‘No. Because I couldn’t stop myself from kissing you which is all I’ve wanted to do since I met you and every time I’ve seen you since. But I woke up that day and you’d gone and I didn’t think I’d ever see you again so I convinced myself that I was OK with that. That it was a one night stand. Admittedly an amazing one but still just a night. Then I find out Greg is head over heels for your friend and I walk in here and see you. It means something, Elizabeth. This. It’s more than just stolen kisses in a…’ he looked around, ‘… slightly creepy store room.’ He looked down at our hands. ‘You asked me what I want, and what I want is for the best night I’ve ever had to turn into the best thing in my life. But that, of course, depends on whether you want the same.’
Just Do It is a nice easy romance to sink into on a chilly winter’s day.
Lizzie Rose knows what she likes and likes what she knows.
Her role at the London Museum is more than a job, it’s her safe place and her passion. So when Lizzie is passed over for a chance in a lifetime opportunity in favour of her ex-boyfriend and fellow Egypt nerd Friedrich Klein, her heartbreak over their relationship pales into insignificance compared to her sadness at losing the project.
Best friend Colette thinks an evening of cocktails is just the medicine for a broken heart, and meeting dashing, charming, but very much ‘not her type’ Finn Bryson at the bar puts a smile on Lizzie’s face too. But Lizzie isn’t used to spending time outside of her comfortable world of academia and doesn’t believe in mixing business with pleasure. So when Finn’s job brings him to the museum, she’s determined to put an end to any notion of romance between them.
But what if Lizzie’s comfort zone isn’t that comfortable any more? Is it time for Lizzie to take the chance on love that fate keeps bringing her way – even if it means changing the habits of a lifetime?
I always know when I read a Maxine Morrey book that I will be in for a heartwarming, swoonastic time, and this book is no exception. Just Do It is different from previous books I have read by Maxine. Usually, her romantic writing style is a sweet, slow-burn romance where she builds up that romantic tension between the two MCs, and it’s not until the second half of the book they come together as a couple. In this book, Lizzie and Finn meet each other at a bar and have a one-night stand right at the very beginning, and then a half a dozen chapters later, and they are in a relationship. I like this pacing change and loved that I got more of those sweet and swoony moments between Lizzie and Finn as a couple. Once again, Maxine has created this charming shall I shall Hallmark-ish romance with this sense of realism to it. That realism makes it easier to connect with the characters and understand some of the struggles that they are going through, whether it be work, relationship, or family problems.
I found myself really enjoying Lizzie’s work environment and job. I also like the movie The Mummy and love spending time in museums. Lizzie’s work is fascinating, and the world of academia is often cut-throat and filled with drama, which I found very entertaining. Spending time in a work environment that wasn’t your typical office was nice. Lizzie is a great character. She is smart, driven, and passionate about her work. And underneath that workaholic and slightly prickly exterior is a kind and loving person. Lizzie’s growth in this book is focused on her unbalanced lifestyle. Her work consumes almost every aspect of her life. Besides hanging out with her best friend, she has no social life. Lizzie believes that she must be dedicated to her work to advance in her field. But when Finn enters her life, she realizes that letting those walls down and having fun makes her happy. It was great being on this journey with Lizzie and watching her take charge of her life and become more confident.
As I said before, the romance differs slightly from Maxine’s other books. Definitely not a bad different. This is a reverse grumpy sunshine, opposites attract, one night stand, workplace romance. All of these tropes come together really nicely in this book. Finn is a fabulous book boyfriend. Everything he says and does just melts your heart. He is just so kind and supportive towards Lizzie. I loved that amped-up physical attraction between these two. It’s still a clean, closed-door romance, but there is spice in this book. Lizzie and Finn come from different social worlds, and there is a fish out of water experience that they both have that great conflict in their relationship. This difference, alongside an ex-boyfriend who keeps on making an appearance, creates these bigger challenges that they have to solve to have a future with each other.
Just Do It is a great comfort romance that is sure to warm you up this winter.
Thank you, Boldwood Books and Rachel Random Resources, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
