The narration is done well for this one!

I think fans of women's fiction and romantic comedies will enjoy this. It was overall a feel good story with some funny moments along the way. It was an easy listen and had strong summertime vibes so it would be a great choice for the pool or beach.

The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain had an interesting premise, but it just didn’t fully work for me. The biggest issue was that I couldn’t connect with the main character. For some reason, I just wasn’t rooting for her as much as I wanted to, which made it hard to stay invested in her story. There were some enjoyable moments along the way, but overall it fell a little flat for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes:
- Second Chance
- Fake Dating
- Forced Proximity

The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain fell flat for me.
First things first, I did not realize this was interconnected to Hannah Brown's debut novel. Though I don't believe you have to read that first to understand this story. The setting and atmosphere were the strongest elements of this story. It takes place on a Hawaiian vacation at an expensive resort. We see excursions, meet staff members, and enjoy the amenities. This was the saving grace for this book imo.
All of the main characters in this novel are frustrating, with minimal character development. I believe Sybil is in her mid-to-late twenties, but her thought process and decisions are those of a teenager, and that remains largely unchanged throughout the story. The exes that appear in this story are just as annoying. The miscommunication during every interaction is the only reason this book is over 300 pages.
There are many flashbacks throughout the novel to get backstory on Sybil's previous failed engagements, of which there are three. Those sections were necessary, but felt slightly rushed.
I also wish we had gotten to see more of Sybl's job, considering she was working on the trip.

Overall, this book was just fine. The writing and prose were basic at best. The character development was minimal, and the plot was exactly the goofy rom-com vibe I expected.
The cover really drew me into the story, which is what made me apply for the ARC in the first place, but unfortunately, the book inside was not as show-stopping as the outside.

I didnt read the first one in this series but this one was a good listen. The tropes were right up my alley with the second chance romance, fake dating, forced proximity and ex-fiance’s crashing lol.

An uplifting heartfelt story that made me swoon.

When the story first started, it seemed too young for me, more fitting for my young adult daughters. As I stuck with it, I truly fell in love with this story of Sybil and was drawn into her story and the loves she left behind.

Although I am typically not a fan of second chance romance this one may be enough to convert me.

It was beautiful and so hopeful.

The audio production was fantastic and I felt Sybil come alive.

When I started this book I didn’t realize this was the second book in the series regardless it didn’t take away from my experience at all. The story stands well on its own, and now I’m even more excited to go back and read the first book. I hope there will be more books in the series. Sybil’s character arc was fun to follow she’s messy in a relatable way. As the story went on learning more about her made me love Sybil’s character even more. (4.5 ⭐️ rounded up)

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 ⭐️ The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain is an easy, lighthearted, summer read. It’s humorous at times, but also extremely trope-heavy. The main character reads as very insecure throughout, dependent on men, and whiny (frequently pitying herself or using self-deprecating humor as a defense mechanism). I think my favorite parts of the book revolve around its setting: taking place in beautiful Hawaii on a resort. The setting made it feel fun and beachy, but the characters were a bit of a slog.

When Sybil is sent on a work trip to Hawaii, she is ecstatic. Ironically, it’s to the exact same location and resort where she was supposed to be going on her honeymoon with her ex-fiancé, Jamie, before the two broke things off at their wedding a year prior. When she sees Jamie there, with a gorgeous colleague of his, Sybil spirals and makes up a pretend-boyfriend—who happens to be another ex-fiancé of hers who was stopping by to visit her. Caught in the lie and her leftover feelings for Jamie, Sybil is forced to reflect on her life, including her three prior failed engagements.

Thank you to Hannah Brown, Hachette Audio, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

The second book in this series is a true fun summer read. I hadn’t realized this was the second book initially so I went back and read the first book first. The first book gave such a good starting point to Sybil and this sequel picked up her personality well. It was so fun to get the full story from her view behind the first book and then watch her figure it all out in this book.

Thanks for the ARC!

Ok Hannah Brown, I see you! Lovely book! I did not read her first book but wanted to see what all the hype was about so when I requested this book and got approved I squealed! I listened to the audiobook and was very happy I did. The narrator was great. I enjoyed the story very much. It was such a great redemptive story. The main character had really been through it in the past few years with her love life so it was nice to see a full circle moment for her. It was funny at time, heart warming and even suspenseful there at the end! Please continue to write Hannah! This is what you were made to do. I highly recommend it and I will now need to go back and read her first book.

Sybil Rain has a voucher to use for an all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii after she and her (third) fiancé, Jamie, called off their wedding at the altar a year ago. She is shocked to run into Jamie there, on a work trip with a beautiful colleague. Sybil impulsively blurts out that she is there with her boyfriend. When ex-fiancé #2, Seb, shows up at the resort after a nearby photoshoot, things spiral out of control. Can Sybil heal from her 3 failed engagements and find a fourth and final shot at love?

This story makes a perfect beach read! There were a lot of funny scenes but also some serious topics discussed, too. Sybil did a lot of growing over the course of the book to become ready for a second chance with her ex-fiancé. The only thing that bothered me was how long the lack of communication dragged on. Cherami Leigh did an excellent job with the narration of the audiobook.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book.

Some of the miscommunication dragged. Like girl, TALK. It was frustrating at times, but also made sense considering how emotionally stunted she was from her past. Still, it cost the book a bit of its momentum.

All in all, a fun read. Some of the plot points needed a little work, but it wasn't bad.

Such a charming summertime read! This story left me feeling happy, relaxed, and completely swept up in its cozy yet adventurous vibe. It falls right into the romantic comedy/women’s fiction genre and carries a beautiful message about never giving up hope. The pacing felt just right—not too fast, not too slow—and the writing was wonderfully engaging.

I was surprised to learn at the end that the author was on The Bachelorette! She’s incredibly talented, and I truly hope she continues writing. I haven’t picked up her other books yet, but I definitely plan to. If you love heartfelt stories about second chances at romance, this one is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, @HachetteAudio, and Hannah Brown for the Audio Advanced Reader Copy of The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain.

This is a standalone story, but there are a lot of references to a previous book by Hannah Brown called Mistakes We Never Made. I haven’t read that book, but based on how much I liked this one, I will be checking that one out, too.

I think the audio for this book was great! I didn't notice any audio errors, pacing was good, and none of the voices were distracting or off-putting.

As far as the story goes: Sybil, Sybil, Sybil... Girl, you need therapy. Although maybe you don't? Because you somehow managed to learn more about yourself in one brief swim than I did in 5 years of monthly therapy.

I appreciate that both people were doing quite a bit of introspection and working on themselves, and Jamie really needs to stop listening to other people so much. However, I don’t think Jamie was that far off on Sybil not being ready to get married, and I don't really feel like Jamie asking Sybil to quit lying to him about what she was doing and how she was feeling was too much to ask. Some basic communication between the two of them would have gone a long way, but where is the book in that??

One thing I really loved about this book that stood out for me was that there was an emphasis on friendship also being a form of love. That is such a huge thing that does not get talked about enough and almost never gets mentioned in books. I really appreciated it being discussed and I thought it was done really well.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun read and I'll be looking out for more by this author.

Spice level: 🌶️

I loved the Hawaii setting—it made the story feel bright, fun, and atmospheric. The different timelines of Sybil’s past relationships gave depth and helped me understand her choices. I especially enjoyed her personal journey of growth and healing, and the way it tied into the romance. And of course, the reconnection element made for a satisfying and heartfelt payoff.

For fans of:
Runaway bride
Vacation romance
Forced proximity with an ex
Fake dating
Love triangle
Second-chance romance
Self-discovery & healing from past relationships

Hurray for Sybil's story!! I still remember reading Hannah Brown's first book, Mistakes We Never Made, and hoping we'd get more details in a future book on where the runaway bride went. This book provides all that and then some, as we hear about what happened to Sybil in book 1, what she's up to now, and how her prior relationships have shaped her present.

The island getaway setting was a vibe and I also enjoyed getting to know various people at the resort. Sybil herself is a complex character, and there were moments when she grated on me a bit. It's all part of her arc, but some of her choices did affect my overall enjoyment of the book.

I had the pleasure of enjoying the audio, which was very well done! Cherami Leigh was charming and brought heartfelt energy to Sybil. Like I mentioned, she's a complex character and I think the narrator did a great job bringing all of Sybil's emotions to life.

Here's hoping for Book 3! I'd love to continue hearing about the love stories in Emma and Sybil's friend group.

Sybil Rain has been engaged three times, but she's never actually made it down the aisle. But it was the last broken engagement that's had her retreating from the world a bit. She and Jamie seemed like the real deal, even though they were polar opposites. But she pulled a run-away bride routine two days before the wedding, coming back just in time to get married. Yet the whole ordeal left Jamie uncertain what Sybil really wanted. So he called things off.

Now, the travel vouchers for their honeymoon are about to expire and Sybil's friends convince her she should go rather than losing out on a stay at the resort she really wanted to visit.

No sooner does she arrive there, though, then she spots Jamie there too, with a beautiful "colleague." Shocked by the unexpected encounter, she makes up a fake boyfriend to save face. And when she learned that Fiancé #2 is on a nearby island, she jokingly invites him to come and pose as her boyfriend until Jamie goes home. Free-spirited as Seb has always been, he takes her up on the offer and compounds Sybil's confusion.

As she navigates what it is she wants out of life, she's able to see what went wrong in each of her past relationships and exactly who it is she needs most in order to be happy. Herself!

I enjoyed the characters in this story, but also the reflection on how each person we partner with brings a different "flavor" to the life that's lived together. And finding the right match isn't always a matter of compatibility as much as it is the blend you create together. And who better to show readers that than The Bachelorette's own Hannah Brown!

Thank you to the author, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain was such a fun, emotional surprise—I devoured the audiobook. Sybil’s story is messy in the most relatable way, and I found myself laughing one minute and feeling all the feels the next. Honestly, I didn’t expect to connect so hard with her, but wow, this book got me.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity!

Sybil Rain has been engaged three times, and married zero. Her most recent engagement to Jamie ended a year ago and the chance to use their honeymoon trip is about to expire. Sybil's friends convince her to go on her own so she decides to make it a half work trip/half time to reflect on her life. Much to her surprise, Jamie is there as well. And then another ex too. Jamie is the ex that Sybil never truly got over, though. She goes over her failed relationships and they realize that there were a lot of misunderstandings surrounding their breakup.

I thought this book was great. I loved Sybil and Jamie and loved how their story played out. I was obsessed with the first book in this series and while this one wasn't quite as good, I admit that I had high expectations. You are introduced to the runaway bride in the first book so I was glad the sequel played out her story.

The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain was my first Hannah Brown book—and wow, what a ride! 🥂💍 Sybil’s love life is a bit like a jewelry store display… sparkly, chaotic, and impossible to look away from. I laughed, I cringed, I may have yelled “girl, what are you doing?!” more than once.

I listened to the audiobook and it completely brought the story to life—every bit of sass, heart, and hilarity just popped off the speakers. 🎧 Hannah Brown has officially made my “must-read-more” list, and I can’t wait to dive into her other books. If you love messy relationships, sharp humor, and a heroine you can’t help rooting for—even when she’s making questionable choices—add this to your TBR immediately.

3.5 rounded up to 4
A cute summer read for the second chance romance gals out there
Overall I found this audiobook entertaining. Dual timelines aren't typically something I gravitate towards, but it certainly added to the listening experience for me.