I am a firm believer that delivery is everything and can make or break a book, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Kelli Tager’s narration of Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair. I would HIGHLY recommend reading this book on audio because Tager did such an excellent job of bringing to life multiple characters and their vastly different personalities.

Tager is not the only talented one here; Laura Piper Lee’s debut is an ode to motherhood, especially single moms and every aspect of new parenting Hannah experiences resonated with me. Using humor as a coping mechanism for lack of sleep, lack of showers, and lack of sex, it is so easy to like and sympathize with Hannah as she raises Bowie. Lee captures the moments of motherhood where you can go from leaky breasts in public and hormonal tears to total awe and adoration of a tiny human inspiring protective love that just takes your breath away. I could relive my own memories of being a new mom reading this book and it’s clear Lee writes from the good, bad, and ugly experiences of motherhood making you laugh and fondly sigh.

I loved how “being a mom” was who Hannah was without compromising her abilities or her needs and desires as a woman. Sure she may not have her life entirely together, but that’s doesn’t mean she can’t have the hots for the neighbor willing to help fix up her parents B&B and that she shouldn’t be seen as a sexual creature just because she has a baby under one. River was the perfect counterbalance to Hannah, with his seemingly low key attitude and easy smiles. Of course he has his own flaws too, but he is never judgmental of Hannah or her past. Although I would’ve loved to see more hot and steamy scenes with River (don’t worry, there are definitely some and I laughed loudly at the end scene where Hannah mentions 3 times with increasing excitement how much she wants to jump his bones), the message of love and acceptance outweigh the on page spice which felt perfect for this story.

I would be remiss not to mention the fantastic cast of characters, (again I 100% think that they were brought to life by Kelli Tager’s narration) from G-Ma and Daryl to Killian to even the evil McFarty’s (all spelling errors are my own). A true small-town romance with alllllllll the nods to the quirks of the people who live there, this book was so joyful and I loved every minute of it. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a mom and can laugh a lot at themselves, and for anyone who has hope that love exists for everyone. Thank you to Dreamscape Media for my advanced audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Hannah Tate caught me off guard. I didn’t know what to expect, but I certainly didn’t expect these constant waves of feelings. First and foremost, I would say this is women’s fiction with a (big) side of romance. River and Hannah’s relationship is a strong point in the story, but the main point is Hannah’s journey through heartbreak, healing, maternity and rediscovery. I truly enjoyed it. Since the beginning, I wanted Hannah to work on her happiness first because she deserves it more than anything, but also for her baby. After growing up with an emotionally absent mother, she knew exactly what not to do with her son, but it’s not an easy thing to practice.

I also enjoyed the dramatic relationships. Everyone in this book is a mess at some level and messy relationships provide great drama. Killian and Hannah’s coparenting situation felt so real. Hannah’s struggle with her relationship with her mom and stepdad was sad but very rewarding in the end and the romance between River and Hannah was amazing. Truly recommended!

I am not really sure what I was expecting with this book. don't get me wrong, it was cute. But definitely not for me. I don't think I am a true womans fiction girl. But I will be recommending to those I think will like this.

I adored this book to my CORE!! I loved how messy and chaotic Hannah felt trying to figure out what she wants for her future. It fully captured the anxiety that people experience in real life. The writing was amazing with the cutest banter and funniest inner monologues. I will 100% read anything this author releases

New mom Hannah is shocked when her boyfriend breaks up with her but wants to remain coparents to their infant son. Heartbroken, she flees with her baby to her parents’ mountain cabin. Seeing potential there for rental income, she hires charming local carpenter River to renovate the property. Though sometimes elusive, he values Hannah’s worth beyond her messy situation.

This heartfelt and humorous novel, more women’s fiction than rom com, features likable, sometimes whimsical characters and a deeply emotional plot. Hannah has to reinvent herself and consciously decide what she wants for herself and her son. River is supportive but also has his own issues. It’s a struggle, and I wasn’t always sure what choices she would make. The audiobook narration is enjoyable, and the story an entertaining and satisfying read.

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

You're a mess Hannah Tate! This book is cute & sad at the same time.
My first Laura Piper Lee & it will not be the last! Kelli Tager was a first & amazing!

Publisher's summary
Hannah Tate can hardly believe her sleep-deprived eyes when she finds an engagement ring hidden in the closet. Killian, her super responsible, incredibly attractive boyfriend—and the father of her new baby, Bowie—is finally going to propose. But a romantic night out goes horribly wrong when Killian reveals he’s dumping Hannah, not proposing. Furious and heartbroken, Hannah takes Bowie and moves in with her mama and stepdaddy in the mountains of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Hannah realizes that her parents’ cabin has vacation-property gold written all over it—and could save her mama from going broke. Again.
The only problem? The cabin’s décor is mildly terrifying, and it’s in desperate need of renovation. Hannah hires the hot carpenter living in the treehouse next door to fix up the place. Not only does River respect Hannah’s business acumen, he looks at her like she’s a woman, not a hot mess. And Hannah can’t deny that River awakens something new inside her. Can Hannah embrace a future that looks different from the picture-perfect family she once dreamed of—and maybe start living life on her own terms?

Thanks NetGalley & Dreamscape media for the ARC of this book.

Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair
By: Laura Piper Lee
Narrated by: Kelli Tager
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Release date: 02-13-24

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Laura Piper Lee for this copy of Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair in exchange for an honest review!

Overall: 4.25/5 stars rounded down to 4

I loved this book. I loved the characters, the sweet moments and the family connections. I cried and laughed multiple times. The book is marketed as a romance but it’s definitely more of a women’s literature. It’s Hannah’s story, and although there is romance and a hint of spice, it’s also the story of what we expect of ourselves and of others and how childhood experiences shape what we seek in our relationships.

My only critique was I didn’t love the names she calls her parents, G-Ma and Big Daddy. It just comes across cringy at times in the dialogue. Besides that, I loved every character and their growth in this story.

Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair was a joy to read. A steamy rom-com with emotional depth, self-acceptance, and a cast of characters I really enjoyed. Even though this book felt like an escape into the Georgia mountains, I also felt that it was realistic in the way it depicted flawed characters and imperfect situations. This book also doesn't quite follow the typical equation of what I see in a lot of love stories. I actually cheered for the OG love interest in this story as much as I did for the new one. It was nice to see some redemption given to all of these characters because they all had a lot to learn. I also really liked the dynamics of Hannah's journey in motherhood contrasted to what she experienced with her own mother.

I think it can be really hard to write a story with good character development, but Laura Piper Lee managed to do it with almost every character in her book. A job well done for a debut book! I can't wait to read more from this author!

I feel bad DNFing an ARC but this book was just not for me. I did not care for the narration, so it is possible I would like this more if I read it physically. But I also just don’t enjoy the way the author talks about the main character’s post pregnancy body. I understand that Hannah is supposed to feel insecure at the beginning and grow into herself throughout the book but I don’t want to hear negative body talk.

I ended up adoring this audiobook - this was my first book from Laura Piper Lee, but it won't be my last!

This read as chicklit with a heavy dose of romance on the side. Hannah Tate thinks she's with the man she's going to marry, the father of her child. Except.

Hannah ends up moving in with her mom and stepdad, and holy heck I loved all of the southern-isms in this book! Being from the PNW, I really enjoyed all of the culture that came through in this book. Hannah gets back on her feet with the help of her parents for the first time, renovating the AirBNB space with the hunky neighbor WHO LIVES IN A TREEHOUSE AND DOESN'T BELIEVE IN CELL PHONES.

Aside from some of the quirky parts of this book, I really loved the message of friendship and the way that the main characters navigated some tough concepts in regard to relationship dynamics and expectations. We get to see Hannah move forward in her relationship with her mom that's had years of neglect (Hannah being more of the mother figure to her mother); she learns to co-parent with her son Bowie's dad; she gets to make new friends in her new town and in her small business class; and she gets to be a sexy mother and lover to the hottie treehouse-living neighbor. Then there are ton of funny, quirky, side characters including neighbors, classmates, family, and even some guests to her short-term rental.

Anyone who is in their 30s will relate to at least a small part of this book. Hannah is figuring out that, at a time when it seems like everyone has their stuff together, none of us actually know what we're doing and it's okay! It's fun to see someone realizing their dream and taking advantage of opportunities that are presented to them in order to see what they're made of.

This audio gets a 4 star rating from me, but the story is probably closer to 4.25 stars (I'm pretending it was marketed correctly, but if it was truly a "romance" this book would've been more like 4 stars... the romance is a side-plot because the story is more about Hannah growing into herself as a person, mother, daughter, business owner, lover, all in equal parts; this is no fault of the author). The narrator really brought Hannah to life, so that added to my overall enjoyment of this story! I got so emotional in a couple of places and I'm so grateful that the audio brought those moments to life for me in a very real way.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for advanced access to this ALC - these are my honest thoughts!

Much thanks to Laura Piper Lee, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hmm.

Well, one thing I can say for sure is that conservatives probably won't like this book much. It should have the subtitle "a WOKE novel."

Did you just cringe? Me too. Though, blanket disclaimer, I support love. LGBTQ, found family, unmarried, I don't care. You do you, responsibly. So I don't mind a novel with modern sensibilities. Even if the author's pretty aggressive about it. And even if she somewhat hypocritically includes a few old-fashioned stereotypes as well.

Ostensibly this book is fun and humorous and heartwarming. I admire Hannah's desire to be a good, stable parent and loving daughter. She's a good, likeable person. I loved the spirit of her story.

But the logic isn't there. In my opinion.

If Hannah was so obsessed with providing a wholesome and secure environment for Bowie, specifically regarding Hannah's life partner (she IS bi, fyi; it was very important that you know that for no particular reason), why did she allow herself to get pregnant out of wedlock? Isn't that, like, the #1 no-no? Was that not shooting herself in the foot?

But okay, accidents happen. At least, I assume Bowie was an oopsie. If he wasn't, then yeah, Hannah really didn't understand the assignment she gave herself. But hey, she can still be a great mom, and she really seemed to be.

Except she can't resist her attraction to the flightiest man ever. It's like she's TRYING to self-sabotage. He's the perfect conflict for her, sure, but excuse me while my eyeballs roll across the floor.

I did not care for River, aka said flightiest man ever. I did not trust him, I did not respect him. I felt no attraction to him whatsoever. Man bun. Lives off the grid in a tree house. No phone. No computer. No medical, no dental. No steady job. No worries. Something about he hated his previous corporate job, hated his judgmental parents, and decided to just not deal with any of it. Because that sounds like someone rational who can handle reality and stressful relationships---just what an unmarried new mother with a parenting complex and fledgling enterprise needs! *two thumbs up!*

(Note: Hey, if you live your life like River does, more power to you. I'm just making the point that for a woman looking for reliability, commitment, and stability, River's not a great choice, I don't care how nice or hot he is.)

What I really don't get about the book, though? Why was Hannah wrong? Why was her desire to be a better parent than her mother a bad thing? Because Gma sounds irresponsible and flaky as shit. Was I really supposed to appreciate Hannah and her mother's heart-to-heart, in which her mother says some people take 60 years to figure out how to be a parent? Because I didn't. I, personally, would respond that those people shouldn't be parents, then. If you can't take care of yourself, you have no business being responsible for a dependent. Being a good grandparent does not make having been a shitty parent okay.

Was the takeaway message here seriously that it's okay to half-ass your parenting? Was Hannah's arc really in learning that a stable environment is overrated and that she should indulge her hormones (which is perhaps what got her into the conflict of being an unprepared parent to begin with) rather than listen to what her common sense is screaming at her? That she shouldn't want commitment and reliability for herself, for her child?

I disagree.

And if that's not what Lee wants readers to take away from the narrative . . . well, then I hope I'm an anomaly.

Also, please don't take this out of context. I'm not saying parents aren't allowed to make mistakes, that they need to be perfect, that they can't leave harmful relationships, or any nonsense like that. I'm saying that I don't like that the novel dismisses Hannah's childhood trauma and pooh-poohs her desire to make Bowie's childhood less traumatic than her own. That is all.

And that's my biggest problem with the book. I'm fine with it being aggressively woke, and the writing was fine. It was funny and heartwarming and the narrator was great. Lee made me care about Gma and Big Daddy despite them being the kind of people I disapprove of. I'm just not on board with Hannah's arc or romance. I love her as a character, but not the story the author gave her. Because it made absolutely no sense to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC audio book of Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee.

I would say this was more like a 4.5 ⭐️. I really enjoyed this book and very relatable for hard working moms trying to juggle it all. Hannah clearly doesn’t have it all together but she’s trying hard and wants to give her newborn baby everything and as a mama who can’t relate. Then insert baby daddy who can be a jerk, till he turns it around. And mister perfect, who isn’t always perfect. Sounds like something we all have lived at some point. The narrator on this was a good choice as well.

This book was hilarious! I loved Hannah, the disaster, and how she changed her life, grew more confident, and built relationships or rebuilt them with her friends and family. I appreciated how open it was to the LGBTQ+ community as well. I wanna give Big Daddy a hug and stay at the cabin asap. An inspiring read with the best dialogue...and I'm a sucker for great dialogue!

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance audiobook copy of Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee in exchange of an honest review.

"Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair is a delightful contemporary romance that flawlessly captures the ups and downs of navigating the challenges of motherhood, heartbreak, and starting anew. The relatable protagonist, Hannah, pulls at your heartstrings as she grapples with sleep deprivation, relationship woes, and the complexities of finding her place in the world. While the story may have some slower moments, Laura Piper Lee's engaging writing style, filled with humor and wit, expertly balances the lighter and more poignant aspects of the plot. From the endearing bond between Hannah and her baby to the entertaining ups and downs of her attempt at an Airbnb business and rekindling her love life, this book is a satisfying and heartwarming escape. I highly recommend it to those seeking a charmingly relatable read."

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audio ARC of this book.

Hannah Tate is ready for her long awaited proposal. She has the baby, she lives with her baby daddy, so surely it’s time - right? Not quite.

Hannah won me over right from the beginning. She felt very real to me, because she had her quirks, but wasn’t too quirky, and wasn’t totally perfect. She went through it. I really admired her character, and her optimism. I truly felt for her and what she was going through. While I was upset for her, Killian (her baby daddy) was… misguided, confused and awful, so not too upset.

Her relationship with her mom and step-dad was sweet, and I’m happy that they were able to settle some past conflicts. I also really liked the reno and Airbnb aspect.

I wasn’t a fan of her new love interest, River. I didn’t completely feel the connection between them. That fact was solidified when Killian turned a corner and I didn’t really care who she ended up with.

So while this romance for me fell flat, I loved the family and friends parts of this book.

Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair 🔧
By Laura Piper Lee🧰

Review📚

I had so much fun reading this. This is romance, but it's also undeniably women's fiction. After having a child, the main character feels a little lost, which I felt made her really realistic. It made me feel good, even if at times it was really emotional. The way the tale developed and the writing style were both excellent. It's unbelievable that this is the author's debut book!

Single mom🍼
Love triangle🔺
Romance 💘
Women’s fiction📖

4 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Don’t let this cover fool you. This isn’t just a normal meet cute romance. It’s a spicy, second Chance romcom about finding yourself and setting boundaries. It does have some spicy scenes and thank god they don’t fade to black.
Hannah Tate has had it. Recently a mother and a boyfriend who doesn’t appreciate her and wants to just be friends results in her moving back home to her train wreck family. While there she meets River the hot off the grid neighbor who always seems to catch her in her worst moments.

The narrator, Kelli Tager, was excellent and humorous.
Thank you to Laura Piper Lee, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Charming, funny and laugh out loud rom com. Hannah loves her son but his father is uncaring and selfish. She breaks up with him and goes to live with her mother and step father. She has lot of insecurities about herself but I found her loving, caring and intelligent woman. Her personal growth throughout the book is amazing. The attraction between her and River is cute. I laughed so much while listening. Narrator had done a brilliant job. A fun, cosy snd sweet read. Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the audio copy.

A fun read!

Hannah Tate is a young mother who is struggling to keep it together. She's sleep-deprived from taking care of her baby and dealing with the exhaustion that comes with being a new parent. To make matters worse, she's just been dumped by her boyfriend, who she thought was going to propose to her. Imagine her excitement when she found a ring in his shoes! With high hopes for their dinner date, she got all dressed up. But to her dismay, he ended up breaking up with her instead.

To add insult to injury, she was recently fired from her job, leaving her with no source of income. Feeling lost and defeated, she decided to move back home with her mom and stepdad to regroup and figure out her next move. There, she started an AirBnB business to make ends meet and maybe even find a new love.

The writing was humorous, witty, and at times, a bit cheesy and predictable, but still charming overall. It was a lighthearted and fun escape from my usual dark and heavy reads. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun contemporary romance.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Piper Lee, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

🌟 2.25

I tried really hard to love this book. There was just so much that I struggled with while reading it.

I felt like this book was less of a romance and more of a journey of becoming a mom and working on yourself. I honestly couldn't relate to the FMC at all.

I was almost routing for the ex towards the end... I know that sounds rough, but the MMC is such a man-child that I felt bad for the FMC. With her having to take care of everyone else in her life, I cringed at the added person Hannah would have to take care of, even with the "changes" the MMC made at the end of the book.

I read some other reviews, and I know others had issues with Hannah's parents and their "lack of boundaries," but I thought they were probably the best characters of the book. Especially her step-dad. They were supportive in a way that reminded me of my own parents. Sure, the ending got a little hairy with some ultimatums, but I loved how much effort they made for Hannah and her son.

Lastly, it kind of bothered me that the author put so much time into making sure Hannah was "liberal," but then made her look down on a sugar daddy situation. Liberal enough that it was a badge of pride and honor she spouted and preached about. Yes, I know the situation was a bit unconventional, and we already got a glance at how the couple was like, but the FMC had disgust for the couple at first glance and made assumptions. Even after being best friends with a lesbian couple and being Bi herself, it simply turned me off. The judgment was so unnecessary. I love a good LGBTQ+ book, but I couldn't get over that ick. Why the judgment and contradictory behavior?!?!?!?

Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for the ALC!