Author: Denise Williams
Publication Date: 2 November 2021
Publisher: Berkley
Page Count: 384
Reading Method: Digital ARC [thank you to the publisher]
Dates Read: October 31 – November 1
Review
Holy heck – this is my new all-time favorite romance ever. I’m giving this one all the stars times infinity. Yeah, you read that right. Times INFINITY. There was not a single aspect of this story that I didn’t love.
Britta is a writer who is locked in competition with another aspiring writer who both agree to approach different fitness apps and write about their experiences. Britta ends up with FitMi, a company founded by Wes. Wes decides to take on a client of his own to help clear his head and remind him of his love of the company, which is how he winds up with Britta. The two of them work together to meet her goals and sparks fly. Soon, their relationship moves outside of the app and the two become nearly inseparable.
The reason I love this one so much is because of Britta. I see so much of myself in her character, and I think a lot of people who struggle with feeling confident in their own skin will too. While FitMi isn’t in the business of helping people lose weight, it’s goal (as well as Britta’s) is to get fit. There is so much discussion about body positivity and what it means to be healthy and fit without ever feeling preachy or overbearing. Britta succumbs to unhealthy habits (as so many do) and there is a brief exploration of that as well that I found really important to the story and Britta’s journey, as well as incredibly relatable.
Britta is so full of fun, passion, and humor. I adored following along on her adventures and watching the relationship grow between her and Wes (who is, hello, a dream boat). I sense a re-read coming on and quickly!
About the Book
Britta Colby works for a lifestyle website, and when tasked to write about her experience with a hot new body-positive fitness app that includes personal coaching, she knows it’s a major opportunity to prove she should write for the site full-time.
As CEO of the FitMi Fitness app, Wes Lawson finally has the financial security he grew up without, but despite his success, his floundering love life and complicated family situation leaves him feeling isolated and unfulfilled. He decides to get back to what he loves—coaching. Britta’s his first new client and they click immediately.
As weeks pass, she’s surprised at how much she enjoys experimenting with her exercise routine. He’s surprised at how much he looks forward to talking to her every day. They convince themselves their attraction is harmless, but when they start working out in person, Wes and Britta find it increasingly challenging to deny their chemistry and maintain a professional distance.
Wes isn’t supposed to be training clients, much less meeting with them, and Britta’s credibility will be sunk if the lifestyle site finds out she’s practically dating the fitness coach she’s reviewing. Walking away from each other is the smartest thing to do, but running side by side feels like the start of something big.
About the Author
Denise Williams wrote her first book in the 2nd grade. I Hate You and its sequel, I Still Hate You, featured a tough, funny heroine, a quirky hero, witty banter, and a dragon. Minus the dragons, these are still the books she likes to write. After penning those early works, she finished second grade and eventually earned a PhD. After growing up a military brat around the world and across the country, Denise now lives in Iowa with her husband, son, and two ornery shih-tzus who think they own the house. How to Fail at Flirting was her debut novel and she can usually be found reading, writing, or thinking about love stories.
