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second chances in hawaii
I got the chance to listen to The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain by Hannah Brown as an audiobook ARC, and I happily accepted. I had already listened to the first book in this series (Mistakes We Never Made) and was really looking forward to finally understanding how and why everything unfolded the way it did with Sybil and her wedding that never happened. In this book, we get those answers. It’s one year after the canceled wedding, and Sybil decides to use the voucher she got for the honeymoon — solo. She heads to Hawaii, where the honeymoon was supposed to be, and surprise: her ex-fiancé is there too. As the trip unfolds, Sybil reflects on why that engagement didn’t end happily… and not just that one. Sybil has actually been engaged three times, to three different men. So while she analyzes each of those past relationships, she also gets a chance to rekindle an old flame. Structurally, the story alternates between the present-day trip and flashbacks to her past relationships. I really liked that approach — it helped me get to know Sybil better and understand the reasoning behind her actions. It was also fun to discover her story in small pieces. The back-and-forth kept things interesting, always giving me something new to uncover. In Mistakes We Never Made, Sybil is already described in some detail — and while her best friend Emma might see her as “perfect,” it’s clear to the reader that there’s more going on. That definitely becomes evident in this book. Sybil is flawed, but inherently good. That’s what makes her so easy to connect with and root for. Her ex? Also a relatable and genuinely great guy. The supporting cast — from her exes to friends and family — also felt real. Her relationships with all of them were believable and well-developed. One thing I really appreciated was how the book balanced lighthearted romance with heavier topics. It touches on mental and physical health, difficult life phases, and toxic relationships — all without feeling heavy-handed. It’s obvious the author cares deeply about mental health, and that comes through in the writing. The story flowed really well for me. It was fun and easy to listen to, even though some parts did feel a little forced or unrealistic. But then again, it’s a romance novel — and I’m not reading for realism. Some big coincidences are more than welcome. I listened to the audiobook version and really liked the narrator. Her voice made the story come alive, and the way she slightly altered her tone for different characters — without sounding cringey or over-the-top — was gold. I always knew exactly who was speaking. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a heartfelt, character-driven romance. You don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one, but it definitely adds depth to Sybil’s story if you do. It’s a solid 4/5 stars from me. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for anything else Hannah Brown writes — and fingers crossed we get a story about another one of the friend group soon!
Jun 19, 2025
second chances in hawaii
I got the chance to listen to The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain by Hannah Brown as an audiobook ARC, and I happily accepted. I had already listened to the first book in this series (Mistakes We Never Made) and was really looking forward to finally understanding how and why everything unfolded the way it did with Sybil and her wedding that never happened. In this book, we get those answers. It’s one year after the canceled wedding, and Sybil decides to use the voucher she got for the honeymoon — solo. She heads to Hawaii, where the honeymoon was supposed to be, and surprise: her ex-fiancé is there too. As the trip unfolds, Sybil reflects on why that engagement didn’t end happily… and not just that one. Sybil has actually been engaged three times, to three different men. So while she analyzes each of those past relationships, she also gets a chance to rekindle an old flame. Structurally, the story alternates between the present-day trip and flashbacks to her past relationships. I really liked that approach — it helped me get to know Sybil better and understand the reasoning behind her actions. It was also fun to discover her story in small pieces. The back-and-forth kept things interesting, always giving me something new to uncover. In Mistakes We Never Made, Sybil is already described in some detail — and while her best friend Emma might see her as “perfect,” it’s clear to the reader that there’s more going on. That definitely becomes evident in this book. Sybil is flawed, but inherently good. That’s what makes her so easy to connect with and root for. Her ex? Also a relatable and genuinely great guy. The supporting cast — from her exes to friends and family — also felt real. Her relationships with all of them were believable and well-developed. One thing I really appreciated was how the book balanced lighthearted romance with heavier topics. It touches on mental and physical health, difficult life phases, and toxic relationships — all without feeling heavy-handed. It’s obvious the author cares deeply about mental health, and that comes through in the writing. The story flowed really well for me. It was fun and easy to listen to, even though some parts did feel a little forced or unrealistic. But then again, it’s a romance novel — and I’m not reading for realism. Some big coincidences are more than welcome. I listened to the audiobook version and really liked the narrator. Her voice made the story come alive, and the way she slightly altered her tone for different characters — without sounding cringey or over-the-top — was gold. I always knew exactly who was speaking. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a heartfelt, character-driven romance. You don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one, but it definitely adds depth to Sybil’s story if you do. It’s a solid 4/5 stars from me. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for anything else Hannah Brown writes — and fingers crossed we get a story about another one of the friend group soon!
Jun 19, 2025
