This book just broke my heart and stitched it back together raggedy Ann style. I decreased my rating to 4-4.5 stars though because I wasn’t at all prepared for the hurt that is on this book. PLEASE read the author’s note and consider the trigger warnings of the sensitive subjects (and know that even though I did…I still didn’t know what I was getting into as the blurb for this book portrays it in such a way that you might be expecting a standard rom-com).

Norah is a hot mess at the beginning of this story, and while she has some character growth, it’s not truly explored. Regardless, I ended up loving her character.

Bennett, interestingly enough, I loved right from the beginning. Despite him being the biggest grouchy grump - I can’t explain it but I just felt like I got him (maybe because I’m a grouchy grump a lot of days these days 🤷🏻‍♀️).

This is a romance, but it’s not an easy one. You’ve been warned. I can’t give more of a warning without delving more into the trigger warnings, and that might create spoilers so I won’t do that.

My thanks to NetGalley & Entangled for digital access to this book.

Thanks to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing and Max Monroe for the eArc. My opinions are my own.

I want to preface this by saying that for me a 3/5 is a good book. One I enjoyed but that has its flaws. I would recommend the book to romance readers with a caveat that it should have had content warnings and didn't. Like most romance books, it pulls on a few expected tropes. Enemies to lovers, runaway bride, small towns, etc. However, there are some darker elements and you will likely cry by the end. If children with a terminal illness is a trigger for you, don't read this book. There are also a few instances of hands being put on people and both main characters are involved. If you need content warnings, I suggest reading through a bunch of reviews to see if this could be for you. There will be a large portion that this won't work for. There is a lot more going on than just a runaway bride finding love in a small town. Almost so much that it's a bit much.

Ah. Well. I want to start with the fact that I had no idea how much of a tearjerker this book would be. And honestly,  from the cover of the book I wasn't expecting a tearjerker. I wasn’t too thrilled to read about a very sick child. So I am telling you about the triggers of a very sick child, death, abortion, and abuse.  You would need tissues on hand. This was a love story between Norah who fled her wedding and Bennett, a father raising his daughter alone. I was intrigued as to why she would flee her wedding. I enjoyed reading parts of Norah. She had difficult choices to make and she decided to learn to love herself. By choosing herself, she was able to love others as well. Bennett was the father of a sick child who found himself caring about Norah and wanting the best for her. Together they were beautiful and loving. I loved Norah's sister Josie and best friend Lillian. I was so glad she had their support and love. I also loved Clay. He was the best friend of Bennet who was there during the difficult times. Now to the less favorable aspects of this book. The sex scenes were just okay, which disappointed me. The tragic parts regarding his daughter, Summer were heartbreaking. That was sad. I don't appreciate my romance books with the tragedy of children or animals dying. Also, the ex-Thomas and her mom didn't get the satisfactory ending I wanted. The ending though was sweet. And I need the second book of Josie and Clay. Overall, this was a sweet, poignant, sad, romantic book. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC.

I really enjoyed this story. I need a light hearted book after all the darkness I have been reading and this was it. it was fun, heartwarming, and all around cute. it's a first for me with this author and I'm glad I read it.

Beautifully written fun book. I loved this book. Not my usual go to read but it was a lot of fun. I highly recommend it to anybody to read.

What I Should’ve Said completely caught me off guard — I was not expecting the emotional journey this book would take me on either!

I love the aspect of a runaway bride that meets a quiet broody single dad! Their slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic is full of tension, vulnerability, and raw chemistry that builds beautifully over time.

What really stood out to me was how layered the story is. It’s not just a romance — it’s about healing, facing trauma, rediscovering family, and learning to love when it feels impossible. The emotional depth hit hard. One moment I was laughing, and the next I was choked up by the weight of what they’d both been through.

The father daughter aspect of the book was also truly amazing and made me think of my own relationship with my dad.

It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from grief or hard choices, but it also reminds you that there’s always space for love — even when you think you've missed your chance.

If you’re in the mood for something heartfelt, a little heavy, but ultimately healing, this book is it.

Thanks to Hambright PR, Netgalley, and Engtangled Publishing for a gifted copy of What I should’ve said!

I loved the sunniness and brightness of the cover. I really enjoyed the story. I loved Norah. She was so upbeat, determined, and positive even everything that she went through.

Bennett is the perfect grumpy book boyfriend. Once you got to know him, he is anything but grumpy. He’s caring and passionate to everyone he loves. And I loved seeing his love for his daughter and giving her the best life possible even though she has a terminal illness.

The story gave me so many feelings. I laughed, I cried, and at times I was angry. A good story can give you all the feels and still leave you happy at the end. And that’s what What I Should’ve Said.

The only complaint I have is the ending considering the events that lead up to it (I don’t want to spoil anything). I was happy that Norah and Bennett got their HEA.

I can’t wait to read Josie and Clay story in When I Should’ve Stayed.

⚠️Trigger Warning
* Terminal illness and death of a child
* Physical and emotional abuse
* Grief

What I Should've Said is the best, most heart wrenching book I've ever read by Max Monroe. It had all the sweetness, humor, and romance I've come to expect from them, but it also had me teary eyed as it pulled at my heart strings! I can't wait for the next book in this series!

When Norah's life implodes, she runs to her estranged sister. She meets Bennett on her way to her sister's house. The whole meeting scene seemed unrealistic. Norah walks into the road, makes a complete stranger stop, and then gets in their truck?

I do like how this book shows life isn't always roses but they tried to fit too much into one story, A sick child, death of a child, abusive ex, abusive mother, child abandonment, and more. This story had so much potential. If they would have kept it to just one or two issues, I think this would have been an amazing story.

I originally rated this a 5 star but when I sat to write my review, I had more issues with the story now that it has been some time since reading.

This book gives you ALL the feels! Looking at it, I expected it to be a cute romance. But nope! This is emotionally charged, beautifully written, and swoon worthy! Highly highly recommend this to all my friends!

Also, please make sure you check the trigger warnings!!

Thank you, Entangled and Netgalley, for the ARC.

I must confess it took me a bit to get through this book. The themes are very difficult, as someone who has worked with the childhood high-support needs population. It was a beautiful book, so full of heart and love. It also has other difficult topics that might not be for everyone, but if you can handle a bit of heartbreak with your romance, you might enjoy it.

I said this the first time & I'll say it again...
𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒏 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓 🩷🩷🩷

I was eagerly anticipating the latest edition, thank you @entangled_publishing for an e-copy so that I could tandem read this beauty! Naturally, I had to get the audiobook as well. Let me tell you, the emotions conveyed by the narrators made me cry even harder than I did the first time! 🥹

𝙸𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜♾️⭐
I never imagined I could love this book any more than I already did. I'm thrilled to see it gaining popularity!

⬇️𝙿𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝙸 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚖 𝚘𝚗 😂
When I saw Max Monroe say this is unlike any of the other books we've written I'm still not sure that prepared me for this book. Not even a little bit lol

This story was so good from the beginning. It still had those moments of humor that I enjoy with their books. The characters are always so unique. This one was written with such a heartbreaking factor to it. I found myself sobbing multiple times. The conversations wrecked me. But the story also as a whole was so beautiful. I always connect with stories that are real or have hard topics. And this definitely had that. Getting a glimpse into the journey of Bennett and his daughter Summer. Then getting to see Norah come into the picture and how everything connected was so realistically brilliant.

I also loved the ending of this. I felt like it wrapped up how my heart needed it to. And seeing a flow into the next book with the side characters.. I'm so excited for it!

If you are looking for a book that will alternately make you laugh and then tear your heart out, then this is it. It's got the Grumpy/Sunshine trope down to a T, but you know the grump always has a soft spot. I had no expectations going into this book and it absolutely wrecked me yet left me with a warm and triumphant feeling when it was over. Grab your pink glasses and your kleenex for this 5-star read!

It wasn't for me. There was just something about this story that I couldn't get into. I am also not one for stories that involve situations with child (illness, death, abuse, etc.).
My rating is more for the face that this just wasn't the right book for me. And has nothing to do with the author's writing abilities.

This book is absolutely wonderful! It took me on an emotional rollercoaster in the very best way. I was laughing, swooning and even crying. The whole story is just amazing. The writing flows well between the authors and there's a lot of depth. If you enjoy reading romance books with humor and so much heart then this is for you. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2/5🌶️🌶️

What to Expect
🩷Small Town
💛Single Dad
🕶️Enemies to Lovers
🩷Grumpy x Sunshine
💛Protective MMC
🕶️Runaway Bride
🩷Boss x Employee
💛Spice
🕶️Dual POV
🩷TRIGGERS!

I don’t even know where to start because this book completely DESTROYED me. What I Should’ve Said is one of those stories that grabbed me by the heart and STILL refuses to let me go. From the very first chapter, I was hooked on Norah and Bennett’s hate to love story—full of tension, heartbreak, and so much RAW EMOTION. The small-town charm of Red Bridge, combined with the undeniable chemistry between these two, had me grinning one moment and ugly crying the next. And don’t even get me started on Summer—she stole the show in the most beautiful (and utterly destroyed my soul) way.

The push and pull between Norah and Bennett was DELICIOUSLY DONE. Their first meeting? A complete and utter disaster. Their growing connection? Angsty, messy, and completely addictive. Bennett is the kind of protective, broody single dad that makes your heart hurt, and Norah’s journey from runaway bride to someone who finds a the true meaning of home was so moving. I went into this with zero knowledge or expectations… but based on the cover, thinking of a cute, summery romance, but what I got was a deeply emotional story about love, loss, and healing. Max Monroe didn’t hold back, and honestly, I’m glad they didn’t—this book NEEDS to be felt while reading.
I laughed. I cried. I sobbed. What I Should’ve Said is an absolute must-read. Just make sure you have tissues nearby—you’re going to need them.

-

Thank you sooo much Entangled Publishing and Max Monroe for giving me this chance to read this heart wrenchingly beautiful book!

A fun, emotional, and engaging read from start to finish!

What I Should’ve Said is a second chance romance that blends humor, heart, and just the right amount of angst. The story pulls you in with its emotional depth and keeps you hooked with charming dialogue and a well-paced plot.

The characters are easy to root for, and the chemistry between them feels genuine and compelling. There’s a great balance between heartfelt moments and light, funny scenes that make the book feel well-rounded and satisfying.

If you enjoy romance with a bit of nostalgia, a lot of heart, and plenty of swoon, this is a great one to pick up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was so well written. It had me in my feelings. Definitely was a roller-coaster ride of emotions that's 4sure, I laughed, I cried, and I screamed. I was hooked from beginning to end. Norah, the runaway bride and Bennett, an artist and a single dad of 7 yr old Summer and a miracle who suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta type III "Brittle Bone Diease". Norah reconnects with her estranged sister Josie when she moves her life back to her old small town in Vermont. That's where she meets her grumpy sunshine, Bennett. Norah starts workin for Bennett and falls for Summer too, and there are so many emotions that follow. After the book breaks u, it also puts u back 2gether. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Thanks, NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for this ARC.

I want to thank Entangled for sending me a copy of this book! I immediately went and pre ordered the next one :)

This book gives small town romance vibes, she leaves her big city life to escape family and her fiancé. Norah has learned some troubling information about her finace and wants to escape that situation. What better place to do it than a small town. She surprises her sister, Josie, who she hasn’t spoken to in years needing somewhere to “hide”. She meets this grumpy man, Bennett, who sticks up for her on two occasions, but they give the enemies to lover's vibes. He is a single dad taking care of his terminally ill daughter. I love how the authors treat this issue, and it is written so well.

I audibly laughed out loud at so many parts in this book, but it also took me to the lowest lows sometimes and made me so sad! Such an emotional read but so so good!

I won a copy of this ebook in the Entangled Facebook group and was so excited because they were doing a read a long.

Well... I finished days before we were supposed to 🤣 I couldn't stop reading it tonight! I went from 30% to the end.

I loved this book. It was sweet, sad, broody, and frustrating all in one! I can't wait for book 2.