I had the chance to read If You Say So before its release, and let me tell you—it’s an absolute must-read!
This beautiful story blends second chances, parental grief, and the power of love and acceptance in the most heartwarming way. It’s sweet, funny, emotional, and full of moments that will tug at your heartstrings. Don’t get me wrong—I love a good spicy read (yes, there are some steamy moments here!), but nothing over the top. What stood out most was how this book wrapped me in warmth and left me with a deep sense of peace.
This small-town romance has everything I adore: enemies to lovers, second chances, forced proximity, and a grumpy x sunshine dynamic that hit all the right notes. Megan Reinking brought Sydney and Cole to life with such authenticity that I felt like I knew them. Their dual timeline—then (high school) and now—was easy to follow and added so much depth to their journey.
Both characters are navigating heavy emotional terrain, from family trauma and grief to the ripple effects of past abuse and heartbreak. The question of whether Sydney and Cole are trauma-bonded comes up in the story, and honestly, I think they are—but in a way that allows them to grow and heal together. With each other’s presence and support, they find the courage to accept the past and begin truly living in the present.
As someone close to her mom, Sydney’s journey hit me hard. Her mom’s battle with Alzheimer’s is written with sensitivity, grace, and raw honesty. It made me cry, made me reflect, and also made me appreciate the strength of love in the face of loss. Watching Sydney come to terms with her mother’s decline, supported by her family and Cole, was both heartbreaking and healing.
If you’re looking for a story that will make you laugh, cry, smile through your tears, and leave you feeling emotionally full—read this book. Megan Reinking has found a new fan in me, and If You Say So will stay with me for a long time. This was my first book by her, but it absolutely won’t be my last!