𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙈𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙩
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶🌶
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲: second chance romance, wedding planning/ weddings, he falls first, dual POV, then and now timelines
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: July 11

"𝙉𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤"

I can’t believe this one was a debut!! It read super easy and I can’t wait to read more by this author!

So basically, our female lead (Ama) has a mom who had been married sixteen times. Therefore, we read about a wedding planner who doesn’t believe in marriages because according to her, all marriages end and weddings are just one big party. Then she meets Elliott (male lead) who is a florist and the more they work together, the more feelings evolve. Buut she doesn’t believe in relationships and he doesn’t believe in casual dating leading us all to a situationship gone bad situation 😂

I did like reading this one because I’m attending a wedding soon and I just love weddings myself. Fun fact: I wanted to be a wedding planner myself and I just love reading all the prep that goes with planning these events. So if you’re looking for a book heavy with wedding details, this is for you!

I love the use of dual pov with then and now timelines because it helps me understand better our couple’s relationship growth. We know I’m picky with my second chance romances 😂 But there were a couple of cute scenes here of some “touch her or you’ll die” vibes and I’m here for it!

This is a bit spicier than my usual romance reads but the chemistry is definitely there. Ama is just a little bit frustrating sometimes because she just doesn’t know what she wants but that’s unresolved trauma for you 😅

I read this part physical and part audio and I love that the audiobook has female/male narrators and it was so good! Thanks @libro.fm for the audiobook copy and thank you @readforeverpub for sending me a physical copy of this book. This cover is just so pretty!

Anyhoo, if you’re looking for a summer romance for this year’s wedding season, this one is for you!

💭What was your dream job when you were younger?
☕️ I wanted to be an events planner/ magazine editor.

This book begins with a wedding planner, Ama, that is adorable (and I’m very much in love with her)that needs to work with grumpy flower shop owner, Elliot, (who I am also very much in love with too) for a very high exposure wedding. Oh and she broke her heart.

This book was amazing! Holy crap, the writing was so charismatic I couldn’t help but devour this all in a few sittings.

It has all the tropes you need: grumpy vs sunshine, second chance romance, forced proximity, workplace romance, etc.

There’s also timeline switching and dual-POV. I loved the rekindling of their romance, and seeing Ama’s POV in the present and Elliot’s POV in the past with their relationships was so cool. The way that Julie writes her characters and even side characters is insane. She is immensely talented.

I think everyone should read this book because it was brilliant. Ignore your TBRs some more. Break that buying ban (if you can ofc!). If you’re never read a romcom before, pick this one up. Because I truly think that it won’t disappoint. That is how much I loved it!

* Thank you Netgalley and Forever for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. *

I'd never heard of Julie Soto prior to this book - but I can promise you I will read every romance she writes from here until eternity. Wow, was Forget Me Not a wild ride. I won't give too much away, but picture this: a wedding planner that believes in weddings, but not marriage. A scruffy/broody that has taken over his family floral business that is also the wedding planner's ex. Thrown together by a huge wedding after they haven't seen each other in years, and... You get it.

Forget Me Not is everything I want in a romance. Angsty, but not dramatic for no reason. Funny, but not cringe. Sexy, but not crass. I loved this. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a romance that doesn't feel childish, and has a great love at its core.

I have one singular issue with this book, and it's one that I have with a lot of romance: since when did sex with condoms become less sexy? Why is everyone in romance in such a rush to get it on they don't think it's important or attractive to protect yourself? I understand "I have an IUD" or "I'm on birth control" solves some of the issues, but last time I checked, an IUD isn't a stand-in for either a) a condom or b) a blood panel. But that's my own personal issue, and overall it did not impact my love of the book by much.

A wedding planner and floral designer second chance romance? Count me IN! Forget Me Not was lovely and I definitely recommend!

"It hurts to know that there's a tattoo I can't look at or touch. That I can never ask which extinct flower lives on his skin."

I am a SUCKER for second chance romance, so I read this pretty quickly. I loved the dual POV that was also a then/now timeline. Give me more of that! The plot was unique and every chapter had me hooked. It was positive, fun and quirky!

Was it perfect? No. Elliot was almost TOO mean sometimes and I wish we had the opportunity to get to know him better. Why was he so mean? I also wish I understood they're relationship more. What drew them to one another besides physical attraction. Speaking of, the spice got a bit repetitive, but that might be a me problem. I also wanted MORE emotion and the ending, while really great, didn't quite deliver on what I was hoping for.

Read If You Like:
-Second Chance Romance
-Enemies to Lovers
-Coworkers to Lovers
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Forced Proximity
-Then/Now Dual POV
-He Falls First & Harder
-Fear of Commitment
-Weddings/Wedding Planning
-Flowers/Floral Design
-Tattooed MMCs
-Spice (2.5/5)

Audiobook Review: FANTASTIC. I will read anything Teddy Hamilton narrates. He's incredible. Paired with Callie Dalton and this audiobook was 5 Stars. I found it easy to follow and loved all the different characters. Highly recommend listening to this one!

Overall, the was a fun, quick read. I haven't read any of Julie's Dramione fanfic, but I was really impressed with her first traditionally published book!

Thank you to Forever for the eARC and gifted physical copy in exchange for an honest review.

A favorite romance of the year!!! The tension/steam, past/present POVs, broody MMC, and wedding elements were PERFECT. The second-chance felt so real and the flawed main characters complimented each other very well. The depth of each character made me so invested in the story. Since I’m planning my own wedding rn I especially related to that part of the plot. It was fun to read about that side of wedding planning!

Loved it!!!!

Thank you netgalley for this arc to review.
What a spicy fun read! The tension and chemistry between this ray or sunshine and grumpy sunshine. Loved this second chance romance and the dynamic between these two!
An easy 4 star read!

Easily one of my favorite romance books of the year. I read this book because it came so highly recommended from Ali Hazelwood, and it lives up to the hype! The banter was incredible and the dual POV was *chef's kiss.* The parallel timelines were beautifully done, and Elliott was a Darcy-esque male lead who did NOT disappoint. Impeccable pining and love to be had by all. Love love love this book!

After breaking his heart, wedding planner Ama vowed to never work with her florist ex, Elliot, again. But when she gets the opportunity of a lifetime, the kind of opportunity that can really put her wedding planning business on the map and help it grow, and the brides want Elliot as their florist, Ama can’t say no. Now Ama not only has to navigate a celebrity wedding, but also working with her ex, and the chemistry that even the brides can detect between them.

I LOVED this book. From the very first page I was hooked and I could not put it down. I love wedding planner romances and this one was done perfectly. We got two points of view here, but done with a bit of a twist. While Ama’s chapters were in the present, Elliot’s chapters started when they first met and gave us their full backstory. I truly loved everything about this book. Elliot and Ama were incredible together and their chemistry was amazing. I loved the wedding planning and all of the side characters from the brides to the other people working the wedding. I can’t really do this book justice but know it was SO good and you should read it.

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.

You know when a book comes highly recommended by friends yet you still set it aside for a while, then when you read it, you wish you had picked it up sooner? That was me with this book. Every time I posted on my bookstagram about this, someone would message me about how much they loved it. And now I understand why! This book was absolute perfection. The way Julie Soto time jumped and switched POVs made me want to keep reading because I NEEDED to know what happened next. I binged this in a day while traveling and I have no regrets. The way both Ama and Elliot were written made me feel what they were feeling, and I definitely finished with an emotional attachment to both of them.

My only question is: WHEN WILL JULIE SOTO DROP THE NEXT BOOK?? I will be (not so) patiently waiting for more.

Thank tou to NetGalley and to the publisher for an arc of this book!

Forget me not was, overall, a really enjoyable read! I liked the professional space in which the novel developed ( her as a wedding planner and him as a florist). I was not aware that the book was dual timeline, which is something I think most readers enjoy in a romance book in order to know the main characters’ romantic history.

I think Ama’s motives and family are portrayed in a very interesting way. I think it gave depth to the conflict of the story instead of making an issue that arrives out of nowhere and that’s only present for the sake of the third act breakup - which is often the case in romance books.

As for Elliot, I think he was so understanding and thoughtful that it was inevitable to not root for them in the end. I really liked the author’s writing style as well. I started reading and couldn’t put it down so I’d recommend this for anyone who loves second chance, grumpy x sunshine, and slow-burn romance!

A second chance romance that is grumpy sunshine will always have a special place in my heart. Throw in dual POV and you have me hooked. This story was right up my alley. Ama was giving everything she needed to give. I loved the uncovering of their relationship throughout the story it made the ending so satisfying. I would love to see this story adapted into film. 10/10 would recommend.

Ama has scored the biggest celebrity wedding of her wedding planning career and she should be over the moon. If only the brides weren’t adamant about working with her floral designer ex Elliot…

What I loved:
-dual timelines
-wedding/floral scenes
-Elliot! My new favourite book boyfriend
-grumpy/sunshine trope

This was such a sweet read. I adored this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the advanced reading copy.

Review: Forget me not
Author: Julie Soto

Rating: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ 3/5

I really wanted to love this. I generally love everything Ali Hazelwood recommends but this just wasn’t it for me.

I felt no connection to present day Elliot and Ama. Their past POV had some sweet moments which is why I gave 3 stars but I just struggled to root for their present.

I also found the surrounding plot lines to not be engaging enough to hold my attention.

I honestly was so bummed out by this book. I was so excited to read it :(

This was the contemporary romance novel of my dreams!

I had a suspicion that I was going to love this book when I first heard what it was going to be about and I'm happy to report that I loved it even MORE than I thought I would.

This book was incredible. I'm finding it hard to believe that it's a debut but with that being said, this author does have a lot of previous writing experience.

I loved this story and I truly loved these characters. Of course I absolutely adored the character of Elliot but Ama fully captured my heart through our own similarities. I think many readers will relate to either (or both) of these characters.

This book had spice, this book had humour, and this book had donuts...if that's not considered a success I don't know what is.

As an additional tangent: Fans of Ali Hazelwood, pick this book up! This author has their own unique writing style and authentic way of storytelling but I could not help but feel as if I was experiencing that same joy that comes from reading a Ali Hazelwood novel.

***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Forget Me Not is a second chance romance that tells the tale of Ama, a wedding planner who believes in weddings but not marriages, and Elliot, the broody florist who believes in both.

This story is split into two timelines with Elliot’s point of view being in the past and Ama’s point of view being in the present timeline. This story-telling style allows readers a view into both characters’ minds but keeps some suspense alive since you don’t always know what each character is thinking.

I enjoyed this second chance romance more than I appreciate most second chance romance stories. I liked the Reylo vibes from these characters. I particularly liked Elliot. As a happily-ever-after enthusiast, I found Ama harder to love, but I came around in the end. Knowing her backstory definitely helped in understanding her.

4.5 stars!

This book gave me all the feels. Loved the dual pov and timeline! The steam and tension were top notch

This book was everything. Sometimes with books that I know there is heartbreak in some capacity, I tend to avoid because I don’t want to feel all of the feels. Forget Me Not gave me every single one of those feels on a silver platter.

I felt so connected to these characters. I felt their pain, longing, and the hope that things could be better. Ama is easily one of my favorite characters of this year. Her personality is just so fun and bubbly, she is someone I could see myself being friends with. I adored her sunshine personality and how she could just walk into a room and command everyone’s attention. Elliot had me cracking up, he isn’t a man of many words, but when he did manage to say something it was to be an overall grump. The grumpy x sunshine trope was real for this book. As was the enemies-to-lover trope.

This book is told in alternating timelines, which I thought would throw me off but didn’t. I actually appreciated the change in what was going on in the alternating chapters. We get Ama in the now and Elliot in the before. Towards the end of the novel the POVs and timeline change a bit, but I think that it was for the best reasons, and loved how the author worked this into the story.

On a side note: I really don’t like Ama’s mother, even though she isn’t featured in a majority of the story, I do truly believe that her thoughts on marriage and the fact that she has been married so many times were really the root of the problems that the main characters faced in this book. I get that her mother was essential for the story, I just really didn’t like her character.

I can not sing enough praises for this Forget Me Not. I thought I was going to have my heart ripped out of my chest but I was surprised. I finished this book with tears in my eyes. I loved every moment of it and can’t wait to read more from Julie Soto in the future.

My heart felt every word, every emotion that Soto has had weaved to spin this tale. l loved how due to the POVs we get to have into their respective heads and understanding and get the picture, it made things so intense. Everything felt lush and angsty. Emphasis on angst, is quite high here. The chemistry was palpable, and the character’s arc was top notch. I loved the ending, it was so cute.

Having watched her mother marry and divorce over a dozen times, Ama doesn’t believe in the institution but loves her job as a wedding planner. When the opportunity arrives to plan the wedding of a major influencer she agrees, the only problem is the couple insists on using Elliot Bloom’s florals. Ama and Elliot dated for several months three years ago but their relationship ended badly. The pair must now work together to throw the wedding of a lifetime in hopes of expanding their respective businesses, while the tension of their attraction and the past is still very present.

This book kept me up until 2:30 AM because I could not put it down other than google all the flowers that were referenced. I loved Ama from the start and Elliot grew on me until I loved him too. The structure of the book works wonderfully. Ama’s chapters are all present day leading up to the influencer wedding, while Elliott’s are in the past taking us through their relationship and leading up to the breakup. The tension (both the heat and animosity) levels were absolutely perfect throughout the book. There were many of the plot points I saw coming but it never felt predictable. I really enjoyed the side characters, especially Ama’s various former step siblings. Much like Lady Bird, this book is a love letter to Sacramento and made me really want to explore the city. I am very excited to see what Julie writes next.

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

What a great debut!

I had so much fun reading this!

This book was filled with angst, flowers, and all the horny and tension laced moments.

I thought that this was such a fantastic debut from Julie Soto. I thought that her characters were compelling and there was a perfect amount of angst within the conflict of the plot.

I was laughing, I was sweating, and I was dreaming of my own perfect wedding. Ama reminded me of Jennifer Lopez's character in The Wedding Planner and I loved seeing her passion for wedding planning and design!

Let me tell you, I LOVED that this was both dual pov and dual timeline. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of a dual timeline, but I loved the way Julie perfectly balanced Ama and Elliot's past and current relationship status with one another.

Elliot is the perfect man and I love him so much. I loved how he took care of Ama and was there for her despite their tense past.

Overall, this was such a joy and I loved every second of it.

Thank you Julie Soto, Forever Publishing, and Netgalley for this eARC for my honest review.