Jack Robb has always been protective of the people he loves, even at the expense of his own needs. Especially the friends that became the family he never had.
Until one horrible night changes everything.
Now, he finds himself stepping up for a friend facing an unimaginable loss. And as much as he wishes he could shove his own grief down and ignore it, helping her means he has to face it. But he can’t walk away.
Not from her, or from the unexpected little one who already feels like his to protect.
So he stays.
Through the quiet nights. The overwhelming days. The moments when her strength falters and she needs someone to hold her together.
But somewhere along the way, the lines blur. Because the way she looks at him starts to mean something more.
Because being there for her starts to feel like everything. Because protecting her starts to feel a lot like loving her.
And that means confronting the one question he doesn't want to answer.
How is he supposed to fall for her when it feels like betraying the person who meant the most to both of them?
I had the opportunity to beta read AND THEN THERE WAS YOU by Kathryn Basham, the second book in the Larkspur series — and it’s left a lasting impression on me. I’m stilllllll thinking about this book, these characters, this story as a whole weeks after finishing it.
This story follows Jack, our very practical 90° angle, khaki pants wearing, sweet as granny’s pieeee MMC, and a mystery FMC (who you will know about on release day), and it weaves together tropes like friends to lovers, love after loss, pregnancy, and found family. There are also soooo many smaller, layered moments that give the story so much depth and make it feel sooo meaningful. It’s a true slow burn, but one that feels so intentional and honestly well-earned. A true reward as a reader — trust me! 🔥
Some of the heavier, more emotional elements are handled with so much care and done so beautifully on page. While I haven’t personally experienced a loss like the one explored here, it felt authentic and thoughtfully portrayed; at times I honestly forget I was reading because I was so deep in the story— something I think many readers will connect with in a meaningful way.
This story made me laugh out loud — so many moments where I was actually cackling. I was sobbing at points, crying both happy and sad tears. I felt butterflies and even had me clapping and cheering the characters on.
There’s a lotttt I’d like to say about the relationship at the heart of this story, but sharing too much would give away the FMC. What I caaaan say is that the dynamic between the two leads is so compelling, so layered, and evolves in a way that feels natural, impactful, and is honestly so sweet and touching. This is so much more than just a romance — it’s a story about healing, growth, and the different forms love can take.
It was also rewarding to see familiar faces from the first book again. Getting a glimpse of their lives a few years later made the world feel more complete. I loved David, Ellie and Griffin from A LIFE WHERE WE WORK OUT so seeing them and revisiting their lives was such a treat!
AND THEN THERE WAS YOU releases June 5, and it’s sooo worth adding to your summer TBR. While it can be read as a standalone, reading the first book will only enhance the experience and I highly recommend starting with ALWWWO first!
** There are some content warnings to be aware of, so I’d recommend checking those beforehand — but overall, the story approaches its heavier themes with sensitivity and care.
FIVE STARS for this beautiful book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Kathryn for allowing me to beta read this one for you and trusting me as a reader with this story. This is honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read and I just know it’s going to be one that stays with me! 💚
I quite literally have no words for this book. it absolutely was phenomenal a 10/10 read it broke me apart, shattered me, healed me, and put me back together.
the journey and the ride of this book (intense af for sure) was absolutely INCREDIBLE. I have never been more invested and in love with two characters and their developing relationship.
Jack Robb, Can we just…take a freaking second 🥵🥵🥵🔥🔥 YOU MEAN DADDY FIREFIGHTER JACK ROBB Literally this man could do no wrong He loved with his entire heart and soul and he is literally a GEM. I will take zero criticism on Jack because, he’s incredible. Everything he did and how careful and sweet and gentle and loving he was with everything….like come on
The fmc, She’s a freaking HERO all on her own Everything she goes through, coming out stronger? Sometimes you get 2 loves in a lifetime and she is someone who deserved that so much and then some.
This book had me screaming, crying, feeling so nauseous I had to take breaks from it, giggling, sweating, sobbing, kicking my feet, jumping up and down, feeling hot, just literally all the feels were wrapped up in this book.
Kathryn did an AMAZING job with these characters and their development and their connection and their hardships and everything. I literally feel so in love with them separately and together. They are delicate little angel babies.
Truly a top read for me this year (and over all honestly) Jack Robbit and Pretty girl have my heart forever and always 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚
This is an emotional ride, I lost count of how many times I shed a tear or two. Kathryn Basham knows how to tell a story and honor its characters and the life they live before, during and after the story she tells.
ARC Readers have been asked not to disclose certain information such as the FMC so bear with me while I tip toe my way around this review without giving spoilers…
Jack is the PERFECT man! I fell so hard for him but also felt that he deserved more because he is always the dependable one who shows up when needed with no questions asked, no strings attached. The way he cared for the FMC and how they fell in love in the midst of a tragedy was profound. Kathryn handled their story with so much care.
The FMC was going through it hard with her grief. I admire her strength and loved getting inside her head. Her decisions and thought process made complete sense to me. Grief is not linear, it’s messy and complex. There’s no right or wrong and I adored her and her story.
This was a very believable plot and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read it. I’m excited to continue on with the series!
-Love after loss -Found family -small town -friends to lovers -slow burn -pregnancy
For starters wow, this book was so real and raw. It took me on an emotional roller coaster. This book kept me on my toes and dying to know what happened. The characters are literal perfection!! The found family/friend group is amazing. I loved this book!!
Jack is a literal knight in shining armor. He was so kind, so patient, and would literally did anything for anyone. He was down bad but also knew things needed to development on their own time.
This book is sad but also so so hopefully. I felt the characters as if I were watching them in real time. The plot was amazing even if I was heart broken. You will not regret reading this book. Watching people heal and grown in a book is one of my favorite things. It gives me so much hope with my own mental health.
Thank you to the author and the agency for allowing me to read this advanced readers copy! I can’t wait for everyone else to read this amazing book!
I recently had a friend whose spouse died at a young age, so this read felt like a tender reflection of life afterward. I loved Jack so much! He was truly the greatest friend to both Abby’s husband and Abby herself. He always tried to put her first and be there for her whenever he could. Honestly, he was such a good soul.
Abby’s character was really just trying to emotionally survive from day to day. Grief shows itself in so many ways, and I loved that she had a community of family and friends to support her. I couldn’t imagine finding out I was pregnant after my spouse died.
I loved that Abby and Jack’s romance started as a friendship and that they took the time to build that foundation before romance ever came into the picture. It felt natural and genuine. When their relationship finally became intimate, I was honestly so happy for them!
Review of Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) ‼️Release Date: June 5th
And Then There Was You by Kathryn Basham ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
This book hooked me from the first few pages. It was a sweet read with elements that I tend to enjoy: found family and love after loss. I also found the parts with the matching Halloween costumes to be quite fun. 🎃
I want to write more about relationship between the MMC (Jack) and the FMC (you’ll find out more about her on release day), but I don’t know if I could do that without spoilers regarding the FMC. So make sure to check out the book when it releases! 🥰
Note: As always, please read content and trigger warnings before starting.
I appreciate being able to read and review this Advanced Reader Copy- thank you!
I loved this book!! So much. But also be warned and look at the trigger warnings. It is heavy at times and sad. But it also is life affirming and will make you happy. It’s really everything. 💚
Jack and his girl (no name til release day) will break your heart. Grief is hard. True grief means you loved someone and cared about them. Navigating grief and sadness and loss is difficult. Watching Jack and his girl cope and wade through immense pain while also finding hope with each other is truly beautiful.
In this review I don’t want to give really anything away. Just be prepared to be sad but also be prepared to be healed. It’s a marvelous story that covers difficult topics but will leave you feeling just….love. 💚
Ok ok ok, so I just finished this book. It is so emotional and just absolutely beautiful that I just felt like I was not reading the book, but was a character of the book. I loved every single minute of reading this and cried soooo much - like ugly cried, multiple times.
The best part about it is that how honest it is about grief. It doesn't sugarcoat it or rush through it, even after you are done with the book it sits with you. I finished the book last night and i am still thinking about it.
If you are looking for a beautiful emotional read that will make you feel everything, then this is the book for you. I am so glad and thankful to Kathryn and Luna literary that I got to read this early as an arc reader. Highly highly recommend. 🤍
Literally from chapter one I was fully invested in this entire story. While I can’t give away too much per the author (you will find certain details on release day) I will say I was completely, 100 percent emotionally connected to both characters. The hold this entire book had on my whole heart was crazy. I cried my eyes out, laughed, giggled, I went through every single emotion. Over and over again. Legit so good. 10 out of 10 recommend this one.
A huge thanks to Kathryn Basham and Luna Literary for this arc. These are all of my honest thoughts and opinions.
Tropes Small town Friends to lovers Love after loss Found family Pregnancy
I was so excited for Jack story and to find out who the mystery girl was. I was so shocked and heart broken right from the very beginning. This was filled to the brim with big emotions, friendship bonds, family and finding love after loss. Navigating new experiences and sorting out feelings with what you want versus what you think is expected. Kathryn had me laughing and crying during the book. Jack was so steadfast and devoted to her and the baby. It spans a two year period of time throughout the story.
Friends to Lovers Small Town Romance Love After Loss Found Family Slow Burn Surprise Pregnancy Not his baby
This was such a lovely story and I was so happy when I was chosen as an ARC reader. We can't say much about the FMC but I will say that the chemistry between her and Jack was electric. Obviously there is a lot of love and history there and I really appreciated that. It made their relationship and dynamic so natural. Jack was honestly such a breath of fresh air, I adored his kindness, patience and of course if the FMC's thoughts are anything to go by he's pretty easy on the eyes too haha. Overall, this story was beautiful and I would happily read it again :)
It is an absolute honor to be able to read and review this book early.
This story is truly truly special. It’s real, raw, emotional, messy, beautiful, and lovely. I loved every single minute, and also cried every single minute. Our FMC and MMC have undeniable chemistry, and watching them walk through the trauma the both of them go through together was so special.
Handled with such care and gracefulness, this is truly one of my favorite books of all time.
This book made me shed some tears. The FMC who shall not be named is trying to navigate her grief journey and Through her journey she had her found family and of course she has Jack. This book was very well written and shows how everyone handle grief differently and that’s ok. I loved this and can’t wait to read more from this author.
Emotionally charged stunning romance. Wonderfully written characters with incredible depth and sensitivity. This book will take readers on an emotional rollercoaster in the very best way. I couldn’t put this story down and finished it in a day. A journey of healing and learning how big hearts can become.