Really liked this one a lot. It’s one of those stories that just feels easy to read. Cute, simple, and exactly what I needed. It didn’t try to be something it wasn’t, and that’s what made it so enjoyable.

Jason was such a green flag. Like, full-on golden retriever boyfriend vibes, sweet, supportive, genuinely good. I adored him from the start. Rose was fantastic, she said what she thought, didn't sugarcoat anything. Definitely my favorite character.

Jason could’ve been more decisive in a few key moments, but to be fair, he made up for it beautifully.

Also, the writing flowed really well. Overall, a solid 4 star read and something I’d totally recommend if you’re in the mood for something light and fun. Thank you so much to the author and NetGallery for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review voluntary

I absolutely loved this book. It was such an addictive, fun read with a sweet, heart-melting romance. The dual POV was done perfectly, and I especially loved seeing scenes from both characters' perspectives because it added so much depth. The character development, even for the side characters, was really well done.

Heads up: there is open-door spice, dirty talk, and toys included early on, which fit the story and characters perfectly. The miscommunication frustrated me at times, but only because I loved them together so much. I also appreciated the mental health representation and the refreshing, supportive family relationships.

The social media angle was really well woven in, and I adored the idea of a wedding dress designer who does not believe in marriage. Overall, the vibes, romance, and depth completely won me over. I cannot wait for the next book.

Tropes:
▪︎ Wedding dress designer FMC
▪︎ Architect MMC
▪︎ Golden retriever MMC
▪︎ Friends to lovers
▪︎ Only one bed
▪︎ Dual POV
▪︎ Open door spice and dirty talk with toys

Duuude I fell in love with this book and the Characters 😭 I'm definitely rereading the book 🥹 I'm such a sucker for childhood turned lovers stories 💙💙 Jason has my heart 🥹💙 the chemistry, the anticipation, the frustration in some scenes, the swooooning AAAH 😭💙 I really loved reading this book and would recommend it to people I know 💙🤗

The plot and the characters were quite cute. As a neurodivergent Priest’s daughter who is quite spiritual I felt I could relate to Rose a lot. Whilst some of the sex scenes did make me feel a little uncomfortable personally, I’m not one to yuck on someone else’s yum and I completed this book for their love story.

I sometimes found the dialogue to feel a little awkward or seem disjointed/stinted/to switch too quickly between formal and informal. But this could be part of my AuDHD and am mindful that not everyone converses the same way.

However I adored both Rose and Jason’s storyline. This book was incredibly light, cozy, and fluffy, and felt like a warm hug on a cold day with cocoa and a hot bath. I read this as we were about to have a family funeral, so when we had some heavy things going on ready something so light and adorable helped to make my days a little brighter. 🥰 I’m excited to read more in the series.

Otherwise no complaints, and loved it. 🥰

This book is just so cute! It’s an adorable, feel-good romance that pulled me in right from the start.

I found myself really invested in both main characters and their journey. Their chemistry built steadily, and the tension between them was so well done — when they finally gave in, it felt so satisfying and well-earned!

One of my favorite parts was how Holly Rose wove in fun little visuals like Instagram comments, text messages, and the bucket list. It added such a fun, modern dynamic and really pulled me deeper into their world.

That said, there were a few moments where the dialogue felt a little cringy, like she was trying a bit too hard to sound “cool” or trendy, and it pulled me out of the story a couple of times. (Honestly, it reminded me of my teen and his friends with all the slang they use.) It wasn’t a major issue, but it was noticeable enough to mention.

Overall, I really liked Follow Your Bliss. It gave me all the swoony, cozy feelings I want from a contemporary romance. I’d rate it 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4 because I cared so much about the characters and was fully invested in their happily-ever-after. I’ll definitely be picking up more from Holly Rose in the future!

Follow Your Bliss by Holly Rose is a refreshing and engaging contemporary romance that blends humor, heat, and heart in equal measure. The story follows Rose Guidry, a talented wedding dress designer who has returned to her hometown to rebuild her life and business. She reconnects with Jason, a carpenter and social media influencer, leading to a charming and steamy romance that explores themes of self-discovery, trust, and healing.​

Rose is a relatable and witty heroine, navigating the complexities of love, family expectations, and personal growth. Jason is the epitome of a supportive and understanding partner, offering Rose the space and encouragement she needs to open her heart again. Their chemistry is palpable, and their journey from friends to lovers is both heartwarming and sizzling.​

The novel is peppered with humor, candid conversations about intimacy, and a refreshing take on modern relationships. Rose's anxiety is portrayed with sensitivity and authenticity, adding depth to her character and resonating with readers who appreciate nuanced mental health representation (I knowI do).​

While the story is lighthearted and fun, it doesn't shy away from addressing deeper issues such as religious trauma, family dynamics, and the complexities of reconciling personal desires with cultural expectations. These elements add layers to the narrative, making it more than just a typical romance.​

Overall, Follow Your Bliss is a delightful read that offers a perfect balance of humor, heat, and heart. Holly Rose has crafted a story that is both entertaining and meaningful, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance.

I LOVED the puns and word play that the author used in this book. It had me giggling more than once while reading it. I definitely was fully committed to the slow burn between our two main characters. Our FMCs internal thoughts made me feel seen as a person because my mind runs a mile a minute.

I had some moments of frustration with our MMC where I tossed my kindle to the end of the couch but to me that’s amazing writing. If an author can illicit a physical reaction out of me I am instantly hooked.

this book was enjoyable in lots of ways but it started to get a little problematic for me because the main character man was a little too much. his need for the approval of his mother went way to far to just being something to work through. he had the term "mothers boy" leaning far to much in all the wrong ways.
Rose had alot of growth to do herself but it felt more relatable or at least not so problematic.
there swoon moments and witty banter was fun. and the premise of the book felt well done. and i enjoyed how the story played out. and whilst doing so touches some tough subjects well.
but for me it did put me off im afraid with just how red flag he was. i didnt want this for either of them but maybe i got or read it wrong.
this book does have some trigger warning which some might want to be aware of.
i dont know, maybe this book hit me at the wrong time. as i dont know why i couldnt love it. maybe the MMC getting me into that "thought spiral" straight away had me blacklisting the rest. but please dont get me wrong. i love a guy who can show is love. who can show his strength of love for his mum. that is NO problem. but this wasnt that for me and i can only apologize if i got the wrong end of the stick.

This was an engaging and lighthearted read. The two characters had great chemistry and the energy between them was fun. The romantic storyline was sweet with a touch of steam, and well paced. The conflict with one of the leads’ relationship with his mother added just the right amount of angst. A good book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Holly Rose for the ARC!

<b><i>One Sentence Summary: "She's never learned how to love and he's never known true passion."</b></i>

When I tell you that I finished this book and IMMEDIATELY wanted to reread it, I mean it! I finished reading this book at 10:30pm, which is well past my bedtime, and I was so tempted to just turn around and start again.

Follow Your Bliss stars Rose and Jason, childhood acquaintances intertwined in adulthood, Rose is an aspiring bridal designer, Jason is a trained architect switching roles to be a carpenter/renovator/influencer. Brought back into each others' lives when Rose needs to get out of her mother's house because it's too small upon her move back to New Orleans, Jason offers to rent his rectory-turned-apartment in his church-house to her to have more space to work on his sister's wedding dresses.

They become a well working team boosting Jason's "Deck Daddy" social media presence and working on building Rose's to promote her budding bridal business. There is also A LOT of very sex-positive conversation. My favorite quote is "What's a c0ck ring? And do I need one?" Rose teaches Jason, Jason teaches Rose. The main obstacle in their budding relationship is Rose's inability to believe every man will leave her and Jason's religious trauma, his mother, and the abusive/manipulative relationship he had with his ex.

Holly Rose does such an amazing job exploring the complexities and emotions that come with a new relationship with an old friend. Follow Your Bliss is also a refreshing discussion on sex. It doesn't just HAPPEN. There's sex toys, celibacy, self-love, and so much more.

An excellently written rom-com that had me giggling, squealing, clutching my pearls, and sweating.

A wedding dress designer who doesn’t believe in marriage? Count me in.

There’s something charming about Follow Your Bliss, from the small-town return vibes to the flirty rekindling between two people with shared history. Rose’s inner monologue sparkles with wit, though her dialogue sometimes veers into a bit much. The religious elements pop in and out (more plot device than pillar), but don’t overpower the story. Bonus points for a sex therapist mom who steals every scene she’s in (which is a great contrast to to religious other side). This debut brings lighthearted fun, a dash of heart, and a heroine who’s trying to figure it all out, just like the rest of us!

Yeah, I couldn’t.

Okay sooo… I SWEAR I didn’t read the warnings or description properly and that’s 100% on me 😭. I had no clue this was 🔞 going in, and I’m not into that genre at all❌. The cover totally threw me off — like it gives middle grade vibes🌞?? But then BAM🔫 — it’s not.

I tried. I really did. But the second we hit chapter 2 and they saw each other, I was just… no💀. The vibes were OFF. The language?? I don’t even mind swearing in books usually, but for this book it just didn't work🥴.

And the internal thoughts?? TOO much. Like I get characters having unfiltered minds🙊, but this felt like I was stuck in a never-ending spiral of TMI🙈🙅🏽‍♀️. There was zero subtlety and everything was so upfront it made me cringe more than care🎭.

I hate DNFing books but I had to tap out around the halfway mark🪦. It’s just not for me at all. No shade to the author — if this is your thing, cool — but yeah, I’m gonna go follow my bliss… somewhere far away from this book🎯.

Thanks Netgalley and the author for the ARC 🙈🌚🎭

I went into Follow Your Bliss thinking it was going to be a great, fun rom-com. The setup? Super cute. A wedding dress designer with commitment issues, forced to move in next door to her middle school crush? Sign me up. And honestly, the first few chapters had me hooked—fun banter, giggly moments, great energy.

But somewhere along the way, the charm wore off.

The dialogue started feeling less clever and more cringey. What was once funny quickly turned into nonstop innuendo, and the heroine’s constant sexual thoughts felt like overkill. I’m all for sex positivity and bold characters, but this just felt forced. Like the book was trying really hard to be edgy, and instead of feeling empowered, I felt secondhand awkward.

Jason, the love interest, was sweet and likable with a solid emotional backstory. I appreciated his struggles and how kind he was, but his constant need to impress his religious mom? It was a little much. He’s a grown man, yet he spent most of the book living for someone else’s approval. Meanwhile, Rose (our heroine) felt inconsistent. She had a cool job and a confident attitude, but I never really connected with her. I couldn’t quite see what Jason saw in her beyond surface-level attraction.

The heat between them kicked in way too fast. Like, they hadn’t seen each other in years and suddenly they’re mentally stripping each other by chapter two. The spice overtook the story before any emotional foundation could be built, and it pulled me out of what could’ve been a meaningful romance.

And don’t even get me started on the religious conflict—it felt wedged in just to stir up drama that the story didn’t need. The toxic ex subplot alone was enough.

I wanted to like this book. There were flashes of fun—like Rose’s custom ringtones for each character (adorable!)—and the premise had so much promise. But overall, it just didn’t land for me. The tone was off, the dialogue was too try-hard, and the romance leaned too far into fantasy for me to buy in.

If you’re into ultra-bold heroines, super steamy insta-lust, and don’t mind a little chaos, it might work better for you. For me, though, it was a miss.

I have a love and hate relationship with this book.

I wanted to read it because of the synopsis and the cover. I loved that the wedding dress designer is the one who wouldn't want to wear one down the aisle. That part, really made me curious about this book.

Their chemistry is instant, their banter is hilarious, and their emotional connection? So beautifully raw and tender. I adored Rose—she’s chaotic, heartfelt, and unapologetically herself. And Jason? He’s basically a golden retriever with rock hard abs. The way he falls for her? Heart eyes forever.

The character's love story was the perfect mix of emotional and spicy.

This book seemed exciting when I picked it up for a couple of reasons. The MMC is different from the usual: he’s a social media personality and is devoted to his religion. The FMC is bold, fun, and designs wedding dresses while being totally anti-commitment. That felt like a unique combination.

But for me, there were too many sexual jokes that made the characters feel more like teenagers than adults. My biggest issue, though, was how the MMC’s religious values and celibacy were a big part of the story at first, but later they’re dropped without much explanation. It felt more like a way to complicate the plot than actual character development.

Also, even though I usually love a family guy, it really bothered me that the MMC constantly disagrees with his mom but still seems obsessed with getting her approval for the woman he’s falling for. It’s literally all he thinks about when trying to make the relationship work.

All of this made it hard for me to connect with the couple or root for their story.

That said, if you’re into confident FMCs, sweet MMCs with golden retriever vibes, and lots of spicy scenes, this might still be your kind of book.

**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review 💬 All opinions are my own.**

📖✨ ARC REVIEW TIME ✨📖
I just finished Follow Your Bliss by @Hollyrose and OMG I am NOT OKAY (in the best way 😭💖)

First of all—THAT COVER?! 🥹🎀 She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s going on my shelf face-out FOREVER.

This story?? ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.
👰‍♀️ Rose = the most lovable bridal seamstress with a heart of gold
🛠️ Jason = swoony DIY king who had me blushing every other page 😳
The banter?? ICONIC. I was giggling like a fool at 2am.

What really hit me though was the way Holly portrayed anxiety—so real, so gentle, so SEEN 🫶 It felt like a warm hug wrapped in beautiful prose.

Sweet 🧁 meets spicy 🌶️ in the BEST way possible. Rose’s humor?? 10/10. Jason?? 100/10. Chemistry?? THROUGH THE ROOF.

Major love to Holly for putting clear trigger warnings on her site—protecting your readers is queen behavior 👑

I’m OBSESSED and already counting down to Heather’s story 😍💫

This is a cute story to read if you are feeling down and want to brighten your day. The story line is good and is very well written. And every woman wants a MMC good guy like Jason at one point in their life.

3.25 stars.

This book was honestly just a lot of fun (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) I couldn't put it down, it kept me so engaged. The writing flows well, in my opinion, it's a pretty quick read, and most importantly, I just loved the two main characters ˙ᵕ˙ I thought Rose was so sweet, I love a kind main character and her anxiety was so funny at times and relatable that it hurt, and Jason? Oh my GODS, what a babe ( ≧ᗜ≦) I was worried about how we would resolve the third-act climax, but I thought it was done really, really well, and honestly those 2 whole chapters were so good and angsty that they raised the rating another quarter star, I thought the whole thing was handled really nicely.

There were quite a few moments that made me laugh, a few that made me cry, and the way I was blushing?? Jason. Again. Wow (>/////<) ♡ I saw some reviews that said the book was religious, but I honestly didn't think so at all. The mother is very religious, but I felt like that came across perfectly in the blurb, and it never extended beyond her wanting Jason to date a "good church girl." So no, religion is definitely not a theme here in my opinion. I don't think just mentioning the name "God" makes a book religious, and I'm usually pretty sensitive to that stuff, but I feel like the author was really great about making it clear that only Jason's mom was religious, and even with her, there ended up being more to her story than that.

In fact, that's probably my biggest nitpick. I wish we'd gotten even more of the family and friend dynamics (outside of the mother). I was really interested in Becca's relationship with Jason, Jason's relationship with his father, and Rose's relationship with just about everyone else; her mom, Heather, Abby, even her sister Lily. I found them so interesting that I really would've liked to explore those moments more between the other characters ( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡)

I really enjoyed this story, I'm thankful to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC, and any book that can have me with my face in my kindle as I walk around outside and risk stairs is a story worth a good rating ( ⸝⸝´꒳`⸝⸝)

He helps her dig up a time capsule that she buried in middle school, saw that she included a bucket list, made a copy of it, and then STARTED TO COMPLETE EACH ITEM SHE HAD ON THERE WITHOUT TELLING HER AND WOULD ADD A CEHCK MARK WHEN HE HAD HELPED FINISH THEM. Let me say that again. HE WANTED TO COMPLETE HER MIDDLE SCHOOL BUCKET LIST FOR HER. ONE ITEM BEING TO GET HIM TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HER, AND HE ADDED LIKE 8 CHECK MARKS NEXT TO IT.

Read if you’re into:
He falls first ✅
Forced Proximity ✅
Mental Health Representation ✅
Mentions of Religion but not too heavily, in my opinion ✅
They support each others dreams ✅
FMC has no filter ✅
Funny/witty banter ✅

Warnings:
-FMC and MMC struggle with childhood trauma (FMC a child of divorce and MMC mommy issues)
-Christianity is definitely a focus in this story
-FMC struggles with anxiety/panic attacks and talks about this
-The spicy scenes are a little cringy with some of the verbiage used, in my opinion
-3rd Act Break Up

Overall this was a super cute, fluffy read. No heavy/dark tropes or topics. I liked our MMC Jason, he is a sensitive guy who loves his family. I could relate to the FMC Rose, as she struggles with anxiety and is unapologetically herself.

This book right here is on my top 5 must haves!!! Love love how Rose character is, Me as an Aquarius woman can relate so much to her. This was Funny, at one point i was almost at tears and good spice in it too. PLEASE MUST READ YOURSELF!!! was about to not read it do to the negative reviews and now i NEED a physical book!!!!!!