Say It Out Loud by Ashley Schumacher: Review
Welcome to my review of Say It Out Loud by Ashley Schumacher! This is my fourth book by the author, and it didn’t disappoint in the slightest!
Title: Say It Out Loud
Author: Ashley Schumacher
Genre: Rom-com
Publisher: Del Rey
Pub Date: 09/30/25
Description
Twenty years after the wildly popular vampire romance series that defined her teenage years, a down-and-out podcaster gets a second chance—at her career and love—when she’s cast in the audio drama alongside the one who got away, in this heartfelt, magical romcom.
Juniper Green doesn’t believe in magic anymore. Not since her mom died, her dreams of a publishing career fizzled, and her podcast—the one bright spot in her life—was stolen out from under her. Now, at thirty-two, she’s living in her dad’s spare room and wondering if life peaked when she was a teenager with a stack of vampire books and an unhealthy obsession with enigmatic immortals.
Then comes the email: an invitation to audition for the lead role in the audio drama adaptation of The Meadow, the wildly popular vampire romance series that defined her teenage years. It’s a dream opportunity—until she learns her co-star is James Neely, the brooding, talented actor who played Romeo to her Juliet in a one-night-only college show before breaking her heart and disappearing from the stage and her life . . . right along with the magic.
To save the project (and her career), Juniper and James must revive their onstage chemistry, playing The Meadow’s star-crossed lovers for the microphones and social media alike. But as the lines between performance and reality blur, Juniper is left wondering: Can you rewrite the ending of a story you thought was over? Because love, like magic, is a fragile thing to lose . . . and to find again.
Review
Ashley Schumacher will always have a fan in me. Just in the prologue alone, I fell in love with Say It Out Loud. And I never had to fear it would fall apart because if there’s one thing Ashley knows how to do, it’s create a compelling and captivating arc that satisfies you in every way. And while the plot was fun, she excels at character. At making you feel. Making you root. Making you love.
There was so much about the story that I enjoyed, especially the audiobook narration elements. It’s so easy to forget how much work goes into narrating an audiobook, and this definitely gave me a new appreciation for everyone involved in that process. There was also the fake dating with real kisses and real feelings that had me practically vibrating. The hopelessness of job hunting and begging for anything to stick. The shared grief and stubbornness of Juniper and James. Their swoony interactions. Perfectly-timed Shrek references. And though I thought I’d make it through without crying, I still managed to sob by the end.
Overall, I loved this one. I should also mention I’ve never read Twilight, and I only saw the movie for the first time two years ago, so I don’t have the same level of knowledge or attachment to the franchise others might have. So if you’re a Twilight fan, you might find this either really nostalgic or heavy-handed in its references. It worked for me though. And though I’m still conflicted on reading the series because of the indigenous rep problems, this does feel like the kind of book that makes you want to dive into a reread or rewatch.
*Thank you to the publisher for the copy. All opinions are my own.*
Author
Ashley Schumacher writes whimsical and romantic books for adults and teens. Her YA novels include Amelia Unabridged, Full Flight, The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway, and In the Orbit of You. Say It Out Loud is her adult debut. When Ashley isn’t working, you’ll find her playing cozy video games, planning trips to far-off places, leafing through the folklore and fairytale anthologies she is always acquiring “for research,” or traipsing about her North Texas home with her husband and son.
Where to Buy
Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Amazon
