I really enjoyed this book, the character’s chemistry and all the real life issues amongst the make believe.

I loved this book! It was fun and quick. It dealt with grief in a way that felt complete and good. I don't love spice in books, this felt like it was a good ratio of smut to plot. This book was so sweet and fun. I definitely recommend! I will be wanting the paperback asap!!

This book had some depth to it, dealing with grief and a controlling parent but it was mostly pretty fluffy. It was a cute story, though strangely the MMC was an almost the exact same as the one in my last read. Maybe if I read this one first or there was more time between the two reads I would have found this one more original? I still enjoyed it though.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Say It Out Loud is a charming rom-com brimming with vampire novels, grief, and fresh starts. Juniper, 32 and down on her luck, lands a dream gig narrating The Meadow—the vampire series that defined her teenage years. But her excitement dims when she finds out her co-narrator is none other than James, an old college acquaintance she never expected to see again. As they’re forced to work side by side, sparks fly, tensions rise, and the question becomes: will magic bring them closer, or tear them apart?

I absolutely adored following Juniper’s journey as she figured out her life—it was such a heartwarming reminder that it’s never too late to discover your passion or change careers. The romance was equally delightful; James is the perfect grumpy cinnamon roll, stepping out of his comfort zone in the sweetest ways for Juniper. My only gripe was that early on, Juniper’s animosity toward James felt a bit immature. I understood her grief and where the hurt was coming from, but it was hard to justify her holding onto something from college, especially when James didn’t really owe her anything back then.

Overall, Ashley Schumacher perfectly captures the magic of a teenage obsession and how, even in our hardest moments, the things we once loved can help us find ourselves—and connect us to others in the most unexpected ways.

Pick this book up if you like:
❤️ fake dating
❤️ actor mmc x ex-podcaster fmc
❤️ twilight 🧛🐺 (not a paranormal romance)
❤️ HEA

A huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest and independent review.

This is my very first early copy/ARC I have ever got, all thanks to NetGalley, The Publisher, and The Author for this ARC!

Disclaimer: my review is not influenced by receiving this book early.

I was having such a good time reading this book. The story between Juniper and James was very enjoyable to read. Juniper was a little bit immature and denial of her feelings but she's adorable and James clearly so down bad for her and he's charmingly lovable. They're so cute together and i loved their interactions. The writing is light, smart, makes it more engaging and will make you having a little bit hard time to put this book down if you've reached the half of the book. Their story of falling in love, their journey of finding themselves and their purposes in life after a great loss and being lost in life itself for most of their lives is beautiful and heart-warming.

My only critique is there were a few minor spelling mistakes. Not enough to be distracting, just noticeable enough to mention. Also the fact that Juniper was still thinking about James constantly for a decade though they've only met just once with a shared small moment between them is all they've had, and they've never dated and the man never actually broke her heart but she blamed him for her mid-life crisis is kinda strange.

That said, i will definitely recommend this book to anyone who love to read a well-paced of heart-warming escape rom-com sprinkled with emotional touches, filled with witty banter, and endearing mishaps here and there.

This was so fun! Especially as someone who loves twilight and had monthly “tWINE-nights” with my college roommates, I loved hearing the rebuttal of the sexist things thrown at Twilight fans. Also as someone who lost their dad, I want Juniper’s dad and I relate so hard to her pain of losing her mom.

Junie and James Freakin Neely were so cute together, and I loved their interactions. He was so clearly down bad for her with offering those days together and she was in such bad denial. Girl I get it. I devoured this in almost one sitting on the beach and I’m in love.

"There's always a choice, always a chance to make things different and hopefully better for yourself."

4 Stars!

Juniper Green is lost. Her mother passed away, the career she thought she would strive for has always seemed out of reach, and then one thing she was actually good at (her podcast) was bought right out from under her.

When she gets the call from the couch at her father's house to audition for an audiobook of her absolute favorite Vampire romance, she can't say no. But then she discovers that her college crush (now famous actor) has been cast as the male lead, and she really wants to say no but needs the money too much to help jumpstart her planned publishing career.

What begins as enemies working together shifts to a fragile friendship but then in order to save the project, they have to fake date for social media. This blurs the lines for both of them, making it confusing as to where the pretending ends and the reality begins.

This was great!!! There are so many Twilight references that this Millennial absolutely loved. I laughed out loud so many times!!! Even the title which played toward both the audiobook theme and that famous forest scene - PERFECTION.

I will admit from the description I thought there would be a stronger element of magical realism, but upon reading it was clearer that the magic was within the characters and their interactions.

So this is a perfect, fun, rom com of a read - especially if you were a TWI-hard back in the day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray Books for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this one at 32% as I couldn’t get onboard with the internal monologues from our FMC. I enjoyed the premise of this book and would give it 3 stars for what I read, but I just found myself skipping over the 3+ pages at a time of no dialogue and that wasn’t quite working for me.

Thanks for the copy!

Really interesting plot but I think there was just a lot going on. it didn’t really work for me sadly!

Second Chance romance. 2 audiobook narrators fall in love whilst narrating a book which is based on Twighlight (although called The Meadows in this book!). Sweet, fluffy Romance. No spice. Good for YA audience or those who like no spice in their books which isn't me unfortunately.

3.8 ⭐️
Thank you for this ARC - my opinions were not influenced by receiving this book early.

As a former Twiheart, this book—packed with clever and not-so-subtle nods to Twilight—was exactly what I needed! It was an absolute joy spotting both the obvious and hidden Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the story. The writing was sharp, engaging, and kept me hooked from beginning to end.

The story kicks off with a memorable meet-cute: two characters crossing paths in a university dressing room, forming an instant bond as they help each other through personal challenges. After that fleeting connection, they go their separate ways—only to be reunited years later when they're both cast as the narrators for an audiobook adaptation of The Meadow (a clear stand-in for Twilight). Their relationship unfolds at a believable, well-paced rhythm that was genuinely fun to follow.

My only small critique? The third-act breakup felt a bit unnecessary. The narrative already had rich material to work with—especially in the dynamics involving his father and their mothers. Exploring those relationships further could have added more emotional depth without relying on the classic breakup-reunion arc. There were also a few minor spelling mistakes throughout the book—not enough to be distracting and not more than in other books in this genre, but just noticeable enough to mention.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone, especially my fellow Twihearts. It’s a delightful blend of nostalgia and fresh romance, wrapped in smart writing and a whole lot of heart.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7430023921
Tiktok review will be posted in the following days on: @christianacarinaz

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds & Inklore for providing me ARC via NetGalley.💖

That was one sweet, funny, romantic ride. You could have caught me bursting out laughing so many times you can't count. This whole story was so engaging and wholesome, yet real (um, now I'm thinking, what are the chances of me narrating an AUDIOBOOK with a MOVIE STAR???), but the plot idea? Very creative 😂

Our main character Juniper doesn't have a job, a nice apartment in New York, or a boyfriend (you'll have to wait a while for that last one😏). And honestly?? that's okay. It's really realistic and I really like seeing realistic characters. Because not everything is always like in a fairy tale. Sometimes life sucks. Sometimes work sucks. Sometimes everything sucks. But it's true. I think that's enough life lessons for today. I really could relate to the clumsy and funny Juniper. Btw her dad is so sweet..

James was just grumpy-guy-big-walls-around-him type of person. I felt so sorry for James and wanted to hug him. But you know what? Those walls were slowly starting to crack. Thanks Juniper. And she hugged him for me. And I seriously can’t count how many times his henley’s shirts were brought up (by Juniper ofc🤣)

Their romance was romancing (is this word even real?😅 should be if it’s not). Their chemistry was chemistrying (not very sure about this one either). But u know what I mean. The SPARK was there.
At the same time, loss and grief gave depth to our two main characters and made them even more real.

And there’s no way I’m not talking about our amazing Serena - like hello? Such a nice and supportive person (and I must admit veeery hilarious😆). And girl, thank you so much for talking some sense into Juniper. I really appreciate that.

Fake-dating trope was just adding that swag into the plot plus I’m not a huge fan of the fake dating trope so I totally don’t mind that the "fake part" disappeared kinda fast.

This was absolutely sublime and I could not stop reading. I cannot explain how beautifully tender and realistic this book felt, nor how immersed I was! This has very quickly become a new favourite - a smart, soft, sexy delight.

Say It Out Loud is a moving and introspective read. It will appeal to fans of quiet, character-driven stories that focus on emotional growth, and it offers a beautiful reminder of the power of sharing your voice with others, even in the face of immense loss. I loved the concept of two people recording a beloved audiobook series together and reading the bits about Juniper's last podcast were interesting. The audiobook narration in the story seemed to move quickly despite Juniper flopping at it, I really thought they would fire her. Overall, I found the two main characters' "relationship" so hard and not very fun to be a part of.

Juniper Green is an incredibly relatable character—she's at that confusing crossroads in life where, not knowing what else to do, she moves back in with her dad. Nothing seems to be going right for her until she gets the unexpected chance to participate in the audio drama adaptation of her childhood favorite book.

Her co-star? James Neely—the grumpy guy who once played Romeo to her Juliet in a school play. Even back then, she felt a real spark between them, and now, years later, that connection slowly begins to reignite.

I really enjoyed the pacing and the writing style. That said, I probably didn’t love this book as much as others might, mostly because I’m not a huge Twilight fan, and the story does have some references. While Juniper is highly relatable, there were moments when her inner monologues and overthinking felt a bit excessive, slowing the story down.

Still, I found it fun, sweet, and heartwarming, with a powerful message for anyone feeling lost or unsure about their path. Despite a few slow parts, I’d definitely recommend it!

It follows the story of a girl who lost her mother, and is having a hard time balancing everything after her mother's death. But destiny made a way for her to meet someone from her past to whom is trying to help her to know what to do with life after losing her mom.

This novel is an absolute treat for fans of slow-burn romance and love at second chances. It also tackles about healing from a pain of losing someone you love or someone you hold dearly.

Honestly, no review I could write could ever give this book the justice it deserves, thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication, I will certainly be picking up a copy to read over and over again.

This was the most beautiful story of two ridiculously lovable characters falling in love. Easily the best idiots in love/fake-dating story I have ever read.

Say It Out Loud is a beautiful story of two lovable characters falling in love and is easily the strongest idiots in love/fake-dating story I have ever read. Its a tale of not only finding love later in life, but also a journey of finding yourself after a great loss and it perfectly embodies this throughout. My heart genuinely broke over and over again for both Juniper and James throughout the book to the point where I had to put the book down and stare at a wall to recover.

“When do you get to just be James?” … “Maybe never”.

I was gripped right from the prologue; Ashley has a lovely- and downright hilarious- voice, almost casual in a way that genuinely feels like your friend is telling you her story. Upon reading the prologue, I was already hooked and dying to read the story of Juniper and her reunion with James in the future.

If you want a book that will have you laughing out loud, squealing and kicking your feet with excitement and outright sobbing throughout, this will definitely be the book I recommend in the future. Perfect perfection as James would say!

i loved this!

⟢ going into this book i wasn’t sure on what to expect - but it ended up being everything i could have hoped for and more. i’m eager to explore other titles by ashley schumacher now!

“If i didn’t have to play” he says, “I would still want to play with you.” 💌

⟢ james and juniper were such a delight, i am obsessed with them and their whole dynamic. the writing felt like it was plucked straight out of my brain - so many beautiful quotes highlighted, so many giggles at their flirty little moments, and yes, even a couple of tears. it was truly so special.

books like this are why i love reading. it left me with that soft, achey feeling - like i’d just fallen in love a little. my new comfort read!!

would 100% recommend, this is exactly what i needed to read right now. 𝜗𝜚
rated 4.5 stars!

book edits: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIGafkNKw2O/?igsh=MXZkdGM4aWZtaHNiMQ==

🇬🇧 english review
I will never stop thanking Ashley Schumacher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Say It Out Loud in advance. It was a story that deals with touching themes, such as the death of a parent and the feeling of being lost when faced with a life you had planned out but that didn’t go as expected.

But let’s start with the tropes:
• second chance
• slow burn
• forced proximity
• fake dating

Juniper Green’s life is adrift. After being scammed and handing over her famous podcast to someone who immediately cut her out of the program, she’s forced to move back in with her father. At the same time, she can’t seem to break into the publishing world, where she’s dreamed of working ever since she was a child living with her mother. On top of that, after her mother’s death, the magic that surrounded her, and in some way enveloped Juniper too, seems to have disappeared, and nothing is going right anymore.

When she gets a call for an audition to play the lead role in the audiobook of the Meadow series, a series she and her mother both loved, Juniper is hesitant to believe it, afraid it’s just another scam. But she soon finds out that the real surprise isn’t being considered for the role; it’s discovering that the male lead is played by James Neely, the guy she once acted alongside in a one-time performance of Romeo and Juliet during college. Since then, Juniper has found herself thinking about him several times, with the feeling that if they’d had the chance to really get to know each other, something deep could’ve grown between them. But even now, years later, their lives are so different that they seem destined never to cross paths again.
Between the lines they act out in the recording booth, the live streams promoting the audiobook, and the fake relationship they’re forced to put on, it becomes harder and harder to hold back the attraction they feel for each other.

If you’re a Twilight fan, you absolutely need to read this book for the references to the series, but you should read it even if, like me, you never have.

I had never read a book by Ashley Schumacher before, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The book is engaging, with tender moments and steamier ones, but most of all with a tension that’s real and steadily growing. It was emotional to read about the pain they both carry and Juniper’s uncertainty about the future. But this book isn’t just drama, there were plenty of times I burst out laughing thanks to Juniper’s humour.

So would I recommend it? YES, YES, AND A THOUSAND TIMES YES. There’s still a little time before the official release, but mark it down because you really won’t want to miss it.


🇮🇹 recensione italiana
Non smetterò mai di ringraziare Ashley Schumacher e Netgalley per la possibilità di leggere "Say it Out Loud" in anteprima. È stata una lettura che tratta temi toccanti, come la morte di un genitore e il sentirsi spaesati di fronte ad una vita che si era programmata e che poi non è andata come ci si aspettava.
Ma partiamo dai tropes:
- second chance
- slow burn
- forced proximity
- fake dating

La vita di Juniper Green è alla deriva. Dopo essere stata truffata e aver ceduto il suo famoso podcast a qualcuno che l'ha subito esclusa dal programma, è costretta a tornare a vivere a casa di suo padre. Allo stesso tempo, non riesce a farsi spazio nel mondo dell'editoria, dove sogna di lavorare fin da quando era piccola e viveva con la madre. Per di più, dopo la morte della madre, quella magia che tanto la circondava e che in qualche modo avvolgeva anche Juniper sembra essersi persa, e niente le va più per il verso giusto.
Quando la chiamano per un casting come protagonista dell'audiolibro della serie Meadow, che lei e sua madre tanto amavano, Juniper è restia a crederci, timorosa di subire un'ulteriore truffa. Ma scopre presto che la vera sorpresa non è essere stata considerata per questo ruolo, ma quella di trovarsi come interprete del protagonista maschile James Neely, il ragazzo con cui per fortuite circostanze si ritrovò a recitare Romeo e Giulietta in un'unica serata ai tempi dell'università. Da allora Juniper si è ritrovata a pensare diverse volte a lui, con la sensazione che, se avessero avuto la possibilità di conoscersi meglio, tra loro avrebbe potuto svilupparsi un rapporto profondo. Ma anche ora, a distanza di anni, le loro strade sono così diverse che sembrano destinate a non incrociarsi mai. Tra le parole recitate nella sala di registrazione, le dirette social per pubblicizzare l'audiolibro e la finta relazione che sono costretti a inscenare, diventa sempre più difficile reprimere l'attrazione che provano l'uno per l'altra.

Se siete amanti di Twilight dovete assolutamente leggere questo libro per i riferimenti alla serie, ma dovete farlo anche se, come me, non l'avete mai fatto.
Non avevo mai letto un libro di Ashley Schumacher e vi devo dire ne sono rimasta piacevolmente sorpresa. Il libro è coinvolgente, con momenti teneri e altri bollenti, ma soprattutto con una tensione palpabile e crescente. È stato emozionante leggere della loro sofferenza che li accomuna e dell'insicurezza sul futuro di Juniper. Ma questo libro non è solo drama, infatti sono più volte scoppiata a ridere per l'umorismo di Juniper.
Quindi lo consiglio? SÌ, SÌ E MILLE VOLTE SÌ. Ci vuole ancora un po' per l'uscita ufficiale, ma segnatevelo perché davvero non vorrete perdervelo.

This was such a cute story. So many different booky things going on but not too overdone. Love the growth between the two main characters.