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Hypnotized by Love
The power of suggestion does wonders for the heart in an absolutely captivating romantic comedy by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love.
Hypnotist Savannah Sinclair is known for helping clients overcome their deep-rooted issues, from anxiety to addiction. But her nontraditional approach also attracts plenty of skeptics—including her high school nemesis and rival, Mason Beckett, who just so happens to be the boy who broke her heart.
Mason’s life hasn’t gone according to plan. His latest novel was a flop, and the only gig he can land is writing a scathing exposé of his hometown hypnotist, Savannah. But in order to write an authentic article, he has to be a willing participant. Hypnosis is the last thing he he’s shedding his negative nature and opening himself up to new experiences…and when a fire alarm interrupts their session, Mason walks out into the real world entranced and sporting a sunny disposition and a tendency to say yes.
Hypnotized Mason is fearless, revealing things he’s never told a soul, acting completely out of character, and leading Savannah on a frantic chase to keep him safe. He likes his new self. The problem is, so does Savannah. She can’t fall in love with a man who’s in a trance, but can she keep him still long enough to get him to snap out of it?
Hypnotist Savannah Sinclair is known for helping clients overcome their deep-rooted issues, from anxiety to addiction. But her nontraditional approach also attracts plenty of skeptics—including her high school nemesis and rival, Mason Beckett, who just so happens to be the boy who broke her heart.
Mason’s life hasn’t gone according to plan. His latest novel was a flop, and the only gig he can land is writing a scathing exposé of his hometown hypnotist, Savannah. But in order to write an authentic article, he has to be a willing participant. Hypnosis is the last thing he he’s shedding his negative nature and opening himself up to new experiences…and when a fire alarm interrupts their session, Mason walks out into the real world entranced and sporting a sunny disposition and a tendency to say yes.
Hypnotized Mason is fearless, revealing things he’s never told a soul, acting completely out of character, and leading Savannah on a frantic chase to keep him safe. He likes his new self. The problem is, so does Savannah. She can’t fall in love with a man who’s in a trance, but can she keep him still long enough to get him to snap out of it?
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2024
2401 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 713 reviews
February 3, 2024
Really more like 2.5.
The story itself started off really good with the hypnotherapy. I liked the story line for the 1st 1/3 of the book. Good enemy to lovers drama. After that though, I no longer felt the chemistry.
The characters were extremely immature. They did not act like adults & the author would have been better off writing this as teenagers. It was bugging me the whole time that they were adults acting like high schoolers.
The drama and the whole reason the FMC didn’t speak to the MMC for years was so ridiculous to be honest. I feel like this story had so much promise and that it really fell short. I was torn between rating this a 2 or 3, because I really didn’t enjoy the 2nd half of this book that much. I ended up feeling like it was a 2.5, so rounded up to 3.
Also zero spice level for anyone wondering.
Read for free from Amazon First Reads.
The story itself started off really good with the hypnotherapy. I liked the story line for the 1st 1/3 of the book. Good enemy to lovers drama. After that though, I no longer felt the chemistry.
The characters were extremely immature. They did not act like adults & the author would have been better off writing this as teenagers. It was bugging me the whole time that they were adults acting like high schoolers.
The drama and the whole reason the FMC didn’t speak to the MMC for years was so ridiculous to be honest. I feel like this story had so much promise and that it really fell short. I was torn between rating this a 2 or 3, because I really didn’t enjoy the 2nd half of this book that much. I ended up feeling like it was a 2.5, so rounded up to 3.
Also zero spice level for anyone wondering.
Read for free from Amazon First Reads.
February 3, 2024
I wanted to love this book. I’ve read other books by this author and absolutely loved them, and it started out with such a great premise that was different than other books I read with the hypnosis. However, the characters were very immature, especially Savannah. I tried to be gentle in my critique of her because I know at 24 I definitely didn’t act like an adult most times, but she was also supposed to have this serious career and had they not said her age or gave her a career, I most definitely would have assumed she was in high school. I also didn’t feel any chemistry between Savannah and Mason and really didn’t understand why he was supposed to be so in love with her when she was so awful to him. I realize he made one actual mistake and then there was a misunderstanding but if they were as close as they were supposed to have been when that occurred I don’t understand why that lasted for years.
I read this as an Amazon first read.
I read this as an Amazon first read.
March 9, 2024
3.5/5 stars
This is a contemporary romance/romantic comedy. It is my eighth book by this author.
The author writes enjoyable rom-coms. I did like this one. However the narrator Savannah at times acted too juvenile (she is 24).
I adored Savannah's job as a hypnotist/hypnotherapist. This is such a fun job. I just wish that we had gotten to see a lot more of it.
I adored her identical twin sister Sierra. I love identical twins. And really liked how Sierra tried to help her sister throughout the book.
However Savannah has not spoken to her former best friend Mason in six years. This is the part that was a bit too juvenile for me. The friends to enemies to lovers part was good. And the actual explanation was quite good. But the fact that they had no communication for that long did not make sense to me.
But overall I still did enjoy reading the book.
Thanks to Montlake Romance and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
This is a contemporary romance/romantic comedy. It is my eighth book by this author.
The author writes enjoyable rom-coms. I did like this one. However the narrator Savannah at times acted too juvenile (she is 24).
I adored Savannah's job as a hypnotist/hypnotherapist. This is such a fun job. I just wish that we had gotten to see a lot more of it.
I adored her identical twin sister Sierra. I love identical twins. And really liked how Sierra tried to help her sister throughout the book.
However Savannah has not spoken to her former best friend Mason in six years. This is the part that was a bit too juvenile for me. The friends to enemies to lovers part was good. And the actual explanation was quite good. But the fact that they had no communication for that long did not make sense to me.
But overall I still did enjoy reading the book.
Thanks to Montlake Romance and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
February 4, 2024
"What is it you want?" I asked. He pulled his head back and looked into my eyes. Only I didn't see desire there. I saw something softer, inexplicable. He reached up and brushed my hair back, tucking it behind my ear. He let his fingers trail down the side of my face. "You're the one I want, Sinclair."
Sariah Wilson brings the com in romcom! LOVED! Smiled so much my cheeks hurt.
“…I didn't feel whole again until I saw you in that Starbucks."
"How do you know me like this?" I asked, not able to stop the tears that started to fall. He reached up to gently wipe my tears away with his thumbs.
"Because I've been in love with you since we were fifteen years old"
🤍 THINGS AND STUFF 🤍
-little beach town
-second chance
-visceral hate to love
-mental health counseling & hypno therapy
-family friends
-🐊
-m&ms
-nachos are basically just tacos that didn’t have their life together
-cue patron tequila, i’m drunk off margaritas
-oh no, you’re wounded!
-savanna pulls a parent trap
-flirting & banter & flirting
-#IsThisAKissingBook: closed door. "Is it because you've been waiting for me to kiss you and you're angry that I haven't?"
Sariah Wilson brings the com in romcom! LOVED! Smiled so much my cheeks hurt.
“…I didn't feel whole again until I saw you in that Starbucks."
"How do you know me like this?" I asked, not able to stop the tears that started to fall. He reached up to gently wipe my tears away with his thumbs.
"Because I've been in love with you since we were fifteen years old"
🤍 THINGS AND STUFF 🤍
-little beach town
-second chance
-visceral hate to love
-mental health counseling & hypno therapy
-family friends
-🐊
-m&ms
-nachos are basically just tacos that didn’t have their life together
-cue patron tequila, i’m drunk off margaritas
-oh no, you’re wounded!
-savanna pulls a parent trap
-flirting & banter & flirting
-#IsThisAKissingBook: closed door. "Is it because you've been waiting for me to kiss you and you're angry that I haven't?"
December 31, 2024
I loved the basics of the book, the town, the profession, and the blurb. But the novel could've improved.
![](https://media1.tenor.com/m/qy5U-MGLdA4AAAAC/oh-well-sofia-vergara.gif"/)
I think the author had a nice opportunity to work with the whole female lead as a hypnotist, but it could've been so much better with interesting characters, more romantic scenes, and an improved way of handling the general plotline.
I think the author had a nice opportunity to work with the whole female lead as a hypnotist, but it could've been so much better with interesting characters, more romantic scenes, and an improved way of handling the general plotline.
March 31, 2024
TITLE: Hypnotized by Love
AUTHOR: SARIAH WILSON
PUB DATE: 03.01.2024
The power of suggestion does wonders for the heart in an absolutely captivating romantic comedy by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love.
THOUGHTS:
Whenever someone asks me for a romcom recommendation, I don’t hesitate to add Sariah Wilson’s books to the list for those looking for a clean romance with a lot of heart and charm. I really enjoyed this one and read through it in a couple of days, because I just loved Mason and Savannah so much, and really enjoyed being in their world.
AUTHOR: SARIAH WILSON
PUB DATE: 03.01.2024
The power of suggestion does wonders for the heart in an absolutely captivating romantic comedy by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love.
THOUGHTS:
Whenever someone asks me for a romcom recommendation, I don’t hesitate to add Sariah Wilson’s books to the list for those looking for a clean romance with a lot of heart and charm. I really enjoyed this one and read through it in a couple of days, because I just loved Mason and Savannah so much, and really enjoyed being in their world.
February 11, 2024
This one was absolutely not for me, honestly not even sure why I finished it 🙈 I had a free version of this from Amazon first reads on my kindle and just needed something to read so I started it assuming it would be a fluffy, silly, no-spice romcom, which is not my fav but something I can quickly read and feel neutral about. The premise was silly and I thought it’d be a fun read. But the main female lead was *unbearable* and made the most ridiculous decisions, there was literally no backstory on the romance, and everything just felt ridiculous. I was skimming by the end of the book just to finish it faster, definite should’ve been a DNF it just kept getting worse.
February 2, 2024
Loved!
I always get excited when Ms. Wilson has a new book out. I thought this was a lot of fun. I really liked that our FMC Savannah has such a unique job as a hypnotist. Not only was it a unique occupation, but it set up a fun plot line for the story. I also enjoy a good enemies-to-more storyline, throw in an old crush and lots of character growth through forgiveness and it was just an engaging story.
Content Rated PG
Clean romance, some kissing and making out but stays clean. No language. Some sensitive talk about
I always get excited when Ms. Wilson has a new book out. I thought this was a lot of fun. I really liked that our FMC Savannah has such a unique job as a hypnotist. Not only was it a unique occupation, but it set up a fun plot line for the story. I also enjoy a good enemies-to-more storyline, throw in an old crush and lots of character growth through forgiveness and it was just an engaging story.
Content Rated PG
Clean romance, some kissing and making out but stays clean. No language. Some sensitive talk about
March 8, 2024
⭐️1
I had high hopes after the build up of the hypnosis, but we got further and further from it with many extreme twists and turns. The fmc was more immature than I expected her to be and written to be “quirky” but it came off as inauthentic.
In certain parts, the story suffered from what could be an editing issue. There were things repeated often, jumps in the plot, which all led to the ending feeling a bit rushed.
I had high hopes after the build up of the hypnosis, but we got further and further from it with many extreme twists and turns. The fmc was more immature than I expected her to be and written to be “quirky” but it came off as inauthentic.
In certain parts, the story suffered from what could be an editing issue. There were things repeated often, jumps in the plot, which all led to the ending feeling a bit rushed.
June 29, 2024
If you hate miscommunication, you won’t enjoy this one…
I might be a rare romance reader, but I don’t mind the miscommunication trope. In a world of girlies who complain about it, I’m usually fine with it as long as it furthers the plot. But when it’s used over and over and over again in one book, I have to throw up my hands and ask why.
📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Hypnotized by Love by Sariah Wilson
📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Standalone
📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: Audiobook on Kindle. Single narrator. 🆓 on KU to read & listen.
📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary romance
📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Enemies-to-lovers, female friendship, he’s loved her all along.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Savannah is a hypnotherapist on thin ice with her accreditation board. When Mason, a former crush turned enemy, waltzed into her office to write an article on hypnosis, she tries to keep old feelings from resurfacing.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I picked up this book for the plot and the author - she’s new to me, but I read and liked a novella she published earlier this year and wanted to dig in a bit more. Overall, though, this was a bit of a let down.
The biggest issue of all was the female main character. She was super emotional - and for someone who is supposed to be a therapist, it seemed completely out of character. Her emotions led to her jumping to conclusions, and not one or two but at least four instances of miscommunication drama. It was tiring, especially toward the end.
The concept was cute, but it felt like it was missing a lot. I wish there was more on hypnosis. I wish there was more spice. I wish Savannah was just a little more patient with the characters around her. It all just fell flat for me.
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 2/5 🌶🌶
I might be a rare romance reader, but I don’t mind the miscommunication trope. In a world of girlies who complain about it, I’m usually fine with it as long as it furthers the plot. But when it’s used over and over and over again in one book, I have to throw up my hands and ask why.
📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Hypnotized by Love by Sariah Wilson
📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Standalone
📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: Audiobook on Kindle. Single narrator. 🆓 on KU to read & listen.
📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary romance
📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Enemies-to-lovers, female friendship, he’s loved her all along.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Savannah is a hypnotherapist on thin ice with her accreditation board. When Mason, a former crush turned enemy, waltzed into her office to write an article on hypnosis, she tries to keep old feelings from resurfacing.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I picked up this book for the plot and the author - she’s new to me, but I read and liked a novella she published earlier this year and wanted to dig in a bit more. Overall, though, this was a bit of a let down.
The biggest issue of all was the female main character. She was super emotional - and for someone who is supposed to be a therapist, it seemed completely out of character. Her emotions led to her jumping to conclusions, and not one or two but at least four instances of miscommunication drama. It was tiring, especially toward the end.
The concept was cute, but it felt like it was missing a lot. I wish there was more on hypnosis. I wish there was more spice. I wish Savannah was just a little more patient with the characters around her. It all just fell flat for me.
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 2/5 🌶🌶
February 1, 2024
A no brainer pick!
Sariah Wilson is always a no-brainer pick for me. She writes enjoyable romcoms with unusual setups - & spicy chemistry without the peeping tom porn.
This story has Savannah meeting up with a former friend turned enemy, Mason. The hypnosis angle is fun, but fair warning, Savannah is one of those heroines who's insecure & doesn't communicate like she should, so it did add some frustration that reduced my level of enjoyment a bit, but the story is so well done overall, it was easy to let it go. It doesn't hurt that it's an enemies-to-lovers/2nd chance romance which are two of my favorite tropes, too. 💕
*Content: passionate kisses but nothing graphic
Sariah Wilson is always a no-brainer pick for me. She writes enjoyable romcoms with unusual setups - & spicy chemistry without the peeping tom porn.
This story has Savannah meeting up with a former friend turned enemy, Mason. The hypnosis angle is fun, but fair warning, Savannah is one of those heroines who's insecure & doesn't communicate like she should, so it did add some frustration that reduced my level of enjoyment a bit, but the story is so well done overall, it was easy to let it go. It doesn't hurt that it's an enemies-to-lovers/2nd chance romance which are two of my favorite tropes, too. 💕
*Content: passionate kisses but nothing graphic
February 3, 2024
TBH, I needed something super lighthearted after finishing HOFAS (House of Flame and Shadow). I selected this clean romance as my Amazon First Reads Pick for February 2024, and while not of of my favorites, it did its job of being the palate cleanser I needed.
The MMC and side characters were my absolute favorite (don't even get me started on the FMC 😖). There was a perfect dialogue-to-inner-monologue ratio, and it was a fun, quick, easy read, which is exactly what I was looking for.
This was also not a fast-paced book. It's more of a light jog where you don't get winded at all. It has a steady pace, no huge surprises, and is an easy read.
Overall, this one was a mixed bag for me. I absolutely loved the first 30% of this book. But then, it went downhill from there. I absolutely hated the FMC, and since it's a first-person POV, I had to be with her...a lot. The main driver of this plot was also something that makes me cringe: the miscommunication trope. However, if this is not a red flag for you and you are looking for an easy, zero-spice romance, this may be the book for you.
The MMC and side characters were my absolute favorite (don't even get me started on the FMC 😖). There was a perfect dialogue-to-inner-monologue ratio, and it was a fun, quick, easy read, which is exactly what I was looking for.
This was also not a fast-paced book. It's more of a light jog where you don't get winded at all. It has a steady pace, no huge surprises, and is an easy read.
Overall, this one was a mixed bag for me. I absolutely loved the first 30% of this book. But then, it went downhill from there. I absolutely hated the FMC, and since it's a first-person POV, I had to be with her...a lot. The main driver of this plot was also something that makes me cringe: the miscommunication trope. However, if this is not a red flag for you and you are looking for an easy, zero-spice romance, this may be the book for you.
March 16, 2024
Savannah Wilson and Mason Beckett grew up together and were so close their moms would talk about planning their future wedding. It all blows up when he betrays her in HS and she never gives him a chance to explain. Fast forward several years and she is a Hypno-therapist and he is returning to town after his last book is a failure. He is hired to write an expose on her as a fake hypnotist and makes an appointment for himself.
This is a second chance romance or childhood friends to enemies to more. The story has some genuine funny moments and also lots of immaturity is shown by both MCs. The original reason for their break-up doesn’t seem that egregious but there are some more serious things revealed. Also the FMC doesn’t let him explain his actions saying she blocked him on all her media, phone and email. But they were attending the same HS. I’m not sure how big blocking was seven years ago. (Maybe it was a thing.) This book is clean for language and intimacy. And after reading a few of her books I only now realized that she lives in my home state. (3.5 Stars)
This is a second chance romance or childhood friends to enemies to more. The story has some genuine funny moments and also lots of immaturity is shown by both MCs. The original reason for their break-up doesn’t seem that egregious but there are some more serious things revealed. Also the FMC doesn’t let him explain his actions saying she blocked him on all her media, phone and email. But they were attending the same HS. I’m not sure how big blocking was seven years ago. (Maybe it was a thing.) This book is clean for language and intimacy. And after reading a few of her books I only now realized that she lives in my home state. (3.5 Stars)
April 25, 2024
It was cute. I liked the fact that the FMC was a hypnotist, I thought that was different and made the story a bit more interesting.
I do like Sariah Wilson's writing.
That being said, I am unsure how I felt about this book overall. The conflict seems like it could have been resolved with simple communication, but the FMC continued to act childish even at later parts of the story.
At the beginning of the story Savannah Hypnotises Mason, but I feel like what happened while that happened didn't get truly tackled.
Overall, it was cute, quick read, and I did enjoy it for the most part.
I do like Sariah Wilson's writing.
That being said, I am unsure how I felt about this book overall. The conflict seems like it could have been resolved with simple communication, but the FMC continued to act childish even at later parts of the story.
At the beginning of the story Savannah Hypnotises Mason, but I feel like what happened while that happened didn't get truly tackled.
Overall, it was cute, quick read, and I did enjoy it for the most part.
January 19, 2024
4 stars that should’ve been 5. I love the writing style, the plot, the MMC and side characters, the dialogue, the dialogue to inner monologue ratio. This is such a fun, fast paced, quick, and easy read. It's single, 1st POV and clean. Definitely worth your while to pick up and check out!!
The negatives were really just two things, but since they're big things, it really brought the book down for me. I hate the big rumor that drives part of the plot, and that was a huge enjoyment killer for me. And I hate the FMC. And since it’s single, 1st POV, I was with the FMC a Lot.
Is TSTL a thing that can be reserved for just love life? Because this FMC is almost Too Stupid To Love. In Chapter Six, MMC tells FMC he’s loved her his whole life. 10% into the story, dear reader. And she spends the rest of the story having to be convinced by those closest to her that he does not hate her. And dear reader, he never even acts like he hates her. At 50%, he tells her he wants to kiss her. And she still acts like him rejecting her had to do with something other than her being drunk as a skunk. At 64%, he tells her he’s been waiting years to kiss her. Her response? “It was an admission that I couldn’t deny or dismiss. I’d told myself that he hated me, didn’t want me, but he had just told me that he did. I chose to ignore it.” At 67%, she “suspects” but isn’t “willing to admit” why he’d do something romantic for her. And then the third act break up, which came in right on time at 90% for a Sariah Wilson novel, boils down to our FMC ultimately not trusting the MMC. Not giving him a chance to explain. Taking half a story and running with it. Miscommunication anyone? And it kind of wasn’t needed. And by that I mean, it absolutely wasn’t needed. There was already the external rumor plot line that was wrapped up nicely. That could’ve been it. We really didn’t need another wrench of “He WrOtE a MeAn ArTiClE aBoUt My JoB.” Because all it did was sow doubt into my mind as a reader that this couple would last. Not with how FMC handled the situation.
And that’s not even to mention when She agrees to go to dinner with him, ignores her phone ringing “a few times” even though it is very obviously MMC saying he’ll be late. She doesn’t even check her phone!
She heaps a whole lot of blame onto her friend for actions that she took post-rumor. I’m glad she eventually apologized, but it was petty, immature, and just annoying that she did it in the first place. It’s like, she apologized, but I’m not sure she really took accountability. With the friend and the MMC.
I have a huge issue with the big rumor that Savannah was hung up on and the subsequent twist that came with it. It was handled well (except that the teacher never would’ve gotten a second teaching job because if he was fired from the first school, they would’ve had more than just suspicions), and the author made her position on the topic very clear. I just didn’t appreciate it being included in the first place. It's 2024, and it just felt really icky and unnecessary. This is coming purely from I-am-a-teacher standpoint. I don’t think every reader will feel that way.
Picky side note, but I am begging authors/editors/everyone to realize that introvert and shy are not synonymous. You can be an outgoing introvert or a shy extrovert or a shy introvert or an outgoing extrovert. Also that there are many many things you can do with an English degree that do not involve teaching.
But seriously, despite my annoyance with the FMC and the rumor, this book was really good. If the FMC hadn't been so hung up on "he doesn't like me," I think this would've been an easy 5 star read. It's incredibly enjoyable in that Sariah Wilson way we've come to know and love.
Trigger warnings for a side character who was hospitalized for an eating disorder and the big rumor being a student-teacher relationship.
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review!!
The negatives were really just two things, but since they're big things, it really brought the book down for me. I hate the big rumor that drives part of the plot, and that was a huge enjoyment killer for me. And I hate the FMC. And since it’s single, 1st POV, I was with the FMC a Lot.
Is TSTL a thing that can be reserved for just love life? Because this FMC is almost Too Stupid To Love. In Chapter Six, MMC tells FMC he’s loved her his whole life. 10% into the story, dear reader. And she spends the rest of the story having to be convinced by those closest to her that he does not hate her. And dear reader, he never even acts like he hates her. At 50%, he tells her he wants to kiss her. And she still acts like him rejecting her had to do with something other than her being drunk as a skunk. At 64%, he tells her he’s been waiting years to kiss her. Her response? “It was an admission that I couldn’t deny or dismiss. I’d told myself that he hated me, didn’t want me, but he had just told me that he did. I chose to ignore it.” At 67%, she “suspects” but isn’t “willing to admit” why he’d do something romantic for her. And then the third act break up, which came in right on time at 90% for a Sariah Wilson novel, boils down to our FMC ultimately not trusting the MMC. Not giving him a chance to explain. Taking half a story and running with it. Miscommunication anyone? And it kind of wasn’t needed. And by that I mean, it absolutely wasn’t needed. There was already the external rumor plot line that was wrapped up nicely. That could’ve been it. We really didn’t need another wrench of “He WrOtE a MeAn ArTiClE aBoUt My JoB.” Because all it did was sow doubt into my mind as a reader that this couple would last. Not with how FMC handled the situation.
And that’s not even to mention when She agrees to go to dinner with him, ignores her phone ringing “a few times” even though it is very obviously MMC saying he’ll be late. She doesn’t even check her phone!
She heaps a whole lot of blame onto her friend for actions that she took post-rumor. I’m glad she eventually apologized, but it was petty, immature, and just annoying that she did it in the first place. It’s like, she apologized, but I’m not sure she really took accountability. With the friend and the MMC.
I have a huge issue with the big rumor that Savannah was hung up on and the subsequent twist that came with it. It was handled well (except that the teacher never would’ve gotten a second teaching job because if he was fired from the first school, they would’ve had more than just suspicions), and the author made her position on the topic very clear. I just didn’t appreciate it being included in the first place. It's 2024, and it just felt really icky and unnecessary. This is coming purely from I-am-a-teacher standpoint. I don’t think every reader will feel that way.
Picky side note, but I am begging authors/editors/everyone to realize that introvert and shy are not synonymous. You can be an outgoing introvert or a shy extrovert or a shy introvert or an outgoing extrovert. Also that there are many many things you can do with an English degree that do not involve teaching.
But seriously, despite my annoyance with the FMC and the rumor, this book was really good. If the FMC hadn't been so hung up on "he doesn't like me," I think this would've been an easy 5 star read. It's incredibly enjoyable in that Sariah Wilson way we've come to know and love.
Trigger warnings for a side character who was hospitalized for an eating disorder and the big rumor being a student-teacher relationship.
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review!!
March 13, 2024
The most unreadable of the Amazon first reads I’ve read. It just got worse and worse.
February 22, 2024
"Enemies to lovers," PG romance
Because their mothers were BFFs, Savannah and Mason, who are the same age, were heavily encouraged to be BFFs from infancy to age 18, in the small, Florida town where they were raised. Their mothers made it extremely clear, from the earliest childhood of their offspring, that they wanted nothing more than for them to eventually marry. Savannah and Mason both developed non-platonic feelings for each other by age 15, but neither had the courage to say anything, until Mason asked Savannah to their senior prom, to her enormous delight. Unfortunately, he immediately freaked out, assuming quite rightly that even a single date with Savannah would immediately lead to their mothers' planning their wedding. Savannah was devastated both at being stood up, with no text or call from Mason to warn her or apologize, and his avoiding her for days afterwards. Then, as a final crushing blow, not long after his prom betrayal, some terrible rumors about Savannah began spreading around their high school which ruined her reputation. She leaped to the conclusion that Mason had vindictively started them, but she never once confronted him about either standing her up or, supposedly, purposely seeking to harm her through the vicious rumors. Instead, compounding the fact that he had ghosted her after the prom, she ghosted him, permanently. After their high school graduation a couple of months later, Mason moved to NYC, and Savannah stayed in their hometown. During the past six years, Savannah has not seen Mason, because she has successfully avoided him every time he has come home to visit his family.
During their six years apart, Mason has completed a college degree and become a published fiction author. Savannah is still living at home with her parents, as is her twin sister, Sierra, in order to afford the cost of her professional training. She has become a moderately successful, certified hypnotherapist, and is currently working on a college degree in psychology with an aim of becoming a licensed therapist. (In Florida, that involves a huge commitment of money and 8 years of time, including 4 years for a bachelor's, 2 years for a master's, and 2 years of internship.) It's a huge burden to take on, given the fact that Savannah doesn't actually want to be a therapist. Her motivation is based on fear. She is extremely anxious about her work as a hypnotherapist being ridiculed by many people as pseudoscience, and she hopes that if she is a licensed therapist, and hypnotherapy is part of her practice, she will be taken seriously.
At the start of this story, Mason arrives in town for a visit, and for the first time in all these years, Savannah cannot avoid him, because his mother drags him with her to one of her regular hypnotherapy sessions with Savannah, which have successfully assisted her with her anxiety-based insomnia. Savannah discovers, to her extreme dismay, that Mason has booked two back-to-back sessions with her, right after his mother's session, as research for an article he is writing on hypnosis. Savannah is very resistant to having anything to do with him, as always, but she loves his mother and allows herself to be guilt-tripped into hypnotizing him.
Though this novel could, technically, be labeled a small-town romance, since it takes place in a fictional, small, Florida town, the setting of the town itself is never described sufficiently to make the town come alive. Virtually every scene takes place indoors somewhere, including: the homes of Savannah and Mason's parents, Savannah's office, and various restaurants. The story also lacks the typical coterie of quirky locals that is a primary focus of the romance novels of most Hallmark-movie imitators.
In terms of the FMC and MMC, their relationship is extremely imbalanced in terms of the effort they put into building it. Mason is really trying, but Savannah is constantly resisting his efforts. She is presented, during the vast majority of this story, which is told entirely from her first-person point of view, as an unlikable, rage-filled, resentful person. (She is the enemy in this "enemies to lovers" tale.) She is frequently mean to Mason, who is such an extreme version of an adorable, sensitive, caring Cinnamon Roll, it's as unbearable to witness Savannah's treatment of him as if she were kicking a fluffy puppy. It is also hard to imagine why Mason masochistically puts up with her abuse, especially when he has no idea why she hates him so much, because she's never been straight with him. Over and over again we hear, chapter after chapter, that Savannah definitely realizes that the mature, responsible thing to do would be to have an adult, direct conversation with Mason and clear the air, but she keeps avoiding doing that. And she does so, in spite of working in the psychological field of hypnotherapy, pursuing professional training to be a therapist, having a therapist mentor who preaches the concept of "radical forgiveness," and frequently providing individually tailored hypnotherapy to clients who need help with their troubled emotions. In short, Savannah is the hypocritical epitome of, "therapist, heal thyself." If all of this weren't enough to make Savannah an incredibly irritating, passive protagonist stewing in her own hateful stuckness, after she, at looooog last, finally clears the air with Mason at about 75% of the book, in order to create the Dark Period, she once again jumps to conclusions, condemns Mason wrongly, and refuses to have an adult, direct conversation with him to clear the air. As a result of her continual stubborn cluelessness, Savannah presents as an unlikable human being who has gained no practical knowledge from her psychological training and requires multiple deus ex machina interventions from other characters to pull her head from the place where the sun don't shine.
Because of all this, I was not cheering for attentive, nurturing, affectionate Mason to end up with harsh, judgmental, passive-aggressive Savannah, who seems like someone who would be a nightmare to be married to. Due to what a difficult character she is, it was a grueling slog for me getting through this book to the end. I basically skimmed, speed read, and finally skipped to the last chapter, to see if Savannah's endless issues would be implausibly wrapped up with a pretty pink bow, in order to create an HEA which, sad to say, is exactly what happens.
I am not a fan of binge drinking in romance novels, and previously, I was happy to be able to avoid that trope in the works of this author, because her religion prohibits consuming alcohol. But, surprisingly, there is a scene in this novel in which Savannah gets drunk.
One part of the novel that I am not feeling negative about, but which readers who prefer asexual, Barbie-and-Ken protagonists may object to, is that I would personally rate this novel as PG rather than G. There is no foul language, and there are no descriptions of sexual contact other than kissing the neck and the face, but there are plenty of mentions of sexual passion between the two characters in the form of mild euphemisms for lust in Savannah's thoughts and sexual innuendo in conversations between her and Mason.
This novel is published by Amazon, and I received access to it for free through Amazon's First Reads program for Prime members.
Because their mothers were BFFs, Savannah and Mason, who are the same age, were heavily encouraged to be BFFs from infancy to age 18, in the small, Florida town where they were raised. Their mothers made it extremely clear, from the earliest childhood of their offspring, that they wanted nothing more than for them to eventually marry. Savannah and Mason both developed non-platonic feelings for each other by age 15, but neither had the courage to say anything, until Mason asked Savannah to their senior prom, to her enormous delight. Unfortunately, he immediately freaked out, assuming quite rightly that even a single date with Savannah would immediately lead to their mothers' planning their wedding. Savannah was devastated both at being stood up, with no text or call from Mason to warn her or apologize, and his avoiding her for days afterwards. Then, as a final crushing blow, not long after his prom betrayal, some terrible rumors about Savannah began spreading around their high school which ruined her reputation. She leaped to the conclusion that Mason had vindictively started them, but she never once confronted him about either standing her up or, supposedly, purposely seeking to harm her through the vicious rumors. Instead, compounding the fact that he had ghosted her after the prom, she ghosted him, permanently. After their high school graduation a couple of months later, Mason moved to NYC, and Savannah stayed in their hometown. During the past six years, Savannah has not seen Mason, because she has successfully avoided him every time he has come home to visit his family.
During their six years apart, Mason has completed a college degree and become a published fiction author. Savannah is still living at home with her parents, as is her twin sister, Sierra, in order to afford the cost of her professional training. She has become a moderately successful, certified hypnotherapist, and is currently working on a college degree in psychology with an aim of becoming a licensed therapist. (In Florida, that involves a huge commitment of money and 8 years of time, including 4 years for a bachelor's, 2 years for a master's, and 2 years of internship.) It's a huge burden to take on, given the fact that Savannah doesn't actually want to be a therapist. Her motivation is based on fear. She is extremely anxious about her work as a hypnotherapist being ridiculed by many people as pseudoscience, and she hopes that if she is a licensed therapist, and hypnotherapy is part of her practice, she will be taken seriously.
At the start of this story, Mason arrives in town for a visit, and for the first time in all these years, Savannah cannot avoid him, because his mother drags him with her to one of her regular hypnotherapy sessions with Savannah, which have successfully assisted her with her anxiety-based insomnia. Savannah discovers, to her extreme dismay, that Mason has booked two back-to-back sessions with her, right after his mother's session, as research for an article he is writing on hypnosis. Savannah is very resistant to having anything to do with him, as always, but she loves his mother and allows herself to be guilt-tripped into hypnotizing him.
Though this novel could, technically, be labeled a small-town romance, since it takes place in a fictional, small, Florida town, the setting of the town itself is never described sufficiently to make the town come alive. Virtually every scene takes place indoors somewhere, including: the homes of Savannah and Mason's parents, Savannah's office, and various restaurants. The story also lacks the typical coterie of quirky locals that is a primary focus of the romance novels of most Hallmark-movie imitators.
In terms of the FMC and MMC, their relationship is extremely imbalanced in terms of the effort they put into building it. Mason is really trying, but Savannah is constantly resisting his efforts. She is presented, during the vast majority of this story, which is told entirely from her first-person point of view, as an unlikable, rage-filled, resentful person. (She is the enemy in this "enemies to lovers" tale.) She is frequently mean to Mason, who is such an extreme version of an adorable, sensitive, caring Cinnamon Roll, it's as unbearable to witness Savannah's treatment of him as if she were kicking a fluffy puppy. It is also hard to imagine why Mason masochistically puts up with her abuse, especially when he has no idea why she hates him so much, because she's never been straight with him. Over and over again we hear, chapter after chapter, that Savannah definitely realizes that the mature, responsible thing to do would be to have an adult, direct conversation with Mason and clear the air, but she keeps avoiding doing that. And she does so, in spite of working in the psychological field of hypnotherapy, pursuing professional training to be a therapist, having a therapist mentor who preaches the concept of "radical forgiveness," and frequently providing individually tailored hypnotherapy to clients who need help with their troubled emotions. In short, Savannah is the hypocritical epitome of, "therapist, heal thyself." If all of this weren't enough to make Savannah an incredibly irritating, passive protagonist stewing in her own hateful stuckness, after she, at looooog last, finally clears the air with Mason at about 75% of the book, in order to create the Dark Period, she once again jumps to conclusions, condemns Mason wrongly, and refuses to have an adult, direct conversation with him to clear the air. As a result of her continual stubborn cluelessness, Savannah presents as an unlikable human being who has gained no practical knowledge from her psychological training and requires multiple deus ex machina interventions from other characters to pull her head from the place where the sun don't shine.
Because of all this, I was not cheering for attentive, nurturing, affectionate Mason to end up with harsh, judgmental, passive-aggressive Savannah, who seems like someone who would be a nightmare to be married to. Due to what a difficult character she is, it was a grueling slog for me getting through this book to the end. I basically skimmed, speed read, and finally skipped to the last chapter, to see if Savannah's endless issues would be implausibly wrapped up with a pretty pink bow, in order to create an HEA which, sad to say, is exactly what happens.
I am not a fan of binge drinking in romance novels, and previously, I was happy to be able to avoid that trope in the works of this author, because her religion prohibits consuming alcohol. But, surprisingly, there is a scene in this novel in which Savannah gets drunk.
One part of the novel that I am not feeling negative about, but which readers who prefer asexual, Barbie-and-Ken protagonists may object to, is that I would personally rate this novel as PG rather than G. There is no foul language, and there are no descriptions of sexual contact other than kissing the neck and the face, but there are plenty of mentions of sexual passion between the two characters in the form of mild euphemisms for lust in Savannah's thoughts and sexual innuendo in conversations between her and Mason.
This novel is published by Amazon, and I received access to it for free through Amazon's First Reads program for Prime members.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2024
This was such a fun rom-com! This was my first book by Sariah Wilson and now I want to read everything she has ever wrote. I was hooked and could not put down this enemies to lovers rom-com. The flirting and banter really added to the romantic attraction and tension. It had me rooting for Savannah to Mason to come to terms and find their places in each other hearts. I really could not get enough of this light romance (making out only). If you are looking for a sweet Hallmark like romance, you need to add this to your TBR.
****Many thanks to Suzy Approved Book Tours and Sariah Wilson for my gifted eBook in turn for my honest review.
Grab this one up now as it is available as the February Amazon First Read!
****Many thanks to Suzy Approved Book Tours and Sariah Wilson for my gifted eBook in turn for my honest review.
Grab this one up now as it is available as the February Amazon First Read!
February 8, 2024
3.5 STARS - I was tempted by this Amazon First Reads RomCom pick based on the teenage friends to almost-lovers trope that morphs into enemies-to-lovers territory and the interesting addition of hypnotherapy. When Savannah, a hypnotherapist reluctantly has a hypnotherapy session with Mason, an old friend/love interest who she has had a falling out with, things go awry when the session gets interrupted leaving Mason more susceptible to agreeing to whatever life throws at him.
This was a cute premise with a unique twist to the popular RomCom universe with its focus on hypnotherapy, but I was surprised that this aspect quickly fell to the background while Savannah's baggage and her penchant for holding onto issues takes centre stage.
Readers will have to suspend disbelief if they're going to get on board with Savannah's character. She's a professional hypnotherapist, but she is immature, and she holds grudges and jumps to conclusions like they're Olympic sports. She was a frustrating character and the reasoning behind her six-year grudge with Mason was weak compared to the intensity of her long-held and over-the-top hatred.
This almost squeaky-clean romance (aka very little spice) was a cute read if you can overlook the miscommunication (the most loathsome of all RomCom tropes) and Savannah's over-the-top character. For me, the story's saving graces were its cute banter and one-liners, hunky and oh-so-patient Mason and how the author includes important issues of forgiveness, family, friendship and the effects of self-sabotage.
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book as part of the Amazon First Reads program. All opinions are my own.
April 10, 2024
writing: very mid | plot: okay | ending: rushed | 2.5 rounded up
Format: Kindle (ARC)
Rating: ⭐⭐.5 it was ok
Spice rating: 🌶️
Savannah, our FMC, was an interesting character, especially with her background as a hypnotherapist. When Mason came back into her life, it added an unexpected twist, especially considering their history. The dynamic between them kept me engaged throughout the story, although I wished there was more exploration into Mason's suggestibility.
The book had moments of charm, particularly in the banter between Savannah and Mason. However, I wanted more depth in certain areas, especially regarding the hypnotherapy aspect. Towards the end, things felt a bit rushed, and some character arcs seemed unfinished.
Overall, it was a light and enjoyable read. While it may not be perfect, its romance and intriguing premise offered a pleasant escape.
Format: Kindle (ARC)
Rating: ⭐⭐.5 it was ok
Spice rating: 🌶️
Savannah, our FMC, was an interesting character, especially with her background as a hypnotherapist. When Mason came back into her life, it added an unexpected twist, especially considering their history. The dynamic between them kept me engaged throughout the story, although I wished there was more exploration into Mason's suggestibility.
The book had moments of charm, particularly in the banter between Savannah and Mason. However, I wanted more depth in certain areas, especially regarding the hypnotherapy aspect. Towards the end, things felt a bit rushed, and some character arcs seemed unfinished.
Overall, it was a light and enjoyable read. While it may not be perfect, its romance and intriguing premise offered a pleasant escape.
March 20, 2024
Couldn't put this one down! This was such a cute read! I really enjoyed Savannah and Mason. Mason's love for Savannah was so real and genuine; I just wanted them to get together already. Great and quick read!
*Thank you partner @suzyapprovedbooktours and @sariahwilsonauthor for the #gifted egalley in exchange for an honest review.*
*Thank you partner @suzyapprovedbooktours and @sariahwilsonauthor for the #gifted egalley in exchange for an honest review.*
March 25, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for this arc!
It was so cute and swoon worthy! The way the MMC never gave up on their relationship and tried to make her trust him again!
Loved the twin sister dynamic.
It was a second chance, childhood best friend to lovers tropes.
It was just so good!
It was so cute and swoon worthy! The way the MMC never gave up on their relationship and tried to make her trust him again!
Loved the twin sister dynamic.
It was a second chance, childhood best friend to lovers tropes.
It was just so good!
October 16, 2024
You get what you pay for and I got this book for free. One bonus pity star for some good banter but I really hate main characters that don’t talk to each other AND a third act breakup.
January 13, 2024
This friends to potential sweethearts to enemies to lovers was actually cute and had a lot of potential! I thought the MCs were genuinely funny and cute together. However, the FMCs trust issues were doing too much. This was just one giant miscommunication from beginning to end. I abhor the miscommunication trope, so a lot of this book was frustrating instead of enjoyable for me.
I thought the FMCs job as a hypnotist was intriguing and her relationship with her sister was sweet. I did not like her best friend whatsoever and the side plot of SA was glossed over in my opinion. I would've liked some more care to have been taken with that "imbalance of power" situation.
I legitimately liked the writing style and am interested in reading more from this author in the future!
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review!
I thought the FMCs job as a hypnotist was intriguing and her relationship with her sister was sweet. I did not like her best friend whatsoever and the side plot of SA was glossed over in my opinion. I would've liked some more care to have been taken with that "imbalance of power" situation.
I legitimately liked the writing style and am interested in reading more from this author in the future!
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review!
February 8, 2024
This is a low rating for me. I thought Savannah’s personality, mainly her childish ways, were very incongruent to how she acted as a professional. We got to see why Savannah felt the way she did for Mason, but there was no real glimpse at why he held on for so long—what made her special to him? Maybe I’m being a little harsh but I just expected more.
*Read as an Amazon First Read
*Read as an Amazon First Read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2024
This was a cute rom-com read that features the tropes of enemies to lovers and second chance love. The main character was a hypnotist, which I thought was a cute an different concept to plot a story around. I really enjoyed the flirting and the development of the story. I also liked the development of the characters.
Savannah grinded on my nerves with her inability to communicate, but maybe that was the author's intent. I was rooting for savannah and mason, and I wanted to see them together. This was a cute and fast read for me. It is not what I normally read, but i was pleasantly surprised.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Savannah grinded on my nerves with her inability to communicate, but maybe that was the author's intent. I was rooting for savannah and mason, and I wanted to see them together. This was a cute and fast read for me. It is not what I normally read, but i was pleasantly surprised.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 10, 2024
This is probably a fine book that many will enjoy. It features one of my pet peeves which is people who interfere with other’s romantic lives. In this case two women who are best friends conspire for their children to be a couple practically from the time they’re in the womb. This desire permeates these kids’ lives, up to and including adulthood. They’re doomed. I can’t stand the conniving and manipulating by these mothers. They’re more intent on their goal then their children’s happiness. In this case mother doesn’t necessarily know best. I’m sure they’ll win out in the end with a rapturous HEA but I won’t be there to see it.
February 3, 2024
I’m the one left hypnotized!
This is the best book you’ve ever written! I adore Mason and how genuine and kind he is. The patience this man has that allows Savannah to work through all the difficult experiences she’s had while he still chooses her was extremely inspiring. This is a beautiful love story that you don’t want to pass up!
This is the best book you’ve ever written! I adore Mason and how genuine and kind he is. The patience this man has that allows Savannah to work through all the difficult experiences she’s had while he still chooses her was extremely inspiring. This is a beautiful love story that you don’t want to pass up!
March 22, 2024
This book won me over. It was a slow start and some of the lines were cringy but I loved the latter half and the twist that ends up happening. This book was so good and I was sad at the end saying goodbye to the characters. Thank you to NetGalley and Sariah Wilson for giving me a free E-ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review
March 29, 2024
I nearly gave up on this book after the first handful of chapters, so enraged was I at our protagonist's poor decisions. She's just been censured by a board of her professional body (to be fair, for something she didn't do) and now she's preparing to hypnotise her teenage crush, who she has complicated personal feelings for, as part of a journalistic investigation. Good grief, I might not be a hypnotist myself, but I'm sure there's codes of ethics that are just weeping into their hands now. And then a fire alarm goes off before she's able to bring him out of his trance, and oh goodness, now she's going to have to trail after him looking after him until he comes out of it. Or something.
And the protagonist, Savannah, felt very immature for someone who's supposed to be in her mid twenties. I mean, as far as I'm concerned that's still childhood, but she's supposed to be an adult, and her behaviour throughout the book makes her seem more like a teenager. It's especially frustrating when she makes the same mistake near the end of the book that she did at the start, showing zero personal growth (at least until she's shaken out of it, in time for the HEA).
I liked Savannah's twin sister quite a lot. It was a lovely dynamic seeing the unconditional love these two had for each other, and Sierra did try to chivvy Savannah out of her nonsense.
2.5 stars, rounded up, for Sierra and I did get drawn into the story a bit later on.
And the protagonist, Savannah, felt very immature for someone who's supposed to be in her mid twenties. I mean, as far as I'm concerned that's still childhood, but she's supposed to be an adult, and her behaviour throughout the book makes her seem more like a teenager. It's especially frustrating when she makes the same mistake near the end of the book that she did at the start, showing zero personal growth (at least until she's shaken out of it, in time for the HEA).
I liked Savannah's twin sister quite a lot. It was a lovely dynamic seeing the unconditional love these two had for each other, and Sierra did try to chivvy Savannah out of her nonsense.
2.5 stars, rounded up, for Sierra and I did get drawn into the story a bit later on.
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