Always Been You

Legacy #1

by Sherry Marie

Eight years ago, Sofia Ruiz walked away from everything—her mission, her purpose, and the man who still haunts her. The night it all went wrong left scars she’s never stopped running from.

But when fate drags her out of hiding, the past doesn’t just catch up—it collides head-on with the one man she can’t resist. And what he offers is everything she swore she’d never need.

Juri Petrakov has spent half his life in the shadows, guarding the woman who shattered him. He told himself distance was protection. That his obsession could be contained.

But when the fire between them reignites, the truth they buried threatens to destroy them both.
Old wounds. Old lies. Old debts that refuse to stay dead.
All of it is coming back to finish what it started.

The lines between love and survival are already blurred, Sofia’s past isn’t just classified—it’s carved in cartel blood.
And the further Juri pulls her back into his world, the deadlier it becomes—and this time, she may be the only one who can save them.

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

A Canadian author of spicy romantic suspense, Sherry has a weakness for morally grey heroes, complicated relationships, found families, and characters who make spectacularly questionable decisions in the name of love. Her stories are packed with passion, danger, dark secrets, sharp banter, and the occasional dead body. Because what’s a little murder between lovers?
Before trading her camera for a keyboard, Sherry spent years as a photographer, capturing the beauty and confidence of women. These days, she’s more interested in capturing the moment a dangerous man realizes he’s completely screwed because he’s fallen in love with a woman who doesn’t take orders.
When she’s not plotting murders, orchestrating kidnappings, or finding creative ways to get her characters naked, Sherry lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband, two sons, and a dog who has absolutely no respect for her writing schedule.
She believes love should be fierce, loyalty should be absolute, and a happily ever after is always worth fighting for.
Fair warning: If you prefer your heroes squeaky clean, your heroines obedient, and your romance behind closed doors, you’ve probably wandered into the wrong books.
But if you like your love stories a little dangerous?
Welcome. You’re among friends.

Reviews

[Spicy Book Connoisseur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lurking in the shadows has never been so hot

Overview
Sofia’s life changed forever eight years ago, and she has been trying to move on from that night ever since. When ghosts from her past resurface (including the man she never truly left behind), she must decide whether to confront the life she escaped or run before it destroys her. But when the truth catches up to her, will facing her past save her, or ruin her for good?

The Verdict
Always Been You was such a fun read. It had so many twists and turns; I just kept wanting more.

Sofia and Juri are both so intelligent and easy-to-love characters. Juri’s yearning was heartbreaking, but so beautiful at the same time, and I loved their re-meet-cute. The chemistry between the two was absolutely fantastic.

Now, this was a spicy book. Easily a 4/5, not because it was super kinky, but because of the quantity. It started early and was nicely paced throughout the book. There were a few spicy scenes that left me going ‘how could this even happen?’, and not in a good way. A couple of scenes in particular stretched the imagination a bit too far, and unfortunately this is where it lost 1 star for me.

I loved how the author brought the intrigue of The Academy, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the series unfolds.

Tropes to Expect
- Cartel and special ops
- Second-chance romance
- Morally grey
- Betrayal
- Touch-her-and-die

⭐ Rating: 4/5
🌶️ Spice: 4/5

Consumed via: Kindle Unlimited
POV: Dual POV - FMC & MMC
Series: Legacy Series - Book 1

[Holly NoDrama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not disappoint! This was a good story that Juri and Sophia take you on. Sophia is a fierce strong character and Juri is smart, strong and in love. He is dangerous and with the two together you will fall in love with this book. The spice is not over the top, but enough to keep you reading! If you like a bit of spice, a little danger, and Main characters that you want to keep reading about this book is worth the read.

[Maria Kokovitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense and heat

A great book filled with twists and turns, love, building trust and betrayal. Lots of spice. And family coming together.

[Holly Vollans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the characters, the storyline and how you reintroduce our favorites. Loves this series!!

[Amaterasu0]

Amazing

Amazing book. It was short but still such a great story! I really was surprised at how everything worked out but it was a good surprise! I cannot wait to start on book 2 immediately!

[Sylvie Ashbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story pulls you in with intensity from the very beginning. It’s not just a romance, it’s a powerful mix of danger, loyalty, and emotional scars that refuse to fade.

Sofia is a compelling character, shaped by a past she has spent years trying to escape. But fate has other plans, forcing her to confront the one person tied to both her deepest wounds and strongest emotions. Juri Petrakov is equally fascinating, a man who has lived in the shadows, guarding the woman he could never truly let go of.

What makes this story so captivating is the tension between love and survival. The chemistry between Sofia and Juri is undeniable, but their history is layered with secrets, betrayal, and painful truths that slowly unravel as the story unfolds.

The world of covert operations, hidden loyalties, and cartel ties adds a thrilling edge to the narrative, making every moment feel dangerous and unpredictable. Just when you think the characters might find peace, new revelations and enemies raise the stakes even higher.

Overall, this is an intense and emotionally charged story about confronting the past, facing impossible choices, and discovering whether love can survive in a world built on secrets and blood.

A compelling read for anyone who enjoys suspenseful romance filled with passion, danger, and unforgettable characters.

[Morgan Schell · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very beginning, I was hooked on the story. There is a lot of mystery about the shadow agency controlling the main characters and their past. Juri, the MMC, is steadfast, smart, dangerous, strong, and completely in love with the FMC, Sophia. Sophia is fierce. She is strong-willed mentally and physically and is on the search for the truth. Many things come to light through a covert op about Sophia's past. The love story blooming through the events is fantastic and fully endears me to Juri. The bedroom scenes are just spicy enough, yet not vulgar.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[S R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like stories where the main characters already have a connection to each other and this one did not disappoint! The fact that their bond was established long ago on an intense form of trust and understanding is what made this story most intriguing. And putting the pieces together with the FMC (Sofia) of how and why her life took the direction it did was what kept the story engaging. I love the MMC (Juri) love… okay obsession… for Sofia! I also love how as the story goes and you peel away at the layers to find their real personalities and they’re so much fun especially together! Good start to a series definitely recommend!

[JenniferMargaret h · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting story about love lust and different types of family. The detailed descriptions of the scenery make you feel like you are actually there and evoke all of the senses. There are twists that are unpredictable and tie in perfectly to the beginning of the book. It ends up perfectly set up for not only a sequel but a curiosity as to the story behind multiple characters

[Erin Sather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read from start to finish! Spicy, suspense that kept me turning pages to figure out what the next twist was going to be. One particular point had me gasp out loud in surprise. Looking forward to reading the next books in this series!

[Alisha Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years lost, re found love, suspenseful, spicy, secret society and cartel families.
This will have you hooked and waiting for the next plot twist. One especially I did not see coming.