Mr. Always

Kings of Boston #4

by Cala Riley

A buried crush. A badly timed confession.

Iris Howard thought her feelings for Maximilian Williamson were a thing of the past. Working for him forced her to let go of the crush she once had—and she did. Mostly. But now that Max is no longer her boss, she’s dipping a toe back into dating… and realizing just how complicated it can be in her thirties.

Max never saw what was right in front of him—until Iris started moving on. Watching her with other men is unbearable, and playing the part of a supportive friend is wearing thin. He knows what he wants now… and he’s ready to fight for it.

When a once-in-a-lifetime job offer lands in Iris’s lap, everything is thrown into question. Just as Max finally makes his move, Iris is faced with a choice that could change everything.

Mr. Always is a sizzling billionaire office romance full of slow-burn tension, friends-to-lovers longing, and the kind of love that risks everything for one more chance. Perfect for fans of Lauren Asher and Deborah Bladon, this is book four in the Kings of Boston series—where the men are powerful, the stakes are high, and forever might be just one decision away.

Genres: Friends To Lovers

297 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Cala Riley, better known as Cala and Riley, are a pair of friends with a deep seated love of books and writing. Both Cala and Riley are happily married and each have children, Cala with the four-legged kind while Riley has a mixture of both two-legged and four. While they live apart, that does not affect their connection. They are the true definition of family. What started as an idea that quickly turned into a full-length book and a bond that will never end.

Check out our linktree for more information:
https://linktr.ee/authorcalariley

Reviews

[Joanne Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max and Iris have been friends since they met ten years ago by accident and Max hired her as his assistant. While they are both in love with each other they are both unwilling to make the first move.
Problems arise when Iris decides to move on causing Max to start to spiral.
It is clear to everyone they are meant to be together and they just need to get their acts together, this is a brillant friends to loves book.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing Max and Iris in the background of the series, I couldn't wait for their story. I love a good "it's always been you" storyline and these two were in denial the whole 10 years they worked together and were friends. They had magnetic chemistry and banter, both in love but unwilling to see that the other felt the same. It took way too long for Max to get the courage but his social anxiety kept him down. They both needed that jolt to the status quo to realize what was in front of them all along.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m so happy we finally got Max and Iris’s story! It was such a long time in the making-10 years. This was the ultimate of slow burn tension. If you want to read a story that will make you scream into the void because you want to knock some sense into the MCs then this is your book. So many times I caught myself shaking my kindle hoping it would shake some sense into Max and Iris 😂 I loved getting to see all the MCs from the previous books and how they helped Max and Iris get together. Another great book with characters I love.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book like the others is *chefs kiss* it’s pure perfection. I love Iris and Max. I’ve never been one for friends to lovers but this makes me love it. The seamless storyline and character interaction makes it an easy and very enjoyable read. As usual it feels like you’ve known these characters for years. I get completely immersed in the story. Sad this is the last one and sad their stories are over but I love how each one ended up.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received an ARC for this book)

Trigger Warnings include:
an MC with social anxiety, mentions of a parent cheating and another involved in illegal activities

The perfection of an “it’s you” moment! What a way to kick off a book! Max and Iris were everything I could have hoped for, and more! I swear this writing duo always knows exactly what I want to read. Billionaire? Check. Best friends to lovers? Check!!! Working together for a decade pretending to ignore their much more than friends love for each other? Checkkkkk!!!!! Toss in a friend group/brothers who are absolutely well aware that they’re sickly in love and you have the recipe for a fabulous book! More than anything, Max admires the hell out of Iris. As a person, as an employee, as a companion, as his right hand woman, as his rock. And he would never jeopardize the closeness they share. Spending all that time waiting for Max to show any sign of feeling the same way she does, has left Iris feeling like she’s not where she wanted to be in life. She feels like things are missing, things she was hoping to have with Max. When Iris shows signs of dating calm, even-headed Max suddenly goes completely off kilter. You can FEEL their love for each other. They’re such knuckleheads. Respectful, supportive, understanding, loving knuckleheads. They’re a perfect match, truly!

My Favorite Quotes:
• “This dress is sinful on you.”
• “I can feel you staring.” “I can’t help myself. You’re beautiful.”
• “I only ever wanted you.”
• “I want you naked and inside of me. Make it happen, or I will take care of it myself.”
• “You can’t look at me like that, baby. You are going to make me come before I even touch you,”
• “I hope you know that just for that lip, I’m going to edge the f!ck out of you.”

7/10 Dirty Birdy
9/10 Friends to Lovers
6/10 Slow Burn
5/10 The CEO Type
7/10 Series

This is my review for Mr. Almost
This is my review for Mr. Ruthless
This is my review for Mr. Playboy

[World Of Books 65 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decade of longing, loyalty, and love finally ignites in the most perfect series finale.

I adore the writing duo of Cala Riley—truly one of the rare teams who excel in every genre they touch—and I’ve devoured every book they’ve written. The Kings of Boston series has been a standout, these men stealing my heart one story at a time, but I think we’ve all been holding our breath for Iris and Max. And wow… Mr. Always is everything this long-awaited finale deserved to be.

From the moment Iris went to work for Max and his brothers ten years ago, a quiet, unshakable bond was formed. Best friends. Constants. Safe harbours. Max—the broody, brilliant introvert—and Iris, the woman who keeps his work life (and frankly his whole world) running smoothly, neither willing to risk tipping the balance into something more… even when everyone around them could see how perfectly they fit. Cala Riley takes that delicious restraint and stretches it into a slow burn that aches in the best way—sparks flying on every page, tension simmering just beneath the surface.

When Iris finally considers stepping off the merry-go-round of what ifs and into real dating, Max’s clenched jaw and barely-contained jealousy say everything his words won’t. It’s these small, intimate moments that make this friends-to-lovers, workplace romance such a joy to read. Add in laugh-out-loud cameos from family and friends who are determined to push these two together, and the build becomes irresistible. And when the fire finally ignites? It’s scorching—earned, emotional, and utterly swoon-worthy.

A flawless ending to the Kings of Boston series, Mr. Always is proof that sometimes the love you’ve been waiting for has been right there all along… and it’s absolutely worth the wait. Final page bliss, guaranteed. 💖🔥

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

MMC/FMC: Maximillian “Max” and Iris

Tropes:
* Billionaire romance
* Office/workplace romance
* It’s always been you
* Unrequited romance
* Friends to lovers
* Second chance
* Slow burn

Safety:
* Cheating (not MMC/FMC)
* Mental health rep (anxiety)

I loved their meet cute. I didn’t like that it took 10 years for Iris to finally call it quits though.
You knew how Iris felt, and you can’t hep but feel a little rage…

“I always thought it would be him. That one day he would wake up and that chemistry from the day we met would flare back to life. That he would give me everything I ever hoped for.
A decade later, and I’m still waiting.”

I felt for Max with his anxiety, but the fact he’s kind of resigned himself to letting her go wasn’t a nice feeling.
I really wanted them together, but I found that the story kind of dragged in the middle… So much push-pull, the ‘will they, won’t they’ dragged on for so long, I was getting frustrated and wanted to jump ahead.

The conflict towards the end… I saw it coming a mile away, but I completely understood Iris’ thoughts. It was pretty rough. It did wrap up extremely quickly, though. I would have preferred less time on the build-up and more time on the resolution.

I really liked Clint… I actually hope there’s a spin-off for him.

All in all, a good story, but it just felt a little slow at times. And while I rooted for them to get together, it gets a little hard when you’re constantly frustrated with the MMC for being a bit dense.

[Lou Li Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have followed the Kings of Boston series, you will know that Max and Iris were a long time coming and destined to be with each other. This is the last book in the series, a stand alone which followed four very successful best friends and their journey to finding the strong willed women to manage them! It’s taken over a decade but Iris needs to finally move on from her crush and Max needs to pull his socks up! The question of his reactions to Iris’s action is definitely a case of if she didn’t start making waves, would be have pulled his finger out?! But really, we all know the truth, neither can function without the other and it’s was the story we’ve all been waiting for and how it would pan out. It’s a slow burn work place romance, friends to lovers, there’s lingering regret, things could have happened earlier rather than wait but I think it was the perfect time for them both now. Loved this story and this bunch of friends!

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own

[Amanda Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Always by Cala Riley

🖤🖤🖤🖤

I was so excited for Max and Iris’ story! I love friends-to-lovers romances, especially when it’s been a long time in the making. I enjoyed Max’s relationship with his friends and the love they all share for each other.
Their relationship began when they met in a coffee shop, and little did they know she’d be interviewing for a position at his company. A decade later, Iris feels like her life is at a standstill and confesses to Max that she wants a family, hoping he’d jump up and admit he loves her too. But that would be too easy, and make for a short book, even though Max wants to do exactly that.
I liked seeing Iris with the girls and loved her new friendship with Clint as well. Watching the two main characters battle with themselves in their heads over what to do when everyone around them is waiting for them to catch up and finally get together was such a great story. It flowed so well, and I’m very happy with the ending, even though this is the last book in the series.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in this phenomenal series, and this is Iris and Max’s story.
These two have been friends since they met 10-years-ago, and Max hires Iris as his assistant. Working with Max has Iris forced to hide her feeling for him. When a once-in-a-lifetime job offer lands on Iris’s lap, Max spirals when she is going to move on, and as he is no longer her boss, she decides to dip back into the dating pool. Max never realised what was right in front of him until it was too late, and he is knows what he wants and her decides to go for it.
This is a well written slow burn, easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, tension, anxiety, challenges, friends / lovers, second chances, humour, witty banter, workplace romance, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from these talented authors’ whose work I highly recommend.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just had a feeling that Max and Iris’ story was going to be a rollercoaster, and Cala Riley did not disappoint. They have been best friends for years working side by side. Iris has grown with the company, and you see the mutual respect and love for each other. There is also pinning. So much that neither of them wants to risk telling the other that they have a huge crush on them. They just continue to put on a mask of friendship. It takes a moment, a single moment, for things to tilt on their axis and these two have to either show their hand or walk away. I loved watching Max push through insecurities for Iris. Like he knew what was important and would do anything for her. It was also watching Iris work past the walls that she put around her heart and seeing how much she truly wanted Max. I loved how this series wrapped up and seeing all our Boston Kings find their happiness.

[Jinane Abou Hassan zahran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Always is a very slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance that had me wanting to scream: Tell him already! Tell her already!!!! Max and Iris have worked side by side for ten years, with Max as Iris’s boss and friend, both hiding their feelings out of fear of losing what they already have. Iris, believing she’s lost any chance with Max, finally moves on and gets back on the dating scene. Max realizes then exactly what he’s been risking, losing the only anchor he has (both socially and professionally). Watching them navigate their feelings is tense, emotional, and at times frustrating. The workplace billionaire dynamic adds another layer, the chemistry is undeniable (that's what drove me crazy), and the payoff and HEA feel earned. Seeing familiar friends from previous Kings of Boston books pop up made this series wrap-up even warmer and more rewarding.

ARC received for an honest review.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always knew Max and Iris were destined to be together from the very beginning. It just took them a while to get there. I love their friendship and how they do everything together. Granted they both had issues with admitting their feelings due to their work relationship and it in turn made their friendship also a little dicey. Seeing Iris go on her dates though was quite interesting. She really struggled. Clint though was an interesting one. I really loved him, (as a friend) IYKYK. Once both Iris and Max were honest with one either, their relationship was perfect! Also the way Max took care of Iris during her monthly visit, swoooooon! I think it was important to see how their personal relationship could flourish with working with one another.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, the couple who has been in the background of every other Kings of Boston book FINALLY GOT THEIR HEA!!!! Why oh why are these two so stubborn?! Iris and Max have an amazing meet cute but then Iris goes to the interview to find out Max will be her new boss... so she keeps the professional walls up. Max watched his dad drop the professional walls for so long he is dead set on not crossing those boundaries. Iris decides its time to shake things up, Max isn't sure how to deal... Follow the ups and downs of what I firmly believe is my favorite Kings of Boston couple and as we all know will happen, they get their HEA. About time!

[Larissa Rye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am Max. Max is me. Haha the entire time I’m like yup hello soul sister. I need to find me a guy that is like Iris because she was the perfect other half for him. Which is why 3/4 of this book I just wanted to bang their heads together, no idea how their friends & family refrained. Butttt it made for a good slow burn read! Honestly I think I enjoyed this book so much because I loved Max & I could relate so much to his personality. I also really enjoyed how Iris was trying to turn her life around, into what she truly wanted for the rest of it & she wasn’t just waiting around for it to magically happen to her. (Like me & Max haha) Truly it was a great read & I enjoyed it!

[My_Books_In_Nooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review for Mr. Always by Cala Riley

I always super enjoy the books this duo writes.
Mr Always is yet again one of those I devoured.
This book focusses on Max and Iris, but it is awesome to see all the friends from the other books pop up their heads in this book too.

I love a HEA with an ‘It has always only ever been you’ plot.
Scared of their long standing friendship and crush towards each other, they both hide their true feelings from each other.
But as time progresses, they finally open their eyes and take that leap, and what a leap it is!
Chemistry is delicious, 🌶️ is hot!

Loved this book
5/5⭐️

[Kelly Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was always meant to be

If you’ve read the whole series before reading Max and Iris’ story then you’ve probably been cheering for them from the sidelines…now we finally get to read their story.

From the first meeting in a coffee shop…Max and Iris were always meant to be it just took them a friggin long time to get there.

Ten years of angst, drama, looks, friendships. They both had some things to work through and he might be the best with expressing his intentions.

Angst ✅
Friendship ❤️
Smexy 🔥 (about dang time)
HEA ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Danielle Hembree-Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max & Iris
I was waiting for this couple to get their own book!! And boy oh boy did it live up to the hype!!

Max and Iris worked together for 10 years. They both had feelings for eachother, but thought the other didn't feel the same. When Iris gets offered a job in her dream city and decides she should start dating, Max didn't know what to think let alone do!

Will Max & Iris get their happy ever after?! Guess you will need to read it to know! My favorite scene is DEFINITELY the office scene!!

[Beth Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max and Iris finally get their story, but I did want to knock their heads together at points!
A friendship of over a decade where they don’t want to spoil their relationship but both want more.
We get the characters from the previous books making appearances but due to this one being a mainly set in New York there is not quite as much interaction.
Slow burn friends to lovers with a lack of communication at times. I would love to see the whole group a few years down the line to see where they all are.

[Lilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man who pays attention to her, a man who cares for her when she is unwell, and a man who cooks for her! Dear Max, you are full of green flags!

This was the book which I have been waiting for since the start of the series. I love the friends to lovers trope and this was indeed such a delicious slow burn.

Their deep friendship is the building blocks of their beautiful relationship and it was amazing to see how their connection is slowly transformed over time.

[Patricia Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Max and Iris being friends for 10 years and working together everyday you would think one of them would get their head out of their crack and show how they truly feel about each other, but oh NO that doesn’t happen.. it takes Iris accepting a new job before that finally happens.. this is a good sloooow burn Thais a second chance, friends to lovers story. You get humor, banter, chemistry, challenges, anxiety and love.

[Donna McEachran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten years of mutual unrequited love has Iris looking to move on. Max is about losing Iris's friendship if he makes a move. There are secrets kept but no heavy angst. Lots of friendships keep this couple moving forward. Good, relatively light read

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

[Rachel Bohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max and Iris are a whole vibe.

we all know what its like to love someone but never say a word.

but iris and max? you could cut the romantic tension with a knife.

another stand out novel from Cala Riley!

[Echo's Journey Through Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
review coming soon...

[Katelynn Seaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iris and Max were the best office romance I have read and trust me I’m never a fan of them but this blew me away! These two are absolutely made for each other but they both are in denial that they are more than friends and boy a few times did I want to slap the fmc and mmc sometimes. Just wanted to scream wake up!!!! But other than that I loved this book and how perfectly their relationship was written and how it progressed :)