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Sometimes he loves me
In the shadows of a haunting past, childhood best friends Emma and Finn are reunited after eight long years of separation.
As they try to rekindle their friendship, secrets unravel, forbidden desires ignite and Emma discovers that he is no longer the boy she once knew.
Finn seems to have become her beacon of light in her darkest moments once again, but has now become a man hardened by his past and he's willing to go to any lengths to protect Emma. Even if it means crossing moral boundaries.
What will he do when he finds out Emma is trapped in a suffocating relationship with her abusive boyfriend?
As they try to rekindle their friendship, secrets unravel, forbidden desires ignite and Emma discovers that he is no longer the boy she once knew.
Finn seems to have become her beacon of light in her darkest moments once again, but has now become a man hardened by his past and he's willing to go to any lengths to protect Emma. Even if it means crossing moral boundaries.
What will he do when he finds out Emma is trapped in a suffocating relationship with her abusive boyfriend?
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2024
2 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 14, 2025
Wow! I have never connected to a FMC like I did with Emma. She deals with so much trauma.
Finn, one of the MMC’s, lives beside Emma when they’re little. Both having horrible childhoods and become very close friends because of it.
Finn and his family disappear one night, without any explanation.
Emma becomes involved with Vincent. Great relationship in the beginning but he soon shows his true colours and Emma doesn’t know how to get away from him.
She goes to college, Finn is there without her knowing and they reconnect. Emma doesn’t know it’s Finn but she feels a connection.
The love Emma and Finn feel, the fear she has towards Vincent…will she get away from him or will his control keep her there.
This book is one of my favorites this year so far!
Finn, one of the MMC’s, lives beside Emma when they’re little. Both having horrible childhoods and become very close friends because of it.
Finn and his family disappear one night, without any explanation.
Emma becomes involved with Vincent. Great relationship in the beginning but he soon shows his true colours and Emma doesn’t know how to get away from him.
She goes to college, Finn is there without her knowing and they reconnect. Emma doesn’t know it’s Finn but she feels a connection.
The love Emma and Finn feel, the fear she has towards Vincent…will she get away from him or will his control keep her there.
This book is one of my favorites this year so far!
February 23, 2025
I loved it. I loved the slow burn and the journey that the mfc has to take through her trauma. And I love love love Finn. The background flashes weee great and I loved the tension between them. Fantastic book.
April 23, 2025
I really loved this book. This story accurately portrays what it is like to be with a narcissistic partner and not knowing how to leave. It is raw and painful. It broke my heart and healed it at the same time. It is hard to put this story into words. Sherilyn is a fantastic storyteller who is not afraid to talk about the hard stuff. And the MMC?! Raw, next question. He is a morally black biker whose outlet is boxing and will do anything to protect what’s his.
The only thing keeping this book from being 5 stars for me is the writing errors, it could have used another read through by an editor. But I still recommend it!!
This story is dark and not for everyone, be sure to check content warnings before reading.
~ touch her & die, morally black, biker, mental illness rep, dark romance ~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️|💋💋💋💋|🌶️🌶️🌶️
The only thing keeping this book from being 5 stars for me is the writing errors, it could have used another read through by an editor. But I still recommend it!!
This story is dark and not for everyone, be sure to check content warnings before reading.
~ touch her & die, morally black, biker, mental illness rep, dark romance ~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️|💋💋💋💋|🌶️🌶️🌶️
May 18, 2025
I dont even know how to start. this book has touched my soul, literally. the story is very very good and i like the advices the author give at the end of the book. amazing ! if you are looking for a filthy read, this is not it. this is more like a psychological romance. it does have spice, and in my opinion the spice level comparing with the story line, is the perfect amount. love this book!!! good job Alyssa ! proud of you girl !
July 3, 2025
I loved this book and the message behind it. I read this book at the right time ❤️
August 12, 2025
I read this book into two days!!
* side note: it was 🌶🌶🌶 but that's not what did it for me *
The whole story was so relatable to my past, and it made me realize just how much I've overcame.
It was well written and you could just feel the emotions in the authors words coming from the page.
I hope one day I get my Finn♡
I will highly recommend this read to everyone!!
* side note: it was 🌶🌶🌶 but that's not what did it for me *
The whole story was so relatable to my past, and it made me realize just how much I've overcame.
It was well written and you could just feel the emotions in the authors words coming from the page.
I hope one day I get my Finn♡
I will highly recommend this read to everyone!!
May 29, 2025
Such a Healing Story!!
This book took me through so many emotions but it made me realize I am not alone!! This is a powerful look into what being in a narcissistic relationship looks like. Her note at the end is a reminder that I think all survivors should read. It kept me turning pages from the beginning and is a beautiful story of friendship and love after a toxic one and how starting over can heal you.
This book took me through so many emotions but it made me realize I am not alone!! This is a powerful look into what being in a narcissistic relationship looks like. Her note at the end is a reminder that I think all survivors should read. It kept me turning pages from the beginning and is a beautiful story of friendship and love after a toxic one and how starting over can heal you.
March 25, 2025
I found this author on tiktok and got this book and wow
I read this in one sitting it is so brilliant the plot and the relationships, the message in it comes across perfectly as much as I would love a finn in my life the message is that I can be my own finn
I read this in one sitting it is so brilliant the plot and the relationships, the message in it comes across perfectly as much as I would love a finn in my life the message is that I can be my own finn
March 18, 2025
I don’t know if I can write as much on here as on my social media review but I definitely recommend this book. It’s written with beautiful sentences that make you fall in love. I absolutely love the plot, the characters, well besides one but read it and you’ll understand which one 😉. Finns nicknames for Emma will most definitely have you giggling and kicking your feet
March 16, 2025
This two part book will pull all the emotions out! The story of Emma and her struggles with abuse and violence! Finn who promises to protect Emma forever when they are young kids, but the vanishes only to return years later.
What changes during the time apart? This story will pull at your heart and make you angry with characters all at the same time.
Please check your triggers on this one!
Possessive, Touch her and Unalive, serial unaliver
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
What changes during the time apart? This story will pull at your heart and make you angry with characters all at the same time.
Please check your triggers on this one!
Possessive, Touch her and Unalive, serial unaliver
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
March 14, 2025
The author did a fantastic job with the character development and the description of everything. It was very easy to follow and I found myself not wanting to put it down. I couldn’t wait to turn the page to see what would happen next. The spice wasn’t overbearing but was perfect for this dark romance. We should all be so lucky to have a Finn in our lives. Absolutely a 5 star read.
March 15, 2025
WOW!! Loved this book!!! Once I started it was hard to put down!! True love story!! This is an emotionally packed story of narcissistic and true love!! It kept me on edge of my seat!! Highly recommend this spicy dark romance!
January 31, 2025
Absolutely no words! Sherilyn captured the relationship between a narcissist and victim amazingly in “Sometimes He Loves Me.”
Emma is a young woman who aspires to be a mechanical engineer, with a dream of attending UOL. But she has been surrounded by abuse all her life. Her parents both struggled with alcoholism and often displayed their toxic relationship in front of a young Emma. Her only solace was the boy who lived next door, Finn. Her best friend, protector, and who she viewed as a brother. Finn was also a victim of abuse. Having to witness DV from his dad to his mother, and when it wasn’t aimed at her, it was aimed at him and his older brother. Finn and Emma were all each other had, until one day, Finn disappeared without a trace.
Emma found herself in a toxic relationship with her boyfriend of 4 years. Gaslighting and manipulation, she was broken down not only by his actions but by his words.
But everything starts to change when she arrives at UOL and meets a mysterious man in the campus apartments. Emma’s journey to reclaim herself is so tragically beautiful and one so many people who are subjected to narcissism and abuse can relate to. The type of book that pulls at your heart strings and also makes you want to pull your hair out in frustration, especially for those of us who have been in Emma’s very situation.
The spice in this book was hot and did not take away from the plot. It felt perfectly placed and in time with the story progression. I give it 4🌶️ out of 5. The story itself was phenomenal with lots of background history for all the characters. I will note there was some small editing errors throughout but it does not take away from the story at all. Overall, this was absolutely a 5⭐️ read for me. I highly recommend this book for any dark romance lovers.
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS. This book will submerse you in Emma’s abusive relationship. Please take care of yourself and read the TW/CW prior to reading.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Touch her and 💀
Abuse/DV/child
Mentions of 🍇/situations leading to 🍇/SA
Violence
Narcissism/gaslighting/manipulation
Emma is a young woman who aspires to be a mechanical engineer, with a dream of attending UOL. But she has been surrounded by abuse all her life. Her parents both struggled with alcoholism and often displayed their toxic relationship in front of a young Emma. Her only solace was the boy who lived next door, Finn. Her best friend, protector, and who she viewed as a brother. Finn was also a victim of abuse. Having to witness DV from his dad to his mother, and when it wasn’t aimed at her, it was aimed at him and his older brother. Finn and Emma were all each other had, until one day, Finn disappeared without a trace.
Emma found herself in a toxic relationship with her boyfriend of 4 years. Gaslighting and manipulation, she was broken down not only by his actions but by his words.
But everything starts to change when she arrives at UOL and meets a mysterious man in the campus apartments. Emma’s journey to reclaim herself is so tragically beautiful and one so many people who are subjected to narcissism and abuse can relate to. The type of book that pulls at your heart strings and also makes you want to pull your hair out in frustration, especially for those of us who have been in Emma’s very situation.
The spice in this book was hot and did not take away from the plot. It felt perfectly placed and in time with the story progression. I give it 4🌶️ out of 5. The story itself was phenomenal with lots of background history for all the characters. I will note there was some small editing errors throughout but it does not take away from the story at all. Overall, this was absolutely a 5⭐️ read for me. I highly recommend this book for any dark romance lovers.
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS. This book will submerse you in Emma’s abusive relationship. Please take care of yourself and read the TW/CW prior to reading.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Touch her and 💀
Abuse/DV/child
Mentions of 🍇/situations leading to 🍇/SA
Violence
Narcissism/gaslighting/manipulation
March 14, 2025
The author did a great job with characters development and the description of everything. It was very easy to follow and I found myself not wanting to put it down. The spice wasnt overbearing but was perfect for this dark romance. We should all have a Finn in our lives. Absolutely a 5 star read.
March 8, 2025
This book was recommended to me and it is incredible. The sadness underline sadness from the story line fits beautifully, Emma’s turmoil and battle with Vincent is so real. We all need a Finn, someone who can be our light in the all the darkness. Thank you for making this so real and handling every topic with the care it should have! Lived every moment
March 4, 2025
Chef’s kiss
I don’t have words.
The playlist to this book - Amazing
The story- Holly shit!
Love that there are multiple POV.
I don’t have words.
The playlist to this book - Amazing
The story- Holly shit!
Love that there are multiple POV.
December 14, 2024
I found this Author on TikTok (Booktok!), and was instantly hooked at the teases I saw.
This story hits absolutely every emotion possible.
Growing up, Emma confided in Finn. He was her big brother, her bestfriend and her protector. But without warning it was all ripped away and ‘grown up’ Emma, found her own definition of ‘love’ in the wrong people, but like many domestic violence victims, the love she found was completely normal. That’s until the mystery ‘sweatpants’ guy shows up and her whole world is turned upside down, for better or worse.
The Author touched on some really deep topics, like domestic violence, trauma, and alcoholism to name a few. But despite the taboo topics, it was a book that I struggled to put down and became completed engrossed in!
Think boy next door, but with SPICE!
A beautifully written book, but do not be fooled - it most definitely is a dark romance, that hits all the right spots 🥵
This story hits absolutely every emotion possible.
Growing up, Emma confided in Finn. He was her big brother, her bestfriend and her protector. But without warning it was all ripped away and ‘grown up’ Emma, found her own definition of ‘love’ in the wrong people, but like many domestic violence victims, the love she found was completely normal. That’s until the mystery ‘sweatpants’ guy shows up and her whole world is turned upside down, for better or worse.
The Author touched on some really deep topics, like domestic violence, trauma, and alcoholism to name a few. But despite the taboo topics, it was a book that I struggled to put down and became completed engrossed in!
Think boy next door, but with SPICE!
A beautifully written book, but do not be fooled - it most definitely is a dark romance, that hits all the right spots 🥵
February 18, 2025
I wasn’t sure what to expect after finding this author on TikTok, but I’m so glad I did! This book was well written, and it really hits home with some of the trauma/abuse. I couldn’t put it down once I started.
January 11, 2026
This is my first read by Sherilyn Alyssa and wow did I love it? YES! I sure did. This story devoured me and I didn't want it to stop the only thing I regret is that I didn't read this sooner. What are you waiting for read this NOW! Sooooo good.
I was so invested in the main characters and found myself addicted to discover the good, the bad and knowing everything about them. Both Emma and Finn have difficult upbringing and become friends through their traumas and support each other until one day Finn is no longer around and Emma is all alone.
This is such a powerful story with such an epic plot which displays life, social and mental health struggles therefore, creating so many emotions throughout which completely gripped me and had me so engrossed into the story. I even loved the strong villian when I know we should all hate him.
I thought the story flowed effortlessly it was easy to read, engaging, well-paced, captivating, believable and constructed effective visuals. I look forward to reading more by Sherilyn Alyssa I absolutely loved her writing style.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book and author.
I am so glad to have discovered Sherilyn Alyssa and cannot wait to read more by her.
Tropes:
- Dark Romance
- Domestic Violence
- Slow Burn 🔥
- Friends to Lover
- Dark / Anti-Hero
- Second Chance
- Secret Identity
Quotes:
"You deserve someone who really loves you, someone who will show you every day of their life." His eyes go to my lips again and this time mine go to his. "Someone who would burn the world for you,"
"You know I respect you, right?" he asks, making me look at him in confusion. "Yes, why?" "Because I'm about to fuck you like I don't,"
"I mean, for someone I try so hard to create heaven for, you certainly look like the wife of the devil."
"But this is who I am, perfectly fucked up. And maybe that’s okay after everything I’ve been through."
"I’ll forever want to be with you, Darling. Let me protect and care for you for the rest of our lives. Let me burn the world for you."
"Then let me be your monster, allow me to burn the world for you,"
I was so invested in the main characters and found myself addicted to discover the good, the bad and knowing everything about them. Both Emma and Finn have difficult upbringing and become friends through their traumas and support each other until one day Finn is no longer around and Emma is all alone.
This is such a powerful story with such an epic plot which displays life, social and mental health struggles therefore, creating so many emotions throughout which completely gripped me and had me so engrossed into the story. I even loved the strong villian when I know we should all hate him.
I thought the story flowed effortlessly it was easy to read, engaging, well-paced, captivating, believable and constructed effective visuals. I look forward to reading more by Sherilyn Alyssa I absolutely loved her writing style.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book and author.
I am so glad to have discovered Sherilyn Alyssa and cannot wait to read more by her.
Tropes:
- Dark Romance
- Domestic Violence
- Slow Burn 🔥
- Friends to Lover
- Dark / Anti-Hero
- Second Chance
- Secret Identity
Quotes:
"You deserve someone who really loves you, someone who will show you every day of their life." His eyes go to my lips again and this time mine go to his. "Someone who would burn the world for you,"
"You know I respect you, right?" he asks, making me look at him in confusion. "Yes, why?" "Because I'm about to fuck you like I don't,"
"I mean, for someone I try so hard to create heaven for, you certainly look like the wife of the devil."
"But this is who I am, perfectly fucked up. And maybe that’s okay after everything I’ve been through."
"I’ll forever want to be with you, Darling. Let me protect and care for you for the rest of our lives. Let me burn the world for you."
"Then let me be your monster, allow me to burn the world for you,"
April 24, 2025
I think Ioved this book because is so easy to step in the MFC shoes. I fell the ending is so satisfying, the never-ending chances we give people because of the memory of the person they once were-or we believed them to be is a scar I felt being opened and closed with this book.
April 30, 2025
If you want a book boyfriend who would do anything to make sure you're okay, here's Finn.
This book was beautiful and raw and dark in the best way. Easily one of my favorites. The story felt so real, and so deep, and the connection between the main characters was perfect.
Definitely check your trigger warnings on this one, but oh my god, if you like it dark with all the "touch her and get deleted"-vibes, then this is for you. Finn and Emma have my heart!
Amazing job, Sherilyn. 🖤
This book was beautiful and raw and dark in the best way. Easily one of my favorites. The story felt so real, and so deep, and the connection between the main characters was perfect.
Definitely check your trigger warnings on this one, but oh my god, if you like it dark with all the "touch her and get deleted"-vibes, then this is for you. Finn and Emma have my heart!
Amazing job, Sherilyn. 🖤
September 25, 2025
For anyone that has been in a toxic relationship or had the displeasure of dealing with a narcissist this book is like therapy. Dark, emotive, passionate and an emotional rollercoaster. We all need a man like Finn in our lives! Would highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews