I didn’t love this to be honest! Took me a while to finish. I really liked the plot tho! Characters were not very likeable :(

This was a fast paced enjoyable book about two podcasters who do a show dealing with everyday topics that draws a large audience of viewers. The impact of their show spreads further than one of the characters Maeve could have imagined because of its honesty and humility dealing with topics such as anxiety, panic attacks, and true raw emotions. There is a true romance story tucked in this book that will stay with the reader long after the last page in the book is turned. Be sure to grab this one, it’s truly a treat with many messages for the reader woven throughout the book.
Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Book Press for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review.

The plot: The Tell Me How You Really Feel podcast is breaking new ground with a huge studio deal, primarily due to the sizzling chemistry between its co-hosts Maeve and Finn. The only problem? It's difficult to continue to film a top-notch sex and relationships podcast when you're not on speaking terms anymore. Maeve is a charismatic licensed therapist, but she can't find the words to process her fight with Finn. And Finn's a handsome, former actor accustomed to getting everything he wants.. until what he wants is second chance with Maeve. Can the pair find a way to rebuild their relationship and give the world the second season of the viral podcast they want? Or will they crash and burn in epic fashion, forced to forfeit a multi-million dollar deal and a chance at podcast history. I recommend this book to fans of second chance romance, forced proximity, and general romance.

Maeve and Finn have been best friends since college, inseparable until their recent rift. The book takes us through the journey of their relationship in flashbacks from the the podcast's humble beginnings up until present day, at the peak of their careers. The "big reveal" of the reason for their feud comes toward the end of the book, bringing us along in suspense as to the details behind the clearly romantically-driven falling out. Along the way, we get to hear from both Maeve and Finn in alternating perspectives that complete the narrative.

My opinion: I liked this book. The strongest elements were the deep emotional scenes (scenes describing anxiety disorders, panic attacks, feelings of low self-worth) and exploration of serious topics (pay and gender inequity, sex disparities, and more.) I really liked the focus on mental health and therapy throughout the book, as it's important to destigmatize both for readers. One aspect I struggled with throughout the book is the inconsistency of both characters from one scene to the next. For example, in one scene we see Maeve and Finn as best friends who can talk about anything, and in the next they are breaking up over a small miscommunication because Maeve isn't clear with her words and Finn doesn't bother to clarify. Ditto with Maeve as the badass feminist icon who stand her own ground with difficult people, but refuses to say a word when Finn crashes her magazine set and steals her big photoshoot. The Finn of flashbacks also seems inconsistent (and much more likable, considerate, and caring) than Finn in the present day. I'm not sure if those inconsistencies were deliberate, and a comment on how our personalities and actions can fluctuate, or something that could have been smoother with an additional edit. . Overall, I enjoyed reading this and found it a unique spin on the "podcast book" and second-chance romance. I'll read anything Betty Cayouette writes because there's a sweet yearning in all of the books that's not easy to find in other romance novels.

Thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a great book, I loved it. I loved their podcast I enjoyed their banter, and I really enjoyed the entire story. Thanks for letting me read this book.

All I wanted was something Iight, but I just couldn't get into it. The writing needs more editing in my opinion, also the conflict is non existent

I’m sorry to the author, but this book is terrible. I have never hated two romance leads more, for just being obnoxious.
The characters lack any redeeming quality and I honestly don’t find any connection between them. I was surprised by how annoying this book was. I enjoyed Betty’s first book, this was an awful second book.

I am not a podcast person. But I do realize it is the current thing. Maeve is so creative and her good friend Finn helps her. As the relationship changes the drama really picks up. The story is fun to read. I am so glad I am past that age of angst and relationship uncertainty, A good book for sure.

Second chance romance! Pure fun and joy reading this. Loved it through and through. I also love when other professions are explored and the podcast storyline with romance was fabulous!

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Betty Cayoutette was engrossing! I was enveloped into the podcasting aspect as it seemed super modern and believable. I did love the relationship and the strength of the characters here. The storyline did get a bit predictable at times, but I did enjoy this one. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the free advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own.

This book took me some time to get into. The dual timeline/dual POV didn't quite work for me as it has in other books. I didn't connect to the characters and why I should want them to be together until much later. It took me a week to read the first half and a day to read the second half. I'm not sure this book is for me.

I really enjoyed this book and the growth that both Finn and Maeve go through. I think a standout side character is definitely Maeve’s sister Sarah. She is fiercely protective of Maeve and is quippy. I enjoyed the friends to lovers to enemies to lovers troupe and the forced proximity. It did slightly feel preachy at times but it was an important issue about equality in the entertainment industry and therapy.

This book delivers the perfect mix of sharp humor, simmering tension, and heartfelt emotion. Maeve and Finn’s dynamic is electric, full of biting banter and unresolved feelings that make every interaction crackle. The dual timeline adds depth, letting us see both their messy beginnings and their current struggles as they navigate fame and old wounds. All in all, a witty, emotional read that feels as addictive as the episodes Maeve and Finn would create.

a fantastic starter bogged down by the miscommunication trope. there are two kinds of miscommunication tropes in romance: ones where you can see & understand why the miscommunication is happening, even if it’s frustrating, and… this. too much miscommunication! you are adults! podcasters! your whole job is Talk! TALK!

Overall, this was a very sweet and refreshing romance read!

The book follows two friends who have a bumpy romantic past trying to focus on the future of their podcast. Barely being able to be in the same room together, they have to figure out a way to make it work for both of their sakes.

If you like second chances, dual pov, enemies to lovers, or friends to lovers I definitely suggest giving this book a try!

I want to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book!

This book will be released May 6, 2025!

I enjoyed this for the most part but a lot of the conflict felt forced. A miscommunication trope where the main FMC is a literal therapist helping people communicate clearly? Nope, not for me. I also felt like the MMC was framed as this loveable amazing guy who until the last 20 pages didn't know he was an ignorant and borderline harmful person and then magically does an "oops, my bad" for the third or fourth time and then we get a happily ever after. I mostly liked the characters and the themes but I think this had a chance to frame more of the discussion around the wage disparity, societal disparagement, and the harsher treatment of women but it uses them as plot points and throwaway conflict. Finished the book feeling mostly unsatisfied with the dragging one-note conflict and quick but shallow resolution.

Thank you netgalley for the chance to review this early!
Maeve and Finn, best friends, have a viral sex and relationship podcast, but as it truly takes off and catapults their careers, they grapple with extreme tension that has stemmed from an interaction a few months prior.
I really loved the back and forth timeline so we could feel the extreme tension between Maeve/Finn in the current timeline and the simmering sexual tension in the past timeline. I loved the dual POV between these two characters, in particular Finn, who has such a unique perspective on fame and nepotism. Their relationship is so well done and that transition from friends to lovers is so perfectly nuance and layered. Maeve could potentially be seen as a little difficult, considering how hard she 'punishes' Finn, but at the same time I can also really relate to her layered response to being rejected.
What I think also makes this so enjoyable/realistic is the portrayal of anxiety (both for Finn and Maeve), career discussions (particularly for Maeve as she tries to break out from Finn / gender stereotypes), and overall the tenderness of sex/relationship discussions between men and women. Every part of this was just brilliant and I WANT to listen to this podcast. I need this podcast. I could see myself having this podcast.
I DO think this is slightly long. I loved the characters and enjoyed being in their world, but man I wanted them together even earlier.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Betty Cayouette for the early access copy of Tell Me How You Really Feel.

Tell Me How You Really Feel tells the story of Maeve and Finn, who are growing celebrity status from their sex and relationship podcast. After a friendship ending situation and massive miscommunications, Maeve and Finn went from best friends to barely being able to be in the same room as each other. Maeve is unwilling to trust Finn, but Finn is set on winning Maeve back. Told through dual point-of-view and flashbacks, this is a second chance romance.

The podcasts in the story were interesting and insightful to read. Betty Cayouette does a great job of addressing mental health situations such as panic attacks and anxiety with a realistic depiction of the experience. The main conflict of the story felt a bit repetitive and unforgiving. Therefore, it did pull me out of the story. However, this book would be a great fit for those who like a miscommunication trope, he falls harder, second chance romances.

Podcasters Maeve and Finn have just gotten a life-changing, blockbuster deal for their viral sex and relationships podcast, Tell Me How You Really Feel. Unfortunately, given their history, they can barely be in the same room together.

Now, Maeve needs to find a way to keep the show going without letting Finn completely ruin her. But to make things even more challenging, Finn is dead set on winning her back over. Told between flashbacks to the start of their show and the present, Tell Me How You Really Feel follows Maeve and Finn as they navigate their growing celebrity, try to make podcast history, and rediscover what they mean to each other.

Loved it. Will recommend to others.

‘Tell Me How You Really Feel’ by Betty Cayouette is a delightful second-chance romance that will leave you wanting more. The story follows long-time best friends and co-hosts, Maeve and Finn, as they learn how to navigate a groundbreaking podcast deal all while trying to heal their crumbling relationship. Told from dual points of view, and dual timelines, Betty Cayouette reeled me in from the first page and had me rooting for Maeve and Finn to find their way back to each other. Alongside the chemistry, banter, and genuine love, there is also the needed hard conversations, self-reflection, and self-growth between the two. I absolutely loved ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel’, and would highly recommend it.

I’ll tell you how I feel… exhausted. This book felt a lot longer than it was. Plot points were being rehashed throughout the book and the main characters were on/off both in present time and flashbacks. Also, I felt like Maeve was a bit unlikable. It seems like she was always looking for something to be wrong with Finn. And he did mess up some, but tried to apologize multiple times without luck. I understand trying to show the feminist pov and how men have privileges that women don’t. However, in this romance book, it created so much conflict that I was questioning them being together. His love felt stronger than hers. In the end, I wasn’t rooting for them to be together, which isn’t great for a romance book.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.