I kiss and tell, then profit from it. He’s the first man I want to keep off the page…

My ex destroyed my life and my ability to write a single decent sentence. So I do what any desperate romance author with a contract on the line would do…take a workcation. I rent a bubble gum pink cottage in a touristy town and promise myself no distractions.

Then I meet my temporary landlord.

He has a jawline that belongs on a warning label and the kind of confidence that tells me he breaks hearts for a living. Each morning he makes me coffee and has me laughing. Every night I write scenes I swear aren’t about him. Even though I know better.

I‘ve built my career writing about my relationships.
Every man. Every crush. Every heartbreak. Every dirty little detail.
My readers are going to love him.
That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.

My Review

Scarlett is an author currently escaping life in South Carolina on a much-needed bookcation to finish writing. Honestly, if that premise doesn’t hook you immediately, I don’t know what will. Her rental comes complete with flowers, charm, and one very attractive neighbor. The banter between Scarlett and Ezra starts almost instantly and completely pulled me in.

Ezra is confident, a little conceited, undeniably handsome, and full of Southern charm. Even his rooster gave me pet-from-Moana energy. But honestly, the pink house with the white picket fence may have stolen the show for me first. Once I realized Ezra was also an artist, the colorful, personality-filled house made even more sense.

The descriptions throughout the story are incredibly vivid and absolutely scream summer. Between the flowers, beach vibes, cozy cottages, and historical homes, I felt completely immersed in the setting. The line between neighbors and something more, fiction and reality, is constantly blurring in the best way. The flirtation, tension, witty banter, and emotional connection had me swooning from start to finish.

Ezra’s protective and nurturing Southern gentleman energy is honestly smoking hot, and poor Scarlett never really stood a chance. While the story is technically set near a larger city, it carries all the warmth and charm of a small-town romance. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but both characters are hesitant to fully embrace what’s happening between them, adding just enough angst to keep things emotionally engaging.

The intimate scenes are sizzling, but what I loved most was how every interaction between Scarlett and Ezra also helped them heal. Their relationship becomes about more than attraction as they slowly rebuild trust, rediscover themselves, and learn how to embrace life again. I especially loved how the story balanced present-day romance with reflections on the difficult experiences that shaped them.

Of course, their fears eventually catch up with them, bringing emotional tension and drama I honestly wasn’t expecting. And the food descriptions throughout this book? Absolutely unfair because they constantly had me hungry. Between the bonfires, beach adventures, paparazzi chaos, and emotional romance, this story completely captures the feeling of summer.

I adored Ezra’s golden retriever energy and how patient he remained, even when waiting for Scarlett to figure out what she truly wanted. Watching Scarlett slowly open herself back up to life, love, and possibility made the emotional payoff feel incredibly rewarding.

This is such a swoony summer romance full of beachy vibes, emotional healing, chemistry, and heart. By the ending, I was completely emotional in the best way because Scarlett and Ezra’s journey felt so heartfelt and satisfying.

Honestly, this feels like the kind of romance I could reread every summer just for the atmosphere and feelings alone. The story captures summer beautifully without overwhelming the plot with it, weaving in the flowers, scents, beach scenes, and cozy homes so naturally that I truly felt like I was living alongside the characters.

If you would like to read Booked on You by Lyra Parish you can get this book now on Amazon. As an Amazon Assocaite I earn on qualifying purchases.

If you like this book you may also enjoy books with these tags and categories: Summer, Forced Proximity, and Slow Burn.