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The Amada Beach Series #1
Always Been Yours
One person. One moment. One kiss.
That’s all it took to change everything...
GRADY MILLER
Genevieve “Vivi” Davies and I used to be best friends, but it was always more than that. Not only was she the first girl I kissed—and loved—but she was my greatest lesson in realizing that our actions have consequences.
But I’m not that boy who broke her heart anymore. I’m divorced. A former college baseball player. A single dad.
Moving back to my hometown and building a new life with my two daughters, Stella and Daisy, brings more than a few challenges. And while I missed my family and the sense of community, I don’t know how she feels about me coming back. It doesn’t take long for Vivi and I to cross paths and when we do, I’m reminded that Genevieve Davies isn’t just the girl next door. She never has been.
GENEVIEVE DAVIES
I haven’t seen Grady Miller in eight years. I’d heard—and could feel all eyes on me as the news spread—that he was moving back home, recently divorced, with his two young daughters.
I never could’ve imagined Stella and Daisy waltzing right into my classroom, and my life, without a warning. But here they are, leaving the literal door wide open for Grady to follow closely behind.
And only my luck would land me in the position of having to plan a semester long fundraiser with him. As we work closer together, the years we spent apart slowly melt away. I begin to remember what it felt like to be near him. Years of miscommunications and silence suddenly seem unimportant in comparison to the feelings that come roaring back. But we aren’t kids anymore and there’s infinitely more on the line this time around.
With all of these new changes, will Grady and I be able to move beyond the past and figure out if we have a future? What does that even look like and where do we go from here?
That’s all it took to change everything...
GRADY MILLER
Genevieve “Vivi” Davies and I used to be best friends, but it was always more than that. Not only was she the first girl I kissed—and loved—but she was my greatest lesson in realizing that our actions have consequences.
But I’m not that boy who broke her heart anymore. I’m divorced. A former college baseball player. A single dad.
Moving back to my hometown and building a new life with my two daughters, Stella and Daisy, brings more than a few challenges. And while I missed my family and the sense of community, I don’t know how she feels about me coming back. It doesn’t take long for Vivi and I to cross paths and when we do, I’m reminded that Genevieve Davies isn’t just the girl next door. She never has been.
GENEVIEVE DAVIES
I haven’t seen Grady Miller in eight years. I’d heard—and could feel all eyes on me as the news spread—that he was moving back home, recently divorced, with his two young daughters.
I never could’ve imagined Stella and Daisy waltzing right into my classroom, and my life, without a warning. But here they are, leaving the literal door wide open for Grady to follow closely behind.
And only my luck would land me in the position of having to plan a semester long fundraiser with him. As we work closer together, the years we spent apart slowly melt away. I begin to remember what it felt like to be near him. Years of miscommunications and silence suddenly seem unimportant in comparison to the feelings that come roaring back. But we aren’t kids anymore and there’s infinitely more on the line this time around.
With all of these new changes, will Grady and I be able to move beyond the past and figure out if we have a future? What does that even look like and where do we go from here?
423 pages, Paperback
Published September 6, 2024
89 people are currently reading
978 people want to read
About the author
Ashtyn Kiana
3 books53 followersAshtyn Kiana is an indie author whose debut novel came out September 2024. Her day job doesn’t leave a lot of room for creativity, so she started writing her first novel as a way to express that side of herself. Ashtyn writes loves stories that are heartfelt, emotional, and swoony with a good helping of spice! When she’s not writing, she’s probably walking her dogs, making macrame, or at a local coffee shop.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
August 25, 2024
I was give an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
It’s hard to believe this is the author’s debut book.
It is absolutely FANTASTIC!
Vivi and Grady are childhood neighbors/best friends who have a falling out in highschool.
It’s been over a decade and their second chance may finally be happening.
The characters are fabulous.
The sense of community and family is so heartwarming and fun.
I am so excited to get more of these characters stories!
What really made this book special to me was the way the author handled situations and made you feel what characters felt.
It was very raw and realistic.
Vivi was super fun and confident yet had some insecurities that came from her best friend hurting her as a child who she loved. Followed by her closest friends’ betrayal in college. Those experiences so young will make a person closed off, and we see that so perfectly dealt with in this book.
Grady is our single dad doing what’s best for his daughters. He is sweet and sexy, but, bless his heart, a type B personality with a dash of fear of confrontation. I appreciated that this was actually addressed and not just glossed over as “who he is.”
The girls, Lexi, Calypso, Knox, and truly all the characters were wonderful and funny and just so heartwarming.
I’m trying not to spoil anything so I’m going to be super vague with this last character…
Arielle is the ex wife/ girls’ mom. I really like how this book handled the so called “OW drama.” If you put yourself in this character’s shoes you will realize she had no intention of causing drama, but was left in the dark about much and processing her feelings now that she’s away from her children and their father. Once she is informed she handled everything very maturely and honestly. It’s so easy to want to not like her, but when you actually think about it, her side is not wrong and the book conveys this. I really appreciated how it was handled. She is not a villain and the blame fell on the right person for the incident.
Chapter 36 is one of the funniest chapters I have ever read. I literally was crying from laughing!
If you like character driven series like the Addicted Series and Chestnut Springs then you will love this series!
Seriously one of the best debut books I’ve ever read, and I cannot wait for more!
It’s hard to believe this is the author’s debut book.
It is absolutely FANTASTIC!
Vivi and Grady are childhood neighbors/best friends who have a falling out in highschool.
It’s been over a decade and their second chance may finally be happening.
The characters are fabulous.
The sense of community and family is so heartwarming and fun.
I am so excited to get more of these characters stories!
What really made this book special to me was the way the author handled situations and made you feel what characters felt.
It was very raw and realistic.
Vivi was super fun and confident yet had some insecurities that came from her best friend hurting her as a child who she loved. Followed by her closest friends’ betrayal in college. Those experiences so young will make a person closed off, and we see that so perfectly dealt with in this book.
Grady is our single dad doing what’s best for his daughters. He is sweet and sexy, but, bless his heart, a type B personality with a dash of fear of confrontation. I appreciated that this was actually addressed and not just glossed over as “who he is.”
The girls, Lexi, Calypso, Knox, and truly all the characters were wonderful and funny and just so heartwarming.
I’m trying not to spoil anything so I’m going to be super vague with this last character…
Arielle is the ex wife/ girls’ mom. I really like how this book handled the so called “OW drama.” If you put yourself in this character’s shoes you will realize she had no intention of causing drama, but was left in the dark about much and processing her feelings now that she’s away from her children and their father. Once she is informed she handled everything very maturely and honestly. It’s so easy to want to not like her, but when you actually think about it, her side is not wrong and the book conveys this. I really appreciated how it was handled. She is not a villain and the blame fell on the right person for the incident.
Chapter 36 is one of the funniest chapters I have ever read. I literally was crying from laughing!
If you like character driven series like the Addicted Series and Chestnut Springs then you will love this series!
Seriously one of the best debut books I’ve ever read, and I cannot wait for more!
September 8, 2024
"Always Been Yours" by Ashtyn Kiana is a heartwarming and emotionally charged romance that grabs your attention right from the start. The story revolves around deep-rooted relationships, second chances, and the healing power of love, making it a gripping read for romance fans.
The characters are well-developed, especially our main characters Vivi and Grady, who have palpable chemistry. Kiana does an excellent job of portraying their emotional struggles and personal growth, making them relatable and easy to root for. The dialogue feels natural, and the pacing is steady, keeping the reader engaged throughout the book.
One of the strongest aspects of the novel is the sense of nostalgia and the theme of rekindling old feelings. The way Kiana navigates the complexities of past relationships while infusing hope for the future is both touching and realistic. I love the family dynamic between Grady and his daughters and how relatable this story is. She also touches on deeper themes like trust, forgiveness, and vulnerability.
"Always Been Yours" is a compelling romance that delivers on the emotional front with just the right amount of spice. It’s the kind of story that leaves you with a warm feeling and a sense of optimism about love and relationships. If you're a fan of second-chance romances and heartfelt storytelling, this book is definitely worth the read.
The characters are well-developed, especially our main characters Vivi and Grady, who have palpable chemistry. Kiana does an excellent job of portraying their emotional struggles and personal growth, making them relatable and easy to root for. The dialogue feels natural, and the pacing is steady, keeping the reader engaged throughout the book.
One of the strongest aspects of the novel is the sense of nostalgia and the theme of rekindling old feelings. The way Kiana navigates the complexities of past relationships while infusing hope for the future is both touching and realistic. I love the family dynamic between Grady and his daughters and how relatable this story is. She also touches on deeper themes like trust, forgiveness, and vulnerability.
"Always Been Yours" is a compelling romance that delivers on the emotional front with just the right amount of spice. It’s the kind of story that leaves you with a warm feeling and a sense of optimism about love and relationships. If you're a fan of second-chance romances and heartfelt storytelling, this book is definitely worth the read.
September 5, 2024
I really liked this book. It was very good for a debut and I honestly can't wait for more in the series.
Grady was a sweet man that never stopped loving his childhood best friend. After so many years, he finally has the chance to make her his and he doesn't hesitate. He was an amazing father, I just loved him with his girls, he was so supportive and loving to them, it warmed my heart.
Vivi was afraid to get hurt again but she couldn't stop herself from falling for Grady and his daughters and it was so cute to watch.
They really functioned together as a family so well. I loved their moments when all 4 were together, to see their bond develop
Grady was a sweet man that never stopped loving his childhood best friend. After so many years, he finally has the chance to make her his and he doesn't hesitate. He was an amazing father, I just loved him with his girls, he was so supportive and loving to them, it warmed my heart.
Vivi was afraid to get hurt again but she couldn't stop herself from falling for Grady and his daughters and it was so cute to watch.
They really functioned together as a family so well. I loved their moments when all 4 were together, to see their bond develop
September 6, 2024
This is such a heartwarming story. A story that holds a second chance trope between two childhood friends.
Here’s what I absolutely loved in this book-the single dad trope. Anything to do with single parenting just makes my heart warm and just feel so much love for the writer for including this.
I love Grady’s character and how thoughtful and loving he is towards literally everyone. Especially his sweet girls.
I also just adored Vivi. Her spunky and sweet personality makes everyone just love her and it’s no wonder Grady has always loved her.
Divorce is really heavy in this book as well. I really liked how Kiana wrote about the divorce and how the characters had felt leading to the divorce and after the divorce occurred. It was sad but the aftermath it had on the girls is so real and raw. I’m sure any child of divorce can relate in one way or another.
Okay onto what I wasn’t sold on.
The book tended to drag on for me. It was overly descriptive at times and it just lost me and I wasn’t as invested. But I wanted to keep pursing the read and give it my all.
Just my personal opinion, I’m not a big fan of second chance tropes. I just feel they tend to lack certain romantic aspects that I think it needs to hold. Just not my favorite trope.
I’m a spicy girl. I like spice if it is written well. I didn’t feel the spice was written well and it made me feel icky. Spice usually doesn’t do that to me but this one did unfortunately.
Overall, this book has a looot of potential and I know so many others will enjoy this. Always Been Yours has such a raw and emotional feel to it and I know some may relate to many aspects of this book, which makes it that much better!
This is my honest thoughts and honest review of this book.
Thank you to Forever PR and Ashtyn Kiana for the ARC. I had such a fun time!
Tropes:
-Second Chance Romance
-Single Dad
-Found Family
-Workplace Romance
-Small Town Romance
Spice: 3/5🌶️🌶️🌶️
Here’s what I absolutely loved in this book-the single dad trope. Anything to do with single parenting just makes my heart warm and just feel so much love for the writer for including this.
I love Grady’s character and how thoughtful and loving he is towards literally everyone. Especially his sweet girls.
I also just adored Vivi. Her spunky and sweet personality makes everyone just love her and it’s no wonder Grady has always loved her.
Divorce is really heavy in this book as well. I really liked how Kiana wrote about the divorce and how the characters had felt leading to the divorce and after the divorce occurred. It was sad but the aftermath it had on the girls is so real and raw. I’m sure any child of divorce can relate in one way or another.
Okay onto what I wasn’t sold on.
The book tended to drag on for me. It was overly descriptive at times and it just lost me and I wasn’t as invested. But I wanted to keep pursing the read and give it my all.
Just my personal opinion, I’m not a big fan of second chance tropes. I just feel they tend to lack certain romantic aspects that I think it needs to hold. Just not my favorite trope.
I’m a spicy girl. I like spice if it is written well. I didn’t feel the spice was written well and it made me feel icky. Spice usually doesn’t do that to me but this one did unfortunately.
Overall, this book has a looot of potential and I know so many others will enjoy this. Always Been Yours has such a raw and emotional feel to it and I know some may relate to many aspects of this book, which makes it that much better!
This is my honest thoughts and honest review of this book.
Thank you to Forever PR and Ashtyn Kiana for the ARC. I had such a fun time!
Tropes:
-Second Chance Romance
-Single Dad
-Found Family
-Workplace Romance
-Small Town Romance
Spice: 3/5🌶️🌶️🌶️
September 7, 2024
My first ARC read! And this is my honest review.
First of all, the tropes:
small town romance
dual pov (my fav)
found family (If you've been here for a while, you know it's my favorite trope)
single dad (OMG SINGLE DAD)
I truly loved reading this book! Small town romances and single dads tug on my heartstrings, but found family stories really capture my attention. Completely amazing.
Encountering Vivi and Grady, learning about their past, and seeing how it has shaped their current circumstances is a pleasure. Absolutely adored it, perfect rating of 10 out of 10. Special shoutout to the most adorable girls ever and how they navigate the challenges post their parents' divorce.
The other characters also felt relatable, almost like they were my friends as well. I desire to have a Lexi in my life.
I don't want to reveal too many details, but simply check out this book.
E-BOOK AND PAPERBACK OUT SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2024
First of all, the tropes:
small town romance
dual pov (my fav)
found family (If you've been here for a while, you know it's my favorite trope)
single dad (OMG SINGLE DAD)
I truly loved reading this book! Small town romances and single dads tug on my heartstrings, but found family stories really capture my attention. Completely amazing.
Encountering Vivi and Grady, learning about their past, and seeing how it has shaped their current circumstances is a pleasure. Absolutely adored it, perfect rating of 10 out of 10. Special shoutout to the most adorable girls ever and how they navigate the challenges post their parents' divorce.
The other characters also felt relatable, almost like they were my friends as well. I desire to have a Lexi in my life.
I don't want to reveal too many details, but simply check out this book.
E-BOOK AND PAPERBACK OUT SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2024
October 17, 2024
YOU GUYS GOTTA READ THIS ONE!!! A million stars ⭐️💫
I’m biased but this is arguably one of the best debut novels I’ve ever read. I was privileged enough to get to read it early on and it was phenomenal from the jump, and it just got better and better, and the final version that everyone has in their hands is just INSANELY IMPRESSIVELY AMAZING I can’t believe anyone can write a story and a fictional place and characters like these. You will truly fall in love with Vivi and Grady and all of their friends and family.
the tropes ✨
☀️ childhood best friends to strangers to lovers
🌊 small beach town setting
🐚 single dad
🦀 “it’s always been you”
⛱️ workplace romance
🪸 found family
🐬 open door 🌶️
👙 dual pov
I’m biased but this is arguably one of the best debut novels I’ve ever read. I was privileged enough to get to read it early on and it was phenomenal from the jump, and it just got better and better, and the final version that everyone has in their hands is just INSANELY IMPRESSIVELY AMAZING I can’t believe anyone can write a story and a fictional place and characters like these. You will truly fall in love with Vivi and Grady and all of their friends and family.
the tropes ✨
☀️ childhood best friends to strangers to lovers
🌊 small beach town setting
🐚 single dad
🦀 “it’s always been you”
⛱️ workplace romance
🪸 found family
🐬 open door 🌶️
👙 dual pov
March 13, 2025
Thank you to Ashtyn and ForeverAfter PR for an ARC of this book!
HOLY HELL. that book was absolutely incredible. i loved everything about this book. it was so so so cute.
Grady Miller IS in fact my new obsession. The mouth that man has in UNMATCHED 😮💨🥵
The spice in this book HIT DIFFERENT 🥵
no but seriously, Grady and Vivi's love story was just the sweetest thing ever. im in love. ♾️⭐️
HOLY HELL. that book was absolutely incredible. i loved everything about this book. it was so so so cute.
Grady Miller IS in fact my new obsession. The mouth that man has in UNMATCHED 😮💨🥵
The spice in this book HIT DIFFERENT 🥵
no but seriously, Grady and Vivi's love story was just the sweetest thing ever. im in love. ♾️⭐️
September 1, 2024
Thank you Ashtyn Kiana for sending me a copy of your book!! This book was cuteness OVERLOAD! It was probably one of the sweetest things I’ve ever read. Literally my notes consist of only cute and adorable. I loved how the book started off with the two MC’s when they were younger! Right at the beginning I liked how we got to understand why Vivi and Grady’s friendship fizzled out within the couple chapters but it didn’t go into great detail about what happened yet. Vivi and Grady’s friendship when they were little was honestly the cutest thing! I love the little flashbacks that occurred throughout the book that helped gain more insight into their relationship as adults. The banter between the two was so fun and wholesome, they work well together! I like how they tackle their problems together. I love how well they mesh together again after all those years of being away from one another their spark never died. They both weren’t sure they wanted each other but obviously they were clearly each other’s endgame. These characters were very clear and intune with thier feelings. They communicated their feeling put up boundaries when needed! Grady and Viv worked so well together because of this! This book was just so heartwarming and cozy! All their moments were so genuinely and sweet and it was just so special reading how they connected again! Grady was so book boy always attentive and caring for Vivi! Vivi was so vibrant and welcoming! The found family was so sweet and this whole book was wayyyy cuter than I originally thought it was going to be! Especially Grady’s two little girls Stella & Daisy, Omg they were actually so cute I can feel myself melting just thinking about it😭 the way Vivi bonded with them and made them feel safe! I think my heart grew three sizes reading that! Overall Vivi and Grady’s relationship was so sincere and adorable! I love how they were able to connect again and finally be with each other! This author did such an amazing job executing this story🫂I had so much fun reading this one!
August 1, 2024
BETA READER REVIEW
"My entire soul belongs to her, it always has. I’m not a spiritual man, at all, but she makes me wish I was. Vivi makes me want to believe in so much more. Things like past lives and future lives and all of that crap. Because if it is true, I know that we would find each other in every single one. And an eternity with her is only scratching the surface of what I want with her."
•
•
Tropes:
☀️ childhood best friends to strangers to lovers
🌊 small beach town setting
🧑🏻🍼 single dad
❤️🔥 “it’s always been you”
🏫 workplace romance
🌶️ open door
💚 found family
🐚 dual pov
•
It feels surreal to finally be writing an official review for my best friend's DEBUT NOVEL! It feels surreal to even write that sentence but here we are.
Ashtyn Kiana is stellar. She wrote a masterpiece with Always Been Yours and I feel so grateful to have been alongside her on this journey for over 2 years now. I am so proud of her and what she has created. I cannot wait for the world to get their hands on this story and meet Vivi and Grady and the brilliant cast of characters that are some of the best I've read.
This is small town, childhood best friends to strangers to lovers, it's always been you, single dad, found family done perfectly. I might be bias because those are my favorite tropes but it's true. The special relationship between Vivi and Grady is obvious from page one and the prologue sets the stage for the rest of the book and provides the reader with just enough to make you want more from those two.
Vivi and Grady reconnect after many years and yes, they are older, they have been through a lot in their time a part and they have grown and are different from the kids they once were, but they are also still the same. The bond they once shared never really went away and neither did the feelings they once had for the other. Grady and Vivi are such likeable characters. I related to them both in lots of ways. You genuinely root for them. Not just as a couple but as individuals. My heart hurt with them and it jumped for joy with them, too. They are so special. I will love them forever.
The relationship Grady has with his two daughters made me so happy. Grady is such a good dad and it is obvious from the first time they're on page together. He cares. Deeply. His daughters are his heart and soul. The topic of divorce and dating again with children is a topic that is handled with care and felt so real. It created one of the most polarizing characters I've ever read (lol I left many beta reader comments about her BUT her journey as a relatively minor character is substantial and profound.) Everything is handled SO well and felt SO real. The way Vivi integrates into Grady's life with his daughters felt natural. It wasn't perfect and it wasn't always easy. Which made it feel authentic.
Found family is a heavy trope/theme in the story and it made me laugh and cry and squeal and get so excited for what is to come in this new series. The supporting characters are so good. Shout out specifically to Lexi. The woman is a GODDESS. But I also can't wait to learn more about Blake, Adrian and Calypso.
The spice is spicyyyyyyyyy. What more can I say? Ashtyn delivered. Grady is going to be at the top of book boyfriend lists FOR SURE.
The town of Amada Beach is a small town of my dreams. You can tell how thoughtfully it was planned and created. It is quirky and fun and I wish it was real every single day.
Everyone is going to love this book. I love this book. I love this story. These characters. This author.
If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would.
E-BOOK AND PAPERBACK OUT SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2024
"My entire soul belongs to her, it always has. I’m not a spiritual man, at all, but she makes me wish I was. Vivi makes me want to believe in so much more. Things like past lives and future lives and all of that crap. Because if it is true, I know that we would find each other in every single one. And an eternity with her is only scratching the surface of what I want with her."
•
•
Tropes:
☀️ childhood best friends to strangers to lovers
🌊 small beach town setting
🧑🏻🍼 single dad
❤️🔥 “it’s always been you”
🏫 workplace romance
🌶️ open door
💚 found family
🐚 dual pov
•
It feels surreal to finally be writing an official review for my best friend's DEBUT NOVEL! It feels surreal to even write that sentence but here we are.
Ashtyn Kiana is stellar. She wrote a masterpiece with Always Been Yours and I feel so grateful to have been alongside her on this journey for over 2 years now. I am so proud of her and what she has created. I cannot wait for the world to get their hands on this story and meet Vivi and Grady and the brilliant cast of characters that are some of the best I've read.
This is small town, childhood best friends to strangers to lovers, it's always been you, single dad, found family done perfectly. I might be bias because those are my favorite tropes but it's true. The special relationship between Vivi and Grady is obvious from page one and the prologue sets the stage for the rest of the book and provides the reader with just enough to make you want more from those two.
Vivi and Grady reconnect after many years and yes, they are older, they have been through a lot in their time a part and they have grown and are different from the kids they once were, but they are also still the same. The bond they once shared never really went away and neither did the feelings they once had for the other. Grady and Vivi are such likeable characters. I related to them both in lots of ways. You genuinely root for them. Not just as a couple but as individuals. My heart hurt with them and it jumped for joy with them, too. They are so special. I will love them forever.
The relationship Grady has with his two daughters made me so happy. Grady is such a good dad and it is obvious from the first time they're on page together. He cares. Deeply. His daughters are his heart and soul. The topic of divorce and dating again with children is a topic that is handled with care and felt so real. It created one of the most polarizing characters I've ever read (lol I left many beta reader comments about her BUT her journey as a relatively minor character is substantial and profound.) Everything is handled SO well and felt SO real. The way Vivi integrates into Grady's life with his daughters felt natural. It wasn't perfect and it wasn't always easy. Which made it feel authentic.
Found family is a heavy trope/theme in the story and it made me laugh and cry and squeal and get so excited for what is to come in this new series. The supporting characters are so good. Shout out specifically to Lexi. The woman is a GODDESS. But I also can't wait to learn more about Blake, Adrian and Calypso.
The spice is spicyyyyyyyyy. What more can I say? Ashtyn delivered. Grady is going to be at the top of book boyfriend lists FOR SURE.
The town of Amada Beach is a small town of my dreams. You can tell how thoughtfully it was planned and created. It is quirky and fun and I wish it was real every single day.
Everyone is going to love this book. I love this book. I love this story. These characters. This author.
If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would.
E-BOOK AND PAPERBACK OUT SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2024
September 8, 2024
Vivi and Grady’s story is one of the most touching childhood friends to lovers stories I have ever read. The love between them, the real feelings, the way they have little things between them that mean so much. Also the bond that Vivi forms with both Grady’s girls, Stella and Daisy, is such a real and beautiful thing, it’s not rushed or forced, there’s long conversations and talks about feeling, it’s catered to just as much as their own relationship. These two go through the highs of falling for each other all over again and having the relationship they always wanted to lows of insecurities and doubts and questions but eventually come together to build the relationship they always wish they had from the beginning. This story put meant to be in the best perspective you could even think of; that even if it didn’t happen when you wanted it most, it will happen at the right time. Vivi and Grady both needed to change and grow into the adults they became in order to have the love they both deserved in the end. This story brought me to tears, made me laugh, had just the right amount of spice and gave me all the feels and more!
August 18, 2024
This book had me in my FEELS and lots of great tropes! Childhood friends to strangers to lovers, single dad, small town, workplace romance (they’re teachers), second chance (maybe third) romance, open door (and the spice was 🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️)
Y’all!!! This book was fantastic. It had me laughing, it had me swooning, and it had me CRYING (Ch. 40 really got me). I love to see a long time friendship turn into more.
“But I love you so much that I know you deserve to shine for the entire world, and I don’t want to take that away from you.” Yeah, I was straight up sobbing after I read this part.
The mended relationships and healing was just 🥹
it was so great to see a dad with open-communication with his girls. Grady and Vivi and his little ladies have my whole heart.
I don’t want to give too much away but just read this book. I promise you will love it💕
Y’all!!! This book was fantastic. It had me laughing, it had me swooning, and it had me CRYING (Ch. 40 really got me). I love to see a long time friendship turn into more.
“But I love you so much that I know you deserve to shine for the entire world, and I don’t want to take that away from you.” Yeah, I was straight up sobbing after I read this part.
The mended relationships and healing was just 🥹
it was so great to see a dad with open-communication with his girls. Grady and Vivi and his little ladies have my whole heart.
I don’t want to give too much away but just read this book. I promise you will love it💕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2024
This is one of the best debut books that I have read EVER
September 7, 2024
This book is MAGIC. First off, I want to thank Ashtyn for the opportunity to read this ARC for an honest review because THIS WAS EVERYTHING. I laughed. I had butterflies in my stomach. I cried. I smiled like a lovesick fool. And let me tell you, this is one of THE BEST romances I’ve ever read, and ever will read. I just know it. This love story wasn’t JUST about Vivi and Grady. It was about Daisy and Stella. About Lexi. About all the Davies siblings and the Millers too. This was so wholeheartedly a LOVE story, it encompassed all forms of love and how much we cherish them in different ways. And I didn’t know how much I NEEDED a book like this, a book that showed how important love in all realms of life was, until I read Vivi and Grady’s story. From the small coastal town vibe to the Family Meeting text messages, I was HOOKED and I never want to leave Amada Beach. I can with 100% certainty say I will ALWAYS be on the look out and buy Ashtyn’s next books because this woman is truly talented and her stories hold so much love. Always Been Yours was all that I wanted and more, and if I could give it 100 stars I would. Trust me. Read this book.🩷
September 2, 2024
“Always Been Yours” By: Ashtyn Kiana
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The FMC Vivi & the MMC Grady grew up and spent a ton of time with each other as their moms were best friends. Vivi & Grady also became best friend who love each other but eventually grow apart when they get older.
Many years later Grady gets married and has two daughters. One thing leads to another, Grady & his wife decide to get a divorce. Which then prompts Grady to move back to his home town with his daughters where he takes a teaching job and eventually has his first run-in with Vivi after many years.
The first half of this book is a slow burn. Grady and Vivi have a lot of tension between each other but you can definitely feel their lust for one another. The second half of the book is where things really ramp up and get spicy. I don’t mind spicy scenes in a book but I could really appreciate the authors foresight for noting those chapters in the beginning of the book. I thought it was really considerate for the readers who may not like those scenes and allowed them to skip those chapters if they chose to.
I really love Vivi’s family dynamic. They are all really close and tease each other just like siblings should. I also think Vivi & Lexi’s relationship from beginning to end really showcased how life changes us. We eventually learn to grow up, remove the blinders, and see people for who they really are.
Overall I thought this was an easy to read, feel good, small town romance. I’m really look forward to what comes next from @ashtynkiana.author 🩷
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The FMC Vivi & the MMC Grady grew up and spent a ton of time with each other as their moms were best friends. Vivi & Grady also became best friend who love each other but eventually grow apart when they get older.
Many years later Grady gets married and has two daughters. One thing leads to another, Grady & his wife decide to get a divorce. Which then prompts Grady to move back to his home town with his daughters where he takes a teaching job and eventually has his first run-in with Vivi after many years.
The first half of this book is a slow burn. Grady and Vivi have a lot of tension between each other but you can definitely feel their lust for one another. The second half of the book is where things really ramp up and get spicy. I don’t mind spicy scenes in a book but I could really appreciate the authors foresight for noting those chapters in the beginning of the book. I thought it was really considerate for the readers who may not like those scenes and allowed them to skip those chapters if they chose to.
I really love Vivi’s family dynamic. They are all really close and tease each other just like siblings should. I also think Vivi & Lexi’s relationship from beginning to end really showcased how life changes us. We eventually learn to grow up, remove the blinders, and see people for who they really are.
Overall I thought this was an easy to read, feel good, small town romance. I’m really look forward to what comes next from @ashtynkiana.author 🩷
August 16, 2024
Will add more when I get a chance but know this: you have to read it!!
August 30, 2024
So this is my first ever Arc that I’ve received, and also read, and I was soooo pleasantly surprised. I actually cannot believe that this is a debut novel🤩. Firstly, thank you so much to Forever After PR and Ashtyn Kiana for this arc copy🥰. This is my honest review
I absolutely fell in love with the characters, especially Stella and Daisy who were the sweetest girls. Grady Miller is an excellent top book boyfriend and I promise you will love him. I wasn’t hooked into the book straight away, but after the first few chapters I honestly couldn’t stop thinking about this book and was constantly thinking about reading it. It was romantic, funny, and the friendships between the characters were soo great, I loved Lexi and how she was as a best friend. I’ve not really read many single dad plot lines before, but the way this one was handled was SO good. It was mature and refreshing and realistic. I honestly cannot express how much I really loved this book, I still can’t stop thinking about it, it’s deffo one of my top romances. I highly recommend it to my fellow romance readers🩷
I absolutely fell in love with the characters, especially Stella and Daisy who were the sweetest girls. Grady Miller is an excellent top book boyfriend and I promise you will love him. I wasn’t hooked into the book straight away, but after the first few chapters I honestly couldn’t stop thinking about this book and was constantly thinking about reading it. It was romantic, funny, and the friendships between the characters were soo great, I loved Lexi and how she was as a best friend. I’ve not really read many single dad plot lines before, but the way this one was handled was SO good. It was mature and refreshing and realistic. I honestly cannot express how much I really loved this book, I still can’t stop thinking about it, it’s deffo one of my top romances. I highly recommend it to my fellow romance readers🩷
September 7, 2024
My first ARC read 😍As soon as I read what this book was about, I was all about it. Childhood best friends who find a chance of love later on in life. YES PLEASE!
All the feels and emotions that both Grady and Vivi went through were so real. You can feel their love for one another as you read about their history with each other and I loved it. You fall in love with the relationship between both families and it’s something you can only hope for yourself or even for your future children.
I will say there were a lot of characters that I had to keep up with. & at times I had to sit and remember who was who, but it only made it so much more special once I started to familiarize myself which each character. You really grow to love the bond that the Davies and Miller families have for one another.
Grady has easily become one of my favorite book boyfriends not only because of his love and affection for Vivi, but for how much love he has for his two daughters. ❤️
Now I cant wait for Ashtyn Kiana’s next books because I want to know more about the rest of the family 😜
All the feels and emotions that both Grady and Vivi went through were so real. You can feel their love for one another as you read about their history with each other and I loved it. You fall in love with the relationship between both families and it’s something you can only hope for yourself or even for your future children.
I will say there were a lot of characters that I had to keep up with. & at times I had to sit and remember who was who, but it only made it so much more special once I started to familiarize myself which each character. You really grow to love the bond that the Davies and Miller families have for one another.
Grady has easily become one of my favorite book boyfriends not only because of his love and affection for Vivi, but for how much love he has for his two daughters. ❤️
Now I cant wait for Ashtyn Kiana’s next books because I want to know more about the rest of the family 😜
October 15, 2024
I don’t normally post reviews, but honestly this story is just what i needed. A beautifully fleshed out cast and a setting that is to die for. I’d love to see more about some of the side characters!
Edit to add: I am not an ARC reader, this is my honest review!
Edit to add: I am not an ARC reader, this is my honest review!
August 24, 2024
3/3.5 ⭐️
This was a heartwarming second chance between two childhood friends, turned strangers, and reunite after years apart.
I love, love the single dad trope, and really adored Grady, he was such a great dad to his girls.
There’s a lot of love and hurt between Grady and Vivi; their families very close and they’ve never been too far from hearing about each other during the eight years apart.
Now, they’re back in each other’s lives, there’s a ton of mutual pining between them, as they try to navigate their way through being in such a close proximity.
I enjoy a second chance romance, if it’s executed well, but it can also be a hard trope to do its justice; largely because the breakup, the first time, has to be believable, as much as the reconciliation.
I wasn’t overly sold on their missed opportunity as to why they couldn’t have worked out the first time, I get that Grady really hurt Vivi, but given how close of proximity they were and their families, I also felt like it could have be a conversation to be had, in the eight years that they had avoided each other. Because they had never really strayed away from each other’s thoughts.
I did think that was quite long, and dragged in certain places; I’m not sure if it was just how there were certain scenes that to me, came abit abrupt. Like the introduction that Grady was a teacher. The only real conflict, was the slight other woman drama, which was more to do with Grady’s lack of communication.
Overall, I thought it was an emotion invoking second chance romance with all the mutual pining, and very low angst.
Thank you to Forever After PR and Ashtyn Kiana for the e-arc, this is my honest review and thoughts.
Tropes
Childhood friend to strangers to lovers
Forced proximity
Single dad
Workplace romance
Small town
This was a heartwarming second chance between two childhood friends, turned strangers, and reunite after years apart.
I love, love the single dad trope, and really adored Grady, he was such a great dad to his girls.
There’s a lot of love and hurt between Grady and Vivi; their families very close and they’ve never been too far from hearing about each other during the eight years apart.
Now, they’re back in each other’s lives, there’s a ton of mutual pining between them, as they try to navigate their way through being in such a close proximity.
I enjoy a second chance romance, if it’s executed well, but it can also be a hard trope to do its justice; largely because the breakup, the first time, has to be believable, as much as the reconciliation.
I wasn’t overly sold on their missed opportunity as to why they couldn’t have worked out the first time, I get that Grady really hurt Vivi, but given how close of proximity they were and their families, I also felt like it could have be a conversation to be had, in the eight years that they had avoided each other. Because they had never really strayed away from each other’s thoughts.
I did think that was quite long, and dragged in certain places; I’m not sure if it was just how there were certain scenes that to me, came abit abrupt. Like the introduction that Grady was a teacher. The only real conflict, was the slight other woman drama, which was more to do with Grady’s lack of communication.
Overall, I thought it was an emotion invoking second chance romance with all the mutual pining, and very low angst.
Thank you to Forever After PR and Ashtyn Kiana for the e-arc, this is my honest review and thoughts.
Tropes
Childhood friend to strangers to lovers
Forced proximity
Single dad
Workplace romance
Small town
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2024
3.5/5 stars 4/5 spicy
- Childhood friends
- Second chance
- Single dad
- Small town
I’m going to start off by saying I found this hard to get into. I think understanding the reasoning for them to stop talking to each other didn’t really make sense, seeing as how both adored one another. Teenage Grady just seemed like a massive a-hole for the way he treated her and left even though he knew better. I think Vivi forgave him a little too quickly after what they went through.
After they do reconnect though I really got into the story. It was sweet and seeing Grady being so sure of wanting Vivi forever was heartwarming. Seeing his daughters warm up to her as well and accepting her into their lives was touching.
I think Ashtyn did a wonderful job going over all the emotions and feelings tied with divorce, change in environment and the people around you experienced by Grady and his girls, even his ex wife. Grady’s whole world really was his daughters and Vivi. I loved how their bond grew tighter throughout the story and how they went about integrating Vivi into the girls lives.
The spicy scenes were everything. I really enjoyed how detailed they were and how much it meant to each of the characters after all this time. They started off slow, building their relationship up again before they connected on the physical level. It showed how Grady wanted to do this right and how patient he could be.
Overall, I did enjoy this and I’m looking forward to rest of the books in this series. Each side character was interesting and loveable. I really loved Vivi siblings and hope that they each get a book of their own, especially Hudson.
- Childhood friends
- Second chance
- Single dad
- Small town
I’m going to start off by saying I found this hard to get into. I think understanding the reasoning for them to stop talking to each other didn’t really make sense, seeing as how both adored one another. Teenage Grady just seemed like a massive a-hole for the way he treated her and left even though he knew better. I think Vivi forgave him a little too quickly after what they went through.
After they do reconnect though I really got into the story. It was sweet and seeing Grady being so sure of wanting Vivi forever was heartwarming. Seeing his daughters warm up to her as well and accepting her into their lives was touching.
I think Ashtyn did a wonderful job going over all the emotions and feelings tied with divorce, change in environment and the people around you experienced by Grady and his girls, even his ex wife. Grady’s whole world really was his daughters and Vivi. I loved how their bond grew tighter throughout the story and how they went about integrating Vivi into the girls lives.
The spicy scenes were everything. I really enjoyed how detailed they were and how much it meant to each of the characters after all this time. They started off slow, building their relationship up again before they connected on the physical level. It showed how Grady wanted to do this right and how patient he could be.
Overall, I did enjoy this and I’m looking forward to rest of the books in this series. Each side character was interesting and loveable. I really loved Vivi siblings and hope that they each get a book of their own, especially Hudson.
September 9, 2024
"𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘺, 𝘢 𝘵𝘶𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘣 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳."
💚𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝘽𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙗𝙮 @ashtynkiana.author
Always Been Yours was such a sweet childhood best friends to lovers romance. Vivi and Grady have been best friends for most of their lives, and have liked each other for nearly as long, but a series of regrettable decisions has driven a wedge between the two, causing them to become estranged.
Years later, Grady moves back to the small town of Amada Beach with his two daughters in tow, and the connection between him and Vivi starts to flicker back to life.
I loved Grady and Vivi, I think they were great together. Grady is such a sweet cinnamon roll of a guy on the exterior that I was taken aback when he turned out to have a filthy mouth, but damn if that didn't make him even hotter 🫠 I think the terms "panty dropping presence" and "big d*ck energy" were used and they couldn't be more accurate. The spice scenes were 🤌🏼
Obviously I loved Stella and Daisy, they were absolute sweethearts, and it was heartwarming to see how quickly they developed a great relationship with Vivi.
The whole story overall had a very cozy vibe with all the great supporting characters, from actual family to found family.
You'll enjoy it if you like:
💚 Small town romance
💚 Childhood best friends to strangers to lovers
💚 Single dad
💚 Found Family
💚 Workplace romance
*I was provided an early copy of this book to review*
💚𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝘽𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙗𝙮 @ashtynkiana.author
Always Been Yours was such a sweet childhood best friends to lovers romance. Vivi and Grady have been best friends for most of their lives, and have liked each other for nearly as long, but a series of regrettable decisions has driven a wedge between the two, causing them to become estranged.
Years later, Grady moves back to the small town of Amada Beach with his two daughters in tow, and the connection between him and Vivi starts to flicker back to life.
I loved Grady and Vivi, I think they were great together. Grady is such a sweet cinnamon roll of a guy on the exterior that I was taken aback when he turned out to have a filthy mouth, but damn if that didn't make him even hotter 🫠 I think the terms "panty dropping presence" and "big d*ck energy" were used and they couldn't be more accurate. The spice scenes were 🤌🏼
Obviously I loved Stella and Daisy, they were absolute sweethearts, and it was heartwarming to see how quickly they developed a great relationship with Vivi.
The whole story overall had a very cozy vibe with all the great supporting characters, from actual family to found family.
You'll enjoy it if you like:
💚 Small town romance
💚 Childhood best friends to strangers to lovers
💚 Single dad
💚 Found Family
💚 Workplace romance
*I was provided an early copy of this book to review*
September 12, 2024
The perfect childhood friends to lovers book doesn't exist except YES IT DOES AND THIS IS IT.
What an absolutely amazing debut. It's like Ashtyn said, let me give you the best childhood friends to lovers book of all time, and then I'm also going to throw in the hottest, swooniest single dad that there ever was, and also give you a big, sprawling found family that will have you laughing, crying, and absolutely screaming with delight. That is this book, you guys. Everyone needs to read it, because it is perfect. There are honestly not enough superlatives.
Grady and Vivi are perfection as childhood friends who have a *moment* as teenagers, and then lose touch for REASONS. When Grady moves back to their childhood town, sparks are obviously flying all over the place because IT'S ALWAYS BEEN YOU FOREVER AND EVER AND ALWAYS. Gah, I just loved them both. I adored their chemistry and how they both picked up where they left off and also build a whole adult relationship that was healthy and fun and so freaking hot. I adored how Vivi and Grady's daughters formed a relationship all their own, and how eager Grady was to fold Vivi right into their life, and make traditions and memories all their own.
Sometimes you read a book that just makes you feel amazing, and this is that book. I finished it 24 hours ago, and I can't stop thinking about it. I honestly want to go back and just start reading it all over again. It was that good. I want more of Grady and Vivi. I want books for every single member of their families. I want to buy a house an Amada beach and live there forever with all these characters.
If you are a childhood friends to lovers fan, this is the book you need in your life, immediately. Please read it, and then come sit by me because we are going to have so much to talk about.
What an absolutely amazing debut. It's like Ashtyn said, let me give you the best childhood friends to lovers book of all time, and then I'm also going to throw in the hottest, swooniest single dad that there ever was, and also give you a big, sprawling found family that will have you laughing, crying, and absolutely screaming with delight. That is this book, you guys. Everyone needs to read it, because it is perfect. There are honestly not enough superlatives.
Grady and Vivi are perfection as childhood friends who have a *moment* as teenagers, and then lose touch for REASONS. When Grady moves back to their childhood town, sparks are obviously flying all over the place because IT'S ALWAYS BEEN YOU FOREVER AND EVER AND ALWAYS. Gah, I just loved them both. I adored their chemistry and how they both picked up where they left off and also build a whole adult relationship that was healthy and fun and so freaking hot. I adored how Vivi and Grady's daughters formed a relationship all their own, and how eager Grady was to fold Vivi right into their life, and make traditions and memories all their own.
Sometimes you read a book that just makes you feel amazing, and this is that book. I finished it 24 hours ago, and I can't stop thinking about it. I honestly want to go back and just start reading it all over again. It was that good. I want more of Grady and Vivi. I want books for every single member of their families. I want to buy a house an Amada beach and live there forever with all these characters.
If you are a childhood friends to lovers fan, this is the book you need in your life, immediately. Please read it, and then come sit by me because we are going to have so much to talk about.
September 28, 2024
If you’ve been following me for a while now you’ll know I am a sucker for childhood friends to strangers x second chance romance. That combination is *chefs kiss* so when I’d come across Ashtyn’s account I knew I’d have to read this. This book was packed with heart, drama and spice! It was giving ‘if the time jump in One Tree Hill was written as novels’. The full cast of characters played a relevant role in progressing the storyline as well as setting the series up & the found family vibes were so essential to this book!
I am a messy bitch so I wanted it to be super angsty from the start with Grady and Vivi being mean to one another however that wasn’t the case which surprisingly worked out even better because it showed how mature the two were when it came to working as a united front at their job (they are both teachers at the same school) and around Grady’s daughters.
One of my favourite things about this book was how Grady’s daughters, Stella and Daisy were at the forefront of many discussions that Vivi and Grady had about their relationship. They were never an afterthought.
Whilst there is a slow build up to learning the backstory between the two it had me hooked as I kept wanting to know what had happened that made them grow apart. Maybe I’m just super emotional but I was sobbing in the last 80% of the book as a few characters get some closure . The way things are communicated between many of the characters is done in such a realistic and touching way.
The pacing is a little fast in the current timeline as it follows the academic school year so around late August to December as Vivi is planning a Winter Fair which Grady helps here out with (queue the forced proximity). There there is a bit of a third act conflict that is written in a logical way, this leads to a grand gesture from Grady which was so sweet and romantic
This was a wonderful debut and I can’t wait for more from Ashtyn 🥰
☀️ childhood best friends to strangers to lovers
🌊 small beach town setting
🧑🏻🍼 single dad
❤️🔥 “it’s always been you”
🏫 workplace romance
💚 found family
I am a messy bitch so I wanted it to be super angsty from the start with Grady and Vivi being mean to one another however that wasn’t the case which surprisingly worked out even better because it showed how mature the two were when it came to working as a united front at their job (they are both teachers at the same school) and around Grady’s daughters.
One of my favourite things about this book was how Grady’s daughters, Stella and Daisy were at the forefront of many discussions that Vivi and Grady had about their relationship. They were never an afterthought.
Whilst there is a slow build up to learning the backstory between the two it had me hooked as I kept wanting to know what had happened that made them grow apart. Maybe I’m just super emotional but I was sobbing in the last 80% of the book as a few characters get some closure . The way things are communicated between many of the characters is done in such a realistic and touching way.
The pacing is a little fast in the current timeline as it follows the academic school year so around late August to December as Vivi is planning a Winter Fair which Grady helps here out with (queue the forced proximity). There there is a bit of a third act conflict that is written in a logical way, this leads to a grand gesture from Grady which was so sweet and romantic
This was a wonderful debut and I can’t wait for more from Ashtyn 🥰
☀️ childhood best friends to strangers to lovers
🌊 small beach town setting
🧑🏻🍼 single dad
❤️🔥 “it’s always been you”
🏫 workplace romance
💚 found family
September 5, 2024
Always Been Yours by @ashtynkiana.author
Release Date Sept 6, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
Vivi and Grady had such a cute friendship in highschool. Although you see that their falling out happens in the first few chapters, the flashbacks throughout the book really help you see the type of friendship they had.
I love how the MC’s were able to communicate their feelings and boundaries clearly. It shows how safe they felt with each other.
And it was so amazing being able to watch them reconnect, but on a different level. In high school they were friends and now they’re diving into the relationship aspect.
Their banter throughout this entire thing was just so cute! This book had some spice but don’t let that fool you, this book was so cute and wholesome!
And don’t let me get started on the single Dad aspect of this book. Watching Vivi bond with his girls was the cutest thing.
I will say this started as a slow burn, building tension and some back story. But overall, really cute and loved the character development.
Tropes:
Small Town Romance
Dual POV
Found Family
Single Dad
Texts on page
One person. One moment. One kiss.
That’s all it took to change everything...
Release Date Sept 6, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
Vivi and Grady had such a cute friendship in highschool. Although you see that their falling out happens in the first few chapters, the flashbacks throughout the book really help you see the type of friendship they had.
I love how the MC’s were able to communicate their feelings and boundaries clearly. It shows how safe they felt with each other.
And it was so amazing being able to watch them reconnect, but on a different level. In high school they were friends and now they’re diving into the relationship aspect.
Their banter throughout this entire thing was just so cute! This book had some spice but don’t let that fool you, this book was so cute and wholesome!
And don’t let me get started on the single Dad aspect of this book. Watching Vivi bond with his girls was the cutest thing.
I will say this started as a slow burn, building tension and some back story. But overall, really cute and loved the character development.
Tropes:
Small Town Romance
Dual POV
Found Family
Single Dad
Texts on page
One person. One moment. One kiss.
That’s all it took to change everything...
September 7, 2024
This book was super cute! The FMC, Vivi, and the MMC, Grady, were childhood best friends that loved each other who grew apart. They both led separate lives and had relationships, but they didn’t work out. Grady had two daughters and after his divorce he moves back to Amada beach where he grew up and where his family still is.
There was a good amount of spice in this book. It starts towards the second half, but you can definitely see the tension between Vivi and Grady. I really like when books put what chapters have spice in the beginning of the book so you know when to expect it so you can enjoy or skip it if thats what you like.
This book was full of second chances and found family. It was on the longer side for a book of this genre. I really like a lot of the side characters and it makes me excited for the next book in the series. There was just a few parts in this book that I felt needed more explaining and there were some gaps between chapters that made it feel like some important information was being missed. As a whole, I really enjoyed reading this book and if any of the tropes involved are ones you would enjoy, definitely give this book a read.
There was a good amount of spice in this book. It starts towards the second half, but you can definitely see the tension between Vivi and Grady. I really like when books put what chapters have spice in the beginning of the book so you know when to expect it so you can enjoy or skip it if thats what you like.
This book was full of second chances and found family. It was on the longer side for a book of this genre. I really like a lot of the side characters and it makes me excited for the next book in the series. There was just a few parts in this book that I felt needed more explaining and there were some gaps between chapters that made it feel like some important information was being missed. As a whole, I really enjoyed reading this book and if any of the tropes involved are ones you would enjoy, definitely give this book a read.
January 10, 2025
This review is HELLA late but that’s me as a person 😅
BUT I was lucky enough to read Always Been Yours written by my sunshine, Ashtyn Kiana. I absolutely loved this story. The main characters are extremely well written.
You can tell Ashtyn put in A LOT of thought into what made Grady and Vivi uniquely ✨them✨. even the side characters gave you a perfect sense of who they are at their core.
Vivi is perfection. A true Type A QUEEN. And I’d love nothing more than to be her best friend. Even if I had to fight Lexi 🤣 whom I also love. She has no filter.
Grady is DADDY. Plain and simple.
Stella and Daisy, Grady’s girls (because YES, this is a single dad romance), stole my heart from the MOMENT they popped in.
Getting the little flashbacks/callbacks to Grady and Vivi as kids was so fun and necessary for the story. The banter and the tension between these two as adults hit harder knowing all of the history between them.
I seriously can’t wait to get my grubby, chubby, little hands on book 2 🤗
1000/10 recommend!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice is subjective BUT IT IS HELLA SPICY🔥 the mouth on that man😮💨
BUT I was lucky enough to read Always Been Yours written by my sunshine, Ashtyn Kiana. I absolutely loved this story. The main characters are extremely well written.
You can tell Ashtyn put in A LOT of thought into what made Grady and Vivi uniquely ✨them✨. even the side characters gave you a perfect sense of who they are at their core.
Vivi is perfection. A true Type A QUEEN. And I’d love nothing more than to be her best friend. Even if I had to fight Lexi 🤣 whom I also love. She has no filter.
Grady is DADDY. Plain and simple.
Stella and Daisy, Grady’s girls (because YES, this is a single dad romance), stole my heart from the MOMENT they popped in.
Getting the little flashbacks/callbacks to Grady and Vivi as kids was so fun and necessary for the story. The banter and the tension between these two as adults hit harder knowing all of the history between them.
I seriously can’t wait to get my grubby, chubby, little hands on book 2 🤗
1000/10 recommend!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice is subjective BUT IT IS HELLA SPICY🔥 the mouth on that man😮💨
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February 5, 2025It takes an outstanding story with well-crafted characters for me to like the second chance trope. This wasn't it unfortunately.
First DNF of the year *sad face*
First DNF of the year *sad face*
August 19, 2024
Thank you, to my friend Ashtyn for the ARC copy -- I absolutely LOVED Vivi & Grady's story. This was such a sweet, cozy read filled with all the vibes and butterflies.
This book has ALLLLL the good tropes and Grady with his girls???
SWOONING FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE OVER HIM.
So, so good. Can't believe this is a debut.
This book has ALLLLL the good tropes and Grady with his girls???
SWOONING FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE OVER HIM.
So, so good. Can't believe this is a debut.
September 7, 2024
4 ⭐️’s
This was my first ever ARC read & I was not disappointed! Hard to believe that this was the authors debut. How can one not love a single dad/ it’s always been you story?!
Grady and Vivi work so well together. They bring out different sides of each other, and help each other heal while growing together. The love Vivi has for Grady’s two girls is heartwarming & getting to see those relationships flourish was so heartwarming.
Couldn’t recommend this one more. 🫶🏼
This was my first ever ARC read & I was not disappointed! Hard to believe that this was the authors debut. How can one not love a single dad/ it’s always been you story?!
Grady and Vivi work so well together. They bring out different sides of each other, and help each other heal while growing together. The love Vivi has for Grady’s two girls is heartwarming & getting to see those relationships flourish was so heartwarming.
Couldn’t recommend this one more. 🫶🏼
September 4, 2024
Thank you to Ashtyn for sharing your book with me as a beta reader!!! 🤍
When I tell you this had me kicking my feet and giggling, I mean it! Grady is chef’s kiss and is so swoony. He’s a girl dad and is super hot (Vivi said it so it must be true!). Vivi is such a kind and sweet soul and so so so perfect. I loved their banter and development of childhood besties to strangers to lovers. I feel like their relationship is so pure and genuine.
I genuinely enjoyed this book so much. I can’t even. It’s a perfect and sweet small beach town romance with dual POV! ✨🫶🏻
Tropes 🫶🏻
Childhood friends to strangers to lovers
Dual POV
Small beach town setting
Single dad
Workplace romance
Found family
Open door
“It’s always been you”
When I tell you this had me kicking my feet and giggling, I mean it! Grady is chef’s kiss and is so swoony. He’s a girl dad and is super hot (Vivi said it so it must be true!). Vivi is such a kind and sweet soul and so so so perfect. I loved their banter and development of childhood besties to strangers to lovers. I feel like their relationship is so pure and genuine.
I genuinely enjoyed this book so much. I can’t even. It’s a perfect and sweet small beach town romance with dual POV! ✨🫶🏻
Tropes 🫶🏻
Childhood friends to strangers to lovers
Dual POV
Small beach town setting
Single dad
Workplace romance
Found family
Open door
“It’s always been you”
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