Maeve has just been offered the opportunity of a lifetime. A contract to record her podcast and be elevated to celebrity status. It’s everything she’s been working for, but there’s a catch. She has to continue working with her cohost Finn who she cut ties with for breaking her heart. Finn wants nothing more to get back into Maeve’s good graces and repair their friendship. He doesn’t know if he can hope for more than that. As the pair are forced to work together on the podcast, Maeve’s walls start to come down. But will they ever be more than just friends again?

I really liked the idea of this one but it just felt forced. I’m not a big fan of the miscommunication trope, and this book is mostly built on that premise, and the fmc is a therapist, like c’mon. With random flashbacks thrown in throughout with no real organization, this just felt like a flop to me. The writing is actually really good though, the author has some real promise. I just think the story/plot creation needs major work.

Forced proximity
Second chance romance
Friends to enemies to lovers
Podcast about sex and relationships

Thanks NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story had a lot of potential and a really interesting premise but it fell a little flat overall. The main characters have been friends for a long time and started a podcast together about relationships that has gone viral and been picked up by a network. The problem is that they had a night together and now they can't seem to get along. The reason they can't figure things out is that FMC refuses to have a proper conversation about what happened. It truly felt like our FMC was really struggling with her maturity and the whole book could've been solved by one conversation and the miscommunication trope is not working for me.

I was given an advanced copy in exchange for my review. This is my honest opinion I am giving voluntarily. EVERYONE is going to be talking about this book, I’m calling it now! I love this authors writing style and I appreciate the dual POV, because there’s two sides to every story. At the same time I was rooting for both of the characters, I wanted her to stick to her guns and make him work for it while I also was hoping he stuck it out and won her over. The author does an amazing job of hooking you and demanding you to turn the next page to find out what happens. Bravo! Highly recommend!

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Betty Cayouette is a terrific second chance at love story featuring Mave and Finn.

Podcasters Maeve and Finn have just landed the deal of a lifetime for their sex and relationship podcast, but they found that they absolutely hate each other and because of their deal, they have to fake it until they make it.

Following their breakup when Maeve can't stand the little cuts to her heart that Finn gives her, there are terrific story points about mental, sexual, and familial emotional health.

Maeve and Finn both grew as people, friends, and partners by the end of the book.

I really enjoyed how relatable the characters were and it's rare that you root for both characters after a breakup, but I did. I wanted them to both get what they wanted and needed to be happy.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advance copy in consideration of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Another heartwarming second chance romance from Betty Cayouette! I loved the premise of this book and the forced proximity between the main characters created great tension and a believable route back to each other. Maeve and Finn were perfectly flawed characters and it was fun to see them both grow. And I wish there was a real "Tell Me How You Really Feel" podcast!! Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

I am a self-admitted book worm, and I have been the majority of my life. Here lately, I gravitate towards suspenseful books. Ultimately, at my core I am still a fan of romance. Because of this, I was very excited to read this book.

Although I read Betty’s previous book “One Last Shot,” I still didn’t really know what to expect with this one. I was definitely intrigued by the plot description. I liked how this book switched perspectives, and also you could see before and after the huge “event” in the book.

Usually, when reading a book like this, there is a character that I am “rooting for” more than the other. The interesting this about this book is that I was never on any one character’s side. I could see both sides of their perspectives, because they were both so well written. Not to say that there weren’t some times when I wanted to be able to reach through the book and shake them, but I felt that way for both of them equally (LOL).

Ultimately, I truly enjoyed the book, and felt completely satisfied with the ending. I definitely recommend this book.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

I couldn't put Tell Me How You Really Feel down. The concept of this story was fun. I loved the podcast plotline. I think is a delightful read that will resonate with anyone who appreciates a well-crafted romance. Definitely, this a must-read for fans of contemporary romantic fiction.

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s for the ARC!

I was really intrigued by the setup of this book: two podcast hosts with their first big deal who are no longer able to work together because in the FMC’s (Maeve) view the MMC (Finn) ruined their friendship and budding relationship.

I really liked Maeve, especially that she was a businesswoman who knows her worth. But I didn’t feel chemistry between the two leads. There are some flashbacks throughout to explain how they became estranged but ultimately the big rift didn’t make a lot sense to me and it was hard to root for them to be together.

I enjoyed glimpses of the side characters but I wish the conversations were about more than Maeve and Finn’s rift.

Tell Me How You Really Feel feels fresh, rich in character and consequential. On the surface, Tell Me How You Really Feel is a friends to lovers and second chance romance, two of my favorite tropes. At its heart, however, it graciously explores topics like anxiety, trauma, sex, connection, parental expectations, familial duty and the gender pay imbalance in ways that don’t feel preachy or overshadowing of the romance, and yet still significant. Future Betty Cayouette offerings are definitely going directly to my TBR pile.

In short, Tell Me How You Really Feel is entertaining, steamy, and impactful, making it a very easy read to recommend.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Maeve and Finn have signed a mega deal with a streaming platform after creating a viral sex and relationships podcast. Except as they begin a new season, Maeve doesn't want to be near Finn after his choices left her feeling second best yet again. But, if she wants to make a solo show, she needs Finn, and he refuses to let her go. Will Maeve be able to open her heart again?

I was so engrossed from the first sentence that I had no idea it was nearly 2am when I finished! I liked how Cayouette made the angst subtle, instead focusing on Maeve and Finn's personal growth as they find their way back to each other. I adored how in tune they were with each other (oh my heart about the dorm!). I just wanted to lock them in the podcast studio to kiss and make up! There was also strong mental health representation (though I'm baffled why Maeve, who has anxiety disorder and is a clinical psychologist, didn't recognise a panic attack and insisted on blood tests).

Refreshingly, I liked that we learn early why Maeve is angry with Finn, instead of endless flashbacks waiting for the big secret (which was my complaint of 'One Last Shot' and a lot of other second chance romances). Instead, the flashbacks helped flesh out their growing relationship and how their issues fuelled their mistakes.

I love a second chance romance and once again Betty Cayouette delivers in spades with well-drawn characters with a sparkling chemistry. This gem of a book was so charming. Maeve and Finn felt so real, I nearly went to search for their podcast! I can't wait to read it again. And again. And again.

Thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

From the blurb I thought this book was going to be a really engaging read, unfortunately, I really struggled with the writing style, plot points and several of the main characters. Had this not been an ARC I think I would have probably DNF'd this book.

I hope this story finds its intended audience, it just wasn't a fit for me.

Thank you Betty Cayouette, Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!