Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC of this one!

Lease on Love - Fallon Ballard
🌟🌟🌟

LIKES
☀️ A found family friendship group is always a winner, and this group was super loveable.
☀️ Sadie’s whole journey from her past self to how she is at the end of the book. In the end, I wanted happiness for both her and Jack.
☀️ Relatable characters with relatable issues.
☀️ The way the MCs met. It was really creative and fun, and one of the best parts of the book for me.
☀️ The fact they knew they liked one another deep down… but a slow burn had to happen. I am here for that tension!
☀️ The steam was 👌🏻

DISLIKES
🌙 It drove me ✨ crazy ✨ that Sadie constantly begged everyone to confirm she wasn’t a selfish asshole, then in the next breath be all like ‘why do I have to continue to have this discussion with people?’. Like, don’t ask for validation then moan when people give it to you. It came across as attention seeking rather than genuine insecurity.
🌙 We’re told Jack is awkward, a hermit etc but his behaviours don’t reflect that at all. He instantly clicks with everyone he meets?!
🌙 There was a LOT of repetition. Of the look of Jack’s chest hair, things being millennial, Nick being hot but too nice for Sadie (despite the fact Nick didn’t want her anyway?).
🌙 The conflict at the end felt like an afterthought thrown in last minute.

Thank you to the publisher for my eARC copy of this book. Unfortunately I didn’t love this book and therefore didn’t finish, I just didn’t connect with this one. Not for me, sorry.

This was such a cute read. I LOVE a one bed trope and this is a one house twist on that, so it was perfect for me.

I also thought it was very Friends-ish in the way that the friend group of the main female character played such an integral role in the story. I have to say I don’t normally love that I’m my books but I thought that it worked perfectly in this story!

Definitely take a read of this if your looking for a super sweet love story with tons of heart too.

From the blurb…
“Sadie's looking for a fresh start. After missing out on an overdue promotion, she drunkenly re-opens a long-ignored dating app and, two days later, finds herself on a date with Jack. Except it isn't a date.

Realizing that she mistakenly matched with Jack on a roommate-finding app, Sadie prepares to make a hasty exit, only to finally notice the gorgeous Brooklyn brownstone that Jack is advertising . . . and the unbelievably cheap rent.

Introverted Jack doesn't know what to make of the talkative whirlwind in front of him. But he offers Sadie his spare bedroom while she gets back on her feet, and Sadie, recognizing that her dreams of starting her own florist business might now finally be possible, accepts.

As Sadie's presence starts to turn the brownstone into a real home, and Jack learns to come out of his shell, they both begin to wonder if this accidental roommate arrangement is the best deal they ever made.”

The book is released tomorrow ✨

*Advanced copy from NetGalley

My Rating 3.5 🌟

Oh. My. God. Our first introduction to Sadie is hilarious. She had me almost howling out laughing. That damn meeting, that's all I'll say! lol Just proves even the most reserved and well-behaved of us have a limit and when it's reached, the filter comes off!
Her drunken antics that result in her meeting the adorable, but nerdy Jack, is one of my favourite Meet-Cutes ever.
Jack is shy and reserved. Sadie is loud and gregarious, it's either going to be a match made in heaven or a match made in hell. And I'm sure you can work out which it is 😄

Sadie and Jack have a sweet relationship. From something as simple as a latte to the cute nicknames they give each other. It just made me smile throughout (and also wish I had a Jack in my life lol).
And I have to mention the beautiful support system aka friends that Sadie has. We all need a close friend or 3. Ones that love us, flaws included, and are there, come rain or shine, for a pep talk, emotional support, or free labour whilst you set up your new business adventure lol

If you love a slow-burn romance, brief references to past traumas, but an all-around feel-good read, then this is the book for you.

Yes, there are things I didn't like, but as with all reviews, they are based on that individual. My reasons are representative of my own experiences and I, 100%, respect if they differ from yours.

So, what didn't I like? Well, unfortunately, at times, Sadie. She just came across as really arrogant. I couldn't fully relate to her. I am in counselling due to emotional abuse, and where I know everyone is different, I have never thought of myself as "pretty hot" or "beautiful". Some days I will look in the mirror and think "I look okay" or "I feel pretty" but it's not something that is a constant thought I have about myself. And seeing as Sadie is still suffering, It doesn't marry up.

Another thing for me was the lack of character development. Everyone is only surface-level and, even though it doesn't stop you from enjoying the story, you are just left wanting to know more.

Sadie had such a promising start and I really liked her, but her backstory is briefly mentioned, and that's it. I wanted/needed more.
Jack is very much the same. It isn't until the last part of the book that you understand a little bit more about him but by that point, it's just "oh, meh!" That isn't the best description, however, it's all I got. lol

Finally, repetitive words/phrases and the use of the phrase "fully seated inside of me" (said twice) Just no! (sorry)

However, this is still a cute love story. Full of love, laughter, beautiful friendships, a slow-burn romance, and a sprinkling of swearing.

Loved this found it funny all the time reading it loved the chemistry between characters the romance the humour. Enjoyed every page brilliant book everyone will love this one. Great writing style love this author x

Lease on Love by Falon Ballard

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Headline and I am leaving this review voluntarily

After getting passed over for an overdue—and much needed—promotion, Sadie Green is in desperate need of three things: a stiff drink, a new place to live, and a one-night-stand. When one drink turns into one too many, Sadie mixes up a long-ignored dating app for a roommate-finding app and finds herself on the doorstep of Jack Thomas’s gorgeous Brooklyn brownstone. Too bad she’s more attracted to his impressive real estate than she is to the man himself.

Jack, still grieving the unexpected death of his parents, has learned to find comfort in video games and movie marathons instead of friends. So while he doesn’t know just what to make of the vivaciously verbose Sadie, he’s willing to offer her his spare bedroom while she gets back on her feet. And with the rent unbeatably low, Sadie can finally pursue her floristry side hustle full-time. The two are polar opposites, but as Sadie’s presence begins to turn the brownstone into a home, they both start to realize they may have just made the deal of a lifetime.

I was over half way through this book before I knew it! I read it in one sitting it was just so addictive. Every time I thought that the pace was slowing down and I would be safe to put it down for a few hours it dragged me back in. At the beginning of the book, Sadie is passed over for a promotion and for anyone that has been passed over for the same reason as Sadie - she has the outburst you would love to have.

This is a very slow-burn romance, but I enjoyed the way that the story was told through different narratives - I especially enjoyed the way that text messages were used. A delightful and sweet read.

Rating 5/5

This was a really good read. The protagonists were both interesting, and the found family element was really beautifully done.
The setting was built really well in this book, and suited the story perfectly, with the house becoming a character in and of itself.
The commentary on grief and trauma was handled really well, and whilst at first the final conflict threw me off, seeming completely pointless, I ultimately thought it fit the character, and was happy to see the conversations it opened up with her friends afterward.
Overall, a nice, easy read.

This was such a fun romance which I absolutely flew through. I loved the slow burn between Sadie and Jack, talon created just the right amount of tension between these two.
I was also a big fan of the deeper themes throughout, namely mental health and not feeling complete.y in control of where your life is, through Gemma’s storyline.
Overall, this was such an entertaining read and I will 100% be picking up more from this author in the future!

3.5 stars, rounded up. Gaaah, this is a tough book to review. I enjoyed about 90% of the book and then it feels like the author wanted to add that textbook romance ‘drama’ before the final HEA, but she hadn’t thought it through so shoe horned a half-arsed issue that went against how the characters have handled things throughout the rest of the book.

Jack’s character was never fully fleshed out or developed, I wish we’d seen more. In addition, both characters are dealing with trauma from their past but it’s very ‘surface’ and is miraculously resolved from a few therapy sessions without us seeing or feeling the work and development. That depth would have added a lot more to my connection to the characters and their story.

With all that said, I enjoyed the way the author writes, there’s a no nonsense style with strong women and friendships. New York is one of my favourite places in the world so I loved the setting. It’s a great slow burn romance and there’s not even a kiss ‘til around 65%. It’s a very sweet book and there’s a good chemistry between the two main characters- it’s a great debut and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

So the conveyancing person in me got the better of me and I picked up Lease on Love because of the title. That is the honest truth. I had a little giggle to myself as I read this book one weekend. And then I fell in love.

There was so much that I loved about this book. I loved Sadie and Jack's relationship. I also really enjoyed the group texts and how involved Sadie's three friends where. With everything! To be honest their group texts are hilarious and just made me feel like I was part of the gourd. The silent, behind the scenes friend...

For me there was some flaws to the book that I couldn't get on board with. The reason why Jack waited seven years for a roomie, the reason why after everything Sadie believes she is a selfish asshole. Actually the whole reference to the selfish thing that Sadie kept making was super annoying. And then there was the big conflict. Which was a let down. As my Grandma would say get a grip. 

Overall though I loved Lease on Love. It was fun, flirty and witty. It is the perfect book to enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

CW: death of parents (past), grief, emotional abuse (past)

Lease on Love features Sadie Green, who drunkenly mistakes a roommates app for a dating app after losing out on an overdue promotion and subsequently losing her job. She meets up with the first guy who she matches with, Jack Thomas, realises her mistake and is prepared to make a swift exit, but then discovers that he's renting out a spare room in his beautiful brownstone at an unbelievably low price. After seeing the place, she decides that she wants to move in...and change careers...and hopefully get her introverted new roommate to talk to her for more than five minutes.

I really enjoyed this opposites-attract book! Sadie was so much fun - sarcastic, but also kind and real. Jack, on the other hand, was so soft and sweet, and I adored every little gesture he made towards Sadie that showed he was trying/cared despite them being so different (real housewives/pizza night! the third floor! all the coffees!) I loved how the relationship between the two of them slowly developed from strangers-friends-lovers - I felt the pacing of this was perfect. This book also tackled a lot of deeper issues on both MCs sides. I appreciated the open communication between the two, but I would have liked a little more exploration into Sadie's past. One of my favourite parts of the book was actually the secondary characters though. All of Sadie's friend group were really charming and I loved all the group texts. I thought this was excellent debut, and I can't wait to see what the author writes next!

(review will be posted on instagram @bookshelf.sketches on 6th feb)

When Sadie loses her job she drowns her sorrows with her three best friends in a lot of alcohol; choosing to pick a dating app while drunk is never a good idea.
But when she gets a match, her luck is soon to turn around, although the app wasn't for dating.

A light and funny romance novel with a strong female character; who sticks up for herself and knows how to take the lead in all situations. However, she still has her flaws and vulnerable side which is also explored in the novel.

I love the main character of Sadie. I love her attitude, enthusiasm, organisational skills and all-around get-go attitude; I would like to think I have some of these traits but if I don't, I totally want to be her!!

Ballard writes the main character of Jack as changing, as the novel goes on, showing how it is Sadie who helps to heal him. Giving him depth, vulnerability but strength throughout.

The minor characters also bring to the narrative, pushing the story along, and this novel would not be the same without them.

Written in a talkative style, with the main character talking to the reader, this is easy and free-flowing to read. Some areas are written within a text-style conversation and again this is light and the narrative flows freely.

Throughout the novel, the reader is cheering for the two main characters to get together and every time they nearly did, I held my breath a little bit.

I couldn't find anything I didn't like in this novel, from the characters to the writing style and the narrative, I enjoyed it all.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. The mistake she makes is a good one that helps her out. We all know what’s going to happen in the end but still a lovely read. Well done.

I thought this was a phenomenal debut, and I really did enjoy the heck out of the book as a whole. I am looking so forward to reading more from Ballard in the future, and I definitely recommend giving this one a chance when it comes out in February!

I did not expect to love this book as much as I do; actually, I don't even know what I was expecting when I picked up Lease on Love. Something fun and flirty? Something easy to read that leaves you warm and fuzzy? It was both of these things, and yet so much more. It was both heartfelt and heartbreaking at points. It was fun, Sadie Green is a beautiful, hilarious character I bonded with almost instantly, and there was indeed flirting!

Both Jack and Sadie are loveable, as are all the side characters who brought an extra kick of life into this vibrant book. I loved how Sadie faced challenges and how determined she is; she's sweet and wholesome and doesn't think highly enough of herself. Thankfully her friends, and Jack, were there to bolster her towards her dreams.

I would 10/10 recommend this book to anyone! It leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside; it was an excellent read, and I am so thankful for an advanced copy.

3.75 stars

so i’m struggling to get my thoughts together on this one - i absolutely ate up the first 70%, the awkward first meeting, the getting-to-know-you phase, Sadie’s chaotic but entirely loveable energy mixing with Jack’s quieter, more withdrawn one

roommates to lovers is such an underrated trope and i loved the way it was done in this book; how they danced around one another, the lingering looks and subtle touches, but also didn’t rush into anything (although it was still kinda insta love which i’m not a big fan of)

it was so much fun reading about the friendship group (a definite found family moment) and seeing Jack starting to feel more comfortable around Sadie and the gang. the dynamics were spot on and i loved how easily they accepted him

i think i started losing interest when they actually decided to get together - it was more fun with the tension and pining - and then the whole random conflict happened near the end which just felt unnecessary

also, as much as i understand the trauma of Sadie’s past and how that clearly affected her thoughts, it got slightly exhausting constantly reading about how terrible of a person she thought she was, and how she’s guaranteed to mess things up, etc.

overall, a bingeworthy and easy read involving friendships, overcoming trauma, love, dreams, and risk

An easy 5 stars! It was the perfect read, and I found myself genuinely torn trying to decide between finishing it all at once because it was physically difficult to put down, or purposely pacing myself just so I could make it last longer. Needless to say, I ended up DEVOURING it in 2 days.

I was completely hooked from the very first chapter! Ballard's writing is a breath of fresh air - quirky, captivating, and heartwarming in equal parts. And the way she carefully crafts her characters is out of this world. From the very beginning, Sadie is presented as a relatable character with a voice overflowing with humor. She's snarky, talkative, and can be awkward at times - which I'm not complaining about because after all, it was an awkward misunderstanding that led to her and Jack meeting for the very first time. Which brings me to the storyline in itself, which was beyond refreshing and so incredibly unique. The fact that it was a misunderstanding that brought them together was so original, and even relatable. While I'm a sucker for the whole fake-dating trope, I also know that unfortunately, I will probably never be asked to date/marry someone for a relationship of convenience - but Sadie and Jack's story seems a lot more like something that could actually happen to ordinary people.

Jack... I don't even know where to start with him because I have officially reserved him as my book boyfriend. He is so genuinely thoughtful in every single way known to man that he literally raises the standard of boyfriends so high, he’s in a league of his own. But Ballard doesn't just stop there in the character department. She's the gift that keeps giving, because there is not a single character in this book that's even slightly annoying (which is pretty rare!). They are well-developed, rather than just being flat characters, and they're amazing and supportive of both Sadie and Jack. I ADORE all of Sadie's friends - not only for their relationship with her but also with Jack, and each other. Reading about her and her friends gives off MAJOR Friends/New Girl vibes and I wish they weren't fictional characters so I could ask the entire squad to adopt me.

Moving on to the romance... Never have I read a book about a relationship with SO MANY GREEN FLAGS! Firstly, the fact that Jack's an antithesis to Sadie is adorable, and really embodies the nature of love, and how you can even find it in the most unexpected and unanticipated places. I LIVED for the romance between them. They were both sensible, understanding, and self-aware in that they knew how their own experiences have affected their relationships - and they communicated that with each other. They didn't leave each other in a perpetual state of not knowing what to expect, and I also loved that as a reader, I didn't have to be frustrated reading about stupid arguments that could easily be solved with a single conversation. From roommates to friends, they settle into a comfortable, understated and intimate love.

Finally, Ballard flawlessly tackles difficult topics, like living with that voice in your head that constantly puts you down - and depicts a journey of healing, and how to silence that voice once and for all.

I don't think I have ever been in love with a book more than I am in love with Lease on Love, and finishing it has left me a little empty inside.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Headline Eternal for letting me read an advanced reader copy of this book!

Lease on Love follows Sadie who drunkenly mistakes a roommate app for a dating app. Through a series of events Sadie finds herself moving into a Brooklyn Brownstone with a man she met five seconds ago so she can figure out what she really wants out of life. Although the two couldn’t be more different, Sadie’s presence begins to turn the brownstone into a home and they both start to realise they may have just made the deal of a lifetime.

I truly can’t believe this was a debut! I loved the authors writing style, it was so witty and relatable. I’ve not read a roommates-to-friends-to-lovers romance before but I absolutely loved it!! The tension the author built up was brilliant, it was the perfect amount of slow burn and my oh my… Jack was the SWEETEST love interest and I adored the way he treated Sadie.

Although this is predominately a romance, the friendship in this book cannot go unmentioned. This group of friends were honestly some of the most heartwarming bunch of people I’ve ever read. The way they all had each other’s backs, the banter, the group chat texts… it was PERFECTION. I loved them all so much, I’d even go as far to say that I would totally be invested in spin offs for all the side characters in this book.

There was also the perfect amount of steam in this book and it was written in the perfect way, I loved the constant focus on consent and the way Jack was always checking if Sadie was okay and vice versa!

Overall it’s a fairly lighthearted read but it does touch on many relatable struggles as well as some more serious topics which I really appreciated as it definitely added more depth to the story. I’m so happy Jack found his people! And that epilogue… my heart was bursting.

I would highly recommend this amazing debut and I’m really looking forward to reading more by this author in the future!

Overview:

After getting passed over for an overdue—and much needed—promotion, Sadie Green is in desperate need of three things: a stiff drink, a new place to live, and a one-night-stand. When one drink turns into one too many, Sadie mixes up a long-ignored dating app for a roommate-finding app and finds herself on the doorstep of Jack Thomas’s gorgeous Brooklyn brownstone. Too bad she’s more attracted to his impressive real estate than she is to the man himself.

Jack, still grieving the unexpected death of his parents, has learned to find comfort in video games and movie marathons instead of friends. So while he doesn’t know just what to make of the vivaciously verbose Sadie, he’s willing to offer her his spare bedroom while she gets back on her feet. And with the rent unbeatably low, Sadie can finally pursue her floristry side hustle full-time. The two are polar opposites, but as Sadie’s presence begins to turn the brownstone into a home, they both start to realize they may have just made the deal of a lifetime.

Review:

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Falon Ballard for giving me access to this ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lease on Love, and the description that it’s ‘The Flatshare’ meets ‘Beach Read’ is spot on! I loved Jack, I loved all of Sadie’s friends- the writing was real and the text chains especially were a nice touch to understand their relationships better.

I loved the little quirks of Sadie, always checking the license plate of her friend’s taxis as they drive away to make sure they’re safe. She ultimately would do anything for her friends and I really enjoyed that aspect of her.

The only reason this book isn’t a five star to me is because I found Sadie to be very unreasonable at times. She’s very hard on herself throughout the book and I understood this more and more as the story progressed, however everything comes her way perfectly fine and she does seem to have an ‘I’m so hard done by’ narrative. The conflict at the end of the book seemed a bit out of place and a slight over-exaggeration on Sadie’s part also.

All this is minor in the grand-scheme of things- the book was a lovely, slow-burn romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it (read it in two sittings!), and I’m excited to recommend it to everyone when it comes out on 1st February 2022!

This is a definite easy binge read that you'll be able to fly through and enjoy at the time but I doubt you will remember it a few months later.
The characters are a little off in that Sadie is overly hard on herself and for something I can't quite appreciate why, then she misses the obvious about her landlord and completely overreacts and blames him for being a liar....hmmm
And this Landlord, Jack, he is too nice, too considerate, too patient....he is just too perfect, he was starting to drive me insane as he was perfect, even the leading man (or lady) needs to have a flaw and his 'baggage' was more emotionally sad rather than a flaw.
As I said, enjoyable and fun, you know it's going to be a HEA so just enjoy the journey and don't over analyse it too much