Love, Just In (Natalie Murray, A&U)

Following a panic attack while reporting on live TV, Josie is eager to prove that she can still make it as a full-time Sydney newsreader. However, after her dead-air debacle, the only way to do that is by moving to Newcastle to cover another reporter’s leave for six months. Taking the job means she might have the chance to redeem herself, but it also means moving to where her high school best friend lives—the only problem is, they haven’t spoken since an accident two years ago. With hopes of furthering her career and repairing their relationship, Josie makes the move and reaches out to Zac to make amends. Soon enough, the inside jokes and flirting return, alongside some extra tension that Josie is sure wasn’t always there. While their relationship is at the forefront of Love, Just In, underlying themes of health anxiety and grief echo throughout the novel in an earnest and touching way. The alternating timelines, akin to Emily Henry’s You and Me on Vacation, allow Josie and Zac’s 15-year relationship to flourish on the page. In her first adult contemporary romance, Natalie Murray expertly weaves in flirtatious scenes with heart-warming moments of true friendship, building narrative tension and showcasing her skill at creating authentic characters. This swoon-worthy and sultry friends-to-lovers romance is the ideal summer read for fans of Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Lisa Schuurman is an editor, writer and book reviewer. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Reviews