Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book, here's my honest review:

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. The story at points felt either too repetitive or too choppy. I had a hard time feeling invested inthe book.

I also didn't connect with the main character. I felt she spent a great deal of the beginning of the book complaining about how she didn't like to share her desk, apartment, space, etc.. Because of this, the first part of the book was really slow. Because of that, I had a hard time really getting into to the story overall.

Even though the story wasn’t quite my style it did have some endearing parts to it that would make it a good read for some.

Alice has always loved her job and gives it her all, so when she learns that the company she works for is moving to flexi hours and desk sharing she has to prepare herself for a huge adjustment in her work life, especially when she learns that the person she will be sharing her usually well organised desk with is the most annoying man that works within the office.

Jamie and Alice are different in many ways, and it is safe to say that their personalities clash on a regular basis – but there is also an undeniable chemistry between them. However, with Jamie being set on tormenting Alice in any way he can, he has to become more creative, especially as they won’t be in the office at the same anymore.

And so the post-it notes start between them. With Jamie determined to continue his tormenting ways he has to do it from afar. With Alice rising to the challenge too, will they ever become more than annoying acquaintances.

Every time I see that Zara Stoneley is releasing another book I am filled with excitement as I just know that I am in for a treat. Alice and Jamie are both fascinating characters who have their own traits and flaws that provide us with a heartwarmingly hilarious plot. With a storyline that flows effortlessly from start to finish, this is one of those books that will keep you hooked to the very end.

The premise captured my interest (as did the cover!) but the opening scenes referenced Covid and returning to work post-quarantine and I lost interest fairly quickly. I read books as an escape, not to read about what I just experienced! I thought the Post-It notes were super cute but I just couldn't get on board with the way the romance panned out.

I was so lucky to receive an advance copy of Hot Desk from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I felt the book started off a bit slow but I stuck with it and can honestly say I really enjoyed it.

DNF - personally I found this hard to read, I've loved some of Zara Stonely's books but this was painfully cringe. I don't like books around covid as I read to escape the real world so I didn't enjoy that aspect but again, that's personal preference.

When I saw this tour drop in my inbox I knew I had to be a part of it. I love Zara Stoneley novels and jump at the chance to read them. They're quirky, full of humour, friendship, love and light hearted fun. I think everyone needs a Zara Stoneley novel in their collection, oh at least all of them ;)

Was it me, or was Alice always procrastinating? A bit like me really, trying to do everything but what I'm supposed to be doing, but she seemed to be a bit obsessed with her desk, maybe even a bit OCD with it? Jamie definitely comes across as a free spirited jack the lad in the beginning and those men kind of annoy me a bit, but he also helped to make the book what it is. The relationship that Alice and Jamie had flew off the page (or in my case kindle) and it really did spark, I loved the snarky comments between them and the banter they had in general.

This book has very much so, been written with the current pandemic in mind and going back to work after lockdown. I don't understand how people can be sharing their desk in these times, however I'd like to take my hat off to Zara for trying something a little different and making these difficult times a little light hearted.

As most people know, I'll try reading anything, this for me was a good book, but it didn't hit as many of the right spots for me as the others have. This will not deter me from reading the authors books as I love them too much.

Ahh this was such a cute book! At the beginning it was difficult to not immediately want to compare it to The Flatshare but this was definitely different. I liked that we already had some sort of relationship established. I think this was my first novel that mentioned COVID, I actually liked the way it was handled! Simply loved getting swept up in this story and loved the ending. Brava!

A typical meet-cute office romance. Nothing really unique about it, just basic standard stuff. Overall it was cute, but some of the passages got a little long-winded and I found myself skipping ahead to the next bit of dialogue.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley of the ARC of "Hot Desk" by Zara Stoneley.

Going into this I expected just an average romance. Covid was mentioned but it wasnt heavily important which means that I wouldn't have to DNF this book (Covid is still ongoing and it's uncomfortable to read)
However, I'm glad I stayed with this book. I absolutely loved Jamie. His character was amazing and perfect and I really want my own Jamie now.

I always like a Zara Stoneley’s novel and, while I did enjoy Hot Desk, it is not my favorite by this author. I liked the concept of the story, the exchange of post-it notes between Jamie and Alice, and how the plot develops, but I found it also a bit too repetitive and, at least at the beginning, I didn’t really like the protagonist, Alice. Her obsession with her stuff was a bit too much and too central to the story. As she develops and she becomes more determined I started to like her a bit and enjoy the story more. All in all, an enjoyable read from an author I will keep reading.

Thank you NetGalley for sending this arc for an honest review!

NOW WHERE DO I BEGIN BECAUSE THAG DESK WAS INDEED HOT. AND MY BODY WAS DEFINITELY WARMING UP. Like hoT DAMN MAMA I SHOULDN’T BE FEELING THIS WAY BUT IM MELTING IN EVREY CORNER OF MY BODY IN OUTRAGEOUS FORMATIONS. One thing for sure. I will never be in my living room when I read this again. Because Um HOT DAMN MAMA. There’s really not much to say without spoiling other than prepare to heat UPPPPP.

A very fun easygoing light read, I enjoyed this book as it was funny and lighthearted at the same time

This is a sweet, fun, easy read. I was expecting a lot bot more towards the end, but it still did the work for me. The premise is super cute.

I didn't think I would be able to read a post-COVID book so soon. It helped that there are only mentions of the pandemic and nothing that was particularly triggering for me. Hot Desk was difficult for me because the romance takes a long time to get started and it's slow. The book mostly focuses on Alice learning to stand her ground and saying no. For the most part, this is captured fairly well, especially Alice's worries about being perceived as mean. She keeps second-guessing herself because people aren't used to her being assertive nor are they used to her saying no. I completely understood where she was coming from because I can be a total pushover as well, and I hate conflict.

Miscommunication plays a pivotal role in the potential romance, and it hurt my brain a lot because Alice rambles on and on about it in the first part. Part of the pain came from the rambles being all internal, which I normally enjoy. There was no other person to help break up the conversations she had with herself to give her brain a rest so I could also give my brain a rest. The other part of it was that it was mostly rambling. She was worried about everything and particularly confused and in a twist over Jamie. Her anxiety gave me anxiety. 

The book's content does bring to mind Mhairi McFarlane and McFarlane's books. Hot Shot doesn't have the same emotional impact nor provide insight on life as effortlessly, but the book is not devoid of them. It just doesn't evoke them to the same magnitude. Fans of McFarlane may enjoy the book but will need to overcome the internal ramblings of the first half to do so. (3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars)

Such a fun read! This is a great opposites attract romcom that kept me turning pages! Alice and Jamie are well developed characters and I enjoyed reading about them from the start. who jump off the pages and will delight readers from beginning to end. This story warmed my heart, lifted my day and made me wish I worked in an office-- also it made me smile and laugh many times!

I was actually really disappointed in this one… I’ve loved Zara’s other novels but this one I could not connect with. I like the idea of her being current and having it set in Present day COVID culture but the desk share just didn’t work for me! I felt no chemistry and was very underwhelmed.

DNF due to being triggered by the pandemic. Just not mentally ready since the pandemic isn't over and I couldn't connect with a character who was excited to return to the office when I was forced back.

Same desk, different days.
A post-it note is just the beginning…
A must read for fans of Beth O’Leary, Mhairi McFarlane and Sophie Kinsella!
Alice loves her job and wants to keep it – whatever the price. But then she’s told the company is switching to flexible working and hot desking…Alice’s desk might look a mess, but she knows exactly where everything is. Or she did. Until she found out she’s going to share it with the most annoying guy in the office.
Jamie can work from anywhere. He’s quite happy to sweep his work life into a box at the end of the working day. But can sharing a desk with Alice be as much fun as teasing her in person?
With no option but to try it and see, will their relationship turn into open warfare or will it ever progress beyond
a post-it note?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to review this book. This book is funny! Alice with her passion for all things obscure and Jamie with nothing on his desk end up sharing. The story evolves and we learn that Alice comes from a family/housemate group where if there they can share.....or help themselves in this case. Alice wants a tiny bit of space that is hers and hers alone which is understandable. We see Alice grow as a person and flourish with some encouragement from Jamie of course. Thoroughly good read. I really enjoyed it

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really love Zara Stonely as an author, but I think that this came out too early for me. As someone who WFH and is sad to have to go back, and knowing that 99% of my coworkers are the same, I really struggled to get into Alice's head. It also seemed super odd that in a book set during Covid, people would go from working in entirely separate buildings to sharing a desk. Bit of a miss for me, but I will be looking out for her next book!

This book sounded so good, I was looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately for me the reality was it was a struggle to read. I found the main character unlikeable from the start. So much so I couldn’t finish the book. A real disappointment.