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Say Yes: A New Adult Romance Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 955 ratings

Two strangers.
Two words.
One unforgettable summer...


When you’re an artist, everything has to be perfect.

Or so I thought, until my professor told me my perfection was boring and unoriginal. Studying abroad in Florence has taught me one thing: I know nothing when it comes to what makes art truly beautiful.

So, with my professor's words in my ear, I step outside one evening and decide to say yes to any and everything I’m faced with until the sun rises.

Of course, I didn’t expect
him to show up.

Liam Benson, the broody, sexy, tortured artist from my class who I can’t stand. He’s got a sour outlook on the world and an ego so big no one could properly stroke it to his satisfaction.

When he finds out what I’m doing, he hijacks my “yes” night.
And after just twelve hours with him, I’m desperate for more.

But Liam is running from more than I could ever understand, and with his heart guarded and mind made up about life, I don’t stand a chance.

I convince myself that we can keep it casual.
But walking away from him at the end of the summer is as impossible as painting outside the lines.

I used to think when you’re an artist, everything has to be perfect.

Turns out everything has to be painful, and messy, and fleeting.

If only I’d known that before I fell under Liam Benson’s spell.
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
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From the Publisher

All I wanted was to soak up his sadness...
to replace it with a love he insisted didn't exist...
what a treacherous game to play.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This novel has it all--challenge and triumph, love and pain, fear and belonging. I was swept away, and you will be too." -- Bestselling Author Staci Hart

"Say Yes is a powerfully romantic and poetic masterpiece. Blending a beautiful Italian backdrop with deeply layered characters, an emotional undertone, and a friendship that feels like it was written in the stars, this is my favorite Kandi Steiner book to date." -- Bestselling Author K.K. Allen

"Sweet, nostalgic and artfully written, Say Yes has stolen my heart and touched my soul. With a sweet nostalgic touch, Kandi resurrects a bye gone era full of music, art and adventure, perfectly capturing the essence of summer, love and life and magnificently framing this beautiful and touching story." -- Stital, goodreads

"This book is...HOLY SH....ummmm...I mean...WOW! The emotions I felt while devouring this book were incredible! Say Yes was such a deeply touching read by author Kandi Steiner, a darker read, but also an absolute MUST read." -- Just Me Nicole, goodreads

"I had no words when I finished this book. I just sat and looked at the wall because I had no idea what to do next. Kandi's writing is out of this world." -- Julissa, goodreads


"There's just something about Kandi's writing that settles deep within your soul, resonating in a way that haunts you. Every scene is so beautifully detailed that you are immersed in the world she created from the very start. 5 stars for this captivating read that left me speechless." -- Norma, goodreads


"This is 5 stars of nostalgia, sweaty hot fire, and explosive chemistry. This is your number one read of 2021. Trust me on THAT." -- Lil Turner, goodreads


"Officially claims the title of my all-time favorite book. Sweet, sexy, and incredibly written!" -- Devin McCain, goodreads


"I can't quite put into words the literary genius of this book. Truly beautiful!" -- Lisa Icard, goodreads


"This book is full of so many emotions, so much angst. I truly loved the nostalgic feeling. This is one of those books what will leave you with a hangover." -- Chrissy Busick, goodreads


"This book at heart is a romance novel but it is so much more. Ms. Steiner forces us to dig beneath our own psyche and question if we truly love ourselves." -- MJ Symmonds, goodreads


"I loved all the 90s nostalgia packed in this book, and for that alone, it's a must read. But add in a swoony bachelor and a sassy college student and you have yourself the story of the summer!" -- Patricia Rohrs, Words We Love By Blog


"This book made me cry over and over again and will stay with me a long time." -- Author Nikki Pennington


"This book like so many others of Kandi's touched my heart... and made me think." -- Kimberly, goodreads


"Amongst the romance, the angst, the heartbreak, and the blossoming love, there is always a message; a lesson to be learned that benefits every reader. I find this a signature trait for Kandi's stories and one of the reasons I love them so much!" -- Rox's Reads


"A must read. My favorite book of 2021!" -- Brittany Williamson, goodreads

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B096L1MCLX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (June 24, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 24, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 308 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 955 ratings

About the author

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Kandi Steiner
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Kandi Steiner is a USA Today and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author living in Tennessee. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.

An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. Her love for writing started at the ripe age of 10, and in 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.”

She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a hopeless romantic and found herself bursting at the seams with love stories she was eager to tell.

When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, planning her next adventure, or pole dancing (yes, you read that right). She enjoys live music, traveling, hiking, yoga, spending quality time with her family (fur babies included) and soaking up the sweetness of life.

CONNECT WITH KANDI:

➜ NEWSLETTER: kandisteiner . com/newsletter

➜ FACEBOOK: @kandisteiner

➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (Kandiland): facebook . com/groups/kandilandks

➜ INSTAGRAM: @kandisteiner

➜ TIKTOK: @authorkandisteiner

➜ WEBSITE: kandisteiner . com

Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab on her website to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
955 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers love this romance novel for its beautiful story and emotional content that makes them cry, with one review noting it's an interesting tale of redemption and love. The book features well-developed believable characters and an adventurous narrative, with one customer particularly appreciating the detailed descriptions of paintings and scenery. Customers find the book nostalgic, with one mentioning tiny glimpses of the 90s, and one review highlighting how it provides a glimpse into the craft of painting.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

28 customers mention "Story quality"28 positive0 negative

Customers love the story of this romance novel, describing it as beautiful and captivating, with one customer particularly enjoying the summer romance between Liam and Harley.

"...A golden egg, people. The story was special to me from the very beginning, since I love to paint...." Read more

"...Harley was fun to read as she broke out of her shell, but Liam was the star of the show...." Read more

"...A gorgeous, beautiful story that most of us can identify with. "..." Read more

"...There was nice spice along with their backstory that was full of pain and heartache." Read more

26 customers mention "Emotional content"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging, with sweet moments that make them cry, and one customer notes how the emotional maturity brings paintings to life.

"...the very best part of this story, the beautiful friendship and love that develops....I mean, there aren't really words for how perfect I found this..." Read more

"✔ Serious Eat, Pray, Love vibes? ✔ A broody man who has a chance to be saved? ✔ Italy backdrop that makes you want to ✈?..." Read more

"...The nostalgia, the humor, the sarcasm, the love, the heartbreak, the light. The darkness in Liam, and his softness as well...." Read more

"...Sure, there are some sweet moments - I love how accepting Liam is of Harley's birth defect, and I love that it was part of the story...." Read more

9 customers mention "Beauty"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful, with one customer particularly appreciating the detailed paintings and scenery described by the author.

"...The setting was stunning (now I want to go to Florence), the supporting characters amazing, the little glimpses into Italian culture were lovely and..." Read more

"...Gorgeously poetic, hopeful, thoughtful, and poignant, it left me breathless with my chest feeling like it might explode...." Read more

"...The setting was perfect and I loved that it was set in the 90's. I was born in 95 and it was so perfect. My favorite book of 2021!..." Read more

"...of life that doesn’t measure up in the owner’s eyes, yet is magnificent in the viewer’s. A story that is equal parts heart-wrenching and hope full." Read more

8 customers mention "Character depth"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the characters in the book, finding them believable, with one customer particularly noting Harley as Kandi's most compelling heroine.

"...setting was stunning (now I want to go to Florence), the supporting characters amazing, the little glimpses into Italian culture were lovely and..." Read more

"Ugh. I don’t even know where to start. I love these characters. All. Of. Them. There’s so much depth, so much discovery, and feelings...." Read more

"...Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. The characters make you fall in love right along with them while experiencing the angst and heat..." Read more

"...The characters had depth that could be described in color, as the paintings and scenery were detailed by the author...." Read more

5 customers mention "Adventure"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book adventurous, with one customer noting its depth and another describing it as a feast for the mind's eye.

"...This whole book is like a feast for the mind's eye! And that ending....I haven't yearned for an HEA that hard in a long time!!!..." Read more

"...I love these characters. All. Of. Them. There’s so much depth, so much discovery, and feelings...." Read more

"...In just three short months, there is a lot of adventure, excitement, falling in love and angst. Oh yeah, and tears, you can't forget the tears...." Read more

"I was completely enthralled by the imagery and detail of every aspect of this book...." Read more

4 customers mention "Art"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the artistic elements in the book, with one mentioning how it provides a glimpse into the craft of painting.

"...I was brought into a world of love, pain, guilt, forgiveness and art. Beauty poured from the pages of Say Yes...." Read more

"...It’s home. It’s nature. Art (and not just because of the painting). Her writing lets you see every color...." Read more

"Another fantastic book from Ms Steiner. A glimpse into the craft of painting and the emotional maturity to bring paintings to life...." Read more

"...The art isn't just written into the story though, Kandi is an artist in the way she describes a perfect Italian summer in 1996...." Read more

4 customers mention "Nostalgia"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the nostalgic elements of the book, with one mentioning its tiny glimpses of the 90s.

"...The nostalgia, the humor, the sarcasm, the love, the heartbreak, the light. The darkness in Liam, and his softness as well...." Read more

"...I love the conversation and the tiny glimpses of the 90s...." Read more

"...Nostalgic, romantic, and inspiring I delved into the summer Liam and Harley spent in the magical backdrop of Florence, Italy and immersed myself..." Read more

"I loved going back in time. The descriptions of the outfits, the musical and movie references. You won't be disappointed...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book.

"...you don't particularly like either character - even if the writing is otherwise good...." Read more

"...This is my first book by this author and it won't be the last. Its well written, very emotional and hard to pit down. Plot:5..." Read more

"Kandi has beautifully written another great story!..." Read more

"Stunningly written, heartbreakingly beautiful story telling!!!!..." Read more

Say yes to this book!
5 out of 5 stars
Say yes to this book!
Say yes tonight. Say yes and take me there. Take me there, to Italy. Take me to the streets of Florence. Take me to the heart of love and art. Kandi did. I was brought into a world of love, pain, guilt, forgiveness and art. Beauty poured from the pages of Say Yes. I was captivated by the storyline and Harley and Liam took over my heart. Finding love when it's not the right time can be hard but holding on can be hard. Love always wins. Kandi has done it again with her words taking ahold of me and never letting me go. The setting was perfect and I loved that it was set in the 90's. I was born in 95 and it was so perfect. My favorite book of 2021! I loved reading the up and down story of Harley and Liam. Their love and chemistry was fire. 🙌🙌🔥🔥
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2021
    Kandi Steiner, she just keeps getting better and better!!!!
    This is the exact kind of book that romance addicts such as myself are always on the hunt for. We read hundreds of stories that just don't quite make the mark to find the handful that do, and oh BOY is this one of them!!!!! A golden egg, people.

    The story was special to me from the very beginning, since I love to paint. The way Kandi Steiner describes the development of an artist's ability was freakin' perfection. She captured just about every emotion artists feel, from the insecurities to the pride of being a creative soul!

    I adored our main characters! Harley is young and maybe a bit naive, but that just left her arc wide open and let me tell you...it's a beautiful double rainbow by the end of this book!!!
    And the bittersweet and heartbreaking past that plagued Liam, it pulled at my heartstrings and I may have ugly cried a time or twelve.

    But the very best part of this story, the beautiful friendship and love that develops....I mean, there aren't really words for how perfect I found this book.
    The setting was stunning (now I want to go to Florence), the supporting characters amazing, the little glimpses into Italian culture were lovely and colorful!!! This whole book is like a feast for the mind's eye!

    And that ending....I haven't yearned for an HEA that hard in a long time!!!

    Well done Kandi Steiner! Thank you for writing such a beautiful story!!!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2021
    ✔ Serious Eat, Pray, Love vibes?
    ✔ A broody man who has a chance to be saved?
    ✔ Italy backdrop that makes you want to ✈?

    📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Harley has dealt with her disability all of her life and has one last chance to make it as an artist. She travels to Italy for an intensive course - but her professor says she's striving too much toward perfection and not letting emotion into her work. In a last-ditch effort to be all she can be, Harley embarks on a "yes day" and meets Liam, who guides her through. When she falls for him, he reveals his dark and sad past. He won't let anyone in, but Harley is determined to prove to him that love does exist.

    🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I know romance is built on happy endings, but at about 80 percent I wasn't so sure Kandi Steiner was going to give me one in 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗬𝗲𝘀. Thank god she pulled through. Harley was fun to read as she broke out of her shell, but Liam was the star of the show. His past is so tragic, and he was so moody, so light and dark, I almost didn't believe he would fall in love. One of the best parts of this was watching Harley succeed DESPITE Liam, and their eventual coming together was all the better for it.

    𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

    𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2024
    I really don’t know why I waited so long to read Say Yes. A book set in the summer of 1996, in Florence, Italy? Literally sounds like a dream, and I immediately fell in love with Harley in the first chapter. I’m a 1993 baby and have always felt as if I should have been a teenager/young adult in the 90s instead. I don’t have any words to describe my adoration of this story other than just that - I absolutely adored it; everything about it. The nostalgia, the humor, the sarcasm, the love, the heartbreak, the light. The darkness in Liam, and his softness as well.

    Kandi NEVER disappoints. Easily in my top 5 favorite books of all time. 🫶🏽

    Also, the playlist that she curated on Spotify for Say Yes is perfection.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2021
    Eh, this never won me over, but the writing is solid. It's the characters that drag this down: our heroine feels a bit weak/naive/overly forgiving, and our hero really needs to see a therapist. I wouldn't date him, lol, and I wouldn't put up with his behavior - despite a few sweet moments and a backstory that broke my heart. We don't get his perspective, and there were just too many things that rubbed me the wrong way about him. This has an angsty, new adult vibe that feels very young (not a compliment), and parts of the romance feel glossed over. There's some great conversation and a few scenes that showcased the POTENTIAL of this relationship, but the push/pull dynamic didn't allow it to fully shine. I was emotionally detached from the romance because of that, but I'll acknowledge that there are some very solid elements to this.

    The story follows Harley, a college student spending a summer taking a painting class in Italy. She's giving herself one last summer before she begins her adult life, and that includes following her passion. When she meets fellow student Liam, it's not love at first sight. The broody player seems to have effortless skill at painting, and his work shows a depth of emotion that Harley can't fathom. Though Liam repeatedly shows (and tells) Harley that he's no good for her, she can't seem to stay away. The two start up a "casual" relationship that sometimes feels anything but. However, anytime they seem to grow closer, Liam pulls away.

    I guess it's just tough to root for a relationship when you don't particularly like either character - even if the writing is otherwise good. We get a lot of OW drama and player angst at the start, which doesn't paint Liam in the best light, nor does it make Harley feel like a strong heroine. That's disappointing. Pair that with Liam's continued efforts to push Harley away, and I just... didn't like him. Sure, there are some sweet moments - I love how accepting Liam is of Harley's birth defect, and I love that it was part of the story. I love the conversation and the tiny glimpses of the 90s. I'm not entirely sure why this was set in the 90s (it's not referenced frequently enough or relevant to the storyline), but I liked the vibe. This was ultimately a *shrug* kinda read for me - I would've been completely fine setting it down at any time, and I wouldn't have felt the need to know how it all resolved. That says it all, honestly.
    14 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • kbxo
    5.0 out of 5 stars oh what an Italian Summer
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 24, 2024
    Harley and Liam are two souls who were destined to meet each other and Italy provided the perfect beginning for their adventure.

    I absolutely loved the Say Yes night and I was kicking my legs like a school girl as I followed along with them. Liam really pushed Harley to not live within these perfect lines and opened her eyes that she is so much more than her disability. Harley I loved how she pushed Liam to be better with his art and also to realise how he does matter and that his life is worth living.

    Oh how my heart broke for Harley though and poor Thomas being the one to break the news to her.

    I loved how the reunion happened and the epilogue was so sweet. There really is nothing Kandi can’t do or write and I’m loving my trip down her backlist!
  • Wendy Birch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Surprise
    Reviewed in Australia on August 25, 2021
    I have been a reading addict for 60 years and still can be surprised. When I chose this book I assumed it would be a light hearted romance to help pass some time. I was wrong! I feel that this book rates as well as ‘You Before Me’ for wringing out every emotion involved with relationships - the good and the bad.
  • Corinneandthebooks
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully understated - a book worth reading
    Reviewed in Germany on June 24, 2021
    Beautiful in a simple, quiet way, this story sneaked into my mind and my heart. There are so many beautiful quotes about life's true beauty, joy, heartbreak and finding the courage to really live your life. It read more like a coming of age story, living through your first love and heartbreak and I liked it all the more for it.
    I appreciated that there is more to this story that the romance itself. I liked Harley, I could relate to her struggles and was rooting for her to grow. Liam's character was not well developed but this was not his story. I think that if his POV was introduced, the angst would have overpowered Harley's story and I am glad that the angst and steam were mild in this book.
    The setting in romantic Florence in 1996 was a great idea. The passages about the city and its inhabitants are described from an artist's point of view, very evocative and special.
    As with her other books, Kandi Steiner's writing style is elegant, gripping and well balanced. All the characters feel real, like they could be your friend or neighbor.
    Last but not least, there is a powerful message of hope in the book.
    It is a story worth-reading in my opinion!
  • Kyre
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible story! Kandi Steiner did a fantastic job with this book!
    Reviewed in Canada on June 24, 2021
    We finally get another Kandi Steiner masterpiece to binge read!
    I read this entire story in one day, that’s how excited I was to have the newest Kandi book. I seriously couldn’t put it down!
    The dynamic between main characters, Harley and Liam, leaves you wanting more after (and during) every chapter. Their soul-wrenching heartache, hesitance, emotional romance, and (eventual) hope-filled passion for each other was truly breathtaking. The obstacles the two characters faced along the way just made their happy ending all the sweeter, not to mention the fact that they came out all the more strengthened and bonded because of them. You can truly experience every intense moment and emotion in each word that Kandi writes. She depicted a perfect balance of strengths, weaknesses, disabilities and able talent in these characters, giving them real life emotions, pains, heartaches and struggles. A truly fantastic job of making these characters come alive on the page.
    This entire novel was written with such deep tones and emotions embedded into every scene but all the ache that accompanies the story leads to an incredible ending that really leaves the reader wanting more. I only just finished the book and I’m already missing this story! 😩🥰
    Like I just said, I enjoyed every word of this book and couldn’t put this story down from the second I received it. This pair of beautifully (not so) broken people are hands down some of the best characters Kandi has ever written! They are absolute perfection! 👌🏻❤️
    Long story short, Kandi Steiner (once again) did such a fantastic job with this novel. Love, love, love this book, and love, love, love this author! “Say Yes” deserves all the stars and more! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Manal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bien reçu
    Reviewed in France on May 23, 2023
    Tout est ok
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