
Member Reviews

I love the author’s books and this one was a bit different from what I was used to but different in a great way.
Friends to lovers from friends with benefits is not always a smooth road to experience but after all the ups and downs and especially after realising how much they mean to each other, these two are finally caving and accept that well deserved happily ever after.
I enjoyed the sizzling chemistry and the smart banter, as well as the reliable moments and how they grown as characters especially since they are both still young and invested so much in their future. Being truthful to themselves and their feelings, I was really happy to see that he didn’t take advantage when he could and come up clean with everything.
A beautiful, steamy and heartwarming love story

The characters in this book were so relatable and quirky. They felt very real and not at all flat or static. I am used to more passionate (read: steamy) reads from this author so this was a change of pace but still good!

I received this from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book for many reasons. First, the main characters were not perfect. They had flaws and fears and could not magically cure each other through love. Second, the issues they faced were REAL, not simply in their own heads. Miz Poppy, a popular review in New Orleans, is really an isolated woman named Hollyn. She avoids relationships in fear that people will realize she has Tourette Syndrome. When her boss tells her she must add video of herself to her commentary, it is Jasper Deares, an improv actor with ADHD, who agrees to help her. In exchange, Hollyn will provide a Miz Poppy review of his improv group. Of course, they quickly fall for each other, though both swear they aren’t looking for serious commitment and will “pretend date” to help Hollyn overcome her anxiety. The most endearing element of this book was the lack of cliches. Every time I was certain the author was going in a specific direction, she surprised me. Obviously, the pair must overcome hurdles to be together, but the way Loren crafts the story is surprisingly unique. A sequel with a side character will be released in July and I can’t wait to read it.

Great storyline and characters. I love an awkward adult main that doesn't have her life together and struggles, in this case with social anxiety and tourettes. I loved the suporting characters, all with their own flaws and insecurities. For me personally, there were a few too many open door romance scenes (quite a bit I had to flip through) but that didn't stop me from liking this story!

This was my first book of Loren's but will NOT be the last. What a story!
I adored the way many different things were approached in this story. We saw disorders, mental awareness, the normalcy of therapy, and loss.
What made this such a spectacular read for me was the way honesty was the key and led to beautiful communication between the main characters. I loved that I didn't have to wait to see how they would navigate tough conversations. They were said right then and there and I am HERE FOR THAT! I loathe when communication issues are drawn out.
Also the chemistry between Jasper and Hollyn is FIRE. Five solid stars for this one!

This book had me squealing the entire time. Whether it was at the adorable improvisations, their lightning fast banter, or the **STEAMY** scenes, I had such a visceral reaction. That's when you know a romcom is good. This book paid homage to the romcoms of the past while still being a truly original story that I'll be rereading for ages. Adding in the Tourette's representation, which here chose to focus on it as an aspect of Hollyn rather than anything detrimental, helped me relate more to Hollyn as a character due to my own struggles with anxiety.
And it turns out this is a series? Sign me up for book 2.

4 brave + vulnerable + charming + steamy stars to this refreshing novel! Professionally, Hollyn is the charismatic Miz Poppy, a popular NOLA entertainment scene reviewer + blogger. Personally, she hides behind her pen name due to significant social anxiety brought upon by her Tourette Syndrome. While she is extremely confident in her anonymous career, she struggles with social interactions in real life. When amateur actor + improv comedian, Jasper, becomes the the new coffee guy at her work- their chemistry is instantaneous. The two strike up a friendship that develops into a steamy romance.
I absolutely loved how the author handled the delicate topics of mental health, disability, counseling and vulnerability in this novel. Not only was it refreshing to see these things represented + discussed in a romance novel, this book was a very FUN read. The characters had crazy chemistry, witty banter and a great connection. The snippets from the improv comedy shows and her blog were also incredibly entertaining. I loved to see how both characters came into their own strengths and felt more comfortable throughout the course of the story. It also has what might go down as the cutest ending of a romance novel ever!
Pub day is March 2nd! Pre-order your copy now. Thanks to Netgalley + Source Books Casablanca for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I finished this book a few days ago and I am still thinking about it! I am not a huge romance/romcom reader but I loved yes & I love you! It was great seeing the behind the scenes of improv and life as a freelancer. I also loved the character development and that this book included individuals with tourettes.

Oh. My. God.
It's been a while since I've been this excited/over-the-moon about a book!
First of all, I have to 100% agree with Colleen Hoover's blurb: this is an unputdownable story, with incredible characters and beautifully written struggles and realities. Jasper and Hollyn showed us what it truly means to find and accept yourself, not giving other people the power to tell us how we should feel, look, act or think.
If you're in the mood for reading something sweet, but that's still gonna make you reflect on life, keep an eye out to this gem. I'm definitely gonna carry this story with me for a long time.

Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren is the first book in the duology 'Say Everything' by the author. Everyone knows Miz Poppy, she is the vibrant reviewer of New Orleans. But no one knows Hollyn, the real face behind the media star.
Jasper Deares, an aspiring actor, finds out that Miz Poppy isn't the one and decides to help Hollyn come out of her shell and in return he gets the media exposure he needs to become an actor.
This is my first Book where I have read the main character having Tourette syndrome and it is done so well. I liked how her weakness is used as a power and a perfect tool to build this love story. It helps young readers in excepting their flaws.
I was very much engrossed in the story from the start and it kept me up all night. I liked how the story moved with some laughs and lovey dovey messages in between. The characters are very well developed and felt just like us.
____
Thank You to NetGalley and Publisher for sending me the eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.

I wish i could get into this one but I couldn't. I tried but it just wasn't for me. I didn't enjoy the writing as much but I thought the story itself has a lot of potential.

A nice new adult story with beautiful people with problems like a Tourette’s disorder, and a guy with a great improv talent, but trouble with binding and trust. It’s great to see how these people find each other and overwin there problems. Great setting of improve theatre, with leads to hilarious situations.
It’s a lovely story to read. It starts slow, but is getting better during the book. The end is little predictable, but way to the end is a great road to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the digital ARC! This is my first Roni Loren, but it won’t be my last— her wiring is considerate, thoughtful... and hot! I believe that everyone deserves a love story, and Loren truly gives both Hollyn and Jasper one for the books... I love the fake dating trope, as well as characters who have to transcend the coping mechanisms/stasis of their lives in order to get what they truly want/need in order to grow/change. The one thing about this reading experience though, for me, is that I did have a hard time getting swept away by the story (maybe the multiple plot engines? It may have the embedded text?), but I found myself putting this book down a lot and coming back to their story rather than turning the pages to see what happened (not necessary a bad thing, just a different pace than I expected). Definitely recommend this read for its humor and heart.

Hollyn is a writer and a reviewer, operating under the stage name 'Miz Poppy'. She has made a name for herself in New Orleans with her sense of humour and brutal honesty, however she keeps herself hidden behind her persona. When Hollyn meets Jasper, she challenges herself to be braver, and he challenges her to face her fears and find her voice.
I wasn't expecting how absolutely adorable this book is! I loved Hollyn, her honesty and raw emotions were so relatable. Her journey throughout the story was exciting to see, taking herself from an introvert letting her anxiety and Tourettes control her, to being in control of her desires and her future.
Jasper is equally as fantastic, and his honesty was refreshing. I loved his passion for improv and his group's supportiveness. Cal was also a favourite character, and I'm rooting for him to have his own book as well (Andi is getting one and I am definitely here for it!).
I did find the first half of the book a little slow, there were some pacing issues for me, but I still smashed through this in a couple of sittings.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book, because damn it was good!

4 ⭐️
If you love the fake dating trope, then this one’s for you!
Yes & I Love You was the first of its kind for me. The MCs were realistic and relatable. Hollyn’s character was original and authentic, before this I had never read a book where the main character has Tourette’s. A shout out for some representation in the world of romcoms! Her growth was admirable, she didn’t let the syndrome define her. She was brave, witty, and funny as hell.
As someone who struggles with ADHD, and is outgoing to a fault, I could sympathize with the male lead, Jasper. The handsome artist proved that just because you’re outgoing, doesn’t mean that you’re self-assured. Growing up in the foster system, abandoned by his parents, Jasper felt like he never had anything of his own. He was lost, struggling to find and make something of himself.
I couldn’t get enough of Hollyn and Jasper. I don’t think Jasper had to ‘save’ Hollyn, like most male hero types tend to do, instead they both helped each other learn and grow. Their story was so sweet and addictive, not to mention steamy. I can’t wait for the rest of the series (although, I was really hoping for more Jasper and Hollyn 😬)
Thank you Roni Loren, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest review. Available on March 2nd, 2021!

3.5/ 5 stars
Yes & I Love You is the first book in the Say Everything series of standalone interconnected contemporary romance books. As of now there are two books listed in this series.
This book is my first book by this author. I love the cover of this book. It is what drew me to it.
The main narrator is 20-something Hollyn Tate (3rd person POV). The book takes place in New Orleans.
Hollyn has Tourette's and she also suffers from extreme anxiety whenever she has to speak to people. She writes an entertainment column under a pseudonym.
I found all of these aspects to be very unique. And I thought that they all added a lot to the story, especially her anxiety.
There is also a male narrator (also 3rd person POV).
The beginning wasn't bad. But I wasn't super invested in the story or the characters.
What I did love was Hollyn's new friend, Andi. And the improv aspect of the story.
The romance was decent. But this book was much sexier than I was expecting from the cover.
The end was really good and definitely brought up my rating. Overall, this was a sweet, charming, romantic story.

I absolute Loved this sweet little book. Likable and funny characters. Neuro-diverse characters I haven't seen represented before and the characters grew throughout the book. Made for one successful rom-com that I needed at this time.
Hollyn is a young woman that has a successful column where she writes under the pen name Miz Poppy. People absolutely love her. She is honest and fun and is whip smart.... in her column. In real life, she has Tourette's and has a very difficult time interacting with people or anyone that doesn't about her tics. One day at her work space, she runs into the new 'coffee guy'. Jasper is this relaxed, happy-go-lucky guy that appears to be someone that everyone likes. But Jasper is only back in his hometown because things didn't pan out for him in Hollywood. He is a theatre guy, but his improvisation skills is where he flourishes. Jasper gets the feeling upon their first run in that Hollyn is not put on by his charm. And this is where our story between these characters starts.
While Hollyn has something obviously different about her that she feels uncomfortable about, Jasper has something a little hidden. A past that makes him act a certain way towards others as well as a side of ADHD. But these two are not going to let those things rule their lives. They are going to take control of what they can.
"It's like a drug, Hollyn...It's taking control back from everyone else and saying, 'This is who I am and I don't give a damn what you think.' When you get to that place, you hold all the chips in the poker game. they can't beat you. The fear fades."
I enjoyed watching Jasper pull Hollyn out of her comfort zone and I loved that she was the one to push herself first. The relationship/friendship that forms between them is full of sexy banter and awkward conversations where they open up to one another. I liked seeing them change and blossom right in front of me. And it wasn't just Jasper helping Hollyn. It was Hollyn and others in their work place helping them both. The supporting characters were just as fun and entertaining as the two main characters. They were fun and quirky and made for a delightful, sexy and entertaining story between two unlikely characters.
This was the first book I've read by Roni Loren, but it won't be my last. The unique perspective on a neuro disorder was enlightening and welcome. I liked that Jasper and Hollyn were tough enough to fight their demons to work on their self development and achieve it with one another. My only issue I had was at the very end and how Jasper reacted to a certain situation...BUT, this story was about discovering oneself and he definitely did that and he redeemed himself quite quickly.
Yes & I Love You was just the light, sexy and fun read I needed at this time and it marked all the boxes I was looking for. Not 100% perfect, but perfect for me and my dark heart.
"Love isn't rational. It's a risk. It's always a risk. So there's only one thing we can do."

Well Dear Readers, we have another winner!! Everything about this was precious, romantic, and inspiring. I looked forward to picking it up to read everyday. The main characters were endearing and their story had me rooting for them every step of the way. Over the years, romance has become one of my favorite genres and it is stories like this that make up why. Romantic stories with characters that inspire me and are compelling, propel the very best narratives about hope. I love how subversive this genre can be!
I have also never read a romance with a main character who had Tourettes and I loved it. It was awesome and also made me happy. Additionally, our hero was constantly focused on consent and was the opposite of possessive, so thank you! The only thing that bothered me in this story was the multiple events that happened towards the end. It gave me reader's anxiety because my emotions were constantly up and down. I did not know how to feel! It was a rollercoaster and maybe should have been drawn out more or edited down? Maybe?
Really though, it is a small complaint because it was compelling throughout even when I was frustrated by the pace. Also, the ending more than made up for it for me. The book just ultimately made me happy and what the world needs more of is happy books. Or at least my world does. This is a genuinely lovely, happy book and it was a joy to read.

What an uplifting story! I always love a “fake dating” troupe and Ms. Loren throws in a “love triangle” at the end just to spice this romance up. Our heroine, Hollyn, is struggling with her Tourette’s and fear of social interactions with strangers or just about anyone she comes in contact. Which is a strange fear for someone who’s job involves going out and about to review entertainment venues in New Orleans. Nevertheless, she is a successful blogger – as long as she stays incognito as Miz Poppy (her alter-ego pen name.)
Jasper is almost the exact opposite – an outgoing improv actor – struggling as a barista in Hollyn’s trendy workspace office building. He sees her beauty even thru her twitching Tourette’s tics. Once she confesses her disability, he really does not notice it except to help her overcome her anxiousness. This is so touching, and he is constantly encouraging her. Although he is working thru several personal setbacks, he offers free “improv acting lessons” to help her with a new work demand that she starts video blogging. An actor with a dream as well – the opportunity to open his own theatre. Which he kind of needs help from Hollyn’s Miz Poppy blog review. So a little tit for tat – pun intended 😉.
Hollyn also enlists Jasper to be her fake boyfriend which leads to the inevitable not fake relationship status. Oh, the sparks that fly with this office “romance.” There is some major drama with exes that stir the pot that is Hollyn and Jasper’s budding relationship, but in the end Hollyn gets her confidence and the Jasper gets his girl.
One added benefit from this story – the improv lessons are absolutely enlightening. Almost as if our authorette Ms. Loren has a side gig as an improv actress herself. I have been a Roni Loren fan ever since her “Loving on the Edge series” – some fab binge reading if you are up for some major contemporary romancing.
Yes & I Love You is a charming story about overcoming obstacles and taking risks to attain your aspirations. Along with the hot guy who falls for the smart girl, you will get an inside look at living with Tourette’s. The balance between romance and drama that Ms. Loren is so adept at makes for a delightful read. Looking forward to her next installment “What If You & Me” starring Hollyn’s quirky friend Andi and her hot firefighter neighbor – swoon!
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Yes, and I Love by you by Roni Loren is about a young girl, Hollyn trying to make her way in life with debilitating fears about people accepting her with Tourette’s. She has come so far as a successful blogger covering entertainment and lifestyles in the fantastic city of New Orleans. After all, It is easy to be a witty blogger because she doesn’t have to show her face where the telltale ticks of her condition will become apparent. But the day comes when her employer pushes her to change her blog a vlog. Showing her face and trying to speak on camera is a monumental task. Enter our young hero Jasper who has dreams of now or never. Jasper is a dreamy, funny, charming, and plucky young man who has a crush on Hollyn. The only thing Jasper doesn’t have is money and investors to start an improv/comedy club. It's at this point that they both realize that they can help each other achieve their dreams via private instructions and a willingness for Holland to help get good reviews for the new club? I thought the book was cute, yet not necessarily super sexy. I predict this will be a winning read for the spring with its positive message of hope in the future when you follow your dreams. Some minor plot holes bring the book especially the start of the story where the book struggled to find meaning. It was too slow. But this was a fun and easy romcom to root for where the reader as a vested interest on in the success both in life and professionally of our two leads. Thank you to #netetgalley for the ARC yet all opinions and thoughts are my own without bias.