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Oh, Honey!
After leaving behind a high-pressure legal career and an empty marriage, Corinne Anderson arrives in Saltmere, North Carolina, ready to start over with a flower shop and the hope of finally finding home. Across town, Grace Bennett is struggling to keep her family's art gallery alive as a developer's plans threaten the heart of the community she loves.
When Grace's brother announces his upcoming wedding, their worlds collide-Grace as maid of honor, Corinne as the florist tasked with bringing the celebration to life. Late nights and honest conversations soon deepen into something neither of them expected, forcing both women to confront their pasts and the uncertainty of their futures ahead.
But as change looms over Saltmere, will they find the strength to hold onto what they're building together-or will everything they're starting to love slip away?
When Grace's brother announces his upcoming wedding, their worlds collide-Grace as maid of honor, Corinne as the florist tasked with bringing the celebration to life. Late nights and honest conversations soon deepen into something neither of them expected, forcing both women to confront their pasts and the uncertainty of their futures ahead.
But as change looms over Saltmere, will they find the strength to hold onto what they're building together-or will everything they're starting to love slip away?
420 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 28, 2026
Yes, I wrote this but I also read it a million times!🤣
April 11, 2026
Absolute pure magic!
Every Riley Angulo book gets better and better and this one is by far my fave. Corinne and Gracare are so perfect and I loved watching them fall in love. I loved the way Saltmere was so alive. Cannot wait for #3!!
Every Riley Angulo book gets better and better and this one is by far my fave. Corinne and Gracare are so perfect and I loved watching them fall in love. I loved the way Saltmere was so alive. Cannot wait for #3!!
May 26, 2026
perfect book to begin my annual sapphic romance readathon!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.25 ⭐
This story had so much potential, and while there were parts I genuinely appreciated, there were also a few elements that didn’t fully click for me, starting with the characters. Corinne leaves behind her life as a lawyer and moves to Saltmere, hoping for a fresh start with a flower shop and a chance to rediscover herself. There, she meets Grace, who is trying to keep her family’s art gallery afloat despite her parents’ disapproval. When their paths cross, Grace invites Corinne to help bring her brother’s wedding to life, and as they spend more time together, their connection deepens into something more.
I had a hard time connecting with Corinne. Her backstory—losing her mother, a broken marriage, and feeling stuck in her career—was compelling, and I was really looking forward to seeing her growth. While she did take a big step by starting over, emotionally she often felt unsure of herself, especially when it came to standing up to her brother. It was difficult to watch her avoid setting boundaries until she was essentially forced to, and by then, the damage had already been done. There was also her relationship with her father, which was introduced as something he wanted to repair, but it wasn’t explored further, making it feel somewhat underdeveloped. On the other hand, her grief over her mother was handled beautifully. It felt raw, genuine, and deeply moving. Still, by the end, her growth didn’t feel as clear as I had hoped.
Grace, however, was easier to connect with. She came across as more grounded and put-together, offering a steady presence throughout the story. I appreciated that she wasn’t portrayed as perfect; she actually had insecurities of her own that she worked through. That said, even with her POV included, it often felt like her storyline took a backseat to Corinne’s struggles. For example, her parents’ disapproval could have been explored with more depth, as their eventual approval felt quite sudden and lacked buildup, which made it feel a bit rushed.
As for the romance… I’m a bit torn. Their chemistry was definitely there, and I loved how natural their connection felt. The way they understood each other, especially in their most vulnerable moments, was really well done. The slow burn was intentional, soft, and filled with tender moments that made them easy to root for. But at the same time, the relationship didn’t always feel completely balanced. Corinne relied heavily on Grace, and it didn’t feel like that support was equally returned. Also, Grace’s past with Zander, something that clearly shaped her views on love, was barely addressed. This imbalance made the dynamic feel slightly incomplete, which affected how convincing the romance felt to me overall.
The pacing was probably the biggest challenge for me. It leaned heavily into a very slow progression, which made it harder for me to stay fully immersed. There were moments where it seemed like not much was happening, or that things were occurring more in the background than actively on the page. This applied not only to the romance but also to the characters’ personal growth. It often felt like they were moving through life rather than actively shaping it. And while I usually enjoy a well-done slow burn, this one pushed the limits of how gradual it was. The book ended up feeling longer than it actually is, even though it’s only around 300 pages in the Kindle version.
On a more positive note, the writing itself was beautiful. It often felt lyrical, even poetic, and complemented the slow, tender nature of the romance. There was a softness to it that created an intimate atmosphere between the two main characters.
The found family aspect was also a highlight. The friendships, especially among the women, felt authentic and close-knit. I would have liked to see more of Corinne’s relationship with her sister, though that may have been explored more in a previous book. Their bond still came through as something meaningful. Grace’s relationship with her brother was another standout. It felt supportive, genuine, and very grounded.
Overall, Oh, Honey! is a character-driven, dual POV story about self-growth, letting go of expectations, and learning to open yourself up to happiness. It features a gentle slow-burn romance, flawed but relatable characters, and a strong found family dynamic. It didn’t fully work for me, but it still has a lot to offer, and it might just be the perfect read for someone who loves a softer, slower story.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story had so much potential, and while there were parts I genuinely appreciated, there were also a few elements that didn’t fully click for me, starting with the characters. Corinne leaves behind her life as a lawyer and moves to Saltmere, hoping for a fresh start with a flower shop and a chance to rediscover herself. There, she meets Grace, who is trying to keep her family’s art gallery afloat despite her parents’ disapproval. When their paths cross, Grace invites Corinne to help bring her brother’s wedding to life, and as they spend more time together, their connection deepens into something more.
I had a hard time connecting with Corinne. Her backstory—losing her mother, a broken marriage, and feeling stuck in her career—was compelling, and I was really looking forward to seeing her growth. While she did take a big step by starting over, emotionally she often felt unsure of herself, especially when it came to standing up to her brother. It was difficult to watch her avoid setting boundaries until she was essentially forced to, and by then, the damage had already been done. There was also her relationship with her father, which was introduced as something he wanted to repair, but it wasn’t explored further, making it feel somewhat underdeveloped. On the other hand, her grief over her mother was handled beautifully. It felt raw, genuine, and deeply moving. Still, by the end, her growth didn’t feel as clear as I had hoped.
Grace, however, was easier to connect with. She came across as more grounded and put-together, offering a steady presence throughout the story. I appreciated that she wasn’t portrayed as perfect; she actually had insecurities of her own that she worked through. That said, even with her POV included, it often felt like her storyline took a backseat to Corinne’s struggles. For example, her parents’ disapproval could have been explored with more depth, as their eventual approval felt quite sudden and lacked buildup, which made it feel a bit rushed.
As for the romance… I’m a bit torn. Their chemistry was definitely there, and I loved how natural their connection felt. The way they understood each other, especially in their most vulnerable moments, was really well done. The slow burn was intentional, soft, and filled with tender moments that made them easy to root for. But at the same time, the relationship didn’t always feel completely balanced. Corinne relied heavily on Grace, and it didn’t feel like that support was equally returned. Also, Grace’s past with Zander, something that clearly shaped her views on love, was barely addressed. This imbalance made the dynamic feel slightly incomplete, which affected how convincing the romance felt to me overall.
The pacing was probably the biggest challenge for me. It leaned heavily into a very slow progression, which made it harder for me to stay fully immersed. There were moments where it seemed like not much was happening, or that things were occurring more in the background than actively on the page. This applied not only to the romance but also to the characters’ personal growth. It often felt like they were moving through life rather than actively shaping it. And while I usually enjoy a well-done slow burn, this one pushed the limits of how gradual it was. The book ended up feeling longer than it actually is, even though it’s only around 300 pages in the Kindle version.
On a more positive note, the writing itself was beautiful. It often felt lyrical, even poetic, and complemented the slow, tender nature of the romance. There was a softness to it that created an intimate atmosphere between the two main characters.
The found family aspect was also a highlight. The friendships, especially among the women, felt authentic and close-knit. I would have liked to see more of Corinne’s relationship with her sister, though that may have been explored more in a previous book. Their bond still came through as something meaningful. Grace’s relationship with her brother was another standout. It felt supportive, genuine, and very grounded.
Overall, Oh, Honey! is a character-driven, dual POV story about self-growth, letting go of expectations, and learning to open yourself up to happiness. It features a gentle slow-burn romance, flawed but relatable characters, and a strong found family dynamic. It didn’t fully work for me, but it still has a lot to offer, and it might just be the perfect read for someone who loves a softer, slower story.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2026
“i’ve lived in saltmere my entire life, and not once have i ever thought of wanting to leave. the town might have an ocean’s worth of drama and people here are far too nosy for their own good, but the charm of our small coastal town can be seen even in the depth of a city’s lights. people come here to slow down, to breathe a little easier, to let saltmere work its quiet magic on them-whether they expected to or not. around here, secrets spread faster than the tide, but so does kindness. and if you stay long enough, you realize that saltmere isn’t just a place you live. it’s a place that lives with you.” this quote by one of the fmcs is exactly how i feel about riley’s writing, and the world of saltmere that she created!! corinne and grace made the perfect couple and their love story was absolutely magical. i can’t wait for book three to take me back to saltmere!!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews