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Facts and Feelings
Not yet published
Expected 2 Feb 26“I was in love with you when we were something, and I was in love with you when we were nothing.”
Two childhood best friends. Ten years of estrangement. One crumpled letter that could change everything.
Gracie Sinclair is on her own, because it’s safer that way. Love looks like the death of her mother, childhood abuse from her father, and a devastating breakup with her best friend turned boyfriend, Danny Thompson. Inside jokes and soft-spoken dreams weren’t enough to keep them together. After years of building walls to guard her heart, one mysterious letter threatens to tear them down.
Danny Thompson knew what love was when he was ten years old—and it looked like Gracie Sinclair rubbing his back while he suffered secret panic attacks. After a decade of yearning for his first love, professional football player Danny is shocked to see her in the stands at his playoff game. And he won’t risk fumbling his chance to rewrite the ending of their love story.
Told in alternating timelines between their past and present, Facts and Feelings shares the story of two people whose love spans a lifetime; as neighborhood kids whispering through walkie talkies, teens clinging to each other through trauma, college students planning their shared future, and adults hoping for a second chance at forever.
For readers who love: flashbacks, childhood best friends, second chance, hurt/comfort trope, yearning
Two childhood best friends. Ten years of estrangement. One crumpled letter that could change everything.
Gracie Sinclair is on her own, because it’s safer that way. Love looks like the death of her mother, childhood abuse from her father, and a devastating breakup with her best friend turned boyfriend, Danny Thompson. Inside jokes and soft-spoken dreams weren’t enough to keep them together. After years of building walls to guard her heart, one mysterious letter threatens to tear them down.
Danny Thompson knew what love was when he was ten years old—and it looked like Gracie Sinclair rubbing his back while he suffered secret panic attacks. After a decade of yearning for his first love, professional football player Danny is shocked to see her in the stands at his playoff game. And he won’t risk fumbling his chance to rewrite the ending of their love story.
Told in alternating timelines between their past and present, Facts and Feelings shares the story of two people whose love spans a lifetime; as neighborhood kids whispering through walkie talkies, teens clinging to each other through trauma, college students planning their shared future, and adults hoping for a second chance at forever.
For readers who love: flashbacks, childhood best friends, second chance, hurt/comfort trope, yearning
- GenresRomanceSecond Chance
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 2, 2026
13 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Farrah Colson
1 book17 followersFarrah Colson writes stories full of emotion, yearning, and witty banter. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and two young children. When she’s not writing indie romance, she can be found reading indie romance, decorating early for any holiday, and spending time with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 8, 2025
I got to read an advance copy of this, and I’m so glad I did. It was one of my favorite reads of the year! This debut author is right up there with Rainbow Rowell and Jessica Joyce for bringing all the warm and fuzzy (yet sometimes heart-wrenching) second-chance feels. What an amazing voice—I couldn’t get enough!
Our main characters, Danny and Gracie, are fully fleshed out and true to life, whether they’re best friends at ten years old or nearly strangers at thirty. The banter is relatable and clever. The supporting cast is top-tier; they don’t feel like they were just put there to serve as set pieces but rather exist as an important part of the story. The love story is at turns swoony and lovely and quiet and epic.
I can’t wait to see what else this author does! Keeping my fingers crossed for a book 2!
Our main characters, Danny and Gracie, are fully fleshed out and true to life, whether they’re best friends at ten years old or nearly strangers at thirty. The banter is relatable and clever. The supporting cast is top-tier; they don’t feel like they were just put there to serve as set pieces but rather exist as an important part of the story. The love story is at turns swoony and lovely and quiet and epic.
I can’t wait to see what else this author does! Keeping my fingers crossed for a book 2!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
WOW. I just finished reading the ARC, and honestly? Dare I say my favorite indie debut in a while? Who AM I? If you love second chance romance, I have zero doubt in my mind you’ll love this book. Here’s what I found satisfying:
1. The flashbacks start at age ten - I LOVE childhood F2L books that actually SHOW CHILDHOOD. Like I WANT to see their lives, that’s the POINT of this trope, and Farrah Colson delivers that in SPADES.
2. There’s no miscommunication trope somehow regarding the reason for their breakup - honestly? I’m not sure how she accomplished this, but every other F2L book I read has some sort of like “wait…THATS why you broke up with me?” And THIS BOOK DOESN’T. Literally. They both know why they broke up and the reason isn’t unforgivable. A CONCEPT in today’s romance. The breakup scene is one of THE most beautiful breakup scenes I’ve ever read and I cried real tears.
3. You know what else is a concept? ACTUALLY realistic and dimensional characters. You feel that the characters in this book could be real. They talk and banter about silly, real life stuff, not cringe flirting or tropey banter we’ve read time and time again. The realism of their dialogue at the ages is also top tier - everything was age appropriate.
4. This author can literally write. Like Emily Henry level metaphors, woven in throughout. ITS NOT OVERDONE. She sounds UNIQUE. She is actually FUNNY.
5. I read this in the span of maybe 12 hours. I was addicted to it. I cried three times, and laughed out loud more.
6. I’ll keep this point short. NO cheating. NO love triangle. NO present third act breakup. Both single upon reconnecting. BLESS YOU FARRAH COLSON MAY YOUR PILLOW BE COOL ALWAYS.
7. Nothing feels forced detail. The story feels natural.
Read it. I’d recommend this to anyone. The only people who shouldn’t read are people that hate flashbacks or dual timelines, but everyone else - this will be one of your top unexpected reads period - not just indie - PERIOD.
So glad I saw this random author’s Tik toks (no offense Farrah girl but you were unknown haha) I feel like I discovered her before she blows up, and she seems adorable on socials. Will be following her next books.
1. The flashbacks start at age ten - I LOVE childhood F2L books that actually SHOW CHILDHOOD. Like I WANT to see their lives, that’s the POINT of this trope, and Farrah Colson delivers that in SPADES.
2. There’s no miscommunication trope somehow regarding the reason for their breakup - honestly? I’m not sure how she accomplished this, but every other F2L book I read has some sort of like “wait…THATS why you broke up with me?” And THIS BOOK DOESN’T. Literally. They both know why they broke up and the reason isn’t unforgivable. A CONCEPT in today’s romance. The breakup scene is one of THE most beautiful breakup scenes I’ve ever read and I cried real tears.
3. You know what else is a concept? ACTUALLY realistic and dimensional characters. You feel that the characters in this book could be real. They talk and banter about silly, real life stuff, not cringe flirting or tropey banter we’ve read time and time again. The realism of their dialogue at the ages is also top tier - everything was age appropriate.
4. This author can literally write. Like Emily Henry level metaphors, woven in throughout. ITS NOT OVERDONE. She sounds UNIQUE. She is actually FUNNY.
5. I read this in the span of maybe 12 hours. I was addicted to it. I cried three times, and laughed out loud more.
6. I’ll keep this point short. NO cheating. NO love triangle. NO present third act breakup. Both single upon reconnecting. BLESS YOU FARRAH COLSON MAY YOUR PILLOW BE COOL ALWAYS.
7. Nothing feels forced detail. The story feels natural.
Read it. I’d recommend this to anyone. The only people who shouldn’t read are people that hate flashbacks or dual timelines, but everyone else - this will be one of your top unexpected reads period - not just indie - PERIOD.
So glad I saw this random author’s Tik toks (no offense Farrah girl but you were unknown haha) I feel like I discovered her before she blows up, and she seems adorable on socials. Will be following her next books.
January 11, 2026
ARC Review: Wow! What a fantastic debut novel. I’m obsessed with second chance stories so I absolutely loved this one. I loved the back and forth between present and past, as well as Gracie and Danny. I loved the banter, and how it tugged at the heart strings (shout out to Mae!) I really appreciate how much we got to see the characters in the present time at the end. Honestly can’t wait for the second book!
January 5, 2026
I don’t have the words to adequately express what this book means to me. Us second chance romance readers, we choose to read, to live, to love for the hope of it all…
Danny and Gracie’s story is beautiful and heartbreaking and
authentic, filled with love and tragedy, but stunningly marked by two people who learn to be whole separately so that they can be better for each other. The supporting characters are actualized perfectly, with full lives, three-dimensional personalities, and hopeful stories of their own. The spice was swoon-worthy, intentional in its vulnerability, and honest-to-god perfection.
Thank you endlessly to the author for an advance copy. I devoured Facts and Feelings in one sitting, alternating between my cheeks hurting from smiling so much and sobbing uncontrollably until I could barely see the pages. I’ll never stop shouting from the rooftops about the magic you created in this book.
Danny and Gracie’s story is beautiful and heartbreaking and
authentic, filled with love and tragedy, but stunningly marked by two people who learn to be whole separately so that they can be better for each other. The supporting characters are actualized perfectly, with full lives, three-dimensional personalities, and hopeful stories of their own. The spice was swoon-worthy, intentional in its vulnerability, and honest-to-god perfection.
Thank you endlessly to the author for an advance copy. I devoured Facts and Feelings in one sitting, alternating between my cheeks hurting from smiling so much and sobbing uncontrollably until I could barely see the pages. I’ll never stop shouting from the rooftops about the magic you created in this book.
January 25, 2026
This was the most wholesome, emotional, and raw story I have read in a while. I absolutely adore Gracie and Danny! Their story is one that transcends the meaning of true love.
They embody the phrase " 'to be seen is to be loved".
Gracie and Danny are two childhood best friends who share the deepest love for one another. Navigating through hardships, trauma, anxiety, depression they form a very strong bond. Although life forces them apart for a decade, they reconnect and discover that some bonds can never be broken.
They embody the phrase " 'to be seen is to be loved".
Gracie and Danny are two childhood best friends who share the deepest love for one another. Navigating through hardships, trauma, anxiety, depression they form a very strong bond. Although life forces them apart for a decade, they reconnect and discover that some bonds can never be broken.
January 13, 2026
Wow!! I have been in the biggest reading slump ever... especially with eyeballs(kindle/paperback)... I was so lucky to receive this arc! I couldnt put it down!! When i seen this blurb on Tiktok i knew i HAD to read it! friends to lovers and second chances are my favorite tropes and she delivered!!! I loved it from start to finish and im so sad its over! I was so happy when i seen Tessa was getting a book so i could see more of danny and gracie! although im excited to just be back in that world in general ;) This is sooo perfect for cozy winter read! Comes out Feb 2 🐾🐾
January 13, 2026
Fact: it’s adorable Feeling: in love and wholesome!!!
This was an easy 5 star read for me! I’ve been a little protective of my 5 star ratings of late, nothing just has felt worthy of one in awhile…and then I read this book and it’s everything I didn’t know I needed. Whilst it does deal with some harder topics (be sure to check TW’s if needed!) I thought it was handled in an understanding and respectful way but even though this is a huge part of their story it isn’t the SUM of their story. They are more than their struggles and I just absolutely adored this book! It had depth, growth and great characters that you couldn’t help but love and I’m here for it!!! I loved getting the dual timeline as the story unwinds and then perfectly blends into the present timeline and that ending was so cute and perfect. It made me think of how the older romantic movies were done and just left you feeling complete and happy…whilst also being a tiny bit sad because you know it ended I know how rude!! But I actually finished this book with a smile on my face and that’s how you know it was ended perfectly!!
I’m not going to say anything on the plot because honestly you just need experience it, knowing little to nothing. Trust me the story will tell you…when it’s ready 😛
If you love a good best friends to lovers, next door neighbours, to second chance…with a side of sports (okay okay it’s more than a side but it sounded cooler to say it like that, so bite me lol) this might be right down your alley.
What an amazing debut novel you should be so happy and proud of yourself Farrah!
I may have received this as an ARC book BUT as always this is my honest facts and feelings (see what I did there? Hehe) on this book!!!
PS…the moment one Otter fact was brought in I was also highly won over bc they are too stinkin adorable and these 2 MC’s are soo stinkin adorable too!! When they went to bed holding hands I was kicking my legs giggling and happy!!!!
Happy reading!
This was an easy 5 star read for me! I’ve been a little protective of my 5 star ratings of late, nothing just has felt worthy of one in awhile…and then I read this book and it’s everything I didn’t know I needed. Whilst it does deal with some harder topics (be sure to check TW’s if needed!) I thought it was handled in an understanding and respectful way but even though this is a huge part of their story it isn’t the SUM of their story. They are more than their struggles and I just absolutely adored this book! It had depth, growth and great characters that you couldn’t help but love and I’m here for it!!! I loved getting the dual timeline as the story unwinds and then perfectly blends into the present timeline and that ending was so cute and perfect. It made me think of how the older romantic movies were done and just left you feeling complete and happy…whilst also being a tiny bit sad because you know it ended I know how rude!! But I actually finished this book with a smile on my face and that’s how you know it was ended perfectly!!
I’m not going to say anything on the plot because honestly you just need experience it, knowing little to nothing. Trust me the story will tell you…when it’s ready 😛
If you love a good best friends to lovers, next door neighbours, to second chance…with a side of sports (okay okay it’s more than a side but it sounded cooler to say it like that, so bite me lol) this might be right down your alley.
What an amazing debut novel you should be so happy and proud of yourself Farrah!
I may have received this as an ARC book BUT as always this is my honest facts and feelings (see what I did there? Hehe) on this book!!!
PS…the moment one Otter fact was brought in I was also highly won over bc they are too stinkin adorable and these 2 MC’s are soo stinkin adorable too!! When they went to bed holding hands I was kicking my legs giggling and happy!!!!
Happy reading!
January 13, 2026
Wow! Farrah Colson really knocked it out the park with this book. It was funny, witty, sweet, painful, with so much emotion both happy and sad. It was a complete rollercoaster, but totally worth it. She is such a gifted storyteller. l’m obsessed with this book! A definite re-read for me.
Now to Danny and Gracie. I loved their complex story. Danny is the boy next door who becomes the football start who is obsessed with Gracie. Gracie is a shy animal lover with a troubled home life who struggles talking to people. They were childhood best friends who lived next to each other who then started dating while in high school and eventually break up. He was her safe place. He needed her just as much. It’s childhood kind of love then pining and waiting, to first love and losing it all. Then you learn the events that lead their break and then her to seek him out after 10 years. I loved the perfect timing on the flashback scenes, it flowed together really well. I cried a few times because the emotion she inputs was so real. The humor and banter had me laughing out loud. How much butter is too much butter? I loved Mae. Her relationship with not only Gracie but with Danny really made an impact. You really felt the characters. They were relatable even if you haven’t went through the same trauma or mental health issues, you could still understand it. It wasn’t cringe with a lot of nonsense rambling some books have, which I was personally thankful of. I honestly can’t say enough on how much I enjoyed this book without spoiling it. It really is one of the best reads I’ve read. I highly recommend reading it! I can’t wait for the next book.
Warning: Keep tissues on hand.
Now to Danny and Gracie. I loved their complex story. Danny is the boy next door who becomes the football start who is obsessed with Gracie. Gracie is a shy animal lover with a troubled home life who struggles talking to people. They were childhood best friends who lived next to each other who then started dating while in high school and eventually break up. He was her safe place. He needed her just as much. It’s childhood kind of love then pining and waiting, to first love and losing it all. Then you learn the events that lead their break and then her to seek him out after 10 years. I loved the perfect timing on the flashback scenes, it flowed together really well. I cried a few times because the emotion she inputs was so real. The humor and banter had me laughing out loud. How much butter is too much butter? I loved Mae. Her relationship with not only Gracie but with Danny really made an impact. You really felt the characters. They were relatable even if you haven’t went through the same trauma or mental health issues, you could still understand it. It wasn’t cringe with a lot of nonsense rambling some books have, which I was personally thankful of. I honestly can’t say enough on how much I enjoyed this book without spoiling it. It really is one of the best reads I’ve read. I highly recommend reading it! I can’t wait for the next book.
Warning: Keep tissues on hand.
January 15, 2026
ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to Farrah for letting me be apart of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 1.75/5🌶️
What to expect when reading Facts and Feelings;
-Dual Timelines
-Second Chance
-Childhood Best Friends
-Mutual Yearning
-Slow Burn
This is book one of the Love and Feelings series! You get to follow Gracie and Danny! Ten years apart after being inseparable, can the things that broke between them be rebuilt? Can they have their second chance?
Oh my gosh where do I even begin with this review! Ma’am I don’t know what you put into this book but I already know this is going on my “top favs” list for this year. This is how you write a second chance romance, hands down!!!! This gave me ALL the feels! The was perfect all-around! The characters individually? Perfect! Their chemistry? Perfect! The storyline? Perfect! The flow/ tiny details? Perfect! The slow burn spice? Perfect! When I tell you this was an all-around well written book I mean it and I feel like I can’t say it enough. I have absolutely nothing I would change. If you don’t read this book you are honestly missing out.
I will be recommending this book to everyone!
Side notes:
-Chapter 5🥹
-Chapter 13 🥺🥹
-Otters
-Mae & Janie !
-HCF
-The Speech
-Charger Program
Fav Quote:
•”Yes. That’s my Gracie”
•”Take a deep breath and blow out the candles”
•”Hey Gracie? Doyou want to be my girlfriend? The kind where I kiss you?”
Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases Feb. 2nd
#bookstagram #romance #review
First I would like to say a big thank you to Farrah for letting me be apart of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 1.75/5🌶️
What to expect when reading Facts and Feelings;
-Dual Timelines
-Second Chance
-Childhood Best Friends
-Mutual Yearning
-Slow Burn
This is book one of the Love and Feelings series! You get to follow Gracie and Danny! Ten years apart after being inseparable, can the things that broke between them be rebuilt? Can they have their second chance?
Oh my gosh where do I even begin with this review! Ma’am I don’t know what you put into this book but I already know this is going on my “top favs” list for this year. This is how you write a second chance romance, hands down!!!! This gave me ALL the feels! The was perfect all-around! The characters individually? Perfect! Their chemistry? Perfect! The storyline? Perfect! The flow/ tiny details? Perfect! The slow burn spice? Perfect! When I tell you this was an all-around well written book I mean it and I feel like I can’t say it enough. I have absolutely nothing I would change. If you don’t read this book you are honestly missing out.
I will be recommending this book to everyone!
Side notes:
-Chapter 5🥹
-Chapter 13 🥺🥹
-Otters
-Mae & Janie !
-HCF
-The Speech
-Charger Program
Fav Quote:
•”Yes. That’s my Gracie”
•”Take a deep breath and blow out the candles”
•”Hey Gracie? Doyou want to be my girlfriend? The kind where I kiss you?”
Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases Feb. 2nd
#bookstagram #romance #review
January 21, 2026
Facts And Feelings By Farrah Colson
5⭐
First I want to say thank you to Farrah for allowing me to be an ARC reader for her debut book! I am incredibly honored to have the chance to read it early! It releases Feb 2!
Tropes:
⏰ Second Chance
☀️ Childhood Friends
💕 It’s Always Been You
🐢 Slow-Burn
Some of you already know my thoughts on this book, because I have blabbed to anyone who asked me. I loved it! It has received the honor of being my first 5-star read of 2026.
The writing is just so well done! Every detail is so intricate. The characters feel real and all their actions make sense! This book even got me to ask my husband about football! He has confirmed the book is accurate to how that could and does happen in real life. So I learned something and my husband got to go down the rabbit hole about football. 😂
The romance! I am a sucker for a second chance. I will happily consume any book that claims to have this trope. The way Farrah uses the dual timeline really deepened the yearning for me! Oh, and both of these characters yearn if you all could see everything I highlighted.
Do I recommend this? Yes! Pick it up on Feb 2!
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Open Door
5⭐
First I want to say thank you to Farrah for allowing me to be an ARC reader for her debut book! I am incredibly honored to have the chance to read it early! It releases Feb 2!
Tropes:
⏰ Second Chance
☀️ Childhood Friends
💕 It’s Always Been You
🐢 Slow-Burn
Some of you already know my thoughts on this book, because I have blabbed to anyone who asked me. I loved it! It has received the honor of being my first 5-star read of 2026.
The writing is just so well done! Every detail is so intricate. The characters feel real and all their actions make sense! This book even got me to ask my husband about football! He has confirmed the book is accurate to how that could and does happen in real life. So I learned something and my husband got to go down the rabbit hole about football. 😂
The romance! I am a sucker for a second chance. I will happily consume any book that claims to have this trope. The way Farrah uses the dual timeline really deepened the yearning for me! Oh, and both of these characters yearn if you all could see everything I highlighted.
Do I recommend this? Yes! Pick it up on Feb 2!
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Open Door
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Farrah Colson for this arc! I absolutely adored this story about Danny and Gracie! Gracie's bubbly upbeat and kind personality is very endearing. Danny is super sexy and treats her like a queen! I love that the book takes place mostly in Columbus Ohio and references some very fun niche Ohio things! This book had me reliving my own childhood in the best way! I want to be Gracie! I really enjoyed reading this and looked forward to it every day. The book kept me enthralled! Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!
January 22, 2026
Debut novel?! I’m sorry seasoned pro Farrah Colson you are sensational. I mean this book was written for readers by a reader and it shows.
Yearning?! ✅
Swooning ✅
A DOWN BAD MMC?!!! ✅
Facts and Feelings is beautiful. Told in dual timeline through Gracie and Danny’s life, this is a story about second chances. This book will knock any other romance novel out of the park. Seriously!! It truly encapsulated the trope of it’s always been you. I am HONORED to say I read this story early and cannot wait for the world to read it. LIKE OMG THIS BOOK IS SO FREAKING GOOD
As Farrah would say it’s a love letter to love, and you did just that.
Yearning?! ✅
Swooning ✅
A DOWN BAD MMC?!!! ✅
Facts and Feelings is beautiful. Told in dual timeline through Gracie and Danny’s life, this is a story about second chances. This book will knock any other romance novel out of the park. Seriously!! It truly encapsulated the trope of it’s always been you. I am HONORED to say I read this story early and cannot wait for the world to read it. LIKE OMG THIS BOOK IS SO FREAKING GOOD
As Farrah would say it’s a love letter to love, and you did just that.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Much like developing a food intolerance in your thirties, falling in love with Facts and Feelings is inevitable.
I had the pleasure of reading F&Fs in its early stages, and I thought that it would be just another romance. What I didn't expect was for it to stick with me months later. I found myself thinking about the characters even while reading other books, watching TV, or listening to music.
And now, rereading it, I find myself laughing at the same inside jokes, crying at the same heart-wrenching scenes, and pumping my fist rooting for these two fools.
In a world of shadow daddies and boys who treat their girls like crap and call it love, Danny is a real man. He makes mistakes, but all of it is in the name of love. And he owns up to those mistakes, changes, grows. He feels so real, and part of me is sad I never got a chance to steal him from Gracie myself (not that I could 🫠)
And where to start with Gracie? She's relatable, almost too much so. I'm a little convinced Farrah stalked me and wrote down my most embarrassing moments, just to make me relive them in this book. But my favorite part of Gracie? I can't tell you. Because it's a massive spoiler. But I will say, I was screaming and pumping my fist for her. She is a STRONG woman. And she stands on business, and we LOVE her for that.
I cannot recommend Facts & Feelings enough. This book is great, and amazing, and deserves all the praise.
Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.
I had the pleasure of reading F&Fs in its early stages, and I thought that it would be just another romance. What I didn't expect was for it to stick with me months later. I found myself thinking about the characters even while reading other books, watching TV, or listening to music.
And now, rereading it, I find myself laughing at the same inside jokes, crying at the same heart-wrenching scenes, and pumping my fist rooting for these two fools.
In a world of shadow daddies and boys who treat their girls like crap and call it love, Danny is a real man. He makes mistakes, but all of it is in the name of love. And he owns up to those mistakes, changes, grows. He feels so real, and part of me is sad I never got a chance to steal him from Gracie myself (not that I could 🫠)
And where to start with Gracie? She's relatable, almost too much so. I'm a little convinced Farrah stalked me and wrote down my most embarrassing moments, just to make me relive them in this book. But my favorite part of Gracie? I can't tell you. Because it's a massive spoiler. But I will say, I was screaming and pumping my fist for her. She is a STRONG woman. And she stands on business, and we LOVE her for that.
I cannot recommend Facts & Feelings enough. This book is great, and amazing, and deserves all the praise.
Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
This book was given to me as an ARC, with no obligation other than to leave an honest review if I chose to—and honesty is something I take very seriously. I tend to notice the smallest, strangest details, so please bear with me here.
I was initially drawn to Facts and Feelings because of the tropes. They completely sold me. What I didn’t expect, though, was that. Not even remotely.
To start with, the way a book is written matters deeply to me. A story can have the most compelling plot in the world, but if the writing doesn’t support it, if the words themselves don’t carry weight, I find it hard to fully enjoy the experience. Some people call me picky, but the truth is I just find beauty in language—and I struggle when that beauty is missing.
Farrah’s writing, however, is something else entirely.
Otherworldly. Beautiful. Romantic. Ethereal. Those are the only words that come close to describing it—and this isn’t even a fantasy novel.
The prose is, without a doubt, my favourite part of the entire book. I felt everything the characters felt on the page. I’m an empath, so emotional immersion comes easily to me, but this was almost absurd. The amount of tears I shed over what is, at its core, a sweet romance was ridiculous. I laughed until my stomach hurt. I smiled so hard my face ached. I kicked my feet, squealed, cried… and then cried some more.
I constantly found myself torn between wanting to read faster and wanting to slow down as much as possible. I wanted to savour every sentence, to make sure I was curled up somewhere cozy, giving the book my full, undivided attention—because these words deserved that. Books can always be reread, but there’s something sacred about the first time. And somehow, the writing was so beautiful that it made me want to read it with the care and attentiveness you usually reserve for a fifth or tenth reread. That feeling when a book is so good that every reread reveals new meaning, new details, new beauty? I didn’t even reread this one, and I already know it will do that. I already want to reread it.
The characters’ choices made sense. Nothing felt rushed or thrown in for convenience. Actions had weight, and there were real emotional consequences, which made everything hit that much harder.
This is a second-chance romance. It’s in the blurb. It’s in the marketing. It’s everywhere. We know there’s going to be a breakup at some point.
And yet—never in my life did I think I’d be praising a breakup scene. But here we are.
That breakup was devastating and heartbreaking and exquisitely written. It made complete sense, even as I was sobbing so hard I could barely see the words on the page (they were extremely blurry for reasons I cannot explain). I’m convinced someone was chopping onions for the entirety of this book because my eyes were misty the whole time.
I fell in love with every single character—dead and alive, past and present. The dual timeline was executed flawlessly. I understand why dual timelines can be controversial and confusing when not done well, but this was the perfect example of how powerful they can be. I want to slap every person who claims to hate dual timelines in the face with a paperback of this book.
And I need to talk about the banter. THE BANTER. It was so unbelievably good—witty, natural, sharp, and painfully real. The kind of banter that doesn’t feel scripted or try-hard, but instead sounds like two people who genuinely know each other, who match each other’s energy perfectly. The humor landed every single time. I had literal tears in my eyes from laughing, which honestly felt a little unfair considering how much I was already crying for other reasons. The comedic timing was impeccable, the dialogue flowed effortlessly, and it added so much warmth and authenticity to the story. I loved the humor woven into the romance—it made everything feel more alive, more human, and somehow even more emotional. It was that good.
Lastly, the characters. Gracie. My sweet girl. I wanted to reach through my Kindle screen, pull her into a hug, and ask her to be my friend. Danny was incredible in every possible way, and I loved their individual arcs and the way they grew—together and apart.
So… yeah. If you couldn’t tell already: this is a five-star read for me. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐😭🩷
I was initially drawn to Facts and Feelings because of the tropes. They completely sold me. What I didn’t expect, though, was that. Not even remotely.
To start with, the way a book is written matters deeply to me. A story can have the most compelling plot in the world, but if the writing doesn’t support it, if the words themselves don’t carry weight, I find it hard to fully enjoy the experience. Some people call me picky, but the truth is I just find beauty in language—and I struggle when that beauty is missing.
Farrah’s writing, however, is something else entirely.
Otherworldly. Beautiful. Romantic. Ethereal. Those are the only words that come close to describing it—and this isn’t even a fantasy novel.
The prose is, without a doubt, my favourite part of the entire book. I felt everything the characters felt on the page. I’m an empath, so emotional immersion comes easily to me, but this was almost absurd. The amount of tears I shed over what is, at its core, a sweet romance was ridiculous. I laughed until my stomach hurt. I smiled so hard my face ached. I kicked my feet, squealed, cried… and then cried some more.
I constantly found myself torn between wanting to read faster and wanting to slow down as much as possible. I wanted to savour every sentence, to make sure I was curled up somewhere cozy, giving the book my full, undivided attention—because these words deserved that. Books can always be reread, but there’s something sacred about the first time. And somehow, the writing was so beautiful that it made me want to read it with the care and attentiveness you usually reserve for a fifth or tenth reread. That feeling when a book is so good that every reread reveals new meaning, new details, new beauty? I didn’t even reread this one, and I already know it will do that. I already want to reread it.
The characters’ choices made sense. Nothing felt rushed or thrown in for convenience. Actions had weight, and there were real emotional consequences, which made everything hit that much harder.
This is a second-chance romance. It’s in the blurb. It’s in the marketing. It’s everywhere. We know there’s going to be a breakup at some point.
And yet—never in my life did I think I’d be praising a breakup scene. But here we are.
That breakup was devastating and heartbreaking and exquisitely written. It made complete sense, even as I was sobbing so hard I could barely see the words on the page (they were extremely blurry for reasons I cannot explain). I’m convinced someone was chopping onions for the entirety of this book because my eyes were misty the whole time.
I fell in love with every single character—dead and alive, past and present. The dual timeline was executed flawlessly. I understand why dual timelines can be controversial and confusing when not done well, but this was the perfect example of how powerful they can be. I want to slap every person who claims to hate dual timelines in the face with a paperback of this book.
And I need to talk about the banter. THE BANTER. It was so unbelievably good—witty, natural, sharp, and painfully real. The kind of banter that doesn’t feel scripted or try-hard, but instead sounds like two people who genuinely know each other, who match each other’s energy perfectly. The humor landed every single time. I had literal tears in my eyes from laughing, which honestly felt a little unfair considering how much I was already crying for other reasons. The comedic timing was impeccable, the dialogue flowed effortlessly, and it added so much warmth and authenticity to the story. I loved the humor woven into the romance—it made everything feel more alive, more human, and somehow even more emotional. It was that good.
Lastly, the characters. Gracie. My sweet girl. I wanted to reach through my Kindle screen, pull her into a hug, and ask her to be my friend. Danny was incredible in every possible way, and I loved their individual arcs and the way they grew—together and apart.
So… yeah. If you couldn’t tell already: this is a five-star read for me. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐😭🩷
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all, I’m so very grateful for this sweetheart author who reached out to me a couple of months ago, asking me to ARC read her debut novel. I’m so glad I did, because it turned into this being one of my favorite books!
Second of all… Holy shit, Farrah!!! DEBUT NOVEL? Congratulations on completely ripping my heart out, and also, putting it back together within 400 pages or so🤣
Seriously though, what a huge accomplishment!
The reason why second chance romances will always be my favorite, is conveyed in the writing of this book. It’s the familiarity, the longing, and the hope that it’ll all work out in the end. Farrah Colson did a fantastic job at hitting these very specific pain (yes, pain) points that make it all make sense.
“You want to know how I spent the last ten years we were apart? I spent every single one of them loving you.”
The familiarity of their relationship is portrayed in a dual timeline that was phenomenally done. Time jumps can be tricky, and you can tell that the author put extra care into making sure that the time jumps were significant and added more depth into the story! The fact that these characters have so much history between each other, made for very emotional moments, whether it was sad or happy. There wasn’t a time where I didn’t either blush or cry!
“I feel like I’m discovering new things about her every day, like she’s someone I just met. Yet, sometimes, it’s like no time has passed at all.”
The way Danny would protect Gracie with his whole heart growing up (and through adulthood), it’s no surprise that she fell for him. Danny would jump in front of a bullet for his ‘strawberry girl’. He is her biggest fan, back when they were kids, up until adulthood. Dare I say, Danny is the perfect man! Swoony, thoughtful, knows her SO well, that he matches a dress to the color(s) of her eyes!!(Heterochromia) He truly sets a standard!
Gracie may be one of my favorite fmcs. The struggles and fears that she was able to overcome as a young girl, made her into a strong woman. It’s admirable!
*Also noting that her favorite drink is Ginger Ale, which happens to be mine, as well! MOST UNDERRATED SODA!
“I was in love with you when we were something, and I was in love with you when we were nothing.”
Without speaking too much on the plot of it all, because this is definitely worth the read and I don’t want to spoil anything, Gracie and Danny are soulmates. The heart knows what it knows, and wants what it wants. People who are meant to be in your life, will eventually come back to you, it might just take a little bit of time to get there. That’s what makes Facts and Feelings so realistic. Danny and Gracie went through something individually with different experiences, and it caused them to drift for a decade. A DECADE! Things happen, plans change, PEOPLE change, but isn’t that what we’re supposed to do at the end of the day? What kept them motivated was the hope of it all.
If you love a
Second chance romance
Football romance
Neighbors
Friends to lovers
Dual timeline
THIS IS FOR YOUUUU!
I can’t wait for more books by Farrah Colson!
Second of all… Holy shit, Farrah!!! DEBUT NOVEL? Congratulations on completely ripping my heart out, and also, putting it back together within 400 pages or so🤣
Seriously though, what a huge accomplishment!
The reason why second chance romances will always be my favorite, is conveyed in the writing of this book. It’s the familiarity, the longing, and the hope that it’ll all work out in the end. Farrah Colson did a fantastic job at hitting these very specific pain (yes, pain) points that make it all make sense.
“You want to know how I spent the last ten years we were apart? I spent every single one of them loving you.”
The familiarity of their relationship is portrayed in a dual timeline that was phenomenally done. Time jumps can be tricky, and you can tell that the author put extra care into making sure that the time jumps were significant and added more depth into the story! The fact that these characters have so much history between each other, made for very emotional moments, whether it was sad or happy. There wasn’t a time where I didn’t either blush or cry!
“I feel like I’m discovering new things about her every day, like she’s someone I just met. Yet, sometimes, it’s like no time has passed at all.”
The way Danny would protect Gracie with his whole heart growing up (and through adulthood), it’s no surprise that she fell for him. Danny would jump in front of a bullet for his ‘strawberry girl’. He is her biggest fan, back when they were kids, up until adulthood. Dare I say, Danny is the perfect man! Swoony, thoughtful, knows her SO well, that he matches a dress to the color(s) of her eyes!!(Heterochromia) He truly sets a standard!
Gracie may be one of my favorite fmcs. The struggles and fears that she was able to overcome as a young girl, made her into a strong woman. It’s admirable!
*Also noting that her favorite drink is Ginger Ale, which happens to be mine, as well! MOST UNDERRATED SODA!
“I was in love with you when we were something, and I was in love with you when we were nothing.”
Without speaking too much on the plot of it all, because this is definitely worth the read and I don’t want to spoil anything, Gracie and Danny are soulmates. The heart knows what it knows, and wants what it wants. People who are meant to be in your life, will eventually come back to you, it might just take a little bit of time to get there. That’s what makes Facts and Feelings so realistic. Danny and Gracie went through something individually with different experiences, and it caused them to drift for a decade. A DECADE! Things happen, plans change, PEOPLE change, but isn’t that what we’re supposed to do at the end of the day? What kept them motivated was the hope of it all.
If you love a
Second chance romance
Football romance
Neighbors
Friends to lovers
Dual timeline
THIS IS FOR YOUUUU!
I can’t wait for more books by Farrah Colson!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I didn’t want to read this book. OK that’s a lie. I did want to read this book. It looked sweet and fun and friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. However, I was afraid that it was going to hurt and it did. The thing is, the way the author wrote it, mingling the painful pieces in with the humor and sweetness, the book was finished before I knew what had happened. Against my will, I read a super angsty story and loved every minute of it. The story is about Danny and Gracie who were childhood best friends. In high school, it turned into something more, something they both thought was forever. Danny had always been a football star and protective of Gracie, who Danny had to watch being abused by her dad most of his life. Gracie was shy and an outcast, and more worried about protecting her dad than herself. They both struggled with anxiety but relied on each other for help. In college, Danny began to struggle even more with anxiety and undiagnosed depression. Other situations happened and Danny ended up making a decision for both of them about their future without consulting Gracie. This lead to Gracie deciding that Danny never puts her first, that his football career will always come before her. Danny thought he was doing the best thing for both of them trying to make their future dreams come true, but what Gracie needed was to know that she was a priority in Danny’s life not just another person giving her no agency in her own life. After that, they had no contact for 10 years. Mostly because the mere mention of each other's name was agony for them. Gracie thought that Danny just forgot about her and moved on not knowing that he was completely broken without her, Danny thought he made the worst mistake of his life, and that he would never have a chance with Gracie again. something finally brings them together, and they both realize that neither one of them ever moved On And while Danny is ready to jump at the second chance, Gracie needs a little time to open her heart to the idea of Danny again, but when she does, the most beautiful HEA happens for both of them. The book weaves between past memories and present events flawlessly and I am still thinking about it days later. All signs of a really great book, 5 stars well earned! So even though it brought me to tears and I had to take a few breaks from reading for my emotions to calm down, I’m so glad I read this book. And that is not a lie.
Tropes:
🏈 Childhood Friends to Lovers
🐝 No Cheating
🏈 Each Other's Firsts
🐝 Mental Health Rep
🏈 Second Chance Romance
Tropes:
🏈 Childhood Friends to Lovers
🐝 No Cheating
🏈 Each Other's Firsts
🐝 Mental Health Rep
🏈 Second Chance Romance
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Farrah for letting me beta read this story and for sending me an arc so I could read it all over again.
I feel like I should start by saying that second chance romance/dual timeline romance isn't always my favorite. So if you're normally like me, please don't let that stop you from reading Facts and Feelings. With this trope, I normally get caught up in the fact that the characters have wasted so much time when they could have been together. I get upset that they usually break up for some silly reason and don't care enough about each other to reconnect before years have passed. Reading Facts and Feelings, I didn't have any of my normal problems with the way this trope was handled.
Danny and Gracie were always destined to find their way back to each other, but it's also so clear that they needed the time apart. If they didn't have that 10 year break, they might have never become the person the other could depend on, and they might have never known that they didn't just fall into eachother's lives but chose each other even when it was a fight to get back to each other.
I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've cried because of this book (it was a lot). I can so clearly envision every tear and triumph that Danny and Gracie go through. When I read the last page and closed the book, it felt like I was saying goodbye to my friends.
The writing is beautiful, but it's also so very relatable. I saw so much of myself in Gracie and the way she's so unsure of herself at a younger age. It felt therapeutic to see Gracie stumble and let her nerves get the best of her sometimes but still try anyway. While Gracie is reserved around a lot of people, she's also so funny and bright and caring, and it was fantastic to see a character be reserved and unsure of herself but still be all of those other amazing qualities too.
I always know I've found a really special book when characters pop into my head throughout the day even when I'm not reading. I find myself thinking about Danny and Gracie and their lives and hoping they're doing well (I understand that that might sound insane, but I don't really care thank you very much).
If it wasn't already clear from all my ramblings, I think everyone should read Facts and Feelings. It feels like a privilege to get to read this book, and I know that Danny and Gracie are characters that will stay with me.
Fav quote:
Danny: “You know what’s better than ‘what could have been,’ Gracie girl?”
Gracie: “Hm?”
Danny: “What’s happening right now.”
I feel like I should start by saying that second chance romance/dual timeline romance isn't always my favorite. So if you're normally like me, please don't let that stop you from reading Facts and Feelings. With this trope, I normally get caught up in the fact that the characters have wasted so much time when they could have been together. I get upset that they usually break up for some silly reason and don't care enough about each other to reconnect before years have passed. Reading Facts and Feelings, I didn't have any of my normal problems with the way this trope was handled.
Danny and Gracie were always destined to find their way back to each other, but it's also so clear that they needed the time apart. If they didn't have that 10 year break, they might have never become the person the other could depend on, and they might have never known that they didn't just fall into eachother's lives but chose each other even when it was a fight to get back to each other.
I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've cried because of this book (it was a lot). I can so clearly envision every tear and triumph that Danny and Gracie go through. When I read the last page and closed the book, it felt like I was saying goodbye to my friends.
The writing is beautiful, but it's also so very relatable. I saw so much of myself in Gracie and the way she's so unsure of herself at a younger age. It felt therapeutic to see Gracie stumble and let her nerves get the best of her sometimes but still try anyway. While Gracie is reserved around a lot of people, she's also so funny and bright and caring, and it was fantastic to see a character be reserved and unsure of herself but still be all of those other amazing qualities too.
I always know I've found a really special book when characters pop into my head throughout the day even when I'm not reading. I find myself thinking about Danny and Gracie and their lives and hoping they're doing well (I understand that that might sound insane, but I don't really care thank you very much).
If it wasn't already clear from all my ramblings, I think everyone should read Facts and Feelings. It feels like a privilege to get to read this book, and I know that Danny and Gracie are characters that will stay with me.
Fav quote:
Danny: “You know what’s better than ‘what could have been,’ Gracie girl?”
Gracie: “Hm?”
Danny: “What’s happening right now.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely adored this book. I’m not usually one for cutesy romance books and definitely not ones to make me cry. (Someone was cutting onions, I swear). But for this one, I’m glad I picked it up. I was pulled in of course because there was a sweet pup on the cover. So obviously, it was going to be good. Main character Gracie is endearing and I couldn’t help but love her. Redhead, has heterochromia, dreams of being a vet and lives in Ohio. Introverted too. When I can relate to a character (this one in many more ways than one) it makes it so much more interesting to read. Danny is the good looking neighbor—tall, dark hair, dreamy eyes—all star football athlete but is also best friends with Gracie. Their banter and friendship was delightful but also the heartache that I endured throughout—you felt it. You truly resonate with their journey—their teen years and adult years—and you can’t help but root for them both to happy. No matter what. Supporting characters, Mae and Janie were a delight for the story and I loved both of them. Sneaky women they were. But they knew exactly what they were doing. Tessa too, that sweet little sister of Danny. You couldn’t help but love her too. I loved how the story was written—between past years and present years—it really gave the backstory of their friendship and how they became who they are and where they are now. It’s not often you get that and I was thankful for it. It made the story so much more special. At the end there was a snippet for the second book and reading it—I cannot wait to be invested in this series.
••••••••••
I received this as an ARC from the author and @naughtynookpr and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read it before it releases. It definitely lived up to its expectations.
••••••••••
I received this as an ARC from the author and @naughtynookpr and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read it before it releases. It definitely lived up to its expectations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is the definition of sweet childhood romance and yearning. It reminded me so much of some of my absolute favorite feel good romances, like Love and Other Words and Every Summer After. But with a completely unique story.
Great for fans of Carley Fortune, Emily Henry and Christina Lauren.
Danny and Gracie were always meant to be together…until they weren’t. But neither of them ever moved on or forget each other. After years apart, Danny finds himself staring into the eyes of the love of his life, the one who got away. The two of them timidly reconnect and learn about each other as we discover what pulled them apart in college.
I LOVE a duel timeline book where we are learning about the past at the same time we are meeting them in the future. It’s tricky to do well, and all of the pieces have to fall into place perfectly for it to make sense to be written that way. This was perfect, and left me wanting to read on and learn more to figure out what happened and how two people who were so in love could have somehow ended up estranged.
The way that he so desperately needs her to stay so he can just be with her is very sweet, and heart wrenching as you see how carefully he is treading just to have more time with her.
I won’t give away any of the ending, but I melted at how all decisions he made in his adult life were because of her. Whether she was there to know about it or not.
I’m nervous sometimes reading indie authors. I have been burned a few times with books that are just not well written or engaging. But it felt like being part of something special to read this one so early!
Great for fans of Carley Fortune, Emily Henry and Christina Lauren.
Danny and Gracie were always meant to be together…until they weren’t. But neither of them ever moved on or forget each other. After years apart, Danny finds himself staring into the eyes of the love of his life, the one who got away. The two of them timidly reconnect and learn about each other as we discover what pulled them apart in college.
I LOVE a duel timeline book where we are learning about the past at the same time we are meeting them in the future. It’s tricky to do well, and all of the pieces have to fall into place perfectly for it to make sense to be written that way. This was perfect, and left me wanting to read on and learn more to figure out what happened and how two people who were so in love could have somehow ended up estranged.
The way that he so desperately needs her to stay so he can just be with her is very sweet, and heart wrenching as you see how carefully he is treading just to have more time with her.
I won’t give away any of the ending, but I melted at how all decisions he made in his adult life were because of her. Whether she was there to know about it or not.
I’m nervous sometimes reading indie authors. I have been burned a few times with books that are just not well written or engaging. But it felt like being part of something special to read this one so early!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Danny and Gracie are so relatable; I felt like they were characters I might actually know in real life. Their banter is so sharp in this book and the characters’ wittiness had me actually laughing out loud many times. I appreciate that the side characters are not afterthoughts; they're fully realized and each of them has their own story that adds to the plot. I hope that the author will give us their full stories at some point! There was a bit of intrigue with the mysterious letter which kept you guessing until it was revealed 2/3 of the way through the story. The slow burn between Danny and Gracie was definitely worth the wait and it was 🔥 🔥 🔥. All of these elements make this a book that will have you both laughing and crying in a short amount of time.
While this is listed as a sports romance, it didn't feel like your everyday sports romance. With the family dynamics, childhood flashbacks and complex situations, it really read like a contemporary romance. I went into this not expecting a ton as it's an indie debut, but left feeling pleasantly shocked at the beautiful prose and funny dialogue. Gracie had so many challenges, but it wasn't one-sided. It was mutual caretaking between her and Danny (with his panic attacks) and mutual yearning years later when they got together. They both pined, it wasn't just one over the other. I really like how you get to see the characters together for a few chapters when they're happy and ultimately a couple instead of ending right after they find their HEA. Hopefully, Gracie and Danny will return as minor characters in future books because I’m not ready to let go of them!
While this is listed as a sports romance, it didn't feel like your everyday sports romance. With the family dynamics, childhood flashbacks and complex situations, it really read like a contemporary romance. I went into this not expecting a ton as it's an indie debut, but left feeling pleasantly shocked at the beautiful prose and funny dialogue. Gracie had so many challenges, but it wasn't one-sided. It was mutual caretaking between her and Danny (with his panic attacks) and mutual yearning years later when they got together. They both pined, it wasn't just one over the other. I really like how you get to see the characters together for a few chapters when they're happy and ultimately a couple instead of ending right after they find their HEA. Hopefully, Gracie and Danny will return as minor characters in future books because I’m not ready to let go of them!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a book that stays with you after you're done in the best way possible. Lines that land in that perfect way that wind you and make you beg for more. The writing is beautiful - a gorgeous blend of funny and witty, heart-wrenching and swoony. Farrah Colson perfectly captures what I love most about romance: real stories, real (feeling) characters, and writing that makes you feel all the feels. I read this book in one sitting, it was that good.
Danny & Gracie's love story is perfect. The dual timeline is exquisitely executed and done in such a way that it adds to the story. The intentional unraveling of their story keeps the tension high in such a delicious way. You feel like you really get to know these characters while still staying connected to their present. So beautifully done.
No one yearns like Danny. No one is quite as weird and quirky as Gracie. He is so charming, so in love, so committed to her happiness, it's swoon-worthy. And Gracie is so freakin' relatable. She's strong and brave, competitive and dorky. She has laugh-out-loud opinions. You'll want to be friends with these characters.
The supporting cast is top tier. Every character adds a certain depth and richness to the story that makes it feel well-rounded, lived in, real.
Thankful to have had the chance to read this one as an early reader. If you're thinking about picking it up, DO IT! You won't be disappointed. Truly one of the best books I've read all year.
Danny & Gracie's love story is perfect. The dual timeline is exquisitely executed and done in such a way that it adds to the story. The intentional unraveling of their story keeps the tension high in such a delicious way. You feel like you really get to know these characters while still staying connected to their present. So beautifully done.
No one yearns like Danny. No one is quite as weird and quirky as Gracie. He is so charming, so in love, so committed to her happiness, it's swoon-worthy. And Gracie is so freakin' relatable. She's strong and brave, competitive and dorky. She has laugh-out-loud opinions. You'll want to be friends with these characters.
The supporting cast is top tier. Every character adds a certain depth and richness to the story that makes it feel well-rounded, lived in, real.
Thankful to have had the chance to read this one as an early reader. If you're thinking about picking it up, DO IT! You won't be disappointed. Truly one of the best books I've read all year.
Read
January 22, 2026⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is my honest review of Facts and Feelings
I absolutely loved this book! Oh my gosh, I just want to hug Danny and never let go. He’s such a likeable MMC!
To be fair, I generally do not like second chances romances, BUT, if any couple deserves a second chance it is these two!
I loved the dual timeline and POV. It gives you full context about their friendship, relationship, and where they are at in the present. It was fun to read how their friendship evolved to more during their youth. The way this man felt about her and treated her since they were ten is so sweet and heart-warming. You can’t help but root for them.
Don’t get me started on the letters that her grandmother wrote, you’ll need tissues for those! Only happy tears though!
I wholeheartedly recommend this book for lovers of second chance romance that want nothing but the best for the MC’s, unequivocal love, and a dash of spice and laughter.
Thank you Farrah Colson for this ARC
What to expect:
❤️Second Chance
💌Dual POV
❤️Childhood Best Friends to Lovers
💌Dual Timeline
❤️First Love
💌Yearning
❤️Hurt/Comfort
💌Hilarious Banter
❤️Slow Burn
This is my honest review of Facts and Feelings
I absolutely loved this book! Oh my gosh, I just want to hug Danny and never let go. He’s such a likeable MMC!
To be fair, I generally do not like second chances romances, BUT, if any couple deserves a second chance it is these two!
I loved the dual timeline and POV. It gives you full context about their friendship, relationship, and where they are at in the present. It was fun to read how their friendship evolved to more during their youth. The way this man felt about her and treated her since they were ten is so sweet and heart-warming. You can’t help but root for them.
Don’t get me started on the letters that her grandmother wrote, you’ll need tissues for those! Only happy tears though!
I wholeheartedly recommend this book for lovers of second chance romance that want nothing but the best for the MC’s, unequivocal love, and a dash of spice and laughter.
Thank you Farrah Colson for this ARC
What to expect:
❤️Second Chance
💌Dual POV
❤️Childhood Best Friends to Lovers
💌Dual Timeline
❤️First Love
💌Yearning
❤️Hurt/Comfort
💌Hilarious Banter
❤️Slow Burn
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was so sweet!! I was lucky enough to get this as a beta and had such a great time sharing my thoughts with the author. This was a unique experience to have since it was my first beta read and I will forever be grateful that I got the opportunity!!
This book had all the things wrapped up in a sweet bow. Gosh the feelings I had going through their life with them and witnessed some of the dumbest decisions made and all the effort to right the wrongs. Talk about second chances am I right? Danny gave the aloof teenager vibe and to say I was frustrated would be an understatement. His mother knew from day one, but he just wasn’t seeing it !?!? Dumb teenage boys 🤣🤣
This came at the perfect time to help heal a piece of my heart that was ripped out from the boys of tommen. Giving me similar vibes but staying relatively on the surface compared to some of the trauma I’ve read in that series.
I loved it! It was a great time and my favorite character hands down is Mae!! That woman is a masterpiece and such a wholesome character!! We need more Mae’s in our lives!!
This book had all the things wrapped up in a sweet bow. Gosh the feelings I had going through their life with them and witnessed some of the dumbest decisions made and all the effort to right the wrongs. Talk about second chances am I right? Danny gave the aloof teenager vibe and to say I was frustrated would be an understatement. His mother knew from day one, but he just wasn’t seeing it !?!? Dumb teenage boys 🤣🤣
This came at the perfect time to help heal a piece of my heart that was ripped out from the boys of tommen. Giving me similar vibes but staying relatively on the surface compared to some of the trauma I’ve read in that series.
I loved it! It was a great time and my favorite character hands down is Mae!! That woman is a masterpiece and such a wholesome character!! We need more Mae’s in our lives!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⭐️4.5 🌶️1.5
The book is very well written, it’s hard to believe it’s a debut novel! I love the friends to lovers trope and this was done really well! I liked that they took it slow and became friends again before becoming lovers again. I love the chemistry and banter between them and I like how realistic their relationship and the plot was. This was quite emotional and heartbreaking at times and I teared up a few of those times. I’m also liking the shorter chapters, which work well in this book, especially when it goes back in the past, and it makes it feel quicker to read.
I literally read this in about 5 hours as it was so addictive! I’m looking forward to reading the second book in this series!
Thank you to Farrah Colson for the advanced reader copy, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
-second chance
-friends to lovers (childhood best friends)
-neighbours
-sports
-mental health rep
-slow burn
-footballer x veterinarian
-‘good girl’
-dirty talk
-unprotected sex
-hand necklace
-he pushes it back in
The book is very well written, it’s hard to believe it’s a debut novel! I love the friends to lovers trope and this was done really well! I liked that they took it slow and became friends again before becoming lovers again. I love the chemistry and banter between them and I like how realistic their relationship and the plot was. This was quite emotional and heartbreaking at times and I teared up a few of those times. I’m also liking the shorter chapters, which work well in this book, especially when it goes back in the past, and it makes it feel quicker to read.
I literally read this in about 5 hours as it was so addictive! I’m looking forward to reading the second book in this series!
Thank you to Farrah Colson for the advanced reader copy, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
-second chance
-friends to lovers (childhood best friends)
-neighbours
-sports
-mental health rep
-slow burn
-footballer x veterinarian
-‘good girl’
-dirty talk
-unprotected sex
-hand necklace
-he pushes it back in
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a great debut! I loved the alternating timelines between the past and present, which made Gracie and Danny’s relationship feel deep, layered, and incredibly real. Watching them grow from childhood best friends into something more, then seeing how life and trauma pulled them apart, made their separation hurt in a quiet, aching way.
Gracie and Danny were so cute together, and you could truly feel the years between them building up. All of the tension, the longing, and the yearning that never fully disappeared. Their love felt patient and unfinished, like something that was always waiting to be rediscovered. I especially loved how the flashbacks showed the foundation of their bond, making their second chance as adults even more meaningful.
This book is sweet, emotional, and full of heart, and incredibly well written, particularly for a debut book. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Farrah Colson for the eARC of this book.
Gracie and Danny were so cute together, and you could truly feel the years between them building up. All of the tension, the longing, and the yearning that never fully disappeared. Their love felt patient and unfinished, like something that was always waiting to be rediscovered. I especially loved how the flashbacks showed the foundation of their bond, making their second chance as adults even more meaningful.
This book is sweet, emotional, and full of heart, and incredibly well written, particularly for a debut book. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Farrah Colson for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received the ARC for this book and I absolutely loved it from beginning to end. Finished it in a day. This book wrecked me in the best way and I had to come here immediately to leave a review. These characters will stay with me forever - I just loved this story. I have been a lifelong reader of romance books and I was blown away by this author’s debut work. The banter, the pacing, the childhood friendship, the side characters, the relationship growth, the heartache (and the second chance), the spice (which were some of the most emotional scenes!) - it was all beautiful to read and I enjoyed every moment of Danny and Gracie’s story. Very rarely do I read a story that reads like a movie or gives me so many emotional gut punches, but this one did and I had to give kudos where they are due. Thank you for the wonderful story! I will definitely be re-reading it and recommending wherever I can.
January 25, 2026
Gracie and Danny’s story surprised me in the best way. The flashback scenes were absolute gut punches. Some beautiful and some were heartbreaking, and Farrah Colson handled them with so much care. Flashbacks can be tricky, but these were placed perfectly and never felt clunky or out of place.
Danny has always been besotted with Gracie, even when he made me want to shake him for being a dumb boy. Watching who he becomes by the end was incredibly satisfying. Gracie’s tender heart and the hardships she faced as a teenager made her journey deeply moving, and her relationship with Mae was especially beautiful. Mae and Danny played such important roles in helping Gracie become everything she never thought she could be.
While the ending felt slightly rushed, closing on that final flashback was the perfect choice. This story had far more depth than I expected, and it flowed so well emotionally from start to finish.
Danny has always been besotted with Gracie, even when he made me want to shake him for being a dumb boy. Watching who he becomes by the end was incredibly satisfying. Gracie’s tender heart and the hardships she faced as a teenager made her journey deeply moving, and her relationship with Mae was especially beautiful. Mae and Danny played such important roles in helping Gracie become everything she never thought she could be.
While the ending felt slightly rushed, closing on that final flashback was the perfect choice. This story had far more depth than I expected, and it flowed so well emotionally from start to finish.
Review of advance copy
This book had every single fucking FEELING possible.
love, lust, fear, anger, pride, disappointment… you name it, it was there.
I read it from start to finish in just two days because I simply couldn’t put it down. Farrah truly takes you on a journey, and while the back-and-forth between past and present isn’t usually my favorite format, it was done so thoughtfully and worked beautifully here.
The small, meaningful moments that follow the characters from childhood into adulthood absolutely wrecked me, in the best way. I discovered this book from a quick TikTok blurb, but it completely exceeded my expectations.
Fact: I felt every single feeling while reading this.
Congrats, Farrah!
love, lust, fear, anger, pride, disappointment… you name it, it was there.
I read it from start to finish in just two days because I simply couldn’t put it down. Farrah truly takes you on a journey, and while the back-and-forth between past and present isn’t usually my favorite format, it was done so thoughtfully and worked beautifully here.
The small, meaningful moments that follow the characters from childhood into adulthood absolutely wrecked me, in the best way. I discovered this book from a quick TikTok blurb, but it completely exceeded my expectations.
Fact: I felt every single feeling while reading this.
Congrats, Farrah!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was truly such a great read, I love the second chance romance trope. This debut novel was truly mesmerizing. I loved the build up, the emotions, and I absolutely fell in love with the characters. I love the mental health rep coming from the guy this time as its usually the woman that is portrayed that way, it was a nice change of things. it gave me everything I wanted to feel in a great book. I gave me that comfy love, yet pulled at my heartstrings all at the same time. It was beautifully written and I canot wait to see what other books this author will write. She truly has a talent and I am looking forward to reading more books from her. If you need one of those really good books to just snuggle up in a blanket and read on them cold days, definatly give this one a try. Its amazing!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the best romance I have read in 2025! I tend to get burned out on the mainstream traditional romances that are published every year as the plot lines are all very similar and the stories tend to lack depth and maturity. Colson's debut was like taking a long drink of cold water! Her writing is full of longing, witty banter, heart, depth, and soul that is so often lacking in mainstream romances. The book took me through the entire range of emotions - it made me laugh, cry, rage, and want to read it all over again. This is the first romance that I've loved enough to plan on buying a physical copy for my personal bookshelf!
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