This was a short and fast moving story about love, loss, and second-chances, with a sprinkling of modern stressors and gossip thrown in. Nothing went very deep, in all, it was a pretty superficial story about a woman whose high school boyfriend abruptly dumped her and how she went on to do the normal thing - get married, have 2 kids, move to the suburbs, and do well in her high powered career. Rachel is betrayed when her high school pictures and love letters appear in the tabloids, linking her back with her now super famous ex boyfriend. She then starts to realize the cracks in her marriage and career that she didn't notice before. More than just a whimsical second chance romance, she has to decide who to forgive and if she can move on, or move ahead, with both men.
While things could have gotten really ugly and angsty, the author kept everything light. If you want a deep exploration of feelings, you might not think this one covered it enough, but for me, it was the right amount. I really enjoyed this book and the narrator was great.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Rachel Miller finds herself in a whirlwind of chaos when old photos and letters from her ex-boyfriend, the renowned actor Jack Bellow, are all over the internet. Suddenly, her life spirals out of control, prompting her to reevaluate everything. She confronts the troubles in her marriage and takes a trip down memory lane, reflecting on her past with Jack.

✨Thoughts✨
Rachel is a relatable woman who, like so many others, tries to balance her career, motherhood, and marriage simultaneously. I found her marriage to be one-sided - they were not the right fit. Additionally, I found her past relationships with Jack endearing, but, just like her husband, it became clear that they both took advantage of her and disregarded her feelings. They expected her to forgive them without considering the consequences of their actions. Frankly, neither of them deserves Rachel's attention. I was very pleased with her decision to put herself first!

That being said, I found this story to be thoroughly enjoyable, especially due to the exceptional narration by Emily Ellet. Her ability to seamlessly transition between characters is remarkable, and her portrayal of male voices is simply perfect.

Overall, if you're a fan of contemporary women's fiction with a hint of unconventional romance, this is the perfect read for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with an advanced audio copy of "Love, Me" in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This book is a MUST READ! I devoured it like a fat kid with cake!

If you love a book with a strong FMC and a happy ending, with a little real life and romance thrown in, this book is for you. A great debut.

Rachel is an awesome lawyer, mom, wife, and friend and somehow manages to balance it all. Meanwhile, her husband doesn’t seem to be helpful at anything at all - except for things he shouldn’t be doing.
Throw in an old flame that is now a huge celebrity, and you’ve got yourself a binge-worthy story.

A back and forth POV between present day and the past years of high school and college, we follow the progression of Rachel throughout her life, and how she lost (and found) her first love.

A great job by the narrator of this audiobook as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced audio in return for my honest opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub date: 16 Jan 2024

A moving women's fiction story about a working mother of two young kids who finds her life imploding after her husband confesses to a gambling problem and then betrays her to the press because of her connection to her famous movie star ex. Full of second chances, starting over and learning to be an independent single woman in middle age. This was good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Sophie Kinsella. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

More women’s fiction than romance (in all the best ways) ‘Love, Me’ is an intimate look into a crumbling marriage.

There aren’t many novels out there (that I’ve read, at least) that follow an unfolding divorce. It’s also not something people talk about a lot in life - divorce is usually handled as setup for the story, not as the story itself, so I loved the peek into a common, but secret, part of many modern marriages.

That said, I was disappointed by the catalyst. The story felt so much bigger than a celebrity-and-his-smalltown-ex-lover romance and making the reappearance of her ex the catalyst for her life changing felt uncomfortable. I wanted her to leave Dan on her own accord, for herself alone, not because a Jack was waiting in the wings. Jack’s presence muddied the waters and made it harder to root for the heroine.

I was disappointed by the ending, too, but that was more of a personal taste thing than a narrative weakness thing.

Despite the bones I had to pick with story choices, it’s a well-told, well-paced story that’s engaging from start to finish.

Thanks, NetGalley, Dreamscape, and Union Square, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love triangles are messy and Rachel finds herself in the middle of one when photos of her and her high school boyfriend - an A List movie star - find their way onto the Internet. Rachel is a married mom of two and a successful lawyer living the suburban dream until sudden notoriety makes her question her life choices, who she can trust, and what will make her happy.

Does she remain in her marriage to her college sweetheart and keep her family intact or pursue her first love; the “one-that-got-away”? Told across multiple timelines we meet Rachel and Jack and witness their blossoming romance. We get a peek into Rachel and Dan’s law school days and the early part of their marriage. The present finds Rachel faced with a choice that will affect all their futures.

This is a fantastic debut from Jessica Saunders, read by Emily Ellet. I listened to the book in its entirety over the course of a day and was fully invested in the characters and outcome. I’m looking forward to more books from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for access to this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Messsssyyyyyyy!

Rachel Miller is a Successful lawyer, wife and mother of two!
Her world is upended when racy photos of her & love letters from Jack Bellow are published on TMZ! Betrayed by someone she trusted and reunited with the man she tried so hard to forget, Rachel must ask herself “How did I get here? And what do I really want?”

Dan Miller is a lawyer unhappy with his job, jealous of his wife's success & EX BF.. slipping into a gambling addiction he blows the family savings secretly. Betraying his wife's trust and forcing her into the public eye, causing issues with her job.. is that what he wanted or did he make a mistake and will she forgive him?

Jack Bellow is a very famous actor.. He also happens to be Rachels high school sweetheart.. In a recent interview the actor admits that his high school girlfriend is the one that got away... And the tabloids are on the hunt for who she is!

Men always act so surprised when their wifes have finally had enough.
All the little things add up. Then adding BIG problems - HIM losing their savings, HIM selling her pictures, THEY had regular marriage issues that therapy didn't fix..

Thank you NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this book.

Love, Me
By: Jessica Saunders
Narrated by: Emily Ellet
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Release date: 01-16-24