Love, Me by Jessica Saunders (⭐⭐⭐⭐)

I recently had the pleasure of diving into Jessica Saunders' novel, "Love, Me," and I must say, it was a delightful experience. The story unfolds in a way that keeps you hooked from the very beginning, and the characters are beautifully crafted.

The narrative is both heartwarming and emotionally resonant. Saunders has a unique ability to explore the intricacies of love in a way that feels authentic and relatable. The depth of the characters' emotions is palpable, making it easy for readers to connect with their struggles and triumphs.

One aspect I particularly enjoyed was the pacing of the story. Saunders masterfully balances the various elements, ensuring that the plot moves smoothly without feeling rushed. The development of the central relationship is gradual and believable, adding a layer of authenticity to the overall narrative.

The writing style is engaging, with vivid descriptions that bring the scenes to life. Saunders has a way of painting emotions with words, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the characters' world. The dialogue is natural and adds to the overall authenticity of the story.

While the novel follows some familiar tropes of the romance genre, Saunders injects a fresh perspective and unique voice into the narrative. It's a testament to her storytelling prowess that she can take well-worn themes and make them feel new and exciting.

In conclusion, "Love, Me" by Jessica Saunders is a heartfelt and engaging read. If you're a fan of romance novels that tug at your heartstrings and leave you with a warm feeling, this book is a solid choice. I'm giving it four stars because it's a well-crafted and enjoyable journey through the complexities of love.

3.5, rounding up. Thanks to Netgalley for the ALC for this audiobook. I listened to this over a period of 3 days, and it really kept me engaged even though I HAAAAATED everyone but the FMC, and honestly she was on thin ice sometimes. I think that this was a very realistic story, and that was a little to its detriment. The only relationship that I liked in this book was the main characters relationship with herself - she learned to stand her ground, know her worth and not give into external pressure. Both of the love interests - her husband and her now-famous high school sweetheart - had their own problems, and honestly, her family, most of her friends, and her therapist all need to be fired. Regardless, this was an enjoyable read!

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐌𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Union Square & Co for my #gifted listening copy of Love, Me!

Have you ever started a book with the expectation that you would only read/listen for a set amount of time? That was me when I started Love, Me. The next thing I knew, I had cleaned my house and listened to an amazing audiobook at the same time! It’s such a great feeling to get lost in a book, and for me, Love, Me was my escape!

Rachel is a mother, wife, and lawyer. She is constantly on the go juggling various tasks, and her marriage feels like it’s just being pushed along. When racy photos surface online of Rachel and her high school boyfriend, now famous actor Jack Bellow, her life starts to unravel. Now, in the spotlight, can Rachel maintain the life she’s been living with her marriage, career and family? Or is she ready to make some changes?

I felt like this book was so well-written and flowed so well. I loved how there were dual timelines and it just made the storyline flawless.

𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐌𝐞
🕶️Second Chance Romance
🕶️First Love
🕶️Family Dynamics
🕶️Dual Timeline
🕶️Jewish Representation
🕶️Women’s Fiction + Romance

🎧I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Emily Ellet. This was my first audiobook narrated by Ellet, and I’ve already bookmarked a few others that I want to listen to now with her as the narrator! I felt like she was so perfectly casted for this role and really brought Rachel and her story to life! I highly recommend the audiobook format if you are looking to get lost in an audiobook!

Posted on Goodreads on January 11, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around January 16, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on January 16, 2024
**-will post on designated date

I really enjoyed this story. It is well written and flowed well. I felt Rachel’s emotional highs and low of experiencing new love to first love break up and then second chance love.. She had a good supportive system with family and friends that kept her afloat while she figured out what comes next in life and how to get over the betrayal without it affecting her children. I highly recommend this novel. If there happens to be a 2nd book I would definitely read it.

This isn’t what I was expecting. It’s not a romance. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

4.25/5

This read was a quick and easy read; I flew through it in only a day. This book goes back and forth in time from when Rachel was in high school dating a fellow classmate, to current day where she is married and that former classmate is now a celebrity. Reading the segments from Rachel's past were so nostalgic; her and Jack's relationship was so sweet and innocent. I loved that this wasn't a typical romance, and I was unsure of how it would end and who Rachel would end up with. This book showcased betrayal, young love, the struggles of parenting, being forced into the limelight, and so many other interesting tropes. Highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you, Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for giving me the possibility to listen to an early copy of Love, me.

Even if the word love is in the title this is not a romance book. There is some romance in it, but it is just to serve the main story and not the purpose of it.

Like always Dreamscape media production is flawless and the voice actress did an amazing job with the audiobook.

Sometimes it happens not to connect with a book and this was exactly the case for me.
In her debut novel, Jessica Saunders talks about very important topics, like the importance of choices and the hardship of consequences.
This book starts with such a good premise. Rachel finds herself in the middle of a scandal and it´s her own husband who caressly put her there.

I loved how the dynamic unfolds and all the struggle she goes through, how she finds herself drifting back to where and when she was younger, happier.

Unfortunately, this story lost me at some point. I hated all the secondary characters, the parents, the friends, the husband, and the super hot actor ex-boyfriend (in the present day). I found them very plain and with no layers. They added little to nothing to the Rachel story.
This leaves me perplexed, from a certain point of view I understand what the author tried to do to make these characters. Wanting the reader to focus on the protagonist and her feelings, but I´m not sure I got it fully. I see where she was going but I didn´t manage to follow her.

Therefore 3 solid stars, it was a nice book but I may not be in a real-life position to appreciate it fully.
But if you are forty, a mother, and a little frustrated this may be your cup of tea.

4⭐️. This was great, finally! After a string of just okay books, I received this audio ARC from NetGalley and binged it in one day after a glowing review from another bookstagramer I trust.

What I loved & what you’ll get:
•Pacing is great, I never felt like the story was ebbing up or down, I was fully engaged the entire time.
•Can be categorized as women’s fiction, domestic drama and a touch of romance.
•It explores motherhood, marriage, other judgy school moms, our past experiences and what lead us to where we are today… all of it is real and relatable to someone like me, on the brink of 40, married with two kids.
•I liked the dual timeline, past and present.
•It has some romance but you won’t be swooning, but there’s love triangles, second chance love and some open door spice.
•I was super hesitant on the idea that the fmc is hung up on an ex after 20 years, but I promise you the author makes it work, at least for me.
•Debut novel and I will surely pick up more for Jessica in the future!

Thanks again to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Jessica Saunders for the advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review. It’s out January 16, 2024!

When Rachel Miller's past is plastered all over the tabloids, she finds her world falling apart. The attorneys at her law firm don't seem to take her seriously, her kids are being bullied, her husband isn't supportive and her ex-boyfriend shouldn't be back in her life - - but now he is.

Rachel's high school boyfriend is an A list movie star who she seems to still carry some feelings for. When some of their old pictures and letters are made public, Rachel is thrown back into the past when they were together and thought they always would be. The memories are both beautiful and somewhat painful. She's now married to another man so obviously, she and Jack didn't last forever.

This book takes an interest approach. It examines the past and shows you not only how Rachel met and fell in love with ex-boyfriend, Jack Bellows but also how she met and fell in love with her husband, Dan. You can see both the good and bad in both men. After all, no one is perfect - - not even a famous actor - - or a perfectionistic lawyer.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The audiobook was enjoyable. I thought the narration fit the book and made the story flow easily and kept the listener engrossed. 4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the ebook and audiobook. I voluntarily chose to read/listen to and review both of them and the opinions contained within are my own.

Loved this one! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was amazing! The storyline itself felt so realistic and I couldn’t get enough of it. I listened to the entire book in less than a day and I wish there was a sequel! Highly recommend this one!

Okay, I was a bit torn on this one. On one hand, I liked that it shook up the main characters life and she found a way to like herself again. Her confidence at the end of the story is wonderful. On the other hand it felt like she overreacted to her husband and I questioned their marriage if that’s what tore them apart.

🌀Synopsis
Rachel had an average life. As a lawyer, she works hard but she also is a great parent to her two kids. It’s super average until photos of her and her ex boyfriend, Jack, are leaked to the press.
Then another bomb drops, it was her husband who sold them. In an effort to make back the money he lost gambling, he sold her history. She’s not sure she can forgive him, especially after the press causes her to lose her biggest account at work.
She ends up meeting up with Jack to apologize and finds some attraction still there. Forced to make some decisions Rachel decides this is the perfect opportunity for several new changes in her life.

Wow this book was amazing! It was a 5/5 for me. I went into it thinking it was a romance, that’s my typical comfort genre. It was obvious early on that it was going to be much more complex than that, and it was.

Perhaps it’s because I am Rachel’s age with 2 elementary aged kids and an attorney husband (who hates his job) that literally has not taken the trash out as long as I can remember, but I saw my life paralleled in this story and it was gripping. Sure I didn’t date a “Jack” in high school, so no amazing twists in my own story, but it was so refreshing to read a story with extremely relatable themes and struggles. When Rachel spoke about the bedtime routine and the attention lost to the phone and the lack of sex and the challenges of being a successful working mom but looking in the mirror and knowing blush and mascara just weren’t having the same effect anymore, then saying she hadn’t heard her husband say “I love you” in years even if the rare sex she did have was still good…all of this, I know all of this, am I Rachel?! God, are there a lot of us? I was just stuck in place unable to stop reading.

Well done Jessica Saunders, you wrote me, you reached me, and I’m telling everyone. This is the book that the 40-ish year old women have been needing and thank you for that. The story was essentially Rachel finding herself and being honest about her past choices and where she wanted to go after her husband forced her to evaluate it—maybe we all can’t make the same decisions, but it was gripping reading the fantasy of what could be if you could be brave enough to put yourself first. I won’t lie, I was a little bit heart broken but that’s just because hard choices are painful, and that epilogue gave me the bow-wrapped ending I needed to go on. Beautiful.

And since I “read” this an an audiobook, all I have to say about the narrator was that she was perfect. Absolutely no distraction from the actual story and easy to listen to.

I enjoyed this easy to follow audiobook. I loved the follow your heart/instincts stance. I expected a romance and while there are certainly romantic aspects, it was more than that. I do feel as though it ended abruptly and after following along, would've rather had more closure. Overall, I would recommend this quick, lovely book. I just reviewed Love, Me by Jessica Saunders. #LoveMe #NetGalley

I think I was expecting more of a romance. But over all it was a quite realistic story. I enjoyed the flashbacks


3.5/5

I devoured this story! The first thing I did when I finished was look for other books by Jessica Saunders. Sadly or maybe happily this is her first. It is a wonderful debut novel and I hope we can expect many more.

It's a very unique story about marriage, evolving relationships, and second chances. I wouldn't 100% categorize it as a romance. My reasoning would spoil it so I'll keep that to myself. The author expertly uses a dual timeline to fill us in on the relationships- both romantic and friendships. They really help develop the story. The pacing is also excellent. The book was exactly the right length.

I enjoyed this story on audio. I love audiobooks but they don't work for all stories. This story is easy to follow in the audio format. The narrator is Emily Ellet. Ellet is a seasoned narrator and you'll probably recognize her voice if you listen to a lot. Her voice is dynamic and gives life to the characters. She does use different voices for different characters which is nice.

Overall, I loved this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with this audio ARC!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc!!

The description for this one sounded so much fun and I was very much looking forward to reading! Unfortunately, the execution didn't live up to what I was hoping for.

I found the flashbacks to be unnecessary filler and not to contribute much to the reading experience. I also found myself hating every single character. I was enjoying no one and rooting for no one which doesn't make for a great reading experience.

Potential Spoilers:

I actually liked the resolution at the end.....until the EPILOGUE...

The epilogue really had me questioning the point and entire structure of the story. Is this a girl boss chooses herself story? Or a second chance romance? If we were going for second chance romance the whole time I would have loved to actually get to know Jack in a dual POV style structure.

Overall disappointing :(

I loved this book, it was such an easy listen and I finished it in one weekend. I found myself wanting to know what happened next. I did not see the twists and turns towards the end and what a nice surprise. So glad that she stood up for herself!! I was totally surprised when she didn't take her husband back, although after his haphazard parenting and gambling and selling her out, she should left him sooner lol I can very much see there being a sequel I would listen in seconds.

Oh, this took me to unexpected places. I anticipated some of the pop culture intel & relationship drama. I expected frothy. I got fierce. I expected happy. I got angsty. I expected frivolous. I got contemplative. All of this is wildly outside of my own experience, but I stopped myself a number of times to wonder what I would do in the protagonist’s shoes. That’s an engaging read in my mind’s eye! In addition to a solid story, the narration was one of my favorites in recent months. She did a great job with voices without seeming like she was putting on a play for children & her intensity was fitting & ratcheted up the engagement level. This was a great read for me!

4.5/5 Stars! I could not put this down. The first 75% of this book had me on the edge of my seat dying to know how everything turned out. You'll be hooked from the first page. This leans more towards women's fiction than romance, but definitely still worth a read for romance lovers. (Think TJR)

This book is such a great example of modern marriage and the complexity of making choices as a parents that are what's best for you and your family.

The flash-back chapters were extremely well done and gave such a great perspective on both of Rachel's romantic relationships.

The only reason it wasn't a perfect 5 star read was because, I felt the ending left it up to the viewers interpretation of what comes next, when I desperately wanted more.

4-4.5★ Lawyer Rachel Miller is a married mother of two whose life is turned upside down when racy photos of her and her high school boyfriend, now famous actor Jack Bellow, are published in a tabloid. With all eyes on her, Rachel is forced to question everything - her unhappy marriage, her role as a lawyer and mother, and where exactly Jack fits in her life as she navigates forward.

It is insanely hard not to binge this quasi-romance, and I would up listening to/reading it in one sitting. It has quite a few of the romance tropes I love, but it is important to note that this is not exactly a romance, but rather lies somewhere in the murky grey area between Women’s Fiction and Romance. Do not prepare yourself to swoon because quite frankly, you won’t. What you will get is an intimate look at a love story gone awry, and what happens next. It offers a deep and meaningful in-depth look at marriage and motherhood, from the perspective of someone who thought they had it all, only to discover maybe something, or someone, is missing from their life.

Read if you like:
•women’s fiction
•second chance
•love triangles
•emotional stories
•jewish rep
•dual timeline
•Emily Giffin (Love the One You’re With)
•mild open door

Pubs: Jan 16, 2024

Thank you Union Square & Co. and Dreamscape Media for the gifted copies.