Thank you to NetGalley and to Star Siren Press for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute and quick read - I liked how light it was, and how unfiltered it was - until a point. For me this crossed the line into "enough of the sex jokes, enough being outspoken" - like it was understood already and just ended up being really over the top. The religious drama and trauma really was the nail in the coffin for me - it was just too much. I can't read a "light" romance that turns heavy and has all of that at the same time. I just don't like how over the top that was either.

The premise really had me hooked but it just didn't work for me. I'm sure it would work more for others!

"Follow Your Bliss" tells the story of a wedding dress designer who struggles with commitment issues and an architect who owns a website where he designs and sells furniture. After leaving a toxic relationship, he is ready for a fresh start and is open to trying again. However, his next girlfriend must get approval from his mother, and Rose may not meet all the necessary criteria...

When I first saw the cover, I was like, ''Oh my goodness, that looks so cute!! It's pink, it's romantic, it's cute. I have to read it!'' The premise was really interesting to me as well. Going into this book, I already knew that it would cover some more serious topics and that it isn't just a light romantic read only (You can read the trigger warnings first). I like my romance books fluffy, but I appreciate some depth as well, so I was quite curious. Unfortunately, I ended up DNF'ing this book.

I don't think it's a bad book or badly written necessarily. However, the writing style is not something I feel comfortable with or something that I enjoy. The characters, especially the FMC Rose, are very free-spoken, confident, and humorous. And that is not something bad in itself, and I know there are a lot of readers who might like her because of that. But, something that made me feel very uncomfortable was the constant sex jokes, and already quite early in the first few pages as well.

Their thoughts towards each other even though they hadn't seen each other for years, were from the first moment already very sexual and it was too explicit for me. Rose is very sex-positive, but everything in her mind was about sex and it just started feeling objective and annoying in my opinion, and...I couldn't make a connection with the character because of how much it all was and how forced and unnatural it felt as well and I just couldn't care about the characters or like them in general. I'm a reader that needs more than just, that..., something that goes deeper than just...sex and physical attraction. It's often the reason for me DNF'ing a book because it lacks the necessary feelings and connection I am looking for. It just never works for me. It just misses the build-up, depth, and feelings :/.

And then there was also the religious part of Jason and mixing that with the ''spice''...It was a no for me, tbh, and not cute at all. Overall, it just wasn’t working for me; I tried, but every time I tried to pick up the book I just didn't really want to actually read further. I didn’t want to keep feeling uncomfortable while reading. I think I might not be the right audience for this book, but perhaps you would enjoy the things that didn't work for me. If you enjoy strong-willed, confident, outspoken FMC's and if you don’t mind explicit language (a lot of it!), this book might be something for you.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

🌹 3 stars 🌹

Follow Your Bliss follows Rose as she moves back home and is preparing to be in a friend's wedding, as a bridesmaid and the dressmaker. In a last-night dash to retrieve a much-needed wedding item from a buried time capsule, Rose is reunited with Jason, as she is digging up his yard in the dark. Jason is also in the wedding, as he is the bride's brother and Rose's high school crush. Rose ends up renting a room from Jason, forcing them to spend more time together preparing for the wedding and working to achieve their dreams.

Follow Your Bliss was a romantic read full of quirky characters, sex positivity, and the classic romance trope: miscommunication. There is also a lot of banter between Rose and Jason as they struggle to stay in the friend zone. This was an okay read for me, as I was tired of many conversations about sex. While the characters were adamant about communicating what they were comfortable with sexually and their sexual histories, they were slow to discuss other important matters in their lives. I also felt like some of the scenes in the novel could have been cut to make the plot move more smoothly. The addition of meddling side characters in the romance of Rose and Jason was more frustrating than fun, as is the case when this normally trope is used.

tropes: high school crush, forced proximity (living together and hurricane evacuation), friends to lovers, hero falls first, miscommunication, weddings, meddling side characters

"Jason wasn't even a romantic option, and in the first week of knowing each other as adults, he'd selflessly offered help at every turn, even taking care of me when he noticed I wasn't doing it myself. And he'd asked for nothing in return."

When Rose Guidry, a wedding dress designer, ends up back at her mother's house after failing in New York. And when one night, she gets a frantic call from her sister to dig up an old time capsule box. The time capsule? It's still buried in the back of their old church. The catch? After Rose goes and digs up the box, who turns up and bought the church? Jason, an old friend from childhood, and the brother of the woman who's shes making a wedding dress for.

I'm torn with how I feel about this. There was so many positives, but so many negatives as well. The premise and cover was what drew me in, and in the end, just not what I expected.

Sex positivity is always a good thing, and something that is mostly becoming more socially accepting. But Rose's inner monologue, and the amount of sex jokes became too much. The pacing was off as well. Some chapters reeling you in and others dragging out one moment.

I enjoyed the dual POV and seeing how both Rose and Jason react to each other. It was a fun slowburn and steamy, but just didn't hit the mark.

Tropes:
💖 only one bed
⚙️ Dual POV
💖 Anxiety rep
⚙️ open door spice
💖 friends to lovers
⚙️ dirty talk & toys
💖 wedding dress designer FMC
⚙️ golden retriever MMC
💖 sex positivity

TW // hurricane evacuation, sexual content & language

Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Rose and Star Siren Press for the chance to review an ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

<img src="http://i68.tinypic.com/2rpr7nl.jpg" alt="NetGalley Review" width="150">

Follow your bliss was such a cute read. I loved the chemistry between Rose and Jason. They both were always looking out for eachother (besides the stuff with his mum) and trying to make each other happy and realise their dreams.

This is a charming, slow-burn contemporary romance that blends humor, heartfelt emotion, and steamy chemistry. The story follows Rose, a commitment-phobic wedding dress designer, and Jason, a DIY-savvy woodworker and social media star, as they navigate rekindled feelings and personal baggage in their small-town setting. Their relationship is tested by family pressures and past traumas, leading to a journey of growth and vulnerability. With witty banter, dual perspectives, and a satisfying emotional arc, this novel offers a delightful read for fans of character-driven love stories.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and it got me out of a reading slump! The characters were unique in that I haven't come across a book yet with the FMCs openness in one area of a relationship but closed in another. The characters felt realistic, and although the ending, I would be mad for feeling rushed in any other book, felt perfect for FMC and MMC ending. Also, note that the spice was *chefs kiss*

Safe to say, I will be looking to make room on my limited space wise bookshelf to fit a physical copy.

⭐️ 2.5/5
I want to start by saying a big thank you to Netgalley and the other for giving me an Arc. THANK YOU SO MUCH🫶

Now

I went into Follow Your Bliss by Holly Rose expecting a steamy, maybe even sweet romance—but what I got instead was a chaotic mix of second-hand embarrassment, over-the-top sex scenes, and a storyline that made me question my life choices... repeatedly.

Let’s talk about the spontaneity. Sometimes it was actually funny—I won’t lie. Those wild, unexpected lines did catch me off guard in a way that made me laugh. But most of the time, it felt like I was watching a soap opera directed by someone’s overly dramatic inner monologue. There were moments I had to physically put the book down, not out of awe, but pure, visceral cringe.

And then there’s the MMC (main male character). I totally got the ick. The moment I realized he was a mama's boy, I couldn’t recover. Like—Ew, what the fuck?! There’s nothing I hate more than a mama’s boy. I cannot stand them. Honestly speaking, nothing would have ever made me go back to that man. Ew. Just—no.

Every few pages felt like a new test of endurance. One moment I was laughing, the next I was wondering if I was being sex-bombed into submission. The prose tries so hard to be passionate and intense, but often stumbles into awkward or even bizarre territory. There’s one scene I just could not unsee no matter how hard I tried.

While there were some halfway-decent heartfelt moments, they were immediately undercut by how melodramatic everything else was. I found myself caught between “Okay, maybe I’ll keep going” and “I am physically, internally, psychologically and mentally struggling.”

Despite all this, I did finish it, which says something—whether about my stamina or morbid curiosity, I’m not quite sure. I wanted to like it. I tried to follow my bliss. But what I found was mostly just blissfully ridiculous.

Would I recommend it? Only if you’re into campy romance, over-the-top sex scenes, and a constant internal dialogue of “Did they really just say that?” Otherwise… maybe not.

Follow Your Bliss by Holly Rose is a delightful adult contemporary romance that weaves together humor, charm, and heartfelt moments into a story that will keep readers hooked from start to finish. This dual-POV novel introduces us to two compelling characters: Rose, a talented yet commitment-phobic dressmaker who has recently returned home after a failed stint in New York City, and Jason, a DIY-savvy, shirtless social media sensation who's trying to rebuild his life after a toxic past relationship.

The story kicks off with Rose taking on a gig to create wedding party dresses for a childhood friend, but her plans for a fresh start take an unexpected twist when she crosses paths with Jason, the brother of the bride—and her middle school crush. Their chemistry is undeniable, but Rose, still burned by past heartbreak, is cautious about letting anyone in. Enter Jason, who, after a rough relationship, is determined to make better choices in love. But his strict vow to find a “mom-approved” woman conflicts with his growing attraction to Rose, who’s everything his mom wouldn't approve of.

The dynamic between Rose and Jason is electric, thanks to the fun banter, flirty exchanges, and the undeniable tension that builds between them. Their relationship develops slowly, with plenty of sizzling moments, but it’s not all smooth sailing. When a hurricane forces them to escape together to Florida, their connection grows even stronger. However, when they return to their hometown, Jason's reluctance to be open about their relationship challenges Rose’s deepest fears—that all men eventually leave. This push-pull dynamic is where the emotional heart of the book lies, as both characters must confront their pasts and break their old patterns to have a chance at a happily ever after.

What really makes Follow Your Bliss shine is the vibrant, fun writing. Holly Rose injects her characters with wit and charm, making them feel real and relatable, while still keeping things lighthearted and spicy. The book is sex-positive and refreshingly candid about relationships, but it’s also about growth and understanding that sometimes love requires overcoming personal fears and embracing vulnerability.

based on the cover, i knew this book would be a fun, enjoyable read, but i never expected it to go so deep (pun intended). i really wish for every single person who was ever disappointed in their relationships to find love like this and learn to love again. very good read.

thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

I think this book was fine and read it pretty quickly so it kept my interest, but chances are a week from now I won't remember much about it. I enjoyed the characters, I thought the relationship between the 2 main characters was cute and sweet, but the side characters were... not great. I think that might be my biggest complaint is that outside the main couple, I didn't really enjoy the other characters around them. I did like that it was set in the South, but then the religious aspect made me kind of uncomfortable. I did however really appreciate the discourse around female sexuality and the spice was pretty good!

Publishing date: 06.05.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Star Siren Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

TLDR: Sex positive, feminist, quirky, and slightly cringe. Opposites attract, problematic families, mix it all together ... You get this book. 3 stars

Rose makes bridal dresses, she does not believe in marriage. But she is extremely sex positive. Jason is a carpenter, waiting for the one. He is celibate. Due to unforeseen circumstances Rose ends up renting an apartment from Jason and these two being close creates a lot of tension ... spicy tension. Queue an unsupportive family and misunderstandings.

I found these two to work so well together. They compliment each other, make each other better, happier, and well ... spicier. They were just so sweet.

Story is quite basic, a complicated contract, tornado, yadayada. I must admit I was mostly in it to see how long Jason would stay celibate. That was the story for me. And also for Rose to admit why she was against marriage for herself.

Now I have to say this was incredibly cringe in a "I have to put this book down before I chuckle loudly" kind of way. If you have a low cringe tolerance, do not read. If you are uncomfortable with very open and odd sex talk, do not read.

But I did unironically enjoy it all in a very strange way.

Unsure who I would recommend it to, but it is definitely adult.

Giving this 3 stars, it was fine and entertaining if a little strange. I am interested in reading more from the series.

The flirting and chemistry is top tier, the heat is illegal in several states, and somehow amidst all the toe curling tension, there’s genuine tenderness and emotional depth. It’s like watching a golden retriever fall for a sarcastic black cat and somehow, they get each other completely. I’m here for all the vibes.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

I’m always down for forced proximity & secret childhood crush. I loved that the MCs moms were different ends of the spectrum from sex therapist to the strict proper southern church lady. It gave the story dimension and provided more insight to why the MCs reacted differently in the same situations. I also loved the career choices from dyi social media influencer to wedding dress designer. This was just a fun read with plenty of spice and drama but still light hearted with the perfect HEA.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Rose is an inspiring wedding dress designer who’s moving home from NYC to hopefully start her business. She’s currently working on designing her sister best friend’s wedding dress, the flower girls and all the bridesmaids dresses.

She is staying at her mom’s house when her sister calls her panicked. So that’s how she ended up in the middle of the night in the front yard of the old church digging up a time capsule looking for a bff necklace for the engagement party tomorrow. Little did Rose know that the church is now owned by her childhood crush Jason and he catch her in the act!

Jason is a DYI social media influencer who’s gone viral as “Deck Daddy” and his older sister is besties with Rose’s older sister. So after bumping into her in the middle of the night digging in his yard, he offered the spare room he has for her to rent while she figures out next steps.

Come join these two through forced proximity, childhood crushes, a revealing game of truth or dare, a Hurricane, and so much more to see if opposites really do attract!

𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:

“My heart is yours, baby, it’s yours, and I’m not taking it back.”

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Childhood Crush
* Older Sister’s Best Friends Brother
* Forced Proximity - Roommates to One Bed Thanks to Hurricane
* She’s an Inspiring Wedding Dresses Designer
* He is a DYI Social Media Influencer called “Deck Daddy” Trying to Get a Sponsorship
* Opposites Attract
* First Kiss in 8th Grade During Spin the Bottle
* He’s Renovating a Church to Live In
* Set in New Orleans
* Dual POV w/ Spice

🪡👗🔨💕🪡👗🔨💕🪡👗🔨💕🪡

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKNnFKhT9Kl/?igsh=Z2p5MW5iczlzM2ln

Let’s start with this: the premise was absolutely adorable. Sweet, hopeful, and full of that "rom-com with heart" energy. I was genuinely excited to dive in — and I did enjoy it overall! But there were a few elements that left me feeling a bit... unfulfilled.

Let’s talk characters. Jason is your classic golden retriever boyfriend — warm, loyal, eager to please. Honestly, he’s charming at first glance. But as the story progressed, I couldn’t help but feel he lacked a bit of emotional maturity. His relationship with his mother, while understandable and even relatable, bordered on codependency. It made some of his decisions feel less like his own and more like reactions to other people’s expectations. I wanted to see him grow into himself a bit more.

Then there’s Rose — sweet, kind, and full of potential. I appreciated the way she represented someone struggling with low self-esteem. That kind of vulnerability can be powerful when done well. But unfortunately, Rose’s internal narrative felt stuck in a loop. Every setback, every doubt, circled back to “I’m not good enough” — and by the end of the book, there hadn’t been any real growth or shift in that mindset. It became repetitive and slightly frustrating, because I wanted so badly to root for her, not just in romance, but in her own personal journey.

The romance itself? Quick. A little too quick for me. While I love a good whirlwind love story now and then, this one felt rushed. Within a few weeks, we’re deep in “I love you” territory — and without enough emotional development between them to justify the depth of those feelings, it came across as a bit unrealistic. Insta-love isn’t inherently bad, but here it made both Jason and Rose feel less like fully fleshed-out characters and more like archetypes meeting a quota.

That said, I did enjoy the side characters. They brought some much-needed texture to the story, and I often found myself more engaged when they were on the page. There were moments that made me smile, and the book as a whole had that cozy, comforting vibe that makes it a pleasant, low-stakes read.

So… while Follow Your Bliss didn’t blow me away, it did entertain me. It’s the kind of book you pick up when you need something sweet, simple, and emotionally soft to fill a weekend afternoon. It has heart — just needed a bit more depth to make it stick with me.

Rating: 3/5
A charming premise with lovable characters, but it needed more emotional growth and a slower burn to really make the romance shine.

Rose's passion is making wedding dresses but doesn't really plan to get married. After moving back home from New York she's in need of a new place to stay. Enter her childhood crush, Jason, who happens to be renovating an old church. Right away her feelings come back and Jason seems to feel the same way but after he had a bad break up, he's vowed to stay celibate and wait for a girl his mother will approve of, which Rose isn't...

But after evacuating together to Florida during a bad storm, things heat up rather quickly. But after returning home, can they move passed their past and find common ground and give their romance a shot, even with a disapproving mom in the way???...

I really enjoyed this book. Even if I got annoyed with Jason when he took forever to tell his mom about Rose... But he made up for it and then some

This was an insanely cute book. The dual POV aspect, the forced proximity trope and the religious elements really drew me in!

Rose is portrayed as a very imperfect character. She has flaws, she has insecurities, and she feels that really heavily. However, what I loved about the character is that these parts of her were not meant to be quirky or “omg I’m so different!” They were actually part of who her character was at her core, and that really impacted her ability to connect with Jason. Jason, on the other hand, is a seemingly confident guy when it comes to his appearance and his charm, though he lacks that when it comes to his relationship, due to past trauma. His religious beliefs also play a big part in that, which is something I haven’t seen discussed much in more modern romance novels.

This was a super cute book, and I really enjoyed it! I’m looking forward to more of the Dreamhouse Girls series!

i wanted this book to be good so bad but unfortunately this one was a disappointment. the premise was pretty catching with the female character who works on a wedding dresses and the social media guy. like, omg something new and fun???

starting this book felt so exiting because while both characters were so different, it made sense for them to be together. there wasn’t any chemistry at first but i was hoping for some development as the plot moved one. especially, since there were so many moments were those touches and glances could be used to show tension and desire for each other.

the cringiest moments were when characters finally got together. because the nicknames were used more than their names. male character made no sense to me with his monologues and thoughts.

This book honestly took me awhile to get through. The concept is very cute, and I could potentially see someone really enjoying this one. However it did fall short for me. The mmc was very nice, but I never connected with our fmc.

“She lit me up, mind, heart and body”

Both Rose and Jason have experienced heartache in different ways and that shapes who they are and how they approach relationships. Rose being a commitmentphobe and Jason looking for the love of his life. The two of them stumbling around together felt real and authentic. The panic of liking someone who you shouldn’t might of hit too close to home for me 😅

Jason is truly a man written by a woman. Deck Daddy 😉 will do anything for Rose, including making sure every item is checked off on her middle school bucket list.

I really enjoyed Follow Your Bliss by Holly Rose and would definitely recommend it for lovers of contemporary romance and the one bed trope.

Ps. I could so perfectly picture the converted church that’s I’ve started making their house in the sims 🫣😅

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of Follow Your Bliss by Holly Rose in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own ❤️