Yes & I Love You. Well guess what ... I love you too! An absolutely fantastic read and another 5 🌟 book for me this month.

Thank you @netgalley and @sourcebookscasa for this advance reader copy of Roni Loren’s latest novel out for publication on 2nd March.

Hollyn and Jasper. An introvert and an extrovert albeit both with the same insecurities of feeling lost and rejected.

Meeting each other at WorkAround, a firm offering office and production space for new business start ups with the opportunity to network, Hollyn and Jasper strike up an unlikely friendship. I loved watching these characters develop and seeing their insecurities fade as they bring out each other’s personalities in a way neither of them expected.

Hollyn is a journalist and hides behind her social media alter ego Mizz Poppy. Perceiving her tourettes and introversion as a hurdle for success, watching her confidence grow as the story progresses was so heart warming and filled me with pride.

Jasper is such a loveable chap. Despite a difficult upbringing, moving from foster home to foster home with his older sister Gretchen, his passion to fulfil his dreams of acting never falters. He forms part of the Hail Yes Improv Group - an act that I’d so love to see live!

This is such a relatable story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It has its fair share of ups and downs with a lot of giggles and some steamy moments inbetween. It kept me routing for the characters the whole way through, leaving me feeling empowered and my heart whole.

Be sure to check this one out on 2nd March 🙌 😊

I absolute Loved this sweet little book. Likable and funny characters. Neuro-diverse characters I haven't seen represented before and the characters grew throughout the book. Made for one successful rom-com that I needed at this time.

Hollyn is a young woman that has a successful column where she writes under the pen name Miz Poppy. People absolutely love her. She is honest and fun and is whip smart.... in her column. In real life, she has Tourette's and has a very difficult time interacting with people or anyone that doesn't about her tics. One day at her work space, she runs into the new 'coffee guy'. Jasper is this relaxed, happy-go-lucky guy that appears to be someone that everyone likes. But Jasper is only back in his hometown because things didn't pan out for him in Hollywood. He is a theatre guy, but his improvisation skills is where he flourishes. Jasper gets the feeling upon their first run in that Hollyn is not put on by his charm. And this is where our story between these characters starts.

While Hollyn has something obviously different about her that she feels uncomfortable about, Jasper has something a little hidden. A past that makes him act a certain way towards others as well as a side of ADHD. But these two are not going to let those things rule their lives. They are going to take control of what they can.

"It's like a drug, Hollyn...It's taking control back from everyone else and saying, 'This is who I am and I don't give a damn what you think.' When you get to that place, you hold all the chips in the poker game. they can't beat you. The fear fades."

I enjoyed watching Jasper pull Hollyn out of her comfort zone and I loved that she was the one to push herself first. The relationship/friendship that forms between them is full of sexy banter and awkward conversations where they open up to one another. I liked seeing them change and blossom right in front of me. And it wasn't just Jasper helping Hollyn. It was Hollyn and others in their work place helping them both. The supporting characters were just as fun and entertaining as the two main characters. They were fun and quirky and made for a delightful, sexy and entertaining story between two unlikely characters.

This was the first book I've read by Roni Loren, but it won't be my last. The unique perspective on a neuro disorder was enlightening and welcome. I liked that Jasper and Hollyn were tough enough to fight their demons to work on their self development and achieve it with one another. My only issue I had was at the very end and how Jasper reacted to a certain situation...BUT, this story was about discovering oneself and he definitely did that and he redeemed himself quite quickly.

Yes & I Love You was just the light, sexy and fun read I needed at this time and it marked all the boxes I was looking for. Not 100% perfect, but perfect for me and my dark heart.

"Love isn't rational. It's a risk. It's always a risk. So there's only one thing we can do."

Well Dear Readers, we have another winner!! Everything about this was precious, romantic, and inspiring. I looked forward to picking it up to read everyday. The main characters were endearing and their story had me rooting for them every step of the way. Over the years, romance has become one of my favorite genres and it is stories like this that make up why. Romantic stories with characters that inspire me and are compelling, propel the very best narratives about hope. I love how subversive this genre can be!

I have also never read a romance with a main character who had Tourettes and I loved it. It was awesome and also made me happy. Additionally, our hero was constantly focused on consent and was the opposite of possessive, so thank you! The only thing that bothered me in this story was the multiple events that happened towards the end. It gave me reader's anxiety because my emotions were constantly up and down. I did not know how to feel! It was a rollercoaster and maybe should have been drawn out more or edited down? Maybe?

Really though, it is a small complaint because it was compelling throughout even when I was frustrated by the pace. Also, the ending more than made up for it for me. The book just ultimately made me happy and what the world needs more of is happy books. Or at least my world does. This is a genuinely lovely, happy book and it was a joy to read.

What an uplifting story! I always love a “fake dating” troupe and Ms. Loren throws in a “love triangle” at the end just to spice this romance up. Our heroine, Hollyn, is struggling with her Tourette’s and fear of social interactions with strangers or just about anyone she comes in contact. Which is a strange fear for someone who’s job involves going out and about to review entertainment venues in New Orleans. Nevertheless, she is a successful blogger – as long as she stays incognito as Miz Poppy (her alter-ego pen name.)

Jasper is almost the exact opposite – an outgoing improv actor – struggling as a barista in Hollyn’s trendy workspace office building. He sees her beauty even thru her twitching Tourette’s tics. Once she confesses her disability, he really does not notice it except to help her overcome her anxiousness. This is so touching, and he is constantly encouraging her. Although he is working thru several personal setbacks, he offers free “improv acting lessons” to help her with a new work demand that she starts video blogging. An actor with a dream as well – the opportunity to open his own theatre. Which he kind of needs help from Hollyn’s Miz Poppy blog review. So a little tit for tat – pun intended 😉.

Hollyn also enlists Jasper to be her fake boyfriend which leads to the inevitable not fake relationship status. Oh, the sparks that fly with this office “romance.” There is some major drama with exes that stir the pot that is Hollyn and Jasper’s budding relationship, but in the end Hollyn gets her confidence and the Jasper gets his girl.

One added benefit from this story – the improv lessons are absolutely enlightening. Almost as if our authorette Ms. Loren has a side gig as an improv actress herself. I have been a Roni Loren fan ever since her “Loving on the Edge series” – some fab binge reading if you are up for some major contemporary romancing.

Yes & I Love You is a charming story about overcoming obstacles and taking risks to attain your aspirations. Along with the hot guy who falls for the smart girl, you will get an inside look at living with Tourette’s. The balance between romance and drama that Ms. Loren is so adept at makes for a delightful read. Looking forward to her next installment “What If You & Me” starring Hollyn’s quirky friend Andi and her hot firefighter neighbor – swoon!

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Yes, and I Love by you by Roni Loren is about a young girl, Hollyn trying to make her way in life with debilitating fears about people accepting her with Tourette’s. She has come so far as a successful blogger covering entertainment and lifestyles in the fantastic city of New Orleans. After all, It is easy to be a witty blogger because she doesn’t have to show her face where the telltale ticks of her condition will become apparent. But the day comes when her employer pushes her to change her blog a vlog. Showing her face and trying to speak on camera is a monumental task. Enter our young hero Jasper who has dreams of now or never. Jasper is a dreamy, funny, charming, and plucky young man who has a crush on Hollyn. The only thing Jasper doesn’t have is money and investors to start an improv/comedy club. It's at this point that they both realize that they can help each other achieve their dreams via private instructions and a willingness for Holland to help get good reviews for the new club? I thought the book was cute, yet not necessarily super sexy. I predict this will be a winning read for the spring with its positive message of hope in the future when you follow your dreams. Some minor plot holes bring the book especially the start of the story where the book struggled to find meaning. It was too slow. But this was a fun and easy romcom to root for where the reader as a vested interest on in the success both in life and professionally of our two leads. Thank you to #netetgalley for the ARC yet all opinions and thoughts are my own without bias.

This light rom-com style story focuses on Miz Poppy, a music and entertainment reviewer in New Orleans who is praised for her quick wit and sarcastic posts. Behind the online avatar is Hollyn an anxious girl who has Tourettes. Hollyn tries to coax herself out of her social anxiety by doing more things that scare her - like acquiring office space at WorkAround (a home for creatives, writers, podcasters, video producers etc.) and trying to make friends.

When the company that publishes her Miz Poppy column ask her to switch her column to video content in an attempt to compete with others, Hollyn feels overwhelmed and enlists the help of Jasper, an unemployed improvisation actor who's currently serving coffee at WorkAround, to become more confident. The interactions between Hollyn and Jasper are cutesie and believable, and the pair go from work colleagues to fake dating friends - a trope I am a sucker for!

This is actually the first story I've read where some of the main characters have Tourettes. I really liked that it is not used as a crutch or an element of quirkiness for the characterisation of Hollyn, but instead offers an insightful portrayal of a young girl's life that is affected by her tics. The story as a whole is light-hearted, humourous chick lit with a sprinkle of erotic romance mixed in.

The characters are quirky and likeable, and the story as a whole is a great perspective on self-improvement and confidence growth. It is endearing, warm and a light-hearted distraction, something which is well needed considering our current climate.

I love Loren's writing style so much. This book is a definite top favorite. A slow burn that just makes you flip through the pages as fast as you can. A must read!

Oh good gravy - I was not expecting how sweetly this book was going to touch my heart!

When it was good, it was so, so good . There were literally scenes that lit me upside - heart aflutter, smile beaming, pulse racing. Moments that played out so vividly in my head that my body went into a full-on swoon. No lie, when it's good - it's like next level good.

That said, it wasn't a perfect reading experience. I felt like the first half of the book was a little slow. There were still these moments where I was pulled completely into the story, and I never - not once - wanted to put it down in favor for something else. But there were times when I found myself skimming past parts that seemed to drag for me, scenes that I felt like could have been told and not shown - possibly because I was so greedy to get more Hollyn and Jasper deliciousness. Basically, the pacing was a little off for me and it literally was the only thing that kept it from being overall next level for me.

Because, make no mistake, they are absolutely delicious together. I loved every single minute spent with their flawed, quirky personalities. Their unlikely connection piqued my curiosity, and their smart - sometimes sexy - banter charmed me completely. These guys. I loved them so much. I loved their story, the evolution of their characters, and the sweet, honest way that they loved each other.

Yes & I Love You was refreshing and original. It was smart, sweet, and steamy, and my heart wrapped around these characters and their adorable love story with reckless abandon. The ending was perfection and I'm ready to see what's next for this new series!

While this book initially took me a little bit to really get into, by the end, it was an all-consuming, sweet romance read that I could barely put down. Here, Miz Poppy is a popular and vibrant reviewer who covers the most exciting nightlife options in New Orleans, but little do crowds know, is that Hollyn Tate is the girl behind the online persona. After her boss tells her to start adding videos to her reviews, Hollyn is fearful of people finding out her true self and finds help to conquer those fears where she least expects. That's where aspiring actor Jasper Deares comes in. After he realizes that the girl who orders coffee from him is Miz Poppy, he thinks a review from her about his improv troupe will be his chance at fame and media attention to jumpstart his acting career. All he needs to do is help her overcome her stage fright so she'll write a review of his troupe. But, things soon get complication as their connection deepens, she overcomes her fears, and he realizes what he actually wants to do in life and how to get there. Told in dual perspectives, this book is full of realistic and authentic character. Oh, and the representation is so nice to see in this friends with benefits trope read. And that ending is just way too cute to put into words!

SERIES: Say Everything no. 1 ( it can be read as standalone)
GENRE: contemporary romance
TROPES: opposites attract
CLIFFHANGER: no

First, because we are so hungry for diversity in character representations I want to applaud the author for giving us that in our leading couple. The hero has ADHD. The heroine has Tourette's syndrome that causes her social anxiety.
Now, I can't judge is it done perfectly. But I appreciate it!!

Both are artistic. Jasper is an improv actor, extrovert, working at the cafe while pursuing his dream of owning a theater. Hollyn is an online reviewer of New Orleans nightlife and movie critic. She works in an office filled with all kind of freelancers where Jonas come to work at their office cafe.

Hollyn's boss wants her to reveal her online persona and Jonas struggles financially so when he learns that Hollny is the elusive critic Miz Poppy he proposes a deal. He will help her to relax around public speaking and while being recorded, and she will review his improv group that should help him with promotion.
Of course, romance blossoms between these very opposite characters, and we get epic grovel & romantic scene, complete with sweet HEA.

positive;
* representation
* writing; Roni Loren is talented writer
* final improv scene ... le sigh..such a swoon worthy moment

negative;
* all major twists are based around OM/OW
* not really my favorite thing that heroine is kind of "cured" by the hero

I absolutely loved the first half of this book. It transcended reading and felt like I was watching a movie. The world building was so good and the blooming relationship was delightful. But then the conflict came and the story wasn't as magical. I still loved the heroine but the hero lost some of his shine. The ending was great though and redeemed the story. Although the fake relationship trope is tried and true, the backstories of the hero and heroine were so unique and made this book feel very fresh.

3.5/5 stars!

The heroine meets the hero over a cup of coffee. The heroine is a reviewer that wants to just write her reviews due to her fears, but her boss is giving her an ultimatum or risk losing her job. So the heroine asks for the hero's help, who knows that if he doesn't take the chance that the heroine is offering him, his acting career will not move forward. Though they came for one thing, neither expects their feelings to change.

The book features a wonderful group of characters, especially the hero's improv troupe and the heroine's set of friends. It was nice to read how a heroine is facing her fears and how others still adore her. There were some parts not to my liking but the overall story is enjoyable, especially the last small part of the book. This is a great beginning to this series by Ms. Loren.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.**

I loved this book. The main characters weren't your typical MC's and I absolutely adored them both. I think that this book was so different than your typical romance book where you can tell how things are going to go. This had me taking different routes than normal and I loved it for that. Such a fun, romance that everyone should pick up.

I love love loved every minute I spent with this book. I have never read this author but I am really looking forward to more of this series.

I loved that the main character has tourettes. I loved how it wasn't your typical trope of two people madly in love but won't come out and say it or will keep misunderstanding each other, or so many other communication related tropes. The characters in this book speak to each other, they say what they're thinking. They stand up for themselves and for each other. They are strong, real and really lovely.

I loved the chemistry, I loved the dialogue, I loved the secondary characters. I really enjoyed my time with this one.

with gratitude to netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I'll be posting my review on Goodreads and Amazon

I completely fell in love with this fake dating, improv-set romance featuring a differently-abled heroine and a hero on the rebound. There are books you love and then there are books you LOVE and this one falls into the latter because its just so sweet.
I know I'm late to the Roni Loren fanclub, but believe me I am inhaling her backlist right now.
Go read this book!

I am in love with this book. It’s entertaining and sexy and hopeful for people like me who experience social anxiety, hold back for fear of embarrassment, or feel they don’t quite fit. “There was no meet-cute. Her awkwardness was not adorkable like a movie heroine.” We then learn that Hollyn has Tourettes (she experiences facial tics, and has a friend with Tourettes who has verbal tics), and though I’d like to hear how those who have Tourettes feel the representation was handled, I feel that for both characters it was written in a way that didn’t erase the experience but also didn’t make it a singular defining trait of their character. I appreciated learning more about it, and I also think it’s important for us to see representation in romance that shows we are all capable of and deserving of love.

So much of this felt like therapy in the best way, to see Hollyn stretch herself but also realize that doesn’t mean changing who you are. I could write pages of all the things I loved about this book, but these were some of my favourite things:
- There were two really cool concepts that I haven’t really read about or seen before: a coworking office space (I identified with Hollyn’s desire to rent a private office and avoid talking to people even though she was doing it to be more social), and an improv group. Such fun ways to explore the story and embrace awkwardness.
- A teach-me relationship is one of my favourite tropes, and Jasper was the best teacher.
- Hollyn and Jasper’s relationship felt organic and was so sweet and full of trust and communication. I loved how they supported each other.
- There was conflict, but these two still communicated even when it wasn’t always easy. I was so proud of Hollyn especially, putting herself out there and sharing her feelings even if she wasn’t sure they would be reciprocated.
- A great therapist relationship.
- That ending was perfect. Not just in the romantic sense (though that was pretty swoon-worthy too), but in what Jasper and Hollyn both learned about themselves and the idea of sticking to their own definition of happiness and success.

This was a great story. I loved how the characters grew throughout the story and became the best versions of themselves.

Hollyn has Tourette’s, mainly facial tics. Being with people terrifies her yet she is determined to make some new friends. Jasper is a barista by day, with his real passion being working with an improv group. He is intrigued by Hollyn, but she will have little to do with him. Although she finds him interesting, she is afraid to get too close. Once she admits her Tourette’s and fear of people, Jasper believes his improv vocation will help her. Together they work through her fears and begin to care for each other. Hollyn’s best friend and one-time lover is Cal. He has Tourette’s as well, manifesting in phrases showing up when he talks. Cal decides to move where Hollyn lives and is upset to find a new boyfriend. I loved the characters and the life lessons. Relationships take work and trust. Speaking honestly may not be comfortable but is necessary in the long run. The improv sequences are fun and creative. The improv group is just what you would want in a friend. I also appreciated a bit of insight into Tourette’s. Do you choose the long-time friend that makes you comfortable or do you risk sharing your true self? Great book and a fast read.

I really enjoyed this book and found myself getting caught up in the storyline. This novel's plot is about the main character Hollyn who chooses to keep herself isolated by keeping her identity as Miz Poppy a secret. Hollyn feels her persona of Miz Poppy as the well known reviewer outshines what Hollyn considers her everyday mundane self. That changes when her boss requires her to do her first video blog as a reviewer. She asks the new coffee guy at work, Jasper, to help with her video blog. Jasper is an inspiring actor, and when he finds out Hollyn is Miz Poppy, he feels Hollyn could bolster his acting career. And both of them realize they are getting more what they originally intended.
One of the major positives of the book is the diversity of the characters. Hollyn has Tourette Syndrome and what is wonderful about the story is it breaks the stigma of this syndrome and showcases the character in a positive way. Jasper in the story is adopted, and also shows a positive experience in finding a family when he was younger. The next feature that sets this book apart is relatability. The story is not a classic fairytale that romance runs smoothly. There are friends with benefits, exes returning, and even questions someone falling in love being truly genuine. Finally the storyline is fluid, there is accuracy in the location setting of the book, and it was enjoyable. This book is definitely worth reading.