The Four Engagements of Sybil Rain had a charming setup, but ultimately it didn’t quite hold my attention. The story follows Sybil as she takes a solo vacation to the destination where she was meant to honeymoon a year earlier. What was supposed to be a peaceful escape turns into a romantic whirlwind when she unexpectedly runs into her ex-fiancé—and enlists another ex fiancé to pretend to be her current boyfriend.

The love triangle premise had potential, and I was curious to see which man Sybil would choose in the end. Unfortunately, the book dragged on longer than expected—about an hour more than it needed to—and it started to lose momentum for me. The pacing just didn’t hold up, and I found myself tuning out toward the latter half.

A few light, entertaining moments made it worth the read, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a fun summer romance!! This has everything you want in a binge worthy, poolside read. The setting was perfection and the drama was true rom-com territory.

I’ll admit I didn’t read Hannah’s debut, so I didn’t have the full backstory on Sybil, but if you’re in the same boat, don’t let that stop you because I truly felt this book can stand on its own! I felt engaged (haha get it) in Sybil’s love story from the very beginning! It did get a bit wild towards the end there but it felt very reminiscent of the rom-com movies I grew up on which made it enjoyable! The narration was great, I’m glad I chose to listen!

The only reason I landed on 3 stars, was it didn’t scream memorable for me. I had a grand time in the moment, but I can’t picture myself thinking about it much after the fact. I’ll definitely circle back to Hannah’s debut soon and hope to read more books from her in the future!

💭 while this is technically second in the MISTAKES WERE MADE series, it can absolutely be read as a standalone. 😊 this is a perfect summer read - nothing beats a Hawaiian beach imo. 😉 this has a little bit of something for everyone - strong adult friendships, landing your first big job, struggling to find “the one,” second chance romance, and a love triangle with exes. I loved in Hawaii for a year and a half + this was very nostalgic with the ube, malasads, plumerias and waterfalls. 🌈 def recommend the audio for this one; the narration pacing was spot on!

Fave quote: “Break patterns that no longer serve you.”

Read if you enjoy: THE UNHONEYMOONERS, SAME TIME NEXT SUMMER

a huge thank you to @netgalley + @hachetteaudio for the ALC! 🫶🏻

“I didn’t fall in love with you just for your sparkles and sunshine. I loved every part of you. I loved that I got yo be the one you came home to. The one who saw you without all the party jokes and the charm that everyone loves. I got to be the one you truly let your hair down with. I wanted to be that person.”

I love a book where the main character is or has been a frequenter on the Hot Mess Express! (I may or may not relate) Fiction where everything isn’t picture perfect is one of my favorite tropes. As much as I expected this to be a cutesy Rom-Com, I was pleasantly surprised to read that along with the snafus and comedy, there was real deepness. I really enjoyed how the ring stories were separated and written. They were like real-life views into how different relationships make us feel and learn from how people treat us. This was my first Hannah Brown read but will not be my last! Truly one of my few 4 stars so far this year!

Soooo you know when you pick up a book because the cover is super pretty? Or because you’re just generally a fan of the author?

This was both of those for me. The colors got me interested… and I just adore Hannah Brown from The Bachelorette and DWTS and will support her in any and all things. Needless to say, I hoped for a light and breezy summer read, but I didn’t expect too much.

Boy, did this one pleasantly surprise me. Sybil was compelling and more complex than I’d hoped, and her story played out with all the fun of the promised Forgetting Sarah Marshall vibes—and even more heart—as you journey through her past loves. As a PCOS girlie myself, her past journey with PCOS and fears of infertility both made me feel so seen and felt handled with real care.

I realize this isn’t Brown’s debut, but she truly did a fantastic job with the narrative here. There was just the right balance of past and present, and detail that flowered beautifully as the plot went on. The MMC was both broody and likable, the side characters were fun, and while nothing surprised me, it never felt predictable. I often dislike miscommunication as a trope, but honestly, it worked here.

Also:
💁🏻‍♀️ Girlhood at its finest — these besties have her back
🏝️ Hawaiian resort vibes make this an ideal summertime read. I listened by the pool and it was perfection
📖 This story stands on its own, but I hadn’t realized it’s interconnected to her last release (which I’ll definitely be checking out!)
😡 One of her exes will have you fuming — but his role is so well done and critical for her journey
💙 The other, thankfully, is fun and the perfect foil for our MMC
💃🏻 Not a direct comp, but something about the narrative gave me Mamma Mia vibes in the best way

🎧 I listened on audio and was fully engaged. The narrator’s performance was perfect for the character—fun, earnest, vulnerable, raw. Would definitely seek her out again.

🏖️ TLDR: A surprisingly heartfelt, fun, and layered second-chance romance with Forgetting Sarah Marshall energy, Hawaiian resort vibes, and a heroine who will make you feel seen. Throw it in your beach bag this summer!

The title hooked me… and the story delivered. The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain is a second-chance romance with just the right amount of chaos, humor and heart. Sybil is flawed, emotional and DEEPLY relatable, which made her journey feel refreshingly real. Watching her reclaim her power (and sanity) in the wake of failed engagements had me rooting for her the entire time.

Cherami Leigh was a new-to-me narrator and such a pleasant surprise! She nailed Sybil’s inner monologue… from the awkward to the angry to the all-too-real emotional moments. Her delivery was smooth, expressive and easy to follow, which made this a perfect summer listen.

In this book, you can look for low spice, lots of heart and some truly, laugh out loud moments. A solid pick if you’re in the mood for healing, humor and a little romantic chaos in paradise. 🌴💍

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC!

This book picks up after Mistakes Were Made and, TBH, I feel like a quick reread of that book would have helped me center myself in this novel as I’ve spent about 50% of it trying to remember the result of Emma and Finn’s road trip.

That being said, the story of Sybil Rain was a good next step in what I assume will be a four book arc. I liked how the book explored her mental health and how traumatic events, such as the story of her first failed engagement with Liam, shaped how she saw herself in life and in relationships for years to come.

The setting of the reconnection between Sybil and Jamie, her third failed engagement, being their original honeymoon destination made for heightened emotions from the outset. Sybil's belief that Jamie is there with a new girlfriend prompts her to explore any latent feelings she might have for him and provides a great backdrop for their, hopeful, reconciliation.

This was a cute read! Perfect for a summer afternoon at the beach or by the lake. Sybil is going on her honeymoon solo after her wedding ended at the alter. Sounds like a great way to recover, exceeeeeeept her ex fiance and his lady coworker are also there🤭

Sybil hasn’t had the best luck with love, so she’s finally taking some time to focus on herself, and who doesn’t love a book about a woman finding herself?!?!? Such a fun take on rediscovering who you are after a breakup. Sometimes you just need a full reset, and this captured that feeling perfectly. With some distance and clarity, Sybil and Jamie are actually able to connect without all the usual chaos and miscommunication, which felt really refreshing.

The audiobook narration was so well done. The flow between chapters was super smooth, it never felt like a jarring switch, which I really appreciate in audio. The narrator even did accents, and the Aussie one felt surprisingly natural! It was a nice touch that kept things feeling fresh throughout.

"The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain" is the second installment in Hannah Brown's "Mistakes We Never Made" series. This book delves into the backstory of Sybil, a character previously introduced as "perfect" by Emma, revealing the true circumstances of her almost-wedding.
One year after her non-wedding, Sybil decides to utilize her expiring honeymoon venue credit and travels to Hawaii—alone. Unexpectedly, she encounters not one, but two of her former fiancés there, setting the stage for a delightful array of romance tropes, including runaway bride, fake dating, second-chance romance, and a captivating resort vacation setting. The narrative skillfully interweaves Sybil's present-day experiences with flashbacks to her past relationships.
It’s great for readers who enjoy tropical settings, compelling emotional healing arcs, and stories about women who bravely redefine their own narratives. While not flawless, the book is genuinely heartfelt, perfect for summer/beach reads, and remarkably engaging for a story centered on failed engagements.
I was lucky enough to receive the ALC from Hachette Audio via NetGalley! I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. The narrator has a beautiful voice and carries the story well.

This was a cute second chance romance but I feel like I would have loved this book if there wasn’t a romance. I loved the FMC and loved her character growth. She ends up with one of her exes (don’t want to spoil) but I feel like her own growth felt bigger than the romance. The narrator was perfect and want to listen to more of her books.

I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Hannah Brown novel, and my first audiobook with this narrator - I was so pleasantly surprised by how great this was! The narrator (whose name I can't find), was fantastic and you could hear the notes of emotion in her voice as she read. Story-wise, I loved Sybil! I thought her character grew and faced a lot of her past while still remaining her true self. I adored Jamie, even Seb. I was worried both male characters would really fight for her in a way that would make me dislike all involved, but I thought it was appropriate that Sybil politely turned Seb down, yet they remained friends and he still helped her. Every character felt true, they all acted in ways that I felt their characters would. I was wrapped up in the history behind Sybil and all her ex's, the quirky drama and the "Are they right for each other?....No wait, are THEY right for each other??"

I will definitely be reading Hannah's first novel and can't wait!

Not a huge fan. Couldn’t finish this book. It was a bit dry. The character was so dry and I don’t think this was a good storyline

If you watched Hannah Browns Bachelorette season you will love the little jabs she sprinkled in this book about her experience.

This book was chefs kiss! You may get a little teary eyed towards the end. But wow. 🤩 loved this book!

Tropes:
- second chance
- forced proximity

Trigger Warning:
- pregnancy loss/ pregnancy struggles
- trauma

I absolutely adored The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain. From the very first chapter, I felt like Sybil was speaking directly to me—messy, complicated, hopeful me. Her story isn’t just about three failed engagements (though that alone would make for a juicy read); it’s really about figuring out who you are, piece by piece, through love, heartbreak, mistakes, and reinvention.

Each ring marks a different chapter of Sybil’s life, and as she revisits those relationships, I couldn’t help but reflect on all the versions of myself I’ve been in past relationships too. It’s so rare to find a book that balances humor and heartbreak this well. Hannah Brown somehow made me laugh out loud and tear up—sometimes within the same page.

What I loved most was that Sybil isn’t perfect—she makes bad decisions, doubts herself, and overthinks—but she also grows. She learns. She gives herself grace. And watching that unfold made me feel seen and understood in a way I didn’t expect.

The narrator truly brought this story to life, adding so much personality and emotion that I felt fully immersed in Sybil’s world. Their performance made the humor sharper and the tender moments even more heartfelt.

This book made me think about love differently—not just romantic love, but the kind you have to give to yourself if you want to stop repeating old patterns. It’s funny, honest, relatable, and unexpectedly healing. I finished it with a full heart and already want to listen again.

This book was a delightful listen, a follow up to Brown’s Mistakes We Never Made, which I didn’t realize until I was partway through this book. Sybil convinces work to send her to Hawaii to cover a lunar eclipse from the resort she was supposed to honeymoon at before they called off the wedding. When she gets there, she’s surprised to find Jamie, her former fiancé and man she still loves. Navigating the week - with excursions and a fake boyfriend and other mishaps, one question rises to the surface: Can Sybil and Jamie find their way back to each other.

The narrator truly brought this story to life!

💍 The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain by Hannah Brown
3.75 stars — emotional chaos in paradise with a mai tai in hand 🍹🌴

Huge thanks to Forever for inviting me to read the eARC & Hachette Audio for the ALC via NetGalley 💌

This book was an entire tropical tangle of second chances, fake dating, and healing from past heartbreaks—and somehow? It worked.

🌺 Second-Chance Romance
💍 Fake Dating
🌺 Ex-Fiancé Fiasco
💍 Forced Proximity
🌺 Self-Discovery & Healing
💍 Resort/Vacation Romance

When I saw the setup—runaway bride, vacation in Hawaii, and three ex-fiancés crashing the scene?? Yeah. I was locked in. This had all the signs of turning into a hot mess in the best way, and for the most part, it delivered.

Sybil Rain is chaotic, messy, a little broken—but real. She’s not your perfect romcom lead, and that’s what made her arc land. It wasn’t just about getting back with an ex. It was about finally choosing herself. Between snorkeling mishaps, fake boyfriend shenanigans, and unexpected run-ins with the past, Sybil's journey was half soap opera, half soul-searching.

The resort vibes? So fun. The healing arc? Surprisingly raw. And the audiobook? Chef’s kiss. Cherami Leigh’s narration gave Sybil so much personality, and I genuinely don’t think I would’ve connected this hard without the audio.

Now for the but:
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.

Final thoughts:
🌺 The setting slapped
💌 The self-discovery hit hard
💍 The romance was a soft burn
🫠 The chaos? So unnecessary sometimes but I ate it up anyway

3.75 stars. For fans of tropical messes, emotional healing arcs, and women choosing to rewrite their own stories.
Not perfect, but still heartfelt, summery, and so much better than I expected from a book about failed engagements.

| thank ♡︎ you @readforever for the free listening access to this fun book! |
4.5 ⭐️

🎧 𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺(2.0𝘹): Cherami Leigh
5 ⭐️ 𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣! 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙤. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙟𝙤𝙗 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙗𝙮 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚.

💭:
I had no idea I’d enjoy this book as much as I did. I love when a book pulls you in right away, and you care for the fictional characters.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘛𝘍𝘌𝘙𝘰𝘚𝘙.

📖:
Sybil has been engaged 3 times in her young life! Each engagement comes with a unique storyline where the past is weaved into the present.

There was a comparison of Sybil with being a Runaway Bride. However, I’d like to respectfully disagree, by saying that Sybil did not get cold-feet and run away at the altar (explained in the book). No possible spoilers here!

🏝️:
Will Sybil find love again and get engaged for the fourth time? You’ll have to read to find out!

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢:
-𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 💘
-𝙞𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 🏝️
-𝙛𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 🤫
-𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙩𝙝/𝙖𝙧𝙘 💪
-𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 ✍️
-𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 🗣️
-𝙛𝙪𝙣 𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 💬
-𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 🤗

4.5⭐️
I really liked this one! I felt like the story was unresolved after the first book, so I’m glad Sybil got her own book. We finally got some answers to what happened with her in book 1 along with getting to know more about her past relationships. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Hannah Brown’s storytelling. The characters are relatable and funny while also growing and healing from past traumas. Perfect summer rom com vibes.

The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain by Hannah Brown is a delightful and charming audiobook that blends humor with heartfelt wisdom. At its core, this is a feel-good story with unexpected depth—offering more than just laughs, it delivers a powerful and resonant message that lingers long after the final chapter.

Hannah Brown crafts a narrative full of personality and warmth, centering around Sybil Rain, whose journey through love, identity, and self-discovery is both entertaining and inspiring. The structure of the story is well-executed, with each engagement ring representing a pivotal moment in Sybil’s life. The pacing flows naturally, and the character development feels thoughtful and genuine.

The audiobook format enhances the storytelling, adding an extra layer of personality to an already engaging narrative. Brown’s attention to detail and emotional nuance makes the story feel both lighthearted and meaningful—an impressive balance to strike.

Overall, The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain is a charming and insightful listen that offers both humor and heart. It’s a beautifully written story that reminds listeners of the importance of growth, independence, and knowing one’s worth. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an uplifting, smart, and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Sybil Rain
Our dear Sybil is back! 💕🌴🤙🏻
A year after her “would be” wedding to Jamie…she finds herself on a trip of self-discovery to Maui, where they were supposed to have honeymooned! What she finds there is island beauty, fab hotel friends &&& not one but two of her past finances?!? Like what 🥸🤯

Once again, Hannah Brown brings us a great FMC…one who we can totally relate to! I once again felt like I was chatting with my BFF the whole time! & thanks to @cher the audio was incredible! Her voice is just so feminine & fun…brought out Sybil to life 🎧

This book is out today & I hope y’all grab it up! Already looking forward to Hannah Browns next book! 💗

•island setting 🌺
•second-chance ❤️‍🩹
•forced proximity 🏨
•PCOS rep