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.

The introduction of the story begins 10 years earlier, while the main character Juniper is still in college, where she works as part of the crew to help put on plays. At one of the performances, she meets James, and that's where their story begins.

In the present, Juniper is 32 years old and has returned to live with her father because she lost her job. However, she soon receives an offer to record an audio book of her favorite series, but the only downside is that she has to work with James.

I love that Juniper never loses hope and always keeps going. The chemistry between the main characters is good.

I don't like that the whole book has Twilight puns, and too many of them. I was even bored in some parts.

The writing is good, the slowburn is good, but there are a few places where the plot seems to get stuck.

I give this book 4 stars and I have no content warnings.

3.5 rounded up! Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the advanced copy, Say it Out Loud is out September 23!

We follow Juniper, a millennial in between jobs after selling her podcast for a less than stellar deal, as she takes an audiobook narrating job for the popular vampire romance series, The Meadow (re: Twilight). Except her co-narrator is James Neely, the man who 10 years ago played Romeo alongside her in their college production of Romeo and Juliet. The man with who she had a moment with and then he disappeared. The man who is now a famous actor and who has also agreed to narrate the love interest in this audiobook.

This story is first POV but I wished it was dual! The writing was really funny at times and Juniper is a hot mess. I enjoyed James’s character more though and I found Juniper’s character immature at times. There’s even a line where she says that she doesn’t feel like an adult. I also found James and Juniper’s connection a bit weak at first. Would you really still be feral for a man you had a moment with 10 years ago? I would understand if they had dated and this man broke her heart but their first encounter seemed a bit inconsequential considering. 10 years is a long time! At any rate, I enjoyed their relationship towards the end of the book and I loved how they ended up figuring out life together.

I feel like many will relate to Juniper and this story was ultimately really sweet. He bakes her cinnamon rolls like ok perfect man! And as an absolute Twihard back in the day (Team Edward forever), it was fun reading about The Meadow/Twilight!

🧛‍♀️ Forced proximity
🏔️ Fake dating
🧛‍♀️ Book within a book
🏔️ Colorado setting
🧛‍♀️ Second chance
🏔️ Invisible string
🌶️.5 (Chapter 15)

NetGalley truly served me well with this ARC 🫡 I was sold from the get go with this book - I mean two people recording an audiobook that is essentially Twilight, be still my beating heart. But this is so beautiful, tender and makes you love so good it hurts. It deals with grief in such a careful way, knowing that no matter how long it’s been there’s some wounds that just need patching every once in a while, and the beauty that is found in the magic. And James! What a man, he grew on me so much throughout the book and truly went from James Freakin’ Neely to /James/. Made me want to curl up and reread all of Twilight just to feel that spark you feel when you’re 13 and so in love with a series that it carries with you all throughout your adulthood. Spark(l)y, fun and delicate all in one package.

‘Words like mine and Juniper, god, Juniper, and perfect perfection.
I laugh at the last one. “Perfect perfection?” I tease
“You are,” James says, no laughter in his voice. “You really are.”’ 🫶🏻

3.5 stars! First of all, I love the name Juniper so I was sold off of that!
I really like her writing style and I loved the tropes used in this.
Winning me over with involving twilight too!
I thought overall it was very cute, I would read this author again!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you for allowing me to read this in advance! It is a sweet story about new beginnings, the importance of literature, and what it means to follow your heart. I loved the way that the protagonists were finding themselves reflected in the characters whose story they were narrating, something similar to readers relating to their favourite characters.

4.5/5 - I knew the second I saw this book it would speak to me and it definitely delivered. Twilight, Shakespeare, and audiobook narrators? Yeah sounds amazing.

Juniper Green and James Neely meet in a one night only stage production of Romeo and Juliet in college, then don't speak for 10 years. Then they meet again when they're both cast to narrate a dramatized audiobook of The Meadow (* cough* Twilight). James is now a successful actor about to make it to famous, and Juniper has been trying to get into book publishing for years with no success and loses the one thing she really loved, her podcast, to a bad contract. They're both at a crossroads in their lives and find themselves relating to each other and finding comfort in each other.

I loved James as the mmc because he's not perfect. He says the wrong thing sometimes and doesn't always make the right decisions but it makes him feel more real. Juniper is a great perspective to hear from because the things she's going through - feeling lost, imposter syndrome, grief - are all things that make her very relatable, although she's kind of oblivious and melodramatic at times. Juniper and James's dynamic is adorable.The relationship between them felt like it developed naturally with lots of chemistry, banter, and tension but it's also clear that he's obsessed with her the whole time too which I love.

The Twilight references were very obvious and honestly so much fun. They called this book The Meadow, but we all know it's Twilight. They didn't even try to change anything but the name. And as a Twilight fan I appreciated the more subtle Twilight references outside of the fake audiobook (the deer scene). It had so much nostalgia and also showed how a book from your childhood can hold hold a special place in your heart as an adult.

(Its not stated but I feel like Juniper is kinda demi sexual, she's had very minimal dating experience and hasn't enjoyed any of it at 32 years old.)

- second chance romance (specifically where they only met one night a long time ago then they reconnect - is there a name for that trope?)
- grumpy x sunshine
- forced proximity
- snuck in a little fake dating too

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Del Rey) for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Juniper is one of the most realistic characters I've ever read. From her clumsiness to not knowing what she wants from life. She makes me feel seen for being a 30+ female who is winging her life on a daily basis.
Both main characters felt "normal", even if James is a reluctant movie star.
One of my favourite reads of the year.
It was cute, funny and well written. Exactly what I want from a romance.

I really, really enjoyed this book. The first chapter drew me in with how the MCs met - during a one night only college stage production of Romeo and Juliet that left an impact on both of them. 10 years later James is a famous actor and Juniper is the former owner of a popular podcast. They have both been cast as the stars in a dramatized audio adaptation of their favourite YA vampire romance series.

The tension between the two MCs when they meet again is incredible. It's palpable through Ashley's writing - you can just feel how much the stage play impacted both of them and how they work so well together. James freaking Neely. What an MMC. He was so kind, thoughtful and emotional. You could tell how in awe of Juniper he was and their relationship was so banter filled and swoon worthy.

The ending was beautiful, incredibly satisfying and I'm so grateful to have been given an advanced copy to read.

Thank you Random House/Del Rey for the ARC.

Juniper Green, like many of us, is just trying to it figure out. Attempting to navigate the grief of losing her mother while in college, Juniper meets the brooding James Neely. She thought all the magic in her life died with her mother, until she somehow ends up standing in for the role of Juliet, with James as her Romeo, for one night only. The pair, not on the best terms, part ways after the play. But by some twist of fate, James and Juniper find themselves entangled in one another’s lives many years later.

This book on the whole, is very sweet. The plot, the relationship of the characters and the history they share all kept me reading and wanting more. I truly fell in love with charming, contemplative James from the moment we are introduced to him, and I found my heart aching for Juniper and the way she was trying to sort out her life and chase her dreams while juggling her grief and the all consuming ache of not knowing where you are headed - a feeling I am certain most can relate to! I was hooked on the premise of this book from the start and thoroughly enjoyed how the story was set up - I was intrigued, wanting to know how things would play out for the characters.

The book in all is a short one, there was no incessant waffling or needless detail making me want to skip ahead just to get to the point, and that made it all the more enjoyable.

Despite loving the storyline, the characters and the deeper plot points that tie it all together beautifully, I did feel that this book read like a YA novel. The “clumsy-socially-awkward-I-don’t-know-how-to-adult-millennial” trope is one that is overdone. Juniper did not read like a woman in her thirties and that made her quite difficult to relate to at times.

Most importantly, I had fun reading this book, it gave me toothache.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read an advance copy of Say It Out Loud.

I have really enjoyed reading Say it out loud by Ashley Schumacher, I highly recommend reading this book when released. Say it out loud is gripping from the beginning and the character detail is excellent, I fell in love with juniper and James. I can’t wait to see what else Ashley Schumacher produces.

Love Ashley's prose and I really loved how this book interacted with fandom. It's an emotionally charged story, as Ashley's books usually are, and really investigates the mental health of each love interest, which deepens their impact as memorable characters.

Would recommend for fans of fandom books, or those who are late bloomers.