Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sybil has been trying to find herself after her breakup at her wedding the previous summer. She’s always been a free-spirit, but she’s trying to reign it in. She has a new job she loves, and of course, a great group of girlfriends. She also has vouchers from her honeymoon expiring soon, so she decides to take a trip to Hawaii. What she wasn’t expecting was to run into TWO of her ex-fiances on the trip.

Just as she’s starting to feel good in her skin, she is thrown into the insecurities that plagued her during these relationships. This is a great time for Sybil to reflect on these relationships and whether or not one of these guys might be right for her future too.

After unexpectedly loving the first book in this series, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this one. I didn’t love Sybil in the first one, and she bothered me a lot here. I found her incredibly self-centered and completely unwilling to take responsibility for how her actions could be perceived. About 70% through the book, I finaaaaally felt like we were getting a breakthrough, but then she just backslid.

Honestly it was fine, but I just didn’t love it.

Wow! I absolutely loved this book!

Plot: A year after calling off her third engagement, Sybil Rain finds herself on her what would be honeymoon in Hawaii. But as luck would have it she runs into some unexpected company. This is a Runaway Bride meets ghosts of girlfriends past in real life!

My Thoughts: Sybil was probably the most relatable FMC I’ve read all year! She was so open and real and I felt for her during every page turn. I wanted to laugh, cry and wrap her up in a big hug at times. Reading her journey of engagements (backwards from 3 to 1), at first I thought was a little odd when I was looking over the chapters. It came together and was the best outline for the story.

Thank you Read Forever Pub and Netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes
-Second Chance Romance
-Destination
-Fake Dating
-Single POV/First Person
-Closed Door

Trigger Warning
-Brief Description of PCOS, Loss of Pregnancy, and possible infertility

I loved this book, I related so much to the struggle that the FMC had relating to the health issues she was experiencing. It was really cathartic to watch her move past and accept those flaws and accept love in return for who she is and was.

This book really hit the correct beats to make me give it a 5 star review, and I love that we got to see some of what Sybil was going through in the first book. it made reading her arc so much more satisfying in the end.

I feel like when I started this book I was full steam ahead and then the last 25% just felt a little redundant. I also did not completely love all of the engagement side stories. I felt like it was a little forced overall it was a very cute romance, and I did like the relationship between Sybil and Jamie. at one point I was a little unsure if they were gonna put civil with Jamie. or with Sebastian, but in the end, I do like how it ends up.

From the Bachelorette queen herself, I found myself super excited to read this novel! Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever and NetGalley for sending me an ARC! What a great way to start my summer! This book was adorable, and I see everyone enjoying this summer read! =]

A delightful read!

I really enjoyed this summer romance book.
It was easy, breezy and I had a great time.

It was great fun to get to know Sybil and see her grow during the story. It was almost a romance where she falls in love with herself.
Thankfully ;) there is also some attention from others and both Jamie and Seb had me grinning.
The various layers to Sybil’s history were a great touch and I felt the various background characters where nicely fleshed out.

The beginning of the book did not flow as well as the rest and I really had some trouble staying engaged to continue with the book, but I am very glad I did.

Quote that made me snort and shows me there is hope for me yet, ha: “Jamie and I were like oil and water. (Me: glitter-infused, strawberry-scented body oil, him: distilled, ethically sourced alkaline water.)”

Thank you to Dana at Forever for inviting me to read this book!

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.

As a quick disclaimer, I had to look up a summary of the first novel, Mistakes We Never Made, to remember exactly who Sybil was (despite having receiving an ARC of the novel on NetGalley). Once I did though, I immediately devoured the entirety of The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain.

Just like its predecessor, Brown beautifully captured the novel’s setting, sucking me in within a few sentences (and that’s coming from a beach-adverse person). It was incredibly effortless to read too; so much so that I didn’t even realize how quickly I progressed through the novel.

Sybil’s story definitely was trope-adjacent (after Sebastian made his appearance, I was sure Liam would too), but I honestly assumed that a new love interest would be introduced— one whom would allow her to move on from her previous relationships. Obviously, for those who read the novel, I was wrong. That trope made for a slightly refreshing read, for it didn’t involve two lovers who had parted years ago, but rather people who had to (briefly) split in order to find themselves again. That said, the premise of said reconnection is semi-adjacent to the relationship between Emma and Finn in the first novel. As such, perhaps Brown should have avoided repeating herself in this sequel.

While Sybil was a complicated and rich character, her propensity to not trust her instincts was incredibly frustrating at times. So too was the idea that she paled in comparison to Genevieve, when Sybil too was probably considered by other women to be beautiful, etc. However, I honestly was more frustrated by Sebastian’s presence, as I don’t think his involvement in the plot was necessary.

That said, The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain is an enjoyable read and definitely one would reach for on vacation or at the beach.

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was an adventure and such a perfect follow up from the first book, Mistakes We Never Made. You can read this one as a standalone. The first book was about two other characters, but dealt with the runaway bride Sybil Rain and the adventure the bridesmaid and best man went on to find her. This book picks up after that timeframe and fills in the storyline to what happened that wedding day to cause her to run and her past loves. It was a fun, cute, adventure rom-com and perfect summer beach read.

Wow wow wow! How absolutely adorable with so much depth! This book is just so enjoyable - also, Im in need of a beach vacay ASAP!

While I really don't necessarily relate to Sybil, I feel for her and I loved her character and chaotic energy. Jamie was the one I related to more and really rooted for him from the beginning. I also loved Sybil's journey through her past and how unique they each feel and really intentionally thought out they were. We really got closure where we needed it and grew to really understand who we needed to.

As usual with me a good 4 star or higher book has solid side characters and this stays true! I loved all the resort workers and Sybil's friend group is just perfect! I have Mistakes We Never Made on my TBR and since they are interconnected stand alone books, I will 100% be going back to read it soon!

This was such a perfect beginning of summer read. The perfect amount of romance, girl empowerment, and some serious topics. Goodreads says it gives "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Anyone But You" vibes and I could not agree more! Absolutely go check it out!

Thanks so much NetGalley, Hannah Brown and Forever Publishing for the eARC!

Shout out to this book for being the first one in a while that I could not put down! This was a great read, perfect for the summer, and one I will probably come back to read again in the future.

I love the unique way it created a dual timeline where instead of each chapter being either in the past or present, it felt like Sybil was just reminiscing when it came up naturally in the story. It made it easier to read as we weren’t jumping back and forth between “then” and “now” like most dual timeline books. I also liked that the past stories weren’t necessarily in chronological order. It kept some mystery throughout the book about each of her relationships, what went wrong, and why she ended up alone. The writing is sharp, witty, and fresh, and it included all the classic elements of a rom com while also feeling new and different. This could definitely be a movie that I would love to see.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Four stars for an engaging story. Characters had real problems; neither were perfect by any means.

Five stars for having characters who FINALLY talk through their issues. No heroic over the top stuff, just finally communicating!

Five stars for a health problem that women may have and trying to make it relatable.

One star for the health problem being portrayed realistically. An endocrinologist diagnoses this, not an ER doctor. There is medication to take because of one of the identified conditions.

My calculator says this is 3.75, so I will round to a 4.

I was gifted an early eARC of this book by the publisher. I went into this book completely blind, only skimming and plot and unaware of the author. I was pleasantly surprised by how well-written and fun this book was to read! I read it in a single sitting!
I really enjoyed the structure, sprinkling Sybil’s relationship history throughout the book at key points, like unraveling a mystery. I did feel a bit of deja vu while reading and realized the plot reminded me of the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall at times (e.g. going on a solo vacation to a Hawaiian resort to heal post-breakup, running into said ex, befriending the resort staff).
I think most people, if not a Sybil themselves in their 20s, had a Sybil in their lives. Charismatic, hard not to love, hasn’t quite found her place, kind of a train wreck. I found her to be relatable and was rooting for her as she grew throughout the book. Jaime was likewise extremely likable, so much so that it’s almost hard to see how he and Sybil didn’t work out in the first place- until you learn more about the fractures in their communication. I would have enjoyed seeing a bit more of their time together in flashbacks before their breakup to better understand why they were still so hung up on each other. I feel like we only got a few small snippets of their good times vs the bad.
As someone with a history of being in a controlling, emotionally abusive relationship, I thought the language used and emotions conveyed regarding her relationship with Liam was thoughtfully written while not being personally triggering. I would recommend a trigger warning for pregnancy loss though.
Overall, I think this book was quite enjoyable and will make an excellent beach read for the summer! I rate it a 3.75 but rounding up.

This is another fun read by Hannah Brown. I always look forward to reading her books as I know that they will be filled with romance. Another win for her!

The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain is a warm, funny, and heart-centred romp through one woman’s search for clarity, closure, and maybe a little bit of fun under the Hawaiian sun. With its vibrant setting, classic rom-com tropes, and thoughtful emotional beats, this book offers both escapist charm and surprising introspection as I often found myself relating to Sybil.

From the opening pages, Hannah Brown pulls readers into Sybil’s whirlwind story with quick pacing and witty dialogue that immediately sets the tone likely due to this being a second book which I didn't know going in haha. We meet Sybil one year after her almost-wedding, as she decides to redeem her nonrefundable honeymoon voucher and head to Hawaii on a solo trip. What starts as a getaway for healing soon turns into something far more complicated when she unexpectedly reunites with several of her exes on the island. Cue the flashbacks, the awkward run-ins, and, of course, the fake dating.

This book excels in its use of familiar tropes like second-chance romance, forced proximity, fake dating and makes them feel fresh by centreing them around Sybil’s personal growth which I thought was great and a unique spin on rom-com. While the romance doesn’t take full shape until later in the story, it works because this is a story about Sybil first and foremost. Her emotional arc and her grappling with her failed engagements, her insecurities, and her fear of being truly known is developed with care. You know that saying "how can you love someone else if you can't love yourself?" Well, Brown delivers it with sincerity and humour, never tipping into preachiness.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is Sybil herself. She’s relatable, messy, well-meaning, and full of heart. Her voice is vibrant and consistent throughout, and her inner monologue is often hilarious. Even when the plot slows a bit in the middle, a stretch that felt like it could’ve been tighter, the strength of the character development and voice carried me through. The setting is another major plus. Brown makes full use of the Hawaiian backdrop, painting a vivid picture of sandy beaches, resort bars, and moonlit swims. The atmosphere gives the story a breezy, vacation-read feel that balances the heavier moments of reflection. I found the only problem is that she spends time discussing and wanting to heal from her three past engagements, just to start anew with a fourth one, but maybe things actually are better left in the past.

Overall, this was such a delightful, sun-soaked story about self-discovery, second chances, and embracing the chaos of your own life. Hannah Brown proves she has more than reality TV star, she’s a writer with a clear voice and a promising future in fiction. I’ll definitely be checking out Mistakes We Never Made.

*Many thanks to Forever Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you don’t like the miscommunication trope, this book might not be for you. But if you're into a well done second chance romance, this one delivers. It really reminded me of The Ex Vows.

Sybil and Jamie are just so soft and tender together. I loved them as a couple, and I was so happy they got their HEA. The story felt raw and real, and I appreciated that their time apart wasn’t dragged out too long, it hurt just enough without making me spiral.

I especially loved Sybil’s support system, her girlfriend group was everything. Sybil’s arc was angsty, honest, and full of growth, which made it even more satisfying to read.

Big thanks to Forever and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain

Thank you Forever and Hachette Audio for the advance ebook and advance audiobook.

Once again, I feel so seen by a main character in a contemporary romance book. The story of Sybil Rain and her four engagements is one that I flew through because I felt such connection with the main character, Sybil (even though I’ve only been engaged once).

Although this book can be a cute, summer read (especially with the setting in Hawaii), it felt like so much more than that to me. I very much just wanted to give Sybil a big hug and let her know that she is valued and loved just as she is. And oh man did I feel that. As someone who always struggled to show up authentically imperfect in relationships, and never had the confidence to be fully me, I felt where Sybil was coming from. Hannah Brown perfectly captured Sybil’s struggle and working through her past to find her footing in the present. I very much appreciated the PCOS representation. As always, check your trigger warnings as this book does touch on infertility, miscarriage, toxic relationships and mental health.

🌺 Second Chance Romance
🌺 Fake Dating
🌺 Coming into yourself
🌺 PCOS Representation
🌺 The power of vulnerability
🌺 Tropical destination
🌺Narrator fits the character

Favorite quote where I felt the most seen and that fully encapsulated several therapy sessions for me:

“I wanted to be perfect for you. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been like this. I’ve always tried so hard to be sparkly and special and at the same time be exactly what my partner wants, and I was doing that with you, too, but I didn’t realize it. I should have just been me. The real me.”

Thanks to Forever for the ARC and LibroFM for the ALC! I enjoyed going back and forth between the two formats and I really LOVED this one! The audio definitely enhanced the story as well! I read Mistakes We Never Made and really enjoyed and when this one showed up in my email, I was excited to dive in! This book is connected to Mistakes We Never Made, but I think it could definitely be read as a stand alone as well! This book really surprised me with the depth and character development and the second chance love story was fantastic! It was an easy 5 stars for me! See a brief synopsis below!

Synopsis:
This book follows Sybil Rain, a free spirit, who has been engaged 3 times and never made it to the altar. She feels like she really hasn't found her niche in life especially after her last engagement to Jamie, ended last minute at the altar. Her friends convince her to go ahead and use the voucher she has for a resort in Hawaii that should have been their honeymoon. When she arrives she unexpectedly runs into Jamie and also her other ex fiance too. The book goes back and forth between present day and all of her former engagements and just creates such a beautiful and real character. This one was so great! I cannot wait for another by Hannah Brown!

This book was the first one in a long time that I couldn't put down. I've admittedly been in a bit of a reading slump over the past few months and have been dragging my feet through everything I've picked up. This absolutely broke that slump. The story is fun and light yet emotional at times and the main character I found to be extremely relatable and genuine. The tone of the book plays out like a movie in your mind when you read it. There's just enough support from the surrounding characters to push the story in the direction it needs to go without over complicating what this is - a fun, easy reading rom-com with some heart.

I enjoyed this more than I thought!! It goes deeper than your surface level rom-com, while still bringing the cuteness & comedy one would expect. There’s a good level of personal growth that is a breath of fresh air to see.

3.5 > rounded to 4

oh Sybil. she was an FMC that was frustrating.. but likely just because she very much reminds me of myself (minus the 4 engagement rings 😂). she causes so many of her own issues. Jamie is a bit of a pushover when we first meet him, at least at first glance. Liam was just an ass. Seb was that hot fling that burned too hot and wasn't sustainable.

Watching Sybil learn how to manage herself and her environment was heart warming. She learns that she is indeed deserving of love. Jamie figuring out how to be his own man as well, and stepping out of the shadows of his family helped them both grow so much.

This was my first Hannah Brown book, but I will definitely pick up more.

*thank you Forever Pub/NetGalley