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Excelling @ Love #5
Formula for Devotion
Star-crossed roommates.
A pact for change.
And friends who can’t quit meddling...
Jay Richards
People who know I've fallen hopelessly in love with Elodie Varona: my sister-in-law, my boss, and our friends. I’m pretty sure the mail carrier suspects. Anyone who has seen me accompany her on guitar while she sings can see at a glance that I'm a fool for her. So, yeah, the whole world knows. My denial is barely plausible. Only Elodie seems oblivious. She deserves the best, and that’s not me. Can I convince her to make me over and forget my flaws? Or have I played the tool so long that she'll never see me as more than up for a good screw?
Elodie Varona
Lusting after my roommate is wrong. Problematic as hell. I should see a therapist to discuss the wicked fantasies I can't ignore. And I should know since I’m studying to become a counselor. Too bad Jay's asked for my help to become the best version of himself. And silly me, I can't say "no" to anyone, let alone the man I might secretly love. I want him but.... grandma always said don't get your nooky where you get your cookies...
Unrequited love for your roommate is never a good look. Ask Jay. Or Elodie. Just don't ask them at the same time...
A pact for change.
And friends who can’t quit meddling...
Jay Richards
People who know I've fallen hopelessly in love with Elodie Varona: my sister-in-law, my boss, and our friends. I’m pretty sure the mail carrier suspects. Anyone who has seen me accompany her on guitar while she sings can see at a glance that I'm a fool for her. So, yeah, the whole world knows. My denial is barely plausible. Only Elodie seems oblivious. She deserves the best, and that’s not me. Can I convince her to make me over and forget my flaws? Or have I played the tool so long that she'll never see me as more than up for a good screw?
Elodie Varona
Lusting after my roommate is wrong. Problematic as hell. I should see a therapist to discuss the wicked fantasies I can't ignore. And I should know since I’m studying to become a counselor. Too bad Jay's asked for my help to become the best version of himself. And silly me, I can't say "no" to anyone, let alone the man I might secretly love. I want him but.... grandma always said don't get your nooky where you get your cookies...
Unrequited love for your roommate is never a good look. Ask Jay. Or Elodie. Just don't ask them at the same time...
- GenresRomanceContemporary
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2023
About the author
Amelia Simone
21 books89 followersUpcoming Release
Flame Wars, book 4 in the Campfire Council Series is here! Book 5 will release later in 2024. Happy reading!
Latest Release
Flame Wars is out now and available in Kindle Unlimited and paperback!
Sign up for Amelia's Newsletter
Amelia's Amazon Page
About Amelia
Amelia Simone is the author of flirty, fun romances set in the Pacific Northwest, including Mister Romance (Book 1 of the Self-Made Series), Formula for Love (Book 1 of the Excelling @ Love Series), and Forbidden Flame (Book 1 of the Campfire Council Series.)
On sunny days, you can find her lounging on her deck, sipping coffee and working on her latest book. She specializes in writing lighthearted, hopeful romances that feature relatable, everyday characters who are looking for love. She’s a firm believer in writing dessert books with plenty of sweet, flirty banter, teasing, and spice. Her goal is to deliver stories that give you a serotonin boost and leave you with a smile.
When she’s not writing, she’s wrangling her kiddos, indulging in food and wine adventures with her better half, or out back trying to revive her garden. (Hey, sometimes things die, it’s fine.)
Flame Wars, book 4 in the Campfire Council Series is here! Book 5 will release later in 2024. Happy reading!
Latest Release
Flame Wars is out now and available in Kindle Unlimited and paperback!
Sign up for Amelia's Newsletter
Amelia's Amazon Page
About Amelia
Amelia Simone is the author of flirty, fun romances set in the Pacific Northwest, including Mister Romance (Book 1 of the Self-Made Series), Formula for Love (Book 1 of the Excelling @ Love Series), and Forbidden Flame (Book 1 of the Campfire Council Series.)
On sunny days, you can find her lounging on her deck, sipping coffee and working on her latest book. She specializes in writing lighthearted, hopeful romances that feature relatable, everyday characters who are looking for love. She’s a firm believer in writing dessert books with plenty of sweet, flirty banter, teasing, and spice. Her goal is to deliver stories that give you a serotonin boost and leave you with a smile.
When she’s not writing, she’s wrangling her kiddos, indulging in food and wine adventures with her better half, or out back trying to revive her garden. (Hey, sometimes things die, it’s fine.)
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 25, 2023
Formula for Devotion is the fifth book in the Excelling @ Love series, and I really enjoyed Jay and Elodie's story.
If you've read the series you'll definitely recognize plenty of the secondary characters. It was fun getting to see them again, and I liked the found family/friends aspect of the story, too.
After reading the previous book I definitely picked up on the chemistry and connection they shared. They are roommates with a mutual attraction, but a relationship doesn't come easily. Jay has a history as a bit of a player and their friends also warn him not to pursue her. I thought the roommates/forced proximity worked well here as it gave Elodie a chance to get to know the real Jay. It also made for some sweet moments that they shared in their apartment.
There's plenty of humor, swoon, and romance to keep things moving at a good pace. It was a quick, entertaining read and I am looking forward to seeing what Amelia writes next.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
If you've read the series you'll definitely recognize plenty of the secondary characters. It was fun getting to see them again, and I liked the found family/friends aspect of the story, too.
After reading the previous book I definitely picked up on the chemistry and connection they shared. They are roommates with a mutual attraction, but a relationship doesn't come easily. Jay has a history as a bit of a player and their friends also warn him not to pursue her. I thought the roommates/forced proximity worked well here as it gave Elodie a chance to get to know the real Jay. It also made for some sweet moments that they shared in their apartment.
There's plenty of humor, swoon, and romance to keep things moving at a good pace. It was a quick, entertaining read and I am looking forward to seeing what Amelia writes next.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
March 10, 2023
A Slow Burn With a Lovely Ending
This is the first book I’ve read by Amelia Simone and the fifth in her Excelling @ Love series.
This friends to lovers story has a slow start, but a smooth and lovely finish.
Jay and Elodie are roommates who have major crushes on each other, but through lack of confidence on her part, and a promise made to buddies on his, they never profess their devotion to one another.
I will confess, I found the slowness of their story a bit tedious, mostly because although Jay and Elodie both keep their cards close to their chests, the obstacles the author uses before they get together were a bit too similar and lacking in suspense for my liking.
I definitely adored Jay and his devotion to Elodie. And I loved that Elodie learned to stand up for herself and more daring as the book progressed.
When the obstacles are finally cleared (with a little help from well-meaning friends) their platonic friendship with lustful thoughts, transforms into a full-on love story. The ending gave me a case of the feels and I felt myself tearing up a bit. That, in and of itself, made this book a good choice for me. I like a little more heat, but this one is sweet.
The book is a fairly quick read and I would recommend it if you're looking for light read with a lovely HEA ending.
Key Passage:
(Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
This is the first book I’ve read by Amelia Simone and the fifth in her Excelling @ Love series.
This friends to lovers story has a slow start, but a smooth and lovely finish.
Jay and Elodie are roommates who have major crushes on each other, but through lack of confidence on her part, and a promise made to buddies on his, they never profess their devotion to one another.
I will confess, I found the slowness of their story a bit tedious, mostly because although Jay and Elodie both keep their cards close to their chests, the obstacles the author uses before they get together were a bit too similar and lacking in suspense for my liking.
I definitely adored Jay and his devotion to Elodie. And I loved that Elodie learned to stand up for herself and more daring as the book progressed.
When the obstacles are finally cleared (with a little help from well-meaning friends) their platonic friendship with lustful thoughts, transforms into a full-on love story. The ending gave me a case of the feels and I felt myself tearing up a bit. That, in and of itself, made this book a good choice for me. I like a little more heat, but this one is sweet.
The book is a fairly quick read and I would recommend it if you're looking for light read with a lovely HEA ending.
Key Passage:
'“Fair Varona, I need to make some changes. Will you help me?”
The plea in my words was plain, any pretense of my usual swagger gone. Elodie turned her warm brown eyes my way, solemn.
“What kind of changes, Jay? You’re grieving. It’s not exactly the best time to make major life decisions. Pretty sure I’m not supposed to let you sign any contracts or dye your hair.”
Forcing a wry smile, I gestured to the dirtbag jar. “Changes that won’t require me to have that anymore. It’s time for me to get serious about settling down.”’
(Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
February 3, 2023
Thank you BookSirens for the ARC for review!
My honest opinion on this is that it's another sweet and a little steamy book in this series. I always have a good time with the couples in Amelia Simone's little Benton universe.
I especially loved that this pair were facing their insecurities and found strength in each other to do that, without any pressure. I FELT what Elodie goes through with her need to say yes to people to avoid upsetting them - and when I say FELT I mean on a deep, personal level.
I would have maybe liked Jay confronting his loss and how he was whilst dealing with that loss a little more - but then again I like my books to hit where it hurts and do so repeatedly, so that's a me thing and not an issue with this book in any way.
Overall? Jay and Elodie were a great time and it was a pleasure to watch Elodie discover her backbone and Jay discover his softer side.
My honest opinion on this is that it's another sweet and a little steamy book in this series. I always have a good time with the couples in Amelia Simone's little Benton universe.
I especially loved that this pair were facing their insecurities and found strength in each other to do that, without any pressure. I FELT what Elodie goes through with her need to say yes to people to avoid upsetting them - and when I say FELT I mean on a deep, personal level.
I would have maybe liked Jay confronting his loss and how he was whilst dealing with that loss a little more - but then again I like my books to hit where it hurts and do so repeatedly, so that's a me thing and not an issue with this book in any way.
Overall? Jay and Elodie were a great time and it was a pleasure to watch Elodie discover her backbone and Jay discover his softer side.
February 21, 2023
Cute story of a bad boy falling for a good girl and vice versa. Though I felt their wasn’t much of a crisis point where I felt they weren’t going to really make it. Like Jay falling back to his ways or like Elodie seeing something out of context and realizing he wasn’t going to change. It wasn’t a big thing, but I’m used to those in most stories.
I also felt that Elodie and Jay kinda prolonged their getting together for no reason. We find out pretty early in the book why Jay won’t make a move. Even Elodie finds out, yet she doesn’t take it serious enough to see Jay’s motives and continuously doubts the situation.
It still was a good story to read, but it would have been better if there was actual drama between Elodie and Jay getting together.
If you read any of the other excelling @ love series, you’ll be happy to see familiar pop-ins from previous books.
I received an ARC and I am leaving a review voluntarily.
I also felt that Elodie and Jay kinda prolonged their getting together for no reason. We find out pretty early in the book why Jay won’t make a move. Even Elodie finds out, yet she doesn’t take it serious enough to see Jay’s motives and continuously doubts the situation.
It still was a good story to read, but it would have been better if there was actual drama between Elodie and Jay getting together.
If you read any of the other excelling @ love series, you’ll be happy to see familiar pop-ins from previous books.
I received an ARC and I am leaving a review voluntarily.
February 16, 2023
Ok roommates-to-lovers romance. Elodie & Jay have been roommates for a couple of months and each harbours a secret crush on the other. I did enjoy reading this book, but after a bit the ‘will they/ won’t they’ aspect of the plot became a bit tedious, and I felt limited the story development. This is also not the first book in a series, and I felt I’d missed something by not reading the previous stories (although this is a stand-alone book). Jay is a player who has been ‘warned off’ Elodie; she – on the other hand – tries to tempt Jay into making a move on her. This did cause some amusing moments; and I did like the way they eventually get together-after Elodie has embarrassed herself on more than one occasion! A generally cute read with some steam & heat towards the end of the story.
January 28, 2024
I did not particularly enjoy this book for a series of reasons. I did not find myself enjoying the characters. There was clear adoration for each other in thought however their actions did not show any romantic nor sexual “devotion” for one another. In friends to lovers romances there is normally a build of the sexual tension whether it be through jealousy or brisk touches however there was nothing really in this book other than compliments covered by “best friend” affirmations. Once the couple finally came together it was extremely anticlimactic. It was more of a “we might as well” rather than a I can’t stop myself from being with you climax which is not what you want in a romance novel. I also found the “forbidden love” angle to be weak and weird.
January 20, 2023
Jay is currently sharing an apartment with Elodie, a woman who he is to avoid as a romantic object. Jay is known as a love them and leave them guy, often referred to as Dirtbag. He tells Elodie that he is tired of one-night stands and is interested in a relationship and hopes she will help him be boyfriend material. She has a crush on Jay and is going to show him the kind of woman she can be. I loved the reasons Jay put money in the dirtbag jar as he had thoughts about Elodie. It was fun watching her spend the money. I loved the double dates they had as Elodie’s friend was trying to find a match for her and Jay just wanted to tag along to be with her. Great book and fun characters.
February 16, 2023
This is Jay and Elodie’s story. They’re friends, sharing an apartment and some seriously unrequited feelings for each other. He’s known to love them and leave them, now telling her, he’s tired of one-night stands and wants a real relationship and asking her to help him be a better man. She’s got a crush on him and decides to help him, trying to find a perfect mach for him, all while he just tags along in order to spend more time with her, his the one. This is a fun read, the story and the characters are light and fun, very likable and the writing is good. So I recommend as a fun relaxing read.
February 20, 2023
This is a classic story of roommates trying to resist falling in love but it's done well making for a very enjoyable read. Jay's friends warn him off his sweet roommate Elodie, resulting in Jay stashing a fortune in the "dirtbag jar" on the mantel. Elodie is one of those girls that everyone wants to protect, she's often treated as the little sister. But they both have secret crushes on each other and Jay is ready to change his ways to be with her. All of their stumbles as they try to stay apart while missing each other's hints were fun. The disastrous double dates were especially entertaining. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 2, 2023
I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway.
While the story was cute and parts of it were pretty hot I just didn’t completely buy into the conflict of this one. I didn’t feel like the had any good reasons not to be together, and while I usually like mutual pining, in this case it felt frustrating because I felt like there was no reason why they shouldn’t just tell each other how they felt. Some of the actions the characters took were a little dumb but I liked how into each other they were.
While the story was cute and parts of it were pretty hot I just didn’t completely buy into the conflict of this one. I didn’t feel like the had any good reasons not to be together, and while I usually like mutual pining, in this case it felt frustrating because I felt like there was no reason why they shouldn’t just tell each other how they felt. Some of the actions the characters took were a little dumb but I liked how into each other they were.
March 3, 2023
Enjoyed Jay and Elodie's sweet romance.
This is the 5th book in the excelling@love series.
They are roommates who are in love with each other,but don't admit to their feelings.Jay thinks he is not good enough for Elodie and has been told she is off limits to him.Elodie thinks he doesn't want her in that way.
He asks her to help him change,she changes to get him to notice her.
A fun,sweet read with humour,heat,friends and a happily ever after with a few disasters along the way.
I recieved a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
This is the 5th book in the excelling@love series.
They are roommates who are in love with each other,but don't admit to their feelings.Jay thinks he is not good enough for Elodie and has been told she is off limits to him.Elodie thinks he doesn't want her in that way.
He asks her to help him change,she changes to get him to notice her.
A fun,sweet read with humour,heat,friends and a happily ever after with a few disasters along the way.
I recieved a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
April 9, 2023
Elodie Varona and Jay Richards are friends and roommates. They have feelings for each other but don’t act on them. She’s afraid she can’t compete with the women he dates and he promised their friends he wouldn’t date her. Jay is tired of the bachelor lifestyle so he asks Elodie for her help changing him into the ideal boyfriend. They were great characters that had great chemistry. Their romance built up slowly but it was worth the wait. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 13, 2023
Elodie and Jay have known each other since they were children. As her brother's best friend, Jay was off limits and vice versa. Unfortunately, neither one really wanted to only be friends.
Through a series of double dating mishaps, they finally find the courage to say what they really want.
Interesting love story
I received an advance review copy of the book and I'm voluntarily reviewing it
Through a series of double dating mishaps, they finally find the courage to say what they really want.
Interesting love story
I received an advance review copy of the book and I'm voluntarily reviewing it
February 20, 2023
A cute read with a bad boy a good girl and unrequited love between them will he change to get the girl and can the girl finally become strong enough to reach out for what she wants their journey makes for a fun happy read that heats up toward the end. I received a advance readers copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 1, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Formula for Devotion shows how far two roommates will go to fight against the odds and the judgements of their friends.
Jay and Elodie go on dates to fight their attraction. Will they give in or find love else where? I enjoyed the slow burn and the back and forth banter of the characters.
Jay and Elodie go on dates to fight their attraction. Will they give in or find love else where? I enjoyed the slow burn and the back and forth banter of the characters.
March 3, 2023
This is a cute and easy read. I enjoyed reading this. Love the characters and the storyline is great. I enjoyed the witty banter and the chemistry between the two is amazing. Looking forward to reading more from the author. Highly recommend reading this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 11, 2024
Eh, it was alright
Short and sweet, nothing special. Read as a standalone, not interested in reading the previous 4 based on this. It grated on me the whole "Gotham knights" (seriously?!) blackmailing Jay. No ta.
Short and sweet, nothing special. Read as a standalone, not interested in reading the previous 4 based on this. It grated on me the whole "Gotham knights" (seriously?!) blackmailing Jay. No ta.
February 28, 2023
Good read
March 27, 2023
Nerds falling in love is my favorite trope. <3
I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of this series.
I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of this series.
May 2, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters are engaging and amazing the connection is undeniable throughout the pages. The storyline flowed easily throughout the pages. A must read!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews