This book is EVERYTHING. I’m upset that I waited so long to read it?? I literally loved every second?! It has everything. Grumpy/sunshine, second chance, dual timeline, a wedding planner who doesn’t believe in marriage or long term commitment but somehow ends up a label-less exclusive…thing with a HOT tattooed florist who FALLS first and has no idea why this girl makes him so happy??! I loved it so much!

I loved the way the story was told. Seeing the past only through Elliot POV made perfect sense to me. And watching Ama SQUIRM in the present having to work with him again made me so happy?? Because even though she’s the one that called it all off, she was CLEARLY not completely over him. In denial? ABSOLUTELY. Over him? Definitely not.

I loved them so much. They were both so complicated and contradicted each other so much. But somehow they WORKED. They believed in each other, loved each other the best way they knew how, they were FUN together. I just love them.

I was about 15% in and I went and preordered a singed copy because I KNEW I was going to love it and needed it in my hands in a couple of weeks.

Thank you so much to Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I am GRATEFUL!

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for an e-arc of Forget Me Not in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed reading this book and learning about Elliott and Ama, two very different characters who share a passion for their professions and…each other.
Being someone who watched lots of wedding reality tv shows as a teen, it was cool to see the process of Ama’s wedding planning and her constant dedication to make things work no matter the challenge. I was on the edge of my seat near the end because of how stressful the wedding planning was and it only further confirmed it is NOT the job for me😂
Although I loved seeing Elliott and Ama interact and work together, I don’t feel like I ever truly understood them and their relationship. Near the end, their relationship felt a bit rushed to me and the deeper issues of why things didn’t work out in the beginning were never really resolved.

I love Julie Soto's stories, and Forget Me Not is no exception. Like a rose, there was layer after layer to go through with both Ama and Elliot, but both of their story arcs became that much sweeter with each petal that was examined.

Professionally put together and on the path she always wanted for herself, Ama is, quite frankly, a total mess when it comes to her personal life. That juxtaposition between a calm exterior and a chaotic, self-doubting interior is, really, a goal for anyone in their mid-twenties, and Ama carries it so well. Ama is a blur of contradictions: she loves weddings, but doesn't believe in marriage; she remains close to her former step-siblings, but not to her former step-fathers; she wanted Elliot in her life long-term, but didn't want any commitments between them. Ama's surety in what she wanted - even to her own detriment - made her an entertaining, if a bit predictable, character.

This story has the grumpy/sunshine dichotomy twofold: once between people-pleasing Ama and the gloomy Elliot, and again within Elliot himself. It's rare for me to love the male perspective more than the female in a m/f romance, but Elliot's chapters truly shined bright in regards to temperament, thoughts, and feelings about the world (and people) around him. Elliot was such a complex character, and it took both his and Ama's perspectives to really see that and highlight who he was as a character. It's hard not to love a grumpy, tattooed main character who falls first.

Soto made a great choice in making this story both dual POV and dual timeline. I loved getting both perspectives and watching the events of the past slowly collide with the present. Both Ama and Elliot brought so much to the story that it was hard to say whose perspective I looked forward to reading more. I thought the story flowed nicely, even by alternating past and present and both points of view.

Forget Me Not was an easy five star read from me. Even when main characters aren't ready to commit to each other, it was easy to commit to reading, and falling for, this romance.

This was my first Netgalley approval and it did not disappoint, I devoured this in a day! I loved the main characters Ama and Elliot, their chemistry was just *chefs kiss* and the spice, so good 🔥this book had me laughing, crying and kicking my feet. I enjoyed every second of it…I didn’t even realize till the end that Julie Soto wrote some of my favorite Dramione fanfictions 🤦🏻‍♀️ probably why I liked her writing so much.

Thanks to NetGalley and Julie Soto for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought the book was very cute, decent spice, but it also didn't seem like a lot of the subplots/story were developed very well. The main conflict stopped being an issue so randomly that it really didn't make a lot of sense to me.

There were so many unanswered questions, and not enough writing about how they ACTUALLY felt about each other. It was a strange take on second chance in my opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
🔥🔥🔥(4 detailed spicy scenes)

[ Thank you @readforeverpub for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

PUB DATE: July 11, 2023

THOUGHTS:

So thankful I was able to read this book! I enjoyed every single minute of it! ❤️

Read if you like:
•grumpy/sunshine
•second chance
•enemies to lovers
•dual pov & dual timeline

I loved the dual pov with Ama and Elliot. Ama’s chapters were told in the present time and Elliot’s were all told in the past. This gave so much tension that I was dying to know what happened between them!!

Ama loves donuts, Elliot doesn’t. She’s happy and sunshine-y and he’s very grumpy and doesn’t hardly say anything when she’s around. He’s just a man of few words. And they both are so amazing at what they do! That wedding for Hazel & Jackie sounded stunning.

I loved their chemistry. It was hot, hot, hot. 🔥 and it broke my heart each time when they both knew the exact date it’s been since they seen each. Like down to the years, months, weeks, and days.

Overall, loved this one. One of my top favorite romances for this year!! 💜

The book is told from two point-of-views and they come from Ama and Elliot. Elliot’s are mostly in the past as the reader is shown what happened in the past between the two. I thought it was an interesting way to understand the turmoil between them, especially after you learn they had something between them.

Ama is a wedding planner and it’s definitely a job I like to read about. It’s probably because I loved the movie The Wedding Planner with Jennifer Lopez in it. Such a classic! It was cool to see how her job status progressed over time and why she chose to part ways from a company that she started out at. She learned a lot along the way.

The romance between her and Elliot was cute but I just never fully connected to their romance. I do think that he truly cared for her since he seemed to be the one who always believed in her and took a flower out of his shop because it reminded him of her. He definitely never forgot about her.

The problem for me with this one was not finding a connection to it. It was a popcorn read for me. I went on vacation for a week and half and didn’t pick it up once or thought about it.

Overall, this was okay. I can see the appeal for it and I do think that it will work well for others. Sadly, it just didn’t work for me.

I needed this couple to plan my wedding! If you are looking for an 2nd chance romance and a Grumpy/Sunshine book then this is what you want.

Ama was the cutest wedding planner who just always seems to be in over her head! She worked under a witch of a boss for years and finally decided to break off on her own. While trying to meet vendors under her own company, she stops by a floral shop call Blooming. This is where she runs into Elliot or should I say truly notice him for the first time. Now Elliot has had his eye on Ama from the day he had to start helping his father in their family run floral shop. His father was ill and Elliot stepped in to help him with weddings and running the shop. Elliot eventually inherits the shop around the same time Ama starts her friendship. They work together on a few weddings and the sparks fly. The only problem is that Ama doesn't believe in happily ever afters! This book rotates between their past and present relationship.

I loved watching their relationship grow and I loved that Elliot was shy and awkward, but also attentive. It shows that now every guy in the book has to be the outgoing one. His small gestures and willingness to assist showed Ama how much he truly cared about her. Such a cute love story and that ending had me cheesing but intrigued at the same time!


I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this free Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of Forget Me Not in exchange for an honest review.

I already knew going into this book that I was a fan of Julie Soto's writing style. As an avid fanfic reader, I am well acquainted with her previous works online. So I was very pleasantly surprised in seeing her growth as a writer when her talent is showcased with a traditional publishing lens.

I am not usually a huge fan of second-chance romance, so I did go into the story itself with low expectations, more so for my enjoyment. It's hard for me to believe people can come back together after being broken up for years. The story has to be done well for me to believe it, and thankfully, this was done well. I do think a lot of this was because we get a strong sense of who our FMC is before we are introduced to our MMC. I think it was smart to not introduce him right away. I do also like that his pov is mainly done in flashbacks. So we get to see what happened to them previously while our present is with them reconnecting.

Overall I really enjoyed this. I think the pacing was great. I loved the focus on wedding planning. It brought so much more depth and tension to the characters by having them work together for a common goal. There was so much angst I wasn't expecting. Both of the characters were likable in their own ways and blended well together. Definitely grumpy sunshine vibes from their first interaction until the end.

“Why begin, when it will end?”

I was creepy-smiling throughout this whole book. It was funny, sad, and spicy, everything I look for in a romcom!

“I think this is where I’ll die. I think I’ll just lie down and wait for death. He can use me to fertilize the flowers.”
This book is about Ama, a wedding planer who doesn’t believe in weddings, and Elliot, a florist who likes flowers more than people. Honestly, same, Elliot.

“And I almost hope there was someone after me, someone who broke him differently. Because I’m not worth three years of someone’s life.”

Ama is reasonably traumatized about weddings considering her mother has been married, what, 16 times!? I DIED reading that LOL

Elliot’s internal monologue is super funny, it was a highlight of the book for me!

“I wonder if she’ll look up The Language of Flowers and figure out I just told her, You are immature and I resent you. Go away.”

He was blunt, awkward, sometimes (most times) rude, but underneath was a little gooey center of amazing-ness. He reluctantly took over his father’s flower shop after he died but learned that all they really needed was water, light, and attention.

“Flowers are better than people.”
“Yes, Dad, they are,” I say to the empty shop.

This part hit me so hard! Don’t worry, I wouldn’t say this is a spoiler, you know it’s gonna happen.

“There are exactly four of his flowers that are still kicking, ones that I brought to his funeral when I thought he’d maybe like more flowers than people there.”

Elliot was a really great character for me. I loved his personality, his sassiness, his love for flowers and architect, and how he worked passionately and tirelessly. But his anxieties also spoke to me. Some were big and some were tiny ones that you’d never expect to be bothered by, and yet, you are.

“I posted a picture of a deconstructed floral arch ten minutes ago, and I’m already checking on Twitter to see if Instagram is broken. After five minutes, I finally get a set of likes. But because my self-worth is now intrinsically tied to this picture, I’m thinking of deleting it, then myself.”

Elliot’s clear romantic awkwardness is what completely won me over in the end. It was adorable and I love him. He is so rough but loving, ugh, I could gush all day. Here are some quotes.

“There’s no room inside of her, but I fuck her like I belong there.” More spicy quotes at the bottom!

“I’m Cynthia, Ama’s mother.” Well, fuck. “Hi, good. I mean, good to meet you.”

“But I don’t know how to make it happen other than just…hanging around. I’ve asked out exactly four women in my life, and statistically, I’m not great at this.”

“Did I just kill her with a peanut butter donut?” “Sir, I’m sure she’s not dead.”

“Nice to know you can keep a cool head under pressure.” I feel like today was anything but “a cool head under pressure,” but I guess we’ll leave that between me and Josephine, the 9-1-1 operator.

The past and present (and when you realize WHY the past times are so specific!!!) blend really well together. I’m not normally a fan of different timelines, but this was done so well! Ama and Elliot’s back and forth, their banter, their interactions, their work, it was so well done. I was laughing out loud at some parts, and like I said above, I found myself just smiling crazily at some parts. Funny parts, awe-moments, spicy parts, all the parts.

“His hair is long again. He has half of it tied back, out of his face. I called it a man bun once, and he gave me the silent treatment for the rest of the day.”

The ending was so great and I think it was just what Ama and Elliot needed, and it showed a lot of growth on both of their parts.
. . . .

This review was basically a little fan-girl essay, so sorry if it wasn’t helpful but definitely read this book!

“Are you fucking kidding me with this car?!”
“It’s drivable! It’s fine!”

There is exactly one thing that would have made this book better and it was if her car had broken down when Elliot was in it, just so he could rub it in her face! IYKYK

“After cleaning up the mess as best I can and returning to my car, every single warning light turns on—more than usual. Apparently my tires are flat, my oil needs changing, and my window washer liquid is low. The only thing going for me is the needle pointing to a half tank of gas, but even that is questionable with the low fuel indicator glaring at me. As my engine putters, I consider just how bad it would be to drive twenty blocks in a car that is clearly screaming for death.”

One final thought, to leave you all on a high: Elliot’s love for Ama is top shelf. That’s all.

“I nod. I agree. I listen. But I’ve accepted the fact that I just drove fifteen miles at two thirty in the morning to squeeze into this bathtub and listen to Ama wheel-spin. It’s fine. I may fall asleep, slip under, and drown. But it’s fine.”

Some spicy quotes:

“You can help me set up sparklers,” she says in a silky voice, as if sparklers means something else entirely. “Is it really setting up sparklers? Because you know how I feel about you needing an assistant—” “I mean, come back and I’ll fuck you in your truck.”

“What’s wrong?” I grip her hips. “Fucking god, Elliot,” she whimpers. “I forgot how big you are.”

“You’ll have to forgive me forgetting,” she says, reaching forward to finger the button at my collar. “You were in those skinny jeans and that plaid shirt. It made you look like a missionary come to save my filthy soul.”

I love a good grumpy main man! And Elliot is the definition of grumpy and Ama is the perfect sunshine to his grumpy. Ama was born to be a wedding planner and florist Elliot was ment to be her perfect balance. This was a perfect fluffy (which I LOVE) romance with drama. Second chance romance and grumpy, sunshine are not my go to tropes but oh my word! This was fantastic! And I can't wait to recommend this to everyone!!!

A talented wedding planner who doesn’t believe in weddings…a florist whose last name is Bloom; what a set up for an entertaining story of two who were once in a relationship and now meet up again.

Since Ama and Elliot are both hired to work for an influencer couple who are getting married, they are back in contact. Will things go better this time? Will the wedding they work on be a success? Read this one to find out.

Publisher’s Weekly notes that there is a fair amount of cursing here. I don’t know that this will bother many readers but just in case…Otherwise, here is a light read that many may enjoy. Recommended for fans of second chance romances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book. I am a sucker for a reality tv adjacent setting, brooding love interests, and strong independent MCs so this book was basically catnip for me. Ama is a wonderful MC -- a wedding planner who is the daughter of a woman who has been married (and divorced) almost twenty times? Absolutely yes. And Elliot the grumpy florist is extremely swoony.

This is a lovers to enemies to lovers situation and it's so well done. The cause of their enmity is slowly revealed over the course of the book and while the conflict that caused the break is a little underwhelming I thought the slow reveal was A++. I just really wanted to know wtf happened between them!! The story is told in two timelines -- the current day as Ama plans the wedding of a celebrity influencer and her fiancee (who happens to be childhood friends with Elliot) and the recent past as we learn how Ama and Elliot met, fell in love (against Ama's will), and broke up.

The plot line with Ama's old boss felt a little melodramatic and (tiny spoiler) it was just very clear to me that she was evil and sabotaging Ama from the very beginning. The confrontation at the end didn't really feel super cathartic for me personally but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book overall. I'll definitely read Soto's next book!

I absolutely adored this one! This second chance romance had my in a grip and I couldn’t put this down. I loved the juxtaposition of a commitment-phobe wedding planner who is a bubbly ray of sunshine and a grumpy florist who is gone for his girl.

30/10 would IMMEDIATELY read again. And again. And again. And then again ten more times. God DAMN this was an incredible story of love and romance and finding each other again. SO GOOD.

Meet Ama and Elliot.

Ama is the wedding planner of my dreams. She learned from a big name and branched out into her own, super successful smaller wedding planning. She loves the planning, but marriage itself? Not her deal. After watching her mother marry over and over again, Ama doesn't think marriage is for her.

Elliot Bloom is a floral architect. He's taken over his fathers shop and uses his architect degree to create amazing things.

Once they worked together and sparks started to fly until Ama ended things. Now, working together on the wedding that could make or break their careers, they have to learn to put the past behind them and to think of the future.

This slow burn romance will have you smoldering and wondering when these two will just give into it all. I'm a sucker for wedding books and I think you will be too!

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5

Is this book gonna win a Pulitzer?.... NO but it was a damn good time.
The plot and structure of this book is so engaging I had a hard time putting it down. The dual timeline mixed with dual POV was done in a way were I almost forgot all the obvious faults in the details in my desperate need to find out what was going to happen next.
Ama was a bit annoying and honestly there was some slightly outdated misogyny disguised as feminism, some of the lines were absolutely second hand embarrassment worthy, and the MCs were underdeveloped but THE PLOT that had my attention from about page 10. If you go into this no thoughts all vices I think it has potential if I was rating this book on how fun and entertaining it was I'd give it a 4.75 ⭐️ however if I was rating it on the actual like literary merits or whatever its be somewhere in the 2s so I'm compromising with that 4.5 ⭐️

If you're worried about this being reylo:
If you know it you'll see it but if you don't you won't. There are little Easter eggs but nothing big/too distracting

This was such a sweet book omg, when I was reading it and listening to music The Only Exception by Paramore came on and I felt like that song was Ama and Elliot. The side characters, and Ama's many, many ex-step-siblings were so fun to get to know and the love story was just the perfect romance for the summer. I can honestly say going into it I wasn't sure what I would think of it since it's a second chance romance and usually i'm not a big fan however this? I couldn't get enough of oh my gosh it was so good. (updating my review once it's out because I have so many thoughts & don't want to spoil!!) anyways this was the perfect read for me wedding planner & a florist falling in love? sign me up anytime

thank you Netgalley for the arc!

After spending a number of years under the tutelage of Whitney Harrison, Ama Torres started up her own wedding planner business. Ama was successful with the smaller boutique weddings. But landing a big name would certainly boost her image as well as reputation.

As if all the stars were aligned in her favor, Ama was contracted with big name influencer and cosmetic guru, Hazel Renee to plan her wedding along with her finance Jackie Nyguen. The only catch was that Ama had to utilize Blooms — her ex (Elliot’s) floral design store. A bit of a dilemma since Ama and Elliot didn’t part ways on good terms.

Forget Me Not is a wonderful second chance romance that knocked my socks off. The novel features great characters, some bubbling with personality, and other characters that you would love to hate.

The story unfolds through dual points of view. Through the lens of Ama and Elliot, I got to experience each characters temperament, and perspective. I was amazed at how author Soto managed to capture a male’s (Elliot’s) point of view so expertly. The dual timelines just added depth and context to the past and present narrative. I really got to learn how Ama and Elliot’s relationship evolved.

There were some tense and tearful moments. But everything came together so seamlessly, especially with the well timed plot twists. However, I didn’t expect those explicit hot and steamy episodes and some readers may be put off by them.

Overall, Forget Me Not was a fun and enjoyable read worthy of 4.5 stars rounded up.

I received a DRC from Forever (GCP) through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Wow. Wow. Wowww. ABSOLUTELY blown a way by this outstanding debut. Huge thank you to NetGalley and Forever publishing for the e-Arc in exchange for my honest review. I immediately pre-ordered need this book on my forever shelf!! Obsessed with our MMC Elliott and our darling FMC. Great unique story, interesting side characters left me wanting more.. hope there is a bonus epilogue and or book 2.... OBSESSED!!!!!!

Favorite Debut of 2023!!!