‘Tell Me How You Really Feel’ by Betty Cayouette is a spicy celebrity romance with beautiful depth, following podcast hosts Maeve and Finn whose brief romance flamed out and burnt their years of friendship right as they were on the precipice of incredible professional success. Forced into the same studio to record their super-popular sex and relationships show, can they resurrect their on-air chemistry? Will they ever mend their bond?

There were so many things I loved about this book, including its openness about mental health and therapy, and the intense chemistry between the leads. Its references to celebrity culture were sharp and familiar, especially the podcasters’ eye-roll-inducing arch-rival and his calculated misogyny. As a true book lover, the author clearly had fun with the references to actors and their roles (hello, wish-fulfilment imagined adaptations of ‘How To End A Love Story’, ‘Malibu Rising’, etc.) I also enjoyed the glamour of the Met Gala and Fashion Week scenes and swooned at the grand gesture!

I must admit, there were times when I wondered how two famously strong talkers managed to share such impactful miscommunications for so long, and found it a little difficult to relate to some of the comments about money and finances given the astronomical pay Maeve and Finn were earning from Streamify… but overall this was a fabulous for star read for me.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Random House UK via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Their story was cute and just right. It too, a while to let us readers in on exactly what had happened between Finn and Maeve for them to be fighting, I would have liked to know that earlier, but I’m glad we eventually learned it to better understand Maeve.

this book really takes a hook and pulls you in. there is lots of miscommunication tropes added to this mix and i found myself wanting to shake both of these two or different reasons. this book is about second chances but also about forgiveness. but how can people forgive when they HAVE been wronged and especially been wronged in love, because this type of hurt runs deep. it changes how you think about yourself and it changes how you handle things going forward.
i was a bit stuck in parts about whether i actually wanted these two to be together. but as i learn more about them through flashbacks i got to know them and there story and was here alongside them in their current place of "i cannot stand you" angst.
but the trouble is where they are now is also with an impending won contract to do with the podcast they host together. so what do they do now. can they keep this lie up. should they. and can hearts be won back? and should they?
a banter runs between these two that comes from having a true knowing of one another and that added a really sweet layer to it. it had me in that push me pull me alongside them and i really enjoyed learning of their relationship history up to the present.

I really tried to like this book as I am a lynn painter fan ans this is for fans of hee. Unfortunately I couldn’t get into this book and kept zoning out. It’s a cute premise and I wish others luck- I read about 60% so don’t want to leave a review online on goodreads

An intriguing premise set in the world of big stakes Hollywood, but in podcasting. The romance centred on friends/enemies/lovers Maeve and Finn and what happens when they hit the big time with their sex-focused podcast. Finn is second generation Hollywood royalty with two famous parents and plenty of privilege. Maeve is struggling with anxiety and imposter-syndrome, even though she is the brains behind their podcast. It's a hard-won romance when you throw in some misogyny, the pay gap and miscommunication all around.

It gets messy when their podcast gets a HUGE contract that relies on their chemistry. Finn lurches between self awareness and entitlement and I wasn't completely convinced he would be steadfast in the tough times. Maeve would be challenged by that famous life so I'm not sure they would go the distance, but they were both engaging people who were both trying to be their best selves for each other.

I loved all the podcasting and behind the scenes detail. Entertaining and fun!

Thank you Betty Cayouette, Random House UK and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Thank you to Random House UK for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Podcasters Maeve and Finn have just gotten a life-changing, blockbuster deal for their viral sex and relationships podcast, Tell Me How You Really Feel. Unfortunately, given their history, they can barely be in the same room together. Now, Maeve needs to find a way to keep the show going without letting Finn completely ruin her. But to make things even more challenging, Finn is dead set on winning her back over. Told between flashbacks to the start of their show and the present, Tell Me How You Really Feel follows Maeve and Finn as they navigate their growing celebrity, try to make podcast history, and rediscover what they mean to each other.

Maeve is, undeniably, an extremely hard worker. All she does is to achieve her dreams and support her family. I absolutely loved that we got to see her raw vulnerability with her anxiety. It endeared her to me immediately and I could empathise with her struggles. I deal with anxiety too and when it spirals uncontrollably, it feels like everything is going to implode and you cannot be saved. Seeing Maeve overcome these hurdles was amazing, as was the renewed determination she fought back with. She is such a strong and independent woman who deserves to be celebrated.
Finn is someone who gets everything handed to him and is rather oblivious to the struggles of others. So he gets to be in the position where he is at a complete loss and it cannot magically be fixed. It was certainly interesting seeing these different versions of Finn. He is charming, charismatic and confident - until he isn’t. Seeing him more vulnerable and confused was a brilliant switch for him. It allowed us to connect to him more deeply and understand his thought process. I think he ended up in a brilliant place come the end of the book. He gains a deeper understanding and recognition of the feelings of others, and his own.

When I saw this one available to request, I found myself rather intrigued. I’m not the biggest fan of podcasts, but they are growing on me a bit and the thought of seeing the other side had me eager to read. And this book did not disappoint. This plot is brilliant, switching from current day and to before the podcast blew up in its massive way. There is this brilliant flow that utterly swept me away in the story, leaving me desperate for more and frustrated when I had to put it down. There were so many relatable moments included too that just made it feel so real and engaging. The characters were brilliant. Largely focusing on our main duo, there wasn’t a huge cast of others. However, they were well crafted and none felt like an afterthought. They helped to propel the story forward and also added extra depth to Maeve and Finn’s emotions. There is of course a lot of talk about romance and sexiness. But is there much action in those departments here? YES OF COURSE! The romance moments were oh so fluffy and wonderful to read. Those soft moments brought such a grin to my face, wishing for a relationship as intimate and deep as that. The spicer moments were delightful yet still remaining so deep rooted in the emotions that the characters were experiencing, keeping those as the focus instead of the actions which was brilliantly in keeping with the theme of the entire book. The ending was a little choppy there for a moment but I rather liked that. Proof that not everything is smooth sailing but it is so, so worth it in the end.

Overall, Tell Me How You Really Feel is the ultimate friends to lovers book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to Random House UK for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on release day and is available immediately on Goodreads

I literally couldn't put this book down. I was hooked. It was fun and easy to read. Loved the characters.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I loved this book! First off the gorgeous cover draws you right in! I also loved Maeve and Finn. Who doesn’t love a good hate to lovers book and it was so fun watching them squabble and then find love along the way. The podcasting was also really funny and fresh as well!

I liked the premise of the novel, with second-chance romances and a podcast storyline. However, I really couldn't connect with the characters or root for them to be together. Most of the novel appeared to be based on miscommunication, and I found myself feeling like maybe Maeve and Finn WOULD be better off apart. Personally, this did not quite gel for me.

2.5 stars
Romance is a tricky genre to get right and unfortunately this one didn’t tick the boxes for me. First of all, I found Finn and Maeve annoying as a coupe. There was no chemistry and their relationship was bordering on toxic. Maeve was insufferable as a lead character, she was cold and distant and despite praising her therapist she acted in incredibly toxic and cruel ways. She took all of her anger out on Finn, leaving him apologetic and constantly trying to make things right even when they weren’t his fault. The entire book was based on miscommunication, which usually I love as a trope if it’s written well. But this was uncomfortable to read, I really wish the characters were a little more mature because I did enjoy the premise and the writing.