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What It Means #2
What It Means To Be Brave
Courtney Henderson craves one thing in her life, stability. Years after establishing a career and home that she loves, she finds herself sitting on the stage of her best friend's favorite rock band. While interpreting the band's lyrics to ASL, everything takes an unexpected turn. Surprisingly, the lead singer of the band is her former childhood best friend, Joshua Madey.
Joined at the hip through their senior year, but rejected and ghosted by him after graduation, Courtney hasn't spoken to Joshua in over a decade. Now, the band's manager proposes an opportunity that could bring the friends back together. Can Courtney navigate her past feelings of hurt to achieve her goals, or will her fears of being abandoned again leave her on a plateau?
What It Means To Be Brave is a standalone novel, the second in the What It Means series.
Joined at the hip through their senior year, but rejected and ghosted by him after graduation, Courtney hasn't spoken to Joshua in over a decade. Now, the band's manager proposes an opportunity that could bring the friends back together. Can Courtney navigate her past feelings of hurt to achieve her goals, or will her fears of being abandoned again leave her on a plateau?
What It Means To Be Brave is a standalone novel, the second in the What It Means series.
386 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2023
About the author
Andrea Andersen
5 books100 followersAndrea Andersen is an author living with her little family in Southern California. Using her maladaptive daydreaming to her advantage, she likes to write stories filled with laughter and kisses. When she isn't writing love stories, she can be found rewatching her favorite TV shows or taking too many naps.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
August 29, 2024
If you need a fun romcom to break the monotony, let it be this one.
This story was SO FUCKING GOOD, like kicking and squeaking so cute! I love the storyline and Courtney/Josh so much!
There’s also so much raw emotion in this story, especially Courtney’s feeling of dread knowing Beck will be moving in with Adam and general feelings of abandonment. But don’t let that deter you because the overall vibes of this story are fun and quirky.
Easily one of my favorite reads this year
This story was SO FUCKING GOOD, like kicking and squeaking so cute! I love the storyline and Courtney/Josh so much!
There’s also so much raw emotion in this story, especially Courtney’s feeling of dread knowing Beck will be moving in with Adam and general feelings of abandonment. But don’t let that deter you because the overall vibes of this story are fun and quirky.
Easily one of my favorite reads this year
December 25, 2023
THAT WAS SO CUTE I LOVED IT.
PERIOD.
PERIOD.
March 2, 2024
THIS WAS SUCH A FUN & EMOTIONAL READ. COURTNEY MAKING SELF SABOTAGING DECISIONS WAS ACTUALLY REALLY NICE TO READ SINCE SHE DEFINITELY COMES OFF AS THIS EXTREME CONFIDENT PERSON AND DEALS WITH HER TRAUMA WELL BUT CAN ALSO MAKE BAD DECISIONS BECAUSE OF SAID TRAUMA. HER FRIENDS LETTING HER BE SAD AND CRY BUT THEN IMMEDIATELY BEING LIKE OK BITCH GET IT TOGETHER STOP BEING STUPID. THIS FOUND FAMILY IS ONE OF MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES. DEFINITELY DIDN’T MIND THE ONE POV IN THIS AS MUCH AS THE FIRST BUT SO EXCITED FOR THE THIRD BOOK SINCE IT IS DUAL POV & I KNOW I’M GONNA CRY READING ABOUT LOGAN & ELOISE.
July 16, 2023
I received an ARC for this book in exchange for my honest review. I have to tell you I loved this book so much! Such a sweet read, Court and J-shua are just the cutest together and absolute fire in bed 😏. I love how well that mesh together and how he helped he learn to be brave. I love the friendship that everyone has and now I cannot wait to read Eloise and Logan’s book because I know it’s going to be just as amazing as this book was. It made cry and then laugh and then cry again it was just so good. Andrea’s writing style is a 10/10 in my book and now I need to go buy Beck and Adams book to read while I wait for my 2 favorites Eloise and Logan to have their story told. 2024 is to far away! I cannot wait to read more from Andrea and I’m so thankful that one of my best friends introduced me to her work because now I’m addicted.
July 17, 2023
What It Means To Be Brave is a fun spicy romcom about two high school best friends who could never tell each other how they felt. They reconnect a decade later when Josh is a hot tatted rock star and Courtney is working near LA, where he will conveniently be recording his next album. This book was so fun and smart. I loved that Courtney was also a big fan of romance books and got her hunky rockstar Josh to read along too. The ultimate fantasy!
August 2, 2023
I received an ARC of this book from the author. I'm giving this a 3 ⭐ rating. I've sent some suggestions and if those are updated in the final publication, this is definitely a potential 4⭐ book.
The story starts out giving us a glimpse of Courtney and Josh in high school as absolute besties. They haven't spoken in ten years since then, but they have their meet cute when Courtney's best friend drags her to accompany her to her favorite band's concert. When the ASL interpreter doesn't show, Courtney's D/HH best friend, Beck is disappointed that she will miss out on half the experience. Courtney jumps up to spontaneously interpret the concert, only to be recognized by the lead singer as his high school bestie. His new look doesn't ring any bells for Courtney so it isn't until when she and her friends are invited backstage after the concert that she recognizes Josh. They eventually enter a contractual fake dating situation for social media engagement proposed by the band manager. But secretly they both want more.
I enjoyed this story, and especially the second half of the book. The suggestions I made that could bring this to 4⭐ had to do with some of the problematic language or disingenuous situations when referring to the Deaf Community. There were a few lines in there that gave off a hearing savior complex which is a real pet peeve of mine. And a few times I really felt like Logan, a hearing but nonverbal ASL user, was being bullied for his disability. Those moments can easily be edited out, which is why I still feel like this book has 4⭐ potential.
I don't think it has 5⭐ potential though, because Courtney is a pretty unlikeable character. She's immature and obnoxious and very self-centered. At one point, she purposely burst into Beck's room while she was getting it on with her boyfriend because she needed to talk about one of her issues RIGHT NOW. And that sex scene with Josh was the weirdest, most awkward thing I've ever read.
Some absolute character treasures:
Josh- once a sweetie, forever a sweetie. And a sexy tatted man. I could not help but fantasize what his dick piercing would do to me 🤤
Logan- He has my heart. I love him. Would love to read the next book if I get to know him more.
Taylor- first time I've read a book with an NB character. And they were always the comic relief and voice of reason. Love that for them.
Would've loved to see more character development and the plot was pretty predictable, but I wasn't really offended by that. Sometimes predictable is nice.
The story starts out giving us a glimpse of Courtney and Josh in high school as absolute besties. They haven't spoken in ten years since then, but they have their meet cute when Courtney's best friend drags her to accompany her to her favorite band's concert. When the ASL interpreter doesn't show, Courtney's D/HH best friend, Beck is disappointed that she will miss out on half the experience. Courtney jumps up to spontaneously interpret the concert, only to be recognized by the lead singer as his high school bestie. His new look doesn't ring any bells for Courtney so it isn't until when she and her friends are invited backstage after the concert that she recognizes Josh. They eventually enter a contractual fake dating situation for social media engagement proposed by the band manager. But secretly they both want more.
I enjoyed this story, and especially the second half of the book. The suggestions I made that could bring this to 4⭐ had to do with some of the problematic language or disingenuous situations when referring to the Deaf Community. There were a few lines in there that gave off a hearing savior complex which is a real pet peeve of mine. And a few times I really felt like Logan, a hearing but nonverbal ASL user, was being bullied for his disability. Those moments can easily be edited out, which is why I still feel like this book has 4⭐ potential.
I don't think it has 5⭐ potential though, because Courtney is a pretty unlikeable character. She's immature and obnoxious and very self-centered. At one point, she purposely burst into Beck's room while she was getting it on with her boyfriend because she needed to talk about one of her issues RIGHT NOW. And that sex scene with Josh was the weirdest, most awkward thing I've ever read.
Some absolute character treasures:
Josh- once a sweetie, forever a sweetie. And a sexy tatted man. I could not help but fantasize what his dick piercing would do to me 🤤
Logan- He has my heart. I love him. Would love to read the next book if I get to know him more.
Taylor- first time I've read a book with an NB character. And they were always the comic relief and voice of reason. Love that for them.
Would've loved to see more character development and the plot was pretty predictable, but I wasn't really offended by that. Sometimes predictable is nice.
September 9, 2023
Courtney and Josh were best friends senior year of high school. They shared one kiss, went off to college in different states, and never talked again, much to Courtney’s disappointment.
Years later, Courtney goes to a concert with her friends, one of whom is hard of hearing. The ASL interpreter for the concert cancelled last minute. So Court jumps on stage and begins interpreting. The very attractive, tattooed lead singer with facial piercings keeps looking at her funny and invites them all back stage.
Well what do you know? That lead singer is nerdy, lanky Josh from high school… all grown up!! They are both so shocked to be reunited and quickly fall back into their touchy-feely friendship.
Courtney and Josh’s time on stage together gets a lot of fans talking, and the band’s manager suggests they fake date. We all know what happens during fake dating!!
It was so obvious to the readers from the very first page that Court and Josh were crazy about each other in high school and are crazy about each other now. BUT THEY ARE SO OBLIVIOUS!!!!! I just wanted to shake them so. many. times!! When we finally got our tension-filled confession scene at the townhome, I’m not ashamed to admit I reread it. It was GOOD and worth the wait.
I enjoyed this very much and found it sweet (but also open door!)! And there’s a nice ode to romance readers. There’s a great cast of characters, and I am very excited to go back and read the first book in this series and can’t wait for the next! Talk about tension!!!
This book also really made me want to make popcorn, so win win!!
What It Means To Be Brave comes out September 26! Thank you to Andrea for the ARC!
Years later, Courtney goes to a concert with her friends, one of whom is hard of hearing. The ASL interpreter for the concert cancelled last minute. So Court jumps on stage and begins interpreting. The very attractive, tattooed lead singer with facial piercings keeps looking at her funny and invites them all back stage.
Well what do you know? That lead singer is nerdy, lanky Josh from high school… all grown up!! They are both so shocked to be reunited and quickly fall back into their touchy-feely friendship.
Courtney and Josh’s time on stage together gets a lot of fans talking, and the band’s manager suggests they fake date. We all know what happens during fake dating!!
It was so obvious to the readers from the very first page that Court and Josh were crazy about each other in high school and are crazy about each other now. BUT THEY ARE SO OBLIVIOUS!!!!! I just wanted to shake them so. many. times!! When we finally got our tension-filled confession scene at the townhome, I’m not ashamed to admit I reread it. It was GOOD and worth the wait.
I enjoyed this very much and found it sweet (but also open door!)! And there’s a nice ode to romance readers. There’s a great cast of characters, and I am very excited to go back and read the first book in this series and can’t wait for the next! Talk about tension!!!
This book also really made me want to make popcorn, so win win!!
What It Means To Be Brave comes out September 26! Thank you to Andrea for the ARC!
July 10, 2023
I received an ARC of this book. Did I read it the day I received it? Yes. Yes I did.
I have been waiting for Courtney’s story since the “cliffhanger” from Beck’s story. Courtney is the friend I always wanted. She’s loyal to a fault, funny, and just the person you want to be around. So her getting her story was so good
The thing I love about Andrea’s books is they are comforting. Her writing to me is how my thoughts works. She speaks like I think.
Josh is the sweetest MC and watching how they both are physical touch kind of people was refreshing to see.
But aside from that my absolute favorite thing is the friendship dynamic. I LOVE that Beck’s grandmother is included in the group and I love how she treats them all with so much love and affection.
The story is so sweet, the interactions are fun and I love watching Andrea grow as an author.
I’m trying really hard not to give spoilers. But this is a solid book and now I am impatiently waiting for book 3!
I have been waiting for Courtney’s story since the “cliffhanger” from Beck’s story. Courtney is the friend I always wanted. She’s loyal to a fault, funny, and just the person you want to be around. So her getting her story was so good
The thing I love about Andrea’s books is they are comforting. Her writing to me is how my thoughts works. She speaks like I think.
Josh is the sweetest MC and watching how they both are physical touch kind of people was refreshing to see.
But aside from that my absolute favorite thing is the friendship dynamic. I LOVE that Beck’s grandmother is included in the group and I love how she treats them all with so much love and affection.
The story is so sweet, the interactions are fun and I love watching Andrea grow as an author.
I’m trying really hard not to give spoilers. But this is a solid book and now I am impatiently waiting for book 3!
July 24, 2023
Remember the friend you had in high school that you definitely had a crush on, but you never said anything cause you were sure they just thought of you as a friend. But now, you can acknowledge that maybe they liked you too, but we’re also scared?! Imagine if 10 years after high school you saw that crush… but now they were a totally hot rockstar… who wanted to fake date you for positive publicity.
This is exactly what happens to Courtney in What It Means to Be Brave. 10 years after her best friend Joshua ditched her in college, Courtney jumps on the stage at a concert to sign the lyrics to her Deaf best friend. When she does, she catches the eye of the lead singer, who is that same Joshua. And as big of a crush as Courtney had in high school, it’s nothing compared to the crush she has now. So when Joshua and his manager propose the two fake date, Courtney knows she’s going to use this to convince Joshua to non-fake date her. But she also craves stability and isn’t sure that as a rockstar, that’s something that Josh can deliver long term.
I am an absolute sucker for friends to lovers, and this pulls the best parts of that trope - the knowing of someone well and loving them because of that. Courtney and Josh do have to deal with Joshua bailing on her in college, but they do so well. I also loved that Courtney is a romance reader, so a lot of her is informed by tropes, which was cute. Finally, I loved the side cast of Courtney’s friends and Joshua’s band mates. They all had fleshed out personalities that complemented the main couple and made them feel well rounded. I do wish that this had been from both Josh and Courtney’s perspective instead of a single pov. Joshua narrates the prologue and epilogue, but I would have loved to hear his voice throughout. I also would have liked a bit less focus on the side relationships / characters with more on the blooming relationship between Joshua and Courtney. Overall though, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the next one in the series!!
This is exactly what happens to Courtney in What It Means to Be Brave. 10 years after her best friend Joshua ditched her in college, Courtney jumps on the stage at a concert to sign the lyrics to her Deaf best friend. When she does, she catches the eye of the lead singer, who is that same Joshua. And as big of a crush as Courtney had in high school, it’s nothing compared to the crush she has now. So when Joshua and his manager propose the two fake date, Courtney knows she’s going to use this to convince Joshua to non-fake date her. But she also craves stability and isn’t sure that as a rockstar, that’s something that Josh can deliver long term.
I am an absolute sucker for friends to lovers, and this pulls the best parts of that trope - the knowing of someone well and loving them because of that. Courtney and Josh do have to deal with Joshua bailing on her in college, but they do so well. I also loved that Courtney is a romance reader, so a lot of her is informed by tropes, which was cute. Finally, I loved the side cast of Courtney’s friends and Joshua’s band mates. They all had fleshed out personalities that complemented the main couple and made them feel well rounded. I do wish that this had been from both Josh and Courtney’s perspective instead of a single pov. Joshua narrates the prologue and epilogue, but I would have loved to hear his voice throughout. I also would have liked a bit less focus on the side relationships / characters with more on the blooming relationship between Joshua and Courtney. Overall though, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the next one in the series!!
July 18, 2023
First, thank you so much for the arc!
Prologue-I love that it shows them becoming friends in one chapter instead of flashbacks. It does a good job of showing them become friends without feeling like I’m missing a whole backstory. *After finishing the book, I expected dual pov since the prologue is in his pov but it’s only her pov the rest of the time 😕*
I love the inclusiveness. This book has a non-binary person, and a few lgbtq characters. You don’t see that too often. There seemed to be a lot of focus on that at times which with a friend group like theirs, it was normal.
So they meet again at the concert but that’s brief and don’t see each other again in person until 35% in the book. Kinda frustrating. I feel a lot of her friend group stuff could be talked about less or in a shorter way. I feel like I’m getting more of them than Josh and Courtney sometimes.
Okay so the book focuses a lot on Logan and Eloise at one point. And that’s because I believe it’s Beck who points out that Josh is like Court with trying to hook up their friends.
I want to know more about josh. How did he become a lead singer for a popular band?
Didn’t really have a clue what she did until their hike. And find out how he became a musician on the hike. I feel like that should’ve happened before the get together where they sang karaoke and agreed to fake date..
After being separated for so long I would want to know more and have a conversation about what has happened and catch up with each other before getting together as a group.
Once Josh and Court finally started getting on the same page (miscommunication 🙄) I didn’t feel much during the first sex scene. I think that’s because they are both kinda goofy and silly during and I would’ve liked more intimacy and feeling.
Overall, it was a great book. I’d recommend it but I probably won’t re-read which is why I’m giving it 4 stars.
Prologue-I love that it shows them becoming friends in one chapter instead of flashbacks. It does a good job of showing them become friends without feeling like I’m missing a whole backstory. *After finishing the book, I expected dual pov since the prologue is in his pov but it’s only her pov the rest of the time 😕*
I love the inclusiveness. This book has a non-binary person, and a few lgbtq characters. You don’t see that too often. There seemed to be a lot of focus on that at times which with a friend group like theirs, it was normal.
So they meet again at the concert but that’s brief and don’t see each other again in person until 35% in the book. Kinda frustrating. I feel a lot of her friend group stuff could be talked about less or in a shorter way. I feel like I’m getting more of them than Josh and Courtney sometimes.
Okay so the book focuses a lot on Logan and Eloise at one point. And that’s because I believe it’s Beck who points out that Josh is like Court with trying to hook up their friends.
I want to know more about josh. How did he become a lead singer for a popular band?
Didn’t really have a clue what she did until their hike. And find out how he became a musician on the hike. I feel like that should’ve happened before the get together where they sang karaoke and agreed to fake date..
After being separated for so long I would want to know more and have a conversation about what has happened and catch up with each other before getting together as a group.
Once Josh and Court finally started getting on the same page (miscommunication 🙄) I didn’t feel much during the first sex scene. I think that’s because they are both kinda goofy and silly during and I would’ve liked more intimacy and feeling.
Overall, it was a great book. I’d recommend it but I probably won’t re-read which is why I’m giving it 4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2023
**SPOILER FREE**
I received an arc of WIMTTB and for an honest review I will say it deserves entirely more than 5 stars. I read this in a day. I could NOT put it down.
The transitions that both Josh and Courtney went through were so relatable and as a deaf reader myself, I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone involved in the deaf/hoh community and others outside of the community. The sensitivity addressing our (d/hoh) world is uncommon in literature today, but Andrea gets 100/100 for this book.
Mix this in with great spice and amazing plot- this is a MUST READ from Andrea Anderson.
I received an arc of WIMTTB and for an honest review I will say it deserves entirely more than 5 stars. I read this in a day. I could NOT put it down.
The transitions that both Josh and Courtney went through were so relatable and as a deaf reader myself, I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone involved in the deaf/hoh community and others outside of the community. The sensitivity addressing our (d/hoh) world is uncommon in literature today, but Andrea gets 100/100 for this book.
Mix this in with great spice and amazing plot- this is a MUST READ from Andrea Anderson.
October 30, 2024
It was alright
September 14, 2023
Let me start off with saying that I'm so mad at myself for waiting to read this ARC. I've had this one for sometime and as I was going down the list of my deadlines and this one was next and I am just so upset that I've waited so long to read this cute story!
Andrea Andersen is a new author for me. This is trope is kind of new for me. I don't usually read a lot of rock stars/famous people not necessarily because I don't like it I guess I'm in my dark mafia era right now. When Andrea pipped in my FYP on my TikTok and she was promoting her book, I was really really excited for it so obviously I sign up to be an ARC reader and I am so happy I did. This story did not disappoint.
This story follows Josh and Courtney. They were best friends in high school. You have Josh you're shy, kind of a reclusive boy and Courtney who takes him under her wing. Courtney had this huge crush on him so you know as a typical highschooler she is trying subtle hints to shown Josh that she is crushing hard on him, but as you guessed it. It doesn't work. One night they are hanging out together and he happens to come up and the conversation that Josh has not kissed anyone yet, so Courtney take that as an opportunity to be like hey well let me help you out with that you know because you don't want to be all sucky when you go to college, so how about we just get it out of the way so that you can know how to kiss so they had to make a station and she Courtney thinking OK this is it this is the time that Josh is going to realize that I have feelings for him and you know kind of work something out and no doesn't happen they make out with a kiss and once the case is over, you know they go back to normal so after that, their last time together is the very back to normal friends, the kisses never discuss, and they loose connection once they move to college.
So they move on with your life couple years pass in one night Courtney and her friends are attending a concert. Since one of her friends is hard of hearing they are at the front of the stage so they are able to see the ASL interpreter but what happened is that the ASL interpreter ended up canceling right before the concert started and now her friend will be missing out. Courtney being the friend that she is, she decides to jump up on the side of the stage and she starts Interpreting for her friend turns out the lead singer is none other than Josh! At first she has no idea it's him until he does their secret hand shake. As you would assumed fans and social media is going crazy over encounter, Courtney and her friends end up meeting with the band backstage. Josh publicist sees the attention this got and decided gives Court and offer to help boost the bands image. She suggests they should fake date since they were high school friends. Court decides this is her way to show Josh how she's feels for him so she is is determined to show him what her true feelings have always been. Court didn't have the nest examples when it came to "healthy/stable" relationships, the reason for that was because her parents didn't have stability. So as an adult she know that's not what she wants to go through. During the time they are faking dating old feeling come to life as well as insecurities. Courtney at one point ended up sabotaging her relationship cause she is afraid of the unknowns. Josh wants her to see that he will be there for her regardless of the kind of job that he has. He will be her safe place and will be there for her regardless.
I loved this book because even though Josh is a famous person, the author stayed cleared of writing all the negativity from dating a celebrity. There was no drama with fans. She also wrote about what seeing your parents relationship healthy and unhealthy while up can affect how you see things as an adult.
Even though there was no spice on it, it it kept me hooked on the story, Andrea tug at my heart strings towards the end. I'm so happy I had the opportunity to ARC this book. Beautiful! Can't wait to read Logan and Eloise. I have a feeling their story is gonna need a side of popcorn 🩷.
Andrea Andersen is a new author for me. This is trope is kind of new for me. I don't usually read a lot of rock stars/famous people not necessarily because I don't like it I guess I'm in my dark mafia era right now. When Andrea pipped in my FYP on my TikTok and she was promoting her book, I was really really excited for it so obviously I sign up to be an ARC reader and I am so happy I did. This story did not disappoint.
This story follows Josh and Courtney. They were best friends in high school. You have Josh you're shy, kind of a reclusive boy and Courtney who takes him under her wing. Courtney had this huge crush on him so you know as a typical highschooler she is trying subtle hints to shown Josh that she is crushing hard on him, but as you guessed it. It doesn't work. One night they are hanging out together and he happens to come up and the conversation that Josh has not kissed anyone yet, so Courtney take that as an opportunity to be like hey well let me help you out with that you know because you don't want to be all sucky when you go to college, so how about we just get it out of the way so that you can know how to kiss so they had to make a station and she Courtney thinking OK this is it this is the time that Josh is going to realize that I have feelings for him and you know kind of work something out and no doesn't happen they make out with a kiss and once the case is over, you know they go back to normal so after that, their last time together is the very back to normal friends, the kisses never discuss, and they loose connection once they move to college.
So they move on with your life couple years pass in one night Courtney and her friends are attending a concert. Since one of her friends is hard of hearing they are at the front of the stage so they are able to see the ASL interpreter but what happened is that the ASL interpreter ended up canceling right before the concert started and now her friend will be missing out. Courtney being the friend that she is, she decides to jump up on the side of the stage and she starts Interpreting for her friend turns out the lead singer is none other than Josh! At first she has no idea it's him until he does their secret hand shake. As you would assumed fans and social media is going crazy over encounter, Courtney and her friends end up meeting with the band backstage. Josh publicist sees the attention this got and decided gives Court and offer to help boost the bands image. She suggests they should fake date since they were high school friends. Court decides this is her way to show Josh how she's feels for him so she is is determined to show him what her true feelings have always been. Court didn't have the nest examples when it came to "healthy/stable" relationships, the reason for that was because her parents didn't have stability. So as an adult she know that's not what she wants to go through. During the time they are faking dating old feeling come to life as well as insecurities. Courtney at one point ended up sabotaging her relationship cause she is afraid of the unknowns. Josh wants her to see that he will be there for her regardless of the kind of job that he has. He will be her safe place and will be there for her regardless.
I loved this book because even though Josh is a famous person, the author stayed cleared of writing all the negativity from dating a celebrity. There was no drama with fans. She also wrote about what seeing your parents relationship healthy and unhealthy while up can affect how you see things as an adult.
Even though there was no spice on it, it it kept me hooked on the story, Andrea tug at my heart strings towards the end. I'm so happy I had the opportunity to ARC this book. Beautiful! Can't wait to read Logan and Eloise. I have a feeling their story is gonna need a side of popcorn 🩷.
April 28, 2024
“Meaningful relationships could absolutely have an expiration date. Just because a relationship didn’t end happily ever after, doesn’t mean that it was a wasted experience. My soul craved Joshua Madey, as more than just a fake boyfriend and more than a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am situation. I wanted something real with him. Even if it had a deadline.”🎤
If her previous book felt a little emotional for you, then Andrea delivers this one that’s pure fun. Of course, ASL/disability and mental health are represented in this story too. But Courtney is a wild one, unapologetically so, and Josh's nerdy, rockstar confidence really seems to complement her outgoing self.
As individuals, I LOVE these characters: Court is that blunt friend that every introverted person needs & adores; while Josh is that nerd who turned hot, but remained nerdy on the inside... and he’s bisexual, so he talks about how sexy Logan is (like everyone else agrees). Their infatuation with one another is hilarious to watch as their feelings unfold… and even more hilarious when she finds out he had the biggest crush on her in high school (trust me, that scene WILL have you laughing out loud).
The addition of the band/side characters makes this book so much fun because, man, this is a GROUP! Everyone elevates their get-togethers in hilarious ways... the towel scene... read the book and you'll get it. 😏 It’s incredibly adorable how both of them can’t believe the other actually chose them, even if it takes acts of bravery on both of their parts to get to that point. This story had me laughing, clutching my heart saying “aww!,” and even took me by surprise (I guarantee, you won’t predict exactly how this one ends). Plus, I mean, who doesn’t want to live in a rockstar fantasy world for a little bit? This book felt like a movie as the “rockstar” element added a sparkly quality to this realistic world I totally enjoyed. It’s just pure entertainment. I loved it!
"I am never leaving you. You’ll always have me... How do you still not know for a fact that I am completely, painfully in love with you?... because whether or not we get married, I’m yours. Fully, completely yours. I’ll be the most stable thing you’ve ever had. Whether or not I’m on tour couldn’t possibly change that, because we already know that almost a decade of separation didn’t... I just need you to be brave, love."
September 26, 2023
What It Means To Be Brave (WIMTBB) is a second chance, slow burn, contemporary romance. Courtney Henderson lives in California with her best friend Beck and Beck's grandmother, Susan, both of whom are hearing impaired.
One night she joins her friends Beck, Adam and Taylor go to see Carbon Cut perform. When they learn that the ASL interpreter couldn't make it, Courtney is angry for her friend who wouldn't be able to enjoy the concert as much. She jumps on stage, and uses her signing skills to interpret the lyrics for Beck, and all the other members of the audience who are hearing impaired. The lead singer ends up inviting Courtney and her friends backstage after the show. It took her a minute, but she realizes that the lead singer, Joshua Madey, is none other than her high school bestie who she hasn't seen or spoken with in 10 years! She is elated to see him, and quickly wraps him up in a huge bear hug.
When the band's manager proposes they fake date until he leaves on tour, she jumps at the chance to reconnect, and maybe turn fake dating into real dating. She just needs to get him as interested in her as she has always been in him... and move past the hurt that has yet to heal when he ghosted her after graduation.
I absolutely adored this book! The story was captivating, the characters were relatable, and the writing was at times emotional and at other times quite witty and humorous. I was quickly invested in Courtney's story, and loved how the author kept it real. Yes, Courtney was beautiful and kind and warm and generous, but she was also messed up, just like the rest of us.
I found Andersen's writing to be wonderfully current and inclusive. In addition to her deaf/hearing impaired characters, she also has a character that uses they/them pronouns, and writes openly about anxiety, depression, therapy, and more.
I love the characters in WIMTBB and was elated to learn that this is the second book in the series, with a third one forthcoming! I will definitely be checking out the other books as soon as possible.
One night she joins her friends Beck, Adam and Taylor go to see Carbon Cut perform. When they learn that the ASL interpreter couldn't make it, Courtney is angry for her friend who wouldn't be able to enjoy the concert as much. She jumps on stage, and uses her signing skills to interpret the lyrics for Beck, and all the other members of the audience who are hearing impaired. The lead singer ends up inviting Courtney and her friends backstage after the show. It took her a minute, but she realizes that the lead singer, Joshua Madey, is none other than her high school bestie who she hasn't seen or spoken with in 10 years! She is elated to see him, and quickly wraps him up in a huge bear hug.
When the band's manager proposes they fake date until he leaves on tour, she jumps at the chance to reconnect, and maybe turn fake dating into real dating. She just needs to get him as interested in her as she has always been in him... and move past the hurt that has yet to heal when he ghosted her after graduation.
I absolutely adored this book! The story was captivating, the characters were relatable, and the writing was at times emotional and at other times quite witty and humorous. I was quickly invested in Courtney's story, and loved how the author kept it real. Yes, Courtney was beautiful and kind and warm and generous, but she was also messed up, just like the rest of us.
I found Andersen's writing to be wonderfully current and inclusive. In addition to her deaf/hearing impaired characters, she also has a character that uses they/them pronouns, and writes openly about anxiety, depression, therapy, and more.
I love the characters in WIMTBB and was elated to learn that this is the second book in the series, with a third one forthcoming! I will definitely be checking out the other books as soon as possible.
September 14, 2023
“‘Oh my god, you want to read romance novels?’
‘I'd like to know more about my girlfriend's hobby.’”
SWOON.😍
What It Means To Be Brave is the second book in Andrea Andersen’s What It Means series and oh. My. GOD. I have absolutely found a new comfort series!!!😭❤️
This book features Courtney and Josh who haven’t seen each other in over a decade, but who reconnect at a concert.
Whose concert you may ask??🤔 His!!😱
Josh has grown up to be the lead singer of Courtney’s best friend Beck, our FMC from book one’s, favorite band!!
And “grown up” is definitely the right word to describe Josh as he is no longer that shy lanky kid Courtney knew in high school but a MAN with muscles and piercings and tattoos and bleached hair. Courtney is caught totally off guard, but couldn’t be more excited to reunite with her old bff (and crush). She finds she’s just as entranced by grown up Josh as she was with high school Josh, and from there we get an amazing story filled with fake dating, mutual pining, found family, and learning to take risks despite your fears.
I truly cannot recommend this book enough!! The way Andrea just sucks you in and makes you fall in love with every single character is unmatched.🙌🏼 I loved every second of this journey. I literally want to go back and reread it immediately it was that good.😭🫶🏼
If you love second chance romance, fake dating, one of us is famous, mutual pining, and/or found family, this book is SO for you!! It can be read as a stand alone, but I HIGHLY recommend going back and starting with book one: What It Means To Be Whole because the community Andrea creates within this friend group is literally the best. This series is truly SOOO good and I loved it so much!!😭😭❤️ Book two hasn’t even come out yet and I can’t WAIT for the third.😂😂
I will be FOREVER grateful to have received an ARC for this book because it truly changed my life!!😭🫶🏼 I can’t wait to see what else this friend group’s story holds.🥰
‘I'd like to know more about my girlfriend's hobby.’”
SWOON.😍
What It Means To Be Brave is the second book in Andrea Andersen’s What It Means series and oh. My. GOD. I have absolutely found a new comfort series!!!😭❤️
This book features Courtney and Josh who haven’t seen each other in over a decade, but who reconnect at a concert.
Whose concert you may ask??🤔 His!!😱
Josh has grown up to be the lead singer of Courtney’s best friend Beck, our FMC from book one’s, favorite band!!
And “grown up” is definitely the right word to describe Josh as he is no longer that shy lanky kid Courtney knew in high school but a MAN with muscles and piercings and tattoos and bleached hair. Courtney is caught totally off guard, but couldn’t be more excited to reunite with her old bff (and crush). She finds she’s just as entranced by grown up Josh as she was with high school Josh, and from there we get an amazing story filled with fake dating, mutual pining, found family, and learning to take risks despite your fears.
I truly cannot recommend this book enough!! The way Andrea just sucks you in and makes you fall in love with every single character is unmatched.🙌🏼 I loved every second of this journey. I literally want to go back and reread it immediately it was that good.😭🫶🏼
If you love second chance romance, fake dating, one of us is famous, mutual pining, and/or found family, this book is SO for you!! It can be read as a stand alone, but I HIGHLY recommend going back and starting with book one: What It Means To Be Whole because the community Andrea creates within this friend group is literally the best. This series is truly SOOO good and I loved it so much!!😭😭❤️ Book two hasn’t even come out yet and I can’t WAIT for the third.😂😂
I will be FOREVER grateful to have received an ARC for this book because it truly changed my life!!😭🫶🏼 I can’t wait to see what else this friend group’s story holds.🥰
September 27, 2023
Thank you to the author for providing the ARC read. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tropes:
-Friends to Lovers
-Mutual Pining
-Fake Dating
-Second Chance
-ASL Rep
-Rockstar Romance
-Different Worlds
This story starts with Josh's POV. He's in his senior year of high school and becomes friends with Courtney who is very popular and well liked. Josh is a very studious nerd type. After becoming fast friends they spend all their time together. Josh feels as though Courtney is too good for him and not interested, so he never really makes a move. He mistakes her bubbly hug-gy feels as just her way of expressing her friendship.
It switches to Courtney's POV 10 years later and stays there until the end of the book where Josh gets another POV chapter. Courtney goes with a group of friends to a concert. She has friends who have hearing impairments and the ASL interpreter does not show for the concert. Courtney signs the whole concert after hopping onto the stage. Josh, who is now a super popular singer for a band, sees her and realizes that it's Courtney. After reuniting backstage, he gets her number. She gets a facetime call from him where the social media manager for the band springs the idea of fake dating on Courtney and him. They decide to go along with it because Courtney has had feelings for him since high school as well.
I really enjoyed reading this book! It was so sweet. I wouldn't say that it's super spicy but the scenes that it did have were very satisfying after the slow burn. There were parts during this book where I was laughing my ass off, and parts where I wanted to cry. I will definitely be reading the first book in the series since I haven't yet.
The little epilogue teaser for Eloise and Logan's story was everything! I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Tropes:
-Friends to Lovers
-Mutual Pining
-Fake Dating
-Second Chance
-ASL Rep
-Rockstar Romance
-Different Worlds
This story starts with Josh's POV. He's in his senior year of high school and becomes friends with Courtney who is very popular and well liked. Josh is a very studious nerd type. After becoming fast friends they spend all their time together. Josh feels as though Courtney is too good for him and not interested, so he never really makes a move. He mistakes her bubbly hug-gy feels as just her way of expressing her friendship.
It switches to Courtney's POV 10 years later and stays there until the end of the book where Josh gets another POV chapter. Courtney goes with a group of friends to a concert. She has friends who have hearing impairments and the ASL interpreter does not show for the concert. Courtney signs the whole concert after hopping onto the stage. Josh, who is now a super popular singer for a band, sees her and realizes that it's Courtney. After reuniting backstage, he gets her number. She gets a facetime call from him where the social media manager for the band springs the idea of fake dating on Courtney and him. They decide to go along with it because Courtney has had feelings for him since high school as well.
I really enjoyed reading this book! It was so sweet. I wouldn't say that it's super spicy but the scenes that it did have were very satisfying after the slow burn. There were parts during this book where I was laughing my ass off, and parts where I wanted to cry. I will definitely be reading the first book in the series since I haven't yet.
The little epilogue teaser for Eloise and Logan's story was everything! I can't wait for the next book in the series.
October 1, 2023
I didn't love this as much as I thought I would, but I still enjoyed it !! And it was super weird seeing my name as the FMC!
✨️rockstar romance
✨️second chance
✨️high school best friends
✨️found family
✨️amazing friendship dynamics
✨️Great premise for the third book !!!
✨️sort of Dual.pov (mainly Courtney, but Josh has the prologue and epilogue)
✨️mutual pining
✨️fake dating
🔥open door spice 🔥
💕Bi MMC
💕deaf/ hard of hearing rep
💕ASL interpretation
💕shows the importance of therapy and putting one's mental health above everything
Josh and Courtney.were best friends in their senior year of high school, and the two developed feelings fir each other . She was HIS first kiss, but they kept their feelings hidden and remained friends. Josh, feeling insecure and worried that their friendship wouldn't last, practically ghosted her.
Only for them to reunite 10 hears later at his rock concert !!
Josh, being the gentleman that he is, has never been seem dating, so here comes in the fake dating. Only they still have feelings for each other. and he was cute ! He still remembered everything between them and their friendship!
Courtney, thankfully, she has redeemed other Courtneys from other books... she is so lovely and kind and selfless !! She has a confidence that I love, but she knew her insecurities and she knew what she wanted. I loved her friendship with Logan (a mute HOCKEY PLAYER!), they would just help each other !
And she's a massive book worm! Always recommending smutty books and then Josh doing "homework" 🥵🥵
Josh x Courtneys chemistry within their friendship and fake dating was palpable !
I am literally giving an extra star purely for Eloise x Logan (they are book 3).. major dislike to.lovers I feel !! She tries to be his friend and being the grump that he is, gave a bad 1st impression... I am routing for them !!!
✨️rockstar romance
✨️second chance
✨️high school best friends
✨️found family
✨️amazing friendship dynamics
✨️Great premise for the third book !!!
✨️sort of Dual.pov (mainly Courtney, but Josh has the prologue and epilogue)
✨️mutual pining
✨️fake dating
🔥open door spice 🔥
💕Bi MMC
💕deaf/ hard of hearing rep
💕ASL interpretation
💕shows the importance of therapy and putting one's mental health above everything
Josh and Courtney.were best friends in their senior year of high school, and the two developed feelings fir each other . She was HIS first kiss, but they kept their feelings hidden and remained friends. Josh, feeling insecure and worried that their friendship wouldn't last, practically ghosted her.
Only for them to reunite 10 hears later at his rock concert !!
Josh, being the gentleman that he is, has never been seem dating, so here comes in the fake dating. Only they still have feelings for each other. and he was cute ! He still remembered everything between them and their friendship!
Courtney, thankfully, she has redeemed other Courtneys from other books... she is so lovely and kind and selfless !! She has a confidence that I love, but she knew her insecurities and she knew what she wanted. I loved her friendship with Logan (a mute HOCKEY PLAYER!), they would just help each other !
And she's a massive book worm! Always recommending smutty books and then Josh doing "homework" 🥵🥵
Josh x Courtneys chemistry within their friendship and fake dating was palpable !
I am literally giving an extra star purely for Eloise x Logan (they are book 3).. major dislike to.lovers I feel !! She tries to be his friend and being the grump that he is, gave a bad 1st impression... I am routing for them !!!
September 14, 2023
✨ Rockstar romance
✨ Second chance
✨ Fake Dating
✨ ASL rep
✨ Hard of Hearing Characters
✨ Friends to lovers
I was super excited to be given this arc! So thank you for that!
I definitely enjoyed this, the prologue was so cute about how Courtney and Josh came to be best friends their senior year of high school.
They lose contact only to reunite again at a concert where Courtney interprets the whole thing for her hard of hearing friend, and josh is the lead singer of said popular rock band!
I really liked how they reunited it was sweet and like no time had passed but it really made you think… what happened?
They are super cute together, they understand each other and it was really cute to get to see them learn more about each other as adults and lovers ❤️
At times I didn’t like Courtney unfortunately, she was a little immature and made a lot of things about herself, when it didn’t need to be. She also knew josh was shy so why couldn’t she just come out and say her feelings first? And when they entered their fake dating arrangement and kept calling herself his “fake” girlfriend while crying to her friends about why he hasn’t made a move? Of course the man thinks she’s just being affectionate because of the contract, not because she actually wants him 🫣
Anyways that aside, she had some great moments to but all the other characters really carried this book.
Josh is an absolute sweetheart! He’s sweet, he’s charming, he’s funny, he’s secure in himself, oh and he’s tattooed and pierced 🥵🤭 I do wish we had a few more chapters from his point of view
I am now fully on the Eloise and Logan train and can’t wait for their book!
✨ Second chance
✨ Fake Dating
✨ ASL rep
✨ Hard of Hearing Characters
✨ Friends to lovers
I was super excited to be given this arc! So thank you for that!
I definitely enjoyed this, the prologue was so cute about how Courtney and Josh came to be best friends their senior year of high school.
They lose contact only to reunite again at a concert where Courtney interprets the whole thing for her hard of hearing friend, and josh is the lead singer of said popular rock band!
I really liked how they reunited it was sweet and like no time had passed but it really made you think… what happened?
They are super cute together, they understand each other and it was really cute to get to see them learn more about each other as adults and lovers ❤️
At times I didn’t like Courtney unfortunately, she was a little immature and made a lot of things about herself, when it didn’t need to be. She also knew josh was shy so why couldn’t she just come out and say her feelings first? And when they entered their fake dating arrangement and kept calling herself his “fake” girlfriend while crying to her friends about why he hasn’t made a move? Of course the man thinks she’s just being affectionate because of the contract, not because she actually wants him 🫣
Anyways that aside, she had some great moments to but all the other characters really carried this book.
Josh is an absolute sweetheart! He’s sweet, he’s charming, he’s funny, he’s secure in himself, oh and he’s tattooed and pierced 🥵🤭 I do wish we had a few more chapters from his point of view
I am now fully on the Eloise and Logan train and can’t wait for their book!
August 1, 2023
Okay so this is my second ever arc but first one I fully read and finished (still reading the first one) I don’t normally do long winded reviews or even a review at all on most books but man oh man! I absolutely love the writing style. It’s smooth and easy to read and sinks it’s claws into you!
Now to the good stuff. I’m going to do this spoiler free cause I hate when people ruin things for me when it comes to a great book. I love the inclusion of hard of hearing characters, hearing characters, LGBTQIA characters. Good representation and I also feel like this series could go on and add more characters to represent other minorities very easily. This is my first book from this author and I know it’s the second book technically (but trust me I will be going back to read the first one!) I throughly enjoyed this book so much I read it in a span of less than 24 hours. I am so in love with the story and all the characters. I loved that they are in their late 20’s, have family trauma, openly talk about going to therapy to heal themselves. Seriously if the synopsis doesn’t hook you the amount of relatable things this books has to offer will. I will say as a romance book it can be predictable but I don’t hate that. Is it the spiciest romance book I’ve ever read? No but it still gave me butterflies and all the feels. I would 100% recommend this book to friends. It’s a fun fast read that is also genuinely sweet. I cannot wait to go back and read the first book and will be impatiently waiting for the third book to come out!
Now to the good stuff. I’m going to do this spoiler free cause I hate when people ruin things for me when it comes to a great book. I love the inclusion of hard of hearing characters, hearing characters, LGBTQIA characters. Good representation and I also feel like this series could go on and add more characters to represent other minorities very easily. This is my first book from this author and I know it’s the second book technically (but trust me I will be going back to read the first one!) I throughly enjoyed this book so much I read it in a span of less than 24 hours. I am so in love with the story and all the characters. I loved that they are in their late 20’s, have family trauma, openly talk about going to therapy to heal themselves. Seriously if the synopsis doesn’t hook you the amount of relatable things this books has to offer will. I will say as a romance book it can be predictable but I don’t hate that. Is it the spiciest romance book I’ve ever read? No but it still gave me butterflies and all the feels. I would 100% recommend this book to friends. It’s a fun fast read that is also genuinely sweet. I cannot wait to go back and read the first book and will be impatiently waiting for the third book to come out!
August 3, 2023
Hello, ladies, gays, theys and dude-ays, can I get a HHYYYYYYYNNNNGGGGGG from the audience??
I graciously received an advanced reader's copy from the author in exchange for a review on GoodReads. I agreed to make my review honest so believe me when I say that I loved this book so much. It was wholesome. It was sexy. It was so good. I loved everything about it.
I feel like I'm going to be bad at this review because I'm going to insist on not giving spoilers. I was initially sucked in by the premise of the book. I stayed for the really sweet interpersonal relationships between the characters, the sexual tension, and THEN. THIS AUTHOR. GAVE THE BADASS ROCKSTAR NERDY GLASSES! My weakness. I am now filing a pain and suffering lawsuit. I demand financial compensation. Let me speak to the manager.
Anyway.
From first book impressions, I think one thing Andrea Andersen does well is create lovely interpersonal relationships between each character's support network. It makes for an extremely rich story with lovely moments that really tug on your heartstrings. I really cared for each and every character, and I became invested. I know now that because of them, I'll be purchasing the first book to read (WIMTBB is a sequel in a series) and that the next book with Eloise cannot come soon enough. (Why would you make me wait for 2024? WHY)
For anyone wanting a sexy yet wholesome read that you'll surely devour within one evening, I highly recommend anything written by Andrea Andersen to make it up to the top of your TBR pile. You certainly won't regret it.
I graciously received an advanced reader's copy from the author in exchange for a review on GoodReads. I agreed to make my review honest so believe me when I say that I loved this book so much. It was wholesome. It was sexy. It was so good. I loved everything about it.
I feel like I'm going to be bad at this review because I'm going to insist on not giving spoilers. I was initially sucked in by the premise of the book. I stayed for the really sweet interpersonal relationships between the characters, the sexual tension, and THEN. THIS AUTHOR. GAVE THE BADASS ROCKSTAR NERDY GLASSES! My weakness. I am now filing a pain and suffering lawsuit. I demand financial compensation. Let me speak to the manager.
Anyway.
From first book impressions, I think one thing Andrea Andersen does well is create lovely interpersonal relationships between each character's support network. It makes for an extremely rich story with lovely moments that really tug on your heartstrings. I really cared for each and every character, and I became invested. I know now that because of them, I'll be purchasing the first book to read (WIMTBB is a sequel in a series) and that the next book with Eloise cannot come soon enough. (Why would you make me wait for 2024? WHY)
For anyone wanting a sexy yet wholesome read that you'll surely devour within one evening, I highly recommend anything written by Andrea Andersen to make it up to the top of your TBR pile. You certainly won't regret it.
September 25, 2023
Read If You Enjoy:
🎶 Friends to Lovers
🤘 Rock Star Romance
🖤 Fake Dating
I absolutely love rock star romances, and this one was no exception. This story follows Courtney and Josh, who were the absolute best of friends in their senior year of high school who couldn’t tell each other how they really felt. They shared a kiss before parting ways before and never spoke to each other again. That is, until 10 years later, when Courtney gets up on stage at a concert to interpret the song lyrics to ASL for Josh’s band.
The cast of characters in this book was amazing. Courtney is a romance reader, and I loved all the bookish references in the story. Josh, the tattooed and pierced frontman for Carbon Cuts, was witty and flirty. The chemistry between Courtney and Josh was really well written; all the pining and angst built up the tension perfectly. The rest of the characters were also amazing, from the NB co-worker Taylor, who provides comical moments to Beck’s grandmother, who gives the greatest relationship advice. The story flowed easily and really kept me engaged in the story and characters.
Highly recommend if you are looking for a fake dating rock star romance full of pining, spice, and heartwarming moments.
Thank you, Andrea, for providing me with an ARC copy of What It Means to Be Brave in exchange for an honest review ❤️
🎶 Friends to Lovers
🤘 Rock Star Romance
🖤 Fake Dating
I absolutely love rock star romances, and this one was no exception. This story follows Courtney and Josh, who were the absolute best of friends in their senior year of high school who couldn’t tell each other how they really felt. They shared a kiss before parting ways before and never spoke to each other again. That is, until 10 years later, when Courtney gets up on stage at a concert to interpret the song lyrics to ASL for Josh’s band.
The cast of characters in this book was amazing. Courtney is a romance reader, and I loved all the bookish references in the story. Josh, the tattooed and pierced frontman for Carbon Cuts, was witty and flirty. The chemistry between Courtney and Josh was really well written; all the pining and angst built up the tension perfectly. The rest of the characters were also amazing, from the NB co-worker Taylor, who provides comical moments to Beck’s grandmother, who gives the greatest relationship advice. The story flowed easily and really kept me engaged in the story and characters.
Highly recommend if you are looking for a fake dating rock star romance full of pining, spice, and heartwarming moments.
Thank you, Andrea, for providing me with an ARC copy of What It Means to Be Brave in exchange for an honest review ❤️
August 7, 2023
Since the first teaser of the book Andrea posted I was hooked. The plot and story line were very interesting to me. And the book itself did not disappoint at all.
I stayed up till the wee early hours of morning to finish this book just because I had to know how it ended.
Reading how clueless both were through out the story had me wanting to scream “just say something!” So many times. And when it finally happened it was hilarious. The sass between the two main characters and the depth of the other characters had me literally laughing out loud several times.
I did almost make it through without crying but towards the end I was in tears. I’m such an emotional reader and I feel the characters heartbreak as my own especially when I am invested in the story like this one.
I’m so excited to see what else Andrea comes out with in the future. After having been a follower on TT for a while now I definitely heard her voice throughout this book. And I loved that that’s how she writes. The passion and personality is very much there in the words we get to read.
This is definitely a book I will have the physical copy of for my bookshelf.
I stayed up till the wee early hours of morning to finish this book just because I had to know how it ended.
Reading how clueless both were through out the story had me wanting to scream “just say something!” So many times. And when it finally happened it was hilarious. The sass between the two main characters and the depth of the other characters had me literally laughing out loud several times.
I did almost make it through without crying but towards the end I was in tears. I’m such an emotional reader and I feel the characters heartbreak as my own especially when I am invested in the story like this one.
I’m so excited to see what else Andrea comes out with in the future. After having been a follower on TT for a while now I definitely heard her voice throughout this book. And I loved that that’s how she writes. The passion and personality is very much there in the words we get to read.
This is definitely a book I will have the physical copy of for my bookshelf.
August 9, 2023
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This series has my whole heart, and I'm not even a romcom girly. The friendships and love that's everywhere is this book is so comforting and sweet. Reading this feels like you're a part of this healthy group that everyone has going. You're part of every inside joke, tender moment, and fit of laughter.
And the romance aspect. *chef's kiss* J-shua is top tier. We love a respectful king who knows what he wants and goes for it. (The tattoos and piercings 😏 really don't hurt either.)
Courtney's journey of making peace with seeing her friends be at different places in their lives and her own trauma was so well paced and thought out. The ONLY THING is I would have loved to have seen a little bit of that sort of inner turmoil and growth from Josh as well. Don't get me wrong, there was some, but sometimes the friction felt a little one-sided on Courtney's end. But she is the main character and narrator, after all.
I literally inhaled this book in, like, 2 days. And I'm not the world's fastest reader. Literally counting down the days until the next installment.
This series has my whole heart, and I'm not even a romcom girly. The friendships and love that's everywhere is this book is so comforting and sweet. Reading this feels like you're a part of this healthy group that everyone has going. You're part of every inside joke, tender moment, and fit of laughter.
And the romance aspect. *chef's kiss* J-shua is top tier. We love a respectful king who knows what he wants and goes for it. (The tattoos and piercings 😏 really don't hurt either.)
Courtney's journey of making peace with seeing her friends be at different places in their lives and her own trauma was so well paced and thought out. The ONLY THING is I would have loved to have seen a little bit of that sort of inner turmoil and growth from Josh as well. Don't get me wrong, there was some, but sometimes the friction felt a little one-sided on Courtney's end. But she is the main character and narrator, after all.
I literally inhaled this book in, like, 2 days. And I'm not the world's fastest reader. Literally counting down the days until the next installment.
July 19, 2024
Rockstar romance
Friends to lovers
Second chance
Fake dating
Bisexual MMC
Asl rep
I really enjoyed this book. Courtney ended up being one of my favorite characters in the first book so I was glad she got her own story! I loved her goofy, super confident, and feminist personality. One of the things that made her relatable was that, despite how confident she is, she still struggles with her decisions due to how she grew up. She craves stability, and with Josh being a rockstar, she isn’t sure he can provide that for her.
I wanted to shake both Josh & Courtney so many times because if they had both just been honest about their feelings for each other, it would’ve saved SO much time/heartache. Josh was oblivious, even with Courtney dropping hints.
Just like in the first book, I loved the friendships everyone shared. Joshua fit right in with Courtney’s friend group & vice versa.
Taylor’s commentary when Courtney finally went off in the book was top-notch, thank you for that. 😂 I really like Courtney’s character but Taylor is definitely one of my favorites as well. I hope one day they get their on book.
Friends to lovers
Second chance
Fake dating
Bisexual MMC
Asl rep
I really enjoyed this book. Courtney ended up being one of my favorite characters in the first book so I was glad she got her own story! I loved her goofy, super confident, and feminist personality. One of the things that made her relatable was that, despite how confident she is, she still struggles with her decisions due to how she grew up. She craves stability, and with Josh being a rockstar, she isn’t sure he can provide that for her.
I wanted to shake both Josh & Courtney so many times because if they had both just been honest about their feelings for each other, it would’ve saved SO much time/heartache. Josh was oblivious, even with Courtney dropping hints.
Just like in the first book, I loved the friendships everyone shared. Joshua fit right in with Courtney’s friend group & vice versa.
Taylor’s commentary when Courtney finally went off in the book was top-notch, thank you for that. 😂 I really like Courtney’s character but Taylor is definitely one of my favorites as well. I hope one day they get their on book.
July 12, 2023
I reviewed an ARC of this book I'm exchange for an honest review. I had been dying to get my hands on this book since I saw a marketing TikTok from the author with a Rockstar and an interpreter, so when she asked for more ARC readers, I of course jumped at the chance. I really would have probably read this book all in one sitting, had my job not taken me away, because it was that addicting. First thing I want to say is, move over other romance book boyfriends, Josh is coming through. If you didn't fall in love with Josh, I don't believe you because he's so stinking loveable. Of course I am a sucker for a Rockstar, especially a Rockstar romance. The characters in this book is really what you fall for. The plot is amazing too, but author spent a lot of time developing these characters, their backstories and what makes them shine as the unique people they are. This book felt like a piece of home, woman power, and second chances all rolled into one! I adored it, and I can't wait to see what comes next!
July 24, 2023
I had the pleasure of being on the author's beta reading team, and I instantly knew this was someone I'd follow to the ends of the earth!
Andrea Anderson is not only a fantastic writer with compelling storylines and incredible characters, her stories are sooo funny and just... just *real*, if that makes sense. Her writing style had me laughing out loud so many times! If I wasn't already in love with her characters in her debut novel, "What It Means To Be Whole", I would've been heavy over heels by the end of this book.
Courtney is such a fun protagonist! She's so real, a beautiful blend of strong and vulnerable. And her chemistry with Josh, who is so far my favorite leading man in the "What It Means" series, is just *chef's kiss*. Their first spicy scene was simply GAAAAHH [redacted for spoilers].
If you love romance books, and you want a feel-good, laugh-out-loud story with plenty of fun tropes that are actually done super well, then don't even question it, just read this book!
Andrea Anderson is not only a fantastic writer with compelling storylines and incredible characters, her stories are sooo funny and just... just *real*, if that makes sense. Her writing style had me laughing out loud so many times! If I wasn't already in love with her characters in her debut novel, "What It Means To Be Whole", I would've been heavy over heels by the end of this book.
Courtney is such a fun protagonist! She's so real, a beautiful blend of strong and vulnerable. And her chemistry with Josh, who is so far my favorite leading man in the "What It Means" series, is just *chef's kiss*. Their first spicy scene was simply GAAAAHH [redacted for spoilers].
If you love romance books, and you want a feel-good, laugh-out-loud story with plenty of fun tropes that are actually done super well, then don't even question it, just read this book!
September 22, 2023
I was honored to be an ARC reader for this sweet second chance, rock star romance. You can’t help but fall in love with all the characters in this world. This is technically book 2 in a series, but if you haven’t read book one, it’s fine. They are stand-alone but with crossovers. In this one, we follow Courtney and Josh who were best friends’ senior year of high school. She was popular and he was a science geek. They both had feelings for the other, but neither was brave enough to confess them. They left for college, and Josh disappeared, ghosting Courtney. Ten years later they run into each other at a concert, where surprise, geeky Josh is now the hot lead singer of a popular punk band. Courtney realizes quickly that her feelings for Josh are back, however, he doesn’t seem interested. She jumps at the chance to get close to him again when his PR manager suggests they fake date to get some positive publicity. This was fun, withy and binge-worthy. I loved it, and can’t wait for book 3 in this series.
July 14, 2023
I was lucky enough to snag an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair review. I heard about this book from the author's TikTok.
First off, the bad: now I have to go buy and read Beck's story, and, worse yet, I have to wait for Eloise's for another year. Ugh! I wanna know what happens between her and Logan! ;) All joking aside, I have very little criticism for this book if any.
Was it the most dramatic and suspenseful, over the top thing? No, and that was perfect, because it made sense for the characters and the plot arc. I think I'd have been disappointed if she'd tried to force the on-page angst like I see some authors doing out there, in situations where it just really doesn't make sense. This is just a good hug-in-a-book type read, the characters are well-crafted and fit perfectly with each other and the storyline.
Highly recommend if you're looking for something very fun to read with a little spice in it.
First off, the bad: now I have to go buy and read Beck's story, and, worse yet, I have to wait for Eloise's for another year. Ugh! I wanna know what happens between her and Logan! ;) All joking aside, I have very little criticism for this book if any.
Was it the most dramatic and suspenseful, over the top thing? No, and that was perfect, because it made sense for the characters and the plot arc. I think I'd have been disappointed if she'd tried to force the on-page angst like I see some authors doing out there, in situations where it just really doesn't make sense. This is just a good hug-in-a-book type read, the characters are well-crafted and fit perfectly with each other and the storyline.
Highly recommend if you're looking for something very fun to read with a little spice in it.
August 28, 2023
WOW just WOW!! I received and ARC for this book. I am a new reader of Andreas and found this book on TIKTOK, I was intrigued by the ASL relationship and the teasers. This book had a wonderful start and a great friend group. I didn't feel like this book dragged on or that it rushed and didn't explain things, It was just right. This book made me cry and laugh out loud like I was hanging with my best friends!! the spice was nice and it was kind of refreshing to see that the male in the story was so excited about the girl he was quick to be satisfied but in a good way like showing that its normal for guys to not always last a million years and that they can be so into the girl that they are ready finish at a normal rate not ages. I found this book so cozy and relatable, I highly recommend it if you are into a little spice, and a love story like it was your best friend and her boyfriend! Andrea did an amazing job and I cant wait to read more from her.
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