REVIEW: Let’s Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan

Let’s Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan: There is nothing that Juliana wouldn’t do for her two kids, so when her husband passes away unexpectedly she has no choice but to pull up her big girl pants and make the best out of her new normal. Just as she is starting to feel like she is finding her feet at work, Juliana overhears her annoyingly handsome but condescending colleague, Ben, claim that her inexperience is a liability to the company. Instead of allowing this to crush her, Juliana uses her annoyance towards Ben to fuel her hunger to be the best she can be, just to prove him wrong and in turn starting of a long standing feud between the two of them.

Fast forward two years and the feud is still going strong, only there seems to be more than mutual dislike brewing under the surface that neither of them want to acknowledge. However when the two are paired on a career changing project they have no choice but to call a truce and work together… as the two find themselves spending more and more time together what started out as boardroom arguments begins to turn into passionate kisses… could the guy that Juliana was convinced is her enemy actually be the one person to completely understand her?

Good gosh did this book deliver on the work place tension! Lets Call a Truce was the perfect combination of steamy work place romance meets enemies to lovers banter and a sweet second chance love story, this book really did have a bit of everything and I for one loved every moment of reading it. I have to say for a debut novel this was an incredible start and I can not wait to see what Buchanan will have out with next.

I really liked Juliana’s character, there was something very relatable and admirable about her. While she was grieving the loss of her husband, she knew that she had to she had to put herself out there and step out of her comfort zone for the sake of her daughters. I have to say I really admired her strength and the way she regrouped and handled her new role as a single mother, if anything she made me appreciate how much single mothers have to sacrifice for their kids. I will say I did enjoy getting to see her develop these new feelings for Ben, even though at first she felt guilty about thinking about another man so soon after her late husbands passing. I loved getting to experience these new feelings with her as she tried to figure out how to navigate her new normal. As for our hero, well at first Ben comes across as a bit of a jerk, but the more we get to know him and understand his story, the easier it becomes to like the guy. Ben to is dealing with his own share of drama which caused him to make the comment that Juliana overheard, setting their feud into motion, however once these two figure out how to communicate properly things get cleared up pretty fast. Now lets just take a moment to talk about Ben, right up until the last third of the book, I was loving Ben to bits, he was kind and caring and he actually listened to Juliana. However the third act drama just felt a bit messy and unneeded in my opinion.

I really liked the build up in Juliana and Bens relationship, there was plenty of banter and angst. These two really took the forced proximity meets office romance tropes and ran with them. I loved the way their relationship unfolded and that they supported each other and really listened. I absolutely loved the way Ben gave Juliana the space to mourn her husband and that he wanted her to vocalise her feelings. Now lets talk spice, lets just say the work trip that these two take was memorable, I loved that there was spice in this book but it was not overdone.

Another thing I really liked about this book were the supporting characters. Juliana’s daughters play a big role in the book, along with Ben’s daughter. I loved the fact that the girls being friends kind of gave the parents the push they needed. Though I have to say my favourite supporting character has to be Asia, their mutual best friend. I loved Asia to bits and the fact that she was constantly getting caught in their tug or war.

Overall I really enjoyed reading Lets Call A Truce, this book was cute, funny and had a really nice storyline. Definitely a book worth checking out!

Book Info:

Publication: January 14, 2025 | St. Martin’s Griffin |

After Juliana Ryan’s husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her with two grieving kids and a stunted career from years as a stay-at-home mom, she has no choice but to make it work all on her own. But her confidence crashes around her when she overhears her condescending but infuriatingly attractive new colleague, Ben Thomas, talking about how her kids and inexperience are a liability the company can’t afford. This sets off a feud between the two, as Juliana vows to prove him wrong.

Two years later, their feud rages on, but it may be charged with something they aren’t willing to admit. When they are forced onto a career-making project together, Juliana has no choice but to call a truce. As their lives become more intertwined in and out of the office, Juliana finds it hard to ignore Ben’s perpetual smile and charming determination. What started as a truce grows into more, as boardroom-clearing arguments turn to desk-clearing kisses. Could the man she deemed her nemesis understand her life–her stress and responsibilities–better than anyone?

But just when Juliana decides to open her heart again, Ben’s past threatens their newfound bliss, and she has to figure out whether this second chance at love is worth it after all.