This book gives you ALL the feels! Looking at it, I expected it to be a cute romance. But nope! This is emotionally charged, beautifully written, and swoon worthy! Highly highly recommend this to all my friends!

Also, please make sure you check the trigger warnings!!

Thank you, Entangled and Netgalley, for the ARC.

I must confess it took me a bit to get through this book. The themes are very difficult, as someone who has worked with the childhood high-support needs population. It was a beautiful book, so full of heart and love. It also has other difficult topics that might not be for everyone, but if you can handle a bit of heartbreak with your romance, you might enjoy it.

I said this the first time & I'll say it again...
𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒏 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓 🩷🩷🩷

I was eagerly anticipating the latest edition, thank you @entangled_publishing for an e-copy so that I could tandem read this beauty! Naturally, I had to get the audiobook as well. Let me tell you, the emotions conveyed by the narrators made me cry even harder than I did the first time! 🥹

𝙸𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜♾️⭐
I never imagined I could love this book any more than I already did. I'm thrilled to see it gaining popularity!

⬇️𝙿𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝙸 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚖 𝚘𝚗 😂
When I saw Max Monroe say this is unlike any of the other books we've written I'm still not sure that prepared me for this book. Not even a little bit lol

This story was so good from the beginning. It still had those moments of humor that I enjoy with their books. The characters are always so unique. This one was written with such a heartbreaking factor to it. I found myself sobbing multiple times. The conversations wrecked me. But the story also as a whole was so beautiful. I always connect with stories that are real or have hard topics. And this definitely had that. Getting a glimpse into the journey of Bennett and his daughter Summer. Then getting to see Norah come into the picture and how everything connected was so realistically brilliant.

I also loved the ending of this. I felt like it wrapped up how my heart needed it to. And seeing a flow into the next book with the side characters.. I'm so excited for it!

If you are looking for a book that will alternately make you laugh and then tear your heart out, then this is it. It's got the Grumpy/Sunshine trope down to a T, but you know the grump always has a soft spot. I had no expectations going into this book and it absolutely wrecked me yet left me with a warm and triumphant feeling when it was over. Grab your pink glasses and your kleenex for this 5-star read!

It wasn't for me. There was just something about this story that I couldn't get into. I am also not one for stories that involve situations with child (illness, death, abuse, etc.).
My rating is more for the face that this just wasn't the right book for me. And has nothing to do with the author's writing abilities.

This book is absolutely wonderful! It took me on an emotional rollercoaster in the very best way. I was laughing, swooning and even crying. The whole story is just amazing. The writing flows well between the authors and there's a lot of depth. If you enjoy reading romance books with humor and so much heart then this is for you. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2/5🌶️🌶️

What to Expect
🩷Small Town
💛Single Dad
🕶️Enemies to Lovers
🩷Grumpy x Sunshine
💛Protective MMC
🕶️Runaway Bride
🩷Boss x Employee
💛Spice
🕶️Dual POV
🩷TRIGGERS!

I don’t even know where to start because this book completely DESTROYED me. What I Should’ve Said is one of those stories that grabbed me by the heart and STILL refuses to let me go. From the very first chapter, I was hooked on Norah and Bennett’s hate to love story—full of tension, heartbreak, and so much RAW EMOTION. The small-town charm of Red Bridge, combined with the undeniable chemistry between these two, had me grinning one moment and ugly crying the next. And don’t even get me started on Summer—she stole the show in the most beautiful (and utterly destroyed my soul) way.

The push and pull between Norah and Bennett was DELICIOUSLY DONE. Their first meeting? A complete and utter disaster. Their growing connection? Angsty, messy, and completely addictive. Bennett is the kind of protective, broody single dad that makes your heart hurt, and Norah’s journey from runaway bride to someone who finds a the true meaning of home was so moving. I went into this with zero knowledge or expectations… but based on the cover, thinking of a cute, summery romance, but what I got was a deeply emotional story about love, loss, and healing. Max Monroe didn’t hold back, and honestly, I’m glad they didn’t—this book NEEDS to be felt while reading.
I laughed. I cried. I sobbed. What I Should’ve Said is an absolute must-read. Just make sure you have tissues nearby—you’re going to need them.

-

Thank you sooo much Entangled Publishing and Max Monroe for giving me this chance to read this heart wrenchingly beautiful book!

A fun, emotional, and engaging read from start to finish!

What I Should’ve Said is a second chance romance that blends humor, heart, and just the right amount of angst. The story pulls you in with its emotional depth and keeps you hooked with charming dialogue and a well-paced plot.

The characters are easy to root for, and the chemistry between them feels genuine and compelling. There’s a great balance between heartfelt moments and light, funny scenes that make the book feel well-rounded and satisfying.

If you enjoy romance with a bit of nostalgia, a lot of heart, and plenty of swoon, this is a great one to pick up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was so well written. It had me in my feelings. Definitely was a roller-coaster ride of emotions that's 4sure, I laughed, I cried, and I screamed. I was hooked from beginning to end. Norah, the runaway bride and Bennett, an artist and a single dad of 7 yr old Summer and a miracle who suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta type III "Brittle Bone Diease". Norah reconnects with her estranged sister Josie when she moves her life back to her old small town in Vermont. That's where she meets her grumpy sunshine, Bennett. Norah starts workin for Bennett and falls for Summer too, and there are so many emotions that follow. After the book breaks u, it also puts u back 2gether. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Thanks, NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for this ARC.

I want to thank Entangled for sending me a copy of this book! I immediately went and pre ordered the next one :)

This book gives small town romance vibes, she leaves her big city life to escape family and her fiancé. Norah has learned some troubling information about her finace and wants to escape that situation. What better place to do it than a small town. She surprises her sister, Josie, who she hasn’t spoken to in years needing somewhere to “hide”. She meets this grumpy man, Bennett, who sticks up for her on two occasions, but they give the enemies to lover's vibes. He is a single dad taking care of his terminally ill daughter. I love how the authors treat this issue, and it is written so well.

I audibly laughed out loud at so many parts in this book, but it also took me to the lowest lows sometimes and made me so sad! Such an emotional read but so so good!

I won a copy of this ebook in the Entangled Facebook group and was so excited because they were doing a read a long.

Well... I finished days before we were supposed to 🤣 I couldn't stop reading it tonight! I went from 30% to the end.

I loved this book. It was sweet, sad, broody, and frustrating all in one! I can't wait for book 2.

When I received this book, I expected a lighthearted beach read based on the cover image. Although it is a romance, it is anything but lighthearted. I found myself crying several times. I loved this book, the characters, the setting (I imagine a little Stars Hollow like in Gilmore Girls), the plot-everything.

I gave What I Should’ve Said five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Thank you Entangled Publishing and Max Monroe for the read along. These are my honest opinions.

I loved this book! I loved the characters and the storyline and just all of it and I’m looking forward to Josie and Clay’s story.

I openly sobbed for the last 25% of this book. Oh my goodness, that part hit me right in the feels.

The character growth was great. And I appreciate that it wasn’t just smut through the whole book. There was a plot and a storyline and I very much enjoyed it.

Read this one!

This book probably needs to come with trigger warnings (or make them more obvious, because I clearly missed them). I was not happy with the beginnings of this book. Norah drove me crazy with her immaturity and lack of being able to do anything on her own. Demanding others acquiesce, breaking things, etc...were bad. But assault was a big no-no for me. That said, the authors do try to lay down some ground-work for why Norah is the way she is...it isn't enough to excuse her behavior. She also isn't very guilty or sorry about it.

Anyhow, I am glad I stuck it through because things finally start getting better. The last dozen chapters or so I was pretty much crying the entire time. What happens is totally predictable (down to the name), but worth it for the growth the characters show.

Wow, I loved this book, and it was not at all what I expected. I was fully anticipating a cute small-town, grumpy/sunshine romcom, and it was that; but it was also heart wrenching and beautiful and made me appreciate my life and my family more. Norah and Bennett and the rest of Red Bridge were all perfect.

Norah started as such a timid, sheltered woman, but she quickly grew into someone who wouldn’t take anyone’s (read: Bennett’s) shit. She tried so hard at everything, even when she sucked at it, and it was endearing to watch. I loved that she put her heart on the line to get through to Bennett when he needed her most.

Bennett was such a grump, but he was also tender and protective, and he had a good reason for all three traits. I loved his not being able to stay away from Norah, no matter how much he told himself he should. He was one of the more vulnerable MMCs I’ve read, and felt so real and raw.

I sobbed while I was reading. More than once. This story broke my heart into a million pieces, but it also put it back together in the end. I’m going to look for a pair of pink heart-shaped sunglasses next time I’m at the store.

I can’t wait to read Josie and Clay’s story as soon as it comes out, because from the second Clay came on the page I knew I had to see them fall in love.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Amara for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! I was supposed to read it over 2 weeks for Max Monroe’s readalong, but it was so unputdownable that I finished it over a week early. Sorrynotsorry!

Please read the author's note before delving into this story! It has a lot of triggers and had me choked up a majority of the book. Make sure you have tissues close by if you choose to read this!

This enemies-to-lovers trope is the first book in the Red Bridge series. It tells of the romance between Norah, a runaway bride escaping a life that has been planned out for her, and Bennett, a brooding artist hiding away from a bad boy past and keeping secrets. Every time they end up meeting, they seem to get off on the wrong foot, but there is a simmering attraction between them they keep fighting, about to explode.

There is also a major emotional rollercoaster that the characters go through during much of the story involving a sickness around another character. I don't want to say too much and give away spoilers, but there is plenty of character development for our main characters with how they handle trauma and personal growth.

The plot is not your typical lighthearted romance. Be prepared to be heartbroken and emotionally wrecked.

The love between a father and his daughter is beautifully depicted in this heart-wrenching story. To some, Bennett may be the town grumpy, but to his 7 year old daughter Summer, he is her everything. This man doesn't blink without thinking of the ramifications on his daughter until Norah enters town. She flips their worlds upside at the most imperative time. She is there to be everything Bennett needs and someone Summer can confide in.

I was in tears throughout this book, reading the love Summer has for her father. She knows he is going to need someone who can handle the inevitable heartbreak headed his way. I adore Summer and her love of all things pink and girlie. She isn't given a fair shot at life, but she makes up for it in spades with Norah and her father.

Don't judge a book by its cover, don't read this book in public and do read this book with tissues handy. This book had the tears flowing and I am not normally one to cry from books. So, make sure to read the authors note to make sure to check the triggers because this book will bring out the feelings. But at the same sense i couldn't put the book down, i read the book in a day. The only thing that really bug me was how rushed the relationship was, even for a romance book. Especially with a kid involved especially for a enemy to lovers' type storyline like it started off as it moved so fast. However, i was still here for it and with the other storyline going on in the book i know why it was done that way. Definitely 100% recommend this book and am so grateful to entangled publishing for giving me a copy of this book.

This. Book. Ya’ll. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 It made me feel all the emotions. I laughed and I got all teary eyed. It’s a rare occurrence for me to cry or get all teary eyed. Hands down has become one of my favorite books! ♥️

Thank you so much to Entangled publishing for gifting me this e-ARC.

I was so excited to read what I thought would be a light fun summer read, but that is not what this book was. I ended up DNF’ing at 66%. I originally thought about it around 35% but convinced myself to keep going. I really think that this book needs a clearer list of trigger warnings with more detail. I had to DNF because while I saw the few warnings, they did not prepare me for what was to come. I was also shocked about the way the FMC slaps the MMC multiples times when she herself was a victim of DV.

I’m giving this book 4 stars to be generous since my reasoning for not finishing was due to personal reasons, and the writing was good from what I read.