Roni Loren’s latest book was quite a treat. It was easy to fall in love with Andi and Hill as they worked their way through trauma recovery and found their way to each other. Part romance and part thriller, What If You & Me is the perfect beach read!

What If You & Me is book two in the Say Everything series, but this book is perfect on its own. I will be on the hunt for book one… I need more! This was awesome as an audiobook and the narrator captured the emotion in this book expertly.

This book brings. The. Heat. It also has some potentially triggering content around violence against women, traumatic injury, and PTSD.

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

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I received an ARC of this audiobook by the publisher via Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

This is the type of romance novel that we need to embrace as a culture! Sure a Regency Period romance novel can be fun every once-in-awhile but let's face it the characters become forgettable as do the plots after awhile. When Netflix released The Duke and I, I knew I'd read the book but I had zero memory about the characters or the plot. Even while watching it I couldn't specifically remember the plot. But let's turn to the star of this review What If You & Me.

This is a romance novel about two people who end up living next to each other and both are dealing with serious cases of PTSD. Andi and Hill's struggles with PTSD are different and it gives a good look at how it can manifest and the effects it can have on your life. So not only is it a love story, but it's a story about healing. It has a very feminist bent, which I definitely appreciate in my modern romance novels. And I found myself highly entertained throughout it. There are other important issues delved into but I won't be referencing them because that would be a spoiler.

As we enter the 2020's I think it's important that we ask as an audience for romance novels that don't have cookie-cutter characters that have zero issues except for they're falling in love with a rogue and they're an innocent virgin. We need to ask and support writers who bring in real life issues into our fairytales of true love. Mental illness is an issue that a lot of us deal with on a daily basis (I personally have PTSD and struggle with it daily), and it makes us feel seen. Issues such as racism, mental illness, disability, misogyny, inequality, etc. need to no longer be swept under the rug (this novel doesn't tackle all these issues but nor does it). As a society we need to face that these issues exist because nobody benefits from denial.

I found this novel to be refreshing and I loved both the main characters. Also the sex scenes are lit. I received an audiobook of this novel and loved the narrator. However a note of warning, the sex scenes are graphic (in a good way) and they last for awhile. I personally prefer to read my sex scenes over listening to them because I get paranoid that people can hear outside my car what I'm listening to and I just generally have anxiety. So that is my only qualm with the audiobook and really it's just a personal quirk of mine. But I know there are others like me so I just wanted to put this warning out there. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a romance novel to pick it.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Andi writes horror novels and has a true crime podcast. Both of these things help her manage the anxiety that began after a horrific trauma in her teens. When she moves in next door to ex-firefighter Hill, the two form an unlikely friendship and Hill feels protective in the face of Andi’s fears. But Hill is dealing with his own traumas, and despite their attraction, neither one is sure they commit to more than friends-with-benefits.

Loren is a mental health counselor, and her expertise shows in her sensitive writing of both Andi’s and Hill’s traumas. I loved both characters and their support of one another. Be prepared, though–this is steamy!

I listen to the Audio from Netgalley. It started on chapter 3 and I thought it was messed up. If you get the Audio and it starts there for you its okay its not messed up. (If I am missing anything it doesnt take anything away from the story) this is the 2nd book in a series but each book can be read as a stand alone.

The story follows Andi who is a horror expert who loves the movies writes them and has a pod cast. She writes stories from things that really happen in part to people and her pod cast is to help people not get into any kind of situation and how to protect themselves.

Hill is a retired firefighter after losing his leg. Isn't looking for new friends or anything more thinking people just look at him with pity because of the fire.

They both are suffering from there own PTSD and after one evening the 2 form a friendship and start working through the trauma from recent events to past ones.

They are both strong in there own right. Andi is really the star of the story for me. With all her knowledge she is a real help to everyone around her and with the love of horror kind of reminds me of my best friend in real life.

I love the story because it felt real with real problems and things each has to go through to get to a good place. and even in the end they still have to work every day for the life they want and they both deserve the life they didn't think they would have.



I received a copy of this from NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for a honest review.

I devoured this book in a day! It was so good! I instantly feel in love with both of the main characters and was rooting for them from the beginning. This book combined many of my favorite things; mystery/crime, podcasts, true crime, and romance. Now I want to go back and read the first book in the series although it is not necessary to follow along and enjoy this story. I look forward to reading more books from Roni Loren in the future!
Thanks Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

I loved this beautiful story of Andi (horror writer and podcast extraordinaire) and her healing a traumatic experience in her past. Andi is brave, bold, and beautiful and full of heart. Hill, her next door neighbor, has his own healing to work through. Together they make each other better. Sexy, swoony, this was an amazing and emotional read. 5 stars

This was a an anticipated read for me And it did not disappoint! I loved Yes & I Love You and was eager to read Andi’s story. I alternated between digital and audio. I thought Desiree Ketchum, the narrator, did an excellent job!

Andi has some pretty significant anxiety and trust issues that stem from a traumatic event in her past. Hill Dawson lost part of his leg in his last job as a firefighter a couple of years ago. He’s still dealing with the repercussions and sticks to himself.

Andi moved in next door to Hill. After an uncomfortable (and kind of funny for the reader) first meeting, they are aware of each other but at odds. Until Hill comes through for Andi in a scary moment. And then a friendship forms… and it just gets better from there.

This was a really heartfelt novel. I loved Hill and Andi together and appreciate how they supported each other. I’m a sucker for personal growth and it was here!

Andi is a horror novelist and podcaster. I tend to avoid scary movies and books, but her perspective have me a new appreciation for the genre and I’m willing to try some scary movies. Fortunately I have a teenager who will watch them with me!

3 🌟

TW: PTSD, MURDER, ANXIETY

A story of where love can heal and happen when you least expect it. Andi experiences anxiety from a traumatic and frightening past causing her to see fear in many people and situations around her especially relationships and her love life. Not to mention, she is a horror novelist and true crime podcaster adding to her constant state of skepticism and anxiety. That is until she literally runs into her next-door neighbor, landlord, and former firefighter, Hill, when she thinks someone has broken into her house late one night spiraling her into not only Hill's arms but a heightened sense of the fear from her past. Hill has his own demons from a past serious relationship that stung him to his core and a state of crisis when his career as he knows it comes to a halt.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book and how unique their stories and pasts were. This book was a bit steamier than I was anticipating but definitely added to the heat of the romance between Andi and Hill while they battle their personal demons and fears.

This is my first time reading anything by Roni Loren, but I will rectify this immediately after listening to this audiobook, starting with the fist book of this series that I didn’t know about.

Also if you are like me and wasn’t aware that this is part of a series, it is, but don’t worry this can totally read this as a standalone and I suggest you do because this story is swoon worthy. 🤤 I absolutely loved Andi and Hill. They were so completely opposite of each other but fit together so well. He was Mr. Grumpy and and she was Ms. Sunshine and I loved how together they were balanced.

I also loved how most of the drama centered around them working on their demons, and I was all for it. The narrator was also fantastic at doing the different voices, I was excited to see she narrates the first book.

Oh my goodness! I absolutely loved this second book in the Say Everything series!
What If You and Me is the follow up to Yes, and I Love You and they are both complete standalones about different characters in the same world. Andi was introduced in the first book and seemed like a pretty outgoing person, a little quirky but hiding or guarding a part of herself. Hill is a new character and I loved his dose of grump to Andi's side of sunshine. It's slowly becoming one of my favorite romance tropes.

What If You and Me follows Andi, a horror movie aficionado/true crime podcaster/thriller writer who has recently moved into a duplex that is connected to a grumpy neighbor. The grumpy neighbor is Hill that keeps to himself and would rather not "people". They both are apparently night owls and the sounds coming from each other's homes is what sets up their "meet cute". It's more uncomfortable than anything and the days after when they run into one another, they seem to get off on the wrong foot with saying all the wrong things.

Both of these characters have a lot of past issues to work through, so getting involved in any sort of way is probably off the table. Hill's life has been turned upside down because of a work accident and he has since pulled away from everyone and everything that he knows. Meanwhile, Andi's jobs reflect on her past and the fact that she hasn't felt safe since a very serious incident when she was a teenager. Now she devotes her time to helping others be aware of their surroundings. Two people working through issues that stem from their pasts is the major focus of this book.

With all that said, I loved the horror movie theme and connecting horror to romance. I also loved the way each of the characters balanced one another out. Grump to sunshine. Teacher to student. Outgoing to introvert. These two really had a connection that each of them needed. I loved the way Hill was patient and kind to Andi and her issues. And I loved the way that Andi showed Hill he was worth it. Every part of him. Although they were both flawed, together they were perfectly flawed for one another.

I also had the chance to listen to an early copy of the audio and Desiree Ketchum did a fantastic job of getting into each characters headspace and their emotions. Since this book dealt with some serious issues along with the romance, I commend her performance in capturing everything these characters were going through. It was fun and playful, sad and scary and filled with so much love along the way.
I'm loving this series and cannot wait for more. The characters and their journeys have sold me!

What If You & Me
Roni Loren
July 13, 2021

Andrea Lockley, better known as Andi, moved into her duplex hoping life would go well living alone. She had a great spare bedroom for her office. A writer and podcaster of horror, she spent much of her time watching films she had already seen to prep for her blog. She delved into true crime to write vlogs that she recorded for internet and radio. Her goal was to give listeners a heads up on how to avoid being surprised by creeps who try to break into your home or sneak up and grab you while walking to your car. She hoped the tips helped defend them. She also wrote horror novels. All of this was a daily process, some done at home and some done at the work warehouse full of office spaces for authors, bloggers, correspondents and video recordings. It was a great find. Being able to assure silence was a must for people who needed call-in silence time or just an office a few hours daily. That said she was at home trying to write needed chapters for her publisher, once again she heard her new neighbor clomping, banging, and playing loud country music. Who is that? Is he a werewolf?
No not a werewolf, that would be Hill Dawson, retired firefighter. He was recovering from a horrific fire where he was trapped when the roof caved in. After a long hospital stay and much therapy he decided to move into the latest piece of real estate he had purchased. He needed to prove to himself he could get beyond the nightmares, anger and fear that caused the end of his career.
This incredibly well-written book by Roni Loren began as an easy going RomCom novel. What I didn’t realize was that her protagonists had much to prove to the readers. They both had years of burden on their backs. Each tried via therapy to rid themselves of the heavy weight that encumbered them.
What If You & Me is the second in her Say Everything series. I have not read the first selection, Yes & I Love You but it is now on my to be read list. I find Roni Loren a must read author. Sourcebooks Casablanca was due to publish What If You & Me this week however there was an early release on Amazon July 6, 2021. I appreciate their allowing me to listen to the audio recording and review this latest Loren selection via NetGalley Shelf. If you are a newcomer to Roni Loren as I was, I encourage readers to indulge in Loren’s latest novel. Her fans will need no prodding. By all means, enjoy!

I enjoyed this book for the most part. I didn't realize it was part of a series, but thankfully it reads like a standalone. I'm not a fan of horror movies so it was interesting to read about this perspective and to see the similarities between the horror genre and romance genre. I never would have put two and two together so that part of the story I found very intriguing.

I had no idea this book would be so steamy! I'm all for a good steamy read, but for some reason I definitely wasn't expecting it with this story.

Overall, it was fine, but it just wasn't for me. I never felt fully invested in the story and there were many times that Andi drove me crazy.

It’s official, I’ve found one of my favorite books of the year! The second book in her Say Everything series, I am officially obsessed with the world Roni Loren has created. The first book, YES & I LOVE YOU, was such a delightful surprise and WHAT IF YOU & ME was even better! A trope-y, funny contemporary romance with plenty of steam and hidden depths, what more do you need?? Oh, did I mention the tropes are sunshine and the grump and “omg my neighbor is hot”??

The book follows Andi, a slightly paranoid, but sunny, horror movie podcaster, who is becoming increasingly annoyed with the man who lives next door – Hill, her grumpy, growly former firefighter neighbor. This book gripped me from page one and had me rooting for Andi and Hill both individually and together.

Both our heroine and hero had issues they needed to work through, but it didn’t take away from the romance – in fact, it just added depth and nuance and gripped my emotions as a reader. The beautifully dimensional and well-rounded characters and small, but important cast of secondary characters kept me turning the pages.

My favorite part of the story was the push and pull between Andi and Hill and the healthy dose of hero pining. Oh, and did I mention the chemistry? It’s incendiary! I am sweating just thinking about the well-written and HOT love scenes.

Overall, this was an easy five star read for me. I do not recommend reading this book right before bed, like I did, because you won’t want to put the book down to sleep! I need an announcement about book three ASAP!

**I received a free copy of this book in order to provide an honest review**

“What if You & Me” is not a fairytale, basic romance novel-which is why I enjoyed it. The main character, Andi, hosts a true crime forum, while dealing with PTSD as a result of trauma she experienced years before. Her love interest, Hill, is battling some insecurities related to a physical disability. Their backgrounds and relationship fears play an integral part in their relationship development and I liked the way the author made the characters seem real as a result of it. I thought some of Andi’s background story was a little overdone, but other than that, this book was an enjoyable read with 2 characters you can’t help but root for. There was steam and thrill in this one, so not much more that you could ask for. I enjoyed the prequel to this book and I hope Ms. Loren adds even more books to this series.. 4 stars ⭐️. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced audio copy.

YES YES YES HOT NEIGHBOR TROPE.
I oftentimes, especially during romance binges, get frustrated with some of the alpha-male behavior or need for so many characters to go to therapy but instead they just continue to be damaged; this book is the perfect antidote to that, and is additionally funny, sweet, spicy, and has a suspense sub-plot I loved!
I really enjoyed Andi and Hill as separate characters, but I also really liked them together and their mutual evolution and growth together. They felt well-rounded and the reveal of information about their trauma and past worked for me (a lot of the time I want answers NOW and the pacing of information worked really well). I also loved the steam factor because they still moved at a really reasonable pace (especially for people dealing with issues) but Loren gives us daydreams/fantasies to tie us over, but still respect the fact that these characters are not ready to move so fast (something which I was very grateful for).
I did not realize going in it is the second book in a series, but it stood alone very well. We saw the couple from the first book happy, and we see Eliza who I hope is the third book's protagonist, so it is a strong standalone, but also has nice inter series reference points.
I got an ARC audiobook (thank you NetGalley) but I loved this so much I'm buying not only a physical copy, but the first in the series as well and will be preordering the rest in the series - the last time that happened for me was The Hating Game by Sally Thorne.
As an audiobook, I enjoyed the narrator but was thrown off that none of these characters who live in the South have Southern accents (the only time an accent is used is when Andy is impersonating her mother). Otherwise the audiobook was great and I was sad I ran out of chores to do so I could keep listening to the audiobook.

squarely in the romance genre, which usually isn’t for me, but WHAT IF YOU & ME instantly engaged me. I read via audio, & the narration was excellent. brief synopsis: female horror writer & podcaster becomes neighbors w/ male former firefighter grappling w/ new disability + recent divorce. will the anxious horror creative & the depressed hero type fall for each other? I appreciate a good love story between an Anxious (like me) and a Depressive (like my husband). generally a fast, light read, too.

REVIEW! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
What If You And Me by Roni Loren
Never Read Before - Finished 11/07

Andi & Hill; new neighbours who share more similarities than they know - yet because of the demons of in pasts, are determined to never let the other close enough to make this realization. Through numerous twists and turns (and a magnetic pull neither of them can explain) they slowly start to let walls down, until… What if?

What If You and Me is unlike anything I’ve read before. Roni Loren has masterfully created two beautiful characters who are filled with hurt, tragedy, and fear - but yet, as a reader, you can see and hear their internal hope, even when they don’t know it exists. This book beautifully balances their individual delicate stories of mental health, depression and sexual/emotional/physical abuse with their joint story of hope, trust, growth, love, and romance. It’s messy, it’s scary, it’s raw, it’s spicy, it’s tragic - it’s everything I didn’t know I needed in a book.

Trigger warning - this book is beautiful, but has moments where it is very dark. It goes deeply into depression, abuse, PTSD, and various other mental health struggles. The characters are hyper aware of their own struggles, and are incredibly careful with their actions once they begin to learn about the others; written to show examples of how to respect the boundaries of those who are struggling. I admire both Andi & Hill for how they support and respect eachother. I also admire their individual processes for how they learn throughout the book to support and respect themselves as well. They both feel their meeting is meant to be a help to the other; yet instead, they teach eachother how to help themselves.

Thank you @roniloren @dreamscape_media and @netgalley for the advanced audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review and rating.

Reviewing
What if you & I
By Roni Loren

Roni Loren is back with another absolutely absorbing read. Hill and Andi are both fantastically flawed protagonists will their romance playing second fiddle to their personal growth. Playful banter and realistic dialogue puts readers right in the room where Hill and Andi’s chemistry is palpable. While What If You & I deals with some heavy issues, Loren’s approach keeps it light while still showing respect to the seriousness of trauma and PTSD.

The cooking angle adds a mouthwatering twist and keeps readers engaged as Hill and Andi come to terms with their pasts and finally find the strength to dream of their futures.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars for this character driven romance with a PG rating

Roni Loren is new to me.

I am really impressed with the way this author handles PTSD and recovery. The story showed trauma, fear, grief, depression, coping and progressive healing.
As the description states, Andrea has a traumatic set of events during her formative years. She has turned it and her fascination with horror films into a career. She is still too vulnerable to trust dating men and has had that reinforced with subsequent selfish dating experiences. Her trauma was minimized by her parents and others so she is hesitant to share her past even with her close friends.

Hill is an attractive former firefighter disabled on the job. He was betrayed by his fiancé during his recovery and attributes it to his disability. He believes his worth and attraction is tied to his former profession and a whole body. He is depressed and angry so he rebuffs Andrea’s attempts at friendship as pity.

When Hill starts to interact with Andi he recognizes that she has been assaulted in her past. Being a trained rescuer with years of experience, he picks up on her cues in their first meeting, which includes a misunderstanding. He tries to reassure her and continues to do so as their relationship develops. He is patient and kind with her but his personal psyche is still dark.

I appreciate the mature responses and developing relationship. They don’t attack one another because of their vulnerabilities. Even as their relationship develops Hill is patient and respectful of Andi and Andi is encouraging even when Hill doubts her motives. She backs off until he gets around to accepting an invitation. She is honest and lets him know he is attractive but she needs a slow pace. I really appreciate the example of communication because so many books show the anger, bickering, and tantrums but not healthy responses.

This sounds like a slowly paced book; it is actually fairly fast paced but still shows time passing so the reader knows it isn’t instantaneous. There is also a building tension, much like the horror films that Andi uses as examples in her podcast. This is well crafted, sneaky writing.

The narration is very good. She is consistent with voices, her reading is natural and expressive. There is a little bit of off timing or flatness but overall it was really enjoyable to listen to this book.

I will search out more titles by this author and the previous book in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the Audiobook and to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest reviews.

I alternated between the Digital Arc and Audiobook and I enjoyed doing that!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
Steam: 🌶🌶🌶/5 (some very well written spicy scenes)

No spoiler review 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Narration: I really enjoyed the narrators voice! Kept me interested and was very good at distinguishing between different characters talking.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! I want to read more books by this author now!

This is a second book in a series but reads as a complete stand alone! (I haven’t read the first in but after this I will be!)

I am obsessed with true crime and true crime podcasts so the fact the MC had a true crime podcast I thought was so awesome!

I also Love horror movies (scream is one of my favourite movies of all time so I enjoyed the MC watching this) I loved the main female lead so much!!!

Disability rep! Main MC man has a prosthesis from an accident! We don’t get much rep like this is romance so I enjoyed that being included.

Grump/sunshine trope which I loved!
I love the chemistry and interactions between the two characters! Hill is so cute! Andi is such a badass! I love her!
Also so many great steamy scenes.

This book was so well written. It was funny so interesting and sexy! It was a romance read that included so many things I love. One of my favourite romance reads of all time! I highly recommend this!!!

Check trigger warnings prior to reading. Some I found include:
PTSD, loss of limb, accidents, serial killers, abusive relationships