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Because Of Your Love: The Peterson Brothers Book Three
Not yet published
Expected 15 May 26Hayleigh
I lived my life by a checklist – get a good job, get married, plan a family, make my parents finally proud.
Then, in a moment of chaos that life I planned was ripped away.
The man I thought I loved turned out to be a monster and I was left with nothing but shards of my former self.
Then I met him. Nate Peterson. He’s everything my parents don’t want, he’s happy-go-lucky, never takes anything seriously and isn’t ruled by his bank balance.
When he looks at me it’s as if he truly sees the real me and for some reason he doesn’t run. I want him and he wants me but what do you do when your own head is working against you and you feel like you’re rotting away.
Nate chooses me but I don’t think I can find the fight to choose him, after all, everything I touch I ruin.
Nate
From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew Hayleigh would eventually be mine I just need to convince her of that.
So when the opportunity arises to get closer to her, I dive in headfirst.
She thinks she's no good to anyone, she think's she's beyond help, but she doesn't know how far us Peterson men will go for what they want, wholeheartedly, and there's no one more determined than me.
I see her beauty and the parts she doesn't want anyone else to see.
I just have to convince her that she's safe with me and that there's nothing I wouldn't do for her because I've had a taste and nothing and no one is getting in my way.
I lived my life by a checklist – get a good job, get married, plan a family, make my parents finally proud.
Then, in a moment of chaos that life I planned was ripped away.
The man I thought I loved turned out to be a monster and I was left with nothing but shards of my former self.
Then I met him. Nate Peterson. He’s everything my parents don’t want, he’s happy-go-lucky, never takes anything seriously and isn’t ruled by his bank balance.
When he looks at me it’s as if he truly sees the real me and for some reason he doesn’t run. I want him and he wants me but what do you do when your own head is working against you and you feel like you’re rotting away.
Nate chooses me but I don’t think I can find the fight to choose him, after all, everything I touch I ruin.
Nate
From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew Hayleigh would eventually be mine I just need to convince her of that.
So when the opportunity arises to get closer to her, I dive in headfirst.
She thinks she's no good to anyone, she think's she's beyond help, but she doesn't know how far us Peterson men will go for what they want, wholeheartedly, and there's no one more determined than me.
I see her beauty and the parts she doesn't want anyone else to see.
I just have to convince her that she's safe with me and that there's nothing I wouldn't do for her because I've had a taste and nothing and no one is getting in my way.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 15, 2026
15 people want to read
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May 2, 2026Hayleigh Wallcroft construyó su vida siguiendo reglas claras, creyendo que el orden y los planes eran la clave para hacer felices a sus padres. Pero cuando su compromiso con Pete Winters termina en un desastre y descubre que su prometido no era quien decía, termina devastada.
Aunque está rodeada de personas que esperan que siga adelante como si nada, ella lucha en silencio y finge estar bien. Es entonces cuando Nate Peterson comienza a acercarse más de lo que ella considera seguro. Él no intenta arreglarla ni tratarla con lástima, pero tampoco le permite esconderse detrás de excusas.
__
Gracias Ever After PR por el ARC.
Aunque está rodeada de personas que esperan que siga adelante como si nada, ella lucha en silencio y finge estar bien. Es entonces cuando Nate Peterson comienza a acercarse más de lo que ella considera seguro. Él no intenta arreglarla ni tratarla con lástima, pero tampoco le permite esconderse detrás de excusas.
__
Gracias Ever After PR por el ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to J. J Cross and Ever After PR for the for the ARC of Because of Your Love! I was new to the Peterson Brothers series, and I am so glad that I finally came across these books. Because of Your Love is the third instalment of this series, and to make sure I got the full picture, I went back to the beginning and read the first book. I am so incredibly glad that I did. I have fallen head over here for the Peterson family. The found family trope reels me in every time!
✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚ ♡ ₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧
ʚɞ Because of Your Love centres on Hayleigh and Nate. Hayleigh loves to have her life planned out, and she has built the perfect life plan in her head. Unfortunately, this all comes crumbling down when it is revealed her ex is hiding horrific and dark secrets. We join Hayleigh on her journey, a year after her life fell apart, as she tries to remember who she is under all the betrayal, lies and abuse. In swoops Nate, he had a front row seat to Hayleigh’s life being upturned and makes it his personal mission to help find her way back to herself, and keep her smiling along the way. These books are interconnected stand-alones, so you don’t have to read these books in order. However, I am so glad that I read through the previous books. I don’t think the previous instalments are integral to your enjoyment of Because of Your Love, but it does enhance it, so I would fully recommend the previous books before reading this one. Also, who doesn’t love reading more books with green-flag, book boyfriends and chaotic banter between siblings?
ʚɞ Hayleigh is one of my favourites in this series, and I am SO SO happy that she has her time to shine in this book. She always puts her friends first and celebrates their successes with her whole heart, all whilst she is falling apart inside. The fallout of what happened with her ex was explosive. Her ex-boyfriend Pete, caused harm and pain on such a huge scale not just to Hayleigh, but to Emmy (her best friend) and the Peterson family. None of which was Hayleigh’s fault, but she carries the guilt and shame as if it were her own. She is adrift and lonely, left to feel empty and hollowed out, she has lost her sense of belonging and doesn’t know how to ask for help. Her inner voice is screaming for someone, anyone to notice, but she is unable to voice her feelings and her fears. I felt so awful for her! She was so cruel to herself over what happened, she treated herself like a villain and never allowed herself to take a step back to see that she was a victim as well. It is so hard to see the confident and warm character we have grown to love, shrink in on herself and push people away. I was emotionally invested in her journey, I was with her every step of the way, every high and low, cheering her on from the sidelines.
ʚɞ Nate is the greenest flag of all green flags. How is anyone ever supposed to compete with him and the standards he just kept raising? The yearning was unreal! This man plays no games and is straightforward; he never leaves any room for doubt. He is so honest with Hayleigh from the outset, telling her how he feels but expects absolutely nothing in return. This man would live forever loving her from a distance, doing whatever he could to see her smile. I am feral about the way he flipped Hayleigh’s need to plan everything and her lists into something positive. He asks her to create a list of all the things she has ever wanted to do, then makes it his personal mission to make it all come true. He knows that she is not in the right head space for a relationship, and that she needs to stand on her own two feet before she can allow someone else into her heart. He is unbelievably patient, he never punishes her for pulling away or shutting him out. He becomes a safe harbour for Hayleigh, a warm and happy place she can turn to when life gets too much. He provides a sturdy foundation for her to build upon, he paves the way for the journey she makes back to herself, all whilst he waits patiently for her at the end.
ʚɞ These two absolutely killed me. Their love and care for each other made me want to launch my Kindle across the room because of how cute it all was. You just want to root for them the whole way! Independently, I loved their characters, but together they just got better. They are two halves of a whole. All Hayleigh wanted was for someone to look back, and notice that she could barely keep her head above water. Nate never had to look back, because he never took his eyes off her to begin with. He saw her, he noticed.
ʚɞ The relationships in this series are where these books shine. Not just the romantic relationships, but the bond all the characters share with one another. The Peterson family are the heart of this series. They are consistent and steadfast like the sun, pulling those that need their love and care, into their orbit. They welcome people into their lives with open arms and I just know that a mum-hug from May could fix me. Archie is one of my favourite brothers, and he plays a pivotal role in this book. I feel like we are gearing up for his book to be next and I cannot wait! I want to know the person hidden behind his loud and happy exterior.
ʚɞ The Peterson Brothers series shows us that family is the people who choose you every time. It is the people that stand behind you pushing you forward with their love and kindness and never expect anything in return. If you are in the mood for a contemporary romance brimming with love and healing, you will find yourself a safe place to hide away, with the Peterson Family and the lovely people of Roselake.
✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚ ♡ ₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧
ʚɞ Because of Your Love centres on Hayleigh and Nate. Hayleigh loves to have her life planned out, and she has built the perfect life plan in her head. Unfortunately, this all comes crumbling down when it is revealed her ex is hiding horrific and dark secrets. We join Hayleigh on her journey, a year after her life fell apart, as she tries to remember who she is under all the betrayal, lies and abuse. In swoops Nate, he had a front row seat to Hayleigh’s life being upturned and makes it his personal mission to help find her way back to herself, and keep her smiling along the way. These books are interconnected stand-alones, so you don’t have to read these books in order. However, I am so glad that I read through the previous books. I don’t think the previous instalments are integral to your enjoyment of Because of Your Love, but it does enhance it, so I would fully recommend the previous books before reading this one. Also, who doesn’t love reading more books with green-flag, book boyfriends and chaotic banter between siblings?
ʚɞ Hayleigh is one of my favourites in this series, and I am SO SO happy that she has her time to shine in this book. She always puts her friends first and celebrates their successes with her whole heart, all whilst she is falling apart inside. The fallout of what happened with her ex was explosive. Her ex-boyfriend Pete, caused harm and pain on such a huge scale not just to Hayleigh, but to Emmy (her best friend) and the Peterson family. None of which was Hayleigh’s fault, but she carries the guilt and shame as if it were her own. She is adrift and lonely, left to feel empty and hollowed out, she has lost her sense of belonging and doesn’t know how to ask for help. Her inner voice is screaming for someone, anyone to notice, but she is unable to voice her feelings and her fears. I felt so awful for her! She was so cruel to herself over what happened, she treated herself like a villain and never allowed herself to take a step back to see that she was a victim as well. It is so hard to see the confident and warm character we have grown to love, shrink in on herself and push people away. I was emotionally invested in her journey, I was with her every step of the way, every high and low, cheering her on from the sidelines.
ʚɞ Nate is the greenest flag of all green flags. How is anyone ever supposed to compete with him and the standards he just kept raising? The yearning was unreal! This man plays no games and is straightforward; he never leaves any room for doubt. He is so honest with Hayleigh from the outset, telling her how he feels but expects absolutely nothing in return. This man would live forever loving her from a distance, doing whatever he could to see her smile. I am feral about the way he flipped Hayleigh’s need to plan everything and her lists into something positive. He asks her to create a list of all the things she has ever wanted to do, then makes it his personal mission to make it all come true. He knows that she is not in the right head space for a relationship, and that she needs to stand on her own two feet before she can allow someone else into her heart. He is unbelievably patient, he never punishes her for pulling away or shutting him out. He becomes a safe harbour for Hayleigh, a warm and happy place she can turn to when life gets too much. He provides a sturdy foundation for her to build upon, he paves the way for the journey she makes back to herself, all whilst he waits patiently for her at the end.
ʚɞ These two absolutely killed me. Their love and care for each other made me want to launch my Kindle across the room because of how cute it all was. You just want to root for them the whole way! Independently, I loved their characters, but together they just got better. They are two halves of a whole. All Hayleigh wanted was for someone to look back, and notice that she could barely keep her head above water. Nate never had to look back, because he never took his eyes off her to begin with. He saw her, he noticed.
ʚɞ The relationships in this series are where these books shine. Not just the romantic relationships, but the bond all the characters share with one another. The Peterson family are the heart of this series. They are consistent and steadfast like the sun, pulling those that need their love and care, into their orbit. They welcome people into their lives with open arms and I just know that a mum-hug from May could fix me. Archie is one of my favourite brothers, and he plays a pivotal role in this book. I feel like we are gearing up for his book to be next and I cannot wait! I want to know the person hidden behind his loud and happy exterior.
ʚɞ The Peterson Brothers series shows us that family is the people who choose you every time. It is the people that stand behind you pushing you forward with their love and kindness and never expect anything in return. If you are in the mood for a contemporary romance brimming with love and healing, you will find yourself a safe place to hide away, with the Peterson Family and the lovely people of Roselake.
Review of advance copy
Hayleigh had a checklist in life:
1) Get a good job
2) Get married
3) Start a family
4) Finally make her parents proud
Then her carefully organised life is torn away. The man she loved turned out to be a monster and
she is left a shadow of her former self.
Nate:
1) Hayleigh’s parents are not a fan
2) Doesn’t take life too seriously
3) Not ruled by money
Nate wants Hayleigh but she doesn’t trust herself after what she’s been through, she doesn’t feel good enough. But Nate sees the real Hayleigh and he isn’t prepared to let her go easily…
The Pros:
1) There is quite a lot of ‘boys’ banter within a group chat the Peterson brothers have
2) I was a big fan of the friendships within the story
3) The romance 💖
The Cons:
1) Unfortunately the writing style wasn’t 100% for me
2) I found Nate had a mix of green and red flags
3) There are sadder parts and darker themes
4) The spice is open door and explicit - in case that’s not for you
The Quotes:
1) Nate sniggers, and my eyes go to him. “Shortcake, did you realise your face had subtitles?”
2) “Hayleigh, just because it’s a little broken, it doesn't mean it can’t be fixed; it means that someone needs to be willing to help it become whole again, and I’m fully invested in making sure this... home, becomes whole again.”
3) Always remember that family is who you choose to stand beside you... and it isn’t always blood.
The Summary:
First please note this is the 3rd in The Peterson Brothers series, so that may have an impact on some of what I mention. First, we find out Hayleigh has a traumatic past (assume this story is in the previous books and it’s juicy and intriguing 👀). And whilst obviously this is a standalone story, I imagine reading the others before would elevate this book. Nate... I found he had a mix of red and green flags, he wasn’t my favourite book boyfriend. Even little things like banging doors and getting up close to Hayleigh (considering her past), I felt didn’t put him in the best light for me. I have to say as well, the writing style isn’t 100% there for me either.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Hayleigh has a traumatic past - Nate tries to help her
I rated the book 3 🌟
A big thank you to the author and Ever After PR for the ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
1) Get a good job
2) Get married
3) Start a family
4) Finally make her parents proud
Then her carefully organised life is torn away. The man she loved turned out to be a monster and
she is left a shadow of her former self.
Nate:
1) Hayleigh’s parents are not a fan
2) Doesn’t take life too seriously
3) Not ruled by money
Nate wants Hayleigh but she doesn’t trust herself after what she’s been through, she doesn’t feel good enough. But Nate sees the real Hayleigh and he isn’t prepared to let her go easily…
The Pros:
1) There is quite a lot of ‘boys’ banter within a group chat the Peterson brothers have
2) I was a big fan of the friendships within the story
3) The romance 💖
The Cons:
1) Unfortunately the writing style wasn’t 100% for me
2) I found Nate had a mix of green and red flags
3) There are sadder parts and darker themes
4) The spice is open door and explicit - in case that’s not for you
The Quotes:
1) Nate sniggers, and my eyes go to him. “Shortcake, did you realise your face had subtitles?”
2) “Hayleigh, just because it’s a little broken, it doesn't mean it can’t be fixed; it means that someone needs to be willing to help it become whole again, and I’m fully invested in making sure this... home, becomes whole again.”
3) Always remember that family is who you choose to stand beside you... and it isn’t always blood.
The Summary:
First please note this is the 3rd in The Peterson Brothers series, so that may have an impact on some of what I mention. First, we find out Hayleigh has a traumatic past (assume this story is in the previous books and it’s juicy and intriguing 👀). And whilst obviously this is a standalone story, I imagine reading the others before would elevate this book. Nate... I found he had a mix of red and green flags, he wasn’t my favourite book boyfriend. Even little things like banging doors and getting up close to Hayleigh (considering her past), I felt didn’t put him in the best light for me. I have to say as well, the writing style isn’t 100% there for me either.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Hayleigh has a traumatic past - Nate tries to help her
I rated the book 3 🌟
A big thank you to the author and Ever After PR for the ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hayleigh’s perfectly planned life came crashing down a year ago when her fiance revealed his psychopathic tendencies by kidnapping her best friend. Since then, she has struggled with finding a new direction, while blaming herself for not seeing the signs sooner. While on a wedding trip with her best friend’s new in-laws, one brother makes it his mission to help her plan a new life, where she makes choices for herself, regardless of what her family or anyone else things. Suddenly she’s able to breathe for the first time in what feels like forever, but while he says he will never be more than what she needs in the moment, she finds herself battling between hoping for a chance at more, and fearing that she will drag him down with her.
Nate has known there was something special about Hayleigh since the moment he met her, even though she was unavailable at the time. With everything that happened a year ago, he has kept his distance, hoping for a moment where he could make his intentions known, but in that time, he noticed her light dimming, and now with nothing but time on their hands while they explore a new city, he makes it his mission to bring some of her spark back. As they work through her wishlist of experiences, he can see an entire life unfolding with her, if only she’d allow herself to feel the same freedom.
I received an early copy of this book from Ever After PR and it was a really sweet story. Having seen what Hayleigh experienced second hand in the first book from this series, it was nice to see her have a chance of happiness. While both her family and her ex left her broken, and weren’t afraid to remind her of how she was lacking, I loved how Nate and his family embraced her wholeheartedly, and didn’t try to fix her, only gave her the strength to find her own strength. Nate somehow managed to figure out exactly what she needed, and never pressured her for more than she was willing to give, and by doing this, they were able to build a much stronger relationship. The dynamic between the brothers was hilarious as always, and added a lighthearted element to the story.
Nate has known there was something special about Hayleigh since the moment he met her, even though she was unavailable at the time. With everything that happened a year ago, he has kept his distance, hoping for a moment where he could make his intentions known, but in that time, he noticed her light dimming, and now with nothing but time on their hands while they explore a new city, he makes it his mission to bring some of her spark back. As they work through her wishlist of experiences, he can see an entire life unfolding with her, if only she’d allow herself to feel the same freedom.
I received an early copy of this book from Ever After PR and it was a really sweet story. Having seen what Hayleigh experienced second hand in the first book from this series, it was nice to see her have a chance of happiness. While both her family and her ex left her broken, and weren’t afraid to remind her of how she was lacking, I loved how Nate and his family embraced her wholeheartedly, and didn’t try to fix her, only gave her the strength to find her own strength. Nate somehow managed to figure out exactly what she needed, and never pressured her for more than she was willing to give, and by doing this, they were able to build a much stronger relationship. The dynamic between the brothers was hilarious as always, and added a lighthearted element to the story.
Review of advance copy
Overall:
OVERALL SCORE: 5/5 | SPICE: 3.5 | CHEMISTRY: 5/5
Firstly, thank-you to Ever After PR for selecting me for this arc and thank-you to JJ Cross for the opportunity too. All my reviews are my own words, you will never see AI being used in my reviews. I do try and make them spoiler free, but I often can't help myself. For that reason, please be aware spoilers may be ahead.
I’m a huge romance fan, but when I saw this book I knew it would be different and I’m glad I gave it a chance. I'm used to the cozy, romance books but this book whilst is cozy towards the middle, this book resonates with me. We start off the book with Hayleigh, our FMC who has a troubled past with an ex-fiance. Her parents aren’t the nicest bunch either - they’re manipulators and blame Hayleigh for what her ex did. Wanting to escape that, she went on a pre-honeymoon holiday with her best friend Emmy and her new husband even if it means putting on a fake happy face to make sure none of her friends worry about her (even if everyone can see through it)
She soon finds a friendship with Nate Peterson, Emmy’s now brother in law. Despite the pain Hayleigh’s been through, the trauma and her mind overthinking things; Nate is willing to help, even if it means only friendship, despite wanting to love her from afar.
A list is created of things Hayleigh wants to do, she wants to get back out in life, wants to move on but her past haunts her until Nate slowly brings her out of her shell and shows her, she belongs with them and mostly, with him. Its a beautiful story, Archie will always be an amazing third wheel character, he makes me laugh but the connection between Nate and Hayleigh is just swoon worthy. Nate will do anything for Hayleigh, she just needs to heal first.
I couldn't put this book down, and would love others to give the book a chance. Whilst there could be more depth in the struggles that Hayleigh has and a little less repetition, this is a really good book and will sure read again in the future.
OVERALL SCORE: 5/5 | SPICE: 3.5 | CHEMISTRY: 5/5
Firstly, thank-you to Ever After PR for selecting me for this arc and thank-you to JJ Cross for the opportunity too. All my reviews are my own words, you will never see AI being used in my reviews. I do try and make them spoiler free, but I often can't help myself. For that reason, please be aware spoilers may be ahead.
I’m a huge romance fan, but when I saw this book I knew it would be different and I’m glad I gave it a chance. I'm used to the cozy, romance books but this book whilst is cozy towards the middle, this book resonates with me. We start off the book with Hayleigh, our FMC who has a troubled past with an ex-fiance. Her parents aren’t the nicest bunch either - they’re manipulators and blame Hayleigh for what her ex did. Wanting to escape that, she went on a pre-honeymoon holiday with her best friend Emmy and her new husband even if it means putting on a fake happy face to make sure none of her friends worry about her (even if everyone can see through it)
She soon finds a friendship with Nate Peterson, Emmy’s now brother in law. Despite the pain Hayleigh’s been through, the trauma and her mind overthinking things; Nate is willing to help, even if it means only friendship, despite wanting to love her from afar.
A list is created of things Hayleigh wants to do, she wants to get back out in life, wants to move on but her past haunts her until Nate slowly brings her out of her shell and shows her, she belongs with them and mostly, with him. Its a beautiful story, Archie will always be an amazing third wheel character, he makes me laugh but the connection between Nate and Hayleigh is just swoon worthy. Nate will do anything for Hayleigh, she just needs to heal first.
I couldn't put this book down, and would love others to give the book a chance. Whilst there could be more depth in the struggles that Hayleigh has and a little less repetition, this is a really good book and will sure read again in the future.
May 8, 2026
ARC Review
Because of Your Love
J.J. Cross | The Peterson Brothers- Book 3
Release Date: 5/15/2026
Hayleigh’s perfectly planned life shattered when the man she trusted revealed just how dangerous he really was, leaving her broken, lost, and struggling to trust herself again. Since then, she’s been trying to find her footing while carrying the weight of everything she didn’t see coming.
Enter Nate Peterson… and wow
Nate is the kind of guy you can’t help but fall for. He’s funny, thoughtful, patient (honestly… so patient), and the kind of loyal friend everyone deserves.
While Hayleigh sees herself as damaged, Nate only sees her strength and he never once tries to change her. He meets her exactly where she is and chooses her again and again.
Watching Hayleigh’s journey was emotional. She’s been through something no one should ever experience, and while there were moments, I felt frustrated with how she pushed Nate away (even unintentionally), it was also so real. Healing isn’t linear, and her growth into a stronger, more confident version of herself felt earned and meaningful.
Their relationship builds slowly through friendship, trust, and time and I loved seeing that foundation grow 🫶
✨ What I loved:
• Nate = book boyfriend material (the humor + heart = unmatched)
• The Peterson brothers and their hilarious text chains
• Strong friendships and sibling support
• The perfect mix of sweet AND spicy 🌶️ (that switch caught me off guard lol)
• Emotional healing and character growth
There were a few repetitive moments, but it didn’t take away from the overall story for me.
This was an easy, emotional read with humor, heart, and spice woven throughout. If you love a patient hero, a healing FMC, and a love story that grows through the hard moments, this one’s for you.
Thank you to J.J. Cross and Ever After PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 💌
Because of Your Love
J.J. Cross | The Peterson Brothers- Book 3
Release Date: 5/15/2026
Hayleigh’s perfectly planned life shattered when the man she trusted revealed just how dangerous he really was, leaving her broken, lost, and struggling to trust herself again. Since then, she’s been trying to find her footing while carrying the weight of everything she didn’t see coming.
Enter Nate Peterson… and wow
Nate is the kind of guy you can’t help but fall for. He’s funny, thoughtful, patient (honestly… so patient), and the kind of loyal friend everyone deserves.
While Hayleigh sees herself as damaged, Nate only sees her strength and he never once tries to change her. He meets her exactly where she is and chooses her again and again.
Watching Hayleigh’s journey was emotional. She’s been through something no one should ever experience, and while there were moments, I felt frustrated with how she pushed Nate away (even unintentionally), it was also so real. Healing isn’t linear, and her growth into a stronger, more confident version of herself felt earned and meaningful.
Their relationship builds slowly through friendship, trust, and time and I loved seeing that foundation grow 🫶
✨ What I loved:
• Nate = book boyfriend material (the humor + heart = unmatched)
• The Peterson brothers and their hilarious text chains
• Strong friendships and sibling support
• The perfect mix of sweet AND spicy 🌶️ (that switch caught me off guard lol)
• Emotional healing and character growth
There were a few repetitive moments, but it didn’t take away from the overall story for me.
This was an easy, emotional read with humor, heart, and spice woven throughout. If you love a patient hero, a healing FMC, and a love story that grows through the hard moments, this one’s for you.
Thank you to J.J. Cross and Ever After PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 💌
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the Author and Ever After PR for the opportunity to read this book.
This is my first JJ Cross book as I had not had the opportunity to read the previous books in the series. You can read this as a standalone but some parts would have been clearer if I had read at least the first book, but this did not detract from the story.
We meet Hayleigh a year after her personal life has been turned upside down leaving her vulnerable, broken and unsure about her relationships with her friends and family. Nate walks in, the third brother in the Peterson family, who becomes a good friend to Hayleigh, supporting her and helping her to rebuild her life and discover who she is and what she wants from her life.
This is a beautiful found family, small town romance. You have the loving support of the Peterson family weaving through the romance. The development and rebuilding relationships with friends and discovering that with the right support network, you are stronger than going it alone.
The romance builds between Nate and Hayleigh until feelings cannot be denied. This is a slow burn romance, with lots of feelings on Nate's side, he falls first and waits patiently for Hayleigh to realise how much she loves him.
I love that Nate is so supportive of Hayleigh. He has a quiet love that waits patiently for her and only sees the good in her. I loved to see Hayleigh's character develop as she works through her own doubts and the pressures of a demanding, horrible mother. This book touches on some tough themes such as manipulation and mental abuse and it was handled well.
There are some spicy scenes that help to build up the relationship between Nate and Hayleigh along with some lighter, funny scenes with the Peterson brothers and a funny group chat.
This is a great heart warming story and I can't wait to read more and will be going back to read books one and two.
This is my first JJ Cross book as I had not had the opportunity to read the previous books in the series. You can read this as a standalone but some parts would have been clearer if I had read at least the first book, but this did not detract from the story.
We meet Hayleigh a year after her personal life has been turned upside down leaving her vulnerable, broken and unsure about her relationships with her friends and family. Nate walks in, the third brother in the Peterson family, who becomes a good friend to Hayleigh, supporting her and helping her to rebuild her life and discover who she is and what she wants from her life.
This is a beautiful found family, small town romance. You have the loving support of the Peterson family weaving through the romance. The development and rebuilding relationships with friends and discovering that with the right support network, you are stronger than going it alone.
The romance builds between Nate and Hayleigh until feelings cannot be denied. This is a slow burn romance, with lots of feelings on Nate's side, he falls first and waits patiently for Hayleigh to realise how much she loves him.
I love that Nate is so supportive of Hayleigh. He has a quiet love that waits patiently for her and only sees the good in her. I loved to see Hayleigh's character develop as she works through her own doubts and the pressures of a demanding, horrible mother. This book touches on some tough themes such as manipulation and mental abuse and it was handled well.
There are some spicy scenes that help to build up the relationship between Nate and Hayleigh along with some lighter, funny scenes with the Peterson brothers and a funny group chat.
This is a great heart warming story and I can't wait to read more and will be going back to read books one and two.
Review of advance copy received from Author
📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚
Because of Your Love - @jjcrossauthor
Oh my! The third installment in the Peterson Brothers series was an emotional one. But it was also such a special story and I enjoyed this book immensely.
It dealt with poignant topics and Hayleigh in particular went on a real journey in this book. She is struggling to come to terms with the breakdown of a relationship and she is stuck in feeling a lot of guilt and just not really knowing how to move forward. Everything she thought she knew was completely torn apart so she just doesn't know where she fits anymore.
Throughout this ordeal she has developed a great friendship with Nate who has always seen her and just wants to help her. He recognises she is in a lot of pain but he just wants to make her smile.
They compile a list together of things that Hayleigh wants to do and he helps her carry them out. This was such a fun aspect of the book and despite some of the heavier topics it was able to remain light-hearted and there was a lot of humour in the book especially with her friendship with Archie.
I loved how it was explored that Hayleigh was discovering to learn to trust again and get joy out of her relationships and friendships. Her new found love with Nate was handled delicately and executed at a believable pace. I loved how this relationship developed. It was so sweet and Nate was patient.
The author also wrote Hayleigh in a way that she found herself but not just because she had a man in her life. She was finding herself first before she went into the relationship with Nate and I really liked this aspect of the book.
They also communicated really well in this book and I thought that was done well and was important considering what Hayleigh had been through. I found Hayleigh very relatable and at times I could recognise myself in her.
I've enjoyed all the books in this series so far, but this one has a real special place in my heart. Another fab read from an author that always delivers for me.
Because of Your Love - @jjcrossauthor
Oh my! The third installment in the Peterson Brothers series was an emotional one. But it was also such a special story and I enjoyed this book immensely.
It dealt with poignant topics and Hayleigh in particular went on a real journey in this book. She is struggling to come to terms with the breakdown of a relationship and she is stuck in feeling a lot of guilt and just not really knowing how to move forward. Everything she thought she knew was completely torn apart so she just doesn't know where she fits anymore.
Throughout this ordeal she has developed a great friendship with Nate who has always seen her and just wants to help her. He recognises she is in a lot of pain but he just wants to make her smile.
They compile a list together of things that Hayleigh wants to do and he helps her carry them out. This was such a fun aspect of the book and despite some of the heavier topics it was able to remain light-hearted and there was a lot of humour in the book especially with her friendship with Archie.
I loved how it was explored that Hayleigh was discovering to learn to trust again and get joy out of her relationships and friendships. Her new found love with Nate was handled delicately and executed at a believable pace. I loved how this relationship developed. It was so sweet and Nate was patient.
The author also wrote Hayleigh in a way that she found herself but not just because she had a man in her life. She was finding herself first before she went into the relationship with Nate and I really liked this aspect of the book.
They also communicated really well in this book and I thought that was done well and was important considering what Hayleigh had been through. I found Hayleigh very relatable and at times I could recognise myself in her.
I've enjoyed all the books in this series so far, but this one has a real special place in my heart. Another fab read from an author that always delivers for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Author JJ Cross has truly done it again. This is the third installment in the Peterson Brothers series, but it can easily be read as a standalone.
A heartfelt romance story, Because of Your Love follows Hayleigh, who has been manipulated and mistreated in her previous relationship by her fiancé, and Nate Peterson, a broody, handsome, and wholesome man who gradually develops feelings for her.
As Hayleigh navigates her heartbreak and learns to heal from her grief, Nate becomes her source of comfort, friendship, and support. Since she had always lived her life according to a list, Nate creates a new one for her, filled with things she truly wants to experience, and helps her fulfill them. Eventually, they choose each other and grow into such a powerful couple together. Nate truly did it all: he chose her, respected her healing journey, and gave her the love and patience she deserved.
At its core, this story shows how even the most broken person can find their way back to life with determination, strength, and the right support system.
The writing is easy to follow and beautifully done. The pacing flows smoothly, and the chapter lengths make the book even more enjoyable to binge-read. I especially loved the chemistry between the couple and the warm, amiable dynamic shared among the side characters as well. It was nostalgic to witness and learn more about the main characters from the previous two installments.
Overall, it was a warm, fun, and lovely read. I’d recommend this book to anyone who feels they are hard to love. No one is hard to love; you just haven’t found your person yet.
Thank you to the JJ Cross and Ever After PR for providing me with the opportunity to ARC read this wonderful book.
A heartfelt romance story, Because of Your Love follows Hayleigh, who has been manipulated and mistreated in her previous relationship by her fiancé, and Nate Peterson, a broody, handsome, and wholesome man who gradually develops feelings for her.
As Hayleigh navigates her heartbreak and learns to heal from her grief, Nate becomes her source of comfort, friendship, and support. Since she had always lived her life according to a list, Nate creates a new one for her, filled with things she truly wants to experience, and helps her fulfill them. Eventually, they choose each other and grow into such a powerful couple together. Nate truly did it all: he chose her, respected her healing journey, and gave her the love and patience she deserved.
At its core, this story shows how even the most broken person can find their way back to life with determination, strength, and the right support system.
The writing is easy to follow and beautifully done. The pacing flows smoothly, and the chapter lengths make the book even more enjoyable to binge-read. I especially loved the chemistry between the couple and the warm, amiable dynamic shared among the side characters as well. It was nostalgic to witness and learn more about the main characters from the previous two installments.
Overall, it was a warm, fun, and lovely read. I’d recommend this book to anyone who feels they are hard to love. No one is hard to love; you just haven’t found your person yet.
Thank you to the JJ Cross and Ever After PR for providing me with the opportunity to ARC read this wonderful book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This a slow burn romance following Nate and Hayleigh’s story set in a small town. Nate’s a protective, golden retriever, prankster MMC, who falls first while Hayleigh, who is a feisty, loyal FMC, has had some personal setbacks. She is trying to find her way and sense of self, due to past trauma, controlling parents and a sense of guilt. Nate is a rock in her corner helping to rebuild her confidence using a life list they wrote out together but encouraging her to do it on her terms, and he’s willing to wait for her as long as it takes.
I was very fortunate to be provided with an ARC copy of this book, and I really enjoyed this wholesome story. This book has a dual POV and shows how Nate and Hayleigh’s relationship develops. I did enjoy how this book has a mixture of humour but also highlights confidence and mental health issues, irrespective of ones background or how much money one can have. The patience and understanding that Nate shows while trying to help Hayleigh is everything that one wants in a partner. While the trust she places in him to help her is the courage we all wish we can have in any relationship. It was great seeing how their relationship developed from friends to lovers and the healing that they go through together.
Some of my favourite and funniest scenes in this book, that had me laughing out loud, is the brothers’ group chat conversations. I adore Archie and am hoping his story is next, which I will grab as soon as available but looking forward to the other brother’s stories too, and I love the Peterson family dynamic.
Thank you to the author, J.J. Cross and Ever After PR
He falls first
Writes her life list
He'll wait as long as it takes
Small Town
Protective MMC
Feisty FMC
Slow Burn
Past Trauma
She’s Finding Herself
I was very fortunate to be provided with an ARC copy of this book, and I really enjoyed this wholesome story. This book has a dual POV and shows how Nate and Hayleigh’s relationship develops. I did enjoy how this book has a mixture of humour but also highlights confidence and mental health issues, irrespective of ones background or how much money one can have. The patience and understanding that Nate shows while trying to help Hayleigh is everything that one wants in a partner. While the trust she places in him to help her is the courage we all wish we can have in any relationship. It was great seeing how their relationship developed from friends to lovers and the healing that they go through together.
Some of my favourite and funniest scenes in this book, that had me laughing out loud, is the brothers’ group chat conversations. I adore Archie and am hoping his story is next, which I will grab as soon as available but looking forward to the other brother’s stories too, and I love the Peterson family dynamic.
Thank you to the author, J.J. Cross and Ever After PR
He falls first
Writes her life list
He'll wait as long as it takes
Small Town
Protective MMC
Feisty FMC
Slow Burn
Past Trauma
She’s Finding Herself
Review of advance copy received from Author
Because of your Love is a romance that tugs on you heart strings by carefully showing the journey of Hayleigh healing and her long awaited self-discovery. 💗
As she recovers from an abusive relationship, guilt also overwhelms her which has changed her views on herself for the worse. 😕💔
JJ writes this story expertly, portraying Hayleigh’s emotional scars and the challenges she faces as she cautiously opens herself up to love again.💞
Enter Nate (oh yeah🤭), the charming love interest who is completely addicting and swoon worthy!!❤️🔥
He offers Hayleigh the safety and support she needs to heal, even writing Hayleigh a list of things to do from eating cake in bed to facing one of her fears!! 🎂 🤡
Their love for eachother grows strong and progressively becomes more and more heartwarming💗 along with the brother’s banter we all missed (I know i did!!🤣🤣)
Trust me, you will be HOWLING at the group chat!! (As always!)
And the genuine connectionss between the characters, form a relatable story which we can both laugh and cry at!! 💖
Cough, cough, Trouser rouser👀
JJ does a great job (as always)💕of balancing the seriousness of Hayleigh's past with the lightness of her growing feelings for Nate along with her sibling-ly love and absolutely hilarious relationship with archie! (Literally the spotlight of the book!!!)
My favourite part of each Peterson brother book is always the friendship and found family. ❤️
Hayleigh's friends provide unwavering support, and the humorous interactions with Nate's brothers lighten up the story💕💕
So excited for the next book, another five ⭐️ read by JJ!
As she recovers from an abusive relationship, guilt also overwhelms her which has changed her views on herself for the worse. 😕💔
JJ writes this story expertly, portraying Hayleigh’s emotional scars and the challenges she faces as she cautiously opens herself up to love again.💞
Enter Nate (oh yeah🤭), the charming love interest who is completely addicting and swoon worthy!!❤️🔥
He offers Hayleigh the safety and support she needs to heal, even writing Hayleigh a list of things to do from eating cake in bed to facing one of her fears!! 🎂 🤡
Their love for eachother grows strong and progressively becomes more and more heartwarming💗 along with the brother’s banter we all missed (I know i did!!🤣🤣)
Trust me, you will be HOWLING at the group chat!! (As always!)
And the genuine connectionss between the characters, form a relatable story which we can both laugh and cry at!! 💖
Cough, cough, Trouser rouser👀
JJ does a great job (as always)💕of balancing the seriousness of Hayleigh's past with the lightness of her growing feelings for Nate along with her sibling-ly love and absolutely hilarious relationship with archie! (Literally the spotlight of the book!!!)
My favourite part of each Peterson brother book is always the friendship and found family. ❤️
Hayleigh's friends provide unwavering support, and the humorous interactions with Nate's brothers lighten up the story💕💕
So excited for the next book, another five ⭐️ read by JJ!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader for this book, and I’m so grateful that I was! This story made me cry, laugh, and smile so much! I would definitely recommend it.💛
I absolutely adored his nickname for her, “Shortcake,” because she’s tiny even in heels, and it honestly suited her perfectly. There were also so many little moments that had me giggling, especially the line, “Mr Happy thinks it’s playtime,” which completely caught me off guard 🤭
This is definitely a slow burn romance, but it works so well because of everything she’s been through in her past. She’s not ready to jump into a relationship too quickly, even though it’s obvious she likes him far more than she wants to admit. You can tell she could so easily fall for him… if she hasn’t already.
One of my favourite lines was, “Had a hug ever made you feel like coming home?” That quote genuinely made me smile because it perfectly captures that safe, comforting feeling. 🩷 It’s especially emotional because she struggles to believe she deserves happiness.
I absolutely loved their chemistry. He’s completely head over heels for her, but he’s patient enough to wait as long as she needs because, in his eyes, she’s worth everything. 🥰 She’s feisty, he’s protective, and together they balance each other perfectly. I also loved how he helps her complete her list, doing absolutely anything in his power to keep that smile on her face.
Overall, this book was emotional, sweet, funny, and full of heart. The slow burn tension, the chemistry, and the caring moments between them made this such an enjoyable read, and I can’t wait for everyone else to experience it too! 🫶🏻
I absolutely adored his nickname for her, “Shortcake,” because she’s tiny even in heels, and it honestly suited her perfectly. There were also so many little moments that had me giggling, especially the line, “Mr Happy thinks it’s playtime,” which completely caught me off guard 🤭
This is definitely a slow burn romance, but it works so well because of everything she’s been through in her past. She’s not ready to jump into a relationship too quickly, even though it’s obvious she likes him far more than she wants to admit. You can tell she could so easily fall for him… if she hasn’t already.
One of my favourite lines was, “Had a hug ever made you feel like coming home?” That quote genuinely made me smile because it perfectly captures that safe, comforting feeling. 🩷 It’s especially emotional because she struggles to believe she deserves happiness.
I absolutely loved their chemistry. He’s completely head over heels for her, but he’s patient enough to wait as long as she needs because, in his eyes, she’s worth everything. 🥰 She’s feisty, he’s protective, and together they balance each other perfectly. I also loved how he helps her complete her list, doing absolutely anything in his power to keep that smile on her face.
Overall, this book was emotional, sweet, funny, and full of heart. The slow burn tension, the chemistry, and the caring moments between them made this such an enjoyable read, and I can’t wait for everyone else to experience it too! 🫶🏻
May 10, 2026
In the third book of the series we follow Hayleigh, whose life (following the events of book one) has fallen apart. She had her life mapped out and was checking off her life list, until everything come crashing down around her and now the life list is redundant. Hayleigh is struggling with these life events and when she goes on a break away with her best friends in laws for the wedding celebrations one of the brothers Nate, makes it his mission to get Hayleigh living her life again.
I enjoyed the third book in the series. I think reading the first two is helpful going into this book, however it could be read as a standalone.
I really felt for Hayleigh throughout this book, how she was treated by her parents and the weight of everyone’s expectations was hard to see. However Nate bringing life back into Hayleigh was just super cute! Nate was obsessed from the very first meeting with Hayleigh and decides she’s the woman for him and he doesn’t care how long he has to wait for her! Although i enjoyed the story i expected to love the two characters together more. I just didn’t feel as much chemistry as Cole and Lacey, they did have chemistry I just expected there to be more.
The Peterson brothers group chat & their banter made this book for me. Provided light relief and I loved the dynamic between them. I can already see book 4 being set up and I am excited for this one! Also excited for Rafe’s story!
Overall a cute read for any romance lovers. Thanks Ever After Pr for this opportunity.
I enjoyed the third book in the series. I think reading the first two is helpful going into this book, however it could be read as a standalone.
I really felt for Hayleigh throughout this book, how she was treated by her parents and the weight of everyone’s expectations was hard to see. However Nate bringing life back into Hayleigh was just super cute! Nate was obsessed from the very first meeting with Hayleigh and decides she’s the woman for him and he doesn’t care how long he has to wait for her! Although i enjoyed the story i expected to love the two characters together more. I just didn’t feel as much chemistry as Cole and Lacey, they did have chemistry I just expected there to be more.
The Peterson brothers group chat & their banter made this book for me. Provided light relief and I loved the dynamic between them. I can already see book 4 being set up and I am excited for this one! Also excited for Rafe’s story!
Overall a cute read for any romance lovers. Thanks Ever After Pr for this opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review ❣️
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Because of Your Love was such an emotional and heartfelt read. The story pulls you into Hayleigh’s pain right from the beginning, and watching her struggle with trauma, self-worth, and learning how to trust again felt incredibly raw and realistic. Her journey wasn’t rushed, which I appreciated because it made every small step toward healing feel meaningful.
Nate Peterson completely stole the show for me. He has that carefree, golden-retriever energy on the surface, but underneath it all he’s deeply patient, protective, and unwavering when it comes to Hayleigh. I loved how he never tried to “fix” her, but instead continuously reminded her that she deserved love, safety, and happiness. Their chemistry was emotional as much as it was romantic, which made their connection feel genuine.
The book handles heavy themes, emotional damage, and healing in a way that keeps you invested in the characters. There were moments that genuinely hurt to read because of how broken Hayleigh felt, but those same moments made the softer scenes even more rewarding.
The reason this wasn’t a full 5 stars for me is that some parts felt slightly repetitive emotionally, and I wanted a little more depth in certain side plot developments. Still, the romance, emotional intensity, and Nate’s devotion made this such an engaging read.
If you enjoy emotional contemporary romance with wounded characters, protective love interests, healing journeys, and a romance that feels both tender and intense, this one is definitely worth picking up.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Because of Your Love was such an emotional and heartfelt read. The story pulls you into Hayleigh’s pain right from the beginning, and watching her struggle with trauma, self-worth, and learning how to trust again felt incredibly raw and realistic. Her journey wasn’t rushed, which I appreciated because it made every small step toward healing feel meaningful.
Nate Peterson completely stole the show for me. He has that carefree, golden-retriever energy on the surface, but underneath it all he’s deeply patient, protective, and unwavering when it comes to Hayleigh. I loved how he never tried to “fix” her, but instead continuously reminded her that she deserved love, safety, and happiness. Their chemistry was emotional as much as it was romantic, which made their connection feel genuine.
The book handles heavy themes, emotional damage, and healing in a way that keeps you invested in the characters. There were moments that genuinely hurt to read because of how broken Hayleigh felt, but those same moments made the softer scenes even more rewarding.
The reason this wasn’t a full 5 stars for me is that some parts felt slightly repetitive emotionally, and I wanted a little more depth in certain side plot developments. Still, the romance, emotional intensity, and Nate’s devotion made this such an engaging read.
If you enjoy emotional contemporary romance with wounded characters, protective love interests, healing journeys, and a romance that feels both tender and intense, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a sweet, sweet story ❤️
My goodness, Nate Peterson is the epitome of a cinnamon roll with a slight pinch of protective MMC and the ONLY man for Hayleigh.
Hayleigh is going through an identity crisis and in the midst of trying to find herself again after her ex-fiance was revealed to be an evil psychopath. She is stuck in a rut and dwelling on her faults and the part she felt she played in the traumatic events that took place, putting her friends in danger. She blames herself for not seeing the signs and doesn't understand how anyone could forgive her or that she deserves to find happiness.
This is the moment Nate enters the chat and makes it his mission to help Hayleigh trudge through the mess in her mind and lead her into the light of discovering who she truly is again without the outside influences of her selfish and money-hungry parents and psycho ex.
The way Nate allows Hayleigh her space to process her grief, encourages and helps her fulfil her "bucket list" is admirable. Their friendship blossoms and Nate is obviously head over heels for Hayleigh and is willing to wait until she's ready.
This is a slow burn, but for me the timing of their love connection was perfect. Nate knew exactly what Hayleigh needed and gave her the room to be independent and work through her feelings organically.
My goodness, Nate Peterson is the epitome of a cinnamon roll with a slight pinch of protective MMC and the ONLY man for Hayleigh.
Hayleigh is going through an identity crisis and in the midst of trying to find herself again after her ex-fiance was revealed to be an evil psychopath. She is stuck in a rut and dwelling on her faults and the part she felt she played in the traumatic events that took place, putting her friends in danger. She blames herself for not seeing the signs and doesn't understand how anyone could forgive her or that she deserves to find happiness.
This is the moment Nate enters the chat and makes it his mission to help Hayleigh trudge through the mess in her mind and lead her into the light of discovering who she truly is again without the outside influences of her selfish and money-hungry parents and psycho ex.
The way Nate allows Hayleigh her space to process her grief, encourages and helps her fulfil her "bucket list" is admirable. Their friendship blossoms and Nate is obviously head over heels for Hayleigh and is willing to wait until she's ready.
This is a slow burn, but for me the timing of their love connection was perfect. Nate knew exactly what Hayleigh needed and gave her the room to be independent and work through her feelings organically.
Review of advance copy
I absolutely loved this book, it was so beautifully written, each character was lovingly written and the banter between them was brilliant!
This book follows Hayleigh and Nate’s love story as it unfolds, let me just say Nate is a walking green flag and goes out of his way to show Hayleigh just how amazing she is!
Hayleigh was engaged to Pete Winters, we don’t like him, and he was arrested the night of their engagement party, why? Well you’ll just have to read it to find out won’t you!!
Hayleigh’s family is overbearing and tries to control every aspect of her life from her clothing choices to her future husbands, but with Nate’s help she comprises a list and he helps to empower her and make her see how special she is.
My favourite scene I think was the cinema scene *swoon*!!! Overall, I’ve rated this book a 5 stars because of the thought and hard work that’s gone into creating this world where he falls first, she’s got past trauma and to witness their love unfolding in the pages is so inspiring!!
Read. This. Book!!!
This book follows Hayleigh and Nate’s love story as it unfolds, let me just say Nate is a walking green flag and goes out of his way to show Hayleigh just how amazing she is!
Hayleigh was engaged to Pete Winters, we don’t like him, and he was arrested the night of their engagement party, why? Well you’ll just have to read it to find out won’t you!!
Hayleigh’s family is overbearing and tries to control every aspect of her life from her clothing choices to her future husbands, but with Nate’s help she comprises a list and he helps to empower her and make her see how special she is.
My favourite scene I think was the cinema scene *swoon*!!! Overall, I’ve rated this book a 5 stars because of the thought and hard work that’s gone into creating this world where he falls first, she’s got past trauma and to witness their love unfolding in the pages is so inspiring!!
Read. This. Book!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you are looking for the perfect green flag book boyfriend, Nate is the one. I loved this book, the slow burn pace felt so right for the characters & their stories.
This book is the 3rd book of the series, you see parts of the characters in the other books which makes you excited to meet them in this book, but my love for Nate grew so much & my god, I felt for Hayleigh.
Hayleigh’s character is so relatable, her hurt & overcoming through everything is very realistic which makes you love her more, seeing her get her spark back, beautiful! Her character goes through a lot but is a strong FMC.
Nate, well he is a green flag, his love for people he cares for knows no bounds, his patience? King for that, his character is funny, flirty and has eyes only for her!
If you like found family, small town romance, he falls first, a family group chat? This is for you!
Thank you Ever After Pr & JJ Cross for this ARC, all views are my own.
This book is the 3rd book of the series, you see parts of the characters in the other books which makes you excited to meet them in this book, but my love for Nate grew so much & my god, I felt for Hayleigh.
Hayleigh’s character is so relatable, her hurt & overcoming through everything is very realistic which makes you love her more, seeing her get her spark back, beautiful! Her character goes through a lot but is a strong FMC.
Nate, well he is a green flag, his love for people he cares for knows no bounds, his patience? King for that, his character is funny, flirty and has eyes only for her!
If you like found family, small town romance, he falls first, a family group chat? This is for you!
Thank you Ever After Pr & JJ Cross for this ARC, all views are my own.
May 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Nate Paterson is now in my top 10 list of book boyfriends (that are walking green flags) He falls first, hard and fast and shows Hayleigh what it is like to be loved the way you should. The attention to detail in everything he did to show her how much she is worth and to block out all of the negative it’s truly beautiful.
Hayleigh is a true portrait of vulnerability and strength through her journey of putting herself first and finding out who she truly is after everything she has been through. Opening herself up to the possibility of love even though it is scary, allowing herself to be loved by a family the way she should.
The bond and strength throughout the entire books really works well, and the sibling bond between these brothers is honestly a good relief within the serious moments.
J.J. Cross did a really lovely job in this book and it was a brilliant read thank you for allowing me to read the ARC 🥰
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Nate Paterson is now in my top 10 list of book boyfriends (that are walking green flags) He falls first, hard and fast and shows Hayleigh what it is like to be loved the way you should. The attention to detail in everything he did to show her how much she is worth and to block out all of the negative it’s truly beautiful.
Hayleigh is a true portrait of vulnerability and strength through her journey of putting herself first and finding out who she truly is after everything she has been through. Opening herself up to the possibility of love even though it is scary, allowing herself to be loved by a family the way she should.
The bond and strength throughout the entire books really works well, and the sibling bond between these brothers is honestly a good relief within the serious moments.
J.J. Cross did a really lovely job in this book and it was a brilliant read thank you for allowing me to read the ARC 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I adore the Peterson brothers so much!!! This time we have Nate’s story who falls for hayleigh.
Now poor hayleigh had the rug pulled from under her when she discovered just how much of a psycho the man she was meant to marry really was and she was left a hollow shell of the person she once was.
My heart broke for Hayleigh because she was just so lost, but it was amazing to read throughout the story as she regain her life and power, to find her light again with the people who choose to help build her back up and who was always there for her.
And Nate was so wonderful he help Hayleigh the way she needed as a friend, never pushing but always showing up for her.
Their friendship was so special and it grew stronger and into something beautiful by the end.
The story itself was wonderfully written and I absolutely adore the characters, especially the crazy moments between the Peterson brothers.
Can’t wait to see more from this series.
Now poor hayleigh had the rug pulled from under her when she discovered just how much of a psycho the man she was meant to marry really was and she was left a hollow shell of the person she once was.
My heart broke for Hayleigh because she was just so lost, but it was amazing to read throughout the story as she regain her life and power, to find her light again with the people who choose to help build her back up and who was always there for her.
And Nate was so wonderful he help Hayleigh the way she needed as a friend, never pushing but always showing up for her.
Their friendship was so special and it grew stronger and into something beautiful by the end.
The story itself was wonderfully written and I absolutely adore the characters, especially the crazy moments between the Peterson brothers.
Can’t wait to see more from this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to J.J Cross and Ever After PR for picking me to be a part of the ARC team! I absolutely LOVED this book. Hayleigh and Nates story is incredibly sweet and I was constantly wanting to keep reading even when I eas exhausted (to the point that I have fallen asleep with my kindle in my hand multiple times).
Even though I haven't read the other two Peterson brother books, I never felt lost and understood the brother dynamic well! The relationship between the brothers is so well written that'll ill definitely be reading the other books to see more!
I also loved the many different side plots woven within the story. Hayleighs past boyfriend, her sisters struggles and Archies story all added so much more depth to the book without taking from the main love story. This book had everything I want: found family, a great emotional connection, and a little bit of spice! 5 stars from me!!
Even though I haven't read the other two Peterson brother books, I never felt lost and understood the brother dynamic well! The relationship between the brothers is so well written that'll ill definitely be reading the other books to see more!
I also loved the many different side plots woven within the story. Hayleighs past boyfriend, her sisters struggles and Archies story all added so much more depth to the book without taking from the main love story. This book had everything I want: found family, a great emotional connection, and a little bit of spice! 5 stars from me!!
Review of advance copy
Gosh! This book was adorable!!
The things that Hayleigh went through and has been treated by her mother was jaw dropping, I wanted to kick her drop her right off the page after what she said to her daughter, many many times.
Hayleigh, is a precious soul. Never out to hurt anybody so she keeps all her feelings bottled which leads to her pushing her friends away. But as the story progresses, she finds herself and her ‘faults’ and works through them with help of Nate and Archie.
I absolutely loved Archie. He’s the golden retriever of the brothers ♥️ And the brother banter texts are hilarious, they had me Laughing out loud.
But Nate, is the hero. Swoon worthy, never pushes her limits, there when she needs him, creates a list for her and then makes a book for said list 🫠. All he wants to do is be there for her and love her the way she deserves ♥️
It was just adorable. Every single line. Phenomenal. So thank you to @everafter.pr for this amazing opportunity to read this book.
May 11, 2026
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑷𝑹 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓, 𝑱.𝑱. 𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
This was a joy to read.
It’s the third Peterson Brothers book, with each book following a different Peterson brother/couple. They can deffo be read as stand-alones, but after reading one you’ll fall in love and absolutely devour them all!
In Because of Your Love, we follow Nate and Hayleigh.
Hayleigh is working through trauma and mental health issues caused by her psychotic ex and her narcissistic parents, whilst Nate continues to be the biggest green flag possible
The characters and the relationships around them are so fun to read, We have such a great range of personalities, with top tier banter and the fuzziest found family vibes.
I adored Archie and can’t wait for his story in the next book!
This book is feel-good, romantic, spicy, funny. I got absolutely swept away and was so invested in Hayleigh and Nate. Gorgeous little read ♡
This was a joy to read.
It’s the third Peterson Brothers book, with each book following a different Peterson brother/couple. They can deffo be read as stand-alones, but after reading one you’ll fall in love and absolutely devour them all!
In Because of Your Love, we follow Nate and Hayleigh.
Hayleigh is working through trauma and mental health issues caused by her psychotic ex and her narcissistic parents, whilst Nate continues to be the biggest green flag possible
The characters and the relationships around them are so fun to read, We have such a great range of personalities, with top tier banter and the fuzziest found family vibes.
I adored Archie and can’t wait for his story in the next book!
This book is feel-good, romantic, spicy, funny. I got absolutely swept away and was so invested in Hayleigh and Nate. Gorgeous little read ♡
May 11, 2026
I really enjoyed this one!! Even though this is the third book in the series, it was my first by this author. And now I’m so excited to go back and read the first two!
This was such a heartwarming story about rebuilding your life, healing from past trauma, and finding the courage to start over. The emotional journey felt genuine and beautifully done.
I completely fell in love with the brothers and their family. The characters were lovable, supportive, hilarious, and felt so real. Their relationships and interactions made the story even more enjoyable.
I also loved the formatting of the text message bubbles! They were easy to follow and added such a fun, modern touch to the story.
The banter between the characters was perfection. There were multiple scenes that had me laughing so hard my cheeks hurt!
This book had the perfect balance of emotion, spice, humor, chemistry, and romance, with just enough suspense to keep things interesting.
Such a fun and heartfelt read!
This was such a heartwarming story about rebuilding your life, healing from past trauma, and finding the courage to start over. The emotional journey felt genuine and beautifully done.
I completely fell in love with the brothers and their family. The characters were lovable, supportive, hilarious, and felt so real. Their relationships and interactions made the story even more enjoyable.
I also loved the formatting of the text message bubbles! They were easy to follow and added such a fun, modern touch to the story.
The banter between the characters was perfection. There were multiple scenes that had me laughing so hard my cheeks hurt!
This book had the perfect balance of emotion, spice, humor, chemistry, and romance, with just enough suspense to keep things interesting.
Such a fun and heartfelt read!
May 11, 2026
Okay I already knew I was going to love this book as I loved the first two in the series!!
This was a slow burn which I’m not usually a fan of but I loved it!
The FMC Hayleigh had past trauma and had a terrible relationship with her ex, whilst also being pushed into decision by her family. Since the split with her ex she had walls up and wasn’t really ready to trust due to her past experience and her brains would almost go into fight or flight when in certain situations.
The MMC Nate is so patient with Hayleigh and supports her whilst also allowing her to open up. He falls for her first and he said he will wait as long as it takes.
This was a beautiful story and also I loved the group chats and the relationship between Hayleigh and Archie! Archie is hilarious!!!! 🤣
Also loved the little Easter Egg at the end which mentioned one of Kayla Kyng’s books! 🤣
Thank you so much to JJ Cross and EverAfter PR for sending me an early copy of this book, love your number one fan 🤣 x
This was a slow burn which I’m not usually a fan of but I loved it!
The FMC Hayleigh had past trauma and had a terrible relationship with her ex, whilst also being pushed into decision by her family. Since the split with her ex she had walls up and wasn’t really ready to trust due to her past experience and her brains would almost go into fight or flight when in certain situations.
The MMC Nate is so patient with Hayleigh and supports her whilst also allowing her to open up. He falls for her first and he said he will wait as long as it takes.
This was a beautiful story and also I loved the group chats and the relationship between Hayleigh and Archie! Archie is hilarious!!!! 🤣
Also loved the little Easter Egg at the end which mentioned one of Kayla Kyng’s books! 🤣
Thank you so much to JJ Cross and EverAfter PR for sending me an early copy of this book, love your number one fan 🤣 x
Review of advance copy received from Author
Because of Your Love truly covers it all—heartbreak, betrayal, pain, guilt, fear, and struggles with self-worth. But what stands out most is the love, support, loyalty, and the strength of both blood family and chosen family that shines throughout.
Nate is completely swoon-worthy—another green-flag Peterson brother you can’t help but love. His devotion to Hayleigh is undeniable, and the lengths he goes for her will melt your heart. At the same time, the shenanigans he gets into with his brothers will have you laughing out loud hysterically.
Hayleigh pulls at your heart in a different way—you feel anger on her behalf, while also wanting to wrap her up and push her to overcome her fears. Watching her slowly take back control is incredibly satisfying.
Their journey is one of healing—slow, steady, and built on a foundation of love and unwavering support.
Beautifully written!
Nate is completely swoon-worthy—another green-flag Peterson brother you can’t help but love. His devotion to Hayleigh is undeniable, and the lengths he goes for her will melt your heart. At the same time, the shenanigans he gets into with his brothers will have you laughing out loud hysterically.
Hayleigh pulls at your heart in a different way—you feel anger on her behalf, while also wanting to wrap her up and push her to overcome her fears. Watching her slowly take back control is incredibly satisfying.
Their journey is one of healing—slow, steady, and built on a foundation of love and unwavering support.
Beautifully written!
May 3, 2026
Review of Advance Copy
I didn’t know what I was going to make of this book, all I did know is that it sounded right up my street and I’d been craving a book like this for a while, and it completely lived up to the expectations I gave it. It had me kicking my feet with a big cheesy grin on my face throughout, but it also had me with tears in my eyes while still trying to read. I really enjoyed it, the characters I loved even to the point I want to go back and read the other books, because I didn’t realise when getting this arc that it was actually a series and I definitely need to know about the other brothers. If you need a cute romance with a great plot I’d definitely recommend this plot, maybe read the others first though before coming to this one. What a man Nate is he’s such a loveable green flag guy, everyone deserves to find their very own Nate Peterson!
I didn’t know what I was going to make of this book, all I did know is that it sounded right up my street and I’d been craving a book like this for a while, and it completely lived up to the expectations I gave it. It had me kicking my feet with a big cheesy grin on my face throughout, but it also had me with tears in my eyes while still trying to read. I really enjoyed it, the characters I loved even to the point I want to go back and read the other books, because I didn’t realise when getting this arc that it was actually a series and I definitely need to know about the other brothers. If you need a cute romance with a great plot I’d definitely recommend this plot, maybe read the others first though before coming to this one. What a man Nate is he’s such a loveable green flag guy, everyone deserves to find their very own Nate Peterson!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me so hooked from the start that I flew through it and finished it within the day! 😍
This third book of the Peterson brothers follows Nate and Hayleigh and oh boy it delivered!
Hayleigh is such a strong woman and though it takes her a while to believe it, when she does she becomes such a powerhouse who doesn't let anyone step in her way!
And Nate? Yet another major green flag for the Petersons 💚 he is supportive, loving and allows Hayleigh her space and time to figure herself out without becoming overbearing on her or rushing her.
The way they tackle Hayleigh's life list together brings such a lovely feeling that you can't help but smile as you watch their friendship grow and change into something more 🥰
This was an emotional read that highlights chosen family, friends to lovers and past trauma and
I highly recommend reading it! 💕
This third book of the Peterson brothers follows Nate and Hayleigh and oh boy it delivered!
Hayleigh is such a strong woman and though it takes her a while to believe it, when she does she becomes such a powerhouse who doesn't let anyone step in her way!
And Nate? Yet another major green flag for the Petersons 💚 he is supportive, loving and allows Hayleigh her space and time to figure herself out without becoming overbearing on her or rushing her.
The way they tackle Hayleigh's life list together brings such a lovely feeling that you can't help but smile as you watch their friendship grow and change into something more 🥰
This was an emotional read that highlights chosen family, friends to lovers and past trauma and
I highly recommend reading it! 💕
Review of advance copy received from Author
**Arc review**
We first meet hayleigh in book 1 where we see second hand what happened with her psycho ex and her own family.
That left her broken and feeling inadequate, struggling to find her place in the world, and moving through the motions on autopilot for a while.
Of course, Nate and his crazy family embrace her, protect her and create a barrier around her, to where she had a soft place to land and rediscover herself.
I loved the family dynamic, in a small town book like this, i love how families are portrayed as a unit and an unstoppable force of protection and strength for those they love.
Nate and Hayleigh manage to build a strong bond and this slow burn romance between is built on trust, patience and respect and i adore it all!
Another 5 star read from this author. I loved it!
We first meet hayleigh in book 1 where we see second hand what happened with her psycho ex and her own family.
That left her broken and feeling inadequate, struggling to find her place in the world, and moving through the motions on autopilot for a while.
Of course, Nate and his crazy family embrace her, protect her and create a barrier around her, to where she had a soft place to land and rediscover herself.
I loved the family dynamic, in a small town book like this, i love how families are portrayed as a unit and an unstoppable force of protection and strength for those they love.
Nate and Hayleigh manage to build a strong bond and this slow burn romance between is built on trust, patience and respect and i adore it all!
Another 5 star read from this author. I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this as an advanced copy from the author and ever after pr
Hayleigh had her whole life planned out when she wanted kids everything down the the T. But when her well planned out life is torn away from her and shattered by the man she loved she’s hit rock bottom.
Nate who is care free, loyal and patient enters the scene and is hell bent on getting Hayleigh back on her feet. But can Hayleigh get over the events of the past and let Nate in?
This book was great! I enjoyed the pace, I enjoyed the relationship blossoming first from friendship! There were so many funny moments that had me full on giggling and kicking my feet I did not expect it to be this funny!
This book is part of an interconnected standalone series but I do feel you would get the full effect if you read the other books first!
This book was a 4 star for me! Loved it!
Hayleigh had her whole life planned out when she wanted kids everything down the the T. But when her well planned out life is torn away from her and shattered by the man she loved she’s hit rock bottom.
Nate who is care free, loyal and patient enters the scene and is hell bent on getting Hayleigh back on her feet. But can Hayleigh get over the events of the past and let Nate in?
This book was great! I enjoyed the pace, I enjoyed the relationship blossoming first from friendship! There were so many funny moments that had me full on giggling and kicking my feet I did not expect it to be this funny!
This book is part of an interconnected standalone series but I do feel you would get the full effect if you read the other books first!
This book was a 4 star for me! Loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc Review
A masterclass in realistic, supportive romance. This story features a male lead who perfectly balances being a pillar of strength with knowing when to step back, watching from the sidelines with unwavering support while the heroine finds her own footing.
The female lead’s journey is a powerful testament to strength through vulnerability; she is resilient, battling her own demons and eventually finding the courage to ask for help without ever losing her autonomy. Complemented by hilarious side characters, clever pranks, and a "just right" level of spice that enhances rather than distracts, this is an emotionally pure and beautifully written escape.
This is the perfect book if you want to laugh out loud, smile along, and root for characters to get every good thing they deserve.
A masterclass in realistic, supportive romance. This story features a male lead who perfectly balances being a pillar of strength with knowing when to step back, watching from the sidelines with unwavering support while the heroine finds her own footing.
The female lead’s journey is a powerful testament to strength through vulnerability; she is resilient, battling her own demons and eventually finding the courage to ask for help without ever losing her autonomy. Complemented by hilarious side characters, clever pranks, and a "just right" level of spice that enhances rather than distracts, this is an emotionally pure and beautifully written escape.
This is the perfect book if you want to laugh out loud, smile along, and root for characters to get every good thing they deserve.
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