Love Me Like You Do,

by Aimee Brown

Publication: Aria: September 17, 2020

love me About:

A runaway bride. A handsome stranger. Two pasts to put behind them.

Parker is ready to marry the man of her dreams. But he isn’t ready to marry her. When she’s dumped moments before walking down the aisle, she didn’t expect to run into the arms of a handsome stranger. The southern drawl, the dreamy eyes, she can’t fall for another man after being left at the altar – can she?

When Liam agreed to go on yet another blind date, he didn’t expect his escape would lead him to the emergency room with a runaway bride. She might have just been left at the altar, but he’s immediately drawn to her fiery spirit, kind heart and beautiful smile. Liam’s got a whole host of problems and a past that’s haunting him, now can’t be the time to fall in love, but Parker might just be the one to break down his barriers and let him live a little – if she’ll let him in.

Will these two strangers allow serendipity to force them together, or will their fears keep them apart?

My Review

I first fell in love with Aimee Brown in 2018 when I read and reviewed The Lucky Dress. However, Love Me Like You Do far surpassed my expectations and love for The Lucky Dress! Why did this sit on my iPad so long waiting to be read?

Sexy Texan Liam is opening his new bar, trying to avoid his father (who wants to re-connect) and basically doing his own thing when Parker runs out of her wedding and is almost hit by a car. Parker has just been told by her fiancé (right before walking down the aisle) that they aren’t right for one another when she barely misses being hit by a car but breaks her wrist and shows Liam her electric blue lace thongs in the process. Thus begins a beautiful friendship with every sign and signal from above you can imagine, except, it takes Parker a while to get on board.

I have two criticisms of this novel and that’s it. First of all, the title doesn’t make any sense to me. After reading the entire novel, I’m not sure what the title has to do with the book, but maybe I missed it. Secondly, the cover. I like the cover but it has absolutely nothing to do with the book. Who is choosing this author’s covers???

Moving on, this is one of my favorite rom-com novels that I have ever read. Liam is great, Parker takes some warming up to as far as a female lead. But what makes this book so wonderful is that it is so damn funny. Everyone’s sense of humor differs, but as far as I am concerned, it was perfect. Specifically, the hot yoga session. I don’t remember the last time a book made me laugh so hard. A second runner-up to that would be any interaction with Parker and her young niece, Evie. Again – completely inappropriate, but hilarious.

All of the characters are wonderful and even as secondary characters, everyone adds to the plot and makes this a wonderful read. My favorite secondary character, however, would be George. I have owned Saint Bernards in my life and everything about George was spot-on! The scenes where Liam would come home and George would come barreling down the hallway brought back so many bittersweet memories!

Love Me Like You Do is not an insta-love romance, but truly a friends-to-lovers romance. But I assure you, it’s worth every bit of the wait. For anyone looking for a sweet and funny escape novel, I promise you that this is the book for you. 5 stars and highly recommended!

*Thanks to Aria and NetGalley for providing this review copy in exchange for my honest opinion!