends quickly and they leave without exchanging numbers. When she returns home, all she can think about is Julian. She has no idea how to find him but tries to find him on social media and by walking around his neighborhood. Her search causes her to question her relationship with her long term boyfriend. Are they in love with each other or are they just a comfortable habit? She then begins to question her career - does she really want to be an accountant taking care of rich people and their taxes or is there a job out in the world that will make her more fulfilled? She has to decide quickly whether to continue to pursue passion in her life before she manages to destroy the life that she always thought she wanted. Will she continue on her safe path in life - one that her mom wished for, or will she throw away her comfort to find the life that is fulfilling?
This book had some really great characters. Even though I'm much older than Serena was, I could totally understand pursing a path in life that makes you happy and fulfilled. She had some great friends and managed to get into some humorous situations thanks to their 'help' like when they signed her up for a dating site and she went on several dates with total losers. It's a fun story full of sarcasm from Serena and a lot of laughs while she faces the big changes in her life. After reading this debut, I look forward to future books from this author.
April 23, 2023
Warning: this book is not a romcom, not really anyway. I found little to be comedic and though the main character is searching for romance throughout, there is no actual romance to be had until the last 10% of the book. Had I known that, I think this review might've been very different.
Serena is at her estranged cousin's bachelorette party in New Orleans. They used to be close but haven't been since Serena's mom passed, so she doesn't feel compelled to partake in the drinking/ dancing on bars with her cousin's friends. At the last bar they visit she strikes up a conversation with a handsome stranger, Julian, but before they can exchange information he's whisked away to deal with a crisis with his own friends and she leaves before he returns.
She can't stop thinking about him though. She'd never felt this way about anyone before, never believed in love at first sight. She regales her airplane seatmate, Odette, with her encounter and is promptly encouraged to find him (and of course report back to Odette). She doesn't tell Odette that she currently has a boyfriend, one with whom marriage is on the horizon. Well it was anyway. All she can think about is finding Julian with the little information she has of him and somehow she manages to upend her entire life in her pursuit of true love.
*SPOILER ALERT*
I don't really think this review spoils much but I wasn't quite sure so here's a warning just in case.
Right off the bat I felt this undertone of negativity in Serena's voice and perspective. The entire story is predicated on her bumping into this guy and then trying to find him again. She's desperately searching but they don't even find each other until the last chapters of the novel, so it's hardly a love story. It's a story of finding oneself, being true to your own passions instead of trying to please those around you. It's about the journey to self fulfillment, being able to trust yourself and let go of preconceived notions of how life should be and where ur place in it should be by now.
Which is a really nice lesson in theory but...
I understand the sentiment of her having "slept" thru her life making safe choices, and that meeting this guy (the one time for 15 minutes) opened her eyes to feelings she didn't know she could have, waking her up to life so to speak, but it didn't work for me. The tone made it not enjoyable to read, it was largely unrealistic and I didn't particularly care for her. Not finding a character to be likeable is always problematic for me.
One thing that bothered me immensely was when Serena happened to be on the phone with Odette and all of a sudden heard a knock on the door to find Odette standing there. Odette just showed up to her apartment to visit without any notice. She just happened to find her address online🙄🤔 . So Serena can't find a guy for almost the entirety of this novel, the better part of a year maybe? but a stranger from an airplane can show up at her door without notice, conveniently at the exact time she's needed, and crash at her place no less. Okay.
I'm not sure why my disdain has such heat behind it, maybe it's because my annoyance reaches high levels when I find life in a novel to be wholly unrealistic when it's masquerading as a true to life story. Maybe the hopelessness in Serena just hit a nerve I wasn't expecting it to. Or maybe it's because of all the "buzz" surrounding this book and the high hopes that I had. Maybe it just lacked the romcom-ness I was promised and had it been categorized properly I'd be here singing it's praises. Who knows.
I think I am the only one who feels this way though, all the other reviews I've read were 4 stars and up so take mine with a grain of salt 🤷🏻♀️
Serena is at her estranged cousin's bachelorette party in New Orleans. They used to be close but haven't been since Serena's mom passed, so she doesn't feel compelled to partake in the drinking/ dancing on bars with her cousin's friends. At the last bar they visit she strikes up a conversation with a handsome stranger, Julian, but before they can exchange information he's whisked away to deal with a crisis with his own friends and she leaves before he returns.
She can't stop thinking about him though. She'd never felt this way about anyone before, never believed in love at first sight. She regales her airplane seatmate, Odette, with her encounter and is promptly encouraged to find him (and of course report back to Odette). She doesn't tell Odette that she currently has a boyfriend, one with whom marriage is on the horizon. Well it was anyway. All she can think about is finding Julian with the little information she has of him and somehow she manages to upend her entire life in her pursuit of true love.
*SPOILER ALERT*
I don't really think this review spoils much but I wasn't quite sure so here's a warning just in case.
Right off the bat I felt this undertone of negativity in Serena's voice and perspective. The entire story is predicated on her bumping into this guy and then trying to find him again. She's desperately searching but they don't even find each other until the last chapters of the novel, so it's hardly a love story. It's a story of finding oneself, being true to your own passions instead of trying to please those around you. It's about the journey to self fulfillment, being able to trust yourself and let go of preconceived notions of how life should be and where ur place in it should be by now.
Which is a really nice lesson in theory but...
I understand the sentiment of her having "slept" thru her life making safe choices, and that meeting this guy (the one time for 15 minutes) opened her eyes to feelings she didn't know she could have, waking her up to life so to speak, but it didn't work for me. The tone made it not enjoyable to read, it was largely unrealistic and I didn't particularly care for her. Not finding a character to be likeable is always problematic for me.
One thing that bothered me immensely was when Serena happened to be on the phone with Odette and all of a sudden heard a knock on the door to find Odette standing there. Odette just showed up to her apartment to visit without any notice. She just happened to find her address online🙄🤔 . So Serena can't find a guy for almost the entirety of this novel, the better part of a year maybe? but a stranger from an airplane can show up at her door without notice, conveniently at the exact time she's needed, and crash at her place no less. Okay.
I'm not sure why my disdain has such heat behind it, maybe it's because my annoyance reaches high levels when I find life in a novel to be wholly unrealistic when it's masquerading as a true to life story. Maybe the hopelessness in Serena just hit a nerve I wasn't expecting it to. Or maybe it's because of all the "buzz" surrounding this book and the high hopes that I had. Maybe it just lacked the romcom-ness I was promised and had it been categorized properly I'd be here singing it's praises. Who knows.
I think I am the only one who feels this way though, all the other reviews I've read were 4 stars and up so take mine with a grain of salt 🤷🏻♀️
April 17, 2023
[arc review]
Thank you to Harper Perennial for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Love Buzz releases May 2, 2023
Serena and Julian meet in New Orleans during Mardi Gras on their last night. Serena is there for her cousin’s bachelorette party, and Julian is celebrating his friend’s birthday. It just so happens that they both live in Seattle.
Their scenario presents itself as a love at first sight/the one that got away (at least from Serena’s one-sided perspective).
This seemed cute at first until I was made aware that the whole time Serena was daydreaming of and heavily pining after Julian, she was in an existing committed relationship. That really rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t care if nothing physical happened, emotional cheating is still a thing, and is gross behaviour that I don’t tolerate.
Even during the dinner with her boyfriend the first day back from her trip, Serena internally vocalizes things like “why does the idea of going on vacation with my boyfriend make me feel like I’d be cheating on Julian?” and “I continue having to remind myself that I do, in fact, have a boyfriend.”
I just can’t fathom the drastic 180 actions shown here. Serena and Julian talked for all of maybe 30 minutes, and that was enough for her to completely upend her life by quitting her secure job of 8 years, and breaking up with her boyfriend, whom she had no qualms about marrying just one week prior.
The extremely detailed sex dream Serena had involving Julian on the night she broke up with her boyfriend was straight up cringey.
This read like a post quarter life crisis with an obsessive woman and solidifies why love at first sight is not a thing. Lust maybe, but love? Girl you don’t even know him!
I wish this dived deeper into the familial bonds between Serena and Carol, and what it’s like working through grief as a 22 year old trying to get her life together with the added burden of living up to the expectations of poc parents who work so hard to give their children a chance at a future (because trust me, I know what that’s like).
Julian was not developed enough as a character to be convincing and it was more like this fantastical idea that hinged upon him being perfect and The One. I would have rather read a strictly womens fic novel without the romance since there were already strong points tied with Tatianna and Sadie.
Thank you to Harper Perennial for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Love Buzz releases May 2, 2023
Serena and Julian meet in New Orleans during Mardi Gras on their last night. Serena is there for her cousin’s bachelorette party, and Julian is celebrating his friend’s birthday. It just so happens that they both live in Seattle.
Their scenario presents itself as a love at first sight/the one that got away (at least from Serena’s one-sided perspective).
This seemed cute at first until I was made aware that the whole time Serena was daydreaming of and heavily pining after Julian, she was in an existing committed relationship. That really rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t care if nothing physical happened, emotional cheating is still a thing, and is gross behaviour that I don’t tolerate.
Even during the dinner with her boyfriend the first day back from her trip, Serena internally vocalizes things like “why does the idea of going on vacation with my boyfriend make me feel like I’d be cheating on Julian?” and “I continue having to remind myself that I do, in fact, have a boyfriend.”
I just can’t fathom the drastic 180 actions shown here. Serena and Julian talked for all of maybe 30 minutes, and that was enough for her to completely upend her life by quitting her secure job of 8 years, and breaking up with her boyfriend, whom she had no qualms about marrying just one week prior.
The extremely detailed sex dream Serena had involving Julian on the night she broke up with her boyfriend was straight up cringey.
This read like a post quarter life crisis with an obsessive woman and solidifies why love at first sight is not a thing. Lust maybe, but love? Girl you don’t even know him!
I wish this dived deeper into the familial bonds between Serena and Carol, and what it’s like working through grief as a 22 year old trying to get her life together with the added burden of living up to the expectations of poc parents who work so hard to give their children a chance at a future (because trust me, I know what that’s like).
Julian was not developed enough as a character to be convincing and it was more like this fantastical idea that hinged upon him being perfect and The One. I would have rather read a strictly womens fic novel without the romance since there were already strong points tied with Tatianna and Sadie.
May 8, 2023
I absolutely loved this giveaway! What a wonderful debut novel. I loved the characters. Five pages in and I was laughing. Those nuggets of laughter caught me off guard and made the book really easy to read. I would say the one odd thing was when the perspective shifted for one chapter but it was also a nice change. I’m looking forward to what else Alexander writes! Thanks again for the giveaway!!
June 7, 2023
TITLE: LOVE BUZZ
AUTHOR: Neely Alexander
PUB DATE: 05.02.2023 Now Available
In this spectacularly enjoyable and serendipitous adventure, a chance romantic encounter during a wild night at a Mardi Gras bachelorette party sends strait-laced Serena Khan’s carefully constructed life into chaos.
Thoughts:
What an amazing debut! Congratulations to author Neely Alexander on this amazing book that gave me all the feels and so much more.
This book is a beautifully told story about a woman who comes into terms with her life, grief, love, while taking a chance at something - to live a life a bit messy and that is just okay too! I enjoyed being a part of Serena’s life as she turns a milestone in her life. Love Buzz was such a fun and enjoyable read.
AUTHOR: Neely Alexander
PUB DATE: 05.02.2023 Now Available
In this spectacularly enjoyable and serendipitous adventure, a chance romantic encounter during a wild night at a Mardi Gras bachelorette party sends strait-laced Serena Khan’s carefully constructed life into chaos.
Thoughts:
What an amazing debut! Congratulations to author Neely Alexander on this amazing book that gave me all the feels and so much more.
This book is a beautifully told story about a woman who comes into terms with her life, grief, love, while taking a chance at something - to live a life a bit messy and that is just okay too! I enjoyed being a part of Serena’s life as she turns a milestone in her life. Love Buzz was such a fun and enjoyable read.
April 14, 2023
This book is... certainly something. I would not recommend it if you're in the mood for a romance, but if you're in the mood for reading a book about someone deliberately imploding her life after meeting a man who makes her feel something for like thirty minutes, then this book is great! I used it for the Enchanted prompt for #SpringIntoLoveBingo because it definitely has the "please don't be in love with someone else / please don't have somebody waiting on you" vibe, as well as the literal "I was enchanted to meet you" vibe. And I was definitely loving the beginning. The first 19% of this book flew by. And then this woman who had worked so hard and was rapidly approaching her 30th birthday set her life on fire and it had me so alarmed.
I'm still not sure how I feel about this book as a whole because, honestly, I went through cycles of reading like I was watching a car crash about to happen and then reading in a way where I was fervently cheering for her. So I landed ultimately on 3.5 stars. Because this book was just complex in a way that I both could and could not appreciate. It might also be because I too sometimes feel like I've chosen a "safe" path, though my financial situation would definitely disagree. But regardless, I think this book has so much to offer and if you're also feeling like you're in a spot in your life where you can handle a lot of self-reflection and also grief content in your reads, I would recommend.
Oh, I also really appreciated the friendship evolution in this book. It was largely satisfying, though sometimes I felt a step too removed from being invested in the relationships. Anyway, definitely going to keep an eye on this author in the future!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC!
I'm still not sure how I feel about this book as a whole because, honestly, I went through cycles of reading like I was watching a car crash about to happen and then reading in a way where I was fervently cheering for her. So I landed ultimately on 3.5 stars. Because this book was just complex in a way that I both could and could not appreciate. It might also be because I too sometimes feel like I've chosen a "safe" path, though my financial situation would definitely disagree. But regardless, I think this book has so much to offer and if you're also feeling like you're in a spot in your life where you can handle a lot of self-reflection and also grief content in your reads, I would recommend.
Oh, I also really appreciated the friendship evolution in this book. It was largely satisfying, though sometimes I felt a step too removed from being invested in the relationships. Anyway, definitely going to keep an eye on this author in the future!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC!
April 16, 2023
2.8/5 - Saw this as a Net Galley ARC—and that the title would be inspired by my fav Nirvana cover. So let the MC’s lovepunk griping over a Mardi Gras bachelorette party commence. Lime, hip-hugging gowns are the least of it. She’s a square trying to laugh through the hangovers and stupid dicpic games. At a Bourbon St bar she meets a brunet dude in a Nirvana T to trash then ironically indulge in the beads-for-bare-chests charade. Though it’s him flashing his abs. Douchey, as they each admit, so I’m not digging how hard she immediately falls for this flake. They both happen to be from Seattle, scared of pushing 30. So funny his best friend’s name is Kurt though I wish he looked more like Cobain than a stereotypical jock.
Her sense of humor is too sarcastic/judgey to dump on a stranger, especially one who heats your cheeks. Her m&m stealing story is told w/ too much detail/poetry to come across realistic, let alone in a party setting. It also makes her unlikable being so self-righteous that’s the only bad thing she can think she’s done. Characters are supposed to be flawed in relatable—not annoying—ways. At least she realizes she should change this and her sudden obsession w/ this guy helps. When she think she spots him on the street, she wants to jump from a moving Lyft. The teenybopper flashbacks w/ her cousin Coral are cute. They’re Indian but it doesn’t come up much, especially because the main girl doesn’t have parents and was raised very modern American w/ alcohol and man-hating.
W/ lawyer friends, being an accountant and up-and-coming cover girl for her school’s alum mag, she doesn’t come across grateful at all. If that’s a failure but her biggest dreams involve a basic stranger w/ abs, that’s rather sad. Love is more important than money but the guy she wants seems so lust-based despite crying the contrary. Neither of them have much personality besides jokey arrogance. 20% in and I consider giving up but a shock saves me—“Oh yeah, I have a boyfriend!!” Hilarious. She enlists her gay best friend Clarence to help her scope out Chamber Hill for the new guy—though he weirdly doesn’t ask if they hooked up or anything. It is interesting that part of the reason she stays w/ her current, sweet but too longtime, BF is that her now-dead mother loved him. Her fixation on listing the two’s attributes does get repetitive so it’s hard not to skim, too genrey. Good upsets a third the way in. I wasn’t expecting such a vivid erotic dream but it’s done very well, not any cringey euphemisms and the buildup is super teasy. I also like how her BF never seemed like a jerk because that would make her trying to run from the relationship too easy. The unanswered nagging by her friend about who will be her plus one to the wedding is a good plot reminder/tension. I love her new interest in clothes so want that expanded. The end of part one is hilarious and suspenseful though a little too cartoony, especially her running away from the scene like a high schooler.
The website building talk really drags the last quarter and I could do with at least 30 pgs less in general. It was good that everything didn’t go 100% or even 60% smooth like I anticipated from genre romance though. 80% in, we jarringly get the guy’s POV, so that seems shoehorned in and melodramatic after the decent though predictable Life at 30 interview. Though the explanation for their Seattle “run in” is a nice twist, the POV sounds obviously written by a female author. Her cousin’s wedding at the end is heartfelt and funnier than the try-hard, raunchy old lady friend. This would make a better movie than book because it would breeze by quicker and the gags could be delivered w/ a dif spice. As everyone says, though this can be a tad sappy, it’s not a trad romance book. Just about a woman who changed her life perspective because of a crush/love.
Her sense of humor is too sarcastic/judgey to dump on a stranger, especially one who heats your cheeks. Her m&m stealing story is told w/ too much detail/poetry to come across realistic, let alone in a party setting. It also makes her unlikable being so self-righteous that’s the only bad thing she can think she’s done. Characters are supposed to be flawed in relatable—not annoying—ways. At least she realizes she should change this and her sudden obsession w/ this guy helps. When she think she spots him on the street, she wants to jump from a moving Lyft. The teenybopper flashbacks w/ her cousin Coral are cute. They’re Indian but it doesn’t come up much, especially because the main girl doesn’t have parents and was raised very modern American w/ alcohol and man-hating.
W/ lawyer friends, being an accountant and up-and-coming cover girl for her school’s alum mag, she doesn’t come across grateful at all. If that’s a failure but her biggest dreams involve a basic stranger w/ abs, that’s rather sad. Love is more important than money but the guy she wants seems so lust-based despite crying the contrary. Neither of them have much personality besides jokey arrogance. 20% in and I consider giving up but a shock saves me—“Oh yeah, I have a boyfriend!!” Hilarious. She enlists her gay best friend Clarence to help her scope out Chamber Hill for the new guy—though he weirdly doesn’t ask if they hooked up or anything. It is interesting that part of the reason she stays w/ her current, sweet but too longtime, BF is that her now-dead mother loved him. Her fixation on listing the two’s attributes does get repetitive so it’s hard not to skim, too genrey. Good upsets a third the way in. I wasn’t expecting such a vivid erotic dream but it’s done very well, not any cringey euphemisms and the buildup is super teasy. I also like how her BF never seemed like a jerk because that would make her trying to run from the relationship too easy. The unanswered nagging by her friend about who will be her plus one to the wedding is a good plot reminder/tension. I love her new interest in clothes so want that expanded. The end of part one is hilarious and suspenseful though a little too cartoony, especially her running away from the scene like a high schooler.
The website building talk really drags the last quarter and I could do with at least 30 pgs less in general. It was good that everything didn’t go 100% or even 60% smooth like I anticipated from genre romance though. 80% in, we jarringly get the guy’s POV, so that seems shoehorned in and melodramatic after the decent though predictable Life at 30 interview. Though the explanation for their Seattle “run in” is a nice twist, the POV sounds obviously written by a female author. Her cousin’s wedding at the end is heartfelt and funnier than the try-hard, raunchy old lady friend. This would make a better movie than book because it would breeze by quicker and the gags could be delivered w/ a dif spice. As everyone says, though this can be a tad sappy, it’s not a trad romance book. Just about a woman who changed her life perspective because of a crush/love.
April 27, 2023
This book was such a pleasant surprise! I connected with Serena’s character immediately and found myself alternately laughing and crying throughout as she struggled to figure out her work, family and romantic problems and find passion in her life. I really enjoyed the use of the chance encounter / love at first sight tropes and thought they were done well and felt realistic. Bonus points for the inclusion of Nirvana (one of my favorite bands) in the story. Overall this was one of my favorite debuts and I can’t wait to read what this author has in store next. 4.5/5⭐️
May 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, even if it hit a little too close to home 😅.
A touching story about an upcoming 30 year old of Indian descent, who thought she had life figured out, does not quite. Serena, the main character, goes on her own self discovery journey to find what truly makes her happy.
Odette was a favorite of mine too, so eccentric! Great debut novel.
A touching story about an upcoming 30 year old of Indian descent, who thought she had life figured out, does not quite. Serena, the main character, goes on her own self discovery journey to find what truly makes her happy.
Odette was a favorite of mine too, so eccentric! Great debut novel.
March 7, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! Serena is in New Orleans for a bachelorette party when she meets Julian. She's never felt this way after meeting someone. Suddenly they are separated and she leaves the next day. After being home she can't stop thinking about Julian and has to find him (luckily he is only 30 min away). But will she find him?
Thank you to netgalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!!
Thank you to netgalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!!
September 27, 2024
This book was super cute. It was a lot more than just your typical romance, and had themes of grief and also the things we bring into adulthood from the unknowing expectations our parents put on us as children. Well worth the read.
March 9, 2023
I received this book free from NetGalley for an honest review.
This book is delightful. Do you believe in love at first sight? Well, Serena didn't until it happened to her at a bachelorette party in New Orleans, and she couldn't find the elusive Julian.
Fun read about living your life for yourself and doing what feels right.
This book is delightful. Do you believe in love at first sight? Well, Serena didn't until it happened to her at a bachelorette party in New Orleans, and she couldn't find the elusive Julian.
Fun read about living your life for yourself and doing what feels right.
January 8, 2024
I loved this... I kept renewing it in Libby and instantly regret it. I wished I would have read it sooner. Yes there are undertones of romance but it is so much more than that... I wish it was rater higher than what it is. Serena is chasing after Julian... a guy she met while in New Orleans but they both live in close proximity. In the midst of her search, she also discovers a lot about herself. I loved that about the story. Where it was about her... her self discovery and recovery after her mothers death that she never truly surpassed. Wonderful story.
May 20, 2023
This book not only manages to fill my heart with early 2000s rom com nostalgia but is also a beautiful look at grief and family dynamics. This book is a heartfelt look at grief, love, and the power of a good meet cute.
October 17, 2023
This was a really good book and I'm beyond impressed it's a debut. It really hit home with me as the MC Serena tries to figure her whole life out as she turns 30. Because let's be honest, 30 feels like a huge milestone where your life should be completely together and that's not always the case (especially for me). It also touches on self discovery, friendship, and grief in a thoughtful way.
Thanks to Harper for the gifted copy!
Thanks to Harper for the gifted copy!
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