closed door
I REALLY like Hayes, and her friends. There's a lot of great relationships within this story. 

An incredible and utterly charming, opposites attract rom-com, with one of the most interesting starts to a romance I’ve read in a while.  

It’s set in New York, and follows Franny who, on one of the worst days of her life (where she’s just been laid off from her dream job), finds herself going viral on social media when her dress rips and handsome stranger, Hayes come to her rescue with his suit jacket. 

Dubbed #SubwayQTs it seems all of New York is shipping the pair. But they couldn’t be a more disastrous match. After a talk show reunion goes horribly wrong, Hayes and Franny are happy to never set eyes on one another ever again.

Only, fate seems to have other ideas as no matter where they go Haye and Franny just can’t keep from bumping into each other…

I literally couldn’t put this down! With tons of witty characters, and a (sort of) sunshine x grump dynamic between Franny and the gorgeously awkward (but totally adorable) Hayes Montgomery III, I genuinely enjoyed reading this one. 

I really liked the dual POVs that alternates between both of our protagonists,though I do warn the romance is a slow burn, but the chemistry-laden build up is definitely worth the wait! 

Likewise, the pacing isn’t the quickest but it does allow for some exquisitely detailed and in-depth character development that allowed us to really explore Franny and Hayes’ innermost thoughts and feelings. 

For Franny, that means exploring the complex feelings surrounding her biological father (who she never got to meet) and the questions she’s never had the courage to ask her mum. And for Hayes, we delve into his insecurities surrounding his past (failed) relationships and his struggle to find the perfect work-life balance. But the best part, was seeing how their blossoming relationship and time together slowly changed their own perceptions — and ultimately becoming better (more confident) and happier versions of themselves. 

There was also a wonderfully entertaining cast of characters; such as Perrine (Hayes’ cousin), Lola and Cleo (Franny’s friends) and Eleanor (Hayes’ best friend and business partner) who I loved in all their supportive, snarky glory. 

I’m also hoping that a production company/ streaming service picks this up soon as I need a movie adaptation—the premise is practically made for the big screen, especially with that vibrant, NYC setting. 

Overall, this is a fun, fresh and thoroughly enjoyable read that’s perfect for New York obsessed rom-com addicts and fans of any (or everything) Nora Ephron. 

Also, a massive thank you to Chloe at Pan Macmillan for the finished copy (and my spot on the blog tour.)

I liked both the main characters and the secondary characters well enough, but this was one of the most predictable and forgettable "must read rom-coms" I've ever encountered. If you're realllllly itching for an NYC, Nora Ephron-style romance, then I suppose this might do. 

I am literally so sad I’ll never be able to read this book for the first time. I loved it so much.

The story was so unique and I loved how Kate Spencer wove in so many details throughout. Her writing style is *chef’s kiss*! The plot was predictable in parts, but the way Kate wrote around it and added new life into the book was fantastic.

I was giddy. I laughed out loud. I wanted to wrap our main characters in a hug. I was equally as numb during the third act breakup. This book was so sweet and perfectly captures the intimacy of knowing someone completely.

“I could feel the weight of what was unraveling between us, the unspoken acknowledgment that this—this—was something. We were people who shared things, intimate things, deeper than just kissing. All my worries, insecurities, and thoughts of not being good enough, suddenly seemed so pointless now. Because I knew that there was nothing that could compare to this.“

I felt like I was with Hayes and Franny on the rooftop of his building planting vegetables and also in her studio apartment doing the Sunday crossword puzzle together. Just freaking perfect.

My heart is so full and I loved this book so much. I want an epilogue. And then more.

And then some not fade to black scenes because I just know Hayes is as good with his hands as he says. But also he’s such a romantic at his core and I need to see the duality in action. 

Also him admitting to himself that he pictured his hands in her hair when they first met? Yeah. We need the dirty details, pls & thanks.

Romance isn't generally my thing but I read this because I was an early Forever 35 listener. It was ultimately fine. The build up to the inevitable lasted too long for me and the interactions that were being framed as 'electric' always kind of fizzled (for me). It eventually became too repetitive an unfulfilling for me. As a reader I was being told there was chemistry between Franny and Hayes but I didn't feel or believe it. The characters were generally a touch too cutesie for me to feel overly invested in anyone. I also found the names of the trio of friends kind of obnoxious..? That feels like an odd thing to zero in on but here we are. By no means an awful read overall, but also not a "why haven't I been reading books like this before now" kind of thing.

In this breezy, charming rom-com, everything starts with a meet cute from hell. Hell because Franny's dress rips down the back on the subway as she struggles with her boxed up office after getting laid off that morning. Cute because a handsome stranger offers his suit jacket to hide her bare ass from the world. Or so the internet thinks when photos of the interaction go viral. In reality, it takes some time for our two lovebirds to feel the magic. Their romance is light, relatively low steam, and full of life's little realities like nerves, insecurities, and messy feelings.

I like that the story includes more about life than just romance. Particularly in Franny's story, she has strong friendships, a new business getting off the ground, and is uncovering information about the dad she never knew. Hayes is a bit less developed in my opinion. His awkwardness and his lack of confidence in dating are endearing and keep him from being a cookie cutter love interest, but his side of the story is much more focused on the romance. In general, I think I wanted to sink my teeth into the story a bit more, but instead the approach was to touch on many issues a little bit and keep the plot moving.

I could see how the author brought New York into the story as an ambience, a living presence almost. The magic the characters reference of living in the city is palpable. This was a pleasant read with an enjoyable cast of characters. I'm glad I read it.