Thanks to NetGalley for this e-ARC.

"You are my perfect"

I loved this book and read the whole thing in less than three days. It's fun without being cringe and deals with deeper issues sensitively, including chronic illness and anxiety.

The MFC and MMC felt real to me, neither were massively romanticised and I can tell that the author has put a lot of time into their characterisation. They both individually overcome their fears and insecurities, whilst also helping the other. Whilst they unconsciously help each other, it is their personal growth that had me rooting for them. Henry is so sweet and a kind soul and being a regular guy with issues whilst also always on alert to how Lucy was feeling has my heart melting!

"Because you remind me of sunshine..."

The miscommunication throughout the book isn't there as a plot driving trope but as a way to portray how those that live with chronic illnesses and invisible disabilities often self-sabotage their happiness because of their own insecurities, even if they are entirely unwarranted. This part of the book felt raw and powerful and really made me think about what it actually means to want / have a HEA. What it means to think about and plan for a future that doesn't look like the one you originally wanted.

This is a one-house slow burn romance, but, at times, the slow burn felt like it was almost extinguished. I wished there was a bit more banter that we typically see in romance fiction, but I suppose the lack of banter and wit between them made sense, considering Henry's anxiety and selective mutism.

The reason it's not 5 stars for me is being the pacing in the middle was a tad slow and I think that's because we read a lot about the side characters that I feel didn't really add to the plot. The side characters (Henry's housemates and colleagues) weren't that fleshed out, considering how much of the book they took up, but at the same time weren't that interesting and if they had been fleshed out, I don't think I would have wanted them to be in it any more than they were. So it's a bit of a Catch 22.

However, this is definitely a book that I will recommend to anyone that likes romance fiction!

It took me a little while to REALLY get into this one, but once I did, I enjoyed the heck out of it. I was never bored with the story, but I just didn’t connect with it until
about halfway through. Then it hit me! I absolutely love the found family trope and this one was so lovely. I liked that we got both Lucy and Henry’s POVs. They were both really interesting and sweet characters. I also loved the social anxiety and endometriosis rep that did not end the way I was dreading that it would. I did feel like it dragged a little in places, but overall the pacing was pretty good. And ROWAN. What an absolute prince of a dog. I thought this was a really sweet and warm romance with a lot of great humor, heartfelt moments and great character growth. I would absolutely recommend it for anyone looking for a heartwarming love story.

TW: endometriosis, social anxiety, infertility

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Publishing for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

Speechless was just the light-hearted, feel-good novel that I needed during finals season! Lucy and Henry perfectly complemented each other and their growth throughout the story led to me not being able to put this one down. There were a FEW cringey moments which had me needing to put the book down for a few seconds, but the sweet and charismatic characters had me coming back for more soon enough. I really enjoyed this quick, romantic read.

Published on Goodreads (Hannah Gallacher) 12/29/22

This book in 3 words: Swoon. Memorable. Wishful.

I refuse to accept this is Lanza's debut. This story had such a hold on me from the first few pages and I devoured it in a single sitting. This is the kind of book where you laugh, cackle, and OMG aloud. Expect your cheeks to hurt from smiling throughout. It has both the light, feel-good vibe of a rom-com perfectly paired with heavy hitting themes that make you think long after you've finished.

I LOVED LUCY. LOVED HER. She is open, willing to grow, and so relatable. Henry Turner is such an interesting and charming character to read. Just wonderful chemistry from the first time they meet, well into the depth of the chapters. This book is one of my favorite reads of the year. Not a big fan of rating books but this one is an easy 5-star read.

Read if you like:
Strangers to Friends
Books about books/authors
Connections to music
Diverse Characters
Celebrity vibes
New Girl
Malibu setting
Realistic depictions of social anxiety and chronic pain

Speechless by @lindsey
Thanks to @netgalley


This story was amazing and I connected to it straight away. A little mention if Ian somerhalder and I knew this was the book for me. The book was very relatable for me and I pretty much swooned the whole book.

I honestly loved this book the characters all complemented each other really well and the chemistry between Lucy and Henry was beautiful from the get go. Henry suffers badly from anxiety and finds himself unable to talk to strangers but it was different with Lucy.

Lucy suffers from a chronic illness and I had a feeling right away what it was going to be. As someone who suffers with endometriosis it was so good hearing it being wrote about as its very much an invisible illness.

I've rated this book 5 🌟
Must read!!


P.s did you know it takes on average 10 years to diagnose endometriosis.

This was such a cute, unique story!

I didn’t know anything about this one going in, and I am so happy to say that I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I grew to love both Lucy and Henry very quickly, despite the beginning of the story feeling a little clunky and unbelievable (specifically related to her moving in with a group of talented, kind & famous musicians after a plane ride with her favorite composer)

This got much more “real” as the story went on, though. I LOVE that there was accurate representation of endometriosis, and it was so heartwarming to see Lucy surrounded by such loving & supportive men throughout heroes difficult moments. Much of what Lucy had going on internally was very relatable, especially the pressures to have children & fears of being seen as less of a person or a woman if this isn’t the exact path for you. Henry’s mental health struggles were also a breath of fresh air to read, and the ways his friends & Lucy supported him absolutely warmed my heart. I think there is so much to learn in this story, not just about romance, but about friendship and illness and support.

Despite these heavier topics, the story kept a rom-com esque tone that wasn’t hindered by the more serious talk. I am impressed by the way Lanza was able to do both of these things so completely. The spice was not terribly explicit but certainly present, and all of the romantic scenes between Henry & Lucy were utterly believable. I’m only knocking off a star because sometime the prose would read as awkward or strangely paced, but it didn’t take me too far out of the story. I will definitely be keeping an eye on Lanza going forward!

Thank you to Victory Editing & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title before publishing!

Let me just start my saying I went back and checked my Kindle, and I had saved 43 highlights from this book and each one was a paragraph. I cannot say enough good things about this book. From the amazing characters, to the representation, to the amazing plot, I loved it all.

When reading romance books, I feel it’s hard to find plots that feel truly unique and this one was it for me, and once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. The perfect mix of sweet and spicy with two main characters you couldn’t help but root for.

Also, can I just say how much I would love to see this is the form of a movie?! Actual perfect rom com. I can’t wait to post about this and shout its praises from the rooftops on the day it releases. Thank you Lindsey Lanza for allowing me to read the ARC of this absolute gem!

This debut novel from Lindsey Lanza is quite simply sensational and may just be my favourite read of 2022! The author has successfully delivered a love story with a difference.  

The loveable heroine, Lucy, who finds herself abandoned by a husband who has divorced her after a year of marriage because he cannot deal with a condition she has. Thankfully she has Rowan, the adorable dog by her side. Plans go awry when her friend tells her she suddenly can't live with her because she has gotten back together with her boyfriend. She is suddenly at a loose end.

We are then introduced to Henry the handsome stranger and quietly successful musician who is mesmerized by this woman who has also been humming music that he wrote! Plucking up the courage to speak to her he offers her a place to stay you may think this is a bit unrealistic. But this is the only thing that's a bit farfetched in this book as both of these characters have some serious demons to sort out. Can they work them out to give them a chance of happiness?

I loved how both characters were given time to explore their issues and flaws and properly deal with them. It wasn't skirted over and we as the reader are going through the emotions with them. Henry's trauma remains a mystery for a good part of the novel but it does get revealed and tied up and it's amazing to see how far he comes. Lucy also deals with her past and works to find a way of acceptance and choosing her own path and future. I congratulate the author on how she dealt with these difficult subjects in this book in a positive way. I don't want to reveal the topics because I feel it would give spoilers to the book.

I felt that the development and pace of Lucy and Henry's relationship was realistic and relatable. The supporting characters are also a great addition. There are some villians as well as some really likeable characters all adding the perfect mix for a great book.

Add this to your wish lists to beat the January blues as it's a great read!

#greatread #netgalley #newauthor #enjoyableread #lovetoread #lovereading #speechless #disability #lovestory

📚Speechless by Lindsey Lanza📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is for anyone who is ready to be whisked away from the cold, busy days we are having to warm and sunny Malibu, where the waves are delightful, the company is wonderful and the music is top-notch.

Speechless is a rom-com about two people who are very successful in their chosen careers, Lucy our FMC is a bestselling author and Henry is an award-winning composer and musician but who could use a special person in their personal lives, one who understands their vulnerabilities and values their personality with all its quirks. I loved the representation in this novel, Lucy suffers from chronic pain from endometriosis and Henry had debilitating anxiety in social situations. Both are handled with sensitivity and add depth to the story. The characters are adorable and work really well together and I also love the elements of found family thanks to Henry’s friends.

As the blurb says this is ‘a swoony saga about finding your people, overcoming your deepest insecurities, and choosing happiness no matter what life throws at you.’

It was a delightful read, like going on a vacation just when I needed it. The added bonus of the playlist to listen to whilst reading is excellent! Pick this one up if you feel like forgetting it’s winter and meeting some wonderful friends.

The author shared her book in a reading group I’m in and based on the description alone I knew I needed to read it. It definitely did not disappoint! Such a strong debut. Really looking forward to the greater romance community reading this.

The characters, each and every one, had a depth to them in a way that sometimes authors save only for the main characters, which is why in this book you end up wanting things to work out, not only for the sake of love, but because friendship is a kind of love too. And you really end up wanting everyone to be happy.

Well. Almost everyone.

I personally love the found family trope, but this was that on another level. The entire cast of characters involved in this story, human and dog alike, was really something to behold.

Can I please move in? I feel very strongly about this. I will wash the dishes.

As someone who's bookstagram account is brand new and very very slowly growing, it was so amazing to receive an advanced copy of fellow bookstagrammer Lindsey Lanzas debut novel.

Lucy is a recently divorced writer with probably the worst 'best friend' on the planet. When she ends up with no where to live with no notice, a stranger on a plane invites her to come home with him. But Henry isn't really a stranger, he just so happens to be her favourite musician of all time.

Henry has extreme social anxiety, but when he hears Lucy singing along to his music, he's super intrigued, and somehow is super comfortable talking to her. He brings her home to his mansion that he shares with his friends and fellow musicians, and Lucy helps to bring out the best in all of them (well all but one of them- and I'll say that I don't really understand what was going on with Craig tbh).

This book is written in first person from both Henry and Lucys perspective, but the story overall was more about Lucy and more from her point of view. I thas a very realistic portrayal of chronic illness and the loneliness and insecurity it can cause. It had super heartwarming portrayals of friendship and the romance was very sweet.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book!

I did not expect this from this book!!

I was immediately pulled in from the first few lines I just couldn't put it down. The initial meet cute was so original I loved it!! The entire premise was so original it had me intrigued from the beginning. I thought this was a book I could leisurely read but no this was one of those books you just could not put down.

The depiction of chronic illness, trauma and grief on page were so real I felt what the FMC was going through. It really takes you through the mental journey those with chronic illness face every day on top of the pain and the physical obstacles we face. Then when we hear Henry's story it just brings it all full circle. I think the author does such a great job at depicting anxiety and mental health throughout the book it was done beautifully. I loved it.

I was given and ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review as always, all words are my own.

What a lovely book! I really felt the chronic disease/pain representation was very well done! The plot was concise and didn't drag on. I loved the characters of Henry, Lucy and Graham. I did find that how Sara came in was a little less than expected. Overall I enjoyed the summery California vibes and I feel this would be a great book for a good summer/beach read! Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of Speechless by Lindsey Lanza. This is a beautifully written romance debut by this author. This one grabs you from the beginning and never Lets go. This is a book that you wouldn't expect from a debut author. Lucy and Henry fill the pages making beautiful music together, literally! Don't miss this one! Jan 17, 2023!

Speechless by Lindsey Lanza... loved loved loved!!

Lucy is at the airport headed to LA to restart her life. She is newly divorced with no family so she's on her way to live with her best friend. Before her flight takes off, said best friend calls Lucy and BAILS on her. She has literally no where to go. A handsome stranger happens to observe this phone call play out and we get a delightful meet cute out of it. I enjoyed learning more about many facets of Lucy and Henry, including looks into chronic pain and anxiety. The way music and creativity was woven into the story felt fresh to me. You definitely have to suspend some disbelief here and there (like with the serendipitous meet cute and the fact that Lucy never seems to look for a real place to live as she is living is a virtual stranger's house) BUT trust me, it's worth it. I loved Rowan the service dog, the collection of side characters, and Henry's mom. Really a wonderful debut novel and I'm looking forward to more by the author!

Speechless releases on January 17th. Romance readers, pre-order now because you are going to want to read this!! Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for my e-galley!

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?
An unforgettable story. It's beautiful all through, but the closing chapters are just astonishing, transcendent and hope-filled and life-affirming.

You know how you read a book and you just know that the story is going to stay with you forever? Speechless has done that with me.

Bestselling author Lucy Gold is ready for a fresh start. After her sudden divorce on the eve of her 30th birthday, she’s ready to make that fresh start with her service dog in LA. While waiting to board her flight, she got the news that her living arrangements fell through. Insert Henry Turner. Handsome musician who lives in Malibu who also offers to let Lucy stay with him and his motley crew of musicians. We obviously know that sparks are gonna fly and their relationship can only go up from here.

Y’all this book has a hold on me. I couldn’t put it down. Going into this book, I thought it was going to be a lighthearted rom-com but I was wrong. It’s definitely a heavier rom-com but still amazing. I loved the characters and the plot of the story. The author did an amazing job with representing chronic illness and anxiety. As someone who suffers from anxiety, I appreciated that a lot.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time reading this one. I highly recommend picking this one up on January 17th!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the e-arc!

4.5/5 stars.

SPEECHLESS is Lindsey's debut novel about bestselling author, Lucy Gold, whose idea of a happily ever after for her own life has been broken after a sudden divorce. Lucy is looking for a fresh start in LA, when just before she boards her flight her living arrangements falls through. A handsome stranger offers to let her stay with him until she gets on her feet.

Now can I say that the way this novel starts sounds like the PERFECT set up for a slasher movie or a thriller? A woman is down on her luck, a handsome stranger offers her help... and next thing you know she's trapped in his basement... (I may have read one too many mystery/thrillers before picking this up). Evidently, this is a romance novel and that does NOT happen but I'm sure you could see where I'm going with this lol.

SPEECHLESS is a beautifully written story that is told in both Lucy's & Henry's (our handsome stranger) alternating POV. I really enjoyed both of their perspectives and loved seeing the story and romance come together through both of their eyes. Their characters are both very realistic and dynamic. Lucy & Henry's character growth is well done, each exploring their deepest insecurities and learning to shape their life path (and their own happiness) with them.

I loved how Lucy's love of Henry's music is something that brought them both together. Music is such an important part of a person's life - something that can be so personal and cathartic. I really liked the use of music in this novel as a tool that each character used to cope.

A special shout out to Rowan because who doesn't love a furry companion?! I also would like to say that I loved Graham's character as well and was so happy with his role in this novel.

The one thing that diminished my interest at a certain point was the pacing in the middle section of the book - I felt like it was a bit slow. I understand the point of this section as it builds up to how the whole novel resolves, but maybe it could have been shortened a wee bit.

I liked how Lindsey discusses chronic illnesses and shares realistic and relatable thoughts and feelings about living with a chronic illness. It can be hard for those who don't have one to understand and I thought Lindsey's discussion & use of these chronic illnesses in her story to be poignant and tactful.

The tail end of this book is filled with angst, tension, and heartbreak. It's an emotional culmination that builds to its boiling point over the course of the book. The ending is so well done, truly pulling at my heartstrings.

A beautifully written book to say the least! I can't wait to see what Lindsey will write in the future!

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher, Victory Editing, and the author, Lindsey Lanza, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions shared are my own.</i>

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC!
"But under the rainbow, that's how I feel when I'm with you. Like the storm has just ended and I can finally see the sun. You're my fairy tale, Luzu." To say I am speechless by this debut novel by Lindsey Lanza is an understatement. I was initially drawn to the book by the super cute cover and of course the even cuter pup on it. My expectations were exceeded. Speechless follows Lucy who is moving to LA after a divorce. When her plans to live with her college bestie fall through right as she's about to board her flight, she is left with nowhere for her and her service dog Rowan to go. Lucy needs to calm down after this news so she listens to her favorite composer Henry Turner because his music helps her through hard times. When the handsome man she met before boarding the plane defends her dog Rowan and sits next to her on the plane she is shocked to find that none other than Henry Turner is her knight in shining armor. Henry offers for her to stay with him and his roommates/team at his home in Malibu and Lucy has no choice but to accept. The story follows Lucy who has a chronic illness and Henry who struggles with severe anxiety as they get to know each other and learn they may be more perfect for each other they either of them expects.
There are so many aspects of this novel that I absolutely love. The found family trope is a great place to start. Lucy is left with no one but her dog after her divorce and you can tell instantly when she moves in that she will be lifelong friends with HAAAM (Henry's friends and team of musicians). Graham is such a great friend to Lucy and definitely one of my favorite characters. I also loved Lucy's service dog, Rowan. He is the sweetest and so cute but when I learned he was named after Rowan from the Throne of Glass series I fell out of my chair. As a huge ToG and Sarah J Maas fan this was just the cherry on top of how much I loved this book. When Lucy and Henry discuss the books I was smiling so hard. Another thing I loved about this story is the representation of illness and anxiety. Specifically how Lucy handled situations where Henry's anxiety took over and was unbothered by it. Both of them are able to see each other's struggles and still love each other despite them. Lucy struggles with the idea of being wanted in a relationship because of her illness and past relationship turned toxic because of it. This makes it hard for her to accept a relationship with Henry because she thinks he will not be able to love her once he realizes the extent of her illness. I started to get frustrated with Lucy and originally thought her constantly thinking of ending their relationship was a con. However, after reading the author's note where Lindsey Lanza explains that it's hard to get out of your own head and that her writing about Lucy that way was intentional, it made me rethink my frustrations towards Lucy. I definitely recommend this as your next romance read!

I’m obsessed with this book! A few pages in, I knew I was going to love it and it just kept getting better and better as it progressed. I loved literally everything about it! Honestly, the only bad thing about this book is the fact that it ends 🥲
2022 is almost over and I’ve read a lot of amazing books this year but this is 100% one of the best ones I’ve read.

Lucy and Henry’s meet cute was probably one of my favourites ever. They meet at the airport when they’re waiting for their delayed flight and a short conversation reveals a spark they cannot ignore. Lucy also finds out that Henry is the Henry Turner, the composer whose music has brightened her darkest days and overall kept her from falling apart when her life started crumbling. When she finds herself without a place to stay when she arrives at her destination, Henry offers her a room in his house in Malibu, where he lives with his friends (aka HAAAM) and Lucy ends up accepting and moving in with them. What she thought would be a short stay ends up becoming a lot more and as she gets to know Henry and his friends, she finds the family she’s been longing for.

Lucy and Henry are such lovely characters. I just want to give them the biggest hug! They both have stuff they’re dealing with and it’s definitely not easy for either of them but seeing them find so much love and comfort not only in each other but in their friends and consequently grow more confident was so so heartwarming. The found family trope was really strong in this book and it’s undoubtedly one of my favourite things about it. Following them along on this journey was truly inspiring and I’m so glad they found each other and the happiness they deserve.

I also loved how the author approached chronic illness (endometriosis), anxiety and selective mutism. It felt so very real and my heart ached for both Lucy and Henry and everything they went through to get to where they are.
And because this review wouldn’t be complete without it, I have to mention Rowan, the cutest service dog ever, who not only helped Lucy when she was in pain but also brought life to the party and made this book even better.

Overall this was an amazing book that gave me all the feels. Although it pulled at my heartstrings at times, it was generally super sweet and fun and I had the hardest of times putting it down when I had to. If you’re looking for a beautiful story with the sweetest and most lovable characters, as well as amazing chronic illness and mental health representation, then make sure to check this one out when it comes out on January 17th! You won’t regret it!

A huge thank you to Lindsey Lanza, NetGalley, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.