Four Letter Words

Recovering Good Girls #2

by Thea Claire

Seer Bradley is all sharp edges - whether it’s knives in the kitchen, swords as a renfaire noble, or her quick tongue behind the bar. She likes to stay busy; protected within the glass walls she’s built to keep herself, and her heart, safe and sound. One night with a handsome Scot tests the stability of her carefully constructed life, leaving her reeling.

It’s fine.

Harry MacLaren is starting over. He’s got priorities after moving across an ocean for the sake of his daughter - get settled in Texas, maybe find a D&D group, and try to forget the woman who knocked his world off balance this summer. Unfortunately, those priorities shift when he realizes that his one-night stand with a witty bartender could jeopardize the community he so desperately needs as a single parent.

Everything’s fine.

When Harry and his family need temporary refuge, Seer offers her home as an option, despite her better judgement. She thinks they’ll be passing ships, relying on her walls to keep growing feelings in check. As they settle into a new routine, her edges start to dull, and Harry is determined to show what a life without walls could look like.

It’ll all be fine.

Genres: Romance

Paperback

First published February 7, 2025

About the author

Thea Claire is a storyteller at heart. A North Texas native, she loves to write about strong characters creating beautiful lives for themselves and those around them. Thea has been an avid reader and sometimes-writer for more than 15 years, and has worked in a variety of fields as a communications professional. She is a proud mental health advocate, neurodiverse writer, and member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Reviews

[Bethany Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the slowww burn, this story really grew on me! Excellent character development of Harry and Seer, as well as several of the other characters.

Because there were a multitude of characters and subplots, I found myself getting a bit lost and struggling to recall who was who, as well as who is related to who. After getting about halfway through the book, it all started clicking. While I initially had qualms with there being so many characters and subplots, I realized the author actually did Seer a great honor by showing readers just how strong her support system is.

With an emphasis on major themes, such as: SA, trauma, disability, sobriety, and complex parental relationships, I can appreciate Claire spending so much time investing in all of Seer’s friends, turned family. Though some scenes and subplots sometimes felt like unnecessary fluff, I understand and recognize that these choices were an integral piece in helping readers understand Seer and her experiences better.

I loved that Harry is Scottish! I enjoyed reading dialogue in his “Scot Daddy” (lol) accent!

However, Seer and Harry having three names each (including nicknames) was a bit excessive and definitely threw me off for awhile.

I really loved that this story was set in DFW! As a fellow Texas resident, the references to Las Colinas, the Texas State Fair, the DART station, the Reunion Tower, and Deep Ellum were so fun to see in a book! The Greensleeves scenes also reminded me of the Scarborough Renaissance Festival, which brought back sweet memories! Speaking of Greensleeves scenes… The one with Jesse walking in on Seer and Harry after she discovered one of the items he brought in his duffle bag had me laughing out loud! Omg, so funny. 😂

There wasn’t a ton of spice, but the spice that was present was… quite spicy! 🌶️

Overall, this novel highlighted many, many important themes. The author tied up most of the loose ends, though I did find myself wanting to know more about what happened to Hadley. The little cliffhanger at the end was unexpected, but I also had a feeling book 3 would be about two certain someones! 😉

Thank you to the talented author, Thea Claire, for an advanced copy of this novel! 🫶🏼

[Marlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my sweet time savoring every single moment of this and, let me tell you, it was absolutely worth it. As a huge fan of Go Find Less, I was eagerly anticipating this new installment, and I can confidently say that Seer lived up to all of my expectations and more. She is everything I hoped for—grumpy, sharp, and unapologetically real. Her character truly captured my heart in a way that felt so satisfying.

What I loved most, just like in the first book, was the exceptional representation of sobriety. The portrayal was so nuanced and authentic, providing depth to the story without ever feeling forced. And the ASL representation? Absolutely top-notch. It was clear that a great deal of care went into making it as accurate and meaningful as possible, and it really enhanced the overall experience.

Four Letter Words isn’t just a book; it’s a journey. The way Thea Claire weaves these complex characters and themes together is nothing short of brilliant. I adored every second of it and can’t wait to see where this series takes us next.

[Hailey Caton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seer is the textbook definition of black cat energy while Harry brings the cinnamon roll energy, even though Scot Daddy didn't know what that meant until it was explained to him. Our sword-wielding FMC has worked hard to get her life on track, put in 100% at work and her reinfaire gig, be the perfect sister and friend all while never feeling good enough. Insert Harry, her brother's best friend, who is a nerdy, hot Scottish dad who happened to be in town looking for a new home for him, his daughter and his tagalong little brother. After sparks fly (literally and figuratively), they find themselves living together, navigating what happened during the summer and the unexpected direction their lives have taken. What's the worst that could happen? I'm sure everything will be *fine* 🫣

I wish so badly I could give this four and a half stars! My only complaint was I was SO lost at the beginning with how many characters there were. I couldn't keep everyone straight, didn't know who was talking half the time and was all around very confused. As the story went on, I slowly caught on and was able to follow along until I felt connected to the characters. I also felt like I was always missing some key element to the characters back stories and never felt that final click of all my puzzle pieces coming together.
Arguably, my favorite was Kota though. He had me cackling and wishing I had a brother like that in my life. Not only was he looking out for his brother (in his own unique way) but he was hilarious, a total flirt and a fantastic Uncle. I adored him in every way and am excited to see where his story leads 😶‍🌫️ IYKYK

Make sure to check your triggers before starting this book. Thea covers some deep topics in a way that was sensitive and considerate without shying from the real impact it can have on a person's mindset and feelings toward themselves. My bleeding heart just wanted to wrap Seer in a giant hug the whole book because, while I have never experienced the same things she has, her mentality and view about herself was something I have struggled with my whole life. Reading it and being reminded that you're never alone and always have a team behind you with support and love had me choked up on more than one occasion.

Overall, I loved this book and everything it represented and portrayed.

P.S. Teresa can fall in a well and stay there. IYKYK 🙃

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Congrats Thea Claire on a super cute book! I loved all of the characters and the banter! Really hits to those who have experienced what Seer and Harry have gone through. So real. My only thing is that I felt there were so many characters to keep track of and there were parts that I felt were just “filler” and weren’t necessary. Otherwise, loved it!!

[valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book really fast because it made me want to keep reading more. The instant chemistry they both had for each other was my favorite. Some parts of the book were sad but they also had some funny parts. There is a lot of characters in this book that i had trouble keeping track of so i had to keep going back to see who they were but it was still a great story.

[Kayleigh Kullmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I didn’t want this book to end!!! I absolutely loved it.I feel like the main characters are the black cat/ golden retriever to a T. Everyone deserves to be loved the way Harry loves Seer! Also can I be a part of this friend group?

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

No sophomore slump here for Thea Claire... Four Letter Words is even better than Go Find Less! I mean, who doesn't love a strong, sexy Dommy Mommy and a hot Scot Daddy?

Thea's writing flows so well that you don't realize you're 86% in until you look down at the bottom corner of your Kindle.

It's touching, beautiful, and witty. It's less tear-jerky yet no less poignant than her first book, and I found myself identifying with these characters a lot more.

I can't wait to read what comes next!

[Jessie Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book! I’m a sucker for anything that includes ASL, so that was a definite bonus. Absolutely love the representation and all the nerdy references! Seer and Harry’s chemistry is 🔥!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of unique aspects that I have not read before, like a FMC who loves Renn Fairs. I loved how the couple met and had instant chemistry. I was intrigued about the FMC's hearing loss. As someone who is fluent in American Sign Language, I felt like the ASL that was included was well done. This book had more angst than I typically read, but it was not just centered on the couple. The single parent aspect was less prevalent than I was expecting. I appreciated the discussion of disabilities, sobriety (and how that looks different for everyone) and how parents sacrifice for their children. There is a large cast of characters, each with a side story and history. It got confusing at times, trying to remember who everyone was. Perhaps I would have a better picture if I had read the first book?

I received an ARC of this book.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, there's so much to unpack so bear with me.

The characters are all written with so much affection and detail that surely they're inspired by real people. The conversations, behaviours and found family feel between them all left me feeling like I could hang out with them in real life. There is no cheesy melodrama, but there is real-life angst and second-guessing decisions and behaviours in a way that was relatable without being in any way contrived.

Sage is a woman with a history of SA and substance abuse, who has channelled those experiences into being fiercely protective of her found family. She is a woman of independent means, and as such there's no hint of man being a crutch, or needing to be saved. She's sober and working as a mixologist at a great bar, so she's comfortable with her decisions and enjoys her job. Enter Harry, a Japanese/Scottish man that I never knew I needed. OMG. A massive guy with a Scottish accent and a loving family? Hello.

Harry intervenes to throw a lounge lizard off the scent and away from Sage, and the pair of them instantly connect. So much electricity between the two that the lights in the bar should have flickered. But then she goes and leaves before the job is properly done, and they go on with their lives. Noooooo!

Still, fantastic part-evening aside, Harry has issues in his past as well, namely a daughter that might not have been planned for, but he is raising because the not-relationship has a tragic situation (no spoilers) and he has moved to the US so that his child's maternal grandparents can be involved her life.

Sage also has emotional baggage around protecting/doing the right thing by her brother, although his hypocrisy in that area drove me NUTS, but I eventually came round to understanding his protectiveness too. Am I rambling now? I feel like I'm rambling. I'll wrap this up soon but let me just say that I did a LOT of highlighting on the kindle for this book. Almost to the point of maybe getting an email from Amazon/Kindle saying "Is everything okay?" and "Why not just highlight the whole book and be done with it?" and "have you had water today? You're still highlighting."

Also, FRIED BUTTER? I had to confirm that's actually a thing.

Moments that had me squealing:
- Harry calls Sage Q. That was ridiculously cute.
- Gemma and Lucy (the cat)
- "Fine is a four letter word."
- Harry grins down at me, only long enough for both dimples to wink hello.

Some favourites quotes among the MANY:
- "And X is a f*cking loser who couldn't deal with the bad4ss phoenix who rose from the ashes."
- I think life is f*cking bullsh*t. I was handed a sh*tty deck of cards and told to play them anyway.
- "In my parents' defence, I pre-date the boy wizard." Harry grimaces. "And the transphobia."
- "I'm running on four hours of sleep, two Diet Cokes, and a partridge in a pear tree."
- "You may thin, you're in charge, but one day I'm going to make you crawl to me."

Revelations and declarations are had at Thanksgiving, along with a toxic parent finally going a bridge too far and burning things to ashes. That scene was GLORIOUS. Absolutely maddening to read but on-so-satisfying in the conclusion.

The characters in this book are all fully realised, all with their own nuances to make them feel three dimensional. They're not just there to pad out the plot and state the obvious, they're all dynamic in their own right, and I found that was something I was really soaking up. There was no stereotypical quirky friends, and any quirks were reasoned and real.

Okay, this is just dissolving into fangirl babbling at this point. Suffice to say, I get through a lot of books, and this one was a delight from start to finish.

Now all I need to do is settle back and wait for the next book, and it's going to kill me.

[Nautica · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑳𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔
Recovering Good Girls 2
By: Thea Claire
Contemporary Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥🔥

🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆 - eARC
I love myself the Recovering Good Girls! I couldn’t wait to learn more about Seer at the end of Go Find Less and she didn’t disappoint. The relationship between Gemma and Seer was absolutely adorable and makes my heart so happy:) I am so happy that both Seer and Harry finally have found someone who sees them and cares enough to do the little things that most people would deem insignificant.

I am not one to spoil unless very clearly asked for it but WHAT IN THE HECK WAS THAT END?!? I am just as eager for book 3 as I was for book 2<3 It was worth the wait.

🅂🅈🄽🄾🄿🅂🄸🅂
Seer Bradley is all sharp edges - whether it’s knives in the kitchen, swords as a renfaire noble, or her quick tongue behind the bar. She likes to stay busy; protected within the glass walls she’s built to keep herself, and her heart, safe and sound. One night with a handsome Scot tests the stability of her carefully constructed life, leaving her reeling.

It’s fine.

Harry MacLaren is starting over. He’s got priorities after moving across an ocean for the sake of his daughter - get settled in Texas, maybe find a D&D group, and try to forget the woman who knocked his world off balance this summer. Unfortunately, those priorities shift when he realizes that his one-night stand with a witty bartender could jeopardize the community he so desperately needs as a single parent.

Everything’s fine.

When Harry and his family need temporary refuge, Seer offers her home as an option, despite her better judgement. She thinks they’ll be passing ships, relying on her walls to keep growing feelings in check. As they settle into a new routine, her edges start to dull, and Harry is determined to show what a life without walls could look like.

It’ll all be fine.

🅀🅄🄾🅃🄴
"When I fuck you, it won't be a quickie. I'm going to take my time."
“My daddy issues are reserved for the bar, not the bedroom, thanks.”
“Fine is the only curse word we don’t allow in this house.”

🅃🅁🄾🄿🄴🅂
Brother’s Best Friend; Black Cat/Golden Retriever; Single Dad; Forced Proximity; Found Family; One Night Stand; Early Spice; Scottish MMC; Just Texas Things; Disability Rep; Renfaire/D&D Vibes; SA Survivor

🄼🅄🅂🄸🄲
Too Much - Dove Cameron
Touch the Sky - Julie Fowlis
Dancing With Our Hands Tied - Taylor Swift

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second novel in the Recovering Good Girls Book Series. While it *could* be read as a standalone, it is best to read Go Find Less first for a more in-depth character history and emotional impact. There are several side characters and history that may be confusing to keep straight if you hadn’t read the first book.

This book follows Seer Bradley, a North Texas native, as she navigates life after a one night stand with a handsome, tatted Scottish stranger. She has her emotional walls built up, but she’s such an awesome character. Total bad-ass. Not only is she a sober bartender, an aspiring chef and does Renfaire, but also she has a heart of gold beneath that black cat exterior. She offers her home to her brother’s good friend Mac/Harry after a house fire (who whoops, surprise! happens to be the Scottish stranger that recently relocated from the UK with his daughter). Harry is the ultimate golden retriever and I love him so much. He’s understanding, observant and does the little things that mean a lot to make Seer more comfortable.

There’s all the fun tropes I love: brother’s best friend, single dad, hot and nerdy golden retriever, forced proximity, but also woven in with some very serious and emotional topics to create a very beautiful story. The characters are multidimensional, real with raw and relatable issues, and there’s a nice amount of representation. The story is sweet, spicy, funny, cute, emotional, thought-provoking and everything in between. Bonus points because it’s based in DFW area and that’s where I grew up. I will say, I was initially overwhelmed about it being 700+ pages, that’s a little longer than my normal contemporary romance reads, but I enjoyed the storyline so much that it was a wonderful read.

3/5🌶️
4.75⭐️
Tropes, etc:
-Dual POV
-Brother’s Best Friend
-Single Dad
-Scottish MMC
-Black cat FMC x Golden Retriever MMC
-Forced Proximity
-Found Family
-Disability, LGBTQIA+, sobriety representation
-Renfaire/DnD vibes


TW:
-Early Spice
-Grief
-SA Survivor

*A big thank you to the author, Thea Claire. I received a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.*

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion, this is a spicy literary fiction novel, not a romance novel. Don't let the cover fool you.

At first, I was excited because of how many things this book does well:
trigger warnings so you know what is coming well enough to know if the book is for you
characters work through situations where miscommunication is not the plot device
the book takes place over a period of months and the relationship has a natural, healthy progression
a lot of mutual respect between the characters
good display of healthy and imperfect relationships

...and a ensemble cast of character I could barely keep straight
This is likely my fault because while I considered starting at Recovering Good Girls #1, the description didn't grab me like this one. And I got lost in who was who early on, but the book is too long to read again to figure out how all of these people interplay.

So I think it's mis-shelved. If you're looking for a book that has found family, and interesting slice of life and build up scenes for a cast of... 12? 16? (I'm not even sure), then this is a great book.
If you're looking for a light read, this is NOT it.

BUT if you read Jen DeLuca's Well Met and thought, "I just think this book moves too fast and is unrealistic and definitely needs at least one, maybe a few single parents," then Four Letter Words is for you!

In the end, if it was supposed to be in the romance genre, then it needs help with pacing. Some of those scenes were funny, but I was ready to get to the climax of the book and the adorable cat slowed things down.

And this is a series where you need to start at the beginning, with Book #1. I still can't tell you how many mentors she has or how everyone knows Hadley. I hope those pieces were in Book #1. I probably would have found the ensemble cast endearing instead of confusing. It is nice she has so much community around her.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You realize you just spit in the face of a tattooed Jamie Fraser voice double, right?”

This has been one of my most anticipated reads. I couldn’t wait to jump back into this group of characters after absolutely loving Go Find Less! These characters are like a cozy blanket. Also, I really enjoyed all of the niche Texas references 🥹 (shoutout to the bucees T-shirt)

This is a fast spice to slow burn, and Seer and Harry had SO much chemistry right from the start! I was so invested in the tension and the yearning. I loved how easily they understood and supported each other (so long as neither was overthinking 😉).

Seer is such a badass. I’m obsessed with her strength and resilience. She’s so kind despite the trials she’s faced, and doesn’t shy away from helping people. And Harryyyy! He’s such a sweetheart. I loved how much he cared for his daughter, his family, and Seer. The way he took care of her and tried to make sure she had what she needed was just 😩 so perfect.

The big cast of characters can be a little bit overwhelming to remember at first, but once I had it down I loved how strong this found family was. They each have their own personality and strengths within the group, and I can’t wait to see more from all of them!

And speaking of that, THAT ENDING THOUGH?? I am dyingggggg to read that story 😍😍

This is an incredible story of learning to live and love after going through terrible things. If you haven’t read anything by Thea Claire yet, please please do 🫶🏻

Read this if you like:
•Brothers Best Friend
•Black Cat/Golden Retriever
•Scottish MMC
•Quick Spice to Slow Burn
•Forced Proximity
•Found Family
•One Night Stand
•SA Survivor
•Sobriety
•Disability Rep

Thank you so much to Thea Claire for sending me an ARC for an honest review. 💖

[Brandy Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Thea for an arc of Four Letter Words! It was truly another amazing book in the Recovering Good Girls series. ⁣
⁣
“𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱.”⁣
⁣
•Brother’s Best Friend ⁣
•Black Cat/ Golden Retriever ⁣
•Single Dad (Scot Daddy😍) ⁣
•Forced Proximity ⁣
•Found Family ⁣
•One Night Stand ⁣
⁣
⁣
After absolutely devouring Thea Claire’s debut novel last spring, I have been so impatiently waiting for Seer’s book! ⁣
⁣
Seer is brash, sassy and dealing with her trauma the way many of us do… but pretending. Pretending everything is okay, and that love is not something she could ever want. But when a handsome Scottish man walks up to her bar and pretends to be her boyfriend so a creep leaves her alone- Seer sees an opportunity to spend the night lost in his touch. ⁣
⁣
Sweet Harry McLaren has no idea the force he’s about to be hit with, when it comes to Seer. This single dad just wants to do what’s best for his daughter and family. And after months of thinking about his one night stand they are thrust back together. Staying in the same house is proving to be more than difficult to keep his feelings at bay. ⁣
⁣
Y’all, if Thea Claire write it… I’m gonna read it. I loved this book from start to finish. The difficult and challenging issues were handled with care. It was a book about self acceptance, as well as meeting someone who wants you exactly as you are. The found family was once again so incredibly well done. A group of friends who become family, is something we could all be so lucky to find! Be sure to add Four Letter Words to your tbr, you won’t regret it. 🩶⁣
⁣

[Ft Worth Book Babes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four Letter Words is Thea Claire’s sophomore novel and the second book in the Recovering Good Girls series. It’s a brother’s best friend/single dad novel that I was really excited to sink my teeth into!

The FMC Saoirse “Seer” Bradley is a survivor. She has overcome a lot in her life, and doesn’t let her circumstances hold her back. She has black cat energy, until you break through her walls.

Hideharu “Harry” MacLaren is trying to navigate life as a single dad while starting over in Texas. He is a Japanese-Scottish man, and 100% gooey cinnamon roll.

After a one night stand over the summer, Seer and Harry run into each other again and realize they aren’t strangers at all…

I really enjoyed the angsty romance and the back and forth between the two main characters. As I said in my post last week, this book contains some of my favorite tropes, and Thea Claire did a great job of exploring those classic tropes while still making them feel fresh and exciting. The characters felt well developed and I found myself rooting for them throughout the story. My only complaint is the large cast of side characters. They all have detailed backstories and those complexities made it difficult to keep them all straight while focusing on the main story. The author does provide graphics with details regarding all of her characters on her social media accounts and those are definitely helpful. Overall, this was a great book and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this group of friends.

[Shannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the Recovering Good Girls series coming in HOT with the spice right off the bat giving us delicious tension to feed on during the remainder of Seer and Harry’s story.

Seer is a strong, independent woman who don’t need no man.. but if there’s one around and willing… she might just make an exception. Enter Harry at Menagerie, our Scot Daddy in denim, here to rock her world. When she leaves him jet lagged and snoring, she thinks she’ll never see him again.

When her brother’s best friend, Mac, comes around, you can imagine their shock when they realize they’ll be spending a lot more than one stolen night together. But, oh, does our Scot Daddy pine and just absolutely make you fall in love with him?

When the two agree to keep thing casual, he already knows he’s in it for the long haul. Seer just hasn’t quite figured that out yet… and that’s okay. Harry’s waiting patiently for her to figure it out while trying to not scare her away in the mean time.

I love that Harry and Seer felt just as relatable as Piper and Fitz from Go Find Less did. Thea makes it so incredibly easy to immerse yourself in this world and really feel her characters wins and losses and all the things in between.


And that epilogue?! The setup for an upcoming story? Oh, I. Am. FERAL, ma’am. Gimme.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thea did it again!

After reading Go Find Less, I couldn't wait to read more by my favourite author. And damn, did she deliver!

Four Letter Words follows one of the side characters from Go Find Less: Seer Bradley. She's a fantastic main character: strong, sassy, traumatized, recovering alcoholic, disabled, and deathly afraid of love.
Cue a big Scottish-Asian nerd with a heart of gold and a lovely daughter, who barges his way into Seer's perfectly curated life and sends her on a path of some extra healing and recovering.

This is a story of self-acceptance, of what happens when someone comes into your life who accepts you no matter what, defying all the odds.

I loved Seer so much, she's kind and sassy and good with kids. I loved the HoH rep, the use of sign lanuage, and how different characters were HoH/Deaf. I loved the look this book gave me into faire-life, a thing that doesn't exist in my country (as far as I know). I loved the different family dynamics shown, the way nobody is perfect (though some people are even less perfect than others).

I loved reading this. I loved having been able to see the story develop from it's first draft to the final product.

It doesn't take a genius to know Thea Claire can write. And I can't wait to read more by her!

[Azka · Rating 5 out of 5]

After loving Go Find Less, I was eager to dive into Four Letter Words, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The story centers on Seer Bradley, a sassy, strong, and deeply complex woman dealing with trauma, addiction recovery, and a fear of love. When Harry McLaren, a charming Scottish single dad, enters her life under unexpected circumstances, their chemistry is undeniable. What starts as a one-night stand quickly turns into something deeper, challenging Seer to face her fears and open up to love.

Seer’s journey of self-acceptance is beautifully portrayed, and Harry’s patient, loving nature provides the perfect balance to her guarded heart. The book also offers rich representation, with several characters being hard of hearing, incorporating sign language, and highlighting diverse family dynamics—both biological and chosen.

The found family aspect of the story was particularly heartwarming, and Seer’s personal growth made her a character you can’t help but root for. The romance is tender, passionate, and emotional, with themes of healing and unconditional love woven throughout.

Four Letter Words is an emotionally charged romance with complex characters and a heartwarming message. Thea Claire nails it once again, and I can't wait to see what she writes next!

[Melissa Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Whiskey on ice, warm and hard at the same time” is the perfect way to describe black cat-coded Seer Bradley. She has spent years building herself a tower of found family friends and defenses that will keep her emotionally and physically safe. Meeting, golden retriever, single dad Harry MacLaren and being blindsided by his understanding and support might finally get her to open up and let love in.

This love story demonstrates how being seen and loved for who you are can be life changing. Seer and many of her friends have experienced life-altering traumas, and their relationships are even more beautiful because they see and respect each other for who they are and what they’ve overcome. Seer learned that her friends and Harry can love her because of what she’s gone through, rather than in spite of it. This story is full of love, hilarious one liners, and supportive friendships. I highly recommend it and I can’t wait to read the next in the series!

[Tiffany W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the recovering Good Girls series, and Thea, don’t worry—it was worth the wait! Just make sure to check the trigger warnings and grab some tissues… you’ll need them.

This book had all my favorite tropes—black cat/cinnamon roll, forced proximity, and a single dad—so I knew from the start that I would love Seer’s story.

It was an emotional rollercoaster, but the author did an amazing job balancing the heavy moments with humor, keeping us from completely falling apart. I think many women can relate to Seer’s struggles, but thankfully, she had Harry there to say, “No, ma’am, not on my watch. You are worth it and more.” The chemistry and angst? Chef’s kiss!

Now, this book had a lot—and when I say a lot, I mean a lot—of side characters. Even having read book one, I was a little confused at first, but it all worked out, and I’m absolutely loving this series. I can’t wait for it to continue!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second book by Thea. While each book can be read as a standalone, the interconnected characters make reading them in order a great way to get to know them more deeply. As a local Dallas reader, I especially appreciated all the references to familiar spots around the city, and of course, the nod to the annual ren fair I attend.

Seer definitely gives off major "black cat" energy but has a soft spot that she learns to embrace as she works through her past trauma. Harry, on the other hand, is our Scottish golden retriever—he's the best dad to Gemma and the one who keeps his brother Kota in check. I loved watching their relationship evolve, starting from lust to a tentative friendship, and eventually growing into love. It was beautiful to see how they developed both individually and as a couple.

Although the book is long, it kept me engaged the whole time, thanks to all the fun antics from the characters. I also love when authors include text chains in their stories. I'm definitely excited for the next book in this series when it's out, and I’ll be revisiting book one soon.

[Mrs Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been waiting for Four Letter Words for about a year and it did NOT disappoint. I loved this book. I really enjoyed Seer from the first book in the Recovering Good Girls Series (Go Find Less-and if you haven't found it, go get it). I love her sobriety story and her reason for recovery. Harry, his son and brother were wonderful characters, but the chemistry for Seer and Harry right from the start was fantastic.

Throughout the book, there are many sub-plots, but the main focus is Seer and Harry's relationship and their individual growth. Harry, having uprooted his life for his son, he has to make new friends, find a new rhythm for his life and basically start anew as an adult with a child. I loved this book so much and am so happy to have been able to read it.

Thank you for the copy, this is my honest opinion. Please be aware of any trigger warnings, as your mental health is most important.

[megreadsalot23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thea has become an author that I thoroughly enjoy. Her sophomore novel is just securing that thought.

I’ve been excited for Seer’s book since I read Go Find Less. She’s spunky. I always like when the FMC is spunky.

She meets Harry at her bar one night, when he “ rescues” her from a pushy/handsy patron. They end up sharing a night together. But little did she know that he would show up in her life after said night a few months later.


There are a lot of characters in this series, I will say towards the beginning I felt a little lost. I couldn’t remember who was who (minus Fitz & Piper). I even had to make a chart kind of figuring out the characters and their people. But as you read, the side characters are spaced out a little more and you kind of start making the connections.

I can’t wait to see how book 3 turns out

[Kaylyn Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was out of my norm, but I’m so glad I read it!

It is very fast paced and flows well from one scene to the next. It has a good balance of diverse characters that are all lovable!! You might want a pen and paper to keep up with everyone because there is a large group of friends and they are very close!

It is funny, inspiring, lighthearted, hopeful, reflective and a bit emotional. It has a curvy fmc and a cinnamon roll mmc.

Spice- 🌶️🌶️🌶️. Scottish Daddy….say less 🥵. This story has some spicy, but it’s mainly angst, banter, and lots of built up frustration. (Which works well with this storyline).

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am beyond thankful for getting the opportunity to get to ARC read this book. Thank Thea for allowing me this experience.

[Lauren Weiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look, I enjoy all types of romance - romantasy, billionaire romance, mafia romance, open door, closed door - all types! But as much as I love the fantasy of the girl next door type catching the attention of a brooding billionaire - its just a fantasy. What I love most about Thea's books is that these stories are real. The people are messy. The situations are less than ideal, and mirror real life. Relationships are complicated and not always picture perfect. But that's why its so easy to love this book and these characters.

I never attempted to write a book, but I can imagine that writing dialogue can be hard. And Thea said, "Let's throw in characters with a Scottish accent!" I was impressed!

I don't need to summarize the plot for you. But if you are looking for real characters who are sometimes a hot mess - look no further!

[Jessica Amon IG literaryjessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, a Dallas based romance with legit commentary about the traffic? SOLD. Thea did this story so well I cannot even comprehend it. All of the characters were built from the beginning with every detail you need to fully understand their background. Friendships and heartaches shape this story to give the delectable need for MORE. Multiple characters used sign language INCLUDING a sweet little girl. The MMC, Harry is nicknamed Hot Daddy with an accent, NEED I SAY MORE? Oh how we love a single daddy with a Scottish accent. The FMC, Seer, has a history that shaped who she is now including why she knows sign language and how her disability changed her. This story is a beautiful depiction of anxiety, learning, trusting yourself and others, and, spice. I wish I could read it again for the first time. Thea left me salivating for more of Harry and Seer.

[Allie.onlybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. This is a brothers best friend trope. It follows a sober bartender Seer and single dad Harry, her brothers best friend . The FMC is a strong woman who goes through a lot of trauma and work to heal herself. Her journey was very tough but the author wrote it beautifully. There are a lot of characters in this series and it can be difficult at times to follow at the beginning but as you get into the story it is a bit easier. Even with the heavy themes of this book, the author killed it with a great balance of humour. I found myself chuckling throughout the book. Four Letter words has lots of angst which is my absolute favourite! I cannot wait to see what comes up next for this author.

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙”

This book hit me pretty hard in the feelings! I love this friend group and the way that they are always there for each other. But it was also nice that we got to see a few of them acting completely ridiculous. *cough* Liam *cough*

Seer did a lot of growing in the book and watching her interact with Gemma was adorable. Harry was a great addition to the group because he was already half in by virtue of being friends with Liam. It was also great though because he was able to see the rest of the group more clearly. And I’m having some deep thoughts about Chloe and Mateo and Savannah. I can’t wait for the next one!

A huge thank you @theaclaireauthor for a copy!

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four Letter Words by Thea Claire is book two in the Recovering Good Girls series. This book follows our strong, independent bestie Seer and swoony (Scottish) single dad Harry. Thea finds a way to make her characters so raw and relatable, which makes getting lost in the story so much easier. I see so many pieces of myself in Seer’s story, just as so many parts of Go Find Less resonated with me. Her books always make me feel all the things and I truly enjoyed the time I spent with Seer and Harry! I will forever read everything she writes. ✨

Tropes:
Black Cat x Golden Retriever
Single Dad
Brother’s Best Friend
Forced Proximity
Disability Rep
SA Survivor