This is a very sweet and sure to please romcom. It has something I'm often wishing more romcoms have, which is actually going to places and doing things in the setting, which for this book is Seattle. I think for people looking for books with rather low tension and low angst, this is it. The force driving the couple apart is weak, and the two are so compatible that there are hardly bumps at all. I think my personal tastes prefer things a little messier, so this book tipped a bit into saccharine for me, but it was still a very fun and breezy read.

Well, this was everything.

I love love loved Annie and Brendon. I loved their shared history and utter devotion to Darcy. I especially loved how much of a marshmallow Brendon is. Together these two have loads of chemistry, fantastic conversation, and a real organic progression to their relationship.

Plot wise, it was good. The majority of the story takes place over 2 weeks and yet it didn’t feel rushed. I loved seeing Seattle through their eyes and now I’m desperate for another visit. The angst was minimal and I could have easily read 100 more pages of these two.

Overall, I love this cast of characters and the slice of (mostly) fluffy time. I’ll just be over here, waiting for Margot’s book.

**Huge thanks to Avon for providing the arc free of charge**

About the book:
Brendon Lowell believes in true love. So much, in fact, that he's made his life's work building a dating app to help others find their special someone. He, himself? Not so lucky. Until his sister's best friend comes to town to visit, and he's reminded of a. the wicked crush he used to have on her and b. how well they seem to get along. Annie's just in Seattle to drop the news to her best friend that she's moving across the world to London. When her best friend realizes Annie is moving further away from her, she enlists Brendon in a campaign to show Annie the beauty of Seattle, and maybe even Brendon too. When it comes time for Annie to report to London, has Seattle left an impression on her? Has Brendon?

TL;DR:
- 4.5 stars
- Content warnings: none that I can currently think of
- A sweet, witty romance you could likely get through in 1-2 sittings. Would recommend this one for anyone who loves a lead who's stubborn or scared of love, who LOVES a cinnamon roll of a love interest, and who wants to see queer rep!

Loved:
- I have read a LOT of romance. Like, a lot. Bellefleur writes realistic characters so well, it almost hurts. I saw so much of myself in Annie and I felt like she and her flaws and strengths were so wonderfully represented in the book.
- As far as conflicts go, this one didn't hurt as much as I thought it would! It was, again, a really honest representation of a couple with one person who's looking for forever, and another who's looking for happy right now. I love grown up conflicts that don't cause (what I consider) irreparable damage in the relationship! Yay!
- I loved the dialogue so much. I saved a bunch of little notes to myself of dialogue that made me cackle or cry. That's not super common for me: usually I love the story, or I love the characters, but the dialogue is not a focus for me. Not with this one!

Less into:
- It took a while to get into this one, honestly. It started off so funny, witty, and strong, but then it just meandered before getting into the meat of their relationship so I ended up taking an extended break from reading the book (like, a month). If it was a bit quicker paced up front I could easily have spent a single Sunday on this. May not be an issue for anyone else!

Overall a really cute, well written romance. I would definitely read Bellefleur's other work.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5/5

This book was a lot fluffier and less angsty than Written in the Stars. The plot wasn't anything special, but it was a cute and quick read which is what I wanted.

I wasn't a fan how everyone was guilt tripping Annie into staying in Seattle rather than letting her come to her own decisions. I see where they were coming from, but it was just a lot.

Plus the romances was super quick when I feel like these characters would have benefited from a bit more of a slow burn?

2.5 to 3 stars

Romance is dead and I read it here first.

I do have *some* nice things to say, like the fact that that first sex scene was just *chef’s kiss*
I really thought things were looking up from there, but man...

I didn’t dislike either of our main characters, first and foremost. Sure, Annie — in the beginning there — made even my cynical ass look soft. I wanted her to stop shitting on Brendon’s hopes and dreams. And Brendon needed to cool it a bit on the find-me-my-one-true-love-now gig.

HOWEVER!!! When we get to the guilt tripping point of this entire book, I lost it.

I’d even say this kind of reminded me of ‘You’ve Got Mail’? This might attract those who have a warped sense of romance, but if you’re going to guilt trip your love interest into leaving everything behind (job, home) just because you personally fell in love with her in a matter of days...you think I’m going to root for you?

Let’s not even get started on how much I wanted Darcy to catch these hands. Man...

I’m so disappointed because I truly was looking forward to it, but AGH. I hate it. And like, I know I’ll pick up the author’s next book, but that will probably be my final deciding factor.

WHYYYYYY

I had a stupid grin the entire time reading this book!

Brendon loves love. It’s his business and his hobby (he, like me, sniffles watching proposal compilations on YouTube), and he believes in true love but he just hasn’t found it yet. Annie is his sister’s childhood best friend, and she’s tired of looking for love, and being alone, and maybe her life? When she visits Seattle, Brendon’s mission is to convince Anne, and all love skeptics, of its existence by channeling his favorite romantic comedies.

I just loved everything about this! I genuinely laughed out loud (that never happens!) at so many points (highlights include: dirty charades, centaur penis placement, and a certain event on the Great Wheel). Alexandria Bellefleur writes some of the best steamy scenes once again with a balance between heat, emotion, and humor that is unmatched. For fans of Written in the Stars, Darcy and Elle play major roles in this book too, and we get to see their relationship continue to evolve with some very cute scenes, including Darcy as the protective big sister!

I love how open Brendon is about his emotions and intentions towards Annie; he’s learned from the mistakes in romcoms and isn’t playing any games. I love how Annie views language and communication. I love how adult friendship is represented, and how it might change when your friends find their person.

I cannot stop gushing about this book, and it’s already one of my top reads of 2021! I so highly recommend this, and can’t wait for the next book in 2022!

*Thank you to Avon for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!*

After reading and LOVING Written in the Stars earlier this year, I was anxiously awaiting the sequel. Hang the Moon did NOT disappoint. After Brendon's matchmaking skills in WITS, I really really really wanted to see him find love, and Bellefleur gave me just that. The childhood friends-to-lovers trope in this is so sweet, and I loved the dialogue about love languages throughout the whole book. Also, love to see bisexual representation in heterosexual relationships without it being invalidated!!! Overall, loved this book.

Hang the Moon was such a delight! I had a goofy grin on my face almost the entire time and this was exactly the feel good romcom that my heart needed. It's no secret that I love a cinnamon roll hero and Brendon was ooey gooey through and through. It doesn't hurt either that Brendon and Annie were childhood friends and that he had a bit of a crush on her all those years ago. I loved what a hopeful romantic he was and all his thoughtful gestures had me swooning left and right. He was all in for Annie right from the start and I appreciated that he didn't hide his feelings or let miscommunications get in the way. There isn't a ton of angst or drama in this one and what does occur was understandable and relatable. The epilogue made my heart soar and it was such a sweet way to bring this book to a close.

One of the best things about the book was the focus on friendships and found families. I loved all the different relationships in the book, from siblings to best friends to business partners. This group has each other's backs and they aren't afraid to face hard truths. They're lovably snarky and I ate it up! In many ways, the book was also a love letter to Seattle and I look forward to the day when I can visit this amazing city again.

I both read and listened to Hang the Moon and the narration by Lauren Sweet was wonderful! The casting was spot on and I thought the comedic timing and emotional scenes were done so well. I had no issues differentiating between characters and it was such an enjoyable listening experience. I haven't had a chance to read the previous book, Written in the Stars, but I definitely plan to after meeting this wonderful cast of characters! I can't wait for Margot's story next!

Audiobook Review
Overall 5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4.5 stars

*I voluntarily read and listened to an advance review copy of this book*

The writing style wasn’t my favorite but it wasn’t the worst and I could still read it completely fine. I honestly loved this book. The romance trope is best friends brother and it is SO GOOD. I cannot even get close enough to explain how much this book made me smile. Like I could not stop grinning to save my life. Spice level was about 2/5 but it was such a cute read and has some great LGBT representation!

“He looks at you like you hung the moon.”

Annie has some big life changes coming her way, so before she packs up her life and moves to London she flies to Seattle to surprise her best friend, Darcy. The problem? Darcy is currently on vacation out of town with her girlfriend, Elle. Enter Brendon, Darcy’s little brother who hasn’t seen Annie in eight years but harbored a huge crush on her way back when. Of course Brendon is more than happy to entertain Annie for a few days until Darcy gets back into town. And of course Brendon, the creator of the dating app One True Pairing, is more than happy to prove Annie wrong when it comes to her negative associations with the idea of love. Through a series of grand, romantic gestures taken right out of the biggest rom-com scripts, Brendon shows Annie that love doesn’t have to end in heartbreak. And maybe, just maybe, Annie starts to believe in special someones and happily-ever-afters.

A follow-up from the 2020 debut Written in the Stars, Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur is exactly what I love to see in contemporary romance. There was humor and fantastic give and take between Annie and Brendon. There were big, grand gestures that somehow seemed less corny on paper than on the big screen. And probably my favorite part: there was a man who openly admitted his feelings, wasn’t shy about showing emotion, and was just as broken and torn up over losing someone as the woman. A heterosexual man with feelings and emotions is sadly still lacking in much of today’s romance, so Brendon was such a welcome character. I loved the main and supporting characters in this story. Annie is relatable, working at a job that pays the bills but isn’t her passion. She’s been stood up and let down in the past, and her heart and brain are at odds over whether to take a chance on finding true love with Brendon. She doesn’t picture herself going for the big, romantic gestures and moving across the country just for love is definitely a big, romantic gesture. Brendon is usually overly romantic, the kind of fictional character that still manages to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, but he also had some terrifically dirty moments that can make you feel warm for a completely different reason. The supporting characters, all making a return appearance after Written in the Stars, are great to see back as well. Darcy plays a big role in both Annie and Brendon’s life, and she has come a long way since the first book. I loved seeing this Darcy: the best friend, the girlfriend, the sister. While Darcy was a bit stiff at times in the first book, she’s definitely loosened up a bit now that she’s found love and is back together with her best friend. Elle returns as her usual, bubbly self, and her astrology partner Margot makes several appearances as Brendon’s new friend and confidant (and now I really can’t wait for the next book!). Overall, this was a sweet romance, filled with hope, the will to overcome past heartache, and the belief that everyone can find their One True Pairing.

📚 Bellefleur delivers with another sweet, soft book about love, romance, and the many forms they take.
📚 The premise is a bit flimsy, but I loved Brendon and Annie's conversations about what counts as a romantic gesture, and learning to show each other love in the ways that mean the most to them.
📚 Plus, I'm here for more books with bi people in hetero relationships, a queer couple configuration that doesn't often get page time.

2.5 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed Alexandria Bellefleur’s previous book, so I was equally hyped for Hang the Moon. I mean, yay for more bi rep! But this is unfortunately a case where the book had great ideas, but failed in execution.

It was described by a few people as “no plot, just vibes,” and that can work to a point. The characters are great. Annie is reluctant to commit to a relationship and enjoys a life of travel around the world. Meanwhile, Brandon is a hopeless romantic and runs the One True Pairing dating app that also played a role in the first book. I liked their dynamic overall. They have great chemistry, and while I wasn’t wild about them as an OTP (to borrow their terminology), they were easy to root for.

But the lack of real conflict, aside from the “we have different opinions about love,” and a bit about Annie’s career, made the story drag. I found I cared less and less whether these two would work it out, because everything was so pointlessly drawn-out. It really sucks, because I love a messy heroine, but this one just didn’t do it for me.

The astrology humor is still on-point, with tons of suggestions for random topics that match each sign, in the same vein as the prior book, so that kept me going, and there were some other little gems throughout that kept me marginally interested.

While I was severely disappointed in this one, in spite of it having some of my catnip tropes, I can see why it would appeal to other readers.

This book had all the spice and sweetness as the first book. This family, these characters and the inclusivity of lgbtq+ reps... I’m here for it. I am HERE for it. The way the authors humor shines through the context, the situations their put in, the conversations, is the humor I crave on a daily basis. The switch between following along with the day to day actions, conversations as if you were sitting at the table with them, and then the personal aspect of “reading” the texts between them, the swapping of formats is my favorite writing style. It was perfect, and done in a way that not only kept you interested with switching it up, but connects you to these characters in a deeper way. You get to know them in every aspect of their lives. In this household we stan a strong female refusing to settle for less then what she deserves, we stan for a man being open in his desires for true love. In this household we stan for hopeful *and* hopeless romantics. In this household, we stan Alexandrias work. I’m already ready to beg @a.m.bellefleur for the next book. Because like.... we all know she’s coming for Margot next right?! (I hope I’m right)
•
A HUGE thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooks for my early review copy. I’m still swooning over every single character. I think I’ve fallen in love five times within the past 24 hours and yes, they’re all fictional. But shhh. They’re real in my heart.
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It also only seems fitting.. if you saw my review yesterday for Written in the Stars, I shared a hint at my favorite scene. Sooooo, drum roll please. You need to read this to hear about *THE* French fry. Because.. I couldn’t contain myself. Seriously y’all, preorder it now if you haven’t already.

This book was super cute!! I wanted to give all of the characters a hug. I hadn't read Written In the Stars when I read this, and I was able to totally follow along, and it has me dying to read it!

I loved seeing Annie's pessimistic outlook on love contrasted against Brendon's constant optimism. One of my favourite parts about this book was the little astrology references; so much of this book had little tid-bits that made it feel so much more real and relatable. While it had its clear rose coloured glasses about life moments, it also was able to strangely feel like conversations I could have with my friends. The romance was definitely quick, but still adorable.

Definitely recommend!!

Honestly, I wasn't sure that I could like Hang the Moon more than Written in the Stars, but somehow?? I think I managed. First of all, one of my favorite not necessarily integral to the story in Written in the Stars things remained a part of Hang the Moon and I loved getting to see more of those astrology elements! They're so fun. But also, this really worked for me because Annie and Brendon are just... precious?

Hang the Moon dials the Seattle location up to an 11 and I was here for it. Like, looked at booking a flight to Seattle into it. It has rom com references, but in ways that felt natural and not forced. It's got Brenden??? I mean, I really don't know what to tell you about this book beyond it's soft and sweet and sexy and exactly what I needed to read.

I guess I could tell you what the book is about. Essentially, Annie flies to Seattle to surprise her best friend, Darcy, with a visit. They haven't seen one another in over a year. After the hellscape of 2020, I'm sure a lot of us can really relate to that. Unfortunately, Darcy is in Vancouver on a vacation with Elle (!!!) for the weekend, so Brenden gets roped in to letting Annie into Darcy's apartment and also playing host for a few days. Brenden was crushing on Annie hard in the past, like, when he was in high school, and the chemistry is still there.

Honestly, I really did love so much of what this book was about. The way it brought alive past memories for Brenden and Annie without flashbacks, the way the friendship between Darcy and Annie is so much a part of this book without taking away from the romance, and the way Annie is really having to figure out the difference between being safe and being happy and what true happiness is worth. I just really, really loved this book. It was a joy to read and I cannot wait for Margot's book!!

For romance readers and fans of Alexandria Bellefleurs' debut novel 'Written in the Stars' you will surely not be disappointed with her follow-up novel 'Hang the Moon'. This story features Brendon and Annie, the brother and out-of-town best friend of one of her debut novel's main characters, Darcy. Hang the Moon will give you the tension, spice, drama, and cozy moments that you look for in a rom-com style novel, with loveable side characters and the eccentric backdrop of Seattle, Washington. Fans of 'Written in the Stars' will particularly enjoy getting to see Darcy and Elle as side characters, giving you a look into what their life was like once the pages of 'Written in the Stars' came to a close. I would absolutely recommend 'Hang the Moon,' released on May 25th!

My star rating was more of a 4.5!

I truly have enjoyed both of Alexandria Bellefluer's work! She writes so beautifully and to the point where it makes me feel like I know the characters in real life. It is truly a joy to be able to read about these really fun and dimensional characters!

I definitely enjoyed this book more than the first one which really excites me for the next one. I am a huge Brendon fan so I knew this story would definitely get me in my feels!

All the sweet swooning stars for this follow-up to Written In the Stars! Alexandria Bellefleur absolutely nails it in Hang the Moon! Brendon (a 6'4" gangly ginger who loves love) gets the opportunity to find his perfect match when his sister's best friend (and not-so-secret childhood crush) Annie visits Seattle.

This. Was. Perfection. Just what I want in a sweet rom-com. Well-paced, great communication, some personal dilemmas to sort out, references to old-school romcom films, and a fair amount of being (or striving to be) self-aware.

This novel had me smiling, giggling, and sighing with contentment. 5 massive stars and a pre-order!

(I enjoy a fair amount of steam, if it's used well to further the story, and this one delivered perfectly! Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥)

Thank you to Avon & NetGalley for this advance review copy—all opinions are my own!

Annie booked a spur-of-the-moment trip to Seattle to tell her best friend, Darcy, in person that she was making a big move from Philadelphia to London after accepting a job promotion. She expects fifteen days of getting to know Seattle, spending time with Darcy who hasn’t been around since she started a relationship with her girlfriend, Elle, and leaving with a bittersweet goodbye as she packs up her things and leaves the country. What she does NOT expect is Brendon - Darcy’s little brother who has grown up a lot in the eight years since she’s seen him last. Brendon, hopeless romantic whose goal is to find everyone their happily ever after with the creation of his dating app, definitely had a crush on Annie when they were kids, and now that they’re back in the same city, he jumps at the chance to spend time with her and get to know the person she’s become. And when he hears that her past dates have made her believe that romance is dead, well, he just might have to prove to her that she’s terribly, terribly wrong.

I’m really glad we got to explore Brendon and Annie’s story. From Written in the Stars, we learn how Brendon is Darcy’s goofy younger brother with a heart of gold, creator of the OTP dating app and someone who’s intentions are always in the right place, even if his actions aren’t the best for the situation, and Annie is her best friend, always traveling and getting on her case but also supportive in every way. When Annie makes an impromptu trip to Seattle, and Darcy is spending the weekend away with her girlfriend, Elle, and asks Brendon to let her into her apartment. It’s the first time Brendon and Annie have seen each other in over eight years, and neither of them can deny the immediate chemistry and underlying attraction. But Annie has been burned one time too many, and seems to have it in her mind that romance, especially the way it happens in movies, seems to be dead, and Brendon, bless his heart, makes it his mission to prove that it isn’t. I really loved the character development for both of these leads. Annie has recently accepted a promotion in a job that she’s fallen out of love with – she’s sick of shuffling from airports to hotel rooms and doesn’t quite feel like she belongs in Philadelphia, but the promotion will bring more job security which is a big deal for her. She wants to tell her best friend about the move in person – Darcy, who she hasn’t caught up with all that much ever since she entered into a relationship. When she gets to Seattle, she slowly starts to find little things to love about the city, she finds people who enjoy spending time with her, and finally feels like she’s somewhere she belongs. And then there’s Brendon – her best friend’s younger brother who used to have a crush on her. Annie tries to keep him at a distance, claiming Brendon doesn’t know the “real her,” only the idea of her. Although, with each day she spends more time with him, she starts to realize how much he’s learned about her – how much he listens, pays attention to her, and strives to show just how much he cares. Brendon is the creator of one of the most successful dating apps on the market – he strives to help others find their happily ever afters, but is having trouble forming a true connection to anyone he’s found through the app. When his childhood crush, Annie, is finally in the same city after so many years, he realizes just how much she’s changed, and just how much he wants to get to know this “new her.” He’s tasked with showing Annie around the city, and with every outing they attend he finds himself wanting her to stay. But he needs to realize that Annie’s decision to follow her dreams is just that – her decision. No matter how much he can try to convince her it’s the right decision, he can’t make that choice for her, and he needs to give her the space to do what’s best in her mind. Seeing them learn to understand each other was just so lovely to see, and I do apologize if this seemed a bit repetitive but I was having a harder time than usual trying to discuss my thoughts.

*Due to some discourse that has circulated through the community, I also wanted to add this paragraph. Annie is bisexual. She discusses some of her past experiences with dating, and when she mentions it to Elle they share a “bi-five.” This book follows Annie pursuing a relationship with Brendon, an individual of a different gender than Annie’s own. That doesn’t make her relationship a “straight” one, nor does that somehow erase Annie’s bisexuality and queer identity. Any relationship she engages in is queer, because she is queer.*

In conclusion, I love the characters Alexandria Bellefleur has created, and I, for one, will be patiently awaiting Margot’s book next year, because she also deserves her very own happy ending. I can’t wait for everyone to enjoy Brendon and Annie’s story. *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Avon Books, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Before Annie is off to London to start her new job in a new country, she decides to surprise Darcy, her best friend, in Seattle. Brendon is the one able to meet up with Annie when she arrives and he decides to give her a tour around the city. Annie is jaded, tired of dating people who don't want to give her the time she deserves, and Brendon cannot imagine that someone might not be interested in love. This sets Annie's two weeks off in Seattle on a whirlwind of reflection, and the opportunity for her to reassess her life, her career, and her happiness.

I loved Written in the Stars and couldn't wait to read Brendon's story! It was so nice to read about Brendon and his childhood crush who also happens to be Darcy's best friend, Annie. Darcy and Elle stole a piece of my heart before and I was so glad that they were back and had a big part in this story as well. Brendon is the perfect book boyfriend. He is so loving, optimistic, attentive, understanding, and open to adventure. Annie is one of the main characters in this book but I still don't feel like I had a strong connection with her. I did love her friendship with Darcy, I appreciated their openness and honesty, and that they were able to be entirely themselves with one another. The friendship between Annie, Brendon, Darcy, Elle, and Margot is my favorite parts, especially their game nights!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read the eArc!