👨‍🏫 Sex lessons
🥰 Friends to lovers
😇 Good girl x tattooed golden retriever MMC 😏


This book did not disappoint!

I really love Hannah Bonam-Young’s writing – she always has an enticing plot, well rounded characters and a way with words that just gets you. People Watching is just that: I was hooked and finished it within 24 hours!

Prudence and Miles were such a cute couple to read about...
- Their interactions are so heartwarming
- They are both well thought out characters and just really have you rooting for them
- They both felt real when reading them on the page.

Prudence is the doting daughter, caring for her mum, helping her dad while putting her future and ambitions on the backburner.
Enter Miles, who helps bring her out of her shell and start putting herself first. Their relationship was so cute and sweet and the sex lessons were spicy but so well done. Miles is such a good MMC - think Bo from Out on a Limb level MMC, but tattooed ✨️

🖤 SPOILER 🖤
I will say there is a third act conflict/break up, which I know is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it does feel necessary to the plot so I can excuse it.
There are some difficult topics covered in the story, so I would check the trigger warnings but I feel all topics were discussed and handled very well.

Definitely one of my top reads for 2025 so far!

Firstly, a massive thank you to NetGalley, Bedford Square Publishers, and Hannah Bonam-Young for the opportunity to receive an advanced copy of People Watching in exchange for an honest review.

You guys are not ready for how sweet this book is. Prudence Welch is twenty-four years old, and with a mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years ago, life has started to pass her by. There just isn't time for her own pursuits while she takes care of her mother and helps her father at his store. Cue Milo Kablukov (the hottest man to ever exist with the sluttiest moustache) who has arrived in Baysville to help his brother open his new brewery. Milo is a drifter who has lived his fair share of life, so when Prue asks him to help her "get a life", he's ready to be her guru - no strings attached, of course!

I just absolutely loved People Watching. It was so wholesome and heart-warming, with its fair share of spicy scenes as well. I really felt for both Prue and Milo, and their struggles, and they had amazing chemistry. Hannah also has a real knack for writing about sensitive topics in a delicate manner, and I've always appreciated that.

People Watching releases on 9 September 2025 and is the perfect book to start the cosy, autumn season.

Thank you to Bedford Square Publishers for providing me with a free ARC of People Watching to review. The views expressed in this review are my own.

Hannah Bonam-Young has such an artful way of handling heavy, real-life topics without the story feeling like emotional manipulation. In the case of People Watching, we learn early on about Prue's mother's early onset Alzheimer's and Milo's childhood abuse. Both of our protagonists are figuring out how to navigate the shifting relationships in their families, their relationship with each other, and how to be true to themselves.

Prue and Milo's story is tender, sweet, and spicy and I'm looking forward to reading it again after publication. I would recommend People Watching to readers who enjoy works by B.K Borison, Chloe Liese, and Abby Jimenez.

This book? 6 stars. Easy. Could not put it down! This was a stunningly perfect read that touched me on so many different levels.
Probably the best romance novel I’ve read this year. I ate this UP. A soft, fuzzy read that included so many taboo topics that were written just right without overwhelming the reader.

I smiled, I cried, I giggled and kicked my feet. The words of affirmation, the raw emotions, the descriptions, the vulnerability and confidence also, who knew asking for consent was so hot?!

The spice was spicing! Every little detail was provided, no sugar coating at all and each scene had me writhing, panting (sometimes holding a breath I didn’t even know I was holding 🤪) and always wanting more. Mother HBY, I want MORE.

Prue and Milo have my whole heart.

Prue, what a golden retriever turned black cat. I am OBSESSED with her. The ache in my heart for her hit my eldest daughter vulnerability right in the feels and I just wanted to give her a big cwtch (welsh meaning for hug!) but also absolutely rooted for her to gain some independence and find something she loved and I am SO glad it came through, not that I ever expected less. She is SUCH a baddie and I am obsessed with how confident Milo made her feel and the fact she became his muse without him realising had my heart pounding. As a fellow Welshie, I will be taking the nickname Welsh Witch to the grave, I fear.

Milo, my sweet, darling Milo. What a man. A man comfortable in his sexuality, a tough, edgy TATTOOED (😍) guy WITH A MUSTACHE MAY I ADD (double 😍), with the bad boy ‘I’m a slut and I don’t care’ vibe turned golden retriever puppy obsessed with his woman had me WEAK at the knees. We love to see it. No stone was left unturned with him. Again, the confidence was spilling from him not afraid to say what he wants and submitting to his woman who ASKED HIM TO CRAWL!!!!! Fucking hell. A MAN, ladies and gents. No notes.

The wit, the flirting, the bigging up, the reassurance, the vocals, the compliments. Everything. UGHHHHH. Just perfectly written.

Can I make it through another book before wanting to pick this up again? I doubt it. Will this be a popular re-read? Undoubtedly. Am I going to recommend this to every man and his dog? Absolutely. I NEED MORE.

Also side note, I PRAY for a second book about Nadia and Aleks because that is a story I’m DYING to read. Also a third for Nik and Sef, pretty please. (Not really asking for much am I?)

HBY is easily one of my top 3 authors. GO READ IT. AND THEN AGAIN.

Thank you so much to Bedford Square Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC! I cannot WAIT to own the physical copy 🩷 I am hoping to create a more in depth review on my TikTok.

Thank you to Hannah Bonam-Young, Bedford Square Publishers and NetGalley for an advanced copy of People Watching, releasing in the UK on September 9th.

So I read this book on a plane and don’t recommend because of the tears that came out.

People Watching follows the story of Milo and Prue (who by the way might win the award for cutest couple ever). Milo is a wanderer who has come to Baysville to help out his brother and Prue is the daughter of the owner of the gas station.

Their friendship blossoms right from the start of the book and develops so organically, especially with how Milo is around Prue’s family members.

Please check the trigger warnings before reading this book.

I would highly recommend this to all my friends!

What a cute read! It gives small town vibes & a cosy community. We got such loveable characters in Prue & Milo and they actually had me laughing out loud with their witty banter.

I love Hannah’s writing and the way she writes trauma/sensitive topics with such care and grace.
It was slightly instant lovey but I will say the growth you get to see from both our main characters was really nice.

I think I personally needed a little more backstory surrounding Milo’s family/siblings and his relationship with Prue’s mom for my rating to be higher.

Never the less I still had a great time and would recommend 🥰

People Watching is the first book I’ve read by Hannah Bonham-Young, and I can confidently say it won’t be the last. I’ll admit, I’ve previously overlooked her work — but after this experience, I’ll be eagerly keeping an eye out for future releases.

This story completely pulled me in. The characters were beautifully developed, with authentic voices and personalities that made it easy to connect with them from the start. I genuinely cared about their journey, and the emotional beats hit just right. The chemistry between the leads was both sweet and sizzling — the spice level was perfectly balanced to enhance the story without overwhelming it.

Bonham-Young has a real talent for blending heartfelt moments with humor and romantic tension, and People Watching showcases that skill wonderfully. I’m so grateful to have received an advanced reading copy — thank you! It was an absolute pleasure to read.

Highly recommend for fans of character-driven romance with just the right amount of heat.

this was so sweet and soft, and so intimate and emotional, with beautifully vulnerable and real characters. another stunner from hannah, i love milo and prue and this gorgeous little town of baysville so much!

prudence, towns darling and my angel girl, i love your soul. the most selfless sweetheart, i wanna give you the biggest hug!!!

thank u so much for the arc, so grateful to have read this gem early!

Unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me. I’m not a fan of the experienced MMC/virgin FMC trope. I also found the relationship to be shallow and fast-paced, with the characters declaring their love for each other within just a month of meeting.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for advanced copy.

People watching follows Prudence Welch and Miles Kablukov. Prue looks after her mother who has early onset Alzheimer’s and that means she lives a very quiet, introverted life. She also works at her father’s gas station, loves writing poetry and is a virgin. Whereas Miles is a complete free spirit who has travelled the world but when his brother calls he goes to the small town of Baysville, Ontario. Milo meets Prue, they start getting to know each other but Miles who is a commitment phobe might want to be more than friends.

Fans of Hannah Bonam-Young will love this book but unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. Personally I just didn’t vibe with the characters. I found this to be a little bit cringe and to be honest I’m just over romance books with a heroine that’s a virgin and a hero that’s slept with hundreds of people. I just didn’t vibe with this. Plus I’m not a huge fan of the way the Alzheimer’s was handled nor the other medical diagnosis. 3 stars.

People Watching is a thoroughly entertaining and heartfelt read that pulled me in with its charming concept and well-crafted characters. Hannah Bonam-Young has a real talent for creating protagonists with depth, and both Prue and Milo come to life through compelling backstories and strong, distinct personalities.

One of the things I appreciated most was how naturally funny and engaging the writing is. The dynamic between the characters kept me smiling, and there’s a real warmth to their interactions that made the book a joy to read. Prue, in particular, was relatable and endearing, and her connection with Milo felt genuine for the most part.

That said, I did find myself wishing that Milo’s internal conflict—his desire to escape and travel as a result of his difficult upbringing—had been explored more deeply. His shift in priorities felt a bit too quick and convenient, and I would have liked to see a more gradual or complex evolution of that aspect of his character. It made his transformation feel slightly unrealistic, especially given how significant that part of his identity seemed to be.

Still, People Watching is an enjoyable, emotionally resonant novel with humor, heart, and a cast of characters that stay with you after the final page.

Call Hannah Bonam-Young the new Abby Jimenez on the block!

Prudence is quite content with her life in small town Baysville observing the lives of others as an inspiration for her poetry and supporting her father caring for her mother as well as their family owned business. Prue is loyal and happy in her acknowledgement that she quite frankly has time for nothing else, that is until free spirited and well travelled Milo arrives in town to support his brother. Milo is hooked the second he sets his eyes on Prue, but he never bargained that meeting her takes him on a new adventure he's never travelled through before...

First Out on a Limb, then Out of the Woods, now People Watching?! Hannah Bonam-Young is just getting better and better. I was about to express my astonishment of flying through this book in a day but I'm beginning to think how I could not! It is funny, it is sexy, it is heart-breaking and it is heart-warming. The characters within People Watching are ones you fall quickly in love with, whether that's because of their top notch banter and snarky remarks or because of their love and support for one another. And it's because of this that I'm reminded of the great talent Abby Jimenez has, where you're laughing one minute and feeling sorrow the next, that Hannah Bonam-Young has mastered too. It has gotten to the point where I'm that obsessed that I'm over the moon that there's a sequel but I'm also wanting a book on Nik and Sef's journey, as well as Tom and Julie's story. Hannah, PLEASE!

I loved these two. Milo and Prue were such a great pair, their chemistry felt instant but believable. We got to see them connect in so many ways and build a solid level of trust and friendship, as well as a romantic attachment.

Milo's internal monologue is hilarious. Watching him spiral every time he sees Prue is great. From the outside, he’s that chaotic, bisexual, flirty guy, but there’s so much more depth to him. His love for his family, his struggles from childhood, and his desire for connection, even if fleeting. Prue is the town darling, but not in a soft-spoken or boring way. She’s blunt, funny, and deeply caring. Her love for her parents mirrors the love Milo has for his siblings.

Even though their relationship developed quickly, it didn’t feel rushed. It just felt like two people who instantly get each other. Prue needs support, a friend, and someone she can rely on. Milo shows up for her in so many ways and learns valuable lessons for himself along the way.

I think if the book had been a touch longer, with just a bit more space for emotional depth and character development, it would’ve easily been a five-star read for me.

Did I read this in a day? Yes... Yes I did.

Hannah Bonam-Young doesn't shy away from writing stories with tricky topics. This one was no different. I'd partly forgotten the Alzheimer's situation - this may make people feel certain ways about this book.

Also, there's some childhood abuse/neglect that's discussed and, although nothing is shared in detail, I definitely had a moment with those scenes.

The characters are, effectively, built around these aspects and have to overcome some big emotions to get to their own happiness, both having to acknowledge hard facts to get anywhere good.

I enjoyed the book, the characters were great. I liked their lists and lessons, their trust and vulnerabilities.

I struggled with some elements (secret keeping) but that plays in to the story and is just something I don't like, personally. But, as always, this was a great book and I can't wait to read it again!

The relationship between Milo and Prue was a delight to watch unfold, the trust and friendship they grew together and the connection that they so obviously both shared was well-written and I loved it so much.

The supporting cast of characters were also wonderful, and I would've loved to spend more time with them and the small town that was described. I wanted to see a bit more of the community around Milo and Prue; the sibling bond development happening with Milo, Nik and Nadia especially.

Overall I really loved this book, and would highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.