Going into this book blind, I was pleasantly surprised that the MC had Tourette’s. I welcome all books with neurodivergent characters especially when they are fully successful adults and go after what they want!

Hollyn is a writer for a popular column and nobody knows who she is due to her shyness in regards to her facial tics. Jasper has found a love of improv to help him with his adhd, and is a struggling actor.

Hollyn decides she needs help in dating and feels secure with Jasper and his improv skills as he begins teaching her the basics.

This has moderate steam. ( )

This romance was unique in that it featured a character with Tourette's. I had not read a romance with this chronic condition before. I thought it was well represented and thoughtfully written. Hollyn's shyness stemmed from her experiences, but she also had spunk and courage when given the encouragement and tools to step out of her comfort zone. She meets Jasper when he starts working as a barista at her workplace. He has his own issues to face and he and Hollyn mesh well together. Their romance is kind of quick in my opinion, but they do share honestly with each other pretty much from the get go. I could have done with less steam and actually skimmed over a lot of those parts. ( )

Hollyn Tate has spent her career hiding her social anxiety and Tourette's by becoming Miz Poppy, who writes a snarky online column on New Orleans night life. After making a pact with her therapist and her best friend, Cal, who is also living with Tourette's, Hollyn rents an office in a building that houses other writers, video producers, and podcasters. When Jasper Deares, struggling improv actor, takes a job as barista in Hollyn's building, Hollyn asks him to help her manage her anxiety so that she can keep her job, which now depends on being able to do video segments. What follows are some hilarious antics that lead to more than either Hollyn or Jasper ever dreamed of.

Yes & I Love You has strong representation of people not only living, but thriving with Tourette's Syndrome. A vivid description as well as overcoming the stigma involved seems (from my limited knowledge of Tourette's) realistically portrayed in this book. Another strength of this book is that each main and supporting character has some quirk or unique personality trait, giving them a great deal of depth and authenticity. My only complaint with this story is that it may be just a little too long. Overall though, Yes & I Love You is a good coming-out-of-your-shell story that presents the idea of valuing the differences in ourselves and others. ( )

Yes & I Love You is the romance novel of every awkward person's dreams. A modern story that accurately and empathetically portrays the reality of finding love while trying to find yourself. Miz Poppy, a notorious, anonymous, and well-loved entertainment critic, is also Hollyn, an introverted, sheepish woman fighting to overcome her severe social anxiety. Then she meets Jasper, who seems to be her opposite in every way. Impulsive, a master of improv, the king of putting his foot in his mouth. While their initial meeting (and the next one... and the next one) are nothing short of disastrous, they find that their differences make for the perfect friendship. They can ignore their mutual attraction and help each other out professionally, right? That always works.

There are so many wonderful things about this novel readers will be hard-pressed to find just one favorite element. Roni Loren wrote deeply relatable characters, gave both of them unique storylines, and then managed to write them into a romance that feels organic and genuine. Hollyn and Jasper's chemistry is scorching, it's playful, and it's adorable. It's everything readers could want in a relationship, real or fictional.

Even more than the romance, which was divine, this novel is a story about two people fighting for themselves, too. Many romance novels that start with an introverted girl end with a girl that's no longer shy. Yes & I Love You stands out from the crowd because Hollyn remains herself. She realizes that despite what others may tell her, being an introvert is not a character flaw. She learns to embrace that part of herself and become the best version of introverted Hollyn. Jasper's growth is very similar. He doesn't become a different person but becomes the person he wants to be.

I have been racking my brain for any critique that could be made. I've read through the book twice and haven't found anything. Maybe I wish it was longer because I want more Jasper content. I'm selfish like that.

I rate it a solid 5 out of 5 stars. No questions asked. The pacing and build-up, the humor, the conflicts where you feel your heart sink to your stomach and think, "No. They wouldn't do that would they??" All of it will have you hooked.

It is an adult romance novel, so it's only appropriate for readers over 18. But beyond that, I think it's a story everyone could enjoy. People (or maybe just me) will love these characters so deeply that you'll hurt when they hurt and feel like their wins are your own. I can't say enough good things about it. ( )

Pandemic read. Finally, a romance with disabilities, though I'm still waiting for one with a main character with spina bifida-- the population I used to work with. ( )