Format: Paperback
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Page Length: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (March 2, 2021)
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mr. Darcy‘s Rating: “You have bewitched me, body and soul.”
A Chasing Mr. Darcy Review
I picked up Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren on a last minute whim during a shopping trip to Barnes and Noble, and let me tell you…I am so glad I did! I had seen a few positive reviews for this book on bookstagram, and though, what the hell, I’ll add this one to my stack at the store.
Here’s a summary from Amazon: 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, improve star, 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.
I quickly fell in love with both Hollyn and Jasper in this story. I identified with Hollyn on so many levels. She felt overlooked and under-appreciated, but she didn’t want to admit either of these because it meant admitting she wasn’t fulfilled with her life. She craved that fulfillment, but felt constrained by her struggle with Tourette’s to achieve it. I don’t struggle with Tourette’s, but I do struggle with striking the balance between social fulfillment and overcoming anxiety to achieve that fulfillment. I think Hollyn’s character really spoke to my soul in many ways.
As for Jasper…oh my my. Never ever has such a funny, sweet, charmingly sexy man from the pages lived in my head rent free. Jasper is perfection, and boy oh boy, is he sexy as hell. Never have I ever wanted a character to jump on the pages and give me a hug (and, maybe a little more than a hug, I’ll be honest). I identified with Jasper, too, on many levels, because he had big dreams and all he wanted was someone to believe in him…really believe in him, not just humor his endeavors. Jasper was everything women dream of in the perfect man, but he wasn’t written to be sickeningly perfect. Bottom line, I loved him and all his flaws.
Neither Hollyn nor Jasper had a solid foundation from home or support in their adult lives, but they found that foundation with each other. I love that their relationship started really as a friendship with some benefits, but morphed into a connection so strong it practically radiated off the pages. And the steam between the two…get yourself a fan when you read this book because you’re going to need it! Their connection was so intense I felt like I was intruding at times, especially during the “explore” scene (IYKYK), but I couldn’t look away.
This book builds a story of acceptance, normalization, and inclusivity. You won’t be sorry you picked it up, I promise!
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