The Space Between Heartbeats

by Lauren Greene

We survived the fall. Now we have to survive each other.

I’d known both brothers my entire life. Owen was kind, safe—the obvious choice. Knox was cruel, reckless, and everything I should have stayed away from.

I chose Owen.

But when a rollercoaster accident changes everything in a matter of seconds, I’m left with only the brother I was never supposed to want.

Now Knox and I are bound by tragedy, guilt, and a connection that feels both inevitable and wrong. Everyone thinks we’re leaning on each other to heal. They don’t know about the thoughts I had in those final moments. The secrets we discovered after. The way Knox looks at me like he’s been waiting for this his entire life.

They don’t know that somewhere between the grief and the accusations, something darker emerged.

Something that makes us seek each other out in the middle of the night.

Something that makes us crave the pain as much as the comfort.

Something that should scare us both.

They say trauma changes you. What they don’t tell you is that sometimes it just reveals who you were all along.

Knox was always the wrong choice. Maybe that’s exactly why I can’t let him go.


Book 1 of a Duet about forbidden love, trauma bonding, and the thin line between healing and destruction. This is a dark romance featuring morally gray characters, toxic relationship dynamics, and mature themes.

Genres: Dark Romance

323 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 7, 2026

Reviews

[Amy Capener · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what an arc. I was absolutely hooked from the beginning and if I didn’t have to do any motherly duties, I think I would’ve read this in one sitting!!! This is my first read of Lauren’s and it certainly will not be my last. TSBH follows Sawyer and Knox who have been intertwined since childhood; family friends, known each other for years, and Sawyer starts dating Knox’s brother, Owen, who she does love but she has always had love for Knox too. An extremely tragic accident occurs, killing Owen in the process and now Sawyer & Knox are trauma bonded and the tension that has been simmering between them for years finally reaches boiling point!

Lauren’s writing is SO immersive. During the rollercoaster incident I started to feel like I was there. I felt the anxiety in my stomach, my chest felt tight, I had tears in my eyes. It was written SO incredibly well. I was moved to tears many times throughout this book; it truly had some gut-wrenching moments. The tension between Knox and Sawyer, the grief, the toxicity, everything was HEAVY. Every scene was so emotionally charged.

THE CLIFFHANGER THOUGH !!!!!!! I have SO many unanswered questions 😩 I will be signing up to read the second book as soon as I physically can lol. If you love forbidden desire/love, boyfriend’s brother, trauma trauma trauma, morally grey characters.. this one is definitely for you!

[Torylee Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this in one sitting. I could NOT put it down. I was addicted from the very first page and refused to stop until I was finished. I felt like I couldn’t read it fast enough and my emotions were ALL over the place. A literal emotional rollercoaster … ha 😭 The Space Between Hearts had me invested based off of the plot and tropes alone. I will eat up a boyfriend’s brother situation… every single time. The push and pull between Knox and Sawyer had my heart racing. The angst and yearning was top tier.

“The one person I spent years trying not to want. The one I could never choose.”

Every moment they were together felt electric and I couldn’t get enough. That fucking cliffhanger had me literally gasping for air because WHAAAAAAT?!?!? I am foaming at the mouth for book two. Knox has now moved himself up my book boyfriend list and I’m not even sorry about it.
The Space Between Hearts has a page turning plot, lovers who deserve so much more and each other and a whole lot of emotional damage. I loved every single second and I seriously am counting down the seconds for book 2 😭🩵

“I watched her because I was obsessed. Because she was mine first and Owen stole her and I hated them both for it. And her fucking family ruined mine. She ruined me.”

“You’re everything.” I breathe out, ragged. “Every single thing I’ve ever wanted, Sawyer. My whole goddamn life.”

🎢𝔹𝕠𝕪𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝔹𝕣𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣
🤍𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕
✨𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕓𝕚𝕕𝕕𝕖𝕟 ℝ𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖
🎢𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑺𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒔
🤍ℍ𝕦𝕣𝕥 / ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕥
✨𝑩𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒚
🎢𝕋𝕠𝕩𝕚𝕔 ℝ𝕖𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡
🤍𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒖𝒎𝒂 𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒅
✨ℂ𝕝𝕚𝕗𝕗𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣 𝔼𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘

[hodgoreadsxo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh @laurengreenebooks what can I bloody say apart from get me book 2 please!! I had the pleasure of reading this as an arc and when I tell you the heartbreak and the betrayals and alllll the guilt seeped off the pages and into my soul, well done! I loved this, Lauren always has a way to show me why I love reading so much, I thank you for this! When it’s released I urge you allll to read it!! 5/5 ⭐️ps all I could hear was the smilers creepy laugh iykyk🤡💀🎢

[Manda Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’d hold her forever if it would make her feel any better.”

📚Type- E-ARC Wicked Reads
🎼Song Vibe- War of Hearts by Ruelle
💬POV- Dual
💞Relationship- MF
🌶️Spice- Yes

💭Thoughts at 3%
Why are you making me love Owen when I know what’s about to happen!!!!
💭Thoughts at 32%
I’m side eyeing Ella and omg WHAT WAS HE GOING TO SAY!!!
💭Thoughts at 100%
Absolutely NO WAY why would he do that when he knows what he needs to do and I need book 2 ASAP!!!!

📝Review📝
Did I stay up till 1 am to finish yes I absolutely did. Will I also be stalking socials for books? Yes I will. This story had me from the beginning you know what is about to happen so I was absolutely heartbroken right away trying to prolong the inevitable. Knox is so misunderstood and I understand the pressures he has on him as the older brother and how he keeps things to himself, and it was easy to love Owen who sees the glass half full. They very much are opposites but you can feel that brotherly love. I could see how Sawyer can fall for both of them in their own way. Now Knox’s girlfriend Ella I feel knows more than she is letting on and I am ready for book 2 because her vibe was off even when I felt sorry for her. I need book 2 so bad. This does focus more on the day and the aftermath and finding comfort in each other as well as flashbacks and that bring the story together and will really tie in for book 2.

~~What to Expect~~
🎢Trauma Bond
🎢Boyfriend’s Brother
🎢Forbidden Romance
🎢Love Triangle
🎢Toxic
🎢Angsty
🎢Family Scandals
🎢Hurt/Comfort
🎢Cliffhanger
🎢Flashbacks

~~Quotes~~
🩵Owen died and I lived. The good son and the bad son, and fate picked wrong.
🩵I don’t want you to make me feel better. I want you to make me feel worse.
🩵We’re the same Knox and I. Down here in the wreckage together, equally undeserving.
🩵I’m not running. Not this time. And neither are you.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way. The Space Between Heartbeats by Lauren Greene is one of those stories that gets under your skin and refuses to leave.

From the very first page, I felt completely pulled into Sawyer’s world. Her voice felt raw and real, and you could feel every ounce of her grief, guilt, and confusion after everything changes in an instant. The emotional weight in this story is heavy, but it is written in such a beautiful and gripping way that I could not look away.

Owen was everything safe and steady, the kind of love that makes sense. But Knox… Knox is chaos. He is the wrong choice in every way, and somehow that is exactly what makes him impossible to resist. The tension between Sawyer and Knox is intense, messy, and so emotionally charged. It is not just chemistry, it is something deeper and darker that builds with every page.

What really stood out to me was how this book explores trauma and connection. It shows how grief can blur lines and how healing is not always clean or simple. The relationship between Sawyer and Knox is complicated and at times uncomfortable, but that is what made it feel so real. You can feel how they are drawn to each other through pain, secrets, and everything they are trying to survive.

The writing is addictive, emotional, and haunting. There were moments that made my chest ache and others that had me completely captivated by the intensity of it all. This is not a light romance. It is dark, layered, and filled with morally gray characters that you will not always agree with, but you will absolutely feel for.

If you love forbidden love, emotional depth, and stories that push boundaries, this one is going to hit hard. I am already counting down until the next book because I need to know what happens next.

Five stars without hesitation. This story stays with you long after you turn the last page.

[Constance Haske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok. Wow. Well... @#$#@&!!!!!! (My live reaction to the cliffhanger this book just left me on) Lauren Greene what did you just do to me?!?!?

Alright, let me take a breath... So this book is probably going to be in my top five for the year. First, the premise is completely original. Imagine you grow up with family friends that are two brothers. You love them both in their own way. Then your families are rocked to the core when it is discovered that your father has been embezzling money from the joint family run business, sent to jail, and everyone blames him and you by association. One brother sticks by you and the other throws you to the wolves. You end up in a romantic relationship with the brother who stays, even though it's the brother who tossed you out like yesterday's garbage that you secretly pine for. In trying to patch up family relationships, your now boyfriend plans a nostalgic day at a theme park for you, him, his brother, and his brother's girlfriend. One derailed roller coaster accident later, you and the brother survive, but you both watched your boyfriend plummet to his death. And... we're not even halfway through the first book of the duet.

Second, let's talk about the writing. Impeccable pacing, vivid imagery, and visceral pining between the two main characters. The author is able to flow easily between flashbacks and present day in a way that fleshes out the characters' backgrounds without feeling gimmicky or staged. She doesn't tell you what happened - she shows you - sometimes in daydreams, sometimes in nightmares, and all the while the story builds without missing a beat.

Don't bother putting it on your TBR, just read it now.

Tropes

Shared trauma
Survivor's guilt
She's always been his
Man obsessed
He's in an arranged relationship
Organized crime adjacent
Enemies to lovers
So many secrets

Received ARC copy for free, review is my own.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Twisted Chaos PR and the author for the ARC. This is my honest review.

This is one of those stories that quietly settles in before it completely wrecks you. Following Sawyer and Knox, the story builds with an undercurrent of tension, before everything shifts around a tragic event that feels all too real, the kind of fear that creeps in as you get older and realize just how fragile life can be. That awareness lingers in every moment, making it all feel heavier and more significant.

Greene writes with an intensity that pulls you straight into Sawyer’s emotional world, and Knox's world full of conflict and duty. The grief in the aftermath isn’t clean or easy; it’s messy, confusing, and painfully human. Sawyer and Knox struggle not just with what’s happened, but with how to process it, how to feel, and whether those feelings are even “right.” That uncertainty is one of the strongest elements of the story. It doesn’t try to wrap things up neatly; instead, it lets you sit in the discomfort right alongside them.

What stands out most is how immersive the emotional journey is. You don’t just read about the heartbreak, you feel it. The pacing gives those emotions room to breathe, making the aftermath just as impactful as the event itself. It’s the kind of story that lingers, leaving you replaying moments and quietly asking yourself how you would survive something like this. The ending cliffhanger hits hard. There are so many unanswered questions and unresolved emotions that it’s impossible not to immediately need book two.

🍵 Final Verdict
A deeply emotional, heartbreakingly real story that captures grief, confusion, and love. Raw, intense, and lingering; be prepared to finish it and immediately wish you had book two in your hands.

[Ashly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I get to the review, I AM MAD AT THIS ENDING!!!! Its a cliffy obvs, but like ARE YOU KIDDING???...Sheesh.

Ok, onto the actual review:

If you go into The Space Between Heartbeats by Lauren Greene expecting a sweet, healing romance… absolutely not.

This is trauma bonding, bad decisions, and “we should not be doing this but we literally can’t stop” energy.

Tropes:
Two brothers
One “safe” choice (Owen)
One walking red flag (Knox)
and a catastrophic accident that immediately ruins everyone’s lives

And guess who she’s stuck with after?
Yeah. The wrong one. Obviously.

Knox is very much:

Rude
Reckless
Emotionally unavailable
and somehow still the one she can’t stay away from

Like this man is not trying to be likable. He’s just out here being intense and slightly unhinged, and then suddenly it’s:
“I hate you” → “why are you the only one who understands me” → “oh no this is worse than hate”

The FMC? Also not making great choices, but like… respectfully, who would in this situation. She’s dealing with: grief, guilt, secrets, and the realization that maybe she picked the wrong brother before everything even happened

And the tension?? Not subtle. Not healthy. Not stable.

Is it healthy? No.
Is it emotionally stable? Also no.
Did I eat it up anyway? Obviously. Cause I am a glutton for punishment clearly

This is peak “wrong person, wrong time, wrong everything… but also right” romance chaos.

If you are looking for:

The brother you were not supposed to want
Grief + guilt + tension all mixed together
“this is messy and I’m not stopping” energy

…and it delivers exactly that. But Holy hell that cliffhanger!!!!

[Susan (Purplegalaxyreads94) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I’d like to thank Lauren Greene and Twisted Chaos PR for the gifted eARC of The Space Between Heartbeats to read and provide my honest and spoiler free review.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Thoughts:
I am quite literally unwell! This book consumed my entire day from start to finish. Everything about it was just perfect. The way I felt for these characters and the amount of emotions that went through me while reading this were just all over the place.

For a book that’s described as being about forbidden love, trauma bonding and the thin line between healing and destruction, Lauren Greene definitely delivered. Trauma is always such a heavy topic and there was definitely a traumatic event that happened in this book but I think what really hit me was how I related to the family dynamics and the tension between two families. Seeing our FMC, Sawyer, being trapped between two brothers that have become her comfort only to be treated differently due to the actions of her father just made for a very tension filled story.

I think the idea of choosing comfort because it’s safe is something a lot of readers can relate to. It’s a very powerful and normal human tendency but being faced with something traumatic usually tends to be the one thing that pushes people out of their comfort zone because you learn that there is no guarantees in life and it’s important to live life without regrets. That’s what Sawyer and Knox are ultimately up against and I was following their journey to the very end. The trauma, the healing, the destruction of each other, the story that is yet to be continued…I just have a feeling my Sawyer and Knox are going to have a permanent place in my heart and I cannot wait for book two.

[Lesa Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin? This is such an emotional read you will need your tissues. The story between Knox and Sawyer is so heartbreaking and gut wrenching you can’t help but continue to read. Then add in the mystery behind what happened with her family. The accident is so perfectly described you feel as if you are there involved to.

I hate to love Knox and damn does he make it hard not to. Several times I was calling him not nice names but then he would weasel his way back into my heart. Seeing all that he had to carry on his shoulders made my heart ache but at the same time you hate him for the way he treated Sawyer in the past and how he won’t do the right thing in the present.

Sawyer clearly has and will always have feelings for Knox. I feel like she settled with Owen. But at the same time if Knox wasn’t how he was would Sawyer even be with Owen? Of course, if that happened then the whole storyline would be different and we wouldn’t have this beautifully written tragic romance.

You can feel the mutual feelings with Knox and Sawyer oozing off the pages and that makes the spicy moments so much better.

Owen and Ella there is something about you two and how you acted together and the secrets you’re hiding that makes me hate you.

Freaking brutal cliffhanger leaving me wanting book 2 stat and my love for Knox is barely hanging on by thread. So many questions I need answer and I now book 2 will have those.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic for multiple reasons. I was a lucky lady and received the ARC 😈🖤🖤

1. I love a good love triangle, with the classic “golden retriever” and the “black sheep” tropes. Owen is definitely the “golden retriever” being the perfect, sweet golden child of the family. And then you have Knox who is 💯 the black sheep. His angst, longing, tortured self battling his internal warfare he causes one million percent himself. This guy literally does every wrong thing to make matters constantly worse for himself, but man do you cheer for the guy.

2. I was not expecting the book to play out the way it did. The beginning built the story quickly and then progressed into the tragedy that happened. I read a lot, all genres. But I have never read a scene like this one before. The suspense leading up to when they even put their belongings in that locker. The writing made me feel every emotion, heartbreak, and fear. I was on the edge of my seat reading this scene. Some amazing writing Lauren!

3. Now with great writing comes with the ups and downs the writes puts the readers through. Girl, you ripped my heart out! That ending! I’m devastated. Especially since this is the ARC! How long will we have to wait to know how this story will play out.

Thank you for an amazing read that I devoured in one day. I couldn’t put it down and I can’t wait to see how this story unfolds. Sawyer deserves happiness and so does Knox. 😈🖤😈

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝗛𝗲’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗲. 𝗛𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗢𝘄𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘆. 𝗧𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲.”

The Space Between Heartbeats is a dark romance and book one of the Free Fall Duet. This was my first book by this author and this one exceeded my every expectation! From the very first page, I was completely hooked and devoured this in one sitting. My emotions were all over the place reading this and it wrecked me in the best way. The push and pull dynamic between Sawyer and Knox was everything. I was living for all the angst and yearning and could not get enough of these two. And that ending!?! I cannot wait for the second book.

🎢Forbidden romance
💔Trauma bonded
🎟️Angsty
🎢Boyfriend’s brother
💔Hurt/comfort
🎟️Toxic relationship
🎢Family scandals
💔Cliffhanger ending
🎟️Both are morally grey

“𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱. 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘄𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲. 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲.”

“𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘅 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀, 𝘆𝗲𝘁 𝗜 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗹. 𝗛𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁.“

“𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗲. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂.”

“𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗲. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲. 𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜’𝗺 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲.“

[Ali Bourikas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gets 7.5/10. I absolutely loved this book, and could have easily given it a 9. You 100% need to read it if you like messy morally grey men and their relationships.

One of the reasons I love the book is the characters feel real. Even when Knox is behaving like a complete a-hole. I still believe that due to circumstances this is how he’d behave.

Trauma has bonded Sawyer and Knox together irrevocably. After surviving a disaster on a rollercoaster that killed her boyfriend, his brother, Owen. Heat has been simmering between them for years and it comes to a head in the worst way. The two of them realize that they are unable to stay way from each other.

The spicy scenes leave you wanting more, in the best way. 3/5 on spice level. The cliffhanger ending had me shaken, and I’m not sure I can handle wait till September to find out how that idiot Knox gets out of the mess he put himself in.

I love and adore Knox…until the cliffhanger. The literal last page is why I couldn’t give it that 9/10. It had me in a bad way, but not in a good way. Cliffhangers can have you horribly messed up, but in the absolutely best way possible. But…this wasn’t that for me. Even if I sort of understand way…

But I’m not going to spoil any of it. Because despite the last page, I absolutely ADORE this book, and you absolutely have to read it. Once you read it, then we can discuss that final page.

[Cheyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is grief turned intimate, guilt turned complicated, and desire that feels almost inevitable.
From the start, there’s a tension that never really settles. It builds through unspoken feelings, buried history, and the weight of everything the characters aren’t ready to face yet. You can feel that something deeper has been there for a long time, even before the story begins, and watching it surface under the worst possible circumstances is what drives so much of the emotional impact.
The grief in this book is heavy, but it’s not the only thing at play. It’s layered with guilt, confusion, and a kind of want that feels both undeniable and complicated. The characters are constantly caught between what they feel and what they believe they should feel, and that push and pull creates a tension that carries through every interaction.
There are also underlying secrets and family dynamics that add another layer of pressure, making everything feel more unstable as the story progresses. Nothing exists in isolation, every choice, every reaction, feels tied to something bigger beneath the surface.
Overall, this is a very emotionally driven story that leans into the chaos. It’s not meant to be easy, but it is incredibly engaging.
And the ending… definitely leaves you needing the next book.

[Jamie McKell Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy

I honestly don’t know how to put into words how this book made me feel but I’ll try. This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster (pun intended) I honestly didn’t know where this book would go. I can definitely say I’m pretty scared of rollercoaster now and will think twice before going on one. This book gave me summer I turned pretty with scorpion kings vibes. Childhood friends to enemies to lovers. A forbidden romance of her being his brother’s girlfriend. You could tell they had a history and you wanted them to be together but you also felt bad for the brother. Seeing him fight and hide his feeing the whole time while crying “why don’t you just tell her!” It was truly hard to put this book down after you got past the part of crying your eyes out over the accident. Lauren’s writing brings you right into the book and it felt like I was almost strapped into the rollercoaster with them. If you weren’t afraid of rollercoaster I promise you will after reading this book. I do have to say once you get past it you get a beautiful love story of each of them fighting their attraction for each other. This book does end on a cliff hanger so please prepare yourself. Overall an amazing book and I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2!!

[Jennifer Amaral · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Vibes first because this one?? HEARTBREAKING, DARK, and completely CONSUMING 👀🖤🔥**

• brother’s girlfriend / forbidden love
• grief + trauma bonding
• morally grey, toxic dynamics
• “he was always the wrong choice” energy
• emotional slow-burn into something darker

Yeah… this one WRECKED me.

The Space Between Heartbeats isn’t just romance—it’s grief, guilt, and everything messy that comes after something shatters your world 👀

She chose the *right* brother…
until everything changed.

And being left with Knox??
Yeah… that’s where things get complicated.

Because this isn’t soft healing.
It’s raw. It’s uncomfortable. It’s that pull toward something you *know* you shouldn’t want—but can’t walk away from 🖤

And Knox??
Dangerous in a quiet way. Like he’s been waiting… like this was inevitable the whole time.

The tension between them??
Not just chemistry—it’s grief, secrets, and something darker building underneath it all 🔥

✨ This is a 5⭐ because:
• the emotional depth hits HARD
• the dynamic is messy, toxic, and addictive
• the tension builds in a way you can’t ignore
• it leaves you thinking long after you finish

✨ If you love:
• dark romance 🖤
• forbidden relationships
• trauma-driven stories
• morally grey, complicated characters

This one is intense, emotional, and completely impossible to put down 👀🔥

[Crystal D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! I knew going in this would absolutely be a rollercoaster of emotions no pun intended ifkyk and it absolutely was!

One girl two brothers both she loves but only one she truly wants. Ones the safe bet the other is raw emotion that probably scares her but she needs it to breathe.

The writing was amazing I truly felt I was there I swear I was going to have a panic attack while reading the theme park scenes. The lies the secrets like wth is going on!!

I truly hate when the dumb guys in these books can’t just use their words and explain stuff. That cliffhanger.. it could have been avoided w the truth. I wanted to hate Knox allot in this book but gosh he’s really really hard to hate. Owen my guy what did you do!?! I’m assuming o know what him and Ella did but I might be wrong who knows.

The parents of course you’re going to hate them…they are horrible! I can’t wait for book 2 I’m hoping for a hea cause this all has to be worth it right!?!

[Lauresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay Lauren,
I am obsessed. I’ll genuinely read anything Lauren writes and she always welcomes my messages mid read with open arms,
But these two? Knox and sawyer? Have a place in my heart forever,
The cliff hanger at the end?
Forbidden love type shit? Forced proximity, ugh I am such a sucker.

The roller coaster??????? Actual roller coaster and metaphorically?????

If you love yearning, spice, tears and a die hard love, this book is absolutely for you. I cried and laughed and screamed.

10/10 for me
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

“She tastes so damn good, feels like she was made for me”

“I don’t want you to make me feel better, I want you to make me feel worse”

“But you liked it didn’t you? Liked me claiming you in front of all those people”

“Fucking shame too princess, because you taste delicious”

“I’ll make sure you feel me for days”

“With me. Ready to be filled. By me”


I cannot get enough of these two ugh.

Lauren you have done it again

[Shawna Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just, WOW! The raw emotional turmoil Sawyer and Knox experience losing Owen is unlike anything else I’ve read. The way Lauren Greene describes the details of the roller coaster accident, the thoughts, feelings (both emotional and physical), sights and sounds was so vivid that my heart was racing and tears welled up in my eyes!! I enjoyed the flashbacks from when Owen, Knox and Sawyer are all growing up together, having the chance to see their relationships change over time, allowing for more depth in the characters. You’re really able to understand and resonate with Sawyer and Knox through their grief, forbidden desires, and mental anguish. I found myself feeling similarly torn, rooting for their relationship to finally take place while also understanding that wanting it to happen is wrong on so many fronts. Pitfall after devastating pitfall, finally finding what they want in each other only to end on a HUGE WTF CLIFFHANGER!!!!!! I need book two, like, yesterday!!!!!

[Marci Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for something that’s going to hit you right in the feelings… this is it. The tension is everywhere. Not messy, but constant.

Every single scene is emotionally charged, not just between Knox and Sawyer, but in everything happening around them. You can feel it all building as it leads up to the worst day of their lives, and honestly, it doesn’t let up after that. If you’ve ever experienced grief, this one is going to hurt in a very real way.

It’s beautifully written and completely pulls you in. I flew through it, even while my heart was breaking the whole time. There’s no real break from the emotional weight, it just stays with you.

I usually hate cliffhangers, but this one actually worked for me. I’m glad I get a little space now to sit with everything, try to recover, and get ready for the next book to absolutely wreck me all over again.

Thank you to the author and Twisted Chaos for this advance copy.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sawyer is calm and sweet but sass and mouthy when needed. She’s been criticized and picked on because of what her dad has done and yet she keeps her head up and still tries. She tries to pick the safe route which is why she’s with Owen. He’s the safe reliable one.

Knox the broody type whose trying to save his dads company he’s the son that isn’t the golden boy. He keeps his feelings to himself and hides them behind the walls he’s built. But he’s always wanted her, he watches her knows anything and everything about her.

What they survived has brought them together in a way. Will they make it? Will they get their happily ever after?

Lauren did an amazing job with this book and I’m so ready for the next one. I was on an emotional roller coaster reading this but couldn’t put it down. Absolutely loved this book.

[Jules (After Hours Club) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this one… and I’m already counting down the days until book two.

I’ve been a reader for as long as I can remember, but it’s rare to find a story that doesn’t just tell you what the characters feel—it makes you carry it with them. The guilt, the grief, the confusion… it all settles in your chest and lingers long after you’ve put the book down.

And then there’s Knox and Sawyer—the tension between them is sharp, addictive, and impossible to ignore. Every interaction feels like it could unravel everything.

I devoured this in one sitting, completely pulled into the storm of it all. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t just stay on the page—it seeps into you.

5/5 stars from me!

If you’re drawn to darker, emotionally heavy romance, keep this one on your radar.

[Tiarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen-when you see one of your favorite authors have written a new book and you're an arc reader for her, you just hit accept-YES PLEASE! BUT you dont read it to see what its about and shes got you crying [worth every tear] but crying in the first 20% of the book.

Sawyer has been friends with Knox and Owen (brothers) since kids. Knox always felt something for Saywer but when Owen got to her first, he instantly went to rage about it. Family scandals happend and Knox begun to hate Sawyer even more but Owen became her lifeline. A horrible tragedy struck and it made Knox and Sawyer become close like he always dreamt of til secrets came out and Sawyer seen everything she needed and realized-was all his words just lies?

"Because if I have to look at Knox Aldrich for one more second, I'll either scream, cry, or walk over there and burn it all down"

[Luvleepati · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

💜 Boyfriend’s Brother
🖤 Forbidden Romance
💜 Cliffhanger

Just an FYI this does end in a cliffhanger so if that’s not your thing them do wait, but besides that this book was so captivating that I couldn’t put it down. Lauren did an amazing job with this story; she kept taking you back in time to get a better glimpse of the relationship these 3 characters had and help you understand the hostility was understandable. She also kept throwing things at you that were unexpected to suck you in more. Sawyer and Knox were childhood friends along with Owen, his brother, but after a tragic accident we lose Owen and that brings them closer together, but there are secrets and unexpected actions that drive them apart. I can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. These are my honest thoughts.

[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart. At 31% in my heart was in my hands because that wasn't their last interaction before...😭

I could not put this book down and any time my heart felt like it was slowly being stitched back together it was ripped wide open again. Relating to losing someone you love in a traumatic way and griefs journey in the aftermath - the guilt, the absolute heartbreak and everything that comes along with loving people in different ways.

The way this book ended...hurt...then again this one pretty much hurts from the beginning because you know going in that it will it just surprised me how much. I need part two to this duet, yesterday.

If you enjoy books that rip your heart out and take you on an emotional ride - then grab this one! I hope that you enjoy the journey it takes you on.

[Kate Fordham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book that has me thinking OMG you cant just end there.

This is a very emotional book, and if you have grief triggers please be warned before going into this book.

Knox and Sawyer, you can feel the love they have for each other but family circumstances keeps them apart.

Sawyer has been in love with Knox from when they were teenagers but when her Father is involved in a scandal, she became the town outcast.

Knox is Obsessed with Sawyer and always will be there for her whether she wants it or not.

After the accident they finally come together in grief only again to be torn apart by family obligations.

I need book 2 like now ... because you felt Sawyers devastation at the end. I really hope Knox can get her back and not crush her again.

[Josie's kindle era · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
I feel lucky to have been able to read thos arc as it was fantastic! I very nearly devoured it in one sitting i did 90%! This is my first Lauren Greene book but it most definitely won't be the last! I loved Lauren's writing style in pulled me in from the first page!

The story follows Swayer, Owen and knox one girl and two brothers, they have been friends from been children but disputes in the family almost broke them all apart . One brother loves her one hates her or does he?? And does she only love one brother? A tragic accident happens we have trauma, we have bonding, we have smut and we have one hell of a cliffhanger!

Which brother gets the girl? You'll just have to read it to find out!

I was like wait... what no way it's ended like that i need book two immediately!

[Nat’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I need the second book now. Owen, Sawyer, and Knox are the trio I never knew I needed. I liked Owen’s golden retriever persona but I loved Knox’s German Shepherd persona even more. Sawyer is such a great FMC and I could feel her pain through the authors words. This novel is so beautifully tragic and I cannot wait for the next part.

I highly recommend this to those who like morally grey characters, a deep trauma bond, boyfriend’s brother trope, and an intense cliffhanger.

Thank you to the author for letting me be part of this ARC. Please note all reviews are my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I don’t want you to make me feel better.” Her lips are inches from mine. “I want you to make me feel worse.”


WOW! This book was a roller coaster 🎢 of drama. If you’ve ever watched Dynasty this has those vibes and I devoured it. It gave me that old money feel. That drama and scandal I crave from tv shows. And the ending left me chomping at the bit for part 2. Like Lauren come on….that cliffy 😅😑😭


I don’t wanna give too much away but I am a Owen hater. I was from the beginning. And honestly golden retriever men will always be making me angry. 😡

Knox was the typical bully but it was playful similar to the teasing in a schoolyard in an adult prank style way. Like the closer scene 🥵🥵. But that man had the “keep my wife’s name out your mouth” energy from day 1 for Sawyer.

I cannot wait to get my hands on part 2.

[Carissa Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot express to you how much I both loved and hated this book. It is so remarkably well written, but that is what makes me hate it even more. Lauren made me fall in love with these characters, HARD and FAST! The tension is palpable from the very beginning and so is the chemistry. It may be toxic but boy is it FIRE! I refuse to give away any of the plot, but you 10000% need to read this book if you love a story that's angsty, forbidden, and has an "are you kidding me?" ending that will leave you feeling some sort of way. Guard your heart because The Space Between Heartbeats has the power to destroy it.