Name: lexie's review of Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren
Item: Yes & I Love You
Rating: 4
Author: lexie

Roni Loren

A beautifully emotional and unforgettably steamy new contemporary romance from New York Times and USA Today bestseller Roni Loren Everyone knows Miz Poppy, the vibrant reviewer whose commentary brightens the New Orleans nightlife. But no one knows Hollyn Tate, the real face behind the media star...or the anxiety that keeps her isolated. All her life, Hollyn's tried to hide her true self behind an online façade, but when her boss tells her she needs to reveal the truth to the world or lose her job, she's forced to rely on an unexpected source to help face her fears. Enter Jasper Deares: actor, newly minted fake boyfriend, and way, way out of her league. Hollyn thinks Jasper must be joking when he offers private lessons to help overcome her fears. Getting up on a stage? Hello, worst nightmare. But Jasper's infectious charm has her saying yes despite herself. They're only supposed to be playing a few improv games, but as the lessons run longer and the lines grow blurrier, Hollyn can't help but wonder if she's acting at all...or if a relationship with Jasper might help give her the confidence she needs to say yes to every imperfect part of herself. "Will leave readers breathless... A must-read."—Publishers Weekly STARRED Review for The One You Fight For

Yes & I Love You

A beautifully emotional new contemporary romance from New York Times and USA Today bestseller Roni Loren Everyone knows Miz Poppy, the vibrant reviewer whose commentary brightens the New Orleans nightlife. But no one knows Hollyn, the real face behind the media star...or the fear that keeps her isolated. When her boss tells her she needs to add video to her blog or lose her job, she's forced to rely on an unexpected source to help her face her fears. When aspiring actor Jasper Deares finds out the shy woman who orders coffee every day is actually Miz Poppy, he realizes he has a golden opportunity to get the media attention his acting career needs. All he has to do is help Hollyn come out of her shell...and through their growing connection, finally find her voice. "Will leave readers breathless... A must-read."--Publishers Weekly STARRED Review for The One You Fight For

Yes and I Love You

joy-lynn

Kathryn

Elad Schulman

lexie

since the dedication ugh. LOVEEE THIS BOOK.

Please let men and women just be friends without one of them confessing their love for the other. 

Abby Willett

kelby

overall this was cute but i didn’t feel connected with the characters. it kept my attention throughout but i wasn’t dying to pick it up

Kass Smythe

Love. Originally read the second one in this duology first, which spoiled the ending it it’s a romance so…I kinda knew what was going to happen anyways. Alrhough I didn’t love the love interest, And the realistic part of me would’ve preferred her end up single at the end…the romantic part of me loved it. I really enjoy the authors style of writing, it flows really well. It contains mature, well rounded adult conversation. It’s relatable, and it’s just cute. Also 🌶 🌶🌶

Lauren Sullivan

Content warnings: (view spoiler)[ableism (specifically for characters’ Tourettes and ADHD), anxiety (extremely detailed on-page), depression, reference to suicidal ideation (in the past), reference to bullying (in the past), neglectful parents (hide spoiler)]

While I absolutely adored Roni Loren’s last series, given the cover of this book, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Considering that series was about the survivors of a school shooting, pretty much anything would be fluffier, but I was hoping it wouldn’t lose the heat level or angst. And while I was pleasantly surprised by how much of a rom-com it is, all the things I love about her books are still here.

Hollyn is desperate to prove that she can survive on her own. She’s got a job as a respected columnist reviewing entertainment in New Orleans, but she still struggles with severe anxiety, exacerbated by her self-consciousness over her Tourette’s, which manifests mostly as facial ticks for her. Her therapist’s latest assignment has her dutifully renting a space at a co-working location, but when she has an embarrassing encounter with the new coffee barista, she’s not sure she can stomach going back. Jasper can’t figure out what the cute woman has against him. Being a barista isn’t his dream job, but it helps pay the bills while he continues working with his improv comedy group. But Jasper and Hollyn strike up an unlikely friendship, and when her boss gives her an ultimatum, she turns to him for help. But as lessons in improv to help her get more comfortable in front of the camera turn into improv for dating, neither’s prepared for the reality of their feelings for each other.

“But I want you to know,” he said, gaze serious, “you can be whoever you really are with me. No judgments, no fake bullshit, no games. Just like in the improv scenes, I want you to know you’re safe. If you’re scared, tell me. If something isn’t working, tell me. If I’m doing something wrong, tell me. I’ve got you.”

I adore Hollyn. Her struggles with adulting are highly relatable, and she’s just so incredibly courageous. At times in the book, it feels like everyone who was supposed to be rooting for her was instead focused on keeping her safe, without realizing it was keeping her from living her life. Her therapist and Jasper are the only people who encourage her to step outside her comfort zone. Jasper makes it safe for her, and I love him for that. Sure, he’s funny and hot and does things like bring her anthropomorphic coffee, but he also sells her on how freeing setting out to make people laugh at you can be. Jasper’s not without his own adulting issues. What he sees as following his dreams looks like chasing a pipe dream to others. Even his improv group is wary of him because they were burned before when he dropped everything to follow his girlfriend to LA, and when he bombed his audition and she didn’t, she dropped him. People tend to think of him as flighty, and he’s blown away that Hollyn trusts him enough to have him help her with something so important to her career.

I know nothing about improv comedy besides watching Whose Line? reruns year ago, but I thought all the tenets of it, from the “yes and…” to using the alphabet was explained very well (and, in the case of the alphabet one-liners, extremely sexily.) Hollyn and Jasper have undeniable chemistry, and it was just as steamy as her previous books. Their relationship – both improv lessons and sexual – gives Hollyn a chance to explore what she wants in a supportive environment, and that ends up extending to Jasper as well.

There’s a bit of a love triangle (two actually) in the story, which I didn’t really love. I think it did display Hollyn’s growth – her choice between something that was safe but not exactly what she wanted and something that was outside her comfort zone but that she desperately wanted. I also loved how, when Jasper tried to pull the “he’s the better man for you” shtick, Hollyn completely trounced it.

“You’re a mess.”
Andi patted Hollyn’s knee. “Told ya. Don’t go around thinking everyone else has it together. We’re all just falling apart in different ways.”
“That’s depressing.”
Andi shrugged. “Meh. Or comforting.”

I adored the mental health rep. Though I’m not very familiar with Tourette’s, it felt like things were handled respectfully. Besides her anxiety, Hollyn (and her friend Cal) have Tourette’s, while Jasper has ADHD. At one point, she actually has a therapist appt (via text!) and talks through some of her relationship issues, taking ownership of things she knows she needs to work on. I love seeing characters work on their mental health, especially when it’s made clear that it’s hard work and a continual process.

“Andi’s smile went full grin, and she clasped her hands together at her chest. “Did we just start a lifelong friendship?” She gave an exaggerated nod. “I think we did.”
Hollyn laughed at her boldness. “You name your future children on first dates, don’t you?”

One of my favorite things about Roni Loren books is the friendships. I loved Hollyn’s friendship with Andi, from its hilariously rocky start to meeting up for drinks and girl talk. I also liked Jasper’s old friend Fitz, though I did find his willingness to find funding for Jasper’s idea a bit too pat. I loved Monique, part of Jasper’s improv group, who’s not afraid who hold Jasper accountable and who also gives some incredibly wise advice to Hollyn just when she needs it. I hope she eventually gets her own book!

Overall, I adored this book, and I can’t wait for Andi’s book, which is next!

I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Totally Addicted to Reading

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Being familiar with Roni Loren’s work, I went into Yes & I Love You with high expectations. She did not disappoint. Loren delivered a sweet, but passionate romance served with a helping of humour. She captivated me with her writing, witty dialogue and wonderful, but flawed characters.

Hollyn’s witty and sassy attitude won me over in no time. I admired her strength and her drive to step out of her comfort zone despite the challenge it presented. She expressed herself well in writing, but had difficulty making friends and socializing. Her Tourette’s Syndrome which manifested at a young age made her self-conscious. She lived most of her life in isolation, due to bullying, which led to social awkwardness and anxiety. As a result, she avoided making friends. However, when the opportunity of a lifetime came knocking, she had two choices, take the steps needed to achieve her goals or remain in her little box and face the possibility of losing her job. Watching her grow throughout the story proved a delightful experience.

Jasper is a skilled improv actor, and he wants to make his mark in the world of theatre. Getting involved in a committed relationship was not on his agenda. However, meeting Hollyn shook his world in ways he never expected. Jasper was a delightful character, although I have to admit some of his actions made me want to knock him upside his head. The deeper I got into the story, the more I understood the reason behind his actions. The changes he made throughout had me falling hopelessly in love with him.

Their initial meeting though awkward revealed an attraction that would slowly develop throughout the story. I loved them as a couple and couldn’t help rooting for them. I so wanted them to work out their issues and achieve all their goals.

Overall, Yes & I Love You was a wonderful story which showed the benefits of leaving one’s comfort zone. Tough at the start, but in the end, it introduces you to a whole new world. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

Lynn Braden

Hollyn Tate has spent her career hiding her social anxiety and Tourette's by becoming Miz Poppy, who writes a snarky online column on New Orleans night life. After making a pact with her therapist and her best friend, Cal, who is also living with Tourette's, Hollyn rents an office in a building that houses other writers, video producers, and podcasters. When Jasper Deares, struggling improv actor, takes a job as barista in Hollyn's building, Hollyn asks him to help her manage her anxiety so that she can keep her job, which now depends on being able to do video segments. What follows are some hilarious antics that lead to more than either Hollyn or Jasper ever dreamed of. 

Yes & I Love You has strong representation of people not only living, but thriving with Tourette's Syndrome. A vivid description as well as overcoming the stigma involved seems (from my limited knowledge of Tourette's) realistically portrayed in this book. Another strength of this book is that each main and supporting character has some quirk or unique personality trait, giving them a great deal of depth and authenticity. My only complaint with this story is that it may be just a little too long. Overall though, Yes & I Love You is a good coming-out-of-your-shell story that presents the idea of valuing the differences in ourselves and others.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

There was a lot to love about Yes & I Love You. Hollyn was a fantastic lead. I related to her in many ways when it came to anxiety and putting herself out there. I found her journey towards more confidence incredibly inspiring. I really loved the slow burn build from friends to lovers to more between Hollyn and Jasper. It didn't feel forced or fake. Their chemistry was incredible and that led to some super steamy scenes. (And a whole bunch of emotions from yours truly.) This was a very sex-positive book and Hollyn's freedom to explore her sexuality was a big theme.

If I'm being honest, I was a little on the fence about Jasper for a good portion of the book. It was impossible not to like him on some level because he was so very charming. But, I definitely gave him the side-eye at times, mostly because I wasn't sure how his career aspirations would impact the growing relationship between him and Hollyn. And, yeah, it got messy. I even wondered at one point if she might be better off with Cal. (Yes, this is love triangle-ish lite.) 

When it was all said and done, I was entirely on board with Hollyn and Jasper. I was proud of both of them for how far they'd come. I'm super excited to read the second book soon!

Amy Arthun Lorton 

I liked this book and wanted this couple to be happy. I was annoyed having to go through the inevitable problem section of the book.

Elad Schulman &
Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren

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