What do you think?
Rate this book
Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes
Sadie Summers has spent her entire life being exactly who everyone expects her to be.
Responsible. Reliable. Rooted in Dusty Hollow, Texas.
But somewhere between checking boxes, keeping the peace, and making sure everyone else is taken care of, she forgot what it feels like to choose herself.
When she stumbles upon a list titled Try Something You’ve Never Done Before, Sadie begins to wonder what it might look like to step outside her carefully ordered world—to want more than what’s safe and familiar. What she doesn’t expect is for the list to lead her straight back to Milo Carter.
Milo was her first love. The one who left town—and the one who never really left her heart. Now he’s back, older, steadier, and certain about what he wants. And what he wants is Sadie.
As they begin checking off the list together, Sadie finds herself laughing more, hesitating less, and facing the one question she can’t avoid who is she when she stops living for everyone else?
A heartfelt, small-town romance about faith, freedom, first love, and finding the courage to live a life that finally feels like your own.
Responsible. Reliable. Rooted in Dusty Hollow, Texas.
But somewhere between checking boxes, keeping the peace, and making sure everyone else is taken care of, she forgot what it feels like to choose herself.
When she stumbles upon a list titled Try Something You’ve Never Done Before, Sadie begins to wonder what it might look like to step outside her carefully ordered world—to want more than what’s safe and familiar. What she doesn’t expect is for the list to lead her straight back to Milo Carter.
Milo was her first love. The one who left town—and the one who never really left her heart. Now he’s back, older, steadier, and certain about what he wants. And what he wants is Sadie.
As they begin checking off the list together, Sadie finds herself laughing more, hesitating less, and facing the one question she can’t avoid who is she when she stops living for everyone else?
A heartfelt, small-town romance about faith, freedom, first love, and finding the courage to live a life that finally feels like your own.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2026
About the author
Shelbey Kendall
17 books120 followersShelbey Kendall writes heartwarming, hope-filled fiction for readers of all ages. As the author of The Sonshine Sister Club series, she blends faith, family, friendship, and a touch of humor to encourage young readers that no mess or mistake is too big for Jesus. In addition to middle grade fiction, Shelbey also writes kisses only, no-swearing romance filled with real emotion and characters you’ll root for. Whether she’s crafting stories for kids or grown-ups, her mission is the same: to offer light in the darkness and remind readers that grace is always within reach.
When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her sipping coffee, listening to country music, or spending time with her family. She lives in small-town Kansas and is always dreaming up her next story.
Follow her on Instagram: @shelbeykendallauthor
When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her sipping coffee, listening to country music, or spending time with her family. She lives in small-town Kansas and is always dreaming up her next story.
Follow her on Instagram: @shelbeykendallauthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
finish-later
June 19, 2026・❥・⁀➷ 🧡🩵 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
completing a list of new things with a first love? i think yes 😌🤭
"Now he's back, older, steadier, and certain about what he wants. And what he wants is Sadie."
completing a list of new things with a first love? i think yes 😌🤭
"Now he's back, older, steadier, and certain about what he wants. And what he wants is Sadie."
Review of advance copy received from Author
Writing Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes felt a little like reflecting on the everyday moments that build our life and sometimes admitting that while everything looks fine on the outside, something inside you is asking for more.
Sadie's story is for the woman who has always been the dependable one. She's the one who shows up, holds everything together, a "people pleaser," and doesn't always stop to ask what she actually wants. It's about burnout in a soft, honest way. About rediscovering who you are when you're not living for everyone else.
And of course . . . it's about second chances. The kind that feels like hope.
Milo Carter might be my favorite of the MMCs I've written (don't tell the other guys!). He's steady, patient, and the kind of man who sees who you are even when you've forgotten yourself.
This story is light in the way a deep breath is light, if that makes sense. It's meant to make you smile, maybe tear up once or twice, and remind you that choosing yourself doesn't mean you have to choose alone.
This is Book 1 in a 3-book series, and I sure hope you love being welcomed into Dusty Hollow because I want you to come back. :)
No spice. No swearing. Kisses only, including the forehead variety . . . a personal favorite.
Sadie's story is for the woman who has always been the dependable one. She's the one who shows up, holds everything together, a "people pleaser," and doesn't always stop to ask what she actually wants. It's about burnout in a soft, honest way. About rediscovering who you are when you're not living for everyone else.
And of course . . . it's about second chances. The kind that feels like hope.
Milo Carter might be my favorite of the MMCs I've written (don't tell the other guys!). He's steady, patient, and the kind of man who sees who you are even when you've forgotten yourself.
This story is light in the way a deep breath is light, if that makes sense. It's meant to make you smile, maybe tear up once or twice, and remind you that choosing yourself doesn't mean you have to choose alone.
This is Book 1 in a 3-book series, and I sure hope you love being welcomed into Dusty Hollow because I want you to come back. :)
No spice. No swearing. Kisses only, including the forehead variety . . . a personal favorite.
June 18, 2026
This was the best CF read I've read in a while. The heroine is completely relatable and the romance was chef's kiss. I read this in one sitting. I wanted to befriend the heroine, high five the hero, and thank the author for such a story. Can't wait to read what she comes up with next.
Did Not Finish
June 23, 2026⚠️ Mild Spoilers Ahead ⚠️
One of the things that initially drew me to this story was the FMC, Sadie. As a fellow people pleaser who often worries about disappointing others, over-explains herself to avoid being misunderstood, and finds it difficult to step outside her comfort zone, I thought this would be a character I could deeply relate to.
Unfortunately, I found myself struggling with the way Sadie’s self-discovery was portrayed. Several items on her “try something you’ve never done before” list—such as watching an R-rated movie, getting a tattoo, and kissing a stranger—immediately made me hesitate.
Note: the R-rated movie ultimately turned out to be a horror movie. As Milo(MMC) put it, “It’s R because it’s horror, nothing else. I wasn’t sure what kind of R you wanted.”
What particularly stood out to me was Sadie’s reflection that she couldn’t bring herself to kiss someone she barely knew, which is why she put “kiss a stranger” on her list. Personally, I viewed that hesitation as a good boundary rather than something that needed to be overcome. Because of that, I found myself disconnecting from the direction her character arc was taking.
I also struggled with the idea that some of the things Sadie wanted to do but felt she wasn’t “allowed” to do involved choices that would draw attention to herself or push against convictions she had previously held. For example, she talks about clothes she avoids wearing because they might be considered too tight or low-cut. While I understand that the author’s intention was likely to explore freedom from other people’s expectations, I personally don’t believe that confidence or self-discovery has to come through pushing those kinds of boundaries. As a result, I often found myself disagreeing with the conclusions Sadie was reaching rather than cheering her on in her growth.
Note: As far as I got into the book, Sadie never actually wore anything tight or revealing, despite thinking about it.
Like another reviewer said, “it would have been so much better if she’d seemed to grow instead of regress… Instead she forfeited her morals…” This was something I found myself echoing as I read, because I also struggled to understand why her growth arc felt like it required those kinds of choices, and it ultimately contributed to my disconnect from the story.
The final tipping point for me was when Sadie and Milo took a road trip together, traveling miles and miles away from home, and ended up sharing a motel room. (with separate beds) While the book remains closed-door and nothing inappropriate happens, situations like this continued to reinforce a pattern of choices that didn’t align with my personal convictions or what I look for in faith-based books.
I want to emphasize that this is very much a personal preference issue. The writing itself wasn’t the problem, and I can see other readers connecting with Sadie’s journey in ways that I didn’t. For me, however, I found myself consistently disagreeing with the decisions being presented as part of her growth, and eventually realized I wasn’t the right reader for this story.
If you’re comfortable with these elements, this book may still be a great fit for you. But for readers who may share the same thoughts as me, I’d recommend looking into it further before deciding if this book is the right fit for you.
Thank you to the author for the ARC and the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on the story.❤️
One of the things that initially drew me to this story was the FMC, Sadie. As a fellow people pleaser who often worries about disappointing others, over-explains herself to avoid being misunderstood, and finds it difficult to step outside her comfort zone, I thought this would be a character I could deeply relate to.
Unfortunately, I found myself struggling with the way Sadie’s self-discovery was portrayed. Several items on her “try something you’ve never done before” list—such as watching an R-rated movie, getting a tattoo, and kissing a stranger—immediately made me hesitate.
Note: the R-rated movie ultimately turned out to be a horror movie. As Milo(MMC) put it, “It’s R because it’s horror, nothing else. I wasn’t sure what kind of R you wanted.”
What particularly stood out to me was Sadie’s reflection that she couldn’t bring herself to kiss someone she barely knew, which is why she put “kiss a stranger” on her list. Personally, I viewed that hesitation as a good boundary rather than something that needed to be overcome. Because of that, I found myself disconnecting from the direction her character arc was taking.
I also struggled with the idea that some of the things Sadie wanted to do but felt she wasn’t “allowed” to do involved choices that would draw attention to herself or push against convictions she had previously held. For example, she talks about clothes she avoids wearing because they might be considered too tight or low-cut. While I understand that the author’s intention was likely to explore freedom from other people’s expectations, I personally don’t believe that confidence or self-discovery has to come through pushing those kinds of boundaries. As a result, I often found myself disagreeing with the conclusions Sadie was reaching rather than cheering her on in her growth.
Note: As far as I got into the book, Sadie never actually wore anything tight or revealing, despite thinking about it.
Like another reviewer said, “it would have been so much better if she’d seemed to grow instead of regress… Instead she forfeited her morals…” This was something I found myself echoing as I read, because I also struggled to understand why her growth arc felt like it required those kinds of choices, and it ultimately contributed to my disconnect from the story.
The final tipping point for me was when Sadie and Milo took a road trip together, traveling miles and miles away from home, and ended up sharing a motel room. (with separate beds) While the book remains closed-door and nothing inappropriate happens, situations like this continued to reinforce a pattern of choices that didn’t align with my personal convictions or what I look for in faith-based books.
I want to emphasize that this is very much a personal preference issue. The writing itself wasn’t the problem, and I can see other readers connecting with Sadie’s journey in ways that I didn’t. For me, however, I found myself consistently disagreeing with the decisions being presented as part of her growth, and eventually realized I wasn’t the right reader for this story.
If you’re comfortable with these elements, this book may still be a great fit for you. But for readers who may share the same thoughts as me, I’d recommend looking into it further before deciding if this book is the right fit for you.
Thank you to the author for the ARC and the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on the story.❤️
Read
March 25, 2026I had the privilege of proofreading this one! It's so cute. If you ever feel like you've lost who you are, this book is for you.
April 24, 2026
Sadie and Milo. Are we kidding? 🥹 I love this book SO MUCH. Sadie is such a relatable character to so many women as they enter adulthood and struggle to remember who they are and what they enjoy in life. Milo is the sweetest, most nurturing MMC. The nods to the Christian faith are absolutely beautiful. The town and community of Dusty Hollow are so special. Shelbey completely outdid herself with this one, and now I need the entire series!
June 9, 2026
Milo is my new book boyfriend! He is so passionate and patient I loved it!
Sadie my girl! I’m so proud that she discovered herself in this.
This book made me giggle and also pulled at my heartstrings. It’s a book of re discovering who you are and how far you’re willing to sacrifice for others.
The small things that matter and who make you happy.
I absolutely 💯 recommend this book this summer for a beautiful kind of love 💕
Thank you to the author for the ARC
Sadie my girl! I’m so proud that she discovered herself in this.
This book made me giggle and also pulled at my heartstrings. It’s a book of re discovering who you are and how far you’re willing to sacrifice for others.
The small things that matter and who make you happy.
I absolutely 💯 recommend this book this summer for a beautiful kind of love 💕
Thank you to the author for the ARC
June 5, 2026
It seems like I’m the only one who didn’t like this book! As a mom in her 40s I could relate to the people pleasing, exhausted version of Sadie (although I would’ve liked a book on an actual midlife mom better) and her need to rest, reinvent and make her life good for HER. But the reinventing version of Sadie felt entirely unrealistic and un-relatable. She went from people pleaser to selfish and inconsiderate practically overnight. Yes I know, when you get to your breaking point you may have some uncharacteristic changes! But it would’ve been so much better if she’d seemed to grow instead of regress. It would’ve felt like healing for my poor perimenopausal soul. Instead she forfeited her morals and became uncaring and selfish even to people who literally put her needs before their whole lives and wanted nothing but the best for her. The MMC Milo, was a bit ick with his constant “my smile is yours” “my time is yours” and “my life is yours” “I’m here”, and his lifetime of romantic loving notes to her, it was just a little sad, then Sadie totally ignores it and does her own thing (till the end at least). I was really hoping for a lot from this book but even at the end of the book it didn’t really seem like she had grown through it all. Disappointing to say the least.
May 5, 2026
ARC supplied by author for an honest review
This book captured my heart. I didn’t think it would going into it, but as someone who has done so much for so many people through their life, and gradually forgets who they are, and that they can actually accomplish a dream, this book hit my soul. I was in my late 20’s when I finally gained the courage to follow my dreams, and reading this book reminded me that you’re not the expectations of everyone else but yourself.
I learned a long time ago the small things that would make me happy and just like Sadie an adventure does that. An adventure with no plan, just the people you love by your side as you drive off to wherever your heart wants to go.
I think this is a book for all of those who want to take a step back, it makes you think, it makes you feel and it makes your heart happy. I will admit I teared up at the letters in a box. I’ve left letters for people before when I wasn’t able to find the words, and that made me misty eyed, not gunna lie.
All I can say is you should read this book this summer, take it into a field, on a picnic or to the beach. The characters are religious, but you don’t have to be for the book to resonate with your soul. It’s a beautiful story, and thank you to Shelby for letting me read it 💖
5/5 🌟
This book captured my heart. I didn’t think it would going into it, but as someone who has done so much for so many people through their life, and gradually forgets who they are, and that they can actually accomplish a dream, this book hit my soul. I was in my late 20’s when I finally gained the courage to follow my dreams, and reading this book reminded me that you’re not the expectations of everyone else but yourself.
I learned a long time ago the small things that would make me happy and just like Sadie an adventure does that. An adventure with no plan, just the people you love by your side as you drive off to wherever your heart wants to go.
I think this is a book for all of those who want to take a step back, it makes you think, it makes you feel and it makes your heart happy. I will admit I teared up at the letters in a box. I’ve left letters for people before when I wasn’t able to find the words, and that made me misty eyed, not gunna lie.
All I can say is you should read this book this summer, take it into a field, on a picnic or to the beach. The characters are religious, but you don’t have to be for the book to resonate with your soul. It’s a beautiful story, and thank you to Shelby for letting me read it 💖
5/5 🌟
June 8, 2026
| literally loved everything about this book. It was so well written and you can tell a lot of thought and intention went into every word.
Sadie Summers has always been a "yes" girl, putting the needs of others above her own and losing herself along the way. When her old high school boyfriend moves back to town, Sadie goes on an adventure of trying new things she has never done before.
This book reminded me of The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh so if you liked that book, definitely add this one to your tbr! loved the dynamic between Sadie and Milo and how encouraging he was while also supporting her to find her own way. There are so many pieces of wisdom throughout that felt myself jotting them down, which is not something I normally do when reading. also loved the text messages and letters throughout the story. This is my first book by Shelbey Kendall and I can't wait to read more!
Sadie Summers has always been a "yes" girl, putting the needs of others above her own and losing herself along the way. When her old high school boyfriend moves back to town, Sadie goes on an adventure of trying new things she has never done before.
This book reminded me of The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh so if you liked that book, definitely add this one to your tbr! loved the dynamic between Sadie and Milo and how encouraging he was while also supporting her to find her own way. There are so many pieces of wisdom throughout that felt myself jotting them down, which is not something I normally do when reading. also loved the text messages and letters throughout the story. This is my first book by Shelbey Kendall and I can't wait to read more!
June 17, 2026
FMC learns to put her needs first instead of always trying to do everything for everyone else.
May 13, 2026
**ARC Review**
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: None
I absolutely adored this book, I found myself laughing and getting teary along the way.
Sadie and Milo are such an amazing duo, their chemistry was just amazing and their interactions were just so natural! They are just so dang adorable and sweet that it might make you sick (in a good way I promise).
This was such a fun journey of following Sadie as she works through what’s basically an identity crisis, realizing she had no idea who she was or where she wanted to go in life. I could definitely relate to her on that level! It was just so fun seeing her work through those obstacles and finding her place and how she wanted to live her life.
That being said, if I had one major qualm it was about the last maybe 20ish percent. I had beef with our girl for a bit. Cause while I know her and Milo were not technically back together at this point, I was still mad at what she did!! So I know it’s not technically a third act breakup BUT with how well they mesh it still felt like one! That’s how invested in them I was haha!
I 110% hope those of you who read this review check it out and give it a chance! It was a fantastic read and I’m so grateful that I got the opportunity to read this amazing book early!
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: None
I absolutely adored this book, I found myself laughing and getting teary along the way.
Sadie and Milo are such an amazing duo, their chemistry was just amazing and their interactions were just so natural! They are just so dang adorable and sweet that it might make you sick (in a good way I promise).
This was such a fun journey of following Sadie as she works through what’s basically an identity crisis, realizing she had no idea who she was or where she wanted to go in life. I could definitely relate to her on that level! It was just so fun seeing her work through those obstacles and finding her place and how she wanted to live her life.
That being said, if I had one major qualm it was about the last maybe 20ish percent. I had beef with our girl for a bit. Cause while I know her and Milo were not technically back together at this point, I was still mad at what she did!! So I know it’s not technically a third act breakup BUT with how well they mesh it still felt like one! That’s how invested in them I was haha!
I 110% hope those of you who read this review check it out and give it a chance! It was a fantastic read and I’m so grateful that I got the opportunity to read this amazing book early!
June 21, 2026
4.25 stars
Rating: 4.25 / 5 ⭐
Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes is a sweet, heartfelt second-chance romance that completely won me over!
High school sweethearts Sadie and Milo parted ways at graduation so Milo could pursue his NFL dreams. Ten years later—and after a career-ending injury—Milo is back in Dusty Hollows coaching high school football. But his real mission? Winning back Sadie, the girl he never stopped loving.
While Milo was away, Sadie’s life took a different turn. After a family tragedy, she stepped up to run her dad's business and gradually became the town's ultimate "yes girl," constantly putting everyone else's needs above her own. Ready to break out of her routine and rediscover who she is, Sadie creates a bucket list of things she'd never normally do. With Milo by her side acting as the perfect supportive partner, they set off on a cross-country road trip dedicated to putting Sadie first and living by the motto: "Do it for the plot."
Watching Sadie find herself—starting with small steps like wearing red lipstick and her favorite hidden clothes—was so rewarding. I loved that Milo never pressured her; he just gave her the space to figure out who she wanted to be, free from the town's expectations.
If you love second chances, high school sweethearts, kissing in the rain, notes written to each other, and clean, closed-door contemporary romance with a sweet Christian undertone, you will absolutely adore this book!
I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author. These are my own, honest thoughts.
Rating: 4.25 / 5 ⭐
Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes is a sweet, heartfelt second-chance romance that completely won me over!
High school sweethearts Sadie and Milo parted ways at graduation so Milo could pursue his NFL dreams. Ten years later—and after a career-ending injury—Milo is back in Dusty Hollows coaching high school football. But his real mission? Winning back Sadie, the girl he never stopped loving.
While Milo was away, Sadie’s life took a different turn. After a family tragedy, she stepped up to run her dad's business and gradually became the town's ultimate "yes girl," constantly putting everyone else's needs above her own. Ready to break out of her routine and rediscover who she is, Sadie creates a bucket list of things she'd never normally do. With Milo by her side acting as the perfect supportive partner, they set off on a cross-country road trip dedicated to putting Sadie first and living by the motto: "Do it for the plot."
Watching Sadie find herself—starting with small steps like wearing red lipstick and her favorite hidden clothes—was so rewarding. I loved that Milo never pressured her; he just gave her the space to figure out who she wanted to be, free from the town's expectations.
If you love second chances, high school sweethearts, kissing in the rain, notes written to each other, and clean, closed-door contemporary romance with a sweet Christian undertone, you will absolutely adore this book!
I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author. These are my own, honest thoughts.
May 28, 2026
Little Miss Good Two-Shoes @shelbeykendallauthor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🫑 kisses only
No Swearing
Sadie Summers, resident people pleaser and yes giri, has lost her self and is living a life she doesn't recognize as her own. I loved Sadie's journey to take back the role of leading lady in her own life. We all get a little weighed down some times with things we have overcommitted to and Sadie was so relatable in that way! And don't get me started on sweet and ever patient Milo! | can't wait for the other Summer sister to get their happily ever afters!
Second chance
Childhood sweethearts
They write letters (y'all know I'm a sucker for this trope)
Finding yourself again
Faith themes
Football MMC
*one scene of drunkenness, mentions of a past car accident, child abandonment, depression
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🫑 kisses only
No Swearing
Sadie Summers, resident people pleaser and yes giri, has lost her self and is living a life she doesn't recognize as her own. I loved Sadie's journey to take back the role of leading lady in her own life. We all get a little weighed down some times with things we have overcommitted to and Sadie was so relatable in that way! And don't get me started on sweet and ever patient Milo! | can't wait for the other Summer sister to get their happily ever afters!
Second chance
Childhood sweethearts
They write letters (y'all know I'm a sucker for this trope)
Finding yourself again
Faith themes
Football MMC
*one scene of drunkenness, mentions of a past car accident, child abandonment, depression
June 9, 2026
I'm always up for trying a new indie author, and I'm glad I did.
The book was sweet, and I liked the small town and second chance romance. She also did a good job of making the faith elements feel natural in the story.
What didn't quite work for me:
- The characters (especially Milo) felt a little flat.
- The last half felt like it dragged and I'm a little tired of the woman needing to "choose herself".
- Also, nicknames tend to make me cringe, and as soon as they pulled out "Hotshot" and "Bookworm" I was kinda done. 🙈
Anyways, not a personal favorite, but I would recommend it to readers who are looking for a clean, Christian romcom. Also good for YA.
The book was sweet, and I liked the small town and second chance romance. She also did a good job of making the faith elements feel natural in the story.
What didn't quite work for me:
- The characters (especially Milo) felt a little flat.
- The last half felt like it dragged and I'm a little tired of the woman needing to "choose herself".
- Also, nicknames tend to make me cringe, and as soon as they pulled out "Hotshot" and "Bookworm" I was kinda done. 🙈
Anyways, not a personal favorite, but I would recommend it to readers who are looking for a clean, Christian romcom. Also good for YA.
June 2, 2026
This was a really cute book. I thought the characters were realistic and had a sweet love story. Milo challenged Sadie to step out of her comfort zone and try new things. The two of them fell into each other in high school and then back out of it. And then they found each other again. Some of the things she did had me quite shocked by how crazy she was willing to get. I don’t know if I’d do some of the things she did haha but it was so fun to read. Her next door snoop of a neighbor was certainly stunned. This is a fun love story.
May 29, 2026
I absolutely adored this book and feel blessed to have been able to experience it before it’s released! I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy of this book! The story is beautiful and I wish it went on for longer!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 30, 2026
Another winner! This book is such a sweet second chance love story. I very much related to the main character figuring out who she is again after years of being everything to everyone else as a chronic people pleaser. This was a timely read for me and I loved every moment!
June 27, 2026
this book was fireee ! kind of slow start, but once the plot began it was such a beautiful story of finding yourself and where faith is essential to that journey, ate. this. up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ | 4.5 stars (rounded up)
📚 Genre: Contemporary Romance
❤️ Intimacy: Kisses Only
🙊 Language: None
⚠️ Maturity: Mature Young Adult
✨ Vibes: heartwarming, healing, self-discovery, hope, adventure, sweet, flirty, being known and loved
👩❤️👨 Tropes: second chance, small town, spontaneous road trip
My Thoughts
Ya'll... this book surprised me. When I signed up for this ARC, I honestly expected something sweet, cute, and maybe a little fluffy. And it WAS sweet. And cute. But it also had so much more depth than I expected, which I really enjoyed.
Sadie
As someone who has spent a lot of time trying to be everything for everyone, I related to Sadie far more than I expected to. She's spent years saying yes, meeting expectations, and becoming the person everyone else needs her to be. But somewhere along the way, she lost herself.
I think Sadie's journey to break the cycle and find herself is the real heart of this story.
This is technically a romance, and the romance is absolutely adorable, but I found myself even more invested in watching Sadie figure out who she was underneath all the expectations she'd been carrying for so long. I loved watching her slowly start to break the chains, to try new things (big and small), take risks, and ask herself what SHE actually wanted.
I think so many women are going to see pieces of themselves in her.
Milo
And then there's Milo and ya'll... I loved him. 🥰 He was patient, humble, kind, and willing to fully own the mistakes he'd made in the past. One thing I appreciated so much was how honest he was. He didn't attempt to justify his choices or pretend he hadn't hurt people. He knew he had and he owned it.
I also loved that he didn't come back after ten years expecting everything to magically fall into place. He didn't trying to rescue Sadie or to tell her who she should be. He was simply steadfast in reminding her of the girl she used to be before the weight of everyone's expectations started crushing her.
A girl full of life, with dreams, and so much joy. He just wanted her to find that spark again... for HERSELF.
The Romance
But ya'll... the romance 🥰 This book proves, once again, that you do NOT need spice to create chemistry. Because this is kisses only. KISSES ONLY. And there were still multiple moments that had me blushing. There were several scenes I would honestly describe as sweetly sensual without ever crossing a line past wholesome or clean.
Like the shoulder kiss during the tattoo? GOODBYE 😭 I have died now!
I loved that these moments felt romantic and intimate while still fitting the tone of the story. Yet still felt true to a romance between to 28ish year olds with history.
Third Act... something
I really don't love a third act breakup... and this didn't have one... but it did have something that still pulled them in different directions and man... my heart was hurting. But, it was actually done really well (even if I hated it).
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy second chance romances, sweet chemistry, small-town settings, road trips, and stories about finding yourself again after years of trying to be everything for everyone else, I think this one is absolutely worth picking up. It was sweet, meaningful, and it had far more depth than I expected. I hope you enjoy your time with these characters like I did.
ARC Note
Thank you to Shelbey Kendall for providing me with an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own (including the shoulder-kiss-induced swooning 😉).
📚 Genre: Contemporary Romance
❤️ Intimacy: Kisses Only
🙊 Language: None
⚠️ Maturity: Mature Young Adult
✨ Vibes: heartwarming, healing, self-discovery, hope, adventure, sweet, flirty, being known and loved
👩❤️👨 Tropes: second chance, small town, spontaneous road trip
My Thoughts
Ya'll... this book surprised me. When I signed up for this ARC, I honestly expected something sweet, cute, and maybe a little fluffy. And it WAS sweet. And cute. But it also had so much more depth than I expected, which I really enjoyed.
Sadie
As someone who has spent a lot of time trying to be everything for everyone, I related to Sadie far more than I expected to. She's spent years saying yes, meeting expectations, and becoming the person everyone else needs her to be. But somewhere along the way, she lost herself.
I think Sadie's journey to break the cycle and find herself is the real heart of this story.
This is technically a romance, and the romance is absolutely adorable, but I found myself even more invested in watching Sadie figure out who she was underneath all the expectations she'd been carrying for so long. I loved watching her slowly start to break the chains, to try new things (big and small), take risks, and ask herself what SHE actually wanted.
I think so many women are going to see pieces of themselves in her.
Milo
And then there's Milo and ya'll... I loved him. 🥰 He was patient, humble, kind, and willing to fully own the mistakes he'd made in the past. One thing I appreciated so much was how honest he was. He didn't attempt to justify his choices or pretend he hadn't hurt people. He knew he had and he owned it.
I also loved that he didn't come back after ten years expecting everything to magically fall into place. He didn't trying to rescue Sadie or to tell her who she should be. He was simply steadfast in reminding her of the girl she used to be before the weight of everyone's expectations started crushing her.
A girl full of life, with dreams, and so much joy. He just wanted her to find that spark again... for HERSELF.
The Romance
But ya'll... the romance 🥰 This book proves, once again, that you do NOT need spice to create chemistry. Because this is kisses only. KISSES ONLY. And there were still multiple moments that had me blushing. There were several scenes I would honestly describe as sweetly sensual without ever crossing a line past wholesome or clean.
Like the shoulder kiss during the tattoo? GOODBYE 😭 I have died now!
I loved that these moments felt romantic and intimate while still fitting the tone of the story. Yet still felt true to a romance between to 28ish year olds with history.
Third Act... something
I really don't love a third act breakup... and this didn't have one... but it did have something that still pulled them in different directions and man... my heart was hurting. But, it was actually done really well (even if I hated it).
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy second chance romances, sweet chemistry, small-town settings, road trips, and stories about finding yourself again after years of trying to be everything for everyone else, I think this one is absolutely worth picking up. It was sweet, meaningful, and it had far more depth than I expected. I hope you enjoy your time with these characters like I did.
ARC Note
Thank you to Shelbey Kendall for providing me with an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own (including the shoulder-kiss-induced swooning 😉).
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a sweet second chance Christian romance that will have you falling in love with the characters.
To a fault, Sadie is dependable and always there for other people. But along the way, she has lost herself. And when she really needed someone, Milo - the one person she truly wanted, wasn't there.
Milo and Sadie were high school sweethearts. Milo got a full ride scholarship and, while Sadie did tell him to go and live his dream, a part of her wanted him to choose her. However, for personal reasons at the time, Milo needed to go. 10 years later, Milo has returned - hoping for a second chance.
Honestly, I think a lot of us can relate to Sadie. Where we find ourselves living a small life that we didn't plan on, that we don't necessarily like, and don't really know how to adjust as the expectations of others is real.
I loved how patient Milo was and wasn't willing to give up while Sadie worked through her hurt. And when she asked for his help in completing her list, there was no hesitation on his part. And throughout their trip/journey, he was tenderly there to remind her that it was ok to help herself. While a little frustrating, I also loved that he allowed her the space to find herself again, which took her on a journey by herself.
This is the first book in the series, and I do wonder if the next book will feature Emma and Grant. 🤔 I look forward to reading more from Shelbey Kendall!
I received an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Quotes:
"Dreams are only as small as your mind, although sometimes a larger budget would be nifty."
"...now I understand how much your past shapes your future - or reveals just how naive you once were."
"Dreams are only worth the chase if someone's waiting on the other side who makes you want to keep running. Someone who reminds you what it feels like to laugh, to care, to feel at home anywhere you are."
"Sometimes life chooses you... But what if you don't want what was chosen for you - what if it happened while you were busy doing the right thing?"
"Sometimes we find the best - or worst - parts of ourselves tucked inside a story and call it literary analysis when, really, it's just a polite way of avoiding our own character development."
"We're all a little difficult in our own way."
"...the problem with placing your certainty in another person is there's the possibility they'll let you down. And then there's the fact that you can let yourself down."
"There's always a cost to our choices."
"It's beautiful to choose a life together."
"The world is wide and wonderful. There is so much to see, so much to explore - but some things aren't meant to be experienced alone. Some things are meant to be lived together."
To a fault, Sadie is dependable and always there for other people. But along the way, she has lost herself. And when she really needed someone, Milo - the one person she truly wanted, wasn't there.
Milo and Sadie were high school sweethearts. Milo got a full ride scholarship and, while Sadie did tell him to go and live his dream, a part of her wanted him to choose her. However, for personal reasons at the time, Milo needed to go. 10 years later, Milo has returned - hoping for a second chance.
Honestly, I think a lot of us can relate to Sadie. Where we find ourselves living a small life that we didn't plan on, that we don't necessarily like, and don't really know how to adjust as the expectations of others is real.
I loved how patient Milo was and wasn't willing to give up while Sadie worked through her hurt. And when she asked for his help in completing her list, there was no hesitation on his part. And throughout their trip/journey, he was tenderly there to remind her that it was ok to help herself. While a little frustrating, I also loved that he allowed her the space to find herself again, which took her on a journey by herself.
This is the first book in the series, and I do wonder if the next book will feature Emma and Grant. 🤔 I look forward to reading more from Shelbey Kendall!
I received an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Quotes:
"Dreams are only as small as your mind, although sometimes a larger budget would be nifty."
"...now I understand how much your past shapes your future - or reveals just how naive you once were."
"Dreams are only worth the chase if someone's waiting on the other side who makes you want to keep running. Someone who reminds you what it feels like to laugh, to care, to feel at home anywhere you are."
"Sometimes life chooses you... But what if you don't want what was chosen for you - what if it happened while you were busy doing the right thing?"
"Sometimes we find the best - or worst - parts of ourselves tucked inside a story and call it literary analysis when, really, it's just a polite way of avoiding our own character development."
"We're all a little difficult in our own way."
"...the problem with placing your certainty in another person is there's the possibility they'll let you down. And then there's the fact that you can let yourself down."
"There's always a cost to our choices."
"It's beautiful to choose a life together."
"The world is wide and wonderful. There is so much to see, so much to explore - but some things aren't meant to be experienced alone. Some things are meant to be lived together."
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you have read “Not A Fan” — you have not read Shelbey’s best work yet…but this book….this is it!
Her book dedication was a vulnerable, yet powerful, permissive statement to women everywhere that have had to figure life out the hard way.
Main Characters: Sadie & Milo *swoon*
Sadie felt like a mirror of my own self. So many times I felt seen through Sadie’s character arc. From her personality to her dynamics in her relationships. In all the ways she was a people-pleaser and submissive to those around her. She puts herself last in every scenario. Until, the list…
The LIST: “Try Something You’ve Never Done”
If I had the opportunity to take this list and run with it as my own currently - I would. As I read, I lived vicariously through Sadie as she forced herself out of her comfort zone in order to find herself again. Her true self. The one not tied down by other people’s expectations, feelings, or assumptions. She took control of her life, scared…but she did it. FOR THE PLOT!
The plot: painting with color, speeding, eating the pie, overcoming fear of heights, R rated movie, roadtrips, blue butterflies, the good kind of country music, a couple pina coladas too many, and quitting a life of simplicity…
Milo…what a dreamboat of a man. He never let go of Sadie, even after proximity and their relationship was forced into change. He left her, selfishly to chase his own dreams. But, unbeknownst to her…he carried a piece of her with him always through a small brown covered bible she’d given him years prior. Although his character started with him appearing to be self-centered, he truly loved Sadie. He finds his way back to her just as she’s ready to venture out into the great unknown. He gives her every opportunity to “do it for the plot.” And she does. She accomplishes so much life in the time they spend together. — and I won’t give it all away… — but, the gift he leaves for her to find at the end of her journey was proof of how much he loves her. *cue the ugly crying*
Sadie’s sisters are a hoot! Their witty banter through text messages was fun to read. I cannot wait to read their own stories as the Summers Sisters series grows!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you, Shelbey. Thank you for pouring your heart out on these pages. I know so much of Sadie radiates from you. Thank you for making me feel seen through this fictional yet relatable character. Thank you for creating a character for others like us.
**I received this book from the author as I was honored to be apart of her ARC Reader team. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Her book dedication was a vulnerable, yet powerful, permissive statement to women everywhere that have had to figure life out the hard way.
Main Characters: Sadie & Milo *swoon*
Sadie felt like a mirror of my own self. So many times I felt seen through Sadie’s character arc. From her personality to her dynamics in her relationships. In all the ways she was a people-pleaser and submissive to those around her. She puts herself last in every scenario. Until, the list…
The LIST: “Try Something You’ve Never Done”
If I had the opportunity to take this list and run with it as my own currently - I would. As I read, I lived vicariously through Sadie as she forced herself out of her comfort zone in order to find herself again. Her true self. The one not tied down by other people’s expectations, feelings, or assumptions. She took control of her life, scared…but she did it. FOR THE PLOT!
The plot: painting with color, speeding, eating the pie, overcoming fear of heights, R rated movie, roadtrips, blue butterflies, the good kind of country music, a couple pina coladas too many, and quitting a life of simplicity…
Milo…what a dreamboat of a man. He never let go of Sadie, even after proximity and their relationship was forced into change. He left her, selfishly to chase his own dreams. But, unbeknownst to her…he carried a piece of her with him always through a small brown covered bible she’d given him years prior. Although his character started with him appearing to be self-centered, he truly loved Sadie. He finds his way back to her just as she’s ready to venture out into the great unknown. He gives her every opportunity to “do it for the plot.” And she does. She accomplishes so much life in the time they spend together. — and I won’t give it all away… — but, the gift he leaves for her to find at the end of her journey was proof of how much he loves her. *cue the ugly crying*
Sadie’s sisters are a hoot! Their witty banter through text messages was fun to read. I cannot wait to read their own stories as the Summers Sisters series grows!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you, Shelbey. Thank you for pouring your heart out on these pages. I know so much of Sadie radiates from you. Thank you for making me feel seen through this fictional yet relatable character. Thank you for creating a character for others like us.
**I received this book from the author as I was honored to be apart of her ARC Reader team. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 2, 2026Unfortunately there is no 6 stars on this app🤧
I honestly don't know where to start…
Sadie is a woman you can count on no matter what, but there comes a time when the weight of that becomes too much to bear alone. Realizing that she knows more about the people around her than she does herself is a clear tell that it's time to choose herself for a change, flip a coin, and drive down the path of discovering who she wants to be and who she wants to be with.
Milo is a man who wants to prove to those around him that he can achieve his dreams. When his dreams were taken away from him, he himself had to go down a path of rediscovery and healing. Now his new dream is helping Sadie find herself and be the shoulder that she needs along the way, slowly showing his love for her, which has never faded away.
I am so grateful I got to read this story because it has become my first 6-star book EVER! I have given out multiple 5-stars before, but have never felt that 6-star feeling. When I was 40% through this book, I got the feeling that it could be a 5-star book, by 60% that feeling was confirmed, and by 80%, it had become my first 6-star book. I wasn’t even done with the book, and I was so in love with this story that I already knew it was one of the best books I would ever read.
Not because it was the best written or even had the best romance story (Don't get me wrong, Sadie and Milo are so cute, and I was definitely grinning ear to ear at their love), but personally because of how much I related to Sadie and Milo, and how much they both inspire me.
I related to giving up on my own dreams and putting other people's needs before my own, as well as living a “shaky and simply practiced” faith. But most importantly, I related to how she had to figure out who she really is. I relate to facing challenges alone and eventually had to accept help. As well as learning to lean on God in the process.
Thank you, Shelbey Kendall, for letting this be my first ARC read! For letting me “feel the joys and pains” of this world you wrote, and “letting me touch something that mattered to someone and letting it matter to me.”
Thank you for writing this beautiful story. It was one I didn't know I needed until I read it! This story will be a story that lives rent-free in my head forever! I can’t wait for the Little Miss series to continue!
I honestly don't know where to start…
Sadie is a woman you can count on no matter what, but there comes a time when the weight of that becomes too much to bear alone. Realizing that she knows more about the people around her than she does herself is a clear tell that it's time to choose herself for a change, flip a coin, and drive down the path of discovering who she wants to be and who she wants to be with.
Milo is a man who wants to prove to those around him that he can achieve his dreams. When his dreams were taken away from him, he himself had to go down a path of rediscovery and healing. Now his new dream is helping Sadie find herself and be the shoulder that she needs along the way, slowly showing his love for her, which has never faded away.
I am so grateful I got to read this story because it has become my first 6-star book EVER! I have given out multiple 5-stars before, but have never felt that 6-star feeling. When I was 40% through this book, I got the feeling that it could be a 5-star book, by 60% that feeling was confirmed, and by 80%, it had become my first 6-star book. I wasn’t even done with the book, and I was so in love with this story that I already knew it was one of the best books I would ever read.
Not because it was the best written or even had the best romance story (Don't get me wrong, Sadie and Milo are so cute, and I was definitely grinning ear to ear at their love), but personally because of how much I related to Sadie and Milo, and how much they both inspire me.
I related to giving up on my own dreams and putting other people's needs before my own, as well as living a “shaky and simply practiced” faith. But most importantly, I related to how she had to figure out who she really is. I relate to facing challenges alone and eventually had to accept help. As well as learning to lean on God in the process.
Thank you, Shelbey Kendall, for letting this be my first ARC read! For letting me “feel the joys and pains” of this world you wrote, and “letting me touch something that mattered to someone and letting it matter to me.”
Thank you for writing this beautiful story. It was one I didn't know I needed until I read it! This story will be a story that lives rent-free in my head forever! I can’t wait for the Little Miss series to continue!
Review of advance copy received from Author
There are books you finish and set aside, and then there are books that finish you, that reach into the quiet places you didn't know were aching and press something warm and true against them. Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes by Shelbey Kendall is, without question, the latter.
I received this as an ARC, and from the very first pages I knew I was holding something tender and rare. Sadie Summers is one of the most achingly real protagonists I have encountered in a long while. She is not dramatic in her suffering, and that is precisely what makes her so devastating. She is the woman who shows up, always. The one who keeps the peace, holds the pieces together, tucks her own wanting quietly away like something shameful. Kendall writes her smallness not with cruelty but with profound, tender understanding, the kind that makes you want to reach through the page and take her hand. And when Sadie stumbles upon a worn list, “Try Something You've Never Done Before” you feel, in your own chest, the terrifying electricity of a life beginning to remember itself.
Then there is Milo Carter. The first love. The one who left Dusty Hollow and somehow never left the marrow of her. When he returns, older, steadier, unhurried. Kendall does not reach for the dramatic. She reaches for something far more powerful: certainty. Milo is certain about Sadie in a way she has never been certain about herself, and watching that patient love crack gently through her defences is among the most quietly beautiful things I have read this year. “It’s beautiful to choose a life together”
This is the book's great and generous truth: that self-sacrifice without self-love is not virtue - it is a slow vanishing. That in order to love others well, truly well, you must first be willing to love yourself as you actually are. Not the version curated for everyone else's comfort. The real one. The whole one. The one who is allowed to want things. And there is a moment near the end where Sadie - brave, trembling, finally herself, seems to whisper back to every woman who has ever made herself smaller, and says simply:
"Do it for the plot."
I received this as an ARC, and from the very first pages I knew I was holding something tender and rare. Sadie Summers is one of the most achingly real protagonists I have encountered in a long while. She is not dramatic in her suffering, and that is precisely what makes her so devastating. She is the woman who shows up, always. The one who keeps the peace, holds the pieces together, tucks her own wanting quietly away like something shameful. Kendall writes her smallness not with cruelty but with profound, tender understanding, the kind that makes you want to reach through the page and take her hand. And when Sadie stumbles upon a worn list, “Try Something You've Never Done Before” you feel, in your own chest, the terrifying electricity of a life beginning to remember itself.
Then there is Milo Carter. The first love. The one who left Dusty Hollow and somehow never left the marrow of her. When he returns, older, steadier, unhurried. Kendall does not reach for the dramatic. She reaches for something far more powerful: certainty. Milo is certain about Sadie in a way she has never been certain about herself, and watching that patient love crack gently through her defences is among the most quietly beautiful things I have read this year. “It’s beautiful to choose a life together”
This is the book's great and generous truth: that self-sacrifice without self-love is not virtue - it is a slow vanishing. That in order to love others well, truly well, you must first be willing to love yourself as you actually are. Not the version curated for everyone else's comfort. The real one. The whole one. The one who is allowed to want things. And there is a moment near the end where Sadie - brave, trembling, finally herself, seems to whisper back to every woman who has ever made herself smaller, and says simply:
"Do it for the plot."
June 1, 2026
This is a 6 star read for me! If I could give this story 100 stars I could! I don’t think I’ve ever connected more to a character than Sadie Summers. She is as Shelbey states in the book “everything to everyone” and I can relate to that. I used to be that Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes and so many times throughout this book I saw myself in Sadie. When Sadie finally reaches a point where she realizes she has to start living her life for herself and not doing things to keep the peace or please other people I think I cried out “Huzzah!” because I know how scary and yet liberating it can feel! For any millennial, first born, Type A girls, Sadie is probably an embodiment of your life. ☺️
As Sadie grows and changes through this book, a line that rings out is “Do it for the plot.” And as someone who went through similar struggles as Sadie, it’s exciting (and yet slightly terrifying) to think that we write our own story and make of it what we will through our choices.
Milo is the perfect man for Sadie and when he walks back into her life she wants nothing to do with him. He pines and yearns but he is patient and ever the steadying presence in her life during this transformation. I loved his demeanor and humbleness and how even though this book is mostly about Sadie’s transformation, Milo also grows. I also love the tug between him wanting Sadie to be the same because he’s loved her all this time and her struggling to break out of her mold.
I would be remiss to not say anything about the end of this book because honestly the end of this book was one of the most perfect endings in my mind. A quote from the book says it best. It talks about the Mona Lisa and that “It’s the most famous painting in the world. I read once that Leonardo da Vinci carried her around for fourteen years, adding layer upon layer, emotion upon emotion until he was finally satisfied.”…. that is exactly what Shelbey did with this book. She added layer upon layer, emotion upon emotion until she created a beautiful book that I highly recommend! *ARC copy review*
As Sadie grows and changes through this book, a line that rings out is “Do it for the plot.” And as someone who went through similar struggles as Sadie, it’s exciting (and yet slightly terrifying) to think that we write our own story and make of it what we will through our choices.
Milo is the perfect man for Sadie and when he walks back into her life she wants nothing to do with him. He pines and yearns but he is patient and ever the steadying presence in her life during this transformation. I loved his demeanor and humbleness and how even though this book is mostly about Sadie’s transformation, Milo also grows. I also love the tug between him wanting Sadie to be the same because he’s loved her all this time and her struggling to break out of her mold.
I would be remiss to not say anything about the end of this book because honestly the end of this book was one of the most perfect endings in my mind. A quote from the book says it best. It talks about the Mona Lisa and that “It’s the most famous painting in the world. I read once that Leonardo da Vinci carried her around for fourteen years, adding layer upon layer, emotion upon emotion until he was finally satisfied.”…. that is exactly what Shelbey did with this book. She added layer upon layer, emotion upon emotion until she created a beautiful book that I highly recommend! *ARC copy review*
Review of advance copy received from Author
Little Miss Goodie Two-Shoes Review
I can’t thank Shelbey Kendall enough for selecting me as one of the ARC readers. I shared this first experience with my 7th grade ELA class, and that made it even more special. I don’t think I have ever read a book this slowly on purpose. I truly did not want it to end.
I could not believe how many things in this book were relatable for me, right down to several of the names used: my last name, my daughter’s first name, my niece’s name, and even my dog’s name (Henry, not Milo 😉). Sadie Summers… I get you. I cried with you, and I got butterflies with you (the kind in my stomach though, not on my shoulder ha, ha!). I felt like we could be friends, friends who love making lists, over-explain things so we are not misunderstood, and although I can’t sing, I would absolutely dance to any of your songs with you.
If you like current topics and trends, references to Stanleys, shiplap walls, galvanized metal planters, book references, music by Rascal Flatts, and cute coffee shop names like Buttercup Brew, this is a book for you. If you are anything like myself, the author, and Sadie, you will find this book impossible to put down. I fell so deeply into the world of this main character that I even found myself jumping in the car to visit the nearest coffee shop just to try her usual coffee order. To say I was immersed would be an understatement.
Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes is a book with all the feels. I think I fell apart the most when she said, “I was just… I just thought… I was supposed to be more.” That line really hit me and stayed with me for a while.
I owe Shelbey and Sadie a thank you. Thank you for reminding me that we can all learn to love ourselves a little more and that it is okay to admit when we are not okay. It was a beautiful reminder to ask for help and to stop pretending that we have everything figured out all the time.
Put this on your TBR list for June 1st!
I can’t thank Shelbey Kendall enough for selecting me as one of the ARC readers. I shared this first experience with my 7th grade ELA class, and that made it even more special. I don’t think I have ever read a book this slowly on purpose. I truly did not want it to end.
I could not believe how many things in this book were relatable for me, right down to several of the names used: my last name, my daughter’s first name, my niece’s name, and even my dog’s name (Henry, not Milo 😉). Sadie Summers… I get you. I cried with you, and I got butterflies with you (the kind in my stomach though, not on my shoulder ha, ha!). I felt like we could be friends, friends who love making lists, over-explain things so we are not misunderstood, and although I can’t sing, I would absolutely dance to any of your songs with you.
If you like current topics and trends, references to Stanleys, shiplap walls, galvanized metal planters, book references, music by Rascal Flatts, and cute coffee shop names like Buttercup Brew, this is a book for you. If you are anything like myself, the author, and Sadie, you will find this book impossible to put down. I fell so deeply into the world of this main character that I even found myself jumping in the car to visit the nearest coffee shop just to try her usual coffee order. To say I was immersed would be an understatement.
Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes is a book with all the feels. I think I fell apart the most when she said, “I was just… I just thought… I was supposed to be more.” That line really hit me and stayed with me for a while.
I owe Shelbey and Sadie a thank you. Thank you for reminding me that we can all learn to love ourselves a little more and that it is okay to admit when we are not okay. It was a beautiful reminder to ask for help and to stop pretending that we have everything figured out all the time.
Put this on your TBR list for June 1st!
June 2, 2026
ARC Review 4.5 ⭐️
"What are you waiting for, Bookworm? Do it for the plot!!"
Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes is officially out, and it completely delivered the cozy romance vibes I was hoping for. Sweet, charming, comforting, and emotional in all the best ways.
If you’ve ever struggled with “good girl syndrome” or spent your life putting everyone else’s needs before your own, this small-town, second-chance romance is going to hit you right in the feelings.
Sadie Summers has spent her entire life in Dusty Hollow, Texas, being the dependable, responsible “Goody Two-Shoes” everyone expects her to be. After a lifetime of living for others, she discovers an old bucket list filled with dreams she was always too afraid to pursue.
And then there’s Milo, Sadie’s ex and the only man she’s ever loved. After an injury forces the former pro football player back to Dusty Hollow, he comes home carrying regrets, a wounded heart, and one clear realization, he never stopped wanting Sadie. This time, he’s ready to fight for the future they once lost.
As a fan of second-chance romances, I can easily say this one is beautifully written and layered. I loved the history and chemistry between Sadie and Milo, as well as how they both take responsibility for their past mistakes. Milo’s honesty and vulnerability especially stood out to me. Shelby proves that a romance doesn’t need spice to create incredible chemistry, you can feel the emotional connection between these characters on every page.
This book is more than just a romance. Sadie’s journey toward breaking free from people-pleasing and learning to live for herself is handled so beautifully and felt incredibly relatable.
I also loved the small-town setting, where everyone knows everyone and their business😁 and also loved the Summers sister’s bond and their group chats added so much warmth and fun to the story.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming, sweet, clean, wholesome, and emotionally rich romance, add this one to your TBR!
"What are you waiting for, Bookworm? Do it for the plot!!"
Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes is officially out, and it completely delivered the cozy romance vibes I was hoping for. Sweet, charming, comforting, and emotional in all the best ways.
If you’ve ever struggled with “good girl syndrome” or spent your life putting everyone else’s needs before your own, this small-town, second-chance romance is going to hit you right in the feelings.
Sadie Summers has spent her entire life in Dusty Hollow, Texas, being the dependable, responsible “Goody Two-Shoes” everyone expects her to be. After a lifetime of living for others, she discovers an old bucket list filled with dreams she was always too afraid to pursue.
And then there’s Milo, Sadie’s ex and the only man she’s ever loved. After an injury forces the former pro football player back to Dusty Hollow, he comes home carrying regrets, a wounded heart, and one clear realization, he never stopped wanting Sadie. This time, he’s ready to fight for the future they once lost.
As a fan of second-chance romances, I can easily say this one is beautifully written and layered. I loved the history and chemistry between Sadie and Milo, as well as how they both take responsibility for their past mistakes. Milo’s honesty and vulnerability especially stood out to me. Shelby proves that a romance doesn’t need spice to create incredible chemistry, you can feel the emotional connection between these characters on every page.
This book is more than just a romance. Sadie’s journey toward breaking free from people-pleasing and learning to live for herself is handled so beautifully and felt incredibly relatable.
I also loved the small-town setting, where everyone knows everyone and their business😁 and also loved the Summers sister’s bond and their group chats added so much warmth and fun to the story.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming, sweet, clean, wholesome, and emotionally rich romance, add this one to your TBR!
June 23, 2026
I’ll be honest, the first time I saw this book and read the synopsis I felt it would be cliche and that’s not what I wanted in that moment. But that’s why I believe God be aligning books for me to read because few weeks later I saw a review, I read a bit of it and I was like “sure why not” And now I’ve read the book and boy am I so glad I did. This is my first book by the author and I know for sure I’ll be reading her past and future books. I just loved the storyline and how it was delivered. I see how I thought it would be cliche but the way this book was written was fresh and unique and I truly enjoyed the whole reading experience.
Like Sadie, I also identify as a people pleaser so when I was reading about Sadie i understood why she did some things she did (not all though) I didn’t judge her but I did say No! many times for her😅 because what do you mean she barely knows you and you’re asking her to do stuff for you. Anyway I’m so glad God made my girl Sadie see that list and that she followed through with it because truly we only have one life on earth, we don’t get a do over so why not actually live. I can’t say I’m there yet but I know my perspective has shifted and I’m going to think of ways I can stop living for people instead of myself and God.
Can we just take a moment for the top tier book boyfriend Mr Milo Carter🥹😌 The way this man kept reassuring and showing up for Sadie is what I’m talking about. His apology???? (I’ll leave it at that) I liked how he realised what he did wrong and came back with the intention to make it right, that is a good man for sure. Their chemistry was chemistrying🥰 Chapter 40 was golden❤️
I’ll stop this review here because I can feel myself slip into spoilers and I don’t want to do that. If you’ve read this far, surely you’ll go check out this amazing book, you’ll definitely have a nice time🫶🏾
Well-done to the author, thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
Like Sadie, I also identify as a people pleaser so when I was reading about Sadie i understood why she did some things she did (not all though) I didn’t judge her but I did say No! many times for her😅 because what do you mean she barely knows you and you’re asking her to do stuff for you. Anyway I’m so glad God made my girl Sadie see that list and that she followed through with it because truly we only have one life on earth, we don’t get a do over so why not actually live. I can’t say I’m there yet but I know my perspective has shifted and I’m going to think of ways I can stop living for people instead of myself and God.
Can we just take a moment for the top tier book boyfriend Mr Milo Carter🥹😌 The way this man kept reassuring and showing up for Sadie is what I’m talking about. His apology???? (I’ll leave it at that) I liked how he realised what he did wrong and came back with the intention to make it right, that is a good man for sure. Their chemistry was chemistrying🥰 Chapter 40 was golden❤️
I’ll stop this review here because I can feel myself slip into spoilers and I don’t want to do that. If you’ve read this far, surely you’ll go check out this amazing book, you’ll definitely have a nice time🫶🏾
Well-done to the author, thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes was a soft story that felt like a hug. Sadie Summers has been trapped in people's expectations for far too long: she has been the perfect citizen, the perfect daughter, and somewhere along the way, she has forgotten who she truly is and what loving yourself really feels like. The story follows her as she completes a list of things she's never tried, all while her former love, Milo, is back in town.
To be honest, there were several moments in the book when I was really concerned for Sadie's list, thinking she might end up doing things that would be more detrimental to her than anything else. However, that sparked a deep reflection about what it's like to lose yourself that much in real life. I was mostly glad at how Sadie's journey was depicted, and I could see her with grace as someone who formerly lived like her, in a way.
I didn't expect this book to surprise me plot-wise, but it did near the end, with our beloved protagonist's choices. I absolutely loved how those choices were steps toward healing and forgiveness. I spent the last ten chapters or so crying and receiving comfort from this book. I would've loved to see more of Sadie's faith and growth in that aspect, but I loved Milo's; his was a faith arc you could see yourself living.
This is a love story, but not just the romantic kind (although that was beautifully crafted). It's more than that. Even though I struggled with certain aspects of the book, I can't help but thank Shelbey Kendall for writing it ♥️. This is for the people with burnout, for the people going through the motions of faith instead of living it, for people who let others dictate their lives, for people tired of trying to be perfect... and for people who love books ("bookworms"), a green-flag MMC, and a "good girl flies free" vibe 😌.
To be honest, there were several moments in the book when I was really concerned for Sadie's list, thinking she might end up doing things that would be more detrimental to her than anything else. However, that sparked a deep reflection about what it's like to lose yourself that much in real life. I was mostly glad at how Sadie's journey was depicted, and I could see her with grace as someone who formerly lived like her, in a way.
I didn't expect this book to surprise me plot-wise, but it did near the end, with our beloved protagonist's choices. I absolutely loved how those choices were steps toward healing and forgiveness. I spent the last ten chapters or so crying and receiving comfort from this book. I would've loved to see more of Sadie's faith and growth in that aspect, but I loved Milo's; his was a faith arc you could see yourself living.
This is a love story, but not just the romantic kind (although that was beautifully crafted). It's more than that. Even though I struggled with certain aspects of the book, I can't help but thank Shelbey Kendall for writing it ♥️. This is for the people with burnout, for the people going through the motions of faith instead of living it, for people who let others dictate their lives, for people tired of trying to be perfect... and for people who love books ("bookworms"), a green-flag MMC, and a "good girl flies free" vibe 😌.
June 25, 2026
Shelbey just has a way with words. She writes powerfully and poetically. This is one of those books that I’ll think about repeatedly and reread multiple times. I felt like I was highlighting half the book! One of those books where the words just flooooowwww off the page.
Sadie and Milo’s story is full of the sweetest love. A lot of time and hurt and misunderstandings stand between them. Milo’s patience and soft persistence are worth a thousand words—he sees Sadie’s struggles and shows up in the ways she needs, not in the ways that he wants. Agh, I just want to squeeze the daylights out of him for how perfect he is for Sadie!! Your heart strings will be pulled on again and again! So much history plays out between these two that will have you yearning for their happiness and kicking your feet at their cuteness.
And Sadie. When I heard the premise of this book—about letting go of expectations and saying yes and giving yourself permission to be YOU—I was immediately hooked. And watching Sadie navigate that path and figure out not just what direction to go but who she is was beautiful and inspiring. You see her wrestle with doubt and fear but gradually, one decision at a time, her courage grows and blossoms into something radiant. I love her arc because it demonstrates that often the best change comes from us doing something; not from waiting for something to happen to us.
Ah, this book has my whole heart. I love the change, the self-growth, the healing, and the love. This book belongs on your TBR!
✨ Gems ✨
The list 🙌🏻
The lipstick 💄
Dual POV 💞
The water tower
The notes 😭
Literary references
Movie night 🥹
Sisters 🤍
Many thanks to the author for the eARC! A positive review was not required.
Sadie and Milo’s story is full of the sweetest love. A lot of time and hurt and misunderstandings stand between them. Milo’s patience and soft persistence are worth a thousand words—he sees Sadie’s struggles and shows up in the ways she needs, not in the ways that he wants. Agh, I just want to squeeze the daylights out of him for how perfect he is for Sadie!! Your heart strings will be pulled on again and again! So much history plays out between these two that will have you yearning for their happiness and kicking your feet at their cuteness.
And Sadie. When I heard the premise of this book—about letting go of expectations and saying yes and giving yourself permission to be YOU—I was immediately hooked. And watching Sadie navigate that path and figure out not just what direction to go but who she is was beautiful and inspiring. You see her wrestle with doubt and fear but gradually, one decision at a time, her courage grows and blossoms into something radiant. I love her arc because it demonstrates that often the best change comes from us doing something; not from waiting for something to happen to us.
Ah, this book has my whole heart. I love the change, the self-growth, the healing, and the love. This book belongs on your TBR!
✨ Gems ✨
The list 🙌🏻
The lipstick 💄
Dual POV 💞
The water tower
The notes 😭
Literary references
Movie night 🥹
Sisters 🤍
Many thanks to the author for the eARC! A positive review was not required.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews