Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons on August 12, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
A sizzling exes-to-lovers second- chance romance from the author of Morbidly Yours, the “sweet, spicy, and fabulous” (Abby Jimenez, #1 New York Times bestselling author) TikTok sensation
She doesn’t do second chances. But he's not done writing their song.
Cielo “Lo” Valdez doesn’t believe in second chances. Surviving cancer taught her life is too short to spend time on someone who wronged you. But Aidan O’Toole is determined to show her life is best spent together.
When the tough-as-nails Texan moved to Galway for medical school, she wasn’t looking for love. Aidan, a gorgeous, tattooed, mandolin-playing lawyer, slipped past her defenses. They each fell hard and fast. But when Aidan was given the opportunity of a lifetime—to move to London and record an album—he took it, breaking Lo's heart. Yet more than two years and a successful album later, every song he writes is still about her, the one he let get away. And every time Lo hears his voice on the radio singing about love, it’s an arrow straight to her soul.
Now they’re on a collision course as maid of honor and best man at a weekend-long Irish castle wedding. Are some mistakes worth forgiving? Can Aidan convince Lo their song wasn’t meant to end?
It had been two years since Aiden chose his career over Lo. She did everything in her power to mute him from her world, but he is returning to Galway for Cal and Lark's nuptials. Being forced to spend the weekend with the man who broke her heart will not be easy, but it will be even harder given that she never stopped loving him.
It was so good to be back in Galway! I was excited to catch up with the whole gang, and I was not disappointed. No, that's a lie. I was sad that Lo and Aiden were broken up, but I was happy that they were getting their second chance. A wedding was definitely a great way to reunite them, you know, with lots of planned together time and love-is-in-the-air vibes. I absolutely adored the setting, and as expected, there were tons of rom-com moments to enjoy.
But the real story was that the fire Lo and Aiden had for each other never died. They were hurt, but after two years apart, they realized the only thing missing from their lives was each other. Let me tell you, our girl Lo can hold a grudge, but this was due to parts of her past where she had been hurt or felt abandoned. Aiden accepting their break up without a fight hurt her deeply, but he was back, and this time, he was battling to the end.
Aiden made a difficult choice relocating to London for his career, but after two years, he was growing weary to it all. Tired of the demands of his agent and record label and the way he was expected to compromise his art was wearing him down. Being back in Galway with his people and Lo gave him new energy and filled him with hope that he could navigate the industry on his terms.
But first, he had to win back Lo's trust. I loved that Aiden was all in and ready to mount a full love-attack. He knew he wanted and needed Lo in his life, and he willing to put in the work. There was a wee conflict towards the end that ramped up the drama a bit, but it also gave both characters the opportunity to show how important they were to each other.
It was a pleasure to return to Galway, see Cal and Lark tie the knot, and root for Aiden and Lo as they contemplated taking a second chance on each other. I laughed and I teared up and I rooted out loud for these two as they healed and worked toward their happily ever after. I loved the little peek at the next Galway romance and cannot wait to see Saoirse finally find a person worthy of her love.
Published by Montlake on August 19, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
Finding a date for a reclusive bachelor is her job. It’s also a risk when she becomes the perfect match in an emotional and hopeful romance by the author of If Tomorrow Never Comes.
Accountant and freelance personal stylist Carly Porter, daughter of a compulsive gambler, knows the personal cost of a bad bet. But when she partners with her best friend, Sasha—publisher of a floundering fashion magazine—Carly can’t resist. The highly publicized makeover of an Oklahoma City bachelor could boost sales and be Carly’s ticket to her dream profession. The bachelor in question is none other than Sasha’s older brother, Brooks.
Hardly the party boy Carly remembers from high school, Brooks is now an antisocial, work-obsessed physician still struggling with a devastating loss. But if it means helping his sister, he’s in. It’s Carly’s job to get him out of those lived-in scrubs, style him to the nines, and bring Brooks back to life. But so far, the only real connection is between Brooks and Carly—and falling for a client could cost Carly the career she’s worked so hard for.
To move forward, they’ll both have to overcome their painful pasts. And whatever the risk, maybe even take a chance on love.
Carly lives for fashion but must hold onto her day job for the steady paycheck. An opportunity to be part of a bachelor profile for LiveOKC arises, and Carly believes this could be the exposure that gets her a full-time position at the stylist company she freelances for. When she discovers the bachelor is her teen crush and best friend's brother, Carly may put her fashion dreams at risk as she considers crossing the line and following her heart.
I feel like I made this sound so serious, but this was actually a fun and sweet romance. The whole job thing was definitely the "drama" part of the story, but spending time with Brooks and Carly was wonderful.
Both Carly and Brooks experienced things early in their lives that left a mark. For Brookes, it was the death of his mother and its effect on his father. It was as if he lost both his parents in that accident with the way his father withdrew, leaving Brookes and his sisters to fend for themselves and with no emotional support. It also left Brooks thinking that falling in love and finding your other half was a bad idea. Carly lived her life in a no risk way. Growing up with a gambling addict, she knew what it was like to have no money or food, and Carly was determined to live a secure life.
Carly and Brooks had an undeniable spark and bantered like pros. The shared love for their cats made me smile, but I also felt they shared something that people without their history would not understand. It was easy to see why they fell for each other, and I was rooting for them. The whole LiveOKC bachelor thing was a lot of fun, too. The makeover, the dates, the group outings - I had a great time doing it all and loved how it helped Carly and Brooks find their way to each other.
Honestly, it was the job conflict that kept me from loving this book. I understand its role in encouraging Carly's personal growth, but I didn't care for it. I was happy with the outcome though, so that counts for something.
Overall, it was a delight watching Carly and Brooks fall in love. Fun interactions and fantastic banter highlighted this best-friend's-brother-friends-to-lovers romance for me.
*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER
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