Just like the first book in the series. Andi’s story deals with mental health. And also Roni handles the story with a deftness of touch that’s amazing while not taking away the romantic aspects of it. Honestly, this was such a great book and Andi and Hill were a couple that I cheered for every step of the way.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for the ARC!
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What If You & Me was a great romantic read. Hill and Andi are two broken people who were perfect for each other. Hill was amazing and one of the more swoon worthy characters I've read in a while. ( )

4.5 stars ( )

4.5

Years ago, Andi experienced a horrific relationship and was lucky to get out of it, but she still suffers from extreme anxiety when certain situations present themselves. She's been able to channel some of her anxiety into her podcast where she talks about lessons-learned from popular horror movies, plus she also write her own horror novels under a penname. While on a deadline for her new book, Andi discovers her new neighbor's stomping around at all hours of the night does not help her get her work done.

Two years ago while on a call, former firefighter Hill Dawson was injured and that resulted in the loss of his leg and his career. While Hill is now on the mend physically, mentally he's not doing so great. But his new neighbor is not the type to let him be alone and brood.

Andi and Hill meet each other at just the right time. They're both still healing from past trauma and both on the precipice of moving forward, that is, if they can both just believe in themselves enough to take that step.

Andi was a standout character for me from the first book [book:Yes & I Love You|53439441]. I was happy that she got her own book. It's a little bit of serendipity that I was concurrently reading this book - which deals with a character that kind of uses horror movies to help deal with their real-world anxiety - while also reading a book that deals with the "Final Girl" survivors that are immortalized in those horror movies. It was an interesting juxtaposition.

That being said, I liked how Roni Loren tackles both Andi and Hill's traumas. Seeing how they each handle their situations in their own way and the bad and good parts of that. Of course Andi's occurred quite a number of years before Hill's and while that doesn't mean that she should be further along in her recovery, it does mean that she's had more time to find the tools that work good for her in coping. Hill's is more recent and still raw. Not only did he lose a career he loved, and suffered a bodily injury that changes the rest of his life, but his fiancé also left him shortly afterwards, which also changes the trajectory he saw his life heading towards. Hill is still going through the why's and how's, doubting himself and it's made him very depressed.

Seeing both Hill and Andi help one another out of their almost self-imposed exile from the world was just sweet. Seeing their connection and their belief in the other was just written so seamlessly and could have not been done any other way.

I've so far really enjoyed this series and I'm hoping we'll get more books. I think Roni Loren has a deft hand at taking these various issues and circumstances that people deal with and making them seen and heard. Giving a different idea and perspective that I haven't experienced in the romance genre before. Taking some of the bad times and showing that, that is not all there is. There can be healing. ( )

What If You & Me by Roni Lauren
2nd book in the Say Anything series. Contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Includes issues of disability and PTSD.

Andi is used to thinking worst case scenario. As a horror novelist and true crime podcast story teller, bad behavior is her default first thought. Her podcast is to help people protect themselves.
Hill is a forced retired firefighter after losing his leg. He doesn’t want anything to do with his new neighbor but he can’t help being protective when it’s called for.
As the two spend more time together, they find things in common though they deal with issues from totally opposing personalities.

I loved the heroine and her strength and commitment to healing with a positive outlook. She’s cheerful with a smile on the outside even if that’s not how she feels on the inside.
The hero has PTSD and a disability. I wasn’t happy about some of his decisions but understand the fear. I’m grateful it all worked out as it’s supposed to in a romance.

Provoking, heartbreaking, sexy, and ultimately delightful.

🎧 I listened to the audio book narrated by Desiree Ketchum who also did the first book. She has a pleasant range of voices but does better with the female characters than male which is to be expected. It is a clear and distinct voice for Hill so it’s easy to track who’s talking on the audiobook. Emotions and tension are clearly articulated. I started at a speed of 1.0 as usual and then listened to the majority of the book at 1.25 which is the norm for me.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia. ( )