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Iris Meadows #1

Melody Whispers

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Two truths and a lie: they met on a fall evening, their time together was unforgettable, and that was the end of their story.

The last thing Harriet Thomas expected was life-changing news after a rare evening off. More determined than ever to build a bright, happy future for herself and her unborn baby, she knows what she has to do: track down Warren, the man with the sad eyes she spent the night with. Harriet makes one thing clear: you’re in or you’re out, and, to her surprise, Warren shows up, day and night.

Happy endings aren’t on Warren O’Connor’s radar. He lives life one day at a time, throwing himself into his job, trying to forget a past that still haunts him. That is, until a single encounter rewrites his entire future. She was supposed to be a moment of weakness, but Harriet ends up giving Warren more than he bargained for—a reason to hope again.

Melody Whispers is book #1 in Iris Meadow. A small town romance series of interconnected standalone stories with lots of feelings, swoon and spice!

Tropes include: 
-Small Town
-One-night Stand
-Accidental Pregnancy
-Age Gap
-Firefighter x Songwriter
-Tortured Hero
-Dual POV

Unknown Binding

First published April 7, 2026

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About the author

Ronnie Mathews

6 books252 followers
Ronnie Mathews is an Indie Romance Author, who lives in North England with her husband and their black Labrador, Jake. She loves to write small town, swoon-worthy stories with lots of feels and plenty of delicious spice. If she isn't writing or reading, you'll find her in the kitchen or out with friends and family trying to balance being an ambivert!

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5 stars
592 (39%)
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595 (39%)
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257 (17%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 576 reviews
Profile Image for paula ♡.
303 reviews631 followers
April 10, 2026
4.5 ⭐

Thank you Love Notes PR and the author for giving me this copy in exchange for my honest opinion of the book

Wow, wow, wow.... Okay, I didn't see the plot twist coming, but it made me raise my rating for the book.

Honestly, I didn't think I was going to like it so much since some parts felt a bit long, but it was totally worth reading. I recommend it. Warren and Harriet are absolutely adorable 🥹
Profile Image for Mora.
238 reviews
Did Not Finish
April 11, 2026
DNF, not for me because it has a trope I hate.


Major spoilers, read at your own risk


I started reading this knowing it had a tortured MMC but I got suspicious when Alison’s name popped up around 15% and the MMC shut down the conversation after her name was mentioned, so I searched her name… and yeah, turns out she’s his dead wife.

I had no idea his sadness and suffering were because of his dead wife. None of the reviews mentioned that, otherwise I wouldn’t have even touched this book because I hate this trope with a passion.
(update: I found out that the author included a warning at the beginning of the book, so it’s my fault for not doing enough research beforehand and relying only on reviews).



His wife died eight years ago and he is still hung up on her, grieving her and blaming himself for her death. Before she died, they had an argument because he always chose work over her. She decided to stay with her parents for a while but she had an accident and died along with their unborn baby (tbh I felt sorry for her bc the MMC was meh with her).
Since her death, the MMC has been dealing with PTSD and he swore that he wouldn’t have any relationships after her, so he remained celibate for eight years until he met the FMC (btw he didn’t take the FMC’s pregnancy news well at first because it reminded him of the baby he lost).

The FMC didn’t know his wife was dead until around the 80%, she genuinely thought his wife had left him. The MMC had chances to tell her the truth but he didn’t (he avoided talking about his past or his wife until the very end). Instead, she found out from a random person who used to work with his late wife.

80%:

Warren’s wife is dead.
She died, and he never told me.
She scurries off, and I collapse onto a chair. I try piecing everything together: the evasion in discussing his marriage, not wanting to be in a relationship at first. But why? Why didn’t he tell me?


Also, the FMC never went to the house he had shared with his wife, which I actually preferred because he kept that place like a memorial to his wife (I think he sold the house in the end).

86%:

“I’ve never actually seen his house. Isn’t that ridiculous?”
Marcus looks at the floor, shaking his head gently.
Tears blur my vision. This time, I let them flow freely. “You’re a good friend. I know he’s gone through something terrible, and I’m trying to be patient and supportive, but at what point do I accept he doesn’t want to share that part of his life with me?”

She knows. She knows my darkest secret, and she didn’t hear it from me.



The MMC’s history with his late wife:

“I was washing an engine out front when she ran past, tripped over the curb, and busted her ankle. I fixed her up, and the following week, she returned to thank me, which ended with us trading numbers and arranging a date. It was a whirlwind romance, and within eighteen months, we were married. We were great together. She was fun, outgoing, and liked a lot of the same things I did.
“Neither of us could pinpoint the exact reason, but after five years, it changed. Maybe it was me. Maybe it was her. But the spark fizzled out, and we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. We were too proud to acknowledge anything was different. To cope, I threw myself at my job, taking extra shifts and staying late, while she wanted to pretend everything was normal.”


Anyway, when I skimmed through it, I didn’t feel like the FMC was second best but the MMC also mentioned that a part of him would always stay broken or something like that and that’s probably due to his guilt, as far as I understand.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lilyya ♡.
714 reviews3,865 followers
May 20, 2026
i dont know what to think about this one. i loved most of the book but the prologed secret through the storyline sort of ruined their romance for me, a lot of factors made the secret feel like it ternished their story for starters she didn’t learn the truth from him, he didn’t correct her when she guessed the whole storyline about his marriage wrong and i feel like if it wasn’t for what happened to him in the last chapters the story as an whole from his perspective wouldn’t have come so easily? there is also the fact that i would’ve brushed it off if they didn’t decide to give a serious shot to their relationship and he was lying to her FOR MONTHS and she forgave him in a heartbeat (i dont even think he apologized tbh)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Literary Child (Tania).
345 reviews17 followers
May 26, 2026
♾️/10⭐️

Знаєте, я сиділа й розмірковувала, чому саме мені так сподобалася ця книга, чому вона викликала в мене стільки позитивних емоцій та якогось такого спокою на душі. І, напевно, це тому, що мені найбільше подобається те, як у книгах герої проходять трансформацію і зцілюються, коли знаходять сенс у цьому житті.

Бо, хто б що не казав, людина може бути сильною, самостійною й незалежною, але дуже часто людині потрібна людина, як співалося в одній відомій пісні. І це справді так. Коли ти знаходиш когось, хто пробуджує в тобі все живе, це часто призводить до переоцінки життєвих цінностей, до внутрішнього зростання і прагнення стати кращим. Причому бажання бути кращим виникає не лише заради цієї людини, а й заради себе самого, бо ти хочеш бути щасливим і, водночас, хочеш робити щасливою людину поруч із собою.

Саме так я можу описати свої враження, тому що мене надзвичайно захопив Воррен — це людина, яка була професіоналом у своїй справі, але тяжкі життєві випробування і все, що він пережив під час робочих виїздів, а також те горе, через яке йому довелося пройти, зламали навіть таку сильну, цілеспрямовану й самодостатню особистість. А те, як Гаррієт змусила все в ньому знову ожити, це неймовірно прекрасне відкриття для нього.

Мені також дуже сподобалося, наскільки вони змогли розкритися одне перед одним. Було так чудово читати про те, як саме життя, обставини та піклування про їхнього спільного бейбіка змушували їх усе більше відкриватися, довіряти й ставати ближчими. І те, наскільки глибоку довіру вони змогли вибудувати між собою, це, мабуть, одна з найцінніших речей у цій історії. Бо довіра — це взагалі одна з ключових основ будь-яких стосунків. І тут вона була не лише на словах, а насамперед у діях: у підтримці, турботі, розумінні та готовності бути поруч у найважчі моменти.

Вони обоє дуже емпатичні й розуміючі люди. І те, як вони стали одне для одного опорою, людиною, яка тримає тебе в тямі й допомагає не зламатися остаточно, прямо до сиріт по шкірі. Саме такі стосунки мають перспективу довгого й щасливого майбутнього.

Мабуть, саме це і є кохання. І саме заради таких моментів ми читаємо книги. Коли закохуються настільки складні герої, коли вони наважуються довіряти одне одному, читати про це неймовірно цінно.

Мені дуже сподобалося, як Воррен почав розкриватися, яким прекрасним чоловіком він виявився, як зміг нарешті вибратися зі своєї шкаралупи й буквально розквітнути. І водночас зробити щасливою Гаррієт: те, як він її підтримував, як бажав, як турбувався про неї… Це просто суцільний грінфлег. Неймовірний чоловік і неймовірна людина. З таким хочеться прожити все життя, настільки він надійний, відданий і щирий.

І водночас мені дуже сподобалася Гаррієт. Те, наскільки з розумінням вона поставилася до нього, наскільки була сміливою. По-перше, вона обрала дитину, а не свої страхи. По-друге, допомогла Воррену пережити все це, навчитися жити далі й прагнути більшого. Вона проявила неймовірне терпіння, і, гадаю, саме тому поруч із нею був такий прекрасний чоловік, який підтримував її на кожному кроці.

Гаррієт — надзвичайна жінка, дуже сильна духом. І те, як вона змогла прийняти всі ці зміни, наважитися на нове життя — це справді викликає захоплення. Не кожен зміг би так. І водночас вона не відмовилася від своїх мрій. А це, як на мене, одна з найважливіших речей у житті жінки. Бо коли ти стаєш мамою, дуже часто твої мрії відходять не просто на другий план, інколи вони взагалі залишаються десь у минулому.

А Гаррієт змогла втримати цю частину себе й розвинути її попри вагітність і всі складні зміни в житті, та досягти успіху. І я дуже рада, що Воррен проявив себе як справжній чоловік — відданий, зрілий, надійний, і підтримував її на цьому шляху.

Саме тому я так багато говорю про цю книгу. Бо вона справді мене зачепила. Не просто як романтична історія, а як історія про людей, які поступово вчилися жити заново, довіряти, бути опорою одне для одного й не боятися хотіти чогось хорошого для себе. І, мабуть, саме такі книги залишають після себе найбільше тепла всередині.

Я дуже хочу, щоб ця історія відгукнулася комусь із вас хоча б частково так, як відгукнулася мені. Бо я прекрасно розумію, що ми всі різні читачі й не завжди любимо одне й те саме. Але для мене ця книга стала саме тією історією, після якої сидиш із якимось дивним світлим відчуттям у душі. Вона ніби тихенько нагадує, що навіть після найважчих моментів людина все одно здатна знову ожити, любити, мріяти й будувати щось хороше поруч із правильною людиною. І, чесно, саме заради таких емоцій я й люблю читати книги. Хочу вже наступну книгу в серії прочитати.

«— Я засудив себе на довічну самотність, переконаний, що це шлях, який доля запланувала для мене. Однак у ту мить, коли ти увійшла в моє життя, потреба мучити себе зменшилася. — Прекрасні очі зустрічаються з моїми, коли я відсуваюся, прагнучи, щоб вона побачила рішучість у моєму погляді. — Я так довго збирав розбиті шматки, намагаючись відновити те, що залишилося від моєї душі, коли насправді мені потрібно було лише кохати тебе. Я все ще не цілий, Гаррієт, але я хочу бути щасливим, щоб зробити тебе щасливою. Я присвячу решту свого життя коханню до тебе.»
Profile Image for Cozy Puppy Reads.
159 reviews49 followers
April 15, 2026
I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but the artwork is so stunning and it instantly hooked me! Usually, I don't typically gravitate toward accidental pregnancy tropes, but this story was so addictive that I had to keep reading to know what happens next. Set in a small town, the story follows Harriet, a songwriter, and Warren, a firefighter with a haunted past. After an unforgettable night leads to life-changing news, they must navigate their new reality and decide if they are ready to believe in a happily ever after together.

The chemistry between Harriet and Warren is beautifully written, and their mature and heartfelt connection is handled with so much care. I loved how the author made a Spotify playlist to listen to and match the vibes of this book, as it really made the emotional moments feel even more resonant. It is such a soulful look at the unexpected paths that lead to hope and the power of finding a team in someone else.

I love romance stories that explore emotional resilience. I especially loved the mental health representation and the healing journey that the characters experienced together. It was such an emotional experience to watch them find empowerment and the strength to step into an uncertain future with confidence.

Thank you to Love Notes PR for an advance reader copy of this book for review consideration. I am writing this review voluntarily. These are my honest opinions.

Perfect if you love:

❤️ Small Town Romances
✨️ Accidental Pregnancy
🔥 Firefighter MMC
🎶 Songwriter FMC
❤️‍🩹 Healing Journey and Mental Health Representation
Profile Image for iara ♡.
265 reviews12 followers
April 21, 2026
oh Warren and Harriet, i’m so happy i got to meet you and love you as much as i did 🤧

Melody whispers was one of my most anticipated releases of 2026! If you know me you know I love the pregnancy trope with my whole heart so OF COURSE i had to read this one. I had a lot of expectations but this book exceeded them all. I knew I was going to love it but didn’t know just how much

This isn’t my first book by Ronnie but it’s definitely my favorite one!! I could go on and on about this book and everything I loved about it because there isn’t a single thing I didn’t enjoy! From the amazing characters to the amazing storyline, it was pure PERFECTION!!

Warren and Harriet are now some of my favorite characters! I’ve spent the last few days thinking about them and I’ve been missing them since the moment I turned the last page. Both characters have flaws and a lot of invisible scars but to me, they’re actually perfect. They’re the kind of characters I can’t help but fall in love with 🤍

Warren and his fear of not being enough. This man went through so much and I was heartbroken seeing him fighting through his pain but at the same time, I was SO proud of him! He never gave up and after learning he was going to be a dad, he did everything he could to support Harriet in every way he could.

Oh my Harriet, my sweet Harriet! Do you ever read about a character and felt like she would be the best friend ever? Because that’s what I felt the whole time i was reading this story! She shows up for everybody, her sunshiny personality brings so much joy to everyone around her. She’s a ray of sunshine and i truly love her with my whole heart!! She understood and helped Warren every single time 🤍

Can’t forget to mention Harriet’s friend group! Those girls have the best, most pure friendship. The way they always show up for each other was so heartwarming!! I honestly can’t wait to go back to Iris Meadows and read the next book in this series

Thank you Ronnie and Love Notes Pr for this arc!!
Profile Image for ellie.
364 reviews3,853 followers
April 21, 2026
ewwww the big reveal at the end ruined the whole book for me. literally curled my nose up like this fr

description
Profile Image for Kseniia ✨️.
335 reviews44 followers
April 14, 2026
➸роман у маленькому містечку
➸пожежник/співачка
➸неочікувана вагітність
➸морально травмований герой та репрезентація ментального здоров'я

Сподобалось як авторка пише, тут все, як я люблю. Мило, солодко, трохи драми, щоб поплакати. Але, як на мене, то занадто затягнули з розкриттям таємниці чого чгг такий закритий. Мені хотілось, щоб скоріше вже героїня дізналась і вони стали ближче. А вийшло, що тягнули кота за хвіст аж до 85%, а потім швиденько "люблю-люблю, давай з'їдемось". І хотілось би, щоб героїня почула правду від нього та бажано в тому самому будиночку. А вийшло, що вона дізналась від ноунейма і враження ніби у мене вкрали емоційний момент.
В іншому все супер, персонажі – булочки. А ще більше мені сподобалась компанія подружок героїні, чекатиму книг про всіх.
Profile Image for Jill (readinginpjs).
770 reviews266 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 6, 2026
Thank you Ronnie Mathews & Love Notes PR for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored Harriet and Warren! 🥹
I’d read their short story in a fall anthology (the one night stand part) & had been WAITING for the rest - it did NOT disappoint 🥰
(we do get that story within the book, so you’re not missing anything if you haven’t previously read it!)

I loved how they were together, I love a broken boy 💔 Harriet was so gentle with Warren, and they ended up being so perfect for each other.

It was a nice change for a couple in an accidental pregnancy story to NOT live together immediately - while I love the roommates trope as well, it was just refreshing to read something a little different. Warren still fully supported Harriet & they spent a lot of time together, but they didn’t HAVE TO live in the same house from the start.

I’m so excited for the rest of this series, I ADORE Harriet’s friends!

✦ tropes & stuff:
1️⃣ one night stand
🍼 accidental pregnancy
🔥 firefighter mmc
🎶 songwriter fmc
💫 age gap
🧠 mental health rep (PTSD)
🌳 small town
💕 dual 1st person pov

ebook | ⭐️: 4.75 | 🌶️: open door |

📖 Melody Whispers by Ronnie Mathews
📚 book 1 • Iris Meadows series
💜: contemporary romance (mf)

*Connect with Me*
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Profile Image for Ronnie Mathews.
Author 6 books252 followers
Read
January 22, 2026
Harriet and Warren’s story is coming to you on the 7th April and I can’t wait for you to visit my new small town, Iris Meadows 💚✨
Profile Image for julie ★.
251 reviews54 followers
April 17, 2026
I have a deep appreciation for romance stories that delve into themes of emotional resilience. This particular story stood out to me for its thoughtful representation of mental health and the heartfelt depiction of the characters' healing journey together. Experiencing their growth as they found empowerment and embraced an uncertain future with newfound confidence was profoundly moving.

Thank you to Love Notes PR for an advance reader copy of this book for review consideration in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Nour Hane .
466 reviews32 followers
April 21, 2026
4.5/5⭐

"All is good in the world if she continues looking at me like this."


ماتوقعت اعطيها تقييم ذا ولكن احس تستاهل وظلم مني اني نقصت نص نجمة لكن لازم لأنو حسيت كاتبه مطت شوي في الأحداث وحسيت بملل....
هارييت شخصية لطيفة حبيتها. وارن خذ قلبي ما احتاجه 😭😭رجل كان جرين فورست حبيته جدا 🤍
Profile Image for C.
456 reviews23 followers
April 13, 2026
4.5⭐️
Profile Image for ayiruh.
306 reviews20 followers
April 17, 2026
This book is not ahh so heart warming. It is stressful in the worst ways possible. I wanted to DNF it at 86% but I powered through, now I am just pissed. I hate being the only one star review but I just couldn’t stop.

I hate the dead wife trope, I am sorry ugh so much is wrong with it and it is never done well. Here is an exceptional case of it not being done well. The MMC’s brother in law is all like his wife wasn’t good for him and they didn’t mesh well and she didn’t understand him. Like bitch we just read the MMC’s point of view he was a trash husband. I can’t forgive MEN who treat women like this. I don’t care if he’s the nicest most kind person now but he wasn’t before. He also keeps screaming and shouting at his family, lock him UP! You are 40 year old with no cognitive impairment, sir you don’t get to do that.

I just felt sad for the dead wife. I have read books before where the guy who has a dead wife usually has a lot of regret and remorse and you can actively see him putting effort out there, trying to be a better person. Here the author tells us that he has a lot of regret but we don’t SEE it. We see his guilt for the accident but that’s it. Is that the only thing you feel for a woman you were married to for five fucking years?!?!? We don’t see any instance of him ever loving her.

I know some people can see him struggling and whatever. BUT I COULDNT, not for one second did I feel like the guy cared about anyone but himself. I just couldn’t SEE it. You can tell me anything you want in a book but showing it in the character’s behavior is what will make me believe it.

The girl was so stale, where’s your personality? All her friends are so bloody monotonous. We have one bad bitch, one mom friend and one whose husband has left her (or who left her husband I don’t remember). That’s it, that’s all you know about their friendship. Atleast they had these things going for them. Our FMC’s only has singing and can’t cook under her.

I wish I had a physical copy of this book so I could burn it and they bury the ashes in the ground, grow plants on it so that there was something the book could give.

Having 50 THOUSAND tropes in your book, doesn’t make it a good book. You can tell me a thousand things but you are a writer when you can make me feel them too. I hate the tropes trend, I wish it was over. Nothing original. Nothing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for AOKayy.
153 reviews2 followers
April 16, 2026
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Ronnie Mathews for the ARC of Melody Whispers!

Available now, this is Book 1 in the Iris Meadows series.

This story follows Harriet, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter who has a chance meeting with Warren that leads to a night neither of them can forget. Without exchanging personal details and deciding it was a one-time thing, Harriet soon realizes she needs to find the mystery man who turned her world upside down, especially after discovering she’s pregnant.

This is not your typical surface-level romance novel. It dives into major life decisions such as choosing life, becoming parents, building a career, and navigating grief and PTSD. The emotional depth adds so many meaningful layers, and I found myself wanting to keep reading to see how everything unfolded. Warren’s traumatic past is revealed in a heartbreaking way, while Harriet’s empathy and passion truly shine throughout the story.

At times, the pacing felt a bit slower after the intense opening, particularly as their relationship began to develop. However, I could also appreciate that this allowed for deeper character growth and gave space to understand Warren’s hesitation and emotional walls. Harriet’s patience, in particular, really stood out and added to her character.

On a personal note, this book resonated with me in an unexpected way. I lost someone on April 13th, so reading this felt especially meaningful, like it found me at the right time.

Age Gap x Accidental Pregnancy x Grumpy MMC x Sunshine FMC x Grief x One-Night Stand x Anonymous Strangers to Lovers
Profile Image for Lauren (lololovesthings).
951 reviews94 followers
May 8, 2026
3.5 stars.

"Melody Whispers" by Ronnie Mathews is a small-town, age-gap, accidental-pregnancy romance between Harriet and Warren. After a one-night stand, Harriet winds up pregnant with Warren's baby. They had a terrific, explosive night together, but things happen... and now, she has to find him to tell him the news. Once she does, she makes it clear that he doesn't have to be involved, but if he wants to be, he has to really show up for both her and their unborn child. And he does, in a big way. He is protective of her, clearly yearns for her, buys her things she is craving in her pregnancy, and cares for her in a way no one else ever has, but he is secretive and often does not tell Harriet the full truth about things going on in his life, both past and present. They both have tons of baggage from their lives, but it's only Warren is so secretive. The more time they spend together, the more they fall for one another in several small ways (and a few big ones, too). I did like Harriet as an individual, with her being uber-sunshine-y to offset his being a grumpy-gus. I was frustrated with Warren a majority of the time, though I like the mental health journey he goes on throughout the book. Lots of grief journeys in this one, so check the TWs. My main complaint is that this book felt pretty repetitive at times. I didn't love the ending, either. I was maybe looking for something with a little more oomph after Ronnie's last series, but I still plan on reading the rest of the Iris Meadows series because I love her writing!

Thank you to Ronnie Mathews and Love Notes PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Profile Image for Gosia.
370 reviews12 followers
April 7, 2026
I am already obsessed with the whole series and so glad I will be up to date with this one!

Good writing, very bingeable no matter what the page count is, strong found family vibes, well defined characters.

I enjoyed this read a lot. The only reason I’m not rating it higher is because I’m not that excited about this type of storyline. It happened to be something around 5th accidental pregnancy book I read this year and while I don’t mind accidental pregnancy trope and I do enjoy one-night-stand to “we will co-parent” to love plotline, it’s not one that makes me feral. But if you’re a fan of it, this book might be a 5 star read for you!

It was mostly easy and enjoyable, but when it hits with the darker themes, it really HITS. It’s only something around 30 last pages that will make you devastated, not the whole book.

I’m not a huge fan of spice for the sake of spice, especially in this type of book, so I appreciate that the spicy chapters here made sense and were well placed.

Tropes:
-one night stand
-accidental pregnancy
-small town
-age gap (29/40)
-firefighter with traumatic past X songwriter
-found family
*check TW!

(I am so so ready for Talia’s book, I feel hers will be my fav in this series)
Profile Image for Dominique.
587 reviews43 followers
April 15, 2026
I loved this book!
I was immediately drawn to the cover and then once I read the blurb and tropes I knew I needed to read it.
This was such a fun small town romance.
It was sweet, emotional and I was hooked from the first page.

I really loved both Harriet and Warren and they were the perfect match. I loved watching their story and relationship develop and then trying to navigate their path together.
There was so much healing with this story and between the characters and it really pulled my heartstrings.
Their growth was beautiful to see!

✨ Small town romance
💚 Accidental pregnancy
✨ Age gap
💚 One night stand
✨ Firefighter x song writer
💚 Therapy and mental health rep

This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I can’t wait to read more and see what comes next in this series

Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for the arc
Profile Image for Emily G.
590 reviews28 followers
April 9, 2026
For anyone who has been chasing the high of Hannah Bonham Young’s Out On a Limb.

This was such a wonderful book by Ronnie. I have read a few of the Sutter Lakes books previously (at my book clubs recommended) so I wasn’t sure how this new chapter was going to look. There was the same charm and wit in this book as there is in all Ronnie writes.

This book was tender, sweet and full of growth and cameos that kept me addicted to my Kindle Screen. This book is available on KU and Amazon, go check it out 🫶

🥜Surprise Pregnancy
🍓PTSD/Grief Journey
🍑Found Family
🍊Wounded hearts
Profile Image for Taylor.
174 reviews76 followers
April 17, 2026
“I will love you through anything, whole or not. There isn’t any journey I see myself starting without you, and I’ll be right by your side through this one.”

Yeah, it’s safe to say I devoured this book and it might even be one of my faves so far this year.
Profile Image for Gloria .
171 reviews28 followers
May 23, 2026
My rating reflects my personal opinion, not the quality of the book. I'm a little disappointed because I was really expecting to love it. I understand why this story is appreciated because the author has a lovely writing style. It's absolutely not a bad book: there's tenderness, love and care but I wasn't in the right mood to read it.

I didn't connect with the characters, Warren and Harriet. I didn't feel the strong emotions I was supposed to and I lost all interest in the story after a few chapters. I didn't like the lack of communication, especially when the characters are about to have a baby together. They didn't discuss what was important and I didn't like that secrets were kept for so long.

I liked the end. It's okay !
Profile Image for charisse ♡.
605 reviews61 followers
April 14, 2026
˗ˏˋ 3 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .

okay so idk how i feel about this book, or how to rate it? it's probably between a 2 or 3 but i'm just gonna stick with 3 for now..

tbh i requested the book bc the blurb sounded great and i was interested but i felt like the execution was missing. especially with the dead wife trope, like it could've been done better imo? i just felt like warren feels guilty about it and wants to change and what not but like i don't think it's ever shown that he loved his dead wife?? and they've been together for 5 years too (i think? i don't remember too clearly)

other than that i felt like the book was a bit strung out things were being repeated a few times(*cough* warren is a poor broken man and we should all feel sorry for him *cough*) and i didn't personally feel connected to either harriett or warren, it's like their relationship felt kinda force and they're just together for the sake of the plot

not sure if i'm going to continue the series tho but like i do like the setting and iris meadows tho!

⤷ thank you to the author and love notes pr for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Cheyenne Yowell.
33 reviews
April 10, 2026
ARC REVIEW 🥹

This book??? It’s the kind that sneaks up on you and then suddenly you’re emotionally invested in ways you didn’t expect.

The depth of these characters and the darkness they carry felt real. Like true life, not just something written for shock value. The rawness, the growth, the way everything unfolds had me needing more every chapter.

And let’s be honest… we LOVE a good talker, but it’s always the quiet ones who end up saying the most when it matters 🫣🤭

Warren??? Immediately Daddy Warren. No notes. He stood on BUSINESS the entire time and I ate it up.

The fair scene was such a turning point. Not just for the story, but for who they were as people. That moment stuck with me heavy.

What really hit home was the first responder aspect. Growing up with both of my parents as firefighters, I felt that. The weight they carry home, the things that don’t just stay on the job—it was written in a way that felt honest and personal.

Real life experiences, but make it a book you can actually connect to.

This was my first Ronnie Matthews read, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Profile Image for Steph.
92 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ 4.5 stars

Melody Whispers by Ronnie Mathews was not on my radar — and now it’s on my heart.

This was my first Ronnie Mathews read, and I can already tell it won’t be my last. She had me laughing, crying, and fanning myself from the spice all within the same reading session. The range of emotions this book put me through? Absolutely unhinged in the best way.

What really stayed with me was the mental health representation — it was handled with such care and intention. You don’t always see that done this beautifully in romance, and it made the story feel so much more meaningful.
And Harriet and Warren? Their chemistry was electric from page one. Watching their love unfold pulled at every single heartstring I have.

If you’re looking for a romance that makes you feel everything — this is it.

Thank you Love Notes PR for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Lais Scrivani.
426 reviews51 followers
April 28, 2026
Omg I loved it! It was exactly what I needed. I know the pregnancy trope isn’t very popular around here, but I don’t mind it at all. There’s so much yearning and the slow burn is just perfect. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹
I loved the characters and I can’t wait to read the next ones (praying the next one is Tate and Talia’s 🫶)
Profile Image for Gracie.
57 reviews
April 15, 2026
I have not cried this hard over a book in a while (several weeks really). I was hysterically crying through the last 15% of this book. My goodness. After binging Sutton Bay at the beginning of the year, Ronnie has quickly become an autobuy author for me, her writing is so beautiful EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. The emotional depth AND spice are always out of this world.

Harriet is trying to begin her career as a song writer and Warren is a very guarded fireman that struggles with PTSD. Their story begins with the funniest meet cute which leads to a mega hot one night stand and an oopsie baby. As the two of them get to know each other in preparation to be co-parents, they go from friends to lovers and Harriet begins to slowly tear down the walls that Warren has built up so high. The patience and understanding that Harriet shows him is just so beautiful. From the moment this man ordered a cereal delivery subscription to her house because she was having a craving… I was an absolute GONER for this beautiful grumpy broken man. This book truly was SO “hormotional” and tender. Melody Whispers is easily one of my favorite accidental pregnancy romances I have ever read.

Huge thank you to Ronnie and LoveNotes PR for the opportunity to ARC read Melody Whispers. 💚
Profile Image for Holly Schwartz.
919 reviews41 followers
April 10, 2026
This was PERFECT! While we wait for the next book in the series (which is HOPEFULLY a certain someone’s second chance!!!) I’m going to have to go back and read Ronnie’s other series! Her writing is soft and inviting and feels like coming home. She was able to put so much heart into this story. She wrote Warren’s struggle with his mental health and PTSD so well and with so much care. The way she wrote Harriet’s patience and frustrations was also so beautiful. I loooooved this group of women and I can’t wait to see where the rest of them end up!!

HARRIET AND WARREN!!! The perfect one night stand that changes everything!!! Their chemistry was delicious right from the start. I loved that they TRIED to take things slow but simply couldn’t resist their feelings! And they did work really hard to build a relationship, a friendship, a team!!! So they could be the best people they could be for their baby!! And for each other!!

I did also love that even though Harriet didn’t have all the information on Warren’s past, and even though she was desperate to know, she did respect his need to go at own pace. And that it was very obvious that he was TRYING, even if was still someone reluctantly at first. But he knew he had to do something to heal so he could be present for this next stage in his life.

I’ll be thinking about this one for a while! I can’t wait to be back in Iris Meadows!!
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