Review: Yes & I Love You (Say Everything #1) by Roni Loren

Yes & I Love You

(Say Everything #1)

by Roni Loren

March 2, 2021

352 pages

Goodreads Summary:

Everyone knows Miz Poppy, the vibrant reviewer whose commentary brightens the New Orleans nightlife. But no one knows Hollyn, the real face behind the media star...or the fear that keeps her isolated. When her boss tells her she needs to add video to her blog or lose her job, she's forced to rely on an unexpected source to help her face her fears.

When aspiring actor Jasper Deares finds out the shy woman who orders coffee every day is actually Miz Poppy, he realizes he has a golden opportunity to get the media attention his acting career needs. All he has to do is help Hollyn come out of her shell…and through their growing connection, finally find her voice.

A beautifully emotional new contemporary romance from New York Times and USA Today bestseller Roni Loren.

Review

With a sweet and sexy romance, Yes & I Love You was a thematically important story. I hadn't planned on reading this book but I'm more informed because I did (thank you Raincoast Books!).

Hollyn, our main character, is extremely insecure because of her disorder. Crippling fear ruled her daily life but she was determined to change. Two chance conversations started her journey. I'm honoured to have witnessed Hollyn's transformation. Compared to the easily scared column writer at the beginning of Yes & I Love You, Hollyn was a confident business lady by the end of the book.

Charming and caring Jasper was an exemplary love interest. "...we need to be careful with the stories we tell ourselves because our brains believe them." (ARC, p. 202) He had his share of insecurities but he didn't let them stop him from pursuing his dream. While I didn't agree with some of Jasper's decisions, I liked his honesty. He was honest when it most counted (with Hollyn). Also, theatre has never been my thing but the improv in this book totally opened my eyes.

I was looking forward to the romance in Yes & I Love You and it did not disappoint. "Sometimes when you get the dream, you realize it wasn't what you were looking for at all. That you already had what you most wanted right where you were standing. You just weren't looking hard enough." (ARC, p. 362) The love story was at times sugary sweet and other times molten hot. I won't say much except that some of the sex scenes had me fanning myself haha.

I'm a little baffled by the cover art. The woman looks nothing like how Hollyn is described. Did I miss something from the story? If there is a message in this cover can someone who understands it please explain it to me. Regardless of the outside, the inside of this book was lovely and important.

Yes & I Love You was a thoughtful and romantic story. It has significant representation but doesn't forget to be funny and sexy at times. I highly recommend this book to readers looking for a meaningful read.

*I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the ARC I received.