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If You Dare #2
Sour Notes
Note to self:
Don’t fake date your ridiculously hot best-friend-slash-roommate if you’re not prepared to accidentally ride him like a pony in paradise.
Which is why telling our families that Swayze Wolff and I are dating is easily my dumbest idea yet.
But with a toxic ex waiting at my twin brother’s destination wedding, and months of online dating resulting in nothing but unsolicited d*ck pics with a side of shriveled nut sacks…
what choice do I have?
FML.
We’re forced to go from estranged BFF’s who only communicate via snarky post-it notes to hopelessly devoted in a matter of minutes.
Not that it matters. He’s a commitment-phobic police lieutenant and I’m a hot mess who doesn’t do boyfriends, unless they have batteries.
It’s foolproof, right?
Totally the safest option.
Except my “fake boyfriend” is way too real. My family adores him.
My ex loathes him.
And when my boss hands me a buzz-worthy
assignment, guess who volunteers to take notes?
Two weeks in paradise.
One bed.
Zero boundaries.
And suddenly I’m ready to rewrite all the rules.
But last time I believed in a fairytale, I got trapped in a nightmare, and that’s one chapter I don’t plan on rereading.
Don’t fake date your ridiculously hot best-friend-slash-roommate if you’re not prepared to accidentally ride him like a pony in paradise.
Which is why telling our families that Swayze Wolff and I are dating is easily my dumbest idea yet.
But with a toxic ex waiting at my twin brother’s destination wedding, and months of online dating resulting in nothing but unsolicited d*ck pics with a side of shriveled nut sacks…
what choice do I have?
FML.
We’re forced to go from estranged BFF’s who only communicate via snarky post-it notes to hopelessly devoted in a matter of minutes.
Not that it matters. He’s a commitment-phobic police lieutenant and I’m a hot mess who doesn’t do boyfriends, unless they have batteries.
It’s foolproof, right?
Totally the safest option.
Except my “fake boyfriend” is way too real. My family adores him.
My ex loathes him.
And when my boss hands me a buzz-worthy
assignment, guess who volunteers to take notes?
Two weeks in paradise.
One bed.
Zero boundaries.
And suddenly I’m ready to rewrite all the rules.
But last time I believed in a fairytale, I got trapped in a nightmare, and that’s one chapter I don’t plan on rereading.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2026
About the author
Canea Cox
6 books77 followersOh hai!
Welcome to my GR Profile.
I’m a UK based author / illustrator, living in London with my IRL book hubby.
If I’m not dreaming up or drawing my latest book boyfriend, I can be found looking at our predominantly grey skies and manifesting sunset views over the ocean.
Fun fact: my book characters reeeally start talking to me once I’ve drawn them. Sweet Hate all started with their cover, and Haven just couldn’t stop chatting away in my mind at 3am until I listened and spilled out her story.
Between my sheets you can expect to find the inner ramblings of the heroes who love hard, and the sassy, spirited heroines who love to bring them to their knees. You’ll also find, not limited to, crass humour (because yes, I do have the same sense of humour as a teenage boy occasionally 🤷♀️), swearing, spice, and the odd Britishism that will very likely sneak into all my characters because I write how I talk…
If you loved my books, feel free to inbox me on
Insta @caneacoxauthor, because I love to hear about what you enjoyed!
If you hated it, that’s cool, but respectfully, I don’t need those inbox DM’s.
This author shit is a wild ride, and I’m thrilled you hopped on it with me!
Welcome to my GR Profile.
I’m a UK based author / illustrator, living in London with my IRL book hubby.
If I’m not dreaming up or drawing my latest book boyfriend, I can be found looking at our predominantly grey skies and manifesting sunset views over the ocean.
Fun fact: my book characters reeeally start talking to me once I’ve drawn them. Sweet Hate all started with their cover, and Haven just couldn’t stop chatting away in my mind at 3am until I listened and spilled out her story.
Between my sheets you can expect to find the inner ramblings of the heroes who love hard, and the sassy, spirited heroines who love to bring them to their knees. You’ll also find, not limited to, crass humour (because yes, I do have the same sense of humour as a teenage boy occasionally 🤷♀️), swearing, spice, and the odd Britishism that will very likely sneak into all my characters because I write how I talk…
If you loved my books, feel free to inbox me on
Insta @caneacoxauthor, because I love to hear about what you enjoyed!
If you hated it, that’s cool, but respectfully, I don’t need those inbox DM’s.
This author shit is a wild ride, and I’m thrilled you hopped on it with me!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
September 4, 2026
So Swayze has been in love with Mia his whole life but doesnt go after her because its his best friends sister. 😒 ugh men i swear. So he let her go and watched from a distance her date and all that and he never settled he was the "playboy"
But they pushed the line with a one night Swayze said the date word to her and Mia sorta pushed away thinking he was taking pity on her.
Then she dropped a bomb because the family was trying to set her up on a date for her twins wedding. Que fake dating between the 2. Which was hard on both trying not to blur the line.
So cute dates, toy rating and making sure her ex doesn't bruise her again. Its so cute watching them fall in love even if Mia did push away more. My thing was the brother wasn't even mad. He was grossed out with all there sex talk 🤣🤣🤣
Saftey-it was stated that Swayze was a playboy but we didn't see that happen, mia went on a few dates because she's a writer and she was lonely nothing happened.
Low angst, no ow/slight om, no cheating, Drama, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶
Prologue
Slowburn
Pinning
Seperation few days
Praise kink
Toy play
Push/pull from both
Masturbation
Public play
Forced proximity
Hea
Epilogue
But they pushed the line with a one night Swayze said the date word to her and Mia sorta pushed away thinking he was taking pity on her.
Then she dropped a bomb because the family was trying to set her up on a date for her twins wedding. Que fake dating between the 2. Which was hard on both trying not to blur the line.
So cute dates, toy rating and making sure her ex doesn't bruise her again. Its so cute watching them fall in love even if Mia did push away more. My thing was the brother wasn't even mad. He was grossed out with all there sex talk 🤣🤣🤣
Saftey-it was stated that Swayze was a playboy but we didn't see that happen, mia went on a few dates because she's a writer and she was lonely nothing happened.
Low angst, no ow/slight om, no cheating, Drama, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶
Prologue
Slowburn
Pinning
Seperation few days
Praise kink
Toy play
Push/pull from both
Masturbation
Public play
Forced proximity
Hea
Epilogue
September 4, 2026
Loved loved loved!! Easiest 5 ⭐️ ever!!
Audio performances? Smash. Savannah Thomas and James Cassidy were utter perfection. Laugh out loud HYSTERICS. A must listen. Performed in duet style.
I had no idea what to expect but it looked cute and I love the narrators. This story had everything I love. Childhood friends to lovers. He’s been pining. She has no idea. She has to overcome abuse from a previous relationship and learn her worth. He’s always there for her. Ugh. Devine.
Grab this one. It’s clone-a-cock-o’clock!!!
Audio performances? Smash. Savannah Thomas and James Cassidy were utter perfection. Laugh out loud HYSTERICS. A must listen. Performed in duet style.
I had no idea what to expect but it looked cute and I love the narrators. This story had everything I love. Childhood friends to lovers. He’s been pining. She has no idea. She has to overcome abuse from a previous relationship and learn her worth. He’s always there for her. Ugh. Devine.
Grab this one. It’s clone-a-cock-o’clock!!!
September 10, 2026
5🌟 | 3🌶️
Watching Mia and Swayze stumble from an awkward, chemically charged drunken hookup into the ultimate fake dating scheme for a destination wedding proved entirely addictive.
Their long-standing history gave every piece of sharp dialogue and lingering look an electric current of unspoken tension that kept the pages turning at breakneck speed.
Swayze stepping up as the ultimate devoted, pining lover boy while helping Mia navigate the heavy emotional fallout of her past abuse added such a tender, grounded layer to the story. Instead of letting her past define her recovery, the narrative celebrated her strength and body positivity, anchoring their scorching chemistry in genuine mutual respect. Every hilarious outburst and vulnerable crack in their armor felt precise, making their eventual transition from roommates to true partners feel completely earned.
This gem of a romance delivered all the laughs, steam, and emotional payoff a reader could possibly ask for before wrapping up with a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Canea Cox and Love Notes PR for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
Watching Mia and Swayze stumble from an awkward, chemically charged drunken hookup into the ultimate fake dating scheme for a destination wedding proved entirely addictive.
Their long-standing history gave every piece of sharp dialogue and lingering look an electric current of unspoken tension that kept the pages turning at breakneck speed.
Swayze stepping up as the ultimate devoted, pining lover boy while helping Mia navigate the heavy emotional fallout of her past abuse added such a tender, grounded layer to the story. Instead of letting her past define her recovery, the narrative celebrated her strength and body positivity, anchoring their scorching chemistry in genuine mutual respect. Every hilarious outburst and vulnerable crack in their armor felt precise, making their eventual transition from roommates to true partners feel completely earned.
This gem of a romance delivered all the laughs, steam, and emotional payoff a reader could possibly ask for before wrapping up with a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Canea Cox and Love Notes PR for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
October 1, 2026
This book had a lot of "I knew it! I KNEW IT!" moments 🤣 I knew what was coming and the author wrote it beautifully. It had giggling half the time or wanting to shake the FMC. Which does not happen often, but I just wanted her to open herself to the possibilities!
You follow, Swayze, PD lieutenant, and Mia, who has her own writing column. They are very different but unknowingly have the same weakness. They definitely have a few unplanned moments that leave them more confused. They have also known each other for a very long time, and their families have rooted for them from the start
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
You follow, Swayze, PD lieutenant, and Mia, who has her own writing column. They are very different but unknowingly have the same weakness. They definitely have a few unplanned moments that leave them more confused. They have also known each other for a very long time, and their families have rooted for them from the start
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
October 7, 2026
I enjoyed this book so much more than the first book in the series (which I DNF).
It still is a little silly, but the narrators absolutely sold me on this book. James Cassidy and Savannah Thomas are so good. It's a duet narration dual POV first person. I don't think anyone could pull of Swayze better than JC. His internal monologue is a crack up.
It still is a little silly, but the narrators absolutely sold me on this book. James Cassidy and Savannah Thomas are so good. It's a duet narration dual POV first person. I don't think anyone could pull of Swayze better than JC. His internal monologue is a crack up.
September 4, 2026
Sour Notes by Canea Cox
🎧 Duet narration by Savannah Thomas & James Cassidy
Produced by Pin Up Audio
How fun was this?! Spicy, great plot, amazing chemistry, and excellent banter. I love how Canea writes women who are comfortable with their bodies and sexuality.
🎧The narration was 10/10. Savannah Thomas is one of my absolute favorite female narrators. You can tell she puts real care into her narrations, and I love her for that. James Cassidy, I could listen to an audiobook just to hear him say fuuuck, lol. Jokes aside, the part of the man down bad sounds like it was written for him. These two were perfect together! I need to listen to more with this pair for sure. They are my favorites!
If you like:
Toys as Teammates
It’s Always Been You
Roommates to Lovers
Fake Dating
One Bed
⭐ Story: 4.5 stars
⭐ Narration: 5 stars
🌶️ Spice: 3 chilis
Thank you so much Pin Up Audio for the audio review copy, all opinions are my own
🎧 Duet narration by Savannah Thomas & James Cassidy
Produced by Pin Up Audio
How fun was this?! Spicy, great plot, amazing chemistry, and excellent banter. I love how Canea writes women who are comfortable with their bodies and sexuality.
🎧The narration was 10/10. Savannah Thomas is one of my absolute favorite female narrators. You can tell she puts real care into her narrations, and I love her for that. James Cassidy, I could listen to an audiobook just to hear him say fuuuck, lol. Jokes aside, the part of the man down bad sounds like it was written for him. These two were perfect together! I need to listen to more with this pair for sure. They are my favorites!
If you like:
Toys as Teammates
It’s Always Been You
Roommates to Lovers
Fake Dating
One Bed
⭐ Story: 4.5 stars
⭐ Narration: 5 stars
🌶️ Spice: 3 chilis
Thank you so much Pin Up Audio for the audio review copy, all opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Author
Y'all aren't ready for Mia and Swayze! 😍🔥
September 10, 2026
5 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️
I devoured this story. I absolutely love Swayze and Mia together. I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing throughout this character driven story. They are honestly soulmates, and the quiet, obsessive yearning was perfection.
Mia has been made to feel less due to a toxic ex, but her best friend has always seen who she truly is. With Swayze’s playboy reputation and her self doubt creeping in, crossing that line doesn’t seem like an option. But now, in a fake relationship and during an unforgettable weekend away for a wedding, things start to get heated especially since a drunken night ten months ago started to change things.
Mia is such a fun character. She has an energy that lights up the room, and when she’s around Swayze, this undeniable chemistry just radiates off them. Swayze is honestly obsessed with Mia but has never had a chance to take things further. When he tries to show signs, he gets mixed signals or it gets brushed off. They have this fun, flirty banter, and at times, Mia has a bit of a bratty side. I loved watching them explore each other in a no strings attached way. The heated, spicy scenes especially the public play and the helpful hand with trying out new products had me screaming, and the airport scene had me laughing so hard I had tears. These scenes will live rent free in my head. Their chemistry was off the charts.
The audiobook is a must it’s absolutely brilliant. Savannah and James were perfect in this. Especially a standout for me was how Canea created the inner monologue moments in the story. These narrators delivered those moments in such a way that was impactful and intentional. The depth of range just hooked me. Brilliant cast and performance.
I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series, as I have enjoyed both books in the series so far!
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 11hrs 27mins
Narrators: Savannah Thomas and James Cassidy - Duet
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
POV: First Person.
Series or Standalone: Book Two In The If You Dare Series
Tropes or Themes: Best Friends To Lovers, Fake Dating, Roommates, Reformed Playboy, Twin Brothers Best Friend, One Bed, Forced Proximity, Made Me Laugh, Chemistry, Tension, Soulmates, Flirty, Banter, Yearning, MMC Police Officer (Lieutenant), MMC Obsessed, Jealousy, Truth Or Dare, Grand Gesture, My Girl, Mine, Toxic Ex, Self Doubt, Violence, Sexual Content, Praise, Dirty Talk, Oral Play, Dry Humping Scene, Taken Bare, Toys, Toys as Teammates, Squirting, Restrictive Play, Impact Play and Public Play.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Margins | Pagebound | Pinterest | Facebook | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
I devoured this story. I absolutely love Swayze and Mia together. I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing throughout this character driven story. They are honestly soulmates, and the quiet, obsessive yearning was perfection.
Mia has been made to feel less due to a toxic ex, but her best friend has always seen who she truly is. With Swayze’s playboy reputation and her self doubt creeping in, crossing that line doesn’t seem like an option. But now, in a fake relationship and during an unforgettable weekend away for a wedding, things start to get heated especially since a drunken night ten months ago started to change things.
Mia is such a fun character. She has an energy that lights up the room, and when she’s around Swayze, this undeniable chemistry just radiates off them. Swayze is honestly obsessed with Mia but has never had a chance to take things further. When he tries to show signs, he gets mixed signals or it gets brushed off. They have this fun, flirty banter, and at times, Mia has a bit of a bratty side. I loved watching them explore each other in a no strings attached way. The heated, spicy scenes especially the public play and the helpful hand with trying out new products had me screaming, and the airport scene had me laughing so hard I had tears. These scenes will live rent free in my head. Their chemistry was off the charts.
The audiobook is a must it’s absolutely brilliant. Savannah and James were perfect in this. Especially a standout for me was how Canea created the inner monologue moments in the story. These narrators delivered those moments in such a way that was impactful and intentional. The depth of range just hooked me. Brilliant cast and performance.
I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series, as I have enjoyed both books in the series so far!
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 11hrs 27mins
Narrators: Savannah Thomas and James Cassidy - Duet
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
POV: First Person.
Series or Standalone: Book Two In The If You Dare Series
Tropes or Themes: Best Friends To Lovers, Fake Dating, Roommates, Reformed Playboy, Twin Brothers Best Friend, One Bed, Forced Proximity, Made Me Laugh, Chemistry, Tension, Soulmates, Flirty, Banter, Yearning, MMC Police Officer (Lieutenant), MMC Obsessed, Jealousy, Truth Or Dare, Grand Gesture, My Girl, Mine, Toxic Ex, Self Doubt, Violence, Sexual Content, Praise, Dirty Talk, Oral Play, Dry Humping Scene, Taken Bare, Toys, Toys as Teammates, Squirting, Restrictive Play, Impact Play and Public Play.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Margins | Pagebound | Pinterest | Facebook | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
September 4, 2026
WE ARE SO BACK BABY, CANEA I BLOODY MISSED YOU 😝
This book is so good 😭 One bed trope & forced proximity??? My favessss
First of all, can we talk about Swayze😭 I LOVE THIS MAN!!! Hes an absolute smoke show, has the dirtiest mouth on him and HE YEARNS😩 Ive never ever read a man that can pine like Swayze Wolff. What. A. Man.
He literally watches over her for years, loves her for years from afar. Mia not allowing herself to love him because of her own mental turmoil, killed me 😭 My sweet girl☹️
Mia is hot as fuck. She gives off the baddest bitch energy, shes fun, has a snarky, bratty attitude and deserves the absolute world🥹 100% in my top 10 fmc’s.
THE SPICE IN THIS BOOK HAD ME CLAWING AT THE WALLS😅 I was giggling like a maniac and OF COURSE, Swayze talks her through it 🤪 His pov during these scenes was top tier, chefs kiss 🤌🏻
Ive never met an author that can keep me grinning like an idiot and swooning at the same time, these books do exactly that for me. The banter between these two is absolutely hilarious, from start to finish i was cackling like a witch😂
Of course, my kindle decided to coxblock me (ha, get it), it died…just as i got to the tentacle scene. ARE YOU JOKING. Ive never been so close to launching myself out of my window as i was in that moment.. it really is that serious 🙄
Special service announcement for Pete and Pete alone.. (clears throat) Ahem… SUCK MY FAT ONE
This book seriously deserves all the love in the world. 5 star rating isn’t even doing it justice, these characters are so so special to me. The dirty dancing references, seeing Axeman & Haven again, the ending, THE EPILOGUE?!?!
Also, snippet of book 3???!! HELLLLLOOOO!! I already know Lucas is trouble, i cant wait to see him and Blair in action 😮💨
Im seriously not going to shut up about this for the foreseeable. Canea, you are an absolute goddess, thank you for sharing these BEAUTIFUL characters with us 🫶🏻
This book is so good 😭 One bed trope & forced proximity??? My favessss
First of all, can we talk about Swayze😭 I LOVE THIS MAN!!! Hes an absolute smoke show, has the dirtiest mouth on him and HE YEARNS😩 Ive never ever read a man that can pine like Swayze Wolff. What. A. Man.
He literally watches over her for years, loves her for years from afar. Mia not allowing herself to love him because of her own mental turmoil, killed me 😭 My sweet girl☹️
Mia is hot as fuck. She gives off the baddest bitch energy, shes fun, has a snarky, bratty attitude and deserves the absolute world🥹 100% in my top 10 fmc’s.
THE SPICE IN THIS BOOK HAD ME CLAWING AT THE WALLS😅 I was giggling like a maniac and OF COURSE, Swayze talks her through it 🤪 His pov during these scenes was top tier, chefs kiss 🤌🏻
Ive never met an author that can keep me grinning like an idiot and swooning at the same time, these books do exactly that for me. The banter between these two is absolutely hilarious, from start to finish i was cackling like a witch😂
Of course, my kindle decided to coxblock me (ha, get it), it died…just as i got to the tentacle scene. ARE YOU JOKING. Ive never been so close to launching myself out of my window as i was in that moment.. it really is that serious 🙄
Special service announcement for Pete and Pete alone.. (clears throat) Ahem… SUCK MY FAT ONE
This book seriously deserves all the love in the world. 5 star rating isn’t even doing it justice, these characters are so so special to me. The dirty dancing references, seeing Axeman & Haven again, the ending, THE EPILOGUE?!?!
Also, snippet of book 3???!! HELLLLLOOOO!! I already know Lucas is trouble, i cant wait to see him and Blair in action 😮💨
Im seriously not going to shut up about this for the foreseeable. Canea, you are an absolute goddess, thank you for sharing these BEAUTIFUL characters with us 🫶🏻
September 9, 2026
📚 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆 📚
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sour Notes was absolutely worth the wait. I went into this expecting a fun, flirty romance, but I ended up getting so much more than that. This book had me laughing out loud, smiling at my screen, getting frustrated with the characters and, unexpectedly, feeling all the emotions right along with them.
Mia and Swayze completely stole the show for me. Mia is such a vibrant character — confident, outspoken and wonderfully unapologetic, yet there is a much more vulnerable side to her beneath all that sass. I really appreciated that her past wasn’t used to define her, but instead became part of a journey where she slowly learns to trust herself again.
And Swayze… what a man. 🥹 He is ridiculously lovable, devoted and completely gone for Mia, and I absolutely adored watching that come through. There is something incredibly endearing about how much he cares, while at the same time he has his own insecurities and feelings to work through. Together, they just work. Their chemistry, teasing and banter made their relationship so much fun to experience, while the more vulnerable moments gave it real emotional weight.
The humour was one of my favourite parts of this book. The conversations, inner thoughts, group-chat chaos and side characters added so much personality that I never wanted to leave this little world. And yes, the spice definitely delivered too. 🔥
I absolutely loved this book and these characters, and I am already looking forward to returning to this friend group. Five stars from me!
Thank you so much to @lovenotes.pr for the opportunity to read this ARC copy of Sour Notes!
FOLLOW ME
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/my.romance....
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/my.romance.o...
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sour Notes was absolutely worth the wait. I went into this expecting a fun, flirty romance, but I ended up getting so much more than that. This book had me laughing out loud, smiling at my screen, getting frustrated with the characters and, unexpectedly, feeling all the emotions right along with them.
Mia and Swayze completely stole the show for me. Mia is such a vibrant character — confident, outspoken and wonderfully unapologetic, yet there is a much more vulnerable side to her beneath all that sass. I really appreciated that her past wasn’t used to define her, but instead became part of a journey where she slowly learns to trust herself again.
And Swayze… what a man. 🥹 He is ridiculously lovable, devoted and completely gone for Mia, and I absolutely adored watching that come through. There is something incredibly endearing about how much he cares, while at the same time he has his own insecurities and feelings to work through. Together, they just work. Their chemistry, teasing and banter made their relationship so much fun to experience, while the more vulnerable moments gave it real emotional weight.
The humour was one of my favourite parts of this book. The conversations, inner thoughts, group-chat chaos and side characters added so much personality that I never wanted to leave this little world. And yes, the spice definitely delivered too. 🔥
I absolutely loved this book and these characters, and I am already looking forward to returning to this friend group. Five stars from me!
Thank you so much to @lovenotes.pr for the opportunity to read this ARC copy of Sour Notes!
FOLLOW ME
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/my.romance....
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/my.romance.o...
August 21, 2026
If first like to thank Canea Cox and LoveNotes PR for the ARC and PinUp Audio for the ALC of this incredible story!
Sour Notes is another masterpiece from Canea, I devoured this book so quick, I just couldn’t put it down! 😍 I was so happy to have the audio as well, which meant I could switch between the two while at work and pottering about the house! No one was getting in my way of reading about Mia and Swayze!! 🔥 and the way Savannah Thomas and James Cassidy brings these characters to life is just wow! 🤩 I can’t wait to listen to this again and again!
I fell in love with the Sweet Haven team last year when I read Sweet Hate and after reading Sour Notes my love has only grown. Our girl Haven in those group chats along with Lucas and Beckett had me absolutely buckled!! 🤣🤣
Mia and Swayze’s story is just magic, the way he has yearned for her for so long, but being the bestest of friends to her no matter his feelings is so swoon worthy, this man! I mean 🥵
When Mia is finally free after a douchebag ex and one drunken night Swayze is no longer wanting to stay just the bestie 😍😍 *kicks feet and squeals with delight*
Mia wants to save face at her twin brother’s wedding (douchebag will be there 🤬) so who better to ask to be her fake boyfriend than the best man, her bestie Swayze!!! And we all know what that means, in the words of Haven “Faking it? That’s like the start of any good romance novel, just saying.” 😜
Sour Notes is a hilarious Friends to lovers, fake dating, small town, forced proximity, one bed romance and I loved it all!!
The post it notes!!! (IYKYK) OMG!! my wee heart!! 😍🥰😍🥰
I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book and to see more from the Sweet Haven team!! 🥰
Sour Notes is another masterpiece from Canea, I devoured this book so quick, I just couldn’t put it down! 😍 I was so happy to have the audio as well, which meant I could switch between the two while at work and pottering about the house! No one was getting in my way of reading about Mia and Swayze!! 🔥 and the way Savannah Thomas and James Cassidy brings these characters to life is just wow! 🤩 I can’t wait to listen to this again and again!
I fell in love with the Sweet Haven team last year when I read Sweet Hate and after reading Sour Notes my love has only grown. Our girl Haven in those group chats along with Lucas and Beckett had me absolutely buckled!! 🤣🤣
Mia and Swayze’s story is just magic, the way he has yearned for her for so long, but being the bestest of friends to her no matter his feelings is so swoon worthy, this man! I mean 🥵
When Mia is finally free after a douchebag ex and one drunken night Swayze is no longer wanting to stay just the bestie 😍😍 *kicks feet and squeals with delight*
Mia wants to save face at her twin brother’s wedding (douchebag will be there 🤬) so who better to ask to be her fake boyfriend than the best man, her bestie Swayze!!! And we all know what that means, in the words of Haven “Faking it? That’s like the start of any good romance novel, just saying.” 😜
Sour Notes is a hilarious Friends to lovers, fake dating, small town, forced proximity, one bed romance and I loved it all!!
The post it notes!!! (IYKYK) OMG!! my wee heart!! 😍🥰😍🥰
I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book and to see more from the Sweet Haven team!! 🥰
August 27, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
This was such a difficult book to rate because I absolutely adored the characters, but I did find myself struggling with the pacing at times.
Swayze has been in love with Mia since the moment they met, but because she was his best friend’s little sister, he kept his feelings to himself. While Mia moved on and dated someone else, Swayze became known as the guy who never settled down and avoided relationships altogether.
What Mia doesn’t know is that the reason Swayze never wanted a relationship is because none of those women were her. 🥹
I am an absolute sucker for a man who has been quietly pining for years, and Swayze completely won me over. Watching him love Mia from afar while convincing himself she could never feel the same way was equal parts sweet and heartbreaking.
Mia and Swayze’s chemistry was undeniable, and I loved the progression from friends to lovers. Add in the fake dating trope and I was fully invested in seeing these two finally get their happily ever after.
My biggest issue was the amount of inner monologue throughout the book. There were so many scenes dedicated to the characters’ thoughts that it sometimes slowed the story down and pulled me out of the moment. I found myself wanting less time inside their heads and more time watching the plot and romance unfold.
That said, I still really enjoyed this one. The characters were lovable, the romance was full of tension and longing, and Swayze’s years of pining had me rooting for him from the very beginning.
Thank you for the ARC.
This was such a difficult book to rate because I absolutely adored the characters, but I did find myself struggling with the pacing at times.
Swayze has been in love with Mia since the moment they met, but because she was his best friend’s little sister, he kept his feelings to himself. While Mia moved on and dated someone else, Swayze became known as the guy who never settled down and avoided relationships altogether.
What Mia doesn’t know is that the reason Swayze never wanted a relationship is because none of those women were her. 🥹
I am an absolute sucker for a man who has been quietly pining for years, and Swayze completely won me over. Watching him love Mia from afar while convincing himself she could never feel the same way was equal parts sweet and heartbreaking.
Mia and Swayze’s chemistry was undeniable, and I loved the progression from friends to lovers. Add in the fake dating trope and I was fully invested in seeing these two finally get their happily ever after.
My biggest issue was the amount of inner monologue throughout the book. There were so many scenes dedicated to the characters’ thoughts that it sometimes slowed the story down and pulled me out of the moment. I found myself wanting less time inside their heads and more time watching the plot and romance unfold.
That said, I still really enjoyed this one. The characters were lovable, the romance was full of tension and longing, and Swayze’s years of pining had me rooting for him from the very beginning.
Thank you for the ARC.
September 7, 2026
Okay this book was so fun?! Swayze and Mia are roommates and childhood friends who drunkenly hooked up and now things are super awkward between them. But when Mia needs a date to her brother’s wedding to ward off her meddling mother, Swayze steps in (hilariously) as her fake boyfriend for the two-week long destination wedding. Shenanigans ensue - funny, sweet, sexy! - throughout.
I had a freaking blast reading this! There was a whole slew of side characters that you get to know and they were super fun, and the way Swayze and Mia interacted with each other + the rest of the group was really entertaining. Mia and Swayze AKA Wolf AKA Wolfie had tons of chemistry and I loved the way this story unfolded. It was just such a gem to read and finish out the summer with. I can’t wait to read about the rest of this crazy group in the next book!!
Thanks to Love Notes PR for the ARC!
I had a freaking blast reading this! There was a whole slew of side characters that you get to know and they were super fun, and the way Swayze and Mia interacted with each other + the rest of the group was really entertaining. Mia and Swayze AKA Wolf AKA Wolfie had tons of chemistry and I loved the way this story unfolded. It was just such a gem to read and finish out the summer with. I can’t wait to read about the rest of this crazy group in the next book!!
Thanks to Love Notes PR for the ARC!
August 25, 2026
Oh my god! This book had me laughing so much I couldn’t keep it in. My husband thought something was wrong the first couple of times he heard me laughing until he realized I was listening to the book!
The heat in this book is less steamy 🧖 and more on fire! 🔥
I loved how both narrators brought this book and these characters to life. The bloopers… OMG the bloopers!
The author has now been put on my insta read list… now to look for a backlist!
I’d like to thank the author and PinUp Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book.
The heat in this book is less steamy 🧖 and more on fire! 🔥
I loved how both narrators brought this book and these characters to life. The bloopers… OMG the bloopers!
The author has now been put on my insta read list… now to look for a backlist!
I’d like to thank the author and PinUp Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book.
September 10, 2026
Disclosure: This book was provided as an Advance Review Copy (ARC), in exchange for an honest review. Receiving an ARC never influences my rating or opinions.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had me abosultely hooked from the beginning. I think every girl absolutely needs a man like Swayze. The way he yearned for her and encouraged her to always be herself unapologetically was adorable.
I appreciated the insight the book gave into some sensitive topics, I think that it should just how deeply and long words affect us.
I will definitely be reading more from Canae, I really enjoyed her writing style and how she places you directly in the characters heads. I love a good inner monologue.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had me abosultely hooked from the beginning. I think every girl absolutely needs a man like Swayze. The way he yearned for her and encouraged her to always be herself unapologetically was adorable.
I appreciated the insight the book gave into some sensitive topics, I think that it should just how deeply and long words affect us.
I will definitely be reading more from Canae, I really enjoyed her writing style and how she places you directly in the characters heads. I love a good inner monologue.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5⭐️ 3.5🌶 5🎧
I knew this would be funny but I didnt expect to feel so much emotion. This story also broke my heart and made me feel seen. I have read the fist book in this series and still didnt expect the big feels that this one delivers. Also Cenea Cox just cemented her place in my auto buy list with 2 books I couldn't put down. Also she writes female character that embrace their sexuality and sexual needs without shame.
The longin, pinning and chemistry are so good. The forced proximity between Swayze and Mia delivered such delicious fun. Not only do we get some amazing spice but this is when they reset and open up to understand eachother better. Swayze is down bad head over heals for Mia and I love seeing the playboy embrace his devotion to his persona when he finds her.
Love this group of friends and the text chats are absolutely hysterical. I cant wait for the next book.
This audiobook is duet style narration by Savannah Thomas and James Cassidy. What a captivating duo. They destroyed this audio performance. The not only gave Mia and Swayze life but they had different voices and toes for all of the characters in the story. It made it so easy to be immersed in this story. Amazing audio.
Thank you to Cenea Cox and PinUp Audio for this ALC. These are my honest opinions and feelings.
I knew this would be funny but I didnt expect to feel so much emotion. This story also broke my heart and made me feel seen. I have read the fist book in this series and still didnt expect the big feels that this one delivers. Also Cenea Cox just cemented her place in my auto buy list with 2 books I couldn't put down. Also she writes female character that embrace their sexuality and sexual needs without shame.
The longin, pinning and chemistry are so good. The forced proximity between Swayze and Mia delivered such delicious fun. Not only do we get some amazing spice but this is when they reset and open up to understand eachother better. Swayze is down bad head over heals for Mia and I love seeing the playboy embrace his devotion to his persona when he finds her.
Love this group of friends and the text chats are absolutely hysterical. I cant wait for the next book.
This audiobook is duet style narration by Savannah Thomas and James Cassidy. What a captivating duo. They destroyed this audio performance. The not only gave Mia and Swayze life but they had different voices and toes for all of the characters in the story. It made it so easy to be immersed in this story. Amazing audio.
Thank you to Cenea Cox and PinUp Audio for this ALC. These are my honest opinions and feelings.
September 20, 2026
Romcom that will actually make you LOL
Canea Cox is one of my new favorite contemporary authors. Both her books in this series are hilarious. Great characters who are unique.
That said, listen to this one on audio. James Cassidy is swoon-worthy as Swayze. Yes, please patrol puppy!
Canea Cox is one of my new favorite contemporary authors. Both her books in this series are hilarious. Great characters who are unique.
That said, listen to this one on audio. James Cassidy is swoon-worthy as Swayze. Yes, please patrol puppy!
September 30, 2026
This started out really good but unfortunately seemed somewhat repetitive and blah as I continued. I don't like when characters completely change and while Swayze didn't do a 180 he did something really lame and totally not believable at the end in my opinion and that's when the 3 star crept in.
October 5, 2026
lol this book was so dumb and bad but kind of funny and silly. Don’t think too hard or you’ll realize how stupid it is. Also the inner monologues the characters have go on and on and on. Ugh. James Cassidy’s voice is great.
September 26, 2026
Wonderful! All the feels and I laughed out loud through the whole book.
September 28, 2026
3.5 stars ⭐️ ARC Read
It took me a little bit to start enjoying this story, and then when I finally did, I started to not love it again. Mia and Swayze's relationship was purely just physical attraction and it never got much deeper. Not to mention, I was not a fan at all of their constant "situation" in the beginning of the book. It was very odd. I love books where the characters are well rounded and actually enjoy each other on a deep level, so this one wasn't for me.
It took me a little bit to start enjoying this story, and then when I finally did, I started to not love it again. Mia and Swayze's relationship was purely just physical attraction and it never got much deeper. Not to mention, I was not a fan at all of their constant "situation" in the beginning of the book. It was very odd. I love books where the characters are well rounded and actually enjoy each other on a deep level, so this one wasn't for me.
September 6, 2026
If you’re a wanting a book that will make you swoon, sweat, and swear, this is the one! It was so cute and lovey but also hot af. Canea, my queen, you’ve outdone yourself here.
This book was easily my favorite of the summer!
I love a friends to lovers plus fake dating ANDDDDD the setting being a destination like Santorini?! Hello, this was flawless!
I loved Swayze and Mia. Swayze yearned, bent over backwards, and did everything he could (including goat yoga with an ornery goat) for Mia.
Mia really struggled with some internal issues throughout the book mainly due to a horribly toxic ex POS, but we get to watch her character grow and learn to love herself throughout the book. I was so damn proud of Mia by the end that I wanted to jump into this book universe and hug her.
These two need each other like a plant needs sunlight. They are perfect for each other.
I’ve read it a couple times since getting my first ARC from Canea and every time I love it more.
OH AND THE AUDIO???? Honeyyyyyy. It’s like beautiful sexy music in my ear holes.
I’m so excited for book three! Anything Canea writes, I’ll read.
This book was easily my favorite of the summer!
I love a friends to lovers plus fake dating ANDDDDD the setting being a destination like Santorini?! Hello, this was flawless!
I loved Swayze and Mia. Swayze yearned, bent over backwards, and did everything he could (including goat yoga with an ornery goat) for Mia.
Mia really struggled with some internal issues throughout the book mainly due to a horribly toxic ex POS, but we get to watch her character grow and learn to love herself throughout the book. I was so damn proud of Mia by the end that I wanted to jump into this book universe and hug her.
These two need each other like a plant needs sunlight. They are perfect for each other.
I’ve read it a couple times since getting my first ARC from Canea and every time I love it more.
OH AND THE AUDIO???? Honeyyyyyy. It’s like beautiful sexy music in my ear holes.
I’m so excited for book three! Anything Canea writes, I’ll read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2026
@Journeymanreviews on Instagram
What. A. Fucking. Book. 😂 I genuinely don't know how Canea managed to make me laugh this much while also giving me a genuinely emotional storyline, because this book had me going from “What do you expect her to think, you're fucking her in a restroom?” to actually sitting there thinking about emotional abuse and trauma. The tonal balance in this book is honestly so good.
First of all,
Swayze! Canes, you absolutely fucking nailed this man. His inner monologue compared to what actually comes out of his mouth had me crying. The amount of times he's internally spiralling while externally managing some pathetic little response is hilarious. This man has absolutely no game when it comes to Mia, and the fact that he knows it makes it even better. “I'm sacrificing brain cells to my dick” genuinely sent me because he realises in real time that he's talking absolute nonsense to himself. I could listen to this man spiral all fucking day.
And the fourth wall breaking with Swayze made him even better. It felt like he was actually sitting there talking directly to me, and I fucking loved it. I can't stress enough how much His monologues were one of my favourite parts of the whole book because you could see exactly what he wanted to say versus what actually came out of his mouth. The man could be thinking about writing her a fucking love poem and then say “Fine, you look fine” out loud. 😂 Fucking idiot.
The friendship group was another massive win for me. Those of you that read my last review already know how much I adore left on read, the chat had me in stitches, and the addition of Dr Foxy obviously made everything even better. Not to mention my new vocal stim of "middle finger middle finger middle fingerrrrrrr".
I absolutely loved the passive aggressive sticky notes, the Ghostface mask, Dickanomics, the Clone a willy and Mario! My second favourite character called Mario!
There were so many ridiculous moments throughout this book that just worked. It genuinely felt like these people were having fun together, and I think you can actually hear that in the audiobook (we'll be back to talk about this).
And then we have Goat yoga, which might be one of my favourite scenes in the entire book. Hercules beefing with Wolff, Phillip deciding Wolff was apparently his new bed, Wolff losing his fucking mind over another male getting supposed attention from his woman and then “I didn't hear what she was saying through my meltdown.”
That line genuinely epitomises him. The whole scene was pure gold, and if this was a TV show I would have been crying laughing.
Remember I said we'd talk about it. James Cassidy, you sir are a master of your craft. The way you slipped between characters so smoothly, built the rapport between multiple different characters at the same time and carried the weight of Swayze's crazy spirals and internal monologue was incredible. You did an absolute standup job and I will absolutely be looking for more of your stuff.
Savannah Thomas, I think this is the first book of hers that I've done, and she was phenomenal. She really brought all of Mia to life, strong, warm, kind and vulnerable, my lord you really did so well bringing her vulnerabilities to life you really did an amazing job carrying the weight of her struggles and conveying them so beautifully.
Underneath all of the comedy, what really got me was Mia's story. As the book progressed, it became increasingly obvious just how much damage Pete had done to her the fucking cunt. The verbal abuse, the manipulation and emotional dependency he'd created didn't just disappear because she was away from him and now surrounded by people who loved her. She could be in a safe and loving situation and still find herself mentally reverting back to the place she'd been in before. The deep dark corner where she put herself to survive
I thought Canea handled that really well, particularly when Mia finally opens up about what she's been feeling. That chapter hit differently because there was no comedy to hide behind. It was just Mia being vulnerable and trying to make sense of what had happened to her. I think it's really important for books to show that emotional abuse can have a lasting impact and that getting out of the situation doesn't automatically mean you're immediately okay. You can have people around you who love you and still feel incredibly alone. Again shout out to Savannah for doing such an amazing job at bringing this to life.
Swayze, Wolff, my man, this man for anyone who's listened to training season, that song was written about this man, I fucking love him, what a yearner. Yes, this man has been yearning for Mia for years, but what I really appreciated was how much he cared about making her feel safe and comfortable. He didn't just want her physically he wanted all of her.
He wanted her to trust him, to feel protected and to know that he was there when things got difficult. That's what I want from a romance. It's not always about sex. It's intimacy. Being seen, touched, admired, understood and safe enough to actually let someone in.
Their chemistry was fucking fantastic as well. The desire between these two was ridiculous, and I loved how effortlessly the book could go from something genuinely sexy to something that had me laughing five seconds later. The fake relationship was obviously never going to remain fake, especially when they were finding literally any excuse to kiss each other. They set rules that they both knew they weren't going to follow, and watching those rules slowly disintegrate was brilliant.
The truth or dare scene was fantastic, the tension was ridiculous and the payoff was absolutely worth it. Then we got the one bed situation, because obviously we did, and somehow they still tried to convince themselves this was all completely normal. 😂 And don't even get me started on Swayze getting jealous over her cousin. That man was fighting for his fucking life. I related to that jealousy more than I probably should have, because you can be secure in your relationship and still be aware that other men are dogs. 😂
I also really loved the quieter moments between the characters. The conversation between Wolff and Nick was particularly good because it reminded us that underneath all the chaos, these guys genuinely care about each other. Sometimes you can go years without seeing someone regularly and still know that person is one of your best friends, and I thought that came across really naturally. Shout out my boy!
The wedding was giving me massive My Big Fat Greek Wedding vibes and I was all for it. The family chaos, the food, the ridiculousness, all of it. And then, because apparently Mia and Swayze weren't allowed to have one peaceful fucking day, Pete had to turn up and ruin everything. I genuinely wanted to launch that man into the sun at several points throughout this book. It even that would be too merciful.
What I appreciated, though, was that Mia's journey didn't magically end because she found Swayze. She still had to deal with her own trauma and learn to trust herself again. Watching her finally have people around her who could support her without controlling her was really satisfying, especially after everything Pete had taken from her. It was amazing to find out that everything she feared was irrelevant and that her family had always supported her! Shout out big momma for always having her Mia's back!
And then we get the epilogue. Three years later, they've got kids and then suddenly twins. 😭🥰 Honestly, I loved that for them. Seeing Swayze as a dad was ridiculously sweet, and being a dad really is one of the best jobs in the world despite the exhaustion, tantrums and general chaos. I wouldn't swap it either.
Also, baby Mia not sharing her croissant with Swayze when big Mia wouldn't absolutely fucking finished me. Kids really do become copies of their mothers 🤣🤣😂 And Canes, I am formally requesting a Mario novella because that man deserves his own story.
Overall Sour Notes is fucking brilliant. It was sexy, hilarious, emotional and chaotic, but it also had some genuinely important things to say about emotional abuse, trauma, friendship and what it means to feel safe with another person. I laughed an embarrassing amount, I got way too invested in these characters, I developed beef with a snivelling piece of shit, I wanted to personally fight him and I am now apparently going to have to investigate that hotel because it sounded fucking incredible. It b er you er be r al
Wow. What a book.
What. A. Fucking. Book. 😂 I genuinely don't know how Canea managed to make me laugh this much while also giving me a genuinely emotional storyline, because this book had me going from “What do you expect her to think, you're fucking her in a restroom?” to actually sitting there thinking about emotional abuse and trauma. The tonal balance in this book is honestly so good.
First of all,
Swayze! Canes, you absolutely fucking nailed this man. His inner monologue compared to what actually comes out of his mouth had me crying. The amount of times he's internally spiralling while externally managing some pathetic little response is hilarious. This man has absolutely no game when it comes to Mia, and the fact that he knows it makes it even better. “I'm sacrificing brain cells to my dick” genuinely sent me because he realises in real time that he's talking absolute nonsense to himself. I could listen to this man spiral all fucking day.
And the fourth wall breaking with Swayze made him even better. It felt like he was actually sitting there talking directly to me, and I fucking loved it. I can't stress enough how much His monologues were one of my favourite parts of the whole book because you could see exactly what he wanted to say versus what actually came out of his mouth. The man could be thinking about writing her a fucking love poem and then say “Fine, you look fine” out loud. 😂 Fucking idiot.
The friendship group was another massive win for me. Those of you that read my last review already know how much I adore left on read, the chat had me in stitches, and the addition of Dr Foxy obviously made everything even better. Not to mention my new vocal stim of "middle finger middle finger middle fingerrrrrrr".
I absolutely loved the passive aggressive sticky notes, the Ghostface mask, Dickanomics, the Clone a willy and Mario! My second favourite character called Mario!
There were so many ridiculous moments throughout this book that just worked. It genuinely felt like these people were having fun together, and I think you can actually hear that in the audiobook (we'll be back to talk about this).
And then we have Goat yoga, which might be one of my favourite scenes in the entire book. Hercules beefing with Wolff, Phillip deciding Wolff was apparently his new bed, Wolff losing his fucking mind over another male getting supposed attention from his woman and then “I didn't hear what she was saying through my meltdown.”
That line genuinely epitomises him. The whole scene was pure gold, and if this was a TV show I would have been crying laughing.
Remember I said we'd talk about it. James Cassidy, you sir are a master of your craft. The way you slipped between characters so smoothly, built the rapport between multiple different characters at the same time and carried the weight of Swayze's crazy spirals and internal monologue was incredible. You did an absolute standup job and I will absolutely be looking for more of your stuff.
Savannah Thomas, I think this is the first book of hers that I've done, and she was phenomenal. She really brought all of Mia to life, strong, warm, kind and vulnerable, my lord you really did so well bringing her vulnerabilities to life you really did an amazing job carrying the weight of her struggles and conveying them so beautifully.
Underneath all of the comedy, what really got me was Mia's story. As the book progressed, it became increasingly obvious just how much damage Pete had done to her the fucking cunt. The verbal abuse, the manipulation and emotional dependency he'd created didn't just disappear because she was away from him and now surrounded by people who loved her. She could be in a safe and loving situation and still find herself mentally reverting back to the place she'd been in before. The deep dark corner where she put herself to survive
I thought Canea handled that really well, particularly when Mia finally opens up about what she's been feeling. That chapter hit differently because there was no comedy to hide behind. It was just Mia being vulnerable and trying to make sense of what had happened to her. I think it's really important for books to show that emotional abuse can have a lasting impact and that getting out of the situation doesn't automatically mean you're immediately okay. You can have people around you who love you and still feel incredibly alone. Again shout out to Savannah for doing such an amazing job at bringing this to life.
Swayze, Wolff, my man, this man for anyone who's listened to training season, that song was written about this man, I fucking love him, what a yearner. Yes, this man has been yearning for Mia for years, but what I really appreciated was how much he cared about making her feel safe and comfortable. He didn't just want her physically he wanted all of her.
He wanted her to trust him, to feel protected and to know that he was there when things got difficult. That's what I want from a romance. It's not always about sex. It's intimacy. Being seen, touched, admired, understood and safe enough to actually let someone in.
Their chemistry was fucking fantastic as well. The desire between these two was ridiculous, and I loved how effortlessly the book could go from something genuinely sexy to something that had me laughing five seconds later. The fake relationship was obviously never going to remain fake, especially when they were finding literally any excuse to kiss each other. They set rules that they both knew they weren't going to follow, and watching those rules slowly disintegrate was brilliant.
The truth or dare scene was fantastic, the tension was ridiculous and the payoff was absolutely worth it. Then we got the one bed situation, because obviously we did, and somehow they still tried to convince themselves this was all completely normal. 😂 And don't even get me started on Swayze getting jealous over her cousin. That man was fighting for his fucking life. I related to that jealousy more than I probably should have, because you can be secure in your relationship and still be aware that other men are dogs. 😂
I also really loved the quieter moments between the characters. The conversation between Wolff and Nick was particularly good because it reminded us that underneath all the chaos, these guys genuinely care about each other. Sometimes you can go years without seeing someone regularly and still know that person is one of your best friends, and I thought that came across really naturally. Shout out my boy!
The wedding was giving me massive My Big Fat Greek Wedding vibes and I was all for it. The family chaos, the food, the ridiculousness, all of it. And then, because apparently Mia and Swayze weren't allowed to have one peaceful fucking day, Pete had to turn up and ruin everything. I genuinely wanted to launch that man into the sun at several points throughout this book. It even that would be too merciful.
What I appreciated, though, was that Mia's journey didn't magically end because she found Swayze. She still had to deal with her own trauma and learn to trust herself again. Watching her finally have people around her who could support her without controlling her was really satisfying, especially after everything Pete had taken from her. It was amazing to find out that everything she feared was irrelevant and that her family had always supported her! Shout out big momma for always having her Mia's back!
And then we get the epilogue. Three years later, they've got kids and then suddenly twins. 😭🥰 Honestly, I loved that for them. Seeing Swayze as a dad was ridiculously sweet, and being a dad really is one of the best jobs in the world despite the exhaustion, tantrums and general chaos. I wouldn't swap it either.
Also, baby Mia not sharing her croissant with Swayze when big Mia wouldn't absolutely fucking finished me. Kids really do become copies of their mothers 🤣🤣😂 And Canes, I am formally requesting a Mario novella because that man deserves his own story.
Overall Sour Notes is fucking brilliant. It was sexy, hilarious, emotional and chaotic, but it also had some genuinely important things to say about emotional abuse, trauma, friendship and what it means to feel safe with another person. I laughed an embarrassing amount, I got way too invested in these characters, I developed beef with a snivelling piece of shit, I wanted to personally fight him and I am now apparently going to have to investigate that hotel because it sounded fucking incredible. It b er you er be r al
Wow. What a book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to Canea and LoveNotes PR for the ARC/ALC.
The way I’ve been WAITING for this book!!! It was damn worth the wait!!!
Swayze and Mia🥹 I frigging love everything about them.
Swayze the wee golden retriever is so far gone for his woman, he’s a YEARNER!! One of my favourite things is his inner monologue, the way he argues with himself is absolutely hilarious and then he opens his mouth and just agrees to everything Mia asks 🤣
Mia is a total brat🤣 if there’s one thing Canea’s gonna do, it’s write a sassy FMC!! Blissfully unaware of how badly her roommate is in love with her. Then suddenly springs on him that they’re going to be fake dating… and of course the lovesick puppy is going to do anything she says!!
The spicy scenes were 🥵🥵 and of course there’s so much frigging banter!! I laughed so much throughout this book!!
If you’ve read/listened to Sweet Hate (and if you haven’t you should) you know about the group chat… it’s always on fire🔥 I so desperately want to be apart of their friend group!! I loved everything about this book!!
✨Audiobook✨
Savannah frickin’ Thomas, she did such a beautiful job bringing Mia to life. She brings all the sass to her character, she has such an amazing talent portraying all of the emotion Mia was feeling as she was opening up about her past relationship. She had me in tears at one point. Like Sweet Hate, Savannah live recorded this on ⏰, watching her lives is always such fun but this book in particular was just the best. I LIVE for Savannahs crash outs when the words aren’t wording 🤣 I could listen to her for hours. Absolutely amazing!!
James Cassidy this dude is so good!! The way he narrated some of the lines had me dying!! Firstly the Friends theme tune?? IYKYK. This guy was the best patrol puppy, his range is amszing, the way he switches it up for various side characters😮💨
A phenomenal performance from them both!!
The way I’ve been WAITING for this book!!! It was damn worth the wait!!!
Swayze and Mia🥹 I frigging love everything about them.
Swayze the wee golden retriever is so far gone for his woman, he’s a YEARNER!! One of my favourite things is his inner monologue, the way he argues with himself is absolutely hilarious and then he opens his mouth and just agrees to everything Mia asks 🤣
Mia is a total brat🤣 if there’s one thing Canea’s gonna do, it’s write a sassy FMC!! Blissfully unaware of how badly her roommate is in love with her. Then suddenly springs on him that they’re going to be fake dating… and of course the lovesick puppy is going to do anything she says!!
The spicy scenes were 🥵🥵 and of course there’s so much frigging banter!! I laughed so much throughout this book!!
If you’ve read/listened to Sweet Hate (and if you haven’t you should) you know about the group chat… it’s always on fire🔥 I so desperately want to be apart of their friend group!! I loved everything about this book!!
✨Audiobook✨
Savannah frickin’ Thomas, she did such a beautiful job bringing Mia to life. She brings all the sass to her character, she has such an amazing talent portraying all of the emotion Mia was feeling as she was opening up about her past relationship. She had me in tears at one point. Like Sweet Hate, Savannah live recorded this on ⏰, watching her lives is always such fun but this book in particular was just the best. I LIVE for Savannahs crash outs when the words aren’t wording 🤣 I could listen to her for hours. Absolutely amazing!!
James Cassidy this dude is so good!! The way he narrated some of the lines had me dying!! Firstly the Friends theme tune?? IYKYK. This guy was the best patrol puppy, his range is amszing, the way he switches it up for various side characters😮💨
A phenomenal performance from them both!!
September 6, 2026
📝❤️ He'd Been Loving Her Long Before the Fake Dating Began ❤️📝
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Chili Peppers
Fake dating your best friend and roommate at your twin brother's destination wedding already sounds like a questionable life decision.
Doing it when said best friend has secretly been in love with you for YEARS?
Mia, girl. 😂❤️
Sour Notes was hilarious, ridiculously steamy, emotional in ways I wasn't expecting, and so much fun that I flew through the pages. Canea Cox had me laughing at these characters one minute and wanting to wrap Mia in the biggest hug the next.
Mia and Swayze have HISTORY.
They've been childhood neighbors, best friends, and roommates, but one drunken night changes everything between them. Lines are crossed, feelings are revealed, and suddenly two people who used to communicate about everything are basically reduced to snarky Post-it notes around their own home.
Which obviously means the logical next step is fake dating.
😂📝
Mia needs a boyfriend for her twin brother Nick's destination wedding in Santorini because her cheating ex will be there. And not only will Pete be attending, he's there with the cousin he cheated on Mia with.
Absolutely not.
Enter Swayze Wolff.
Her brother's best friend.
Her roommate.
Police lieutenant.
Resident Deputy Heartthrob.
And the man who has been quietly in love with her for what feels like FOREVER.
Swayze is supposed to be Mia's fake boyfriend, but absolutely nothing about this man's feelings is fake. 😂
He is a YEARNER with a capital Y.
Watching his internal monologue argue with itself while he proceeds to agree to basically anything Mia asks of him was one of my favorite things. He's completely gone for this woman, and meanwhile Mia is doing Olympic-level mental gymnastics to convince herself that he couldn't possibly really want her.
Sir has been waiting for his moment, and Mia basically handed it to him with an itinerary. 😂
I loved Swayze.
Yes, he's protective and ridiculously attractive. Yes, his mouth earns every bit of that 3-chili-pepper rating. 👀🔥
But it was the way he loves Mia that really got me.
He doesn't judge her.
He doesn't ask her to tone herself down.
He doesn't make her feel like her interests, personality, career, sexuality, humor, or any other part of her is something she should hide.
Swayze loves MIA.
The loud, sassy, bratty, funny, creative, occasionally chaotic woman who was already standing in front of him.
And that matters because Mia's ex did so much more damage than simply cheating on her.
Underneath all her humor and confidence is a woman who has spent far too long carrying someone else's cruel words around in her head.
There were moments when Pete managed to get back inside that vulnerable place and watching Mia's confidence crumble absolutely broke my heart.
Because this woman has SO much light.
And I loved that Swayze isn't written as the man who gives it to her.
He amplifies what's already there.
❤️
Mia doesn't need Swayze to make her worthy.
She needs to recognize that she was always worthy, and that the guilt, shame, self-doubt, and instinct to shrink herself were never hers to carry in the first place.
That's what made her individual journey hit just as hard for me as the romance.
Mia is also a sex columnist, which creates such an interesting contrast. She's confident discussing sex, comfortable with sexual expression, and hilarious about all of it.
Emotional vulnerability?
That's a completely different story. 😂
She can handle an assignment that would make plenty of people blush, but ask her to believe her best friend genuinely loves her and suddenly we've found the terrifying part.
And Swayze just keeps showing up.
He doesn't magically undo what Mia's previous relationship did to her. He gives her patience, consistency, acceptance, and every opportunity to see that his feelings are real.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The fake-dating setup made all of that SO good.
Her family adores him.
Her ex hates him.
They're in Santorini.
There's a booking mishap.
There's one bed.
There's a work assignment Swayze is more than willing to help with.
And these two are supposed to convince everyone else they're in love while somehow convincing themselves they're NOT.
Good luck with that. 😂🔥
Their chemistry was fantastic.
Years of friendship and buried attraction make crossing that line feel even more intense because suddenly all that familiarity has an entirely different energy. And once these two stop pretending certain boundaries still exist?
WHEW.
Three chili peppers were definitely earned. 🌶️😂
But even through all the heat, their intimacy never felt disconnected from their emotional relationship. Swayze's attentiveness, communication, and complete lack of judgment made those moments another extension of the trust already between them.
And then there was the COMEDY.
The Post-it notes.
The group chats.
The families.
The wedding chaos.
The things these characters say inside their own heads.
GOAT YOGA. 😂
And that airport scene?
Absolutely diabolical.
I laughed so many times while reading this book, and I loved that the humor never erased the heavier pieces of Mia's story. Somehow Canea Cox lets both exist at once.
Mia can be hurting and still hilarious.
She can have trauma without trauma becoming her entire identity.
She can be vulnerable and still powerful.
She can have moments when old words knock her down and still choose to stand back up.
And she can discover that taking her power back doesn't require becoming someone new.
It means choosing the woman she already is.
I also loved the friendships and family surrounding Mia and Swayze. The group dynamic made this world feel so alive, and now I'm kicking myself a little for not having read the first book because I definitely need to go back for more of these characters.
And apparently Canea decided one epilogue wasn't enough.
TWO epilogues plus FOUR extended bonus epilogues?!
YES PLEASE. 😂❤️
After spending an entire book waiting for Mia to catch up with the rest of us and realize just how completely Swayze Wolff loves her, I was more than happy to stay with these two as long as Canea wanted to keep writing them.
And then we get that little taste of Lucas and Blair?
HELLO, BOOK THREE. 👀
Sour Notes gave me everything I want from friends-to-lovers and fake dating.
History.
Yearning.
Ridiculous banter.
Forced proximity.
One bed.
A hero who's been completely gone for his best friend for years.
A heroine learning that someone else's cruelty never defined her worth.
Heat.
Humor.
Heart.
And a relationship where being loved doesn't mean making yourself smaller.
Mia and Swayze took all those sour notes they'd been leaving each other and somehow turned them into something incredibly sweet. 📝❤️
Thank you to Canea Cox and Love Notes PR for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Chili Peppers
Fake dating your best friend and roommate at your twin brother's destination wedding already sounds like a questionable life decision.
Doing it when said best friend has secretly been in love with you for YEARS?
Mia, girl. 😂❤️
Sour Notes was hilarious, ridiculously steamy, emotional in ways I wasn't expecting, and so much fun that I flew through the pages. Canea Cox had me laughing at these characters one minute and wanting to wrap Mia in the biggest hug the next.
Mia and Swayze have HISTORY.
They've been childhood neighbors, best friends, and roommates, but one drunken night changes everything between them. Lines are crossed, feelings are revealed, and suddenly two people who used to communicate about everything are basically reduced to snarky Post-it notes around their own home.
Which obviously means the logical next step is fake dating.
😂📝
Mia needs a boyfriend for her twin brother Nick's destination wedding in Santorini because her cheating ex will be there. And not only will Pete be attending, he's there with the cousin he cheated on Mia with.
Absolutely not.
Enter Swayze Wolff.
Her brother's best friend.
Her roommate.
Police lieutenant.
Resident Deputy Heartthrob.
And the man who has been quietly in love with her for what feels like FOREVER.
Swayze is supposed to be Mia's fake boyfriend, but absolutely nothing about this man's feelings is fake. 😂
He is a YEARNER with a capital Y.
Watching his internal monologue argue with itself while he proceeds to agree to basically anything Mia asks of him was one of my favorite things. He's completely gone for this woman, and meanwhile Mia is doing Olympic-level mental gymnastics to convince herself that he couldn't possibly really want her.
Sir has been waiting for his moment, and Mia basically handed it to him with an itinerary. 😂
I loved Swayze.
Yes, he's protective and ridiculously attractive. Yes, his mouth earns every bit of that 3-chili-pepper rating. 👀🔥
But it was the way he loves Mia that really got me.
He doesn't judge her.
He doesn't ask her to tone herself down.
He doesn't make her feel like her interests, personality, career, sexuality, humor, or any other part of her is something she should hide.
Swayze loves MIA.
The loud, sassy, bratty, funny, creative, occasionally chaotic woman who was already standing in front of him.
And that matters because Mia's ex did so much more damage than simply cheating on her.
Underneath all her humor and confidence is a woman who has spent far too long carrying someone else's cruel words around in her head.
There were moments when Pete managed to get back inside that vulnerable place and watching Mia's confidence crumble absolutely broke my heart.
Because this woman has SO much light.
And I loved that Swayze isn't written as the man who gives it to her.
He amplifies what's already there.
❤️
Mia doesn't need Swayze to make her worthy.
She needs to recognize that she was always worthy, and that the guilt, shame, self-doubt, and instinct to shrink herself were never hers to carry in the first place.
That's what made her individual journey hit just as hard for me as the romance.
Mia is also a sex columnist, which creates such an interesting contrast. She's confident discussing sex, comfortable with sexual expression, and hilarious about all of it.
Emotional vulnerability?
That's a completely different story. 😂
She can handle an assignment that would make plenty of people blush, but ask her to believe her best friend genuinely loves her and suddenly we've found the terrifying part.
And Swayze just keeps showing up.
He doesn't magically undo what Mia's previous relationship did to her. He gives her patience, consistency, acceptance, and every opportunity to see that his feelings are real.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The fake-dating setup made all of that SO good.
Her family adores him.
Her ex hates him.
They're in Santorini.
There's a booking mishap.
There's one bed.
There's a work assignment Swayze is more than willing to help with.
And these two are supposed to convince everyone else they're in love while somehow convincing themselves they're NOT.
Good luck with that. 😂🔥
Their chemistry was fantastic.
Years of friendship and buried attraction make crossing that line feel even more intense because suddenly all that familiarity has an entirely different energy. And once these two stop pretending certain boundaries still exist?
WHEW.
Three chili peppers were definitely earned. 🌶️😂
But even through all the heat, their intimacy never felt disconnected from their emotional relationship. Swayze's attentiveness, communication, and complete lack of judgment made those moments another extension of the trust already between them.
And then there was the COMEDY.
The Post-it notes.
The group chats.
The families.
The wedding chaos.
The things these characters say inside their own heads.
GOAT YOGA. 😂
And that airport scene?
Absolutely diabolical.
I laughed so many times while reading this book, and I loved that the humor never erased the heavier pieces of Mia's story. Somehow Canea Cox lets both exist at once.
Mia can be hurting and still hilarious.
She can have trauma without trauma becoming her entire identity.
She can be vulnerable and still powerful.
She can have moments when old words knock her down and still choose to stand back up.
And she can discover that taking her power back doesn't require becoming someone new.
It means choosing the woman she already is.
I also loved the friendships and family surrounding Mia and Swayze. The group dynamic made this world feel so alive, and now I'm kicking myself a little for not having read the first book because I definitely need to go back for more of these characters.
And apparently Canea decided one epilogue wasn't enough.
TWO epilogues plus FOUR extended bonus epilogues?!
YES PLEASE. 😂❤️
After spending an entire book waiting for Mia to catch up with the rest of us and realize just how completely Swayze Wolff loves her, I was more than happy to stay with these two as long as Canea wanted to keep writing them.
And then we get that little taste of Lucas and Blair?
HELLO, BOOK THREE. 👀
Sour Notes gave me everything I want from friends-to-lovers and fake dating.
History.
Yearning.
Ridiculous banter.
Forced proximity.
One bed.
A hero who's been completely gone for his best friend for years.
A heroine learning that someone else's cruelty never defined her worth.
Heat.
Humor.
Heart.
And a relationship where being loved doesn't mean making yourself smaller.
Mia and Swayze took all those sour notes they'd been leaving each other and somehow turned them into something incredibly sweet. 📝❤️
Thank you to Canea Cox and Love Notes PR for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🎧📚 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 📚🎧
Well… I listened. I laughed. I cried. I fell completely in love.
And somewhere in between all of that, my husband gave me the look.
You know the one.
The “WTF are you laughing at and why is it interrupting my TV?” look. 😂😂
Sorry, darling… Swayze was talking. Priorities.
🎧 Sour Notes by Canea Cox
🎙️ Performed in duet by Savannah Thomas & James Cassidy
🎧 Produced by Pinup Audio
💌 ALC delivered
I have been WAITING for this book, and let me tell you…
IT WAS DAMN WORTH THE WAIT.
I went into this expecting funny, flirty, spicy fake dating shenanigans.
And don’t get me wrong…
THE SPICE IS THERE. 🔥🔥🔥
My AirPods were practically on fire.
But Canea…
YOU BROKE MY HEART.
Because underneath all the hilarious banter, ridiculous situations, group-chat chaos and one very lovesick police lieutenant, there is an emotional story that completely blindsided me.
Mia’s history with her ex and the gaslighting and trauma she experienced? Next level. Watching her work through that, find her strength and slowly allow herself to trust again hit me right in the feelings.
I was NOT prepared.
I came for the laughs and spice.
I stayed for the emotional devastation.
And then there is Swayze.
Oh, my sweet little golden retriever of a man. 🥹
This man YEARNS like it’s an Olympic sport and he’s already qualified for the final.
Honestly, give him the gold medal. 🥇
His inner monologue had me absolutely HOWLING. The way he argues with himself, completely losing his mind over Mia, only to open his mouth and basically agree to whatever she wants…
Sir.
You are so far gone. 😂
Mia is everything I love in a Canea Cox FMC — sassy, funny, a little bit bratty and completely oblivious to the fact that the man she calls her best friend is basically one heartbeat away from spontaneously combusting over her.
Then she decides fake dating is the solution.
Obviously Swayze agrees.
Because lovesick golden retriever gonna lovesick golden retriever. 😂
And the BANter?!
THE BANTER.
I laughed so bloody much throughout this book.
And if you’ve listened to Sweet Heat, you’ll already know about that group chat.
I NEED IN.
Seriously.
How do I apply to become an honorary member of this friend group because I am absolutely obsessed with them. 😂
And now…
🎙️ THE NARRATORS
Savannah Thomas.
She absolutely owned Mia.
All the sass, humour and attitude were perfection, but what really got me was the emotional depth she brought to Mia’s story.
When Mia is finally opening up about what she’s been through, Savannah’s performance had me sitting there with tears in my eyes.
Phenomenal.
Then we have James Cassidy.
This man had me absolutely dying.
His delivery of some of Swayze’s lines was perfection, and that Friends theme moment…
Yes I’m from the original generation 😂
James brought so much personality to Swayze and the rest of the cast, making every character instantly recognisable and adding even more fun to the listening experience.
Swayze was the perfect patrol puppy and James absolutely brought that lovable, slightly chaotic, completely gone-for-his-woman energy to life.
Together, Savannah and James were phenomenal.
The chemistry, the banter, the emotional scenes, the humour…
EVERYTHING WORKED.
This audiobook genuinely had it all.
😂 Laugh-out-loud funny
🥹 Emotional enough to wreck me
🔥 Spicy enough to set my AirPods on fire
🐶 One ridiculously lovable golden-retriever hero
💬 Banter for DAYS
❤️ A heroine finding her strength
🎧 And narration that took the whole experience to another level
Canea Cox, you absolutely nailed this one.
I thought I was getting a hilarious fake-dating romance.
Instead, I got Swayze and Mia, a man who yearns like his life depends on it, a woman learning to trust herself again, enough banter to keep my husband annoyed, and an emotional sucker punch I absolutely did not see coming.
I frigging loved everything about them.
And now I have one tiny problem…
I NEED MORE OF THIS FRIEND GROUP.
Because apparently I don’t just want the book.
I want the bloody group chat membership too. 😂🎧❤️
5 ⭐️ + ALL THE EAR CANDY 🎧
Well… I listened. I laughed. I cried. I fell completely in love.
And somewhere in between all of that, my husband gave me the look.
You know the one.
The “WTF are you laughing at and why is it interrupting my TV?” look. 😂😂
Sorry, darling… Swayze was talking. Priorities.
🎧 Sour Notes by Canea Cox
🎙️ Performed in duet by Savannah Thomas & James Cassidy
🎧 Produced by Pinup Audio
💌 ALC delivered
I have been WAITING for this book, and let me tell you…
IT WAS DAMN WORTH THE WAIT.
I went into this expecting funny, flirty, spicy fake dating shenanigans.
And don’t get me wrong…
THE SPICE IS THERE. 🔥🔥🔥
My AirPods were practically on fire.
But Canea…
YOU BROKE MY HEART.
Because underneath all the hilarious banter, ridiculous situations, group-chat chaos and one very lovesick police lieutenant, there is an emotional story that completely blindsided me.
Mia’s history with her ex and the gaslighting and trauma she experienced? Next level. Watching her work through that, find her strength and slowly allow herself to trust again hit me right in the feelings.
I was NOT prepared.
I came for the laughs and spice.
I stayed for the emotional devastation.
And then there is Swayze.
Oh, my sweet little golden retriever of a man. 🥹
This man YEARNS like it’s an Olympic sport and he’s already qualified for the final.
Honestly, give him the gold medal. 🥇
His inner monologue had me absolutely HOWLING. The way he argues with himself, completely losing his mind over Mia, only to open his mouth and basically agree to whatever she wants…
Sir.
You are so far gone. 😂
Mia is everything I love in a Canea Cox FMC — sassy, funny, a little bit bratty and completely oblivious to the fact that the man she calls her best friend is basically one heartbeat away from spontaneously combusting over her.
Then she decides fake dating is the solution.
Obviously Swayze agrees.
Because lovesick golden retriever gonna lovesick golden retriever. 😂
And the BANter?!
THE BANTER.
I laughed so bloody much throughout this book.
And if you’ve listened to Sweet Heat, you’ll already know about that group chat.
I NEED IN.
Seriously.
How do I apply to become an honorary member of this friend group because I am absolutely obsessed with them. 😂
And now…
🎙️ THE NARRATORS
Savannah Thomas.
She absolutely owned Mia.
All the sass, humour and attitude were perfection, but what really got me was the emotional depth she brought to Mia’s story.
When Mia is finally opening up about what she’s been through, Savannah’s performance had me sitting there with tears in my eyes.
Phenomenal.
Then we have James Cassidy.
This man had me absolutely dying.
His delivery of some of Swayze’s lines was perfection, and that Friends theme moment…
Yes I’m from the original generation 😂
James brought so much personality to Swayze and the rest of the cast, making every character instantly recognisable and adding even more fun to the listening experience.
Swayze was the perfect patrol puppy and James absolutely brought that lovable, slightly chaotic, completely gone-for-his-woman energy to life.
Together, Savannah and James were phenomenal.
The chemistry, the banter, the emotional scenes, the humour…
EVERYTHING WORKED.
This audiobook genuinely had it all.
😂 Laugh-out-loud funny
🥹 Emotional enough to wreck me
🔥 Spicy enough to set my AirPods on fire
🐶 One ridiculously lovable golden-retriever hero
💬 Banter for DAYS
❤️ A heroine finding her strength
🎧 And narration that took the whole experience to another level
Canea Cox, you absolutely nailed this one.
I thought I was getting a hilarious fake-dating romance.
Instead, I got Swayze and Mia, a man who yearns like his life depends on it, a woman learning to trust herself again, enough banter to keep my husband annoyed, and an emotional sucker punch I absolutely did not see coming.
I frigging loved everything about them.
And now I have one tiny problem…
I NEED MORE OF THIS FRIEND GROUP.
Because apparently I don’t just want the book.
I want the bloody group chat membership too. 😂🎧❤️
5 ⭐️ + ALL THE EAR CANDY 🎧
Review of advance copy received from Author
I LOVED IT! 10/10
Had the pleasure of getting an advanced reader copy and this baby didn't dissapoint.
Sour Notes follows Mia and Sweyze as they navigate a fractured friendnship due to a night of drinks and untamed inhibitions. The saying goes that there's no going back...I mean they can try that....or tumble and toss their way into something more instead...something fake?! Lmao
What I loved about this book the most is how it pulls you into its world. The jokes land! Like I'm physically cracking up and getting weird looks in public. The way the characters talk to themselves yet it feels like they're talking to us made the experience extra fun and fresh.
The pacing was great for me, I was swiping through the pages so fast and enjoying every interaction, not just between the couple, but between the friend group and the family . I admit I was having such a time that I got a little worried in the last 15% wondering if this was going to be a cliffhanger (yes I'm a progress checker, sue me!) but it wasn't and honestly even if it was, I could read another book just as thick or thicker on this couple. (I don't like waiting though, so I'm grateful).
The spice was scrumptious! (not my preferred pet names or sex references - yes I yuck people's yum, I'm entitled to!!!! ) I loved how he talked her through it and had such a pure approach to everything, even the things he didn't like or wasn't familiar with. He didn't judge her for any of her interests and that's what love is when it's pure.
>spoiler< I got a kick out of how pro sex and sexual expression Mia's family was. That airport scene was diabolical.
I defintely need to go back and read the first book. BUT I'M SO GEEKED FOR THE NEXT ONE WITH LUCAS WITH HOW THE LITTLE NUGGET WE GOT WENT OMG.
Swayze was such a sweetheart. Top tier lover boy!
The author covered heavy topics without making it the entire focus, or Mia's whole identity and experience. We got to see Mia's light and how Swayze was like an amplifier making the light she already possessed so much brigher and more concentrated. I'm sure other women could see a little or alot of their own experience in Mia and I hope they see that HEA is theirs to claim too.
.
And if you take nothing else from this book, know that at any time you can take your power back. >spoiler< Guilt, shame, people pleasing, shrinking,....none of that is yours. Don't let a dirty dick, insecure bum tell you who you are. Choose you baby! For 5 mins a day, a few hours, whatever it takes. We weren't created to be dim, we're meant to be big bright creative lights that love! God be with all of you lovies <3 >/spoiler<
While the hate was correctly directed, I really wished >spoiler< the cousin spoke or had a few lines more that being the assis in his bs. She's not innocent, but why does she allow him to treat her that way. Is she being verbally abused too? Did she think she was above the program because of w.e bs he fed her? I don't sympathise with cheaters, but I felt like he should of been bitchless by the end of the story. I can't stand him. >/spoiler<
The ending was quite cute, she popped up to save him and to say he was grateful was an understatement. Bro get up off the floor! (jk). Mia and Swayze did it for me and I'm sure they can do it for you too. Take a chance on love and peeling it back one sour turned sweet sticky note at a time!
Had the pleasure of getting an advanced reader copy and this baby didn't dissapoint.
Sour Notes follows Mia and Sweyze as they navigate a fractured friendnship due to a night of drinks and untamed inhibitions. The saying goes that there's no going back...I mean they can try that....or tumble and toss their way into something more instead...something fake?! Lmao
What I loved about this book the most is how it pulls you into its world. The jokes land! Like I'm physically cracking up and getting weird looks in public. The way the characters talk to themselves yet it feels like they're talking to us made the experience extra fun and fresh.
The pacing was great for me, I was swiping through the pages so fast and enjoying every interaction, not just between the couple, but between the friend group and the family . I admit I was having such a time that I got a little worried in the last 15% wondering if this was going to be a cliffhanger (yes I'm a progress checker, sue me!) but it wasn't and honestly even if it was, I could read another book just as thick or thicker on this couple. (I don't like waiting though, so I'm grateful).
The spice was scrumptious! (not my preferred pet names or sex references - yes I yuck people's yum, I'm entitled to!!!! ) I loved how he talked her through it and had such a pure approach to everything, even the things he didn't like or wasn't familiar with. He didn't judge her for any of her interests and that's what love is when it's pure.
>spoiler< I got a kick out of how pro sex and sexual expression Mia's family was. That airport scene was diabolical.
I defintely need to go back and read the first book. BUT I'M SO GEEKED FOR THE NEXT ONE WITH LUCAS WITH HOW THE LITTLE NUGGET WE GOT WENT OMG.
Swayze was such a sweetheart. Top tier lover boy!
The author covered heavy topics without making it the entire focus, or Mia's whole identity and experience. We got to see Mia's light and how Swayze was like an amplifier making the light she already possessed so much brigher and more concentrated. I'm sure other women could see a little or alot of their own experience in Mia and I hope they see that HEA is theirs to claim too.
.
And if you take nothing else from this book, know that at any time you can take your power back. >spoiler< Guilt, shame, people pleasing, shrinking,....none of that is yours. Don't let a dirty dick, insecure bum tell you who you are. Choose you baby! For 5 mins a day, a few hours, whatever it takes. We weren't created to be dim, we're meant to be big bright creative lights that love! God be with all of you lovies <3 >/spoiler<
While the hate was correctly directed, I really wished >spoiler< the cousin spoke or had a few lines more that being the assis in his bs. She's not innocent, but why does she allow him to treat her that way. Is she being verbally abused too? Did she think she was above the program because of w.e bs he fed her? I don't sympathise with cheaters, but I felt like he should of been bitchless by the end of the story. I can't stand him. >/spoiler<
The ending was quite cute, she popped up to save him and to say he was grateful was an understatement. Bro get up off the floor! (jk). Mia and Swayze did it for me and I'm sure they can do it for you too. Take a chance on love and peeling it back one sour turned sweet sticky note at a time!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Audio Review
When I saw that Canea Cox had a second book in the "If You Dare series", I knew that this would be an immediate yes for me.
Then when I saw that two of my favorite narrators were cast for the audio book.......I was charging the headphones and resting them on an ice pack because I knew this was going to be HOT! HOT!! HOT!!!
Is this a Rom Com about a hot cop and a Greek goddess sex columnist? Side splittingly yes.
Does Canea deliver beyond the humor? Abso-freakin-lutely!!
Swayze, AKA Wolfie, is hot, funny, strong, a protector of loved ones, and has been devoted to Mia since childhood!! I mean this is what love, wrapped in devotion and desire looks like.
Mia is sweet, loving, stubborn, and working on rebuilding herself after an abusive ex. She has done a lot of the work over the years but there is a little left to go.
The situation: Mia's twin brother is getting married in Santorini and the deplorable Ex is going to be there. Mia needs a date and eventually we wind up with Mia and Swayze Fake Dating. Yeah because that never turns into real feelings. LOL
We are going to start with one of my favorite female narrators (cuz the women don't get enough flowers in this industry), Savannah Thomas. If you have never seen one of her lives on TT/IG, do yourself a favor and go watch. She is absolutely hysterical...especially when she fcks up, but I digress. Savannah delivers the humor, the emotions, and the depth of Mia perfectly while voicing all the other female characters in a way that is clear & distinct. Seriously, Mia's mom.....Spot on to what every daughter hears when their Mom is speaking no matter how much you love them. Honestly, Savannah could narrate her grocery list and I would listen.
Even my husband can tell you that my favorite male narrator is James Cassidy and he does not disappoint as Wolfie. The way he delivers the internal monologues is priceless and of course, his additional sound effects are always perfection. He voices all of the male characters with very distinct voices, and Philip was just fantastic. I got to listen to a live, where he talks about singing in this book. It wasn't written but he could tell that was exactly what this character would do so it was added.
And please folks, you know me...I am not going to leave you hanging here......These two with the spice.........my headphones are still on ice 24 hours later because DAAAAAAAYYYYYYMNNNNNN! I mean it is hot in Georgia but it was way hotter with this ear candy.
There are so many great scenes in this book that had me just cackling from the internal monologues, to the group chats, to the TSA, to Philip. IYKYK
I don't want to give any spoilers but trust me while Canea, Savannah, and James will all have you cracking up and fanning yourself.....there are also tears and emotions as well.
Do not sleep on this author!!!!
When I saw that Canea Cox had a second book in the "If You Dare series", I knew that this would be an immediate yes for me.
Then when I saw that two of my favorite narrators were cast for the audio book.......I was charging the headphones and resting them on an ice pack because I knew this was going to be HOT! HOT!! HOT!!!
Is this a Rom Com about a hot cop and a Greek goddess sex columnist? Side splittingly yes.
Does Canea deliver beyond the humor? Abso-freakin-lutely!!
Swayze, AKA Wolfie, is hot, funny, strong, a protector of loved ones, and has been devoted to Mia since childhood!! I mean this is what love, wrapped in devotion and desire looks like.
Mia is sweet, loving, stubborn, and working on rebuilding herself after an abusive ex. She has done a lot of the work over the years but there is a little left to go.
The situation: Mia's twin brother is getting married in Santorini and the deplorable Ex is going to be there. Mia needs a date and eventually we wind up with Mia and Swayze Fake Dating. Yeah because that never turns into real feelings. LOL
We are going to start with one of my favorite female narrators (cuz the women don't get enough flowers in this industry), Savannah Thomas. If you have never seen one of her lives on TT/IG, do yourself a favor and go watch. She is absolutely hysterical...especially when she fcks up, but I digress. Savannah delivers the humor, the emotions, and the depth of Mia perfectly while voicing all the other female characters in a way that is clear & distinct. Seriously, Mia's mom.....Spot on to what every daughter hears when their Mom is speaking no matter how much you love them. Honestly, Savannah could narrate her grocery list and I would listen.
Even my husband can tell you that my favorite male narrator is James Cassidy and he does not disappoint as Wolfie. The way he delivers the internal monologues is priceless and of course, his additional sound effects are always perfection. He voices all of the male characters with very distinct voices, and Philip was just fantastic. I got to listen to a live, where he talks about singing in this book. It wasn't written but he could tell that was exactly what this character would do so it was added.
And please folks, you know me...I am not going to leave you hanging here......These two with the spice.........my headphones are still on ice 24 hours later because DAAAAAAAYYYYYYMNNNNNN! I mean it is hot in Georgia but it was way hotter with this ear candy.
There are so many great scenes in this book that had me just cackling from the internal monologues, to the group chats, to the TSA, to Philip. IYKYK
I don't want to give any spoilers but trust me while Canea, Savannah, and James will all have you cracking up and fanning yourself.....there are also tears and emotions as well.
Do not sleep on this author!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Sour Notes by Canea Cox
🎧 Narrated by Savannah Thomas & James Cassidy
Okay, Canea Cox… you got me. 😂 Sour Notes was exactly the kind of romance I love getting lost in, and I had the BEST time listening to this one!
From the very beginning, I was hooked. Swayze has been in love with Mia for quite some time. And of course, she’s oblivious to it. They’re best friends and roommates, and both know each other so well—mostly. When Mia gets Swayze to pretend to be her boyfriend at her brother’s wedding where her douche of an ex will be, of course he agrees. Then the chaos ensues. The chemistry, the banter, the teasing, the tension—ALL OF IT! Swayze and Mia had me smiling like an idiot one minute and yelling at my headphones the next. You know that feeling when you’re listening to a romance and you just want to grab the characters by the shoulders and say, “For the love of all things romantic, TALK TO EACH OTHER!” 😂 Yep. There were moments like that! And their friends and group chats are very entertaining.
But underneath all the sass, flirting, and delicious tension is a genuinely heartfelt story. I loved watching the relationship unfold and seeing Swayze and Mia navigate their feelings. Their connection felt believable, and I found myself completely invested in them. I wanted them happy, I wanted them together, and I absolutely wanted to know how they were going to get there!
And the banter… OH, THE BANTER! 👏😂 There were so many little moments that had me grinning. I love characters who can give each other a hard time, push each other’s buttons, and still have that underlying chemistry that makes you KNOW there’s something more going on.
And then we have Savannah Thomas and James Cassidy bringing these characters to life. WOW. Their duet narration was SO GOOD! Their voices worked perfectly together, and they captured the humor, attitude, flirting, vulnerability, and emotional moments beautifully. The chemistry in their performances made this story even more addictive. James Cassidy is one of my top narrators, and I’ve been listening to more of Savannah’s narration, and she’s fantastic.
I’m always a sucker for a good audiobook, and when the narrators can make me feel like I’m right there in the middle of the story? Sign me up! 🎧❤️ These two absolutely understood the assignment.
Sour Notes had me laughing, swooning, getting frustrated, smiling, and completely invested. It was fun, flirty, emotional, and just plain FUN to listen to.
So, yes… FIVE STARS! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re looking for a romance with fantastic chemistry, playful banter, plenty of sass, emotional depth, and a narration team that brings the whole thing to life, add Sour Notes to your TBR—and definitely consider listening to it! Just don't blame me when you start talking back to your headphones. 😂🎧❤️
🎧 Narrated by Savannah Thomas & James Cassidy
Okay, Canea Cox… you got me. 😂 Sour Notes was exactly the kind of romance I love getting lost in, and I had the BEST time listening to this one!
From the very beginning, I was hooked. Swayze has been in love with Mia for quite some time. And of course, she’s oblivious to it. They’re best friends and roommates, and both know each other so well—mostly. When Mia gets Swayze to pretend to be her boyfriend at her brother’s wedding where her douche of an ex will be, of course he agrees. Then the chaos ensues. The chemistry, the banter, the teasing, the tension—ALL OF IT! Swayze and Mia had me smiling like an idiot one minute and yelling at my headphones the next. You know that feeling when you’re listening to a romance and you just want to grab the characters by the shoulders and say, “For the love of all things romantic, TALK TO EACH OTHER!” 😂 Yep. There were moments like that! And their friends and group chats are very entertaining.
But underneath all the sass, flirting, and delicious tension is a genuinely heartfelt story. I loved watching the relationship unfold and seeing Swayze and Mia navigate their feelings. Their connection felt believable, and I found myself completely invested in them. I wanted them happy, I wanted them together, and I absolutely wanted to know how they were going to get there!
And the banter… OH, THE BANTER! 👏😂 There were so many little moments that had me grinning. I love characters who can give each other a hard time, push each other’s buttons, and still have that underlying chemistry that makes you KNOW there’s something more going on.
And then we have Savannah Thomas and James Cassidy bringing these characters to life. WOW. Their duet narration was SO GOOD! Their voices worked perfectly together, and they captured the humor, attitude, flirting, vulnerability, and emotional moments beautifully. The chemistry in their performances made this story even more addictive. James Cassidy is one of my top narrators, and I’ve been listening to more of Savannah’s narration, and she’s fantastic.
I’m always a sucker for a good audiobook, and when the narrators can make me feel like I’m right there in the middle of the story? Sign me up! 🎧❤️ These two absolutely understood the assignment.
Sour Notes had me laughing, swooning, getting frustrated, smiling, and completely invested. It was fun, flirty, emotional, and just plain FUN to listen to.
So, yes… FIVE STARS! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re looking for a romance with fantastic chemistry, playful banter, plenty of sass, emotional depth, and a narration team that brings the whole thing to life, add Sour Notes to your TBR—and definitely consider listening to it! Just don't blame me when you start talking back to your headphones. 😂🎧❤️
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