Love You, Finally

Love in Beverly Mills #2

by Lauren Lacey

To find love is beautiful, but to find love when you believe you don’t deserve it is powerful. Sometimes, love is the missing ingredient to healing your pain. This is the story of Avery Waylen and Deacon Owens in Love in Beverly Mills: Love You, Finally.

Avery Waylen is a beautiful, smart, and accomplished attorney with amazing parents and siblings. She's had the perfect life, or so it seems. She’s a black woman adopted by a loving white family, but growing up, there wasn’t enough love in the world that could fill the void of wanting to be loved by her birth mother.

From childhood to adulthood, the void within Avery continues to grow and manifests into fears of rejection and abandonment, but most notably, Avery believed that she was never quite good enough. However, her best friend, Deacon Owens, is always present to remind her that she deserves all that is good and every bit of love that life has to offer.

Deacon loves hard. He loves passionately just like his mom who struggled to receive that love in return from his father. Therefore, as a young boy, Deacon swore to treat the love of his life, like she deserved to be treated – like his mom deserved to be treated. He stands by Avery’s side even when she pushes him away because his mother once told him that love isn’t worth it, if you don’t have to work for it.

Avery and Deacon meet in elementary school and continue their close friendship as adults. He helps her combat her belief that she isn’t good enough, and he’s also the first person to comfort her through every traumatic experience she’s faced in life. She trusts him the most and he loves her the most.

Avery and Deacon's journey from best friends to lovers is, at times, tumultuous, frustrating, and even traumatic. However, Deacon is committed to loving Avery, no matter what.

This is a Southern love story based in Beverly Mills, Georgia – a rustic beach town that centers around family, friends, love, and community. Fall in love with characters who support one another and lift each other up, but also dish out tough love and don't hold back from the truth. And the truth is, love isn’t always easy, but it’s definitely worth it for Avery Waylen and Deacon Owens.

If you love to read heavy, emotionally compelling romance novels with a spicy twist then this beautifully written love story will warm your heart and keep you engaged. Be prepared to laugh, smile, cry, take breaks, get angry, and fall in love with the bond between Avery Waylen and Deacon Owen as they comfort one another through good, bad, and ugly times.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, African American Romance

Unknown Binding

First published June 1, 2023

About the author

I'm a romance author originally from Savannah, Georgia, now living in Atlanta with my husband and children. With a B.A. in English from Armstrong Atlanta State University and an M.A. from Southern New Hampshire University, I transitioned from writing poetry to crafting love stories that mirror my Southern heritage as a woman, wife, and mother. My stories delve into themes of love and commitment, often against a backdrop of personal and societal challenges.

Aside from writing, I am deeply committed to my family. I enjoy coaching my kids’ soccer teams, traveling, and watching movies at home on a Friday night. I credit my close-knit family and supportive readers for inspiring me to continue writing stories that resonate on a personal level. As an indie author, my narratives offer a sincere exploration of human emotions, underscoring the importance of love, resilience, and the beauty found in overcoming adversity.

Book series list:

Love in Beverly Mills

Black Summer Island


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Reviews

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

- This felt like a wild Tubi or Lifetime movie from start to finish. Make sure you’re in the mood for all the drama because this book is a wild ride. This book also is such a great depiction of abuse and how people can so easily let the wrong people into their life.
- Avery was getting on my nerves, but i think that was the point that the author was trying to make. Seeing how addiction can so quickly change someone’s personality.
- Wasn’t my favorite of the series because I felt like we saw Deacon and Avery’s bad times way more than the good times. Would have loved to see more of their good memories or experiences together.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Lauren Lacey for the beautiful ARC box! I really enjoyed Love You, Always but I absolutely LOVED this book! Deacon is officially one of my new book baes and I felt for Avery and rooted for her the entire time. The healing and her journey of self-discovery was so well-handled. 5 stars.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, let me say that I loved this book. I read the first book by Lauren Lacey, Love You Always, and I couldn’t wait to read this one. But although I loved the book, I have to point out a few things. For one, there is a trigger warning. READ IT!!!! I don’t know how I missed it in the first book and missed it in this book somehow, but I did. I’m glad I didn’t see it because had I did, I wouldn’t have read the book honestly and would have missed out on a great read. This book definitely triggered something in me.
Secondly, this book is definitely about someone getting in their own way. The Avery from the first book and the Avery from this book doesn’t seem to be the same Avery but I know it is. This book focuses on her and her inner thoughts and how she thinks/handles things. Avery has worked my nerves throughout this whole book. There have been so many times that I wanted to grab her through the pages and be like “GIRL IF YOU DON’T QUIT IT”. I mean homegirl had me HOT!!!!
And Deacon……..oh my Deacon. I felt so bad for him and wished he would’ve had a stronger backbone. But it all worked out in the end. Things ended exactly how they should have.
The thing is, surprisingly many of us reading this book can relate to most of Avery thoughts and feelings about things & herself. I know I can. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one!!

[Tamia M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where do I begin? Where do I begin?

I love the community readers come to know in this Love in Beverly Mills series. Deacon & Avery, however, take the cake for me. Avery, an adopted black girl in a supremely interracial family, suffers deeply from her need to be perfect, accepted, and from a deep yearning to be loved by her birth mother. Eventually, after seemingly the perfect childhood, she meets her birth mom and spirals from there. The people in Beverly Mills are all there to catch her each time she falls, without judgement. Deacon has his on family problems and need to protect everyone he loves, including Avery since childhood.

Reading their love story, I was frustrated and ready to throw my kindle across the room from poor decision making. But I was also kicking my feet and rooting them along from the sidelines.

The first book in this series was a little traumatic to me. Book 2, has the perfect balance of being realistic without going too far off from delusional expectations. I can't wait to see what happens in book 3.

4.5 ⭐️

[andreasbooktea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Lacey has managed to write another tragically beautiful love story and I loved every single second of it. I connected so much with a lot of Avery’s feelings when it comes to seeing other people’s pain as more important than her own, and giving other people grace then giving none to herself. Also middle siblings like coke on that’s my girl for real we like this 🤞🏾I was ready to jump into the book to fight for my girl, but Deacon was doing all the fighting for her and then some. Lauren has a different way of telling these people's story and I love it. She shows everything from the beginning to end of their love story especially the heartbreaking middle. There is so much healing in this book and there’s so much hope and you can feel the love between these two characters like it’s tangible!! It also doesn't hurt that there was a good amount of 🌶️🌶️ scenes too. DEACON!!!!! Y’all he has a mouth on him!! Talk about soft top. So nurturing and supportive but dominating and commanding whew!! I loved this book and I can’t wait to read everything this author has to offer

[Ashley Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.. very emotional. I loved how they were always there for each. Just something about Avery and Deacon relationship was amazing. Please read triggers warnings. I couldn't put it down. The way Deacon was so in love with her even when he shouldn't have been. The way they always put everyone first before them. I just hate the way she doesn't think she deserves anything.I just I can't wait to read the last book of the series.

[Michelle Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book better than love you always. Both books are good but this one had so many twist and turns. Check your trigger warnings before reading. At first it felt like deacon was the male version of Parker, but I was completely wrong. He just loved Avery and was willing to do whatever I took to make sure they could be together. I loved how this book dealt with the raw emotions of adoption from both perspectives. I feel like Avery was a little bit more relatable than Parker, but overall a good read.

[blaxkrosexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOOK YALL OMG I- AVERY I HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR HER AND DEACON THANK YOU FOR LOVING HER 💜😩

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10⭐️ survival. Avery survived and always had Deacon by her side to pick her up. Love conquers all!

[Lacey Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

Def more drama this time around. Avery truly worked my nerves but I love this series and I love the characters! I didn’t expect this book to be as deep as it was and although at times it gave a little soap opera-y I loved it. I’m excited to read the last book!

[Tamekia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of The Love in Beverly Mills Series and I just love this small town tight knit community! The love and support was everything. This was a story of a girl who was searching for something she thought she was missing in life but it was always right in front of her. From love, drama, addiction, and recovery. Avery finally embraced love… Finally

This book will be released on June 1st!! Catch up on Book 1 now so that you will be ready when Book 2 drops! You will fall in love with these characters! Take a ride with Avery, Deacon, and the rest of Beverly Mills… You won’t regret it.

[Brianna Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off please check triggers —on page SA, drug abuse, miscarriage. Next, this book was a tough read. Very good storyline however half way through I was ready to wrap it up because Avery was getting hit left and right by life and I was exhausted but was determined to see it through because I knew Lauren was going to wrap it up beautifully, as she did.

The story focuses mostly on Avery age 20-25 and everything she had to endure while trying to find herself. She’s very impressionable and it gets her in some messed up situations. If you read the first book, Love you Always, you know Avery is adopted into a white family. I was excited to read this one because I was ready for some sweet Black love and we got it because Deacon was not giving up on Avery. Deacon was strong and a good man for holding on and being there for Avery how he was but after so much I was like “okay Deacon BFFR.”
Towards the end there were more grammatical errors than in the rest of the book but nonetheless, great story just prepare yourself for all the ups & downs, twists & turns because it’s packed with them. Can’t wait for book 3 ☺️

[Mel Haskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 2nd book in the Love in Beverly Mills series and I'm still trying to wrap my head around how connected I feel to the town and characters. I read the 1st book and loved it but I love this one even more. The relationship feels so deserving which is a theme highlighted throughout the story. Avery was so deserving of love and happiness and her family, friends, and Deacon gave her all of these things. This was truly emotionally gripping and I really didn't think I'd be able to read after the trigger warning. I was expecting to stop but I felt like the author held my hand as I relived painful experiences throughout different scenes in the story. This is so much more than a love story. It was beautiful to read. I appreciate the healthy balance of drama, spice, plot, and resolution. Thank you for allowing me to read and review.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate this book up in 2 days and I was shocked because it's a thick one! Check the trigger warnings. The content is heavy but very delicately and beautifully handled. Lacey is such an emotional writer and a powerful storyteller. I love the dual POV and dual timelines. But what I love the most is Avery and her friend group. They tell it like it is, but they stand by her side through every phase of her life, even when she drove me crazy!

Romance: While I think this book is more than a love story, we still have to acknowledge the hot chemistry and passion between Avery and Deacon. Like, wow! I'm new to dom/sub dynamics and Deacon is gentle and soft enough for me to appreciate it. The spice was definitely spicing.

Storyline: This is where I think this book fits well into the women's fiction category. Lacey chronicles Avery's life from childhood through adulthood and we're taken on a wild, emotional ride. I felt like I was a part of the story the entire time.

Rating: 5/5

[Shonda L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a great read, but please check the trigger warnings. I'm glad I did, and I really appreciate the delicate nature of the writing where it was needed. I don't usually read friends to lovers but I really enjoyed reading Avery and Deacon's childhood to adult relationship. Homegirl went through hell and back and Deacon was by her side the entire time.

5 star read.

+ / positives
- Character development = on point
- Very raw and emotional
- Beautiful writing style
- More plot than smut
- Spice 4/5
- Dual POV

- / negatives
- It's a thick one so you may need to take breaks
- Avery will drive you crazy more than once
- Dual timeline (I love this, but I had to use my tabs to signal the past and present)
- Book 3 isn't available yet :(

Overall, I absolutely love this book series. Thank you for the opportunity to read.

[Liezl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery and Deacon our childhood sweethearts . Something horrible and traumatic happens to Avery that causes her to pull away from Deacon. It's a few years later, and Avery is a different person. She goes to therapy and writes in her journal to help her deal with her traumatic past.

Avery and Deacon tried to see other people but it was never going to be another person for them.
Avery is adopted and she spent her whole life feeling that she doesn't quite fit in with her family.
So she finds her biological mother to see if she can have some sort of connection with her, but she is not what Avery expected.
Avery was searching for a place to belong, and it was fun watching her realize that what she has been looking for has been there all along.
4 ⭐️ CW for SA physical and emotional abuse.

[Carrie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so relatable in the most heartbreaking, frustrating, yet beautiful way. It’s hard to describe but I’ll say that I was once Avery in the way I felt about myself and what I thought I deserved in life. This book, or the series rather, has a trope that isn’t often discussed which is found family. If it weren’t for Avery’s found family then she’d be so lost. Her sister and friends are the best. They love her, supper her, forgive her and put up with her. I found myself crying so much because I wish I had this when my family let me down. This series is really beautiful and so different. I loved Deacon and Avery’s story. Deacon is…gentle yet dominating. Passionate yet rough. He is who Avery needs. Well done. Like so many others have stated beautifully written. I loved reading this book!

I received an ARC copy of this book and I am leaving an honest review.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed the first book very much, I really enjoyed this book between Deacon and Avery. Although there are some traumatic events, I thought the author handled them delicately within the story. It was so beautifully written and i thought the way she handled several tough topics in the story very well. I was able to understand why Avery acted the way she did in the first book. Interracial adoption was also covered in the book, but in a very good and empathetic way. This story held my attention right from the start until I finished it. I was not able to put it down. I loved this book, the growth of the characters, and I can't wait for book 3.

I received a copy of the book via the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions.

[Gabrielle Woodland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Jackson and Parker were my favorite but Avery and Deacon takes the cake. This book is so different than Book 1 because of their relationship dynamics. Jackson was so tortured, but my goodness, Avery was twice as bad, yet I was turning the pages so fast reading and highlighting as I went. This book was like watching a movie. The series so far reminds me of my youth watching One Tree Hill or Dawson's Creek.

Love You, Finally is packed with drama, side stories, spice, love, and healing. Everything comes together and flows well perfectly. I really really enjoyed this book. I can't wait for the next.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and I am leaving an honest review.

[_storiesinpixels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love You, Finally

Book 2 in the Love in Beverly Mills Series by @laurenlacey.

Ah man!!! Where do I begin. Like the first book, the content is heavy but definitely worth the read. Avery has been through so much trauma and I felt for her but there were moments where she got on my nerves. I’m glad she was able to heal in the end.

DEACON DEACON DEACON. Definitely my favorite character in this book. I just loved how caring, supportive and protective he was about the people he love. That man is the definition of never giving up on what you want.

I appreciated the support system in this series. I love the way the author writes her stories from the beginning to the end. Avery and Deacon’s love story was definitely my favorite. Patiently waiting for book 3.

[Sheila Presscott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a beautiful ARC box from Lauren Lacey and I knew I'd love the books the moment I opened the box. Wow! I thought Book 1 was raw and real but Love You, Finally takes the cake! I saw myself in Avery ... so much of my younger self. She really struggled with her confidence and identity, but Deacon was always thereto remind her how 'magical' she was. I absolutely loved this love story. And this author is new, but the storytelling is top notch. Love You, Finally is dual POV and jumps between past and present but I found it very easy to follow. I love how the author tells the story. Again, wonderful read.

[Maurine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between cries, WTFs, and screams, I ran through this book in a weekend. The writing is phenomenal. The storyline is so good! And Deacon is my man, my man, my man! Avery didn’t know how good she had at it. I nearly lost my mind at her insistence of being loved by Teresa. Ugh, I completely understood why and my heart broke for her, but Deacon was so patient. He was everything she needed.

I really like this author, but I really love this book. Booktok came through on this one. Parker and Avery have taken me on a wild ride, and I can’t wait to read Izzy and Monica’s stories next.

[Angel Otter · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I want to thank Lauren Lacey for the arc copy and the beautiful package she sent. I’m an avid reader and I’ve only recently (within the last year) started reading as a hobby of sorts. This story was so raw and emotional. I felt totally immersed in the characters lives and was at the edge of my seat to see each characters growth or development. Character development is key for me because of the characters become real then the plot just falls in line no need for shack factor or over the top spice and Lauren Lacey has perfected the art of bringing characters to life.

[DOMINIQUE Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

whew

Avery and Deacon’s story was very emotional. Most of Avery’s life she had felt like she was incapable of being loved. She was adopted and always wanted to get to know her birth mother. Instead of being a joyous moment it’s traumatic and it sets off several events that plague the couple. I love the Waylens and how supportive and loving they are not only to Avery but Deacon and his family as well. I hated Deacon’s father. I couldn’t see how his mother would try to work things out. This friends to lovers romance was a good read

[De'Andra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was equally as good as the previous novel Love You Always. An emotionally charged story about friendship, love, support, and healing. We follow the journey of Avery finding love, learning to love herself,and healing. The story and characters were very engaging and I was invested in Avery and Deacon's relationship. This book is a reminder that life and love is never easy, but you work through it.

[Blair Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I love the storytelling. Avery was a lost soul from the beginning - being 'the' black girl, constantly confused, and craving love - she went through it, but Deacon was the golden retriever mmc she needed in her life. So much drama. Great spice. Lots of tears.

[angelica pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new to me author. I received an ARC of this book and let me say that I’m truly impressed with Lauren Lacey. Avery’s character was relatable to anybody trying to heal with personal trauma and to have somebody like Deacon wanting the best and loving her…chef’s kiss! Can’t wait to go back and read her first book.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great love story. This book is filled with so much love, pain and deception that its wickedly good. I had to pack my patience because Avery worked my nerves from time to time and at the same time I felt sorry for her. Deacon had the patience of Job and is the example of a good man. The story was a bit long but well worth the read. Ms. Lacey wrote the heck out of this story.

[Kinsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really hard for me to put this book down. I enjoyed MFC and MMC's relationship and I love also their friend group. They tell it like it is and Avery needed to be told off a few times!

Really nice spice - not too much and not too little. I loved learning about their pasts. It helped me understand the people they are today especially Book 1 and Book 2 Avery. Great storytelling!

[BossyLadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

such a good book. this is Avery and Deacons story. Avery went through so so much. she's a black girl adopted into a multicultural family with white parents. she is desperate to know where she came from and to be around more blacks. Deacon is her best friend turned soul mate. this is a friends to lovers and second chance romance.