I have so much to say about this book! Firstly, I thought the playlist with the Spotify code at the beginning was such a cute little touch. I love when books have an accompaniment to listen to either whilst reading the book or in between picking it up and putting it down - the songs on that playlist were also 10/10!

The scenery description in this book was really wonderful. In some romance books, I sometimes feel like there's an emphasis on character development and the romantic action so I really appreciated how well Wood set the scene. It felt very Mamma Mia coded (which I LOVED!) Even some of the imagery 'sandpaper on his soul' were just *chef's kiss*. Saying that, there was still heap loads of character development in decent depth too. I loved Golly from the jump, she's the quirky godmother who has such a free and wild spirit which was really. fun to read. My favourite piece of life advice from Golly: 'you can't do epic shift with basic people'. I also thought it was super clever to have Golly as the string between Bea and Gib, they both related to Golly in different ways but it felt very in Golly's character that these two would be connected via her huge web of contacts.

We also got to know Bea inside out, the dual POV was a massive help in actually hearing Bea's thoughts but I also think her personality shone through the pages consistently throughout. It would've been good to have some headers just as it would sometimes take a bit of adjusting or reading a couple sentences to realise which POV I was reading each time, Regardless, Bea's humour is fantastic. One of my favourite quotes from her POV is 'Instead of helping her to change the flat tyre, Bea was pretty sure he (Gib) could just pick up her car and walk it to Golly's villa' - hilarious! She is wise beyond her years, my favourite quote of hers is 'I have to live in the world the way it is, not the way I want it to be'. I also loved reading a female character who has a healthy relationship with her body and body image - I always find that really comforting to see examples of that especially in romance fiction.

Her having pubic hair was also a pleasant surprise to veer away from classic body hair standards that feel like can pop up. Saying this, Gib's reference to liking the relaxed Bea with 'messy hair, makeup free face' does imply that in her down time it's okay to not wear makeup but that when she's out and about she should. Bea is quite insecure and I wish this had been developed a bit more. Her double life as Parker did add an interesting dimension to the plot, but I never really understood why it was so important to her that no one knew she was Parker.. Also the plot point with her ex and her mum was really wild, but I felt like neither her ex nor her mum was that central to the plot so it just felt a bit random for something so dramatic to be mentioned without greater context throughout the book. The dual POV was a great choice as I felt like we got a fully rounded narrative especially when it might've been otherwise confusing during moments of miscommunication/character separation.

Gib and Bea are such different characters which was really refreshing to read and also helped distinguish their voices from one another. However, Gib was not my favourite character. There were a couple instances in which he was super unlikeable such as when Bea makes him breakfast and he refuses it...Regardless of his emotional baggage I just feel like that's a mean and disrespectful thing to do. Also he openly admits to having commitment issues, why does the MMC have commitment issues? Major red flag. It feels like his commitment issues are treated as a valid excuse for treating Bea poorly. When he can tell she's falling for him, Gib rationalises it by thinking 'he couldn't promise her anything more' than sex even after she's been so giving to him. Even when he tells Bea 'I don't do relationships, I don't do commitment' I didn't feel sorry for him that he couldn't commit it just made me annoyed because Bea deserves better than a dude with commitment issues. Also when Bea tries to communicate with him, he gets all defensive and accuses her of interrogating him *red flag alert*. His alexithymia was an interesting character trait but was skimmed over so quickly that it didn't add as much to his character development as it could've. Also Gib does come across as a bit of a womaniser ('He loved women's lingerie, loved taking it off even more') which definitely didn't help him out. Don't even get me started on the excuses he makes for treating Bea poorly, he tells her 'because you are so much better at it (opening up) than me' - then he should get better or let her find someone who can do what he can't? I found it frustrating when it's admitted that 'Bea deserved...well, she deserved everything. But he (Gib) wasn't the guy to give it to her' - this felt like a pivotal point that quickly got overshadowed later on just because Gib returned.

I also really didn't like how mean he was. When Bea asked why he wouldn't let her in, he responds with 'why should I?' And even when she tries to explain that she's opened up to him, his retort is 'you gave it to me, I didn't ask for it' - so rude! The only redeeming moment about Gib was when he said 'spending money on books is never a waste'.

I LOVED the spicy food scene. It was so funny and such a unique scene that I haven't read in a romance book for a while. The book felt reading for that scene alone it was just excellently done. Another strong point of this book, is Wood's ability to write sexual tension and have the build of it feel so effortless. This also extends to the sexual chemistry which felt really genuine and sweet. It got a little too spicy for my liking but it was well written. There are some empowering moments such as when Gib asks for head and Bea politely declines it, which didn't make the sex scenes feel male dominant.

The pacing did feel a little slow, I'm not against slow burns but after they start sharing the bed I just felt like the general momentum slowed down and not that much happened in the plot until later on. Also some of the wording was a tad confusing 'his eyes now looked like the badly congested roads on a satnav map' - I don't know what this means? Equally, when Gib asks Bea 'can I make you come with my teeth' I winced a little, that sounds very painful. The wording of 'she'd gather the pieces of her sliced and diced heart' also felt a bit bumpy.

Some of the spice did leave a bad taste in my mouth. Notably, when Gib says to Bea 'sorry I was miles away, thinking about fucking you'. This made me a cringe a little, if a guy I was into said that to me randomly I would run a mile. Also when Gib holds Bea's chin and 'forced her to look at him' this also grossed me out a little. Also maybe it's just my dislike for Gib, but when Bea is having a writing block and he says 'come to bed, I'll inspire you' I wanted to scream out of ickiness. Similarly, when she's trying to type an email and he's holding her right hand on the bulge in his pants - ew!

There were some areas of the plot that felt a little unrealistic for me. Firstly, it felt unlikely that Gib would only be able to take holiday exactly when Golly's birthday bash is. Also his aversion to birthday parties felt a little random and therefore a bit unnecessary. It also felt like a super unlikely coincidence that the island would simultaneously be hosting a wedding at the same time as Golly's birthday, during off peak season, and thus the whole island would be booked up. Also, with Gib paying a lot of money to stay at Golly's it didn't make sense to me why Golly couldn't just refund the money back so he could stay somewhere else as Gib is clearly not super keen on sharing a room with Bea (at least not initially). Also later on when Gib realises that Parker is Bea, it felt a bit unrealistic as he essentially realised by himself without any further clues along the plot, so why did it take him so long to realise?

The main reason this book isn't getting higher than 2 stars was the dynamic and relationship between Gib and Bea. Their relationship felt toxic and unhealthy in places. Gib treated Bea pretty poorly, for example the aforementioned Gib leaving after sex and not staying for breakfast, and I didn't like that that scene in particular was framed as being both Gib and Bea's fault when Gib was clearly in the wrong. Even when Gib goes back home, there's an expectation that Bea should 'run after him' even though he should be the one choosing her! Also Gib calling Bea 'Bea baby' didn't feel good - even 'Beaby' I think would've been a better pet name. Also when Gib tells Bea that he can't commit to her and that he can't give her more than their final week together, she has sex with him?! Eventhough she already wants more than that and she is falling in love with him, it feels a weird way to react to being told something that I'd imagine would be at the least a little disappointing. Gib constantly undermines what's going on and thus invalidates Bea's feelings ('it's not supposed to be this serious', 'why couldn't we have had this and maybe when I made it to London, we could've hooked up again?'). Also, there was an undeniable amount of sexual chemistry between Bea and Gib, but very little room for any other form of chemistry. It would've been nice to see a bit more banter or friendship between them.

Finally, the ending wasn't for me personally. It felt like Gib consistently has commitment issues and then towards the end they magically disappear and he is able to commit to Bea which just felt like a negative message to end the story on. If either characters have commitment issues, they should work on those issues first they shouldn't magically disappear. All in all, a book with incredible potential but there were a couple plot points that felt unrealistic and Gib just wasn't a likeable MMC.

I thought this was going to be a fun chicken flick book with a bit of sauce. It turned out to be a predictable cringe fest with laughable dialogue.

Golly is Beas godmother who is hosting a party in Santorini and Bea is helping to organise it. Bea always stays in the guest house, but Golly has also rented it out to a friend called Gib. Oh no! And there's only one Bed and nowhere else anywhere for one of them to stay.

So it takes Bea until three quarters of the way through to click that Golly set them up. Really?! Considering how close Bea is to her godmother I thought that would have been pretty obvious.
So Bea and Gib have been set up and once them two are getting it on it's just so cringey to read. Bea is so naive and inexperienced I found myself just laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. The dialogue between them both is awful, one minute they are in love and next it's just a fling. It's just all really silly and naive and doesn't suck me into a world of a romantic exciting holiday. The setting was believable in the beginning but quickly fell apart and they could have been anywhere.

It just wasn't great.

This is my first read from this author and sadly based on this novel, I won’t be reading anymore. I didn’t enjoy anything about this book apart from the Santorini descriptions. I felt there were a lot of works as, but the book just never really moved on. I know others have loved it, but it wasn’t for me. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

This book had a really good premise and I loved the setting. The characters were a bit hard to connect with, though, so I found myself putting this book down and not being excited to pick it back up. I wanted to love it, it just wasn't for me.

When Bea, a reclusive author, goes to stay with her godmother she realises she is going to have to share her bed with Gibson, a fellow house guest. So begins their will they won't they story against the backdrop of Santorini.

It was the Greek setting that did it for me. Reminds me of a relaxing holiday.

But in terms of romance, I couldn't connect with the characters, I could feel their chemistry.

I adored Bea, I thought she was stand out character with her humour and wit, and how she opened herself up to Gibson.

I really liked the story but I don't think I was vibing with the writing style. I would definitely give this author another shot with another book.

Bea is in need a of a well deserved vacation and her Godmother's owns a Greek island retreat which she thinks will be perfect place to enjoy some R and R. She is going there to relax, forget about work and have some me time but it turns out the universe has other plans for her. When she gets to the island she is face with her childhood friend Gibson and they are forced to share 1 bed.

I unfortunately could not finish this book completely for a few reasons.
1) I found it difficult to connect with the characters in this book. They were both introduced completely different to how they were later on portrayed, and I think that mostly had to do with the situation they were forced into, simply for the sake of witty banter rather than keeping true to their character. I understand that this was supposed to be a “one bed” trope, but I just couldn’t get behind the reasoning for their forced situation. And their past situation too. Why couldn’t Gib have stayed with his father at Golly’s cottage rather than with a younger girl that he’s never met before?

2) I think this author may be British and a lot of British slang was used, which isn’t a problem. But it is when it is mixed with American terms as well. The narrative just seemed a bit jumbled and not as cohesive as it could have been for me. The names, as well, I was not a fan of, particularly Navy, and Gib admittedly is not the most attractive name for a spicy romance, but that is probably personal taste.

I don’t usually rate or post reviews of books I did not finish, because I think it is an unfair assessment for the writer. But I, personally, just was not able to enjoy this book. Thank-you for the opportunity to read this book though!

I am absolutely in love! This book is a delightful mix of romance, tension, and unexpected twists that kept me hooked from the very first page. 💕

The chemistry between the characters is off the charts! I loved how their relationship developed in such a fun and relatable way, with all the ups and downs that come with sharing a bed (and so much more!). Wood’s writing is engaging and witty, making it impossible to put down.

What really stood out to me was the emotional depth of the story. The characters are beautifully flawed, and their journeys of self-discovery and connection felt so authentic. I found myself laughing, swooning, and even tearing up at times!

This book was a lot of fun. I picked it up because I love reading books set in Greece. It just seems like such a magical place, and this book really highlights how wonderful a place it is. The romance between Bea and Gib was top notch. I enjoyed how they met and dealt with being stuck in the cottage together. I always enjoy the one bed trope, and it worked out really nicely in this book. The tension and then banter between the characters was well done. Their relationship felt realistic, and it flowed naturally. This is a pretty lighthearted novel, and it is a lot of fun. The spice scenes weren’t overwhelming, and it fit the story nicely. It wasn’t out of place and the writing was done well.

If you’re looking for a fun romance set in a beautiful location, then you need to check this book out.

I really enjoyed the Santorini setting of this book. I felt like it was a character in itself. Bea and Gib were great characters but I didn’t really connect with them until about 70% in. I definitely enjoyed Golly and thought she was very entertaining. The book wasn’t bad but also wasn’t great. I’m sure many people loved it through! It just wasn’t for me.

One Bed is a perfect summer read. I loved the dynamic between Bea and Gib but would have loved to see more tension between them at the beginning when they first find out that they have to share a bed. I loved Golly (Bea's godmother) and her relationship with Bea as it added something unique to the book. I also absolutely loved Bea's character development.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to readers who love a lighthearted, summer romance.

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and Joss Wood for allowing me to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A steamy and engaging contemporary romance that offers a perfect mix of passion, humor, and emotional depth. The story centers on two characters, Sydney and Luke, who find themselves sharing a hotel room during a business trip due to a mix-up. With only one bed available, the tension between them quickly escalates, leading to a fiery and unexpected connection. As they navigate their complicated chemistry and feelings for one another, both Sydney and Luke are forced to confront their pasts and what they truly want from their futures. The chemistry between Sydney and Luke is undeniable, making their romance feel both intense and satisfying.

I've typed--and retyped--the first sentence for this review about 4 different times, and none of them quite capture the tone and real feeling I had about One Bed. They're either too harsh, making it seem as though this was a trainwreck of a book (which it isn't) or it's too blandly nice, which also isn't my style. So in the end, all I can say is One Bed is....fine, but it really isn't the writing I had hoped to read.

One of the first things writers get beaten into them is "show don't tell," but, more or less all the writing in this book IS tell. From chapter 1 on, it's just information after information being told to us readers. No mystery, no character layers to peel back. Just "this character is traumatized from X so they do X." And I thought to myself, "maybe this is the erotica genre" (since the book is tagged on NetGalley as such), but then, I get to the sex and it's not interesting sex writing. I've read hotter, more explicit sex in just regular "open door" romances, so the erotica tag feels very un-earned.

And maybe all this would have been forgivable if the characters were interesting. But no, both of them just use their traumas as excuses not to be adults about situations until the last 20% of the book or so. And don't even get me started on the side characters. Most of them could be replaced with cardboard cutouts, and Golly, Bea's godmother is supposed to be this quirky dynamo we fall in love with, but frankly, I found her immature and annoying. I could not WAIT for her to get out of each scene.

Yet, I read the whole book. So. Take from that what you will. At least the descriptions of Santorini's sunsets were nice.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

This book took me longer than usual to get through, but once I hit my stride with the storyline, it became one of those reads you don’t want to put down. Set in the dreamlike paradise of Santorini (all the great descriptions made me want to visit again, and stay for longer! need directions for the crevice), One Island, One Villa, One Bed is a heart-shifting love story that delivers exactly what the title promises—an idyllic villa, stunning sunsets, parties that go until dawn, and an insane amount of sizzling tension between the leads. The story follows Bea, a headstrong, take-no-nonsense writer, and the MMC (aka walking hotness incarnate), who is equal parts swoon-worthy and unexpectedly sweet. Their banter is electric, their chemistry off the charts, and their vulnerabilities hit you square in the feels.

The real treat here isn’t just the romance—though, trust me, it’s spicy—it’s the peek into the writing world and the hilarious, relatable moments that come with it. Bea-darling (or Bea-baby, depending on your mood) is a powerhouse of a character, and honestly, who wouldn’t see themselves in her stubbornness and strength? And don’t even get me started on the side characters. I’m going to need a spin-off to learn the stories of Navy, Cass & Nadia, and of course, more of Golly’s one-liners, stat. If you’re into unapologetically heartfelt love stories with a heavy dose of escapist fun, this book is a must-read.

In One Bed, thirty-year-old Bea finds herself on Santorini celebrating her godmother's retirement. It's a bittersweet celebration, as Golly is also Bea's literary agent and Bea isn't prepared to step out from behind her pseudonym "Parker Kane" in order to acquire a new agent. Also on the island is Gib, the young CEO who's married to his work due to a self-aware inability to process emotions beyond those at the most surface-level of consciousness. He'd visited Santorini as a child and had actually met Bea then - though the two of them barely remember this meeting, and what they do remember is that they didn't like each other at that time. Unfortunately for both, Golly announces that both of them have to share the cottage on the estate. A cottage with only one king-sized bed. Doubly unfortunate for Bea and Gib is that they both find each other incredibly attractive. As Golly's days-long party continues, the two grow closer to each other - that is until Gib's cousin, an up-and-coming literary agent who wants to sign Parker Kane, makes the connection and reveals he knows Bea is Parker.

This book was, unfortunately, just not for me. While it had the bones of something that could have been fun, there were too many possible plotlines that went unexplored. For one example, Golly mentions Lou, Bea's mother, will be attending the party and that Bea needs to get over her ghosts from the pain her mother's caused. However, this never happened. What was possibly a great tension and growth scene just... disappeared. I don't remember if Lou actually made an appearance, but if she did there definitely wasn't a confrontation. In addition, and probably more of a reason why my experience wasn't the best, is that I could not bring myself to connect with Gib, Bea, or Golly. I connected with Reena and the other background characters who had names, but the main characters were difficult. One final thing I'll say, as I don't like to write a treatise when I don't enjoy books, is that there were quite a few scenes where I was left feeling just really icky, for lack of a better term. Many of these feelings were because of what felt like internalized misogyny among the characters.

Rising star author Bea Williams needs a vacation. And her godmother’s snug Greek island retreat is the perfect place to use as an escape from her writer’s block.

Until she finds she’s going to have to share her idyllic one bed cottage with him – Gibson Caddell, one time childhood friend and a great big, drop-dead-gorgeous red flag. As the sun sets on Santorini, Bea’s thoughts soon turn to something much more pressing – there’s two of them. And only one bed…

This is a fast, fun read! I really enjoyed the banter between the two. This was steamier than I expected. I enjoyed the chemistry between Bea and Gib. The one-bed trope is one of my all-time favorites, so this was a treat! 4⭐

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This was okay. It took a little long for me to get into it. I appreciate a good description, but I don’t prefer it to be somewhat of the main focus. It got better halfway through and the the FMC development was great! She was slightly boring at first.

this book is a lively rom com, it had some charming moments, especially with the godmother who I think added a refreshing spark to the story.

this book also had a great character development the FMC became more likeable and compelling as she revealed more of herself to the MMC, I LOVE LOVE LOVE GOOD CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.
the side characters in this book added to the story as well as they were funny and well-developed! it was easy to imagine these characters and give them faces

thank you for allowing me to read this book!