Book Review: What I Should've Said by Max Monroe

This story. Wow! It was sweet and fun but also heartbreakingly beautiful. What I Should've Said was a wonderful story that packed an emotional punch! Grab your copy (and a tissue!), it's time to meet Bennett and Norah.

What I Should've Said (Red Bridge #1) by Max Monroe

When grumpy, muscled-up artist Bennett Bishop bothers to speak, it’s usually to say something you’re not ready to hear.

When he first speaks to Norah Ellis, a rambling runaway bride who hitchhikes a ride from him, it’s to tell her to get out of his truck and walk because she’s a pain in the a-s-s.

By appearance, Norah Ellis is a fancy fashionista who’s spent the last several years living the good life in the city—expensive apartments, highbrow events, and a fiancé with wealth and good looks. The only problem is that she didn’t choose any of it for herself.

On the day of her July wedding, thanks to a letter from a stranger, Norah’s world turns upside down. She runs for the hills of Vermont to start a new life, but what’s waiting for her, between her estranged sister, the townspeople, and bad-boy Bennett Bishop himself, is way more than she bargained for.

Enemies turn to lovers, strangers become friends, dark secrets bust open like cans of worms, and most of all…Summer will never be the same.

4 out of 5 stars

What I Should’ve Said was a beautiful and heartbreaking story and I was not prepared for all the feelings it would bring out in me. When Max Monroe said they wrote something more emotional, they did not lie. While it's still entertaining and interspersed with funny moments (thank goodness!), this packed an emotional punch. I thought it was a wonderful story!

I liked Norah and Bennett a lot, I enjoyed getting to know them, and their growth throughout the story. I liked them coming together, they could be hot and cold but had great verbal sparring between them. There’s a light enemies-to-lovers vibe happening that I liked and a definite slow burn. I felt so much for Bennett and what he was going through with his daughter Summer. I loved Summer befriending Norah and how she and Bennett did everything they could to give this little girl the best life possible. As a reader, I knew what was coming and even though I knew it would wreck me, I think the authors did a good job setting it up so I was prepared.

This was fast-paced, witty in parts, and again, super emotional. For as much as I got choked up, I thought this was a pretty easy read. It wasn’t too deep but moved at a good clip and had me hooked. There was nice drama involved, granted some of it seemed unnecessary, and was easily resolved but I kept right on reading because I was excited for Norah and Bennett to get their happily ever after. There's a nice cast of characters and I appreciated the interactions and humor they created, that levity was very much needed. I liked Norah’s sister Josie and Bennett’s best friend Clay and am excited that their story is next.

Overall, I thought this was a great read. I felt invested and kept turning the page because I wanted to know more about sweet little Summer and I loved the developing relationship with Norah and Bennett. This was a heartfelt story mixed with a good amount of fun and entertaining moments. I really enjoyed it!

Complimentary copy received.