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If You Ever Come Back
Not yet published
Expected 14 Feb 26Five years ago, Keira Sullivan watched her childhood best friend leave their coastal town for a new life in Chicago. She let him go with a small smile and a love she never confessed, then did her best to build a future without him. Now, 5 years later, she owns her own bookshop, is a published author who is trying (and failing) to draft her third novel, and is engaged to a man who offers comfort and stability. On the surface, her life is everything she once imagined. Yet a small, persistent ache lingers quietly beneath the surface.
Miles Bennett thought leaving was the right choice. He believed Keira deserved someone better, someone who wasnt afraid to take chances. He built a successful career and a perfecr routine, yet nothing has ever softened the ache of losing the only girl who ever felt like home.
When a holiday book tour brings Keira back into Miles’s orbit, an unexpected reunion shatters the walls she worked so hard to build. A massive blizzard traps them together as the city grinds to a halt, and in the isolation of the storm, old memories resurface and long-buried truths begin to rise. As the snow clears, Keira must face a decision that could alter the course of her life forever: hold on to the future she planned or return to the love she never truly let go.
Miles Bennett thought leaving was the right choice. He believed Keira deserved someone better, someone who wasnt afraid to take chances. He built a successful career and a perfecr routine, yet nothing has ever softened the ache of losing the only girl who ever felt like home.
When a holiday book tour brings Keira back into Miles’s orbit, an unexpected reunion shatters the walls she worked so hard to build. A massive blizzard traps them together as the city grinds to a halt, and in the isolation of the storm, old memories resurface and long-buried truths begin to rise. As the snow clears, Keira must face a decision that could alter the course of her life forever: hold on to the future she planned or return to the love she never truly let go.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 14, 2026
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 5, 2026
My heart was in my throat from the very first page.
I am such a sucker for childhood friends to lovers, and this book absolutely delivered. If You Ever Come Back is a beautifully written, emotional second-chance romance that hit every single box for me.
This story is a slow burn in the best way — layered with nostalgia, winter vibes, flashbacks, and so many unspoken feelings. You can feel the history between these characters, the emotional wounds they carry, and the love that never truly faded. The dual POV adds so much depth, pulling you deeper into their hearts and their past.
There were multiple moments where I got teary-eyed and choked up, and I absolutely loved that the ending wasn’t rushed. It felt earned, intentional, and deeply satisfying. This book is binge-worthy and will pull at your heartstrings from start to finish.
One of my favorite little details was the nostalgic music woven throughout — especially “Yellow” by Coldplay being a favorite of the characters. That alone made me smile, because it was one of my favorite songs growing up 🥹
For a debut novel, this was nothing short of stunning. You can tell the author poured her soul into these pages, and it shows in every chapter. This story is filled with so much love, passion, and emotional depth.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A must-read. Epically beautiful.
Tropes:
• Childhood Friends to Lovers
• Second Chance Romance
• Slow Burn
• Forced Proximity
• Dual POV
• Found Again Love
• Emotional Healing
• Unspoken Feelings
• Nostalgic Flashbacks
• Winter Vibes
If you love emotional, heart-pulling contemporaries — this one is for you. 💛📖
I am such a sucker for childhood friends to lovers, and this book absolutely delivered. If You Ever Come Back is a beautifully written, emotional second-chance romance that hit every single box for me.
This story is a slow burn in the best way — layered with nostalgia, winter vibes, flashbacks, and so many unspoken feelings. You can feel the history between these characters, the emotional wounds they carry, and the love that never truly faded. The dual POV adds so much depth, pulling you deeper into their hearts and their past.
There were multiple moments where I got teary-eyed and choked up, and I absolutely loved that the ending wasn’t rushed. It felt earned, intentional, and deeply satisfying. This book is binge-worthy and will pull at your heartstrings from start to finish.
One of my favorite little details was the nostalgic music woven throughout — especially “Yellow” by Coldplay being a favorite of the characters. That alone made me smile, because it was one of my favorite songs growing up 🥹
For a debut novel, this was nothing short of stunning. You can tell the author poured her soul into these pages, and it shows in every chapter. This story is filled with so much love, passion, and emotional depth.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A must-read. Epically beautiful.
Tropes:
• Childhood Friends to Lovers
• Second Chance Romance
• Slow Burn
• Forced Proximity
• Dual POV
• Found Again Love
• Emotional Healing
• Unspoken Feelings
• Nostalgic Flashbacks
• Winter Vibes
If you love emotional, heart-pulling contemporaries — this one is for you. 💛📖
January 11, 2026
✨ARC REVIEW✨
4.75 stars (rounded up to 5 for GR) for IF YOU EVER COME BACK by K. L. Sawyer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This childhood friends-to-lovers, second-chance, slow-burn romance is everythingggg I love about emotional and heartfelt storytelling.
From the moment Miles and Keira reunite after five years apart, the tension and longing, and all of those unspoken feelings practically leap off the page.
I took my time with this ARC because I could tell from the very beginning that I wasn’t going to want this one to end. I spent time listening to the playlist as I read, so I could fully immerse myself in their world. I felt like I was right there with them — in the trenches, experiencing every hesitation and every memory.
From chapter one, I was cheering for Miles and Keira. They felt so real, like people you might actually know, and the way their buried emotions came to the surface was utterly heartbreaking — but also felt like a breath of fresh air.
“These weren’t just old memories. It was something else. We were waking back up.”
This story checks off some of my most favorite tropes: childhood best friends to lovers, first-love reunion, second-chance romance, and a slow burn that hurts soooo good. I loved the dual POV, but the flashbacks were just as powerful — they let me connect with Miles and Keira in the present, while understanding their history even more. I loved getting to know them at every stage. Add in forced proximity during a massive blizzard, a cozy winter setting, and long-unspoken feelings, and I was completely all in.
Chapter 17 had me in literal tears. The emotions were raw and perfectly done — making me feel even more connected to Miles and Keira and everything they’d been holding inside.
“…some part of me believed that if I held on tight enough, you’d feel it from wherever you were.”
The onlyyy reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me was that a few of the choices made me squirm a little — I didn’t love everything the characters did, even if I understood why it had to happen for the story to work. Even so, this story will stay with me. I’ll be thinking about Miles and Keira for a while.
“Sometimes I wonder if we would’ve made it if one of us had just come back.”
Thank you to K. L. Sawyer for gifting me an Advance Reader’s Copy. I read this on my Kindle, but I also have a physical ARC from the author on the way, and I have also preordered a finished copy for release day.
❤️ IF YOU EVER COME BACK officially releases on 2/14/26, and you can pre-order it now — this is absolutely a story I want on my shelves. I’ve never annotated an e-book this much; my Kindle is full of highlights and notes that I can’t wait to transfer to my physical copy.
Thank you for giving readers Miles and Keira — they feel so real, and their story will stay with me for a long time. 🤍
4.75 stars (rounded up to 5 for GR) for IF YOU EVER COME BACK by K. L. Sawyer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This childhood friends-to-lovers, second-chance, slow-burn romance is everythingggg I love about emotional and heartfelt storytelling.
From the moment Miles and Keira reunite after five years apart, the tension and longing, and all of those unspoken feelings practically leap off the page.
I took my time with this ARC because I could tell from the very beginning that I wasn’t going to want this one to end. I spent time listening to the playlist as I read, so I could fully immerse myself in their world. I felt like I was right there with them — in the trenches, experiencing every hesitation and every memory.
From chapter one, I was cheering for Miles and Keira. They felt so real, like people you might actually know, and the way their buried emotions came to the surface was utterly heartbreaking — but also felt like a breath of fresh air.
“These weren’t just old memories. It was something else. We were waking back up.”
This story checks off some of my most favorite tropes: childhood best friends to lovers, first-love reunion, second-chance romance, and a slow burn that hurts soooo good. I loved the dual POV, but the flashbacks were just as powerful — they let me connect with Miles and Keira in the present, while understanding their history even more. I loved getting to know them at every stage. Add in forced proximity during a massive blizzard, a cozy winter setting, and long-unspoken feelings, and I was completely all in.
Chapter 17 had me in literal tears. The emotions were raw and perfectly done — making me feel even more connected to Miles and Keira and everything they’d been holding inside.
“…some part of me believed that if I held on tight enough, you’d feel it from wherever you were.”
The onlyyy reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me was that a few of the choices made me squirm a little — I didn’t love everything the characters did, even if I understood why it had to happen for the story to work. Even so, this story will stay with me. I’ll be thinking about Miles and Keira for a while.
“Sometimes I wonder if we would’ve made it if one of us had just come back.”
Thank you to K. L. Sawyer for gifting me an Advance Reader’s Copy. I read this on my Kindle, but I also have a physical ARC from the author on the way, and I have also preordered a finished copy for release day.
❤️ IF YOU EVER COME BACK officially releases on 2/14/26, and you can pre-order it now — this is absolutely a story I want on my shelves. I’ve never annotated an e-book this much; my Kindle is full of highlights and notes that I can’t wait to transfer to my physical copy.
Thank you for giving readers Miles and Keira — they feel so real, and their story will stay with me for a long time. 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
BOOK REVIEW:
If You Ever Come Back
By: K.L. Sawyer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"If I kiss you right now, I won't be able to stop, " he said.
"Then don't," I whispered.
Tropes:
* Second-chance romance
* Childhood friends to lovers
* First love reunion
* 17-year slow burn
* Small-town setting
* Forced proximity
* Nostalgic flashbacks
* Right person, wrong time
If You Ever Come Back by K.L. Sawyer is a deeply moving second-chance romance that explores the heavy burden of "unfinished business" and the enduring power of first love. The narrative follows a protagonist who must confront past decisions when a long-lost love suddenly reappears, forcing a reckoning with old wounds and suppressed desires. Sawyer’s prose is exceptionally emotive, effectively capturing the bittersweet tension of two people who have grown apart but remain tethered by their history.
What sets this novel apart is its realistic handling of character growth; neither protagonist is the same person they were years ago, and the story doesn't shy away from the complexities of timing and personal evolution. The pacing allows the emotional stakes to simmer, making the eventual resolution feel earned rather than convenient. For readers who enjoy contemporary romances filled with yearning and high emotional stakes, this book offers a poignant reflection on whether some connections are truly meant to last a lifetime.
10/10 Would recommend to family and friends.
If You Ever Come Back
By: K.L. Sawyer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"If I kiss you right now, I won't be able to stop, " he said.
"Then don't," I whispered.
Tropes:
* Second-chance romance
* Childhood friends to lovers
* First love reunion
* 17-year slow burn
* Small-town setting
* Forced proximity
* Nostalgic flashbacks
* Right person, wrong time
If You Ever Come Back by K.L. Sawyer is a deeply moving second-chance romance that explores the heavy burden of "unfinished business" and the enduring power of first love. The narrative follows a protagonist who must confront past decisions when a long-lost love suddenly reappears, forcing a reckoning with old wounds and suppressed desires. Sawyer’s prose is exceptionally emotive, effectively capturing the bittersweet tension of two people who have grown apart but remain tethered by their history.
What sets this novel apart is its realistic handling of character growth; neither protagonist is the same person they were years ago, and the story doesn't shy away from the complexities of timing and personal evolution. The pacing allows the emotional stakes to simmer, making the eventual resolution feel earned rather than convenient. For readers who enjoy contemporary romances filled with yearning and high emotional stakes, this book offers a poignant reflection on whether some connections are truly meant to last a lifetime.
10/10 Would recommend to family and friends.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If You Ever Come Back by K.L. Sawyer
This slow-burn, second-chance romance stole my heart. The story follows Keira and Miles through their lives together and apart. It was an emotional journey from start to end. The story was told in first-person POV with flashbacks woven in the story. I loved how the author tied the present and flashbacks together it really showed just how much Miles and Keira are meant for each other.
Miles and Kiera believe they’ve moved on, but the ache of what they lost never truly left. Watching them confront the past, the love they buried, and the feelings they tried to outrun had me holding my breath more than once. This book gave me butterflies, and knots in my stomach. I couldn’t put it down. It was tender, emotional, and filled with that quiet longing that lingers long after you close the book. One of my absolute favorite reads of 2025 ❤️
If You Ever Come Back by K.L. Sawyer
This slow-burn, second-chance romance stole my heart. The story follows Keira and Miles through their lives together and apart. It was an emotional journey from start to end. The story was told in first-person POV with flashbacks woven in the story. I loved how the author tied the present and flashbacks together it really showed just how much Miles and Keira are meant for each other.
Miles and Kiera believe they’ve moved on, but the ache of what they lost never truly left. Watching them confront the past, the love they buried, and the feelings they tried to outrun had me holding my breath more than once. This book gave me butterflies, and knots in my stomach. I couldn’t put it down. It was tender, emotional, and filled with that quiet longing that lingers long after you close the book. One of my absolute favorite reads of 2025 ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really wanted to love If You Ever Come Back by K. L. Sawyer, especially because the premise had so much emotional potential. Unfortunately, I struggled to stay immersed in the story and ultimately had to DNF.
The frequent shifts between present and flashbacks within the same chapters made it hard for me to stay grounded, and I found myself feeling confused rather than emotionally connected. The pacing felt very slow for my personal reading style, and despite multiple attempts, I couldn’t fully settle into the narrative.
This is absolutely a personal preference issue rather than a reflection of the author’s talent. Readers who enjoy nonlinear storytelling and a very gradual burn may connect with this book more than I did. I regret that it didn’t work for me, but I appreciate the heart behind the story.
I am sorry.
The frequent shifts between present and flashbacks within the same chapters made it hard for me to stay grounded, and I found myself feeling confused rather than emotionally connected. The pacing felt very slow for my personal reading style, and despite multiple attempts, I couldn’t fully settle into the narrative.
This is absolutely a personal preference issue rather than a reflection of the author’s talent. Readers who enjoy nonlinear storytelling and a very gradual burn may connect with this book more than I did. I regret that it didn’t work for me, but I appreciate the heart behind the story.
I am sorry.
December 29, 2025
If You Ever Come Back by K. L. Sawyer is scheduled for release on February 14, 2026. This read includes tropes such as Dual POV, Forced proximity, friends-to-lovers, right person, wrong time, Second chance romance, Slow burn, and small town. I don't normally read your typical “romance” books; however, this book had me hooked, line, and sinker by the author’s post “convincing you to read my debut novel by its tropes”; and I'm so grateful I gave Miles and Keira a chance, but this was the most heart warming, sincerell romance reads Ive ever read. Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC Reader for your debut novel.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is overflowing with love, heart, and genuine emotion. It’s the truest definition of a romance. Not in a flashy, spice-scale way, but in the quiet, deeply emotional way that real love exists. Every page feels intentional, from the setting to the imagery, all infused with care and tenderness. A pure, beautiful love story that kept me smiling and left my heart warm.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Incredibly beautiful writing and such an emotional and heartwarming story! This slowburn, second chance romance felt so nostalgic, just like an early 2000s romcom! Five stars! I loved everything about this! 💛
So so thankful to the author for allowing me the opportunity to read this as an ARC! LOVED every second!
So so thankful to the author for allowing me the opportunity to read this as an ARC! LOVED every second!
Review of advance copy received from Author
advance copy from the author
This second chance romance had me from the dedication page. You felt every emotion, the ups and downs these characters experienced in such a real way that it felt like I was experiencing it with them as well. The author really grabbed the raw, vulnerable messy bits that make a slow burn second chance romance feel true, not instant like so many others. The tension and build up was soft romantic it gave a notebook when Harry met Sally to pride and prejudice vibe, which I so loved. A quote that stood out most " Love is a risk, but some people are worth it." I can't wait to see what she writes next .
This second chance romance had me from the dedication page. You felt every emotion, the ups and downs these characters experienced in such a real way that it felt like I was experiencing it with them as well. The author really grabbed the raw, vulnerable messy bits that make a slow burn second chance romance feel true, not instant like so many others. The tension and build up was soft romantic it gave a notebook when Harry met Sally to pride and prejudice vibe, which I so loved. A quote that stood out most " Love is a risk, but some people are worth it." I can't wait to see what she writes next .
Review of advance copy received from Author
If You Ever Come Back is a contemporary, slow burn, second-chance romance that I devoured in a day. It introduces us to Miles and Kiera and their will-they-won’t-they journey throughout their formative years and their sudden, unexpected reunion after five years apart. It’s a beautiful portrait of the inner turmoil unspoken love, regret, guilt and longing can bring. The emotional vulnerability is raw and relatable and penned like it’s a true case study of the heart. Thank you to the author for the ARC.
1 star - DNF
2 stars - Didn’t like it
3 stars - Liked it
4 stars - Loved it
5 stars - Obsessed and is now my entire personality
1 star - DNF
2 stars - Didn’t like it
3 stars - Liked it
4 stars - Loved it
5 stars - Obsessed and is now my entire personality
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews