Is this the book you want to read? Yes, yes it is. A second chance romance, sparks flying, a horde of siblings, and a hotel room on a stormy night with just one bed.

4.5 stars!

you guys. what a wonderful start to may. i am genuinely in shock by how good this book was. when i found out it was two people reading an erotica audiobook i was sold. BUT IT WAS ALSO A SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE. BROTHERS BEST FRIEND. PINING. ONE BED TROPE. COMFORT TROPE. ITS ALWAYS BEEN YOU. FOUND FAMILY. DUAL POV. MUST I GO ON??

i thoroughly enjoyed this book! my only qualms were that i wish we got more scenes of the audiobook tension bc *chefs kiss* so good. but i really loved the characters and the plot and everything about it i would highly recommend if you need to get out of a reading slump!

**Thank you Entangled publishing for providing this ARC through NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. All quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change.**

“Love may be a two-player sport, but I’m all in anyway.”

Imagine getting a second chance with your greatest love, your greatest heartbreak! I knew I was going to love this book from the very first page! There is this level of comfort when you are around someone you used to share everything with. They tend to bring out the worst and the best in you.

“Two. The number of chances we needed to get this thing right. The second time’s a charm, for us. I can’t do life without you, Piper Bellini. I’m tired of trying to.”

There is a very fine line between love and hate, Sam and Piper are walking on every edge. They are explosive!! The tension between them is palpable, especially when they have to share a tiny homemade recording studio in her childhood closet to narrate the steamiest romance novels. Ouf 🥵🥵

“Tell me you don't think about this…My hands on you, doing the things that our characters get to do.”

I could not get enough of this book! The banter, the sexual tension!!! This book has both the second chance romance and the brother’s best friend trope and I was there for every second! Get you a man that will love you the way that Sam loves Piper!!

Oh my gosh, I loved this book from the get go. I know firsthand how difficult the entertainment and voice acting industry can be so I completely understand how frustrated Piper must feel. The tension between her and Sam was there from the get-go it was believable and I could not wait for them to finally rekindle their relationship!

I think second chance trope can be a hard one to get right, but wow has Livy Hart managed it with Talk Flirty to Me. The realisation that even though you think you're doing what is right and what is best for you - you might only be doing these things to distract yourself from what you really want is clear in this book and you really sympathise with the characters.

I'd definitely recommend this to friends and family, I also imagine it to be a good book if you're just starting or getting back into reading as it's just the right pace.

Thank you netgalley for the arc in return for an honest review

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

CW: gender essentialism, cheating (MCs relationship, past), high risk pregnancy with complications (side character but on page), fat phobic language

I really wanted to love this one, I'd heard so many great things from friends, but I think a lot of it was personal preference. Full of tropes I adore, especially sibling's best friend, I loved the premise of this book. Original, fun, lots of chaotic family moments. This book is very externally driven but I know a lot of people will enjoy it, again personal preference so if those are the types of stories you gravitate towards with lots of sexual tension, this is the book for you.

As someone who grew up in the Boston area I loved the moments that felt very Massachusetts and how much everyone in the book loved their town.

Something that I do hope gets changed before final publication is the use of Hefty as a mean nickname. While witty, it's clear even the characters in the book know it is a derogatory term about someone's size and it did make it difficult for me to enjoy the book with its use.

Steam: 3.5

Talk Flirty to Me is a dual POV of Piper, the only girl of a large family who's moved home to help her mom with her last pregnancy, and Sam, her former highschool flame and a current firefighter running for mayor. Piper's an audiobook narrator and asks Sam to be her partner for a big audiobook opportunity.

The Highlights:
1. I liked the humor in this. It felt modern and fun and I could probably see myself as Piper's friend.
2. The steamy scenes were steaming and I liked how Sam is definitely a giver bless him.

The Cons:
1. Not going to lie, I skimmed probably the last 50% of the story because I don't believe in DNFing an ARC (unless it's really REALLY bad and that's only happened once) but I was ready to be done.
2. The beginning dragged so much that by the time we actually got to see the romance, it felt rushed and hectic.
3. The romance fell flat for me. They kept talking about their past love lives and how much it was important to them, but when we find out about why they broke up, it felt very high school (which like I get, they did break up in high school, but they really hated each other so much that they didn't talk to each other for a decade???) By the time they actually DID get together, it didn't really feel genuine to me.
4. Too much emphasis on the family. I know it's a big part of Piper's life, but some of the family events felt like they could be cut to actually give precedence to the actual romance to make it feel less like things were cobbled together in the last half of the book.

Overall, it was just okay. Nothing mind blowing or something I would return to.

4,25/5
A second chance romance, where the characters have to narrate the steamiest audiobook while pretending to hate one another? As soon as I saw that book, I KNEW I had to request it.

Sam O'Shea is a year older than Piper Bellini, he's her brother's best friend and they've known each other forever. They dated all through high school until a misunderstanding occurred, a misunderstanding that lead them to a pretty harsh breakup.
Years later, Piper comes back to her hometown to help her mother with her pregnancy. She's now a voice actress who's really struggling to find a job and achieve her dream career. Coming back home is not without its difficulty though, namely, her hot firefighter ex running for mayor. Although Piper tries her best to avoid him, she quickly understands that it isn't in her best interest to do so. She was given the opportunity of a lifetime and really needs Sam to help her with a gig, the gig being the recording of an erotic audiobook.
As Sam and Piper work on the narration of that book, they're faced with their unresolved baggage and their inability to resist each other.

This was such a fun book to read. It was a little bit cliché sure, but it was incredibly entertaining. I couldn't bring myself to put the book down (which is great, because I had covid and really needed a distraction). It's Livy Hart's debut novel yet it was truly fantastic. It was everything I expected it to be and more.
This book perfectly illustrates all of the reasons why I love romance so much: it's angsty and funny, the characters are delightful and their chemistry was through the roof. The banter was so swoony, it made me giggle like a 5th grader. And the heroine's gigantic family was amazing. I love big chaotic families in books and Piper's family was ridiculously funny (and at times really touching).

I SIMPLY LOVED IT, it's a new comfort read that’s for sure and I strongly recommend it. (4.25/5)

Talk flirty to me is a fun, sexy, enjoyable romp of a book.

Piper, down on her luck, and struggling to find work as a voice actor returns home to help her mum through her latest pregnancy. This brings her back into her hometown and into the path of her older brother’s best friend (and Piper’s ex) Sam.

Piper gets the opportunity for her dream job, the only catch, she needs a partner. Sam agrees to team up with her, even when it becomes clear that the book they’re recording has some VERY spicy scenes. In the years since their breakup, their chemistry clearly hasn’t gone anywhere, but as they’re pulled back together they have to decide if rekindling their relationship is worth the risk.

I enjoyed this book. It was fun and steamy, with a cute ensemble of characters. Piper and Sam are likeable, and their relationship is lovely to watch blossom. This book is packed full of romance tropes (of course there was only one bed), but with a sweet relationship at its core.

As someone with a degree in politics, who voice acts, this book was the perfect mix of worlds. It required a little but of suspension of disbelief, but I’m not someone who expects books to nail down the details of careers in order to enjoy them.

The pacing is a little all over the place, particularly in the last third, where it feels like they jump from one revelation to another, with barely any time to react. Sam’s political storyline also trails off towards the end of the book, which makes sense with his character development, but could have been concluded in a more satisfying way.

Overall, it is an enjoyable, quick read.

3.5 stars.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was an awesome ride.

Talk Flirty to Me is built on the brother's best friend trope where the characters are forced to narrate a hilarious steamy novel while maintaining the guise of mutual hatred and trying not to fall in love. Again.
It's a sweet second chance rom-com that made me wiggle my brows like a creep and clap like a satisfied toddler at the end.

Our male protagonist, the ever-handsome Sam O'Shea is quite the overachiever. In addition to being a firefighter, he's currently running for mayor while managing the duties of being appointed the godfather to his best friend's child... the best friend who so happens to be the older brother of the girl he once loved.
In walks Piper Bellini, a struggling voice actress who has returned home to help out her pregnant mother. Of course, returning home comes with major problems, particularly in the persona of her devastatingly handsome ex-boyfriend, Sam.

The two have an interesting shared past. They (blissfully) dated in high school until a misunderstanding tore them apart, resulting in a bad breakup. With Piper's return home, the pair are bound to continuously meet each other, what with Sam being her older brother's best friend and all. Soon enough, they're forced to cooperate with each other when Piper needs Sam's help in securing an opportunity to achieve her voice acting dreams. The pair team up to narrate, well... an erotic novel, much to Sam's dismay and before either of them is prepared, they're forced to face their past, the unresolved baggage and the realisation that they're still very much in love with each other.

I completely adored Sam from beginning to end. He was ambitious, dedicated and unwilling to let anyone down. Piper was such a sweetheart. I related to her desire to reach for her dreams, and I utterly loved her family. This was so much fun to read. The cliché elements made it even more delightful and I'm willing to bet it's perfect for all rom-com lovers out there.

“As is tradition at Bellini parties, she’s transcended drunk and is basically a bottle of booze in a sweater dress.”

Is this really Livy Hart’s first book? I seriously hope it’s not her last, because her fresh, funny voice hits you from the start and I laughed several times, not least at the line above. Piper is a fabulous, layered character: capable, devoted to her family, determined to chase her dream… and yet underneath all that battling insecurities and still holding on to years-old conflict. And Sam… seen as so capable, so successful and honestly, HOT… and when it comes to Piper and her family he becomes this endearing mess. I loved all of it, including the peek into how audiobooks work, and I was alternately cheering on and shouting at the characters (in my head, obviously) as they ricocheted towards their happy ever after. Five stars, and I will definitely read anything else this author produces.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of Talk Flirty To Me ebook from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book! Talk Flirty To Me is everything you want in a romance! High school exes brought together again 7 years after there ill fated break up. Filled with heated memories and an undeniable attraction, this will be a definite summer add to the TBR.

Piper comes from a large family and is forced back to living at home when her career takes a nose dive and her school loans pile up. Piper loves her family and mostly stayed away to avoid her brothers best friend Sam who also happens to be her ex boyfriend.

After running into each other at the local bar, sparks fly and Piper is more determined than ever to stay away and keep her interactions with Sam minimal. Well……that was plan, until they land an opportunity at Pipers dream job that require Piper to partner with Sam.

As they do their best to stay neutral and maintain a professional business relationship, the past hurts surface. Was there a huge misunderstanding all those years ago that drove them apart? Why does being together feel so right when their first attempt at a relationship went so wrong?

The pull between Sam and Piper is undeniable. If they can only be honest with each other they might be able to find their way back together. I absolutely loved both characters inner dialogue as well as the outward banter. I loved both characters and was really rooting for them!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. I rate this a solid 5/5 stars!

#22ndbookof2022 #talkflirtytome #livyhart #netgalley

I seriously loved every second of it! The storyline was something new and refreshing, and with the second chance and brother's best friend tropes added, it became a whole lot more enjoyable. There was never a dull moment when the Bellini family was on page. I loved the interactions between every single family member because they were just so chaotically amazing! I was captivated by the dynamics between Sam and Piper from the first page they conversed. The slow and gradual change in their behaviour towards each other felt so natural. When all the pent up emotions and feelings from the past resurfaced, I definitely felt all the angst that I was expecting. Piper was unreasonable at times, but Sam was equally responsible for all the things that went down between them. Some situations were oh so hilarious and some very very serious. It helped to maintain the balance, and because of that, though the book was cliche at times, it didn't feel cheesey. But it was one big entertainer and I look forward to reading more of the author's work now!

Sam O’Shea is a full-time firefighter and wannabe mayor of Roseborough, MA. Piper Bellini is 24, a professional voice actress, and the eldest daughter of ten children in the Bellini family. Sam and Piper dated as teenagers, broke up, and left for college on bad terms. The two meet-up again as adults when Piper moves back home to assist her family as her mother is pregnant with her eleventh child. Sam and Piper agree to put their past behind them for the sake of her brother’s friendship with Sam. Sam also agrees to be Piper’s partner in an audition for a voice acting duo to perform a sexy audiobook series. The two rekindle their friendship and romance while dealing with demanding jobs, meddlesome family and friends, and small town political drama.

For a debut novel, this is quite a start! This is definitely a romance novel written by a romance reader. It is FULL of tropes. So many tropes. These were the ones I immediately noted:

-brother’s best friend
-only one bed
-second chance
-enemies to lovers
-slow burn (kinda - the characters don’t get intimate until around 60%)
-sexy firefighter who is featured in a calendar (Mr. February)
-internal AND external misunderstandings
-lots of groveling
-meddling family members (innocent ones and the angry, disapproving parent)
-grandma who schemes to get the characters together
-small town drama and hijinks
-ridiculously cute epilogue

I’m sure there’s a bunch I’m forgetting, but I just love that it was absolutely packed full of classic romance tropes. As a former Catholic, I was worried all the mentions of huge families and an incident that took place at a church meant there wouldn’t be any sex scenes, but there’s a couple steamy moments (thank GOD). There is also a lot of heart in this novel! I was definitely cheering for Sam and Piper to get together and finally admit their love for each other. My only complaint is that it almost seems like there’s too many characters in the story; all the siblings’, parents’, and friends’ storylines got a little convoluted because there are just so many. Overall, a fantastic debut and I can’t wait to read what Livy Hart writes next.

I loved this book so so much!! I couldn’t put it down.

Hart’s writing is perfect, bringing Piper and Sam to life in a dual POV with the right amount of description, internalization, dialogue, and action.

I loved Piper’s big family, the second chance romance, and the hilarious & steamy audiobook scenes.

In ‘Talk Flirty to Me’, Piper and Sam are chasing after their dreams, and become entangled in helping each other reach them. Sam is also Piper’s brother’s best friend, making for some extra complications, and Sam has a past that keeps coming back up. Mr. February anyone? :P A lot happens in the book to many of the characters, and you become invested in them and their outcomes.

Sam and Piper had great chemistry and I loved their scenes and POVs. They were supportive, comforting, and sweet, and I loved every second of them while reading this book. I’d hit a contemporary romance slump and this book definitely pulled me out!

In my opinion this book is very cozy. I really had fun with “Talk flirty to me”! Good and easy book, without no buts, if you looking for some easygoing romance that will help you to spend several nights.
We have the complicated story of “love” between Paper and her ex Sam, that happens to be her big brother’s best friend. They used to date in school and things didn’t end well. But now they faced each other after seven long years, and heat between them you can feel from the very first page! Can they find the way to each other or the bitter memories will be stronger? I suggest you to find out by yourself.
To sum up it’s really good romantic story with amazing sense of humour, I really hope that this story will make you smile as broad as it made me.

Piper and Sam broke up 7 years ago, but he’s her brother’s best friend, so when she moves back home to help out her parents, running into her ex is unavoidable. And to get her dream job to narrate audiobooks, she needs his help to make it happen. Sam is also looking to make amends and run for mayor, needing Piper’s mom’s support to make it happen, so a deal is struck. Talk Flirty to Me is such a treat to read. While I didn’t necessarily love how things wrapped up, I adored Piper and Sam. Both are so strong and ambitious, and they have such great chemistry! I loved seeing their chemistry grow as they work on the audiobook’s steamy passages. Second chance is one of my favorite tropes, and I really enjoyed how this story took it on, showing the effect their breakup had on the friendship Sam had with Piper’s brother Caleb and on his relationship with her family. There felt like a lot of foundation building and growth of trust for these two that felt honest and strong. The grow so much to figure out things for themselves to be better both individually and for each other. This romance felt authentic, and I was smiling so hard through this book. Really fun read.

4.5/5 stars

Hate to love romances are my guilty pleasure. So happy to read the ARC from Netgalley.

Piper comes home to help out and the last thing she wants or expects is to see her Ex.

Sam is trying to gain motion as a mayor candidate but needs Piper's moms backing.

These two battle the attraction that is there after years of misunderstanding especially while recording a very steamy romance novel. Such a great read.

QOTD: Do you listen to audiobooks?
My A: Nope! The voices NEVER match what I would hear in my head and I hate it. 😅🤷
.
This was a fun read, something to snag on the days you just want to laugh and feel a little love. If you're a fan of
Second Chance Romance
Enemies to lovers
Brother's Best Friend
Audiobooks
Witty banter
One bed
... then this one is for you!
.
BLURB:
I’ve got ninety-nine problems and my brother’s snarky, smart-mouthed best friend Sam is tangled up in every last one of them.

When it comes to firefighter Sam O’Shea, absence—and a regime of tactical avoidance—has been working for me just fiiiine. But when the audition of a lifetime falls in my pathetically broke lap, and he’s the only one who can help me land the job, I’m willing to make a deal with the devil if it means I can kickstart my career as a narrator for audio books.

The problem? We’d have to actually do the job. Together. And then we’re told it’s for an erotic romance. Narrating steamy lines in a tiny studio with a man who lights a fire under your skin? An occupational hazard. Accidentally inciting a town scandal when your erotic audiobook clips wind up on the radio? A crisis. And falling for the one man I promised my brother—and my heart—I wouldn’t touch?

I really enjoyed this book! I asked for it on NetGalley because the cover is cute and the synopsis sounded fun.
Talk Flirty to Me is a steamy romcom. Tropes are second chance romance and brothers best friend. Small town. Some forced proximity. There’s only one bed. The main characters definitely had good chemistry together and I liked their story! A lot happens in the book, there is definitely more to the plot than just the romance.
Would definitely recommend to romcom fans. Release date is 5/30. Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the advance copy!

This will be posted on my Instagram @katebrownreads as well. Will update with link once posted.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Piper is down on her luck back home from the big city where her career as a voice actress is all but indefinitely on pause. Not long after being in her hometown she runs into not only her ex but her brother's ex and now rekindled best friend.
She has one goal. Avoid Sam at all costs but when her dream job relies on the shoulders of a very buff firefighter avoidance becomes trapped in a small closet running steamy lines together for a romance audio book.

“Sam. Or, as my friends in the city refer to him, Hefty. Because they think he’s trash for what he did to me.”

I will now refer to all on my enemies as hefty. Because it’s just brilliant.


This book is fantastic.


I took 70 percent of this out in one sitting. The characters were lovable and hilarious. This got me out of my reading slump and I’m so happy I received this!