When television morning anchor Tess Stone’s life falls apart, and her marriage to Kit, a major league baseball player, on the rocks due to his affair, she returns home to her family in San Francisco. However, her return means that she must face her sister, Avery. Avery has put aside her own dreams and stayed behind to run the family restaurant. Avery fears that her fiancé Bennett, may still have feelings for Tess, the sister he loved first. Yet, when the restaurant’s future becomes uncertain, Tess and Avery’s relationship must change, if they are to move forward together, as a family.
Some great family interactions, largely surrounded by food, made this an entertaining read. The ugliness of infidelity is highlighted in this book as are the insecurities of relationships. Whilst the relationship between Tess and Avery is fragile at first, how they work through their issues is well developed. Whilst I found Avery’s character to be at times immature and self-centred, the reasoning behind this is clearly established.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

it felt warm to read and the family dynamic was familiar and comfortable to get lost in. it was a nice light read in between the heavier ones Ive read.

Can love be equal or there is always someone with live is deeper or stronger? Two sisters and best friends’s relantionship strangled after a man and so much more. Tess always in the spotlight and Avery always feeling second best. But when Tess’s life in New York imploded after discovering her husband cheated, she is back in San Francisco with her family. Can the two sister find their way to each other and learn their true love?

Tess and Avery Stone are sister who grew up working in the family restaurant, Stones, in downtown San Francisco. Tess is the charming beauty who started modeling at 12 and is now an up and coming journalist in New York. Avery works as a pastry chef at the family restaurant, and is stifled by her father’s old school way of running the restaurant. The sister’s were once best friends, but their relationship is currently strained. The story begins when Tess finds out that her professional baseball player husband has cheated on her right before she goes on air. She ends up melting down, gets fired and ends up laying low back in San Francisco with her family. Being back in SF brings to the forefront the strain on the sister’s relationship. Avery was a star at the Culinary Institute of America, but her inability to shine due to her father’s controlling nature frustrates her. Add to that her constant insecurity over the fact that her fiancé, Bennet, was in love with her sister first. The author does a great job taking you through the journey that both sister have to take to get back to their friendship. There were times I wasn’t a fan of either sister (Tess’s narcissism, Avery’s Whitney insecurities), but the story was so good, I had a hard time putting this book down. Stacy Finn is definitely one of my go-to authors. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

I Love You More is a women’s fiction story by the remarkable author, Stacy Finz. In this story Tess Stone life falls apart as all of New York is watching her on the morning news. However, as she heads back to San Francisco it is clear that this is going to be a family story especially for sisters, Tess and Avery.

Realistic in that sibling rivalry is common, coming to light in very different ways. It certainly did in this story. Relationships, friends, family, professions are all affected in this story by the actions of others. Could this story happen, perhaps but everyone would probably not end up as they did in the conclusion of the book. Still I liked the conclusion, wanting to believe that people could forgive, do better and finally get over their hangups and themselves.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

📖: I Love You More
✍️: Stacy Finz
⭐️: 4 of 5


Troupes & Themes:
- Sisters
- Dual POV
- Family Drama

Trigger/Content Warnings:
- Language

My Thoughts:

Whew! This was an emotional roller-coaster, but I was here for it. I couldn't put it down and stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it. Full of family drama, heartache, swoonworthy romance, and sibling rivalry. Although it was a bit predictable, I still felt all the emotions Avery and Tess went through. I especially loved how everything wrapped up together perfectly and even found myself emotional at the end. I appreciated that this was a clean romance as far as having zero spice, but I wish there wasn't so much language. This would have been a perfect 5 stars if there had been less cursing, especially with the use of GD. Apart from the language, I enjoyed the overall writing and thought the pacing was great. I would like to explore more from this author in the future.
Thank you, NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Lyrical Press, for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

3 stars. I have been reading Stacy Finz since about the time of her 2nd Nugget series book and just love her romances, especially the Nugget series. Her last 2 books just seem to be missing something. I know these 2 were women's fiction, but I really enjoy women's fiction and considered her romances a mix 0f romance and women's fiction. I just could not relate to any of the characters, nor did I really like them either.

4.5 Stars

I Love You More is about two sisters who are struggling with their problems, their love for each other, and their rivalry. It is also about family dynamics.

Tess is in a hot mess; she found out her husband, Kit, cheated on her and lost her cool on national television, which resulted in firing her up. Tess decided to return to San Francisco. Avery is engaged to Bennett, even though she was his second.

Tess is feeling lost and unsure about her life’s direction. She is struggling to figure out what she really wants in life. Even though she was surrounded by her problems, she was happy and wanted to help with Avery’s wedding. We can see Tess’s dilemma; she wants to break off her marriage, but she also loves Kit.

Avery, Tess’s younger sister, loves Tess, but she also harbours some resentment towards her because Bennet loved Tess first. Avery could be annoying at times, as she always felt like she was second to Tess.

Even after rivalry and drifting apart, they were there for each other. Tess and Avery made an effort to resolve their issues and get back to the way things were. The sisters’ relationship was portrayed in a very realistic manner.

The pacing was done very well. I appreciated how the author made an effort to establish a connection between the characters and the reader. The story included family drama and a lot of food.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book.

I’m an avid reader of books by Stacy Finz and while this one is not your typical romance book, it is definitely based on real life drama. Tess blows up on air not only ruining her career but also her marriage. Avery can’t seem to get past the fact that her boyfriend loved her sister first. The drama and uncertainty definitely keeps the reader guessing how this will all play out in the end.

Synopsis: This story revolves around two sisters, each dealing with their own personal and professional dilemmas.
Pros and cons: I really enjoyed the overall style of writing. The beginning hooked me immediately and I thought it wrapped up perfectly, if not a bit predictable. Unfortunately the middle lost me and was a bit boring because it was low on action and had no spice- just focused on character development. But overall this was a nice women’s fiction and I encourage you to check it out when it’s released next month! Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced copy.

This is my first Stacy Finz book and IM A FAN!!!!! This was such an unexpectedly different type of read and it’s definitely not one of my typical romance novels (closed doors). There was family drama, challenging romantic relationships and it was all good and I couldn’t put the book down! The focus I would say is about relationships. Relationships your family members, loved ones and even friends.

Tess becomes a hot mess right off the bat because she discovers a secret about her husband. The book starts off with this discovery, and you can either guess or read the book to find out. In my opinion, it’s an act that is unforgivable, but love and loneliness is a funny thing… and you can feel Tess’ struggle with her relationship, and the author does an AMAZING job with her story line.

However, I did find Avery very annoying and I personally didn’t like a lot of her characteristics, but I understand why she had to be who she was for the story. And as much as much as I liked the book, because I was frustrated with Avery’s decision making or lack of assertiveness to take action? Or fight for herself, until she ‘finds herself’. I did skimmed through some of her sections and thoughts because I didn’t really care for Her storyline, i was much more interested in Tess and her decisions, which ironically is one of the reasons why Avery has issues with her sister, it’s always about Tess! 😂😅

Regardless, I loved the duo POV of the sisters. I would’ve also enjoyed a few chapters of Kit’s and Bennett’s thoughts! But alas, you cant have everything…

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book reminded me so much of the chicken sisters from last year but also obviously different. I love family generational stories and this had that. I also love to cook so this was in my wheelhouse. I liked the bringing family home and dealing with your issues and finding resolutions style and the characters seemed so rich and you just end up rooting for them all.

I normally love Stacy Finz stories but this one was just ok for me..I will look forward to her next story.

This is another home run by Finz who is far away my favorite romance author. This book works as a stand alone. It involves a family business and sisters who have carved out different paths in life. Finz writes family dynamics so well, I can see these people in my minds eye. There are lots of challenges facing the sisters Tess and Avery including long held resentments. The book is a quick read and despite my sense of where the story was going, I ended up surprised by the ending.

I’d read more about this family so I’d love it if there was a series. Very down to earth contemporary romance.

A story about two sisters, their deep affection and rivalry and their intertwined romantic lives, “I Love You More”, by Stacy Finz, combines romance, food and intense family dynamics in a very enjoyable read.
Avery and Tess form an emblematic sisters duo, with their strong love for each other coexisting with disagreeing, fighting and resentment.
Avery is the “ugly duckling”, still feeling second to Tess’s beauty and successful career; until things change drastically and we watch the reporter’s fall from grace.
I liked how the author plants hints about possible romance and makes a male character intriguing and elusive almost until the end.
I also liked the moral ambiguity about some characters and Tess’s marriage, finding that in real life things rarely are clear and definitive when dealing with infidelity.
While reading the story I felt sometimes like a voyeur watching family drama and secrets play out before my eyes. The food and restaurants dimensions were also compelling.
I loved the reorganization of the sisters’ love, and also professional, lives, how one changed and the other too, while staying the same.

Many thanks to Netgalley for this arc.
In this story we are following sisters Avery and Tess. Avery has just gotten engaged to her boyfriend Bennett, who was in love with Tess first. Tess has just found out that her husband Kit was in a hotel room with another woman who is a sports reporter for the station that Tess works at. Tess ousts her husband and his mistress on live tv and ends up getting sued and fired. Tess decides to go back home to San Francisco. Tess wants to divorce her husband and he ends up admitting to flirting with Annabel and sleeping with her once. Kit apologizes and it takes him almost dying and Tess getting into an accident with her dad having a heart attack for them to start to change. Tess and Kit have a daughter at the end of the novel and Tess gets a job at a lesser station and no longer cares about the spotlight. Avery and Tess end up making up at the end and Tess names her daughter Ava after Avery. Avery and Tess find out that their father is going to sell. the family resturant to Jeremy Gaines, a well known restaurant chef who people believe is. ruthless. Jeremy and Avery begin to get to know each other. Jeremy tells Avery that she has talent but she doesn't really have heart. Tess tries to help Avery by asking her to let her and Kit invest in her baking dreams and break away from the resturant. Avery is afraid that her fiancé is still in love with Bennett and stays mad at them for a majority of the novel until Tess learns that she is pregnant. Avery and Tess really begin work things out after their dad has a heart attack while they were fighting in the car while seeing their parents new home in Tahoe. Avery finally realizes that she is being held back and Jeremy offers to co-own Stone's together so it stays in the family. Avery and Bennett end their engagement and call off the wedding because Avery keeps having panic attacks. Avery and Bennett realize that they are not meant for each other. Avery and Jeremy are in a relationship in the epilogue and have opened another cafe named after Avery's parents and are engaged. I love the journey Avery and Tess go on to repair their relationship and how change is good and can help you grow in ways you never imagine.

this was a refreshing palette cleanser for me! it felt warm to read and the family dynamic was familiar and comfortable to get lost in.

i was so invested in both of these sisters lives and felt so deeply for them while they were both going through so many life changes. at times i wanted to shake them silly and yell at them, but this book would have been really boring without that so that’s a positive for sure.

i think it’s a perfect book to read to remind yourself that you’re not the only person feeling crazy, or feeling lonely, or feeling stuck. it’s a very human book in the best way!

This one hurts, even while it forces Tess and Avery to face hard truths so they can heal. These sisters are so tangled up in love and sibling rivalry and some sadness and hope that they need to find their way forward together if they have a chance at ever being happy. One had the love. The other has it now. But does she really? Or is the love she needs just waiting around the corner?

As annoyed as I was at times with Avery, I understood her. She’s used to being second fiddle or simply in the shadow of Tess, so it’s fitting that the one person who sees her as the sun and Tess as lacking should be her forever. The only problem? That forever isn’t the one she’s planned. And while Avery has one dilemma, Tess has another. One that sends her toward a blowup with a very large audience. Don’t get me wrong, Tess is 100% right with her outburst. Just…maybe not at the time she lets it fly free.

This is a messy tale of life, love, sisters, family, and finding your true happy place. I promise that Tess and Avery come through this stronger and that some of the choices they make will surprise you, even while giving you some hope. And isn’t that sort of what life is meant to do?

Such a beautiful beautiful book. I love everything that Finz writes but this book was quite deep, moving and so incredible. It had such a strong foundation and the writing was so beautiful. I was immediately sucked into the book and I did not want it to end.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

This was a feel-good story about two sisters. Tess is a news broadcaster and married to a MLB player and her marriage is having issues and Avery is insecure because she is engaged to her ex and it’s damaging their relationship. Watching the story unfold was super enjoyable to see them all grow and the ending left me happy!

This author has a way of writing where you truly connect with the characters and feel part of their family.

I am more of a “romance book” girl and this was more of a “book with romance” vibe to me. Because of that, I rated it 3 stars! I also prefer only one characters point of view and storyline - and you get both sisters story throughout the book!