Collision Course: A Tennessee Ever After Novel

by Mandi Berns

378 pages, Paperback

Published August 14, 2026

Reviews

[Starla Jimenez]

I enjoyed the heart behind this story. There’s so much emotion woven through Alli and Dane’s journey, especially around grief, guilt, forgiveness, and learning how to move forward after something that changed both of their lives. I found myself rooting for them and wanting to see how everything would ultimately come together.

There were a few places where the emotions and internal thoughts felt a little repetitive for me, and some of the heavier conversations explained more than I personally needed as a reader. I think allowing a few of those moments to breathe and letting the characters’ actions speak for them would have made some of the emotional scenes hit even harder.

Overall, though, this was a heartfelt story with a beautiful message about forgiveness, second chances, and the complicated way love and grief can exist at the same time. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it.

[Jess]

arc received from @authormandiberns •

Alli and Dane’s story about love after loss is the sweetest. I love all the music references & am left with a craving for lemon squares and blueberry muffins 🧁

I personally would’ve like the characters to have a bit more fleshing out, specifically the side characters. That said I loved reading this and watching Alli & Dane fall in love and learn how to guide it.

[Rebecca Scherer]

Received as an eARC from the author 



What worked best for me was the setting. As a music lover, I loved how deeply woven music was throughout the story—it really captured that lively, authentic Nashville energy and kept the pacing upbeat early on. Both leads come with personal trauma to unpack, which had great potential, but the emotional beats quickly became repetitive.

​There was also a strange disconnect with how sensitive topics were handled. Problematic drinking was introduced as a serious issue, yet the characters spent most of the story casually drinking, which undercut the gravity of the plot. Ultimately, it felt like a spicy Hallmark movie: you can see the conflict coming from a mile away, and you already know the happily-ever-after is guaranteed, but the journey there felt contradictory. While it wasn't the right fit for me, it could work well for readers looking for an easy, high-steam romance set against a vibrant country-music backdrop.

[Beth]

I finished this book at midnight last night and the tears I cried after were just, happiness, love, i didn't want to finish the book.

Alli our FMC is literally a curvy queen, shes a photographer, young widow and all round amazing person!

Dane, the golden retriever MMC is your typical country boy in a band, you instantly fall in love with him.

This story is just beautiful, it goes through the emotions behind grief and learning how to live with not just grief, but love, anger, hurt and every other emotion. I think the theme of grief throughout the book is portrayed impeccably and really shows us an insight to life with grief.

The main characters are adorable and their story is just as amazing, i loved the journey they went on, both individually and together. We see emotion from both of them, Alli shows she is a confident woman who doesn't need people to stick up for her and Dean shows us that we can turn our life around, we are capable of anything we put our minds too.

This book was a warm small town southern romance, it felt like a warm, inviting, sad in some parts but also so much happiness throughout the entire book 🤍

[Jane litherland]

Alli / Allison Lawrence is built for comfort not speed a Collision of Course waiting to happen maybe? Couldn’t help the pun. This book is fun and sweet and all. Had a ball reading to conclusion. Unlike Alli there’s no confusion nor conflict ,yeah she got hit by a six foot muscle mountain . Dane is a guitarist apparently and he knows her friend Jill.

Yeah he’s a big deal as well. Plays in the Jake Bradley band as well as sing . Ain’t that grand? Wonder if he plays on demand too.

Just a beaut book that’s exquisite. A thrill for your senses .Beautifully penned by Mandi Berns ,not bad going for her debut not bad going is it? It’s well written and keeps your attention. Engaged until the last page .

[Cheri Armstrong]

I received a pdf ARC for Collision Course in exchange for an honest review. This is the debut book for Mandi Berns. The book is a romance about Alli and Dane told from dual POV. Alli has gone through the tragic death of her husband and Dane has gone through a personal transformation. They meet by literally colliding with each other. This slow burn romance is a sweet read but also deals with grief which adds substance. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to additional books by Mandi.

[Amandeep MacDougall]

I had the privilege of reading ARC of this novel. Thanks so much to @authormandiberns for trusting me with a copy!

I am a sucker for a will they/won't they romance and this book definitely provided that.

Alli, a young widowed photographer, quite literally 'bumps' into Dane; a sensitive musician, with a troubled background...already...what's not to like? 😜

The story is told from a dual narrative perspective and I enjoyed seeing each event retold through from both key characters' perspectives.

As with any good romance, their joinery to love hits a few bumps in the road and although I predicted their biggest curve ball, I enjoyed their journey and the host of characters around them.

A light-hearted summer read - however, caution, it does get a little emotional in parts too, as we see Alli struggle with the readiness to jump into something new, having only recently lost her husband - so you may want some tissues nearby!

I can picture it as a film already!

[Carrie Dio]

I received an ARC for my honest review. Thank you so much Mandi Berns for this opportunity! Your debut novel did not disappoint.

Alli and Dane’s literal crash into each other was so sweet! I love a meet-cute where it is a “bam!” Walking down the road of loss
and grief and moving on with Alli was gut wrenching at times. I just wanted to hug her. I cried. And watching how Dane was so swept away with Alli was the sweetest

Seeing them both hit rock bottom and then their journey back to each other was tough. I was rooting for them so hard! Their journey was hard and beautiful.

Definitely recommend this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jane litherland]

Alli / Allison Lawrence is built for comfort not speed a Collision of Course waiting to happen maybe? Couldn’t help the pun. This book is fun and sweet and all. Had a ball reading to conclusion. Unlike Alli there’s no confusion nor conflict ,yeah she got hit by a six foot muscle mountain . Dane is a guitarist apparently and he knows her friend Jill.

Yeah he’s a big deal as well. Plays in the Jake Bradley band as well as sing . Ain’t that grand? Wonder if he plays on demand too.

Just a beaut book that’s exquisite. A thrill for your senses .Beautifully penned by Mandi Berns ,not bad going for her debut is it? It’s well written and keeps your attention. Engaged until the last page .

[Wanda Bennett]

I absolutely loved this book. It had me guessing at every page. I'll be recommending it to my friend. It's very hard to put down. Love the book.

[Allison_reads_cuz_fun]

HEARTWARMING, SWOON-WORTHY ROMANCE!
A book to give you the warm and fuzzies.
Mandi Bern’s has a clear voice. She has you reading “just one more page” to “just one more chapter” to “I have to finish.”

Alli is a young grieving widow. Dane is a musician who trips her at the start of a marathon. They find they have an instant spark, but don’t know they share a painful connection.
Themes included moving away from poisonous guilt to redemption.

Some Beautiful Phrases:
“Like I can sweat out something I refuse to name.”
“She is air, and I’ve been gasping.”
“Every touch lights me up like a flashbulb behind my ribs,”
“Hope wrapped in restraint.”
“His touch is a whisper, gentle and unhurried,”

Not for Me:
The POV changes go back and forth too quickly for my taste, but it did make the pages turn.
Dane is represented as wanting to change his past partying lifestyle for good reasons. He moves away from hard alcohol, yet regularly drinks.

Worked for me:
The author writes a great kissing scene.
I want to visit the one-room schoolhouse music venue described in the book.
I related to Alli from the first few pages, when she couldn’t get over the starting line of a marathon.
As a mental health therapist, I appreciated that both characters prioritized structured therapy and that support groups were represented.

This is a debut novel, and I look forward to reading more from the author.
As an ARC reader, I was provided a free copy of this book.

[Kaitlyn Pope]

"Her laugh hits me where a good song does. I want to hear it again."

In this debut adult contemporary romance novel from Mandi Berns, Dane Carson literally runs into Allison Lawrence at the starting line of a 5K race. Little do they know, this "meet-cute" would change their lives forever. Set in the country music capital of Nashville, this dual-POV cozy book reads like a Hallmark movie, but also touches on the sensitive topics of grieving the death of a spouse, repairing a life following addiction, and the hope of finding love again amidst trauma.

Content warning: spicy scenes are at page 175 to 180, and at page 270 to 275 (this isn't my personal taste so I skipped!).

Positive takeaways:
- Companion playlist for the music that inspired each chapter.
- Courtesy trigger warnings at the start of the book.
- The themes surrounding grief and addiction are noble and valiant undertakings by the author and unique stories not often told.
- The steady reveal of Dane and Alli's pasts over the course of the story is well-paced.
- Dane does not play about Alli!

I had a lot of constructive feedback about the read, which I shared with the author directly.

This novel leaves much to be desired in terms of writing strength, plot development, and style in my opinion. Because of this it ultimately wasn’t a good match for me personally. I sincerely appreciate the author reaching out to me and providing an ARC copy for me to read, and I hope the best for her writing career!

[Cassandra]

Can we find true love more than once? And does our first love leave us little signs to lead the way or are they just awkward coincidences that make us second guess our choices and opportunities? I didn’t see this story coming at me, but it hit me hard, in a way that you don’t want to miss or forget any moment, since you don’t know when your time comes. This story deals with grief from the loss of a husband, and the willingness to allow oneself to be open to a second chance at love, even if it’s messy. An amazing story with deep emotional connection to both MCs. A must read from a debut author!

[M (readingandrotting.with.m)]

I absolutely loved Collision Course! Alli and Dane were both characters I found myself rooting for, and I loved watching their relationship develop throughout the story. The slow burn, chemistry, banter, and emotional depth kept me invested from beginning to end.

I also loved the role music played throughout the story. It added so much to the overall atmosphere and emotions.

A beautiful romance about healing, connection, and new beginnings. Definitely add this to your TBR if you love emotional slow burns! 🤍

[Lara]

Collision Course speaks to all the little moments that last a lifetime. Finding the sunshine in the every day, especially through navigating the complexities of grief and loss.

“She is air, and I’ve been gasping. She is warmth, and I’ve been freezing. She is light, and I’ve been lost in the dark.”

[Shannon Brown]

ARC reader here. As a romance reader most troupes are over done and predictable, but not here. The forced proximity, redemption arc, and second chances really make you feel for both characters. Please give this book a read if you have ever been someone’s “sunshine.”