Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye by Jacquelyn Middleton

Jacquelyn Middleton's books always hit all of my checkmarks: Canadian author, romance, and mental health advocacy. I was first introduced to her when I read Until The Last Star Fades earlier last year. It blew me away, and I quickly read her other two novels, London Belongs to Me and London, Can You Wait?

Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye is the story of Tarquin and Leia, both left hurt by previous relationships. Tarquin is craving love and commitment, and he wants to settle down, but Leia is ready for a London fling after a terrible divorce. Will these two ever get on the same page?

What I loved:

💖The London setting. Swoon! In a year where we haven't seen much beyond the walls of our own homes, armchair travel is essential.

💖The Canadian pieces peeking through. Leia is originally from Canada, so there are many fun Canadian references along the way.

💖This book is très steamy and super sex-positive. 

💖Tarquin is legit the best hero I've read in awhile. He is so kind and supportive and super sexy as well!

💖The front and centre advocacy for normalizing mental health therapy. More books like this please! (Tarquin and Leia both have mental health challenges in the novel.)

💖Jacquelyn Middleton herself is incredible. She shares her own mental health struggles, remains positive, thoughtful, and generous, and I dare you to find an author who loves her readers more than she does. 

What was trickier:

💖There are beaucoup de side characters. Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye is a standalone novel written in the world of her other books. Many of the characters from the other books appear in Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye.

💖I wanted to throttle Leia sometimes.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book. It's full of emotion and sexy times that will keep you entertained and distracted during the long days of lockdown. There is a "realness" to her characters that you don't often find in other romance novels. Until The Last Star Fades is still my favourite Jacquelyn Middleton book, but Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye is well-worth checking out this winter.

xo
Jenn

Thank you to Jacquelyn Middleton for sending this copy (and a bunch of snacks and swag) my way!