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Love Felt Like This
A grumpy rock star and a joyful children’s show creator revive television magic in this standalone, cozy small-town romance.
Griffin Harvey lives his life in the spotlight. Reluctantly. The brooding famous singer-songwriter is on the cusp of composing his sophomore album . . . if only he could find the notes. But after gaining custody of his two-year-old daughter, the only music he’s writing is about shapes and counting to ten.
Enter Beverly, who lives her life in the background producing children’s television and laughter. Except joy is hard to find when her nonprofit loses funding. She sinks all of her savings to revive the children’s show by herself, but when her variety show appearance collides with Griffin’s, their banter and chemistry is caught on live television.
Suddenly, Griffin is singing a new tune. He needs a muse, and Beverly needs all the help she can get. With his secret daughter in tow, they hide out in her cozy mountain hometown, attempting to script, compose, and revive television magic. Their dynamic shouldn’t work. He’s all harsh tattoos and rough hands while she’s bright colors and gentle touches. Once their three months of work are done, they’ll return to their separate worlds. But what happens when it seems the true magic might be found in each other?
Griffin Harvey lives his life in the spotlight. Reluctantly. The brooding famous singer-songwriter is on the cusp of composing his sophomore album . . . if only he could find the notes. But after gaining custody of his two-year-old daughter, the only music he’s writing is about shapes and counting to ten.
Enter Beverly, who lives her life in the background producing children’s television and laughter. Except joy is hard to find when her nonprofit loses funding. She sinks all of her savings to revive the children’s show by herself, but when her variety show appearance collides with Griffin’s, their banter and chemistry is caught on live television.
Suddenly, Griffin is singing a new tune. He needs a muse, and Beverly needs all the help she can get. With his secret daughter in tow, they hide out in her cozy mountain hometown, attempting to script, compose, and revive television magic. Their dynamic shouldn’t work. He’s all harsh tattoos and rough hands while she’s bright colors and gentle touches. Once their three months of work are done, they’ll return to their separate worlds. But what happens when it seems the true magic might be found in each other?
496 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2026
About the author
Julie Olivia
33 books4,275 followersJulie Olivia writes cozy love stories filled with humor, spice, and close friend groups that feel like a warm hug. She is a roller coaster fan, avid romance reader, and rainy day enthusiast.
Julie lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and their very opinionated pets.
Sign-up for the newsletter for book updates, special offers, and VIP exclusives!: https://julieoliviaauthor.com/newslet...
She can be easily reached on Instagram at @JulieOliviaAuthor! Come say hi!
Visit her at JulieOliviaAuthor.com
Instagram: @JulieOliviaAuthor
Facebook: @JulieOliviaAuthor
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2NbH7Jy
Julie lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and their very opinionated pets.
Sign-up for the newsletter for book updates, special offers, and VIP exclusives!: https://julieoliviaauthor.com/newslet...
She can be easily reached on Instagram at @JulieOliviaAuthor! Come say hi!
Visit her at JulieOliviaAuthor.com
Instagram: @JulieOliviaAuthor
Facebook: @JulieOliviaAuthor
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2NbH7Jy
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,384 reviews
May 18, 2026
i was super excited for this one, after having loved ‘it it makes you happy’, and i fear this one was even better!!
if you can look past my intense fear of puppets, this was a really sweet story. i always have a soft spot for ‘celebrity’ romances (in this case a singer), so i was hooked from the get go. i usually also have complaints when it comes to child characters in books (specifically romance ones), but Ava read like an actual child and brought so much heart to this story. the small town setting was super endearing as well, and there was plenty of drama. Griffin was a sweetie pie and i loved how intelligent, motivated and headstrong our female lead, Beverly, was. i read this in under 24 hours, i would highly recommend!
if you can look past my intense fear of puppets, this was a really sweet story. i always have a soft spot for ‘celebrity’ romances (in this case a singer), so i was hooked from the get go. i usually also have complaints when it comes to child characters in books (specifically romance ones), but Ava read like an actual child and brought so much heart to this story. the small town setting was super endearing as well, and there was plenty of drama. Griffin was a sweetie pie and i loved how intelligent, motivated and headstrong our female lead, Beverly, was. i read this in under 24 hours, i would highly recommend!
April 10, 2026
“There were feathers cupped in her hands and captured in her hair, like the softest brush against my skin. The lightest touch to my heart. Love felt weightless. Love felt fuzzy. Stitched onto my soul by her needle and thread. Deeply. Desperately. Hopelessly. 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓯𝓮𝓵𝓽 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼.”
🎶🎶🎶
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
"ʙʟᴏᴏᴍ" x ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴘᴇʀ ᴋɪᴛᴇs
0:49 ───♥──────── 3:30
beware... this 100% turned into an essay
(AND ITS THE SHORTENED VERSION 😭)
I genuinely do not know how Julie Olivia does it, but she literally embodies cozy stories. Like HOW are her books this nostalgic and comforting while still feeling so intensely real?? Reading this felt less like reading fiction and more like stepping into an actual place that exists somewhere in the mountains where the air smells like pine trees and coffee and there’s music humming softly in the background at all times. Her stories don’t even feel written to me at this point. They feel lived in.
And this?? Infinity stars. Absolute infinity stars.
This whole book honestly felt like a love letter written between two pieces of a soul who didn’t know they belonged to the same one. Watching them ache for each other while trying to convince themselves they were doing the “right thing” actually made me want to scream. Like my chest HURT for them.
I fell in love with this story almost immediately. I already knew within the first few chapters it was going to own me completely. The premise felt so unique and refreshing too because I have NEVER read about a puppeteer before, and getting insight into Beverly’s world was so interesting from the very beginning. There was something so magical about the contrast between her softness and Griffin’s quieter, guarded nature. And honestly? Calling this grumpy x sunshine almost feels misleading because Griffin is barely even grumpy 😭 he’s just private and overwhelmed and trying his best while the entire world assumes things about him.
One of my absolute favorite things about this book was how much it explored the idea of perception versus reality. Beverly initially thinks Griffin is cold and difficult because that’s the version of him the world sees—this famous rockstar who keeps everyone at arm’s length—but underneath all of that he’s just… a man trying desperately to protect the people he loves. Especially Ava 😭😭 The way he loved his little girl absolutely destroyed me in the best way. Not only was he protective over her in the sweetest way possible, but he was attentive in all those tiny realistic parenting moments that made him feel real instead of idealized. The scenes with her never felt like the author trying to convince us he was a good dad. He just WAS one. You could feel how much he loved her in every exhausted thought and every tiny interaction.
AND HIS BANDMATES??? OBSESSED WITH THEM.
That entire dynamic felt so natural and lived-in and funny. The support they gave him when he was struggling and figuring out fatherhood genuinely melted me. They felt like a real family instead of side characters added for filler, and every interaction with them made the story feel even warmer.
Also THANK YOU for finally writing a toddler who actually acts like a toddler. Ava felt REAL. The exhaustion felt real. The stress felt real. Nobody magically had everything together after one emotional conversation. Beverly and Griffin are both overwhelmed in completely different ways and I loved that the story let them stay messy and tired and human through all of it.
I loved the way Griffin saw Bev so clearly. Like he noticed EVERYTHING. Every little shift in her mood, every uncomfortable moment, every insecurity she tried to brush off. He defended her without making it performative. He was direct and gentle and patient in a way that made every interaction between them feel intimate long before anything romantic even happened. There’s something so intimate about being truly seen by someone, and this book captured that feeling perfectly. He never tried to change who she was. He just quietly reminded her over and over that she deserved care too.
&& the slowburn in this book was genuinely PERFECT because it never relied on huge dramatic moments to make the romance feel intense. It was all built through friendship and trust and small moments that slowly became unbearable in the best way possible. Quiet flirting. Shared looks. Inside jokes. Taking care of each other without even thinking about it. 🥹Watching Griffin slowly realize Beverly was becoming his muse was one of the most romantic things I’ve ever read because music had basically abandoned him emotionally before her. Then suddenly she walks into his life and everything starts waking back up again. 🥹🥹 & the way the book continues building on that idea throughout the story made it even better. Beverly doesn’t just inspire him creatively... she makes him feel alive again. His feelings for her weren’t just attraction. They became woven into everything he created.
Her happiness is pulling music out of him again??? This is literally poetry. LIKE SHUT UP 😭 (no actually don’t. please i beg of you. keep going)🥹😭😭
And the craziest part is that despite how poetic and emotional all of this was, the romance still somehow felt grounded and natural. Nothing about their connection felt rushed or artificial. You could genuinely understand why they became each other’s safe place.
The yearning became genuinely unbearable at some points 😭 like this man was DOWN BAD in the most romantic devastatingly way possible.
Yeah. Cool. Fine. Whatever. (i’m emotionally ruined)
This book understands intimacy in such a quiet beautiful way. Not just physical attraction, but emotional intimacy too. The kind where someone slowly becomes stitched into every part of your daily life until suddenly they’re everywhere.
&& I can't leave out the freaking emotional destruction phase that dropped out of nowhere 😭 the way they loved each other so selflessly that they were both willing to hurt themselves if it meant protecting the other person’s future 😭😭the kind of pain that hits harder because there’s no villain. (OKAY PAUSEEEEEEEEEEE. BEAU IS TOTALLY VILLAIN MATERIAL THAT PIECE OF GARBAGE. YOULL KNOW WHY WHEN YOU READ IT. anyway 😇) Just two people loving each other so much they’re terrified of becoming the reason the other loses their dreams.
That’s what made the emotional climax of this story hit so hard for me too. By that point, Griffin’s feelings for Beverly had become woven into literally every part of his life. His music, his thoughts, the way he viewed the world around him—she was in all of it. And because he’s such a guarded character overall, every vulnerable thought he had about her felt HUGE
LIKE???????? HOW DO YOU EVEN RECOVER AFTER READING SOMETHING LIKE THAT???
&& Beverly’s feelings for him felt so visceral and just as consuming.😭😭
That line honestly feels like the entire story distilled down into one sentence to me.
Two exhausted people carrying years of loneliness and pressure and responsibility finally finding someone who understands the weight of them completely.
And maybe that’s why this book affected me so deeply in the end. Underneath all the cozy mountain-town charm and soft flirting and found family warmth, this was really a story about two people learning they didn’t have to earn love by overworking themselves or carrying everything alone. They could just be loved as they were.
&& that EPILOGUE????? I’m not okay. Actually not okay. Sweetest thing I’ve ever read. 😭 Such a good wrap up
This story felt like music drifting through an open window. Like laughter in a warm kitchen. A story stitched together with music and love and exhaustion and hope. It was soft and healing and emotional and SO full of heart. 🎶 🎹🎧
Everything I could ever want in a romance wrapped into one beautiful story. ✨🧡
things to know about the book ↓
✨ single dad
✨ musician MMC
✨ forced proximity
✨ friends to lovers
✨ she's his muse
✨ slowburn
✨ dual POV
✨ small town
✨ found family
✨ artistic soulmates
✨ cozy mountain town vibes
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 27, 30
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
And to my most beautiful girl Cara. Thank you for buddy reading this one with me. You made the experience 10x better with our rants and screams 🥹🫶🏼😭💗 ily so much pretty girl!! mwahhhh. i can't wait to read your review 😍🫶🏼
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 🧡✨🎶 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
no. way. I GOT THE FREAKING ARC EEEKKKKK
dropping everything rn!!! + i get to read it with my prettiest girl Cara?!?! YESSSS. So excited for us bestie 😽🧡
・❥・⁀➷ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖
oh hello there 🤭
I absolutely adored If It Makes You Happy, so seeing this especially with a cover just as beautiful already has me hooked. Add in music themes + a grumpy rockstar who’s a single dad?? I’m so seated for this
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
"ʙʟᴏᴏᴍ" x ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴘᴇʀ ᴋɪᴛᴇs
0:49 ───♥──────── 3:30
beware... this 100% turned into an essay
(AND ITS THE SHORTENED VERSION 😭)
I genuinely do not know how Julie Olivia does it, but she literally embodies cozy stories. Like HOW are her books this nostalgic and comforting while still feeling so intensely real?? Reading this felt less like reading fiction and more like stepping into an actual place that exists somewhere in the mountains where the air smells like pine trees and coffee and there’s music humming softly in the background at all times. Her stories don’t even feel written to me at this point. They feel lived in.
And this?? Infinity stars. Absolute infinity stars.
This whole book honestly felt like a love letter written between two pieces of a soul who didn’t know they belonged to the same one. Watching them ache for each other while trying to convince themselves they were doing the “right thing” actually made me want to scream. Like my chest HURT for them.
I fell in love with this story almost immediately. I already knew within the first few chapters it was going to own me completely. The premise felt so unique and refreshing too because I have NEVER read about a puppeteer before, and getting insight into Beverly’s world was so interesting from the very beginning. There was something so magical about the contrast between her softness and Griffin’s quieter, guarded nature. And honestly? Calling this grumpy x sunshine almost feels misleading because Griffin is barely even grumpy 😭 he’s just private and overwhelmed and trying his best while the entire world assumes things about him.
One of my absolute favorite things about this book was how much it explored the idea of perception versus reality. Beverly initially thinks Griffin is cold and difficult because that’s the version of him the world sees—this famous rockstar who keeps everyone at arm’s length—but underneath all of that he’s just… a man trying desperately to protect the people he loves. Especially Ava 😭😭 The way he loved his little girl absolutely destroyed me in the best way. Not only was he protective over her in the sweetest way possible, but he was attentive in all those tiny realistic parenting moments that made him feel real instead of idealized. The scenes with her never felt like the author trying to convince us he was a good dad. He just WAS one. You could feel how much he loved her in every exhausted thought and every tiny interaction.
AND HIS BANDMATES??? OBSESSED WITH THEM.
That entire dynamic felt so natural and lived-in and funny. The support they gave him when he was struggling and figuring out fatherhood genuinely melted me. They felt like a real family instead of side characters added for filler, and every interaction with them made the story feel even warmer.
Also THANK YOU for finally writing a toddler who actually acts like a toddler. Ava felt REAL. The exhaustion felt real. The stress felt real. Nobody magically had everything together after one emotional conversation. Beverly and Griffin are both overwhelmed in completely different ways and I loved that the story let them stay messy and tired and human through all of it.
I loved the way Griffin saw Bev so clearly. Like he noticed EVERYTHING. Every little shift in her mood, every uncomfortable moment, every insecurity she tried to brush off. He defended her without making it performative. He was direct and gentle and patient in a way that made every interaction between them feel intimate long before anything romantic even happened. There’s something so intimate about being truly seen by someone, and this book captured that feeling perfectly. He never tried to change who she was. He just quietly reminded her over and over that she deserved care too.
&& the slowburn in this book was genuinely PERFECT because it never relied on huge dramatic moments to make the romance feel intense. It was all built through friendship and trust and small moments that slowly became unbearable in the best way possible. Quiet flirting. Shared looks. Inside jokes. Taking care of each other without even thinking about it. 🥹Watching Griffin slowly realize Beverly was becoming his muse was one of the most romantic things I’ve ever read because music had basically abandoned him emotionally before her. Then suddenly she walks into his life and everything starts waking back up again. 🥹🥹 & the way the book continues building on that idea throughout the story made it even better. Beverly doesn’t just inspire him creatively... she makes him feel alive again. His feelings for her weren’t just attraction. They became woven into everything he created.
“I’m crooning new chords that echo memories of Beverly’s laughter that night at the bar. Every strum is my fingers entwining through hers. Every breathy note is the exhalations against her skin on the red carpet.”
Her happiness is pulling music out of him again??? This is literally poetry. LIKE SHUT UP 😭 (no actually don’t. please i beg of you. keep going)🥹😭😭
And the craziest part is that despite how poetic and emotional all of this was, the romance still somehow felt grounded and natural. Nothing about their connection felt rushed or artificial. You could genuinely understand why they became each other’s safe place.
The yearning became genuinely unbearable at some points 😭 like this man was DOWN BAD in the most romantic devastatingly way possible.
“She stitches puppets, while I dedicate songs to her. She laughs, while I search for excuses to hold her hand. She stares; I ache.”
Yeah. Cool. Fine. Whatever. (i’m emotionally ruined)
This book understands intimacy in such a quiet beautiful way. Not just physical attraction, but emotional intimacy too. The kind where someone slowly becomes stitched into every part of your daily life until suddenly they’re everywhere.
&& I can't leave out the freaking emotional destruction phase that dropped out of nowhere 😭 the way they loved each other so selflessly that they were both willing to hurt themselves if it meant protecting the other person’s future 😭😭the kind of pain that hits harder because there’s no villain. (OKAY PAUSEEEEEEEEEEE. BEAU IS TOTALLY VILLAIN MATERIAL THAT PIECE OF GARBAGE. YOULL KNOW WHY WHEN YOU READ IT. anyway 😇) Just two people loving each other so much they’re terrified of becoming the reason the other loses their dreams.
That’s what made the emotional climax of this story hit so hard for me too. By that point, Griffin’s feelings for Beverly had become woven into literally every part of his life. His music, his thoughts, the way he viewed the world around him—she was in all of it. And because he’s such a guarded character overall, every vulnerable thought he had about her felt HUGE
“I’ve never been a big believer of heaven. But, if I did believe, if I did think that there was a reason for most things, I might–just maybe–believe that Beverly Alice Lark is an angel dropped to this earth just for me.”
LIKE???????? HOW DO YOU EVEN RECOVER AFTER READING SOMETHING LIKE THAT???
&& Beverly’s feelings for him felt so visceral and just as consuming.😭😭
“I can feel my heart beating like fire in my chest. My heavy soul is calling for its match.”
That line honestly feels like the entire story distilled down into one sentence to me.
Two exhausted people carrying years of loneliness and pressure and responsibility finally finding someone who understands the weight of them completely.
And maybe that’s why this book affected me so deeply in the end. Underneath all the cozy mountain-town charm and soft flirting and found family warmth, this was really a story about two people learning they didn’t have to earn love by overworking themselves or carrying everything alone. They could just be loved as they were.
&& that EPILOGUE????? I’m not okay. Actually not okay. Sweetest thing I’ve ever read. 😭 Such a good wrap up
This story felt like music drifting through an open window. Like laughter in a warm kitchen. A story stitched together with music and love and exhaustion and hope. It was soft and healing and emotional and SO full of heart. 🎶 🎹🎧
Everything I could ever want in a romance wrapped into one beautiful story. ✨🧡
things to know about the book ↓
✨ single dad
✨ musician MMC
✨ forced proximity
✨ friends to lovers
✨ she's his muse
✨ slowburn
✨ dual POV
✨ small town
✨ found family
✨ artistic soulmates
✨ cozy mountain town vibes
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 27, 30
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
And to my most beautiful girl Cara. Thank you for buddy reading this one with me. You made the experience 10x better with our rants and screams 🥹🫶🏼😭💗 ily so much pretty girl!! mwahhhh. i can't wait to read your review 😍🫶🏼
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 🧡✨🎶 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
no. way. I GOT THE FREAKING ARC EEEKKKKK
dropping everything rn!!! + i get to read it with my prettiest girl Cara?!?! YESSSS. So excited for us bestie 😽🧡
・❥・⁀➷ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖
oh hello there 🤭
I absolutely adored If It Makes You Happy, so seeing this especially with a cover just as beautiful already has me hooked. Add in music themes + a grumpy rockstar who’s a single dad?? I’m so seated for this
October 15, 2026
This was super cozy! Very naturally written, and I believed everything that was happening. The interactions between our characters felt so genuine, this was just a pleasure to read!
While I’m not the biggest fan of puppets personally, I appreciated how Beverly as our protagonist felt like a breath of fresh air as a puppeteer. I feel like it gave her a uniqueness and helped break out of the uniformity of contemporary romance as a genre. It also acted as a good device to help our characters open up at certain points in the story, I thought that was cleverly done!
The side characters were wonderful as well. I love reading about a quirky family that one hand, doesn’t respect boundaries (in the warmest way), but is also so authentically supportive. Also loved Ava as our child character in this book, she genuinely felt like the 2 year old that she was.
In the end, I think this was just too long. I started disconnecting around the 300 page mark because I can only be hand-fed a predictable romance plot line for so long. This book nears the 500 page mark and I just think that’s way too long for most contemporary romances. But that’s a personal preference thing!
Fun observation to end this review: Julie Olivia really likes adding the prefix “pseudo” in front of every word 🤭
While I’m not the biggest fan of puppets personally, I appreciated how Beverly as our protagonist felt like a breath of fresh air as a puppeteer. I feel like it gave her a uniqueness and helped break out of the uniformity of contemporary romance as a genre. It also acted as a good device to help our characters open up at certain points in the story, I thought that was cleverly done!
The side characters were wonderful as well. I love reading about a quirky family that one hand, doesn’t respect boundaries (in the warmest way), but is also so authentically supportive. Also loved Ava as our child character in this book, she genuinely felt like the 2 year old that she was.
In the end, I think this was just too long. I started disconnecting around the 300 page mark because I can only be hand-fed a predictable romance plot line for so long. This book nears the 500 page mark and I just think that’s way too long for most contemporary romances. But that’s a personal preference thing!
Fun observation to end this review: Julie Olivia really likes adding the prefix “pseudo” in front of every word 🤭
September 13, 2026
everyone go read this right now!!! it has been so long since a romance book made me feel like this 🥹 obsessed
October 5, 2026
Eeeep!!!! This was such a cute read 🥹🥹 This author has officially become one of my favorite authors!!! 🤭🙂↕️ Her books are always so magical 🥹 and feel like home.
Tho, if I had to compare this book to If It Makes You Happy (which, honestly, isn’t really my forte cuz I don’t like comparing books unless it’s necessary), I’d say I liked If It Makes You Happy more 🙂↕️🥹 BUT that doesn’t mean this book was any less amazing!!! 🥹 It was great in its own way, and I loved it for that 🤭🫶
This read gave me ALL THE FEELS 🥹🫶 Reading it felt like being curled up in a cozy room with a cup of coffee while it rained outside 🤭🧡 Julie Olivia worked her magic once again 🙂↕️
Beverly Alice Lark is officially one of my favorite FMCs now 🤭🥹 She’s hardworking, caring, funny, and literally the kind of person anyone would be lucky to have in their life 🥹🫶 MY BABY DESERVES ALL THE LOVE IN THE WORLD!!!! 😭🩷 What Beau did to her seriously tested my patience because, istg, I wanted to slap the shit outta him 😭💀 And the puppeteering scenes and Bernie Bird??? 🥹🤭 SO WHOLESOME. I CAN'T 😭🫶
Griffin Patrick Harvey, THE MAN THAT HE IS 🙂↕️🤭 The way he looks at Beverly says everything 👀🤭 And gosh, I absolutely adored his scenes with Ava 🥹🫶 THEY'RE SO CUTE!!!! 😭🩷 I also loved how Miss Author portrayed his weaknesses and the things he struggled with. It made him feel so real and human 🤧🫂 And watching him navigate those hardships and gradually overcome them?? EASILY ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE BOOK 🥹🫶
Even some of the side characters felt like main characters in their own right 🙂↕️🤭 They were all so lovable, omggg!!! 🥹🫶 It lowk felt like I was right there with them, witnessing everything unfold with my own eyes 🤧🥹 THE IMMERSION WAS REAL 😭🤎
Overall, this was such a cute, cozy, and heartwarming romance 🥹🫶 There wasn't a single moment when I felt bored!!!! Julie Olivia really knows how to create stories that make you feel like you're home 🤎🧡 Guess I should just move to Elk Grove atp 🤭 Everyone seems like so much fun there 🙂↕️😭
Yea, that's it guys. Love y’all 🫶🧡🤎
——————————————————————————
⋆˚࿔ 𝜗🥧🧸🍂𝜚˚⋆ pre-read ⋆˚࿔ 𝜗🥧🧸🍂𝜚˚⋆
After looooving If It Makes You Happy by this author 🥹🥹 I was desperately waiting for this book to release 🙂↕️ and finally, I got a chance to read it!!!!! 🥹🫶 I hope I loooove this one too 🧡🤎
Tho, if I had to compare this book to If It Makes You Happy (which, honestly, isn’t really my forte cuz I don’t like comparing books unless it’s necessary), I’d say I liked If It Makes You Happy more 🙂↕️🥹 BUT that doesn’t mean this book was any less amazing!!! 🥹 It was great in its own way, and I loved it for that 🤭🫶
This read gave me ALL THE FEELS 🥹🫶 Reading it felt like being curled up in a cozy room with a cup of coffee while it rained outside 🤭🧡 Julie Olivia worked her magic once again 🙂↕️
Beverly Alice Lark is officially one of my favorite FMCs now 🤭🥹 She’s hardworking, caring, funny, and literally the kind of person anyone would be lucky to have in their life 🥹🫶 MY BABY DESERVES ALL THE LOVE IN THE WORLD!!!! 😭🩷 What Beau did to her seriously tested my patience because, istg, I wanted to slap the shit outta him 😭💀 And the puppeteering scenes and Bernie Bird??? 🥹🤭 SO WHOLESOME. I CAN'T 😭🫶
Griffin Patrick Harvey, THE MAN THAT HE IS 🙂↕️🤭 The way he looks at Beverly says everything 👀🤭 And gosh, I absolutely adored his scenes with Ava 🥹🫶 THEY'RE SO CUTE!!!! 😭🩷 I also loved how Miss Author portrayed his weaknesses and the things he struggled with. It made him feel so real and human 🤧🫂 And watching him navigate those hardships and gradually overcome them?? EASILY ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE BOOK 🥹🫶
Even some of the side characters felt like main characters in their own right 🙂↕️🤭 They were all so lovable, omggg!!! 🥹🫶 It lowk felt like I was right there with them, witnessing everything unfold with my own eyes 🤧🥹 THE IMMERSION WAS REAL 😭🤎
Overall, this was such a cute, cozy, and heartwarming romance 🥹🫶 There wasn't a single moment when I felt bored!!!! Julie Olivia really knows how to create stories that make you feel like you're home 🤎🧡 Guess I should just move to Elk Grove atp 🤭 Everyone seems like so much fun there 🙂↕️😭
Yea, that's it guys. Love y’all 🫶🧡🤎
——————————————————————————
⋆˚࿔ 𝜗🥧🧸🍂𝜚˚⋆ pre-read ⋆˚࿔ 𝜗🥧🧸🍂𝜚˚⋆
After looooving If It Makes You Happy by this author 🥹🥹 I was desperately waiting for this book to release 🙂↕️ and finally, I got a chance to read it!!!!! 🥹🫶 I hope I loooove this one too 🧡🤎
Want to Read
February 26, 2026«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
˖ ֹ੭୧pre-read:⊹ ࣪ ⑅
I'm in a romance slump, but I am hoping this will take me out of it.
Watch me pretend the MMC is Hozier.
˖ ֹ੭୧pre-read:⊹ ࣪ ⑅
I'm in a romance slump, but I am hoping this will take me out of it.
Watch me pretend the MMC is Hozier.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
REVIEW TO COME😍😍😭😭!!!!!!!!!
👯♀️🧸🎀🍓Buddy reading with my prettiest girl Cat👯♀️🧸🎀🍓!!!!!!
👯♀️🧸🎀🍓Buddy reading with my prettiest girl Cat👯♀️🧸🎀🍓!!!!!!
July 20, 2026
· ˚ 🎹⊹ ⌇ 5 stars.
Easiest five stars I’ve given in a long time. Julie Olivia’s concept for this book was so fresh and exciting and her writing is absolute magic.
The story follows Beverly Lark, a puppeteer trying to revive a children’s TV program. She only needs some time and some new music to prepare her pitch to a big network. Enter Griffin Harvey, the darker-haired, grumpy musician and single dad. During his writer’s block, he joins Beverly in her small hometown to write children’s songs for her new show.
· ˚ 🎹⊹ ⌇ thoughts.
The first few chapters, I felt like I couldn’t read it fast enough. The setup was so charming and funny and I was a like a starving person who needed to inhale every word. The writing was so binge-able and addictive. Julie Olivia writes banter so well. It didn’t feel awkward or stilted like so much of the banter I’ve been reading these days. Beverly was naturally witty and clever and was such a fun companion to Griffin’s dry humor. She was a very easy character to love and root for because she was so kindhearted and funny.
Julie Olivia’s writing feels so nostalgic and so deeply real. The settings are so comforting and the characters so easy to fall in love with. What I really appreciated was how she wrote Griffin’s two year old daughter, Ava. As someone who works with toddlers and preschoolers all day, I can always tell when an author has never been around small children. I don’t know if Julie Olivia is a mom, but it’s obvious from her character work on Ava that she knows a thing or two about toddlers. Ava was such a realistic representation of a toddler. From the meltdowns to the constant giggling, she was so authentic. I also loved how she depicted Ava’s grief. Losing her mom at such a young age, (1 year old) must’ve been extremely difficult . At that age, they don’t have the understanding, but they certainly have the hole in their heart, and Olivia did a great job portraying that.
And I saved the best for last….Griffin Harvey. Oh my days he was so sweet…and hot. 🥵 The dark long hair and the beard just did it for me. Paired with the gruff exterior and the heart of gold, he was just dreamy. And the way he interacted with his daughter was beyond precious. You could feel his fear of not being a good enough dad, and that to me was one of the biggest indicators that he was actually a great dad. There’s nothing sexier than someone who cares so deeply for his kid.
Ultimately, this story has all the elements and more of a five star book. Julie Olivia’s writing is magic and nobody can change my mind. This book is perfect for fans of small town, nostalgic feeling romance. Get ready to fall in love with Bev and Griffin and his daughter Ava. This book was so enjoyable, I honestly don’t have any critiques, which is so rare for me.
Thank you toNetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are entirely my own.
📆 Publication Date: September 6, 2026
Easiest five stars I’ve given in a long time. Julie Olivia’s concept for this book was so fresh and exciting and her writing is absolute magic.
The story follows Beverly Lark, a puppeteer trying to revive a children’s TV program. She only needs some time and some new music to prepare her pitch to a big network. Enter Griffin Harvey, the darker-haired, grumpy musician and single dad. During his writer’s block, he joins Beverly in her small hometown to write children’s songs for her new show.
· ˚ 🎹⊹ ⌇ thoughts.
The first few chapters, I felt like I couldn’t read it fast enough. The setup was so charming and funny and I was a like a starving person who needed to inhale every word. The writing was so binge-able and addictive. Julie Olivia writes banter so well. It didn’t feel awkward or stilted like so much of the banter I’ve been reading these days. Beverly was naturally witty and clever and was such a fun companion to Griffin’s dry humor. She was a very easy character to love and root for because she was so kindhearted and funny.
Julie Olivia’s writing feels so nostalgic and so deeply real. The settings are so comforting and the characters so easy to fall in love with. What I really appreciated was how she wrote Griffin’s two year old daughter, Ava. As someone who works with toddlers and preschoolers all day, I can always tell when an author has never been around small children. I don’t know if Julie Olivia is a mom, but it’s obvious from her character work on Ava that she knows a thing or two about toddlers. Ava was such a realistic representation of a toddler. From the meltdowns to the constant giggling, she was so authentic. I also loved how she depicted Ava’s grief. Losing her mom at such a young age, (1 year old) must’ve been extremely difficult . At that age, they don’t have the understanding, but they certainly have the hole in their heart, and Olivia did a great job portraying that.
And I saved the best for last….Griffin Harvey. Oh my days he was so sweet…and hot. 🥵 The dark long hair and the beard just did it for me. Paired with the gruff exterior and the heart of gold, he was just dreamy. And the way he interacted with his daughter was beyond precious. You could feel his fear of not being a good enough dad, and that to me was one of the biggest indicators that he was actually a great dad. There’s nothing sexier than someone who cares so deeply for his kid.
Ultimately, this story has all the elements and more of a five star book. Julie Olivia’s writing is magic and nobody can change my mind. This book is perfect for fans of small town, nostalgic feeling romance. Get ready to fall in love with Bev and Griffin and his daughter Ava. This book was so enjoyable, I honestly don’t have any critiques, which is so rare for me.
Thank you toNetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are entirely my own.
📆 Publication Date: September 6, 2026
September 17, 2026
i might be in the minority with this one as this book has a lot of 5 stars, but if i'm being honest, the core concept was really fun and had me hooked early on. the main issue is that it just didn't need to be over 500 pages long. the author definitely could have cut out a massive chunk of the middle without losing anything important. because of all that dragging, i got really bored in between major events and had to force myself to keep reading.
Want to Read
September 25, 2026I absolutely loved If It Makes You Happy by this author....I saw this and thought why not?
September 21, 2026
‧˚꒰🧸୭ ˚. 3.5 stars ౿ love felt like this ୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ
⤿ finish date: september 24th ⋆ ˚.
I might be in the minority since this book has received numerous five star reviews, but honestly, the main concept was truly captivating right from the start. I adore 'celebrity' romances, especially those involving a singer, so I was immediately hooked.
The story unfolds as a contemporary romance featuring Griffin and Beverly. Griffin is a rockstar who tends to dislike everyone except his daughter and bandmates. As a single dad to a 2 year old, he keeps his fatherhood under wraps from the public and media. Struggling with inspiration for his next album, he finds himself writing silly songs for his toddler instead. Meanwhile, puppeteer Beverly is on a mission to revive an educational puppet show. Griffin meets her quite literally during a late night show appearance, and their on screen banter during her puppet routine goes viral. Familiar with Beverly's show, Griffin is eager to collaborate on writing songs for it, aligning with his current songwriting focus. As their friendship develops through this collaboration, they enter into a fake dating arrangement, which leads them both, along with Griffin’s daughter, to relocate to Beverly’s home in North Carolina. Embracing smalltown life, they work together on music, which draws them closer. Griffin aims to pour all his creative energy into children's music to clear his mind for his album; however, deeper feelings inevitably develop, complicated by his public persona.
A notable drawback of the book is its length it didn’t need to exceed 500 pages. The author could have trimmed a significant portion in the middle without losing any essential plot elements. This stretching of events dulled the pacing between major developments, and at times I found myself pushing through it. I've also thought that reading it during the week I was focused on "The Love Hypothesis" might not have been the best idea. I wasn't captivated by the book, perhaps it just wasn't the right time for it.
I really appreciated the unique premise and Beverly’s dedication to her puppet career. Her creativity and talent were evident, making it enjoyable to see how much she valued reviving the show. However, I wished for more glimpses into Beverly's life beyond her puppet work since it heavily defined her character. Similarly, more insight into Griffin’s backstory would have been welcome despite the book's length there seemed to be much more to uncover about him.
Griffin's portrayal as a single dad was delightful, and watching his relationships with both his daughter and Beverly blossom was heartwarming. There were plenty of sweet moments that encapsulated the cozy feel I enjoy from this author’s works. Although Beverly sometimes frustrated me with her reluctance to accept Griffin's kindness, I understood her perspective and appreciated her journey toward overcoming it.
Overall, it was a sweet, cozy read with a fun premise and endearing characters. While it didn’t quite have that special spark to make it truly memorable for me, I look forward to exploring more of Julie Olivia’s books!
⌗ ── 🧡 .ᐟ pre-read
⤿ start date: sept 19th
aaaa i can't wait to start this like i was waiting for this one to come out and then i have to finish CC first soo it was agonaizing but finally it's timeeee.
i have such high expectations soo finger crossed
⤿ finish date: september 24th ⋆ ˚.
I might be in the minority since this book has received numerous five star reviews, but honestly, the main concept was truly captivating right from the start. I adore 'celebrity' romances, especially those involving a singer, so I was immediately hooked.
The story unfolds as a contemporary romance featuring Griffin and Beverly. Griffin is a rockstar who tends to dislike everyone except his daughter and bandmates. As a single dad to a 2 year old, he keeps his fatherhood under wraps from the public and media. Struggling with inspiration for his next album, he finds himself writing silly songs for his toddler instead. Meanwhile, puppeteer Beverly is on a mission to revive an educational puppet show. Griffin meets her quite literally during a late night show appearance, and their on screen banter during her puppet routine goes viral. Familiar with Beverly's show, Griffin is eager to collaborate on writing songs for it, aligning with his current songwriting focus. As their friendship develops through this collaboration, they enter into a fake dating arrangement, which leads them both, along with Griffin’s daughter, to relocate to Beverly’s home in North Carolina. Embracing smalltown life, they work together on music, which draws them closer. Griffin aims to pour all his creative energy into children's music to clear his mind for his album; however, deeper feelings inevitably develop, complicated by his public persona.
A notable drawback of the book is its length it didn’t need to exceed 500 pages. The author could have trimmed a significant portion in the middle without losing any essential plot elements. This stretching of events dulled the pacing between major developments, and at times I found myself pushing through it. I've also thought that reading it during the week I was focused on "The Love Hypothesis" might not have been the best idea. I wasn't captivated by the book, perhaps it just wasn't the right time for it.
I really appreciated the unique premise and Beverly’s dedication to her puppet career. Her creativity and talent were evident, making it enjoyable to see how much she valued reviving the show. However, I wished for more glimpses into Beverly's life beyond her puppet work since it heavily defined her character. Similarly, more insight into Griffin’s backstory would have been welcome despite the book's length there seemed to be much more to uncover about him.
Griffin's portrayal as a single dad was delightful, and watching his relationships with both his daughter and Beverly blossom was heartwarming. There were plenty of sweet moments that encapsulated the cozy feel I enjoy from this author’s works. Although Beverly sometimes frustrated me with her reluctance to accept Griffin's kindness, I understood her perspective and appreciated her journey toward overcoming it.
Overall, it was a sweet, cozy read with a fun premise and endearing characters. While it didn’t quite have that special spark to make it truly memorable for me, I look forward to exploring more of Julie Olivia’s books!
⌗ ── 🧡 .ᐟ pre-read
⤿ start date: sept 19th
aaaa i can't wait to start this like i was waiting for this one to come out and then i have to finish CC first soo it was agonaizing but finally it's timeeee.
i have such high expectations soo finger crossed
October 6, 2026
—— 4.75 ☆
❝𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑎 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑢𝑠.❞
📖: 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐚
📜: 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 𝟺𝟿𝟻
🏷️: 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎
📆: 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝟿/𝟸𝟺/𝟸𝟼-𝟷𝟶/𝟻/𝟸𝟼
💬: 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
「 ”Griffin Harvey lives his life in the spotlight. Reluctantly. But after gaining custody of his two-year-old daughter, the only music he's writing is about shapes and counting to ten. Enter Beverly, who lives her life in the background producing children's television and laughter. She sinks all of her savings to revive the children's show by herself, but when her variety show appearance collides with Griffin's, their banter and chemistry is caught on live television. Suddenly, Griffin is singing a new tune. He needs a muse, and Beverly needs all the help she can get. With his secret daughter in tow, they hide out in her cozy mountain hometown, attempting to script, compose, and revive television magic. Their dynamic shouldn't work. He's all harsh tattoos and rough hands while she's bright colors and gentle touches. Once their three months of work are done, they'll return to their separate worlds. But what happens when it seems the true magic might be found in each other?”」
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
❝𝐼’𝑚 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑛 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑒𝑟, 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑦 𝑚𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡, 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑒.❞
ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★ ¾
ɢᴏᴏᴅʀᴇᴀᴅꜱ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟺.𝟸𝟻 ☆ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ: ½🌶️
ꜱᴇᴀꜱᴏɴ: ❄️
ᴘᴀɪʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ: ᴘᴀɴᴄᴀᴋᴇꜱ & ᴄᴏꜰꜰᴇᴇ 🥞
ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ?: 👍🏼
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʙᴇɴɴɪᴇ & ᴛʜᴇ ᴊᴇᴛꜱ — ᴇʟᴛᴏɴ ᴊᴏʜɴ
0:00 ———♡——— 5:20
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
🎹 ꜱʟᴏᴡ ʙᴜʀɴ
🎹 ꜱɪɴɢʟᴇ ᴅᴀᴅ
🎹 ꜱᴍᴀʟʟ ᴛᴏᴡɴꜱ
🎹 ᴍᴜʟᴛɪᴘʟᴇ ᴘᴏᴠꜱ
🎹 ʀᴏᴄᴋꜱᴛᴀʀ x ᴘᴜᴘᴘᴇᴛᴇᴇʀ
❝ “𝐼𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛’𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑓𝑎𝑟 𝐼 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑦 𝑤𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑔𝑒𝑡, 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙 𝑐𝑎𝑛’𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠. 𝐼𝑡 𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑡 𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑦. 𝐼𝑡’𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝𝑙𝑦, 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦, ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛’𝑡—𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛’𝑡—𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑝 𝑖𝑡.” ❞
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
💭: 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
• I don’t have much to say except this book felt like a warm hug on a cold night. Griffin & B stole my heart. 🥹
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
❝ “𝑌𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝐼 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑐. 𝐼 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑑.” ❞
October 29, 2026
5 stars
The first line of the blurb sums up this book beautifully… A grumpy rock star and a joyful children’s show creator revive television magic in this standalone, cozy small-town romance.. I adored this one. Grumpy sunshine at it’s finest, with an adorable kid to boot. This one had me smiling so big, and I loved it so much!
The first line of the blurb sums up this book beautifully… A grumpy rock star and a joyful children’s show creator revive television magic in this standalone, cozy small-town romance.. I adored this one. Grumpy sunshine at it’s finest, with an adorable kid to boot. This one had me smiling so big, and I loved it so much!
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 5 stars
Narrators: Jorjeana Marie, Liam Cortright & Cassandra Morris
Narration Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 14h 21m
August 12, 2026
When “I know what I like” means every single song on the album is about her.
A puppeteer taking on a major project, a singer behind on the deadline for his next album, and a small town in North Carolina. What do these three things have in common? Only an endearing romance that might just be the coziest book of the fall season. Julie Olivia’s latest is a perfect blend of the odd things finding harmony on unexpected grounds. In Love Felt Like This, Olivia takes readers into the world of kids television programming and the creative endeavors of a puppeteer trying to bring a formerly cancelled TV series back to life. Her unexpected interaction with a moody rockstar sets them both on a path to mutual creativity. The love they foster in between the creative pursuits may just be the one thing worth putting it all on the line for—collaboratively of course. Love for the weird. That’s what one can expect from this gorgeous sophomore romance from romance writer Julie Olivia. The raw, bold authenticity that comes from staying grounded in our passions and the comfort in rooting ourselves wholly in pursuit of them. Love Felt Like This embraces the eccentricities and says: let’s revel in it. Not only that, but let us be loved for them. You’ll learn the ins and outs of puppeteering, children’s show writing, and of course the creation of songs that are impossible to get out of your head. Characters Beverly and Griffin find a quiet kind of understanding and partnership as they work to build lives others may find unconventional. But what is more romantic than doing the weird thing and being loved for all your quirks anyway. Combined with a gorgeous small town setting and lovable family cast, Love Felt Like This wraps you up in a warm embrace of support and unconditional love. Julie Olivia hits the nail on the head in what I am desperate to read more of: romance for the passionate, the obsessed if you will. Love Felt Like This turns that into a mantra: give energy to our passions and the rest will follow. The fact that it’s a rockstar and tv show creator slow burn romance? Just an added bonus for us all.
Thank you to edelweiss for providing the advance copy.
Bookstagram | Blog
A puppeteer taking on a major project, a singer behind on the deadline for his next album, and a small town in North Carolina. What do these three things have in common? Only an endearing romance that might just be the coziest book of the fall season. Julie Olivia’s latest is a perfect blend of the odd things finding harmony on unexpected grounds. In Love Felt Like This, Olivia takes readers into the world of kids television programming and the creative endeavors of a puppeteer trying to bring a formerly cancelled TV series back to life. Her unexpected interaction with a moody rockstar sets them both on a path to mutual creativity. The love they foster in between the creative pursuits may just be the one thing worth putting it all on the line for—collaboratively of course. Love for the weird. That’s what one can expect from this gorgeous sophomore romance from romance writer Julie Olivia. The raw, bold authenticity that comes from staying grounded in our passions and the comfort in rooting ourselves wholly in pursuit of them. Love Felt Like This embraces the eccentricities and says: let’s revel in it. Not only that, but let us be loved for them. You’ll learn the ins and outs of puppeteering, children’s show writing, and of course the creation of songs that are impossible to get out of your head. Characters Beverly and Griffin find a quiet kind of understanding and partnership as they work to build lives others may find unconventional. But what is more romantic than doing the weird thing and being loved for all your quirks anyway. Combined with a gorgeous small town setting and lovable family cast, Love Felt Like This wraps you up in a warm embrace of support and unconditional love. Julie Olivia hits the nail on the head in what I am desperate to read more of: romance for the passionate, the obsessed if you will. Love Felt Like This turns that into a mantra: give energy to our passions and the rest will follow. The fact that it’s a rockstar and tv show creator slow burn romance? Just an added bonus for us all.
Thank you to edelweiss for providing the advance copy.
Bookstagram | Blog
July 17, 2026
Happy pub day to one of my favorite books of the year!!! 🧡
Arc review: This was SO GOOD!! There is just something about Julie Olivia’s writing and storytelling that is so comforting. Her books feel like big hugs and this was no different! I literally loved everything about this story. I thought the puppeteer x musician premise was so unique and I thought it was done so well. I was so entertained and invested in Beverly reviving her grandfather’s show and I loved how Griffin played into that story. Their connection and relationship development felt so real and authentic. I LOVED the small town setting and Beverly’s family. They added so much to the story for me. Beverly was such an easy fmc to like and read about; I thought she was such a sweetheart and I was really invested in her story. Griffin!!!! Oh my. A man down bad. A man terribly in love!!! Truly one of my favorite mmcs I’ve ever read about. He was EVERYTHING. Their romance was SO GOOD. I also loved Ava and the role she played in this book. Truly every character made me happy and brought something special to this story!! I loved them all. This book was just honestly perfect to me. I have no complaints. I loved the writing, the pacing, the setting, the characters, the tropes, the premise. You name it. I loved it. I was literally smiling like a fool with goosebumps on my arms over half of this book. My review doesn’t do this book justice so I just need everyone to pick it up on release day in September to experience how perfect it is. Truly the coziest, sweetest romance that I know will be a huge hit this fall. LOVED is an understatement. Thank you to the publisher for the arc!!
Arc review: This was SO GOOD!! There is just something about Julie Olivia’s writing and storytelling that is so comforting. Her books feel like big hugs and this was no different! I literally loved everything about this story. I thought the puppeteer x musician premise was so unique and I thought it was done so well. I was so entertained and invested in Beverly reviving her grandfather’s show and I loved how Griffin played into that story. Their connection and relationship development felt so real and authentic. I LOVED the small town setting and Beverly’s family. They added so much to the story for me. Beverly was such an easy fmc to like and read about; I thought she was such a sweetheart and I was really invested in her story. Griffin!!!! Oh my. A man down bad. A man terribly in love!!! Truly one of my favorite mmcs I’ve ever read about. He was EVERYTHING. Their romance was SO GOOD. I also loved Ava and the role she played in this book. Truly every character made me happy and brought something special to this story!! I loved them all. This book was just honestly perfect to me. I have no complaints. I loved the writing, the pacing, the setting, the characters, the tropes, the premise. You name it. I loved it. I was literally smiling like a fool with goosebumps on my arms over half of this book. My review doesn’t do this book justice so I just need everyone to pick it up on release day in September to experience how perfect it is. Truly the coziest, sweetest romance that I know will be a huge hit this fall. LOVED is an understatement. Thank you to the publisher for the arc!!
October 1, 2026
⋆˙⟡ — 4.75 stars
⌗ ┆started: oct 1st ● finished: oct 3rd
i’m obsessed 😩 rtc!!
˒˒ ⊹⌇ pre-read ᝰ
unfortunately i’m very sick, so why not read a cozy book to distract me from wanting to cry 🤭 i LOVED if it makes you happy, sooo i’m really hoping this is just as good 😩
⌗ ┆started: oct 1st ● finished: oct 3rd
i’m obsessed 😩 rtc!!
˒˒ ⊹⌇ pre-read ᝰ
unfortunately i’m very sick, so why not read a cozy book to distract me from wanting to cry 🤭 i LOVED if it makes you happy, sooo i’m really hoping this is just as good 😩
September 6, 2026
This was such a wholesome, feel-good romance. The kind of book I can sink into and unwind with after a long day at work. When life feels exhausting, sometimes you just need a book that comforts like a warm hug — and this was exactly that. Love felt like this indeed. This book is intimately soft — it feels like a whisper, but somehow that whisper hits you right in the heart.
Julie Olivia really knows how to make those quiet moments mean so much. She spun such a soft and magical story around Beverly, a kind, genuine girl who is deeply committed to her passion and job as a puppeteer, and Griffin, a rock star who comes across as grumpy and brooding but is actually so incredibly soft for his girl. What I loved most was reading how Griffin help heal the gaping wound left behind by Beverly’s jackass ex, not by sweeping in and “fixing” her, but by giving her the love, patience and tenderness she deserved.
And I was genuinely smiling when I read how Beverly inspired Griffin as he wrote the *E* song. There was just something so quietly romantic about that. The author also absolutely nailed the small-town trope, with a warm family that genuinely cares for one another, and Griffin’s bandmates who are basically the epitome of found family. I’m always a sucker for a good found-family dynamic, and this one delivered. ❤️
And OH MY GOD, that epilogue with Ava. 😭 So ridiculously adorable, and it immediately reminded me of Rocket! My heart.
PRE-READ REVIEW
A couple more days before this drops, and I have a very strong hunch this is going to be an amazing one. I’ve been reading the reviews, and everyone seems to be absolutely GUSHING over it, which is doing absolutely nothing to temper my expectations.
At this point, Julie Olivia has basically marketed herself as the fall romance author after the success and brilliance of If It Makes You Happy—which I loved SO much. That book was everything I want in a cosy fall romance, and now I’m dangerously close to rereading it while waiting for this one.
Anyway, expectations? High. Very, very high. 🍁🍂
Julie Olivia really knows how to make those quiet moments mean so much. She spun such a soft and magical story around Beverly, a kind, genuine girl who is deeply committed to her passion and job as a puppeteer, and Griffin, a rock star who comes across as grumpy and brooding but is actually so incredibly soft for his girl. What I loved most was reading how Griffin help heal the gaping wound left behind by Beverly’s jackass ex, not by sweeping in and “fixing” her, but by giving her the love, patience and tenderness she deserved.
And I was genuinely smiling when I read how Beverly inspired Griffin as he wrote the *E* song. There was just something so quietly romantic about that. The author also absolutely nailed the small-town trope, with a warm family that genuinely cares for one another, and Griffin’s bandmates who are basically the epitome of found family. I’m always a sucker for a good found-family dynamic, and this one delivered. ❤️
And OH MY GOD, that epilogue with Ava. 😭 So ridiculously adorable, and it immediately reminded me of Rocket! My heart.
PRE-READ REVIEW
A couple more days before this drops, and I have a very strong hunch this is going to be an amazing one. I’ve been reading the reviews, and everyone seems to be absolutely GUSHING over it, which is doing absolutely nothing to temper my expectations.
At this point, Julie Olivia has basically marketed herself as the fall romance author after the success and brilliance of If It Makes You Happy—which I loved SO much. That book was everything I want in a cosy fall romance, and now I’m dangerously close to rereading it while waiting for this one.
Anyway, expectations? High. Very, very high. 🍁🍂
September 17, 2026
This is exactly what I needed right now 💗 4.5⭐️ rounded up!! I love Julie Olivia’s romance books & this absolutely delivered! My favorite part about her books is how she transports you into the world. I can see the places, people and vibes so vividly & it’s the perfect cozy, small town romance.
I was hooked from the beginning - Griffin is a single dad rockstar (who everyone thinks is grumpy) & Beverly is a puppeteer trying to revive her children’s show. He is uninspired with writers block and decides to write music for the show she’s pitching.
This was everything I love in a romance! It was a little long & I wish we saw more time with them actually together as a couple! But I loved it 💗
I was hooked from the beginning - Griffin is a single dad rockstar (who everyone thinks is grumpy) & Beverly is a puppeteer trying to revive her children’s show. He is uninspired with writers block and decides to write music for the show she’s pitching.
This was everything I love in a romance! It was a little long & I wish we saw more time with them actually together as a couple! But I loved it 💗
September 12, 2026
🎶 Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can't help falling in love with you 🎶
« Kind people don’t knowingly open old wounds, even if they say it in a kind way. She’s stuck in the past. And you’re in the present. »
I loved this one so much. I’m just really in love with this author’s books. She’s just so good at setting up the vibes? I was enthralled by page 1 and anyone who knows me knows I’m not really a big romance reader. Not a lot of authors can pull my heartstrings for a romance so I think that’s high praise.
I loved how it was really about finding yourself & just knowing who you are and what you stand for. Loved every second of it.
« I overthink everything.
- Then find another hobby. »
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can't help falling in love with you 🎶
« Kind people don’t knowingly open old wounds, even if they say it in a kind way. She’s stuck in the past. And you’re in the present. »
I loved this one so much. I’m just really in love with this author’s books. She’s just so good at setting up the vibes? I was enthralled by page 1 and anyone who knows me knows I’m not really a big romance reader. Not a lot of authors can pull my heartstrings for a romance so I think that’s high praise.
I loved how it was really about finding yourself & just knowing who you are and what you stand for. Loved every second of it.
« I overthink everything.
- Then find another hobby. »
July 30, 2026
[arc review] I can’t even begin to explain just the way julie olivia writes her books. if I could summarise it one sentence, I would say they’re cozy and feel like a warm hug.
the main characters are fleshed out, the world building is incredible, and you connect with the supporting ensemble even if they’re not at the forefront of the story.
it’s a romance at its core, but it’s also a story of characters coming together to better themselves as individuals. it’s seeing traits in yourself represented in these characters.
love felt like this is a masterclass in writing, and it’s one of my top reads of 2026.
one thing about julie olivia is that she’s going to put her heart and soul into her books, and I’m going to pick them up every time.
thank you michael joseph for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
the main characters are fleshed out, the world building is incredible, and you connect with the supporting ensemble even if they’re not at the forefront of the story.
it’s a romance at its core, but it’s also a story of characters coming together to better themselves as individuals. it’s seeing traits in yourself represented in these characters.
love felt like this is a masterclass in writing, and it’s one of my top reads of 2026.
one thing about julie olivia is that she’s going to put her heart and soul into her books, and I’m going to pick them up every time.
thank you michael joseph for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
December 11, 2025
thank you to the publisher for the arc. all opinions are my own.
4.5***
oh this book is MAGIC!!!!
this was one of the sweetest, most genuine romances i’ve read in a long time. beverly & griffin feel so real and their love for each other was perfectly fleshed out.
beverly is one of my new favorite FMCs and i loved seeing her learn to trust herself and allow herself to love and be loved. her personality is sunshine personified and i love how passionate she is about her dreams and ambitions. she’s thoughtful and considerate and kind (nice AND kind, iykyk) and was such a delight to read about.
griffin is DOWN BADDD!!!! when he said something along the lines of “she stares, i ache” oh i was kicking my feet. i loved how his career was portrayed and had so much fun with that aspect. he is also such a thoughtful person, a great father, and the way he loves beverly was so beautiful to read.
also ava!!! what a sweetheart omg i adored reading about her and the way bev’s family & griffin’s band cared for her. so so cute.
the setting of this was so perfectly cozy. i love a small town romance and i love a quirky family dynamic. elk grove felt so real and i could picture the winter mountains and puffs of cold air.
this is definitely a slower paced book that kind of ambles along in terms of plot, which i personally liked. it reminded me of reading a long cozy fanfiction, in the best way possible.
this had all of the coziness and heart of if it makes you happy & i’m so so excited julie olivia’s magic touch came through in this book as well.
4.5***
oh this book is MAGIC!!!!
this was one of the sweetest, most genuine romances i’ve read in a long time. beverly & griffin feel so real and their love for each other was perfectly fleshed out.
beverly is one of my new favorite FMCs and i loved seeing her learn to trust herself and allow herself to love and be loved. her personality is sunshine personified and i love how passionate she is about her dreams and ambitions. she’s thoughtful and considerate and kind (nice AND kind, iykyk) and was such a delight to read about.
griffin is DOWN BADDD!!!! when he said something along the lines of “she stares, i ache” oh i was kicking my feet. i loved how his career was portrayed and had so much fun with that aspect. he is also such a thoughtful person, a great father, and the way he loves beverly was so beautiful to read.
also ava!!! what a sweetheart omg i adored reading about her and the way bev’s family & griffin’s band cared for her. so so cute.
the setting of this was so perfectly cozy. i love a small town romance and i love a quirky family dynamic. elk grove felt so real and i could picture the winter mountains and puffs of cold air.
this is definitely a slower paced book that kind of ambles along in terms of plot, which i personally liked. it reminded me of reading a long cozy fanfiction, in the best way possible.
this had all of the coziness and heart of if it makes you happy & i’m so so excited julie olivia’s magic touch came through in this book as well.
August 14, 2026
Friends, there’s no need for a romance book to be nearly 500 pages. And if it is, shouldn’t the reader know the main characters on a deeply personal level? We should, right? Yet we don’t. They felt like strangers, even in the end.
And while I think being creative and different is welcomed in romance novels, the whole puppet thing was just too much. I wish there was less birds and more main character interaction. Which is unfortunate because this book was pushing 500 pages and I fully don’t see Beverly or Griffin being end game
Oh and I can’t forget to mention … I was damn near bored to tears.
And while I think being creative and different is welcomed in romance novels, the whole puppet thing was just too much. I wish there was less birds and more main character interaction. Which is unfortunate because this book was pushing 500 pages and I fully don’t see Beverly or Griffin being end game
Oh and I can’t forget to mention … I was damn near bored to tears.
August 31, 2026
Cute but felt like the author tried to do too much with the story. Plus- this book was criminally too long. Good grief, a romcom should not be 14 hrs on the audio.
August 31, 2026
I cry :)
this was SO FREAKING CUTE
I initially didn’t realize that this wasn’t another 90s romcom like If It Makes You Happy - but it still had the same cozy heart
I loved so much about this story but my no. 1 was how trusting and mature the leads were. They didn’t play games with each other. They didn’t argue over trivial stuff. It felt so comforting to be in this love story where they brought each other so much peace.
Warm. Heartfelt. 5 stars.
P.S. screw Beau forreal that pretentious prick
this was SO FREAKING CUTE
I initially didn’t realize that this wasn’t another 90s romcom like If It Makes You Happy - but it still had the same cozy heart
I loved so much about this story but my no. 1 was how trusting and mature the leads were. They didn’t play games with each other. They didn’t argue over trivial stuff. It felt so comforting to be in this love story where they brought each other so much peace.
Warm. Heartfelt. 5 stars.
P.S. screw Beau forreal that pretentious prick
October 12, 2026
the setup…
Beverly Lark is a puppeteer, trying to keep her children's television show Birds on the Block funded. She’s appearing on a variety show when things go sideways. Her partner doesn’t show up and the famous singer-songwriter Griffin Harvey stumbles onto her live set!. Spontaneously, Beverly pulls him into the act and Griffin shows a softer side to his infamous grumpy reputation. He’s struggling with writing music for his next album as these days he’s only composing children’s songs for his two-year old daughter Ava who no one knows about. When he learns Beverly is writing the pitch for a new sponsor, Griffin agrees to help her, she maybe being the inspiration he needs for his own songs. They retreat to her family home in the mountains of Elk Grove, North Carolina to create magic.
the heart of the story…
That first encounter couldn’t be more serendipitous! Beverly is all sunshine and brightness and Griffin has a reputation of rarely smiling and difficult to interview but their immediate connection was hard to ignore. This is a slow burn romance at its finest as both had reason to not see that in each other (her one and only love was another musician who shattered her heart). Experiencing these two gradually fall for each other was lovely, all while pretending to be dating in front of the public.
the narration…
Jorjeanna Marie was perfect as the shiny Beverly and Liam Cortright stole my heart as Griffin (I pictured Michael McDonald!). Cassandra Morris was the surprise voice of Ava and was delightful. Together they created a magical performance.
the bottom line…
Olivia is now one of my auto read romance writers as her style just works for me. This romance saga has all the best elements…fake dating, found family, grumpy-sunshine…and much more. It takes its time but I was in no hurry for this wonderful story to end. And the finale to this opus was spectacular!
Beverly Lark is a puppeteer, trying to keep her children's television show Birds on the Block funded. She’s appearing on a variety show when things go sideways. Her partner doesn’t show up and the famous singer-songwriter Griffin Harvey stumbles onto her live set!. Spontaneously, Beverly pulls him into the act and Griffin shows a softer side to his infamous grumpy reputation. He’s struggling with writing music for his next album as these days he’s only composing children’s songs for his two-year old daughter Ava who no one knows about. When he learns Beverly is writing the pitch for a new sponsor, Griffin agrees to help her, she maybe being the inspiration he needs for his own songs. They retreat to her family home in the mountains of Elk Grove, North Carolina to create magic.
the heart of the story…
That first encounter couldn’t be more serendipitous! Beverly is all sunshine and brightness and Griffin has a reputation of rarely smiling and difficult to interview but their immediate connection was hard to ignore. This is a slow burn romance at its finest as both had reason to not see that in each other (her one and only love was another musician who shattered her heart). Experiencing these two gradually fall for each other was lovely, all while pretending to be dating in front of the public.
the narration…
Jorjeanna Marie was perfect as the shiny Beverly and Liam Cortright stole my heart as Griffin (I pictured Michael McDonald!). Cassandra Morris was the surprise voice of Ava and was delightful. Together they created a magical performance.
the bottom line…
Olivia is now one of my auto read romance writers as her style just works for me. This romance saga has all the best elements…fake dating, found family, grumpy-sunshine…and much more. It takes its time but I was in no hurry for this wonderful story to end. And the finale to this opus was spectacular!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For some reason, when I first saw this cover (which is absolutely gorgeous, by the way), I thought the MMC would be grumpy and kind of an asshole, but it turned out to be completely different. Griffin is a famous rock musician who writes songs and secretly raises his two-year-old daughter. I honestly wouldn’t even call him grumpy—to me, he’s just exhausted from the weight he carries on his shoulders. Even Beverly tells him that he takes care of everyone, and she wants to take care of him. At the same time, he’s incredibly sweet and kind, very responsible, and the best dad to his little girl. Also, finally a book where a two-year-old actually behaves like a two-year-old! For some reason, authors love giving children behavior that doesn’t match their age. I absolutely adored Ava!
Beverly is a puppeteer on a children’s TV show that’s on the verge of being cancelled. Their first meeting was hilarious. Beverly is also very hardworking and underestimates herself because of her jerk ex.
This romance turned out to be really cozy. I devoured the first half, but parts of the second half felt a little dragged out to me, and the third-act breakup felt slightly overdramatic. The characters didn’t actually break up, but they grew distant because of certain circumstances, and their behavior during that period felt a bit strange to me. Overall, though, it was an enjoyable book with adult characters dealing with adult problems.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓grumpy x sunshine
✓single dad
✓fake dating
✓small mountain town
✓forced proximity
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Beverly is a puppeteer on a children’s TV show that’s on the verge of being cancelled. Their first meeting was hilarious. Beverly is also very hardworking and underestimates herself because of her jerk ex.
This romance turned out to be really cozy. I devoured the first half, but parts of the second half felt a little dragged out to me, and the third-act breakup felt slightly overdramatic. The characters didn’t actually break up, but they grew distant because of certain circumstances, and their behavior during that period felt a bit strange to me. Overall, though, it was an enjoyable book with adult characters dealing with adult problems.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓grumpy x sunshine
✓single dad
✓fake dating
✓small mountain town
✓forced proximity
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 13, 2026
Julie Olivia is such a fantastic author - I'm so glad she's on the scene now. I've loved both books I've read from her. This story easily could have felt corny or outlandish or wattpad-adjacent (rockstar romance), but it felt so familiar and nostalgic. The romantic elements & the lost-in-life feelings were so relatable, and the puppet storyline was so reminiscent of sesame street, which was MY show as a kid.
i would recommend this to all romance readers.
i would recommend this to all romance readers.
September 27, 2026
Read if you love:
💕 Fake dating
👶🏻 Single dad
🔥 Slow burn
🎶 She’s his musical muse
💔 Grief explored
✨The Muppets
👗 80’s fashion
❄️ Winter atmosphere
⛰️ Cozy small town in the mountains of NC
If you want the no 🔥 version, skip chapter 30!
💕 Fake dating
👶🏻 Single dad
🔥 Slow burn
🎶 She’s his musical muse
💔 Grief explored
✨The Muppets
👗 80’s fashion
❄️ Winter atmosphere
⛰️ Cozy small town in the mountains of NC
If you want the no 🔥 version, skip chapter 30!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
does everyone in this book have a pancake addiction? maybe, but who am i to judge.
julie olivia is one of my favorite romance authors right now, i've been reading her books since her self published days and it makes me so happy to see her getting the recognition she deserves! i will admit, i was a bit iffy on this book. the premise seemed up my alley, grumpy single dad, small town, forced proximity, but i'm not always hooked on musician romances, and the puppets... i just had some questions. i should have known that julie olivia would create a cast of characters so charming that i had no choice but to fall head over heels for them and for elk grove.
beverly is trying to get funding for her puppet tv program that was cut because of lack of funding... pretty timely, so when a moment between her, bernie (the puppet), and griffin goes viral, they decide to team up and pitch the show together! along with ava, griffin's secret daughter, they all head to elk grove and you get to fall in love with all the eccentric lark family members! here we see the friendship form between beverly and griffin, plus the connection between beverly and ava which was adorable. i think i've really loved how julie olivia writes her characters becoming friends before lovers, it happened in "if it makes you happy" and it happened here.
there were points of the story in the middle section that dragged for me, it just felt like there wasn't much of anything going on which made it hard to stay focused. the beginning was good, the middle was slow, but the ending picked right back up. i really liked the longing the end. you see how these two understand the struggles that may lie ahead for them but that is nothing compared to their feelings for each other. i didn't really get the beau thing, i understood why we had it to start and understand beverly more but by the end his presence was just annoying and kinda useless so that coulda been gone.
if you've loved work by this author before, you'll like this. the small town vibes are there, its more so chilly (wintery) rather than fall but cozy nonetheless. i'm honestly really stuck with a rating because while i loved the characters i still feel a bit disconnected from the story. the writing was good, nothing sticks out as bad, i'm just conflicted. pick this up in september and lmk what you think, i need to hear what the people have to say!!
also, FUND PBS AND PROGRAMS THAT HELP CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT!!!!!!!!
*thank you to berkley and netgalley for the copy*
julie olivia is one of my favorite romance authors right now, i've been reading her books since her self published days and it makes me so happy to see her getting the recognition she deserves! i will admit, i was a bit iffy on this book. the premise seemed up my alley, grumpy single dad, small town, forced proximity, but i'm not always hooked on musician romances, and the puppets... i just had some questions. i should have known that julie olivia would create a cast of characters so charming that i had no choice but to fall head over heels for them and for elk grove.
beverly is trying to get funding for her puppet tv program that was cut because of lack of funding... pretty timely, so when a moment between her, bernie (the puppet), and griffin goes viral, they decide to team up and pitch the show together! along with ava, griffin's secret daughter, they all head to elk grove and you get to fall in love with all the eccentric lark family members! here we see the friendship form between beverly and griffin, plus the connection between beverly and ava which was adorable. i think i've really loved how julie olivia writes her characters becoming friends before lovers, it happened in "if it makes you happy" and it happened here.
there were points of the story in the middle section that dragged for me, it just felt like there wasn't much of anything going on which made it hard to stay focused. the beginning was good, the middle was slow, but the ending picked right back up. i really liked the longing the end. you see how these two understand the struggles that may lie ahead for them but that is nothing compared to their feelings for each other. i didn't really get the beau thing, i understood why we had it to start and understand beverly more but by the end his presence was just annoying and kinda useless so that coulda been gone.
if you've loved work by this author before, you'll like this. the small town vibes are there, its more so chilly (wintery) rather than fall but cozy nonetheless. i'm honestly really stuck with a rating because while i loved the characters i still feel a bit disconnected from the story. the writing was good, nothing sticks out as bad, i'm just conflicted. pick this up in september and lmk what you think, i need to hear what the people have to say!!
also, FUND PBS AND PROGRAMS THAT HELP CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT!!!!!!!!
*thank you to berkley and netgalley for the copy*
September 9, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an ebook!
This was very sweet and fun! This was my first book by this author but I had heard great things about her debut. Good enough things that I picked this up despite my general disinterest in contemporary romance and I'm happy I did!
Of our two leads Beverly and Griffin, Beverly is definitely the more interesting character. While I liked Griffin, I think we can all agree that we see more rock stars with hearts of gold in romance books compared to professional puppeteers! Quick aside, I once was in a position where I was in the same area as a national puppeteer convention, where there was over 400 puppeteers and not a single one was in their 30s, lol. Julie Olivia did a great job making Beverly original and fun while not making her too "quirky", which is great because quirky characters annoy me. She is fun and more light-hearted than Griffin while still being very driven. I love an ambitious woman in a romance novel so I appreciated that aspect a lot. It was also nice to see her interact with her family. There is also a plotline with her bad ex-boyfriend, which I didn't really care that much about. I didn't feel like that conflict had sufficient payoff given how much time he takes up in the book.
As I said, Griffin is a lot more of a stereotype of a male romance lead. He seems grumpy but he's actually sweet! He's protective of the people he loves! And he's a single dad! The character development between these two is also a bit uneven. I felt like I understood a lot better why Beverly wanted to do children's television and very little about Griffin's love of music or even anything about his family or childhood or anything. Given the length of this book, it would have been nice to learn a little more about him. I did like his relationship with his bandmates and his daughter. I did seem like a good portrayal of parenting.
In terms of plot, there isn't a ton, which I expect in contemporary romances and there was enough good character work that I was fine with that. I do wish we had seen a little bit more of both leads performing. We really only see one performance from each of them and the rest is just practice. The set up of this book is that people were so blown away by the chemistry between Griffin and this puppet so it would have been nice to see a bit more of that. This book is also pretty long for a contemporary romance - nearly 500 pages - and I found the last 15% or so really dragged. I just didn't really buy the conflict and then at the end, I felt like that conflict was just kinda hand-waved away instead of truly being resolved. It was still a good read, I just think a plotline or two could have been cut.
I did really enjoy this! I would definitely go back and read Olivia's first book, if I ever get my TBR under control, and I'll be interested in seeing whatever she does next!
This was very sweet and fun! This was my first book by this author but I had heard great things about her debut. Good enough things that I picked this up despite my general disinterest in contemporary romance and I'm happy I did!
Of our two leads Beverly and Griffin, Beverly is definitely the more interesting character. While I liked Griffin, I think we can all agree that we see more rock stars with hearts of gold in romance books compared to professional puppeteers! Quick aside, I once was in a position where I was in the same area as a national puppeteer convention, where there was over 400 puppeteers and not a single one was in their 30s, lol. Julie Olivia did a great job making Beverly original and fun while not making her too "quirky", which is great because quirky characters annoy me. She is fun and more light-hearted than Griffin while still being very driven. I love an ambitious woman in a romance novel so I appreciated that aspect a lot. It was also nice to see her interact with her family. There is also a plotline with her bad ex-boyfriend, which I didn't really care that much about. I didn't feel like that conflict had sufficient payoff given how much time he takes up in the book.
As I said, Griffin is a lot more of a stereotype of a male romance lead. He seems grumpy but he's actually sweet! He's protective of the people he loves! And he's a single dad! The character development between these two is also a bit uneven. I felt like I understood a lot better why Beverly wanted to do children's television and very little about Griffin's love of music or even anything about his family or childhood or anything. Given the length of this book, it would have been nice to learn a little more about him. I did like his relationship with his bandmates and his daughter. I did seem like a good portrayal of parenting.
In terms of plot, there isn't a ton, which I expect in contemporary romances and there was enough good character work that I was fine with that. I do wish we had seen a little bit more of both leads performing. We really only see one performance from each of them and the rest is just practice. The set up of this book is that people were so blown away by the chemistry between Griffin and this puppet so it would have been nice to see a bit more of that. This book is also pretty long for a contemporary romance - nearly 500 pages - and I found the last 15% or so really dragged. I just didn't really buy the conflict and then at the end, I felt like that conflict was just kinda hand-waved away instead of truly being resolved. It was still a good read, I just think a plotline or two could have been cut.
I did really enjoy this! I would definitely go back and read Olivia's first book, if I ever get my TBR under control, and I'll be interested in seeing whatever she does next!
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