Say It Out Loud

by Ashley Schumacher

In this heartfelt, magical romcom, a down-and-out podcaster gets a second chance—at her career and love—when she’s cast in the audio drama adaptation of her favorite paranormal romance series . . . alongside the one who got away.

Juniper Green doesn’t believe in magic anymore. Not since her mom died, her dreams of a publishing career fizzled, and her podcast—the one bright spot in her life—was stolen out from under her. Now, at thirty-two, she’s living in her dad’s spare room and wondering if life peaked when she was a teenager with a stack of vampire books and an unhealthy obsession with enigmatic immortals.

Then comes the email: an invitation to audition for the lead role in the audio drama adaptation of The Meadow, the wildly popular vampire romance series that once defined her teenage years. It’s a dream opportunity—until she learns her co-star is James Neely, the brooding, talented actor who played Romeo to her Juliet in a one-night-only college show before breaking her heart and disappearing from the stage and her life . . . right along with the magic.

To save the project (and her career), Juniper and James must revive their on-stage chemistry, playing The Meadow’s star-crossed lovers for the microphones and social media alike. But as the lines between performance and reality blur, Juniper is left wondering: can you rewrite the ending of a story you thought was over? Because love, like magic, is a fragile thing to lose . . . and to find again.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Adult, Audiobook, Second Chance Romance

Unknown Binding

First published September 30, 2025

About the author

Ashley Schumacher is an author of whimsical and romantic books for teens and adults with a degree in creative writing from the University of North Texas. A full-time writer, she feels more than a little vindicated for having spent lots of math classes reading beneath her desk. When Ashley isn’t working, you’ll most likely find her playing cozy video games, planning trips to far-off places, leafing through the folklore and fairytale anthologies she is always acquiring “for research”, or traipsing about her North Texas home with her husband and son.

Reviews

[Arushi♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2💫

˙˚ʚ Spoiler free review ɞ˚˙

"Some grief shows much of love, but much of grief shows still some want of wit."

ᝰ.ᐟ Tropes:
➹ Fake dating
➹ Audiobook narrators
➹ First person pov (single)
➷ Not a second chance


ᝰ.ᐟ Thoughts:
Two audiobook narrators? Narrating "The Meadows" Or the Twilight which I gathered from my knowledge (forgive me, I've not read twilight, only saw the first movie once with my sister so i could be wrong), I was lured in. The blurb also promised one of my fave tropes: second chance romance, not only at love but also at Juniper's life. At life? Yes. At love? No. Because THIS IS NOT A SECOND CHANCE. Can we please stop fake advertising. Like please🙏 They never dated or had any kind of romantic relationship. Heck they weren't even friends! They just performed a single play together once. One single day. Not a second chance right? Or I'm fumbling here? Help me.


ᝰ.ᐟ Characters:

⌗ ┆ Juniper: She was annoying tbh. She was 32 but if I didn't tell you this, you'd assume her to be 14. No, I'm not talking about her constant mention of how the ✨magic✨ was gone from her life and that was the only reason she was failing at things but how she acted like a kid. And her Arabella (fmc of the meadow) obsession got out of hand. I don't mean it in a fan girling way, that would have been much better but in a what-would-arabella-do-now-because-i-am-too-dumb-to-find-my-own-solutions way.

⌗ ┆ James: Mehh, pass. He was not bad per se but he was nothing special. You could have removed him from this book and I couldn't care less about it. The constant mention of how he was the real life William (mmc of the meadow)... No need to remind me every next chapter darling.


ᝰ.ᐟ Romance:
These two had no chemistry. Her dad and bestfriend had more chemistry then them. The romance between them felt so forced that if i had a chance I would prefer reading them just narrate. I mean I'm still confused how did these two fall in love? Because i couldn't see it a bit.


ᝰ.ᐟ Overall:
I did not enjoy this. I might be in the minority here and maybe this is a me problem this time but hey, my review? So I'll be honest, I was so very much bored. I'm rating it 2 because I did enjoy the audiobook narration bits (far more enjoyable then them) and it had some really beautiful lines. This was my first Ashley Schumacher book and it's her adult fiction debut.
Maybe you could enjoy this because i can see the possibility but would i recommend? No.

"I think sometimes the people who feel the most are the ones who go to the greatest lengths to make sure other people don't have to feel sadness as deeply as they do."

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚　˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚　˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚　˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆


↝Pre-read°｡⁠.ﾟ.⁠｡♡
The blurb sounded promising and it's second chance so I had to request it!

彡Thank you Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange of an honest review.

Exp. Pub. Date: 30/09/2025

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juniper Green never expected life to lead her back to the boy who broke her heart, but when she’s cast in the audio drama adaptation of her favorite vampire series, she finds herself face-to-face with James Neely—the co-star who vanished after one unforgettable college performance. As they step into their roles, past wounds resurface, but so does undeniable chemistry, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.

This novel is an absolute treat for fans of slow-burn romance, rich character development, and second chances. Juniper’s struggles—grappling with lost dreams, grief, and self-doubt—make her an incredibly relatable protagonist. James, on the other hand, is a beautifully layered character whose quiet strength and emotional depth steal the show. Their dynamic crackles with tension, witty banter, and heartfelt moments, making their journey just as compelling as the paranormal love story they’re narrating.

Beyond the romance, the book also shines in its exploration of self-discovery and healing. The audiobook production setting adds a fresh, immersive element, while the subtle nods to classic vampire lore will delight readers who once devoured Twilight-esque stories.

With charming side characters, a perfect balance of humor and emotion, and an ending that leaves you with a warm, satisfied feeling, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves love stories that feel both real and magical.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for sharing this heartfelt romance’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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[✨Julie✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✩ 4.25 stars ✩

What to Expect:
➼ Famous Actor x Podcaster
➼ Second Chance
➼ Fake Dating
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Recording A Full Cast Audiobook
➼ Fate/Magic
➼ Strangers-to-Enemies-to-Lovers
➼ Processing Grief & Loss
➼ Ode to Twilight
➼ Narrated by Lauren Ezzo
➼ First Person Single POV

This is a must read for Twilight lovers! In this book they refer to it as “The Meadow,” but it’s very clearly Twilight that they’re alluding to.

After losing her mom during her college years, the FMC loses faith in “magic” and essentially no longer believes that the world will bring her good things. Her mom believed that she would be happy in a career in publishing so the FMC does everything she can to try to make that career happen even though it’s not really what she wants. After several closed doors and career set backs, a fan of her former podcast offers Juniper the opportunity to help narrate an audio adaptation of the Meadow. Of course the person narrating the male lead turns out to be someone she shared a very unique experience with in college right after her mom died. There is a lot of animosity between them, but he is also someone essentially “the one that got away.”

I don’t tend to like second chance romance, but I really loved the whole premise of this story. Since The Meadow was so important to her in her teen years and represented a time in her life where she truly believed in “magic,” I also thought that was a very fitting piece of the puzzle. They are asked to do some publicity for the audiobook on their socials which leads to a fake dating arrangement to help them get more views.

The entire storyline was just very fun and well plotted. It all fit together very nicely and I had a great time, but there was also a lot of emotional depth to the story and many kismet connections between them that weren’t too far fetched to be believed. The slow burn and their connection was very well developed too and I genuinely loved both MC’s. I honestly just really loved this one! If you enjoy a good rom-com, don’t sleep on this! Perfect for Hoa Hoa season!

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Pre-read: I just finished a Twilight movie marathon, so it seems fitting to start this now! 😁✨

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

Connect with me on Instagram

[Iqra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so adorable. The rambling, the softness, the sweet caresses, thoughtful — and sometimes thoughtless — actions haha I enjoyed it all.

Juniper was comfort in a character. Her overthinking, her constant comparisons to fictional worlds. She was so relatable. From her love of romance to romantasy, it all endeared her to me even more.

James and his juniper proof thermos cups and coffee shop t-shirts ugh he was so cuteeee 😭😭 the way I wanna beat hug him pls I just know he’d give the best comforting hugs.

The premise of the story and their meet-cute drew me in straight away and kept me genuinely engaged the whole way through.

I never expected to hurt bc of this book tho 😭😫 their fourth act and fifth act had me wanting to enter the book and lock them in a room so they wouldn’t have to hurt for one second longer. Ugh my babies ❤️‍🩹🫂

The red string theory that laced the pages of this book was litch the cherry on the cream for me. Soooo satisfying.

𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀: 🎧
Soft spot - Keshi

ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC! ♥︎

[Mira · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fmc, Juniper, isn’t having the best luck after her mother’s death. She loses her job and, at thirty-two, moves back in with her dad. But then, out of the blue, she gets invited to audition for the audio drama adaptation of a popular vampire romance series. Turns out, her co-narrator is James Neely—the guy she knew in college, the one who hurt her. 

This is my first book by Ashley Schumacher, and I’m so glad I discovered her writing! The characters spend a lot of time at work, and I have no idea if all these audiobook recording details were accurate, but they were so interesting to read about! I have many favorite moments, but I don’t want to spoil anything—I’ll just say that James is incredible! At the start of the book, he’s closed-off and quiet, but with every chapter, he opens up more, and I fell for him even harder. 

I also liked Juniper. I’m going through something similar in my own life, so her struggles felt very personal to me. And her dad? He’s amazing—I smiled every time he appeared on the page. 

This book left me with such warm and happy feelings. There’s no actual magic here, but there are magical coincidences. And if you’re a Twilight fan, you’ll love this book because the series they’re narrating feels so much like it!

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓slow burn
✓cinnamon roll mmc
✓forced proximity
✓grief and healing
✓audiobook narrators
✓Twilight inspired

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Del Rey) for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[DIVINITY&#x1f319; · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨3.5✨ RTC

[thevinedbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juniper gets the chance of a lifetime to audition as the lead narrator for the audio adaptation of her all-time favorite vampire book series, one that has a lot of incredible similarities to a certain series I knew and loved (and I’d bet you did too 😉). The catch? Her co-narrator is none other than the guy from one of the most perfect and then most painful nights of her life…

There is something so deeply relatable about reading a story about a character in her 30s who stops believing in magic after experiencing so many setbacks both in her personal and professional life. The book really shines in how it portrays the complexity of not being where you thought you’d be in life and the long process of coping with great loss. I loved Juniper’s growth and how the story highlights those little magical moments that can stay with you forever and quietly shift the course of your life.

This charming romance had such heart and all the reader references galore which I ate up. Especially the nods to romance book tropes and all the subtle and sometimes not so subtle nods to Twilight. A few of which made me cackle because I had completely forgotten about them.

The pacing was a bit on the slower side for me especially when it came to the development of Juniper and James’s relationship even for a slow burn romance. I wanted more interactions early on in the story between Juniper and James. However once they really started picking up I couldn’t get enough of their banter and I love how quietly observant and thoughtful James was with all things Juniper.

This was a solid four-star read.

On a very random side note, I really hope they kept the references to the floor is lava game. It’s only one sentence in the book but it made my millennial heart so happy.

The biggest and sincerest thank you to the DelRey Publishing team for the gifted copy!

[Em (semi-hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and fun romance with great tension, but the the constant digressions were exhausting, key moments got skipped, and the author really needs to learn how to use “feminist” and “sexist” without embarrassing themselves.

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It’s not technically magical, but the way coincidences aligned and came together throughout the story, and especially in the end, gave me that kismet feeling I’m a total sucker for.

Juniper and James share a unique history from college. An emotional, unforgettable performance on stage, never to see each other again. Until now. In the present day, they’re hired to re-record a dramatized audiobook of The Meadow, a wildly popular paranormal YA series about a vampire and human.

First off, the clear Twilight inspiration was so much fun! I’m not super knowledgeable about the series, but even I caught the subtle nods sprinkled throughout. And even if you’ve never read or watched Twilight, you can definitely still enjoy this. The references just added an extra layer of fandom nostalgia, and I loved how that also tied into Juniper’s memories of her late mother.

Juniper had this young, slightly inexperienced innocence that was so endearing. She’s struggling after losing her beloved podcast, hoping this project will be the reset button her career needs. James, meanwhile, is an up-and-coming actor under constant pressure—but also the sweetest cinnamon roll, especially in the incredibly thoughtful, silly ways he cared for Juniper.

And I adored the behind-the-scenes audiobook setting! From the playful banter to the way they’d act out scenes just to nail the perfect inflection. You can really feel the chemistry growing with each recording session, the tension building as they throw themselves into the project for social media buzz. Of course, falling in love in the process!

(heat level: 1 open-door scene, explicit details)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Teodora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

The introduction of the story begins 10 years earlier, while the main character Juniper is still in college, where she works as part of the crew to help put on plays. At one of the performances, she meets James, and that's where their story begins.

In the present, Juniper is 32 years old and has returned to live with her father because she lost her job. However, she soon receives an offer to record an audio book of her favorite series, but the only downside is that she has to work with James.

I love that Juniper never loses hope and always keeps going. The chemistry between the main characters is good.

I don't like that the whole book has Twilight puns, and too many of them. I was even bored in some parts.

The writing is good, the slowburn is good, but there are a few places where the plot seems to get stuck.

I give this book 4 stars and I have no content warnings.

[Sarah Horgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don’t give a rating to books I work on, because confusing ethics, but I would have given this 5 stars even if I had come to it a different way. This writing felt like I was reading my own inner dialogue, exactly how I sound in my head if that makes sense? And as a former twilight super-fan, this felt like it was made for me. I absolutely loved Juniper. James took longer to grow on me, but he really, really did. And it made me cry! Multiple times! Which for me is a hallmark of an excellent book. I simply can’t wait to bring this cover to life.

[Reading Rounds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juniper Green is stuck. She’s still in her childhood bedroom, grieving the loss of her mom, trying and failing to land a job in publishing. She once had a shot at acting stardom in college, but that ended in a missed connection with a talent agent because of her costar, James Neely.

Now James is on the cusp of A-list fame, about to star in a major superhero movie. Juniper? She’s auditioning for an audiobook role—and guess who her scene partner is? James freaking Neely.

Ashley Schumacher’s Say It Out Loud is a gently sexy, emotionally grounded second-chance romance that manages to be both nostalgic and contemporary. With tropes like:
• 🎤 Second chances
• 💘 Dislike to love
• 🖤 Fake dating
• 🚪 Forced proximity
• 🔥 spice!

…this book is a soft hug for anyone who’s ever stayed up late listening to a podcast, stitched their feelings into fabric, or made friends through stories like Twilight.

🎧 Fandom, Femininity & Finding Yourself

At its heart, this is a book about women’s creativity and how fandom connects generations. Juniper’s mom tried every medium—pottery, embroidery, and painting. James’s mother was an accomplished painter. And Juniper herself? She used to run a beloved podcast that celebrated the power of stories and their readers. But when we meet her, she’s sold the IP and she’s frozen. She can’t even bring herself to press “record.”

Watching Juniper find her voice again—literally and metaphorically—is where the book shines. James, despite his Hollywood status, feels just as lost. The pressure from his father-slash-agent has left him disillusioned with fame, aching for something real.

Their slow burn romance is both hot and healing. It’s about listening, showing up, and choosing each other again and again.

(Side note: While this book does include intimate scenes that are beautifully written, I’d like to gently remind everyone—especially characters in books!—that prophylactic use is hot and responsible. Negative test results ≠ a sexual forcefield. There are STIs that people with penises can’t be tested for and some show up months or even years after—I’m looking at you, HPV!)

💭 Final Thoughts

This book made me want to make things. It made me want to call my mom. It made me want to rewatch Twilight and reread Fangirl and believe in second chances. It’s tender, a little sexy, and full of longing.

A deeply satisfying adult debut. I’m already looking forward to what Ashley Schumacher writes next.

⭐️ Rating

4 stars – because sometimes the worst day of your life is the beginning of a beautiful future.

[mimi (depression slump) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lack of romance in these romance books it’s getting on my nerves, and someone will pay the price someday.

Juniper and James are great, individual characters to whom I think my generation — late ‘90s, mid 2000s — can relate to, from THE pop culture reference and the core of this book to growing up with expectations that, of course, weren't real — and yes, I'm talking about the journalist-that-has-to-write-only-one-piece-a-month-to-afford-her-Manhattan-apartment type of rom-com.
But apart from that, I think they're genuinely good people to whom others can relate to their doubts and overthinking.

And that's really shown in the first half of the book, where we’re still getting to know them and the lack of romance wasn't bothering me that much, thinking this was more of a chaste-kiss-and-off-to-the-sunset vibe.
However, it gets annoying and plot-lacking from that aspect the moment you reach the second half. Mostly, they don't act like their age and keep finding excuses not to be together while doing anything but lovingly staring into each other's eyes, but less in a cute, slow burn way and more in a when-will-this-be-finally-over way.

And then it ends and we go from everything-is-chaos-what-will-we-do to happily-ever-after-it-was-always-our-destiny, and it’s just a no from me.

↠ 3 stars

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Kimberley &#x1f4d6; · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way this book absolutely made my heart SING 🥹

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️ (only one spicy scene so if you like a super spicy romance, this might not be for you)

“Because this is how I thought it would be to fall in love. A bit goofy, a bit wretched, but not desperate.”

- Second chance(ISH)
- Magical realism (KINDA)
- Fake dating
- 30+ year old FMC & MMC
- SLOWWWWWWW BURN

This was giving me serious The Seven Year Slip and First-Time Caller vibes and I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

Highlights that I absolutely need to call out:

1️⃣ While yes, there was tension, conflict and our MCs had sad backstories, it didn’t feel overly dramatic and still leant more towards the cosier side of romances.

2️⃣ Juniper was a FANTASTIC FMC. I found her so relatable and it just felt reassuring to have a 30+ year old FMC who still hasn’t quite figured out life, and someone who made an innocent mistake that was detrimental to her career. YOU DONT HAVE TO KNOW IT ALL IN YOUR EARLY 30s!!!

3️⃣ This was LOW spice with the slowest of slow burns but the pay off was worthwhile. I was honestly invested in Juniper and James’ relationship: how it was awkward, tense, and a little comfortable at some points, but you could really feel the attraction and feelings build and develop between them.

4️⃣ The Twilight references. I CANNOT!!! So damn nostalgic and seriously had me giggling and smiling like a madwoman the way Ashley weaved them in.

5️⃣ The ending and how it all came together. The moments of magic, fate, destiny, coincidence, whatever you want to call it, that really showed how Juniper and James’ love story was predetermined and written in the friken stars 🥹

The only reason why I didn’t give this 5 stars… well they say 5 stars is a feeling and I just didn’t QUITE get there.

Otherwise this was AMAZING!!!

[Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the eARC in exchange for an honest review]

[Meredith Schorr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the prologue and each time I had to put it down, I was excited to pick it back up again. Although Twilight was a little after my teenage years, I was still able to get most of the references, but I don't think a Twilight obsession is at all necessary to enjoy this romance! I was expecting more of a speculative edge but in the end the "magic" felt more like fated mates to me, which was fine! Juniper is a relatable/likable heroine and James is so swoony. I really loved this author's voice/writing style and look forward to her next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.

[maddie's reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Del Ray and NetGalley for the arc!

4.25 stars

Rtc!

[fatma · Rating 3 out of 5]

this started off strong and then lost me about a third of the way through...😔

[Angela Y (yangelareads) ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group and Del Rey.

Juniper Green does not believe in magic anymore. Not since her mom died, her dreams of a publishing career fizzled, and her podcast—the one bright spot in her life—was stolen out from under her. Now, at thirty-two, she is living in her dad’s spare room and wondering if life peaked when she was a teenager with a stack of vampire books and an unhealthy obsession with enigmatic immortals.

Then comes the email: an invitation to audition for the lead role in the audio drama adaptation of The Meadow, the wildly popular vampire romance series that defined her teenage years. It is a dream opportunity—until she learns her co-star is James Neely, the brooding, talented actor who played Romeo to her Juliet in a one-night-only college show before breaking her heart and disappearing from the stage and her life right along with the magic.

To save the project (and her career), Juniper and James must revive their onstage chemistry, playing The Meadow’s star-crossed lovers for the microphones and social media alike. But as the lines between performance and reality blur, Juniper is left wondering: Can you rewrite the ending of a story you thought was over? Because love, like magic, is a fragile thing to lose and to find again.

The lack of romance in these new romance books (sorry to sound so harsh) is getting on my nerves. Juniper and James are great as individual characters — they are well written, layered, and clearly meant to have depth — but together, they are just not it. Their chemistry felt forced from the very beginning, and instead of natural tension or believable emotional connection, I felt like I was being told they were in love rather than actually feeling it through their interactions. They did not act their age at times; their decisions and dialogue felt more immature than what the story seemed to want to portray. On top of that, they kept finding excuses not to be together, which made their relationship feel stagnant rather than romantic or heartfelt. The plot itself was lacking — it started out with promise, but as the story went on, it just got more and more boring. There were so many skipped moments that could have been used to build real emotional depth or romantic tension, but instead, the writing jumped straight to key plot points without any of the satisfying buildup that makes a love story compelling.

I wish this book was better because I did enjoy the idea of it and found myself wanting to know how it all panned out. I guess others may enjoy this one more than I but I can definitely see the possibility but I personally do not think I will be recommending this one to anyone.

Rating: 2.5/5

[Ria Camden · Rating 5 out of 5]

«"If I didn't have to play," he says, "I would still want to play with you."»

From chapter one, I knew this book and I were going to be the bestest of friends.

Let’s start with the fact that the MCs first met during a one-night-only college stage production— but not in a meet-cute way. Tenish years later, they’re hired to narrate a new dramatized version of a hugely popular YA vampire romance series. So, basically… Twilight..

«In the time it takes you to inhale, you have imagined an entire world that rolls out like the plot of a book, one where you become friends with the angry Romeo and you hang out in each other's bedrooms and living rooms and favorite coffee shops. One where the glimpse of emotional depth-the understanding that was so hard to find in your college peers but you found in him-turned into a keycard with 24/7 access to the kind of person who would never think of you as too much or too weird or "too" anything.»

Three things I loved about this book:

⋆ The writing. It absolutely swept me off my feet—I’m still floating somewhere.
⋆ James Freakin' Neely. To put it simply: I want this man.
⋆ Juniper Green—her brain and how much I could relate to it.

I wish I could just drop all the quotes I highlighted here, but instead, I need you to promise me you’ll read this book when it comes out this fall. Deal?

«This is what the Taylor Swift songs were referencing. This is why grown humans sob in bathrooms and at parties and wherever else: Unrequited love or love with an expiration date or love that you feel so deep in your bones, it's like it becomes your marrow, is the worst.»

A huge Thank You to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC—you made my month with this one!


˙⋆.˚୨ৎ ria’s romance rating scale ୨ৎ˙⋆.˚

• plot 77/100
• writing 91/100
• characters 75/100
• giggle & feet-kick-ability 78/100
• general enjoyment 86/100
• cringe -0/-100

1/5 🌶️
total: 407

*500-471 - 6 stars
470-401 - 5 stars
400-341 - 4 stars
340-201 - 3 stars
200-101 - 2 stars
100-0 - 1 star

[FER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical! Nostalgic! Swoony! Ashley Schumacher's SAY IT OUT LOUD is everything for readers who have lived a thousand fictional lives only to discover their life in progress is their favorite story.

This is undoubtedly one of my favorite reads of the year. The romance of Juniper and James had my butterflies fluttering, but it also shouts the wonders that is the romance genre and literature specifically written by and for women. It celebrates the reader and tells them - me! - that our stories are meaningful, and does so by playfully recreating one of the biggest literary phenomenons - Twilight.

Now, this will be a hit or miss even for the most Twihardest of readers, because Schumacher nearly one-for-one recreates Twilight as her fictional in-story story - The Meadow. It even goes so far to use the Edward handwriting font for notes James leaves for Juniper. For me, this felt authentic to the message of 'say it out loud'. Theres no discreet dust jacket on this story. It is what it is and it does so unashamedly.

Juniper and James. I'm so in love with them. They reflect aspects of their "Meadow" characters, William (Edward) and Arabella (Isabella), but their grief and anxieties and hopes are muchly their own. It's also one of the best played fake dating schemes that serves the purpose of letting them get to know each other now. There's drama and sadness and angst that builds and builds and collides in the most amazing sensually steamy intimate scene I've ever read. They feel like fate.

Aside from romance, there is representation of processing grief, outward expression of intense emotionality, toxic relationships, failure to launch, and what life looks like when you're stuck inbetween. The romance might feel like kick your feet while giggling, but Juniper and James are anchored in present relatable life experiences.

Highly recommend SAY IT OUT LOUD for lovers of love. Especially for readers who imprinted on a book or series that felt life-changing. It did. It did change your life and I'm glad it found you needed it. SAY IT OUT LOUD celebrates that wonder you felt and hold space for the now you that it helped shape.

Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds for the advance copy to read and review.

[fin · Rating 5 out of 5]

After loving all of Ashley Schumacher’s prior work, I was eager to read this one, and I loved it! This story follows Juniper, who met James during a Romeo and Juliet production in college where she stepped in as Juliet, but they then lost touch; leaving Juniper heartbroken. Ten years later, after losing her podcast, she gets cast in an audiobook production for The Meadow, with James as her co-star. Magic, fate, or coincidence brought Juniper and James back together, and we follow their story of reconnecting.

I fell in love with this story so quickly, and in particular with Juniper Green; she was such a relatable character, who dearly loves books, is a bit clumsy, deeply overthinks everything she does, and struggles with grief over her mother. Schumacher writes about grief in a magnificent way, in both Juniper and James’ story, it was intertwined with their choices and thoughts beautifully.

The dynamic between Juniper and James was lovely; the moments of banter, of tension, and many heartwarming scenes too. Their journey both individually, and together, was captivating. I couldn’t put this book away!

I also loved Juniper’s friend and her dad, they were both so funny! I liked the way they were there for her, and saw her. There is a particular conversation between Juniper and her dad that stood out to me, after her first week on the job.

Overall, this book was everything I wanted it to be. The subtle references to Twilight were fun, and throughout the sweet development of the romance there was still plenty of moving scenes surrounding grief too; a great mix of it all.

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[EeeJay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars/5
Tropes: missed-connection, reconciliation, magic, regrets, life-in-a-decade, humor, celebrity, stage, acting, voice-actors, narration, twilight, twilight-is-feminist

Unlike other rom-coms or chick lits, this book portrays MFC in a much more realistic light and you are much more sympathetic to her plight. Usually the formula goes that the MFC is stupid and nothing has gone well her way. In this story, you can see how hard MFC has worked and she has been (somewhat) rewarded for it. She made a mistake and lost the brand she worked so hard for (unfortunate, but happens pretty frequently).

Also deals with the more realistic scenario of doing someone a solid favor and them completely dumping you when they get their chance. That's what MMC does to MFC who helps him be discovered by a talent agent during Romeo and Juliet performance. You'd think that the MFC is bitter and hates him, but she's pragmatic about it and has somewhat moved away, although she can't stop the what-ifs, especially after losing her podcast.

This book was sweet and nostalgic, not in a cloying way, but in a rather hazy summer's day way, where as a millenial, I was in sync with what the MFC felt. I feel like the pacing could have been better, especially when the two MCs meet up again ( hence the 4 stars), but perhaps the pacing is something the editor is responsible for, and not the author? As an intro to this author, this was a wonderful story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for providing the e-ARC. Views are my own

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely adored this book! It is a whimsical, magical story of two lost souls who beautifully find themselves and each other. Juniper lost her way after her mom's death. She also lost her podcast that she was passionate about to a bad judgment call with selling it. On the other hand, James was an actor who needed to figure out what he wanted in his life. Together, they were audiobook narrators of a book series that was reminiscent of Twilight and brought such joy to my heart. Which made my heart smile. Along the way, they needed to get along as they fulfilled their obligations in their contract. Their professional obligations and contract lead them to a fake dating situation. As they spent more time together, they slowly fell for each other. I loved Juniper and her resilience to life not going as planned. James was more of a mystery in the beginning, but she slowly uncovered his kindness and support. He was the perfect puzzle piece that completed her. The ending was sweet and poignant!! Overall, this was chefs kiss perfect book; so delightful. I definitely recommend it!! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. 

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

To start off, I really enjoyed the premise of the story and the connection of The Meadows being Twilight. Being a Twilight girly myself, this was such a fun read!

The audiobook recording plot line takes up about 90% of the story. The plot is very heavily dialogue driven. It’s a very slow-paced read. I enjoyed the authors’ voice, and the banter between James and Juniper.

Definitely slow at parts, and maybe a bit of disconnect between James & Juniper. Like as a reader I didn’t find myself rooting for them because they just didn’t seem into each other. They didn’t seem to connect until 70% of the way through. We do get one relatively spicy scene between them and I did appreciate how very real and raw it was. Way more realistic than a lot of romance novels.

All in all I’d still recommend, because it was good 😊

Thank you NetGalley/Random House for the e-arc to review! All opinions are my own.

[Dannii Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Say it Out Loud by Ashley Schumacher

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This book held a special place in my heart since it was inspired by twilight and that series defined my teenage years like the meadow did for Juniper Green. Juniper Green is a bit lost after she loses her job, her podcast gets snatched away from under her and she has to move back into her dad’s spare room. Not all is lost however when she gets invited to audition for the lead role in the audio drama adaptation of The Meadow.

This book will make you feel all kinds of things such as happiness, sadness and most importantly understand how having goals in life can change in a split second and know that everything turns out for the best.

This is also a quick and easy read which is a perc!

Tropes:

🌹 Slow Burn
🌹 Fake dating
🌹 Second chance
🌹 Self discovery
🩸 Twilight influences

Make sure you pick this one up on 30th September later this year!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Del Ray for giving me a chance to review this arc. As always, it is super appreciated.

[ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, slow-burn second chance romance!
Juniper and James’s story was such a fun ride that’s full of tension, old wounds, and new sparks. I loved the backdrop of the audio drama (especially since it’s based on Juniper’s favorite vampire series!), and watching them navigate their past while finding their way back to each other felt so natural. The character development was solid, and the chemistry built at just the right pace. A really cute and satisfying read!

Expected Release Date: 09/30/2025

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.

[Danielle Stoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️

This was a sweet book with a fun premise - basically MMC and FMC are audiobook narrators for a Twilight-esque series. I did find Juniper to be a bit immature - she was kind of annoying at times. And there were some moments of telling us about scenes that had happened off page and not just showing us. But overall I enjoyed the premise and the book as a whole!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ashley Schumacher, and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for my early access to this.

[Susan]

I decided to DNF this one at 64%. This didn’t feel like a romance. I honestly didn’t care about these characters.

[Caitlin Carnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

i think i hated this book but i couldn’t stop listening? 🤷‍♀️

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW!!!
2.75⭐️

I’m sad to say I wasn’t a big fan of this book. I think the plot wasn’t really for me I just bored me a little bit. I also felt as if the two main characters didn’t really have much of a connection it seemed more forced. Someone else might enjoy this one more but I just couldn’t seem to get into it☹️