Yours, Truly

by Leonie Slade

Gigi is obsessed with work but now she has a new obsession; Her best friend’s brother.

One night can haunt you...

Gigi Henley is sent off on a last minute business trip to Barcelona, where she encounters a handsome stranger. As she lets her hair down for one night of passion, little does she know, this will start a long and dangerous game of forbidden love.

Nate Dalton is a handsome billionaire, captivated by Gigi at first sight. He is challenged by Gigi, in more ways than one, which sets him on a path to try and overcome his commitment issues and tame that dominant, arrogant persona. After finding out Nate is her best friend's older brother, Gigi is forced to keep their arrangement a secret. However, with Nate and Gigi being forced around each other in every aspect of life, will it be impossible to keep their desires hidden?

Yours Truly is a spicy best friends brothers romance with sizzling chemistry, forced proximity, a cocky lawyer and a lot of hurdles to overcome. This is the first book in the Your Series and can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Genres: Romance

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2024

About the author

Leonie Slade is an ambitious author who started her writing journey pretty young. She started her writing journey on Wattpad mainly based on fan fiction. Through the support of the amazing people on the previous page she has turned her dream into a reality. Leonie had always had such a vivid imagination and loved creative writing in school.
When this author isn't hitting the keys on her laptop or coming up with more novel ideas she loves to spend time with her husband, family and friend hanging out, going to art museums or painting. She also loves music and spends a lot of time on spotify singing and dancing.

Reviews

[Stevie Hamlington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege to be an ARC reader for this amazing novel.
On a work trip to the romantic city of Barcelona, Gigi has a one night stand with a handsome stranger and never expects to see him again. When Mr Barcelona turns out to be Nate Dalton, her best friend Ivy’s older brother, Gigi doesn’t know what to do. What she does know is that spark between them is still there and she couldn’t stay away from him even if she wanted to.

Honestly an amazing contemporary romance novel. The plot and character development in this book is so good. From the first chapter I was completely hooked, I was thrown into the story and I was there with them living it. Gigi is such a relatable main character, and Nate is just the right kind of wrong. Nate Dalton is the guy you know you should let pass you by but you just can’t help yourself.
Even knowing the blurb of the book, I was shocked when Nate turned out to be Ivy’s brother, I was that stuck into the story from the get go.
The drama was great, there was no filler chapters or lulls in the book. It doesn’t have the typical third act breakup or the cliche drama of people finding out about the relationship. It is a fresh well written take on the best friend’s brother trope, and the playlist is great - which is saying a lot as a lot of author’s playlists are flops but this one slaps.
Can’t praise this book enough, a definite must read!

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

BETA READ- review to come!!

Stars- 4.5/5 ⭐️
Spice- 2.5/5 🌶️

[kentishreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be a BETA reader for this one and Leonie is an incredibly talented writer.

Her descriptive style helps readers dive into the story and be completely immersed in it. This book has a lot of tropes that I know you guys will go crazy for such as Billionaire Romance and Best Friends Older Brother.

The reveal of Nate in the beginning was very well done and Leonie has done a really good job with her debut.

[Nay · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW POST - Book 62 of 2024

Yours Truly by Leonie Slade

Finding the right words to review this one was a hard one. Not because it's not good. Quite the opposite. But I have a personal investment in this one. I connected with Leonie through my bookstagram last November, connected through a love of hockey and books and grew our friendship from there. I read some chapters as a favour to her and somewhere along the way, I became her editor. Both of us have been winging it ever since 🤣

Leonie brings us her debut novel, seeing Gigi entangled in an emotional journey with her best friend's brother.

An unexpected trip for work, sends her right into the path of Nate, who proceeds to turn her entire world on its head.

Hot and cold, back and forth. It's not an easy road for either of them. Leonie gives us emotion, heartache, anger, heat, anxiety, happiness, lies, secrets, drama and plenty of spice.

Gigi battles with her anxiety throughout, caught between the days where she feels like she has it all together and the days where she feels like it's all crashing down around her. Feeling guilty for her lies to her best friend and navigating her emotions toward Nate.
Nate is closed off and confusing but goddammit if he doesn't leave you wanting more all the time. He's not likeable to begin with. He's not meant to be. Stick with him, I promise he's worth it!

Nate and Gigi will forever hold a special place in my heart, not only for their story but for my own story as my editing debut and for my immense pride in my friend, the amazing Leonie on her author debut.

Swipe for favourite quotes 💜

[Nia Schofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very lucky to be asked to beta read this debut novel for the amazing @leoniesladeauthor

The story of nate and gigi was one with a lovely storyline..they meet on a business trip, a one night stand thinking they will never see each other again...little do they know they are more closely connected than they think 🤭

So many twists and turns along, will they, won't they, lots of mixed emotions and anger along the way and a few unexpected twists make this story brilliant and one I have loved.

Thank you so much for choosing me to read this book for you leonie I feel so honoured.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpha reader hear. You'll want to read this one!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She’s Mine.”

I do have a guilty pleasure to admit, I love a best friend’s brother romance. There’s something about a forbidden relationship that excites me when reading a book. I think it’s purely due to the sneaking around and the threat of being discovered.

That being said, this book covers exactly that. Gigi and Nate find themselves drawn to one another after a one night stand. How were they to know that they had a mutual person in their lives? Gigi’s best friend and Nate’s sister.

Guilty pleasure number 2: Possessive MMC. Nate ticks all the boxes when it comes to a male protagonist who knows what he wants and knows how to get it; whether that be fighting anyone who gets in his way or playing games to keep Gigi interested.

I will admit, certain areas I found him a tad TOO possessive, borderline abusive but I think that’s what Leonie was going for to show Gigi’s utter devotion and want for him. It was a game of cat and mouse in the end.

Loved learning more about Nate’s relationship with his Father which explained a lot about how he is. It was an emotional ride.

Gigi was easy to like from the get go. She oozed sex appeal but knew it. We love a confident queen. However, I wanted to fight Brie on sight. I couldn’t stand her. It would’ve been nice to go deeper into Gigi’s anxiety / history of mental health issues as it was brought up once or twice.

TROPES:
⛔️Best Friends Brother
⛔️Cat and Mouse
⛔️Sunshine x Grump
⛔️Touch Her & You’ll Die
⛔️Possessive MMC “You’re mine”

Thank you so much Leonie for sending me this ARC to read!! I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good one night stand turn relationship (or situationship in this case). Add in a dose of best friend's brother, rich lawyer, and family drama and I'm hooked!

Gigi was a great FMC with a perfect balance of boss bitch and anxiety, flawed hot mess. Nate can be romantic and kind but can also be a real a-hole, remember he is a lawyer.

The love story flows naturally and the novel itself is full of cute moments, a few spicy ones, and even a few moments that will break your heart. All In all, I definitely recommend this as a nice London based romance novel for those looking for something to pull them in!

[Elle Ferr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nate and Gigi are my absolute world!! 💛
Loved their story so much, and recommend it to anyone who likes romance. It is amazingly written and just beautiful.
5000 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
100% recommend this if you want a heartfelt, loving, warming read ❤️

[Emily-Rose Brlevich · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great read.
The story was a 3/5, and the spice level, although it wasn't as spicy as I expected 2.5/5.
Look forward to more by this author

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What started as a one night stand developed into more when he realised he couldn’t stay away from her. Theirs wasn’t a typical romance because they didn’t actually date, more friends with benefits. Hiding from her best friend who turned out to be his sister. Very good read

[Deani Inkdrinker8962 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy romance. Nate and Gigi had chemistry from the start. Such great tropes, too. Best friends, older brother, and the whole YOU'RE MINE vibe make this a great read.

[Dianna F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leonie Slade is a new to me author and after reading this book I can’t wait for the next one! Every page kept my attention and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

I love how this book starts with a no names exchanged steamy one night stand and both of them left feeling a connection and wanting more. But one of them is scared of commitment and the other experienced their first one night stand. Little did they know their live were already intertwined and they just didn’t know it. It was awesome to watch both Gigi and Nate grow individually. Gigi goes through a tough time and Nate supports her as best he can.

My fav line: “You freed me from myself, showed me that I could love someone and that I could be loved back. You set my heart free, more than you will ever know.”

There are many great moments like above in this book and I recommend you check it out. I’ll be somewhat patiently waiting for Leonie Slades next book.

[Yashi Saxena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice Level: 4.5/5 🌶
This Book is a Must-Read! (It took me out of my reading slump🤩🔥)

Tropes:
#opposite_attracts
#Best_Friend's_Brother
#Billionare_Romance
#One_night_stand
#Forced_proximity

If you love a steamy, forbidden romance with undeniable chemistry and a dash of secrecy, "Yours, Truly" by @leoniesladeauthor is the one. Gigi Henley is a total boss at work, but when it comes to her personal life, things get messy—especially when her new obsession turns out to be her best friend’s older brother. One unforgettable night in Barcelona leads Gigi straight into Nate Dalton's world, and there’s no looking back now.

Nate is a billionaire with a commitment-phobe streak, but Gigi challenges him in all the right ways. Their story quickly becomes a dangerously addictive game of lust, secrecy, and longing. Trust me, the moment Nate shows up at dinner, standing near the door just listening to Gigi talk to his family, the tension skyrockets! And Gigi finally finds out the name of her ✨️Mr. Barcelona✨️

I was already hooked, but then there’s *that* scene: Gigi tells Nate she trusts him, and his response? “I won’t trust myself.” From that moment, you know it’s going to get heated. What follows is an intense, steamy scene in the car that will leave you absolutely breathless. That kiss, the tension, and everything that happens after? Whew.🔥🥵

Another favorite? “Oh, I should punish you for rolling your eyes at me, sweetheart...” Nate’s possessiveness and charm will make your heart race just like it did mine! And don’t even get me started on how they interact by the car.

“Satisfied it was him? Yes. Satisfied with our interaction? No, I craved more.” I mean, I literally craved more right along with Gigi. Every moment between them simmers with heat & tension. Nate is that perfect blend of cocky & caring, and Gigi is fierce, fun & relatable.

I have to stop here before I accidentally spoil the entire book for you, because honestly, it's that good! But I will say this: with its mix of spicy moments, a captivating storyline, and characters you’ll fall head over heels for, this is a 5-star read that you do not want to miss.

[Sarah Seelbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was both heartwarming and charming. Their romance began as a nameless, numberless one-night stand in Barcelona. The next day, both Gigi and her partner regretted not exchanging contact information. Upon returning home, Gigi's best friend bombards her with questions, prompting Gigi to share everything that happened. To her surprise, she discovers that her best friend's brother is none other than Nate, her one-night fling. They embark on a relationship without any labels, keeping it a secret. In the end, they seem to be together, and her family adores him, while his family appreciates her. However, he struggles with his father due to the life and career choices he has made. I absolutely loved this book! It was fantastic!

[Tea Es · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did, but I LOVED it. Such a good, easy read with a well-paced romance and just the right amount of spice. It tackles some deep and difficult topics in a raw, unfiltered way without making them sound prettier than they are. It hit me in ways I didn’t expect.

[MacKenzie Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A one night stand turned more. This is about gigi and nate, they meet in Barcelona on a business trip. One thing lead to another and they hooked up and went on their separate ways. But what happens when they find out that nates sister is gigi's best friend? They create FWB situation that doesnt quite work out the way they planned it.

I loved this book so much. The character development was amazing. I felt all the emotions while reading it. I cant wait for the 2nd book to come out