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This Time Around: A Slow Burn Romance of Mutual Pining, Self-discovery, and Second Chances
Blake-
I thought I was done with love. One night with the wrong guy was all it took to unravel me—proof that I’m not as tough as I seem. So I swore off men, convinced I needed to work on myself. Heal myself. But life has a twisted sense of humor. Just when I settle on solitude, I crash—literally—into Luke.
My best friend’s older brother. The one I’ve always wanted but never let myself peruse. He’s everything I told myself was off-limits: older, accomplished, heartbreakingly unattainable. And worse—he sees right through me. Every time I try to keep my distance, he looks at me like I’m the one thing he’s been waiting for.
But crossing that line could cost me everything. Even if not crossing it is already tearing me apart.
Luke-
I didn’t spend years pining after Blake. That’s not how it happened.
Back then, she was just my sister’s best friend. A little wild, always around, always laughing too loud. I had a wife, a life I thought made sense.
Quietly, slowly,my marriage was crumbling around me; over long before I admitted it out loud. And somewhere in that silence, there she was—Blake. Not trying. Not even looking at me that way. Just… being her.
And suddenly, I couldn’t stop seeing her.
It wasn’t some big romantic moment. It was a tangle of small ones.
Now five years later, she’s here. Still trying to pretend we’re just friends. Still keeping me at arm’s length. But I’ve already lived through loving the wrong person. I know what that feels like.
This—what’s between us—it’s the first thing that’s felt real in a long time.
And I’m not walking away from it.
This is an interconnected standalone romace. While it can be read alone, readers may enjoy starting with This Can't Be The End.
I thought I was done with love. One night with the wrong guy was all it took to unravel me—proof that I’m not as tough as I seem. So I swore off men, convinced I needed to work on myself. Heal myself. But life has a twisted sense of humor. Just when I settle on solitude, I crash—literally—into Luke.
My best friend’s older brother. The one I’ve always wanted but never let myself peruse. He’s everything I told myself was off-limits: older, accomplished, heartbreakingly unattainable. And worse—he sees right through me. Every time I try to keep my distance, he looks at me like I’m the one thing he’s been waiting for.
But crossing that line could cost me everything. Even if not crossing it is already tearing me apart.
Luke-
I didn’t spend years pining after Blake. That’s not how it happened.
Back then, she was just my sister’s best friend. A little wild, always around, always laughing too loud. I had a wife, a life I thought made sense.
Quietly, slowly,my marriage was crumbling around me; over long before I admitted it out loud. And somewhere in that silence, there she was—Blake. Not trying. Not even looking at me that way. Just… being her.
And suddenly, I couldn’t stop seeing her.
It wasn’t some big romantic moment. It was a tangle of small ones.
Now five years later, she’s here. Still trying to pretend we’re just friends. Still keeping me at arm’s length. But I’ve already lived through loving the wrong person. I know what that feels like.
This—what’s between us—it’s the first thing that’s felt real in a long time.
And I’m not walking away from it.
This is an interconnected standalone romace. While it can be read alone, readers may enjoy starting with This Can't Be The End.
- GenresFound Family
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2025
5 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Harper Rae James
6 books40 followersI write spicy, emotion-forward romance for readers who crave longing, second chances, and love that refuses to stay buried.
My stories live in the quiet space between almost and always, where feelings simmer, restraint fractures, and intimacy is earned. Expect mutual pining, he-falls-first energy, and heat that hits harder becasue it means something.
If you love slow burns with real payoff, characters who ache before they heal, and stories that linger long after the last page, you're in the right place.
New here?
Start with This Can’t Be The End— the book readers fall into first.
Readeing Order: This Can't Be the End-- This Time Around--This Christmas-- This Secret Between Us
My stories live in the quiet space between almost and always, where feelings simmer, restraint fractures, and intimacy is earned. Expect mutual pining, he-falls-first energy, and heat that hits harder becasue it means something.
If you love slow burns with real payoff, characters who ache before they heal, and stories that linger long after the last page, you're in the right place.
New here?
Start with This Can’t Be The End— the book readers fall into first.
Readeing Order: This Can't Be the End-- This Time Around--This Christmas-- This Secret Between Us
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 4, 2025
This was the perfect mixture of sweet and spicy, I loved Blake and Luke!
After a rough breakup, Blake is swearing off relationships. That’s until she runs into Luke, her childhood crush and best friend’s brother. She doesn’t know it, but Luke has also been hiding his feelings for her as well.
I loved Blake, she was such a strong FMC. She carries hurt from her past, making her very independent. I loved that Luke stood by her, even helping her dreams come true. This was a cute and quick read, I really enjoyed this story!
Thank you Harper and Good Girls PR for the ARC ❤️
After a rough breakup, Blake is swearing off relationships. That’s until she runs into Luke, her childhood crush and best friend’s brother. She doesn’t know it, but Luke has also been hiding his feelings for her as well.
I loved Blake, she was such a strong FMC. She carries hurt from her past, making her very independent. I loved that Luke stood by her, even helping her dreams come true. This was a cute and quick read, I really enjoyed this story!
Thank you Harper and Good Girls PR for the ARC ❤️
May 20, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ rounded to 4 for goodreads
I received an ARC of this book from Good Girls PR!
This book felt very different from book 1 (which I also read when I found out I was selected for this ARC) in that it seemed much less devastating, but overall I was still very entertained by it! I love a best friend's brother romance and this one had an added age gap along with it.
This Time Around was a very well done mix of sweet and spicy! Blake and Luke felt very real in how they navigated situations throughout their relationship. It was nice to see characters that could give each other space while also supporting one another.
While This Time Around could be seen as a standalone, it's interconnected to This Can't Be The End, so I'd suggest starting there! I can see the potential with some of the characters in This Time Around for a third book so you can bet I'll be watching Harper's socials for any potential announcement there 🩵
Thank you again to Harper and Good Girls PR for the ARC!
I received an ARC of this book from Good Girls PR!
This book felt very different from book 1 (which I also read when I found out I was selected for this ARC) in that it seemed much less devastating, but overall I was still very entertained by it! I love a best friend's brother romance and this one had an added age gap along with it.
This Time Around was a very well done mix of sweet and spicy! Blake and Luke felt very real in how they navigated situations throughout their relationship. It was nice to see characters that could give each other space while also supporting one another.
While This Time Around could be seen as a standalone, it's interconnected to This Can't Be The End, so I'd suggest starting there! I can see the potential with some of the characters in This Time Around for a third book so you can bet I'll be watching Harper's socials for any potential announcement there 🩵
Thank you again to Harper and Good Girls PR for the ARC!
July 12, 2025
2 Stars ⭐️⭐️
Blake is Luke's little sister's best friend and after Luke has had a nasty divorce he finds himself very attracted to Blake who is recovering from a one night stand gone wrong.
I think this book just isn't my cup of tea. I didn't think the character development was the best and I didn't really like any of the main characters. I'm also not a huge fan of multiple misunderstandings and there was just a few too many for my liking.
If you like age gap romances where the age gap isn't extreme and you don't mind misunderstandings then this book might be for you. Unfortunately it just was not one of my faves.
*Thank you Good Girls PR for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Blake is Luke's little sister's best friend and after Luke has had a nasty divorce he finds himself very attracted to Blake who is recovering from a one night stand gone wrong.
I think this book just isn't my cup of tea. I didn't think the character development was the best and I didn't really like any of the main characters. I'm also not a huge fan of multiple misunderstandings and there was just a few too many for my liking.
If you like age gap romances where the age gap isn't extreme and you don't mind misunderstandings then this book might be for you. Unfortunately it just was not one of my faves.
*Thank you Good Girls PR for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 28, 2025
It took me a little while to really get into this book, but once it clicked, I was completely hooked and couldn’t put it down. The author has such a great writing style that made it easy to get lost in the story. By the time I was halfway through, I was fully invested and didn’t want it to end!
June 3, 2025
Rating: 4.5⭐️
ARC REVIEW thanks to good.girls.pr and Ms. Harper for the e-ARC.🎀
I really enjoyed this book! Blake and Luke are such a sweet couple, and their age gap adds spice to their relationship. They even became buddy readers just to reconnect when Luke was back in town, I liked how
genuinely excited he was to read the book she picked plus Luke always compliments Blake and most of all, I loved how supportive he was of Blake’s dream to open a bar with her own unique twist. Her idea for the bar is so cozy, it’s the kind of place where you could truly get lost in your own world.
ARC REVIEW thanks to good.girls.pr and Ms. Harper for the e-ARC.🎀
I really enjoyed this book! Blake and Luke are such a sweet couple, and their age gap adds spice to their relationship. They even became buddy readers just to reconnect when Luke was back in town, I liked how
genuinely excited he was to read the book she picked plus Luke always compliments Blake and most of all, I loved how supportive he was of Blake’s dream to open a bar with her own unique twist. Her idea for the bar is so cozy, it’s the kind of place where you could truly get lost in your own world.
June 28, 2025
Buckle up buttercup for the ride that is Luke Jennings and Blake McKenzie.
Spice a solid 4.5 (will say it’s a slower burn but OH SO NECESSARY)
The flow and ease of this read are unmatched. Harper outdid herself here absolutely embodying these characters and bringing their voices and emotions to life.
The twist, oh man. I was not prepared for it, but woooo-wee.
Very emotional, a book for those that can relate to feel at one with who they are.
10/10
Spice a solid 4.5 (will say it’s a slower burn but OH SO NECESSARY)
The flow and ease of this read are unmatched. Harper outdid herself here absolutely embodying these characters and bringing their voices and emotions to life.
The twist, oh man. I was not prepared for it, but woooo-wee.
Very emotional, a book for those that can relate to feel at one with who they are.
10/10
August 21, 2025
This was such a great book. I love the storyline of an FMC having low self esteem because of something some asshole guy said and learning to love herself and be confident again in love. Blake was such a relatable character which I really loved. Luke was such a great guy from the get go you could always see how much he loved her in the things he said and did for her. He has been pining after her for 5 years!! Bestie was pissed that Blake was dating her brother but she got over it. I really enjoyed the character growth and development in this book from all of the characters. Oh and let us not forget the spice!! The spice was SO good this man has such a dirty mouth which we love! 👀😍😍🥵🥵🥵
May 28, 2025
Where has this author been?! Why has no one told me about Harper Rae James?? I didn’t read Book 1, This Can’t Be the End. That’s ok. The Twist of Fate Series is an interconnected standalone. I dived right into Book 2, Blake and Luke’s story, because of Age Gap, Little Sister’s Best Friend, and Angst. It doesn’t hurt that the spice hits on page 1. Yes, page 1!
Readers are introduced to Blake’s character, who is a proud ONS girl. But things don’t end well with one guy, and she decides it’s time to reevaluate and work on herself. In the meantime, Luke, her best friend’s older brother’s marriage, ended in divorce. There’s mutual pining history only, but now that they are both free, things heat up. There are several obstacles, though. They are both in different healing stages, and Luke’s sister is also to be considered.
I loved how Luke appreciated Blake’s confidence and didn’t put down or make her feel bad about her ONS history. Their growth and healing were very real, and the spice was fantastic. I also enjoyed how Author Harper Rae James incorporated 90s music into the chapters. That was a fun bonus! I’m hoping to see more of this author in the future!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘗𝘙 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘌-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺.
Readers are introduced to Blake’s character, who is a proud ONS girl. But things don’t end well with one guy, and she decides it’s time to reevaluate and work on herself. In the meantime, Luke, her best friend’s older brother’s marriage, ended in divorce. There’s mutual pining history only, but now that they are both free, things heat up. There are several obstacles, though. They are both in different healing stages, and Luke’s sister is also to be considered.
I loved how Luke appreciated Blake’s confidence and didn’t put down or make her feel bad about her ONS history. Their growth and healing were very real, and the spice was fantastic. I also enjoyed how Author Harper Rae James incorporated 90s music into the chapters. That was a fun bonus! I’m hoping to see more of this author in the future!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘗𝘙 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘌-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺.
May 31, 2025
Where do I start, I will start with thank you Harper for choosing me to be on your street team and allowing me to receive and read this book. I am very grateful to you and Good Girls PR. I didn’t read the first one as I didn’t have enough time but will go back and do so. But you can read this as a standalone and fall in love with it as well. The playlist that went with this book, the 90’s music wow, was a perfect match.
If you love the following:
#Age Gap
#best friend’s brother
#found family
#one bed
#spice
#Doctormmc
Please read the Harper’s personal message to her readers regarding the triggers in this book.
“If you give them all the goods up front, what do they have to look forward too?” Blake should have listened to this from her best friend. The very first page you read is hot, two people who meet at a wedding and hit it off and end up having wild sex, and next day misunderstandings lead to enemies, Cash and Blake.
Blake now believes she isn’t good enough for a permanent relationship due to something she overheard Cash saying and believing it was about her. But then she runs into her best friend’s older brother Luke, who she has had a crush on, but he’s off limits. Luke is an ER doctor and just got out of a loveless marriage, he’s not looking for anything but then there is Blake, his crush. She has no idea. They get to talking and she tells him all about her dreams of opening up a bar that serves drinks and books. Lit and Libations is the name. He tells her he likes to read, so they do a buddy read. A MAN A ROMANCE BOOK!! That’s it. Sorry ladies he is spoken for, kinda at least.
In Library with Luke:
“But I only read romance. “Interesting.” His tone is skeptical. “Don’t be judgy. Romance is the superior genre, period, end of story.” “Why is that?” he inquires. “Simple, you get to fall in love over and over again, and book boyfriends never fail you.”
This story is emotional, these two belong together, but they have to work for it, they have to get over their issues and trusts issues and let each other in. There is so much more to this story, but I do not want to give it away. Just read it. Learning to love yourself before anyone can love you truly is a lesson many could learn from.
“Love is not just being there for people how they want you, it’s being in the ways they need you, even if it’s difficult and creates friction.”
If you love the following:
#Age Gap
#best friend’s brother
#found family
#one bed
#spice
#Doctormmc
Please read the Harper’s personal message to her readers regarding the triggers in this book.
“If you give them all the goods up front, what do they have to look forward too?” Blake should have listened to this from her best friend. The very first page you read is hot, two people who meet at a wedding and hit it off and end up having wild sex, and next day misunderstandings lead to enemies, Cash and Blake.
Blake now believes she isn’t good enough for a permanent relationship due to something she overheard Cash saying and believing it was about her. But then she runs into her best friend’s older brother Luke, who she has had a crush on, but he’s off limits. Luke is an ER doctor and just got out of a loveless marriage, he’s not looking for anything but then there is Blake, his crush. She has no idea. They get to talking and she tells him all about her dreams of opening up a bar that serves drinks and books. Lit and Libations is the name. He tells her he likes to read, so they do a buddy read. A MAN A ROMANCE BOOK!! That’s it. Sorry ladies he is spoken for, kinda at least.
In Library with Luke:
“But I only read romance. “Interesting.” His tone is skeptical. “Don’t be judgy. Romance is the superior genre, period, end of story.” “Why is that?” he inquires. “Simple, you get to fall in love over and over again, and book boyfriends never fail you.”
This story is emotional, these two belong together, but they have to work for it, they have to get over their issues and trusts issues and let each other in. There is so much more to this story, but I do not want to give it away. Just read it. Learning to love yourself before anyone can love you truly is a lesson many could learn from.
“Love is not just being there for people how they want you, it’s being in the ways they need you, even if it’s difficult and creates friction.”
May 25, 2025
I enjoyed this book! The authors writing was well done! Blake and Luke’s relationship has some flaws and the main characters have their own personal issues that are very real and relatable. I noticed that I was reminding myself of the age gap they have more than the book itself was presenting, by that I mean some of Luke’s behavior or dialogue was a little off for someone about to enter their 40s but I still enjoyed his character! Blake comes from a childhood with no real sense of family and Luke’s sister (her best friend) has been her found family for most of her life which presents it challenges along the way. Although we as the reader can predict the outcome in the end with our MCs I did find Cash presenting a weird dynamic. That being said I read this as a stand alone so I was unsure if his character/ persona played a role prior in Blake’s character development. I found that the misunderstanding that occurs between Blake and Cash was a little off for me as we do have to wait until further in the book to understand the point, especially since to Blake he’s only a one time thing and she misunderstood what she overheard. He does however play a role into Blake’s confidence issues and helps to develop Blake and Luke’s relationship further toward the end of the book, I still had a hard time understanding why Luke’s sister ended up being with him during Blake’s L&L bar opening and why the idea of them was entertained especially since were led to believe he is the bad guy with the whole misunderstanding issue. That being said I still very much enjoyed this book and absolutely loved the L&L bar idea as a whole! As a reader having Blake and Luke read together, recreate scenes in the book they read together, and how much Luke appreciates Blake’s love for books/reading throughout had me kicking my feet even in the subtitle moments! I found the characters relatable and very real, some cheesy lines or moments is to be expected in romance books so I can’t say that disappointed me at all because to me that’s very real too! Our MCs past traumas, backstory, and how they’re presented felt authentic to me and how they work through them together was very well written! I didn’t go into this book with any expectations as far as spice but it also didn’t disappoint!
June 10, 2025
This Time Around is a captivating and deeply emotional romance, that follows Blake, a fiercely independent bartender, and Luke, her brother's best friend—a brilliant yet emotionally guarded doctor. Their relationship is tangled in years of longing, personal struggles, and family drama, creating a slow burn that is as frustrating as it is addictive.
Blake has harbored feelings for Luke for as long as she can remember, but her fear of commitment and deep-seated insecurities keep her from truly opening up. Meanwhile, Luke, a man who has known heartbreak all too well after his divorce, has silently adored Blake for years, waiting for the right moment to show her just how much she means to him. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the tension between them builds with every stolen glance and heated exchange.
Their meet-cute at the bookstore, where Blake accidentally lands in Luke’s lap, is both charming and symbolic, foreshadowing the emotional entanglement that follows. As Luke pushes Blake to chase her dreams and step beyond the walls she has built, she, in turn, forces him to confront his own fears and embrace his own value.
With ex-hookup drama, family complications, and intense moments of passion, this book doesn’t shy away from the messy reality of love. At times, the obstacles feel insurmountable, testing both their patience and the reader’s, but the payoff is well worth the journey. Luke and Blake’s dynamic is raw and real, proving that love isn’t always easy but when it’s right, it’s unforgettable.
If you're a fan of brother’s best friend romance, emotional depth, and characters who fight for their happy ending, this one is an absolute must-read.
A huge thank you to Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the early copy!
Blake has harbored feelings for Luke for as long as she can remember, but her fear of commitment and deep-seated insecurities keep her from truly opening up. Meanwhile, Luke, a man who has known heartbreak all too well after his divorce, has silently adored Blake for years, waiting for the right moment to show her just how much she means to him. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the tension between them builds with every stolen glance and heated exchange.
Their meet-cute at the bookstore, where Blake accidentally lands in Luke’s lap, is both charming and symbolic, foreshadowing the emotional entanglement that follows. As Luke pushes Blake to chase her dreams and step beyond the walls she has built, she, in turn, forces him to confront his own fears and embrace his own value.
With ex-hookup drama, family complications, and intense moments of passion, this book doesn’t shy away from the messy reality of love. At times, the obstacles feel insurmountable, testing both their patience and the reader’s, but the payoff is well worth the journey. Luke and Blake’s dynamic is raw and real, proving that love isn’t always easy but when it’s right, it’s unforgettable.
If you're a fan of brother’s best friend romance, emotional depth, and characters who fight for their happy ending, this one is an absolute must-read.
A huge thank you to Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the early copy!
June 15, 2025
This Time Around by Harper Rae James
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This Time Around is the second installment in the Twist of Fate series and delivers the perfect combo of best friend’s older brother + age gap romance, two tropes I can never resist. After a rough breakup, Blake swears off love… until fate throws her back into the orbit of Luke, her childhood crush and her best friend’s older brother. Turns out, Luke’s been holding onto feelings of his own, and one impulsive moment sparks something neither of them can ignore.
This book took me a minute to settle into, but by the halfway mark, I was fully invested. Blake is strong, fiercely independent, and carries a significant amount of emotional baggage from a difficult childhood. Growing up, her only saving grace was meeting her best friend, and her family becoming her found family. I loved how Luke stood by her, especially when it came to her dream of opening a bar. He’s sweet, attentive, and even though he has his immature moments, he comes through when it matters most.
There’s drama (hello, best friend tension 👀), steamy chemistry, emotional healing, and just enough angst to keep the pages turning. I also appreciated how the subplot involving Cash and the miscommunication helped deepen Blake’s journey with her self-esteem and understanding what she really deserves.
Read this if you love:
💓Best friend’s brother romance
💓Found family
💓Sweet and spicy balance
💓Second chances
Blake and Luke’s story is messy, tender, and full of heart. They both learn that love isn’t about perfection, it’s about choosing each other again and again, even when it’s hard.
Thank you to @author.harper.rae.james and @good.girls.pr for providing me with an eArc. Get your copy today!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This Time Around is the second installment in the Twist of Fate series and delivers the perfect combo of best friend’s older brother + age gap romance, two tropes I can never resist. After a rough breakup, Blake swears off love… until fate throws her back into the orbit of Luke, her childhood crush and her best friend’s older brother. Turns out, Luke’s been holding onto feelings of his own, and one impulsive moment sparks something neither of them can ignore.
This book took me a minute to settle into, but by the halfway mark, I was fully invested. Blake is strong, fiercely independent, and carries a significant amount of emotional baggage from a difficult childhood. Growing up, her only saving grace was meeting her best friend, and her family becoming her found family. I loved how Luke stood by her, especially when it came to her dream of opening a bar. He’s sweet, attentive, and even though he has his immature moments, he comes through when it matters most.
There’s drama (hello, best friend tension 👀), steamy chemistry, emotional healing, and just enough angst to keep the pages turning. I also appreciated how the subplot involving Cash and the miscommunication helped deepen Blake’s journey with her self-esteem and understanding what she really deserves.
Read this if you love:
💓Best friend’s brother romance
💓Found family
💓Sweet and spicy balance
💓Second chances
Blake and Luke’s story is messy, tender, and full of heart. They both learn that love isn’t about perfection, it’s about choosing each other again and again, even when it’s hard.
Thank you to @author.harper.rae.james and @good.girls.pr for providing me with an eArc. Get your copy today!
June 10, 2025
🌿 ARC Review: This Time Around by Harper Rae James
⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️
This Time Around feels like peeling off old layers you didn’t even know you were still carrying. It’s soft in the way healing can be: messy, uncomfortable, but also filled with the kind of tenderness that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.
Blake’s journey really stood out to me. She starts off feeling like “not enough,” stuck in a cycle of meaningless hookups, and while the early miscommunication trope isn’t usually my thing, it did help set the tone for her personal growth.
When she (literally) crashes into Luke’s lap, I was skeptical—it felt a bit insta-love at first. But once their shared history started coming through, it all made more sense. Seeing how long he’s had feelings for her, how much he appreciates her love for books, and the fact that they buddy-read and recreate scenes together? That had me melting. 📚💘
Luke is such a golden retriever boyfriend (gentle, supportive, thoughtful). There were a few alpha-male flickers that didn’t quite match his soft vibe, but overall I loved how naturally he cared for Blake, often without even needing to say a word.
Also, the 90s song lyrics at the beginning of each chapter? Total vibe. It gave the whole story this cozy, nostalgic playlist energy.
If you're into friends-to-lovers, emotional healing, and sweet bookish moments with a touch of spice, This Time Around is worth adding to your TBR.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️
This Time Around feels like peeling off old layers you didn’t even know you were still carrying. It’s soft in the way healing can be: messy, uncomfortable, but also filled with the kind of tenderness that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.
Blake’s journey really stood out to me. She starts off feeling like “not enough,” stuck in a cycle of meaningless hookups, and while the early miscommunication trope isn’t usually my thing, it did help set the tone for her personal growth.
When she (literally) crashes into Luke’s lap, I was skeptical—it felt a bit insta-love at first. But once their shared history started coming through, it all made more sense. Seeing how long he’s had feelings for her, how much he appreciates her love for books, and the fact that they buddy-read and recreate scenes together? That had me melting. 📚💘
Luke is such a golden retriever boyfriend (gentle, supportive, thoughtful). There were a few alpha-male flickers that didn’t quite match his soft vibe, but overall I loved how naturally he cared for Blake, often without even needing to say a word.
Also, the 90s song lyrics at the beginning of each chapter? Total vibe. It gave the whole story this cozy, nostalgic playlist energy.
If you're into friends-to-lovers, emotional healing, and sweet bookish moments with a touch of spice, This Time Around is worth adding to your TBR.
May 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This book was rlly cute! I loved Harper Rae James writing and the characters and the story line!!! But with that being said I wouldn’t say this is a favorite.
I loved the way Harper wrote about two flawed characters and she wrote them beautifully!
Blake and Luke were both damaged people who loved one another but had to overcome real problems in their relationship to show just how much.
Blake even thought independent and strong, was afraid of opening up and letting people in and help her when she thinks she doesn’t need it. I felt that so much because I am the same way and seeing it play out in a book was so relieving! I also LOOOOVE the bar/books store she opened!! I loved that idea and I loved that she pushed herself and opened it even though she was scared to.
Luke was such a kind and caring character. The way he cared and loved Blake was just amazing!! Even tho Luke was such a kind character that loved Blake so very much…there were times where I was thinking he was immature for his age. It said that Luke was 38 and there were times where I was thinking “this guy is supposed to be 38…!?” There were also a few times where some things he would do or say I thought were cringey…but overall this book was very cute and I loved Luke and Blake’s dynamic and relationship!! ☺️💕
I also want to thank Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the eARC!! 💕💕
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This book was rlly cute! I loved Harper Rae James writing and the characters and the story line!!! But with that being said I wouldn’t say this is a favorite.
I loved the way Harper wrote about two flawed characters and she wrote them beautifully!
Blake and Luke were both damaged people who loved one another but had to overcome real problems in their relationship to show just how much.
Blake even thought independent and strong, was afraid of opening up and letting people in and help her when she thinks she doesn’t need it. I felt that so much because I am the same way and seeing it play out in a book was so relieving! I also LOOOOVE the bar/books store she opened!! I loved that idea and I loved that she pushed herself and opened it even though she was scared to.
Luke was such a kind and caring character. The way he cared and loved Blake was just amazing!! Even tho Luke was such a kind character that loved Blake so very much…there were times where I was thinking he was immature for his age. It said that Luke was 38 and there were times where I was thinking “this guy is supposed to be 38…!?” There were also a few times where some things he would do or say I thought were cringey…but overall this book was very cute and I loved Luke and Blake’s dynamic and relationship!! ☺️💕
I also want to thank Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the eARC!! 💕💕
May 25, 2025
Rating: 4.5 stars 🌟
How sweet this book was…just as much as it was spicy 🔥 I truly enjoyed this book! I am beyond blessed to be part of @author.harper.rae.james street team, but this was my first read from her and I loved it! I felt a kin ship with every character in this book but especially Blake. Her idea for her business is honestly very close to my own dreams for the future, so living vicariously through her journey was fascinating to me! You will have to read to find out what it is but I’m OBSESSED and will be hunting down a place that exists like this in real life.
Her relationship with Luke is so sweet, I love how well they know each other and how that helps them to take care of each other in the best ways, sometimes without even thinking about it. This book to me, very much felt like at second chance at life journey. Breaking through all of the walls you put up for yourself and the difficult, yet rewarding, journey to healing your trauma and learning to love yourself ❤️
Pre-order now! Signed copies available at https://www.harper-rae-james.com/preo...
Available May 27th!! So close!! 🥳🫶🏻
How sweet this book was…just as much as it was spicy 🔥 I truly enjoyed this book! I am beyond blessed to be part of @author.harper.rae.james street team, but this was my first read from her and I loved it! I felt a kin ship with every character in this book but especially Blake. Her idea for her business is honestly very close to my own dreams for the future, so living vicariously through her journey was fascinating to me! You will have to read to find out what it is but I’m OBSESSED and will be hunting down a place that exists like this in real life.
Her relationship with Luke is so sweet, I love how well they know each other and how that helps them to take care of each other in the best ways, sometimes without even thinking about it. This book to me, very much felt like at second chance at life journey. Breaking through all of the walls you put up for yourself and the difficult, yet rewarding, journey to healing your trauma and learning to love yourself ❤️
Pre-order now! Signed copies available at https://www.harper-rae-james.com/preo...
Available May 27th!! So close!! 🥳🫶🏻
May 20, 2025
4⭐️
Oh my….I absolutely enjoyed this book so much! If you are familiar with Harper Rae James’s first book then you will know Blake is ana’s best friend and this is her story.
What I really liked about this book was that even though it had strong and powerful, deep themes and topics, the romance side off it really helped balanced it all out, it all just worked so beautifully together and became a fantastic read.
I loved Blake, even though she was this strong and independent woman, she wanted love, but she didn’t know how to allow herself to want it, she didn’t know how to let her walls down enough to let someone in and love her .
And Luke he was kind and caring, he made a few mistakes along the way but it was out of fear because of how much Blake meant to him.
And them together was so amazing to read, best friend brother, to friends to lovers and to something so much greater.
This book was well written, a great follow up in the series, it had light romantic moments, it had emotional moments but it all worked together so well!
A fantastic story and highly recommend it.
Oh my….I absolutely enjoyed this book so much! If you are familiar with Harper Rae James’s first book then you will know Blake is ana’s best friend and this is her story.
What I really liked about this book was that even though it had strong and powerful, deep themes and topics, the romance side off it really helped balanced it all out, it all just worked so beautifully together and became a fantastic read.
I loved Blake, even though she was this strong and independent woman, she wanted love, but she didn’t know how to allow herself to want it, she didn’t know how to let her walls down enough to let someone in and love her .
And Luke he was kind and caring, he made a few mistakes along the way but it was out of fear because of how much Blake meant to him.
And them together was so amazing to read, best friend brother, to friends to lovers and to something so much greater.
This book was well written, a great follow up in the series, it had light romantic moments, it had emotional moments but it all worked together so well!
A fantastic story and highly recommend it.
May 23, 2025
Thank you to Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for allowing me to read an ARC for This Time Around. I would like to start by saying this is the second book in the series, but I read this one without reading the first, and the author does a great job of catching you up. Best friend’s sibling and age gap tropes are some of my favorites, so I loved those representations. The spicy scenes were tasty and sprinkled nicely throughout the whole book. This is a great read for anyone looking for a quick romance. I love development in all aspects, so that was missing for me. I feel like I didn’t get to fall in love with the characters because they were developed off the page and their love happened both abruptly and off page. During the third act “will the won’t they (trying to avoid spoilers, here),” I didn’t feel the heartbreak I usually feel during this sequence. I definitely needed more character/romance development. As much as I love the spicy scenes, they tended to kind of end abruptly. That being said, I did enjoy this book and look forward to reading more from Harper Rae James.
Currently reading
August 1, 2025Dear readers,
This book is for the readers who crave slow-burn tension, messy pasts, and the kind of love that comes back stronger after nearly falling apart.
Blake and Luke’s story is deeply personal to me. It’s about second chances, quiet pining, and what happens when the one person you never got over moves back to town… and he’s your best friend’s brother. (Oops.)
Writing this book felt like peeling back layers of love, hurt, and healing. Blake is bold, complicated, and hiding more than she lets on. Luke? He’s steady, protective, and absolutely gone for her. From flirty banter behind the bar to gut-punch moments that made me cry while writing, these two characters tested every limit I could throw at them.
Tropes you’ll find inside:
✨ Second chance romance
💥 Friends to lovers
💔 A traumatic event that almost ruins everything
👀 He falls first
🍸 Bartender x Big Brother’s Best Friend
If you love a romance that simmers with unresolved tension, raw emotion, and a little drama sprinkled like salt on the rim of a glass… this one’s for you. 💜
Love,
Harper
This book is for the readers who crave slow-burn tension, messy pasts, and the kind of love that comes back stronger after nearly falling apart.
Blake and Luke’s story is deeply personal to me. It’s about second chances, quiet pining, and what happens when the one person you never got over moves back to town… and he’s your best friend’s brother. (Oops.)
Writing this book felt like peeling back layers of love, hurt, and healing. Blake is bold, complicated, and hiding more than she lets on. Luke? He’s steady, protective, and absolutely gone for her. From flirty banter behind the bar to gut-punch moments that made me cry while writing, these two characters tested every limit I could throw at them.
Tropes you’ll find inside:
✨ Second chance romance
💥 Friends to lovers
💔 A traumatic event that almost ruins everything
👀 He falls first
🍸 Bartender x Big Brother’s Best Friend
If you love a romance that simmers with unresolved tension, raw emotion, and a little drama sprinkled like salt on the rim of a glass… this one’s for you. 💜
Love,
Harper
May 28, 2025
“𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕒𝕝𝕨𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕗𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕒𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕞𝕖, 𝔹. 𝕀’𝕞 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕘𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖.”
This was my first Harper Rae James book and will not be my last, I didn’t read book 1 of the series but I was still able to follow along and I will still go back.
Blake has decided that she wants something more from relationships and after a bad one night stand at her friend’s wedding she has decided to swear off men. Of coarse as luck would have her best friend’s recently divorced brother she has had a crush on since a teenager has moved back home. A meeting by chance brings many emotions to the surface they are both fighting, but when they give in it is electric.
These two are perfect together such a great story cannot wait to see who is next.
~~What to Expect~~
🥃Best Friend’s Brother
🥃Age Gap *12 Years*
🥃Found Family
🥃Forced Proximity
🥃One Bed
🥃Doctor MMC
🥃Miscommunication
🥃Mutual Years of Pining
~~Quote~~
🩺What are the odds you would literally fall into my lap after all this time?
🩺Who knew there were so many uses for gummy bears.
This was my first Harper Rae James book and will not be my last, I didn’t read book 1 of the series but I was still able to follow along and I will still go back.
Blake has decided that she wants something more from relationships and after a bad one night stand at her friend’s wedding she has decided to swear off men. Of coarse as luck would have her best friend’s recently divorced brother she has had a crush on since a teenager has moved back home. A meeting by chance brings many emotions to the surface they are both fighting, but when they give in it is electric.
These two are perfect together such a great story cannot wait to see who is next.
~~What to Expect~~
🥃Best Friend’s Brother
🥃Age Gap *12 Years*
🥃Found Family
🥃Forced Proximity
🥃One Bed
🥃Doctor MMC
🥃Miscommunication
🥃Mutual Years of Pining
~~Quote~~
🩺What are the odds you would literally fall into my lap after all this time?
🩺Who knew there were so many uses for gummy bears.
June 13, 2025
I thought I was going to love this based on the premise, but unfortunately the writing quality is what made this harder for me to get through. Off the bat the main character is inconsistent. She says she takes issue with people who sl_t shame and then goes on to internalize it towards herself thinking maybe her friend is right when she says "if you give them all the goods up front, what do they have to look forward to?" This character just never seems to become self aware.
I can appreciate a guy who falls first and hard but I wonder if this would've been better without his POV. The push/pull of what is supposed to be their attraction ended up just feeling a bit immature when they purposefully lie to each other. The other man drama also just didn't really work for me personally. Miscommunication with side characters isn't my fav.
Thank you to Good Girls PR for the eARC, I'm glad I gave this a chance!
I can appreciate a guy who falls first and hard but I wonder if this would've been better without his POV. The push/pull of what is supposed to be their attraction ended up just feeling a bit immature when they purposefully lie to each other. The other man drama also just didn't really work for me personally. Miscommunication with side characters isn't my fav.
Thank you to Good Girls PR for the eARC, I'm glad I gave this a chance!
June 19, 2025
This is book two in Twist of Fate, and first book I’ve read by this author. And you better believe I’m going back to read the first.
We have two MCs going through tough moments. Blake, one who has been okay with ONS, now is struggling with self confidence and has decided to swear off men. Luke is in a loveless marriage and going through a divorce. Both having trust issues. And then running into each other again, as Luke is the older brother of Blake’s best friend
I enjoyed the author’s writing style. She captivated from the start. I loved how she incorporated 90’s music in each chapter, took me back. The chemistry between the two was unmistakable. And the pining, whew, they had me cheesing and kicking my feet. The pacing was perfect and the spice was so good! I thoroughly enjoyed Blake and Luke’s story, and if you enjoy a small town romance with best friend’s older brother, this book will be a favorite!
We have two MCs going through tough moments. Blake, one who has been okay with ONS, now is struggling with self confidence and has decided to swear off men. Luke is in a loveless marriage and going through a divorce. Both having trust issues. And then running into each other again, as Luke is the older brother of Blake’s best friend
I enjoyed the author’s writing style. She captivated from the start. I loved how she incorporated 90’s music in each chapter, took me back. The chemistry between the two was unmistakable. And the pining, whew, they had me cheesing and kicking my feet. The pacing was perfect and the spice was so good! I thoroughly enjoyed Blake and Luke’s story, and if you enjoy a small town romance with best friend’s older brother, this book will be a favorite!
October 17, 2025
Blake getting her happy ending was truly so freakin cute. Luke, 12 years her senior, went through a divorce, leaving a loveless marriage, which allows him and Blake to finally express the long-standing feelings they have had for one another for years. She leaves her shitty job to open up her own bar and bookstore, and he’s a doctor. Both have trauma to overcome, but are forced to deal with it, even as everything comes to the forefront, the night of the soft opening of the bar.
Blake was the one with all the advice for Ana in book 1, so Ana got to be the one with all the advice for Blake this time around. She was learning to navigate everything while also trying to fix her friendship with her best friend, April, Luke’s little sister. Getting to see the back and forth between Blake and Luke’s POVs was amazing. Dual POV’s are my absolute favorite, and knowing that he longed for her just as much as she did for him...swoon. I’m hella interested to see what happens now with Cash and April.
Blake was the one with all the advice for Ana in book 1, so Ana got to be the one with all the advice for Blake this time around. She was learning to navigate everything while also trying to fix her friendship with her best friend, April, Luke’s little sister. Getting to see the back and forth between Blake and Luke’s POVs was amazing. Dual POV’s are my absolute favorite, and knowing that he longed for her just as much as she did for him...swoon. I’m hella interested to see what happens now with Cash and April.
May 25, 2025
“Love is not just being there for people how they want you, it’s being there in the ways they need you, even if it’s difficult and creates friction.”
I’m an avid Dark Romance reader, with the occasional Contemporary read. Didn’t think this was my jam in the beginning but it grew on me!
There were so many beautiful moments that I absolutely adored. All the realistic relationship and family challenges. The ones that I know I have faced once or twice in my lifetime. Being an independent person such as Blake and having a hard time letting someone in your heart. You can’t help but resonate with her. She’s perfectly, imperfect and that’s what made this story so beautiful!
My heartstrings were being pulled every which way. The relationship between Blake and Luke, it was a reminder that in order for relationships to flourish, both sides must be willing to put in the work seeing what one another sees and give each other grace.
The biggest critique I had was that there were some moments in the book, where some things Luke would say or do were slightly cheesy. I just didn’t love his character as much as I did Blake. I still appreciated so many other great things this book had to offer.
Enjoyable read Overall, a heartfelt story with some good spice. ✨
Thank you Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the ARC! I look forward to reading more of your book’s!
I’m an avid Dark Romance reader, with the occasional Contemporary read. Didn’t think this was my jam in the beginning but it grew on me!
There were so many beautiful moments that I absolutely adored. All the realistic relationship and family challenges. The ones that I know I have faced once or twice in my lifetime. Being an independent person such as Blake and having a hard time letting someone in your heart. You can’t help but resonate with her. She’s perfectly, imperfect and that’s what made this story so beautiful!
My heartstrings were being pulled every which way. The relationship between Blake and Luke, it was a reminder that in order for relationships to flourish, both sides must be willing to put in the work seeing what one another sees and give each other grace.
The biggest critique I had was that there were some moments in the book, where some things Luke would say or do were slightly cheesy. I just didn’t love his character as much as I did Blake. I still appreciated so many other great things this book had to offer.
Enjoyable read Overall, a heartfelt story with some good spice. ✨
Thank you Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the ARC! I look forward to reading more of your book’s!
May 21, 2025
Blake is unlucky in love and wrestling with self-doubt after an ill-fated one-night stand with Cash. While browsing a bookstore, she literally falls into Luke's lap. He is the older brother of her high school friend and her old crush. He's recently divorced and looking to resettle at a new job. They reacquaint with each other through their love of reading.
It's a cute, he falls first (really bad) and she is the hesitant-one story. There is a miscommunication trope with Cash and I kinda bad for the guy.
Overall, this is a quick and fun summer-type read with likeable characters.
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Age gap - twelve year difference
miscommunication trope
A bit of other man drama with Cash
It's a cute, he falls first (really bad) and she is the hesitant-one story. There is a miscommunication trope with Cash and I kinda bad for the guy.
Overall, this is a quick and fun summer-type read with likeable characters.
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Age gap - twelve year difference
miscommunication trope
A bit of other man drama with Cash
June 3, 2025
“This Time Around” ARC review
I want to thank ‘Good Girls PR’ and Harper’s team for the Arc. I enjoyed this shorter story and finished it in one sitting. This book definitely explores intimacy, so I’d recommend to look out for that if you’re not that into spice cuz… it was definitely givingggg. One thing about Luke is he is gonna throughly enjoy giving Blake what she needs emotionally, intimately, and overall supportive of her journey and accomplishments.
I’d say this book is a good short and sweet summer read. I rate it a 7, only because I would’ve liked to see more depth in Blake & Luke’s personal stories. I know this is part of a series so who knows what the rest of it includes of them. Also the ending felt pretty abrupt…
I want to thank ‘Good Girls PR’ and Harper’s team for the Arc. I enjoyed this shorter story and finished it in one sitting. This book definitely explores intimacy, so I’d recommend to look out for that if you’re not that into spice cuz… it was definitely givingggg. One thing about Luke is he is gonna throughly enjoy giving Blake what she needs emotionally, intimately, and overall supportive of her journey and accomplishments.
I’d say this book is a good short and sweet summer read. I rate it a 7, only because I would’ve liked to see more depth in Blake & Luke’s personal stories. I know this is part of a series so who knows what the rest of it includes of them. Also the ending felt pretty abrupt…
June 3, 2025
This one is my favorite. I love how this is more real life scenarios about communication and how sometimes we are in our head. Which in turn we overthink things.
Blake learned how to be honest and communicate with her childhood best friend. When she learned to communicate with honesty and got out of her head things were not as bad as she thought they were. She has a very strong support system.
Luke had to learn even though he was trying to make things easier for Blake by not burdening her with his issues cause more heartache than necessary.
I love how Harper was able to display these emotional trials and conclusions to these trials with integrity and honesty.
Blake learned how to be honest and communicate with her childhood best friend. When she learned to communicate with honesty and got out of her head things were not as bad as she thought they were. She has a very strong support system.
Luke had to learn even though he was trying to make things easier for Blake by not burdening her with his issues cause more heartache than necessary.
I love how Harper was able to display these emotional trials and conclusions to these trials with integrity and honesty.
June 10, 2025
This was a cute and quick read. It followed Blake and Luke who have secretly had feelings for each other for years.
Blake has always been Luke’s little sister’s best friend but now he sees her as more. He just went through a messy divorce and wasn’t looking to get into anything serious. But when he runs into Blake at a bookstore they hit off.
It all happens really quickly. The spice is decent, the story is quick. A lot of it was to be expected. I was kind of thrown off by the whole April and Cash relationship it was almost as if she was trying to get back at her best friend for dating her brother.
But if you are looking for a book that makes you feel warm and fuzzy this is a cute read.
Blake has always been Luke’s little sister’s best friend but now he sees her as more. He just went through a messy divorce and wasn’t looking to get into anything serious. But when he runs into Blake at a bookstore they hit off.
It all happens really quickly. The spice is decent, the story is quick. A lot of it was to be expected. I was kind of thrown off by the whole April and Cash relationship it was almost as if she was trying to get back at her best friend for dating her brother.
But if you are looking for a book that makes you feel warm and fuzzy this is a cute read.
May 23, 2025
3.75⭐️⭐️⭐️
This Time Around is a tender and emotionally resonant romance about second chances and rediscovery. Harper Rae James creates relatable characters and heartfelt moments that make the story feel authentic and warm. The chemistry is strong, the dialogue is natural, and the pacing keeps you engaged from start to finish. Perfect for fans of small-town love stories with emotional depth.
This book is a small town love story with emotional depth between Luke and Blake. The characters are relatable.
This Time Around is a tender and emotionally resonant romance about second chances and rediscovery. Harper Rae James creates relatable characters and heartfelt moments that make the story feel authentic and warm. The chemistry is strong, the dialogue is natural, and the pacing keeps you engaged from start to finish. Perfect for fans of small-town love stories with emotional depth.
This book is a small town love story with emotional depth between Luke and Blake. The characters are relatable.
May 28, 2025
Thank You Good Girls PR and Harper Rae James for the ARC
This Time Around is book two of the Twist of Fate series. I read This Can’t be the End(book one), so I was excited to receive this as an ARC.
Harper Rae James has the ability to make her characters feel like real people going through real problems. I felt every emotion from both characters, and oftentimes I just wanted to reach out and hug them. Thank you Harper Rae James for writing books with rawness, emotion, and spice!
As Always, check for trigger warnings before reading
This Time Around is book two of the Twist of Fate series. I read This Can’t be the End(book one), so I was excited to receive this as an ARC.
Harper Rae James has the ability to make her characters feel like real people going through real problems. I felt every emotion from both characters, and oftentimes I just wanted to reach out and hug them. Thank you Harper Rae James for writing books with rawness, emotion, and spice!
As Always, check for trigger warnings before reading
May 29, 2025
4.5 stars I loved this book, the spice was hitting all the right points, the characters were well written, but I felt were missing a little development but not by much. Like it just a tad shy of being perfect 5 stars for me. this book was spicy right from the jump and I am here for it! This book was a drastic change from the first book. I was kind of looking for the heartbreak but it never came like it did in book one, but that's okay. I still really loved this book!
Thank you Good Girls PR for the eARC!
Thank you Good Girls PR for the eARC!
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