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Can't Say No : Ridgecrest Series Book 1
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 18, 2026
Adorable small town, second chance romance! Easy read with fun characters!! Excited for the next books in this series!!
August 11, 2026
This was the sweetest read ever. Pop star goes back to her small town for some PR image control, reunites with her childhood bestfriend, where some unresolved memories, pain, and sadness still lingers. But working together at the high school, brings them closer together. Bringing all of the past to the surface, and having them face it head on, while also have to “fake date” for a PR stunt. The chemistry, the slow burn, the revelations, the vulnerability, the slow honest truths whispered in secrets bring them closer than ever before.
Such beautiful love story
Such beautiful love story
August 28, 2026
3.5⭐️ Such a cute small-town romance! 💕 I loved the fake dating, childhood friends-to-lovers setup, and the pop princess working with a high school choir class to repair her reputation. The MMC was SO sweet and really embodied the “can’t say no” energy. 🥹
The one thing I wanted a little more of was the romance progression. I’ve only read a few childhood friends-to-lovers romances, and I was hoping for more emotional depth. The slow-burn moments were good, but it still felt a little like insta-love on both sides. I would have loved more of their childhood history!
Overall, a sweet and enjoyable debut! I’m definitely interested in reading more from this author and hopefully more of this series. Maybeeee about Wells? 🤭📚✨
Thank you to the author for the eARC! 💕
The one thing I wanted a little more of was the romance progression. I’ve only read a few childhood friends-to-lovers romances, and I was hoping for more emotional depth. The slow-burn moments were good, but it still felt a little like insta-love on both sides. I would have loved more of their childhood history!
Overall, a sweet and enjoyable debut! I’m definitely interested in reading more from this author and hopefully more of this series. Maybeeee about Wells? 🤭📚✨
Thank you to the author for the eARC! 💕
Review of advance copy
Such a cute and cozy story! Delaney and Conner do not disappoint, nor does their friend group. I love them all to pieces and can’t wait to see where book two takes them!
I will note there is a lot of cussing, which I found extremely relatable since that’s how I talk in real life. I vote that there be more books like this!
BRB, imma go eat some lucky charms mow. ❤️
I will note there is a lot of cussing, which I found extremely relatable since that’s how I talk in real life. I vote that there be more books like this!
BRB, imma go eat some lucky charms mow. ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️
What a cute, return to small town, childhood friends to lovers romance! 💚 It was an easy, quick read...just what I needed after some heavier fantasy books. I LOVE a good friend group and boy does this have one! It really brought out that found family feel and made me want to cheer on our main characters even more. I love seeing characters grow and become a healthy, happy version of themselves as well. It was fun to see how this happened naturally and not forced. Just what having love, support and a purpose to help others can do for you. I'm not sure when/if we will get to see more of these fun characters in the future, but I do know I will definitely be reading more from this author 😊
What a cute, return to small town, childhood friends to lovers romance! 💚 It was an easy, quick read...just what I needed after some heavier fantasy books. I LOVE a good friend group and boy does this have one! It really brought out that found family feel and made me want to cheer on our main characters even more. I love seeing characters grow and become a healthy, happy version of themselves as well. It was fun to see how this happened naturally and not forced. Just what having love, support and a purpose to help others can do for you. I'm not sure when/if we will get to see more of these fun characters in the future, but I do know I will definitely be reading more from this author 😊
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an ARC of *Can't Say No*! 🤍
I went into this book knowing basically nothing about it. And sometimes that's genuinely the best way to read because I LOVE being surprised.
And surprised I was. In the best possible way.
The first surprise? Connor is a teacher.
As a teacher myself, I have such a soft spot for teacher characters, so the second I realized what Connor did for a living, I was already sold. 😂 And honestly, Connor in general? Sweet, caring, loyal, wearing his heart on his sleeve ... yeah, I loved him.
But what really got me was the CHEMISTRY.
It was otherworldly. Delaney and Connor had so much history between them, and you could feel it in every interaction. The yearning, the lingering feelings, the stubbornness of two people who clearly wanted each other but refused to actually DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT??? Delicious.
Add childhood best friends + fake dating into the equation and I was done for.
I also absolutely loved Delaney's character development. Watching her slowly figure out who she was outside of the version of herself she'd created for everyone else was one of my favorite parts of the story. She became more confident, more certain of what she wanted, and more willing to stand up for herself as the book progressed, and I loved watching that transformation.
And beneath all the romance, there was something so comforting about Ridgecrest itself—the small-town atmosphere, Connor's family, the orchard, the school... it made the story feel warm and lived-in.
"Can't Say No" was romantic, heartfelt, full of chemistry and SO. MUCH. YEARNING. It was such an amazing introduction to this series, and now I'm already impatient to find out whose story we're getting next.
If this is how we're starting the series, Sarah Mancao, you officially have my attention. 🤍🍎🎶
I went into this book knowing basically nothing about it. And sometimes that's genuinely the best way to read because I LOVE being surprised.
And surprised I was. In the best possible way.
The first surprise? Connor is a teacher.
As a teacher myself, I have such a soft spot for teacher characters, so the second I realized what Connor did for a living, I was already sold. 😂 And honestly, Connor in general? Sweet, caring, loyal, wearing his heart on his sleeve ... yeah, I loved him.
But what really got me was the CHEMISTRY.
It was otherworldly. Delaney and Connor had so much history between them, and you could feel it in every interaction. The yearning, the lingering feelings, the stubbornness of two people who clearly wanted each other but refused to actually DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT??? Delicious.
Add childhood best friends + fake dating into the equation and I was done for.
I also absolutely loved Delaney's character development. Watching her slowly figure out who she was outside of the version of herself she'd created for everyone else was one of my favorite parts of the story. She became more confident, more certain of what she wanted, and more willing to stand up for herself as the book progressed, and I loved watching that transformation.
And beneath all the romance, there was something so comforting about Ridgecrest itself—the small-town atmosphere, Connor's family, the orchard, the school... it made the story feel warm and lived-in.
"Can't Say No" was romantic, heartfelt, full of chemistry and SO. MUCH. YEARNING. It was such an amazing introduction to this series, and now I'm already impatient to find out whose story we're getting next.
If this is how we're starting the series, Sarah Mancao, you officially have my attention. 🤍🍎🎶
Review of advance copy received from Author
I knew I was in trouble when I started this book one evening and looked up to realize it was midnight. 😂 I told myself I’d stop after “just one more chapter,” but that obviously didn’t happen. I ended up finishing it the following day because I simply could not put it down.
The story follows a girl and a boy who become best friends as children, until her music career takes off and she leaves their small town—and him—behind. Ten years later, she returns, bringing all the history, feelings, and unanswered questions between them back to the surface.
What I loved most was how relatable the relationships felt. There’s something so true about the way people and relationships become more complicated as we grow up. Childhood friendships don’t always survive adulthood unchanged, and sometimes finding your way back to someone is much more complicated than simply picking up where you left off.
But the thing that really stood out to me was the authenticity.
I never found myself frustrated with the characters because they were behaving in ways that only existed to create drama. I wasn’t sitting there thinking, Why would you do that? Just SAY THIS! Instead, I kept thinking, Yes. This is exactly how a real person might handle this.
The characters made mistakes. They struggled to communicate. They made choices based on their own experiences and emotions. And sometimes things weren’t neat or convenient. That made the story feel so much more genuine.
There was no need for manufactured drama because the emotions and relationships were enough to keep me invested. The story felt like real life—which, for me, made it that much harder to put down.
A beautifully written, emotionally engaging read that completely sucked me in. Definitely one I’ll be recommending.
The story follows a girl and a boy who become best friends as children, until her music career takes off and she leaves their small town—and him—behind. Ten years later, she returns, bringing all the history, feelings, and unanswered questions between them back to the surface.
What I loved most was how relatable the relationships felt. There’s something so true about the way people and relationships become more complicated as we grow up. Childhood friendships don’t always survive adulthood unchanged, and sometimes finding your way back to someone is much more complicated than simply picking up where you left off.
But the thing that really stood out to me was the authenticity.
I never found myself frustrated with the characters because they were behaving in ways that only existed to create drama. I wasn’t sitting there thinking, Why would you do that? Just SAY THIS! Instead, I kept thinking, Yes. This is exactly how a real person might handle this.
The characters made mistakes. They struggled to communicate. They made choices based on their own experiences and emotions. And sometimes things weren’t neat or convenient. That made the story feel so much more genuine.
There was no need for manufactured drama because the emotions and relationships were enough to keep me invested. The story felt like real life—which, for me, made it that much harder to put down.
A beautifully written, emotionally engaging read that completely sucked me in. Definitely one I’ll be recommending.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A big thank you to the author for allowing me to enjoy this super cute ARC read of the first story in the Ridgecrest Series.
This is my first read from Sarah and I found her writing style to be absolutely delicious. I had a rough idea and expectation, but I was completely surprised and it was the best!
The history between Connor and Delaney was raw, emotional and so sweet. As childhood best friends, they were separated when Delaney left to become a big-time superstar singer. They both still yearned for each other, even after many years had passed. When Delaney is exiled back to her hometown to get her act together, she learns she's going to be working in the high school alongside her longtime love... sort of. She's working with the choir class.
What drew me in and kept me sat for more was how relatable their relationship felt. As it progressed, you could see this falling into place in your mind's eye as if it was real. Relationships aren't all sunshine and rainbows... they're complicated, especially when childhood love is involved and no one has really been honest with each other. Complication lies in every great relationship.
Grand gestures and two people who are really meant for each other? It is just perfect.
I am so ready for more from Sarah.
Favorite quote: "All my favorite memories are with him. Every good and happy thing, every hard and painful thing, all of it circles back to Connor."
TL:DR
⭐️ 4.5/5
👧 Childhood best friends 🧒
👨🏫 Teacher MMC
🎤 Pop star FMC
🏠 Small-town vibes
🥸 Fake Dating
🛏️ One bed
🥰 Cute nickname
🍎 Apple orchard family business (his)
❌ Third act breakup, but follows the plot and their relationship
🎁 Grand gestures
🌶️ 1.5/5
This is my first read from Sarah and I found her writing style to be absolutely delicious. I had a rough idea and expectation, but I was completely surprised and it was the best!
The history between Connor and Delaney was raw, emotional and so sweet. As childhood best friends, they were separated when Delaney left to become a big-time superstar singer. They both still yearned for each other, even after many years had passed. When Delaney is exiled back to her hometown to get her act together, she learns she's going to be working in the high school alongside her longtime love... sort of. She's working with the choir class.
What drew me in and kept me sat for more was how relatable their relationship felt. As it progressed, you could see this falling into place in your mind's eye as if it was real. Relationships aren't all sunshine and rainbows... they're complicated, especially when childhood love is involved and no one has really been honest with each other. Complication lies in every great relationship.
Grand gestures and two people who are really meant for each other? It is just perfect.
I am so ready for more from Sarah.
Favorite quote: "All my favorite memories are with him. Every good and happy thing, every hard and painful thing, all of it circles back to Connor."
TL:DR
⭐️ 4.5/5
👧 Childhood best friends 🧒
👨🏫 Teacher MMC
🎤 Pop star FMC
🏠 Small-town vibes
🥸 Fake Dating
🛏️ One bed
🥰 Cute nickname
🍎 Apple orchard family business (his)
❌ Third act breakup, but follows the plot and their relationship
🎁 Grand gestures
🌶️ 1.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a sweet, emotional, and beautifully written second-chance romance! A huge thank you to the author for allowing me to read this adorable ARC, the first book in the Ridgecrest Series
This was my first book by Sarah, and I absolutely loved her writing style. I had a general idea of what to expect going in, but the story completely surprised me in the best possible way.
I loved the slow burn chemistry between these two. Their relationship felt incredibly genuine, messy, emotional, and relatable. They have so much history between them, and watching them finally confront the hurt, misunderstandings, and things they never said was one of my favorite parts of the story. The vulnerability, quiet conversations, revelations, and little moments between them made their connection feel completely real.
Add in the small town setting, second chance romance, fake dating, childhood friends-to-lovers, emotional healing, and a couple who are clearly meant to find their way back to each other, and you have such a beautiful love story.
The grand gestures were absolutely perfect, but it was the quieter moments that really stole my heart. This book reminded me that love isn't always simple or perfect—sometimes it’s complicated, painful, and messy, but when two people are truly meant for each other, they can find their way back.
This was my first book by Sarah, and I absolutely loved her writing style. I had a general idea of what to expect going in, but the story completely surprised me in the best possible way.
I loved the slow burn chemistry between these two. Their relationship felt incredibly genuine, messy, emotional, and relatable. They have so much history between them, and watching them finally confront the hurt, misunderstandings, and things they never said was one of my favorite parts of the story. The vulnerability, quiet conversations, revelations, and little moments between them made their connection feel completely real.
Add in the small town setting, second chance romance, fake dating, childhood friends-to-lovers, emotional healing, and a couple who are clearly meant to find their way back to each other, and you have such a beautiful love story.
The grand gestures were absolutely perfect, but it was the quieter moments that really stole my heart. This book reminded me that love isn't always simple or perfect—sometimes it’s complicated, painful, and messy, but when two people are truly meant for each other, they can find their way back.
September 7, 2026
I’ll never look at Lucky Charms the same way. Can’t Say no is the perfect book for Fall. This book is a great pallet cleanser and easy relaxing read. It is predictable in the best way, but the author does a great job of throwing you for a loop a couple times too, leaving you reeling for more. Connor is full of romantic, poetic one liners that will have you highlighting your pages. He helps Delaney find her true self and potential again after years of taking orders while also exploring her true feelings about where she wants to be in life and learning to trust herself with her big emotions while battling some anxiety. Delaney will piss you off, that’s for sure. But I think that’s what makes a good book. I want to feel all the emotions. The spice on this is minimal with just enough to add to the story without making it THE story. I could read an additional book about Connor and Delaneys future, as well as a prequel on their childhood together. Highly recommend reading it on slow fall mornings, leaves falling, with a hot coffee in hand.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I didn’t want this book to end because it was like a weekend getaway to the Smokey Mountains.
You start near the beginning of a new school year: a pop star everyone sees as trouble takes a forced break from her career to save it via a PR stunt. Back in her hometown, she gives back to help young singers develop their talents in their HS choir. And she meets someone from her past. I won’t spoil the rest, I enjoyed reading it fairly blind!
If you’re a seasonal reader, read at the end of the summer. It makes you feel like summer lasts longer. It’s the perfect Segway into fall.
If you enjoy drinking—
Coffee: Apple Crisp Latte
Alcohol/Mocktail: Apple Cider Margarita.
Can it bookclub? Absolutely. Fall drinks and snacks are my recs. Can’t wait for my bookclub girlies to meet in September!!
You start near the beginning of a new school year: a pop star everyone sees as trouble takes a forced break from her career to save it via a PR stunt. Back in her hometown, she gives back to help young singers develop their talents in their HS choir. And she meets someone from her past. I won’t spoil the rest, I enjoyed reading it fairly blind!
If you’re a seasonal reader, read at the end of the summer. It makes you feel like summer lasts longer. It’s the perfect Segway into fall.
If you enjoy drinking—
Coffee: Apple Crisp Latte
Alcohol/Mocktail: Apple Cider Margarita.
Can it bookclub? Absolutely. Fall drinks and snacks are my recs. Can’t wait for my bookclub girlies to meet in September!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
One of the first things I noticed about this book was how perfect the trope list was… celebrity, small town, childhood friends to lovers, fake dating, found family AND small town. Based on the trope list, it sounded like my dream book. Between that and the blurb, I KNEW I would love it.
This was so cute, sweet, cozy and sometimes a little emotional. It had me laughing, giggling, kicking my feet. It also had me tearing up a few times.
I loved the writing style & the pacing. I was completely locked in from the beginning and had it finished in less than 2 days.
I loved Connor and Delaney so much! Especially Connor.🤤 The history and chemistry between them felt so real, sometimes messy and relatable. Connor and Delaneys characters were so easy to fall in love with and the small town vibes were perfect.💗
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an arc of Can’t Say So! I can’t wait for the next one!🥹🫶🏻
This was so cute, sweet, cozy and sometimes a little emotional. It had me laughing, giggling, kicking my feet. It also had me tearing up a few times.
I loved the writing style & the pacing. I was completely locked in from the beginning and had it finished in less than 2 days.
I loved Connor and Delaney so much! Especially Connor.🤤 The history and chemistry between them felt so real, sometimes messy and relatable. Connor and Delaneys characters were so easy to fall in love with and the small town vibes were perfect.💗
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an arc of Can’t Say So! I can’t wait for the next one!🥹🫶🏻
August 29, 2026
Delaney is a pop star who kind of sort of fell from grace and got sent home to Ridgecrest, Tennessee, to lick her wounds. While there she has to volunteer at the local high school with the choir. She runs into her long lost best friend at the high school, Connor, who’s an English teacher now. For PR and then personal reasons they end up dating. Delaney realizes that happiness isn’t singing in front of a million fans, it’s much simpler than that’s but she has big decisions to make as to what she wants to do with her life! This is such a sweet story about 2 best friends reconnecting after years apart. The banter, the pining, and the love between these two was SO good! I cannot wait to see where the rest of this series takes us!
September 12, 2026
When popstar Delaney James heads back to her small town to lay low after a string of bad decisions and publicity, she runs into her childhood bestfriend who is now the hot highschool English teacher🔥 At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about Delaney but I think that’s the whole point! I could tell her good heart was just buried under never having to lift a finger ever in her life! Being able to watch her sweet character come out was so great💕
Connor is a button pushing green flag hero who loves to swoop in and fix everyone’s problems….well not everyone’s, just Delaneys😏 Like how many times did he say “Anything for you, Lanie Lou.” 😍😍 I felt so bad for him having so much riding on JUST him keeping everything afloat and working himself to the bone.
Thank you to Sarah and Literary Cowgirl Co. for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review, you’ve gained a new fan🥰🫶🏻 I will for sure be needing to find out what happens with all the friends😏
Connor is a button pushing green flag hero who loves to swoop in and fix everyone’s problems….well not everyone’s, just Delaneys😏 Like how many times did he say “Anything for you, Lanie Lou.” 😍😍 I felt so bad for him having so much riding on JUST him keeping everything afloat and working himself to the bone.
Thank you to Sarah and Literary Cowgirl Co. for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review, you’ve gained a new fan🥰🫶🏻 I will for sure be needing to find out what happens with all the friends😏
August 29, 2026
Can't Say No was a cute quick read! It's a sweet and easy book to curl up with when you want something light. The chapters are very short, which made this one fly by. Personally, there were a few places where I would’ve loved a little more room for the characters and their relationship to breathe, because I wanted to stay in some of those moments longer. But if you love fast-paced romances, you’ll probably eat this one up 🩷. Overall, a charming little rom-com and a really fun debut. I’m excited to see where Sarah takes Ridgecrest next!
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed the coming together of Connor and Delaney! Their banter was flirty and fun. I really enjoyed the field trip scene, even though I desperately wanted the one bed to be utilized differently. I can see the community being built, and I'm especially excited to read Caroline's story! I'm hoping for a bit more spice in the coming books, but I know that is very much a personal preference.
Perfect if you like small town romances, books where he falls first, and the best friends to lovers trope.
Perfect if you like small town romances, books where he falls first, and the best friends to lovers trope.
September 2, 2026
Easy beach read. While it had a similar storyline to my favorite Hallmark movies…childhood best friends…falling out… apple orchard (instead of Christmas tree farm) happy ending . It had a nice twist of not having the typical “fall out-of-love” due to miscommunication. I don’t mind a few curse words in a book but this one used the F word over 100 times. I guess that’s my only negative comment it was just a bit excessive.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was excited to receive an advanced copy of this book, and give it a five star review without hesitation. It was a lighthearted romcom with all the cozy feelings of home and familiarity that you could want. The author’s writing style was detailed and beautiful, and the characters were all lovable. I can’t wait to read more in this series!
September 28, 2026
I finished this in one day because I couldn't put it down! Such a great beginning of fall read! Can't Say No will have you rooting for the main characters in the best ways. It's sweet, small town cozy, and romantic, with a touch of spice! Sarah is a wonderful writer and I am already looking forward to seeing where the rest of the Ridgecrest series will go.
October 21, 2026
Can't say no is a fun romance book where you can't help but love Connor, the MMC. If you like where he falls first, is crazy about her, fake dating, and a small town love story set in Tennessee, then this is for you!
October 24, 2026
Such a sweet read, like a cozy Hallmark movie but WAY BETTER. Loved the lived-in feel of the characters. Do I want to teach at a high school now? Yeah, I do. Can’t wait for more installments!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was the cute little romance book set in Tennessee. The characters are fun and easy to fall for! Even the side characters have so much depth! The MCs have so much chemistry and yearning! The lucky charms 🥹 Loved the beautiful ending.
I would say the word "baby" is a bit over used.
I would say the word "baby" is a bit over used.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is the epitome of a cozy, hometown romance. The characters are SO lovable, and it’s impossible not to root for them from the very beginning. I’m already excited to read the next books in the series and see how this cute Tennessee town brings other love stories to life. This is definitely a book I’ll be rereading, recommending, and happily giving a fun five-star rating!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews