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Love & Hate Duet #2
The Girl I Once Loved
Someone once told me that there's a fine line between love and hate.
They forgot to mention how that line, once broken, can never be mended.
Skylar Ames.
My stepsister.
The very embodiment of all I’ve ever desired.
She’ll forever hold my heart in her hands.
I played my part and pushed her away, preferring to sacrifice my dreams, for hers.
But now she’s back, and that girl who’d ruined my soul…
She’s now a woman set to finish the job and take it for good.
And I just might let her…
Because of the girl I once loved, I'd never be able to love again.
The conclusion to the Love & Hate Duet
They forgot to mention how that line, once broken, can never be mended.
Skylar Ames.
My stepsister.
The very embodiment of all I’ve ever desired.
She’ll forever hold my heart in her hands.
I played my part and pushed her away, preferring to sacrifice my dreams, for hers.
But now she’s back, and that girl who’d ruined my soul…
She’s now a woman set to finish the job and take it for good.
And I just might let her…
Because of the girl I once loved, I'd never be able to love again.
The conclusion to the Love & Hate Duet
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2023
478 people are currently reading
1773 people want to read
About the author
C.R. Jane
97 books5,314 followersI'm a wife, mother, and author! Writing has always been a passion for me, and publishing my first series is a dream come true. I drink too much caffeine, never sleep, and my imagination is always churning out ideas. Eva and her men have been in my head for awhile, and I'm so glad to finally take you with me on this journey!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 361 reviews
December 9, 2025
The Girl I Once Loved (Love & Hate Duet, #2) by C.R. Jane and Ivy Fox
4/5 stars
This book really surprised me. Goodness gracious I praised the first one for being an old school bully romance. And I loved it with all my heart. But this second one. This book takes a complete 180 and is completely different from the first book. Noah is changed beyond recognition and Skylar is a shell of who she was.
The book starts Noah thinking about the girl he once loved. He is half the man he used to be, barely alive, lost. He hates that he isn't worthy of her love. Hates the man who will end up with her. And relishes in the fact that a part of her will always be his and a part of him will always be hers.
Then we skip to Skylar. Skylar is dating Gale and has built a whole new life for herself outside of Thatcher's Bay. She hasn't been home in seven years and doesn't plan to. Until her sister calls her and tells her she is engaged to Derek and she needs her home to plan the wedding with her. She is reluctant. But she also realizes if she misses the wedding she might lose her sister forever.
Meanwhile Gale, who is an absolute sweetheart, is feeling lost and lonely. He knows he only has a part of Skylar and she is unable to utter the words I love you to him. He wants her to move in with him after three years of dating. And when she brushes him off again he decides that they are gonna take a break and she is heartbroken. But while it is painful and while she wants to force herself to say the words she cannot utter them out loud.
She decides to go home and the second she sees the first glimpse of a leaving Noah she instantly realizes he still affects her and that she never truly loved Gale. She really tries to focus on reconnecting with her mother and stepfather and her sister Daisy again. But she cannot help but to go his room and stare into his space. He catches her and their push and pull is back within an instant. He growls if I ever see you in here again you will spend the rest of the summer on your back in my bed. She flees as fast as she can but she knows that that fire that never burnt out suddenly starts to burn a lot brighter again.
That's a moment of the old Noah. And then everything changes. We see who Noah became in those seven years. Skylar is shocked how close her mother and Noah suddenly are. And suddenly we find out that the ending of the first book is completely different from what we thought it was. Everything shifts. Everything. Everything she knew was a lie.
I love how she reconnects with her family again. She shares a stunning moment with her stepfather in the end that made my heart ache with joy. Daisy is still as vibrant as in the first book. And I am glad that her mother takes responsibility for what she did at the end of the first book.
But this is mostly the story of Skylar and Noah who cannot stay away from each other. A touch here and a touch there. A growl followed by a whimper consumes them. I love how Noah takes care of her. How he pushes her to trust in herself and in her abilities as a writer.
My heart ached and rejoiced with joy throughout this book. I love how everything changes and how they come together.
And one of my favorite and one of my most unexpected moments and feelings were that I suddenly started to like Stacey. Yes, you read that right, Stacey of all people!
This book was so wholesome. It was healing, kind and forgiving. It is such a soft spoken book compared to the first one. No smidge of a bully romance whatsoever. And it really fitted the characters and their story line. It was brilliant, it was truly what they needed and I am so happy this duet ended as it did.
4 huge stars from me for The Girl I Once Loved.
4/5 stars
This book really surprised me. Goodness gracious I praised the first one for being an old school bully romance. And I loved it with all my heart. But this second one. This book takes a complete 180 and is completely different from the first book. Noah is changed beyond recognition and Skylar is a shell of who she was.
The book starts Noah thinking about the girl he once loved. He is half the man he used to be, barely alive, lost. He hates that he isn't worthy of her love. Hates the man who will end up with her. And relishes in the fact that a part of her will always be his and a part of him will always be hers.
Then we skip to Skylar. Skylar is dating Gale and has built a whole new life for herself outside of Thatcher's Bay. She hasn't been home in seven years and doesn't plan to. Until her sister calls her and tells her she is engaged to Derek and she needs her home to plan the wedding with her. She is reluctant. But she also realizes if she misses the wedding she might lose her sister forever.
Meanwhile Gale, who is an absolute sweetheart, is feeling lost and lonely. He knows he only has a part of Skylar and she is unable to utter the words I love you to him. He wants her to move in with him after three years of dating. And when she brushes him off again he decides that they are gonna take a break and she is heartbroken. But while it is painful and while she wants to force herself to say the words she cannot utter them out loud.
She decides to go home and the second she sees the first glimpse of a leaving Noah she instantly realizes he still affects her and that she never truly loved Gale. She really tries to focus on reconnecting with her mother and stepfather and her sister Daisy again. But she cannot help but to go his room and stare into his space. He catches her and their push and pull is back within an instant. He growls if I ever see you in here again you will spend the rest of the summer on your back in my bed. She flees as fast as she can but she knows that that fire that never burnt out suddenly starts to burn a lot brighter again.
That's a moment of the old Noah. And then everything changes. We see who Noah became in those seven years. Skylar is shocked how close her mother and Noah suddenly are. And suddenly we find out that the ending of the first book is completely different from what we thought it was. Everything shifts. Everything. Everything she knew was a lie.
I love how she reconnects with her family again. She shares a stunning moment with her stepfather in the end that made my heart ache with joy. Daisy is still as vibrant as in the first book. And I am glad that her mother takes responsibility for what she did at the end of the first book.
But this is mostly the story of Skylar and Noah who cannot stay away from each other. A touch here and a touch there. A growl followed by a whimper consumes them. I love how Noah takes care of her. How he pushes her to trust in herself and in her abilities as a writer.
My heart ached and rejoiced with joy throughout this book. I love how everything changes and how they come together.
And one of my favorite and one of my most unexpected moments and feelings were that I suddenly started to like Stacey. Yes, you read that right, Stacey of all people!
This book was so wholesome. It was healing, kind and forgiving. It is such a soft spoken book compared to the first one. No smidge of a bully romance whatsoever. And it really fitted the characters and their story line. It was brilliant, it was truly what they needed and I am so happy this duet ended as it did.
4 huge stars from me for The Girl I Once Loved.
October 23, 2023
In conclusion to this we find out that the heroine spent seven fucking years in misery bc her family treated her like dog shit and Noah was scared … so he pretended to cheat on her even tho he didn’t and spent 7 years tho in “misery” having a great relationship with her family
And even making up with the girl he pretend to cheat with the ow ……
I mean I thought the heroine was stupid & trust me she was the pick me girl to end all the pick me girls out there even at age 25 … but Jesus her family besides her sister suckeddddd Noah & her mother are the most incredible selfish pieces of shit there was it was like the author kept trying to get them off the hook? And for what.
At least he was celibate.
The only character I want to read abt is daisy and it kinda seemed like the authors do too going by the way they kept comparing her & the heroine
And even making up with the girl he pretend to cheat with the ow ……
I mean I thought the heroine was stupid & trust me she was the pick me girl to end all the pick me girls out there even at age 25 … but Jesus her family besides her sister suckeddddd Noah & her mother are the most incredible selfish pieces of shit there was it was like the author kept trying to get them off the hook? And for what.
At least he was celibate.
The only character I want to read abt is daisy and it kinda seemed like the authors do too going by the way they kept comparing her & the heroine
October 25, 2023
Major disappointment...Huge let down...
This was such a highly anticipated book. I couldn't wait to read the continuation of Sky and Noah's story. But, It was such a huge let down. I am so disappointed in this book and these authors. Another example of authors ruining a great story for an extra buck. Even though the first book was a little drawn out, it still packed an amazing story. They should have let it be and just added a few more chapters and wrapped an awesome story up in a bow. But, this one, is just a drawn out repetition of the same thoughts, feelings, and heartache over and over and over...you get the picture. I skimmed or just skipped about 75% of this book and didn't miss a thing. Thankfully I read in KU or I would have definitely gotten a refund. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time and absolutely not your money.
This was such a highly anticipated book. I couldn't wait to read the continuation of Sky and Noah's story. But, It was such a huge let down. I am so disappointed in this book and these authors. Another example of authors ruining a great story for an extra buck. Even though the first book was a little drawn out, it still packed an amazing story. They should have let it be and just added a few more chapters and wrapped an awesome story up in a bow. But, this one, is just a drawn out repetition of the same thoughts, feelings, and heartache over and over and over...you get the picture. I skimmed or just skipped about 75% of this book and didn't miss a thing. Thankfully I read in KU or I would have definitely gotten a refund. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time and absolutely not your money.
October 20, 2023
I have been dying to get my hands on this book and it was so worth the wait. This was so freaking good, such a perfect ending to this duet. There were so many emotional and tear jerking moments. I devoured this book in one sitting.
October 19, 2025
2.5 stars- the FMC was still such a doormat and the MMC was dumb. The FMC’s mom sucks so much.
I lowkey liked the fmc’s ex bf the most. He was so sweet and obsessed. The FMC didn’t deserve him though.
I lowkey liked the fmc’s ex bf the most. He was so sweet and obsessed. The FMC didn’t deserve him though.
November 2, 2023
***4,5 "Just us!!!" stars***
"Someone once told me that there's a fine line between love and hate.
They forgot to mention how that line, once broken, can never be mended."
And that's how it ends!!!
These two had broken my heart in the first book and I was anticipating their finale like crazy!!! And here it is!!! A story full of heartbreak, sacrifice and second chances!!!
And I loved every single moment in here, even though I missed the angst that the first book was holding...
In here, we saw a different side of our heroes, a side that was ruined but the love they had felt when they were younger...
And now, they are meeting each other again, after seven whole years that they've been apart, and their wounds are still bleeding...
Can they get back to what they had before??? Is there a chance for Noah and Skylar to stop being broken???
"Hate is a hard emotion to forget. Almost as hard as love."
My heart was aching for this couple!!! They had gone through so much heartache and I needed them to find their way back to each other again...
Yes, seven freakin' years forward made my heart beating wild and I hated that they had moved on with their lives. But have they really??? Or secretly they are still pinning for each other???
Can Sky forget and forgive the love of her life???
Can Noah earn back the heart that he destroyed back then???
Will their sacrifices worth it at the end???
"You can't give your heart to someone when it already belongs to someone else."
I adore Skylar and Noah!!!
Noah was such a sweetheart in here... He knew what he wanted and he never strained for the love of his life... Yes, he made mistakes out of fear, but he had his reasons...
The love that he was feeling for Skylar was unique and huge and I couldn't not love him more for how absolute and intense his love was!!!
Sky was bitter and broken and even though she tried really hard to forget, her stepbrother was always lurking in the shadows...
She was so furious, but her heart never stopped beating wildly for him and that was a problem...
After seven years, they are coming closer and that will be a gigantic disaster. Or not???
"I don't understand much about life or love. But one thing I do understand...
I'm never going to be over Skylar Ames. And I don't want to be." {Noah}
"I know that Noah is a part of my past, a chapter that can never be rewritten. But my heart doesn't seem to gewt the message." {Skylar}
I believe that this duet is one of my favorite reads for 2023.
Noah and Skylar had spoken to my heart since the first moment and it is not easy to forget them!!
This duet was full of emotions and your eyes will be misty so many times while reading their story!!!
This book wasn't as intense as the first book, but it had tied so many loops... We saw that love can conquer every obstacle and second chances might be the perfect gift for someone that is hurting...
We learn that sacrifices are good to be made, but they might leave you broken...
We tasted what it means to have found your other half, your soulmate, and Noah with Skylar, against the odds, were exactly that!!!
Their love was unique and unforgettable!!! A beautiful journey!!!
"You have all my forevers, Sky. All of them."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
"Someone once told me that there's a fine line between love and hate.
They forgot to mention how that line, once broken, can never be mended."
And that's how it ends!!!
These two had broken my heart in the first book and I was anticipating their finale like crazy!!! And here it is!!! A story full of heartbreak, sacrifice and second chances!!!
And I loved every single moment in here, even though I missed the angst that the first book was holding...
In here, we saw a different side of our heroes, a side that was ruined but the love they had felt when they were younger...
And now, they are meeting each other again, after seven whole years that they've been apart, and their wounds are still bleeding...
Can they get back to what they had before??? Is there a chance for Noah and Skylar to stop being broken???
"Hate is a hard emotion to forget. Almost as hard as love."
My heart was aching for this couple!!! They had gone through so much heartache and I needed them to find their way back to each other again...
Yes, seven freakin' years forward made my heart beating wild and I hated that they had moved on with their lives. But have they really??? Or secretly they are still pinning for each other???
Can Sky forget and forgive the love of her life???
Can Noah earn back the heart that he destroyed back then???
Will their sacrifices worth it at the end???
"You can't give your heart to someone when it already belongs to someone else."
I adore Skylar and Noah!!!
Noah was such a sweetheart in here... He knew what he wanted and he never strained for the love of his life... Yes, he made mistakes out of fear, but he had his reasons...
The love that he was feeling for Skylar was unique and huge and I couldn't not love him more for how absolute and intense his love was!!!
Sky was bitter and broken and even though she tried really hard to forget, her stepbrother was always lurking in the shadows...
She was so furious, but her heart never stopped beating wildly for him and that was a problem...
After seven years, they are coming closer and that will be a gigantic disaster. Or not???
"I don't understand much about life or love. But one thing I do understand...
I'm never going to be over Skylar Ames. And I don't want to be." {Noah}
"I know that Noah is a part of my past, a chapter that can never be rewritten. But my heart doesn't seem to gewt the message." {Skylar}
I believe that this duet is one of my favorite reads for 2023.
Noah and Skylar had spoken to my heart since the first moment and it is not easy to forget them!!
This duet was full of emotions and your eyes will be misty so many times while reading their story!!!
This book wasn't as intense as the first book, but it had tied so many loops... We saw that love can conquer every obstacle and second chances might be the perfect gift for someone that is hurting...
We learn that sacrifices are good to be made, but they might leave you broken...
We tasted what it means to have found your other half, your soulmate, and Noah with Skylar, against the odds, were exactly that!!!
Their love was unique and unforgettable!!! A beautiful journey!!!
"You have all my forevers, Sky. All of them."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
October 22, 2024
3 ⭐'s
I knew going in that there was going to be all kinds of drama going on. I was hoping for some angst but it just didn't do it for me. Things were pretty predictable.
And there was more predictable drama towards the end. ~sigh~ I will say that I was happy with the way everything turned out. And Daisy and Derrick were too cute.
I knew going in that there was going to be all kinds of drama going on. I was hoping for some angst but it just didn't do it for me. Things were pretty predictable.
And there was more predictable drama towards the end. ~sigh~ I will say that I was happy with the way everything turned out. And Daisy and Derrick were too cute.
October 22, 2023
So I have been patiently waiting for this book since the second I finished the first one, and let me tell you, this did not disappoint.
CR Jane and Ive Fox have weaved one hell of an emotional rollercoaster with this book. The ups and downs and twists had me hooked and unable to put the book down.
I was so invested in Noah and Sky. The story is so exceptionally written that I felt their pain and suffering bleed through the pages. Noah and Sky are the ultimate soulmates, and this is proven time and time again in this book. They are inexplicably drawn to each other and are the only ones who can make each other happy.
The way that they came back to each other in this book felt so natural. They didn't just jump into each others arms and walk off into the sunset. They had to fight, and I felt every angst filled, heartbreaking moment as if it was me who was going through it.
The characters in this book just felt so real, and I was so invested in them. This book is a must-read. The first half of the duet will rip your heart out and stamp all over it, leaving you with the biggest book hangover ever, but this one definitely makes up for it and mends all the heartache.
CR Jane and Ive Fox have weaved one hell of an emotional rollercoaster with this book. The ups and downs and twists had me hooked and unable to put the book down.
I was so invested in Noah and Sky. The story is so exceptionally written that I felt their pain and suffering bleed through the pages. Noah and Sky are the ultimate soulmates, and this is proven time and time again in this book. They are inexplicably drawn to each other and are the only ones who can make each other happy.
The way that they came back to each other in this book felt so natural. They didn't just jump into each others arms and walk off into the sunset. They had to fight, and I felt every angst filled, heartbreaking moment as if it was me who was going through it.
The characters in this book just felt so real, and I was so invested in them. This book is a must-read. The first half of the duet will rip your heart out and stamp all over it, leaving you with the biggest book hangover ever, but this one definitely makes up for it and mends all the heartache.
October 20, 2023
Noah and Skylar.
Oh my God.
The second installment of the Hate and Love Duet is here and it is everything.
C.R. Jane & Ivy Fox have woven together a second-chance romance that will keep readers continuously coming back for more. This couple has to be one of my favorite book couples ever.
The first book left me with one of the worst book hangovers I have ever had. When this hit my Kindle I locked myself away and DEVOURED it in three hours.
It was perfection. It will be a timeless love story I continue to come back to as a comfort read. The way Noah loves Sky is everything a woman could want in a man and for whatever reason this couple and their relationship resonate with me. The spice, the plot, the closure. Chef’s kiss! Perfection.
You NEED to read this duet.
Bibliophilebookstackswithdi on IG
Oh my God.
The second installment of the Hate and Love Duet is here and it is everything.
C.R. Jane & Ivy Fox have woven together a second-chance romance that will keep readers continuously coming back for more. This couple has to be one of my favorite book couples ever.
The first book left me with one of the worst book hangovers I have ever had. When this hit my Kindle I locked myself away and DEVOURED it in three hours.
It was perfection. It will be a timeless love story I continue to come back to as a comfort read. The way Noah loves Sky is everything a woman could want in a man and for whatever reason this couple and their relationship resonate with me. The spice, the plot, the closure. Chef’s kiss! Perfection.
You NEED to read this duet.
Bibliophilebookstackswithdi on IG
November 25, 2023
Finally!!! THIS book is the one I've waited for all year! It was worth it.
I don’t understand much about life or love. But one thing I do understand…I’m never going to be over Skylar Ames. And I don’t want to be.
After years of being broken hearted, Noah and Skylar are about to be face to face and no one knows how it'll turn out. They struggle with the lies from book one and Skylar doesn't trust him anymore. But Noah doesn't care. He's determined to get past it and tries hard to do so.
I adored that Noah didn't hesitate to tell Skylar he loved her immediately. He was honest with his feelings and never let her think differently. A lot of books want the back and forth, does he or doesn't he love me trope. Not here though. Skylar knew.
"She's still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
I highly doubt this will happen but I totally want a novella about Daisy and Derrick! I think they are some of my favorite "side characters" that I've read. I want to know how they met, fell in love and why they're so tight lipped about their relationship.
Another amazing story by C.R. Jane and Ivy Fox!! 5 stars!
I don’t understand much about life or love. But one thing I do understand…I’m never going to be over Skylar Ames. And I don’t want to be.
After years of being broken hearted, Noah and Skylar are about to be face to face and no one knows how it'll turn out. They struggle with the lies from book one and Skylar doesn't trust him anymore. But Noah doesn't care. He's determined to get past it and tries hard to do so.
I adored that Noah didn't hesitate to tell Skylar he loved her immediately. He was honest with his feelings and never let her think differently. A lot of books want the back and forth, does he or doesn't he love me trope. Not here though. Skylar knew.
"She's still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
I highly doubt this will happen but I totally want a novella about Daisy and Derrick! I think they are some of my favorite "side characters" that I've read. I want to know how they met, fell in love and why they're so tight lipped about their relationship.
Another amazing story by C.R. Jane and Ivy Fox!! 5 stars!
October 21, 2023
I am sitting here thinking about what I want to write about “The Girl I Once Loved”. When I started this duet I really wasn’t to thrilled about the age of the characters. I soon got over that and I got over it rreally fast becuase I started falling in love with the story. Ivy and CR made me feel for the characters and I became emotionally involved. Now here we are at the end. And let me tell you while reading this I DIDN’T WANT IT TO END!!! I fell more and more in love with the characters.
In this we see that it take place 7 years after the ending of the first book. Skylar has to go back home, a place she has refused to visit in since leaving at the end of the last book. Just seeing her before she goes home and what she thinks and feels and how her life has been altered since the ending of the first book and how everything transpired throughout the book had me in my emotions the whole time. I was annoyed, angry, sad, I laughed. While I love all the other books that Ivy and CR have done individually and together this is by far my favorite. I really can’t wait to reread this in the future and revisit Skylar and Noah again and again.
In this we see that it take place 7 years after the ending of the first book. Skylar has to go back home, a place she has refused to visit in since leaving at the end of the last book. Just seeing her before she goes home and what she thinks and feels and how her life has been altered since the ending of the first book and how everything transpired throughout the book had me in my emotions the whole time. I was annoyed, angry, sad, I laughed. While I love all the other books that Ivy and CR have done individually and together this is by far my favorite. I really can’t wait to reread this in the future and revisit Skylar and Noah again and again.
December 3, 2023
This book was more of the same as book 1, just 7years later. I wanted more growth from Skylar. I mean the girl basically cut her family off because of a boy when she was a teenager. And then she comes back and is upset that her family continues to be a family without her. The story wraps up nicely with a happily ever after, just a bit drawn out considering there weren't major differences between the 2 books. Loved Daisy!
October 23, 2023
W.T.F...why does everybody try to tell her that what she had to life trough wasn't that bad?! Like...are they for real? I don't mean the "cheating", but the bullying?! What the heck. This book is as Bad, as the first one!
October 21, 2023
“That girl tempted the devil inside of me. This woman has just managed to resurrect him.”
Arc Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I. Ugly. Cried.
ALL 👏🏼 THE 👏🏼 FEELS👏🏼
When a book makes me feel so consumed and wrapped up in the emotions like I am physically there with these characters experiencing their heartache. It’s an instant five star from me.
Book one will rip your heart out and give you the biggest book hangover while feeling all the feels.
Book two Heals and mends your heart back together while making you swoon and believe in soulmates.
Noah and Skylar’s story will forever stay with me. The hell they went through 🤧 but that ending was everything and more 🤌🏻💋
Noah’s. Filthy. Mouth. 🫠🤤🌶️
“Don’t fucking come into my loft uninvited again. If you do, I guarantee you that you’ll spend the rest of your stay in Thatcher’s Bay on your back with my cock inside you.”
The character development was phenomenal not only for the main characters but the side characters as well.
These two Authors together created a gut wrenching, heartbreakingly phenomenal Duet that is filled with all the tropes we love.
I DEVOURED THIS BOOK.
I highly recommend, it was so good 🖤
P.s. I still hate Stacy😂
Arc Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I. Ugly. Cried.
ALL 👏🏼 THE 👏🏼 FEELS👏🏼
When a book makes me feel so consumed and wrapped up in the emotions like I am physically there with these characters experiencing their heartache. It’s an instant five star from me.
Book one will rip your heart out and give you the biggest book hangover while feeling all the feels.
Book two Heals and mends your heart back together while making you swoon and believe in soulmates.
Noah and Skylar’s story will forever stay with me. The hell they went through 🤧 but that ending was everything and more 🤌🏻💋
Noah’s. Filthy. Mouth. 🫠🤤🌶️
“Don’t fucking come into my loft uninvited again. If you do, I guarantee you that you’ll spend the rest of your stay in Thatcher’s Bay on your back with my cock inside you.”
The character development was phenomenal not only for the main characters but the side characters as well.
These two Authors together created a gut wrenching, heartbreakingly phenomenal Duet that is filled with all the tropes we love.
I DEVOURED THIS BOOK.
I highly recommend, it was so good 🖤
P.s. I still hate Stacy😂
October 24, 2023
'All of our forevers'
This duet is everything and more! It was perfection. This duet is definitely one of my favorite duets ever.
Since I read the first book back in June, I had the worst book hangover ever. As soon as this book hit KU, I downloaded it so fast and quickly devoured it. This book was worth the wait. I was captivated from the start till the end and it was just perfection. It was an emotional rollercoaster - it made me smile, laugh, cry. If the first book broke my heart, then this book mended my heart.
Oh my! Noah Fontaine? Guys, what do I say about this man? The way he unconditionally loves Skylar with his whole heart, mind, and soul. He made the ultimate sacrifice for her happiness, for her future even if he had to pay the ultimate price and suffer.
The ending was just chef’s kiss.
“You’re the brightest star in my sky, and I’ll never let you forget that."
I will definitely be reading this duet again.
This duet is everything and more! It was perfection. This duet is definitely one of my favorite duets ever.
Since I read the first book back in June, I had the worst book hangover ever. As soon as this book hit KU, I downloaded it so fast and quickly devoured it. This book was worth the wait. I was captivated from the start till the end and it was just perfection. It was an emotional rollercoaster - it made me smile, laugh, cry. If the first book broke my heart, then this book mended my heart.
Oh my! Noah Fontaine? Guys, what do I say about this man? The way he unconditionally loves Skylar with his whole heart, mind, and soul. He made the ultimate sacrifice for her happiness, for her future even if he had to pay the ultimate price and suffer.
The ending was just chef’s kiss.
“You’re the brightest star in my sky, and I’ll never let you forget that."
I will definitely be reading this duet again.
March 23, 2025
This wrapped everything up so nicely! Loved it
February 26, 2024
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars! Step brother/bully duet conclusion. Omg, loved it 🥰 Her sister Daisy was my favorite, omg love her!
September 24, 2023
Weird this book release date has been pushed back again and again...
October 23, 2023
Noah and Skylar are step siblings and they loved each other and then Noah made the ultimate sacrifice for Sky which destroyed them so she could pursue her dreams. Seven years later they are reunited and they have both been miserable this whole time. Secrets are revealed which opens up the chance for them to be together again.
This was an emotional read as two people realize they're soulmates and cannot live without each other.
This was an emotional read as two people realize they're soulmates and cannot live without each other.
October 24, 2023
I have been avidly waiting for this release since reading the first book back in April. When it was pushed back a few times, I was so disappointed. Now that I've read it, I wish I could say I loved it more.
After seven years apart, Sky and Noah are back in Thatcher's Bay for the first time since he lied to give Sky her future by giving her an out to fulfill her dreams getting a writing degree from Dartmouth.
The first 50% of the story was great. It seemed like it was showing Sky and Noah's development during their time apart and realizing their love never quite ended the way the other thought it did.
Around 74% in the novel, the writing took a drastic turn. The writing became superfluous, overly descriptive, and the internal monologue of Sky's contradictory thoughts went on for pages. The writing seemed immature, cliche, and used every overused romantic saying it could.
I skimmed through the remainder of the novel in a way that left me sadly disappointed.
After seven years apart, Sky and Noah are back in Thatcher's Bay for the first time since he lied to give Sky her future by giving her an out to fulfill her dreams getting a writing degree from Dartmouth.
The first 50% of the story was great. It seemed like it was showing Sky and Noah's development during their time apart and realizing their love never quite ended the way the other thought it did.
Around 74% in the novel, the writing took a drastic turn. The writing became superfluous, overly descriptive, and the internal monologue of Sky's contradictory thoughts went on for pages. The writing seemed immature, cliche, and used every overused romantic saying it could.
I skimmed through the remainder of the novel in a way that left me sadly disappointed.
June 29, 2025
Bu kitabı güzelleştiren tek şey Skylar. Noah ile mutlu sona erseler de bu mutlu sonu kendi başına yazdı. Her yaptığı hareket, her söylediği söz oturaklı ve mantıklıydı. Canım kadın karakterim bu sefer yıldızlar sana 💕
---
I was in love with The Boy I Once Hated. Still, the ending was a little unsatisfying.
Skylar got accepted into her dream university, but she didn’t tell anyone because she didn’t want to leave Noah behind. Her mom, Clara, found the acceptance letter and emotionally cornered Noah by saying, “If you care about her, help her follow her dreams.” In response, Noah teamed up with his toxic ex Stacy—the one who had treated Sky terribly—and staged an act that made it look like he had cheated on Sky, just to push her away.
So Sky ran away that very night. She went to live with her dad and hasn’t returned to the island in seven years. Her relationship with her family grew distant. But now, Daisy is getting married and wants Sky by her side during the wedding preparations. The stress of it all spills into her relationship with her boyfriend Gael of three years, and he ends up suggesting a break. So, after all these years, Skylar returns to Thatcher’s Bay.
I highlighted so much of this book and left notes on almost every chapter. And I ranted... a lot.
Everyone came at Sky from every direction. But if you noticed, every time I started ranting, the author gave me just enough of a reason to shut up again. I get it. I do. But I still want to express how frustrated I was at first.
Thankfully, Skylar stood her ground and fought back with logic and clarity. She never gave in to manipulation. She confronted everyone, and all those confrontations were powerful and beautifully written.
Sky is what made this book shine. Even though she and Noah ended up together, she wrote her own happy ending. Every move she made, every word she spoke was grounded and thoughtful.
My precious female lead—this time, all the stars go to you. 💕
---
I was in love with The Boy I Once Hated. Still, the ending was a little unsatisfying.
Skylar got accepted into her dream university, but she didn’t tell anyone because she didn’t want to leave Noah behind. Her mom, Clara, found the acceptance letter and emotionally cornered Noah by saying, “If you care about her, help her follow her dreams.” In response, Noah teamed up with his toxic ex Stacy—the one who had treated Sky terribly—and staged an act that made it look like he had cheated on Sky, just to push her away.
So Sky ran away that very night. She went to live with her dad and hasn’t returned to the island in seven years. Her relationship with her family grew distant. But now, Daisy is getting married and wants Sky by her side during the wedding preparations. The stress of it all spills into her relationship with her boyfriend Gael of three years, and he ends up suggesting a break. So, after all these years, Skylar returns to Thatcher’s Bay.
I highlighted so much of this book and left notes on almost every chapter. And I ranted... a lot.
Everyone came at Sky from every direction. But if you noticed, every time I started ranting, the author gave me just enough of a reason to shut up again. I get it. I do. But I still want to express how frustrated I was at first.
Thankfully, Skylar stood her ground and fought back with logic and clarity. She never gave in to manipulation. She confronted everyone, and all those confrontations were powerful and beautifully written.
Sky is what made this book shine. Even though she and Noah ended up together, she wrote her own happy ending. Every move she made, every word she spoke was grounded and thoughtful.
My precious female lead—this time, all the stars go to you. 💕
October 31, 2023
What a way to end this beautiful duet. Sky and Noah are like a breath of fresh air after a storm. After the way The Boy I Once Hated ended, I was concerned for this couple. Noah did something stupid and even though he did it out of love for her to chase her dreams, it still wasn't right.
Skyler hasn't been home in 7 years because she can't face her family, especially Noah. He hurt her deeply and she hasn't been able to commit or love since then. He still owns a piece of her heart and probably always will. But when her older sister Daisy is getting married, Sky hops on a plane & ferry to help her sister and be the best Maid of Honor yet. The only problem she's going to have is being near Noah. She can't stand to be in proximity to him after what he did to her. If only her mind, body and soul would all come to an agreement on this. She may tell herself that she hates him and can avoid him, but her body is telling her that she loves him and needs him.
Noah made the dumbest mistake 7 years ago. He pushed away his soulmate so she can go live her dream. He knew she would give up everything for him and he didn't want that. He couldn't give her a life she deserves so he breaks her heart and kills his soul in the process. But now she's back and he still loves her deeply. At first, he was going to try to stay away from her but now he wants to win her back. Maybe he can fix what he broke and get his soulmate back.
C.R. and Ivy send us through a rollercoaster of emotions. The angst you get from Noah and Sky is tough. You feel the hatred she has but also the love they still share. When they argue, you're just hoping for that kiss and make up scene. And when it finally happens, the authors keep you on the edge just waiting to see if it will progress. I love this duet and even though the tough times had to happen I love how it was all put together. I may still be mad about scaring me during the fishing trip scene, but I get why it had to happen and how powerful it was.
Skyler hasn't been home in 7 years because she can't face her family, especially Noah. He hurt her deeply and she hasn't been able to commit or love since then. He still owns a piece of her heart and probably always will. But when her older sister Daisy is getting married, Sky hops on a plane & ferry to help her sister and be the best Maid of Honor yet. The only problem she's going to have is being near Noah. She can't stand to be in proximity to him after what he did to her. If only her mind, body and soul would all come to an agreement on this. She may tell herself that she hates him and can avoid him, but her body is telling her that she loves him and needs him.
Noah made the dumbest mistake 7 years ago. He pushed away his soulmate so she can go live her dream. He knew she would give up everything for him and he didn't want that. He couldn't give her a life she deserves so he breaks her heart and kills his soul in the process. But now she's back and he still loves her deeply. At first, he was going to try to stay away from her but now he wants to win her back. Maybe he can fix what he broke and get his soulmate back.
C.R. and Ivy send us through a rollercoaster of emotions. The angst you get from Noah and Sky is tough. You feel the hatred she has but also the love they still share. When they argue, you're just hoping for that kiss and make up scene. And when it finally happens, the authors keep you on the edge just waiting to see if it will progress. I love this duet and even though the tough times had to happen I love how it was all put together. I may still be mad about scaring me during the fishing trip scene, but I get why it had to happen and how powerful it was.
October 29, 2023
The first third of the story was good and angsty. After that everything fell too smoothly into place. I haven't read anything by this author aside from this duet but I am not a big fan of her writing. Her word choices and descriptions are completely OTT. The characters' soul searching is endless. I skimmed half the story just for the plot to move forward. Every chapter ended with some deep soulful OTT reflection. It took at least the last 5 chapters worth for the characters to declare how much they loved each other and would never make the same mistakes, blah, blah, blah.....the exact same message they discovered, individually swore, told each other, told everyone else throughout the entire story! And it was necessary to repeat it once again in the last act. The story could have been summed up by a third of the book.
Sadly, this one was sickly sweet. Perfect for hallmark. I got cavities and diabetes.
Sadly, this one was sickly sweet. Perfect for hallmark. I got cavities and diabetes.
November 27, 2023
“Because what is a life, if you can’t share it with the person you love?”
Second chance romances are my weakness, and The Girl I Once Loved was my kryptonite, pulling me into its fiery, angst-wielding web where I felt every word and everything. I’d been craving the conclusion to the addictive Love & Hate duet, and oh did C.R. Jane and Ivy Fox deliver! The Girl I Once Loved was everything I wanted and more. Heartbreakingly beautiful and brilliantly told.
The saga continues with a now grown up Skylar and Noah—separated by an ugly misunderstanding—who are reunited after years apart. Despite distance and time, this hero and heroine are inevitable. Together they are a fire that burns and I felt their undeniable chemistry. These destined soulmates are drawn toward each other like a moth to a forbidden flame with a combustible connection that ignites everywhere.
Brimming with rich character history, intense emotion, combustible chemistry, and all the soul-deep love, The Girl I Once Loved is the headiest of heart-felt highs. A shatteringly stunning and swoon-filled saga of soulmates, sacrifice and second chances. I wholeheartedly felt the burning angst, intense passion, and soul deep love, as I drowned in this romance with unforgettable characters. If I could create the perfect hero, hands down, it would be Noah Fontaine. I was a goner for Noah, Skyler and their heart-hitting love story with all the Sweet Home Alabama vibes.
“The truth is, I gave my heart away a long time ago. My whole heart. And I never really got it back.”—Sweet Home Alabama
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ beautifully broken, butterfly-fluttering stars
➡️ https://amzn.to/40Z92la
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
Second chance romances are my weakness, and The Girl I Once Loved was my kryptonite, pulling me into its fiery, angst-wielding web where I felt every word and everything. I’d been craving the conclusion to the addictive Love & Hate duet, and oh did C.R. Jane and Ivy Fox deliver! The Girl I Once Loved was everything I wanted and more. Heartbreakingly beautiful and brilliantly told.
The saga continues with a now grown up Skylar and Noah—separated by an ugly misunderstanding—who are reunited after years apart. Despite distance and time, this hero and heroine are inevitable. Together they are a fire that burns and I felt their undeniable chemistry. These destined soulmates are drawn toward each other like a moth to a forbidden flame with a combustible connection that ignites everywhere.
Brimming with rich character history, intense emotion, combustible chemistry, and all the soul-deep love, The Girl I Once Loved is the headiest of heart-felt highs. A shatteringly stunning and swoon-filled saga of soulmates, sacrifice and second chances. I wholeheartedly felt the burning angst, intense passion, and soul deep love, as I drowned in this romance with unforgettable characters. If I could create the perfect hero, hands down, it would be Noah Fontaine. I was a goner for Noah, Skyler and their heart-hitting love story with all the Sweet Home Alabama vibes.
“The truth is, I gave my heart away a long time ago. My whole heart. And I never really got it back.”—Sweet Home Alabama
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ beautifully broken, butterfly-fluttering stars
➡️ https://amzn.to/40Z92la
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
November 29, 2023
I was given an advanced readers copy of this book and have decided to write an honest review. You have no idea how excited I was when this baby landed in my kidle, I kid you not I squeeled like a little girl lol. The way The Boy I onced loved left me with many different emotions, I was really angry, I was heart broken, so to finally get Skylar and Noah's conclusion, ya I devoured this book. I love both these characters immensely. They both have been through Soo much heart break I cried right along with them. I felt like I was feeling there heart brewk that's what Ivy Fox and Cr Jane do when they write. Yoy feel like you are in these authors world experiencing what there characters are. This book was truly everything I needed and more. Skylar and Noah are one of those couples you will never forget and talk about for years to come. I also loved daisy and Derrick. Very curious about Gael he seems to good to be true.
October 24, 2023
The Girl I Once Loved is the second and final book of the Love & Hate Duet. It is a contemporary, second chance, stepbrother romance with a plethora of emotional moments.
This is such an incredible duet. Sky and Noah’s story is heartbreaking and heartwarming, it’ll make you laugh and make you cry, it takes you through a gamut of emotions, then back through again. The story is well written and the pace and flow are flawless. The storyline, characters, character development, world building, and storytelling are also all amazing.
I absolutely loved all of the characters. Sky and Noah were of course my favorite, but I loved the secondary characters as well. I loved the way that Noah and Sky’s relationship developed. They had to transverse an abundance of obstacles, both internal and external, to finally make it to their well deserved HEA. I also loved how each of them showed immense character growth throughout the duet. It made me fall for them even more.
This writing duo definitely know how to write terrifically together and I very much hope that they will write together again. I highly recommend this book and duet and am looking forward to more fabulous stories from both of these awesome authors.
This is such an incredible duet. Sky and Noah’s story is heartbreaking and heartwarming, it’ll make you laugh and make you cry, it takes you through a gamut of emotions, then back through again. The story is well written and the pace and flow are flawless. The storyline, characters, character development, world building, and storytelling are also all amazing.
I absolutely loved all of the characters. Sky and Noah were of course my favorite, but I loved the secondary characters as well. I loved the way that Noah and Sky’s relationship developed. They had to transverse an abundance of obstacles, both internal and external, to finally make it to their well deserved HEA. I also loved how each of them showed immense character growth throughout the duet. It made me fall for them even more.
This writing duo definitely know how to write terrifically together and I very much hope that they will write together again. I highly recommend this book and duet and am looking forward to more fabulous stories from both of these awesome authors.
October 23, 2023
Wow talk about emotional! My heart struggled to get through this one. Noah and Sky really became huge characters for me, they built this amazing connection around heartache and love that slowly puts your heart back together but also talks about healing and working through fears so your life as a whole can be stronger. I really hope to see more of them in the feature.
Great job to the authors on this, I could not put it down and of course stayed up way too late to finish it but, definitely worth it!
Great job to the authors on this, I could not put it down and of course stayed up way too late to finish it but, definitely worth it!
October 26, 2023
I love a good second chance romance and this duet did not disappoint! Sky and Noah's story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming and will take you on an emotional ride. I loved how the relationship developed between the two and watching them overcome so many obstacles to get the HEA they deserved. I also liked the character development as well which led to a great plot. Overall, both authors did an amazing job as it was so much fun to read and I loved all of the elements it had to make it a great book!
October 23, 2023
This duet was so good!
We pick up 7 years after The Boy I Once Hated where Skyler left for college after Noah cheated….and we get to see the aftermath of Noah’s decisions.
But when Daisy announces she is getting married Skyler returns to the island and has to face her past.
It doesn’t take long for truths to come out about the past.
I love the relationship between Noah and Skyler, considering how Noah started off in book one he makes up for it in this one.
We pick up 7 years after The Boy I Once Hated where Skyler left for college after Noah cheated….and we get to see the aftermath of Noah’s decisions.
But when Daisy announces she is getting married Skyler returns to the island and has to face her past.
It doesn’t take long for truths to come out about the past.
I love the relationship between Noah and Skyler, considering how Noah started off in book one he makes up for it in this one.
October 26, 2023
That cliffhanger broke me, and I just had to dive right into part two because I could leave them off like this.
We move back to thatcher’s bay, 7 years after we left. Daisy is about to get married, and Skylar will be her maid of honor. I cannot go into too much detail; this will spoil the story and part one if you haven’t read that yet. But all you need to know is you will ride a rollercoaster of emotions, hot and heavy scenes, some tears and a beautiful HEA.
This one was a wild ride; I could not put this book down until I knew how it would end. This duet is named perfectly: love and hate, and the fine line you dance on between the two.
I received a complementary copy in exchange for my honest review.
We move back to thatcher’s bay, 7 years after we left. Daisy is about to get married, and Skylar will be her maid of honor. I cannot go into too much detail; this will spoil the story and part one if you haven’t read that yet. But all you need to know is you will ride a rollercoaster of emotions, hot and heavy scenes, some tears and a beautiful HEA.
This one was a wild ride; I could not put this book down until I knew how it would end. This duet is named perfectly: love and hate, and the fine line you dance on between the two.
I received a complementary copy in exchange for my honest review.
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