A History of Almost

The Tunbridge Series #4

by Elle Christopher

Charlotte Hathaway left Tunbridge years ago for all the right reasons, or so she told herself. Ambition. Independence. A life where joy didn’t feel like betrayal. What she never admitted was the fear beneath it all, and how much it would cost her to outrun it.

She returns to town to restore a century-old house, prepared for aging walls and complicated histories.

She isn’t prepared to find the man she once loved one vow away from becoming someone else’s husband.

When circumstances force them to work side by side on the most visible restoration in town, old history isn’t the only thing resurfacing. The house demands patience. The town demands answers. And the space between them refuses to stay buried.

This time, Charlotte can’t hide behind ambition or distance.

She has to decide whether she’s brave enough to claim the life and the love she once walked away from.

A History of Almost is an emotionally immersive second-chance romance about unfinished love, public moments that change everything, and choosing the person who still feels like home.

395 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2026

About the author

Elle Christopher writes emotionally immersive small-town romance for readers who want to feel like they’re inside the story.

Her books blend raw emotion, deep connection, and unforgettable love stories that pull you in and don’t let go. If you crave chemistry you can feel and characters who stay with you long after the last page, you’ll get lost in her world.

She writes from the heart of the South, where her fictional town of Tunbridge was born.

When she’s not writing, Elle is raising her five kids, antiquing, or dreaming up her next love story.

Join her newsletter for exclusive content, new releases, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into Tunbridge.

Follow Elle on Instagram @elle_christopher

Reviews

[Kelsey Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

😍😍😍

Another completely amazing read from Elle. Second Chance romance has a special spot in my heart and this was no exception. I loved the insight the book gave into Charlotte and Will’s history and why they had originally split up years ago. I also really loved the fact that they didn’t let their past dictate their future. This was kind of slow paced but not in a bad way. It was more about letting the characters grow and the story build and it was really well done. There were some really surprising and very cool moments during the restoration of Seven Oaks that I loved but I won’t spoil anything. I thought the way Charlotte and Will came back together was really fluid and nothing felt forced. This was a really beautiful love story and the epilogue was absolutely perfect.

[CozyChicLitLounge]

4⭐️ {ARC/BETA}
Tunbridge is a town that feels like home. I love when a new book in this series hits the shelves!! BK4 is about second chances, mending relationships and rediscovering there’s no place like home. What a beautiful thing when you can find your way back to the one that got away!

*small town
*found family
*second chance romance
*slow burn | tension
*forced proximity

As always this author has a way of making this small town beyond picturesque. I don’t know what I love more, the town or the characters. Who am I kidding. I love it all. Welcome home! It’s always good to see our favorite characters make appearances from the series.

While you can read each of these as standalone I recommend reading in release order so you can enjoy all the cameos from book-to-book. It’s part of this series charm!!

Here are my series ratings:
⭐️4.75 Where Loyalty Lies
⭐️4.5 Until You Found Us
⭐️5 The Light at Grace Hill
⭐️4 Christmas at Tollivers Bookshop
TBD The Edge of Good Things out APRIL 30TH

*Thank you to author Elle Christopher and her publisher Valor Press. I receive both Beta and ARCs for the 2026 release in exchange for my honest review.

*Beta Read 3/1
*Beta Read 2/13
*Beta Read 1/31
*Beta Read 1/14

[Michele Ardente · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the entire series and I have enjoyed every visit to the small town of Tunbridge. It's a tall order to compare to the magic of book 1, Where Loyalty Lies, but this is a close second. The charm of a second chance at love while restoring a century home in a small town is irresistible. Elle Christopher conveys such a depth of feeling, many times with glances and small touches alone.

Charlotte is confident in her abilities and outwardly driven to prove her worth. She also has a depth of feeling and a history of leaving. Only spending time with her former boyfriend can draw her out. Will is quietly strong and competent. He wears his heart in his eyes, patiently giving Charlotte the space she needs to work things out for herself.

As they pour their talents and hearts into the work, the stately old mansion, Seven Oaks, becomes a character, offering mystery, purpose and stability that anchors their relationship.

This story got me. It's engaging, redemptive, and heart flutteringly happy.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 5 out of 5]

✅My thoughts:
Charlotte:
A woman brave enough to rewrite her past
Will:
A man who never truly let her go

🧡Found Family
🩶Small Town Charm
💛A House That Needs Restored
🩵Second Chance Romance
🤎Forced Proximity
💜Lovely-Likable Characters
🩷Finding Your Way Back
♥️Slow Burn Romance
💙Mending Relationships
💚Closed Door Romance

A History of Almost is a very heartfelt and emotional story about the journey to find out what was needed all along.
What a beautiful, engaging love story with an amazing epilogue.

[Heidireadsitall · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something truly special about the way Elle writes. Her words feel almost like poetry on the page. The story unfolds gently and beautifully, warming your heart and settling in like a comforting cup of tea on a quiet afternoon.

Charlotte is the kind of character I found myself admiring so deeply. She is strong, intelligent, and wonderfully tender all at the same time. Watching her return to Tunbridge and face the life she once left behind felt emotional and honest. Her journey takes courage, and I loved seeing her wrestle with the choices that shaped her past and the ones that could shape her future.

Will was such a steady, calming presence throughout the story. The history between him and Charlotte runs deep, and that shared past gives their story so much heart and weight. I was completely captivated watching their story unfold, piece by piece, as old memories resurfaced and long-buried feelings refused to stay hidden.

This story wrapped up in such a beautiful and satisfying way. It left me with that warm, content feeling you hope for when you close the final page. If you enjoy heartfelt second-chance romances with gorgeous writing and characters that stay with you, this one is an absolute must read.

[Stephanie Coniff · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌸🛠 A History of Almost by Elle Christopher ❤️🌸
Book 4 of 5: Tunbridge Series
Genre: Romance
Length: 324 pages
Pub Date: March 5, 2026

Tropes:
🔸️second chance romance
🔸️small town

Thank you to Elle Christopher, the author, for the advanced e-copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Summary:
This is the story of Charlotte Hathaway and Will Sheffield, who were hopelessly in love in their young adult life. Charlotte left their small town of Tunbridge without giving Will a reason, shortly after her mother's death, leaving him heartbroken.

Fast forward several years later and things have drastically changed. Will left his new bride at the altar, and all of a sudden Charlotte is back in Tunbridge on a building restoration project. It just so happens that this is the same project for which Will is the contractor. Now, the two are forced to work together to rebuild one of Tunbridge's most beloved historical buildings. Can they put aside the hurt (and their love that still burns) and rebuild?

Review:
Elle Christopher does it again! This installment of the Turnbrige romance series is just as beautiful, heart-wrenching, heart-WARMING, and poinlgnant as the others before it. I absolutely loved Will's steadiness in the face of his decisions and his ability to stay the course in his love for Charlotte. There were definitely times where Charlotte's hesitations to tear down her emotional wall frustrated me, but the slow burn was so worth it in its beautiful conclusion. If you love second chance romance, with magnetic characters, and a quaint small town feel, do not miss this one! I can't wait to read the last book in the series, which will be published April 30th!

[Jennifer Leigh (jenjenbookfan) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐀 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 is the 4th book in the Tunbridge series by Elle Christopher, featuring an emotional, yet sweet second chance romance for Charlotte and Will. It’s a gut-wrenching tale of an unfinished love story stunted by the war between love and ambition and small town charm versus big city opportunity. Charlotte is the one who left four years ago and broke both their hearts. Coming home to restore a historical home, hit her much differently, though, when Will was a moment away from marrying another woman!!👀 I was constantly shocked by the depth of the emotion, and the connection between Charlotte and Will! Gah! The slooowwww burn and the palpable will-they-or-won’t-they tension was sooo thick! Absolutely top notch! Even with the romance being pretty clean (nothing beyond kissing), there is no denying the attraction between these characters, and it was written so well! I’ll admit I got a bit frustrated with Charlotte and her indecisiveness and lack of communication, but it’s a key part of her arc that was eventually explained, so try to hang in there.😉 Charlotte has to come to terms with some things, before she’s ready to take such a huge risk. This author has a gift for writing unicorn MMCs, and Will was another one that I wanted to snatch up for my own! He put with more stress than I ever could, and was still steadfast, loving, and all-in. The plot itself brought multiple little surprises, sweet moments, and a big twist that I didn’t see coming! I truly enjoy returning to Tunbridge and seeing other favorite characters from the series and experiencing the charming vibe of the world. I look forward to my next visit!!

I received an ARC for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[ANA GARCIA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle captivated me from her very first book. I love the way she writes—her stories feel incredibly real, and every time a new book comes out, it feels like reconnecting with old friends because of the beautiful interconnected threads in her worlds.

That being said, this book completely stopped me.

It slowed me down in the best way possible. This is a story meant to be felt, not rushed. At the same time that I wanted to keep turning the pages until the very end, I also felt the need to pause… to breathe… to sit with what I had just read.

Will and Charlotte’s story unfolds slowly, filled with angst but also so much love. I honestly don’t know how Elle did it, but every sentence, every paragraph, every chapter carries both of those emotions so perfectly.

This wasn’t a story I could rush through.
But it also wasn’t a story I could set aside to read something else in between.

It stayed with me. It made me think. And it unapologetically demanded my full attention until the very last page.

At its heart, this is a beautiful journey about two people finding their way back to each other, having the courage to choose each other again, and embracing the possibility of a second chance.

I’m so enamored with their story that it’s honestly hard to find the right words to express just how much I loved this book.

If you love romance stories that feel real, deeply emotional, and quietly powerful, I highly recommend reading this one.

[Yashna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some stories don’t rush you. They settle into your bones and stay.

Charlotte Hathaway didn’t leave because she stopped loving Will Sheffield. She left because loving him felt impossible. And four years later, when she comes back to Tunbridge to rebuild a life she swore she had moved on from, she finds him standing on the edge of a future that doesn’t include her.

And yet, proximity has a way of unearthing everything you tried to bury.

I’m so sorry, Elle, for posting this late. Life got in the way but I finally read The History of Almost and oh my god… what a journey.

This book met me exactly when I needed it. It grounded me. It softened me. Elle’s writing feels like calm in the middle of chaos. It never rushes you. It just lets you feel. Deeply. Quietly. And long after you’ve turned the last page.

Charlotte and Will unfold slowly, carefully, as they restore Seven Oaks together. Brick by brick, room by room, their love feels rebuilt in the same way. Their home becomes a reflection of everything they were, everything they lost, and everything they might still be.

I loved the contrast between Atlanta and Tunbridge. The chaos of Atlanta somehow felt poetic against the stillness of this small town that never forgets. It made every emotion feel sharper. Closer.

I could sense where the story might end, but I had no idea how we would get there. And when we did, I was just as stunned as Charlotte. That moment with Will… it stayed with me.

This is a story about leaving. About returning. About the terrifying, beautiful risk of choosing to stay.

Thank you, Elle, for trusting me with this story. I cannot wait for what comes next.

[Randi Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another visit to the small town of Tunbridge, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, this is a series that with each visit leaves me with a sense of coming home... even from the very first one I read. Yes, I've said this about each book, and I can't truly explain what it is about the series, but it's true just the same... and I think especially for this one with Charlotte and Will's second chance romance. Oh, how I loved these two. The story starts with Will on the verge of getting married to someone else... but when the wedding falls through, they find themselves working together to restore an old house and facing all those old feelings... and old hurts. Their story was tender and heartfelt, taking me on a roller coaster of emotions right through to the end. Elle Christopher has such a beautiful way of telling stories that always leaves me feeling not just a sense of home, but a sense of peace as well, and I find I love this series even more with each book I read. If you love second chances and all the smalltown vibes, this is one not to be missed.

A History of Almost is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is the fourth book in the Tunbridge series, but I do believe that it could be enjoyed as a standalone as well.


**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Tracys Book Shelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I invite you to step into A History of Almost, a story to soothe your heart and give you hope.

The words flow like a gentle waltz, your heart catching the rhythm as you glide along with the story. A story of Charlotte and Will and the second chance a house gives them. A story of choice, direction, and learning to stay. It's a story of love sweeping in and sweeping you off your feet. It is a story of a town who knows how to love its people. A man, a quiet hero, who never pushes and asks gently. A father who waits patiently while time slips by slowly. A responsibility that pulls away and the decisions we make that can give recognition to a life. A story of second chances, mending relationships, and finding a way home. It is a story of love that blooms like an orchid, with delicate petals, and deep roots.
A love that we all secretly want to feel in our own lives.

A History Of Almost touched my heart in the most gentle of ways. I found myself highlighting so many loved passages, and now, looking back, highlighting the whole story would have been sufficient.

I love a story that makes me cry, and I was not disappointed. I'm already eager to read the next story coming in the Tunbridge Series.

Many, many thanks to Elle Christopher for the gifted ARC. A History of Almost will live in my heart for a long time to come.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Low stakes coziness

A cancelled wedding, a house restoration, and a love waiting to get back on track…it’s A History of Almost.

Charlotte has returned home to run a heritage restoration project. Fresh from the scandal of his almost-wedding, her ex-boyfriend Will is the general contractor. They will be working in close proximity for the first time since they ended things four years ago.

The town is invested in the restoration - almost as much as they are in watching Charlotte and Will grow closer. But like any good restoration, you need to return to strong foundations before a rebuild can begin.

This is a sweet small town romance from a series of interconnected novels. There is a lot of introspection and emotional work in the story, and the work Will and Charlotte do in the house is the perfect symbol for the work they must do on their relationship.

The romance is slow burn, and anything beyond kissing is only hinted at happening off page towards the end of the book. The story deals with grief and the fear of losing love. It is overall a cosy novel with no main villain.

If you want a low stakes, high emotion contemporary romance, I recommend A History of Almost.

[Dea Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A History Of Almost is a book about second chances. It's about healing and taking chances. Charlotte is returning home to her small town of Turnbridge to restore the historic home called Seven Oaks. This project has her working closely with the only man she ever truly loved, but also left behind four years ago: Will. Charlotte puts her whole self into her work, but it's really to mask her grief over losing her mom. Now that Charlotte is working with Will, she's forced to confront big feelings that she pushed aside while she was away for all those years. I loved how Elle wrote this book. She used the restoration of the home of Seven Oaks as a metaphor for what was going on with the relationship between Charlotte and Will. This was a very slow burn, and it took quite some time for the characters to make any bit of progress in their relationship as Charlotte was quite stubborn. This was another great addition to the Turnbridge series, and I can't wait until April to see what Elle has in store for Turnbridge next!

[Jaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25 ✨

Elle you have done it again!

At first, I was kinda skeptical about continuing this book as I read the first chapter because that first chapter already made an impact. I read this after a month of reading slump so that impact might throw me off. However, I’m glad I stayed until the very end because this novel isn’t just your average romance story— it is a story that will teach that it’s better to choose your own path where you are valued than the path that they only see your presence when you’re needed. Elle’s writing is always been cozy and warm, it may seem sentimental and heartfelt but in a great way that will struck your heart with admiration and gratitude of the story.

Thank you so much Elle again for this wonderful piece of work.ᐟ ✨

[Kayla Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Elle's writing and the town of Tunbridge. I wanted to love this specific story more. I wanted to shake the FMC and make her realize that everything she wanted was right there if she could learn to let go of the things that got in the way, like working out of town and always choosing work. Also, what we know of the town felt very challenged or different in this story. Maybe that was the POV shift from our other characters. However, these friendly, all in your business people, just seemed very rude in comparison to prior knowledge.
What I did love, was the metaphor of the home restoration and their relationship.

Thank you Elle for the advanced copy and patience with this review.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to read A History of Almost.

I’ve really enjoyed Elle Christopher’s previous books, and I always love returning to the world she creates.

This story has a very reflective and introspective tone, with a strong focus on the characters’ history and emotional journey.

While I personally found it a slower, more thoughtful read than I expected, I can see it really resonating with readers who enjoy character-driven, second-chance romances.

As always, Elle’s love for her characters and storytelling shines through, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she writes next.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Release Day to this heartwarming second-chance romance where Charlotte and Will navigate their past to build their future (literally)! If you love stories about finding your way back to the right person, get this one! 💚

[Ceji · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the reviews, I couldn’t wait to read. I wanted to give a 5 because the author writes beautifully. I also wanted to give a 1 because the main character was so unlikeable. She only thought of herself. I had trouble finishing this book.