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Best of Me
Gabriel Rhodes
My family's roots run deep, and my responsibilities are clear. My family and our business–Rhodes Hotel. As a father first, I've always put my daughter above everything, living in a carefully maintained world close to my ex-wife, ensuring my little girl grows up in a peaceful environment.
I never expected to fall in love again and find the kind of passion I did with Aurora. Falling for her was easy, but when I introduced her to my daughter, it destroyed the delicate balance of my life. And it forced me to make regrettable choices that hurt the only woman I have ever really loved.
Aurora Turner
I have lived my whole life not being important to anyone. Not my parents, not the aunt I took care of, and certainly not my first boyfriend who failed to deliver on his promise of commitment. Meeting Gabriel was unexpected, a whirlwind that promised the type of family I always craved.
As an architect, I'm used to creating spaces where people feel at home, yet finding my own place in Gabriel's world proves to be my biggest challenge. His dedication to his daughter is admirable, and I love that about him. But when it becomes that his daughter will do anything to bring her parents back together—I know our time is up.
Just when I’m starting to try and heal from the wound he delivered, Gabriel comes back. He says he still loves me and knows I feel the same way. But how can I believe this time will be any different?
Best Of Me is a billionaire single-father, second-chance, found-family romance with a meddling ex-wife, enough angst to require a box of tissues, and plenty of steam that may make a fan necessary. It is a complete standalone.
My family's roots run deep, and my responsibilities are clear. My family and our business–Rhodes Hotel. As a father first, I've always put my daughter above everything, living in a carefully maintained world close to my ex-wife, ensuring my little girl grows up in a peaceful environment.
I never expected to fall in love again and find the kind of passion I did with Aurora. Falling for her was easy, but when I introduced her to my daughter, it destroyed the delicate balance of my life. And it forced me to make regrettable choices that hurt the only woman I have ever really loved.
Aurora Turner
I have lived my whole life not being important to anyone. Not my parents, not the aunt I took care of, and certainly not my first boyfriend who failed to deliver on his promise of commitment. Meeting Gabriel was unexpected, a whirlwind that promised the type of family I always craved.
As an architect, I'm used to creating spaces where people feel at home, yet finding my own place in Gabriel's world proves to be my biggest challenge. His dedication to his daughter is admirable, and I love that about him. But when it becomes that his daughter will do anything to bring her parents back together—I know our time is up.
Just when I’m starting to try and heal from the wound he delivered, Gabriel comes back. He says he still loves me and knows I feel the same way. But how can I believe this time will be any different?
Best Of Me is a billionaire single-father, second-chance, found-family romance with a meddling ex-wife, enough angst to require a box of tissues, and plenty of steam that may make a fan necessary. It is a complete standalone.
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First published January 1, 2024
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About the author
Maya Alden
52 books1,103 followersA top 20 Amazon Bestselling Author, Maya Alden pens angsty contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 346 reviews
May 10, 2024
the beef I have with this book is astronomical
To preface I have roughly nothing nice to say:
Firstly, this needed additional editing before it was released. There were sentences that didn’t make any sense, typos galore, and continuity issues from odd time jumps that weren’t made apparent.
Within the actual story this man full on SAs the main character. We can argue if it was consensual but she said no twice and that’s enough for me to hate him. This aside from the fact that I already hated his guts in the first place. Im sorry but doubling down on saying that she would be a shitty mother and humiliating her in public makes you a cunt. Also he’s extremely manipulative and emotionally abusive. He comments about how he’s being manipulative and how he’s going to force her and wear her down to be with him. She tries to stand up for herself but he really does just wear her down by the end of the book. There’s not a world where they work out in a healthy way long term because his character arc is going from neglectful, angry, emotionally immature, and emotionally abusive to being extremely manipulative with no regard for her boundaries. He’s an AWFUL partner. There’s a couple instances at the end that bring them together but it’s literally just her bending to be there for HIM. The same as she always has been. At every turn she submits to him and he uses sex as a weapon to get his way. This isn’t a romance novel. It’s advertised as a romance novel and the author tries to have you read it as a romance novel but it’s really not. It’s not healthy or loving or indicative of what love should be. She makes him better but he is a leech who needs therapy. His ex may be the obvious villain but he was right when he said he’s a good dad but bad boyfriend. He’s the real villain.
To preface I have roughly nothing nice to say:
Firstly, this needed additional editing before it was released. There were sentences that didn’t make any sense, typos galore, and continuity issues from odd time jumps that weren’t made apparent.
Within the actual story this man full on SAs the main character. We can argue if it was consensual but she said no twice and that’s enough for me to hate him. This aside from the fact that I already hated his guts in the first place. Im sorry but doubling down on saying that she would be a shitty mother and humiliating her in public makes you a cunt. Also he’s extremely manipulative and emotionally abusive. He comments about how he’s being manipulative and how he’s going to force her and wear her down to be with him. She tries to stand up for herself but he really does just wear her down by the end of the book. There’s not a world where they work out in a healthy way long term because his character arc is going from neglectful, angry, emotionally immature, and emotionally abusive to being extremely manipulative with no regard for her boundaries. He’s an AWFUL partner. There’s a couple instances at the end that bring them together but it’s literally just her bending to be there for HIM. The same as she always has been. At every turn she submits to him and he uses sex as a weapon to get his way. This isn’t a romance novel. It’s advertised as a romance novel and the author tries to have you read it as a romance novel but it’s really not. It’s not healthy or loving or indicative of what love should be. She makes him better but he is a leech who needs therapy. His ex may be the obvious villain but he was right when he said he’s a good dad but bad boyfriend. He’s the real villain.
May 15, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
''Even though I was his, he was not mine.''
Safety warnings:
- H 36 / h 29
- No cheating
- Ex-wife drama
- Small OM drama
- No real OW drama
- Mention of child abandonment
- Mention of domestic violence
- Mention of su*cide
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I really liked this book. I understand where some reviews are coming from about the grovel but in my eyes and my opinion, he groveled in a much broader term kind of way.
But before we discuss that in depth, let's discuss the premise of this book and meet the characters.
Aurora and Gabriel have been dating for a year now and on their anniversary, he cancels on her and it's because his teenage daughter is having a crisis, and he needs to be there for her.
We find out that Gabriel has cancelled more dates than he has attended with Aurora. It's all a weird relationship tbh, it felt like she was there for him when HE wanted it, and HE could make time. Aurora learned that early on and only ever bothered him if it was an emergency, which was never in her eyes. She never made the first contact, she never initiated conversations or dates. She left it all on in his court and it was a great convenance for him to be with someone who was not demanding.
But this is how you lose her.
Aurora and Gabriel's daughter do not get along, well let's be honest: Sophia is the one who causes issues with Aurora while she is nothing but kind and patient. Sophia is a brat and never stops her attitude whenever her father is not around, she pretends to be sweet but in reality she is just mean.
You see Gabriel was married to his ex-wife Iris for years and they had Sophia (which caused them to get married), they have been divorced for years but in order for him to make sure his daughter never grows up without either parent, he builds two houses right next to each other and they all hang out, have dinners, attend events together like they are still a family. This causes massive insecurities within Aurora who is left out.
Gabriel knowing the tension between his gf and daughter, gives Aurora an ultimatum and basically tells her to either act properly with his daughter or they are over and well.......
After another Sophia bratty episode, Gabriel obliterates Aurora. Ending their relationship and using the insecurities she has had about her own parents abandoning her against her and she leaves. She blocks him and they are apart for months.
THIS WAS HARSH and I know it was, but we also see his POV prior to this event and he is madly in love with Aurora, but he is also oblivious to his daughter and blinded by her. He has his daughter and ex-wife in his ear about how Aurora does not know how to handle kids and is not maternal etc. and it all implodes.
He spends months wishing for her back but knowing he destroyed it; he also knows he overacted and cannot take it but it's worse before it gets better.
During an event where Aurora is there with a date, he gets drunk and says horrifying things about her and humiliates her. Even his friend basically tells him to stop, or he will end their friendship. Aurora is mortified that the man she loved would do that and it honestly hurt so much.
Little by little after that he starts to see how much Sophia and Iris had played him and he slowly unpeels the truth about everything and honestly it all comes down to Aurora's best friend showing him a video evidence of the way Aurora was treated by both and this moves him to want to win her back and spends months attempting so.
He goes to therapy, and his daughter too and the root cause of it all is revealed: Iris. Her mom is poisoning/manipulating her and literally threatens to kill herself if she does get back with Gabriel. She kept saying how she wanted to be with her father again and again, never stopping. Being unhappy when he was happy was not right etc…
It's absolutely INSANE.
He tries to show Aurora he loves her and never stopped and how sorry he is about how he treated her, how blinded he was and is selling the houses, changing the custody agreement and basically blocked his ex-wife from walking into his home ever again.
Sophia thankfully is getting better as her mother's influence diminishes and makes amends with Aurora, but sadly once Aurora and Gabe get back together, Iris again poisons their daughter and this time it's horrifying how much she is willing to do to ruin their lives.
Thankfully Gabriel will have none of it and destroys any chance of a normal custody situation with her.
Once Aurora gets back together during this book, he is attentive and actually makes all the efforts he never did before. Proving over and over again how much she means to him, and he loves her.
Gabriel truly was poisoned too and very much manipulated; his actions are not blamed solely on that though and he did Aurora wrong for so long, he hears everyone in his life (his family & friends) tell him how Iris is evil and his living situation is not right and he spent a while not believing them but once he realizes the truth finally he also understands what he did and tries to rectify the situation and prove himself worthy in her eyes.
He was also celibate during their entire separation, he wanted nobody else and even when he thought he should, he couldn’t. She was also celibate but she did have that one date with OM but that was it.
A few quotes that show what she means to him:
''She was my forever; the certainty of that seeped into me. I just needed her to believe that I was hers as well''
''It had been a week since Aurora and I ended, and my life was a mess. I still loved her desperately. I missed her. I couldn't sleep''
''Even though I was his, he was not mine.''
Safety warnings:
- H 36 / h 29
- No cheating
- Ex-wife drama
- Small OM drama
- No real OW drama
- Mention of child abandonment
- Mention of domestic violence
- Mention of su*cide
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I really liked this book. I understand where some reviews are coming from about the grovel but in my eyes and my opinion, he groveled in a much broader term kind of way.
But before we discuss that in depth, let's discuss the premise of this book and meet the characters.
Aurora and Gabriel have been dating for a year now and on their anniversary, he cancels on her and it's because his teenage daughter is having a crisis, and he needs to be there for her.
We find out that Gabriel has cancelled more dates than he has attended with Aurora. It's all a weird relationship tbh, it felt like she was there for him when HE wanted it, and HE could make time. Aurora learned that early on and only ever bothered him if it was an emergency, which was never in her eyes. She never made the first contact, she never initiated conversations or dates. She left it all on in his court and it was a great convenance for him to be with someone who was not demanding.
But this is how you lose her.
Aurora and Gabriel's daughter do not get along, well let's be honest: Sophia is the one who causes issues with Aurora while she is nothing but kind and patient. Sophia is a brat and never stops her attitude whenever her father is not around, she pretends to be sweet but in reality she is just mean.
You see Gabriel was married to his ex-wife Iris for years and they had Sophia (which caused them to get married), they have been divorced for years but in order for him to make sure his daughter never grows up without either parent, he builds two houses right next to each other and they all hang out, have dinners, attend events together like they are still a family. This causes massive insecurities within Aurora who is left out.
Gabriel knowing the tension between his gf and daughter, gives Aurora an ultimatum and basically tells her to either act properly with his daughter or they are over and well.......
After another Sophia bratty episode, Gabriel obliterates Aurora. Ending their relationship and using the insecurities she has had about her own parents abandoning her against her and she leaves. She blocks him and they are apart for months.
THIS WAS HARSH and I know it was, but we also see his POV prior to this event and he is madly in love with Aurora, but he is also oblivious to his daughter and blinded by her. He has his daughter and ex-wife in his ear about how Aurora does not know how to handle kids and is not maternal etc. and it all implodes.
He spends months wishing for her back but knowing he destroyed it; he also knows he overacted and cannot take it but it's worse before it gets better.
During an event where Aurora is there with a date, he gets drunk and says horrifying things about her and humiliates her. Even his friend basically tells him to stop, or he will end their friendship. Aurora is mortified that the man she loved would do that and it honestly hurt so much.
Little by little after that he starts to see how much Sophia and Iris had played him and he slowly unpeels the truth about everything and honestly it all comes down to Aurora's best friend showing him a video evidence of the way Aurora was treated by both and this moves him to want to win her back and spends months attempting so.
He goes to therapy, and his daughter too and the root cause of it all is revealed: Iris. Her mom is poisoning/manipulating her and literally threatens to kill herself if she does get back with Gabriel. She kept saying how she wanted to be with her father again and again, never stopping. Being unhappy when he was happy was not right etc…
It's absolutely INSANE.
He tries to show Aurora he loves her and never stopped and how sorry he is about how he treated her, how blinded he was and is selling the houses, changing the custody agreement and basically blocked his ex-wife from walking into his home ever again.
Sophia thankfully is getting better as her mother's influence diminishes and makes amends with Aurora, but sadly once Aurora and Gabe get back together, Iris again poisons their daughter and this time it's horrifying how much she is willing to do to ruin their lives.
Thankfully Gabriel will have none of it and destroys any chance of a normal custody situation with her.
Once Aurora gets back together during this book, he is attentive and actually makes all the efforts he never did before. Proving over and over again how much she means to him, and he loves her.
Gabriel truly was poisoned too and very much manipulated; his actions are not blamed solely on that though and he did Aurora wrong for so long, he hears everyone in his life (his family & friends) tell him how Iris is evil and his living situation is not right and he spent a while not believing them but once he realizes the truth finally he also understands what he did and tries to rectify the situation and prove himself worthy in her eyes.
He was also celibate during their entire separation, he wanted nobody else and even when he thought he should, he couldn’t. She was also celibate but she did have that one date with OM but that was it.
A few quotes that show what she means to him:
''She was my forever; the certainty of that seeped into me. I just needed her to believe that I was hers as well''
''It had been a week since Aurora and I ended, and my life was a mess. I still loved her desperately. I missed her. I couldn't sleep''
Read
May 23, 2024Generally I don't post while I am reading, but what the heroine has to endure from the incredibly stupid and hateful, his manipulative teen daughter and his even worse ex wife is hard to read.
So far, the heroine has been too beta although her backstory makes it all too believable and all too sad. Yes, she's too understanding and too much of a doormat so far even though she's distanced herself from the H. He'll grovel (I hope) back in, but at what point as a reader do you say that too much is too much to forgive?
Review
Depressing. Weak H never came through for the heroine from my POV. He throws the h to the wolves whenever it gets tough with his daughter, and will probably do it again. Heroine has been unloved, abandoned and minimized all her life and will probably continue to be.
Sad.
So far, the heroine has been too beta although her backstory makes it all too believable and all too sad. Yes, she's too understanding and too much of a doormat so far even though she's distanced herself from the H. He'll grovel (I hope) back in, but at what point as a reader do you say that too much is too much to forgive?
Review
Depressing. Weak H never came through for the heroine from my POV. He throws the h to the wolves whenever it gets tough with his daughter, and will probably do it again. Heroine has been unloved, abandoned and minimized all her life and will probably continue to be.
Sad.
June 3, 2024
Maya Alden and her constant torture of her FMCs needs to be studied. As well as this author’s repeatedly normalizing abusive men, yep, both physical and most SPECIALLY emotional abuses that the women in her books round the clocks receives is a great topic of internal misogyny.
I have NOT read a single good book of this author where the MMC is not in any shape and form abusive.
The way this man gaslights and was plain raw cruel to the FMC is fucking heartbreaking to read. And not in a good way.
Just… YUCK.
I have NOT read a single good book of this author where the MMC is not in any shape and form abusive.
The way this man gaslights and was plain raw cruel to the FMC is fucking heartbreaking to read. And not in a good way.
Just… YUCK.
May 15, 2024
3.5 Stars
I enjoyed the first half but the rest felt predictable. It lost steam; basically, it lost all the angst. Even the OW drama which lasted till the end of the book, didn't do anything for me. It was pretty clear from the beginning that the H felt absolutely nothing for the OW (his ex wife). That ship had sailed long before; in fact, he had never loved her. So the OW drama added nothing but...soapy drama. I did really enjoy the H, his obsession with the h was exciting. The h was very likable, too. I was empathetic towards her, especially reading her backstory. I don't consider her a doormat. He groveled and pursued her relentlessly. She rejected him repeatedly, and resisted long enough, in my opinion. But like I said, the second part just kind of flatlined for me, including the epilogue. Still, I'm glad I read it, I do love second chance romance. I will try more by this author.
Kindle Unlimited ebook
I enjoyed the first half but the rest felt predictable. It lost steam; basically, it lost all the angst. Even the OW drama which lasted till the end of the book, didn't do anything for me. It was pretty clear from the beginning that the H felt absolutely nothing for the OW (his ex wife). That ship had sailed long before; in fact, he had never loved her. So the OW drama added nothing but...soapy drama. I did really enjoy the H, his obsession with the h was exciting. The h was very likable, too. I was empathetic towards her, especially reading her backstory. I don't consider her a doormat. He groveled and pursued her relentlessly. She rejected him repeatedly, and resisted long enough, in my opinion. But like I said, the second part just kind of flatlined for me, including the epilogue. Still, I'm glad I read it, I do love second chance romance. I will try more by this author.
Kindle Unlimited ebook
September 4, 2025
3-3.5 Stars
I liked this one. It dragged at parts, but for the most part, I enjoyed.
The blurb sets it up, Gabe and Aurora have been dating for a year when the book opens. The relationship is strained because of his living situation (he lives next door to his ex-wife and they have an open-door policy) and his 13-yr-old daughter Sophia HATES her and desperately wants her parents back together. They are both busy with their careers, and Gabe has been canceling a lot lately because Sophia either has an emergency or wants to do something as a family.
The Good-
🟩h that starts weak but grows some spine. She had some self-esteem/abandonment issues, but I liked that she didn’t just take him back immediately.
🟩 Loads of drama provided by his ex-wife and bratty daughter.
🟩 I LOVED her BFF Luna
🟩 I liked that they all got therapy (I really felt Aurora needed some too).
The Not-So Good-
❌ I hated how Aurora wouldn’t speak up and communicate with Gabe what was going on or her feelings for the first 20%. Even if he didn’t believe her, it would’ve generated more angst. It was frustrating that she just ate it.
❌ I liked the drama the bratty daughter caused but hated that so much of his actions/decisions revolved around her. I know in RL this is the way to go, but this is PretendLand, and in PL, I want my h to feel like the #1 gal. And I never really felt like she was because he was always so damn concerned about his little Sweatpea. (who sucked most of the book) It’s hard to feel swoony love while reading versions of this repeatedly…
Between Sophia and Aurora, there was no contest—I'd burn down the world for my daughter.
❌Gabe felt very beta to me especially when dealing with his ex and daughter, but the would lash out angrily at Aurora when he never said shit to the other two.
❌ I needed more of an epilogue farther in time to show me they actually made it. (there path was too rocky to have much faith in their HFN ending)
Bottom Line- Pretty good if you like ex wife drama and assholes. Gabe is definitely not BF goals for most of the book. I enjoyed it, but it felt long at times, and I felt like the ending was rushed. After reading 300+ of them at odds, I needed a firmer HEA. What’s to say Sophia won’t relapse into her bratty ways and demand Aurora gone again? She was nasty in Paris and that had nothing to do with the h. They haven’t even gotten to the tough teenager years yet. I would’ve felt much better 10+ years out with Sophia killing it in college (out of state), Iris broke and a social pariah, and Gabe & Aurora happily raising a couple kids.
I liked this one. It dragged at parts, but for the most part, I enjoyed.
The blurb sets it up, Gabe and Aurora have been dating for a year when the book opens. The relationship is strained because of his living situation (he lives next door to his ex-wife and they have an open-door policy) and his 13-yr-old daughter Sophia HATES her and desperately wants her parents back together. They are both busy with their careers, and Gabe has been canceling a lot lately because Sophia either has an emergency or wants to do something as a family.
The Good-
🟩h that starts weak but grows some spine. She had some self-esteem/abandonment issues, but I liked that she didn’t just take him back immediately.
🟩 Loads of drama provided by his ex-wife and bratty daughter.
🟩 I LOVED her BFF Luna
🟩 I liked that they all got therapy (I really felt Aurora needed some too).
The Not-So Good-
❌ I hated how Aurora wouldn’t speak up and communicate with Gabe what was going on or her feelings for the first 20%. Even if he didn’t believe her, it would’ve generated more angst. It was frustrating that she just ate it.
❌ I liked the drama the bratty daughter caused but hated that so much of his actions/decisions revolved around her. I know in RL this is the way to go, but this is PretendLand, and in PL, I want my h to feel like the #1 gal. And I never really felt like she was because he was always so damn concerned about his little Sweatpea. (who sucked most of the book) It’s hard to feel swoony love while reading versions of this repeatedly…
Between Sophia and Aurora, there was no contest—I'd burn down the world for my daughter.
❌Gabe felt very beta to me especially when dealing with his ex and daughter, but the would lash out angrily at Aurora when he never said shit to the other two.
❌ I needed more of an epilogue farther in time to show me they actually made it. (there path was too rocky to have much faith in their HFN ending)
Bottom Line- Pretty good if you like ex wife drama and assholes. Gabe is definitely not BF goals for most of the book. I enjoyed it, but it felt long at times, and I felt like the ending was rushed. After reading 300+ of them at odds, I needed a firmer HEA. What’s to say Sophia won’t relapse into her bratty ways and demand Aurora gone again? She was nasty in Paris and that had nothing to do with the h. They haven’t even gotten to the tough teenager years yet. I would’ve felt much better 10+ years out with Sophia killing it in college (out of state), Iris broke and a social pariah, and Gabe & Aurora happily raising a couple kids.
August 4, 2024
It was good, it had angst,OW drama but not cheating, grovel but could do a little bit more. Overall ok.
April 16, 2024
My rating: 3 1/2 stars
What I loved: Loved all the drama from the ex wife! I liked how understanding Gabriel(H) was with his daughter, especially after finding out that she lied. I’m glad he got his daughter therapy and he went as well. The daughter apologizing was a nice touch. Also, the way Aurora’s(h) friends were there for her was nice.
What I didn’t like: I didn’t like how Aurora didn’t just communicate with Gabriel about the daughter’s behavior. Also, the way Gabriel just threw Aurora’s past in her face and saying rude things about her was a dick move and I wish she made him crawl on glass.
**Major Spoilers/ Details/Triggers: Hurtful words, ow drama. H and h have been seeing each other for a year. H was married before and has a 13 years old daughter. H’s ex lives right next door where they share a backyard. The ex is always coming over and him going over there to eat dinner. H wanted to make sure his daughter had her mom and dad close so she wouldn’t have to choose. H’s daughter is constantly taking her dad’s attention making the H cancel dates. The daughter would act like she is having a break down to make her dad stay with her. When H cancels again, he can since he is loosing the h. H calls the h and asks her to cancel a business trip and h gets mad. When she asks him to come to her business trip he says no because he has a family charity event which his ex wife will be going with him and their daughter. Ex goes to all his family events. Later that night, H asks the h to try and get along with his daughter because he thinks it’s the h’s fault since she didn’t have a great upbringing. h’s father left her and her mom was addicted to drugs and would neglect her, allowing men to touch h because she was high. When h calls her dad for help he tells her to not call him again. When the h is 13 she goes to live with her aunt, who makes her pay rent, clean the house, and take care of her. h doesn’t tell the H that his daughter doesn’t like her and that she does mean things, like throwing the h’s stuff in the trash. The daughter wants her dad back with her mom. When H’s mom hears he is dating she tells him that his ex and daughter will give him problems. His brother also tells him the same thing. H just thinks he is being a good dad and wants to put his daughter first. Again the H cuts the h off because of his daughter and decides to buy her a bracelet. h doesn’t accept it, telling him all she wants is his time and attention. Later, when they are having dinner together the daughter lies and tells the H that the h said mean things to her. H taking the daughter’s side throws the h’s past in her face, telling her that’s he can see why her parents walked away from her. They break up. When h, with her friend, goes to pick up her stuff from the H’s house the daughter is there and again says some nasty things along with her mother, who had the bracelet on that the H got for the h. h’s friend records it. H’s daughter is now acting all better at home and not having any break downs. Two months goes by when H sees h at a ball with a guy. H drunk tells the guy to be careful that she isn’t the motherly type, since the guy has kids, again hurting the h’s feelings. His friend takes him home and tells him that if he does something like that again they can’t be friends. Afterwards, the h’s friend goes to the H and shows him the video. She also tells the H about the h’s past. H goes and confronts the daughter and she tells him that her mom wanted her to do that. That her mom isn’t happy and she wants the H to remarry her. H goes to the ex and tells her that he is selling the house, that they are never getting back together, and no more coming over when he has the daughter. H starts going to therapy with his daughter. Ex also shows up to help the daughter even though she doesn’t want to be there. H goes to see the h and apologizes. h tells him that they aren’t getting back together. H hires the h do be the lead for his hotel so he can see her. H starts to grovel and win the h back. H’s daughter goes to the h to apologize. H and h start up the relationship again. Ex still tries to get the H back making the daughter choose her and if not she will hurt herself. H is upset that the daughter wants to be with mom. Everything comes out when the daughter calls to ask for help when the H is away. h goes and gets her. HEA with them getting engaged and building a house together.
Final thoughts: I enjoyed the drama and definitely will read more books from this author.
What I loved: Loved all the drama from the ex wife! I liked how understanding Gabriel(H) was with his daughter, especially after finding out that she lied. I’m glad he got his daughter therapy and he went as well. The daughter apologizing was a nice touch. Also, the way Aurora’s(h) friends were there for her was nice.
What I didn’t like: I didn’t like how Aurora didn’t just communicate with Gabriel about the daughter’s behavior. Also, the way Gabriel just threw Aurora’s past in her face and saying rude things about her was a dick move and I wish she made him crawl on glass.
**Major Spoilers/ Details/Triggers: Hurtful words, ow drama. H and h have been seeing each other for a year. H was married before and has a 13 years old daughter. H’s ex lives right next door where they share a backyard. The ex is always coming over and him going over there to eat dinner. H wanted to make sure his daughter had her mom and dad close so she wouldn’t have to choose. H’s daughter is constantly taking her dad’s attention making the H cancel dates. The daughter would act like she is having a break down to make her dad stay with her. When H cancels again, he can since he is loosing the h. H calls the h and asks her to cancel a business trip and h gets mad. When she asks him to come to her business trip he says no because he has a family charity event which his ex wife will be going with him and their daughter. Ex goes to all his family events. Later that night, H asks the h to try and get along with his daughter because he thinks it’s the h’s fault since she didn’t have a great upbringing. h’s father left her and her mom was addicted to drugs and would neglect her, allowing men to touch h because she was high. When h calls her dad for help he tells her to not call him again. When the h is 13 she goes to live with her aunt, who makes her pay rent, clean the house, and take care of her. h doesn’t tell the H that his daughter doesn’t like her and that she does mean things, like throwing the h’s stuff in the trash. The daughter wants her dad back with her mom. When H’s mom hears he is dating she tells him that his ex and daughter will give him problems. His brother also tells him the same thing. H just thinks he is being a good dad and wants to put his daughter first. Again the H cuts the h off because of his daughter and decides to buy her a bracelet. h doesn’t accept it, telling him all she wants is his time and attention. Later, when they are having dinner together the daughter lies and tells the H that the h said mean things to her. H taking the daughter’s side throws the h’s past in her face, telling her that’s he can see why her parents walked away from her. They break up. When h, with her friend, goes to pick up her stuff from the H’s house the daughter is there and again says some nasty things along with her mother, who had the bracelet on that the H got for the h. h’s friend records it. H’s daughter is now acting all better at home and not having any break downs. Two months goes by when H sees h at a ball with a guy. H drunk tells the guy to be careful that she isn’t the motherly type, since the guy has kids, again hurting the h’s feelings. His friend takes him home and tells him that if he does something like that again they can’t be friends. Afterwards, the h’s friend goes to the H and shows him the video. She also tells the H about the h’s past. H goes and confronts the daughter and she tells him that her mom wanted her to do that. That her mom isn’t happy and she wants the H to remarry her. H goes to the ex and tells her that he is selling the house, that they are never getting back together, and no more coming over when he has the daughter. H starts going to therapy with his daughter. Ex also shows up to help the daughter even though she doesn’t want to be there. H goes to see the h and apologizes. h tells him that they aren’t getting back together. H hires the h do be the lead for his hotel so he can see her. H starts to grovel and win the h back. H’s daughter goes to the h to apologize. H and h start up the relationship again. Ex still tries to get the H back making the daughter choose her and if not she will hurt herself. H is upset that the daughter wants to be with mom. Everything comes out when the daughter calls to ask for help when the H is away. h goes and gets her. HEA with them getting engaged and building a house together.
Final thoughts: I enjoyed the drama and definitely will read more books from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2024
this was….fine? three stars because i finished it one day but really 2.5 because i hated Gabriel.
personally I wouldn’t have forgiven Gabe for what he said. i don’t care if he has a temper….or if he was sticking by his daughter or if he was jealous, the things he said were uncalled for and so fucking mean. i literally wanted to cry when she kept replaying his words in her head and i had so much hope that she was going to keep her backbone with him.
and don’t get me wrong, those first few months she held STRONG but then she didn’t and he just kind of steam rolled her. especially since in his POV in the first few chapters he literally was like “oh i can keep this casual” when he knew he was IN love with her.
also him saying he “tried” to get with other women also rubbed me the wrong way! i don’t care if he couldn’t. it wasn’t elaborated on if he just looked and didn’t get aroused or if he made a valiant effort to fuck other women but HE was the reason the h couldn’t trust him so why does HE get to try and move on. the h only went on one date that wasn’t even really a date because she didn’t see the guy after and she said she was trying to fall for him but SHE SHOULD HAVE. what fucking man child throws someone’s abandonment issues into their face like that. his friend should have punched him. everyone should have punched him.
AND THE ENDINGGGGG. there was no ending. i need an epilogue or something….ANYTHING else. i wasn’t invested enough to download the extended scene so…..i guess that’s on me 🤷🏻♀️
idk…i guess this just wasn’t for me and maybe i’ll read the rest of the series when it comes out. i’m interested in Dom and whoever he is with even though i forgot her name 🫣
personally I wouldn’t have forgiven Gabe for what he said. i don’t care if he has a temper….or if he was sticking by his daughter or if he was jealous, the things he said were uncalled for and so fucking mean. i literally wanted to cry when she kept replaying his words in her head and i had so much hope that she was going to keep her backbone with him.
and don’t get me wrong, those first few months she held STRONG but then she didn’t and he just kind of steam rolled her. especially since in his POV in the first few chapters he literally was like “oh i can keep this casual” when he knew he was IN love with her.
also him saying he “tried” to get with other women also rubbed me the wrong way! i don’t care if he couldn’t. it wasn’t elaborated on if he just looked and didn’t get aroused or if he made a valiant effort to fuck other women but HE was the reason the h couldn’t trust him so why does HE get to try and move on. the h only went on one date that wasn’t even really a date because she didn’t see the guy after and she said she was trying to fall for him but SHE SHOULD HAVE. what fucking man child throws someone’s abandonment issues into their face like that. his friend should have punched him. everyone should have punched him.
AND THE ENDINGGGGG. there was no ending. i need an epilogue or something….ANYTHING else. i wasn’t invested enough to download the extended scene so…..i guess that’s on me 🤷🏻♀️
idk…i guess this just wasn’t for me and maybe i’ll read the rest of the series when it comes out. i’m interested in Dom and whoever he is with even though i forgot her name 🫣
May 11, 2024
This book was such a disappointment. I was really looking forward to reading it because I’d heard that there was such a great grovel but frankly, I just didn’t see it.
After Gabe’s HUGE betrayal, Aurora made it crystal clear that he had broken her trust and that their relationship was over. Instead of actually putting in the time and work to earn her forgiveness, Gabe manipulated his way back into her life by getting her boss to offer her a job as head architect on his hotel. He made her boss promise not to tell her because he knew that she would be heartbroken to learn how she got her promotion, but he did it anyway because it got him what he wanted – daily access to her.
Of course, after she started working on his hotel, she caved almost right away and agreed to start dating him again. Then, he manipulated her a second time by refusing to have $ex with her until she told him that she loved him and trusted him again. He literally had her BEGGING for $ex. Not too long after that, SHE was apologizing to HIM for hurting him by not being able to trust him yet and he was very magnanimously forgiving her. After that, her so-called “friends” started telling her that her fears about trusting Gabe had nothing to do with how he treated her but were caused by her parents and her upbringing.
After that, I was so disgusted that I just skimmed to the end.
After Gabe’s HUGE betrayal, Aurora made it crystal clear that he had broken her trust and that their relationship was over. Instead of actually putting in the time and work to earn her forgiveness, Gabe manipulated his way back into her life by getting her boss to offer her a job as head architect on his hotel. He made her boss promise not to tell her because he knew that she would be heartbroken to learn how she got her promotion, but he did it anyway because it got him what he wanted – daily access to her.
Of course, after she started working on his hotel, she caved almost right away and agreed to start dating him again. Then, he manipulated her a second time by refusing to have $ex with her until she told him that she loved him and trusted him again. He literally had her BEGGING for $ex. Not too long after that, SHE was apologizing to HIM for hurting him by not being able to trust him yet and he was very magnanimously forgiving her. After that, her so-called “friends” started telling her that her fears about trusting Gabe had nothing to do with how he treated her but were caused by her parents and her upbringing.
After that, I was so disgusted that I just skimmed to the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2024
3.5 rounded up mostly because this is the first NEW book that I've read in a while that delivered on angst, heartbreak, OW drama and had a complete and total dickhead for a hero😅
If you hate everything listed above then this book is not for you.
With that being said, I kinda felt like the h was pressured into giving the H another chance by like everyone, so while yes, he did grovel and did feel immensely bad, I wish the h wasnt pressured so much. I also didn't agree with how EVERYONE was telling the daughter to not blame herself. She was almost 14 and knew right from wrong, so yes, it was partially her fault. I don't blame the dad for believing his daughter, I blame him for all the shitty things he said and how he treated her like a booty call in the beginning.
So, all in all, I enjoyed this book and will be continuing the series.
If you hate everything listed above then this book is not for you.
With that being said, I kinda felt like the h was pressured into giving the H another chance by like everyone, so while yes, he did grovel and did feel immensely bad, I wish the h wasnt pressured so much. I also didn't agree with how EVERYONE was telling the daughter to not blame herself. She was almost 14 and knew right from wrong, so yes, it was partially her fault. I don't blame the dad for believing his daughter, I blame him for all the shitty things he said and how he treated her like a booty call in the beginning.
So, all in all, I enjoyed this book and will be continuing the series.
August 1, 2024
★3/5! Gabriel i strongly dislike you! Aurora is honestly so fucking sweet and she deserves the world! the way everyone was telling this man he was the problem, his friends + HIS OWN FAMILY yet nothing changed. I enjoyed the first 40% of the book, honestly i’m a sucker for drama but once the grovelling started it fell a little flat, skimmed the last 20%. You know when you can just tell a couple ain’t making it? yeah this is them, i’m saying 2 years in then they’re breaking up forever.
Okay I wrote this review while I was reading so it’s just quotes and me ranting ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ SPOILER QUOTES BELOW PEOPLE
I actually hate children in books so much omg, the only time they’re acceptable is when they can’t talk. I know Sophia was being manipulated by her mother so i don’t blame her at all. at the end of the day children are annoying. period
“Aurora is cold with kids” “she doesn’t know how to be around one” SHUT UP MF SHE LOVES KIDS but what would he know they’ve only been dating what one whole ass year? ╭∩╮(ಠ_ಠ)╭∩╮
“I refused to believe she'd end us because I had to prematurely end our phone-sex session.” why does he always act like Aurora is the problem and it’s never him? after so so many dates cancelled he thinks that she’s breaking up with him because of ending phone sex? joke of a man.
“But I've never been anyone's priority, never been important to anyone—and I want that. I think I deserve it.“ breaking my heart, get her a man who will love her for real please
“Why couldn't Aurora get along with my daughter? Maybe I could talk to her and ask her to make an effort.” oh maybe because your daughter is mean to her?? Gabriel you need to shut your dumbass mouth
I’m not blaming him for being a good dad at all, well done for prioritising your child! My issue is when he thinks he’s basically never the problem and always tries to turn it around to Aurora.
Okay I wrote this review while I was reading so it’s just quotes and me ranting ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ SPOILER QUOTES BELOW PEOPLE
I actually hate children in books so much omg, the only time they’re acceptable is when they can’t talk. I know Sophia was being manipulated by her mother so i don’t blame her at all. at the end of the day children are annoying. period
“Aurora is cold with kids” “she doesn’t know how to be around one” SHUT UP MF SHE LOVES KIDS but what would he know they’ve only been dating what one whole ass year? ╭∩╮(ಠ_ಠ)╭∩╮
“I refused to believe she'd end us because I had to prematurely end our phone-sex session.” why does he always act like Aurora is the problem and it’s never him? after so so many dates cancelled he thinks that she’s breaking up with him because of ending phone sex? joke of a man.
“But I've never been anyone's priority, never been important to anyone—and I want that. I think I deserve it.“ breaking my heart, get her a man who will love her for real please
“Why couldn't Aurora get along with my daughter? Maybe I could talk to her and ask her to make an effort.” oh maybe because your daughter is mean to her?? Gabriel you need to shut your dumbass mouth
I’m not blaming him for being a good dad at all, well done for prioritising your child! My issue is when he thinks he’s basically never the problem and always tries to turn it around to Aurora.
May 16, 2024
What a disappointment. I went into this expecting a A-hole H, but this bloke flew past past A-hole straight into bellend territory with the way he gutted Aurora not once, but twice. He's TSTL, cruel and manipulative. Aurora was a doormat and he worked that to his benefit. I didn't like his daughter, even after she did her 180 and became sweetness and light.
I didn't get the angst I expected and there was zero grovel apart from HER apologising to HIM! Just HELL NO!
I didn't get the angst I expected and there was zero grovel apart from HER apologising to HIM! Just HELL NO!
May 19, 2024
3,5 stars! Loved the angst.
August 30, 2024
This mmc is an abusive POS and I can’t believe Aurora, the fmc still went back to him after all the hurtful and horrible things he said? And I’m supposed to be surprised that his daughter is also horrible and mean? Growing up with father and mother like Iris, no wonder the kid also grew up like that.
Things would have been A LOT better if he wasn’t being a jerk while trying to earn her forgiveness. Does he think a mere apology would suffice for how he treated the fmc? He’s like “so hey I made a mistake, I’m sorry forgive me and let’s get back together again” WTF
And of courseeeee he tried to move on trying to hook up with another women because it’s not like he f*cked it all up right? 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 and of courseeeeee she couldn’t forget about him even dreamt of him because god forbid this woman can’t get over her verbally abusive POS ex boyfriend 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
And again, of courseeeee other people trying to butt in with fixing their relationship because that loser couldn’t do it by himself. And I’m supposed to be rooting for a jerk and a loser mmc like this? 😂😂😂
Things would have been A LOT better if he wasn’t being a jerk while trying to earn her forgiveness. Does he think a mere apology would suffice for how he treated the fmc? He’s like “so hey I made a mistake, I’m sorry forgive me and let’s get back together again” WTF
And of courseeeee he tried to move on trying to hook up with another women because it’s not like he f*cked it all up right? 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 and of courseeeeee she couldn’t forget about him even dreamt of him because god forbid this woman can’t get over her verbally abusive POS ex boyfriend 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
And again, of courseeeee other people trying to butt in with fixing their relationship because that loser couldn’t do it by himself. And I’m supposed to be rooting for a jerk and a loser mmc like this? 😂😂😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2024
If I could give this 0 stars I would. This is genuinely one of the worst books I’ve read in a while.
I want to start off by saying there were one too many grammatical errors in this damn book, which made it so hard to read.
Gabriel is one of the biggest assholes I’ve read about. He’s a horrible man, brother, son and lover. Whats crazy is that he called Aurora a selfish woman but he’s so blind to see that he is the ONLY selfish character in the entirety of the book like?? He expected Aurora to bend her entire life to cater to him and his needs which only boils down to sex. And sex only. Gabriel doesn’t give a fuck about Aurora and no one can convince me he does. This man couldn’t say ONE good thing about the woman he loves apart from how their sex life is so great…do you know how demeaning that is? I believe this man would leave any chance he gets in the future, he is that type of man.
It was extremely hard getting through this book, because Gabriel was emotionally abusive and very manipulative towards Aurora. The moment I started to get frustrated with the author was when Gabriel told Aurora told her that he would “wear her down” to the point where she gives in and gets back together with him…what the fuck??? And she just accepted that because by the end of the book, he did wear her down to the point where she was a shell of the person she used to be. And he doesn’t give a fuck because hey, at least shes with him right? I don’t know why the author was romanticising manipulative abusive men. To be honest, Aurora was weak and a fucking carpet because she let everyone and their mother walk all over her and cried about it.
The moment that lead me to giving this book 0 STARS was the SA. Gabriel couldn’t seem to understand or read a fucking room when Aurora was uncomfortable with him kissing her. NOPE. He didn’t give a fuck because she was “enjoying it” and forced himself on her after she tried to verbally tell him to stop but he continued. She couldn’t even think straight and gave in at the end???? Erm excuse me what?? That was my last straw and this book honestly wasn’t getting any better anyway.
Finally, I at least expected him to be a good father and tell his THIRTEEN year old daughter to take some fucking responsibility for having a hand in the downfall of her dad’s relationship wIth Aurora. But NO. He didn’t. This man told her she did nothing wrong and don’t worry about it. HELLO??? Let her take some accountability what the fuck. Shes 13 not 7, she’s grown enough to know better. And then he wonders why she’s so spoilt and entitled blaming his ex wife for making her that way, IT WAS YOU TOO ASSHOLE.
I think the author should re-write this book or get rid of it entirely
I want to start off by saying there were one too many grammatical errors in this damn book, which made it so hard to read.
Gabriel is one of the biggest assholes I’ve read about. He’s a horrible man, brother, son and lover. Whats crazy is that he called Aurora a selfish woman but he’s so blind to see that he is the ONLY selfish character in the entirety of the book like?? He expected Aurora to bend her entire life to cater to him and his needs which only boils down to sex. And sex only. Gabriel doesn’t give a fuck about Aurora and no one can convince me he does. This man couldn’t say ONE good thing about the woman he loves apart from how their sex life is so great…do you know how demeaning that is? I believe this man would leave any chance he gets in the future, he is that type of man.
It was extremely hard getting through this book, because Gabriel was emotionally abusive and very manipulative towards Aurora. The moment I started to get frustrated with the author was when Gabriel told Aurora told her that he would “wear her down” to the point where she gives in and gets back together with him…what the fuck??? And she just accepted that because by the end of the book, he did wear her down to the point where she was a shell of the person she used to be. And he doesn’t give a fuck because hey, at least shes with him right? I don’t know why the author was romanticising manipulative abusive men. To be honest, Aurora was weak and a fucking carpet because she let everyone and their mother walk all over her and cried about it.
The moment that lead me to giving this book 0 STARS was the SA. Gabriel couldn’t seem to understand or read a fucking room when Aurora was uncomfortable with him kissing her. NOPE. He didn’t give a fuck because she was “enjoying it” and forced himself on her after she tried to verbally tell him to stop but he continued. She couldn’t even think straight and gave in at the end???? Erm excuse me what?? That was my last straw and this book honestly wasn’t getting any better anyway.
Finally, I at least expected him to be a good father and tell his THIRTEEN year old daughter to take some fucking responsibility for having a hand in the downfall of her dad’s relationship wIth Aurora. But NO. He didn’t. This man told her she did nothing wrong and don’t worry about it. HELLO??? Let her take some accountability what the fuck. Shes 13 not 7, she’s grown enough to know better. And then he wonders why she’s so spoilt and entitled blaming his ex wife for making her that way, IT WAS YOU TOO ASSHOLE.
I think the author should re-write this book or get rid of it entirely
June 24, 2024
4*
Reminded me of Michelle Michelle Reid's book - Slave to Love.
But as I liked this one waaaaay more than that one.
Maybe that is because MR's book is dated, and that H was too much of an a-h; or because that ow got (undeservedly) redeemed a wee bit, and I cannot ever erase that last scene from my mind where the H-ow had that one last happy moment of perfect understanding at the end - which maddens me to this day!
RTC maybe ...
Reminded me of Michelle Michelle Reid's book - Slave to Love.
But as I liked this one waaaaay more than that one.
Maybe that is because MR's book is dated, and that H was too much of an a-h; or because that ow got (undeservedly) redeemed a wee bit, and I cannot ever erase that last scene from my mind where the H-ow had that one last happy moment of perfect understanding at the end - which maddens me to this day!
RTC maybe ...
June 23, 2024
2.5 Stars
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The potential for an angsty read.
The Not-So-Good: The closure, it felt lacking.
The Bad: The sexy times and golden dick syndrome going on.
Overall: This was a little bit less than just alright for me. I wanted an angsty unrequited love type story and I hardly got emotional tbh. I went in knowing that the OW drama would be OTT, and it was, but I also thought it felt disjointed at times especially when they would be so obsessed with their sex. Sex does not always equal love, and I kept on thinking this with the constant reminders of how hard she made him and how wet she got 🙄 It made it feel very surface level and I felt it was overall lacking some depth that could've made it so much better.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Aurora and Gabriel's story. They've been together just over a year when Gabriel's daughter sabotages their relationship and they break up. Gabriel realizes his mistake and tries to win her trust back. There's some baggage they have to work through, some cat and mouse, some OTT OW/ex drama, and some sexy times..and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Aurora and Gabriel's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, but they were already in love when this starts (which is not my fave)
H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. Gabriel. He was a dick but he did grovel pretty well.
h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. Aurora. I liked her but I definitely wanted her to be stronger.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Alright. They have some tension, chemistry, and scenes -- it felt a little too much for me at times, but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in a pretty good place but with what I would call a HFN ending
Safety: This one is probably either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The potential for an angsty read.
The Not-So-Good: The closure, it felt lacking.
The Bad: The sexy times and golden dick syndrome going on.
Overall: This was a little bit less than just alright for me. I wanted an angsty unrequited love type story and I hardly got emotional tbh. I went in knowing that the OW drama would be OTT, and it was, but I also thought it felt disjointed at times especially when they would be so obsessed with their sex. Sex does not always equal love, and I kept on thinking this with the constant reminders of how hard she made him and how wet she got 🙄 It made it feel very surface level and I felt it was overall lacking some depth that could've made it so much better.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Aurora and Gabriel's story. They've been together just over a year when Gabriel's daughter sabotages their relationship and they break up. Gabriel realizes his mistake and tries to win her trust back. There's some baggage they have to work through, some cat and mouse, some OTT OW/ex drama, and some sexy times..and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Aurora and Gabriel's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, but they were already in love when this starts (which is not my fave)
H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. Gabriel. He was a dick but he did grovel pretty well.
h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. Aurora. I liked her but I definitely wanted her to be stronger.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Alright. They have some tension, chemistry, and scenes -- it felt a little too much for me at times, but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in a pretty good place but with what I would call a HFN ending
Safety: This one is probably either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
June 30, 2025
3.25 stars
My first official Maya Alden review ever! It was high time!
Let me preface my review by first saying that ever since they have started being published, I have compulsively bought all of her books in the Best and Modern Vintage series seeing as they were always being touted in every angst/grovel group. And I have skimmed-read all of said books because I know me, and as such know that though I love to immerse myself in good angst, I am also very skittish for rage-inducing angst so I need plenty of mind bracing before going full fledged into reading and reviewing. Thus, skim-reading helps in defusing some of my pre-emptive anxiety and also gauge the level of rage-read (that will trigger extensive highlights, comments, emojis while reading, and produce inevitably a written diatribe as a review!).
Having done that exercise repetitively for all the books I mentioned, I arrived at the conclusion that (a) MA was the supreme queen of dramatic angst scenes, knowing perfectly how best to hurt her heroines for best effect and induce empathetic tears from me; but (b) there will always be one big 'Snag' that will derail the path of what should have been an epic grovel, often in having her heroines just give in too early. For all these reasons, I had never mustered the mental energy to full-read a MA book because I knew I would have to process and write too much for one book. Until now, when I finally thought 2025 was high time to take a big breath and have a go at it.
This book had so many facets, some that were real brilliant and some that were inescapably rage-inducing. I am already tired after finishing this read (and my tablet is quite tired with me and all my highlights and comments 😅), so I will try to make it short.
Things I loved
🏛 Betrayal scenes: top notch angst. There were two main scenes where Gabe showed what a low-life scum he was, lashing out low-blow insults so gratuitously (one in public) using knowingly the insecurities of Aurora. Ouch, that hurt real deep. I wanted Gabe head on a spike for this! MA is really a true queen for such climactic scenes 👏!
🏛 Writing style: very engaging, so easy to read. Even while raging to heaven, I kept turning the pages.
🏛 Aurora's set down of Gabe: I loved she gave him straight (and extensively) to his face (34% mark) all the ways in which he hurt her all through their toxic relationship. This gave me hope that the redemption part would be epic.
🏛 OW drama: very, very nasty. I don't need OTT OW drama to enjoy a book, but I have to admit that MA knows how to draw out maximum effect by making her evil OW stink the worst they can. No limit to their perfidy! The OW here did cause loads of chaos.
Things I raged about - warning, this gets to rant level real fast, so feel free to skip 😅!
Given more energy, I would probably want to write more, with quotes and all. But I think I have had enough for one day. Bottom line is that MA is so brilliant for the first part of the story, but unfortunately, it's not wrapped up with a pretty bow by the end. And since I know that this pattern gets repeated in the other books, it will be some time before I muster the time to review another one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2025
4 second chance stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3🌶
Mi-a plăcut intensitatea sentimentelor dintre personaje.
Ce nu mi-a placut: caracterul personajelor 🙃 și atitudinea lor fata de ..întreaga lor poveste.
Happy-end garantat!🦋
3🌶
Mi-a plăcut intensitatea sentimentelor dintre personaje.
Ce nu mi-a placut: caracterul personajelor 🙃 și atitudinea lor fata de ..întreaga lor poveste.
Happy-end garantat!🦋
February 4, 2025
oof this was a tough read. my first book from this author and idk if i’ll read another in the future.
i depised the MMC gabriel and wasn’t rooting for him and the FMC aurora to get back together. she was way too understanding of him after the whole situation that led to their breakup. i found gabriel’s words and actions to be contradictory; saying they’re weren’t serious but he loved her?
both his family and friends told him how his relationship with aurora (which both his daughter sophia and his ex-wife iris were HEAVILY involved in) looked from the outside. he basically ignored them because his “sweetpea” would never do that; “why was it that everyone in my life was blaming me for loving my daughter?” seriously frustrating especially because he had this similar conversation multiple times. speaking of repeated conversations, the characters had so. many. conversations that were just the same dialogue over and over again. especially between gabriel and sophia.
i found gabriel trying to get aurora back less as groveling and more of just steamrolling her until she breaks down and accepts him. he uses his status to essentially have him around her more often as they work together on a project. there are multiple times when aurora is finding it difficult to trust him again but he simply pushes and disregards her concerns because he loves her and he knows that she loves him.
the whole engagement thing was another red flag. he announces to a couple of women that were saying nasty things about aurora that she was his fiancée. there was literally no discussion of marriage prior to this. even asking (demanding, actually) aurora to give up her condo to move in w his family at their estate… she was clearly hesitant and what does he do to persuade her? “fuck her into submission” and order her to sell her condo.
another note: it felt like sophia, the thirteen year old CHILD, had more emotional maturity that any of the adults in the story.
i depised the MMC gabriel and wasn’t rooting for him and the FMC aurora to get back together. she was way too understanding of him after the whole situation that led to their breakup. i found gabriel’s words and actions to be contradictory; saying they’re weren’t serious but he loved her?
both his family and friends told him how his relationship with aurora (which both his daughter sophia and his ex-wife iris were HEAVILY involved in) looked from the outside. he basically ignored them because his “sweetpea” would never do that; “why was it that everyone in my life was blaming me for loving my daughter?” seriously frustrating especially because he had this similar conversation multiple times. speaking of repeated conversations, the characters had so. many. conversations that were just the same dialogue over and over again. especially between gabriel and sophia.
i found gabriel trying to get aurora back less as groveling and more of just steamrolling her until she breaks down and accepts him. he uses his status to essentially have him around her more often as they work together on a project. there are multiple times when aurora is finding it difficult to trust him again but he simply pushes and disregards her concerns because he loves her and he knows that she loves him.
the whole engagement thing was another red flag. he announces to a couple of women that were saying nasty things about aurora that she was his fiancée. there was literally no discussion of marriage prior to this. even asking (demanding, actually) aurora to give up her condo to move in w his family at their estate… she was clearly hesitant and what does he do to persuade her? “fuck her into submission” and order her to sell her condo.
another note: it felt like sophia, the thirteen year old CHILD, had more emotional maturity that any of the adults in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2024
I’m giving this book 3.25 stars because it did well in a lot of the key areas that I need to see when there’s going to be a groveling. The H is really selfish and he says some terrible things to the h in public that are devastating. Once he realizes that he has completely messed up, he starts with the winning her back. The OW is never a real threat. She has a supportive group of friends, or technically, coworkers. The h is a high achiever and part of the book involves her coming to terms with the things that are holding her back emotionally.
There’s a fair amount of groveling for a Maya Alden book, although there are a few small touches of toxicity that I don’t like.
1. I don’t like it when a man who has really messed up repeatedly refers to his ex as “Baby.“ it sounds insincere, smarmy and dismissive of the enormous problems that they have between them.
2. I also didn’t like the sex scenes, which I skip through most of the time but you can’t help but ending up in the middle of one accidentally on occasion. These scenes are pretty much all the same by most major authors in the KU universe. A little bit of spanking, a little bit of submission, a little bit of you’re mine, a little bit of orgasm denial etc. etc. etc. And the dirty talk is the same all the time and it’s so generic that I can’t believe that anyone would fall for it. It could easily have been AI-generated.
So, all in all, this was an entertaining read that surprised me because it came from an author who sometimes really messes up in her repentant male protagonists.
There’s a fair amount of groveling for a Maya Alden book, although there are a few small touches of toxicity that I don’t like.
1. I don’t like it when a man who has really messed up repeatedly refers to his ex as “Baby.“ it sounds insincere, smarmy and dismissive of the enormous problems that they have between them.
2. I also didn’t like the sex scenes, which I skip through most of the time but you can’t help but ending up in the middle of one accidentally on occasion. These scenes are pretty much all the same by most major authors in the KU universe. A little bit of spanking, a little bit of submission, a little bit of you’re mine, a little bit of orgasm denial etc. etc. etc. And the dirty talk is the same all the time and it’s so generic that I can’t believe that anyone would fall for it. It could easily have been AI-generated.
So, all in all, this was an entertaining read that surprised me because it came from an author who sometimes really messes up in her repentant male protagonists.
June 8, 2024
I’m sorry to say that I’m never going to read any book by this particular author. I Dnf this book in fact I couldn’t !!
Never read such a trashy book in my life. The H was behaving so obnoxiously with the h .. why was she tolerating?! Not one character in this book was believable..
Never read such a trashy book in my life. The H was behaving so obnoxiously with the h .. why was she tolerating?! Not one character in this book was believable..
May 12, 2024
Chapter 2 and Gabriel is trash. This was not.. good. The writing was fine but the story was bland and underwhelming. The MMC was horrible and the FMC “loved him too much”.
November 14, 2024
Loved the angst. Loved the HEA. Enjoyable read!
December 12, 2024
Big angst read.
Just like old mills and boons but the Hero does see the error of his ways and actually grovels.
Ex drama, the whole situation is his ex wife.
It's a bit OTT but good angst.
Hero isn't with anyone except heroine.
Best Of Me content Warnings
Childhood emotional abuse and abandonment
Profanity
Sexual content
Just like old mills and boons but the Hero does see the error of his ways and actually grovels.
Ex drama, the whole situation is his ex wife.
It's a bit OTT but good angst.
Hero isn't with anyone except heroine.
Best Of Me content Warnings
Childhood emotional abuse and abandonment
Profanity
Sexual content
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2024
OW drama = H’s ex wife and H’s daughter cause unwarranted stress and pain to the h. OW-D would trash/break/sabotage h’ belongings that were left at H’s house. OW-D would call and interrupt h and H time repeatedly for teen drama that was completely unnecessary, but H would always put OW-D as number 1 (I have no issues making your kid your top priority, but if you are allowing and encouraging poor behavior and not giving any consequences, you are being a poor example of a parent). OW-EX had kept herself heavily involved in H’s life and H would not shut her down as it was easier to get along than confront her entitlement and poor behavior. H would rationalize that he was doing it all to keep his daughter happy but all he did was isolate and expel the h from his life.
Grovel = the H let others insult the h (OW-D and OW-EX as well as randos who were team OW-EX); H would let OW-D take over his time constantly which led to him bailing repeatedly on the h; H made it to where the h had to settle for essentially being a booty call when it was convenient for the H, h was never able to call when she wanted, she could not stay at his house anymore without problems; h had a troubled and painful past that the H not once but TWICE threw in her face to belittle/insult/intentionally hurt the h. H did that publicly, uncaring of damaging or killing h’s reputation. Needless to say, H had a lot to make up for. h was not doormat as it may have seemed from how she allowed her relationship to H to develop, but once she was done, she iced the H out. The reconciliation began when the OW-D came and personally without H’s knowledge to apologize for her behavior to the h. h and OW-D develop and build a relationship and that starts to carry over to her forgiving the H.
There are way more nuances, details and missing parts of relationships that I have not included, but I really enjoyed the book and loved the drama of it all.
Grovel = the H let others insult the h (OW-D and OW-EX as well as randos who were team OW-EX); H would let OW-D take over his time constantly which led to him bailing repeatedly on the h; H made it to where the h had to settle for essentially being a booty call when it was convenient for the H, h was never able to call when she wanted, she could not stay at his house anymore without problems; h had a troubled and painful past that the H not once but TWICE threw in her face to belittle/insult/intentionally hurt the h. H did that publicly, uncaring of damaging or killing h’s reputation. Needless to say, H had a lot to make up for. h was not doormat as it may have seemed from how she allowed her relationship to H to develop, but once she was done, she iced the H out. The reconciliation began when the OW-D came and personally without H’s knowledge to apologize for her behavior to the h. h and OW-D develop and build a relationship and that starts to carry over to her forgiving the H.
There are way more nuances, details and missing parts of relationships that I have not included, but I really enjoyed the book and loved the drama of it all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2024
Well, I never thought I’d read a book from this author because of her other works but it’s fine
It’s not very romantic, actually it’s more like a connection they have and never felt before
I really enjoyed that she was beautiful, an architect, successful and owned her own house ( a big difference with her other heroines) but I still don’t understand why they are so in love,
The relationship is meh and he is more concerned about her teenage girl, heroine understands the situation but the kid is difficult… something happened and he is reaaaaasllly hard with her,
Then, months happened and we don’t see how is this time for her or how she feels… don’t get it!
He is cruel to her again and months pass again…
Finally the grovel starts and well it’s more again like a connection than love, I didn’t get why he is so in love…
But she resists and that’s my thing… she is a good heroine, too sweet and understanding for my liking but… she makes him grovel and wait…
He is celibate during separation but he said he tried but couldn’t, I wasn’t angry because she said she tried to fall for a client…
There’s no OW drama because he didn’t love her ex
I know some of this authors books are unsafe, have double standards and heroine is the ugliest duck but I’m gonna try with this new series because her women here are rich, successful, pretty and sassy!
When you explain your past, fears and scars to someone and they use that to hurt you deeply not once but twice, it's the worst kind of betrayal, it's a trust you can never gain back, so, what kind of couple you will be?
He uses her past to hurt her and humiliate her, his friend is amazing in that scene!
It’s not very romantic, actually it’s more like a connection they have and never felt before
I really enjoyed that she was beautiful, an architect, successful and owned her own house ( a big difference with her other heroines) but I still don’t understand why they are so in love,
The relationship is meh and he is more concerned about her teenage girl, heroine understands the situation but the kid is difficult… something happened and he is reaaaaasllly hard with her,
Then, months happened and we don’t see how is this time for her or how she feels… don’t get it!
He is cruel to her again and months pass again…
Finally the grovel starts and well it’s more again like a connection than love, I didn’t get why he is so in love…
But she resists and that’s my thing… she is a good heroine, too sweet and understanding for my liking but… she makes him grovel and wait…
He is celibate during separation but he said he tried but couldn’t, I wasn’t angry because she said she tried to fall for a client…
There’s no OW drama because he didn’t love her ex
I know some of this authors books are unsafe, have double standards and heroine is the ugliest duck but I’m gonna try with this new series because her women here are rich, successful, pretty and sassy!
When you explain your past, fears and scars to someone and they use that to hurt you deeply not once but twice, it's the worst kind of betrayal, it's a trust you can never gain back, so, what kind of couple you will be?
He uses her past to hurt her and humiliate her, his friend is amazing in that scene!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2024
Tags: age-gaaap, child_abuse_alert, cruel-cruel-hero, damaged-broken_heroine, divorced-hero, doormat_heroine, emotional-cheating, grovel-remorseful, hero-has-kid-or-kids, hurtful-words-overheard, hero-hurts-heroine, older-hero-younger-heroine, ow-drama, possessive-mine-mine-mine, rich-heroine, second-chance, southern-romance
August 24, 2024
what the FUCK is this book
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