Zoey Holloway has always been mine, even when she didn’t know it. From high school when she was my little brother's best friend who I had a crush on, to now as a single mom with a sweet smile, quick wit, and a body worth worshiping, she’s had my heart.
After years of thinking it would never happen, we’re finally together, living the life I always dreamed of—except for one thing. The thing she doesn't know about. The thing I can never give her.
I tell myself it won't matter. She's not my ex. She'll love me no matter what. But as we grow closer and become more deeply entrenched in each other's lives, I start to wonder if that's true, or if she'll grow to resent me like my ex did.
More importantly, is that a chance I’m willing to take? With as much of myself as I’ve given her, could I survive if I lost her?
Can Luke and Zoey fight through their emotional baggage to have the kind of love they always dreamt of? Find out in this emotional and steamy friends to lovers fated romance.
Bethany Monaco Smith is a writer-mom. When she’s not busy hanging with her boys, she’s writing cozy small town romances with lots of heart, a bit of steam, and all the feels. She loves happily-ever-afters and cries at every emotional moment, whether reading, writing, or watching. When she’s not mom-ing or writing, you can find her binge-reading on Kindle Unlimited, spending too much time on Instagram, and supporting fellow indie authors. Bethany survives on coffee, rewatching the same TV shows over and over, and her KU subscription. She lives in the Southern Tier of NY with her husband and two sons. You can find out more about Bethany and what she’s working on next on Instagram @bethanymonacosmith
A small town, second chance romance where two life long friends who have had feelings for each other for years finally get their chance to be together.
Luke and Zoey's story is beautiful - they both secretly (or not so secretly to everyone but them) harbored feelings for each other since they were young, but wound up with other people. Years later, they're both single and can finally admit how they feel about each other. I absolutely loved seeing how their relationship grew. Luke is the perfect mix of tattooed hotness with a teddy bear side, and he's the perfect balance to the romance novelist and mom of two Zoey. Loved every minute of this book.
I am always a sucker for friends to lovers and second chance stories. Always Mine was definitely something I was looking forward to reading and I thoroughly enjoyed Luke and Zoey’s story.
From reading the first book in the series and seeing glimpses of their childhood, I could see how much the two of them liked each other and wanted nothing more than for both of them to come to their senses. After both of them divorce their significant other and take the time to get back on their own feet, their time to be in each other’s lives are finally there and it is obvious how much better suited they are for each other.
It was a cute story with some emotional aspects and I loved every second of it. There were so many things about Zoey that I could relate to and Luke just seemed like the perfect guy for her throughout the entire book, even in the moments where he managed to piss me off.
This was so good! I loved Luke and Zoey's relationship so much! I like all the harder topics that get covered in this as well. This was super steamy and I can't wait to read the last book in this trilogy!
Single mom romance is one of my favorites and this did not disappoint! I laughed so hard when Mikey said the boys told him that Uncle Luke 'was fixing a rod" in fact that whole closet scene was hilarious too. This was a swoony, funny read!
This book was so good and an nice binge read. I love the Luke and Zoey's feel good story (minus the less than desirable ex's). The love of these two is so true and sweet and the story will melt your heart.
Can't wait to read George and Cece's book. You know it's going to be good.
Luke is book boyfriend material. He's the brooding, strong, and silent type until Zoey is his available and ready to move on from her ex. This is a quick, fun read.
Gosh!!! Luke is the most swooning hero ever! He’s so perfect for Zoey. Her dream partner, everything she ever wanted for her life and her sons. I really love this story so much. Luke appears to be serious, silent and dark but he had the perfect amount of love, respect, comprehension, selfless and he’s so romantic. This is a friends to lovers kind of second chance-ish and is so so good. This 6 friends know how to be there for each other. Can’t wait for Cece and George!!!
Bethany Monaco Smith is my new favorite author. Seriously. I love her writing soooo much!
Always Mine is the second book in the Lacy Creek trilogy, and I absolutely loved the storyline between Luke and Zoey who've always had a crush on each other since high school. But life moved forward as they each married other people ... Zoey marrying her college sweetheart and starting a family with him, and Luke marrying Tara. Eventually, each marriage ends and their friendship and attraction deepens.
What I loved most about Smith's writing is she gets to the heart of the story by the end of the second chapter. Luke and Zoey admit their true feelings for each other and then navigate their newfound relationship without interference (exes, meddling friends and family, etc.). Just because the two main characters admit their love for each other doesn't mean happily ever after follows immediately.
Smith makes Luke and Zoey so incredibly relatable with their respective issues and faults. I love Zoey so much because she's so incredibly real. She's a mother of two boys ... she knows she has curves and admits she's a size 16 ... she knows her body isn't perfect ... she has insecurities, but she's a woman with needs and desires. She's truly a fierce woman, attempting to undo all the dumb damage her stupid ex-husband did. She doesn't take crap from anyone. She is seriously one of my favorite characters ever.
And I haven't even touched on Zoey's hilarious lines of thoughts about Luke. Granted, I really didn't need to know the condition of her underwear all the time whenever she's around him or when she thinks about him, but her feelings for him are realistically funny and honest.
As much as I loved Mikey and Trish from the first book, I think Luke and Zoey are my favorite couple from the series. I highly recommend it.
Ms. Smith gives us another fantastic friends to lovers, second chance at love romance that was emotional but a joy to read. Zoe and Luke are two souls that although very much alike did not connect at first. They both married someone else but was it the right person for them? Did they marry their soulmate or was their soulmate still out there just waiting for the other person to realize it.
Growing up together and Zoe being his younger brother's best friend, Luke did not make a move. Yes, he cared for her but maybe it was not meant to be. When he finds out that she is also divorced and moving back to Lacy Creek, he is happy but will he make a move? Zoe moved back home with her two sons after a failed marriage and wants to start her life over. When her car breaks down and needs a two she calls Mikey, her best friend but also the town's mechanic. Well, she was not expecting Luke, the boy/man that she has had a crush on since she can remember, to be the driver. When they finally admit they have feelings for one another, they decide it's time to act upon them. However, they decide to keep it a secret from their friends and family only to have their friends and family trying to play matchmakers.
Again, Ms. Smith delivers another wonderful story that will pull on your heartstrings. I loved Zoe and Luke together even though there were times I was shaking my head at Luke. He did however treat her like the princess she was and loved both of her sons equally. Looking forward to George and Cece's story next.
Not all endings are bad. Some of them are necessary to put you on the right path. Zoey and Luke were always meant to be together. Even if there was someone else and they were never actually together. They belonged to one another on a deeper level.
“I told you I’ve always been yours. I meant it….a part of me has always been yours.”
The struggles Luke and Zoey endured finding their way together was tough to read. Instead of being together from the start, they were with people who didn’t treat them as they deserved. But then again, maybe it wouldn’t have worked out if they got together earlier? Timing is everything. All the negative experiences taught them that they deserved more, and they found their way together when they needed each other the most.
Family dynamics are always interesting to read about. Families are not one size fits all but comes in all shapes and sizes. They don’t have to be related by blood.
Even though I enjoyed Finally Yours, I liked Always Mine a little more. As I continued reading Bethany Monaco Smith’s work, I enjoyed it more and more. I’m glad I read the novellas back to back because it gives a better look at the bigger picture. Each novella can be read as a standalone. But reading one isn’t enough; you will want to keep reading more, or at least I did. I can’t wait to read more from Bethany when I have the chance.
Despite marrying other people Zoey and Luke have been drawn to each other since they were young. Now they're both single again and getting together should be straightforward, but issues from their pasts keep popping up messing with them both.
Both Luke and Zoey struggle with some serious issues which just makes them more easy to relate to as people, and more believable characters. I love that we, through Luke and Zoey, get more of Mikey and Trish's story and I'm just a sucker for tight-knit friends and family groups in general 🥰
My favourite quote from this book is "I need coffee. Lorelai Gilmore levels of coffee.", since I love coffee, Gilmore Girls and I can relate to having days like that 😅
Zoey has had quite the life. With two children, and an ex-husband (thanks to his falling out of love, and not believing in his wife!), she is figuring things out about life. She finally got a car she can call her own, but the moment she gets a flat, everything changes.
Luke is sort of the boy next door…but with a tattoo shop. Truth be told, a lot of shop owners are big softies. But what happens when the girl you’ve been crushing on gets a flat, your brother asks you to go out and give her a tow, and you’re also single again?
These two have a lot to overcome about their pasts, and the emotional damage their exes put on them. Can they help each other figure it all out and fall in love? The thing they’ve been meant to do since they were teenagers!
Despite marrying other people Zoey and Luke have been drawn to each other since they were young. Now they're both single again and getting together should be straightforward, but issues from their pasts keep popping up messing with them both.
Both Luke and Zoey struggle with some serious issues which just makes them more easy to relate to as people, and more believable characters. I love that we, through Luke and Zoey, get more of Mikey and Trish's story and I'm just a sucker for tight-knit friends and family groups in general 🥰
My favourite quote from this book is "I need coffee. Lorelai Gilmore levels of coffee.", since I love coffee, Gilmore Girls and I can relate to having days like that 😅
*Friends to lovers ✅ *Best Friend's Brother ✅ *Second Chance Romance ✅ *Single Mom ✅ *Hot Tattooed Swoony Worthy Total Package Male Main Character ✅✅ *Small Town Romance ✅
I don't even know where to begin with this one! Always Mine is Book Two in the Lacey Creek Series and it is Zoey and Luke's story! And as always Bethany hits us with her beautiful writing to get you sucked into the story! After Freaking Love & Lacey Creek I'm def a huge BMS fan!!!
Luke is Mikey's Older Brother and Zoey and Mikey are best friends. They grew up together and always had a crush on each other. But Zoey moves away for college and when she returns home they are both engaged to other people. Years later they find themselves both divorced and single. Life has a funny way of working out. Although they've always remained friends throughout the years. The year after Zoey's divorce really brought them closer and brought out their feeling for one another.
Luke is the perfect guy! I mean hot Tattooed tattoo artist. He absolutely loves Zoey! And the way he loves her is just so damn swoon worthy! I mean I'm happily engaged but where can I find a Luke! But most importantly he loves her two sons! They are absolutely perfect for each other! They just read each other and mesh together so well.
Another short and sweet love story that I absolutely loved! This one was a little more raw and emotional with what they dealt with in their past relationships and how those issues were affecting them now but I loved that it had that factor in it! Out of books 1 and 2, Luke and Zoey are definitely my favorites!!
Zoey Holloway and Luke O’Brien have been dancing around each other for years, but have never once admitted their feelings. Now, they’re both newly divorced adults, and their feelings are becoming harder and harder to ignore. They’re finally together, and nothing can stand in their way… except Luke’s fears about disappointing Zoey.
I loved this little novella! Friends to lovers is such a good trope, and I loved how perfect for each other Luke and Zoey were. I also loved how quickly Luke accepted Zoey’s boys as his own, and how he never treated them differently because they weren’t biologically his. Their relationship was beautifully written as well. I would definitely recommend!
While the previous book had fewer emotions to deal with, this book really took it up a notch. Luke and Zoey had many problems in their way but their attraction and affection for one another never waned. Through the struggles and the confessions, we see the couple blossoming into the beautiful second chance family which is absolutely amazing. Zoey actually shines when she has to be there for Luke at one point and also figure out an overwhelming detail with him. But Luke is promising. I did hate Tad and Tara (more like Toad and Tadpole?) Ugh the exes were lower than low but who needs a Tad when there’s Luke?
This is the continuation of the Lacy Creek series but can be read as a stand alone. We fell in love with Luke and Zoey in the first novella and we now get to see them front and center. They’ve both come out of failed marriages where they have emotional baggage, but have been friends forever. Friends to lovers is really one of my favorite romantic tropes and it is done well here. Luke is probably my favorite of all the characters and I just liked him even more after I finished. A little humor and a little steam, I could not put it down.
Zoey and Luke seemed destined to be together. Obviously, since this is a romance story about them lol! I liked the story, as I do with anything Bethany writes, but this one didn't hit the mark for me. Everything seemed too good, or too convenient for them. Despite being able to guess how the story would end from the start, I enjoyed reading it! It was easy and super quick to read, perfect if you're not able to sit down and read for hours at a time. I received the entire series as an ARC in return for an honest review.
This is book two of the Lacy Creek series and I loved it. Zoey is an author of romance novels and Luke is a tattoo artist. I’m loving the small town vibe of the series. The fact that we still get to see Mikey, Trish, CeCe and George is another win. I’m a huge fan of a series where the characters are recurring from book to book. It’s one of my favorite things. I’m really looking forward to CeCe’s story now!
Luke and Zoe are everything you’d want to have in a second chance Romance HEA. Gosh I love these two so much and Luke is swoon-worthy with a heart of gold and knows how to use that tattooed body of his. They have some serious personal issues to get through and that makes this so much more in the feels and heartwarming. Bethany Monaco Smith has a talent to tell a full story within a novella and not leave anything out.
ARC provided by the author. All opinions are my own.
Spice 4/5 Friends to Lovers Novella Best Friends Sibling
Zoey and Luke have also been friends since childhood. Both were attracted to each other when they were young, but didn't know it and went their separate ways. Years later and exes that left a lot of trauma, they have their chance. Will they be able to overcome the obstacles to stay together? Great read!
The second novel in Lacy Creek trilogy. Friends to lovers trope in a small town. Dual POVs. A bit of spice here and there (mostly everywhere). I love their love stories the most among the other two couples. It discussed about pregnancy which is very eye-opening.
My overall review can be found on Lacy Creek trilogy compiled as a book.
Out of all the Lacy Creek books, Luke and Zoey’s story was my favorite.
Their story brought attention to couples who struggle to conceive, and being in an emotionally toxic and abusive relationship. But that’s not why I loved it. Zoey and Luke have known each other since grade school. They’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly in each other. Despite being in each other’s life for so long, as their relationship blossoms, they discover new things and fall even more in love. Their exes were merely placeholders until the right time came for them to be a permanent fixture in each other’s life. They’ll always be friends first, lovers second. That is what makes their story so magical.
Book two in this pretty flat series. I waited to do a review of each of these books until the end of the series & put a more detailed review on book three but I’ll just say regarding this book, the MC’s we’re pretty freaking stupid but had a lot more substance and we’re far more believable than the MC’s from books 1 and 3.
I love a single parent romance and this one hits all the best of the trope. Luke is exactly what Zoey needs after her awful ex Tad. And watching Luke with the boys was so swoony. I can’t wait for the next one!
Nothing Bethany writes is ever a disappointment. I love it all. This was such a fun quick story about love after divorce and learning to heal from emotional pain. Highly recommend picking it up.