*My copy of the ALC started with Chapter 3.*

Earlier this year, I fell in love with the first book in Roni Loren’s Say Anything series, “Yes & I Love You” and I was thrilled to get the ALC & ARC for the sophomore book in the series, “What If You & Me.” This series continues to blow me away with how real and raw the characters are written. Like, I almost can’t describe how much I love this series.
I highly recommend it to anyone who loves emotional (open-door) romance stories with a side of humor. Also the series continues to feature disability reps which I love seeing. This book features anxiety, PTSD, and a partial amputee. We’re blessed as readers to have gotten these two books only months apart. I really hope this series continues. It’s in my top reads of the year.

Wow. Roni is a new to me author. I think I picked the right book to now make them an auto buy. This book was riveting. One complaint I do have ((and I love me some smut) the sex came out of nowhere, hit hard & then disappeared. I feel like I needed it to not be so in your face and be throughout the book instead of 60% in for a few chapters then nothing. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the audio because the narrator was super breathy. But overall a great book & the author is clever & fantastic.

Talk about binge worthy. Andi moves into a duplex and a hot, former firefighter happens to live next door. With her past, this turns out to be a major perk. Andi is exactly the type of millennial you want to be friends with - she’s plucky, has a successful true crime podcast and career as a horror novelist. She also has a serious anxious streak, trust issues and can never be too cautious. Andi and her hot firefighter neighbor, Hill, form a “bond” to help them work through their anxiety while they figure out whether it’s irrational….or not.

Overall, it’s a super fun read. I was cheering for both of the leads the whole way through. It was want something that’s “suspense light” with a heavy dose of lusty romance, this is the read you want. Perfect for both beach and middle of the night - because once I started, I didn’t stop.

If you have triggers around assault, abusive relationships or limb loss, skip this one. But it doesn’t go into gory details with any of that stuff.

Big thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for the ARC.

When I picked up this audio, I was a bit lost at the beginning because the ARC starts on chapter 3, but after figuring out what must have happened in the first 3 chapters, I was able to get into the story and was quickly rooting for Hill and Andy to help each other get past their respective traumas. This book has some angst stemming from serious issues both characters have had to deal with in the past. It's a very endearing story of how they help each other heal. The narration was very good for the narrator's and Andy's voice, but when the narrator did Hill's voice he sounded a bit sleepy, not quite matching his description in the book. Five stars for the book, 4 for the audio version.

I received an audioARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this contemporary romance by Roni Loren we meet neighbours Andi Lockley and Hill Dawson.

I loved this sweet romance and how their relationship developed. Both characters are struggling with their own issues. Andi has anxiety that developed from a relationship she had years ago. Hill is recovering from an accident he suffered in the line of duty as a fire fighter.

I appreciated seeing how the characters negotiated their relationship with each other, respecting each other’s boundaries while gently encouraging each other to push beyond their fears. The detailing of this negotiation is something I haven’t read before and their dialogue was well done.

The light banter between Andi and Hill provided a good balance to the heavy topics that were addressed in this story.

Additionally, I loved that Andi was an author of horror stories. It was such a creative twist to read about horror books, their tropes, and storylines in a romcom.

This is a good love story with some 🔥.

I haven’t read the first of the Say Everything series (this is #2) but after reading this one, Yes & I Love You is now on my TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of an advanced audiobook of What If You and Me.

I was granted a chance to read this as an audiobook. This book was good. It kind of dragged a little bit through the middle but picked up toward the end. The author did a fantastic job of sprinkling information of both character's pasts through out the book. It kept me intrigued and caring about the characters. It thought the main characters meshed well and had a believable romance. The steamy scenes were great as I really felt their connection. Hill was such a good guy without being too perfect. He really cared for Andi. Overall, this book was a solid, quick listen.

I was a huge fan of Yes and I Love You and could not wait to listen to this audio of What If You & Me. Unfortunately, the ALC started on Chapter 3. I did not listen to the copy in full since I want the full experience! Luckily, my pre-order awaits me for the upcoming release date. Desiree Ketchum's audio narration is excellent as always (and her previous narration of What If You and Me lends to a natural transition). Great anticipation for this upcoming release!

I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series. Andi and Hill both had deep emotional scars from their pasts and they were perfect together to get through their insecurities and pain. I enjoyed reading and seeing their relationship grow and I loved Hill's protective side. This was a great grumpy-sunshine story that you'll want to read!

I originally heard of this book because it is boing to be the Brenda Novak Online Book Group's read for August, so I thought I would check it out. Unbeknownst to me, this is the second book in this series, though I had no clue the entire time I was listening to this one - it truly is a standalone book, so if you have not read the first one, I don't think you will miss anything.

Both Andi and Hill are struggling to get past traumatic situations from their past, and fighting an attraction to each other. They begin an unlikely friendship and start doing things together. There is a lot of focus on both of them getting past their issues, and I feel like it became front and center to this story; the focus was more on their past and less about the present and their relationship. I feel like I may have had a stronger connection to the characters if the focus had been more on the present, and not just getting over what harmed them. I also felt like it ended pretty abruptly - I would have liked to see an epilogue in Andi's podcast on what went RIGHT with the final conflict, or if even there was some context provided in regards to motivation....

The narrator on this audiobook was new to me, but she was good and read with a good amount of inflection in her voice. In my experience, a narrator can either enhance or ruin an audiobook, and this narrator enhanced the read for me.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I gratefully received an ARC of the audiobook from the publisher through NetGalley. Unfortunately, my download started at chapter 3, so I did not experience the meet cute with the characters. This books was trying to do too much in the amount of content allowed. Breaking through depression, anxiety, PTSD, awful ex’s and more. This left the pacing at the end of the book way too fast to put a bow on everything. I loved the characters chemistry and good girl friends are the best. Overall, not an awful listen. As for the reader. I enjoyed her most of the time, her timing in conversation between characters left something to be desired.

Gahhh! I just love this series. I really enjoyed Yes and I Love You so when I had the opportunity to read the ARC of the next in the series I jumped right on it. It was just as good but also different!

If you love rom coms and thrillers this is a nice blend. It pays homage to the genre of thriller novels and horror flicks. There are so many movie references from that genre you would appreciate.

Andi Lockley is a horror novelist and hosts a true crime podcast. She crosses paths with her grumpy werewolf neighbor, Hill Dawson. He is a former firefighter suffering from PTSD and depression. They are both recovering from some pretty traumatic life events. But she has a rule due to her past, don’t trust anyone. And both are true cynics when it comes to “romance.” Can they form a friendship and learn to trust again?

I was granted access to the audiobook arc of this novel and I have to say the narrator did such a good job! She really made each character have their own unique voice and that made it easy and comfortable to follow along with the story. The audiobook is definitely the way to go with this one!

As for the actual story, I really enjoyed it. Roni Loren is quickly becoming a new favourite author. The way she deals with such deep and emotional topics like physical disabilities, mental disabilities, sexual assault— to name a few, she does in such realistic ways but they’re also not always the focus with the characters. Those topics are there and are discussed but they aren’t just the main topics with these characters.

We get to see them be them in all aspects of life. From Andi nerding out over horror movies, to Hill feeling the rush of being a hero once more. They just felt like such real people to me and that made this story so much better. It also made their romance and chemistry so easy to fall for. There wasn’t a ton of drama with the two of them and I was glad to see it.

If you are looking for a romance book about a nerdy horror author/podcast creator who deals with anxiety, a retired firefighter who discovers a love for his neighbour as well as cooking as well as learning how to cope with life as an amputee— you need to read this! It’s so good. I can’t wait to see what else Roni writes.

4/5⭐️

TW: sexual assault, murder, stalking, online harassment, fire, burns, cheating(not within the main couple), assault.

I am a new fangirl for Roni Loren! I read Yes & I Love You right before reading What If You & Me. Wow, both of these books are now in my top romance reads of 2021! I appreciate the main characters giving a face to Hill living with a bionic leg and both Andi and Hill having PTSD from different life traumas. We need more books with main characters with physical disabilities and neurodiversity. I will be raving and recommending these books to everyone now.

Thank you, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley, for my gifted copies for my honest review.

What If You & Me by Roni Loren follows Andi Lockley a horror novelist and true crime podcaster who narrowly escaped a dangerous man years ago. And has to learn to put aside her fear and trust in herself―and love―again when she keeps encountering her new neighbor, Hill Dawson. Former firefighter Hill Dawson, is also struggling with PTSD after losing part of his leg in a rescue gone wrong and is now stuck in limbo. He needs to figure out what he's supposed to do with his life. Soon, a tentative bond forms between the unlikely pair. But what starts out as a neighborly exchange quickly turns into the chance for more.

I read Yes & I Love you earlier this year and absolutely adored it. I was so excited to read about Andi's story and wasn't disappointed. While I didn't love this installment as much as the first book in this companion series, I still really enjoyed reading the developing relationship between Andi and Hill. I especially enjoyed reading about Andi's backstory and her life as a horror novelist and a true crime podcaster.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What If You & Me by Roni Loren
Book Publication Date: July 6, 2021 - Sourcebooks Casablanca
Audiobook Publication Date: July 13, 2021 - Dreamscape Media
Narrated by: Desiree Ketchum
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Description…
“The world can be a scary place. At least, that's what Andi Lockley's anxiety wants her to believe. It doesn't help that she narrowly escaped a dangerous man years ago, or that every relationship since has been colored with that lingering fear. But things are better now—she's channeling everything into her career as a horror novelist and true crime podcaster, and her next book may be the breakthrough she needs.

If only her grumpy new neighbor would stop stomping around at all hours of the night.
Former firefighter Hill Dawson can't sleep. After losing part of his leg in a rescue gone wrong, he's now stuck in limbo. He needs to figure out what he's supposed to do with his life, and he can't let himself get distracted by the pretty redhead next door. But when someone breaks into Andi's place, Hill can't stop himself from rushing in to play the hero. Soon, a tentative bond forms between the unlikely pair. But what starts out as a neighborly exchange quickly turns into the chance for so much more...if Andi can learn to put aside her fear and trust in herself—and love—again.”
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Thank you to @netgalley @sourcebookscasa @Dreamscape_Media for the ALC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts…
Enjoyable. Great narrator. I was excited to be approved for this one because I read the first book “Yes & I Love You” and really liked Andi’s character. I liked this even better than the first. I appreciated how Loren brought Andi’s character to life and there was depth to Andi’s history. The story was sensitively written that included the themes of anxiety, PTSD depression, doxxing and loss limb. It included appropriate humour with a side of thriller. This was unique where both MC are dealing with trauma, one in the past and the other in the present. And let’s not forget the steam. There was enough to fog up your sunglasses 😎.

Synopsis: 

The world can be a scary place. At least, that's what Andi Lockley's anxiety wants her to believe. It doesn't help that she narrowly escaped a dangerous man years ago or that every relationship since has been colored with that lingering fear. But things are better now. She's channeling everything into her career as a horror novelist and true-crime podcaster, and her next book may be the breakthrough she needs—if only her grumpy new neighbor would stop stomping around at all hours of the night.

Former firefighter Hill Dawson can't sleep. After losing part of his leg in a rescue gone wrong, he's now stuck in limbo. He needs to figure out what he's supposed to do with his life, and he can't let himself get distracted by the pretty redhead next door. But when someone breaks into Andi's place, he can't stop himself from rushing in to play the hero. 

Soon, a tentative bond forms between the unlikely pair. But what starts out as a neighborly exchange quickly turns into the chance for so much more... if Andi can learn to put aside her fear and trust in herself—and love—again.

 Book Review:

My first audiobook and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.  The narrator was great! 

There was so much that I enjoyed about this book.  All the references to scary movies, the great soundtrack that played over and over in my head.  The characters were extremely likable and the steaminess.....oh my!  

I could also relate some to Andi.  After spending years in an abusive relationship, I spent my twenties trying to learn how to trust and love and live again.  Obviously, my trauma different from Andi's, but I could understand her fear.  This actually made my appreciation for the story so much deeper.  Whether it was my love of the story or the fact that I was so please to enjoy my first audiobook, it gets a full 5 stars from me!

Read it or Skip it?

I didn't realize when I picked this up that this was the second book of the Say Everything series.  This could easily be a standalone book and if you haven't read the first one, you could for sure pick this up and love it.  I enjoyed it so much that I do plan to go back and read the first book of the series.  So it's a definite read.

What If You and Me by Roni Loren (#2 in the Say Everything series


What If You and Me is a heartbreaking, heartwarming, spicy, and uplifting. Roni Loren has been a 5/5 for me on both books in the Say everything series. I loved it so much and it leaves me wanting more. I cannot wait for the next one.

Hill and Andi become neighbors and situations that occur force them into confronting their fears, traumas and insecurities. One of the reasons I loved this book is it shows the complexity of anxiety. Roni Loren does an amazing job at detailing how treatment for anxiety is not a quick fix and also shows both Hill and Andi handling their issues separately.

What If You and Me has some of my favorite tropes, grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity. But the development of Andi and Hill both in their relationship and as individuals is really what made the story a 5. What If You and Me is a friends with benefits, grumpy and sunshine romance novel that transforms into a much deeper and meaningful book. I loved it so much and thankfully we have audiobooks so I could enjoy it again. .

Desiree Ketchum does an amazing job with this narration. She captures the emotional moments so well and the dialogue is flawless. The narrator does a great job with the range of emotions-fear, grief, joy. I loved this book and the narrator made relatable characters even more relatable.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advanced read in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved Andi and Hill! Andi was super quirky, but was struggling to overcome a past trauma. Hill was a firefighter who was working past his own trauma - with a prosthetic leg. I loved the honesty and the mental health themes. Sexy and sweet.

After a traumatic relationship in high school, Andi channels her anxiety into a successful career as a thriller novelist and true crime podcaster. One night when someone breaks into her place, her grumpy neighbor Hill comes to the rescue. There is an immediate attraction between the two but neither is in a place to start a relationship. Andi is dealing with her anxiety, and an accident that caused Hill to lose his leg and a broken engagement have him dealing with his own trauma. Can they learn to trust each other enough to allow something to happen?

I adored Yes & I Love You, so I cousin’t wait to read Andi’s story, and I’m happy to say it did not disappoint at all. I adore the characters Roni Loren creates and how they are so real and handle their relationships so well. The portrayal of trauma, anxiety, physical disability and PTSD in this story was incredible, and I adored how respectful how the characters were respectful of each other’s trauma and thier boundaries. These characters also had everything you could want in a romance: great chemistry and banter, some steamy scenes, and consent. Truly, I could rave about this book all day, it was amazing, so go read it!

The audiobook was amazing as well. The NetGalley version was missing the first two chapters, but otherwise this was a great listen!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

What if You & Me by Roni Loren was such a sweet romance. I listened to this on audiobook and the narration was wonderful! The only problem was my audiobook started at Chapter 3, so I felt like I was missing quite a bit a if character development. I thought the characters were so relatable and honest. I wish the ending wasn’t so abrupt though. It felt unfinished to me. Over all, a great read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook for an honest review.