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Almost Hers: Because sometimes, almost is just the beginning
Freya never meant to fall for him.
He was her best friend’s boyfriend. Off-limits. Untouchable. But when Tayler comes back into her life—after eight years away and a childhood spent side by side—something unspoken stirs between them. A glance held too long. A silence that says too much. A feeling she doesn’t dare name.
Tayler thought he knew what love was.
Until Freya. Being around her feels easy, electric, dangerously close to more than friendship. He tells himself he’s imagining it—that the lines he’s blurring don’t mean anything. But when she starts to pull away, it hits him harder than it should.
What he doesn’t
The emails he thought he exchanged with Thalia were never really from her.
They were from Freya. And somehow, without ever meaning to… he fell for the wrong girl.
They both know it’s wrong.
But what if the thing that feels most right—
is the one thing they can’t have?
Almost Hers is a tender, slow-burn love story about timing, loyalty, and the kind of chemistry that doesn’t fade—no matter how hard you try to ignore it.
“She was never meant to be his. But she was always the one.”
He was her best friend’s boyfriend. Off-limits. Untouchable. But when Tayler comes back into her life—after eight years away and a childhood spent side by side—something unspoken stirs between them. A glance held too long. A silence that says too much. A feeling she doesn’t dare name.
Tayler thought he knew what love was.
Until Freya. Being around her feels easy, electric, dangerously close to more than friendship. He tells himself he’s imagining it—that the lines he’s blurring don’t mean anything. But when she starts to pull away, it hits him harder than it should.
What he doesn’t
The emails he thought he exchanged with Thalia were never really from her.
They were from Freya. And somehow, without ever meaning to… he fell for the wrong girl.
They both know it’s wrong.
But what if the thing that feels most right—
is the one thing they can’t have?
Almost Hers is a tender, slow-burn love story about timing, loyalty, and the kind of chemistry that doesn’t fade—no matter how hard you try to ignore it.
“She was never meant to be his. But she was always the one.”
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 20, 2025
Have you ever had a book that’s made you so frustrated and annoyed, yet you tore through it like it was your favorite chocolate bar?
That was me while reading Almost Hers by Maisie Serein.
This story was simultaneously addicting and frustrating at the same time. I didn’t want to stop reading and when I had to, I itched to pick it back up again only so I could continue yelling at Freya and Tayler. Maisie’s writing is addicting. She writes like she’s got a hold of your chest and keeps pulling you in for more. You can’t put it down and need to know what’s going to happen next, even if you’re angry at the characters.
The sign of a good author is getting your reader hooked into your story. It’s even better when you’re yelling at fictional characters but can't stop reading to find out what happens.
That was me while reading Almost Hers by Maisie Serein.
This story was simultaneously addicting and frustrating at the same time. I didn’t want to stop reading and when I had to, I itched to pick it back up again only so I could continue yelling at Freya and Tayler. Maisie’s writing is addicting. She writes like she’s got a hold of your chest and keeps pulling you in for more. You can’t put it down and need to know what’s going to happen next, even if you’re angry at the characters.
The sign of a good author is getting your reader hooked into your story. It’s even better when you’re yelling at fictional characters but can't stop reading to find out what happens.
December 11, 2025
★Rating★
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨｜4.5 Stars!!
This book broke me yet in a beautiful way!! Almost Hers is a debut novel by Maisie Serein.
Well.. Have you read a book that you hated but also loved at the same time? The book that made you frustrated and tell at the characters as if your voice can be heard? Well This is that book.
Firstly i would like say how much i loved Maisie writing, It was written so well and beautifully. Each emotions were portrayed beautifully within each characters. Her writing was so tender.
Yes, the characters frustrated me at times, made me yell at them, but then also end up loving them. They were frustrating but also flawed yet humans.
I loved Freya and Tayler story, their story like i mentioned They both were flawed yet also beautifully written. Their story is filled with history, years of quiet longing, and unspoken feelings.. And that tension between them ended up creating a story that feels deeply human and real, Then Thalia. I hated her in start but end up loving her at the end. Each characters emotions were well portrayed.
If you love slow burn, forbidden love, second chance, closed door, and a friends to lovers romance filled with longing, heartbreak and hope Then i would say you will love Tayler and Freya story!
➣Tropes:
✿Friends To Lovers
✿Slowburn
✿She fell first but he fell harder
✿Forbidden Love
✿Heartbreak
✿Healing
Thank you so much @maisie.serien.author for the Arc read opportunity!! 💕
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨｜4.5 Stars!!
This book broke me yet in a beautiful way!! Almost Hers is a debut novel by Maisie Serein.
Well.. Have you read a book that you hated but also loved at the same time? The book that made you frustrated and tell at the characters as if your voice can be heard? Well This is that book.
Firstly i would like say how much i loved Maisie writing, It was written so well and beautifully. Each emotions were portrayed beautifully within each characters. Her writing was so tender.
Yes, the characters frustrated me at times, made me yell at them, but then also end up loving them. They were frustrating but also flawed yet humans.
I loved Freya and Tayler story, their story like i mentioned They both were flawed yet also beautifully written. Their story is filled with history, years of quiet longing, and unspoken feelings.. And that tension between them ended up creating a story that feels deeply human and real, Then Thalia. I hated her in start but end up loving her at the end. Each characters emotions were well portrayed.
If you love slow burn, forbidden love, second chance, closed door, and a friends to lovers romance filled with longing, heartbreak and hope Then i would say you will love Tayler and Freya story!
➣Tropes:
✿Friends To Lovers
✿Slowburn
✿She fell first but he fell harder
✿Forbidden Love
✿Heartbreak
✿Healing
Thank you so much @maisie.serien.author for the Arc read opportunity!! 💕
December 9, 2025
I just finished Almost Hers and… I’m not okay in the best possible way! 😭
Almost Hers is a debut slow-burn contemporary romance from indie author @maisie.serein.author that follows a trio of best friends, two of who are “almost” more, with timing and fear getting in the way of what they truly want. 🫣
@maisie.serein.author's writing is intimate, tender, and full of those heart-tightening moments that will make you whisper yell, “JUST KISS ALREADY!" 💋
Fav quote: "You've spent so much time loving other people that you forgot you're allowed to love yourself too". ❤️
I particularly enjoyed Freya and Tayler's witty humour and the deep bond between Freya and Thalia - I thought I would end up disliking Thalia but her character growth throughout the book shone through. 🥰
Almost Hers quickly became addictive - I couldn't stop reading even when Freya and Tayler frustrated me! I have never wanted to shake two fictional characters as much as these two! 😂
If you want emotional pay-off, low-spice love story, aching tension and amazing banter then Almost Hers is the book for you! 📖
Thank you @maisie.serein.author for choosing me to be apart of your ARC team! I have truly enjoyed reading Almost Hers. I’m closing this book feeling full, emotional, and absolutely not ready to leave these characters behind. 🫶
Almost Hers is a debut slow-burn contemporary romance from indie author @maisie.serein.author that follows a trio of best friends, two of who are “almost” more, with timing and fear getting in the way of what they truly want. 🫣
@maisie.serein.author's writing is intimate, tender, and full of those heart-tightening moments that will make you whisper yell, “JUST KISS ALREADY!" 💋
Fav quote: "You've spent so much time loving other people that you forgot you're allowed to love yourself too". ❤️
I particularly enjoyed Freya and Tayler's witty humour and the deep bond between Freya and Thalia - I thought I would end up disliking Thalia but her character growth throughout the book shone through. 🥰
Almost Hers quickly became addictive - I couldn't stop reading even when Freya and Tayler frustrated me! I have never wanted to shake two fictional characters as much as these two! 😂
If you want emotional pay-off, low-spice love story, aching tension and amazing banter then Almost Hers is the book for you! 📖
Thank you @maisie.serein.author for choosing me to be apart of your ARC team! I have truly enjoyed reading Almost Hers. I’m closing this book feeling full, emotional, and absolutely not ready to leave these characters behind. 🫶
January 5, 2026
“She was never meant to be his. But she was always the one.”
Almost Hers by Maisie Serein is a beautifully written debut novel- a tender, slow-burn love story about timing, loyalty, and the kind of chemistry that doesn’t fade—no matter how hard you try to ignore it.
Emotional, raw, and beautifully written.
This is such an emotional rollercoaster. I recommend this to lovers of romance book that destroy you and heal you all at once.
This story is woven together through tenderness, longing, regrets and lost chances creating a balance of intense romantic chemistry , mild humor and heart wrenching moments.
Call me a masochists but i love books that destroy me and slowly mend me.
I recommend this book to lovers of realistic romance with complications of love triangle that show true emotion and reflect modern day relationships.
There is no spice.
Thanks to the author Maisie Serein for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Almost Hers by Maisie Serein is a beautifully written debut novel- a tender, slow-burn love story about timing, loyalty, and the kind of chemistry that doesn’t fade—no matter how hard you try to ignore it.
Emotional, raw, and beautifully written.
This is such an emotional rollercoaster. I recommend this to lovers of romance book that destroy you and heal you all at once.
This story is woven together through tenderness, longing, regrets and lost chances creating a balance of intense romantic chemistry , mild humor and heart wrenching moments.
Call me a masochists but i love books that destroy me and slowly mend me.
I recommend this book to lovers of realistic romance with complications of love triangle that show true emotion and reflect modern day relationships.
There is no spice.
Thanks to the author Maisie Serein for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
December 7, 2025
4 Stars✨
It would be an understatement to say that this is one of the most powerful and emotionally packed books I've read in a long time. This story goes in the list of my memorable books by a debut author.
Almost Hers is the first book in the Almost Series by Maisie Serein. The novel is an intense romance novel with a mix of heartfelt moments with a bittersweet edge, delicately navigating themes of love, loyalty, friendship, desires, and emotional chaos, offering a raw, unfiltered look at modern relationships.
Almost Hers' strength lies in its relatability and authenticity. Freya and Tayler's relationship has been forged through an unbreakable friendship since childhood. But little did Tayler know that Freya had been harboring some feelings for him for a while. That is, until life has a way of making it complicated - Tayler's eventual admission of his true feelings for Freya and Freya's decision to let go of her feelings for Tayler and value her best friend's happiness above her own, while putting the man she loves strictly in the friendzone.
Yeah, I know that's a lot to handle, and I can assure you that you'll feel a tug of war between frustration and addiction throughout your reading experience. But I promise you that all those hair-pulling moments are worth it in the end.
Maisie has woven a tapestry of intense romantic chemistry and mild humour with a story that reflects on the weight of choices, the perseverance of desire, and the haunting knowledge that love's meaning often becomes clearest in its most precarious moments. And did I say this is her debut novel? Because it felt like she's already been a pro as an author with her writing style.
Almost Hers is fundamentally about more than just the messiness of love. Even while the story is a patchwork of tenderness, regrets, and lost chances, it also reminds us how love can both wound and heal, lingering in memory as an indelible part of life’s journey.
I truly think Ms. Serein did an exceptional job on this book, and I have high hopes for her future endeavors. I'm eager to see what she has in store for the upcoming series.
Congratulations on your debut novel, Maisie! Chapeau!
Receiving a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was an honour, and I'm presenting my candid opinion based on my own experience. I am eternally grateful to Maisie Serein for entrusting me with reading this book beforehand.
It would be an understatement to say that this is one of the most powerful and emotionally packed books I've read in a long time. This story goes in the list of my memorable books by a debut author.
Almost Hers is the first book in the Almost Series by Maisie Serein. The novel is an intense romance novel with a mix of heartfelt moments with a bittersweet edge, delicately navigating themes of love, loyalty, friendship, desires, and emotional chaos, offering a raw, unfiltered look at modern relationships.
Almost Hers' strength lies in its relatability and authenticity. Freya and Tayler's relationship has been forged through an unbreakable friendship since childhood. But little did Tayler know that Freya had been harboring some feelings for him for a while. That is, until life has a way of making it complicated - Tayler's eventual admission of his true feelings for Freya and Freya's decision to let go of her feelings for Tayler and value her best friend's happiness above her own, while putting the man she loves strictly in the friendzone.
Yeah, I know that's a lot to handle, and I can assure you that you'll feel a tug of war between frustration and addiction throughout your reading experience. But I promise you that all those hair-pulling moments are worth it in the end.
Maisie has woven a tapestry of intense romantic chemistry and mild humour with a story that reflects on the weight of choices, the perseverance of desire, and the haunting knowledge that love's meaning often becomes clearest in its most precarious moments. And did I say this is her debut novel? Because it felt like she's already been a pro as an author with her writing style.
Almost Hers is fundamentally about more than just the messiness of love. Even while the story is a patchwork of tenderness, regrets, and lost chances, it also reminds us how love can both wound and heal, lingering in memory as an indelible part of life’s journey.
I truly think Ms. Serein did an exceptional job on this book, and I have high hopes for her future endeavors. I'm eager to see what she has in store for the upcoming series.
Congratulations on your debut novel, Maisie! Chapeau!
Receiving a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was an honour, and I'm presenting my candid opinion based on my own experience. I am eternally grateful to Maisie Serein for entrusting me with reading this book beforehand.
December 8, 2025
Almost Hers is an emotionally rich, slow-burn romance that explores love, timing, and the difficult choices we make for the people we care about most.
Freya and Tayler’s story is layered with years of history, quiet longing, and unspoken emotion. The tension between what they feel and what they allow themselves to want creates a beautifully frustrating reading experience — one that feels deeply human and real.
Maisie Serein’s writing is tender and thoughtful, especially impressive for a debut novel. While the pacing leans heavily into emotional restraint, the payoff is worth it for readers who enjoy character-driven romance with a bittersweet edge.
Thank you to Maisie Serein for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Freya and Tayler’s story is layered with years of history, quiet longing, and unspoken emotion. The tension between what they feel and what they allow themselves to want creates a beautifully frustrating reading experience — one that feels deeply human and real.
Maisie Serein’s writing is tender and thoughtful, especially impressive for a debut novel. While the pacing leans heavily into emotional restraint, the payoff is worth it for readers who enjoy character-driven romance with a bittersweet edge.
Thank you to Maisie Serein for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2025
If you love Jojo Moyes or Alexandra Grace, you will love this book!
This beautifully written debut novel centers on the love triangle between Thalia, Freya and Tayler- some of the most frustrating, flawed and emotional humans I have ever met. I found myself yelling at the characters as if they could hear my sage advice and alternatively throwing the book on the floor when they inevitably didn’t listen. Thalia was my favorite character (although I hated her at the start) because of the way she handled herself and her amazing capacity for forgiveness.
Read if you like:
Love triangles
Mutual pinning
It’s always been you
Closed door romance
This beautifully written debut novel centers on the love triangle between Thalia, Freya and Tayler- some of the most frustrating, flawed and emotional humans I have ever met. I found myself yelling at the characters as if they could hear my sage advice and alternatively throwing the book on the floor when they inevitably didn’t listen. Thalia was my favorite character (although I hated her at the start) because of the way she handled herself and her amazing capacity for forgiveness.
Read if you like:
Love triangles
Mutual pinning
It’s always been you
Closed door romance
December 13, 2025
4,5✨
What a rollercoaster. This book made me feel all the emotions that exist in human life😅.
Maisie wrote it so beautifully and also so addictingly (if that’s even a word).
Whenever I started I couldn’t stop reading. And even though I screamed at Freya sometimes I still wanted to know what the hell was happening next.
She really kept us on our toes until the last couple of chapters! And normally I am not really for “friends to lovers” trope but because it mixed with the “forbidden love” I ATE IT UP’
Thank you Maisie🩷 can’t wait for the next one and hopefully it’s Thalia’s story…. She deserves someone to really choose her too
What a rollercoaster. This book made me feel all the emotions that exist in human life😅.
Maisie wrote it so beautifully and also so addictingly (if that’s even a word).
Whenever I started I couldn’t stop reading. And even though I screamed at Freya sometimes I still wanted to know what the hell was happening next.
She really kept us on our toes until the last couple of chapters! And normally I am not really for “friends to lovers” trope but because it mixed with the “forbidden love” I ATE IT UP’
Thank you Maisie🩷 can’t wait for the next one and hopefully it’s Thalia’s story…. She deserves someone to really choose her too
December 1, 2025
Did these characters frustrate me to no end and make me want to pull out my hair? Yes.
Did I still binge read the story to find out how it ends? Also, yes.
The emotions were well written as well as the connection between our main characters. **This is a no spice story.
Thank you to the author for an ARC, all opinions are my own.
Did I still binge read the story to find out how it ends? Also, yes.
The emotions were well written as well as the connection between our main characters. **This is a no spice story.
Thank you to the author for an ARC, all opinions are my own.
October 24, 2025
Emotional, raw, and beautifully written.
Almost Hers broke my heart and healed it all at once. Freya and Tayler’s story felt so real!! Full of longing, heartbreak, and hope. Maisie Serein perfectly captures what it means to almost have the person you love. FYI: closed door, no smut.
Almost Hers broke my heart and healed it all at once. Freya and Tayler’s story felt so real!! Full of longing, heartbreak, and hope. Maisie Serein perfectly captures what it means to almost have the person you love. FYI: closed door, no smut.
November 20, 2025
I loved this book!
I’m normally a spicy book type of girly but this book was such a great read, even though there’s no spice, there’s plenty to make up for it, you have situations between best friends, falling for best friends, oh I just loved it.
I can’t wait for book 2!
I’m normally a spicy book type of girly but this book was such a great read, even though there’s no spice, there’s plenty to make up for it, you have situations between best friends, falling for best friends, oh I just loved it.
I can’t wait for book 2!
December 10, 2025
Was ever so kindly sent this by Maisie and I’m so greatful!
I fell in love within the first few chapters and really resonated with Freya. The tension and the storyline I thoroughly enjoyed and was gripped from the get go.
I would recommend to many of my friends as i feel like this is something they would love too!
I fell in love within the first few chapters and really resonated with Freya. The tension and the storyline I thoroughly enjoyed and was gripped from the get go.
I would recommend to many of my friends as i feel like this is something they would love too!
December 23, 2025
Slow burns can be tough, but this one hit the spot. It's like, sometimes you just need that emotional rollercoaster, and "Almost Hers" delivered! The love triangle aspect is just the cherry on top, haha! I'm a sucker for those, and I'm here for it!
I'm usually a spice girl, but the emotions in this book were enough to carry the story. It's awesome when an author can create that kind of connection with her readers.
I'm usually a spice girl, but the emotions in this book were enough to carry the story. It's awesome when an author can create that kind of connection with her readers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews