Thank you to Kathleen Barber, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute, fun, classic second-chance romcom. I wasn't sold on it at the very beginning, as the instant mention of Sam felt very jarring, but it did pick up for me. I'm glad we weren't forced to endure Vanessa staying with Jack for long at all. I enjoyed the relationship Vanessa had with Faith - it felt like a real sibling relationship, which doesn't always come across in media. I also liked Vanessa's growth throughout the story. We don't really get much from her in the beginning and it was hard to form an opinion on her, but she really came into her own by the end.

I wasn't jazzed about Sam - I think his actions towards Vanessa came across as unnecessarily cruel. Understandably he was dealing with a lot at the time, and he doesn't have to worship the ground Vanessa walks on, but if he really did love her all those years they were apart, I don't think he would've treated her the way he did.

I can't say this will be a particularly memorable book, but it was quick, cute, and fun.

I recently had the opportunity to read an advance copy of Both Things Are True by Kathleen Barber, and I found it to be a compelling and heartfelt story. The novel follows Vanessa, a yoga influencer from New York, whose life takes an unexpected turn when her fiancé becomes embroiled in a financial scandal. Forced to return to her roots in Chicago and move in with her sister, Vanessa’s journey of self-discovery is both poignant and relatable. The narrative takes an intriguing twist as she reconnects with Sam, an old flame from a whirlwind romance that ended abruptly after a spontaneous Las Vegas wedding officiated by a Dolly Parton impersonator. Their rekindled relationship is portrayed with depth and authenticity, exploring themes of love, redemption, and the complexities of second chances. Barber’s writing is engaging, offering a modern romantic comedy that delves into the intricacies of personal growth and the influence of past decisions on present circumstances. Both Things Are True is scheduled for release on September 1, 2025, and I highly recommend adding it to your reading list.

I extend my sincere gratitude to Kathleen Barber, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with this advance reader’s copy.
(3.5 stars) ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Both Things are True has all the makings of a good TV show, a testament to Kathleen Barber's writing. She paints a vivid picture in the reader's mind from the very beginning, creating a world so immersive you can't help but feel like you're living in the apartment next to Sam, pressing your ear to the wall to hear the dramaaaaaa. I absolutely loved every single second of reading this book. Filled with sexual tension and mutual frustration, the miscommunication in this book didn't bother me in the slightist. The pacing is perfectly timed, better then the scariest horror movie, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for this couple to get together. This book is filled with shenanigans and lovable side characters. If you're a classic rom-com fan, Both Things are True are just about as good as it gets.

Second chance romance meets modern love meets crypto, and yoga amongst fraud is certainly an interesting way to approach a book. Vanessa is looking to put her life together, but there is Sam. There’s always is Sam. Many years ago they had a hard turn in their relationship that ended in heartbreak and now Sam is successful and Vanessa is trying to be just that as well. However, she’s kind of a hot mess in the most traditional sense. The way that she wants to protect him is definitely appealing and the love story between them is filled with twists that keep the book fun and make you want to keep reading page after page. If you love any reality television romance, this is the book for you.

An enjoyable book but I can’t say I was completely captivated with it, it’s an easy read book, maybe if you just want to go into someone else’s world?
The main character is Vanessa, a yoga teacher with a rich and upcoming fiancé. She’s not convinced it’ll be happily ever after and after he makes a mistake we follow her journey picking up the pieces. She bumps into an old love Sam and their worlds are thrown back together.
Nicely written book but I can’t say it was hard to put down.

I felt the story just went in circles and I could not connect. This book for me was just there, didn't leave any impact on me and I didn't feel any emotion even after it being a second chance romance where I usually feel a lot.

This book had so much potential, but it was repetitive and too much miscommunication for my liking. I also found Vanessa to be unlikable. The ending was satisfying and it was a quick read.

Normally i'm not much into a romantic comedy, but this one was amazing.

I was a bit down and it was great to have a book put you in a good mood.

The caracters was amazing, the writing also was perfection. Good job!

3 stars - I've read & liked Kathleen Barber's "Are you Sleeping" mystery-thriller which was turned into the "Truth be Told" Apple TV series. And I also like chick-lit, rom-coms a lot, so the concept of a second-chance romance with a yoga instructor and the guy she married in Vegas & never got over, sounded good. But sadly, I did not connect with either of the MC's - and I found Vanessa the yogi very, very unlikeable & frustrating, which made it pretty hard to root for the romance to succeed. Overall, pretty "meh", though I did like that it was a fast read. I hope the author does another mystery-thriller, and I will read it if she does. My thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the advance readers copy - appreciate it being available to reviewers.

This is a beach read, not too much depth, not too much details, easy breezy.

I like the pacing of Vanessa’s current love, how it fades, how it fell. Bonus: very on-trend on the downfall. Seemingly to have everything, great looking guy, smart, cones from money, afforded her to be a wellness coach. But she knew, she knew he wasn’t The One. The One she wanted is in Chicago.

Just as she’s at her low, she ran into Sam. The guy who she had this once in a lifetime love, and also regrets for. Turns out he’s her neighbor too. What are the odds in the big big city of Chicago.

Regardless, here are some of my dislikes: enough with the knee already. I didn’t like how low self-esteem she allows herself to have. It’s to a point of unhealthy. What I liked, her sister, Faith. We should all be so lucky to have someone that supports you unconditionally. I do like the dialogue, it’s very real. And who wouldn’t like some party organizing friends? (Love Ellie).

Thank you to Netgalley & Lake Union Publishing for the ARC.

I recently finished reading this book and I must say, it was a captivating and refreshing experience. From the moment I started the book, I was hooked by its grounded and relatable portrayal of romance.
The plot is incredibly realistic, which is something I truly appreciated. The love story unfolds at a pace that feels true to life—there are no unrealistic twists or melodramatic moments that often plague romantic novels. Instead, the characters face real-life challenges, personal growth, and emotional struggles that anyone can relate to. The story touches on themes of trust, vulnerability, and the importance of self-discovery before fully opening up to someone else.
What stood out most to me was the character development. The protagonist evolve throughout the book, and their emotional growth is depicted with such care. Their flaws, strengths, and vulnerabilities are portrayed in a way that makes them feel like real people, not just characters on a page. It’s rare to find a romance where the characters' emotional journeys are as important as their romantic connection, and [Book Title] does this beautifully. Their interactions felt authentic, and the relationship built naturally over time, making it all the more rewarding by the end.
This book made me reflect on my own experiences and left me with a sense of hope that love can grow in the most unexpected ways. It's a novel about finding love not just with someone else, but also with yourself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romance that feels real, with characters that are fully realized and a plot that keeps you invested from start to finish.

The his book was okay. I felt it dealt in such extremes. I think it made it hard to see it as a realistic story cause of how extreme it was. Her ex is this evil sexist, thief, who we’re also supposed to believe she got engaged to without actually judging her for getting engaged to this person?

Both Things Are True is a witty and heartwarming second-chance romance that blends humor, heartbreak, and self-reinvention. Kathleen Barber creates a relatable and endearing protagonist in Vanessa, whose glamorous life unravels in a whirlwind of scandal and setbacks. Her journey back to Chicago, complete with sisterly bonding and awkward reunions with her first love, Sam, feels both poignant and entertaining. Vanessa and Sam’s history, from impulsive Las Vegas nuptials to their present-day encounters, brims with emotional tension and playful banter. Barber balances the laugh-out-loud humor of Vanessa’s influencer mishaps with the deeper exploration of love, trust, and starting over. The quirky setup—Dolly Parton impersonators, anyone?—adds charm to this delightful tale. This is perfect for readers who love heartfelt, slow-burn romantic comedies with characters who feel entirely real.

Both Things Are True is a sentimental romantic comedy that delves into second chances, self-discovery, and the intricacies of relationships. Vanessa, a yoga influencer, has her life turned upside down when her fiancé's financial scandal lands her back in her hometown. There, she encounters Sam, her ex-husband from her spontaneous Las Vegas wedding. As they confront their common past and unresolved emotions, the story evolves with humor, emotional richness, and an element of surprise. Kathleen Barber creates characters that are believable and multi-dimensional. Vanessa's transformation from a tanned but fragile influencer to one who recovers her roots and strength is engaging. Sam, a pragmatic and driven co-owner of a solar business, serves as a solid counterpoint to Vanessa's struggles. Their chemistry is so real, and their scenes with each other are tense and tender, which makes their relationship story compelling and plausible.

The author's style is witty and engaging, with a talent for interweaving humor and pathos. Her dialogue is cutting and real, and she nails the subtleties of contemporary relationships. The narrative voice is warm and intimate, inviting readers into the world of the characters and their issues. The book explores themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the healing power of forgiveness. Barber uses humor and irony to accentuate the absurdities in life, but also poignant moments to get to the deeper emotional truths. The contrast between Vanessa's glamorous past and down-to-earth present gives depth to the tale.

The rhythm of the story is well-paced with a combination of light-hearted episodes and reflective interludes. The alternation between Vanessa's current struggles and flashbacks with Sam creates tension and keeps the reader interested in the story. Some readers could find the changing of scenes a bit jerky, though. Both Things Are True is an engaging and clever novel that innovates in its approach to the romantic comedy theme. Barber's talent for mixing comedy with genuine sentiment makes the novel an enjoyable one to read. The narrative's search for redemption and second chances rings true and has a long-lasting impact. The novel is a must-read for those who enjoy romantic comedy novels with heart and likable characters. It is an excellent option for a novel that seeks to balance laughter and tears with a dash of contemporary style.

This book really did make me laugh, cry and cringe.
The story is the classic tale of miscommunication and assumptions, but with a twist. The situation is compounded by the perceptions the two main characters have of themselves. The self- fulfilling prophecy . Tell someone they are worthless enough times, and they truly do become worthless.
Sam and Vanessa are obviously made for each other. They connect on a physical level, but not intellectually because they fail to talk.
Everyone else can see this, and the reader knows that eventually it will all be sorted, but, like magnets that attract or repel depending on their orientation, the twists and turns and interventions by others weave a tangled web of confusion before the inevitable happens.
A love story with a bit of a difference.
Thanks to the author and publisher for a very enjoyable read.

I hate giving harsh reviews, but this book was just not it. I was super excited because the premise sounded so good and entertaining, but the fact that it took me almost a month to finish this book when usually it takes 2 days for me to read something, should say a lot. I just couldn't find myself relating or even feeling compassionate toward Vanessa; she's just not likable, like, at all. Girl, go to therapy! I don't mind if characters are irritating if it makes sense for the whole development of the story, but man, I was just rolling my eyes on every single page because of her (and also because of Sam, tbh). Also, the fact that I ended up hating the whole miscommunication thing, when it is one of my favorite tropes...nope. There's no character development, there's no character depth or growth, and the whole thing is repetitive. It was just a flat-out miserable read.

If you love a second-chance romance with humor, heart, and a little bit of chaos, Both Things Are True by Kathleen Barber is a must-read!

Vanessa had it all—until her fiancé disappeared in a crypto scandal, leaving her to pick up the pieces. Now back in Chicago and crashing with her sister, the last thing she expects is to run into Sam—her ex-husband (yes, technically) from a whirlwind Vegas wedding that ended almost as fast as it began.

Sam’s life is on the up, and Vanessa doesn’t want her past to drag him down. But old sparks have a funny way of reigniting, and maybe, just maybe, their love story isn’t over after all.

With witty banter, heartfelt moments, and a heroine determined to take control of her own narrative, this book is perfect for fans of second-chance romance and fresh starts!

Overall I enjoyed this book!

Now for what I did like- I liked the romance, the second chance, the finding oneself, the yoga business, and the sister relationship!

Now for what I didn’t love- the whole situation with the original fiancé, that just didn’t seem believable to me and I just really didn’t like that whole story line, I also didn’t love the hurt knee storyline, and how at times it read very slow.

Overall I think this book is worth a read, it’s cute and funny but it does have slow moments

Can someone please take this girl and her bum knee to a doctor? My goodness this book (and these characters) were ridiculously irritating and I felt no growth by anyone throughout the book. This novel is such a departure from Barber’s prior work, which I enjoyed. Unfortunately, nothing about this worked for me except that I got through it quickly.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.