This was sadder than I was expecting. Norah is a run away bride who chooses to hide out in a small town. The first person she meets is Bennett, a grump who leaves her on the side of the road. Being that it’s a small town they keep running into each other. This story has all of the plot points for a good romance, but with a sad twist I didn’t see coming. It does end in an HEA though!

‘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.’

A first for me by Monroe and although What I Should’ve Said wasn’t quite what I was expecting and I can’t exactly gush about it, I’d definitely read her again in the future. I just found this on the predicable side with surface level characters who I struggled to connect with, especially while considering some of their outlandish reactions.

But I always appreciate the opportunity, so thanks so much to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC!

This book destroyed me, as in ugly sobbing.

Ugh. I really do love Max Monroe novels. They have wonderful story-telling. The characters have so much depth and they grow. There is enough action to keep the pacing perfect.

And the emotions. There is always a point in their stories when they make the feelings feel. I got to that point in this story had to stop reading. I literally went and held my young daughter while she was sleeping because well, if you've read it, you know.

It's been awhile since a book has made me ugly cry like this. Kudos to the author's for taking us through it and finding the other side.

Really well done.

Thanks to Entangled for the eARC of this prior to the re-release with extra content. I loved it.

This book pulled me in right away! The story just flowed and made me want to keep reading. It had humor but also really pulled at your heartstrings. I cried at certain parts and felt hopeful at others. This was my first Max Monroe book but it definitely won’t be my last! I’m looking forward to Josie’s story!