I feel like this is a super quick read, I love small town, found family vibes.
Other than it being extremely slow burn I enjoyed it. Some parts frustrated me and I kept saying “omg just get together already”

While I absolutely loved the first one I just don't think this one was for me. The fact that they were only together for two months and then separated for twenty years made the entire thing feel unbelievable. It just felt like too short of a relationship and too long of a gap.

It just felt very disjointed throughout. I wouldn't say it was a bad book by any means, just for me personally not my favorite.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casa and NetGalley for the arc, all opinions are my own.

Separated teenager lovers July and Joe reconnect after 20 years and have a hard time finding their groove again. This book was a lot heavier than I expected with themes of loss of family, child abuse, and severe depression. I was definitely tearing up multiple times.

I WAS SO BORED. Snooze fest for me. The continuous misunderstanding between these two had me sick and I was so done.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So much of this book simply didn’t make sense. July would say she was giving Joe space but then delivered food nightly? And they were sending notes but acted like they weren’t talking to one another? It was very confusing.

This is a very engaging story and a very quick read. However, it’s definitely one of those romances where communication is the main obstacle to an HEA, and you find yourself yelling at the MCs to just talk to each already!!! But even with that, I enjoyed it very much.

What She’s Having starts with us meeting Joe who is sitting by his mother’s bedside and she confesses a secret from the past. After her death, we flash forward to Joe going back to the town he lived in as a child and seeing June. Meanwhile, June is a successful business owner and cook at her very own restaurant.

Even though Joe and June didn’t spend long together as teens, they were madly in love and Joe left immediately after they took their relationship to the next level. Seeing each other again awakens feelings in the two of them with Joe and June both wanting a second chance at what they had. However, it isn’t as easy, reuniting as the two imagine.

Let me just say that the way Laura Moher wrote their relationship felt so real and I was absolutely obsessed with it. These two didn’t immediately fall back in love or back into bed with each other. Their relationship had its awkward moments that can happen when you’re learning each other again. If anything, it made me appreciate their romance all the more as it took a lot of work to get them there.

Additionally, Joe and June are both dealing with other traumas from the past. Joe was abused as a kid and it still affects him as an adult. June went through a dark period after Joe left including depression and an eating disorder. If you’re sensitive to those topics, then I’d skip out on this one and the story does focus on the loss of a parent, grief, homelessness, and homophobia. If you can handle it, What She’s Having is worth the read.

This book didn’t just focus on their romance as Joe and June took two teenagers under their wings to help them. While the storyline with Sam and Maisie was especially heart wrenching, Laura Moher pulled it off beautifully. In the end, everyone got their HEA but not without the hard work to get there. All I can say is that I hope she writes more in this series because I absolutely adored this book and I’d love more stories in this world.

Ultimately, What She’s Having was exactly what I needed when I picked it up. It captivated me instantly and made me fall in love with these characters and their stories. If you love found family, a sweet romance, and plenty of good food, you won’t be disappointed with this one from Laura Moher.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed the first book in the Big Love from Galway series, so it was a no-brainer that I’d check out the second one. I found What She’s Having comparatively lackluster, but there are some aspects of the book I enjoyed.
July and Joe are both solid, likable characters, who are dealing with tough issues. July in particular had been going through a lot, and as for James, it was sweet that he’s carried a torch for her for so long, even if it also fed into aspects I disliked. As for non-romance related positives, the cozy small-town vibes remain a highlight.
But this book suffered from an inability to understand how to execute the miscommunication trope properly, as it was frustrating to read with dual POV. The story itself also felt slow-paced and sluggish, given how much time was bogged down by backstory, often hindering the development in the present. And given how, when you get down to it, this was a couple months’ “relationship” that these two hung onto for 20 years apart, I didn’t find the ultimate reunion that satisfying or worth rooting for.
While I found this book kind of underwhelming, I acknowledge that some of the creative choices just weren’t for me. I’d still recommend it if you’re interested in a contemporary romance with a plus-size protagonist and the second chance trope.

Thank you Netgalley for the book in change for an honest review.

This book was decent, but it was slow. I loved that there was a back story, but maybe the author could have reeled that in a bit because i found myself bored around a quarter way through. If you like second chance romance then you’ll probably enjoy this book. There’s a lot of miscommunication between the characters and i found myself wanting to scream at them.

First of all, I have to comment on the cove! This is not so bad but I hoped we would have more covers like the first book in the series, a beautiful one with a big girl on the cover, which already gives you an in in knowing her character.

This story was deceptively simple but it was really all about how we got there. This is very… delicate. The main characters had a relationship when 16 and 20 years have passed but Moher seem to understand well the push and pull, the knowing and not knowing a person at the same time. I confess that during the first half I thought thay maybe this would be a run of the mill romance but the payback is actually so worth it. The author was methodical in identifying of the strings in the first half and then pulling at them in the second. I like how Moher writes and she is so patient with this story. Buckle up for very slow burn which makes sense considering they had a complicated past. July and Joe are both very cute characters. The secondary plot was good and that funeral scene had me crying.

While in the first book the premise was more original and gave an in for a nuanced reflection on money, here we go in another direction, deep and introspective. This book was about love in every shape, about loss and how we deal with it, about family of every shape, about community and having people to fall back on. I feel this was very much needed.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest opinion.

DNF at 20%.
I don’t care how you spin it, stalking isn’t cute and shouldn’t be romanticized. The mmc calling someone they haven’t seen in twenty years their girl made me extremely uncomfortable.

Title: What She's Having

Author: Laura Moher

Rating: ★★★★

Hold onto your hearts, because Laura Moher’s What She's Having is a sexy, Southern small-town romance that’s as heartwarming as it is sizzling.

July Tate is a powerhouse—a big, strong blonde with a heart as vast as her beloved town. She's a force of nature, but beneath her capable exterior lies the pain of a lost love that left deep scars. For July, love is a dangerous game, one that she can't afford to play again. Vulnerability is her kryptonite, and she’s built walls high enough to keep even the most persistent hearts at bay.

Enter Joe Anderson, the cinnamon roll hero with a past. Joe knew July was The One from the moment he saw her, but life had other plans. Years have passed, and now Joe’s back, determined to explain his mysterious disappearance and win back the girl who filled his teenage dreams. But instead of the girl he left behind, he finds a powerhouse woman who knocks him off his feet all over again.

The chemistry between July and Joe is electric, reigniting old sparks and lighting up new ones. Joe embodies everything July has been missing, and together, their connection is undeniable. But love isn't without its challenges. With Joe back in her life, July, who can usually outwork four men, finds herself making mistakes. And that terrifies her. Because if she falls again, it’s not just her heart on the line—her beloved town could suffer too.

What She's Having is a delightful blend of humour, heart, and heat. Moher crafts a story that's not only about rekindled romance but also about personal growth, healing, and the courage to love again. July’s journey from guarded to vulnerable is beautifully written, and Joe’s unwavering determination to be with the woman he loves will make you swoon.

Highly recommend this for readers who love strong, plus-size heroines and cinnamon roll heroes who are as sweet as they are determined. It’s a story about second chances, the strength to face past wounds, and the joy of finding love where you least expect it.

Laura Moher delivers a romance that’s both touching and titillating, making What She's Having a must-read for anyone looking to escape into a world where love conquers all.

Get ready to laugh, cry, and cheer for July and Joe as they navigate the rocky road to happily ever after.

Thank you to The Publisher SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books | Bloom Books, the author Laura Moher & Netgalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

What She’s Having is a second chance romance and an emotional roller coaster - which isn’t a bad thing. It just wasn’t what I was expecting. The cover made me think it would be a little lower angst. July and Joe reconnect after 20 years and some terrible circumstances that forced them apart. They have to reckon with their opinions of each other and themselves and realize that things are always what they seem.

This book was fine. I read it quickly because it was a fast read, but it just didn’t click for me. I understand July’s reticence from a certain place but it just seemed like instead of the miscommunication trope there was just no communication! They weren’t talking about real things, just trying to avoid each other while orbiting each other. I liked a lot of the side plots for this story but it definitely felt like they had some loose ends. I was confused why the charges against Curt were never brought up again. It seemed like there wasn’t a resolution beyond him going to jail. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop between him and Maisie. I also didn’t like that Joe’s youth center never really gets put into action. Other than July, it’s a major reason that he comes back to Galway. And while the building gets fixed up and he talks about his ideas, we never get to see them come to fruition.

loved this romance and her mom wants her to date this guy she has these amazing friends who are all dealing with different relationship issues . loved that she found her way in the job and found love

I was so excited for this book after Curves for Days but it fell a bit flat for me. July was so frustrating throughout the whole book. I understand her issues but all they needed to do was talk. This took the miscommunication trope to the next level. I was confused because they were honest enough when they first met each other again but it went downhill from there. I also struggled with the fact they they were only together for 2 months as kids. I know young love is intense but pining for 20 years seemed a bit of a stretch. The sleep scene was jarring and I still don't understand why it was needed. Not much actually happens and I was way more interested in the two teens and their story. I did love the small town and all the side characters. It was great to see Rose and Angus again. Still super adorable. The mental health representation was done well and I recommend cheking the trigger warnings because it does cover some more sensitive topics.
I highly recommend checking out Curves for days as I adored that book. I also wish the cover was in the same style as curves for days because that is gorgeous.

Joe Anderson has never married, and now, as his mother's life is drawing to a close, she requests that he retrieve a box from her closet. Inside, Joe finds all the letters he wrote to July at sixteen—letters that were never sent by his parents.
July, who owns and operates her diner in Galway, has kept her heart closed to men. Joe's sudden disappearance at sixteen shattered her. His unexpected return after so many years leaves her stunned and furious, unwilling to speak to the man who caused her so much pain.
Joe eventually opens up, explaining that his father took him to Germany, making it impossible for him to come back to her, and he had believed she never replied to his letters. He presents July with the box of unsent letters from two decades ago. Despite her reservations about rekindling their relationship, Joe has made a bold move by selling all he owns and purchasing a building just down the street from her diner.
The question remains: can Joe and July rebuild trust, release the weight of their history, and welcome a shared future?

🌈 Second Chance Romance
🌈 Curvy heroine
🌈 Small Town Romance
🌈 Found family

🌶🌶🌶

I read 'Curves for Days' and absolutely loved it, so I was really looking forward to reading this book.

July and Joe fell in love over one summer when they were 16, but then circumstances pulled them apart, and for 20 years they have each believed the other had abandoned them.

By the time Joe returns to town they have both experienced heartbreak and it seems like they will never really be able to reestablish their connection again. But they are both truly beautiful characters and, with the love and support of their friends and family, they find their way back to each other at exactly the right time.

This is a heartbreaking, funny and romantic story, not just about second chances but about the power of finding courage within oneself and family of your own. Maisie and Sam broke my heart before they put it back together again (so many tears), but their part of the story is an important one and highlights our need as a society to help our most marginalised and vulnerable people.

While there are themes of domestic violence and mental health within this story, ultimately it is uplifting and joyous.

Can you tell I loved it? Can't wait to read more from this author (so much that I am going back to read the first book again right now).

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A second chance story with real leftover feelings and questions that need to be answered.
I loved the backstory. The way they were separated as teenagers. Nothing either did. Things were beyond their control.
I did have some trouble with their inability to talk through what happened. So much misunderstanding.
Overall, I liked the MC’s and their story.

Imagine being separated from you soul mate for 20 years. Joe and July fall in love at the age of 16. Joe's abusive father suddenly relocates the family in the middle of the night. July is literally sick with worry over where Joe would go. 20 years later, on her deathbed Joe's mom reveals a long kept secret. A secret that changed the course of Joe and July's lives, then and now. While this does have a happy ending, it takes a while to get there and Joe and July see what everyone in town has seen from the beginning.

the cover is really cute - i figured this book would be a cute quick read but instead it was a very sad read to me. the trigger warnings are important to note but this book kind of put me in a slump