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Like You #1
Like You Mean It
“I want to make you smile like you mean it.”
The day Cole Lannington says those words to me, I already know I’m falling. Hard. For a man I can never have. Because there’s no way in hell I’ll ever deserve a man like him.
Annie
All I need to do is keep my head above water. Push a little harder. Keep that smile plastered on my face for my son as we try to wade through the new life that’s threatening to drown us both.
But on the first day I can’t seem to hold it all together, I meet him. And for some reason, he comes to my aid. Before I know it, Cole steps in and becomes an important part of my life. Our lives. Fills a void left vacant by a man who never wanted to fill it in the first place.
Too bad he can never be more than a friend.
Cole
All I need to do is be a nice guy to my new neighbor. Make her smile a little bit. Find space in my tidy, structured life to ease the burden she carries so she and her son can enjoy life without the bastard who treated them like they were insignificant.
I don’t expect to talk and laugh and feel a warmth in my chest I didn’t know was missing until she showed up at my door. Somehow I end up caring about her more deeply than I should. But my friendship with Annie opens my eyes to what it could be like to have something deeper. To feel something stronger.
To fall in love like I mean it.
Like You Mean It is the first book in the Like You series and is a standalone novel.
The day Cole Lannington says those words to me, I already know I’m falling. Hard. For a man I can never have. Because there’s no way in hell I’ll ever deserve a man like him.
Annie
All I need to do is keep my head above water. Push a little harder. Keep that smile plastered on my face for my son as we try to wade through the new life that’s threatening to drown us both.
But on the first day I can’t seem to hold it all together, I meet him. And for some reason, he comes to my aid. Before I know it, Cole steps in and becomes an important part of my life. Our lives. Fills a void left vacant by a man who never wanted to fill it in the first place.
Too bad he can never be more than a friend.
Cole
All I need to do is be a nice guy to my new neighbor. Make her smile a little bit. Find space in my tidy, structured life to ease the burden she carries so she and her son can enjoy life without the bastard who treated them like they were insignificant.
I don’t expect to talk and laugh and feel a warmth in my chest I didn’t know was missing until she showed up at my door. Somehow I end up caring about her more deeply than I should. But my friendship with Annie opens my eyes to what it could be like to have something deeper. To feel something stronger.
To fall in love like I mean it.
Like You Mean It is the first book in the Like You series and is a standalone novel.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2018
814 people are currently reading
992 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Liota
34 books440 followersJillian Liota is a Southern California native currently living in Kailua, Hawaii. She is married to her best friend, has a three-legged pup with endless energy, and acts as a servant to two very temperamental cats.
Jillian writes contemporary and new adult romance, and her books have been praised for depth of character, strong female friendships, deliciously steamy scenes, and positive portrayal of mental health.
She has a master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs, and she is passionate about all things improvement, development and organization.
She’s also a big fan of taking walks with her husband, reading romance, watching a handful of horrible reality TV shows, and exploring the island she calls home.
Jillian writes contemporary and new adult romance, and her books have been praised for depth of character, strong female friendships, deliciously steamy scenes, and positive portrayal of mental health.
She has a master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs, and she is passionate about all things improvement, development and organization.
She’s also a big fan of taking walks with her husband, reading romance, watching a handful of horrible reality TV shows, and exploring the island she calls home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
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November 14, 2018I'm keeping this one unrated because this read just didn't work for me.
Contemporary romance is definitely a tricky up and down experience for this reader. I'm not against the fluffy HEAs with marriage and kids, etc, but sometimes it just doesn't land if the story trying to carry that ending isn't one I like. And in the case of Annie and Cole it isn't really them I'm against, either. It's a bit more complex. But it's along those same lines.
LIKE YOU MEAN IT is a slowburn romance between two neighbours, Annie has relocated to the area after a loss with one child and another on the way and is basically living moment to moment and trying to deal. Cole has a long distance girlfriend and a very contained, structured, lifestyle. Their lives start to overlap in fairly typical ways and so begins the story which is mostly centered on a lot of introspection on Cole's part as he contemplates his life and the people in it. But it was also kind of a mouthful. There was a lot being handled, a lot of inner thoughts being conveniently timed to mirror things happening on the outside or being immediately prompted by others in order to expand on the thought or conflict of the day (this is kind of hard to explain but I hope what I mean is coming across). There was also a whole pile of infodump (at least on Cole's end) in the beginning and it just all came together to feel a bit forced.
I didn't really love any of the characters but neither did I super dislike anyone I wasn't supposed to dislike. Child characters, as this reader always repeats, are a mixed bag for me but Jones wasn't overwhelmingly precocious. Did he act like a typical four year old, though? I'll let the parents weigh in on that score.
I did enjoy some of the sweet scenes near the end but I'll admit it did get a little overwhelmingly cheesy for me, but it's probably not out of line with some OTT moments we've come to expect in romance. But if contemporary romance is your jam and you like fluff (please note, I don't use this in a derogatory or condescending way, we all need fluff in our lives), heck, if you like CoHo books, I highly suggest you give this one a try. I just think some of the potential magic that would've had me overlooking some of my disinterest got lost amongst the tropes and overuse of certain key words. But it might still be your thing. It just wasn't mine.
Take this review with a grain of salt and read all the four & five star write-ups. There are lots!
** I received an ARC from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
Contemporary romance is definitely a tricky up and down experience for this reader. I'm not against the fluffy HEAs with marriage and kids, etc, but sometimes it just doesn't land if the story trying to carry that ending isn't one I like. And in the case of Annie and Cole it isn't really them I'm against, either. It's a bit more complex. But it's along those same lines.
LIKE YOU MEAN IT is a slowburn romance between two neighbours, Annie has relocated to the area after a loss with one child and another on the way and is basically living moment to moment and trying to deal. Cole has a long distance girlfriend and a very contained, structured, lifestyle. Their lives start to overlap in fairly typical ways and so begins the story which is mostly centered on a lot of introspection on Cole's part as he contemplates his life and the people in it. But it was also kind of a mouthful. There was a lot being handled, a lot of inner thoughts being conveniently timed to mirror things happening on the outside or being immediately prompted by others in order to expand on the thought or conflict of the day (this is kind of hard to explain but I hope what I mean is coming across). There was also a whole pile of infodump (at least on Cole's end) in the beginning and it just all came together to feel a bit forced.
I didn't really love any of the characters but neither did I super dislike anyone I wasn't supposed to dislike. Child characters, as this reader always repeats, are a mixed bag for me but Jones wasn't overwhelmingly precocious. Did he act like a typical four year old, though? I'll let the parents weigh in on that score.
I did enjoy some of the sweet scenes near the end but I'll admit it did get a little overwhelmingly cheesy for me, but it's probably not out of line with some OTT moments we've come to expect in romance. But if contemporary romance is your jam and you like fluff (please note, I don't use this in a derogatory or condescending way, we all need fluff in our lives), heck, if you like CoHo books, I highly suggest you give this one a try. I just think some of the potential magic that would've had me overlooking some of my disinterest got lost amongst the tropes and overuse of certain key words. But it might still be your thing. It just wasn't mine.
Take this review with a grain of salt and read all the four & five star write-ups. There are lots!
** I received an ARC from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
November 13, 2018
Got wrapped up in this story
I got lost in this book by Jillian Liota, it’s a story that worked for me on a number of levels and also had a thread of uniqueness. The heroine, Annie is a single parent (I love single parent tropes) and there are a few twists to her background which I don’t want to spoil. Annie moves next door to a sympathetic neighbour, Cole.
Cole was a beautiful bunch of contradictions that grew on me. He had a bit of a biker-look but not a biker’s attitude. He was just a guy, running his business, seeing his girlfriend of two years but keeping her at a casual distance. There’s an element of commitment-phobe assholery to him, but I was drawn in. He was a compassionate neighbour and his relationship with Jones, Annie’s son, built quickly and I loved them together. Cole and Annie however, seemed to have good moments but then crossed wires and hurt. The girlfriend, Jess had something to do with this, boy, she irritated the heck out of me.
“I’d made it some sort of unspoken mission to try and bring whatever light Annie has inside of her to the front, to give her reason to smile like she means it. Instead, I doused it in water.”
Annie’s character went on a journey from mouse mom to empowered mom over time but she also evolved to believe in herself and find respect again. I enjoyed her character growth.
This is a book of slow burn proportions and whilst I enjoyed that, because slow burn is my kryptonite, I wanted more intimacy on the page; I wanted more in culmination. I feel like I could read another Annie and Cole story but the epilogues make me think this isn’t happening.
This was a great read, a story that will wrap you up in the guy/girl (adult) next door and will keep you guessing about where things are going to end up. I think that Jillian Liota has shown versatility from her NA sports romance to this contemporary romance quite beautifully. I remain excited to read what comes next from her.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
I got lost in this book by Jillian Liota, it’s a story that worked for me on a number of levels and also had a thread of uniqueness. The heroine, Annie is a single parent (I love single parent tropes) and there are a few twists to her background which I don’t want to spoil. Annie moves next door to a sympathetic neighbour, Cole.
Cole was a beautiful bunch of contradictions that grew on me. He had a bit of a biker-look but not a biker’s attitude. He was just a guy, running his business, seeing his girlfriend of two years but keeping her at a casual distance. There’s an element of commitment-phobe assholery to him, but I was drawn in. He was a compassionate neighbour and his relationship with Jones, Annie’s son, built quickly and I loved them together. Cole and Annie however, seemed to have good moments but then crossed wires and hurt. The girlfriend, Jess had something to do with this, boy, she irritated the heck out of me.
“I’d made it some sort of unspoken mission to try and bring whatever light Annie has inside of her to the front, to give her reason to smile like she means it. Instead, I doused it in water.”
Annie’s character went on a journey from mouse mom to empowered mom over time but she also evolved to believe in herself and find respect again. I enjoyed her character growth.
This is a book of slow burn proportions and whilst I enjoyed that, because slow burn is my kryptonite, I wanted more intimacy on the page; I wanted more in culmination. I feel like I could read another Annie and Cole story but the epilogues make me think this isn’t happening.
This was a great read, a story that will wrap you up in the guy/girl (adult) next door and will keep you guessing about where things are going to end up. I think that Jillian Liota has shown versatility from her NA sports romance to this contemporary romance quite beautifully. I remain excited to read what comes next from her.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
November 20, 2018
Review to come! :)
July 16, 2019
Not what I was expecting
I never give a one star review. This book had so much potential. The biggest let down was majority of the book, the H was in a relationship with another woman. It wouldn't have been so bad if the H wasn't sleeping with her while having feelings for the h but he did multiple times. Even talked about sex with another ex.
I never give a one star review. This book had so much potential. The biggest let down was majority of the book, the H was in a relationship with another woman. It wouldn't have been so bad if the H wasn't sleeping with her while having feelings for the h but he did multiple times. Even talked about sex with another ex.
November 16, 2018
3 to 3.5 STARS
I loved The Keeper and couldn't wait to get my hands on a new book from Liota. Overall, this is a decent read, but it didn't compel like I anticipated. I adored Annie and her resilience. Sadly, I never really connected with Cole; he is so indecisive. There is an intense slow burn, but the ending seems rushed in comparison to the rest of the book.
This won't go down as a favorite, but I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it either.
I loved The Keeper and couldn't wait to get my hands on a new book from Liota. Overall, this is a decent read, but it didn't compel like I anticipated. I adored Annie and her resilience. Sadly, I never really connected with Cole; he is so indecisive. There is an intense slow burn, but the ending seems rushed in comparison to the rest of the book.
This won't go down as a favorite, but I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it either.
December 13, 2018
I adored everything about this novel. The characters were so fabulously described, I actually felt like I knew them. I was totally routing for Cole and Annie from the first chapter.
I think we’ve all been Annie. Feeling completely alone and lost at times. Life can throw some pretty devastating curve balls. It’s how you cope with things and bounce back that counts.
An amazing book about, love, loss, survival, hope..... I could go on and on.
A must read!!!!
I think we’ve all been Annie. Feeling completely alone and lost at times. Life can throw some pretty devastating curve balls. It’s how you cope with things and bounce back that counts.
An amazing book about, love, loss, survival, hope..... I could go on and on.
A must read!!!!
November 12, 2018
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review, thank you again!!
I’ll start off by saying if you like Colleen Hoover books then you’ll enjoy this book! This story is about a single mom, Annie starting over and moving into a fixer upper rental with her four year old son, Jones and another baby on the way and falling for her overly attractive and kind neighbor, Cole. Annie has some personal struggles from her past relationship that she’s trying to work through and learn from and Cole is in a two year relationship with someone that he doesn’t see a future with. Cole becomes a great friend to Annie and keeps coming to her aid whether she wants the help or not. Jones and Cole also develop a great relationship and it made my heart melt reading how much he cared for Jones.
I loved that the character perspectives changed with each chapter and we got to hear about situations from each side. This was a fun, cute, feel good book that kept me interested the whole time and I highly recommend it!
I’ll start off by saying if you like Colleen Hoover books then you’ll enjoy this book! This story is about a single mom, Annie starting over and moving into a fixer upper rental with her four year old son, Jones and another baby on the way and falling for her overly attractive and kind neighbor, Cole. Annie has some personal struggles from her past relationship that she’s trying to work through and learn from and Cole is in a two year relationship with someone that he doesn’t see a future with. Cole becomes a great friend to Annie and keeps coming to her aid whether she wants the help or not. Jones and Cole also develop a great relationship and it made my heart melt reading how much he cared for Jones.
I loved that the character perspectives changed with each chapter and we got to hear about situations from each side. This was a fun, cute, feel good book that kept me interested the whole time and I highly recommend it!
October 24, 2018
"Because I'm falling for this good, good man. This man with a kind heart and a soft spot for my son."
Single, pregnant mother with a past and a 4 year old, meets older, sexy, TAKEN Mechanic/Garage Owner and while this was a cleaner romance than what I'm used to, it did not make the story less in any way. The characters were vivid, the story well constructed and written so that nothing was missed, and the sweetness, the humor, and even the tinge of angst to spice things up made it so I was glued to the pages. I couldn't put it down and enjoyed it immensely. The smile and the giddiness of a story well told and a couple with a well-deserved HEA was completely present at the end of this one! I thank the Author for providing a copy to review!
"I am mad over you. Deep in my soul, absolutely insane for you."
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
Single, pregnant mother with a past and a 4 year old, meets older, sexy, TAKEN Mechanic/Garage Owner and while this was a cleaner romance than what I'm used to, it did not make the story less in any way. The characters were vivid, the story well constructed and written so that nothing was missed, and the sweetness, the humor, and even the tinge of angst to spice things up made it so I was glued to the pages. I couldn't put it down and enjoyed it immensely. The smile and the giddiness of a story well told and a couple with a well-deserved HEA was completely present at the end of this one! I thank the Author for providing a copy to review!
"I am mad over you. Deep in my soul, absolutely insane for you."
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
January 9, 2022
This was... okay-ish.
I should preface myrant review with this: OW/OM drama doesn't usually deter me from reading a book. Im more likely to pass on a book because it was written in 3rd person POV than I am for OW/OM dramas. That said...
I was seriously annoyed for like 90% percent of this book. However, I still read it.
So yeah. This was okay-ish. I probably would not have read it if I knew some of the deets before I was already invested. By the time I realized some of the stuff happening, I was already committed to finding out how it all played out.
I should preface my
I was seriously annoyed for like 90% percent of this book. However, I still read it.
So yeah. This was okay-ish. I probably would not have read it if I knew some of the deets before I was already invested. By the time I realized some of the stuff happening, I was already committed to finding out how it all played out.
November 11, 2018
"I don't want you to weave yourself into the fabric of my life, only to change your mind and rip the seams."
Annie, a VERY pregnant 25 year old single mother of one, moves in next door to Cole, a tough and surprisingly compassionate mechanic/garage owner who is VERY.MUCH.TAKEN.THANK.YOU.VERY.MUCH.
Annie isn't your typical damsel in distress which I loved. Sure she has baby brain and is working through some pretty life altering cry-into-your-icecream shit and as a result makes some hilariously questionable life/social choices, but she also has a son to look after, a baby on the way and a life to get on with. And Cole isn't your typical ruff and tumble macho hero, sure he's the sexy and somewhat mysterious man next door, but he also has a real genuine kindness to him which is sometimes so misplaced *sigh*, but always well intended.
While the ending epilogues felt a little rushed for me, I did enjoy the slow burn journey through the lives of these two well thought out characters who ultimately both got the HEA they deserved.
Jillian Liota, you just get out of here already.... making me feel ALL OF THE FEELINGS - How dare you! I laughed, cringed, whooped with joy... and may or may not have had a little dust in my eye.
** I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. **
Annie, a VERY pregnant 25 year old single mother of one, moves in next door to Cole, a tough and surprisingly compassionate mechanic/garage owner who is VERY.MUCH.TAKEN.THANK.YOU.VERY.MUCH.
Annie isn't your typical damsel in distress which I loved. Sure she has baby brain and is working through some pretty life altering cry-into-your-icecream shit and as a result makes some hilariously questionable life/social choices, but she also has a son to look after, a baby on the way and a life to get on with. And Cole isn't your typical ruff and tumble macho hero, sure he's the sexy and somewhat mysterious man next door, but he also has a real genuine kindness to him which is sometimes so misplaced *sigh*, but always well intended.
While the ending epilogues felt a little rushed for me, I did enjoy the slow burn journey through the lives of these two well thought out characters who ultimately both got the HEA they deserved.
Jillian Liota, you just get out of here already.... making me feel ALL OF THE FEELINGS - How dare you! I laughed, cringed, whooped with joy... and may or may not have had a little dust in my eye.
** I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. **
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November 15, 2022Hahahahaha! DAFUQ people recommending in these FB reading groups? I wanted a single mom romance and I got this 😂😂😂😐
She's moving in and smells hamburgers next door. She's pregnant and can't seem to go shopping for food even when she has a kid and is pregnant because she's fuck all tired. I get it. I've been pregnant three times....but I got my asss to Costco with kids in tow and pregnant and bought fucking food! Cuz you're a mom! qnd i loaded up my car too even though i asked for help from a guy who walked by when i just couldnt lift something one time. Haha.There's no fucking days off you wanker! Ugh.
So. Anyway. she goes over to his house WITH a empty package to beg food off of him 😶😶😶😶😶😶😶😶😐 what daaaaaaaaa fuqqqqqqqqqqq. My respect went to .5% for this chick. Going to your neighbor and begging for food with Tupperware in hand to make sure you habe something yo carry it in 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤔 wow.
And hes in a fuckk buddy relationship and cancels his man night to hang out with her son and her while he can't cancwl.his man night for his fuckkk buddy. Gross.
Messy asss book. I don't care to see how it ends and I hate that I bothered in the fieat place. Dnf this shiet.
She's moving in and smells hamburgers next door. She's pregnant and can't seem to go shopping for food even when she has a kid and is pregnant because she's fuck all tired. I get it. I've been pregnant three times....but I got my asss to Costco with kids in tow and pregnant and bought fucking food! Cuz you're a mom! qnd i loaded up my car too even though i asked for help from a guy who walked by when i just couldnt lift something one time. Haha.There's no fucking days off you wanker! Ugh.
So. Anyway. she goes over to his house WITH a empty package to beg food off of him 😶😶😶😶😶😶😶😶😐 what daaaaaaaaa fuqqqqqqqqqqq. My respect went to .5% for this chick. Going to your neighbor and begging for food with Tupperware in hand to make sure you habe something yo carry it in 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤔 wow.
And hes in a fuckk buddy relationship and cancels his man night to hang out with her son and her while he can't cancwl.his man night for his fuckkk buddy. Gross.
Messy asss book. I don't care to see how it ends and I hate that I bothered in the fieat place. Dnf this shiet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2023
Oh wow. Ok, so....Where has this book been all my life?!
I'm a sucker for slow burn romances. Mariana Zapata is one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately her backlist isn't that long (aka I'm all caught up on her books)...so I'm always on the look out for an author that writes a good slow burn. That's what I found here. I'm super grateful to my bff Nikki for telling me about this one. Lol, she was a smidgen frustrated when she was 57% into the book and they were still "just friends."...What I heard was "Lindsay, this is a great slow burn book and you'll absolutely love it!" I was honestly tempted to DNF the book I was in the middle of when she told me about this book. But alas, I was a good girl and finished it (it was not great).
I loved Cole and Annie. The way they met had me chuckling. I loved how protective Cole was of Annie and her son Jones. I loved how Cole fit right into their family without thinking or trying.
Part of why I love slow burn romances is because I love to see the characters start to fall for each other before they even realize they're falling for each other. And that was certainly the case here. Part of what drove Nikki crazy was the fact that at the start of the book, Cole had a girlfriend. Here's why that didn't bother me:
Neither Cole nor Annie set out to fall for each other. He was in a relationship, he thought he was happy. It took making a new friend to shine a light on the cracks that were already in his relationship. It made Cole reevaluate what he and Jess had, and was it something he really wanted. Annie had her own baggage. Her long time boyfriend, and father of her children, had just died. She had just moved across the country for a fresh start, and to be closer to her mom. She wasn't looking for a new relationship. She was just trying to survive the day to day as she rebuilt her life. And that's why I loved this book. It felt real. Neither person set out with the intentions of falling for each other. They became friends and it grew from there.
I'm not sure if Jillian Liota writes a lot of slow burners but I'll definitely be checking out her other books!
I'm a sucker for slow burn romances. Mariana Zapata is one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately her backlist isn't that long (aka I'm all caught up on her books)...so I'm always on the look out for an author that writes a good slow burn. That's what I found here. I'm super grateful to my bff Nikki for telling me about this one. Lol, she was a smidgen frustrated when she was 57% into the book and they were still "just friends."...What I heard was "Lindsay, this is a great slow burn book and you'll absolutely love it!" I was honestly tempted to DNF the book I was in the middle of when she told me about this book. But alas, I was a good girl and finished it (it was not great).
I loved Cole and Annie. The way they met had me chuckling. I loved how protective Cole was of Annie and her son Jones. I loved how Cole fit right into their family without thinking or trying.
Part of why I love slow burn romances is because I love to see the characters start to fall for each other before they even realize they're falling for each other. And that was certainly the case here. Part of what drove Nikki crazy was the fact that at the start of the book, Cole had a girlfriend. Here's why that didn't bother me:
Neither Cole nor Annie set out to fall for each other. He was in a relationship, he thought he was happy. It took making a new friend to shine a light on the cracks that were already in his relationship. It made Cole reevaluate what he and Jess had, and was it something he really wanted. Annie had her own baggage. Her long time boyfriend, and father of her children, had just died. She had just moved across the country for a fresh start, and to be closer to her mom. She wasn't looking for a new relationship. She was just trying to survive the day to day as she rebuilt her life. And that's why I loved this book. It felt real. Neither person set out with the intentions of falling for each other. They became friends and it grew from there.
I'm not sure if Jillian Liota writes a lot of slow burners but I'll definitely be checking out her other books!
October 30, 2018
First off, I need to tell you that I don't read Romance books, I like espionage and historical books. I was asked to be an ARC reader. So there was a block to sit down to read it as I am always busy. But in the opening chapter, I was hooked. Annie was so real. She was MY neighbor who just moved in and I wanted to get to know her better. I cried, I laughed, I cheered her on. Getting to know her, her son and Cole was delightful, refreshing and real. I did not enjoy having to stop reading (as I had so much to do) and only read when I had some time as each chapter revealed more and more wonderful slices of all their lives. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting an uplifting, warm, real story. Jillian Liota captures the nuances of relationships, love, friendship and family life.
November 21, 2018
[I received a copy from the author for an honest review]
Like You Mean it by Jillian Liota is a contemporary romance about family and finding your happily ever after.
Pregnant and single mother Annie is Cole's new neighbor. They quickly become friends, and he lends a helping hand when needed. The bond he grows with her son Jones and his friendship with Annie makes him realize maybe he has been missing something from his life. Annie is thankful for the friendship she's found with Cole and it helps in her ability to move on from her unhealthy relationship with her ex and realize her self-worth.
This story is sweet but at the end I was left feeling a little underwhelmed. I enjoyed Annie's character and felt for her back story. I absolutely loved her son Jones, I have a soft spot for stories with kids in them. Every interaction between Jones and Cole was absolutely adorable and I loved every one of them. I wanted to love Cole's character but I didn't, yet I adored his parents. I just didn't understand why he was the way he was with relationships and it killed me that it took more than hald of the book to drop his horrendous girlfriend. I felt like I kept waiting for something big to happen and it didn't.
I think Like You Mean It will be perfect for readers who want a single mom contemporary romance with a feel good vibe.
3/5🌟
Like You Mean it by Jillian Liota is a contemporary romance about family and finding your happily ever after.
Pregnant and single mother Annie is Cole's new neighbor. They quickly become friends, and he lends a helping hand when needed. The bond he grows with her son Jones and his friendship with Annie makes him realize maybe he has been missing something from his life. Annie is thankful for the friendship she's found with Cole and it helps in her ability to move on from her unhealthy relationship with her ex and realize her self-worth.
This story is sweet but at the end I was left feeling a little underwhelmed. I enjoyed Annie's character and felt for her back story. I absolutely loved her son Jones, I have a soft spot for stories with kids in them. Every interaction between Jones and Cole was absolutely adorable and I loved every one of them. I wanted to love Cole's character but I didn't, yet I adored his parents. I just didn't understand why he was the way he was with relationships and it killed me that it took more than hald of the book to drop his horrendous girlfriend. I felt like I kept waiting for something big to happen and it didn't.
I think Like You Mean It will be perfect for readers who want a single mom contemporary romance with a feel good vibe.
“We’re both a mess. But if you never have to deal with a bit of chaos, you never know the joy of what comes after.”
“I just want to see you smile like you mean it. And I promise you, that comes from a place inside of me that just wants your life to be better than something you have to brave to get through. I just… want you to be happy.”
3/5🌟
June 17, 2019
** I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. **
This is my favorite Jillian Liota production yet! This book was so lighthearted and exactly what I needed right now in my book rotation!
You will fall in love with Cole and Annie, just like I did! 😍
If you’re looking for an excellent, lighthearted, lovely beach read, this is it! Mark your calendars, it’ll be released on November 13!
This is my favorite Jillian Liota production yet! This book was so lighthearted and exactly what I needed right now in my book rotation!
You will fall in love with Cole and Annie, just like I did! 😍
If you’re looking for an excellent, lighthearted, lovely beach read, this is it! Mark your calendars, it’ll be released on November 13!
Read
September 27, 2019Hero has girlfriend for 90% of the book. So there was def some emotional cheating between the hero and heroine.
No descriptive sex scene between the hero and his girlfriend, but the implications are there. The (his) chapter would end right before they actually had sex
No descriptive sex scene between the hero and his girlfriend, but the implications are there. The (his) chapter would end right before they actually had sex
May 17, 2020
Read this! It’s KU, so try it!
It’s a little slow to start but grows, and some things are predictable, but that doesn’t take away from the lovely story being told.
It’s a little slow to start but grows, and some things are predictable, but that doesn’t take away from the lovely story being told.
Read
June 8, 2022This book was about the hero, his girlfriend, and the heroine, who was not his girlfriend. The hero is in a relationship with someone else for approximately 90% of the book.
October 15, 2025
This book feels like a warm hug. 🥰 I love a love after loss romance and this one doesn't disappoint.
November 18, 2021
I loved this book so much that when I finished it, I re-read my favorite parts again & again. If you've read any of my reviews you will know I have a weakness for cute little kids & four year old Jones both enlightened & broke my heart.
Annie, single mom, 30 weeks pregnant moves back to California with her four year old son Jones. Renting a home that looks as though it hasn't been cared for in years is all she can afford. With little income, hormonal emotions running high, she is happy & grateful for her son & mother who lives close by.
Cole is Annie's neighbour & the two strike up a friendship very quickly. He helps with the occasional dinner, has a pool in his back yard that Jones loves & a girlfriend that is less than happy of their friendship. Wrong or right, Cole doesn't care...he just wants to do all he can to help Annie & her boy.
You will fall in love with this couple, & I guarantee you will fall head over heels much quicker for Annie's little boy Jones. This sweet boy is lively, always showing his smile but has some very sad memories of how he & his mom were treated by his father. Some scenes will just break your heart.
Very little is shared but there was verbal abuse.
I can't remember a time when I just wanted to re-read a book more. This is a heartwarming story with so many precious moments. Read it & you'll understand what I mean.
Annie, single mom, 30 weeks pregnant moves back to California with her four year old son Jones. Renting a home that looks as though it hasn't been cared for in years is all she can afford. With little income, hormonal emotions running high, she is happy & grateful for her son & mother who lives close by.
Cole is Annie's neighbour & the two strike up a friendship very quickly. He helps with the occasional dinner, has a pool in his back yard that Jones loves & a girlfriend that is less than happy of their friendship. Wrong or right, Cole doesn't care...he just wants to do all he can to help Annie & her boy.
You will fall in love with this couple, & I guarantee you will fall head over heels much quicker for Annie's little boy Jones. This sweet boy is lively, always showing his smile but has some very sad memories of how he & his mom were treated by his father. Some scenes will just break your heart.
Very little is shared but there was verbal abuse.
I can't remember a time when I just wanted to re-read a book more. This is a heartwarming story with so many precious moments. Read it & you'll understand what I mean.
November 14, 2018
I haven't had the pleasure of reading any of Jillian Liota's work before. She provided me an ARC for Like You Mean It and I am happy to share my thoughts.
I really, really, really liked this book. I can tell when I really like a book because 1) I talk about it with my husband, who could care less, 2) I stay up way too late reading it and 3) I sneak in reading while at work. This book ticked all of my boxes and I gave a big happy sigh when I finished it.
Annie is a single mom to Jones and is pregnant with her daughter. She's moved back home to California after her abusive ex dies unexpectedly. She is exhausted with the move and trying to come to terms with her new life. I love when I feel an instant connection with a character. I honestly felt like I could be Annie or she could be my sister/friend/etc. Annie took what life gave her and made the best of it.
Cole is a man who likes his routine. He's a few years older than Annie and pretty settled in his life. He has a work box, relationships box, family box, and friends box. Rarely does his life intersect and he likes it just that way. Cole has been in a long distance relationship for two years and is happy with exactly what he has. Until he meets Annie and Jones.
I loved watching these two slowly fall into love. There was never any cheating (physically or emotionally). Cole was a wonderful friend to Annie when that is exactly what she needed. He accepted her and her son unconditionally which set the foundation for a really beautiful relationship.
I highly recommend this book. It was comfy, heartwarming, and for me a perfect read. I am looking forward to checking out more of Jillian's work.
I really, really, really liked this book. I can tell when I really like a book because 1) I talk about it with my husband, who could care less, 2) I stay up way too late reading it and 3) I sneak in reading while at work. This book ticked all of my boxes and I gave a big happy sigh when I finished it.
Annie is a single mom to Jones and is pregnant with her daughter. She's moved back home to California after her abusive ex dies unexpectedly. She is exhausted with the move and trying to come to terms with her new life. I love when I feel an instant connection with a character. I honestly felt like I could be Annie or she could be my sister/friend/etc. Annie took what life gave her and made the best of it.
Cole is a man who likes his routine. He's a few years older than Annie and pretty settled in his life. He has a work box, relationships box, family box, and friends box. Rarely does his life intersect and he likes it just that way. Cole has been in a long distance relationship for two years and is happy with exactly what he has. Until he meets Annie and Jones.
I loved watching these two slowly fall into love. There was never any cheating (physically or emotionally). Cole was a wonderful friend to Annie when that is exactly what she needed. He accepted her and her son unconditionally which set the foundation for a really beautiful relationship.
I highly recommend this book. It was comfy, heartwarming, and for me a perfect read. I am looking forward to checking out more of Jillian's work.
January 9, 2021
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! From cover to cover I was captivated and wrapped up in Annie's life and hoping for a happily ever after for her and her kids.
The drama was real, the emotions were high and the feelings were deep. This story about broken, shattered and very pregnant Annie and her determination to pick up the pieces of her life after the loss of her husband just pulled on my heart strings and made me want her to succeed and find happiness!
Sometimes all it takes is the kindness of a stranger to help you get back on your feet and survive another day. Sometimes that stranger happens to be your older, sexy, next door neighbor!
The relationship that developed between Jones and Cole was so sweet and melted my heart! Cole was such a positive and strong role model for Annie's young son and proved to her that honest, goodhearted men do still exist.
The epilogue wrapped up the story so nicely and left me smiling and never wanting it to end!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The drama was real, the emotions were high and the feelings were deep. This story about broken, shattered and very pregnant Annie and her determination to pick up the pieces of her life after the loss of her husband just pulled on my heart strings and made me want her to succeed and find happiness!
Sometimes all it takes is the kindness of a stranger to help you get back on your feet and survive another day. Sometimes that stranger happens to be your older, sexy, next door neighbor!
The relationship that developed between Jones and Cole was so sweet and melted my heart! Cole was such a positive and strong role model for Annie's young son and proved to her that honest, goodhearted men do still exist.
The epilogue wrapped up the story so nicely and left me smiling and never wanting it to end!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2019
3.0 and to tell the truth this book made me really mad. The first half I was like "OMG OMG, it's soooo good, I found a new fav and I'm sooo happy!!!" and then during the second half was like "What the hell just happened?! Why would you do that to me?!". I had such a big expectations, it was all I love - slow burn? Check! Good story? Check. Great characters? Check! And then all went to hell and while I was reading I was checking what page I'm on cause those things shouldn't be happening at 20 last pages! Also I went from really loving the main hero to seriously wanting to punch him in the face after his dealing with some things in the book. The main heroine too wasn't someone I would like to be friends with. The only hero I still like is the 4 years old boy who btw should be more like 6-7 years but that didn't bother me, he was sweet and I loved his questions ;)) So - sadly no, I for sure won't be re-reading this book and after how the author dealt with the second half I don't think I will ever try her other books.
November 2, 2018
Poor Annie is pregnant and no food in the fridge, she smells the neighbors cooking/grilling and waltzes there to ask for food, yes food. Cole decides to take pity on her and offers to bring over dinner for her and her kid. Now, this was something new for me to read in a sense of how I view and usually like my male hero's, the heroine part was spot on how I liked it, she was not shy, strong but broken. The anticipation in this book about killed me, I wasn't sure where it was going to go, why, I wanted answers right away (I was good and did NOT bother the author to pretty please tell me). All in all in involves a beaten down by life woman who kept going strong even when she couldn't. I don’t want to spoiler alert too much but this has the cutest 4 year old boy who you cant help but fall in love with and a Boss named Carly who is #goals! I enjoyed it very much, couldn't stop going through the pages to find out more. HAPPY READING, highly recommended!
March 25, 2019
I could have SWORE I reviewed this! Alas, I cannot for the life of me find it! I swear Goodreads and Wordpress eat reviews.
I really enjoyed this book. Jillian crafted a beautiful story that I loved from start to finish. Sometimes I need a break from my typical angst filled or crazy reads, but it was swoon worthy and filled with all the emotional traps that I also love.
In this we meet Annie and Cole and I loved them. Single parent reads are IT for me. Throw in a few other trope-is characteristics with Cole and alllll the slow burn and I was hooked.
This was a beautiful contemporary romance that you will love from start to finish.
December 3, 2018
This story was so incredibly sweet! It's that type of story that gives you all the warm and fuzzies! I was so honored the author sent me her book for an honest review.
I really enjoyed how incredibly kind hearted the two main characters were. Right away, my heart just ached for Annie and I wanted her to find happiness.
Then of course you can't not fall in love with Cole. Major dreamboat! He was seriously such an amazing guy. Plus hello hottie! I was sold once I read he was a Jax look alike.
This is definitely a slow burn romance and even though the wait is hard it's worth it. It was so precious to see their friendship build and I enjoyed rooting for them. Turned out to be such a heartwarming, feel good story!
I really enjoyed how incredibly kind hearted the two main characters were. Right away, my heart just ached for Annie and I wanted her to find happiness.
Then of course you can't not fall in love with Cole. Major dreamboat! He was seriously such an amazing guy. Plus hello hottie! I was sold once I read he was a Jax look alike.
This is definitely a slow burn romance and even though the wait is hard it's worth it. It was so precious to see their friendship build and I enjoyed rooting for them. Turned out to be such a heartwarming, feel good story!
January 24, 2019
I enjoyed Jillian Liota's book, Like You Mean it. Annie McAlister is a young widow with a 4 year old son, Jones, and a baby on the way. Cole Lannigan is her 34 year old next door neighbor. His weekend girlfriend doesn't like the amount of time he spends with them. But he starts to really care for Annie and Jones. I liked the characters and their interactions. This is a well written story and I read it in one sitting.
November 14, 2018
I devoured this in a single day. I love the vulnerability that is Annie, and the strength that is Cole. This story was an emotional and perfect single mom with a sexy neighbor story. A slow burner that will give you all the feels! Thank you so much for this story!
November 10, 2018
Review to come!
not-interested
November 24, 2018Slow burn.. among other pet peeves 🧐🤔😏
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