I'm Only Me When I'm With Him

by Amanda Schimmoeller

Firefighters are supposed to be the ones putting out fires, not causing sparks.

I thought I stifled everything I felt for Connor Porter over a decade ago. But now he’s back home, and I’m hit with those old feelings again, stronger than a firehose to the face.

Feelings I most certainly should not be having for my best friend’s older brother.

I’m trying to push all thoughts of Connor aside and focus on opening a flower truck when his sister persuades him to help me get my business off the ground.

Now, I’m spending more time with my childhood crush than can be considered healthy. And it’s difficult to get him out of my mind when I’m constantly being distracted by his muscular arms and thinking about how they feel when they’re wrapped around me.

My attraction to him grows into a roaring inferno, but I don’t think Connor’s ever seen me as anything other than his little sister’s friend. I need to extinguish these feelings before I’m in too deep.

It’s like that old saying if I keep playing with fire, I’m bound to get burned.

I'm Only Me When I'm With Him is a best friend's brother, grumpy/sunshine romcom with sizzling chemistry but no explicit content. It’s the third book in the Sweeter Than Fiction series, following four best friends finding love.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 15, 2026

About the author

Amanda Schimmoeller is a closed-door romance author who writes sweet love stories for readers who love happily ever afters. Her books are filled with banter, heart, and characters you can't help but love.

She loves Dr. Pepper, salty snacks, and binge-worthy tv. You’ll find her plotting her next great love story and living out her own fairytale in Tennessee with her husband and their dog.

Connect with Amanda on Instagram at @authoramandaschimmoeller.

Reviews

[Alicia (aliciasalwaysreading)]

I had the privilege of proofreading this one! Shayna and Connor are such beautiful complements to each other—truly opposites attracting!

Amanda gives a note at the beginning, but there is a panic attack that occurs on page, just FYI.

[Ella Noellee · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️5


I could not put this book down!
Shay and Connor are THE CUTEST EVER! They were perfect for each other, grumpy x sunshine (my favorite) was done so well. This book made me feel all the emotions in the best way possible! I laughed and giggled more times than I can count.
Connor is perfect for Shayna, the way he cares for her and pays attention to all the little details, melted my heart. Connor’s new coworkers at the fire station were awesome! I loved their support and banter.
Shayna is just pure sunshine ☀️ She was sweet and kind. I love that she loved Connor just the way that he is.
And one of my favorite parts was definitely that he called her ‘flower’ and she called him ‘Con’. I just love the nickname trope.
Connor helped Shayna see that it’s okay to say ‘no’ and set boundaries, while she helped him see that he is enough, it was so stinking sweet to see. And I loved how she was the one Con felt safe with, and the one he could be himself with.
The whole friend group was great, I love the way they supported and cared for each other. And I’m so excited for Alyssa’s book!

tropes:
💚childhood crush
💐opposites attract
💚grumpy x sunshine
💐firefighter MMC
💚florist FMC
💐best friends brother
💚supportive & loving friend group
💐she falls first
💚dual pov


CONTENT:
- kisses only (closed door)
- no language

[Sarah Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Fave Couple!!💐🫶🏻 I’ve been looking forward to this ARC for some time & it fit my mood perfectly. It lived up to all the hype in my head and then some. They are by far the most tender lil lovebirds out there.🥹

Shayna is an adorable FMC. She is kind, generous, and loves her gal pals so well. She’s obsessed with flowers and all things beautiful and wants the best for people. Sadly, she struggles with people-pleasing and setting boundaries. On a chance run-in flight back to Louisville, Connor enters her orbit again, where both their lives take a dramatic turn (for the better🤭).

Connor, reserved & introverted, doesn’t feel like he fits in with many people. He struggles to make connections and overthinks everything (same, dude, same). He is protective, helpful and feels much more comfortable with a certain sunshiny gal than he realizes. Let’s just say when he falls for her, he doesn’t do it halfway. 🫠😏

These two make each other better. Their moments in the botanical garden & the picnic are some of my favorites I’ve read by Amanda. So many parts had me giddy & swooning & tearing up because it was just so sweet. Their first kiss is well-earned & so satisfying!! Connor was his true self with her, and that just made me smile so big.☺️🫶🏻

If you love a good best friend’s brother romance, you definitely need to read this one. I’ll be tuning in for the rest of the series to see this friend group all find love!!

Thanks for the ARC, Amanda! All thoughts are my own. 💕

CW: This is a sweet, closed-door romance with non-descriptive makeouts with no language. There’s mention of anxiety (panic attack on page), self-doubt & a person in a building fire (non-injured). Amanda includes a content note at the beginning!

[Brittany Rolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need everyone to go read this adorable, perfect precious book. I read it in ONE DAY. Because I couldn’t stop. I was obsessed. Amanda has outdone herself again.

Shayna & Connor are just two precious people and I want to be friends with both of them. Shayna is so full of sunshine and hope and optimism, and Connor is the most perfect grump who’s really a softie. He never misses a detail, especially when it comes to Shayna.

I adored how they showed up for one another, and acted as if it wasn’t a big deal. They both tried to show the other this is just normal behavior when you care about someone. 🥹

Seriously though. I can’t think of any better words to describe them except precious. These two are so cute!

And the friendships in this one. Ugh. So well done! I love that because it’s the third book you really know the personalities now and 100% feel like you’re part of the Long Live Girlies group. 🫶

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO FREAKING GOOD!!!!!!!!!

Connor you are the man, the myth, the legend!

I am a sucker for a grumpy x sunshine and this no spice rom-com delivered in every way! It is swoon worthy and so quotable. I fear this is my favorite from the series so far. I loved the character growth from both Shayna and Connor as well as a little anxiety rep too. I see parts of me in both of them in the most relatable ways.

Just because it’s no spice don’t right this one off! You have to read it! You won’t regret it.

P.S. swapping sweating for flower names so funny!!!

[Jacque Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Schimmoeller has done it again! Such a cute rom-com.
I loved the pacing, the characters, the humor & the swoony scenes.
If you are a TSwift fan you'll also enjoy this.
So grateful to have been given an ARC. Thoroughly enjoyed!

[Julia Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda’s books are immediate comfort reads with how she weaves heartwarming and clean elements into her love stories. Shayna and Connor are precious and their relationship even more so. Amanda is a genius in getting you to adore her characters!

[Lissa Ruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Conner & Shayna's caring, secretive, stoic, hopeful, sweet, loving, swoony happily ever after!

[Nicky W. (Bookstacks_and_Coffeecups) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come but so so sweet and my favourite so far in the series!

Thank you to the author for an advance review copy all opinions are my own