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A Latte Like Love
An American Library Association's Top 10 Debuts of 2026
Love is brewing as a barista falls for a reclusive artist struggling with the tragic aftermath of an accident in this charming, epic romance.
Audrey Adams knows the exact routine for all her regular customers. That’s what happens when you work at the same Brooklyn coffee shop for years. So it’s completely normal that she notices Theo Sullivan, a shy new patron who comes in at exactly 8:17 a.m., right? And that this incredibly tall (and cute) man never drinks his coffee, always leaves a generous tip, only stays long enough to scribble in a notebook, and wears the same KN95 mask. Call it barista instincts or a reasonable reaction to Theo’s undeniable sweetness, but Audrey is crushing hard.
Eagerly anticipating Theo's visits, Audrey relishes the precious few minutes they chat every time he orders his large, extra-hot Americano. When an incident reveals the horrific facial scar he's hiding beneath his mask, Theo flees the café in shame, dropping his sketchbook and leaving a part of his broken heart behind.
Audrey decides to find Theo, return his book, and confess her feelings. Before long, they’re inseparable, talking nonstop and meeting up for dates at the coffee shop.
But Theo is reluctant to fully let Audrey into his heart. He continues to hide his scar and refuses to talk about his past. Their feelings are bubbling under the surface, but will Theo—and the truth behind his accident—keep him from finding the love they've both been longing for?
Love is brewing as a barista falls for a reclusive artist struggling with the tragic aftermath of an accident in this charming, epic romance.
Audrey Adams knows the exact routine for all her regular customers. That’s what happens when you work at the same Brooklyn coffee shop for years. So it’s completely normal that she notices Theo Sullivan, a shy new patron who comes in at exactly 8:17 a.m., right? And that this incredibly tall (and cute) man never drinks his coffee, always leaves a generous tip, only stays long enough to scribble in a notebook, and wears the same KN95 mask. Call it barista instincts or a reasonable reaction to Theo’s undeniable sweetness, but Audrey is crushing hard.
Eagerly anticipating Theo's visits, Audrey relishes the precious few minutes they chat every time he orders his large, extra-hot Americano. When an incident reveals the horrific facial scar he's hiding beneath his mask, Theo flees the café in shame, dropping his sketchbook and leaving a part of his broken heart behind.
Audrey decides to find Theo, return his book, and confess her feelings. Before long, they’re inseparable, talking nonstop and meeting up for dates at the coffee shop.
But Theo is reluctant to fully let Audrey into his heart. He continues to hide his scar and refuses to talk about his past. Their feelings are bubbling under the surface, but will Theo—and the truth behind his accident—keep him from finding the love they've both been longing for?
508 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2026
About the author
Michelle C. Harris
2 books103 followersMichelle C. Harris grew up deep in the heart of the Central Texas Hill Country, devouring as many books as she did tacos. By day, she wrangles academics at a university, and by night, she pens stories about love, magic, and men who yearn under the intense supervision of her Shiba Inu, Pippa.
In her spare time, you can find her playing volleyball, buying more tea than she could ever possibly drink, and writing fan fiction about star-crossed space wizards on AO3.
In her spare time, you can find her playing volleyball, buying more tea than she could ever possibly drink, and writing fan fiction about star-crossed space wizards on AO3.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 356 reviews
March 25, 2026
PROCEED WITH CAUTION
one stars are rare for me and i hate doing reviews on them but i refuse to sugar coat for feelings
Did I read the same thing as everyone else??? I went in hoping for a cute, slow-burn coffee shop read… and instead? got… whatever this was😭😭😭
Audrey. Good grief. Audrey. She was the absolute worst. Not just annoying, but actively making me question my own life choices for reading her thoughts. Bossy? Check. Condescending? Double check. I feel like she literally couldn’t stop patronizing Theo, and it got so exhausting that I wanted to hide under my bed & where was her personality?? 😭😭 I feel like there were almost zero interesting aspects to her character 🥲🥲
And Theo. Poor, giant, emotionally catastrophic Theo. (sarcasm detected) His insecurity is… honestly exhausting. 🫠 I get trauma, scars, and social anxiety (truly I do) but every tiny thing Audrey did that annoyed him or every word of perceived judgment instantly launched him into full-on cry-begging mode. “Do you hate me?” Bro you are way too old to be acting like that. Ew. Ew. Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop. Also I didn’t need forty-seven different synonyms for “large” shoved into every single paragraph about him. 😭😭😭 like we get it, he’s a big boy. I also just felt like he was nothing but his insecurities. Personality? Character growth? WHERE ARE YOUUU?? Unless “more crying and screaming about feeling ugly” counts as growth, then nope. 🥲🤚🏼
The romance itself? genuinely felt nonexistent. 🤷🏼♀️ The story keeps telling me they’re perfect for each other, but I was never actually shown any chemistry that made me care?? All I saw was Audrey being irritatingly controlling and Theo flailing helplessly in the emotional wind 😭😭 i was not convinced there were actually a good match😭😐
The length?! Literally so long??? for what??? It could have been condensed into half the pages.
(ESPECIALLY THAT EPILOGUE!???!) 😅
& apparently this is a Reylo fanfic? No clue what that even is, so maybe that’s why I didn’t vibe with it at all. The whole thing just read like… honestly, I don’t even know how to describe it as a whole I’m just glad it’s over
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
one stars are rare for me and i hate doing reviews on them but i refuse to sugar coat for feelings
Did I read the same thing as everyone else??? I went in hoping for a cute, slow-burn coffee shop read… and instead? got… whatever this was😭😭😭
Audrey. Good grief. Audrey. She was the absolute worst. Not just annoying, but actively making me question my own life choices for reading her thoughts. Bossy? Check. Condescending? Double check. I feel like she literally couldn’t stop patronizing Theo, and it got so exhausting that I wanted to hide under my bed & where was her personality?? 😭😭 I feel like there were almost zero interesting aspects to her character 🥲🥲
And Theo. Poor, giant, emotionally catastrophic Theo. (sarcasm detected) His insecurity is… honestly exhausting. 🫠 I get trauma, scars, and social anxiety (truly I do) but every tiny thing Audrey did that annoyed him or every word of perceived judgment instantly launched him into full-on cry-begging mode. “Do you hate me?” Bro you are way too old to be acting like that. Ew. Ew. Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop. Also I didn’t need forty-seven different synonyms for “large” shoved into every single paragraph about him. 😭😭😭 like we get it, he’s a big boy. I also just felt like he was nothing but his insecurities. Personality? Character growth? WHERE ARE YOUUU?? Unless “more crying and screaming about feeling ugly” counts as growth, then nope. 🥲🤚🏼
The romance itself? genuinely felt nonexistent. 🤷🏼♀️ The story keeps telling me they’re perfect for each other, but I was never actually shown any chemistry that made me care?? All I saw was Audrey being irritatingly controlling and Theo flailing helplessly in the emotional wind 😭😭 i was not convinced there were actually a good match😭😐
The length?! Literally so long??? for what??? It could have been condensed into half the pages.
(ESPECIALLY THAT EPILOGUE!???!) 😅
& apparently this is a Reylo fanfic? No clue what that even is, so maybe that’s why I didn’t vibe with it at all. The whole thing just read like… honestly, I don’t even know how to describe it as a whole I’m just glad it’s over
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 6, 2025
Audrey works at a coffee shop and knows all her regular customers. When a tall, shy guy dressed in black and wearing a mask walks in for the first time, he’s impossible not to notice. He always orders coffee, leaves generous tips, and sketches in his notebook. After a certain incident, Audrey learns that he hides a scar under his mask—one he’s deeply insecure about—but she’s determined to show him that his appearance is no obstacle to her feelings.
Oh my God, this book was absolutely wonderful! Michelle C. Harris portrayed the mental health and disability rep tropes so beautifully. This story completely pulled me in—I spent two days reading it every free minute, not skipping a single word. The character growth and development throughout the story were incredible to witness.
Even though the book doesn’t have a third-act breakup and things go smoothly for the main characters most of the time, I was never bored! So many moments touched my heart, and I often wanted to hug them both.
It’s such a tender and heartwarming love story about two people who heal each other. It truly reached deep into my soul!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓mental health rep
✓disability rep
✓cozy romance
✓artist x barista
✓no third act breakup
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Oh my God, this book was absolutely wonderful! Michelle C. Harris portrayed the mental health and disability rep tropes so beautifully. This story completely pulled me in—I spent two days reading it every free minute, not skipping a single word. The character growth and development throughout the story were incredible to witness.
Even though the book doesn’t have a third-act breakup and things go smoothly for the main characters most of the time, I was never bored! So many moments touched my heart, and I often wanted to hug them both.
It’s such a tender and heartwarming love story about two people who heal each other. It truly reached deep into my soul!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓mental health rep
✓disability rep
✓cozy romance
✓artist x barista
✓no third act breakup
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
All the stars for this gem 🥲💕
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It's no joke, my dream combination of tropes and progression of a storyline. It's mainly character-driven and so full of love and healing- I'm so attached to these characters you don't understand (and have been for a while, but I get into all of that at the end 😭).
I'd definitely recommend this story to people who love character-driven romances, with lots of communication and lots of growth. It's such a sweet and meaningful read:
※mental health rep
※no third act breakup
※disability rep
※cozy romance
※artist x barista
Audrey and Theo are so perfect, they were quite literally made for each other. Their relationship with one another and all the side characters was so well-rounded and really nicely written. The character development in this story is so good.
I love how there was no miscommunication or third-act breakup, where this is purely focused on the MCs and their love for one another. It's so refreshing to read about characters that stay consistent with their previous characterization, and can be so mature and in tune with one another. This has become such a comfort read.
This story will always mean so much to me. You always hear about certain stories from different fanfic sites that get traditionally published, but this was my first time actually having known a story before then. So it felt so special to read this book, and know about the little changes, and having read it as it was being written, to it now being an official book.
Having read the original version first on AO3, I tried looking at the book from an unbiased perspective, to see if I would have liked it had I not read it before, and to be completely honest, I truly think I would have loved this either way.
I guess my only complaint is that I got greedy 😭? I just wanted to read more of these characters. The original story was a bit longer and had a lot more domestic scenes that I loved, which I felt like gave the characters a lot of depth and warmth, which I feel like this really would have benefited from. I get that changes had to be made, but I do wish that certain scenes/plot points had been kept in.
All in all, I am just completely obsessed with this. Audrey and Theo are my babies, and them getting their HEA is just so perfect.
It was so tastefully written, and I can't wait to see this getting the love that it deserves!
*Lots of love to Michelle C. Harris for the arc
--=--
Y'all aren't ready for how insufferable I'm going to become when this comes out 😭😭.
This is one of my fav Reylo fics ever (I'm a Reylo girl through and through)- and going from reading this as it came out and waiting for the updates to now finding out it's going to be an officially published novel is just insane. It's such a special story, and no joke one of my comfort reads that I always come back to.
I'm so insanely excited to have the physical book on my shelf 🥹.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It's no joke, my dream combination of tropes and progression of a storyline. It's mainly character-driven and so full of love and healing- I'm so attached to these characters you don't understand (and have been for a while, but I get into all of that at the end 😭).
I'd definitely recommend this story to people who love character-driven romances, with lots of communication and lots of growth. It's such a sweet and meaningful read:
※mental health rep
※no third act breakup
※disability rep
※cozy romance
※artist x barista
Audrey and Theo are so perfect, they were quite literally made for each other. Their relationship with one another and all the side characters was so well-rounded and really nicely written. The character development in this story is so good.
I love how there was no miscommunication or third-act breakup, where this is purely focused on the MCs and their love for one another. It's so refreshing to read about characters that stay consistent with their previous characterization, and can be so mature and in tune with one another. This has become such a comfort read.
This story will always mean so much to me. You always hear about certain stories from different fanfic sites that get traditionally published, but this was my first time actually having known a story before then. So it felt so special to read this book, and know about the little changes, and having read it as it was being written, to it now being an official book.
Having read the original version first on AO3, I tried looking at the book from an unbiased perspective, to see if I would have liked it had I not read it before, and to be completely honest, I truly think I would have loved this either way.
I guess my only complaint is that I got greedy 😭? I just wanted to read more of these characters. The original story was a bit longer and had a lot more domestic scenes that I loved, which I felt like gave the characters a lot of depth and warmth, which I feel like this really would have benefited from. I get that changes had to be made, but I do wish that certain scenes/plot points had been kept in.
All in all, I am just completely obsessed with this. Audrey and Theo are my babies, and them getting their HEA is just so perfect.
It was so tastefully written, and I can't wait to see this getting the love that it deserves!
*Lots of love to Michelle C. Harris for the arc
--=--
Y'all aren't ready for how insufferable I'm going to become when this comes out 😭😭.
This is one of my fav Reylo fics ever (I'm a Reylo girl through and through)- and going from reading this as it came out and waiting for the updates to now finding out it's going to be an officially published novel is just insane. It's such a special story, and no joke one of my comfort reads that I always come back to.
I'm so insanely excited to have the physical book on my shelf 🥹.
November 2, 2025
Thank you to Berkley for a free copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If I had read this back in 2020-2022 I would have loved it. Unfortunately, I'm reading it in 2025 while in my mid-twenties, no longer depressed from quarantine. There's a great quote from Jane Austen's Emma, "If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." And I have a lot to say.
Before I get going any further, I want to emphasize that I love reading fan fiction. I read millions of words worth of fanfic per year and love seeing an author go from writing for fun, to being "discovered" and traditionally published. But there are ways to do it that support the author, and ways that set readers (i.e. me) up for disappointment.
All I knew before starting this book was that it written by a debut author and published by Berkley. When I say I went in completely blind, I mean it. It took less than 10% of the story for me to suspect that it was a reylo fanfic, and less than 15% for me to be able to start attributing Star Wars characters to each of the characters within the story. When a story is a find/replace names, copy/paste version of an old fic it does a disservice to the author, in my opinion. A Latte Like Love is a perfect example. As someone who has only seen The Force Awakens, the fact that I was able to figure out who each character was in the original fanfic makes me feel like there wasn't enough separation from the original source material. If the author is looking to maintain their same audience from ao3 this works great. However, when the goal is to expand their audience, doing this feels like a missed opportunity.
A large reason this story worked so well as a fanfic is because the audience had a pre-established relationship with the characters. So even when the story is set in an alternate universe/modern setting, it's easy to dismiss all of the unrealistic moments within the story. A Latte Like Love throws you in to this cute coffee shop meet cute but without the previous attachments and storyline (aka Ben Solo ditching the Jedi order to join the dark side and Rey being an orphan) it feels so unrealistic. How many things can actually go wrong for these poor people? I could not suspend my disbelief about some (okay, most) of the events within the book.
The story structure was also extremely reminiscent of a fanfic. There were too many plot points that didn't serve the overall plot, aka Theo and Audrey's relationship. When reading a contemporary romance there are only so many detours I can take, and this story took me on too many. Numerous characters felt thrown into the story in a way that would have been exciting in the fic, but in this story they're just a random person doesn't add to the overall story. You don’t have the excitement from seeing a cameo, but those cameos were still included.
Audrey and Theo, our main characters, were incredibly unconvincing as a couple that would stay together for the long run. The story constantly told me that they were perfect together and so in love, but I rarely felt like I was shown that. It didn’t help that the FMC gave me the most visceral ick I have ever experienced in my life. She was so weirdly bossy and treated the MMC like more of a project than an actual human being. She was constantly condescending to him and acting like he was a child, not a 32 year old man who is 8 years her senior. If you didn’t know, the MMC is LARGE. His size was brought up a million and a half times. His head was large, his body was humongous, his hands were massive, he was HUGE. I feel like other authors (cough Ali Hazelwood cough) get a lot of flack for bringing up how big their MMC's are, but this was a whole new level. I read more synonyms for big in this book than are in all of Ali Hazelwood's novels COMBINED (love you Ali) . He also had such intense anger problems that were constantly excused because he has mommy issues, is insecure about his scars, and is "going to therapy" to better himself. PLEASE. Every single time he's rude he starts crying and asking Audrey if she hates him or thinks he's ugly. And when she mentions she wants to pay off her loans herself because she doesn't want to be financially dependent on anyone he calls her stupid and says if he pays them off then she'll be free to do whatever?? wtf???
The prose was trying so hard to be poetic and deep but came across as disingenuous and forced. After the fifth instance of staccato sentences it felt overdone, and that wasn't even a quarter of the way into the novel. But wouldn't you know it, it just kept happening. AND THE EPILOGUE. I hit 84% on my kindle and suddenly I was reading an epilogue from Theo's POV. This book is 512 pages long. 16% is over EIGHTY PAGES. At that point just write and release a novella. The 80 page epilogue is yet another moment that emphasizes that this was written as a fanfic and not edited to reflect a trad deal. A massive section from the MMC's POV in a fic is a blessing. In a trad book? Just add it throughout the story or have an additional bonus chapter at the end. Don't call it an epilogue??
As much as I wanted to like this book, it wasn’t for me. I was annoyed with the characters the entire time. The book could have gone from 500 to 350 pages in no time if just two of Theo's scenes where he's being needlessly insecure for the 1000th time was cut.
This story should have been a complete rewrite, not just a mild edit for the names. 1.5 stars.
If I had read this back in 2020-2022 I would have loved it. Unfortunately, I'm reading it in 2025 while in my mid-twenties, no longer depressed from quarantine. There's a great quote from Jane Austen's Emma, "If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." And I have a lot to say.
Before I get going any further, I want to emphasize that I love reading fan fiction. I read millions of words worth of fanfic per year and love seeing an author go from writing for fun, to being "discovered" and traditionally published. But there are ways to do it that support the author, and ways that set readers (i.e. me) up for disappointment.
All I knew before starting this book was that it written by a debut author and published by Berkley. When I say I went in completely blind, I mean it. It took less than 10% of the story for me to suspect that it was a reylo fanfic, and less than 15% for me to be able to start attributing Star Wars characters to each of the characters within the story. When a story is a find/replace names, copy/paste version of an old fic it does a disservice to the author, in my opinion. A Latte Like Love is a perfect example. As someone who has only seen The Force Awakens, the fact that I was able to figure out who each character was in the original fanfic makes me feel like there wasn't enough separation from the original source material. If the author is looking to maintain their same audience from ao3 this works great. However, when the goal is to expand their audience, doing this feels like a missed opportunity.
A large reason this story worked so well as a fanfic is because the audience had a pre-established relationship with the characters. So even when the story is set in an alternate universe/modern setting, it's easy to dismiss all of the unrealistic moments within the story. A Latte Like Love throws you in to this cute coffee shop meet cute but without the previous attachments and storyline (aka Ben Solo ditching the Jedi order to join the dark side and Rey being an orphan) it feels so unrealistic. How many things can actually go wrong for these poor people? I could not suspend my disbelief about some (okay, most) of the events within the book.
The story structure was also extremely reminiscent of a fanfic. There were too many plot points that didn't serve the overall plot, aka Theo and Audrey's relationship. When reading a contemporary romance there are only so many detours I can take, and this story took me on too many. Numerous characters felt thrown into the story in a way that would have been exciting in the fic, but in this story they're just a random person doesn't add to the overall story. You don’t have the excitement from seeing a cameo, but those cameos were still included.
Audrey and Theo, our main characters, were incredibly unconvincing as a couple that would stay together for the long run. The story constantly told me that they were perfect together and so in love, but I rarely felt like I was shown that. It didn’t help that the FMC gave me the most visceral ick I have ever experienced in my life. She was so weirdly bossy and treated the MMC like more of a project than an actual human being. She was constantly condescending to him and acting like he was a child, not a 32 year old man who is 8 years her senior. If you didn’t know, the MMC is LARGE. His size was brought up a million and a half times. His head was large, his body was humongous, his hands were massive, he was HUGE. I feel like other authors (cough Ali Hazelwood cough) get a lot of flack for bringing up how big their MMC's are, but this was a whole new level. I read more synonyms for big in this book than are in all of Ali Hazelwood's novels COMBINED (love you Ali) . He also had such intense anger problems that were constantly excused because he has mommy issues, is insecure about his scars, and is "going to therapy" to better himself. PLEASE. Every single time he's rude he starts crying and asking Audrey if she hates him or thinks he's ugly. And when she mentions she wants to pay off her loans herself because she doesn't want to be financially dependent on anyone he calls her stupid and says if he pays them off then she'll be free to do whatever?? wtf???
The prose was trying so hard to be poetic and deep but came across as disingenuous and forced. After the fifth instance of staccato sentences it felt overdone, and that wasn't even a quarter of the way into the novel. But wouldn't you know it, it just kept happening. AND THE EPILOGUE. I hit 84% on my kindle and suddenly I was reading an epilogue from Theo's POV. This book is 512 pages long. 16% is over EIGHTY PAGES. At that point just write and release a novella. The 80 page epilogue is yet another moment that emphasizes that this was written as a fanfic and not edited to reflect a trad deal. A massive section from the MMC's POV in a fic is a blessing. In a trad book? Just add it throughout the story or have an additional bonus chapter at the end. Don't call it an epilogue??
As much as I wanted to like this book, it wasn’t for me. I was annoyed with the characters the entire time. The book could have gone from 500 to 350 pages in no time if just two of Theo's scenes where he's being needlessly insecure for the 1000th time was cut.
This story should have been a complete rewrite, not just a mild edit for the names. 1.5 stars.
April 15, 2026
4.5 stars
What a fantastic debut novel! I picked up the audiobook of A Latte Like Love on a whim, and I’m so happy I did! This was the kind of romance I love. A slow burn one, with all the feels and a bit of a tortured hero. Sigh. I adored Theo and Audrey both. Honestly, the only reason it wasn’t a full 5 stars is that the beginning, middle, and end feel a little disjointed. And it was a little on the long side. But, overall, I loved this so much!
What a fantastic debut novel! I picked up the audiobook of A Latte Like Love on a whim, and I’m so happy I did! This was the kind of romance I love. A slow burn one, with all the feels and a bit of a tortured hero. Sigh. I adored Theo and Audrey both. Honestly, the only reason it wasn’t a full 5 stars is that the beginning, middle, and end feel a little disjointed. And it was a little on the long side. But, overall, I loved this so much!
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 4.5 stars
Narrators: Beth Hicks & Jay Myers
Narration Rating: 4.25 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 14h 31m
April 29, 2026
6⭐️!!!
Holy freaking shit!!! are you kidding me?!!! I have no words other then I loved it so much. I was absolutely not prepared to be emotionally damaged. This one really got me in the feels and the author did so freaking well with all the subjects that were touched.
PLEASE READ THIS
Holy freaking shit!!! are you kidding me?!!! I have no words other then I loved it so much. I was absolutely not prepared to be emotionally damaged. This one really got me in the feels and the author did so freaking well with all the subjects that were touched.
PLEASE READ THIS
Want to Read
June 26, 2025More published Reylo 🫶
February 6, 2026
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. all opinions are my own.
i’m feeling pretty conflicted about this one. while i did enjoy it overall, there were some things that took me out of the story quite a bit.
first, this was a classic case of insta love and moving too fast - which i absolutely cannot stand (usually). in this case, the insta love and quick obsession felt by the characters didn’t bother me as much as it normally would, at least until a certain point where i felt they were DEF moving too fast. the first few times they see each other were honestly adorable with how flustered theo was, but then i was side eyeing them with how quickly their relationship developed.
speaking of theo & his personality, i completely understand him being an anxious person (like hello same) and that he experienced immense trauma from his accident, but the way he acted sometimes had me rolling my eyes. a lot of his actions (see: overreactions/anger issues) were just brushed off by himself or audrey. it was also pretty frustrating to read about him just crying/whining/absolutely freaking out (asking audrey if she’s mad at him, if he fucked it all up, if he’s weird, etc.) when he was insecure. again, i can understand the amount of healing and growth his character needed, but some scenes were a bit much.
also i got the ick - sorry! some of the dialogue was giving “oh pwincess” (iykyk) and theo just gave extreme edgelord and i was cringing. hard. and we get it: he’s huge and she’s super tiny. next!
another thing: audrey didn’t really have tangible flaws? or if she did, things were resolved way too quickly with little to no conflict and it was just like? nothing burger? ya know?
anyways! you might be asking yourself “hailee, why give this three stars if you hated it so much?” and i would then say that despite all my criticisms, i actually didn’t hate this one!!!!
i was hooked for most of the book (even if it was a bit too long and dragged in some sections, namely they got together too quickly and i like the build up the most in romance novels, but i digress) and found myself flying through these long chapters. i also really did enjoy the overall concept of the story and the sweet parts of their romance. there was one spicy scene in theo’s art studio that was honestly so good it had me blushing. i found the coffee shop meet cute/setting to be really fun, the art world and side characters were interesting, and the conflict with theo’s family was intriguing. i also liked the epilogue (again - a lil long!) and found myself tearing up over some parts with theo’s father.
i think part of why i did enjoy this despite my complaints is that it read like a classic fanfiction i would have read circa 2017-2020, which made it easy & fun to read.
anyways, forgive my ramblings. overall, this was pretty fun, a bit long, but still enjoyable.
i’m feeling pretty conflicted about this one. while i did enjoy it overall, there were some things that took me out of the story quite a bit.
first, this was a classic case of insta love and moving too fast - which i absolutely cannot stand (usually). in this case, the insta love and quick obsession felt by the characters didn’t bother me as much as it normally would, at least until a certain point where i felt they were DEF moving too fast. the first few times they see each other were honestly adorable with how flustered theo was, but then i was side eyeing them with how quickly their relationship developed.
speaking of theo & his personality, i completely understand him being an anxious person (like hello same) and that he experienced immense trauma from his accident, but the way he acted sometimes had me rolling my eyes. a lot of his actions (see: overreactions/anger issues) were just brushed off by himself or audrey. it was also pretty frustrating to read about him just crying/whining/absolutely freaking out (asking audrey if she’s mad at him, if he fucked it all up, if he’s weird, etc.) when he was insecure. again, i can understand the amount of healing and growth his character needed, but some scenes were a bit much.
also i got the ick - sorry! some of the dialogue was giving “oh pwincess” (iykyk) and theo just gave extreme edgelord and i was cringing. hard. and we get it: he’s huge and she’s super tiny. next!
another thing: audrey didn’t really have tangible flaws? or if she did, things were resolved way too quickly with little to no conflict and it was just like? nothing burger? ya know?
anyways! you might be asking yourself “hailee, why give this three stars if you hated it so much?” and i would then say that despite all my criticisms, i actually didn’t hate this one!!!!
i was hooked for most of the book (even if it was a bit too long and dragged in some sections, namely they got together too quickly and i like the build up the most in romance novels, but i digress) and found myself flying through these long chapters. i also really did enjoy the overall concept of the story and the sweet parts of their romance. there was one spicy scene in theo’s art studio that was honestly so good it had me blushing. i found the coffee shop meet cute/setting to be really fun, the art world and side characters were interesting, and the conflict with theo’s family was intriguing. i also liked the epilogue (again - a lil long!) and found myself tearing up over some parts with theo’s father.
i think part of why i did enjoy this despite my complaints is that it read like a classic fanfiction i would have read circa 2017-2020, which made it easy & fun to read.
anyways, forgive my ramblings. overall, this was pretty fun, a bit long, but still enjoyable.
April 13, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m still shocked this book exists in the Berkeley universe.
It somehow manages to be insta-love and painfully slow at the same time, which feels like a special kind of talent I didn’t ask for. I spent most of it bored, mildly irritated, and wondering why everyone was moving like they were on fast-forward except the plot.
And that epilogue for Theo… why was it a full production? It felt longer than the actual relationship arc.
I’m still shocked this book exists in the Berkeley universe.
It somehow manages to be insta-love and painfully slow at the same time, which feels like a special kind of talent I didn’t ask for. I spent most of it bored, mildly irritated, and wondering why everyone was moving like they were on fast-forward except the plot.
And that epilogue for Theo… why was it a full production? It felt longer than the actual relationship arc.
April 3, 2026
This started out very cute but then got long and awkward. I enjoyed their initial meeting and their getting to know each other but then it dragged on, with nothing really happening. This one wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
November 20, 2025
“A Latte Like Love” by Michelle C. Harris
2⭐️/5⭐️
3🌶/5🌶
I love reading Reylo-coded books, and I love reading fic that has been reworked to become new stories that can be published either indie or traditionally. That being said, I did not enjoy this book and feel strongly that it should have stayed a fic. I haven’t even read the original fic, but I don’t think I ever need to because it reads like a 1:1 AU Reylo story. Meaning, it doesn’t stand on its own. Not enough changes were made from the source material, those references were far too transparent and not nuanced enough.
I wanted to connect more with the characters as individuals rather than jumping right into them meeting and dating. This story immediately picks up with them meeting. And while most of the time I don’t have a problem with it, there was little substance outside of their relationship. The supporting characters were not developed, they were just there to help facilitate the MCs’ relationship. I wanted more depth.
Audrey has no flaws, which I found incredibly boring. She always says and does the exact right thing, and any potential bumps with Theo are immediately addressed and smoothed out. I kept waiting for her to get exhausted playing pseudo-therapist to Theo, but it never happened. Actually, I kept waiting for SOMETHING to happen, but nothing really did?
The epilogue was painful to read, particularly the Star Wars references. I know this is Reylo, we all do, but you don’t need to beat me over the head with making references to the “cinematic masterpiece that is The Last Jedi”. Also, having an “I love you”/”I know” reference just made me roll my eyes. Please. Enough. I also found it a little bit of “too much too late” with what was included. We have an entire Theo POV, and he spends it going back and giving us the spark notes edition of how he met Audrey. I think it’s unnecessary and adds nothing to the story.
But the thing that caused me to go from “this is OK” to “...wait, wtf”, is when the author essentially rewords a line straight out of “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood. Now…I do not want to throw around the ‘p’ word, so I won’t. But that line was totally unnecessary and took me out of the story enough that I contemplated DNF’ing.
If you liked this story, I’m happy for you. If you like Reylo, maybe give this a shot? I didn’t care for it, but maybe others will.
2⭐️/5⭐️
3🌶/5🌶
I love reading Reylo-coded books, and I love reading fic that has been reworked to become new stories that can be published either indie or traditionally. That being said, I did not enjoy this book and feel strongly that it should have stayed a fic. I haven’t even read the original fic, but I don’t think I ever need to because it reads like a 1:1 AU Reylo story. Meaning, it doesn’t stand on its own. Not enough changes were made from the source material, those references were far too transparent and not nuanced enough.
I wanted to connect more with the characters as individuals rather than jumping right into them meeting and dating. This story immediately picks up with them meeting. And while most of the time I don’t have a problem with it, there was little substance outside of their relationship. The supporting characters were not developed, they were just there to help facilitate the MCs’ relationship. I wanted more depth.
Audrey has no flaws, which I found incredibly boring. She always says and does the exact right thing, and any potential bumps with Theo are immediately addressed and smoothed out. I kept waiting for her to get exhausted playing pseudo-therapist to Theo, but it never happened. Actually, I kept waiting for SOMETHING to happen, but nothing really did?
The epilogue was painful to read, particularly the Star Wars references. I know this is Reylo, we all do, but you don’t need to beat me over the head with making references to the “cinematic masterpiece that is The Last Jedi”. Also, having an “I love you”/”I know” reference just made me roll my eyes. Please. Enough. I also found it a little bit of “too much too late” with what was included. We have an entire Theo POV, and he spends it going back and giving us the spark notes edition of how he met Audrey. I think it’s unnecessary and adds nothing to the story.
But the thing that caused me to go from “this is OK” to “...wait, wtf”, is when the author essentially rewords a line straight out of “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood. Now…I do not want to throw around the ‘p’ word, so I won’t. But that line was totally unnecessary and took me out of the story enough that I contemplated DNF’ing.
If you liked this story, I’m happy for you. If you like Reylo, maybe give this a shot? I didn’t care for it, but maybe others will.
November 15, 2025
A reclusive artist and a barista working her way through an engineering degree meet in a coffee shop and fall in love.
Or: a reclusive, hot, scarred (literally and figuratively), rich (VERY RICH, VERY VERY RICH), TALL with massive hands, infamous & anonymous artist who cooks, draws portraits of you constantly and litters his house with them, loves to watch black & white movies and can out nerd you on almost any topic, and who owns a multi-story town house on the Hudson in NYC without roommates including electronic shades, a rooftop garden, and an art studio falls first (literally at first sight) for an orphaned barista who is struggling through college and lives in a shoebox with twin bunkbeds with her best friend. The two navigate their respective trauma and learn to lean on one another through all the hard bits of life (and there are a lot of hard bits for my trauma babies).
To say I was obsessed with this story from page one doesn't even do it justice. A romcom is making me cry at the 18% mark? Exception work. The characters, the trauma responses and the growth all felt incredibly realistic. These characters have been through some things, and I thought Michelle C. Harris navigated depression, suicide, trauma and therapy with grace and respect. The progression of this story is different from other contemporary romances I've read where the majority of the plot is the push and pull between will they/won't they. This story is not that. It's about two people who find each other, accept each other quickly, and then learn to navigate life together. It was a beautiful departure from the standard romcom timeline.
I would do absolutely anything for Theo. His little crash outs were just the cutest, and once he's comfortable with you? An absolute freak. I will be reading anything and everything Michelle C. Harris writes from now on. I did not know the lore of this story prior to diving in, and as a person who consumes massive amounts of AO3, I personally had no idea this was a fic (seeing people saying it's obviously, and I respectfully disagree). LOVE LOVE LOVE. Thank you Berkley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Or: a reclusive, hot, scarred (literally and figuratively), rich (VERY RICH, VERY VERY RICH), TALL with massive hands, infamous & anonymous artist who cooks, draws portraits of you constantly and litters his house with them, loves to watch black & white movies and can out nerd you on almost any topic, and who owns a multi-story town house on the Hudson in NYC without roommates including electronic shades, a rooftop garden, and an art studio falls first (literally at first sight) for an orphaned barista who is struggling through college and lives in a shoebox with twin bunkbeds with her best friend. The two navigate their respective trauma and learn to lean on one another through all the hard bits of life (and there are a lot of hard bits for my trauma babies).
To say I was obsessed with this story from page one doesn't even do it justice. A romcom is making me cry at the 18% mark? Exception work. The characters, the trauma responses and the growth all felt incredibly realistic. These characters have been through some things, and I thought Michelle C. Harris navigated depression, suicide, trauma and therapy with grace and respect. The progression of this story is different from other contemporary romances I've read where the majority of the plot is the push and pull between will they/won't they. This story is not that. It's about two people who find each other, accept each other quickly, and then learn to navigate life together. It was a beautiful departure from the standard romcom timeline.
I would do absolutely anything for Theo. His little crash outs were just the cutest, and once he's comfortable with you? An absolute freak. I will be reading anything and everything Michelle C. Harris writes from now on. I did not know the lore of this story prior to diving in, and as a person who consumes massive amounts of AO3, I personally had no idea this was a fic (seeing people saying it's obviously, and I respectfully disagree). LOVE LOVE LOVE. Thank you Berkley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2025
Michelle C Harris' debut, A LATTE LIKE LOVE, is perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood's fall hard and fast romances, and Hannah Bonam-Young's low stakes intense personal journeys. Audrey and Theo are the template for modern soulmates. Each page, each encounter, each word is delving deeper into the connection they share. So while the relationship feels cosmic, every moment of them solidifies how inevitable they are. Its a joy to read a pure, all-consuming love take shape.
At first glance you might think Theo and Audrey are a grumpy x sunshine pairing, but there is something unique about them that feels more like ... sunshine and sun-starved. Theo carries many traumatic burdens that has kept him away from goodness - believing the harshness of his inner demons. Audrey is optimism in a field of plight - persevering through all her hardest days with the intent to survive. They need each other, but not in a "I can fix them" way. More like, they fill the part of their heart that's been held open and waiting for their other half.
I appreciate also that the emotional threads were played at full volume. Audrey and Theo are raw and vulnerable with each other that apeaks to how safe they are together. It's truely rare to lay out your greateat fears and be sure it won't be used against you. That's the trust and love and care between soulmates.
A LATTE LIKE LOVE is a sweetly sincere read. Don't epxect much pearl clutching drama though. This one is all about personal journeys and emotional connection. Last thing. If you love a man that yearns, Theo Sullivan is your new book boyfriend.
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advance copy to read and review.
At first glance you might think Theo and Audrey are a grumpy x sunshine pairing, but there is something unique about them that feels more like ... sunshine and sun-starved. Theo carries many traumatic burdens that has kept him away from goodness - believing the harshness of his inner demons. Audrey is optimism in a field of plight - persevering through all her hardest days with the intent to survive. They need each other, but not in a "I can fix them" way. More like, they fill the part of their heart that's been held open and waiting for their other half.
I appreciate also that the emotional threads were played at full volume. Audrey and Theo are raw and vulnerable with each other that apeaks to how safe they are together. It's truely rare to lay out your greateat fears and be sure it won't be used against you. That's the trust and love and care between soulmates.
A LATTE LIKE LOVE is a sweetly sincere read. Don't epxect much pearl clutching drama though. This one is all about personal journeys and emotional connection. Last thing. If you love a man that yearns, Theo Sullivan is your new book boyfriend.
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advance copy to read and review.
October 31, 2025
An emotional and spicy romance told entirely from the FMC’s perspective. I absolutely loved the inclusion of a character with a physical disability and his emotional struggle with the changes in his life. The emotions felt so raw and real. The MMC is incredibly vulnerable and struggles with anxiety, and I loved how supportive the FMC was of him and how much he supported her in return. They were unbearably sweet, and I adored them together.
The story follows them as they get to know each other after an awkward meet-cute at the café where the FMC works. The book is a bit shorter than I expected because the last 15% is an extended epilogue told from the MMC’s perspective. It honestly felt like it could’ve been its own novella, but I loved that readers get it included here.
An amazing debut! I cried so much watching Theo and Audrey grow and fall in love.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc.
The story follows them as they get to know each other after an awkward meet-cute at the café where the FMC works. The book is a bit shorter than I expected because the last 15% is an extended epilogue told from the MMC’s perspective. It honestly felt like it could’ve been its own novella, but I loved that readers get it included here.
An amazing debut! I cried so much watching Theo and Audrey grow and fall in love.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc.
March 19, 2026
A heartfelt dual POV debut new adult romance between an NYC virgin barista and a scarred (literally) young man who has anxiety, panic attacks and PTSD from a car crash he was in with his father. The mental health rep in this book was top notch and I liked how it started off from her perspective and then switched to his halfway through, retelling the story from his eyes. A spicy slow burn that was low on angst but had a ton of emotional depth. Recommended for fans of authors like Elle Kennedy or Rebecca Jenshak. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
CW: suicidal ideation
CW: suicidal ideation
November 16, 2025
I have a new favorite sad, tortured book boyfriend, and his name is Theo Sullivan.
This man. My goodness. He’s just this sweet, anxious nerd. Smart AND talented. Donates to charity. Also, RICH. So rich. Old money rich and new money rich. If I hadn’t already been ready to marry him, the townhouse would have done me in.
Oh, and I didn’t think giant men were a thing I am into but my goodness, the way Michelle had me fixating on this man’s hands should be studied.
He cooks for her. He draws her. He takes care of her. He literally carries her everywhere so she doesn’t have to walk herself. Audrey is living the passenger princess life of my DREAMS.
I should not love this book as much as I do. I live for a slow burn. I love when they hate each other and stay that way for eons. Here, they are obsessed INSTANTLY. It’s mind-boggling to me how exceptionally well it works.
But the reality of Michelle Harris’s writing is that you don’t need slow hate or obstacles in the way or an 11th hour breakup to make a plot a plot. What A Latte Like Love brews up is a story about who you can grow into under the light of someone who sees you.
It’s slow, it’s patient. It’s so sad, with too real themes of suicide and low self-worth and healing and family trauma handled with such care. It’s full of small moments that will have you cackling (me, literally every time this boy crashes out). There’s real, raw intimacy that delivers beyond just spice.
Like overcoming our demons, or pulling the perfect espresso shot, or melding glass into something beautiful—it’s painstakingly precise and patient.
All the stars. Can’t wait for what Michelle writes next.
Thank you Berkley for the eARC!
This man. My goodness. He’s just this sweet, anxious nerd. Smart AND talented. Donates to charity. Also, RICH. So rich. Old money rich and new money rich. If I hadn’t already been ready to marry him, the townhouse would have done me in.
Oh, and I didn’t think giant men were a thing I am into but my goodness, the way Michelle had me fixating on this man’s hands should be studied.
He cooks for her. He draws her. He takes care of her. He literally carries her everywhere so she doesn’t have to walk herself. Audrey is living the passenger princess life of my DREAMS.
I should not love this book as much as I do. I live for a slow burn. I love when they hate each other and stay that way for eons. Here, they are obsessed INSTANTLY. It’s mind-boggling to me how exceptionally well it works.
But the reality of Michelle Harris’s writing is that you don’t need slow hate or obstacles in the way or an 11th hour breakup to make a plot a plot. What A Latte Like Love brews up is a story about who you can grow into under the light of someone who sees you.
It’s slow, it’s patient. It’s so sad, with too real themes of suicide and low self-worth and healing and family trauma handled with such care. It’s full of small moments that will have you cackling (me, literally every time this boy crashes out). There’s real, raw intimacy that delivers beyond just spice.
Like overcoming our demons, or pulling the perfect espresso shot, or melding glass into something beautiful—it’s painstakingly precise and patient.
All the stars. Can’t wait for what Michelle writes next.
Thank you Berkley for the eARC!
Did Not Finish
October 30, 2026No contemporary romance should be 500 pages
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
barista falls for a reclusive artist struggling with the tragic aftermath of an accident in A Latte Like Love.
Audrey Adams has been working at the same Brooklyn coffee shop for years. She's very good at her job. A new customer has been coming in in at exactly 8:17 every Tuesday morning. He doesn't say much and never drinks his coffee and never drinks his coffee, only staying long enough to scribble in a notebook. Audrey hasn't even seen his face because he wears a same KN95 mask.
Intrigued, Audrey begins anticipating Theo's visits. She attempts to make conversation. When an incident reveals a horrific facial scar he's hiding, Theo flees the café, dropping his sketchbook in the process. Audrey wants to return it to him and get to know him. Will Theo's reluctance to share his secrets stop the relationship before it begins? Can they find love?
A Latte Like Love starts off really sweetly. The moments with Audrey working in the coffee shop are fun. Who doesn't like a mysterious stranger? Unfortunately that is where my enjoyment ended.
Audrey and Theo meet and begin having feelings for each other too quickly. It feels like the whole premise of the story happens in the first couple of pages. The first three paragraphs of the Goodreads synopsis are the first 3% of the book! Of course more happens between them after that but I expected more buildup. After the initial tracking down and returning of the notebook the story feels like it's already advanced in plot, yet not many pages have passed.
The story isn't what I thought or hoped it would be. The book is too long. I also wasn't expecting all the spice. That's just my personal taste, but it does feel kind of unnecessary.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
Audrey Adams has been working at the same Brooklyn coffee shop for years. She's very good at her job. A new customer has been coming in in at exactly 8:17 every Tuesday morning. He doesn't say much and never drinks his coffee and never drinks his coffee, only staying long enough to scribble in a notebook. Audrey hasn't even seen his face because he wears a same KN95 mask.
Intrigued, Audrey begins anticipating Theo's visits. She attempts to make conversation. When an incident reveals a horrific facial scar he's hiding, Theo flees the café, dropping his sketchbook in the process. Audrey wants to return it to him and get to know him. Will Theo's reluctance to share his secrets stop the relationship before it begins? Can they find love?
A Latte Like Love starts off really sweetly. The moments with Audrey working in the coffee shop are fun. Who doesn't like a mysterious stranger? Unfortunately that is where my enjoyment ended.
Audrey and Theo meet and begin having feelings for each other too quickly. It feels like the whole premise of the story happens in the first couple of pages. The first three paragraphs of the Goodreads synopsis are the first 3% of the book! Of course more happens between them after that but I expected more buildup. After the initial tracking down and returning of the notebook the story feels like it's already advanced in plot, yet not many pages have passed.
The story isn't what I thought or hoped it would be. The book is too long. I also wasn't expecting all the spice. That's just my personal taste, but it does feel kind of unnecessary.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
April 7, 2026
Thank you to Berkley for the free book!!
READ IF YOU LIKE:
- age gap
- she woos him
- virgin FMC
- cinnamon roll MMC
- secret identity
THE THOUGHTS:
I'm literally obsessed. I can confidently say this is my top romance read of 2026 and any other romance book is REALLY going to have to step it up to even be considered number two.
Theo Sullivan truly is my ultimate cinnamon roll book boyfriend. He was SO sweet and SUCH a gentleman. Audrey was honestly such a smooth talker, I found myself swooning at her words as much as Theo did. Her patience with him and ability to calm him down was everything he needed (and me??).
As their relationship grew, Audrey was able to open up about her struggles and Theo found the perfect ways to give her a soft landing space that she had been searching for for so long. I don't want to spoil too much because their journey was so incredibly deep and emotional that I don't want to deprive any one of it!!!! If you've ever taken a book rec from me, please let it be this one, I'm begging you.
READ IF YOU LIKE:
- age gap
- she woos him
- virgin FMC
- cinnamon roll MMC
- secret identity
THE THOUGHTS:
I'm literally obsessed. I can confidently say this is my top romance read of 2026 and any other romance book is REALLY going to have to step it up to even be considered number two.
Theo Sullivan truly is my ultimate cinnamon roll book boyfriend. He was SO sweet and SUCH a gentleman. Audrey was honestly such a smooth talker, I found myself swooning at her words as much as Theo did. Her patience with him and ability to calm him down was everything he needed (and me??).
As their relationship grew, Audrey was able to open up about her struggles and Theo found the perfect ways to give her a soft landing space that she had been searching for for so long. I don't want to spoil too much because their journey was so incredibly deep and emotional that I don't want to deprive any one of it!!!! If you've ever taken a book rec from me, please let it be this one, I'm begging you.
March 7, 2026
DNF at 30%
As a huge Star Wars and Reylo fan, I tried. I really did.
Not only is this a poor representation of Rey and Ben, the story didn’t even give us much insight into who Audrey really was as a character. Very one-dimensional.
As a huge Star Wars and Reylo fan, I tried. I really did.
Not only is this a poor representation of Rey and Ben, the story didn’t even give us much insight into who Audrey really was as a character. Very one-dimensional.
April 15, 2026
3.5/5 stars
This is a review of the ebook and audiobook. The audiobook is performed in duet narration by Beth Hicks and Jay Myers.
I loved the beginning of this book so much. The book is set in NYC. It is mostly told from the female POV. However because the audiobook is duet I felt like we got so much of the male audiobook performer.
The heroine is Audrey (24). She is working as a barista while finishing her last semester in electrical engineering.
The male main character is Theo (32). Theo is a shy, anxious broken man who comes into the coffee shop.
The beginning is sweet and cozy and awesome. Then we get instalove and the book switches to spicy. Apparently the book is Reylo fanfic.
This book is hard to rate. It was enjoyable. But the beginning, middle and end are completely different. The beginning seemed like a super sweet story. I actually wish that this was closed door. It’s so sexy, which is fine. But it’s just such a different tone than the beginning.
The instalove and him calling her sweetheart right away was not my favorite. I felt so bad for everything that he had gone through. The book is definitely heartbreaking and emotional.
I liked the family drama. I liked each of their best friends. I loved his being an artist.
The duet narration really made this audiobook special. It is my first time listening to both Beth Hicks and Jay Myers. And I thought that they both did a very good job.
The epilogue confused me so much. It was 90 pages?!? It was called “Theo’s epilogue” and basically told so much of the story again but from his POV. I did enjoy the scenes that took place after the last chapter. But the epilogue was way too long
Overall the duet narration on the audiobook took the audiobook to the next level. It’s rare for me to love a story so much at the start but then feel like we got such a different book in the middle. Good but super sexy. Then I don’t even know what to make of the epilogue. It read like a novella telling the same story but from the male POV.
Thanks to Berkley Romance and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
This is a review of the ebook and audiobook. The audiobook is performed in duet narration by Beth Hicks and Jay Myers.
I loved the beginning of this book so much. The book is set in NYC. It is mostly told from the female POV. However because the audiobook is duet I felt like we got so much of the male audiobook performer.
The heroine is Audrey (24). She is working as a barista while finishing her last semester in electrical engineering.
The male main character is Theo (32). Theo is a shy, anxious broken man who comes into the coffee shop.
The beginning is sweet and cozy and awesome. Then we get instalove and the book switches to spicy. Apparently the book is Reylo fanfic.
This book is hard to rate. It was enjoyable. But the beginning, middle and end are completely different. The beginning seemed like a super sweet story. I actually wish that this was closed door. It’s so sexy, which is fine. But it’s just such a different tone than the beginning.
The instalove and him calling her sweetheart right away was not my favorite. I felt so bad for everything that he had gone through. The book is definitely heartbreaking and emotional.
I liked the family drama. I liked each of their best friends. I loved his being an artist.
The duet narration really made this audiobook special. It is my first time listening to both Beth Hicks and Jay Myers. And I thought that they both did a very good job.
The epilogue confused me so much. It was 90 pages?!? It was called “Theo’s epilogue” and basically told so much of the story again but from his POV. I did enjoy the scenes that took place after the last chapter. But the epilogue was way too long
Overall the duet narration on the audiobook took the audiobook to the next level. It’s rare for me to love a story so much at the start but then feel like we got such a different book in the middle. Good but super sexy. Then I don’t even know what to make of the epilogue. It read like a novella telling the same story but from the male POV.
Thanks to Berkley Romance and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
September 13, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
It was good but it was just toooo damn long. Like truly, I docked it a full star because I just wanted it to be over by the end. The entire Theo epilogue was unnecessary imo but I could also see myself really appreciating it had I read it at a different time (maybe when I was not obsessed with a tv show that I wanted to watch instead of read but had to finish this book so that I could start the next book club book okay the logic makes more sense in my head I swear)
Also, it’s lowkey insta love but didn’t bother me as much as most insta love stories.
I really liked Theo and thought his trauma was very real. It made me cry. I also liked how Audrey helped Theo deal with it and mend his relationships and self image. I don’t really get what she gets out of the relationship other than a hot guy who makes her food but who am I to judge lmao. Yeah I think that was the most unrealistic thing for me the whole time. I didn’t get what Audrey’s insta obsession w Theo was but I understood his about her lol. But despite that it was still like a 4.5 until it started feeling like it was dragging at the end- turns out it was just a TWO AND A HALF HOUR EPILOGUE fml
It was good but it was just toooo damn long. Like truly, I docked it a full star because I just wanted it to be over by the end. The entire Theo epilogue was unnecessary imo but I could also see myself really appreciating it had I read it at a different time (maybe when I was not obsessed with a tv show that I wanted to watch instead of read but had to finish this book so that I could start the next book club book okay the logic makes more sense in my head I swear)
Also, it’s lowkey insta love but didn’t bother me as much as most insta love stories.
I really liked Theo and thought his trauma was very real. It made me cry. I also liked how Audrey helped Theo deal with it and mend his relationships and self image. I don’t really get what she gets out of the relationship other than a hot guy who makes her food but who am I to judge lmao. Yeah I think that was the most unrealistic thing for me the whole time. I didn’t get what Audrey’s insta obsession w Theo was but I understood his about her lol. But despite that it was still like a 4.5 until it started feeling like it was dragging at the end- turns out it was just a TWO AND A HALF HOUR EPILOGUE fml
March 18, 2026
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the free copy of this book!
what an absolutely endearing romance story!!! audrey and theo are such sweet leads and i was kicking my feet and giggling from the very start. i'm not usually interested in insta-love plots, but this one got me. it made sense for their story and i couldn't imagine it going any differently.
also, big shoutout to the supporting characters (josh, violet and diego). we better be getting their love stories too please!!! not often do authors do a good job of fleshing out side characters, but i feel like michelle c. harris did a fantastic job writing each of them. not only did i fall in love with audrey and theo, i also fell in love with the friendships they had with their best friends. platonic love is so special and we got to see so many amazing versions of that in this story.
my only complaint is that theo's epilogue felt a smidge too long. some of it felt repetitive, but i am truly grateful for the new pieces of his and audrey's story from theo's perspective. at the end of the day, i love to see theo and audrey thriving!!! super excited to see what michelle c. harris writes next.
May 7, 2026
Hi. I have written an essay on this book, and it will include spoilers eventually.
First off, mental health romances are my jam. So when I saw good things about this one and that it featured a depressed, scarred hero? Yep, I’m in…. Even though a 500-page romance is a giant red flag.
So here’s the thing — if you are ready for 500 pages and if you are ready for super-saccharine, over-the-top angst? You might love it. Hell, I loved it for a while - I saw real promise here and I was vibing with the angst - but it went on for too long to the point that it turned to eye rolls. Here is a quote that will help you decide if it’s right for you: “Her scar ran as deep as the one on his face, only hers was in her soul.”
Hmmmm.
If you still aren’t sure, here are some other things (SPOILERS I suppose) to know:
1. He’s an extremely rich artist. Of course he is.
2. She’s a poor, former-foster-kid virgin. Of course she is. (She didn’t have to be a virgin. That’s when I started turning on this thing, feeling like it was veering into teenaged-Mary-Sue territory.)
3. He’s big. And no, not just his dick (but yes, that too)… we are constantly reminded of how large he is.
4. He’s in a lot of pain from an accident, all the time. His body really got fucked up. And yet he’s constantly picking her up and nearly as often carrying her UP AND DOWN SETS OF STAIRS. No way.
5. They got together pretty quickly — at least, considering how much of the book was left to go…. Really should’ve been a slow burn instead. And this is coming from someone who gets frustrated by slow burns.
6. The chapter that covers his accident is too long. Like, wow, the family melodrama in that one. There’s a lot of stuff here that should have been cut. 500 pages!?
7. And then the last chapter was an 83-page epilogue. (After a ‘that’s it?’ ending.) But not really - more of a recap from his perspective. So ok, this was definitely a multi-part fanfic at one point, yeah? It felt like a ‘deleted bonus scene’ or something.
So basically… off to a promising start… but then it turned into the kind of book that I have a feeling was a multi-part fanfic at one point. Like, yes, I am 100% sure that’s what it was, had to be. It felt like self-insert fanfic, and an immature one at that. Edit the shit out of it and maybe you have something. 1.5 stars.
First off, mental health romances are my jam. So when I saw good things about this one and that it featured a depressed, scarred hero? Yep, I’m in…. Even though a 500-page romance is a giant red flag.
So here’s the thing — if you are ready for 500 pages and if you are ready for super-saccharine, over-the-top angst? You might love it. Hell, I loved it for a while - I saw real promise here and I was vibing with the angst - but it went on for too long to the point that it turned to eye rolls. Here is a quote that will help you decide if it’s right for you: “Her scar ran as deep as the one on his face, only hers was in her soul.”
Hmmmm.
If you still aren’t sure, here are some other things (SPOILERS I suppose) to know:
1. He’s an extremely rich artist. Of course he is.
2. She’s a poor, former-foster-kid virgin. Of course she is. (She didn’t have to be a virgin. That’s when I started turning on this thing, feeling like it was veering into teenaged-Mary-Sue territory.)
3. He’s big. And no, not just his dick (but yes, that too)… we are constantly reminded of how large he is.
4. He’s in a lot of pain from an accident, all the time. His body really got fucked up. And yet he’s constantly picking her up and nearly as often carrying her UP AND DOWN SETS OF STAIRS. No way.
5. They got together pretty quickly — at least, considering how much of the book was left to go…. Really should’ve been a slow burn instead. And this is coming from someone who gets frustrated by slow burns.
6. The chapter that covers his accident is too long. Like, wow, the family melodrama in that one. There’s a lot of stuff here that should have been cut. 500 pages!?
7. And then the last chapter was an 83-page epilogue. (After a ‘that’s it?’ ending.) But not really - more of a recap from his perspective. So ok, this was definitely a multi-part fanfic at one point, yeah? It felt like a ‘deleted bonus scene’ or something.
So basically… off to a promising start… but then it turned into the kind of book that I have a feeling was a multi-part fanfic at one point. Like, yes, I am 100% sure that’s what it was, had to be. It felt like self-insert fanfic, and an immature one at that. Edit the shit out of it and maybe you have something. 1.5 stars.
April 28, 2026
How do I even sum up this reading experience when it was just SO MUCH?! Like, this was a contemporary romance — but it was more than that. There was grief and loss and life changing injury and emotional wounds and therapy and parental neglect and foster care and food insecurity and just so many facets to this story!! It really was just so much more than I could have imagined.
This was just such a great story. And having Theo’s massive (aka Theo size!) epilogue at the end was SUCH A TREAT! To get to have the chance to experience so many moments from the story from his unique perspective was so special. I loved the countdown he had playing in his mind constantly. 🥹 And specifically to have those POVs happen for the reader *after* the bulk of the book gave us such a chance to appreciate it more. Or for it to just mean so much more to us!
I love how this story just started right in the thick of things. There was no warm up period… we just dove right into the story and things didn’t slow down. I loved that. I love reading the ways Audrey and Theo came together and how they grew and helped to heal each other. Also the spice was so unbelievably good! I love the breadcrumbs Michelle put down between Ali and Violet and just hope and pray we get more books set in this world. It also felt so right for this book to not have a third act breakup - I really appreciated that.
As hard as it was to revisit the cause of Theo’s pain it was also written in such a real and visceral way that I really enjoyed reading it. Even though it was really difficult to parse through such devestation! It caused me to really reflect introspectively on the way I treat the people I come in contact with… we really have no idea what others are dealing with and what demons they’re fighting. Even as a deeply caring & empathetic person, I know I can still do better. And I’ve got this book to thank for that.
Audrey & Theo’s story feels tattooed on my heart. It’s not one I’ll ever forget. I had high expectations of this book and yet Michelle somehow absolutely swept me away with this one! I am so glad this story exists!!! Thank you so much to Berkley for the ARC — all opinions are my own.
This was just such a great story. And having Theo’s massive (aka Theo size!) epilogue at the end was SUCH A TREAT! To get to have the chance to experience so many moments from the story from his unique perspective was so special. I loved the countdown he had playing in his mind constantly. 🥹 And specifically to have those POVs happen for the reader *after* the bulk of the book gave us such a chance to appreciate it more. Or for it to just mean so much more to us!
I love how this story just started right in the thick of things. There was no warm up period… we just dove right into the story and things didn’t slow down. I loved that. I love reading the ways Audrey and Theo came together and how they grew and helped to heal each other. Also the spice was so unbelievably good! I love the breadcrumbs Michelle put down between Ali and Violet and just hope and pray we get more books set in this world. It also felt so right for this book to not have a third act breakup - I really appreciated that.
As hard as it was to revisit the cause of Theo’s pain it was also written in such a real and visceral way that I really enjoyed reading it. Even though it was really difficult to parse through such devestation! It caused me to really reflect introspectively on the way I treat the people I come in contact with… we really have no idea what others are dealing with and what demons they’re fighting. Even as a deeply caring & empathetic person, I know I can still do better. And I’ve got this book to thank for that.
Audrey & Theo’s story feels tattooed on my heart. It’s not one I’ll ever forget. I had high expectations of this book and yet Michelle somehow absolutely swept me away with this one! I am so glad this story exists!!! Thank you so much to Berkley for the ARC — all opinions are my own.
November 20, 2025
The premise is sweet—a barista and a shy customer hit it off. Will their past traumas get in the way of love? Ultimately, while I think Audrey and Theo make a cute couple, I found their relationship development too hasty and the dialogue awkward. I think fans of Ali Hazelwood’s works will enjoy this debut novel.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
March 26, 2026
Thanks Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted copies. All opinions are my own.
3.5⭐️
This was a good debut! It was such unique concept with interesting twists, and I loved seeing how Audrey helped Theo grow after such a traumatic accident. They were so sweet together and I could really feel how much they cared for each other even in a short period of time.
However, I did feel like the story was a bit slow in parts with some repetition and could’ve been shortened, especially with the long epilogue in Theo’s POV.
Overall though, it was a sweet story and I’m excited to read more from this author.
3.5⭐️
This was a good debut! It was such unique concept with interesting twists, and I loved seeing how Audrey helped Theo grow after such a traumatic accident. They were so sweet together and I could really feel how much they cared for each other even in a short period of time.
However, I did feel like the story was a bit slow in parts with some repetition and could’ve been shortened, especially with the long epilogue in Theo’s POV.
Overall though, it was a sweet story and I’m excited to read more from this author.
July 17, 2026
There are no words for this lovely book. I can hardly believe that this is Michelle C. Harris' first book. If I could rate this book 100 stars, I would 🌟
It had a rare mix of sad, happy, sweet, lovely, spicy, and everything in between. It was so real and I really wish I read it sooner. When I finished A Latte Like Love, I was wishing it hadn't have ended to soon. Its my fav read of the year so far 👍🏽
And I love the art and the coffee aspects of it too ☕️🎨
I really hope that everyone gets a taste of this book- and I hope you fall in love too 📚❤️🫶🏼🥰
A Love Like Latte is a story everyone needs to hear, and I hope they'll make it into a movie 🎬
It had a rare mix of sad, happy, sweet, lovely, spicy, and everything in between. It was so real and I really wish I read it sooner. When I finished A Latte Like Love, I was wishing it hadn't have ended to soon. Its my fav read of the year so far 👍🏽
And I love the art and the coffee aspects of it too ☕️🎨
I really hope that everyone gets a taste of this book- and I hope you fall in love too 📚❤️🫶🏼🥰
A Love Like Latte is a story everyone needs to hear, and I hope they'll make it into a movie 🎬
February 20, 2026
I loved the premise of this one and was excited to get a copy of it.
I liked Audrey and Theo well enough. They're from wildly different backgrounds and both are lonely. I did like how they found something in each other; however it moved a lot faster than I expected, especially since it's revealed that neither of them have dating experience in their pasts.
Plot wise, it's okay. There are a lot of repetitive descriptions (seriously, I get it, he's SO LARGE) and a good amount of shouty caps. If their ages weren't constantly stated, I would have assumed they were much younger. The conflict is mostly Theo's past trauma and how he's dealing with it.
This is another instance where I found out it was Reylo FF after reading it and in hindsight, it makes the story clearer. There were several plot points and characters introduced and dropped...all that likely would have made sense in a fic.
Overall, it was a quick read (for being 500+ pages), but, I think it'll be a story I don't remember.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I liked Audrey and Theo well enough. They're from wildly different backgrounds and both are lonely. I did like how they found something in each other; however it moved a lot faster than I expected, especially since it's revealed that neither of them have dating experience in their pasts.
Plot wise, it's okay. There are a lot of repetitive descriptions (seriously, I get it, he's SO LARGE) and a good amount of shouty caps. If their ages weren't constantly stated, I would have assumed they were much younger. The conflict is mostly Theo's past trauma and how he's dealing with it.
This is another instance where I found out it was Reylo FF after reading it and in hindsight, it makes the story clearer. There were several plot points and characters introduced and dropped...all that likely would have made sense in a fic.
Overall, it was a quick read (for being 500+ pages), but, I think it'll be a story I don't remember.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
October 24, 2025
Reylo vibes? Good.
Autumn vibes? Good.
Representation? Really good.
Audrey and Theo are a couple that make you believe in romance again, without being too over the top. It's love at first sight, but in the best possible way, where you are caught off guard and your breath is taken away. The emotions feel like they are leaping off the page where you don't know where the story ends and you begin.
The supporting characters are rich and bring more personality to the story as well, making our time with them just as satisfying as our time with the main couple.
The handling of anxiety and therapy was done with a gentle touch without being with kid gloves and I appreciated that. It was respectful and well handled and I liked that.
The epilogue from Theo's point of view was a nice touch. I am not one for the back and forth POV's normally but it being one small piece it was nice to get inside of his head. This book will definitely be another read for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.
Autumn vibes? Good.
Representation? Really good.
Audrey and Theo are a couple that make you believe in romance again, without being too over the top. It's love at first sight, but in the best possible way, where you are caught off guard and your breath is taken away. The emotions feel like they are leaping off the page where you don't know where the story ends and you begin.
The supporting characters are rich and bring more personality to the story as well, making our time with them just as satisfying as our time with the main couple.
The handling of anxiety and therapy was done with a gentle touch without being with kid gloves and I appreciated that. It was respectful and well handled and I liked that.
The epilogue from Theo's point of view was a nice touch. I am not one for the back and forth POV's normally but it being one small piece it was nice to get inside of his head. This book will definitely be another read for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.
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