A grumpy rock star and a joyful children’s show creator revive television magic in this 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?
Julie 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.
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 😽🧡
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・❥・⁀➷ 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 🙂↕️
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.
I’m in Julie Olivia’s ARC team and had the privilege to read this book months before release (it’s coming out on September 8). But it’s 100% an honest review 🤗.
Within the first few pages I was laughing out loud. I loved Beverly from the beginning and even Griffin had my heart that first stage moment 🤭. I have never read such an unique job before and I loved all the layers of the story. I mean: grumpy x sunshine/fake dating/forced proximity/single dad?! That’s everything we want right 😍?!
Yes, it was a slow burn, but it was definitely worth the wait. I loved every part of Beverly, Griffin, little Ava, the whole Lark family and the band members. I loved all the funny puns and wittiness and oh my, those last few chapters. It was amazing!
I will never not recommend any book by Julie Olivia and this one goes straight up my favourites list 💗.
Julie’s books become more and more alive each outing. These characters are so real I feel as though I could call them up in the real world and carry on conversations with them.
I loved everything about this and just adore how it is a celebration of niche passions and chasing lofty dreams. It celebrates kind hearted people and the joy of making someone laugh. It was a much needed break from everything going on in the world.
This novel was a massive comfort to me while reading. It took me back to my grandparents on a cozy winter night and to the Ozark mountains I visited as a child. It gave me the same feeling as a Glen Campbell song and for that it will remain gently on my mind for a long time.
A MUST read! (The companion playlist is a must as well)
Thank you so much to Julie Olivia and her team at Berkley for an eARC copy of this book.
Julie never disappoints, and with Love Felt Like This she really outdid herself. Just like with If It Makes You Happy, I found myself swooning and completely falling in love with these fictional characters who somehow feel very real.
I don’t usually react outwardly to books, but this one got to me. I teared up and caught myself smiling so many times without even realising it.
I already have a soft spot for the single parent trope, but add that he’s a rock star too? Unmatched.
I’m utterly obsessed with Beverly and Griffin and if you see me watching The Muppets, mind your business. I love them so much your honour, just read this when it comes out in September!
the vibes ™: - single dad x puppeteer - small town - coolest fmc with a 70s style - pets!! - the funniest banter - wholesome
Thank you so much to the author for adding me to the permanent ARC-team - I’m so grateful and this feels so surreal to me 💌
I’ve got the PERFECT winter romance for you! 🏔️ 🥞 💞
My summary:
In a surprising turn of events one sleep deprived rock star stumbles into the middle of a live puppet performance. With no choice but to roll with it the musician and the shockingly beautiful puppeteer improvise on the spot. And much to everyone’s surprise, especially the two performers, the chemistry between Bernie Bird and the grumpy star is off the charts. Unable to shake how much fun he had and the GORGEOUS eyes that stared up at him with such enthusiasm and sparkle, he demands his manager get her on the phone. Thus a partnership is born and Griffin finds himself packing up his daughter and his life to go write songs for a children’s show revival in the small town of Elk Grove.
My overall thoughts:
Julie Olivia is fast becoming one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Her writing has this magical quality to it that never fails to coax pure joy from me. Her characters are truly people I wish I could meet and interact with and this book was no exception. The romance between Griffin and Beverly? My goodness I had little sparks shooting off inside my own chest. I loved it! Plus, the one concept I questioned going in . . . the puppeteering actually made this book even more special? Sorry, Julie I won’t question you again. 🫣
If you enjoy standalone romances where you fall in love with the small town and side characters just as much as the leads. If single dads and a community rising up to help speak to you. If you enjoy imperfect characters growing and connecting then this is a MUST read! Complete sunshine in book form. For my seasonal readers this is primary set in January - March. So a lovely winter romance with some Valentine’s Day scenes.
My rating: 5 ⭐️ Release Date: September 8th
What I loved:
- Griffin! My goodness does Olivia know how to write swoon worthy male leads. Every little detail had me falling for him down to how often he kissed his daughter’s forehead. He was a green flag MMC and I was all in for him! 😍
- The romance! Ah, I truly enjoyed these two as a couple and how their journey unfolded. And the chemistry between them? Hot damn. I honestly didn’t realize certain things were so attractive before but I found myself agreeing with Beverly. The way Griffin grabbed the doorway above his head, or her ankle and pulled her down to him? My wordddd. I was giddy.
- The Birds on The Block! What a fun and creative premise! I truly never thought about how much work, dedication, and creativity must go into puppeteering until now. Such a joyful peek into the world. I could literally feel Beverly’s passion seeping from the pages and it was contagious.
Thank you to Berkley and Julie Olivia for the advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own and this is my voluntary review.
Thank you to Julie Olivia’s team for the eARC they sent to me in exchange for an honest review. And here it is. Ready? I read thins book on my kindle, after a long break from reading physical books (only listening to audiobooks for months). And I’m so glad I was able to bust out of my rut because of this book. This is one of those rare stories that makes you wish you were a faster reader just so you can get to the next part faster. You want the next scene, the next bit of banter, the next description of the lovable main characters. And at the same time you’re SO into the world and story, you never want it to end. I absolutely loved how JOlivia gives us a musician who would seem un-relatable, but in the circumstances he’s someone you feel like you truly know. And our female main character has a 70’s influenced style, is a badass woman who show-runs a puppet based children’s show (think that public broadcasting classic), and her anxiety and drive are truly palpable. Their connection is beautifully built on a foundation of admiration, respect and friendship as the story gets going. And their banter is 10:10. Chefs kiss, no notes. The KEY (my favorite part really) to a JO story is the incorporation of a whimsical setting or job. Puppeteer for a children’s show?? She makes them from felt? It’s her family legacy?? Truly a cup full of pure joy. Thank you again for the ARC, I truly loved it. I don’t know what will change between this and the published version but I will have a very hard time moving on from this book.
Thank you so much to Berkley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Julie Olivia does it again!!! I absolutely LOVED these characters and this story. It felt fresh and so atmospheric. With touches of depth, humor, and such gentleness, this truly makes a heartfelt, memorable romance.
There’s never been a book I’ve picked up where the main character was a puppeteer and that element alone had me hooked from the moment this book was announced (the cover too bc she’s gorgeous🤭!). Beverly is such an ambitious and charming character. Her tender nature mixed with her cleverness made her such a steady character to connect with. And Griffin’s more stoically reserved demeanor lit through nurturing moments made the perfect counterpart. Their first meeting was humorous with easy going banter that so easily set the tone for the rest of the story.
What starts in the big city of LA, then moves to a mountain town in North Carolina where we get that perfect small town feel and some good old forced proximity. And if there’s one thing Julie does exceptionally well, it’s crafting a setting that’s so lifelike and tangible. You are there with the characters. She eradicates that blatant line of fictionalization that separates our reality from theirs and lets you take a jump into the characters world to cozy up in the corner of the room where the action is happening. It’s as if you are there in person watching everything unfold.
Watching Griffin and Beverly both grow over the course of 450+ pages made the timeline feel spread and real enough that nothing felt forced, and nothing dragged on. Between small city moments, candid public outings, and late night family room conversations it curated the perfect mixture of diversifying the scenes. The writing sessions shared between the two to help reboot Beverly’s show and help Griffin’s journey to feeling inspired to write his prospective album let so many tender moments in, because what binds people together more than music? And with sweet two year old Ava there in the mix to add some lightness in made it all the more merrier.
Albeit there were some cliche moments, like there always is in celebrity romance novels, it honestly worked here and had me swooning. Overall a very solid and striking novel.
I sound like a broken record but I have to say, if Julie Olivia writes it, I am going to read it!
This is absolutely another hit from Julie Olivia. Something about reading her books just makes you feel like you're home. Her stories always stand out for her ability to write not only main characters that catch your attention and make you fall in love, but her side characters are so loveable that they take a front seat too. I am never bored when reading one of her books and I am always a little surprised by what she can make me fall in love with this time. She is the queen of a small town romance, but still has a talent for making the big city feel small when the main character has their family with them.
I mean who goes "You know a book about a female puppeteer in her 30s falling in love with a Rockstar...makes total sense". But somehow IT JUST DOES! This couple and their story makes so much sense that in my mind all I can think about is "how have we not done this before?"
E is for Exquisite, Emotional, Euphoric, and Edifying (yes, I googled that last one don't judge me).
This book is an absolute must read for people who love a good cozy romance. For the reader that wants to curl up with a story where they see a woman who is trying her best to make her dreams come true and finally gain some wins. For the teenager in us that thinks boys are stupid and deserve some good karma (not you tho GP...never you). This book is more than just a romance, its a story of confidence and trust.
Okay? Okay.
Trust me and give it a chance, you'll never regret a Julie Olivia story.
Thank you to Julie Olivia for a copy of the eARC in exchange for my honest review. Keep it going. P is for Perfect!
I wish I could give this 6 stars! So easy to read and a joy to experience. Julie has just a way of capturing happiness like Katherine Centers, Kasie West, Cara Bastone and many more. Her writing is the epitome of happy! I was smiling throughout this entire book. Good thing this is a romance and I know it was going to have a HEA but it cut sooo close to the ending but the story was perfect.
The characters felt real. You can feel the struggle and the desire to succeed in Beverly and Griffin. Beverly has determination to make her puppeteer career succeed. A dream to continue on a legacy that her Grandfather started. Hurt by her ex-bf musician. Beverly has reservations on the character of rockstars but when Griffin Harvey accidentally stumbles on to her last hoorah performance. It was like magic. Their interaction was infectious and the show exploded. What a cute meet-cute!
The viral moment gave Beverly a second chance and it created an opportunity of force proximity between the two. Escaping to her small town of Elk Grove, they develop a relationship between supporting each other and having nice moments. Pancakes. a little red car, coffee. These are visuals that this book impresses on me. A cosy romance.
The dialogue is amazing. Bantering is top tier. And just their confession to each other is SWOON worthy. I take back what I said about the last book being my favorite. This just top it!
Thank you Berekely for this eARC for an honest review
Thank you so much to Julie Olivia and Berkley for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this novel!
Julie Olivia has a way of creating novels that are so nostalgic and heart-warming. (Man, does she always having me crying with those epilogues). The characters that she creates. The deep connections and shared bonds. She has a way of making the minor characters stand out just as much as our FMC and MMC.
“Love Felt Like This” has all of the best tropes. Griffin is a broody, single-dad, rockstar who is struggling to find inspiration for his new album. Beverly is a KIND (and nice 😉) puppeteer who wants to revive the children’s television program started by her grandfather. When fate brings these two together, inspiration takes hold, but where will it lead?
This novel gave the same vibes as “Wild Eyes” by Elsie Silver but with more whimsy and fun (thanks to our incredible FMC). The humor, the bonds between characters, the ENDING!!!!! Beverly may just be one of my favorite FMC's ever. Everyone experiences self-doubt, but it is what we do with it that makes the difference.
I love the little internet interludes!!! It reminds me so much of the heartstrings interludes that I love so much.
If you loved “If It Makes You Happy” if you love nostalgic stories that remind you of how much love can overcome, you can get “Love Felt Like This” on September 8!
Oh, how I missed reading a book by Julie Olivia. She’s the queen of all things cozy and this book was no exception.
First of all, I’m a sucker for the single dad trope. But then you give me a single dad like Griffin, who’s not only the most wholesome rockstar I’ve ever read about, but would literally do anything for his daughter…yeah, he’s perfect. The bond between the two of them is so precious. The late-night cries, the early pancake mornings, and the sweet songs he composes so she can learn her ABCs. Gooosh, my heart.
And then we have Beverly, who’s literally a ray of sunshine, a rainbow across the sky, a field full of flowers and glitter and all things colorful (I just know miss gurl has Zara Larsson’s latest album on repeat hahaha). Not only is she a boss babe, but a fashion icon. I want her entire wardrobe. She’s trying to fight to keep her grandpa’s dream alive, while also honoring her own, and it’s so beautiful to read how she just goes for it.
Griffin and Beverly’s relationship felt so wholesome. I love them so much!! Supporting each other’s dreams no matter what.
If you loved If It Makes You Happy, you’re going to adoreeee this one. This book felt like that peaceful feeling only a Sunday morning can give you.
This was such a breath of fresh air!! Finally a fun, gentle, creative, out-of-the-ordinary story! A rockstar and a puppateer?! I had no idea what to expect, but this met my expectations for sure. Was it cheesier than If It Makes You Happy? At times.. but it all fit the story so well!!
Julie Olivia knows how to write chemistry!! The characters felt so genuine in their conneciton and not at all forced. You can tell the author KNEW her characters when writing. Also the band of side characters were so lovely.. I usually don't need the "found family" trope, but this one really played in so well to the story.
Love Felt Like This had such a beautiful message, too. About finding oneself, and chasing your dreams regardless of the outcome. It showed that you CAN have everything you want if you want it enough... Life sucks without those you love- Make your dreams reality without sacrificing your happiness!!
UGH, I loved this book. Another great story from Julie Olivia!
Tropes: Rockstar Single Dad Puppateer Grumpy x Sunshine Found Family Small Town Celebrity in hiding
Thank you so much to the author, Julie Olvia, her team and Berkley for the eARC copy of this book.
I absolutely loved this book! I love a good fake dating mixed with a slow burn 🔥 yes please!
The FMC is Beverly a puppeteer trying to get her grandfathers show, Birds on the Block back on air. The MMC is Griffin a grumpy rockstar. Griffin is helping her write the music for the show and their relationship grows, while they are working together in her small mountain hometown.
I really enjoyed their relationship and how it went from strangers, to friends, to lovers. Griffin is a perfect MMC- protective, supportive, soft for her and did I mention good looking 😍
I got all the cozy vibes reading this book and I wanted to jumped into the pages and visit Elk Grove. I had such great banter, had me laughing and kicking my feet. Julie really has a way at making her books have a nostalgic feel to them, which I absolutely love.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves: ▪️grumpy + sunshine ▪️fake dating ▪️single dad ▪️found family ▪️small town romance ▪️slow burn
Thank you to Berkeley& Julie Olivia for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
MY LOVES. I beta read this at the end of last year and haven’t stopped thinking about it. Re-reading it was like steeping in a warm bath or a great hug from a best friend. It was both a comfort and somehow even better than I remembered. Julie has such a talent for creating characters and worlds that feel lived in and real – their family and friends begin to feel like your own loved ones – and this book is no exception. Every side character add another layer to such a rich story. I loved seeing Beverley’s confidence in herself and who she is grow and that Griffin loves her for exactly who she is. I loved the relationship they both have with Ava and that her happiness is always the most important to both of them. They both have such fulfilling careers and I loved seeing neither of them sacrifice that, just work their lives around that. I will be continuing to talk to anyone who will listen about this book right up until it releases and beyond. The book Julie was made to write and it is MAGIC.
As someone who has read and loved everything that Julie has ever written, I feel confident in saying that this is her best book yet! The FMC has such a unique job, puppeteer for a kids show, and the MMC is a rock star. She is sunshiney and dresses like she's straight from the 70s. He is known for being grumpy in interviews and keeping to himself outside of his music. Did I mention he's a single dad to the sweetest 2 year old! A good amount of time is spent in Beverley's small home town, full of cozy vibes and sweet moments. The supporting characters are all fantastic, and the epilogue set me off sobbing (if you've seen any of me other reviews you'll know by now that the epilogues always get me)
If you haven't read anything by Julie before you are missing out, and this is a fantastic place to start
I didn’t just like Love Felt Like This. I swooned, kicked my feet, smiled at my phone like a fool, and then immediately wanted to talk about it with everyone. Julie Olivia absolutely nailed the feeling-forward romance here. This book is soft and tender in all the right places, but still grounded and real. The kind of romance that sneaks up on you quietly and then suddenly you’re all in, rooting hard, heart fully engaged. The characters felt human. Messy, thoughtful, guarded, hopeful. Their connection built in a way that felt earned, not rushed or overdone. I loved watching the trust grow, the walls come down, and the subtle moments pile up until the feelings were impossible to ignore. This is very much a “it’s the little things” kind of love story, and that made it hit even harder. The writing itself is warm and easy to sink into. Emotional without being heavy, romantic without being cheesy, and full of moments that make your chest ache in the best way. I found myself slowing down just to savor certain scenes because they felt so genuine. If you love romances that focus on emotional intimacy, vulnerability, and the quiet realization that love can be safe and steady and still make your heart race, this one is for you. This book reminded me why I love contemporary romance in the first place. Cozy, heartfelt, and deeply satisfying. I’m absolutely reading more from Julie Olivia.