Some books entertain you. Some leave you swooning. And then there are the ones that settle into your soul and stay there long after you’ve turned the final page. Say You Swear by Meagan Brandy is one of those books.
I went into it expecting a solid romance read. I’d seen the hype online, knew people loved it, and figured I’d enjoy it. What I didn’t expect was to be absolutely wrecked, in the best possible way. I laughed, I sobbed, I gasped, and I stayed up way too late reading “just one more chapter.” This book gave me everything I crave in a romance: raw emotion, a heart-pounding connection, unforgettable characters, and a storyline that burrows its way under your skin.
Let’s get into it.
💫 Noah Riley Is Book Boyfriend Royalty
Let me just get this out of the way first: Noah Riley is him. If I could build the perfect fictional man, he’d look a lot like Noah. He’s not only physically swoony (though yes, I absolutely pictured him as every tall, athletic dreamboat ever), but what really got me? His emotional intelligence.
He’s patient when Ari needs time.
He’s supportive when she’s lost.
He’s protective, but not possessive.
And he listens — truly listens — to what Ari says and doesn’t say.
He’s a slow-burn kind of hero in all the best ways. You fall for him not because he’s trying to impress, but because everything he does feels intentional. From cooking for her (yes, he cooks — like, come on) to how he shows up for her in the hardest moments, Noah made my heart ache in the way only a perfect book boyfriend can.
❤️ Ari and Noah’s Chemistry Is Off-the-Charts
Let’s talk about the dynamic between Noah and Ariana (Ari). From the moment they’re on the page together, you feel it — that tension, that pull. They’re one of those couples that makes you hold your breath during their scenes. Whether they’re flirting, fighting, or falling apart, it’s electric.
Their relationship builds slowly, with moments that feel authentic, sometimes painful, and always intimate. You don’t just watch them fall for each other — you feel it. You root for them. You ache with them. Their chemistry isn’t forced; it’s magnetic. You can’t fake this kind of emotional depth in writing, and Meagan Brandy nails it.
Also? Their banter? Chef’s kiss. Smart, natural, and at times completely devastating.
🫶 Found Family Done Right
One of the most beautiful aspects of this book, beyond the romance, is the way it showcases the power of found family. Every side character brings something real and raw to the story. They’re not just there to support the main couple — they matter. They’re messy, loyal, chaotic, and loving. They felt like people I actually knew.
There’s so much heart in this cast. Their bond reminded me that while romantic love is beautiful, the love between friends — chosen family — can be just as powerful, if not more so. These relationships layered the story with warmth and depth in a way I didn’t see coming.
I was invested in every single one of them. And yes, I’m already counting down the days until I can read more about them in the other books in the series.
🔺 The Love Triangle? Surprisingly… Brilliant
Okay, listen. I’m not usually a huge fan of love triangles. They often feel overdone or used purely for dramatic effect. But the one in Say You Swear? It’s different. It’s complex, it’s emotional, and it actually makes sense for the story.
Without giving too much away, I’ll just say this: it added real depth to Ari’s journey. It forced her to grow, to question herself, to figure out what she really wanted and needed. It wasn’t there for shock value — it was purposeful. And in the end, it made the romance feel earned.
This is one of those rare books where the triangle felt like an important part of the emotional arc, not a distraction from it.
😭 The Emotional Damage Is Real (But Worth It)
I was not prepared for how emotional this book would be. There are moments that shattered me. I’m talking full-blown sobs, pause-to-catch-my-breath, text-a-friend-and-scream kind of scenes. But the beauty of Meagan Brandy’s writing is that for every gut punch, she gives you a hand to hold.
The grief. The love. The longing. The regret. The joy.
It’s all there. Balanced perfectly.
She knows how to pull you under with a heartbreaking scene and then gently resurface you with a tender moment or unexpected laugh. The pacing is so well done that even at its most painful, I couldn’t stop reading.
If you want a story that takes your heart, rips it open, and then gently stitches it back together — this is it.
💬 A Book Worth Talking About
After I finished, I immediately went to my Instagram stories over at @katieselibrary and asked if anyone else had read it. The response was overwhelming. My DMs were flooded with readers who were just as obsessed, just as broken, and just as in love with this book as I was.
This isn’t just a book you read and forget. It’s one you talk about. One you push into your best friend’s hands with a wild look in your eye and say, “You need to read this now.”
✨ Final Thoughts: Read It. Love It. Cry About It With Me.
Say You Swear is one of the most emotionally satisfying, beautifully written, and heart-wrenching romances I’ve read in years. It’s about more than just love — it’s about healing, identity, friendship, and finding your way back to yourself after life falls apart.
It has everything:
- A hero who will ruin you for all others
- A heroine you’ll root for from page one
- A romance that will break and rebuild you
- A found family you’ll never want to let go of
- And a story that demands to be felt
If you haven’t read this book yet, do yourself a favour — bump it to the very top of your TBR.
But fair warning: have tissues ready. You’re going to need them.
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