It Would Have Been A Great Story

by Emma Hill

Caroline Twamley is perfect. She’s beautiful, rich, and intelligent. She’s got everything she could ever need.

Except her freedom.

With a family name to uphold and an inheritance holding her to a life she’s never wanted, Caroline never planned to challenge the path her father had set for her.

But when Tyler Auden follows her from a pipe dream gone wrong into a two-week reality TV show created to cause drama and build hype for her father’s country clubs, Caroline finds herself having to choose between the life she’s resigned herself to and the life she secretly wants.

Tyler and Caroline face evil exes, dark elite secrets, and the intricacies of a forbidden relationship, but neither of them can prepare for the story waiting for them in the depths.

Genres: Romance

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2024

Reviews

[Amanda Auler]

A reality tv show, a persevering love story, and double dose of magic. 🤭
This book kept me trying to figure out how everything was connected—I love a good mystery! Emma always writes whimsical and realistic dialogue, and characters that struggle with real life mental and emotional issues.

I have a hard time mixing my contemporary with my fantasy and if you do too I would advise you read her first book (And Maybe They Fall In Love) first to fully understand what’s going on!

I love that Emma isn’t afraid to tackle and write hard issues.

[Moriah Chavis]

ENDORSEMENT:

Hill creates a contemporary story steeped in magic and mystery, giving readers a glimpse into a reality not quite like our own. It Would Have Been A Great Story delves into important topics of the modern age with careful consideration. But through even the most tumultuous sea, readers are reminded of the sun above.

[Jen Woodrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh, I love Emma Hill's ability to use magical realism to tell real human stories about complex emotional topics. The love was sweet, the struggles were honest, and the magical abilities were perfectly intriguing and mysterious. I must say her first book (And Maybe They Fall In Love) holds a dear spot in my heart, and I didn't connect with Caroline as much as I connected with Elle. But I still enjoyed the journey and will continue to read more from Emma! 💕

[Ashley Sills · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Hill’s first book last year, I’ve been so excited to see where she takes her world of imperfect college students, layers of secrets, and magical abilities.

It Would Have Been A Great Story follows Caroline, an aspiring animator and heiress to a country club empire. She’s expected to be perfect in every moment and act the part of future country club empress—but she feels more like her father’s puppet. And unfortunately, Tyler, the handsome writer she met during an internship last summer, doesn’t fit into that perfect picture.

There are also two other POVs in this book: Everly, Tyler’s dad’s girlfriend; and Maggie, a young girl who is imprisoned in a dark room and forced to read people’s futures. If you’re wondering how all these characters’ stories could fit together, don’t worry, I did too. 😂 But they did, and I enjoyed all three!

I went in mostly expecting a romance because Hill’s first book was mainly a romance. There is definitely a love story, but I think it ends up as more of a prominent subplot, while the three POV women’s stories of growth take center stage. But Tyler and Caroline are the cutest couple! 🥰

I love how deeply and how well Hill writes her characters. Their emotions and struggles are raw and real; Hill doesn’t shy away from adversity in her stories. I also love the mental illness representation and the overarching theme of hope and resilience that stays with you at the end of both of her books.

This book is in a genre all its own—I’m continually impressed by Hill’s books and I’m excited to see what she comes up with next!

🌶️ one brief, non-descriptive fade-to-black scene
⚠️ eating disorders, sexual harassment, emotional manipulation, kidnapping

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book holds such a special place in my heart. Caroline’s story entertains me a little more with each reread, and I can’t wait to hear how she makes readers feel loved.

[Avery Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need 18 more books in this series (idc that its a duology)

[McKinley Weedin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book definitely has a different feel to it than the first book in the duology had. I would say it is slightly heavier and has more magical elements in it. Trigger warnings would be abuse, eating disorder and implied sex (there is absolutely no spice and it is 100% closed door, however, you do find out about implications that come from it)

However, the way Emma Hill is able to take all these painful, controversial topics and weave them into a beautiful healing story is amazing. This author definitely has a talent that needs to be shared with the world. Highly recommend!

[Onika Howdyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute read. The story is a continuation from the first book in the duology series. I loved the first book, so I was excited to dive into this one. Overall, I was mildly entertained by this story. Tyler and Caroline was a great character and I loved learning about her struggles with identity and following the straight line her father put in front of her. I loved the mystery surrounding Maggie, she was someone I was hooked on since the first time she is introduced.


Things I did not like:
The relationship between Caroline and Tyler was bittersweet, but I never believed 100% that their relationship would fail in the end, making the ending predicable. There were threats, but never enough to satisfy that 'hopeless' feeling that so many couples face in stories like this.

I also did not enjoy 1 of the POV's. I didn't see the point of Everly's. She wasn't a consistent interjector in the affairs of the other 2. If you took her out completely, the story would have survived just fine without it.

The rising action was great and my favorite part of the book. But once it was over, the balloon was deflated, and I found myself bored. I read from cover to cover, but the ending did not hold my attention as the climax. I wasn't excited by the outcome. I wanted more of a chance it would fail. I wanted to believe it would fail.

Call me a pessimist, but I love stories that leave you wanting answers. Not ones that answer all the questions.

This book will resonate perfectly with readers who enjoy coming into your own and finding love type stories. it just wasn't my full cup of dark roast coffee.

[Margaret Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I really enjoyed the first book in this duology, and to be honest I was nervous about this one because I was attached to the characters in the first book. However, the author did a great job getting the readers invested in these “new” characters right away (they’re in the cast of book 1 but not the focus).

There were moments and lines that truly took my breath away. The author does an excellent job finding really specific images and portraying mental health challenges in a gripping and relatable way.

Caroline. Layered and loving and wants to be loved for who she is.

Tyler. 🥰😍

Everly. My heart broke over and over for her! I wasn’t sure about her at first but I quickly started to root for her too. (The pudding scene…and the other thing…🥵)

Maggie. ❤️‍🩹

Anyway, these characters will certainly stick with me for a while.

Also, the magical realism aspect of it all really came together in an interesting way. The concept is unique and really well done.

All in all, this was a fun read that I kept picking up to “read one more chapter” after putting it down.

[Natalie Colburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay for starters.... It was an AWESOME story!! The story follows Caroline, an aspiring animator and country club heiress, Maggie, a girl locked away, and Everly, Tyler's dad's girlfriend, as they each are fighting their own battles. I've read "And Maybe They Fall In Love" and I loved getting to explore Caroline's life and see her and Tyler's love story play out! The romance is sweet and clean (literally closed door). Tyler... Caroline literally hit the jackpot with that man 😍.
I loved watching Hill tie together the three povs throughout the book, leaving me gasping as they all collided. One of my favorite parts of Hill's writing are her real and lovable characters that hook you from the beginning! Definitely recommend reading if you're in the mood for a little romance with magical elements and characters that you'll love!

Forbidden, closed door Romance ✅
Secret Plot ✅
Reality TV Series ✅
Mental Health Rep ✅
Magical Realism ✅
Tennis ✅
Multiple POVs ✅

[Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Emma’s modern YA fantasy series is such a unique and fun experience. I typically don’t like a particular plot point that happened (don’t want to be too specific to avoid spoilers!) but I think she did a great job with it and it actually was a great part of the story in my opinion! I love supporting local authors and Emma has quickly become one of my favorites! (And I loved seeing my name in the list of kickstarter backers! 🥰)

[Stephanie Crachiolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful book to dive deeper into the stories of characters we came to meet and grow curious about AMTFIL! This story had me gripped and Emma does a wonderful job of tying all of her POV's and storylines together. Highly recommend this sweet, and very real, love story with characters you can't help but root for!

[Addison Horner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's keep this short and sweet: as someone who doesn't enjoy most romances, this book wove romance, magical realism, drama, action, character, quotes, and vibes together in a beautiful way. It IS a great story and you SHOULD read it right now.

[Audrey Terrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot, the characters, the vibes??? all absolutely spectacular. I love the way the author weaves all three POV stories together into one incredible book, and I love seeing old characters from AMTFIL as well as amazing new ones!! highly recommend🤍🤍

[Christina Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the MaybeVerse follows Caroline and Tyler, who also met through the same internship program. Caroline is the heiress of a Golfing dynasty and she is expected to behave as such. Tyler is just an ordinary guy from a very non-impressive family who likes to write. But these two had a brief fling neither of them could forget after the internship, even though Caroline told Tyler they could never be more than friends. A paparazzi snaps a photo of the two of them. Caroline’s father isn’t impressed and he tells Caroline if she wants to continue to pursue graphic design, she must participate in a reality TV event centered around a gold tournament at one of his country clubs prior to a big gala. What Caroline didn’t know was that Tyler was offered a contract to be appear on the show as her love interest along with an ex who broke her heart. I knew when I backed the Kickstarter campaign that this book was more my speed than the other, and for me, it’s shaping up to be a 5/5. I enjoyed the way all the characters’ stories have begun to weave together. The bit of fantasy in this book comes from the seers that Caroline’s father secretly uses as additional income for his clubs and to help him succeed, but these seers are treated poorly, including ten-year-old Maggie. Caroline and Everly both deal with issues concerning dangerous weight-loss habits. Caroline has mostly moved past it during the time of the book, but her history with it haunts her, whereas for Everly, her body image is everything and she never feels good enough.

[Abigail Hawthorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so amazing. One of my favorite reads ever. <3

[Iqra Shafi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Would Have Been A Great Story was a GREAT STORY! The Maybe Duology is a great predecessor to the All For Mage And Melody Series!

I love that the Maybe Duology follows these characters into the All for Mage and Melody series and expands on the worldview of the next generation of their family (their kids are the main characters)!

I can't wait to read more of what's to come for the series that follows this! And I hope anyone who is thinking of picking these books up for a good read, please do!