I just have to start by saying this is one of the prettiest covers I have ever seen!

So I loved the premise of this book! It’s a second chance romance between a wedding planner and a florist. It sounded percent and I was so excited to read it. There were parts that I really enjoyed but overall this didn’t live up to the hopes I had for it.

Forget Me Not is told though a past/present timeline with a dual POV. In the present we have Ama & in the past is Elliot. I found myself wishing that both perspectives were in the present. I don’t feel like I knew much about Elliot so getting more of his thoughts (especially after their time apart) would have been nice.

The romance didn’t really do anything for me. The two barely spent time together in the present. When they were in the same space it was mostly due to business and the interactions were awkward. I’m not sure how I was supposed to root for their second chance.

The wedding planning aspect was my favorite part of the book! Ama is hired to plan a wedding for a celebrity influencer and it definitely comes with some obstacles. I loved how passionate she was about her job. She went above & beyond for her clients making sure their special day was perfect! I thought it was so much fun!

I will admit that I am usually not a fan of the second-chance romance trope, but that cover and that book description made me want to give “Forget Me Not” a try.

But I was very pleasantly surprised with this book, and that was mainly due to the way Soto was able to write both the main characters POV, as this book switches from Ama ( the female protagonist) to Elliot (male protagonist, love interest). The only thing I wished more of was a deeper development of the relationship between Ama and her mom. But overall this was a super fast and enjoyable read.

Would highly recommend if you like the second-chance and grumpy/sunshine tropes.

I simply do not believe that this is a debut novel. I was the exact target audience for this book. Thank you so much to Forever and Julie Soto for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ama's journey was fun to watch as she grew into a more confident and secure wedding planner. The banter and sexual tension between Ama and Elliott was to die for. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them slowly get back into their groove and work together on Hazel and Jackie's wedding. I wanted to punch Whitney in the face so hard.

The flashback chapters were perfectly timed and added to the story. It was almost like getting two full length love stories simultaneously. I simply need more of Ama and Elliott. I can guarantee I will be re-reading and buying future pubs by this author!

-second chance romance
-grumpy (secret cinnamon roll)/ sunshine
-forced proximity
-perfection

I am torn between giving this book 1 or 2 stars. I did enjoy part of the 3rd act, not all of it just part of it. Warning this review will probably contain my rant and a lot of spoilers.

<spoiler>There were a lot of things I did not like or vibe with in this book. I did not like Ama which sucks because we share a last name. I didn't like how her personality trait is that she loves donut and eats them everyday. That she steps over boundaries with Elliot without knowing him, like without asking doing photoshoot or eating in his back studio after he says he doesn't usually eat back there because he doesn't want insects back there. </spoiler>

<spoilers>Like I get why they broke up the first time, but Ama seriously needed to go to therapy. I swear, I tried but it did not work for me. I get seeing the best in people but how did Ama not see that Whitney was trying to sabotage her.</spoiler>

Right now I can't think about more things that I hate.

This one was okay to me! I liked the concept of the book as well the the relationship between the two characters! It was just the pacing and the flashback aspect that I didn’t really understand. Like why did they break up, why are they avoiding each other, and it fell like they broke up over something so minor. But besides that I loved the male mc, he was the high light of the book in my opinion. I also loved the couple’s wedding that was being planned throughout the book.

4.5 ⭐️

Tropes:
- second-chance
- forced proximity
- grumpy/sunshine.

Ama (wedding planner) and Elliot (florist) are forced to work together on a high-profile celebrity wedding, despite past hurts they've both tried to bury. Elliot has such a strong, silent but intense energy that every interaction and longing glance make it clear just how much she affects him. Ama is a little spitfire with commitment issues thanks to her own mother having been married like 14 times.

This book was sweet, spicy, and surprisingly very angsty! I really enjoyed Julie's writing style, and appreciated how she predominantly used Elliot's POV chapters for context from their past relationship. Would definitely recommend!

I had a really good time reading this story but I did not really love the romance of it all. As someone who got married within the past year, it was fun to read he extravagant wedding planning process but that is basically all I loved from this book. The romance was barely even a part of the story. There were flashbacks with snippets and smut but I did not feel like the characters really knew or even liked each other that much. They just didn't click for me.

In the interest of full transparency, I was a massive fan of the authors fanfics back in the day so needless to say I was very excited to dive into her first traditionally published work! Especially a romance— sign me up.

Forget Me Not follows the story of a wedding planner and a florist as they rekindle a romance that flamed a while ago. The story is set in both past and present which always add an extra level to a second chance romance, although I would’ve liked more time in the present. I loved both Ama and Elliot and thought they had great chemistry and their love story was a very believable one. Julie Soto is a fantastic writer who is so incredibly talented at writing tension and banter and her talents really shine through in this story!

I’m a big fan of the “working together” trope (if that’s a trope!) and really enjoyed the tension that built with the forced proximity. I loved the very real dig into both their fears around love and commitment and was really happy with how the story played out. I would’ve liked to see a little bit more around the ending, specially in the present, to see how it all played out but that’s my only critique! I can’t wait to see where Soto’s career goes and will eagerly read anything else she writes.

I read this book in ONE sitting! I think it may be one of my favorite romances so far this year. Soto presented the dual povs in this second chance romance in a unique way.

Ama, a wedding planner, and Elliot, a florist, are part of the same wedding event and have to work together after having broken up a few years ago. The book follows the present timeline via Ama's pov and the past in Elliot's pov.

I can't wait to read more from Julie Soto.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for proving this eARC. I revived a free copy but my opinions are my own.

This book was adorable. I had such a good time reading it. The plot was engaging, the characters were fun, there wasn't a ton of drama for the sake of drama. I read it in one sitting. The only thing I found a little weird was how obsessed Ama was with Elliot's tattoos. It felt like a weird thing to be that focused on. All in all, I definitely recommend this book and I can't wait to see what the author does next.

Ama Torres spends her days as a wedding planner. She owns her own business and she sometimes has difficulty handling all of the things going into a wedding, but when she signs on for a high profile wedding things get extra hectic. Not only is this wedding career changing either way it goes, but Ama has to work with the man whose heart she broke, a florist named Elliot.
This wedding has to be perfect but there seems to be issues every step of the way. will Ama and Elliot be able to pull of this celebrity wedding that will not only be judged by one of the brides followers, but national television?! Or will their past get in the way of them being able to work with one another?
Not only is this book dual perspective but it is also dual timeline!! My favorite! It jumps between present day Ama as she prepares for this wedding and past Elliot explaining how he met and grew to love Ama only to have his heart broken.
Male florists with tattoos>
It's hard to not sympathize with both characters and why their views on commitment are so different.
Ama's mother has been married over a dozen time and each time Ama is the one that still has to be there to support her mother through the breakups. It is instilled in her from a young age that marriage does not last and that commitment is just a word. when she meets Elliot it's different but she still can't imagine changing her ways for a man just to end up alone in the end like she believes she will be. Ama would rather be alone and never have dealt with a divorce or huge breakup than open herself up fully and have the possibility of heartbreak.
Elliot seems to have a good view on commitment. His parents relationship seemed good and after his father died, his mother remarried into a happy long lasting marriage. When Elliot meets Ama he is almost instantly infatuated with her. He wants to protect her from her boss and then when the two are reintroduced when Ama asks for his business in a wedding through her own company he is a bit standoffish but also seems happy that she's working for herself now. Every time he sees her he grows more and more feeling toward her. In the current timeline Elliot is super distant. He had his heart broken once by Ama so he is clearly trying to not open himself up to any possible feeling towards her now.
I adored this book. From the background on their relationship to the many doughnut shop trips, to the infinite amount of lights going off on Ama's car warning her to help it. The drama with her ex-boss and the relationships she has with her clients that seem to help her create the most beautiful weddings that perfectly fit each couple. Such a cute and fun read. So grateful for the opportunity to read this, book early.

What a well executed second chance romance! Second chance romance are not typically my favourite, but this one delivered. I found both main characters lovable and was fully invested in their story.

I enjoyed the dual POV and seeing how the story intersected past and present, having Elliot's POV primarily in the past, while Ama's POV is our main source for the present day.

Having the dual POV really enhanced the grumpy × sunshine elements of their personalities, I enjoyed seeing the different takes.

It was everything I was hoping it would be and delivered a perfect blend of comedy, romance, angst, and spice.

Ama Torres is an up and coming wedding planner in Sacramento and has just scored the celebrity wedding of the year. This is the type of wedding that could elevate her business to a whole new level. The only problem is that the brides are set on using Blooming, and Elliot Bloom, as their floral designer. Ama and Elliot once had a whirlwind romance, but haven’t spoken or seen each other since breaking up two years ago. Can they put their personal feelings aside to put on the wedding of the year?

Oh my gosh, I adored this book! Grumpy/sunshine, second chance romance and a delightfully quirky FMC? Sign me up! Ama is a ray of sunshine and I loved being in her head, along for the ride. I really liked the dual POVs and alternating timelines, seeing the beginning of Ama and Elliott’s relationship from his view. The only thing I wished for was a more heartfelt conversation between Ama and her mother and their views on marriage. I didn’t want this story to end or to leave these characters, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Mar gets her own book.

Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a sweet romance that will give you butterflies!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“You may think everything ends one day, but you haven’t had ‘everything’ with me.”

Ohhh I love a good “he fell first and he fell hard” little smitten kitten. You’re going to want to preorder this one for the main man Elliot alone.

I had no business receiving this arc (insert major imposter syndrome here) and it had no business being this good! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Forget Me Not is a second-chance + grumpy/sunshine romance following Ama, an ambitious wedding planner who doesn’t believe in long-term commitments, and Elliot, a grumpy reluctant florist. After breaking up for reasons unknown to us, they are forced to work together on the highest profile wedding of both their careers. Their story is told through multiple POVs in past and present.

As an event manager and licensed wedding planner myself, this was sweet sweet candy. A florist and wedding planner tryst? Give me more Julie Soto! It made me feel all fizzy inside. ☺️

Thank you Julie Soto, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy. Forget Me Not releases on July 11th.

This was one of my most anticipated romance releases for 2023, and it didn't let me down. Julie Soto (lovesbitca8) has been an instant read for me for years in the fan fiction world, so I was thrilled she was releasing her debut book.

I love an angsty second chance romance, especially when it is forced proximity involved. Ama is a sunshine wedding planner who is here for the good time, not the long time. Elliot is our soft boy who has few words, but knows exactly how to deliver them. I adored the flashbacks being told by Elliot, and then present being in Ama's POV. You feel the build up of the break up, at the same time as the emotional stress of working with your ex that you still love. I love the queer rep that's built in, but doesn't feel like it's used for "diversity." Every piece of this book felt well thought out, from the locations to the details of Elliot's tattoos. It is a slow burn to the end, which did leave me wanting a bit more (hence the 4.5 instead of 5 rating). Overall a SOLID debut romance novel, and I recommend pre-ordering now!

Tropes included:
-second chance
-dual timelines
-dual POV
-he falls first
-workplace romance

Omg this debut novel had absolutely no right being this good 😤 the audacity to keep me awake until 3 in the morning.

Maybe presumptuous to say… but Julie Soto I’m a forever fan.

Firstly, I love me a good wedding planner vibes book.I don’t think that will never not slap. But also, the blueprint of this book was incredible- told in dual POV and alternating time-lines that converge to the present, we get little glimpses of Ama and Elliot’s (very complicated) relationship. They haven’t spoken in over 2 years but can’t seem to get over each other… this second chance romance was done so beautifully, it will honestly be difficult to top this for me. (Sorry to everyone else 😪)

Truthfully, every time I see the “grumpy x sunshine” trope being thrown around, I’m already skeptical. But damn Elliot Bloom, the broody-tattooed florist, was a scowl personified. 😂 and I loved him so much.

I’m sure I’ll have more coherent thoughts after *checks clock* 4am, but tl;dr you absolutely should add this one to your summer tbr.

Thank you to Forever pub, netgalley, and Julie Soto for the ARC!

Thank you to Forever Pub for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love finding a new author and knowing they'll become an auto-buy author. Julie Soto is now an auto-buy author for me after reading Forget Me Not.

This grumpy-sunshine, second-chance romance follows a florist, Elliot, and wedding planner, Ama, as they work together on the wedding of the season. The brides-to-be don't know that Elliot and Ama have a history of their own, that they use to date and it didn't end well. We get a glimpse into their past via Elliot and what happened and what's happening in the present day leading up the wedding with Ama and Elliot's point of views.

I love dual point of view novels and I'm a sucker for wedding planning novels. This novel reminded me a lot of Keely and Roy's romance on Ted Lasso (they're also a grumpy-sunshine romance). There were plenty of on-page steamy scenes from their past romance that had me turning the page and wanting to know what happened between Ama and Elliot. Julie Soto wrote in such a vivid, descriptive nature that I could easily see the wedding being constructed right in front of me. Also I wish I had that dance floor for my wedding.

I can't believe that Forget Me Not is her debut novel. It was amazing! I could easily see Julie writing more from characters within the same universe, but regardless I'm here for whatever Julie Soto writes in the future. I need more from Julie ASAP!

Julie Soto’s debut novel is guaranteed to give you all the feels.

“Forget Me Not” is a second chance romance starring Ama Torres, a wedding planner, and Elliot Bloom, a grumpy florist. When Ama is hired to plan the largest wedding of her career, she quickly discovers that it won’t be all sunshine and roses. Elliot Bloom, her ex, has been contracted as the wedding floral designer and there is no working around him. Left with no choice but to put their complicated pasts behind them, the pair attempt to plan the perfect wedding. With love in the air, however, it’s hard for both Ama and Elliot to deny the chemistry between them.

From the very beginning I was rooting for Ama and Elliot to rekindle their romance and live out their happily ever after! Their alternating viewpoints allow the reader to piece together how they first met, the moment their workplace relationship turned into something more, and what ultimately led to their separation. Despite the rift between them, Soto makes it clear that the two still feel deeply for one another no matter how hard they try to limit their interactions during the planning of the wedding. I appreciated how Soto naturally intensified these feelings over the months they spent in proximity to each other. Though I was an emotional wreck while they slowly learned to love each other again, it was worth it just to read the epilogue!

Aside from Ama and Elliot’s romance, I enjoyed exploring Ama’s complex feelings about marriage. Soto adds depth to her character by slowly revealing that Ama, a wedding planer, believes that love does not last. Through Ama’s point-of-view, the reader traces this belief back to her mother, who has been married sixteen different times and views love the same way. This detail adds intrigue and gives much needed insight into the thought behind Ama’s every decision. I appreciate Soto taking her time with Ama’s character development as she changes her perceptions of love. Even more so I appreciate Elliot for telling Ama that she did not need to change everything about herself just to be with him.

I cannot wait to read Soto’s next book in 2024!

I am honestly shocked this is a debut. An extremely grumpy florist and sunshine wedding planner, who were once an item team up for a massive wedding despite avoiding each other for 3 years. The dual timelines were perfect for giving us just enough of their previous relationship and explaining things now. This was laugh out loud funny. Being inside of Ama’s head was such a treat. Her unorthodox way of using her stepsiblings in her business to either further their careers, or just give them something to put on their resume was sweet and a reminder that you divorce partners, not children. However, Ama is severely emotionally stunted due to her mother’s MULTIPLE marriages, and that makes sense. Elliot is a walking contradiction because how can someone who seemingly hates everything love something as much as flowers, even though he was forced into the profession. Ama and Elliott are both a great look into how much our parents actions, wants, and needs can influence us as adults whether good or bad. We even got a legit finish, not “all is forgiven, even though you broke me for years”
AND THE COVER. I just loved everything about this and cannot wait to put a physical copy on my shelf. I especially cannot wait for whatever is next from Julie. She has potential to become an auto buy author for me after this.
Thank you to Forever for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adore Julie Soto. Yes, I'm aware that this is her debut novel, but I've been a fan and keeping up to date with her writing in fandom spaces for years now. I was super excited when it was announced she was releasing her first traditionally published work. I'm even more ecstatic that it not only lived up to my high expectations but surpassed them. The best way I can summarize my thoughts and feelings is, this book is a fucking delight (yes the expletive is essential in getting my full sentiment and excitement across).

I was in a pretty solid reading slump when I picked this up but that was quickly squashed in favor of devouring this as quickly as I could. I haven't been this excited and over the moon with a book in a long time. This would've easily been a one-sitting read for me had I not been so busy (incredibly rude of my real-world responsibilities to postpone my reading but I can at least thank them for letting me savor and enjoy this a little bit longer).

This is a witty, fun, spicy, and well-paced second chance romance (a trope that's not at the top of my ranking but is executed so well here) that's dual POV. It's also definitely Reylo coded for those of you that are into that and if you aren't, fret not, a non-Reylos will also thoroughly enjoy this and probably wouldn't have even picked up on it had I not said anything. Throughout the book we follow Ama, a commitment-phobic (relatable) wedding planner, and Elliot, her grumpy (but not so grumpy you wonder why we're even supposed to like him) architect school dropout turned florist ex, as they're forced to work together for the first time after their breakup. Oh, and the wedding they're working together on happens to be the biggest wedding of Ama's career yet that could catapult her to a whole new level. As we follow Ama through her less-than-ideal work collaboration with her ex, we simultaneously follow Elliot through their now dismantled relationship three years prior. While parallel narratives are something that can easily become convoluted or distracting within a story, Soto did an excellent job of using this narrative style to allow readers to fully understand the characters and ground their relationship and story.

This is an absolutely spectacular debut for Julie Soto and I will continue to rant and rave about it to anyone that will listen while I very impatiently wait for her next work set for a 2024 release date.

Thank you to Forever Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.