Good rep in this book. I really enjoyed the read.

Thank you NetGalley for eARC in exchange for honest review

Looking for a cute contemporary romance book with a music composer love interest who has anxiety and mutism, an author main character, an adorable service dog, endometriosis rep, and some drama? Look no further because this book has it all! Real rating of a 4.5.

I went into this book blind only knowing that it was enjoyed by some of my bookish friends who have similar tastes to me and it was so worth it. This book is a fantastic debut and certainly does not read like one, so kudos to the author! The writing was well done and I loved the banter between characters as well as the side characters!

I found the story to be so unique and was so excited to find out the book had lots of disability rep, especially endometriosis rep since I'm an Endo Warrior myself! It sheds light on what life can be like with the disease, even after extensive surgeries, and the tough conversations surrounding it that can make the disease feel so invalidating and isolating. I also loved the anxiety rep and how our love interest is mute in most social interactions but finds solace in the main character. Henry's story was both heartbreaking yet heartwarming at the same time and I couldn't help but root for him and Lucy the whole time. Lucy was such a fun character who despite the drama in her life surrounding her divorce was still passionate about her work and vulnerable about in falling in love. This truly is such a unique story and I've already revisited some of my favorite scenes!

As this book was a love letter to the book community, I expected a few nods to it. I think what jarred me a little was the highly specific refrences and brand name dropping. Also, while I love Taylor Swift, the whole scene between Lucy and Jack was a little abrupt to me as while the lyric fit the situation, it was also really random. This is just me being a little nitpicky in things that stood out to me and kind of slowed the flow a few tiny times, but overall the book really is fantastic.

This debut will leave you, well, speechless! Perfect for any contemporary romance fan with a story that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you rooting for Henry and Lucy (and Rowan)! I am certainly looking forward to future works by this author!

Would it be too bad of a pun if I said I loved this book so much, I was rendered speechless?

💫 The main relationship and plot were developed SO WELL, I loved it, I was hooked right from the start
💫 I loved both MCs so much, I'm not kidding when I say that literally all the chapters were like drinking warm coffee
💫 THRONE OF GLASS REFERENCES!! And analyses about how awesome Rowan and Rowaelin were 😭
💫 The third act conflict was so well handled

TWs - endometriosis, chronic pain, infertility, crippling social anxiety, cheating, death of parents, divorce

If you love contemporary romance, go read this book, I can def say you'll love it😭 this book is out in January 2023, so keep an eye out for it!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and yo Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy!

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in return for a review! Speechless comes out January 17th, 2023.

5 ⭐️

Guys, this book was soooooo cute! I binge read it in one evening and I couldn’t stop. Lucy and Henry are so incredibly cute together, and Rowan, ohmy, I just want to cuddle him so much! A super sweet romance novels that deals with heavy topics as well (check TW’s), has a wonderfully written chronic illness rep and deals with mental illnesses so well (also with men, which really is something I don’t see in books often!). A wonderful, sweet and cute story, perfect to cozy up with and enjoy 💕

What a way to debut. “Speechless” is a book that tells a beautiful story about healing, about overcoming your fears and insecurities and most of all it’s about love—not only the romantic kind.
Through the pages of this novel, we follow the story of Lucy—a kindhearted, best-seller author, who’s always imagining and accompanied by her best-four-paws-best-friend, Rowan—and Henry—an enigmatic and talented musician, whom she’s been obsessed with for years. Their first meeting happens just when she’s about to start a new chapter of her life, fully alone, after divorcing and dealing with personal issues, while Henry doesn’t mean to do the same, but ends up doing the same for him and being part of hers.
Their meeting felt like fate—I swear there wasn't a way that these two, as different as they are, would ever find their ways to each other under any other circumstances—and it was very cute, just like their relationship’s development. As they went from strangers to friends to lovers, it all felt so smooth, natural and beautiful, and their scenes together brought me a lot of joy.
Plus, the found family trope always hits me hard, and it wasn't different this time. I loved to see Lucy’s—and even Henry’s—new relationship with all the HAAAM guys and Addama. And from the guys, I loved Graham the most—he’s so funny and didn't fail to make me laugh pretty much every time he opened his mouth. And I also loved Rowan, he’s the most precious and funny creature there is in this book.
So, overall this one is such a great book, with great characters and it’s definitely worth the time to read! Don’t forget to check it out when it comes out on January 17th!

Thanks Lindsey Lanza, NetGalley, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of Speechless.
This book was very cute. I enjoyed the characters and the many types of representation.
I didn’t find it as gripping as some romances I’ve read, and I was waiting for it to become addictive.

I enjoyed this one. While not really realistic as with most romances, the relationships did feel real. I appreciated the friendships Lucy developed with each of the guys and how there was fairly little drama between characters. I hate miscommunication and this book didn't have much which I liked.

Overall this was an engaging, funny, and romantic read that I enjoyed reading through to the end. I liked that the characters and their problems felt so unique and specific, yet they were treated sensitively and were ultimately true to life. Yes, the premise is extremely fantastical but it's romance, so I personally didn't mind. The romantic hero, a genius (and rich!) songwriter with severe social anxiety (broadly speaking: a specific diagnosis isn't given but it appears to be a combination of factors) was especially memorable, as was the initial meet-cute.
I read this book as an e-arc, so I'm not sure if it was 100% finalized yet, but the writing felt a bit uneven at times. Nothing some edits wouldn't fix, though (the foundation is solid).

I went in completely blind with this book! It's a fantastic debut novel from the author and I loved every single part of it.

When life’s off-key, go to Malibu

Bestselling author Lucy Gold may write fairy tales for a living, but her own happily ever after is looking bleak. Seeking a fresh start after a sudden divorce on the eve of her thirtieth birthday, she decides to make a new life for herself and her service dog in Los Angeles. But when her living arrangements fall through just before takeoff, a handsome stranger offers to let her stay with him and his motley crew of musicians in Malibu.

Her gallant hero? None other than Henry Turner, the award-winning composer whose music has held Lucy together while her life’s been crumbling apart.

Henry might be at the peak of his creative career, but his crippling anxiety throws his personal life completely out of tune. Yet all that changes the longer Lucy stays with him and his housemates, swiftly becoming one of their own and offering Henry a glimpse of happiness he never thought possible.

As their relationship deepens, Lucy’s attraction to Henry cannot be denied, but as she works through the aftermath of her divorce, she’s resigned to give up on love. Henry plays all the right notes and says all the right words. Will Lucy be able to hear them over her fear of the past repeating itself?

Speechless is a swoony saga about finding your people, overcoming your deepest insecurities, and choosing happiness no matter what life throws at you.
I loved this book so much! I couldn't stop reading it. The characters were well developed and it gave me swoony feelings. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own

Speechless
Author: Lindsey Lanza

eARC & Book Review
Pub Date: January 17, 2023
My Rating: 4.25 / 5 stars

In Lindsey Lanza's debut novel, Speechless, we meet Lucy Gold and Henry Turner.

Hoping for a fresh start post-divorce, Lucy finds herself moving to California to live with a good friend. When her housing plans fall through, she is suddenly homeless, about to arrive in California, and has no idea what she is going to do.

When a kind stranger just so happens to offer her a place to stay, things might just turn around for Lucy. The kind stranger? It is none other than Henry Turner, the award-winning composure whose music has gotten Lucy through some of her toughest times. Henry, while at the peak of his career, is going through his own tough times. Together, with the help of HAAM, the duo begin to navigate what it is like to be happy again.

-- Speechless was a breath of fresh air! It was such a heartfelt, swoony novel about finding your people, choosing happiness, and overcoming deep insecurities. Lanza managed to approach sensitive mental and physical health issues that are rarely written about, making it a teaching opportunity in the process.
-- I really did enjoy this novel and flew through it. The characters were well written and the plot was unique and enjoyable.

Congratulation Lindsey on your first novel and I look forward to reading many more!! Thank you Net Galley and Victoria Editing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did at all but omg I absolutely loved it!! It’s so cute and swoon worthy. Every single one of the characters were absolutely amazing, not just the main character but even the side characters. This is such an amazing debut novel and I can’t wait until Lindsey Lanza writes another book!

Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Lindsey Lanza for the eARC in exchange, for an honest review

This book is so special to me. I think it was beautifully written, and I just completely fell in love with the characters. I was rooting for them the whole way through. I also really appreciate the sensitive subjects of mental and physical health being touched on. I loved every second and I’m so grateful I got to read it!

Such a beautiful story! Well thought out relatable characters, and story! Loved reading this book! Characters felt real and fun to get to know, their witty banter and friendship was well written. Yes there was talk of chronic health issues and severe anxiety but all very well thought and explained. What I loved the most is how the story was divided into movements, like a music sheet. Gave the plot momentum. The duo POV helped get to know Henry and Lexie, and how their relationship develops. Fun supporting characters that help move MC’s plot.

This book stole my heart and I read it in just over one sitting.

From the first page I just seemed to connect with the characters and really appreciated the dual POV. Lucy and Henry were just adorable and special in their own ways and spending time with them was a true delight. One of my favourite things in a book, regardless of genre, is a good friendship group and this one had that in spades. They made me laugh so much and were truly some of the best secondary characters I've come across (rooting for them to get their own books...!).

As someone with a chronic illness, not the same as Lucy's, it was heartwarming to have this as a core, but not overwhelming, element of the story. The reasons Lucy didn't disclose, the challenges she face with an invisible illness and the daily struggles she endured were all things I could relate to. Even if this isn't your own story, I think it will give you a better understanding of what others may be going through.

There is a scene with Lucy's sweet little pup Rowan (ultimate scene stealer), that I personally found to be written perfectly. It is something that I'd experienced with my own dog last year and I thought Lindsey captured those feelings perfectly (don't worry friends, there is no animal cruelty!).

The development of Henry and Lucy's relationship and there own backstories were developed, hinted at and then explored so well!

If I didn't know going in that this was a debut, I would have been shocked! Can't wait to read more from Lindsey!

This is my book so I think I’m required to give it five stars! I hope you enjoy speechless, and especially Rowan!

SPEECHLESS is a stunning, heartwarming debut from Lindsey Lanza !

This book made me want to hug both Henry and Lucy and assure the both of them…YOU. ARE. ENOUGH!

One with a chronic Illness, the other with crippling anxiety, both brought together by the power of music and words. BEAUTIFUL!

This group of musicians Lucy finds herself living with warmed my heart. Watching her form genuine friendships and bring the whole house together was perfect.

Also, who could not fall in love with Lucy’s service dog, Rowan, named after every booksta’s fave TOG character!

This book evokes all the emotions! Happiness, sadness, full on ugly crying! GAH! But also the flutters of getting to know someone and falling in love!

This book was just spectacular and I know I will be thinking about it for a long while after that last page!

Please please please add this to your TBR!!

Publishes January 17th, 2023!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Lindsey Lanza for the opportunity to read the ARC of Speechless. What a special story! I loved the multiple POV and the character development of Lucy and Henry’s friends and roommates. This was a beautiful story of loss and growth. I loved the relationships as they developed. The writing was beautiful and dialogue was realistic. Jack and Sarah’s late game drama was a bit unnecessary for me. I also felt the realness of Lucy’s fear and ambiguity but it became a bit tedious for me toward the end.

I recommend this for anyone who loves a story about found family and lots of anticipation and medium steam.

Lucy Gold literally never misses. This book was amazing and made me have all the feels and I loved it!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This will be my holy grail rec when someone wants a fun and easy read. I binged this quickly and really liked both main characters. It's definitely trope heavy and leans into the insta love a little much BUT that's the point. Really liked the anxiety rep, the dog, and just a fun group of characters. Hopefully we get more from some of the roommates in the future.


My biggest critique is that I think the lead is a great, and she definitely needed friends to make her seem normal.