First off, thank you to Netgalley & Lindsey Lanza for the e-arc.

Speechless is about an author, Lucy, who wants a fresh start after her divorce. She decides to move to LA with her dog Rowan (helloooo ToG reference). When her living arrangements fall through, she gets an offer to stay with Henry, a composer whose music she’s been obsessed with.

I’m not going to lie, I did find myself struggling to get through this book… I did find myself skimming. I thought it was a little odd that Henry wasn’t really around for the first 30% of the book (after the initial meeting). And then all of a sudden I feel like their feelings for each other just escalate to love in a matter of moments. It was just a little too out of the blue, insta-love for me.

Some notable tropes in this book are:
slow burn
forced proximity
found family

Love a slow strangers to friends to lovers build! Speechless had a very sweet, musical meetcute.

Lucy is an urban fantasy novelist and a super-fan of composer Henry Turner. She religiously listens to his film scores. When she finds herself in a stressful situation, her earbuds go in and his music takes her away.

Henry is in an airport, and notices a woman with a cute service dog and a set of noise-cancelling headphones humming one of his songs. He deals with selective mutism stemming from severe anxiety but manages to initiate a conversation with Lucy.

When Lucy’s plans fall through, he invites her to stay at his palatial beach house in Malibu (as one does.) While that premise is less than realistic, I’ll forgive it because the book is self-aware of this fact and it’s a deliberate echo to the fairy tales that Lucy reimagines. Plus, it kicks off a cute “forced” proximity for romance reasons.

Lucy deals with chronically illness in the form of endometriosis and has a lovable service dog. Her condition was rendered realistically and she’s an example of Jewish representation done right.

Feelings come organically after a slow build from strangers to friends to lovers, even with Henry’s anxiety creating a roadblock. Their dynamic was CUTE. Henry is the quintessential cinnamon roll hero, doing things like writing silly songs about their meals, including one about a love triangle between different pastas and learning to make Matzo ball soup when she’s unwell. What a sweetheart.

Lanza’s writing style was straightforward with plenty of charming banter. Found family is a theme here, and the room/band mates were fun side characters. Adoption is depicted in a positive light and endometriosis is shown with accuracy. Mild/medium heat with a couple steamy scenes that were satisfying without being very graphic. I really liked this one. 4.5 ⭐️

(The cover is okay and accurate to the story but I wish the characters had faces. Faceless illustrations always weird me out.)

I really enjoyed this one and I’m so impressed it’s a debut novel (love when I see bookstagrammer’s become authors!).

Lucy is flying to LA to move there to live with her best friend while she figures out her life post-divorce. At the boarding gate, she meets Henry, who she quickly realizes is her favorite music composer who she’s admired for years. Before take off, Lucy gets word her living arrangements have fallen through, and with nowhere to go, Henry offers her a guest room at his house in Malibu while she gets on her feet.

The story has good chronic illness and mental health representation, which I always appreciate. It also focuses a lot around the theme of friendship, which I love to see and think gets left out of romance novels a lot!

I loved the book bf and thought the connection between Lucy and Henry felt very authentic, although a tiny bit insta-lovey, but I didn’t mind it. My biggest gripe is there’s a good amount of miscommunication/lack of communication, which is not my favorite plot device. With that being said, I’m glad I picked up an ARC of this one and would definitely read more from Lindsey Lanza.

This one is out January 17, 2023 - Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I have mixed feelings while writing this review because a part of me liked this book and another part of me couldn't connect with the characters because of the way this book was written, I know, I know what I just said doesn't make sense but it's the best way I can explain it.

This book tells the story of an author who has been going through some very difficult situations and just when she thinks things can get better and is on her way to moving in with her best friend, all her plans collapse, and just at that moment by a crazy coincidence of fate she finds herself face to face with the creator of the music that has helped her get through her life the last few months and he makes her a proposal to which she says yes because she has no other options....

I think my main problem with this book is that I feel that the relationship of the main characters went from 0 to 100 in a matter of 20 pages, it felt very rushed and many times illogical if I'm honest.

On the bright side I must admit that I laughed out loud several times, so even though I may not have liked this book very much, maybe it's the perfect book for someone else.

This was so good. A sensitive romance with excellent characters. From Lucy and her amazing caring dog to Henry and his musical genius, and all the best friends this book is a gift. The chronic illness that Lucy has as well as the debilitating anxiety that Henry has doesn’t make their story an easy one but it is told so well, with humour as well as the sadness. I can’t wait to read another by Lindsey Lanza.

Thanks to NetGalley and Victoria editing for sending me a copy of this book. Sadly it wasn’t for me but if you are looking for a fun, fast-paced, lighthearted romcom it might be for you!

Before anything, have in mind that I don’t usually read romance (except if Emily Henry writes it) and I cringe easily when it comes to cheesy dialogues, with that in mind:

The chronic illness rep was so valuable. It was really eye opening for me to read about Lucy and how the pain affected her but also had become common in her life. I haven’t read many stories with characters suffering from invisible disabilities and Lucy’s story definitely called me out to diversify my reading with more characters and authors with disabilities.

The rest of the story I found it to read like young YA, at the same time it can’t be, it contains smut and talks about sexual acts, so it’s not. My main issue is how every situation was immature. There were so many times where the main character would behave like she was twelve. Everything was so unrealistic from the beginning to end. Nothing new was added and it was a quick, easy, read for me. It felt like a story where Barbara Palvin and Francisco Lachowski would be the leads if this was 2014.

All the characters were static, everyone loved Lucy with the whole heart right after they met her. The antagonists are painted as cold-hearted, self-absorbed, almost villainous people in such a childish way.

The amount of pop culture references wasn’t exuberating but every time it managed to make me cringe (specially the Taylor one, coming from a huge swiftie).
This book would have been fine if they were teenagers but not grown up adults.

Again, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity, I’m sorry this wasn’t for me but I hope it finds its audience.

This was so cute! I loved the grumpy sunshine element. a very cute happy read that I needed with the weather changing and becoming dark and dreary. I highly reccomend!

I loved these characters!! Sweet Henry..how can you not love him and hope the best for him!! Finding out his story made me tear up. Lucy has had a difficult life and never knew what true friendship should look like and has a hard time trusting her feelings. All of the supporting characters were awesome, each in their own way. This book left me with a total book hangover. I'm having a hard time letting these characters go and moving on to another book.

This book is SO SWEET! I love how Lucy and Henry met, and the growth of their relationship.

Graham, Dami, Preston, and Jaycee were the best! They loved Lucy for who she was, and not what they THOUGHT she should be. It’s hard to find real life friends like that in the society we live in.

Oh Rowan! Where do I begin? What a sweet puppy dog!

I will be recommending this book in Book Club. Thanks Netgalley for the read and review!

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, all my opinions are my own

TW/CW: severe social anxiety, endometriosis, chronic pain

About the book:
- chronic illness + anxiety rep
- HUGE new girl vibes
- found family
- he falls first

I absolutely LOVED this book! I am in awe that this was a debut novel. Several times throughout the book I went back and made sure I read that correctly in the author's profile. Lucy and Henry both have their own struggles and hardships, but it is impossible not to fall in love with them.
I am attached to Henry and Lucy; I miss them. This book will remain a favorite of mine!

This was a super cute debut book from Lindsey Lanza! Basic premise: A 30-year old, newly divorced author is starting over in a new city, when she meets a classical musician who just so happens to be her favorite. Due to a series of events, she ends up moving into his home, which he also shares with his friends and band mates.

Things I loved:
- Both main characters are flawed and imperfect, yet very likeable. . They both suffer from disabilities/chronic health issues, and I liked the inclusivity.
- Wally! Who doesn’t love a sheepdog service animal who is learning to give kisses on demand?
- I loved the band mates. They are all unique, but compassionate in their own ways.

Things that I think could have been improved:
- Some of the dialogue felt strange/unrealistic. There is a specific exchange with Lucy’s former best friend near the end of the book that was so weird that I had to read it several times, and it still didn’t seem like anything that anyone would possibly say..
- Sometimes the book didn’t flow as well as I would have liked. It kind of just went from scene to scene without transitions, and I think it could have been a little smoother.

Overall though, a great debut and I would definitely be excited to read another book by this author!

This story follows an author named Lucy who decides to move herself and her service dog to Los Angeles for a fresh start. On the brink of potential homelessness, a kind stranger she meets at the airport offers her a place to stay. Who’s the stranger you ask? None other than her favourite composer.

I wasn’t expecting to like this story as much as I truly did. It was the classic romantic comedy that I was looking for when I first began reading this story.

Henry and his friends (HAAAM) were so fun to read about. This book had such a strong found family vibe and I found myself smiling at the silly moments between the characters. I loved all their dynamics and the individuality that they all brought to the story.

Graham and Henry really stood out to me. Graham was such a good friend to not only Henry but to Lucy throughout the entire book, forever being someone that they could rely on. He’s also a fellow Australian so that definitely puts him high on my list. I related to Henry a lot with his social anxiety and awkwardness. The need to rehearse what he needs to say before he says it is something that I do and I felt like it was really special to see it portrayed in a book.

<b>“But you are special, Luce. You are my anomaly.”</b>

This quote actually made me <i>swoon</i>. If anybody said this to me I would get down on one knee and ask for their hand in marriage.

I loved that this book covered real issues such as chronic illnesses and severe anxiety. It covered the guilt and the shame that come along with those real issues too which is why the only criticism would be that the dialogue sometimes felt unrealistic.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would revisit it again in the future.

<i>Thank you to NetGallery and Victory Editing for providing me this arc!</i>
<i>I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.</i>

Speechless is a great romance book surrounding two strangers who meet on a flight, but Henry is Lucy’s favorite composer. And when he offers her a place to stay after she’s lost her housing, she can’t say no. The book involves some really good tropes, like found family and forced proximity. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants more than just romance in their romance book. It deals with mental health, self worth, and chronic illness. A really cute read, with some deep moments too.

With such a lively cover and the mention of Malibu in the synopsis, I thought Speechless would be a funny, swoony rom-com; I wasn’t entirely wrong. It is swoony and romantic, but it's also deep, heartfelt, and tender.

Lucy’s life is in upheaval. She’s recently divorced, suffering from a chronic illness, and moving to a different state to help her best friend, who has suddenly told her she could no longer stay with her. She’s looking at a shit sandwich. The only thing that helps her, besides her adorable service dog, is the masterful music of Henry Turner. Who does she meet on her flight to LA when all looks bleak? The one and only Henry flipping Turner, who looks nothing like Beethoven but is a smoking hot thirty-two-year-old.

Henry has crippling anxiety and prefers to let his music talk from her. When he sees a beautiful woman at the airport and hears her humming his music, he must talk to her, which is a feat since Henry usually can’t speak to strangers at all. Still, there's something about Lucy that draws him in, and suddenly he’s inviting her to stay with him and his band/roommates in Malibu.

Speechless is a sweeping, slow-burn romance steeped in music, friendship, and finding your family. It is heartfelt and magical how the relationships in this book unfold and how the characters build themselves around each other into a deeply loving family. as the synopsis says, it’s about finding your people, overcoming your deepest insecurities and choosing to live your happiness

Cute! That's the first what came to my mind after reading. This story is so cute.

It is sometimes naive, have some important issues highlighted in and I spend a wonderful time with this book. That's for sure.

This is an example that sometimes we don't need a perfect book. We don't need to understand the characters, their decisions or motivations to just feel the story in our bones and be there.

Cool, easy-going, enjoyable book for long evenings.

A sweet & heartwarming friends to lovers forced proximity romance w/ a New-Girl-esque friend group, the cutest pup, all the drama & plenty of depth exploring chronic illness & mental health!

☀️Wow!!! This book hooked me from start to finish. I picked it up and could not put it down. I laughed, I cried and everything in between.

The character development is great. The two main characters are allowed to go on their separate journeys while providing support for each other and deepening their connection. I liked the awareness brought to invisible illnesses and personal struggles that are highlighted throughout the novel. I loved the supporting characters and overarching theme of found family. Such a heartwarming novel!

I also cannot resist a Taylor Swift or Throne of Glass reference. Love a main character with great taste! 🎉🙌

I could NOT put this book down- I read it in one sitting! I laughed and I cried. Then I laughed and cried at the same time. This was a beautiful love story that represented serendipity at its finest. This was a 5 star rom-com read for me for many reasons: I loved the story! I am a musical person, having grown up in a family of hobby musicians, and taking piano and voice lessons for nearly my whole life, so it was fun to see the musical passion consistent through the pages of this novel. It was, at times, angsty and touched on many different heavy topics that are becoming more and more prevalent in people's lives, such as mental health and infertility (just to name a couple) and I think it's so so important for them to be represented accurately. And Rowan. Oh Rowan. And Graham. The supporting characters in this story were top notch and they made me feel like i was a part of the family that Lanza created in her precious, debut novel.

I will recommend this book to any romance book lover once it hits the shelves in January!

Wow. I am Speechless. This is a debut!? First off, thank you so much for an eArc of this. I cannot be any more appreciative.

I loved everything about this and cannot wait for everyone to read this. I laughed, I smiled, I cried, I felt all the emotions. The way the author tied in music not only throughout the book, but within the "parts" themselves was so creative and worked so well. HAAAM was an absolute joy. I loved the instant relationship that Lucy had with them, as well as watching Henry's relationship with grow deeper.

*a likely spoiler*
I knew going into this that Lucy had an unseen disability. I learned quickly that Henry did too. I could relate to both of these characters. While my relatedness to Henry isn't as deep as Lucy's, I still felt it. Anxiety is so real and can affect all aspects of our relationships. My relatedness to Lucy's made me cry. I don't have the same diagnosis as her, but I have been battling infertility for 5 years now. I felt her emotions as I have felt them too. Never feeling good enough because you can't give your husband what they want in life. And then when Mary's story came into it, I felt it even more as we have been going through those treatments with "nothing" wrong.

The author wrote about these so real and authentically, that I am still in disbelief that this is a debut. This gave me Emily Henry and Taylor Jenkin Read, vibes. I cannot wait to read more from Lindsey - I hope she continues writing as I look forward to read anything she writes from here forward.