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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
If I base a review on volume of tears shed, then this should be about a 72. Seriously. It was very good at tugging, nay, yanking like a team of oxen on my heart! It was such a good, cozy romance, just like it was billed. But I was very surprised at how well-written it was. Having never read this author before, I had no idea what to expect. But it was exceedingly well done. 💜📚
My only complaint? Too white. Sorry. But it was just kinda bland in that way. 🤦♀️
My only complaint? Too white. Sorry. But it was just kinda bland in that way. 🤦♀️
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: If It Makes You Happy
Author: Julie Olivia
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Spice Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Adult Readers, Romance, 90s, Friends to Lovers, Small Town Romance, Slow Burn
Publication Date: September 1, 2025
Genre: Romance
Age Relevance: 18+ (sexual content, romance, language, parental death, grief, parental abandonment, divorce, cheating, teen pregnancy, depression, slight blood, slight violence)
Explanation of CWs: There is some sexual content and romance in this romance book. There is some cursing. There is a parental death that happens in the book and grief is felt throughout the book. Parental abandonment is mentioned. There is a divorce and mentions of another one in this book. Cheating is mentioned often. Teen pregnancy is mentioned a couple of times. There is some depression in this book. There is slight violence and blood to a child, the violence because she was shoved by another classmate, the blood because she got a bad scrape from a dog dragging her.
If This Was a Taylor Swift Song: Enchanted
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 512
Synopsis: My new next-door neighbor seems to have everything figured out. Small town golden boy? Check. Single dad extraordinaire? Check. Hot baker forearms? I didn’t notice them, I swear. I, on the other hand, don’t–at all–have anything figured out. Trust me, I didn’t think taking over my mom’s dream bed and breakfast in Copper Run Vermont was going to be easy. It should be a good place to heal after my divorce. But apparently my scones belong in the garbage with my small talk skills. As pointed out by none other than Cliff. Cliff is inescapable. He knows exactly what people need–always. His charm, the way he wears flannel, and even his pastries, make not wanting to be friends with Cliff and his daughters pretty hard. Friends? I can make friends. That’s safe. Except I’m leaving in three months to pass the inn off to my little sister and get the promotion in Seattle I’ve been working towards. So ask me why I’m thinking about kissing my hot neighbor.
Review: I was so incredibly happy reading this book. This book, set in 1997 which was a good year, was such a good breath of fresh air. The majority of the book is set in the fall and it is a small town romance. It really plays into that '90s romance movie trope where big city girl comes to a small town and falls in love with it. A book is also multi-pov and it has a grumpy Sunshine romance. I really loved the World building and the character development. I didn't think that the book was going to be so good because the page length of this beast of a book is over 500 pages and I initially thought that that was way too long for a romance book, but to my surprise I devoured the book in almost one sitting and I thought that it was just the perfect length for this story.
My only issue with the book is the epilogue. I did not like how it was written and I wanted more clarity on a couple of other characters, but I still enjoyed the hell out of this book.
Verdict: I loved this one so much.
Book: If It Makes You Happy
Author: Julie Olivia
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Spice Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Adult Readers, Romance, 90s, Friends to Lovers, Small Town Romance, Slow Burn
Publication Date: September 1, 2025
Genre: Romance
Age Relevance: 18+ (sexual content, romance, language, parental death, grief, parental abandonment, divorce, cheating, teen pregnancy, depression, slight blood, slight violence)
Explanation of CWs: There is some sexual content and romance in this romance book. There is some cursing. There is a parental death that happens in the book and grief is felt throughout the book. Parental abandonment is mentioned. There is a divorce and mentions of another one in this book. Cheating is mentioned often. Teen pregnancy is mentioned a couple of times. There is some depression in this book. There is slight violence and blood to a child, the violence because she was shoved by another classmate, the blood because she got a bad scrape from a dog dragging her.
If This Was a Taylor Swift Song: Enchanted
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 512
Synopsis: My new next-door neighbor seems to have everything figured out. Small town golden boy? Check. Single dad extraordinaire? Check. Hot baker forearms? I didn’t notice them, I swear. I, on the other hand, don’t–at all–have anything figured out. Trust me, I didn’t think taking over my mom’s dream bed and breakfast in Copper Run Vermont was going to be easy. It should be a good place to heal after my divorce. But apparently my scones belong in the garbage with my small talk skills. As pointed out by none other than Cliff. Cliff is inescapable. He knows exactly what people need–always. His charm, the way he wears flannel, and even his pastries, make not wanting to be friends with Cliff and his daughters pretty hard. Friends? I can make friends. That’s safe. Except I’m leaving in three months to pass the inn off to my little sister and get the promotion in Seattle I’ve been working towards. So ask me why I’m thinking about kissing my hot neighbor.
Review: I was so incredibly happy reading this book. This book, set in 1997 which was a good year, was such a good breath of fresh air. The majority of the book is set in the fall and it is a small town romance. It really plays into that '90s romance movie trope where big city girl comes to a small town and falls in love with it. A book is also multi-pov and it has a grumpy Sunshine romance. I really loved the World building and the character development. I didn't think that the book was going to be so good because the page length of this beast of a book is over 500 pages and I initially thought that that was way too long for a romance book, but to my surprise I devoured the book in almost one sitting and I thought that it was just the perfect length for this story.
My only issue with the book is the epilogue. I did not like how it was written and I wanted more clarity on a couple of other characters, but I still enjoyed the hell out of this book.
Verdict: I loved this one so much.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a warm hug in late autumn. It was a Nora Ephron film recorded from the tv on a VHS. Nostalgic but not overwhelmingly kitschy, it was so fun to follow a slow-burn small town romance set in 1997. The dog was a standout. The couple made me giggle and kick my feet. Every side character became someone I want to be friends with in my real life. This is a novel I know I’ll be returning to year after year.
This book was a warm hug in late autumn. It was a Nora Ephron film recorded from the tv on a VHS. Nostalgic but not overwhelmingly kitschy, it was so fun to follow a slow-burn small town romance set in 1997. The dog was a standout. The couple made me giggle and kick my feet. Every side character became someone I want to be friends with in my real life. This is a novel I know I’ll be returning to year after year.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was teary eyes from like 50% of the book and it wouldn’t stop
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Such a cozy small town romance that still tackles real life tough issues. This book is almost like Gilmore Girls if Luke and Lorelei were swapped. Absolutely loved the 90s setting of this book! Loved the characters and loved the relationships built. Michelle and the girls relationship was so precious to see. Omg the epilogue!! So cute. Was a bit too long for me for a romance but still would recommend!
arc arc arc arc
I absolutely loved this book, it was everything I needed and more! Cliff!!!!!! omg I'm obsessed, you are the best. And oh Michelle how I love you.
I absolutely loved this book, it was everything I needed and more! Cliff!!!!!! omg I'm obsessed, you are the best. And oh Michelle how I love you.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This book has great 1990s vibes and is set in 1997 during S4 of Friends.
The couple in this book is definitely Luke and Lorelai coded.
The couple in this book is definitely Luke and Lorelai coded.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yayyyy for a unique and relatable heroine.