REVIEW: Talk of the Town by Jennifer Bardsley

Talk of the Town by Jennifer Bardsley is a wonderful friends to lovers story that proves that love can sneak up on you when you least expect it. This is the story of Peter and Noelle.

Noelle is a single mother who has worked with Peter for years. She is all about her child, and after losing her husband, she is not looking to get into a relationship. But when Peter’s sister decides to offer him up to the local moms in town, it forces Noelle to re-evaluate her feelings for her handsome co-worker, realizing that she is the one that wants to have Peter for herself.

Peter has had a crush on Noelle for a long time, but knowing that she is not ready for a relationship he has put his feelings on a shelf. When she starts to show interest is could not be happier, but can he break through her walls and help her get past her fears to convince her to give them a shot.

This was a funny story with mishaps and meddling of family and friends. What annoyed me about this story was Noelle’s family. They tried at every turn to convice her that she should not have anything to do with Peter. That she needed to focus on her life alone with her child and almost try to convince her that she did not need love in her life. She had her ‘one great love’ so why go looking again? I really wanted to smack them at points in the book, but as with all great rom coms, love wins the day.

Sweet, funny, and heartwarming read that will have you cheering for Peter and Noelle. Highly recommended for all friends to lovers fans.

Book Info:

Publication: April 11, 2023 | Montlake |

In this lighthearted romance filled with small-town humor and high jinks, an unsuspecting real estate agent becomes the wildest dream come true for all the single moms—except the one he wants.

They’re coworkers, friends, and confidants, but Peter Marshal has always pined for a little something more with Noelle Walters. As a widow and a single mom, Noelle prefers to play it safe, and falling for Peter was never part of the plan.

Then again, neither of their plans accounted for the well-meaning but meddling actions of Peter’s sister, who offers him up as their town’s most eligible bachelor in the local moms’ Facebook group. He’s none the wiser about the source of this sudden surge in attention, but he only has eyes for Noelle. And from where she’s standing on the sidelines of Peter’s popularity, it’s getting harder to pretend that she doesn’t see what everyone else sees in her best friend.

With all eyes on them, will Peter and Noelle finally see beyond the hurdles to the happily ever after that’s been there all along?