I have read every single book written by Melissa Brayden. This is the first one I couldn't finish. I almost made it to the end and then decided I was just torturing myself by trying to finish a book that I found boring and immature.

It started off fine. Taryn and Charlie had great chemistry in their younger years. It was when the story moved to current day that the chemistry just wasn't there. I found the dialogue to be similar to dialogue in a YA book. The conversations between Taryn and her friends were senseless and insulting to the reader (that is if the reader is 40 and older - I'm guessing younger readers wouldn't take issue). The relationship between Charlie and her boyfriend was unbelievable and the boyfriend's mother was just added as a way to add drama.

I'm sorry - I'm a big fan, but this book didn't match the caliber of Brayden's other books.

This was another great book by Brayden! It was the premise of it that first got me interested and the story lived up to my expectation.

When You Smile follows the story of Taryn and her crush on her baby sitter who she bumps into at her college campus. The two reunite, Taryn realises she's still attracted to Charlie but is unsure of how Charlie feels. To note, Charlie is straight and has a boyfriend. The rest of the story focuses on their journey to pursuing this relationship while acknowledging the importance of finding each other again and for Charlie its coming to terms with the changes Taryn brings about.

I would say my only critique is that the relationship between Monica & Charlie were fleshed out a little more. The romance was spot on and an joy to read.

I was a little worried about the premise of this book, but was pleasantly surprised! This was a quick, cute novel that I enjoyed getting the opportunity to read early. Would recommend for a relaxing read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bold Strokes Books, and Melissa Brayden for the advanced copy of When You Smile!

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Really really enjoyed this book so much. I don’t know how this author does this book after book but she does - always an engaging storyline and very likeable characters.

A sweet and charming story that does what it says on the cover. The grad school setting and student scenes read realistically. The supportive friends are great. The parents are even better (if only they were mine). The two leads make their way through life and becoming a couple in a clear narrative. Basically you know where this book is going and it’s a nice journey that’s not too tasking, and the scenery is pretty. Perfect for a summer light read.

A solid 4 star book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it as soon as I got through the prologue. It’s a cute story of finding your true self and happiness no matter who you disappoint in the end. It was funny and quirky. I enjoyed the development of Charlie throughout the story and how her and Taryn grew closer. And also how Taryn grew up and was more mature. I loved how Taryn’s parents showed up for Charlie in such a big way and it was the only sign Charlie needed in the end.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would from the description. Based on the babysitter trope I was not really sure it would be my thing but I have enjoyed so many other Brayden books I decided to give it a try. I enjoyed the budding romance and bond that Brayden built between Taryn and Charlie. Classic Brayden she always builds the connection well. I did find the beginning of the. novel was a bit too in my face with the babysitting trope but it settled in once the story got going and allowed me to enjoy things much more. The babysitting component actually hardly played into the story and the age difference for me between these characters is much more minimal than I anticipated. Without spoiling anything, anyone who has read Brayden before knows she likes to through a wrench in things at some point but in this book I found it a little unnecessary and rushed. I would have been just as content to see Taryn and Charlie navigate their way through their future and settle into their inevitable romance novel ending of happily ever after.,

Overall a fun and enjoyable read from Melissa Brayden as always but not my favourite book of hers.

This book ended up being a dnf for me. It was sweet but it did not hold my attention. I loved the concept of the story and the characters were both sweet but I just couldn’t make a connection to them that left wanting more. I was just like meh.

The characters had great chemistry. I loved how their connection built so naturally and their individual journeys were also very believable. I really rooted for them and liked that the author avoided unnecessary angst. Melissa Brayden is one of my favourite authors and it’s amazing how she manages to create an entirely different vibe and tone with each book despite writing so frequently, her work never feels formulaic and her writing is always very engaging. This book didn’t disappoint.

It’s always good when you've got a new Brayden book in your hands. This was an interesting take on the trope “girl likes her babysitter”, but then we fast forward 10 years to when they're both at university for their reconnection. It was done well, and done right.

I loved the relationship between Taryn and Charlie, both when they were younger, and getting to know each other again as young adults. I felt Taryn’s friends were more interesting than Charlie’s, and would’ve liked to see them featured an extra time or two in the second half of the book.

Where the book lost me slightly was the inevitable conflict. It did feel a little rushed with a lack of communication between main characters where they’d been really good just chapters before - it didn’t quite line up for me.

Otherwise, still a good read, but the first half was definitely my favourite.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I anxiously awaited this book and it was well worth my wait! The building blocks of Charlie and Taryn’s relationship began when they were young. They shared a lot of fun times when Charlie was Taryn’s babysitter and Charlie’s presence in Taryn’s life during that brief snippet had a lasting impact on her. When they meet as adults, it’s almost as if they’re able to pick up right where they left off but with the maturity and worldliness that comes with age.
Charlie’s loss of her mother and the lack of support from her longtime boyfriend, Danny, contrasts sharply with the emotional and supportive connection she finds with Taryn. This mutual support system, where Charlie becomes Taryn's rock and Taryn becomes Charlie's cheerleader, adds an emotional layer to their story. I love the way they fill the gaps in each other's lives makes my romantic heart soar.
The supporting cast of characters, especially Taryn’s parents and her roommate Caz are adorably endearing and add so much light to the story!
I absolutely love When You Smile! Taryn and Charlie's story strikes a perfect balance between emotional depth and lighthearted sweetness. The combination of warmth, honesty, vulnerability, and smiles makes their journey incredibly relatable and heartwarming. Grab your copy, settle into your comfy reading spot, and enjoy the ride.

Brayden's latest wlw romance was a breath of fresh air. Truly. Dialogue was witty and fun. The honest storytelling will keep you guessing, which for wlw romance is hard to do. Characters were believable and honest.

I totally adore Charlie and Taryn, from the coming out and realization of how they feel for one another. To their fun and playfull moments, their grpwing romance developing into their relationship. It made me feel like I was a visitor watching the whole love story unfolled, damn. I even got mad at Monica MCHenry's mean behavior for comming in between the love birds, mad woman that one! As the surprissing turn of events. And I the emotion just reading the book, sad, angry, fun. I just had to keep reading and was hungry to eat the written words because the story kept me intrigued. Wanting to know more and more about the characters as the story unfold. Definitly a book I need in my sapphic book collection. A recommendation for everyone who love to read sapphic romance novels, this one had me at the tip of me chair! I love the story, hope everyone checks it out, Melissa out done herself, and love her writting style and humor, it's comfortable to read, no difficult sentences, a 10/10.

Melissa Brayden’s new book, When You Smile, is the kind of feel good romance that readers crave when they want something light and heartwarming. Readers easily connect to the main characters, Taryn and Charlie; they are relatable, likable young women, women with interesting friends, families and lives. More than that though, they’re well-developed and readers care about them. This shouldn’t surprise anyone familiar with Brayden’s work though. She has a particular talent for creating characters that feel authentic, ones that have depth and layers to them. Readers quickly become emotionally invested in their journey to romance, too. They can’t get enough of it, and that’s why her stories are a ton of fun to read.

Even though When You Smile is light and fun, it still explores the heart tugging complexities of relationships, touching on themes of personal growth, self-discovery, sexuality and coming out. The storyline is filled with emotional moments, heartfelt conflicts and satisfying scenes, keeping readers captivated from start to finish. The main reason for this is that Brayden capitalizes on the use of childhood memories and first time crushes within the storytelling. Readers can’t help but be engaged by it. The nostalgia of these experiences strikes a chord, making the unexpected reunion and courtship between Taryn and Charlie sweet and captivating.

Brayden often likes to use tried and true tropes in her storytelling, but she’s never lazy with them. She makes them work, pushing the storytelling in interesting or contemplative ways. This is especially true for When You Smile. Getting the chance to date one’s childhood babysitter as an adult is a hot idea, (and one I’m sure many have fantasized about 😉) but Brayden does not use this gratuitously. She creates a delicious romantic tension with this trope, building on the anticipation and longing creatively and productively. Ultimately, it makes for some page turning stuff that readers can’t put down.

Brayden’s writing style is engaging and immersive throughout this novel. With her vivid descriptions, authentic dialogue and keen pacing, she is able to balance tender moments and tension. Her smooth prose enables readers to connect with the story without pause. She deep dives into Taryn and Charlie’s emotions and inner thinkings with well-scripted scenes and rich dialogue, portraying their fears and desires quite nicely. Brayden’s approach promotes a deeper level of empathy within readers, giving them something that truly resonates. And because she gives readers a raw look inside Taryn and Charlie’s inner and outer worlds, they are eager to turn pages and watch the journey unfold.

Final remarks…

Readers always appreciate the overall feel-good nature of Melissa Brayden’s books, and this one is no different. When You Smile offers readers a heartwarming vibe, one that’s hard to turn away from. Her engaging, well-developed characters and realistic, heartfelt dialogue work to give readers something they can sink their teeth into and enjoy. Furthermore, her ability to build tension, develop subplots and create a sense of anticipation always ensures a great story. When You Smile is a charmer and I highly recommend it.

Strengths…

Engaging storyline
Compelling characters
Strong romantic tension and chemistry
Well-crafted, well-paced storytelling
Well-played trope

When they first met it was when Taryn didn’t think she needed a babysitter but when they hired highschool senior Charlie, Taryn quickly changed her mind on whether she needed a sitter after all. Playing in the pool, eating junk food and just hanging out with Charlie was a great way to spend her evening. The next the parents wanted a babysitter again they learned Charlie and her family had moved.
Years pass and Tayrn still thought about Charlie and so when she transferred to Hillpoint University closer to home, who should she meet but her teen fantasy, Charlie. Meantime Charlie is now a grad student, working on her PHD.
Charlie has a boyfriend that she’s expected to marry; she doesn’t plan on that until she’s had a chance to make her mark as a novelist. But when she meets Tayrn she is surprised to find Tayrn living out and proud. The more they hang out, learning about each other, is making Charlie think about Tayrn as someone she could fall for.
Ms Brayden has brought two women together, telling a fast paced romance with a few surprises. Great main characters along with a great supporting cast, make this a page turner you won’t want to put down. Very, very good read.
ARC NetGalley/Bold Stroke Books

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Melissa Brayden's "When You Smile" explores the rekindling of a long-lost crush between Taryn Ross and her former babysitter, Charlie Adler. While the premise offers an intriguing setup for a romantic journey, the execution falls short of expectations due to issues with writing, characterization, and dialogue.


The story begins with Taryn Ross, who once harbored a teenage crush on her babysitter, Charlotte. Years later, Taryn, now a transfer student at Hillspoint University, runs into Charlie (formerly Charlotte) at a party. Charlie, now a graduate student working on her MFA, has matured into an even more attractive and kind-hearted individual. As their paths cross again, both women find their lives unexpectedly intertwined, with Taryn ready to come out and Charlie grappling with newfound feelings towards another woman for the first time.

Despite the characters' ages and life experiences, their behaviors and dialogues often feel immature. Taryn, as a university student, and Charlie, as a grad student with serious academic and personal goals, should come across as mature individuals navigating adult complexities. Instead, their interactions and emotional responses are more akin to teenage melodrama, which undermines the depth and believability of their characters. The way they talk seems more like a Gen Z dramatic than two professionals working on their education.

Brayden's writing is accessible and straightforward, which could appeal to a younger audience. However, for readers expecting a more sophisticated narrative, the prose can feel overly simplistic. The lack of nuanced exploration into the characters' thoughts and emotions leaves much to be desired, resulting in a story that feels more surface-level than it could be.

If you're a Gen Z and talk like that stereotypical person in movies, then this is the book for you. It really let me down, however.

When You Smile is the latest sapphic romance novel from author Melissa Brayden. This was my first time reading anything from the author but I was very quickly hooked into the story and fell completely in love with both Charlie and Taryn.

Charlie and Taryn were an adorable couple who totally captured my heart and their romantic scenes had me smiling from ear to ear. The strong communication and openness between the two of them was also brilliant to see portrayed within romantic fiction.

Both Charlie and Taryn were wonderful quirky protagonists. Despite the age gap they were both mature and it was great to see their passions (writing and photography respectively) explored within the story too. The portrayal of Charlie’s grief following the loss of her mother, who was a single parent, was a particular strength of the book. The side characters were also a highlight for me, particularly Caz and Sasha who were absolutely hilarious. I also loved Taryn’s parents and the way they instantly welcomed Charlie in like she was one of their own, giving her the family she had missed since the death of her mother.

This was a great book to read in Pride month as it focuses on Charlie’s sexuality awakening when she finds herself attracted to a woman for the first time. It really felt like this topic was generally handled with care and I liked the fact that Charlie and Taryn took their relationship slowly. Taryn had already come out as a lesbian prior to the start of the story but she was also inexperienced in WLW relationships which created a nice dynamic between the two of them. When we got to them, the spicy scenes were also well written and felt really realistic, especially for inexperienced characters, which I really loved.

I will say that I would have liked a little more exploration into Charlie’s sexuality as it felt like it went from ‘I was straight and now I’m a lesbian’, which is ultimately bisexual erasure and my pet-hate in books exploring sexuality awakening.

When You Smile was an easy five star book for me until the final quarter or so of the book. (view spoiler) All of this reduced the book to a four star for me but it doesn’t take away from the many strengths of the rest of the book.

Overall, When You Smile is a sweet and easy sapphic romance. It was my first Melissa Brayden read but won’t be my last.

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice Level: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️/ 5 (Open Door)

I have posted my review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk

*Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa Brayden and Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

This was such a cute love story. I loved the building of the moment of friendship to lovers. The communication in the main characters was good. How Charlie processed coming out later in life reminds me of my experience and the way her and Taryn talk through every step was comforting. I enjoyed reading this book so much. Such a fun read.

Who knew babysitters could be so hot? Taryn is nearly knocked over when she is unexpectedly reunited with her favorite BS during her freshman year of college. The adult attraction throws them both off and sends them into an awkward but smoldering journey towards each other. The attraction is fierce but not rushed and I admired the restraint from the author as well as the characters to let them find their way organically and not just falling into bed right away. This is what I like most about a seasoned author, we are allowed to get to know these characters with a depth of perception, good and bad, that is more akin to real life and not just a fantasy. Love is rarely easy and is often messy, just like the rest of us, and these two women deserved their HEA. Thank you to the author, BSB publishers, and NetGalley for the advance read in exchange for an honest review.