A talented wedding planner who doesn’t believe in weddings…a florist whose last name is Bloom; what a set up for an entertaining story of two who were once in a relationship and now meet up again.

Since Ama and Elliot are both hired to work for an influencer couple who are getting married, they are back in contact. Will things go better this time? Will the wedding they work on be a success? Read this one to find out.

Publisher’s Weekly notes that there is a fair amount of cursing here. I don’t know that this will bother many readers but just in case…Otherwise, here is a light read that many may enjoy. Recommended for fans of second chance romances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book. I am a sucker for a reality tv adjacent setting, brooding love interests, and strong independent MCs so this book was basically catnip for me. Ama is a wonderful MC -- a wedding planner who is the daughter of a woman who has been married (and divorced) almost twenty times? Absolutely yes. And Elliot the grumpy florist is extremely swoony.

This is a lovers to enemies to lovers situation and it's so well done. The cause of their enmity is slowly revealed over the course of the book and while the conflict that caused the break is a little underwhelming I thought the slow reveal was A++. I just really wanted to know wtf happened between them!! The story is told in two timelines -- the current day as Ama plans the wedding of a celebrity influencer and her fiancee (who happens to be childhood friends with Elliot) and the recent past as we learn how Ama and Elliot met, fell in love (against Ama's will), and broke up.

The plot line with Ama's old boss felt a little melodramatic and (tiny spoiler) it was just very clear to me that she was evil and sabotaging Ama from the very beginning. The confrontation at the end didn't really feel super cathartic for me personally but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book overall. I'll definitely read Soto's next book!

I absolutely adored this one! This second chance romance had my in a grip and I couldn’t put this down. I loved the juxtaposition of a commitment-phobe wedding planner who is a bubbly ray of sunshine and a grumpy florist who is gone for his girl.

30/10 would IMMEDIATELY read again. And again. And again. And then again ten more times. God DAMN this was an incredible story of love and romance and finding each other again. SO GOOD.

Meet Ama and Elliot.

Ama is the wedding planner of my dreams. She learned from a big name and branched out into her own, super successful smaller wedding planning. She loves the planning, but marriage itself? Not her deal. After watching her mother marry over and over again, Ama doesn't think marriage is for her.

Elliot Bloom is a floral architect. He's taken over his fathers shop and uses his architect degree to create amazing things.

Once they worked together and sparks started to fly until Ama ended things. Now, working together on the wedding that could make or break their careers, they have to learn to put the past behind them and to think of the future.

This slow burn romance will have you smoldering and wondering when these two will just give into it all. I'm a sucker for wedding books and I think you will be too!

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5

Is this book gonna win a Pulitzer?.... NO but it was a damn good time.
The plot and structure of this book is so engaging I had a hard time putting it down. The dual timeline mixed with dual POV was done in a way were I almost forgot all the obvious faults in the details in my desperate need to find out what was going to happen next.
Ama was a bit annoying and honestly there was some slightly outdated misogyny disguised as feminism, some of the lines were absolutely second hand embarrassment worthy, and the MCs were underdeveloped but THE PLOT that had my attention from about page 10. If you go into this no thoughts all vices I think it has potential if I was rating this book on how fun and entertaining it was I'd give it a 4.75 ⭐️ however if I was rating it on the actual like literary merits or whatever its be somewhere in the 2s so I'm compromising with that 4.5 ⭐️

If you're worried about this being reylo:
If you know it you'll see it but if you don't you won't. There are little Easter eggs but nothing big/too distracting

This was such a sweet book omg, when I was reading it and listening to music The Only Exception by Paramore came on and I felt like that song was Ama and Elliot. The side characters, and Ama's many, many ex-step-siblings were so fun to get to know and the love story was just the perfect romance for the summer. I can honestly say going into it I wasn't sure what I would think of it since it's a second chance romance and usually i'm not a big fan however this? I couldn't get enough of oh my gosh it was so good. (updating my review once it's out because I have so many thoughts & don't want to spoil!!) anyways this was the perfect read for me wedding planner & a florist falling in love? sign me up anytime

thank you Netgalley for the arc!

After spending a number of years under the tutelage of Whitney Harrison, Ama Torres started up her own wedding planner business. Ama was successful with the smaller boutique weddings. But landing a big name would certainly boost her image as well as reputation.

As if all the stars were aligned in her favor, Ama was contracted with big name influencer and cosmetic guru, Hazel Renee to plan her wedding along with her finance Jackie Nyguen. The only catch was that Ama had to utilize Blooms — her ex (Elliot’s) floral design store. A bit of a dilemma since Ama and Elliot didn’t part ways on good terms.

Forget Me Not is a wonderful second chance romance that knocked my socks off. The novel features great characters, some bubbling with personality, and other characters that you would love to hate.

The story unfolds through dual points of view. Through the lens of Ama and Elliot, I got to experience each characters temperament, and perspective. I was amazed at how author Soto managed to capture a male’s (Elliot’s) point of view so expertly. The dual timelines just added depth and context to the past and present narrative. I really got to learn how Ama and Elliot’s relationship evolved.

There were some tense and tearful moments. But everything came together so seamlessly, especially with the well timed plot twists. However, I didn’t expect those explicit hot and steamy episodes and some readers may be put off by them.

Overall, Forget Me Not was a fun and enjoyable read worthy of 4.5 stars rounded up.

I received a DRC from Forever (GCP) through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Wow. Wow. Wowww. ABSOLUTELY blown a way by this outstanding debut. Huge thank you to NetGalley and Forever publishing for the e-Arc in exchange for my honest review. I immediately pre-ordered need this book on my forever shelf!! Obsessed with our MMC Elliott and our darling FMC. Great unique story, interesting side characters left me wanting more.. hope there is a bonus epilogue and or book 2.... OBSESSED!!!!!!

Favorite Debut of 2023!!!

I went into this book with high expectations because of the cover alone, which was maybe my own undoing. This book did not hit the mark for me. I found the main female character to be annoying, and realistically I could not see them actually getting back together and staying together. I love our male main character, and the writing was fun as well. I loved the characters’ job and found that to be interesting. I’ll pick up the author’s next book regardless though.

Cute, spicy, intriguing and a great time! Great book to spend your time with and interesting plot. The cover is also stunning!

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
Narrators: Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 3 chilis
Pub Date: 7/11

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto is an absolute gem of a book that had me hooked from the start! It's like magic happened between the pages, and I couldn't put it down.

Ama Torres is a wedding planner extraordinaire, and she's determined to give her clients the perfect weddings they've always dreamed of. Her own views on marriage are a bit jaded, thanks to her mother's multiple failed marriages, but she believes in the power of love and celebrations. When she's hired to plan a high-profile celebrity wedding, she finds out that the florist contracted for the event is none other than her ex-boyfriend, Elliot Bloom. Cue the fireworks!

The chemistry between Ama and Elliot is undeniable, and it's clear to everyone except themselves that they still have feelings for each other. Throw in two meddling brides, a reality TV crew, and a horrible ex-boss, and you've got a recipe for chaos and hilarity. The story is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, heartwarming scenes, and a healthy dose of steamy romance.

I absolutely adored Ama. She's a ray of sunshine, even when things get tough, and her commitment issues are relatable and endearing. Elliot, on the other hand, is a grumpy florist with a guarded heart, but you can't help but fall for his charm. Their complicated history adds extra tension and excitement to the story, and I couldn't wait to uncover their past.

While there were moments that frustrated me, like the insufferable influencer bride and the lack of information about Ama and Elliot's past, these elements only added to the overall intrigue and kept me hanging on every word.

Julie Soto's writing style is superb. The story is brilliantly structured with time stamps and alternating between past and present, creating a whirlwind effect that perfectly complements the rollercoaster of emotions Ama and Elliot experience. The dual POVs allowed me to understand both characters deeply and root for their happily ever after.

The spice in this book is off the charts! Soto masterfully balanced the sizzling romance with a tantalizing slow burn, making every interaction between Ama and Elliot electrifying. And let's not forget the flower tattoos that add a touch of sexiness to the mix.

Teddy Hamilton is one of my favorite narrators, so I was excited to go back and forth between the book and the audio version. I think he captured Elliot’s grumpy personality perfectly.

Overall, Forget Me Not is a sensational read that will warm your heart, make you laugh, and leave you with a big smile on your face. Julie Soto has created a delightful romantic comedy that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone in need of a feel-good book.

Thank you so much to Forever for my physical copy and to libro.fm for my free audiobook!

There's no greater feeling then when one of your highly anticipated books for the year is as good as you were hoping it to be.

There was something I really enjoyed about this book. It was very easy to read and I felt attached to the characters right away.
We following Ama, a wedding planner who lands the wedding of her dreams to plan and design. The only problem is, the florist is the one company she no longer works with. Ama has loved weddings since she was a kid, seeing as her mom has gotten married a whopping 16 times. While she loves to plan weddings for everyone else, she knew her future never included one.

The story follows and Now and Then format with alternating POVs of Ama's in the present and Elliot's in the past. I'm not going to lie, I almost enjoyed Elliot's POV even more so than I did Ama's. I loved seeing them come together and how all the "Ins" in Ama's POV were formed. I'm also just a sucker for a tattooed bad boy who is down bad for his girl, I'm easy that way. Ama's POVs were a little tougher for me to read, because I wanted almost more interaction between her and Elliot. I understand that everything between them was very stilted, but it made it hard to see them come back to one another when I felt like I didn't get to see that in her POVs? Like talking outside of the work scenes.

That being said, I really enjoyed this book. It was a light read that I absolutely devoured in one day. I cannot wait to see what Julie puts out next.

Thank you to Julie Soto, Forever, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Ok, first off, I just have to say that I LOVE the setting. I don’t live IN Sacramento, but I live close enough to know the area very well. It was really fun to have a connection with the locations mentioned in the book!

Throughout, I love the witty conversations, and found myself grinning like a loon and laughing on many occasions. But there were also plenty of times I held back tears. I loved the FMC’s strong and independent personality…that is, UNTIL is prevented her from getting her happy ending. (But it’s ok, because it happened in the middle, so we know it WASN’T an ending!)

I truly loved this book! It is a perfect example of two broken people, who have worked hard at navigating life as it has been dealt them, figuring out how to live fully!

It isn’t often that I finish a book and think, “There’s absolutely nothing I would change about this story!” But that’s exactly how I felt at the end of this book.

Another thing to note, is that the story features side characters of a same-sex couple. The representation is well done!!

Julie Soto’s Forget Me Not has elegant, readable prose, emotional heft, and sizzling moments of steam. I read it straight through and I’ve been thinking about it ever since I put it down. This felt like the first book of a lifelong reader relationship. Marry me, Julie Soto Literary Universe!

This is a second chance/grumpy-sunshine/ he falls first romance.
Elliot and Ama have been broken up for a couple years by the time this book takes place. Hes a florist and shes a wedding planner. They have both been hired by a highly successful makeup influencer for the *wedding of the year* Both main characters were quite likeable and i love a wedding storyline.
Elliots POV was mostly from the past, while Amas was from the present. It helped build the story to get to where we are today. Elliot is the silent strong broody MC. Ama is a commitment-phobe looking for a good time. (to be fair her mom has been married many MANY times)
I loved the angst, the spicy parts were *chefs kiss* It was just a good, witty, funny, enjoyable book. I requested this book after Ali Hazelwood raved about it all over social media, and read it in one day on the beach.
I cant believe this is a debut book. I will be looking forward to reading all of Julie Sotos books from now on. Thanks to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Debut novel from one of my favorite fanfiction authors (known as LovesBitca8 on AO3). This one is a second-chance romance between Ama, a wedding planner who doesn’t believe in commitment, and Elliot, a florist who took over his father’s shop. The present-day chapters are told from Ama’s perspective, with past timeline chapters told from Elliot’s. In the present timeline, Ama has booked a high profile wedding that could elevate her career but has to work with Elliot on the florals, even though they haven’t spoken in about two years. In the past timeline, we get to see how they meet and get together, and it’s absolutely delightful reading Elliot’s self-deprecating awkwardness and internal monologue. In both timelines, we get to see Elliot’s gruff, but caring nature, and that he’s a total sap. (Think Luke Danes from Gilmore Girls, but younger and hotter, but still wearing plaid). This book had all the best emotionally written lines and you can feel Ama’s angst in the present day even if you don’t quite understand where it all went wrong. Amazing book and I’m super excited for more people to read it.

When I first read the premise for this book, it immediately intrigued me. The story and the tropes reeled me in. I literally read this in one sitting because I was so invested in Ama and Elliot, individually and as a couple.

I love when romances secretly tell a coming-of-age story. It was so satisfying seeing Ama become more confident in herself. I really enjoyed her journey and her character.

Elliot bloom. I swear I fall in love with every fictional man I read. Well, maybe not every single one. I loved his character. You get to see his grumpy exterior fade away when he lets Ama in and it’s the most beautiful thing.

I love that this was dual POV and that we got see both of the main characters' perspectives. It gives the story purpose and meaning. Ama and Elliot have great chemistry. There was angst and tension. Julie Soto delivers great spicy scenes in this. I do wish we got to see more of their emotional connection or just the emotional side of their relationship.

This isn’t just grumpy x sunshine but it’s also a second chance romance. I thought the alternating timelines was well done and I didn’t get confused at all.

I enjoyed the wedding planner and florist part of the story. It was interesting to learn about the industry and it made for a great setting in this book.

I do think that the first 1/4 or 1/3 of the book was slow in terms of pacing but the story definitely picks up as you keep reading.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a fun read and I liked both main characters a lot. The wedding themes were so enjoyable and I thought the book was well-written! I liked the now and then feel as well.

Knocking off one star only because some aspects were a little cheesy.

I had to stop reading this book at 54%. The main characters have only interacted at most 3 times, and have said enough to each other to fill up maybe a full page. There is no possible way that enough work to be put in for a good second chance romance.

I don’t care about these characters enough to keep going with this one.