What do you think?
Rate this book
I Always Will
Brooke Kent still can’t believe she’s really dating the woman of her dreams. She absolutely never would have guessed that falling in love wasn’t even going to be the best part.
From merging their friend groups, to moving in together, getting engaged, getting married, having kids, and just having a quiet, normal day, it turns out that the story really begins at happily ever after.
From merging their friend groups, to moving in together, getting engaged, getting married, having kids, and just having a quiet, normal day, it turns out that the story really begins at happily ever after.
97 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2025
127 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
November 29, 2025
This extended epilogue brought me right back into the dream world of Anna and Brooke’s romance. Super low angst, cozy, and wonderful. For a novella, it was pretty spicy, maybe spicier than “I really do.” And since I don’t remember, I’m just gonna have to reread it. As before, the ways Anna and Brooke handle conflict were just beautiful, no miscommunication, no shutting down, just frigging healthy communication. This was my falling asleep read and I’m gonna miss it.
December 30, 2025
This is an extended epilogue to the novel I Really Do, which I LOVED. This novella would be useless to read unless you read the prior novel, so FYI.
This is just cute fluff and wish fulfilment and I was absolutely on board with that (there is even a disclaimer at the beginning, hah!). Each chapter is a sizable time skip forward through their lives and relationship and it was probably one of the best uses of time skips that I have read; THIS is why a novel should jump through time.
Anyways, not much to it other than that. If you read the first novel and liked it then you should definitely read this one as well.
This is just cute fluff and wish fulfilment and I was absolutely on board with that (there is even a disclaimer at the beginning, hah!). Each chapter is a sizable time skip forward through their lives and relationship and it was probably one of the best uses of time skips that I have read; THIS is why a novel should jump through time.
Anyways, not much to it other than that. If you read the first novel and liked it then you should definitely read this one as well.
January 29, 2026
"But now, now, Anna was home. It didn’t matter where they were, who they were with, or what awaited them, if Anna was there, Brooke felt like she was home."
Joy! Pure unadulterated Joy is the best way to describe how I feel now that I have finished this beautiful series.
Brooke and Anna have captured my heart and I don't believe they will ever let go of it.
Having the chance to see more of their story after the HEA felt like watching two friends live their best lives, just utter warmth all the way through.
I adored how much we could see their love blossom and thrive, not just with each other but with their chosen family.
This book series is the physical manifestation of love in all its forms, just pure ooghy gooey love.
Even through the ups and downs of Anna's and Brooke's love story you don't doubt for a moment how devoted these two are for eachother.
And I mean these wedding vows are just everything 🥰
“Brooke Kent,” Anna said, her eyes watering all over again. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I promise to do voices when I read to you. I promise to embarrass you at every single one of your competitions. I promise to always let you try new recipes first. I promise to never learn all the words to any song, because I know how funny you think my versions are. And I promise to love you, for the rest of my life.” She lifted Brooke’s hands to her lips and pressed a gentle kiss to the backs of her knuckles. “And, I promise that in our next life, I’ll just do us both a favor and make the first move.”
5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for making my heart melt
Joy! Pure unadulterated Joy is the best way to describe how I feel now that I have finished this beautiful series.
Brooke and Anna have captured my heart and I don't believe they will ever let go of it.
Having the chance to see more of their story after the HEA felt like watching two friends live their best lives, just utter warmth all the way through.
I adored how much we could see their love blossom and thrive, not just with each other but with their chosen family.
This book series is the physical manifestation of love in all its forms, just pure ooghy gooey love.
Even through the ups and downs of Anna's and Brooke's love story you don't doubt for a moment how devoted these two are for eachother.
And I mean these wedding vows are just everything 🥰
“Brooke Kent,” Anna said, her eyes watering all over again. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I promise to do voices when I read to you. I promise to embarrass you at every single one of your competitions. I promise to always let you try new recipes first. I promise to never learn all the words to any song, because I know how funny you think my versions are. And I promise to love you, for the rest of my life.” She lifted Brooke’s hands to her lips and pressed a gentle kiss to the backs of her knuckles. “And, I promise that in our next life, I’ll just do us both a favor and make the first move.”
5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for making my heart melt
November 23, 2025
➥ 5 stars ⋆˚࿔
I was so excited about this novella coming out that I couldn’t sleep the night before😭 But it was absolutely worth it because I loved this!!! The reason why I only gave I Really Do 3.75 stars was because it had all happened a little fast and I wished we could’ve seen more of Anna and Brooke as a couple, so this novella was absolutely perfect!!! All I wished for and more. Brooke and Anna will always have a special place in my heart 💝 Some parts even made me cry! (chapter 4 of course🥹).
I only wish we’d gotten more info on what exactly happened between Chris and Viv, but maybe they’ll get their own book? I would love that.
— Buddy read #6 with @MarsBar!🖤 I Really Do was our very first buddy read together, so of course we had to read the novella together too🫶🏻
I was so excited about this novella coming out that I couldn’t sleep the night before😭 But it was absolutely worth it because I loved this!!! The reason why I only gave I Really Do 3.75 stars was because it had all happened a little fast and I wished we could’ve seen more of Anna and Brooke as a couple, so this novella was absolutely perfect!!! All I wished for and more. Brooke and Anna will always have a special place in my heart 💝 Some parts even made me cry! (chapter 4 of course🥹).
I only wish we’d gotten more info on what exactly happened between Chris and Viv, but maybe they’ll get their own book? I would love that.
— Buddy read #6 with @MarsBar!🖤 I Really Do was our very first buddy read together, so of course we had to read the novella together too🫶🏻
November 21, 2025
I wish more authors did extended epilogues! It was so fun to see Anna and Brooke’s milestones throughout the years. I love that reciprocal IVF was a part of their journey. I Always Will was a very quick read that had me kicking my feet and giggling.
January 23, 2026
⋆˙✮ 5
I. Freaking. Melted. It is extremely rare that I like an extended epilogue more than the actual novel, and I Always Will is one of those cases. I have nothing but amazing things to say about this. Brooke and Anna are absolutely healthy and adorable as always, and we get to witness the beautiful progression of their relationship, from moving in all the way to having children. Absolutely no notes— I loved this so much!
I. Freaking. Melted. It is extremely rare that I like an extended epilogue more than the actual novel, and I Always Will is one of those cases. I have nothing but amazing things to say about this. Brooke and Anna are absolutely healthy and adorable as always, and we get to witness the beautiful progression of their relationship, from moving in all the way to having children. Absolutely no notes— I loved this so much!
January 10, 2026
First of all, make sure you read I Really Do first.
Secondly, I REALLY loved EVERYTHING about this!
📚
Secondly, I REALLY loved EVERYTHING about this!
📚
November 23, 2025
This book was literally cuteness overload. I absolutely adore the MCs and was so happy to finally have the epilogue we wanted to see in I Really Do, it was even better than expected 😭🖤 All I can really say at the end of this is that my heart is happy, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for any more books Emily K. Hardy releases (hopefully the next one is about Viv and Chris cause whatttt?? More details please).
Highly recommend reading this after I Really Do, what a wonderful ending ✨ Shoutout to Clara for discovering this was even getting released and doing yet another buddy read with me. Always a great time :)
Highly recommend reading this after I Really Do, what a wonderful ending ✨ Shoutout to Clara for discovering this was even getting released and doing yet another buddy read with me. Always a great time :)
February 28, 2026
Memorable Quotes:
“I want to be there for you when you don’t feel well and need your heating pad. I want to get invested in all of your ridiculous reality TV shows” - Brooke (Chapter 2, pg. 37).
“I want to come home to you every night, and wake up in your arms everything morning. I want it all with you. Anything you want. Any movie you want to watch or TV show. A dog. A cat. Kids. A career change. Moving across the country to be closer to your favorite sports team. A midlife crisis involving a convertible. Anything and everything in between” - Anna (Chapter 47, pg. 47).
Review:
Keep this short and sweet and to the point. As this was written as a short novella to the book I Really Do and my first fake dating book within the sapphic world this obviously holds a safe place in my heart. I loved being able to see Anna and Brooklyn and their flourishing relationship beyond just dating. My only negative is that there were a few grammar errors that I noticed but other than it was nice revisiting the world in the beginning of my sapphic journey. Overall, lovely read :)
“I want to be there for you when you don’t feel well and need your heating pad. I want to get invested in all of your ridiculous reality TV shows” - Brooke (Chapter 2, pg. 37).
“I want to come home to you every night, and wake up in your arms everything morning. I want it all with you. Anything you want. Any movie you want to watch or TV show. A dog. A cat. Kids. A career change. Moving across the country to be closer to your favorite sports team. A midlife crisis involving a convertible. Anything and everything in between” - Anna (Chapter 47, pg. 47).
Review:
Keep this short and sweet and to the point. As this was written as a short novella to the book I Really Do and my first fake dating book within the sapphic world this obviously holds a safe place in my heart. I loved being able to see Anna and Brooklyn and their flourishing relationship beyond just dating. My only negative is that there were a few grammar errors that I noticed but other than it was nice revisiting the world in the beginning of my sapphic journey. Overall, lovely read :)
January 23, 2026
I Always Will
Loved this! I am always happy to read an extended epilogue to see how things turned out for a couple. We are treated to Anna and Brooke's life after their fake-dating excursion. It was everything I had hoped for them... and a couple of surprises about their loved ones. I can only hope there's more to come.
Loved this! I am always happy to read an extended epilogue to see how things turned out for a couple. We are treated to Anna and Brooke's life after their fake-dating excursion. It was everything I had hoped for them... and a couple of surprises about their loved ones. I can only hope there's more to come.
February 18, 2026
perfection. wonderful continuation into their lives 🥹🥹
January 30, 2026
Yay for extended epilogues on your favorite romances. No notes.
November 23, 2025
I love an epilogue. more books should have something like this, short and sweet but get to actually see the happily ever after play out.
November 21, 2025
Perfect!
I have loved ‘I Really Do’ for a long time and when I found out there was going to be an update I was so excited, it absolutely doesn’t disappoint.
I’m a fan of getting to see some of the happily ever after parts and this was so in keeping with the characters.
I would love some more of Vivienne and Chris (and of course Brooke and Anna!) so fingers crossed for that!
I have loved ‘I Really Do’ for a long time and when I found out there was going to be an update I was so excited, it absolutely doesn’t disappoint.
I’m a fan of getting to see some of the happily ever after parts and this was so in keeping with the characters.
I would love some more of Vivienne and Chris (and of course Brooke and Anna!) so fingers crossed for that!
November 21, 2025
I didn’t want this to end! I hope there’s a book with Vivienne and Christine in the near future! They are the true definition of an unforeseen event! I love Anna and Brooke, they’re one of my favorite book characters off all time! I see much myself in Brooke it’s unreal! I didn’t expect Brooke to carry, I must admit; I myself abhor even the thought of it! Bravo Author! Anyway, immaculate book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2025
This was such a beautiful addition to the original book. Brb, crying my little gay heart out 🥹
January 23, 2026
I loved the book and I love this novella and the characters and the authors writing style
February 4, 2026
4.5 stars
December 29, 2025
This made me kick my feet in the air. As the biggest fan of the main book itself, when I found out about a sequel, I was screaming in my head. This is a nice addition for people who loved them, and the portrayal of their journey together is amazing.
Also, like...Vivienne and Chris together?? I mean, that's quite the twist! If we'd gotten a book about that, I would be on it the first day of release.
Also, like...Vivienne and Chris together?? I mean, that's quite the twist! If we'd gotten a book about that, I would be on it the first day of release.
November 26, 2025
Brooke and Anna reign supreme as a top 3 favorite sapphic couple in the queer literary universe. I was pleasantly surprised to hear EKH was working on a IRD extended epilogue that gave us snapshots into their future, truthfully, I never wanted their story to end.
I love that EKH gave us well-timed snapshots into Brooke and Anna's futures, giving feel-good vibes with the reality of life and how things don't always go as expected. I loved the secondary-character inclusions and the development of them and their relationships.
Brooke and Anna still remain one of my go-to couples that I can get deeply invested in and I love how EKH writes their dialogue, the continuation of their story, and the continuation of their universe. I will always come back for more where these two are concerned.
I love that EKH gave us well-timed snapshots into Brooke and Anna's futures, giving feel-good vibes with the reality of life and how things don't always go as expected. I loved the secondary-character inclusions and the development of them and their relationships.
Brooke and Anna still remain one of my go-to couples that I can get deeply invested in and I love how EKH writes their dialogue, the continuation of their story, and the continuation of their universe. I will always come back for more where these two are concerned.
December 13, 2025
Romance novels have a tendency to finish just when the characters finally get together, some with an epilogue that looks at what lies after that for them, while others can leave you wanting. I understand why that is usually the case, but even still, that doesn't stop me from wanting to know what happens to the characters afterwards, so it is always nice when authors release an extended epilogue.
Which is of course what I Always will is. It's adorable, and looks at pivotal moments of Anna and Brooke's life as they tackle life together. Some spice, a little tears, and plenty of happiness. We also get snippets of where their friends are at as well, which is also nice. All up, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Which is of course what I Always will is. It's adorable, and looks at pivotal moments of Anna and Brooke's life as they tackle life together. Some spice, a little tears, and plenty of happiness. We also get snippets of where their friends are at as well, which is also nice. All up, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
December 23, 2025
I can’t remember how many times I have re-read the prequel “I really do” and wished they were more books and details about these characters, and then the author surprised me with this book.
(Can’t wait to see if the other characters also receive their own books, a girl can dream!)
It was beautiful, and a great short story and sneak peak of these characters future, which was wholesome and lovely!
(Can’t wait to see if the other characters also receive their own books, a girl can dream!)
It was beautiful, and a great short story and sneak peak of these characters future, which was wholesome and lovely!
November 26, 2025
Loved it.
This is a perfect way to end of the story for Anna and Brooke. And we even got some tidbits of HEA for Viv and Christine.
It is a rapid pace read, bit it covers all the important parts of their HEA that we all always look for after reading a book and it ends with them coming together in a relationship.
Brilliantly done.
This is a perfect way to end of the story for Anna and Brooke. And we even got some tidbits of HEA for Viv and Christine.
It is a rapid pace read, bit it covers all the important parts of their HEA that we all always look for after reading a book and it ends with them coming together in a relationship.
Brilliantly done.
November 30, 2025
Surprise rather than leaving us with Anna and Brooke getting together Emily gives us book 2 the complete story. Moving in together, marriage, kids.. now if we could just follow the story on the friend group. The women who played a major part in their lives, Nick too of course!! Oh, and the engagement which was really cute. ; )
January 25, 2026
a bit cheesier than i like; i usually skip over the happy ever afters once i know what’s going to happen, lol
however, i loved anna and brooke’s love story (i really do) so it felt obligatory to read this one. for those that like happily ever after, it’s well written and has good levels of spice for it being a novella!
however, i loved anna and brooke’s love story (i really do) so it felt obligatory to read this one. for those that like happily ever after, it’s well written and has good levels of spice for it being a novella!
November 25, 2025
This was a beautiful follow up to "I really do".
Brooke and Anna are such wonderful MC's. The way they communicate, work as a team and just love each other is so so beautiful.
Seeing them grow together and into their future really had me all sappy.
Brooke and Anna are such wonderful MC's. The way they communicate, work as a team and just love each other is so so beautiful.
Seeing them grow together and into their future really had me all sappy.
November 26, 2025
Short sequel to I Really Do.
Brooke and Anna settle down, move in together and other warm and fuzzies. We also catch up with the friend group.
As a side thing, I liked that Brooke and her parents aren't suddenly fixed at this point. More realistic.
Brooke and Anna settle down, move in together and other warm and fuzzies. We also catch up with the friend group.
As a side thing, I liked that Brooke and her parents aren't suddenly fixed at this point. More realistic.
December 1, 2025
Loved it!!!
I love everything by this author. It's laugh out loud funny, heartfelt, and relatable. The characters are amazing. Can't wait to read all of her books.
I hope I get to read Chris and Viv's story. Lol
I love everything by this author. It's laugh out loud funny, heartfelt, and relatable. The characters are amazing. Can't wait to read all of her books.
I hope I get to read Chris and Viv's story. Lol
January 21, 2026
I love this cheesy romance book, it was a great continuation from the first. I am hoping that Emily will think about adding to their story and that maybe a story about Chris and Vivienne could be in the next series as well? Just putting my two cents in to keep up the great work. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews