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Always There For You
A new town, a new start, and finally opening the wine store of her dreams. Amelia has picked the small town of Breakwater to be her new home, and her new beginning. Even as her chronic pain sometimes gets in her way, she won't let anything keep her wine store and tasting room from opening.
And now that her best friend Hadley is with her, everything is perfect.
What Amelia won't speak aloud is how much she adores and cares for Hadley -- how much she truly loves the woman she's known since they were kids inspecting bugs and reading together in one of their backyards.
Hadley thinks the town of Breakwater is the perfect spot for Amelia and her new lease on life. And she's thinking about settling down herself, after years of traveling around the world and taking on odd jobs and having flings with beautiful women. But she always, always comes back to Amelia and now is her chance to tell her best friend exactly how much she cares.
It's hard to be brave, especially when it comes to affairs of the heart. But together, they can weather the storm and find what they've always been searching for.
And now that her best friend Hadley is with her, everything is perfect.
What Amelia won't speak aloud is how much she adores and cares for Hadley -- how much she truly loves the woman she's known since they were kids inspecting bugs and reading together in one of their backyards.
Hadley thinks the town of Breakwater is the perfect spot for Amelia and her new lease on life. And she's thinking about settling down herself, after years of traveling around the world and taking on odd jobs and having flings with beautiful women. But she always, always comes back to Amelia and now is her chance to tell her best friend exactly how much she cares.
It's hard to be brave, especially when it comes to affairs of the heart. But together, they can weather the storm and find what they've always been searching for.
107 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2023
5 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 16, 2023
I’m usually careful not to read and listen simultaneously to two stories with the same tropes but my life has been a little chaotic lately (some of it chaotic good, no worries), and I ended up reading this novella as I was finishing the audiobook for Clare Ashton’s Meeting Millie. Both are about best friends secretly in love with each other (“A terrible thing to be in love with your best friend”), but they’re different enough that no confusion happened in my brain.
Amelia and Hadley have been friends since they were 8, when Amelia’s family moved next door to Hadley’s. For Hadley, it was love at first sight, it took a little longer for Amelia. When we meet them both, they’re in their mid-thirties, Amelia is about to open the wine shop of her dreams and Hadley gave up on traveling the world to be by her side. They’ve been pining for each other for years, both wary of losing their best friend if they said anything, but recently, something changed in their interactions and they seem ready for the next step.
I liked both characters very much, even though it took me a little while to get an idea of how old they were. I’m still not sure what Amelia looks like and their voices are at times a little too similar, but I enjoyed the journey. I especially appreciated the sensitivity with which the author wrote Amelia’s fibromyalgia and Hadley’s attentiveness, tender and caring without being overwhelming.
As far as I can tell, Always There For You is Halli Starling’s first sapphic romance, but I think there’s another one coming out next year. I look forward to it. 3.5⭐️
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
October 1, 2023
Small town Breakwater is the perfect spot for Amelia's wine store/tasting room Classy Corks. The next best thing is her globe trotting BFF Hadley giving up her wandering ways and joining Amelia in Breakwater.
In Starling's short sweet read, Amelia suffers from fibromyalgia (an often misdiagnosed chronic pain disease). Hadley knows exactly how to help her with it. Their bond from childhood to adult matures as suppressed feelings become known. It was lovely how (once feelings were exposed) they talked frankly and openly - no rushing for more. Then the sweet realization that they "fit" wonderfully together. I'd love to have a Classy Corks in my town.
A slow recognition of love that I enjoyed reading.
In Starling's short sweet read, Amelia suffers from fibromyalgia (an often misdiagnosed chronic pain disease). Hadley knows exactly how to help her with it. Their bond from childhood to adult matures as suppressed feelings become known. It was lovely how (once feelings were exposed) they talked frankly and openly - no rushing for more. Then the sweet realization that they "fit" wonderfully together. I'd love to have a Classy Corks in my town.
A slow recognition of love that I enjoyed reading.
October 11, 2023
*I received an ARC from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review. Quotes may be subject to change. I am mutuals with the author through Twitter, that does not affect my rating of the book.
Here's my Spotify playlist!
Content/ Trigger Warnings-Some language Some sexual content (mild, fade-to-black) Minor injury with blood, Conversations about chronic illness
Always There For You is a short sweet sapphic romance between two women, Amelia and Hadley, who are best friends and very close to each other, fearful that revealing their feelings for one another and confessing their love may result in loosing their friendship. When Hadley arrives at the new small town Amelia is living at, they both try their best to conceal their feelings while living in the same house.
The plot of Always There For You is simple, two best friends being in love with each other, both thinking the other doesn't feel the same. But unlike most romance books with a similar presence, this book doesn't really heavily on angst and relies more on the feelings of the characters. Don't get me wrong, there's still a lot of sapphic pinning and yearning! But it doesn't have something ridiculous like trying to make the other character jealous by kissing someone else. I loved that a lot about the book.
The writing of this book is stunning. It goes into the depth of the characters emotions without sounding awkward of cringey. There are so many beautiful lines throughout the book, I annotated so much.
The characters were both well written and I appreciated them both in different ways. Amelia is stubborn and strong, and has chronic pain caused by a chronic illness fibromyalgia. And, I have the same illness she does! I picked up an ARC of this book because I'd read it was a sapphic romance, but I was pleasantly surprised when I found out she has fibromyalgia.
The fibromyalgia and chronic pain representation was one of the most accurate portyals of this illness that I've read, and you can clearly tell that this is personal for the author. Whether it was Amelia talking about her fear of falling because that left her in more pain, or being hesitant to ask for help, all I could do was sit there and smile at how much I understood her. I also loved to see Amelia working and see how her illness impacts her job. If you also have fibromyalgia or chronic pain, you should definitely read this book!
And now let's talk about Hadley! Her kindness and protectiveness for Amelia warmed my heart. I loved reading from her perspective, she is so sweet and holds a deep love for Amelia.
The relationship between Amelia and Hadley was adorable. The intense love they hold for each other was so lovely to read. I love the way Hadley helps Amelia whenever needed without hesitation, but also gives her the space needed. And I love the way Amelia tries her best to make Hadley happy and be there for her.
Overall, Always There For You was a wonderful read, probably one of the best romances I've read this year. I'd highly recommend it.
Review written on 27th July 2023.
DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.
How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/was average/Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/new favourite
Here's my Spotify playlist!
Content/ Trigger Warnings-Some language Some sexual content (mild, fade-to-black) Minor injury with blood, Conversations about chronic illness
Always There For You is a short sweet sapphic romance between two women, Amelia and Hadley, who are best friends and very close to each other, fearful that revealing their feelings for one another and confessing their love may result in loosing their friendship. When Hadley arrives at the new small town Amelia is living at, they both try their best to conceal their feelings while living in the same house.
"A terrible thing to be in love with your best friend."
The plot of Always There For You is simple, two best friends being in love with each other, both thinking the other doesn't feel the same. But unlike most romance books with a similar presence, this book doesn't really heavily on angst and relies more on the feelings of the characters. Don't get me wrong, there's still a lot of sapphic pinning and yearning! But it doesn't have something ridiculous like trying to make the other character jealous by kissing someone else. I loved that a lot about the book.
"If she concentrated, she could remember so many days where Amelia was there. More than a presence, but a fixture, a known quantity, in her life. Her best friend. Her first love. Her only love."
The writing of this book is stunning. It goes into the depth of the characters emotions without sounding awkward of cringey. There are so many beautiful lines throughout the book, I annotated so much.
“I need you. Home is you.”
The characters were both well written and I appreciated them both in different ways. Amelia is stubborn and strong, and has chronic pain caused by a chronic illness fibromyalgia. And, I have the same illness she does! I picked up an ARC of this book because I'd read it was a sapphic romance, but I was pleasantly surprised when I found out she has fibromyalgia.
"She’d been diagnosed with fibromyalgia in college and though she’d kept up with her classes and labs, she’d definitely slipped into doing just enough work to pass. The sourceless pain, the confusion, the memory issues, all of it new and scary and immediately written off by white coats blaming her monthly cycle or stress . Amelia had nearly given up at several points along the way, bouncing from appointment to appointment, filling prescriptions for drugs that left her worse off than before. It had been a terrible handful of years, and all she’ been left with was a medical term and a load of debt."
The fibromyalgia and chronic pain representation was one of the most accurate portyals of this illness that I've read, and you can clearly tell that this is personal for the author. Whether it was Amelia talking about her fear of falling because that left her in more pain, or being hesitant to ask for help, all I could do was sit there and smile at how much I understood her. I also loved to see Amelia working and see how her illness impacts her job. If you also have fibromyalgia or chronic pain, you should definitely read this book!
"Amelia’s stubbornness wasn’t unearned when it came to her pain. It was her body and she’d been the one living with her condition for many years. But being stubborn was one thing; it was another to not let your best friend take care of you. And it was a battle Amelia wasn’t going to win this time."
And now let's talk about Hadley! Her kindness and protectiveness for Amelia warmed my heart. I loved reading from her perspective, she is so sweet and holds a deep love for Amelia.
"And Hadley was certain — quietly, beautifully so, in this very moment and so many others over decades — that she would give Amelia anything. Everything."
The relationship between Amelia and Hadley was adorable. The intense love they hold for each other was so lovely to read. I love the way Hadley helps Amelia whenever needed without hesitation, but also gives her the space needed. And I love the way Amelia tries her best to make Hadley happy and be there for her.
Amelia was quiet for a moment, her stare fixed on their joined hands. “If I’m going to be with anyone, it’s you.”
Overall, Always There For You was a wonderful read, probably one of the best romances I've read this year. I'd highly recommend it.
Review written on 27th July 2023.
DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.
How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/was average/Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/new favourite
August 3, 2023
A really sweet and wholesome queer small town love story to cozy up to - recommended to people who like friends - to lovers and grinning like an idiot while reading. 🍷
Thank you to Book Sirens, for providing me with an early copy of this book.
"And they were roommates!" But, no, seriously they were! Ok, so the story follows Hadley and Amelia two best - friends, both of them longing for each other since the dawn of time. Things change, when they suddenly become roommates, in a small little cottage in a similarly small little cozy town where Amelia is trying to set up a wine shop. The Novella then follows those two, while they come to terms with their feelings and finally make the jump from friends to lovers.
☀️ what I liked ☀️
🍷 great representation
🍷 believable friends to lovers arc
🍷 well fleshed out characters
🍷 the cozy small town vibes!
☀️ room for improvement ☀️
🍷 sub plot of opening up wine shop was not necessary in such a short story
🍷 characters were in their late 30s but sounded and acted too young for their age
🍷 love interests had a lot of history between them, but this was not well enough fleshed out, making it hard to connect to them as a couple
🍷 inner monologue was repetitive at times
🍷 both MCs sounded too similar in their chapters, making it hard to determine whose POV I was reading at times.
All in all I had a good time reading this Novella, and was smiling through most of it. And although I found it hard to connect to the characters at times, I would recommend this for people who are looking for a low stakes read that makes you feel fuzzy inside.
Thank you to Book Sirens, for providing me with an early copy of this book.
"And they were roommates!" But, no, seriously they were! Ok, so the story follows Hadley and Amelia two best - friends, both of them longing for each other since the dawn of time. Things change, when they suddenly become roommates, in a small little cottage in a similarly small little cozy town where Amelia is trying to set up a wine shop. The Novella then follows those two, while they come to terms with their feelings and finally make the jump from friends to lovers.
☀️ what I liked ☀️
🍷 great representation
🍷 believable friends to lovers arc
🍷 well fleshed out characters
🍷 the cozy small town vibes!
☀️ room for improvement ☀️
🍷 sub plot of opening up wine shop was not necessary in such a short story
🍷 characters were in their late 30s but sounded and acted too young for their age
🍷 love interests had a lot of history between them, but this was not well enough fleshed out, making it hard to connect to them as a couple
🍷 inner monologue was repetitive at times
🍷 both MCs sounded too similar in their chapters, making it hard to determine whose POV I was reading at times.
All in all I had a good time reading this Novella, and was smiling through most of it. And although I found it hard to connect to the characters at times, I would recommend this for people who are looking for a low stakes read that makes you feel fuzzy inside.
December 21, 2023
give me all the cottagecore sapphic books NOW
on a side note: best friends to lovers trope, you'll always be famous to me
on a side note: best friends to lovers trope, you'll always be famous to me
October 4, 2023
3 Stars - perfectly nice, very low-angst friends-to-lovers with a lot of emotional connection and love between the MCs. Kindle Unlimited
September 9, 2023
3.5⭐️
The first book I've read by Halli Starling is a sweet novella with loving characters and no drama. But with the theme of a chronic pain disease called fibromyalgia. A disease that can cause great pain in joints and muscles that can come on suddenly. I don’t know much about this disease, but I think the author has put the complaints on paper very well - a daily hard struggle.
Amelia is affected by this disease, but despite all the obstacles she does not let herself be dissuaded from her big dream of owning her own wine store. And now that her best friend Hadley is here, at least temporarily, everything is almost perfect. Almost, because Amelia is madly in love with Hadley - and Hadley with Amelia. But both are scared to tell the other out of fear of losing the best thing in their life, their friendship.
It's an endearing and cozy love story between Hadley, a globetrotter who might want to settle down somewhere, and the more down-to-earth Amelia. Hadley helps Amelia set up the wine store and gets involved wherever she can. Amelia gladly accepts the help and hopes that Hadley will stay here in the small town for as long as possible. And Hadley is especially a great help to Amelia when she is plagued by pain again, and Hadley just knows what is best for her without much explanation.
The characters are loveable and endearing and working and living together works without drama and unnecessary misunderstandings. And in this fine little cocoon, the feelings come out and it is only a question of time and who will be the first to confess their love to the other.
The only small complaint is, that it was a bit repetitive to read over and over again how much they love each other and don't dare to say it out loud.
The story of best friends to lovers, set in a small town, is sweet and nice, and it is certainly not wrong to enjoy a glass of wine while reading.
Thanks to Booksirens and the author for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
The first book I've read by Halli Starling is a sweet novella with loving characters and no drama. But with the theme of a chronic pain disease called fibromyalgia. A disease that can cause great pain in joints and muscles that can come on suddenly. I don’t know much about this disease, but I think the author has put the complaints on paper very well - a daily hard struggle.
Amelia is affected by this disease, but despite all the obstacles she does not let herself be dissuaded from her big dream of owning her own wine store. And now that her best friend Hadley is here, at least temporarily, everything is almost perfect. Almost, because Amelia is madly in love with Hadley - and Hadley with Amelia. But both are scared to tell the other out of fear of losing the best thing in their life, their friendship.
It's an endearing and cozy love story between Hadley, a globetrotter who might want to settle down somewhere, and the more down-to-earth Amelia. Hadley helps Amelia set up the wine store and gets involved wherever she can. Amelia gladly accepts the help and hopes that Hadley will stay here in the small town for as long as possible. And Hadley is especially a great help to Amelia when she is plagued by pain again, and Hadley just knows what is best for her without much explanation.
The characters are loveable and endearing and working and living together works without drama and unnecessary misunderstandings. And in this fine little cocoon, the feelings come out and it is only a question of time and who will be the first to confess their love to the other.
The only small complaint is, that it was a bit repetitive to read over and over again how much they love each other and don't dare to say it out loud.
The story of best friends to lovers, set in a small town, is sweet and nice, and it is certainly not wrong to enjoy a glass of wine while reading.
Thanks to Booksirens and the author for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
September 27, 2023
A wholesome friends to lovers, dual POV Novella + cute cat
Always There For You is a cute, cozy cottage core novella about two best friends who have always had very non platonic feelings for each other, but both were too scared to say or do anything about it done right. MC has fibro and is demisexual. Which Hallie writes about very delicately. The way Hadley cares about Amelia’s illness is the most beautiful part about this entire book in my opinion. I absolutely adored their chemistry. I also absolutely adored Mr Buttons. Who doesn’t love Maine Coones? The title really is incredibly representative of this book and it’s genuinely such a wholesome read. I loved it.
I received a free copy of this book from Halli and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Always There For You is a cute, cozy cottage core novella about two best friends who have always had very non platonic feelings for each other, but both were too scared to say or do anything about it done right. MC has fibro and is demisexual. Which Hallie writes about very delicately. The way Hadley cares about Amelia’s illness is the most beautiful part about this entire book in my opinion. I absolutely adored their chemistry. I also absolutely adored Mr Buttons. Who doesn’t love Maine Coones? The title really is incredibly representative of this book and it’s genuinely such a wholesome read. I loved it.
I received a free copy of this book from Halli and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2023
I know I took way too long with this book when it's really short, but I was in the middle of other things and in no way speaks to how good it is!!! This is a beautiful friendship to lovers story!!!
Hadley and Amelia have been friends since forever, and it's truly this feeling of coming back to each other, over and over again, how they are home to one another, how now matter how far they travel and are apart, they are each other picks - even without the romance, this is found family and friendship to its core!!!
Now Hadley and Amelia have also been crushing and in love with each other for decades, and it's this slow burn and angst, seeing the way they both feel for each other, until they actually make their feelings known!!!
Really sweet and heartwarming romance novella!!! Definitely recommend!!
(I received this for free through BookSirens in exchange on an honest review :) )
Hadley and Amelia have been friends since forever, and it's truly this feeling of coming back to each other, over and over again, how they are home to one another, how now matter how far they travel and are apart, they are each other picks - even without the romance, this is found family and friendship to its core!!!
Now Hadley and Amelia have also been crushing and in love with each other for decades, and it's this slow burn and angst, seeing the way they both feel for each other, until they actually make their feelings known!!!
Really sweet and heartwarming romance novella!!! Definitely recommend!!
(I received this for free through BookSirens in exchange on an honest review :) )
October 2, 2023
The good
+ The obvious love between them
+ Their fond childhood memories
+ The way they found a balance between Hadley's caretaking and Amelia's independence
+ Hadley reading a book to Amelia while she's bathing
+ Amelia's good and bad days
+ Hadley easily adapting to her new life
+ Hadley's easy decision to stay
The neutral
o I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. My review remains honest and unbiased
o Hadley mentioned that Amelia always went after something when she wanted it, and that was how she 'knew' Amelia didn't love her romantically. Amelia didn't show this behavior on page, seeming rather hesitant and over-thinking instead
o The author mentioned Amelia uses she/they pronouns, but in the book only she/her is ever used. It would have been nice to see the they/them pronouns used as well, especially because the reader wouldn't know about this had the author not given the information beforehand
The bad
- A large portion of the book focused on the wine store. It was definitely cute, but at some point it started taking over and became the main plot (instead of the romance). Having either the romance or the wine store as the main plot would have been fine, but this shift halfway through the book was confusing and meant neither of the plots felt truly complete
This was sweet and extremely cozy. I usually skip descriptions of the environment, interiors et cetera, but even I couldn't miss the coziness of the cottage and the cute little town. If you like wine and uncomplicated romance, I would definitely recommend this one.
+ The obvious love between them
+ Their fond childhood memories
+ The way they found a balance between Hadley's caretaking and Amelia's independence
+ Hadley reading a book to Amelia while she's bathing
+ Amelia's good and bad days
+ Hadley easily adapting to her new life
+ Hadley's easy decision to stay
The neutral
o I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. My review remains honest and unbiased
o Hadley mentioned that Amelia always went after something when she wanted it, and that was how she 'knew' Amelia didn't love her romantically. Amelia didn't show this behavior on page, seeming rather hesitant and over-thinking instead
o The author mentioned Amelia uses she/they pronouns, but in the book only she/her is ever used. It would have been nice to see the they/them pronouns used as well, especially because the reader wouldn't know about this had the author not given the information beforehand
The bad
- A large portion of the book focused on the wine store. It was definitely cute, but at some point it started taking over and became the main plot (instead of the romance). Having either the romance or the wine store as the main plot would have been fine, but this shift halfway through the book was confusing and meant neither of the plots felt truly complete
This was sweet and extremely cozy. I usually skip descriptions of the environment, interiors et cetera, but even I couldn't miss the coziness of the cottage and the cute little town. If you like wine and uncomplicated romance, I would definitely recommend this one.
September 20, 2025
3,75/5
This was so sweet ,I may be allergic to sweetness, it hurts me
This was so sweet ,I may be allergic to sweetness, it hurts me
September 17, 2023
This was a short, sweet sapphic romance novella about two best friends who have been in love with each other for a LONG time. Both too afraid to name their feelings out loud for fear of losing the most important person in their life. Amelia is about to open her own business, a wine bar in a quaint little town. Her best friend, Hadley, an avid traveler who never stays in one place for long, is coming to visit and help out with the opening. Their connection and love for each other is evident from the start. And whatever is going on between them is far from platonic... They share several deeply intimate moments together. And there were countless times throughout when I wanted to reach into my iPad and shake some sense into them! These two clearly belong together.
I loved the representation with Amelia as a demisexual person and the conversation she and Hadley had around sex. It was vulnerable and honest and showed how deep their connection was. Amelia also has fibromyalgia and I thought Halli did a great job showing how this illness impacts her daily life. It was also very endearing to see how Hadley cared for her and knew exactly what to do to help. Amelia’s and Hadley’s love for each other was truly palpable and leapt off the pages.
The dual POV was hard to follow at times because of how similar the two characters sounded. I often had to look back to figure out whose POV I was hearing. But I loved that we got to hear the story from both sides and experience the mutual pining and love they had for each other.
There’s also a super cute Maine Coon cat named Mr. Buttons, and Hadley made vests for him (and other animals) which was completely adorable.
If you enjoy low angst, friends-to-lovers sapphic romance, then this book is for you! It’s a quick and easy read, full of heart and hope. These two will definitely frustrate you at times, but you will be rooting for them every step of the way!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I loved the representation with Amelia as a demisexual person and the conversation she and Hadley had around sex. It was vulnerable and honest and showed how deep their connection was. Amelia also has fibromyalgia and I thought Halli did a great job showing how this illness impacts her daily life. It was also very endearing to see how Hadley cared for her and knew exactly what to do to help. Amelia’s and Hadley’s love for each other was truly palpable and leapt off the pages.
The dual POV was hard to follow at times because of how similar the two characters sounded. I often had to look back to figure out whose POV I was hearing. But I loved that we got to hear the story from both sides and experience the mutual pining and love they had for each other.
There’s also a super cute Maine Coon cat named Mr. Buttons, and Hadley made vests for him (and other animals) which was completely adorable.
If you enjoy low angst, friends-to-lovers sapphic romance, then this book is for you! It’s a quick and easy read, full of heart and hope. These two will definitely frustrate you at times, but you will be rooting for them every step of the way!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest and voluntary review.
September 10, 2025
What a charming novella! Mutual pining, not actually unrequited love, a tiny bit of partner worry, friendship, falling (more) in love, getting together. There’s a feather-light touch of angst and insecurity but this is 99% fluff and cozy romance. (So much so that I was feeling slightly nauseous but that might’ve also been my lingering migraine.) My only complaint is that the first half was a bit heavy with the insecurity whump and mutual I-can’t-tell-her-because-she-doesn’t-feel-like-that-about-me but perhaps 35yo’s do marinate in it like that.
All in all, this was a quick read, warm and fluffy like a mug of hot chocolate that’s half marshmallows.
All in all, this was a quick read, warm and fluffy like a mug of hot chocolate that’s half marshmallows.
July 31, 2023
This was my second book written by Halli Starling, and I have become a fan. Her books are always so sweet, cozy and fuzzy. I've read this book in one sitting, and loved both main characters, the only downside was being such a short story.
The writing on this book is gorgeous, both characters were so well developed and so easy to love these two strong women, and you can feel the intensity of their love for each other. If there's something that I love in Halli Starling is the diversity and representation, and in this book she writes about fibromyalgia, a subject so misunderstood that needs more awareness.
If you're looking for a heartwarming sapphic small town romance search no further!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writing on this book is gorgeous, both characters were so well developed and so easy to love these two strong women, and you can feel the intensity of their love for each other. If there's something that I love in Halli Starling is the diversity and representation, and in this book she writes about fibromyalgia, a subject so misunderstood that needs more awareness.
If you're looking for a heartwarming sapphic small town romance search no further!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 16, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
this book was absolutely adorable i loved the mutual pining it was so sweet hearing how they both felt so much for each other this book is great if you want a lovey dovey quick read just to make you feel happy it was a little hard to get into the writing style but after 2 chapters i started to understand it and get into it overall the book was amazing
this book was absolutely adorable i loved the mutual pining it was so sweet hearing how they both felt so much for each other this book is great if you want a lovey dovey quick read just to make you feel happy it was a little hard to get into the writing style but after 2 chapters i started to understand it and get into it overall the book was amazing
July 23, 2023
A really sweet, loving book, written with a lot of care. A lovely read for lovers of small-town, slow burn, no spice romance!
I received an arc for free, and feel honoured to leave this review.
I received an arc for free, and feel honoured to leave this review.
September 14, 2023
“Always There For You” by Halli Starling
5⭐️/5⭐️
1🌶/5🌶
“You are the only person who really knows that side. Because I’m safe with you.”
Amelia and Hadley have been best friends since childhood. They care for each other deeply, and have a strong soul-deep bond. Over the years, this friendship has slowly morphed into amorous crushes. However, they each don’t know the other person harbors those feelings. After a brief absence, Hadley is back and ready to help Amelia open her business. But tension has been simmering for years, will this reunion bring the two friends closer than they’ve ever been before? Or will confessing their feelings end in heartbreak?
-I was fortunate enough to be an early reader for this book, and had such a wonderful time reading Amelia and Hadley’s story! I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, Halli Starling has such a unique and one-of-a-kind writing style. Her ability to write stories that are interesting, while still staying true to her mission of publishing romances that don’t rely on miscommunication or a third act breakup, makes her totally unique in the romance genre.
-Looking for fall vibes? Look no further, the vibes are immaculate in this story. This is the epitome of cozy cottage core, and it will make you want to curl up under a fuzzy blanket with a cup of warm tea. I think so many autumnal books are typically of the scary variety, and while I love a good spooky read, it’s nice to have a book that feels like a warm and safe embrace in an ever-changing season.
-This is a friends to lovers romance, which I feel is underrepresented in the overall romance genre. Honestly, I haven’t seen nearly as many friends to lovers romances when compared to enemies to lovers; it’s a nice change of pace to have a book with the friends to lovers trope.
-Halli’s books are not terribly angsty, and despite Amelia and Hadley harboring secret crushes on one another for years, it’s not a heartbreaking story. This is a story of hope, deep affection and love, and total support for the person you care about above all else.
-Halli always does such an excellent job representing queer romances, but has gone above and beyond to give Amelia chronic pain representation. As someone who is personally unaware of the daily struggles one faces when they experience chronic pain, I appreciated reading about various scenarios where this affliction can be debilitating. And Hadley is such an incredible source of support for Amelia; they’re perfectly matched.
-I would recommend this story if you’re looking for cozy fall vibes, want to read a sweet sapphic romance, or enjoy no miscommunication or third act breakups in your romances.
5⭐️/5⭐️
1🌶/5🌶
“You are the only person who really knows that side. Because I’m safe with you.”
Amelia and Hadley have been best friends since childhood. They care for each other deeply, and have a strong soul-deep bond. Over the years, this friendship has slowly morphed into amorous crushes. However, they each don’t know the other person harbors those feelings. After a brief absence, Hadley is back and ready to help Amelia open her business. But tension has been simmering for years, will this reunion bring the two friends closer than they’ve ever been before? Or will confessing their feelings end in heartbreak?
-I was fortunate enough to be an early reader for this book, and had such a wonderful time reading Amelia and Hadley’s story! I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, Halli Starling has such a unique and one-of-a-kind writing style. Her ability to write stories that are interesting, while still staying true to her mission of publishing romances that don’t rely on miscommunication or a third act breakup, makes her totally unique in the romance genre.
-Looking for fall vibes? Look no further, the vibes are immaculate in this story. This is the epitome of cozy cottage core, and it will make you want to curl up under a fuzzy blanket with a cup of warm tea. I think so many autumnal books are typically of the scary variety, and while I love a good spooky read, it’s nice to have a book that feels like a warm and safe embrace in an ever-changing season.
-This is a friends to lovers romance, which I feel is underrepresented in the overall romance genre. Honestly, I haven’t seen nearly as many friends to lovers romances when compared to enemies to lovers; it’s a nice change of pace to have a book with the friends to lovers trope.
-Halli’s books are not terribly angsty, and despite Amelia and Hadley harboring secret crushes on one another for years, it’s not a heartbreaking story. This is a story of hope, deep affection and love, and total support for the person you care about above all else.
-Halli always does such an excellent job representing queer romances, but has gone above and beyond to give Amelia chronic pain representation. As someone who is personally unaware of the daily struggles one faces when they experience chronic pain, I appreciated reading about various scenarios where this affliction can be debilitating. And Hadley is such an incredible source of support for Amelia; they’re perfectly matched.
-I would recommend this story if you’re looking for cozy fall vibes, want to read a sweet sapphic romance, or enjoy no miscommunication or third act breakups in your romances.
August 9, 2023
Title: “Always There For You” by Halli Starling- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Summary:
Amelia and Hadley have been best friends since they were children, and when Amelia starts a new chapter in her life, Hadley is right there to support her through it all. With a few weeks left before Amelia’s wine shop opens, there is a lot to do. However, as Amelia and Hadley live together in a cosy rented cottage, feelings they both have hidden deep within begin to bubble to the surface.
Thoughts:
I enjoyed this novella. It is short but I think it does the job the author wanted it to do. This book does have some content warnings at the beginning which I do appreciate.
Amelia and Hadley are sweet together, and I liked reading their thoughts on how much they value one another. Amelia lives with fibromyalgia, which as someone who doesn’t I can’t say if it was good representation, however, I like how this does get mentioned during more intimate moments, and how Hadley is considerate in regards to how their actions may affect Amelia’s condition. The reader does see how Amelia tries to not let her condition hold her back but sometimes it’s inevitable, and unfortunately she does suffer from it. Hadley knows how to ease her pain which adds to the tenderness between the pair, and was honestly nice to see.
The characters work well together and the setting of the small cottage in the small town is very idyllic. They have personalities outside of each other as well, as Hadley loved to travel a lot and Amelia has been working hard on her education, but they both always come back together.
I like their relationship even without the romantic tension, but as the romance begins to blossom, the reader can see how deeply they care for one another. There are discussions on how they both want to proceed at one point, and explaining how nothing needs to happen or move fast.
It was kind of refreshing to see. As someone who doesn’t gravitate to stories like this, I did enjoy it, and it was a nice break from the other novels I read.
Disclaimer: This novella was provided by BookSirens for free and is an ARC. I’m leaving this review voluntarily and thank you again to BookSirens for this copy.
Publication date: September 15th 2023 (good luck to the author!)
Summary:
Amelia and Hadley have been best friends since they were children, and when Amelia starts a new chapter in her life, Hadley is right there to support her through it all. With a few weeks left before Amelia’s wine shop opens, there is a lot to do. However, as Amelia and Hadley live together in a cosy rented cottage, feelings they both have hidden deep within begin to bubble to the surface.
Thoughts:
I enjoyed this novella. It is short but I think it does the job the author wanted it to do. This book does have some content warnings at the beginning which I do appreciate.
Amelia and Hadley are sweet together, and I liked reading their thoughts on how much they value one another. Amelia lives with fibromyalgia, which as someone who doesn’t I can’t say if it was good representation, however, I like how this does get mentioned during more intimate moments, and how Hadley is considerate in regards to how their actions may affect Amelia’s condition. The reader does see how Amelia tries to not let her condition hold her back but sometimes it’s inevitable, and unfortunately she does suffer from it. Hadley knows how to ease her pain which adds to the tenderness between the pair, and was honestly nice to see.
The characters work well together and the setting of the small cottage in the small town is very idyllic. They have personalities outside of each other as well, as Hadley loved to travel a lot and Amelia has been working hard on her education, but they both always come back together.
I like their relationship even without the romantic tension, but as the romance begins to blossom, the reader can see how deeply they care for one another. There are discussions on how they both want to proceed at one point, and explaining how nothing needs to happen or move fast.
It was kind of refreshing to see. As someone who doesn’t gravitate to stories like this, I did enjoy it, and it was a nice break from the other novels I read.
Disclaimer: This novella was provided by BookSirens for free and is an ARC. I’m leaving this review voluntarily and thank you again to BookSirens for this copy.
Publication date: September 15th 2023 (good luck to the author!)
September 6, 2023
I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.
Always There for You, by Halli Starling, is a new adult novella about two best friends who fell in love with each other, supporting one another through life’s celebrations and disappointments. The book introduces Amelia, who had long since succumbed to her infatuation with Hadley. Hadley decides to help Amelia open her wine store, where the two only grow closer over time. The story eventually culminates into a happily-ever-after, with Amelia and Hadley knowing they’ll be each other, no matter what obstacles they might face.
This was a very cozy romance that I didn’t know I needed. It’s painful when you’ve fallen for someone wonderful but know that you can’t be anything more than friends. It’s especially true when the person you’ve fallen for is either straight or just doesn’t see you that way. Regardless, Amelia doesn’t push things. She respects the boundaries Hadley puts up (real or imagined), and concentrates on her store. She cherishes Hadley’s presence, and honors her rather than tears her down. I also think it’s rather sweet that, because of her obsession with Hadley, how distant Amelia is with others.
All in all, I did enjoy the book. The encounters between Amelia and Hadley were charming. In fact, the only conflict seems to be the will-they-won’t-they tension they have every time they talk with one another. Adding in the uncertainty of starting a business, and suddenly, the readers, alongside the characters, are glad Amelia has such a strong support system, romantic or not.
As such, I’m giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Always There for You, by Halli Starling, is a new adult novella about two best friends who fell in love with each other, supporting one another through life’s celebrations and disappointments. The book introduces Amelia, who had long since succumbed to her infatuation with Hadley. Hadley decides to help Amelia open her wine store, where the two only grow closer over time. The story eventually culminates into a happily-ever-after, with Amelia and Hadley knowing they’ll be each other, no matter what obstacles they might face.
This was a very cozy romance that I didn’t know I needed. It’s painful when you’ve fallen for someone wonderful but know that you can’t be anything more than friends. It’s especially true when the person you’ve fallen for is either straight or just doesn’t see you that way. Regardless, Amelia doesn’t push things. She respects the boundaries Hadley puts up (real or imagined), and concentrates on her store. She cherishes Hadley’s presence, and honors her rather than tears her down. I also think it’s rather sweet that, because of her obsession with Hadley, how distant Amelia is with others.
All in all, I did enjoy the book. The encounters between Amelia and Hadley were charming. In fact, the only conflict seems to be the will-they-won’t-they tension they have every time they talk with one another. Adding in the uncertainty of starting a business, and suddenly, the readers, alongside the characters, are glad Amelia has such a strong support system, romantic or not.
As such, I’m giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
August 1, 2023
This book called out to me because as an ace-spec person with fibromyalgia, it felt like this novella was written for Me specifically. And the cover is beautiful - very Sugaring Off. Unfortunately, nothing else about this story felt like it was for me as I started reading, but hopefully it may feel like it is for you.
Maybe it’s because the tone and dialogue feel a bit too juvenile for characters who are in their mid to late thirties. Maybe it’s because almost the entire relationship (years' worth) between the characters took place off-page and I can’t connect with them and believe that they’re falling in love. Maybe it’s simultaneously because I’m tired of chronic illness stories where the love interest is obsessed with becoming a caretaker and deciding that they know best.
I like the moment of doubt between the two characters when the realisation hit and they began to navigate the changes from a platonic to romantic relationship. I like the small-town vibe, although I wish more of it were explored. I like the cat and its snazzy handmade vests.
Overall, I think a higher page count would've been more beneficial to fully fleshing out the characters and making the representation feel impactful. And for the wine store to feel like an important plot point rather than just a different location for similar conversations. Sweet, but underdeveloped for my tastes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Maybe it’s because the tone and dialogue feel a bit too juvenile for characters who are in their mid to late thirties. Maybe it’s because almost the entire relationship (years' worth) between the characters took place off-page and I can’t connect with them and believe that they’re falling in love. Maybe it’s simultaneously because I’m tired of chronic illness stories where the love interest is obsessed with becoming a caretaker and deciding that they know best.
I like the moment of doubt between the two characters when the realisation hit and they began to navigate the changes from a platonic to romantic relationship. I like the small-town vibe, although I wish more of it were explored. I like the cat and its snazzy handmade vests.
Overall, I think a higher page count would've been more beneficial to fully fleshing out the characters and making the representation feel impactful. And for the wine store to feel like an important plot point rather than just a different location for similar conversations. Sweet, but underdeveloped for my tastes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 1, 2023
Recently I have been very interested in two kinds of stories. The cozy and the horrific , featuring sapphics ofcourse. Always there for you was the forner kind. A tooth-achingly sweet , soft , comforting novella about finding home and love. Amelia and Hadley are both well written characters. The romance is slow burn but their individual qualities kept me hooked throught the journey. The chronic pain rep was well done. And seeing Hadley take care of Amelia with such kindness definitely put a smile on my face.
We don't have many side characters but we do have a cat , whom I have fallen as much in love with as Hadley. The writing was beautiful, exactly as soft as it needed to be. This book feels like the beginning of life in the quiet comfort of home. Reading it at the cusp of autumn on a cozy day in would be a wonderful experience.
My only complains are that toward the end the slow burn began to feel a bit too much , so did the sweetness and the dialogue in some scenes were very awkward. Other than that , this was a good time , I thoroughly enjoyed it. Pick it up if you want a quiet , soft , kind and atmospheric sapphic adult romance.
We don't have many side characters but we do have a cat , whom I have fallen as much in love with as Hadley. The writing was beautiful, exactly as soft as it needed to be. This book feels like the beginning of life in the quiet comfort of home. Reading it at the cusp of autumn on a cozy day in would be a wonderful experience.
My only complains are that toward the end the slow burn began to feel a bit too much , so did the sweetness and the dialogue in some scenes were very awkward. Other than that , this was a good time , I thoroughly enjoyed it. Pick it up if you want a quiet , soft , kind and atmospheric sapphic adult romance.
July 29, 2023
"Always There For You" by Halli Starling is an enchanting short story that beautifully portrays the love story between Hadley and Amelia. The sweet and tender moments shared between these best friends turned lovers are heartwarming and endearing. Their unwavering support for each other in both weak and strong moments adds depth to their romance. Set in the charming town of Breakwater, the book captures the essence of a true romance, where two individuals finally admit their love for each other and embark on a new chapter of their lives together. Amelia's determination to overcome challenges, including chronic pain, while pursuing her dream of opening a wine store and tasting room is inspiring. With Hadley by her side, everything falls into place, making their bond even more special. The courage they display in expressing their feelings for one another is a testament to the power of love. Overall, "Always There For You" embraces all the elements of a genuine romance, making it a delightful and heartwarming read that leaves readers with a smile on their faces.
September 12, 2023
Content warnings for Always There For You include: profrane language, mild sexual content (fade-to-black), and minor injury with blood.
☆
☆
This one was fine. It did everything it said it would do. I just wasn't the biggest fan of it personally.
~
I like my romances (when I read them) to have more stakes, to have more substance to them. That's not to say I didn't care about Hadley and Amelia, I just wanted more from it.
~
And it was a novella, of course it wasn't going to go into huge amounts of detail, there isn't time or space on the page for that in a novella. But I just wanted more from the characters and the story as a whole.
~
That being said, it was alright, it was fun, I had a good time with it. It's just not the type of thing I make a habit of reading.
•
Thank you to author Halli Starling for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
☆
☆
This one was fine. It did everything it said it would do. I just wasn't the biggest fan of it personally.
~
I like my romances (when I read them) to have more stakes, to have more substance to them. That's not to say I didn't care about Hadley and Amelia, I just wanted more from it.
~
And it was a novella, of course it wasn't going to go into huge amounts of detail, there isn't time or space on the page for that in a novella. But I just wanted more from the characters and the story as a whole.
~
That being said, it was alright, it was fun, I had a good time with it. It's just not the type of thing I make a habit of reading.
•
Thank you to author Halli Starling for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
August 29, 2023
Always There For You was a quick, easy read. There was not much angst or conflict in the story. I missed the representation and content warnings at the front of the book, so I was somewhat confused about Amelia. It would have been nice if the author had written that into the story instead.
Amelia and Hadley have known each other since childhood. Hadley has traveled most of her life but has come back to help Amelia open a wine store. Amelia is demisexual and suffers from fibromyalgia. The book is a sweet romance between 2 friends. You see right away how much they mean to each other. I recommend it to anyone looking for a book that will make you smile.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Amelia and Hadley have known each other since childhood. Hadley has traveled most of her life but has come back to help Amelia open a wine store. Amelia is demisexual and suffers from fibromyalgia. The book is a sweet romance between 2 friends. You see right away how much they mean to each other. I recommend it to anyone looking for a book that will make you smile.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 15, 2023
-- My reviews are generally a messy line of my thoughts throughout the book. This review will be on Goodreads, Amazon, and LibraryThing. --
The cover is gorgeous, the colors are lovely together.
I can already tell that this is going to be beautifully soft.
I’m not generally a fan of POV switches, but these are just so soft and lovely; Amelia and Hadley love each other wholly.
A cat!
Those moments where everyone can see what you can’t.
Go Amelia! That question has to be my favourite.
This whole piece is just a soft romance where two long-time friends admit they love each other romantically. I love Amelia and Hadley’s characters and how they interact with each other. Admittedly, this genre is not for me as its very low-risk, but it was an enjoyable read.
The cover is gorgeous, the colors are lovely together.
I can already tell that this is going to be beautifully soft.
I’m not generally a fan of POV switches, but these are just so soft and lovely; Amelia and Hadley love each other wholly.
A cat!
Those moments where everyone can see what you can’t.
Go Amelia! That question has to be my favourite.
This whole piece is just a soft romance where two long-time friends admit they love each other romantically. I love Amelia and Hadley’s characters and how they interact with each other. Admittedly, this genre is not for me as its very low-risk, but it was an enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2025
Cute sweet read of best friends reuniting, falling into life together and finally admit their true feelings together. I love the fibromyalgia representation, I enjoyed how it showed many sides of dealing with a chronic disability and how it can affect all aspects of your life. I loved how attentive they were with either, how Hadley knew exactly how to care for Amelia. It was nice to read a book where the characters still took it slow and didn’t rush things after announcing their true feelings for each other. Overall this read isn’t anything overly exciting, it’s very monotonous (hence the 3 star rating) but it’s a cute little heart warming story. There were a few typos throughout but nothing that distracted too much from the story.
August 27, 2023
Amelia and Hadley have been best friends for years and secretly yearning for the other. It takes Hadley coming back to help for them to realise they can’t be without the other.
This is a slow burn plot in that after they confess they don’t just jump straight into bed. I felt like the first part of the book was great as it showcased the struggles of having fibromyalgia and how debilitating it can be. However the second part felt a bit like it was all about feelings and there wasn’t as much plot. I still enjoyed it and was rooting for the two MC’s to work out their new relationship.
This is a slow burn plot in that after they confess they don’t just jump straight into bed. I felt like the first part of the book was great as it showcased the struggles of having fibromyalgia and how debilitating it can be. However the second part felt a bit like it was all about feelings and there wasn’t as much plot. I still enjoyed it and was rooting for the two MC’s to work out their new relationship.
August 31, 2023
What an adorable story. Hadley and Amelia have been very close friends since childhood. All grown now and in their 30s, Hadley is the world traveler, and Amelia moved to a small to pursue her dream of opening a wine store. Hadley visited Amelia in between her travels. This visit she decides she wants to set her down roots. The two have been in love with each other forever. However, not telling the other. This is such a feel-good story with no drama. I highly recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 28, 2023
Never judge a book by it's cover. The cover is great, the story not so much. It was boring and somewhat unbelievable. Two women who've been friends pining for each other for decades running around each other in circles and behave like partners. Always touching, cuddling and so on. Especially when they declared their love while lying in bed, from then on spending every night in bed together and then it takes weeks before they have sex. Get real! A little less conversation a little more action would have been nice. If this book would've had more pages, I think I would not have finished it.
October 1, 2023
A short friends to lovers story. Hadley and Amelia have been friends since they were 8 years old. Cue 20 years later and they are still the bestest of friends with a huge crush on each other. But they will never tell each other, will they?
I enjoyed the cute banter and how Hadley took care of Amelia due to her medical condition. However this story was a bit too sweet for my taste. All the yearning and after they got together all the love yous were a bit over the top for me.
An ARC was provided to me via Booksirens in return of an honest review.
I enjoyed the cute banter and how Hadley took care of Amelia due to her medical condition. However this story was a bit too sweet for my taste. All the yearning and after they got together all the love yous were a bit over the top for me.
An ARC was provided to me via Booksirens in return of an honest review.
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