4.25 ⭐ The only second chance romance I've ever loved!!!

This is it. This book's done the impossible... I'm in love with a second chance romance. Because, seriously, who would've thought? I am, at my core, a second chance romance hater, after all. But this book... There are no words. Ok, there are some words, but it's taken me well over a week to be able to sit down and try to piece together my thoughts – that is, apart from 'omg just go read this, it's PERFECT'.

Ama Torres is a wedding planner on the rise. Her passion and knack for weddings probably stems from the fact that her mother's been married over 15 times, but that's neither here nor there to Ama. What she does know is that weddings have in spades everything that marriages lack, and she's adamant in making sure that her clients can have the perfect wedding, even on a budget. She left her job working for the biggest wedding planner in the city to try to make it on her own, but knowing that there's no way she could compete. That all changes when one of the biggest makeup influencers proposes to her girlfriend, and all of the sudden she's agreeing to be their wedding planner. The one caveat: they're adamant in hiring 'Bloom' to do their flowers. As in Elliot Bloom, the owner and florist with whom Ama shares a rocky romantic history.

The story behind these two getting together for the first time was such a whirlwind -and a bit confusing at times- but I truly do believe it was the only way Ama could have been comfortable in their relationship. I've said it before, and I will say it again, I love when the fmcs are the ones with commitment issues. I'm so tired of reading about men who don't want to commit because they're afraid of this or that. Boring. Seeing it a hundred times. But this book! This book took something seemingly unremarkable and made it new and shiny and gave it a backstory that makes complete and total sense. After all, who would trust that a committed relationship could work after seeing your parent try and fail at it OVER FIFTEEN TIMES throughout your life? Still, just because she doesn't commit to anyone, it doesn't mean that she's unhappy. I love that Ama never doubted that she was complete and whole as an individual whilst also knowing deep down in her heart that she would never have a significant other like that. She's an absolute sunshine fmc even in her most anxious, annoyed and frustrated. And Elliot, always the grump, always hiding his heart from Ama and trying his best to save the little parts of himself that he feels she hasn't stomped over yet.

There were some things about this book that frustrated me too, which I'm pretty sure was the point. Hazel, the influencer, was borderline insufferable half of the time. The whole influencer wedding thing was cool, but out the two brides, I liked Jackie so much more, to the point where I found myself feeling bad that she was about to marry Hazel. It was like she was almost more focused on 'her brand' than she was on her future wife, and she made the wedding planning process so much more difficult than it needed to be. I also didn't really like that, for the fist half of the book we barely know anything about what truly went down between Ama & Elliot - I felt like I couldn't read fast enough.

I really liked the fact that the story is guided by time stamps -the counting backwards!- and going back and forth between past and present, since it felt like it added to the whole whirlwind thing I was talking about earlier. The Dual POVs made all the difference too, because I don't think grump Elliot could've come across as anything but an a**hole unless we could see things from his perspective.

The spice in this book was so good too! How Julie Soto managed to write this book to be so hot, and also bring forth that frustrating slow burn aspect is truly masterful. It really felt like the story kept the perfect pace to make its characters feel the most true to themselves and the plot. Also, the flower tattoos - so hot (although that might be a personal preference).

Overall, this was the perfect combo of grumpy/sunshine, and the perfect level of slow burn to spice ratio. I 100% recommend anyone to pick up this book!

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25 / 5
🌶️🌶️.5 / 5

Thank you so much Net Galley for the eARC!
This review has already been posted to Goodreads :)

This is my third second chance romance this year and once again the author hits it out of the park. I loved this so much and could not put it down and I needed to know how things would turn out between Ama and Elliot. Alternating pov’s are my catnip and I loved both Ama and Elliot’s voices and the jumps between the past and present. The chemistry between the two leads was excellent, and they complimented each other’s personalities in the best way.

Ama was a fun, complicated, sugar filled ball of energy. I loved her work ethic, how brimming full of ideas and creativity she was and her determination to create the best day for her clients. I especially loved that she had the kind of personality that can’t help but connect and bond with people, which is why she was so good at her job. She also had some very relatable issues and even when she was making the wrong choices I understood why.

Elliot, I adored him. His pov was at times hilarious (cats opening doors), heartbreaking and so engaging. I wanted to wrap him up and protect him in all of his grumpy glory. I love a hero who is so far gone for the heroine and he did not disappoint.

Some great supporting characters as well with Mar, the step siblings, Hazel and Jackie as well. A great debut and I look forward to more from this author (5 ⭐️)

Could not put this book down. The alternative timelines and POV between Ama and Eliot kept the story fresh and engaging. Their story was equal parts endearing and spicy. Their contrasting personalities worked perfectly in the wedding industry setting, which was also just so imaginative in all the descriptions! Would definitely recommend.

This book was such a joy to read - so cute and steamy. This one made me laugh out loud so many times. It was a breath of fresh air to have a female mc be the one unsure about commitment! I really enjoyed this one!

4 Stars

Oh my gosh! THIS BOOK!
Definitely one of my new favourites for the year.

Ever since hearing that Julie Soto is THE Lovesbitca8 I knew I had to read this book! This was a forced proximity, second chance romance that was filled with angst and pining from the very outset of the book. I loved every second. The first half is really easy to get into and the second half provides you with all the resolution and love you could possibly need.

Elliot is the dreamiest hero, and I LOVE the US cover so much. Can't wait to purchase a copy for my shelves!

I read an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley from HarperCollins. Thank you for allowing me to read it early!

I adored Forget Me Not!! It was very romantic and steamy. I loved Ama and Elliot and become completely engrossed in their story. I thoroughly recommend this book.

A fab romance around second chances, mistakes and new beginnings. It’s told from dual viewpoints and this added greatly to the experience of reading. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Well, I’m writing this feeling very tired the morning after staying up WAY too late because I couldn’t put the book down until I’d finished it!
Very steamy, in a good way! Excellent characters that were funny, likeable and felt authentic. I loved the premise of the wedding planner business and all the range of different threads of story lines- from Whitney’s jealousy to the celeb clients to hot hot Elliot and all the step siblings too! Genuinely a fab book and will be looking out for others.

I REALLY liked this heartwarming, slow-burn, second-chance romance; which has likeable characters and a cute storyline. There is a dual PoV and different timelines, which also adds interest to the story and context to their past relationship. It is refreshing that the female lead is the person with commitment phobia; when usually in romances, the reverse is most common. And despite the male lead being a florist, he isn't in any way effeminate. I loved the creativity of the wedding planning storyline, which has an Instagram star's F/F wedding as a focus. The second half of the book is especially entertaining, leaving you with a smile on your face and a warm fuzzy feeling.

I love this Author's writing style, where even the mundane seems interesting - I hadn't realised until I had finished reading that this is a debut novel, so I am stunned about that! This could be a perfect beach read this summer, or an excellent book to lift your spirits - It is out on July 11, 2023; so just in time for the summer holidays. Many thanks to NetGallery and HarperFiction for the widget.

I loved this so much I stayed up til 2am to finish it!

Ama is a wedding planner with dreams of planning "that" wedding that will propel her into the next level.
Elliot is a sought after florist. And they absolutely cannot work together.
But when Ama lands the celebrity wedding of Jackie & Hazel her world collides with Elliot. Again.

Told in a past/present dual perspective we follow Ama & Elliot as they navigate the "money is no object" world of an insta wedding & realise what it is they both truly want.

This is honestly such a gorgeous book and I couldn't put it down. The characters have depth and you end up caring for them all. I shed a tear or too while reading it. And of course, there's spice! And who doesn't love spice! 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Rating 3.5/5
This book has a joie de vivre, walking on a cloud on a Sunday afternoon vibe. The author writes well, the story is cute in a teenage reality show sort of way. It isn’t literature, it’s a feel good book.

There were instances where I thought this is silly, or that the book could do without this, but that’s okay because it’s that sort of book. I did think the intimate scenes were excessive which to me took away from the book.

Overall it is a good book to read if you’re not looking to think - because the ending is predictable (it can only end in that way being a romance). I was, however, disturbed that the female lead had not taken a shower, nor had she brushed her teeth before being intimate with the male lead. I think that was disrespectful. But that’s my own opinion.

In closing, if I wanted to find issues with the book (iro the characters) I could but, considering all I’ve seen on the market and what people like, I don’t see why this book wouldn’t be a success and enjoyed by many.

Okay so I read this book and now I’ve convinced myself that I should become a wedding planner?? So I think it’s safe to say I enjoyed it! The book is dual pov but the majority of Elliot’s chapters jumped back in time to explain their past and it worked so well and kept me intrigued. Their chemistry was really well written as well. Now, I did say it made me wanna become a wedding planner but the actual wedding had me experiencing the worst second hand stress! It was very much a love/hate moment and a great climax! Overall I felt very emerged in the story the whole time and can highly recommend it! This one’s out soon (6th July) so makes for a good summer read.

Rating: 4.5/5

I prefer my characters to have some redeeming qualities, unless they're the villain in the plot, then they can be truly offensive. Eliot was downright rude to everyone, including his customers. Ama considered herself a self important superwoman, 'Ms I can do anything', but she came over as arrogant. Fancy intending to close off a road just for a wedding party to cross from one side to the other. For most of the book there was a complete lack of chemistry between Ama and Elliot.

Ama's eating habits were extremely worrying, scoffing donuts every day she'll end up the size of a barrel. And surely someone who has a life threatening peanut allergy would never ever include a peanut butter dream donut with her daily purchase, even if it was separately wrapped.

I need sparks between the main characters, some va-va-voom, Elliot and Ama were damp squibs.

Ama achieves the impossible with her plans for the OTT wedding, mainly by being bossy and riding roughshod over all objections. The happy couple had a day to remember and moody Elliot became charming and dependable. It can only happen in fiction.

ARC generously supplied by Harper CollinsUK and NetGalley, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

I was invited by Netgalley and HarperCollins for an exciting experience of reading Forget Me Not by Julie Soto, and you know it's not an invitation that could be resisted! Basically it's about a wedding planner (Ama Torres) who had to work with a florist who is also the person who got his heart broken by her (Elliot Bloom). Imagine the tension and resentment! I was sold by the 'broken-hearted' slash second chance tropes, which was why I finished this in one sitting. I think there is a lot of in-depth detailings about the overall process of a wedding from A to Z. It took a lot of efforts, time, money, and your mental health (kidding!). So it was interesting to actually read about weddings and its processes. About the characters, it would be a lie if I said they appeased me, but what fun a book has if the character(s) didn't do stupid things or terrible choices in the plot? It needed for the drama to bloom. Other than that, this book focuses on the vital issue on our both main characters. Ama is a gamophobic; she didn't do commitments, while on the other hand, Elliot wants one. So I could tell why he got his heart broken in the first place. I wouldn't blame any of them as the crack in their relationship wasn't their fault. It was bound to happen when two people with different beliefs in regards of love had a romantic relationship. I think it deals with the topic quite enough but I wish to see more discussion about it before the book ends. But the conclusion was a good one. It didn't feel definite as it would appear superficial, and it sparks hope that both parties are trying their best to commit and what happens next aren't in our control at all. All we got to do is try and do our best to commit.

<i>I would like to thank HarlerCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Forget me not is the debut romance of Julie Soto, a sweet and angsty love story between a wedding planner and a florist.

I am usually not a fan of the wedding set up, but it worked well on this book as it perfectly shows how good Ama and Elliot work together, and what a great couple they could become.

The story is told through dual POV, interspersing past and present chapters, and fueling the book with longing and angst.

I really enjoyed this book! It was well written, the characters were layered and interesting and I was rooting for their HEA from the beginning.
I loved to see how both characters were invested in their careers, but able to support and encourage each other, becoming their better selves when working together. My heart was aching for them and I just wanted to see them happy.

This was a great debut and so far it was one of my favorite romances of the year.

Read this if you enjoy steamy second chance romances between a Grump and a Sunshine.
I was thoroughly entertained and recommend its reading to all contemporary romance readers.

We step straight into a wedding at the very beginning and I love that! The book is fast-paced (except maybe Elliots past POV).

Ama is such a unique and lovable character. I like that she isn't perfect neither is she made out to be some super-woman running a small wedding planner business. She's messy, she has unresolved mummy issues, she makes mistakes (sugar for breakfast, no assistant, takes too much on, doesn't stand up for herself etc) but u still love her and root for her hard.

Elliot is the definition of grumpy (would've liked to know why though cz he's just taciturn all the time lolol) but he's also caring, kind, there when you need him etc.

Ama (wedding planner) and Elliott (her florist ex) have to work together on the wedding of her career. All their unresolved issues from their breakup is tangible between them and sparks just fly everywhere!

At no point did this book kick me out of the flow of the story. I can't believe this is a first time author! She did such an amazing job. Definitely a new favorite, because I thoroughly enjoyed this book and stayed up till 3am on a workday just to finish it!

Ama & Elliott are 🔥 fire together ❤️

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Fiction marketing for providing this ARC in return for an honest review! 100/10

I loved this book, there’s really not much else to say, it wasn’t absolutely a hundred percent flawless or anything, but I loved reading, I absolutely flew through it, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to anyone else looking for a novel of this genre. It seriously is one of my favourite books I’ve read in a while.

"Flowers are infinitely better than people"

This was such a fun read!! I found myself giggling to myself throughout which really doesn't happen too often, and I devoured it in less than two days. There is nothing better than reading a book that you can't wait to get back to at the end of a work day.

There were some really tender moments in this that made me cry and incredibly sweet moments that . . . also made me cry. But the reason it wasn't a 5* read was that I felt Julie could of leant into that side of the book slightly more, as fun as this book was, I would have loved to have seen a more fleshed out emotional connection and reconciliation between Ama and Elliot - the ending felt a tad rushed. I'd have liked to have seen the relationship blossom (pardon the pun) with the acknowledgements of where it went wrong before and why it was the right time now.

A storyline of grumpy man who claims he doesn't believe in love. But is actually warm and squishy inside. But doesn't know how to show it after past hurts. Plus a woman who absolutely loves all things love, has a business in love and wants her own happily ever after. After she falls for the grumpy man she has to get him to breakdown the walls to let her in. A predictable but fun and well written book.

I LOVED this book!
One of the best romance books I've read in a while. I love the grumpy x sunshine trope and this book gave me that perfectly. I loved how we got to go back and forth between the present and the past (going the the MC's past relationship and its downfall). Every time I put this book down I came away with a major donut craving :').
Would love to read future romance books from this author!