*ARC REVIEW*
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This book was the epitome of the old saying “never judge a book by its cover” as it took me on an emotional rollercoaster! 😭🥺 you may see this book on the shelf and find yourself thinking it will be a super fun summer romance read and while the romance aspect may ring true, it was so much more than that. 😭🩷

🌅Norah, our FMC, runs out on her wedding day and proceeds to return to a town in Vermont. While there, she reunites with her sister and learns that things are not quite as they were when she left.

🕶️She kicks off her welcome into town by having to hitchhike a ride with one other than Bennett Bishop, a famous artist who definitely leaves an impression on her.

🌅This romance brings all the heat, family love and a true sense of how a story can make you feel so much emotionally. Max Monroe has a true talent of taking such an emotionally broken piece and turning it into a beautifully broken work of art.

🕶️I instantly connected with these characters and felt like I was part of their little world for a while. 🩷by time I finished this read, I was a train wreck and can confirm that this was the most I’ve cried reading in over a YEAR.
If you’re looking for a spicy romance that also has plenty of heart, trials, surprising twists and more, this one is for you!
*please do CHECK TW as this book tackles some very heavy topics and emotional moments*

🌅Thank you so much to Entangled Publishing, Max Monroe and NetGalley for allowing me this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review! 🥹 Opinions are my own.

Two and a half stars. I read the description and was in for a fun runaway city bride clashes with small town guy rom-com vibes, and that's what you get for about 25% of the book. I finished it, but my guard was up as soon as the FMC slaps the MMC. And especially after she slaps him a third time. And then we get to the terminally ill child.

This book should really have content warnings including ex-partner abuse, death and endangerment of a child, death of a parent, mentions of trafficking and prostitution, and did I mention the death of a chronically ill child?

This is my first book from Max Monroe and I'm not sure I'll be back. Aside from being a different book than what I expected, I was hoping for more of a journey from the FMC. She went from being kind of a pushover to... maybe still being a pushover? I didn't love the trajectory.

Yeah, this one ended up being not for me. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m so glad that the authors put a note of warning in the beginning of this arc. While I’ve only read a few of this author’s books, they were definitely light and fluffy romcoms. This book is not.

But I loved it. It is emotional and, at times, sad. There are moments of humor, though, that are typical for them. Be ready for tissues when you read Bennett and Norah’s story. It is one I will definitely remember and I can’t wait for the second story featuring Norah’s sister, Josie.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the updated advance readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I typically really enjoy books from this writing duo but I really struggled with some of the writing decisions in "What I Should've Said" .

While I wouldn't personally recommend this book, I definitely will read future books from this duo.

Thank you Max Monroe, Net Galley and Entangled Publishing LLC for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Dang they did it again…I cried reading a book! This is no different than many others they’ve written: good writing, all the feels, laughs, banter, some snark and amazing characters. I really enjoyed reading it! Bennett and Nora are a fun enemies to lovers romance. They are both well developed complex main characters. Their pasts and present collide in the most tragic ways as they wade through the uncertain futures. Bennett’s daughter Summer is just like her name, a ray of sunshine! She fills your heart and breaks it all at the same time.

Can’t wait to read more!!

What an incredibly sweet read! Bennett and Norah were amazing together. Norah is a runaway bride, who recently discovered something about her ex-fiance. Finding herself going to her sister's house when leaving the wedding, she runs into Bennet, a grumpy artist who is much more than he seems. Norah was so sweet and naive, having always been controlled by her mom and then her ex-fiance. It was great to see her gain some independence and self-confidence, while she stayed at her sister's. Bennett was a bad boy artist who was trying to stay out of trouble, especially with some important things he had to take care of at home. I didn't expect this book to be so emotional. It was absolutely heartbreaking at the end, and my heart went out to Bennet and Norah. Their chemistry and relationship journey was an absolute joy to read! Definitely one of the sweetest reads I've read in a while.

I loved this story. Well written and engaging, enough detail without being too much and drawn out. The story was unique and relatable, in a way. A very easy read and a story that will stick with me over time. The kind of love we all deserve, that comes unexpectedly and with some reservation, which is understandable. Highly recommend. I did receive an e-ARC of this book.

This was a great read!


It was a well-written book that had me hooked the entire time. The characters were all well-developed with unique personalities. Norah and Ben were both amazing characters. Summer was just as amazing. It was a heartbreaking journey for her, but I loved how Norah, Ben, and the rest of the town went out of their way to give her some fun, happy days.



Thank you Entangled Publishing for a free copy of this book!

Thank you Entangled Publishing for the e-ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
From the beginning I have to say that the cover is misleading. This is not a rom-com, it is an emotional and sad story. So please search the trigger/content warnings before.
Some things are only mentioned, but others are on page.
Norah left her wedding and came to a small town where her sister lives. Bennet is a grumpy painter who is a single dad. There is a lot of background drama with Norah’s ex-fiance and her mom that I do not think was needed. A lot of it was only mentioned. To avoid spoilers, I will only say that this is heartbreaking, but has a happy ending.
The romance between the main characters is not developed very well.
I have to say that it made me more curious about Josie (Norah’s sister) and Clay’s story.

This book will have you experiencing every emotion from anger, sadness joy, pain, and immense, deep love.

The characters are incredibly well written. Bennett comes off broody and harsh but you quickly learn to love his character and backstory.

I’m obsessed with Summer. I can’t wait for the next book either. I need to know what happens with Clay and I wouldn’t mind finding out about Breezy and Lil too!

Let’s talk about some of my favorites:

“…..and apparently fake Norman Wallace doesn’t demand respect more than twice without taking it for himself.” This was a perfect way to introduce us to Bennett.

“She’s also been tired and in pain, and I swear, it’s getting harder and harder for her to breathe. Just like the season, my sweet Summer is starting to dim.”

“And well, I’m thinking that, for you, this is a really scary part, being without me. But that means the good part is coming. Don’t miss it, Dad, okay? Get to the good part.” Oh sweet, sweet Summer. The author captured this little girl perfectly.

I loved how this story read. It had you feeling everything. They truly did a good job capturing the pain and how to process loss.

I stayed up way late last night to finish this book. Went to bed still crying. Woke up still thinking about it.

Norah lives in New York and is supposed to be getting married to a prominent business man. The day of the wedding, she leaves and goes to her sister Josie in Vermont.

Bennett…ah Ben…he has so much on his mind but doesn’t trust people easily nor let them in. (I feel ya buddy). When he meets Norah, she instantly gets on his nerves. But eventually they come to get along.

So much happens in this book, but it is so well written and so heartbreaking. There is so much I’m not saying, because you NEED to read this book.

Big thank you to NetGalley & Entangled Publishing for allowing me to read an arc for this books upcoming re-release. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have to admit I went into this book completely blind. And to top it off I’ve never read a Max Monroe book until this one. My first reaction after finishing “What I Should’ve Said” is that it definitely wont be my last Max Monroe book.

“What I Should’ve Said” is an emotional story field with love, loss and grief. Definitely a different story for me than my traditional romcoms. But 100% worth the journey this book takes you on. This book will pull on your heartstrings and leave you ugly crying at 8 AM. Also PS please check trigger warnings before reading as some topics addressed in the book may be difficult for people.

Our story begins with Norah who runs away from her wedding after receiving a cryptic letter. She arrives in Red Bridge to hopefully crash with her estranged sister. On her way into town she meets our resident grump Bennett. The two butt heads but ultimately end up helping each other out. Both Norah and Bennett have their secrets and pasts to overcome. Their story is not one I ever anticipated but it was an amazing slow burn that will stay with you long after you finish reading.

Overall, I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read book two and learn more about Josie & Clay!

Thank you Entangled for sending me a copy of this book!

This was my first Max Monroe book and it did NOT disappoint!

This book was everything. It’s emotional in every way. I cried, laughed and had all the feels. I read this in about a day and a half. It was so good. I haven’t cried reading a book in a while. I can’t wait for the next one to come out later this year. Do yourself a favor and read it. I’ll have to add Max Monroe to my list to read more of her books.

Thank you!

This book was really sweet in an unexpected way. We meet Norah, a runaway bride who goes to a small town in Vermont to escape New York. She meets Bennett Bishop, who is grumpy and doesn’t seem to like her much…. But perhaps for a good reason.

I appreciate the trigger warnings that the authors put on this book – they were definitely needed, but this was a good read. Thanks NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the eARC.

I’ve had to wait several days to think about what to post in my review. We were warned that this was going to break our heart..but I was not prepared. It’s been a long time since I’ve cried…not able to stop…while reading a book. I was sobbing…for the loss and heartbreak but also how beautifully Max Monroe wrote this story….it touched my heart.

Bennet is a private man, growly, protective and amazing father. He has faced burdens and will face more…but he is fiercely protective of his daughter, Summer. She is wise beyond her years and will steal your heart. The bathing scene pretty much did me in.

Norah has such a beautiful heart, she is strong, fiesty and does not back down from grumpy Bennet. She has her own challenges she dealing with but she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be.

This is different than your normal Max Monroe story but it is beautifully written and may change the way you feel about pink heart shaped sunglasses.

Thank you Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the complimentary copy.

What I Should’ve Said is book one in the Red Bridge series. It follows Bennett “Ben” Bishop & Norah Ellis.

Please note, this book contains extremely heavy subjects such as abuse, trauma, loss, and grief, so please go into it knowing that these topics are a part of the story.

On her wedding day, Norah gets a mysterious letter that ends up turning her world upside down. She decides to move back to her hometown of Red Bridge, VT, where she meets grumpy artist Bennett Bishop, and from there, Summer will never be the same.

This book had me hooked from the start, and I literally read it in a day. Who doesn’t love a good small town romance where everyone knows everything! The townsfolk are hilarious, and I loved all of the characters! Norah is definitely a people pleaser and overly apologizes for everything. Which was in a way funny to see because I relate so much with the over apologizing. She is funny, sarcastic, and super caring. Her caring nature made me really emotional throughout this book. Ben is a grump and loves to push Norah’s buttons for some reason. He is also protective, loving, and so freaking strong. I loved that he would absolutely do anything for those he loved.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster, and you will need lots of tissues!! I sobbed pretty much the entire last half of the book. It was honestly really hard to get through. Max Monroe knows how to write some really funny moments but also some really emotional ones.

There is a HEA in this book! I swear there is! I do wish it was a bit of a longer ending so we could see more of the healing journey, but I still really loved how it all played out!

You will enjoy this book if you like the following:
- Small town
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Single dad
- Runaway bride
- Emotional
- Dark secrets
- Enemies to lovers

I am excited to read the next book in the series! What I Should've Said can be read as a standalone!

Thank you so much, Max Monroe and Entangled Publishing, for the gifted copy!

Norah’s a runaway bride and runs smack dab into grumpy, muscled, Bennet. He barely speaks but when he does, people listen.

On the day Norah was supposed to get married, she received a letter from a stranger that turned her world upside down. She runs to her sister in Vermont to start a new life.

Enemies turn to lovers, strangers become friends, dark secrets bust open like cans of worms, and most of all…Summer will never be the same.

This book was more than just your typical romcom, it was so much more emotional, and I’m not sure it was exactly what I needed at the time. I love romcoms, I use them as light reads between my thrillers. This book put my heart through the wrencher, and I was not prepared. The cover alluded so much to a lighthearted romcom that I was a little surprised. The romance was sweet, but was more on the backburner to the emotional devastation that was going on. After I made it through the middle that I basically forced myself to read in hopes there was a happy ending, I was given the beautiful and romantic ending that so gratefully and desperately needed with every fiber of my being. It was a burning need this book end on a high happy note. You don’t know how much I needed it!

Just another small gripe but this book wasn’t about the beach, rather Vermont, and the cover just screams beach vibes to me. After reading the book I think I know why this image was picked, but I think that something different should have been used.

Norah's life is a complete mess after she runs away from her wedding. She ends up at her sister's doorstep seeking shelter after a run-in with a very handsome but grumpy man. From there, she gets into multiple situations involving this handsome man. She learns to stand up for herself through her time in this little town. Bennett's daughter, Summer, was adorable, and I loved her positive outlook on life. This book will make you laugh and cry, especially towards the end!

Thanks to Brittany from Entangled and Net Galley for the e-arc!!

*sigh* Max Monroe: you guys are a flipping artist. This book was such a delicate dance between devastating and beautiful and you made it work. This book wrecked me in ways I didn’t realize I even needed.

Some tropes:
💖Runaway Bride
🕶️Small Town
💖Enemies to Lovers
🕶️Found Family
💖Grumpy X Sunshine

The new cover is absolutely adorable! This town, these characters… AMAZING! The banter is on point. The slow burny build up of the relationship of the MC’s is so perfect. I have had this on my TBR but when I was given the opportunity to read this as an ARC I jumped. I recommend this one! Everyone needs Norah Ellis and Bennett Bishop in their lives ASAP!

Thank you to @entangled_publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️

Wow this story broke me part and I swear I read as the tears feel for several chapters.

Bennett was living the fast life j in Tim his ways right up with him. Then he stopped and moved to a small town to settle down. Norah has the carpet ripped out from under her on her wedding day and she goes to her sister to regroup.

The first day she meets Bennett and he gets so made he kicks her out of his truck. But they keep meeting and you know the line between love and hate and very thin. Norah is everything Bennett tried to leave behind in his past life.

Add in Bennett secret why and suddenly Norah and Bennett have reasons why they need to be around each other. And their time together will change them both forever.

What a beautiful story.