Take a photo of a barcode or cover
astraether 's review for:
What If You & Me
by Roni Loren
I've just finished two books by Roni Loren and wanted to take a moment to gush about this author. The first was "Yes & I Love You" and I thought the premise was interesting, where the FMC agrees to take improv classes to get over her social anxiety, but it wasn't until "What If You & Me" that the author magically included two of my favorite subjects: true crime and horror.
The FMC of the latter is a horror novelist who also does a true crime podcast, and I just had to mentally squee over that combination! I've been an avid fan of horror all my life, so it was a fun treat to read about the FMC schooling her love interest "horror virgin" on all the staples. I've also been fixated on a true crime podcast recently (My Favorite Murder), so it was like all these interests of mine converged in one book, and of course now I want more like it! (So while this post is designed to be a gush/recommendation, if anyone has any suggestions that cross over into the realm of true crime, horror, thriller, police procedural, hot-detective/FBI profiler getting embroiled in some investigation and romance ensues, hit me with 'em!)
Other aspects I really enjoyed about Roni Loren's books in general:
* The characters communicate honestly with one another! It seems like such a small thing, but it's so refreshing to read about characters tackling their insecurities and actually telling each other what's going on instead of bottling it up and/or the author relying on miscommunication for plot-points.
* Her characters are all flawed and multi-dimensional. Both the FMCs and MMCs are grappling with certain issues like mental health/ADHD/depression/PTSD and I felt that the author treated those subjects with care and respect, and no one was just magically cured by LOOOVE at the end.
* There's a good level of steam, but with a nice build-up beforehand so you're way more invested when it finally happens (personally, I like a little bit of a build/slow-burn moreso than insta-love/lust, even though both characters are attracted to each other at the outset).
* Great discussions of consent, boundaries, and thankfully not too much toxic male possessiveness (or at least the characters acknowledge that/try to work on it in a mature way, which I appreciated).
* Dual POVs. Not everyone loves that, but I do -- I enjoy the chance to get into each character's head.
* Set in New Orleans -- one of my favorite cities!
The FMC of the latter is a horror novelist who also does a true crime podcast, and I just had to mentally squee over that combination! I've been an avid fan of horror all my life, so it was a fun treat to read about the FMC schooling her love interest "horror virgin" on all the staples. I've also been fixated on a true crime podcast recently (My Favorite Murder), so it was like all these interests of mine converged in one book, and of course now I want more like it! (So while this post is designed to be a gush/recommendation, if anyone has any suggestions that cross over into the realm of true crime, horror, thriller, police procedural, hot-detective/FBI profiler getting embroiled in some investigation and romance ensues, hit me with 'em!)
Other aspects I really enjoyed about Roni Loren's books in general:
* The characters communicate honestly with one another! It seems like such a small thing, but it's so refreshing to read about characters tackling their insecurities and actually telling each other what's going on instead of bottling it up and/or the author relying on miscommunication for plot-points.
* Her characters are all flawed and multi-dimensional. Both the FMCs and MMCs are grappling with certain issues like mental health/ADHD/depression/PTSD and I felt that the author treated those subjects with care and respect, and no one was just magically cured by LOOOVE at the end.
* There's a good level of steam, but with a nice build-up beforehand so you're way more invested when it finally happens (personally, I like a little bit of a build/slow-burn moreso than insta-love/lust, even though both characters are attracted to each other at the outset).
* Great discussions of consent, boundaries, and thankfully not too much toxic male possessiveness (or at least the characters acknowledge that/try to work on it in a mature way, which I appreciated).
* Dual POVs. Not everyone loves that, but I do -- I enjoy the chance to get into each character's head.
* Set in New Orleans -- one of my favorite cities!