I read the eBook version of Dear Rosie by SJ Tilly on KU and, as per usual, fell in love with Tilly’s characters. SJ Tilly is one of my favorite comfort authors. While I desperately want to binge every single book she’s written, I’ve been careful not to, just so when I inevitably end up in a book slump I can rely on one of her books to pull me out.
Dear Rosie, SJ Tilly Review
Dear Rosie, by SJ Tilly is a contemporary romance book publish October 24, 2024. It has 438 pages, can be found on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, and on the author’s website here.
Premise
Childhood, neighborhood friends, Nathan and Rosie, were ripped apart when his family moved, and an unfortunate circumstance meant the address Rosie was given was undeliverable. Over the years Rosie uses letters as a way to cope with the hard times she faces, until one day she decides to stop writing them but keeping them in a box.
Years later Nathan shows up to an event she’s catering and while she recognizes him, because of his successful football career, he doesn’t recognize her, until he suddenly does. Now he’s willing to do damn near anything to keep her in his life, and never lose her again. Except, the road she took was much harder and it changed her entirely, if he knew the secrets she hid there was no way he’d want to keep her, right?
“I’m mad you didn’t tell me who you were.” I take a step closer. “But I’m more mad that I didn’t recognize you.” I squeeze my hands into fists, the anger at myself still so fresh. “I should have recognized you. And I didn’t.” – Dear Rosie, by SJ Tilly
Triggers
This book is a contemporary romance, however there is a lot of trauma involved previously in the characters life so keep in mind there is graphic death of a parent (on and off page), parental abuse—verbal, emotional and physical, and a character experiences suicidal ideation.
My Thoughts
First off, as I already mentioned, SJ Tilly is one of my favorite authors. When this book released it flew up to the top of my TBR, as a must read, so quickly the other books sitting there gave a little bit of a pout. No seriously my TBR hates to see an SJ Tilly release coming.
I cancelled plans, told my husband he was in charge of the kid, gathered my three drinks – as any drink hoarder does, – and snacks and read. I laughed, I cried, and yes I stayed up way past my bedtime because I needed to read “just one more chapter,” which inevitably turned into finishing the book.
There were several spicy scenes in the book. There is some praise and a few heat fueled actions, I wouldn’t say it was particularly kinky. Which I never mind, especially when the connection between the main characters flies off the page.
As far as character growth, SJ Tilly does it very well. Rosie dealt with a lack of self-confidence even while being an extremely strong independent woman. She owns and operates her own business and has basically been on her own through most of her life. Nathan, smitten quickly, helped a lot with helping her to build her shattered confidence up.
“And I feel it. I fucking feel it. And I don’t know how it’s possible. I don’t know if it will last. But I feel it. I feel the way I’m looking at her. Like I already fucking love her.” – Dear Rosie, SJ Tilly
Nathan, falling fast for Rosie, even showed growth in his character as he picked apart his own emotions and learned to accept them. The two were best friends in childhood and he wasn’t expecting to run into her, try her marshmallows at an event, and immediately become infatuated with her.
“I slide my hands into my pockets, where I have three marshmallows shoved in each, and keep walking.” – Dear Rosie, SJ Tilly
Hannah and Maddox from Love, Utley also appear in this book. However, Blake – Nathan’s assistant – with his nervousness over his boss, and Presley – Rosie’s friend and employee – with her encouraging words are some of the best side characters.
Overall, I loved this book with a slightly obsessive and protective MMC, a plus sized FMC, fantastic side characters, a great plot with a few twists, and just the right amount of tension and spice to keep my turning pages.
“Did that motherfucker seriously just say he loves me?” – Dear Rosie, SJ Tilly
Who Would Like Dear Rosie, by SJ Tilly?
Tropes for this book include:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- He falls first
- Damaged heroine
- Retired athlete turned successful businessman
Fans of Shain Rose, Ana Huang, and Elsie Silver would likely love this book as well. It has all of the cozy goodness of a rom com, with a touch of darkness in the trauma, and will keep you turning those pages until you finish it. Even then, you’ll want to proudly display it on your trophy shelves of books.
If you’ve read Dear Rosie by SJ Tilly, or you’re adding it to your TBR, make sure you let me know in the comments below. I always like raving over books with other readers.