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When Ivy Met Adam

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When I met Ali, I thought I’d won the girlfriend jackpot. She was not only tall, dark, and hot AF, but also charming, funny, and kind. We met at first-year student orientation in our dorm.

Four years later, Ali broke my heart when she determined—without consulting me—that we should go our separate ways.
“You’re going to law school and I’m going to medical school. We’ll both be so busy for the next eight years, Ivy. I don’t want to hold you back.”

Now, more than a decade of single status later, my internal alarm clock has started going off every nine minutes.

“I think I’m going to get back on the apps,” I tell my sister Iris.

The first person I match with is Adam. He’s everything I never knew I wanted: snarky, biting humor, super serious. And his photos are steamy—he’s built like a swimmer, all abs and arms. We set our first date for New Year’s Eve. (Because who's afraid of Cuffing Season?) As fate would have it, it won't even be that long before I fall into his arms... And learn we have a truly heartbreaking history.

Loosely based on the Bible story of Eve, When Ivy Met Adam is the second in a collection of biblical women’s stories retold as contemporary romance. When Ivy Met Adam is an LGBT+, dual POV, second chance, forced proximity, love-triangle standalone romance.

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2023

1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read

About the author

Jennifer J. Coldwater

5 books30 followers
The first story Jennifer J. Coldwater wrote was in a spiral-bound notebook and about a talking horse. Sadly, the notebook is long gone and she cannot corroborate this tale. There are no talking horses in her current stories. She hopes that’s not too disappointing to her readers.

Always curious, always writing, Jen wanted to find work that fed her soul. The closest she could get to a career in Curiosity and Questioning was teaching English, journalism, and creative writing at a public high school in San Diego, California in the late ‘90s.

Jen lives her life as an ally and an advocate for the Jewish people. A small sliver of that is embodied in her collection of contemporary romance novels based on the women of the Hebrew Bible. She creates diverse characters who believe love is love.

To learn more about Jen, visit https://www.jenniferjcoldwater.com/

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
Profile Image for D.L. Howe.
Author 25 books604 followers
November 16, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
🎧🎧🎧🎧

Wow!

What a cute story simply full of surprises!

Ivy is a single lawyer looking for a relationship. If she could she’d skip all the dating and go straight to the comfort of having a boyfriend or girlfriend she would.

Which is why she’s back on a dating site looking for someone to fill that spot. And that’s when she discovers Adam. They hit it off right away but because it’s the holiday season Ivy doesn’t want a boyfriend quite yet so they settle for chatting… a lot.

While hiding from her family in Hawaii Ivy discovers she’s allergic to pomegranates and I’ve never read a more adorable meet cute! Because you see Adam is a doctor and he’s the one to save her.

There’s a plot twist after that but I won’t be saying anything about that. Nope! You’re gonna have to read this little gem to discover what happens and believe me, it’s absolutely worth it. Omg! I was shocked, then I laughed before I cried.

This one is light on steam but it’s heavy on angst, adorable banter, and real life issues that our two MC’s have to maneuver before they can find their HEA.

I was gifted an audio arc for this book and I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity. This story was absolutely wonderful!
Profile Image for Jess Brady.
Author 1 book167 followers
November 4, 2023
I've found the perfect little afternoon delight!!

While I am one of the few who adores a good love triangle When Ivy Met Adam is a whole new take on a love triangle. Talk about a plot twist!!

Jennifer J. Coldwater told a story so beautifully enriched in the queer community that my heart was equal parts weepy and happy throughout this entire book.

There was not one thing I didn't love about Ivy from her quirkiness and sass even down to her love for her work and helping queer youth. And Adam, gah my heart is forever his. The love he had for Ivy from the very beginning was constant even when it didn't seem like it.

And their road to love, however bumpy was heartfelt and healing not only for them but for the reader as well. Coldwater told a story of not only finding love but of finding yourself even when it seems impossible.

CJ Bloom did a fantastic job with narration across the board!! While I am always going to be a sucker for duet/dual narration her vocal talents truly showcased Ivy and Adam individually.

Looking forward to seeing what Jennifer J. Coldwater comes out with in the future because this is one of her first books and she has no place else to go but up!

*ARC received from author in exchange for my honest review. *
Profile Image for Lillie.
401 reviews4 followers
February 9, 2024
Thank you to Jennifer J. Coldwater for sending me a copy of this audiobook in exchange for a review. I really enjoyed the representation within this story. It was definitely a short read that didn't overstay its welcome. I do wish that the miscommunication was not there, but it was done well for what it's worth. I would recommend this to anyone who's looking for a book with LGBTQ+ rep, and representation with second chance, wrong time, right person, and finding love through dating apps tropes.
Profile Image for Melissa .
717 reviews9 followers
December 31, 2023
4.5 stars

Listened to the audiobook! What a great performance by CJ Bloom!! I loved how she depicted both characters so easily. It was also very easy to differentiate between the two. I didn't expect the plot twist at all. It was done so well. Great surprise! I enjoyed the writing style. I loved the queer representation and loved how the story was a little emotional too. Overall, I enjoyed this one.

Thank you to the author for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Ella.
132 reviews8 followers
April 1, 2025
3.5 stars | ALC

When Ivy Met Adam is a short, contemporary romance with dual POV and LGBTQ+ rep. The story follows Ivy, a lawyer returning to the dating scene, and Adam, a doctor she meets through a dating app. What starts as a lighthearted connection gradually reveals deeper layers, including unexpected history and emotional tension. Loved this bit in the audiobook 🫶

Clocking in at just over five hours, the audiobook is well-paced and easy to follow. The narration was clear, engaging, and suited both characters well.

A solid pick for readers who enjoy dating app setups, and a low-heat, high-heart modern romance. 💕

ALC received in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Amanda  Mijares❣️.
131 reviews12 followers
June 21, 2023
Do you guys believe in Fate?
I definitely do!

We have our beautiful Ivy and she thought she met her love of her life in college but she ended up breaking Ivy’s heart for a reason Ivy didn’t understand or agree with.
Years pass and she hasn’t been able to find someone who connects with her on the level that her former love did. She agrees to try a dating app much to her sister’s eagerness.
Here’s come in Adam who checks all the boxes.
Adam on the other hand knew Ivy since College but never could face her but now that he is the man he’s been working towards, here’s his shot.
The unexpected happens and these two end up in the same place around the same time unknowingly but not everything is what it seems when Adam slips up information that only Ivy knows. Will this burn up in flames or will it make them stronger than ever?

Love love LOVE this book! Written beautifully! Fate has a way of showing up and bringing these two together. It’s a bit of an emotional journey for both of these MC’s. They definitely have a strong & passionate connection that’s hard to just simply forget. Come on a discovery about self love, forgiveness and learning to trust again.
Loving this series and I’m so excited to see what’s next! 🤍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
🌶️🌶️ 2/5
Profile Image for Emlynn McDermott.
Author 4 books19 followers
January 29, 2024
When Ivy Met Adam was my book club’s most recent choice—and arguably our best one yet. Coldwater excels at wordplay, and within pages her writing style had already caught me. “Hook, line, sinker. Reel. The whole boat.” The novel is a unique twist on the classic love-triangle trope. It unfolds from alternating points of view of the two main characters, Ivy and Adam. As you might imagine, the two don’t always see eye to eye, which leads to some comedic misunderstandings, but there is a lot more to this story than that. I don't want to spoil the surprise, so I'll just say the author faces heavy issues head on, but also with wit and wisdom. In doing so, she has written a novel that is at once both timely and timeless. When Ivy Met Adam should be on every thoughtful reader’s “must read” list. Five big stars!
Profile Image for Mars Rads.
487 reviews11 followers
April 16, 2025
I recently spoke with many authors about diversity in queer books and how the only LGBTQIA+ books that really sell are MM romances. It hurt because I want to see more diversity, such as lesbian, bisexual, and transgender characters portrayed so that all queer people can see themselves represented on the page. This book gave me some of what I have been looking for. It gave us bisexual characters and pansexual characters. It gave us multiple genders and showed a little more of what the world needs. I loved that Ivy was someone that didn’t define her queerness simply by who she was dating. The love of her life had been her college girlfriend but she had no problem with her attraction to Adam. Even though she had a homophobic mother, she never apologized or hid who she was. She is a lawyer that wants to use her career to help queer people where they need help. Adam was a fantastic character in my eyes and honestly, he was better than I would be. He was determined and confident. He had been through pain and trials and came out the other side someone that you couldn’t help but love. I will say that there was a point I had so much rage towards some things that I was screaming in my car with tears in my eyes. But when I thought about it from a different perspective, I was able to see things clearer. I can’t put into words what this book made me feel at times. But it was absolutely something I would read again.

I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook of this book. It was different than most of the audiobooks I listen to as this one only had one narrator, C. J. Bloom. For being the sole narrator in a book with dual POV chapters, she was able to bring both main characters to life and keep me listening to the very end. It takes talent to be able to carry a dual POV book on your own, but Bloom excelled.

This was exactly the type of book that I yearn for. There was a very minimal amount of spice, but that never took me out of the book. There were one or two close door scenes, which I usually hate but I was so deeply hooked by this book, that I didn’t mind. This is the type of book that I want to see so much more of. If I had any issue, it was that I wanted so much more and this book was fairly short. But I will take what I can get and hope others pick this up too.
Profile Image for chaitea_and_tales.
88 reviews7 followers
April 30, 2025
This is the second Jennifer J Coldman book if have had the pleasure of ALC reviewing and I was so excited to dive back into her writing.

I love Ivy and immediately found her a very relatable character. After a shocking breakup with her college girlfriend, Ivy is still putting her heart back together years later. At her sister’s encouragement (read nagging), Ivy decides to try online dating even though she doesn’t believe it will lead to anything. To her great surprise, Ivy matches with Adam and is instantly attracted to him. Against her better judgement, she finds herself hoping that maybe she will finally be able to get over her ex. But it’s never that easy, is it?

Without spoiling too much, I will say there is a HUGE plot twist I didn’t see coming and I loved it! I am obsessed with these characters, and they are still living in my mind long after I have finished the story. The prose was captivating, tender and I thought sensitively approached topics within the Queer romance world. I would absolutely recommend!

A note on the audio book: even though this is a dual POV story, only one narrator was used. I really love it when two narrators record dual POV romance novels because it brings the two different perspectives to life HOWEVER CJ Bloom did a great job of making her voice different to clearly show transitions between Ivy and Adam. Knowing what happens in the story, I wonder if this was a deliberate choice to have only one narrator for this book? If so, I like the reasoning behind it!

Read if you like:
- Dual POV romance stories
- Emotional and heart jerking stories
- Found family
- Golden retriever MMC
- He falls first

Trigger warnings:
Mentions of self-loathing and intentions of self-harm
Mention of suicide (main characters)
Homophobia
Profile Image for Lolotte_evans.
48 reviews
April 9, 2025
When Ivy Met Adam est une romance qui s’attaque à des thématiques importantes tout en restant dans un cadre léger et agréable. Ce qui m’a particulièrement frappé dans ce livre, c’est la superbe représentation queer. L’autrice réussit à dépeindre la difficulté de s’assumer dans une société qui, bien qu’elle ait fait des progrès, peine encore à accepter pleinement les personnes queer. Cette dimension de l’histoire apporte une profondeur réelle aux personnages, en particulier Ivy et Adam, qui naviguent chacun à leur manière dans leur propre quête de soi.

Cela étant dit, la romance reste le cœur du récit. La relation entre Ivy et Adam est bien développée, mais je pense que l’autrice aurait pu approfondir davantage les dilemmes internes des personnages et les conflits qui surgissent au fil de l’histoire. En effet, j’ai trouvé que le livre était un peu trop court et que la résolution des tensions était parfois trop rapide. J’aurais aimé avoir plus de temps pour explorer pleinement les dilemmes des protagonistes et voir leur relation se développer de manière plus nuancée.

Cela dit, malgré ces petites réserves, j’ai pris beaucoup de plaisir à lire ce roman. La romance est touchante et l’inclusion des enjeux liés à la représentation queer rend l’histoire encore plus pertinente. Je recommande When Ivy Met Adam à tous les amateurs de romance, surtout à ceux qui sont en quête d’une lecture à la fois divertissante et émotive.
Profile Image for Jane litherland.
4,177 reviews75 followers
May 28, 2025
Ivy was derailed when after years Ali said there relationship has now terminated ,end of the line .What like they eere at a station and she was staying in but Ali getting off? What? Apparently they were going in different directions,and that was as good as an excuse as any to turn down her affections!? Turned off like a tap ,over it’s a wrap …Crap! That’s what it is. Four years to this? Forward roll to a decade later and here she is still on the shelf feeling sorry for herself . Goes on apps and marches with Adam ,seems promising ,let me at him she thinks with a smile . Hope that this is worth her while. Not wanting to tempt fate ,she tells him . I don’t want to meet yet mate ,don’t be deceived ,it’s all above board . How about New Year’s Eve set the ball rolling into a new year? Yes why don’t you do that Ivy but she ends up getting knocked for six before she can make it as she has an allergic reaction to some fruit and being astute she’s getting some help right away. Who turns up to save the day and though he knows who she is anyway she has no idea,but looks like she’s fallen. Does he come clean,and what does she glean if he does . Lots to discuss? You might say that . But I am not about to tell their story ,just know that it’s cute and it’s well written,you’re going to be smitten so go see for yourself what you’d be missing while I’m reminiscing.
Profile Image for Shauna.
127 reviews
April 28, 2025
This story was so captivating from the very first chapter. Ivy is struggling to move on from her ex-girlfriend, Ally, only to have her world turned upside down when Ally reenters her life — now living as Adam. What follows is a deeply emotional and honest journey as Ivy navigates heartbreak, identity shifts, and the difficult process of learning to trust Adam again.

Adam’s arc was just as powerful, centered around learning that he is worthy of love — both from others and from himself. Their story is rooted in fate and second chances, exploring how love can evolve when two people are willing to see and accept each other fully.

I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job showcasing the emotion in every moment. The performance captured the pain, longing, and hope that filled Ivy and Adam’s journey, making it even more immersive.

This is a beautifully layered story about identity, healing, forgiveness, and the bravery it takes to believe in love after everything has changed. Highly recommend for readers who love emotional, character-driven second-chance romances with heart and depth.
Profile Image for Chia.
725 reviews11 followers
May 12, 2025
When Ivy Met Adam is a charming and emotionally layered romance that completely swept me off my feet. As my first book by Jennifer J. Coldwater, I wasn’t sure what to expect—but what I got was a heartwarming, beautifully told love story that pulled me in from the very first page.

Ivy and Adam are the kind of characters you root for instantly. Their chemistry is effortless, their banter is fun, and their connection feels both authentic and deeply earned. Watching their relationship grow—through vulnerability, trust, and a few well-placed surprises—was such a joy.

Coldwater’s writing is crisp and engaging, with emotional depth that never feels heavy-handed. There’s just the right balance of sweetness, angst, and hope. And the side characters? Delightfully supportive and well-drawn, making the world feel rich and lived-in.

As an ARC reader discovering this author for the first time, I can confidently say it won’t be the last. When Ivy Met Adam made me feel all the right things—and left me smiling long after I finished the final page.

Thank you Happily Booked PR for giving me a copy of this fantastic book, and thank you Jennifer for writing it.
Profile Image for Dara Wasalino Tremblay.
388 reviews54 followers
April 2, 2025
When Ivy Met Adam by Jennifer J. Coldwater is a contemporary LGBTQ+ romance that includes themes of love, identity, and second chances. The novel also delves into significant themes such as gender identity, forgiveness, and the complexities of love. The forced proximity trope is utilized effectively, allowing the characters to confront their past and present feelings.

The story centers on Ivy Gardiner, a queer human rights lawyer who, after a heart-wrenching breakup in college, is hesitant to open her heart again. Encouraged by her sister, Ivy ventures into the world of online dating, where she meets Adam Lopez. Their connection is immediate, but as their relationship deepens, Ivy finds out Adam’s former identity, which challenges her perceptions and trust. Adam's journey of self-discovery and his unwavering affection for Ivy add depth to their evolving relationship.

This book is a heartfelt exploration of love, the courage required to embrace one's true self, and new beginnings.
Profile Image for Jessica |  SweetSouthernPages.
136 reviews5 followers
April 4, 2025
When Ivy Met Adam is a fresh, heartfelt addition to the “Badass Babes of the Bible” series, blending a clever twist on a classic story with timely LGBTQIA+ representation. Centered around a compelling love triangle, the novel introduces bisexual and trans characters with depth and honesty.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is its thoughtful portrayal of a trans character’s experience before, during, and after transition. It offers an insightful and compassionate look at identity, self-discovery, and the challenges that come with navigating both personal and relational dynamics.

That said, I wish Adam’s big secret had been drawn out a little longer—it felt like a missed opportunity to build more emotional tension. Additionally, the pacing felt rushed, particularly at the beginning. A little more time to develop the world and characters early on would have elevated the story even more.

Overall, this was a bold, meaningful read with great representation and a unique concept. A solid pick for readers looking for inclusive romance.
Profile Image for Yondette.
75 reviews19 followers
April 14, 2025
It’s been a while since I’ve read an LGBTQ+ story and I’m truly in love with every part of the dialogue between Ivy & Adam. These characters are truly special.
The only reason I haven’t given it 5 stars is because I wish it was performed in dual or duet, as much as I LOVE CJ Bloom, I truly felt another voice was needed for Adam’s role.
I cannot tell you how much my heart has poured with love, for the author and for their characters. I am entirely enamoured by this story.
I’m excited to go back and read Holland, my heart. And then continue with Jennifer Coldwaters future works as they release.

This story is a retelling of sorts, of the story of Eve. I have a sordid history with The Church, myself. But have always found some sort of added connection to stories told around the church. Supporting faith as opposed to religion. Breaking the mould that the classic-hardcore religious elders bash about, and embracing things that truly matter.

I urge you to read or listen to this book, it’s truly inspiring.
Profile Image for Crystal Reads.
975 reviews57 followers
April 16, 2025
I loved how this book took on a story of important and delicate issues. I think the author did a fantastic job with it.

Ivy was hurt badly from her college girlfriend. She was broken after she dumped her and never really healed from it. But her friends and sister say it’s time to date again, so she gets on the dating app, Bumble. She hits it off with Adam quickly, but it’s just a texting thing for now.

Adam is such a sweet and passionate guy. He lets his feelings for Ivy show with all of his actions. Adam has a secret and Ivy was NOT prepared. Heck, I was not prepared! MIND BLOWN!

I love how supportive Ivy wanted and wants to be for Adam. But she has every right to be hurt too. The chemistry between the two is strong and they can’t deny it, but the hurt and anger is still there also. I love how Adam was willing to fight and do whatever it took to get Ivy back.

ⓐⓤⓓⓘⓞ ⓣⓗⓞⓤⓖⓗⓣⓢ
I usually tend to like dual narrations, but I do enjoy CJ Bloom when she narrates. I can still detect and tell which character is which. She did a good job.

4⭐️
2🌶️
Profile Image for Jocelyn Delarosa.
251 reviews8 followers
April 21, 2025
Book Rating: ⭐️ 4.75/5
Spice Rating: 🌶️ 1/5
Narration Rating: 🎧 4.5/5

This audiobook was super cute, and I had such a fun time listening to it! First off, the narration was great, I really liked the pacing and the different character voices. It kept me engaged the whole time, and nothing felt cringey or awkward, which is a big win for me, especially with a story this sweet.

Sweet romances can sometimes veer into cheesy territory, especially in audio, but that wasn't the case here. The plot was adorable and had a bit more angst than the first book in the series, which I actually enjoyed. It was definitely lower on spice, but honestly, I didn’t mind because the storyline was strong enough to carry the book without it.

Now let’s talk about Adam and Ivy, their chemistry was off the charts cute. Every time they bantered, I found myself blushing and kicking my feet. I seriously could not get enough of them.

If you love a vacation-style meet-cute with great banter and a touch of angst, this is the perfect spring/summer listen!
242 reviews5 followers
November 18, 2024
🌿I am so glad I read/listened to this book. It was heartwarming, heartbreaking, romantic, fun, sad, and about 100 other emotions to feel before getting to the end. I was shocked when I got to the climax of the story! Whoa!

🌿This was a well-thought-out story and beautifully written by Jennifer J. Coldwater. So many tropes were involved such as LGBT+, love triangle, forced proximity, second chance; to name a few.

🌿I can’t share too much or it will contain spoilers but I can say that love comes in all forms. It was engaging, although coincidental and unlikely, but absolutely could happen. It touched my heart in many ways and I am already recommending it to others. The characters were so likable and real. I got to know them and that is always important to me. They would be great friends to have!

🌿CJ Bloom was a fantastic narrator. The voices were pleasant and the dual POV was spot on! Great romance novel!
Profile Image for Chasity Trimble.
489 reviews23 followers
April 12, 2025
🎧Gah!! I loved this book! I adored Ivy and Adam! This was such a sweet, funny and emotional story. I was captivated from the very start.

Their journey may be bumpy at times but leads to a road of self discovery, healing and love. Beautifully written. So heartfelt, tugged at my heart. Their story will have you belly laughing in parts and shedding tears for them in others. All the while rooting for them til the end. This one will have a permanent residence in my heart. Already ordered the physical copy, because yes it deserves a spot on my shelf. Absolutely recommend!

Narrator- CJ Bloom I tend to lean more towards audiobooks with Duet or Dual narration. However I have to say CJ Bloom did an exquisite job. I was able to connect with the characters and always felt the presence of who she was performing.


Profile Image for Kelsey Fletcher.
382 reviews
April 15, 2025
I listened to an ALC of this book narrated by C.J. Bloom and it was absolutely amazing. When this first started I was so excited for Ivy to be taking the step into the internet dating world after she’s been alone for such a long time and Adam seemed like a really good fit. At first I was kind of like hmm he’s got kind of st@lkery vibes because he knew so much about Ivy before they matched but it all made sense pretty soon. This was a really beautiful story about fate bringing two people together. The way that Adam and Ivy’s story developed was really compelling and it made me feel a lot of things while I was reading it. It was a really captivating story about two people coming to peace with their identities and their love. The ending was a tiny bit rushed but I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Profile Image for Brooke (reads by b).
75 reviews6 followers
April 30, 2025
2.5⭐️ rounded up to 3.
I wanted to love this book, but I did not find either character lovable. The audio was well done and the pacing was great. This kept me listening.


All of my review is a spoiler:

I felt that Adam was TOO deceitful. I **understand why he did what he did with the breakup and not telling ivy right away, but it felt too ick to me. He also was so presumptuous and arrogant thinking she would get back with him right away! Writing love, Adam on the note when she didn’t even know who he was also was too much for me.

It might also just be a me problem. I don’t love second chance romance because I’m a grudge holder and really think whoever was “in the wrong” needs to grovel, and there was no groveling. He just assumed after a decade she would still love him no questions asked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jackie Stout.
61 reviews15 followers
April 4, 2025
This book explores the compelling question of fate. Ivy, a single LGBTQ lawyer who is still heartbroken after a college romance struggles to find a meaningful connection. Years later, at her sister's urging, she tries online dating and meets Adam, who seems to check all the boxes. Unknown to her, Adam has harbored feelings for her since college, waiting for the right moment.

Their paths unexpectedly meet when ivy decides to escape her family for the holiday on a solo vacation, or so she thought. This beautifully written story delves into themes of self-love, forgiveness, and the power of second chances, making it an emotional and captivating read while also touching on hard but relevant topics.

Trope
💚 Second chance romance
🏝️ Forced proximity
💚 Love triangle
🏝️ LBGTQIA+ Characters
Profile Image for erikoreads.
527 reviews
April 10, 2025
Another audiobook? The FMC is also a lawyer in this one? Sometimes I find myself going down a rabbit hole and reading similar books, but this time it was unintentional!!

👩🏻‍⚖️ I didn’t know the FMC was a lawyer; I was drawn by the blurb: Ivy wants to experience true love again, but without risking her heart. Adam has been pining for Ivy and they happen to match on Bumble… what could go wrong (or right??)

📖 This is a dual POV book, with one narrator - I thought CJ Bloom did an amazing job voicing all the characters! While I did guess the twist before it was revealed, it was a super interesting story and I enjoyed getting into each character’s thoughts and motivations.

Thanks to Happily Booked PR for the ALC!
Profile Image for ReadIntoWonderland.
220 reviews3 followers
April 13, 2025
4.25 stars

This was a delightful queer story with bisexual and trans rep. I have to applaud Coldwater for portraying gay panic just perfectly. There was a lot of realism in this story, which I appreciated. It was a pretty simple and nice narrative, which is refreshing.

My favorite part of the story was by far how they have to communicate and work things out to come to their happy ending. Given the circumstances, (not gonna clarify to avoid spoilers) it was crucial that they had time and open conversation. The maturity of the characters truly reflected this well.

If you are looking for a short queer story with trans rep, this would be up your alley.

I received this book as an ALC from Happily Booked PR. My review is honest and voluntary.
Profile Image for Kaley.
68 reviews6 followers
April 21, 2025
I enjoyed listening to this book. The performer did a good job but I felt like there could’ve been more theatrics to their voice.

This story is about Ivy and the timeline goes from what is happening currently and flashing back to her college days.

Currently, Ivy is trying to get over her break up with her college gf. They broke up due to neither wanting to be in a long distance relationship once they both graduated college. Ivy decides she wants to start dating again and the dating apps is where it’s at. She meets Adam and they hit it off. However, Adam knows a little bit more about Ivy than she thinks.

There is so much more to this story that had my jaw on the floor- I’d love to say more but I’d be spoiling it!
Profile Image for author.nina.wolf.reads.
148 reviews20 followers
July 28, 2023
This was such a cute, heartwarming and unique read. I was expecting your average love triangle, but ended up getting something entirely different instead. What a clever twist! I absolutely adore mm romance and why chooses, featuring a good bi awakening story and have read a lot of them. But this LGBTQ romance was like nothing I ever read before. Ivy and Adam were likeable, and relatable, and so obviously meant for each other. This book wasn’t overly spicy, but I can honestly say it didn’t need to be. The tension and longing between the two main characters was more than satisfying. I genuinely enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it 😊
Profile Image for Sabrina - Brina's Book Nook.
54 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2025
ARC Read

*Spoilers*

I enjoyed the book overall, and it was a quick read and worth adding to your TBR. I found the writing easy to follow, and she did a good job of making you feel along with the characters and what they went through and what they were going through. Following their journey back to each was emotional and had many ups and downs that were frustrating and necessary for the healing they needed.

I liked both Ivy and Adam. They both had moments that made me want to scream, but they each had traumas and heartbreaks that they needed to work through. I wish there were more of Ivy and Adam as a couple.
Profile Image for Vivien Richards.
1,528 reviews20 followers
May 17, 2025
I listened to the audiobook of this one. First off I will say I loved the narrator's voice, CJ Bloom did a fantastic job with the female characters as well as the "male" voices too. She made it easy to tell which character was speaking. However, I did not love the plot of the book. The main character Ivy was very whiny and I felt like the story could have easily been half as long since the dialogue repeated itself constantly with the same problems being lamented over and over. I also felt that the "Adam" character was selfish no matter what his reasoning and did not deserve a second chance from Ivy. So I will rate this based mostly on the audio book and not the plot alone.
Profile Image for Chante Heaven.
874 reviews20 followers
May 28, 2025
Ivy longs for the kind of love she experienced in college with Ali, so her best friend encourages her to try Bumble. Her first match is Adam, but as she gets to know him, things become more complicated than she expected.

It’s a quick-paced read filled with unexpected twists that kept me guessing. At times, I found myself torn about whether to urge Ivy to run away or to stay and work things out with Adam. I admired her strength in standing up for herself and pursuing her passions.

This is my first book on this topic, and I was captivated from the very beginning. I’m definitely interested in exploring more works from this author.
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