The BRAND NEW instalment in the gorgeously romantic, spicy series from BESTSELLER Olivia Spring 💖 🌶️ Perfect for fans of Meghan Quinn and Ali Hazelwood! He’s forbidden. She knows better. But The Love Hotel Paris has other plans...🤭
Single mum Laila is officially an empty nester. But her social life’s flatter than a crêpe, and her love life? Non-existent. So when her best friend signs her up to The Love Hotel, Paris’s hottest matchmaking retreat, Laila knows it’s rude to say no!
Laila cannot wait to see the city of her dreams – and the added promise of a holiday romance. Until she discovers her “perfect match” is Gabriel—her best friend’s twenty-seven-year-old son. She hasn’t seen him in years, and now he’s all man… Broader. Infuriatingly good-looking. And absolutely, one hundred per cent off-limits.
Laila knows better. But her connection with secret tech millionaire, Gabriel is undeniable. And as the days melt into nights filled with electric glances, near-miss kisses, and one unforgettable moment under the Paris lights, resistance becomes impossible. Will Laila walk away before her heart and friendship are destroyed? Or will she fall for the one man she can never have and worry about the consequences later?
Regret This Later is a laugh-out-loud, feel-good romantic escape about forbidden sparks, unexpected chemistry, and the delicious chaos of falling for the one person you really shouldn’t. Perfect for fans of Meghan Quinn and Emily Henry 💖
Praise for Olivia
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'ADORE Olivia’s pitch perfect romances - one of the few who can have me swooning over her male characters.' Bestselling author Kristen Bailey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'I was hooked from the first chapter. An absolute delight!' Bestselling author Laura Carter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'Through Olivia’s wonderful writing style, I honestly felt as though I was there' Reader Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'Well what can I say apart from this book is a rare gem. It has everything book lovers will adore' Reader Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'Once you get hooked into the story you won’t want to put it down.' Reader Review
Olivia Spring is the bestselling author of fifteen romantic comedy and women’s fiction books.
Whether you want to fake date a hot Hollywood movie star in London, jet off to Paris with a handsome billionaire, enjoy some sun, sand and sea with a gorgeous Spanish DJ in Marbella or attend a castle wedding in the South of France, Olivia’s books will help you to escape reality and transport you to a dreamy romantic location. No ticket or passport required!
Olivia was born and raised in London and divides her time between the UK and Spain.
When she's not writing new steamy romcoms, Olivia can be found reading on the beach, enjoying cupcakes and cocktails and of course, seeking inspiration for her next book!
Thank you to the publisher Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This was the book that I never knew that I needed to read, it was just so good. I loved the message behind this book, that age is just a number as long as you are both consenting adults who cares? I think this is a very empowering message as like Laila my significant other is younger than me. I loved this book, I loved Laila and Gabriel was perfect for her. I really liked the idea of a love hotel in Paris, can’t be anymore romantic than that! I enjoyed Laila trying to lie to herself and hold Gabriel at arms length, I thought it might be awkward that Gabriel was her best friend’s son but surprisingly it wasn’t. I really enjoyed the connection between them as they took part in the daily challenges set for them by the matchmakers at the hotel. I felt that Laila had been somewhat stagnant and hadn’t really had a chance to live her life as she was a mum at such a young age, so Gabriel for her was like a breath of fresh air. This was an extremely satisfying and enjoyable read and I loved the ending.
A fun, exciting romance read. My first read with an age gap and an older FMC. I enjoyed the storyline and realized there must be other books in a series that help bring other characters pasts/histories into play.
A good read and definitely worth the rec!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review!
This was such a cute read! I absolutely loved Laila’s character: a single, independent mum who put her dreams on hold to devote herself to raising her son. Now that he’s grown, she’s finally ready to put herself first and explore love again.
Her BFF whisks her away to the Love Hotel in Paris, a matchmaking experience that pairs you with your soulmate from a pool of applicants for a two-week romantic stay. Laila heads to Paris excited for her fresh start, only to discover her match is a decade younger, and her best friend’s son. Surprise!
This Parisian romance is simply divine! Charming, swoony, and full of self-discovery. Think Emily in Paris meets How Stella Got Her Groove Back…glamorous, heartfelt, and oh-so-fun.
Olivia Spring’s Regret This Later threw me straight into scandal, temptation, and the kind of chaos that makes you gasp, “Oh no… oh YES,” in the same breath. Published by Boldwood Books, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.
Because let’s not pretend this premise is calm. A forty-year-old newly empty-nester checks into a luxury matchmaking retreat in Paris hoping for a little reinvention… and discovers her soulmate is her best friend’s twenty-seven-year-old son. I mean. The drama writes itself.
But here’s the thing. This isn’t messy for the sake of shock value. It’s layered. It’s funny. It’s surprisingly tender.
Laila is at that strange crossroads so many women quietly hit. Her child has flown the nest. Her career feels beige. Her love life is a fossil. She’s done everything right for everyone else. Watching her step into The Love Hotel felt less like escapism and more like witnessing someone finally exhale. She’s sharp, self-aware, and very aware that wanting Gabriel is a terrible idea. The guilt sits heavy. The loyalty to her best friend complicates every glance. And yet.
Gabriel is not written as a reckless boy chasing something taboo. He’s steady. Thoughtful. Disarmingly mature. Yes, he’s younger. Yes, he’s wealthy and annoyingly attractive. But what made me melt was how intentionally he sees Laila. Not as a fantasy. Not as rebellion. As a woman. As his equal. When he tells her, “I don’t regret you,” it doesn’t feel like a throwaway line. It feels earned.
The chemistry simmers before it ignites. There are electric almost-kisses, lingering eye contact across candlelit tables, and moments under the Paris skyline that made me pause and just sit in it. The spice is present, absolutely, but it never overshadows the emotional core. This is about a woman rediscovering desire without apology. About choosing joy even when it’s inconvenient.
I’ll be honest, I went in slightly wary of the best-friend’s-son dynamic. That could have tipped into uncomfortable fast. Instead, it’s handled with care. The conflict feels real. The consequences aren’t brushed aside. Some resolutions may land a little neatly, but honestly? In a romance set in Paris at a matchmaking hotel, I’m willing to suspend a little disbelief.
This book will speak directly to readers who love age gap romance with emotional weight. If you enjoy Meghan Quinn’s playful tension or Emily Henry’s heart but want something bolder and a little more forbidden, this fits beautifully. It also stands strong as a story about midlife reinvention, which I adored.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pure escapism with heart, heat, and just enough scandal to make it delicious.
So tell me… if the universe matched you with the one person you absolutely shouldn’t want, would you walk away? Or would you regret it later?
Tropes: Age Gap, Matchmaking, Friend to Lovers, Second Chance Regret This Later by Olivia Spring is another solidly entertaining entry in her The Love Hotel series. Readers also get to catch up with Cassie and Nico from My Lucky Night. Single parent (and slightly struggling) Laila is likable from the very start of the story! She has an eclectic group of friends who unselfishly assist her from time to time. For her birthday, her best friend gifts her with a booking at the love hotel in Paris. Laila is leery but eventually agrees to accept this fabulous gift. What could go wrong? Gabriel is estranged from his mother and no longer visits her in her London home. Really, the highlight of his visits was getting to know Laila. When he learns that Laila will be visiting the hotel in Paris, he accepts his friend’s urgings to check out the facilities. Perhaps while there he will run into his crush, Laila. Stranger things have happened, right? Conclusion: While Laila had plenty of misgivings about dating her friend’s much younger son, this book was mostly an angst free zone. I thought it was so cute and sweetly romantic that Gabriel had been smitten with Laila for years and seized his first opportunity to be in her orbit. Resistance is futile as Laila soon discovered. Gabriel was not totally forthcoming about his situation in life but instead of pushing them apart they were able to find some commonalities and solidify their connection. Final words, this story is another easy-to-read romance, with descriptions of places I would love to see (reading about them is the next best thing) AND with a guaranteed happy ending. No regrets
Favorite Lines: I knew Juliette, Marjorie and Cordelia all took pity on me and saw me as their ‘poor friend’ and I’d made my peace with it, but paying for this was too much. ‘G-Gabriel?’ I stuttered, my throat contracting as I struggled to speak. ‘Wh-what are you doing here? This is—’ I thought coming to this hotel was a dream, but now that I’d been introduced to my match, it’d just become my worst nightmare. I liked how selfless she was. That was why I listed it as one of the things I had learnt about her. But then I realised that it was not something new. ‘I hear you. I also suffer from cakeitus, which in case you’re wondering is the very serious medical condition where whenever I’m within a few feet of cake I absolutely have to eat it.’ Yet in walked Gabriel after seven years and remembered like it was yesterday. ‘Your mum thinks I’m a bloody angel. If she saw the way I was just licking that ice cream like it was your balls, she’d send me straight to hell.’ ‘Well, of course the most romantic thing to do at the top of La Tour Eiffel is to share a kiss.’ Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review! https://theretiredreader.com/f/regret...
4 ⭐️ Tropes: dual POV, forbidden romance, best friends son, age gap romance, forced proximity, millionaire MMC, no third act breakup
“Maybe knowing that he was forbidden made me want him more.”
“I knew it was wrong, but the truth was I just couldn’t help myself…”
I adored this! It was a sweet, spicy and scandalous romance. Laila and Gabriel were both so good together and I couldn’t get enough of them. They both had past hurts that made them hesitant to seek out their happily ever after, but fate had other plans.
“If this was not the definition of fate, I did not know what was.”
They both submitted applications to be matched at a matchmaking resort in Paris; (a little against their will), but neither ever expected what waited for them at Hotel Love. Gabriel had always had a thing for Laila and the way he didn’t let this opportunity pass him by was everything. He knew he needed to give it his all to try and get her if not he’d regret it. I SWOONED at how Gabriel showed up for her, took care of her and showed her that real men (although younger) still existed.
“Gabriel was proving yet again that he wasn’t like all the others. He was in a league of his own.”
“When Laila kissed me for the first time, I wanted her to want it just as much as I did. I wanted her to crave me like someone drowning craves oxygen. Because that was the way I felt about her. That was how much I’d always wanted to kiss her.”
Even when she had her reservations Gabriel allowed her to go at her own pace until she was ready. He not only showed her that real love still existed but he showed her how to prioritize and love herself as well, and it was so perfect!
“Perhaps if you will not allow yourself to fall in love with me, you will use this as an opportunity to fall in love with yourself.”
And I so appreciate that there was not third act breakup, and we ended with their happily ever after without the mess 😍
I’ve read a few of Olivia’s books and this is another book that did not disappoint 🩵 Mark your calendars for 2/27/2026 🗓️
Thank you to NetGalley and Olivia Spring for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow…yet again another amazing book from the wonderful and very talented Olivia Spring! She writes books so beautifully and full of romance, comedy and spice and each one always transports me to a wonderful place too.
Regret This Later is book number five from The Love Hotel series and in it we find Gabriel and Laila who have been matched at the new Love Hotel in Paris.
Olivia’s style of writing is beautiful and her descriptions of all the places visited are spot on and i found myself imagining the places exactly as they are and it was perfect for a bit of armchair travel and quite honestly I do love a book set in Paris.
Laila was a wonderful character and i definitely warmed to her straight away. Her twenty one year old son has just left home to go travelling and she decides to concentrate on what she wants for a change and has a lot of fun doing it too!!
Gabriel is the smooth Frenchman and every time I read his part i do it in a sultry French accent and i love it! Gabriel is not only a friend of Laila’s son but is also the son of her best friend Juliette…
We also have a few little snippets and cameo’s from characters from previous books and i absolutely loved this little touch and getting to know what the characters are up to now, sort of a little life update!
Regret This Later is romantic, picturesque, funny, full of banter, is hot and spicy and overall a must read and you will start to fall in love with it as soon as you start to read it. There is some intrigue throughout the story too and this helps to pull the story along and kept me turning the pages throughout because i just HAD to know what was going to happen next!
This book gets a definite ten out of ten from me and now i cannot wait to find out what happens in the sixth instalment from The Love Hotel series…..
I am a longtime romance lover, and I always enjoy finding stories that bring something a little different to the genre. Age gap romances have been growing on me lately, and this one was a great reminder of why. The dynamic between an older FMC and a younger MMC was handled with care and emotional depth, and I found myself drawn into their connection almost immediately. Inter-racial romances are not something I read often, so this story also felt like a refreshing change of pace. Their chemistry developed naturally, and their bond felt genuine and earned.
Since this book is part of an existing series, there were a few side characters whose histories clearly came from earlier installments. Even so, I never felt lost while reading. The story stood well on its own, and I was still fully invested in the main characters and eager to see how their relationship would unfold. If anything, it made me more curious about the earlier books and the larger world surrounding them.
The MMC was a standout for me. While he is wealthy and carries a certain level of influence, those traits never overshadowed the romance. Instead, they added an interesting layer to his character. I really enjoyed watching him soften over the course of the story and consistently show up for the FMC in meaningful ways. His support and emotional presence made their relationship feel even stronger and more believable.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It delivered a heartfelt romance with strong chemistry, thoughtful character development, and a dynamic that kept me engaged from start to finish. By the end, I was rooting for both of them and left feeling satisfied with their journey.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Regret This Later leans into a romance setup that’s undeniably fun on paper: a matchmaking retreat in Paris, a freshly empty-nest heroine, and a forbidden connection that’s complicated in all the right ways. The concept does a lot of the heavy lifting here, and for the most part, it works.
The Love Hotel’s matchmaking premise adds a playful, slightly chaotic energy to the story, and the Paris setting delivers exactly what you’d hope for—romantic backdrops, dreamy vibes, and a sense of escape that makes the book easy to sink into. The age-gap romance, which could have veered into uncomfortable territory, is handled with enough care that it never feels icky, and I appreciated that restraint. The forbidden aspect creates tension, but it’s more subdued than sizzling.
Where the book fell a bit short for me was in the emotional connection. While Laila and Gabriel are fine on the page, I never fully clicked with either of them, individually or as a couple. Their chemistry is present, but it didn’t quite reach the level that made me root hard for them or feel deeply invested in the outcome. The execution is solid, just not especially memorable.
Overall, Regret This Later is a decent, enjoyable read—one that’s easy to recommend if you’re in the mood for a light, Paris-set romance with a playful premise and low emotional stakes. It may not be a standout, but it’s still a pleasant way to pass the time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
#RegretThisLater #NetGalley
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We meet Laila, a woman in her early forties who has spent most of her life putting everyone else first. Now she’s finally in a place where she could start prioritizing herself, she just doesn’t really know how.
When a friend gives her the generous gift of a stay at The Love Hotel in Paris, where guests are matched with their ideal partner, Laila hesitates. But eventually she accepts. In Paris, we also meet Gabriel, whose friends convince him to try his luck at the same hotel. When Laila and Gabriel discover they’ve been matched with each other, they react very differently. Gabriel is open to the idea right away, while Laila pulls back. He is her friend’s son, noticeably younger, and the situation feels complicated. And so begins a few unexpected, interesting days in Paris.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between them. Their connection felt natural, their flirting and banter were charming, and their personal struggles made sense. Laila truly deserved the joy coming her way, and Gabriel was a complete green flag from start to finish. I laughed often, loved watching them grow closer, and even found the steamy moments easy enough to tolerate (there are definitely a few). If you’re looking for a romance that leaves you warm and happy, this one is a great pick. While it references other Love Hotel stories and couples, it works perfectly well as a standalone. And honestly, it made me curious to explore the rest of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free , and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Regret This Later: The Love Hotel, Book 5 by Olivia Spring is a fun, flirty, and feel good romance that completely swept me away. With its irresistible Paris setting and a forbidden love story that delivers both laughs and heart, this book is pure romantic escapism.
Laila is a wonderfully relatable heroine. As a newly empty nester, she is navigating a new phase of life where freedom feels exciting but also a little lonely. Watching her rediscover herself at The Love Hotel is both empowering and entertaining. Her match, Gabriel, is everything you want in a romantic lead. Confident, charming, and impossible to ignore. The fact that he is her best friend’s son raises the stakes and adds a delicious layer of tension that keeps the pages turning.
The chemistry between Laila and Gabriel is undeniable and beautifully written. From lingering looks to near kisses and one truly magical moment under the Paris lights, the slow burn is handled perfectly. Olivia Spring balances humor and emotional depth with ease, making the romance feel heartfelt without ever becoming heavy.
This story embraces the chaos of falling for the wrong person at the wrong time and makes you root for love anyway. Fans of Meghan Quinn and Emily Henry will absolutely adore this charming, laugh out loud romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book.
“I’m on the shelf for you. If I’m taking you away from doing this work that matters, I’ll wait as long as it takes.”
3.5/5 ✨
First of all the concept?? A luxury hotel designed to match you with the love of your life? Stellar. And the fact that this is book 5 in a series of love hotel standalones?? Catching me skipping to book one immediately.
Gabriel 🥵. I’m OBSESSED with his directness. Ugh and he’s successful on top of that? god, when? Like pls.
Laila was interesting… for a 40 year old woman she reads very young. Sabrina Carpenter references, how she describes her attraction to Gabriel, the list goes on…
A few things I didn’t like: I’m not of fan of dual povs where the first portion of the chapter is the other character recounting what just happened… as if I need a recap for something I read three pages ago. This happened pretty consistently and took me out every time.
The dialogue/sentence structure were a little odd. Primarily in Gabriel’s POVs. Not sure if it’s a choice due to his first language being French or if this is just the authors writing style. His chapters moreso than Laila’s read a bit choppy to me.
Overall, Regret This Later was a cute and quick read and I did have a good time. Perfect for lovers of destination romances, forbidden love, and no third act break ups!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the 5th book in the „Love Hotel“ series by author Olivia Spring but it can absolutely be read as a stand-alone. The Love Hotel is a resort that specialises on match-making and if you get to stay there it is because they found your soul-mate - even though you might not realize it at first. In this book 40-year-old single mom Laila is matched with Gabriel - a man who is 13 years her senior and her best friend‘s son - so it is obvious that nothing can ever come of this match. Or can it? This was a very entertaining romance book. I liked that the age-gap-romance was not the usual older man - younger woman but the other way around. I liked Laila and Gabriel from the start but I had trouble believing that Laila would get over her feeling of betraying her best friend rather easily. Also I thought that all arising problems are solved too easily - usually within one conversation (like the one they had with Juliette at the train station). As always with this series the setting and described touristy activities made me want to visit Paris asap. All in all an entertaining light romance set in beautiful places in France. I received an ARC via netgalley.com and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Regret This Later was such a fun, romantic escape — and being set in Paris, the city of love, made it even better.
Laila’s best friend decides she needs to start living a little and pays for her to attend The Love Hotel to find her perfect match. What neither of them expects? That match turns out to be her best friend’s son.
Laila was so easy to root for. I loved seeing her step into this new chapter of her life and actually choose herself for once. And Gabriel - Confident, successful, and absolutely off-limits to Laila — which obviously makes everything ten times hotter. I loved how he was so sure of his want for Laila regardless of any consequences. How he remembered all the little details was so adorable. I just loved them together ❤️
Olivia Spring delivers her trademark blend of humor and heart, giving us banter that genuinely made me laugh alongside heartfelt moments.
If you’re looking for: ✔️ Forbidden romance ✔️ Age gap tension ✔️ Sizzling chemistry ✔️ Laugh-out-loud moments ✔️ A heartfelt, feel-good escape ✔️ Millionaire MMC
Then this is for you 💗
Thank you to Boldwood Books, Olivia Spring and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a fun read that brings home the message that love can be found when you least expect it! 🥰 We follow the story of Laila who seems to be stuck in a rut as a 40 year old woman who's grown son has moved out, love life is non existent and work is dull and unfulfilling. Her friend applies to send her to the Love Hotel in Paris to find her dream man and inject some passion into her life! The problem? That man is the friends grown up son Gabriel, who has always had a crush on Laila since he became friends with her son and would visit their house as a younger man. 😮😱 Initially Laila feel like she must be responsible and stay far away from Gabriel as spending time with and potentially falling for her friends son is a big no-no but as they begin to explore Paris together and spend time with each other it becomes increasingly difficult to deny the feelings they have for each other! This book tackles all these adult themes with real feelings and thoughts which makes the story so much more relatable and shows that finding love isn't so straight forward but can be something amazing if you let it develop naturally! Highly recommend reading! 💕
Regret This Later was a delightful romance novel. I have not read any of the others in this Love Hotel series but I will be seeking them out. Laila, a single mom was turning 41 and had recently became an empty nester. Her life up to this point had felt like a series of failures. Her best friend gave her a trip to the newest Love Hotel in Paris with the opportunity to find her perfect match. Surprise! Her perfect match ends up being the son of her best friend, Gabriel who is more than a few years younger than herself. I found myself rooting for Laila and Gabriel to overcome these difficulties and get together as a couple. Being competitive myself I found myself hoping that they would win the daily competitions and the grand prize as they explored France together. The descriptions of places that they visited made me feel like I had gone along for the ride and was experiencing this along with them. This spicy romance will leave you feeling good and was a quick, entertaining read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This time we are following Laila and Gabriel, He’s forbidden. She knows better. But The Love Hotel Paris has other plans...
This romcom had me laughing out loud and cringing in embarrassment for the characters. The author's writing is effortless, and loved the banter and all of the characters in this book . Beyond the humor, the story delivers heartwarming moments and swoon-worthy scenes. The perfect blend of spice, romance, and comedy makes this book a must-read for fans of the genre.
If you're looking for a lighthearted, engaging romance with a dash of spice, this book is for you. With its relatable characters, witty dialogue, and heartfelt moments, it's a true page-turner.
I look forward to reading all Olivia’s next Love Hotel story and highly recommend to all spicy romance loving friends.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I requested and received an advance reader’s copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
Would like to thank Boldwood Books for letting me have an advance copy of this book prior to it's publication date.
This is is my first ever Olivia Spring book, and as soon as I dived in, I was hooked and didn't want to put it down.
This story was so beautiful and the slow burn, as Laila tries to grapple with her feelings towards Gabriel, and also the inner turmoil she is facing when she knows it could potentially affect her friendship with Juliette, was gorgeous.
And then there was the way that Gabriel was towards Laila, when he could see her turmoil and to let her deal with it in her own time, whilst showing how much he wants to be there for her, no matter what the circumstances or how long it was going to take.
Absolutely loved this story and I will certainly be looking at the other books in this series, as I can see that these will be just a much fun as Laila and Gabriel's story.
💔 Forbidden Romance 💗 Age Gap 😘 Best Friend's Son 🤱🏻 Single Mum 🔥 Slow Burn
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“Regret This Later” is a romance book by Olivia Spring. While this book is part of a series, this book can be read as a stand alone. This wasn’t quite as enjoyable, for me, as the previous books in the series - maybe it’s just because I’m not really happy with wide age gaps. While I understood the attraction (and was really glad it wasn’t insta-lust), I found the understanding by someone to be a bit too “oh, okay, I understand, I’ll support you” - it would’ve taken me a bit longer to be as accepting. I did like the story taking place in Paris and, once again, the song list inclusion was great. Will I continue reading this series - oh, yes, especially as I believe Santorini will be the next location. It was a fun, quick read - and sometimes that’s just what someone needs.
Another great instalment in the Love Hotel stories. I have really loved this series of books. In this book we discover the Love Hotel in Paris and there also the introduction to the Love Hotel in the French Riviera. This book centres around a 40 year old single mother of a child that has recently flown the nest, which particularly resonated with me. She is an endearing, strong and independent woman, whose rich best friend treats her to a new start at the Love Hotel. Her match is not quite what she expects, making her feel guilty and that the trip has been a waste of money. Full of new genuinely warm characters that you fall in love with as well as reacquainting with few well known characters from previous books. As always with this writer there is a lovely insight into the feelings from all sides, romance balanced with some hot lust. I can’t wait for the next book!
40 year old Laila receives a trip to the Love Hotel from friends where she will be matched with her perfect match. When she arrives, she finds out her match is her friend's 27 year old son, Gabriel. How will the two handle the match?
This was my first Love Hotel story; I hadn't heard of the series before and I am a little hesitant about the premise, like it is almost too good to be true (which yes, I know a lot of romance are that way). I also had reservations about the whole best friend's son aspect, especially since she knew him when he was around the age of 19/20. I don't mind age gap in general, but that kind of threw me off. However, I did enjoy the romance and it was incredibly steamy, which I like to see.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I received a digital ARC of this book. This is book 5 in the Love Hotel series and could technically be read as a stand alone, but there would be a few spoilers to past couples in the series. I have loved this entire series, and have said every time that I wish the Love Hotel was real because I’d save up and apply! Being matched with your perfect match sounds amazing. I admit that when Olivia announced that the pairing for this book was going to be an age gap with the woman being older, I was excited. Let’s make that more normal! But then when the match was going to be her friend’s son, I was hesitant. But in true Olivia fashion she sucks you in to the story of Laila and Gabriel. Especially when Laila is hesitant too. But you will keep turning the pages to see if and how everything is going to work out for them. Already looking forward to book 6 later this year!
I really enjoyed this romance, Laila's friend pays for a place for her to a "Love Hotel" as she wants to see her single friend find love. Laila's arrived in Paris, about to meet her soulmate, picked by the Love Hotel's experts but who she gets matched with shocks her.
I'm getting First Dates Hotel vibes from this, a sweet but spicy romance follows and I love the challenges Laila and her match have to do! The places mentioned in Paris sounds amazing and I'd love to go again one day!
I get Laila's worry but when you see her and her match together, you don't want to waste a potential perfect future forming. I also like how her match has money but doesn't flaunt it, I understand him wanting Laila to know him and not want him for his money.
I really liked the tropes in this; age gap and forced proximity. This is my first by this author and I will keep an eye out for more.
If you know me, you know I love an older woman, age gap romance! I wanted to love this. However, it didn’t really work for me.
I loved the characters individually - especially Laila! - and I loved them together. I’m not someone who reads for spice content but the sex scenes were definitely highlights. The chemistry between the characters felt real!
Where this doesn’t work for me is in the premise. The matchmaking “love hotel” concept kept pulling me out. There was also some fairly juvenile dialogue (see: licking nuts joke) that had me rolling my eyes.
All in all, not a terrible read and I did fly through it! I just don’t know that this writing style is for me.
It’s time to meet another couple taking a chance at finding their soulmate at the iconic Love Hotel!
Laila gets a huge shock when she meets her match and it’s her best friend’s son, Gabriel. They have endless pleasant conversations and Laila is trying to keep things classy as she doesn’t want to betray her friend. They have an intense attraction sparking between them and there’s only so long they can resist it! Their passion and chemistry is off the charts! I also loved seeing Laila’s self love journey. So relatable and inspiring! The way Gabriel cares for Laila and treats her like a goddess had me swooning! This book is the perfect mix of romance and spice! I couldn’t have loved it more!
Thank you so much Boldwood Books for the gifted copy!
Thank you to Bookouture for this ARC. This is my first book by Olivia Spring and I plan to read the next book in The Love Hotel series. Laila is our FMC she lives in London working a job she doesn't really like she's a young mum had a baby young at 19 and her friends book her a stay at The Love Hotel where she is matched with someone and she doesn't know who it is until she gets there and she meets Gabriel who is our MMC. Gabriel is Juliette's son and younger than Laila who is surprised and shocked that he is her match. After they both get over their shock it is a sweet romance and I like their chemistry. Gabriel treats Laila differently to the other boyfriends she's had in the past and I liked that as well.
Laila and Gabriel have both decided to try out a brand new concept, a Love Hotel. Don't worry though, it's not as dodgy as they first thought because instead it's a very high end, upmarket hotel where you get matched to your partner using a questionnaire. Think Married at First Sight vibes but set in France for 2 weeks.
It was an enjoyable read and had me lightly chuckling to some of their innuendos and flirting, especially because Laila herself didn't expect that at all. At times some word choices felt very formal, though this was often during Gabriel's POV so it would make sense as a French speaker.
A delicious romantic comedy that I struggled to put down! I was invested from the start and the momentum carried through to the end. I wanted nothing but great things for Laila and Gabriel from the moment they each set foot in the hotel and cheered them on as they crossed every hurdle on their way to true happiness.
I enjoyed the little nods to previous books in the series (interconnected standalone) with the characters featured throughout the novel.
Regret This Later is a wonderful love story. Laila and Gabriel’s romance blossomed throughout the book. Even better, Laila is figuring out her next step in life as an empty nester.
A great spicy read. I enjoyed the creativity of The Love Hotel and their goals in matchmaking. Of course of setting of this story makes me want to travel and adventure so much.
Thank you Boldwood Books for the ARC invite and NetGalley!
Regret This Later is the latest novel in the Love Hotel series by Olivia Spring. This time we’re heading to cosmopolitan Paris where we meet new characters and some of our old favourites. I was instantly drawn into this novel. It’s feel good romantic escapism at its finest and I couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to the next book already. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.