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Lovelight #4
Business Casual
Two opposites will find out if one night together is enough to get each other out of their systems in the final book in the beloved Lovelight series.
Nova Porter isn’t looking for love, and she certainly has no explanation for her attraction to buttoned-up, three-piece-suit-wearing investment banker Charlie Milford. Maybe it’s his charm? Or maybe it’s his determination to help her fledgling business however he can. Either way, she’s distracted every time he’s around. With her new tattoo studio set to open in her hometown of Inglewild, she doesn’t have time for frivolous flirtations.
In an effort to get Charlie out of her system once and for all, Nova offers a proposition. One night. No strings. They’ll kick their uncomfortable attraction to the curb and return to their respective responsibilities. But their explosive night together scatters their expectations like fallen leaves. And with Charlie in town as the temporary head of Lovelight Farms, Nova can’t quite avoid him.
And Charlie? Well, Charlie knows a good investment when he sees one. He’s hoping he can convince Nova he’s worth some of her time.
Nova Porter isn’t looking for love, and she certainly has no explanation for her attraction to buttoned-up, three-piece-suit-wearing investment banker Charlie Milford. Maybe it’s his charm? Or maybe it’s his determination to help her fledgling business however he can. Either way, she’s distracted every time he’s around. With her new tattoo studio set to open in her hometown of Inglewild, she doesn’t have time for frivolous flirtations.
In an effort to get Charlie out of her system once and for all, Nova offers a proposition. One night. No strings. They’ll kick their uncomfortable attraction to the curb and return to their respective responsibilities. But their explosive night together scatters their expectations like fallen leaves. And with Charlie in town as the temporary head of Lovelight Farms, Nova can’t quite avoid him.
And Charlie? Well, Charlie knows a good investment when he sees one. He’s hoping he can convince Nova he’s worth some of her time.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 16, 2024
About the author
B.K. Borison
5 books6,456 followersB.K. Borison lives in Baltimore with her sweet husband, vivacious toddler, and giant dog. She started writing in the margins of books when she was in middle school and hasn’t stopped.
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October 28, 2022Charlie and Nova are the fourth and final installment of the Lovelight series. Here are some things to look forward to with their love story:
- sunshine, girl obsessed, chaotic himbo boy
- driven, confident, sarcastic, gooey inside gal
- opposites attract
- flirting as a love language
- just once to get it out of our systems
- oh sh*t, it's not getting out of our systems
- inglewild phone tree x 1000, they branch into a printed newsletter
- the whole family involved and invested (stella's brother and beckett's sister and lots of meddling from all parties)
- sunshine, girl obsessed, chaotic himbo boy
- driven, confident, sarcastic, gooey inside gal
- opposites attract
- flirting as a love language
- just once to get it out of our systems
- oh sh*t, it's not getting out of our systems
- inglewild phone tree x 1000, they branch into a printed newsletter
- the whole family involved and invested (stella's brother and beckett's sister and lots of meddling from all parties)
April 26, 2024
3.75/5
Oh how much I enjoyed it, there was a moment when I even thought it would be a five-star read for me, which unfortunately did not happen, but it doesn't change the fact that I had a really good time reading it. I have over a hundred and fifty highlights and over a hundred notes. I think that says enough how much I enjoyed it. And these are not notes in which I complain about something, no no no, these are notes in which I either scream or write how much I love our hero, like here for example: "GOD HE IS PERFECTTTTTTTTT", "God i needd him", "Omg im cryingggggg". These are the less embarrassing examples obviously, as I'm too scared of the digital footprint to add my not PG13 notes. I'm probably in the minority of people who have never read any book in this series and started with the last one, but surprisingly I had no problem with the side characters, as each of them was introduced in such a way that it was easy for me to remember who was who.
Business Casual is about Nova and Charlie, Charlie - our golden retriever hero who works for a wealthy investment firm in New York, has a penchant for three-piece suits and wristwatches that cost as much as most of the characters' rent here, and who has been shamelessly flirting with his friend Nova for ages, and Nova - our grumpy character who owns the only female-owned and female-operated tattoo shop on the East Coast, and who like Charlie, is not interested in relationships. Or at least it was like that until they both decided on one night together to get each other out of their systems, which didn't exactly end the way they planned as one night turned into several with an ending they never planned.
Honestly, I loved both of our main characters. I could relate to both of them, which in some situations hit close to home, sometimes even too close, but for this reason this book will definitely be among my favorite stories this year because it will be hard for me to forget about it. They both struggle with different things, and they both healed together, learning that they needed each other more than they thought. One night stand books are not something I usually reach for because I feel like the bond between the main characters is usually built on lust, but here you could just feel that Nova and Charlie truly loved each other and their bond, instead of being based on lust, was based on friendship and trust.
One of my favorite dynamics in books is the hero who is clearly obsessed with the heroine and shamelessly flirts with her at every opportunity, and the grumpy heroine who wants nothing to do with him, although secretly likes it, but in the end she gives up and gives him a chance, which turns out to be one of her better decisions. So it was hard for me not to like this book as Nova and Charlie basically had the same dynamic. Charlie boy had it bad and had not problem showing it.
It was basically them.
Charlie was so much my type that I felt like the author went inside my brain, find out all the things I love in men, and decided to create Charlie out of it. Seriously. He was rich, tall, loved his family and did everything for them, he was honest and not afraid to cry, he was obsessed and worshiped his woman, was full of respect and responsibility, and a million million other traits that made me simply love him and put him in my "favorite hero" folder.
I didn't plan to write a long review, but I couldn't stop writing and it turned out the way it did. This was my first book in the Lovelight series and it definitely won't be the last, even though this book is the last in the series. Don't ask me why I read from the end, I'd like to know myself. Anyway, if you want to read a book with golden retriever rich hero and grumpy tattoo artist heroine, opposites attract, flirting as a love language, "just once to get it out of our systems" turns out "oh sh*t, it's not getting out of our systems", run and add it to your tbr!
*Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!*
Oh how much I enjoyed it, there was a moment when I even thought it would be a five-star read for me, which unfortunately did not happen, but it doesn't change the fact that I had a really good time reading it. I have over a hundred and fifty highlights and over a hundred notes. I think that says enough how much I enjoyed it. And these are not notes in which I complain about something, no no no, these are notes in which I either scream or write how much I love our hero, like here for example: "GOD HE IS PERFECTTTTTTTTT", "God i needd him", "Omg im cryingggggg". These are the less embarrassing examples obviously, as I'm too scared of the digital footprint to add my not PG13 notes. I'm probably in the minority of people who have never read any book in this series and started with the last one, but surprisingly I had no problem with the side characters, as each of them was introduced in such a way that it was easy for me to remember who was who.
Business Casual is about Nova and Charlie, Charlie - our golden retriever hero who works for a wealthy investment firm in New York, has a penchant for three-piece suits and wristwatches that cost as much as most of the characters' rent here, and who has been shamelessly flirting with his friend Nova for ages, and Nova - our grumpy character who owns the only female-owned and female-operated tattoo shop on the East Coast, and who like Charlie, is not interested in relationships. Or at least it was like that until they both decided on one night together to get each other out of their systems, which didn't exactly end the way they planned as one night turned into several with an ending they never planned.
Honestly, I loved both of our main characters. I could relate to both of them, which in some situations hit close to home, sometimes even too close, but for this reason this book will definitely be among my favorite stories this year because it will be hard for me to forget about it. They both struggle with different things, and they both healed together, learning that they needed each other more than they thought. One night stand books are not something I usually reach for because I feel like the bond between the main characters is usually built on lust, but here you could just feel that Nova and Charlie truly loved each other and their bond, instead of being based on lust, was based on friendship and trust.
"His eyes drag up to meet mine, red rimmed but bright. Forget-me-not blue.
“I’ve never been anyone’s favorite,” he whispers.
“Well,” I say, feeling defensive. “You’re mine."
One of my favorite dynamics in books is the hero who is clearly obsessed with the heroine and shamelessly flirts with her at every opportunity, and the grumpy heroine who wants nothing to do with him, although secretly likes it, but in the end she gives up and gives him a chance, which turns out to be one of her better decisions. So it was hard for me not to like this book as Nova and Charlie basically had the same dynamic. Charlie boy had it bad and had not problem showing it.
"She looks like she could eat me alive. I fucking love it."
"I always get the feeling Nova wants to crack open my head and take a look around. I’d probably let her and thank her for the pleasure."
It was basically them.
"his gaze back to me, his eyes tracing my face like I’m something precious. Like I’m something he can’t believe he gets to keep. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my life, Nova girl.” He says it in a whisper. Like a secret.
I drop my mouth to his and make it a promise. “Me too."
"He finishes climbing around Alex and grabs the only available seat in the tiny room. It screeches as he drags it across the floor, right next to me."
"Could I take your name?” he finally asks. His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat with a heavy swallow.
“When we get married, I mean. Could I—could I be a Porter?”
I have to take a second to breathe through the pinch in my chest.
“Is that something you want?”
He nods."
Charlie was so much my type that I felt like the author went inside my brain, find out all the things I love in men, and decided to create Charlie out of it. Seriously. He was rich, tall, loved his family and did everything for them, he was honest and not afraid to cry, he was obsessed and worshiped his woman, was full of respect and responsibility, and a million million other traits that made me simply love him and put him in my "favorite hero" folder.
I didn't plan to write a long review, but I couldn't stop writing and it turned out the way it did. This was my first book in the Lovelight series and it definitely won't be the last, even though this book is the last in the series. Don't ask me why I read from the end, I'd like to know myself. Anyway, if you want to read a book with golden retriever rich hero and grumpy tattoo artist heroine, opposites attract, flirting as a love language, "just once to get it out of our systems" turns out "oh sh*t, it's not getting out of our systems", run and add it to your tbr!
*Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!*
June 1, 2024
𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍: 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚑 𝟻, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
hi, i think i’m im love with this book 😔
🎶 one night he wakes, strange look on his face
pauses, then says “you’re my best friend”
and you knew what it was, he is in love
charlie, my ray of sunshine☀️ you deserve every good thing in this world. the way he kept giving pieces of himself to everyone while thinking he didn’t deserve anything🥹 he was willing to make everyone happy without asking anything in return🥹
💌 "I'm going to take up most of the couch," I warn.
I take up too much space, I want to tell her. I'm loud and sometimes I don't know how to stop talking. I'm a lot and I know that. I can't figure out how to make myself fit, but I'm trying. I promise I'm trying.
She shrugs. "I don't need much room to be comfortable."
i speak two languages, i always read romance books, listen love songs, yet i don’t have words to describe how much i love him😔 and anyway you would tell me to shut up because i couldn’t stop if i start talking about him. he was written for me🥹
❤️🩹I'm used to being a good time. A fun deviation from normal patterns and behaviors. But with Nova, I want to be a choice. Not a whim. Not a regret. 😭😭😭😭
🎶 he laughs at her eyes, at her smile, at the glasses on her face
she loves how he talks late at night, when there’s no one else to say
nova, my precious girl🫂 you were so patient, so mature. i could feel your need to prove yourself, your need to make people proud of you. i love to see you happy with your Charlie <3🥹
"Shut up, Charlie."
"Yes, Nova."
CHARLIE: Why? Are you jealous, Nova girl?
NOVA: Hard to be jealous when I can still feel you every time I sit down, Charlie.
CHARLIE: Fuck.
"Could I take your name?" he finally asks. His Adam's apple bobs in his throat with a heavy swallow. "When we get married, I mean. Could I—could I be a Porter?"
I have to take a second to breathe through the pinch in my chest.
"Is that something you want?"
He nods.
HE FINALLY FINALLY HAS A HOME🥹 finally he realizes people love him just because who he is. best found family🫶🏼
and the best part? no third act‼️ no owd/omd‼️ cutest epilogue‼️ she wrote this for us girlies <333
thanks to netgalley for the arc! 🦋
~~~~
𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍: 𝚖𝚊𝚢 𝟹𝟷, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
literally obsessed and in love with this book😭
i’ve only read it 2 months ago but i had to come back to them because this is literally perfection. i swear it’s written so perfectly for me, the comfort i found reading this book is unmatched>>>>
~~~
OMG OMG OMG THEY FINALLY APPROVED MY REQUEST‼️‼️‼️🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥰🥰🥰💖💖💖💖💖 i would be so sad if couldn’t read it soon😭😭😭😭 happiest day
hi, i think i’m im love with this book 😔
🎶 one night he wakes, strange look on his face
pauses, then says “you’re my best friend”
and you knew what it was, he is in love
charlie, my ray of sunshine☀️ you deserve every good thing in this world. the way he kept giving pieces of himself to everyone while thinking he didn’t deserve anything🥹 he was willing to make everyone happy without asking anything in return🥹
💌 "I'm going to take up most of the couch," I warn.
I take up too much space, I want to tell her. I'm loud and sometimes I don't know how to stop talking. I'm a lot and I know that. I can't figure out how to make myself fit, but I'm trying. I promise I'm trying.
She shrugs. "I don't need much room to be comfortable."
i speak two languages, i always read romance books, listen love songs, yet i don’t have words to describe how much i love him😔 and anyway you would tell me to shut up because i couldn’t stop if i start talking about him. he was written for me🥹
❤️🩹I'm used to being a good time. A fun deviation from normal patterns and behaviors. But with Nova, I want to be a choice. Not a whim. Not a regret. 😭😭😭😭
🎶 he laughs at her eyes, at her smile, at the glasses on her face
she loves how he talks late at night, when there’s no one else to say
nova, my precious girl🫂 you were so patient, so mature. i could feel your need to prove yourself, your need to make people proud of you. i love to see you happy with your Charlie <3🥹
"Shut up, Charlie."
"Yes, Nova."
CHARLIE: Why? Are you jealous, Nova girl?
NOVA: Hard to be jealous when I can still feel you every time I sit down, Charlie.
CHARLIE: Fuck.
"Could I take your name?" he finally asks. His Adam's apple bobs in his throat with a heavy swallow. "When we get married, I mean. Could I—could I be a Porter?"
I have to take a second to breathe through the pinch in my chest.
"Is that something you want?"
He nods.
HE FINALLY FINALLY HAS A HOME🥹 finally he realizes people love him just because who he is. best found family🫶🏼
and the best part? no third act‼️ no owd/omd‼️ cutest epilogue‼️ she wrote this for us girlies <333
thanks to netgalley for the arc! 🦋
~~~~
𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍: 𝚖𝚊𝚢 𝟹𝟷, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
literally obsessed and in love with this book😭
i’ve only read it 2 months ago but i had to come back to them because this is literally perfection. i swear it’s written so perfectly for me, the comfort i found reading this book is unmatched>>>>
~~~
OMG OMG OMG THEY FINALLY APPROVED MY REQUEST‼️‼️‼️🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥰🥰🥰💖💖💖💖💖 i would be so sad if couldn’t read it soon😭😭😭😭 happiest day
April 3, 2024
4.5 stars★
“I’ve taught myself how to be okay with fragments of feeling, but i don’t want that with you. I want more than what you’ve given me.”
So, in Business Casual, we have Nova, who's this grumpy character running a badass female-owned tattoo shop. And then there's Charlie, our golden retriever hero, working at a fancy investment firm. Charlie has been flirting up a storm with Nova for awhile, both are very uninterested in being a relationship. One night they decide to throw caution to the wind and just go for it. But little did they know, that one night would turn into many more, and they find themselves in a situation they never could have predicted.
I couldn't resist my curiosity ended up reading this series out of order. But you know what? I don't regret it one bit!
Charlie boy🫶🏽 such a caring and selfless person, making sure everyone around him is happy. Always puts others' happiness before his own. He deserves nothing but the best.
Nova puts on a brave face and never asked for help, even when she really needed it. You don't have to carry everything on your own.
I was totally smitten with Charlie and Nova right from the first chapter! Their banter had me cracking up and I couldn't stop laughing throughout the whole book. their chemistry was everything! It gave me all the feels and pulled at my heartstrings. I could relate to them so much, and there were moments that felt incredibly personal. Both had their own struggles, and it was incredible to see how they found healing together. I was a bit skeptical about diving into a one-night stand story as they tend to prioritize lust over a deeper connection. But with Nova and Charlie, it was different. You could really feel their genuine love for each other. Their bond was built on friendship and trust, which made their relationship so much more meaningful.
After this amazing read, I'm excited to check out the other two books in the series. Can't wait to see what they have in store!
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
────────
pre-review: i've been seeing this getting so much love, i need to love this too🤞🏽💚
“I’ve taught myself how to be okay with fragments of feeling, but i don’t want that with you. I want more than what you’ve given me.”
So, in Business Casual, we have Nova, who's this grumpy character running a badass female-owned tattoo shop. And then there's Charlie, our golden retriever hero, working at a fancy investment firm. Charlie has been flirting up a storm with Nova for awhile, both are very uninterested in being a relationship. One night they decide to throw caution to the wind and just go for it. But little did they know, that one night would turn into many more, and they find themselves in a situation they never could have predicted.
I couldn't resist my curiosity ended up reading this series out of order. But you know what? I don't regret it one bit!
Charlie boy🫶🏽 such a caring and selfless person, making sure everyone around him is happy. Always puts others' happiness before his own. He deserves nothing but the best.
Nova puts on a brave face and never asked for help, even when she really needed it. You don't have to carry everything on your own.
I was totally smitten with Charlie and Nova right from the first chapter! Their banter had me cracking up and I couldn't stop laughing throughout the whole book. their chemistry was everything! It gave me all the feels and pulled at my heartstrings. I could relate to them so much, and there were moments that felt incredibly personal. Both had their own struggles, and it was incredible to see how they found healing together. I was a bit skeptical about diving into a one-night stand story as they tend to prioritize lust over a deeper connection. But with Nova and Charlie, it was different. You could really feel their genuine love for each other. Their bond was built on friendship and trust, which made their relationship so much more meaningful.
After this amazing read, I'm excited to check out the other two books in the series. Can't wait to see what they have in store!
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
────────
pre-review: i've been seeing this getting so much love, i need to love this too🤞🏽💚
February 25, 2024
I hope the Lovelight Series continues forever, allowing readers to savor more of its extra sweet, swoon-worthy, delicious romance delights! Every time I start a new book in the series, I tell myself that it can't possibly exceed the others, only to realize I couldn't be more wrong. The characters in the series and their heartfelt love stories not only warm my heart but also create an urgent craving to transport into the story and become one of the Lovelight Farm characters for a life of long, peaceful happiness. This series is like a song devoted to healing your soul and a recipe for a permanent smile.
The combination of reverse grumpy meets sunshine, opposites attract, friends with benefits, and friends to lovers tropes forms a secret formula that makes this book extra entertaining, addictive, steamy, but surprisingly sentimental and genuine, just like the other books in the series.
In this book, when I got introduced to Charlie – a joyful, caring, talented flirt as Stella’s stepbrother – I immediately hoped he would have his own book soon, even though he lives in NY, a white-collared, three-piece-suited guy from an investment firm. He seems like he belongs to another world instead of our dreamy small town miles away from becoming a charming farmer, but my prayers were finally answered, and he got his book.
Charlie impressively embodies a reincarnated golden retriever in human form, while his partner Nova Porter is more like a cougar or black cat who likes to show her claws, hiding behind a brooding face, sassy comments, and a rough facade to protect her heart. She's a talented tattoo artist, the youngest of four siblings, which makes her the baby of the family. She's sick of her siblings’ protective attitudes around her and is the founder of her own tattoo shop business.
Everything starts at the wedding ceremony of Stella and Luka. Nora gets tipsy, and each minute she becomes more irritated with her sister Harper, who keeps making comments about the lack of her love life. When Charlie asks her to dance – shamelessly flirting with her for months – she says hell yeah, and not only does she dance with him, but she also makes an offer to take him to her home. Poor Charlie thinks he's invited for snacks, but as soon as he realizes she's asking for a one-night stand, before forming an answer, Nora storms out, forgetting her phone. But the cat is already out of the bag. Charlie cannot resist the attraction, and he also gives a one-month-long honeymoon present to Stella and Luka, meaning he has to take over their responsibilities, heading the Lovelight Farms.
As Nora tries to ignore Charlie, he's everywhere, even involved in the Pumpkin committee, occupying the chair next to her. She cannot hold back her attraction either. They decide to hook up for one night, get each other out of their systems, and move on with their lives. It seems simple when you say it, but when you act, there are so many complications. One night is absolutely not enough, and their blooming friendship may lead to something more intimate, definitely not casual.
Could Nova be brave enough to let him into her heart, and could Charlie leave his insecurities behind and realize he deserves to be loved?
I couldn't give this book less than five stars! This series is the definition of devoted addiction. If you google “swoon-worthy,” only this series' name appears on your screen. I cannot get enough of them.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this swoon-worthy book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The combination of reverse grumpy meets sunshine, opposites attract, friends with benefits, and friends to lovers tropes forms a secret formula that makes this book extra entertaining, addictive, steamy, but surprisingly sentimental and genuine, just like the other books in the series.
In this book, when I got introduced to Charlie – a joyful, caring, talented flirt as Stella’s stepbrother – I immediately hoped he would have his own book soon, even though he lives in NY, a white-collared, three-piece-suited guy from an investment firm. He seems like he belongs to another world instead of our dreamy small town miles away from becoming a charming farmer, but my prayers were finally answered, and he got his book.
Charlie impressively embodies a reincarnated golden retriever in human form, while his partner Nova Porter is more like a cougar or black cat who likes to show her claws, hiding behind a brooding face, sassy comments, and a rough facade to protect her heart. She's a talented tattoo artist, the youngest of four siblings, which makes her the baby of the family. She's sick of her siblings’ protective attitudes around her and is the founder of her own tattoo shop business.
Everything starts at the wedding ceremony of Stella and Luka. Nora gets tipsy, and each minute she becomes more irritated with her sister Harper, who keeps making comments about the lack of her love life. When Charlie asks her to dance – shamelessly flirting with her for months – she says hell yeah, and not only does she dance with him, but she also makes an offer to take him to her home. Poor Charlie thinks he's invited for snacks, but as soon as he realizes she's asking for a one-night stand, before forming an answer, Nora storms out, forgetting her phone. But the cat is already out of the bag. Charlie cannot resist the attraction, and he also gives a one-month-long honeymoon present to Stella and Luka, meaning he has to take over their responsibilities, heading the Lovelight Farms.
As Nora tries to ignore Charlie, he's everywhere, even involved in the Pumpkin committee, occupying the chair next to her. She cannot hold back her attraction either. They decide to hook up for one night, get each other out of their systems, and move on with their lives. It seems simple when you say it, but when you act, there are so many complications. One night is absolutely not enough, and their blooming friendship may lead to something more intimate, definitely not casual.
Could Nova be brave enough to let him into her heart, and could Charlie leave his insecurities behind and realize he deserves to be loved?
I couldn't give this book less than five stars! This series is the definition of devoted addiction. If you google “swoon-worthy,” only this series' name appears on your screen. I cannot get enough of them.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this swoon-worthy book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
July 16, 2023
Charlie and Nova's story was everything I'd hoped for and so much more. Scorching-hot sexual tension, divine banter, beautifully vulnerable emotions, this was crammed with everything I love about Becs' writing. Atmospheric and just the right amount angsty, sensual, tender, witty, Becs' storytelling threw its arms around the endearing, nosey small town's shenanigans, gave us pitch-perfect presence from previous couples in the series, and truly let Charlie and Nova breathe as characters; they felt lived in and lovable and imperfect and painfully, gorgeously real. I could go on for paragraphs more, but I'll leave it at this: this is Becs' best writing yet, and I cannot wait for her many fans to fall in love with Charlie and Nova, too.
February 28, 2024
Charlie boy ♥️
My review could only say his name and it would be enough to describe my feelings.
I cried a bit, and then I cried some more, and when I thought I was all cried out, I wasn’t.
I don’t know if I related more to this characters, or if it was because of the story in particular, but it doesn’t really matter. This was PERFECT!
Thank you B. K. Borinson for giving us Lovelight and all of these wonderful characters that truly feel like family.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the eARC! All the thoughts are my own!
My review could only say his name and it would be enough to describe my feelings.
I cried a bit, and then I cried some more, and when I thought I was all cried out, I wasn’t.
I don’t know if I related more to this characters, or if it was because of the story in particular, but it doesn’t really matter. This was PERFECT!
Thank you B. K. Borinson for giving us Lovelight and all of these wonderful characters that truly feel like family.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the eARC! All the thoughts are my own!
March 1, 2024
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒ "I've taught myself how to be okay with fragments of feeling, but I don't want that with you. I want more than what you've given me. I want to give you more of me too. I love you, Nova girl."
Visiting Inglewild one last time felt like going back home. I hadn't realised how much I missed this small town and the people who live there 🥹 This series is so sweet and lovely, and even though I had some issues with the previous books (*cough* miscommunication & third act breakups *cough*), it's a series I love. And this last book did not disappoint. Not only is it my favourite of the series, it's also the best Lovelight book, and the hottest!
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒ Flirting has always been easy for me, but flirting with Nova is a goddamn delight. Her whole body comes alive under the attention, like a flower tilting towards the sun. I'm greedy for her reactions. For the way pink lights up her cheeks.
Business Casual made me feel so warm and fuzzy. I had a huge smile on my face the whole time I was reading it 🤭 I was genuinely giggling and kicking my feet in the air, taking small breaks to scream at how cute Nova and Charlie were, audibly gasping and fanning myself whenever Charlie said something that made my whole body catch fire 😮💨 To put it simply, this is what a perfect romance looks like to me.
Nova and Charlie have known each other for a long time and the chemistry between them is insane. I wanted them to kiss in the first chapter lol, I couldn't handle the tension! This is not a slow burn romance (don’t worry, it’s not insta love), but I didn't care because it made sense for the plot - they both agreed to have a one night stand, although of course it wasn't just one night 😏
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒ I want to do exactly what she wants. I want to be everything she needs. Fuck getting out of her system. I want to be so far in her system I'm all she ever thinks about.
I saw little pieces of myself in Nova and Charlie. It made me sad to see how they were both constantly trying to fit into a mold, a version of themselves that they thought would make everyone else happy.
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒ For the first time in a long time, it feels like maybe it's okay that I'm a work in progress. Just like my studio. Just like the little plants breaking through the soil and reaching for the sunlight. I'm trying, and maybe trying is enough.
Nova was so afraid of failing and disappointing the people she loved, especially her brother, so she acted like everything was fine and never asked for help, even when she clearly needed it 🥺 Charlie is the epitome of a people pleaser, always making sure everyone around him is happy and cared for. It broke my heart how he felt like he was intruding on other people's lives, like he was too much and they only kept him around because they felt sorry for him 🥲 He was hiding behind a cool, fun guy persona when inside he was falling apart and feeling so lonely.
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒ I take up too much space, I want to tell her. I'm loud and sometimes I don't know how to stop talking. I'm a lot and I know that. I can't figure out how to make myself fit, but I'm trying. I promise I'm trying.
I love how Nova made Charlie realise his worth and that he needed to put himself first, and how Charlie taught Nova that asking for help is not a weakness and that no one expects her to be perfect 🥹
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒ "One of the most beautiful things about you is your big heart and your faithfulness to the people you care about. I know you think you're being selfish, taking affection for yourself, but you're not. It's generosity. The best sort of love. I know you feel like you need to earn your place, Charlie, but you don't. Not in this town and not"—not with me, I almost say—"not anywhere else."
I loved how their relationship developed, it was so beautiful to watch them go from friends to lovers, seeing each other in a different light and noticing things they hadn't noticed before. And even though it was hard for them to admit things at first because of their fears and insecurities, they managed to find a way to communicate openly and be vulnerable with each other. It was amazing because it meant there wasn't a stupid third act conflict 😭 Also, the smut is some of the best I've ever read. It was so freaking hot 🥵 I loved the way they communicated, how Charlie let Nova set the pace, how Nova wasn't afraid to ask for what she needed. The dialogue was so good! And I think I died a little every time Charlie said "Nova girl", I don't know why, but I found it so sexy.
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒ "I've never been anyone's favorite," he whispers.
"Well," I say, feeling defensive. "You're mine."
Inglewild is the small town of my dreams, I'd move there in a heartbeat. The community is so tight and the phone tree thing is hilarious and remains one of my favourite parts of the series. I loved that all the couples appeared in this book, it was so lovely to see them all. I love them so much.
Overall this was a huge success and it's always the nicest feeling when the last book in a series is amazing. And it doesn't feel like goodbye at all 💖
⁀➴thank you NetGalley & Pan Macmillan for the e-arc (Business Casual is out on July 16th)
✧˚ ʚɞ˚ ༘✿ ♡ ⋆｡˚
pre-review:
AJQNZHWHSHWGS 😭 THIS WAS PERFECT! I WANT A CHARLIE FOR MYSELF 😭 you have no idea how happy I am there was no third act breakup, because that was always the main issue I had with the previous books 🥹
April 26, 2024
B.K. Borison has concluded her Lovelight series beautifully. This book is a great combination of all things cosy and spicy. Containing tropes of grumpy x sunshine, opposites attract, friends with benefits to lovers alongside cute, spicy, hilarious and vulnerable moments, it was so easy to both read and love this.
[ Contains some spoilers ]
PLOT SUMMARY
26-year-old Nova, the youngest of the Porter siblings, watches on at the wedding of Luka and Stella Peters (the couple from “Lovelight Farms” ). She has been working hard on trying to open her tattoo shop in Inglewild called Ink & Wild, and her sister Harper suggests she should relax and have fun.
She takes this rather literally as she is called to the dancefloor by Charlie Milford, Stella’s brother, an investment banker from New York who is as goofy as he is charming. He has flirted with Nova on previous occasions and he is not her type. He will be down taking care of the farm while Stella goes on her honeymoon with Luka, meaning he is conveniently on the town committee with Nova.
Nova decides that for one night they should hook up to get things out of their systems. At first Charlie is not sure about it because her brother Beckett is his best friend. Of course, feelings are caught and they both end up wanting more. They would rather have some of each other than none at all so decide to have a “business casual”, a casual September fling for a month with some rules in place. But will even that be enough for them?
OVERALL OPINIONS
This is the final installment of the Lovelight series and frankly I am annoyed at myself for not finding this series sooner, but am so glad to have been there for the final book. I am sure I will check out the other stories because I enjoyed this so much (potentially Christmas time) and, if needs be, update this review if new thoughts take place.
Discovering it is part of the series makes so much sense as to why there were so many characters and a sense that somehow I was jumping in and was partly meant to know the characters – but how everyone’s story is told/reminded to the reader made it easy to follow. This book could be read as a standalone, which I always like.
The Lovelight books are all set during a different season. This one is during Fall/Autumn, and you could really feel the cosiness behind it.
This book is what Tessa Bailey’s “Too Hot To Handle” should have been like! It had similar vibes with the grumpy x sunshine, secret flings, and opposites attract, but in comparison, it was far more shallow and convenient where every time Rita leaves something happens and she doesn’t. In this story here, we have far more realistic moments and a point where Charlie does need to leave and you feel the distance between them.
<< Positives >>
ㅤㅤ writing
🠚 There was a very clever moment with the writing and that is chapter 26, which solely consists of a compilation of Nova and Charlie’s texting exchanges when he is away in New York. As the chapter goes on, the length of the texts and conversations get shorter so that by the end of the chapter, there are missed calls. This all shows how further apart they are drifting through their long distance relationship.
🠚 I love the maturity of Nova and Charlie, the way that if something bothers them they will come out with it even if it takes the other person to encourage them to open up. It is literally cleared up or resolved within a few chapters, if not the very same one (the longest unresolved moment is at the start where there are some miscommunications between them). This feels realistic, acting the age that they are.
🠚 I loved the scene between Nova and her brother Beckett when he comforts and encourages her when she admits she is scared she will fail in her tattoo shop and not live up to his expectations. “All I did was believe in you. You were the one who was brave enough to try it”.
🠚 This book is teeming with beautiful words. Usually, something that is spoken by some character or other rather than within the narrative itself.
🠚 I like that this is the reverse grumpy x sunshine trope in the sense that Nova is the grumpy one and Charlie is the sunshine golden retriever.
🠚 Some people will be pleased to hear that there are no third act breakups. I heard that this is something Borison tends to do in her stories so it is nice that she has taken the public’s feedback on about this and ensured this doesn’t happen here. It is quite a common trope to do, and understandable in most cases, but it is nice if there isn’t one.
🠚 There was a good mixture of serious and humorous moments, which brings me to my next point.
ㅤㅤ humour
I had a lot of fun reading this. I have rarely read a book where I have laughed out loud – and at more than one bit. This was one of them, I laughed so much reading this, never a dull moment! A lot of these moments were made up of the very wholesome but funny family which would have to be the second-best thing about this book besides the romance itself. I have to name some of the moments as I am smiling just thinking of them:
• Beckett and Layla having a falling out but then when he explains the situation she goes from being a grump to “Goddamn it, Beckett! I can’t be mad now! That’s romantic!” I giggled.
• Gus and Montgomery bickering about art the way one of them is like “What do you know about art? You can barely write your name.” and the description of “Gus gasps like Montgomery just pulled out a knife and stabbed him directly in the heart.“ I imagined it so well haha! He was so offended, bless.
• when Beckett comes to check on Nova but she is in bed with Charlie who panics and leaves through the window, quoting Romeo and Juliet’s “But soft, what light through yonder window—” interrupted by Nova’s “Oh my god”
• finding out the whole family knows about said window incident
• “What’s going on with you?” bursts out of her, a whispered accusation.
ㅤㅤ“Me?” I rub at my arm where she bulldozed into me. “I’m not the one bodily accosting people in dark hallways.”
• “I told Evie I’d call her for this.” “For what?” Beckett taps at his screen and places his phone into the middle of the table while it rings. “For the moment you enter reality.”
ㅤㅤEvelyn answers on the second ring. “Is it happening?”
ㅤㅤI love how the family is so involved and invested!
• when everyone gathers at Nova’s house at 2am
• I snicker. He turns his attention to me. “What are you laughing about? You weren’t exactly forthcoming either.”
ㅤㅤThe smile slips off my face. “That feels vaguely hypocritical, Mr. Elope-in-the-Middle-of-the-Day.”
ㅤㅤ“This isn’t about me.”
ㅤㅤI had hysterics!
<< Negatives >>
🠚 I feel it jumped into things too quickly at the start of the book. I expected more of a buildup. But overall I did not mind.
🠚 I keep getting Stella and Selene’s names muddled, which is my own fault but two S names have me stumped.
CHARACTERS
*⁀➷ Similarities
• Both Nova and Charlie believe they don’t deserve what they have or want but for different reasons: Nova feels she has to work all by herself to prove she’s capable; Charlie feels that his desire to be away from work and stay in Inglewild (or just any desire) are selfish of him and therefore undeserved.
• Both of them also struggle with the idea of disappointing someone if they fail.
• Both tell people they are fine but are actually really struggling.
I see a bit of myself in both of them but mostly in Charlie
-ˋˏ ꒰ Nova꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ There was a lot about Nova I personally didn’t relate to. But she is a perfectionist, like me, and also has to walk “two of my steps for every one of his” due to her short height SAME GURL. I too am the youngest of my siblings and just as protective of them as they are of me. I also relate to what she says about her achievements “I’ve been waiting for this feeling. Not quite I made it, but I can fucking do it.” – this is how I’ve been feeling recently. I have been stumbling not sure of my future or career path. Finally, I feel like I know what I want to do.
-ˋˏ ꒰ Charlie꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Ahhh Charlie boy. He’s an angel! I just want to hug him! He is so kind and selfless, he is a thoughtful gift-giver, he remembers your favorite coffee, memorises how you like to drape your blanket over you, and brings forms you forget to fill out. He will sit with you through your migraine, encourage you, make you laugh. He loves classic films and historical romance novels. Also the way he says “Nova girl” aww! But he can also be very sexy, can hold your throat while you kiss.
🠚 I relate more to him because he is a people pleaser, and I also struggle with confrontation. “I’m happiest when the people around me are happy. I’m uncomfortable when there’s tension and I want to be liked.” I relate so so so much to this. I also like to be very organised like him.
🠚 Also, I adore the amount of consent and the way Charlie asks Nova what she wants and if this or that is okay just ahhh GREEN FLAG GALORE!
🠚 It is ashame his dad gives him so much hell but I love Charlie’s growth in the sense that he has the strength to cut his father off.
🠚 There is a moment where Nova says she doesn’t know “what to with the information that Charlie recommends historical romance to his friends” – I know exactly what to do with that: MARRY HIM !! I love how he helps Nova through her migraine.
FAV QUOTES
• He is either trying to organize a complicated line dance or a revolt against the DJ. It’s not clear.
• The music feels far away, nothing but me and Nova and the twinkling lights overhead. A flower petal in her hair and her hand in mine.
• I swear to god I need a road map with this woman. I never have any idea what she’s thinking.
• She shivers, and I’d offer her my jacket if I had it. She’d probably light it on fire.
• A bubble-wrapped heart. I know I’m not soft. I know I’m not gentle. I can be abrupt and to the point. But I don’t think I’m unapproachable. I don’t think I’m cold.
• I love that he called it my art and not my ink, because that’s what I think of it too.
• Every time I’m with her, it’s like a vacuum of time and space until there’s nothing but her smokey laugh and her dark blond hair. Careful touches and wicked grins.
• “Asking for help doesn’t make you less deserving of anything you’ve already achieved on your own.”
• “You noticed.” His eyes are soft. Knowing. “I always notice you, Nova girl.”
• “your eyes remind me of page seventy-three in the Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Forget- me- not blue.”
• “I’ve never been anyone’s favorite,” he whispers. “Well,” I say, feeling defensive. “You’re mine.”
• Laughing and talking and fucking and driving and kissing and sharing and stealing blankets in the dead of night. A tattoo on my wrist and my heart in my throat.
• It’s nothing special and everything wonderful at exactly the same time.
• “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my life, Nova girl.” “Me too.”
══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, and I’d like to thank B.K. Borison, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.
“Maybe we can call it business casual,” I say slowly.
His hands tighten on my hips. “What does that mean?” he laughs.
“Business casual,” I say again, the idea growing on me. Yes, that’s exactly what I want. Something casual but with parameters in place so neither of us can hurt the other.
[ Contains some spoilers ]
PLOT SUMMARY
26-year-old Nova, the youngest of the Porter siblings, watches on at the wedding of Luka and Stella Peters (the couple from “Lovelight Farms” ). She has been working hard on trying to open her tattoo shop in Inglewild called Ink & Wild, and her sister Harper suggests she should relax and have fun.
She takes this rather literally as she is called to the dancefloor by Charlie Milford, Stella’s brother, an investment banker from New York who is as goofy as he is charming. He has flirted with Nova on previous occasions and he is not her type. He will be down taking care of the farm while Stella goes on her honeymoon with Luka, meaning he is conveniently on the town committee with Nova.
Nova decides that for one night they should hook up to get things out of their systems. At first Charlie is not sure about it because her brother Beckett is his best friend. Of course, feelings are caught and they both end up wanting more. They would rather have some of each other than none at all so decide to have a “business casual”, a casual September fling for a month with some rules in place. But will even that be enough for them?
OVERALL OPINIONS
This is the final installment of the Lovelight series and frankly I am annoyed at myself for not finding this series sooner, but am so glad to have been there for the final book. I am sure I will check out the other stories because I enjoyed this so much (potentially Christmas time) and, if needs be, update this review if new thoughts take place.
Discovering it is part of the series makes so much sense as to why there were so many characters and a sense that somehow I was jumping in and was partly meant to know the characters – but how everyone’s story is told/reminded to the reader made it easy to follow. This book could be read as a standalone, which I always like.
The Lovelight books are all set during a different season. This one is during Fall/Autumn, and you could really feel the cosiness behind it.
This book is what Tessa Bailey’s “Too Hot To Handle” should have been like! It had similar vibes with the grumpy x sunshine, secret flings, and opposites attract, but in comparison, it was far more shallow and convenient where every time Rita leaves something happens and she doesn’t. In this story here, we have far more realistic moments and a point where Charlie does need to leave and you feel the distance between them.
<< Positives >>
ㅤㅤ writing
🠚 There was a very clever moment with the writing and that is chapter 26, which solely consists of a compilation of Nova and Charlie’s texting exchanges when he is away in New York. As the chapter goes on, the length of the texts and conversations get shorter so that by the end of the chapter, there are missed calls. This all shows how further apart they are drifting through their long distance relationship.
🠚 I love the maturity of Nova and Charlie, the way that if something bothers them they will come out with it even if it takes the other person to encourage them to open up. It is literally cleared up or resolved within a few chapters, if not the very same one (the longest unresolved moment is at the start where there are some miscommunications between them). This feels realistic, acting the age that they are.
🠚 I loved the scene between Nova and her brother Beckett when he comforts and encourages her when she admits she is scared she will fail in her tattoo shop and not live up to his expectations. “All I did was believe in you. You were the one who was brave enough to try it”.
🠚 This book is teeming with beautiful words. Usually, something that is spoken by some character or other rather than within the narrative itself.
🠚 I like that this is the reverse grumpy x sunshine trope in the sense that Nova is the grumpy one and Charlie is the sunshine golden retriever.
🠚 Some people will be pleased to hear that there are no third act breakups. I heard that this is something Borison tends to do in her stories so it is nice that she has taken the public’s feedback on about this and ensured this doesn’t happen here. It is quite a common trope to do, and understandable in most cases, but it is nice if there isn’t one.
🠚 There was a good mixture of serious and humorous moments, which brings me to my next point.
ㅤㅤ humour
I had a lot of fun reading this. I have rarely read a book where I have laughed out loud – and at more than one bit. This was one of them, I laughed so much reading this, never a dull moment! A lot of these moments were made up of the very wholesome but funny family which would have to be the second-best thing about this book besides the romance itself. I have to name some of the moments as I am smiling just thinking of them:
• Beckett and Layla having a falling out but then when he explains the situation she goes from being a grump to “Goddamn it, Beckett! I can’t be mad now! That’s romantic!” I giggled.
• Gus and Montgomery bickering about art the way one of them is like “What do you know about art? You can barely write your name.” and the description of “Gus gasps like Montgomery just pulled out a knife and stabbed him directly in the heart.“ I imagined it so well haha! He was so offended, bless.
• when Beckett comes to check on Nova but she is in bed with Charlie who panics and leaves through the window, quoting Romeo and Juliet’s “But soft, what light through yonder window—” interrupted by Nova’s “Oh my god”
• finding out the whole family knows about said window incident
• “What’s going on with you?” bursts out of her, a whispered accusation.
ㅤㅤ“Me?” I rub at my arm where she bulldozed into me. “I’m not the one bodily accosting people in dark hallways.”
• “I told Evie I’d call her for this.” “For what?” Beckett taps at his screen and places his phone into the middle of the table while it rings. “For the moment you enter reality.”
ㅤㅤEvelyn answers on the second ring. “Is it happening?”
ㅤㅤI love how the family is so involved and invested!
• when everyone gathers at Nova’s house at 2am
• I snicker. He turns his attention to me. “What are you laughing about? You weren’t exactly forthcoming either.”
ㅤㅤThe smile slips off my face. “That feels vaguely hypocritical, Mr. Elope-in-the-Middle-of-the-Day.”
ㅤㅤ“This isn’t about me.”
ㅤㅤI had hysterics!
<< Negatives >>
🠚 I feel it jumped into things too quickly at the start of the book. I expected more of a buildup. But overall I did not mind.
🠚 I keep getting Stella and Selene’s names muddled, which is my own fault but two S names have me stumped.
CHARACTERS
*⁀➷ Similarities
• Both Nova and Charlie believe they don’t deserve what they have or want but for different reasons: Nova feels she has to work all by herself to prove she’s capable; Charlie feels that his desire to be away from work and stay in Inglewild (or just any desire) are selfish of him and therefore undeserved.
• Both of them also struggle with the idea of disappointing someone if they fail.
• Both tell people they are fine but are actually really struggling.
I see a bit of myself in both of them but mostly in Charlie
-ˋˏ ꒰ Nova꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ There was a lot about Nova I personally didn’t relate to. But she is a perfectionist, like me, and also has to walk “two of my steps for every one of his” due to her short height SAME GURL. I too am the youngest of my siblings and just as protective of them as they are of me. I also relate to what she says about her achievements “I’ve been waiting for this feeling. Not quite I made it, but I can fucking do it.” – this is how I’ve been feeling recently. I have been stumbling not sure of my future or career path. Finally, I feel like I know what I want to do.
-ˋˏ ꒰ Charlie꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Ahhh Charlie boy. He’s an angel! I just want to hug him! He is so kind and selfless, he is a thoughtful gift-giver, he remembers your favorite coffee, memorises how you like to drape your blanket over you, and brings forms you forget to fill out. He will sit with you through your migraine, encourage you, make you laugh. He loves classic films and historical romance novels. Also the way he says “Nova girl” aww! But he can also be very sexy, can hold your throat while you kiss.
🠚 I relate more to him because he is a people pleaser, and I also struggle with confrontation. “I’m happiest when the people around me are happy. I’m uncomfortable when there’s tension and I want to be liked.” I relate so so so much to this. I also like to be very organised like him.
🠚 Also, I adore the amount of consent and the way Charlie asks Nova what she wants and if this or that is okay just ahhh GREEN FLAG GALORE!
🠚 It is ashame his dad gives him so much hell but I love Charlie’s growth in the sense that he has the strength to cut his father off.
🠚 There is a moment where Nova says she doesn’t know “what to with the information that Charlie recommends historical romance to his friends” – I know exactly what to do with that: MARRY HIM !! I love how he helps Nova through her migraine.
FAV QUOTES
• He is either trying to organize a complicated line dance or a revolt against the DJ. It’s not clear.
• The music feels far away, nothing but me and Nova and the twinkling lights overhead. A flower petal in her hair and her hand in mine.
• I swear to god I need a road map with this woman. I never have any idea what she’s thinking.
• She shivers, and I’d offer her my jacket if I had it. She’d probably light it on fire.
• A bubble-wrapped heart. I know I’m not soft. I know I’m not gentle. I can be abrupt and to the point. But I don’t think I’m unapproachable. I don’t think I’m cold.
• I love that he called it my art and not my ink, because that’s what I think of it too.
• Every time I’m with her, it’s like a vacuum of time and space until there’s nothing but her smokey laugh and her dark blond hair. Careful touches and wicked grins.
• “Asking for help doesn’t make you less deserving of anything you’ve already achieved on your own.”
• “You noticed.” His eyes are soft. Knowing. “I always notice you, Nova girl.”
• “your eyes remind me of page seventy-three in the Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Forget- me- not blue.”
• “I’ve never been anyone’s favorite,” he whispers. “Well,” I say, feeling defensive. “You’re mine.”
• Laughing and talking and fucking and driving and kissing and sharing and stealing blankets in the dead of night. A tattoo on my wrist and my heart in my throat.
• It’s nothing special and everything wonderful at exactly the same time.
• “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my life, Nova girl.” “Me too.”
══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, and I’d like to thank B.K. Borison, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.
April 9, 2024
Charlie and Nova don’t want a relationship. They just want to get it out of their systems 😂🤣💀 And I was there to watch the out-of-my-system-train derail 🍿
I loved their chemistry and their banter. Charlie was adorable, he was funny but also sweet and loving. The way he took care of her when she had a migraine! B.K. Borison really knows how to write a book boyfriend 😌
There’s one thing that stands out about this book and proves that the author listens to her readers (which 🥹🥹🥹) ; there’s no third-act breakup! 🥳🎊🎉🍾🥂💗 It was my biggest issue with the previous books so it was refreshing and comforting to see Charlie and Nova act like adults with no unnecessary drama.
I loved seeing the couples from the previous books living their HEA and I can’t believe it was the last installment. I will miss you, Lovelight Farms! 💕
Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the arc, all opinions are my own.
Pub date 27 Jun 2024
I loved their chemistry and their banter. Charlie was adorable, he was funny but also sweet and loving. The way he took care of her when she had a migraine! B.K. Borison really knows how to write a book boyfriend 😌
There’s one thing that stands out about this book and proves that the author listens to her readers (which 🥹🥹🥹) ; there’s no third-act breakup! 🥳🎊🎉🍾🥂💗 It was my biggest issue with the previous books so it was refreshing and comforting to see Charlie and Nova act like adults with no unnecessary drama.
I loved seeing the couples from the previous books living their HEA and I can’t believe it was the last installment. I will miss you, Lovelight Farms! 💕
Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the arc, all opinions are my own.
Pub date 27 Jun 2024
May 2, 2024
Oh. My. Gosh! Business Casual by B.K. Borison is seriously like the ultimate heartwarming story in a Lovelight series that had me hooked from start to finish! Five stars? More like a million stars! This book totally rocked my world!
Let's start with Nova and Charlie because, oh my stars, these two are the definition of relationship goals! Nova's got this whole "no time for love" thing going on, but then Charlie swoops in with his three-piece suits and irresistible charm, and suddenly, she's questioning everything.
Nova herself? She's funny, smart, and has a heart of gold. I felt every ounce of pressure she was under to succeed, and her journey throughout the book? It hit me right in the feels. And Charlie? He's not just a handsome face; he's a total sweetheart with a side of swoon-worthy charm. I mean, come on, who wouldn't want a Charlie in their life?
But let's talk about their relationship because, holy cow, it's like watching a slow-burning fire ignite into an inferno of passion! The banter? The tension? I was practically squealing with delight every time they were on the page together. And when they finally gave in to their feelings? Let's just say I needed a moment to collect myself because the sparks were flying!
And don't even get me started on the Lovelight crew! They're like the ultimate squad goals—supportive, hilarious, and always there for each other no matter what. I laughed, I cried, and I may have even hugged my book a time or two because the feels were just that intense!
As I reached the end of the final chapter, I was legit feeling all the feels—totally pumped up and kinda bummed at the same time. Saying peace out to this series was like saying goodbye to a crew of my besties. Business Casual is hands down a must-read if you're all about that opposites-attract vibe, digging small-town romance, or living for those found family vibes. It's basically like a warm hug for your heart that you won't forget anytime soon. Major props to B.K. Borison for dropping this masterpiece that's gonna stick with me for a long time!
Let's start with Nova and Charlie because, oh my stars, these two are the definition of relationship goals! Nova's got this whole "no time for love" thing going on, but then Charlie swoops in with his three-piece suits and irresistible charm, and suddenly, she's questioning everything.
Nova herself? She's funny, smart, and has a heart of gold. I felt every ounce of pressure she was under to succeed, and her journey throughout the book? It hit me right in the feels. And Charlie? He's not just a handsome face; he's a total sweetheart with a side of swoon-worthy charm. I mean, come on, who wouldn't want a Charlie in their life?
But let's talk about their relationship because, holy cow, it's like watching a slow-burning fire ignite into an inferno of passion! The banter? The tension? I was practically squealing with delight every time they were on the page together. And when they finally gave in to their feelings? Let's just say I needed a moment to collect myself because the sparks were flying!
And don't even get me started on the Lovelight crew! They're like the ultimate squad goals—supportive, hilarious, and always there for each other no matter what. I laughed, I cried, and I may have even hugged my book a time or two because the feels were just that intense!
As I reached the end of the final chapter, I was legit feeling all the feels—totally pumped up and kinda bummed at the same time. Saying peace out to this series was like saying goodbye to a crew of my besties. Business Casual is hands down a must-read if you're all about that opposites-attract vibe, digging small-town romance, or living for those found family vibes. It's basically like a warm hug for your heart that you won't forget anytime soon. Major props to B.K. Borison for dropping this masterpiece that's gonna stick with me for a long time!
March 3, 2024
my goodness.. this book.. yeah it takes the cake. business causal is one of my favorite reads of the year, and I know that you’re just started but i don’t care i know not a lot can top this. this was the perfect end to a near perfect series. nova and charlie, my loves. i’ve been anticipating their story for a long time now, and it clearly did not disappoint. the friends with benefits to lovers trope have been well executed! CHARLIEEEE MY BABY, i love him like i loveee him. i related to him soooo much my chest hurt. i had moments in the story wherei full body sobbed.. yeah. nova is everything, after getting glimpses of her for the last three books, i was really happy to finally get her POV and explore her mind, it was really rewarding. but nova and charlie together? magic. simply put. i’m not spoiling this book at all so i’m gonna leave my review here for now, but obviously five stars
July 1, 2024
Lovelight Farms stole my heart, and I loved every single minute of it ❤️
I have DEVOURED this series in a single week, and I am so, so sad that this was the end of this Small Town Farm Romance escape (I am really happy that I have book #1 to read in December since I did not want to read the Christmas book in June).
Business Casual was probably my favorite. Charlie's struggles really hit a nerve, watching Nova deal with her perfect family and overcome her insecurities was next level heartwarming. I don't have any tattoos, but I would love to get one of her signature minimalistic flower tattoos, and then move into her studio (the plant wall has got to be AMAZING).
It is cute, romantic, but also funny, and made me actually laugh out loud and giggle/grin multiple times in public, it has different family dynamics, our lovely couples from the previous books, it has the beautiful Lovelight farm, the nature, the small town gossip, Nova and Charlie have character and chemistry, and like I mentioned in an update, all the books have spice, but this one feels the horniest (I am not complaining). I loved the banter, the texts?!, the conversations and interactions, and all the small little details that make Lovelight Farms, Lovelight Farms.
I will stop now to not spoil anything, just read the series when you are in the mood for some cute cosy, entertaining light but spicy romcoms, you won't regret it ❤️
I will definitely get book #1 and #4 as paperback copies, like I already did with #2 and #3 to display my new favorite comfort book series and the breathtakingly beautiful covers. I can still not get over them 😱♥️
After reading A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston last week, which is basically about a woman stumbling upon the small town of her favorite romance book series with all the characters and everything, I picked up the books of Lovelight Farms. And now I cannot stop thinking about all those books, and how badly I want to visit Lovelight Farms, eat Strawberry Shortcake at Layla's bakery, get a tattoo at Nova's, walk through the trees of the farm and be a part of the Phone tree. I miss it already, and I just know that I will reread and reread this whenever I feel like it and need a pick me up ❤️
Thank you, Netgalley, Pan Macmillan, and B.K. Borison for the arc in exchange for an honest review!!!
•••••••••••
All my reviews of the Lovelight Farm Series so far:
In the Weeds (#2)
Mixed Signals (#3)
Business Casual (#4)
•••••••••••
Pre-read:
Ahhhhh - I just received this arc - I'm sooooo excited 😍😍😍
This is honestly probably THE most gorgeous cover I have ever seen - it's so cute!!
I have DEVOURED this series in a single week, and I am so, so sad that this was the end of this Small Town Farm Romance escape (I am really happy that I have book #1 to read in December since I did not want to read the Christmas book in June).
"She looks like she could eat me alive.
I fucking love it."
Business Casual was probably my favorite. Charlie's struggles really hit a nerve, watching Nova deal with her perfect family and overcome her insecurities was next level heartwarming. I don't have any tattoos, but I would love to get one of her signature minimalistic flower tattoos, and then move into her studio (the plant wall has got to be AMAZING).
"I try to convince myself I'm not with all the ridiculous shit I do, but I'm lonely all the time. I go to work, and I keep myself busy with things I don't care about, and I come back to a fancy apartment with everything I could ever want, and I feel ... nothing. Empty."
It is cute, romantic, but also funny, and made me actually laugh out loud and giggle/grin multiple times in public, it has different family dynamics, our lovely couples from the previous books, it has the beautiful Lovelight farm, the nature, the small town gossip, Nova and Charlie have character and chemistry, and like I mentioned in an update, all the books have spice, but this one feels the horniest (I am not complaining). I loved the banter, the texts?!, the conversations and interactions, and all the small little details that make Lovelight Farms, Lovelight Farms.
"That's probably the kind of guy she usually goes for.
I bet he's absolute shit at doing his taxes."
I will stop now to not spoil anything, just read the series when you are in the mood for some cute cosy, entertaining light but spicy romcoms, you won't regret it ❤️
I will definitely get book #1 and #4 as paperback copies, like I already did with #2 and #3 to display my new favorite comfort book series and the breathtakingly beautiful covers. I can still not get over them 😱♥️
After reading A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston last week, which is basically about a woman stumbling upon the small town of her favorite romance book series with all the characters and everything, I picked up the books of Lovelight Farms. And now I cannot stop thinking about all those books, and how badly I want to visit Lovelight Farms, eat Strawberry Shortcake at Layla's bakery, get a tattoo at Nova's, walk through the trees of the farm and be a part of the Phone tree. I miss it already, and I just know that I will reread and reread this whenever I feel like it and need a pick me up ❤️
Thank you, Netgalley, Pan Macmillan, and B.K. Borison for the arc in exchange for an honest review!!!
•••••••••••
All my reviews of the Lovelight Farm Series so far:
In the Weeds (#2)
Mixed Signals (#3)
Business Casual (#4)
•••••••••••
Pre-read:
Ahhhhh - I just received this arc - I'm sooooo excited 😍😍😍
This is honestly probably THE most gorgeous cover I have ever seen - it's so cute!!
February 26, 2024
₊ ⊹ ”you noticed.” his eyes are soft. knowing. “i always notice you, nova girl.” ₊ ⊹
i love love!!! reading these lovelight books is like walking into a warm hug with someone who just gets you. the absolute euphoria and endorphin release i feel when reading these books are insane!
this was probably one of my most anticipated releases for the year, and i genuinely teared up when i got approved for the arc. i immediately had to dive in, of course, but i really struggled with trying to savor the story and just binging it because i was loving it too much. and boy, did i love this!
charlie and nova were the perfect couple to round out the inglewild crew. their love was so subtle, so encouraging; they were quite literally two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly. also, their chemistry was just through the roof. i loved the banter, the stolen moments, the glimpses they caught of each other when they weren’t pretending to be someone else. they saw each other fr
it was also so fun to see all of the other couples we’ve come to love within the series. this ending was just so sweet for them all, and very well deserved! i honestly wish i had reread the first three before picking up this arc, but i was just too excited. but now that just means i can reread them all when the book is officially published!
charlie and nova’s story was beyond perfect, and i couldn’t have asked for anything more <3
huge thank you to netgalley and berkley publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review! 💕
i love love!!! reading these lovelight books is like walking into a warm hug with someone who just gets you. the absolute euphoria and endorphin release i feel when reading these books are insane!
this was probably one of my most anticipated releases for the year, and i genuinely teared up when i got approved for the arc. i immediately had to dive in, of course, but i really struggled with trying to savor the story and just binging it because i was loving it too much. and boy, did i love this!
charlie and nova were the perfect couple to round out the inglewild crew. their love was so subtle, so encouraging; they were quite literally two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly. also, their chemistry was just through the roof. i loved the banter, the stolen moments, the glimpses they caught of each other when they weren’t pretending to be someone else. they saw each other fr
it was also so fun to see all of the other couples we’ve come to love within the series. this ending was just so sweet for them all, and very well deserved! i honestly wish i had reread the first three before picking up this arc, but i was just too excited. but now that just means i can reread them all when the book is officially published!
charlie and nova’s story was beyond perfect, and i couldn’t have asked for anything more <3
huge thank you to netgalley and berkley publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review! 💕
May 27, 2024
“Hey Nova Girl” I— I am speechless. A 6 star read for me 🥹🩵 trying to put into words how much I adored this book. You ever just start a book and right off the bat you know it’s going to be one of your all time favorites? That was me with this book. There was truly never a second I didn’t feel so many emotions and the whole time I was dreading it being over. When I tell you I was rereading lines just to make sure I got every last second in this book. The dynamic between Charlie and Nova was EVERYTHING to me, as a known lover of black cat x golden retriever, this is one of the absolute best I have ever seen it done. When I tell you Charlie is A BOY OBSESSED 😩 Both of our leads were so charming and endearing in their own ways. Charlie was the perfect golden boy with a deeper side and Nova was the most endearing black cat character and I found her incredibly real and relatable. I haven’t read two characters with so much chemistry in a moment.
BK is a MASTER at the little connection points that make romantic relationships so believable and the quiet moments in this book brought it to a whole new level for me. Also seeing all of the previous Lovelight couples 🥹✋🏻 my heart. I am going to go sob in a corner over how much I loved this.
BK is a MASTER at the little connection points that make romantic relationships so believable and the quiet moments in this book brought it to a whole new level for me. Also seeing all of the previous Lovelight couples 🥹✋🏻 my heart. I am going to go sob in a corner over how much I loved this.
July 2, 2024
July 2024 review: one million stars. the way that I love this book needs to be studied by science. I see so much of myself in Nova and soooo much of my husband in Charlie that it makes this book so incredibly special to me. I really don’t have words.
January 2024 review: 5 🌟 How freaking good was it to be back at Lovelight!!! I have loved this series but none have been a full 5 stars until this book. This book kinda blew me away. From the characters, their depth, their story, the relationship development, the Lovelight characters appearances throughout the book, you freaking name it.
I am always a big fan of the black cat x golden retriever trope and this was exactly what I love from that trope. I absolutely ADORED both Nova and Charlie. I saw myself in each of them and related to them so strongly. Nova, closed off and hesitant to let others in (hi mini Winter Hamilton). Charlie, the people pleaser that never feels good enough, never feels like he’ll be someone’s first choice but wears a mask to hide those feelings. That is truly what made this book so special for me.
The relationship development between them was SO SWEET! Friends to lovers done RIGHT. The banter between them had me kicking my feet, and the transition from friends to lovers was so seamless and felt so genuine. Charlie’s support for Nova and not pushing her boundaries, and Nova’s support and encouragement for Charlie trying to make him understand that he IS wanted and loved had me weepy.
There’s also a taking care of when sick scene that had me literally teary that will live rent free in my head. And the tattoo scene? Bye. I don’t want to spoil anything but just know I was crying in public!
I loved their little tattoo jokes, their mutual support and encouragement, their dedication to each other, the banter, and the understanding of one another. Can we also talk about the communication in this?! Beautiful.
I could seriously keep going on and on but I will stop here and just say I love this book with every fiber of my being and I would not be surprised to see it in my top 10 of 2024 at the end of this year.
Thank you Berkley for the early copy!! 🫶🏼
January 2024 review: 5 🌟 How freaking good was it to be back at Lovelight!!! I have loved this series but none have been a full 5 stars until this book. This book kinda blew me away. From the characters, their depth, their story, the relationship development, the Lovelight characters appearances throughout the book, you freaking name it.
I am always a big fan of the black cat x golden retriever trope and this was exactly what I love from that trope. I absolutely ADORED both Nova and Charlie. I saw myself in each of them and related to them so strongly. Nova, closed off and hesitant to let others in (hi mini Winter Hamilton). Charlie, the people pleaser that never feels good enough, never feels like he’ll be someone’s first choice but wears a mask to hide those feelings. That is truly what made this book so special for me.
The relationship development between them was SO SWEET! Friends to lovers done RIGHT. The banter between them had me kicking my feet, and the transition from friends to lovers was so seamless and felt so genuine. Charlie’s support for Nova and not pushing her boundaries, and Nova’s support and encouragement for Charlie trying to make him understand that he IS wanted and loved had me weepy.
There’s also a taking care of when sick scene that had me literally teary that will live rent free in my head. And the tattoo scene? Bye. I don’t want to spoil anything but just know I was crying in public!
I loved their little tattoo jokes, their mutual support and encouragement, their dedication to each other, the banter, and the understanding of one another. Can we also talk about the communication in this?! Beautiful.
I could seriously keep going on and on but I will stop here and just say I love this book with every fiber of my being and I would not be surprised to see it in my top 10 of 2024 at the end of this year.
Thank you Berkley for the early copy!! 🫶🏼
January 23, 2024
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ lovelight farms is one of the greatest and most adorable romance series °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
bk borison did it again! i'm definitely going to miss stella, luka, evelyn, beckett, caleb, layla, nova, and charlie SO MUCH. i hope we get to see them again in the future, because this town and these characters are everything to me <3
novacharlie made my heart soooo happy. I truthfully enjoyed Business Casual so very much. It was cute, steamy, romantic af, and soo swoony. also so funny too! i love the friendships and the community in this series and i need more more more more. CHARLIE MADE ME CRY TOO???? i knew it since the very first day i met him ngl. his story is so precious and i want him to be wanted, happy, and loved for eternity thank you very much.
bk borison did it again! i'm definitely going to miss stella, luka, evelyn, beckett, caleb, layla, nova, and charlie SO MUCH. i hope we get to see them again in the future, because this town and these characters are everything to me <3
novacharlie made my heart soooo happy. I truthfully enjoyed Business Casual so very much. It was cute, steamy, romantic af, and soo swoony. also so funny too! i love the friendships and the community in this series and i need more more more more. CHARLIE MADE ME CRY TOO???? i knew it since the very first day i met him ngl. his story is so precious and i want him to be wanted, happy, and loved for eternity thank you very much.
June 26, 2024
4.5 stars
I’ve enjoyed every book in the ‘Lovelight’ series, but I think this one is my favorite. Charlie and Nora were perfect together and even though it made me laugh and smile loads, it also gave me so many feels.
Charlie is Stella’s brother and he’s staying a month at the farm to help things along while his sister is on her honeymoon. Nora is Beckett’s sister and is opening up a new tattoo parlor in town. Charlie and Nora have a fun friendship and dynamic and it quickly becomes something more while Charlie is in town for a more extended period.
Charlie appears to be the most fun-loving, sunshiney character, and in a way, he is. But he’s also lonely and looking for a place to belong. He finds that in Nora. She is very much the black cat to his golden retriever, but she also has a heart of gold. Watching them go from temporary to realizing they were falling for one another was my favorite thing.
I love books where the location feels like another character in the book and that is exactly how the town of Inglewild is. Business Casual is fun, charming, and emotional. I enjoyed it so much and it was the perfect way to end this series. I can’t wait to read more from BK Borison. She’s a must read author for me.
“Nova,” he says quietly..
“Yes?”
“I’ve never been anyone’s favorite,” he whispers.
“Well,”I say, feeling defensive. “You’re mine.”
I’ve enjoyed every book in the ‘Lovelight’ series, but I think this one is my favorite. Charlie and Nora were perfect together and even though it made me laugh and smile loads, it also gave me so many feels.
Charlie is Stella’s brother and he’s staying a month at the farm to help things along while his sister is on her honeymoon. Nora is Beckett’s sister and is opening up a new tattoo parlor in town. Charlie and Nora have a fun friendship and dynamic and it quickly becomes something more while Charlie is in town for a more extended period.
Charlie appears to be the most fun-loving, sunshiney character, and in a way, he is. But he’s also lonely and looking for a place to belong. He finds that in Nora. She is very much the black cat to his golden retriever, but she also has a heart of gold. Watching them go from temporary to realizing they were falling for one another was my favorite thing.
I love books where the location feels like another character in the book and that is exactly how the town of Inglewild is. Business Casual is fun, charming, and emotional. I enjoyed it so much and it was the perfect way to end this series. I can’t wait to read more from BK Borison. She’s a must read author for me.
April 23, 2024
Friends with benefits to lovers GOLD.
I can barely find the words to describe how much I love this book but I will try! What a lovely final installment in the Lovelight Farms series. This is my absolute favorite contemporary romance series - every single book is perfect to me in its own way and Business Casual is no different. BK Borison has such a talent for portraying sweet and small romantic moments that literally make me feel completely insane.
Charlie and Nova have captured me entire heart and I cannot fathom how connected I feel to them individually and as a couple. They just immediately fit together and had amazing banter and chemistry without there being any insta-love. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them overcome their insecurities and fall in love without even realizing since everything about their relationship development felt so natural. Charlie is literally BOY OBSESSED and I was obsessed with reading his inner thoughts. The things he would do for Nova!!!!!Also, the tension and spice had me absolutely SCREAMING. They are so precious and are definitely one of my new favorite romance couples.
I already miss this book and this series and I will be rereading many times. I’m so emotional that this series is over!! If you love the Lovelight Farms series and small town/found family vibes you will absolutely adore this book.
Thank you Berkley for the advanced copy!
I can barely find the words to describe how much I love this book but I will try! What a lovely final installment in the Lovelight Farms series. This is my absolute favorite contemporary romance series - every single book is perfect to me in its own way and Business Casual is no different. BK Borison has such a talent for portraying sweet and small romantic moments that literally make me feel completely insane.
Charlie and Nova have captured me entire heart and I cannot fathom how connected I feel to them individually and as a couple. They just immediately fit together and had amazing banter and chemistry without there being any insta-love. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them overcome their insecurities and fall in love without even realizing since everything about their relationship development felt so natural. Charlie is literally BOY OBSESSED and I was obsessed with reading his inner thoughts. The things he would do for Nova!!!!!Also, the tension and spice had me absolutely SCREAMING. They are so precious and are definitely one of my new favorite romance couples.
I already miss this book and this series and I will be rereading many times. I’m so emotional that this series is over!! If you love the Lovelight Farms series and small town/found family vibes you will absolutely adore this book.
Thank you Berkley for the advanced copy!
July 2, 2024
I don't even know how to begin explaining how much I loved this book. From the begging I was hooked and so immerse in the banter between Nova and Charlie. The chemistry between them and the sexual tension had me sweating, blushing and giggling uncontrollably (LITERALLY)!!! 🥵
I was able to relate to both of them, which is pretty uncommon to be honest. They were vulnerable and insecure and I loved to see that. It felt real, angsty and it was undoubtedly the best book in this series. I loved every second of it: the relationship, the sex scenes, the tension, the cameos from characters from previous books, the ending to this sweet series. I usually don't tend to gravitate towards the "friends to lovers" trope but this was so well done. My favorite from the lovelight farm series. Such a delight.
I was able to relate to both of them, which is pretty uncommon to be honest. They were vulnerable and insecure and I loved to see that. It felt real, angsty and it was undoubtedly the best book in this series. I loved every second of it: the relationship, the sex scenes, the tension, the cameos from characters from previous books, the ending to this sweet series. I usually don't tend to gravitate towards the "friends to lovers" trope but this was so well done. My favorite from the lovelight farm series. Such a delight.
March 6, 2024
THE BEST IN THE SERIES, hands down.
I truly enjoyed this entire series. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.. B.K Borison writes poetry.
I truly connected with Nova so so much. She was a confident and determined blonde FMC that hates asking for any help from anyone. No… but SAME 😭😭
Charlie is perfect! My new favorite characteristic of an MMC is when he loves spreadsheets and organization. INSTANT SWOON, ok? 🥰
I loved Nova and Charlie’s playful flirting and banter. I can also say this is the spiciest book in the series for sure. 😏😏
Favorite quotes:
“Asking for help doesn’t make you less deserving of anything you’ve already achieved on your own.”
“I don’t care how we categorize what we’re doing, as long as we can keep doing it.”
“I can’t wait to watch you take me, Nova.”
“Nova, I don’t think my feelings are business casual.”
- one night stand
- let’s get this out of our systems
- cinnamon roll MMC
- type A MMC
- tattooed FMC
- he takes care of her
- “you can take it” moment 🫠🫠
- found family
- opposites attract
- brothers friend
🌶️🌶️
Thank you so much NetGalley and B.K. Borison for the early arc copy!
I truly enjoyed this entire series. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.. B.K Borison writes poetry.
I truly connected with Nova so so much. She was a confident and determined blonde FMC that hates asking for any help from anyone. No… but SAME 😭😭
Charlie is perfect! My new favorite characteristic of an MMC is when he loves spreadsheets and organization. INSTANT SWOON, ok? 🥰
I loved Nova and Charlie’s playful flirting and banter. I can also say this is the spiciest book in the series for sure. 😏😏
Favorite quotes:
“Asking for help doesn’t make you less deserving of anything you’ve already achieved on your own.”
“I don’t care how we categorize what we’re doing, as long as we can keep doing it.”
“I can’t wait to watch you take me, Nova.”
“Nova, I don’t think my feelings are business casual.”
- one night stand
- let’s get this out of our systems
- cinnamon roll MMC
- type A MMC
- tattooed FMC
- he takes care of her
- “you can take it” moment 🫠🫠
- found family
- opposites attract
- brothers friend
🌶️🌶️
Thank you so much NetGalley and B.K. Borison for the early arc copy!
February 16, 2024
EDITED: after almost a month since finishing this book, i can confidently say this is a new ♾️ ⭐️read for me. i have not been able to get this book out of my mind.
i was tempted to just put “HEY NOVA GIRL” as my final review but this baby deserves more of my words bc i loved it SO SO MUCH!!!! a new all time fav romance.
from start to finish business casual by b.k borison was an absolute masterpiece of a romance. we’ve all been waiting *patiently* for the last lovelight novel and getting to finally experience the beauty that is charlie and nova made the wait so worth it. every aspect of this small town, black cat x golden retriever trope, swoon-worthy love story was utter perfection. charlie is my ultimate book boyfriend and nova is my girl. i felt so seen through both nova and charlie’s characters. if i could pick a town to live in, it would be inglewild. i never wanted this book to end but i also couldn’t put it down. i felt all the emotions with this one. endless tears, laughs and blushing!!! charlie + nova are a new all time fav bookish couple/love story! i am giddy every time i think about them (and trust me when i say they haven’t left my mind since starting this book). becs can do no wrong in my eyes. you can tell that every. single. detail. of this book was written with such love and admiration. you can feel becs heart poured out into the pages of this novel. the lovelight series will forever hold a permanent place in my heart and that acknowledgment at the end had me in tears 😭. i can’t wait for you all to read it!!!! pub date: july 16th 2024!!!
i was tempted to just put “HEY NOVA GIRL” as my final review but this baby deserves more of my words bc i loved it SO SO MUCH!!!! a new all time fav romance.
from start to finish business casual by b.k borison was an absolute masterpiece of a romance. we’ve all been waiting *patiently* for the last lovelight novel and getting to finally experience the beauty that is charlie and nova made the wait so worth it. every aspect of this small town, black cat x golden retriever trope, swoon-worthy love story was utter perfection. charlie is my ultimate book boyfriend and nova is my girl. i felt so seen through both nova and charlie’s characters. if i could pick a town to live in, it would be inglewild. i never wanted this book to end but i also couldn’t put it down. i felt all the emotions with this one. endless tears, laughs and blushing!!! charlie + nova are a new all time fav bookish couple/love story! i am giddy every time i think about them (and trust me when i say they haven’t left my mind since starting this book). becs can do no wrong in my eyes. you can tell that every. single. detail. of this book was written with such love and admiration. you can feel becs heart poured out into the pages of this novel. the lovelight series will forever hold a permanent place in my heart and that acknowledgment at the end had me in tears 😭. i can’t wait for you all to read it!!!! pub date: july 16th 2024!!!
July 7, 2024
This book is so beautiful it made me cry because of how lovely it was, and it's the last book in the series.
Saying goodbye was painful. 🥹💗
Saying goodbye was painful. 🥹💗
February 27, 2024
❤️ this series and this one is more than a romance. It’s a sensual deep dive into truly getting to know someone. Just a beautiful story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This author is known for her amazing visual descriptions that drag you right into the story. You can feel the touches. You feel the emotion and energy. You can feel the character’s connections like you were a part of it all.
Business Casual is another wonderful example of that deep connection that builds between two people. It’s more than a love story. It’s a deep dive into finding your soulmate. It’s a sensual romance at the cellular level that makes you wish and pray that your relationships become like that too.
Once again this author has made a mark on me. I love reading romance just like this. It’s more than just sex and passion and that’s what sets it apart. It’s also about family and friends and that support you never knew you needed.
If you have not experienced a Borison book, what are you waiting for? Swoony, sweet, gooey, fun, obnoxious, and forever in your heart!
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/business-cas...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This author is known for her amazing visual descriptions that drag you right into the story. You can feel the touches. You feel the emotion and energy. You can feel the character’s connections like you were a part of it all.
Business Casual is another wonderful example of that deep connection that builds between two people. It’s more than a love story. It’s a deep dive into finding your soulmate. It’s a sensual romance at the cellular level that makes you wish and pray that your relationships become like that too.
Once again this author has made a mark on me. I love reading romance just like this. It’s more than just sex and passion and that’s what sets it apart. It’s also about family and friends and that support you never knew you needed.
If you have not experienced a Borison book, what are you waiting for? Swoony, sweet, gooey, fun, obnoxious, and forever in your heart!
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/business-cas...
February 6, 2024
This book is absolutely perfect. I am so extremely lucky and grateful to Berkley publishing for my ARC. I will now shout from the mountain tops about how much I truly adored this book.
10/5 ⭐️
10/5 ⭐️
March 4, 2024
I’ve NEVER cried so many happy tears a day in my life. How does each book in this series continually get better and better
March 18, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan and the author for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
— 2.5✮
bussines casual is the last book in the lovelight series. about nova and charlie, two friends who only want something casual and spend one night together to get each other out of their systems.
i've been waiting for this book, i missed my lovelight babies and was little bit bittersweet with this book being the final book in this series. i adore the other 3 books. i adore luka and stella, beckett and evelyn, layla and caleb. but the thing is i didn't feel the same way to nova and charlie.
i do love them as individuals but together? not really.
i simply didn't feel any genuine chemistry between them. i know they started a little bit off with the friends and benefit situation but i wish i get to see more of them being domestic just those little things you know instead the nonstop smut scenes like i can't believe i said this but i skipped those parts. A few parts in the beginning were cute. but the next? CRINGE.
and the story got really repetitive in the middle it was so dragging. basically just the same thing repeated and then they fucked and boom "oMG I lovE YoUuUu" i rolled my eyes.
it was very disappointing because them as an individuals as i mentioned have the chance to be a perfect couple but i just don't get why make it spicy but with zero connection between the two, like you can't convince me they love each other just because they slept with each other.
the only saving grace from this book are the moments from our previous beloved couples.
— 2.5✮
bussines casual is the last book in the lovelight series. about nova and charlie, two friends who only want something casual and spend one night together to get each other out of their systems.
i've been waiting for this book, i missed my lovelight babies and was little bit bittersweet with this book being the final book in this series. i adore the other 3 books. i adore luka and stella, beckett and evelyn, layla and caleb. but the thing is i didn't feel the same way to nova and charlie.
i do love them as individuals but together? not really.
i simply didn't feel any genuine chemistry between them. i know they started a little bit off with the friends and benefit situation but i wish i get to see more of them being domestic just those little things you know instead the nonstop smut scenes like i can't believe i said this but i skipped those parts. A few parts in the beginning were cute. but the next? CRINGE.
and the story got really repetitive in the middle it was so dragging. basically just the same thing repeated and then they fucked and boom "oMG I lovE YoUuUu" i rolled my eyes.
it was very disappointing because them as an individuals as i mentioned have the chance to be a perfect couple but i just don't get why make it spicy but with zero connection between the two, like you can't convince me they love each other just because they slept with each other.
the only saving grace from this book are the moments from our previous beloved couples.
May 15, 2024
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☆ 4 not-so-casual stars ☆☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
With all the comfort of a warm cup of cocoa on a rainy day, Business Casual is a read so cozy, you’ll want to nestle between the pages just to get a taste of life at Lovelight.
playlist 🎧: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5WC...
pinterest board 📌: https://pin.it/6C0ibADk0
In the last installment of the Lovelight series, B.K. Borison wraps readers up in a hug of swoon-worthy sentiments and steamy rendezvous.
”I’m used to being a good time. A fun deviation from normal patterns and behaviors. But with Nova, I want to be a choice. Not a whim. Not a regret.”
Charlie Milford, our flirty male protagonist, is sure to become a fan-favorite. I will say, his overall character was an enigma to me. There weren’t very many distinctive qualities about him outside of being a pathological people pleaser. His personality seemed to float...well, everywhere. He’s perceived as a potential playboy with an overactive state of being, but to his core, this man is loyal, possibly to a fault. There’s a vulnerability about him in these moments that tugged at my heartstrings. Much like I’m sure others will, I resonated so deeply with Charlie and his tendency to avoid confrontation, even if it's at the cost of his own inner turmoil. He over-commits just to see a smile on everyone’s face and despite being loved by the masses, he feels as though there isn’t a home, a feeling of belonging, for him to seek refuge in. He’s just trying on different lives until he finds one that feels right. In an age where we’ve never been more connected, and therefore, disconnected, I’ve got an inkling that Charlie will find that home within the hearts of many readers and dreamers alike.
“I’ve never been anyone’s favorite,” he whispers. “Well,” I say, feeling defensive. “You’re mine.”
Nova Porter, the grump to Charlie’s sunshine, was a perfectly curated balance of broody and assertive. Usually when partaking in this trope, the characters come across as disingenuous; their interactions swinging so close to their respective ends of the spectrum, either grumpy or sunshine, that it loses its authenticity. Needless to say that was not the case with our more-than-casual protagonists.
As a chronic migraine girlie myself, Nova’s debilitating pain was represented with an accuracy that made me say, ‘cut the cameras’. Her anxiety is fueled by the pressure of over looming success, a feeling that is molded into every walk of life, only adding to her relatability.
“I was so determined to not have a relationship with him that I missed the part where we were in one all along.”
Nova and Charlie are an odd pair, but one that works nonetheless.
The aspect I appreciate most in Borison’s novels are her emphasis on quiet acts of love as opposed to grand gestures. It’s down-to-earth and makes all the difference when it adds up over time.
There was more of a focus on intimacy in this particular novel and while I’m always down for passionate moments, both Nova and Charlie could’ve benefitted from more domesticity; especially once they breached business casual territory. Their dynamic seemed lust-driven and while there’s nothing inherently wrong with that in this type of literature, it makes certain elements, such as the epilogue, unbelievable to an extent.
The plot, although stagnant, didn’t emphasize on the expiration date trope, a concept I’m pleased we avoided. Both Charlie and Nova dealt with their distance, among other obstacles, with maturity and an earnest that only those who are truly in love would endure.
“I like losing myself, but sometimes— Sometimes I think I miss being known.”
Similar to the lull of the plot, there were moments that Nova and Charlie became supporting characters in their own novel. I’d like to preface this by declaring that I am an avid supporter of interconnected stand-alones including cameos of characters from previous installments. That being said, when said characters start experiencing conflicts that don’t involve the main characters, there’s a fine line that becomes easily erased.
So even though the author confirmed that this is indeed the last chapter of the Lovelight series, it felt the opposite. There were certain plot lines woven so deep into the conflict of the story that it appeared to me as though the author was preparing the readers for another story featuring Nova’s sister, Vanessa, or Caleb’s brother, Alex. While Borison didn’t close the door to Inglewild completely, it’s clear that it won’t be pursued anytime soon. That poses the question, were this plot points essential to the overall moral of the story?
“All I did was believe in you. You were the one who was brave enough to try.”
Moving onto the actual supporting characters, the relationship I was most gooey over was the one between Beckett and Nova. Nothing can conquer the unbreakable bond between a girl and her older brother. Both with a streak of protectiveness, the pair are stubborn, yet fiercely adamant about their care for one another and it was amplified a tenfold this time around.
While it’s bittersweet to be leaving the town of Inglewild, I will forever hold Chapter 29 near and dear to my very fragile heart. With the promise that the gates to Lovelight will always be open, I’ll be waiting at Layla’s for that cup of coffee to pre-game the perfect tree hunt for the rest of my days.
Thank you to Berkley Romance and B.K. Borison for so kindly providing me with an ARC. As always, all thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.
With all the comfort of a warm cup of cocoa on a rainy day, Business Casual is a read so cozy, you’ll want to nestle between the pages just to get a taste of life at Lovelight.
playlist 🎧: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5WC...
pinterest board 📌: https://pin.it/6C0ibADk0
In the last installment of the Lovelight series, B.K. Borison wraps readers up in a hug of swoon-worthy sentiments and steamy rendezvous.
”I’m used to being a good time. A fun deviation from normal patterns and behaviors. But with Nova, I want to be a choice. Not a whim. Not a regret.”
Charlie Milford, our flirty male protagonist, is sure to become a fan-favorite. I will say, his overall character was an enigma to me. There weren’t very many distinctive qualities about him outside of being a pathological people pleaser. His personality seemed to float...well, everywhere. He’s perceived as a potential playboy with an overactive state of being, but to his core, this man is loyal, possibly to a fault. There’s a vulnerability about him in these moments that tugged at my heartstrings. Much like I’m sure others will, I resonated so deeply with Charlie and his tendency to avoid confrontation, even if it's at the cost of his own inner turmoil. He over-commits just to see a smile on everyone’s face and despite being loved by the masses, he feels as though there isn’t a home, a feeling of belonging, for him to seek refuge in. He’s just trying on different lives until he finds one that feels right. In an age where we’ve never been more connected, and therefore, disconnected, I’ve got an inkling that Charlie will find that home within the hearts of many readers and dreamers alike.
“I’ve never been anyone’s favorite,” he whispers. “Well,” I say, feeling defensive. “You’re mine.”
Nova Porter, the grump to Charlie’s sunshine, was a perfectly curated balance of broody and assertive. Usually when partaking in this trope, the characters come across as disingenuous; their interactions swinging so close to their respective ends of the spectrum, either grumpy or sunshine, that it loses its authenticity. Needless to say that was not the case with our more-than-casual protagonists.
As a chronic migraine girlie myself, Nova’s debilitating pain was represented with an accuracy that made me say, ‘cut the cameras’. Her anxiety is fueled by the pressure of over looming success, a feeling that is molded into every walk of life, only adding to her relatability.
“I was so determined to not have a relationship with him that I missed the part where we were in one all along.”
Nova and Charlie are an odd pair, but one that works nonetheless.
The aspect I appreciate most in Borison’s novels are her emphasis on quiet acts of love as opposed to grand gestures. It’s down-to-earth and makes all the difference when it adds up over time.
There was more of a focus on intimacy in this particular novel and while I’m always down for passionate moments, both Nova and Charlie could’ve benefitted from more domesticity; especially once they breached business casual territory. Their dynamic seemed lust-driven and while there’s nothing inherently wrong with that in this type of literature, it makes certain elements, such as the epilogue, unbelievable to an extent.
The plot, although stagnant, didn’t emphasize on the expiration date trope, a concept I’m pleased we avoided. Both Charlie and Nova dealt with their distance, among other obstacles, with maturity and an earnest that only those who are truly in love would endure.
“I like losing myself, but sometimes— Sometimes I think I miss being known.”
Similar to the lull of the plot, there were moments that Nova and Charlie became supporting characters in their own novel. I’d like to preface this by declaring that I am an avid supporter of interconnected stand-alones including cameos of characters from previous installments. That being said, when said characters start experiencing conflicts that don’t involve the main characters, there’s a fine line that becomes easily erased.
So even though the author confirmed that this is indeed the last chapter of the Lovelight series, it felt the opposite. There were certain plot lines woven so deep into the conflict of the story that it appeared to me as though the author was preparing the readers for another story featuring Nova’s sister, Vanessa, or Caleb’s brother, Alex. While Borison didn’t close the door to Inglewild completely, it’s clear that it won’t be pursued anytime soon. That poses the question, were this plot points essential to the overall moral of the story?
“All I did was believe in you. You were the one who was brave enough to try.”
Moving onto the actual supporting characters, the relationship I was most gooey over was the one between Beckett and Nova. Nothing can conquer the unbreakable bond between a girl and her older brother. Both with a streak of protectiveness, the pair are stubborn, yet fiercely adamant about their care for one another and it was amplified a tenfold this time around.
While it’s bittersweet to be leaving the town of Inglewild, I will forever hold Chapter 29 near and dear to my very fragile heart. With the promise that the gates to Lovelight will always be open, I’ll be waiting at Layla’s for that cup of coffee to pre-game the perfect tree hunt for the rest of my days.
Thank you to Berkley Romance and B.K. Borison for so kindly providing me with an ARC. As always, all thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.
Want to read
April 8, 2024I MUST APOLOGIZE FOR THE PERSON I'LL BECOME WHEN THIS BOOK FINALLY COMES OUT!!
Want to read
February 4, 2023✨ charlienova ✨
We have a title! Business Casual 🔥
We have a title! Business Casual 🔥
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