I ATE THIS UP 

This is a sexy contemporary rom-com that is equal parts sexy and hilarious. Is the male main character, Colin, a perfect human being who makes zero mistakes throughout this book and approaches every conversation and conflict with loving kindness? Yes. He has very little character development because honestly he starts out with five gold stars for me. Our female main character, Truly, does have some growth in store, but only as she comes to terms with her own two-dimensional perspective on lifelong commitment and her own insecurities in being loved. This is a wide-open-door romance with some pleasantly surprising femme domme and one of my favorite microtropes (this man is quick off the mark, IYKYK). 

I suggest comedy goggles for the adult parent trap shenanigans in the third act, because if you take it *too* seriously, you, like Colin, might need a breather. 

Also, this is bi-4-bi and has one of the most beautifully affirming conversations around bi-erasure and impostor syndrome that I've read in romance. I was misty-eyed, and so grateful to Bellefleur for this explicit representation and dialogue. 

disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial

I buddy read this with @readingwithtemperance (IG & on here) & we had a great time. Colin is probably my favorite book bae of my recent romance reads, & I am still hot & bothered by him lmao.

Truly (romance writer) goes on a podcast with Colin (family attorney, but works on a lot of divorces), and their views on love and relationships are quite different, causing a ton of friction. They end up continuing on with the podcast after mostly settling their miscommunication and misunderstanding, but Truly cannot ignore the growing sexual tension between them. Amidst this, Truly's parents drop some groundbreaking news to her that turn her world on its axis. Her best friend Lulu who works at a sex toy shop is along for the entire ride, providing the goofiest commentary and much needed comic relief.

Truly and Colin's tension was written so well - I could feel it seeping out of these pages omg!!!!! The steamy scenes had me absolutely sweating ajhslfhdkfshdfsjhdfdsljf. Their text messages were so flirty and fun, and rang authentic to me as someone who is awkward, truculent, and bad at flirting. I was genuinely grinning so hard reading their interactions, and think Bellefleur did a great job of illustrating a growing connection between the two.

I thought the Parent Trap-esque plan for Truly's parents was annoying because your parents getting divorced is not about you (like yes, your feelings are absolutely valid and they matter, but you can't force or guilt your parents into staying together, come on Truly babyyyyy). However, I sympathize with her pain, and recognize that you don't know how you act until it happens to you. Their Sondheim tradition had me absolutely cackling though.

Colin's family (besides his sister who runs the podcast... I am forgetting her name, I'm sorry!) can suck it and I hope they step on Legos barefoot for the rest of their lives!

Overall, this was such a fun romcom - I giggled, I swooned, I broke a sweat, and I would love to see it onscreen hehe. 

Steam Rating: 3.5 out of 5 - including a public sex scene at a lake, my GODDDDDD

The way that Alexandria writes just has me absolutely devouring her words. She has such a flare for the dramatic. 

In this book we follow Truly (a best selling historical romance author) and Colin (divorce lawyer) definitely an unlikely pair for sure. 

The book wastes no time grabbing your attention.

On the first page Truly catches her fiancé cheating on her. And then her parents tell her that they're seperating.

A whirlwind of emotions for sure. 

Then enters Colin who achieves nothing but royally pissing Truly off in the beginning.

I love how he won her over.

Colin was probably the highlight of this book for me. He's so thoughtful and kind.

And not gonna lie I kind of love the way this man begs. My my does he do it WELL.

There were definitely lots of cringe moments though. The whole

parent trap

situation gave me intense secondhand embarrassment. But I'm glad it worked out in the end.

I also really hated Colin's family (aside from his sister of course). They were all just so pretentious, entitled,  and RUDE. I wanted to fist fight them all.

I was so happy when Truly stood up for Colin.

The spice was fantastic, but no surprise there given its Alexandria Bellefleur. Definitely a great book to read with a friend (I did hi Brittany!). 

Overall I really liked it and the ending was sweet.

I loved that her parents renewed their vows.

But I was so dissapointed that we didn't get to see

the engagement. Especially since Truly was the one who proposed in her last relationship.

 

Alexandria Bellefleur always writes fluffy, sweet books that feel like a strawberry-banana smoothie on a warm summer day, and Truly, Madly, Deeply is no exception as another trope-filled queer romance for gooey-hearted queer people. A pleasure to read! 

Wow wow wow Alexandria really hit it out of the park with this one! This book is definitely her best work yet. I mean the banter in this one is too notch. Like you will be laughing and smiling along as you read because their energy is infectious, it leaps off the page. Speaking of their energy, this book is hot af. The spice really delivers because Truly and Colin are so supportive and deeply care for one another. My man Colin?! A sap, so kind but teasing, so patient but assertive. Kenergy all around. Truly is such a brave soul trying to be vulnerable despite her fears. I just adore these two individually and for each other. Honorable mention to Lulu (give our girl a book!) and the podcasting scenes. Everyone absolutely needs to read this book asap, you are missing out if you don’t! 

*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*