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You, with a View
Two weeks on the road... stuck in a car with your high-school enemy.
Noelle Shepard is grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother when she discovers decades-old photos and letters that hint to a forbidden love in her gram's past. Needing to know the full story, she creates a TikTok video appealing for information - and it goes viral.
Through her video, she manages to track down her grandmother's secret love, Paul, who offers to take her on the honeymoon road-trip he and Gram planned but never got to go on.
Noelle jumps at the chance to make this one last connection with her grandmother. There's just one problem - Paul's grandson is Noelle's frustratingly handsome high-school rival Theo.
And Theo has to come, too.
It's only two weeks. Surely Noelle can survive that long? But with one car between them - and often only one bed - it doesn't take long for things to heat up...
Noelle Shepard is grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother when she discovers decades-old photos and letters that hint to a forbidden love in her gram's past. Needing to know the full story, she creates a TikTok video appealing for information - and it goes viral.
Through her video, she manages to track down her grandmother's secret love, Paul, who offers to take her on the honeymoon road-trip he and Gram planned but never got to go on.
Noelle jumps at the chance to make this one last connection with her grandmother. There's just one problem - Paul's grandson is Noelle's frustratingly handsome high-school rival Theo.
And Theo has to come, too.
It's only two weeks. Surely Noelle can survive that long? But with one car between them - and often only one bed - it doesn't take long for things to heat up...
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2023
About the author
Jessica Joyce
3 books2,721 followersJessica Joyce lives happily-ever-ongoing with her husband and son in the Bay Area. When she’s not writing character-driven, realistic and relatable tales of millennials who are just Doing Their Best while falling in love, you can find her listening to one of her dozens of chaotically curated Spotify playlists, trying out a new skincare face mask, crying over cute animal TikToks, or watching the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 8,617 reviews
November 13, 2024
2.5/5
If you’ve ever wanted to read a book where the main character posts photos online to track down someone in them and ends up falling in love in the process, then this is the book you’re looking for.
The story follows Noelle, who posts pictures of her recently deceased grandmother and her secret ex-lover on TikTok, hoping to discover the identity of the man. When someone comments claiming the man is his grandfather, Noelle decides to meet him. The mysterious commenter turns out to be none other than her high school rival, Theo. Paul, Theo’s grandfather, agrees to join Noelle on a trip he had once planned with her grandmother after meeting her a few times. The catch? Theo insists on coming along—meaning Noelle has to spend two weeks with him.
The premise was incredibly intriguing, but the execution left something to be desired. Let’s get to the point then.
The things I liked here.
The idea for the story was really appealing, and I honestly loved it, but I found myself more invested in the story of the grandparents than in the romance between the two main characters. For the first half of the book, I even thought I’d rate it a solid four stars. However, unfortunately, the rest of the book completely changed my opinion.
As for the writing style, there were a few overused phrases that I’ve seen in too many romance novels before—and I’m not referring to the “I love you” line, but in overall it was great. I couldn’t really complain about it.
Let’s move to the things that I didn’t like.
TikTok was mentioned 39 times. Respectfully, why? I’m reading to escape reality, not to be constantly reminded that this app exists. I understand it might not bother everyone, but the author could’ve easily replaced “TikTok” with something like “popular/trendy app” or even just left it vague. It felt a bit over the top at times.
As for the heroine, I liked her at first, but by the end, her decisions were driving me crazy. To put it simply, she was a liar. She lied to Theo about not having a job, then lied to her partners about the trip. It’s not that complicated to just say you were laid off; at least she admitted it to Theo toward the end, but really, it’s a normal, human thing. There’s no need to lie about it. But that’s not even my biggest issue. My main problem is the third-act breakup, which happened because she accused Theo of doing the same thing—lying to her about his job situation. Theo, on the other hand, was doing exactly the same thing with his “I hate that you felt like you had to lie to me,” while he was keeping the same kind of secret.
The romance? I think some people might enjoy it if you’re looking for a connection between the main characters that’s not too deeply developed. The connection and tension between them mostly seemed to stem from the fact that they were horny for each other. They knew each other from high school, where they were rivals or something, but nearly all of their interactions revolved around flirting. There wasn’t much of a deeper, meaningful conversation that would build a genuine connection and lead to them catching feelings. Later, when they finally kissed, almost all of their scenes involved them trying to sleep together. And, of course, there was the third-act breakup at the end, which is always the worst thing that can happen in a romance book.
The last thing that made me laugh—maybe it’s just me—but I couldn’t tell if it was sarcasm, an attempt to be funny, or what.
Like I said, it could be me, but if the romance goes in the direction that a man doing a TikTok for you is a romantic gesture, then I think I'm going fantasy full time.
I got the recommendation from TikTok actually. I need to finally stop doing that.
If you’ve ever wanted to read a book where the main character posts photos online to track down someone in them and ends up falling in love in the process, then this is the book you’re looking for.
The story follows Noelle, who posts pictures of her recently deceased grandmother and her secret ex-lover on TikTok, hoping to discover the identity of the man. When someone comments claiming the man is his grandfather, Noelle decides to meet him. The mysterious commenter turns out to be none other than her high school rival, Theo. Paul, Theo’s grandfather, agrees to join Noelle on a trip he had once planned with her grandmother after meeting her a few times. The catch? Theo insists on coming along—meaning Noelle has to spend two weeks with him.
The premise was incredibly intriguing, but the execution left something to be desired. Let’s get to the point then.
The things I liked here.
The idea for the story was really appealing, and I honestly loved it, but I found myself more invested in the story of the grandparents than in the romance between the two main characters. For the first half of the book, I even thought I’d rate it a solid four stars. However, unfortunately, the rest of the book completely changed my opinion.
As for the writing style, there were a few overused phrases that I’ve seen in too many romance novels before—and I’m not referring to the “I love you” line, but in overall it was great. I couldn’t really complain about it.
Let’s move to the things that I didn’t like.
TikTok was mentioned 39 times. Respectfully, why? I’m reading to escape reality, not to be constantly reminded that this app exists. I understand it might not bother everyone, but the author could’ve easily replaced “TikTok” with something like “popular/trendy app” or even just left it vague. It felt a bit over the top at times.
As for the heroine, I liked her at first, but by the end, her decisions were driving me crazy. To put it simply, she was a liar. She lied to Theo about not having a job, then lied to her partners about the trip. It’s not that complicated to just say you were laid off; at least she admitted it to Theo toward the end, but really, it’s a normal, human thing. There’s no need to lie about it. But that’s not even my biggest issue. My main problem is the third-act breakup, which happened because she accused Theo of doing the same thing—lying to her about his job situation. Theo, on the other hand, was doing exactly the same thing with his “I hate that you felt like you had to lie to me,” while he was keeping the same kind of secret.
The romance? I think some people might enjoy it if you’re looking for a connection between the main characters that’s not too deeply developed. The connection and tension between them mostly seemed to stem from the fact that they were horny for each other. They knew each other from high school, where they were rivals or something, but nearly all of their interactions revolved around flirting. There wasn’t much of a deeper, meaningful conversation that would build a genuine connection and lead to them catching feelings. Later, when they finally kissed, almost all of their scenes involved them trying to sleep together. And, of course, there was the third-act breakup at the end, which is always the worst thing that can happen in a romance book.
The last thing that made me laugh—maybe it’s just me—but I couldn’t tell if it was sarcasm, an attempt to be funny, or what.
“I actually spent yesterday trying to figure out how to make a TikTok.”
My eyes widen. “What? Why?”
“I wanted to make one for you.” His expression turns self-conscious."
Like I said, it could be me, but if the romance goes in the direction that a man doing a TikTok for you is a romantic gesture, then I think I'm going fantasy full time.
I got the recommendation from TikTok actually. I need to finally stop doing that.
September 15, 2024
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ '𝐼𝓉'𝓈 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝒶 𝓈𝑒𝒸𝓇𝑒𝓉 𝓃𝑜𝓌: 𝐼 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒽𝒾𝓂, 𝓈𝑜 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽, 𝓉𝑜𝑜 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝒶𝓎𝒷𝑒 𝒽𝑒'𝓁𝓁 𝓇𝓊𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝑒.' ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ㅤ ♡ This book was pretty much pure gold! I devoured it - just a few minor complaints from me but otherwise I loved it. ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
╰┈➤˗ˏˋ 𝓠𝓾𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂
We follow our FMC, Noelle a twenty-something who is in a bit of a rut. Her career isn't career-ing, she's back living at home with her parents and the recent loss of her grandmother (her bestie) has her more than off-kilter. She can't seem to get past the loss.
Noelle discovers some old letters that her grandmother had stashed away - eluding that she had a great love prior to her grandfather. Both intrigued and disappointed that she wasn't privy to this little gem of history and past loves, she starts to look for answers.
One viral video later and down the rabbit hole- Noelle connects with the mystery man's grandson, only to find out it's her childhood rival, someone she measured herself against. Shortly after, curiosity wins out and Noelle, Theo and Theo's incredibly sweet and kind grandfather are off on an adventurous two week road trip in order to unravel the long lost love of her grandmother.
╰┈➤˗ˏˋ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼
I've never read a book with a premise like this before and it appealed to me right away - I found it refreshing and new in a world of rinse and repeat romance themes.
Both Noelle and Theo were incredible. I laughed as well as got a little misty eyed from time to time. I loved that it was a mixture of two love stories. One from that past that we're learning about throughout the novel and the other that is budding right in the middle of uncovering the love of the past.
The chemistry between Theo and and Noelle was chef's kiss 👩🏻🍳💋- sweet and sexy. Totally swoon worthy.
Some of the conversation between the two of them during the spice scenes were just a bit cringe to me - other than that this is a great story of hope and healing, of love and loss. Of new love found and past love explored. 𓍯𓂃𓏧♡
╰⪼ Scenic road trip
╰⪼ Enemies to lovers
╰⪼ Just one bed
╰⪼ Banter and humor
╰⪼ Dual timelines through letters and storytelling
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ㅤ ♡ This book was pretty much pure gold! I devoured it - just a few minor complaints from me but otherwise I loved it. ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
╰┈➤˗ˏˋ 𝓠𝓾𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂
We follow our FMC, Noelle a twenty-something who is in a bit of a rut. Her career isn't career-ing, she's back living at home with her parents and the recent loss of her grandmother (her bestie) has her more than off-kilter. She can't seem to get past the loss.
Noelle discovers some old letters that her grandmother had stashed away - eluding that she had a great love prior to her grandfather. Both intrigued and disappointed that she wasn't privy to this little gem of history and past loves, she starts to look for answers.
One viral video later and down the rabbit hole- Noelle connects with the mystery man's grandson, only to find out it's her childhood rival, someone she measured herself against. Shortly after, curiosity wins out and Noelle, Theo and Theo's incredibly sweet and kind grandfather are off on an adventurous two week road trip in order to unravel the long lost love of her grandmother.
╰┈➤˗ˏˋ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼
I've never read a book with a premise like this before and it appealed to me right away - I found it refreshing and new in a world of rinse and repeat romance themes.
Both Noelle and Theo were incredible. I laughed as well as got a little misty eyed from time to time. I loved that it was a mixture of two love stories. One from that past that we're learning about throughout the novel and the other that is budding right in the middle of uncovering the love of the past.
The chemistry between Theo and and Noelle was chef's kiss 👩🏻🍳💋- sweet and sexy. Totally swoon worthy.
Some of the conversation between the two of them during the spice scenes were just a bit cringe to me - other than that this is a great story of hope and healing, of love and loss. Of new love found and past love explored. 𓍯𓂃𓏧♡
╰⪼ Scenic road trip
╰⪼ Enemies to lovers
╰⪼ Just one bed
╰⪼ Banter and humor
╰⪼ Dual timelines through letters and storytelling
May 26, 2023
Publication: 🗓️ 𝓙𝓾𝓵𝔂 ⓫
《 5 ✰ 》
Noelle is twenty-eight years old and back living with her parents. To say this was not on her vision board is a massive understatement. She also recently lost her best friend, her grandmother. They told each other everything. At least, that's what Noelle believed — until she discovered an old love letter and photos of her twenty-year-old grandmother with a mysterious young man. Noelle did what any millennial would do. She tic tac'd, no, sorry, TikTok'd the photos anonymously. When Noelle's annoyingly handsome and seemingly perfect high school nemesis, Theo, responds to her TikTok post with information about the mysterious man in the photos — she could not have imagined the path it would set her on.
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ One Bed
✔️ Road Trip
✔️ Shutterbug Fun
✔️ Sprinkles of Spice
You, with a View transported me back to nine years old on a Tennessee summer day picking strawberries with my grandpa and fighting over the biggest ones. I felt connected to the story and Noelle.
The banter and chemistry leapt off the page. If Theo and Noelle aren't volleying barbs and jabs, they are probably sneaking lingering glances when the other is unaware. The tension had me panting. I liked that the third-act complication was resolved with ease. The HEA was sweet perfection.
I LOVED everything about this book! The writing, the plot, the pacing, the tropes, the characters, the relationships, the banter, and the spice came together beautifully to create an unforgettable reading experience. I cannot believe this is Jessica Joyce's debut! She is an author to keep an eye on. I will undoubtedly reread this and add it to my display shelf. Trust me, you want to pick this one up.
⭑ Save it to your July reading list, my loves! ⭑
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the gifted ARC.
Sneak Peek:
《 5 ✰ 》
Noelle is twenty-eight years old and back living with her parents. To say this was not on her vision board is a massive understatement. She also recently lost her best friend, her grandmother. They told each other everything. At least, that's what Noelle believed — until she discovered an old love letter and photos of her twenty-year-old grandmother with a mysterious young man. Noelle did what any millennial would do. She tic tac'd, no, sorry, TikTok'd the photos anonymously. When Noelle's annoyingly handsome and seemingly perfect high school nemesis, Theo, responds to her TikTok post with information about the mysterious man in the photos — she could not have imagined the path it would set her on.
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ One Bed
✔️ Road Trip
✔️ Shutterbug Fun
✔️ Sprinkles of Spice
You, with a View transported me back to nine years old on a Tennessee summer day picking strawberries with my grandpa and fighting over the biggest ones. I felt connected to the story and Noelle.
The banter and chemistry leapt off the page. If Theo and Noelle aren't volleying barbs and jabs, they are probably sneaking lingering glances when the other is unaware. The tension had me panting. I liked that the third-act complication was resolved with ease. The HEA was sweet perfection.
I LOVED everything about this book! The writing, the plot, the pacing, the tropes, the characters, the relationships, the banter, and the spice came together beautifully to create an unforgettable reading experience. I cannot believe this is Jessica Joyce's debut! She is an author to keep an eye on. I will undoubtedly reread this and add it to my display shelf. Trust me, you want to pick this one up.
⭑ Save it to your July reading list, my loves! ⭑
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the gifted ARC.
Sneak Peek:
❝
I’m a visual creature. I’m not sure how much shirtless stimulation I can take before I break in some way. That would be catastrophic. […]
THEO KEEPS HIS SHIRT OFF THE ENTIRE MEAL. IT’S OBscene. My eyeballs hurt from the strain of not looking.
A word of advice: if you see a woman who is actually crying, staring at her in bewilderment is a horrible strategy to make her feel better.
“why are you calling me? Couldn’t you just text whatever you need to say? What kind of millennial are you? We’re supposed to be afraid of calling people.”
“Only the best of intentions.” His eyes glint underneath the lights. He looks wolfish, and suddenly I’m playing the part of Little Red Riding Hood. Only difference is, I’d love to get eaten up.
“Okay. Okay. That was—okay.”
“Is okay your review, or did I kiss you into speechlessness?” he whispers into my neck. I feel his smirk against my skin.
He goes still before pressing a soft kiss to his spot. No one will ever be able to touch me there again.
“I wasn’t planning on dry humping you in the van, so . . .”
“Were you planning on dry humping me in other places? Just curious.” His teeth flash, almost predatory.
“You’re an asshole,” I pant against his mouth. “I hope you’re hard all through dinner. I hope you watch me eating that dick-shaped skewer and it tortures you”
IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW OLD I AM—SEEING MY PARENTS SITting together on the couch triggers my fight-or-flight response.
July 8, 2024
An adventurous road trip with spectacular sights, poignant love letters from the past telling a heart-wrenching story between a beloved grandmother and her first love, and a brilliant and entertaining combination of enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and sunshine-meets-grump tropes – this book is everything I want!
Noelle Shepard is stuck in her childhood home, which has turned into her mother's Peloton studio. She has been sacked from her latest job, which has drained her confidence and enthusiasm. On top of that, she still misses her grandmother who passed away six months ago. When she discovers old photos of a mysterious man and a love letter written from the same man to her grandmother, she becomes intrigued. She edits a special TikTok video to find out his identity, which turns into a viral sensation. Then a miracle happens, and an anonymous user tells her that the man is his grandfather.
Noelle finds herself in an arranged meeting at a cafe to meet her grandmother's secret lover. She meets with Paul and realizes he reminds her of someone: her high school nemesis who is now sitting next to her! She realizes that Paul's grandson who wrote her back is Theo Spencer, who rubbed her the wrong way throughout her teenage years and who has become one of the 30 Forbes successful businessmen under 30 years old.
When Noelle finds out that Paul and her grandmother's plans to elope were thwarted and they had never finished their planned honeymoon road trip, she decides to go on the trip as a tribute to her grandmother. Paul offers to join her, but his offer has a catch: he will bring his grandson with them!
Noelle reluctantly accepts his offer, barely holding herself back from throwing Theo out of the moving car or the bed they are forced to share in an Airbnb. But their attraction is irresistible. She barely resists herself from tearing up his clothes, and she realizes that under his cocky, reserved, pretentious facade, Theo has a vulnerable, insecure side that he barely opens up and shares with other people.
What if they can achieve what their grandparents couldn't and write their own love story with a happy ending?
I loved the high chemistry and meaningful love story of Noelle and Theo as much as I enjoyed reading the heartwarming love letters between Paul and Kathleen.
This is an amazing debut, and I'm so happy to have been introduced to another brilliant author, Jessica Joyce. I am looking forward to reading her next book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this wonderful book's digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
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Noelle Shepard is stuck in her childhood home, which has turned into her mother's Peloton studio. She has been sacked from her latest job, which has drained her confidence and enthusiasm. On top of that, she still misses her grandmother who passed away six months ago. When she discovers old photos of a mysterious man and a love letter written from the same man to her grandmother, she becomes intrigued. She edits a special TikTok video to find out his identity, which turns into a viral sensation. Then a miracle happens, and an anonymous user tells her that the man is his grandfather.
Noelle finds herself in an arranged meeting at a cafe to meet her grandmother's secret lover. She meets with Paul and realizes he reminds her of someone: her high school nemesis who is now sitting next to her! She realizes that Paul's grandson who wrote her back is Theo Spencer, who rubbed her the wrong way throughout her teenage years and who has become one of the 30 Forbes successful businessmen under 30 years old.
When Noelle finds out that Paul and her grandmother's plans to elope were thwarted and they had never finished their planned honeymoon road trip, she decides to go on the trip as a tribute to her grandmother. Paul offers to join her, but his offer has a catch: he will bring his grandson with them!
Noelle reluctantly accepts his offer, barely holding herself back from throwing Theo out of the moving car or the bed they are forced to share in an Airbnb. But their attraction is irresistible. She barely resists herself from tearing up his clothes, and she realizes that under his cocky, reserved, pretentious facade, Theo has a vulnerable, insecure side that he barely opens up and shares with other people.
What if they can achieve what their grandparents couldn't and write their own love story with a happy ending?
I loved the high chemistry and meaningful love story of Noelle and Theo as much as I enjoyed reading the heartwarming love letters between Paul and Kathleen.
This is an amazing debut, and I'm so happy to have been introduced to another brilliant author, Jessica Joyce. I am looking forward to reading her next book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this wonderful book's digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
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April 3, 2024
5 HEARTWARMING, TEAR INDUCING, PUSSY THROBBING STARS
holy shit. this reread was exactly what i needed. this is, first and foremost, dedicated to the marjorie girlies 🥲 if you’ve experienced any type of guardian loss, this really hits. i’ve been lucky enough to have a solid ass relationship with my grandma and the love noelle has for hers is palpable.
but let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t a pure sob fest. in fact, the banter had me laughing out loud MANY A TIME and there were giggles aplenty from her inner monologue (i fucking love her sense of humor HELLO??) and THEO MF SPENCER the hottest contemporary man to ever 🫢 and i am a loyal gus girly!!!! he had me ON. MY. KNEES. 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️but like also that epilogue had me right back to crying! i’m nothing if not a hopeless romantic 🫠
to top it off, if we love emily henry (which, if you don’t at this point that’s so embarrassing, fix it, and HOW?!) jessica joyce is right on par ladies!!!! girly was whipping out pure POETRY like this a debut WHERE??!??! there were so so so many lines i wanted to highlight simply because i wish i wrote it. her similes, metaphors, love confessions, and overall understanding of the fucking human condition was top notch >>>
holy shit. this reread was exactly what i needed. this is, first and foremost, dedicated to the marjorie girlies 🥲 if you’ve experienced any type of guardian loss, this really hits. i’ve been lucky enough to have a solid ass relationship with my grandma and the love noelle has for hers is palpable.
but let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t a pure sob fest. in fact, the banter had me laughing out loud MANY A TIME and there were giggles aplenty from her inner monologue (i fucking love her sense of humor HELLO??) and THEO MF SPENCER the hottest contemporary man to ever 🫢 and i am a loyal gus girly!!!! he had me ON. MY. KNEES. 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️but like also that epilogue had me right back to crying! i’m nothing if not a hopeless romantic 🫠
to top it off, if we love emily henry (which, if you don’t at this point that’s so embarrassing, fix it, and HOW?!) jessica joyce is right on par ladies!!!! girly was whipping out pure POETRY like this a debut WHERE??!??! there were so so so many lines i wanted to highlight simply because i wish i wrote it. her similes, metaphors, love confessions, and overall understanding of the fucking human condition was top notch >>>
Read
November 9, 2024review and rating to come 🫡
I’m in the mood for a feet kicking & squealing romance read feeling 🥰
I’m in the mood for a feet kicking & squealing romance read feeling 🥰
August 10, 2024
4.5 ★'s
I went into this expecting a cute romcom, but I got something much more meaningful.
✧“It’s life. Some of it may be painful, but it’s not bad, sweetheart.”✧
This is a book about love, grief and adulthood.
It beautifully captures four love stories in one. Everything starts with the love between a grandmother and a granddaughter. In the grief over her grandmother, Noelle chases down her grandmother's 'the one that got away' with the wish of wanting more - time, stories, knowledge - of her grandmother. Through this she is led through the adventure of their love story, whilst both battling her grief for her grandmother but also the pieces she lost of herself in adulthood; passions, hopes, dreams, faith in yourself, a direction in life.
✧“Maybe it doesn’t have to be my best to still be enough.”✧
As an adult that has grieved many hopes and aspirations that hasn't gone to plan, this one hit really close to home. I could feel Noelle's pain and fear of moving on, daring to dream again but being able to find her happiness through it. Personally, this was my favourite love story out of the four. Noelle growing in self-acceptance and self love, starting to believe in herself, being motivated and finding joy in her craft, with a strong support system around her.
It was completely heartwarming and inspiring to see.
✧“People rarely get it on the first try, Noelle. There’s nothing wrong with that. It doesn’t make you less of a success story in the end.”✧
The romance between Noelle and Theo might be second to Noelle's own journey in my opinion. But seeing their love grow page per page - through simple acts of kindness, heated moments, teasing, showing care and trust - was a definite highlight. It's easy to tell that Jessica spent time developing their dynamic and focused on truly building a connection, adding tension and depth making the end result feeling incredibly real and sincere.
'Enemies to lovers' might not be fully accurate to describe their dynamic, more so 'old high school rivals to lovers ten years down the line'. It was an aspect I did enjoy, a part of me wished they would've played it up even more, but that might just be me being partial to banter and classic rivals to lovers dynamics hehe. I guess we'll never know, their love story still feels complete without it.🧡
✧“You were never my nemesis. You were my… My motivation.”✧
____________
⌞Pre-read:⌝
Everywhere I look people seem to be loving this, I hope I do too🥹
I went into this expecting a cute romcom, but I got something much more meaningful.
✧“It’s life. Some of it may be painful, but it’s not bad, sweetheart.”✧
This is a book about love, grief and adulthood.
It beautifully captures four love stories in one. Everything starts with the love between a grandmother and a granddaughter. In the grief over her grandmother, Noelle chases down her grandmother's 'the one that got away' with the wish of wanting more - time, stories, knowledge - of her grandmother. Through this she is led through the adventure of their love story, whilst both battling her grief for her grandmother but also the pieces she lost of herself in adulthood; passions, hopes, dreams, faith in yourself, a direction in life.
✧“Maybe it doesn’t have to be my best to still be enough.”✧
As an adult that has grieved many hopes and aspirations that hasn't gone to plan, this one hit really close to home. I could feel Noelle's pain and fear of moving on, daring to dream again but being able to find her happiness through it. Personally, this was my favourite love story out of the four. Noelle growing in self-acceptance and self love, starting to believe in herself, being motivated and finding joy in her craft, with a strong support system around her.
It was completely heartwarming and inspiring to see.
✧“People rarely get it on the first try, Noelle. There’s nothing wrong with that. It doesn’t make you less of a success story in the end.”✧
The romance between Noelle and Theo might be second to Noelle's own journey in my opinion. But seeing their love grow page per page - through simple acts of kindness, heated moments, teasing, showing care and trust - was a definite highlight. It's easy to tell that Jessica spent time developing their dynamic and focused on truly building a connection, adding tension and depth making the end result feeling incredibly real and sincere.
'Enemies to lovers' might not be fully accurate to describe their dynamic, more so 'old high school rivals to lovers ten years down the line'. It was an aspect I did enjoy, a part of me wished they would've played it up even more, but that might just be me being partial to banter and classic rivals to lovers dynamics hehe. I guess we'll never know, their love story still feels complete without it.🧡
✧“You were never my nemesis. You were my… My motivation.”✧
____________
⌞Pre-read:⌝
Everywhere I look people seem to be loving this, I hope I do too🥹
April 21, 2024
I have officially found my new favorite book and summer romance all rolled into one with Jessica Joyce’s heartwarming debut novel. You, with a View, is hands down one of the best romances of 2023. With magnificent tension and a profound emotional journey, Joyce has established herself as a stellar new voice in romance.
Read my full review over on my blog!
thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for providing this review copy
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Read my full review over on my blog!
thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for providing this review copy
Follow me on Instagram
December 4, 2023
I legit have no coherent thoughts?? It’s not even a book; it’s a ✨feeling✨ at this point.
The closest thing I can describe it to is 1989 because I don’t have just one favorite song on the album; it’s just cohesive perfection all together, ya know?? Like I can’t pinpoint any one part of the book that made it great…it’s just all great. The story was compelling, the chemistry left me breathless, and the whole thing was insanely easy to read. The fact that it’s a debut is actually terrifying.
I had to keep telling myself NO Hannah you WON’T be crying in the kitchen! The kitchen is for dancing in the refrigerator light!! not weeping into a bowl of grapes!! (I fought them back jsyk 💪💪💪)
It didn’t make me as fundamentally sad as Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, but they felt similar-ish. If you’re in your emotional road trip era, they both hit the mark! I also said it in my Mrs. Nash’s Ashes review, but again, the Letters to Juliet vibes were immaculate here as well. The plot setup isn’t even my favorite because I really don’t like people being dead as a major plot point, but the way the story was told was just so good. Again, nothing singularly has me obsessed with the book…it’s just everything…how the story was told, the characters, the vibes…obsessed.
The only thing I was missed was that one thing to make me absolutely go feral, to ride or die for. I think I wanted a bit more of the history between Theo and Noelle. There was definite evidence of pining, but I wanted it taken up a notch, like I wanted to HURT from the pining. Theo was a mansion with a view OBVIOUSLY, but he was down from the beginning so there was just a small lack of tension? I’d call the romance relatively low-angst, which is definitely my jam…because I thrive in the softness of the low angst. I guess as of right now, I can’t pinpoint a super soft moment here that made me lose my mind. (I definitely could on my meet listen so stay tuned because I’m a reread gremlin.)
Overall, if you want a really good story, You, With a View needs to be on your summer TBR. It’s part travel blog, part childhood rivals to lovers, and many parts road-trip shenanigans. As for the audiobook, I really liked the narrator! She’s not my favorite, but she did a solid job. I think she sounds a bit more suited to YA, but that’s being super picky. I definitely don’t think you’ll regret grabbing a copy via audio if that’s your thing!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️.5*/5
*The vibes were super hot and the language was a mix of explicit and flowery. They got to the edge of some cliffs and just to the ✨edge✨ many many times. (And I edged this book for months so I know a thing or two about edging if I do say so myself 😌)
**Tiny Spoilers**
And as much as loved it, I think I’ll love it more on the reread since I was slightly worried gramps would kick the bucket at the end or in the epilogue because no kid who grew up watching Disney movies feels secure in the alive/unalive ratio of good, loving adults in media lol. But he survived!! I loved that man, so thank god. The parts about her grandmother were definitely EMOTIONAL and I think if I was going through something similar, it might be a bit too hard to read. But ugh so beautiful!! Just take care.
**
Thanks to PRHaudio for an ALC and to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest my own.
The closest thing I can describe it to is 1989 because I don’t have just one favorite song on the album; it’s just cohesive perfection all together, ya know?? Like I can’t pinpoint any one part of the book that made it great…it’s just all great. The story was compelling, the chemistry left me breathless, and the whole thing was insanely easy to read. The fact that it’s a debut is actually terrifying.
I had to keep telling myself NO Hannah you WON’T be crying in the kitchen! The kitchen is for dancing in the refrigerator light!! not weeping into a bowl of grapes!! (I fought them back jsyk 💪💪💪)
It didn’t make me as fundamentally sad as Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, but they felt similar-ish. If you’re in your emotional road trip era, they both hit the mark! I also said it in my Mrs. Nash’s Ashes review, but again, the Letters to Juliet vibes were immaculate here as well. The plot setup isn’t even my favorite because I really don’t like people being dead as a major plot point, but the way the story was told was just so good. Again, nothing singularly has me obsessed with the book…it’s just everything…how the story was told, the characters, the vibes…obsessed.
The only thing I was missed was that one thing to make me absolutely go feral, to ride or die for. I think I wanted a bit more of the history between Theo and Noelle. There was definite evidence of pining, but I wanted it taken up a notch, like I wanted to HURT from the pining. Theo was a mansion with a view OBVIOUSLY, but he was down from the beginning so there was just a small lack of tension? I’d call the romance relatively low-angst, which is definitely my jam…because I thrive in the softness of the low angst. I guess as of right now, I can’t pinpoint a super soft moment here that made me lose my mind. (I definitely could on my meet listen so stay tuned because I’m a reread gremlin.)
Overall, if you want a really good story, You, With a View needs to be on your summer TBR. It’s part travel blog, part childhood rivals to lovers, and many parts road-trip shenanigans. As for the audiobook, I really liked the narrator! She’s not my favorite, but she did a solid job. I think she sounds a bit more suited to YA, but that’s being super picky. I definitely don’t think you’ll regret grabbing a copy via audio if that’s your thing!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️.5*/5
*The vibes were super hot and the language was a mix of explicit and flowery. They got to the edge of some cliffs and just to the ✨edge✨ many many times. (And I edged this book for months so I know a thing or two about edging if I do say so myself 😌)
**Tiny Spoilers**
And as much as loved it, I think I’ll love it more on the reread since I was slightly worried gramps would kick the bucket at the end or in the epilogue because no kid who grew up watching Disney movies feels secure in the alive/unalive ratio of good, loving adults in media lol. But he survived!! I loved that man, so thank god. The parts about her grandmother were definitely EMOTIONAL and I think if I was going through something similar, it might be a bit too hard to read. But ugh so beautiful!! Just take care.
**
Thanks to PRHaudio for an ALC and to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest my own.
July 6, 2023
Happy publishing day to this wonderful little book! 💛💛
A hot, emotional and yet joyful rivals to lovers romance
What would you do, if you found a love letter and photos in your beloved and recently deceased grandmother's things, which wasn't from your grandfather?
Noelle decides to track the man down, and go on an epic road trip with him and his grandson. What will happen on the way?
First of all, I can't wait for you all to read this!!!! I obsessively flew through the pages of this book, sometimes waay to late at night! Add it to your tbr immediately if you like road trips, travelling, photography, all the tropes, angsty and moving times, yet heartfelt love, connections, sizzling chemistry and banter too!
I cannot believe this was Jessica Joyce's debut novel! The writing felt so good, so familiar, and I just couldn't put it down. This isn't out until July, but I already need her next one, after reading a preview at the end of this one😭😂
You, with a View was essentially a romance, with sexy tension and longing (plus a few open door scenes). But it was also about grief and healing, family, found family and making mistakes in your twenties. It was both wholesome and heartwarming. Gosh I adored the grandparents in this, which made me miss my grandpa, who has been gone for over 20 years (hug yours if you still have them!) Matchmaking Paul was a favourite 😍 This book is also a big f**k you to those negative bosses/mentors who get inside your head and make you feel worthless for years. Down with them! I know I had one. Also down with family, if they make you feel like you're never enough!
This book broke my heart and made me well up, but it also made me smile, and left my heart full, soaring like a bird! It was emotional, but also Noelle and Theo 💗The way they fell in love. The way they supported each other. They way they were brave. Their secrets, and their truths. Oh and I love it when love interests call each other by their surnames ha ha!
I will definitely be reading this again in the summer! 📷📷📷📷📷
Many thanks to NetGalley UK and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A hot, emotional and yet joyful rivals to lovers romance
What would you do, if you found a love letter and photos in your beloved and recently deceased grandmother's things, which wasn't from your grandfather?
Noelle decides to track the man down, and go on an epic road trip with him and his grandson. What will happen on the way?
First of all, I can't wait for you all to read this!!!! I obsessively flew through the pages of this book, sometimes waay to late at night! Add it to your tbr immediately if you like road trips, travelling, photography, all the tropes, angsty and moving times, yet heartfelt love, connections, sizzling chemistry and banter too!
I cannot believe this was Jessica Joyce's debut novel! The writing felt so good, so familiar, and I just couldn't put it down. This isn't out until July, but I already need her next one, after reading a preview at the end of this one😭😂
You, with a View was essentially a romance, with sexy tension and longing (plus a few open door scenes). But it was also about grief and healing, family, found family and making mistakes in your twenties. It was both wholesome and heartwarming. Gosh I adored the grandparents in this, which made me miss my grandpa, who has been gone for over 20 years (hug yours if you still have them!) Matchmaking Paul was a favourite 😍 This book is also a big f**k you to those negative bosses/mentors who get inside your head and make you feel worthless for years. Down with them! I know I had one. Also down with family, if they make you feel like you're never enough!
This book broke my heart and made me well up, but it also made me smile, and left my heart full, soaring like a bird! It was emotional, but also Noelle and Theo 💗The way they fell in love. The way they supported each other. They way they were brave. Their secrets, and their truths. Oh and I love it when love interests call each other by their surnames ha ha!
I will definitely be reading this again in the summer! 📷📷📷📷📷
Many thanks to NetGalley UK and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 7, 2024
4.5 out of 5 stars!
I have to read this book again in the near future!
_______________________________
As always, it was an impulse decision from me to pick up this book right at this moment. 😅
I finally have the paperback of this book, which means I can read it very soon. I've been excited for this book since last summer.
I have to read this book again in the near future!
_______________________________
As always, it was an impulse decision from me to pick up this book right at this moment. 😅
I finally have the paperback of this book, which means I can read it very soon. I've been excited for this book since last summer.
June 30, 2024
Reading this book feels like solo driving on a deserted road with the windows down, while the sun shines and the wind tousles your hair as your favorite album blasts from the stereo.
WHO GAVE THIS BOOK THE RIGHT TO BE SO GOOD AND SO HOT
WHO GAVE THIS BOOK THE RIGHT TO BE SO GOOD AND SO HOT
July 3, 2024
Up until page 100 I thought this would be a solid 4✨. But then the pacing issues, repetitive sentences and a few other things got to me all at once 😅
Main problem for me ; the 28yo FMC kept lying about things she didn’t need to be lying about. It’s okay to say you lost your job? It’s a normal thing a lot of adults deal with. 2 years ago the clinic I worked for declared bankruptcy and I didn’t go around lying about it while I was looking for other opportunities. I just didn’t get why she felt the need to lie about that
The romance between Noelle & Teddy was very surface levelled. I wish it’d had more depth. But that could be on me - I love romances with deep emotional connection.
And then I was hit by the third act breakup and I was done 😅
Main problem for me ; the 28yo FMC kept lying about things she didn’t need to be lying about. It’s okay to say you lost your job? It’s a normal thing a lot of adults deal with. 2 years ago the clinic I worked for declared bankruptcy and I didn’t go around lying about it while I was looking for other opportunities. I just didn’t get why she felt the need to lie about that
The romance between Noelle & Teddy was very surface levelled. I wish it’d had more depth. But that could be on me - I love romances with deep emotional connection.
And then I was hit by the third act breakup and I was done 😅
July 24, 2024
3.5⭐️ this was cute!
Read
January 20, 2023Hello! Now that this book is making its way into the world, I wanted to take a moment to list out the content considerations so that you can take care of yourself either before or as you read You, with a View:
- Death of MC's grandmother, which is off page in the past, of natural causes in her 80s. No terminal illness involved.
- Grief is experienced, discussed, and described by the MC throughout the text.
- There are brief discussions of a strained parent/child relationship between the LI and his father. There is plenty of healthy family dynamic representation with the MC's family.
- Given the overall themes of the book, I feel it's also important to mention that everyone's parents are alive and well in the book and remain so. This is true for everyone in the book.
- Open door sex scenes.
I know how easy it is for grief to surprise you, even when you think you have your arms around it. It's not a linear experience, and while I wanted to write a book that prominently featured a healing journey, there are certainly moments where grief walks alongside the MC.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoy!
Jessica
- Death of MC's grandmother, which is off page in the past, of natural causes in her 80s. No terminal illness involved.
- Grief is experienced, discussed, and described by the MC throughout the text.
- There are brief discussions of a strained parent/child relationship between the LI and his father. There is plenty of healthy family dynamic representation with the MC's family.
- Given the overall themes of the book, I feel it's also important to mention that everyone's parents are alive and well in the book and remain so. This is true for everyone in the book.
- Open door sex scenes.
I know how easy it is for grief to surprise you, even when you think you have your arms around it. It's not a linear experience, and while I wanted to write a book that prominently featured a healing journey, there are certainly moments where grief walks alongside the MC.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoy!
Jessica
September 19, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up
”Tell me a secret, I hear Gram whisper to me, and my heart stretches in memory. I blink up at the sky, wondering where she is. Someone’s going to tell me one of yours.”
Gorgeous cover? ✔️
Swoon worthy rivals-to-lovers romance? ✔️
A moving story about grief? ✔️
These are three of my most important checklist items in romance novels, and You, with a View excelled in all areas. We all know that the cover is initially why I requested this book, but I found that the banter and steam were completely my taste once I dove in. I love books that feature a road trip, and the angsty enemies-to-lovers vibes between Theo and Noelle, alongside the modern use of technology to further their story, felt so contemporary, but not in a trying too hard sort of way. Also? Paul is the grandpa I never had, and he was an absolutely gem that furthered the story in a comforting way.
The reason why this book resonated so heavily with me though is that I had my very own Gram, except her title was Maw Maw. She was my biggest cheerleader, the person I could talk about anything and everything with, and the day she died left a hole in my heart that no one else on this earth will ever be able to fill. I could 100% relate to Noelle’s grief journey and the wide range of emotions she felt while untangling Kat and Paul’s love story. Is saying that this book hurt so good a thing? Because it did, and it does. And it will continue to do so.
I’m very impressed by this debut, and I cannot wait to read Jessica Joyce’s next release!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
”Tell me a secret, I hear Gram whisper to me, and my heart stretches in memory. I blink up at the sky, wondering where she is. Someone’s going to tell me one of yours.”
Gorgeous cover? ✔️
Swoon worthy rivals-to-lovers romance? ✔️
A moving story about grief? ✔️
These are three of my most important checklist items in romance novels, and You, with a View excelled in all areas. We all know that the cover is initially why I requested this book, but I found that the banter and steam were completely my taste once I dove in. I love books that feature a road trip, and the angsty enemies-to-lovers vibes between Theo and Noelle, alongside the modern use of technology to further their story, felt so contemporary, but not in a trying too hard sort of way. Also? Paul is the grandpa I never had, and he was an absolutely gem that furthered the story in a comforting way.
The reason why this book resonated so heavily with me though is that I had my very own Gram, except her title was Maw Maw. She was my biggest cheerleader, the person I could talk about anything and everything with, and the day she died left a hole in my heart that no one else on this earth will ever be able to fill. I could 100% relate to Noelle’s grief journey and the wide range of emotions she felt while untangling Kat and Paul’s love story. Is saying that this book hurt so good a thing? Because it did, and it does. And it will continue to do so.
I’m very impressed by this debut, and I cannot wait to read Jessica Joyce’s next release!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
September 29, 2024
I don't know what was put in this book, but I loved it.
I cried and I laughed and I felt everything in between.
'Letters to Juliet' vibes.
I love it when you have prominent older characters, they add so much.
I related so hard my heart didn't understand what happened.
THIS LINE - "Maybe it doesn't have to be my best to be enough" 💔
lexie's Review is spot on
I cried and I laughed and I felt everything in between.
'Letters to Juliet' vibes.
I love it when you have prominent older characters, they add so much.
I related so hard my heart didn't understand what happened.
THIS LINE - "Maybe it doesn't have to be my best to be enough" 💔
lexie's Review is spot on
February 14, 2024
writing: giving me Emily Henry | plot: cute concept | ending: awww
my opinion
I came for the cover, but I stayed for the cute and cozy story. Okay, and to be fair, I came because I love books that include viral social media moments... yes that's strangely niche but I am who I am (an idiot). Anyways. I knew this was a second-chance-ish romance between two HS enemies who really just had a bunch of built of sexual tension, which isn't my fave relationship set up but this was honestly the best execution I've read. Instead of clinging to *~feelings~* from when your brain was the equivalent of silly putty, they fell for each other as is with all their current baggage.
As I said above, the writing was very Emily Henry. Good variety sentence structure wise. A nice balance of jokey jokes and serious, all the feels moments. Also some granola crunchy quirkiness tossed in there. WARNING: fair amount of Millennial humour/references. And yes, TikTok is mentioned "a lot" (wasn't noticeable to me) because the whole shebang kicks off due to a viral TikTok, and her account directly plays into her career arc.
Another heads up: Noelle misses her grandma A LOT. I know not everyone is hunky-dory with their family, so it might be difficult for some to get on board with the intensity of her grief and the directions it takes her. If close families give you the ick, this probably isn't for you unless you can put your personal biases aside.
All in all, I found this harmless. I don't think it's the type of book you can get riled up over either way. And while Noelle is kinda going through it, I found this relatively low-angst. I didn't want to throat punch Theo, either, which is always a win. When he said Noelle there are no conditions to his feelings... meeee heartttttttt!!!!!
pros & cons
pros: solid writing that flows well, harmless characters, cozy, feel-good vibes, funny at times, despite the length it felt like a quick read
cons: a bit insta-lovey I guess and idc how much I like you, would've liked more details about the stops during the road trip, I ain't banging in the living room with your grandpa down the hall
____
Check out my YouTube and my TikTok
my opinion
I came for the cover, but I stayed for the cute and cozy story. Okay, and to be fair, I came because I love books that include viral social media moments... yes that's strangely niche but I am who I am (an idiot). Anyways. I knew this was a second-chance-ish romance between two HS enemies who really just had a bunch of built of sexual tension, which isn't my fave relationship set up but this was honestly the best execution I've read. Instead of clinging to *~feelings~* from when your brain was the equivalent of silly putty, they fell for each other as is with all their current baggage.
As I said above, the writing was very Emily Henry. Good variety sentence structure wise. A nice balance of jokey jokes and serious, all the feels moments. Also some granola crunchy quirkiness tossed in there. WARNING: fair amount of Millennial humour/references. And yes, TikTok is mentioned "a lot" (wasn't noticeable to me) because the whole shebang kicks off due to a viral TikTok, and her account directly plays into her career arc.
Another heads up: Noelle misses her grandma A LOT. I know not everyone is hunky-dory with their family, so it might be difficult for some to get on board with the intensity of her grief and the directions it takes her. If close families give you the ick, this probably isn't for you unless you can put your personal biases aside.
All in all, I found this harmless. I don't think it's the type of book you can get riled up over either way. And while Noelle is kinda going through it, I found this relatively low-angst. I didn't want to throat punch Theo, either, which is always a win. When he said Noelle there are no conditions to his feelings... meeee heartttttttt!!!!!
pros & cons
pros: solid writing that flows well, harmless characters, cozy, feel-good vibes, funny at times, despite the length it felt like a quick read
cons: a bit insta-lovey I guess and idc how much I like you, would've liked more details about the stops during the road trip, I ain't banging in the living room with your grandpa down the hall
____
Check out my YouTube and my TikTok
May 18, 2024
❤️ I read this for cerebrating Valentine's Day, Yayyyy! :D
So cute!! I'm not much read 'Road Trip Romance' too often and damn the cover is so pretty!! *geeeeeze!!*
💌 Noelle is curious about her (passed away) grandmom's love letters so she post on TikTok to find the guy of her grandmom's love and geeeez it appears that he is granddad of her high school enemy Hottie Theo Spencer!! 🤭
❤️ Seriously, it's not about their grandparent's love stories that make this book romantic (for me) but you know.. what can I say? if there is no heartbreak, there will not be destined romance in the next genaration. It's like a heaven's plan! lol
💌 Multigenerational Romance and that how it made the main couple's romance romantic for me.*hee hee* It's a HEAVEN'S WILL! and I'm not sorry for that. For god's sake!! 😂
So cute!! I'm not much read 'Road Trip Romance' too often and damn the cover is so pretty!! *geeeeeze!!*
💌 Noelle is curious about her (passed away) grandmom's love letters so she post on TikTok to find the guy of her grandmom's love and geeeez it appears that he is granddad of her high school enemy Hottie Theo Spencer!! 🤭
❤️ Seriously, it's not about their grandparent's love stories that make this book romantic (for me) but you know.. what can I say? if there is no heartbreak, there will not be destined romance in the next genaration. It's like a heaven's plan! lol
💌 Multigenerational Romance and that how it made the main couple's romance romantic for me.*hee hee* It's a HEAVEN'S WILL! and I'm not sorry for that. For god's sake!! 😂
October 11, 2024
Theo sets the picture on the table with all the others. A stranger could look at these and know how we feel. It was right there, growing between us every second, when we acknowledged it and even when we couldn't.
"Noelle."
He says my name so quietly, it's barely a sound. The same emotion that's welling in my chest is threaded through his voice when he gestures to the photos and says, "This is the way I fell in love with you."
4.5 stars
Oh this was really lovely. This was a great rivals to lovers but of course he just admired her the whole time even back in the day. I think their relationship developed really well over the course of the book and it seemed to really take its time, which I personally appreciated. Lover of slow burn here! Though this really wasn't slow burn, at least not physically ❤️🔥🥵
The third act breakup was definitely upsetting, but I think Noelle had a lot of great lines in that scene that a lot of partners can really empathize with and also feel validated. Theo was being a bit of a dick there, but as the reader we still didn't quite understand his personal upbringing and his relationship with his family, shitty as it was.
BUT THAT ENDING. Ermahgerd. Super emotional and just so great. Really loved my first read by Jessica Joyce ❤️
"Noelle."
He says my name so quietly, it's barely a sound. The same emotion that's welling in my chest is threaded through his voice when he gestures to the photos and says, "This is the way I fell in love with you."
4.5 stars
Oh this was really lovely. This was a great rivals to lovers but of course he just admired her the whole time even back in the day. I think their relationship developed really well over the course of the book and it seemed to really take its time, which I personally appreciated. Lover of slow burn here! Though this really wasn't slow burn, at least not physically ❤️🔥🥵
The third act breakup was definitely upsetting, but I think Noelle had a lot of great lines in that scene that a lot of partners can really empathize with and also feel validated. Theo was being a bit of a dick there, but as the reader we still didn't quite understand his personal upbringing and his relationship with his family, shitty as it was.
BUT THAT ENDING. Ermahgerd. Super emotional and just so great. Really loved my first read by Jessica Joyce ❤️
October 12, 2023
– 2.75 stars
cute book with a beautiful cover, but all the tiktok references and videos (which were quite a lot) made me cringe so much
cute book with a beautiful cover, but all the tiktok references and videos (which were quite a lot) made me cringe so much
October 8, 2023
I’ve always been a sucker for frenemies to lovers trope. You, with a View, is just that.
Noelle Shepard is grieving the loss of her grandmother. She feels lost. She is back living with her parents after being let go of a job she didn’t enjoy five months ago. Then she discovers love letters written by her grandmother to a man who was not her grandfather. Noelle thought her grandmother told her everything during their Tell Me A Secret sessions but she never shared this one.
Noelle decides to do a TikTok video with all the info she has available trying to find out the identity of the man her grandma loved. The next morning, to her shock someone answered "That’s my grandfather".
When she meets Paul (the man her grandmother loved) she also sees her high school classmate, Theo Spencer. It turns out that Paul is Theo's grandfather. In high school, Noelle and Theo used to compete constantly for first place. They tried to surpass each other every chance they got. Now, Theo is a very successful businessman and she has nothing to show for all the time they have not seen each other. She feels like a failure.
When Noelle learns that her grandmother had planned to marry Paul and they already had their honeymoon sketched, she decides she should do the trip her grandmother never got a chance to do. Paul asks to join her and Theo won't let Paul go alone so of course he decides to come too.
You, With A View, was so freaking cute. Great debut romance with likable characters all around. The MC connection felt real. They had a past together so it was easy to believe they were falling for each other in the present. Paul was so adorable. Such a great grandfather and constant supporter of Theo.
Cliffhanger: No
4.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Noelle Shepard is grieving the loss of her grandmother. She feels lost. She is back living with her parents after being let go of a job she didn’t enjoy five months ago. Then she discovers love letters written by her grandmother to a man who was not her grandfather. Noelle thought her grandmother told her everything during their Tell Me A Secret sessions but she never shared this one.
Noelle decides to do a TikTok video with all the info she has available trying to find out the identity of the man her grandma loved. The next morning, to her shock someone answered "That’s my grandfather".
When she meets Paul (the man her grandmother loved) she also sees her high school classmate, Theo Spencer. It turns out that Paul is Theo's grandfather. In high school, Noelle and Theo used to compete constantly for first place. They tried to surpass each other every chance they got. Now, Theo is a very successful businessman and she has nothing to show for all the time they have not seen each other. She feels like a failure.
When Noelle learns that her grandmother had planned to marry Paul and they already had their honeymoon sketched, she decides she should do the trip her grandmother never got a chance to do. Paul asks to join her and Theo won't let Paul go alone so of course he decides to come too.
You, With A View, was so freaking cute. Great debut romance with likable characters all around. The MC connection felt real. They had a past together so it was easy to believe they were falling for each other in the present. Paul was so adorable. Such a great grandfather and constant supporter of Theo.
Cliffhanger: No
4.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
July 10, 2023
Not exactly a groundbreaking thing to say, but a romance lives and dies by its romance. I have to buy the romantic relationship to like the book, and in the case of You, With a View, I just didn't.
The more I read this book, the more I struggled to understand what its romance was based on in the first place. It feels like almost the entire basis of Noelle and Theo's relationship is the fact that they knew each other in high school--which was TEN years ago. They bicker for a bit in the beginning of the book, then they have like 2 nice semi-honest conversations with each other, and then suddenly Noelle is like "I'm scared about what could happen between us!!! Theo has flipped my world upside down!!!" And reader, I was confused, because there was so little development of Noelle and Theo's dynamic in the present timeline. This fact that they knew each other in high school does so much heavy-lifting for the romance's development, and yet we're never actually shown anything from that time, beyond the characters occasionally referencing it. Also, the characters are 28 years old at this point; how is their rivalry from high school somehow reason enough to justify their romance ten whole years later?? And, like, it was very strange to me that they just fell right into the dynamic they had in high school. Not to beat a dead horse or anything, but it's been TEN years. Nothing has changed in that time?? Really?? You're just going to continue to bicker like your 18-year-old selves despite the fact that you're now grown adults?? ok.
And this is sort of implied in what I've already said, but the pacing here was completely off. The characters are immediately attracted to each other, and then they like each other so quickly, and then they get together, and by then we're like a little more than halfway through the book. From then on (until the third-act conflict), they're just...hanging out and enjoying each other's company--which just does not make for very exciting reading. It sucked all of the momentum out of the story. The best part of a romance for me is always the buildup; when the characters get together so early on, it deflates all the tension of that buildup, and then there's nothing to really pull the narrative forward.
(Also, a little thing that annoyed me: why is Theo always smirking?? All this man does is smirk or give a wry smile or a sardonic look. It was one of those things where, once I noticed it, I couldn't stop seeing it everywhere in the book.)
The more I read this book, the more I struggled to understand what its romance was based on in the first place. It feels like almost the entire basis of Noelle and Theo's relationship is the fact that they knew each other in high school--which was TEN years ago. They bicker for a bit in the beginning of the book, then they have like 2 nice semi-honest conversations with each other, and then suddenly Noelle is like "I'm scared about what could happen between us!!! Theo has flipped my world upside down!!!" And reader, I was confused, because there was so little development of Noelle and Theo's dynamic in the present timeline. This fact that they knew each other in high school does so much heavy-lifting for the romance's development, and yet we're never actually shown anything from that time, beyond the characters occasionally referencing it. Also, the characters are 28 years old at this point; how is their rivalry from high school somehow reason enough to justify their romance ten whole years later?? And, like, it was very strange to me that they just fell right into the dynamic they had in high school. Not to beat a dead horse or anything, but it's been TEN years. Nothing has changed in that time?? Really?? You're just going to continue to bicker like your 18-year-old selves despite the fact that you're now grown adults?? ok.
And this is sort of implied in what I've already said, but the pacing here was completely off. The characters are immediately attracted to each other, and then they like each other so quickly, and then they get together, and by then we're like a little more than halfway through the book. From then on (until the third-act conflict), they're just...hanging out and enjoying each other's company--which just does not make for very exciting reading. It sucked all of the momentum out of the story. The best part of a romance for me is always the buildup; when the characters get together so early on, it deflates all the tension of that buildup, and then there's nothing to really pull the narrative forward.
(Also, a little thing that annoyed me: why is Theo always smirking?? All this man does is smirk or give a wry smile or a sardonic look. It was one of those things where, once I noticed it, I couldn't stop seeing it everywhere in the book.)
Shelved as 'dnf'
August 11, 2024dnf @42%
(i've decided to be petty and come back to edit my review of this one)
yeah... this didn't work for me. there's a secondary plot happening here and i was way more interested in that than in the main couple/plot.
now, i was expecting to love (or at least like) noelle and theo's story, and even though their banter was great at first and their history as academic rivals in high school added them some points, everything got so weird once they started developing feelings for each other. it started as lust and then move on to love, and i was so uncomfortable through it all. they had no chemistry at all, to the point that during this one moment where they almost kissed i was begging them not to (and i'm being so serious about this, you should've seen my face while reading that scene 😭). i tried to push through that to see if it got better but turns out i couldn't care less about these characters.
i might be the problem though, since almost everyone who reads this book seems to love it, so take my opinion the way you want, but it's a no for me.
(
yeah... this didn't work for me. there's a secondary plot happening here and i was way more interested in that than in the main couple/plot.
now, i was expecting to love (or at least like) noelle and theo's story, and even though their banter was great at first and their history as academic rivals in high school added them some points, everything got so weird once they started developing feelings for each other. it started as lust and then move on to love, and i was so uncomfortable through it all. they had no chemistry at all, to the point that during this one moment where they almost kissed i was begging them not to (and i'm being so serious about this, you should've seen my face while reading that scene 😭). i tried to push through that to see if it got better but turns out i couldn't care less about these characters.
i might be the problem though, since almost everyone who reads this book seems to love it, so take my opinion the way you want, but it's a no for me.
November 10, 2023
4.25 stars
You, with a View was such a fun read! It was sweet, charming, and I’m so surprised it was a debut novel!
I love a good enemies to lovers story, though in this one it’s more high school rivals to lovers. After Noelle loses her grandma, the closest person to her, she finds some of her things that indicates she had a romance before her grandpa that she never told Noelle about. Noelle and Gram were each others keepers of secrets so she’s in shock and needs to find out more.
So she makes a TikTok. And it goes viral. The photo she has of Gram’s college sweetheart. And there is one comment… ‘that’s my grandpa’ that changes everything. It has her on a new adventure learning things about her grandma she didn’t know, getting to know Paul (Gram’s guy) and getting to re-know Theo, the high school rival (and grandson). Most importantly, she takes some risks and gets to know herself again.
This book was beautiful and had me in happy tears. I happened to read it on the ten year anniversary of my Grandma’s (who also happened to be my ‘person’) death, coincidentally enough. It made me remember our special relationship and happy memories. This one truly gave me all the feels, the writing was great, and overall I enjoyed it so much! I can’t wait to read more by this author in the future.
You, with a View was such a fun read! It was sweet, charming, and I’m so surprised it was a debut novel!
I love a good enemies to lovers story, though in this one it’s more high school rivals to lovers. After Noelle loses her grandma, the closest person to her, she finds some of her things that indicates she had a romance before her grandpa that she never told Noelle about. Noelle and Gram were each others keepers of secrets so she’s in shock and needs to find out more.
So she makes a TikTok. And it goes viral. The photo she has of Gram’s college sweetheart. And there is one comment… ‘that’s my grandpa’ that changes everything. It has her on a new adventure learning things about her grandma she didn’t know, getting to know Paul (Gram’s guy) and getting to re-know Theo, the high school rival (and grandson). Most importantly, she takes some risks and gets to know herself again.
This book was beautiful and had me in happy tears. I happened to read it on the ten year anniversary of my Grandma’s (who also happened to be my ‘person’) death, coincidentally enough. It made me remember our special relationship and happy memories. This one truly gave me all the feels, the writing was great, and overall I enjoyed it so much! I can’t wait to read more by this author in the future.
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 4.25 stars
Narrators: Kyla Garcia
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 10h 55m
July 31, 2023
5⭐️ all day fucking long.
Wow it’s been a long 3 months but then YWAV comes along reminding me EXACTLY what a 5⭐️ read should look like.
Introducing the fourth book to ever give ✨the feeling✨🤣🤣🤣
It’s when I KNEW from the first line this was gunna be a 5⭐️ read. I got my ✨feeling✨, it never lets me down, and I knew as soon as I read ‘I wake up to 2 million views’ that this book was gunna be special. I can’t explain it, but when you know 🤣
This is fresh out of the mf oven 🔥 I kid you not. And a fucking DEBUT. A debut 😶🌫️ Jessica Joyce made this look like light work.
Because I have a new auto buy author. That’s how serious I am 🥹 This woman could write books in morse code and I’d read it. Not so long ago I was banging on about how there’s an author out there, writing a banger, writing FOR ME and I have no idea she exists. I was considering scary methods to find her and HERE WE ARE SO I STG I MANIFESTED THIS 🤣🤣🤣
The way that she writes slots into my head like Tetris, every sentence flows, the characters are undeniably fleshed out, with the story being the icing on the cake ❤️
THIS is how you do low stakes people 👏🏻 Because yes objectively on the surface, the tension and stakes are low, but INTERNALLY to the characters Noelle and Theo it was EVERYTHING. Characters being the most important element to any story and I understood, no I FELT, how the circumstances impacted them and why it was so paramount 🥹 as I reader, I journeyed with them, I went through every emotion with them, I watched them change as a result of what was happening and christ, I could eat this shit on toast every day 🫠🫠🫠🫠
This book made me realise my kryptonite: characters finding their place in the world. Coming into themselves. Finding their purpose. UGH I will gladly snort this on the reg.
The conflict was resolved maturely and rationally. I LOVED the relationship between Noelle and Paul 🥹
Honestly everything about it was exceptional. The characters, the plot, the writing, the dialogue, I wouldn’t change a thing 🥰 THE EPILOGUE 😭🥹 jesus h christ.
This is easily one of the best romance books I’ve ever read. Hands down no questions asked.
JESSICA JOYCE IS ONE TO WATCH 👀
Wow it’s been a long 3 months but then YWAV comes along reminding me EXACTLY what a 5⭐️ read should look like.
Introducing the fourth book to ever give ✨the feeling✨🤣🤣🤣
It’s when I KNEW from the first line this was gunna be a 5⭐️ read. I got my ✨feeling✨, it never lets me down, and I knew as soon as I read ‘I wake up to 2 million views’ that this book was gunna be special. I can’t explain it, but when you know 🤣
This is fresh out of the mf oven 🔥 I kid you not. And a fucking DEBUT. A debut 😶🌫️ Jessica Joyce made this look like light work.
Because I have a new auto buy author. That’s how serious I am 🥹 This woman could write books in morse code and I’d read it. Not so long ago I was banging on about how there’s an author out there, writing a banger, writing FOR ME and I have no idea she exists. I was considering scary methods to find her and HERE WE ARE SO I STG I MANIFESTED THIS 🤣🤣🤣
The way that she writes slots into my head like Tetris, every sentence flows, the characters are undeniably fleshed out, with the story being the icing on the cake ❤️
THIS is how you do low stakes people 👏🏻 Because yes objectively on the surface, the tension and stakes are low, but INTERNALLY to the characters Noelle and Theo it was EVERYTHING. Characters being the most important element to any story and I understood, no I FELT, how the circumstances impacted them and why it was so paramount 🥹 as I reader, I journeyed with them, I went through every emotion with them, I watched them change as a result of what was happening and christ, I could eat this shit on toast every day 🫠🫠🫠🫠
This book made me realise my kryptonite: characters finding their place in the world. Coming into themselves. Finding their purpose. UGH I will gladly snort this on the reg.
The conflict was resolved maturely and rationally. I LOVED the relationship between Noelle and Paul 🥹
Honestly everything about it was exceptional. The characters, the plot, the writing, the dialogue, I wouldn’t change a thing 🥰 THE EPILOGUE 😭🥹 jesus h christ.
This is easily one of the best romance books I’ve ever read. Hands down no questions asked.
JESSICA JOYCE IS ONE TO WATCH 👀
January 8, 2024
2 stars
Noelle is grieving the loss of her grandmother when she discovers letters and photos revealing her grandmother had another love before her grandfather. After posting the pictures on tik tok, the story goes viral and leads Noelle to a sweet older man named Paul. When the two of them decide to go on a trip he intended to take with her grandmother, Noelle is ecstatic to go. The downside? Paul's grandson Theo, Noelle's high school nemesis.
I think what stuck out most for me with this book was it was supposed to be about Noelle grieving the loss of her grandmother, but we never really saw that. She supposedly had this amazing relationship with her grandma, but it was never really discussed. It felt like a really good example of telling and not showing. Most of the book seemed to be more focused on Theo and Noelle's competition and seems to glaze over some much needed backstory.
I really wanted to like this book, great cover, semi-interesting plot, enemies to lovers trope. But, it was really easy to put down. I thought the story was boring and found myself wanting to listen to music on my commute instead of my audiobook, which is never a good sign. I just wish the inside of this book had been as interesting as the cover.
Noelle is grieving the loss of her grandmother when she discovers letters and photos revealing her grandmother had another love before her grandfather. After posting the pictures on tik tok, the story goes viral and leads Noelle to a sweet older man named Paul. When the two of them decide to go on a trip he intended to take with her grandmother, Noelle is ecstatic to go. The downside? Paul's grandson Theo, Noelle's high school nemesis.
I think what stuck out most for me with this book was it was supposed to be about Noelle grieving the loss of her grandmother, but we never really saw that. She supposedly had this amazing relationship with her grandma, but it was never really discussed. It felt like a really good example of telling and not showing. Most of the book seemed to be more focused on Theo and Noelle's competition and seems to glaze over some much needed backstory.
I really wanted to like this book, great cover, semi-interesting plot, enemies to lovers trope. But, it was really easy to put down. I thought the story was boring and found myself wanting to listen to music on my commute instead of my audiobook, which is never a good sign. I just wish the inside of this book had been as interesting as the cover.
August 11, 2023
Listen, I only think in Taylor Swift lyrics, and this book is what would happen if marjorie and invisible string had a baby.
I loved this story so much. It walked the line between Women’s Fiction and Romance in the sense that the heroine had this whole emotional journey to go on that was – sort of – separate from the hero, but he was definitely entwined in every turn.
This is the story of Noelle Shepard, who’s in her late twenties, living with her parents, unemployed, a long distance from her actual dream job, and grieving her beloved grandmother, who passed away suddenly. So, you know, it’s not looking good for her.
After going through her grandmother’s stuff, Noelle finds her pictures and correspondence with a man she’s never heard of from decades ago, leaving her with an inexplicable sense of betrayal: she thought that they were completely open with each other, but there is clearly a huge piece of her grandmother’s story that she was never privy to.
Noelle decides to post the pictures to TikTok and launches a viral search for the mysterious man. She soon finds out his name is Paul, and he’s still alive and willing to meet her, except there’s one huge problem: he’s the grandfather of Noelle’s high school rival, Theo Spencer.
Noelle and Paul develop a friendship, and, when he tells her about a roadtrip he and her grandmother had been planning to take for their honeymoon, which never actually happened, she sees it as a sign. Maybe going on the trip herself would bring her some sort of closure, or, at the very least, make her feel closer to her grandmother.
What she didn’t expect was that Paul would also insist on going with her, and, if Paul’s going, Theo’s going too.
I loved Theo from his very first line in the book. He calls her Shep, which is a low blow, and they are not shy about needling each other and competing all the time, just like they did in high school. Who says their rivalry has to end?
The book touched a lot on relationships with grandparents and how special that bond can be, which was so lovely. It talked a lot about grief, but it was also not a heavy read at all. The romance was interwoven into the journey enough that it did not become a book strictly about those things, if that makes sense.
I loved the writing in this, and Theo will go down as one of my favorite heroes of this year. An amazing debut!!!
I loved this story so much. It walked the line between Women’s Fiction and Romance in the sense that the heroine had this whole emotional journey to go on that was – sort of – separate from the hero, but he was definitely entwined in every turn.
This is the story of Noelle Shepard, who’s in her late twenties, living with her parents, unemployed, a long distance from her actual dream job, and grieving her beloved grandmother, who passed away suddenly. So, you know, it’s not looking good for her.
After going through her grandmother’s stuff, Noelle finds her pictures and correspondence with a man she’s never heard of from decades ago, leaving her with an inexplicable sense of betrayal: she thought that they were completely open with each other, but there is clearly a huge piece of her grandmother’s story that she was never privy to.
Noelle decides to post the pictures to TikTok and launches a viral search for the mysterious man. She soon finds out his name is Paul, and he’s still alive and willing to meet her, except there’s one huge problem: he’s the grandfather of Noelle’s high school rival, Theo Spencer.
Noelle and Paul develop a friendship, and, when he tells her about a roadtrip he and her grandmother had been planning to take for their honeymoon, which never actually happened, she sees it as a sign. Maybe going on the trip herself would bring her some sort of closure, or, at the very least, make her feel closer to her grandmother.
What she didn’t expect was that Paul would also insist on going with her, and, if Paul’s going, Theo’s going too.
I loved Theo from his very first line in the book. He calls her Shep, which is a low blow, and they are not shy about needling each other and competing all the time, just like they did in high school. Who says their rivalry has to end?
The book touched a lot on relationships with grandparents and how special that bond can be, which was so lovely. It talked a lot about grief, but it was also not a heavy read at all. The romance was interwoven into the journey enough that it did not become a book strictly about those things, if that makes sense.
I loved the writing in this, and Theo will go down as one of my favorite heroes of this year. An amazing debut!!!
March 16, 2024
I loved this. This is definitely in my top 10 favorite romances of all time. Rivals to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and it was executed perfectly in here. Jessica Joyce has the power of making you feel like you're part of a story. Her writing is a gift to us readers. I am honestly amazed at how incredible she is.
Both, Noelle and Theo, felt so authentic and real to me. The premise of this story was beautifully raw and the grief aspect of it all had me crying and missing both of my grandmas. Life is so unexpected and sometimes we might find ourselves experiencing situations that we never saw coming but those circumstances are necessary because those are the ones that shape us to be the person that we are now.
Would I change anything from this book if I could? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Every single box was checked. It delivered and it surpassed my expectations. This book is a treasure, a masterpiece, specially being a debut. GO REAd THIS
Both, Noelle and Theo, felt so authentic and real to me. The premise of this story was beautifully raw and the grief aspect of it all had me crying and missing both of my grandmas. Life is so unexpected and sometimes we might find ourselves experiencing situations that we never saw coming but those circumstances are necessary because those are the ones that shape us to be the person that we are now.
Would I change anything from this book if I could? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Every single box was checked. It delivered and it surpassed my expectations. This book is a treasure, a masterpiece, specially being a debut. GO REAd THIS
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