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It's Getting Hot in Here
HER HOT FLUSHES MUST BE THE PERI-MENOPAUSE. THEY SURELY COULDN'T BE ... LOVE?Lisa Darling - high-flying TV-exec and twice-divorced mother-of-two - has enough on her plate without having to deal with the handsome New Yorker parachuted in to her best friend's job at work.She's already navigating life with a grotty teenage son, organising a PTA cheese & wine event, supporting her oldest friend through breast cancer treatment and, since she hit 47, facing a new perimenopause symptom every day. It's no wonder she never has time for Pilates or that DIY panelling she keeps seeing on Instagram (though she'd be the first to admit she'd rather share a bottle of wine with her friends any day).So when Lisa starts feeling overheated every time she clashes with Zach Russo, she convinces herself it will pass. Maybe her HRT just needs adjusting. Until, that is, she finds herself in a sexy - and seriously ill-advised - clinch with him. And then another . .All of which leads to one these long-forgotten feelings couldn't be caused by something else entirely . . . could they? Fun, frank and fabulous, Lisa Darling is the romantic comedy heroine we've ALL been waiting for!
368 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2024
158 people are currently reading
16.7k people want to read
About the author
Jane Costello
20books1,076followersJANE COSTELLO writes bestselling romantic comedy books that celebrate all that’s great about midlife - and make you laugh about anything that isn’t.
She is the Sunday Times bestselling author of 15 novels, five of which were published as ‘Catherine Isaac�.
Her new book, IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE, is a spicy rom com about a 40-something TV exec and mum-of-two navigating perimenopause, a moody teenager, the to-do list from hell . . . and some delightfully steamy thoughts about a handsome new colleague at work.
Her novels have been translated into 26 languages, selected by the Richard & Judy Book Club and she has won a Romantic Novelists� Award twice. She was born in Liverpool, where she still lives with her husband and three sons.
She is the Sunday Times bestselling author of 15 novels, five of which were published as ‘Catherine Isaac�.
Her new book, IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE, is a spicy rom com about a 40-something TV exec and mum-of-two navigating perimenopause, a moody teenager, the to-do list from hell . . . and some delightfully steamy thoughts about a handsome new colleague at work.
Her novels have been translated into 26 languages, selected by the Richard & Judy Book Club and she has won a Romantic Novelists� Award twice. She was born in Liverpool, where she still lives with her husband and three sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
February 14, 2025
TV Exec and twice-divorced Lisa Darling is struggling to raise her two sons alone, tackle perimenopause, and deal with an insane attraction to a new co-worker, the New Yorker taking over for her best friend while she battles breast cancer.
The best part of this book is for sure Lisa Darling, perhaps one of the most relatable MCs I have encountered, at least lately. While I am not yet at that stage in life, I so appreciated her struggles in trying to handle hormonal changes while also dealing with her teenage son handling his own hormonal shift.
There were quite a few laugh-out loud moments, but also a handful of more emotional ones as Lisa tries to figure out what is happening with her eldest child. While the romance is fun and light, it was more Lisa as a mom that I most connected with.
Read if you like:
▪️mature MC (late 40s)
▪️relatable characters
▪️single parent
▪️insta lust
▪️forced proximity
▪️humorous fiction
Thank you Zibby Books and Libro.fm for the gifted copies.
The best part of this book is for sure Lisa Darling, perhaps one of the most relatable MCs I have encountered, at least lately. While I am not yet at that stage in life, I so appreciated her struggles in trying to handle hormonal changes while also dealing with her teenage son handling his own hormonal shift.
There were quite a few laugh-out loud moments, but also a handful of more emotional ones as Lisa tries to figure out what is happening with her eldest child. While the romance is fun and light, it was more Lisa as a mom that I most connected with.
Read if you like:
▪️mature MC (late 40s)
▪️relatable characters
▪️single parent
▪️insta lust
▪️forced proximity
▪️humorous fiction
Thank you Zibby Books and Libro.fm for the gifted copies.
March 7, 2025
Finalllllllly!!! Thank you Zibby publishing, thank you Jane Costello and thank you Book of the Month for a wonderful romcom about a twice-divorced perimenopausal main character! I enjoy a lighthearted contemporary fiction story as much as the next girl out there, and usually that means a romance with a 25 year old character. It feels so good to be seen with a woman of my age.
And it’s not all menopause jokes- plenty of spice (if that’s your thing) struggles with her ex and co-parenting, work stress, and relationship building through strong major and minor characters.
At the end of the day, no matter our age or stage of life, most people are a little afraid that we are unlovable. Books like this give us a flawed but insecure character that we see ourselves in.
It’s British!
And it’s not all menopause jokes- plenty of spice (if that’s your thing) struggles with her ex and co-parenting, work stress, and relationship building through strong major and minor characters.
At the end of the day, no matter our age or stage of life, most people are a little afraid that we are unlovable. Books like this give us a flawed but insecure character that we see ourselves in.
It’s British!
February 4, 2025
3.5
This was a really funny and relatable look at finding love in midlife, balancing motherhood, exes and romance with the challenges of getting older. I enjoyed the laugh out loud humor, the Bridget Jones vibes and the slow burn coworker romance. It was also good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Class mom by Laurie Gelman. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: fade to black
CW: side character with breast cancer
This was a really funny and relatable look at finding love in midlife, balancing motherhood, exes and romance with the challenges of getting older. I enjoyed the laugh out loud humor, the Bridget Jones vibes and the slow burn coworker romance. It was also good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Class mom by Laurie Gelman. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: fade to black
CW: side character with breast cancer
February 11, 2025
This one was SO much fun and reminded me of older British chick lit with a heroine in her forties. As a woman in my forties with teenagers much of this was relatable and soo funny for me. I found myself nodding my head and laughing quite a bit and the humor was exactly my style. I’m a sucker for a narrator with an accent so I was all in here! Next time you want a realistic and flawed heroine try this, such a fun listen
February 15, 2025
I really loved this later in life romance! It was such a cute, funny and fast-paced read and I just flew through the pages 📖
February 28, 2025
Like that this is a mature woman romance but title seems off. Does make me wonder how many women experience increased libido during menopause� Romance was ok, just wasn’t as into main love interest but the main character made up for it. Like her arc a lot.
September 5, 2024
I could totally relate to Lisa being a similar age, I thought these aspects her of personal and family life were so well written. It’s a very easy read, Jane Costello always delivers!
Lisa is a 47 yr old mum of 2, her eldest is pushing every button and more. She’s juggling a busy career, PTA meetings and a to-do list which almost matches mine 😁
When her friend gets diagnosed with cancer Zach comes from the US to cover her job for 6 months. The title of It’s getting hot in here at this point is not just her to flushes but the effect Zach has on her 😊
The will they won’t they was just so typically relatable to being a mum with little personal space or time, I laughed and blushed thinking about this.
A great book and I totally recommend.
Thank you NetGalley, Jane Costello and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.
Lisa is a 47 yr old mum of 2, her eldest is pushing every button and more. She’s juggling a busy career, PTA meetings and a to-do list which almost matches mine 😁
When her friend gets diagnosed with cancer Zach comes from the US to cover her job for 6 months. The title of It’s getting hot in here at this point is not just her to flushes but the effect Zach has on her 😊
The will they won’t they was just so typically relatable to being a mum with little personal space or time, I laughed and blushed thinking about this.
A great book and I totally recommend.
Thank you NetGalley, Jane Costello and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.
February 17, 2025
This romantic comedy follows Lisa Darling, a single mom in her 40s juggling a demanding career in television, a challenging teenage son, and an overwhelming to-do list. With her best friend undergoing cancer treatment, Lisa is already stretched thin when Zach Russo—a charismatic and maddeningly confident new executive from Los Angeles—arrives and immediately disrupts her work life. Sparks fly between them in the worst and best ways, leading to an unexpected, ill-advised, yet undeniably steamy encounter that forces Lisa to reconsider what she truly wants from love and life in midlife.
Filled with humor and warmth, this novel celebrates the complexity and joy of starting over. The author's relatable writing—especially the never-ending to-do list—had me nodding in recognition. Her story reminds us that romance, reinvention, and fun don’t stop at 40. She writes with humor, heart, and insight, making readers feel seen. There’s a poignant line about how midlife is when you realize you’re skating on thin ice while carrying the weight of your family and career. It's so true. This book is smart, funny, and an uplifting, escapist read.
To listen to my conversation with the author, visit:
Filled with humor and warmth, this novel celebrates the complexity and joy of starting over. The author's relatable writing—especially the never-ending to-do list—had me nodding in recognition. Her story reminds us that romance, reinvention, and fun don’t stop at 40. She writes with humor, heart, and insight, making readers feel seen. There’s a poignant line about how midlife is when you realize you’re skating on thin ice while carrying the weight of your family and career. It's so true. This book is smart, funny, and an uplifting, escapist read.
To listen to my conversation with the author, visit:
February 13, 2025
Funny and relatable and charming � this book was just what my 47-year-old heart needed. It’s giving perimenopausal Bridget Jones as a mother to a teen and I could not possibly love it more!
Thank you to Zibby books for a complementary copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Zibby books for a complementary copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
September 14, 2024
Was an extremely funny start to this book & never really a dull moment, if not rather predictable in alot of ways but I always enjoy a Jane Costello book.
October 12, 2024
Wow! A brand new book from Jane Costello! What a treat! As always a fun and laugh out loud one.
March 1, 2025
3.5 🌟(rounded up)
It’s not every day you read a rom-com where the main character is 47, dealing with perimenopause, a moody teenage son, and a high-pressure job—and still manages to have a life beyond obsessing over a man. Lisa Darling was a breath of fresh air. She’s funny, doesn’t take herself too seriously, and felt like someone you’d actually want to grab a drink with.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Lisa and Zach was entertaining, with plenty of fun banter. And while the story was a bit predictable, I didn’t mind—it was a quick, easy, and enjoyable read. Perfect for February. I especially appreciated that Lisa had plenty going on outside of her love life, making her a more well-rounded and relatable character.
Overall, this was a light, fun rom-com that didn’t reinvent the genre but brought something refreshing to the table: a heroine who’s not in her 20s or 30s and still gets to have a great (if slightly chaotic) love story. More of this, please.
It’s a yes for me! 🖤
DeAnn
@deannsreadingriot
It’s not every day you read a rom-com where the main character is 47, dealing with perimenopause, a moody teenage son, and a high-pressure job—and still manages to have a life beyond obsessing over a man. Lisa Darling was a breath of fresh air. She’s funny, doesn’t take herself too seriously, and felt like someone you’d actually want to grab a drink with.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Lisa and Zach was entertaining, with plenty of fun banter. And while the story was a bit predictable, I didn’t mind—it was a quick, easy, and enjoyable read. Perfect for February. I especially appreciated that Lisa had plenty going on outside of her love life, making her a more well-rounded and relatable character.
Overall, this was a light, fun rom-com that didn’t reinvent the genre but brought something refreshing to the table: a heroine who’s not in her 20s or 30s and still gets to have a great (if slightly chaotic) love story. More of this, please.
It’s a yes for me! 🖤
DeAnn
@deannsreadingriot
March 3, 2025
It's getting hot in here is honestly just vibes no plot. I think the me right now wasn't looking for this sort of read and is something that would be enjoyed much more on the beach somewhere if I was a little bit older and could have more relatability with the character. With that said, I do think the "just vibes" is an easy light hearted read that covers a broad range of topics. I wouldn't classify this as a romance book so I would not start this book with that idea in your head - there is romance but it is very brief and quick moving. All other aspects I enjoyed!
April 20, 2025
Review: Jane Costello is back and is making me laugh the way I have known and loved for so many years now. I love that authors I read in my 20s and 30 when they were writing about women like me in their 20s and 30s are now updating the narrative and writing about women like me in their 40s and 50s! I am here for all of it!
I loved getting to know Lisa and her to do list. Even though I don’t have the kids and the ex-husband that she has to deal with, I still absolutely related to her and her never ending to do list, her stressful job and the fact that she is the only one to volunteer for the PTFA events, the note taking and the clearing out of the hamster she didn’t actually ever want! She is a feisty individual and is just trying to live her life and do right by her friends, she family and most-importantly her two sons!
Then along comes Zach, covering in the media world for her best friend and he reality throws a spanner into her works. This is where all of the best romance tropes are hit, this author was really going for the bingo card of situations she could put Zach and Lisa into. This made me laugh but also made me incredibly frustrated (in a good way) at times too because I just wanted everything to work out for Lisa.
Although there are a lot of laughs in this book, there are also other parts that I am sure a lot of readers will relate to that are all parts of life when you’re in your 40s, lille having a friend who is dealing with cancer, having a lot of people let you down on a daily basis and having a son who is doing everything he can to assert his own identity by rebelling against you! I also loved the parts where she had last minute things for school come through and didn’t know how maths works in school today-very relatable!
If you are already a fan of Jane Costello, you will not be disappointed in this book and if this is the first time you have picked up a novel of hers, you are in for a treat! I loved every minute of this, I can really recommend the audio and I can’t wait for the next book that is out soon!
I loved getting to know Lisa and her to do list. Even though I don’t have the kids and the ex-husband that she has to deal with, I still absolutely related to her and her never ending to do list, her stressful job and the fact that she is the only one to volunteer for the PTFA events, the note taking and the clearing out of the hamster she didn’t actually ever want! She is a feisty individual and is just trying to live her life and do right by her friends, she family and most-importantly her two sons!
Then along comes Zach, covering in the media world for her best friend and he reality throws a spanner into her works. This is where all of the best romance tropes are hit, this author was really going for the bingo card of situations she could put Zach and Lisa into. This made me laugh but also made me incredibly frustrated (in a good way) at times too because I just wanted everything to work out for Lisa.
Although there are a lot of laughs in this book, there are also other parts that I am sure a lot of readers will relate to that are all parts of life when you’re in your 40s, lille having a friend who is dealing with cancer, having a lot of people let you down on a daily basis and having a son who is doing everything he can to assert his own identity by rebelling against you! I also loved the parts where she had last minute things for school come through and didn’t know how maths works in school today-very relatable!
If you are already a fan of Jane Costello, you will not be disappointed in this book and if this is the first time you have picked up a novel of hers, you are in for a treat! I loved every minute of this, I can really recommend the audio and I can’t wait for the next book that is out soon!
February 8, 2025
I had an absolute blast reading IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE by Jane Costello! This rom-com checked SO many of my boxes, and had me giggling up a storm. As a woman in my mid-forties, I found it quite easy to relate to the main character, Lisa Darling. She’s around my age, a hardworking mother of two, has an awesome sense of humor, and most importantly, is a great friend. I truly appreciated all of the references on aging and menopause throughout. I’m definitely the target audience for this book! Ha!
THINGS I LOVED:
- 40-something protagonist
- Reflections on motherhood
- Strong female friendship
- Insight on raising teenagers
- Perimenopause experience
- PTA mama drama
- Perfect amount of spice/steam
- Multiple LOL moments
- Lisa’s never-ending to-do list
Costello’s latest will certainly appeal to the 40+ perimenopausal mothers with teenagers crowd! Hahaha! If you enjoyed IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM? by Sophie Cousen or PICK-UP by Nora Dahlia, then you gotta read this. It has the same “divorced mom finding love again at the workplace� vibes. 4/5 stars for IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE! It’s out now!
THINGS I LOVED:
- 40-something protagonist
- Reflections on motherhood
- Strong female friendship
- Insight on raising teenagers
- Perimenopause experience
- PTA mama drama
- Perfect amount of spice/steam
- Multiple LOL moments
- Lisa’s never-ending to-do list
Costello’s latest will certainly appeal to the 40+ perimenopausal mothers with teenagers crowd! Hahaha! If you enjoyed IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM? by Sophie Cousen or PICK-UP by Nora Dahlia, then you gotta read this. It has the same “divorced mom finding love again at the workplace� vibes. 4/5 stars for IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE! It’s out now!
February 18, 2025
I really enjoyed this one and thought it was a nice breath of fresh air for a romance book.
First off, our female main character was in her 40's, so she was older than a lot of the other romance leads that we see. She was dealing with very realistic problems in life such as balancing work as a single mom to a teenager and 10-year-old. Her love interest is also her age, with a young child of his own.
I thought the relationship was so very realistic and it was nice to read. There weren't all these red flags being ignored, they weren't throwing caution to the wind, they were balancing work and family first with their budding relationship coming second.
I was really routing for the couple in the end, but also would have been weirdly okay if they didn't work out because I knew that they were going to be okay one way or another.
I don't know how better to describe this one, but it is great if you are looking for a still steamy, but way more realistic romance.
First off, our female main character was in her 40's, so she was older than a lot of the other romance leads that we see. She was dealing with very realistic problems in life such as balancing work as a single mom to a teenager and 10-year-old. Her love interest is also her age, with a young child of his own.
I thought the relationship was so very realistic and it was nice to read. There weren't all these red flags being ignored, they weren't throwing caution to the wind, they were balancing work and family first with their budding relationship coming second.
I was really routing for the couple in the end, but also would have been weirdly okay if they didn't work out because I knew that they were going to be okay one way or another.
I don't know how better to describe this one, but it is great if you are looking for a still steamy, but way more realistic romance.
January 11, 2025
Funny and so relatable! Lisa Darling is a single mother trying to juggle work, kids activities, PTA meetings, and get to do lists done. She feels like she is failing her son as they keep fighting and he is being defiant by vaping and drinking. She needs her ex-husband to step up and be more reliable and help out more. She is always saying “yes� to PTA things and she keeps getting taken advantage of.
Lisa is 47 and she is experiencing hot flashes and keeps thinking her HRT need to be adjusted. Her best friend Rose has been diagnosed with cancer so she goes with her to treatments. Rose takes time away from work and Zach Russo steps in to take her spot. Lisa is having steamy dreams about her coworker and soon he is all she thinks about.
I liked all Lisa’s to do lists and how she kept track of everything. She soon discovers that she needs to put herself first and make some boundaries. I just breezed through this book as it was a sheer delight.
This was first book by this author and will be looking for more.
Thank you Zibby books for advance copy.
Lisa is 47 and she is experiencing hot flashes and keeps thinking her HRT need to be adjusted. Her best friend Rose has been diagnosed with cancer so she goes with her to treatments. Rose takes time away from work and Zach Russo steps in to take her spot. Lisa is having steamy dreams about her coworker and soon he is all she thinks about.
I liked all Lisa’s to do lists and how she kept track of everything. She soon discovers that she needs to put herself first and make some boundaries. I just breezed through this book as it was a sheer delight.
This was first book by this author and will be looking for more.
Thank you Zibby books for advance copy.
March 8, 2025
Yay, a perimenopausal character trying to figure things out.
Nay, a so-so story.
Nay, a so-so story.
October 15, 2024
It’s getting Hot in here
By: Jane Costello
Pub Date: September 5, 2024
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
I have found a new rom-com author. This one was so much fun. The witty banter between Lisa Darling and Zach Russo while their relationship heated had me flying though the pages.
Lisa is a TX exec and a mother of two who has been divorced twice. When one of her colleges and friends has to be out on leave she has to work with Zach on a temporary basis.
All kinds of sparks fly good and bad. Does she want to find love again?
By: Jane Costello
Pub Date: September 5, 2024
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
I have found a new rom-com author. This one was so much fun. The witty banter between Lisa Darling and Zach Russo while their relationship heated had me flying though the pages.
Lisa is a TX exec and a mother of two who has been divorced twice. When one of her colleges and friends has to be out on leave she has to work with Zach on a temporary basis.
All kinds of sparks fly good and bad. Does she want to find love again?
February 7, 2025
It's Getting Hot In Here is a fun, heartwarming read about motherhood, finding love later in life, exes, menopause, just a big blend of things. I thought it was really well done and the author navigated the subjects really well. All the subplots were well developed and easy to follow. They all connected perfectly to make for a truly cohesive storyline. The romance was definitely a slow Burn, but the banter between them was so fun, it was worth the wait !
The middle aged characters are truly what made this book so exceptional. I rarely read about older people and I loved it. They felt so mature, realistic, with life experience but still learning to navigate through daily life changes. I loved how Leo's teenager hardships and experimentation were included and how it affected others around him. I did feel I was missing a bit of development in Lisa & Zach's relationship, because they faced so many challenges, then I just felt the end rushed and the I love you’s thrown out there.
Overall, I think this is a great book for anyone that's into women's fiction. I feel older women will definitely relate more to the story, but truly it's for anyone! I enjoyed it, thought it was super fun and well written.
🎧 The narration by Marisa Calin was good. She did have a thick British accent which was to be expected, so I did have to listen to this one at quite a lower speed to make sure I grasped it all. She did a good job at voicing all the different characters and portraying all the emotions and fears. Very enjoyable.
✨️Thank you to @librofm, @zibbypublishing & @janecostello for my gifted ARC & goodies in exchange for an honest review.
The middle aged characters are truly what made this book so exceptional. I rarely read about older people and I loved it. They felt so mature, realistic, with life experience but still learning to navigate through daily life changes. I loved how Leo's teenager hardships and experimentation were included and how it affected others around him. I did feel I was missing a bit of development in Lisa & Zach's relationship, because they faced so many challenges, then I just felt the end rushed and the I love you’s thrown out there.
Overall, I think this is a great book for anyone that's into women's fiction. I feel older women will definitely relate more to the story, but truly it's for anyone! I enjoyed it, thought it was super fun and well written.
🎧 The narration by Marisa Calin was good. She did have a thick British accent which was to be expected, so I did have to listen to this one at quite a lower speed to make sure I grasped it all. She did a good job at voicing all the different characters and portraying all the emotions and fears. Very enjoyable.
✨️Thank you to @librofm, @zibbypublishing & @janecostello for my gifted ARC & goodies in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2025
Thank you @Zibbypublishing and @janecostellobooks for my #gifted ARC and amazing PR package! #ZibbyBooksAmbassador #ZibbyBooks #ItsGettingHotInHere #JaneCostello
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐈𝐭’� 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐈𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
I loved everything about this laugh out loud rom-com! Perfect for middle-age readers, Jane Costello has crafted the most flawed, yet truly relatable main character. Readers can’t help but find a connection with Lisa in some way to their own lives. Her life is messy. She is a single mother of two teenagers, is on the PTA, a TV executive, and is helping her best friend and co-worker, Rose, through breast cancer treatment. She’s juggling a lot, and doing it all while struggling with perimenopause. When Rose decides she needs to take time of work to focus on her treatment, Zach Russo is sent in as a temporary replacement. All of a sudden, Lisa starts getting hot around him. She’s probably just needs to have her hormone replacement therapy adjusted. As time goes on, Lisa finally starts to realize that maybe it’s time to finally start focuses more on herself and her own feelings.
This was seriously such a fun and at times steamy book. There were to-do lists scattered throughout the book that always made me laugh. This book just brought so much joy, and I love how nice it was to read about a middle-age character. This book was an absolute gem and I cannot recommend this one enough!
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐈𝐭’� 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐈𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
I loved everything about this laugh out loud rom-com! Perfect for middle-age readers, Jane Costello has crafted the most flawed, yet truly relatable main character. Readers can’t help but find a connection with Lisa in some way to their own lives. Her life is messy. She is a single mother of two teenagers, is on the PTA, a TV executive, and is helping her best friend and co-worker, Rose, through breast cancer treatment. She’s juggling a lot, and doing it all while struggling with perimenopause. When Rose decides she needs to take time of work to focus on her treatment, Zach Russo is sent in as a temporary replacement. All of a sudden, Lisa starts getting hot around him. She’s probably just needs to have her hormone replacement therapy adjusted. As time goes on, Lisa finally starts to realize that maybe it’s time to finally start focuses more on herself and her own feelings.
This was seriously such a fun and at times steamy book. There were to-do lists scattered throughout the book that always made me laugh. This book just brought so much joy, and I love how nice it was to read about a middle-age character. This book was an absolute gem and I cannot recommend this one enough!
February 4, 2025
This book was truly delightful. I’m either voraciously reading YA romance or hunting down romance/really any genre with older characters. Pining for my youth or wanting to read my reality 🤔
Mom, TV executive and twice divorced…Lisa (Darling)😉 is juggling it all, hamster(s) 🐹, the teenage years, PTA, supporting her friend through her cancer treatments, perimenopause, and she has absolutely no time to descale the kettle. To add to all she has going on a new coworker� Zach Russo l has her wondering is he an enemy or a someone she would like to get to know.
I’m a mom, my 40th bday is this year and I don’t think I could have picked up a better book. It’s deeply relatable. A look at motherhood, menopause, juggling all that is life and carving out time for yourself.
A romantic comedy with a good mix of heartfelt moments and depth. A good reminder that everyone is on this crazy ride called life and reaching for titles like this one I felt understood and not alone.
Thank you Zibby Publishing
This is number 2 on my Zibby Publishing Completist 25 Challenge
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Mom, TV executive and twice divorced…Lisa (Darling)😉 is juggling it all, hamster(s) 🐹, the teenage years, PTA, supporting her friend through her cancer treatments, perimenopause, and she has absolutely no time to descale the kettle. To add to all she has going on a new coworker� Zach Russo l has her wondering is he an enemy or a someone she would like to get to know.
I’m a mom, my 40th bday is this year and I don’t think I could have picked up a better book. It’s deeply relatable. A look at motherhood, menopause, juggling all that is life and carving out time for yourself.
A romantic comedy with a good mix of heartfelt moments and depth. A good reminder that everyone is on this crazy ride called life and reaching for titles like this one I felt understood and not alone.
Thank you Zibby Publishing
This is number 2 on my Zibby Publishing Completist 25 Challenge
Follow me on Instagram:
February 25, 2025
There were some good things touched upon ( perimenopause is a topic rarely addressed especially in fiction) and the hectic life of a single mother with two kids. One is a teen testing the patience of those around him. How this mom dealt with his misbehavior just irritated me. In her mind she is trying to calm herself down while he is openly lying to her. I just felt like she was manipulated so blatantly and it didn’t endear me to her. I get it! The struggle is real. Just felt her character didn’t make good choices ( she admittedly confesses this repeatedly). When the main character is the one who is always messing up� I struggle to feel empathy for them. Guess this book on audio wasn’t the best way for me to read either as the one narrator (British female) voicing the American male character made him sound breathy and seductive the whole time. It was distracting.
On to the next one for me.
On to the next one for me.
February 14, 2025
For those picking up this book, don't expect it to be a romance. I started this book with that thinking, and was very disappointed. The pacing was very slow, nothing really romantic happens to the hero and heroine until maybe half or 3/4 into the book. Majority of the writing was about the heroine herself, and her reflection on whether she is doing a good job as a mom, in her job and daily life.
The romantic scenes between hero and heroine was scarce and the remaining felt like filler to me. It was so boring I skimmed every part and only read what little romance it had.
It grated on me that when they did finally get together at the end of the book, the book ends. Just like that, so abruptly. So we see them kinda struggle to get together, then when they do, bye readers!
Not my cup of tea writing.
The romantic scenes between hero and heroine was scarce and the remaining felt like filler to me. It was so boring I skimmed every part and only read what little romance it had.
It grated on me that when they did finally get together at the end of the book, the book ends. Just like that, so abruptly. So we see them kinda struggle to get together, then when they do, bye readers!
Not my cup of tea writing.
February 17, 2025
It's always refreshing to read a story in which the MC is in her 40's with different problems other than miscommunication.
Lisa Darling, a TV Exec is a single mom of 2 and twice-divorced trying to balance it all, including being perimenopause. Her best friend is on leave dealing with a serious health issue. Her new temporary co-worker is a New Yorker that comes across arrogant but so attractive.
Lisa is such a relatable character, dealing with the problems her teen son is causing, and an ex-husband that is completely useless and unreliable. This is like a version of Lisa is getting her groove back. There are a few funny moments, but the story also has a lot of emotional instances.
Thank you Libby for my gifted copy as well as Libro. fm. Opinions are my own!
Lisa Darling, a TV Exec is a single mom of 2 and twice-divorced trying to balance it all, including being perimenopause. Her best friend is on leave dealing with a serious health issue. Her new temporary co-worker is a New Yorker that comes across arrogant but so attractive.
Lisa is such a relatable character, dealing with the problems her teen son is causing, and an ex-husband that is completely useless and unreliable. This is like a version of Lisa is getting her groove back. There are a few funny moments, but the story also has a lot of emotional instances.
Thank you Libby for my gifted copy as well as Libro. fm. Opinions are my own!
February 24, 2025
As a 49 year old woman, I was excited to see a book with an older, mature female lead that I could related myself to. I wish I could say that the story met my expectations but sadly it didn’t. I thought I was going to laugh about all the crazy menopause symptoms, the flashes, weight gain, and weird skin, but I honestly struggled to connect with story and all the obsession with botox and other beauty rituals. Also, the “enemies to lovers� part became too vanilla too quickly. In the end, it wasn’t a book for me.
January 23, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This was my first time reading something by Jane Costello and I am glad I decided to try a new-to-me author. This book was a great office/ enemies-to-lovers rom-com, made exceptional by its (gasp) middle aged characters. While the perimenopause stories quickly disappeared, it was very nice to read about a woman in her later 40s! I found the family dynamics very believable as well.
March 1, 2025
Tv Exec and twice divorced, Lisa Darling is in the midst of peri-menopause, helping her best friend through a breast cancer diagnosis and raising her 2 sons. Along comes
American Zach Russo who is temporarily filling in while Lisa’s friend recovers. They are not agreeing on production ideas and go head to head but soon they realize they really like each other. I’m not a huge reader of Rom coms but I loved this one and it would make a great movie.
American Zach Russo who is temporarily filling in while Lisa’s friend recovers. They are not agreeing on production ideas and go head to head but soon they realize they really like each other. I’m not a huge reader of Rom coms but I loved this one and it would make a great movie.
December 13, 2024
Moms will relate to Lisa, dealing with her rebellious teenager as her ex can’t be bothered to go beyond his custody time or interrupt his date night. Mom guilt is real as Lisa ends up chairing too many PTA events rather than lead a balanced life. Perimenopause is real and hilarious! Swoony and spicy. Predictable in a good way. We all need a happy ending and our ex’s to come to their senses!!
Thanks to Zibby Books and Netgalley for the advance copy for review.
Thanks to Zibby Books and Netgalley for the advance copy for review.
February 8, 2025
3.5⭐️
This was a fun (predictable) read about a single mom trying to balance raising her two boys, a successful career and a budding romance. I’m really liking these romances with older FMC’s and MMC’s, but got a little bored midway through.
This was a fun (predictable) read about a single mom trying to balance raising her two boys, a successful career and a budding romance. I’m really liking these romances with older FMC’s and MMC’s, but got a little bored midway through.
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