Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren is the perfect rom-com for Valentine’s Day and beyond. Hollyn, an introverted entertainment blogger in New Orleans, loathes meeting new people; Jasper, an extroverted improv actor, doesn’t have time to meet new women. When he starts pouring coffee at the workspace Hollyn creates from, they have anything BUT the typical meet-cute situation. But when Hollyn’s alter ego, Miz Poppy, needs to make a big reveal, Hollyn needs the kind of help only Jasper can provide- she needs to be more spontaneous and shine in the limelight. Add to the mix the Tourette’s that Hollyn has, and the issues of trust Jasper brings from growing up in foster care, and it doesn’t seem so promising for the two. But then Hollyn approaches Jasper with a proposition and things combust. Yes & I Love You is DEFINITELY not for the class or school library- it is an adult rom-com for sure. The way that the author treats Hollyn’s Tourette’s is full of empathy and lacks ‘trauma’ voyeurism. I don’t know if her experiences are authentic, but they are certainly handled deftly. And there is a whole page of dialogue about consent and anti-slut shaming that had me yelling out “Yes!This!” The story flips between Jasper and Hollyn in a smooth way that builds your relationship with the characters, and has you flipping the pages when exes, job offers, and life seem to be getting in the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this #ARC from @NetGalley, and highly recommend it to scratch that Valentine’s Day rom-com itch!

Forget the first rule of fight club! We only now just follow the first rule of improv — thou shalt YES, AND!

I had the time of my life reading this! Everyone, mark your calendars this March 2 for the upcoming release. No buts! Remember the first rule of improv 😉

I believe you all know what’s it like being in THE ✨book high✨, right? Because I feel the need to say this....OH MY HOLY FICTIONAL CHARACTERS, I’m on the highest of highs!! 😩

Yes & I Love You is one of the many examples of why I absolutely love reading. This book gave me everything I wanted and needed — hilarious improvisational theatre shows, witty reviews from an equally witty Miz Poppy, a coworking environment that houses a mix of charming people (which is also something that greatly resembles what I do for work, so relate!), AND endless magical swoon. Yup, just what the doctor ordered!

Highly recommend to those in need of witty banters, and a morning cup of coffee.

This was a sweet and steamy romance with interesting characters who were different from the usual romantic protagonists. They each have their quirks that make them insecure so you can really pull for them to find their own HEA.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f friends to lovers
-it's just a hookup
-sex education
-so much sexual tension
-flirting through improv
-a Love Actually grand finale
-A sharpie marker that made me almost want to get a tattoo

This was a sweet and steamy story of two people unable to see themselves clearly. Hollyn is trying to get back out into the world after being bullied for her Tourette's all her life. Jasper is also starting over after being dumped and losing out on a huge opportunity. Growing up as a foster kid with ADHD, his impulsiveness was never seen as a good thing. Hollyn and Jasper after an improv disaster and an appendix emergency just get the other.

Jasper was a great mix of a cocky guy, deeply insecure on the inside who refused to let Hollyn not see how amazing she was. How they both opened up to each other and trusted the other was just the perfect mix of steamy and sweet. I loved the use of improv throughout the story, I could visualize it so well, a fresh and modern love story.

My fingers are crossed that Cal gets his own happily ever after. I loved the secondary characters in this book, including Andi and Fitz and hope we get more.

Rating: 5
Steam: 3.5

CW: ableism, anxiety, parental abandonment

I love the author’s books and this one was a bit different from what I was used to but different in a great way.
Friends to lovers from friends with benefits is not always a smooth road to experience but after all the ups and downs and especially after realising how much they mean to each other, these two are finally caving and accept that well deserved happily ever after.
I enjoyed the sizzling chemistry and the smart banter, as well as the reliable moments and how they grown as characters especially since they are both still young and invested so much in their future. Being truthful to themselves and their feelings, I was really happy to see that he didn’t take advantage when he could and come up clean with everything.

A beautiful, steamy and heartwarming love story

The characters in this book were so relatable and quirky. They felt very real and not at all flat or static. I am used to more passionate (read: steamy) reads from this author so this was a change of pace but still good!

I received this from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book for many reasons. First, the main characters were not perfect. They had flaws and fears and could not magically cure each other through love. Second, the issues they faced were REAL, not simply in their own heads. Miz Poppy, a popular review in New Orleans, is really an isolated woman named Hollyn. She avoids relationships in fear that people will realize she has Tourette Syndrome. When her boss tells her she must add video of herself to her commentary, it is Jasper Deares, an improv actor with ADHD, who agrees to help her. In exchange, Hollyn will provide a Miz Poppy review of his improv group. Of course, they quickly fall for each other, though both swear they aren’t looking for serious commitment and will “pretend date” to help Hollyn overcome her anxiety. The most endearing element of this book was the lack of cliches. Every time I was certain the author was going in a specific direction, she surprised me. Obviously, the pair must overcome hurdles to be together, but the way Loren crafts the story is surprisingly unique. A sequel with a side character will be released in July and I can’t wait to read it.

Great storyline and characters. I love an awkward adult main that doesn't have her life together and struggles, in this case with social anxiety and tourettes. I loved the suporting characters, all with their own flaws and insecurities. For me personally, there were a few too many open door romance scenes (quite a bit I had to flip through) but that didn't stop me from liking this story!

This was my first book of Loren's but will NOT be the last. What a story!

I adored the way many different things were approached in this story. We saw disorders, mental awareness, the normalcy of therapy, and loss.

What made this such a spectacular read for me was the way honesty was the key and led to beautiful communication between the main characters. I loved that I didn't have to wait to see how they would navigate tough conversations. They were said right then and there and I am HERE FOR THAT! I loathe when communication issues are drawn out.

Also the chemistry between Jasper and Hollyn is FIRE. Five solid stars for this one!

This book had me squealing the entire time. Whether it was at the adorable improvisations, their lightning fast banter, or the **STEAMY** scenes, I had such a visceral reaction. That's when you know a romcom is good. This book paid homage to the romcoms of the past while still being a truly original story that I'll be rereading for ages. Adding in the Tourette's representation, which here chose to focus on it as an aspect of Hollyn rather than anything detrimental, helped me relate more to Hollyn as a character due to my own struggles with anxiety.

And it turns out this is a series? Sign me up for book 2.

4 brave + vulnerable + charming + steamy stars to this refreshing novel! Professionally, Hollyn is the charismatic Miz Poppy, a popular NOLA entertainment scene reviewer + blogger. Personally, she hides behind her pen name due to significant social anxiety brought upon by her Tourette Syndrome. While she is extremely confident in her anonymous career, she struggles with social interactions in real life. When amateur actor + improv comedian, Jasper, becomes the the new coffee guy at her work- their chemistry is instantaneous. The two strike up a friendship that develops into a steamy romance.

I absolutely loved how the author handled the delicate topics of mental health, disability, counseling and vulnerability in this novel. Not only was it refreshing to see these things represented + discussed in a romance novel, this book was a very FUN read. The characters had crazy chemistry, witty banter and a great connection. The snippets from the improv comedy shows and her blog were also incredibly entertaining. I loved to see how both characters came into their own strengths and felt more comfortable throughout the course of the story. It also has what might go down as the cutest ending of a romance novel ever!

Pub day is March 2nd! Pre-order your copy now. Thanks to Netgalley + Source Books Casablanca for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I finished this book a few days ago and I am still thinking about it! I am not a huge romance/romcom reader but I loved yes & I love you! It was great seeing the behind the scenes of improv and life as a freelancer. I also loved the character development and that this book included individuals with tourettes.

Oh. My. God.

It's been a while since I've been this excited/over-the-moon about a book!

First of all, I have to 100% agree with Colleen Hoover's blurb: this is an unputdownable story, with incredible characters and beautifully written struggles and realities. Jasper and Hollyn showed us what it truly means to find and accept yourself, not giving other people the power to tell us how we should feel, look, act or think.

If you're in the mood for reading something sweet, but that's still gonna make you reflect on life, keep an eye out to this gem. I'm definitely gonna carry this story with me for a long time.

Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren is the first book in the duology 'Say Everything' by the author. Everyone knows Miz Poppy, she is the vibrant reviewer of New Orleans. But no one knows Hollyn, the real face behind the media star.

Jasper Deares, an aspiring actor, finds out that Miz Poppy isn't the one and decides to help Hollyn come out of her shell and in return he gets the media exposure he needs to become an actor.

This is my first Book where I have read the main character having Tourette syndrome and it is done so well. I liked how her weakness is used as a power and a perfect tool to build this love story. It helps young readers in excepting their flaws.

I was very much engrossed in the story from the start and it kept me up all night. I liked how the story moved with some laughs and lovey dovey messages in between. The characters are very well developed and felt just like us.
____

Thank You to NetGalley and Publisher for sending me the eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.

I wish i could get into this one but I couldn't. I tried but it just wasn't for me. I didn't enjoy the writing as much but I thought the story itself has a lot of potential.

A nice new adult story with beautiful people with problems like a Tourette’s disorder, and a guy with a great improv talent, but trouble with binding and trust. It’s great to see how these people find each other and overwin there problems. Great setting of improve theatre, with leads to hilarious situations.
It’s a lovely story to read. It starts slow, but is getting better during the book. The end is little predictable, but way to the end is a great road to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the digital ARC! This is my first Roni Loren, but it won’t be my last— her wiring is considerate, thoughtful... and hot! I believe that everyone deserves a love story, and Loren truly gives both Hollyn and Jasper one for the books... I love the fake dating trope, as well as characters who have to transcend the coping mechanisms/stasis of their lives in order to get what they truly want/need in order to grow/change. The one thing about this reading experience though, for me, is that I did have a hard time getting swept away by the story (maybe the multiple plot engines? It may have the embedded text?), but I found myself putting this book down a lot and coming back to their story rather than turning the pages to see what happened (not necessary a bad thing, just a different pace than I expected). Definitely recommend this read for its humor and heart.

Hollyn is a writer and a reviewer, operating under the stage name 'Miz Poppy'. She has made a name for herself in New Orleans with her sense of humour and brutal honesty, however she keeps herself hidden behind her persona. When Hollyn meets Jasper, she challenges herself to be braver, and he challenges her to face her fears and find her voice.

I wasn't expecting how absolutely adorable this book is! I loved Hollyn, her honesty and raw emotions were so relatable. Her journey throughout the story was exciting to see, taking herself from an introvert letting her anxiety and Tourettes control her, to being in control of her desires and her future.

Jasper is equally as fantastic, and his honesty was refreshing. I loved his passion for improv and his group's supportiveness. Cal was also a favourite character, and I'm rooting for him to have his own book as well (Andi is getting one and I am definitely here for it!).

I did find the first half of the book a little slow, there were some pacing issues for me, but I still smashed through this in a couple of sittings.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book, because damn it was good!

4 ⭐️

If you love the fake dating trope, then this one’s for you!

Yes & I Love You was the first of its kind for me. The MCs were realistic and relatable. Hollyn’s character was original and authentic, before this I had never read a book where the main character has Tourette’s. A shout out for some representation in the world of romcoms! Her growth was admirable, she didn’t let the syndrome define her. She was brave, witty, and funny as hell.

As someone who struggles with ADHD, and is outgoing to a fault, I could sympathize with the male lead, Jasper. The handsome artist proved that just because you’re outgoing, doesn’t mean that you’re self-assured. Growing up in the foster system, abandoned by his parents, Jasper felt like he never had anything of his own. He was lost, struggling to find and make something of himself.

I couldn’t get enough of Hollyn and Jasper. I don’t think Jasper had to ‘save’ Hollyn, like most male hero types tend to do, instead they both helped each other learn and grow. Their story was so sweet and addictive, not to mention steamy. I can’t wait for the rest of the series (although, I was really hoping for more Jasper and Hollyn 😬)

Thank you Roni Loren, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest review. Available on March 2nd, 2021!

3.5/ 5 stars

Yes & I Love You is the first book in the Say Everything series of standalone interconnected contemporary romance books. As of now there are two books listed in this series.

This book is my first book by this author. I love the cover of this book. It is what drew me to it.

The main narrator is 20-something Hollyn Tate (3rd person POV). The book takes place in New Orleans.

Hollyn has Tourette's and she also suffers from extreme anxiety whenever she has to speak to people. She writes an entertainment column under a pseudonym.

I found all of these aspects to be very unique. And I thought that they all added a lot to the story, especially her anxiety.

There is also a male narrator (also 3rd person POV).

The beginning wasn't bad. But I wasn't super invested in the story or the characters.

What I did love was Hollyn's new friend, Andi. And the improv aspect of the story.

The romance was decent. But this book was much sexier than I was expecting from the cover.

The end was really good and definitely brought up my rating. Overall, this was a sweet, charming, romantic story.