'We're a Bad Idea, Right?' by K.L. Walther

5 risky stars

Book Blurb:

"The business of love gets messy when two best friends decide to fake a romantic relationship in this uproarious and swoony novel by the bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules.

Audrey Barbour has had enough of following the rules. Eighteen years of being the perfect daughter—exceptional grades, enviable college acceptances, tame dating history—and still, her parents don’t trust her enough to let her study her passion, glassblowing, on a prestigious fellowship.

So when her best friend Henry proposes an outrageous fake-dating scheme to win back his ex-girlfriend, it feels like the first step to shaking up her perfect life. And the second? That comes when Audrey’s parents go out of town, sparking a high-risk, high-reward solution to pay for her fellowship—renting out her family’s Connecticut mansion online. With the help of her new fake-boyfriend, it shouldn’t be hard to pull off… right?

But when her best intentions start to unravel, Audrey will have to reckon with who she is, what she wants, and what it really means to play life by her rules—all with her heart on the line."

My Review:

I love how author K.L. Walther's characters are always so clever and witty with each other, and so creative when brainstorming to break the rules. 'We're a Bad Idea, Right?' is no exception. Here we we follow Grace and James' cousin Audrey through her last few weeks of high school, including fake dating to drum up interest from an ex and a would-be partner, a lucrative scheme of renting out her property while her parents are out of town, and a great group of friends who help along the way.  

This is a companion novel to 'While We're Young,' though readers need not have read that book to enjoy this one. As always, the cameos of older Walther characters were incredibly enjoyable.

'We're a Bad Idea, Right?' releases March 3, 2026, pre-order a copy here!

 #WereaBadIdeaRight #NetGalley – I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'Thrown for a Loop' by Sarina Bowen

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"Fans suspect that the bad boy of hockey has a few skeletons in his closet. They have no idea he also has a sparkly bodysuit… #toepick!

When they met at figure skating camp ten years ago, Chase Merritt was a scrappy hockey player from the wrong part of town, and Zoe Carson was the up-and-coming ice princess. They fell in love faster than you can say triple toe loop, until Zoe makes a fateful error that ends up costing Chase dearly.

Almost a decade later, their fortunes are reversed. Chase is the MVP of the New York Legends hockey team, while Zoe—their new skating coach—has years’ worth of personal and professional bruises. It’s hard to face him again—all six feet and two hundred pounds of muscle and swagger.

And anger. Chase is in hot water with management, and refusing to work with Coach Zoe no matter how badly he needs to shore up his stride—and his image. Until a journalist digs up an old video of Zoe and Chase performing a skating program, and the internet goes wild.

Management seizes on the opportunity for a P.R. redemption, ordering Zoe and Chase to reprise their flashy routine.

Skating with him again—to a love song, of course—is pure agony. But it’s also Zoe’s only chance to unpack the truth of what really happened that night ten years ago. And to at least find forgiveness, if she can’t win back his heart."


My Review:

Fantastic and swoon-worthy Adult Rom-Com for every fan of figure skating, ice hockey and 'The Cutting Edge' movie from 1992!

I really enjoyed both the dual POV and the dual timelines. We get to see Zoe and Chase in present day and their memories of their magical summer together, nearly 10 years prior. In both timelines, their witty banter and chemistry is off the charts and a joy to read.

'Thrown for a Loop' releases on November 4th, grab a copy here!

#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.