“No feelings, but feeling something all the same.” – Not on the Same Page by Allie Samberts
A cute workplace romance with a no-strings-attached fling (that you just know will inevitably turns into something more)… Not on the Same Page by Allie Samberts sounded like such a fun premise. And, well… that’s exactly what it ended up being!
I was drawn to this story based on the fact that I watched and loved No Strings Attached in my formative years and was obsessed with the emotional chemistry and undeniable connection Emma and Adam share. So, another promise of two people trying to keep things casual while inevitably catching feelings? Sign me up!
This post could contain affiliate links, which means I would receive a small commission at no cost to you should you shop using the links.
Not on the Same Page Summary
Trina McBryde is a successful literary agent who takes what she’s doing professionally very seriously. Casey Endersen is an editor, and the two have already established that they share a complicated history after previously agreeing to keep their relationship just casual.
When their professional lives put them back in each other’s daily lives, they’re forced to confront the undeniable physical chemistry between them while trying very hard not to let their feelings get in the way.
But really, “no strings attached” can never stay so simple, especially when real feelings are always involved.
Not on the Same Page Review
The no-strings-attached setup in the publishing world gave the story such a fun foundation for me. I love books, I love “love,” this felt like it could be an easy, perfect read for me. Plus, I LOVE a dual narration/POV. There is something so entertaining about knowing exactly how both characters feel, especially when one of them is doubting the other’s feelings. You just want to shake the pages and yell, “YOU ARE LITERALLY ON THE SAME PAGE!”
So why aren’t they on the same page? Both characters have emotional baggage that influences how they approach relationships and love. Their family histories have left them afraid of vulnerability and hesitant to fully open themselves up to love, which I felt was meant to give the romance some additional emotional weight.
But this is where I struggled…
This story clearly wanted to give the romance depth by giving both Trina and Casey reasons to struggle with vulnerability, but that depth didn’t really translate into emotional intimacy for me.
For me, the physical relationship became the major part of their connection very early on, while I was still waiting for the emotional connection to develop. And because I’m such a yearning girlie, that’s a difficult balance for me.
It was around the 30% mark, the book took a VERY sudden turn from cute and flirty to really spicy, and I found myself thinking, WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! As someone who is much more interested in the yearning than the actual physical description payoff, I realized pretty quickly that this romance was probably not going to be the perfect read for me.
That isn’t really what this romance is going for, and that’s totally okay!
Not on the Same Page Spice Rating
Listen, I like spice, but I wanted more of the emotional intimacy to come before the physical intimacy, rather than having the physical relationship become such a significant part of their connection… all while I was still waiting to feel that deeper bond.
And I understand that Trina and Casey had already established a physical relationship in the past, one that could have stemmed from an emotional connection we simply weren’t shown. But I wanted that!
I wanted to see the emotional connection that made their physical relationship mean something in the first place. I wanted to feel that history between them, not just hear about it.
Overall, there were definitely things I enjoyed in Not On The Same Page, and I can see why this book will work for readers who love a steamy workplace romance! It just wasn’t the balance I personally connect the most with.
Not on the Same Page Audiobook Review
Along with an eBook, I listened to the audiobook of Not On The Same Page, narrated by Dahlia Summers and James Cavenaugh, and both narrators did a wonderful job!
Getting both Trina and Casey’s perspectives certainly adds to the romance and helps distinguish their experiences even more. Both performances felt natural and engaging; I had zero complaints about the narration!
If you’re an audiobook reader who enjoys a spicy dual narration, this is definitely the format I’d recommend experiencing this story!
Should I Read Not on the Same Page?
Ultimately, Not on the Same Page was a fun romance. It simply wasn’t my kind of romance. If you’re someone who, like me, needs the ultra emotional yearning to build and build before the physical relationship takes off, this one may not land quite the same way.
I think Not on the Same Page will work best for readers who love romances where the spicy, physical relationship is the major part of the characters connection.
⭐⭐⭐ Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC!
shop this post
