Teddy Spenser Isn’t Looking for Love by Kim Fielding

This book has two of my favorite bookish tropes - enemies-to-lovers and a sweet m/m romance - so I have to admit that it kind of had me already before starting to read it... Perhaps the enemies-part went by a little too fast, almost turning into instalove, and the main character was perhaps not always the most lovable one, but all in all it was a really cute and fun feelgood romance!

The story follows Teddy, who is working as a designer, and who has been burned by previous relationships. He’s therefore decided to only focus on his job and do his best to avoid love from now on. The problem with that plan, though, is the annoying, pretentious and ridiculously cute software engineering at his job, Romeo Blue. Especially as they get teamed up for a special project and ending up not only having to work together, but to share a hotel room...

It took a while for me to like Teddy, who came off as rather selfish and whiny in the beginning. Romeo on the other hand was totally adorable from the very first minute. And when the enemies-to-lovers part changed, so did Teddy and I really rooted for him in the second half of the book.

My main problem was that the change from enemies to lovers went a bit too fast. It’s very rare that a story with this trope can feel like instalove, but unfortunately it did here. They were enemies for such a short time that it to be honest was more of a “misunderstanding-to-love” trope… It also felt like the characters changed too fast, and especially in Teddy’s case, it was almost as if he became a completely different person. And yes, love can change you, but not quite that much… Teddy was so much more lovable in the second part though, so maybe the problem is how he was described at first.

But I really liked the writing style with the banter between Teddy and Romeo, the sweet romance, Romeo’s family, and Teddy’s fashion interest. I especially liked the message about not thinking about other people’s opinion, but to wear the clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident, to choose outfits that make you feel fabulous.

So overall, it was a charming, fast-paced and cute romance. It’s not a book that will stay on your mind for long, but it gives you good entertainment for the moment.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin/Carina Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Rating:
3 stars

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​Author info:
Kim Fielding