In the vein of Emily Henry’s You and Me On Vacation, Love, Just In is a friends-to-lovers romance with just enough spice to heat up the summer.
Sydney TV news reporter Josie Larsen is approaching thirty and coming dangerously close to failing at life. Lost in a vortex of other people’s career milestones, engagement parties and baby showers, Josie is perennially single, abandoned by her globetrotting family, and invisible to her boss – except for the one time he tuned in while she was mid-panic-attack on live TV. As punishment, Josie is shipped off to cover another reporter’s six-month leave at a regional bureau in Newcastle.
But Josie has more waiting for her in Newcastle than yawn-inducing stories about bicycle lane protests. The city is also the domain of Zac Jameson – her best friend since high school. This should be a happy turn of events, but Zac has barely spoken to Josie for the past two years. Not since a tragic event caused him to leave Sydney to try and cope with his grief.
Now thrown back into each other’s lives, Josie and Zac have to navigate their neglected friendship and secret attraction to each other while struggling with their careers and mental health.
Hilarious, sexy and heartwarming, this is the perfect romcom to sit on the shelves alongside Emily Henry, Sally Thorne and Ali Hazelwood.
Buy a copy of Love, Just In here.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
I absolutely loved this book. Great characters, great location setting, great storyline. I very rarely finish a book in just two days but I found I couldn’t put this one down. Kim, NSW, 5 Stars
This is a wonderfully touching rom-com. It explores the changing nature of lifelong friendship and unrequited love. The two main characters are loveable and relatable, and with a couple of steamy romance scenes included, it is a pleasure to read. Mellisa, QLD, 5 Stars
I was hooked from the first chapter. The characters were relatable, tackled some really tough topics and important issues all in an enjoyable read. I read it in two nights, and will definitely be looking up more of Natalie Murray’s work! Melissa, VIC, 5 Stars
Love, Just In follows the path of Josie and Zac as they navigate their 14-year friendship, which has seen them very close, and then the last two years fraught with distance – both physically and emotionally. To save her career, Josie moves from Sydney to Newcastle for 6 months – which has been Zac’s home for the past two years. The move sees them rekindling their friendship as they both deal with their own trauma and navigating life complexities that come along. Will they act on the chemistry that is there or not? The switch between past and present brings depth to their story. This was a great read, and I could relate to Zac and Josie as they moved through re-establishing their friendship, using texts to hint at the ease of where their friendship had been and how that didn’t always translate into in person interactions – and the angst of not wanting to lose a cherished friendship if they became more than just friends. A very relatable story. Leticia, QLD, 5 Stars
Love, Just In by Natalie Murray is predominantly set in Newcastle in New South Wales but reflects on the busyness of living in Sydney and the effects on work/life balance. Explored are life issues such as working in a demanding industry, forging a career and balancing relationships. For people in their 20s this is often the busiest time for their career establishment, finding love and keeping their mental health intact, which is exactly what is playing out here. Years ago, high school best friends Jose and Zac made a pact for their future selves and this predetermined age of enacting this pact is now upon them. But a couple of years ago tragedy caused a gulf between these besties and no matter how much Jose reached out, Zac wasn’t responding; until the time Jose had her own life-changing moment and was transferred from Sydney to where Zac was now living. Both with their demons, both not wanting to ruin their deepest friendship but also trying to understand their reactive feelings when their friend is dating, the story takes many twists and turns. And as the reader, you’ll be along for the glorious ride. Merilyn, WA, 5 Stars
A gorgeous, heart-warming summer read. I instantly fell in love with Josie and Zac, their characters jumped off the page and took me on a wonderful journey as they navigated their feelings. This will be the perfect summer read. Dianne, SA, 5 Stars
A friends to lovers story. Josie is a Sydney news reporter all alone in the big city. After suffering a panic attack live on tv she is sent to do the local news down in Newcastle. Although she has no family around, there is one person she does know there. Zac, her best friend since they were 14. The only problem is that they haven’t spoken for the last two years. Will her sudden arrival bring their friendship back, knowing well that they have issues of their own to deal with. A funny, heartwarming story, dealing with real life issues. An amazing summer read. The perfect rom-com. Natalie, VIC, 5 Stars
Australia’s answer to Emily Henry has just taken me on the most beautiful, heartfelt, moving, friends-to-lovers journey. Whilst working through some seriously hard issues, the chemistry and build up is sexy as hell. And, phew, Zac is my new book boyfriend. Thank you Better Reading for the early copy. I will be recommending this to everyone this summer! Emma, VIC, 5 Stars
What an emotional rollercoaster of a ride this was! Plenty of sadness and joy. The love story between Josie and Zac had me hooked from the beginning and I loved that it all came together in the end. An easy page-turner that was a great read. Susan, NSW, 5 Stars
I recently received an ARC copy of Love, Just In by Natalie Murray thanks to #BRPreview. It’s a wonderful coming of age tale of lifelong mates Josie Larsen and Zac Jameson and traverses their relationship going back decades interlacing with now and discusses missed opportunities, great friendships through the hardest of times knowing they’ll always be there for each other when needed, whilst living their separate lives. It’s a beautiful story, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes hilarious. It makes you remember the importance of the greatest friends from your own life with great nostalgia. I absolutely loved this book; even though targeting the younger generation, I believe most would be able to relate. Thanks for the opportunity to read this great book. Janet, NSW, 5 Stars
Love, Just In by Natalie Murray is a lovely “will they, won’t they” romantic story, demonstrating the importance of long-lasting friendship. I particularly enjoyed the ease of the relationship between Sunbeam and Favourite, especially their conversation style. My favourite character was Zac, he is loyal, humorous and supportive. A man of value and commitment. Thank you @Better Reading for the opportunity to preview this enlightening book. Matilda, QLD, 5 Stars
Natalie Murray has written a wonderful friends/lovers romance, so for you lovers of a good romance book this is the one for you. The two main characters take you on a journey from school and beyond with some very mixed feelings of friendship and as they deal with their careers, one in TV reporting and the other a paramedic, and how they finally do and say the things that have been bubbling under the surface for years. Lovely location for the book and one you can read on your holidays at the beach. Very well-written. Denise, QLD, 5 Stars
Love love loved this book! An easy read that takes you on an incredible journey of discovery with the characters and shows how sometimes it takes a while to see what’s been right in front of us all along! Melissa, VIC, 5 Stars
Josie is going to Newcastle for her job but the thing is her best friend since school Zac lives in Newcastle and they haven’t seen each other for awhile but will more than sparks fly? I love love love this book, from the bright beautiful cover that is an Australian Summer and the cute dog that really does look like Bob Marley. The story is one that made me sob and also made me giggle. I was just impatiently waiting for the characters to get their stuff together and finally realise that they are made for each other. The dialogue of banter and inside jokes that only best friends would get made me smile. As someone who suffers from anxiety I had never heard of health anxiety and it was an eye-opener to learn. I loved that there are more complex layers to the plot than just the usual romantic comedy. There are a lot of things happening that kept me wanting to read more. I will be hugely recommending everyone read this page-turner! Leanne, QLD, 5 Stars
Can you be “in love” with your best friend? This is the predicament Josie and Zac find themselves in after being reunited after a two-year absence. Josie is torn between following her feelings and possibility breaking Zac’s heart when her health anxiety has her believing she will not be around for the long term. This is a love story but also a look at how mental health issues can affect our lives and those we love. Admitting you are not OK is OK. Louise, NSW, 5 Stars
A beautifully written book about deep love, great loss and all the mess in between. The mental health rep is outstanding and is written so kindly as well. Both our FMC and MMC are strong funny likeable people and their chemistry is solid!! Perfect summer read (or just read it whenever). Rachel, NSW, 5 Stars
Just won a copy of Love, Just In by Natalie Murray, a wonderful look at REAL people. 30-odd TV news reporter Josie Larsen has stuffed up a report and been posted to Newcastle, where she runs into an old friend, Zac Jameson, who’s dealing with the death of his girlfriend in a car accident. We see them dealing with struggles of careers, mental health and neglected friendship – things we can relate to. A must-read. Robert, QLD, 5 Stars
The new novel, Love, Just In, by Natalie Murray is a wonderful friends to lovers story. The “will they/won’t they” saga makes you want to keep reading to find out! The story centres around two best friends, Josie and Zac, who have drifted apart in the recent years, but reconnect when Josie moves to Newcastle for work. Josie’s temporary move to a smaller town is purely to advance her news reporter career and plans to move back to the city when the six months is over. Cue the increasing, hard to ignore, attraction between Josie and Zac… The book has differing timelines, to fill the reader in with significant events leading up to the current day, but don’t worry, they are easy to handle and don’t confuse the storyline at all. The simmering attraction, the jokes and the banter make you want these two characters to realise their feelings for each other, and live happily ever after. I don’t usually read this romance genre and now wonder why I don’t?! The book was a great light read, pure escapism, and perfect for a holiday. Thoroughly recommend! Cas, NSW, 4 Stars
An excellent summer read that feels like it should be turned into a tv series or movie. I love the main characters Josie and Zac and their long lasting ‘friendship’. Andrea, VIC, 4 Stars
I recommend this to anyone looking for a flirty and fun read. The main characters, Josie and Zac whilst being quite different from each other are likeable and relatable. There are also well-developed supporting characters and their stories add variety and context to the main storyline. The chapters seamlessly switch between past and present which is a clever way to share Josie and Zac’s history with the reader. Every time I had to put this book down I’d be thinking about what would happen next with Josie and Zac. I recommend you find out. Thank you BRPreview. Sarah, NSW, 4 Stars
Love, Just In by Natalie Murray poses the age old question – can a man and a woman ever be best friends without becoming romantically involved? Josie and Zac have been friends and confidantes from high school to a share house at university and beyond until a tragic event in Zac’s life pushes them apart. Josie’s aspiring career as a television news reader is in tatters after an embarrassing melt down on air and she finds herself shipped off from the bright lights of Sydney to Newcastle as ‘punishment’. This should have made Josie happy as Zac has made Newcastle home too but they both struggle to reconnect and find the trust they shared for so long. On the surface, this looks to be a standard rom-com novel but the author adds depth to the story by exploring some interesting and topical side themes. The writing is witty with appealing characters and enough twists to maintain interest to the end. Dianne, QLD, 4 Stars
This week I ran out of time to do the shopping and vacuum the floors because I was reading Love, Just In. Just couldn’t wait to see if Josie and Zac would be single at the same moment in time. Surely this will be made into a movie! Thank you to Better Reading for the opportunity to read this book! Kirralee, SA, 4 Stars
Friends to lovers – my favourite romance trope. But this isn’t the fun rom-com I expected after reading the author reviews in the blurb. It deals with some serious issues such as cancer, trauma, grief, health anxiety and alcohol abuse. Setting that aside, I love the beautifully written friends-since-schooldays backstory of Josie and Zac that is revealed in short chapters interspersed between the present day ones. Josie and Zac are believable but flawed characters, who certainly need their HEA. I did find some of Josie’s choices irritating. A good read. Expect a few tears at the serious issues mixed in with the romance. Thank you to Better Reading and Allen and Unwin for a review copy. Pamela, QLD, 4 Stars
Loved both characters Josie and Zac, and great setting in Newcastle and Sydney (both places that I have lived). Two people, friends since high school, are reconnecting after losing touch two years previously. Zac suffered a traumatic event and withdrew all contact, so meeting up again was awkward and stilted. A little frustrated with the ‘almost together’ incidences (there were several), and not sure what was coming toward the end. Natalie Murray manages to keep the reader guessing as to the outcome right until the end. She uses humour and compassion to help you fall in love with the characters, but so many underlying tropes in this story. Jann, QLD, 4 Stars
A great contemporary romance written by an Australian author. Set in NSW Australia, about love, friendship, family, grief and mental health. Best friends since high school who become lovers after two years apart. Their careers bought them together after a job transfer. Following a panic attack and meltdown while reporting on live TV due to a mental health issue, the main character Josie learns to deal with this issue and other health problems. Zac is great support for her, having past trauma of his own. Great story with realistic depth. The only thing I didn’t enjoy about the book was when each chapter jumped back and forth from past to present. I found it rather confusing. I am looking forward to reading more of Natalie Murray’s books. Gwynne, QLD, 4 Stars
This book is so much more than just a rom-com, touching on issues of grief, anxiety, medical scenarios and career challenges. Josie finds herself in Newcastle with a six-month term as a regional news reporter which provides a chance to reconnect with her former best friend Zac. It’s a big step down from her previous life in Sydney and she and Zac have lost their previous close contact. There is much to navigate for both friends and can they rebuild their former easy friendship? It will keep you guessing and cursing and cheering and moaning until the final pages. Thanks to Better Reading and Allen and Unwin for an ARC of this lovely long read. Enjoy, everyone!! Karan, VIC, 4 Stars
I have just finished Love, Just In by Natalie Murray. Although not my preferred genre, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this delightful book. Josie and Zac have been best friends since the beginning of high school. They are now approaching 30, and after a short estrangement have been thrown back into each other’s lives. Can they pick up the threads of their friendship from where they left off? Will their friendship lead to something more permanent? I was able to make an instant connection with Josie and Zac, having spent many years in the Bathurst area, with my children having attended CSU. I now live near Newcastle and am familiar with the landmarks and suburbs mentioned. As a former nurse, I’m very familiar with the issues of health anxiety and was able to relate to Josie’s situation. As I was reading, riding the emotional ups and downs of friend’s vs lover’s relationships, I was enjoying the history of their relationship, and the “behind the scenes” story of their careers, and the associated complications, and roadblocks to Zac and Josie’s potential love story. As I was reading, I was picturing the characters as actors in a fun rom-com movie. I can highly recommend this to anyone wanting to escape the daily grind and stretch out on the beach, or under a shady tree, with a book about real people and real issues, with a touch of romance thrown in for good measure. Judy, NSW, 4 Stars
I loved it being set in Newcastle and that local places were mentioned. The health anxiety was great, but it just seemed like it was rushed at the end. I couldn’t find myself warming to Josie, but I think that’s because she was well-written as a “normal” person with faults, not just a one dimensional character. Which is a change from the usual romance books. I did enjoy the book, it was well-written. I would definitely read more from the author. Leanne, NSW, 4 Stars
Love, Just In by Natalie Murray is a fun, easy read that captures the essence of a perfect book for holiday reading. Murray adeptly explores the romantic tension between Zac and Josie, weaving in a delightful rollercoaster of emotions that keeps readers hooked till the end. I loved this book and finished it with a smile on my lips, feeling utterly satisfied. With its charming storyline and lovable characters, Love, Just In is perfect for readers who enjoy books by authors such as Emily Henry and Beth O’Leary — a must-read that leaves you with that magical holiday glow. Suzanne, NSW, 4 Stars
This book was such a nice easy romcom read! I enjoyed that the book switched between the past and present, and I really did feel the characters’ emotions throughout the book – very relatable. A good Australian summer read! Roz, VIC, 4 Stars
The latest friends-to-lovers romance comedy novel by Natalie Murray. It’s a feel-good, entertaining, funny, contemporary rom-com genre novel that seamlessly weaves together themes of the enduring power of friendship and love. Laughter and love intertwine in a delightful dance that captures the essence of genuine connection. The story follows two lifelong friends, Josie and Zac, whose 14-year friendship finally evolves into something deeper and more profound. The novel is a blend of humour and heart, as the witty banter between the characters keeps the reader engaged while the emotional undertones tug at the heartstrings. Natalie’s characters feel remarkably authentic and endearing from the first page. The obvious chemistry between Josie and Zac is palpable, making their transition from friends to lovers both believable and satisfying. I really enjoyed this novel – can recommend to readers who love a good romantic comedy. Antony, VIC, 4 Stars
I loved reading this book. It was like being on a rollercoaster, I laughed, cried and was holding my breath wondering – Josie and Zac, will they or won’t they? This was a heartwarming story, seeing two friends reconnecting after a time of not being in each other’s lives and finding a way to get back what they had. I enjoyed reading how Natalie wrote about the struggles Josie and Zac had with mental health and how they dealt with this in their private and working lives. Kody, QLD, 4 Stars
A friends to lovers novel and a few hiccups in between. Enjoyed the flash backs to their past, helped to learn more about the two main characters. I did enjoy reading this book with some very down to earth characters. Merril, QLD, 4 Stars
Josie Larsen is a 29-year-old Sydney news reporter who feels insignificant and a failure at her career after suffering a panic attack on live television. Her punishment is being sent off to cover regional news in Newcastle. Here she reconnects with her best friend from high school, Zac Jameson. Zac has barely spoken with Josie for the past two years after suffering a tragic car accident. He has been struggling with his own demons of guilt and grief. This is a story of mental health, neglected friendships and love between the two characters. I found this book to be a slow burn for me. Not a genre that I usually read, however towards the end I felt that the two characters were old friends from my own time at secondary school. I felt sad and empty when I finished the book, that I could no longer be a part of their lives. The chemistry between Zac and Josie was like a storm building and brewing… a fairly predictable ending for me. No surprises there. Love, Just In was an enjoyable light read for me… it took a long while before it held enough of my attention to become a page-turner, but it eventually did. Valerie, VIC, 3 Stars
I was super intrigued by this story and I really enjoyed the timeline jumps and information reveals that were presented to the reader. Unfortunately, I didn’t like any of the characters but I think that’s perhaps just that they read young and I don’t currently enjoy YA leaning romance. I would recommend to YA romance readers, however there are some very heavy topics discussed in the book so please check content warnings. Rachelle, TAS, 3 Stars
Love, Just In by Natalie Murray is a funny, loving, heartfelt, easy to read book. Zac and Josie were best of friends during uni but fell out of touch until Josie moved to Newcastle where Zac lives. Can they rebuild their friendship and will there be love? This book is beautifully written by Natalie Murray. Heather, NSW, 3 Stars
Love, Just In was a bit slow to start with but good enough to want to keep reading. It covers friends to lovers and how hang ups can have an effect of your life. Love can be blind. Carmel, NSW, 3 Stars
Josie Larson is a Sydney TV reporter. approaching 30, single and abandoned by her globetrotting family. A live TV panic attack gets her moved to Newcastle for six months. Zac Jameson her best friend since high school awaits her in Newcastle. But things aren’t like they used to be between them. Natalie Murray paints a very slow-burn, cute friends-to-lovers tale. The novel is very predictable, very long and very strange and raunchy in some parts. Cute and sweet in some parts but sexy and erotic in others, sometimes inappropriate… Arrisarne, VIC, 3 Stars
Love, Just In, written by Natalie Murray, is a humorous, light and predictable rom-com (aren’t they all?) It’s the story of two besties, Josie and Zac, who have been close friends since high school. Josie’s a TV news journalist and Zac’s an ambulance officer. It’s set in Newcastle on the coast of NSW and features the typical will they/won’t they dilemma until almost the end of the book. Interestingly, the author also explores ‘health anxiety’ as a secondary theme in this book and has shared that it’s something she herself suffers from. It’s an easy read and perfect for those true romantics who want a fun, local story. Cheryl, NSW, 3 Stars
This “friends to lovers” romance was kindly sent to me by Better Reading for review. The book is told from Josie’s point of view, as a Sydney TV reporter who is relegated to cover another reporter’s leave in Newcastle after Josie has a panic attack and freezes on live TV due to health anxiety issues. In Newcastle is her very close best friend from high school, Zac, who left Sydney to live there a couple of years ago. However, following a tragic accident Zac has barely been in touch with Josie but Josie wonders if they can restore their previous close relationship. The book flits between the past and present day with the excerpts from the past fleshing out the story of their relationship. Personally, I found that the chapters relating to the past could have been substantially reduced to make the book more pacy. It was, however, somewhat racy in parts, plus those who are triggered by stories about breast cancer and mental health issues etc. would benefit from some warnings about these. Overall I found it solid if rather slow moving and clichéd. Pamela, VIC, 3 Stars
A very slow-moving romance about Josie and Zac, who have been best friends for fourteen years but had lost touch over the last two years due to living in different cities. When Josie has a job transfer to Newcastle where Zac works as a paramedic their relationship starts to slowly change! The novel also deals with some heavy topics: cancer, anxiety, a tragic car accident, amongst some very lighthearted moments. The two different timelines that run throughout the novel give both protagonists a more detailed backstory and adds depth to the story. I found this book a very easy read, however the pace was too slow for me. Ilona, VIC, 3 Stars
Leave a Reply