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Tell Me Something Real
Sometimes the bravest thing you can ask for is the truth.
Five years ago, Hannah James ran from her wedding, straight into the arms of a man on a motorcycle. After one unforgettable night, all she left behind was a thank you note and her wedding dress.
Now Hannah’s world is measured in borrowed time as she prepares to lose her mother to cancer. Grief has taught her how to survive, but hope is the anchor she’s lost hold of.
Rowan Shaw hasn’t set foot in Boulder in 5 years. A former Army Ranger, he’s back to settle his grandfather’s estate, carrying the familiar burden of being too late for the people he loves. Finding Hannah seems impossible. So does risking another goodbye…
But when a traumatic incident sets Rowan and Hannah on a collision course, what grows between them begins to feel like something they were always meant to find their way back to.
Because some people arrive when you need them most, and some people stay with you, even when they’re gone.
An adult contemporary romance in dual first person POV, Tell Me Something Real explores complex grief, trauma, and love so real it finds you, no matter what.
Click “Buy Now” to follow the invisible thread that links Hannah and Rowan together.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2026
44 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
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Review of advance copy received from Author
ʚɞ tell me something real by rachae stevens ⋆.˚
⋆.˚ 10/4/26 — 19/4/26
⊱ ۫ ׅ book no. 50 of 2026 ── .✦
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
𑣲 ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ɪᴍᴘʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ/ᴘʀᴇ-ʀᴇᴀᴅ:
omg can we talk about how DROP DEAD GORGEOUS THIS COVER IS?? 🥹🫶🏻 thank you so much to LoveNotes PR and the author for sending me the e-ARC hehe 💗 i’m 100% a tattooed biker lover so i’m ready to eat this UP!! 😋💕
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
╰› (⭐4.25)
❝ hope is an anchor. ❞
⋆.˚ ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
i genuinely did not expect to come out of this book SOBBING. i had to take several breaks to calm down because i was losing my mind.
this book is so beautiful. i will hold this very close to my heart 🥹🫶🏻
i really loved the relationship between rowan and hannah, our protagonists. they had such a deep connection that was so poignant and palpable, not even a WHISPER of insta-love/lust. 💗
their bond was so beautiful, it literally transcended the cursed long distance relationship trope. omg. i love them 😭🙏
i’m so excited for walker and bridge’s book omg 🥹🤞 i can’t even begin to express how much i ADORED the sprinklings of these two side characters 😋
the AMOUNT of green flags that rowan has… oh my gosh hannah where are you FINDING him and how can i get one of him?? 😼
the way he was there for her for every single moment she needed him. oh my days. he was PRESENT. get you a man that will defend you in every situation like rowan did. 🙂↕️🤍
hannah’s grief was so strong that i genuinely felt my heart ache for her. i adored her as a character, and she was so compelling. her trauma and recovery hit me so close to home, it’s unreal. 🫶🏻
this author’s writing style is so gorgeous, i really fell in love with it. i’m so excited for her next book because i KNOW it will hit 🙏🙂↕️
・・・・・
⋆.˚ 10/4/26 — 19/4/26
⊱ ۫ ׅ book no. 50 of 2026 ── .✦
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
𑣲 ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ɪᴍᴘʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ/ᴘʀᴇ-ʀᴇᴀᴅ:
omg can we talk about how DROP DEAD GORGEOUS THIS COVER IS?? 🥹🫶🏻 thank you so much to LoveNotes PR and the author for sending me the e-ARC hehe 💗 i’m 100% a tattooed biker lover so i’m ready to eat this UP!! 😋💕
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
╰› (⭐4.25)
❝ hope is an anchor. ❞
⋆.˚ ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
i genuinely did not expect to come out of this book SOBBING. i had to take several breaks to calm down because i was losing my mind.
this book is so beautiful. i will hold this very close to my heart 🥹🫶🏻
i really loved the relationship between rowan and hannah, our protagonists. they had such a deep connection that was so poignant and palpable, not even a WHISPER of insta-love/lust. 💗
their bond was so beautiful, it literally transcended the cursed long distance relationship trope. omg. i love them 😭🙏
i’m so excited for walker and bridge’s book omg 🥹🤞 i can’t even begin to express how much i ADORED the sprinklings of these two side characters 😋
the AMOUNT of green flags that rowan has… oh my gosh hannah where are you FINDING him and how can i get one of him?? 😼
the way he was there for her for every single moment she needed him. oh my days. he was PRESENT. get you a man that will defend you in every situation like rowan did. 🙂↕️🤍
hannah’s grief was so strong that i genuinely felt my heart ache for her. i adored her as a character, and she was so compelling. her trauma and recovery hit me so close to home, it’s unreal. 🫶🏻
this author’s writing style is so gorgeous, i really fell in love with it. i’m so excited for her next book because i KNOW it will hit 🙏🙂↕️
・・・・・
April 22, 2026
5 stars, no, wait, infinity stars, obviously.
This book was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way, and to the very last page.
Longer review to come when I’m not extremely sleep deprived
✨✨✨✨✨
It’s release day so I finally got around to writing something longer. It took me a full hour 💀 and ended up being very long, I hope at least one person reads it all xD
✨✨✨✨✨
It’s my 10th attempt at writing proper review but I just can’t come up with anything other than what I wrote above.
I wouldn’t say I’m a huge fan of strangers to lovers trope but Rachae managed to write Hannah and Rowan in a way that you just feel from the beginning how destined they are to be together.
Their story is a hundred years in a making (obv not a hundred, but you know what I mean).
Rowan saves Hannah-the runaway bride on her wedding day and they share one magical (no, not like that) night together and then part ways. They part ways and don’t see each other for years and when they do, they still can’t be together long term (their reasons ACTUALLY make sense, that’s so uncommon!!) but they go for sharing some magical moments again just for a couple weeks.
All the damn time the invisible string is going so hard on them!!! Oh it was delicious!
The story is beautifully written, it’s soft and tender, but also emotional and can be quite heavy on grief. There is A LOT of different types of grief rep. There is also one traumatic experience on page that results in trauma healing being big part of the plot.
While this book totally is an emotional rollercoaster, it also has a lot of funny moments or more like funny lines, too!
Omg their banter! It’s not banter-banter but more like flirty banter. I don’t know, I just simply loved their dynamics and it was a type of banter and chemistry that is not in every other romance book. It was fun to read and felt unique and natural for Hannah and Rowan, not forced at all or anything like that.
Rowan is the greenest of flags. He and Hannah were just so beautifully and fun (yes, fun, even with all the grief and trauma) to witness.
The content warnings are at the end but I suggest not skipping them. I think there is one heavy/traumatic enough that for most readers it’s better if you’re aware of it beforehand.
This is open door romance but the spice is an addition, not the main focus and there is a spice guide at the end, so closed door readers still can very much read and enjoy this book.
Tropes:
💍 Runaway Bride
👀 Right Person Wrong Time
💞 Invisible String
🥰 Strangers to Lovers
🤭 Ex-Military German Shepherd MMC x PR Exec Boss Babe FMC
Microtropes (not part of official marketing, these are things I wrote down myself)
-he calls her “baby” 🫠🫠🫠
-they do have nicknames for each other but the nicknames MAKE SENSE and their placement is very fitting
-no daddy kink
-he comes in his pants (twice!)
-*im not writing this one cause it’s spoiler but it’s jus a note for myself that there is one of my fav microtropes (they haven’t had sex with someone else)*
-death humor
-he calls her baby (yes, I know I already mentioned)
-he’s the GREENEST flag (yes, I know I already said it)
I made a lot of reading updates, some with quotes so feel free to check them out ;)
~~~
“How do you explain something that by any measure was entirely insignificant but wholly unforgettable all at once?”
“There’s only one way I’ve ever planned to kiss Hannah James and that’s with forever in mind.”
“A time capsule moment I want to remember for the rest of my life. Me, her, that earth-shattering smile, and the thumping heart in my chest at the sight of it.”
“I’m looking at you loud?”
“It’s the same way Mom does.”
“And what way is that?”
“Like you can see right through me.”
“We’re not over. I don’t know when or how, but I’m gonna find a way back here. To you.”
~~~
Couple more things I wanna say:
-I adored the mom! All characters are very well written and I liked them all but omg the mom
-BRI AND (not) CHUCK OMGOMGOMG I am already so feral for their book
“He looks at her like she hung the moon. She looks at him like he hung the Christmas lights wrong which only makes him go harder. And they’re both living for it.”
“Is he proposing? Begging for forgiveness? Performing Shakespeare? Who’s to say.” <- I already love this man, lol m. He and Bri gonna be AMAZING
This book was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way, and to the very last page.
Longer review to come when I’m not extremely sleep deprived
✨✨✨✨✨
It’s release day so I finally got around to writing something longer. It took me a full hour 💀 and ended up being very long, I hope at least one person reads it all xD
✨✨✨✨✨
It’s my 10th attempt at writing proper review but I just can’t come up with anything other than what I wrote above.
I wouldn’t say I’m a huge fan of strangers to lovers trope but Rachae managed to write Hannah and Rowan in a way that you just feel from the beginning how destined they are to be together.
Their story is a hundred years in a making (obv not a hundred, but you know what I mean).
Rowan saves Hannah-the runaway bride on her wedding day and they share one magical (no, not like that) night together and then part ways. They part ways and don’t see each other for years and when they do, they still can’t be together long term (their reasons ACTUALLY make sense, that’s so uncommon!!) but they go for sharing some magical moments again just for a couple weeks.
All the damn time the invisible string is going so hard on them!!! Oh it was delicious!
The story is beautifully written, it’s soft and tender, but also emotional and can be quite heavy on grief. There is A LOT of different types of grief rep. There is also one traumatic experience on page that results in trauma healing being big part of the plot.
While this book totally is an emotional rollercoaster, it also has a lot of funny moments or more like funny lines, too!
Omg their banter! It’s not banter-banter but more like flirty banter. I don’t know, I just simply loved their dynamics and it was a type of banter and chemistry that is not in every other romance book. It was fun to read and felt unique and natural for Hannah and Rowan, not forced at all or anything like that.
Rowan is the greenest of flags. He and Hannah were just so beautifully and fun (yes, fun, even with all the grief and trauma) to witness.
The content warnings are at the end but I suggest not skipping them. I think there is one heavy/traumatic enough that for most readers it’s better if you’re aware of it beforehand.
This is open door romance but the spice is an addition, not the main focus and there is a spice guide at the end, so closed door readers still can very much read and enjoy this book.
Tropes:
💍 Runaway Bride
👀 Right Person Wrong Time
💞 Invisible String
🥰 Strangers to Lovers
🤭 Ex-Military German Shepherd MMC x PR Exec Boss Babe FMC
Microtropes (not part of official marketing, these are things I wrote down myself)
-he calls her “baby” 🫠🫠🫠
-they do have nicknames for each other but the nicknames MAKE SENSE and their placement is very fitting
-no daddy kink
-he comes in his pants (twice!)
-*im not writing this one cause it’s spoiler but it’s jus a note for myself that there is one of my fav microtropes (they haven’t had sex with someone else)*
-death humor
-he calls her baby (yes, I know I already mentioned)
-he’s the GREENEST flag (yes, I know I already said it)
I made a lot of reading updates, some with quotes so feel free to check them out ;)
~~~
“How do you explain something that by any measure was entirely insignificant but wholly unforgettable all at once?”
“There’s only one way I’ve ever planned to kiss Hannah James and that’s with forever in mind.”
“A time capsule moment I want to remember for the rest of my life. Me, her, that earth-shattering smile, and the thumping heart in my chest at the sight of it.”
“I’m looking at you loud?”
“It’s the same way Mom does.”
“And what way is that?”
“Like you can see right through me.”
“We’re not over. I don’t know when or how, but I’m gonna find a way back here. To you.”
~~~
Couple more things I wanna say:
-I adored the mom! All characters are very well written and I liked them all but omg the mom
-BRI AND (not) CHUCK OMGOMGOMG I am already so feral for their book
“He looks at her like she hung the moon. She looks at him like he hung the Christmas lights wrong which only makes him go harder. And they’re both living for it.”
“Is he proposing? Begging for forgiveness? Performing Shakespeare? Who’s to say.” <- I already love this man, lol m. He and Bri gonna be AMAZING
April 20, 2026
“Tell me something real, runaway.”
“I think about that night all the time.”
Oh my heart.. this was a EMOTIONAL ride.
My thoughts
Rowan and Hannah… literally one of my top favorite couples ever.
The chemistry they had together was simply beautiful.
Rowan was the sweetest most understanding and giving man I have ever read about. Honestly, the way he protected Hannah was a beautiful thing to watch unfold through the years. The pure reassurance he gave her on a daily basis? Perfect. Literally perfect.
He was her calm, and I loved every single second of it. ❤️
Hannah was so head strong, resilient and undoubtedly herself. I could relate with her so much. (Besides having a hot Ducati riding military boyfriend) 😂 she got me beat there 🙄
I laughed, I cried (both ugly tears and good tears) I grieved, and I healed.
I love being able to connect with the characters and Rachae Steven’s definitely created characters that I could vibe with.
I didn’t want the story to end. I can’t wait for the next book.
If you are looking for something emotional, beautiful and inspiring on all levels, I would recommend picking up Tell Me Something.
“Hope is an anchor for the soul.”
“You are not broken. And you are not a mess”
Thank you lovenotesPR and Rachae Stevens for the chance to read and review Tell Me Something Real.
5/5⭐️
“I think about that night all the time.”
Oh my heart.. this was a EMOTIONAL ride.
My thoughts
Rowan and Hannah… literally one of my top favorite couples ever.
The chemistry they had together was simply beautiful.
Rowan was the sweetest most understanding and giving man I have ever read about. Honestly, the way he protected Hannah was a beautiful thing to watch unfold through the years. The pure reassurance he gave her on a daily basis? Perfect. Literally perfect.
He was her calm, and I loved every single second of it. ❤️
Hannah was so head strong, resilient and undoubtedly herself. I could relate with her so much. (Besides having a hot Ducati riding military boyfriend) 😂 she got me beat there 🙄
I laughed, I cried (both ugly tears and good tears) I grieved, and I healed.
I love being able to connect with the characters and Rachae Steven’s definitely created characters that I could vibe with.
I didn’t want the story to end. I can’t wait for the next book.
If you are looking for something emotional, beautiful and inspiring on all levels, I would recommend picking up Tell Me Something.
“Hope is an anchor for the soul.”
“You are not broken. And you are not a mess”
Thank you lovenotesPR and Rachae Stevens for the chance to read and review Tell Me Something Real.
5/5⭐️
April 23, 2026
Is 5 stars enough? No. I’m quite literally at a loss for words for this one. This one had me in tears, giggling, swooning and wanting a Ducati Batman for myself. But, here we go, words are hard, but we’ll try and write a review.
I had the pleasure of ARC reading Rachae’s debut, Forever Then last year. So when she started teasing us a new book, it’s safe to say I’ve been obsessed with Hannah and Rowan from the moment of those teasers without even knowing a thing about the book. We knew no names, no tropes.. and I was all for it already. & boy it was worth the wait! All those teasers kicking into place and making sense was so much fun!
This one was utter perfection. Heartbreaking, but beautiful in all the ways. Hannah and Rowan were just meant to be from the first run in when she hopped on his bike! One night, then another run in 5 years later. That invisible string pulling hard! This time, neither of them were about to let that slip away a second time. All the little things all along that led to these two.
I loved being able to see the night they shared together 5 years ago. Rowan, what a man! Our girl Hannah goes through it and he’s there every step of the way. Patient. Kind. Then our girl Hannah is strong. Fierce. These two are grieving in both different ways. But they love so hard for those around them. The side characters.. their moms. The golden boys. His boys. Also I need Dubs and Bri asap! Please and thank you.
I honestly could go on and on about this book, but I suck with words and this is a jumbled hot mess. So please do yourself a favor and go read it for yourself.
I love you Rachae! Thanks for letting my crazy chaotic self always be in your DMs. I’m so proud of you for Rowan and Hannah! Thank you for this ARC!
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
•runaway bride
•right person, wrong time
•strangers to lovers
•invisible string
•trauma healing
•ex military german shepard mmc
•pr ex boss babe fmc
•grief rep
I had the pleasure of ARC reading Rachae’s debut, Forever Then last year. So when she started teasing us a new book, it’s safe to say I’ve been obsessed with Hannah and Rowan from the moment of those teasers without even knowing a thing about the book. We knew no names, no tropes.. and I was all for it already. & boy it was worth the wait! All those teasers kicking into place and making sense was so much fun!
This one was utter perfection. Heartbreaking, but beautiful in all the ways. Hannah and Rowan were just meant to be from the first run in when she hopped on his bike! One night, then another run in 5 years later. That invisible string pulling hard! This time, neither of them were about to let that slip away a second time. All the little things all along that led to these two.
I loved being able to see the night they shared together 5 years ago. Rowan, what a man! Our girl Hannah goes through it and he’s there every step of the way. Patient. Kind. Then our girl Hannah is strong. Fierce. These two are grieving in both different ways. But they love so hard for those around them. The side characters.. their moms. The golden boys. His boys. Also I need Dubs and Bri asap! Please and thank you.
I honestly could go on and on about this book, but I suck with words and this is a jumbled hot mess. So please do yourself a favor and go read it for yourself.
I love you Rachae! Thanks for letting my crazy chaotic self always be in your DMs. I’m so proud of you for Rowan and Hannah! Thank you for this ARC!
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
•runaway bride
•right person, wrong time
•strangers to lovers
•invisible string
•trauma healing
•ex military german shepard mmc
•pr ex boss babe fmc
•grief rep
April 22, 2026
✨ARC REVIEW✨ 5⭐️ I don’t know if I have the words to explain how good this book was…because it was incredible!! A chance meeting throws Hannah and Rowan together on the day she runs out on her wedding. He’s her getaway driver and little did they know that one day together is the start of a crazy adventure. Years later fate throws them in the same path again and this time they aren’t letting go so easily. Rowan is back in Colorado to settle his grandfathers estate but can’t stay forever. He has to get back and help take care of his mother who was left very hurt after an accident. Meanwhile Hannah only has so much time left with her mom who’s battling cancer yet again. After their second chance meeting they aren’t willing to give up on what could be a once in a lifetime love but what happens when their path splits into two different directions?
I don’t know how else to describe this book other than to say it was heartbreakingly beautiful!! It was so unlike anything I’ve ever read before and I absolutely loved it!! Rowan and Hannah were always meant to end up together and the way their lives intertwined throughout the years was so special. I loved uncover the little pieces from those first night together throughout the story too. I have to say I also cannot wait for book two because Walker and Bridget were such a fun time!! This book is filled with so many wonderful side characters that I loved and brought such a fun element to the story! As Rachae said to me…Rowan is a walking green flag…and oh my goodness he is. The way he takes care of Hannah and how gentle and patient he is after everything she’s gone through is truly so beautiful!! I could go on and on about this book but I think you just need to read it for yourself to truly experience the beauty of it all!!
Tropes:
✨Runaway Bride
✨Right Person, Wrong Time
✨Invisible String
✨Military MMC
✨Trauma/Healing
I don’t know how else to describe this book other than to say it was heartbreakingly beautiful!! It was so unlike anything I’ve ever read before and I absolutely loved it!! Rowan and Hannah were always meant to end up together and the way their lives intertwined throughout the years was so special. I loved uncover the little pieces from those first night together throughout the story too. I have to say I also cannot wait for book two because Walker and Bridget were such a fun time!! This book is filled with so many wonderful side characters that I loved and brought such a fun element to the story! As Rachae said to me…Rowan is a walking green flag…and oh my goodness he is. The way he takes care of Hannah and how gentle and patient he is after everything she’s gone through is truly so beautiful!! I could go on and on about this book but I think you just need to read it for yourself to truly experience the beauty of it all!!
Tropes:
✨Runaway Bride
✨Right Person, Wrong Time
✨Invisible String
✨Military MMC
✨Trauma/Healing
April 25, 2026
Tell Me Something Real by Rachae Stevens
⭐️Rating: 6/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book truly took my breath away. I was hooked from the very first paragraph! What started off with a runaway bride and a hottie with a Ducati became something so much deeper and meaningful🥹This book has it all, love, friendship, grief, heartache, trauma, happiness….
I wasn’t ever a fan of a dual timeline, but oh man, Rachae, you did it, and you did it WELL!! 👏🏼 I ate it up everytime we went back to 5 years ago! Thank you for making me fall in love with a dual timeline! The invisible string micro-trope was executed so well! 💯 It truly melted my heart how everything tied together 😭🥹
Hannah is truly such a fierce FMC who’s truly got a heart of gold💛 Rowan is our sweet & tender MMC who’s got so much love to give.
This book touched a soft spot for me. Hannah (our FMC) throughout the book is actively loosing her mom to cancer. Hannah’s expressions and feelings are something I was never able to form into words when I was loosing my mom to Parkinson’s. Like Hannah’s mom, my mom was also on hospice.I felt like I was reliving my own experience over again, however, this time, I felt like Hannah was silently holding my hand through it all. I know that’s probably weird to say because she’s a character in a book, but isn’t that what books are supposed to do? Make us feel something, make us feel seen and that we are not alone?🥹
Rachae Steven’s did an incredible job writing such a beautiful, meaningful book and I will forever cherish this one. Hannah and Rowan have landed a permanent space in my heart. 🫶🏼
I truly cannot wait for book 2! 🥹🥰
Tropes:
💍 Runaway Bride
👀 Right Person Wrong Time
💞 Invisible String
🥰 Strangers to Lovers
🤭 Ex-Military German Shepherd MMC x PR Exec Boss Babe FMC
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Rachae Stevens for the EARC!
⭐️Rating: 6/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book truly took my breath away. I was hooked from the very first paragraph! What started off with a runaway bride and a hottie with a Ducati became something so much deeper and meaningful🥹This book has it all, love, friendship, grief, heartache, trauma, happiness….
I wasn’t ever a fan of a dual timeline, but oh man, Rachae, you did it, and you did it WELL!! 👏🏼 I ate it up everytime we went back to 5 years ago! Thank you for making me fall in love with a dual timeline! The invisible string micro-trope was executed so well! 💯 It truly melted my heart how everything tied together 😭🥹
Hannah is truly such a fierce FMC who’s truly got a heart of gold💛 Rowan is our sweet & tender MMC who’s got so much love to give.
This book touched a soft spot for me. Hannah (our FMC) throughout the book is actively loosing her mom to cancer. Hannah’s expressions and feelings are something I was never able to form into words when I was loosing my mom to Parkinson’s. Like Hannah’s mom, my mom was also on hospice.I felt like I was reliving my own experience over again, however, this time, I felt like Hannah was silently holding my hand through it all. I know that’s probably weird to say because she’s a character in a book, but isn’t that what books are supposed to do? Make us feel something, make us feel seen and that we are not alone?🥹
Rachae Steven’s did an incredible job writing such a beautiful, meaningful book and I will forever cherish this one. Hannah and Rowan have landed a permanent space in my heart. 🫶🏼
I truly cannot wait for book 2! 🥹🥰
Tropes:
💍 Runaway Bride
👀 Right Person Wrong Time
💞 Invisible String
🥰 Strangers to Lovers
🤭 Ex-Military German Shepherd MMC x PR Exec Boss Babe FMC
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Rachae Stevens for the EARC!
April 27, 2026
ARC Review: 3.5 stars✨
I the initial meet-cute, if you can even call it that, since the FMC is literally running away from her own wedding. It’s chaotic in the best way.
The story unfolds across two timelines: the day they first meet, when a runaway bride collides with a motorcycle-riding stranger who helps her escape and they spend an unexpected 12 hours together, and then five years later, when they cross paths again. I really enjoyed that structure and the second-chance storyline.
There’s also a lot of emotional depth here. The characters carry real trauma, grief, and loss, which adds weight to their journey. At the same time, the banter is cute, funny, and sarcastic. I found myself giggling a few times.
And that cover ❤️🔥 I’m such a sucker for a beautiful book cover, and this one is absolutely stunning. Definitely a favorite for me.
What didn’t quite work for me: I had a bit of trouble feeling fully pulled into the story. Even though the characters have strong backstories and clear chemistry, I didn’t find myself as emotionally invested as I’d hoped to be.
If you’re a fan of second chances and serendipity vibes, check this one out. Perfect for a cottage weekend read.
I the initial meet-cute, if you can even call it that, since the FMC is literally running away from her own wedding. It’s chaotic in the best way.
The story unfolds across two timelines: the day they first meet, when a runaway bride collides with a motorcycle-riding stranger who helps her escape and they spend an unexpected 12 hours together, and then five years later, when they cross paths again. I really enjoyed that structure and the second-chance storyline.
There’s also a lot of emotional depth here. The characters carry real trauma, grief, and loss, which adds weight to their journey. At the same time, the banter is cute, funny, and sarcastic. I found myself giggling a few times.
And that cover ❤️🔥 I’m such a sucker for a beautiful book cover, and this one is absolutely stunning. Definitely a favorite for me.
What didn’t quite work for me: I had a bit of trouble feeling fully pulled into the story. Even though the characters have strong backstories and clear chemistry, I didn’t find myself as emotionally invested as I’d hoped to be.
If you’re a fan of second chances and serendipity vibes, check this one out. Perfect for a cottage weekend read.
April 20, 2026
I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader for this book, here’s my unfiltered honest review…
12:24am, I laid in bed reading the last 30% of this book until early in the am completely losing track of time.
When I say I SOBBED for probably the final 20% of the book, sadly I’m not exaggerating. I genuinely sobbed.
I’ll struggle to put this into words, but the depth of love and beauty this book holds is incredible. Rachae has written the most beautifully intricate love story, with so many precious little additions, it had my heart in a chokehold.
Big topics are addressed, there are devastating lows, but through it all there is deep love and connection.
Wow. What a story.
12:24am, I laid in bed reading the last 30% of this book until early in the am completely losing track of time.
When I say I SOBBED for probably the final 20% of the book, sadly I’m not exaggerating. I genuinely sobbed.
I’ll struggle to put this into words, but the depth of love and beauty this book holds is incredible. Rachae has written the most beautifully intricate love story, with so many precious little additions, it had my heart in a chokehold.
Big topics are addressed, there are devastating lows, but through it all there is deep love and connection.
Wow. What a story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2026
Tell Me Something Real ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
It’s interesting reading a book your friend wrote- going in you’re so excited and eager to support their book baby, but you really don’t know what to expect. But now with her second book release, I can confidently say that Rachae was MADE for this and every hope and expectation I had for her stories have been completely blown out of the water!
Forever Then was my favorite debut that I read last year and if you’re like me and wondered how she could possibly outdo herself, spoiler alert: she did 🤩 Tell Me Something Real starts with Hannah running out on her wedding and right onto the back of a stranger’s (Rowan’s) motorcycle. Not wanting to return to the mess of her broken engagement, Hannah spends the day adventuring around Boulder with Rowan before he has to leave town. Although the two are strangers and they both would be returning to their own lives, thousands of miles apart, their night together was life-altering. Now, 5 years later, Rowan is back in Boulder settling up his grandpas things after he passed, and hoping he’ll run into the runaway brides he’s never been able to forget.
Tell Me Something Real was unlike any story I’ve read before. The plot is so unique and charming, but underneath the sweet romance are characters with such rawness and relatability that it’s impossible not to adore them. This book is the invisible string theory to its core and seeing just how much Hannah and Rowan were written in the stars for each other was incredibly sweet 🥹 I was laughing, I was sobbing, I am so flipping excited for book 2!
@rachae.stevens.author, I’m so proud of you, I could burst! Congratulations on another amazing story, friend 🫶🏼
👰🏼 second chance
🏍️ the best meet cute
👰🏼 invisible string
🏍️ now and then timelines
👰🏼 dual pov
🏍️ available on KU
#arcreader #romancebook #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #kindleunlimitedromance
It’s interesting reading a book your friend wrote- going in you’re so excited and eager to support their book baby, but you really don’t know what to expect. But now with her second book release, I can confidently say that Rachae was MADE for this and every hope and expectation I had for her stories have been completely blown out of the water!
Forever Then was my favorite debut that I read last year and if you’re like me and wondered how she could possibly outdo herself, spoiler alert: she did 🤩 Tell Me Something Real starts with Hannah running out on her wedding and right onto the back of a stranger’s (Rowan’s) motorcycle. Not wanting to return to the mess of her broken engagement, Hannah spends the day adventuring around Boulder with Rowan before he has to leave town. Although the two are strangers and they both would be returning to their own lives, thousands of miles apart, their night together was life-altering. Now, 5 years later, Rowan is back in Boulder settling up his grandpas things after he passed, and hoping he’ll run into the runaway brides he’s never been able to forget.
Tell Me Something Real was unlike any story I’ve read before. The plot is so unique and charming, but underneath the sweet romance are characters with such rawness and relatability that it’s impossible not to adore them. This book is the invisible string theory to its core and seeing just how much Hannah and Rowan were written in the stars for each other was incredibly sweet 🥹 I was laughing, I was sobbing, I am so flipping excited for book 2!
@rachae.stevens.author, I’m so proud of you, I could burst! Congratulations on another amazing story, friend 🫶🏼
👰🏼 second chance
🏍️ the best meet cute
👰🏼 invisible string
🏍️ now and then timelines
👰🏼 dual pov
🏍️ available on KU
#arcreader #romancebook #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #kindleunlimitedromance
April 22, 2026
This has been such an emotional reading experience. I laughed,I grinned like an idiot at the smartass banter and flirtatious talk between Rowan and Hannah. I felt like I was part of the story with how well written this book was. It deals with heavy themes that I was not expecting to relate to but I guess that is the beauty of reading it helps us be more empathetic and understanding of other’s life journeys. If you are looking for a story that is going to grip you with a deeper meaning and is also quite charismatic in the sense of the characters being transported from just words to phrases that make you blush! (Hope that made sense) Hannah and Rowan’s romance is not the front focus of the story but still plays an incredible role to the overall plot of this beautiful story. The side characters contribute so much to the main characters development and their transcending love. All of that said I will definitely be re reading this book many times and am sure it will be something I gravitate towards many,many years from now.
Thank you to LovenotesPR and Rachae Steven’s for the ARC of this book!
All opinions are my own and not biased in any form regardless of getting a digital arc.
Thank you to LovenotesPR and Rachae Steven’s for the ARC of this book!
All opinions are my own and not biased in any form regardless of getting a digital arc.
April 22, 2026
The Runaway Series Book 1
Pub Date: April 22, 2026
Available on KU
✨Opening line…
“If I had a dollar for every time a beautiful stranger in a wedding gown and four-inch heels sprinted toward me on a sidewalk, I’d have exactly…one dollar.”
I was not expecting this book to be so emotional. This was beautifully written and covered some very heavy topics. (Check content warnings.)
I loved the mmc’s and especially loved their meet cute(s). I loved the back and forth timelines, from when they first met to the currently timeline. They had amazing chemistry, and some great texts. Rowan was the definition of a green flag and I absolutely loved him. There was a lot of trauma happening with the mmc’s and their family members, that at times while feeling real, felt like it took priority over the romance storyline.
The invisible string theory of these two characters coming together was wonderful. I’m excited to see where this series goes next.
✨Tropes:
Dual POV
Right person / wrong time
Invisible String
Consent King
Trauma Healing
Grief rep
*Check CW’s
Thank you Rachae Stevens and LoveNotesPR for this ARC.
Pub Date: April 22, 2026
Available on KU
✨Opening line…
“If I had a dollar for every time a beautiful stranger in a wedding gown and four-inch heels sprinted toward me on a sidewalk, I’d have exactly…one dollar.”
I was not expecting this book to be so emotional. This was beautifully written and covered some very heavy topics. (Check content warnings.)
I loved the mmc’s and especially loved their meet cute(s). I loved the back and forth timelines, from when they first met to the currently timeline. They had amazing chemistry, and some great texts. Rowan was the definition of a green flag and I absolutely loved him. There was a lot of trauma happening with the mmc’s and their family members, that at times while feeling real, felt like it took priority over the romance storyline.
The invisible string theory of these two characters coming together was wonderful. I’m excited to see where this series goes next.
✨Tropes:
Dual POV
Right person / wrong time
Invisible String
Consent King
Trauma Healing
Grief rep
*Check CW’s
Thank you Rachae Stevens and LoveNotesPR for this ARC.
April 29, 2026
rating: 4.5 rounded up to 5💫
i’m still mind blown that one of my friends wrote a book! 😭 & an AMAZING one at that. rachae’s writing has truly become one of my favorites. i wanted to pull out my annotating supplies multiple times while reading. from the first few chapters, i was hooked & also cried 🫠 i loved the past & present timelines & how it didn’t disrupt the storyline at all. the past timelines were perfectly placed & i loved getting glimpses into the night Rowan & Hannah spent together. the scene at the bar 😭🫠🥺 omggg that scene has altered my brain chemistry! it was SO DAMN CUTE 🥹 rowan rowan rowan.. the MAN that you are. i love him so much! the way he cares for everyone & feels the need to carry everyone’s burden broke me. & hannah! my beautiful lover girl 😍 her relationship with her mom reminded me so much of my relationship with my mom. there were so many moments between them that healed me & broke me at the same time. iykyk. truly such an amazing, heartbreaking, healing book that i can’t recommend enough! rowan & hannah have my heart forever 🥹❤️
i’m still mind blown that one of my friends wrote a book! 😭 & an AMAZING one at that. rachae’s writing has truly become one of my favorites. i wanted to pull out my annotating supplies multiple times while reading. from the first few chapters, i was hooked & also cried 🫠 i loved the past & present timelines & how it didn’t disrupt the storyline at all. the past timelines were perfectly placed & i loved getting glimpses into the night Rowan & Hannah spent together. the scene at the bar 😭🫠🥺 omggg that scene has altered my brain chemistry! it was SO DAMN CUTE 🥹 rowan rowan rowan.. the MAN that you are. i love him so much! the way he cares for everyone & feels the need to carry everyone’s burden broke me. & hannah! my beautiful lover girl 😍 her relationship with her mom reminded me so much of my relationship with my mom. there were so many moments between them that healed me & broke me at the same time. iykyk. truly such an amazing, heartbreaking, healing book that i can’t recommend enough! rowan & hannah have my heart forever 🥹❤️
April 24, 2026
I don't know what Rachae puts in her books but whatever it is makes my eyes wet and that doesn't usually happen. Rachae is an amazing storyteller and truly weaves every aspect of her characters together. Every single piece of information you read is vital to the story and understanding Hannah and Rowan (as well as every side character). I had the pleasure of both beta and arc reading this story and, even though I knew what was coming on my arc read, I still got hit with every feeling just the same as the first time I read it. I laughed, I cried, I raged, I got really, really sad, and yet, I was still smiling by the end. I love the stories Rachae weaves and how she brings her characters together. I can't wait to see how the invisible string of this universe brings the characters for book two together. I'll start buying tissues now.
April 28, 2026
EMOTIONAL. DAMAGE.
Rachae Stevens has done it again. This is easily one of my favorite reads of the year and very obviously gets an ♾️⭐️ rating.
Do you believe in fate? Hannah & Rowan’s story is the epitome of fate & a love that is truly meant to be. The way their stories ebb together to create the best found family was so beautiful that I found myself sobbing throughout the entire book not just at their storyline, but at all the side characters.
The character development for Hannah & Rowan individually and as a couple was so beautiful. The way Rowan was so patient to help Hannah navigate through a PTSD situation to find her voice & power truly made him the greenest green flag of all time. I’m so proud of Hannah for finding the light at the end of the tunnel and came out stronger than ever.
Thank you Love Notes PR & Rachae Stevens for this ARC. This review and thoughts are mine alone.
April 21, 2026
The way emotion is written into this book is beautiful. Although the emotions cause you to ugly cry, I have so much respect for an author who can truly make you feel it while you are reading the story.
I have SO many quotes highlighted, I just felt so inspired in so many areas. Having Hope and truly understanding the meaning, Fate and understanding how you just can’t push it away.
There are some heavy topics so definitely read about those before reading but I promise you, she writes them so so well.
The story of Rowan and Hannah is truly beautiful. And I cannot wait for Bri and Walker’s story!
I have SO many quotes highlighted, I just felt so inspired in so many areas. Having Hope and truly understanding the meaning, Fate and understanding how you just can’t push it away.
There are some heavy topics so definitely read about those before reading but I promise you, she writes them so so well.
The story of Rowan and Hannah is truly beautiful. And I cannot wait for Bri and Walker’s story!
April 29, 2026
5/5 stars
Rowan and Hannah have my whole heart😭
Everything in this book felt extremely real. The love, the pain, the grief. I laughed and cried along with the characters so many times. You can expect to feel so much on the crazy ride that is this book.
From their first chance meeting all the way to the end, their chemistry is so real and it's obvious they are meant for each other.. even if life seems to always have other plans.
Thank you to Rachae and LoveNotesPR for an ARC copy of this book. This is my honest review.
Things you can expect:
runaway bride
right person, wrong time
ex military german shepard mmc
pr ex boss babe fmc
invisible string
trauma healing
strangers to lovers
grief rep
Rowan and Hannah have my whole heart😭
Everything in this book felt extremely real. The love, the pain, the grief. I laughed and cried along with the characters so many times. You can expect to feel so much on the crazy ride that is this book.
From their first chance meeting all the way to the end, their chemistry is so real and it's obvious they are meant for each other.. even if life seems to always have other plans.
Thank you to Rachae and LoveNotesPR for an ARC copy of this book. This is my honest review.
Things you can expect:
runaway bride
right person, wrong time
ex military german shepard mmc
pr ex boss babe fmc
invisible string
trauma healing
strangers to lovers
grief rep
April 28, 2026
Rowan and Hannah's story was so heartbreaking but so beautiful. The many ways that connected the two were fates way of the two seeing they belong together. The chemistry was good and it was well written.
February 27, 2026
Beta read- absolutely beautiful. Full RTC
April 30, 2026
✨ARC REVIEW✨
First 5 star read of 2026 and honestly, it’s probably more like infinity stars. This book was so good! The laugh out loud moments, the tiny tears that led to sobbing; it was all perfection. Hannah James is the definition of strength and Rowan Shaw is so top tier.
This gem is available now and you should do yourself a favor and read it! Rachae Steven’s, thank you for this story and these characters. Cannot wait for book 2 🤍
First 5 star read of 2026 and honestly, it’s probably more like infinity stars. This book was so good! The laugh out loud moments, the tiny tears that led to sobbing; it was all perfection. Hannah James is the definition of strength and Rowan Shaw is so top tier.
This gem is available now and you should do yourself a favor and read it! Rachae Steven’s, thank you for this story and these characters. Cannot wait for book 2 🤍
Read
April 30, 2026My heart ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Tell Me Something Real is Rachae Stevens second book and dare I say her best work yet. I was hooked from page 1, from the characters to the plot it was simply a masterpiece. Gosh … I’m almost at a loss for words over how much I loved it 🥰
Tell Me Something Real is heart wrenching and heartwarming all in one breath. The amount of times I cried is beyond comprehension, like I should seek therapy I think if fictional characters can do me in like that 😅 the humor and banter was A1 and had my audibly giggling time and time again. The understanding and care that each of the main characters showed for each other was so beautiful to see. The side characters were EVERYTHING, i mean the golden boys were just precious 😂
Also I can’t wait for book 2 .. like literally foaming at the mouth for it, I need it STAT 😂
Rowan is a girls dream, one of the best book boyfriend hands down. He was so sweet and so deeply understanding with Hannah. The love he showed for her was palpable, I felt it in every word and action aimed her way.
Hannah was hilarious and strong and capable even when she couldn’t see it. I grieved with her through this book, from beginning to end my heart was in shreds for her. I loved seeing her finally get the chance at love she so desperately deserved.
The invisible string theory in this book was my ultimate favorite micro-trope to date. It was executed flawlessly, simply no notes. I urge everyone to RUN and get this book as soon as you can, be it Kindle Unlimited or getting the physical copy (which I highly recommend, I mean that cover is just gorgeous😍) it’s a must read! ♾️ stars from me 🫶🏼
*Thank you so so much to Rachae for giving me a spot in her street team and letting me have the honor of getting an ARC of the read!*
Tell Me Something Real is Rachae Stevens second book and dare I say her best work yet. I was hooked from page 1, from the characters to the plot it was simply a masterpiece. Gosh … I’m almost at a loss for words over how much I loved it 🥰
Tell Me Something Real is heart wrenching and heartwarming all in one breath. The amount of times I cried is beyond comprehension, like I should seek therapy I think if fictional characters can do me in like that 😅 the humor and banter was A1 and had my audibly giggling time and time again. The understanding and care that each of the main characters showed for each other was so beautiful to see. The side characters were EVERYTHING, i mean the golden boys were just precious 😂
Also I can’t wait for book 2 .. like literally foaming at the mouth for it, I need it STAT 😂
Rowan is a girls dream, one of the best book boyfriend hands down. He was so sweet and so deeply understanding with Hannah. The love he showed for her was palpable, I felt it in every word and action aimed her way.
Hannah was hilarious and strong and capable even when she couldn’t see it. I grieved with her through this book, from beginning to end my heart was in shreds for her. I loved seeing her finally get the chance at love she so desperately deserved.
The invisible string theory in this book was my ultimate favorite micro-trope to date. It was executed flawlessly, simply no notes. I urge everyone to RUN and get this book as soon as you can, be it Kindle Unlimited or getting the physical copy (which I highly recommend, I mean that cover is just gorgeous😍) it’s a must read! ♾️ stars from me 🫶🏼
*Thank you so so much to Rachae for giving me a spot in her street team and letting me have the honor of getting an ARC of the read!*
Review of advance copy received from Author
To begin, I have never considered myself someone drawn to the romance genre. My preferences have always leaned toward fantasy, science fiction, thrillers, and mystery. I love stories where romance exists as a thread woven into something larger, often accompanied by tension, danger, and the occasional well-placed spice. Pure romance, however, was never something I gravitated toward. I did not think it would have the depth I was looking for… I was very wrong, and I am sorry for ever believing that.
Hannah James
From the very beginning, there is something steady about her. She is strong, yes, and stubborn in a way that feels earned, not performative. There is a quiet confidence in her that does not need to be announced because it simply exists. She does not need to be broken down to become powerful, because she already is. Even after everything she has been through, she continues forward with a resolve that feels grounded and unshakable. This stands in contrast to the common trope in romantasy, where the FMC often begins as weak or ordinary. Not hating, just stating.
Walking away from someone at the altar is not just bold. It is deeply personal. It is choosing yourself in a moment where it would be easier to stay, easier to shrink, easier to ignore that inner voice asking for more. Hannah listens to that voice. She honors it. That alone says everything about the kind of woman she is.
But her strength is not without weight. She carries what she has lived through with her, and there are moments when it catches up. Moments where the composure slips just enough for you to see the ache underneath. Those moments never make her feel smaller. If anything, they make her feel more real. There is something deeply powerful about a woman who can feel everything and still choose to keep going. Someone who can bend without breaking.
And then Rowan enters her world, causing a shift. Not in who she is, but in how she is held.
Rowan Shaw
On the surface, there is the obvious pull. The motorcycle. The quiet intensity. The kind of man who does not need to say much to be understood. But beneath that is something heavier. Something more human. He carries the weight of feeling like he has missed the moments that mattered most. Like he has never quite been where he was needed for the people he loves. That kind of guilt does not fade easily. It settles into you and shapes how you move through the world, and how you see your own worth.
Stepping away from the structure of military life, from that sense of purpose and belonging, is not something you simply adjust to. It is a loss in its own way. A quiet unraveling of identity. When that step is taken to be present for the people who need you most, it carries both sacrifice and disorientation. There is a cultural shift there that can feel isolating. It can feel like trying to find your place in a world that no longer moves the way you are used to. Rowan lives in that space. He does not have everything figured out. He is still searching, still trying to understand where he fits and whether he is enough. There is something deeply human in that kind of uncertainty.
Together
When Hannah and Rowan come together, it does not feel like completion. It feels like recognition. They do not fix each other. They do not take away each other’s burdens. Instead, they meet in those uncertain, quiet spaces where strength softens just enough to let someone else in.
Hannah has her moments, where everything she has carried begins to press in. Rowan meets her there with a steadiness that does not overpower, but grounds. He reminds her of who she already is.
And in return, Hannah gives Rowan something just as meaningful. She sees him, not for what he thinks he lacks, but for everything he already is. She gives him clarity. Direction. A reminder that he is not defined by the moments he believes he has fallen short.
There is a balance between them that feels natural. Something unspoken, but deeply felt. Like two people learning how to breathe a little easier in each other’s presence.
But beyond the characters, what truly stayed with me was the way the author approached loss. Loss is not clean. You cannot move through it in a straight line, and it does not come with clear answers. The questions that follow can feel louder than anything else:
Where do they go?
Are they still with us?
Is there something more beyond what we can see?
And where does God fit into all of that?
The author does not try to answer those questions. She does not force belief, and she does not dismiss it either. She simply creates space for it. And that feels incredibly real.
When you have seen loss up close, when you have sat with people in their most vulnerable moments, you understand that sometimes what people need most is not an answer. It is space. Space to feel. Space to question. Space to hope in whatever way they can.
Reading this as a nurse, and now as a nurse practitioner, there were moments that hit me in a way I was not expecting. In medicine, there are deeply intimate moments. We see people at their worst, at their most afraid, at their most uncertain. In those moments, what matters is not just what you know, but how you show up. The nurse in this story reminded me of the kind of provider I strive to be. The one who takes the extra second. The one who kneels beside a scared family and offers even a moment of comfort. The one who understands that the smallest acts of kindness are often the ones that stay with people the longest.
I have always had a deep respect for those who choose a life of military service. It is more than admiration- it’s an understanding that it requires a level of sacrifice most people will never fully grasp. To step into something bigger than yourself, to carry that responsibility, says everything about a person’s character. So, to read a story that treats that kind of service with care, not as a title or a trope, but as something with real weight, meant more than I expected.
There is intention in the way Rachae writes about both the military and the medical field. It does not feel like background detail. It feels seen. It feels respected. There is a quiet appreciation for the people who live those roles and continue to carry them long after the moment has passed.
That stayed with me.
Because this story is not just about romance. It is about identity. It is about choosing yourself when it would be easier not to. It is about carrying loss and still finding a way forward. It is about learning to sit with questions that do not always have answers. It is about showing up. For yourself. For others. For the life you are building, even when it does not look the way you thought it would.
And finding something steady within that… like an anchor.
Hannah James
From the very beginning, there is something steady about her. She is strong, yes, and stubborn in a way that feels earned, not performative. There is a quiet confidence in her that does not need to be announced because it simply exists. She does not need to be broken down to become powerful, because she already is. Even after everything she has been through, she continues forward with a resolve that feels grounded and unshakable. This stands in contrast to the common trope in romantasy, where the FMC often begins as weak or ordinary. Not hating, just stating.
Walking away from someone at the altar is not just bold. It is deeply personal. It is choosing yourself in a moment where it would be easier to stay, easier to shrink, easier to ignore that inner voice asking for more. Hannah listens to that voice. She honors it. That alone says everything about the kind of woman she is.
But her strength is not without weight. She carries what she has lived through with her, and there are moments when it catches up. Moments where the composure slips just enough for you to see the ache underneath. Those moments never make her feel smaller. If anything, they make her feel more real. There is something deeply powerful about a woman who can feel everything and still choose to keep going. Someone who can bend without breaking.
And then Rowan enters her world, causing a shift. Not in who she is, but in how she is held.
Rowan Shaw
On the surface, there is the obvious pull. The motorcycle. The quiet intensity. The kind of man who does not need to say much to be understood. But beneath that is something heavier. Something more human. He carries the weight of feeling like he has missed the moments that mattered most. Like he has never quite been where he was needed for the people he loves. That kind of guilt does not fade easily. It settles into you and shapes how you move through the world, and how you see your own worth.
Stepping away from the structure of military life, from that sense of purpose and belonging, is not something you simply adjust to. It is a loss in its own way. A quiet unraveling of identity. When that step is taken to be present for the people who need you most, it carries both sacrifice and disorientation. There is a cultural shift there that can feel isolating. It can feel like trying to find your place in a world that no longer moves the way you are used to. Rowan lives in that space. He does not have everything figured out. He is still searching, still trying to understand where he fits and whether he is enough. There is something deeply human in that kind of uncertainty.
Together
When Hannah and Rowan come together, it does not feel like completion. It feels like recognition. They do not fix each other. They do not take away each other’s burdens. Instead, they meet in those uncertain, quiet spaces where strength softens just enough to let someone else in.
Hannah has her moments, where everything she has carried begins to press in. Rowan meets her there with a steadiness that does not overpower, but grounds. He reminds her of who she already is.
And in return, Hannah gives Rowan something just as meaningful. She sees him, not for what he thinks he lacks, but for everything he already is. She gives him clarity. Direction. A reminder that he is not defined by the moments he believes he has fallen short.
There is a balance between them that feels natural. Something unspoken, but deeply felt. Like two people learning how to breathe a little easier in each other’s presence.
But beyond the characters, what truly stayed with me was the way the author approached loss. Loss is not clean. You cannot move through it in a straight line, and it does not come with clear answers. The questions that follow can feel louder than anything else:
Where do they go?
Are they still with us?
Is there something more beyond what we can see?
And where does God fit into all of that?
The author does not try to answer those questions. She does not force belief, and she does not dismiss it either. She simply creates space for it. And that feels incredibly real.
When you have seen loss up close, when you have sat with people in their most vulnerable moments, you understand that sometimes what people need most is not an answer. It is space. Space to feel. Space to question. Space to hope in whatever way they can.
Reading this as a nurse, and now as a nurse practitioner, there were moments that hit me in a way I was not expecting. In medicine, there are deeply intimate moments. We see people at their worst, at their most afraid, at their most uncertain. In those moments, what matters is not just what you know, but how you show up. The nurse in this story reminded me of the kind of provider I strive to be. The one who takes the extra second. The one who kneels beside a scared family and offers even a moment of comfort. The one who understands that the smallest acts of kindness are often the ones that stay with people the longest.
I have always had a deep respect for those who choose a life of military service. It is more than admiration- it’s an understanding that it requires a level of sacrifice most people will never fully grasp. To step into something bigger than yourself, to carry that responsibility, says everything about a person’s character. So, to read a story that treats that kind of service with care, not as a title or a trope, but as something with real weight, meant more than I expected.
There is intention in the way Rachae writes about both the military and the medical field. It does not feel like background detail. It feels seen. It feels respected. There is a quiet appreciation for the people who live those roles and continue to carry them long after the moment has passed.
That stayed with me.
Because this story is not just about romance. It is about identity. It is about choosing yourself when it would be easier not to. It is about carrying loss and still finding a way forward. It is about learning to sit with questions that do not always have answers. It is about showing up. For yourself. For others. For the life you are building, even when it does not look the way you thought it would.
And finding something steady within that… like an anchor.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received this as an advanced copy and this is my honest opinion.
This story caught me completely off guard but in the best way.
At its core, this isn’t about falling in love, It’s about what people carry… and what it means to keep going anyway.
Hannah is the kind of character who doesn’t demand attention, she earns it. There’s a quiet strength to her, something steady and deeply rooted. She isn’t shaped by breaking; she already knows who she is. Even when life presses in, even when the weight of everything she’s lived through threatens to crack that composure, she keeps moving forward. Not perfectly. Not effortlessly. But honestly.
And that honesty? It’s what makes her unforgettable.
Rowan, on the other hand, feels like a man caught between who he was and who he’s trying to become. There’s a heaviness to him, regret, missed moments, the kind of guilt that lingers long after it should. Leaving behind structure and purpose has left him searching for where he fits and whether he’s enough.
He doesn’t have all the answers. That’s what makes him feel real.
Together, they don’t “complete” each other., they recognize each other.
There’s no fixing. No saving. No magical solution to everything they’ve been through. Instead, what they build is quieter than that, something rooted in understanding. They meet in the in-between spaces, where vulnerability exists without needing to be explained.
He steadies her without taking away her strength.
She sees him clearly, past his doubts, past the version of himself he’s stuck on.
What truly stayed with me, though, was how this story handles loss.
It doesn’t try to clean it up or make it easy to process. It sits in the discomfort. It acknowledges the questions that don’t have answers and the ones about where people go, what remains, and how faith fits into grief without forcing conclusions.
As someone who had lost their mom to cancer and has gone through all the emotions and turmoil of losing your only parent, I felt connected to Hannah.
This book is emotional without being overwhelming, heavy without losing hope. I found my self laughing out loud at these 2 and crying with them as well!
This is the first book I’ve read by the author and her storytelling was phenomenal that I read this book in a day. The characters are so easy to fell in love with. Hannah with her smart mouth but big heart and Rowan is a walking green flag with a heart of gold.
I can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store and I am a big fan now!
Thank you so much for writing this story and allowing me to read it early.
This story caught me completely off guard but in the best way.
At its core, this isn’t about falling in love, It’s about what people carry… and what it means to keep going anyway.
Hannah is the kind of character who doesn’t demand attention, she earns it. There’s a quiet strength to her, something steady and deeply rooted. She isn’t shaped by breaking; she already knows who she is. Even when life presses in, even when the weight of everything she’s lived through threatens to crack that composure, she keeps moving forward. Not perfectly. Not effortlessly. But honestly.
And that honesty? It’s what makes her unforgettable.
Rowan, on the other hand, feels like a man caught between who he was and who he’s trying to become. There’s a heaviness to him, regret, missed moments, the kind of guilt that lingers long after it should. Leaving behind structure and purpose has left him searching for where he fits and whether he’s enough.
He doesn’t have all the answers. That’s what makes him feel real.
Together, they don’t “complete” each other., they recognize each other.
There’s no fixing. No saving. No magical solution to everything they’ve been through. Instead, what they build is quieter than that, something rooted in understanding. They meet in the in-between spaces, where vulnerability exists without needing to be explained.
He steadies her without taking away her strength.
She sees him clearly, past his doubts, past the version of himself he’s stuck on.
What truly stayed with me, though, was how this story handles loss.
It doesn’t try to clean it up or make it easy to process. It sits in the discomfort. It acknowledges the questions that don’t have answers and the ones about where people go, what remains, and how faith fits into grief without forcing conclusions.
As someone who had lost their mom to cancer and has gone through all the emotions and turmoil of losing your only parent, I felt connected to Hannah.
This book is emotional without being overwhelming, heavy without losing hope. I found my self laughing out loud at these 2 and crying with them as well!
This is the first book I’ve read by the author and her storytelling was phenomenal that I read this book in a day. The characters are so easy to fell in love with. Hannah with her smart mouth but big heart and Rowan is a walking green flag with a heart of gold.
I can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store and I am a big fan now!
Thank you so much for writing this story and allowing me to read it early.
April 27, 2026
ARC Review
♾️⭐
🌶️ 1.5/5
📌 Check TW
This book was absolutely precious, and it took me a while to put this review into words because I struggled to capture just how much it made me feel.
Hannah and Rowan had the most unexpected meet-cute, and from the very beginning it felt like kismet. Even though they connected instantly, their story carried the weight of something long in the making. It is the slowest of slow burns, spanning five years between their first meeting and finding each other again, and somehow that longing made everything even more rewarding. The wait felt like the sweetest kind of torture.
While Hannah and Rowan are at the heart of the story, the side relationships added so much depth in the most beautiful and surprising ways. Hannah’s relationship with her mother was especially powerful. It hit incredibly close to home, and I found myself tearing up more times than I expected. As an only child, I deeply related to that bond and how her mom was truly her soulmate. She was strong, warm, and full of love and humor until her very last breath, and that loss was written in a way that really stayed with me. Rachael did such a stunning job making every emotion feel raw yet soft at the same time.
Even through the grief, Hannah and Rowan felt undeniably endgame. Rowan’s devotion was unmatched. He is the definition of a green flag, always respectful, protective, and completely in tune with Hannah’s boundaries. The way he cherished her in the smallest details made their connection feel so genuine. And Hannah was just as wonderful. She is strong, resilient, and still holds onto her wit, humor, and spark despite everything she has been through.
Their dynamic felt refreshing. The banter was natural, the chemistry effortless, and their relationship didn’t feel like something you see in every romance. It was fun, heartfelt, and deeply emotional, and that made the intimate moments feel even more meaningful.
If you are looking for a story that is both fun and emotional, with a quirky runaway bride, a grumpy ex-military German shepherd of a main character, and a strangers-to-lovers journey, I cannot recommend this enough. Just make sure to check the content warnings, because some parts hit hard.
Thank you so much to Rachae and Love Notes PR for this beautiful eARC!
♾️⭐
🌶️ 1.5/5
📌 Check TW
This book was absolutely precious, and it took me a while to put this review into words because I struggled to capture just how much it made me feel.
Hannah and Rowan had the most unexpected meet-cute, and from the very beginning it felt like kismet. Even though they connected instantly, their story carried the weight of something long in the making. It is the slowest of slow burns, spanning five years between their first meeting and finding each other again, and somehow that longing made everything even more rewarding. The wait felt like the sweetest kind of torture.
While Hannah and Rowan are at the heart of the story, the side relationships added so much depth in the most beautiful and surprising ways. Hannah’s relationship with her mother was especially powerful. It hit incredibly close to home, and I found myself tearing up more times than I expected. As an only child, I deeply related to that bond and how her mom was truly her soulmate. She was strong, warm, and full of love and humor until her very last breath, and that loss was written in a way that really stayed with me. Rachael did such a stunning job making every emotion feel raw yet soft at the same time.
Even through the grief, Hannah and Rowan felt undeniably endgame. Rowan’s devotion was unmatched. He is the definition of a green flag, always respectful, protective, and completely in tune with Hannah’s boundaries. The way he cherished her in the smallest details made their connection feel so genuine. And Hannah was just as wonderful. She is strong, resilient, and still holds onto her wit, humor, and spark despite everything she has been through.
Their dynamic felt refreshing. The banter was natural, the chemistry effortless, and their relationship didn’t feel like something you see in every romance. It was fun, heartfelt, and deeply emotional, and that made the intimate moments feel even more meaningful.
If you are looking for a story that is both fun and emotional, with a quirky runaway bride, a grumpy ex-military German shepherd of a main character, and a strangers-to-lovers journey, I cannot recommend this enough. Just make sure to check the content warnings, because some parts hit hard.
Thank you so much to Rachae and Love Notes PR for this beautiful eARC!
April 22, 2026
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and sprinkle some glitter on top to make it a lifetime highlight ✨✨✨✨✨
A huge thank you to Rachae for letting me be part of her ARC team! It was my honor to read your book 🩵
Our lovely MCs meet on Hannah’s wedding day, where she’s running away from the altar and her GEM - aka soon-to-be ex-fiancé. She jumps on Rowan’s bike like he’s a knight on a white horse… ehm, I mean Ducati. Hannah is this fierce, oh-so-strong, boss-babe, black-cat-energy type of woman and we’re here for it 🫡
They spend 12 hours together, and she leaves the next morning with only a note behind.
Five years later, destiny brings them back together. Literally .. because it slapped her across the face with a door 🤣🤭 I was laughing so hard 🤣
The way they meet and see each other again; I was giggling and screaming 🥹
You get flashbacks throughout the book of how he helped her escape her wedding day and how they were both completely smitten with each other during those 12 hours they shared.
Starting this book, I was like - uhh, he’s a soldier… please let him be a good person. Like, for real, genuine .. and not a trash bag like my ex 🤣
And let me tell you:
He is the biggest - bigger than the Empire State Building - walking green flag on this whole Mother Earth. That guy, my friends, is the ultimate goal of men in a land full of men. Jeezhhh… new book boyfriend. Sorry, hubby - and thank you very much, Miss Rachae! 💚
“There’s only one way I’ve ever planned to kiss Hannah James, and that is with forever in mind.”
Excuse me, mister… can he be any cuter??? 😭
The way both MCs navigate their grief while trying to find strength in each other really shows that you can and sometimes have to lean on people. He’s her anchor ⚓️
“Hope is an anchor for the soul,” and sometimes that anchor is another person.
I cried so many times during this book ..during everything that happened, the family moments, and the losses they had to go through and the awful things happening in between. I felt like I was part of this story.
This story felt like fate brought to life - like that invisible string that sometimes exists, if you’re lucky enough to find it 🩵 It reminded me of my own life and how everything is somehow connected and how you can find a man who is the greenest flag that ever green-flagged 💚
Just wow. I’m speechless and shook… and still crying 🥹😭
I could write and write and write and tell you every feeling I had. But I think you have to read it and experience this one for yourself. And maybe you can tell me something real afterward 🩵
A huge thank you to Rachae for letting me be part of her ARC team! It was my honor to read your book 🩵
Our lovely MCs meet on Hannah’s wedding day, where she’s running away from the altar and her GEM - aka soon-to-be ex-fiancé. She jumps on Rowan’s bike like he’s a knight on a white horse… ehm, I mean Ducati. Hannah is this fierce, oh-so-strong, boss-babe, black-cat-energy type of woman and we’re here for it 🫡
They spend 12 hours together, and she leaves the next morning with only a note behind.
Five years later, destiny brings them back together. Literally .. because it slapped her across the face with a door 🤣🤭 I was laughing so hard 🤣
The way they meet and see each other again; I was giggling and screaming 🥹
You get flashbacks throughout the book of how he helped her escape her wedding day and how they were both completely smitten with each other during those 12 hours they shared.
Starting this book, I was like - uhh, he’s a soldier… please let him be a good person. Like, for real, genuine .. and not a trash bag like my ex 🤣
And let me tell you:
He is the biggest - bigger than the Empire State Building - walking green flag on this whole Mother Earth. That guy, my friends, is the ultimate goal of men in a land full of men. Jeezhhh… new book boyfriend. Sorry, hubby - and thank you very much, Miss Rachae! 💚
“There’s only one way I’ve ever planned to kiss Hannah James, and that is with forever in mind.”
Excuse me, mister… can he be any cuter??? 😭
The way both MCs navigate their grief while trying to find strength in each other really shows that you can and sometimes have to lean on people. He’s her anchor ⚓️
“Hope is an anchor for the soul,” and sometimes that anchor is another person.
I cried so many times during this book ..during everything that happened, the family moments, and the losses they had to go through and the awful things happening in between. I felt like I was part of this story.
This story felt like fate brought to life - like that invisible string that sometimes exists, if you’re lucky enough to find it 🩵 It reminded me of my own life and how everything is somehow connected and how you can find a man who is the greenest flag that ever green-flagged 💚
Just wow. I’m speechless and shook… and still crying 🥹😭
I could write and write and write and tell you every feeling I had. But I think you have to read it and experience this one for yourself. And maybe you can tell me something real afterward 🩵
Review of advance copy
If you’re looking for a book to make you feel every emotion in the book, look no further. This one will have you weeping, laughing, swooning, and healing from it all in the end. If there was a book inspired by the song “Invisible String” by Taylor Swift, this would be the one. All the connections in this book made me feel so much. I actually had to pause my reading at one point to connect some of the strings myself and feel shocked and awed by the connections we saw. I’m not going to spoil anything, but I will say that you absolutely need to read this one to understand. I am happy to talk about our MCs, though, because they’re both amazing. Hannah was so kind and funny, but she was experiencing a lot throughout the story with her mother. It was hard to see her go through so much, but I appreciated how hard she fought to stay positive during her experiences. She was never afraid to dish out the sarcasm, and I loved that she was always ready with another quip! Rowan was such an amazing, green flag man! He was always so protective, even when he had only just met Hannah, and willing to help anyone with anything. I love that he always fought for Hannah in every way, but he also helped her fight for herself, too. He never stopped making sure that she was okay, but he also helped her see that she was strong and brave no matter what. It was so great to see their connection span all the years they were apart and that it never faltered for either of them, so when they found each other again it was like nothing had changed. These two really were soulmates and you could see it throughout the story, both in the flashback chapters and the current day chapters. I loved seeing these two find each other again and fight to be together even when their circumstances tried to stop them. This was absolutely a 6 star read for me and I’m pretty sure it altered my brain chemistry, and I’ll never be the same. This book has humor and heart in perfect harmony! I loved everything about this book, and I’m so freaking excited to see what happens in the next one!
Thank you, Rachae and Love Notes PR, for providing me with an ARC!
Thank you, Rachae and Love Notes PR, for providing me with an ARC!
Review of advance copy
Speechless. I may never recover. I signed up for this one on a whim, based on the sole fact that the cover is STUNNING and it’s based in Colorado. And then basically begged to join Rachae’s street team without even having read it. I just knew. How do I even begin to write a review for a book so emotional and so heartbreakingly beautiful? A book that broke me and healed me and left me wanting even more. A book that instantly became a top read of the year for me!? Infinity stars. When I tell you I was basically sobbing the entire last 25% of this book.
Hannah and Rowan are everything. Their chance meetings were my favorite. The day she ran away from her wedding, the day (mind you, five years later) that they quite literally ran into each other, and the night Rowan came upon her in the parking lot. Fate and the universe were constantly pushing these two together. The two weeks they spent together you just knew they were meant to be, and I hated knowing their time was going to come to an end. For once in a book I actually understood their reasons for not being able to be together, but it still broke my heart for them nonetheless. The invisible string element in this one was so incredibly and beautifully done. All the little coincidences, all the ways these two were tied together from years before they even met. Again, cue all the tears. I wanted to squeeze Hannah throughout this book. She is SO incredibly strong even when she had every reason to break down and give up. And Rowan. Ugh the way I love this man. A true walking green flag. The way he protects and cares for Hannah. His patience. His love. He is that man. The chemistry between the two of them was so obvious. And the flirty banter was everything.
Our side characters were so, so special too. Lydia 😭. Tess, Dubs and Bri. Even our golden boys. I loved them all and I’m absolutely looking forward to book two. I’m going to be thinking about this book for a long while. I don’t think my edits and review even give it the justice it deserves. So you just need to pick it up and see for yourself. Please read the TWs.
Thank to you Rachae and team and Love Notes PR for an arc.
read if you love:
runaway bride, strangers to lovers, invisible string, right person wrong time, trauma healing, grief rep, ex-military German shepherd MMC, PR-exec boss babe FMC
Hannah and Rowan are everything. Their chance meetings were my favorite. The day she ran away from her wedding, the day (mind you, five years later) that they quite literally ran into each other, and the night Rowan came upon her in the parking lot. Fate and the universe were constantly pushing these two together. The two weeks they spent together you just knew they were meant to be, and I hated knowing their time was going to come to an end. For once in a book I actually understood their reasons for not being able to be together, but it still broke my heart for them nonetheless. The invisible string element in this one was so incredibly and beautifully done. All the little coincidences, all the ways these two were tied together from years before they even met. Again, cue all the tears. I wanted to squeeze Hannah throughout this book. She is SO incredibly strong even when she had every reason to break down and give up. And Rowan. Ugh the way I love this man. A true walking green flag. The way he protects and cares for Hannah. His patience. His love. He is that man. The chemistry between the two of them was so obvious. And the flirty banter was everything.
Our side characters were so, so special too. Lydia 😭. Tess, Dubs and Bri. Even our golden boys. I loved them all and I’m absolutely looking forward to book two. I’m going to be thinking about this book for a long while. I don’t think my edits and review even give it the justice it deserves. So you just need to pick it up and see for yourself. Please read the TWs.
Thank to you Rachae and team and Love Notes PR for an arc.
read if you love:
runaway bride, strangers to lovers, invisible string, right person wrong time, trauma healing, grief rep, ex-military German shepherd MMC, PR-exec boss babe FMC
April 29, 2026
ARC Review.
First I want to thank Rachae Stevens and LoveNotesPR for the opportunity to read this story.
Tell Me Something Real is book 1 in The Runaway Series.
This story follows Rowan and Hannah. Hannah and Rowan met when Hannah ran from her wedding then five years later they run into each other again.. literally. Fate was a force pushing these two together. This book was amazing, but I do recommend checking trigger warnings as this book deals heavly with grief. There is so much detail and love put into these two characters. Rowan sets a very high standard for book boyfriends and Hannah is such a strong FMC. I love how Rowan is with Hannah and her family. This story was so beautifully written.
If Rachae writes it... I am going to read it.
5 ⭐
What to expect:
💍 Runaway Bride
👀 Right Person Wrong Time
💞 Invisible String
🥰 Strangers to Lovers
🤭 Ex-Military German Shepherd MMC x PR Exec Boss Babe FMC
📚 BLURB 📚
Sometimes the bravest thing you can ask for is the truth.
Five years ago, Hannah James ran from her wedding, straight into the arms of a man on a motorcycle. After one unforgettable night, all she left behind was a thank you note and her wedding dress.
Now Hannah's world is measured in borrowed time as she prepares to lose her mother to cancer. Grief has taught her how to survive, but hope is the anchor she's lost hold of.
Rowan Shaw hasn't set foot in Boulder in 5 years. A former Army Ranger, he's back to settle his grandfather's estate, carrying the familiar burden of being too late for the people he loves. Finding Hannah seems impossible. So does risking another goodbye…
But when a traumatic incident sets Rowan and Hannah on a collision course, what grows between them begins to feel like something they were always meant to find their way back to.
Because some people arrive when you need them most, and some people stay with you, even when they're gone.
First I want to thank Rachae Stevens and LoveNotesPR for the opportunity to read this story.
Tell Me Something Real is book 1 in The Runaway Series.
This story follows Rowan and Hannah. Hannah and Rowan met when Hannah ran from her wedding then five years later they run into each other again.. literally. Fate was a force pushing these two together. This book was amazing, but I do recommend checking trigger warnings as this book deals heavly with grief. There is so much detail and love put into these two characters. Rowan sets a very high standard for book boyfriends and Hannah is such a strong FMC. I love how Rowan is with Hannah and her family. This story was so beautifully written.
If Rachae writes it... I am going to read it.
5 ⭐
What to expect:
💍 Runaway Bride
👀 Right Person Wrong Time
💞 Invisible String
🥰 Strangers to Lovers
🤭 Ex-Military German Shepherd MMC x PR Exec Boss Babe FMC
📚 BLURB 📚
Sometimes the bravest thing you can ask for is the truth.
Five years ago, Hannah James ran from her wedding, straight into the arms of a man on a motorcycle. After one unforgettable night, all she left behind was a thank you note and her wedding dress.
Now Hannah's world is measured in borrowed time as she prepares to lose her mother to cancer. Grief has taught her how to survive, but hope is the anchor she's lost hold of.
Rowan Shaw hasn't set foot in Boulder in 5 years. A former Army Ranger, he's back to settle his grandfather's estate, carrying the familiar burden of being too late for the people he loves. Finding Hannah seems impossible. So does risking another goodbye…
But when a traumatic incident sets Rowan and Hannah on a collision course, what grows between them begins to feel like something they were always meant to find their way back to.
Because some people arrive when you need them most, and some people stay with you, even when they're gone.
May 9, 2026
📖 Review: Tell Me Something Real by Rachae Stevens
CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. ⚠️
How do I even begin? Rachae Stevens, what have you done to me? This book had me laughing, sobbing, losing sleep, and feeling every possible emotion. It is, quite simply, a masterpiece and easily one of my favorite reads of the year. Rating: 5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ but realistically it deserves infinite stars!
What starts with a runaway bride and a hottie on a Ducati quickly evolves into something so much deeper. This story shows that fate is real, you are destined to find your one true person. The invisible string micro trope was a 10000x yes for me!! I am truly obsessed with this story, these characters and our side characters. Watch as what started 5 years ago comes to light in the present 😏😏
The characters! Hannah the fierce, firecracker strong woman with a heart of gold 💛 Rowan if there could only be one green flag MMC it would be him. Patient, tender, and the way he cares & loves Hannah is extremely heartwarming. NEW BOOK BOYFRIEND UNLOCKED! The side characters tho made things even better!! I so can’t wait for book 2!!!
Watching Hannah and Rowan struggle with their loss was a heavy, beautiful, and deeply relatable experience. This story is for anyone who has ever carried a hurt they couldn't quite put into words. Rachael, thank you for making us feel seen.Tell Me Something Real is heart-wrenching and heartwarming all in one breath. The banter is A1, the emotional damage is real, and the story is unforgettable. Run, don't walk, to get this on KU or grab that gorgeous physical copy!
Favorite quotes:
“There’s only one way I’ve ever planned to kiss Hannah James and that’s with forever in mind.”
“Hope is an anchor for the soul, right?” she whispers, voice fractured. My heart soars—Nana’s words. Then she adds, “I remember.”
I’m not scared. Not anxious. Because Rowan is safe, a calm in the storm.
CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. ⚠️
How do I even begin? Rachae Stevens, what have you done to me? This book had me laughing, sobbing, losing sleep, and feeling every possible emotion. It is, quite simply, a masterpiece and easily one of my favorite reads of the year. Rating: 5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ but realistically it deserves infinite stars!
What starts with a runaway bride and a hottie on a Ducati quickly evolves into something so much deeper. This story shows that fate is real, you are destined to find your one true person. The invisible string micro trope was a 10000x yes for me!! I am truly obsessed with this story, these characters and our side characters. Watch as what started 5 years ago comes to light in the present 😏😏
The characters! Hannah the fierce, firecracker strong woman with a heart of gold 💛 Rowan if there could only be one green flag MMC it would be him. Patient, tender, and the way he cares & loves Hannah is extremely heartwarming. NEW BOOK BOYFRIEND UNLOCKED! The side characters tho made things even better!! I so can’t wait for book 2!!!
Watching Hannah and Rowan struggle with their loss was a heavy, beautiful, and deeply relatable experience. This story is for anyone who has ever carried a hurt they couldn't quite put into words. Rachael, thank you for making us feel seen.Tell Me Something Real is heart-wrenching and heartwarming all in one breath. The banter is A1, the emotional damage is real, and the story is unforgettable. Run, don't walk, to get this on KU or grab that gorgeous physical copy!
Favorite quotes:
“There’s only one way I’ve ever planned to kiss Hannah James and that’s with forever in mind.”
“Hope is an anchor for the soul, right?” she whispers, voice fractured. My heart soars—Nana’s words. Then she adds, “I remember.”
I’m not scared. Not anxious. Because Rowan is safe, a calm in the storm.
April 22, 2026
Tell Me Something Real is one of those books that quietly wrecks you and then just… stays.
One of the first things I noticed (and really appreciated) was the author’s choice to put the content guidance in the back of the book while clearly telling readers where to find it. It let me go in completely blind, and I didn’t realize how much that would change the experience until I was fully in it—every emotional moment landed exactly when it was supposed to.
This story has a slower, more intentional build at times, but that pacing allows the emotional depth to really take hold. And when it hits, it hits. There were multiple moments that felt so real they almost caught me off guard—especially the way the story handles grief, responsibility, and putting yourself last for the sake of everyone else.
The romance itself is layered and grounded. There’s no third-act breakup, but the tension is woven throughout in a way that feels natural instead of forced. It’s messy, it lingers, it resurfaces—just like real life.
And the emotional threads??
“Three heartbeats is all it takes.”
“I was always meant to love her.”
Those lines don’t just exist—they anchor the story.
There are also moments of levity and personality woven in (the “Walker Texas Ranger” bit had me laughing out loud) which balances out the heavier themes beautifully.
But the thing that really sealed this as a five-star read for me?
This book made me cry actual tears. Not just emotional—tears. In public.
The kind of emotional connection where you don’t even have commentary—just highlights because it felt real.
The spice is there, open-door but intentional. It’s built on trust, vulnerability, and emotional connection, never just thrown in for the sake of it.
This is one of those books I know I’ll use as a benchmark moving forward. It’s going to be hard not to compare other reads to this.
One of the first things I noticed (and really appreciated) was the author’s choice to put the content guidance in the back of the book while clearly telling readers where to find it. It let me go in completely blind, and I didn’t realize how much that would change the experience until I was fully in it—every emotional moment landed exactly when it was supposed to.
This story has a slower, more intentional build at times, but that pacing allows the emotional depth to really take hold. And when it hits, it hits. There were multiple moments that felt so real they almost caught me off guard—especially the way the story handles grief, responsibility, and putting yourself last for the sake of everyone else.
The romance itself is layered and grounded. There’s no third-act breakup, but the tension is woven throughout in a way that feels natural instead of forced. It’s messy, it lingers, it resurfaces—just like real life.
And the emotional threads??
“Three heartbeats is all it takes.”
“I was always meant to love her.”
Those lines don’t just exist—they anchor the story.
There are also moments of levity and personality woven in (the “Walker Texas Ranger” bit had me laughing out loud) which balances out the heavier themes beautifully.
But the thing that really sealed this as a five-star read for me?
This book made me cry actual tears. Not just emotional—tears. In public.
The kind of emotional connection where you don’t even have commentary—just highlights because it felt real.
The spice is there, open-door but intentional. It’s built on trust, vulnerability, and emotional connection, never just thrown in for the sake of it.
This is one of those books I know I’ll use as a benchmark moving forward. It’s going to be hard not to compare other reads to this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tell Me Something Real 🪖
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Rachae Stevens for trusting me with this ARC!🤍
Five years ago,she was a runaway bride,heading towards the man in the motorcycle
Now,he is back to settle his grandfather's estate ,and fate will play the biggest trick on them.
WOW.Just WOW.
This is one of the most unique,heartbreaking and beautiful love stories I have read in a while.
I found the writing so easy to read and absolutely addicting , as the romance,steadily blossomed.What,I want to particularly point out is,that even if it a wonderful book to read,it s really heavy on grief and the way(s) of handling the idea that someone close to you is leaving soon,so please check the TWs .
Now,about our characters.
We have Hannah,which I BLOODY LOVED since her first line towards her last one.She is a really exciting woman to read about,and the way she fell in love with Rowan and her whole personality were my favorite.I also liked that through her, we saw a different view of grief,and how she experienced the whole thing.
Rowan in another life is MY HUSBAND.I FELL IN LOVE WITH THAT MAN.😻
And not only because he was handsome,but he was a TRUE GENTLEMAN,since that damn moment on the motorbike to their epilogue.Just,the way he was next to her ,supporting her,guiding her when needed,& just be her man was so cute! More,their overall relationship,were full of chemistry and just pure game of fate!To the point,that you will say that these two were born to meet!🤭
Wrapping this up,I can say with certainty that this one is going to be your next favorite loves story,just let runaway & soldier guide all the way in ✨
Out On Apr,22th👰♀️
4⭐
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Rachae Stevens for trusting me with this ARC!🤍
Five years ago,she was a runaway bride,heading towards the man in the motorcycle
Now,he is back to settle his grandfather's estate ,and fate will play the biggest trick on them.
WOW.Just WOW.
This is one of the most unique,heartbreaking and beautiful love stories I have read in a while.
I found the writing so easy to read and absolutely addicting , as the romance,steadily blossomed.What,I want to particularly point out is,that even if it a wonderful book to read,it s really heavy on grief and the way(s) of handling the idea that someone close to you is leaving soon,so please check the TWs .
Now,about our characters.
We have Hannah,which I BLOODY LOVED since her first line towards her last one.She is a really exciting woman to read about,and the way she fell in love with Rowan and her whole personality were my favorite.I also liked that through her, we saw a different view of grief,and how she experienced the whole thing.
Rowan in another life is MY HUSBAND.I FELL IN LOVE WITH THAT MAN.😻
And not only because he was handsome,but he was a TRUE GENTLEMAN,since that damn moment on the motorbike to their epilogue.Just,the way he was next to her ,supporting her,guiding her when needed,& just be her man was so cute! More,their overall relationship,were full of chemistry and just pure game of fate!To the point,that you will say that these two were born to meet!🤭
Wrapping this up,I can say with certainty that this one is going to be your next favorite loves story,just let runaway & soldier guide all the way in ✨
Out On Apr,22th👰♀️
4⭐
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