What do you think?
Rate this book
Stitched Hearts #2
Not Your Just Because
Loving Alek Johnson should have been simple. For three years, Hayvin Dickinson believed it was.
But the longer they were together, the more truth she saw.
She wasn’t his first choice, she was only his “just because.”
Every kiss, every promise, every moment wrapped in his arms was built on a lie. Because the girl who owned his heart wasn’t her. It was his best friend. The one who never left his orbit and the one Hayvin could never compete with.
Now she’s back, and Hayvin refuses to keep bleeding for a man who made her feel like second place in her own love story.
But Alek won’t let her walk away without a fight. He swears it was never about anyone else. He swears she’s always been the one. Words, though, are nothing without scars and sacrifice.
And this time, Hayvin isn’t waiting to be chosen.
If Alek wants forever, he’ll have to prove she was never the placeholder.
This book contains subjects that some readers may find upsetting. You can view the trigger warnings by visiting the 'Trigger Warning' page on my website. If you are susceptible to any of the triggers listed, please do not read. Recommended for 18+ due to sexual content and adult situations. Please be sure to read responsibly.
But the longer they were together, the more truth she saw.
She wasn’t his first choice, she was only his “just because.”
Every kiss, every promise, every moment wrapped in his arms was built on a lie. Because the girl who owned his heart wasn’t her. It was his best friend. The one who never left his orbit and the one Hayvin could never compete with.
Now she’s back, and Hayvin refuses to keep bleeding for a man who made her feel like second place in her own love story.
But Alek won’t let her walk away without a fight. He swears it was never about anyone else. He swears she’s always been the one. Words, though, are nothing without scars and sacrifice.
And this time, Hayvin isn’t waiting to be chosen.
If Alek wants forever, he’ll have to prove she was never the placeholder.
This book contains subjects that some readers may find upsetting. You can view the trigger warnings by visiting the 'Trigger Warning' page on my website. If you are susceptible to any of the triggers listed, please do not read. Recommended for 18+ due to sexual content and adult situations. Please be sure to read responsibly.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2025
About the author
Lynne Leslie
27 books402 followersMom. Fiancee. Wine Drinker. Hot Mess. Even bigger Walking Disaster. Fluent Sarcasm Speaker. Word Writer. Collector of Readers Hearts. Taco Lover. Book Nerd. USA Today Bestselling Author.
Lynne lives in the quiet country with a bossy mister and two little divas. If you don’t catch her with her nose in a book or her fingers scribbling on paper, she’s usually right in front of the television with her family. She loves anything that glitters and has a weird habit of collecting pens. She thinks seafood is disgusting, beach sand is the devil, and Tom Hardy is life.
Lynne lives in the quiet country with a bossy mister and two little divas. If you don’t catch her with her nose in a book or her fingers scribbling on paper, she’s usually right in front of the television with her family. She loves anything that glitters and has a weird habit of collecting pens. She thinks seafood is disgusting, beach sand is the devil, and Tom Hardy is life.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
December 22, 2025
Tags: emotional-cheating, grovel-remorseful, hero-hurts-heroine, heroine-leaves, heroine-loved-or-loves-om, om_drama, ow-drama, read, second-chance
January 15, 2026
I was afraid I wasn’t going to like this because Alek bugged me last book, but I ended up enjoying this one more than the first book. Mainly because of the female characters, Hayvin was way more likable than Charlie and Everleigh was a ride or die BFF.
Like the last book we start with the “betrayal” which really wasn’t one. Also like the last one his actions didn’t make a ton of sense, and there were some consistency bits, but if you can just go with it and aren’t looking for heavy feels… give it a shot.
This picks up years after the last book. Alek has been dating Hayvin for three years when David (his BFF from book 1) calls to inform him that his sister, Jerica (the chick that shot him down in book 1 & David’s twin) is now single and needs help moving. They get into a fight because Hayvin feels like he secretly wants Jerica and moves out while he’s away. There’s more, but the rest of the book is Alek trying to get her back.
The Good
💫 Hayvin and Everleigh were likable.
💫 I liked that Titan supported her as a friend while she was going through it unlike what Alek did with Charlie in the last book.
💫 I LOVED the boundaries Alek set in order to prioritize his lady.
💫 I am looking forward to Grimm and Everleigh’s book. David and Amelia… not so much.
The Not-So Good
🕳️ There’s not really any feels/angst or drama because Alek didn’t really do anything other than be a shitty bf and Jerica isn’t a wannabe OW. His issues were mental, not being tempted.
🕳️ There were some inconsistencies like how she felt second best to Jerica if she was only around two times in 3 years. Moreover, why would his coworkers think anything was going on between him and Jerica if she was barely around and had been in a long-term relationship. (5.5 years)
🕳️ It wasn’t established where this crossing boundary friendship Alek and Jerica had. Reggie mentions having to constantly watch “this shit between them” for years. Alek mentions he never gave her a reason to quit. Keaton asks what made him keep coming back. When did this all happen? Reggie and Jerica lived far enough away that he had to be out of town for days to move her. Hayven only met her twice, she was only around once I believe in the last book. And why did his reason keep changing?
🕳️ I like the spunk and am always here for a bestie taking her girl's back, but the “stinky pussy” needed to go. These are adults.
🕳️ Why are the award shows only giving her like 3 days heads up that she’s been nominated?
🕳️ How does he have enough money saved that they can coast forever? Forever? Is he a multi-millionaire?
🕳️ The VERY melodramatic sit-downs with Keaton and Charlie were cringe. Yes, they radiate love, Charlie and her triggers, Keaton and his tears of regret. Him having to pull her in his lap because she’s asked relationship questions. Ugh.
Bottom Line- It was ok, but IMHO it would’ve been better with about 50 less pages. (or had it allocated differently) We really needed some plot dedicated to seeing Jerica and Alek’s alleged inappropriate friendship because from what we were shown it made Hayven look like she was overreacting and her hostility felt undeserved. (based on the facts provided that they met twice and had no real interaction) It also would’ve filled in the stagnant parts of the monotonous groveling.
Safety- I’m only adding this because I was super confused going in because I read a review that said it wasn’t cheating because it was a fake kiss (between Alek and Jerica) to stick it to her cheating ex… and I was thinking well it would depend on if the h had ok’ed it. That’s not really the scenario, Jerica jumps on him in front of her ex (no plan) as a FU, he doesn’t reciprocate at all, and it’s super quick. Hayvin doesn’t consider it cheating because a) he didn’t give consent and b) she considered them broken up when he left. That’s the deets, make of it what you want.
Like the last book we start with the “betrayal” which really wasn’t one. Also like the last one his actions didn’t make a ton of sense, and there were some consistency bits, but if you can just go with it and aren’t looking for heavy feels… give it a shot.
This picks up years after the last book. Alek has been dating Hayvin for three years when David (his BFF from book 1) calls to inform him that his sister, Jerica (the chick that shot him down in book 1 & David’s twin) is now single and needs help moving. They get into a fight because Hayvin feels like he secretly wants Jerica and moves out while he’s away. There’s more, but the rest of the book is Alek trying to get her back.
The Good
💫 Hayvin and Everleigh were likable.
💫 I liked that Titan supported her as a friend while she was going through it unlike what Alek did with Charlie in the last book.
💫 I LOVED the boundaries Alek set in order to prioritize his lady.
💫 I am looking forward to Grimm and Everleigh’s book. David and Amelia… not so much.
The Not-So Good
🕳️ There’s not really any feels/angst or drama because Alek didn’t really do anything other than be a shitty bf and Jerica isn’t a wannabe OW. His issues were mental, not being tempted.
🕳️ There were some inconsistencies like how she felt second best to Jerica if she was only around two times in 3 years. Moreover, why would his coworkers think anything was going on between him and Jerica if she was barely around and had been in a long-term relationship. (5.5 years)
🕳️ It wasn’t established where this crossing boundary friendship Alek and Jerica had. Reggie mentions having to constantly watch “this shit between them” for years. Alek mentions he never gave her a reason to quit. Keaton asks what made him keep coming back. When did this all happen? Reggie and Jerica lived far enough away that he had to be out of town for days to move her. Hayven only met her twice, she was only around once I believe in the last book. And why did his reason keep changing?
🕳️ I like the spunk and am always here for a bestie taking her girl's back, but the “stinky pussy” needed to go. These are adults.
🕳️ Why are the award shows only giving her like 3 days heads up that she’s been nominated?
🕳️ How does he have enough money saved that they can coast forever? Forever? Is he a multi-millionaire?
🕳️ The VERY melodramatic sit-downs with Keaton and Charlie were cringe. Yes, they radiate love, Charlie and her triggers, Keaton and his tears of regret. Him having to pull her in his lap because she’s asked relationship questions. Ugh.
Bottom Line- It was ok, but IMHO it would’ve been better with about 50 less pages. (or had it allocated differently) We really needed some plot dedicated to seeing Jerica and Alek’s alleged inappropriate friendship because from what we were shown it made Hayven look like she was overreacting and her hostility felt undeserved. (based on the facts provided that they met twice and had no real interaction) It also would’ve filled in the stagnant parts of the monotonous groveling.
Safety- I’m only adding this because I was super confused going in because I read a review that said it wasn’t cheating because it was a fake kiss (between Alek and Jerica) to stick it to her cheating ex… and I was thinking well it would depend on if the h had ok’ed it. That’s not really the scenario, Jerica jumps on him in front of her ex (no plan) as a FU, he doesn’t reciprocate at all, and it’s super quick. Hayvin doesn’t consider it cheating because a) he didn’t give consent and b) she considered them broken up when he left. That’s the deets, make of it what you want.
December 14, 2025
Extreme
It just was a stretch to...sorry punish him for so long for a kiss that was impulsively thrown at him. This story shouldn't have had anything to with the kiss and about his fear of being abandoned. And HER learning that HE struggled with something to show that she wasn't going anywhere. I skimmed a lot as this book was a bit of wash rinse repeat. Didn't need to be this long. Plus after skimming the first book I kinda lost respect for Alex since he knew his friend was still in love with her ex and her ex was doing everything be could to be better but instead of guiding his friend to just breath and wait he sleeps with her anyways. Sorry that was just twisted in my opinion and didn't make Alix look good.
It just was a stretch to...sorry punish him for so long for a kiss that was impulsively thrown at him. This story shouldn't have had anything to with the kiss and about his fear of being abandoned. And HER learning that HE struggled with something to show that she wasn't going anywhere. I skimmed a lot as this book was a bit of wash rinse repeat. Didn't need to be this long. Plus after skimming the first book I kinda lost respect for Alex since he knew his friend was still in love with her ex and her ex was doing everything be could to be better but instead of guiding his friend to just breath and wait he sleeps with her anyways. Sorry that was just twisted in my opinion and didn't make Alix look good.
Did Not Finish
December 29, 2025DNF @ 42%
This reminds me of GroveltoHEA’s typical stories. Fake cheating or perceived cheating with drawn-out groveling. Heroines are so OTT with their revenge antics, it completely kills the angst buzz. And I only read cheating/betrayal romance stories for the angst. I love a good grovel but it falls flat without the anticipation factor.
This reminds me of GroveltoHEA’s typical stories. Fake cheating or perceived cheating with drawn-out groveling. Heroines are so OTT with their revenge antics, it completely kills the angst buzz. And I only read cheating/betrayal romance stories for the angst. I love a good grovel but it falls flat without the anticipation factor.
December 15, 2025
Started off strong and petered out. Could have stopped reading after 40%. The angst and drama just fizzled.
December 18, 2025
Too drawn out.
December 15, 2025
DNF @ 39%
shitty writing + a character who repeatedly “insulted” a woman by telling her that she had a “stinky pussy” 😑 not interested
shitty writing + a character who repeatedly “insulted” a woman by telling her that she had a “stinky pussy” 😑 not interested
December 20, 2025
Really confusing. Not sure how someone who lives out of town, has been in a relationship with someone else forever, and you have seen twice in three years can also be the person who you work with every day and who has constantly come between you and your girlfriend. Also, RED FLAG WARNING. Three years and y’all have never said I love you. Just a poorly executed, boring story. I didn’t want to read the first book but I downloaded it anyway and did a search on the FMC’s name thinking I must have missed three years of red flags in the first book, but no, nothing. She does not exist in the universe of the first book so no explanation for why the precipitating event in this story is such a big deal. In fact, just skimming the first book I got lots of sexing between the MMC of the second book and his bff the FMC from the first book. And yuck. Not really big on sloppy seconds. Also, the FMC in book two says Jerica - the ostensible OW in book two and ever present twin of the MMC’s bff - has been an issue in the relationship since day one and yet they have only been in contact twice in three years?????? I’m so confused.
December 19, 2025
I got bored with her…
Surprisingly, it was the FMC, Hayvin, that was dull and uninteresting. The MMC, Alek, was strange in that his behavior was recognizable. Commitment phobe.
In spite of her being an award winning songwriter, her inner thoughts were surprisingly insecure and she was so dumb sometimes that it was painful. Hayvin and logic are not friends. She couldn’t analyze herself or the relationship out of a paper bag. Sad…
Therapy helps to fix much of what’s causing them pain and anxiety. They do have a cute proposal moment. And in the end, five years later, she’s finally a mom…
There are a number of characters that are probably going to be in this series. There are at least three more, but Amelia is the one I’m most interested in.
Surprisingly, it was the FMC, Hayvin, that was dull and uninteresting. The MMC, Alek, was strange in that his behavior was recognizable. Commitment phobe.
In spite of her being an award winning songwriter, her inner thoughts were surprisingly insecure and she was so dumb sometimes that it was painful. Hayvin and logic are not friends. She couldn’t analyze herself or the relationship out of a paper bag. Sad…
Therapy helps to fix much of what’s causing them pain and anxiety. They do have a cute proposal moment. And in the end, five years later, she’s finally a mom…
There are a number of characters that are probably going to be in this series. There are at least three more, but Amelia is the one I’m most interested in.
December 30, 2025
Trigger and Content Advisory
Emotional cheating / emotional affair themes Breakups and relationship trauma Toxic behaviors, miscommunication, and avoidance dynamics Emotional manipulation and lack of boundaries Alcohol consumption as coping
References to past hurt, attachment trauma, and abandonment Adult sexual content (consensual) Strong emotional confrontations Strong language Anxiety On-page cheating* Grief Sexual assault* Sexual harassment*
Important Clarification:
*The on-page cheating tag is included out of respect for readers who consider a non-consensual kiss to fall under cheating. The male lead does not initiate, pursue, or reciprocate this moment. He freezes and does not kiss back.
*The SA/SH tags are also present for this same scene and dynamic, as some readers may interpret the unwanted kiss as Sexual harassment* Important Clarification: *The on-page cheating tag is included out of respect for readers who consider a non-consensual kiss to fall under cheating. The male lead does not initiate, pursue, or reciprocate this moment. He freezes and does not kiss back. *The SA/SH tags are also present for this same scene and dynamic, as some readers may interpret the unwanted kiss as sexual harm.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2026
★★. I was already mad at him when he left Hayvin and put Jerica first, but then this man got on stage and sang a goddamn song. I could forgive the emotional cheating, the singing? Oh I’m leaving you.
Him and the “girl best friend” didn’t even bother me. It’s the fact he’s still friends with someone he banged in the past regardless if they didn’t loved each other. The fact my man is still around someone who knows how he bangs…EYUCK.
Him and the “girl best friend” didn’t even bother me. It’s the fact he’s still friends with someone he banged in the past regardless if they didn’t loved each other. The fact my man is still around someone who knows how he bangs…EYUCK.
December 14, 2025
Good reading.
Hero and heroine have been together for some years, living together and getting along quite well.
The only issue comes from one of the hero’s bff, a woman. The heroine gets some weird vibes each time they are together, as if he forgot the heroine every time ow is around.
There’s also the commitment phobic issue. He never says ily and when the heroine eventually is the first one to say it, he has a panicked reaction and doesn’t tell it back.
Well.
There is quite a strange relationship between the hero and the ow and her twin who is a male. They’re actually bffs and have been for years. There’s nothing and never have been anything between ow and the hero but years ago he thought he had feelings for her. At the time he was having a friend with benefits situation with a girl, and ow was not interested in him romantically, so they stayed friends. Then she found a boyfriend and he met the heroine so nothing ever changed.
But apparently he never really moved on from her, or so the heroine thinks.
And when his friend, ow twin, calls him and tells him ow has broken up with her boyfriend and needs moving out of her apartment, the hero literally runs to help. The heroine is of course upset, she asks him not to go, and tells him his is not a friendly attitude, he doesn’t even listen, and leaves without even an explanation.
The heroine of course, has enough, and decides to dump his sorry ass then and there.
She blocks him, calls her bff, and move out of their shared house.
In the meanwhile the hero realizes that maybe he didn’t do well to the heroine and his behavior was not the right one.
When ow kisses him in front of her ex, the man who cheated on her, he plays along, just to preserve her pride, but then regrets it because apparently even ow thinks he has a thing for her.
He tries to call the heroine and explain what is happening, but the calls never go through and eventually when he goes back home he realizes she left him.
He is unable to find her and it turns out during their years together he didn’t even know what she did for a job, and where she could have gone.
She’s at her former apartment, a place that he doesn’t even know exists, and she’s a very well known songwriter.
He realizes he loves her and loved her all along but was too chicken to admit, so he never gave himself fully.
There are a lot of wrong things that come out as the story unfolds, like the fact that no one of his coworkers have ever met her and even know he has a gf.
And the fact that many people thinks he has a thing with ow.
He changes.
And in the meantime she ghosts him and becomes even more famous as a songwriter, also winning a prize.
There are a lot of tense moments caused by ow of course and by the hero’s stupidity.
He’s actually not in love with ow but she’s the one that got away, the one he couldn’t have so imo he was not completely over the thought of her.
If this means he was emotionally cheating on the heroine, I don’t know.
He actually never thought about ow while he was with the heroine but fact is that every time she called or she needed something, even if it was not very often, he prioritized her over the heroine.
But he didn’t want to be with her.
He changed, and the heroine didn’t get back with him soon, she made him work and grovel for months.
In the end I wasn’t unhappy that they were back together, because imo he was just dumb and scared of commitment because of his dysfunctional family, but he loved the heroine very much and never thought of leaving her.
The heroine is quite strong, I think she hoped he would change and be more open with her but when she saw that his first concern was not for her, she dumped him without a back glance.
There are a lot of funny moments with her feisty and badass bff, I loved her and I think she will have her own story too because it’s mentioned that she has an affair with a mc member, so I expect she will be next.
No cheating physically, there’s the kiss, but it was a staged kiss, ow asked the hero to pretend to kiss her, and he doesn’t refuse, when her ex shows up, just to spite him. It was a lack of respect to the heroine, no doubt, because he shouldn’t have done it anyway. And he regrets it.
There’s another man, the heroine’s ex boyfriend, but sadly they don’t have anything anymore except friendship. Pity.
A revenge fuck should have been what the hero deserved.
Not this time.
But I’m glad anyway, he was humiliated, scorned, and mistreated enough, especially by the heroine’s bff.
I liked the story, this author usually has a lot of violence and mystery in her books, and this is why I just read a couple of her books, I prefer this kind of stories, without the violence or mystery part.
Hero and heroine have been together for some years, living together and getting along quite well.
The only issue comes from one of the hero’s bff, a woman. The heroine gets some weird vibes each time they are together, as if he forgot the heroine every time ow is around.
There’s also the commitment phobic issue. He never says ily and when the heroine eventually is the first one to say it, he has a panicked reaction and doesn’t tell it back.
Well.
There is quite a strange relationship between the hero and the ow and her twin who is a male. They’re actually bffs and have been for years. There’s nothing and never have been anything between ow and the hero but years ago he thought he had feelings for her. At the time he was having a friend with benefits situation with a girl, and ow was not interested in him romantically, so they stayed friends. Then she found a boyfriend and he met the heroine so nothing ever changed.
But apparently he never really moved on from her, or so the heroine thinks.
And when his friend, ow twin, calls him and tells him ow has broken up with her boyfriend and needs moving out of her apartment, the hero literally runs to help. The heroine is of course upset, she asks him not to go, and tells him his is not a friendly attitude, he doesn’t even listen, and leaves without even an explanation.
The heroine of course, has enough, and decides to dump his sorry ass then and there.
She blocks him, calls her bff, and move out of their shared house.
In the meanwhile the hero realizes that maybe he didn’t do well to the heroine and his behavior was not the right one.
When ow kisses him in front of her ex, the man who cheated on her, he plays along, just to preserve her pride, but then regrets it because apparently even ow thinks he has a thing for her.
He tries to call the heroine and explain what is happening, but the calls never go through and eventually when he goes back home he realizes she left him.
He is unable to find her and it turns out during their years together he didn’t even know what she did for a job, and where she could have gone.
She’s at her former apartment, a place that he doesn’t even know exists, and she’s a very well known songwriter.
He realizes he loves her and loved her all along but was too chicken to admit, so he never gave himself fully.
There are a lot of wrong things that come out as the story unfolds, like the fact that no one of his coworkers have ever met her and even know he has a gf.
And the fact that many people thinks he has a thing with ow.
He changes.
And in the meantime she ghosts him and becomes even more famous as a songwriter, also winning a prize.
There are a lot of tense moments caused by ow of course and by the hero’s stupidity.
He’s actually not in love with ow but she’s the one that got away, the one he couldn’t have so imo he was not completely over the thought of her.
If this means he was emotionally cheating on the heroine, I don’t know.
He actually never thought about ow while he was with the heroine but fact is that every time she called or she needed something, even if it was not very often, he prioritized her over the heroine.
But he didn’t want to be with her.
He changed, and the heroine didn’t get back with him soon, she made him work and grovel for months.
In the end I wasn’t unhappy that they were back together, because imo he was just dumb and scared of commitment because of his dysfunctional family, but he loved the heroine very much and never thought of leaving her.
The heroine is quite strong, I think she hoped he would change and be more open with her but when she saw that his first concern was not for her, she dumped him without a back glance.
There are a lot of funny moments with her feisty and badass bff, I loved her and I think she will have her own story too because it’s mentioned that she has an affair with a mc member, so I expect she will be next.
No cheating physically, there’s the kiss, but it was a staged kiss, ow asked the hero to pretend to kiss her, and he doesn’t refuse, when her ex shows up, just to spite him. It was a lack of respect to the heroine, no doubt, because he shouldn’t have done it anyway. And he regrets it.
There’s another man, the heroine’s ex boyfriend, but sadly they don’t have anything anymore except friendship. Pity.
A revenge fuck should have been what the hero deserved.
Not this time.
But I’m glad anyway, he was humiliated, scorned, and mistreated enough, especially by the heroine’s bff.
I liked the story, this author usually has a lot of violence and mystery in her books, and this is why I just read a couple of her books, I prefer this kind of stories, without the violence or mystery part.
December 18, 2025
Hayvin has been dating Alek for the past 3 years.
Alek has 2 BFFs, David and his twin sister Jerica. His other close friend is an old fuck buddy from book one, Charlie. He had asked Jerica out but she had rejected him, right before he fucked Charlie.
Hayvin has no problem with Charlie. The problem is Jerica, the one who got away. Whenever she’s around – which isn’t often - Alek ignores Hayvin, like he doesn’t want Jerica to know he has a girlfriend.
One day, Jerica and her boyfriend, Reggie, break up, and Alek volunteers to help her move back home. Hayvin sees the writing on the wall. She talks to Alek about being a placeholder until Jerica became available. Alek leaves to take care of Jerica anyway. His Jerica trip takes all weekend, and Hayvin moves out while he’s gone.
Reggie, Jerica's ex, shows up while they’re packing. Jerica kisses Alek, to piss Reggie off or whatever. Jerica asks Alek to just play along, and he does. Reggie makes some comment about how Hayvin is probably doing the same thing Jerica is doing, moving out because she has an asshole boyfriend. Then Alek leaves to go find Hayvin and make sure she’s not really moving out.
Except the next time Alek sees Hayvin, she walks into a restaurant where he’s having dinner with David and Jerrica. Even after the fake kiss he’s still hanging out with her. They have the “heroine confronts the OW in public” confrontation. Hayvin doesn’t get in trouble because Fuck Buddy Charlie owns the restaurant, so they all know each other.
According to Alek, he has no interest in Jerica. Then why do his girlfriend and his BFF think he does? Why does he treat Hayvin differently when Jerica’s around? We get a little explanation, and it honestly doesn’t make a lot of sense. Basically, back when he slept with Charlie, her boyfriend had cheated on her (in Book 1). They are still working it out in the present day and sometimes still argue. Alek hasn’t seen Jerica often during this time because she was living out of town with Reggie. When he does see her, it’s while they’re all hanging out together with Fuck Buddy Charlie and her boyfriend who she’s always arguing with. So, Alex would hang out with David and Jerica, his childhood friends, and ignore Hayvin, because if Fuck Buddy Charlie is unhappy, it makes Alek feel like love doesn’t exist. Which makes Alek sound like a complete moron and someone Hayvin should definitely break up with.
So how can he fix it? IMO, what’s to fix? Alex was never in a relationship to begin with because he thinks love doesn’t exist, so what do you want me to say right now? Fix what? The relationship? What relationship? So, who does he go to for advice on what to do? Fuck Buddy Charlie and her boyfriend, of course. Because those two losers are relationship goals, obviously.
At this point, Reggie shows up at Hayvin’s house and tells her about Jerica and Alek kissing. So, was he cheating or did he only kiss Jerica after Hayvin was already moving out, did he go help Jerica in the first place because he was cheating, or what? Hayvin doesn’t know what to think.
Hayvin had dated her BFF’s brother, Titan, when they were teenagers. Now he returns from the military, so he’s around to provide slight OM drama right when Alek needs to start groveling.
Alek has 2 BFFs, David and his twin sister Jerica. His other close friend is an old fuck buddy from book one, Charlie. He had asked Jerica out but she had rejected him, right before he fucked Charlie.
Hayvin has no problem with Charlie. The problem is Jerica, the one who got away. Whenever she’s around – which isn’t often - Alek ignores Hayvin, like he doesn’t want Jerica to know he has a girlfriend.
One day, Jerica and her boyfriend, Reggie, break up, and Alek volunteers to help her move back home. Hayvin sees the writing on the wall. She talks to Alek about being a placeholder until Jerica became available. Alek leaves to take care of Jerica anyway. His Jerica trip takes all weekend, and Hayvin moves out while he’s gone.
Reggie, Jerica's ex, shows up while they’re packing. Jerica kisses Alek, to piss Reggie off or whatever. Jerica asks Alek to just play along, and he does. Reggie makes some comment about how Hayvin is probably doing the same thing Jerica is doing, moving out because she has an asshole boyfriend. Then Alek leaves to go find Hayvin and make sure she’s not really moving out.
Except the next time Alek sees Hayvin, she walks into a restaurant where he’s having dinner with David and Jerrica. Even after the fake kiss he’s still hanging out with her. They have the “heroine confronts the OW in public” confrontation. Hayvin doesn’t get in trouble because Fuck Buddy Charlie owns the restaurant, so they all know each other.
According to Alek, he has no interest in Jerica. Then why do his girlfriend and his BFF think he does? Why does he treat Hayvin differently when Jerica’s around? We get a little explanation, and it honestly doesn’t make a lot of sense. Basically, back when he slept with Charlie, her boyfriend had cheated on her (in Book 1). They are still working it out in the present day and sometimes still argue. Alek hasn’t seen Jerica often during this time because she was living out of town with Reggie. When he does see her, it’s while they’re all hanging out together with Fuck Buddy Charlie and her boyfriend who she’s always arguing with. So, Alex would hang out with David and Jerica, his childhood friends, and ignore Hayvin, because if Fuck Buddy Charlie is unhappy, it makes Alek feel like love doesn’t exist. Which makes Alek sound like a complete moron and someone Hayvin should definitely break up with.
So how can he fix it? IMO, what’s to fix? Alex was never in a relationship to begin with because he thinks love doesn’t exist, so what do you want me to say right now? Fix what? The relationship? What relationship? So, who does he go to for advice on what to do? Fuck Buddy Charlie and her boyfriend, of course. Because those two losers are relationship goals, obviously.
At this point, Reggie shows up at Hayvin’s house and tells her about Jerica and Alek kissing. So, was he cheating or did he only kiss Jerica after Hayvin was already moving out, did he go help Jerica in the first place because he was cheating, or what? Hayvin doesn’t know what to think.
Hayvin had dated her BFF’s brother, Titan, when they were teenagers. Now he returns from the military, so he’s around to provide slight OM drama right when Alek needs to start groveling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2026
First of all, I did not feel the need to read the first book. I already learned that Alek had a sexual relationship with Charlie in the first book, and in the second book Charlie is now friends with Vin. I honestly do not understand how that works. Maybe I am too possessive, but I could never stay in the same circle with a girl my boyfriend had a physical relationship with, especially if he once had feelings for her. That would be very uncomfortable for me.
Because of that, I chose not to read the first book. If I read all the details, I would probably feel even more uncomfortable knowing exactly what happened between them.
Now about the second book.
It was very boring. The story started with heavy drama right from the first paragraph. It felt like I had skipped a few chapters because suddenly everything was happening too fast. Before I could understand the situation, Vin packed her bags and left.
The book was also too long. It could have been finished in about 50 pages. The entire “other woman” plot felt pointless. I kept waiting for some real betrayal, but nothing impactful happened. The trio, Alek, David, and Jerica were not interesting at all. I was confused about how everyone knew each other, loved each other, hated each other, or had feelings for each other. There were too many characters, and it became overwhelming.
The hype around bringing in an “other woman” character also led nowhere. Her role ended quickly with a simple “we are toxic” explanation. That was it. It felt rushed and meaningless.
Honestly, it would have been more interesting if the tension had involved Charlie instead of Jerica. At least Alek once had real feelings for Charlie. His feelings for Jerica never felt convincing. That conflict would have made more sense.
Overall, it felt like the author did not have a strong plot but still wanted to stretch the story. I skipped many parts, yet the book still felt long.
Personally, I find it very uncomfortable when characters stay close friends within the same inner circle after having past physical relationships. For me, that dynamic feels unrealistic and disturbing. I could never handle that situation if I were in Vin’s place.
Overall rating: 1/10.
Very boring and poorly developed.
Because of that, I chose not to read the first book. If I read all the details, I would probably feel even more uncomfortable knowing exactly what happened between them.
Now about the second book.
It was very boring. The story started with heavy drama right from the first paragraph. It felt like I had skipped a few chapters because suddenly everything was happening too fast. Before I could understand the situation, Vin packed her bags and left.
The book was also too long. It could have been finished in about 50 pages. The entire “other woman” plot felt pointless. I kept waiting for some real betrayal, but nothing impactful happened. The trio, Alek, David, and Jerica were not interesting at all. I was confused about how everyone knew each other, loved each other, hated each other, or had feelings for each other. There were too many characters, and it became overwhelming.
The hype around bringing in an “other woman” character also led nowhere. Her role ended quickly with a simple “we are toxic” explanation. That was it. It felt rushed and meaningless.
Honestly, it would have been more interesting if the tension had involved Charlie instead of Jerica. At least Alek once had real feelings for Charlie. His feelings for Jerica never felt convincing. That conflict would have made more sense.
Overall, it felt like the author did not have a strong plot but still wanted to stretch the story. I skipped many parts, yet the book still felt long.
Personally, I find it very uncomfortable when characters stay close friends within the same inner circle after having past physical relationships. For me, that dynamic feels unrealistic and disturbing. I could never handle that situation if I were in Vin’s place.
Overall rating: 1/10.
Very boring and poorly developed.
April 5, 2026
Notes for me
Originally had this on Nope shelf because it sounded like emotional cheating. Read more reviews and decided to try.
Alek
Hayvin
Jerica - her twin brother is Alek’s best friend. He’s been close to her for years.
Alek and Hayvin have been together 3 years, living together.
All of their friend group and coworkers thought Alek was actually in love with Jerica and Hayvin was just a place holder since she wasn’t single. Especially H. His coworkers didn’t even know about Hayvin because he never brought her around.
From Alek’s POV we know his true feelings but he’s had crap examples of love so he was scared. He let Hayvin believe it to protect himself. He wasn’t cruel just truly clueless.
David, bf, calls saying Jerica and Reggie broke up. Does Alek want to come with him to move her home? Alek takes it as they need help and agrees. Obviously Hayvin is upset. She asks him to stay but he says they need him. They will talk when he return. His overnight trip turns into days.
Jerica’s boyfriend Reggie cheated with his assistant and said assistant called so J could hear it.
Hayvin moves out as soon as he leaves. She devastated and done.
Alek finally faces what he’s done for 3 years. He’s protected his heart and broke hers. He starts a campaign to get her back.
He has to actually confront David and Jerica. Tell them he doesn’t love or want Jerica. The twins background they only know to hurt people.
Jerica tries to play it like she has no idea why Hayvin thought that, but she did. She enjoyed the attention even though she really loved Reggie.
“She was uneasy about Jerica, but I played dumb. Pretending not to understand was easier than facing the truth about myself…
I was so wrapped in self preservation I missed the person right in front of me.
In my head I was loving her, picking her, choosing her. ..
The only person I was choosing was myself. “
Safety
Never anything physical between A and J. Years before he told her he was interested but she let him down easily. He realized at that time there wasn’t truly a spark.
As Jerica is moving out Reggie comes home. She kisses Alek to make him jealous. Alek is horrified and doesn’t return it. Of course Reggie has to run and tell Hayvin.
Originally had this on Nope shelf because it sounded like emotional cheating. Read more reviews and decided to try.
Alek
Hayvin
Jerica - her twin brother is Alek’s best friend. He’s been close to her for years.
Alek and Hayvin have been together 3 years, living together.
All of their friend group and coworkers thought Alek was actually in love with Jerica and Hayvin was just a place holder since she wasn’t single. Especially H. His coworkers didn’t even know about Hayvin because he never brought her around.
From Alek’s POV we know his true feelings but he’s had crap examples of love so he was scared. He let Hayvin believe it to protect himself. He wasn’t cruel just truly clueless.
David, bf, calls saying Jerica and Reggie broke up. Does Alek want to come with him to move her home? Alek takes it as they need help and agrees. Obviously Hayvin is upset. She asks him to stay but he says they need him. They will talk when he return. His overnight trip turns into days.
Jerica’s boyfriend Reggie cheated with his assistant and said assistant called so J could hear it.
Hayvin moves out as soon as he leaves. She devastated and done.
Alek finally faces what he’s done for 3 years. He’s protected his heart and broke hers. He starts a campaign to get her back.
He has to actually confront David and Jerica. Tell them he doesn’t love or want Jerica. The twins background they only know to hurt people.
Jerica tries to play it like she has no idea why Hayvin thought that, but she did. She enjoyed the attention even though she really loved Reggie.
“She was uneasy about Jerica, but I played dumb. Pretending not to understand was easier than facing the truth about myself…
I was so wrapped in self preservation I missed the person right in front of me.
In my head I was loving her, picking her, choosing her. ..
The only person I was choosing was myself. “
Safety
Never anything physical between A and J. Years before he told her he was interested but she let him down easily. He realized at that time there wasn’t truly a spark.
As Jerica is moving out Reggie comes home. She kisses Alek to make him jealous. Alek is horrified and doesn’t return it. Of course Reggie has to run and tell Hayvin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2026
Si buscan algo melodramático tipo telenovela, este es el libro.
Realmente no hay infidelidad, más bien el Alek quiere hacer creer que si lo hay, pero es mentira y él solo tiene ojos para Hayvin solo que es un estupido y miedoso.
Alek se la pasa diciendo “no sé por qué todos me dicen que me gusta Jerica si estoy con Hayvin”, y luego procede a quedarse viendo a Jerica y decir que es hermosa. -Esta parte sentí que la autora lo puso para despistar porque ya leyéndolo completo lo veo como un comentario de que siempre se ve bien y ya, pero en el momento se mal entiende-.
Estuvo 3 años con Hayvin y casi nadie cercano a él sabía que estaban saliendo. Es más, ni siquiera sabían de su existencia. Él nunca hablaba del trabajo de ella ni le preguntaba nada. La música era su pasión y a él parecía darle igual. -Bueno, eso parecía, que era un mal novio que solo la utilizaba y no se interesaba realmente por ella, pero en realidad si estaba pendiente de sus cosas, solo que quería aparentar desinterés porque le tenía miedo al amor-. 🙄
Lo del beso con Jerica… él pudo haberla empujado. Si bien no se lo devolvió, se quedó ahí aunque entiendo que fue el shock.
Me falto poner un poco de contexto sobre A y J: El años antes se sintió atraído por ella, en su momento se lo dijo, ella lo rechazo y no volvió a pensar en eso, pero luego la usó como escudo. Ella solo lo veía como amigo y en la parte del beso lo hizo para que su ex la dejara en paz, pero J sabía perfectamente que tenía novia y no le importo.
Lo bueno es que cuando por fin vio la luz no dudó en decirle a Jerica que la quería como amiga, pero que Hayvin era lo más importante en su vida y que nunca volvería a hacer algo para que ella dudara de él por lo que tenía que sacarla de esa vida, porque no permitiría que Hayvin dudara de su amor.
Todo el libro quise golpearlo, porque durante todos esos años mantuvo a Hayvin a distancia por su miedo al amor. Según él, si no le demostraba que la amaba, nada malo les pasaría, nada mas romperle el corazón una y otra vez.
Me sorprendió lo de David, pese que entraría en razón. Desde el libro anterior se veía la clase de persona que era, pero no era malo.
Realmente no hay infidelidad, más bien el Alek quiere hacer creer que si lo hay, pero es mentira y él solo tiene ojos para Hayvin solo que es un estupido y miedoso.
Alek se la pasa diciendo “no sé por qué todos me dicen que me gusta Jerica si estoy con Hayvin”, y luego procede a quedarse viendo a Jerica y decir que es hermosa. -Esta parte sentí que la autora lo puso para despistar porque ya leyéndolo completo lo veo como un comentario de que siempre se ve bien y ya, pero en el momento se mal entiende-.
Estuvo 3 años con Hayvin y casi nadie cercano a él sabía que estaban saliendo. Es más, ni siquiera sabían de su existencia. Él nunca hablaba del trabajo de ella ni le preguntaba nada. La música era su pasión y a él parecía darle igual. -Bueno, eso parecía, que era un mal novio que solo la utilizaba y no se interesaba realmente por ella, pero en realidad si estaba pendiente de sus cosas, solo que quería aparentar desinterés porque le tenía miedo al amor-. 🙄
Lo del beso con Jerica… él pudo haberla empujado. Si bien no se lo devolvió, se quedó ahí aunque entiendo que fue el shock.
Me falto poner un poco de contexto sobre A y J: El años antes se sintió atraído por ella, en su momento se lo dijo, ella lo rechazo y no volvió a pensar en eso, pero luego la usó como escudo. Ella solo lo veía como amigo y en la parte del beso lo hizo para que su ex la dejara en paz, pero J sabía perfectamente que tenía novia y no le importo.
Lo bueno es que cuando por fin vio la luz no dudó en decirle a Jerica que la quería como amiga, pero que Hayvin era lo más importante en su vida y que nunca volvería a hacer algo para que ella dudara de él por lo que tenía que sacarla de esa vida, porque no permitiría que Hayvin dudara de su amor.
Todo el libro quise golpearlo, porque durante todos esos años mantuvo a Hayvin a distancia por su miedo al amor. Según él, si no le demostraba que la amaba, nada malo les pasaría, nada mas romperle el corazón una y otra vez.
Me sorprendió lo de David, pese que entraría en razón. Desde el libro anterior se veía la clase de persona que era, pero no era malo.
January 7, 2026
2.5stars
Sounds like the author used all her therapy notes in the story. It sounded like what the characters said and thought in the course of their “healing” and “reflections” came straight out of a therapist’s mouth.
That and it quickly became really cheesy with all the big gestures. In all the time that Alek realized where Hayvin was staying after she moved out, he could have started his grovel, but it was only mentioned AFTER he stated his intention to win her back which was AFTER he saw her with her ex.
The timeline apparently was over many many months, maybe even across years, but it was difficult to tell from the writing. So i kept thinking, what took Alek so long to take action? Even the therapy took a while before he did it.
The writing wasn’t emotionally arresting for me because it felt like just trying to get to pointA to B. The writing felt more telling than showing. And when it did attempt to “show”, it was weird? Like one line, “he wrapped the fingers of his hand around her wrist…” girl, just say “he wrapped his hand around her wrist” or something. I pictured only the fingers touching her wrist and not the whole hand😂😂😂
I read a review that complained about how one-sided this was, about how Hayvin didn’t dig into Alek’s past and trauma. Person has a point, but I counter it with —>he never really let her in!<— and that’s one of the reasons she left him.
Anyway. I’m more curious about Everleigh and her biker guy but the author doesn’t let on if she (Everleigh) and her brother Titan (who is Hayvin’s ex and good friend) ever get their own books. But I realize I probably wouldn’t read those if they’re just gonna sound like therapy notes again.
Sounds like the author used all her therapy notes in the story. It sounded like what the characters said and thought in the course of their “healing” and “reflections” came straight out of a therapist’s mouth.
That and it quickly became really cheesy with all the big gestures. In all the time that Alek realized where Hayvin was staying after she moved out, he could have started his grovel, but it was only mentioned AFTER he stated his intention to win her back which was AFTER he saw her with her ex.
The timeline apparently was over many many months, maybe even across years, but it was difficult to tell from the writing. So i kept thinking, what took Alek so long to take action? Even the therapy took a while before he did it.
The writing wasn’t emotionally arresting for me because it felt like just trying to get to pointA to B. The writing felt more telling than showing. And when it did attempt to “show”, it was weird? Like one line, “he wrapped the fingers of his hand around her wrist…” girl, just say “he wrapped his hand around her wrist” or something. I pictured only the fingers touching her wrist and not the whole hand😂😂😂
I read a review that complained about how one-sided this was, about how Hayvin didn’t dig into Alek’s past and trauma. Person has a point, but I counter it with —>he never really let her in!<— and that’s one of the reasons she left him.
Anyway. I’m more curious about Everleigh and her biker guy but the author doesn’t let on if she (Everleigh) and her brother Titan (who is Hayvin’s ex and good friend) ever get their own books. But I realize I probably wouldn’t read those if they’re just gonna sound like therapy notes again.
December 23, 2025
I've read some tie in novels
I didn't realize I had until middle.of the book when Everleigh talked about her biker boyfriend and his wife. I didn't read the first book in this one and I won't. It really trips my triggers. Just reading about Reggie and Jerica made me feel squeamish. And having to.listen to it because the bitch turned her phone on was just disgusting. Even Jerica didn't deserve that. This one made me cry in the first part but after that I just started losing feeling in my romance bone and I got a little bored. He never said I love.you, he never introduced you to his coworkers /friends, and he always sent when david/Jerica called. I can't believe she made it three years. I.liked the songwriting part, the lyrics were off to me, but it was still interesting and that's when I saw Alabama who was in another book. So I obviously like this author. I dont.like cheating so I might pass over a title or two but her books do solicit lots of emotion. This was good because it never went beyond a kiss that was unwanted by the way. I didn't like reading his relationship.with Charlie. I can't believe they got an HEA but they are still struggling. Oh well. Not everyone can be emotional or physical virgins.
Okay well I can't find,that she wrote those other books so I must have dreamt it. But I swear I just read some with those names and tropes. Wow I am.reading way too.much
I didn't realize I had until middle.of the book when Everleigh talked about her biker boyfriend and his wife. I didn't read the first book in this one and I won't. It really trips my triggers. Just reading about Reggie and Jerica made me feel squeamish. And having to.listen to it because the bitch turned her phone on was just disgusting. Even Jerica didn't deserve that. This one made me cry in the first part but after that I just started losing feeling in my romance bone and I got a little bored. He never said I love.you, he never introduced you to his coworkers /friends, and he always sent when david/Jerica called. I can't believe she made it three years. I.liked the songwriting part, the lyrics were off to me, but it was still interesting and that's when I saw Alabama who was in another book. So I obviously like this author. I dont.like cheating so I might pass over a title or two but her books do solicit lots of emotion. This was good because it never went beyond a kiss that was unwanted by the way. I didn't like reading his relationship.with Charlie. I can't believe they got an HEA but they are still struggling. Oh well. Not everyone can be emotional or physical virgins.
Okay well I can't find,that she wrote those other books so I must have dreamt it. But I swear I just read some with those names and tropes. Wow I am.reading way too.much
Did Not Finish
January 7, 2026DNF - 78%. Utterly boring.
It promotes the propaganda of forgiving your partner if they cheat on you. Not with the main couple, but with Charlie & Keaton. I skimmed through their scenes. Cheating is not a mistake but a choice. They acted as if Keaton made a mistake. It was his choice to sleep with the OW. I haven’t read their book and will not.
Now for the main couple - Alek & Hayvin. They had nothing going on. The kiss was not the issue, neither it can be considered as cheating because it was totally forced on him. He didn’t want it. He should’ve pushed her away and should’ve not been the part of what happened afterwards but it’s a known fact that the victims of SA, harassment, etc. do freeze because they don’t understand for a moment what’s happening or how they should react. So I understood Alek for that. However, the main issue is neglect and distance. He didn’t make her his priority. He treated her like a hookup. He kept his distance even though he loved her. He has his issues but he didn’t work on them until it was too late.
I don’t like Hayvin. I mean I understood where she’s coming from but the after was boring. She didn’t stood out to me.
Overall story is a very long therapy session and boring shit
It promotes the propaganda of forgiving your partner if they cheat on you. Not with the main couple, but with Charlie & Keaton. I skimmed through their scenes. Cheating is not a mistake but a choice. They acted as if Keaton made a mistake. It was his choice to sleep with the OW. I haven’t read their book and will not.
Now for the main couple - Alek & Hayvin. They had nothing going on. The kiss was not the issue, neither it can be considered as cheating because it was totally forced on him. He didn’t want it. He should’ve pushed her away and should’ve not been the part of what happened afterwards but it’s a known fact that the victims of SA, harassment, etc. do freeze because they don’t understand for a moment what’s happening or how they should react. So I understood Alek for that. However, the main issue is neglect and distance. He didn’t make her his priority. He treated her like a hookup. He kept his distance even though he loved her. He has his issues but he didn’t work on them until it was too late.
I don’t like Hayvin. I mean I understood where she’s coming from but the after was boring. She didn’t stood out to me.
Overall story is a very long therapy session and boring shit
January 8, 2026
I really don’t know how I felt about this book..
This is supposed to be a ow drama book.. but honestly.. the mmc and the ow just meet twice while mmc and fmc are in relation.. and neither is the ow his ex or anything basically they never have any past together.. just once the mmc asks the ow if she wants anything more than friendship and she said no.. so idk why everyone felt those two had something going on in between them..
And I still dot know why he kept the fmc and arm’s length when he actually loves her.. I get it past trauma and all but that was just so stupid.. and I normally enjoy drama unfold in books but this one felt so flat.. I could not connect to any characters here.. even when the main characters break up.. you just feel nothing… not a great read but at this point I straight out hate the mmc not just for this book.. but for what he did in book 1 too.. and honestly the fmc deserves way better.. but I could not like the fmc too in this book..
This book was definitely not for me..!! But I would love to read the other books by this author.. heard some really good stuff about the other books..
This is supposed to be a ow drama book.. but honestly.. the mmc and the ow just meet twice while mmc and fmc are in relation.. and neither is the ow his ex or anything basically they never have any past together.. just once the mmc asks the ow if she wants anything more than friendship and she said no.. so idk why everyone felt those two had something going on in between them..
And I still dot know why he kept the fmc and arm’s length when he actually loves her.. I get it past trauma and all but that was just so stupid.. and I normally enjoy drama unfold in books but this one felt so flat.. I could not connect to any characters here.. even when the main characters break up.. you just feel nothing… not a great read but at this point I straight out hate the mmc not just for this book.. but for what he did in book 1 too.. and honestly the fmc deserves way better.. but I could not like the fmc too in this book..
This book was definitely not for me..!! But I would love to read the other books by this author.. heard some really good stuff about the other books..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2026
I really like OW drama and a neglected h trope. This book had both of these but I wish they were stronger in angst level. The h blurts out those three words in a moment of passion. The H bases his view of love on the experiences of his parents and another couple in his circle (he cheated on her, the H slept with her). For three years the H has been holding back from fully committing to the h. The H's best friend's sister (OW) breaks up with her boyfriend and tries to make him jealous by kissing the H. The H doesn't respond but the h already had concerns about this OW, feeling like a second best choice, and had asked the H not to go and help her move. The h leaves. The H realizes how much he had kept the h out of his life. His work colleagues don't ever recall any mention of the h and believe that he and the OW had a thing. Several references to the love drama of side characters leads me to believe that there will be follow up books.
December 13, 2025
Cheating = H put himself in a situation where OW kissed him and he kind of let it happen but despite that...definite emotional cheating where he would drop everything to cater to the OW, spend time with OW, but it was only because she was his friend (*eye roll*)
h sees H with OW = h has to see the H and OW often in social situations where OW has the H's full attention
OW drama = OW uses H to try and make her ex jealous (the kiss), but the OW also firmly believed that the H would be with her at the drop of a hat and had been in love with her.
Grovel = H was oblivious to how dismissive he was of the h and how much his was, to a degree, secretive of his relationship with the h. H gets a big dose of reality when the h leaves him. H must self-realize why it happened and how he was the reason. H grovels in word and deed.
Fantastic book.
h sees H with OW = h has to see the H and OW often in social situations where OW has the H's full attention
OW drama = OW uses H to try and make her ex jealous (the kiss), but the OW also firmly believed that the H would be with her at the drop of a hat and had been in love with her.
Grovel = H was oblivious to how dismissive he was of the h and how much his was, to a degree, secretive of his relationship with the h. H gets a big dose of reality when the h leaves him. H must self-realize why it happened and how he was the reason. H grovels in word and deed.
Fantastic book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2025
Meh.
I love OW/female bestie tropes. But I felt like this missed any actual drama or tension.
We're TOLD H has prioritized his female bestfriend over h for a number of years. However, also they have only been around each other 4 times in those years? So I'm a little lost on their being any actual drama/tension leading up to the initial scene where he goes to help OW move.
This friend group is just so immature (still). Though, I found it slightly less juvenile than the first. And they are a bit incestuous. Everyone is besties with their ex's and ex FWBs. Idk man.
All the names were...tragedeighs. I'm not taking points off for it, it just bothered me lol
This author has potential for me, but so far haven't enjoyed the execution.
I love OW/female bestie tropes. But I felt like this missed any actual drama or tension.
We're TOLD H has prioritized his female bestfriend over h for a number of years. However, also they have only been around each other 4 times in those years? So I'm a little lost on their being any actual drama/tension leading up to the initial scene where he goes to help OW move.
This friend group is just so immature (still). Though, I found it slightly less juvenile than the first. And they are a bit incestuous. Everyone is besties with their ex's and ex FWBs. Idk man.
All the names were...tragedeighs. I'm not taking points off for it, it just bothered me lol
This author has potential for me, but so far haven't enjoyed the execution.
February 25, 2026
Not enough angst for my liking. I want that gut punch moment when the relationship is done & I don't think this one was very well developed. Focused more on the reconciliation that was really dragged out. It was also really hard to get a sense of how much time had passed. Also, I got the impression that Alek was a bit of a womanizer in the first book, so it was hard to see him as a character that's now devoted to one woman...
March 20, 2026
angst with no logic
This is very not good. I’m DNFing at 66% because I just can’t take it anymore.
There was absolutely zero logic applied to this book. None of the MMC’s reasons for being a bad boyfriend make sense. Even worse, the things we’re told he did (bc we basically miss all the angst and drop in to the story at the last straw) all contradict themselves. None of the world these characters are in makes sense (don’t even ask me how much time passes between the start and 66%. Enough time for the FMC to write a song, sell it, have a band record it and put out an album and then for her to win an award for it. But also, maybe like 4 weeks?).
Also, the character names are truly awful and the side characters are so ridiculous I just do not want to read them anymore.
This is very not good. I’m DNFing at 66% because I just can’t take it anymore.
There was absolutely zero logic applied to this book. None of the MMC’s reasons for being a bad boyfriend make sense. Even worse, the things we’re told he did (bc we basically miss all the angst and drop in to the story at the last straw) all contradict themselves. None of the world these characters are in makes sense (don’t even ask me how much time passes between the start and 66%. Enough time for the FMC to write a song, sell it, have a band record it and put out an album and then for her to win an award for it. But also, maybe like 4 weeks?).
Also, the character names are truly awful and the side characters are so ridiculous I just do not want to read them anymore.
December 23, 2025
Worth the wait
I found this story earlier this year on a reading app but the author had made it unavailable because it was being published. I'm happy I finally got to read this couple's story. I couldn't believe how oblivious Alek was in the beginning and Hayvin showed incredible strength to leave after years of her love seemingly being disregarded. The loved the character growth between them both. There were parts that felt sped up and I wasn't entirely sure on the timeline, but overall I really enjoyed this story.
I found this story earlier this year on a reading app but the author had made it unavailable because it was being published. I'm happy I finally got to read this couple's story. I couldn't believe how oblivious Alek was in the beginning and Hayvin showed incredible strength to leave after years of her love seemingly being disregarded. The loved the character growth between them both. There were parts that felt sped up and I wasn't entirely sure on the timeline, but overall I really enjoyed this story.
April 12, 2026
This book was so repetitive and nothing was really happening. It’s like the trope wasn’t worth a whole book, not to mention that actually big parts were about the characters of the first book. I didn’t find betrayal or angst, I think the mmc was just so immature and childish and wasn’t at all likable. The fmc also has unresolved feelings of being always second choice even by her first boyfriend. It was so annoying how she was victimizing herself the whole book. She needed to work on herself and her self worth!
December 13, 2025
Fantastic pacing, believable grovel
I really liked the way both books in this duet duh deeper to uncover the root of the problems for these characters. Cheating is never *just* cheating, and these stories address that. The betrayal is believable enough in this one that I had to keep reminding myself how much I loved Alek in Charlie's story, because I didn't even "kind of" like him in his own. An all-around great duet!
I really liked the way both books in this duet duh deeper to uncover the root of the problems for these characters. Cheating is never *just* cheating, and these stories address that. The betrayal is believable enough in this one that I had to keep reminding myself how much I loved Alek in Charlie's story, because I didn't even "kind of" like him in his own. An all-around great duet!
December 15, 2025
This started out with very nice gut punch, but then quickly lost steam. I was hoping for more of a real emotional cheating story, with the ex girlfriend (OW) creating a ton of drama. NONE of that happened. It wasn't even an emotional cheating story, and the OW didn't really add any drama to this story. The grovel went on for freaking ever, and I ended up skimming the last 10%, because I was bored out of my mind.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews