This was THE cutest book ever! It was the romance I've been craving for a while now.
It had

-second chance romance
-workplace romance
-grumpy/sunshine
-slow burn
-forced proximity

all of the tropes that I love in a book!

The tension between Ama and Elliot was felt in every page and Julie Soto did an AMAZING job with that. I loved that we got a "past" timeline through the POV of Elliot, while the "present" storyline was through through the POV of Ama.

Their banter was hilarious, their tension was on point, and their moments together was everything.

First of all let’s talk about the cover. This is probably one of my favourite covers of the year so far, I love it!

Forget Me Not is a second chance romance following our FMC, a wedding planner and the MMC a florist. It is told in Dual POV and past/present timelines, with Ama’s POV in the present and Elliot’s POV in the past.

I loved the premise of this book and was really excited to read it and while there were some parts that I did like, it just didn’t quite live up to the hype for me. I wasn’t really invested in the romance so I wasn’t rooting for their second chance, I also didn’t really like Elliot which didn’t help. I did enjoy the wedding planning aspect of the book though and I liked Ama.

I would read another book by this author, I think this one just wasn’t as amazing as I thought it was going to be.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review

Wow! Just wow…this book is my favorite book for July and definitely a top contender for the year! I absolutely loved everything about this book. And the cover - so gorgeous!

This book is full of banter and spice! I was pulled in from the very beginning. I love this book couple!!! Ama & Elliot had a chemistry that exploded off the pages. This book has several laugh out loud moments with the perfect balance of ! I absolutely love dual POVs and with Elliot's POV starting in the past moving to present day helping fill in blanks from Ama’s POV it was the chefs kiss.

Ama is a wedding planner really just starting out and she scores a big wedding for a social media influencer. She has such great plans for this wedding but none of them included working with Elliot Bloom - a highly regarded florist who is also Ama’s ex-boyfriend. This wedding could make or break Ama’s career so she has to put her big girl panties on and get to plan a superstar wedding! Elliot is a talented florist/designer who is grouchy where most people are concerned but Ama caught his eye and she very well could be the one that got away.

Ok so Ama was a little annoying to me at times BUT Elliot completely made up for that. Grumpy yet a complete cinnamon roll when it comes to Ama. Plus he has some amazing tattoos! I adored how Elliot really came through for her when it was really needed. The wedding settings were delightful - I enjoyed visualizing these events coming together. The cast of side characters were a fun, diverse bunch…most of them anyhow.

I absolutely LOVED the ending! I would definitely put this book on my re-read list (which I don’t typically re-read). What a fabulous debut novel that was a pleasant surprise! I look forward to reading any future books by Julie.

This is a perfect summer read!!!

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞…
Enemies to Lovers
Workplace Romance
Second Chance Romance
Grumpy x Sunshine
Dual Timelines/POV
LGBTQIA rep.
Wedding Settings/Drama

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: July 11, 2023
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 352

Thank you to @netgalley, @readforeverpub, & @juliesotowrites for the Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my honest review!

🪷BOOK REVIEW🪷

Forget Me Not - Julie Soto
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️

“A wedding planner and her grumpy ex must work together to plan a celebrity event in this deliciously spicy and funny novel from Ali Hazelwood's ‘favorite writer.’”

Oh, Elliot Bloom. You just might have taken my place as favorite book boyfriend ever. I loved his grumpy, brooding, protective demeanor and all of his flower tattoos and his passion about his job. I loved that the story was not only told in dual perspectives but also focused on the past and the present. Ama and Elliot’s tension and chemistry felt very real. I enjoyed Ama’s friendships/step siblings and thought that added a complexity to the story, as well. Ama’s final interaction with her previous employer was *chef’s kiss!*

This was a steamy, sweet second chance story - I just had trouble believing two people would just break up and just like, not speak for 3 years. No getting your stuff back? No real closure? Especially when you work together? But outside of that little miscommunication hang up, this story was perfect.

Recommend if you like:
- Second chance romance
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Dual POV
- Spice 🔥
- Amazing descriptions of flowers!

Published July 11, 2023 so check it out now! ✨

Thank you to @netgalley, @readforeverpub and @juliesotowrites for the copy!

I happy-sobbed and ugly-sobbed throughout this book, I loved it so much.

💫 The book is split into a unique past/present chapter switch situation, which is explained at the end (and yes, the explanation will make you cry 😭).
💫 Second-chance grumpy/sunshine romance, and the reconnection at the end was so wholesome
💫 Did I already mention the sobbing? Coz, the breakup had me super ugly sobbing. It's probably something I'll reread and cry just to experience the hea again 🥲
💫 The wedding planner plotline was so so good, the MC's energy and creativity legit made me want to start working enthusiastically 😭

TWs - death of parent, estranged parent, child growing up in an unstable situation since her parent keeps remarrying, divorce (secondary character)

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

What I love so much but Julie Soto's writing is her uncanny ability to paint such a vivid picture without making you feel like you are drowning in details. The story is alive!

The characters feel so real! When I look up from the page I expect to see them sitting there. I really feel like I know them.

The tension! OMG! The book is dripping with sexual tension, humor, wit, and heart!
The spice! If you like spice you'll love this! It's written so well!

I really loved how the story was told in a dual pov, one in the present one in the past. I was equally invest in both which rarely happens in dual pov, for me,

This book was so fun I ran and bought a copy as soon as it hit the shelves!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this e-arc

4.25/5

I wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I did but it was so addicting. I loved the second chance romance aspect and I personally thought it was actually a good reason for a second chance. I feel like the ending was perfect because it was the perfect balance of the characters growing and it left the ending where you can see the characters will make it but will continue to grow with each other along the way.

Eliot is actually perfect and I loved Ama so much. I wish that she was able to develop more backbone from her old job but seeing her growth throughout the book about that was amazing. Also, the horse scene was cathartic (if you know you know). Overall, I liked the book a lot and am excited to see more of Julie's books.

This was such an entertaining and fun read. I was feeling the angst, the stress of the party planning and all the emotions of Ama and Elliot throughout the story. I only wish I could see the wedding and the floral arrangements that Elliot created in real life because they sounded amazing! And I just now read that this is going to be a series and now I am soooo excited and can't wait!

Dear Net Galley,

I would love to give this book a "proper" review. However, Julie Soto ripped out my heart and soul and while she put them back together again by the end of this book, I will never be able to express in word or deed what this book meant to me. As publishers, as editors, as readers, however the person reading this "fits" into the romance community, I'm sure you can understand. I know you have also read a book that got you so up in the feelings and the thinkings that when it was time to put your thoughts into words, it's almost impossible. You just know that the book in some way altered you forever and you've carved out a place in your heart and soul for the book and its characters. Right? This is a thing, yeah? I'm not the only one who's been left speechless by a book and feels nothing you say will do it justice?

I have been very active on Instagram talking about this book with any and everyone. I will push it in people's faces in bookstores (politely, of course). But asking me to detail it...IDK if I can. This book is without flaw. Ama is wonderful. She is everything I wish I was--most of the time. But Elliot...Elliot has my heart. Probably because Elliot is me. I am him. His surly attitude, his fearlessness at saying whatever he is thinking even if it is offensive because he (1) doesn't care or (2) doesn't realize, I could identify with so much. I loved his rudeness but also his inner kindness and sweetness--but only for Ama.

I didn't trust Julie at first, playing with the time jumps. And I can fully admit now that I was wrong. What a clever, clever way to show us how they fell for each other, how they hurt each other, and how they healed each other once more. I cried more times than I'd like to admit reading this book. Like painful crying that hurt my head after because I was so congested. But I would do it again in a heartbeat for these two dummies.

So, this is my attempt at a review. It's candid. It's raw. It's real. Thank you for reading.

4.5 rounded up!

you guys.... LovesBitca8 was a genius on AO3 and shes a genius again. i loved the setting of this book and i loved elliott. i L O V E D elliott. his tattoos i cant i will die. he is so obsessed w her and it makes me freak out. and the ending made me cry. i would highly recommend

second chance, pining, miscommunication (but not in a bad way), hurt/comfort, flashbacks, dual pov

The first thing that got me about this book was the personalities of these characters and how well they clicked with each other, how cheerful but real Ama was and how quiet but sweet Elliot was made me fall in love with them from the start.

I have this crazy need to know what all the characters are thinking at all times (especially the main characters) so I have to admit I got a little stressed out being in Elliot's head only in the "past" chapters.

I will never get over the fact that he is a florist and she is named after a flower, THAT IS WHAT I CALL FATE BABY!!

I'm a faithful believer that a person's situation explains their actions but doesn't justify them, but in situations like Ama's where she bears the consequences of her mom's actions, it makes me go into a crossroads where I want to blame her mom completely but I know better and then I get upset, ugh it's this whole thing that my brain unnecessarily creates every time I come across books like this.

The conversation Elliot has with Jackie destroyed me in the best way, and I can't stop thinking about it.

My biggest complaint is that I would have liked this book to be longer so I could have seen the development of their relationship in the "present" better because I feel like their dynamic evolved and I would have liked to read that.

(Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review)

I really enjoyed this book. I was looking for something light hearted and fun to read and this hit the spot. I look forward to reading more by this author.

What a second chance romance! It had everything you could want in a book when it comes to that trope - spice, banter, sunshine/grumpy! This would make a great beach read for those looking for a new one to read.

This was such a perfect book to read while I was on vacation. A wedding planner and a reluctant florist can't stop themselves when they're thrown together to plan a very public wedding.

I love Ama's drive to be successful! She is so easy to root for and I enjoyed reading her inner struggles with loyalty. She is very good at her job, and her clients love her. That said, she has some issues with her old boss who she thinks she owes a lot of her success to. I like how this was handled because Ama has some great qualities including her loyalty and her friendliness. It helped mold her into a complete person for me, not just a character on the page.

Elliot is of course rugged and dreamy, hiding his sensitive side. He reminds me of a Roy Kent (in the best of ways) and I like how he reluctantly takes over the flower shop from his father, leaving his dreams of being an architect behind. What does this mean for himself, his identity, his future? It's a common but well explored struggle of staying true to yourself while also fulfilling family obligations.

The pace moves quickly and the storyline, while predictable, is charming. I love love love all the flower language. From what Elliot gives Ama at the beginning of the book to how they play unspoken meanings through the story, it really added a sense of whimsy and romance. There was light humor and some spice, which kept the story moving and had me invested in the characters early on. And the writing was spot on. It cast just the right balance.

I don't want to say it was just another romance book. It did feel a little heavier, more substantial to me than a beach read, but I did read it on vacation and happily read it when I had some quiet time. I would recommend reading it before summer is out... and having a book on the meaning of flowers nearby so you can enjoy!

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto

Okay I definitely understand why so many people love this one! This was an easy to binge read, perfect summer romance. I loved their story and I was definitely rooting for them from chapter one!

Ama is a wedding planner who doesn’t believe in marriage and Elliot is a reluctant florist. They have immediate intense chemistry but something happened to make them avoid each other for the last two years. I liked the layout of this one, with Ama telling her point of view from present day and Elliot explaining how their relationship began.

I do think it had potential for a bit more character development. The wedding she was planning was explained in such detail, too many in fact, I think I could put on this wedding without a hitch. But not a lot of details about either of their lives outside of work, I kept wondering about Elliot, like does this guy have any friends? Those aspects are just me being picky though.

Overall this was a sweet, steamy, and captivating romance and I will be reading the next book from the author!

Thank you to @readforeverpub and @netgalley for my ebook copy!

4.5 ⭐️ * rounded up for platform rating purposes
3 🌶️

READ IF YOU LOVE:
• Second chance romance
• Grumpy/sunshine
• Forced proximity
• A MMC who is protective, but only for *her*
• Dual timeline
• Dual POV

💭 BOOK THOUGHTS:
This is a new favorite! Thank you so much to NetGalley, Forever Publishing and author Julie Soto for a copy of this book so that I could provide my honest review. I’m immediately grabbing a physical copy for my shelves. ‘Forget Me Not’ was a delightful and absolutely beautiful story with a lot of heart. I adored the main characters and enjoyed that they were so well-developed. The dual timeline really drove the plot and the added drama created by an elite wedding was incredibly fun and kept me wanting to read more! I am completely obsessed with Elliot and have so many tabbed and highlighted sections of his POV that the entire book is nearly covered. That grumpy, soft cinnamon roll of a man needs to be protected at all costs! The spice was toe-curling and the swoony romance had me grinning from ear to ear. All the feels for this one and I cannot recommend it enough! Add this one to your shortlist TBR and read ASAP!

This was such a good debut! I loved the second chance romance, dual POV and timelines, but I just didn’t completely connect with Ama (though I admired her determination and ambition). The spicy scenes were really well written and I appreciated that they were from Elliott’s POV. I initially started this on audio but preferred and connected more with the e-book (though I did love Elliott’s narrator who really perfected his brooding, grumpy personality). Also, I’m super obsessed with this beautiful cover!

\\\\\ 4.5/5 \\\\\

THE STORY | Ama Torres just got the biggest wedding planning of her career. This will give her business national exposure, she cannot let this opportunity pass. The only hic is... she has to work with her grumpy ex, Elliot, who's been contracted to design the flower arrangements for this wedding. How will she survive being close to him again? And without anyone knowing about their past, Ama must make this work and be professional.

MY REVIEW | I don't know what to say. I'm not even sure I understand myself right now. Cause believe me, I was sooooo into this book! But there is a part of me that hates Ama (sorry!). And I cannot understand how I loved the book so much while I was so disgusted by some of the things she did. I'm not okay.

Let me start by saying that I freaking loved the writing of this one. The back and forth between past and present were so well done and I loved the fact that we were with Ama in the present and with Elliot in the past. It was such a great way to learn more about these characters and at the same time I was wondering what was going on in Elliot's head during present time, and as I got to learn more about him from the past, I could guess (and it broke me okay!!).

I don't really enjoy love at first sight or second chance romances, and these are both in there, and I still loved it. It was just so nicely done, the things that usually bugs me weren't there and it flowed nicely! I'm a sucker for funny "crazy" little thoughts in books, you know when a character just says something and you cannot help but laugh out loud because you can relate and even if the situation is not the best, it is said in the best way ever. I live for these types of sentences in books! And there were so many in there. And in between all these funny thoughts, you get the most emotional, beautiful things said and done by our MMC. I swear, this man. UGHHHHHH, Okay so let's switch to why I love him so much...

The first time we got a glimpse of Elliot, it was love at first sight for me. He is this stoic, very cold character, but inside he is just so insecure and thoughtful and you immediately want to protect him. He's such a precious character. The more I got to know him, the harder I fell. He is so so so freaking sweet and maybe it didn't help that for some reason I cast him as Noah Sebastian in my head (obsessed with this man already soooooo).

I will NEVER NEVER NEVER forgive Ama for making him cry. NEVER. The way she acted with him was so selfish, so not okay in many ways, she was BAAAAAAD. But she was still a cute quirky character but I'M MAD AT HER. But I still loved the story. (you get where I'm at in my head: I make no sense!!!!)

I feel like you can tell my love for a book by how messy my review is, and I'm sorry about that. Let me just say that before ending: Julie Soto is such a great discovery for me and I am looking forward to reading more of her books. Do yourself a favor and give this one a try!

Thanks to the author and Forever for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Ama is a wedding planner in Sacramento trying to make a name for herself after working for a high end wedding planner, Whitney. Elliot is a florist trying to make a name for himself after dropping out of architecture school to take over his dad’s florist shop. Ama is hired by a celebrity makeup artist, Hazel and her fiancée, Jackie. Everything is going well planning until they want Elliot to be the florist. Ama and Elliot have a past, but it didn’t work out. Will they get a second chance romance or will working together be a disaster?

Multiple POVs and different timelines always keep my interest when reading. This was cute with some spice sprinkled in! Thanks Net Galley, Julie Soto, and Forever Publishing for the ARC!

I think this may be my favorite book I've read this year. Ama is a wedding planner/designer. She was originally working for a larger wedding planning company before deciding to leave and start her own business. She books the biggest wedding of her career. One of the brides, Hazel Renee, is a famous influencer with millions of followers, so if the wedding goes well, it would be a life-changing for Ama. However, she debates canceling when she finds out the brides want to book her ex, Elliot as the florist.

The author incorporated both of their POVs and two timelines (past and present) to show how they met, got together, and broke up, while also telling the story of how they plan Hazel's wedding together. I love the creativity they each show when they're working on their designs. This book also has lots of spice, so keep that in mind. I think without it, the plot can stand on its own. I enjoyed trying to figure out how Ama and Elliot broke up and seeing all the drama that builds up to the wedding.

Good for those who love friends to lovers, second chance romance, grumpy sunshine, and weddings.