There were some super heavy topics in this book, so please be sure to read the trigger warnings first. This read was just okay for me. I found myself going back and forth on if I actually wanted to finish it. The romance felt like more of a slow burn. It felt more self-reflective and based on personal growth while the romance took a backseat. Overall, I was just looking for a bit more from this as I had high hopes from the description.

Thank you to Netgalley, Maisey Yates and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Okay, y’all, let’s talk about Happy After All. Maisey Yates takes us to a cozy small town with a romance novelist, Amelia Taylor, who’s trying to escape her LA life by running a motel. Enter Nathan Hart, the brooding and mysterious guest who is basically the definition of “grumpy with a heart of gold.” Their initial banter? Sharp and sassy. But then we get into the deeper stuff—grief, healing, and second chances.

I have to say, the setup had all the makings of a tropey romance I’d adore. Enemies-to-lovers vibes? Check. Small-town charm? Check. But here’s where it fell a little flat for me. The pacing was slow, and while I usually love character-driven stories, this one got bogged down in introspection.

What I did enjoy were the little definitions of romance tropes at the start of each chapter. As a romance lover, it was such a fun, cute touch! Also, the small-town setting and side characters brought just the right amount of warmth to balance the heavier themes of grief and healing.

The romance itself was more of a slow burn, with lots of focus on personal growth. I think some people will absolutely eat that up, but for me, it lacked a bit of the spark I was hoping for. And let’s be real—when I pick up a romance, I want all the feels, not just a light simmer.

So, would I recommend it? If you’re into reflective, emotionally heavy romances that take their time unfolding, this might be your jam. But if you’re like me and crave a little more spice and pacing in your romances, it might not fully hit the mark.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars!

I loved this book. Two people, closed themselves off because if their tragic love history, find each other. And I thought it was beautiful.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Brilliance Publishing for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars

Well - that was heavier than I was anticipating based on title, cover and description.

Please check the trigger warnings, because this is heavily loaded with grief and trauma.

I liked this book well enough, but considering it's not a very long book, it felt soooo long and I think that's because it was very overwritten. I enjoyed the writing style, but it felt like reading Diana Gabaldon - you could take out half the words and not miss any of the story.

The romance between the FMC and the MMC lacked chemistry. They hardly spoke to one another for years, and the FMC more or less had a crush from afar. But the MMC was moody and barely spoke one sentence each year to the FMC. When he did he wasn't friendly toward the FMC and yet, she still liked him. Don't get me wrong, I am always down for a grumpy x sunshine romance, there just seemed to be no substance or basis in which the romance was built on.

Their only connections were physical attraction and trauma bonding.

I really liked the setting of this book - the pink flamingo motel and all it's residents were an absolute delight. I loved that both MCs were authors - I'm a sucker for bookish characters. I also didn't realize this was a holiday romance considering it was released after the holidays, but there is a heavy Christmas theme in the last quarter.

Additionally, while it became apparent to me fairly early on what exactly the FMC was grieving before she officially revealed it - I personally, had no way to relate to this experience, and as a result I had a difficult time relating to the FMC.

That said, the narrator was fantastic! If I did an eyeball read instead of an audiobook listen I might have DNF'd the book. She truly embodied the emotion the FMC was feeling in such a believable way. The way she portrayed the FMCs candor was excellently performed.

At the end of the day, I can see a number of people really enjoying it, but I think it just wasn't for me.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy audiobook

WOW, I was not prepared for how heavily emotional this story was going to be!! I was expecting a light, fluffy women's fiction/romcom but that is not what this book is. There is humor and a great cast of secondary characters but at its core this story is about two writers dealing with great losses and heavy grief who circle one another year after year as they both live/work at the same desert hotel. Somehow the connection they feel over their heavy hearts is an undeniable draw that they can't resist. Deeply moving, emotional and full of heart, this slow burn grabbed me from the start and didn't let go until the end. I especially liked how the FMC is a romance author who explores different tropes in each chapter. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!

CW: death of a spouse from cancer, late-term miscarriage

𐙚 Grumpy vs Sunshine
𐙚 Found Family
𐙚 Trauma & Healing

Maisey Yates delivers a captivating and multifaceted romance in Happy After All, elevated by Stephanie Rose’s exceptional narration. Set against the backdrop of a desert motel, the story introduces a mysterious guest and a vibrant cast of quirky characters, immediately drawing listeners into its charm and humor. Amelia and Nathan’s evolution from enemies to lovers is both genuine and moving, with their differences adding depth to their connection. The narrative’s emotional moments explore themes of trauma, healing, and self-discovery, creating a rich and meaningful journey. The incorporation of romance-writing jargon provides a clever and entertaining element, offering a fresh perspective on the value of happy endings. Rose’s narration expertly conveys the story’s wit, poignancy, and hope, making this audiobook an enjoyable experience.

Rating: ✰✰✰/5

Thank you for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. ・❥・

A tale of two books… The beginning of this book was great! I loved the motel setting and the intrigue in who this mystery man is. The supporting characters were fun, too, until they weren’t. About halfway through the book, there is a serious shift and it gets very dark and depressing, sharing the past of a few of the characters. And it shows down tremendously and became such a slog that I just gave up. I’m sure there’s a happy-ever-after here for Amelia and Nathan but I couldn’t get there.

Thank you Netgalley and Brilliance Audio for the ALC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. This unfortunately was a dnf @ 19%. There was way too much push and pull for me. I did enjoy the narration and the only reason I lasted 19% otherwise would have dnf it way earlier on. This was a huge disappointment for me.

Suggest to skip

When I started this book, I had no idea how emotional it would make me feel! I laughed, I cried, and I really enjoyed the ride. This story really had it all, literally all the tropes. My very favorite being the found family and the quirky characters at the desert hotel! The side characters really added a lot to the story.

Amelia and Nathan were so different, but I found both easy to love. Especially after learning about their past traumas. The way their story evolved over the years felt very real.

This was such a fun romance. I loved the HEA! I look forward to reading more from Maisey Yates in the future!