Lease on Love

By: Falon Ballard

Narrated by: Addison Barnes

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Sadie wasn't looking for love until it landed on her doorstep.

After getting passed over for an overdue - and much-needed - promotion, Sadie Green is in desperate need of three things: a stiff drink, a new place to live, and a one-night stand. But when an accidental mix-up lands her on the doorstep of Jack Thomas's gorgeous Brooklyn brownstone, it's too bad Sadie is more attracted to the impressive real estate than she is to the man himself.

Jack, still grieving the unexpected death of his parents, has learned to find comfort in video games and movie marathons instead of friends. So while he doesn’t know just what to make of the vivaciously verbose Sadie, he’s willing to offer her his spare bedroom while she gets back on her feet. And with the rent unbeatably low, Sadie can finally pursue her floristry side hustle full-time. The two are polar opposites, but as Sadie’s presence begins to turn the brownstone into a home, they both start to realize they may have just made the deal of a lifetime.

©2022 Falon Ballard (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of:
PopSugar’s Best New Book Releases of 2022 So Far
The Nerd Daily's Most Anticipated Books of 2022
Katie Couric Media's New and Upcoming Books About Love to Read This Valentine's Day
LifeSavvy’s 21 New Books to Fall in Love with in February 2022

"If you haven't read this author or this book yet, you need to." —Culturess

“[A] fun and light read…Ballard intersperses the book with text conversations (emojis and all) between Sadie and Jack, as well as her group conversation with her friends, that make readers feel like they’re really part of the story. When Sadie and Jack’s feelings for one another are finally realized, you can’t help but celebrate alongside the characters.” –USA Today

“Laugh-out-loud banter, smart characters, and heartfelt charm…this rom-com has it all!” –Women’s World

Loved this quick romcom read and its vibrant characters!

I listened to this one in roughly 24 hours and loved it! One of my absolute favorite aspects of this read was the cast of charming, vibrant, believable friends/side characters, which were just as integral to the story as the 2 leads. I could clearly envision and hear this group of millennial NYC friends, and appreciated that they got such substantial air time; had real problems, jobs, etc.

Also, as someone who loves all things art, aesthetics, and interiors, I also relished the descriptions of beautiful interior spaces and florals, and the vivid imagery they sparked in my mind.

Do certain things [and financials] fall into place for the main character a tad too seamlessly to be *entirely* realistic? Sure. But when I sip a yummy latté or pick up a beautiful bouquet of flowers — or open a romance read — charm & escapism with depth of flavor is precisely what I’m looking for; and Lease on Love gives us just that.

Soooooo whiny!

If you’re looking for a main character that’s full of self loathing then this book is for you. I understand the character suffered some abuse in her past but GOSH the way they made her second guess herself at every step was a tad annoying.

Hallmark movie in a book

I related to the characters in the book and I love Hallmark movies, so I enjoyed it. however, it was very predictable. Not very eventful. If you go in expecting a Hallmark movie experience, you'll love it.

#lovedthis book

I loved this book! Read it in one sitting.... Looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Fine, meh.

This book was fine. Not really much of a story, not much action. Overuse of the phrase “low key”. It was good background for running errands, doing chores, and reading before bed.

Wanted to enjoy, but

I wanted to like this book because it was cute and fun, but I found it hypocritical that the author made one character say “there’s a difference of being woke on paper and actually caring,” yet the author makes at least one “woke” reference a chapter. I’m all for creative expression and freedom, but take a step back and look at how you want your characters to present current world problems.

Cutest

Loved this adorable book. Enjoyed it from start to finish. I loved the characters and storyline.

Written by a child?

My bar is set pretty low. I’m into simple romance these days. Mindless distraction. This book is obnoxious. It is like a 12 year old’s imaginings about 20-somethings. The characters repeatedly refer to themselves and each other as millennials and hipsters. They cuss at each other really randomly in a way that I think is supposed to be funny but falls flat. I tried to just get through it. The narrator is ok. I couldn’t finish it. It built from boring to intolerably annoying. Am going to try to return.

Predictable, Way Too Long, Shallow Characters

There is so very little that happens in this super predictable book, so I really struggled to finish and put it at 2.5 speed halfway through. The main character is so obnoxious I actually rooted against her getting what she demanded out of life.

Um, what?

I just could continue with this book. From the get go the Main Character does something hideous at work. Never does she seen remorseful or acknowledges what she did to herself. I could not continue after a few chapters in.