Tell Me How You Really Feel is a fun romcom for any avid podcast listener! While in many ways a traditional romcom, Cayouette also addresses mental health, in particular anxiety and panic attacks, with directness and care that can be appreciated by anyone who has personally experienced those feelings she writes about, as well as anyone who is looking to understand them. However, I felt the characters and their circular arguments often detracted from the story rather than making me care for them and root for their relationship.

I loved the premise of this book alot, I felt that there was minimal chemistry between the two MCs, but it somehow worked out in the end. the first half I absolutely blazed through, the second half dragged for me

loved this romance about friends who become more. He is from a famous family and she isn't famous. She creates a podcast and becomes famous. They have guests and try to figure their relationship out. I loved that he saw her and supported her.

I feel so bad giving this one a low rating after I loved the first book by this author, but I wasn’t a fan of this one.

In this novel we follow Maeve and Finn. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two. It made me uncomfortable when they were going on dates with other people and talking about them on the podcast and making fun of their dates. They also got breakfast together every time they had one night stands with other people…it was just weird.

I liked the concept and thought it would be like “The Ex-Talk” but this was very descriptive and not too appealing.

The flashbacks didn’t work for me. I almost wanted a before and then after section if that makes sense. I felt like we were thrown right into the conflict and it didn’t work.

Although I didn’t like this one, I do recommend this author and I will be reading her future work.

*An ARC was received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"To me, you are my whole world. You sometimes act like you're a supporting character that got pulled up to the main spot. But that's not true. You're the sun and I'm just happy to be in your orbit."

~Best friends to lovers
~Second chance romance
~Dual timelines
~Mental health rep

I realllllly loved the first half of the book; the first half was definitely a 4+ star. As a social worker, I personally loved the idea of the podcast, which is saying something because I'm not a big podcast girlie. But the second half really dragged on. I don't usually mind a miscommunication trope, but this had multiple miscommunications through out and I just didn't feel the last one as truly needed; (without given spoilers) I thought the point the author was trying to make but I don't think it needed to result in a massive break up. I'm not sure if this was only an issue because it was an ARC copy, but the text threads didn't show properly and had a little confused at times. Overall, I thought it had some impactful components and addressed topics that we see every day, but it was a little too long for my liking.

This book is a banter-filled journey about a pair of best friends turned enemies who co-host a podcast together. Maeve and Finn have a connection that is undeniable, even when they’re butting heads. I found myself rooting for them despite their flaws and miscommunications. Maeve’s journey, in particular, was captivating; I was thoroughly invested in her growth by the end.
The story doesn’t shy away from tackling real, relevant issues, adding depth to the romance. While I was frustrated at times with both Maeve and Finn—Maeve for her reluctance to communicate and Finn for the Cassidy relationship subplot—their journey to better understanding each other felt genuine. By the end, it was rewarding to see them finally open up and communicate honestly about their feelings.
Overall, Tell Me How You Really Feel is an enjoyable read with engaging characters, humor, and heart. Fans of slow-burn romance and friends-to-enemies-to-lovers dynamics will love it.

I received an ARC of Tell Me How You Really Feel in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this delightful romance.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for allowing me access to this ebook in exchange of my honest review.
Tell Me How You Really Feel by Betty Cayouette is a contemporary romance to be released on May 6th 2025.
Maeve and Finn, co-hosts of a hit relationships podcast, land a major deal but struggle to work together due to their rocky history. While Maeve focuses on keeping things professional, Finn is determined to win her over again. Through flashbacks and present-day challenges, they juggle fame, podcasting success, and the complexities of their relationship. I didn't like this one unfortunately as much as I thought I would. The writing needs more editing in my opinion, also the conflict is non existent, the mmc has been with one girl in the past but was still in love with the fmc, that's not enough to create a conflict.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have been seeing more books with podcasters as the main characters, and I really liked how this one was done. It is a fun read!

Betty Cayouette wrote a banter filled goodtime about a pair of Podcasters who are meant to be. Even though I thought I would find the podcasting bit to be annoying, its serves the plot well. I was super invested in Maeve's journey by the end. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin snd NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I read this last night in one sitting. It stayed up way too late way way too late but it was so good. I loved it, maeve, and Finn were so good. The characters were so good together.I wish we knew a little bit more about maeve finn is a child of a hollywood power couple who goes to school in pennsylvania, thinking he can fly under the radar. Maeve is 1 of 4 daughters and she feels like her achievements are the least important and together. After college, they end up both living in New York City. Where finn works in finance and maeve is getting her therapy license on a when they start a podcast, a little slow going at first, but the third episode with some help of some relaxers day go all in on their personal experiences and our viral sensation, the book starts with um, starting a brand new podcast deal worth a bajillion dollars and they are not in a good place. And we learn why and what happened and what leads to it, and it's just so so good, I love it. I don't know how there could be more but I wish there could be more. I could see this being a fun Netflix movie. Oh so good so so so

We meet Maeve and Finn in LA when they are in the midst of signing a huge exclusivity deal with Streamify (think Alex Cooper Spotify Exclusive Deal for Call her Daddy) for the sex-relationship podcast they cohost, Tell Me How You Really Feel. Exciting butttttt Maeve (middle-class girl from Pittsburgh) hates Finn (a Hollywood nepo baby).

Throughout the story we get numerous flashbacks to the origin of the podcast, which Maeve and Finn, friends from college, created in New York when Maeve was studying to be a therapist and Finn was working in Consulting at Morgan Stanley.

Overall easy read, but didn’t live up to my expectations. The miscommunication between Maeve, a therapist, and Finn never ended, and I felt certain plot points were underdeveloped and some overdeveloped. Also, for having a sex podcast the spice was severely lacking. I think the author has promise though so will pick up more that she writes.

Anxiety ridden
Gender gap. Pay gap
Women rights
Podcasting

I didn't love the fight breakup then fight breakup. Normally I don't love one second act breakup but this book had two.

Maeve has a lot of anxiety and Finn has a lot of white privilege. They are learning to navigate it and what it means to have an award winning podcast.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc

This was a perfect read for a nice long weekend. Not only was it funny but the characters were great and there was actual serious stuff discussed that is relevant today.
The main character had a great vibe that I felt like I could really feel and the side characters really brought everything together for a great story. I would definitely recommend this book to readers, and I’d like to think NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this adorable book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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.