What If It Was Us

by Anna Lynn

Ten years after fleeing her Michigan hometown, Addison Bianchi finally returns after inheriting her older brother’s house. After spending the past decade as a Nanny in North Carolina, she’s certain she’s only staying in Michigan long enough to fix up the house and return to the new life she created for herself. A life that doesn’t include any of the people she left behind.

When she returns to town the one person she doesn’t expect to run into is Jackson Delvecchio-the boy who was once her best friend, the boy who broke her heart, and now the man running his family’s beloved restaurant where they spent all their high school years working together. Jackson is different now, no longer the angsty teenager Addison once he’s patient, smiles, and impossible to avoid…especially when he insists on helping Addison with the house renovations.

Addison tries to keep her distance, but peeling back the layers of her old life forces her to confront the truth about what tore them apart—and what still flickers between them. As history threatens to repeat itself, Jackson inches closer to admitting his feelings while Addison does everything she can to run from hers.

As the house transforms, so does everything Addison thought she understood about home, forgiveness, and love. After two weeks with Jackson and the final touches nearly complete, she’s left with two return to her life in North Carolina, or risk her heart by staying in the one place she swore she’d never come back to.

What If It Was Us is a slow-burn story of second chances told in a dual timeline between Addison’s high school years and the present, following her journey as she discovers the meaning of love, family, and forgiveness.

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 17, 2026

About the author

Welcome to my chaotic brain. I hope my stories can offer laughter, inspire healing, and help you find a way to feel understood.

Instagram @annna_writes_and_reads

Reviews

[Gracelyn Cate]

{This is an ARC review}

What If It Was Us by Anna Lynn
𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 • 𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 • 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘂𝘁

| 𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴– WHAT TO EXPECT |
☆ Best friends to lovers 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨
☆ Found family ❤️‍🩹
☆ Then-Now format ⏳
☆ They both work at his family's Italian restaurant 🍕
☆ Music is their love language 🎶
☆ Open-door spice (1-2 scenes) 🔥

| 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀!! |
- Substance abuse
- Neglectful home

| 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 |
This book was so easy to devour! I'm usually pretty slow when it comes to reading, but I seriously could not put this one down. I was reading it everywhere–from the nail salon to my bedroom, plunged in darkness at 1AM. There's something seriously so addicting about the way this story unfolded. It felt like watching a coming of age movie! Or, like The Summer I Turned Pretty (without a Jeremiah Fisher 😂)

My favorite thing about this book was the nostalgia. Everything from the playlist, the pop culture references, fashion–everything was SO 2015 and I mean that in the best way. It made me miss that era so much. Give me back Tumblr, lolthatssotrue posts, the 1975, converse, John Green vibes, and dystopian movies in theaters. The setting was so vivid to me, which made me feel so warm and fuzzy for that time period.

I love the found family trope and how heavily it was woven throughout this particular story. I won't give anything away, but the Delvecchio family and Wren's family were seriously the sweetest. I'm so glad Addie was able to find them 💓 Peter's life was like a parallel of what Addie's life could have looked like, had she not chosen to invest in community. To me, that was pretty powerful.

Addie and Jackson came a long way throughout this story–as individuals and together as a couple. They both were realistic characters who had so much growing to do. I felt that by the end, they had really made progress on that journey and I was relieved when they finally got together for real ❤️

I liked that this book addressed the reality that change isn't a finite point in time, but a process. There will be times where you stumble back and times where you excel–it's about how you choose to respond. I feel like you know the characters are portrayed realistically when they keep alternating between pissing you off or making you proud 😂 Argh I was so mad at Jackson for the way he kept treating poor SOPHIE though 🥺 But also, she was equally on her own journey of growth.

In short, I think Anna did a great job at creating multidimensional humans ❤️

Definitely pick this one up if you want something fast paced and nostalgic, while also filled with depth ✨

...
*Please note: I don’t rate ARCS. I only write reviews. I don’t want to affect star averages before pub dates. I view my job with an ARC as an opportunity to share honest feedback for prospective readers, not to categorize or score ✨

[Brittany Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

OH MY GOSH!!! I absolutely LOVED this book so much. Jackson & Addie’s love story is beautiful and true and so real! I also loved Addie & Julie’s sister relationship! Family isn’t always blood and this book proved that to be true. For a debut novel, this stole my heart and I am already hoping Jackson & Addie has a part 2 in the future 🤍❤️‍🩹

[Bris.reads.and.recs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolute GOLD for those who love second-chance romance, because Anna Lynn delivers a story about returning home, facing unresolved truths, and discovering that love doesn’t always disappear because of time.

Set against the quiet familiarity of a small Michigan town, it explores grief, forgiveness, and the weight of past choices with a raw honesty that feels intimate and relatable, while the shared history gives every interaction emotional depth, and the renovation becoming a powerful backdrop for healing, reflection, and vulnerability.

But at its core, this is a slow-burning reunion filled with lingering glances, unspoken regret, and a chemistry that never truly faded, serving as a written reminder that sometimes the hardest love stories are the ones worth returning to—and that second chances can be just as powerful as first ones.

It’s tender, painful, and hopeful in all the ways that make a meaningful story.

[Anna Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

gotta 5 star my own book bc Jackson & Addie are my babies 🥲🥲

[Abi Canales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even start! This book is filled with nostalgic vibes and I loved how I was able to feel like I was there with the characters when I was reading this book. I love how Jackson's family was so welcoming to Addison and how close of a relationship they had. These characters went through a lot in this book especially Addison and she could have gone down the wrong path like her brother but she found family and friends where she felt safe and didn’t let her fall. And Jackson where as he had made some bad decisions but he grew from that and became better. These characters were so relatable and I felt like I related to these characters in so many different ways. This book made me laugh, cry and be so frustrated at the same time. I loved reading this book and I would definitely recommend it!

[Hannah Spitzley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book! A dual timeline that left me wanting to keep reading every chapter, and giving depth for each character. I also love seeing the growth and change for the characters, while still keeping parts of themselves. A must read!!!

[bookworm.mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANNA!!! I’m so proud of you and this book ❤️

I read this book in one sitting (it was so good that I couldn’t put it down!) and I instantly loved the captivating writing style, the friends-to-lovers plot, the cute humor, and the moments that were tugging at my heartstrings.

I instantly became invested in the characters. Along with being a fan of Jackson and Addie, I also loved the relationship between Jackson and Julie, and the way Addie was accepted by their family. It was truly heartwarming to see all the ways they loved Addie, and how they made her feel part of their family.

I also absolutely adored all of the song references (the Taylor Swift songs, the 2000s throwback songs, Gracie Abrams, Noah Kahan, etc.)!

This was such a great book, and I will read anything Anna Lynn writes!!!

[Johanna Selfridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackson and Addison’s story is told through a dual timeline, effortlessly flowing from their teenage years to the current day. From best friends to lovers to no contact, how will their story end when Addison is forced to return to her hometown and face the past?

I devoured What If It Was Us in two days. If I didn’t have little people depending on me to survive I would’ve had it done in one sitting. This story broke my heart, made me physically ache, and put my heart back together piece by piece. Music is also a huge part of telling this story, so there’s a great playlist included. If you like a good second chance romance that will make you feel like the characters are your friends, then this is it!

[Julia Darminio · Rating 4 out of 5]

{ARC READ}
4 ⭐️


I absolutely loved this book! I flew through it in just two days. It’s a beautifully done second-chance romance with strong found-family vibes (my favorite), and I was rooting for the characters from the very first chapter. I genuinely fell in love with them and their story.

I usually struggle with dual-timeline stories (because I get bored easily), but this one felt important & necessary. The past timeline never felt like filler and I stayed fully invested in both timelines from start to finish.

I can’t wait to read more of Anna’s work. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!

[Molly Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be granted ARC access to this story, and I’m SO glad I was! Addie & Jackson are two characters I loved to get to know!

Found family, female friendships, friends to lovers, back to friends, back to lovers?? I just LOVED every trope this story offered! The banter is laugh-out-loud funny, the metaphors are enough to make you stop & think, and the emotional moments are so well written that I had tears in my eyes more times than I could count.

What an amazing read! You have a fan for life, Anna!

[Shelby MacNaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a 6 star read for me. Easily one of my favourite books I’ve read. Jackson and Addie have overcome so much together it was so beautiful to watch. I couldn’t read it fast enough yet I wanted to savour it. It made me feel like I was on a rollercoaster of emotions in the best way 🥰 I can’t recommend it enough!!

[Liv Arnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could say only one thing, it would be this: this book is pure magic. This book manages to do something that all author’s set out to do when writing and what so may fail to do: it impacts the reader long after it’s over. It tells a once-in-a-lifetime story, one so thoughtfully and beautifully crafted that it seems to alter you as you read. Long after the final page, it lingers. This may very well be my favorite read of the year. If six stars were an option, I would give them without hesitation.

I don’t usually gravitate toward romance written solely from the FMC’s perspective, yet here it felt essential. The writing was intoxicating. I couldn’t put the book down. I felt Addie’s longing and heartbreak as if they were my own, and all I wanted was for her to finally receive the happiness she so deeply deserved. The tension between her and Jackson was exquisite, aching, and impossible to ignore.

And Jackson, my sweet Jackson. He is a rare kind of MMC, fully realized and profoundly human. Where so many characters are written to be flawless, he is allowed to be imperfect. Those flaws give him depth, vulnerability, and a quiet beauty that made me care for him all the more.

This story is threaded with magic, both on the page and in the way it makes you feel. If you are given the chance to read it, consider yourself lucky.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very start! All of the romance tropes were beautifully done, and I couldn’t put the book down until I knew how Addie and Jackson’s story would turn out. Told through an alternating timeline and dual POV, we get a full picture of Addie and Jackson’s journey. This is truly a beautiful story about friends growing up together and evolving over the years.

Addie returns to Michigan after being gone for ten years. She’s had a crush on Jackson from the moment she met him. Addie has a traumatic upbringing and lives with her alcoholic brother, who resents her because of their mother and the past they share.

Jackson, on the other hand, comes from a strong, loving family. And—lo and behold—he has always had feelings for Addie, too. He stayed in Michigan and built a life after Addie left, but everything changes when he learns she’s back. All their old memories and emotions come rushing in.

I loved all the song references throughout the book. Each one tied perfectly into the emotions Addie and Jackson were feeling—sometimes separately, and sometimes together—as their relationship slowly unfolds from friends to lovers.

If you love a good second chance romance, this book is 100% for you!

Thank you so much Anna Lynn for this ARC!! Your book is so wonderful!!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

EEEEP! I cannot say thank you enough to Anna Lynn for allowing me the opportunity to read an ARC of her debut novel, What If It Was Us.

In this dual timeline novel, we meet Addison Bianchi and Jackson Delvecchio. Addison has a less than ideal family life and finds herself not only befriending Jackson, but becoming close with the whole Delvecchio family as she starts working for the family restaurant. The friendship between Addie and Jackson was complicated, but they were always there for each other at the end of the day.

Anna Lynn really did a seamless job with interweaving the present and past timelines together which was a true skill! I also loved how nostalgic the past timelines were and how important music was to the story. The story itself in addition to the music really brought me back to 2015 and I couldn’t get enough. I didn’t want to stop reading this anytime I had to because I needed to know what happened next. This was a truly touching story and I look forward to reading Anna Lynn’s future work. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a nostalgic, second-chance romance!

[Cora Siebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first ARC! Anna you really knocked this one out of the park.

I absolutely loved the rollercoaster of emotions as I learned more and more about Addie and Jackson’s friendship. I was happy, I was sad, I was absolutely gut wrenched, and rooting for them throughout.

It was a beautiful balance of dual timelines, learning the context from “before” while getting bits and pieces of their history in the “now.”

I think this was also realistic in the fact that Addie had her found family, lost contact with them for years, but found their way back and picked up where they left off with some conversations and forgiveness.

Also, hate Peter. Lowkey glad he was not around for the “Now” parts of the story. 😅

This love story was anything but perfect between Addie and Jackson, but they figured it out in the end 🩷

I can’t wait for more people to read this story! Out May 17, 2026 🫶🙌

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addison has been away from home for 10 years, but finds herself back. She decides to stop at her old workplace, Delvecchio’s, & her past (AKA Jackson) runs right into her - forcing them both to confront it. The story follows dual timelines between the present & the history they share. I felt all the nostalgia in the music & flashbacks, the pain of loving an addict, the comfort of found family, and the beauty of falling in love for the first time - even if you painfully can’t get your footing quite right.

I loved these characters and how they used music to speak the words they couldn’t say. I want to hug both of them 😭

Such a masterpiece! I am so lucky I got the chance to be an ARC reader for this beautiful journey 🤍

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Anna for gifting me an advanced copy of your book to review!! All opinions are honest and my own.

This debut novel will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride and I love/hate Anna for it (kidding, all LOVE). This dual timeline, second-chance romance will make you feel emotions across the spectrum and have you questioning if two best friends could overcome everything to be together years and years later.

Addie and Jackson had a complicated friendship in high school and after not speaking for years, they are thrown back together as adults, forced to reflect on their past and hopefully reconcile. I appreciated the perspectives and insights we gained from both past and present and loved how the story was told from one perspective. In addition, I loved all the songs mentioned throughout the book - as a huge Taylor Swift fan, I was pleased with how her songs and playlists were interwoven throughout the story.

I recommend this to anyone looking for a heartfelt debut novel. JUST BE PREPARED for all the feels.

[Tristan Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me less than a day to read the entirety of this book. That’s how griping and wonderfully heartbreaking it is.

This story feels real. First, because I graduated in 2016 and connected with every single pop culture reference and song. Second, because the feelings, actions, and mistakes of all the characters perfectly reflect the real way teens behave.

This book is a prime example of what it looks like to fall in love young and have no idea how to navigate that ground. Your heart will break with every page and struggle these characters go through. This is the type of second chance romance that truly feels worth while and genuine.

I would recommend this book to fans of If He Had Been With Me and The Spectacular Now.

[Gina Forker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as an ARC and wow, was that an honor. The story of Addison and Jackson was perfectly encapsulated from beginning to end. It was enamoring, infuriating, brutally honest and realistic. A beautiful story of love, loss, resilience, second chances and all of the nostalgia. I felt as if I went back in time and grew up with them; I felt what they felt, I cried when they cried, and I laughed when they laughed. I was addicted the second I read the first chapter and finished this book in one sitting.

Please, please read this book!

[Lana M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read an ARC of What If It Was Us, and it was absolutely everything and more than I could have hoped for. I honestly fell head over heels for Addison and Jackson. But what I thought made this book even more special and what really touched my heart was the "found family" trope. Watching Addison rediscover the meaning of home and forgiveness while navigating the layers of her past was so emotional and real. If you love a slow burn romance with high stakes and heavy heart, this is a MUST READ!!!

[Graci Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first ever ARC!! What a beautifully written story! So raw and real! I was hooked from the beginning— I needed to know what was going to happen with Addie and Jackson. This book is told in dual timelines, and it just makes it that much better. I loved the fact that music played such a vital role in this book. The nostalgia is top tier! Such an easy read with important messages throughout. Highly recommend this book!! Thank you so much Anna Lynn for the opportunity to read this story and see into your mind!! 💕

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this story. The characters and the love they share felt so special and real. I laughed, I cried, and at times I genuinely felt like a kid again falling in love for the first time.

I also cannot get over the music aspect of this book. I loved the way the songs line up with the story and how the characters communicate through music when they don’t have the words. It added so much depth and emotion to the story and to the characters. 🍕

[Abbi Chiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was sooo good !! I’m sad it’s over !! This book gave all the feels!! It’s a must read !! It only took a day to read the whole book. I couldn’t put it down. Loved it ! Highly recommend reading !!