Tell Me How You Really Feel

Charming and Cute

I have a hard time getting into the super cute, fluffy rom-coms. Not because they’re poorly written—plenty are great—but because I’m a self-confessed book snob. Takes a theatrical snarky bow.

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Betty Cayouette was my first book by this author, and I’m giving it a solid 3.5 stars. It’s smart, spicy, and built around a concept that really works: Maeve and Finn co-host a hit podcast where no topic is off-limits. I mean nothing is sacred—everything from how to maintain a healthy relationship to how to make your partner climax is on the table. It’s bold, funny, and surprisingly insightful.

The twist? Maeve and Finn can’t stand each other.

They’re locked into a contract, so quitting isn’t an option. The only choice? Fake it for the mic. Off-air, the tension simmers. On-air, they have to sell the chemistry. But as the lines blur, the question becomes: is there something real under all that snark and banter?

The podcast format added a fresh layer to the story—it gave the characters a space to be raw, awkward, funny, and vulnerable. And I have to say, it made for some genuinely entertaining moments. I laughed out loud more than once.

Normally, the miscommunication trope makes me roll my eyes, and yes, there were moments here where I wanted to shake both Maeve and Finn (especially Finn—his choices were... questionable). But somehow, it worked. Their flaws made them feel human. The tension wasn’t overdone, and the emotional payoff hit just right.

What really stood out, though, were the side characters. They weren’t just background noise—they added humor, heart, and a grounding presence that made the story feel more complete. Whether it was Maeve’s brutally honest best friend or Finn’s surprisingly thoughtful circle, they brought a lot to the table, and I genuinely enjoyed every scene they were in.

The ending pulled everything together in a satisfying way. I’m not usually the type to get weepy over a romance, but this one got me. A few happy tears may have been shed. I loved how it wrapped up without going over-the-top or too cheesy.

Overall, a fun, sharp, emotionally grounded read with just the right amount of heat and heart. I’m definitely interested to see what Betty Cayouette comes out with next.