Deal Breaker

Deep Cove Millionaires Club #1

by Lily Miller

I came back to Deep Cove with a 6-year-old secret and a million memories I’ve tried hard to forget. But I’ve never been able to forget him.
Ford Winters is more than just my ex. He’s my first love. He’s the only man I’ve ever truly given my heart to. He’s also the father of a little girl he doesn’t even know exists.
I didn’t plan on coming back home, but when I found out my mom needed me, I didn’t hesitate. So here we are, my daughter Poppy and I, back in the place where I left my shattered heart all those years ago.
What I didn’t expect? Walking into the office of my new perfect-on-paper marketing job to discover Ford owns the multi-million dollar company. He won’t even look at me. He’s furious, and he has every right to be after I walked out of his life without even a goodbye. But I need this job, and the company needs me, so we’re going to have to make this work.
Easier said than done.
The pull between us is magnetic. The tension is impossible to ignore. Every second we spend together is fire, and when he finally kisses me, I’m reminded why my heart has always been his.
But when I see how kind and sweet Ford is with my daughter—our daughter—it makes the guilt inside me twist like a knife. If he knew the real reason I walked away from him, if he knew the secret I still can’t bring myself to reveal, he would never forgive me.
I can’t keep the truth from him for much longer, but how do I tell him without losing everything?

A second-chance romance with a secret baby twist. Ford built an empire. Landyn broke his heart. Now she's back with a daughter he didn't know existed.

Genres: Second Chance, Forced Proximity, Small Town Romance, Found Family, Second Chance Romance, Contemporary, Workplace Romance

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2025

About the author

Contemporary romance author writing sweet, steamy happily ever afters with swoon-worthy heroes and confident, sexy heroines. Romace reads are my happly place. XO

Reviews

[Amanda Bennett · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

I have to be honest... I don't think I've ever disliked a character more than I disliked Landyn. The reason she left and NEVER reached out to Ford and continued keeping it from me when she came back WAS NOT ENOUGH. There was absolutely no reason for it. She kept his daughter from him for 6 years... 6 YEARS... because she was scared? No. Just no.

THENNNNN they get back together and she continues to keep it from him!? He has to find out by seeing her!! It was 60% in before he even found out about his own daughter! I kept pushing through, thinking maybe there's a good reason for it... But I honestly wish I had DNF'd it because I was just pissed off the whole time.

Ford is honestly the only character I even liked. I feel his reaction was justified and it was so sweet to finally see him be able to connect with his daughter.

[Joey | Fiction.and.Friction · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disappointed with this story. I was beyond frustrated with Landyn’s choices. She had about 10,000 opportunities to let the man know he had a child, and she chose sex over being honest every time. For more than half the book, she kept him in the dark. Her reasoning for leaving all those years ago was flimsy at best. 23 is absolutely old enough to take responsibility for a child.

Ford’s reaction when he found out the truth was completely justified, and I respected him for standing his ground. But then he turned right around and forgave her almost immediately. It felt a little too easy, considering how big of a betrayal it was.
Honestly, the last third of the book became a rage read for me. I was too frustrated with the characters’ decisions to enjoy it.

I also had issues with the side characters. The outspoken Black woman and the sassy gay guy felt like tired stereotypes rather than fully developed individuals.

I received an eARC from the author.

[Bri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read but honestly the longer it went on without Landyn telling Ford about their child, the more I lost interest. Her reasoning wasn't the best but that was fine with me, but the dragging it out as I waited for the dramatic falling out over it, just made me stop caring? Maybe a me issue about that but by the time the revelation came I was already skimming and just rushed to the end.

[Jamie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFd February 28th, 2026 at 71% (263 pages).

I don't even know what to say about this book. I didn't mind the writing or the characters, but it felt very one-sided. The FMC doesn't ever tell the MMC he has a kid - he finds out on his own at 60%, and I ended up DNFing when I did because I could tell he was already going to forgive her, and to be honest, I didn't want that. I get that the FMC was scared, but that wasn't good enough of an excuse, in my opinion. 23 is old enough to pull up your big girl panties and talk to your partner, not run away. And since the book takes place when the FMC is 30....well, 30 is old enough to not push off telling said person he's a father, especially after having sex. Come on.

[Anne Mitchell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not going to lie. I wanted to like this book, it’s why I signed up for the ARC, but I almost DNF’d it at 9% when Landyn tells us that she disappeared with Ford’s baby in her belly because she was scared and didn’t think he was ready, and I continued to convince myself to keep reading despite wanting to quit. I HATE Landyn for the way she treats Ford throughout the entire book.

I get being scared to own up to your mistakes. I get being scared that someone is going to hate you for the decisions you made, but Ford deserved SOOO much better than the way Landyn treated him. I genuinely liked Ford’s character. I think he had depth and had every reason to act the way he did in the beginning, but he deserves so much better than Landyn.

One of my favorite parts of secret baby novels is getting to see the connection grow between the dad and his child, but we didn’t get that because Ford didn’t even find out about Poppy until over 60% in, and Landyn didn’t even tell him, he saw Poppy and asked the right questions. You get a little glimpse into the connection between Poppy and Ford but it’s so fast, tucked into the end.

Ford forgave her WAYYY too easily. He lost so much time with his daughter, and within three months of finding out he’s forgiven her, they’re engaged and moving in together?? It just feels unrealistic, even for a romance novel.

Like I said, I wanted to love this book, secret baby is one of my favorite tropes, but Landyn’s reasoning for leaving and the fact that she allowed him to fall for her again before telling him about their baby, just turned me off. Ford deserved better than the hand he was dealt. So did Poppy, honestly.

I should have DNF’d, but I just kept holding out hope that it would get better, but it just didn’t…

[Karacin Lane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m all for a secret pregnancy, but only if it’s from a one night stand and they MC’s like forgot to exchange numbers or something. Not the FMC GHOSTING the MMC because “he would have put her first over the company he was starting.” THEY WERE IN LOVE AND PLANNING A POTENTIAL FUTURE! I could not get over that. And then she took forever to actually tell him when she did come back…7 YEARS LATER…. Not once in that whole time did she tell him? And then slept with him after coming back AND STILL DIDNT TELL HIM FOR WEEKS!! And her mom kept saying she needed to tell him!!

Then! He just like forgives her so quickly after that??? THE HECK!!

I just couldn’t do the plot. I finished it, the author can actually write really well. It flowed great, but the plot was just not it.

I received this book as an ARC.

[Shannai]

For the sake of not wanting to raise my blood pressure, I'm DNFing this at 35%. There is so much to love about this; second chance, all the angst and tension, a great mmc! Honestly, I was really looking forward to this, but I'm so frustrated; I've never disliked a fmc more. Ford was great, loved him. What wasn't great, was Landyn. I'm sorry but I cannot even get my head around some of the choices she made when it came to their child, what do you mean you kept the daughter that you had a secret for seven years because you were scared??

It wasn't like they had a one-night stand, they were dating and building a life together; they were young, sure, but how can you honestly think that you'd be better of raising a child singlehandedly, without telling your boyfriend that he was going to be a father. Sorry, and her parents just let her leave? Am I missing something here?!

I don't know how Ford found it in him to forgive her for that; for robbing him for six years of his daughter's life. That's time he won't ever get back. All because she was scared, and made a decision on Ford's behalf, to have their baby alone, without even consulting him.

I wouldn't have minded anything else for the secret baby reveal; a sickness, someone paying her off to leave town, literally anything, but being scared is not a justifiable reason to keep a baby a secret from your boyfriend. And even when Landyn was back in Ford's life, she was working for him, and she was still scared to tell him, yet she told their co-workers about their daughter before him. Actual mind games, you cannot convince me this isn’t sociopathic behaviour.

[Madzieł · Rating 4 out of 5]

[ARC]
🗃️ Pierwsze rozdziały, jakie układają się przed nami, są z perspektywy Forda Wintersa, który wraz ze swoimi braćmi prowadzi w Deep Cove firmę o nazwie Cove. Zajmuje się ona tworzeniem ubrań stworzonych do trekkingu, ale też do chodzenia po mieście. Głównny zamiar to techniczna odzież wierzchnia o luksusowym wykończeniu. Ford, Jesse, Noah i Wes można powiedzieć, że włożyli w tę firmę wszystko, co mieli. Praktycznie wylali na niej dużo krwi, łez i potu, dodając, że w przeszłości nie przelewało im się, zwłaszcza przez ojca alkoholika.

👠Jak to każda firma może stanąć w ogniu krytyki, czy problemów. Niestety świat krąży wokół tabloidów i artykułów, które się przyjmują i ktoś musi pomóc Cove. Ktoś z innej firmy na przykład na zlecenie. I wtedy pośród spotkania Forda z braćmi, słyszy stukot szpilek zbliżający się do drzwi, co jest niespotykane w Cove, ponieważ każdy z pracowników wybiera wygodę. Kiedy Ford podnosi wzrok, krzyżuje go tym samym z Landyn Sinclair - jego byłą dziewczyną, która wróciła po siedmiu latach z dala od niego i Deep Cove. Nie jest to miłe ponowne spotkanie, zwłaszcza że to Landyn zniknęła z dnia na dzień i nie było to spowodowane kłótnią ani niczym podobnym. Zostawiło to go w rozsypce i teraz sam nie wie, co ma teraz czuć.

👪 Cały wątek powrotu Landyn jest owiany niewiedzą i początkowo Ford nie chce za bardzo narzucać jej, że ma on prawo wiedzieć, dlaczego zniknęła z dnia na dzień, ale dalej zagłębiając się w Deal Breaker, możemy poczuć, że ta niewiedza bardzo się odbija na nim, bo pomimo tych pocałunków, czy czegoś więcej, coś blokuje Landyn przed drugą szansą, która czeka tylko na zgodę ich obydwóch.

✉️ Co do refleksji muszę powiedzieć, że gryzł mi się jeden schemat, w którym to pośród tylu pięknych chwil spędzonych przez Forda i Landyn po jej powrocie do miasta, tych wspólnych wyjść w dwójkę i wspominaniu wspólnej przeszłości, dawnych nawyków, to niestety te przerywniki bardzo burzyły taką determinację Landyn do powiedzenia w końcu całkowitej prawdy Fordowi. Dodam tylko, że Poppy nie jest czymś, co można ukryć, albo pomyśleć, że jeśli dłużej się będzie zwlekać z tym że jest jeszcze czas. To było jednak 7 lat. Zawsze, gdy Landyn już miała powiedzieć, to zawsze coś wskoczyło, żeby przeszkodzić, czy to telefon, czy coś innego. Dlatego trochę mnie to irytowało i przeżywałam każdą taką scenę, ponieważ bałam się, że będzie ból. I był. Ford gdzieś w zakopanej pracą głębi siebie, nadal ją kocha, a teraz kiedy dodatkowo pracuje w jego firmie, widzą się praktycznie codziennie, więc ciężko jest zapomnieć o tym, co było.

🛏️ Co do scen 18+ to, pomimo że było ich kilka pojawiających się na przestrzeni książki, to Lily zrobiła dobry krok, ponieważ nie było jednego takiego dość sztampowego planu, jaki może się pojawić w trakcie sprzeczki czy czegoś więcej, czyli seks na zgodę. I to naprawdę pokazało, że poczucie obdarcia osoby z życia, jakie mógł mieć z osobami, które kocha i by pokochał, wygrywa nad pożądaniem i nie daje pozwolić na właśnie wspomniany seks na pogodzenie, czy coś w tym stylu.

[Kayla | Kayla Reads Smut · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to be honest, I have been struggling with how I want to rate this book. And I think I have come to the conclusion that my rating has a lot to due with the narration of this one. Deal Breaker is Dual Narration by Andi Eloise and Ryan Lee Dunlap. While Andi and Ryan did a fine job with their narration, it was the narration of the opposite sex that truly took me out of the story. Ryan attempting to narrate a female was like nails on a chalkboard that gave me a massive ick. It was he was cosplaying a female and I just couldn't get into the story.

I honestly think if I eyeball read this one, I would have felt differently. So with that being said, unless the audio for the next book is in duet narration, I will eyeball read it. This was my first Lily Miller read and I don't want my impression of her writing to affect me picking up anther book. So I will be giving her another shot with the next book in this series because the next brother has me intrigued with his personality and the easter eggs that were laid out in this book.

Now as for the story itself, I was intrigued with the tropes on this one. Mainly the trope of secret baby. And I will say, I started off invested but the story lost me with the FMCs reasoning for keeping her pregnancy and child a secret. I felt like it wasn't a valid enough reason to carry a full plot line. And I didn't like how long she kept it a secret. Like I started feeling bad for Ford and I felt like he shouldn't have forgiven her as easily as he had. I low key wish this one was a little more messy with him finding out about the child earlier and her having to grovel.

I also didn’t connect with either character like I had hoped. Like I said Landyn’s reasoning made me just wanna yell at her. And I felt for Ford because he lost years of his life with his daughter because of something stupid.

So yeah I think this rating was multifactorial for me. I still wanna give Lily another shot and I think the next book in this series I will eyeball read.

[Marrissa Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! Lily had me at secret baby, it’s one of my favorite tropes! I can’t help it, I love the angst and drama that always accompanies it. And Lily wrote a fun take on it. Ford was so mad at Landyn after she disappeared on him seven years ago, but he just can’t resist her! He doesn’t want to get involved but he is helpless, he loves her so much. And when Poppy enters his life, he is immediately the best dad. I loved the workplace dynamics and how she was there to help save his business. I definitely had tears in my eyes a couple of times, this is an emotional second chance that will tug on your heartstrings in the best way.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇣
Small west coast town
Second chance
Single mom
Workplace
Secret baby
Found family
Dual POV
Spice

[Presh Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book took me through all of the emotions.

This pulled on my heartstrings more than I expected to. Deal Breaker was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint. Following Landyn + Ford. Landyn left deep cove seven years ago with a secret only now returning to be closer to home and clean up the image of Cove…. where Ford is the CEO! The tension and angst this book brought was amazing!

While this book had a secret baby aspect, not something I personally agree on, keeping a child from their parent (under circumstances I get) but while it’s not something I agree on- how Lily was able to write this tough topic with grace is commendable.

Something about a second chance that’ll get me weeping.

Thank you so much Lily for entrusting me to read this as an eArc! Forever grateful for you! 🫶🏽

[Vriii · Rating 1 out of 5]

My Favorite Chapter? The first one.
My Favorite Scene? Ford’s introduction in the first chapter.
My Favorite Part? The first 1% of the book.
My Favorite Character? Ford — without a doubt.
Because honestly, after the second chapter, everything went downhill for me.

When I found out that Layden kept a secret from Ford — that she left him without any explanation just because she thought he wasn’t ready for a baby and because she was scared of being a mom at 23 — I was furious. I repeat, 23! In our country, people at 23 are already parents of a five-year-old or even have two kids. I get it, fear is real, but leaving him because of assumptions? Because of vague impressions you have in your head? How does that even make sense?

I know reviews are important — they’re like gold for authors — and I usually try to be fair, but I can’t hold this one back. I’m writing this because I am ferociously frustrated. After chapter two, I started skimming through pages, just waiting for the moment she’d finally tell Ford the truth. Guess what? It came at 60% of the book.

She had time to do everything else — spend time with him, laugh with him, even share a physical relationship with him — but somehow never found the right moment to reveal something so huge? I can’t.

The thing I hate the most in accidental pregnancy or second-chance romances is when one character makes life-changing decisions for the other. You can’t decide for a child. You can’t decide for a parent. You can’t keep a child away from their father — and that’s exactly what Layden did.
By 60%, I had to stop reading. I knew if I kept going, my anger would surpass all limits.

So, thank you for the story — but no, I didn’t like the book. Not at all.

[Ariana Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review
Deal Breaker by Lily Miller
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)

Lily Miller’s Deal Breaker is an emotional, heart-tugging second-chance romance that kept me hooked from the first page. It’s a story about love, secrets, forgiveness, and the unshakable bond of family.

The novel follows Landyn, who returns to her hometown of Deep Cove with her daughter, Poppy, and a past she’s tried to bury. Her return brings her face-to-face with Ford Winters, her first love, her heartbreak, and the man who doesn’t yet know he’s a father. What unfolds is a deeply emotional journey of two people confronting their history, facing their pain, and rediscovering the love that never truly faded.

Miller captures the raw intensity between Landyn and Ford beautifully. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the tension between them makes every interaction electric. The stakes feel real because the secret Landyn has kept for six years isn’t just about her. It’s about Poppy, too.

One of my favorite parts of the book and the most heartwarming is when Ford and Landyn finally tell Poppy that Ford is her dad. Her innocent response, saying she already loves him before even knowing the truth, is both touching and powerful. It perfectly reflects the heart of this story: love that is pure, unconditional, and healing.
Deal Breaker is more than a romance, it’s a story about second chances, family, and learning to trust again. Fans of small-town love stories, emotional reunions, and tender family moments will absolutely fall in love with this book.

[Issy · Rating 4 out of 5]

[ARC REVIEW]

Ford and Landyn’s story is one of second chances. A story full of longing, hurt, and guilt, but rooted in love.

The thing about second chance romances is it gives a different kind of pain.

You know that feeling when you’re picking at a scab wound that’s beginning to heal? the pain from the wound isn’t as great now as it used to be, but as the scab tears once more, it causes fresh pain from the wound all over again? It’s that kind of pain, and Lily Miller does it really well.

From those little moments between Ford and Landyn where they seem to easily fall back to what once was, to the dialogue that is crisp and delicate in its pain and tenderness—there was so much hope and love amidst the hurt and guilt.

Ford and Landyn are a testament when one says love endures all things. Love may have been the reason they slipped through each other’s hands, but in the end it was love that brought them back together. Because this time, they won’t miss out on forever again.

tropes:
❤️‍🩹 second chance
🏡 small town romance
👶 secret child
🫂 found family

Reviews are all of my own opinion!

[Taylor Gonser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you soooo much to Lily Miller for this ARC!! Landyn knows how to commit to the bit that’s for sure. It was really sweet to see them come back together and relearn each other again. Poppy was such a great addition! I do wish it was a bit more of a slowburn because I think it would have been fun (or is the right word masochistic… anyways!) to watch Ford fight his feelings a little longer but overall I enjoyed it! Excited to read Jesse’s story next!!

[Nic29 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Landyn’s reasons for doing what she did were BS. As if you could forgive her. Don’t even get me started on her telling her two new colleagues she had a kid before the father (their boss!!)

[maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thank you to Lily Miller for having me be apart of her ARC team for the release of Deal Breaker! I loved being a part of the team!!

This was a 4 star read for me and I really did enjoy this! This was also my first Lily Miller book and she made a fan of me pretty quickly. I look forward to reading more of her work!

This book follows Landyn and Ford reconnecting after seven years apart after Landyn fled without a word. Landyn had her reasons for running and personally, I hated why she ran but as the story progressed I understood. This did feel like a second chance romance done well! I am really picky about my second chance romances so me saying this was well done is a big deal.

I think that all the characters were written really well, dynamics were fantastic and I loved the relationships between all characters! Ford and Poppy really stole the show for me! I loved them. However, I did not really relate to Landyn 😳 so parts of the story from Landyn’s POV were difficult for me. This does not mean that I don’t think that Landyn wasn’t written well! I just found myself angry with her and judging her for her actions 🫢. Going off of that, I think Lily did good at writing the conflict and the character’s emotions. It felt like their emotions were bleeding out of my Kindle… I might have cried… multiple times… carrying on.

The storyline hooked me immediately! I will say that I think the first half felt a little slow but the second half felt well paced! The main reason I did not give this five stars was because I firmly believe that the storyline could have been enhanced by having some flashbacks! I think I could have related so much more with Landyn if I had some flashbacks so I could have been in her head when she made the decisions she did. Does that make sense? I think flashbacks could have also helped the first half of the book feeling slow to me.

Would I suggest this to a friend? Yes. Would I reread this? Probably. Will I carry on with the series? Yes. Do I need a trophy? Yes, I would like one but I’m not in a rush to acquire it lol.

⚠️ Here is my unhinged reading notes! Please proceed with caution as there may be minor spoilers ahead! ⚠️

Do we believe that this is actually the full reason why she left? Because this feels weak.
Their little convo at the gala 😭 I am weak.
Omg the present 😭 I need to pull it together.
Why is she telling people about her secret before she tells Ford?? I’m pissed.
She shouldn’t even be entertaining them guessing if she doesn’t want them to figure out that she has a past with Ford 💀💀
“You don’t have to thank me for remembering what you like.” I would be a puddle for Ford.
Ford can get it.
STG if she sleeps with him before telling him, I’m throwing the Kindle LOL.
@ 42% *fist pumping* but also mad at you girl! Why aren’t you telling him???
*rolls eyes* girl, I am not agreeing with your life choices 😂
Me?? I’m still mad at Landyn for STILL not telling Ford.
OMG SHE STILL HAS NOT TOLD HIM??? I want to slap her seven ways to Sunday!!
*Throws Kindle* I act like this Kindle is indestructible 💀
I am so mad at you girlypop.
You know what Ford, you are 100% right and your feelings are validated! I am your biggest cheerleader rn.
Landyn is insufferable with how she is handling this. Ford is perfect though.
@ 86% I might be crying. Cannot confirm or deny. But might be.
Still might be crying but carry on pls.
Well my emotions are under control now. Goodbye.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated reads for September. I love Lily’s writing and I will read anything she writes, grocery lists, to do lists, drafts, anything. This book was just as good as all her others!

This book follows Landyn and Ford. They dated in college, they were in love and Ford believed they were end game. But Landyn just up and left one day and cut off all contact. Now, seven years later Landyn has returned and now she works at Ford’s company. Ford wants to avoid her and hate her but he also can’t stay away from her. But Landyn is keeping a huge secret from Ford, her 6 year old daughter, and Ford is her father. When he finds out, he might just hate her all over again.

I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. It was angsty and swoony and I didn’t want it to end. Ford and Landyn were so drawn to each other but both tried to hold themselves back. Ford wanted so bad to hate her, but he couldn’t. He wanted to stay away but he kept finding himself near her. Landyn’s secret held her back from Ford, but like him, she couldn’t resist.

Lily did such a beautiful job of writing the emotions in this book, the guilt that Landyn felt, keeping his daughter from him. The heartbreak and the longing they both felt. It was all masterfully written and I felt all of it!

I also loved Ford’s brothers they were each so different from each other and really added to the love story of Ford and Landyn. I am so excited we get to live in Deep Cove for a while!

If you love second chances and small town romances you need to add this to your TBR! Thank you to Lily Miller for my ARC of this book, Deal Breaker is out today!!

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

I received a review copy and these are my thoughts:

I flew through this book! I love a second chance romance. Add a secret child and you’ve caught my attention. What I loved about Deal Breaker: the chemistry between Landyn and Ford - it was so hot! The tension in the air when their paths crossed again was palpable and so intense, and the slow burn was delicious.

About the second chance romance: it seemed Ford and Landyn were headed straight to happily ever after but we were hit with a curve ball once the secret child was revealed - be still my beating, anxious heart! Landyn and Ford’s love ran so deep they were inevitable. But they also proved that you have to put in the work to make a relationship work.

The reasons Landyn had for leaving didn’t quite hit the spot for me, though they did make sense. I also wish she hadn’t taken so long to tell Ford about Poppy.

Poppy was adorable and a total daddy’s girl. I loved how Ford’s siblings were there to help him though the tougher moments.

I loved the settings, with the coast and the mountains as the backdrop. The picture painted of the building housing Cove (Ford’s business), his house, Landyn’s costal cottage and the quaint small town was beautifully written.

If you like a soulmate coded, second chance romance, check this book out!

[Spice: 2.5-3/5]

[IG | TorturedHeroesDept · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

If you love Laura Pavlov, Elsie Silver, and Kristen Proby then Lily Miller is the author for you. She is an insta-buy for me (just like those 3!)

Lily put my emotions through the wringer with this book. I was yelling at Landyn to just tell him already. I understood her fear that he would hate her for it, but that’s just the consequence of her choice! When you have a secret like that the longer you hold onto it the harder it is to come clean because of the enormity of it all. I also understood the concern for Poppy but she knew Ford and knew he wasn’t going to kidnap their child or something. I think that she convinced herself she was doing it to protect him when she was young, she convinced herself she was protecting Poppy when she came back, but truly it was protecting herself from losing him forever. She walked away so he couldn’t. If he had straight up said he didn’t want kids I could have understood where she was coming from more but he didn’t.

I only took the .5 star off because I felt he forgave her too quickly. I get he is just completely down bad in love with her, but she needed to grovel more. He forgave her too quickly when she came back into town too and then he forgave her without ever even getting answers.

What You’ll Get:

It’s Always Been You
Second-Chance Romance
Secret (from him) Child
Workplace Romance
Small Town
Found Family

[Carrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Lily for the gifted audiobook!

Deal Breaker follows Ford and Landyn’s second chance love stay and it was the sweetest! Ford is a grumpy, closed off billionaire who is still holding a grudge against his first love, Landyn. Landyn returns to their small town of Deep Cove to help care for her parents, but what Ford doesn’t know is she is returning with a secret.. and the reason she left all those years ago.

Y’all, I love a secret baby situation and this one was SO GOOD. I loved Ford and Landyn’s journey to find love again. I love that they found love with each other again before Ford learned about his daughter. The chemistry between them was undeniable throughout the whole book… you could cut the tension with a knife! I also loved all of the side characters, especially Ford’s brothers—I especially fell in love with Jesse. I am so so excited to get all of their stories also.

If you have checked this series out yet, please do so! Book 1 and 2 are available now, with book 3 releasing soon!

🎧 This is a dual narration by Andi Eloise and Ryan Dunlap. They did a great job at portraying these characters and brought them to life so good!

[Lawlah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written, I was hooked from the very first chapter.

I loved the depth with which the author portrayed Ford’s pain. I felt every bit of it, and honestly, I was mad on his behalf. His love for Landyn was wholehearted and unwavering, even when (in my opinion) she didn’t always deserve it.

Landyn’s choices frustrated me, and some of her decisions just didn’t feel justifiable. (I can’t say more without spoiling, but when you read it, you’ll know exactly what I mean!) Personally, I don’t think she deserves a second chance because her actions showed a lack of trust and I couldn’t let that go.

That said, it’s been a long time since a book challenged me like this, and I truly enjoyed it. The second chance romance, small-town setting, surprise child trope, and well-written side characters all came together beautifully without overshadowing the main couple.

For me, this was a 4.75-star read, and I highly recommend it.

Huge thanks to the author for this ARC!

[lucialeelibros · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review ⭐⭐⭐/7.5

Thank you to author Lily Miller for this ARC. This was my first time reading her work, and honestly, I both liked and didn’t like this book.

The main characters, Ford and Landyn, were together seven years ago until she suddenly disappeared. Now she’s back, working at the company he owns, and—on top of that—she’s hiding a daughter from him. The premise is absolutely delicious, and I loved the setup.

What didn’t quite work for me was the reason behind her leaving. It felt illogical and even a bit selfish, which pulled me out of the story (maybe I’m just too rigid 😅). That said, I really enjoyed the little girl—she was adorable—and the dynamic she brought. I also loved Ford’s brothers and the hints of what’s to come in future books.

Overall, it was a read with highs and lows, but definitely with great potential. I’m curious to see what else this author has in store. Thanks again for the opportunity to read this ARC 💜

[Isabel Jarnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Lily for the ARC!

Ford Winters and Landyn Sinclair have history, and that history has a new chapter seven years later. Ford is the CEO of Cove, and Landyn is hired to help him and his brothers with PR.

I really enjoyed this second chance romance! Ford is the perfect mix of broody but also a secret softie. I loved watching him and Landyn get to know each other again. This was sweet, emotional, and made me feel all the feels.

Tropes:
second chance
small town
found family
single mom

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Lily for the Arc!🫶🏻
I loved reading Ford and Landyn’s story and could not put it down!
Unlike other romance novels I’ve read, this book was filled with emotion, kept me wondering what would happen next, and it being set in Canada was just an added bonus!
The single mom/billionaire tropes are two of my favourite, and Lily just nailed it with this book.

I CANNOT wait to read Jesse’s story 🥹

[Güera · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ Second chance romance

What a beautiful emotional story that’s raw and felt so real ! This book captured me from the moment I started reading it. I read this story in one sitting and it had me in all my feelings. Ford and Landyn’s story is a beautiful yet emotional story about second changes.

[Bev]

I absolutely despise a TSTL fmc that withholds the knowledge of a child from it's father.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

e-arc review

Thank you, Lily Miller, for the opportunity to read the first book in your new series. Landyn and Ford met at college, and it was a bit of instalove. Ford had all of these plans to help himself and his 3 brothers have a better life than they did as kids. Landyn always understood the plan but knew Ford would give it all up for her, so she left.

They run back into each other when Lan takes a job with his company to help work PR. They get close together again, but she's hiding that he's the dad to her 6 year old. I was a bit mad at landyn for keeping a secret for 6 years, but mostly for not telling him once things started progressing.

This was a cute story, and I loved once Ford found out he was a daddy and would've loved more of them together. This did have all the feels, though. I knew from the beginning that Jesse would likely be my favorite brother, and I'm so excited for his story next.

[Crystal Leblond · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review


I am obsessed with Landyn and Ford. Their stories was a bit infuriating with her not telling him a very big secret until he found out. That being said I don't think the yearning and angst would have been as good. The love he had for her all that time was all consuming. This book took me on an emotional journey!

All the men of Cove were very sweet! I can't wait to read about Jesse!

I look forward to reading this book over and over.

I would give the spice a 2.5/5.

[Taylor Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Haunted. Lost. Wrecked. Just like I felt back then. Only now, I’m not just broken over Landyn walking away. I’m broken over the little girl who never got to know me.”

This was such a great story! I especially loved how West Coast it felt- from the vibe of Cove to the small coastal town, right down to the dreary weather at times, it was perfect.

Landyn & Fords story is complicated, but in the best way. I loved the way they met & how they were connected with from the start. When it becomes clear why Landyn left 7 years ago, it all makes so much sense. You feel the hurt that her & Ford experience from the fallout of it all, and watching them rebuild their relationship was so beautiful & authentic.

If you love books with coastal towns, broody MMC’s, second chances & a reminder that sometimes leaving is the best thing to do, you’ll love Landyn & Ford’s story!

Thank you so much @authorlilymiller for the ARC 🩵