Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to listen to this audio ARC! This book had a really great premise and some really well developed characters, but overall it just wasn't quite it for me. This book is about Hollyn and Jasper. Hollyn has Tourette's and a very strong social anxiety, so her job as an anonymous entertainment reviewer fits her perfectly. She works in a co-op building with a private office so she can be out of her house, but not actually social, until one day she meets Jasper, the office barista. He is a barista with a one day a week improv gig and dreams of opening his own improv theater. They strike up a fake dating relationship when Hollyn is told she is going to lose her job if she doesn't agree to start vlogging and reveal her identity. She's scared her facial tics will be super noticeable and she's terrified of the idea so Jasper helps her by teaching her improv. She also wants to explore things in a physical relationship so he helps her with that too. For my personal preference, this book got way too steamy. I also didn't like how it seemed as though he "cured" her Tourette's. Yes I think he can help with the anxiety, but I don't think he can cure the illness. However, I do not know enough about Tourette's to say this as fact. The other thing that bothered me is that her friend who also suffers from Tourette's seems to be the typical portrayal that we see in media of the verbal outbursts and I feel like this book really toed the line between being a good representation and making a joke out of it. Again, I'm not an own voices reviewer so take my opinion with a grain of salt. The conflicts are very predictable and not anything new and there is sort of a double love triangle, but overall it was a decent read with well developed characters.

This is my first Roni Loren book, and I heard good things about the author, but I was highly disappointed. While I enjoyed seeing a socially awkward character be the lead, the idea that as soon as Hollyn gets to know Jasper, all becomes right did not sit well with me. Not only that, but all of the romantic scenes were cringe-worthy. and sappy Ultimately, this just wasn't the book for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for gifting me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewing
Yes & I Love You
By Roni Loren

Yes & I Love You is a heart tugging romance full of humor and charm. Hollyn struggles to overcome social anxieties due to her Tourettes and advance her career from blogger to Vlogger. Jasper has gone all in on his last shot at making it big in the acting world.

These two lovably flawed characters, mixed with light and witty prose, and a healthy dose of steamy hookups come together to create one fantastic spring read.

A great read for anyone who loves friendship based romance, new beginnings, and a little something to make you blush. I am looking forward to the next book in Lorens “Say Everything” series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars with a 18+ rating for sexual content.

I breezed through this steamy rom-com in just a couple of days, as it was a nice break from more “weighty” reading. I loved how there were serious topics underlying a lot of the action. The female main character, Hollyn, has Tourette’s syndrome, which in her case shows up as facial tics, and it’s the source of her social anxiety. The male main character, Jasper, is a product of the foster care system and describes himself as impulsive and as having ADHD. Their interactions were believable and often hilarious, as was the whole “improv” scene. It was also refreshing that the main location of the story was New Orleans, rather than (say) New York or some other really big city.

I bounced between the ebook version and the audiobook version. The audio narrator, Desiree Ketchum, did a fine job with both the female voices and the male voices.

This is my first book by Roni Loren and it won’t be my last. I see that there’s another book in this series to look forward to later this year! Can’t wait.

(Warning: plenty of descriptive sex scenes, so if that’s not for you, I’d avoid this book.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book and to Dreamscape Media for an advance listeners copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.

This is audiobook has all the makings of a great romantic comedy but with some surprises. Just when you think the plot is definitely leading somewhere, it surprises you enough to keep the story fresh. Also, the romance does not hold back... a few chapters definitely have the potential to make a listener blush. Overall, great narrator, lovable characters, and an entertaining story.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for a review.

- I think we learn so much from books & characters. Different characters and experiences help us to grow & understand people. Love Hollyn's story & what she struggles with in life. We have to stop making assumptions about people. We don't know their story, struggles, life. Always be kind. ❤️ Really liked this one & will definitely read the next in the series. P.S it has naughty parts 🙈🙉 Great narrator that I could listen to!

This book is a balm for current times. Toni Loren brings readers a romance with depth. We meet Hollyn and Jasper who each have some challenges in their life that they are grappling with, and they find support with each other.

What’s really empowering about this book is Loren’s navigating of a character with Tourette syndrome. She deftly keeps this from being an ableist depiction, and I want more of this.

I had the chance to listen to this as an audiobook, and it was a delightful listen. Run time is 11 hours and 20 minutes.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I absolutely adored this novel. Thank you so much NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook for my honest review.

This is a wonderfully unique romance novel because it has a classic romcom feel with some traditional romance flair. My favorite thing about this book, was that the author highlighted the cliches of romcoms without actually falling into them like you would read in every other book. She brought a sense of personalized character that you can really relate to with loveable characters all around. My absolute favorite thing about this book is that the communication is there between the characters while keeping the story intriguing and dripping with plot and suspense on what will happen next. The underlying message about being true to who you are is also welcome in my books any day!

I adore this book and I can’t wait to read more from Romi Loren.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. It took me awhile to get into the story as it was slow in the beginning. Hollyn and Jasper have chemistry, but not much about this was believable. I did like how it dealt with the issues of Tourette’s and anxiety.

Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren is a cute romantic comedy were unexpected allies help each other out. Hollyn doesn’t have a lot of confidence and tries to stay away from most people. She has Tourette ’s syndrome which causes her to think that’s all people see when they look at her. Her best friend is always encouraging her to step out of her comfort zone which causes her to make a new and supportive friend. Jasper, an aspiring actor, starts an improv class and gives Hollyn private lessons to help her with confidence. Their friendship could turn into something more, but then Hollyn’s best friend tells her he still loves her. Who will Hollyn pick? This is a really cute story and I liked how it discussed Tourette’s. This is something I don’t know a lot about, so I found it very interesting to see how Hollyn felt in different. It was also interesting to see how different people reacted to her. Some people were awful but most people were supportive. Jasper wants to be an actor and is working on getting funding to start his own Improv club. He ends up with some difficult choices to make. I really enjoyed Hollyn and Jasper’s characters and their friends were also entertaining and supportive. I really enjoyed Yes & I Love You and can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Desiree Ketchum and really enjoyed her narration. I am so glad I chose to listen to this audiobook.

Thank you Dreamscape Media, Sourcebooks Casablance and NetGalley for Yes & I Love You..

Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren
Narrated by Desiree Ketchum
Publication Date: March 2, 2021 - Available Now!
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Description from NetGalley...
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 she’ll 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
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Thank you to @NetGalley @dreamscape_media for the ALC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
So funny! The narrator was perfect for this book. I really enjoyed listening to the story. Yes, it was a romantic story, a witty romcom and also quite steamy. But, what I appreciated the most was Loren’s approach to the themes of mental illness, Tourette Syndrome and self-image. Loren portrayed Hollyn’s Tourette and social anxiety in a relatable and realistic way. The background of Jasper’s Improv Group and work-place romance just added so much to this book. If you like work-place romcoms and witty banters, you might like this.
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Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced listening copy of this title. If you love flawed, quirky, left-of-center characters that will steal your heart (but not because they are saints), this is a book with your name on it. I loved that the female protagonist, Hollyn, has Tourette's and while yes it holds her back and makes her self-conscious and an introvert--she becomes a very popular blogger under the name Miz Poppy in New Orleans. Enter heartthrob Jasper and Hollyn's life will never be the same. This is an incredibly fun read with some pretty deep messages lying under all the passion and humor. And not to forget, the perfect narrator---which truly is a HUGE deal in an audiobook.

I have read other books that Ms. Loren has written but this book did not do it for me. I had a hard time getting into this book as parts of it were a bit hard to believe. I enjoyed the flawed characters as just in life, not everyone is perfect but on another level, some of the things the characters were able to do was a bit unbelievable. I also thought that the story moved along slowly in places and that the characters spent a lot of time in their heads. Overall this was not really the book for me and I enjoy romance novels. I also got the audio version of this book and even the narrator did not do anything for me.

I highly recommend this interesting, well-written, entertaining book. The main character, Hollyn Tate, writing as Miz Poppy, advises her readers on New Orleans nightlife. She’s become so popular her boss wants her to appear on camera. Just the thought of appearing as herself scares Hollyn who has Tourette’s. She has spent her life hiding away from other people because of facial ticks that come from her being anxious. Hollyn ends up getting help from Jasper Deares, an aspiring actor/improv group leader, after he’s hired as the barista at her worksite. Jasper who has ADHD struggled from being labeled as a troublemaker while growing up in the foster care system. As the story unfolds, Hollyn and Jasper get clear about what they really want and develop the skills to go after it. They travel a heartfelt emotionally convoluted road to their happily ever after. I liked the matter-of-fact way the author wrote about Hollyn’s Tourette’s and Jason’s ADHD; i learned a lot about both disorders—as well as about improv. I thought Hollyn was brave and inspiring in the way she took risks and stepped outside her comfort zone to go after what she wanted. I listened to the audible book and thought the narrator was excellent. I look forward to reading more books by Roni Loren.

There is so much to love in this story!
It's steamy (the Sharpie scene!!) , funny (the improv and banter combination are hard to beat) , and full of so many wonderful relationships.
Hollyn was an absolute delight of a character, despite and because of her tics. Her friendships were so refreshing and her romance with Jasper was absolute relationship goals. I love how they support each other's ambitions and embrace one enother's flaws- accepting each other while encouraging them to be their best selves.

This story felt so fresh, and I loved every aspect of it.
Desiree Ketchum was a fantastic narrator and did a great job with all the characters in the story.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC.

WOW. This was highly recommended by my @unitedbyromcom girls - and turns out to be my biggest surprise five star read of the year so far! Yes and I Love You deserves so much more attention and hype! If you are a fan of fake dating in a work play setting with witty banter (and honestly who isn’t??) - this book is for you!!

❣️Hollyn. I loved how the author handled her Tourette’s syndrome. She showed her vulnerability while still highlighting her strength and courage.
❣️Jasper. Omg. Definitely high on the book BF list. What. A. Guy. The way he helped Hollyn become comfortable on camera and knew exactly how to care for her... my heart almost couldn’t handle it.
❣️Holy steam 🔥 perfection. And the SHARPIE SCENE. Just trust me. You need to read it.
❣️The improv and witty banter!!! So many funny scenes.

I listened to this one and the narration was soooo good!!! It is honestly towards the top of my best narration ever list. She performed both male and female voices perfectly.

Oh so sweet with just the right amount of heat!🌶🌶

Hollyn has been living a quiet sheltered life. She has Tourette’s which displays itself through tics when she is nervous. And people make her nervous. Her only outlet is writing as the very popular columnist known as Miz Poppy.

Jasper had a tough upbringing. Abandoned by his parents due to drugs he bounced from foster home to foster home until the Deares family finally called him their own. He uses comedy is his outlet His dream is to be a successful comedian in improv…or maybe one day own his own theatre.

When Jasper takes over the coffee bar at Hollyn’s work they are both instantly attracted. Though Hollyn refuses to let him in.

I loved both these characters and cheered for them as their attraction grew! The author did an amazing job of handling the topic of nervous system disorders in this case Tourette’s . Once again I have been lucky to come across an original premise in a genre that usually follows a common formula.

Be warned. There is definitely heat between these characters and the pages!🔥

I listened to the audio version and was instantly drawn in by the narrator who did an amazing job of breathing life and love into these characters.💗

I cannot wait for book two of this series What If You & Me to be released! I’m already watching for it!

Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an 🎧 to listen and review.

Romance novels aren’t usually my thing. Too often, I find the storylines to be silly and formulaic. Yes & I Love You is certainly not what I would call a suspenseful read but it is well-written and the characters were lovable. The fact that they were neurodiverse was endearing to me as well. This story has a high heat level but had a solid story line as well. Yes & I Love You is the perfect beach read. The audiobook was nicely done and a good fit for this story. I look forward to reading the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, author, narrator, and publisher for the opportunity to listen to this advance audiobook. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

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Yes & I Love You was so cute! I really enjoyed the audiobook. It truly added to the story!

When I think of Roni Loren I think of incredibly hot and passionate love stories. Her stories are so hot they nearly light my kindle on fire. She’s a true storyteller through and through. Even though this one wasn’t steamy like the others I’ve read, I didn’t love it any less. Such a cute rom com. I loved the banter back and forth and I loved reading a story (my first one) with someone who has Tourette’s. It was nicely done and I loved the representation.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook. I truly enjoyed this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced audio book copy in exchange for an honest review.

4++ stars

I truly enjoyed listening to Yes & I Love You. It was a cute love story between Hollyn and Jasper. Hollyn has Tourette's and an anxiety disorder. I think this is the first book I have read where a main character had Tourette's and I appreciated the representation. Hollyn was a wonderful character and I loved her strength and courage. I look forward to the next book.

Excellent narration by Desiree Ketchum.