*Spoilers*

I went into this book expecting a light hearted contemporary romance that was a small town, grumpy x sunshine romance. I was not expecting to sob my heart out.

After skipping out on her nuptials, Norah Ellis heads back to her hometown and surprises her estranged sister by showing up on her doorstep, delivered by none other than reclusive artist bad boy, Bennett Bishop.

At times the relationship between Bennett and Norah was frustrating- especially since the enemies to lovers aspect seemed to change overnight. Their relationship felt rushed, and it just seemed a bit forced. A lot of it was saved by Summer, and she really helped bring the relationship together. I just wish the book was longer to allow for a more authentic relationship to form.

Summer’s story was beautifully heartbreaking and I feel like the authors really captured the essence of grief. She was such a sweet character and I sobbed multiple times throughout the book because of her But the other plot lines floating about like Norah’s mum and ex-fiancé just took away from that. Like it’s mentioned that maybe her mum killed her sister- and then it never comes up, not even at the end when Norah’s mum goes to prison for something else! I would’ve much preferred more screen time with my girl Summer, and perhaps the aftermath of everything, because the way it dealt with parental loss was so well done. Serious props to the authors for taking such care too.

This book was entertaining, spicy and heartbreaking all in one - and it had me staying up til 3am. So that has to mean it was an enjoyable read! And safe to say I am VERY keen to learn more about Clay and Josie in the next book….

Thank you to NetGalley, Max and Monroe for providing me with an early access copy of this book to review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book, this is my honest review. There are spoilers in this review, so be warned.

I have mixed feelings here, primarily about the huge dichotomies in this book that were completely unexpected based on the description and the authors' own words in the beginning of the book. It's presented as a romance, which it is. But nowhere is it mentioned just how emotionally heavy this book ends up being. And my gosh, it was SO heavy. This was a literal tear-jerker masquerading as a grumpy-sunshine/runaway-bride/fish-out-of-water/single father with an adorable daughter/accidental pregnancy romance. There should have been some specific content warnings with this book, something to warn the reader what they were getting. I understand that the authors didn't want to give anything away, and the content warnings would have given away the majority of the plot, but it was hard not to feel blind-sided when the emotionally heavy themes started. It takes a sharp turn into heartbreak so have your tissues ready. Content warnings following (some of which I absolutely would have appreciated before picking up this book): domestic violence; estrangement from parent(s)/family; child abandonment; serious chronic/fatal illness in a child; infidelity; discussion of termination of pregnancy by a side character; sibling death by parent negligence/childhood death(s); possible high-risk accidental pregnancy; and finally, criminal proceedings that's hinted to relate to sexual themes by the female main character's ex-fiance and mother.

I also felt that the romance between the two main characters was written in a fairly predictable and cliche way, and relied way too heavily on the emotionality of Bennett's daughter's illness and subsequent death in order to keep the reader invested. The main thing that saves this book is Summer's storyline. My heart would have to be completely shriveled and black not to be charmed by Summer.

This was a quick read, despite its heavier themes. I've read books by these authors before and enjoyed them, but it may be awhile before I pick up another one of their books as overall this one left a bad taste in my mouth. 3 stars, but it's closer to 2.5 stars.

I was not expecting the emotions that this story brought!

Norah is at a crossroads in her life after ditching her wedding, so heads to a small town in Vermont to stay with her estranged sister.

Bennett is a tortured artist with a lot going on in his life that he has to be strong for.

They meet several times and do NOT like each other at first. I always love an enemies to lovers book, and this did not disappoint! There wasn’t a real reason for them to not like each other, they were both just going through so much in their personal lives.

This was WAY more emotional than I was expecting, wow! I can’t even describe how you feel close to the characters and suffer when they suffer.

Bennett and his daughter’s relationship is so special, and watching him be a great dad made you really connect with him! Norah jumped into their life and had such a strong connection to her too!

The ending was so bittersweet. You leave feeling happy, but also sad! So hard to describe but if you love enemies to lovers and characters you really feel for and relate to - read this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Max Monroe for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

This story will make you want to cry. It will also make you swoon. There are truly evil people, people who are welcoming, and people who carry secrets. There are a lot of secrets. And yet I laughed out loud.

A runaway bride, who receives a stunning letter when she is already in her wedding finery. She escapes to her estranged sister's house in a tiny town in Vermont. She's dressed in borrowed designer clothes, toting a borrowed designer suitcase, and she's wandering around, lost. A burly man picks her up to take her to her sister and they immediately become enemies. And then not. And then they become so much more to each other.

This is a complex story that contains a heartbreaking story within. It has explicit sex so I recommend for mature readers

Unfortunately, this book was not for me :(
I really liked the main female character, she was very sweet and funny, however, I didn't like the guy. I felt that there was only a physical attraction and that they immediately were attracted to each other but then he was all grumpy/mean. I think most of all I don't like how they kissed once and then they were emotionally wrapped up together without actually getting there, like they never had a scene truly connecting just all of a sudden they were super close, I would like to have it be a bit slower and let them connect more emotionally. Overall, I had to dnf this one :(

This story was not for me. I didn’t connect to the characters and I didn’t fully buy the connections between the characters. There were a lot of heavy topics explored and a huge amount of trauma for such a short book. In my opinion it did not work. I think the story would have been improved by the plot being less complex and staking that space to show the reader how the characters connect.

What I Should've Said, by Max Monroe, starts with Norah, our female lead, who is about to become a runaway bride. Norah escapes what is sure to be a disaster of a marriage and flees to her sister, who lives in Red Bridge in their grandmother's house. This is when we meet Bennett, who gives her a ride when she needs it. The two do not hit it off at first, but I enjoyed the banter between the two. As the story progresses, we get to hear more about their back stories and learn to really like these two people (although it takes longer to like Ben). What I enjoyed the most were the secondary characters and I cannot wait to find out more about Josie and Clay! My only complaint is that I didn't feel I got to know Summer as well as I would have liked to. I would have actually like to get her POV a few times as I think I would have connected with her more deeply if I had. This was a very good book and I give it 5 stars. Thank you NetGalley and Max Monroe for an advanced copy!

I have no words!
This story had me from the beginning when runaway bride Nora Ellis returns back to her hometown and runs into grumpy Bennett Bishop. I thought it started out as a rom com, but then turned into such an emotional story that had me in tears. There are triggers that i would check before reading. This is the first book i have read from this duo and has quickly become one of my favorites. I love the character development and the chemistry between Nora and Bennett and the plot had me hooked. Such a beautiful story.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Take Things We Leave Behind (Lucy Score) mixed with a little bit of a daytime drama, mixed with some Law and Order SVU, and you got this book.

Oh and throw in a run away bride.

Good easy read, but also sad in parts too.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am at a loss for words when it comes to reviewing "What I Should've Said" by Max Monroe. As a dedicated reader of all their books, I was pleasantly surprised by this departure from their usual rom-com style. This book has now claimed the top spot as my favorite, surpassing even the beloved Billionaire Bad Boys' series. While the witty banter and laugh-out-loud moments were still present, the emotional depth of the story took me by surprise and left me reeling for hours after finishing it.

After Norah Ellis leaves her fiancé at the altar, she seeks refuge in her charming Vermont hometown of Red Bridge. In need of a ride, she encounters Bennett Bishop, sparking an immediate attraction despite their rocky first meeting. As their paths continue to cross, each encounter seems to end in disaster. Desperate for employment, Norah accepts a job offer from Bennett, leading to unexpected interactions with his daughter that tug at her heartstrings. As their relationship deepens, Norah and Bennett experience a powerful connection that withstands challenges. However, their newfound happiness is threatened by unforeseen circumstances involving Bennett's daughter, Summer. Through heartbreak and challenges, Norah and Bennett navigate their way to a poignant and fulfilling happily ever after.

I absolutely adored this book and would give it more than five “shooting” stars if I could! While the trigger warnings are not explicitly stated, Max Monroe cautions readers about the sensitive topics addressed in the story. It's important to heed these warnings as the emotional journey this book takes you on is both heart-wrenching and healing. The supporting characters in "What I Should've Said" add depth and humor to the narrative, with Norah's sister, Josie, and Bennett's lifelong friend, Clay Harris, standing out as intriguing figures with their own secrets waiting to be unraveled. I am eagerly anticipating delving deeper into their stories in the upcoming book, "When I Should've Stayed."

Thank you @authormaxmonroe, @hambright_pr and @netgalley for the ebook ARC! All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5⭐️
I have read a couple of Max Monroe books and they are a lot of fun. There is fun banter, funny situations mixed with some serious topics, and some spice. Although this book has those elements, it is far more emotional than anything I have read from this duo before.

Norah has arrived in Red Bridge Vermont after she left her fiance at the altar. She shows up on her estranges sisters doorstep with nowhere else to go. When she arrives in town, she meets the grumpy Bennett. Their interactions in the beginning of this book are full of angry banter. Ben is immediately attracted to Norah, but is trying desperately to fight that attraction. That makes his say and do some not so nice things. Norah has had her whole life turned upside down after receiving a letter on what would be her wedding day. She is feeling lost and is desperate to stand on her own two feet. She is also incredibly attracted to Ben, but his grumpy demeanor turns her off.

There were several things I enjoyed about this book:
*I really liked the beginning of the romance. I enjoyed the enemies to lovers and the banter between Ben and Norah. But once they got together, I felt like the romance was rushed and not fully developed.
*I loved the small town setting and the cast of characters surrounding the town. It's always my favorite part of small town romances.
*I loved the relationship between Norah and Ben's daughter. It was so sweet. But I think there should've been a warning about her storyline, I was completely unprepared for what happens.

Things I would've liked more of:
*There were hints of the relationship Norah had with her mother and her fiance, but I would've liked more development in that part of the story. I feel like it was a major part of Norah's backstory and it was only hinted at a few times.
*I didn't love the lack of communication between Norah and her sister, I understand they are estranged, but they were living together and Josie seemed to be there for Norah while she was dealing with her relationship with Ben and his daughter, but they didn't seem to try and get to know each other.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and was able to read it quickly. It broke my heart and put it back together again.

A poignant story about love, loss and learning how to truly live. Bennett comes across as a grump, but he is dealing with a lot and doesn’t have time to deal with things or people he feels are frivolous. When he meets Norah for the first time he doesn’t treat her nicely, but he is trying to get home. There is only one person he needs or wants to be around all the time and that is Summer- more on her later.

Norah is starting her life over after receiving a cryptic note on what was supposed to be her wedding day. When she goes to her estranged sister’s house, she meets Bennett and they enter a weird bickering relationship. When she puts in for a job as an artist’s assistant, because she is a horrible barista, her life changes once again.

Summer is an adorable seven-year-old who loves pink, watching sunsets (although she hasn’t seen many) and lights up any room she is in. Unfortunately, she is also sick and will cause you to need a box of tissues. I think she teaches everyone the most about living and taking every moment and experiencing it like it might be your last.

I was a wreck while reading this book. My heart broke for all those involved and I really was hoping for a miracle. Norah also had to deal with the demons (her mom and ex) that follow her, but meeting Bennett and Summer helped her learn what was truly important in life. Just when you think things are going to be fine, the rug gets ripped out from under you.

I loved this book. Not only did it break it my heart, but it put it back together. A must read. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

If you've read Max Monroe before and you think you know what to expect from them, you will be wrong. I've read most of their books at this point, and this is NOTHING like anything I've read from this writing duo, but it is also possibly my new favorite. There is some humor and lots of sweet moments, but this book freaking wrecked me (though it does ultimately end with a HEA). When I say I cried what I mean is "woke up my dogs, went to work the next day with a cry-hangover headache" level sobbing. This is clearly not a fluffy rom-com, it's heavy and emotional, so be prepared with tissues.

Norah and Bennett's story had me captivated from the very start. I couldn't put it down. This book sets up the next story out of Red Bridge, and I'm already itching to read it!

This is a story that is best enjoyed if you watch it unfold on page, so I'm keeping this review short and vague. Of note though - I do not feel like this books has adequate content warnings (there's just a note about sensitive subjects). There are several potential triggers on-page (not just off-hand mentions), so if that's a potential concern for you, please shoot me a message or otherwise investigate before diving into this one.

An enemies to lovers story is honestly too simple for this book.

This book is a change from the authors normal works, but it's it outstanding in such a different way. Please read the trigger warnings, I scan them but this one I really had to debate about reading it once I read them. This story between Bennett and Norah ripped my heart out so many times and left it on the floor to once again a chapter or two get picked up and healed together. This story was honestly a roller coaster of emotions for me, and I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what happened with these characters and the characters around them.

“You’ll have to give me a little grace because I don’t know a lot about art or even have the ability to fully understand pieces like this, but when I look at it…I feel…like I really want to keep looking at it, but something is telling me to look away at the same time. Like half of my body is being wrapped up in a cozy blanket, while the other half is being burned at the stake.” - Norah, What I Should've Said

That is exactly how I felt while reading What I Should've Said, like half of my heart was wrapped in a cozy blanket while the other half was burned at the stake, and I loved every page of it. What I Should've Said doesn’t get 5 stars it gets 5 shooting stars.

3 stars - Overall, I enjoyed What I Should've Said! I think that the first 50% was very strong and really pulled me into the story. I did not want to put it down. I also was not expecting it to be as emotional as it was. Both Norah and Bennett were really developed characters and I felt like I knew them on a deeper level.

My main reasoning for giving it 3 stars is that I think the second half of the book was not as strong as the first half. I felt that Norah and Bennett's relationship was rushed once they actually got together and that they said I love you way too quick. And, I did not like a lot of the ending. Despite these critiques, I still think this is worth the read and enjoyed it!

When I saw the new Max Monroe's book on Netgalley I didn't think twice about requesting it.
When I started reading, I thought I was going in for the usual fun and smut they provide in their books, but I was so wrong and happy at the same time.

'What I should have said' is so much more than a runaway bride story, so much more than finding your true love, so much more than a single dad small town romance.

'What I should have said' is a tear jerker, painfully beautiful book to read. It's about love and loss, hope and sadness. To being hopeful to feel love again after a tragedy. To avoid pushing people out because you are hurting and you feel lost.

I laughed and I cried, a rollercoaster of emotion that didn't allow me to put this book down.

Thank you Netgalley and Max Monroe for the possibility of reading 'What I should have said'.

Rating: ♾️
Spice: Open

💛 Emotional
💗 Grumpy sunshine
💛 Single dad
💗 Boss/employee
💛 Opposites attract
💗 Small Town
💛 Slow burn
💗 Dual/ 1st pov

Sooo you've read a Max Monroe book already so you think this is going to be a cute, spicy romcom. WRONG. Try again. When I tell you I can't look at this cover and not 🥹🥹. This book is soul altering. I've probably deleted at least half of what I've typed for this review because I really want you to go in blind. I don't want to spoil a thing. Just know I read this book and have continued to think about it since. Lots of tears were shed. The last ... 30-40% tears were consistent. It was BEAUTIFUL 🥹😍🥰.

Thank you Max Monroe and @netgalley for this ARC all thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I tell you this book had me SOBBING! I don’t think I was fully prepared for what I was getting myself into with this one. This book had me laughing, crying, screaming out of frustration, and yet filled with so much love throughout. You will instantly connect with our two main characters who stir up all of your emotions with their steamy scenes, and witty, flirty banter while dealing with some very heavy subject matter. What I Should’ve Said is a beautifully written story where we learn about love, deception, and loss through the eyes of Norah Ellis and Bennett Bishop.

Norah Ellis is your typical “city girl” who seemingly has it all together. She was one of New York City’s up-and-comers, set to wed one of NYC’s most desired (and wealthy) men. Norah would’ve had her future perfectly played out in front of her until she received an anonymous letter on the day of her wedding that changed everything. Norah flees to her hometown to seek solace with her estranged sister in an attempt to give herself a fresh start. It’s in the small town of Red Bridge where she meets the one and only, Bennett Bishop. Bennett is your very grumpy, small-town man who used to live in the hustle and bustle of the city. Years ago, Bennett’s priorities changed and he came to Red Bridge to avoid getting into any further trouble. Unfortunately for him, Norah Ellis charged into his life and nothing was the same.

The contrast between these two made WISS a joy to read right from the beginning. Max Monroe nailed the ‘grumpy x sunshine’ aspect of this brilliantly written enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance. Opposites truly do attract in this novel! Norah is our feisty, bubbly city girl who has a heart of gold, and a permanent smile on her face but always seems to find herself in the middle of drama. This drama is exactly what Bennett - the grumpy (and kind of mean), short-tempered but gorgeous man – was trying to avoid for the last seven years.

About halfway through, you see a change in both Norah and Bennett, their connection is no longer something they fight which evolves into them softening into each other. We see how truly magnetic and powerful their love is for each other. The tension building was phenomenal, combine that with the spicy scenes that tease us and leave us wanting more.

What I Should’ve Said is a five-star read that I would recommend over and over again. The banter alone did it for me and some major jaw-dropping storyline moments leave your head spinning and your heart aching. I absolutely loved the introduction to the side characters especially Norah’s sister, Josie, and her story with Clay (Bennett’s best friend). I can see their story coming to light in another book after this and can’t wait to read about them. Max Monroe wrote an incredible story and I encourage you to read it.

The topics discussed in this book were heavy and could be triggering to some – I would recommend checking the trigger warnings.

"Summer will never be the same."

What I Should've Said by Max Monroe is my favorite contemporary romance ever!
Well, well, well. This was a pretty awesome book with great writing, awesome dialogues and characters.
This amazing enemies to lovers story was such a delight.
A sweet small town romance with the most humorous characters ever!
WISS is a great balance of humour, feel-good warmth and great story-telling.
Now I’m making it a mission to go back and read Max Monroe’s previous titles!

Thank You NetGalley and Max Monroe for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!