I love when an author takes a condition not commonly used in books and writes a story around it. So far I've read this authors THE ONES WHO'VE GOT AWAY series. YES & I LOVE YOU is very different from that series.
Fear is there to protect us, but fear is also what gets us stuck.

Hollyn, a mystery reviewer writing as Miz Poppy, has Tourette's. Past bad experience made her withdraw from the world and only now she's, albeit fearfully, stepping back into it. A huge challenge is talking to people. Best case scenario is that she makes it to her office in the office building without being talked to. Andi, a true crime podcaster (and heroine of book 2), doesn't let Hollyn's tics and her closed-off-ness scare her away. For the first time in a long time Hollyn has a new friend.
There is also the new barista, Jasper, who thinks Hollyn hates him without realizing at first that scrunching her nose are her tics. Jasper is also an improv actor and I really loved to learn more about how they work. Hollyn's professional challenge to review on camera eventually brings these two together.
“Just be you. Because you are pretty damn spectacular, Hollyn Darling."

She is so brave, giving herself pep talks, gathering courage and coming out of her shell, step by step. Ultimately, Hollyn learns through her new experiences, with the help of her new friends and by taking a risk that her condition doesn't have to define her, that she has the power to define her new comfort zone.
People always saw Jasper as a little flighty, head in the clouds, going for the impossible without a proper plan and being too impulsive. Meeting Hollyn, spending time with her, falling in love with her he learned that this isn't necessarily a bad thing but he also learned that following an impulse isn't the same as listening to what your heart tells you. He made some major progress and I was happy how he passed his final test.
"Life is one big improv stage anyway. You’re only as good as the people standing there with you. And you, Hollyn Darling, are the very best.”

If there is one thing I had a niggle with, it's the introduction of a love triangle that didn't really add anything necessary to the story. I'd loved Hollyn's best friend because he was always there for her and after that I didn't like him much anymore. I also didn't feel any chemistry beyond friendship from either side so why the author introduced it...your guess is as good as mine. I thought it was a shame to make a perfectly good character look bad for no good reason.

Overall, this was a very cute story with quirky characters that'll grow on you fast. The tenderness between Hollyn and Jasper made my heart gooey - I marked so many beautiful quotes, I wish I could share them all. Niggle notwithstanding, I whole-heartedly recommend this first installment of Roni Loren's new series.
“Love isn’t rational. It’s a risk. It’s always a risk."

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an opportunity to read Yes & I Love You

Book rating : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫
Cover rating: 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Smutty smut rating : 💋💋💋💋

A successful entertainment blogger who suffers from an anxiety disorder as a result of having Tourette’s syndrome ... a former foster child who has recently been dumped by the love of is his life and trying to make it as an improv artist ... coffee ... and the sparks start to fly

What I liked

✔️ a sweet love story
✔️ the supporting characters / friends - everyone needs an Andi and a Fitz in their life ! I’m all about great friendships
✔️ The ABC game was funny and totally smutty smut hot 😂
✔️ I enjoy romances where the characters have direct and open conversations

While I absolutely adored Roni Loren’s last series, given the cover of this book, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Considering that series was about the survivors of a school shooting, pretty much anything would be fluffier, but I was hoping it wouldn’t lose the heat level or angst. And while I was pleasantly surprised by how much of a rom-com it is, all the things I love about her books are still here.

Hollyn is desperate to prove that she can survive on her own. She’s got a job as a respected columnist reviewing entertainment in New Orleans, but she still struggles with severe anxiety, exacerbated by her self-consciousness over her Tourette’s, which manifests mostly as facial ticks for her. Her therapist’s latest assignment has her dutifully renting a space at a co-working location, but when she has an embarrassing encounter with the new coffee barista, she’s not sure she can stomach going back. Jasper can’t figure out what the cute woman has against him. Being a barista isn’t his dream job, but it helps pay the bills while he continues working with his improv comedy group. But Jasper and Hollyn strike up an unlikely friendship, and when her boss gives her an ultimatum, she turns to him for help. But as lessons in improv to help her get more comfortable in front of the camera turn into improv for dating, neither’s prepared for the reality of their feelings for each other.

“But I want you to know,” he said, gaze serious, “you can be whoever you really are with me. No judgments, no fake bullshit, no games. Just like in the improv scenes, I want you to know you’re safe. If you’re scared, tell me. If something isn’t working, tell me. If I’m doing something wrong, tell me. I’ve got you.”


I adore Hollyn. Her struggles with adulting are highly relatable, and she’s just so incredibly courageous. At times in the book, it feels like everyone who was supposed to be rooting for her was instead focused on keeping her safe, without realizing it was keeping her from living her life. Her therapist and Jasper are the only people who encourage her to step outside her comfort zone. Jasper makes it safe for her, and I love him for that. Sure, he’s funny and hot and does things like bring her anthropomorphic coffee, but he also sells her on how freeing setting out to make people laugh at you can be. Jasper’s not without his own adulting issues. What he sees as following his dreams looks like chasing a pipe dream to others. Even his improv group is wary of him because they were burned before when he dropped everything to follow his girlfriend to LA, and when he bombed his audition and she didn’t, she dropped him. People tend to think of him as flighty, and he’s blown away that Hollyn trusts him enough to have him help her with something so important to her career.

I know nothing about improv comedy besides watching Whose Line? reruns year ago, but I thought all the tenets of it, from the “yes and…” to using the alphabet was explained very well (and, in the case of the alphabet one-liners, extremely sexily.) Hollyn and Jasper have undeniable chemistry, and it was just as steamy as her previous books. Their relationship – both improv lessons and sexual – gives Hollyn a chance to explore what she wants in a supportive environment, and that ends up extending to Jasper as well.

There’s a bit of a love triangle (two actually) in the story, which I didn’t really love. I think it did display Hollyn’s growth – her choice between something that was safe but not exactly what she wanted and something that was outside her comfort zone but that she desperately wanted. I also loved how, when Jasper tried to pull the “he’s the better man for you” shtick, Hollyn completely trounced it.

“You’re a mess.”
Andi patted Hollyn’s knee. “Told ya. Don’t go around thinking everyone else has it together. We’re all just falling apart in different ways.”
“That’s depressing.”
Andi shrugged. “Meh. Or comforting.”


I adored the mental health rep. Though I’m not very familiar with Tourette’s, it felt like things were handled respectfully. Besides her anxiety, Hollyn (and her friend Cal) have Tourette’s, while Jasper has ADHD. At one point, she actually has a therapist appt (via text!) and talks through some of her relationship issues, taking ownership of things she knows she needs to work on. I love seeing characters work on their mental health, especially when it’s made clear that it’s hard work and a continual process.

“Andi’s smile went full grin, and she clasped her hands together at her chest. “Did we just start a lifelong friendship?” She gave an exaggerated nod. “I think we did.”
Hollyn laughed at her boldness. “You name your future children on first dates, don’t you?”


One of my favorite things about Roni Loren books is the friendships. I loved Hollyn’s friendship with Andi, from its hilariously rocky start to meeting up for drinks and girl talk. I also liked Jasper’s old friend Fitz, though I did find his willingness to find funding for Jasper’s idea a bit too pat. I loved Monique, part of Jasper’s improv group, who’s not afraid who hold Jasper accountable and who also gives some incredibly wise advice to Hollyn just when she needs it. I hope she eventually gets her own book!

Overall, I adored this book, and I can’t wait for Andi’s book, which is next!

I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

An entertaining romance with a lesson. Roni Loren has given us a popular, well known nightlife reviewer that no one knows. Miz Poppy chooses to remain anonymous because in real life, she has Tourette's syndrome that leads to severe anxiety problems. As her popularity grows, her boss requests she move her program into video. When a co-worker with acting aspirations offers her help.....the beginning of a beautiful love story is launched. The characters are so well written, it's like watching two of your friends become a couple. The story, light, yet still using tact and sensitivity when discussing these social handicaps. Good read.

This was a fun twist on an old classic. I loved being introduced to the love triangle and remembering some of my favorites. I can't imagine how hard it would be to write improv as dialogue, and while it didn't always land, it did a great job. I liked the simplicity and the steaminess of this light-hearted romp.

This book was so cute and the characters are just so adorable. I loved the flow of the story and the book is such an easy read. The author has done a brilliant job of establishing the backgrounds of the characters.

Hollyn has Tourette’s, been bullied hence she has anxiety problems and is basically an introvert who has shut off the outside world. Jasper is a foster child who is a struggling actor and a coffee maker. Their paths cross one day at office and the rest is the story. I loved how both Hollyn and Jasper were honest about their feelings and each other. I really didn’t want unnecessary suspense to keep the story dragging on and there wasn’t that so I am thankful to the author for that.

The book is a sweet mixture of romance, work, anxiety and life struggles. The only downside for me is perhaps that the story is too hot/passionate to my liking but they definitely go with the flow of the story so yeah not much to complain about that (just my personal likings). A must read for any one who wants to read a cute hot romance which is quick paced and easy to get into.

This was unexpected and really good. I loved the main character and reading about her struggles and how she worked to overcome them. The romance was so good - chemistry and steam were top notch. Would recommend to all romance readers!

This book was funny, and sweet, and steamy—and I just found out it’s going to be part of a series so I’m super excited!

By day Hollyn Tate is quiet, avoids interactions with others due to her social anxiety and Tourette’s, and largely keeps to herself. But by night she’s Miz Poppy, sassy reviewer who writes about New Orleans nightlight. She keeps her secret identity just that, a secret. When her boss asks her to add video to her reviews and says she has to reveal who she is publicly or he’ll find someone to replace her Hollyn’s world starts to spin off its axis.

Jasper Deares is an aspiring actor and part of an improv group, but by day he’s working as a barista at the coworking space where Hollyn rents an office (her therapist says she needs to try and be around other people more after all). After a pretty rough start the two start to become friends and enter into a mutually-beneficial arrangement. Jasper will help Hollyn with her social anxiety, and other things *wink wink*, and Hollyn will give his improve group a Miz Poppy review.

Hollyn has Tourette’s, which predominantly shows in the way of facial ticks, and adds to her social anxiety. It was so interesting learning more about the syndrome and watching her self-confidence grow throughout the book. I really enjoyed Jasper as a character too. He was open and thoughtful and while he had his own baggage to deal with he was so considerate of other’s feelings.

I’m always here for a bit of fake dating, and this book definitely didn’t disappoint. This book is pretty steamy y’all, in all the best ways, and if sex in public places gets you hot under the collar you’re going to love this one.

So definitely check it out, and stay tuned for book two, What If You & Me, which is due to come out in July 2021.

Adored this romance by Roni Loren. The characters are fun, unique, snarky and have amazing chemistry. Really enjoyed the premise and the heroine’s journey to overcome anxiety about her Tourette’s syndrome. It’s always great to see relatable characters with flaws. This is a quick, light and fun read that left me with all the feels. Loren executed this one so well! 4.5 stars!

3.5/5

I adored the author's previous series, so I was curious to get my hands on this book. I enjoyed Hollyn and Jasper's story a lot, and they were very adorable together. The first part of the story felt kind of slow, and I liked the second part more. I hope Cal will have his book because he was very likable, like the other characters in this book, and I need more!!

Roni Loren’s series, The Ones Who Got Away, about mature heroes and heroines who share a horrific high school shooting, is one of the best contemporary romance series I’ve read; therefore, any new Loren series comes with anticipation and high expectations. This latest “Say Everything” series sees Loren pull deep from her counsellor background in creating her protagonists. Her heroine, the lovable Hollyn Tate, has Tourette’s, and her hero, the less lovable Jasper Deares, ADHD. Their portrayal, Hollyn’s in particular, is sensitive and knowledgeable. The premise is a tad ludicrous, but aren’t many in romance fiction? The blurb will give you an idea of it:

Everyone knows Miz Poppy, the vibrant reviewer whose commentary brightens the New Orleans nightlife. But no one knows Hollyn, the real face behind the media star…or the fear that keeps her isolated. When her boss tells her she needs to add video to her blog or lose her job, she’s forced to rely on an unexpected source to help her face her fears.

When aspiring actor Jasper Deares finds out the shy woman who orders coffee every day is actually Miz Poppy, he realizes he has a golden opportunity to get the media attention his acting career needs. All he has to do is help Hollyn come out of her shell…and through their growing connection, finally find her voice.

Hmm, this doesn’t quite honour the novel’s attempted complexity: Jasper is the barista in Hollyn’s work co-op. When she learns his acting expertise is improv, they strike a deal to help her prepare to do video using improv games and help him get his theatre troupe off the ground with a Miz Poppy review. In some muddled and muddy way, they also end up agreeing to a pretend-relationship/affair: something about helping Hallyn emerge from her sexual naïveté and give her amorous wings? But the heart will do what the heart will do and Hallyn’s heart, and eventually, I guess, Jasper’s, falls in love.

Therein lies my problem with Loren’s Yes & I Love You; well, one of several. Hallyn is seemingly vulnerable, because of her Tourette’s and the bullying she endured as a child. But she’s built a successful career and is stronger than she believes herself to be. Jasper is, I also believe, genuinely attracted to Hallyn. Loren keeps telling us so, certainly, but I found the love scenes, of which there are several and graphic, strangely flat and unconvincing. Frankly, the improv’s scenes’ wit was more compelling and engaging. Jasper is also coming out of a disappointing relationship, is recovering his career, trying to make a buck as a barista, and make it up to his improv group, whom he’d abandoned for Hollywood and a girlfriend who dumped him when her career took off and his didn’t. Without indulging in spoilers, Jasper is a guy who leaves and his maturity level is at nil, IMHO. (When his sister asks him to move out, for example, where he’s been freeloading, he’s pouty and needy, even though she has every right to move in with her boyfriend.) Jasper never convinced me of anything.

Hallyn is terrific: she is anxiety-ridden and self-conscious, but she’s also built, step by step, and review by review, an amazing career. Whatever she’s feeling, however difficult and triggering situations may be, Hallyn takes risks, not careless, stupid ones, but ones bringing her closer to not being defined by Tourette’s, or her past. Though Jasper helps her with the improv games to emerge from her shell, what neither realizes is that she already had. Jasper, happy-go-lucky “nice guy,” pulls several immature “dick” moves. Their hurt-o-rama factor, as far as this reader was concerned, was in unforgiveable territory. When the grovel scene comes (and admittedly, it might be worth reading the romance for its cleverness) and the HEA-epilogue a year later … I couldn’t help but feel that Hallyn was short-changing her wonderfulness. And when Hallyn concludes, “Part of her couldn’t believe that he was hers. This gorgeous, talented, kind man was hers”, all I could think was, “Oh, honey, no.”

In the end, while I loved Hallyn, I never bought her love for the fickle, immature Jasper. I also couldn’t help but feel that Loren wrote a romance-HEA-epilogue and tacked it on to what should have been, at best, a new adult romance with HFN (which would have been fitting, but is NEVER what I’m looking for when a novel is labelled romance). Moreover, while I LOVED Loren’s The Ones Who Got Away series, peopled as it was by adults, ready for love and commitment, Yes & I Love You was a romance which felt like Loren didn’t inhabit her characters. She had a plan, an idea, a theme, she had a list and she checked off the boxes. I’m not sure I’m conveying my dissatisfaction fairly, or well, and Loren is still a fine writer, so I’ll give the next book in the series a chance to win me over. With Miss Austen, we deem Yes & I Love You of “tolerable comfort,” Mansfield Park.

Roni Loren’s Yes & I Love You is published by Sourcebooks Casablanca. It was released on March 2nd and may be found at your preferred vendor. I received an e-galley from Sourcebooks Casablanca, via Netgalley.

4.5 Stars!

What do you get when a girl with social anxiety and Tourette’s meets an outgoing guy with ADHD? An utterly delightful, completely charming story about chasing your dreams, doing hard things, and learning to love all of yourself.

“Don’t go around thinking everyone else has it together. We’re all just falling apart in different ways.”

Hollyn is doing her best to be involved in society after living an extremely sheltered childhood. To that end, she rents an office on the second floor of a workshare building, thus getting her out of her home every day. It also forces her to come in (limited) contact with other people. But once she reaches her office, she's perfectly happy to close the door and write her popular blog, Miz Poppy, covering the entertainment scene of New Orleans.

When Hollyn’s boss demands she add videos to her blog to keep up with competition, it sends her into a panic about losing her job. There’s no way he’ll accept videos that show the facial tics caused by her Tourette’s - even IF Hollyn was willing to make them.

But then Jasper, the new barista at the workshare building, learns of Hollyn’s plight and invites her to come to his free improv lessons. Pulling Hollyn out of her protective shell isn’t an easy task, especially when Jasper has his own dreams to chase and demons to slay, but together they both work hard to get what they want AND what they need.

“I had a counselor once tell me that we need to be careful with the stories we tell ourselves because our brains believe them. Maybe it’s time you start telling yourself a different story.”

There was so much to love about this story. The hero is swoony, supportive, and does the right thing - no matter the cost to his own dreams. Watching Hollyn let Jasper into her life was heartwarming, and seeing their relationship go from witty, cutting banter to heartfelt conversations was so incredibly lovely. The usual bane of most new adult romances is miscommunication/non-communication between the hero and heroin. But NOT here! It was refreshing to read about people in their 20s who are capable of being open and honest and do so despite significant reservations based on their life experiences.

Throw in the positive representation of using therapy to manage emotional struggles and equally compelling goals for Hollyn and Jasper, there was very little that didn’t charm me about this book (even if it did have a bit of a slow start). Despite the characters dealing with heavy issues, this book was filled with humor and hope and I couldn’t help but cheer for Hollyn and Jasper.

Yes & I Love You is going on my Best of 2021 list. It’s not even a debate.

* thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I loved everything about this book!

The heroine is real, sweet, and smart. The hero is funny, caring, and sexy. The fact that the characters are living with Tourette syndrome and ADHD, respectively, was handled in a matter of fact and informative way. I know more about the subject now thanks to the author.

I like that the book was told in alternating chapters so we get both Hollyn’s and Jasper’s perspectives.

This romance scenes had the right amount of steam for me (open door - about a 4 level steam)

All this and a HEA, who could ask for more?

This was my first ever Roni Loren book and it was enjoyable. I liked it. It's not the best book that I have read but a good one. I definitely enjoyed it and I would recommend it too. Also the cover is very cool. Overall enjoyable read.

This gave me Beth O leary vibes and I say that in the most positive way!
Plus diversity with the main character suffering from Turret syndrome which is something I have not encountered in books so far. Loved it all, and especially the main character who is funny, quirky and with a great view on the world that was very refreshing!

Thank you Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review!

Although not a book I would purchase in my professional role, it is one that I will be recommending in my personal life! Thank you so much for allowing me to have access to the digital arc!
This is a sweet rom-com that was just the antidote for the anxiety of the world right now.
Grab a fuzzy blanket, a cup of tea, and enjoy!

Hollyn Tate is determined to take steps to change her life. Her Tourette's syndrome and social anxiety has held her back in school, with friends, and in her career...and she's just not going to let that happen anymore. She's got an office in a shared workspace where she can do her freelance writing and take baby steps to engage with people she meets there. When she first bumps into Jasper Deares at the office coffee station, her nervousness at how hot he is sets off all her tics and she retreats in shame. And though the faces she made make Jasper think she hates him, the fact that he can't figure out why intrigues him. So he hand-delivers her next coffee to try to get her know her a little better, and they strike up a friendship. When Hollyn learns that she'll soon have to start making videos to go along with her articles, she panics. Her tics on display for legions of viewers to see? No thanks. But Jasper offers to tutor her in improv (his dream is to open his own theater), and their relationship quickly turns into more. Hollyn slowly begins to see herself as he does: brave, sexy, and maybe even a little badass. Jasper has baggage of his own, though, from his life as a foster kid. He's always desperate to prove himself and make his adopted family proud. So when he gets an acting job on a Netflix series, will he leave behind that dream of a theater and his chance at love with Hollyn just for the opportunity to make it big?

I love Roni Loren's books. Somehow she creates characters with complex, interesting backstories that are unlike any I've read in the romance genre before. Her series about a group of friends who survived a school shooting was heartbreaking but also inspiring, as it showed the HEAs that could be out there even, maybe especially, for those who go through such trauma. Now with Hollyn, Loren has written a character with a neurological disorder so sensitively...but not delicately, not pulling any punches or making everything all sunshine and roses. Hollyn has been through a lot but desperately wants the life she knows she deserves and is willing to do the work to get it. Her baggage makes the perfect matched set with Jasper's, even though they can't see that at first, and I really loved the two of them together. It didn't surprise me at all to learn that this author was a mental health counselor in a former life, because she clearly knows what she's talking about and crafts her characters with such believable depth.

There's also a lot of humor here, along with great banter. The improv games were hilarious, and I laughed out loud more than once. Also, this book is HOT. Whew! And the cast of supporting characters (Fitz? Andi? Maybe even Cal?) leave room for this to become a series, and I really hope it does. Roni Loren has become one of my go-to authors for romance, and I can't wait to see what she does next!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!**

High 4 ⭐️
I’ve never read a book like this before and I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2. This was great. The h and H we’re on fire and lots of steamy, funny, romantic moment and I always love an HEA. Jasper was dreamy and sexy as hell. I couldn’t get enough of him in or out of the the bedroom. The author really made this work for me. It was great getting awhile from all my stressful stuff and diving into this. I highly recommend it.
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca via Netgalley for this ARC. I’ve voluntarily given my review.

LOVE ... Love .. LOVED this book!
OK, first off I need to tell you I'm a huge romcom lover .. and this one checked all my boxes. I've read numerous romance books and it's so refreshing to come across one who the charterers are written as real everyday people. I mean we all have read the over the top uber rich main charters who everyday lives are nothing but rainbows and unicorns. So when I come across a book who the main charters have real everyday flaws or dealing with some serious anxiety, living paycheck to paycheck and real people like you and me can relate to and they find their happy ending ... YES I'm here for it!

I will be recommending this book to all my book loving friends.

I immediately fell in love with Hollyn. Her sass and shyness and her love for movies and tv reviews , (she and I would totally be BFF's). She had been pushing herself out of her comfort zone, little by little, but when management wanted her column to include video segments, it seemed like an impossible challenge. She needed to find a way to feel more comfortable on camera, and Jasper and improv might be the answer.

Neuro-diverse characters I haven't seen represented before and the characters grew throughout the book.
The banter, the humor, the romance -- it kept me captivated from beginning to end.

4 1/2 Stars!

"Yes & I Love You" really struck a chord with me. I enjoyed it from start to finish!!

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was that it portrayed main characters that were real with conditions that affect many people. It shows that even though your experience may look a little different, you can still navigate your way through everyday experiences and find your own happily ever after.

The book has dual points of view that read in third person. Hollyn is our heroine and she suffers from tourette's, which has led to extreme social anxiety because of how she was treated when she was younger. Due to the impact of her early years, she has been living a good portion of her adult life in isolation with little contact with others. She has recently started taking small steps and is trying to adapt to being "out in the world." She's a successful reviewer in New Orleans, known as Miz Poppy. Her online persona is outgoing and witty. It's easier for her when people can't witness her facial tics or uncomfortable responses in real person.

Jasper, is an aspiring actor who does improv. He's the new barista in Hollyn's workplace, but it's only to make some extra money while pursuing his future in improv with his group. Jasper suffers from ADHD and it shows up in impulsivity and speaking before he thinks. Right off the bat, he's confused by Hollyn's actions around him and takes them personally. Once he understands her past experiences with people, he becomes her biggest advocate.

I really did love these two together. Watching their relationship gradually unfold and grow was so much fun. They start with every intent of being a "friends with benefits" relationship and it evolves into much, much more. Of course, their chemistry is off the charts, so they have that working in their favor. Of course, they do run into some roadblocks along the way that could affect a future relationship. In addition, their insecurities often come into play when they find themselves entertaining the thought of a romantic future together. Somehow, they find their way through it all and to each other.

I really was pleased with how the author developed these characters and their journey. As a person who has immediate family members with both tourette's and ADHD, I could appreciate this storyline a great deal. The ending was simply wonderful and left me with a huge smile on my face. This was definitely a much-needed "feel good" book!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.