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Red Bridge #3

Where I Should've Been

Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26
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The thrilling next installment in the Red Bridge series from New York Times bestselling author, Max Monroe!

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 7, 2026

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About the author

Max Monroe

77 books9,544 followers
Many moons ago, a dynamic duo of romance authors teamed up under the pseudonym Max Monroe, and, well, the rest is history...

Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of more than fifty contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their social media newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far. ​

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,374 reviews1,347 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 18, 2026
description
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Breezy + Tad

We met them both in the previous books.
Tad is the very sexy and pretty talent-free sheep farmer with a mysterious sad past.
Breezy is Bennett's older sister. She used to run the family's art gallery empire. But after her dad died, he left everything to their younger Hollywood star brother.
Not knowing what to do with her empty life now as an almost 40 year old single woman with no job, she leaves New York and moves in with Bennett and his little family in Red Bridge, Vermont.
Why not start a little something with the most eligible single guy in town... she's not staying anyway, right?

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Finally Breezy and Tad's story!

So adorable.
And funny and sparky and wintery and sheepy and so much more!
I just adore those cute small town romances.
There are also some very heartbreaking moments. I cried a lot!
We all know that Breezy's niece died two years ago, but Tad has some sad things in his past too.
But we love watching them help each other heal and start a new chapter in their lives ... even though Tad might not be ready yet and Breezy isn't really looking for anything serious.
I loved reading this.
I loved the family and small town moments.
Brothers Bennett, Logan and Randy, niece Autumn, the sheep, the 'paparazzo'. Just so many amazing moments in this book.
Wouldn't mind seeing this series on TV one day.

WHERE I SHOULD'VE BEEN was a funny + adorable + heartbreaking small-town romance! Run to your nearest book dealer for your own Tad - this one is mine!

If you can't click the buy-links
from your phone - click ► HERE!


description
💜 💜



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Profile Image for Rene Collins.
307 reviews35 followers
May 20, 2026
This is just the cutest, sweetest series ever. I’ve really enjoyed each of the books and this one is no exception.

Tad and Breezy are both so fun! Neither is looking for anything serious so they start to secretly hang out. Their text exchanges are flirty and spicy 🌶️ between all of the fun, both Tad and Breezy have some baggage to deal with together. And then there’s a little surprise towards the end….. 🤭

I loved the insights into where the other couples form this series are at 🫶🏻

🔥 firefighter turned sheep farmer
🔥 neighbors
🔥 no strings attached
🔥 small town

🩵 “I like my coffee the same way I like my relationships. Hot. A little sugar. No fuss, no muss.”
💜 “She’s entrancing in ways that make me feel high for hours and days after being with her.”
🩵 “And when he kisses me again, it feels as if we’ve made a pact. But it’s not love or promises or commitment. It’s just a secret. A distraction. A very spontaneous kind of freedom.”
Profile Image for EmFearon.
159 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
June 2, 2026
What I Should Have Said had me crying happy tears, which is something that rarely happens when I read romance. This was such a sweet, emotional love story with a beautiful happily ever after.

I didn't realise before starting that this was the second book in the series and I haven't read the first. I did feel like I was missing some context surrounding Breezy's relationships with her brothers, Bennett and Logan, as well as some of Norah's family dynamics. However, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story, and I was still able to fully invest in Breezy and Tad's romance.

Tropes
🏡 Small-town
🐑 Sheep Farmer
👠 City Girl
🩷 Second Chances

About
This story follows Breezy, after her father leaves the family art galleries she's dedicated her entire life to building, to her youngest brother Logan -  a somewhat irresponsible Hollywood actor. Hurt and devastated, she leaves New York and heads to Red Bridge to stay with her brother Bennett. It's there that she meets Farm Daddy Tad the sexy, if somewhat useless sheep farmer.

MMC - Tad Hanson
Tad is carrying a decade's worth of grief after losing his wife Abigail and his daughter Lucy in a devastating house fire. He has spent ten years convinced that he doesn't deserve happiness and that he should have died alongside them.

Watching him struggle with his guilt while slowly opening his heart to Breezy was both heartbreaking and incredibly moving. I wish he could have opened up to his brother as their relationship felt very strained but without the communication, it was a weird vibe. However, the way he cared for Breezy was just beautiful. When he realised Breezy was in danger, the way he did whatever he could to rescue her and then loved her so fiercly made me sick with happiness.

FMC - Breezy Bishop
I absolutely adored Breezy. She was resilient, compassionate and understanding, especially after everything she had lost and sacrificed. She is a confident woman but spends a lot of time wondering what she wants to do next as her whole life was spent building the gallieries. When Tad had the occasional dark day, she gave him space and never asked for more than he offered to share. The connection between her and Tad developed into something so beautiful, from sneaking around having secret hookups like teenagers to the most supportive, caring relationship. It made my heart burst. However, one thing that frustrated me was her complete refusal to communicate with her brother who was obviously struggling.

This wasn't a book full of dramatic twists or angst and tension. Instead, it was a tender story about healing, second chances and allowing yourself to love again after loss. By the end, I found myself with tears in my eyes and a huge smile on my face.

Favourite Quote
"I love you, Breezy. With my entire being, including the parts I thought died with them. You make me want to be more. Better. You make me want to live again."

Rating
Character Driven ---⭐️------ Plot Driven
Insta Lust -----⭐️----- Slow Burn
Light/Fluffy ---------⭐️-- Emotional Damage
Low Angst ----⭐️------ High Angst
Slow Paced --⭐️--------- Fast Paced
Spice Level 🌶🌶

Book Boyfriend Rating
Red Flag -------🩷-- Cinammon Roll
Serious -------🩷--- LOL

Ive seen a few reviews saying that the mystery of Tad's grief wasnt revealed until the end so i'm wondering if the author has changed a few chapters around as the first chapter shows us where his grief stems from. I also feel really bad for Logan and the way Bennett is so dismissive. I think this is likely explained in the previous book which I haven't read yet.

If you're looking for an emotional small-town romance featuring a grieving farmer, a heroine rebuilding her life, and the happiest of happily ever afters, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up.

Thank you Net Galley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC.

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Profile Image for bookishWife.
1,205 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 18, 2026
There are so many emotions woven throughout this book. The complexity of Breezy’s family dynamics and their current predicament left me feeling surprisingly sad, because so many of their problems could have been resolved if they had simply sat down and communicated honestly with each other. Even by the end, the resentment between the siblings still lingers, which made the story feel bittersweet rather than fully resolved.

Breezy herself isn’t looking for a relationship. As a woman nearing forty who has spent the last twenty years taking care of her family, she’s long since locked away the idea of romance. But her father’s will turns her life upside down, leaving the family art galleries—something that should have been her birthright—to her youngest brother, who knows nothing about art. Frustrated and hurt, she escapes to her other brother’s small town, where she meets Tad, a sheep farmer. What begins as a casual relationship slowly develops into something deeper. However, Tad is carrying a painful secret, one that keeps him from fully embracing happiness.

I genuinely enjoyed the book until around the 80% mark, when Tad’s past was finally revealed. Personally, I feel this should have come with a trigger warning, because I’m not a fan of the lingering attachment to a deceased spouse trope or surprise child revelations. At first, I was intrigued by the mystery surrounding Tad, though also slightly frustrated that the author withheld his secret for so long. But when the truth finally came out, it ended up being more disappointing than shocking for me.

I understand that the author wanted to keep readers in suspense, but the reveal felt somewhat manipulative because there were barely any meaningful hints beforehand—no strong mentions of his grief, his late wife, or his child. Then suddenly dropping such a major emotional bomb near the end felt less impactful and more unfair to the reader.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Justina R.
78 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 20, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Ater her father dies, and leaves the art gallery empire she'd been building up for over 2 decades to her younger brother, Breezy Bishop quits and moves to small town Vermont. Deeply hurt by them, she moves in with her other brother while she tries to figure out what to do with her life.
In Vermont she meets Farm Daddy, Tad Hansen who lives next door. What starts as a casual hook up quickly turns to anything but, with Breezy basically spending every night in Tad's bed and every day as "acquaintances."
I know the premise has been done before, but I thought the way it played out was very real because of Tad and Breezy's wanting to keep it casual for a while at least. And because of Tad's past, it really makes the reader feel for and understand where he's coming from and why he is reluctant to love again.
Breezy was really great! Shes such a confident woman, but she kind of loses herself and spends a lot of time grappling with who she is without the gallery persona. This was very relatable to me as I too have no idea what I'm doing. I really loved how Breezy took charge of her sexuality when she prepositioned Tad at the beginning, and the chemistry between them was so cute and really funny.
Tad's backstory is a sad one, that I think he should have revealed sooner. But he is also very relatable in how he deals with a few of those problems and how he reflects and talks with his brother about what to do.
One thing I will say, I had no idea there would be so much pregnancy in this book. It isn't my favourite trope, but again, I thought it worked well here because its a very real story - like how things could have gone for anyone!
I also wish the conflict with younger brother, Logan could have been wrapped up sooner as its unclear by the ending if there will be a book about him.
Also I will be reading the others in this series because I loved Josie and Norah!

All in all, more emotional than I was expecting in the best way! Very enjoyable book for me and I look forward to more from these authors.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for the ARC!
33 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 20, 2026
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

🏡 Neighbors to Lovers
💜 Later-in-Life Romance
🚒 Firefighter Turned Farmer
✨ Emotional Healing
💌 Secret Relationship
👨‍👩‍👧 Family Drama
🌶️ Flirty & Spicy Banter
🤍 Character-Driven Romance

This book felt much more emotional and layered than I expected going in. At its heart, it’s about family, resentment, grief, and learning how to choose yourself after spending years putting everyone else first. Breezy’s relationship with her siblings carried so much tension throughout the story, and I actually appreciated that not everything was wrapped up perfectly by the end because it made the emotions feel more realistic.

I really liked Breezy as a main character. She’s nearing forty, exhausted from always being the dependable one, and clearly struggling with the realization that her own life has been on hold for years. Watching her slowly allow herself moments of happiness, freedom, and connection felt incredibly satisfying. Then there’s Tad — quiet, charming, and unexpectedly soft beneath his rugged sheep-farmer exterior. The chemistry between them felt easy and natural, especially through their flirty conversations and secret relationship dynamic.

The small-town setting added so much warmth to the story, and I loved seeing glimpses of previous couples from the series. At the same time, this book definitely carried heavier emotional themes underneath the romance. Tad’s hidden past becomes a major part of the story later on, and while I understand why the author chose to keep it a mystery, I personally wish there had been stronger hints earlier because the reveal felt more abrupt than emotional for me.

Overall, this was an emotional, character-driven romance with strong small-town vibes, complicated family dynamics, and a mature love story that felt both comforting and bittersweet.
Profile Image for Mallory Moureau.
580 reviews4 followers
May 23, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Entangled Publishing and Max Monroe for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a tricky one for me. It’s the 3rd book in a series which I recommend reading first.

Same as the previous books, the cover is misleadingly upbeat. It seems like a happy rom-com instead of a book that has very sad and potentially triggering topics.

This book is focused on Breezy, book #1 MMC’s sister. After their father dies suddenly she realizes he didn’t leave her the family business she has dedicated 20 years of her life to but instead to her brother who has never shown any interest in the business. Feeling betrayed and lost, she flees the city and goes to stay with her brother and sister in law.

On the way into town she runs into her brother’s neighbor and town heartthrob sheep farmer, Tad. Tad has a tendency to over indulge (aka unaddressed alcoholic?) which just seems to be overlooked in town (really frustrated that this part is never addressed or an issue for anyone).

Breezy is having an identity crisis and Tad is trying to force himself to function. They both are interested in something casual but it quickly turns into something more for both of them, despite their intentions.

There is a lot of complex sibling dynamics in this book - so much of it could have been resolved with communication which was sad and frankly annoying.

The mystery behind Tad’s sadness felt unnecessary. I think it would have been more impactful if it wasn’t a surprise. He’s known as this happy guy around town but everyone knows he’s also an emotional drunk, it felt odd that he has hidden his grief for years other than “the day”?

Overall, I enjoyed it but didn’t love all of it.
Profile Image for Gabby.
505 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2026
Farmer Tad can get. We knew that from the previous two books but in this one, we get to be front and center for it. Breezy is not immune to it but I love the fact that she jokes he’s Red Bridges most eligible bachelor, not out of being jealous (our girl is confident) but to poke fun at him lol.

Breezy shows back up in Red Bridge to escape NYC, where she’s poured her life into her work with nothing to show for it now. While Breezy is trying to find out what to do with her life next, she finds an escape in Tad Hanson, the charming sheep farmer who so happens to be her brother’s neighbor. When things start to become real between them, that’s when the past catches up with them both.

I will say the first scene in this book with Breezy and Tad had me cracking up because Tad is a literal cartoon character while being drunk but still so endearing at the same time. These two were so easy to be around each other and were very blunt, which I appreciated. I loved how much fun they had together. Tad’s story totally broke my heart but his mask was very much valid. The way these two brought each other back to live was beautiful.

I loved getting to see past characters too. Norah and Bennett and little Autumn made my heart happy. Josie and Clay really stole the show for me. I love Josie and have always had a soft spot for her.

Thank you to Max Monroe and Entangled Publishing for this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Tropes:
✨Romcom
✨Small town
✨Banter
✨Neighbors
Profile Image for Jen Lindsey.
138 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 20, 2026
Tad and Breezy have such an emotional story! This entire series pulls at your heart strings and gives a real life example at how tragedy can pull you down or make you stronger and sometimes even both.

Breezy goes to Red Bridge to get away from New York and the family drama that her father's death had created. Finding solace with the family and friends in this small town is exactly what she needs. She has met Farmer Tad in previous visits, but after an article linking Tad and Breezy, a casual relationship began. Tad is known for his good looks, his sheep farm, and spending many nights at the bar of the country club. Tad has secrets that are alluded to, but we don't discover until the end of the book.

Eileen, my goodness, she is a menace and caused so much destruction for the people of Red Bridge. Now, I really was like 'Another one', when it came to the accidental pregnancy. However, my annoyance was lifted when not only 1 but 2 pregnancies were announced and the conflict between Tad and Breezy was handled extremely well. Knowing what could potentially be coming with the third act conflict, I was very anxious. Yet again, it was handled with utmost care and vulnerability and growth.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the advanced read of Where I should've Been in exchange for an honest review. This is a 4.5 star read for me and a second change to live the life you are meant to!
Profile Image for Mariana.
349 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2026
Beatrice “Breezy” Bishop can’t believe her father left the family art galleries in his will to her brother Logan after everything she’s done to keep them profitable and thriving. She decides to leave New York behind and head to her other brother Bennett’s house in Red Bridge, Vermont to escape. Only to run into Tad Hanson on the first few minutes in town - local sheep farmer, and gorgeous playboy. Tad has always been enamored by sophisticated, beautiful Breezy Bishop and viewed her as untouchable —- until she shows up at his doorstep for a wild one night stand. Distractions between two willing participants are never a bad thing……

***Dual POV
***Opposites attract
***One night stand
***Older FMC/MMC
***🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Book 3 in The Red Bridge series, this was my favorite thus far. Everything about it - the drama, the family dynamics, the painful pasts, and the romance. Holy heavens was the chemistry in this off the charts.

The emotions wrapped up in this novel were next level. The struggle with getting older and realizing that maybe you want more than you’ve wished for in the past was a beautiful part of this story. Finally getting those things and then not trusting its deserved. And the past demons and pain. Beautiful. This story tore me apart and then put me back together. Loved loved this!

Thank you to Entangled Publishing, LLC and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel ; all opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Stacey.
254 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
May 21, 2026
Breezy is a city girl until she finds out her dad left her cherished art galleries to her brother. With no life direction she heads to Red Bridge to stay with another brother to figure out what's next. While bored in a small town she stumbles upon Tad, the sexy sheep farmer next door and why not have some fun to pass the time? While they enjoy each other Breezy opens up about what brought her to town but Tad always is secretive about his past, deeming it too dark for her to know. When tragedy almost strikes twice in Tad's life he finally opens up to Breezy and it's a relief. Casual time becomes deeper feelings and well Breezy may not be quite a city girl anymore!

I love Max Monroe books and loved seeing past characters in this story. The first book in this series was absolutely fantastic and this story was well-written, with spice and a heartbreaking truth. I loved the characters and felt connected with both MC's and was rooting for them the whole time. Pregnancy is definitely not my favorite trope but in the timeline of the story it meshes in well. I would highly recommend anything the authors write!

Thanks to NetGalley, Max Monroe, and Entangled Publishing for allowing me to review this ARC!
Profile Image for Jessica Hecker.
96 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 4, 2026
Just to start off- Please read the trigger warnings on this one. Right out the gate, it jumps into a scene that may be upsetting for some audiences. I feel like there’s one warning missing but I think most people don’t consider it as needing a warning.
Anywho, I adored the sheep. Crosby is a rambunctious escape artist that happily wears a homemade scarf and pregnant Mabel is so sweet. On the flip side, I despised Eileen. She’s the reporter/editor of the town newspaper who likes to write salacious headlines whether they’re true or not. I wanted to see somebody actually fight her over this because she definitely deserved it. Overall, there was too much angst for me so I gave it 3 stars. However, if I was still devouring books in this genre, I’d probably give it 4 stars. It hooks you in the beginning and continues to hook you regularly enough I had to keep reading.
Although this book was not my cup of tea, I would recommend it to anyone who likes an angsty “older” (they’re 39 and 41 so not older persay but not the usual age range) romance with spice, humor and banter. I would also recommend it to someone looking for a more serious read that still adds in nice touches of lightness.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Profile Image for Brit.
30 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 17, 2026
If you’re familiar with the town of Red Bridge and the other characters we’ve met and loved, then you’ll know you have a lot to look forward to with this book!

Breezy and Tad’s story brought the same emotional roller coaster we’ve grown to expect from the residents of this town. Tad’s happy-go-lucky and positive yet silly presence is more than who he is, it’s protecting who he was. And Breezy’s life being turned upside down allowing her to spend time in Red Bridge and with the hot Farm Daddy neighbor brings them together in a way they both desperately needed.

Oh, and another bonus?! We get to stay connected with Bennett and Norah and Josie and Clay and the way their lives are progressing is exciting to get to witness through this story!

The heartbreak and loss and the hope for the future meet in this story in such a perfect way. Not only was the journey for these two beautiful, but we got to know Randy, Tad’s brother, and Logan, Breezy and Bennett’s brother more and I’m looking forward to more of them (both, please??) in future Red Bridge stories!
Profile Image for Courtney.
17 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 19, 2026
Here’s the thing with the Red Bridge series, when you start the book and get a sense of the plot you know exactly what tragedy awaits, and yet you keep reading anyways. You know you have to do the hard thing because tears are sometimes the price of a good book. I do wish the third act tragedy had been changed out for something else because it feels a little cheap to put Tad through again, but I understand why it had to happen for him to grow.

Breezy and Tad could very easily fall into the miscommunication trope (which I hate), but instead they act like 40 year old adults and deal with their issues in a timely manner. Do they always react perfectly? No, but they’re human and it’s clear they’re trying their best and aren’t totally self centred.

Would love a bit more back story on Eileen because I’m not inclined to forgive her out of nowhere like that. The scene in the coffee shop was diabolical. Pregnancy is so heavy and doesn’t get the weight it deserves. That whole bit pissed me off. It’s cute and fun because everyone’s pregnancy turned out fine, but what if they didn’t Eileen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nimra  Iqbal.
100 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was honestly such an engaging read. I got pulled in pretty quickly and just kept reading because I needed to know where everything was going.

The whole story has this emotional pull to it — like it keeps making you think about timing, choices, and that whole “what if things had gone differently” feeling. The characters aren’t perfect at all, but that’s kind of what made it work for me. They felt very real and messy in a way that made the story more interesting.

The romance had that classic Max Monroe vibe — good chemistry, a lot of banter, and those moments where you’re kind of smiling even when things are getting a bit heavier emotionally. It balanced out nicely overall.

There were a couple parts in the middle where it slowed down a bit for me, but nothing that made me want to put it down. The ending and character payoff made it worth it.

If you like emotional romance with second-chance-ish vibes and characters figuring out where they’re supposed to be in life, you’ll probably enjoy this one!
Profile Image for MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog.
1,497 reviews276 followers
Review of advance copy
May 15, 2026
We have all been waiting for Farmer Tad’s book and here it is!!! Tad Hanson is to town’s good looking sheep farmer but what really brought him to red bridge. When Beatrice “Breezy” Bishop comes to town during a snowstorm trying to get away from the mess her father’s will caused Tad & his brother are there to rescue her. She’s going to try to figure out what’s next for her and maybe a little roll in the hay with farmer Tad could cheer her up. Will some fun times be all it is or will real feelings start to emerge? He might act all charming but he is hiding something from his past that he wants to forget. This is a fun but also emotional romance between two people trying to find their happiness again. The sheep are their own characters and I do also enjoy all those nosy small town neighbors! One twist and yup, they had me crying again! This series I’ll tell ya! Told in first person and dual POV.
Profile Image for Colleen Meister.
260 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 17, 2026
This was my first ARC from NetGalley so it was very exciting. I loved this series so I couldn’t wait to check it out.

I love how Max Monroe jumps right into action and plot lines, diving into spice and relationships right away. I loved the instant chemistry between Breezy and Farmer Tad. Honestly, Breezy’s character has been one of my favorites throughout the series and stayed true through this whole book. She personified class, maturity and emotional strength.

Personally, I’m not a fan of unexpected pregnancies and I also didn’t love the second fire situation, poor Tad suffered enough. I get why the authors did that, so he could redeem himself and move on, but it felt cheap to do it again.

Felt like the ending wrapped up too quickly. Loved the HEA for Clay and Josie. Definitely wanted more especially with this being the last one. Overall good read and thankful I got to read it early!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Julia Bozza.
364 reviews
May 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this one overall, even if I didn’t love it quite as much as the previous books in the series. The romance and plot both moved very fast in the beginning, which didn’t leave much room for the relationship to naturally develop, though I think the rest of the story did a decent job building them up afterward. I also found myself getting frustrated with some of the characters’ choices and communication, especially when it came to keeping important secrets and handling emotional conflict.

That said, I thought the emotional core of the story worked really well by the end. Tad’s storyline came full circle in a satisfying way, and I appreciated the deeper themes surrounding family, resentment, and forgiveness. Some side plots felt a little underdeveloped or unresolved, but overall this was still an engaging and emotional read that added nicely to the series.
3 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 21, 2026
If you are a fan of breezy, small-town romance and opposites attract tropes, look no further.
Beatrice "Breezy" Bishop thought she had her life as an art director completely figured out, until it was all taken away. Enter Tad, a charming yet guarded former city-dweller who runs away to Red Bridge to become a sheep farmer and forget his past.
When sparks fly in this noisy small town, the two decide to sneak around and keep things purely casual, but as we all know, romance tropes rarely let a secret fling stay secret for long.
This read is an absolute blast from start to finish. It is jam-packed with witty banter, intense chemistry, family conflict, and some unforgettable sheep that apparently know how to unlock gates.
I highly recommend checking out the first two books in the series, What I Should’ve Said (Book 1) and When I Should’ve Stayed (Book 2). You will laugh, cry, and fall in love with all of the characters—even the sidekicks!
Profile Image for Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) .
2,964 reviews120 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 24, 2026
Oh if I didn’t already love this town, I definitely do now! Breezy and Tad….SWOON!

These two are perfect together! They are so opposite and yet they just make sense! When Breezys world is turned upside down she finds herself running to Red Bridge and the towns sheep farmer is just the distraction she needs. Although the distraction starts to turn into nightly sleepovers, flirty messages and cutesy nicknames that are more than either prepared for! Yet they just can’t stop!

I am loving the way this series is going and can not wait to see who is next. It was so beautiful to see the towns residents doing well and causing hilarious chaos!

Another beautiful and hilarious story in the series! I mean with quotes like this, “Because sheep are greedy little bastards. One gets a mouthful, the rest want in. It’s like a Walmart Black Friday circa 1995 in there.” You know you’ve hit romcom gold!
Profile Image for Mamawattto4 Melissa.
365 reviews18 followers
May 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled for the ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely adore this series and the town of Red Bridge, and Where I Should’ve Been was everything I hoped it would be. Tad and Breezy’s story gave me every emotion possible laughter, heartbreak, swooning, and all the feels in between. Their chemistry and connection felt so real, and I was completely invested in them from start to finish.

One of my favorite parts was getting to spend more time with Clay and Josie. Seeing familiar characters again just made me love this world even more. Max Monroe always creates characters and relationships that feel unforgettable, and this book was no exception.

This series has truly become one of my comfort reads, and Max Monroe remains my favorite writing duo ever. Every book just keeps getting better, and I already can’t wait for the next trip back to Red Bridge!
Profile Image for Anna.
164 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
May 18, 2026
Review of an advanced reader copy from Entangled Publishing.

Started reading this without much expectation but was intrigue with the Blurb. The blurb was silly and fun, it sounded like a great read sweet read. I mean, this is a first where the MMC is a sheep farmer. 🤭

This was totally worth the read! I love grumpy Tad! He has past trauma that he is living it with daily. Then there is his neighbors sister, Breezy. She swiftly breezed into his life 🤭. I love the easiness of their relationship as they sneak around and have some fun.

This book has a lightness to it but yet there is heavy pain and trauma as well. The way they both handle their pain and their reactions are just more realistic that its relatable which I love. This book has me on my toes with the twist and what actually happened to Tad, it broke my heart.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,298 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 26, 2026
I have enjoyed this series so far and this latest installment is no exception. I'm what starts out as a secret relationship to pass the time turns into more by the end of this read.

Breezy comes to Red Bridge to figure out what is next in her life while staying with her brother. She quickly becomes bored since she is so used to city life that is until she meets Tad - the local sheep farmer that has secrets that later surface when events nearly repeat themselves. Can this pair find their HEA??

This installment is a great read. The characters are well written and I enjoyed the return of characters from the previous books of this series. The characters are relatable and have chemistry and their story had me hooked from page one.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish and would recommend this book and this series to others.
327 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
May 30, 2026
Beatrice “Breezy” flees NYC for a small town after the family business she built is passed to her brother. She bumps into Tad the sheep farmer. (TW: alcoholism, fire, child with terminal illness, death, depression, anxiety, grief).

🩵 Small town
👜 MCs in 40s
💜 Dual POV
🐑 Cute sheep
🩵 Grief
👜 Healing
💜 City girl x country boy
🐑 Surprise pregnancy

The writing is bouncy and witty. I loved the characters and the small town but I didn’t love the plot. I liked how much chemistry the MCs had. I like the plot in the beginning so it started off strong but I started to lose interest after the newspaper debacle. This book ended up being heavier than I was expecting.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. Release date 7/7/26.


Profile Image for Crystal Moore.
21 reviews
May 31, 2026

Thank you, Entangled Publishing and Max Monroe, for the opportunity to read this arc. I wholeheartedly recommend “Where I Should’ve Been” and give it a 5-star rating. It was a delightful experience to revisit our beloved small town of Red Bridge and witness the blossoming romance between Breezy and Tad, affectionately known as Farm Daddy. I also enjoyed catching up with Josie and Norah, and it was heartwarming to see how their characters have continued to evolve and grow. This is a beautiful story about starting anew, letting go of past hurts, and finding love when you least expect it. I was moved to tears by the emotions conveyed throughout the story, and I couldn’t help but cheer along with the characters every step of the way.
Profile Image for Barbara Lack.
1,688 reviews21 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 19, 2026
This book took me on such an emotional journey. It has Max Monroe’s trademark humor. The sheep are just too funny. This series, however tugs at the heartstrings. It started with the very first book and a little girl named Summer. This book is Breezy’s story, who is Summer’s aunt. There are some bittersweet scenes where Summer is mentioned. Once Tad’s devastating secret is revealed there’s more heartbreak to wade through. The authors are very sensitive to the losses. It’s a beautifully written book that truly tugs at the heartstrings. Humor is thrown in to lessen the load. I highly recommend this absolutely amazing book and series.
Profile Image for Catbytheseareads ♡.
908 reviews79 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 19, 2026
Tad & Breezy's story.
She is 39 and thought she had her life all planned out 20 years running a family business in NYC, when he father dies and leaves the business to her younger brother. She quits the job and packs up heading to Red Bridge with her other brother to try and find herself.
He is the town Hot Sheep Farmer!! Need I say more? Well he has a past that no one but his older protective brother helps him with anytime he can. As this story unravels you will gobble up all the emotions and chemistry between these two. I did not want it to end and I can't stop thinking about it.
211 reviews
May 21, 2026
So I hadn’t read the other two books in this series; which I think one should do before reading this one. However that said; this was a hallmark movie but spicy. The spice wasn’t overkill though.

We’ve got a casual benefits situation that definitely becomes much much more. We’ve got two people who are trying to escape hurts in their lives and end up finding healing in each other.

This story was entertaining, engaging, and over all pretty enjoyable. A solid romance:)

Thank you to the publishers for the gifted earc. This review is mine and given of my of own will.
Profile Image for Miss W Book Reviews.
1,872 reviews155 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 31, 2026
Where I Should've Been is the third book in the Red Bridge series.

I love the town of Red Bridge and I have really enjoyed the first two books and the other couples I have spent time with.

This book we meet Breezy and Tad. It is an emotional story.

I really loved their chemistry and their story.

Hope, loss and pure heartache are really themes in this story.

I love how we get to hear about Bennett and Norah and Josie and Clay and how their lives our doing.

I hope there are more books in this series and love in Red Bridge!
82 reviews
June 2, 2026
What a cute book. This book is about Breeze (Bennett’s sister) and farmer Tad. Bennett’s annoying sheep farmer neighbor.

This book had me experiencing so many emotions.
It gets more into depth with issues with the long lost brother Bennett didn’t talk to anymore.

There’s more to farmer tad than what we think. He went through some heavy stuff in the past.

Breeze ends up Red bridge after some issues with her brother Logan and gets a little too cozy with farmer tad to get over her family issues.

It was a good book. 🥹 I would really like to see a book about Logan as well.
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