Can I get “Therapist that doesn’t know how to communicate for 800 please?”

This story follows two friends whose dumb idea of turning their walk of shame brunch debrief into a podcast has gone viral. This is for anyone who likes a good second change romance.

BUT, I feel like the FMC placed all of the blame on the MMC even though she preaches throughout the entire book about accepting the blame for your mistakes. I definitely felt some strong emotions when reading this, but I’m not sure if they were the ones that the author intended.

I really liked the idea of this story. I wish I could actually listen to their podcast cause it sounds amazing! There were moments in this that I absolutely loved and other times that I wanted to throw my kindle across the room just because the to main characters where making me so mad! I'd think that Maeve and Fin would finally get their lives together and be together, but then something else would happen!

This novel is an engaging and emotionally charged exploration of love, ambition, and the complicated nature of second chances. At the heart of the story are Maeve and Finn, two podcasters whose undeniable chemistry has propelled their show into the spotlight—yet their personal history threatens to tear it all apart. Told through a dual timeline, the novel masterfully balances the tension between their past and present, weaving a compelling narrative that keeps readers hooked.

The portrayal of Maeve and Finn's relationship is both messy and deeply authentic. Their banter is sharp, their conflicts feel real, and the stakes—both personal and professional—are incredibly high. The behind-the-scenes look at podcasting adds a fresh and modern backdrop to their emotional rollercoaster, making it as much about personal growth as it is about rekindled romance.

With witty dialogue, well-developed characters, and a deeply satisfying emotional arc, this book is a must-read for fans of second-chance romances and stories that explore the thin line between love and resentment. It captures the complexities of modern relationships in a way that feels both raw and heartwarming, leaving readers eager to see how Maeve and Finn find their way back to each other.

I enjoyed this book until about 85%. I started getting really annoyed with the main character Maeve. She is a therapist by trade, but uses very poor communication in her own relationships. I felt like Finn, the MMC, was often judged often because he was male and rich. That got to be over the top annoying too. I thought the main premise of the story was good, but the author took elements of the story too far and that made it less enjoyable.

The premise was there but I found the characters a bit annoying. It also had the miscommunication trope which isn't a favorite of mine. It does read quickly though. Thanks for the gifted arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun read! It was a slow start as it went back and forth between past and present so it took a little time get the background. The characters were real and showed growth. There were times I was frustrated with both the FMC and the MMC making it feel more real that other romance books. It was up and down a lot but honestly it was the realness of the plot and characters that kept me reading. For readers that enjoy podcasts, talk about pay gap, real talk on mental health you’ll enjoy this book and the authors writing style.

This is an ARC review

The premise for this read was so promising but the characters left me…annoyed with them.

The miscommunication trope is not my favorite, and this book really stretched it to the limit for me. For as much as these two characters preach honesty/accountability/healthy relationship functionality/and the like, they SUCK at everything having to do with healthy relationships. I for one just cannot get on board with characters who say one thing and then do the opposite. It felt very “do as I say, not as I do” which I think everyone is exhausted by.

While I do love the authors writing style, these characters were completely insufferable for me. I really hope in her next novel she explores something outside the miscommunication trope.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I loved it. I think everything about the relationship between Maeve and Finn was perfect. The healthy communication was amazing. I also really enjoyed the emphasis on gender pay gaps. I thought it was a great read

This story really captured me. I enjoy an enemies-to-lovers type plotlines (or friends to enemies to friends to lovers in this case), I thought the characters were well flushed out, and had a fun time with the podcasting plot. The situation of both wanting the best for the other leading to a doubly painful situation rather than what they both want because they don't know that they both want it is all too real. Often I find the stakes in a contemporary romance to be a bit too flimsy -- a single conversation could often resolve things, it feels like. This book sidestepped that though of course the characters aren't normal people at all. Still, working together in such a personal way, having to persevere for all sorts of reasons, not being able to confront something you eventually need to, a bunch of careless and badly timed issues cropping up, all these were constructed in a really solid way.

This book can be considered a bit of a cozy read with their comfortable dynamic, all roads leading to and understanding of gender equality, and generally things starting awful and getting better through a vindicating perseverance rather than coincidence.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for providing me with an ARC copy of this ebook.

Tell Me How You Really Feel means so many things in this book besides just the title. Told in dual perspective, the story follows Maeve and Finn as they learn to tell themselves and each other how they really feel.

Cayouette does a remarkable job at capturing the anxiety and inner struggle of opening up when you don't know how those around you will respond. Both characters are conflicted with how to open up to themselves and the others, yet are simultaneously giving advice focusing on just that.

There are many stereotypes that Maeve and Finn deal with, one of which becomes a central theme of the book, and is very important in reality. Cayouette has brought this into the story not in a way that is informational and droning, but woven into the story in such a way that shows it's importance and will stick with you.

While I did enjoy the book, and I really hope to see more books from this author, I don't think this will be one of the top five romance romance novels I recommend. Unfortunately, for those who have read Cayouette's first novel, One Last Shot, I felt the character arcs were too similar between both stories. I hope if we get a third novel, its just as entertaining but with some fresh character development.

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Betty Cayouette is an enjoyable and lighthearted read, but it didn't quite meet all of my expectations. The story has an interesting premise that explores relationships, self-discovery, and the complexity of emotions, which kept me engaged for most of the book. The writing is accessible and flows well, making it easy to read through.

However, while the characters are relatable, they felt a bit one-dimensional at times, and I would have liked to see more depth in their development. Some of the plot points also felt predictable, which took away from the overall sense of surprise or suspense that I was hoping for. The pacing felt uneven in places, with some sections dragging on a bit too long.

Overall, Tell Me How You Really Feel is a decent book that touches on meaningful themes but didn’t have the emotional impact I was hoping for. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for a quick, light read, but it may not leave a lasting impression.

I liked this one but didn't love it.

I think the author did a good job handling sensitive topics like mental health (anxiety) and wage gap. She was able to get the message across without sounding like an info dump. I did also like that the main characters were podcasters. Felt very modern and different. The writing itself is good. The writing made this a quick, digestible read.

I had a hard time with the characters in this one. The miscommunication between these two is nuts. Doesn't matter whether it's past or present. I'm not sure how they stayed friends for as long as they did. It just became frustrating to read.

Overall, this was okay for me.

I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

0.5/5🌶️

I appreciated a lot of what the author was trying to do with this book. She directly calls out many forms of sexism in the media and workplace, and her point always hits home. However, going in with the expectation that this was a second-chance, friends-to-lovers ROMANCE novel, this point was driven home a bit too often for me.

Told through present day, and flash backs, the author does a great job of building the foundation needed for this type of novel. You quickly understand the foundation of the MCs relationship and their individual insecurities. However with what felt like less than 10% of the book actually including the couple being together HAPPILY, by the end I almost wished for no HEA. The MMC seemed too dense on the real issues of sexism, and the FMC seemed ragingly insecure. I was rooting for them for MUCH of the novel, but by the end I was so frustrated with their relationship that them being together didn’t even matter anymore.

I enjoyed Betty's debut a lot, so I was excited to read her sophomore novel Tell Me How You Really Feel! I enjoyed a lot of things about it, especially the focus on mental health. Unfortunately, I thought the story did a disservice to Finn as he tried to listen to Maeve but his attempts to be better seemed to never be good enough for her. It was painful to watch him apologize again and again but never in the way she wanted him to. I did love the podcasting elements a lot, and I am hopeful that I'll connect more with Betty's next book. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to St Martin's Griffin for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

The writing is great, but this one just didn’t work for me. I couldn’t get into it and kept waiting for more, but it never came. The whole plot revolved around miscommunication, and Maeve’s refusal to listen to Finn made her come off as bratty and self-absorbed. Plus, the big reveal took way too long, which got frustrating in the end. Overall, this one just didn’t click for me.

3.5 ⭐️

I had mixed feelings about this book. There were elements that I enjoyed but, unfortunately, the book also suffered from poor pacing and a somewhat unlikable male protagonist.

The book starts in the middle of the story, after Finn has betrayed Maeve’s trust but before they’ve made amends. The details are filled in through dual-POV, both in the present and past timelines. I found this to be immediately engaging; almost like a small mystery, waiting to be solved. What on earth could Finn have done to blow up both their personal and professional relationships that badly?

And the answer: Well, it’s definitely not great.

In this way, my main two issues with the book are intertwined. I am all for flawed protagonists and redemption arcs. But a character’s flaws must be in proportion to their growth. If that growth takes place too late in the book, or if the character messes up one too many times, the reader loses sympathy for the character. Because Finn messed up not once, but multiple times, it began to feel like he was incapable of change. I feel like the finished product would have been much better, both in terms of character development and plotting, if Finn had learned his lesson earlier.

As for Maeve, well, I was annoyed that she didn’t practice what she preached, but who among us hasn’t done that before? Yes, this was frustrating, but not nearly on the same level as Finn.

What I did like: Even if it got a bit “after school special” towards the end, this book had some great things to say about nepotism, gender inequality, and emotional intelligence. I mean, these parts were really, really well handled. I wish they hadn’t been bogged down by the weaker elements.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I loved this author’s first book and while I did enjoy this one, it didn’t grab me the way her first did. I do enjoy Cayouette’s writing style and the characters she brings to life. This is definitely a fun read and would be perfect for a beach read. Overall, very enjoyable.

*ARC Review* Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Betty Cayouette had a lot of potential, and I really enjoyed the premise and concept—especially the podcasting angle and the themes of second chances, relationships, and personal growth. The story of Maeve and Finn, who have a complicated history but must work together for their viral podcast, is one that definitely pulled me in.

However, there were a few aspects that kept me from fully loving this book. The time jumps, for instance, felt a bit disjointed at times. I almost wished there had been more focus on the relationship before the current day events, especially in terms of their earlier days together. The flashbacks were intriguing, but I feel like more of them would’ve helped build up their connection and given me a deeper understanding of their past dynamic.

As for the characters, Maeve’s anxiety and the triggers that stemmed from her history with Finn were understandably central to her character. Still, at times, her behavior felt a bit frustrating. It often seemed like she was looking for a fight, and when Finn would try to fix things, she wouldn’t let go of her grievances. I understand where she was coming from, but it did get a little tiresome after a while.

Finn also had his own flaws, and while he certainly tried to make amends, some of his actions didn't sit well with me either. Despite these imperfections, I did appreciate his efforts to win Maeve back, even if the tension between them sometimes felt a bit much.

Overall, while the book wasn’t perfect for me, I still enjoyed it. The themes resonated, and the central premise kept me hooked. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more from Betty Cayouette in the future, as I can see her writing improving and evolving with each book.

Finn and Maeve are podcasters who couldn't be more different but have CHEMISTRY. This was by far the most realistic depiction of sex I have read in a book and I loved it. There is some spice but no one is orgasming 7 times and almost blowing their load at a mere glance. 2 out 5 chili peppers.

The banter in the book is excellent and I feel like Maeve's POV is very relatable, especially when she is second guessing herself and her feelings. I enjoyed how Cayouette dug in on the constant internal dialogue of someone who knows they struggle with mental health and is trying to parse through if what they are feeling is their authentic feeling or if it is a byproduct of their diagnosis. I think I learned more about anxiety and intrusive thoughts in this book than I did in the weeks and months I have spent listening to mental health podcasts - honestly made me feel less alone and a huge shoutout for Cayouette for that.

I also really enjoyed her discussions on performative feminism, but I the punchline fell a little short for me. The ending as a whole felt very rushed and I was bummed that a book that captured the nuance of romance so well just glossed over the ending. This is my main driver for three stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

I’m struggling on how to rate this but I think I’ll land on 3.5 ⭐️

The first 2/3 of the book I LOVED! I truly could not put it down and I was so invested in the characters and their highs and lows and friendship and tension and I think the back and forth from present day to past was very well done. The dual POV was also great.

HOWEVER… the last third of the book was sooooo hard to read. Like cringey? In some ways? I think for me, the characters got sloppy and annoying. Repetitive and childish. And strayed too far away from the premise that was built in the beginning. Maeve is a therapist! I know they cover some things at the end but like nothing showed that this was a woman who knew how to communicate her feelings or speak her needs to a partner. Finn went from being a super attractive best friend who supports her in everything to a whiney self indulgent boy who can’t take accountability…it was a weird spot to be. Part of me was hoping they wouldn’t end up together… oops.

THAT BEING SAID… it is obvious Betty is uber passionate about equality and women’s rights and the gender pay gap. 👏🏻amen sister👏🏻 some of the writing felt preachy and not as fluid as it could have been but I get the intent behind it and for someone who maybe doesn’t know much on the issue - maybe having it spelled out for them is helpful. It was a bit too “in your face” for me but I think it’s due to my familiarity with the subject.

All in all I do think I would recommend this book to people, but with disclaimers. And actually… I REALLY would like this podcast to exist 😍