Isn't It Romantic?

Love at First
Kate Clayborn
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Kensington Books
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

A sparkling and tender novel from the acclaimed author of Love Lettering, full of bickering neighbors, surprise reunions, and the mysterious power of love that fans of Christina Lauren, Sarah Hogle, and Emily Henry will adore.

Sixteen years ago, a teenaged Will Sterling saw—or rather, heard—the girl of his dreams. Standing beneath an apartment building balcony, he shared a perfect moment with a lovely, warm-voiced stranger. It’s a memory that’s never faded, though he’s put so much of his past behind him. Now an unexpected inheritance has brought Will back to that same address, where he plans to offload his new property and get back to his regular life as an overworked doctor. Instead, he encounters a woman, two balconies above, who’s uncannily familiar . . .

No matter how surprised Nora Clarke is by her reaction to handsome, curious Will, or the whispered pre-dawn conversations they share, she won’t let his plans ruin her quirky, close-knit building. Bound by her loyalty to her adored grandmother, she sets out to foil his efforts with a little light sabotage. But beneath the surface of their feud is an undeniable connection. A balcony, a star-crossed couple, a fateful meeting—maybe it’s the kind of story that can't work out in the end. Or maybe, it’s the perfect second chance . . .

Nora, still dealing with the loss of her beloved Nona, wanted things to stop changing. Therefore, when Will took over his uncle's apartment and wanted to change it into a short-term rental property, she was determined to stymie his efforts. However, they found they shared some sort of connection, but would Nora be able to settle for Will being a temporary part of her life?

Clayborn won me as a loyal fan with her Chance of a Lifetime series. The charm, humor, and warmth of those books captured my hearts, and she did it once again with Love at First. 

I have to ask readers to be patient with Will. He comes off very poorly in the beginning of this story, but this was how he protected himself and his heart. When you find out more about his parents and his uncle, I know you will drop whatever you're doing to give that man a hug. His parents didn't love him in the way most parents love their children, and they didn't provide a good example of how to love to him. This left me a bit hardened, but Nora and her crew were up to the challenge of breaking down his barriers. 

Nora had a similar experience with her own parents, but was lucky enough to have been properly loved by her Nona. Her best memories were those she shared with her doting grandmother in this very building. But it wasn't just Nona who showered Nora with love. It was her entire "family', which was made up of all the building's inhabitants. 

Let me tell you. Nora was one lucky young woman, because fate brought her into a wonderful bunch of people. I loved each and every resident in that building. They were all very special in their own way. They were quirky and kind, and I just felt so welcomed by them all. They won my heart and were such a big reason why I enjoyed this book so much. 

And can we talk about Gerald? He started out as Will's stick-in-the-mud boss, but he because such an important part of Will's journey. Their interactions often left me giggling or smiling, and there were some really surprising moments in there too. Gerald might have been responsible for my heart exploding at one point. He definitely made me shed some happy tears. 

Overall: Love at First was the total package for me. I loved the romance, the friendship, and all the antics. It was a really sweet and touching story of connection, love, and what makes a family. 

Yes & I Love You
Roni Loren
Series: Say Everything, #1
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

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.

Hollyn had been pushing herself out of her comfort zone, little by little, but when management wanted her column to include video segments, it seemed like an insurmountable challenge. She needed to find a way to feel more comfortable on camera, and Jasper and improv might be the answer. 

The first thing that grabbed me in this book was Hollyn. She had such a great voice. She was sassy and snarky, and I loved her wit and candor. She was also trying really hard to take control of her life. Her Tourette's manifested when she was younger, and due to bullying, her mother pulled her out of school. This isolation might have kept the bullies at bay, but it also kept her in a bubble. She had to work harder than most due to her anxiety and all those years of not exercising certain social skills. I thought it was very brave of her to take these steps to steer her life in her desired direction. 

Yes & I Love You was a bit of different experience from Loren's last book. It was much lighter and packed with humor. There was a good chunk of the story dedicated to learning and doing improv, and this was being done by some very funny characters. I really enjoyed these parts, and there were lots of laughs. Loren integrated improv into this story in a great way, and I was happy that it was what brought Jasper and Hollyn together. 

It was easy to see that Hollyn and Jasper had great chemistry from the very beginning. I definitely grew to enjoy and like Jasper, but some of the things he did made me want to throttle him. I gave him some leeway due to his past, which was heartbreaking, and he did eventually earn my trust and adoration. I know people will grow frustrated with Jasper, but I promise he will do things that will make the happy tears flow. 

This book was so delightful. I had an incredible time reading this. The banter, the humor, the romance -- it kept me captivated from beginning to end. 

**ARCs received in exchange for honest reviews.

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