If It Can't Be Us

by Erin Cornia

After a devastating loss, Vivian Walker moves to Chicago, determined to rebuild her life and maybe even find love again. She’s witty, strong, and ready to embrace the future. There’s just one problem––Leo Weston, the charming, undeniably attractive British psychologist next door, who’s never been one for relationships or commitment.

Leo is wealthy, sexy, and has a penchant for one-night stands. For thirteen years, he’s lived the bachelor life—it’s easy, uncomplicated, and no one gets hurt. But when Vivian enters his life, everything changes. She’s different, and she makes him question everything he thought he knew about love.

Their chemistry is undeniable, but Leo’s past has left him with scars that are hard to heal, and he’s built walls that seem impossible to tear down. For Vivian, risking her heart on a man who refuses to open his might be a gamble she’s not ready to take—but walking away from what they have feels impossible.

In a game of push-and-pull, passion and fear, can they really remain just friends, or are some lines meant to be crossed?

Note: This book contains strong language, mature content, and explicit romance scenes and is recommended for readers 18+. It also includes themes of traumatic loss, grief, and emotional recovery. Reader discretion is advised.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Slow Burn, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Ebooks, Spicy Romance

347 pages, Paperback

Published November 3, 2024

About the author

Angsty, emotional romance author delivering all the feels—laugh, cry, and the kind of tension that keeps you turning pages way past bedtime.

I’m a lifelong book lover and unapologetic romance enthusiast who believes good men exist outside of fiction, and I'm lucky enough to be married to one.

I’ve always loved writing, telling stories, and scribbling poetry in the middle of the night when I can't sleep.

When I’m not writing, you can find me lost in a good book, brainstorming my next story, or planning my next vacation.

Thanks for joining me on this beautiful, wild journey.

Reviews

[Melissa (honeybee.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If It Can't Be Us is an absolutely breathtakingly beautifully written novel with a story that evoked all the emotions. From the first chapter I was completely captivated by the author's writing, it just flowed so perfectly, it was descriptive without it being too much and I could truly feel the characters emotions through her words. It's filled with so much attention to detail which I commend the author on. It definitely shattered my heart, but put it back together slowly piece by piece. Don't go into this one expecting all sunshine and rainbows, it deals with difficult subjects that Cornia managed to deliver in such a beautiful and realistic way.

I absolutely loved Vivian's journey into self discovery, learning to love herself and fall in love again. The connection and chemistry between Vivian & Leo is beautiful. The tension and attraction was felt through the pages, it was scorching! The relationship and character development was so strong in this book, it's one major highlight for me in this one. I loved how both Vivian & Leo dealt with her grief, how supportive he was and how she honored her loss was absolutely incredible. I'm just obsessed with these 2, they are perfect for each other and got the ending they both deserved !

Overall, this was a fantastic read, I read it much slower as I was savoring these characters and the authors writing. It was such a beautiful story and journey that I didn't want to miss one moment. Phenomenal debut Erin !

✨️Thank you to @erincornia for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Marissa.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good it ended up being a 1 sitting read!

This is such a beautifully tragic book about love, loss and overcoming trauma! I was immediately sucked into the story with just the prologue!

Vivian has just experienced the most traumatic loss, and after trying to recover she decides she needs a fresh start and moves from Utah to Chicago with hopes of healing. Vivian is struggling making an intimate connection, and that all may change when she meets her extremely attractive British forever bachelor Leo.

Leo is a psychologist who’s unwilling to deal with his own trauma. He specializes in marriage and couples therapy, which is ironic since he’s happy to be a forever bachelor and sleep his way through Chicago, unwilling to build any sort of emotional connection with women. When he sees Vivian for the first time, while he’s letting his last night hook up out, it’s immediate attraction.

Leo and Vivian end up meeting by accident at a local restaurant, Leo so happens to co-own, the meet cute was adorable and they both quickly realize they’re looking for very different things. Leo holds no emotion when it comes to sex and will absolutely never date anyone, a one and done kind of guy. Vivian needs that connection, and is looking for someone to share her life with.

After becoming great friends, they both can’t deny the chemistry, quick touches and pushing the boundary moments have them both longing for each other, and holding back knowing they want different things. Not wanting to ruin the amazing friendship they have, the game of push and pull is heavy! Eventually the tension snaps and regrets happen quickly.

Vivian is left wanting for a man that is emotionally unavailable. Leo is too scared to make the connection with Vivian he desires, unable to let go of past traumas. While Vivian attempts to peruse other relationships will Leo get the healing help he needs or lose Vivian for good.

This book was absolutely beautiful! Friends to lovers, with tension that you could cut with a knife. I loved the push and pull and the emotional journey watching them both heal. This is a HEA but it will be a roller coaster of emotions and heartache to get there. Truly an absolutely beautiful read, with found family, love after trauma and loss.

[Tasha Penney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most gorgeous book about grief, love and life after loss😭 the ending KILLED me

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars

Let me start off by saying that I never read a book’s synopsis before diving in—I love experiencing a story with a completely open mind, and I’m so glad I did with If It Can’t Be Us by Erin Cornia.

The book begins with a shocking moment of trauma that completely threw me, but it set the stage for an incredible journey of self-discovery and healing. Watching the main character learn to love herself and open her heart again after everything she endured was both heartbreaking and inspiring.

And then there’s Leo. At first, he’s nothing like the type of partner she would’ve imagined for herself, but their slow-burn friendship turned into something so much deeper. I loved how they helped each other confront their pasts and grow into better versions of themselves. Their connection was genuine, emotional, and so beautifully written.

And the spice? Oh, it was piping hot! Every moment between them was electric and added so much to their relationship. Honestly, I would love more of their story because I couldn’t get enough of them.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way, and I highly recommend it if you’re in the mood for a romance that’s equal parts heartache, growth, and heat. Erin Cornia has definitely gained a fan in me!

[jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 48% this book put me in a reading slump

[Daxton Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I perfect romance!

I grew up in Utah so when I heard this author was from here I was so excited to read her book! I’m a new reader so getting into a new book is intimidating but I was locked in immediately. Sure does such a great job painting a picture of each character and making you fall hard. I’m in love with this story and can’t wait to dive into the next book! If you like spice and a good love story this is your book!

[Erica Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible debut! The push and pull of our MC’s relationship kept me engaged and invested the entire time! This is a gorgeous story of a woman who experienced an incredibly painful tragedy and a man who, thanks to his childhood, never wants to commit. He’s the ultimate playboy - and he likes it that way.

So when Vivian moves in next door to Leo, they find themselves instantly attracted to one another but they want very different things from a relationship. So they become the best of friends and y’all, I was LOVING the friendship. The banter and the laughter that they share is just too good. And the tension …oh lawd, the tension. They clearly want one another but can’t cross that line and risk their friendship.

The back and forth literally made my chest hurt and my heart ache for these two people who deserve all the good things. Vivian opens Leo’s eyes to what it would be like to share his life with someone like her but Leo’s issues feel very REAL and his back and forth was so genuine and relatable. Vivian’s longing for Leo to open up and accept what their relationship could be made me very invested in these characters and their stories. Leo is the only one Vivian feels safe with and I felt that in my bones.

Love this story - congrats to Erin for a beautiful debut. Can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin. Why is this not getting more hype! This book captivated me from the first page and I was reaching for the tissues before I had even finished the prologue. This is so beautifully written whilst providing such a relatable account of dealing with past trauma and grief, providing an understanding of how past experiences can impact future relationships. My heart broke time and time again reading this, I swear I felt their pain and heartache as it if were my own 😭. Vivian and Leo had so much depth to their characters, and both went on such a journey of self discovery throughout, it’s impossible to not feel connected to them. They were so deserving of a HEA! The push and pull between them was written to perfection and the spice was chefs kiss. It doesn’t overshadow the plot, there’s a big slow burn, but the spice you do get is 10 outta 10!

On one hand I want to tell you to go in blind reading this, but the story does deal with some difficult subjects about loss, grief, abandonment and ptsd so if you have any triggers, make sure you check the content warnings first.

Read if you like
- books that will make you cry
- emotional romance
- friends to lovers
- angst
- banter
- push and pull
- neighbours
- trauma healing

[Shannon Mayhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books was absolutely beautiful. Leo and Vivian are two people with different, but hard past. They form a friendship and it grows from there. Leo is a ladies man, doesn’t do commitment, a great guy but not someone you want in a partner. Vivian is a strong, beautiful, and loving woman. The relationship they have is incredible, but can it be more than just friends?

The pure realness and raw emotion in this book is beautiful. I love that it’s slow burn and two people who truly learn to know each other before anything else.

[Lark _thebookchamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is absolutely breathtaking and beautiful! The amount of emotions that were poured into the writing is unbelievable 🥹💖 I loved watching Vivian and Leo’s friendship play out as they (Leo *cough cough*) tried to deny their feelings. I loved the banter between these two and their friendship really was so genuine. They are each dealing with emotional, traumatic pasts and getting to see them work through everything and eventually make it out on the other side- happier than ever, was refreshing! I cannot wait to see what this authors writing has in store for the next book! I adored her writing and know it will be another one that captures my heart! 🫶🏻

[court · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most relatable and emotional book I’ve read in a long time. Erin masterfully drew me in to Vivian’s life, I felt so connected, as if we had been lifelong friends. I felt her pain, her joy, and of course her stress as she navigated grief. My heart ached for Leo’s journey and loved watching his growth. The banter reflected a true best friend and the spice was very tasteful. I’m not ready for this story to be over, I need what happens next!

So, so well done. I will be over here anxiously awaiting Erin Cornia’s next book!

[Lyndsay Blackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book right here has me feeling all the feels! The emotional rollercoaster the FMC and MMC were on had me feeling like I was right there riding it with them. From grief, past trauma, family issues, trust and love it broke my heart but mended it at the end. The spice was spicing, the love was loving and the obstacles that were faced would have anyone sitting on the edge of their seat while reading this.

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I was immediately sucked into the story and taken on a roller coaster in the best way! I fell in love with both the FMC and MMC and felt everything they were feeling. This book felt so realistic as they go on a beautiful journey of grief, love and healing! And I can’t forget about the spice! The spice was spicing, so hot!! 🌶️🌶️🌶️ and written perfectly!

[Kimberley O'Reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun read but the push/pull between the two characters went on way toooo long imo!

[Kayla Kenkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 ⭐️ for me. Erin has quickly become one of my favourite authors. She does a great job of capturing all the feelings and emotions each character is experiencing. Vivian, what a power house! She was thrown a really crappy hand but she still never gave up. Leo, very flawed but I’m so happy he eventually realized what he deserved.

[Sarah Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟 Loved reading about Viv & Leo’s story. Taking off half a star because I would have loved a bit more to the ending & felt it was a bit rushed after such a build up of Leo realizing what was infront of him. But, I loved this book! Can’t wait to read Matt’s story.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a DNF for me. I’m baffled by the high ratings because the vanity in this book is off the charts.
The characters were so self-absorbed it became unbearable by the 20% mark.
I prefer my leads with a little more depth and a lot less 'look how hot I am.' The characters were stuck on themselves in the cringiest way possible. If I have to read one more line about how attractive the protagonist (or her mom) is, I’ll lose it. Not for me. Moving on now....

[Joanna Rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - This book grabs you by the heart and won’t let go. If you're into slow burn romance (like agonizingly delicious slow burn) with tension that builds until it snaps, you need this in your life. This is a friends-to-lovers romance where the lines get so blurred there’s no crossing back . I was hooked from the very first page.

And listen, I love a good slow burn, but when I tell you the spice in this book is worth the wait? Whew. It delivers. And the best part? The plot doesn’t take a backseat. There’s real relationship development, deep emotional layers, and it all just flows so perfectly.

The writing is stunning. You can feel the emotion pouring off every page. I was fully invested in Vivian and Leo. Their banter was perfection, their connection undeniable, and the writing made me feel everything.

Their personal growth was just as powerful as their romance. Watching Vivian and Leo face their own trauma and still find their way to each other was so satisfying and beautiful.

I absolutely recommend this book. I really think you’re going to love it.

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was very emotional but is a beautiful story about love, loss and finding your way when you’re ready to give up!

Vivian and Leo have both experienced loss, have gone through pain and somehow through their friendship they find peace.

I love the bond these two have but some of the fighting I feel was drawn out. The way the story ended was beautiful and fit these two perfectly!

[Georgina Rinaldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This was a profoundly beautiful read, overflowing with emotion that feels raw and tangible. Erin, you did a phenomenal job exploring heavy topics like grief, loss, boundaries, and starting fresh in a way that feels grounded and authentic.

Vivian, our FMC, experiences a tragedy in the prologue that sets the tone for the entire novel. Watching her navigate her emotions and grow through the pain feels like witnessing something deeply real. You can’t help but root for her every step of the way. Viv loves fiercely, knows exactly what she wants, and refuses to settle for anything less than she deserves.

Then there’s Leo, our MMC—a charming playboy and no-strings-attached kind of guy. But when his neighbor runs by (completely unaware she’s about to change his life), he falls harder than an anchor sinking into the ocean. (We love a tortured MMC who falls hard, don’t we? 😉)

Leo and Viv’s friends-to-lovers journey is so underrated! Their chemistry, sexual tension, and banter are chef’s kiss. And the spice? Let’s just say all that pent-up frustration leads to some seriously unforgettable moments.

The ending is sweet and satisfying with a well-earned HEA. They don’t take shortcuts—they work for their happiness—and when they finally get there, it’s EVERYTHING.

If you enjoy:
Friends to lovers
Playboy/bachelor
Hurt/comfort
Widow
British MMC
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Witty banter
Emotional read with HEA

This is for you!!

I want to thank Erin for gifting me a physical copy of, If it Can’t Be Us. I will forever cherish my copy and the story of Leo and Viv!

[Merrit Townsend (always1morebook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

So emotional but oh so good!

If it Can’t Be Us is book one in an interconnected stand alone series. Each book follows a different couple and can be read in any order. This is Leo and Vivian’s Story.

This book is emotionally charged and very addictive. The book had me at chapter one and kept me in this story until the very end.

Vivian and Leo meet after she moves to Chicago for a new start. Their friendship was fun to watch and grow into a romance neither saw coming. They both have tragedies in their lives that keep them from moving forward. Can they move on from their feelings to see where their relationship goes or will they throw it all away from fear?

I loved this second chance story so much. The grieving process is so different for each person and the fear of living and loving again is real. I loved how Erin depicted each character with the conflicting feelings of falling in love and the heartbreak they could face if it doesn’t work out. Erin is a new author to me but her stories and the way she writes them are beautifully told. Thank you Erin for writing this and showing us all that second chances are worth the shot!

***Please check the content before diving in. There are some subjects that could be difficult for some readers. If you need information, my DM’s are open.

[Ariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

FMC Vivian suffers an unimaginable loss and decides to relocate to aid in her healing journey. MMC manwhore Leo is her neighbor and story follows their push and pull friendship.

I couldn’t put this down for the first ~30%. The writing is heartfelt and capturing and the immense grief was handled very delicately. However, at the ~30% mark, I felt like the story could’ve been wrapped up. From there until ~90% it was a lot of foundation for the relationship but it felt boring. The same back and forth over and over again. I liked Vivian as a character but I also think five months is a bit long to string someone along. And what was with Leo’s kiss towards the end with _____? We just brush that under the rug? Idk. I didn’t hate Leo at all but I thought Vivian was too good for him.

[Janet · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story sounded interesting enough, so I decided to give this new author (to me) a try. I found that I wasn't really vibing with her writing style, it felt so disjointed. The FMC went through some trauma in her past and it's all about trying to move on which I understand. She felt a really strong connection with MMC when they met. I liked that they started out as friends. However, the MMC reasons why he couldn't pursue a relationship with FMC became repetitive. He was also with plenty of other women while somewhat being more than a friend to the FMC which gave me the ick! I skimmed through the rest of the book. I don't think I will be reading the rest of the books from this series.

[Tori · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 thought about DNFing
Contemporary billionaire-ish
2 🌶️🌶️
Just didn’t really connect with the characters or story and the writing style annoyed me a bit when she would ramble about the fashion but it was bad per say and probably a more real portrayal of relationships than most romance books just not what I was in in the mood for maybe

[KML · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF the writing was incredibly amateur. A big book influencer recommended it so I thought I’d give it a chance, but I cannot believe they were impressed by this.

[Jasmine Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Erin Cornia and LoveNotes PR for my complimentary copy of If It Can’t Be Us to read and review!

This was one of the first times, if not the first time, that I’ve gone into a book completely blind. I have no idea what this book was about, nor what to expect. I HIGHLY recommend that anyone who has not read this or wants to read it based on this review goes into this one blind. To do this, I have to make this review as spoiler free as possible, so forgive the cryptic nature.

Thank you Erin for writing such a raw and powerful story. After reading your acknowledgements, I can see that you used the experiences of both your sister and your friend as building blocks for Vivian’s character. Tackling loss and grief is such an important aspect of this book, and I believe it’s what makes this book so meaningful. As someone who has wondered, “what comes next?”, this story was both enlightening and insightful.

The love story is unconventional, but it’s also raw, passionate, heartbreaking, and realistic. . It’s the love story of two (albeit avoidant-attachment) people who find each other at the right moment and use that bond to work through trauma, grief, and self-doubt. I believe that this happens in our lives as well. Without the infamous “meet-cute”, this story would simply be two separate individuals living in a big city allowing their grief and trauma to prevent them from moving on. The realness of the unconventional, and at times uncomfortable, path of the relationship is what makes this book so powerful.

With all of that being said, I am so excited to dive into The Most Perfect Wrong and see what comes next!

[paige o’neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow i knew it was going to be an emotional read as i was sobbing by the prologue. it’s a story about grief, loss, overcoming trauma and regrowing, it’s a story showing that it’s okay to have happiness and love after such pain and suffering. i really recommend reading this book it was emotional, beautiful and so inspiring. i love the writing style and the dates throughout the book, it’s really made it feel like vivian and leo’s journal to healing and that made their relationship and connection much more meaningful, natural and beautiful.

she’s fun, strong and ready to move forward. he’s handsome, smooth and flirty. vivian walker had everything, until she suddenly lost it all in one tragic accident. leo weston has his own childhood scars. both wanting something different, vivian is risking her heart again for man who can’t open up his. both are drawn to each other and find it impossible to walk away. they had such undeniable chemistry, both in their friendship and relationship. i absolutely loved their connection, they felt like such a perfect match for each other. seeing them open up and grow over the book was painfully sweet, knowing they both found someone who made them feel safe and gave them the love they deserve. i am so in love with this couple and their journey, they have made a special place in my heart. the book had funny moments with their flirty relationship but also sad moments, it was a perfect story and i truly recommend reading it but check the TWs as it features sensitive topics.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t noticed by now i’m obsessed with a good slowburn where they start as strangers and become best friends and then lovers. I wasn’t even expecting to read this book, but I got sent a copy of it and I’ve never been more grateful.

Vivian has been through an immense loss, both her husband and baby died in a car accident about a year and a half ago. Vivian has now moved to chicago to get a new start. Once she moves she discovers her incredibly hot new neighbor, Leo.

Leo is a man who is determined to never be in a relationship and doesn’t plan on changing. He knows that there is something special about Vivian and he doesn’t ever want to mess it up. He knows it’s that she hasn’t gone all the way with anyone since her husband died and doesn’t want to cause her any hurt. Leo feels something so strongly for her but doesn’t want to identify it.

They are so funny because they acknowledge how attracted they are to each other and just try to do nothing about it. They just occasionally touch each other and make out sometimes. Vivian feels so strongly about leo but he has so much trauma that he’s never worked through and is so not available. He actively avoids talking about most things from his childhood.

I thought it was cute how they kept going over to each others houses and spending most of their time together. They were basically dating without calling it that. They truly become best friends. I loved when they took a trip to Paris together for her birthday, it was just so sweet.

Vivian slowly realizes that she loves Leo and wants to do something about it but being a man, he obviously messes things up. He is so afraid to tell her that he loves her and it made want to hit him upside his head. He knows that he doesn’t want to be with anyone else anymore and just wants Vivian but he can’t commit.

Leo is so frustrating but I loved the moment that he realized and went to chase after her. He really does love her so much.

I hope we get to see more of them in the next book.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars

Erin Cornia’s If It Can’t Be Us was an emotional, heartfelt journey that had me hooked from start to finish. This book masterfully balances themes of healing, love, and self-discovery with a story that feels both genuine and deeply moving.

The connection between the main characters was undeniable—filled with witty banter, quiet moments of vulnerability, and plenty of chemistry. Their journey together felt natural and heartfelt, with just the right mix of tension and emotional depth. The themes of growth and resilience were beautifully woven into their story, making it all the more impactful.

I only docked half a star because I occasionally found myself wishing for a little more detail in certain areas, but overall, this book delivered everything I could have hoped for. It’s a story that stays with you long after you turn the final page.

If you’re looking for a romance that’s equal parts heart and heat, If It Can’t Be Us is one you don’t want to miss. Erin Cornia has a new fan in me!

[Cayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author since i came across it on Facebook. I'm sure it wont be my last by her since she did pretty well at writing this one. I will say the start of the book kinda felt too rushed. Don't get me wrong the beginning part was super devastating which lead me to continue on with the story with how heartbreaking it was but before that the wording felt odd. But eventually the writing got better and felt more of a connection with the two main characters. I did enjoy the relationship between Vivian and Leo. Of Course you already figure whats going to happen between the two of them no doubt about it i just knew it but of course you gotta find out!
Overall good story, the ending was good and glad it ended on a HEA.