Review: Lease on Love by Fallon Ballard
I rarely review the books I read that I don’t have to, meaning I didn’t receive an ARC for it or have a deadline from the publisher. But I had to talk about this book. February was a busy month and it kind of left me in a reading slump. I had been looking for a book that was fast paced, fun, but also heartfelt and this book left me grinning from ear to ear.
Lease on Love is the perfect millennial read. It’s relatable, sexy, fun, and just the right amount of “holy shit i’m almost 30 and I hate my life” existential. I loved it!
Synopsis:
“After getting passed over for an overdue—and much-needed—promotion, Sadie Green is in desperate need of three things: a stiff drink, a new place to live, and a one-night stand. But when an accidental mix-up lands her on the doorstep of Jack Thomas's gorgeous Brooklyn brownstone, it's too bad Sadie is more attracted to the impressive real estate than she is to the man himself.
Jack, still grieving the unexpected death of his parents, has learned to find comfort in video games and movie marathons instead of friends. So while he doesn’t know just what to make of the vivaciously verbose Sadie, he’s willing to offer her his spare bedroom while she gets back on her feet. And with the rent unbeatably low, Sadie can finally pursue her floristry side hustle full-time. The two are polar opposites, but as Sadie’s presence begins to turn the brownstone into a home, they both start to realize they may have just made the deal of a lifetime.” —Amazon
What I Liked:
The Setting—Park Slope is dreamy and it was so well portrayed it even made this Manhattan lover swoon and think about living there.
The Pacing—This book GOT IT. We had just enough in the beginning to get us into the story and then it was just action packed with character development. Loved it.
The Character Discoveries—I loved how Sadie was on a journey to accept herself. She is so self deprecating, which I can relate to, and I loved that she had a group around her who saw her for who she really is and helped her see it.
The Cast of Characters—THIS GROUP OF FRIENDS! I loved them. I liked that it was a diverse group of found family. The scenes with the holidays just got me right in the feels.
The Romance—While I hate insta love, I do enjoy Insta-Attraction “now let’s pine” and I think this captured that feeling perfectly.
What Didn’t Work For Me:
The 3rd Act Break Up— It felt so forced. I am someone who has never had commitment issues, so I struggle to sympathize with characters who do, but I think that’s why it happened.
Content Warnings:
loss of parents, grief