as a long time supporter and lover of allie samberts, i have to say this is her most impressive and emotional writing to date. this book is nothing short of phenomenal!

read this if you like:

second chance romance
bookish main characters
workplace romance
dual pov


ryan and scarlett are true soul mates. there is such an intense bond between these two characters that you can feel so strongly throughout this book, literally right off the bat. the pining and yearning made me so giddy!! it is done SO well in this book. a man who yearns AND wears glasses? please, say less. scarlett is such a relatable and strong fmc, i love her so much and felt so deeply for her and her journey while i was reading this.

i can’t recommend this book enough. this is an incredible story that is so deeply moving and will stick with you for so long after finishing it!

Allie blew me away with this one! Scarlett and Ryan’s second chance love story is one that will be with me for a long time. We love a man with glasses! Thank you Allie for the ARC. love you.

Thank you to the author for the early copy of the book. It is out May 14, 2025. It can be preordered through her website. All thoughts below are my own.

There’s something about this book that kept me coming back. I started it at the worst possible time (I was at work) and got sucked in so quickly, which means putting it down was painstaking because I didn’t want to. I made 111 highlights in this 320 page book.

When I read romance books, yes it is an escape, but I also want stories that are believable. Like the characters could be someone I know and love. I want the characters to be flawed. I want them to be human. In Not A Strong Enough Word, Allie so carefully handles depression, anxiety, and the emotions that come with these two intense feelings. These are heavy things so many of us deal with, and I know that this book will be read by someone who needs to be told that what they’re feeling is okay and there are people who love you and people who will support you as you navigate those feelings.

If you need a romance that deals with the heavy shit in a truly impactful and beautiful way with a great love story, wonderful side characters, and two incredible MMCs, this is for you. Scarlett and Ryan never ever stopped loving each other and big decisions forced them apart five years ago. But they found their way back to each other and held on through the twists and turns to come back to each other.

Please read this book.



Note: Not a Strong Enough Word also includes a brief on page miscarriage and the grief that comes with it. I have not personally had this experience, but I believe it is handled well and with it the care it deserves. Please proceed with your heart in mind. No book is worth causing your heart hurt. 💜