What If You & Me
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4.4 • 7 Ratings
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- $19.99
Publisher Description
New York Times and USA Today bestseller Roni Loren blends heat and heart in this emotionally charged story of:
• A frightened woman longing to break free
• A wounded man searching for his purpose
• An unexpected friendship turned sizzling hot connection
• And an emotional climax that'll have them both learning to let go
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.
Readers Rave About Books By Roni Loren:
"Phenomenal."—LORELEI JAMES, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
"Unforgettable."—KRISTEN CALLIHAN, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
"Unique, swoony, and lively."—SARINA BOWEN, USA Today bestselling author
"Don't let this book get away!"—M. O'KEEFE, USA Today bestselling author
"A must-read."—Publishers Weekly STARRED Review for The One You Fight For
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Loren's powerful, uplifting second Say Everything romance (after Yes & I Love You) delves into themes of trauma, consent, and recovery. As a teen, Andi Lockley was exploited and betrayed by someone she trusted, leaving her with PTSD and anxiety. As an adult, she channels her fears into a career as a horror writer and true crime podcaster, but she's still hesitant to let anyone get close to her. That changes when she meets her new neighbor, Hill Dawson, a retired firefighter coping with his own set of traumas after a career-ending injury. Andi's worries bring out Hill's protective instincts, and her gregarious nature encourages him to socialize. Soon, the pair decide to enter into a friends with benefits arrangement, helping each other to overcome their issues with intimacy. But when deeper feelings develop, Andi and Hill must determine if they're ready to pursue a real relationship. Loren does an impressive job crafting characters who, while scarred both emotionally and physically, are also resilient and relatable. Their connection is never less than believable and satisfying and the scorching yet sensual sex scenes only develop their growth and healing. The result is a couple readers will have no choice but to root for.
Customer Reviews
emotional and edgy
WHAT IF YOU AND ME is the second instalment in Roni Loren’s contemporary, adult SAY EVERYTHING erotic, romance series. This is thirty-one year old, former firefighter Hill Dawson, and author/podcaster Andi Lockley’s story line. WHAT IF YOU AND ME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Andi and Hill) WHAT IF YOU AND ME follows the neighbors/friends with benefits relationship between thirty-one year old, former firefighter Hill Dawson, and horror author/podcaster Andi Lockley. Approximately two years earlier Hill Dawson’s life as a fire-fighter ended when a work place accident ended his career leaving Hill struggling with depression and something to do. Meeting his new neighbor/tenant gave Hill thoughts he had long forgotten, since he discovered his fiancée in love with another man but his spunky next door neighbor offered a reprieve from his thoughts, thoughts that continued to stray on what was and what will never be. Andi Lockley is a horror author, and podcaster about murdered and missing people, and in this Andi had some experience when it comes to the frightening reality about what it is she talks. Falling for her neighbor was never on the agenda but a friendship with benefits relationship would quickly turn into something more, something of which Hill wanted nothing to do. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Andi and Hill, and the potential fall-out as Hill pushes Andi out of his life, just as Andi’s life is about to implode.
Andi and Hill are both dealing with the trauma of past events, and in this, the past continues to affect the present and the future. Hill and Andi both agreed neither one was ready to settle down but Andi was the first to fall, and Hill wasn’t ready to pick up the pieces. A disastrous prior relationship for both has caused both physical and emotional scars but Hill refuses to accept that he is the man for our heroine, believing he is a place holder for someone more to come.
The relationship between Andi and Hill is a neighbors/friends with benefits that turns into something more. From podcasting to writing, cooking to a Firefighter’s auction, our couple find themselves celebrating the little things in life, things that detract from the terror that was once their lives. As Andi slowly falls for her firefighter hero, Hill begins to pull back just as Andi’s life spirals out of control. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Hill’s fellow firefighter and friend Ramsey, Andi’s friends and therapist Eliz, Hill’s ex-fiancee Christine, as well as the return of Hollyn and Jasper (YES AND I LOVE YOU #1).
WHAT IF YOU AND ME is a story of betrayal and loss with a sassy and determined heroine, and a sometimes miserable hero who believes himself too broken to move forward. The premise is emotional and edgy; the romance is energetic and intense; the characters are tragic, animated and inspiring.
4 1/2 Stars for this quirky but emotional romance!
Andi is a horror writer and podcaster who experienced a horrific ordeal and now has lots of issues. Hill is a firefighter who was hurt on the job and forced to retire at an early age because of losing a leg. Andi and Hill are new neighbours. One night Hill hears screaming coming from next door, so he rushes over and bangs on Andi's door ... only to realize that she was watching a horror movie. Even though Andi and Hill are polar opposites, they strike up a deal to help each other with their issues and eventually begin a friends-with-benefits relationship.
I loved Andi and Hill! Andi is just so unique with her brightly colored hair and sarcastic attitude. And Hill is an alpha fireman with a hero complex ... and I don't know any woman who don't like them. Andi and Hill are just so sweet together and I rooted for them to have their happily-ever-after. It's refreshing to read about characters who have real disabilities. I found the narrator was able to portray different emotions in her voice and I loved that she had a deeper voice for Hill. An excellent addition to the series.
I received an early audio copy courtesy of Dreamscape Media through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.