This book was perfection....or as close as you can get 🥺
It handled pretty heavy topics like Alzheimer's, health concerns, childhood trauma etc really well, without it completely taking over the story.
People Watching was definitely more spicy than her other books, but again didn't take over the plot. I loved both the main characters, Milo and Prue were both unique and flawed and such a great match for each other. I hope we get more of these characters in future books!
Tropes included:
🍁 Found Family
🍂 Spicy lessons
🍁 Small town
🍂 Poet x artist

Thank you @netgalley and @bedfordsqpublishers for the opportunity to read an early copy.

People watching was one of my anticipated read of the year. Out on a limb and Out of the Woods were so special I adored these books

I’m really sorry and I don’t want to say it but this story just did not do it for me. I couldn’t connect with Prue and Milo love story everything felt so rushed didn’t give me time to fall in love with them. I just felt all the themes and sensitive topics were just thrown into this book and not fully explored properly.

However, Prues mum Alzheimer’s was beautifully written and good to see a story that discussed and written about Men’s MH and emotions of the main characters.

I’m really really sorry but this book was a bit too much for me.
.

This wasn’t romance, it was a speedrun. A few wholesome themes tried to peek through, but the pacing and shallow insta-everything drowned them out. I love a good rake redemption, but this one needed a lot more accountability and a lot less poetry. 💀 I sincerely despised his backstory and despised it even more that no STI discussions were had? With that track record? Bro. Just no.

4.25 stars arc review.

Following Prue and Milo was great I really liked their characters and yes they had flaws and things that some people may not agree on but it’s fiction. I personally found their characters relatable especially with their family relationships, they’re not perfect but they’re trying.

‘But how wonderful and tragic and lucky is that?’

I love the message that sometimes you can enjoy things and still know they’ll come to an end but cherish the moments regardless. HBY did a great job of representing two polar opposite family dynamics and I really enjoyed seeing a sibling bond that wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

The spice was really good as well and didn’t take away from any additional plot points. I’m excited to see if we’ll get a book for Nads because I think her story could be really interesting. I also loved Nik and Sef and how Milo saw Sef as a sister despite not being blood. Overall really enjoyed it and definitely recommend plus the cover is stunning.

With People Watching, Hannah Bonam-Young offers a beautifully subtle romance that explores connection, grief, and growth in the gentlest of ways. It’s a slower story, but the emotional resonance is there from the start.

Readers who enjoy grounded, character-driven love stories with heart and honesty will find a lot to love here. Not flashy, but deeply felt.

✨3 stars✨

I have really enjoyed the three books by this author that I had read previously so the fact that I had a chance to read this early as an ARC was so exciting (and the cover is absolutely stunning as well and immediately caught my attention as the style is different to Hannah’s other books)!

However, this book just fell flat for me and I think the main reason for this is because I didn’t feel any chemistry between the FMC and the MMC. It all felt very insta-lust for me and I didn’t really vibe with the whole virgin FMC (whose name is literally PRUDEnce like come on🙄) and an MMC who has slept with over 200 people, which is a direct quote. Also his nickname for her is Killer which seemed strange.

This isn’t a bad book per se and I can see why it’ll probably work for others, however I didn’t really connect with the characters or the plot which ultimately meant this book disappointed me, especially compared to this author’s other books.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

3.5🌟

A huge thankyou to Netgalley, Hannah Bonam-Young and Bedford Square Publishers for allowing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I had a lovely time with this book, it had all the typical Hannah Bonam-Young quirkiness to it and I had a wonderful time.

Milo is SUCH a cutie pie!! he just screams golden retriever, and I love the fact he shows up for Pru every. single. time. I also loved the small town energy in the book, and I bloody loved Nadia!!

I just had a few personal problems with the book which is why it wasn't higher rated for me. I just really don't get on with one of the tropes within the book, it makes me feel uncomfortable and once it happened, I couldn't look past it which I understand is just my personal preference!!

Overall I had a lovely time with this book and I'd definitely add it to your TBR! It releases September 11 2025🧚‍♀️

Thank you to Bedford Square Publishers for allowing me early access to such a masterpiece! This book was insanely good and it was such a privilege getting to read Milo and Prue’s story!

I absolutely adored Milo and Prue as characters. Their dynamic was so fun to explore and watch develop! I would 1000% recommend this book to anyone

Thank you sooooo much to Bedford Square Publishers for this ARC <3 <3

I was over the moon when I got the confirmation (I think I screamed)

I am forever a stan of HBY, and People Watching was exactly the warm, heartfelt read I needed!!

I adored the small-town setting, the found family element, and the dynamic between Milo, Prue, and their families (I am obsessed with how they were interconnected through art). It was both heartwarming and emotional (I cried many times in public), and I genuinely didn’t want it to end. I especially loved Milo’s character and his family, though I would have loved even more of their backstory.

I’m really hoping this isn’t the end of the journey and that we get Nadia and Aleks’ story next!!!! (PLEASEEEEE)

DNF @ 43%

The hyper-sexualisation of the MMC and the borderline infantilisation of the virgin FMC just ruined what could have been a great book.

I have loved every HBY book and this is no exception. I love how she weaves hard hinting issues into a beautiful romantic book. I couldn't put it down. I loved both the hero and heroine. I am hoping for this two of the secondary characters to have their own book soon.

She's done it again

The first half of this book was 10/10. The banter and one liners had me giggling in public and the slow burn was done perfectly. I felt like the book wrapped up super fast at the end which I wasn’t a huge fan of but overall I loved this witty rom com book. 4⭐️

i adored this. the characters were so raw and relatable, and the romance was full of emotion, spice, lust, and yearning. in typical hby fashion, i may have sobbed (twice). there’s just something about her writing that always cracks a little piece of me open- this one in particular had scenes that hit very close to home.

milo spoke to me on such a deep level- i felt so seen. i may have experienced water leaking from my eyes (so weird?) more than once. as an avoidant attachment girly, it genuinely gave me hope lmao. prue’s journey was both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and i was so moved by her love and quiet determination to care for her family.

the way hby writes people- with so much care, complexity, and compassion it makes me feel everything so deeply.

sassy sweet-talker milo is maybe the most down-bad book boyfriend i’ve read in a long time. what i thought might be too insta-lovey had me giggling, swooning, and fully melting as their chemistry shifted from lust and love at first sight into something so real and tender.

Tropes: Small town, opposites attract, slow burn, lessons, self development, friends to lovers
•
Prue and Milo, you were a joy. I’m so honoured to have received an ARC of this book as it was one of my anticipated releases this year!

Milo and Prue have that kind of relationship where they bring each other a special kind of peace and support during all of the hard things that happen to them. I enjoyed the dynamic of Milo and Mrs Welch as it was very wholesome.

It’s made me kinda want a few outrageous bumper stickers for my car
•
🌶️ Chapters: 15, 16, 19, 22, 23, 26, 27, 30

Hannah Bonam-Young has a habit of absolutely tearing me apart with her books, and People Watching was no exception. She perfectly balances love and grief on the page, pain and pleasure, and the joy of falling in love with the sorrow of losing someone you love. Made me cry on the bus.

* mild spoilers *

Firstly, a big thank you to NetGalley and Bedford Square publishers for the e-arc!

3⭐️? I think?

I have mixed feelings! (Who could’ve guessed…)

While Hannah Bonam-Young’s writing as always is wonderful to read, fast-paced and extremely digestible—i felt like a little something was missing in People Watching. It didn’t give have the same grip as her other books. She remains an auto-buy author of mine, though, as i did somewhat enjoy the book as a whole.

Milo—hmm. I liked his personality at moments but not at others, though again i was left feeling conflicted at the “slutty bisexual” x virgin pairing.
The chemistry during the sex lessons was there, but outside of it i was left unconvinced about him + Prue as a couple.
I felt the same about Prue, slightly indifferent at times but loving her at others. Conflicted!!!

The third act breakup was infuriating.
I understand that Tom was struggling… but divulging the information that he did to Milo while trying to both control Prue’s decision to leave under the guise of her choosing her own path just made me angry. She’s a grown woman!

Why can’t people just communicate? Mid-communication really is one of my least favourite romance book plot devices.

I’m disappointed, but I don’t know if it was just me—I may give it another try on release or update my rating as time goes on.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
I was so excited to receive this ARC, and Hannah Bonam-Young did not disappoint.

As someone who’s read all of Hannah’s previous books, I had high expectations—and People Watching absolutely met (and maybe even exceeded) them.

Milo and Prue are messy, charming, a little emotionally chaotic, and completely endearing. I loved how their dynamic felt both sweet and realistically imperfect. There were red flags, sure—but they were explored thoughtfully, adding depth to the romance rather than drama for drama’s sake.

This was a warm, emotional, sexy read with a satisfying HEA—exactly what I look for in a romance.

Hannah Bonam-Young is firmly on my auto-buy list, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for this ARC!

The premise and basic bones of the story had a lot of potential but something was just off. Still a quick and easy read that flows well since I finished this in a single sitting.

What I liked:
- The general plot line
- He falls hard and fast (though a bit too fast for my liking to really build that emotional connection)
- Witty and blase MMC who definitely lived up to his middle child status
- The moment any Russian was whipped out or the MMC and his sketches; that was pretty cute

What I didn't like as much:
- Not much fleshing out of topics such as how the FMC's mother had impacted the life of the MMC, living with and caring for ill loved ones or even the MMC's backstory which I felt could've added more depth to the story and characters
- Somewhat ridiculous difference between the MMC and FMC with regards to their life and sexual experience and how the MMC went about these spicy lessons with her (which didn't even read as lessons anyway)
- The source of the third act break up; everyone was crashing out

Would probably not read again but would read other Hannah Bonam-Young books.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

At first I struggled to get into this book, but a third of the way through I knew I was falling in love with it. One of my favourite things about this authors writing is her ability to make her characters seem so real- very much relatable human beings with very human emotions. I adored Milo and Prue, and found myself just constantly wanting to give them both the biggest hug. I particularly loved the way they just brought the hidden sides of each other out: Prue bringing out Milo’s emotional side and Milo bringing out Prue’s sense of selfishness and self love. Their story felt raw, real and down to earth. I found myself crying more than once! Overall it was an easy, heartwarming and relatable read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was my first novel by the author and I really enjoyed the writing. However, I do not usually read open door romance and unfortunately this one just wasn't for me. That said, this was entirely my own fault, I thought this would be more contemporary fiction. In hindsight, I see I clearly skipped over some of the synopsis, otherwise I would have known this.