What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
9 days and 20:19:37
12 copies available
U.S. only
The Bridge Back to You
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26Win a free print copy of this book!
9 days and 20:19:37
12 copies available
U.S. only
Exes discover they’ve both inherited the restaurant they love in this sparkling, emotional new novel from the
USA Today
bestselling author of
A Love like the Sun.
Olivia owes everything to Celia's Place. It’s where she learned how to be a great chef. It’s also where she first fell in love. But at nineteen, Olivia had a wanderlust she couldn’t deny. And Carmello, whose mother owned the restaurant, couldn’t leave Celia's Place behind any more than he could force Olivia to stay.
Now, ten years later, Olivia is a successful personal chef. Her job allows her to travel the world, and she has never stayed in the same place for too long. When Carmello learns that his mother left shares of her beloved restaurant to both him and Olivia, he plans to buy her portion of the shares back quickly and painlessly.
That is until Olivia shows up at the restaurant, ready to help run it. Carmello sees an drive Olivia away from his restaurant so that she will want to sign over her shares. But Olivia sees things a bit differently. She finally has the chance to stay in one place and build a home after years on the move, and perhaps now is the right time to explore whether that home can be with the one who got away.
Soon enough, sparks begin to fly, but can Olivia and Carmello avoid the mistakes of the past?
Olivia owes everything to Celia's Place. It’s where she learned how to be a great chef. It’s also where she first fell in love. But at nineteen, Olivia had a wanderlust she couldn’t deny. And Carmello, whose mother owned the restaurant, couldn’t leave Celia's Place behind any more than he could force Olivia to stay.
Now, ten years later, Olivia is a successful personal chef. Her job allows her to travel the world, and she has never stayed in the same place for too long. When Carmello learns that his mother left shares of her beloved restaurant to both him and Olivia, he plans to buy her portion of the shares back quickly and painlessly.
That is until Olivia shows up at the restaurant, ready to help run it. Carmello sees an drive Olivia away from his restaurant so that she will want to sign over her shares. But Olivia sees things a bit differently. She finally has the chance to stay in one place and build a home after years on the move, and perhaps now is the right time to explore whether that home can be with the one who got away.
Soon enough, sparks begin to fly, but can Olivia and Carmello avoid the mistakes of the past?
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 31, 2026
12990 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The book has such an interesting premise! After his mother’s death, the MMC learns that she left part of her shares in their joint restaurant to his ex-girlfriend—the woman he hasn’t seen in ten years. Carmello wants to buy out that share, but Olivia isn’t in a hurry to agree.
I really appreciated how the author addressed topics like mental and chronic health—for example, the FMC has ADHD and endometriosis. The cultural aspect was also beautifully explored: both main characters are chefs, and we get to learn about elements of Dominican and Filipino cuisine. The food descriptions were so vivid that they genuinely made me want to taste everything!
The beginning of the story was strong, impressive, and engaging, but later on it started to feel a bit slow for me. I felt like it lacked conflict and emotional tension. I was especially interested in the storyline involving Carmello’s son—he’s such a sweet boy—but I would have loved to see more interaction between him and Olivia. I’ll also add that I didn’t like the mother’s actions, even though the second time she acted with good intentions.
Overall, I’d describe this book as a cozy, calm romance without excessive drama—perfect for a relaxing evening read.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓second chance
✓forced proximity
✓they’re both chefs
✓ mental and chronic health rep
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I really appreciated how the author addressed topics like mental and chronic health—for example, the FMC has ADHD and endometriosis. The cultural aspect was also beautifully explored: both main characters are chefs, and we get to learn about elements of Dominican and Filipino cuisine. The food descriptions were so vivid that they genuinely made me want to taste everything!
The beginning of the story was strong, impressive, and engaging, but later on it started to feel a bit slow for me. I felt like it lacked conflict and emotional tension. I was especially interested in the storyline involving Carmello’s son—he’s such a sweet boy—but I would have loved to see more interaction between him and Olivia. I’ll also add that I didn’t like the mother’s actions, even though the second time she acted with good intentions.
Overall, I’d describe this book as a cozy, calm romance without excessive drama—perfect for a relaxing evening read.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓second chance
✓forced proximity
✓they’re both chefs
✓ mental and chronic health rep
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 21, 2025
This was too sweet!!!! I loved all the second chance vibes, small town setting, forced proximity, low stakes romance, and no 3rd act break up 🤭💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
Watching Olivia and Carmello find their way back to each other while working at his late mother’s restaurant had me in my feels 🥲🫶🏽 it was def a slow burn but you could just feel all the angst and tension building as chapter went on. What really got me though was how emotional and tender the buildup was. Olivia and Carmello both had their own issues that stemmed from their childhoods and ended up playing a bigger role in the downfall of their first relationship. But I’m so glad Riss let them identify those feelings, work through them, and grow together. It made their reunion feel so earned 🥰
The Bridge Back to You was beautifully written, emotionally layered, and just really heartwarming to read tbh 🙂↕️💕🥲
Watching Olivia and Carmello find their way back to each other while working at his late mother’s restaurant had me in my feels 🥲🫶🏽 it was def a slow burn but you could just feel all the angst and tension building as chapter went on. What really got me though was how emotional and tender the buildup was. Olivia and Carmello both had their own issues that stemmed from their childhoods and ended up playing a bigger role in the downfall of their first relationship. But I’m so glad Riss let them identify those feelings, work through them, and grow together. It made their reunion feel so earned 🥰
The Bridge Back to You was beautifully written, emotionally layered, and just really heartwarming to read tbh 🙂↕️💕🥲
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a lovely, cozy read 🥰
Second-chance romance, food setting, small-town vibes, the one who got away… this story follows the tropes we all know and love, and honestly? That’s exactly why it worked for me. The plot is fairly predictable, but in a comforting, satisfying way rather than a boring one.
Olivia and Carmello’s history added just the right amount of emotional depth without tipping into unnecessary angst. I really appreciated how low-drama this was, no over-the-top misunderstandings, no exhausting conflicts, just two people who needed time to grow before finding their way back to each other.
Celia’s Place felt like a character in its own right, and the food elements made everything even more charming. Watching Olivia finally allow herself to stay, to build a home, and to confront her past was quietly heartwarming.
If you’re in the mood for a cute, feel-good romance with familiar tropes, gentle emotions, and a happy, comforting vibe, this one is a great pick. Perfect for when you want something sweet and easy to fall into.
Thank you NetGalley & Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for the ARC!!!
Second-chance romance, food setting, small-town vibes, the one who got away… this story follows the tropes we all know and love, and honestly? That’s exactly why it worked for me. The plot is fairly predictable, but in a comforting, satisfying way rather than a boring one.
Olivia and Carmello’s history added just the right amount of emotional depth without tipping into unnecessary angst. I really appreciated how low-drama this was, no over-the-top misunderstandings, no exhausting conflicts, just two people who needed time to grow before finding their way back to each other.
Celia’s Place felt like a character in its own right, and the food elements made everything even more charming. Watching Olivia finally allow herself to stay, to build a home, and to confront her past was quietly heartwarming.
If you’re in the mood for a cute, feel-good romance with familiar tropes, gentle emotions, and a happy, comforting vibe, this one is a great pick. Perfect for when you want something sweet and easy to fall into.
Thank you NetGalley & Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for the ARC!!!
December 9, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this one.
To my core, I am a lover of forced proximity second-chance romances (one of my favourite niches!). So imagine my delight when I happened upon The Bridge Back to You, in which Olivia and Carmello, previous first loves, are forced together a decade after their break-up, when she is named a partial owner of Carmello's mother's restaurant in her will. The restaurant that belongs to Carmello, or... 75% of it does.
I adored Olivia and Carmello. They are mature, intentional, and emotionally intelligent, which feeds into the development of their relationship. Olivia and Carmello's communication, affection, and individuality were well-defined. As was Olivia's wanderlust, in contrast to Carmello's hearthbound nature, and how these intrinsic traits divided their paths from one another. The mental health representation was thoughtful and considerate. I adored the cultural components that were core to these characters and central to the story. It made this novel feel like an ode to Filipino and Dominican ancestry in such a beautiful way.
Sadly, I struggled to feel the connection between the main characters. The progression of their relationship and feelings felt offhand. I also struggled with the amount of contextualizing. There was a lot of background information packed into this one, in both the past and present timelines. I enjoyed the dual timelines, but when the present is still overloaded with resurging memories, side character backstories, and oddly placed flashbacks, it throws off the progression. I prefer when the past timeline is used for this purpose, to help contextualize and illuminate the status of the current relationship for the reader, but that's a subjective take. This is my first read by this author, so I may not be used to this writing style, but it unfortunately did not work for me.
There is a beautiful, touching story here. I'm disappointed I couldn't connect to it, but suspect I'll be the odd one out here.
To my core, I am a lover of forced proximity second-chance romances (one of my favourite niches!). So imagine my delight when I happened upon The Bridge Back to You, in which Olivia and Carmello, previous first loves, are forced together a decade after their break-up, when she is named a partial owner of Carmello's mother's restaurant in her will. The restaurant that belongs to Carmello, or... 75% of it does.
I adored Olivia and Carmello. They are mature, intentional, and emotionally intelligent, which feeds into the development of their relationship. Olivia and Carmello's communication, affection, and individuality were well-defined. As was Olivia's wanderlust, in contrast to Carmello's hearthbound nature, and how these intrinsic traits divided their paths from one another. The mental health representation was thoughtful and considerate. I adored the cultural components that were core to these characters and central to the story. It made this novel feel like an ode to Filipino and Dominican ancestry in such a beautiful way.
Sadly, I struggled to feel the connection between the main characters. The progression of their relationship and feelings felt offhand. I also struggled with the amount of contextualizing. There was a lot of background information packed into this one, in both the past and present timelines. I enjoyed the dual timelines, but when the present is still overloaded with resurging memories, side character backstories, and oddly placed flashbacks, it throws off the progression. I prefer when the past timeline is used for this purpose, to help contextualize and illuminate the status of the current relationship for the reader, but that's a subjective take. This is my first read by this author, so I may not be used to this writing style, but it unfortunately did not work for me.
There is a beautiful, touching story here. I'm disappointed I couldn't connect to it, but suspect I'll be the odd one out here.
February 1, 2026
3.5
This was my first book from this author and I will happily pick up other titles from her because I think she does a phenomenal job with delivering heartfelt messaging around her stories. The Bridge Back to You is a powerfully impactful testament to mental health, chronic illness, identity exploration, parenthood and second chances at love.
What initially drew me to this book was the second chance trope with a dual timeline which is my exact recipe for loving a book and while this was executed, I found myself feeling like there was more storytelling around the individual characters of the main leads as opposed to their development together. almost like their relationship was playing a supporting role in their own love story. this doesn’t make it a bad book by any means but i think people with certain expectations for a sweeping redemptive round of romance might come to this conclusion as well. i felt like there was a lot blank space in their relationship because a conversation was due here, a few more interactions that centered their growth towards each other there. i just wanted them to have more on page time together.
i loved how the fmc was crafted to be a strong independent individual that also is navigating her journey with endometriosis. i don’t think i’ve ever read a contemporary romance where this element was present so it’s nice to know where i can direct someone who wants to see their experience documented in a realistic and thoughtfully intentional way.
lastly, i rly enjoyed the found family dynamics especially as it applied to the ethnic groups represented in this book. discussions around hair care, the value of family recipes that carry culture, certain traditions being upheld…this was all truly so beautiful and i think brings a refreshing space of solidarity for all readers, especially those who are able to identify with the groups represented in The Bridge Back to You.
all my thanks to Berkley romance for a gifted digital arc in exchange for my honest thoughts 💌
This was my first book from this author and I will happily pick up other titles from her because I think she does a phenomenal job with delivering heartfelt messaging around her stories. The Bridge Back to You is a powerfully impactful testament to mental health, chronic illness, identity exploration, parenthood and second chances at love.
What initially drew me to this book was the second chance trope with a dual timeline which is my exact recipe for loving a book and while this was executed, I found myself feeling like there was more storytelling around the individual characters of the main leads as opposed to their development together. almost like their relationship was playing a supporting role in their own love story. this doesn’t make it a bad book by any means but i think people with certain expectations for a sweeping redemptive round of romance might come to this conclusion as well. i felt like there was a lot blank space in their relationship because a conversation was due here, a few more interactions that centered their growth towards each other there. i just wanted them to have more on page time together.
i loved how the fmc was crafted to be a strong independent individual that also is navigating her journey with endometriosis. i don’t think i’ve ever read a contemporary romance where this element was present so it’s nice to know where i can direct someone who wants to see their experience documented in a realistic and thoughtfully intentional way.
lastly, i rly enjoyed the found family dynamics especially as it applied to the ethnic groups represented in this book. discussions around hair care, the value of family recipes that carry culture, certain traditions being upheld…this was all truly so beautiful and i think brings a refreshing space of solidarity for all readers, especially those who are able to identify with the groups represented in The Bridge Back to You.
all my thanks to Berkley romance for a gifted digital arc in exchange for my honest thoughts 💌
December 8, 2025
Full of heart, honesty, and that kind of emotional pull that sneaks up on you, this story blends tenderness with just enough tension to make every chapter feel meaningful. It moves with a warm, steady rhythm that keeps you rooting for the characters while soaking in all the little moments that make the journey worth it.
December 11, 2025
3.75
This was a fun take on a second chance romance.
He had a kid. She got a divorce. Carmello and Olivia haven't spoken in years.
Now suddenly they're co-owners of a restaurant all thanks to a request in his mom's will.
Carmello plans to buy out Olivia's share, but Olivia isn't so easily swayed...
I mostly enjoyed this book, but I had two little hiccups:
1. The past/present narratives - I don't care for them in ANY book, not just this one.
2.The nicknames they had for one another :'D PETTY I KNOW. They weren't even bad or super cheesy, I just didn't like them.
Some things I did enjoy were the realistic day to day vibes that the author incorporated into the story. The FMC struggles with endo and the stressors that could trigger it, and it gave glimpses into the ups and downs of coparenting with Carmello. Most romances skim the nitty gritty "boring" stuff that happens in everyday life, but the fact that it was discussed in this book made it relatable.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advanced digital copy.
This was a fun take on a second chance romance.
He had a kid. She got a divorce. Carmello and Olivia haven't spoken in years.
Now suddenly they're co-owners of a restaurant all thanks to a request in his mom's will.
Carmello plans to buy out Olivia's share, but Olivia isn't so easily swayed...
I mostly enjoyed this book, but I had two little hiccups:
1. The past/present narratives - I don't care for them in ANY book, not just this one.
2.The nicknames they had for one another :'D PETTY I KNOW. They weren't even bad or super cheesy, I just didn't like them.
Some things I did enjoy were the realistic day to day vibes that the author incorporated into the story. The FMC struggles with endo and the stressors that could trigger it, and it gave glimpses into the ups and downs of coparenting with Carmello. Most romances skim the nitty gritty "boring" stuff that happens in everyday life, but the fact that it was discussed in this book made it relatable.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advanced digital copy.
October 20, 2025
Loved it! 🥹
Review to come!!
Review to come!!
December 7, 2025
4.5/5
I really enjoyed this book! I went in expecting a light-hearted, second-chance, rivals-to-lovers romance, but Olivia and Carmello’s relationship runs much deeper than that. When they met as teenagers, they shared a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and when things ended badly, they each became the other’s “one that got away.” Even a decade later, their feelings are far from resolved. When Carmello’s mom’s will forces them to work together, it’s all too easy to slip back into old patterns.
While it’s primarily a romance, the story offers so much more. We watch them navigate their grief after Carmello’s mom’s death, confront mental health and chronic health challenges (including endometriosis), and slowly relearn how to open up and trust each other after heartbreak. The book alternates between the past and the present. Their feelings are raw and honest, and seeing how their maturity and growth are reflected in their second relationship was beautiful. I loved how life and wanderlust sent them down different paths, only for those paths to lead them back to each other. There's a lot of mutual yearning and the romance is spicy and tender at the same time.
Also prepare to be hungry as you live vicariously through the characters' cultural foods.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this book! I went in expecting a light-hearted, second-chance, rivals-to-lovers romance, but Olivia and Carmello’s relationship runs much deeper than that. When they met as teenagers, they shared a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and when things ended badly, they each became the other’s “one that got away.” Even a decade later, their feelings are far from resolved. When Carmello’s mom’s will forces them to work together, it’s all too easy to slip back into old patterns.
While it’s primarily a romance, the story offers so much more. We watch them navigate their grief after Carmello’s mom’s death, confront mental health and chronic health challenges (including endometriosis), and slowly relearn how to open up and trust each other after heartbreak. The book alternates between the past and the present. Their feelings are raw and honest, and seeing how their maturity and growth are reflected in their second relationship was beautiful. I loved how life and wanderlust sent them down different paths, only for those paths to lead them back to each other. There's a lot of mutual yearning and the romance is spicy and tender at the same time.
Also prepare to be hungry as you live vicariously through the characters' cultural foods.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC!
December 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this author’s last work (A Love Like the Sun) so I was excited to snag this ARC! I love second-chance romances and appreciate the breadth and depth of the additional topics covered: mental health rep (ADHD, OCD/anxiety), grief/healing, and endometriosis. I liked how these themes were woven into the story in a way that was a part of the characters’ natural day-to-day lives, without any one theme feeling heavy-handed. The characters were easy to root for and I appreciated their maturity. I loved that dual timeline/POVs were included, though I found that the present-day chapters relied heavily on flashbacks that should’ve been in the "past" chapters. I feel like that impacted my ability to feel the depth of the romantic connection in the present-timeline. That said, if you enjoy tender, yearning-filled, slow-burn stories, check this one out!
Thanks to Berkley Pub Group & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy! All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 3/31/26
Thanks to Berkley Pub Group & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy! All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 3/31/26
December 5, 2025
Thank you so much for this ARC!
I absolutely loved everything about this story and found myself torn between wanting to read it all at once and wanting to savor every last bit of it. When I read the summary I knew to expect two chefs “trapped” in a restaurant together and I instantly knew it was something I wanted to read but this, THIS, was so much more in the best ways possible! Two for Tuesdays is the best idea ever and now I’m wondering if that is actually offered anywhere because I desperately want to be a part of enjoying it. I’m trying so hard not to spoil anything in this review so I’ll say this: this book is going to be hard to top and I’ll be recommending it everywhere as long as I live!
I absolutely loved everything about this story and found myself torn between wanting to read it all at once and wanting to savor every last bit of it. When I read the summary I knew to expect two chefs “trapped” in a restaurant together and I instantly knew it was something I wanted to read but this, THIS, was so much more in the best ways possible! Two for Tuesdays is the best idea ever and now I’m wondering if that is actually offered anywhere because I desperately want to be a part of enjoying it. I’m trying so hard not to spoil anything in this review so I’ll say this: this book is going to be hard to top and I’ll be recommending it everywhere as long as I live!
February 18, 2026
4.25/5
This book just warmed my heart! Two ex's come back together to co-run a restaurant and navigate their lives mixing again after years away from each other, and it was so well done. Watching Olivia and Carmello learn to build bridges back to each other and overcome their own struggles to build a stronger relationship was perfect. I thought this story was so touching, and I loved each of their interactions with each other! They were both so kind, considerate, and open with each other, and it was so cute to see them fall back in love. This story also did an incredible job of highlighting both different cultures and neurodivergence! I felt so seen as a Filipina with ADHD, and absolutely loved how the representation was done in this story. This was a great story with a heart-warming romance that makes you believe in second chances!
Big thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC!
This book just warmed my heart! Two ex's come back together to co-run a restaurant and navigate their lives mixing again after years away from each other, and it was so well done. Watching Olivia and Carmello learn to build bridges back to each other and overcome their own struggles to build a stronger relationship was perfect. I thought this story was so touching, and I loved each of their interactions with each other! They were both so kind, considerate, and open with each other, and it was so cute to see them fall back in love. This story also did an incredible job of highlighting both different cultures and neurodivergence! I felt so seen as a Filipina with ADHD, and absolutely loved how the representation was done in this story. This was a great story with a heart-warming romance that makes you believe in second chances!
Big thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC!
December 12, 2025
Thank you to netgalley & the publisher for the arc ◡̈
The Bridge Back To You is a second chance romance with Carmello and Olivia. They met in high school and she just up and left. Now 10 years later Mello has a kid and his mom just passed away. Butttt she left her restaurant to Mello and Olivia so she’s back in town. I really liked this one until the very end. Chronic illness rep, mental health rep, women’s health chronic illness rep, this had so much potential. Between Carmello’s meddling annoying father and the extreme distrust still from their youth I just don’t think the ending accurately reflects their relationship. Overall this was a cute story though! 3.5/5⭐️
“For the lover girls who know exactly what they want and never settle for less.”
The Bridge Back To You is a second chance romance with Carmello and Olivia. They met in high school and she just up and left. Now 10 years later Mello has a kid and his mom just passed away. Butttt she left her restaurant to Mello and Olivia so she’s back in town. I really liked this one until the very end. Chronic illness rep, mental health rep, women’s health chronic illness rep, this had so much potential. Between Carmello’s meddling annoying father and the extreme distrust still from their youth I just don’t think the ending accurately reflects their relationship. Overall this was a cute story though! 3.5/5⭐️
“For the lover girls who know exactly what they want and never settle for less.”
February 16, 2026
4.5 - Riss does it again!! This book radiates comfort and happiness and felt like a warm safe shelter I could go to escape the outside world and be with these characters. I absolutely loved Olivia and Carmello’s story. Riss writes second chances romance SO WELL!! I also loved the restaurant setting and the side plot of trying to work out Carmello’s mother’s will. As always, Riss incorporates chronic illness and mental illness rep in the most realistic and delicate ways. Full rtc but put this on your tbr!!
January 19, 2026
This was a beautiful written book and did a great and responsible job navigating mental health and grief. This was a cute second chance romance.
The nuances of navigating grief, love and taking of one self was nicely layered throughout the book.
Carmello& Olivia found their way to one another after over a decade. Together they must navigate working at Carmello’s late mom restaurant. There were so many different layers of navigating parenting, grief , friendship and love.
I’m so glad we got to see how they have grown from their past and how they are navigating the present. I’m happy I got a chance to read this one.
Can’t wait for everyone else to read it.
Thank you to the Riss M. Nelson, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy.
The nuances of navigating grief, love and taking of one self was nicely layered throughout the book.
Carmello& Olivia found their way to one another after over a decade. Together they must navigate working at Carmello’s late mom restaurant. There were so many different layers of navigating parenting, grief , friendship and love.
I’m so glad we got to see how they have grown from their past and how they are navigating the present. I’m happy I got a chance to read this one.
Can’t wait for everyone else to read it.
Thank you to the Riss M. Nelson, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy.
December 9, 2025
4.5⭐️worth rounding up! Thank you to net galley + berkeley publishing for this ARC! Second chance romance is my favorite trope & this didn’t let me down. I also truly appreciate the realistic mental health and multi-cultural representation. This was my first introduction to Riss M. Neilson & I deff want to read her other works! Look out for this release March 31st!
February 7, 2026
I truly loved this so much. The Bridge Back to You is a second chance romance between Olivia and Carmello, who met as teenagers in Carmello's mom's restaurant. Now, in the present, Olivia returns to Providence, Rhode Island after finding out that Carmello's mom left part of the restaurant to Olivia in her will. Riss M. Neilson uses the forced proximity trope like a master, showing us how being physically close to one another makes Olivia and Mello fall back in love for a second time. The ways in which they relearn one another and fall in love a second time really shows how perfect they are for one another. I loved watching them peel back the layers of one another in the flashbacks, and again in the present. That's what I love so much about second chance romances! It feels like a special treat to watch a couple love each other twice in different, but similar, ways. Riss Neilson is able to weave serious topics into her narratives with ease and care, allowing everything to feel explored with understanding and respect. The representation of therapy was really well done. I also adored Carmello's relationship with his son and how we get to see Olivia create new female friendships with some familiar faces (if you've ready A Love Like the Sun, you'll be excited by this). And the Providence setting!!! We love to see it! Overall, I just loved this book and I can't recommend it enough. If you're a second chance romance fan like I am, you'll love this one.
Read
January 1, 2026I can't say that this is everything that I don't like in second chance. I very rarely care about what characters were up to as children let alone us spending so much time with their childselves. There were a number of twists that also did a whole lot of nothing for me. While bad might be a bit of an exaggeration, I did really only enjoy parts of this when I thought it was a debut, once I realized they had some experience under their belt it made the deficiencies I was experiencing that much more profound.
September 16, 2025
This was so raw and wonderful!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75/5
unfortunately the tuesday night date dinners stress me out (no one is forcing me to go to an imaginary event)
having heard so much praise for this authors writing in her previous work, i was thrilled to receive an early copy of this book!! the cover is so, so gorgeous, i'm loving the pink and the emphasis on the bridge because it truly is there for every moment of this couples relationship! a second chance romance between two chefs and one of them is a single dad.. yeah the set up was amazing. being in the restaurant was so fun and i honestly wish we spent more time with these characters cooking or talking about celia's recipes.
olivia and carmello have a pretty big history. they were each others first loves, other than cooking, and their ending was pretty abrupt. because of this, olivia is shocked to hear from mello, even more shocked to hear he's calling because his mother left her shares in his restaurant. because the book jumped straight into them reconnecting, and us finding out about the restaurant shares, the pacing slowed for a bit at the forty percent mark. i did however love how quickly we got these two back together. there were some issues i had with the dialogue, i thought that is was all around too formal. sometimes i would be reading conversations and i was so lost because people just don't talk like that, it was so grammatically correct, which i know is an insane comment, i just mean it felt stilted at times.
olivia is currently a personal chef and she travels all the time for this job. ever since her childhood she hasn't stayed in one place for a long amount of time so traveling suits her. i wish we put more emphasis on her maybe feeling burnt out by this career choice because her choice at the end didn't feel all that satisfying. other than her feeling lost in friendships, we don't see her really regret the path she's on. thats not to say she can't change her mind it just really stuck out to me because i didn't get why other characters thought she was ready to settle.
the romance ended up being very sweet, i do think these two balance each other out very well and the relationship feels raw and real. i liked seeing olivia bond with teddy, simply the sweetest child. plus the cast of characters at celia's were so fun! more about steven please!!
*thank you berkley for the early copy!!*
unfortunately the tuesday night date dinners stress me out (no one is forcing me to go to an imaginary event)
having heard so much praise for this authors writing in her previous work, i was thrilled to receive an early copy of this book!! the cover is so, so gorgeous, i'm loving the pink and the emphasis on the bridge because it truly is there for every moment of this couples relationship! a second chance romance between two chefs and one of them is a single dad.. yeah the set up was amazing. being in the restaurant was so fun and i honestly wish we spent more time with these characters cooking or talking about celia's recipes.
olivia and carmello have a pretty big history. they were each others first loves, other than cooking, and their ending was pretty abrupt. because of this, olivia is shocked to hear from mello, even more shocked to hear he's calling because his mother left her shares in his restaurant. because the book jumped straight into them reconnecting, and us finding out about the restaurant shares, the pacing slowed for a bit at the forty percent mark. i did however love how quickly we got these two back together. there were some issues i had with the dialogue, i thought that is was all around too formal. sometimes i would be reading conversations and i was so lost because people just don't talk like that, it was so grammatically correct, which i know is an insane comment, i just mean it felt stilted at times.
olivia is currently a personal chef and she travels all the time for this job. ever since her childhood she hasn't stayed in one place for a long amount of time so traveling suits her. i wish we put more emphasis on her maybe feeling burnt out by this career choice because her choice at the end didn't feel all that satisfying. other than her feeling lost in friendships, we don't see her really regret the path she's on. thats not to say she can't change her mind it just really stuck out to me because i didn't get why other characters thought she was ready to settle.
the romance ended up being very sweet, i do think these two balance each other out very well and the relationship feels raw and real. i liked seeing olivia bond with teddy, simply the sweetest child. plus the cast of characters at celia's were so fun! more about steven please!!
*thank you berkley for the early copy!!*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Forget everything you think you know about a simple 'second-chance' romance. This book is a raw, soul-deep journey that completely shattered my expectations and pieced them back together with a beautiful, intricate tapestry of love and life. 💔➡️❤️
Olivia and Carmello aren't just rivals-to-lovers; they are two halves of an epic, once-in-a-lifetime kind of love—the kind that leaves an indelible mark. When their teenage fairytale ended in a devastating crash, they became each other's forever haunting "one that got away." 🕊️
Ten years couldn't silence the electric current between them, and when a very interesting stipulation in Carmello's mother's will forces them to collaborate, the old sparks don't just fly—they ignite a wildfire! 🔥
But this story is so much more than sizzling romance.
It's a testament to the messy, beautiful reality of life:
* Grief and Healing: We witness their intensely honest navigation through the immediate aftermath of a profound loss.
* Vulnerability Unveiled: The book bravely tackles mental health struggles and the complex reality of chronic health challenges, including a sensitive and necessary look at endometriosis. 🎗️
* The Power of Growth: Flipping between the intoxicating past and the complicated present, we see how heartbreak molded them. Watching them slowly and painfully relearn to trust and open up to each other as their mature selves was absolutely stunning. Their separate paths—driven by wanderlust and life's demands—were merely setting the stage for their fated reunion. 🗺️
The mutual yearning is palpable, thick, and utterly consuming. The romance itself? It’s a masterful blend of spicy tension and tender, heartfelt connection. Get ready to swoon! 🥵
⚠️ Fair Warning: prepare your taste buds! As this surrounds an inherited restaurant, you will get to read about all of the cultural food experiences. I was ravenous from start to finish! 🤤
Bottom Line: This isn't just a book; it's an experience. A must-read that proves sometimes, the bridge back to your past is the only way to build a future.
Huge thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the advance copy!
Olivia and Carmello aren't just rivals-to-lovers; they are two halves of an epic, once-in-a-lifetime kind of love—the kind that leaves an indelible mark. When their teenage fairytale ended in a devastating crash, they became each other's forever haunting "one that got away." 🕊️
Ten years couldn't silence the electric current between them, and when a very interesting stipulation in Carmello's mother's will forces them to collaborate, the old sparks don't just fly—they ignite a wildfire! 🔥
But this story is so much more than sizzling romance.
It's a testament to the messy, beautiful reality of life:
* Grief and Healing: We witness their intensely honest navigation through the immediate aftermath of a profound loss.
* Vulnerability Unveiled: The book bravely tackles mental health struggles and the complex reality of chronic health challenges, including a sensitive and necessary look at endometriosis. 🎗️
* The Power of Growth: Flipping between the intoxicating past and the complicated present, we see how heartbreak molded them. Watching them slowly and painfully relearn to trust and open up to each other as their mature selves was absolutely stunning. Their separate paths—driven by wanderlust and life's demands—were merely setting the stage for their fated reunion. 🗺️
The mutual yearning is palpable, thick, and utterly consuming. The romance itself? It’s a masterful blend of spicy tension and tender, heartfelt connection. Get ready to swoon! 🥵
⚠️ Fair Warning: prepare your taste buds! As this surrounds an inherited restaurant, you will get to read about all of the cultural food experiences. I was ravenous from start to finish! 🤤
Bottom Line: This isn't just a book; it's an experience. A must-read that proves sometimes, the bridge back to your past is the only way to build a future.
Huge thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the advance copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I want to state at the outset that I am generally not a fan of the romance genre, but there is something about a Riss Neilson novel that transcends the genre and wraps me up in her story lines. That something is her characters. In The Bridge Back to You we meet Olivia and Carmello, a former couple who have to get past the residual misunderstandings and hurt in order to work as co-owners of the restaurant left to them both by his mother. Olivia's quirky impulsiveness sits in contrast to Carmello's serious, cautious nature. As in life, when opposites attract it can be a beautiful thing...but it can also be a catalyst for conflict. Neilson handles this conflict with skill as she delves into the dynamics that led them to part in the first place, while also showing how these dynamics interact to bring them back together. There were so many moments in the book, that were so relatable to me personally, they I would often have to stop reading just to reflect on my own actions. At the end of the day, the ability to resonate and strike a chord with a reader is one of the ultimate indicators of a great book for me.
In addition, to her beautifully drawn characters, Neilson also skillfully wove in characters from her prior book, A Love Like the Sun. It was done so seamlessly that those who haven't read that particular book do not need to have read it in order to get a glimpse into who Laniah and Issac are. And in so doing, it leads those very same readers to want to explore their origin story further.
Neilson also continues to expand the notion of love in her books by exploring how physical and mental health issues can impact the day-to-day experiences of parents, children, and lovers. Her characters often deal with challenges many people in society face, and Neilson handles these aspects with grace and authenticity, When you pick up a Riss Neilson novel, you walk away with more than a love story--you walk away with a life story. I can't wait to meet her next set of characters.
In addition, to her beautifully drawn characters, Neilson also skillfully wove in characters from her prior book, A Love Like the Sun. It was done so seamlessly that those who haven't read that particular book do not need to have read it in order to get a glimpse into who Laniah and Issac are. And in so doing, it leads those very same readers to want to explore their origin story further.
Neilson also continues to expand the notion of love in her books by exploring how physical and mental health issues can impact the day-to-day experiences of parents, children, and lovers. Her characters often deal with challenges many people in society face, and Neilson handles these aspects with grace and authenticity, When you pick up a Riss Neilson novel, you walk away with more than a love story--you walk away with a life story. I can't wait to meet her next set of characters.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
🌶️ Spice: 4/5 Explicit open-door scenes.
The characters give off strong “I’m very quirky” energy, and not in a camp way. Ironically, the premise itself is extremely camp, which I loved, but the execution does not quite match that tone.
The setup: Olivia is a successful personal chef who travels the world, and Carmello is the son of a restaurant owner. Olivia unexpectedly inherits shares of Celia’s Place from Carmello’s mother, and when she returns to help run the restaurant, sparks inevitably fly. The book primarily focuses on the interpersonal drama between these two leads.
I can clearly see the author’s vision. It feels like she tried to make the characters as complicated and “realistic” as possible, similar to how I used to write my OCs in middle school, but to the detriment of the story. Aside from the secondary characters mostly feel like background dressing.
The author does an excellent job describing the setting, Providence, Rhode Island, in such vivid detail that I now have no desire to ever visit.
Some choices pulled me out of the story. For example, the inclusion of RSV, which I had to Google to learn was Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and the way that endometriosis is kinda forced to be a character struggle. It is even explicitly name-dropped during the "big love declaration scene" which felt especially forced.
Similarly, Olivia having ADHD did not feel necessary. I understand the intention behind representation, but it carries very little narrative weight beyond being framed as a quirk. By contrast, I could see the narrative purpose of as a tool for character growth, but if that was the plan, it should have been introduced much earlier. Ideally, it could have even been something he and Olivia bonded over. As it stands, once the story , he loses much of his personality. Up until then, he worked well as the cute, anxious worrywart male lead.
The best character by far was Cilia, the male lead’s mother and chief instigator. I loved her mischief. The itself was solid, though the felt messy. While I did not initially love the dual timeline, past/present structure, it ultimately worked well to build suspense and that constant “what the hell happened between these two?” tension.
Despite my criticisms, this was an easy, fast read. I finished it in a single day. The slow-burn romance is well executed, which helps the chemistry feel earned and keeps the pacing engaging. If you are a foodie, this book will likely hit even harder. About a quarter of the story is dedicated to food, cooking, and chef culture, which makes sense given that both leads are chefs.
That said, the chemistry between the two leads was palpable and well written, and it often carried the story for me.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and to Goodreads for the opportunity to read the advanced digital copy.
The characters give off strong “I’m very quirky” energy, and not in a camp way. Ironically, the premise itself is extremely camp, which I loved, but the execution does not quite match that tone.
The setup: Olivia is a successful personal chef who travels the world, and Carmello is the son of a restaurant owner. Olivia unexpectedly inherits shares of Celia’s Place from Carmello’s mother, and when she returns to help run the restaurant, sparks inevitably fly. The book primarily focuses on the interpersonal drama between these two leads.
I can clearly see the author’s vision. It feels like she tried to make the characters as complicated and “realistic” as possible, similar to how I used to write my OCs in middle school, but to the detriment of the story. Aside from the secondary characters mostly feel like background dressing.
The author does an excellent job describing the setting, Providence, Rhode Island, in such vivid detail that I now have no desire to ever visit.
Some choices pulled me out of the story. For example, the inclusion of RSV, which I had to Google to learn was Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and the way that endometriosis is kinda forced to be a character struggle. It is even explicitly name-dropped during the "big love declaration scene" which felt especially forced.
Similarly, Olivia having ADHD did not feel necessary. I understand the intention behind representation, but it carries very little narrative weight beyond being framed as a quirk. By contrast, I could see the narrative purpose of as a tool for character growth, but if that was the plan, it should have been introduced much earlier. Ideally, it could have even been something he and Olivia bonded over. As it stands, once the story , he loses much of his personality. Up until then, he worked well as the cute, anxious worrywart male lead.
The best character by far was Cilia, the male lead’s mother and chief instigator. I loved her mischief. The itself was solid, though the felt messy. While I did not initially love the dual timeline, past/present structure, it ultimately worked well to build suspense and that constant “what the hell happened between these two?” tension.
Despite my criticisms, this was an easy, fast read. I finished it in a single day. The slow-burn romance is well executed, which helps the chemistry feel earned and keeps the pacing engaging. If you are a foodie, this book will likely hit even harder. About a quarter of the story is dedicated to food, cooking, and chef culture, which makes sense given that both leads are chefs.
That said, the chemistry between the two leads was palpable and well written, and it often carried the story for me.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and to Goodreads for the opportunity to read the advanced digital copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love Riss M Neilson's writing and this one is no exception.
In the Bridge Back TO You, Carmello earns after his mother's death that she's willed some of her shares in their restaurant to his ex-girlfriend, a woman he hasn't seem in ten years. Carmello wants to buy out her shares to be free of his ex, but Olivia, a wanderer, is intrigued by what her former boss meant by this gift and returns to the small town that she thought she would never return to.
There, she finds her ex is more gorgeous than ever, but also more standoffish. At the same time, she finds herself pulled to him, his son and his mother's restaurant. Carmello, on the other hand, is scared to fall in love again with the woman who left him behind, but he can't deny that he's been yearning for her for years. Watching the two come back together with intentionality is beautiful.
Carmello and Olivia are both such emotionally astute and complex characters that feel like real people. Their romance feels hard fought, Olivia is a wanderer and Carmello has deep roots. The two of them feel like opposites, but also like they are meant to be. I love a second chance romance, and the forced proximity in this one was delightful.
Neilson's writing pulls us along in steady waves, through the ups and downs of falling in love and learning how to navigate differences. I deeply appreciated the mental health and chronic illness representation in this book and the diversity of the characters. Everything feels very sensitively approached and the representation adds context to the characters' choices in the past and in the present.
I highly recommend this book to all romance readers and for those who love a book with tender pining, complex characters, and gentle pacing, this book is absolutely for you.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC.
In the Bridge Back TO You, Carmello earns after his mother's death that she's willed some of her shares in their restaurant to his ex-girlfriend, a woman he hasn't seem in ten years. Carmello wants to buy out her shares to be free of his ex, but Olivia, a wanderer, is intrigued by what her former boss meant by this gift and returns to the small town that she thought she would never return to.
There, she finds her ex is more gorgeous than ever, but also more standoffish. At the same time, she finds herself pulled to him, his son and his mother's restaurant. Carmello, on the other hand, is scared to fall in love again with the woman who left him behind, but he can't deny that he's been yearning for her for years. Watching the two come back together with intentionality is beautiful.
Carmello and Olivia are both such emotionally astute and complex characters that feel like real people. Their romance feels hard fought, Olivia is a wanderer and Carmello has deep roots. The two of them feel like opposites, but also like they are meant to be. I love a second chance romance, and the forced proximity in this one was delightful.
Neilson's writing pulls us along in steady waves, through the ups and downs of falling in love and learning how to navigate differences. I deeply appreciated the mental health and chronic illness representation in this book and the diversity of the characters. Everything feels very sensitively approached and the representation adds context to the characters' choices in the past and in the present.
I highly recommend this book to all romance readers and for those who love a book with tender pining, complex characters, and gentle pacing, this book is absolutely for you.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC.
January 19, 2026
A second chance romance between two chefs who first fell in love as teens working in a family restaurant hooked me at the start, but the story left me a bit disconnected and wanting more.
This book is a beautiful celebration of culture through food that attempts to tackle navigating grief, mental health, and chronic illness, but bites off a bit more than it can handle. I appreciated the representation of living with endometriosis, OCD, ADHD, etc. because those aren’t often explored in books I’ve read, but there were times those topics overtook the rest of the story. Their inclusion could have woven in more seamlessly with the challenges they presented within Carmello and Olivia’s relationship as they work to rebuild their connection.
It was very refreshing to witness two adults communicating in a healthy and productive way on the page. These characters have a level of maturity and self-awareness I’m not used to seeing in the romance I’ve read so far, but they were almost too well-adjusted. Every disagreement seems to be worked through quickly and I expected more tension for a reunion after 10 years. The framework of this story is solid, however, I struggled with the lack of conflict between Carmello and Olivia. I needed higher stakes to keep me invested and to push the plot along, without them the pacing ended up rather slow at times. It also could have done without the dual timelines because they didn’t add much depth to the story.
The community within this story is touching and having worked in restaurants I know first hand you end up having some of the strongest bonds with the people you work with, family or not. I love to see characters so passionate about what they’re doing. If you’re looking for a fairly low stakes, cozy read then I think you’ll like this one.
This book is a beautiful celebration of culture through food that attempts to tackle navigating grief, mental health, and chronic illness, but bites off a bit more than it can handle. I appreciated the representation of living with endometriosis, OCD, ADHD, etc. because those aren’t often explored in books I’ve read, but there were times those topics overtook the rest of the story. Their inclusion could have woven in more seamlessly with the challenges they presented within Carmello and Olivia’s relationship as they work to rebuild their connection.
It was very refreshing to witness two adults communicating in a healthy and productive way on the page. These characters have a level of maturity and self-awareness I’m not used to seeing in the romance I’ve read so far, but they were almost too well-adjusted. Every disagreement seems to be worked through quickly and I expected more tension for a reunion after 10 years. The framework of this story is solid, however, I struggled with the lack of conflict between Carmello and Olivia. I needed higher stakes to keep me invested and to push the plot along, without them the pacing ended up rather slow at times. It also could have done without the dual timelines because they didn’t add much depth to the story.
The community within this story is touching and having worked in restaurants I know first hand you end up having some of the strongest bonds with the people you work with, family or not. I love to see characters so passionate about what they’re doing. If you’re looking for a fairly low stakes, cozy read then I think you’ll like this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Second-chance romances can be very hit or miss for me, but The Bridge Back to You was definitely a hit. The reason Olivia and Carmello broke up when they were younger felt believable and grounded in who they were at the time, and more importantly, it felt like they both did the work to grow as individuals before finding their way back to each other.
I truly adored Olivia and Carmello together. Their conversations stood out to me the most; they were thoughtful, honest, and refreshingly mature. I also really appreciated how the story handled heavier themes like grief, mental health, and chronic illness with care and compassion. Watching them navigate these challenges added a lot of emotional depth to their relationship.
The small-town setting paired with the restaurant backdrop was such a cozy touch and added to the charm of the story. It felt like a place I could easily picture myself visiting. And Carmello’s son wss so cute, I honestly wished we had even more of him, especially scenes where he could bond with Olivia.
That said, I’m generally not a big fan of stories that jump back and forth between past and present. While I understood the purpose here, I did feel like the strength of Olivia and Carmello’s present-day connection relied heavily on their past relationship. We got some flashbacks, but I personally would have loved to see more of their earlier relationship to fully feel the weight of their history.
Overall, The Bridge Back to You is a heartfelt, emotionally rich second-chance romance with meaningful conversations, and a warm small-town feel. A really lovely read, especially if you enjoy mature romances with depth.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the eARC copy of this book!
I truly adored Olivia and Carmello together. Their conversations stood out to me the most; they were thoughtful, honest, and refreshingly mature. I also really appreciated how the story handled heavier themes like grief, mental health, and chronic illness with care and compassion. Watching them navigate these challenges added a lot of emotional depth to their relationship.
The small-town setting paired with the restaurant backdrop was such a cozy touch and added to the charm of the story. It felt like a place I could easily picture myself visiting. And Carmello’s son wss so cute, I honestly wished we had even more of him, especially scenes where he could bond with Olivia.
That said, I’m generally not a big fan of stories that jump back and forth between past and present. While I understood the purpose here, I did feel like the strength of Olivia and Carmello’s present-day connection relied heavily on their past relationship. We got some flashbacks, but I personally would have loved to see more of their earlier relationship to fully feel the weight of their history.
Overall, The Bridge Back to You is a heartfelt, emotionally rich second-chance romance with meaningful conversations, and a warm small-town feel. A really lovely read, especially if you enjoy mature romances with depth.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the eARC copy of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love the premise of this book. The MMC learns after his mother's death that she's willed some of her shares in their restaurant to his ex-girlfriend, a woman he hasn't seem in ten years. Carmello wants to buy out her shares to be free of his ex, but Olivia, a wanderer, is intrigued by what her former boss meant by this gift and returns to the small town that she thought she would never return to.
There, she finds her ex is more gorgeous than ever, but also more standoffish. At the same time, she finds herself pulled to him, his son and his mother's restaurant. Carmello, on the other hand, is scared to fall in love again with the woman who left him behind, but he can't deny that he's been yearning for her for years. Watching the two come back together with intentionality is beautiful.
Carmello and Olivia are both such emotionally astute and complex characters that feel like real people. Their romance feels hard fought, Olivia is a wanderer and Carmello has deep roots. The two of them feel like opposites, but also like they are meant to be. I love a second chance romance, and the forced proximity in this one was delightful.
Neilson's writing pulls us along in steady waves, through the ups and downs of falling in love and learning how to navigate differences. I deeply appreciated the mental health and chronic illness representation in this book and the diversity of the characters. Everything feels very sensitively approached and the representation adds context to the characters' choices in the past and in the present.
I highly recommend this book to all romance readers and for those who love a book with tender pining, complex characters, and gentle pacing, this book is absolutely for you.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC.
There, she finds her ex is more gorgeous than ever, but also more standoffish. At the same time, she finds herself pulled to him, his son and his mother's restaurant. Carmello, on the other hand, is scared to fall in love again with the woman who left him behind, but he can't deny that he's been yearning for her for years. Watching the two come back together with intentionality is beautiful.
Carmello and Olivia are both such emotionally astute and complex characters that feel like real people. Their romance feels hard fought, Olivia is a wanderer and Carmello has deep roots. The two of them feel like opposites, but also like they are meant to be. I love a second chance romance, and the forced proximity in this one was delightful.
Neilson's writing pulls us along in steady waves, through the ups and downs of falling in love and learning how to navigate differences. I deeply appreciated the mental health and chronic illness representation in this book and the diversity of the characters. Everything feels very sensitively approached and the representation adds context to the characters' choices in the past and in the present.
I highly recommend this book to all romance readers and for those who love a book with tender pining, complex characters, and gentle pacing, this book is absolutely for you.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“I don’t know if Carmello completely believes I’m ready for the commitment, but someday he’ll realize I left my heart here and I just needed time before I came to get it”
The deliciousness of a second chance romance when the characters have lived whole separate lives without each other is chef's kiss, NGL.
Olivia Jones likes travel and adventure. Caramello Rodriguez is a creature of habit. but they instantly click when they meet as teenagers, and even though they try to hide it, they click again years later as if they were always meant to be together.
and that is what this story does best. it gives you individually fleshed and fully developed character arcs, but you also get the soulmates and meant to be together undertones throughout without it being in your face. Olivia and Caramello were perfect for each other because they balanced each other out in the best way. and I loved falling in love with them as they fell back in love.
one of my other favourite things is how palpable Celia's Place is in the story, almost a character of its own.
no third act breakup and a mature conversation? colour me impressed your honor.
special mention for the intricate way the author has weaved OCD in the narrative, the reveal in the end is not a surprise but a OH moment. very few authors pull this off so well. Kudos.
i do think the pacing could be a little better towards the end, and I would have liked a scene with Daniella and Olivia given they would always be in each other's lives, as well as a bit more of Teddy and Olivia scenes, for we don't get to see them bond after the commit again.
the epilogue was super cute though. made me smile so hard.
sign me up for everything Miss Nelson puts out ever!!!
thank you for the ARC, Netgalley .
The deliciousness of a second chance romance when the characters have lived whole separate lives without each other is chef's kiss, NGL.
Olivia Jones likes travel and adventure. Caramello Rodriguez is a creature of habit. but they instantly click when they meet as teenagers, and even though they try to hide it, they click again years later as if they were always meant to be together.
and that is what this story does best. it gives you individually fleshed and fully developed character arcs, but you also get the soulmates and meant to be together undertones throughout without it being in your face. Olivia and Caramello were perfect for each other because they balanced each other out in the best way. and I loved falling in love with them as they fell back in love.
one of my other favourite things is how palpable Celia's Place is in the story, almost a character of its own.
no third act breakup and a mature conversation? colour me impressed your honor.
special mention for the intricate way the author has weaved OCD in the narrative, the reveal in the end is not a surprise but a OH moment. very few authors pull this off so well. Kudos.
i do think the pacing could be a little better towards the end, and I would have liked a scene with Daniella and Olivia given they would always be in each other's lives, as well as a bit more of Teddy and Olivia scenes, for we don't get to see them bond after the commit again.
the epilogue was super cute though. made me smile so hard.
sign me up for everything Miss Nelson puts out ever!!!
thank you for the ARC, Netgalley .
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Second-chance romance that made me cry multiple times (and I am THANKFUL FOR IT). Hands-down the best I've ever seen an author capture both anxiety/OCD and ADHD from extremely high-functioning adults who care for others, are professionally successful, and absolutely need each other to care for them (and finally allow someone else to shoulder some of the life stuff). I loved their conversations, the quiet moments, the vulnerable moments, the moments on the literal bridge, and this book is exactly what the world needs right now.
Carmello is the first time I've ever related so well to the mmc in a romance novel. Bold claim, but there it is. The responsible son who took over his mom's restaurant with courage and passion in the kitchen, he's also a great father and co-parent, and so dedicated to his child that he's willing to constantly engage his own weaknesses and ....WHEW. The way I yearned with this man, and for this man's happy ending.
Olivia. Babe. My nomadic girl with ADHD and Endo, doing her best and standing up for herself, and being gentle and allowing herself to grow. She's so brave for returning to RI, to Celia's, to really the only place (and person/people) she considered home. And yet bringing her vulnerability and her courage to start over again in a place that she left under less than ideal circumstances (and the circumstances - oh - you wait the whole book to find out, and YES, it is literally taking me back to being that young).
Riss. I can't. This book destroyed me, and I am forever devoted to reading anything you write. If there were more than five stars, I would give them. If it were possible to hack this system and create 18 billion stars, I would learn how to do that.
Carmello is the first time I've ever related so well to the mmc in a romance novel. Bold claim, but there it is. The responsible son who took over his mom's restaurant with courage and passion in the kitchen, he's also a great father and co-parent, and so dedicated to his child that he's willing to constantly engage his own weaknesses and ....WHEW. The way I yearned with this man, and for this man's happy ending.
Olivia. Babe. My nomadic girl with ADHD and Endo, doing her best and standing up for herself, and being gentle and allowing herself to grow. She's so brave for returning to RI, to Celia's, to really the only place (and person/people) she considered home. And yet bringing her vulnerability and her courage to start over again in a place that she left under less than ideal circumstances (and the circumstances - oh - you wait the whole book to find out, and YES, it is literally taking me back to being that young).
Riss. I can't. This book destroyed me, and I am forever devoted to reading anything you write. If there were more than five stars, I would give them. If it were possible to hack this system and create 18 billion stars, I would learn how to do that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews