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Main Character Energy
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jan 26Andi Callahan prefers the quiet company of the dead.
As a morgue tech in a sleepy coastal town outside Boston, she lives for silence, predictability, and zero small talk.
Living people? Too loud. Too messy. Too nosy.
The dead don’t interrupt her, meddle in her life, or flirt with her.
Cole Hartley does.
He’s everything Andi avoids—charming, persistent, and entirely too good-looking for his own good.
The town’s beloved firefighter-paramedic has a hero complex the size of Massachusetts and a dangerous talent for cracking Andi’s ice-cold composure.
What starts as a harmless bet to make her smile turns into something neither of them saw coming.
Now Cole’s determined to prove that life is worth the mess—and that love might be the riskiest, most rewarding thing of all.
Funny, heartfelt, and impossible to put down, this opposites-attract romance asks what happens when a woman who’s made peace with solitude finally lets herself feel everything.
Perfect for fans of quirky slow-burns, grumpy-sunshine, spicy banter, enemies to lovers, and one very determined golden retriever in human form.
What to Expect:
Golden Retriever Hero x Black Cat Heroine
Grumpy/Sunshine
Opposites Attract
Small Town Romance
Workplace Romance
Slow Burn
Found Family
Meddling Friends & Coworkers
Past Trauma/Emotional Wounds
Banter-Heavy Romance
As a morgue tech in a sleepy coastal town outside Boston, she lives for silence, predictability, and zero small talk.
Living people? Too loud. Too messy. Too nosy.
The dead don’t interrupt her, meddle in her life, or flirt with her.
Cole Hartley does.
He’s everything Andi avoids—charming, persistent, and entirely too good-looking for his own good.
The town’s beloved firefighter-paramedic has a hero complex the size of Massachusetts and a dangerous talent for cracking Andi’s ice-cold composure.
What starts as a harmless bet to make her smile turns into something neither of them saw coming.
Now Cole’s determined to prove that life is worth the mess—and that love might be the riskiest, most rewarding thing of all.
Funny, heartfelt, and impossible to put down, this opposites-attract romance asks what happens when a woman who’s made peace with solitude finally lets herself feel everything.
Perfect for fans of quirky slow-burns, grumpy-sunshine, spicy banter, enemies to lovers, and one very determined golden retriever in human form.
What to Expect:
Golden Retriever Hero x Black Cat Heroine
Grumpy/Sunshine
Opposites Attract
Small Town Romance
Workplace Romance
Slow Burn
Found Family
Meddling Friends & Coworkers
Past Trauma/Emotional Wounds
Banter-Heavy Romance
- GenresRomance
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 7, 2026
6 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Kendall Ryan
130 books18.3k followersKendall Ryan is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of flirty, feel-good romance filled with heart, heat, and plenty of banter. An American author who has lived all over the world, her books have sold millions of copies and been translated into multiple languages. She writes swoony heroes, bold heroines, and stories that make you laugh, blush, and fall in love. When she’s not dreaming up new plotlines, she is a proud mom to two amazing sons and the wife of her real-life hero.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 3, 2025
Andi Callahan loves her job in the town’s morgue as it’s quiet and mostly no one bothers her there. That is except the town’s firefighter/EMT, Cole Hartley. He is determined to get AndI to open up to others and just live. When her work makes her participate in a date auction for charity she is not happy but doesn’t have a choice either. She may think she wants to be alone but can Cole show her there is more to life than just her lonely job? What a fun romance with a reverse grumpy/sunshine situation. There is also an underlying emotional reason for the way she is. I really enjoyed watching these two together and Cole getting her to open up. Definitely an emotional, feel good romance with a side of romcom. Told in first person and multiple POV.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book starts off kind of meh—I wasn’t sure if I’d stick with it—but it turns cute pretty fast. The characters are all connected in the most roundabout way, which makes the whole thing hilarious once you realize who knows who. Midway through, the pace slows down and gets a little boring, but even then the characters are lovely and the story intriguing enough to keep me turning pages.
Andi is a morgue technician, sharp-tongued, acerbic, queen of one-liners. Cole is an EMT/firefighter, golden retriever energy, cocky but kind. They cross paths constantly at the hospital. He falls first (of course), and he’s determined to win her over. She’s a hard case, though—her walls are skyscraper-high thanks to losing her parents in a car accident at 18.
Cole’s teammates make a bet with a checklist: make her smile, hold a five-minute conversation, get a kiss, and finally, score a date. Instead of hiding it, Cole shows Andi the bracket—points for integrity! His persistence is adorable: cherry pie deliveries, pink-frosted cupcakes, quiet dinners instead of flashy outings. He’s relentless but sweet, and she’s attracted against her will.
Meanwhile, there are plot twists that are hilarious: Jack is Andi’s father best friend, he has been present in her life since her parents died, acting as a father figure. He starts dating Kate (Cole’s mom) who downloaded a dating app thanks to her meddling book club besties.
Jack and Cole already know each other from Search & Rescue work—and they don’t like each other. Cue awkward dinners and tense rescues.
A tragedy occurs that makes shock waves for both Andi and Cole. And Andi, true to form, retreated back within her walls. I found her selfish and coward, abandoning Cole, just when he needed her the most. In the midst of her turmoil, Jack delivers the wisdom bomb: better to be afraid with the person you love than to live alone with the same pain.
I struggled with Andi, she’s witty and her zingers are fun, but she’s negative, self-sabotaging, and downright Eeyore-ish. On the other hand, I loved Cole. He’s cocky, funny, kind, devoted to his mom, respectful of Jack even when he didn’t like him, but just because he made his mom laugh. He’s the definition of a golden retriever hero—loyal, goofy, and impossible not to root for.
I loved the mixture of humor, heart, and a bit of drama. I loved the romance part, sweet persistence against stubborn resistance. The side characters add layers of comedy and warmth, making the story feel like a sitcom family tree gone wild. Cute read!
Andi is a morgue technician, sharp-tongued, acerbic, queen of one-liners. Cole is an EMT/firefighter, golden retriever energy, cocky but kind. They cross paths constantly at the hospital. He falls first (of course), and he’s determined to win her over. She’s a hard case, though—her walls are skyscraper-high thanks to losing her parents in a car accident at 18.
Cole’s teammates make a bet with a checklist: make her smile, hold a five-minute conversation, get a kiss, and finally, score a date. Instead of hiding it, Cole shows Andi the bracket—points for integrity! His persistence is adorable: cherry pie deliveries, pink-frosted cupcakes, quiet dinners instead of flashy outings. He’s relentless but sweet, and she’s attracted against her will.
Meanwhile, there are plot twists that are hilarious: Jack is Andi’s father best friend, he has been present in her life since her parents died, acting as a father figure. He starts dating Kate (Cole’s mom) who downloaded a dating app thanks to her meddling book club besties.
Jack and Cole already know each other from Search & Rescue work—and they don’t like each other. Cue awkward dinners and tense rescues.
A tragedy occurs that makes shock waves for both Andi and Cole. And Andi, true to form, retreated back within her walls. I found her selfish and coward, abandoning Cole, just when he needed her the most. In the midst of her turmoil, Jack delivers the wisdom bomb: better to be afraid with the person you love than to live alone with the same pain.
I struggled with Andi, she’s witty and her zingers are fun, but she’s negative, self-sabotaging, and downright Eeyore-ish. On the other hand, I loved Cole. He’s cocky, funny, kind, devoted to his mom, respectful of Jack even when he didn’t like him, but just because he made his mom laugh. He’s the definition of a golden retriever hero—loyal, goofy, and impossible not to root for.
I loved the mixture of humor, heart, and a bit of drama. I loved the romance part, sweet persistence against stubborn resistance. The side characters add layers of comedy and warmth, making the story feel like a sitcom family tree gone wild. Cute read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Main Character Energy was such a fun, warm, messy-in-a-good-way read. I picked it up for the grumpy/sunshine vibes, but honestly it’s so much more.
Andi is peak black-cat energy — happiest in the morgue, where nobody talks, nobody judges, and certainly nobody flirts. She’s got her walls, and she’s keeping them. Enter Cole, the town firefighter-paramedic with golden retriever warmth turned up to a thousand. This man takes one look at her and basically decides she is his new life mission. He even makes a bet that he can get her to smile. A bet! With a ridiculous bracket 😜And watching Andi slowly crack despite her best efforts is freaking adorable.
Their chemistry seriously jumps off the page — slow burn, sarcastic banter, soft little moments that sneak up on you, plus enough emotional depth to give their story weight without making it heavy.
We also get a bonus romance… Kate & Jack are chef’s kiss! Kate is Cole’s mom, and Jack is the closest thing Andi has to a father since she lost her parents 🥺— and these two end up meeting on a dating app and having their own sweet little “second chance at love”. It added so much charm and heart. Their connection is softer, steadier, this kind of unexpected later-in-life sweetness that balances out Andi and Cole’s fire. I loved seeing all four of them tangled together in this found-family.
Between the meddling coworkers, the nosy besties, the workplace crossovers, and the emotional healing both Andi and Cole have to work through… MCE hits all the vibes: swoony, funny, tender, a little sad, and totally satisfying.
If you love opposites-attract, slow-burn banter, sunshine heroes chasing their grumpy girls, and a bonus romance with two older characters finding love when they least expect it, this book gives you all of that and more.
Andi is peak black-cat energy — happiest in the morgue, where nobody talks, nobody judges, and certainly nobody flirts. She’s got her walls, and she’s keeping them. Enter Cole, the town firefighter-paramedic with golden retriever warmth turned up to a thousand. This man takes one look at her and basically decides she is his new life mission. He even makes a bet that he can get her to smile. A bet! With a ridiculous bracket 😜And watching Andi slowly crack despite her best efforts is freaking adorable.
Their chemistry seriously jumps off the page — slow burn, sarcastic banter, soft little moments that sneak up on you, plus enough emotional depth to give their story weight without making it heavy.
We also get a bonus romance… Kate & Jack are chef’s kiss! Kate is Cole’s mom, and Jack is the closest thing Andi has to a father since she lost her parents 🥺— and these two end up meeting on a dating app and having their own sweet little “second chance at love”. It added so much charm and heart. Their connection is softer, steadier, this kind of unexpected later-in-life sweetness that balances out Andi and Cole’s fire. I loved seeing all four of them tangled together in this found-family.
Between the meddling coworkers, the nosy besties, the workplace crossovers, and the emotional healing both Andi and Cole have to work through… MCE hits all the vibes: swoony, funny, tender, a little sad, and totally satisfying.
If you love opposites-attract, slow-burn banter, sunshine heroes chasing their grumpy girls, and a bonus romance with two older characters finding love when they least expect it, this book gives you all of that and more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Yeah, I’m terrified. Every single day. But the fear means something. It means what we have is worth being afraid for.”
Main Character Energy is a captivating read that swept me away with its unforgettable characters and emotional depth. What begins as a playful enemies-to-lovers romance soon transforms into a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the courage to move forward when grief threatens to hold you back.
Andi, a morgue technician scarred by tragedy, has built walls around her heart to protect herself from further pain. Enter Cole—persistent, charming, and impossible to ignore. He’s the golden retriever to Andi’s black cat energy, bringing warmth and light into her guarded world. Yet beneath his sunny exterior, Cole carries his own quiet intensity, and when tragedy strikes, both characters are forced to confront their deepest fears and desires.
With witty banter, raw emotion, and a beautifully layered plot, Main Character Energy delivers a story that is both heartwarming and profoundly moving. It’s a deeply personal journey of healing, resilience, and love that will linger with you long after the final page.
Main Character Energy is a captivating read that swept me away with its unforgettable characters and emotional depth. What begins as a playful enemies-to-lovers romance soon transforms into a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the courage to move forward when grief threatens to hold you back.
Andi, a morgue technician scarred by tragedy, has built walls around her heart to protect herself from further pain. Enter Cole—persistent, charming, and impossible to ignore. He’s the golden retriever to Andi’s black cat energy, bringing warmth and light into her guarded world. Yet beneath his sunny exterior, Cole carries his own quiet intensity, and when tragedy strikes, both characters are forced to confront their deepest fears and desires.
With witty banter, raw emotion, and a beautifully layered plot, Main Character Energy delivers a story that is both heartwarming and profoundly moving. It’s a deeply personal journey of healing, resilience, and love that will linger with you long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4⭐️ 1🌶️
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, but I don't understand why we had the additional POVs in this book. I feel like we could have seen those parts through the true MCs POV and it would have had the same effect on the story. It just felt odd to have a book called Main Character Energy and then through in 2 additional POVs that take away from the true MCs.
I loved Cole and his relentless pursuit of Andi. I ADORED the fact that he didn't hide the Firehouse bet from her and included her in the jokes and the levels he was achieving. Kate and Jack (Cole's mom and Andi' late dad's BFF) were the 2 extra POVs in this book that didn't make sense. There was so much dislike between Jack and Cole, but we never got answers to why they don't like each other or how they worked through their differences. They just didn't like each other, glared at each other over dinner, and then one mild conversation and conflict is gone. The third act was tough and had tears in my eyes.
Thank you, Kendall Ryan, for this advanced copy! While the additional POVs didn't land for me, I still really enjoyed this story!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, but I don't understand why we had the additional POVs in this book. I feel like we could have seen those parts through the true MCs POV and it would have had the same effect on the story. It just felt odd to have a book called Main Character Energy and then through in 2 additional POVs that take away from the true MCs.
I loved Cole and his relentless pursuit of Andi. I ADORED the fact that he didn't hide the Firehouse bet from her and included her in the jokes and the levels he was achieving. Kate and Jack (Cole's mom and Andi' late dad's BFF) were the 2 extra POVs in this book that didn't make sense. There was so much dislike between Jack and Cole, but we never got answers to why they don't like each other or how they worked through their differences. They just didn't like each other, glared at each other over dinner, and then one mild conversation and conflict is gone. The third act was tough and had tears in my eyes.
Thank you, Kendall Ryan, for this advanced copy! While the additional POVs didn't land for me, I still really enjoyed this story!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m used to grumpy men taking centre stage in stories, grumpy women not so much. I’m loving Andi Callahan and her ‘leave me alone’ vibes. She’s even got the job to match, morgue technician. She doesn’t take any BS when it comes to her life, her friendships, or her relationships. She’s definitely a hard nut to crack. Enter Cole Hartley, Firefighter-Paramedic, he’s only too willing to put himself out there and pursue her, much to his team’s amusement - they’re even betting on him. The more she knocks him back, the more persistent he is. A super slow burn, fun, entertaining romance, with a few emotional moments in and amongst. Add in a bonus romance from within their ‘family’, Kate and Jack, who also get a little romance together, which was a cute little addition to the story and fitted in well with the plot. I loved it all. I received an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy
Main Character Energy is written by Kendall Ryan. This book has it all! The cocky fireman/paramedic, the quirky medical examiner, the older couple of Kate and Jack. One of the most awkward meet-cutes in history. Andi and Cole have both been hurt in the past and are neither one ready for a relationship. But, sometimes you get exactly what you weren't looking for.... I loved all of the banter and sneaky little things that Cole does to earn her attention and trust. The extreme betting that goes on at the firehouse. The open truthfulness that Cole just lays at her feet before trying to sweep her right off of them. And don't forget the mature dating relationship that is beginning to look serious! and PEOPLE!! You will never forget THE SITUATION in this book! A lot of people try to hide from THE SITUATION, but it always comes for you.... hee hee You will LOVE THIS whole book!! I know that I certainly did!!
December 7, 2025
Kendall Ryan vibes while also being a tad different!
I really enjoyed the banter in this novel. Totally Ryan’s energy, but with a somewhat different plot. I don’t know why but this felt like a fresh style for her.
This book was cute, and I enjoyed the subplot of Kate and Jack. It was definitely a case of the reader knowing more than the characters, which I love.
I only took off a point because Cole and Andi still seemed a bit too surface level, but I don’t feel it takes away from the story too much. Just my overall connection to them.
*An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the banter in this novel. Totally Ryan’s energy, but with a somewhat different plot. I don’t know why but this felt like a fresh style for her.
This book was cute, and I enjoyed the subplot of Kate and Jack. It was definitely a case of the reader knowing more than the characters, which I love.
I only took off a point because Cole and Andi still seemed a bit too surface level, but I don’t feel it takes away from the story too much. Just my overall connection to them.
*An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2025
Main Character Energy is an enemies to lovers with heart and open dialogue regarding grief and living without those that we have lost. Cole is a firefighter/paramedic with golden retriever energy and Andi is a morgue tech at the hospital and is a black cat. I really enjoyed this book. This book also has a secondary love story that I also enjoyed(and kind of wanted more from!).
The way that Cole pursues Andi was fun to read. My favorite part was how sincerely he regarded their relationship and the way that Andi let herself open up to Cole. If you like a romance with a healthcare ish setting then I would definitely recommend this to you!
Thank you Kendall Ryan for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The way that Cole pursues Andi was fun to read. My favorite part was how sincerely he regarded their relationship and the way that Andi let herself open up to Cole. If you like a romance with a healthcare ish setting then I would definitely recommend this to you!
Thank you Kendall Ryan for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Love means you can be hurt, but it’s worth the risk. The ways of the heart are complicated.
I absolutely loved Cole and Andi’s story as well as Kate and Jack’s! I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't put this wonderful tale down!
Tomorrow is never guaranteed. Everything we love can be taken away from us in a blink of an eye. So when you find that kind of love, grab onto it with both hands and never let go.
This has everything you want in a good book: laughter, tears, snark, romance, and fantastic characters. This was my first book from Kendall Ryan and I am hooked! I can't wait to read her other books!
I absolutely loved Cole and Andi’s story as well as Kate and Jack’s! I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't put this wonderful tale down!
Tomorrow is never guaranteed. Everything we love can be taken away from us in a blink of an eye. So when you find that kind of love, grab onto it with both hands and never let go.
This has everything you want in a good book: laughter, tears, snark, romance, and fantastic characters. This was my first book from Kendall Ryan and I am hooked! I can't wait to read her other books!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Kendall omg you blew me away with this one!! This was my first book and I really liked it. I loved how Cole chased her down til she slowly brought her walls down. The banter between both was so hilarious. I laughed and cried, this book got me in my feels. Grief is hard to deal with alone so having someone that’s knows what it’s like makes it a little easier to deal with and that’s what help Cole and Andi get thru. This was a really great read 💞.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
In this Grumpy/Sunshine vibe book, Andi (FMC), a morgue tech, meets Cole (MMC), a firefighter-paramedic, and their worlds are turned upside down. Yellow Lab energy Cole is determined to win Black Cat Andi's attention and even places a bet at the firehouse that he will get the girl.
This book was fun to read, and the twists and turns, along with some serious situations, make it a great standalone. It is a quick read, mainly because you don't want to put it down. Highly recommend!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review honestly and voluntarily.
This book was fun to read, and the twists and turns, along with some serious situations, make it a great standalone. It is a quick read, mainly because you don't want to put it down. Highly recommend!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review honestly and voluntarily.
December 7, 2025
This book turned out better than I thought it would. I loved it and all the characters were amazing. I loved that the stories involved intertwined with each other. The banter between Cole and Andi was wonderful and funny, I loved them two. They were both not looking for anything long lasting and as tragedy struck would they be able to pull through and see that they have something wonderful together? This book was great and I loved it.
Review of advance copy
4.5 ⭐️ stars for this opposites attract, reverse grumpy/sunshine romance. What happens when Mr Hot Firefighter decides he wants to get to know Ms Grumpy Morgue Tech…grab this LOL, banter filled with wit & charm, a bet that has everyone laughing and when it all turns to a little more than they thought Will Cole be able to win Andi’s heart? Or does he lose her when tragedy strikes again? Loved it!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 15, 2025
I found the characters, Andi and Cole, fascinating. I liked the conversations between them, very witty, fun, and sometimes pretty poignant. Andi had plenty of reason to hide in her office in the morgue, not letting anyone in. Cole saw something in her to make him continue trying to break through her shield. I, also, liked Kate and Jack’s relationship and their connections. There were some heartbreaking moments in the book but they help in the growth of everyone (Andi and Cole, Kate and Jack).
Review of advance copy received from Author
Andi is the morgue tech who would rather be around the dead instead of live people. Cole is a local firefighter/EMT. They both have issues and hurts to work thru. This was a page turner that kept my attention from page one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 17, 2025
From the opening pages the reader is taken on a wild ride by not just one couple, Andi and Cole but by a secondary couple, Jack and Kate as well. As the stories intertwine there is loads of emptions, wonderful interactions and just the right amount of angst to keep the pages turning. This was so enjoyable I was sad when it ended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When tragedy changes you. But fate steps in to bring you someone who can see thru your pain. My favorite line in this story..
"We’re both broken in places,” I whisper. “But I think maybe our broken parts fit together.”
"We’re both broken in places,” I whisper. “But I think maybe our broken parts fit together.”
December 21, 2025
What an enjoyable but also quite a different story. Especially when a morgue technician and a firefighter meet.
I wholeheartedly loved Andi, her quirkiness and just her vibe, made me want to be her friend.
Cole is nothing if not persistent and what starts as a bet, turns out to be something that no one expects. Something rather unexpected.
I felt so much while reading this book and I also shed some tears….
Cole and Andi forever? You’ll just have to read it for yourself to find out. Such an interesting and also heartbreaking story!
Great writing Ms Ryan!
I wholeheartedly loved Andi, her quirkiness and just her vibe, made me want to be her friend.
Cole is nothing if not persistent and what starts as a bet, turns out to be something that no one expects. Something rather unexpected.
I felt so much while reading this book and I also shed some tears….
Cole and Andi forever? You’ll just have to read it for yourself to find out. Such an interesting and also heartbreaking story!
Great writing Ms Ryan!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews