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Love That Lingers
They were never meant to fall in love.
Emma and Liam had one rule in high school — to annoy each other as much as humanly possible.
He was infuriatingly confident, with a smile that made her roll her eyes.
She was stubborn, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore.
Their days were filled with teasing, petty fights, and a rivalry everyone knew about — but behind the laughter and the arguments, something real was quietly taking shape.
When a school project forces them to spend time together, everything begins to change. The long conversations, the unexpected moments of understanding, and the soft glances that neither of them wants to admit—all of it leads to something neither of them saw coming. Somewhere between late-night calls and morning walks, enemies become friends, and friends turn into something much deeper.
Liam, a boy who dreams of becoming a chef, hides his passion from a world that doesn’t understand it.
Emma, still chasing her late father’s dream of seeing her become an artist, carries the weight of promises she’s afraid to break. Together, they find comfort in each other’s chaos—a kind of love that feels both impossible and inevitable.
But life has other plans.
Dreams come with destinations, and love can’t always hold two people in the same place.
Liam earns a chance to study culinary arts in Madrid, while Emma’s art takes her to Athens. Two cities. Two dreams. One love that neither can forget.
Years apart, they grow, they change, they build their lives around the ambitions that once pulled them apart. Yet, no matter how far they go, the memories remain—quiet reminders of what once was, and perhaps, what could still be.
A beautifully written second-chance romance about two people who find love, lose it, and learn that some connections never fade.
For readers who believe in love that grows through time, distance, and destiny.
Emma and Liam had one rule in high school — to annoy each other as much as humanly possible.
He was infuriatingly confident, with a smile that made her roll her eyes.
She was stubborn, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore.
Their days were filled with teasing, petty fights, and a rivalry everyone knew about — but behind the laughter and the arguments, something real was quietly taking shape.
When a school project forces them to spend time together, everything begins to change. The long conversations, the unexpected moments of understanding, and the soft glances that neither of them wants to admit—all of it leads to something neither of them saw coming. Somewhere between late-night calls and morning walks, enemies become friends, and friends turn into something much deeper.
Liam, a boy who dreams of becoming a chef, hides his passion from a world that doesn’t understand it.
Emma, still chasing her late father’s dream of seeing her become an artist, carries the weight of promises she’s afraid to break. Together, they find comfort in each other’s chaos—a kind of love that feels both impossible and inevitable.
But life has other plans.
Dreams come with destinations, and love can’t always hold two people in the same place.
Liam earns a chance to study culinary arts in Madrid, while Emma’s art takes her to Athens. Two cities. Two dreams. One love that neither can forget.
Years apart, they grow, they change, they build their lives around the ambitions that once pulled them apart. Yet, no matter how far they go, the memories remain—quiet reminders of what once was, and perhaps, what could still be.
A beautifully written second-chance romance about two people who find love, lose it, and learn that some connections never fade.
For readers who believe in love that grows through time, distance, and destiny.
574 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 31, 2026
Couldn’t get through past 25%. MC’s are high school Seniors but are written more immature than I like.
February 19, 2026
Good read!
This is honestly one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It has everything I look for in a story. The slow-burn romance was done so beautifully, and I completely fell in love with it. It’s one of those books that’s hard to fully explain because you just feel it while you’re reading. It made me smile, laugh, blush… and by the last few chapters, I was in tears. I didn’t want it to end. I genuinely loved this book so much.
This is honestly one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It has everything I look for in a story. The slow-burn romance was done so beautifully, and I completely fell in love with it. It’s one of those books that’s hard to fully explain because you just feel it while you’re reading. It made me smile, laugh, blush… and by the last few chapters, I was in tears. I didn’t want it to end. I genuinely loved this book so much.
November 16, 2025
one of the best books I have read so far. This book contains everything you want to read; you want to feel it's slow burn romance and I totally love it💞 I think more people should read it and then they would know what I am trying to say because I just can't explain beautiful this story is, this story made me smile, laugh and blush at the same time I cried reading the last chapters💞💞💞🥹🥹🥹 I just love this book
December 19, 2025
This is a beautifully human story about the kind of connection that doesn’t vanish just because circumstances change. The author captures the slow evolution from teenage friction to something far deeper with honesty, nuance, and a surprising amount of emotional maturity. Emma and Liam feel real: flawed, bright, ambitious, and terrified of wanting more. Their high-school chaos is not just cute banter, but it also reveals two people learning who they are, and who they might become. As the teasing fades into late-night talks and quiet understanding, you can feel love forming in the spaces they don’t talk about.
What I loved most is that this isn’t a story where love asks them to shrink. Liam pursuing culinary dreams in Madrid and Emma chasing art in Athens creates distance, yes, but it also honors that part of romance we don’t celebrate enough: the courage it takes to grow separately. Collins lets them evolve, and the years apart add depth instead of drama. Their reunion carries that beautiful ache of unfinished sentences and familiar heartbeat memory. It’s romantic, but it’s also profoundly human: two people shaped by time, loss, hope, and ambition, realizing the connection they forged as teenagers hasn’t disappeared.
This book reads like a reminder that some relationships don’t break when they stretch; they become stronger.
What I loved most is that this isn’t a story where love asks them to shrink. Liam pursuing culinary dreams in Madrid and Emma chasing art in Athens creates distance, yes, but it also honors that part of romance we don’t celebrate enough: the courage it takes to grow separately. Collins lets them evolve, and the years apart add depth instead of drama. Their reunion carries that beautiful ache of unfinished sentences and familiar heartbeat memory. It’s romantic, but it’s also profoundly human: two people shaped by time, loss, hope, and ambition, realizing the connection they forged as teenagers hasn’t disappeared.
This book reads like a reminder that some relationships don’t break when they stretch; they become stronger.
January 19, 2026
This isn’t a genre I usually gravitate toward, but I do like to venture into different literary territories from time to time, and Love That Lingers drew me in with its quiet promise of a slow, enduring romance. Emma and Liam aren’t dramatic in a flashy way, but there’s something deeply comforting about watching their lives unfold slowly, honestly, and without rushing the moments that matter. The story takes its time, especially in the early years, but that patience pays off. By the time distance pulls them apart, you truly understand what they’re losing.
This is a very lengthy book for a debut, and undeniably ambitious. As an author myself, I’m often torn between restraint and abundance, always mindful of how page count can affect a reader’s willingness to take a chance on a new voice. That said, I appreciated Emma Collins’ freedom here. She allows the story the space it wants, unafraid to linger, to follow her characters through years rather than moments, and to trust that the right reader will stay with her. That confidence is admirable, and for those who enjoy slow-burn, character-led romance, it makes the journey feel immersive rather than rushed.
This is a very lengthy book for a debut, and undeniably ambitious. As an author myself, I’m often torn between restraint and abundance, always mindful of how page count can affect a reader’s willingness to take a chance on a new voice. That said, I appreciated Emma Collins’ freedom here. She allows the story the space it wants, unafraid to linger, to follow her characters through years rather than moments, and to trust that the right reader will stay with her. That confidence is admirable, and for those who enjoy slow-burn, character-led romance, it makes the journey feel immersive rather than rushed.
May 7, 2026
A sweet love story
This story was beautifully written from the fun moments of banter when Liam teased Emma, clearly in love with her when she didn’t want to give him the time of day, to the moments when their relationship blossomed to the moments of uncertainty when life led them along the paths to fulfill their dreams, but in different countries.
Even while the two become certain of their love for one another, they face the challenges of pursuing their dreams. Emma struggles to leave her mother behind for an amazing opportunity to study art abroad, and Liam has to fight against his parents to attend culinary school abroad rather than following his father’s footsteps as a doctor.
Just when it seems Emma and Liam have found a way to have their dream careers and their long distance love, the bond that kept them together seems to disintegrate. But when Liam’s career brings him to Athens, Emma’s city, they have a chance to rekindle that love.
Watching Emma and Liam interact through the challenges they have to overcome as well as those tender, everyday moments was so beautiful. Each one’s character growth through this novel was so satisfying!
This story was beautifully written from the fun moments of banter when Liam teased Emma, clearly in love with her when she didn’t want to give him the time of day, to the moments when their relationship blossomed to the moments of uncertainty when life led them along the paths to fulfill their dreams, but in different countries.
Even while the two become certain of their love for one another, they face the challenges of pursuing their dreams. Emma struggles to leave her mother behind for an amazing opportunity to study art abroad, and Liam has to fight against his parents to attend culinary school abroad rather than following his father’s footsteps as a doctor.
Just when it seems Emma and Liam have found a way to have their dream careers and their long distance love, the bond that kept them together seems to disintegrate. But when Liam’s career brings him to Athens, Emma’s city, they have a chance to rekindle that love.
Watching Emma and Liam interact through the challenges they have to overcome as well as those tender, everyday moments was so beautiful. Each one’s character growth through this novel was so satisfying!
October 31, 2025
The best book I have read so far, I started reading this book yesterday only and I literally read almost half of the book and I love it, anyone who's gonna read this book will fell in love with it it's not only emotional but it's funny too I laughed so much reading this book and it makes me cry too. I love this book so much.
April 29, 2026
I am not usually a contemporary romance reader but I really enjoyed the story of Emma and Liam. It gave me big Nicholas Sparks vibes as we got the chance to watch these rival teens go through life and learn what it really means to fight for each other.
November 30, 2025
Emma & Liam’s story in Love That Lingers is breathtaking. Emma Collin’s went above and beyond with her storytelling, from all the small moments to the larger ones. Beautiful and well done. I loved every page. You must read this.
May 2, 2026
This book starts with high school teasing. The change from rivalry to friendship feels natural. I liked how their dreams are a real part of the story. Cooking and art actually shape their choices.
January 5, 2026
Emma Collins identifies herself as a college student, and “Love That Lingers” as her debut novel. Note that she is not the same Emma Collins that publishes lesbian fiction.
Our Ms. Collins doesn’t reveal if she is American or British, but her novel takes place in London. This suggests she is British, although her writing has decidedly American undertones.
Her book chronicles the lives of Emma Collins (that name again), and Liam Carter, two 17-year-olds, who meet in high school, and after a long period of coexistence with occasional disdain, proclaim their love for one another. Limiting their signs of affection to gifted lilies, cheek smoochies, and formal proclamations of love, they wait until the prom to kiss each other’s lips for the first time.
This theme of civility at all times makes me lean more heavily toward the author being British. So does the author spending more than one-half of the book’s 574 pages just getting Emma and Liam through their final year of high school.
Following graduation, Liam moves to Madrid to learn how to become a chef, and Emma moves to Athens to study art. During the next four years, they scarcely contact each other, but they are always on each other’s minds and still in each other’s hearts.
Liam eventually opens a restaurant in Madrid and Emma an art store in Athens. When Liam travels to Athens to explore the possibility of opening another restaurant in that city, he and Emma are accidentally reunited.
When Emma first sees Liam, she becomes upset because he is walking with another lady with whom he is not romantically involved. Emma and Liam meet again shortly thereafter, and once the air is cleared, agree to test if love is lovelier the second time around. Cue the Sinatra music.
At 574 pages, “Love That Lingers” is an ambitious attempt for a first novel. Unfortunately, the book’s exorbitant length is one of its major drawbacks.
In short, the author tells a story that could have been easily told in a book half the size. The book is wordy, filled with characters and events that add little to the plot, and plagued by repetitive and unnecessary phrases like, “Oh, my God,” which, if eliminated in their entirety, could probably shave several pages off the narrative and cause fewer distractions.
Additionally, the book is poorly edited and formatted, and its sentence structure is inconsistent. The interposition of line breaks in each chapter is excessive, if not totally unnecessary.
“Love That Lingers” is Emma Collins’ spin on the old storyline of two young sweethearts who accidentally reunite after years of living separate lives. To her credit, her spin respects the once-common tradition of youngsters-in-love not hurrying sex, and attempts to evoke the emotions appropriate to various segments of the story.
This raises the question if the novel is a work of faction. Such a notion is supported by the author’s use of her own name as a main character.
All in all, this book is a solid effort for a first novel. It should be used by the author as a calling card and springboard to writing novels that can establish her as a popular contemporary author.
Our Ms. Collins doesn’t reveal if she is American or British, but her novel takes place in London. This suggests she is British, although her writing has decidedly American undertones.
Her book chronicles the lives of Emma Collins (that name again), and Liam Carter, two 17-year-olds, who meet in high school, and after a long period of coexistence with occasional disdain, proclaim their love for one another. Limiting their signs of affection to gifted lilies, cheek smoochies, and formal proclamations of love, they wait until the prom to kiss each other’s lips for the first time.
This theme of civility at all times makes me lean more heavily toward the author being British. So does the author spending more than one-half of the book’s 574 pages just getting Emma and Liam through their final year of high school.
Following graduation, Liam moves to Madrid to learn how to become a chef, and Emma moves to Athens to study art. During the next four years, they scarcely contact each other, but they are always on each other’s minds and still in each other’s hearts.
Liam eventually opens a restaurant in Madrid and Emma an art store in Athens. When Liam travels to Athens to explore the possibility of opening another restaurant in that city, he and Emma are accidentally reunited.
When Emma first sees Liam, she becomes upset because he is walking with another lady with whom he is not romantically involved. Emma and Liam meet again shortly thereafter, and once the air is cleared, agree to test if love is lovelier the second time around. Cue the Sinatra music.
At 574 pages, “Love That Lingers” is an ambitious attempt for a first novel. Unfortunately, the book’s exorbitant length is one of its major drawbacks.
In short, the author tells a story that could have been easily told in a book half the size. The book is wordy, filled with characters and events that add little to the plot, and plagued by repetitive and unnecessary phrases like, “Oh, my God,” which, if eliminated in their entirety, could probably shave several pages off the narrative and cause fewer distractions.
Additionally, the book is poorly edited and formatted, and its sentence structure is inconsistent. The interposition of line breaks in each chapter is excessive, if not totally unnecessary.
“Love That Lingers” is Emma Collins’ spin on the old storyline of two young sweethearts who accidentally reunite after years of living separate lives. To her credit, her spin respects the once-common tradition of youngsters-in-love not hurrying sex, and attempts to evoke the emotions appropriate to various segments of the story.
This raises the question if the novel is a work of faction. Such a notion is supported by the author’s use of her own name as a main character.
All in all, this book is a solid effort for a first novel. It should be used by the author as a calling card and springboard to writing novels that can establish her as a popular contemporary author.
May 19, 2026
There’s something really special about stories that show how friendship can turn into something more. Love That Lingers does a beautiful job of telling that kind of story, one that feels real and honest from start to finish.
What makes this book so touching is how true it feels to the way people really act and feel. Emma and Liam are easy to understand—flawed but genuine. They start out as rivals, always teasing each other, but underneath all the jokes and arguments, there’s a quiet connection forming. It’s nice to see characters that aren’t perfect but are still relatable. Their friendship grows slowly, quietly, and the way their feelings change feels natural, not rushed.
The writing style is simple but warm. The dialogue is fun and real, filled with little jokes and moments that make you smile. The story moves smoothly through their high school years into adulthood, showing how life and dreams push people apart but also bring them back together in surprising ways. It doesn’t try to be overly dramatic; instead, it lets the characters’ emotions come through honestly, making the story easy to follow and hard to put down.
One thing I really appreciated is the kind and caring way the author talks about the characters’ dreams. Liam wants to be a chef in Madrid, and Emma dreams of being an artist in Athens. These big hopes are exciting but also sad because they mean being apart. The story doesn’t pretend love is easy or always perfect. Instead, it shows how love can stay quiet in the background, even when life pulls people in different directions. It made me think about how some feelings never really go away, even when we’re far apart.
What I liked most is how the story shows growth. Emma and Liam change a lot over the years, but the memories of what they shared stay with them. They learn that love isn’t just about being together; it’s about the moments, the hopes, and the lessons they carry forward. The book feels hopeful and gentle, reminding us that some connections last forever, even if life takes us in different directions.
Overall, Love That Lingers is a sincere and heartfelt story about love that grows, fades, and sometimes comes back again. It’s a story for anyone who believes that love isn’t just about the moment but about the memories and the hope for what might still come. It’s warm, honest, and easy to relate to—like catching up with an old friend who understands what it means to love, lose, and find your way again.
What makes this book so touching is how true it feels to the way people really act and feel. Emma and Liam are easy to understand—flawed but genuine. They start out as rivals, always teasing each other, but underneath all the jokes and arguments, there’s a quiet connection forming. It’s nice to see characters that aren’t perfect but are still relatable. Their friendship grows slowly, quietly, and the way their feelings change feels natural, not rushed.
The writing style is simple but warm. The dialogue is fun and real, filled with little jokes and moments that make you smile. The story moves smoothly through their high school years into adulthood, showing how life and dreams push people apart but also bring them back together in surprising ways. It doesn’t try to be overly dramatic; instead, it lets the characters’ emotions come through honestly, making the story easy to follow and hard to put down.
One thing I really appreciated is the kind and caring way the author talks about the characters’ dreams. Liam wants to be a chef in Madrid, and Emma dreams of being an artist in Athens. These big hopes are exciting but also sad because they mean being apart. The story doesn’t pretend love is easy or always perfect. Instead, it shows how love can stay quiet in the background, even when life pulls people in different directions. It made me think about how some feelings never really go away, even when we’re far apart.
What I liked most is how the story shows growth. Emma and Liam change a lot over the years, but the memories of what they shared stay with them. They learn that love isn’t just about being together; it’s about the moments, the hopes, and the lessons they carry forward. The book feels hopeful and gentle, reminding us that some connections last forever, even if life takes us in different directions.
Overall, Love That Lingers is a sincere and heartfelt story about love that grows, fades, and sometimes comes back again. It’s a story for anyone who believes that love isn’t just about the moment but about the memories and the hope for what might still come. It’s warm, honest, and easy to relate to—like catching up with an old friend who understands what it means to love, lose, and find your way again.
April 22, 2026
Love That Lingers by Emma Collins
Generally, I don’t read romance. But Collins was looking for reviews, so I thought I’d help. Emma writes beautifully and descriptively. Her title, Love That Lingers, captures exactly how the book unfolds: a picture of love growing slowly over time, even when years and distance separate her characters.
It was easy to love her characters, Liam and Emma. But Emma stood out more than Liam, especially toward the end. I wasn’t always sure about Liam and the way he treated Emma — making decisions for her that she seemingly had little control over. At times, I found him a little controlling. However, in the light of him romancing her, I gained a better perspective. I loved the choices they had to make and how those choices became a challenge that eventually drew them together.
As a writer, Emma Collins has a very bright future. I don’t know her personally, but I could pick up, at times, her personal vulnerability in the writing. The book was easy to follow, and there were hooks throughout the narrative that kept drawing me back in. That worked well and kept me interested. Collins’s writing is tasteful in the way she describes intimacy between her characters. I also enjoyed reading about her circle of friends and how they interacted with one another — they added warmth and realism to the story.
I do think the book was too long, with noticeable repetition and phrases reused throughout. At those points I found myself skimming, not wanting to miss anything new but struggling to stay engaged. I also felt she could have used key moments to create more tension and suspense. Two examples: Kevin’s obsession with Emma. It builds and there’s a confrontation, but I expected more escalation that never came. Then the year apart — a quote that will stay with me: “That was the last time they met in person — before distance grew louder than love, and silence took its place.” (p. 387). That line deserved more emotional weight around it.
Overall, a strong debut with beautiful prose and memorable characters, just in need of tightening to let the story’s quiet power shine through.
Generally, I don’t read romance. But Collins was looking for reviews, so I thought I’d help. Emma writes beautifully and descriptively. Her title, Love That Lingers, captures exactly how the book unfolds: a picture of love growing slowly over time, even when years and distance separate her characters.
It was easy to love her characters, Liam and Emma. But Emma stood out more than Liam, especially toward the end. I wasn’t always sure about Liam and the way he treated Emma — making decisions for her that she seemingly had little control over. At times, I found him a little controlling. However, in the light of him romancing her, I gained a better perspective. I loved the choices they had to make and how those choices became a challenge that eventually drew them together.
As a writer, Emma Collins has a very bright future. I don’t know her personally, but I could pick up, at times, her personal vulnerability in the writing. The book was easy to follow, and there were hooks throughout the narrative that kept drawing me back in. That worked well and kept me interested. Collins’s writing is tasteful in the way she describes intimacy between her characters. I also enjoyed reading about her circle of friends and how they interacted with one another — they added warmth and realism to the story.
I do think the book was too long, with noticeable repetition and phrases reused throughout. At those points I found myself skimming, not wanting to miss anything new but struggling to stay engaged. I also felt she could have used key moments to create more tension and suspense. Two examples: Kevin’s obsession with Emma. It builds and there’s a confrontation, but I expected more escalation that never came. Then the year apart — a quote that will stay with me: “That was the last time they met in person — before distance grew louder than love, and silence took its place.” (p. 387). That line deserved more emotional weight around it.
Overall, a strong debut with beautiful prose and memorable characters, just in need of tightening to let the story’s quiet power shine through.
February 13, 2026
Making a review for this amazing book for Valentine's Day 😍 ✨
Love That Lingers by Emma Collins is one of those rare novels that feels less like a book and more like a shared secret between old friends. From its very first pages, it invites you into the lives of Emma and Liam — two high-school rivals whose electric banter slowly softens into a connection that is as genuine as it is unexpected. What begins as feigned annoyance evolves into late-night conversations, stolen laughs, and that quiet, unmistakable moment when friendship becomes something deeper
What makes this romance truly heart-warming isn’t just the classic enemies-to-lovers arc — it’s the way Emma respects her characters’ individual dreams. Liam, with his chef’s heart set on Madrid, and Emma, driven by her father’s memory toward a life in art, aren’t just lovable together — they are real apart. Their love doesn’t force them to shrink or compromise their ambitions; instead, it lingers in their choices, in the paths they take, and in the gentle ache of distance.
❤️ A Love That Endures Time
Collins doesn’t take the easy route with this story. When life pulls Emma and Liam to different cities and separate lives, their connection doesn’t vanish — it evolves. Years later, when they find their way back to each other, the reunion feels like reading a treasured letter from your own past: familiar, tender, and charged with all the unspoken memories that never truly faded. The novel beautifully balances hope, nostalgia, and that bittersweet ache of second chances.
I would describe Emma as someone you want to sit beside in a café
Whether it’s the playful teasing that first sparks their connection, the thrill of their first kiss, or the way their choices echo long after the last page, Love That Lingers is an invitation to remember your own first loves, your own dreams, and the relationships that leave an imprint even across miles and time. It’s a gentle reminder that some loves, once made, never quite fade — they just grow sweeter with memory :)
Love That Lingers by Emma Collins is one of those rare novels that feels less like a book and more like a shared secret between old friends. From its very first pages, it invites you into the lives of Emma and Liam — two high-school rivals whose electric banter slowly softens into a connection that is as genuine as it is unexpected. What begins as feigned annoyance evolves into late-night conversations, stolen laughs, and that quiet, unmistakable moment when friendship becomes something deeper
What makes this romance truly heart-warming isn’t just the classic enemies-to-lovers arc — it’s the way Emma respects her characters’ individual dreams. Liam, with his chef’s heart set on Madrid, and Emma, driven by her father’s memory toward a life in art, aren’t just lovable together — they are real apart. Their love doesn’t force them to shrink or compromise their ambitions; instead, it lingers in their choices, in the paths they take, and in the gentle ache of distance.
❤️ A Love That Endures Time
Collins doesn’t take the easy route with this story. When life pulls Emma and Liam to different cities and separate lives, their connection doesn’t vanish — it evolves. Years later, when they find their way back to each other, the reunion feels like reading a treasured letter from your own past: familiar, tender, and charged with all the unspoken memories that never truly faded. The novel beautifully balances hope, nostalgia, and that bittersweet ache of second chances.
I would describe Emma as someone you want to sit beside in a café
Whether it’s the playful teasing that first sparks their connection, the thrill of their first kiss, or the way their choices echo long after the last page, Love That Lingers is an invitation to remember your own first loves, your own dreams, and the relationships that leave an imprint even across miles and time. It’s a gentle reminder that some loves, once made, never quite fade — they just grow sweeter with memory :)
April 29, 2026
When Love Refuses to Fade
There’s something quietly powerful about a love story that doesn’t rush to prove itself—and this one leans fully into that strength. What starts as a classic enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Emma and Liam quickly reveals itself to be much deeper, more tender, and emotionally layered than expected.
Their high school rivalry is sharp, witty, and genuinely fun to read. The banter feels natural, never forced, and it lays the perfect groundwork for the slow shift into something softer. Watching their relationship evolve—from irritation to understanding, from friendship to love—is where this story truly shines. The transition is gradual in the best way, built on late-night conversations and those small, meaningful moments that feel real rather than overly dramatized.
What elevates this story beyond a typical romance is the emotional weight behind both characters. Liam’s hidden passion for cooking and Emma’s struggle to balance her own dreams with her father’s expectations add depth and relatability. Their individual journeys matter just as much as their relationship, which makes the eventual separation feel inevitable rather than contrived.
And that’s where the story hits hardest.
The distance, the years apart, the quiet ache of “what if”—it all lingers in a way that feels honest. This isn’t a love that disappears when life gets complicated. Instead, it becomes something that evolves alongside them, even when they’re no longer together. The second-chance aspect carries a sense of maturity, showing how love can change without losing its core.
If there’s any critique, it’s that readers who prefer fast-paced, high-drama romance might find this story a bit slower or more introspective. But for those who appreciate emotional build-up and character-driven storytelling, that’s exactly what makes it work.
Overall, this is a heartfelt, bittersweet romance about timing, growth, and the kind of connection that never fully lets go. It’s the kind of story that stays with you—not because it’s loud, but because it’s real.
There’s something quietly powerful about a love story that doesn’t rush to prove itself—and this one leans fully into that strength. What starts as a classic enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Emma and Liam quickly reveals itself to be much deeper, more tender, and emotionally layered than expected.
Their high school rivalry is sharp, witty, and genuinely fun to read. The banter feels natural, never forced, and it lays the perfect groundwork for the slow shift into something softer. Watching their relationship evolve—from irritation to understanding, from friendship to love—is where this story truly shines. The transition is gradual in the best way, built on late-night conversations and those small, meaningful moments that feel real rather than overly dramatized.
What elevates this story beyond a typical romance is the emotional weight behind both characters. Liam’s hidden passion for cooking and Emma’s struggle to balance her own dreams with her father’s expectations add depth and relatability. Their individual journeys matter just as much as their relationship, which makes the eventual separation feel inevitable rather than contrived.
And that’s where the story hits hardest.
The distance, the years apart, the quiet ache of “what if”—it all lingers in a way that feels honest. This isn’t a love that disappears when life gets complicated. Instead, it becomes something that evolves alongside them, even when they’re no longer together. The second-chance aspect carries a sense of maturity, showing how love can change without losing its core.
If there’s any critique, it’s that readers who prefer fast-paced, high-drama romance might find this story a bit slower or more introspective. But for those who appreciate emotional build-up and character-driven storytelling, that’s exactly what makes it work.
Overall, this is a heartfelt, bittersweet romance about timing, growth, and the kind of connection that never fully lets go. It’s the kind of story that stays with you—not because it’s loud, but because it’s real.
May 9, 2026
Some loves are just a phase, but Emma and Liam prove that the best ones are the ones that simply refuse to fade. Love That Lingers is a beautiful slow-burn journey that perfectly captures the enemies-to-lovers spark before evolving into a deeply emotional story about healing and endurance.
Watching Emma go from barely tolerating Liam to slowly finding comfort and safety in him felt natural and satisfying. Their relationship wasn’t rushed, and the amount of dialogue throughout the book really helped their connection feel genuine and believable.
And yes, the misunderstandings had me frustrated at times 😭 There were moments where I just wanted to scream, “Please talk to each other already!” But honestly, that emotional tension made the payoff even better once they finally opened up and communicated.
One of the strongest parts of the book for me was Emma’s personal journey. Seeing her reconnect with her love for art and eventually open her own studio after losing her father added so much emotional depth to the story. It made her growth feel real and inspiring.
Also… jealous Liam was absolutely adorable 😂 Watching him get protective and clearly bothered by Kevin without fully hiding it was such a fun highlight. I also loved seeing Liam finally pursue his own dreams as a chef instead of simply living according to expectations.
The ending left me with that warm, full feeling that only a genuinely heartfelt romance can give. Seeing the entire friend group together made everything feel complete and comforting.
If you love emotional slow-burn romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, healing journeys, and stories about finding your way back to yourself while falling in love, this is definitely worth reading.
Watching Emma go from barely tolerating Liam to slowly finding comfort and safety in him felt natural and satisfying. Their relationship wasn’t rushed, and the amount of dialogue throughout the book really helped their connection feel genuine and believable.
And yes, the misunderstandings had me frustrated at times 😭 There were moments where I just wanted to scream, “Please talk to each other already!” But honestly, that emotional tension made the payoff even better once they finally opened up and communicated.
One of the strongest parts of the book for me was Emma’s personal journey. Seeing her reconnect with her love for art and eventually open her own studio after losing her father added so much emotional depth to the story. It made her growth feel real and inspiring.
Also… jealous Liam was absolutely adorable 😂 Watching him get protective and clearly bothered by Kevin without fully hiding it was such a fun highlight. I also loved seeing Liam finally pursue his own dreams as a chef instead of simply living according to expectations.
The ending left me with that warm, full feeling that only a genuinely heartfelt romance can give. Seeing the entire friend group together made everything feel complete and comforting.
If you love emotional slow-burn romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, healing journeys, and stories about finding your way back to yourself while falling in love, this is definitely worth reading.
March 17, 2026
Love That Lingers delivers a familiar enemies-to-lovers journey but adds emotional depth through its focus on growth, distance, and second chances. Emma Collins builds the relationship between Emma and Liam in a way that feels natural, starting with playful tension and slowly evolving into something more meaningful.
The early dynamic between the two characters is engaging. Their teasing and rivalry give the story energy, while the quieter moments begin to reveal a deeper connection underneath. The transition from conflict to understanding is handled with care, making their relationship feel believable rather than rushed.
What gives the story more weight is the separation. As both characters pursue their individual dreams in different parts of the world, the narrative shifts from young love to something more reflective. It explores how time, ambition, and distance shape people, and whether love can survive those changes.
Liam’s passion for cooking and Emma’s artistic journey add personal layers to the story, showing how identity and purpose can both connect and divide two people. Their paths feel realistic, which makes the emotional pull of their separation stronger.
The tone throughout is soft and introspective, leaning into nostalgia and the idea that some relationships leave a lasting imprint no matter how much time passes.
Overall, Love That Lingers is a heartfelt and emotional romance for readers who enjoy stories about timing, growth, and the enduring nature of connection. It is less about dramatic twists and more about the quiet, lingering impact of a love that never fully disappears.
The early dynamic between the two characters is engaging. Their teasing and rivalry give the story energy, while the quieter moments begin to reveal a deeper connection underneath. The transition from conflict to understanding is handled with care, making their relationship feel believable rather than rushed.
What gives the story more weight is the separation. As both characters pursue their individual dreams in different parts of the world, the narrative shifts from young love to something more reflective. It explores how time, ambition, and distance shape people, and whether love can survive those changes.
Liam’s passion for cooking and Emma’s artistic journey add personal layers to the story, showing how identity and purpose can both connect and divide two people. Their paths feel realistic, which makes the emotional pull of their separation stronger.
The tone throughout is soft and introspective, leaning into nostalgia and the idea that some relationships leave a lasting imprint no matter how much time passes.
Overall, Love That Lingers is a heartfelt and emotional romance for readers who enjoy stories about timing, growth, and the enduring nature of connection. It is less about dramatic twists and more about the quiet, lingering impact of a love that never fully disappears.
December 13, 2025
Let me preface this by saying contemporary romance, especially with young adult/new adult elements, is not my usual genre, nor am I its ideal audience. I discovered Love That Lingers on Kindle Unlimited while looking for something different to my norm, as a break while launching my own book. This is not a review exchange — I’ve never communicated with the author.
I found the concept intriguing and ambitious: showing a young romance, the rift it experiences, and how it endures into adulthood. This necessarily lengthened the book, adding complexity to the narration. It’s a challenge to keep a reader engaged through a long story — and I finished it.
The pacing wasn’t perfect. Some areas could benefit from trimming or further development. Emma sharing the author’s name initially threw me, but it quickly faded. The friends of Emma and Liam could have been more distinct, and the dialogue occasionally felt repetitive. I would have liked more insight into why Emma and Liam broke up, and personally, a bit more tension in certain scenes. There were very few typos, and a sense of realism grounded the story.
I had a genuine emotional response to the book, especially when Emma and Liam returned to London. This is a sweet, gentle story that felt nostalgic and transported me back to my own high school experience. For fans of sweet or contemporary romance, keep an eye on Emma Collins. Love That Lingers is an ambitious debut that delivers a charming story, and I look forward to her next novel.
I found the concept intriguing and ambitious: showing a young romance, the rift it experiences, and how it endures into adulthood. This necessarily lengthened the book, adding complexity to the narration. It’s a challenge to keep a reader engaged through a long story — and I finished it.
The pacing wasn’t perfect. Some areas could benefit from trimming or further development. Emma sharing the author’s name initially threw me, but it quickly faded. The friends of Emma and Liam could have been more distinct, and the dialogue occasionally felt repetitive. I would have liked more insight into why Emma and Liam broke up, and personally, a bit more tension in certain scenes. There were very few typos, and a sense of realism grounded the story.
I had a genuine emotional response to the book, especially when Emma and Liam returned to London. This is a sweet, gentle story that felt nostalgic and transported me back to my own high school experience. For fans of sweet or contemporary romance, keep an eye on Emma Collins. Love That Lingers is an ambitious debut that delivers a charming story, and I look forward to her next novel.
February 4, 2026
Sweet YA Romance
The overall story about Emma and Liam is really sweet and thoughtful, so I got into it really quickly and wanted to know how everything turned out. However, the book is so painfully long, unrealistic, and predictable that I’m unable to give it more than an average rating.
The first half of the book is about a high school couple moving from enemies to lovers, and then the story suddenly fast-forwards several years without warning to the two of them as successful entrepreneurs learning to reconnect and love again. I was glad that the book ended on a happy note, but a lot of the events and elements felt like Disney instead of real life. Also, some of the descriptions of them waking up, doing life together, and admiring each other felt so repetitive and exaggerated that I was having a hard time connecting to the big picture.
Overall, I greatly enjoy the author’s style of clean and deeply emotional romance, I just wish she would have either written a two-part series or cut the overall length of this very long novel. Also, I wish there was more discussion of the couple’s individual challenges outside of their relationship, like learning to navigate family dynamics and new business endeavors, since real life isn’t as easy as this story makes it seem. Still, it’s a good, solid story and I see a lot of potential in the author as she continues to develop her skills.
The overall story about Emma and Liam is really sweet and thoughtful, so I got into it really quickly and wanted to know how everything turned out. However, the book is so painfully long, unrealistic, and predictable that I’m unable to give it more than an average rating.
The first half of the book is about a high school couple moving from enemies to lovers, and then the story suddenly fast-forwards several years without warning to the two of them as successful entrepreneurs learning to reconnect and love again. I was glad that the book ended on a happy note, but a lot of the events and elements felt like Disney instead of real life. Also, some of the descriptions of them waking up, doing life together, and admiring each other felt so repetitive and exaggerated that I was having a hard time connecting to the big picture.
Overall, I greatly enjoy the author’s style of clean and deeply emotional romance, I just wish she would have either written a two-part series or cut the overall length of this very long novel. Also, I wish there was more discussion of the couple’s individual challenges outside of their relationship, like learning to navigate family dynamics and new business endeavors, since real life isn’t as easy as this story makes it seem. Still, it’s a good, solid story and I see a lot of potential in the author as she continues to develop her skills.
March 17, 2026
I absolutely loved this story. It is one of those second chance romances that stays with you long after you finish it, filled with emotion, growth, and a love that never really fades.
Emma and Liam’s dynamic is so fun and heartfelt from the very beginning. Their high school rivalry is full of playful tension and witty banter, but underneath it all, you can feel something deeper slowly building. Watching their relationship shift from enemies to friends to something more was incredibly satisfying and felt very natural.
What makes this story stand out is how real their separation feels. Life pulls them in different directions, and instead of forcing a perfect outcome, the story lets them chase their dreams. Liam pursuing culinary arts in Madrid and Emma following her art in Athens adds so much depth to their characters. It shows that love is not always about staying, sometimes it is about growing.
When the story revisits them later, there is this quiet, emotional weight to every interaction. You can feel the history between them in every glance and conversation. It is not just about rekindling romance, it is about rediscovering who they are and whether they can find their way back to each other.
This book perfectly captures the idea that some loves never truly disappear. If you enjoy second chance romances with emotional depth, meaningful character growth, and a love story that feels both nostalgic and hopeful, this one is truly special.
Emma and Liam’s dynamic is so fun and heartfelt from the very beginning. Their high school rivalry is full of playful tension and witty banter, but underneath it all, you can feel something deeper slowly building. Watching their relationship shift from enemies to friends to something more was incredibly satisfying and felt very natural.
What makes this story stand out is how real their separation feels. Life pulls them in different directions, and instead of forcing a perfect outcome, the story lets them chase their dreams. Liam pursuing culinary arts in Madrid and Emma following her art in Athens adds so much depth to their characters. It shows that love is not always about staying, sometimes it is about growing.
When the story revisits them later, there is this quiet, emotional weight to every interaction. You can feel the history between them in every glance and conversation. It is not just about rekindling romance, it is about rediscovering who they are and whether they can find their way back to each other.
This book perfectly captures the idea that some loves never truly disappear. If you enjoy second chance romances with emotional depth, meaningful character growth, and a love story that feels both nostalgic and hopeful, this one is truly special.
November 23, 2025
This was one of the longest books I have read in the recent times.
The book had everything from romance, family drama, funny witty comments between Emma and Liam, group study/project, attraction, slow burn and clean romance. The story ends up in HEA or happily ever after but it goes through its own multiple ups and down.
The fighting for each other, fighting for one's dreams, setting up in new countries, drifting apart and coming together, confronting each other's insecurites, making each other feel safe, and choosing one another after each issue, battle, or problem was one of the core elements of this book.
The wedding and epilogue was amazing.
It is a book that has too many feels like best friends enjoying moments together, missing a dead parent, doing something their memory, having set mother-daughter routine, focusing on career first, and so much more like the jitters of first date or kiss.
All in all, this book feels like completing an entire series or world of Emma and Liam.
Kudos to the author for this book! Goodluck for the next book and projects!
The book had everything from romance, family drama, funny witty comments between Emma and Liam, group study/project, attraction, slow burn and clean romance. The story ends up in HEA or happily ever after but it goes through its own multiple ups and down.
The fighting for each other, fighting for one's dreams, setting up in new countries, drifting apart and coming together, confronting each other's insecurites, making each other feel safe, and choosing one another after each issue, battle, or problem was one of the core elements of this book.
The wedding and epilogue was amazing.
It is a book that has too many feels like best friends enjoying moments together, missing a dead parent, doing something their memory, having set mother-daughter routine, focusing on career first, and so much more like the jitters of first date or kiss.
All in all, this book feels like completing an entire series or world of Emma and Liam.
Kudos to the author for this book! Goodluck for the next book and projects!
November 27, 2025
Emma and Liam’s story feels like spending a whole lifetime with them. You see them chase their dreams, fall apart, come back together, face their insecurities, and keep choosing each other. The banter is fun, the emotional moments are powerful, and the way they fight for themselves and each other really moved me. Even though the book is long, I never wanted it to end.
So many small moments stayed with me: the best-friend energy, the mother-daughter routines, missing a parent, the career goals, the nerves before a first date, and the first kiss. You feel every bit of it. And the wedding and the epilogue? They were perfect.
Honestly, more people should read this. I wish I could explain how beautiful the story is, but I don’t want to spoil anything. If you like slow burn, clean romance, emotional depth, and characters who feel real, you’ll fall for this book just like I did.
My personal thoughts? It’s long, yes, but it’s so well done. Absolutely worth it.
So many small moments stayed with me: the best-friend energy, the mother-daughter routines, missing a parent, the career goals, the nerves before a first date, and the first kiss. You feel every bit of it. And the wedding and the epilogue? They were perfect.
Honestly, more people should read this. I wish I could explain how beautiful the story is, but I don’t want to spoil anything. If you like slow burn, clean romance, emotional depth, and characters who feel real, you’ll fall for this book just like I did.
My personal thoughts? It’s long, yes, but it’s so well done. Absolutely worth it.
May 20, 2026
I absolutely loved reading this book. The slow romance build between Emma and Liam was beautiful, and what made it even more special was getting to go through their journey and growth with them. Their relationship starts with teasing, rivalry, and all those little moments of annoyance, but slowly turns into something much deeper and more meaningful. Honestly it took me back to my high school days and how we all wish we had found that kind of love.
I loved how their connection didn’t feel rushed, and how their conflict is so real and relatable. Having your own ambitions whilst trying to find a way to support each other.
The second-chance element was also really touching. Seeing them grow apart, follow their own paths, and still carry the memory of each other made the romance feel even stronger.
This was a beautiful, emotional slow-burn romance and I would recommend it to anyone who loves heartfelt second-chance romance.
I loved how their connection didn’t feel rushed, and how their conflict is so real and relatable. Having your own ambitions whilst trying to find a way to support each other.
The second-chance element was also really touching. Seeing them grow apart, follow their own paths, and still carry the memory of each other made the romance feel even stronger.
This was a beautiful, emotional slow-burn romance and I would recommend it to anyone who loves heartfelt second-chance romance.
February 1, 2026
★★★★★
This was a great book and it genuinely kept me hooked from start to finish. I picked it up expecting a romance, but I didn’t expect to get so invested in Emma and Liam and the way their relationship changes over time. The slow-burn build is done really well, with teasing and tension that feels natural, then those quieter moments where you can tell something deeper is forming.
What I loved most is that it isn’t just romance for the sake of romance. There’s real growth, real choices, and the story takes its time so the emotional payoff actually lands. It made me smile, laugh, and more than once it had me feeling surprisingly emotional, especially towards the end.
I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a character-driven, slow-burn love story with heart. Well worth 5 stars. 💞
This was a great book and it genuinely kept me hooked from start to finish. I picked it up expecting a romance, but I didn’t expect to get so invested in Emma and Liam and the way their relationship changes over time. The slow-burn build is done really well, with teasing and tension that feels natural, then those quieter moments where you can tell something deeper is forming.
What I loved most is that it isn’t just romance for the sake of romance. There’s real growth, real choices, and the story takes its time so the emotional payoff actually lands. It made me smile, laugh, and more than once it had me feeling surprisingly emotional, especially towards the end.
I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a character-driven, slow-burn love story with heart. Well worth 5 stars. 💞
February 12, 2026
Love that Lingers is a beautiful little story of two lovers, but also their families. There is love, anger, disagreement, breakups, dreams, grief, loss, and laughter. The dialogues are so funny, at times, and the story moves along at a great pace. There were lovely homes, and though sometimes the people living in them were busy or away, they always felt complete. I loved Snowball, and I was imagining her while reading the story.
I think the book lovers who love to read about slow romances, relationships, family dramas, teenage love, dreams, etc would love this book. It is a beautiful warm story full of hope, friendship, and laughter. I wish more love stories were like theirs, with their own struggles but wanting to hold on. Good job by the author.
I think the book lovers who love to read about slow romances, relationships, family dramas, teenage love, dreams, etc would love this book. It is a beautiful warm story full of hope, friendship, and laughter. I wish more love stories were like theirs, with their own struggles but wanting to hold on. Good job by the author.
January 12, 2026
The book explores themes of love, dreams, and personal growth.
The story follows Emma (the artist) and Liam (the chef) who start as high school rivals. They develop a deep connection and fall in love in school. However, life happens: Liam goes to Madrid, and Emma to Athens. The book dives into what happens when their paths diverge and whether their old connection can survive the years. The narrative revisits their connection years later, touching on themes of destiny and the enduring nature of some relationships.
The story is recommended for those who enjoy second-chance romances, focusing on love that grows through time, distance, and destiny.
The story follows Emma (the artist) and Liam (the chef) who start as high school rivals. They develop a deep connection and fall in love in school. However, life happens: Liam goes to Madrid, and Emma to Athens. The book dives into what happens when their paths diverge and whether their old connection can survive the years. The narrative revisits their connection years later, touching on themes of destiny and the enduring nature of some relationships.
The story is recommended for those who enjoy second-chance romances, focusing on love that grows through time, distance, and destiny.
March 2, 2026
This debut novel is a touching exploration of what it means to truly hold onto someone while life forces you to move forward. The story follows Emma, a character who is quiet and guarded, as she navigates deep themes of courage and loss. The relationship between the main characters, Emma and Liam, feels very grounded in raw emotion, making their journey through shared memories and difficult goodbyes feel incredibly real. It captures the quiet power of love in a way that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. If you enjoy character-driven stories that stay with you long after the final page, this is a very rewarding read.
May 4, 2026
Love That Lingers is a cozy contemporary romance filled with love on each page. Although I am usually not a fan of second-chance romance, this story felt like a comfort read, one where I knew everything would end up well despite the hardships the characters have to face. The characters were very sweet, especially in their teenage years, but remained just as lovable in their adult life. The ending gave me a bit of a scare, but I am glad everything worked out well.
The prose is very beautiful, so much so that I would read anything this author writes, whether it were romance, fantasy, horror, or anything else.
The prose is very beautiful, so much so that I would read anything this author writes, whether it were romance, fantasy, horror, or anything else.
May 18, 2026
Just finished Love that Lingers and it truly lives up to its title. Emma and Liam’s story feels soft, emotional, and quietly comforting. It’s less about loud drama and more about the kind of love and memories that stay with people over time.
I especially loved this line from the book:
“This book is dedicated to love—the kind that lingers, stays, and shapes us into who we are meant to become.”
That feeling carries throughout the story. Sophie and Mia also add warmth to the emotional journey. At some places, the pacing felt a little lengthy for me and I wished certain sections were more engaging, but overall, it remains a heartfelt and comforting romance read.
I especially loved this line from the book:
“This book is dedicated to love—the kind that lingers, stays, and shapes us into who we are meant to become.”
That feeling carries throughout the story. Sophie and Mia also add warmth to the emotional journey. At some places, the pacing felt a little lengthy for me and I wished certain sections were more engaging, but overall, it remains a heartfelt and comforting romance read.
December 19, 2025
This story is a gentle and heartfelt romance about young love, growing dreams, and the kind of connection that never fully fades. The transition from playful rivalry to deep affection feels natural and relatable, making the relationship easy to root for. The emotional pull comes from watching two people chase their ambitions while struggling to let go of what they once shared. It’s a simple, touching read that captures the ache of first love and the hope of finding your way back to someone who still feels like home.
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