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Now & Always Duet #1
For Now
I punched my ex after being stood up for my date. Unhinged, yet oddly satisfying. Especially when a sexy stranger grabbed me by the waist and pretended to be my boyfriend just to throw gasoline on the raging fire. Infuriating as he was, I found myself irresistibly drawn to him. So when he didn’t ask for my number, I vowed to swear off men for good. That resolve wavered when I stood in the middle of my office holiday party as my momentary fake boyfriend walked in. The new hire. Lorenzo Mancini. A mysterious temptation I can’t seem to resist when his suggestion of a night of fun turns into the perfect arrangement—friends with benefits, no strings attached. But something’s lurking behind his skilled mask of indifference, and I’m determined to figure out exactly what it is. No matter how much it might hurt me in the process. For Now is book one in the Now & Always Duet, a new adult, romantic suspense series. The series features mature themes and content that may not be suitable for all audiences. For content warnings, please check the author’s profile links @amandabentleyauthor. The series was originally published as the Festive Fun The Holiday Hookup, Struck by Stupid, Sh*t Out of Luck, and Light Me Up.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2023
92 people are currently reading
679 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Bentley
10 books83 followersAmanda Bentley loves escaping into fictional worlds through reading and writing. A typical Pisces, she’s as much a mood writer as she is a mood reader. She likes her book boyfriends morally grey, but she’ll read any book with romance (preferably drenched in spice and angst).
When she’s not writing, you might find her chasing her wild toddler, or on stage, performing improv with her husband. She’s a creative, free spirit, and while she loves a fun adventure, there’s no place like her bed with a book.
When she’s not writing, you might find her chasing her wild toddler, or on stage, performing improv with her husband. She’s a creative, free spirit, and while she loves a fun adventure, there’s no place like her bed with a book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 29, 2025
The back and forth, “what are we?/What does this all mean?” our poor fmc went through with mmc, Zo, left me feeling frustrated. There is a magic number of times in a story these push/pull moments should happen and any more it feels drawn out. We were there. FMC is very type A, she rides the line of uptight, so fly by the seat of his pants, mysterious Zo was way outside her comfort zone. But their spark was undeniable. He’s up to something with his crew I believe, so book 2 should give us the deets. Finished on a cliff, I’m diving in to find out his deal.
May 10, 2024
Lorenzo & Kate 🥰
I had a great time reading this book; it's nicely paced and definitely brings the heat. However, the relationship dynamics between Lorenzo and Kate left me a bit puzzled. What exactly are they to each other? Lovers, friends with benefits, or is it all about the benefits without the friendship? It's pretty unclear, and it seems like Kate is as baffled as I am. She's clearly stepping out of her comfort zone, just rolling with whatever comes her way. I also suspect Lorenzo is keeping some secrets, and his buddy Santi might be in on it too. Despite the confusion, it's still a compelling read. Just make sure to check the trigger warnings before you dive in.
I had a great time reading this book; it's nicely paced and definitely brings the heat. However, the relationship dynamics between Lorenzo and Kate left me a bit puzzled. What exactly are they to each other? Lovers, friends with benefits, or is it all about the benefits without the friendship? It's pretty unclear, and it seems like Kate is as baffled as I am. She's clearly stepping out of her comfort zone, just rolling with whatever comes her way. I also suspect Lorenzo is keeping some secrets, and his buddy Santi might be in on it too. Despite the confusion, it's still a compelling read. Just make sure to check the trigger warnings before you dive in.
June 30, 2024
Major cliffhanger!!!!!
October 18, 2023
I’ll always love this world! Kate & Zo will always have my heart 🫶🏼
So proud of Amanda and this new cover! 😩
So proud of Amanda and this new cover! 😩
June 13, 2025
That cliffhanger came out of nowhere! I honestly didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. And boy, was the spice on point in this!
January 2, 2025
Oja
Den är lite mystisk, spicy och man vill bara läsa vidare för att få veta hur det går med dem
Den är lite mystisk, spicy och man vill bara läsa vidare för att få veta hur det går med dem
January 7, 2025
It was decent, but not invested enough to read book 2 honestly.
The spice was 😮💨😮💨, but the plot just wasn’t it for me. It just felt like things kept jumping around and ping ponging back and forth with the hot/cold temperament with both the characters.
It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I probably would have liked this better as a stand alone, adding more info about Lorenzo. We get a lot of “it’s dangerous for me to be with her” but no explanation on why, who, or what goes on with him that makes it to where he won’t just be with her.
The spice was 😮💨😮💨, but the plot just wasn’t it for me. It just felt like things kept jumping around and ping ponging back and forth with the hot/cold temperament with both the characters.
It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I probably would have liked this better as a stand alone, adding more info about Lorenzo. We get a lot of “it’s dangerous for me to be with her” but no explanation on why, who, or what goes on with him that makes it to where he won’t just be with her.
August 27, 2023
I am grateful to receive this arc from Amanda Bentley and her team. Being honest I’ve never been someone to like fast paced insta attraction but Kate and Zo do it right. This is the first book in the duet and definitely takes you on a ride.
Synopsis:
I punched my ex after being stood up for my date. Unhinged, yet oddly satisfying. Especially when a sexy stranger grabbed me by the waist and pretended to be my boyfriend just to throw gasoline on the raging fire. Infuriating as he was, I found myself irresistibly drawn to him. So when he asked for my number, I vow to swear off men for good. That resolve wavered when I stood in the middle of my office holiday party as my momentary fake boyfriend walked in. The new hire. Lorenzo Mancini. A mysterious temptation I can’t seem to resist when his suggestion of a night of fun turns into the perfect arrangement-friends with benefits, no strings attached. But something’s lurking behind his skilled mask of indifference, and I’m determined to figure out exactly what it is. No matter how much it might hurt me in the process.
Main characters:
FMC: Kate Appleton
MMC: Lorenzo Mancini
Tropes:
- Work place romance
- Insta attraction
- Friends with benefits
- Grumpy MMC
Spice level:
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
Final thoughts:
All around this was a good first book of the duet. I think I might have read too many books because I saw the ending coming from a mile away. I’m giving this book a 4 out of 5 because while I did enjoy it, it felt like something from Wattpad. Don’t get me wrong I love a good Wattpad book…but usually only on Wattpad🙈. I also would’ve loved more background on the characters, which I hope we get in the second book. Overall a solid read and would definitely recommend it!!!
Synopsis:
I punched my ex after being stood up for my date. Unhinged, yet oddly satisfying. Especially when a sexy stranger grabbed me by the waist and pretended to be my boyfriend just to throw gasoline on the raging fire. Infuriating as he was, I found myself irresistibly drawn to him. So when he asked for my number, I vow to swear off men for good. That resolve wavered when I stood in the middle of my office holiday party as my momentary fake boyfriend walked in. The new hire. Lorenzo Mancini. A mysterious temptation I can’t seem to resist when his suggestion of a night of fun turns into the perfect arrangement-friends with benefits, no strings attached. But something’s lurking behind his skilled mask of indifference, and I’m determined to figure out exactly what it is. No matter how much it might hurt me in the process.
Main characters:
FMC: Kate Appleton
MMC: Lorenzo Mancini
Tropes:
- Work place romance
- Insta attraction
- Friends with benefits
- Grumpy MMC
Spice level:
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
Final thoughts:
All around this was a good first book of the duet. I think I might have read too many books because I saw the ending coming from a mile away. I’m giving this book a 4 out of 5 because while I did enjoy it, it felt like something from Wattpad. Don’t get me wrong I love a good Wattpad book…but usually only on Wattpad🙈. I also would’ve loved more background on the characters, which I hope we get in the second book. Overall a solid read and would definitely recommend it!!!
August 31, 2023
"You want me. And I... I want to ruin you."
"I can't let you ruin me." *Fine. I won't ruin you, princess. But I won't save you either.”
5/5 ⭐️ 5/5 🌶️
We Stan a “crazy” ex gf who hits her ex because he’s an ass! For Now starts with a bang. Or should I say punch? Kate gets to live out every girl’s fantasy of crotch splotching their pos ex. Then a sex on a stick stranger shows up pretending to be her bf to piss off said ex more. OH! He then ends up being her new coworker. Ugh to be Kate.
I love Kate beyond belief. There were times I wanted to shake her to get her out of her head, but my days, she was so relatable!She has spent her life playing it safe and never leaving her comfort zone. Until comes along and starts to push her out of it. Her character development was so fun to watch! I love that she is trying to be bolder and confident, but not truly changing who she really is. She’s still Kate, just a little more free.
Lorenzo, be still my mother fuggin heart. He knows what he wants and he goes for it, consequences be damned. He’s cheeky and one cocky sob. He knows exactly what to do and say to melt your panties off. I’m surprised Kate’s neck didn’t break with all that whiplash. Zo has secrets that you can see he’s battling with and you want to know so badly, but unfortunately those secrets are not revealed yet. Watching his internal battles with everything made my heart hurt a little. But I also want to hurt him a little too because don’t fuck with my girl Kate.
This is a friends with benefits, and those benefits had me melting like a popsicle on a hot day. Praise girlies, you will LOVE Zo. After reading this I have decided I shall keep Christmas lights available at all times. For now is a fun, angsty, steamy and easy read! This does end on a cliffhanger, but book two is already out! Zo and Kate will forever have a special place in my heart.
"I can't let you ruin me." *Fine. I won't ruin you, princess. But I won't save you either.”
5/5 ⭐️ 5/5 🌶️
We Stan a “crazy” ex gf who hits her ex because he’s an ass! For Now starts with a bang. Or should I say punch? Kate gets to live out every girl’s fantasy of crotch splotching their pos ex. Then a sex on a stick stranger shows up pretending to be her bf to piss off said ex more. OH! He then ends up being her new coworker. Ugh to be Kate.
I love Kate beyond belief. There were times I wanted to shake her to get her out of her head, but my days, she was so relatable!She has spent her life playing it safe and never leaving her comfort zone. Until comes along and starts to push her out of it. Her character development was so fun to watch! I love that she is trying to be bolder and confident, but not truly changing who she really is. She’s still Kate, just a little more free.
Lorenzo, be still my mother fuggin heart. He knows what he wants and he goes for it, consequences be damned. He’s cheeky and one cocky sob. He knows exactly what to do and say to melt your panties off. I’m surprised Kate’s neck didn’t break with all that whiplash. Zo has secrets that you can see he’s battling with and you want to know so badly, but unfortunately those secrets are not revealed yet. Watching his internal battles with everything made my heart hurt a little. But I also want to hurt him a little too because don’t fuck with my girl Kate.
This is a friends with benefits, and those benefits had me melting like a popsicle on a hot day. Praise girlies, you will LOVE Zo. After reading this I have decided I shall keep Christmas lights available at all times. For now is a fun, angsty, steamy and easy read! This does end on a cliffhanger, but book two is already out! Zo and Kate will forever have a special place in my heart.
August 28, 2023
friends with benefits. Christmas lights included!
Okay without giving too much away… this book is very nicely spicy 4/5🌶️! In a very naughty way. I did find the FMC slightly annoying,but I think it was meant that way she’s a stickler for the rules and he… well he has no rules. He’s hot he’s cold, and I love his point of view and the way it’s written even though she’s kinda annoying it makes you wanna know more about what he’s hiding! Ugh. But can we get to the new Christmas kink unlocked. The use of Christmas lights… let’s be serious that’s just a chefs kiss on the fact they may be somewhere they aren’t supposed to be.
Either way I’m loving the book series thankfully I don’t have to wait for book two because this is a cliffhanger so be sure to download book two before finishing book 1!
Okay without giving too much away… this book is very nicely spicy 4/5🌶️! In a very naughty way. I did find the FMC slightly annoying,but I think it was meant that way she’s a stickler for the rules and he… well he has no rules. He’s hot he’s cold, and I love his point of view and the way it’s written even though she’s kinda annoying it makes you wanna know more about what he’s hiding! Ugh. But can we get to the new Christmas kink unlocked. The use of Christmas lights… let’s be serious that’s just a chefs kiss on the fact they may be somewhere they aren’t supposed to be.
Either way I’m loving the book series thankfully I don’t have to wait for book two because this is a cliffhanger so be sure to download book two before finishing book 1!
September 2, 2023
This is book 1 in a duet. Major cliffhanger at the end, so be prepared to purchase and read both.
Kate (FMC) is smart and successful. She has a job in finance and finds a date on Tinder. When he doesn't show up and she spies her ex, she has had more than enough of the day. Lorenzo (MMC) sees Kate in the bar and is instantly attracted to her. Later, they find out that they work for the same company.
The development of FMC is great. We learn about her and her feelings. Story line is good, but predictable. Love FMCs BFF.
Would recommend this duet to all who like spicy romance.
Kate (FMC) is smart and successful. She has a job in finance and finds a date on Tinder. When he doesn't show up and she spies her ex, she has had more than enough of the day. Lorenzo (MMC) sees Kate in the bar and is instantly attracted to her. Later, they find out that they work for the same company.
The development of FMC is great. We learn about her and her feelings. Story line is good, but predictable. Love FMCs BFF.
Would recommend this duet to all who like spicy romance.
September 10, 2023
The spice was nice but the story line was a bit all over the place.
Kate (FMC) went from hating Lorenzo (MMC) to having s3x with him over and over again, which bugged me. She would yell at him and want nothing to do with him and then would still end up sleeping with him again..
There were a lot of references to whatever Lorenzo does but it never actually went into detail about what he did. Just kept making the same references.
The book ended with a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next. I hope the second book is better at filling in the missing plot points and it makes more sense.
I enjoyed the book as a whole but I wish the story line was more developed.
Kate (FMC) went from hating Lorenzo (MMC) to having s3x with him over and over again, which bugged me. She would yell at him and want nothing to do with him and then would still end up sleeping with him again..
There were a lot of references to whatever Lorenzo does but it never actually went into detail about what he did. Just kept making the same references.
The book ended with a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next. I hope the second book is better at filling in the missing plot points and it makes more sense.
I enjoyed the book as a whole but I wish the story line was more developed.
August 29, 2023
What can I really say? Well I’ll tell you, I’m in love with these character’s! Kate and Lorenzo is sooo HOT! Loved the date the book started, because that’s my birthday lol what are the odds? Their chemistry is so hot hot hot! She seems like a open book, but he seems like he has plenty of secrets. I can’t wait to find out in the second book. That cliffhanger though omg!!! I have a feeling what she came accrossed, but I will see if I’m right. This is a new Author to me and she has me addicted to her writing style and I can’t wait to read more by her.
January 4, 2024
I’ve really enjoyed this one. I like the dynamic between Kate and Lorenzo. Kate with her predictable, organized, and seeming simple life. Then you have Lorenzo… who is that badass, fly by the seat of your pants, and has you going crazy type of guy. Their worlds collide in the best kind of way. I’m hoping to see more of Char and Larissa in book 2. I also want to know why Santi seems to be angry that Kate is around. The cliffhanger is a nice twist but I do believe I know what it is… I love taking guesses! About to dive into book 2 now.
December 29, 2023
⭐️5/5
🌶️2/5
This duet was my first by this author. I had intended to just read these in the dates that each chapter took place but once I started I could not stop. I loved these so much and I cannot wait to read more works by Amanda. Her writing style was so smooth and the suspense had me trying to solve the mystery the whole time. And let’s be honest Zo and Kate’s chemistry is so hot. I honestly got everything I could want out of a book from these: great character development, lovable MCs, a little suspense, some spicy romance, the list goes on!
🌶️2/5
This duet was my first by this author. I had intended to just read these in the dates that each chapter took place but once I started I could not stop. I loved these so much and I cannot wait to read more works by Amanda. Her writing style was so smooth and the suspense had me trying to solve the mystery the whole time. And let’s be honest Zo and Kate’s chemistry is so hot. I honestly got everything I could want out of a book from these: great character development, lovable MCs, a little suspense, some spicy romance, the list goes on!
August 26, 2023
Honestly when I first read this I wasn’t sure but as more questionable things happening in Kate’s world and how Lorenzo stumbled into her life. Completely opposites he was the dark mysterious man that she didn’t want to crave. She was the by the book employee and simple woman with a simple life. Kate’s interest and fight to not want Lo made it a great quick read. So much packed in this book.
September 1, 2023
Its the first book i read by Amanda Bentley. A very interesting Story, with secrets, more secrets , half truths, lies. With the first book it took me a bit to get into the story and the reading flow. Thanksgiving changed after getting through the first third of the book and the hook started to catch. By the end of book one I was glad that book two was available for immediate continuing.
September 17, 2023
First I need to warn everyone to go ahead and get book 2 which is called For Always. Book 1 has a cliffhanger and you are definitively wanting to continue and find out the next part. I really liked the characters. The stranger becomes co-worker is a twist. I love the POVs. The author did great with this series. Some spicy moments said in two words Christmas lights………..
January 10, 2024
Zo and Kate
I enjoyed this story! Kate definitely isn’t my favorite type of main character, but I would have acted the same in this situation! The spice was definitely my favorite part! I have a few conspiracies about what Kate will find out in the next book and can’t wait to see if they’ll come true.
I enjoyed this story! Kate definitely isn’t my favorite type of main character, but I would have acted the same in this situation! The spice was definitely my favorite part! I have a few conspiracies about what Kate will find out in the next book and can’t wait to see if they’ll come true.
August 25, 2023
Absolutely IN LOVE with this duet!! I wasn't sure at first, but I was quickly sucked into Kate and Zo's story. I just couldn't wait to get the next piece of the puzzle. The author definitely keeps you interested - plus the spice 🔥
January 22, 2024
This book is REALLY good. I wouldn't say it draws me in, but it's hot and very spicy, and I really enjoy it and the way everything is written. Definitely giving mafia vibes without outright saying it.
January 31, 2024
So smooth
The suspense and mystery has me on the edge wanting more and more..her writing is perfectly smooth and keeps the reader wanting more the spice, mystery it all was perfection!
The suspense and mystery has me on the edge wanting more and more..her writing is perfectly smooth and keeps the reader wanting more the spice, mystery it all was perfection!
December 27, 2024
Hot and steamy
I want more from Lorenzo and Kate and this cliffhanger just insured that I will be getting book two immediately. I have it bad for the emotionally unavailable, jealous males
I want more from Lorenzo and Kate and this cliffhanger just insured that I will be getting book two immediately. I have it bad for the emotionally unavailable, jealous males
January 2, 2025
Good quick read. Spicy 4/5 ⭐️ plot 2/5 ⭐️ and ends on a cliffhanger. Not even a cliffhanger—it was like the book stopped and you have to get book 2 for the story to end. Not sure I’m invested enough to read the second one.
August 25, 2023
Loved this book. Read it within 24hrs ! Can’t wait for the next!
September 2, 2023
The start of Zo and Kate!! They are insanely attracted to each other and soon are co workers.
I enjoyed the evolution of their relationship and also I enjoyed meeting Zos crew.
A great read!!
I enjoyed the evolution of their relationship and also I enjoyed meeting Zos crew.
A great read!!
January 1, 2024
Zo is mysterious enough to keep you captivated. I'm not sure Kate and him are compatible, but looking forward to book 2.
January 6, 2024
Good book. Can't wait to read for always.
January 27, 2024
So intriguing!
This story grabbed me from the first page and I literally couldn’t put it down. The spice, the electricity…. Just everything! *chefs kiss*
This story grabbed me from the first page and I literally couldn’t put it down. The spice, the electricity…. Just everything! *chefs kiss*
January 28, 2024
A spunky write with some spice!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews