Reclamation

by A.K. Morgan

Cal Hayes is trying to reclaim his life.For the past seven years, Callahan "Cal" Hayes has been living in Lake Haven with a bitter heart, betrayed by the girl he's loved since fourth grade.Without a single word or explanation, Faith Hernandez suddenly vanished from his life, leaving him to pick up the shattered pieces of what once was theirs.The morning after the celebration of his recent promotion to Fire Captain at Lake Haven Fire Department, fate had a surprising twist in store for Cal.The woman who once belonged to him, the very same woman he had loved and painfully lost all those years ago, appeared before him like a ghost from the past, a vision he didn’t want to encounter again.Except she wasn’t alone. A boy held her hand tightly—a boy who was the mirror image of Cal himself.Cal’s not only forced to deal with the upheaval of Faith’s return, but also the secrets she's kept hidden from him, and underlying feelings meant to stay in the past. Is all of it enough to keep him away?Or will Cal be able to heal the pain that was caused all those years ago and take back what was meant to be his?

440 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2024

About the author

Writer of love stories that make you feel.

Feels Like Home, Book One in the Boston Sweethearts Series, is available NOW on KU & paperback.

Forever With You: Boston Sweethearts Book Two, is releasing February 2025.

Reviews

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

reclamation ~ arc review 🔥
5⭐️ / 3.5🌶
Whoa! For her debut, AK slayed. Reclamation is so well written, and it literally feels like you, as the reader, are part of the story. I loved everything about this book, and I'm already attached to Lake Haven and its people. Faith's parents were so infuriating. Especially her mother. To say to your child what she did when Faith asked her for help and them cutting her off after she was free - Grrr. Miranda, while I somewhat understand her reaction to Faith's return and Alex's existence, she was horrible to Faith. Cal, as broken as he was over missing out on Alex's life, stepped up for his child and the love of his life. Aiden & Mia better be book 2 because those two? Whew. Thank you to AK for the ARC.
LOOK UP TRIGGERS!

[bri ʚ ♡⃛ ɞ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can't put into words how proud I am of Miss AK Morgan, it's crazy and almost surreal to see how little ideas and a.m. conversations became this book that means so much to me. I might be biased as I have seen AK's writing process and journey firsthand, but believe me when I tell you that this book is everything I need in my life, and you need it too.

As a Latina, it's sometimes hard to accept and annoying to see the little amount of representation of BIPOC in books. My beautiful friend AK puts so much effort into that representation to be seen in her books, and I truly love her and admire her so much for that. Faith Hernandez has a really special place in my heart, she's Peruvian like me and I love her soooooo much. I will defend my girl until the day I die. If Faith Hernandez has no defenders, it's because I'm dead. Live laugh love Latinx characters!!!<3

Oh my and don't even get me started on Mr. Callahan Hayes. Dear Lord when I get to Heaven please let me bring my man!!!!!!! I go feral for a hot Firefighter like him. "She wasn't you. I could've been with anybody I wanted, Faith. But I didn't want anybody but you." ARGHHHHH!! He made me blush, giggle, kick my feet, scream, sob, EVERYTHING. Cal and Faith are my IT couple, I love them forever<3

I know some of y'all don't like the secret baby trope *side eye*, BUT please please trust me when I tell you that this book is SOOO good!!! If you like: Small Town Romance, Second Chance, Found Family, One Bed, and Forced Proximity, then read this book ASAP!! <3 Trust me, it is perfect. I couldn't put this book down at all, it's like those kinds of books that have you on edge (in a good way) and wanting to read more and more and more. I spent an entire night reading this one, saying to myself only one more chapter but I just couldn't, there's so much happening that it makes you want to binge the entire book in a single day.

The writing in this book is beautiful. It doesn't feel like a debut novel at all, I was obsessed and mesmerized by AK's writing throughout the entire book. Everything was perfect, the setting, the small town Lake Haven, the side characters (Aiden and Mia need their book like right now please), I loved everything!!!! This book will live in my brain rent-free til I die.

I'm not lying when I say that when I die please bury me with a copy of Reclamation. Please do yourself a favor, wake tf up, and pre-order Reclamation. It comes out on January 17th, thank me later<3

[✨natalie✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this down. Started and finished it today!!

This is AK Morgan’s debut novel, and it was so good.
Faith abruptly left town at 18 when she and her childhood best friend Cal had a falling out. She returns to their small town years later with a major secret, and many people are not happy she’s back.

This was very emotional. It’s about second chances and forgiveness. I felt for Cal so much, but also Faith because she had to do what was best for her.
I loved the Latina rep. Cal learns Spanish just for her and I ate it up. They were also just hot together.

This has so many good tropes in it: second chance, secret baby, small town, Latina fmc, firefighter, one bed.

[Amanda Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sooo good! I haven't been doing a lot of reading the past couple of years! Glad my first ever ARC was this one! Kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat! I felt like I was in the book myself. I'm ready for more!

[Leann Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ !!

I loved this book & I swear I’m not being biased because I love the author as well. For a debut novel this was everything ! Cal & Fe ?! Obsessed - Cal is daddy. The side characters were amazing. Aiden is it for me & pray we get a book for him.

[lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved everything about this book! This is the first book I’ve read with a secret child and it was amazing! Cal will be on my book boyfriend list forever!

[nikki (niikslibrary) · Rating 4 out of 5]

you guys, i adore this book 🥹 this story + the characters are as real as they get. i could feel the heartbreak and the frustration with what Cal & Faith are going through and i couldn't help but root for them the entire time.

the "it's always been you" trope gets me every single time! also the ANGST in this book??? 😮‍💨 perfect.
also listen. i know some people aren't into the pregnancy/secret baby trope but yall PLS GIVE THIS ONE A CHANCE. it's beautiful, raw, & real and will make you feel alllll the emotions.

what you'll find:
- accidental pregnancy/secret child
- firefighter zaddies
- latina fmc ❤️‍🔥 (LOVE the representation!)
- one bed/forced proximity
- small lake town
- the angsttt
- mutual pining
- found family
- dual pov

i cannot wait to see what else the author has in store for us. this book was unputdownable. ps i'm gonna need a Aidan & Mia book STAT 🫴

[Charlotte Tait · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You're mine muñeca."

This book was fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it in a day - it kept me entertained throughout each page and each twist and turn.

It is a story that as a lot of grit and angst allowing it to continually build. The main characters, Faith and Cal, were past friends turned stranger and are forced back together due to a tragic event that leaves Faith in need of a place to stay in her once home town, again.

Cal is the Captain of Lake Town FD and although he has a lot to come to terms with, he allows Faith and her son to stay at his place - enter one bed/forced proximity tropes.

I live for these kind of tropes and they didn't disappoint. It added a sense of realism and allowed the story to flow nicely as the two characters always seem drawn back to one another.

To the point, this book was very well written, the characters were well rounded and realistic, with emotions and thoughts and opinions that made me sometimes forget I was reading at all.

Pick up this book if small town romances are your thing. It won't disappoint. ✨💜✨

[Cady Lucht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh this book!! Gave me all the feels.
The heartbreak, the anger, frustration and pain, the coming together again. I was in a a book slouch and once I started reading this book, I didn’t want to put it down. Had me in tears a couple times because I could just feel the emotions happening. The story line was just soo good. Highly recommend

Tropes:
Accidental pregnancy
Found family
It’s always been you
Fire captain x crossfit trainer
Latina (some Spanish included, I feel like it just adds to the story)
One bed
Forced proximity
And probably more that I’m missing

[Bridie Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely ADORED this story, trying not to give too much away the characters and their conflicts in this story felt insanely realistic and imperfect, I was hooked start to finish with this book I kept sneaking chapters in at work whenever I could😅

Cal and Faith are such gorgeous and complex characters and I also loved Alex’s character surprisingly.

All the side characters have me so excited for the books in this series to come!!

The perfect way to start off the year🤌🏼

[Katlyn Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing quite like a secret child, firefighter, forced proximity and one bed trope to kick off the New Year. I loved reading this story and getting to know Cal and Faith through it. I was an ARC reader for this book and I cannot wait for others to be able to read this too. After reading though, I really cannot wait to read more about Cal and Faith’s friends: Mia and Aiden. I feel a second chance romance brewing there.

[Britny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ (ARC)

This being AK Morgan’s first book was crazy! These characters had depth and you got to see both of their struggles while navigating life a part and together. I did get a bit frustrated with the hot and cold of Cal’s emotions towards Faith. I think that’s part of the heartbreak of second chance romances though. There were some scenes that really made you hurt for each of them, but seeing them come out it stronger than ever made it all worth it.

I’m excited to see where the next book takes us and I’m so grateful that I got to experience this book early!

[Krystal Barba · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is happy after it was broken a few times in this second chance romance.

I have to say hands down this is the BEST ARC I have been blessed to read so far. I loved it so much. I am still in shock that this was AK Morgan’s first novel. Like what?! Super underrated and I hope this series gets more attention because yes there just has to be a BOOK 2! I need Aiden & Mia’s story and also an update after the WEDDING!

Everytime Cal said “muñeca, I felt like my heart skipped a beat. After everything his ability to forgive and love unconditionally is so admirable. He was truly a hero and I was just swooning over him. Like stop being mad already and just love her! Be the happy family that y’all deserve to be! 💞😭

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up
🌶️

A huge thank you to AK Morgan for sending me this ARC in exchange for my review, I feel super blessed as this was your debut!

Okay, so this was absolutely excellent, for her debut AK absolutely killed it, it hooked me from the very first chapter. It read so well and was so well written, I fell in love with the characters and the atmosphere almost straight away. Please do check the TW as there may be some sensitive issues mentioned.

I loved everything about this from the small community of Lake Haven, to the people that call it home, but also the Spanish translations, I've not read a book quite like this, but I want more. I loved this unique extra. I didn't even mind that I had to scroll for the translations, it gave the characters interactions so much more authenticity.

Our main characters Faith and Cal knew each other long ago as best friends, but are now strangers due to events unfolding and rash decisions made when they were teenagers. They meet again, almost like fate, Faith has finally come home, and due to a friend in common passing they get thrown together once more.

We meet Cal, captain of the fire department of Lake Haven, Faith's former best friend, living life as per usual (he doesn't know Faith came home!) However, due to a fire in her new apartment, Faith and her son are thrown into Cal's life (and his house!) and they take us on a journey you do not want to miss.

I loved every single trope in this, my favourite being 'it was always you' - I'm not one for second chance romances, but this trope does it way better, it feels more meaningful than just giving someone a second chance, yknow? You also can't forget the forced proximity which is no.1 for me, you can't help but love it.

I cannot wait to see what comes next, maybe an Aiden and Mia story? (Please!)

What to expect:
• only one bed
• forced proximity
• 'it was always you'
• found family
• fire fighter mmc
• dual pov

I would like to thank AK Morgan for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.

[Sarah Glovier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The character development we see of the FMC and MMC were wonderful. I feel like this book gives you a finality that a lot of books don’t have. I loved that we saw so much growth through each chapter and really got to know and love each character. I will absolutely be recommending this book to my friends as a good redemption love story that tugs at the heartstrings.

My only complaint is there are actions that are detailed quite often, like ‘I placed my hand on my stomach’ or ‘claw at my chest/throat to relieve the pressure building’ but that does not take away from the story at all, just something I noticed.

[Swati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much Ak Morgan for the ARC!

This was a great read I was hooked from the start. This was such an emotional rollercoaster. I loved faith. She's so brave and strong. I understood why she had to make those desicions which wasn't right.
And cal Even though he was so hurt , he still stood by faith and Alex. I loved the interactions between him and Alex🥹 so precious.
Also, Now I need Aiden and mia's story

Read if you like :
-Small town romance
-Forced proximity
-Latina FMC
-Found family
-Dual POV

Check TWs before reading!!

[Melly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good debut novel! This book definitely gave me all the feels! So much angst in this book! Faith and Cal were childhood best friends who end up losing touch after Faith moves away. They are reunited 7-8 years later and Fe comes back with secrets! I really enjoyed the diversity! It was great to see a Latina FMC! Seeing all the Spanish made my heart happy! I loved that Cal called Faith muñeca! I loved that he learned Spanish and spoke to her in Spanish! I don’t want to give away too many details but definitely check this book out!

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
Small town romance
Secret baby x single mom
Fire zaddies galore
Forced proximity
Only one bed
Found family
Open door spice
Dual POV

[Sable J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow…. I am literally SO obsessed with this book. AK Morgan did such an amazing job with this one, I’m having a hard time finding the words. I absolutely loved everything about it. There was drama, romance, comedy, spice, and it made me feel ALL the feelings. I really hope we get a sequel to this one because I NEED more.

[Anna Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC! Review to come (go read this!!!!!)

[Cordelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hot fucking garbage.

[courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a good debut novel! I am normally not a big fan of the secret child trope but this story suck me in and I did not want to put it down. I lost sleep over this book cause I kept saying “one more chapter” over and over again. Can’t wait to see where this series goes next. Thank you for the arc!

Read if you like:
- small town
- second chance
- friends to enemies to lovers
- secret child