Rachel, Out of Office by Christina Hovland

* * * * 1/4

Single mom Rachel Gibson seriously needs a break. Between an absent ex-husband, rowdy twin boys, and running her own work-from-home business, her candle isn't just burning at both ends, it's a full-blown puddle of wax. She's the go-to girl for other entrepreneurs, handling all the tasks they dread. Social media posts? She's got it. Website updates? She's on it. Light bookkeeping? She loves it.

Thank goodness Rachel’s about to get a reprieve, as her former in-laws plan to whisk her boys away for a summer of fun at the family lake house. But when her ex backs out at the last minute, she finds herself in a pickle. Even though she's drowning in to-dos, she's horrible at saying no—especially when it comes to providing some stability for her kids.

Once Rachel arrives at the lake house, she struggles to keep up with work and balance the demands of family, all the while fending off pesky new feelings for her ex-brother-in-law. Which makes her wonder...is falling for her ex-husband's brother just one more messy complication added to the dumpster fire of her life? Or is anything possible when she's out of office…?

Source: ARC generously provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

It's just one of those things where a part of Rachel spoke to me. That part where she's a harried mother of twin boys working a full time job and simply trying to keep it all together. I enjoyed the very realness of her world, her struggle to maintain boundaries, especially as she's a virtual assistant with clients across different time zones and even continents. As much as she's a skilled a workhorse as she is - she relishes being in control, strategizing, organizing - it's becoming increasingly clear that she needs to let loose. However, her inclination to do everything by herself because then it's done the way she wants, is not doing it for her lately. Her ex, Gavin isn't picking up the slack but instead throws more on her plate. 

What's somewhat unusual in Rachel's situation, though is that her ex's family is pretty involved in the twins' lives - her ex's brothers, Travis and Dave, and even ex 'momster-in-law', Evelyn. Where Gavin slacks off, Travis arrives to pick up that slack. This unique dynamic instantly won me over because how many divorced couples and their families can still be amicable with each other and try their best for their kids? Travis, especially loves being around his nephews and he certainly doesn't mind Rachel, either. For as much as they antagonize each other, there are also plenty of sparks. After much deliberation, Rachel takes the family up on their offer for her and the boys to stay at the lakehouse for the summer. On the optimistic side, it'll keep her twins occupied and the family's willing to help with them so she can continue to work while there. On the flip side, there's more time with her ex momster-in-law who is determined to see Rachel and Gavin back together. That's not going to happen. But what might happen is those sparks she has with Travis that threaten to ignite into something bigger. And of course it does!

The story moves quickly and amusingly because shenanigans are involved, too. As chaotic as Rachel's life is, she's somehow managed to keep it all in check so far. Except now it's dawning her that she needs better boundaries between work and her personal life, even as the boundaries between her and Travis are blurring. You all, Travis is a dreamboat! I'm not just referring to his hotness. It's how much he cares about Rachel and the twins, and how he wants to help her attain a better balance. He's always been viewed as the clown, the guy who hooks up and dumps them, the irresponsible one. He's allowed them to view him as such and considers that the role he plays within the family. Rachel is a different story. He needs her to know that he can be serious, that he wants to be all in for her and the boys. This burgeoning romance is authentic and complicated. It's like walking through a minefield not knowing how people will react once they're ready to bring it out to the open. 

But first, they need to navigate just the two of them. Rachel's discomfort with being intimate for the first time in a while is basically any of us. The logistics of hooking up in a household full of people AND not being walked in on by one of her kids are at times funny. Everything about this relationship from time management, the family, the kids ... it all feels real, that these are genuine concerns for two people embarking on something new and fragile. Falling for Travis is a long time coming and I was happy that they were adults about it. They actually talk! And that is such a turn on! They avoid any unnecessary drama by addressing things upfront, and any fallout that does occur, happens within the realm of reason. They know where the other stands and that just got me in the feels. 

Rachel, Out of Office is a fun romance where the overworked and overtired mama gets to win at life and have her happiness with someone who clearly loves and respects all of her. This was such a delight to read!

~ Bel