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Where you should've been
Grief changes everything—and for Amy, it shatters the life she thought she understood.
Reeling from the loss of the most important person in her world, Amy enters college carrying heartbreak, family pressure, and the lingering pull of a toxic on-again, off-again relationship she can’t seem to escape. Desperate to keep the peace at home and live up to impossible expectations, she makes a risky choice: she asks Theo—her ex-boyfriend’s best friend and the one person who sees through her every wall—to pretend to be her boyfriend.
Theo was never supposed to mean anything. He was just a distraction. A solution.
But as lines blur and old feelings resurface, Amy is forced to confront buried truths, painful family secrets, and the fear of being left behind once again. With everything she’s worked so hard to protect at stake, she must decide whether to cling to what’s familiar—or risk her heart for a love that has been waiting for her all along.
A tender, emotional story about loss, healing, and learning the difference between loving someone and being in love, this novel explores the courage it takes to let go, the heartbreak of choosing, and the rare beauty of being loved without conditions.
This is book two in the Promise me ~ The College Years series. It is a standalone and you don't have to read book one in order to read it.
Tropes to Love:
Frenemies to lovers
Childhood friends
Fake dating
Found family
Ex-boyfriend's best friend
Sports romance
College romance
Grief and healing
Spice
Slow burn
Reeling from the loss of the most important person in her world, Amy enters college carrying heartbreak, family pressure, and the lingering pull of a toxic on-again, off-again relationship she can’t seem to escape. Desperate to keep the peace at home and live up to impossible expectations, she makes a risky choice: she asks Theo—her ex-boyfriend’s best friend and the one person who sees through her every wall—to pretend to be her boyfriend.
Theo was never supposed to mean anything. He was just a distraction. A solution.
But as lines blur and old feelings resurface, Amy is forced to confront buried truths, painful family secrets, and the fear of being left behind once again. With everything she’s worked so hard to protect at stake, she must decide whether to cling to what’s familiar—or risk her heart for a love that has been waiting for her all along.
A tender, emotional story about loss, healing, and learning the difference between loving someone and being in love, this novel explores the courage it takes to let go, the heartbreak of choosing, and the rare beauty of being loved without conditions.
This is book two in the Promise me ~ The College Years series. It is a standalone and you don't have to read book one in order to read it.
Tropes to Love:
Frenemies to lovers
Childhood friends
Fake dating
Found family
Ex-boyfriend's best friend
Sports romance
College romance
Grief and healing
Spice
Slow burn
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2026
About the author
Skye Daniels
3 books28 followersWife, mom, and dog mom—though the order definitely depends on the day :)
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, always drawn to stories and the way they can transport you somewhere else, even if just for a little while. For years, writing was something I did just for myself. It was a creative escape and a way to bring the characters in my head to life. Eventually, I decided it was time to take a chance and share those stories with others, turning a personal passion into something bigger.
When I’m not writing, you’ll almost always find me reading. Books have always been a huge part of my life, and I love getting lost in a story that makes me feel something whether that’s joy, heartbreak, or everything in between.
I truly believe that falling in love with a great story can change your whole day. A good book can be comforting, exciting, emotional, and unforgettable all at once. That’s exactly what I hope to create with my own writing, I try to write stories that entertain, pull readers in, and leave them smiling (and maybe a little emotional) long after the last page.
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, always drawn to stories and the way they can transport you somewhere else, even if just for a little while. For years, writing was something I did just for myself. It was a creative escape and a way to bring the characters in my head to life. Eventually, I decided it was time to take a chance and share those stories with others, turning a personal passion into something bigger.
When I’m not writing, you’ll almost always find me reading. Books have always been a huge part of my life, and I love getting lost in a story that makes me feel something whether that’s joy, heartbreak, or everything in between.
I truly believe that falling in love with a great story can change your whole day. A good book can be comforting, exciting, emotional, and unforgettable all at once. That’s exactly what I hope to create with my own writing, I try to write stories that entertain, pull readers in, and leave them smiling (and maybe a little emotional) long after the last page.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 1, 2026
4⭐ Review — Where You Should’ve Been by Skye Daniels
Okay… this series?? It’s giving coming-of-age in a way we honestly don’t get enough of anymore.
This is book two, and watching Amy and Theo’s growth from book one to now was everything. Because let’s be real I did NOT like Amy at first. She was angry, guarded, and honestly kind of hard to connect with. But in this one? You really see why. You see the grief, the pressure, the trauma she’s carrying and the way she slowly starts to unpack that and grow? So well done.
And Theo… whew. If you remember him from book one, he definitely had that playboy energy going on, but it was all a mask. This book really peels that back and shows who he actually is underneath and it made me love him even more.
What really stood out to me was this:
These two just want to be chosen.
To be someone’s first pick.
To be loved without conditions.
And the way they find that in each other? It felt real, messy, and earned.
Also can we talk about the communication?? Because for early 20-something characters, they actually talk things out. We’re not stuck in endless miscommunication loops, and I appreciated that so much.
The writing is super easy to follow, really heartfelt, and the pacing? Perfect. I was never bored, never felt like it dragged it kept me fully invested the whole time.
At its core, this is a story about healing, growth, and finding that one person who truly sees you—and chooses you anyway.
If you love angsty, emotional, character-driven romances with real growth and depth, this one is absolutely worth the read.
Okay… this series?? It’s giving coming-of-age in a way we honestly don’t get enough of anymore.
This is book two, and watching Amy and Theo’s growth from book one to now was everything. Because let’s be real I did NOT like Amy at first. She was angry, guarded, and honestly kind of hard to connect with. But in this one? You really see why. You see the grief, the pressure, the trauma she’s carrying and the way she slowly starts to unpack that and grow? So well done.
And Theo… whew. If you remember him from book one, he definitely had that playboy energy going on, but it was all a mask. This book really peels that back and shows who he actually is underneath and it made me love him even more.
What really stood out to me was this:
These two just want to be chosen.
To be someone’s first pick.
To be loved without conditions.
And the way they find that in each other? It felt real, messy, and earned.
Also can we talk about the communication?? Because for early 20-something characters, they actually talk things out. We’re not stuck in endless miscommunication loops, and I appreciated that so much.
The writing is super easy to follow, really heartfelt, and the pacing? Perfect. I was never bored, never felt like it dragged it kept me fully invested the whole time.
At its core, this is a story about healing, growth, and finding that one person who truly sees you—and chooses you anyway.
If you love angsty, emotional, character-driven romances with real growth and depth, this one is absolutely worth the read.
May 21, 2026
This is book two in the series, and I was so curious to see where Amy and Theo's story was going to go, and it did not disappoint. I loved seeing all of the growth!
If I am being honest, Amy wasn't my favorite in the first book. There was so much drama surrounding her and Liam and she just wasn't likeable for me, however, we really get into more of her story in this one and we learn the reasons why she was that way. It all makes sense now. Amy was drowning in grief along with some other trauma and didn't know how to handle it. I absolutely loved seeing her growth in this book.
We got introduced to Theo as the fun playboy who just liked to make everybody laugh, but we learn that is really just a mask and Theo has his own struggles. I loved how we learned more about him in this book and really got to see who he really is.
The two of them have been friends for a long time and I love how they are rebuilding that friendship as well as more. While it may have started as "fake" we all know there's more there. Both of them just really want to be loved and without conditions. They were open with each other and communicated way better than I honestly expected.
This story takes us on a great healing journey, has some amazing character growth, and of course we cannot forget the found family vibes with this amazing friend group. The writing is super easy to follow, and the story just flows.
I can't wait to see if Liam can be redeemable in the next book!
If I am being honest, Amy wasn't my favorite in the first book. There was so much drama surrounding her and Liam and she just wasn't likeable for me, however, we really get into more of her story in this one and we learn the reasons why she was that way. It all makes sense now. Amy was drowning in grief along with some other trauma and didn't know how to handle it. I absolutely loved seeing her growth in this book.
We got introduced to Theo as the fun playboy who just liked to make everybody laugh, but we learn that is really just a mask and Theo has his own struggles. I loved how we learned more about him in this book and really got to see who he really is.
The two of them have been friends for a long time and I love how they are rebuilding that friendship as well as more. While it may have started as "fake" we all know there's more there. Both of them just really want to be loved and without conditions. They were open with each other and communicated way better than I honestly expected.
This story takes us on a great healing journey, has some amazing character growth, and of course we cannot forget the found family vibes with this amazing friend group. The writing is super easy to follow, and the story just flows.
I can't wait to see if Liam can be redeemable in the next book!
May 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
I really enjoyed the love story between the FMC and the MMC! As in MMC he was very supportive and protective. The boyfriend the FMC started out with was absolutely horrible and I feel that I can see you gave him way too many excuses. I was convinced I would never like him but once you read book 3, that will change!
I really enjoyed the love story between the FMC and the MMC! As in MMC he was very supportive and protective. The boyfriend the FMC started out with was absolutely horrible and I feel that I can see you gave him way too many excuses. I was convinced I would never like him but once you read book 3, that will change!
May 15, 2026
I was so excited to dive into Where You Should’ve Been after loving Theo in the first book! This story really gave me the backstory I was craving for Amy. The tension between her and Theo had me hooked spending years pretending not to like each other while trying to protect their hearts? Ugh, my heart broke for them!
The way Skye portrays Amy’s struggles with grief and toxic relationships is so raw and relatable. Watching Theo figure out why Amy pushed him away was gut-wrenching. I felt so emotionally invested I couldn’t put it down! This book beautifully captures the complexities of love, loss, and healing. If you’re looking for a heartfelt romance that digs deep, definitely give this one a read!
The way Skye portrays Amy’s struggles with grief and toxic relationships is so raw and relatable. Watching Theo figure out why Amy pushed him away was gut-wrenching. I felt so emotionally invested I couldn’t put it down! This book beautifully captures the complexities of love, loss, and healing. If you’re looking for a heartfelt romance that digs deep, definitely give this one a read!
January 27, 2026
UGH! My heart ❤️
After reading the first book I have been (not) patiently waiting for Theo's story. And it did not disappoint.
I'm generally terrible at reviews but I can say I smiled, I laughed, I cried, I wanted to smack a few people.
I read this book in 4 hours!! Because it was so good I only stopped to take the dogs out.
Summer of 2026 can't come soon enough for Liam's story.
After reading the first book I have been (not) patiently waiting for Theo's story. And it did not disappoint.
I'm generally terrible at reviews but I can say I smiled, I laughed, I cried, I wanted to smack a few people.
I read this book in 4 hours!! Because it was so good I only stopped to take the dogs out.
Summer of 2026 can't come soon enough for Liam's story.
March 27, 2026
For an indie authors second book. It was really good! I’m a reader for vibes, there were a few times the names got mixed up. But I can easily put two and two together. A couple times things were repeated. But other than that, it was a cute story for sure. You did a great job!
March 30, 2026
5/5 Sparkling Stars 🌟💕
Oh my heart, Where You Should’ve Been (Promise Me – The College Years) by Skye Daniels completely stole mine and wrapped it in the coziest, most heartfelt hug! This book is pure romantic magic—equal parts tender, steamy, and soul-stirring. I finished it with happy tears and the biggest smile, already wanting to reread just to live in Amy and Theo’s world again.
Amy is navigating college while carrying the heavy weight of grief after losing someone irreplaceable. She’s juggling family pressure, a messy on-again-off-again past, and the fear of letting anyone truly see her. Enter Theo—her ex-boyfriend’s best friend, the charming, steady presence who’s always been right there, quietly seeing her. When she asks him to fake-date her to keep the peace at home, what starts as a practical solution quickly turns into something beautifully real. The slow-burn tension? Chef’s kiss. The way their friendship deepens into something deeper, sweeter, and oh-so-spicy? Absolute perfection.
Skye Daniels writes college romance with such warmth and authenticity. The grief is handled so gently yet powerfully, never overshadowing the romance but making every moment of healing and connection feel earned and breathtaking. Theo is the ultimate book boyfriend—patient, supportive, a little protective, and so in love with Amy it practically leaps off the page. Their banter, their quiet moments, the way he becomes her safe place… I was swooning the entire time!
This story beautifully captures that magical shift from “this is pretend” to “I never want this to end.” It’s about choosing yourself, choosing real love, and discovering that sometimes the person you should’ve been with has been standing right there all along. If you love emotional depth, fake dating done right, ex’s best friend vibes, and a romance that feels both spicy and incredibly sweet, this one is an absolute must-read.
I’m officially obsessed with this series and can’t wait for more from Skye Daniels. Five stars, ten hearts, and all the butterflies! 💖📖
If you’re looking for a book that feels like a warm blanket and a stolen kiss under the stars, run (don’t walk) to Where You Should’ve Been. You won’t regret it! 😍
Oh my heart, Where You Should’ve Been (Promise Me – The College Years) by Skye Daniels completely stole mine and wrapped it in the coziest, most heartfelt hug! This book is pure romantic magic—equal parts tender, steamy, and soul-stirring. I finished it with happy tears and the biggest smile, already wanting to reread just to live in Amy and Theo’s world again.
Amy is navigating college while carrying the heavy weight of grief after losing someone irreplaceable. She’s juggling family pressure, a messy on-again-off-again past, and the fear of letting anyone truly see her. Enter Theo—her ex-boyfriend’s best friend, the charming, steady presence who’s always been right there, quietly seeing her. When she asks him to fake-date her to keep the peace at home, what starts as a practical solution quickly turns into something beautifully real. The slow-burn tension? Chef’s kiss. The way their friendship deepens into something deeper, sweeter, and oh-so-spicy? Absolute perfection.
Skye Daniels writes college romance with such warmth and authenticity. The grief is handled so gently yet powerfully, never overshadowing the romance but making every moment of healing and connection feel earned and breathtaking. Theo is the ultimate book boyfriend—patient, supportive, a little protective, and so in love with Amy it practically leaps off the page. Their banter, their quiet moments, the way he becomes her safe place… I was swooning the entire time!
This story beautifully captures that magical shift from “this is pretend” to “I never want this to end.” It’s about choosing yourself, choosing real love, and discovering that sometimes the person you should’ve been with has been standing right there all along. If you love emotional depth, fake dating done right, ex’s best friend vibes, and a romance that feels both spicy and incredibly sweet, this one is an absolute must-read.
I’m officially obsessed with this series and can’t wait for more from Skye Daniels. Five stars, ten hearts, and all the butterflies! 💖📖
If you’re looking for a book that feels like a warm blanket and a stolen kiss under the stars, run (don’t walk) to Where You Should’ve Been. You won’t regret it! 😍
February 8, 2026
Where You Should’ve Been is a deeply emotional and thought-provoking novel that explores love, loss, identity, growth, and the lasting impact of the choices we make. At the heart of the story is Amy’s journey toward self-discovery as she finds the courage to rebuild her life after realizing that the choices she once made did not truly bring her happiness. Life altering events in her life become a source of strength, guiding her toward understanding herself and discovering “where she should’ve been” all along. Skye Daniels does an excellent job of encouraging readers to reflect on their own paths and consider the powerful “what ifs” that might have reshaped their lives had they chosen differently. Ultimately, this novel highlights the importance of loving yourself first and shows that when you do, the most meaningful connections in life naturally follow.
February 8, 2026
This book quietly wrecked me in the best way.
At its core, it’s a love triangle—but not the tired, trope-heavy kind. Two boys in love with the same girl sounds simple, but the story unfolds with so much tenderness and emotional depth that it becomes about far more than romance. It’s about grief, loyalty, chosen family, and the way love can exist in multiple forms at the same time without canceling itself out
At its core, it’s a love triangle—but not the tired, trope-heavy kind. Two boys in love with the same girl sounds simple, but the story unfolds with so much tenderness and emotional depth that it becomes about far more than romance. It’s about grief, loyalty, chosen family, and the way love can exist in multiple forms at the same time without canceling itself out
March 13, 2026
4.5-star read for me! This book had me sucked in from the very beginning. I was rooting for Amy and waiting for the moment she stood up for herself and walked away from her childish relationship. CH 10 I was clapping for Amy! I did feel like the ch 11 moment came on super fast, but it was as unexpected for the characters too, so I went with it ha. The spice in this book is great. So much of this book, the life situations, the relationships, were so relatable. When Theo said "Good Girl," I knew I liked him! And the tattoo! How freaking cute! I loved this book, such an enjoyable read.
January 31, 2026
From book 1 I loved Theo you could tell that even while he was playing up his party boy persona there was more beneath the surface he was playing up his life of the party image to hide his insecurities about feelings of long term grief and knowing that the girl he fell in love with years ago is in a loop of going back to her ex, he can't keep doing this either every time they break up she runs to him for support only to ditch him when they get back together.
Amy on the other hand is struggling with the pressure of always doing what everyone else wants she wants to feel truly loved and isn't sure she will ever get that from Liam... in fact she is tired of all the campus gossip... it's truly painful to hear all of Liam's conquests with the girls on campus when they are "off" and it's time that she makes some changes while she doesn't want to be alone she has been feeling plenty alone lately and doesn't want to keep hurting everyone around her while she's floundering to keep together a relationship that clearly is no longer working.
I read the first book earlier this month and was waiting for the next one in the series to find out what happened for Theo and Amy and it did not disappoint. While I wasn't a huge Amy fan in the first book the second book clears the air and you see things from her side and why she was feeling so alone it didn't take long before I was rooting for our girl to go after what would make her happy and stand up to the men in her life who were making her feel less than.
I loved Theo finally stepping up and going for what he wanted he had waited so long for her to recognize that what they had could be amazing if she would just let down her walls and see how they could be together. This book is about loss and healing, learning self care even if that means cutting people out of your life that are not good for your mental health, moving forward to the unknown after big secrets are revealed and finding true love... it's there right in front of you if you are just willing to take those steps.
I adored this book and can't wait for the next in the series!
book blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...
*college romance *Sports romance (Football) *Indie Author *childhood friends *Frienemies --> more
*spice *fake dating *found family *ex-boyfriends best friend *slow burn *long term pining
*Grief and healing *Family drama *State Challenge --> Texas
*second in series but could potentially be read as a stand alone
Amy on the other hand is struggling with the pressure of always doing what everyone else wants she wants to feel truly loved and isn't sure she will ever get that from Liam... in fact she is tired of all the campus gossip... it's truly painful to hear all of Liam's conquests with the girls on campus when they are "off" and it's time that she makes some changes while she doesn't want to be alone she has been feeling plenty alone lately and doesn't want to keep hurting everyone around her while she's floundering to keep together a relationship that clearly is no longer working.
I read the first book earlier this month and was waiting for the next one in the series to find out what happened for Theo and Amy and it did not disappoint. While I wasn't a huge Amy fan in the first book the second book clears the air and you see things from her side and why she was feeling so alone it didn't take long before I was rooting for our girl to go after what would make her happy and stand up to the men in her life who were making her feel less than.
I loved Theo finally stepping up and going for what he wanted he had waited so long for her to recognize that what they had could be amazing if she would just let down her walls and see how they could be together. This book is about loss and healing, learning self care even if that means cutting people out of your life that are not good for your mental health, moving forward to the unknown after big secrets are revealed and finding true love... it's there right in front of you if you are just willing to take those steps.
I adored this book and can't wait for the next in the series!
book blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...
*college romance *Sports romance (Football) *Indie Author *childhood friends *Frienemies --> more
*spice *fake dating *found family *ex-boyfriends best friend *slow burn *long term pining
*Grief and healing *Family drama *State Challenge --> Texas
*second in series but could potentially be read as a stand alone
February 5, 2026
I love this series. I love the found family and everyone discovering who they are as they heal. The three stars are due to editing errors - mix up with names, punctuation and wrong words used. It was enough to take away from the story but not enough to stop reading.
May 7, 2026
I really liked the first book in this series, but this one? This one got me.
The entire situation between Amy and her parents had my heart breaking in different ways. No spoilers here from me, but the whole situation is heavy. I absolutely loved how Theo showed up for her as this steady presence. I also love that we got a different perspective of him; there's so much more to him than the cocky playboy we thought we knew. You'll go through all the emotions with this book!
I will say this, though. I really, really struggled with Liam in this book. They're all supposed to be this tight-knit friend group, and he was just a colossal douche canoe the entire time. I know book 3 is his story, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how that all plays out!
The entire situation between Amy and her parents had my heart breaking in different ways. No spoilers here from me, but the whole situation is heavy. I absolutely loved how Theo showed up for her as this steady presence. I also love that we got a different perspective of him; there's so much more to him than the cocky playboy we thought we knew. You'll go through all the emotions with this book!
I will say this, though. I really, really struggled with Liam in this book. They're all supposed to be this tight-knit friend group, and he was just a colossal douche canoe the entire time. I know book 3 is his story, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how that all plays out!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews