No One Does It Like You was exactly what I expected from Katie Shepard (which is a great thing).

What I loved:
Characters: Tom was just perfect. He learns from his mistakes and won’t allow his plans to be compromised. Rose was also great (do we still say #girlboss). She was one of my favorite characters in Bear With Me Now, so it was wonderful to see her as the FMC. I also want more of Boyd (hoping for the next novel to be Boyd/Sloane?!) The fangirls were also a welcomed addition - especially knowing of the author’s fanfiction past.

What I liked:
The brief mention of Teagan and Darcy’s wedding. I want more.

It’s well-written but the plot is not paced well, so I’m not personally enjoying. Our couple does not get to the inn until the 25% mark. At the 35% mark, our couple just started cleaning/getting things moving, and then at the 38% mark, they decided to go look at wallpaper (not shingles for the holes in the roof, the windows to replace, clean up needed, or any of the other substantial problems that need to be addressed). I’m stopping here. I am left questioning if the author has ever actually done extensive home improvement or if this is just a surface-level HGTV montage. As someone who has done extensive renovation, I was disappointed. And at the 40% mark, we still haven’t seen the merry band of Tom’s co-Broadway stars at the house helping out, so we’re technically still not through the blurb, which is another clue that pacing for plot isn’t working. This should have been addressed in editing. We basically spent the first part of the book dealing with the details and emotions of their separation, which is fine for character-driven readers, but it’s not being marketed that way.

This should fall into the 3 to 4 star range for target audiences. But again, definitely character driven readers, so be mindful of that when recommending to library patrons.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, and I thought the writing was lovely, but unfortunately I simply couldn't get into it. The plot was arduous, and I found myself skipping entire pages to get through it. I do think the author has wit and a way with words, but for me there was too much fluff and not enough happening. I do not think this was a bad book, it just was not for me. I also struggled with the POV and felt it kept me, as the reader, detached from the characters.

Second chance/marriage reconciliation makes me SOB EVERY TIME WHY DID I DO THIS TO MYSELF

This was fun even when it was also devastatingly sad. It also was like real heavy on the fandom references which I did not expect and gave me a wild tumblr throwback. Are people still doing that on tumblr or is it illegal now?

Tom is so gone for Rosie it’s like he can’t see anything else, and Rosie is so gone for him she refuses to even look at it. And a decade is so long to be yearning.

I feel like I could have used a little more yearning, or like; more fighting and talking? Because they do, but there are still parts where you know what they’re saying but also that they’re still not on the same page. Babes gotta communicate more.

But the idea of being like “will you help me renovate this inn” and then suddenly a movie star shows up with a bunch of teenagers and just takes over. Lol. And then One Direction shows up and tells you that your mom sold you to them to afford the inn. To be continued… 😂

Review of no one does it like you:

I am so so sad to be leaving these characters. I truly loved this trilogy and while I think book 2 is my fave this one is close. I loved the couple, I loved that the heroine was plus size and it was not a thing. This book was a great exercise in body neutrality. Similarly the heroes bisexuality was just a fact that the heroine had always been aware of. Their love story was romantic and heart wrenching, but also I adored the supporting cast. The sexually ambiguous himbo movie star and the feral fan girls in particular. Katie Shepherd has become an auto click author for me. 9/10

I thought this book was so well written. Rosie and Tom's story kept me captivated the entire time. Shepard and I definitely share the same type of humor, she had me audibly laughing at all the completely accurate happenings of second chances and inn renovations.

"Mean what? That he still loved her? Like REO Speedwagon sang it: when I said that I love you I meant that I love you forever." Had to stop and belt out that one and I desperately want to win at the Three Song game. Top tier romantic comedy!!!

This book hooked me in from the first chapter. I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

LOVED LOVED LOVED This was a second chance romance that may be my new favorite. The characters had so much depth and the side characters were hilarious. I loved it all!

This is a a romance that will resonate deeply with all the hopeful romantics. It’s a story of seeing the power of healing and love in a manner that will sing deeply to the heart and soul of the reader. A true magnetic tale to have one swooning.

Sadly, I had to DNF. I just can’t bring myself to read a book that is written in third person. This makes me really sad because I was so excited to read it.☹️

This was such a cute and fun read! This story follows college sweethearts who reunite to restore an old inn in a new romance by Katie Shepard. Broadway actor Tom reaches out to his ex-wife Rose during a hurricane to express his love and ask for a second chance. Rose, preoccupied with family and the B&B's storm damage, eventually agrees to let Tom help fix the inn. As they work together, they both question if their past relationship can be salvaged.

The book skillfully executes depth depth of its characters, reminiscent of Abby Jimenez's style, and the humor of the side characters is chef's kiss. Overall, really recommend it!

Some CWs to keep in mind:
depiction of the pregnancy of a minor character, discussions of infertility, a car crash, dangerous weather, animal peril, ableism, misogyny and biphobia, illness of an elderly relative, graphic language, and explicit sexual content.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending an arc my way!

I love the vibes of this novel. It’s so nice to see a change of pace and see someone find their way back to each other instead of just give up on each there. I loved the premise and how the story unfolded. It was just such a refreshing, fun, and light romantic book I highly enjoyed it.