All the stars for this awesome book!! Andi and Hill's story was full of so much heart and emotion as well as steamy romance. Both have experienced some pretty serious traumatic events in their lives and although neither is looking for anything serious they start up a friends with benefits relationship. I found their entire romance to be incredibly sweet and relatable.

Both have very legitimate reasons to be wary of change and opening themselves up to someone else and yet the find an easy rhythm and sense of calm . Andi was a brave, strong, and determined to overcome her limitations. I am not comfortable with scary movies but Roni Loren opened my eyes to the genre in a way I never considered and Andi gave the "final girl" trope so much power. I'll be using that terminology going forward to represent strong badass women in my life.

For a grumpy retired firefighter, I was extremely pleased with how open Hill was. Loren gave him so much complexity and heart. I appreciated his ability to adapt to change and his ability to keep his hero complex in check when it came to Andi.

Their chemistry was exactly right. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a fun steamy read with an emotional punch and a very very happy ever after. This is now one of my favorite series and I hope that there is a third book in our future.

Thank you SourceBooks Casablanca and Net Galley for an advanced copy of What If You & Me in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pub Date: July 6, 2021
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I thoroughly enjoyed Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren, so I had high expectations for What If you & Me. This book not only lived up to my expectations, but it far exceeded them. I finished this book in less than 24 hours, and that is a testament to the engaging writing, wonderful characters, and endearing storyline.

The characters in this book are so wonderful. I liked Andie in the previous book, but I LOVE her in this book. She is quirky and fun with just a hint of vulnerability underneath that lets the reader know she is a character with layers. The story peels those layers back slowly and thoroughly until you almost feel as if Andie is your best friend for life. She’s had a rough go of it, but she’s not bitter or jaded as much as cautious and careful She takes safety to an extreme, but she never wants to be caught off guard again. Sometimes she’s over the top, but she’s always likable and interesting. She is one of the best female characters I’ve read in a long time, especially as a character who is a survivor. She openly acknowledges her triggers, and she works to get beyond them while also acknowledging it’s a slow process. I thought Andie was a wonderful opportunity for readers who have gone through a grooming situation to see themselves in a story AND to know there is a way back from the struggle. The road may be ugly and hard, but the ending is worth it. I wish I could be more like Andie because she never gives up.

Enter Hill…my dreamboat firefighter with a penchant for gloom and doom because his life is not what he thought it would be. Hill was a character I was drawn to from the beginning, and I found his growth to be just as meaningful as Andie’s. He battles depression, a lack of self-awareness, and has a tendency to beat himself down internally. I think a lot of people can empathize with Hill’s struggles, and I think his journey is also something readers can see and identify with. His journey is not easy or always picture perfect, and Roni Loren takes great care not to airbrush the love in this story to perfection because truly, it’s not perfect…but the characters are perfect for each other, and I love the idea of finding that person you just fit with.

The steam/spice in this book left me speechless. I felt like the connection between Andie and Hill was almost sensual in nature as well as being a raw attraction, and I felt like I was intruding on their most private moments sometimes…but I couldn’t look away. They have the kind of physical connection and trust most people dream of having, and it was wonderful to see that connection written on the page.

Overall, I thought this book had it all, and I hope there are more to come!

This was my second ever Roni Loren book, and she did not disappoint! It leans more toward the rom-com vibe, and reading this felt like a warm hug (with spice).

I loved both of our main characters, and how they both had a good deal of PTSD and trauma they were working through, both on their own and together. This book was told from a third-person omniscient POV, which isn't my favorite, but I think it actually worked very well in this case to give us more of a bird's eye view.

As a major horror movie fan myself, I was absolutely delighted at the horror references sprinkled in throughout the book. Andi is a horror novelist and podcaster, and has immaculate taste in the "best cinematic genre." The fact that some of my all-time favorite movies were mentioned and hyped up made me so so happy.

Spice-wise, Roni did not disappoint. Both of our characters come together with baggage to contend with, but the way that Hill constantly checks in and makes Andi feel safe and at ease was so amazing to see--we need more books with this level of consent. Normalizing it makes it sexy.

LOVED this book!!

Ahhh I’m not sure which book I loved more - what if you and me or yes & I love you; they were both incredible. @roniloren just immediately hooks you with these quirky, witty amazing characters and you can’t put the book down.⁣
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Andi is quirky and bubbly and an extrovert through and through. She’s an incredible friend and person, she has this dark sense of humor and loves everything horror. You would never expect that she lived through a trauma that has shaped her into the anxious, yet amazing person she is.⁣
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Hill is a sexy, grumpy werewolf that is Andi’s introverted neighbor, retired firefighter and incredible cook. He’s broody and mysterious, but also deals with his own demons.⁣
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The push, chemistry and gentleness these two have is INCREDIBLE. Learning about their demons, reading about them overcoming them slowly and so patiently with each other was beautiful. I absolutely adored their story and also loved the little tidbits of Jasper and Hollyn.⁣
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Andi and Hill have had huge obstacles to overcome, and because of that, both of them tend to isolate and stay inside. Together, they come up with a practice plan to make coming back to their normal lives easier and somewhere the line blurs and feelings develop. Will they move past their demons and find love? Or will they let the dark sides of their past win.

This story is such an important one! I absolutely loved it. We often read books with one character going through mental health struggles, and the "normal" person helping them out of it, but this one featured both sides of the relationship fighting demons from their past and how its still possible to have a full functioning relationship. I really related to this. I often find it hard to date because of my mental health and feeling different and this was a perfect story of breaking that thought pattern. Also I did not read the first book and you can totally read this one without the first and not feel lost. I will definitely be picking up that first book in the series though!

There was something kind of meh for me about the first book in this series (Yes & I Love You). Since it started a bit slow, I was worried this one would go the same way. But I gradually got behind it and I ended up enjoying it way more overall.

The characters might be a little rote, but I think the open approach to boundaries and the mutual respect for neuro-diverse conditions is a huge stand-out. It’s extremely important for mental health stigmas to be dismantled and for healthy ways of coping and managing to be normalized. Making that message an integral aspect of a fictional plot is one way to get us there.

There’s still something that I don’t really connect with in Loren’s writing. Maybe it’s that the banter feels slightly forced to me or that there’s too much reiteration...I haven’t put my finger on it. But I will say this: Loren certainly knows her way around a love scene.

I adored Yes & I Love You. It's one of my top books of the year. In the months waiting for What If Me & You, I read every single book on Roni Loren's backlist. So I was ecstatic at the opportunity to read this.

Andi writes horror novels and does a podcast on lessons we can learn from true crime. She is very aware and always trying to be prepared to prevent crime. And it's clear that is because she is dealing with trauma and anxiety. I felt the way it was handled in the book was so beautifully represented.

Hill was a firefighter until he was severely injured in a fire. Simultaneously, he lost a lot of other important relationships. He is similarly dealing with PTSD and also depression.

Both of them are in therapy. Seeing the way they relate to each other is so powerful. I really love the mental health representation and that there were no magic tricks to fix everything. It felt so real and relatable. The book deals with intimacy especially well, demonstrating consent and trust. One of the things I consistently like about Roni Loren's books is how they model communication and understanding. This book may be her best yet.

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

TW: anxiety, PTSD, depression, violence

Rating: 4/5
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Fiction
Warnings: PTSD, depression, anxiety, physical disability, assault and infidelity
Read if you liked: Yes & I Love You or Life’s Too Short
Steam: 3

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I read Yes & I Love You in March and it was a surprise pick that ended up being one of my favorites of 2021. If you haven’t already, pick it up! Needless to say, I was super excited to find out there would be a second, Andi’s story, released in July (I pre-ordered it right away). I 100% read this within 24 hours of getting the approval.

I genuinely just enjoyed reading this book. I loved the characters, it flowed nicely so it was about 80% in when I realized I couldn’t find a clear cut plot…this isn’t necessary a bad thing because again, I really enjoyed the characters and watching them develop together and learn to move forward from their trauma but just an FYI. This is totally a go with the journey kind of book.

Roni Loren’s has this unique and delightful way of normalizing taboo topics and trauma in her books, showing that people can have a happy ending/deserve love no matter what “happened” to them. I’m planning on diving into her backlist after this.

Things I loved: The banter and dialogue was fantastic. Hill and Andi had great chemistry and their communication was really great. They both owned their trauma and where working on it…we love a healthy mental health journey. There was an organic nature of bringing back old characters and introducing new that I enjoyed. Always love a cooking angle, it was so sweet to watch him teach her how to cook. Hill’s was so respect of Andi’s boundaries and triggers, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…CONSENT IS SEXY.

Things I didn’t care for: I didn’t feel the conflict was fully fleshed out, it was abrupt and I wish there would have been a bit more context throughout the storyline.

Something I picked up on and had never seen in a book before that I want to point out: So often we see men being the hero when they are “saving” someone...Statistically, this really ends badly. I can hear Christina tell Burke, “don’t be a hero, the hero always dies” in my head (Grey’s Anatomy forever). I really appreciate that Andi asked Hill to say safe with her, let the police do their job because it wasn’t worth his safety.

What if You & Me is out July 6th, 2021! Pre-order or request at your local library!

I adored Yes & I Love You, the first book in the Say Everything series from Roni Loren, so I had super-high expectations for What If You & Me, which follows a secondary character from book 1, podcaster and author Andi, and her new-to-series love interest, ex-firefighter Hill.

The setup is straightforward enough: Andi and Hill live in two halves of a shared house; she's the sunshine to his grump despite a traumatic past that makes her extremely suspicious of men in general, and especially those with whom she's intimate. Hill is coping with early retirement after a devastating accident during a fire rescue left him with a leg amputation -- and a broken engagement. He's hesitant to trust women and doesn't want anyone's pity; he has to find a way forward into a life that deviates from every plan he's ever made.

I could go on at greater length about the plot, but the x-factor here is Loren's gorgeous writing. The Say Everything series is refreshing for its honesty, vulnerability, emotional saturation, and resistance to sentimentality; Loren's characters are too evolved to fall prey to tired tropes like missed connections or misunderstandings that could be cleared up with a single, adult conversation. Conflicts are truly, deeply character-driven, and the emotional journey Loren offers is rich and satisfying (so is the sex!).

Content Warning (contains spoilers): There are some heavy issues addressed in this novel, and both protagonists have traumatic histories. Andi survived a sexual encounter with a serial murderer and is physically assaulted in the book; Hill lost the bottom half of one of his legs in a fire. Additional warnings for home intrusion, broken engagement, description/discussion of horror movies.

Roni Loren's What If You & Me is a serious yet refreshing novel. It is not only a light contemporary romance story, but also a story of overcoming mental trauma and past abuse. Both protagonists—Andi and Hill—are sincere, utterly real characters who behave not as though they're artificially manufactured by a writer, but as though they are truly human, with human insecurities and human joys.

However, I found some of the writing difficult to read, primarily the author's use of slang. No matter how young Andi is, very few people use the words "totes" and "feels" these days, and reading passages that included slang of a similar sort didn't feel genuine to me. Additionally, I felt that more time could have been given to the major dangerous conflict at the end of the novel; it felt somewhat suddenly resolved.

All in all, What If You & Me was a solid read, and I really enjoyed the honest discussions of mental health and of the dangers that women face in today's world, especially the need to always look over one's shoulder.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a perfect follow up book! We met Andi in Yes, and I Love You and I wasn't sure where her story was going. She seemed outgoing yet very guarded at the same time. I am so glad that we got her story and absolutely fell in love with her and Hill.
Andi is a horror movie junkie, true crime podcaster and writes thrillers. From the outside it might look like she just loves the thrill and is addicted to being scared, but the truth of the matter is far more complicated. Andi is obsessed with these things because of what happened to her in her past, and she wants to be prepared in case something like that happens to her again.
Hill is an ex-firefighter that lost everything. He was forced to retire after a fire left him disabled and then his fiance left him for his best friend. His outlook on life isn't what you would call bright. He moves in next door to Andi and as soon as they meet you can feel the connection.
Hill is grumpy and Andi is sunshine, but they both have traumatic pasts that they have to overcome. The part I loved most about this book was the fact that Hill was so patient and understanding with Andi and her issues. The moral of this story is that when it's true love, it's given unconditionally and it can overcome anything. I liked that both of the characters had flaws and they weren't glossed over and love didn't conquer all. Time, patience and therapy also came into play here, they weren't just fixed by one another. The reality of knowing that someone was out there that could love them the way they deserved to be loved was the extra push they needed to help them heal and trust again.
Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Roni Loren for an early copy.

True crime podcasts + horror movies + grump/sunshine trope + romance??? I think this author just wrote my new favorite book. That’s not even an exaggeration - I’ve always been a big romance reader, but it’s actually pretty rare for a romance novel to cement itself into my heart like this one has.

I loved how the author chose to tackle the heavy subjects that were introduced in the book (rape, murder, Internet trolls and doxxing, and mental illness, just to name a few) especially the commentary on why women tend to be so interested in things like true crime and horror movies. And although Andi and Hill were both traumatized and flawed people, they weren’t toxic balls of angst like so many leading characters in romance novels tend to be - heck, they were both in therapy! Can this be a new romance trope that we popularize going forward? Characters who are in therapy to deal with their issues??

As someone who deals with severe anxiety on a daily basis, I found the representation in this very accurate to how I deal with it. Andi is a very relatable character and I found this love story to be realistic and made my heart flutter. Thank you for the arc!

I needed some time to gather my thoughts on this one!

If you are a fan of podcasts such as “My Favorite Murder” you will love this!

Andi Andi Andi… my heart felt for her!

And Hill…. What a complicated man with a whole lot of baggage! Well the both of them!

Some TW: PTSD, MURDER, ANXIETY.

This is a Grumpy/sunshine trope!

I really enjoyed this one and to be honest was not expecting some of the more heavier stuff unpacked in this novel, but it made me love it so much more!

Roni Loren knows how to make me happy: people with mental stumbling blocks healing together.

When Andi was a teenager, her best friend's brother dated her while murdering women. He's in jail, but this encounter left her with dating anxiety. She delves into true crime and horror to deal with this anxiety. Dawson, her next-door neighbor/landlord, is a former firefighter who lost part of his leg on the job. This makes him think that he's undesirable. After a misunderstanding, the two meet and begin a friend with benefits relationship. Through this relationship, they begin to heal.

Andi and Dawson have gone through a lot in their lives. They know the problems that are holding them back from fully healing and are working on it. When they get to know each other, they are careful not to cross any boundaries. Dawson is especially very careful when being physical with Andi because Andi is always thinking that men will kill her, which is an understandable worry after dating a serial killer. Those moments make my heart melt. Also, consent is sexy, and there is a lot of spoken consent in this book.

Review based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

Thank you Netgellay and the publisher for providing me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What If you & Me is my first novel by Roni Loren and I really adored every bit of it. Although this is second book of “Say Everything” series, but it could be read as a standalone book. In this book, we get to meet this extremely talented and eccentric horror novelist who is obsessed with horror novels and true crime podcasts, and a crippled, retired firefighter who is also fighting with his own demons. I assure you that you’re gonna adore the story of these not-so-perfect, yet brave characters.
The story follows Andi Lockley, a horror novelist and podcaster, and Hill Dawson, a retired firefighter. Andi’s obsession with horror novels and true crime podcasts is based on some horrifying she experienced when she was a teenager. Since then she is so determined to teach girls through her podcasts how to protect themselves from some potential threat lurking in dark alleys or other such places. Her anxiety and trauma does not allow her to open up to the men she might be interested in. On the other hand, Hill Dawson has recently been in an accident and has to take help of prosthetic leg to move around. Not to mention, he has to face his demons on daily life. His break up with his girlfriend made the things extra hard and painful for his mental state, making him grumpy and rude all the time. Andi just came to know her overly hot and sexy neighbour Hill is actually his landlord. Their anxiety continuously warn them to not get close to each other, nevertheless they could not help the attraction growing between each other.
I really loved Andi and Hill’s characters. Other than the fact that they are cute and sexy, I loved the way author has worked on their character development. Scary and closed off Andi keeps on working on her anxiety, tries to open up more, and eventually becomes the bravest girl ever. Same can be said about Hill too. He also learns how to overcome his post-accident trauma and fears about getting rejected because of his crippled state. They are both so much brave, and keep on fighting their demons on every step. I think readers will get to learn a lot of things from these two characters.
Overall this is a funny, cute, and engaging novel. You would really enjoy how slowly and gradually, step by step, they overcome their fears and traumas. I would really like to read a third book about Andi’s friend Eliza and Hill’s friend Ramsay. *Fingers crossed* Definitely recommended!

Why is there something so absolutely swoon-worthy about a grumpy werewolf of a hero showing his vulnerable side? I loved the raw intimacy in this neighbors to lovers romance, which features two broken people healing together. It pairs a fierce and resilient heroine with a lovable and hurting hero, and the combination makes for one compelling read. This slow-burning love story doesn't get dragged down by the weight of their pasts (which contain MANY triggers), but there is plenty of emotion and heartache. We got a peek at this heroine in the first book in this series of interconnected standalones, and I was intrigued by her then. But this was so much better than I anticipated; I loved it from start to finish.

The story follows Andi, a true crime podcaster whose past has shaped the person she is today. While most people see her bubbly exterior, not many know about the emotional scars that she carries. So when Andi meets her new neighbor, she feels a connection to him. Hill lost the career he loved, the woman he thought he'd marry, part of his leg, AND his confidence as the result of one on-the-job accident, and now he's struggling to get himself out of the fog of depression. But Andi is a ray of sunshine in his life, and she might just be exactly what he needed to find his happy again.

Please be aware that the story explores SO MANY different things that some readers may find triggering, from depression and mental health to sexual assault and much more. It's all handled with care and only serves to make the story richer, but the themes are front and center throughout the whole book. I didn't find this to be overly heavy or particularly angsty, but there are definitely moments of that.

The first book in this series was a very solid read, so I was definitely looking forward to this. The dynamic in this one is right up my alley - I love a kind and protective cinnamon roll/alpha combo, and that's what we get with Hill. He is a guy who once had everything that he thought he wanted, but it was all taken away with one accident. That's left him reeling, and Andi is his perfect complement. They fit together so well BECAUSE they've both had such traumatic experiences - they understand each other in a way that many others wouldn't. That makes the growth in intimacy so very fulfilling; there's a patience and care to the steamy scenes that's both enticing and comforting. I loved the connection between these two, and there was never a dull moment for me. I am definitely looking forward to more from the series - this was an excellent read. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this heartfelt romance.

Second in series are working for me these days! I think I enjoyed Andi and Hill's story maybe more than the first! I love how Roni Loren gives such unique perspectives in her stories and how they are such great ways to show conflict. Andi's past and her fears and anxiety are handled so well and Hill's trauma is handled beautifully. They are so real and while are exceptional situations, the author makes their feelings relatable in a way that we are rooting for them as individuals and a couple. I can't wait to read more from this author!

I loved the first book so I was super excited for this one and it did not disappoint! Super cute and I couldn’t put it down! I highly recommend

After a traumatic experience when she was a teen, Andi has helped herself heal by becoming a horror writer and podcaster. Hill, a retired firefighter, is trying to find his purpose in life after losing his leg and career while on duty. Andi has trouble trusting men and hasn’t truly dated since her high school relationship, and Hill is recovering from his ex-fiancée cheating on him with his best friend. These two emotionally vulnerable people end up as next-door neighbors and team up to try and help each other build their trust again through a safe friends-with-benefits relationship.

While there is a mild version of the grumpy/sunshine trope I love, Andi and Hill didn’t nail it for me. They had a cute relationship and I loved seeing how careful and respectful Hill was with Andi's boundaries, but I didn’t fully feel the chemistry.

I think the best part of this book is showing what it looks like to be considerate after someone has gone through trauma. I imagine many people will be able to relate to Andi’s thoughts and feelings as a woman in this world, and many people can also probably relate to Hill who lost a core part of his identity.

Although many romances are character > plot, I would have liked to see this plot fleshed out a bit more. When *things* (trying to avoid spoilers!) began to happen, it felt forced and inauthentic.

At the end of the day, this is a good story of finding love after pain. While this is a romance with 🔥🔥, it also contains many possibly triggering elements (listed below).

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

TW: talk of abusive relationships, PTSD, trauma, depression, anxiety, panic attack, physical handicap, infidelity