Leave Before I Love You Book Review
Leave Before I Love You by Max Monroe
Those of you who follow me on my socials or have been reading the blog (thank you so much, by the way!) already know that I usually juggle two books at a time—one from my TBR and one ARC (Advanced Reader Copy). I try to split my reading hours equally between the two, but once I start falling harder for one story, it naturally steals a little extra of my time. Deadlines for ARCs also play a role in how I divide my attention.
This past Saturday, my husband was working and my kids were with grandma, so I decided to spend the day cozied up in bed, resting and reading. I had already started my TBR pick earlier in the week, but since I had finished an ARC the day before, it was time to start my next one: Leave Before I Love You by Max Monroe. With a full day ahead of me, I remembered another Max Monroe ARC I’d downloaded from NetGalley (When I Should’ve Stayed) and thought, “Why not read both?” By the end of the weekend, I was diving into not just one but two Max Monroe romances—and I couldn’t have made a better choice.
I first discovered Max Monroe late last year when I read Meet Me at Midnight, so when the ARC opportunity for Leave Before I Love You came along and I realized it was interconnected, I had to request it. Thankfully, I was approved—and let me just say, this book did not disappoint. I laughed, I swooned, and I felt every single emotion the story threw my way. The balance of sizzling chemistry, slow-burn tension, hilarious banter, heart-tugging emotion, and perfectly written spice was everything I could ask for in a romance. The addition of short flashback chapters kept me hooked and added depth to both the characters and their story.
In Leave Before I Love You, we meet Avery Banks, who gave me total Elle Woods vibes—glamorous, confident, and underestimated, but with a tender heart and depth that people often overlook. Henry Callahan, on the other hand, is her brother’s best friend, a confident and adventurous CEO who has been part of the Banks family’s orbit for years. There’s always been an unspoken attraction between them, but when an intense situation pushes them together, they’re forced to rely on each other in order to survive. Their journey strips away pretenses, forcing them to confront not only their feelings for each other but also their own personal growth.
This story is the perfect mix of funny, sexy, and deeply touching. It’s also a trope-lover’s dream:
• Brother’s best friend
• Slow burn
• Forced proximity
• Friends to lovers
• Survival romance
• Forbidden romance
• Opposites attract
• Only one bed (well… sort of—you’ll see when you read it!)
Henry will easily earn a spot on your list of book boyfriends, and Avery’s strength will win you over completely. Together, they’re magic.
While my TBR pick that week didn’t quite hit the mark, Leave Before I Love You and When I Should’ve Stayed completely captured me. I finished both books in just five days—which is unusual for me since I’m a slow reader. But when a book gives me all the feels, it owns me—and that’s exactly what these two did. Leave Before I Love You is witty, emotional, and absolutely unforgettable. If you love survival romance, trope-packed slow burns, and stories that balance humor with heart, this one belongs at the very top of your TBR.
Up next on the blog is my review for When I Should've Stayed — so stay tuned!
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Until the next book travel, M.
Catch my review for Meet Me at Midnight by Max Monroe here.
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