It Audit Be You

by Madylen Valdes

Genres: Romance

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 30, 2026

About the author

Madylen Valdes is a passionate fiction writer, weaving heartfelt stories that explore love, growth, and the complexities of human emotions. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their beloved dog, Nina. To find more of her work, visit www.thearchivesofmadylenvaldes.com.

Reviews

[angelinabvby ۶۟ৎ {rest in peace estie}]

ʚ🩷ɞ 𝕤𝕠𝕗𝕥 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 ʚ🩷ɞ
this is one of the best arcs i've read so far

[Brina.readz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Madylen Valdes for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The plot of "It Audit Be You" paired with it being set in DC and therefore close by immediately drew me in.

What then kept me hooked was how hilarious and captivating it was. The writing felt light and aithentic even when it came to difficult topics and emotions. The back and forth between Jackson and Louisas' past and present helped with a deeper understanding of their relationship and Louisas' mixed feelings towards him. Even I had mixed feelings towards some of his behavior in the past even if I understood it.

“He’s going to break your heart,” he murmurs. This isn’t how this is supposed to go. “Not possible,” I reply. “You already broke it.”

The banter between present them was great and their chemistry on fire though and I couldn't see the story ending any other way than it did - with me feeling all giddy and giggly.

“I’ve loved you since before either of us knew what to call it. My love for you is not temporary.”

I absolutely adored all the side characters (even sleezy ex Simon) and how the story unfolded with all these little clumsy romcom moments.

"But that’s just it. Simon is not a man. He’s a disloyal, messy, Winnie- the- Pooh clown boy."

[Brooklynn Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review ( as an ARC reader) 📚

Rating: 5/5 stars 🌟

Review: Guys, I don't know what Madylen puts in her books, but I'm addicted. Her writing style is so easy to read and eye-catching that it makes it hard to put a book down.

"It Audit Be You" (the name itself is so cute) was so funny! Think any rom-com movie in the early 2000's and put those vibes into book form. It specifically gave me 13 Going on 30 vibes and for a newer book/movie, People We Meet On Vacation.

Louisa was so relatable and hilarious. I loved hearing her inner monologue and reading her quirky actions. The nickname Kangaroo Jack was so fitting for her.

Jackson, sweet sweet Jackson, he was so clueless at times but so so sweet and PATIENT. This man had so much patience for Lou.

The plot was smooth and captivating with each page. I was iffy on the comedy part at first due to, in the past finding it hard for books to make me LOL but this book did not disappoint! This story also reminded me of my own "Jackson" that I drifted from 🫂

[Ryn Ellington · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is almost 11pm on a Tuesday night. Should I be asleep because I have work in the morning? Yes. Have I been giggling and crying for the last 30 minutes finishing this book? Also yes. It has taken everything in me to quietly read this book in bed while my fiancé sleeps because it is so good I just couldn’t stop devouring it. First Simon can kick rocks, him and his v-neck t-shirt. Second Marnie I love you so much Queen 💕 The banter between Lou and Jackson is unmatched. I love them so much. This book made me realize how much I love friends to enemies to lovers. J-man always coming to the rescue. Thank you so much Madylen for reaching out to me and sharing this lovely book. This is 5 stars for me. When I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about reading it. I cannot wait to have this on my shelves because I will be reading this multiple times.

[Shiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am BLOWN AWAY!!!

This is my very first ARC reader experience. And to be honest, I didn't know what to expect. I thought this story sounded cute, but my expectations were not very high. Well... Ms. Madylen Valdes, you little minx, you had me hooked from the very first chapter! From absurd Bernice to the sweet surprise at the end, I was ENTHRALLED!!! Couldn't put this book down. It was laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, charming, and heartwarming. I wish I could read it again, that's how good it was.

Madylen,
Thank you so much for this ARC copy! It was such a wonderful experience and I'm now afraid nothing will top this.

Read if you love:
second chances
found family
workplace romance/forced proximity
Big time Banter and lots of chemistry
closed-door romance

I will be recommending this book to everyone :)

[Lani Bausewein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reading Method: 📚
Length: 272 pages
Genre: Romance

Author Madylen Valdes entrusted me with her book baby with an ARC, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity.

It Audit Be You is a about two best friends who have a falling out after law school and don't speak for several years. They left things between them unspoken and unfinished, so when the universe reunited them as co-workers years later, they finally have the opportunity to hash it out.

This "second chance romance" and "enemies to lovers" book is a fast read, has fantastic dialog, and characters you are rooting for.

While I thought the additional twists beginning at chapter 36 were a bit much / over the top, I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend checking it out! This Audit Be You will launch in July so add it to your TBR now!

Topics include:
Male/female best friends
Trash boyfriends
Man-whore
Ugly breakups
Miscommunications
Quirky BFFs
Love always prevails! ❤️
🚫🌶️

@madylenvaldes_author

[kingdoms.of.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new delightful 5***** rom-com will have you literally laughing out loud, giggling and kicking your feet. It is engaging, loveable and bingeable. The characters are delightful and endearing. Who knew taxes could be so funny and so sexy?

There are absolutely comical scenes involving: tweezers, buying a mattress and "rock butt", first date at a restaurant and armpit odor. IYKYK

Second chance romance. College best friends. Tax lawyers. Workplace drama.
Jackson - mustached macho man
Louisa - kind, smart, charming
Herbert - the treasured dog
Simon - read it and find out
Marnie - eccentric and darling roomie

Seriously, this is a must-read! Hilarious, witty banter. This will be the next big viral rom-com.

[Leah Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I want to say, Thank you to @madylenvaldes_author for the opportunity to read my first ARC. This was such a special and fun time.

This book completely surprised me in the best way. There was an addictive rom-com energy from the first page and I did not want to put it down. The humor landed naturally (air boxing 🤣), the romance developed in a way that felt genuine, and the characters had enough depth to make you emotionally invested beyond just the romance itself.

No spoilers, but if you love:

✨witty banter
✨workplace rom-com vibes
✨characters with undeniable chemistry
✨laugh-out-loud moments mixed with heartfelt scenes
✨ relatable humor
…this is absolutely one to add to your TBR.

Louisa and Jackson were genuinely so entertaining to read, and this book left me smiling long after I finished it. What a fun and refreshing read. 🫶🫶

[Mary Kate Brewer]

I’m so happy I was sent an ARC of this book. The setting and just overall description of the story seemed interesting. The relatable characters and humorous dialogue kept me captivated. It felt like I was sitting with a friend and they were talking to me about their love life - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Louisa was a relatable FMC and I loved reading her point-of-view. Marnie was exactly what Lou needed in a friendship, no matter how eccentric she was. Simon - walking red flag, who enjoys being Winnie the Pooh if you get my drift, he was the worst. Jackson and Lou’s friendship, banter, and the will they won’t they was everything. All in all, such a good book! I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next. Keep an eye out for this book when it’s released.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This is a MUST READ!!!

This book was so cute, so quirky, and so FUNNY! I literally laughed out loud multiple times while reading it. I was hooked from the very beginning and finished it in a day! The story was light, fast-paced, and hilarious. But I was also impressed with the depth of the romance and the connection between the FMC and MMC. I'm not usually a fan of dual time-line, but I thought Madylen did a very strong job with utilizing that to slowly unveil how the past is connected to the present. If I could give this book six stars, I would! Can't wait to see what Madylen Valdes does next!!!!

[Catherine Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

It Audit Be You is a light, fast-moving rom-com built around second chances, workplace tension, and unresolved chemistry between former friends Louisa and Jackson.

The novel leans into playful humor, quirky side characters, and plenty of chaotic situations, creating an easy, breezy reading experience for fans of upbeat romantic comedies. Louisa and Jackson share strong chemistry, and the dialogue flows naturally, which kept the story moving at a quick pace.

Readers looking for an entertaining, low-angst romance with banter, antics, and a touch of chaos will have fun with this playful contemporary romance. Spice level: mild open door

[Bookish diaries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Madylen Valdes, for the ARC of the book.

I wasn't expecting this book to be so good. This is one of the sweetest romcoms I have ever read. It's cute and funny. The MC's chemistry, conversation, and everything going on just felt so natural. The side characters were also impressive and supportive. The book is fast-paced and easy to read. I usually don't enjoy dual timelines, but this was actually well written. It has single pov, so I wish we could get the pov of Jackson, too.

What to expect from the book
- second chance romance
- workplace rom-com
- witty banters
- heartfelt love
- Dual timeline

[Jake Innit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madylen really knows how to grip a reader. All of her writings from blogs to books are just peak story telling with plenty of hilarious drama, but wholesome lessons. In this book, she did a wonderful job creating characters. From Louisa's inner dialogue, to major ick Simon, to random roomate turned fan favorite, Marnie. The plot is full of surprises but easy to follow, and even transitions from past to present throughout, which is hard to do well. I think this could be a breakout book or maybe one that people come back to and discover as a hit down the line in this young author's career.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC

The story centers on Louisa- a lawyer who has returned to Alaska to help her mother financially. The book is a single-point of view and we don’t actually meet Jackson for many chapters.

I didn’t love Louisa. Her third act breakup for a silly reason that could have been handled by her and Jackson going to HR before Megan did. Also returning to Alaska where she hated her job seems ridiculous. The epilogue was also a little bit of a stretch but I loved hearing about the supporting characters and their futures.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

While there were a few errors that I noted throughout the book, the story hooked me right away. The author has a great sense of humor and made me feel as if I were in the room with the characters. I am sure this book will do great in the reading world and can not wait for others to discover the witty banter on release day in July!

[Fifi O’Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILERS!!!: what a cute story! i loved the banter and even though the going back and forth was frustrating at times, it was all very much worth it. Jackson and Lou forever have my hearts and the ending was absolutely so cute. a love story for the ages! there were so many funny moments and i would have loved to have tried Jackson’s Pho recipe haha. a genuine, heartfelt story. well done!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Audit Be You was such a cute read! I got super invested in the characters and ended up finishing it in two days because I didn’t want to put it down. The writing flowed really well and the rom-com vibes were perfect. Definitely a fun, quick read if you want something light and entertaining!

[Michele with Book Nook Buzz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come. This was a fun rom-com. And about a tax lawyer! Lol

[Carrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

I love Louisa! She feels like someone I could be friends with in real life. So relatable in many ways although I have never dropped to the floor and crawled to a printer to (unsuccessfully) hide behind 😂.

This book was so funny to me. I love Madylen’s sense of humor. I think I highlighted at least eight scenes where I was cracking up. Russell was great at adding humor and Brad’s neck brace mid meeting killed me. Also the mattress! I couldn’t believe it!

Jackson was a great MMC who truly loved Lou for her sometimes awkward, kind, intelligent self. It was nice to see him depend on Lou in a professional setting since he seemed to have it all figured out most of the time.

I will definitely be coming back to see what Madylen writes next!

I received an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.