Another wonderfully engaging and fun read by the wonderful Maxine Morrey. An easy to follow book and a perfect poolside, weekend read.

Just do it Had my attention from start to finish… I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day. Can't wait for more from this amazing author What an absolute cracker of a book!!!… sucked me straight in… absolutely addictive page turner… absolutely absorbed me… compelling, page-turning…

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

This book made me feel so encouraged to get on with things I was unsure about trying. I loved the overall vibe of the book and it was written so beautifully

A perfect Sunday afternoon read. A light hearted read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

This book, while components were precious, fell a bit flat and could have been shortened to a novella! The sequencing of events felt rushed and too shortened, and the third act breakup was nonsensical!

Still did love the female friendships in this book + certainly appreciated the British humor - short and sweet!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced review copy!

📖My Thoughts📖

Maxine Morrey, you’ve become one of my favorite romcoms authors. I’ve loved romcoms for what seems like forever. They’re always so fun and lighthearted. I love how Morrey pulls you in allowing you to feel a connection to the characters. Seeing Elizabeth grow and learn to push her limits was so awe-inspiring and inspirational. I adored the characters and their interaction amongst each other, especially between Lizzie and Colette. They cracked me up at times. The relationship between Lizzie and Finn was absolutely adorable. I really enjoyed this cute and fun read. If you’re enjoy romantic comedies, I recommend giving this one a whirl.
Thank you Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Maxine Morrey for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing the chance to review the book.

I loved Maxines other books but this one I had lost interest early on.

This was a solid read, nothing new in regards to plot line: woman sleeps with man she just met and then her turns out to be the new hire at her work. However, the characters were likable for the most part and it was easy to read.

This was a fun, casual read! Loved learning about the world of archaeology. Lots of detail and behind-the-scenes about museum jobs.

The idiosyncrasies of academics have been well portrayed via the likes of Friedrich's character as well as Lizzie's own parents!

Overall, I enjoyed the romantic journey between Lizzie and Finn, even though certain parts of the story seemed slacking and IMO unnecessarily slowed it down.

Look forward to reading the author's next!

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley

Lizzie Rose, an archeologist and museum curator, finds herself passed over for a lead position on an archaeological dig, given instead to her ex-fiance. However, a chance encounter with Finn, who ends up working alongside her at the museum, leads to unexpected sparks. As they navigate their differences and the challenges of their budding relationship, Lizzie experiences personal growth and learns to trust her instincts. With humorous and heartwarming moments, the story delves into the complexities of love, friendship, and self-discovery.

I was hooked right from the first page of this story. I don't really care for Lizzie's line of work, it's just not my cup of tea, but Lizzie as a character was wonderful and that is really all that matters.

Lizzie's love interest in this story, Finn, was also a truly wonderful main character.

There's not all that much I can say about this story without giving anything away, other than that it was a fun and easy read that made me smile, although the drama in part 3 did irritate me a bit as both Lizzie and Finn acted out of character. Time really flew by while reading!

Trigger Warnings
This book contains:
• Cheating spouse
• Controlling, manipulating and self-effacing individual
• Societal class/education differences.
Characters
Lizzie is an archaeologist who’s working towards leading her own dig. While she’s dedicated to her job, and her profession; she’s desperate to prove her worth in her own leadership position. But that means focusing on work, and nothing else. As much as possible.
Finn is a fairly typical man of England. He’s into his rugby, his family and succeeding at work. And yet, there are sides to him that we just don’t quite know what to do with.
Storyline
Lizzie is passed over as the lead for an upcoming dig project leading her to go out with her friend to commiserate. That one evening changes the course of her life in ways we never expected. Mostly because it pushes Lizzie outside of her comfort zone into doing things we never expected.
Overall Thoughts
As a lover of history — especially ancient civilizations, having our main character work as an archaeologist was very intriguing. For obvious reasons, there was limited focus on the field of archaeology itself. But the relationships between academics was rife!
Lizzie however isn’t a cut-throat type of academic and would rather make her mark and gain leadership through her own achievements than by pushing others down. While that’s admirable, it was also nice to see her change and grow as the book went on. Especially towards the end!
Seeing that growth come slowly in bits and pieces was lovely to see. Mainly because it stemmed from things that didn’t involve her love interest, Finn.
As a romance that’s mainly focused on Lizzie’s growth, it was a lot of fun to read about how she changed, and grew as the focus of her time.

Just Do It was a delightful read, with romance, friendship, and themes following your dreams. Lizzie Rose is an archaeologist who has just been passed over to lead a dig in Egypt. She is happy in her job at the London Museum, but knows she is a better candidate that her ex, who got the job. Drowning her sorrows with her best friend, Collette, they meet friends Greg and Finn. Lizzie aka Elizabeth, does something she never does, she has a one night stand. The museum is putting on an addition and the architect is going to share her office, guess who it is? Will Lizzie get over her phobia of relationships after her latest break up with Friedrich Klein, an arrogant fellow archaeologist who uses everyone he can? Can Finn finally get her to loosen up and have some fun?

I really enjoyed this story, reading it in one day at the pool. I loved both Lizzie and Finn and really enjoyed getting to know them. Lizzie was a quiet, young woman, whose life centered around her job and life of academia. When she met Finn, she began to loosen up and actually have fun. Collette was a great friend and sidekick and I was glad Lizzie has someone. The only think I didn't like was the miscommunication or lack of communication trope that put a bump in the road. That is my lease favourite of tropes and I do get frustrated with it. There is some humor, a family side plot and work story that added to the romance theme. I enjoyed this one and will read more from Maxine Morrey.

A contemporary romance novel that tells the story of Lizzie, a passionate Egyptologist working at the London Museum. When she is passed over for a major project in favour of her ex-boyfriend Friedrich, she is heartbroken. However, she finds solace in her best friend Colette's company and meets Finn Bryson, who is charming but not her usual type. Despite her reservations about mixing business with pleasure, Lizzie finds herself drawn to Finn. As their relationship develops, Lizzie must confront her fears and step out of her comfort zone to pursue love.

Just Do It
Written By Maxine Morrey
Published by Boldwood Books
Release Date January 18, 2024

Maxine Morrey has written another poignant and beautifully written book that brings romance back to the readers heart. I was gushing with happiness while easing this book that has such lovely and well developed characters. It tugs at your heart strings and keeps you rooting for the protagonist, Lizzie.

Lizzie Rose loves her job…….. and I mean loves her job. She is passionate about what she does and wants to move up the ladder at the London museum that she works for. However she finds that having a relationship with a fellow co-worker is not a great idea. You see her ex, Friedrick Klein, also wanted the position and unfortunately for Lizzie, he was promoted and not her. Lizzie is heartbroken. So he best friend Colette decides that Lizzie needs a night out to forget about the situation for atleast a few hours.
Lizzie gets a surprise though. In the form of a dashing young man named Finn Bryson. But Lizzie has a very predictable life of work and home. Just when Lizzie gets excited about someone else, things take a turn for the worse. Finn’s job puts him working for the same museum that Lizzie works for and she no longer mixes business with pleasure. Lizzie is determined not to bring Finn any closer but it seems harder than she thought.
Can Lizzie keep romance at bay or will she allow Finn to penetrate her heart?

For romance lovers….this is perfect for you. I cannot really say my review is unbiased because I love, love, love Morrey and her books are all so well written. The characters are lovely and the way that they interact is so relatable. This is one of those romance books that starts off in such a sad way and ends with a jump up and down happy dance kinda way. I love this one.

5 beautiful stars

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunities to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked it from the beginning. The two main characters are very loveable and very easy to like.
It was at some parts so funny and cute and just a blast to read.
This will definitely be a book, I will be reading more than once.

The story of Lizzie and Finn. When he ends up working at the museum with her it is not the first time they have met. Will they end up together or apart?

DNF 63% Quite honestly I’m just bored and I’m throwing in the towel. I should’ve done it much sooner, but I kept pushing through.

I still have not been able to relate, visualize, or have any emotion whatsoever yet. The characters are bland and all I know about them is they work in a museum and there’s an archeological dig coming up with mummies. I don’t feel any sort of chemistry with the main characters and the atmosphere of the story itself isn’t my cup of tea.

As a person who reads for an escape and eagerly looks for the build and the happily ever after, this just isn’t that type of story.

Best of luck to this author with this and future writings. Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me, but perhaps the next will be. Thank you also to Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review and advanced copy of this novel.

I love an @scribbler_maxi book and this is no exception. I love the characters of Lizzie and Finn, I think most readers will relate to them and the situations they find themselves in throughout the story. I think their chemistry and the will they won't won't narrative is written so well and the fact their so oblivious to it is hilarious. I am now eagerly waiting to see if there will be a sequel to this wonderful book. #netgalley #justdoit #maxinemorrey