Rowan Mackey is a high school teacher but also a go-to for the children who need help. On the night of the play, her so-called boyfriend at the end proposes to her on stage but gets the yes, no maybe. You see Rowan does not like to be in the spotlight, she likes being behind the scenes. You would think that her boyfriend would have known those things but he was only into himself especially when he took off for the summer and ghosted her. She, on the other hand, bought a house that came with a neighbor who did not want her there because he wanted to buy the house but never got around to it. Jack Graham and the rest of the neighbors do take a liking to her even though it takes Jack longer than the others. Rowan is also self-conscious because she has a burn scar on one side of her face, all of this adds to the story and makes for growth between the characters the further you get into the book. A wonderful story with excellent characters and very much worth the read.

"Yes No Maybe" is a captivating contemporary romance between neighbors, Rowan and Jack. Rowan, a dedicated teacher, immediately draws sympathy and admiration. Scarred by serious burns from her teenage years, her reserved nature and reluctance toward romance are both understandable and deeply poignant. Jack is a bestselling romance novelist struggling with writer's block and a has penchant for partying—attributes that contrast with Rowan’s desire for tranquility. Jack’s irritation at having a new neighbor quickly transforms into a creative boon, as his interactions with Rowan reignite his stalled writing career.
Their initial clashes are entertaining and set the tone for a classic enemies-to-lovers trope. The chemistry between Rowan and Jack is palpable and well-developed. Their evolving relationship, filled with witty banter and underlying tension, kept me engaged. Jack’s character growth, from a superficial playboy to someone capable of deep emotion and commitment, is both believable and satisfying. Similarly, Rowan’s journey towards accepting she deserves more is inspiring.

This book surprised in a way that I didn't think it was possible.. I like it in general and the trauma really hit me hard but there were parts when I really though it was a bit exaggerated, some of miscommunication.. But I liked Rowan and Jack, more adults, both broken and scared of a bigger connection, an romance writer who doesn't believe in love and a literature teacher who had be hurt in the past and has marks to prove it.

Yes No Maybe is a divinely sweet romance read that will have you gasping, crying, and begging for more. Jack and Rowan have a wonderful chemistry that leaps off the page. This one will have you wistfully wishing for more!

Yes No Maybe is an onion, there are many layers to this novel and its characters, and just like an onion, this novel is likely to make you cry.

Short version

Heartwarming, swoon-worthy, gut wrenching, break you down and build you back together again story, with found family, dual POV, flawed characters, and an epic love. Run don’t walk to read this now.

Official cry count = 17.

Yes, thats right, this book made me cry no less than 17 times. Including 1 cry during the author’s note and 2 cries hours after I finished (I call those aftershocks).

Before you let the number of potential tears scare you away you should know that while I expect everyone to enjoy and connect with this book, my tear count is probably outside of the bell curve. I connected deeply with these characters and their lives - I especially related to Rowan. If you feel connections with any of the following topics you might find your tear count also falls outside the norm, and can expect increased volume.
- assault - foster care - emotional abuse - physical scars - military parent - housing instability (moving a lot) - familial death - cancer-

But please do not let any of that shy you away either, Jessica Sherry does an absolutely phenomenal job of handling hard topics in a way that will leave your heart full by the end of the book.

——

I expected to have fun with this book, there is a cat on the cover and a tattooed grumpy romance writer for an MMC, what’s not to love? What I didn’t expect was to be absolutely blown away by this story. It feels like nothing I could write or say about this book would really do it justice, but alas, I shall try.

The main characters feel real, fully fleshed out, like I might bump into Rowan and Jack on my walk down Front Street (that’s a Wilmington reference 😉) or wait in line at Old Books for a chance at a signed copy of Jack’s new book. They are flawed, but self-aware (or at least they eventually become self-aware) and there trauma and past are handled in ways that cement the “real” feel but still provide you with a happily ever after. Our side characters have just the right about of depth and quirk and spirit without stealing the show - although some of them certainly try.

Jack and Rowan’s love story is epic, it will sweep you up and carry you away - think a stream that turns into a river that flows into rapids and finally takes you over the edge of a waterfall, but instead of a plummet toward your death you fall gently into a deep love built on mutual respect, openness, and understanding (and a little ravishing).

This book is absolutely breathtaking, incredibly well-written (and well edited) the pacing is absolute perfection and the story feels so real and authentic. I am flabbergasted that this is a self-published work and need Jessica Sherry to score the big book deal she deserves like yesterday.

PS you definitely should sign up for her emails and score yourself the bonus epilogue.

I’m off to hide in a hole and devour the rest of her books.

Thank you NetGalley and Jessica Sherry for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was the second book I’ve read by Jessica Sherry and I am very much looking forward to reading more from her! She has quickly become one of my favorite authors! Yes, No, Maybe was a light hearted and fun read! It was inspiring and written so beautifully! Rowan was a great FMC and Jack?? Holy moly! He couldn’t get any hotter if he tried. He won me over immediately by being a cat person! I love cats and I LOVE men who love cats! Rowan and Jack’s characters complimented each other perfectly! Definitely recommend this!

I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is honest, unbiased and completely my own.

An absolutely beautifully written journey. So many lines spoke to me, so much heart and understanding. You can’t help joining the quirky neighborhood of wonderful characters... I do want to hear what Vernon is going to say next.

Rowan has felt broken her whole life. She was involved in an accident with a boiling pan that has left her scarred from her face to right above her heart. She has felt her whole life that she has repulsed people and is going to settle when her fellow teacher, Dean, proposes to her. Except, she falters and answers with a yes, no, maybe. Dean leaves for the summer claiming he needs space from Rowan. Rowan had been looking at a house that cute and found one.
Jack is a moody writer type (romance author) who's experiencing some major writer's block. He has a cat named Harper Lee. Rowan is a high school English teacher and avid reader (everything but romance). She has a cat named Edgar Allen Poe. He's grumpy and she's sunshine. The two end up living next door to one another and their relationship is described as "cordially volatile."
This book was amazing. I cannot stop thinking about Rowan and Jack. This story is going to live with me for a while. It was heartwarming, hilarious, and deep all at the same time. There were some amazing quotes that I don't think I will ever forget. Jessica Sherry was able to write about traumatic and triggering events with care and tenderness that made me feel so seen and validated. This book made me both laugh out loud and shed some tears.
The book also has some great tropes:
- Opposites Attract
- Neighbors, Grumpy/Sunshine
- Overcoming Challenges

Yes No Maybe
Jessica Sherry

This is a cute and heartwarming book with chemistry between next door neighbours.

There is depth added to this storyline with the backstory of Rowan that highlights her resilience and strength.

There is plenty of fun swoony moments, humorous parts and relatability in there too.

This was a super cute love story with adorable characters and a good meet cute. I always enjoy reading a good love story with a happy ending. The characters were relatable, and the story line was sweet and wholesome.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

3.5 stars. The story was cute & very heartwarming. It made my bookish heart happy because I love books about books and bookish things. In this case Rowan is a high school English teacher & Jack is a best-selling romance author. They even both have cats with literary names. I really enjoyed this book, I just felt it was a tad too long.

While I did enjoy some aspects of this book, Dean was terrible, and Jack was just not it for me. The entire first half of the book, he was constantly going back and forth between being nice to drag the FMC in and then instantly criticizing her and her choices and belittling her if she didn't react the way that he wanted, like a spoiled brat.

On the plus side, "Vernon, no" had me giggling every time. Poor Rose must have been so tired.

Once we got to the second half of the book, Jack was more pleasant and didn't annoy me every time he showed up. He was very much improved from the first half of the book, although it was hard to completely forget everything that he did/said beforehand. However, he became the man that Rowan needed him to be. Even if it meant waiting for her to figure out what she wanted to do, even after he had confessed to her and she had opened up to him about the truth behind her scars. He did not judge and that brought him to a higher level in my eyes.

The fact that Rowan is able to be so strong after all of the trauma that she endured is great. She has burn scars due to an assault by her mother's ex boyfriend and is constantly being used and insulted due to her scars. She was always willing to do things for others, even offering to stand by and help her foster daughter guard a house during a potential break in, after being traumatized as the victim of a break in where she was assaulted and scarred.

Thank you Jessica Sherry and NetGalley for the copy of this book.

I'm giving this 3.5 stars rounded up.

I was really drawn in for the first half of the book. The mystery around what happened to Rowan to cause her scars, the intrigue around Jack's brother's death, and the complicated relationship with Dean were all interesting plot points. But it started to fall apart for me around the time the reason for the scars was revealed. Something about the real story just didn't make sense to me, and then the aftermath of the incident was sort of glossed over.

The love triangle was also drawn out for much longer than felt necessary. I didn't like this one as much as One Thing Better, but it was still enjoyable.

This story simply warmed my heart.
I loved everything from the beginning to the end of the story. It's very well written. The characters are rich and the dynamic between them is simply fabulous.

This book is a heartwarming masterpiece that blends genuine emotions with realistic struggles. With lovable characters, foster children, cats, and a charming neighbourhood, it's a joy to read. The slow-burn romance between Jack, a romance author, and his grumpy neighbor is delightful, filled with banter and genuine connection.

Despite its hopeful tone, the book tackles tough real-life issues authentically. The characters' love story feels genuine as they slowly fall for each other with witty conversations and mutual support. Jack's endearing portrayal and their evolving relationship make for a compelling read.

If you enjoy Abby Jimenez or Mazey Eddings' books, you'll appreciate this heartfelt story. It lingers in your mind long after you've finished. A comforting read, this book is a must-read for romance fans.

I'm grateful to NetGalley and Jessica Sherry for providing me with an ARC!

I really enjoyed this book! It's a perfect blend of sweetness and humor with a heartwarming theme of found family. I was a bit worried about the cheating storyline because the book begins with an engagement, but I appreciated that Rowan and Dean were technically on a break. It's definitely a slow burn, but I liked that about it. I found myself rooting for Rowan and Jack, even when Jack didn't deserve my support.

I appreciated how the author addressed Rowan's relationship with her burns. She has always accepted them as a part of herself but concealed the story behind them. When she finally allowed herself to be seen and shared the full story, it resulted in a beautiful moment of personal growth.

I also really enjoyed the subplot involving the foster child. I appreciated the focus on reunification with the birth parent and how supportive Rowan was throughout Sara's journey, even when Sara was angry and rude.

Overall, I would give it 4.5 stars (rounded to 4 for Goodreads).

Book: Yes No Maybe
Author: Jessica Sherry
Rating: 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

"But be proud of your scars, Rowan. Inside and out. They tell stories - stories worth sharing. You survived something difficult. You're still surviving it. Your worldview is forever altered and unique. That doesn't make you less than. It makes you badass."

Such a good read! Another great book by Jessica Sherry! 💖

I found it to have a little bit of a slow start for me & it was a very slow burn ... BUT the characters were absolutely amazing. I loved the deep issues that both main characters have gone through in their life and the neighbors were perfection.

& that ending was just perfect! 😍

You get:
• Dual POV
• Author MMC
• Teacher FMC
• Enemies To Lovers
• Slow Burn
• Past Trauma
• Found Family

I highly recommend this book and you can pick it up on Amazon, through ebook or paperback!

"The best things require the most risk."

This book was a strange one, but I think ultimately good. There were several parts about teaching that were confusing to me as a teacher because they didn’t feel possible or likely. There were lots of overlapping storylines to keep up with, but Rowan’s conflicting feelings about her (sort of) engagement felt drawn out to me. I liked the building of connections between Rowan and Sara and Rowan and her neighbors, including Jack. But it missed the mark for me a little. It was almost there but a little off, so I’m saying 3⭐️. A solid read with real emotional depth though if you’re looking for something with a little more going on than just one couple’s relationship.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I enjoyed this story quite a bit. The chemistry between Rowan and Jack was great! I also loved all the neighbors.
My only complaint is that the story was a bit long and had maybe a few too many elements which made it hard to keep track of things.

I thought the premise of this one was super intriguing and sounded cute. It was really cute but I felt some things didn't work and fell flat for me. Some things felt rushed and then some things dragged on, also the epilogue didn't satisfy me.