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How to Say I Do
Opposites attract, sure. But when Manhattan glitz collides with Texas grit, will love be enough?
ë:
Manhattan is my heart and soul. In the cutthroat world of elite public relations, ’m one of the princes. I manage global superstars, predict the up-and-coming trends, easy. And social media? That’s my specialty. I can make you, hon, and launch you straight to the stratosphere. My life is champagne glitter and starlight, and everything around me is gold. But then, my own wedding bells turn into alarm bells, and suddenly, I'm off to Cancun�alone. Alone with a first-class ticket to a honeymoon for one. All that gold? Tarnished tin. Everything I thought I knew? Gone.
Cancun is supposed to be where I obliterate myself on margaritas and tropical waves. Forget the past, shake off the pain, and look ahead. It's my strategy, always has been. But beneath it all, I long for someone to see the real me, the Noël I’ve hidden away for years. ’m so damn lonely.
And then I meet Wyatt.
He’s nothing like me. He’s a rancher from Texas, he can’t tell me whether high waist jeans are in or out, and he’d rather work his fields than rub elbows with celebs. Velvet rope lines and VIP access are meaningless to him. He’s also kinder than me, and altruistic in a way I haven’t seen since cargo pants died as a trend in the early 2000s. He’s the best man I’ve ever met.
And that’s a problem, because all of his big-hearted warmth and Texas gentleness is drawing me in. I'm desperate to surrender, but I can’t. Good things aren’t meant for me. ’m no good for Wyatt. In fact, ’m his looming heartbreak.
So why am I kissing him?
Wyatt:
’m a man of the land, made from the Texas soil I work on, strengthened by the vineyard I tend to. It's a world I've carefully nurtured, a balm for the wounds of my past. This life hasn’t been easy, but it’s mine. ’m fiercely protective of the world I’ve built for me, my brother, his fiancée, and my nephew. The four of us are everything that matters to me, and my life and my cares extend to my cross fences and the edges of my range. Everything else out there? It’s all just dust in the wind.
And then Noël blows into my life.
’m gone. Captivated, spun around, tipped upside down and torn apart. I can’t breathe; being around Noël makes me feel like ’m sixteen again and hiding all my secret fantasies and unspoken desires. ’m down in Cancun with my family, and this isn’t the time to be falling for a guy, but how can you not fall head over heels when the man of your dreams walks into your world?
Noël’s many multi-hued layers fascinate me and perplex me, and I want to spend every minute unraveling him. Noël's life is glittering gold, and mine is Texas soil, but I can learn to understand Manhattan, pop culture, and celebrities if that means I get to be Noël's man.
But does Noël feel the same? What is this between us? Is it just a week that we both need, a Pause on life, out here in this place so far removed from our real lives? Or is this the start of something new and huge and life-changing for the two of us? What am I seeing in Noël's eyes when he looks at me?
And what’s going to happen when this week ends?
***
How to Say I Do is an opposites-attract, slow-burn, bi-awakening, rom-com-meets-heartfelt romance love story full of swoony beach vacation vibes, laugh-out-loud moments, and grab-your-chest heartache. Add a sprinkle of fake husbands, second chance romance, small town vibes, and celebrity shenanigans, and you’ve got the makings of Wyatt and Noël’s love story.
Pour yourself into the sand and sun and enjoy Noël and Wyatt’s journey to their Happy Ever After.
ë:
Manhattan is my heart and soul. In the cutthroat world of elite public relations, ’m one of the princes. I manage global superstars, predict the up-and-coming trends, easy. And social media? That’s my specialty. I can make you, hon, and launch you straight to the stratosphere. My life is champagne glitter and starlight, and everything around me is gold. But then, my own wedding bells turn into alarm bells, and suddenly, I'm off to Cancun�alone. Alone with a first-class ticket to a honeymoon for one. All that gold? Tarnished tin. Everything I thought I knew? Gone.
Cancun is supposed to be where I obliterate myself on margaritas and tropical waves. Forget the past, shake off the pain, and look ahead. It's my strategy, always has been. But beneath it all, I long for someone to see the real me, the Noël I’ve hidden away for years. ’m so damn lonely.
And then I meet Wyatt.
He’s nothing like me. He’s a rancher from Texas, he can’t tell me whether high waist jeans are in or out, and he’d rather work his fields than rub elbows with celebs. Velvet rope lines and VIP access are meaningless to him. He’s also kinder than me, and altruistic in a way I haven’t seen since cargo pants died as a trend in the early 2000s. He’s the best man I’ve ever met.
And that’s a problem, because all of his big-hearted warmth and Texas gentleness is drawing me in. I'm desperate to surrender, but I can’t. Good things aren’t meant for me. ’m no good for Wyatt. In fact, ’m his looming heartbreak.
So why am I kissing him?
Wyatt:
’m a man of the land, made from the Texas soil I work on, strengthened by the vineyard I tend to. It's a world I've carefully nurtured, a balm for the wounds of my past. This life hasn’t been easy, but it’s mine. ’m fiercely protective of the world I’ve built for me, my brother, his fiancée, and my nephew. The four of us are everything that matters to me, and my life and my cares extend to my cross fences and the edges of my range. Everything else out there? It’s all just dust in the wind.
And then Noël blows into my life.
’m gone. Captivated, spun around, tipped upside down and torn apart. I can’t breathe; being around Noël makes me feel like ’m sixteen again and hiding all my secret fantasies and unspoken desires. ’m down in Cancun with my family, and this isn’t the time to be falling for a guy, but how can you not fall head over heels when the man of your dreams walks into your world?
Noël’s many multi-hued layers fascinate me and perplex me, and I want to spend every minute unraveling him. Noël's life is glittering gold, and mine is Texas soil, but I can learn to understand Manhattan, pop culture, and celebrities if that means I get to be Noël's man.
But does Noël feel the same? What is this between us? Is it just a week that we both need, a Pause on life, out here in this place so far removed from our real lives? Or is this the start of something new and huge and life-changing for the two of us? What am I seeing in Noël's eyes when he looks at me?
And what’s going to happen when this week ends?
***
How to Say I Do is an opposites-attract, slow-burn, bi-awakening, rom-com-meets-heartfelt romance love story full of swoony beach vacation vibes, laugh-out-loud moments, and grab-your-chest heartache. Add a sprinkle of fake husbands, second chance romance, small town vibes, and celebrity shenanigans, and you’ve got the makings of Wyatt and Noël’s love story.
Pour yourself into the sand and sun and enjoy Noël and Wyatt’s journey to their Happy Ever After.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2023
784 people are currently reading
4,445 people want to read
About the author
Tal Bauer
26books5,153followersTal Bauer writes breathtaking, heartfelt, and often action-packed gay romance novels. His characters are head over heels for each other and fight against all odds for their happy ending. Nothing stands in the way of love. Tal is best known for his romantic suspense novels, including the Executive Office series, The Murder Between Us, The Grave Between Us, The Night of, and his MM sports romance, The Jock.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,013 reviews
July 6, 2023
*3.5 stars*
Don't get me wrong, I liked , but it was too perfect, too insta, too "big city MC finds small town love" for me.
I'm no stranger to , and I'm no stranger to romance tropes, but Tal Bauer really turned it up to 11 with this one. I've been hating all of my Tal reads recently (ducks and hides), and this was worlds better, but I'm a little over perfect MCs at this point. Wyatt was just... flawless, and not in that adorable way, but in a way that I wanted him to just... REACT. He was too aww shucks and "do no wrong."
I'm a sucker for a sexuality discovery story, and Tal writes some great ones, but this felt... rushed. The whole story was rushed, at least with the romance parts, and I needed more convincing to buy that Noel was swayed by Wyatt in just a few days.
And maybe I'm growing cynical, but I'm not completely buying small, Southern towns being a slice of gay pie for these two. Everyone just accepting Wyatt and his new relationship without a sideways glance... I hope that's the case IRL, but it felt a little idyllic to me. Added to the instalove and mostly conflict-free storyline, and I was pretty much rolling my eyes.
When I got out of my head, I really enjoyed the writing and the romance of it all. Tal knows how to write stories that feel grand and epic, and I got the sense he was going for broke with this one. I can see why all of my friends love it, and I almost got there too. But not quite...
goodreads||
Don't get me wrong, I liked , but it was too perfect, too insta, too "big city MC finds small town love" for me.
I'm no stranger to , and I'm no stranger to romance tropes, but Tal Bauer really turned it up to 11 with this one. I've been hating all of my Tal reads recently (ducks and hides), and this was worlds better, but I'm a little over perfect MCs at this point. Wyatt was just... flawless, and not in that adorable way, but in a way that I wanted him to just... REACT. He was too aww shucks and "do no wrong."
I'm a sucker for a sexuality discovery story, and Tal writes some great ones, but this felt... rushed. The whole story was rushed, at least with the romance parts, and I needed more convincing to buy that Noel was swayed by Wyatt in just a few days.
And maybe I'm growing cynical, but I'm not completely buying small, Southern towns being a slice of gay pie for these two. Everyone just accepting Wyatt and his new relationship without a sideways glance... I hope that's the case IRL, but it felt a little idyllic to me. Added to the instalove and mostly conflict-free storyline, and I was pretty much rolling my eyes.
When I got out of my head, I really enjoyed the writing and the romance of it all. Tal knows how to write stories that feel grand and epic, and I got the sense he was going for broke with this one. I can see why all of my friends love it, and I almost got there too. But not quite...
goodreads||
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June 15, 2023
"I was in love. Heartbreakingly and profoundly in love. I loved him, I did, even in such a short time. I knew it wasn’t supposed to be possible."
We have Noël, who works for the stars as a PR. He's part of the upper class of New York, working with every major star, designer, and Hollywood elite you can imagine. However, he's in his suit, drowning in alcohol in a Texas bar on his way to his honeymoon destination in Mexico alone. His soon-to-be wife left him, totally blindsiding him when she told him she wasn't in love with him and was seeing someone else. He's heartbroken, miserable, and too drunk when Wyatt, a tall glorious Texan cowboy, appears before him.
Wyatt is travelling to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, the same one Noël was to spend his honeymoon. It's the location for his brother's destination wedding. He's headed a few days early, but soon, the stranger he meets pulls at his heart. He can bear to leave the heartbroken intoxicated man with pained and tear swollen eyes. Together they make their way to the tropical destination.
How to Say I Do was a cavity-inducing, syrupy sweet, over-the-top swoony romance. Opposites attract, second chances, bi awakening, with the most flowery poetic monologues I have read in a long, long time (The last being another Tal book). It's a perfect summer romance beach read.
Noël and Wyatt have an instant connection and attraction to one another. Wyatt is gay, and Noël is his dream man walking. The type he has always yearned for, and he can't help wanting to take care of him, spending those honeymoon activities that were previously booked for the not meant to be newlyweds, getting him to meet his family and falling head of heel for this man. He sees through Noël's exterior.
Noël works in an industry that sucks the life out of you. It's exciting, demanding, and glamorous, but he's also seen the ugly side of humans. This Texan cowboy, who is caring, observant, and just so sweet moves his heart. He feels so conflicted and that his feelings towards Wyatt - a man for the first time - may just be desperation and come from his need for a connection.
Tal writes very romantic, emotional and flowery sex scenes. We get that here. Wyatt and Noël's first time is quite sweet and emotionally charged.
They fall for one another pretty fast - their connection and intensity deep - in a span of days, but there's a separation when Noël freaks out and runs away. I liked that they got to re-learn one another. They got to deepen their relationship from a distance, exchanging messages and calls and slowly rebuilding that connection they had in Mexico.
I really loved Wyatt; he is the perfect book boyfriend. He's all the good things of a Texan cowboy/rancher. He's a family man, sweet, considerate, and so so caring. I fell in love with him myself.
Overall I really enjoyed How to Say I Do. It had all the sugar, emotions, romance and the beautiful HEAs I've come to expect of Tal. The perfect beach read, and as someone who strongly dislike hot weather, it made me kind of want to visit a tropical country. Tal really knows how to pull you in and make you feel like you're right at the locations with the characters.
Random thought: Tal really did a deep dive into current pop culture. I did not expect to read a book where Drake, Emily Ratajkowski, Lizzo, and Rihanna get mentioned.
We have Noël, who works for the stars as a PR. He's part of the upper class of New York, working with every major star, designer, and Hollywood elite you can imagine. However, he's in his suit, drowning in alcohol in a Texas bar on his way to his honeymoon destination in Mexico alone. His soon-to-be wife left him, totally blindsiding him when she told him she wasn't in love with him and was seeing someone else. He's heartbroken, miserable, and too drunk when Wyatt, a tall glorious Texan cowboy, appears before him.
Wyatt is travelling to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, the same one Noël was to spend his honeymoon. It's the location for his brother's destination wedding. He's headed a few days early, but soon, the stranger he meets pulls at his heart. He can bear to leave the heartbroken intoxicated man with pained and tear swollen eyes. Together they make their way to the tropical destination.
How to Say I Do was a cavity-inducing, syrupy sweet, over-the-top swoony romance. Opposites attract, second chances, bi awakening, with the most flowery poetic monologues I have read in a long, long time (The last being another Tal book). It's a perfect summer romance beach read.
Noël and Wyatt have an instant connection and attraction to one another. Wyatt is gay, and Noël is his dream man walking. The type he has always yearned for, and he can't help wanting to take care of him, spending those honeymoon activities that were previously booked for the not meant to be newlyweds, getting him to meet his family and falling head of heel for this man. He sees through Noël's exterior.
Haughty, confident, and charming, and then fragile, brittle, and fiercely protective of an inner vulnerability he rarely let anyone know existed.
Noël works in an industry that sucks the life out of you. It's exciting, demanding, and glamorous, but he's also seen the ugly side of humans. This Texan cowboy, who is caring, observant, and just so sweet moves his heart. He feels so conflicted and that his feelings towards Wyatt - a man for the first time - may just be desperation and come from his need for a connection.
Tal writes very romantic, emotional and flowery sex scenes. We get that here. Wyatt and Noël's first time is quite sweet and emotionally charged.
They fall for one another pretty fast - their connection and intensity deep - in a span of days, but there's a separation when Noël freaks out and runs away. I liked that they got to re-learn one another. They got to deepen their relationship from a distance, exchanging messages and calls and slowly rebuilding that connection they had in Mexico.
Did I tell him that I was already in love with him, as ridiculous as that was? Six days together, six weeks apart, and he still had my heart in his hands. I didn’t know his favorite food or his favorite movie or what kind of toothpaste he used, but I knew he was a man who was kind to a child, who told stories about Bluey and PAW Patrol, and who’d looked like his own heart had broken when I’d told him about my father.
I wanted the hand-holds and our fingers tangled around the stem of a wine glass, the tender glances and the soft caresses. I wanted him to see that I was wearing his sea-turtles ring on my middle finger again. I’d slipped it back on weeks ago, and now there were days where I’d lose myself in memories while staring at the faded outlines of the turtles, remembering a text Wyatt had sent or a photo of Peanut or his vines, or, if I pouted hard enough, of himself. He wasn’t into selfies.
I really loved Wyatt; he is the perfect book boyfriend. He's all the good things of a Texan cowboy/rancher. He's a family man, sweet, considerate, and so so caring. I fell in love with him myself.
Overall I really enjoyed How to Say I Do. It had all the sugar, emotions, romance and the beautiful HEAs I've come to expect of Tal. The perfect beach read, and as someone who strongly dislike hot weather, it made me kind of want to visit a tropical country. Tal really knows how to pull you in and make you feel like you're right at the locations with the characters.
Random thought: Tal really did a deep dive into current pop culture. I did not expect to read a book where Drake, Emily Ratajkowski, Lizzo, and Rihanna get mentioned.
June 14, 2023
***3.5 rating***
"He looked me right in the eyes and smiled, like that smile was crafted just for me and hand-delivered into my heart"
I won't give a summary of this book because there are already many great reviews on GR that do that. I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book as my next read. Thought it was gonna be a sweet summer read. Lighthearted, fun, and a bit angsty? It was all those things, in the first half of the book.
I loved the first half. It was romantic and so sweet. Tal's writing is just so beautiful that it felt like I was falling in love with his characters while they were falling for one another. The many moments they shared in such a short time at Cancun where Wyatt is attending his brother's wedding was insta love sure but it was just told so lovely. Wyatt is a fictional man, you cannot help but love and adore. The man is just perfect. If I had to create a fictional man and want him to be real, it would be Wyatt. He is kind, caring, a protective brother, a loving uncle, and a romantic man that worms his way into your heart. You can't help but want a Wyatt. And sure, the way he and Noël got together was fast but it was believable. Believe it or not, some people meet like that and I was enjoying it. It felt like this could be another You and Me. Another romantic Tal read. But what happened for it to be a 3.5-star read?
Unfortunately, it was the back and forth with Noel and Wyatt. In the first half, it seemed that Noel was falling in love with Wyatt too. His departure was unexpected but I thought it would make for a great angsty love story. Sadly after the 55% mark, it went downhill for me. Noel's indecisiveness about Wyatt was understandable, I understood what Tal was going for but the story/wedding plot felt like it was getting dragged on and on. I found myself skimming the second half of the book and details of Wyatt's gorgeous vineyard. I felt like the story didn't need to drag on and on. It could have been wrapped up earlier on. The last 10% of the book had me debating whether to give this a 4-star or a 3.5 rating. I wanted this to be a 4-star read, Wyatt's character was beautifully written and for him, I wanted to give this a 4-star. But sadly, it didn't turn out that way. The ending though was so Tal. Romantic and swoon-worthy.
I loved You and Me and had hoped this would be another read of Tal's that I would love. Not all Arcs are going to be a 4-star read and that is okay. The story was still enjoyable and I can see why so many loved it. It is a great sweet summer/beach read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"He looked me right in the eyes and smiled, like that smile was crafted just for me and hand-delivered into my heart"
I won't give a summary of this book because there are already many great reviews on GR that do that. I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book as my next read. Thought it was gonna be a sweet summer read. Lighthearted, fun, and a bit angsty? It was all those things, in the first half of the book.
I loved the first half. It was romantic and so sweet. Tal's writing is just so beautiful that it felt like I was falling in love with his characters while they were falling for one another. The many moments they shared in such a short time at Cancun where Wyatt is attending his brother's wedding was insta love sure but it was just told so lovely. Wyatt is a fictional man, you cannot help but love and adore. The man is just perfect. If I had to create a fictional man and want him to be real, it would be Wyatt. He is kind, caring, a protective brother, a loving uncle, and a romantic man that worms his way into your heart. You can't help but want a Wyatt. And sure, the way he and Noël got together was fast but it was believable. Believe it or not, some people meet like that and I was enjoying it. It felt like this could be another You and Me. Another romantic Tal read. But what happened for it to be a 3.5-star read?
Unfortunately, it was the back and forth with Noel and Wyatt. In the first half, it seemed that Noel was falling in love with Wyatt too. His departure was unexpected but I thought it would make for a great angsty love story. Sadly after the 55% mark, it went downhill for me. Noel's indecisiveness about Wyatt was understandable, I understood what Tal was going for but the story/wedding plot felt like it was getting dragged on and on. I found myself skimming the second half of the book and details of Wyatt's gorgeous vineyard. I felt like the story didn't need to drag on and on. It could have been wrapped up earlier on. The last 10% of the book had me debating whether to give this a 4-star or a 3.5 rating. I wanted this to be a 4-star read, Wyatt's character was beautifully written and for him, I wanted to give this a 4-star. But sadly, it didn't turn out that way. The ending though was so Tal. Romantic and swoon-worthy.
I loved You and Me and had hoped this would be another read of Tal's that I would love. Not all Arcs are going to be a 4-star read and that is okay. The story was still enjoyable and I can see why so many loved it. It is a great sweet summer/beach read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 19, 2024
How to Say I Do is a beautiful opposites attract and second chance romance. Tal Bauer has once again written the perfect emotional romance between two very different men who fall for one another in the most unexpected way.
What I enjoyed the most about this story is how complex the two main characters, Noel and Wyatt are. Noel was recently left at the alter and is now going on his honeymoon alone and devastated. Wyatt has had his own experience with heartbreak and devastation and offers his support to Noel.
I loved how instinctive Noel and Wyatt's connection is. There is an unforeseen driving force between Noel and Wyatt that allows both to feel utterly safe, protected, and completely supported by the other. In a matter of six days, they are able to let down their guards and share some of the most intimate feelings and emotions with one another, thus making their connection more than a fling.
I was blown away by the emotional depth of this story. Wyatt is one of the kindest characters due to his unwavering devotion to his family and loved ones. Noel finally finds someone who understands him unconditionally making their loving relationship even more profound.
I loved the emotional beats of this story, I ached at the angst-filled moments, while understanding they were necessary for both the characters. Overall I am once again in awe of this beautiful story about second chances and finding love in the most surprising ways. Such a moving story that I never wanted to end.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.***
What I enjoyed the most about this story is how complex the two main characters, Noel and Wyatt are. Noel was recently left at the alter and is now going on his honeymoon alone and devastated. Wyatt has had his own experience with heartbreak and devastation and offers his support to Noel.
I loved how instinctive Noel and Wyatt's connection is. There is an unforeseen driving force between Noel and Wyatt that allows both to feel utterly safe, protected, and completely supported by the other. In a matter of six days, they are able to let down their guards and share some of the most intimate feelings and emotions with one another, thus making their connection more than a fling.
I was blown away by the emotional depth of this story. Wyatt is one of the kindest characters due to his unwavering devotion to his family and loved ones. Noel finally finds someone who understands him unconditionally making their loving relationship even more profound.
I loved the emotional beats of this story, I ached at the angst-filled moments, while understanding they were necessary for both the characters. Overall I am once again in awe of this beautiful story about second chances and finding love in the most surprising ways. Such a moving story that I never wanted to end.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.***
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March 4, 2024
How to Say I Do is a stand alone, MM, opposites attract, bi-awakening romance by Tal Bauer. Every so often, you read a book that makes happy tears run down your face, that reminds you why you love reading so much, that reminds you of all the best things about reading romance. This is that book. From the first page to the last, I was in awe. In awe of the beauty of the words, in awe of the men I was reading about. Just in awe of it all.
First, I’ll introduce you to Wyatt McKinley. I believe he’s about twenty six years old. He is a rancher and a wine maker. His Texas ranch has cattle and grape vines. He is fulfilling a dream that his father began before him. Wyatt is a man who will do anything for anyone. He is a good man, the best kind of man. When tragedy struck his family, he took over and raised his younger brother. Now his brother is getting married at a destination wedding in Cancun. So they convinced Wyatt to go a couple of days early under the pretense of making sure everything was in order. But they really just wanted him to have a few days off.
Noël Bettencourt is twenty eight years old and lives in Manhattan, New York. He is a senior public relations associate for a high end firm. He works a hundred hours a week, running from one event to the next, dealing with the elite of the rich and famous every single day. He was engaged and standing at the alter, waiting for his bride, only she didn’t come. He was left at the alter. His world crumbles around him. So he left with only the clothes on his back for a honeymoon for one to Cancun, and attempted to drink every ounce of alcohol he could find along the way, which is where Wyatt found him.
Wyatt has a few days before his family arrives and Noël doesn’t want to be alone. Wyatt is gay, Noël is not. But these two started falling for each other from their first meeting. But, Noël is trying to come back from an eighteen month relationship. This is a rebound for him, right? This is a week where they are living in their own little bubble. What happens when it’s over? Wyatt lives in Texas, he’s a rancher. Noël thrives on the glitz and glamour of New York.
There’s really not much more than I can say here. Except that I am deeply, madly in love with Wyatt. Noël broke my heart. He may have lived a life that looked so glamorous on the outside. But truly, he was alone, he was lonely, and he thought so little of himself. I loved the way he blossomed when he was with Wyatt. Together, these two were magical. I read pretty much the entire book with my heart in my throat. Tal’s words are so beautiful. His story telling so heart felt. There just aren’t enough stars to give this book. Ten, twenty, fifty! It deserves them all. So I’ll close with this, just read it. You won’t regret it.
“My dearest, darling Wyatt. The man of my dreams.�
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
First, I’ll introduce you to Wyatt McKinley. I believe he’s about twenty six years old. He is a rancher and a wine maker. His Texas ranch has cattle and grape vines. He is fulfilling a dream that his father began before him. Wyatt is a man who will do anything for anyone. He is a good man, the best kind of man. When tragedy struck his family, he took over and raised his younger brother. Now his brother is getting married at a destination wedding in Cancun. So they convinced Wyatt to go a couple of days early under the pretense of making sure everything was in order. But they really just wanted him to have a few days off.
Noël Bettencourt is twenty eight years old and lives in Manhattan, New York. He is a senior public relations associate for a high end firm. He works a hundred hours a week, running from one event to the next, dealing with the elite of the rich and famous every single day. He was engaged and standing at the alter, waiting for his bride, only she didn’t come. He was left at the alter. His world crumbles around him. So he left with only the clothes on his back for a honeymoon for one to Cancun, and attempted to drink every ounce of alcohol he could find along the way, which is where Wyatt found him.
Wyatt has a few days before his family arrives and Noël doesn’t want to be alone. Wyatt is gay, Noël is not. But these two started falling for each other from their first meeting. But, Noël is trying to come back from an eighteen month relationship. This is a rebound for him, right? This is a week where they are living in their own little bubble. What happens when it’s over? Wyatt lives in Texas, he’s a rancher. Noël thrives on the glitz and glamour of New York.
There’s really not much more than I can say here. Except that I am deeply, madly in love with Wyatt. Noël broke my heart. He may have lived a life that looked so glamorous on the outside. But truly, he was alone, he was lonely, and he thought so little of himself. I loved the way he blossomed when he was with Wyatt. Together, these two were magical. I read pretty much the entire book with my heart in my throat. Tal’s words are so beautiful. His story telling so heart felt. There just aren’t enough stars to give this book. Ten, twenty, fifty! It deserves them all. So I’ll close with this, just read it. You won’t regret it.
“My dearest, darling Wyatt. The man of my dreams.�
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
June 6, 2023
Good lord Tal does like to come back with a bang, although I'm not sure his definition of this book as a romcom and low angst fits in with my definition of those two ideas!
But, having said that, compared to some of his other work, this is definitely at the lower end of the angst scale but within the opening chapter the reader gets slugged in the face with a horrible tragedy affecting Wyatt which sets the scene for what follows.
There is also definitely humour and I would suggest that all the parts of the book which take place from Dallas Airport onward to Mexico fit perfectly into the romcom sphere and could be a brilliant movie on their own.
The rest of the story though will take you through the ringer! The emotions, jeeze the emotions, I was on the edge of my seat throughout while reading this, my hope that Noël would come to his senses, my fears that Wyatt would be hurt beyond measure, the family, the feels were immense!
There'll be no spoilers here, as usual, but make no bones about it, just because this isn't a romantic suspense story from Tal, don't think you're getting a bit of lightweight fluff. There is a lot goes on in this book, it examines the celebrity culture which seems to drive so much of today's society in ways which I don't believe are beneficial to anyone.
The contrast between Noël's work as a PR manager for some of the biggest names in this crafted universe and Wyatt's more simple but still complicated life running his winery and dealing with the emotional impact of his parent's death, is cleverly weaved throughout the story.
I read it in one go, I couldn't put it down, and all the time I was reading, I had no clear idea about how it was going to pan out. I know Tal always delivers a Happy Ever After ending, but it took some work to get them there!
Yet another brilliantly crafted book from Tal and I would love to see him revisit these two with a bonus story or two a few years down the line!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
But, having said that, compared to some of his other work, this is definitely at the lower end of the angst scale but within the opening chapter the reader gets slugged in the face with a horrible tragedy affecting Wyatt which sets the scene for what follows.
There is also definitely humour and I would suggest that all the parts of the book which take place from Dallas Airport onward to Mexico fit perfectly into the romcom sphere and could be a brilliant movie on their own.
The rest of the story though will take you through the ringer! The emotions, jeeze the emotions, I was on the edge of my seat throughout while reading this, my hope that Noël would come to his senses, my fears that Wyatt would be hurt beyond measure, the family, the feels were immense!
There'll be no spoilers here, as usual, but make no bones about it, just because this isn't a romantic suspense story from Tal, don't think you're getting a bit of lightweight fluff. There is a lot goes on in this book, it examines the celebrity culture which seems to drive so much of today's society in ways which I don't believe are beneficial to anyone.
The contrast between Noël's work as a PR manager for some of the biggest names in this crafted universe and Wyatt's more simple but still complicated life running his winery and dealing with the emotional impact of his parent's death, is cleverly weaved throughout the story.
I read it in one go, I couldn't put it down, and all the time I was reading, I had no clear idea about how it was going to pan out. I know Tal always delivers a Happy Ever After ending, but it took some work to get them there!
Yet another brilliantly crafted book from Tal and I would love to see him revisit these two with a bonus story or two a few years down the line!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
July 13, 2023
It was indescribable, these feelings Noël sparked inside me. I wanted to crawl into his lap and cradle his face in my hands, look into his eyes and whisper, ‘Where have you been all my life?�
Wyatt lives in a small town in Texas. His whole life consists of taking care of his brother and nephew and working on his vineyard to make his and his father’s dream come true. After years without taking a break, he’s having a couple of days by himself at Cancun before his brother’s wedding. He didn’t expect the beautiful stranger at the airport with a broken heart. He didn’t expect to fall in love. But nothing is never easy for Wyatt and the fantasy doesn’t take long to shatter.
Noël was supposed to be on his honeymoon with his new girlfriend, but she left her at their wedding. He’s not sure what he’s doing in Cancun, other than bothering the cute guy who took care of him when he was too drunk to do it himself. Noël can’t stop asking for him. Everything's better with Wyatt, who is real and kind and it’s never thinking about what he can get out of Noël. It’s only one week though, one week of a perfect illusion until they are both traveling back to their very different lives, hundreds of kilometers between them. Saying goodbye was never supposed to be this hard.
How To Say I Do is a strangers to friends to lovers that includes bi-awakening, fake husbands, family dynamics and a very confused MC who is starting to realize the life he is living might not be living after all. In contrast with other Tal Bauer’s books, How To Say I Do is a light summer reading that doesn’t always feel realistic yet it was very enjoyable to read.
As it couldn’t be any other way, the romance is the sweetest and it was a bit insta-love but Tal Bauer was still able to make me care about them and see they were going to be alright. ’m going to be very basic and say Wyatt was the most wholesome guy and deserved all the moon and the stars. The way he blushed when he got all nervous around Noël was so lovely. There were times where I wished he had some kind of flaw, something to make me feel like he wasn’t the reincarnation of a saint but Wyatt refused to be anything more than the perfect human being and I still loved his huge, kind heart.
“And on your first day of vacation in nine years, you decided to feed a drunk stranger two burgers in a bar?�
Wyatt shrugged and smiled, then simply said, “Well, one burger was supposed to be mine.�
Following the rule of who was more real, I should have liked Noël more, but I didn’t really connect or understand his motivations and actions most of the time. While discovering you are into guys might not be a big deal for some straight men, I couldn’t help but feel a bit confused about Noël’s indifference about it. He has just been dumped by his girlfriend and, even if we all know she wasn't his endgame, it was still too fresh for everything else that was happening.
I have to admit that my favorite part was the beginning and Wyatt’s relationship with his dad. Even if he wasn’t there anymore, it almost felt like he was and I loved how Wyatt used that love to create the things they had both dreamed about. There were times during the drama with all the books where I was very confused about HOW could Noël do certain things-e.g. that email-, and HOW could Wyatt be so damn cool about it. He could have screamed a bit and I would have still felt he was a complete saint, just a human one.
Overall, I liked the summer vibes of this and really love Tal Bauer’s writing, so it was an enjoyable read even if I didn’t quite buy some of the things that happened regarding the romance development.
Feet over my head. My dreams were soaring for the moon. Anything could happen here. I could fall in love. Maybe I already had.
PS: does anyone (who is a native Spanish speaker) say señors? I trust Tal Bauer so much he’s making me doubt my own language. But here (Spain) we said señores/señoras. I have latino friends and I’ve never ever heard señors before. It was written several times, so it was not a typo. Dear authors, for the hundredth time, it’s not so difficult to find someone to check the Spanish translation 😭😭
August 31, 2024
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
It was a hard place to sit in, holding on to the realization that you loved a man who might wish to forget you ever existed.
3+1 main takeaways from this book:
I’ve said it about a million times before and I’ll say it again: there’s lots of good writing out in the world, but whenever I read this author, I go ‘aah, so that’s what great writing looks like�. I put off reading this book for a long time because I knew it would be sad and hurt my heart, but ’m glad I finally did it. It wasn’t as painful as I feared.
It was enough, I thought, to fall in love, even though he wouldn’t fall, too. It was enough to go a little crazy inside myself, and to feel like the world had lit on fire, and for these few days, to pretend that anything was possible.
Noël was a complicated character. For long stretches of time he was quite difficult to like and I wanted to reach through the screen of my kindle and strangle him for hurting my precious bebe Wyatt. But he was never cruel. Sometimes good people do bad things, and by the end I was hurting for Noël too. However. Wyatt is one of my new favorite book boyfriends. That man is made of gold, and apart from being a little naive (and fictional), he was just such a sweet, loving, selfless and good person. The way he sacrificed himself and his dreams to make sure everyone else could follow theirs? Tears. So many tears. ’m not a hugger but I wanted to hug Wyatt.
This book also spans quite a bit of geographical area, both Manhattan, Texas and Cancún, and it felt like I was present in all places. The way this author is able to describe the smallest thing to make it feel like you’re right there along with the characters is unparalleled.
I held him beneath all those glittering constellations, and as the tide rolled in, I wished on every shooting star I saw that this little moment could grow into forever.
Ugh, and then there’s the dang chemistry. Wyatt and Noël were absolutely explosive on page. It didn’t matter if they were actually boning or not. The chemistry and romance was just as tangible when they were sitting side by side on the beach, snorkeling, wrestling beneath a waterfall or downing shots of vodka at the airport.
Wyatt tasted like sea salt and waves, chapped lips, and the coconut margarita he’d had earlier. Like promises and patience and the way he’d touched his fingers to his hat brim when he’d said “Howdy� in Dallas. Like sweetness and adoration and the first blush of falling in love.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Opposites attract
Second chance
Bisexual awakening
Texan cowboy
Size difference
First times
Hands-free orgasms
Found family
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Details of MC’s parents being murdered (past, gun and fire)
MC left at the altar (off page, not by other MC)
Alcohol consumption
Excessive drinking to deal with emotional problems
Mention of teen pregnancy (SCs, past)
MC cheated on by ex (no details)
Explicit sexual content
Mentions of emotionally neglectful parents (past)
Feelings of low self worth
Explicit sexual content
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Yes, and physically apart for 6 weeks
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters� age: 26 and 28
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 406
Happy ending: Yes
“You remember.� The joy that lit up his face. It made him look like a delighted little boy, if little boys could be six-foot-three and built of solid muscle.
Wyatt, I learned, was ticklish. He’d giggle like a child if I managed to get near his armpits.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well:
It was a hard place to sit in, holding on to the realization that you loved a man who might wish to forget you ever existed.
3+1 main takeaways from this book:
1. Tal Bauer likes red wine
2. ’m not religious but I worship Talbert
3. Only Tal can come back from me starting to dislike a character
4. Wyatt is baby
I’ve said it about a million times before and I’ll say it again: there’s lots of good writing out in the world, but whenever I read this author, I go ‘aah, so that’s what great writing looks like�. I put off reading this book for a long time because I knew it would be sad and hurt my heart, but ’m glad I finally did it. It wasn’t as painful as I feared.
It was enough, I thought, to fall in love, even though he wouldn’t fall, too. It was enough to go a little crazy inside myself, and to feel like the world had lit on fire, and for these few days, to pretend that anything was possible.
Noël was a complicated character. For long stretches of time he was quite difficult to like and I wanted to reach through the screen of my kindle and strangle him for hurting my precious bebe Wyatt. But he was never cruel. Sometimes good people do bad things, and by the end I was hurting for Noël too. However. Wyatt is one of my new favorite book boyfriends. That man is made of gold, and apart from being a little naive (and fictional), he was just such a sweet, loving, selfless and good person. The way he sacrificed himself and his dreams to make sure everyone else could follow theirs? Tears. So many tears. ’m not a hugger but I wanted to hug Wyatt.
This book also spans quite a bit of geographical area, both Manhattan, Texas and Cancún, and it felt like I was present in all places. The way this author is able to describe the smallest thing to make it feel like you’re right there along with the characters is unparalleled.
I held him beneath all those glittering constellations, and as the tide rolled in, I wished on every shooting star I saw that this little moment could grow into forever.
Ugh, and then there’s the dang chemistry. Wyatt and Noël were absolutely explosive on page. It didn’t matter if they were actually boning or not. The chemistry and romance was just as tangible when they were sitting side by side on the beach, snorkeling, wrestling beneath a waterfall or downing shots of vodka at the airport.
Wyatt tasted like sea salt and waves, chapped lips, and the coconut margarita he’d had earlier. Like promises and patience and the way he’d touched his fingers to his hat brim when he’d said “Howdy� in Dallas. Like sweetness and adoration and the first blush of falling in love.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Opposites attract
Second chance
Bisexual awakening
Texan cowboy
Size difference
First times
Hands-free orgasms
Found family
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Details of MC’s parents being murdered (past, gun and fire)
MC left at the altar (off page, not by other MC)
Alcohol consumption
Excessive drinking to deal with emotional problems
Mention of teen pregnancy (SCs, past)
MC cheated on by ex (no details)
Explicit sexual content
Mentions of emotionally neglectful parents (past)
Feelings of low self worth
Explicit sexual content
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Yes, and physically apart for 6 weeks
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters� age: 26 and 28
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 406
Happy ending: Yes
“You remember.� The joy that lit up his face. It made him look like a delighted little boy, if little boys could be six-foot-three and built of solid muscle.
Wyatt, I learned, was ticklish. He’d giggle like a child if I managed to get near his armpits.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well:
Read
June 12, 2023DNF 37%
Tal Bauer wrote two of my favourites MM romance novels, and . So, it pains me to give up on this book but I'm not a fluffy reader. I like intense, conflicted and angsty stories. I like flawed and complex characters.
Wyatt is too good, too understandable, too kind, too pretty, too selfless and too perfect. Boring.
Noël on the other hand, has the most speedy recovery from a break-up ever. Unconvincing.
Cutting to the chase, I'm out. ☮️
Tal Bauer wrote two of my favourites MM romance novels, and . So, it pains me to give up on this book but I'm not a fluffy reader. I like intense, conflicted and angsty stories. I like flawed and complex characters.
Wyatt is too good, too understandable, too kind, too pretty, too selfless and too perfect. Boring.
Noël on the other hand, has the most speedy recovery from a break-up ever. Unconvincing.
Cutting to the chase, I'm out. ☮️
June 9, 2023
This is going to be one of my fave ever Tal Bauer books. Between the time in Cancun, that reminds you of every heartstopping holiday romance you’ve had, to the small town Texas close community vibes with people who know & support you, to the glamour of New York City high society living, this really has something for everyone.
Swoon /5 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Angst /5 🥺🥺🥺🥺
Steam /5 ♨️♨️♨️♨️
Plot /5 🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐
LOLs /5 🤭🤭🤭🤭
But what shines out of the pages is the connection between Wyatt & Noël. These two are luminescent. Their love follows a rocky path, but it gives you hope that soulmates are real. Wyatt, the quietly solid & reliable Texas cowboy & winemaker, meets Noël on the way to Cancun. Noël, an NYC native who flies in A list circles, is headed to his honeymoon after being dumped at the altar by his bride. Wyatt can’t help but take care of him, and quickly falls for him, even while thinking Noël is straight. Noël is surprised by his bi-awakening, and within the space of a week, they fall into a passionately intense romance.
But all good things must come to an end, and Noël returns to NYC & Wyatt to Texas, where they pine for each other but believe it’s impossible to be together. When a bit of forced proximity brings them back together, they begin again but this time taking it slow. A long distance romance keeps their connection alive, and their feelings deepen. Noël slowly realises that perhaps he could live without all of the excess & excitement in NYC, especially if he could be with Wyatt.
Tal writes the kind of couples that really touch your heart, and these two really hooked into me. I loved how they worked their way back to each other, how they each acknowledged their part in their initial break up, and how they were there for each other, even thousands of miles away. The character arcs for both Noël & Wyatt were done perfectly. And their reunions, especially the final chapter, are some of the most romantic scenes I’ve ever read, which had me laughing and crying at the same time.
Can’t recommend highly enough.
Content warning for past death of a parent, grief & abandonment.
Check out my reviews and MM content on Instagram, StoryGraph, Facebook, & Bookbub, all under the same name! I gratefully received an advance copy and this is my honest review.
Swoon /5 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Angst /5 🥺🥺🥺🥺
Steam /5 ♨️♨️♨️♨️
Plot /5 🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐
LOLs /5 🤭🤭🤭🤭
But what shines out of the pages is the connection between Wyatt & Noël. These two are luminescent. Their love follows a rocky path, but it gives you hope that soulmates are real. Wyatt, the quietly solid & reliable Texas cowboy & winemaker, meets Noël on the way to Cancun. Noël, an NYC native who flies in A list circles, is headed to his honeymoon after being dumped at the altar by his bride. Wyatt can’t help but take care of him, and quickly falls for him, even while thinking Noël is straight. Noël is surprised by his bi-awakening, and within the space of a week, they fall into a passionately intense romance.
But all good things must come to an end, and Noël returns to NYC & Wyatt to Texas, where they pine for each other but believe it’s impossible to be together. When a bit of forced proximity brings them back together, they begin again but this time taking it slow. A long distance romance keeps their connection alive, and their feelings deepen. Noël slowly realises that perhaps he could live without all of the excess & excitement in NYC, especially if he could be with Wyatt.
Tal writes the kind of couples that really touch your heart, and these two really hooked into me. I loved how they worked their way back to each other, how they each acknowledged their part in their initial break up, and how they were there for each other, even thousands of miles away. The character arcs for both Noël & Wyatt were done perfectly. And their reunions, especially the final chapter, are some of the most romantic scenes I’ve ever read, which had me laughing and crying at the same time.
Can’t recommend highly enough.
Content warning for past death of a parent, grief & abandonment.
Check out my reviews and MM content on Instagram, StoryGraph, Facebook, & Bookbub, all under the same name! I gratefully received an advance copy and this is my honest review.
June 20, 2023
Almost perfect love story with a tiny bit too much sweetness for me.
This isn’t my first Tal Bauer book, and I know that I need to be in the right mood for them. Some I dnf, others I love.
’m happy to say that this book was one of the latter ones - while ’m not head over heels for it, I loved it for the most parts.
Tal Bauer’s books are usually like a cup of hot chocolate where you added mini marshmallows. Comforting, delicious, but you need to brace yourself for the sugar overdose. I don’t mean that in a bad way: sometimes that’s exactly what you need to brighten your day.
Here, my day was brightened mostly by Wyatt. Wyatt is a (gay) Texan cowboy with a big heart, who can’t NOT offer help to the guy he sees getting drunk at the Dallas airport.
Said guy is Noël, as different from Wyatt as it gets: he’s from New York, works 100h a week in an exclusive pr firm, and has just been left standing at the altar by his model fiancé. He’s on his way to Mexico, to what was supposed to be his honeymoon - exactly to the same resort that’s Wyatt’s destination, too.
”It was enough, I thought, to fall in love, even though he wouldn’t fall, too. It was enough to go a little crazy inside myself, and to feel like the world had lit on fire, and for these few days, to pretend that anything was possible.�
You can imagine what turn the story takes - it’s a long winded, bumpy road that finally leads to their well earned HEA.
I LOVED Wyatt. He’s the kind of man that probably doesn’t exist in reality, but who’s THE perfect book boyfriend in everything that matters - he’s kind, funny, goodnatured and patient, but without being a doormat.
”My sweet, sweet cowboy, who was shy and didn’t like selfies and said goodnight to his horse, and who made the lives of everyone he touched remarkably and extraordinarily better. My dearest, darling Wyatt. The man of my dreams.�
Noël is a bit more difficult to love, but as we get to know him and his deep rooted insecurities better, we get to like him, too.
What I loved (apart from the very well done relationship building, including the slow second-chance road to forgiveness and true love): the aspects about Noël’s line of work, with all the pr romances and campaigns that are a huge part of what we see in tabloids and magazines.
All in all a great book if you don’t mind the sometimes VERY emotional moments ❤️
This isn’t my first Tal Bauer book, and I know that I need to be in the right mood for them. Some I dnf, others I love.
’m happy to say that this book was one of the latter ones - while ’m not head over heels for it, I loved it for the most parts.
Tal Bauer’s books are usually like a cup of hot chocolate where you added mini marshmallows. Comforting, delicious, but you need to brace yourself for the sugar overdose. I don’t mean that in a bad way: sometimes that’s exactly what you need to brighten your day.
Here, my day was brightened mostly by Wyatt. Wyatt is a (gay) Texan cowboy with a big heart, who can’t NOT offer help to the guy he sees getting drunk at the Dallas airport.
Said guy is Noël, as different from Wyatt as it gets: he’s from New York, works 100h a week in an exclusive pr firm, and has just been left standing at the altar by his model fiancé. He’s on his way to Mexico, to what was supposed to be his honeymoon - exactly to the same resort that’s Wyatt’s destination, too.
”It was enough, I thought, to fall in love, even though he wouldn’t fall, too. It was enough to go a little crazy inside myself, and to feel like the world had lit on fire, and for these few days, to pretend that anything was possible.�
You can imagine what turn the story takes - it’s a long winded, bumpy road that finally leads to their well earned HEA.
I LOVED Wyatt. He’s the kind of man that probably doesn’t exist in reality, but who’s THE perfect book boyfriend in everything that matters - he’s kind, funny, goodnatured and patient, but without being a doormat.
”My sweet, sweet cowboy, who was shy and didn’t like selfies and said goodnight to his horse, and who made the lives of everyone he touched remarkably and extraordinarily better. My dearest, darling Wyatt. The man of my dreams.�
Noël is a bit more difficult to love, but as we get to know him and his deep rooted insecurities better, we get to like him, too.
What I loved (apart from the very well done relationship building, including the slow second-chance road to forgiveness and true love): the aspects about Noël’s line of work, with all the pr romances and campaigns that are a huge part of what we see in tabloids and magazines.
All in all a great book if you don’t mind the sometimes VERY emotional moments ❤️
June 29, 2023
In Tal Bauer's world, winemaking cowboy Wyatt exists, as well as a subway line that goes straight to LaGuardia, and I would not have it any other way🥰🚇
every 3 sentences be like:
"...the sun was melting from the sky, spilling periwinkle and peach light over the sea. Waves glittered...Noël murmured and shifted closer. I brushed my lips over his..."
🌊It was all unabashedly romantic, swoony, flowers everywhere, staring into each others' eyes lovemaking, turquoise beaches, turtles and starlight, a veeeeeeeeeeery small Texan town and horses named Peanut and Pickle. This was the kind of sweet and simple love story in my goldilocks zone that I know I will read again for that halcyon summer love vibe🌻�
Even the third act foolishness happened like a quarter in and lasted 3 pages bless 😹. All of that Bauer-ness was EXACTLY what I came for, delivered in spades, and I have not stopped smiling since🥰💓This was precious as fk, and I am very excited for the next surprise-last minute-out of the blue release bc for me it's a guarantee that it'll be super melty and gorgeously written, and I can't imagine anything better💛💙 🏖️🌺🐢🐴🍷🍇✌🏽
every 3 sentences be like:
"...the sun was melting from the sky, spilling periwinkle and peach light over the sea. Waves glittered...Noël murmured and shifted closer. I brushed my lips over his..."
🌊It was all unabashedly romantic, swoony, flowers everywhere, staring into each others' eyes lovemaking, turquoise beaches, turtles and starlight, a veeeeeeeeeeery small Texan town and horses named Peanut and Pickle. This was the kind of sweet and simple love story in my goldilocks zone that I know I will read again for that halcyon summer love vibe🌻�
Even the third act foolishness happened like a quarter in and lasted 3 pages bless 😹. All of that Bauer-ness was EXACTLY what I came for, delivered in spades, and I have not stopped smiling since🥰💓This was precious as fk, and I am very excited for the next surprise-last minute-out of the blue release bc for me it's a guarantee that it'll be super melty and gorgeously written, and I can't imagine anything better💛💙 🏖️🌺🐢🐴🍷🍇✌🏽
June 11, 2023
There is NO ONE who writes true romance and heartache like Tal Bauer.
Such a beautiful story, all of the characters feel like real people and the emotions on the page are perfect - I definitely cried more than once!
Where can I find a Wyatt???
Honestly did not want to put this one down, but life got in the way, so I actually took my time (for me 😂) and took a whole 24 hours to read this.
I especially loved the family relationships and what the ranch meant to Wyatt and his family. You can definitely feel the love in this story.
Can't recommend Tal Bauer books enough, they just give me complete escapism and the romance is just old school perfection.
If you're not into romance and relationship building over explicit sexual content it's probably not for you!
Such a beautiful story, all of the characters feel like real people and the emotions on the page are perfect - I definitely cried more than once!
Where can I find a Wyatt???
Honestly did not want to put this one down, but life got in the way, so I actually took my time (for me 😂) and took a whole 24 hours to read this.
I especially loved the family relationships and what the ranch meant to Wyatt and his family. You can definitely feel the love in this story.
Can't recommend Tal Bauer books enough, they just give me complete escapism and the romance is just old school perfection.
If you're not into romance and relationship building over explicit sexual content it's probably not for you!
July 6, 2024
No surprise, another super emotional romance from Cal Bauer! The heroes meet on a vacation at a resort where one was supposed to go with his fiancé who broke up with him and the other is going for his brother's wedding. They fall so quickly for each other, but one of them is terrified what life would look like together and if he has enough love to give. I loved the emotional complexity of this one, but the second half of the book didn't have enough plot for me to be fully engaged in the story. I loved the heroes finding their way back to each other and how protective their family was, but I would have loved more going on beyond focusing on the characters and the romance. If you don't mind a mostly character-driven story, though, you will love this one!
August 1, 2024
This is the first non-mystery Tal Bauer book I've read, and it was quite a ride, let me tell ya.
The first 40% is all hot tropical nights and passionate kisses. Wyatt and Noel fall for each other and fall hard, but a Cancun vacation is not real life. It's a fantasy, and the higher you climb, the farther you tumble.
For Wyatt, life is all about his family (brother, SIL, and nephew, all three of whom are strong supporting characters) and his vineyard. Central Texas is where Wyatt was born, and it's where he'll die. The vineyard was not just his father's dream, and Wyatt is determined to make it a success.
Noel works a high-profile publicist job in Manhattan. His fiancee just left him at the altar. His phone is in the trash, and everything he owns is in five boxes on a street corner.
Wyatt is a goddamn miracle: selfless, romantic, a bear of a man with a huge heart.
Noel is a hot mess. He disappears like a thief in the night and leaves Wyatt broken.
The angst about did me in.
The chapters set in Manhattan showcasing Noel's shallow existence bored me. I despise celebrity culture and didn't care about the wedding Noel was organizing for an A lister.
Granted, this particular celebrity was a good person, and the wedding was happening at Wyatt's ranch, but I just wasn't into it.
The MCs have to fight for their HEA, but the ending is just the beginning. Let the real honeymoon begin.
The fine print: ages 26/29, opposites attract, biawakening, separation, family, plenty of steam
The first 40% is all hot tropical nights and passionate kisses. Wyatt and Noel fall for each other and fall hard, but a Cancun vacation is not real life. It's a fantasy, and the higher you climb, the farther you tumble.
For Wyatt, life is all about his family (brother, SIL, and nephew, all three of whom are strong supporting characters) and his vineyard. Central Texas is where Wyatt was born, and it's where he'll die. The vineyard was not just his father's dream, and Wyatt is determined to make it a success.
Noel works a high-profile publicist job in Manhattan. His fiancee just left him at the altar. His phone is in the trash, and everything he owns is in five boxes on a street corner.
Wyatt is a goddamn miracle: selfless, romantic, a bear of a man with a huge heart.
Noel is a hot mess. He disappears like a thief in the night and leaves Wyatt broken.
The angst about did me in.
The chapters set in Manhattan showcasing Noel's shallow existence bored me. I despise celebrity culture and didn't care about the wedding Noel was organizing for an A lister.
Granted, this particular celebrity was a good person, and the wedding was happening at Wyatt's ranch, but I just wasn't into it.
The MCs have to fight for their HEA, but the ending is just the beginning. Let the real honeymoon begin.
The fine print: ages 26/29, opposites attract, biawakening, separation, family, plenty of steam
June 15, 2023
You know what I love about picking up a TB book?
That I will love it no matter what. That I know I could depend on him to give me a solid plot with a swoony romance and the best of HEAs no matter what genre he's tackling at any given moment.
With this book, Tal has given us an honest to God RomCom-ish book.
It is LOW ANGST...I kid you not.
With this book, he has used his beautiful lyrical prose to weave a story chock full of tropes that all work together towards making this romance realistic and sweet.
With this book, he gave us a romance reminiscent of old classics that are completely character-oriented and as such unforgettable.
With this book, he gave us characters who are genuinely good, nice men. Two men who are realistic in all their facets yet so different due to their life experiences. However, we see that they ultimately complement each other so well.
With this book, he shows that you can never miss out on love, no matter the consequences. If you're meant to be, then nothing can stand in your way and that is what Wyatt and Noël show us throughout the book. They are an unlikely pair who shone through the pages.
With this book, he shows how mature, self aware men can treat their "bi-awakening". Noel is straight until he meets Wyatt. However, he doesn't have a crisis over is feelings. He accepts them and moves on, towards a love story he has been waiting for but never thought he could have.
Noel's backstory and work situation cements his acceptance as well. A person in his line of work and in the city he works with wouldn't be resistant to his burgeoning sexuality.
With this book, he gives us Wyatt with the old-school hero vibes. Wholesome, sweet, steadfast, dependable, romantic, devoted and so much more. He swept Noel. and me, off my feet from that first "Howdy" and hat tip. It was adorable.
With this book, he shows how he is a master of the "Friends to Lovers" trope. The way he based their romance on a friendship they constructed in Cancun was as sweet as it is masterful.
With this book, he gives us beautiful familial connections via Wyatt and his brother, as well as his late dad. That side-plot alone was so emotional but therapeutic at the same time.
Steam-o-meter: Medium steam
I can honestly go on and on. I can't wait for Tal's next book because I know I'll be getting yet another favorite book.
That I will love it no matter what. That I know I could depend on him to give me a solid plot with a swoony romance and the best of HEAs no matter what genre he's tackling at any given moment.
With this book, Tal has given us an honest to God RomCom-ish book.
It is LOW ANGST...I kid you not.
With this book, he has used his beautiful lyrical prose to weave a story chock full of tropes that all work together towards making this romance realistic and sweet.
With this book, he gave us a romance reminiscent of old classics that are completely character-oriented and as such unforgettable.
With this book, he gave us characters who are genuinely good, nice men. Two men who are realistic in all their facets yet so different due to their life experiences. However, we see that they ultimately complement each other so well.
With this book, he shows that you can never miss out on love, no matter the consequences. If you're meant to be, then nothing can stand in your way and that is what Wyatt and Noël show us throughout the book. They are an unlikely pair who shone through the pages.
With this book, he shows how mature, self aware men can treat their "bi-awakening". Noel is straight until he meets Wyatt. However, he doesn't have a crisis over is feelings. He accepts them and moves on, towards a love story he has been waiting for but never thought he could have.
Noel's backstory and work situation cements his acceptance as well. A person in his line of work and in the city he works with wouldn't be resistant to his burgeoning sexuality.
With this book, he gives us Wyatt with the old-school hero vibes. Wholesome, sweet, steadfast, dependable, romantic, devoted and so much more. He swept Noel. and me, off my feet from that first "Howdy" and hat tip. It was adorable.
With this book, he shows how he is a master of the "Friends to Lovers" trope. The way he based their romance on a friendship they constructed in Cancun was as sweet as it is masterful.
With this book, he gives us beautiful familial connections via Wyatt and his brother, as well as his late dad. That side-plot alone was so emotional but therapeutic at the same time.
Steam-o-meter: Medium steam
I can honestly go on and on. I can't wait for Tal's next book because I know I'll be getting yet another favorite book.
June 13, 2023
4.5 Stars!
I’ve taken long break from Tal Bauer novels. Why? I found the never ending metaphors and similes too much.
I decided to give this one a try because of—and, yes, call me superficial—the cover & it’s photoshopped tiny little hat.
I was able to get through the (at times), over-blown language and enjoy the spirit of this character-based, opposites attract romance.
I grew to care about the characters and wanted to see how Bauer would bring them together at the end. In fact, I had a hard time putting this down because both POV’s riveted me.
The final wrap-up felt a little fast, but what can you do?
Enjoy this fast & slow-paced story set in Cancun, small-town Texas, and NYC.
I’ve taken long break from Tal Bauer novels. Why? I found the never ending metaphors and similes too much.
I decided to give this one a try because of—and, yes, call me superficial—the cover & it’s photoshopped tiny little hat.
I was able to get through the (at times), over-blown language and enjoy the spirit of this character-based, opposites attract romance.
I grew to care about the characters and wanted to see how Bauer would bring them together at the end. In fact, I had a hard time putting this down because both POV’s riveted me.
The final wrap-up felt a little fast, but what can you do?
Enjoy this fast & slow-paced story set in Cancun, small-town Texas, and NYC.
August 15, 2023
You ever read a book that made you stop, look at the world and your life and want to change everything in it completely because everything else seemed so fake and insubstantial and you only now realized it? Yeah well, this book is making me think and tinker.
Tal Bauer doesn't tell you or show you a work of art, he makes you experience it so tremendously, so deeply that by the end of it, it's like you're a different person out of it.
I think that's why people come back and read his works. No because of the way he can write angst like the best kind of mental trauma, but a sense of connection he can make you feel... Almost like he's grounding you in life and living and breathing.
Tal Bauer doesn't tell you or show you a work of art, he makes you experience it so tremendously, so deeply that by the end of it, it's like you're a different person out of it.
I think that's why people come back and read his works. No because of the way he can write angst like the best kind of mental trauma, but a sense of connection he can make you feel... Almost like he's grounding you in life and living and breathing.
June 13, 2023
Tal Bauer does it again 😍
I was hooked from page 1, when Wyatt saw a devastated man drinking himself into a stupor at an airport bar, all alone while others stared at him, but did nothing.
Noël - which I pronounced as Noelle in my head the whole time, as those two dots means it's pronounced that way - the day before was just left at the alter by his now ex-fiance, who only texted him a measly "I'm not in love with you. I met someone else" as an explanation for why she did it.
He's going on their supposed honeymoon alone, then, to lick his wounds alone and in misery.
But then a ruggedly handsome, big cowboy walks over to him, tips his cowboy hat his way and says "Howdy."
It was all over from there.
Wyatt started falling right away. Noël as well, but maybe a little teensy bit slower, as before Wyatt he thought he was straight, and he was getting over his ex-fiance now - although it really doesn't take that long, which shows just how not in love both of them were.
But Noël gets rip-roaring drunk, and Wyatt is there to take care of him and make sure he doesn't drown himself in alcohol, as well as making his flight and getting him to the resort - they're both staying at, as Wyatt's younger brother, Liam, and his longtime girlfriend turned wife to be, Savannah are having their wedding there in Cancun, the same place Noël and his now ex were going to be during their honeymoon - and to his room, safe and sound.
As Wyatt is there a few days early - insisted on by Liam, who dresses it up as "checking out the resort" for them a few days early, but it's really just letting Wyatt having a vacation, which he hasn't taken once in 9 years, since they tragically lost their parents to murder (their dad was a Sheriff in their small Texan town, and made some enemies with criminals who one day took out their anger on him for locking them up) and Wyatt's way of coping was to be even more of a caretaker than he already was at 17.
And he held onto his father through rebuilding their house (which was burned down in the murders) and starting a vineyard that his father wanted to have, and had just started the very beginning of it before he died.
So Noël and Wyatt are there alone for a few days. That's all it takes for more to develop, as a humiliated and alone Noël invites Wyatt on the activities he and his now ex were going to do during their honeymoon, especially after a waiter mistakes Wyatt for Noël's new spouse.
And when Wyatt's family shows up, Noël integrates into them so well and he forms a bond with all of them, even Jason, Wyatt's 8 year old nephew (although I think he should start out as 7 as it says he's in first, then second grade throughout this, and still 8 after over a year, so I think that was a teeny tiny mistake on Tal's part) who is as hyperactive and talkative as Wyatt apparently was at that age.
But Noël has some issues, obviously. He was just dumped at the alter, for one - even though it's clear he's pretty over her fairly quickly and didn't really love her - and he has a lot of insecurities. Everyone he's known has left him in his life, so he think it's his fault, that there's something wrong with him, that he's unlikable, and eventually everyone leaves him. Case in point, his ex.
So when, at the end of their week together, Wyatt talks about keeping touch with Noël, visiting him in New York and Noël visiting him in his small Texan town, Noël freaks out and just leaves with a note saying "Wyatt, I'm sorry."
I actually appreciated that the big separation and angst happened at around 40% and not near the end. It broke the formula and left so much more time for rebuilding their relationship and making it strong enough to last a lifetime.
Because, let's be real, realistically, things that happened that fast - 6 days fast - is not usually going to last. Especially as it's a rebound stage as well, although Wyatt never feels like that to Noël, at all.
But a few days prior, he was set to marry another person, and then within like 3 days, he's kissing and having sex with someone else, and a man on top of that, when he'd never realized any attraction to a man before.
It all seemed too good to be true, and with Noël's insecurities, he doesn't handle the situation right, and leaves them both brokenhearted.
But for Noël, he doesn't see how it could work. Not only because of how he sees himself, but he lives in NYC, Wyatt lives in Texas, they have completely different lives. How can they make a life together?
Wyatt, for his part was just...so damn sweet and kind and gentle, I loved him to bits. He fell head long into love with Noël so quickly and was so happy and excited for their future, whatever it took to be together.
Maybe, for his part, he didn't take a step back and look at the reality of the situation - because yeah, all they'd had was a week in paradise with no real world responsibilities to work through, and hadn't really been tested yet - but I love how he admits that and sees it later on. What Noël still did was wrong, 100%, because he should have stayed and talked to Wyatt, at least not left him hight and dry with no explanation or goodbye, and he absolutely hurt him.
But maybe Wyatt was too eager and a bit too naive to see the whole picture.
I love this line of thought by Noël later on in the book, where he thinks about how he doesn't regret leaving in the sense that he learned a lesson from it, and he grew from that pain and anguish he caused. He knew things then that the Noël in Wyatt's hotel room didn't. But he still regretting, above all else, hurting Wyatt.
I don't think he needed to go about it that way, but...humans gonna human. They're gonna fuck up, but in those fuck ups...they grow and they learn and evolve. A lot of the time, the only way to mature and grow up and be a better person is to go through the hard shit first.
I love how the story rebuilt their love for each other. Not that they ever lost it, but they were brokenhearted, and so needed to be built back up from that low. And also fall in love harder than before, in a life altering, forever kind of way.
I loved that so much. This book is long, but that's because it takes its time getting you to fall in love with the MC as much as it takes its time getting Wyatt and Noël to fall in love with each other.
Which, they do at first in just 6 days, sure, but Tal writers his characters and his romance in such a way that it doesn't feel rushed at all. This book is 400 pages, so it spends a good 150ish pages on those 6 days in Cancun together, showing how they fall in love, so quickly and so passionately.
But then spends the next 250ish pages on about 6ish months of time, of these two falling in love for good, and getting to the place where they're ready to take that leap into forever together.
The sex was, of course, absolutely amazing. The chemistry was off the charts. It's such a feat when an author can make a couple happen so fast, but it doesn't feel that way at all, and also have such high levels of chemistry and heat and passion when they've just met a few days prior in the story.
We get such amazing sex at the beginning, then nothing as they go through the angst and separation and then rebuilding their connection into a relationship, but when we do get sex again, it's wonderful too, and even more meaningful between them. At that point, they're for sure making love when they're together.
I did like the plot as well, where a famous singer, Tessa and her regular, non-famous fiance, Tyler, want to get married, but she's a genuine person, and wants a more private, real, intimate affair.
Wyatt's vineyard is just the place for it. But the company Noël works for cares more about extravagance and selling the image to the masses for billions of dollars, of course, and they have a contract with a magazine, Elite, to basically "own" her wedding. But Noël isn't playing ball, because he doesn't want them to intrude on Wyatt's property, which means so much to him, and Tessa's wedding which she wants to be more private.
Wyatt is one of the most real people that Noël has ever met, and his way of living, his way of being, brings out the Noël that was really under his New York persona, who he had to be in such a big, hopping city with a job working with the stars.
But as we go on in the book, we see what a toll it takes on him, and how over it all he is, and I was just reading how much he didn't like so many aspects of his job, wanting him to just quit and go to Wyatt for good in Texas.
Which eventually happens, but it doesn't happy automatically, as I wish it would have because I'm impatient haha.
I just adored this. Wyatt is steadfast in his kindness, and while he's a little stand-offish at first when they get back into each other's lives - understandably - and is slower to trust this time, he's always been all in, and he's still all in after he understands Noël's reasoning for freaking and leaving him in Cancun more. He's just waiting for Noël to choose him, because Wyatt chose Noël a long time ago, probably the moment he walked up to him in that bar.
Tal is just always so good at making an epic love story, that can stand the test of time. That is so passionate and electric.
Also Tal is going to Tal, and at times his writing is a little gushy, a tad purple prose-y, but I don't care. And if you know that and don't like it and are still reading his books, I dunno what to tell you or what you're expecting anymore.
I adore it. I adore how in love his characters are, how much they feel, how much they love, how intertwined in each other they are. How he builds connections.
I got teary-eyed over wine when Wyatt brings out the last barrel he made with his dad before he died, because it was so emotional, and even though we don't get to really know his dad all that well, we get told of so many memories of him, and how much Wyatt loved him, and how they were best friends, and how great of a dad he had. It just hits so hard after the whole book of moments where Wyatt is reminiscing about his father in his grief.
I do wish we'd gotten more from Wyatt about how he felt about his mom, as she always kinda felt like an afterthought to his father, which I don't think Tal was trying to go for. Wyatt just happened to be close to his father in life. But I do wish we had gotten a memory or two about his mother and what he felt about her. He loved her, clearly, but we didn't really get to feel that or see that. Felt bad for her, almost.
But that wasn't too big a deal and I don't give any points off for it, as it didn't detract from the story in any way.
And these two get such a hard won HEA and I absolutely loved it. Two massive thumbs up from me, and I can't wait to read more from this wonderful author, to see what he comes up with next.
Can't wait! 🥰
I was hooked from page 1, when Wyatt saw a devastated man drinking himself into a stupor at an airport bar, all alone while others stared at him, but did nothing.
Noël - which I pronounced as Noelle in my head the whole time, as those two dots means it's pronounced that way - the day before was just left at the alter by his now ex-fiance, who only texted him a measly "I'm not in love with you. I met someone else" as an explanation for why she did it.
He's going on their supposed honeymoon alone, then, to lick his wounds alone and in misery.
But then a ruggedly handsome, big cowboy walks over to him, tips his cowboy hat his way and says "Howdy."
It was all over from there.
Wyatt started falling right away. Noël as well, but maybe a little teensy bit slower, as before Wyatt he thought he was straight, and he was getting over his ex-fiance now - although it really doesn't take that long, which shows just how not in love both of them were.
But Noël gets rip-roaring drunk, and Wyatt is there to take care of him and make sure he doesn't drown himself in alcohol, as well as making his flight and getting him to the resort - they're both staying at, as Wyatt's younger brother, Liam, and his longtime girlfriend turned wife to be, Savannah are having their wedding there in Cancun, the same place Noël and his now ex were going to be during their honeymoon - and to his room, safe and sound.
As Wyatt is there a few days early - insisted on by Liam, who dresses it up as "checking out the resort" for them a few days early, but it's really just letting Wyatt having a vacation, which he hasn't taken once in 9 years, since they tragically lost their parents to murder (their dad was a Sheriff in their small Texan town, and made some enemies with criminals who one day took out their anger on him for locking them up) and Wyatt's way of coping was to be even more of a caretaker than he already was at 17.
And he held onto his father through rebuilding their house (which was burned down in the murders) and starting a vineyard that his father wanted to have, and had just started the very beginning of it before he died.
So Noël and Wyatt are there alone for a few days. That's all it takes for more to develop, as a humiliated and alone Noël invites Wyatt on the activities he and his now ex were going to do during their honeymoon, especially after a waiter mistakes Wyatt for Noël's new spouse.
And when Wyatt's family shows up, Noël integrates into them so well and he forms a bond with all of them, even Jason, Wyatt's 8 year old nephew (although I think he should start out as 7 as it says he's in first, then second grade throughout this, and still 8 after over a year, so I think that was a teeny tiny mistake on Tal's part) who is as hyperactive and talkative as Wyatt apparently was at that age.
But Noël has some issues, obviously. He was just dumped at the alter, for one - even though it's clear he's pretty over her fairly quickly and didn't really love her - and he has a lot of insecurities. Everyone he's known has left him in his life, so he think it's his fault, that there's something wrong with him, that he's unlikable, and eventually everyone leaves him. Case in point, his ex.
So when, at the end of their week together, Wyatt talks about keeping touch with Noël, visiting him in New York and Noël visiting him in his small Texan town, Noël freaks out and just leaves with a note saying "Wyatt, I'm sorry."
I actually appreciated that the big separation and angst happened at around 40% and not near the end. It broke the formula and left so much more time for rebuilding their relationship and making it strong enough to last a lifetime.
Because, let's be real, realistically, things that happened that fast - 6 days fast - is not usually going to last. Especially as it's a rebound stage as well, although Wyatt never feels like that to Noël, at all.
But a few days prior, he was set to marry another person, and then within like 3 days, he's kissing and having sex with someone else, and a man on top of that, when he'd never realized any attraction to a man before.
It all seemed too good to be true, and with Noël's insecurities, he doesn't handle the situation right, and leaves them both brokenhearted.
But for Noël, he doesn't see how it could work. Not only because of how he sees himself, but he lives in NYC, Wyatt lives in Texas, they have completely different lives. How can they make a life together?
Wyatt, for his part was just...so damn sweet and kind and gentle, I loved him to bits. He fell head long into love with Noël so quickly and was so happy and excited for their future, whatever it took to be together.
Maybe, for his part, he didn't take a step back and look at the reality of the situation - because yeah, all they'd had was a week in paradise with no real world responsibilities to work through, and hadn't really been tested yet - but I love how he admits that and sees it later on. What Noël still did was wrong, 100%, because he should have stayed and talked to Wyatt, at least not left him hight and dry with no explanation or goodbye, and he absolutely hurt him.
But maybe Wyatt was too eager and a bit too naive to see the whole picture.
I love this line of thought by Noël later on in the book, where he thinks about how he doesn't regret leaving in the sense that he learned a lesson from it, and he grew from that pain and anguish he caused. He knew things then that the Noël in Wyatt's hotel room didn't. But he still regretting, above all else, hurting Wyatt.
I don't think he needed to go about it that way, but...humans gonna human. They're gonna fuck up, but in those fuck ups...they grow and they learn and evolve. A lot of the time, the only way to mature and grow up and be a better person is to go through the hard shit first.
I love how the story rebuilt their love for each other. Not that they ever lost it, but they were brokenhearted, and so needed to be built back up from that low. And also fall in love harder than before, in a life altering, forever kind of way.
I loved that so much. This book is long, but that's because it takes its time getting you to fall in love with the MC as much as it takes its time getting Wyatt and Noël to fall in love with each other.
Which, they do at first in just 6 days, sure, but Tal writers his characters and his romance in such a way that it doesn't feel rushed at all. This book is 400 pages, so it spends a good 150ish pages on those 6 days in Cancun together, showing how they fall in love, so quickly and so passionately.
But then spends the next 250ish pages on about 6ish months of time, of these two falling in love for good, and getting to the place where they're ready to take that leap into forever together.
The sex was, of course, absolutely amazing. The chemistry was off the charts. It's such a feat when an author can make a couple happen so fast, but it doesn't feel that way at all, and also have such high levels of chemistry and heat and passion when they've just met a few days prior in the story.
We get such amazing sex at the beginning, then nothing as they go through the angst and separation and then rebuilding their connection into a relationship, but when we do get sex again, it's wonderful too, and even more meaningful between them. At that point, they're for sure making love when they're together.
I did like the plot as well, where a famous singer, Tessa and her regular, non-famous fiance, Tyler, want to get married, but she's a genuine person, and wants a more private, real, intimate affair.
Wyatt's vineyard is just the place for it. But the company Noël works for cares more about extravagance and selling the image to the masses for billions of dollars, of course, and they have a contract with a magazine, Elite, to basically "own" her wedding. But Noël isn't playing ball, because he doesn't want them to intrude on Wyatt's property, which means so much to him, and Tessa's wedding which she wants to be more private.
Wyatt is one of the most real people that Noël has ever met, and his way of living, his way of being, brings out the Noël that was really under his New York persona, who he had to be in such a big, hopping city with a job working with the stars.
But as we go on in the book, we see what a toll it takes on him, and how over it all he is, and I was just reading how much he didn't like so many aspects of his job, wanting him to just quit and go to Wyatt for good in Texas.
Which eventually happens, but it doesn't happy automatically, as I wish it would have because I'm impatient haha.
I just adored this. Wyatt is steadfast in his kindness, and while he's a little stand-offish at first when they get back into each other's lives - understandably - and is slower to trust this time, he's always been all in, and he's still all in after he understands Noël's reasoning for freaking and leaving him in Cancun more. He's just waiting for Noël to choose him, because Wyatt chose Noël a long time ago, probably the moment he walked up to him in that bar.
Tal is just always so good at making an epic love story, that can stand the test of time. That is so passionate and electric.
Also Tal is going to Tal, and at times his writing is a little gushy, a tad purple prose-y, but I don't care. And if you know that and don't like it and are still reading his books, I dunno what to tell you or what you're expecting anymore.
I adore it. I adore how in love his characters are, how much they feel, how much they love, how intertwined in each other they are. How he builds connections.
I got teary-eyed over wine when Wyatt brings out the last barrel he made with his dad before he died, because it was so emotional, and even though we don't get to really know his dad all that well, we get told of so many memories of him, and how much Wyatt loved him, and how they were best friends, and how great of a dad he had. It just hits so hard after the whole book of moments where Wyatt is reminiscing about his father in his grief.
I do wish we'd gotten more from Wyatt about how he felt about his mom, as she always kinda felt like an afterthought to his father, which I don't think Tal was trying to go for. Wyatt just happened to be close to his father in life. But I do wish we had gotten a memory or two about his mother and what he felt about her. He loved her, clearly, but we didn't really get to feel that or see that. Felt bad for her, almost.
But that wasn't too big a deal and I don't give any points off for it, as it didn't detract from the story in any way.
And these two get such a hard won HEA and I absolutely loved it. Two massive thumbs up from me, and I can't wait to read more from this wonderful author, to see what he comes up with next.
Can't wait! 🥰
July 18, 2023
�3.5-3.75 stars�
Noël and Wyatt are super sweet together. This book was a happy, warm experience.
Now don’t get me wrong, we do have our angsty moments but it comes sooner rather than “third act breakup� territory and that really works for me. It gave us the majority of the book to see the growth and development of the characters together in a relationship.
Third act breakups don’t always give the reader time to see the true “working it out� afterwards, so the fact that this book didn’t have that plot style makes the story flow really well.
I do wish we got a more detailed scene of Wyatt and Noël at the wedding Noël spent the whole book planning for, but really in the scheme of things it wasn’t important and wouldn’t have changed anything, I just thought it could have had some sweet moments especially with the build up to the event throughout the story.
I did think that Wyatt was almost too perfect, too forgiving, and not reactive enough. Even Hallmark movies have a MC get angry or upset now and then. He just kinda rolls over without any groveling or anything.
I also thought the rural small town Texas was also unrealistically accepting of Wyatt and Noël’s sexuality, but I was able to suspend by disbelief when I got out of my head. I wish things were like that in real life, but the reality is probably not as sweet.
That being said, this book was what I needed this week. It put me in a good mood and made me feel nice, and sometimes that’s what I want in a book. I don’t need all the range of feels. There were moments in the latter half that drug on for awhile but overall it was a feel good book for me as a mood reader.
I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for very low-angst and hallmark channel sweetness.
Noël and Wyatt are super sweet together. This book was a happy, warm experience.
How did I ask him to stay with me, to not leave, to spend the rest of today, this evening, tonight, and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow at my side?
Now don’t get me wrong, we do have our angsty moments but it comes sooner rather than “third act breakup� territory and that really works for me. It gave us the majority of the book to see the growth and development of the characters together in a relationship.
Third act breakups don’t always give the reader time to see the true “working it out� afterwards, so the fact that this book didn’t have that plot style makes the story flow really well.
I do wish we got a more detailed scene of Wyatt and Noël at the wedding Noël spent the whole book planning for, but really in the scheme of things it wasn’t important and wouldn’t have changed anything, I just thought it could have had some sweet moments especially with the build up to the event throughout the story.
I did think that Wyatt was almost too perfect, too forgiving, and not reactive enough. Even Hallmark movies have a MC get angry or upset now and then. He just kinda rolls over without any groveling or anything.
I also thought the rural small town Texas was also unrealistically accepting of Wyatt and Noël’s sexuality, but I was able to suspend by disbelief when I got out of my head. I wish things were like that in real life, but the reality is probably not as sweet.
That being said, this book was what I needed this week. It put me in a good mood and made me feel nice, and sometimes that’s what I want in a book. I don’t need all the range of feels. There were moments in the latter half that drug on for awhile but overall it was a feel good book for me as a mood reader.
I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for very low-angst and hallmark channel sweetness.
I wanted to crawl into his lap and cradle his face in my hands, look into his eyes and whisper, Where have you been all my life?
June 27, 2023
2.5
wyatt is too cute and deserves better than noël. sure, he actually used his brain at the end, but damn, was it enough?
all those celebrities mentions were weird and cringey. no, i don’t care that noël helped blake lively throw up. i really don’t.
i will keep my opinions about texan wine to myself because my biggest nightmare is ending up on “italians mad about food�, but i have to say: this is a romance not a wine book all of that really wasn’t necessary.
the internal monologues were too much. too many. too long. too annoying.
the romance would’ve been sweet if it didn’t involve a life long prison sentence with noël. i mean, wyatt had a difficult life and he gets that? no, thank you. rounding up to three stars only for him.
wyatt is too cute and deserves better than noël. sure, he actually used his brain at the end, but damn, was it enough?
all those celebrities mentions were weird and cringey. no, i don’t care that noël helped blake lively throw up. i really don’t.
i will keep my opinions about texan wine to myself because my biggest nightmare is ending up on “italians mad about food�, but i have to say: this is a romance not a wine book all of that really wasn’t necessary.
the internal monologues were too much. too many. too long. too annoying.
the romance would’ve been sweet if it didn’t involve a life long prison sentence with noël. i mean, wyatt had a difficult life and he gets that? no, thank you. rounding up to three stars only for him.
July 2, 2023
As a Texas girl this book hit the softest parts of my soul. I never wanted it to end, and I could have happily read hours more of Wyatt and Noël's very hard earned happily ever after.
Wyatt knew that going to Cancun a few days early was not a way for him to help his brother and soon to be sister-in-law but a way for him to take a few extra days for himself. Except, he never expected the beautiful man he met at the Dallas airport. The very drunk man who looked like he was on the edge of a nervous breakdown. Ever the gentlemen Wyatt had to help the shattered man but there was so much more to this stranger than he could have seen in those first few moments together. And it wasn't until later that Wyatt learned exactly how much.
The wedding, the airport and the next airport and a cowboy? Noël slowly starts to remember the previous day's events but where did Wyatt go. He didn't dream him up because he was there, he can still smell him. The cowboy who smelled like sunshine.
And there he is, Noël feels nothing but shame for how he acted the day before, but Wyatt doesn't make him feel shame. He makes him feel every other thing he could possibly feel but not shame. A week together in paradise was all it took for him to fall for the cowboy but that can't be how it goes. He can't be this, he has to go home. He has to get back to his life, or what is left of it.
Days turn to weeks and both Wyatt and Noël are shells of the people they used to be until a beautiful shift in fate has Noël on Wyatt's doorstep. Is a week in paradise enough time to find the love of your life or will their fairytale end where it began...
When I say this hit the softest parts of my soul, I meant it. Texas is a being entirely its own and Tal has a way of taking that and spinning it into gold as he did with Wyatt and his father. I felt like I was there with them on that ranch all those years ago and it reminded me of my own time with my grandfather before he passed.
How to Say I do might be Tal's most unique romance to date with themes of grumpy/sunshine, second chance and a bit of a fake relationship trope for a brief time. Wyatt and Noël's story was a bit rom-com-ish as stated but just as beautiful and character driven as his other work.
I never know what I am getting into when I start a Tal Bauer book, but I do know that I am going to be captivated from start to finish. And I was that through this book and so much more.
*ARC received from author in exchange for my honest review. *
Wyatt knew that going to Cancun a few days early was not a way for him to help his brother and soon to be sister-in-law but a way for him to take a few extra days for himself. Except, he never expected the beautiful man he met at the Dallas airport. The very drunk man who looked like he was on the edge of a nervous breakdown. Ever the gentlemen Wyatt had to help the shattered man but there was so much more to this stranger than he could have seen in those first few moments together. And it wasn't until later that Wyatt learned exactly how much.
The wedding, the airport and the next airport and a cowboy? Noël slowly starts to remember the previous day's events but where did Wyatt go. He didn't dream him up because he was there, he can still smell him. The cowboy who smelled like sunshine.
And there he is, Noël feels nothing but shame for how he acted the day before, but Wyatt doesn't make him feel shame. He makes him feel every other thing he could possibly feel but not shame. A week together in paradise was all it took for him to fall for the cowboy but that can't be how it goes. He can't be this, he has to go home. He has to get back to his life, or what is left of it.
Days turn to weeks and both Wyatt and Noël are shells of the people they used to be until a beautiful shift in fate has Noël on Wyatt's doorstep. Is a week in paradise enough time to find the love of your life or will their fairytale end where it began...
When I say this hit the softest parts of my soul, I meant it. Texas is a being entirely its own and Tal has a way of taking that and spinning it into gold as he did with Wyatt and his father. I felt like I was there with them on that ranch all those years ago and it reminded me of my own time with my grandfather before he passed.
How to Say I do might be Tal's most unique romance to date with themes of grumpy/sunshine, second chance and a bit of a fake relationship trope for a brief time. Wyatt and Noël's story was a bit rom-com-ish as stated but just as beautiful and character driven as his other work.
I never know what I am getting into when I start a Tal Bauer book, but I do know that I am going to be captivated from start to finish. And I was that through this book and so much more.
*ARC received from author in exchange for my honest review. *
July 25, 2023
⭐️ a million stars ⭐️
How To Say I Do was an amazing, emotional, heartwarming absolutely beautiful read!
The writing style is so poetic and picturesque, you feel immediately immersed in the lives of the characters.
Extremely sweet and maybe a little insta-love, but it just worked for me.
It’s the perfect good-feel romance, with the right touch of angst and pining to keep you hooked and the most adorable HEA.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
� opposites attract
� city boy vs cowboy
� bi-awakening
� summer/resort romance
� fake relationship
� strict top/bottom
POV: 1st person, dual
How To Say I Do was an amazing, emotional, heartwarming absolutely beautiful read!
The writing style is so poetic and picturesque, you feel immediately immersed in the lives of the characters.
“Wyatt laughed. The sound fell over his shoulders and through me and into the wind. If I’d been brave enough to turn around,
I might have seen it tumbling on the waves.�
Extremely sweet and maybe a little insta-love, but it just worked for me.
It’s the perfect good-feel romance, with the right touch of angst and pining to keep you hooked and the most adorable HEA.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
� opposites attract
� city boy vs cowboy
� bi-awakening
� summer/resort romance
� fake relationship
� strict top/bottom
POV: 1st person, dual
Read
July 16, 2023This was a very beautiful, romantic, hard to put down, summer beach read that plays like a Hollywood movie. Like a very long movie. Like it might actually need to be a mini-series.
Tal gives Anne Rice a run for her money with the descriptive writing.
I have an idea for a rating but ’m not sure it’s fair so ’m leaving it unrated.
I very much enjoyed it though. Noel and Wyatt are sugary sweet.
Tal gives Anne Rice a run for her money with the descriptive writing.
I have an idea for a rating but ’m not sure it’s fair so ’m leaving it unrated.
I very much enjoyed it though. Noel and Wyatt are sugary sweet.
July 23, 2023
How does this author keep doing it?! I swore their last book was my favorite and now ’m certain this one is.
The writing is just absolutely perfect. I swear it feels almost like ’m reading poetry throughout. I can picture everything…the characters, their mannerisms, the setting, and the little things they do that just make them feel so real. Tal’s writing gets more beautiful with each book I read and I can’t wait for more. I put the new releases off so I can properly savor them.
Not only has the writing gotten more beautiful, but I feel like it’s matured as well. Where it used to feel like instalove, it just now feels like two characters connecting and falling in love. Like real life. They’re humans and they struggle through their feelings. That’s the tension and it’s perfect. There’s nothing ridiculous or OTT with this story. It’s two people from very different worlds who fall in love and have to figure it out. Except Wyatt who’s just a perfect angel and doesn’t need to figure anything out. I hope we all find our Wyatt and give him the love he deserves.
Also, the research that must have gone into this is impressive! Excellent job TB.
The writing is just absolutely perfect. I swear it feels almost like ’m reading poetry throughout. I can picture everything…the characters, their mannerisms, the setting, and the little things they do that just make them feel so real. Tal’s writing gets more beautiful with each book I read and I can’t wait for more. I put the new releases off so I can properly savor them.
Not only has the writing gotten more beautiful, but I feel like it’s matured as well. Where it used to feel like instalove, it just now feels like two characters connecting and falling in love. Like real life. They’re humans and they struggle through their feelings. That’s the tension and it’s perfect. There’s nothing ridiculous or OTT with this story. It’s two people from very different worlds who fall in love and have to figure it out. Except Wyatt who’s just a perfect angel and doesn’t need to figure anything out. I hope we all find our Wyatt and give him the love he deserves.
Also, the research that must have gone into this is impressive! Excellent job TB.
September 22, 2024
3.5� I skipped a looot of descriptions of flowers and clothes...and 8 y/o are nothing like that.. At all!!!
June 15, 2023
There are spoilers in this review ’m not hiding so don’t continue if you don’t want to see them.
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First, I want to say that this book wasn’t perfect. It has some flaws, some that drove me a little crazy, but the rest was so good ’m giving it 5 stars anyway.
Before this I had only read two books by Tal, one I didn’t like, and one I very much did. The one I did I remember being like “this is one of the most romantic books I’ve ever read.�
Well, this book was so sweet, so swoony, that it made me doofy grin through a good chunk of it. Mainly the first 40%. Like, it was so heartfelt and joyful� there aren’t many authors that can pull that off believably.
Now I know some long time Tal fans don’t like his sweet stuff, but the whole middle third of this book is sad and angsty so don’t be fooled by how sweet the first third is.
The final third was just a culmination of the first two. The growth, the tie ups, the Grand Gesture� it all worked. The repetitive internal dialogue got heavy at times. Tal likes words, and especially during the angsty times I just wanted to be like “I get it, you’re miserable, let’s move on.� But everything else, from Wyatt’s background with his dad, to the vineyard, to his brother and nephew� it was just so fucking good. It was a story that sucked me in and made me laugh and cry and it wasn’t OTT or problematic. It was just a really good love story.
Leave it to Tal to have two spots in my very small list of faves of 2023�
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First, I want to say that this book wasn’t perfect. It has some flaws, some that drove me a little crazy, but the rest was so good ’m giving it 5 stars anyway.
Before this I had only read two books by Tal, one I didn’t like, and one I very much did. The one I did I remember being like “this is one of the most romantic books I’ve ever read.�
Well, this book was so sweet, so swoony, that it made me doofy grin through a good chunk of it. Mainly the first 40%. Like, it was so heartfelt and joyful� there aren’t many authors that can pull that off believably.
Now I know some long time Tal fans don’t like his sweet stuff, but the whole middle third of this book is sad and angsty so don’t be fooled by how sweet the first third is.
The final third was just a culmination of the first two. The growth, the tie ups, the Grand Gesture� it all worked. The repetitive internal dialogue got heavy at times. Tal likes words, and especially during the angsty times I just wanted to be like “I get it, you’re miserable, let’s move on.� But everything else, from Wyatt’s background with his dad, to the vineyard, to his brother and nephew� it was just so fucking good. It was a story that sucked me in and made me laugh and cry and it wasn’t OTT or problematic. It was just a really good love story.
Leave it to Tal to have two spots in my very small list of faves of 2023�
June 19, 2023
Wyatt, a pair of Wranglers enfleshed, is on his way to scope out a Mexican resort for his baby brother’s nuptials when he meets Noël, a jilted groom getting drunk at an airport in the AM which is frankly normal airport behavior, as far as I know. Noël is a NYC bigwig in the entertainment biz who’s going on his honeymoon alone since his shitty fiancée left him at the altar. Wyatt, a gay man in Texas (which sounds hellish) runs a ranch/vineyard and takes pity on this sad fancy man at the Outback in terminal B. Noël clings to Wyatt’s kindness during their Mexican adventure and is very surprised to discover that he a). Wasn’t all that into his former fiancée and b). Is super into Cowboy Wyatt. Tal Bauer has a gift for approaching love stories with a tentative caress and this is no exception; Noël falling in love with a man is met without dramatic fanfare because love is not a spectacle to be ogled. Fear not, for there IS a protective younger brother. A definitely not-Taylor-Swift wedding! How about a romantic gesture involving a Tesla and no charging stations? Buckle up, partners, and get ready to yee your last haw.
June 16, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
How is it every time I read Tal’s new book that it’s always better than the last? I swear this man is made of magic. He’s just the most romantic writer that had ever written. Poetry in motion and art through words.
Noel has just been left at the alter and is drowning his sorrows in gallons of vodka. Then here comes Wyatt riding in on his faithful steed to save the day with burgers and distractions.
The way that Noel, a straight man, fell into the physical comfort and Wyatt’s cavalier treatment was smooth as butter. There was never a question as to why the gentle cowboy treated him with such loving courtesy, it just was.
And when Noel took that next step it made all the sense and then damn. I can’t remember ever reading a Tal book with this much steam. Don’t get me wrong, he writes amazing, detailed, overwhelming love making and it was enough because quality over quantity. But this time he gave it all to you, it felt like my birthday and Christmas rolled into one.
Of course it wouldn’t be one of his books without some angst but it was worth every minute of heartache for them to find their way back to each other from halfway across the world.
I loved Noel’s character growth. The realizations of what really matters in this life while everything else is nothing but dust in the wind.
Most of all I loved Wyatt’s relationship with his father. My god! ’m getting choked up remembering what a beautiful life they planned and how he built it by himself from the ground up. Really Wyatt is the most wonderful man, if I could find a man like that I’d die the happiest woman.
If you haven’t read a book by this author, what the hell are you waiting for?!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
How is it every time I read Tal’s new book that it’s always better than the last? I swear this man is made of magic. He’s just the most romantic writer that had ever written. Poetry in motion and art through words.
Noel has just been left at the alter and is drowning his sorrows in gallons of vodka. Then here comes Wyatt riding in on his faithful steed to save the day with burgers and distractions.
The way that Noel, a straight man, fell into the physical comfort and Wyatt’s cavalier treatment was smooth as butter. There was never a question as to why the gentle cowboy treated him with such loving courtesy, it just was.
And when Noel took that next step it made all the sense and then damn. I can’t remember ever reading a Tal book with this much steam. Don’t get me wrong, he writes amazing, detailed, overwhelming love making and it was enough because quality over quantity. But this time he gave it all to you, it felt like my birthday and Christmas rolled into one.
Of course it wouldn’t be one of his books without some angst but it was worth every minute of heartache for them to find their way back to each other from halfway across the world.
I loved Noel’s character growth. The realizations of what really matters in this life while everything else is nothing but dust in the wind.
Most of all I loved Wyatt’s relationship with his father. My god! ’m getting choked up remembering what a beautiful life they planned and how he built it by himself from the ground up. Really Wyatt is the most wonderful man, if I could find a man like that I’d die the happiest woman.
If you haven’t read a book by this author, what the hell are you waiting for?!
June 21, 2023
Absolutely loved the beginning the first 40% was stellar, however, towards the middle, I got a little bored with a mundane fluff mixed with constant back n forth . I felt it could’ve been condensed. We spent a lot of time reading about Noels job (I couldn’t care less) & how much he hates it . Being a minor celebrity it was hard to relate to him.
Overall, it was a really sweet low angst love story but not my favorite
Overall, it was a really sweet low angst love story but not my favorite
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