Then There Was You

by S.L. Scott

The time is now.

New emotional and hopeful standalone novel by New York Times bestselling author S.L. Scott.

I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to smile, to laugh, and to really live. Until I met him.

Heart-stoppingly handsome.
Totally forbidden.
Keats Matthews looked at me like I was something special.

He was escaping his past. I wanted to escape my present. Together, we fell hard and fast and knew we had found forever. Or so we thought …

Six years later, his shoulders are broader than I remembered, his charming smile thaws my frozen heart, and it’s so tempting to run my fingers through his hair like I did years ago. But it’s the tenderness and warmth in his brown eyes that remind me of the forever we almost shared.

It’s magic when we’re together again. Our chemistry has only magnified. Seeing him, confident and more irresistible than ever, has me falling for him all over again and hoping for a second chance.

But he still believes our timing was off before. He’s wrong. It was the secret I kept hidden that was our undoing. Time hasn’t healed old wounds, and not everything hidden has come to light. When it does, we’ll stand together or fall apart. Either way, we must find out.

~

Author's This contemporary standalone packs in the romance, heart-swoons, and love that never dies, but does not contain cheating or love triangles. It's one love in this book. Two souls that are meant for each other who will have to overcome obstacles to be together.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Second Chance Romance, He Falls First, Contemporary

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2026

About the author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, S.L. Scott, writes character driven, heart-racing suspense, and swoony romances that will leave you glued to the page. With stories ranging from witty beach reads to heart wrenching and heart healing, her stories are highly regarded as emotional, relatable, and captivating.

Her books are more than escapes for the voracious readers of today. They are journeys of the heart that always come with a happily ever after reward at the end.


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**Make sure to follow her here on Goodreads and Amazon.

Reviews

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

the setup…
Keats Matthew’s is a university student struggling to make ends meet. He’s working as a server at a ritzy mansion where the pay will be substantial. During a cigarette break, he runs into a charming young woman who returns to the house before he gets her name. Later he discovers she’s Sosie Stansbury, the owner’s daughter, celebrating her birthday. Feeling a bit duped, he wants to reject her apologies but Keats is already smitten and the two run off for a whirlwind 24 hours. But when she later disappears, he goes to her home and her father refuses to let him see her, forcing him away with serious threats. Fast forward six years to present day when Keats and Sosie have a surprise encounter that changes everything.

the heart of the story…
Sosie is just as enamored of Keats as he is of her. You have to accept this was a love at first sight, which I was able to do given they were young and that day spent together was pretty memorable. She’s that rich girl without the spoiled behavior but has always been under the steel thumb of her overbearing father. She has no idea of how to break away and live independently. I admired Keats who succeeded despite a miserable childhood and is an admirable guy. His love for Sosie never wavered.

the narration…
Erin Mallon and Tor Thom felt ideal as Sosie and Keats, respectively. I enjoyed their performances and storytelling skills.

the bottom line…
It’s hard not to like Keats and Sosie, both individually and as a couple. The communication misdirects weren’t drawn out and perfectly fit the situation as Sosie had a lot of maturing to do. Their romance drew me in despite the insta love start because they got each other so naturally. I enjoyed this story of star crossed lovers who beat the odds.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to Hambright PR and the author for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)

[Kelsey reviews•books]

I really wanted to love this and I feel like I gave it a good try, but at 54%, I am DNFing.

The premise sounded great: right person/wrong time, he falls first, forbidden love, found family…

But these two characters meet, fall in love, sleep together, and break up in 12 hours (give or take). Which, ok, I can believe that’s happened IRL, so I suspended my disbelief. But then the FMC’s rich dad forbids her to see him again, but instead makes her “be friends” with the son of a business partner. And the MMC is bereft, tries to get her back, but the dad threatens him.

And they don’t speak or see each other again for six years. But they still are so in love with each other they’ve never had a romantic partner since that night they met. And they remember so many details.

So, this one wasn’t for me. I wish the book success with the right audience.

Spice: open door
Tropes: strangers to lovers, right person wrong time, rich girl x poor boy, forbidden love, he falls first, found family, NYC setting, author MMC
Content warnings: child abandonment, controlling father, being cut off

Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. This comes out March 27, 2026.

[Natalie Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know what I find unrealistic this book!! The characters met for one night, had some dinner and hooked up and then went their separate ways for 4 years.

So you’re telling me, these 2 strangers fell in love after one night and refused to get with anyone else, saving themselves for each other. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes every time they were like, “I know it was only one night and they are a total stranger but they are my soul mate”.

Like give these characters some friends to put them in their place. Cause if this was my friend, I would be like girllllllll get a fucking life!! You had ramen and had sex, move onnnn.

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars.

"Then There Was You" by S.L. Scott is fine, but it's not my favorite book. I enjoyed how Sosie and Keats meet one night, spend only a few hours together, and are destined to be together, only to have her father intervene and separate them long-term (I'm talking YEARS, like, almost a decade!). Sosie must go back to her golden, gilded cage, trapped and forced to comply with everything her family wants, including who she "dates." She has given up everything she loves, like photography and her short haircut, all to please her father. Keats is about to graduate after years of pulling himself up by his bootstraps. He spends the next several years making a name for himself in elite circles. I must admit, this book did not quite grip me like I wanted. I think the beginning is super strong, their reconnection is good, and the ending is fine, but there's a big, big chunk in the middle that's just sort of "meh." It's not *bad,* it's just not as emotionally moving and engaging as I had hoped it would be. I think it's probably because Sosie and Keats only spend a limited amount of time with one another and then chase shadows of each other for many years in the aftermath. I'm not discounting that some love stories happen *that* quickly, but the set-up felt a little bit too easy and not oomph-y enough. I did enjoy the dual narration from Erin Mallon and Tor Thom, and without their vocals, I probably would have DNF'ed this book.

Thank you to S.L. Scott and Hambright for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Hayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

First off, I just want to mention that I had no idea that this had insta love and if I had known that I probably wouldn't have picked this up because I'm not a fan of it. However, with that being said, after pushing through the first few chapters, I was glued to the book and couldn't put it down.

I did really enjoy the storyline and watching the two main characters reconnect after being separated for years. I love a second chance romance so I really enjoyed reading about them coming back to each other. The storyline was also super fast paced and kept you turning the pages which I also loved.

I can't really pinpoint exactly what I didn't love about this story but I think overall it was just the insta love. It was hard to fully connect to the main characters because they immediately fell in love within the first day of meeting each other which made it hard to be emotionally invested in the story.

With all that being said, this unfortunately wasn't my favorite but I did still enjoy it and I know there are a lot of people out there who would love this one! If you don't mind insta love and are a fan of second chance romance and forbidden love, then I think you should give this one a try!

[Scarlett Reading]

3.5 stars, was not my favorite. There were so many things that I wanted to love but I just didn’t… I am sure it is me though and others will love it more than I did!

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

LISTEN, I’ve read some really great stories by this author in the past, but this was more. I don’t even know how to explain the depth of what I feel right now typing this review, let alone all the feelings I had while reading/listening to this journey. Yes, I did both. From start to finish. Not a read-along, full read and full listen because it is that kind of story! As far as stories that are what I call “two ships in the night” or “missed connection” this has to be one of the tops of the top’s reads that I have ever read. (pretty sure there’s a grammar error in there, but I don’t care) I was feeling some kind of way from the get and it didn’t stop. That needs to be celebrated because it doesn’t happen as often as I’d like. So, 👏👏👏👏👏!

Do I believe in the concept of “love at first sight”? No, not really. But I do believe in “connections at first sight” that can irrevocably change the course of your life in a nanosecond. I also believe these connections can be so powerful that one might equate it to the very powerful feeling of love. I believed in this story and in these characters from the very beginning because of my belief in this concept and because their story was written in a way where not believing would simply equal not understanding the assignment! LOL It was a flashing neon sign from the very beginning. Yes, some aspects of the story seemed a tiny bit unrealistic, but I believed, so I trusted. *shrug*

Keats & Sosie had a connection like I described above, but choices were made, and that connection frayed. It never snapped, just frayed. Connections such as theirs don’t snap easily and this story proved that beautifully. I am so ridiculously proud of every single aspect of this story that I want to tell you ALL the things and nothing at all because experiencing this story without knowing a single thing about it except the author’s name was the best decision I made.

The amount of times I waved my fist in the air and screamed “YES!” is countless! This story is a lot more than a romance journey. It’s a life journey. It’s a story of empowerment. It’s a story of knowing your worth, to yourself and others. It’s a story of consequences. It’s a story of how easy it is for different people to view and experience the same exact path completely differently. It’s a story of learning the only control you have is the choice you make; what happens because of that choice is completely out of your hands. Best of all, it’s a story that depicts the age old saying of “love always wins” perfectly. You have to believe, and I did!

Listening to this story thru the lens of Erin Mallon and Tor Thom’s narration was a priceless gift. I began my journey reading this story but as soon as the ALC was available I began to listen and then I was lost for hours on end, all over again. I only thought I felt this story when I read it. You can’t listen to an emotional story such as this one, performed by two exceptional narrators and not get lost in the story for hours on end. It was magnificent and time well spent!

You know what's really funny and I can't explain? This story is actually not unique in its circumstances. In fact, it’s more cliché than anything else. But yet I was enraptured by all of it and my heart wanted to burst as every circumstance unfolded. *shrug* It’s a mystery … or is it the talent behind the words? *wink*

[Kellie Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ Arc & ALC Review
✨ Tor Thom & Erin Mallon
✨ Narration Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For me this started off great but then I felt it was very repetitive with the FMC and her needing to overcome the issues with her controlling father. I do enjoy insta-love but I couldn’t understand the fact that Sosie and Keats met for a night and separated for YEARS and still were so in love with one another. There was a lot of back and forth making it difficult to connect to the characters and I wasn’t a huge fan of the fast change in timelines. I will say the spice was spicing and when these characters were together it was great. However, it felt dragged out and could have been much shorter than it was. But I’m glad that they got there happily ever after finally. With that being said, this did fall flat for me unfortunately.

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read a book by S.L. Scott I remember why she’s one of my go-to romance authors. Her stories just hit emotionally every single time, and Then There Was You was no exception.

This is such a beautiful second-chance love story. Keats and Sosie shared something powerful years ago, but life, timing, and secrets pulled them apart. When they cross paths again years later, all those feelings come rushing back and it’s impossible not to root for them.

I absolutely loved their story. The emotions felt real, the connection between them was undeniable, and I was completely invested in seeing them find their way back to each other. S.L. Scott has such a way of writing romance that just pulls you in and makes you feel everything.

Another beautiful love story from an author whose books I always look forward to reading.

[Amanda Hopwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this a 3.25 but ya know Goodreads needs to update that !!

This was an advanced listening copy for my honest opinion

This was a first book for me from this author and it was an ALC, the Narrators did a great job. The story just didn’t completely hit for me.

I truly liked the concept of meeting your soul mate and knowing it was them from the first look. The FMC having a father trying to control her life. All while deciding to finally stick up for herself and become her own person out from her father’s shadow.

The middle just kind of fizzled for me but it had strong start and finish.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Keats and Sosie's romance despite it being a little unrealistic with the instalove and then not seeing each other for a few years, but still feeling very much in love. It's written in such an entertaining way that I just relaxed and went for the ride. They were sweet, determined, and when together they had great chemistry. Erin Mallon and Tor Thom do a fantastic job narrating the audiobook in duet and making it a pleasure to listen to this love story.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Brooke ✌︎㋡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love books by S. L. Scott! This one, however, didn’t exactly hut the spot for me? I loved the entire story surrounding Sosie and Keats. I felt a little disconnected from Sosie. 90% of her life was her stressing about NOT being controlled by her destiny that her mother and father (mainly her father) have set in place for her. When she’s with Keats, you really start to get to see the character come out and then it goes right back to her constantly trying to figure things out.

I loved Keats and his entire story of fighting to get to where he is and become a famous author. Also, how Keats and Sosie’s HEA turned out.

Other than that, this would have been better off as a novella in my honest opinion. Too many parts were repeated and dragged out. Still an enjoyable story though.

Thank you so much to Hambright PR and S.L. Scott for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

Tropes✨

🙅🏻 Forbidden Love
🥰 He Falls First
💕 Second Chance Romance
🏚️ Found Family
💫 Star-Crossed Lovers

[Jenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you to the author, and The Author Agency for providing me with E ARC, in exchange for an honest review*

I loved Sosie and Keats’s story. Don’t you just love those names? They are so unique, just like the characters. Then There Was You is a story where you know that you are going to love the characters from the moment that you meet them. That’s the feeling I got from Sosie and Keats. This is the type of romance book that I love. I have read a lot of romance books, but this one… it was so raw and so beautiful, and I saw Keats and Sosie’s story play out like a movie in my mind. I rooted for them throughout the book; these two belong together.

I liked how Sosie and Keats met, and it didn’t take long to see how powerful their connection was. The way S.L. Scott described their emotions and connection, I felt those emotions, as if I were part of the story. It was a beautifully written love story, and I couldn’t get enough. Then There Was You is the type of story that will have you turning the pages until the last page. This is the book that I read when I couldn’t sleep. I loved escaping into Sosie and Keats’s story.

This was a very moving and emotional book, and I loved everything about it. I loved the way that the author described the setting; I pictured myself there. I loved both Sosie and Keats, but of the two, Sosie is the one who went the furthest. She had endured so much. I loved that Keats supported her every step of the way. Then There Was You is the story I wish I could give more than five stars to. I would highly recommend it for romance fans. This was my second book by S.L. Scott, and I can’t wait to check out her others.

[Bai ♡︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to S.L Scott & Hambright for this arc + alc!

the premise sounded so interesting- right person, wrong time. meeting again later in life. forbidden love, found family. a woman trying to escape her unhappy, restrictive life.

at first, i disliked the main male character from the very first chapter. i don’t like when the mmc immediately sexualizes the fmc / love interest. why is the first thing you think about is how you’d hold her tits? and he thinks she’s spontaneous because she’s wearing docs & converse instead of heels? i strongly dislike that cliche. he becomes obsessed with her after a first meeting over a shared cigarette? i was entirely unimpressed with him for the first few chapters of this book, but he did get better as he gets older throughout the story. both characters were a bit dramatic for me, especially for their first night together. “i finally found you” on the first meeting? and at the ripe age of (barely) 21? i believe in fate too, but that was a bit ridiculous for me. i don’t like insta love in general, it never works for me. sosie is fine, she doesn’t give me the vibes of trying hard to be “not like other girls” which is something i loathe in any book. and while her character was rather flat, i do feel for her. being stuck in a controlling family that keeps her in some type of gilded cage is awful and would certainly drive me crazy. both characters also fell pretty one dimensional for me as well, not a lot of personality going on.

what i did like: the feeling of passion and spontaneity! the detailed writing, the audiobook narrators Tor Thom & Erin Mallon were great! overall, the writing was pretty good. the sex scene within the first section of this book was well written and felt intimate.

[Aubrie Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

This book was vastly different than what I often read. My usual reads have specific problems and classic tropes like an enemies to lovers PR couple or fake dating hockey romance. This book was just a beautiful contemporary about love and how timing can be everything.

Meet Sosie and Keats, two young adults from completely different backgrounds. After meeting at a party being hosted by her parents, they decide to spend the night together. Over the course of 12 hours, they get to know each other on a level deeper than anyone else they know and find they have a profound connection. They feel it’s fate that brought them together, but her controlling father tears them apart, forcing them down separate paths. Over the course of the next few years, they run into each other at different stages of their lives, embracing their magnetism but acknowledging that the timing is always off for them. After another chance encounter 6 years later, they can’t help but feel now might finally be there chance to be together. But problems from their pasts continue to haunt them and they have to find the strength to fight for the life they’ve yearned for all this time.

This book was a perfect blend of heartbreaking and heart warming moments. Every time they see each other, your hopes for them soar, and then they walk away again and again, crushing your dreams. With the back and forth of the story line, I honestly didn’t know if this was going to be a HEA or a tragic ending that left me reeling. I would really like to tell you, but I think it would be better for you to find out on your own 🤫

[Lisa Spofford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am voluntarily writing this honest review after reading a gifted ALC/ARC via S.L. Scott and The Author Agency. THEN THERE WAS YOU is a stand-alone contemporary romance novel by S.L. Scott. It is a heartfelt second chance romance where Sosie Stansbury reunites with Keats Matthew’s six years after they first met and fell in love. They fall in love again while confronting the secret that tore them apart. This is a spicy, open door, first person, dual POV, contemporary romance with tropes such as He Falls First, Star Crossed Lovers, Found Family, Second Chance romance, Different Worlds, Rich Girl/Poor Boy, and Forbidden Love. I adored the instant connection that Sosie and Keats had, and hated the family interference that separated them. It took a lot of guts for Sosie to extricate herself from her father’s expectations and control and I admired her character for making that choice. Sosie and Keats were perfect for each other and I loved their relationship. Both were very likable characters and I loved that in addition to the second chance they had themselves, there were other second chances in this story. The book is emotional and heartwarming and the HEA was perfect. The narrators, Erin Mallon and Tor Thom, created an audiobook that drew me in and made it hard to stop listening until the very end. They brought Sosie and Keats to life and made them seem real. I am most definitely recommending this audiobook/book for listeners/readers who enjoy contemporary romance with genuine emotional connection. (4.5 rounded to 5 stars where necessary.)

[karasbookblogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read from S.L. Scott and I really enjoyed it! Keats and Sosie are the definition of right person, wrong time. I think I enjoyed this book so much because of how different of a world Sosie and Keats grew up in and around. Sosie comes from a wealthy, rich family that is full of privilege while Keats grew up caring for himself just trying to make something of himself on his own. I also loved the fact that although they have an instant connection without even knowing each other, nothing between them was rushed. One night together then being ripped apart by her father then reconnected a few years later, it was like no time had gone by at all. They both knew they loved each other from that one night they had years prior and it was so beautiful to see their determination and fight to be with each other once they reconnected. Although living completely different lives in different worlds, they both connected through emotional neglect and just wanting to essentially feel wanted and truly loved by someone. Don't get me wrong, when they were separated for those years, they both grew on their own as Keats was able to finally build himself a great life but seeing them finally come together soooo sweet to read. You could tell Sosie was so beyond proud of Keats and vice versa.

If you like forbidden love, second chance romance, rich/poor, he falls first, dual pov ~ i would highly recommend!!!

Thank you Hambright and S.L. Scott for the eARC copy and opportunity to read this early!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌 & 𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
🎧📖: Then There Was You
🎙️: Erin Mallon, Tor Thom

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

In a city sprawling with millions, can two dreamers have found their soul mate?

They fell fast and hard 6 years ago but circumstances forced them to let each other go. One night and a lifetime of questions later, fate may have given them a second chance.
Are they willing to risk it all for love this time?

Tropes:
🎙️Dual POV/dual narration
⏱️Right Person Wrong Time
🚫 Forbidden Romance
❤️‍🔥Second Chance
🙋He Falls First
⭐ Star-Crossed Lovers

In a short span of time, Keats and Sosie came to know each other so intimately, leaving indelible marks on each other. But divided by wealth, status, and years missed, there's so much left unsaid. Will they fight for each other and themselves?

The narrators brilliantly portray the heartache and yearning between these star-crossed lovers. I felt every emotion and glimmers of regret mixed with hope that sparks when their paths cross over the years. They are each other’s missing pieces and the author crafts a love story that’s all-consuming and achingly romantic.

Then There Was You is a beautiful tale of young love, complex family dynamics, and second chances.

Huge thanks to the author and hambright PR for the ebook and audio listening copies. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Nolia Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an easy read for me… I got into it so quickly and just stayed there.

Sosie and Keats are very much right person, wrong time. They meet, have one intense connection, and then life (and her father 😒) completely gets in the way. When they find each other again years later, it’s like nothing really left.

And listen… I usually do not like instalove, but this one? It worked. I believed it enough to stay locked in, especially with all the tension and everything that came after.

I loved the contrast between their worlds. Sosie comes from money and control, Keats has had to build everything for himself… but somehow they just get each other in a way that matters.

Keats??? Yeah… I see the hype. Soft, intentional, and just there for her in a way that made me really root for them.

Sosie did get on my nerves at times, but it made sense for where she was at. I actually liked seeing her grow into someone who could finally make her own choices.

This book leans more into the emotions… longing, missed chances, unfinished feelings — and that “what could’ve been” energy. I ate that up.

Overall, such a solid 4 star read for me.

Tropes:
• Second Chance Romance
• Right Person, Wrong Time
• Forbidden Love
• Opposites Attract
• He Falls First
• Insta-Connection
• Rekindled Romance

Thank you to the author and @hambright_pr for the gifted eARC 🤍

[Ashley Schilling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where do I begin? Then There Was You is my fourth S.L. Scott book and while I normally love her books, this one was not my favorite.

I usually enjoy the whole rich girl meets poor boy, however I felt as though this one did not reach its full potential. It did, however, keep me intrigued enough to keep turning the pages.

Sosie is tired of being her father’s puppet and dreams of living her life as she sees fit. Enter Keats, he is resilient and determined to not be a product of his childhood. He has goals and ambitions to become successful.

Sosie and Keats meet one faithful Christmas Eve and after, spending the evening together it turns into insta love. Due to Sosie’s father’s manipulation they are torn apart. Six years later that insta love/attraction is still present. Will they be able to build a relationship or are they destined to live a life separate from the other?

Then There Was You is a forbidden star crossed lovers romance. One that flows easily and keeps your attention. If you’re in the mood for a fast paced love story, you might enjoy Keats and Sosie.

[Emmy Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an emotional masterpiece and fully healed my inner hopeless romantic. This book is for the ones who believe in soulmates and look forward to the day they meet their destined other half. The chemistry between Keats and Sosie was magnificent and it’s been a long time since I’ve read a romance with this much feels, and I truly felt like they were fated to be together. SL Scott writes the soulmates trope and “it’s always been you” trope so well, I was emotional the entire time and I cried so much (she literally needs to pay for the boxes of tissues I used cause I’ve now run out). They also have this forbidden romance and star crossed lovers vibe that I really loved. I haven’t read many books where she’s the rich one and he’s quite poor, it’s usually the opposite, but it made such a great forbidden and angsty romance. I’m so obsessed with Keats, like Mr Poet is a master writer but also such a sweet talker. Both of them clearly have parental trauma and I love how meeting each other kind of sets them off in their own paths to healing. Sosie is the sweetest too, I love her character arc and how she finally gained the courage to stand up for herself against her sperm donor (her father). And the ending was so freaking romantic I was swooning so hard. This book was second chance perfection and truly is one for the romance girls, a sure 5/5

[Crystal Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

They came from two different worlds, but when they are together sparks fly. It was chance meeting but right away they connected, he didn’t know who she really was and that’s what she liked the best.

Keats and Sosie fought through so much to get back to one another. Her parents did not want someone who wasn’t from their world for their daughter, but she didn’t care. But they were torn apart and years later a chance encounter brought them together again.

This book was cute and sweet. Two souls who were meant to be together, finally connected again. I loved how Sosie finally took control of her life and stepped away from her family. And Keats with all his hard work his entire life, finally paid off for him.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Then There Was You

This story will make you feel for
these two, and dealing with her parents expectations. The people who are living like they are so above everyone else, and they have no qualms forcing their decisions onto their children, no matter who they hurt. The attraction this young couple immediately had, was a true love at 1st sight, but d/t parents forcing their hand, no matter who/ how they hurt them, they were forced into an unbelievable situation. This is an absolutely beautiful story!

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Format: Advanced Listening Copy
Narrators: Erin Mallon & Tor Thom

Spice Level: 2/5
Narration: 4.5/5
Story: 3.25

Tropes: Second Chance; Star-crossed lovers; opposites attract; rich girl x poor boy

I've previously enjoyed work by the author and this story sounded so incredible in theory... I desperately wanted to like it. I struggled though with the repeated meet ups/ miscommunication/will they/won't they... and the FMC was challenging for me to connect with.

This one unfortunately fell flat for me. I enjoyed the narrating and often sign up for these narrators as they do a great job.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary romance has become increasingly internal over the last few genre generations. The conflict, plot, and stakes come from our main characters rather than outside forces. That didn't always used to be the case. We used to have big antagonists actively keeping our characters apart. S.L. Scott calls back to that era with Then There Was You, a story about how class, timing, and one Bad Dad can keep two people who are meant to be together apart.

Thanks to S.L. Scott for the complimentary ARC of Then There Was You.

Keats Matthews has been hustling to build a better life. After growing up with an absentee father and an alcoholic mother, he knew no one was coming to save him, so he saved himself. He earned a scholarship to NYU and has been working as many shifts as he can for a catering company to cover his expenses. On Christmas Eve, he's assigned to work a party at a mansion in Manhattan, where he meets a young woman who immediately draws him in. She's something else, like she vibrates on a different wavelength from the rest of the world. But later in the party, he realizes she's not just another worker—she's the daughter of the house and comes from a completely different world. They have one magical night together, but then she ghosts him, leaving Keats to wonder if that instant connection was all in his head.

Sosie Stansbury is completely at her father's mercy. He controls every aspect of her life because he controls the money. After that one perfect night, her father threatens to destroy both Keats and Sosie if she doesn’t break it off with him. Because she is still in college and Keats is so close to graduation, Sosie complies. But now it's been six years, and she still finds herself giving in to her father's demands to the point where she doesn’t even recognize the woman in the mirror. After one disastrous event, she sees Keats across the room, and it’s like no time has passed. The connection is still there, as strong as it was when they first met. But if Sosie doesn’t start fighting for herself, they’ll have no chance.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a traditional contemporary romance (not sports or another subgenre) where there are so many external forces keeping the main couple apart. Keats and Sosie come from completely different worlds. The kind of money Sosie grew up with is unfathomable to a normal person, much less someone like Keats, who grew up with nothing. She may talk a good game about not wanting to be part of her family, but she’s more than willing to take the benefits that come with being a Stansbury. Her father is terrible, manipulating everyone around him into compliance through financial coercion. But the thing about Sosie is that she sees it and still allows it, because she doesn’t yet have a strong enough reason to walk away.

I really enjoyed that S.L. Scott had Sosie stay so long—that she didn’t leave her family right after college—because we see just how much she is willing to tolerate from her father and his social circle before she hits her breaking point. It felt more realistic than what I’ve seen in many class-difference romances.

Another major force keeping these two apart is timing. Keats has one more semester of college ahead of him when they meet, while Sosie has four. He needs this degree to break the cycle of poverty in his family, while Sosie believes she needs her family’s financial support to finish school. Sosie can’t stand up to her family because neither she nor Keats is ready to fully support themselves as adults.

My favorite part of this book was how it captures the magic of meeting someone you know is going to change your life. I know some people call those connections unrealistic, but they happen—and when they do, the people involved know immediately. It’s like Sosie and Keats have known each other in a previous life, and each time they spot the other in the city, that connection is still there, vibrating between them. There’s something really magical about it.

I did want to see more of how Sosie’s family chipped away at her over the six years she and Keats were apart. We see her dynamic with the family friend her parents want her to marry, but I wish we’d seen more of the subtle ways her father—and at times her mother—manipulates her into compliance. We can read between the lines of what Sosie says about her family and how she interacts with her mom, but I think seeing it more directly would have been more powerful.

If you're looking for a contemporary romance driven by class, timing, and truly external conflict, Then There Was You absolutely delivers. 4 stars.

[Patti Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It all started with shared cigarette at a holiday/birthday party. I absolutely loved Then There Was You by S.L. Scott; it is an incredible opposites attract love story. S.L. Scott is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors to read and has once again shown that she is an amazing storyteller. I love that she continues to write the books that I love to read and is a must-read author for me. I was hooked on the first few pages, it was impossible to put Then There Was You down, it filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions, and I loved every moment on every page. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? Then There Was You is the story of Sosie Stansbury, heiress, photographer and student and Keats Matthews, student. The story begins six years prior to current day, while Sosie and Keats are students. While on a break from his catering job at Sosie’s parents’ home, Keats meets Sosie and they share a cigarette. Later that night they hang out together and things quickly change. I love all the secrets that they share about their lives. One of my favorite parts of their night together are the nicknames that Keats tries are for size for Sosie before settling on “Spark” and the reason for that nickname, while Sosie calls Keats “Poet.” When Sosie returns home after spending the night with Keats, her father issues her an ultimatum regarding Keats future that Sosie agrees to. I love that Sosie and Keats love story spans years and the changes that occur in their lives while they are apart. One of my favorite parts are their accidental sightings and meetings over the years. Sosie is attending an event with her parents preferred partner, Gregory Lafoon, that turns into a surprise proposal from Gregory. Keats is signing a new book deal at the same location. In addition to a new writer, Keats is a successful career in finance with Berry & Young. After being reunited Keats and Sosie spend time together and things quickly heat up between the two of them. I love the chemistry and the conversation between Keats and Sosie which flows so easily, with innuendos and banter, with dirty talking Keats constantly flirting with Sosie. Plot twists and turns put Sosie and Keats’s relationship in jeopardy. I loved the heart-to-heart conversation between Sosie and Keats, especially when they admit that they each fell in love with the other the night they met. I love that Keats kept the Christmas tree decorations from their first Christmas together and how he celebrates Sosie’s birthday on her actual birthday, for the first time ever. I love all the small things that Keats does for Sosie. I love how Sosie meets Keats’s mother and how Keats relationship with his mother changes throughout the story. I love all the changes that Sosie and Keats are willing to make in their lives to have a life with each other, especially how Keats encourages Sosie to embrace her passion for photography, it was the perfect ending, especially Keats’ proposal to Sosie. One of my favorite parts of the story is the epilogue told from Keats’s perspective. It is the perfect ending of their love story. I loved it and all the surprise revealed. Another favorite part is the bonus epilogue told from Sosie’s perspective, even more surprises are revealed and how Sosie’s relationship with her mother changed. It is truly the perfect ending to Sosie and Keats love story. I love the descriptions of New York. I really enjoy how the book is told from the first-person perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. Then There Was You is an opposites attract love story is filled with all those things that I have come to love and expect in an S.L. Scott love story, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments and the plot twists and surprises that filled this page turner. I especially love those moments that made me laugh. I love how S.L. Scott always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy man. I love the characters and the family dynamic in Then There Was You, the characters feel like family and friends. I enjoyed all the interactions; it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. I loved all the characters in Then There Was You. I thoroughly enjoyed Then There Was You. Highly recommend this incredible love story. Received an advanced copy from the author.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Hambright PR for the ALC copy of Then There was You in return for an honest review.

Overall, I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. It gave me very big Romeo and Juliet vibes (forbidden romance) and I adored the banter and chemistry between our main characters. I loved how the story progressed and with how the book ended, it left me feeling satisfied.

However, as this is an honest review, I will say I did have a little bit of an issue with the male narrator for this book. I will go into this more at the end of this review. But, thankfully, this didn't reduce my overall review and rating for the book.

The story for Then There Was You follows along with Sosie, a woman who has always been told what to do by her wealthy family. And Keats, a man who only wants to get by and follow his dreams. When they first met 6 years prio to the main storyline, it's love at first sight. They are smitten, and after a wild 24 hours together, they want nothing more than to be together. But when Keats goes to bring back Sosie's phone, he's met with her overbearing Father. Unfortunately, Sosie's father already has plans for her, and threatens Keats and forbids him from ever seeing his daughter again.
Fast-forward 6 years to the present, and Keats sees Sosie again, but this time, with a ring on her finger... little does he know, is that Sosie is being forced to her father's narrative. Sosie is told that she must marry someone who will bring more wealth to the family. But what Sosie wants is to be with Keats, who she has never forgotten. So when she is faced with Keats after so long, she knows what she must do. But will they make things work, or will Sosie's father destroy them?

Sosie just wanted to live her own life. Even though she lived a life where money was no issue, it wasn't what she wanted. All Sosie wanted was to be herself, to love whoever she wanted. Not to mention, she would want to celebrate her birthday on her actual birthday. Even though love at first sight is such a cliché, that's how she felt when she first met Keats. He was everything she wanted, and Sosie would do what it takes to make their relationship works. Even if that meant leaving behind everything behind, including her family. Sosie was such an incredible character, who stood up for herself and stood her ground. It made me cheer for her, and I was so happy with how her story ended.

Keats was another character I felt for. Naturally, unlike Sosie, he was originally a teenager just getting by working as a server. But after so many years, he's doing what he loves, and is happy. However, he knows he would be happier with a certain woman next to him. No one has ever meant more to him than Sosie, so when he runs into her again after so many years... he wasn't going to let her go. Keats was there for Sosie through every struggle she faced. He's perfect for her, and i'm so happy for how his story ends together with his soulmate.

Overall, I felt like Then There Was You was a very heartwarming story. I loved how after so many years, they still got together despite all the difficulties they faced. It made me happy, and I felt satisfied with how the book ended. Would recommend for people looking for a second chance/forbidden romance.

As mentioned at the start, although I really enjoyed the story, while listening to the ALC, I felt like the male narrator felt too... "scripted". Personally, it felt like there was no real emotion behind his words, and nearly every single sentence ended in a down-flation tone. This really irritated me to the point I was tempted to switch fully to the e-book arc. But I continued, and glad I did. But I would possibly recommend that if people are very very picky with audiobooks, then perhaps they should read this book physically instead.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Then There Was You by S.L. Scott wrecked my emotional stability in the most inconvenient, slow-burning, why-am-I-like-this kind of way. Published by S.L. Scott, thank you to the publisher and The Author Agency for the gifted ARC.

You know those books that sneak up on you? The ones that feel soft at first, almost quiet, and then suddenly you’re sitting there questioning every “what if” you’ve ever had in your life? Yeah… this is one of those. It doesn’t just tell a love story, it lingers in that fragile space between timing and truth, between who we were and who we’re brave enough to become.

Keats and Sosie aren’t just opposites, they’re walking contradictions of each other’s worlds. He’s scraping and striving, building something solid out of very little, while she’s surrounded by wealth but quietly suffocating under expectations that were never really hers. And when they meet, it’s fast. Almost too fast. The kind of connection that makes you pause and go, “Wait… do I believe this?” But here’s the thing, S.L. Scott doesn’t try to convince you with logic. She leans into feeling. That immediate pull, that rare, electric recognition of someone who just fits in a way you can’t explain.

And honestly? It worked on me.

Their first connection feels like a spark, but the real story lives in the aftermath. The silence. The years. The almost-missed moments and the quiet ways they carry each other without even realizing it. This isn’t about falling in love. It’s about what happens after life gets in the way and whether love can survive the version of you that had to grow without it.

Sosie frustrated me in that deeply human way where you see her hesitation, her fear, the way she’s been conditioned to stay small… and you still want to shake her just a little. But watching her slowly come into herself, piece by piece, felt earned. Keats, on the other hand, is that steady, unwavering kind of love interest who doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful. He just shows up. Again and again. And somehow that made him even more swoony.

“We both know what’s happening is special. This time is for us.”

That line didn’t just hit. It settled somewhere deep and stayed there.

What really surprised me was how emotional the reading experience felt in such a quiet way. There aren’t constant dramatic twists or over-the-top moments. Instead, it’s this steady ache. A soft kind of heartbreak that builds slowly until you realize you’re completely invested in whether these two will finally get it right.

And the audiobook? Honestly elevated everything. Erin Mallon gives Sosie a vulnerability that you can hear shifting as she grows, while Tor Thom brings this grounded, almost calming presence to Keats that makes his devotion feel real, not performative. Together, they add so much texture to the story that it almost feels more intimate, like you’re sitting inside their thoughts rather than just reading them.

This is for readers who love second chance romance that leans emotional over dramatic, who don’t mind a touch of insta-connection as long as the payoff is there, and who absolutely melt for the “he never stopped loving her” energy. If you need fast pacing or constant plot twists, this might not hit the same. But if you read for feeling, for longing, for that quiet kind of hope that refuses to die… this will get you.

For me, this settled comfortably at 4 stars, maybe even a soft 4.25 depending on my mood, because while the beginning asks you to suspend disbelief just a bit, the emotional payoff absolutely delivers where it counts.

I closed this book feeling a little softer, a little more reflective, and maybe slightly suspicious of my own past choices, which feels like the exact kind of chaos a good romance should leave behind.

So now I have to ask… do you believe in that kind of instant, once-in-a-lifetime connection, or do you need time and history to really believe in a love story?

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Second Chance Romance, New Adult Romance

#ThenThereWasYou #SLScott #RomanceBooks #SecondChanceRomance #BookReview #ARCReview #AudiobookReview #ContemporaryRomance #Bookstagram #HeFallsFirst #RightPersonWrongTime #EmotionalReads

[Jami Birnbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

*An advance reader copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*

Keats Matthews is just trying to get through school by taking odd jobs. He’s at a swanky mansion in NYC as a cater waiter for a party on Christmas Eve, when he steps outside for a break. It’s there he meets the girl of his dreams. Keats is immediately drawn to her. They only share a couple of minutes together, until she slips back inside, but that’s more than enough to pique his interest. They barely exchanged first names and numbers. Imagine Keats surprise when he sees his dream girl enter the party all dressed up as if the party was for her.

Sosie Stansbury is back under her parents’ roof and their thumb, which is the last place she wants to be. She’s attending her parents’ party under duress. It’s bad enough that her parents keep shoving an acquaintance’s son down her throat. Sosie didn’t think slipping out of the house before making a party appearance would lead to meeting someone. Her immediate connection with Keats gave her hope. Once the party was over and everyone was gone, Sosie texts Keats to see if he wants to meet up.

At first, Keats didn’t know what to make of the text. But it was early Christmas morning, and he had no place he needed to be. The instant attraction between Sosie and Keats couldn’t be contained. It was a morning of passion that neither one of them expected. Of course, it was ruined by the zillion text messages from her father ordering her back home. Leaving Keats asleep in his bed and planning to come back later, Sosie left.

Once there, her father reminded Sosie of her place (well really his place) in society and told her if she continued to see that “boy”, he would not only cut her off completely, but he would ruin Keats’ life. When Keats showed up on their doorstep hours later, he was turned away by Mr. Stansbury, with the same threats he had made to his daughter.

It takes six years for them to be in the same room again. At first, Keats thought he was imagining it. But there was Sosie, still as beautiful as ever, in front of him. As much as things changed, things stayed the same. But this time, Sosie wasn’t going to let her father get in the way of what she wanted. She had been playing nice all these years, but she was done. Seeing Keats again made her brave.

“She’s either going to be the best thing that ever happened to me or my downfall, but half the fun is finding out.”

Leaving her parents, her position at his company, and all that came with their society connections behind, Sosie and Keats start finding their way back to one another. Okay, so much has happened in those years they were apart and now once they’re back together. I’m going to leave my ramblings off here, because this is a story you need to read for yourself.

There was something about Sosie and Keats that made me fall in love with them from the very beginning. Maybe it was fate that drew the two of them together. I mean can you really fall in love with someone in a couple of hours? I’d like to think you can. SL Scott gave us a beautiful story of what could have been and what can be when you are given a second chance at the life you have always dreamed about.

[Jo Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

THEN THERE WAS YOU by S.L.Scott ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Then There Was You is a standalone novel

When Sosie Stansbury meets a stranger, Keats Matthews, outside her parents mansion there is an instant attraction, and the pair spend an unforgettable night together.

But though her domineering father and circumstances tear them apart for six years, distance can’t diminish their connection and when they unexpectedly reconnect they are determined that this time it will be different.

The past still stands in their way, and the path forward is anything but smooth. Can Sosie break away from the unrealistic expectations of her upbringing and start to live the life she yearns for with the love of her life?

——————————

Whoa! I loved this book!!

This is a story of love, pure love that cannot be diminished despite all the obstacles. The story follows Keats and Sosie as they face those obstacles and fight through them together. It’s also a story of bravery, of courage, of determination.

It has all the feels- you can’t help but cheer this pair on towards their HEA. It’s a deep book, emotional, frustrating at times (the characters not the book!), it’s moving, and frankly swoonworthy.

I absolutely adored Keats. His determination to move past his upbringing to drag himself up, his willingness to give up everything for a chance with Sosie. His self reflection, recognising when his actions were wrong (if for the right reasons), and his openness to apologising and moving forward. His constant willingness to let Sosie make her own choices whilst lifting her up and encouraging her to reach for the stars even if it means he loses her. His reflection on his childhood and his willingness to forgive his mum, his relationship with his professor, I could go on…. There is nothing I didn’t absolutely love about this character. Keats is the kind of man we all wish we had in our life!

I admit I found Sosie so frustrating at the beginning of the story. Her seemingly easy acquiescence to her fathers demands. It felt like she was expressing all these big feelings for Keats whilst choosing wealth over him. As the story progresses though, and as Sosie finds her inner strength and power (thanks in no short part to Keats encouragement) and grows into herself, so I started to enjoy her character. I really liked how her relationship with her mum developed too.

- We both know what’s happening is special. This time is for us. We will either lasso the stars or scorch the earth-

There are a couple of open door spicy scenes but they absolutely serve to show the progression of their relationship and are tastefully done, o superfluous at all.


I read an ebook version of this book, with a couples cover and good editing.

With thanks to S.L Scott and Hambright PR for an early copy of this delightful book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.

📖 Second Chance Romance
📖 He Falls First And Falls HARD!
📖 Found Family
📖 Redemption
📖 One Night Stand
📖 Star Crossed Lovers
📖 Spicy 🔥🔥