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Always Been
When thrust back into his hometown with a new future on the horizon, Sonny Walker is getting more than he bargained for. He and Kody Turner used to be attached at the hip, two sides of the same coin, now he's been avoiding her.
After letting a rift carry them further apart as she stayed in the small town of Willow Hill while he sought higher education, nothing is the same. Kody has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Taking care of her sick father and raising her younger sister isn't an easy task, made harder by the chronic illness that continues to weigh her down.
Since their friendship fell apart, neither of them has been okay. Without being able to ignore each other further their longing is far past the point of avoidance.
With the help of a younger sister who has trouble up her sleeve, they have to not only come to terms with the feelings they thought would go away, but also how much they'd been hiding from themselves.
Nothing is as easy as it seems in small towns across the country, something Kody and Sonny both know all too well.
This novel touches on subjects that could be unsuitable for certain people such as chronic illness, mental illness, drug use, death, and suicide.
After letting a rift carry them further apart as she stayed in the small town of Willow Hill while he sought higher education, nothing is the same. Kody has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Taking care of her sick father and raising her younger sister isn't an easy task, made harder by the chronic illness that continues to weigh her down.
Since their friendship fell apart, neither of them has been okay. Without being able to ignore each other further their longing is far past the point of avoidance.
With the help of a younger sister who has trouble up her sleeve, they have to not only come to terms with the feelings they thought would go away, but also how much they'd been hiding from themselves.
Nothing is as easy as it seems in small towns across the country, something Kody and Sonny both know all too well.
This novel touches on subjects that could be unsuitable for certain people such as chronic illness, mental illness, drug use, death, and suicide.
- GenresRomance
399 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 29, 2025
loved this!!!
i'm not a romance fan, i usually find the stories to be cliche and cringy but this!!!!!! so raw, so real, so consuming. i finished this so quick and i wish i savoured it more because i wanna hang with kody and sonny forever 🥹
i'm not a romance fan, i usually find the stories to be cliche and cringy but this!!!!!! so raw, so real, so consuming. i finished this so quick and i wish i savoured it more because i wanna hang with kody and sonny forever 🥹
May 2, 2025
I really really enjoyed this book! A perfect slow burn romance with so many emotional moments, but also made me laugh and smile 😊 I would definitely recommend this book! Perfect book to add to your summer tbr!
February 4, 2025
Firstly I am so proud of Dani for publishing and creating this beautiful amazing story >< and I am grateful that I got to read the Arc.
Following these two lovely characters and seeing them go through their ups and downs was so magical, and the ending felt extremely satisfying. Throughout the story i had an amazing time laughing at the banter between the two and especially the younger sister >< I think she might be my favorite 0.o
This book had me in all the feels in all the best ways possible.
If you like romance or are even interested in giving it a try please please please read this book<3
Following these two lovely characters and seeing them go through their ups and downs was so magical, and the ending felt extremely satisfying. Throughout the story i had an amazing time laughing at the banter between the two and especially the younger sister >< I think she might be my favorite 0.o
This book had me in all the feels in all the best ways possible.
If you like romance or are even interested in giving it a try please please please read this book<3
January 31, 2025
This book was such a wonderful read! I am so proud of my friend for writing this and giving it to the world as her first book. The dialogue and banter was very natural and flowed easily through the book, she did a great job with being able to relate to the characters and just overall encompasses how it can be living in a small town. Highly recommend this read!
May 31, 2025
I could not get enough of the book! The characters were very well written and the story just flowed together so well! I felt as if I was actually there hanging out with them and going through all the emotions, it was also just super relatable and down to earth♥️
I seriously cannot wait for the 2nd book in the series to come out!
I seriously cannot wait for the 2nd book in the series to come out!
February 21, 2025
Love Sweet Dani and LOVED her book.
Great, authentic story with characters that makes sense and are REAL.
The romance was kickin and the characters were great.
Great representation, good plot and pacing too. Overall just a stunner of a book.
More pls!
Great, authentic story with characters that makes sense and are REAL.
The romance was kickin and the characters were great.
Great representation, good plot and pacing too. Overall just a stunner of a book.
More pls!
January 5, 2025
I am incredibly grateful to have been an ARC reader for Dani Ray's debut novel.
Everything about this book is wonderful—a small-town, slow-burn romance with lovable characters. The story thoughtfully addresses important topics like mental health, addiction and the challenges of living with chronic illness. The characters are relatable and easy to connect with. This truly was a beautiful story that will have you feeling every emotion.
Get your hands on this book February 1st!
Dani Ray, you absolutely nailed it! ❤️
Everything about this book is wonderful—a small-town, slow-burn romance with lovable characters. The story thoughtfully addresses important topics like mental health, addiction and the challenges of living with chronic illness. The characters are relatable and easy to connect with. This truly was a beautiful story that will have you feeling every emotion.
Get your hands on this book February 1st!
Dani Ray, you absolutely nailed it! ❤️
August 9, 2025
I loved this book from start to finish. If I had to describe it in just one word, it would be “real”. The characters, the story, all of it.
August 11, 2025
What a beautifully told story! I am so impressed with this indie debut. It was poignant and the characters felt realistic in their complexities. Romance is not typically a genre I’m called to read, but I’m so glad I picked this one up. I am intrigued to see where the story goes in the next installment of the Willow Hill series🖤🖤
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews