I've Said Love

The Vals

By: C. P. Cabaniss

Narrated by: Madison Brunoehler

Once bitten, twice shy.

Valarie thought she was living a fairytale–a whirlwind romance in college, an engagement, plans for the wedding of her dreams, and her happily ever after waiting at the end.

When her forever turns into never, she vows that love and romance were left in the past with her broken heart. Then she meets Ethan, a man who knows similar heartache, and begins to wonder if it’s possible to love again.

As the two work together to plan the perfect wedding for their best friends, Valarie starts to reexamine herself and the things she truly wants out of life.

©2024 C. P. Cabaniss (P)2025 C. P. Cabaniss

Sweet Contemporary romance with real struggles

3.5 ⭐️

Book Review: Contemporary romance is typically a harder sell for me but this was a sweet, entertaining read!

This is the second in the Val series, and the first one I read. While it is a companion novel and can technically be read as a standalone, I think I'd highly recommend reading these in order--it took me longer to get my bearings and I felt like I was missing something because I didn't.

Val's desires in life (to marry, be a stay at home mom with a wedding planner side hustle) are very similar to mine so I connected with her character in that way. However, there were a few decisions I had a hard time understanding (mainly the New Years Eve kiss when they first met and the faking dating kiss when they were friends) personally just because they are so different from my own life experience.

I would have liked more detail and explanation in some areas--more showing and less telling. A few phrases also seemed repetitive to me.

I really enjoyed the writing style and was interested/entertained to keep coming back every chance I could listen.


Audiobook review: And excellent performance for a single narrator! I really enjoyed the touch of making phone calls and miked individuals at a conference sound different. Every single character sounded distinct which is impressive. Very impressed of the quality of the audiobook, especially for an indie book.



Content: depression, discussion of past childhood turmoil


Christian faith rating: 1/3 clean fiction with no swearing, a few mentions of church/church friends

Relatable characters

Love this story and narration. I want to call it a second chance romance but I'm not sure if I'm using that term correctly. Ethan and Valerie give love a second chance. they become good friends while planning their friends' wedding and fall in love with each other during the process. throughout the story they both overcome fear and heartache. it's short and sweet and everything you want in a fairytale romance with a little more depth. the narrator did a beautiful job bringing these wonderful characters to life.

A delightful romance of two friends

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was well written, and Courtney picked a good voice for her book. It's a cute story of the bridesmaids and best man being tasked with planning their friend's wedding together and their adventure as they plan the wedding and find themselves coming closer together. It is a sweet romance with kisses only. My kind of romance. There was a 3rd act break up that I don't love, but if you do, then you will love this book even more. I surprisingly didn't mind this one because of how Courtney pulled it off. I enjoyed the growth of each of the main characters and the dynamic between them. The way that this book ends will make you sing with the way the book is beautifully tied together. So get yourself a copy and find out for yourself.

A sweet relatable, slow burn! 🤍

This narrator knocked this story out of the park! The way she adjusts her microphone when the characters are talking on the phone makes this story feel so tangible and like I was the on the phone call!

This is book 2 of the Vals and I absolutely loved it! This can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading Before and After first to have more of an attachment to these sweet characters. There is nothing flashy and forced with the MCs relationships and they are allowed to work through their pain and grief.

Val and Ethan running errands together to get the set up for the perfect wedding for their friends is so sweet!! I was grinning so big and loved how their relationship evolves!!

Delightful Clean Contemp Romance

"I only need you."

I've Said Love by C.P. Cabaniss

This was my first by this author, and I definitely want to read her other books. Filled with swoon, a bit of "fake" dating, an adorable meet cute and a first kiss that will knock your socks off, I adored Val and Ethan's story. Their romance is beautiful and hard won.
They both are nursing wounds from past relationships, but when they meet, everything seems to click into place. Despite the long distance between them, their phone calls and Ethan's sweet gestures make up for it.
I definitely recommend this swoon-worthy read, perfect for around New Year's Eve (or really anytime of the year!).Also, the narrator of the audiobook did an amazing job! I loved her narration.

Favorite Parts:
Meet cute
First kiss
Forced Proximity
Phone calls
Dress shopping
Ethan
Bit of fake dating
He attends her brother’s wedding
Her surprise
The wedding
Chocolate cake