It took me a bit of time to get over my own jaded view of certain elements I find "cringey" in a romance novel. An overly "quirky" heroine, a benevolent friend from a protagonist's past, a slightly smarmy presenting male protagonist. I thought I was going to DNF this book.

However, it's good practice to sit with our discomforts and biases and this book certainly did that to me. All of that to say, I almost didn't finish this book, and I am glad I got over myself.

This story takes great care in depicting the characters' mental health struggles and it is one of the reasons I have enjoyed reading books by this author in the past.

This was an enjoyable story, with the delicious level of steam we've come to expect from Roni Loren and the depth and well-developed characters that make a good, engaging story. This is a great start to this series and I'm looking forward to reading more!

**ARC received by Sourcebooks CASABLANCA in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.**

I loved this book! Quirky characters, fantastic mental health representation and a whole lot of steam made for a quick, enjoyable read.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @SourcebooksCasa for the arc!

One sentence review: A must read romance featuring a kicka$$ heroine, that you can't help but love, who sets out to battle her fears and succeeds in the best possible way.

This book is about Hollyn, an entertainment writer who has Tourette Syndrome. As a result she has a series of facial tics that caused her to largely be a recluse. Realizing she was close to being a hermit Hollyn finds an office in a shared work space in order to force herself to get out and interact with people. It is there she meets Jasper, an improv comedian. I'll leave the plot there - the better to discover on your own.

Here is what I loved about this book:

- the characters - the author does an amazing job bringing every character in this story to life. There is just an overabundance of goodness here. From the main characters, to their friends and coworkers, these people are just so interesting and you can't help but want to learn more.
- the setting - the novel is based predominantly in a co-work space largely inhabited by entrepreneurs, influencers and podcasters. It really is a brilliant setting that enables the author to bring in a string of side characters with fascinating jobs. This book is the first in a series so I'm excited to see the stories of some of these characters.
- disability discussion - I thought the author did a great job discussing Tourette Syndrome and the challenges faced by those who have it. She was sensitive to the topic and produced characters that have persevered and are living their own best lives.

So this is my very long winded way of saying I loved this book. I will also note that this is an open door, sexy times romance. It doesn't overtake the narrative but it is certainly an element of the book.

This book opened my eyes to a neurodiversity, Tourette's, I didn't know much about. I love when a book opens my eyes to a neurodiverse person and how they navigate through their lives.

I loved getting to know Hollyn and Jasper.

The agreement they come too to help each other was super cute and steamy!

The steam level in this book is perfect! These two have amazing chemistry!!

I will be picking up book #2 in this series when it comes out!

Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advanced copy to provide my sassy thoughts.

"Yes & I love you" by Roni Loren is an amazing and adorable book. I couldn't put it down! We meet Miz Poppy, a funny and blunt reviewer of New Orleans cool night spots. Hollyn is her real name and her personality is the complete opposite of Miz Poppy: shy, introvert, out of the public eye and social scene. She is asked by her boss to start posting videos of Miz Poppy and things get complicated. Jasper, the new coffee guy, where Hollyn shares an office, realized the connection between the two and decides to help her and at the same time get into the spotlight for his acting career. It is a beautifully written romance between relatable characters.
The author touches important topics such as anxiety, Tourette's syndrome and social fear.

I read this book with @lovearctually. Thank you for the awesome recommendation. So excited about our upcoming chat with author @roniloren

Thank you @netgalley and @sourcebookscasa for my #advancereaderscopy

Wow, what an unforgettable emotional read! I've read Ms. Loren's series, "The Ones Who Got Away" and I enjoyed them, but this is by far my absolute favorite book by this author. I immediately fell in love with Jasper and Hollyn's characters but little did I know that they would become favorites of mine. They are very real and relatable characters who also happen to be imperfect just like the rest of us. It's so emotionally uplifting and refreshing when people, real or fictional, realize that they are ".. all God's children. Beautiful and wonderful in our own individual ways." Like Hollyn, I'm a romantic at heart, but unlike Hollyn, I'm nowhere near as brave and strong as she is. I admire her and respect her so much--such an inspiration! And Jasper -- oh my, he might have some shortcomings, but he's perfect in my eyes and perfect for Hollyn! There were several moments that left me breathless and in tears and other moments that had me fist-bumping these characters. I'm sure I haven't adequately expressed how much I love this book so I'll just highly suggest that you read it! "Sometimes when you get the dream, you realize it wasn't what you were looking for at all. That you already had what you most wanted right where you were standing. You just weren't looking hard enough.." I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

This was one of my favorite books that I read during the month of February, it had me hooked from the very beginning!

This book has great representation as both of our main characters in this story are Neurodiverse. Hollyn has Tourette’s and Anxiety and Jasper has ADHD.

I have never read a book that featured a character with Tourette’s before and I had no idea that there were different types of Tourette Syndrome. In this book our heroine Hollyn has a facial tic instead of a verbal tic and I really enjoyed learning more about that and I found myself really sympathizing with Hollyn and Cal and the struggles they were going through.

I Loved that this book did not just solely focus on the romance aspect, it did such a good job of character development for both Hollyn and Jasper and I was so happy to see how much personal growth Hollyn made, she truly was such a strong character and made so many strides to push herself out of her comfort zone.

Jasper and Hollyn have great chemistry and this book is so dang steamy! I think my kindle caught on fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥

The concept of this story kind of reminded me of Ten Rules for Faking it by Sophie Sullivan, in the way that both heroines suffer from anxiety and are being thrust into the spot light and forced to be in the public eye and talk to people. There are also elements in this story that remind me of The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang.

Both of those books were 5 star reads for me, as was this book so if you were a fan of either of those books I definitely recommend adding Yes & I Love You to your TBR!

The second book in this series, What If You & Me (Andi’s story) comes out in July and I’m already looking forward to reading it.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a great and funny book! Absolutely adored Hollyn! Author did such an amazing job with getting you vested at the onset! Well written!

Part of me really does want to rate this as 5 stars, because there are so many great moments in it. I loved the representation of our heroine, a woman whose tics have made her feel self conscious and less than, as well as the depiction of our hero, a sweet, vulnerable guy with insecurities of his own. They make for an honest and real couple - even though I didn't always agree with their actions. The writing is solid and the tone remains light yet heartfelt, making this the kind of read that's easy to get lost in. There were a few minor things that bugged me, but I sincerely enjoyed it overall.

The story follows Hollyn, a woman with Tourette's who prefers to stay behind the scenes. She is a reviewer who has built up quite an audience, but she's done it all while keeping her anonymity intact. In real life, Hollyn is not the confident, outgoing woman she seems to be in her reviews - she's awkward, insecure, and generally unwilling to interact with others. When the new guy at her office, Jasper, tries to strike up a conversation, their initial meeting doesn't go as planned. They start off on the wrong foot, but slowly get to know each other better. And while neither one is in the right mindset for a relationship, that doesn't mean there isn't attraction between them.

It's been awhile since I've read anything by this author, so I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but this was a very satisfying read. It reads like a rom com but has serious undertones, and I loved the complexity of the characters. Both Hollyn and Jasper are extremely likable, though they each have things they struggle with. It's a slow burn that builds along the way, and our couple remains the focal point throughout. For me, the back half is what loses this a star. I always struggle with characters who think they can keep feelings out of the equation, especially when they're clearly already involved. The subplot revolving around Hollyn's best friend also distracted from the romance, though I can see why it was included - it adds a touch of nuance to the relationship that's important, but I can't say that I particularly enjoyed it. Overall, this was very solid and a great start to a new series. I received an early copy via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this slow burn romance.

This was such an unexpected treat.
I really loved the main characters Hollyn and Jasper. Once they start getting to know each other and communicate what they need they are such couple goals.
I also love the mental health representation here. We have characters with social anxiety, anxiety, ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome. Each character was treated with care and not just there for the diversity factor.
The story flows really well. The writing is great and I definitely could tell the difference between the two POVs.
I will definitely be recommending this to others.

Do we really know the people behind our favorite social media stars? As this book explores - probably not... but Hollyn is being forced from behind the keyboard to behind the camera, something she's not keen to do. Enter handsome helper Jasper. As an actor, he knows all about being behind the camera. Realizing that they can benefit from each other, they team up to bring Hollyn out of her shell.

What follows is a fun, flirty romance. It was predictable, but aren't most romances? I enjoyed the social media connection and applied it to my own life at times. The characters were interesting and I felt the chemistry.

You know that feeling when you pick up a book and it is such a pleasant surprise you just can’t stop thinking about it? That was Yes & I Love You for me last week. I adored this light-hearted, emotional romance between an improv actor and an entertainment blogger. It was a bit different from a typical romance; which, when you read a lot of romance, can be so refreshing.

The Tourette's and ADHD rep was excellent and handled in such an inclusive way - not just for the sake of adding representation, but to give a portrayal of a life that may not be known to many.

The main characters (Hollyn and Jasper) were extremely likeable, and I appreciated that it wasn’t bogged down in unnecessary drama, but they acted liked true adults in an adult relationship. I thought Jasper was so sweet to Hollyn, both as friends and lovers, and supported her journey to finding her voice. She, in turn, encouraged Jasper to follow his dreams. As two people who felt isolated and stuck in their current state of life, Hollyn and Jasper learned to find their own feet while supporting one another.

I also loved the secondary characters in this book, and can’t wait to read more about them in future books (it’s going to be a series!). This is a sweet but steamy read (in a good way). The beginning was a bit slow, but overall, I liked this book and would recommend to romance lovers!

A clever and endearing romcom about a girl with Tourette’s falling for her newly developed friend and improv teacher Jasper, an aspiring actor who can’t seem to get his life together. An intoxicating book that covers five different tropes, delves into issues that aren’t talked about often, and brings all the feels. This is a story I want to hug, and own, and give all the praise!

Hollyn is trying to put herself out there by working in public, so when she meets the charming Jasper, who also does improv, she decides to take lessons from him whilst pursuing a friends with benefits relationship. The only problem with their arrangement is that Hollyn is catching some feelings.

When a book has characters with quirks and disorders that cause struggles, I’m full on interested. Loren, who is already one of my favorites, writes about Jasper and Hollyn’s characters with insight, growth, and vulnerability. There are a slew of adorable and charming qualities in these two and we see so much growth by the end of the book. A refreshing love story that really can’t be put into a box. A unique and refreshing twist on two oddballs falling in love!

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

This book is a breath of fresh air, about two characters who each bring some problems to the table (her: extreme anxiety and Tourette's syndrom, him: ADHD) and are both trying to make a life for themselves. Both are quirky and creative by nature and profession, and their interaction is great. Fun, lots of humor and snark, great chemistry- up to steaming hot - and each makes decisive moves forward in their lives thanks to the other. And yet their problems are not front and center and used as a crutch for character development. The author gives insight into the issues you might face in living with something like this, but also makes it perfectly clear that it doesn't define someone either.

I absolutely loved this book! It was fun, quirky, steamy and so entertaining! The fake relationship trope reminded me a little bit of The Roommate (but I loved this book more). The banter and chemistry between the two leads was on point. I found Hollyn so lovable and was rooting for her hard. I found it refreshing to have leads that had various disorders (Tourette, anxiety, ADHD) and I loved the story’s overall message. This book was so unique and included all the elements (and more) that I love in a rom-com. I’m beyond thrilled to learn that there will be a sequel and can’t wait to hear more of Andi’s story next! I highly recommend checking this one out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 💫 4.5/5 stars

I LOVED Roni Loren’s The Ones Who Got Away series and was so excited to see she had a new series coming out. Yes & I Love You is completely different from her previous series and I loved it just as much.

Yes & I Love You tells the story of Hollyn, a successful writer with the online persona of Miz Poppy. Hollyn has severe social anxiety and Tourette’s, so when her boss demands that she “reveal” herself to the public, she panics. Jasper is a struggling improv actor who dreams of starting his own theater. When the two meet, they help each other and are just adorable in general.

Roni Loren is so good at finding the perfect balance between rom-com and rom-dram. I loved both of the characters and their romance. Each are fully developed characters and you are invested in each of their stories. I also enjoyed the pop culture references and interesting side characters. I cannot wait to see who the main character is in the next book.

Overall, Yes & I Love You is a sweet, emotional love story that is perfect for fans of Talia Hibbert and Emily Henry. Definitely preorder this one before it releases on 3/2/2021!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Miz Poppy is a popular reviewer. Everyone loves her reviews about the New Orleans night life. But what no one knows is that Hollyn is really Miz Poppy. When her employer informs her that she needs to add video content to her blog, it kicks her anxiety into high gear. Not only does she have anxiety, but she also has Tourette's syndrome.

When the new barista, Jasper Dears brings her coffee, things get uncomfortable and strange. Jasper cannot imagine what he did. But soon after their encounter, they meet again, and their friendship begins. Jasper is an improv actor who agrees to help Hollyn/Miz Poppy as he sees that helping her will be a win-win. She will do her video and he will get recognition as an actor.

As with most romance books, you know where this is going. The writing is on the proverbial wall. It is the journey that is important. I found this to be an enjoyable journey with two likeable characters who have their own struggles.

This book is a nice way to escape the world for a while. The author has a master’s degree in social work and put her knowledge and skills to use in creating a believable character with anxiety and Tourette's syndrome. One minor character in this book will be featured in the next book. You will have to read that one to find out who!

An enjoyable yet predictable read. I do like that nothing in this book felt rushed and the book did not end abruptly. That is my biggest complaint with romance books. I will happily read the next book in the series.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

One of the best romance books of 2021!

What’s not to love about this book?

The Writing- This is my first Loren book and if all of her books are this well written and engaging then count me in for reading her entire library of books.

She makes writing seem so effortless with character dialogue that is just superb and with excellent story pacing.

Genuine Characters – I adored Hollyn and Jasper. Both had pasts and mental health issues affecting their past, present and futures and yet Loren did not make the story all about their “issues,” showcasing that they are more than their social anxiety disorder, Tourettes syndrome and ADHD.

Those aspects of their personalities did not have to define them or hold them back.

Hollyn could have easily been written into this box as the quiet, shy heroine but she really blossomed in this story in a real and authentic way.

Jasper was an amazing character and I just loved him. His humor and carefree attitude made him extremely likeable.

I absolutely loved how Loren portrayed this character and ate up everything this guy had to say. He was so sweet to Hollyn and the best book boyfriend to her.

The Story – While the storyline of an outgoing hero helping the shy girl may not be original, I thought this story stepped out of the box and was something original all its own.

I appreciated Jasper’s backstory, giving him his own vulnerability, and I also liked the addition of Cal to Hollyn’s story arc.

Loren didn’t need to resort to excess drama to move the storyline which was refreshing.

Kudos to Loren for writing a fantastic romance with diverse characters and an engaging story that had me captivated from start to finish. I can’t recommend it enough.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Hollyn Tate has a job as Miz Poppy, an on-line reviewer of the entertainment business in New Orleans. This job is perfect because she can be her sassy self without anyone actually seeing her and wondering what is wrong with her. Hollyn has Tourette's and cannot help all of her facial tics that randomly happen. After being made fun of most of her life when she was younger, Hollyn tends to stay away from other people. When Hollyn's therapist urges her to put herself out there, she ends up finding an office space in a creative community. Proud of herself for even leaving the house, Hollyn is actually putting herself out there and has met a few people, including the cute new barista, Jasper Deares.

All is going well until her boss tells her that he wants her to start doing a vlog of her column instead. When Jasper, also part of an actual improv group offers to give her free, private lessons to help her out in the guise of being her fake boyfriend, things start to really heat up. The more time these two spend together, the less fake their relationship is becoming until they both finally realize that they have way deeper feelings than they ever thought they would.

Just when it looks like everything is coming together perfectly and Hollyn is ready to make her big reveal, everything comes crashing down. It will take a huge leap of faith by Hollyn to really put herself out there, but in the end, her happy ending will be all worth it.

I just adored this story. I loved both Hollyn and Jasper. Both of these characters had difficult childhoods but together they were learning to help each other overcome their greatest fears. This story made me laugh, cry and swoon....all the great feels of a perfectly told story. I also learned a lot about Tourette's that I never really knew before. Overall a wonderful book that I highly recommend.

Yes & I Love You is a light romance with flawed characters and an abundance of positive messages to live by. Hollyn's blogging allows her to do what she loves, giving her a platform to showcase how smart and witty she is but it also protects her from interacting with people. She needs an extra push to find her voice outside of her very popular online persona Miz Poppy. While she would like to meet people and be "normal," her social anxiety and her self-consciousness over having Tourette's serve as barriers. Jasper is a nice, aspiring actor looking for his big break. He has a strong tendency to want people to like him, a disposition he attributes to being a foster child, and he also has ADHD. He gives off the perception that he doesn't have his life together, and to an extent, he doesn't, but he is doing what he loves so what "together" means can be subjective here as well as what "normal" actually is. Despite a disastrous beginning, their relationship is one filled with positive reinforcement. I loved the positive messages relayed to each other throughout their relationship--messages I needed to also hear myself. (3.5 stars rounded to 4)