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Evermore #3

Where Happiness Begins

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Lilianne DiLorenzo has spent most of her life waiting for a kidney transplant, but now that her dream has become a reality, she’s met with a new horrible medical debt. More than that, she can’t afford the medication she’ll need to take for life, and while she’s successful as a content creator, she’ll never be able to survive without health insurance.

After realizing his lifestyle as a famous band member had become toxic, Andrew Carter moved across the country and left everything behind, losing his friends and family in the process. Starting over has been a struggle, and the only silver lining has been his new career as a music producer. Succeeding in it is the one thing that keeps him going.

After an awkward first meeting, Lilianne and Carter realize they both have something the other she has the platform to promote the band he produces for, and he has the health insurance she needs…so long as they get married. While the idea sounds ridiculous at first, they can’t help feeling like it’s their best option.

With the two being total opposites, moving in together isn’t smooth sailing, but soon enough, they realize that faking feelings for the other might not be so hard after all. That is, so long as Lilianne doesn’t learn the secrets Carter is keeping from her.

380 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2024

77 people are currently reading
2509 people want to read

About the author

N.S. Perkins

7 books1,034 followers
N.S. Perkins is an Amazon bestselling author of contemporary romances full of heart and emotion. She lives the best of both worlds, being a part-time romance author and full-time resident physician. When she’s not writing or studying, N.S. loves to try new restaurants, dream about the next beach she’ll be visiting, and creep the cutest dogs in the parks around her house. She lives in Montreal with her partner.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
Profile Image for maria.
232 reviews1,712 followers
December 18, 2024
DNF @60%

this wasn’t for me, I didn’t connect with any of the characters, found the plot very stupid and unrealistic, and did not like the writing.

the book centers on Lil and Carter. Lil has a chronic disease because of that she is full on debts and needs an insurance, so when Carter propose to her a job with the boy band he produces for, she jokingly says that the only way she can accept is if he marries her and give her an insurance. So of course, he accepts. {all that happens in the first chapter}

Here is what I didn’t like: they moved together after marrying without any practical reason and mind you they didn’t even knew each other last name or anything. Two fully strangers and Lil was already saying things like “I feel so safe with him” “I don’t know him but for some reason I trust him” WHILE Carter is ignoring her and doing everything in his power to not talk to her, then suddenly out of nowhere, they start to have dinner together, to watch movies. Blah blah blah.

Also found the writing very messy and mediocre, the timeline jumps were insane, all the chapters ended up abruptly and the next one started in a whole different place / day and left me confused about what happened. I thought the second book was boring enough and there couldn’t be any other worse than that one but at least I could finish it, this one was just too bad for me to keep suffering. Too much descriptions to the point that I didn’t gaf anymore about anything.

They have ZERO chemistry, i don’t understand why they are falling in love with the other when there’s no depth and again, they don’t even know each other. Another thing that annoyed me was that it’s single pov, so i feel like something is missing.

On top of that, the first thing that comes to Lil’s mind whenever she sees Carter is to lust over him.

“I have to force myself not to ogle at him while he drives. Ever since he came back from the basement dressed in a black crewneck and clean dark jeans that make his ass look ten out of ten, I’ve been trying my best not to drool over him, but it’s more difficult than you would think.” 🙄

Life is too short for me to suffer for a book. This book could work for someone else, but unfortunately it didn’t for me.



ᝰ🌼pre-read: ᯓᡣ𐭩୭˚.

I opened a random chapter and spoiled myself so I guess now I have to read it🫣 I hope my happiness to begin with this book because my last reads have been torture
Profile Image for mackenzie (hiatus).
307 reviews302 followers
June 2, 2025
these two are soul!!!!! mates!!!!! and you cannot convince me otherwise. this was so cute but so emotional and overall so amazing. i love how ns perkins writes, how quick and easy her books are while simultaneously having depth and emotion. catch me reading her backlist 😁

a book per day update: literally didn’t even finish this one june 1 so technically i failed already? but i’m gonna keep track at the end of reviews so happy 1/30 😛⭐💐

pre-read:
idk who we think we are but me and bestie ry decided to try to read a book per day for june and i am absolutely gonna fail at some point but we’re gonna try to start strong with an easy little read 🤝🏼
Profile Image for Cassie.
149 reviews14.4k followers
July 30, 2024
4.9 ⭐️

So grateful to get an arc of this book!

- N.S Perkins you’ve done it again!!
- I always FLY through her books there’s definitely crack in these books
- literally filled with so many amazing tropes
- I need to find a man like Carter.
- jumps right into the action
- nothing will top Will from the infinity between us but Carter came VERY close ngl 🤭
- if you like Abby Jimenez you’ll love N.S Perkins!!
Profile Image for Mora.
217 reviews
August 22, 2024
This wasn't 5 ⭐️ because of the 3rd act break up. Other than that this was good and I liked it 💖

Andrew Carter you have my heart 🫠🫶🏻.

* I liked how their relationship evolved from strangers to friends before they became intimate, they were both supported and caring to each other 💕.
* “MY WIFE” I’m every thing for this trope 🫶🏻🤭.
* He is very possessive.
* The h was the only woman he let her in 🫠.
* Every time the h remembered her father was heartbreaking 💔 He wished to see his daughter healthy but he died before seeing that happen 😔.
* Seeing the H do everything the h’s father left behind and complete what the father started, I loved this part.
* HEA, they both deserved it after everything they went through.
* Most of the book is from the h’s POV (the present) / The H’s POV is about his past 3 years ago after he left his band

Note :

Let me explain the timeline of the H’s story

~ He was with his band for 3 years (We didn't see this timeline and no details about it, he just mentioned that he was an alcoholic and this life was toxic to him).

~ Six months after leaving the band and his pov was about this timeline (it’s about his friendship with his AA sponsor).

~ Present time where he meet the h for first time 4 years after leaving his ex-band (he is a completely different person now, not the wild person from the past) He has no pov in the present timeline (except for the epilogue).
__________

Triggers:

— Loss of loved one (the h’s father).
— Alcoholism (The H in the past).
— The h had 8 years of struggling with a failing renal function.


Safety:

Safe for me

— h/24 - H/30
— Fake marriage (stranger to friends to lovers)
— Grumpy (H) x Sunshine (h)
— Slow burn
— The H avoids the h at beginning
— No owd/cheating/scenes with op
— No virgins (The h has been celibate for 2 years and the H for a year)
— 3rd act break up (separation for month and both were faithful)

— When the H was with his ex-band for 3 years he used to be an alcoholic and probably a manho!! I'd say it was mostly drunk s*x (off page and no details). Also he mentioned that the girls were climbed him during parties while he was too drunk to even realize what was going on (He didn't like this and made him very angry).
This is mentioned only once we didn’t see anything about his past with his ex-band or his wild life (I really appreciate that) and thankfully there are no scenes or any details with other women and there is not much about his sexual history. tbh I never felt he was a manho so it didn't bother me at all 😊.
(As i said above this happened 4 years before he meet the h).

— Slight OMD: Her boss is trying to hit on her and gropes her every chance he gets which makes her uncomfortable around him but the H puts him in his place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for glavreads.
479 reviews8,012 followers
August 19, 2024
NAURRRRRR BECAUSE I DEVOURED THIS IN ONE SITTING 10\10

this is a grumpy x sunshine marriage of convenience between lilianne who desperately needs health insurance and carter whose band needs the pr boost from lil’s successful social media page. when they move in together, despite carter trying to keep his distance, they both fill a desperately needed space in each other’s lives and realize they’re a lot more connected than they ever thought.

this was unputdownable. their grumpy/sunshine banter and forced proximity had me hooked immediately and the bond they developed as carter let her in little by little was truly everything. he went from closed off grump to the sweetest husband who just wanted her to be happy.

this is truly just a story that you need to go into an experience but it gave me allllll of the mariana zapata vibes with the tension-filled slow burn where i was just dying for the little smiles he’d give her and uhhhhh, just so good.
Profile Image for N.S. Perkins.
Author 7 books1,034 followers
Read
August 20, 2024
Where Happiness Begins is officially out in the world! 🥳

After dreaming of this story for so long, it's so exciting to say it's finally available for you. Lil and Carter's story is a very special one to me, and I hope you guys love reading it as much as I did writing it.

You'll enjoy this story if you like...

💛 Marriage of Convenience
💙 Grumpy X Sunshine
💛 Forced Proximity
💙 Chronic Illness Rep
💛 Past Trauma
💙 Dual POV (with a twist!)
💛 Band Tour Setting
💙 "My wife"

Order NOW through AMAZON, BARNES AND NOBLE, or my ETSY SHOP to get a signed copy!
Profile Image for Melissa.
265 reviews12 followers
August 15, 2024
there are not enough words for how much i love this book. carter & lili have such a genuine connection and i love the way they support and know each other. and the TENSION 😮‍💨 🚿

lil really did her best to break down all of the walls carter had built up over recent years and when he finally let her in their relationship was so beautiful. i loved the twist on a dual POV and getting to learn more about carter's journey too. both characters are so strong and have been through so much, they deserve nothing but happiness 🥹

i loved getting all the scenes with the previous evermore couples and seeing more of finn & lil's friendship. the band members were such a fun addition to this story too. noémie's writing is always so beautiful and her characters so well developed and this book is no different.

🩵 marriage of convenience
💛 grumpy / sunshine
🩵 dual pov
💛 forced proximity
🩵 past trauma
💛 band tour setting
Profile Image for Crystal.
250 reviews8 followers
August 14, 2024
I have loved every N.S. Perkins book I’ve read! this one is 10000% my favorite 🤭 I laughed, smiled & cried while reading. I’m talking tears all over my shirt while I wipe my face with a towel type of crying 😂 I was such a mess but in the best way! This book represents the saying, fate works in mysterious ways. you never know why something happens, but in the end it all works out. I loved Lili & Carter’s relationship from the beginning. The way Lili cared for Carter without pushing him to be someone he wasn’t was so beautiful to read. & the way Carter remembered all the little things about Lili that only a man in love would remember 🥹 if you’re looking for a book that will PULL at your heart strings, this is the one for you!!

read if you like ||
-forced proximity
-chronic illness rep
-grumpy x sunshine
-marriage of convenience
Profile Image for Finucha.
332 reviews55 followers
January 9, 2025
so wholesome and emotional🥹🥹💖💫🌻
“she is where happiness begins”
Profile Image for MightBeNicole.
111 reviews2 followers
August 25, 2024
I liked this soooo much! But it felt unfinished or like a rough draft idk 🤷‍♀️.

One time I was told he doesn't have tattoos on his fingers and then another time he touched her with a tattooed finger. Then i get told that he is 30 but then it's his birthday and he is 30 ( he should've been 31) also I swear Lilli says she has dark thick hair but near the end Carter says she has blonde hair. ( perhaps I am just petty for pointing this out but these two things stuck with me ) .
As always N.S Perkins knows how to make me cry with her words and this one was no different because just like Lilli I understood the grief of losing a parent and the hardships that follow 😪😪. I honestly enjoyed this book just wish it was more polished 🤗🤗
Profile Image for Chiara.
149 reviews434 followers
November 13, 2024
FINALLY free of the book that put me in a slump for weeks. This was nothing special and I felt no attachment to the characters unfortunately I just got too far in to DNF and I needed it to count as a book towards my reading goal 😔
Profile Image for Katie Prouty.
601 reviews154 followers
July 24, 2024
”Marrying you was the best mistake I ever made. It ruined me for the rest of my life, but it also made me see I had a life to begin with.”

i can’t with this book. it is everything.

this is one of those books that’s not five stars but FIVE STARS!!!! i ate this up! i read it in 10 hours and will be shouting at everyone to (please) read this book. I cried no less than four times. I felt this entire book in my chest. the last sentence of the epilogue… weeping!!

where happiness begins is perfect for abby jimenez readers. also on par with colleen hoover and emily henry. emotional book girlies!!

brb. going to devour perkins’ backlist.

✨THINGS AND STUFF✨
-dual pov
-dual timelines (three and a half years ago)
-the grump & little mrs. sunshine
-fireball
-marriage of convenience aka my wife
-chronic illness rep
-forced proximity
-he drives her home from work 🥹
-you’re married, ofc there’s only one hotel room
-oh no, you’re wounded! (hurt/comfort)
-birds & plants
-monopoly
-found family
-#IsThisAKissingBook: open door. “getting married involves a kiss. of course it does.”

thank you ns perkins for an advanced copy!
Profile Image for Jeeves Reads Romance.
1,683 reviews797 followers
August 26, 2024
Pretty great

Rounding up my rating, because I sincerely enjoyed it. I love a marriage of convenience romance, and this was a situation I haven’t encountered before. Our heroine marries a total stranger because she needs the health insurance, and the more she gets to know the infuriatingly quiet man, the more it changes their lives. I kinda loved that we only had the heroine’s perspective in present day, but we got to know the hero in bits and pieces through flashbacks of his past. He’s the strong, silent type, and he does everything he can to avoid falling for his sunshine girl. Their relationship slowly builds from strangers to married roommates and reluctant friends to lovers, and the progression had me aching for more. I definitely wouldn’t have minded a few more scenes basking in those romantic vibes, but it’s the kind of love story where the tenderness is sprinkled in quiet moments. There’s an emotional story buried underneath the slow-burning romance, and I was engaged the whole way through. Not a perfect ten, but absolutely a great read.

The story follows Lilianne, a woman whose medical bills are starting to pile up. She received a kidney transplant not long ago, and the death of her father has added even more financial strain to her situation. So when an up-and-coming band recognizes Lil from social media and offers her a gig promoting their music, she’s not sure what to think. She can’t afford her bills if she doesn’t keep her current job, but it’s a good opportunity. When a joke about marrying someone for their health insurance results in a very real marriage to the band’s producer, Lil suddenly finds herself living with a total stranger - her new husband, Carter. While Lil knows next to nothing about the man, he seems decent enough. And once they finally get to know each other better, Lil realizes that she might have a real marriage on her hands after all.

I’ve tried a few of this author’s earlier books, but this was the first to truly strike a chord with me. I can see how her writing has grown, and she’s always explored impactful topics. This is no exception - between Lil’s health concerns, grieving over the loss of her father, and Carter’s history with alcohol, there are plenty of things that add weight to the story. But it also feels light and hopeful in a lot of ways, with Carter slowly opening up and becoming a happier, more vibrant man. I liked getting to know him better, and the story weaves them together in the best ways. There really wasn’t anything that I didn’t like, though I do think a few more swoony scenes in the middle would have upped the wow factor. It cemented its 5-star rating with the feels towards the end though, and I was excited to pick it back up every time I set it down. Looking forward to whatever is next from the author, because this was very solid.
Profile Image for winnie ₊ ⊹.
936 reviews308 followers
September 2, 2024
”when i picture my future, it makes no sense without you in it. you’re my one love, too.” ₊ ⊹

my thoughts┊ooh this was everything i didn’t know i needed <3 starting out september strong with a solid 5 star read!

this series is such an underrated one, i swear! it has some of the best characters and relationship arcs and emotional moments. this installment was definitely my favorite from the series, even though i truly love each and every one.

lilianne was such a strong character! to have gone through what she has and have so much grace and passion for life is truly special. she’s such a ray of sunshine and she deserves every good thing life has for her! i loved her! and carter was such *chef’s kiss* the perfect male hero. he wasn’t very open but reading the chapters from his perspective were so enlightening, and seeing him form that trust with lil to feel safe enough to open up was the best thing about this book. the slow bond, the forming chemistry, subtle angst. this was everything i wanted in a marriage of convenience trope!

the story progression was beautiful and even though this did have a third act hiccup, i felt that it was justified and handled in a more realistic way than a lot of others. they communicated and worked together to figure it out and i loooved that. genuinely felt like i was an emotional fly on the wall for so many moments and that’s what made this such a good book!

i can definitely see myself rereading this whole trilogy later in the colder months. will be purchasing physical copies of this at the earliest convenience so that i can annotate this too! cannot recommend this series enough <3
264 reviews4 followers
July 24, 2024
Another hit for Noémie!! 🤩🤩

Up there with WTSS for me. Always charismaric, warm characters, crisp dialogues, and fun twists.
I was mostly impressed here at how everything was well strung together, both in the big things (the great Carter POVs from the last for instance) and the small things (I’m thinking for instance of how the grandma character allowed for so many little connections).

Other things I loved:
A full blast Tourisme Montréal appreciation ad!
Another letter!!!
That ~~steamy shower scene was something else hahahaha
And even more medical stuff than in the last books. Residency living RENT FREE in the brain of our Doc Author!

Okay I’m done: go fetch that book when it comes out!
Thanks Noémie for the early copy, an honor as always 🙏
Profile Image for Emma Coffey.
512 reviews45 followers
August 4, 2024
N.S. Perkin’s romances always feel so comforting to me! While they are all filled with super fun & humorous moments, her stories contain a ton of depth. I really loved the characters in this and flew through it. A perfect marriage of convenience!!! My only complaint is that I wish it was longer to give more time with the characters — loved it though!

Thank you N.S. Perkins for the advanced copy!
Profile Image for Agapibooks.
646 reviews85 followers
October 11, 2024
Si vou plé qu’elle n’arrête jamais d’écrire 🥹

Je ne sais pas ce que l’autrice met dans ses romans mais ça fonctionne à chaque fois pour moi, j’y fonce les yeux fermés, sans résumé ni rien, et c’est toujours parfait. En plus elle écrit toujours avec les tropes que j’adore, c’est de la triche. Bref, là où en ce moment il me faut plusieurs jours voire semaines pour lire un roman, là je l’ai dévoré en 24h…
Profile Image for jade.
269 reviews6 followers
August 22, 2024
oh the tears 😭 didn’t expect this to make me cry but honestly i shouldn’t be surprised

this series is so dear to me and i love each and every character to come from it. lili and carter are definitely not an exception from that (they may just be my favorites)

this is type of cosmic, red string, soulmate type of love i could only ever dream of and i can’t imagine having
Profile Image for mk.
124 reviews
February 20, 2025
Yeah yeah the book wasn’t without its faults but yk what who cares it was adorable and cute and I cried so YEAH!!!
Profile Image for Stephanie | stephonashelf.
848 reviews150 followers
September 15, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: E-book

5🌟 - I loved it!

Thank you @nsperkinsauthor for the #gifted E-ARC!

“I love you not because you love me but because you’re you, and that was the only thing I needed to fall in love.”

I have had @nsperkinsauthor on my radar for a while now thanks to my friend @sunshinereadswithlil! I was so thrilled to finally try one of her books! This certainly won’t be my last! I read this in basically one sitting and couldn’t get enough of it!

This was pretty much perfect! I loved the plot, the characters, the marriage-of-convenience, grumpy x sunshine, banter, and dual POV!

The two main characters are both working through different challenges including chronic illness and alcoholism. The story came together totally perfectly! These topics were tackled with so much care, and gave another layer of depth to the characters!

This is technically part of a series, but they are interconnected standalones (so you can jump right in like I did)! Fans of Abby Jimenez will connect with her books I think! This is on KU so run and go download!
Profile Image for summer⁎ ˚ ˚୨୧⋆。˚ ⋆.
479 reviews215 followers
October 23, 2024
A special thanks to the author for the arc!<3

I absolutely adored this. The story was amazing, the pacing was perfect, and I loved everything about the characters.

Carter was sweet once you got past the grump. Given his circumstance, I wouldn't know how I'd act, either, being in a house with a woman you married for her to have health insurance and... other things. His story was so admirable and he was such a strong character, overcoming his alcoholism. He's also a hunkie hottie tattooed baddie "ex" guitarist who produces music for the band.

Lilianne was also so strong. One, for having to go through the process of a kidney transplant, and two, for persisting even after losing her father. And while I rated this 5 stars, I will say that I found Lilianne's "job" lazy. She's a content creator and needs health insurance which is her reason for marrying Carter. But like... you go and marry someone before maybe... idk... getting a real job? But I usually always hate when a main characters "job" is an influencer. To me it just reads as lazy because anybody can write that. Also there's a lot of "whooshing" when she's falling in love like... please stop


I loved Carter and Lili together. I can't say much without spoiling anything, but I will say that Carter does give us a healthy dose of good girl and honey, and those two are my kryptonite. Everything about the pair was healing for me and exactly what I needed.

This book is like NS Perkins' other works: heartbreaking. You will probably cry like I did so keep a box of tissues nearby.
Profile Image for nat. ❦.
436 reviews59 followers
December 28, 2024
4.25/5 ✩ omg me leí esto en 5 horas, muy muy romántico.

Carter al principio no me convencía, y se me hizo raro ver que en este libro no teníamos su pov, pero todo tiene sentido al final, y dios mío! También le dio un aire misterioso, no me quejo, no hizo falta su punto de vista en el presente para ver lo enamorado que andaba, y no me molestó la ruptura de tercer acto porque eso nos dio el tipo de confesión de amor ENOJADA que tanto me gusta!!!!!!!! Y él andaba patético, de verdad, me encantó jaajajajaj. El epílogo está narrado desde el POV de Carter, mucho amor ahí eh 😭💖

Algo que le cambiaría son los saltos de tiempo cuando termina un capítulo y empieza el siguiente, era como si cortaran la escena de la nada y se pudieron haber explorado más ☝️☝️

Safe
Profile Image for diana ·˚ ☾⋆。˚.
167 reviews
August 18, 2024
4.5

“Marrying you was the best mistake I ever made.”

Thank you to N.S. Perkins for the eARC of WHB!

There are absolutely no words to express what an incredibly beautiful story this was. As soon as I reached the last page, I wanted to start the Evermore series all over again.

Lilianne and Carter. A marriage of convenience. Lilianne gains health insurance to cover her medical expenses, while Carter benefits from her social media influence to boost the band he is producing towards fame. They promised to be each other’s person for two years, then go their separate ways. As they navigate the complexities of their arrangement, it begins to not feel fake anymore… but all is not as it seems.

WHB is a story of recovering after love, loss, and perseverance. Like she always does, Perkins was able to take a storyline that you’ve read before, but turn it all around truly making it her own. I loved the dual timeline and POV between Lilianne’s present and Carter’s past. The format worked well as we see Carter’s backstory. He is reserved, incapable of smiling and his conversational skills are severely lacking, but at the same time, he is also incredibly resilient and inspiring for overcoming his alcoholism. And Lilianne? She’s someone I’d love to be friends with. She’s a kidney transplant recipient and continues to grieve the loss of her father; however, she remains optimistic, radiating positivity and light. The cameos with Aaron/Wren and Finn/Lexie was so heartwarming, and added a perfect touch to bring everything full circle.

Lilianne and Carter are perfect for each other in each and every sense. I love the gradual build up in their relationship and how they allow themselves to get a little bit closer and comfortable with each other. I couldn’t get enough of their conversations, their yearning for each other, and then realize how much they care for each other and how perfectly they fit together. When the whole truth is slowly revealed all the way to the end, I was sobbing at how everything fell into place! Their story is one that will make you laugh, cry, and most importantly, believe that ‘fate works in interesting ways’.

tropes:
– marriage of convenience
– grumpy x sunshine
– forced proximity
– chronic illness rep
– past trauma
– bonus: “my wife”
Profile Image for Emily.
250 reviews16 followers
August 21, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐
2/5 🌶
ARC REVIEW!!! no because this book is a must read!!! for real, drop everything and pick up this book!!! i fell in love with carter and lil from the first page and was so engrossed into their story that i never wanted to put this book down. this is my first book by n.s. perkins, and now i need to go back and read her entire backlog because i am obsessed! there are two other books in this series that i'm definitely going to be reading soon!!

"marrying you was the best mistake i ever made. it ruined me for the rest of my life, but it also made me see i had a life to begin with.” - i mean come on, if that doesn't make you just swoon over them 🥰

there were some unexpected plot twists with this one that had me on the edge of my seat just itching to read more! i loved both lil and carter and seeing their relationship progress was so so special. carter is very closed off at the beginning, but you see him open up to lil throughout the book and it's the sweetest thing. both characters have some heavy past trauma that they are dealing with, so please be sure to check trigger warnings before reading this one!!

read if you like:
💛marriage of convenience
💛forced proximity
💛chronic illness rep
💛grumpy x sunshine
💛dual pov
💛"my wife." 🤭

thank you so much n.s. perkins for this arc in exchange for my honest reivew!
Profile Image for Jessie Vereecken.
271 reviews4 followers
August 5, 2024
First of all thank you so much Noémie for gifting me this ARC 💗

Rating: 4.5 🌟

This was an incredibly beautiful story that gave me all the feels 🥹😭 I fell in love with N.S. Perkins after reading A risk on forever and this one just proved again how much I love her writing style. I teared up multiple times and that was all due to the immediate connection I felt with the characters.

Lili and Carter both had an awfully painful past, which made me root for them so much while reading >> I just wanted them to be happy 🥺 You clearly feel all the time and passion Noémie puts in her characters and story and I couldn’t recommend her books more.

This book is kinda dual POV as in the MMC’s POV is in the past and the FMC’s POV in the present >> this really gave an extra layer to the story and gave you all the information you needed.

Tropes: marriage of convenience - forced proximity - “my wife” - past trauma

This book deals with some really heavy topics, so be sure to check trigger warnings ❗️
Profile Image for abby :).
665 reviews44 followers
August 26, 2024
3.75/5

this book and me did not get along and i’m sad, that being said the writing is still so good!!

i have adored all five of this authors works but something about the story in this one was not my favorite. marriage of convenience is not a favorite trope of mine and that really showed in this book. i didn’t buy carter and lili’s relationship at the start, it seemed very rushed and more build up was needed. also the band… lili starts to do media promotion for the band carter produces for but it’s so annoying. i couldn’t have cared less for that whole element of the story, so sorry.

i did end up liking lili and carter by the end and i thought they were cute together but it all just felt underdeveloped. the plot twist were pretty predictable but i liked seeing how it would all play out and it ended being sweet. the note he wrote her was adorable. anyway i just wish there was more to say, i wanted more but didn’t hate what i got. still think n. s. perkins is an amazing writer and i will be excited for the next book!!
Profile Image for bookswithely.
223 reviews11 followers
August 15, 2024
such a fun read!!! I loved loved loved the characters. Lilianne was such a fun character to read about. Although I don’t think she needed to resort to marriage for her troubles, I could also understand why she took the opportunity when it came. I loved how fun she was despite everything life threw at her! Carter was my type of grumpy character. He was grumpy without being asshole or mean. I also loved his story and how he overcame alcoholism.

I also really enjoyed the concert/band/tour/musical setting. I think that was something I’ve never read about before and while I tend to stay away from musicians MCs, this one really won me over. The whole forced proximity and slow burn was done really well as well, it really grew the tension and angst between the characters!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I highly recommend it if you’ve read N.S. Perkins before or if you enjoy marriage of convenience!

thank you to the author for the arc!
Profile Image for Lillian.
379 reviews28 followers
August 19, 2024
"Marrying you was the best mistake I ever made.”

I had the absolute honor of beta reading this book for Noémie & it was the most fun I’ve ever had! 🤩 I mean who wouldn’t want to proof read a book by your favorite author where the FMC has the same nickname as you 😉 ily forever for that Noémie 🫶🏼

If you love to cry, these books will do it for you 🤧 Noémie has such a way with words that pull on your heartstrings. I was so invested in Carter’s backstory and it brought so much depth to this book.

This is the kind of book that will have you rooting for both main characters from page 1. Both Carter and Lil have painful pasts and have dealt with a lot in their lives, but the way their love grows for each other throughout the book is 👩🏻‍🍳💋 They push each other to be the best version of themselves 🥰

the found family trope throughout this series has been EVERYTHING that I look for & this book gives the evermore series such a perfect conclusion 🥹 I’m so so sad to be living this universe behind, but I’ll be back soon with some rereads 😌

The one thing you will always remember from this book after reading = the shower scene 🥵

Read if you like:
💍 marriage of convenience
🌤️ grumpy sunshine
🛏️ forced proximity
😷 chronic illness rep
🗣️ witty banter
👥 dual POV
Profile Image for Apoorva Sharma.
829 reviews47 followers
August 26, 2024
This is one of the most beautiful books I have read in 2024 and I have all the rights reasons to say so because the way NS Perkins has put so many intricate details in this book from the past of the characters to the way confessions and feelings flowed.

One thing that was really especial about this book was how they characters didn't get on with it as soon as they got married but there was a slow burn which made their connection look deep.

I love how much efforts NS Perkins put in creating a character & its back story because it has a serious impact on the stories.

This story was so beautiful and law and I loved how chronic illness, addiction & recovery was shown in this book.

Profile Image for Sydney Watts.
179 reviews3 followers
August 19, 2024
Such an underrated series and this is definitely my new fav (they’re all amazing tho)💛 Lil and Andy stole my heart, this was such an emotional yet entertaining and heartwarming read that that I couldn’t put down!! It had me swooning, laughing, crying and heart feeling so full! Also a couple plot twists I did not see coming and had me in tears!!! Thank you N.S for the arc and for sharing another beautiful story🥹🩵
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