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Love Out Loud
Twenty-five years of friendship. Ten years apart. One chance to love out loud.
Lark Caspian and Lennon Hollis have been best friends since their first Drama Club meeting in their freshman year of high school, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Now, at forty, life has pulled them in different directions—Lark is a devoted mother and theater professor in Michigan, while Lennon has built a successful career as a sound engineer in Los Angeles.
Although they've remained close, it's been a decade since they were last together. They miss each other. So when the narrator for Lennon’s latest audiobook project drops out, he presents Lark with a bold fly to LA, record the audiobook, and spend time with him.
With her daughter off to college and a desire for something new, Lark jumps at the chance to reconnect with Lennon. But as she steps into the studio to record the steamy audiobook, sparks fly between them, and their lifelong friendship deepens into something more.
Caught between their growing feelings and the thousands of miles separating their lives, Lark and Lennon must decide if jumping in is worth risking the best relationship they've ever had.
Can their love story survive the distance, or will this be the one script they can’t rewrite?
Lark Caspian and Lennon Hollis have been best friends since their first Drama Club meeting in their freshman year of high school, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Now, at forty, life has pulled them in different directions—Lark is a devoted mother and theater professor in Michigan, while Lennon has built a successful career as a sound engineer in Los Angeles.
Although they've remained close, it's been a decade since they were last together. They miss each other. So when the narrator for Lennon’s latest audiobook project drops out, he presents Lark with a bold fly to LA, record the audiobook, and spend time with him.
With her daughter off to college and a desire for something new, Lark jumps at the chance to reconnect with Lennon. But as she steps into the studio to record the steamy audiobook, sparks fly between them, and their lifelong friendship deepens into something more.
Caught between their growing feelings and the thousands of miles separating their lives, Lark and Lennon must decide if jumping in is worth risking the best relationship they've ever had.
Can their love story survive the distance, or will this be the one script they can’t rewrite?
- GenresRomanceFriends To Lovers
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2025
18 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Allie Samberts
13 books310 followersAllie Samberts is a romance writer, book lover, and high school English teacher. She was voted funniest teacher of the year for 2023 by her students, which is probably her highest honor to date. She is also a runner, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two kids, and a very loud beagle. You can follow her on Instagram @alliesambertswrites, read her blog at alliesamberts.substack.com, and get other updates at www.alliesamberts.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 1, 2025
Love Out Loud
by Allie Samberts
♾️⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
ARC Review
𝑳𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆... 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒔𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒐𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒑𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔, 𝒕𝒐𝒐.
I. AM. UNWELL. I read this in one sitting. No exaggeration, I did not move from start to finish. I love this book so much.
Lennon and Lark have been best friends for 25 years, but they haven't seen each other in almost 10 years. Their relationship is so sweet and it's clear from the very first video call just how much these two care for each other. I love their relationship so much. The way they are drawn to each other, and despite time and distance they are still each other's first call, is just so beautiful.
Lennon YEARNS. This man has been in love with his best friend for 25 years. TWENTY. FIVE. YEARS. His pining is palpable, but he's also pushed his feelings down for so long. Lark has loved Lennon for just as long. But she's only just now realizing she's *in love* with her best friend. And she's scared. They are both nervous about what these feelings will do to their friendship.
This story isn't just about Lennon and Lark finding their way to each other. It also has self discovery. Lark has so many changes in her life right now. Her daughter is graduating high school and leaving home. She's realizing the dreams she put on hold when she became a mom. At the same time, Lennon is coming to terms with the reasons the roots he's put down are shallow, and how his childhood shaped his adulthood. They are wrestling with what they want from life going forward.
Despite the tension and angst you cut slice through, this book is pure sunshine. Sunshine characters in a beachy setting. This book is a soft story full of happiness and tender moments. It's a perfect summer book that you won't want to put down.
Please read it. I'm begging you.
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅, 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅.”
Read July 16, 2025
Thank you Allie Samberts for the early copy of Love Out Loud.
by Allie Samberts
♾️⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
ARC Review
𝑳𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆... 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒔𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒐𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒑𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔, 𝒕𝒐𝒐.
I. AM. UNWELL. I read this in one sitting. No exaggeration, I did not move from start to finish. I love this book so much.
Lennon and Lark have been best friends for 25 years, but they haven't seen each other in almost 10 years. Their relationship is so sweet and it's clear from the very first video call just how much these two care for each other. I love their relationship so much. The way they are drawn to each other, and despite time and distance they are still each other's first call, is just so beautiful.
Lennon YEARNS. This man has been in love with his best friend for 25 years. TWENTY. FIVE. YEARS. His pining is palpable, but he's also pushed his feelings down for so long. Lark has loved Lennon for just as long. But she's only just now realizing she's *in love* with her best friend. And she's scared. They are both nervous about what these feelings will do to their friendship.
This story isn't just about Lennon and Lark finding their way to each other. It also has self discovery. Lark has so many changes in her life right now. Her daughter is graduating high school and leaving home. She's realizing the dreams she put on hold when she became a mom. At the same time, Lennon is coming to terms with the reasons the roots he's put down are shallow, and how his childhood shaped his adulthood. They are wrestling with what they want from life going forward.
Despite the tension and angst you cut slice through, this book is pure sunshine. Sunshine characters in a beachy setting. This book is a soft story full of happiness and tender moments. It's a perfect summer book that you won't want to put down.
Please read it. I'm begging you.
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅, 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅.”
Read July 16, 2025
Thank you Allie Samberts for the early copy of Love Out Loud.
August 21, 2025
☀️ Love Out Loud 🎙️
✍🏼 Allie Samberts
⭐️ 5/5
From my first Allie Samberts book to this being my second, I can honestly say she has range! While this book was still heart felt it had more summer romcom vibes. Which is perfect for this season!
I absolutely loved reading a book where the MCs are 40. People can find love at any age and I loved the refreshing change of dynamic with them being older. Lark and Lennon have been best friends for 25 years and even though they haven’t seen each other for 10 years it’s clear they still have so much love for each other. Lennon has YEARNED from the moment he met Lark, and she’s finally realizing she doesn’t just love him - she’s in love with him too. It made me giddy watching their relationship evolve with the desire they’ve hid from each other over all those years.
Lark is a 10/10 single mom! I love her dynamic and relationship she has with her daughter, they both have each other’s back no matter what. Lennon also managing to make effort and have a relationship with her daughter long distance was also so heart warming.
As much as this book is a love story, it’s also a journey of self discovery and finding your inner spark again. Finding it for yourself and encouraging those you love to find it. This book was so heartwarming. I smiled, I cried, I kicked my feet. It was the perfect summer read and I implore you to read it!
𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆, 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅. 𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔.” 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔. 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒈𝒂𝒛𝒆.
✍🏼 Allie Samberts
⭐️ 5/5
From my first Allie Samberts book to this being my second, I can honestly say she has range! While this book was still heart felt it had more summer romcom vibes. Which is perfect for this season!
I absolutely loved reading a book where the MCs are 40. People can find love at any age and I loved the refreshing change of dynamic with them being older. Lark and Lennon have been best friends for 25 years and even though they haven’t seen each other for 10 years it’s clear they still have so much love for each other. Lennon has YEARNED from the moment he met Lark, and she’s finally realizing she doesn’t just love him - she’s in love with him too. It made me giddy watching their relationship evolve with the desire they’ve hid from each other over all those years.
Lark is a 10/10 single mom! I love her dynamic and relationship she has with her daughter, they both have each other’s back no matter what. Lennon also managing to make effort and have a relationship with her daughter long distance was also so heart warming.
As much as this book is a love story, it’s also a journey of self discovery and finding your inner spark again. Finding it for yourself and encouraging those you love to find it. This book was so heartwarming. I smiled, I cried, I kicked my feet. It was the perfect summer read and I implore you to read it!
𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆, 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅. 𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔.” 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔. 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒈𝒂𝒛𝒆.
August 19, 2025
This is a wonderful best friends-to-lovers romance book. I enjoyed the premise, the MC's, the rest of the cast and the overall story. This is the sort of book that shoots a beam of hopeful light piercing through the darkness of our current times. We need more books like this.
I've read the author's 3-volume Leade Park series and enjoyed them all. And the hits just keep on coming because Love Out Loud is even better. Her MC's are developed as genuine people who carry a high school friendship over 25 years. They live a long distance apart for most of those years, but still manage to keep the flame of their friendship going while experiencing the bends and curves of real life along the way. And that's all I'll say about the plot because I hope you will read this fine book.
Now let me address the spice scenes in this book, because I've written many of them myself in my books. These are not just sex scenes - they are love scenes - and they are so beautifully written. I bow down to you Allie...Well done!
I've read the author's 3-volume Leade Park series and enjoyed them all. And the hits just keep on coming because Love Out Loud is even better. Her MC's are developed as genuine people who carry a high school friendship over 25 years. They live a long distance apart for most of those years, but still manage to keep the flame of their friendship going while experiencing the bends and curves of real life along the way. And that's all I'll say about the plot because I hope you will read this fine book.
Now let me address the spice scenes in this book, because I've written many of them myself in my books. These are not just sex scenes - they are love scenes - and they are so beautifully written. I bow down to you Allie...Well done!
August 29, 2025
Allie truly never misses! Lark and Lennon were so wonderful together, and the ending made me cry!! Such a sweet, emotional (and a little spicy) story!
December 13, 2025
Two Allie Samberts books in a month!!! I love her writing so much. Her stories are full of so much joy and love, and she’s always able to balanced smells the real life things that people struggle with. this one was so much fun! And if I’m remembering correctly this was another surprise release??! Which I LOVE!
I love friends to lovers SO MUCH! Lark and Lennon are BEST FRIENDS. Who desperately love each other but live two totally different lives but are finally in a place where they could maybe just maybe meld those lives together?! I loved the flashbacks we got! I love seeing how things started and how they go to where they are. I LOVED how easy it was for them to fall into a relationship, because they were seriously meant to be.
I still have a couple of Allie’s books from her backlist to read! But I am a FAN and can’t wait for everything she has to come!
I love friends to lovers SO MUCH! Lark and Lennon are BEST FRIENDS. Who desperately love each other but live two totally different lives but are finally in a place where they could maybe just maybe meld those lives together?! I loved the flashbacks we got! I love seeing how things started and how they go to where they are. I LOVED how easy it was for them to fall into a relationship, because they were seriously meant to be.
I still have a couple of Allie’s books from her backlist to read! But I am a FAN and can’t wait for everything she has to come!
August 2, 2025
I loved this book! Quite possibly my favorite Allie Samberts book yet!! The characters were great, the setting was fun, and I read it in 2 days which is rare for me (I usually take longer!). I would have read this in one sitting but I had to adult (🙄) so it slowed me down. Highly recommend!
September 14, 2025
It’s taken me a while to come up with the words to explain how much I ADORED Lennon and Lark’s story. I don’t even know that I’ll be able to put it into words now, after brewing them over for a few weeks.
First off, the NICKNAME! Are you kidding me?! He calls her SONGBIRD. Allie, you knew what you were doing there!
“𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. 𝐎𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝.”
I relate to Lark in the sense that her kid is entering the next chapter of her life. I wanted to hug her as she went through those emotions because I am right there with her, even though I’ve got two more littles behind my oldest.
It's immediately apparent that these two have some affection and attraction for each other. I loved how we got to see them become more and more comfortable with their feelings towards each other.
“𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞.”
I don’t want to give anything away so if you’re looking for something that’ll give you older characters, friends to lovers, and fun vibes then grab this and check it out!
First off, the NICKNAME! Are you kidding me?! He calls her SONGBIRD. Allie, you knew what you were doing there!
“𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. 𝐎𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝.”
I relate to Lark in the sense that her kid is entering the next chapter of her life. I wanted to hug her as she went through those emotions because I am right there with her, even though I’ve got two more littles behind my oldest.
It's immediately apparent that these two have some affection and attraction for each other. I loved how we got to see them become more and more comfortable with their feelings towards each other.
“𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞.”
I don’t want to give anything away so if you’re looking for something that’ll give you older characters, friends to lovers, and fun vibes then grab this and check it out!
July 31, 2025
A fabulous, sunshine infused character connection driven, childhood friends-to-lovers contemporary romance. This is my absolute favorite trope and Lark and Lennon’s journey did not disappoint. Told in present day with a few flashbacks, single mother Lark is grappling with some big changes in her life. Her daughter is about to move away for college and her job is at an impasse. (This is me. I am Lark.) The only thing that hasn’t changed is the support of her long-distance friend, Lennon. When he offers her an opportunity to narrate an audiobook and stay with him in LA, she takes the chance on staring something new. With humor and not so much grace, they both navigate the shift in the dynamic of their friendship and how to reveal the feelings they’ve had for over two decades (by the way the scene with “the moment” brought ALL the feelings!) Lighthearted and charming, yet still layered with realistic hard truths, self-reflection and growth, this story was such a delight to read.
Thanks to the author for the eARC.
Thanks to the author for the eARC.
September 15, 2025
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
•••••••••••••••
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙛𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙛…
Forced proximity, friends to lovers romance, authentic characters in their 40s, second chances, and summer vibes.
𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨…
Allie Samberts’ books are always authentic and sweet with, in my opinion, the perfect amount of spice, and 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐝 is no exception.
𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐝 is a friends to lovers romance full of fun, flirty banter and characters finding themselves. The main characters, Lennon and Lark, have been best friends since high school—for about 25 years. Though they haven’t always been close physically due to Lennon’s job as a sound engineer in LA and Lark’s job and daughter in the Michigan, they’ve always stayed in touch on the daily. But now, Lark’s daughter is off to college, and she feels kind of lost until Lennon gives her an offer she can’t resist: stay at his LA apartment and take a job narrating a spicy audiobook. After 25 years, the two thought they would be each other’s favorite people and best friends for life. But once they start living and working together, the two start to feel a pull to each other that’s different than before—and something neither of them can ignore.
I loved reading Lark and Lennon’s story. The two have a magnetism and connection that immediately reel you in as a reader. Their pasts certainly define their characters—Lennon with parents who were constantly leaving and Lark choosing her daughter over her own dreams—and shape how they view the world and each other.
This story isn’t just about romance. It’s about self-discovery. Lark and Lennon are both trying to figure out how to be together while still choosing themselves. Readers who want an authentic love story full of heart and pure sunshine will absolutely eat this novel up.
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
•••••••••••••••
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙛𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙛…
Forced proximity, friends to lovers romance, authentic characters in their 40s, second chances, and summer vibes.
𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨…
Allie Samberts’ books are always authentic and sweet with, in my opinion, the perfect amount of spice, and 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐝 is no exception.
𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐝 is a friends to lovers romance full of fun, flirty banter and characters finding themselves. The main characters, Lennon and Lark, have been best friends since high school—for about 25 years. Though they haven’t always been close physically due to Lennon’s job as a sound engineer in LA and Lark’s job and daughter in the Michigan, they’ve always stayed in touch on the daily. But now, Lark’s daughter is off to college, and she feels kind of lost until Lennon gives her an offer she can’t resist: stay at his LA apartment and take a job narrating a spicy audiobook. After 25 years, the two thought they would be each other’s favorite people and best friends for life. But once they start living and working together, the two start to feel a pull to each other that’s different than before—and something neither of them can ignore.
I loved reading Lark and Lennon’s story. The two have a magnetism and connection that immediately reel you in as a reader. Their pasts certainly define their characters—Lennon with parents who were constantly leaving and Lark choosing her daughter over her own dreams—and shape how they view the world and each other.
This story isn’t just about romance. It’s about self-discovery. Lark and Lennon are both trying to figure out how to be together while still choosing themselves. Readers who want an authentic love story full of heart and pure sunshine will absolutely eat this novel up.
October 26, 2025
They've loved each other for 25 years.
Lark and Lennon met at drama club in high school and have been friends ever since. Life got in the way, and they haven't seen each other in person in ten years, but video call all the time. When her daughter goes to college, Lennon gives her an offer she can't refuse. Record an audiobook for a well-known romance author - he is the sound engineer - and live with him for a few weeks.
Lark is a theater professor and gave up her dreams of acting to appease her ex and raise their daughter. Now she is a divorced empty nester. Lennon is a sound engineer in LA; he calls her daughter "kiddo" and has never opened his heart for anyone else.
"Her smile widens a fraction. Just for me. And that's when it hits me. I'm in love with Lark Caspian." - Lennon twenty-two years ago.
Lennon and Lark are both 40 and can finally admit what they feel for each other, if they would just get out of their own way.
Tropes: friends-to-lovers, roommates, single mom, sunshine x sunshine, secret tattoo, hidden feelings.
Highlights: Editing spicy scenes, lark tattoo, dancing in the dark, beach picnic, couch cuddles.
My favorite scene: Them cuddling on the couch. She sees the secret part of his tattoo. She kisses it. His reaction ...
Allie Samberts wrote a heartwarming story of friendship, family, love and longing all wrapped in a bubble of joy.
I recommend Love Out Loud to anyone who enjoys childhood friends-to-lovers trope. Has vibes of the film "Your Place or Mine" on Netflix.
Lark and Lennon met at drama club in high school and have been friends ever since. Life got in the way, and they haven't seen each other in person in ten years, but video call all the time. When her daughter goes to college, Lennon gives her an offer she can't refuse. Record an audiobook for a well-known romance author - he is the sound engineer - and live with him for a few weeks.
Lark is a theater professor and gave up her dreams of acting to appease her ex and raise their daughter. Now she is a divorced empty nester. Lennon is a sound engineer in LA; he calls her daughter "kiddo" and has never opened his heart for anyone else.
"Her smile widens a fraction. Just for me. And that's when it hits me. I'm in love with Lark Caspian." - Lennon twenty-two years ago.
Lennon and Lark are both 40 and can finally admit what they feel for each other, if they would just get out of their own way.
Tropes: friends-to-lovers, roommates, single mom, sunshine x sunshine, secret tattoo, hidden feelings.
Highlights: Editing spicy scenes, lark tattoo, dancing in the dark, beach picnic, couch cuddles.
My favorite scene: Them cuddling on the couch. She sees the secret part of his tattoo. She kisses it. His reaction ...
Allie Samberts wrote a heartwarming story of friendship, family, love and longing all wrapped in a bubble of joy.
I recommend Love Out Loud to anyone who enjoys childhood friends-to-lovers trope. Has vibes of the film "Your Place or Mine" on Netflix.
August 28, 2025
“I’ve known Lark for my entire life. Or at least, for all the years that have mattered.”
“Falling in love with Lennon was inevitable. Being in love with Lennon is a privilege.”
Friends, if you’re idea of a good time is a summer romance that will make you laugh out loud AND cry then Love Out Loud is for you. In the words of Stefon from SNL (Allie, I know you probably won’t get this reference but shhhh your fans are talking) this book has EVERYTHING: friends to lovers, he falls first, forced proximity, found family, beautiful parenting moments, a lovable side character who pushes our FMC to go out of her comfort zone, and a moment that will make you squeal with delight if your favorite quote from The Parent Trap is, “Them. T-H-E-M. Them. Get the picture?”
Love Out Loud is the perfect beach read, plane read, backyard read, or, in my case, nap trapped on the couch read. Allie writes characters who feel like REAL people. I can almost guarantee you that you’re gonna go through a third act breakup with her every time BUT she carries you through so beautifully and it always has a reason that furthers the story.
It’s on KU, it’s available wherever books are sold, you should also request that your library carry a copy. Get it. Read it. DM me about it. PLEASE.
P.S. a moment for the cover. Lorissa is a genius. The colors and those details are chefs kiss.
Okay. I’m done gushing now.
“Falling in love with Lennon was inevitable. Being in love with Lennon is a privilege.”
Friends, if you’re idea of a good time is a summer romance that will make you laugh out loud AND cry then Love Out Loud is for you. In the words of Stefon from SNL (Allie, I know you probably won’t get this reference but shhhh your fans are talking) this book has EVERYTHING: friends to lovers, he falls first, forced proximity, found family, beautiful parenting moments, a lovable side character who pushes our FMC to go out of her comfort zone, and a moment that will make you squeal with delight if your favorite quote from The Parent Trap is, “Them. T-H-E-M. Them. Get the picture?”
Love Out Loud is the perfect beach read, plane read, backyard read, or, in my case, nap trapped on the couch read. Allie writes characters who feel like REAL people. I can almost guarantee you that you’re gonna go through a third act breakup with her every time BUT she carries you through so beautifully and it always has a reason that furthers the story.
It’s on KU, it’s available wherever books are sold, you should also request that your library carry a copy. Get it. Read it. DM me about it. PLEASE.
P.S. a moment for the cover. Lorissa is a genius. The colors and those details are chefs kiss.
Okay. I’m done gushing now.
August 3, 2025
Lark and Lennon have been best friends since grade school when Lennon was the new shy kid and Lark made him feel visible by bringing him into her life. They’ve always been there for each other, but during college, they went their separate ways.
While the two still talk to each other occasionally, Lark’s daughter is heading off to college in NYC and Lark is having a hard time coping with an empty net. Lennon needs a voice for an audiobook he is working on and since Lark used to be part of the theater club in grade school, he invites her to Los Angeles to record the audio and to hang out with him as she can stay in his 2 bedroom apartment.
Will Lark go to LA or stay at home? How will Lark cope with her daughter going to college?
This was such a great read. There are some heavy topics such as child abandonment, anxiety, divorce, and feeling lost in life, but Allie does such a wonderful and caring job with these topics. There’s some spice and if spice isn’t your thing, you can skim it over or skip those parts.
Read this book if you like reading:
* Best friends
* Older characters (40 years old)
* Characters with complex childhoods
* Characters finding their next steps in life
While the two still talk to each other occasionally, Lark’s daughter is heading off to college in NYC and Lark is having a hard time coping with an empty net. Lennon needs a voice for an audiobook he is working on and since Lark used to be part of the theater club in grade school, he invites her to Los Angeles to record the audio and to hang out with him as she can stay in his 2 bedroom apartment.
Will Lark go to LA or stay at home? How will Lark cope with her daughter going to college?
This was such a great read. There are some heavy topics such as child abandonment, anxiety, divorce, and feeling lost in life, but Allie does such a wonderful and caring job with these topics. There’s some spice and if spice isn’t your thing, you can skim it over or skip those parts.
Read this book if you like reading:
* Best friends
* Older characters (40 years old)
* Characters with complex childhoods
* Characters finding their next steps in life
August 3, 2025
Allie, you beautiful human you. You’ve done it again! I have found pieces of myself reflected in every single one of your books I’ve read. Love Out Loud is no exception.
Lennon and Lark are everything. They made me laugh, they made me cry, and they definitely made me swoon. I absolutely adored their friendship and seeing the years of it told through flashbacks. It’s so special to have a friendship last that long, but to have someone who loves you unconditionally even more so. Their back and forth was so easy that it truly felt like sitting there in person watching the scene as it played out.
Lark’s character overall was also so well done. She could act, she was honest, and she was funny! I found myself literally chuckling out loud several times after something Lark would say.
Thank you Allie Samberts for yet another story I hopelessly fell in love with.
Lennon and Lark are everything. They made me laugh, they made me cry, and they definitely made me swoon. I absolutely adored their friendship and seeing the years of it told through flashbacks. It’s so special to have a friendship last that long, but to have someone who loves you unconditionally even more so. Their back and forth was so easy that it truly felt like sitting there in person watching the scene as it played out.
Lark’s character overall was also so well done. She could act, she was honest, and she was funny! I found myself literally chuckling out loud several times after something Lark would say.
Thank you Allie Samberts for yet another story I hopelessly fell in love with.
August 5, 2025
There’s so much to love about these two best friends since high school coming back together for the summer they’re both 40, finally ready to take some risks.
Lark (39) is a single mom facing an empty nest as her only kid is about to travel all summer before moving away to college, and she’s unhappy with so much she sees.
Lennon (40) has been her BFF for most of their lives, and might have just the thing to make her happy again.
Man I just really liked these two, and love what they brought out in each other. What a supportive, accepting, loving friendship.
Read if you like:
• Contemporary romance
• Dual POV
• Best friends to more
• Drama club kids!
• Empty nester next steps
• Reading/listening to romance novels
• L.A. sound engineer x Michigan mom & college professor
• Open door spice
• THANK YOU FOR LISTENING by Julia Whalen
• BIRDING WITH BENEFITS by Sarah T. Dubb
Lark (39) is a single mom facing an empty nest as her only kid is about to travel all summer before moving away to college, and she’s unhappy with so much she sees.
Lennon (40) has been her BFF for most of their lives, and might have just the thing to make her happy again.
Man I just really liked these two, and love what they brought out in each other. What a supportive, accepting, loving friendship.
Read if you like:
• Contemporary romance
• Dual POV
• Best friends to more
• Drama club kids!
• Empty nester next steps
• Reading/listening to romance novels
• L.A. sound engineer x Michigan mom & college professor
• Open door spice
• THANK YOU FOR LISTENING by Julia Whalen
• BIRDING WITH BENEFITS by Sarah T. Dubb
August 6, 2025
Amazing book! Lark and Lennon have stolen my heart.
Allie has the most amazing writing style and I can
read forever in her words.
To start off I adore that the characters are older and have real life moments. They are relatable and I could see parts of myself in Lark. She has the most beautiful personality and she was such a delight to get to know in these pages. Lennon is an absolute sweetheart and his journey with Lark is nothing but amazing.
The plot line flowed so easily that I flew through this book so fast. I loved the audiobook narrator as Lark's summer job in the book, it was a perfect parallel to the actual story. It highlighted the important aspects of life and was a great insight into acting.
This is by far my favorite book by Allie! She just keeps getting better and better with each book she writes. An absolute masterpiece and deserves all the stars!
Allie has the most amazing writing style and I can
read forever in her words.
To start off I adore that the characters are older and have real life moments. They are relatable and I could see parts of myself in Lark. She has the most beautiful personality and she was such a delight to get to know in these pages. Lennon is an absolute sweetheart and his journey with Lark is nothing but amazing.
The plot line flowed so easily that I flew through this book so fast. I loved the audiobook narrator as Lark's summer job in the book, it was a perfect parallel to the actual story. It highlighted the important aspects of life and was a great insight into acting.
This is by far my favorite book by Allie! She just keeps getting better and better with each book she writes. An absolute masterpiece and deserves all the stars!
September 14, 2025
This book is as beautiful inside as it is out! Pure sunshine. And honestly, I think we all need a little sunshine right now. Lark and Lennon are childhood friends, and have been for 25 years. Lark finds herself at a crossroads in her life as her daughter graduates high school and goes away for college. An opportunity presents itself for Lark to narrate an audiobook that Lennon is working on. I actually loved the glimpses into audiobook narration. I thought that was so fun and unique! But my favorite is definitely the relationship between Lennon and Lark. The love and care they have for each other is so dang sweet and the tension between them is top notch! I absolutely love their shared history and how they have stayed close despite their distance. While Lennon and Lark’s love story is at the forefront, this is also a story about Lark finding herself again outside of motherhood, which I also loved! Overall this was just such a sweet read that I really had a hard time putting down! It put a smile on my face, I highly recommend picking this one up!
August 8, 2025
I love Lark and Lennon so freaking much. This beachy summer read made my heart happy., I couldn’t put it down. Lark and Lennon have been friends for over 25 years but are finally reunited after being apart for 10 years. The banter between these two is incredible and their dynamic is everything I love about friends to lovers. I also adore the scenes with Devin, Lark’s daughter. There were so many sweet and heartfelt moments but also a lot of realistic ones. Lark’s life is changing in a pretty big way and that shit is scary but I loved watching her explore this new stage in life. If you are looking for a feel good read, this definitely fits the bill.
Read if you love:
Friends to Lovers
Sunshine/Sunshine
Single Mom
Beachy vibes
Read if you love:
Friends to Lovers
Sunshine/Sunshine
Single Mom
Beachy vibes
September 4, 2025
Thanks Allie Samberts for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
📖Read if you like:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- Single mom
- Audiobook narrator/sound engineer
- Dual POV
THIS is why I love childhood friends to lovers so much and Love Out Loud was one of my favourites.😍 I’m obsessed with Lennon & Lark and they’ve become a top couple for me. The amount of love they’ve had for each other over 25years of friendship is so easy to see and the tension between them is INSANE!! I couldn’t put it down. And the relationship Lennon had with Lark’s daughter, Devin, truly melted my heart. 🥹 It was so so sweet! I highly recommend reading this amazing book. You’re guaranteed to be kicking your feet and squealing the whole way through like I did.😆
📖Read if you like:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- Single mom
- Audiobook narrator/sound engineer
- Dual POV
THIS is why I love childhood friends to lovers so much and Love Out Loud was one of my favourites.😍 I’m obsessed with Lennon & Lark and they’ve become a top couple for me. The amount of love they’ve had for each other over 25years of friendship is so easy to see and the tension between them is INSANE!! I couldn’t put it down. And the relationship Lennon had with Lark’s daughter, Devin, truly melted my heart. 🥹 It was so so sweet! I highly recommend reading this amazing book. You’re guaranteed to be kicking your feet and squealing the whole way through like I did.😆
October 18, 2025
this was such a cute & quick read. i can always count on allie samberts for a super satisfying book. lennon and lark were beyond cute. i love a childhood friends to lovers trope and this one was perfect. i love how allie writes later in life (40’s) romances. as i get older (im literally only 26 lol) i enjoy them more and more and think they come across and so much more realistic. allie includes all the nuances of falling in love later in life, like kids, careers, and all the emotional baggage from your younger years. this book was such a breath of fresh air and just so good. i’m honestly beating myself up for waiting until just now to read this one!
November 25, 2025
Two best friends. One life changing summer together in beautiful and sunny Los Angeles!
Met Lark and Lennon. They’ve been friends for 25 years. Distance may have kept them apart physically for years, but they are so close and are kindred spirits. When Lark gets an incredible job opportunity, she gets to visit Lennon for the summer and even stay with him. Close proximity is sure to change their relationship dynamic forever! I loved seeing them bond in a whole new way. They fit together like puzzles pieces and I was just swooning over all their interactions. Such a well done friends to lovers that swept me off my feet!
Thank you Allie for the gifted copy!
Met Lark and Lennon. They’ve been friends for 25 years. Distance may have kept them apart physically for years, but they are so close and are kindred spirits. When Lark gets an incredible job opportunity, she gets to visit Lennon for the summer and even stay with him. Close proximity is sure to change their relationship dynamic forever! I loved seeing them bond in a whole new way. They fit together like puzzles pieces and I was just swooning over all their interactions. Such a well done friends to lovers that swept me off my feet!
Thank you Allie for the gifted copy!
December 10, 2025
Love Out Loud by Allie Samberts is a heart‑warming, feel‑good romance that emphasizes healing, honesty, and second chances. The story centres on two people — both carrying emotional baggage — who cautiously begin to trust each other again. Samberts writes with a gentle, warm tone, giving characters space to grow, make mistakes, and learn how to love out loud. There’s sincerity in their conversations, tenderness in their moments together, and a gradual building of trust rather than instant love. For readers who prefer romance that’s realistic, heartfelt, and focused on emotional authenticity over drama — this book is a comforting, hopeful read.
July 31, 2025
This book made my heart so happy. Two people who have been best friends for 24 years, being the rock for each other while living life each one in their own way. An opportunity comes up that Lennon can't let it pass without asking his best friend to take so that she can fall in love with the part of her life she was forgetting. These two have such a beautiful connection that they don't see it can take them beyond the friendship they share. This book made my heart so happy and it was everything I was expecting and more ♡ Allie's books will always be 100% recommended from me♡
August 4, 2025
A Love Story of Sunshine
This is everything I want in a book. Lark and Lennon stole my heart from the very first chapters. I love everything Allie writes, but this might be my new favorite. It was such a beautiful story of two people coming together after years of friendship, who bring out the best in each other, and support each other. This truly felt like it lit up my soul, the sunshine these characters brought out in each other perfectly translates to you. I devoured it in 3 days and will definitely need a reread.
This is everything I want in a book. Lark and Lennon stole my heart from the very first chapters. I love everything Allie writes, but this might be my new favorite. It was such a beautiful story of two people coming together after years of friendship, who bring out the best in each other, and support each other. This truly felt like it lit up my soul, the sunshine these characters brought out in each other perfectly translates to you. I devoured it in 3 days and will definitely need a reread.
August 4, 2025
This type of book is one of my favorite genres and I always appreciate characters who have lived a little and are getting a second chance at something. Life is long, it’s always nice to be reminded (in fiction and in life) that everything doesn’t stop at 30. It was a good read that kept me neglecting my to do list to read another chapter. Lark and Lennon are believable characters, LA is one of my favorite cities, but most importantly Lark got a second chance at a dream which is something I think we all hope for.
August 5, 2025
Obviously, if Allie writes it, I’m going to read it!
One thing about Allie, she gives you characters who’ve truly lived, who’ve been through the ups and downs of real life. I absolutely loved Lark and Lennon. One of my favorite parts was how their relationship came full circle: Lark saw Lennon when he needed it most, and decades later, Lennon had the chance to reflect that back and show Lark who she was always meant to be.
While this one does touch on some heavier topics, there are still plenty of heartwarming, swoony moments too. So of course, I highly recommend picking this one up!
One thing about Allie, she gives you characters who’ve truly lived, who’ve been through the ups and downs of real life. I absolutely loved Lark and Lennon. One of my favorite parts was how their relationship came full circle: Lark saw Lennon when he needed it most, and decades later, Lennon had the chance to reflect that back and show Lark who she was always meant to be.
While this one does touch on some heavier topics, there are still plenty of heartwarming, swoony moments too. So of course, I highly recommend picking this one up!
September 3, 2025
Another great romance from Allie Samberts! For any former theater kid, you'll love this friends-to-lovers book about Lark and Lennon, who are nearing forty and have kept their friendship strong since high school drama club. There's plenty of heart and realistic conflict as Lark isn't sure how much she's allowed to want for herself now that her daughter's heading off to college. The friendship and the unfulfilled longing between Lark and Lennon is gorgeous and leads to a slow-burn (twenty-five years!) romance with plenty of fantastic chemistry.
August 2, 2025
Overall, I think this had potential to be really fun, but in the end it sacrificed character development and a well rounded plot by saying, “They’ve been friends forever” and then jumping into furthering their physical relationship. I just wasn’t connected to the outcome because I knew nothing about them. It felt very rushed. This had some good moments though… snippets where I was entertained so it’s worth a read if you aren’t looking for anything beyond a lot of telling instead of any showing.
August 7, 2025
Friends to Lovers
4.75⭐️ First of all, Yay for MCs that are age 40+. Lennon and Lark have been good friends for 25 years and care for each other deeply, but have never been romantically involved. Lark is divorced and her daughter is leaving for college so she goes to LA to record an audiobook. She stays with Lennon while she’s there and they finally move past friendship. This has anxiety and therapy rep as well as humor and spice.
4.75⭐️ First of all, Yay for MCs that are age 40+. Lennon and Lark have been good friends for 25 years and care for each other deeply, but have never been romantically involved. Lark is divorced and her daughter is leaving for college so she goes to LA to record an audiobook. She stays with Lennon while she’s there and they finally move past friendship. This has anxiety and therapy rep as well as humor and spice.
July 31, 2025
Allie does it AGAIN! This is a sunshine x sunshine, best friends turn lovers, single mom and so much more! In a time where the world is kind of scrappy, this is a breath of fresh air! I really loved the FMC and MMC in this story, they were so fun! Pretty much all I can say is if Allie writes it, I'M GONNA READ IT!
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