If You Only Knew

by E.K. Moore

Two silent promises. One cabin in Sweden. How long before they break?
Forbidden, off-limits, and living under my skin.

A best friend’s brother, friends-to-lovers, age gap romance with found family at its heart. Slow burn, full of banter, and unapologetically spicy when the tension finally breaks.

My name’s Luke Matthews, and I’m a thirty-eight-year-old playboy in love with my sister’s best friend. Yep. That’s me. Tragic, right?
People see me as just this guy who doesn’t take life too seriously, treats women like buses—hop off one, and another comes along. But with her, it’s different. She cuts through the noise, the crap. She sees me. And I want her. More than anything. But we can’t be together. I can’t have her. So why did I risk my job trying to make it to this family trip to Sweden… knowing she’d be there?

My name’s Riley Bell, and I’m a thirty-year-old quiet girl in love with my best friend’s brother.
The guy I’ve measured every man against. And no one’s come close. But I can’t tell him. He doesn’t see me like that. And I’m so woven into his family that I don’t even know how it’d work. But I want him. More than anything. And this family trip to Sweden with him is going to kill me.

379 pages, ebook

Expected publication December 12, 2025

Reviews

[Claudii.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Reader - Thank you so much for allowing me to do this!

Rating: 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 2.5 🌶️🌶️

This is a cosy Friends do Lovers story that will make you laugh and cry at the same time! It’s so heart warming that it will warm you up from the inside out even on the coldest days! The slow burn was perfect! And the spice was amazing, not just a sprinkle but didn’t over do it either!

The write did an amazing job at creating the setting which took place in a warm Sweden house that I felt like I was there myself! The character development was fantastic, the both character point of view was amazing! The side characters were so interesting that they deserve their own story!

Moose Wife 🫎 Moose Husband


“You don’t just quiet the noise Riley. You replace it” 🖤

[Rian Eidson ~ Literary Luna Moth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story! The back story of our FMC Riley is heart breaking, but the author did a wonderful job showing the struggles of survivor guilt, panic attacks, anxiety and Raynaud’s Syndrome. Our MMC Luke has his own demons to overcome and the author once again did a great job representing his struggles.

The banter in the book was superb! I even busted out laughing while in the waiting room of the doctor’s office so proceed with caution if you read it in public. 😂 The element of found family was a beautiful balm to Riley’s heartbreaking backstory. And of course the HEA ending was perfect in my opinion.

*Disclaimer*
I received this copy for free as an ARC — I was not paid to review this book, these are my own thoughts and feelings. Thank you to E. K. Moore for the honor to read and review this book!

[Maggie Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC REVIEW**

If You Only Knew — E.K. Moore

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

If there ever was a romance novel that gave you a little spice, holiday feels, and romance that tugs on the heart strings…. this is it!!!

This book is so beautifully written. It is now one of my favorites and will forever remain there. The story of Luke and Riley is just so beautiful and I honestly have no words for it.

Truly BREATHTAKING.

I felt like I was on their journey with them, experiencing everything they went through together and separately.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves cozy romance novels. This book is perfect for winter months curled up in a fuzzy blanket with some hot chocolate.



— Thank you to E.K. Moore for allowing me to be apart of the ARC team. I absolutely love this book and I can’t wait for it to be released on 12/12.

[Carmel Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

The vibe is cosy Christmas feels.
I love Riley and Luke. Especially Luke, he was my favourite. Together so cute so funny. Their dynamic was brilliant 👏
The yearning is here!
I can't wait for the next book 😂😊👏
My girl is a natural storyteller. I can feel the chemistry 🔥
Brilliant Christmas read 📚 perfect for fans of cosy romance 😍

[Holly_Mac_Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

If You Only Knew by E.K. Moore. This beautiful contemporary romance had me giggling all the way through “Moose wife” 😂. It has so much heart and laughter. The story between Riley and Luke is just so romantic. There is tension and so much pining for each other! I love Katie she just makes me laugh. She’s a great side character in the story. If you love a good happily ever after love story I definitely recommend this book. 🩷

[Babs Rudlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC Review: If You Only Knew***
by E. K. Moore

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format Read: ARC (Advanced Review Copy)

⭐ Rating: 5/5 Stars ⭐

📝 Quick Summary (Spoiler-Free)

This is the tale of Luke and Riley, who have known each other their entire lives. With a significant age gap, Riley's youthful crush on her best friend's brother has developed into something much deeper. Little does she know her feelings are fully reciprocated. The story follows them as they finally understand and act on their mutual feelings, supported by meaty flashbacks of their earlier lives together that add necessary emotional context.

👍 What I Loved

Characters: The character work here is phenomenal. Not only were Luke and Riley carefully crafted (with everything from small quirks to bigger habits fully motivated), but this depth was mirrored in the side characters too. Every character you spend time with is there for a reason and has a fully rounded personality of their own.

Plot & Pacing: The pacing was exceptionally well-done, building anticipation for both the characters and the reader. I couldn't put the book down once the characters started making a move, finishing it in under 24 hours!

Writing Style: The writing style is very personal and immersive. I felt as though I was invited directly into the world of these characters, with fully immersive descriptions of locations, emotions, and timelines. The prose was very easy to read, leaving me with the best "feels" and contributing heavily to the cosy romance vibe.

Key Themes: The book is a beautiful exploration of friends-to-lovers, timing, and the way past events and relationships shape our adult capacity for love. The use of flashbacks was highly effective in building emotional tension and justification.

🎯 Who Should Read This?

If you love emotional slow-burn romances: This book is perfect for fans of Talia Hibbert or Emily Henry, who masterfully blend high emotion with deep character work.

If you appreciate highly detailed, empathetic character writing: Readers who love to deeply understand character motivations and appreciate intricate, supportive family dynamics will be captivated by this.

If you are looking for a satisfying, cosy romance for a cold night: This book delivers the warmth and emotional payoff needed for a perfect winter evening read.

***Final Verdict***

This is an easy, immersive 5-star standalone romance that I highly recommend. E. K. Moore masterfully builds anticipation through perfect pacing and uses meaty flashbacks to justify the slow-burn dynamic. The combination of a highly personal, intimate writing style and beautifully rounded characters creates a world that is a pleasure to be invited into. This is the perfect book to curl up with on a winter's evening!

[Erin Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally felt like I was watching a movie while reading this. The author is so incredibly detailed and descriptive throughout this entire book. 😍

The dual pov with the MC's is perfect. I found myself having this smile stuck to my face throughout the majority of this. The yearning from both Riley and Luke is just *sigh* makes my heart flutter. Seriously I'm going to get wrinkles and have this smile permanently plastered to my face from it staying there through the entirety of this. 

I'm absolutely obsessed with these MC's. Riley is such a sweetheart who's basically grown up and belonged in her best friends family. Her history ripped my heart in two. 

Then there's Luke (best friends brother) who's attention to every detail about Riley and just knows every little thing that makes her tick... *Swooning* everyone needs a Luke 😍

The pining over each other in silence for all that time.... Made me want to yell and throw my phone just to pick it up again and keep reading to see what happens. The author does a fantastic job at having all those emotions seep from every single page. 

This is a slow burn that is so cozy, heartwarming. It will bring tears to your eyes.  The banter, nicknames, and internal dialogue will have you laughing!! Absolutely a perfect  read. I loved this so much. As much as I love slow burns this was complete torture in the best way possible. 


💚Best friends brother
💚Touch her and ☠️
💚Cozy
💚Slow Burn
💚Age Gap
💚Friends to Lovers
💚Spice
💚Holiday Romance
💚Found Family
💚Banter

Thank you for my ARC! I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kayleigh Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only you knew @e.k.moore
Stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Chilli 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ .5

Firstly. Thank you for letting me review this book!
This book follows Luke and Riley. Riley is Luke’s best friends sister and let’s just say. Things get heated. This is a cute fluffy seasonal romance that’s full of banter and spice!
I fell for Luke and Riley. They gel so well! We need more of the other characters in this!!!

BLURB- .
My name’s Luke Matthews, and I’m a thirty-eight-year-old fuckboy in love with my sister’s best friend. Yep. That’s me. Tragic, right?
People see me as just this guy who doesn’t take life too seriously, treats women like buses—hop off one, and another comes along. But with her, it’s different. She cuts through the noise, the bullshit. She sees me. And I want her. More than anything. But we can’t be together. I can’t have her. So why did I risk my job trying to make it to this family trip to Sweden… knowing she’d be there?
My name’s Riley Bell, and I’m a thirty-year-old quiet girl in love with my best friend’s brother.
The guy I’ve measured every man against. And no one’s come close. But I can’t tell him. He doesn’t see me like that. And I’m so woven into his family that I don’t even know how it’d work. But I want him. More than anything. And this family trip to Sweden with him is going to kill me.

Releasing- 12/12

#newrelease #ekmoore #booktok

[Syn Daye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely read. It was exactly what I needed between two relatively emotionally toiling ARC reads. A palate cleanser, so to speak.

Luke snd Riley. *sigh* These two are made for each other but she is automatically hands oof as she is his sister's best friend. They've known each other for what feels like all their lives, and he's found himself harbouring non-platonic thoughts in a big way.

Unbeknownst to him, Riley is also harbouring some solacious thoughts about her besties brother but there is no way she's going to act out on her longtime crush on Luke.

A week long family vacation where all of them are thrust together in close proximity makes for some humourous moments as well as pushes them both to the edge of their friendship. Leaving them teetering on the edge, wondering if they should retreat or swallow their fear and free fall.

Highly recommend this friends to lovers feel good story.

[Chloe Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

** ARC Review **

Well, this was just the cutest little book I've ever read.
I will say that this is not my normal genre, there's nothing dark about this, nothing taboo and no bad vibes in sight.
Just snow ❄️, safe spaces 🤍 and smut 🌶️ and I loved it. 😍

The MMC, Luke, is the greenest of green flags and the FMC, Riley, is absolutely adorable.
Check the trigger warnings going in as there is some past trauma for the both of them in the form of flashbacks, but these are written and dealt with beautifully.

If you want a wholesome, wintery novel with the happiest of happy endings, the please read this. 🥹

I'm so excited to see what else E. K. Moore has planned, because so far it's a 10/10 from me. ❤️

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

I loved this book so much!

Friends-to-Lovers has definitely become one of my favorite tropes this year. I loved Luke and Riley's friendship. Their banter and jokes were everything.

Just to name a couple:
"We don't eat sponges."
"Moose Wife."

I loved the comfort they gave each other just by touching, not even in a sexual way but just by holding each other and letting the other know that they are there no matter what.

"You don't just quiet the noise, Riley. You replace it." - Luke
"Thank you—for always being my safe place." - Riley

And it's not just them I'm obsessed with. The strong found family bond between Riley and the Matthews family and the character growth between the flash backs and current times.

I could go on and one. But just know, if you like best friend’s brother, friends-to-lovers, age gap, found family, slow burn, and banter... then you will LOVE this story!

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just.. wow!!
It's perfect if you love a friends to lovers, forced proximity, small age gap, mildly spicy romance. From the very first page I was hooked. I loved every character, Riley and Luke are honestly such a dream - I mean who doesn't love the girl next door and a hot ex firefighter!
Riley is so relatable, the bits if anxiety throughout the storyline really hit me in the feels because I can absolutely understand how she was feeling.
This book literally left me feeling like I need a getaway to a cosy mountain cabin myself - the dream right?!

All in all, I would say romance lovers need to add this to their TBR because it absolutely will not disappoint ♡

[Gabrielle Tootle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book, and it definitely delivered all the cosy, easy-reading romance vibes I was looking for.

💛 Friends to lovers
💛 Brother’s best friend
💛 Age gap (the best)

Riley is such a sweet lovable character, and Luke, The “f*ck-boy” who’s finally met his match. He’s got it baddddd for his sisters bestie. Despite his reputation, he’s full of green flags and genuine swoon-worthy moments (🍬)

Together, Riley and Luke are the perfect blend of chemistry and charm. They’re almost too cute, in the best way possible—the kind of couple you just know will get their happily ever after.

Are this up and finished it so quickly!! 😍

[Jennifer Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cozy sweet holiday romance, if you love a good friends to lovers, best friends brother, yearning, burning need. Then this is for you.

[whatinthehea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, this book is heart wrenchingly beautiful. Two people who are not only chosen family and best friends, but both wishing it was more and refusing to act on it in fear of ruining the friendship. Aaahhhh. The most agonizingly slow slow-burn but SO WORTH IT.

They find themselves but also find another along the way.

Highly recommend!

[Aurora Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow burn, best friend’s brother, with banter AND spice?! Oh yeah, If You Only Knew has it all 😍

Okay so the premise is so cute- our FMC, Riley, has basically grown up with her best friend’s family (including our MMC, Luke), and now she’s joining them on their holiday trip! Which puts her and Luke in a cute, cozy, wintery cabin, stuck together long enough for all those years of mutual pining to actually go somewhere.

My favorite part of this book was the banter omg! The humor between the two main characters felt natural and genuinely funny. I love a good dry sense of humor, filled with sarcastic wit, and this delivered! I don’t always love flashbacks, but here they were woven in well and really helped the “we’ve known each other forever” dynamic, without being confusing or disjointed.

The winter setting is super cozy- snowy scenes, warm family energy, and plenty of festive vibes. I loved all the side characters and how well they were developed. If you like holiday romances that feel like curling up under a blanket with a mug of something warm, this one totally delivers on that atmosphere.

It is a true slow burn, especially in the beginning. Since I love that trope, I appreciated the build up, especially because the payoff?! 🔥 All that yearning has to go somewhere, if ya know what I mean 😎 Admittedly, even as a slow burn lover, the beginning felt a little too slow for me, although the payoff is very high once it hits! The writing style is very detailed, which does help with world building a lot, but may not be everyone’s cup of cocoa.

Overall, this is a sweet, funny, and snowy romance with strong holiday vibes and great character chemistry.

Tropes you’ll find here:
♥️ Best friend’s brother
♥️ Mutual pining
♥️ Forced proximity
♥️ Holiday romance
♥️ Slow burn
♥️ Found family
♥️ Flashbacks for emotional depth

Huge thank you to E.K. Moore for my ARC! Definitely got me into the holiday spirit 🎄

[Farrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review

4.8 Meeses! ⭐⭐ 2.7 🌶🌶

I really adored this one for the writing! It was so easy to feel like you were cozy and friends with the entire cast of characters, and that's something that is very underappreciated.

Riley and Luke are a powerhouse duo even before attraction pops it's head in, so once it does, it's kick your feet giddy! Luke has his struggles, but it's amazing to see how he never lets Riley down, even in the younger years he tried to be a solid foundation after her trauma... And Riley is not blind to Lukes difficulties either! He may not have faced what she did, but she knew he still needed someone. It just took them all this time to figure out they were both in this together. Will it work? Sweden's the perfect setting to find out.

This was a perfect mixture of reminiscing, confessing, overcoming hesitation, and devotion. With humor and emotions, the atmosphere is to die for, and the cast of characters are so charming! I really want to see Katie in her own book, pleaaaasseeeeeeee!!!!! The spice was just right, with a fantastic build up to some very finely curated scenes.

Tropes included but not limited to
Age gap
Family vacation
Chronic illness rep (Raynauds)
Mutual secret pining
Best friends older brother
Past trauma (Loss of Family, briefly mentioned)

Thank you so very much E.K. Moore, I feel like this one will stick with me and I'm happy to have it!

[Karo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I screamed twice at my kindle and laughed once so loud that my cat got scared and left the room. I don’t think you need to know more to pick up this book 😂

After reading the book the dedication makes so much sense: To everyone who never spoke up. This is your sign. 

Riley’s parents didn’t survive a car accident when she was 16 which was the reason why she lived with her best friend’s (Katie) parents. 
Luke is Katie’s older brother, a former fire fighter, a f*ckboy and the man Riley’s been in love with for ages.
Luke has as well very strong feelings for Riley but neither of them ever spoke up about it. Luke is 8 years older and has convinced himself that this age gape is totally inappropriate and that Riley would never reciprocate his feelings anyway.
Riley knows for sure that she’ll never compare with the other women Luke’s seeing. 
Both are convinced that their feelings are one sided. What a perfect mess to go on a family trip organised by Luke’s and Katie’s parents to Sweden. What could possibly go wrong when both are thrown into a forced proximity situation, right? 

Let the pining begin. 
Their pining for each other almost unalived me, I was screaming at my kindle. I felt Riley’s pain when she got jealous so much.
I screamed a second time when they slipped out of their facades and kissed for the first time - omg that was so good! Of course they felt back into their roles immediately after that kiss. Their journey to being finally together was a long and bumpy one but in the end their love for each other was just ridiculously cute and I mean this in the best way. 

The story is told in first person dual POV. Being in both MCs heads is my favorite so I enjoyed that a lot. We have some past trauma, survivors guilt, panic attacks and grief in this story, all handled very well by the author.

I enjoyed a lot that the time we had with them being finally together wasn’t cut short. We got some time with them after the Sweden trip and a very satisfying epilogue.

Special mention to the bear IYKYK and Riley’s best friend and Luke’s sister Katie. She is an amazing side character, I couldn’t have been more pleased with her reaction when Riley talked about her feelings for the first time. And she was the reason why I had to lol so hard (the breakfast scene one morning - I’m still laughing while writing this, Katie is iconic). I’m manifesting a book for her, too. And I want to see Sam yearning for her, I want him on his knees for her. 

If you want tortures pining which ends in an incredibly perfect and cute over the top HEA this is for you. I ate it up and left no crumps.

Tropes:
Yearning
Banter
Best friend’s brother
Age gap
Found family
Forced proximity
Protective MMC
Touch her and get hurt very very badly
No 3rd act breakup
He’s her safe space
She is his heart and soul

Thank you to the author who send me an ARC of her book in exchange for an honest review. 

[Kristen Tiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

If someone invented yearning, it’s Luke and Riley. Seriously—the tension? The restraint? The history? For that many years?? It’s the kind of slow burn that makes you want to throw the book (er, my phone, since it's an ebook) across the room and then immediately pick it up again because you need to know what happens next.

This was such a cozy (and steamy!) read, and I loved every minute of it. Luke might look like a walking red flag on paper (a f*ckboy) but in reality, he’s a whole green forest. The man loves with intention. When they say love is being remembered, Luke embodies that completely: the way he notices every small thing about Riley, the way he anticipates her needs, the way he makes her feel seen and safe.

And Riley—what a sweetheart. I adored her softness, her quiet strength, and the fact that she has Raynaud’s. That detail meant so much. Representation like that really matters.

And can we talk about the writing? The author’s prose is so vivid and full of detail that it feels like you’re being transported straight into the story! The banter is sharp yet tender, the transitions between past and present are seamless, and the balance between innocent, aching longing and those steamy (and I mean steamy) love scenes is just chef’s kiss.

It’s the kind of book that lingers in your chest long after you close it. Definitely something I’d read again, especially over the holidays <3

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have finished your book this afternoon. Its the best feel good book ever! I couldn't put it down the characters were so likeable and the story was brilliant. I don't know how you think of all those little bits to make it amazing. The bracelet bit and the wheel the moose and the beetroot bar so funny and cute!! How you describe the places i want to go there so much now haha. How they are so funny iv laughed so much in this book, and may be cried a little haha. Where have you got all these ideas from its so good. Such a feel good happy book!!

[Dimi Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of friends to lovers, slooooow but delicious burn, no-red-flags MMCs, found family and cosy vibes - this one will hit all the right spots.

It felt a little slow for me in the beginning, but once it picked up? Oh, boy.

Amazing slow burn and tension. I loved the dynamic between the main character, the little flashbacks showing us their history, without taking away from the present story.

The yearning? How this man *suffered* through his feelings? Perfection.

*I could do with a little less descriptions of their clothing, though.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, cosy Winter read. Riley and Luke (and the supporting cast) are portrayed so vividly with excellent world building, that you feel like you’ve known them for years. The brilliant descriptions of the Swedish landscape transported me there while I read- extremely jealous of their holiday home!