The Hopeless Romantic's Guide to Avoiding Love

by Jolie Harris

Love. It’s a fantasy—and she’s determined to give it up. But one more sexy fling won’t hurt… will it?

From weekends spent devouring steamy romance novels to her day job planning other people’s dream weddings, Sylvie Hanson lives for love. That all changes when her comically disastrous love life goes up in flames, forcing Sylvie to swear off lustful impulses and fairytale romance for good. So when Woods Callahan, the man of her literal dreams, seduces her at a wedding, she should chalk it up to nothing but sexual tension. Right?

After a few steamy hookups and a trip to his family’s lavish estate, Sylvie can’t help but fall fast and hard in love—hey, maybe things will work out for her this time! That is, until she finds out Woods is moving away in a matter of weeks, which will mean mending her broken heart once again.

Should Sylvie leave behind her hopeless romantic ideals and resist the irresistible Woods Callahan, or is their incredible physical connection worth one last sex-filled love affair?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction

330 pages, Paperback

Published January 2, 2023

Reviews

[Jennifer Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh and fun new voice in the world of romcom! I just loved this book, highly recommend!

[Raissa Wilkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Couldn’t put it dow

[Jamie Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love

This was an awesome read from the first page and I love the progression of the story and the characters.

[Julianna Casimiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never thought I would find a nerdy and rich jamskater with a love for space hot as hell but HERE WE ARE FOLKS! This book was absolutely adorable and I had such a fun time reading it. A little rushed with certain topics towards the end but besides that it’s a quirky ass rom-com and I can’t wait to read more of her books in the future!

[Simone Schiess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book! it was fun, flirty, dirty and filled with romance that tugged at my heart strings! the story was like a romcom in writing form and truly so entertaining. the writing was witty, well paced and creative. if you want a fun book to read that you can gobble up quickly, this is it!

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Sylvie was a hopeless romantic who was trying to change her ways. She made a promise to herself to keep it casual but things changed when she met Woods.

I liked so many things about this book, so I will start with what didn't work for me. For the most part, it was small things which is probably more a "me" thing because I am older than Sylvie. There were these really graphic overshares that would take me out of the moment. There were also a few times where I found Sylvie rushed to conclusions, but I do feel there was growth which was a positive thing. There seemed to be SO many things getting thrown in Woods and Sylvie's road to their HEA too. I kept expecting the other shoe to drop every chapter.

But they overcame it all, and I was rooting for them. I found the connection between Sylvie and Woods to be a great one. Woods was the calm in the storm for Sylvie, and she was the color in his world. I really liked them together and enjoyed seeing them grow together.

It was wonderful seeing this wonderful geek win over Sylvie. Woods kind of wore his heart on his sleeve, and there were all these little moments. He was precious, and I was glad he was able to be an anchor for Sylvie.

Overall, I found this to a fun romance. Maybe all the humor wasn't to my taste, but overall, it was an entertaining read with some depth.

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[Jade Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up The Hopeless Romantic’s Guide to Avoiding Love through the Young London Book Group and really enjoyed the fun, flirty ride it took me on. The story follows Sylvie, a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic who vows to give up love, only to find herself irresistibly drawn to Woods Callahan in all the best (and steamiest) ways.

What worked for me was how light, witty, and entertaining the story feels, perfect when you want something that’s more fun than heavy. The characters are engaging, the chemistry is strong, and the pacing kept me turning pages with a smile.

If you’re after a contemporary romance that’s flirty, heartfelt, and a bit messy in the best way, this made a great read from our club’s pick!

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

During a lively discussion in the Young London Book Group, this book quickly became a standout favorite. The Hopeless Romantic's Guide to Avoiding Love is witty, charming, and refreshingly honest. Jolie Harris has a real gift for capturing the beautiful messiness of modern romance.

The characters feel authentic, the dialogue sparkles, and the emotional beats land perfectly. It’s the kind of story that keeps you smiling while quietly tugging at your heart.

A delightful rom-com that absolutely deserved the attention it received in the group

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was mentioned during one of the Young London Book Group meetups, and it immediately grabbed my attention. Jolie Harris has this effortless way of blending humor with honest emotion, and it shows on every page.

What stood out most to me was how real the characters felt, their mistakes, awkward moments, and little victories all carried this relatable charm. It’s funny in the right places, but it also hits those softer notes that sneak up on you.

Overall, it turned out to be one of those rom-coms that leaves you smiling long after you’ve finished it.

[Samson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book became a lively topic during one of our Young London Book Group gatherings, and once I started reading, I understood why everyone had so much to say about it. Jolie Harris has this wonderful way of capturing the messy, endearing parts of being human—especially when it comes to love. The characters feel like people you’ve met before, with flaws that make them even easier to root for. It’s full of sharp humor, small heartbreaks, and moments that make you pause because they’re so honest. A genuinely heartfelt and well-crafted rom-com.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across The Hopeless Romantic’s Guide to Avoiding Love during our Young London book group meeting, and it turned out to be such a fun and charming read. It’s lighthearted, relatable, and full of the kind of humor that makes modern dating feel both ridiculous and comforting. Beyond the laughs, the story also carries a sweet emotional core that keeps you hooked.

One lesson I took from it: sometimes love finds you precisely when you’re trying your hardest to avoid it.

Grateful the Young London book group introduced me to this one.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across The Hopeless Romantic’s Guide to Avoiding Love through the Young London Book Group. It’s a sweet, funny read that follows characters trying to dodge love in all its messy forms,from awkward dates to unexpected feelings. The story made me laugh and reminded me that no matter how hard you try, love has its own timing and surprises.

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book in a book club and it looked interesting. Has anyone read 'The Hopeless Romantic's Guide to Avoiding Love' by Jolie Harris? I read it in the Young London Book Group and thought it was a fun, sexy rom, com with a relatable heroine and charming love interest. Predictable at times, but enjoyable nonetheless!

[Anne Turnley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a case of a good romance almost ruined by the heroine's anxiety. Every action scene is delayed by her ruminating on past events and her crushing lack of confidence. She often doesn't answer questions because she is so involved in her own mind she doesn't hear people.

[Abosede O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book during a Young London Book Group meeting, and I ended up loving it. Sylvie’s messy love life felt so real, and her chemistry with Woods was addictive. Fun, steamy, and very easy to get lost in.

[Daine Sundstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this through the Young London Book Group, and it was such a fun, unexpected delight! Witty, relatable, and packed with just the right mix of humor and heart. A perfect reminder that love finds you when you least expect it.

[PerfectBooksonaShelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars rounded up

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romantic comedy.

[Juliet! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this through the Young London Book Group and couldn’t put it down. A funny, sexy romance with characters that feel real and relatable. Great weekend read.

[Caitlin Boyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the story! Funny. Great character development. Like the writing style