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Where We Left Us
We grew up in the same house.
We were never supposed to love each other like that.
But I did—quietly, carefully, with a guilt I never learned to outrun.
I was placed with the Holmes family at ten years old. Hayden and I were the same age, sharing a house, a family, and a line we weren’t supposed to cross.
He left Coral Bay and built a life somewhere else. We stayed in touch. We stayed family. And I told myself that was enough, burying the feelings I wasn’t supposed to carry.
Now he’s back—divorced, a single dad, and we’re sharing space and responsibility again. The house feels smaller. The past feels closer. And the feelings I locked away are breaking free.
Every touch is a confession. Every line we cross can’t be uncrossed. And Hayden and I both know it—and still risk it.
But wanting this has a cost.
It can fracture the only family I’ve ever known—and force us to choose between the love we can no longer deny and everything we stand to lose.
We were never supposed to love each other like that.
But I did—quietly, carefully, with a guilt I never learned to outrun.
I was placed with the Holmes family at ten years old. Hayden and I were the same age, sharing a house, a family, and a line we weren’t supposed to cross.
He left Coral Bay and built a life somewhere else. We stayed in touch. We stayed family. And I told myself that was enough, burying the feelings I wasn’t supposed to carry.
Now he’s back—divorced, a single dad, and we’re sharing space and responsibility again. The house feels smaller. The past feels closer. And the feelings I locked away are breaking free.
Every touch is a confession. Every line we cross can’t be uncrossed. And Hayden and I both know it—and still risk it.
But wanting this has a cost.
It can fracture the only family I’ve ever known—and force us to choose between the love we can no longer deny and everything we stand to lose.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
Lily Baines
14 books174 followersLily Baines is a mother, wife, and author, and the order to this changes depending on the day. For 20 years she has worked in Human Resources, mostly in the high-tech industry, but kept writing to maintain her sanity and flow of creative juices. Lily is dedicating her time to her 3 children, husband, family dog, bottomless laundry basket, full kitchen sink, and her writing.
Lets connect :)
amazon.com/author/lilybaines
https://www.lilybaines.com/
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Bonus chapters await here: https://www.lilybaines.com/
Lets connect :)
amazon.com/author/lilybaines
https://www.lilybaines.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lilybainesau...
Bonus chapters await here: https://www.lilybaines.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 11, 2026
🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣
Who doesnt love a good forbidden romance .... with sorta siblings!
It was fun watching the story unfold and see how everyone played their parts. .... lots of family drama, decent spice.. and zero 3rd act breakup!
This was only my 2nd book from this author and definitely will read more from her.
Who doesnt love a good forbidden romance .... with sorta siblings!
It was fun watching the story unfold and see how everyone played their parts. .... lots of family drama, decent spice.. and zero 3rd act breakup!
This was only my 2nd book from this author and definitely will read more from her.
May 19, 2026
Thank you to author Lily Baines for the arc for my honest review! I had been looking forward to Evangeline and Hayden’s love story since reading the last book in Lily Baines’s Coral Bay series. I knew that if anyone could pull off a step siblings but not really romance, Lily could do it and this book has all of the yearning and mutual pining you’d expect from two people who were forbidden to love each other but came together finally with a little forced proximity when the timing was right. What I loved most about this book is when this couple decided pretty quickly that they were all in on each other, nothing could stop them from being together. I look forward to reading what Lily Baines writes next!
May 19, 2026
Believe it or not, I don't love angst. I suppose my "get to the point already mentality" makes me an impatient reader. That being said, Lily Baines is one author i will allow to drive me crazy in this way. Why, because she makes it SO WORTH THE WAIT. Hayden and Evangeline are simply chefs kiss. I love them. I rooted for them. I cheered when they started living for themselves and not up to others expectations. Ms. Baines writes realistic stories I can relate to. Right down to that opinionated family member we all want to avoid, but tolerate anyway. I highly recommend reading "Where We Left Us".
I received a copy from the author and this is my voluntary review.
I received a copy from the author and this is my voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Where We Left Us by Lily Baines
4/5 stars
I know this is a four star book and I stand behind that rating but it is also a very difficult book personally for me to rate. My mind is a bit of a jumble at the moment so I'll try to explain myself as clearly as I can.
Where We Left Us is the achingly beautiful love story of Evangeline and Hayden. Two people who have loved each other secretly for decades and never acted upon it. They didn't want to disrupt the family harmony. Evangeline, who Hayden calls Angeli fondly, was adopted by Rachel and her husband when she was 10 years old. Angeli lost both her parents and Rachel stepped in and took care of her.
I think Angeli and Hayden instantly connected and rather quickly found out that the bond between them transcended that of siblings. And while Rachel loved Angeli fiercely. She did often address Angeli differently from her biological children. And Angeli has felt that different approach all her life. Same as Hayden. His heart was with Angeli and he hated seeing her hidden pain.
And while they aren't blood related, the entire town seemed to keep addressing them as siblings which made it even more difficult and impossible to act upon their feelings.
Hayden married and had a son Lucas but the marriage didn't last. And when Rachel needs to move to a care facility, Hayden and Evangeline are suddenly in close proximity again and ignoring their hearts desires is a near impossible thing to do.
And that is exactly what this book is about. Do they allow themselves to care for one another? To even love each other? And how will it affect their family and Lucas's life? Will the town shun them? Or will they accept them? It's a tale of taking care of yourself, each other and being brave and strong.
The story is told in a very soft spoken manner. It felt like this story was whispered and at times I needed to really focus to catch all the details Lily wove through this beautiful story. A lot happens. But it feels very soft and very gentle. It has a sense of calm and it forces you to quiet your own mind while reading. At times I really struggled with that aspect of the story. Sometimes I didn't really enjoy it and at other times I really appreciated it. It was such a unique experience and I really admire Lily Baines for trying something so subtly that hits really deeply. So my mind went a bit up and down while reading. But due to it being so unique and so beautiful I couldn't do anything else but end up loving it fiercely. ♥
4 big stars from me for Where We Left Us. ♥
4/5 stars
I know this is a four star book and I stand behind that rating but it is also a very difficult book personally for me to rate. My mind is a bit of a jumble at the moment so I'll try to explain myself as clearly as I can.
Where We Left Us is the achingly beautiful love story of Evangeline and Hayden. Two people who have loved each other secretly for decades and never acted upon it. They didn't want to disrupt the family harmony. Evangeline, who Hayden calls Angeli fondly, was adopted by Rachel and her husband when she was 10 years old. Angeli lost both her parents and Rachel stepped in and took care of her.
I think Angeli and Hayden instantly connected and rather quickly found out that the bond between them transcended that of siblings. And while Rachel loved Angeli fiercely. She did often address Angeli differently from her biological children. And Angeli has felt that different approach all her life. Same as Hayden. His heart was with Angeli and he hated seeing her hidden pain.
And while they aren't blood related, the entire town seemed to keep addressing them as siblings which made it even more difficult and impossible to act upon their feelings.
Hayden married and had a son Lucas but the marriage didn't last. And when Rachel needs to move to a care facility, Hayden and Evangeline are suddenly in close proximity again and ignoring their hearts desires is a near impossible thing to do.
And that is exactly what this book is about. Do they allow themselves to care for one another? To even love each other? And how will it affect their family and Lucas's life? Will the town shun them? Or will they accept them? It's a tale of taking care of yourself, each other and being brave and strong.
The story is told in a very soft spoken manner. It felt like this story was whispered and at times I needed to really focus to catch all the details Lily wove through this beautiful story. A lot happens. But it feels very soft and very gentle. It has a sense of calm and it forces you to quiet your own mind while reading. At times I really struggled with that aspect of the story. Sometimes I didn't really enjoy it and at other times I really appreciated it. It was such a unique experience and I really admire Lily Baines for trying something so subtly that hits really deeply. So my mind went a bit up and down while reading. But due to it being so unique and so beautiful I couldn't do anything else but end up loving it fiercely. ♥
4 big stars from me for Where We Left Us. ♥
Review of advance copy received from Author
Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (0-5) I bump up for public places/outdoor spaces.
What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Small, beach town romcom! All the feels!
🤩 Single dad, forbidden—almost step-siblings.
🤩 This is jumping ahead, but Lily made all my beach read dreams come true with this one! 🥵🏖️
🤩 Slow burn with such deep yearning.
🤩 Such gorgeous, descriptive writing. The California flower fields are so reminiscent of my first hometown.
🤩 The longing is big, right from the start!
🤩 The years of avoidance. The double longing. It all has me swooning, melting, and aching. ❤️🔥🫠
🤩 Bay & Bloom, how Evangeline took over for Rachel & Pete and took care of them as well.
🤩 I adore the flashback chapters, showing us how caring Hayden has always been.
🤩 Beautiful characterization through all the stages—friends, family, lovers/forever!
🤩 The unwanted/forbidden secret pining and looking are everything!
🤩 I love a lighthouse & this one gives those fantastic need to know feelings.
🤩 The Christmas gifts had me laughing and crying and all in my feels.
🤩 I love the forced proximity in their childhood home. Plus “You can wear something of mine.”
🤩 Their childhood bedrooms! Okay, all over their childhood home!! Hayden & Evangeline are so hot, and the steam is perfectly timed and written for their situation. 🌶️🥵😮💨
🤩 “From the moment I realized you wanted this too, I stopped caring what others might think.” 💯 book boyfriend. He already was, but still.
🤩 These two are laugh out loud hilarious together, especially dealing with Aunt Marion. Perfectly timed LOL moments! 😂🤣
🤩 Lily Baines writes the girl gang I dream of having!
💭 Here are seven of my in-the-steamy-moment comments:
🤩 The catch! And first kiss! ❤️🔥🫠 I melted as they did.
🤩 Oh! My! Hottness! 🥵
🤩 Loooooove it! It’s so right and wrong and fantastically hottttt! 😮💨
🤩 So intimately perfect. I was sooooo nervous one of them would ruin it. I would have been mad!
🤩 It’s just so believable and sexxxxxy!
🤩 This might be my favorite chapter I’ve ever read, like everrrrrr.
🤩 I am absolutely smitten and desperately in love with Hayden Holmes.
🤩 And Evangeline Miller.
What I’m Wishing/Starty-Eyed Over:
💫 I’m still dreaming of that outdoor picnic table scene. I’m so greedy. 🫣
💫 “How are you surviving Officer Pain-in-the-Ass?” Gimmee??!! 🙏🏻
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (0-5) I bump up for public places/outdoor spaces.
What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Small, beach town romcom! All the feels!
🤩 Single dad, forbidden—almost step-siblings.
🤩 This is jumping ahead, but Lily made all my beach read dreams come true with this one! 🥵🏖️
🤩 Slow burn with such deep yearning.
🤩 Such gorgeous, descriptive writing. The California flower fields are so reminiscent of my first hometown.
🤩 The longing is big, right from the start!
🤩 The years of avoidance. The double longing. It all has me swooning, melting, and aching. ❤️🔥🫠
🤩 Bay & Bloom, how Evangeline took over for Rachel & Pete and took care of them as well.
🤩 I adore the flashback chapters, showing us how caring Hayden has always been.
🤩 Beautiful characterization through all the stages—friends, family, lovers/forever!
🤩 The unwanted/forbidden secret pining and looking are everything!
🤩 I love a lighthouse & this one gives those fantastic need to know feelings.
🤩 The Christmas gifts had me laughing and crying and all in my feels.
🤩 I love the forced proximity in their childhood home. Plus “You can wear something of mine.”
🤩 Their childhood bedrooms! Okay, all over their childhood home!! Hayden & Evangeline are so hot, and the steam is perfectly timed and written for their situation. 🌶️🥵😮💨
🤩 “From the moment I realized you wanted this too, I stopped caring what others might think.” 💯 book boyfriend. He already was, but still.
🤩 These two are laugh out loud hilarious together, especially dealing with Aunt Marion. Perfectly timed LOL moments! 😂🤣
🤩 Lily Baines writes the girl gang I dream of having!
💭 Here are seven of my in-the-steamy-moment comments:
🤩 The catch! And first kiss! ❤️🔥🫠 I melted as they did.
🤩 Oh! My! Hottness! 🥵
🤩 Loooooove it! It’s so right and wrong and fantastically hottttt! 😮💨
🤩 So intimately perfect. I was sooooo nervous one of them would ruin it. I would have been mad!
🤩 It’s just so believable and sexxxxxy!
🤩 This might be my favorite chapter I’ve ever read, like everrrrrr.
🤩 I am absolutely smitten and desperately in love with Hayden Holmes.
🤩 And Evangeline Miller.
What I’m Wishing/Starty-Eyed Over:
💫 I’m still dreaming of that outdoor picnic table scene. I’m so greedy. 🫣
💫 “How are you surviving Officer Pain-in-the-Ass?” Gimmee??!! 🙏🏻
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.3 Stars
Summary: Hayden’s family took Evangeline in when she was orphaned at age ten. She and Hayden became best friends. And while Hayden’s family cared for her, they made it clear she was not a member of the family. Hayden’s aunt was especially vicious about this point. However, everyone in the community thought of her as this family’s adopted daughter. Somewhere along the way, Hayden and Evangeline fell in love, but never acted on it because of their quasi sibling relationship, knowing it would not be accepted by the family. In fact, each was unsure if their feelings were reciprocated. To distract himself, Hayden dated, then married someone else.
Years later, divorced, Hayden returns to the town they grew up in where Evangeline is running his parent’s flower shop. Old feelings return. But the embargo on their feelings remains.
Review: I love how Baines used Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, as the inspiration for Evangeline’s backstory and for the relationship dynamics in the family she was taken in by. It’s such a clever thing to do. Then making it so that the pining was mutual, but with this assumed familial connection that made getting together feel impossible and almost taboo! So good! And making it so that Hayden actually married Jenna (the Mary Crawford character) adds a layer of complexity to the conflict.
This is a very slow burn, but once it ignites—hoooboy! It is spicy!
I loved how Baines used flashbacks to reveal the years of longing and the weight of the family expectations.
I like how once they act on their feelings, they are all in. The conflict is never between Evangeline and Hayden—instead they draw strength from each other that they use to overcome the obstacles they face.
Side characters were excellent—Hayden’s son was a delight and believable in his reactions to the story’s events. Hayden’s mom was nuanced in a realistic way. Even the vile Aunt Marion was someone you can love to hate. And Evangeline’s friends were so fun—loved their group texts.
My only complaint was that the beginning, before Evangeline and Hayden finally give in to their feelings sometimes felt too slow, the angst a little too repetitive. Yet I couldn’t stop reading. I had to find out what would happen. So it’s a pretty minor complaint.
Summary: Hayden’s family took Evangeline in when she was orphaned at age ten. She and Hayden became best friends. And while Hayden’s family cared for her, they made it clear she was not a member of the family. Hayden’s aunt was especially vicious about this point. However, everyone in the community thought of her as this family’s adopted daughter. Somewhere along the way, Hayden and Evangeline fell in love, but never acted on it because of their quasi sibling relationship, knowing it would not be accepted by the family. In fact, each was unsure if their feelings were reciprocated. To distract himself, Hayden dated, then married someone else.
Years later, divorced, Hayden returns to the town they grew up in where Evangeline is running his parent’s flower shop. Old feelings return. But the embargo on their feelings remains.
Review: I love how Baines used Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, as the inspiration for Evangeline’s backstory and for the relationship dynamics in the family she was taken in by. It’s such a clever thing to do. Then making it so that the pining was mutual, but with this assumed familial connection that made getting together feel impossible and almost taboo! So good! And making it so that Hayden actually married Jenna (the Mary Crawford character) adds a layer of complexity to the conflict.
This is a very slow burn, but once it ignites—hoooboy! It is spicy!
I loved how Baines used flashbacks to reveal the years of longing and the weight of the family expectations.
I like how once they act on their feelings, they are all in. The conflict is never between Evangeline and Hayden—instead they draw strength from each other that they use to overcome the obstacles they face.
Side characters were excellent—Hayden’s son was a delight and believable in his reactions to the story’s events. Hayden’s mom was nuanced in a realistic way. Even the vile Aunt Marion was someone you can love to hate. And Evangeline’s friends were so fun—loved their group texts.
My only complaint was that the beginning, before Evangeline and Hayden finally give in to their feelings sometimes felt too slow, the angst a little too repetitive. Yet I couldn’t stop reading. I had to find out what would happen. So it’s a pretty minor complaint.
June 8, 2026
I picked this book because the step-sibling trope (it's more step-sibling adjacent to me...LOL Evangeline was adopted into Hayden's family when she was ten) isn't something I normally read, and I'm so glad I took the chance.
I hadn't read Lily Baines before, but this book had everything I could want: yearning, family, a swoony single dad, and characters who felt so real that I could easily imagine being friends with them.
This story is built on decades of quiet love, secret longing, and two people who never acted on their feelings because they refused to risk the family they both treasured. If this is your thing, YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS! Even though they weren't related by blood, everyone around them still saw them as siblings, making what they wanted feel impossible... until it wasn't.
The yearning in this book was everything. Hayden and Evangeline carried their feelings for each other for years, and watching them finally choose themselves and the love they'd both been craving for so long was both beautiful and heartbreaking and honestly exciting. I really love it when a character chooses what they want instead of what everyone thinks they should have!
The slow burn absolutely delivered, with so much tension, stolen moments, and emotional depth that my heart ached for them while rooting for them every step of the way.
Hayden's return home as a single dad, while trying to ignore feelings he'd never truly let go of, added so much emotional weight to the story. And Evangeline was the perfect FMC: strong, loyal, and quietly carrying the same longing all these years.
I am telling you, this book is so easy to read - you won't be able to help yourself getting caught up in this story. This may be book two in the series, but I had absolutely no trouble jumping in and becoming fully invested in the story. If anything, it made me want to go back and read book one even more because I don't want to miss a single thing.
Lily Baines perfectly balanced heartache, humor, and steam, creating a love story that felt tender, emotional, and deeply earned. Friends. Family. Forever. This one will stay with me for a while. ❤️
Thank you, #lilybaines for the opportunity to read this beautiful book.
I hadn't read Lily Baines before, but this book had everything I could want: yearning, family, a swoony single dad, and characters who felt so real that I could easily imagine being friends with them.
This story is built on decades of quiet love, secret longing, and two people who never acted on their feelings because they refused to risk the family they both treasured. If this is your thing, YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS! Even though they weren't related by blood, everyone around them still saw them as siblings, making what they wanted feel impossible... until it wasn't.
The yearning in this book was everything. Hayden and Evangeline carried their feelings for each other for years, and watching them finally choose themselves and the love they'd both been craving for so long was both beautiful and heartbreaking and honestly exciting. I really love it when a character chooses what they want instead of what everyone thinks they should have!
The slow burn absolutely delivered, with so much tension, stolen moments, and emotional depth that my heart ached for them while rooting for them every step of the way.
Hayden's return home as a single dad, while trying to ignore feelings he'd never truly let go of, added so much emotional weight to the story. And Evangeline was the perfect FMC: strong, loyal, and quietly carrying the same longing all these years.
I am telling you, this book is so easy to read - you won't be able to help yourself getting caught up in this story. This may be book two in the series, but I had absolutely no trouble jumping in and becoming fully invested in the story. If anything, it made me want to go back and read book one even more because I don't want to miss a single thing.
Lily Baines perfectly balanced heartache, humor, and steam, creating a love story that felt tender, emotional, and deeply earned. Friends. Family. Forever. This one will stay with me for a while. ❤️
Thank you, #lilybaines for the opportunity to read this beautiful book.
May 20, 2026
Where We Left Us by Lily Baines completely wrecked me in the best possible way ❤️🔥🏖️ This story had everything I love in an emotional romance: slow burn tension, deep yearning, forbidden feelings, forced proximity, laugh-out-loud moments, and chemistry that felt intense from the very beginning. Hayden and Evangeline’s connection felt so layered and believable because their relationship was built through years of friendship, family ties, avoidance, and emotions neither of them could fully escape.
Hayden was absolutely book boyfriend material 😮💨 The flashback chapters made it impossible not to fall for him because you could see how deeply caring and protective he had always been toward Evangeline. Watching him return home as a single dad while trying to fight feelings he never fully let go of created so much emotional tension throughout the story. And Evangeline was just as incredible warm, loyal, emotionally strong, and carrying so much quiet longing beneath the surface. Their chemistry was honestly unreal, especially with all the secret pining, stolen moments, and forced proximity in their childhood home 🌶️✨
One of my favorite things about this book was how beautifully Lily Baines balanced emotional depth with humor and steam. The longing between Hayden and Evangeline felt achingly real, but there were also lighter moments that made their relationship feel natural and comforting, especially with the family dynamics and Aunt Marion scenes 😂💕 The writing itself was gorgeous and atmospheric, and the small beach town setting made everything feel even more emotional and immersive.
Overall, Where We Left Us was such a heartfelt, emotional, and deeply romantic story filled with yearning, vulnerability, healing, and chemistry that completely takes over the page 📖❤️ Hayden and Evangeline’s story was impossible not to become emotionally attached to, and this is definitely one of those romances that stays with you long after finishing it.
Hayden was absolutely book boyfriend material 😮💨 The flashback chapters made it impossible not to fall for him because you could see how deeply caring and protective he had always been toward Evangeline. Watching him return home as a single dad while trying to fight feelings he never fully let go of created so much emotional tension throughout the story. And Evangeline was just as incredible warm, loyal, emotionally strong, and carrying so much quiet longing beneath the surface. Their chemistry was honestly unreal, especially with all the secret pining, stolen moments, and forced proximity in their childhood home 🌶️✨
One of my favorite things about this book was how beautifully Lily Baines balanced emotional depth with humor and steam. The longing between Hayden and Evangeline felt achingly real, but there were also lighter moments that made their relationship feel natural and comforting, especially with the family dynamics and Aunt Marion scenes 😂💕 The writing itself was gorgeous and atmospheric, and the small beach town setting made everything feel even more emotional and immersive.
Overall, Where We Left Us was such a heartfelt, emotional, and deeply romantic story filled with yearning, vulnerability, healing, and chemistry that completely takes over the page 📖❤️ Hayden and Evangeline’s story was impossible not to become emotionally attached to, and this is definitely one of those romances that stays with you long after finishing it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
LILY!!I’m yelling becaus this story is absolutely amazing!! I cried, I sobbed, I wasn’t ok, but I loved every word I read! And can’t wait to read it all over again!!! All. The. Stars!!! ♾️⭐️ ♾️⭐️
Wow I did not expect to sob uncontrollably throughout this book. I thought it would be emotional but I can’t even begin to express my love for this story. Everything I say won’t do this amazing book justice. But, I’m going to try.
Evangeline was so beautifully written. At times I wanted to reach in and hug her. Seriously I’ll be your best friend girl, I love you. She had my heart broken for her! But it wasn’t anything she did, it was how she felt alone and yet she marched on. She’s such an inspiration! Lily gave her such a beautiful journey and despite the hurdles, I’m glad she persisted and that her and Hayden found each other again.
Hayden you beautiful soul. I love your ginormous heart and how you care for everyone around you. You are such an amazing dad. Lucas is a great kid. There is something about a single dad story that makes my heart so happy when reading it.
Evangeline and Hayden’s journey is fantastic. It had me swooning soooo hard. Yelling to tell everyone to bug off! And had me sobbing at times. I loved their journey of reconnecting.
This story is fantastic! Lily’s writing blows me away every book of hers I read. She gives you soooo much of her heart and soul in each book. And the spice flew off the pages! Hallelujah for these two! A must read over and over again!
🩷forbidden romance
💙adopted sister to love
🩷slow burn (but when that spice hits, chef’s kiss)
💙single dad
🩷forced proximity
💙small town
Wow I did not expect to sob uncontrollably throughout this book. I thought it would be emotional but I can’t even begin to express my love for this story. Everything I say won’t do this amazing book justice. But, I’m going to try.
Evangeline was so beautifully written. At times I wanted to reach in and hug her. Seriously I’ll be your best friend girl, I love you. She had my heart broken for her! But it wasn’t anything she did, it was how she felt alone and yet she marched on. She’s such an inspiration! Lily gave her such a beautiful journey and despite the hurdles, I’m glad she persisted and that her and Hayden found each other again.
Hayden you beautiful soul. I love your ginormous heart and how you care for everyone around you. You are such an amazing dad. Lucas is a great kid. There is something about a single dad story that makes my heart so happy when reading it.
Evangeline and Hayden’s journey is fantastic. It had me swooning soooo hard. Yelling to tell everyone to bug off! And had me sobbing at times. I loved their journey of reconnecting.
This story is fantastic! Lily’s writing blows me away every book of hers I read. She gives you soooo much of her heart and soul in each book. And the spice flew off the pages! Hallelujah for these two! A must read over and over again!
🩷forbidden romance
💙adopted sister to love
🩷slow burn (but when that spice hits, chef’s kiss)
💙single dad
🩷forced proximity
💙small town
May 22, 2026
‘Where We Left Us’ was heartfelt. It involved a bittersweet reunion, downsizing, coping with aging parents, flashbacks, an overbearing relative, loss, a family gathering for a funeral, intimating at forbidden longing, oh no…a badly cut hand, moving a mom into her new senior community facility, longing for something more, a storm, giving in, awkward interactions with the divorced ex, a cryptic text message, a mention of a character from another series, cool mention of the Avila Beach setting, checking in with the female posse, getting to know each other, what?... an investigation, uh oh…, an obnoxious sibling, spreading rumors, dealing with the fallout, commuting between Colorado and California, having that conversation, confessions, and love.
Moreover, I appreciated the author’s writing style: engaging, down-to-earth, and believable characters, an awesome coastal town setting in California, and a delicately written storyline. Additionally, I liked the author’s vivid descriptions, including imagery, figurative language, and just-the-right word choices that created a pensive tone, such as, “Bay & Bloom had been my childhood soundtrack–the hum of the cooler, scissors snipping stems, the splash of water in metal buckets, the crinkle of tissue paper.” I received a copy for free and am giving my honest review voluntarily. Overall, I liked the poignant narrative.
Moreover, I appreciated the author’s writing style: engaging, down-to-earth, and believable characters, an awesome coastal town setting in California, and a delicately written storyline. Additionally, I liked the author’s vivid descriptions, including imagery, figurative language, and just-the-right word choices that created a pensive tone, such as, “Bay & Bloom had been my childhood soundtrack–the hum of the cooler, scissors snipping stems, the splash of water in metal buckets, the crinkle of tissue paper.” I received a copy for free and am giving my honest review voluntarily. Overall, I liked the poignant narrative.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Small town, single dad, and forbidden romance are some of my favorite tropes and this story has all of that and more. And for any of you who are not a fan of step-sibling romance, you're in luck, because Evangeline and Hayden are only step-sibling(ish).
Hayden and Evangeline (aka Angeli) did grow up in the same house, but they never truly felt like brother and sister, and honestly, it didn't feel like Hayden's parents truly considered Evangeline to be their daughter either. When you live in a small town though and you're known as "the Holmes kids", there is bound to be a scandal if you fall in love with each other.
As with all of this author's books, these are mature characters who have lived, loved and lost; and they're finding a second chance at happiness. This book embraces the forbidden aspect of Hayden and Angeli's relationship and I appreciated the way that their story unfolded.
I adored so many (but not all!) of the characters here: Hayden's son is a sweetheart, Hayden's mom might have broke my heart a little, and Angeli's girlfriends are friendship goals. I also loved going back to the small town of Coral Bay once again.
I already have an idea of who (I hope) the next story in this series will be about, and if I'm right, I'm excited for that already!
Hayden and Evangeline (aka Angeli) did grow up in the same house, but they never truly felt like brother and sister, and honestly, it didn't feel like Hayden's parents truly considered Evangeline to be their daughter either. When you live in a small town though and you're known as "the Holmes kids", there is bound to be a scandal if you fall in love with each other.
As with all of this author's books, these are mature characters who have lived, loved and lost; and they're finding a second chance at happiness. This book embraces the forbidden aspect of Hayden and Angeli's relationship and I appreciated the way that their story unfolded.
I adored so many (but not all!) of the characters here: Hayden's son is a sweetheart, Hayden's mom might have broke my heart a little, and Angeli's girlfriends are friendship goals. I also loved going back to the small town of Coral Bay once again.
I already have an idea of who (I hope) the next story in this series will be about, and if I'm right, I'm excited for that already!
May 19, 2026
This is a new to me romance wrıter and I was pleasantly surprised. Of course, there's always a degree of uncertainty, but she managed to get my attention early on and then deliver a fantastic read that took my heart on a fulfilling emotional ride.
It begins with the forbidden, merges into unrequited, and then delivers a satisfying second chance. Evangeline and Hayden were foster siblings. The Holmes family took Evangeline in, but there was always an invisible line or unwritten rule: she was part of the family, but not quite family.
When the Holmes matriarch's health is failing, Hayden returns to Coral Bay to help his mother. Of course this means spending time with Evangeline and both of them facing all those old feelings they worked so fiercely to suppress.
This one is charming and heartfelt with pops of humor and a mean girl, or two, you'll love to hate. Add in a small town full of gossip and small minds, coupled with decades-old assumptions set in stone, and the road to forever is bumpy and challenging.
But the payoff is definitely worth the angst, and I loved every minute of Evangeline and Hayden's journey to ever after. If you’re in the market for a new-to-you romance, give this one a chance. You won’t be disappointed.
It begins with the forbidden, merges into unrequited, and then delivers a satisfying second chance. Evangeline and Hayden were foster siblings. The Holmes family took Evangeline in, but there was always an invisible line or unwritten rule: she was part of the family, but not quite family.
When the Holmes matriarch's health is failing, Hayden returns to Coral Bay to help his mother. Of course this means spending time with Evangeline and both of them facing all those old feelings they worked so fiercely to suppress.
This one is charming and heartfelt with pops of humor and a mean girl, or two, you'll love to hate. Add in a small town full of gossip and small minds, coupled with decades-old assumptions set in stone, and the road to forever is bumpy and challenging.
But the payoff is definitely worth the angst, and I loved every minute of Evangeline and Hayden's journey to ever after. If you’re in the market for a new-to-you romance, give this one a chance. You won’t be disappointed.
June 2, 2026
I really enjoyed these two finding their way through the complications of them becoming what they were always meant to be. It's obvious from the beginning that these two have harbored feelings for one another for a very long time. They have a very warm relationship with an obvious caring, but there's all this underlying tension between them that it's almost hard to believe that they don't recognize that the other person is feeling it as well. There's plenty of reasons for them not to assume their feelings are reciprocal, but at times it seems like they *have* to know!! Once everything is out on the table they are able to navigate the tricky situation fairly well. They are so well-suited for eachother that it seems like a foregone conclusion that everyone should just accept their choice to be together, and though it's not actually that simple, things unfold in such a way that works out in the end. I definitely recommend if you like the tropes, and are in the mood for a feel-good romance that cuts the angst in half, so while it's present you know it's like a little bit of turbulence that will pass. There's a great ensemble of characters that add to the story and some that will intrigue you to want to read more about their own HEA afterwards!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is for all the hopeless romantics out there! The main characters grew up in the same house, but were not related in any way. I enjoyed the book from beginning to end and was rooting for them from the beginning.
I loved that no matter what happened, whether it was someone in town or Marion or Rachel giving an unsolicited opinion Evangeline and Hayden never once thought to end things with each other.
I don’t think that growing up in the same house made them siblings. I think that time growing up they got to really know and trust each other, and learned they could rely on each other- deepening their feelings. But he ended up marrying someone else just to divorce later one because they weren’t Evangeline. It wasn’t like Evangeline wasn’t dating, she was. But she wasn’t happy with the outcome because they weren’t Hayden.
I also liked Hayden’s son and ex-wife being involved in the storyline and that bit of mystery.
If you are looking for a forbidden romance with family drama and small town attitudes you will love this one.
I loved that no matter what happened, whether it was someone in town or Marion or Rachel giving an unsolicited opinion Evangeline and Hayden never once thought to end things with each other.
I don’t think that growing up in the same house made them siblings. I think that time growing up they got to really know and trust each other, and learned they could rely on each other- deepening their feelings. But he ended up marrying someone else just to divorce later one because they weren’t Evangeline. It wasn’t like Evangeline wasn’t dating, she was. But she wasn’t happy with the outcome because they weren’t Hayden.
I also liked Hayden’s son and ex-wife being involved in the storyline and that bit of mystery.
If you are looking for a forbidden romance with family drama and small town attitudes you will love this one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My first Lilly Baines book and my first step-sibling(ish) trope, and wow… it did not disappoint. The slow burn was EVERYTHING. The secret yearning, the tension, the feelings they both buried for years — I was eating it up the entire time. And when they finally hit that “fuck it” moment? AAAAAH. It was so worth the wait.
There’s a Hindi saying, “Log kya kahenge?” which translates to, “What will people say?” And honestly, that phrase fit this story perfectly. Especially for Evangeline, who spent so long suppressing her feelings because of how society — and Rachel — might view them. Rachel was the one who took her in after her parents died and became her family, so it made sense why Evangeline carried so much guilt and fear over crossing that line. Watching her constantly battle between her heart and everyone else’s expectations was emotional, frustrating, and so beautifully written.
I'm happy Hayden and Evangeline found their home in each other.
Thank you Lily Baines for the ARC ❤️
There’s a Hindi saying, “Log kya kahenge?” which translates to, “What will people say?” And honestly, that phrase fit this story perfectly. Especially for Evangeline, who spent so long suppressing her feelings because of how society — and Rachel — might view them. Rachel was the one who took her in after her parents died and became her family, so it made sense why Evangeline carried so much guilt and fear over crossing that line. Watching her constantly battle between her heart and everyone else’s expectations was emotional, frustrating, and so beautifully written.
I'm happy Hayden and Evangeline found their home in each other.
Thank you Lily Baines for the ARC ❤️
May 23, 2026
The story of Evangeline and Hayden took us on a journey of mutual yearning and love but not acting on it for years. The MCs have history as Angeli was brought up by Hayden’s parents when she was orphaned at the age of 10. Their love grew as they grew but they never felt like siblings although that’s how everyone else saw them, therefore never acting on it so much so that Hayden married and moved away, the pining never stopped so now that Hayden is back they cannot longer deny their feelings. A slow burn at the start that soon built into a beautiful, sweet sometimes steamy story, with characters that are likeable and fun (the fmcs friends and Hayden’s son are adorable) and of course we have the standard busy body( looking at you Marion) an emotional rollercoaster of I want to but I shouldn’t. The authors description of everything that is going on is so relatable and interesting that you just can’t help wanting to read till the end and you find yourself rooting for the MCs. Coral Bay really is a special place.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm a petty person, I try not to be but...yeah, all that to say, I wish a certain aunt had gotten at least one serious verbal set down.
However, reading and getting to love Hayden and Evangeline, I know why it didn't happen. I can appreciate how they chose to focus on their love, being able to finally FEEL and ACT on it. Guilt and gratitude, fear and loyalty are such strong emotions and we see that so glaringly with Hayden and Evangeline. But what was even more evident? The solid foundation years of longing and friendship gave these two love birds. Outside forces never stood a chance against the front H & E present and that is what finally made me cry - because Lily's books ALWAYS make me cry for one reason or another. In this case? The full circle happily ever after these two so desperately earned after years upon years of having to pretend the only feelings shared between them were familial.
However, reading and getting to love Hayden and Evangeline, I know why it didn't happen. I can appreciate how they chose to focus on their love, being able to finally FEEL and ACT on it. Guilt and gratitude, fear and loyalty are such strong emotions and we see that so glaringly with Hayden and Evangeline. But what was even more evident? The solid foundation years of longing and friendship gave these two love birds. Outside forces never stood a chance against the front H & E present and that is what finally made me cry - because Lily's books ALWAYS make me cry for one reason or another. In this case? The full circle happily ever after these two so desperately earned after years upon years of having to pretend the only feelings shared between them were familial.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
4.5 ⭐️
Lily Baines is one of those truly unique romance authors whose stories are written with such emotional depth and tenderness that every page feels alive with feeling. Her characters are never simply written—they are felt—and in Where We Left Us, she delivers a forbidden love story that is as heartbreaking as it is beautiful.
What I loved most about this story was the emotional complexity surrounding Evangeline and Hayden’s relationship. Brought together at just ten years old when Evangeline was placed with Hayden’s family, they grew up side by side in a small town where everyone viewed them as step-siblings, even though they were never truly related. Because of that, both of them spent years burying feelings they never believed they were allowed to have, terrified of what their family and the town would think if the truth ever surfaced.
Lily Baines captures that longing so perfectly—the quiet glances, the unspoken emotions, the years of loving someone in silence because the risk of losing everything felt too great. While Evangeline stayed behind, to eventually run the family flower shop, Hayden left town, built another life, married, and became a father to a son who is now ten years old who only returned home occasionally. Yet despite the years and everything life placed between them, the connection they shared never truly disappeared.
The flashbacks were woven beautifully throughout the story, allowing you to see how their bond formed over the years while seamlessly blending into the present day. Every memory added another layer of emotion, making their reunion feel even more powerful. What makes this story stand out so much is the maturity within it—these are two people carrying years of regret, sacrifice, and hidden love, finally reaching a point where they must decide whether they are brave enough to finally choose each other.
This is not a dramatic, over-the-top romance. It is quiet, aching, emotional storytelling at its finest. Lily Baines has such a unique way of writing love stories that completely consume your heart, and Where We Left Us is one of those unforgettable books that lingers with you long after the final page. A deeply moving story filled with longing, heartbreak, healing, and a love that never truly let go.
Lily Baines is one of those truly unique romance authors whose stories are written with such emotional depth and tenderness that every page feels alive with feeling. Her characters are never simply written—they are felt—and in Where We Left Us, she delivers a forbidden love story that is as heartbreaking as it is beautiful.
What I loved most about this story was the emotional complexity surrounding Evangeline and Hayden’s relationship. Brought together at just ten years old when Evangeline was placed with Hayden’s family, they grew up side by side in a small town where everyone viewed them as step-siblings, even though they were never truly related. Because of that, both of them spent years burying feelings they never believed they were allowed to have, terrified of what their family and the town would think if the truth ever surfaced.
Lily Baines captures that longing so perfectly—the quiet glances, the unspoken emotions, the years of loving someone in silence because the risk of losing everything felt too great. While Evangeline stayed behind, to eventually run the family flower shop, Hayden left town, built another life, married, and became a father to a son who is now ten years old who only returned home occasionally. Yet despite the years and everything life placed between them, the connection they shared never truly disappeared.
The flashbacks were woven beautifully throughout the story, allowing you to see how their bond formed over the years while seamlessly blending into the present day. Every memory added another layer of emotion, making their reunion feel even more powerful. What makes this story stand out so much is the maturity within it—these are two people carrying years of regret, sacrifice, and hidden love, finally reaching a point where they must decide whether they are brave enough to finally choose each other.
This is not a dramatic, over-the-top romance. It is quiet, aching, emotional storytelling at its finest. Lily Baines has such a unique way of writing love stories that completely consume your heart, and Where We Left Us is one of those unforgettable books that lingers with you long after the final page. A deeply moving story filled with longing, heartbreak, healing, and a love that never truly let go.
May 29, 2026
My first Lily Baines read and now I need to play catch up on all her previous works.
Hayden and Evangeline were brought together when Evangeline was only 10 years old and without a family. Hayden's family adopted Evangeline into their family and the two became fast friends. They grew in love but they were constantly lectured on how their love could be nothing other than a sibling relationship.
Hayden married and moved away while Evangeline remained out of love and loyalty to make sure the family who showed her love would survive.
Sadly their father passed and mom was struggling with health. Hayden returns with his son to help his mom and in doing so all those feelings come flowing back into their hearts.
An extremely emotional story of found family and friendship and young love that is so much more.
Review by C. Seymour - blogger
Hayden and Evangeline were brought together when Evangeline was only 10 years old and without a family. Hayden's family adopted Evangeline into their family and the two became fast friends. They grew in love but they were constantly lectured on how their love could be nothing other than a sibling relationship.
Hayden married and moved away while Evangeline remained out of love and loyalty to make sure the family who showed her love would survive.
Sadly their father passed and mom was struggling with health. Hayden returns with his son to help his mom and in doing so all those feelings come flowing back into their hearts.
An extremely emotional story of found family and friendship and young love that is so much more.
Review by C. Seymour - blogger
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Wow. This story is amazing. Incredible characters. I can´t imagine loving someone secretly for years, and the worst, loving someone that everybody thinks is related to you. A weird situation for Evangeline and Hayden. It should be simple. They loved each other. Easy. Period. But guilty feelings about what the others will think about the situation made their lives hell. And sometimes, we have to choose between our happiness and judgment or opinions from people. When I started reading the book, I thought that it was impossible to read that many chapters without being bored with the story. How wrong was I? Totally wrong. I could keep reading this for many other pages, and believe me, I couldn´t put this book down. A must-read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Where We Left Us by Lily Baines
5/5 stars
I've stopped crying tears long enough to tell yall to go read this book! A forbidden former step siblings romance that will have you in all of the feelings.
THE LONGING. THE HISTORY. THE PAIN. THE SLOW BURN. MY GOODNESS. Second chance romances are not my jam but this book blew me out of the water. The way it is written just had me sobbing.
Evangeline and Hayden just shot to the top of the couple list of LB couples. Read this book. Go read this book if you want a romance that will rip your heart out and sew it back together again.
Catch this amazing book out May 19th.
Thank you to @lily_baines_author for an eARC copy.
Where We Left Us by Lily Baines
5/5 stars
I've stopped crying tears long enough to tell yall to go read this book! A forbidden former step siblings romance that will have you in all of the feelings.
THE LONGING. THE HISTORY. THE PAIN. THE SLOW BURN. MY GOODNESS. Second chance romances are not my jam but this book blew me out of the water. The way it is written just had me sobbing.
Evangeline and Hayden just shot to the top of the couple list of LB couples. Read this book. Go read this book if you want a romance that will rip your heart out and sew it back together again.
Catch this amazing book out May 19th.
Thank you to @lily_baines_author for an eARC copy.
May 20, 2026
Hayden and Evangeline grew up together. What started out as innocent love, has grown into something more. Yet, neither one of them want to shatter what they already have. This transpires into a slow burn romance filled with angst and raw emotions.
How the story started..."To me, he'd been my best friend. My safe place. A man I couldn't have. A man I shouldn't want. A man I spent my whole life trying to love only properly."
How the story ended..."I was rebuilding my life with the woman who had always shared my moral compass, even when we were both afraid it might be pointing us somewhere forbidden. It hadn't been wrong. It led me home. To her."
Both old and new readers will enjoy this book by Lily. A small-town romance with a big heart!
How the story started..."To me, he'd been my best friend. My safe place. A man I couldn't have. A man I shouldn't want. A man I spent my whole life trying to love only properly."
How the story ended..."I was rebuilding my life with the woman who had always shared my moral compass, even when we were both afraid it might be pointing us somewhere forbidden. It hadn't been wrong. It led me home. To her."
Both old and new readers will enjoy this book by Lily. A small-town romance with a big heart!
May 21, 2026
What’s Not To Love
Step sibling books are my thing and I was so happy to read Evangeline’s and Hayden’s story. It was both sad and amazing. There was so much feelings coming from these two people who belonged together but hide how they felt due to societal norms.
Both Hayden and Evangeline tried to live their lives separate from one another but neither of them were truly happy without the other and were just going through the motions. They denied their feelings for years and finally felt the rewards were greater than the risks.
Lily knows how to suck you into her characters lives and their beach town. You won’t want to miss this heartfelt romance.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I loved it so much I purchased a paperback so I can read it again.
Step sibling books are my thing and I was so happy to read Evangeline’s and Hayden’s story. It was both sad and amazing. There was so much feelings coming from these two people who belonged together but hide how they felt due to societal norms.
Both Hayden and Evangeline tried to live their lives separate from one another but neither of them were truly happy without the other and were just going through the motions. They denied their feelings for years and finally felt the rewards were greater than the risks.
Lily knows how to suck you into her characters lives and their beach town. You won’t want to miss this heartfelt romance.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I loved it so much I purchased a paperback so I can read it again.
May 24, 2026
Where We Left Us is another winner written by Lily Baines!! She has a way of making you feel like you are part of each tight knit beach community that she writes about. The emotions run high, the journey is hard but love always wins.
This book was beautiful written. I absolutely loved Hayden and Angeli’s long awaited happily ever after. After years of not allowing themselves to love one another, life happens and their lives are brought together once again. There are so many feelings and obstacles to overcome within themselves and everyone in their lives as well. This was such a heartwarming tale that left me wanting more.
I can’t wait for more in this series as I suspect Daphne’s and Officer “Pain in the Ass”’s happily ever after may be coming. Yes Lily😁??!!!!
This book was beautiful written. I absolutely loved Hayden and Angeli’s long awaited happily ever after. After years of not allowing themselves to love one another, life happens and their lives are brought together once again. There are so many feelings and obstacles to overcome within themselves and everyone in their lives as well. This was such a heartwarming tale that left me wanting more.
I can’t wait for more in this series as I suspect Daphne’s and Officer “Pain in the Ass”’s happily ever after may be coming. Yes Lily😁??!!!!
June 2, 2026
This is a sweet story about two people who just couldn’t fight their feelings anymore. Evangeline and Hayden grew up together in the same home, but were never related. They were told they are siblings and that is how the world viewed them. Hayden went on and got married and started a family while Evangeline remained, where she was placed when she had lost everything when she was so young, in Coral Bay. She helped take care of the family business and helped out with her aging adopted mother. She feels obligated to do what was needed because she owed them for the life she gave them, so when Hayden is back in town and single she fights her feelings. But how long can she fight it when it has always felt right? How will the town react? How will his family react?
This book is written in a slower pace and you really have to slow down and feel the deep connection and emotions. As someone who enjoys reading faster paced books I will say that I did struggle at times while reading. But in the end Hayden and Evangeline’s story is so sweet and really puts you in your feels.
Tropes:
•Step-siblings(ish)
•Forbidden Love
•Forced Proximity
•Single Dad
•Slow Burn
•Pining
•Small Town Romance
•Dual POV
Rating: 4⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Quote: “I would do whatever made this easier for him—anything and everything, even if it meant stepping back for a while. He was my other half, and I hadn’t felt whole in a long time—not until him. But I’d rather be that again than watch him torn between his son and me.”
This book is written in a slower pace and you really have to slow down and feel the deep connection and emotions. As someone who enjoys reading faster paced books I will say that I did struggle at times while reading. But in the end Hayden and Evangeline’s story is so sweet and really puts you in your feels.
Tropes:
•Step-siblings(ish)
•Forbidden Love
•Forced Proximity
•Single Dad
•Slow Burn
•Pining
•Small Town Romance
•Dual POV
Rating: 4⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Quote: “I would do whatever made this easier for him—anything and everything, even if it meant stepping back for a while. He was my other half, and I hadn’t felt whole in a long time—not until him. But I’d rather be that again than watch him torn between his son and me.”
June 4, 2026
When I read this blurb, I just knew that I had to give this author a try! Lily Baines had stacked some of my favorite tropes into one story. Forbidden, small town, and single dad are ones that always hit the mark for me.
I really liked the characters and their growth in this story. Hayden and Evangeline are that couple you root for to get their HEA. At the end, they ignored the outside chatter and did what made themselves happy. I loved the way their story was told. It is not a simple love story, what fun would that be?
One of my favorite parts in this book, is the build up. I loved waiting for them to get together and it is totally worth it!
I really liked the characters and their growth in this story. Hayden and Evangeline are that couple you root for to get their HEA. At the end, they ignored the outside chatter and did what made themselves happy. I loved the way their story was told. It is not a simple love story, what fun would that be?
One of my favorite parts in this book, is the build up. I loved waiting for them to get together and it is totally worth it!
June 29, 2026
What a brilliantly written story that's intertwined where love overcomes morals, and people's perspectives.
Hayden and Evangeline have endured so much through their lives that they've hidden how they feel.
I was addicted to the story from the first page, I loved Evangeline, she's such a beautiful person inside, she loves and cares about everything and everyone, you can't help but love her.
Then, with Hayden tangled up in a mess. With his ex wife and her family, something he wants to stay away from, and then there's his son, lucus, who Hayden loves fiercely, watching his need to protect is so beautiful. He too is a beautiful person.
The storyline flows well as we look into their lives
Hayden and Evangeline have endured so much through their lives that they've hidden how they feel.
I was addicted to the story from the first page, I loved Evangeline, she's such a beautiful person inside, she loves and cares about everything and everyone, you can't help but love her.
Then, with Hayden tangled up in a mess. With his ex wife and her family, something he wants to stay away from, and then there's his son, lucus, who Hayden loves fiercely, watching his need to protect is so beautiful. He too is a beautiful person.
The storyline flows well as we look into their lives
Review of advance copy
Sweet, kind Evangeline….she really is far too forgiving!
Hayden…for me he should have grown a pair a lot sooner than he did, but at least he did!!!
This is a very gentle story, I felt the frustrations between these two and I also felt betrayed on their behalf by those they considered family.
What on earth was Lindsay all about…?
This was a slow read for me and didn’t capture my heart as tightly as Sebastian and Ruby’s did but I still enjoyed my visit to Coral Bay. The girls as always giving the best and most supportive advice and I was so pleased that Marcy came through!
Hayden…for me he should have grown a pair a lot sooner than he did, but at least he did!!!
This is a very gentle story, I felt the frustrations between these two and I also felt betrayed on their behalf by those they considered family.
What on earth was Lindsay all about…?
This was a slow read for me and didn’t capture my heart as tightly as Sebastian and Ruby’s did but I still enjoyed my visit to Coral Bay. The girls as always giving the best and most supportive advice and I was so pleased that Marcy came through!
June 8, 2026
Evangeline and Hayden. Oh my goodness. These two had me grabbing my heart so it wouldn’t break for them. They are in a no win situation that their small town will frown upon no matter how their souls yearn for each other. I loved this story and how they navigate their world going forward. Did I love why Hayden had to come home? No but it did force them to work side by side to help Hayden’s mother. Did I love Hayden’s sister and aunt? Absolutely no. But the two of them? Absolutely without a doubt. I don’t normally like a slow burn but this author can keep me in suspense any day.
June 8, 2026
A hauntingly beautiful story of two people who against all odds make you believe in love. Evangeline and Hayden grew up together as “not” siblings when Evangeline is placed with the Holmes family and they aren’t supposed to love each other like that.
There’s just something about loving against the odds and against the way their town believes them to love. I just adored how all in they both were regardless of the town continuing to see them as step-siblings
There’s just something about loving against the odds and against the way their town believes them to love. I just adored how all in they both were regardless of the town continuing to see them as step-siblings
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