But He’s My One Regret by Annah Conwell is another outstanding Contemporary Romance. I loved, and devoured, every second of this fantastic story. This one really hit home for me. It’s all about grief, dealing (or not dealing) with it, and the expectations put upon us around this topic. Both Levi and Dahlia suffer from the loss of parents. Grief is awful and frustrating. It’s awful because it never, ever goes away. It’s like a cloak you can’t ever take off. Grief is frustrating because the world — and even those closest to you who should know better — demand and expect you to get on with life. At one point, Dahlia states to Levi in a struggle moment, “Grief isn’t linear. It’s okay if it hurts more now than it did when [your mother] passed” (97). Grief isn’t linear…truer words have never been spoken (I mean written, LOL!). Grief strikes when it wants, usually violently and seemingly out of nowhere, and typically when you’re totally not in an appropriate place to melt down. I love, love, love how Levi and Dahlia work together through grief, but not in a clinical way. Rather, they deal with it in a very real, tears-streaming-down-your-face-at-midnight, I-just-need-a-friend kind of way. It was refreshing as the reader, and as someone who deals with the effects of grief daily, to see it dealt with in such a compassionate and realistic manner.

As far as the characters go, the entire cast is just wonderful. I wish they were all real people so I could befriend them. The whole Carter family is absolutely wonderful. I cannot wait to get to Grayson’s story next. He has been a hoot since book 1. I love how the Carters are so open and friendly, but also super protective of their tribe. The way everyone takes in Dahlia and her sister, Jasmine, and accepts them as they are is just perfect. I also really love Levi and Dahlia’s rocky journey to love. Dahlia comes with a lot of baggage — a lot of it self-imposed — and because of this baggage she feels she has to keep Levi at arm’s length. Levi also comes with baggage, but unlike Dahlia’s, his was put upon him by his late mother. Unlike Dahlia, Levi is ready for a relationship right this second. My favorite thing about Levi is how respectful of Dahlia he is. He gets where she is coming from and understands why she has her boundaries in place. I love how he treats Dahlia like a queen whether he benefits or not. Levi genuinely loves Dahlia and truly wants the best for her and her sister. It takes a long while, but Dahlia comes around and recognizes Levi’s treatment of her for what it is — love. Their journey had a lot of hoops to get through, but it was one journey I wholeheartedly loved taking with them.

But He’s My One Regret is a delightfully fun and highly endearing Contemporary Romance that I highly recommend. If you’re a fan of well-written, highly engaging romances filled with charm and chuckles and depth, then this is the book for you!

I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on September 8, 2024. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.