I love listening to romance books on audiobook. They’re just so comforting and even with the tension, I always wind down to them. And What If You & Me is no exception. I’m not a huge horror reader or watcher, but after this book I might just try it out. Especially if I was next to Andi! Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
The world can be a scary place. At least, that’s what Andi Lockley’s anxiety wants her to believe. It doesn’t help that she narrowly escaped a dangerous man years ago, or that every relationship since has been colored with that lingering fear. But things are better now―she’s channeling everything into her career as a horror novelist and true crime podcaster, and her next book may be the breakthrough she needs.
If only her grumpy new neighbor would stop stomping around at all hours of the night.
Former firefighter Hill Dawson can’t sleep. After losing part of his leg in a rescue gone wrong, he’s now stuck in limbo. He needs to figure out what he’s supposed to do with his life, and he can’t let himself get distracted by the pretty redhead next door. But when someone breaks into Andi’s place, Hill can’t stop himself from rushing in to play the hero. Soon, a tentative bond forms between the unlikely pair. But what starts out as a neighborly exchange quickly turns into the chance for so much more…if Andi can learn to put aside her fear and trust in herself―and love―again.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the Libro.fm. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: assault, anxiety, depression, PTSD
What If You & Me was such a heartfelt and charming read. Andi stole my heart from the beginning. Not only is she a successful creative entrepreneur, she loves horror films and can academically dissect them?! A woman after my own heart. Not only that, but some of her fears spoke directly to my heart and one of the passages unlocked something in my brain. And I was like, “wait…this feels so similar”. The conversations Andi has where she knows she’s being gaslit and won’t stand for it? YOU GO YOU!
Combined with how driven she is to help people? Andi stole the show for me. That being said, I still enjoyed Hill’s character – I wouldn’t have liked What If You & Me so much if I didn’t – and specifically his character growth. The ways we are sometimes so locked into seeing our own insecurities and doubts from others. What If You & Me is a fast paced read which I wish just had a little more time devoted to the post-climax of the story. The audio book experience was also fabulous – because we can really hear the emotions of doubt and vulnerability in Andi and Hill.
All the times we waver, we aren’t sure, and those little wobbles in our voice. I ended up listening to What If You & Me in under a week I was so entertained. It was one of those audio books which was comforting even during the tense scenes because I had the genre conventions of romance books to protect me. Their chemistry was also so precious and I enjoyed watching their banter play out. But I can’t deny that Andi stole the show for me!
Find What If You & Me on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org, Libro.fm, Google Play, & The Book Depository.