There’s something about a second-chance romance set around musicians and artists that automatically feels a little more emotional, a little more dramatic, and Hot Lips definitely leans into that atmosphere well. The whole book has this moody indie-romance energy to it — late nights, old heartbreak, creative ambition, and feelings that clearly never disappeared no matter how much time passed.

Frankie and Ben’s dynamic was easily my favorite part. Their relationship already feels loaded from the beginning, and I liked that the story trusted the tension between them instead of trying to force constant drama. There’s a lot of lingering hurt, pride, attraction, and unfinished business woven into their interactions, which made the romance feel mature in a messy, believable way.

I also appreciated that Frankie wasn’t written as an overly polished heroine. She’s stubborn, emotionally guarded, and deeply focused on proving herself, which made her feel human rather than overly idealized. Ben balances her well with that quietly devoted energy that romance readers will absolutely recognize.

The creative backdrop added a lot to the story too. Between the music career, photography world, and the general “trying to make something of yourself while emotionally unraveling a little” vibe, the book felt immersive without becoming overly heavy.

For me, this was the kind of romance that shines more in the emotional tension and atmosphere than in big dramatic twists. It’s very yearning-heavy — lots of unresolved feelings, meaningful conversations, and the sense that these two people know each other a little too well.

Overall, Hot Lips feels intimate, angsty, and emotionally charged in a way that fits the second-chance romance genre really nicely. Definitely one to pick up if you enjoy complicated exes, artistic characters, and romances where the chemistry never really went away.

Thank you Netgalley and author for an early copy.

This debut delivered everything I love in a second chance romance: tension, history, messy emotions, and two people who never really stopped loving each other. Frankie and Ben had chemistry from the very first page, but what made this story stand out was how layered their relationship felt. Their pain, pride, and unresolved past made every interaction hit harder.

Frankie’s journey to finding her voice, both as an artist and as a person, added so much depth to the romance. Ben was the perfect counterpart—successful on the outside, but still carrying the heartbreak of how things ended. Watching them slowly peel back old wounds and figure out if love could survive the damage was so satisfying.

The music scene backdrop gave this book such a fun energy, and it felt cinematic in the best way. Think passion, creative ambition, late-night tension, and emotional vulnerability wrapped in an indie-rock atmosphere.

If you love second chance romances with emotional depth, strong chemistry, and characters chasing both love and their dreams, this is one to pick up. Such a strong debut, and I’m excited for more from this series.

What a debut! So angsty, so sexy, I was hooked from the very beginning.

I've been loving stories centered around artists and musicians lately, and there's something about the way they feel their emotions, both together and separately, that creates so much more depth, tension, and messiness. Honestly, it's intoxicating. Whether in the past or present, the chemistry between Ben and Frankie was so palpable. This second chance romance perfectly captured the rise and fall of a relationship while also making their reconnection feel so beautifully inevitable. I loved the growth in both characters, especially Frankie, such a layered and complex FMC and the perfect counterpart to Ben. Overall, I couldn't recommend this one more!