You Were Always the One: A BRAND NEW moving and uplifting love story from Sunday Times Bestseller Debbie Howells

by Debbie Howells

Discover the BRAND NEW heartbreaking and utterly unforgettable read from International Bestseller Debbie Howells, author of For One Moment With You 🌸💔 A must-read for fans of Cecelia Ahern, Beth Moran, and Amanda ProwseHe’s the one she walked away from. She’s the one he never forgot…

Eighteen years ago, Holly broke up with the love of her life, Riggs, so she could become the ‘grown-up’ she felt ready to be. Then Miles came into her life, with the promise of everything they could be together. And for a long time, their home and family felt like enough.

But now Miles has betrayed Holly, and she finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about love, marriage and happiness.

And then she bumps into a stranger on the street. Except it’s not a stranger. It’s Riggs. And one look at him is enough to tell her – she never stopped loving him. But is it enough for her to contemplate leaving the life she’s built, even if it no longer makes her happy?

Determined to be honest with herself and with Miles, Holly starts thinking about a very different future. But then Miles makes an announcement that changes everything…

You Were Always the One is a heartbreaking – but ultimately uplifting – story about family, forgiveness, and the complicated choices love can force us to make.

Readers love Debbie ‘This book tugged on all my heartstrings. It was so beautifully written… I cried a lot. I can see this as film!’ Lucy Mitchell, author

‘A massive WOW!… An emotional journey of heartbreak, grief and loss… A powerful, magical and quite simply beautiful read… You will lose your heart to this wonderfully touching and bittersweet tale.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow… this book. It’s very rare that a book captivates me from the first few pages alone, but this one definitely did. This was so beautifully written and so well thought out. I flew through it. It’s a raw story of friendship, love, grief, and so much more… Incredible.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh boy! It’s poignant, it’s raw, it’s blooming emotional. Tissues at the ready… We don’t know what may be around the corner… A stunning read, one that took my breath away. Very highly recommended.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A book that made me cry so much… about soulmates and friendship. I loved it.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Such a moving story, have tissues nearby{::}. This could easily be a read that’ll make you cry!… Inspirational… You never know what fate will put in your way… A story of love, of loss and more.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Romance

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2026

About the author

Debbie self-published three women's fiction novels before writing The Bones of You, her first psychological thriller. It was a Sunday Times bestseller and selected for the Richard and Judy book club.
Since, she was written The Beauty of the End, The Death of Her, Her Sister's Lie, the e-book bestseller The Vow, and her latest, The Secret.
Her women's fiction novel, The Life You Left Behind will be published on 23rd February.

Follow her on Facebook at Debbie Howells writer and on Instagram @_debbiehowells.

Reviews

[Deanna Loves to Read!!:) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a "slice of life" romance that didn't quite hit with me.

Holly and Riggs were THE couple 18 years ago. However, they broke up and each moved on. Holly got married to Miles and had kids. Miles seemed to be the perfect match promising everything to Holly that Riggs could not. Riggs got married but has no children.

On the opening page, Holly accidentally bumps into Riggs on the street. AS they talk, she realizes that she still loves him. Her marriage and trust are in a difficult place as Miles had cheated on Holly 2 years ago and she cannot let go of that. Riggs marriage is simply drifting along. Bumping into each other causes both to look at their marriages and evaluate what they want in the future. Then Miles makes an announcement that will change everything.

This is not your typical romance. Holly and Riggs each are in marriages that are becoming difficult to navigate. Each is going through emotional issues that force them to look at different futures. And the road is not smooth, with simple solutions.

While I could appreciate the story, as it is well written and poses many things that made me think, I could not connect with the characters. There are definitely emotional moments, and I felt for the decisions that Holly had to make. However, I wanted more depth and insight into and from the characters. As they were making decisions, going through tough times, it read a bit flat to me. Without spoilers, there were times that Holly would be emotional about something (rightly so), then just move on. She gave deep thought on some things, and others were not as well developed.

It is an interesting story, and others have really connected with it- so this is just my personal experience and thoughts. So please read other reviews!

Thank you to NetGalley Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[vlm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, emotional and beautifully written, You Were Always the One is a story about love, loss, second chances and the difficult choices we sometimes have to make to find our way back to ourselves.

Holly’s life is turned upside down when she discovers that the marriage and future she thought she could rely on isn’t quite what she believed it was. Then, in an unexpected twist of fate, she comes face-to-face with Riggs, the man she walked away from eighteen years ago — and the one person who never truly left her heart.

I really felt for Holly as she navigated everything that was happening around her. Her story raises some thought-provoking questions about whether we can ever completely move on from our first love, whether happiness is something we should fight for, and how well we really know the people we build our lives around.

Debbie Howells does a wonderful job of capturing the complicated emotions that come with love and regret. There were moments that genuinely broke my heart, but also plenty that made me hopeful. The characters felt flawed and believable, which made their decisions all the more compelling.

There are some emotional twists along the way, and I loved watching Holly begin to question what she truly wanted rather than simply accepting the life she had created.

An utterly absorbing and poignant read that reminded me that sometimes the hardest thing isn't falling in love — it's finding the courage to be honest about what your heart really wants.

A beautiful, bittersweet story that will stay with me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one definitely pulled at the heartstrings! 💕 It’s one of those stories that makes you stop and think about the choices we make and whether it’s ever too late to change direction.

Holly made the decision eighteen years ago to walk away from Riggs, the man she loved, and chose the more settled, grown-up life with Miles instead. For a long time she thought she’d made the right choice, but after Miles betrays her, everything she thought she knew about her marriage starts to fall apart.

Then, she runs into Riggs again. And that one meeting brings all those old feelings straight back. I really liked the way the story explored the fact that sometimes you can move on with your life without ever completely letting go of someone from your past.

Holly was a character I found quite easy to connect with. She’s understandably confused and hurt, and I liked that she didn’t just make a snap decision. She has a lot to think about, especially with her family and the life she’s built over the years.

There were definitely some emotional moments in this one, and a few times I wanted to give Holly a little shake! 😂 But I think that’s what made it feel realistic. Life isn’t always straightforward, especially when love, marriage, family and old regrets all get tangled together.

I also liked that the story wasn’t just about choosing between two men. There’s a lot about Holly figuring out what she actually wants for herself and whether she’s been putting everyone else first for too long.

It was an emotional but ultimately uplifting read about love, forgiveness, second chances and those “what if?” moments that can stay with us for years.

A lovely read if you enjoy emotional women’s fiction with complicated relationships, family drama and plenty to think about. ❤️

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly broke up with Riggs many years ago. She went on to get married and have kids. Miles cheated on her before and now she's certain he is cheating again. Then she runs into Riggs again and they start meeting to talk. It starts up all the old feelings, but there are so many blocked lanes to them having anything together.

This is a story of second guessing yourself, the mate you have chosen and wondering if you gave up on someone you should have/could have loved forever. It was really emotional and dealt with some hard hitting topics like cheating, divorce, illness and death. If you're looking for a light romance, this isn't going to do it. But if you're looking for a story about disappointment followed by the hope of love, this book may be what you want. I did enjoy reading it, even though it was pretty sad at times.

Thanks to Boldwood Books for the digital copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

[Layla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately ‘You were always the one’ was not for me. I love myself a good slice of life book but this one didn’t feel like there was much to the plot. The writing style wasn’t for me and the plot moved way too fast with random short scenes. I didn’t connect to the characters either which is a shame because there was so much emotion to be felt but… they felt so hollow that I didn’t quite feel that pull I was meant to. Lastly the dialogue felt very strange and unrealistic, almost always saying not showing which is a no no for books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for giving me this opportunity and this ARC to review.

[Sharon Greenwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

"An emotionally raw and heartbreaking journey that had me holding my breath, desperate to see if two star-crossed lovers could find their way back to true happiness."

Debbie Howells has delivered a beautiful, deeply moving story about the paths we choose and the courage it takes to change direction. You Were Always the One introduces us to Holly, a woman who seemingly has it all, only to have her life upended by a massive betrayal. When a chance encounter brings her back in front of Riggs—the one who got away eighteen years ago—it sparks an incredibly emotional journey of self-discovery and second chances.

What I liked most about this book was Holly’s personal growth. It isn't just a standard romance; it’s a character-driven look at family dynamics, forgiveness, and learning to stand up for your own joy. The chemistry and history between Holly and Riggs felt genuine, and you can't help but root for them to find their way back to each other.

I did find that the narrative structure can be a bit jarring. The jumps between the past and present timelines felt quite abrupt at times, making the pacing a little disjointed in the middle sections. Additionally, the ending took a turn that might divide some readers, though I ultimately found it to be a poignant conclusion.

Overall, it is a beautifully written, uplifting, and comforting read. Fans of emotional women's fiction and second-chance romance will absolutely love it!

"Content Advisory: This book explores sensitive themes including illness, divorce, abortion, and infidelity."

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC copy of this book.

5 Excellent read - Loved it.
4 Enjoyable read - Liked It.
3 Average read - Mediocre.
2 Below average read - Mundane.
1 Regrettable read - nearly a DNF

[Daniela Mikheal-Meek · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another book I absolutely could not put down! I was so invested in the storyline that I kept finding myself wanting to read just one more chapter.

I did have a couple of things that held this back from being a 5 star read for me. When Holly and Riggs first run into each other, it’s been 18 years, and I had a hard time believing they could instantly still be so in love with each other after that much time apart. Eighteen years is a long time for two people to grow and change, so I wish there had been a little more time spent on them getting to know the people they had become rather than their feelings immediately picking up where they left off.

I also really wish the ending had happened a few chapters earlier. After spending the whole book waiting for these two to finally get their timing right, I wanted to actually experience more of them together rather than having the story end right when we finally got there. I felt like I had waited the entire book for that payoff and then barely got to enjoy it!

There were definitely some hard and emotional parts throughout the story, but they never felt unnecessary or added simply for drama. They felt like important pieces of Holly and Riggs’ journey and made me even more invested in what would happen to them.

Despite my issues with the ending, this was such an addictive read. If a book has me struggling to put it down because I need to know what happens next, it’s definitely doing something right.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this early and give my honest review!

[Eileen Cassells · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a beautiful story, centred around different types of love, loss and second chances.

I love how strong and brave Holly was throughout this story, her character showed such strength in times of deep betrayal, hurt and loss. I felt for Holly throughout as it was clear that she had lost part of herself throughout her marriage and alongside dealing with different events, struggled to find a way to focus on herself. I loved the ending for Holly, she goes through so many traumatic events in the book so this was very needed.

When she bumped into Riggs, I loved how all of a sudden they were back in each other’s lives and that we got to learn their history. I instantly liked Riggs and his fun, caring yet boyish ways. I think his journey of self discovery in this book was really powerful. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the things you want in life when you are trying to go with the flow.

Both of their journeys entwined from that point and both had to deal with monumental changes. This was so beautifully written and I absolutely devoured it.

Dora was just such a sweetheart and even though she was a die character I was really sad when her part in the book came to an end. While the focus throughout remained focused on the topics I mentioned earlier, there is a strong sense of navigating the difficulties of love and different types of love, no matter the kind and how they can have a lasting impact on you.

I read this in one sitting and if you’re looking for something that will move you deeply but also make you smile then I would highly recommend.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eighteen years ago, Holly broke up with the love of her life, Riggs, so she could become the "grown-up" she felt ready to be. Then Miles came into her life, with the promise of everything they could be together. And for a long time, their home and family felt enough. But now Miles has betrayed Holly, and she finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about love, marriage and happiness. And hen she bumps into a stranger on the street. Except it's not a stranger, It's Riggs. And one look at him is enough to tell her - she never stopped loving him. But is it enough to contemplate leaving the life she's built, even if it no longer makes her happy? Determined to be honest with herself and Miles, Holly starts thinking about a very different future. But then Miles makes an announcement that changes everything....

This is a story filled with hope, happiness, love and second chances. It's quite an emotional read. I felt the story did a lot of jumping back and forward, it stopped abruptly around the part of the story you were reading and went on to tell us another part, leaving parts unfinished. I wasn't keen on how the story ended.

Published 5th October 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #DebbieHowells for my ARC of #YouWereAlwaysTheOne in exchange for an honest review.

[SH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eighteen years after Holly broke up with Riggs, the love of her life, she has built a home and family with Miles. But when Miles betrays her, Holly begins questioning the life she has created and whether it really makes her happy. Then she unexpectedly runs into Riggs, and the feelings she thought she had left in the past come rushing back. Suddenly, Holly has to decide whether the life she has built is the life she truly wants.
I liked the premise of Holly unexpectedly reconnecting with her first love and having to reconsider the choices she made all those years ago. The book raises many questions about soulmates and whether timing is essential to the success of a relationship. This story was realistic with many challenges faced by Holly and Riggs; however, I found Holly quite difficult to relate to at times, particularly with some of the decisions she made. I understood why she was questioning her marriage, but I sometimes struggled to connect with her choices. I enjoyed the second chance romance and thought the book to be an easy read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

[Kris Zeller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a second chance romance and I liked the idea of this one, but unfortunately, it fell kind of flat for me. Essentially the two characters, Holly and Riggs bump into each other almost twenty years after their breakup and it quickly becomes apparent that there are still feelings there, especially given that neither of them is happy with the way their life has turned out since. It's a really good set up. I expected it to be about people struggling through comparing their actual life, which has day to day challenges and responsibilities, to an imagined life with the person they didn't pick. which hasn't been constrained by the hassle of daily life. This plot doesn't go like that, though. Basically they meet, instantly fall back in love, and then just as instantaneously accept the fact that the timing doesn't work. Again. It just seemed to be kind of flat emotionally, which doesn't match the very real and sometimes tragic things they deal with it. It's a cute story but given the heavy topics I expected kind of a Taylor Jenkins Reid vibe and it's definitely more for Hallmark romance.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance digital copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.
Boldwood Books, NetGalley

Riggs and Holly were meant for one another, but Holly decided she wanted more. 18 years later they see each other again and it's as if time stood still and they realize what they missed. While the feelings are there and real, neither is free. Both are in unhappy marriages. Are they destined to always miss their opportunity to be together?

This was an interesting story of two people who are definitely unlucky in love. Without giving too much away, both have good reasons to leave their marriages. I was not expecting Riggs and Holly's unique situations. Had it been me, I don't know how I would have reacted. Both choose difficult paths and while it seemed that they would eventually be together, the author kept me guessing as to how the story would end. If you like second chance stories that are pretty messy, give this one a try. You Were Always the One releases on October 5th

[Amanda · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of getting to read this through the publisher and NetGalley, but the description that followed the title was "A BRAND NEW moving and uplifting love story" - and I'm sorry but it was misleading. It WAS a moving story. But an uplifting love story it was not.

I wanted to like this story more than I did... and I stuck with this book because there were some relatable elements. At times it felt therapeutic to read something that seemed to reflect some of my own life experiences, but other times I found myself setting the book down to take a break... find something that felt more like an escape. It's depicts a somber look at marriage and love, and I found my heart feeling pretty heavy as I continued reading. It also has difficult themes around illness and death. It's not a light-hearted romance, but a deep look at life, love, and loss.

I also struggled with the MMC.. I kept wanting him to grow up and stop thinking about himself all the time. I think we were meant to feel empathetic toward him, but I couldn't get there.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Were Always the One by Debbie Howells ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was an emotional rollercoaster, and not at all what I expected. Yes, it's a second-chance romance, but at its heart it's about forgiveness, self-discovery, unconditional love, loss, and grief.

Riggs and Holly fell in love 18 years ago, and even though they were soulmates, they wanted different things out of life. Riggs was a free spirit with no interest in the conventional path, while Holly was ready for the house, the marriage, the children. So they went their separate ways.

Then fate brings them back together in a chance meeting, and every feeling they buried comes rushing back. They're both in unhappy marriages now, and giving it another go seems like the obvious answer, but life isn't that predictable, and it isn't that simple.

This book made me laugh and cry, and I stayed up all night telling myself "just one more chapter."

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a story, my heart was in my mouth so many times reading this unique story about love, betrayal and moving forward. In the past Holly broke up with the love of her life, and she has always thought what if she had stayed with him, switching to the present, she is married and has two kids but there is something not right with her marriage and when this guy comes back into her life after so many years she questions everything. Riggs the guy knows he has loved Holly all his life and will do his upmost to get her back. But when tragedy strikes Holly is left wondering if she was ever meant to be happy. This was a stunner of a story, it makes you question everything, what would you do in Holly's situation and also Riggs situation? I inhaled this story as I just needed to know what the outcome would be and it certainly did not disappoint. God I feel drunk after reading this book it was so good. I cannot wait to read Debbie's next book.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging and heartfelt read that explores second chances and the messiness of relationships. Holly and Riggs were young lovers, madly in love, when their relationship comes to a cross roads and Holly wants more, Riggs walks away. Eighteen years later they bump into each other and sparks fly. They’re now both in unhappy relationships and unresolved feelings for each other resurface. Told from each of their points of views, I enjoyed getting to know each character, their current relationship and its issues and their side of why they broke up. Covering a lot of serious issues (that are hard to mention without spoiling the story) that makes it hard for them to leave their current partners. I liked how it explores the reality of relationships and all their ups and downs. An emotional story of different types of love, connection and timing.

[Dilsee _reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

You Were Always the One by Debbie Howells is about the love story of Riggs and Holly. Riggs and Holly broke up 20 years ago as Holly wanted more and Riggs was not ready. They run into each other again after 20 years and find that they still have feelings for each other even though both are married (though not happily) and have kids.
The book has tropes of lost love, finding a way back, grief, long-term illness, and forgiveness. The concept and story are very promising; I just feel like I could not connect to any of the characters. They all sounded aloof, and while the storyline is sad, it does not end up moving you or rooting for any characters. I finished it, but sadly it was not for me.
Thank you so much to the author, Debbie Howells, Netgalley and the publisher, Boldwood Books, for the advanced copy! This book is set to be released on October 5, 2026.

[Megan Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I'm being honest, I didn't really like Holly at the start. I thought her actions and behaviour were a bit odd and I found her a bit annoying. As the book went on, I did warm to her more and come to understand her and her behaviour. Riggs was a great character, I connected to him quickly and enjoyed reading the chapters from his perspective.
Having read Howells' books before, I did guess the direction the plot would go and I was right. Firstly I felt a sense of accomplishment for guessing but then I had to read the plot, and what an emotional, heartbreaking plot it turned into. There were times during this that I was sobbing which is testament to Howells' writing style and the connection readers form to the book.
By the end of this book I loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy.

[Nicki Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley and boldwood books for the opportunity to read this in return of an honest review.

Unfortunately I just didn't enjoy this as much as I hoped I would.
I liked the idea of the story, about how life can change in an instant, how second chances can happen, and how grief can affect different people in different ways. But sadly the way it was written just didn't appeal to me. It felt like a lot of jumping around in the story. There would be a paragraph explaining something then suddenly the next paragraph was talking about something completely different which meant it left a lot of things feeling unfinished.
Not the best rating for this one, but I am grateful for the opportunity to read it.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of a mixed one for me. I really liked the premise and the whole idea of Holly coming face-to-face with the love she left behind 18 years ago, while also having to question the life and marriage she’d built since then. There were definitely some emotional moments, and I could understand the difficult choices Holly was facing.
That said, I struggled to fully connect with the characters at times, and some parts of the story felt a little predictable. I found myself wanting a bit more depth and emotion in certain places, especially given how heartbreaking the story was meant to be.
Overall, it was an easy and emotional read with some lovely moments, but unfortunately it didn’t quite have the impact I was hoping for. A solid 3 stars from me.

[Michelle Szubeczak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debbie Howells takes us on a ride . The beginning of the book has shorter dialogue between characters. I believe if there was more to the scenes I would feel a better connection with the characters. I felt it was choppy . I wanted more .
I started to get hooked in the story , halfway through the book . The story did move fast and it is a love story. The messy part of life and relationships is a big theme . Forgiveness is amazing from the main character. She is a better person than I would be if I was in her situation.
I can see this becoming a movie 🎥

If you like drama and love stories , this book is for you !

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC!

[Diane Jewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Were Always The One by Debbie Howells ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Holly's in a love triangle in her mind. It a situation that many deal with daily. Does she stay with her cheating husband (Miles) for her children or wonder what could have been? Holly's ex Riggs) shows up after 18 years after they broke up. Both Holly and Riggs wonder if they made a mistake breaking up all though years ago.
What would you do in this situation? How far will Holly go? I guess you'll have to pre-order your copy today for an October 5th release date and find out what she will do. You will be glad you did. I was.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for the advanced copy of this book for my opinion.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was essentially a love story about second chances and regrets for what had been and what could have been. Meeting again by chance after 19 years,both Holly and Riggs are married to others. Both in less than perfect situations this books follows their stories narrated in chapters through the months.
Both of them having issues in their own lives which are related with empathy.
Although I quite liked the storyline for me, there was some sort of disconnect. It felt formulaic and a bit lacking in depth.
The characters were quite good but I felt they could have been more developed.
The book had potential but just for me,failed to hit the mark.
3 star read

[Teresa Starrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel about old loves and new centers on Holly, whose husband she is having difficulty trusting because he cheated on her and Riggs, her long lost love. At a crossroads, Holly is questioning whether her marriage is worth saving as she believes her husband is continuing to be unfaithful, when she runs into the man she broke up with almost two decades ago. This has her wondering if there is still a chance for the happy ending she envisioned.
Debbie Howells always does an excellent job of showing the complexity of the choices we make and highlighting love in all its iterations.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eighteen years ago Holly left the love of her life Riggs as she wanted to settle down, which she did with Miles and had a family but life isn't as she expected when her husband has an affair though she tries to keep the marriage going till she meets Riggs again in passing and wonders what would have happened if they stayed together but things change when Holly's husband is diagnosed with a Terminal illness.
A nice romantic emotional story but Riggs character was a bit too soppy for me.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton]

A marriage in question, reacquainting with a past love... life is/gets complicated. This emotional story breaks your heart then puts it back together again. It's realistic, honest and goes deep about happiness, choices, love, forgiveness and hope. There was laughter and tears so prepare yourself. What these characters experienced definitely had a hold on my emotional state. Brilliant writing with multiple POV's. This book was a page turner, you won't want to put it down. This is not your average second chance romance. You won't want to miss this story.

[Kaytee Rowatt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley

This story was uplifting and a nice slice of life book, but it sadly did not connect with me. I felt like the writing style was hard to read at times, and the pacing was both too slow and too fast at times. I love the idea of revisiting your first love and getting a second chance together, like fated mates coming back together. But I couldn't get invested into Holly and Riggs' story the way I hoped.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

As this was the first book I've read from this author, it took me a bit to get used to her style of writing. Holly and Riggs narrate their story in alternating chapters as they reflect on the end of their relationship twenty years ago and whether a chance meeting now means they are meant to be together. Riggs is also writing a novel that is somewhat auto-biographical, so there is actually another story within the main story. It was an easy read, but the timeline seemed a bit off at a few points. Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for an advance copy to read and review.

[Tina J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully crafted and poignant tale of love, regrets, and the unexpected turns life can take.

The story is told from the perspectives of Holly and Riggs. Holly radiates warmth and compassion, while Riggs seeks an easy life and struggles to commit to anything—relationships, jobs, or otherwise.

'You Were Always the One' presents both joy and heartache for these characters, leaving readers to wonder whether Holly and Riggs will ultimately discover what they truly want from life.

Once again, Debbie Howells has provided a few wonderful hours of immersive escapism.

[Jessica Durango · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨advanced readers copy thanks to NetGalley✨

Another book I could not put down. I kept saying “just one more chapter” and then finished the book in one night. Riggs and Hollys love story is just that complicated, layered story that keeps you interested. I did find it strange at the beginning, the fact they hadn’t seen each other in 18 years and still had feelings, but it tied in. I also wasn’t a big fan of the ending, but it all worked out.