Okay, so this book messed with my brain and with my heart and I loved every second of it. I didn’t expect to find Olivia so relatable. Are we starved for accurate neurodivergent representation or what? The way Ashton describes the world and human relationships as experienced by Olivia felt so real, even though there are also a lot of ways in which she’s definitely extremely different from me. But the parts that resonate resonated deeply. As did Charlotte’s ADHD journey. And the clumsiness? Hello, dyspraxic here.

Let me back up a little. We met Olivia in Meeting Millie, and I don’t think I’m wrong when I say many of us hoped for her story. Olivia is Charlotte’s best friend, still not completely over her despite Millie obviously being “the one” for her charming and easily distracted friend. Then Kate Laurence waltzes into her office. Olivia’s teenage crush, her favourite actress, the one whose movies help her relax after spending her days deep in divorces and other family law matters. Olivia prides herself on her ability to compartmentalise, yet when it comes to Kate, she fails spectacularly. The multi-Oscar winning superstar juggling work and caring for her two children melts her walls in the most delicious and unprofessional fashion.

Both Olivia and Kate have so many layers, despite Olivia believing she’s straightforward. She’s full of surprises, all delightful. She knows who she is, always has, and yet there was room for growth. As for Kate, she’s wonderful, an overwhelmingly talented star with her own insecurities and certainties. On paper, they probably shouldn’t work and yet they do, beautifully, organically. They simply make sense.

I smiled a lot while reading this book. From the fledgling relationship between the MCs, the wonders of getting to know someone who just feels right. From Millie’s contagious pleasure at rattling Olivia. From Kate’s moments with her children and from Olivia finding unexpected kinship. From the author’s ability to insert humour and lightness with ideal timing. My heart cried too, breaking along with the characters’. Clare Ashton writes the dark days of longing and frustration with the same skill as the exaltation of falling irresistibly in love.

There’s also so much more in this book, about family—biological and chosen, about who and what we take for granted, about trust, fears, confidence. About masking, boundaries, respect.

If anyone wonders why Clare Ashton’s name is one of the first I mention when asked for book recommendations, they should read her Oxford Romance series. These two books are a perfect place to start if you’re not familiar with her writing yet.

And if the third book goes the way this one hints at, I’m going to be extremely happy. 4.5⭐️

Read Tempting Olivia:

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