Say it Out Loud by Ashley Schumacher

4 stars!

This book held a special place in my heart since it was inspired by twilight and that series defined my teenage years like the meadow did for Juniper Green. Juniper Green is a bit lost after she loses her job, her podcast gets snatched away from under her and she has to move back into her dad’s spare room. Not all is lost however when she gets invited to audition for the lead role in the audio drama adaptation of The Meadow.

This book will make you feel all kinds of things such as happiness, sadness and most importantly understand how having goals in life can change in a split second and know that everything turns out for the best.

This is also a quick and easy read which is a perc!

Tropes:
Slow Burn
Fake dating
Second chance
Self discovery
Twilight influences

Make sure you pick this one up on 30th September later this year!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Del Ray for giving me a chance to review this arc. As always, it is super appreciated.

Say It Out Loud sounded like it would be cutesy and something I would enjoy, but ultimately this was not for me.

I couldn’t fully immerse myself in the story and found myself taking breaks between chapters. Some of the internal dialogue felt a bit too long, and I struggled with how the love story developed. It was hard for me to connect with or believe in the romance.

If you’re a fan of Twilight, you might enjoy this more than I did. There are some truly beautiful lines throughout the book. The description and Ashley Poston’s blurb had me really excited. I was genuinely hoping to love it.

While it didn’t quite work for me, I can see how it might resonate with other readers.

Big thanks to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore and NetGalley for the eARC!

As a massive Twi-hard I was super excited about this book!

Unfortunately, though, it was a DNF for me.

I got to about 50% in and found myself with no real interest in continuing on.

The FMC had some trauma from childhood which seemed to have become her entire personality which I just found kind of tiring. She was in tears most of the time and I struggled to connect with and root for her. I kind of just wanted her to go to therapy or take some kind of control of her life. Even just a little bit.

The idea of this book is that was kind of "inspired by Twilight", but the audio book they were recording was just 100% Twilight with different names for the characters and places, otherwise everything was the same, which just made this feel not very original.

Others may enjoy this, but sadly it wasn't for me.

WOW, where do I even begin. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time and I’m not sure if it’s because of how much I relate to Juniper or because of the “Twilight-esque” components of the book. Overall this grumpy / sunshine book with a bit of fake dating is an absolute must read. Thank you so much Netgalley and Random House Publishing- Delray for the ARC!

Enjoyable romance read. I enjoyed the character development. I enjoyed the conversational element of the story.

Cute and cozy, but not super memorable.

This was a sweet read with a fun premise, a down-on-her-luck podcaster getting cast in the audio adaptation of her favorite vampire romance series and being reunited with the guy who broke her heart years ago? Yes, please. I really enjoyed the magical, nostalgic vibes and the second-chance romance setup. It had some great moments and a comforting tone that made it easy to get through.

That said, while I liked it, it didn’t stand out for me. I didn’t feel super connected to the characters the way I hoped. The emotions were there, but they didn’t hit as hard as they could have. It felt like it was missing that spark that turns a good romcom into a favorite.

Still, I think if you're looking for something light with a creative twist (especially if you’re a fan of audio dramas or grew up loving paranormal romances), this could be a nice weekend read.

I liked this a lot. The twilight references get a bit heavy but im happy to overlook it because i like the characters and their development so much. The writing reminded me of Mhairi Mcfarlane which is a compliment in the highest regard. The metaphors were brilliant, they had me convinced the author has seen inside my brain and knows exactly how to explain thoughts and feelings so I can understand. I feel like theyve seen the inside of my brain and have heard my inner monologue in a way thats comforting and makes me feel seen.

Firstly, thank you so much Netgalley and Random House Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3 Stars!

I thought this book was a really charming, second-chance romance with a magical twist that blended nostalgia, heartbreak, and humour into a satisfying story about finding your voice and rewriting your story (literally and figuratively).

Juniper Green is a relatable and refreshingly flawed protagonist, struggling with grief, dashed dreams, and a stalled career. When she lands a role in the audio adaptation of her favourite teenage vampire romance series, it felt kind of life full-circle moment that every millennial weeb dreams of—until she finds out her co-star is James Neely, the college boy that once broke her heart.

The enemies-to-fake-dating-to-lovers arc is well known and loved, but I think Ashley Schumacher injects it with new energy through clever dialogue, podcast industry insights, and a deep emotional core. The chemistry between Juniper and James simmers, though at times their emotional push-pull slows the momentum. Still, the book shines when it leans into its love for stories and storytelling, with a nostalgic reverence for the YA vampire era.

At times I did feel like the connection between the two lead characters was fake and the romance almost felt a little bit rushed?

Though not groundbreaking, Say It Out Loud is a warm, witty escape with just enough depth to make it memorable. It’s a perfect pick for readers whom enjoy second chances romance tropes, audio drama settings, and love that lingers long after the final curtain call.

I loved this book! It was a super quick read, and was very easy to get into. I loved the podcast/audio narrator aspect of it, and I also loved the fandom aspect of the book! I thought that James and Juniper were really great together, and I loved watching their relationship develop throughout the book. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book, and I'm excited for whatever Ashley Schumacher writes next! :)

This one is for all the girls who spent their youth getting lost in good books only for it to be dismissed as "just a phase." Especially if you grew up a "Twi-hard." If you're still a chronic reader, who loves reading in all forms and is now a connoisseur of audiobooks, you'll enjoy a look behind the curtain as you meet Juniper and James who are recording an adaptation of a beloved paranormal romance series.

The premise:
Juniper met James in college when she unexpectedly stepped in to be his leading lady in a production of "Romeo and Juliet." Years later, James is a burgeoning movie star and Juniper has been pushed out of her successful podcast. They are both cast to narrate an anticipated adaptation of "The Meadow", a wildly popular paranormal romance from their youth. Will they find that the magic is still there?

My thoughts:
There were so many times where I felt close to Juniper as a character. For those of us who spent their formative years engrossed in books only to come out the other side of adulthood getting a little lost, I'm sure you'll feel as I did in getting inside her headspace. I loved seeing the relationship between Juniper and James grow. The pay off at the end was so satisfying.

One small word on the concept of "magic" in this book. Don't expect magical realism, least you be set up with certain expectations. Magic is there, just not in that sense.

🧛🏼‍♂️✨ For the Twilight fans
🎙️ She's a former podcaster
🎬 He's an actor
❤️ Reunited after many years
🌶️🔥 Slow burn

First of all, thank you so much to Ashley and her team for letting me read an advanced copy of her book. Let me preface this review by saying that I was a huge Twilight fan when I was a teenager, so of course I jumped at the opportunity to read this book because I loved the premise. And it really delivered! This is a very fun and cute read, although don't let that fool you as the topics this book touches are deep and heartwrenching at times. Ashley does a marvelous job at capturing the essence and growing pains of the typical book lover milennial and the society we are currently living in.

James (MMC) and Juniper (FMC) are such a beautiful couple and I loved them from the very beginning of the book.They have incredible chemistry and the will they, won't they kept me glued to each page. The writing for this book was phenomenal, it made me believe that both Juniper and James were real people and Juniper struggles felt very similar to mine. The dialogue felt organic and the magic component was very well used in a way that everything felt serendipituous but not tiring. Juniper was a breath of fresh air and I really enjoyed being inside her mind.

Last, but not least, I love not only our main character but the rest of the characters as well. Juniper's dad and Serena, her friend, have very a sweet dynamic with Juniper that I think helped support grow in a great way. And James is a very intriguing character! I have to say, my only comment is that I would have liked for James' family to have a little bit more "screen time". Even though what we are told by James paints an accurate picture of his cousin and his dad, I would have liked to see their relationship come to life in a chapter or two.

I will be definitely reading anything that Ashley writes in the future, as I had an amazing time reading Say It Out Loud! I will for sure be telling everyone I know to go read her book once it's out in September!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The fake dating trope is always an exciting concept, and I liked how the story also explored the emotional weight of navigating grief, this added depth to the lighthearted moments.

That said, the romance didn’t quite land for me. I wanted to feel more connected to the couple, and their eventual relationship lacked that rewarding payoff. The pacing was slow, and while some may enjoy the quiet build, I found myself wishing for a bit more spark to keep me fully engaged.

This book was brilliant. I loved the idea behind it as well as how Schumacher carried it out. Its a cozy story that leaves you feeling like you've just spent time with an old friend who had new stories to tell.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this arc in exchange for my honest review!
I’ll be honest, this book was just ok to me. I wanted to love it, but I felt like I was forcing myself to read it and didn’t find myself excited to pick it back up.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me a free eARC of this book!

⭐️ grumpy x sunshine
⭐️ actor x podcaster (love this pairing)

This was my first read by this author and I liked the premise of the podcaster and actor mains. It was dragging at first, but started to pickup in the middle. The problems of the main characters are very realistic, choosing dreams or what makes money. Most of us know this struggle. I liked how they communicated with each other, being each other's strength, and how there's magic when you believe in it. By the end, it made me feel like a giddy teenager! That pretty sums up the rollercoaster this book is (in a good way). If you love Twilight, you'd also love the references here and there!

I've been a fan of Ashley Schumacher ever since Amelia Unabridged (my favorite book the year it was released!) and I've read all her books since. This is a homage to Twilight and kept me smiling at all the allusions. You don't necessarily need to have read the books or watched the movies to enjoy this, as it does stand on its own, but it does add definite layers to the enjoyment and aha! moments if you do. The romance was heartwarming. Perfect for YA readers.

This story is a quiet, nostalgic love letter to the magic we lose—and the rare chances we get to find it again.

Juniper Green thought she left fantasy behind with her teenage vampire obsession, but life hasn’t turned out quite the way she hoped. When an unexpected audition pulls her back into the world of the books that once lit her up, she’s forced to confront not just her dreams, but the man who disappeared..

There’s something tender and real about the way this book handles second chances—not just in love, but in life, ambition, and believing in magic again. This book is for anyone who ever crushed hard on a brooding vampire—or wished they could rewrite their past with a better ending.

This is a slow burn for sure with great characters and character development!

I thought the premise of this book was promising, but for me, a lot of the story fell flat.

I felt like this book was a big rip off of the twilight saga. The characters, Juniper and James, were sort of one dimensional. They both started as the klutz (Juniper) and crabby and aloof (James). Of course, both of those traits can also be used to describe Arabella and William, the two main characters of The Meadows, a book within this book. AND, they can also be used to describe Bella and Edward from Twilight.

The two characters from the Meadows are from a mountain town in Colorado. The town, much likes fictional forks, is called Tatum, which is the name of the Colorado town that Juniper and James are in. Tatum is surrounded by trees, and in one area of the woods, there is (are you ready for this) A MEADOW. Where have we seen this? Also, in this meadow, there features a scene in which Arabella and William lay in this meadow and look at each other. Which leads to a scene in Say It Out Loud in which James and Juniper lay in the same meadow and stare at each other.

The first time that Juniper and James met, they were seniors in college, and they were in Romeo and Juliet together. After the show, Juniper got the impression James was into her, but there were some mixed signals. ALSO, James told an agent he didn't know anything about Juniper when the agent said she was a natural. So Juniper held a grudge against, as she calls him, James Freaking McNeally. When the meet again 12 years later or so to narrate The Meadows audiobook, she can't believe it's James Freaking McNeally and she's still weird around him.

These two characters spend a lot of time together over 2 months recording The Meadows series. They also spend time.dping live streams about the books, and video shoots around Tatum to build up hype online. That was actually a cute aspect. But it took SO MUCH work to get James to make any difference to his attitude that I wonder if it was worth it.

Overall, I personally didn't find much contentment in the book.

I liked the MMC and the plot of this romance, but I can’t say I was the biggest fan of the FMC. In the prologue, she talks about how the latest Hunger Games or John Green or Rick Riordan should be taught in schools, and how confusing Heart of Darkness is and about the language… and it gave me the ick. Classic literature girlies also like reading rom-coms from time to time, ya know? It just took me out of things and then I wasn’t a fan of Juniper; despite that, it was a solid contemporary romance.