What do you think?
Rate this book
Not a Strong Enough Word
Scarlett Frye was once a literary genius. With two bestselling novels, a million-dollar book deal, and a love story of her own, she had it all—until the pressure broke her. Five years ago, she canceled her book tour, shredded her contract, and disappeared. She left everything behind, including Ryan Whitlock, the editor who believed in her… and the man she loved.
Now, after years of healing, she’s ready to write again.
For Ryan, Scarlett’s disappearance wasn’t just a professional loss, it was personal. It shattered his heart and sent him into a slump. That is, until an anonymous manuscript lands on his desk. The writing is brilliant, raw, and achingly familiar—it can only be Scarlett’s.
As fate brings them back together, Scarlett reluctantly agrees to let Ryan edit her comeback novel, even though it means working with the man she never stopped loving. Old passions reignite, but when pressure builds and buried secrets resurface, Ryan fears history will repeat itself.
Scarlett walked away once. But as they navigate love, loss, and the weight of the past, she and Ryan must be strong enough to rewrite their story before it’s too late.
Now, after years of healing, she’s ready to write again.
For Ryan, Scarlett’s disappearance wasn’t just a professional loss, it was personal. It shattered his heart and sent him into a slump. That is, until an anonymous manuscript lands on his desk. The writing is brilliant, raw, and achingly familiar—it can only be Scarlett’s.
As fate brings them back together, Scarlett reluctantly agrees to let Ryan edit her comeback novel, even though it means working with the man she never stopped loving. Old passions reignite, but when pressure builds and buried secrets resurface, Ryan fears history will repeat itself.
Scarlett walked away once. But as they navigate love, loss, and the weight of the past, she and Ryan must be strong enough to rewrite their story before it’s too late.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published June 2, 2026
About the author
Allie Samberts
12 books403 followersAllie Samberts is a romance writer, book lover, and high school English teacher. She was voted funniest teacher of the year for 2023 by her students, which is probably her highest honor to date. She is also a runner, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two kids, and a very loud beagle. You can follow her on Instagram @alliesambertswrites, read her blog at alliesamberts.substack.com, and get other updates at www.alliesamberts.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
May 14, 2025
UPDATE: NOW AVAILABLE AND ON KU
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
Not a Strong Enough Word by Allie Samberts
Publication date: 14th May 2025
⚠️LENGTHY FROM THE HEART REVIEW⚠️
Thoughts
This was so much more than a typical second chance romance story, this was strength, vulnerability, raw connection, self reflection and real love between the FMC and MMC that despite the miscommunication between them you still feel for both of them. Scarlet and Ryan are truly one of the most beautiful couples to be written. Have you ever finished a book thinking "Will I ever find my person?" despite their flaws they were made for each other in the most perfect way possible. I won't forget Scarlet and Ryan's story any time soon🥹
The FMC: Despite the fact that my girl Scarlet called tacos sandwiches, I'll have you know she deserves protection AT ALL COSTS 😭 I just wish she didn’t carry the burden of what she went through alone and by alone I mean RYAN. PLEASE GOD MY FUCKING LITTLE HEART ~ He'll have his own share of this review so I'll shut up for now... I love Scarlet so much because not only is headstrong but also knows what she wants and has her priorities straight. I love characters written with depth and layers but Scarlet was another level of that and after knowing how difficult it was for the author to write Scarlet I just wanna say thank you from the bottom of my heart I will appreciate this character forever.
The MMC : Oh my God you guys RYAN... This guy goes above and beyond book boyfriend material like I want to live in the universe that Allie created Ryan from .. yes it took him a minute to realise that not everything is work and money but my God where can I find a guy that will never give up on me even after I dissappear on him, where can I find a guy that will cry to a mutual friend about how much he loves me... I MEAN WHAT!!!😭 The tattoo scene 😭 him going back to where she was saw it was up for sale thinking Scarlet came back😭 the expressive dialogues about how much he loves her and what she is to him 😭
Read this if you like
▪︎ Second chance romance ( on a MUCH DEEPER LEVEL )
▪︎ Workplace romance
▪︎ Forced proximity
▪︎ Plots about books
▪︎ Writer and editor duo
Check trigger warnings
"Love isn't a strong enough word", she reminds me with a soft smile. No I say. But you're strong enough. We're strong enough. And that's really all that matters"
This was my first reading experience with this author and it was an absolute delight to read such a profound book, although I just realised I have other books of hers on my TBR this one has definitely made me look forward to reading them and everything she puts out even more 💜
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
Not a Strong Enough Word by Allie Samberts
Publication date: 14th May 2025
⚠️LENGTHY FROM THE HEART REVIEW⚠️
Thoughts
This was so much more than a typical second chance romance story, this was strength, vulnerability, raw connection, self reflection and real love between the FMC and MMC that despite the miscommunication between them you still feel for both of them. Scarlet and Ryan are truly one of the most beautiful couples to be written. Have you ever finished a book thinking "Will I ever find my person?" despite their flaws they were made for each other in the most perfect way possible. I won't forget Scarlet and Ryan's story any time soon🥹
The FMC: Despite the fact that my girl Scarlet called tacos sandwiches, I'll have you know she deserves protection AT ALL COSTS 😭 I just wish she didn’t carry the burden of what she went through alone and by alone I mean RYAN. PLEASE GOD MY FUCKING LITTLE HEART ~ He'll have his own share of this review so I'll shut up for now... I love Scarlet so much because not only is headstrong but also knows what she wants and has her priorities straight. I love characters written with depth and layers but Scarlet was another level of that and after knowing how difficult it was for the author to write Scarlet I just wanna say thank you from the bottom of my heart I will appreciate this character forever.
The MMC : Oh my God you guys RYAN... This guy goes above and beyond book boyfriend material like I want to live in the universe that Allie created Ryan from .. yes it took him a minute to realise that not everything is work and money but my God where can I find a guy that will never give up on me even after I dissappear on him, where can I find a guy that will cry to a mutual friend about how much he loves me... I MEAN WHAT!!!😭 The tattoo scene 😭 him going back to where she was saw it was up for sale thinking Scarlet came back😭 the expressive dialogues about how much he loves her and what she is to him 😭
Read this if you like
▪︎ Second chance romance ( on a MUCH DEEPER LEVEL )
▪︎ Workplace romance
▪︎ Forced proximity
▪︎ Plots about books
▪︎ Writer and editor duo
Check trigger warnings
"Love isn't a strong enough word", she reminds me with a soft smile. No I say. But you're strong enough. We're strong enough. And that's really all that matters"
This was my first reading experience with this author and it was an absolute delight to read such a profound book, although I just realised I have other books of hers on my TBR this one has definitely made me look forward to reading them and everything she puts out even more 💜
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
May 14, 2025
as a long time supporter and lover of allie samberts, i have to say this is her most impressive and emotional writing to date. this book is nothing short of phenomenal!
read this if you like:
second chance romance
bookish main characters
workplace romance
dual pov
ryan and scarlett are true soul mates. there is such an intense bond between these two characters that you can feel so strongly throughout this book, literally right off the bat. the pining and yearning made me so giddy!! it is done SO well in this book. a man who yearns AND wears glasses? please, say less. scarlett is such a relatable and strong fmc, i love her so much and felt so deeply for her and her journey while i was reading this.
i can’t recommend this book enough. this is an incredible story that is so deeply moving and will stick with you for so long after finishing it.
reminder to check trigger warnings!
read this if you like:
second chance romance
bookish main characters
workplace romance
dual pov
ryan and scarlett are true soul mates. there is such an intense bond between these two characters that you can feel so strongly throughout this book, literally right off the bat. the pining and yearning made me so giddy!! it is done SO well in this book. a man who yearns AND wears glasses? please, say less. scarlett is such a relatable and strong fmc, i love her so much and felt so deeply for her and her journey while i was reading this.
i can’t recommend this book enough. this is an incredible story that is so deeply moving and will stick with you for so long after finishing it.
reminder to check trigger warnings!
June 2, 2026
Not A Strong Enough Word
By Allie Samberts
ARC Review
♾️⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰’𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆’𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆.
I've said many times before, that Allie's books are like a look into her soul. You read her books, and from them, you know her better. This book is absolutely that, and I am in awe of the vulnerability and strength that she has poured into this novel. This is a book full of hard topics and soft moments. It is undoubtedly human in its emotions and struggles and triumphs. It is a story that needed to be told.
I love the way Allie writes her characters. They are not perfect, but because of that they feel real. Scarlett and Ryan are no different. They have real flaws. They make mistakes. But they also learn and grow and change and become better versions of themselves.
Scarlett and Ryan are my favorite of Allie's MCs (and Ryan being my favorite is a BIG DEAl iykyk). They are the closest thing you're going to find to fated mates in a contemporary romance. You cannot convince me that these two were written in the stars. This is a second chance romance and these two were going to find their way back to each other one way or another. They just had to grow individually first.
This book deals with some heavy topics (so make sure you check the content warnings) but it's also such an important story. I'm so glad Allie had the courage to write this book and put it out in the world. Thank you Allie for the opportunity to beta and ARC read this book, and for letting the world see the pieces of you that you pour into your art.
𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈— 𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒕, 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒕 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉.
Beta Read - February 2025
Read May 1-10, 2025
Audio reread May 21-22, 2026
Audio Review:
I love this book so much and I was so excited to be able to reread it on audio. Alastair Haynesbridge and Maisie Miller did an INCREDIBLE job bringing Ryan and Scarlett to life. They are both new-to-me narrators and I will definitely be looking into their other works to listen to them more. If you read this book when it was indie, I highly recommend an audiobook reread!
Beta Review:
♾️⭐ I love them so much
Beta Read and this book is INCREDIBLE. Full review to come when I read the final version.
By Allie Samberts
ARC Review
♾️⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰’𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆’𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆.
I've said many times before, that Allie's books are like a look into her soul. You read her books, and from them, you know her better. This book is absolutely that, and I am in awe of the vulnerability and strength that she has poured into this novel. This is a book full of hard topics and soft moments. It is undoubtedly human in its emotions and struggles and triumphs. It is a story that needed to be told.
I love the way Allie writes her characters. They are not perfect, but because of that they feel real. Scarlett and Ryan are no different. They have real flaws. They make mistakes. But they also learn and grow and change and become better versions of themselves.
Scarlett and Ryan are my favorite of Allie's MCs (and Ryan being my favorite is a BIG DEAl iykyk). They are the closest thing you're going to find to fated mates in a contemporary romance. You cannot convince me that these two were written in the stars. This is a second chance romance and these two were going to find their way back to each other one way or another. They just had to grow individually first.
This book deals with some heavy topics (so make sure you check the content warnings) but it's also such an important story. I'm so glad Allie had the courage to write this book and put it out in the world. Thank you Allie for the opportunity to beta and ARC read this book, and for letting the world see the pieces of you that you pour into your art.
𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈— 𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒕, 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒕 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉.
Beta Read - February 2025
Read May 1-10, 2025
Audio reread May 21-22, 2026
Audio Review:
I love this book so much and I was so excited to be able to reread it on audio. Alastair Haynesbridge and Maisie Miller did an INCREDIBLE job bringing Ryan and Scarlett to life. They are both new-to-me narrators and I will definitely be looking into their other works to listen to them more. If you read this book when it was indie, I highly recommend an audiobook reread!
Beta Review:
♾️⭐ I love them so much
Beta Read and this book is INCREDIBLE. Full review to come when I read the final version.
April 20, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
This is the most emotional and profound Allie Samberts book to date. It is obvious that she poured her heart and soul into this book.
Ryan is Allie’s typical cinnamon roll man that we encounter in her books. Scarlett is an incredibly complex character with a multitude of layers. Scarlett is a writer suffering from bouts of depression and burnout associated with a bestselling book which resulted in the failure of her relationship with Ryan.
This book details Scarlett and Ryan’s character growth resulting in them finding one another again. Read this book if you like:
📚Second chance romance
🌮cinnamon roll MMC
📚mental health rep
🌮workplace romance
📚 bookish related work
🌮MMC with small and grand gestures
📚dual POV
TW: Pregnancy loss on page
Thank you so much to Allie Samberts for the electronic advanced readers copy! Thank you for letting me ARC read for you yet again!!
Not a Strong Enough Word releases May 14!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
This is the most emotional and profound Allie Samberts book to date. It is obvious that she poured her heart and soul into this book.
Ryan is Allie’s typical cinnamon roll man that we encounter in her books. Scarlett is an incredibly complex character with a multitude of layers. Scarlett is a writer suffering from bouts of depression and burnout associated with a bestselling book which resulted in the failure of her relationship with Ryan.
This book details Scarlett and Ryan’s character growth resulting in them finding one another again. Read this book if you like:
📚Second chance romance
🌮cinnamon roll MMC
📚mental health rep
🌮workplace romance
📚 bookish related work
🌮MMC with small and grand gestures
📚dual POV
TW: Pregnancy loss on page
Thank you so much to Allie Samberts for the electronic advanced readers copy! Thank you for letting me ARC read for you yet again!!
Not a Strong Enough Word releases May 14!
April 26, 2025
3.5 stars
This is one of those books where I can see why people might like it but it just didn’t work for me.
Scarlett disappears from Ryan’s life with literally no explanation, no closure, no anything and yet when they reconnect 5 years later it’s like nothing happened. There’s no hard feelings, they act like there’s no need to talk about it, and they just pick up like nothing happened. They just jump back into this happy perfect relationship and surprise surprise, keep running into the same issues as before. There was no emotional depth. The characters just go about their lives and nothing really goes wrong and it was honestly so boring. I wanted more SOMETHING. I wanted emotional conversations and dealing with the past and I got nothing.
The second half of this book could be described as a serious lack of communication. Ryan and Scarlett are not open with each other and when they run into the problems they had the first time around they just fall back on their old strategies (which were basically just running away). Ryan just refused to understand Scarlett’s hesitation with publishing her book and Scarlett didn’t really explain well enough why she was hesitant. Usually my recommendation is that the characters need to go to therapy but Scarlett was already in therapy so I guess she needed better therapy? Idk.
I felt like a lot of things were left unresolved at the end and I just don’t them having a lasting relationship.
Thank you to NetGalley and Allie Samberts for the ARC!
This is one of those books where I can see why people might like it but it just didn’t work for me.
Scarlett disappears from Ryan’s life with literally no explanation, no closure, no anything and yet when they reconnect 5 years later it’s like nothing happened. There’s no hard feelings, they act like there’s no need to talk about it, and they just pick up like nothing happened. They just jump back into this happy perfect relationship and surprise surprise, keep running into the same issues as before. There was no emotional depth. The characters just go about their lives and nothing really goes wrong and it was honestly so boring. I wanted more SOMETHING. I wanted emotional conversations and dealing with the past and I got nothing.
The second half of this book could be described as a serious lack of communication. Ryan and Scarlett are not open with each other and when they run into the problems they had the first time around they just fall back on their old strategies (which were basically just running away). Ryan just refused to understand Scarlett’s hesitation with publishing her book and Scarlett didn’t really explain well enough why she was hesitant. Usually my recommendation is that the characters need to go to therapy but Scarlett was already in therapy so I guess she needed better therapy? Idk.
I felt like a lot of things were left unresolved at the end and I just don’t them having a lasting relationship.
Thank you to NetGalley and Allie Samberts for the ARC!
June 3, 2026
(4.5 Stars) Not a Strong Enough Word by Allie Samberts (Indie: May 14, 2025, Trad: June 2, 2026) Thank you, @tantoraudio and @pageandvine for the gifted advanced listening copy! I’d already pre-ordered the audio to go along with the indie print version I bought last year!
From the outside, Scarlett Frye was living every author’s dream - two bestsellers, a million-dollar contract, a huge fandom, and tons of media coverage - but for Scarlett, reality was much darker. The deadlines and pressure sunk her into a deep depression that caused her to throw it all away five years ago. That included Ryan Whitlock - the editor who believed in her and the man who fell in love with her. Now, five years later, Scarlett has written something new (under a pen name) but when fate lands the manuscript on Ryan’s desk, he feels Scarlett in the pages. They’ve got a new chance both personally and professionally if they can keep from repeating the errors that broke them apart and share the whole truth about what drove them apart in the past.
Oh my heart, Allie Samberts is always so great but even in a career filled with so many swoon-worthy books this one is very special. Scarlett and Ryan both are dealing with complicated emotions and the way they have to process each other’s feelings is dealt with in a raw and real way. The story is a very important reminder that what someone’s life looks like from the outside is not always a reflection of how it feels on the inside - and that listening and sharing with a partner can be a messy and rewarding journey.
🎧 Audio thoughts: Alastair Haynesbridge and Macie Miller are fantastic bringing this tender, emotional story to life in a completely beautiful way. (9h 35m)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️
From the outside, Scarlett Frye was living every author’s dream - two bestsellers, a million-dollar contract, a huge fandom, and tons of media coverage - but for Scarlett, reality was much darker. The deadlines and pressure sunk her into a deep depression that caused her to throw it all away five years ago. That included Ryan Whitlock - the editor who believed in her and the man who fell in love with her. Now, five years later, Scarlett has written something new (under a pen name) but when fate lands the manuscript on Ryan’s desk, he feels Scarlett in the pages. They’ve got a new chance both personally and professionally if they can keep from repeating the errors that broke them apart and share the whole truth about what drove them apart in the past.
Oh my heart, Allie Samberts is always so great but even in a career filled with so many swoon-worthy books this one is very special. Scarlett and Ryan both are dealing with complicated emotions and the way they have to process each other’s feelings is dealt with in a raw and real way. The story is a very important reminder that what someone’s life looks like from the outside is not always a reflection of how it feels on the inside - and that listening and sharing with a partner can be a messy and rewarding journey.
🎧 Audio thoughts: Alastair Haynesbridge and Macie Miller are fantastic bringing this tender, emotional story to life in a completely beautiful way. (9h 35m)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️
June 4, 2026
Thank you Tantor Media for the ALC, all opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this one, but it didn’t fully hold my attention (maybe it was a mood thing?)
I love a second chance romance with a dual timeline, and the lead up to finding out what tore them apart in the first place. The reasoning didn’t fully click with me, and it was definitely something I’ve read before.
I appreciated how Allie wrote Scarlett’s burnout, how we can often push ourselves way past our limits in order to not make waves or stand up for what we really need.
I love how Ryan learned from his past, and did so much better for her in the present.
I loved how strongly Ryan felt for Scarlett, both as a partner and as a writer - he truly respected her as a literary genius.
🎧 Alastair Haynesbridge and Macie Miller did a great job with their characters, they seemed to fit them well.
✦ tropes & more:
2️⃣ second chance
⌛️ dual timeline
📝 writer + editor
🧠 mental health rep
🤫 secret tattoo
💞dual 1st person pov
🎧 audio + ebook | ⭐️: 4 | 🌶️: open door |
📖 Not a Strong Enough Word by Allie Samberts
💜: contemporary romance (mf)
*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍
I enjoyed this one, but it didn’t fully hold my attention (maybe it was a mood thing?)
I love a second chance romance with a dual timeline, and the lead up to finding out what tore them apart in the first place. The reasoning didn’t fully click with me, and it was definitely something I’ve read before.
I appreciated how Allie wrote Scarlett’s burnout, how we can often push ourselves way past our limits in order to not make waves or stand up for what we really need.
I love how Ryan learned from his past, and did so much better for her in the present.
I loved how strongly Ryan felt for Scarlett, both as a partner and as a writer - he truly respected her as a literary genius.
🎧 Alastair Haynesbridge and Macie Miller did a great job with their characters, they seemed to fit them well.
✦ tropes & more:
2️⃣ second chance
⌛️ dual timeline
📝 writer + editor
🧠 mental health rep
🤫 secret tattoo
💞dual 1st person pov
🎧 audio + ebook | ⭐️: 4 | 🌶️: open door |
📖 Not a Strong Enough Word by Allie Samberts
💜: contemporary romance (mf)
*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍
May 26, 2026
Beautifully written! I ate this story up! I love the dual timelines-dual POV, it added so much to the story of Scarlett and Ryan. The mental health representation was done so well! Ryan is an absolute heartthrob as an MMC, his devotion and care despite the hardships was perfection.
4.25 rounded up!
4.25 rounded up!
June 16, 2026
5 ⭐️
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
✏️ second chance
💻 workplace romance
📖 bookish mc’s
🧠 mental health rep
👓 he wears glasses
📸 flashbacks
⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
the synopsis immediately had me wanting to read this!!! it was so good and so emotional at the same time. the characters were so vulnerable and had such a raw and deep connection. scarlett and ryan are 100% meant to be. i love me a romance that makes me feeeeel and this does just that!
i really appreciate scarlett. i wanted to hug her for everything she went through and carrying all that burden alone. and ryan?? mans goes above and beyond for her. i mean he literally pines after her and gets her words tatted!!!!! 😮💨
”love is not a strong enough word” 🥺
thank you to the publisher for the alc!
⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
scarlett was once a literary genius, with two bestselling novels, a million dollar book deal, and a love story of her own, until the pressure broke her. five years ago, she canceled her book tour, shredded her contract, and disappeared.. leaving everything behind, including ryan, the editor who believed in her… and the man she loved.
for ryan, her disappearance wasn’t just a professional loss, it was personal. it shattered his heart, that is, until an anonymous manuscript lands on his desk. the writing is brilliant, raw, and achingly familiar, it can only be scarlett’s. as fate brings them back together, she reluctantly agrees to let him edit her comeback novel, even though it means working with the man she never stopped loving.
🎧audio: the narrators did phenomenal!!!! they really brought the characters to life and i couldn’t stop listening!!! the tones, the emotions (which is much needed for this read) was so good!
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
✏️ second chance
💻 workplace romance
📖 bookish mc’s
🧠 mental health rep
👓 he wears glasses
📸 flashbacks
⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
the synopsis immediately had me wanting to read this!!! it was so good and so emotional at the same time. the characters were so vulnerable and had such a raw and deep connection. scarlett and ryan are 100% meant to be. i love me a romance that makes me feeeeel and this does just that!
i really appreciate scarlett. i wanted to hug her for everything she went through and carrying all that burden alone. and ryan?? mans goes above and beyond for her. i mean he literally pines after her and gets her words tatted!!!!! 😮💨
”love is not a strong enough word” 🥺
thank you to the publisher for the alc!
⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
scarlett was once a literary genius, with two bestselling novels, a million dollar book deal, and a love story of her own, until the pressure broke her. five years ago, she canceled her book tour, shredded her contract, and disappeared.. leaving everything behind, including ryan, the editor who believed in her… and the man she loved.
for ryan, her disappearance wasn’t just a professional loss, it was personal. it shattered his heart, that is, until an anonymous manuscript lands on his desk. the writing is brilliant, raw, and achingly familiar, it can only be scarlett’s. as fate brings them back together, she reluctantly agrees to let him edit her comeback novel, even though it means working with the man she never stopped loving.
🎧audio: the narrators did phenomenal!!!! they really brought the characters to life and i couldn’t stop listening!!! the tones, the emotions (which is much needed for this read) was so good!
May 27, 2026
Five years ago Scarlett Fyre was THE author. Amazing books with a million dollar contract waiting for her to sign. She loves creating stories, but she hates the publicity and stress that comes with her new contract. So instead she walks away from everything. Her career, her contract, her agent, and her love, Ryan Whitlock. Ryan is a brilliant editor, and he just wants to see Scarlett succeed and be happy. But when she disappears without so much as a goodbye, he’s left shattered to pick up the pieces alone. Now, five years later Scarlett has decided to re-enter the world of writing where her path immediately crosses with Ryan. Can the two work together and remain professional or will their tangled past impact both of their lives?
I ate 👏🏽 this 👏🏽 up 👏🏽 Ryan Whitlock is one of the most swoon-worthy MMCs that I’ve read lately. I just absolutely adored him. Scarlett is also such a great FMC! Her mental health struggles are so real, and I found her healing journey to be so well done. The whole time I was rooting for these two to just do well and end up happy. Allie’s writing really helps you connect with the characters and story too.
Thank you so much to Allie Samberts for the ARC! I cannot wait for the rest of the world to fall in love with these two like I did.
I ate 👏🏽 this 👏🏽 up 👏🏽 Ryan Whitlock is one of the most swoon-worthy MMCs that I’ve read lately. I just absolutely adored him. Scarlett is also such a great FMC! Her mental health struggles are so real, and I found her healing journey to be so well done. The whole time I was rooting for these two to just do well and end up happy. Allie’s writing really helps you connect with the characters and story too.
Thank you so much to Allie Samberts for the ARC! I cannot wait for the rest of the world to fall in love with these two like I did.
May 17, 2025
I am such a sucker for second chance romance 🥰 the dual timeline and POVs were executed flawlessly. It felt like I was experiencing Scarlett and Ryan’s emotions myself.
I could think of little else while I was reading this book. It completely took over my thoughts and I needed to keep reading, but also wasn’t ready for it to end 🥲
💜 second chance
💜 workplace romance
💜 bookish main characters
💜 dual POVs
💜 dual timeline
NOT A STRONG ENOUGH WORD is SO much more than a romance novel—it’s heartbreaking, heartfelt, and full of hope for new beginnings.
Please check trigger warnings before reading 🫶
I could think of little else while I was reading this book. It completely took over my thoughts and I needed to keep reading, but also wasn’t ready for it to end 🥲
💜 second chance
💜 workplace romance
💜 bookish main characters
💜 dual POVs
💜 dual timeline
NOT A STRONG ENOUGH WORD is SO much more than a romance novel—it’s heartbreaking, heartfelt, and full of hope for new beginnings.
Please check trigger warnings before reading 🫶
April 24, 2025
ARC Review: 5 stars is not enough for this book. I still have tears flowing. This book was absolutely beautiful. Scarlett and Ryan’s love is so pure. This story was everything I didn’t know I needed. The way Allie writes about depression and grief is eye opening. As someone who has had depression and been through some of what Scarlett went through, seeing her grief on the page actually healed something inside me. Love is not a strong enough word for how I feel about this book.
June 1, 2026
Alpha read <3
May 30, 2026
✨𝐀𝐋𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰✨
“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨.”
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 🌶️🌶️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: 16 & 24
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧: 56%
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: Second chance romance, forced proximity, workplace romance
𝐏𝐎𝐕: 1st person, Dual POV
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Dual
𝐊𝐔: Yes
I have read several books by this author, and I can confidently say this is my favorite one yet. If you love an emotional romance with incredible character development, heart-wrenching yearning, and a hero who is completely gone for the FMC, this book needs to be on your TBR. The tension and longing between the MCs were absolutely top tier, and I was invested in their story from beginning to end.
One thing I always appreciate about Allie's books is how she tackles heavier emotional topics with care, and this one is no exception. The representation of depression and burnout felt authentic and thoughtfully handled. As someone who has experienced significant burnout, I found those aspects especially relatable.
Ryan might be my favorite MMC she has written so far. His love, devotion, and emotional vulnerability made every moment hit that much harder. This is the kind of romance that pulls at your heartstrings, makes your chest ache, and leaves you thinking about the characters long after you've finished. Highly recommend for fans of emotional romance, contemporary romance, and MMCs who yearn.
⚠️𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:⚠️
Multiple open door scenes with explicit descriptions
Strong language
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:
“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨.”
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 🌶️🌶️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: 16 & 24
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧: 56%
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: Second chance romance, forced proximity, workplace romance
𝐏𝐎𝐕: 1st person, Dual POV
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Dual
𝐊𝐔: Yes
I have read several books by this author, and I can confidently say this is my favorite one yet. If you love an emotional romance with incredible character development, heart-wrenching yearning, and a hero who is completely gone for the FMC, this book needs to be on your TBR. The tension and longing between the MCs were absolutely top tier, and I was invested in their story from beginning to end.
One thing I always appreciate about Allie's books is how she tackles heavier emotional topics with care, and this one is no exception. The representation of depression and burnout felt authentic and thoughtfully handled. As someone who has experienced significant burnout, I found those aspects especially relatable.
Ryan might be my favorite MMC she has written so far. His love, devotion, and emotional vulnerability made every moment hit that much harder. This is the kind of romance that pulls at your heartstrings, makes your chest ache, and leaves you thinking about the characters long after you've finished. Highly recommend for fans of emotional romance, contemporary romance, and MMCs who yearn.
⚠️𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:⚠️
Multiple open door scenes with explicit descriptions
Strong language
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:
June 3, 2026
Just finished listening to an advanced copy of a book that was just released called, Not A Strong Enough Word. This is about Scarlett, she is a published author with two best selling books when she gets offered a huge book deal. But she's at her breaking point between her career and personal life it's all become too much so she turns it down and disappears for five years. Leaving it all behind, including Ryan, her editor and boyfriend. She uses that time to heal, and now she's in a healthier and happier head space ready to write again, under a different name. When an incredible manuscript lands on Ryan's desk, he knows they have to publish it. But he doesn't know it's Scarlett's.
I didn't want to give too much of the story away, but this second chance romance was so good! The setting of this story being in the literary world was intriguing and entertaining. The emotional journey and healing both Scarlett and Ryan have throughout this story was so beautifully written. This does deal with some heavy topics, but it's handled with care and the story has a happy ending. The narrators did so well bringing this story to life! I really enjoyed this audiobook, this was my first book by this author and definitely won't be my last! I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series! 💜📚
Thank you to Allie Samberts, Tantor Media, Page & Vine, and Netgalley for this ALC of Not A Strong Enough Word, in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't want to give too much of the story away, but this second chance romance was so good! The setting of this story being in the literary world was intriguing and entertaining. The emotional journey and healing both Scarlett and Ryan have throughout this story was so beautifully written. This does deal with some heavy topics, but it's handled with care and the story has a happy ending. The narrators did so well bringing this story to life! I really enjoyed this audiobook, this was my first book by this author and definitely won't be my last! I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series! 💜📚
Thank you to Allie Samberts, Tantor Media, Page & Vine, and Netgalley for this ALC of Not A Strong Enough Word, in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2025
Not a Strong Enough Word by Allie Samberts
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
This is the most emotional and profound Allie Samberts book to date. It is obvious that she poured her heart and soul into this book.
Ryan is Allie’s typical cinnamon roll man that we encounter in her books. Scarlett is an incredibly complex character with a multitude of layers. Scarlett is a writer suffering from bouts of depression and burnout associated with a bestselling book which resulted in the failure of her relationship with Ryan.
This book details Scarlett and Ryan’s character growth resulting in them finding one another again. Read this book if you like:
📚Second chance romance
🌮cinnamon roll MMC
📚mental health rep
🌮workplace romance
📚 bookish related work
🌮MMC with small and grand gestures
📚dual POV
TW: Pregnancy loss on page
Thank you so much to Allie Samberts @alliesambertswrites for the electronic advanced readers copy! Thank you for letting me ARC read for you yet again!!
Not a Strong Enough Word releases May 14!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
This is the most emotional and profound Allie Samberts book to date. It is obvious that she poured her heart and soul into this book.
Ryan is Allie’s typical cinnamon roll man that we encounter in her books. Scarlett is an incredibly complex character with a multitude of layers. Scarlett is a writer suffering from bouts of depression and burnout associated with a bestselling book which resulted in the failure of her relationship with Ryan.
This book details Scarlett and Ryan’s character growth resulting in them finding one another again. Read this book if you like:
📚Second chance romance
🌮cinnamon roll MMC
📚mental health rep
🌮workplace romance
📚 bookish related work
🌮MMC with small and grand gestures
📚dual POV
TW: Pregnancy loss on page
Thank you so much to Allie Samberts @alliesambertswrites for the electronic advanced readers copy! Thank you for letting me ARC read for you yet again!!
Not a Strong Enough Word releases May 14!
April 25, 2025
Es un libro muy bonito, además de perfecto para los frikis de las letras. La cantidad de escenas en las que los dos protagonistas se ponen a pelear por figuras retóricas es enorme.
Es second chance, así que obviamente me iba a gustar. No tengo mucho más que decir :)
Es second chance, así que obviamente me iba a gustar. No tengo mucho más que decir :)
May 31, 2025
This book was absolute perfection! One of my new all time favorites
June 6, 2026
I loved this! 🥹 Full review to come
Did Not Finish
July 10, 2025DNF at 34%
The mental health/therapy rep was great and I enjoyed the writing style, but I’m just not sold on the second chance romance here. I feel for both Scarlett and Ryan, but communication seems to be a big issue between them and I’m guessing it’s going to get even worse before it (hopefully) gets better. Ryan is super sweet, but almost too sad puppy dog for me. Right now I feel like they should both go to therapy/more therapy before even thinking about any kind of relationship (personal or professional). Sadly, this one isn’t keeping my attention and I find myself putting it down and not in a hurry to pick it back up. Perhaps I’ll try a different book by the author in the future.
The mental health/therapy rep was great and I enjoyed the writing style, but I’m just not sold on the second chance romance here. I feel for both Scarlett and Ryan, but communication seems to be a big issue between them and I’m guessing it’s going to get even worse before it (hopefully) gets better. Ryan is super sweet, but almost too sad puppy dog for me. Right now I feel like they should both go to therapy/more therapy before even thinking about any kind of relationship (personal or professional). Sadly, this one isn’t keeping my attention and I find myself putting it down and not in a hurry to pick it back up. Perhaps I’ll try a different book by the author in the future.
April 16, 2025
I was selected to receive an ARC of Not A Strong Enough Word. I read it in one day and really loved it. I’ve read all of Allie’s books and this is my favorite. The FMC and MMC are both really likable and I loved the growth both showed throughout the story. The love and chemistry they have was evident from their first encounter on page. Ryan is the perfect MMC, so loving, non judgmental and understanding of what Scarlett is going through. I loved that there was no third act breakup and the banter was top notch! Allie tackled sensitive topics like miscarriage and depression with care. I also really enjoyed Trina, Scarlett’s agent/friend as well as her therapist Dianna. Truly great read!
May 24, 2026
Thank you to Allie Samberts for the eARC of this book!
What. A. Book. I laughed, I smiled, I swooned, and I cried. Ryan is officially my top MMC in Allie’s books so far! He reminds me so much of my partner and it just gave me the gushy lovey dovey feelings the whole read 😭
It would be so easy for me to solely focus on Ryan and his goodness for my entire review, but I’m not going to. I just want to talk about Scarlett and the incredibly complex and human character that she is. Scarlett deals with depression and is forced to come to terms with what boundaries she needs to set in her life in order to manage her mental and physical health. These don’t come easy and are filled with therapist appointments, medication, coping methods, and a support system to help her stay on track.
She does all of these things and is ready to try and go back to her career as a writer, but guess what? She’s not cured and still faces things that challenge these new boundaries she has set for herself. Allie perfectly encapsulates my own experience with depression in so many ways. Sometimes there isn’t a “fix” and it becomes more about managing and having balance. This story coming out in mental health awareness month is absolute perfection. Intentional or not, I appreciate the awareness it brings!
Also, I love Ryan. 😘
What. A. Book. I laughed, I smiled, I swooned, and I cried. Ryan is officially my top MMC in Allie’s books so far! He reminds me so much of my partner and it just gave me the gushy lovey dovey feelings the whole read 😭
It would be so easy for me to solely focus on Ryan and his goodness for my entire review, but I’m not going to. I just want to talk about Scarlett and the incredibly complex and human character that she is. Scarlett deals with depression and is forced to come to terms with what boundaries she needs to set in her life in order to manage her mental and physical health. These don’t come easy and are filled with therapist appointments, medication, coping methods, and a support system to help her stay on track.
She does all of these things and is ready to try and go back to her career as a writer, but guess what? She’s not cured and still faces things that challenge these new boundaries she has set for herself. Allie perfectly encapsulates my own experience with depression in so many ways. Sometimes there isn’t a “fix” and it becomes more about managing and having balance. This story coming out in mental health awareness month is absolute perfection. Intentional or not, I appreciate the awareness it brings!
Also, I love Ryan. 😘
May 18, 2025
This was such a beautifully written, second-chance love story, filled with lots of grief & healing. It covered depressive episodes really well - I related immensely to Scarlett's anxiety and depression, the feeling of wanting to run or hide when things get hard. I loved watching her progression and growth. We started out not seeing the full picture and as piece by piece were revealed, we get to fully understand the events of 5 years prior and their impact on not only Scarlett and Ryan, but all parties involved.
Ryan was an absolute sweetheart - I mean come on, between the glasses & the tattoo, iykyk. He always had good intentions, all from the heart. I also loved watching his growth and understanding of the events evolve. His conversation with Casey near the end was so well done, giving him a different perspective on a huge moment. He was such a supportive partner, always looking for ways to help or make things easier. He was always in Scarlett's corner, even when she didn't see it or when they were apart for so long. Cute that from the beginning, he sensed that it was Scarlett's book - he knew her inside and out, her books were always "their" books because the editing together wove pieces of them into the pages.
Trina was the best agent, supporter, and friend in this. A beautiful example of a healthy, adult friendship. Even Trina didn't know the whole story but was always on Scarlett's side no matter what. She also always had Scarlett's best interests at heart - she dealt with Scarlett's depressive episodes really well, always advocated for Scarlett's mental health, and always seemed to know when to get additional help, contacting Dianne or giving Ryan hints so he could help.
What a powerful journey of healing for both of the main characters, especially Scarlett. I loved that she talked about her depressive episodes, medicines, and how she regularly went to a therapist. The therapist's advice was phenomenal and it was lovely to see Scarlett referencing these when going through a tough time - near the end, she was referencing them without realizing - growth and healing at its finest. Funny how she says that she needs to get Dianne a gift for everything.
Thank you to Allie Samberts for the e-ARC! It was an honor to be a part of this journey before publication. Allie Samberts is now an auto-buy author for me!
TW: Burnout, depression/depressive episodes, anxiety, therapy/meds, loss of a parent (off page) & miscarriage (on page). Please read the Author's Note at the beginning of the book to make sure you are prepared for the story - content warnings & explicit scene warnings.
Read if you are a fan of:
-Second-Chance Romance
-Meet-Cutes
-Dual Timeline
-Dual POV
-Man down BAD
Ryan was an absolute sweetheart - I mean come on, between the glasses & the tattoo, iykyk. He always had good intentions, all from the heart. I also loved watching his growth and understanding of the events evolve. His conversation with Casey near the end was so well done, giving him a different perspective on a huge moment. He was such a supportive partner, always looking for ways to help or make things easier. He was always in Scarlett's corner, even when she didn't see it or when they were apart for so long. Cute that from the beginning, he sensed that it was Scarlett's book - he knew her inside and out, her books were always "their" books because the editing together wove pieces of them into the pages.
Trina was the best agent, supporter, and friend in this. A beautiful example of a healthy, adult friendship. Even Trina didn't know the whole story but was always on Scarlett's side no matter what. She also always had Scarlett's best interests at heart - she dealt with Scarlett's depressive episodes really well, always advocated for Scarlett's mental health, and always seemed to know when to get additional help, contacting Dianne or giving Ryan hints so he could help.
What a powerful journey of healing for both of the main characters, especially Scarlett. I loved that she talked about her depressive episodes, medicines, and how she regularly went to a therapist. The therapist's advice was phenomenal and it was lovely to see Scarlett referencing these when going through a tough time - near the end, she was referencing them without realizing - growth and healing at its finest. Funny how she says that she needs to get Dianne a gift for everything.
Thank you to Allie Samberts for the e-ARC! It was an honor to be a part of this journey before publication. Allie Samberts is now an auto-buy author for me!
TW: Burnout, depression/depressive episodes, anxiety, therapy/meds, loss of a parent (off page) & miscarriage (on page). Please read the Author's Note at the beginning of the book to make sure you are prepared for the story - content warnings & explicit scene warnings.
Read if you are a fan of:
-Second-Chance Romance
-Meet-Cutes
-Dual Timeline
-Dual POV
-Man down BAD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2026
This was a beautiful yet heartbreaking story…
Scarlett is an author! She had two best sellers and was just given a contract for more books! Everything is going great! Until it isn’t… and she walks away from it all…
Ryan is an editor. He was Scarlett’s editor. And her love. And his life. Until she walked away from everything… including him!
That was all five years ago. She’s been in hiding since…
Now, she’s got a plan. She’s writing again, but after the debacle that happened, she’s now using a pseudonym….
She has had time to heal… and time to mend… and time to relax. But now, it’s all back to where it was before. The pressure. The stress. The long nights. Not sleeping. Not eating. Makes you wonder why ANYONE would WANT to write?!?
As Scarlett meets up with the crew at the publishing house, a lot of memories come crashing back. Can she do this again? Is it really worth it? Can she face down her demons and really get on track again?
This one really gives you just a bit of insight into what these authors have to go through to be able to get a book into our hands… it really is amazing! And scary. And sad too…
#NotAStrongEnoughWord by @AllieSamberts. Narrated beautifully by @AlastairHaynesbrige and @MacieMiller.
Of note: I just realized that this is book #1 of the series! So yay!! Looking forward to reading more of the Strong Enough Books!!!
5 full-blown, strengthening, loving, sweet stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was released today, so please look 👀 for it on shelves now!!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @TantorAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
Scarlett is an author! She had two best sellers and was just given a contract for more books! Everything is going great! Until it isn’t… and she walks away from it all…
Ryan is an editor. He was Scarlett’s editor. And her love. And his life. Until she walked away from everything… including him!
That was all five years ago. She’s been in hiding since…
Now, she’s got a plan. She’s writing again, but after the debacle that happened, she’s now using a pseudonym….
She has had time to heal… and time to mend… and time to relax. But now, it’s all back to where it was before. The pressure. The stress. The long nights. Not sleeping. Not eating. Makes you wonder why ANYONE would WANT to write?!?
As Scarlett meets up with the crew at the publishing house, a lot of memories come crashing back. Can she do this again? Is it really worth it? Can she face down her demons and really get on track again?
This one really gives you just a bit of insight into what these authors have to go through to be able to get a book into our hands… it really is amazing! And scary. And sad too…
#NotAStrongEnoughWord by @AllieSamberts. Narrated beautifully by @AlastairHaynesbrige and @MacieMiller.
Of note: I just realized that this is book #1 of the series! So yay!! Looking forward to reading more of the Strong Enough Books!!!
5 full-blown, strengthening, loving, sweet stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was released today, so please look 👀 for it on shelves now!!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @TantorAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
May 15, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up — happy release day to Not a Strong Enough Word (NaSEW)!! SO honoured to get to champion this book— it’s a good one! Let’s talk about it!
NaSEW is a second chance romance novel between best-selling author, Scarlett Frye (who grapples with balancing a successful career and what she wants out of life), and Ryan Whitlock, her editor (who only wants to help her but gets lost in the mix of what she truly needs).
“𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘥? 𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭?”
God, I loved this book 🥲 I was hooked from the very beginning. I mean with dual POV and timeline, short chapters, bookish main characters, and a sprinkle of tacos, how could you go wrong!? There’s even a bit of mystery as the reader unravels what happened all those years ago, and it’s all just done so well 👏
“𝘐𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘹𝘦𝘥.”
The romance between Ryan and Scarlett oozed this history and delicious familiarity that I just ate up! There was this constant push and pull between a happy reunion and grappling with grieving/uncovering their past that was 🤌 chef’s kiss!
“𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴: […] 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳.”
And the mental health rep 👏 Rather than simply telling the reader what Scarlett was diagnosed with, Allie showed us. And I just can’t commend her enough for her execution of this!!
“𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳.”
Cannot recommend this one enough! Still can’t believe she’s indie! Definitely will be thinking about this one for a while!
NaSEW is a second chance romance novel between best-selling author, Scarlett Frye (who grapples with balancing a successful career and what she wants out of life), and Ryan Whitlock, her editor (who only wants to help her but gets lost in the mix of what she truly needs).
“𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘥? 𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭?”
God, I loved this book 🥲 I was hooked from the very beginning. I mean with dual POV and timeline, short chapters, bookish main characters, and a sprinkle of tacos, how could you go wrong!? There’s even a bit of mystery as the reader unravels what happened all those years ago, and it’s all just done so well 👏
“𝘐𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘹𝘦𝘥.”
The romance between Ryan and Scarlett oozed this history and delicious familiarity that I just ate up! There was this constant push and pull between a happy reunion and grappling with grieving/uncovering their past that was 🤌 chef’s kiss!
“𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴: […] 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳.”
And the mental health rep 👏 Rather than simply telling the reader what Scarlett was diagnosed with, Allie showed us. And I just can’t commend her enough for her execution of this!!
“𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳.”
Cannot recommend this one enough! Still can’t believe she’s indie! Definitely will be thinking about this one for a while!
April 20, 2025
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc!!
i love books about books. that's a fact. also once again i didn't really read the synopsis for this (i skimmed it and thought it was gonna be like Book Lovers) and was not expecting it to be this emotional. i love sappy things. give me all the grand gestures but also all the little moments in life. this one had both of them!!
okay i admit it was a bit difficult reading this. those who know me know that i write, or at least i used to. i don't publish things and most of it's on ao3 and now i feel like i will never publish anything because not even a bestselling author like Scarlette Frye can handle that industry. i'm not even good at it, but i was more than a bit miffed at her turning down a million dollar book deal. ironic? yes probably. i understood Mandy in that moment. because imagine seeing someone else have the perfect life and everything you wanted and walk away from it. painful.
at the same time, i love how grey this is because once we learn more about Scarlett's backstory i realised this is so much more than a second chance romance with Ryan. yes i loved the whole romance bit and how Ryan understands her and wants to help her, but i think it's more about loving yourself first and foremost. setting boundaries, knowing what you want and don't want, and of course grief.
this is very much litfic (or at least i think it is) and i am definitely gonna be reading more of it as well as Allie Samberts' backlist titles.
i love books about books. that's a fact. also once again i didn't really read the synopsis for this (i skimmed it and thought it was gonna be like Book Lovers) and was not expecting it to be this emotional. i love sappy things. give me all the grand gestures but also all the little moments in life. this one had both of them!!
okay i admit it was a bit difficult reading this. those who know me know that i write, or at least i used to. i don't publish things and most of it's on ao3 and now i feel like i will never publish anything because not even a bestselling author like Scarlette Frye can handle that industry. i'm not even good at it, but i was more than a bit miffed at her turning down a million dollar book deal. ironic? yes probably. i understood Mandy in that moment. because imagine seeing someone else have the perfect life and everything you wanted and walk away from it. painful.
at the same time, i love how grey this is because once we learn more about Scarlett's backstory i realised this is so much more than a second chance romance with Ryan. yes i loved the whole romance bit and how Ryan understands her and wants to help her, but i think it's more about loving yourself first and foremost. setting boundaries, knowing what you want and don't want, and of course grief.
this is very much litfic (or at least i think it is) and i am definitely gonna be reading more of it as well as Allie Samberts' backlist titles.
June 8, 2025
My rating: 4.5 stars
Another book that has me in my feels!
This book was incredibly healing for me to read. Allie Samberts just knows how to write characters who struggle with inner turmoil. By the conclusion, her characters eventually end up overcoming these challenges, and it gives me hope! Her character arcs have a clear beginning and end leaving the reader feeling satisfied upon finishing.
Both of the main characters are also bookish, and these are Allie’s bread and butter. She knows how to write them! Not A Strong Enough Word is a second chance romance about an editor and well known author. These two knew each other years ago when Scarlett wrote her first two well known novels, and Ryan worked as an editor at her publishing house. Due to certain events, Scarlett disappears after being offered a million dollar deal and these two don’t talk for over five years.
The back and forth between past and present timelines was done well and flowed with the story as information was slowly released. I also enjoyed how the characters communicated in the present timeline that may have been lacking in the past timelines.
Allie Samberts writes with her heart and writes it well. I always feel so seen by her characters and these two were both sides of the coin that is my personality.
I do recommend caution if miscarriages, depression, or burnout are triggering for you to read. They are all important to the story and Samberts handles these topics with the utmost care.
Thank you to the author for an eARC and finished copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Another book that has me in my feels!
This book was incredibly healing for me to read. Allie Samberts just knows how to write characters who struggle with inner turmoil. By the conclusion, her characters eventually end up overcoming these challenges, and it gives me hope! Her character arcs have a clear beginning and end leaving the reader feeling satisfied upon finishing.
Both of the main characters are also bookish, and these are Allie’s bread and butter. She knows how to write them! Not A Strong Enough Word is a second chance romance about an editor and well known author. These two knew each other years ago when Scarlett wrote her first two well known novels, and Ryan worked as an editor at her publishing house. Due to certain events, Scarlett disappears after being offered a million dollar deal and these two don’t talk for over five years.
The back and forth between past and present timelines was done well and flowed with the story as information was slowly released. I also enjoyed how the characters communicated in the present timeline that may have been lacking in the past timelines.
Allie Samberts writes with her heart and writes it well. I always feel so seen by her characters and these two were both sides of the coin that is my personality.
I do recommend caution if miscarriages, depression, or burnout are triggering for you to read. They are all important to the story and Samberts handles these topics with the utmost care.
Thank you to the author for an eARC and finished copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 8, 2025
4-4.5 stars.
This is an excellent read for Mental Health Awareness Month. Allie Samberts addressed burnout, depression, grief, and therapy in a very raw, genuine way through Scarlett’s character. It was beautifully done and an incredibly emotional experience alongside Scarlett. I was so drawn to her and wanting the very best for her, and above all, for her to be the one to decide what that was.
Ryan was super swoonworthy and so earnest in his belief in Scarlett and her talent. The way he cared for her, spoke to her, helped guide her, and supported her was so endearing. He wasn’t perfect, and he had his own blinders on that he had to shed when the moment came, but I had faith in him doing whatever he needed to in order to be there the way Scarlett needed him.
The book was told in a present day timeline with various flashback chapters worked in throughout. Without sharing spoilers, some were undeniably impactful to experience in the past moment things were happening. I really appreciated the way those specific chapters were told. Others I may have personally preferred to read as a conversation between present day Ryan and Scarlett to hash out the past. All in all though, I felt the connection between them in both the Then and the Now.
This was a beautifully written book that had deeply emotional themes full of the strength love can provide. Thank you to Allie Samberts for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is an excellent read for Mental Health Awareness Month. Allie Samberts addressed burnout, depression, grief, and therapy in a very raw, genuine way through Scarlett’s character. It was beautifully done and an incredibly emotional experience alongside Scarlett. I was so drawn to her and wanting the very best for her, and above all, for her to be the one to decide what that was.
Ryan was super swoonworthy and so earnest in his belief in Scarlett and her talent. The way he cared for her, spoke to her, helped guide her, and supported her was so endearing. He wasn’t perfect, and he had his own blinders on that he had to shed when the moment came, but I had faith in him doing whatever he needed to in order to be there the way Scarlett needed him.
The book was told in a present day timeline with various flashback chapters worked in throughout. Without sharing spoilers, some were undeniably impactful to experience in the past moment things were happening. I really appreciated the way those specific chapters were told. Others I may have personally preferred to read as a conversation between present day Ryan and Scarlett to hash out the past. All in all though, I felt the connection between them in both the Then and the Now.
This was a beautifully written book that had deeply emotional themes full of the strength love can provide. Thank you to Allie Samberts for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2025
This was BEAUTIFUL! I love a second chance!! And a dual timeline! With flashbacks in the present!! And I LOVE Allie’s writing. Don’t get me wrong this wasn’t a romcom, it wasn’t super cute and fluffy. It was heartbreakingly beautifully and hit me right in the feels in THE BEST WAY!
Ryan and Scarlett are two people who were MEANT TO BE. Their connection was so deep and so important. I loved that we got to see how they started and how they struggled and how easily they were able to slip back into each other’s lives. They were both flawed and scared, then and now, but they also LOVED each other. And it felt so good to be able to watch them fall in love and then find it again.
It was a deep cut though. Scarlett’s depression and grief was written so well, with so much love and care. But it was also SO raw and real. Everything she was going through in the last?? And the fact that felt like she was burden??? And seeing her struggle even in the present was tough but also real because she was going back to the thing she ran away from and it was never going to be easy no matter how much she wanted it. And the way Ryan just LOVED Scarlett?? And watching him lose her?? So much of this broke my heart!!! And also put it back together!!
I loved this book so much. I still have a couple of Allie’s books to read but this was calling out to me so I didn’t want to wait!!
Ryan and Scarlett are two people who were MEANT TO BE. Their connection was so deep and so important. I loved that we got to see how they started and how they struggled and how easily they were able to slip back into each other’s lives. They were both flawed and scared, then and now, but they also LOVED each other. And it felt so good to be able to watch them fall in love and then find it again.
It was a deep cut though. Scarlett’s depression and grief was written so well, with so much love and care. But it was also SO raw and real. Everything she was going through in the last?? And the fact that felt like she was burden??? And seeing her struggle even in the present was tough but also real because she was going back to the thing she ran away from and it was never going to be easy no matter how much she wanted it. And the way Ryan just LOVED Scarlett?? And watching him lose her?? So much of this broke my heart!!! And also put it back together!!
I loved this book so much. I still have a couple of Allie’s books to read but this was calling out to me so I didn’t want to wait!!
June 3, 2026
ALC review through NetGalley ☆
This was a very interesting romance !
I have read a few books in the past, where either the FMC or the MMC were an author or working in the industry in the global sense of it, but never did I read anything like this.
Scarlett being so vulnerable and drowning in the world of edition got me emotional and made me reflect a lot on how much pressure authors and teams working in publishing are working under constant stress , in a never ending race for the highest profit and the prestige of prized books & famous authors titles.
I absolutely adore the deep love and strong relationship between Scarlett and Ryan and how their love for each other is even stronger when expressed through their love for her talent as a writer.
This felt raw and well written , despise some plot twists that seemed a bit too apparent for me , this was definitely a fantastic read !
Highly recommend it 👌
This was a very interesting romance !
I have read a few books in the past, where either the FMC or the MMC were an author or working in the industry in the global sense of it, but never did I read anything like this.
Scarlett being so vulnerable and drowning in the world of edition got me emotional and made me reflect a lot on how much pressure authors and teams working in publishing are working under constant stress , in a never ending race for the highest profit and the prestige of prized books & famous authors titles.
I absolutely adore the deep love and strong relationship between Scarlett and Ryan and how their love for each other is even stronger when expressed through their love for her talent as a writer.
This felt raw and well written , despise some plot twists that seemed a bit too apparent for me , this was definitely a fantastic read !
Highly recommend it 👌
Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews