Member Reviews
I loved the first book in this series Things I Should Have Said. Kelsey Humphrey does not disappoint with her follow up Things I Overshared. I am far from and extrovert, so I often felt uncomfortable with some of Sam’s (the FMC) word vomits. But I grew to love her as I kept on with the book. The slow burn between Sam and Emerson, who I must mention are complete opposites, will have you hooked and wanting so much more. Kelsey knows how to deliver witty dialog and raw emotions. I can’t wait to see what she puts out next! Thank you for the ARC.
The tension in this was OFF THE CHARTS. Grumpy/sunshine, enemies(?) to lovers, forced proximity, WE’VE GOT IT ALL. I will admit I wasn’t sold on either of our main duo at the very start, but once they started interacting with each other more outside of the workplace, their friendship bloomed and I just adored both of them. Without spoiling anything, I’ll say Samantha is a more forgiving person than I am (though she did take a decent amount of time, and for that she has my utmost respect), so the level of groveling was absolutely necessary and I liked that the words used in anger were given the actual gravity they would have been given in real life. I loved the juxtaposition of genuine consequence and RomCom fun.
I am a sucker for books that have conversations via text.. not sure why. So when I saw the text bubbles directly on the cover I knew I had to request this book and it did not disappoint. It had all of the same vibes as some of my favorite romance books ever. The connection between Samantha and Emerson was amazing and was very obvious at the same time. Will recommend to my friends!
book 2 in the Heartlanders series is a clean romance with steam and fade to black scenes that can (and was by me) read as a standalone- but i WILL be reading the rest of the series because of how much i thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed this reading experience
i LOVED this book and couldn't put it down!!! i laughed, i cried, and i did a lot of "eeeeee"ing
this was primarily a singular 1st person POV of the FMC Samantha but we do get a chapter from the MMC Emerson's POV and i. ate. it up. and. needed. more.
there was really so much to love about this book and, for me, it was the perfect workplace rivals with grumpy/sunshine romance.
the main characters were well thought out, we learned so much about them, they grew, it was amazing
the side characters were great support while still shining on their own and grew alongside the main characters
Tropes:
Grumpy/Sunshine
Introvert/Extrovert
Billionaires
Rivals to Lovers
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
Workplace Romance
Slow Burn
HEA
("it's always been you"
He Falls First)
There were some religious mentions throughout the book but it wasn't a plot point, just thought worth mentioning in case people didn't want that- or do!
3.5 stars!
Sometimes rom-coms feel a little too slap-shtick for me, but this one nailed it with the comedy. It was just enough where it wasn't over the top, and Sam just felt like a very bubbly person who was easily excited and extroverted. I loved the development of Sam and Emerson, and the small tidbits that were revealed about them.
Sam looking for her "opus" was a nice secondary storyline/character motivation that I felt was very relatable, especially for her stage in life/in relation to her sisters.
I also loved the sisters, especially their group chat.
I was glad that the Nicole/Sam friendship storyline came back to play in the second act because without spoiling anything... I had some serious thoughts about Nicole leading up to that plot point and had some /thoughts/ about her as a person.
Overall, just a really quick, enjoyable read for me!
Thanks to Magnamour and NetGalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I have mixed feelings about this book. The first 50-60% of the book was too wordy without anything really happening. I don’t think the relationship between Sam and Emerson felt genuine. It seemed like he really didn’t like her and then suddenly she decided he did like her and wasn’t taking no for an answer. I mean I’m glad Sam felt confident in that assumption (and she was right) but I did not feel their chemistry building enough to agree with her.
And their 3rd act break up reason was thin. He’s loved her for years but wasn’t friendly bc he can’t have kids?
I did enjoy reading Samantha’s POV. Her personality is very different than my own so I found it refreshing and interesting.
Overall, it was a good read. Having a more gradual and realistic build up to their relationship would’ve made it better for me.
I didn’t realize this was part of a series when I requested it. I didn’t read the first book and I’m wondering if some things would have made more sense if I had.
'If you've ever been told you're too much' - then are you the main character in this book?
Where to begin! There is a *lot* going in the book.
Firstly Sam's inner monologue is just incessant. True verbal diarrhoea - it is both exhausting and irritating.
Secondly you have your pick of rom com tropes here; grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, office romance, secret crush, secret billionaire, stuffy rich disapproving family etc etc.
Thirdly - if I'm honest I just found it exceptionally cheesy. Don't get me wrong I love a cheesy rom com but I just cannot fathom a grumpy uptight British guy calling a woman he likes 'Angel' 🤮
Finally, there were a few things that annoyed me like the Nicole subplot and some of the culture references which were inaccurate.
Overall, I did enjoy this book as a light hearted, mildly spicy rom-com. No surprises in Sam and Emerson getting together but I liked the building anticipation of waiting for it to happen. I read this as a stand-alone but I would be tempted to read the others in the series because it was a good escapist read
With thanks to Magnamour/Netgalley for the ARC.
I haven't read any of Kelsey Humpreys' books before, but I definitely went and checked out her back catalogue once I finished this one - I really enjoyed it and wanted to get more! I liked her writing style, I quite liked the introvert-extrovert storyline idea, and I see that the previous book is a similar to this one has the same premise (and follows the sister of the main female character in her own love story).
This book follows two coworkers who've never gotten along. Samantha (Sam) Canton, daughter of the company owners, and Emerson Clark, the Brit who moved to NYC and came into the company as a brilliant CFO. He's not technically her boss, but she likes to joke around that he is, since she's started from the ground floor and worked her way up. Sam planned a great business trip for "Icy" Emerson (as she calls him, since he's always such a cold guy) and another colleague, but the other had to back out for family reasons - it's a month-long getaway. Suddenly, the pair are travelling Europe together and she's great at schmoozing clients but concerned about spending this much time with the ice king! On the other hand, he's trying to back out of the trip for having to spend so much time with the bubbly, sunshiny Sam for completely different reasons.
The dynamics between the pair and how they relate to each other and their totally different personalities, and why each is the way they are was so well written, with so many aspects kept hidden until really far into the story. Everything was revealed to us as the readers, and each character, at exactly the right moment in the storyline. The conflict, when it arises, was perfectly played out and resolution was also exactly right. I enjoyed the whole book and read it very quickly because I just had to know what was going to happen next! Emerson's little issue (ok, one of them) - he had an accident in his younger adult years that leaves him with headaches - which I can completely relate to, getting a lot of migraines myself, and just also want to shut myself away and want nobody around, may have made me like this book and Emerson just that little bit more! I definitely felt for him the entire way through!!
I definitely enjoyed this one and know that everyone else who picks up a copy is going to as well! The steam level isn't too high, so it would be good for most readers. A definitely recommendation for everyone - and the first book is not necessary to read (I didn't) in order to know what is going on with the Canton family dynamics, though I do plan to go and read it very soon.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and Magnamour, and this is my honest feedback.
💖BOOK REVIEW💖
Things I Overshared by Kelsey Humphreys
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Sam Canton is too much. Or at least that’s what everyone says. All. The. Time. After a rough year, she finds out she gets to take a fantastic work trip to Europe. Unfortunately, she will have to travel with CFO and Ice King, Emerson Clark. As much as she has tried, she just can’t win him over, which is a new experience for Sam since she makes friends with everyone, everywhere. Emerson acts like he cannot even stand being in the same room with her. In her mission to befriend him, Sam does maybe a little too much. She talks too much and too loudly, wears really bright colors, and just, overall, does too much. When they finally get to Europe and are forced in to a close proximity for weeks on end, things start to shift. But theres something else there, something underneath, forcing Emerson’s icy exterior. Come on a dream trip to Europe and follow these two as they forge a friendship and maybe even see something more.
💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝
Y’all. I cannot. The way you cycle emotions in this book. The irritation, the absolute frustration, the butterflies, the steam, all of it. The chemistry between Sam and Emerson will drive you absolutely INSANE. I devoured this book. It was SO MUCH FUN. If you want an irritatingly steamy anxiety inducing book to read, please read this book. It comes out on December 6! JUMP ON IT!
💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝
✨Thank you @netgalley and @thekelseyhumphreys for the ARC!✨
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I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
This is my first book by Kelsey Humphreys and I look forward to reading more books by the author. This is an enemies to lovers romance and cold summer romance with a twinge of workplace romance, I absolutely loved this romance and the funniest . Everyone should read this book! Highly recommend it and I want everyone to read it.
It is official. Kelsey Humphreys is on my instant buy list. She followed up on Things I Should Have Said (still arguably one of my favorite books of the year) with another winner!!
I loved Sam. I adored Sam. I aspire to be Sam. She is the extrovert everyone wants to be near.
After being presented with an opportunity to go to Europe for a month for work, ultra extrovert Sam is ecstatic...until she remembers ice man Emerson is also going...
She decides the best plan of action is to become Emerson's friend, thus launching Operation Thaw. She gives it her best shot - learning his favorite things. When the plan fails, she employs another tactic - oversharing and overburdening his introverted self.
Once they are in London, things get marginally friendlier, until she sees him without a shirt. Danger! She is on a man ban; she can't see him as a hottie!!
Kelsey Humphreys does it again! And I’m thankful there are so many sisters so that we might get more of these gems!
Things I Overshared followed the book Things I Should’ve Said- but can be read on it’s on. While the first book was about introvert, Skye, this story followed outgoing Samantha. She works for the family card company and must replace a coworker on a work trip to Europe. The stipulation is that she must go with Emerson Clark, who may be the least friendly person at the office.
Samantha is such a spitfire she’s determined to break down his walls and be friends. Of course nothing goes as planned. He speaks very little. It’s amazing Humphreys could write a book with mostly one sided conversations and it be so good! Sam starts to see what a kind and gentle soul Emerson has. He seems to always been looking at her and looking out for her.
The humor in the way Humphreys writes is *chefs kiss.* I laughed out loud many times! I was also moved to sobbing tears at least twice! What more could you want in a charming romance?!
As a reader you can’t put this book down. You’re dying to see Emerson’s story unravel & can’t wait for the next bout of word-vomit from Samantha. The sister aspect of this story is adorable and makes me pine for sisters of my own.
I’m so glad to have discovered Humphreys on NetGalley! I’ll forever read whatever she writes! This was such a well done, feel good, slow build romance. I’m sad it’s over but can’t wait to read the next sisters story!!
This is one of the best books I've read this year.
The romance was so cute! The epitome of "opposites attract" and the complimented each other so well!
One of my favorite things about this book was the writing. Kelsey Humphreys does "showing not telling" absolutely perfectly. She lets you read between the lines and let the reader get to conclusions on their own. Definitely a book where it will be fun to go back and find little details that you missed. Humphreys doesn't hold the reader's hand because she knows she doesn't have to/shouldn't. It was perfect and worked beautifully with the single POV choice.
For a slow burn, the pacing is amazing, the tension BUILDS, the world feels fully developed, and you really get to know the characters.
I absolutely loved Sam! Her line of thinking made sense and her emotions were so relatable and the reader was able to sympathize with her easily. This book had a lot of laugh out loud moments and almost all of them were because of her.
Overall, this book had so many lovely, adorable, swoony moments that I'm going to be thinking about for a long time. Definitely a book that I will want to reread in the future. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one in the series! In the meantime, I'm going to go back and read book one. Thank you for the ARC!
This is one of those books that you wish you could give more than 5 stars too! While not my usual genre this book is a win! The characters were so lovable and unapologetically themselves. This was a fast paced read that I devoured in one sitting. This book is funny, romantic and the perfect light hearted read.
It was just too cringe for me personally. I don't like how the main character talked, it felt like a book from middle school. I also dont think someone should be classified as grumpy just because they're shy. I dont know it wasnt for me.
I was really hoping to fall in love with this book. The plot, the characters, the concept, it all seemed to be appealing and right up my ally! Unfortunately I’ve had to DNF @50%
I wish I loved this book but it was too long winded with absolutely no improvement. I felt little to know tension between the characters and their relationship didn’t feel genuine. I was really excited for a grumpy/sunshine book but it didn’t feel authentic.
Emerson is labelled as a grumpy man but he simply isn’t a people person but he gets sick in social settings and has anxious tendencies, he’s not grumpy but just scared I feel for the guy. But I always feel as if Sam, the female main character, would push him too far.
I wish there was more happening or more dynamic to these characters.
Overall, not what I was expecting from this book and wish I could have finished it.
It started out a bit slow but once it picked up it was so good. Sam and Emmerson are adorable and I need more of them. I knew that he was in love with her from the beginning, he was so obvious. I had such a fun time with this book and the love confession at the end is so good.
I received an arc through netgalley.
This was my first book by Kelsey Humphreys and I loved it. The plot and characters were both good and very cute. It can easily be read as a standalone (like I did) but, it is the second in a series. I loved the side characters so much that I'm going to go back and read the first. The was a third act conflict, which I'm not the biggest fan of, so that is the only reason it not a 5 star read for me. Other than that, it was lovely and fun and I can't wait to read the next!
Things I liked:
🌼 grump & sunshine
🌼 slow burn
🌼 the characters are unapologetic about who they are
it started off a little weird to me for some reason but I pushed through and overall the story is enjoyable and cute.
-I received an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review-
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book!!
Samantha Canton is one of the five Canton sisters and an employee of their well-known family empire “Canton Cards”. Sam is known for her bubbliness, friendliness, and all-round sunshine personality (and dress code) by family, friends and colleagues. However, Emmerson Clark, ever quiet, stern and serious, never seemed to take a liking to Sam… or anyone. Nicknamed by the Canton sisters as “Icy Emerson”, “Frozone”, “The King of The North” and MANY other cold-related names, Sam takes it upon herself to commence with Operation Thaw i.e. Make Emerson befriend her before their upcoming work trip to Europe. What Sam doesn’t understand is that Emerson is her total opposite. She’s an extrovert and he’s an introvert. Below that “icy” demeanor lies many thoughts and feelings that are not easily shared- something Sam, who blurts out her every thought and feeling, is DEFINITELY not used to.
Full disclosure: I was an absolute and total fangirl of the first book of the Heartlander series, “Things I Should Have Said” because essentially, I am a Skye- an introvert who requires isolation to recharge and can find social situations a bit overwhelming. When I got the chance to read Things I Overshared, while excited, I worried that I’d find Sam’s character unlikable because, essentially, she represented everything I found overwhelming. I WAS WRONG. Once again, Kelsey Humphries did an amazing job at communicating the inner thinking of the main character. While some may not agree with her methods, Sam is an extremely lovable character, and it’s because of Kelsey’s writing style. Then there’s Emerson, a total introvert (and 100% my kinda guy), someone who, despite his lack of words and despite not having his perspective, I could find myself totally relating to. It was no surprise that, once he started to unveil parts of his mind, there were thoughts, feelings and a history that would take everyone by surprise.
Once again, my favourite part of this book, as with Book 1, is the richness of characters built around the main character. The Canton sisters’ group texting is absolutely hilarious, and families and friends around Sam and Emerson add so much to the storyline. In addition, descriptions of imagery is so well-done that I became totally captivated and enthralled by their entire euro-trip. The storyline was well-written and kept me hanging on until the very last page. The book had laugh out loud moments, emotional pulls, great smut, and twists I never saw coming!
Once again, I cannot wait for the rest of the Heartlander series. Thus far, this series is one of my fave rom-com series I have ever read.