A best friends brother romance. Josie and Connor meet in the French farm house where both of think they will have a quiet holiday, not expecting anyone else to be there. A fun read, I liked the setting and how it was told from both points of view.

So That Happened by Christy McKellen is a light, cute romance perfect for a weekend escape. Josie, a workaholic on a mandatory break, finds herself sharing a house with Connor—the charming owner with a knack for pushing her buttons. As expected, sparks fly.

The premise is fun and the chemistry between the characters is sweet, though the plot leans on the predictable side. Still, it delivers on the cozy, feel-good vibes you'd expect from a romantic getaway read.

The author creates a believable attraction between Josie and Connor from their first meeting. Both have potent personalities, but equally, both have issues in their past that make them wary of commitment. It's a passionate and poignant romance, not the no-strings affair that both believe it to be. The setting in the South of France adds to the romance, and their deepening emotional connection mirrors their self-realisation. It's a heartwarming, humorous and romantic tale.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

So That Happened is a sizzling, fast-paced romance with plenty of tension and banter. Christy McKellen crafts a fun, engaging dynamic between Josie and Connor, throwing them into a classic "only one bed" situation that practically guarantees sparks will fly. Josie's strong-willed personality clashes beautifully with Connor’s determination, making their interactions sharp and entertaining. While the premise might be familiar to fans of the genre, the setting in the South of France adds a layer of luxury and escapism, perfect for readers looking for a bit of heat and humor. Expect steamy chemistry, witty back-and-forth, and a battle of wills that keeps things interesting.

This was a super quick read set in a holiday home with one bed where two people stumble across each other, both thinking they had exclusivity. I was excited about the prospect of this story but I didn't find myself reaching for it and got lost in the writing at parts

a hot, addictive book following high-strung Josie learning to embrace the magic of fun. helping her with what - and maybe who - to do is Connor. set in the idyllic french countryside, Connor and Josie are on a sparking collision course. when things come to a head what will happen when an immovable object meets and unstoppable force? this had me hooked from the beginning with the only one bed, opposites attract, and the realisation that casual may not cut it with these two. there is a 3rd act conflict, which while being slightly frustrating, does suit the characters and their personalities. complete with a satisying HEA, this is the perfect summer

I enjoyed reading So That Happened by Christy McKellen. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Christy McKellen's So That Happened is a modern romance novel that celebrates the popular strangers-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes with a scorching spin. Against the opulent French farmhouse setting, the narrative tracks Josie Marchpane, a workaholic who has been dragged on vacation, and Connor Preston, an entrepreneur who has spent months on the road before coming home to find a surprise occupant in his bed.

The book starts off with the time-honored grumpy-meets-sunshine formula. Josie, determined to make the most of her holiday, refuses to back down when Connor insists that she leave. Their one-bed crisis is the platform for tension, snarky dialogue, and undeniable attraction. The romance is skillfully constructed by the author through slow-burn attraction, competitive tension, and vulnerable moments that endear both characters.

Josie is a forceful heroine who feeds on being in control and so her breakaway is tested. Connor, by contrast, is just as obstinate but has an underlying sense of weariness that renders him fascinating. They are firecracker sparky with one another, yet despite their combative first meeting being fun, their emotional transformation is what sets the story ablaze.

The author's pace is quick and the writing engaging, so it's a speedy, addictive read. The banter is quick, the tension is high, and the romance develops organically. Some have complained, however, that third-person point of view creates a slight distance from the characters' feelings, which makes it more difficult to be fully immersed in their experience.

The book fulfills its romantic tension, humor, and chemistry. The forced proximity trope is well done, and readers are kept engaged. Some readers may anticipate a hotter romance. Also, the sudden beginning may be too rushed for those who like a slower build-up.

So That Happened is a flirty, lighthearted romance that will be enjoyed by fans of Tessa Bailey and Christina Lauren. If you enjoy forced proximity, clever banter, and a dash of competitive romance, this novel is worth reading. Though it's not the most emotionally profound read, it is well-suited to deliver entertainment and escapism.

This flirty, feel-good romance brings the classic “only one bed” trope to life with sharp banter, sizzling chemistry, and just the right touch of emotional depth. When two strangers find themselves double booked at a luxurious French farmhouse, sparks fly immediately, and not just from frustration. He’s a broody entrepreneur looking for solitude, she’s a driven workaholic forced to slow down, and neither is ready to share space, let alone a bed. But as their stubborn standoff heats up, it becomes clear that the real tension isn’t just about who gets the room, it’s about what happens when attraction becomes impossible to ignore.

What really makes this story pop is its fast pace and the playful dynamic between the leads. Both characters are competitive, guarded, and hilarious in their attempts to outwit each other, creating a back and forth that’s as entertaining as it is steamy. There’s plenty of spice, but also a surprising amount of heart as layers peel back and vulnerability starts to crack through their defenses. It’s a fun, fiery romantic comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still delivers those deeper moments that make the payoff satisfying. Perfect for anyone craving a quick escape full of laughter, heat, and undeniable charm.

Connor Preston is sunburned, jet-lagged, and spiritually allergic to people after three months of globe-trotting. All he wants is to crawl into his own bed in his vacation home and hibernate like a grumpy millionaire bear. Instead, he walks in to find a very naked, very annoyed woman claiming she lives there now.

Enter Josie Marchpane: over-caffeinated, dangerously competitive, and the kind of woman who treats relaxing like a full-contact sport. Her business partner sent her to unwind. She didn’t expect to be bunking with a man who looks like he was carved out of marble, and who has zero intention of sharing his bed, let alone his life.

The house has only one bed, and neither of them is willing to be the grown-up and sleep on the couch. Cue passive-aggressive towel folding, seductive sabotage, and sexual tension so thick you could possibly spread it on a baguette.

Prepare for some laugh-out-loud moments, an engaging storyline, and everything else a real romance fan would be craving for. Are you Team Connor, Team Josie or Team Happily Ever After?

This book gave me whiplash because while I loved the steam, the actual relationship between the main characters frustrated me to no end. It's a quick, fun read if you want to skim the book a bit, I will admit I did my fair bit, 3 stars.

The not so meet cute was funny and full of promise, but i felt there was a big personality mismatch between the main characters, and a glaring lack of chemistry. It's good for a novella, but I would not read this as a full length novel.

This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!

I was 100% a magpie when it came to this book. I saw the cover and thought "well that looks right up my street, I'll read it". So I went into this completely blind and my choice was based solely on aesthetics; hoping that it would provide the vibes.

Unfortunately, this book ended up being a miss for me. I didn't realise it was quite so short and if I had, I probably would have thought twice. When it comes to romance, I need a little bit of time to warm up so that I feel invested in the relationship between the characters. There was no time for that within the page count so it felt a little bit like taking a cold plunge.

The characters did the exact same thing. After only a couple of days of meeting each other, this pair were deeply in love with each other (though neither would admit it to themselves). Of course, I appreciate that this could happen, love at first sight and all that jazz. However there were words like "finally" and "at long last" used which just didn't seem appropriate. These people waited 2 days before jumping each other's bones, there was hardly an extended period of longing and angst.

I will say that this was a super easy and fast read. It was a nice little light hearted book to use as a palette cleanser. However it unfortunately just didn't move mountains for me.

I appreciate the idea that these two misunderstood people connected serendipitously & I also enjoyed the change they made in each other. But I ultimately struggled to connect with the characters in this book.

Thanks #NetGalley for this ARC

This book is a fast, easy read. The story is simple to follow, but it feels a bit rushed. I wanted to see the characters grow more and the story have more details. If you're looking for something quick and simple with some steamy parts, you'll probably like this.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for providing me an e-arc in change for a honest review.
2 stranger, 1 bed and a heck of a lot of tension 🔥
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would, parts of it I loved however just felt like there was something missing while reading and didn’t get as hooked like I thought I would.

A nice easy evening read with plenty of spice. Overall I enjoyed it, although at times both Josie and Connor frustrated me so much I wanted to climb into the pages and bash their heads together. I wasn’t entirely convinced they’d get a happily ever after as it felt a little flat in terms of emotional connection.

The perfect quick read to start the month!

My first proper spicy romance, and it was so good! Loved the strangers to lovers trope, and the intricacies that Connor and Jodie brought to their story, and the development they go through being each other’s exclusive company.

Hot, funny, sweet, and all tied up with a nice bow. This was a great read.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.