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Lily Ridge #1
Almost Yours
Rowan
I’ve imagined kissing Violet Larkin more times than I’ll ever admit. Back when we were eighteen and too scared to risk what we had. Back when she’d fall asleep on my shoulder and I’d stare at her mouth, wondering if she wanted me too.
Loving Violet was easy. Believing I was worthy of her was the hard part. So I enlisted and left Lily Ridge before I could ask her to wait for me.
Now I’m back, but one look at the woman in front of me, at the hurt in her eyes, and I know—leaving was the biggest mistake of my life.
I just don’t know if I deserve the chance to make it right.
Violet
Rowan Wolfe left without a word. We were never together. He never promised me anything.
It still broke me.
We were a thousand almosts but never brave enough to make it real.
Six years later, Rowan's back in Lily Ridge with calloused hands and guarded eyes. And when he looks at me, everything we left unfinished comes rushing back.
The boy I loved in silence now stands in front of me as a man, and my heart never learned how to let him go.
But what if loving him now only means losing him again?
This is Book 1 in the Lily Ridge Series. Every couple gets their own standalone story with a HEA!
I’ve imagined kissing Violet Larkin more times than I’ll ever admit. Back when we were eighteen and too scared to risk what we had. Back when she’d fall asleep on my shoulder and I’d stare at her mouth, wondering if she wanted me too.
Loving Violet was easy. Believing I was worthy of her was the hard part. So I enlisted and left Lily Ridge before I could ask her to wait for me.
Now I’m back, but one look at the woman in front of me, at the hurt in her eyes, and I know—leaving was the biggest mistake of my life.
I just don’t know if I deserve the chance to make it right.
Violet
Rowan Wolfe left without a word. We were never together. He never promised me anything.
It still broke me.
We were a thousand almosts but never brave enough to make it real.
Six years later, Rowan's back in Lily Ridge with calloused hands and guarded eyes. And when he looks at me, everything we left unfinished comes rushing back.
The boy I loved in silence now stands in front of me as a man, and my heart never learned how to let him go.
But what if loving him now only means losing him again?
This is Book 1 in the Lily Ridge Series. Every couple gets their own standalone story with a HEA!
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2026
About the author
Alexandra Ayres
6 books96 followersAlexandra Ayres writes emotional, unfiltered romance centered on complex characters and atmospheric small town worlds. Her stories deliver longing, heat, and heartfelt connections that linger long after the final page. She lives in the Bluegrass State with her husband and two kids, fueled by a steady lineup of iced coffee that keeps the words flowing.
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Review of advance copy received from Author
3 stars.
"Almost Yours" by Alexandra Ayres is not my favorite romance novel. It's not bad, and I am sure many readers will like this one, but I have quite a bit to say about it, stuff that rubbed me the wrong way and impacted my reading experience. The beginning of the book starts well enough, but I think the main characters, Violet (FMC) and Rowan (MMC), get together way, *way* too soon in the story, within the first 25-ish% of the book. This leads to a lot of repeated conversations and situations between them for the rest of the story. There were several times when I wanted to skim through multiple chapters because it was obvious that not much would change if I did, but I didn't skip (I never skip, but maybe I should have DNF'ed?). This, I think, makes the book feel much longer than it really is. It also means the tension and yearning between Rowan and Violet is, well, *not* non-existent, but much more muted than it could/should have been. I also absolutely hated Rowan's rationale for leaving again. After over six years apart, Rowan returns to Lily Ridge and wants to win Violet's heart again, to prove he's worthy of her now, that he always loved her. He promises her that he won't ever leave her again, and once they finally say "I love you" and sort everything out about being together for real, HE LEAVES HER AGAIN FOR A NEW JOB!!!!! His excuse is that he wants to prove he can provide for her by leaving and coming back and not running away, that he will put down roots and come back to them. I was sitting here like........................... pardon????? You're making decisions for yourself, sure, but you're also part of a VERY NEW COUPLE with a woman who clearly has trust/confidence issues when it comes to you! What a dumb reason to leave!! Also, Violet can't ever ask for anything on her own and never expresses anything to Rowan! She's quite meek, honestly. Rowan also constantly keeps things from Violet after promising transparency. This all made me so angry, and it honestly made me hate him a little. You're not being a good partner if you're making decisions for both of you without consulting your other half. You're not being a partner if you're lying by omission. All of this made for a "meh" reading experience. As I mentioned, the book starts out great! I liked the back and forth explaining how Rowan left the first time, how she felt in the interim, etc. There are a few very sweet moments between the two of them, and even with my anger towards Rowan, I admit, I did still swoon here and there. There is A LOT of spice in this book. If you read my reviews, you'll know I am all spice, all the way, but Violet goes from being a v1rg1n to being absolutely fine with the stuff Rowan is into very, VERY quickly. It just felt a little unnatural. I cannot wait to get a book about Whitley; she was the much more intriguing female character in my opinion!
Thank you to Alexandra Ayres and House of Hearts Lit. for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"Almost Yours" by Alexandra Ayres is not my favorite romance novel. It's not bad, and I am sure many readers will like this one, but I have quite a bit to say about it, stuff that rubbed me the wrong way and impacted my reading experience. The beginning of the book starts well enough, but I think the main characters, Violet (FMC) and Rowan (MMC), get together way, *way* too soon in the story, within the first 25-ish% of the book. This leads to a lot of repeated conversations and situations between them for the rest of the story. There were several times when I wanted to skim through multiple chapters because it was obvious that not much would change if I did, but I didn't skip (I never skip, but maybe I should have DNF'ed?). This, I think, makes the book feel much longer than it really is. It also means the tension and yearning between Rowan and Violet is, well, *not* non-existent, but much more muted than it could/should have been. I also absolutely hated Rowan's rationale for leaving again. After over six years apart, Rowan returns to Lily Ridge and wants to win Violet's heart again, to prove he's worthy of her now, that he always loved her. He promises her that he won't ever leave her again, and once they finally say "I love you" and sort everything out about being together for real, HE LEAVES HER AGAIN FOR A NEW JOB!!!!! His excuse is that he wants to prove he can provide for her by leaving and coming back and not running away, that he will put down roots and come back to them. I was sitting here like........................... pardon????? You're making decisions for yourself, sure, but you're also part of a VERY NEW COUPLE with a woman who clearly has trust/confidence issues when it comes to you! What a dumb reason to leave!! Also, Violet can't ever ask for anything on her own and never expresses anything to Rowan! She's quite meek, honestly. Rowan also constantly keeps things from Violet after promising transparency. This all made me so angry, and it honestly made me hate him a little. You're not being a good partner if you're making decisions for both of you without consulting your other half. You're not being a partner if you're lying by omission. All of this made for a "meh" reading experience. As I mentioned, the book starts out great! I liked the back and forth explaining how Rowan left the first time, how she felt in the interim, etc. There are a few very sweet moments between the two of them, and even with my anger towards Rowan, I admit, I did still swoon here and there. There is A LOT of spice in this book. If you read my reviews, you'll know I am all spice, all the way, but Violet goes from being a v1rg1n to being absolutely fine with the stuff Rowan is into very, VERY quickly. It just felt a little unnatural. I cannot wait to get a book about Whitley; she was the much more intriguing female character in my opinion!
Thank you to Alexandra Ayres and House of Hearts Lit. for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️
🩷Childhood Crush
🩷Slow Burn
🩷So Much Yearning
🩷It Was Always You
Rowan and Violet both loved each other in high school while being best friends, neither of them willing to cross that line. So when Rowan left without a word at 18, Violet was gutted. Now years later Rowan is back and he says he is back for Violet. This story is about them getting to know each other again and both realizing they never stopped loving each other. Although they are together they both still have wounds from the past that they have to heal to fully be together. It was definitely an emotional roller coaster that had so many highs and some heart hurting lows. I really wanted to yell at them to just talk to each other for most of it😂😂😂
🩷Childhood Crush
🩷Slow Burn
🩷So Much Yearning
🩷It Was Always You
Rowan and Violet both loved each other in high school while being best friends, neither of them willing to cross that line. So when Rowan left without a word at 18, Violet was gutted. Now years later Rowan is back and he says he is back for Violet. This story is about them getting to know each other again and both realizing they never stopped loving each other. Although they are together they both still have wounds from the past that they have to heal to fully be together. It was definitely an emotional roller coaster that had so many highs and some heart hurting lows. I really wanted to yell at them to just talk to each other for most of it😂😂😂
July 28, 2026
3.75🌟, 3🌶️
Getting swept up in a second-chance romance where childhood best friends reunite is always an emotional treat.
When Rowan unexpectedly returns to town after years apart, all those lingering feelings rush back for Violet. Watching her try to protect her heart while being completely undone by the man she never stopped loving sets up a genuinely gripping and tender journey.
The chemistry between them crackles with deep emotional tension and plenty of swoon-worthy details like stolen glances and thoughtful gestures. The cozy small-town setting feels wonderfully alive, especially with a fiercely loyal best friend like Whitley stealing scenes with her hilarious banter. Their emotional highs make you truly root for them to heal their past wounds and find their way back to each other.
While the couple gets together rather early and a few repetitive conversational loops test your patience, the overall experience remains deeply satisfying. Rowan makes some frustrating choices later on trying to prove his worth, yet seeing them work past those hurdles makes the happily ever after feel earned.
It is a warm, cozy escape with wonderful heart and memorable characters.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Alexandra Ayres and House of Hearts Lit. for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
Getting swept up in a second-chance romance where childhood best friends reunite is always an emotional treat.
When Rowan unexpectedly returns to town after years apart, all those lingering feelings rush back for Violet. Watching her try to protect her heart while being completely undone by the man she never stopped loving sets up a genuinely gripping and tender journey.
The chemistry between them crackles with deep emotional tension and plenty of swoon-worthy details like stolen glances and thoughtful gestures. The cozy small-town setting feels wonderfully alive, especially with a fiercely loyal best friend like Whitley stealing scenes with her hilarious banter. Their emotional highs make you truly root for them to heal their past wounds and find their way back to each other.
While the couple gets together rather early and a few repetitive conversational loops test your patience, the overall experience remains deeply satisfying. Rowan makes some frustrating choices later on trying to prove his worth, yet seeing them work past those hurdles makes the happily ever after feel earned.
It is a warm, cozy escape with wonderful heart and memorable characters.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Alexandra Ayres and House of Hearts Lit. for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
Did Not Finish
July 16, 2026Of course she’s still a virgin.
Of course he’s not. Because he missed her so much lol
🙄
Of course he’s not. Because he missed her so much lol
🙄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2026
Thank you to House of Hearts, Alexandra Ayres (the author) and the publisher for an ARC of this book!!All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
After years away from Lily Ridge, Rowan comes back to town with all his old feelings for his friend form high school Violet, whom never forgot him and is still in love with him. With time they go back knowing each other and putting their past aside building a new future together.
This book is not my cup of tea. Despite being a second chance their past is easily and fast explained in the first few chapters with a couple of situations happening in the past. Everything else that we find out, we discover it through the book. This is not a bad thing per se, however I think knowing little pieces of their past in the first few chapters and some more during the second half of the book makes the reader wonder if they skipped a part or if they didn't understand something. The two main character get together early, like really early so even though she's hurt she does give in pretty easily to this new relationship.
Every once in a while it seems like the story needs more personality so it adds new storyline which are absolutely useless in my opinion, just to test the strength of the couple and add more dram. For example, all of Melissa storyline (Rowan's former lover who's an addict) is put there just to see how Violet reacts to it, to explain a bit of Rowan's tragic past (past 50% of the book) and then is left there. We have no idea about how it ended.
Now the characters. I find Violet annoying sometimes, she complains but does or says nothing to fix the situation and how she's feeling, trusting Rowan completely with her emotions. Now, this works here because it's a romance book and it's fictional but it could never work in real life, and I like my book with a bit of reality in them. I prefer Violet's best friend Whitley better than the FMC and I really liked how she helped her friend realise that she had to speak up for herself. Rowan, how is it possible that after leaving Violet for years and being fully aware of how he broke her, he would easily leave again? For her best and to build a life together? She needs stability, but no he decides to take job where he has to temporary leave. I'm sorry but I was fuming at that point.
Last but not the least the spice. I love smut books, I don't mind it at all, however she's a virgin and I feel like she is too quickly inclined to accept the kind of rough things Rowan is in too. It just felt too unnatural to me.
Here’s what you should know:
❤️Small Town
❤️Second Chance
❤️Mutual Secret Yearning
❤️Friends to Lovers
❤️Virgin FMC
❤️Good Girl x Bad Boy
❤️It's Always Been You
❤️Secret Tattoo
❤️Two povs, 1st person
❤️Spicy level: 3.5/5
⚠️TW: death of a family member (off-page), alcohol abuse (off-page)
After years away from Lily Ridge, Rowan comes back to town with all his old feelings for his friend form high school Violet, whom never forgot him and is still in love with him. With time they go back knowing each other and putting their past aside building a new future together.
This book is not my cup of tea. Despite being a second chance their past is easily and fast explained in the first few chapters with a couple of situations happening in the past. Everything else that we find out, we discover it through the book. This is not a bad thing per se, however I think knowing little pieces of their past in the first few chapters and some more during the second half of the book makes the reader wonder if they skipped a part or if they didn't understand something. The two main character get together early, like really early so even though she's hurt she does give in pretty easily to this new relationship.
Every once in a while it seems like the story needs more personality so it adds new storyline which are absolutely useless in my opinion, just to test the strength of the couple and add more dram. For example, all of Melissa storyline (Rowan's former lover who's an addict) is put there just to see how Violet reacts to it, to explain a bit of Rowan's tragic past (past 50% of the book) and then is left there. We have no idea about how it ended.
Now the characters. I find Violet annoying sometimes, she complains but does or says nothing to fix the situation and how she's feeling, trusting Rowan completely with her emotions. Now, this works here because it's a romance book and it's fictional but it could never work in real life, and I like my book with a bit of reality in them. I prefer Violet's best friend Whitley better than the FMC and I really liked how she helped her friend realise that she had to speak up for herself. Rowan, how is it possible that after leaving Violet for years and being fully aware of how he broke her, he would easily leave again? For her best and to build a life together? She needs stability, but no he decides to take job where he has to temporary leave. I'm sorry but I was fuming at that point.
Last but not the least the spice. I love smut books, I don't mind it at all, however she's a virgin and I feel like she is too quickly inclined to accept the kind of rough things Rowan is in too. It just felt too unnatural to me.
Here’s what you should know:
❤️Small Town
❤️Second Chance
❤️Mutual Secret Yearning
❤️Friends to Lovers
❤️Virgin FMC
❤️Good Girl x Bad Boy
❤️It's Always Been You
❤️Secret Tattoo
❤️Two povs, 1st person
❤️Spicy level: 3.5/5
⚠️TW: death of a family member (off-page), alcohol abuse (off-page)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2026
Thank you House of Hearts for the copy! All opinions are my own.
2.75 ⭐️
📖 Teenage Crush/Friends
💕 Second Chance
📖 Small Town Romance
💕 It was always you
If you like these tropes then I’d suggest giving it a go :)
It wasn’t specifically for me, but I believe it will be a great book for other readers.
While this book had a cute story and relatable characters, I craved for more. I would’ve like to see them yearning more for each other, specially Rowan. To me, they bounced back to being close friends a bit too quickly. I understand the idea of not wanting to lose time, as they’ve already had been through six years without each other, however it doesn’t sell to me all the deep emotions and feelings I expected them to have after a long time. I wish they had spent more time together — more slow burn. Indeed, their burn could be slow for other readers, that’s why it’s my personal preference. So while their story was cute, I didn’t feel too connected to the book or invested in their feelings, because it lacked some depth. Oh I also thought it’d be a good idea to have some flashbacks so we could understand more of their friendship back then, besides them narrating, having actual scenes would have been cool.
Violet Larkin and Rowan Wolfe once had a chance in love. Nothing ever happened, but there was enough to bloom strong feelings that never left, even when Rowan did. He never believed he was good enough for her. So he kept it to himself. Now, six years later, he’s back to claim the chance he didn’t take.
“Wrong place. Wrong people. Wrong life. And then there was Violet. She didn’t belong anywhere near my bullshit. That was the first thing I knew about her.”
Violet tried to move on. Forcing herself to stay with her boyfriend even though she doesn’t love him or feels attracted to him. The virgin trope made sense to me as to why she never felt comfortable enough and she explains her feelings well while talking to her friend about it: This isn’t a trope everyone likes, however I believe she did the right thing by not forcing herself to do something just for the sake of getting it over with, and end up regretting it. She was already people pleasing him enough.
To me, second chance tropes hold that bittersweet feeling of “Ugh they’ve could have had so much by now if they stayed together” and “They’ve better people now and back then wouldn’t last too long”, so when Violet expressed her feelings over their friendship/potential romantic relationship, I was like: “Yes, exactly!!!” Hahahahaha I’ll highlight it here and hide only for those that want to see it
There was also an added element — one I won’t explain to not give spoilers — regarding his past that comes back and even though I understood the connection it had with his sister, it was kinda out of nowhere and it didn’t seem relevant to their relationship as much as it was for him.
I’ll end this review with some highlights ☺️
“I came back for a reason, Violet,”
“This is home. You’re my home.”
“I never forgot a single thing about you, and I still love you. Now more than ever.”
Love is a thousand little choices, and some people, no matter how far they drift, are always meant to find their way back home.
2.75 ⭐️
📖 Teenage Crush/Friends
💕 Second Chance
📖 Small Town Romance
💕 It was always you
If you like these tropes then I’d suggest giving it a go :)
It wasn’t specifically for me, but I believe it will be a great book for other readers.
While this book had a cute story and relatable characters, I craved for more. I would’ve like to see them yearning more for each other, specially Rowan. To me, they bounced back to being close friends a bit too quickly. I understand the idea of not wanting to lose time, as they’ve already had been through six years without each other, however it doesn’t sell to me all the deep emotions and feelings I expected them to have after a long time. I wish they had spent more time together — more slow burn. Indeed, their burn could be slow for other readers, that’s why it’s my personal preference. So while their story was cute, I didn’t feel too connected to the book or invested in their feelings, because it lacked some depth. Oh I also thought it’d be a good idea to have some flashbacks so we could understand more of their friendship back then, besides them narrating, having actual scenes would have been cool.
Violet Larkin and Rowan Wolfe once had a chance in love. Nothing ever happened, but there was enough to bloom strong feelings that never left, even when Rowan did. He never believed he was good enough for her. So he kept it to himself. Now, six years later, he’s back to claim the chance he didn’t take.
“Wrong place. Wrong people. Wrong life. And then there was Violet. She didn’t belong anywhere near my bullshit. That was the first thing I knew about her.”
Violet tried to move on. Forcing herself to stay with her boyfriend even though she doesn’t love him or feels attracted to him. The virgin trope made sense to me as to why she never felt comfortable enough and she explains her feelings well while talking to her friend about it: This isn’t a trope everyone likes, however I believe she did the right thing by not forcing herself to do something just for the sake of getting it over with, and end up regretting it. She was already people pleasing him enough.
To me, second chance tropes hold that bittersweet feeling of “Ugh they’ve could have had so much by now if they stayed together” and “They’ve better people now and back then wouldn’t last too long”, so when Violet expressed her feelings over their friendship/potential romantic relationship, I was like: “Yes, exactly!!!” Hahahahaha I’ll highlight it here and hide only for those that want to see it
There was also an added element — one I won’t explain to not give spoilers — regarding his past that comes back and even though I understood the connection it had with his sister, it was kinda out of nowhere and it didn’t seem relevant to their relationship as much as it was for him.
I’ll end this review with some highlights ☺️
“I came back for a reason, Violet,”
“This is home. You’re my home.”
“I never forgot a single thing about you, and I still love you. Now more than ever.”
Love is a thousand little choices, and some people, no matter how far they drift, are always meant to find their way back home.
July 16, 2026
This is a sweet small town romance with some tender moments and sweet declarations. My favorite part of this book is the communication and knowing your own mind. Stand up for what you want and voice your needs. Also never underestimate a well-timed gift lol. Annnnd Peach Rings are an elite comfort snack 😂 I am really looking forward to Whitley’s story too!
However, there were a couple parts of this book that didn’t quite work for me. They were obsessed with each other as teens but we don’t get much of their back story and jump into them being all into each other too fast in the present. We get too much repetition that doesn’t move them forward as a couple. I wanted more tension, angst, and building up to loving each other as they are now. I love spice in books, and I loved Rowan’s dirty talk, but Violet is a virgin and her almost immediately being into all the things he is into didn’t make sense to me. I wanted them to explore their sexuality together, try different kinks out, and figure out what she really wants.
With that said, this is a spicy sweet story with some great animal additions. Shout out to Echo and Bramble! There are some decisions that the characters make that annoyed me, but there is a focus on communication and standing up for yourself that I really enjoyed.
Thank you to House of Hearts and Alexandra Ayres for the arc. All opinions are voluntary and my own.
However, there were a couple parts of this book that didn’t quite work for me. They were obsessed with each other as teens but we don’t get much of their back story and jump into them being all into each other too fast in the present. We get too much repetition that doesn’t move them forward as a couple. I wanted more tension, angst, and building up to loving each other as they are now. I love spice in books, and I loved Rowan’s dirty talk, but Violet is a virgin and her almost immediately being into all the things he is into didn’t make sense to me. I wanted them to explore their sexuality together, try different kinks out, and figure out what she really wants.
With that said, this is a spicy sweet story with some great animal additions. Shout out to Echo and Bramble! There are some decisions that the characters make that annoyed me, but there is a focus on communication and standing up for yourself that I really enjoyed.
Thank you to House of Hearts and Alexandra Ayres for the arc. All opinions are voluntary and my own.
July 18, 2026
I live for finding fictional boyfriends and Rowan Wolfe is just that man.
Remembering her love for peach rings? I mean come on. Sign me up.
I lovedddd this one. I took my sweet ass time reading it too.
The yearning did it for me.
The second chance? Beautifully done.
The angst and tension? I FELT IT ALLLLLL.
I really liked Rowan throughout the book; he did show some tremendous growth and I supported all of his flaws and mistakes getting to that said growth.
Violet, such a sweet girl. She was tender and caring and I was totally 100 percent rooting her from start to finish.
Whitley stole the show though, I can’t wait to read her book!
The emotion was so well done. I could really feel it through the pages.
You’ve got a huge fan from me now, and I can’t say thank you & House of hearts enough for the arc!
5.0/5⭐️
Remembering her love for peach rings? I mean come on. Sign me up.
I lovedddd this one. I took my sweet ass time reading it too.
The yearning did it for me.
The second chance? Beautifully done.
The angst and tension? I FELT IT ALLLLLL.
I really liked Rowan throughout the book; he did show some tremendous growth and I supported all of his flaws and mistakes getting to that said growth.
Violet, such a sweet girl. She was tender and caring and I was totally 100 percent rooting her from start to finish.
Whitley stole the show though, I can’t wait to read her book!
The emotion was so well done. I could really feel it through the pages.
You’ve got a huge fan from me now, and I can’t say thank you & House of hearts enough for the arc!
5.0/5⭐️
July 28, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
HEA ✅️
I just sat here and read this book in five hours. I had no idea I'd get that invested but one more chapter turned into "oh he did not..." and I just kept going.
For starters, I was mad that Violet was so forgiving BBUUUTTT... I get it. Rowan didn't do horrible stuff, he just made bad 18 year old kid choices. Violet never stopped loving him though and Rowan never stopped showing up. Even when it came to a breaking point he still chose to own up and keep showing up. That is why I couldn't put this down until I read the last page. That is why I was rooting for them and why I feel like I just got the life of my dreams too. Excellent book. I am so glad I grabbed this ARC. I needed this story .
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
HEA ✅️
I just sat here and read this book in five hours. I had no idea I'd get that invested but one more chapter turned into "oh he did not..." and I just kept going.
For starters, I was mad that Violet was so forgiving BBUUUTTT... I get it. Rowan didn't do horrible stuff, he just made bad 18 year old kid choices. Violet never stopped loving him though and Rowan never stopped showing up. Even when it came to a breaking point he still chose to own up and keep showing up. That is why I couldn't put this down until I read the last page. That is why I was rooting for them and why I feel like I just got the life of my dreams too. Excellent book. I am so glad I grabbed this ARC. I needed this story .
July 16, 2026
Wowza, Alex is kicking off her Lily Ridge series with a knockout! Almost Yours is a fantastic second chance romance full of yearning, finding your voice, and fighting for the people you love. Violet and Rowans love story was truly one for the ages. Violet is a great example of showing unconditional love to someone who believes they aren’t worthy of it. It was so beautiful seeing Violet continuing to show up for Rowan and encourage him to find joy again. The slow burn, yearning, and heartfelt emotion was done so beautifully throughout the story. I really appreciated the way Alex dove deep into the emotions of Violet and Rowan. It made their love story feel more authentic and real. I can’t say enough great things about Alex’s stories, they are just so wonderful and heartwarming! 💜
July 20, 2026
Some Hearts Never Stop Waiting
There are some romances that begin with two strangers meeting for the first time.
Then there are stories like Almost Yours, where two people have loved each other for years but never found the courage—or the right time—to turn "almost" into forever.
This book completely stole my heart.
From the very first chapter, Alexandra Ayres pulled me into Lily Ridge and introduced me to characters that felt so genuine, flawed, and incredibly easy to care about. Before I knew it, I wasn't just reading about Rowan and Violet—I was emotionally invested in every awkward conversation, every lingering glance, every painful memory, and every tiny step they took toward finding each other again.
One of the things I loved most about this story was Violet.
She is such a sweetheart, and I absolutely adored her. Working as a veterinary assistant suited her personality perfectly because she has such a gentle, caring soul. The way Rowan describes her, with her long wavy blonde hair and green eyes, immediately painted this beautiful, almost fairy-tale image in my mind. She genuinely gave me princess vibes—not because she needed rescuing, but because she carried herself with kindness, compassion, and quiet strength.
One scene that stayed with me was when Rowan brought an injured dog to the clinic. The way he looked at Violet, almost believing she could magically heal anything, completely melted my heart. It wasn't just about the dog. It was the way he saw her. Even after six years apart, he still looked at her with so much admiration that it was impossible not to swoon.
Now... let's talk about Rowan.
Because this man frustrated me.
A lot.
I was genuinely angry with him for leaving Violet the way he did. Watching her spend years trying to convince herself she'd moved on, only for every buried emotion to come rushing back the second she saw him again, completely broke my heart. As a reader, I wanted to shake him and ask, "Do you have any idea what you put this poor girl through?"
But as the story unfolded, my feelings toward him slowly changed.
Learning about his childhood and the environment he grew up in helped me understand why he made the choices he did. It didn't excuse the hurt he caused, but it explained the deep-rooted belief that he wasn't good enough for Violet. Rowan wasn't running away because he stopped loving her—he ran because he convinced himself she deserved a better life than the one he believed he could offer.
Honestly, that's what made this story so emotional for me.
It wasn't a lack of love that separated them.
It was fear.
Fear of not being enough.
Fear of losing each other.
Fear of making the wrong choice.
Those emotions felt incredibly real throughout the entire novel.
I loved seeing Rowan slowly realize that loving someone also means trusting them to choose you. Watching him fight—not just for Violet's forgiveness, but to become the man he believed she deserved—made his character growth so rewarding.
One of my favorite parts of the book was all the little moments between them.
The stolen glances.
The quiet smiles.
The gentle touches.
The way Rowan looked at Violet like she was the only person in the room.
And then came the arcade date.
I don't think I'll ever stop smiling when I think about that chapter.
The fact that Rowan wanted a complete do-over because he wanted every first with Violet again was honestly one of the sweetest things I've ever read. He didn't want to pretend the past hadn't happened—he wanted to create new memories, new firsts, and a future they could both look back on without regret.
It was incredibly romantic.
I also appreciated that this book wasn't afraid to explore complicated family relationships.
Reading the scenes with Violet's father made me so frustrated. Seeing someone constantly make Rowan question whether he was worthy of Violet, while barely giving his own daughter the love and support she deserved, was heartbreaking. Thankfully, Violet's siblings helped balance those moments, and I loved seeing them quietly stand beside her when she needed it most.
The friendships in this book were another highlight.
Whitley absolutely stole every scene she was in. The banter between her and Violet felt effortless and genuine, reminding me of the kind of friendships everyone deserves. I especially loved the little moments between Whitley and Beau. Watching Beau become completely flustered every time she teased him had me smiling, and I already know I'm going to be first in line to read their story.
The chemistry between Rowan and Violet was beautiful from beginning to end.
Their emotional connection was always the strongest part of the story, but when the spice arrived... wow. 🔥 I'd personally rate it around 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (7/10)—passionate, well-written, and fitting naturally into the relationship they had spent years rebuilding.
What I loved most, though, was watching Rowan finally stop planning a future that kept taking him away from Violet. There was a moment where he considered another long contract because he still believed it was the best thing for them financially, but even then, he couldn't ignore how much he hated the idea of leaving her again. Watching him realize that the future he truly wanted wasn't somewhere else—it was right there in Lily Ridge with Violet—was one of the most satisfying parts of the entire book.
By the time I reached the happily ever after, I was smiling from ear to ear.
It felt earned.
It felt hopeful.
Most importantly, it felt like two people who had finally stopped letting fear write their story.
If you love:
🤍 Friends-to-lovers
🌼 Second-chance romance
🐶 Vet assistant heroine
🏡 Small-town romance
🥹 Mutual yearning
❤️ Emotional healing
🎮 Adorable first dates
✨ "I'd choose you all over again" energy
🌶️ A romance with plenty of chemistry
...then Almost Yours absolutely deserves a place on your TBR.
Alexandra Ayres has given us a beautiful start to the Lily Ridge series, and after meeting Whitley, Beau, and the rest of this wonderful cast, I already know I'll be coming back.
Some love stories are about finding the right person.
Rowan and Violet's story is about finally finding the courage to hold on to the person who was always meant to be yours. 🤍🌼
There are some romances that begin with two strangers meeting for the first time.
Then there are stories like Almost Yours, where two people have loved each other for years but never found the courage—or the right time—to turn "almost" into forever.
This book completely stole my heart.
From the very first chapter, Alexandra Ayres pulled me into Lily Ridge and introduced me to characters that felt so genuine, flawed, and incredibly easy to care about. Before I knew it, I wasn't just reading about Rowan and Violet—I was emotionally invested in every awkward conversation, every lingering glance, every painful memory, and every tiny step they took toward finding each other again.
One of the things I loved most about this story was Violet.
She is such a sweetheart, and I absolutely adored her. Working as a veterinary assistant suited her personality perfectly because she has such a gentle, caring soul. The way Rowan describes her, with her long wavy blonde hair and green eyes, immediately painted this beautiful, almost fairy-tale image in my mind. She genuinely gave me princess vibes—not because she needed rescuing, but because she carried herself with kindness, compassion, and quiet strength.
One scene that stayed with me was when Rowan brought an injured dog to the clinic. The way he looked at Violet, almost believing she could magically heal anything, completely melted my heart. It wasn't just about the dog. It was the way he saw her. Even after six years apart, he still looked at her with so much admiration that it was impossible not to swoon.
Now... let's talk about Rowan.
Because this man frustrated me.
A lot.
I was genuinely angry with him for leaving Violet the way he did. Watching her spend years trying to convince herself she'd moved on, only for every buried emotion to come rushing back the second she saw him again, completely broke my heart. As a reader, I wanted to shake him and ask, "Do you have any idea what you put this poor girl through?"
But as the story unfolded, my feelings toward him slowly changed.
Learning about his childhood and the environment he grew up in helped me understand why he made the choices he did. It didn't excuse the hurt he caused, but it explained the deep-rooted belief that he wasn't good enough for Violet. Rowan wasn't running away because he stopped loving her—he ran because he convinced himself she deserved a better life than the one he believed he could offer.
Honestly, that's what made this story so emotional for me.
It wasn't a lack of love that separated them.
It was fear.
Fear of not being enough.
Fear of losing each other.
Fear of making the wrong choice.
Those emotions felt incredibly real throughout the entire novel.
I loved seeing Rowan slowly realize that loving someone also means trusting them to choose you. Watching him fight—not just for Violet's forgiveness, but to become the man he believed she deserved—made his character growth so rewarding.
One of my favorite parts of the book was all the little moments between them.
The stolen glances.
The quiet smiles.
The gentle touches.
The way Rowan looked at Violet like she was the only person in the room.
And then came the arcade date.
I don't think I'll ever stop smiling when I think about that chapter.
The fact that Rowan wanted a complete do-over because he wanted every first with Violet again was honestly one of the sweetest things I've ever read. He didn't want to pretend the past hadn't happened—he wanted to create new memories, new firsts, and a future they could both look back on without regret.
It was incredibly romantic.
I also appreciated that this book wasn't afraid to explore complicated family relationships.
Reading the scenes with Violet's father made me so frustrated. Seeing someone constantly make Rowan question whether he was worthy of Violet, while barely giving his own daughter the love and support she deserved, was heartbreaking. Thankfully, Violet's siblings helped balance those moments, and I loved seeing them quietly stand beside her when she needed it most.
The friendships in this book were another highlight.
Whitley absolutely stole every scene she was in. The banter between her and Violet felt effortless and genuine, reminding me of the kind of friendships everyone deserves. I especially loved the little moments between Whitley and Beau. Watching Beau become completely flustered every time she teased him had me smiling, and I already know I'm going to be first in line to read their story.
The chemistry between Rowan and Violet was beautiful from beginning to end.
Their emotional connection was always the strongest part of the story, but when the spice arrived... wow. 🔥 I'd personally rate it around 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (7/10)—passionate, well-written, and fitting naturally into the relationship they had spent years rebuilding.
What I loved most, though, was watching Rowan finally stop planning a future that kept taking him away from Violet. There was a moment where he considered another long contract because he still believed it was the best thing for them financially, but even then, he couldn't ignore how much he hated the idea of leaving her again. Watching him realize that the future he truly wanted wasn't somewhere else—it was right there in Lily Ridge with Violet—was one of the most satisfying parts of the entire book.
By the time I reached the happily ever after, I was smiling from ear to ear.
It felt earned.
It felt hopeful.
Most importantly, it felt like two people who had finally stopped letting fear write their story.
If you love:
🤍 Friends-to-lovers
🌼 Second-chance romance
🐶 Vet assistant heroine
🏡 Small-town romance
🥹 Mutual yearning
❤️ Emotional healing
🎮 Adorable first dates
✨ "I'd choose you all over again" energy
🌶️ A romance with plenty of chemistry
...then Almost Yours absolutely deserves a place on your TBR.
Alexandra Ayres has given us a beautiful start to the Lily Ridge series, and after meeting Whitley, Beau, and the rest of this wonderful cast, I already know I'll be coming back.
Some love stories are about finding the right person.
Rowan and Violet's story is about finally finding the courage to hold on to the person who was always meant to be yours. 🤍🌼
July 16, 2026
ARC Review 📚✨
Thank you to Alexandra Ayres and House of Hearts for the ARC. As always, this review reflects my honest opinion.
I have a lot of thoughts about this one, so buckle up. 😂
Almost Yours is a sweet, emotional, second-chance-ish romance about two people who've loved each other for years but have to figure out if love alone is enough.
Violet has loved Rowan since she was a little girl. She's the sweet, small-town girl from the "right" side of town, while Rowan grew up in a trailer park, always feeling like he wasn't good enough for her. The heartbreaking part? Rowan loved her just as much.
He just never believed he deserved her.
Instead of admitting his feelings, he kept Violet close enough to remain his best friend while simultaneously pushing her away. He kept her close, and they confided in one another, but he flirted with other girls in front of her. It was his way of protecting her, or so he thought. Then joins the Marines, and leaves town without so much as a goodbye, and was gone for six years, and during that time they do not have contact.
Ouch.
When Rowan returns home, Violet has done her best to move on. She's working as a vet tech, trying to build a life without him...until he walks into her clinic carrying a dog he rescued.
Cue all the unresolved feelings.
One thing I really appreciated was that Rowan wasn't pushy. Persistent? Absolutely. But he respected Violet's boundaries and understood that earning her trust wasn't going to happen overnight. He put in the work, and I loved that their relationship developed emotionally before becoming physical. They actually dated. They talked. They built something before jumping into bed, which is something I wish we saw more often.
Now for the part that made this a mixed read for me...
If you've read my reviews before, you know the "reformed playboy" trope is probably my biggest romance struggles. 😂
This isn't a criticism of the author—it's simply a trope I struggle with.
I have a hard time reconciling a hero who insists he's always loved one woman while also sleeping with countless others over the years. I know the common explanation is that those relationships meant nothing, but emotionally, that reasoning has never worked for me.
Instead of making the romance feel bigger, it often cheapens the intimacy for me. That's entirely a personal preference, and if this trope doesn't bother you, it likely won't affect your enjoyment of the book at all. For me, though, it was difficult.
I wanted to fully believe Rowan when he said Violet had always been the one, but I kept getting hung up on the fact that while he was supposedly thinking about her, he was also sleeping with other women. That's simply not something I can separate as a reader. Why do authors try to convince us that men who claim to love a woman but sleep around are a prize because they have FINALLY emotionally matured to settle down? I don't understand the continuous retelling of the same BS: He has slept with a ton of women, but has always loved you. Or he's been with everyone, flings, countless ONS, but suddenly you're different. It excuses their behavior while also trying to lead women to believe they are somehow the lucky one because they tamed the man. Ugh. Gross.
Another struggle came later in the story.
Rowan knows Violet's deepest fear is that he'll leave again...and then he accepts another security job that takes him away for weeks. I understood why he did it. He wanted to prove he could provide for her and build the life he thought she deserved.
The problem? Violet never wanted or needed him to prove himself. She just wanted him. He was already good enough for her.
That realization becomes the heart of Rowan's character growth, and I actually thought it was one of the strongest parts of the book. Once he realizes he's so focused on becoming "worthy" that he's recreating the very abandonment Violet fears most, everything finally clicks.
I just wish it had happened a little sooner.
Things I loved:
❤️ Rowan's patience with Violet. He let her set the pace.
❤️ The slow emotional build before intimacy.
❤️ The adorable dog.
❤️ Rowan willingly earns back the trust of Violet and her father.
❤️ The many little moments that had me bookmarking pages because they were just...sweet.
One small thing that didn't quite work for me involved their intimate scenes.
Overall, I thought they were incredibly well written. Rowan was patient, attentive, and made Violet feel safe.
My only hiccup was when he quickly introduced some of his rougher preferences. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. For me, though, because Violet was a virgin and Rowan had significantly more experience, those comments unintentionally reminded me of all the women who came before her—which pulled me out of the moment instead of drawing me in.
Again, that's a personal preference more than a criticism of the writing.
Overall, I really did enjoy this book.
Even with my issues, I found myself highlighting conversations, smiling at the banter, and rooting for Rowan and Violet to figure things out. Alexandra Ayres created two characters who genuinely loved each other, even when they made frustrating choices, and I believed in their happily ever after by the end.
If you enjoy:
💛 Small-town romance
💛 Childhood best friends
💛 Second-chance-ish love
💛 A protective hero trying to earn redemption
💛 Slow emotional burn before physical intimacy
...then I absolutely think this is worth picking up.
My preferences kept this from being a perfect read, but I know they'll be complete non-issues for many readers. There was far more to love here than there was to criticize, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.
Thank you to Alexandra Ayres and House of Hearts for the ARC. As always, this review reflects my honest opinion.
I have a lot of thoughts about this one, so buckle up. 😂
Almost Yours is a sweet, emotional, second-chance-ish romance about two people who've loved each other for years but have to figure out if love alone is enough.
Violet has loved Rowan since she was a little girl. She's the sweet, small-town girl from the "right" side of town, while Rowan grew up in a trailer park, always feeling like he wasn't good enough for her. The heartbreaking part? Rowan loved her just as much.
He just never believed he deserved her.
Instead of admitting his feelings, he kept Violet close enough to remain his best friend while simultaneously pushing her away. He kept her close, and they confided in one another, but he flirted with other girls in front of her. It was his way of protecting her, or so he thought. Then joins the Marines, and leaves town without so much as a goodbye, and was gone for six years, and during that time they do not have contact.
Ouch.
When Rowan returns home, Violet has done her best to move on. She's working as a vet tech, trying to build a life without him...until he walks into her clinic carrying a dog he rescued.
Cue all the unresolved feelings.
One thing I really appreciated was that Rowan wasn't pushy. Persistent? Absolutely. But he respected Violet's boundaries and understood that earning her trust wasn't going to happen overnight. He put in the work, and I loved that their relationship developed emotionally before becoming physical. They actually dated. They talked. They built something before jumping into bed, which is something I wish we saw more often.
Now for the part that made this a mixed read for me...
If you've read my reviews before, you know the "reformed playboy" trope is probably my biggest romance struggles. 😂
This isn't a criticism of the author—it's simply a trope I struggle with.
I have a hard time reconciling a hero who insists he's always loved one woman while also sleeping with countless others over the years. I know the common explanation is that those relationships meant nothing, but emotionally, that reasoning has never worked for me.
Instead of making the romance feel bigger, it often cheapens the intimacy for me. That's entirely a personal preference, and if this trope doesn't bother you, it likely won't affect your enjoyment of the book at all. For me, though, it was difficult.
I wanted to fully believe Rowan when he said Violet had always been the one, but I kept getting hung up on the fact that while he was supposedly thinking about her, he was also sleeping with other women. That's simply not something I can separate as a reader. Why do authors try to convince us that men who claim to love a woman but sleep around are a prize because they have FINALLY emotionally matured to settle down? I don't understand the continuous retelling of the same BS: He has slept with a ton of women, but has always loved you. Or he's been with everyone, flings, countless ONS, but suddenly you're different. It excuses their behavior while also trying to lead women to believe they are somehow the lucky one because they tamed the man. Ugh. Gross.
Another struggle came later in the story.
Rowan knows Violet's deepest fear is that he'll leave again...and then he accepts another security job that takes him away for weeks. I understood why he did it. He wanted to prove he could provide for her and build the life he thought she deserved.
The problem? Violet never wanted or needed him to prove himself. She just wanted him. He was already good enough for her.
That realization becomes the heart of Rowan's character growth, and I actually thought it was one of the strongest parts of the book. Once he realizes he's so focused on becoming "worthy" that he's recreating the very abandonment Violet fears most, everything finally clicks.
I just wish it had happened a little sooner.
Things I loved:
❤️ Rowan's patience with Violet. He let her set the pace.
❤️ The slow emotional build before intimacy.
❤️ The adorable dog.
❤️ Rowan willingly earns back the trust of Violet and her father.
❤️ The many little moments that had me bookmarking pages because they were just...sweet.
One small thing that didn't quite work for me involved their intimate scenes.
Overall, I thought they were incredibly well written. Rowan was patient, attentive, and made Violet feel safe.
My only hiccup was when he quickly introduced some of his rougher preferences. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. For me, though, because Violet was a virgin and Rowan had significantly more experience, those comments unintentionally reminded me of all the women who came before her—which pulled me out of the moment instead of drawing me in.
Again, that's a personal preference more than a criticism of the writing.
Overall, I really did enjoy this book.
Even with my issues, I found myself highlighting conversations, smiling at the banter, and rooting for Rowan and Violet to figure things out. Alexandra Ayres created two characters who genuinely loved each other, even when they made frustrating choices, and I believed in their happily ever after by the end.
If you enjoy:
💛 Small-town romance
💛 Childhood best friends
💛 Second-chance-ish love
💛 A protective hero trying to earn redemption
💛 Slow emotional burn before physical intimacy
...then I absolutely think this is worth picking up.
My preferences kept this from being a perfect read, but I know they'll be complete non-issues for many readers. There was far more to love here than there was to criticize, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to Alexandra Ayres and House of Hearts for the gifted copy — all opinions are my own.
✔️dual pov 1st person
✔️spice
✔️second chance
✔️it was always you
✔️24 year old mcs
✔️angst
Omfg this started off 4 stars but ended lower bc of all the unnecessary drama and angst especially after almost a decade of waiting!!! First half was 4 stars second half 2 stars...
I wasn't a fan of the full spice he was like dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Also hated how he still kept leaving, kept things from her, and was still making decisions for her/them without her input. The whole Melisa of all too wtffff. Them never talking??
Some of my fave quotes from arc:
"I loved her. God I loved her."
"If i'm ever gonna be anything- it's going to be hers"
"She's heartbreak and hope tangled into one, cutting me open with the ache of how much I've wanted her all this time. She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"I want to tell her that I'd give her everything. I want to give her the moon, the stars, my heart on a fucking player if that's what she needs."
"You're a fucking temptation Violet. You always have been. You could look at me a certain way and I'd forget my own name. Hell, I'd beg if you asked me to."
"Did you know Violet... that you taste like everything I've ever wanted?" It's true. I swear to god something inside me split wife open when our mouths brushed. She tastes like home. Like a memory. Like the hope I finally believe I'm allowed to want. This woman has always been mine. Long before I had any right to claim her. I want her more than I've ever wanted anything."
"I want my fingers lost in her hair, my mouth teaching her that I'm not something she has to brace for. I want to kiss her until every doubt loosens it's grip, until she understands how certain I am. I want to map my promise into her skin, linger long enough that she knows I'm not leaving, that there's nowhere else I want to be. God hope me, if she asks-if she even breathes the question-I'll hive her everything I have, without hesitation. She's the choice I'm making. Every time."
"I do t want halfway either. I want all of you...I've spent years trying to become someone who could give you what you deserve"
My chest splinters wide open. "I never needed you go be worthy...I just needed you to stay."
"He's asking got permission to step into a space I've already held open, just for him. Always him."
"He already has me. He always did."
"The tattooed menace with the softest eyes I've ever seen watches me like I'm the only calm in a room full of chaos."
"You're staring."
"I've waited a long time to." He grins
"I've always wanted something like this. A house thats tucked away from everything. Room to breath. Space for animals."
"If I'm being honest with my myself I bought this place. Not in some grand, premeditated way. During those long nights when the silence echoed too loud and the ache set in, I built a life I didn't think I'd ever get to share with her but made space for her in it anyway. Now she's standing in my kitchen, smiling like she can see it too."
"Is this...a violet?"
"Yeah. That one's yours."
"You got this? For me?"
"I did. Before I left. You were always the only soft thing in my world Violet. I wanted to keep you close."
"I feel for you today the same way I did then. I know your heart Violet. Even after all this time. I know I've got some catching up to do but I'm going to get it right this time."
"I missed you so much Rowan. I missed you every day."
"I want to memorize every inch of her, every freckle and scar... I want to erase every second I spent pretending this wasn't what I'd been staving for my whole damn life."
"She deserves me showing her with every touch that this isn't just want-it's her. Always has been."
"No one ever got close to what you were to me. What you are. I never let them."
"I still can't get over the fact that Violet Larkin kisses me whenever she feels like it."
"Everything I do, every choice I make...it's for you. For us. Not just for now but later too. For a life where you don't have to worry about anything, where we're steady. Secure. I'm thinking about it all Violet. The future, the finances...making sure we're good. Really good."
"Violet." My name comes out a breath, reverent and wrecked all at once. "I've loved you since before I even knew how to name it."
"I never forgot a single thing about you and I still love. Now more than ever."
Say it again I whisper. He gives me one of his devastating smiles. "I love you."
"I love you. It's always been you, Rowan." His eyes shine in the dim light and he lowers his forehead to mine. "Say it again"
"I love you. I loved you when you were gone. I loved you when I thought I'd never see you again."
"I don't know what I did to deserve you."
"You don't have to deserve me. I'm just...yours."
"Mine." he says the single word resonating with possessiveness.
"I have been and always will be, his."
"You're the only thing I could never regret." God. She means it. Every word.
"You're too perfect" He murmurs a hint of wonder in his voice. "You've ruined me for anyone else. Not that there was ever going to be anyone else."
"It's you Violet. It's always been you. Your laugh, your stubbornness, the way you make me feel like I'm home just by being near you. I don't want a life where I have everything except you. You're the center of my life Violet. You're the part that makes me want to be better, the part I'd give up brushing else for in a heartbeat. I'm not letting the world, my mistakes, or my stupid pride take you away from me."
✔️dual pov 1st person
✔️spice
✔️second chance
✔️it was always you
✔️24 year old mcs
✔️angst
Omfg this started off 4 stars but ended lower bc of all the unnecessary drama and angst especially after almost a decade of waiting!!! First half was 4 stars second half 2 stars...
I wasn't a fan of the full spice he was like dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Also hated how he still kept leaving, kept things from her, and was still making decisions for her/them without her input. The whole Melisa of all too wtffff. Them never talking??
Some of my fave quotes from arc:
"I loved her. God I loved her."
"If i'm ever gonna be anything- it's going to be hers"
"She's heartbreak and hope tangled into one, cutting me open with the ache of how much I've wanted her all this time. She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"I want to tell her that I'd give her everything. I want to give her the moon, the stars, my heart on a fucking player if that's what she needs."
"You're a fucking temptation Violet. You always have been. You could look at me a certain way and I'd forget my own name. Hell, I'd beg if you asked me to."
"Did you know Violet... that you taste like everything I've ever wanted?" It's true. I swear to god something inside me split wife open when our mouths brushed. She tastes like home. Like a memory. Like the hope I finally believe I'm allowed to want. This woman has always been mine. Long before I had any right to claim her. I want her more than I've ever wanted anything."
"I want my fingers lost in her hair, my mouth teaching her that I'm not something she has to brace for. I want to kiss her until every doubt loosens it's grip, until she understands how certain I am. I want to map my promise into her skin, linger long enough that she knows I'm not leaving, that there's nowhere else I want to be. God hope me, if she asks-if she even breathes the question-I'll hive her everything I have, without hesitation. She's the choice I'm making. Every time."
"I do t want halfway either. I want all of you...I've spent years trying to become someone who could give you what you deserve"
My chest splinters wide open. "I never needed you go be worthy...I just needed you to stay."
"He's asking got permission to step into a space I've already held open, just for him. Always him."
"He already has me. He always did."
"The tattooed menace with the softest eyes I've ever seen watches me like I'm the only calm in a room full of chaos."
"You're staring."
"I've waited a long time to." He grins
"I've always wanted something like this. A house thats tucked away from everything. Room to breath. Space for animals."
"If I'm being honest with my myself I bought this place. Not in some grand, premeditated way. During those long nights when the silence echoed too loud and the ache set in, I built a life I didn't think I'd ever get to share with her but made space for her in it anyway. Now she's standing in my kitchen, smiling like she can see it too."
"Is this...a violet?"
"Yeah. That one's yours."
"You got this? For me?"
"I did. Before I left. You were always the only soft thing in my world Violet. I wanted to keep you close."
"I feel for you today the same way I did then. I know your heart Violet. Even after all this time. I know I've got some catching up to do but I'm going to get it right this time."
"I missed you so much Rowan. I missed you every day."
"I want to memorize every inch of her, every freckle and scar... I want to erase every second I spent pretending this wasn't what I'd been staving for my whole damn life."
"She deserves me showing her with every touch that this isn't just want-it's her. Always has been."
"No one ever got close to what you were to me. What you are. I never let them."
"I still can't get over the fact that Violet Larkin kisses me whenever she feels like it."
"Everything I do, every choice I make...it's for you. For us. Not just for now but later too. For a life where you don't have to worry about anything, where we're steady. Secure. I'm thinking about it all Violet. The future, the finances...making sure we're good. Really good."
"Violet." My name comes out a breath, reverent and wrecked all at once. "I've loved you since before I even knew how to name it."
"I never forgot a single thing about you and I still love. Now more than ever."
Say it again I whisper. He gives me one of his devastating smiles. "I love you."
"I love you. It's always been you, Rowan." His eyes shine in the dim light and he lowers his forehead to mine. "Say it again"
"I love you. I loved you when you were gone. I loved you when I thought I'd never see you again."
"I don't know what I did to deserve you."
"You don't have to deserve me. I'm just...yours."
"Mine." he says the single word resonating with possessiveness.
"I have been and always will be, his."
"You're the only thing I could never regret." God. She means it. Every word.
"You're too perfect" He murmurs a hint of wonder in his voice. "You've ruined me for anyone else. Not that there was ever going to be anyone else."
"It's you Violet. It's always been you. Your laugh, your stubbornness, the way you make me feel like I'm home just by being near you. I don't want a life where I have everything except you. You're the center of my life Violet. You're the part that makes me want to be better, the part I'd give up brushing else for in a heartbeat. I'm not letting the world, my mistakes, or my stupid pride take you away from me."
July 15, 2026
5/5⭐️
There are some books you enjoy, and then there are books that leave you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page. Almost Yours was one of those books for me.
This story is so much more than a second-chance romance. It’s about rebuilding trust after heartbreak, learning to let go of the past, and choosing each other every single day. Alexandra Ayres took a familiar trope and made it feel emotional, comforting, and completely heartfelt.
Rowan and Violet completely stole my heart. Their history together added so much depth to their relationship, and I loved that the story never rushed forgiveness. Every conversation, every difficult moment, and every step they took toward each other felt earned. Watching them rebuild what they once had made me root for them from beginning to end.
Rowan quickly became one of my favorite book boyfriends. He didn’t expect forgiveness just because he came back. Instead, he showed up every single day and proved that he was willing to fight for the future they deserved. One moment that especially stayed with me was when Violet asked him to slow down because she wanted to trust him completely first. The way Rowan respected her feelings instead of rushing her made me love his character even more. That patience and consistency meant so much to me.
I also loved how Rowan remembered the little things about Violet, like her love for horses. Moments like that reminded me that love isn’t always about grand gestures—it’s about paying attention to the small things that matter to the person you love.
The scene where Rowan spoke with Violet’s father was another favorite. It wasn’t about convincing him with words but showing that he had grown into someone worthy of Violet’s love and trust. By the time her grandmother’s ring was placed in Rowan’s hands, it felt like he had truly earned that moment.
The small-town setting made Lily Ridge feel warm and welcoming, and the supporting characters added so much heart to the story. Whitley was easily one of my favorite side characters. Every girl deserves a best friend like her—supportive, protective, and always ready to stand by the people she loves.
The chemistry between Rowan and Violet was everything I hoped for. Their emotional connection was just as strong as their physical one, and the open-door scenes felt natural, intimate, and beautifully written. They added to the relationship instead of taking away from the emotional journey, which I really appreciated.
One of my favorite quotes from the book perfectly captures why this story meant so much to me:
“Love is a thousand little choices, and some people, no matter how far they drift, are always meant to find their way back home.”
That quote stayed with me because it reflects Rowan and Violet’s journey so beautifully.
If you enjoy:
🤍 Second-Chance Romance
🏡 Small-Town Romance
💕 Friends to Lovers
🌿 Slow Burn
✨ It’s Always Been You
🩷 Protective Hero
🔥 Open-Door Romance
Thank you so much to Alexandra Ayres and House of Heart for trusting me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Reading Rowan and Violet’s story was an absolute joy, and I already can’t wait to return to Lily Ridge.
This was an easy read for me, and I can’t wait to see what Alexandra Ayres has in store for this series next. 💜📚
There are some books you enjoy, and then there are books that leave you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page. Almost Yours was one of those books for me.
This story is so much more than a second-chance romance. It’s about rebuilding trust after heartbreak, learning to let go of the past, and choosing each other every single day. Alexandra Ayres took a familiar trope and made it feel emotional, comforting, and completely heartfelt.
Rowan and Violet completely stole my heart. Their history together added so much depth to their relationship, and I loved that the story never rushed forgiveness. Every conversation, every difficult moment, and every step they took toward each other felt earned. Watching them rebuild what they once had made me root for them from beginning to end.
Rowan quickly became one of my favorite book boyfriends. He didn’t expect forgiveness just because he came back. Instead, he showed up every single day and proved that he was willing to fight for the future they deserved. One moment that especially stayed with me was when Violet asked him to slow down because she wanted to trust him completely first. The way Rowan respected her feelings instead of rushing her made me love his character even more. That patience and consistency meant so much to me.
I also loved how Rowan remembered the little things about Violet, like her love for horses. Moments like that reminded me that love isn’t always about grand gestures—it’s about paying attention to the small things that matter to the person you love.
The scene where Rowan spoke with Violet’s father was another favorite. It wasn’t about convincing him with words but showing that he had grown into someone worthy of Violet’s love and trust. By the time her grandmother’s ring was placed in Rowan’s hands, it felt like he had truly earned that moment.
The small-town setting made Lily Ridge feel warm and welcoming, and the supporting characters added so much heart to the story. Whitley was easily one of my favorite side characters. Every girl deserves a best friend like her—supportive, protective, and always ready to stand by the people she loves.
The chemistry between Rowan and Violet was everything I hoped for. Their emotional connection was just as strong as their physical one, and the open-door scenes felt natural, intimate, and beautifully written. They added to the relationship instead of taking away from the emotional journey, which I really appreciated.
One of my favorite quotes from the book perfectly captures why this story meant so much to me:
“Love is a thousand little choices, and some people, no matter how far they drift, are always meant to find their way back home.”
That quote stayed with me because it reflects Rowan and Violet’s journey so beautifully.
If you enjoy:
🤍 Second-Chance Romance
🏡 Small-Town Romance
💕 Friends to Lovers
🌿 Slow Burn
✨ It’s Always Been You
🩷 Protective Hero
🔥 Open-Door Romance
Thank you so much to Alexandra Ayres and House of Heart for trusting me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Reading Rowan and Violet’s story was an absolute joy, and I already can’t wait to return to Lily Ridge.
This was an easy read for me, and I can’t wait to see what Alexandra Ayres has in store for this series next. 💜📚
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2026
There is this kind of ache you feel when you watch two people fall in love, fall out of love, and then somehow find their way back to each other again. That was exactly what I felt while reading Almost Yours.
Rowan and Violet grew up together in Lily Ridge, a small town where everyone knows everyone. He was the kid from the wrong side of town, while she was the girl he convinced himself he could never deserve. Instead of telling her how he truly felt, he left her without any words. He made a decision that affected both of them without ever giving Violet a choice, leaving her heartbroken for years. Sure, she dated other people, but nothing ever truly filled the space he left behind.
When Rowan finally comes home, Violet has already done the hard work of moving on. She has built a life for herself and now works as a vet tech. Then he walks into her clinic carrying a rescued dog, looking exactly like the problem she thought she'd already solved.
There were a lot of things I loved about this story, but there were also a few things that didn't completely work for me. The biggest issue was the pacing. I felt like everything moved a little too quickly. Their entire history is explained fairly early on, and then they get back together sooner than I expected. I wanted a little more time for them to sit with everything that had happened before they found their way back to each other.
I was also incredibly frustrated with Rowan. I understand where he's coming from, and I know his past and trauma shaped the way he made decisions. But understanding his reasons doesn't excuse his actions. Relationships are supposed to be a two-way street, yet both in the past and even in the present, he has a habit of making major decisions without ever consulting Violet.
The thing that frustrated me the most, though, was a choice Rowan makes later in the book. Violet's deepest wound is that he left. He knows that and yet he still does it. I understood his reasoning, and honestly, I even found it heartbreaking because it showed just how deeply he believed he had to earn her love. In trying so hard to become "good enough," he unknowingly recreates the exact abandonment Violet was terrified of. When he finally realizes that she never needed him to prove anything and that she simply needed him to stay, it became one of the strongest moments in the entire book. I just wish we had gotten to that realization a little sooner.
Despite my frustrations, there were things I genuinely liked. The prologue alone had me highlighting so many lines. It was beautifully written and immediately pulled me into the story. I also loved the idea that your first love, second love, and even your third love could all be the same person, just at different points in your life. I thought that was such a beautiful way to look at love and second chances.
Alexandra Ayres wrote Violet and Rowan as two people who genuinely, messily love each other, even when they're making choices that drive you a little crazy. By the end, I believed in their happy ending, and honestly, that's exactly what I want from a second-chance romance.
Many thanks to Alexandra Ayres and House of Hearts for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance.
Rowan and Violet grew up together in Lily Ridge, a small town where everyone knows everyone. He was the kid from the wrong side of town, while she was the girl he convinced himself he could never deserve. Instead of telling her how he truly felt, he left her without any words. He made a decision that affected both of them without ever giving Violet a choice, leaving her heartbroken for years. Sure, she dated other people, but nothing ever truly filled the space he left behind.
When Rowan finally comes home, Violet has already done the hard work of moving on. She has built a life for herself and now works as a vet tech. Then he walks into her clinic carrying a rescued dog, looking exactly like the problem she thought she'd already solved.
There were a lot of things I loved about this story, but there were also a few things that didn't completely work for me. The biggest issue was the pacing. I felt like everything moved a little too quickly. Their entire history is explained fairly early on, and then they get back together sooner than I expected. I wanted a little more time for them to sit with everything that had happened before they found their way back to each other.
I was also incredibly frustrated with Rowan. I understand where he's coming from, and I know his past and trauma shaped the way he made decisions. But understanding his reasons doesn't excuse his actions. Relationships are supposed to be a two-way street, yet both in the past and even in the present, he has a habit of making major decisions without ever consulting Violet.
The thing that frustrated me the most, though, was a choice Rowan makes later in the book. Violet's deepest wound is that he left. He knows that and yet he still does it. I understood his reasoning, and honestly, I even found it heartbreaking because it showed just how deeply he believed he had to earn her love. In trying so hard to become "good enough," he unknowingly recreates the exact abandonment Violet was terrified of. When he finally realizes that she never needed him to prove anything and that she simply needed him to stay, it became one of the strongest moments in the entire book. I just wish we had gotten to that realization a little sooner.
Despite my frustrations, there were things I genuinely liked. The prologue alone had me highlighting so many lines. It was beautifully written and immediately pulled me into the story. I also loved the idea that your first love, second love, and even your third love could all be the same person, just at different points in your life. I thought that was such a beautiful way to look at love and second chances.
Alexandra Ayres wrote Violet and Rowan as two people who genuinely, messily love each other, even when they're making choices that drive you a little crazy. By the end, I believed in their happy ending, and honestly, that's exactly what I want from a second-chance romance.
Many thanks to Alexandra Ayres and House of Hearts for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5⭐️ // 3🌶
Almost yours, a second chance, small town romance that shows that love is worth every ache and takes all you have to just be. Not the traditional "light and bright" kind of romcom, but a true romance with all its aspects.
Rowan grew up in less than ideal circumstances, with a dad that did not deserve that title that was always drunk, a mom that left and never returned, a sister that was troubled.. and a reputation that wrote itself based on assumptions and his surroundings. Determined to make something of himself, proving everyone wrong, he left town and made something of himself. Now that he is financially stable and has a roof over his head, it is time to come back home.
Home, not a set of bricks or some construction, no: home to her, the girl he has been pining about since he first layed eyes on her. The girl that he convinced himself he is not worthy of. The girl he was unable to forget all these years apart. The one he wants close to him, show her what she means to him, even if it means laying his heart bare for her.
Violet has her life together. Rooming with her best friend from college, doing a job she loves and dating a guy that shows good on paper, a stable and decent guy. Not that that makes her heart whole though. Even after 6 years since he left without a word, of forcing herself to move on, Violet can not seem to shake Rowan from her heart. Keeping her current guy at armslength, not giving him more than some warm smiles and excuses.
When Violet sees him again, she is a mess. All the feelings are enhanced, showing her how much she kept bottled up for him waiting to return. It is always been him. He is the only one she wants and that never really changed. But she did. From a shy, hidden girl, she turned into a women, a women with needs and old wounds that hurt still. Now he is back, saying that she is the one he always wanted. Even though he still believes he is not wrothy for her, he can not keep it in anymore. Everything she dreamt of. But how can she be sure he is not leaving again. Knowing she won't recover her heart breaking again ?
Ayres wrote a raw, heart-wreaking slowburn between 2 such beautiful, yet so different but perfectly fitting people. The tension and longing is palpable through the pages. A tribute to love that is messy and hard and wrecking but also fullfilling and warm and right. A story that is truely about a second chance, about almosts and missed time. About not being able to stay away even though your inner voice screams to be careful. I felt so close to Violet, resonated with her feelings in a way I did not see coming. It shows true love, not some shiny shell off it. This story feels true, genuine and is worth every minute of your time. One person can contain all the types of love - first, heartbreaking and stable. Love is a verb that ripples and envolved with time.
"𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚" 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚.
Almost yours, a second chance, small town romance that shows that love is worth every ache and takes all you have to just be. Not the traditional "light and bright" kind of romcom, but a true romance with all its aspects.
Rowan grew up in less than ideal circumstances, with a dad that did not deserve that title that was always drunk, a mom that left and never returned, a sister that was troubled.. and a reputation that wrote itself based on assumptions and his surroundings. Determined to make something of himself, proving everyone wrong, he left town and made something of himself. Now that he is financially stable and has a roof over his head, it is time to come back home.
Home, not a set of bricks or some construction, no: home to her, the girl he has been pining about since he first layed eyes on her. The girl that he convinced himself he is not worthy of. The girl he was unable to forget all these years apart. The one he wants close to him, show her what she means to him, even if it means laying his heart bare for her.
Violet has her life together. Rooming with her best friend from college, doing a job she loves and dating a guy that shows good on paper, a stable and decent guy. Not that that makes her heart whole though. Even after 6 years since he left without a word, of forcing herself to move on, Violet can not seem to shake Rowan from her heart. Keeping her current guy at armslength, not giving him more than some warm smiles and excuses.
When Violet sees him again, she is a mess. All the feelings are enhanced, showing her how much she kept bottled up for him waiting to return. It is always been him. He is the only one she wants and that never really changed. But she did. From a shy, hidden girl, she turned into a women, a women with needs and old wounds that hurt still. Now he is back, saying that she is the one he always wanted. Even though he still believes he is not wrothy for her, he can not keep it in anymore. Everything she dreamt of. But how can she be sure he is not leaving again. Knowing she won't recover her heart breaking again ?
Ayres wrote a raw, heart-wreaking slowburn between 2 such beautiful, yet so different but perfectly fitting people. The tension and longing is palpable through the pages. A tribute to love that is messy and hard and wrecking but also fullfilling and warm and right. A story that is truely about a second chance, about almosts and missed time. About not being able to stay away even though your inner voice screams to be careful. I felt so close to Violet, resonated with her feelings in a way I did not see coming. It shows true love, not some shiny shell off it. This story feels true, genuine and is worth every minute of your time. One person can contain all the types of love - first, heartbreaking and stable. Love is a verb that ripples and envolved with time.
"𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚" 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚.
July 18, 2026
First, I want to say thank you to Alexandra Ayres and House of Hearts for the gifted copy — all opinions are my own.
Almost Yours is a very sweet story that has second chance and it's always been you tropes, which I love! Those were done beautifully and I think one of my favorite things I enjoyed was that the MMC is portrayed as "rough around the edges" because of where he came from but he was totally not that way at all and was so sweet with our FMC.
A couple things that worked for me:
- FMC's spicy BFF: Whitley had me hollering any time she showed up in this book (LOL)! She was fabulous and truly, every female deserves a best friend who is ready to go to bat for them over anyone and anything.
- FMC's confidence: I love that the beginning of this book started out with the FMC's battle of confidence and how she puts herself out there. When she first sees Rowan at work, she is so nervous and as the book goes on, she doesn't have that same nervous energy anymore.
- Setting: I absolutely LOVED the town that was built in this book! It has that small town feel and honestly reminds me a lot of my own hometown. The familiarity was so nice.
There were a couple things that didn't work for me in this book:
- Pacing: The FMC & MMC were together and "in love" by 20% through this book. Though they'd been in love all their lives so they already knew, seeing the FMC have more of that internal battle with herself on "Should I trust him?" before they got together would have been so nice. Instead it was like she instantly forgave him and went with it.
- Backstory: There was a bit of a backstory at the beginning, but I wanted more. I'll be honest - I was a bit confused on if they were a couple before or if there was just yearning all those years ago. More time travel to the past to see them back them would have worked well for this story, I think. There were a couple of these, but I needed more history!!
- Repetitive: I feel because the FMC & MMC got together so fast, there were a lot of conversations that happened multiple times to the point that I *almost* DNF this book, but didn't because it was a cute story. Violet had to defend that Rowan was from the trailer park numerous times and that got quite boring.
Tropes:
- Return to hometown
- Second chance
- It's always been you
- Secret tattoo
- Mutual pining
- Friends to lovers
Overall, if you like fast paced, cute romance stories, I think you'll absolutely love this one, but if you're more of a slow burn reader, I think you'll feel the same as I did.
Almost Yours is a very sweet story that has second chance and it's always been you tropes, which I love! Those were done beautifully and I think one of my favorite things I enjoyed was that the MMC is portrayed as "rough around the edges" because of where he came from but he was totally not that way at all and was so sweet with our FMC.
A couple things that worked for me:
- FMC's spicy BFF: Whitley had me hollering any time she showed up in this book (LOL)! She was fabulous and truly, every female deserves a best friend who is ready to go to bat for them over anyone and anything.
- FMC's confidence: I love that the beginning of this book started out with the FMC's battle of confidence and how she puts herself out there. When she first sees Rowan at work, she is so nervous and as the book goes on, she doesn't have that same nervous energy anymore.
- Setting: I absolutely LOVED the town that was built in this book! It has that small town feel and honestly reminds me a lot of my own hometown. The familiarity was so nice.
There were a couple things that didn't work for me in this book:
- Pacing: The FMC & MMC were together and "in love" by 20% through this book. Though they'd been in love all their lives so they already knew, seeing the FMC have more of that internal battle with herself on "Should I trust him?" before they got together would have been so nice. Instead it was like she instantly forgave him and went with it.
- Backstory: There was a bit of a backstory at the beginning, but I wanted more. I'll be honest - I was a bit confused on if they were a couple before or if there was just yearning all those years ago. More time travel to the past to see them back them would have worked well for this story, I think. There were a couple of these, but I needed more history!!
- Repetitive: I feel because the FMC & MMC got together so fast, there were a lot of conversations that happened multiple times to the point that I *almost* DNF this book, but didn't because it was a cute story. Violet had to defend that Rowan was from the trailer park numerous times and that got quite boring.
Tropes:
- Return to hometown
- Second chance
- It's always been you
- Secret tattoo
- Mutual pining
- Friends to lovers
Overall, if you like fast paced, cute romance stories, I think you'll absolutely love this one, but if you're more of a slow burn reader, I think you'll feel the same as I did.
July 31, 2026
🌼 A Love Worth Coming Home To 🌼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️
Some love stories are loud and dramatic. Others are quiet, aching, and built from years of missed opportunities and unspoken feelings. Almost Yours is the latter, and it completely captured my heart. Alexandra Ayres has an incredible gift for creating characters who feel deeply human, and from the very first chapter I found myself completely invested in Rowan and Violet's journey back to one another.
One of the things I loved most about this story was Violet. She is kind, compassionate, and quietly strong, always leading with her heart without ever losing herself in the process. Even after Rowan left six years earlier without a goodbye, she never stopped believing there was goodness in him. Watching her encourage him to believe in himself again while still protecting her own heart made her such an easy heroine to admire. Rowan, on the other hand, definitely tested my patience at first. I was frustrated by the choices he made and the pain he caused Violet. But as his past slowly unfolded, so did my understanding of him. His journey wasn't about learning to love Violet. It was about believing he was worthy of the love she'd always been willing to give him.
The slow burn between them was absolutely beautiful. Every lingering glance, every hesitant conversation, and every quiet moment carried years of history and longing. One of my favorite scenes was their arcade date, where Rowan wanted to experience every "first" with Violet all over again. It wasn't about erasing the past. It was about creating new memories together, and it perfectly captured everything that made their relationship so special. Their chemistry felt effortless because it was built on friendship, trust, and years of loving each other in silence.
Alexandra Ayres delivered a heartfelt second-chance romance that beautifully explores healing, forgiveness, and choosing love despite fear. The charming small-town setting, wonderful friendships, and unforgettable supporting characters made Lily Ridge feel like somewhere I'd happily visit again and again. By the time I reached the final page, I couldn't stop smiling. Almost Yours reminded me that sometimes the greatest love stories aren't about finding someone new. They're about finding your way back to the person who always felt like home.
Thank you to Alexandra Ayres and House Of Hearts Lit for the gifted advanced reader copy. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️
Some love stories are loud and dramatic. Others are quiet, aching, and built from years of missed opportunities and unspoken feelings. Almost Yours is the latter, and it completely captured my heart. Alexandra Ayres has an incredible gift for creating characters who feel deeply human, and from the very first chapter I found myself completely invested in Rowan and Violet's journey back to one another.
One of the things I loved most about this story was Violet. She is kind, compassionate, and quietly strong, always leading with her heart without ever losing herself in the process. Even after Rowan left six years earlier without a goodbye, she never stopped believing there was goodness in him. Watching her encourage him to believe in himself again while still protecting her own heart made her such an easy heroine to admire. Rowan, on the other hand, definitely tested my patience at first. I was frustrated by the choices he made and the pain he caused Violet. But as his past slowly unfolded, so did my understanding of him. His journey wasn't about learning to love Violet. It was about believing he was worthy of the love she'd always been willing to give him.
The slow burn between them was absolutely beautiful. Every lingering glance, every hesitant conversation, and every quiet moment carried years of history and longing. One of my favorite scenes was their arcade date, where Rowan wanted to experience every "first" with Violet all over again. It wasn't about erasing the past. It was about creating new memories together, and it perfectly captured everything that made their relationship so special. Their chemistry felt effortless because it was built on friendship, trust, and years of loving each other in silence.
Alexandra Ayres delivered a heartfelt second-chance romance that beautifully explores healing, forgiveness, and choosing love despite fear. The charming small-town setting, wonderful friendships, and unforgettable supporting characters made Lily Ridge feel like somewhere I'd happily visit again and again. By the time I reached the final page, I couldn't stop smiling. Almost Yours reminded me that sometimes the greatest love stories aren't about finding someone new. They're about finding your way back to the person who always felt like home.
Thank you to Alexandra Ayres and House Of Hearts Lit for the gifted advanced reader copy. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 17, 2026
Almost Yours was my first Alexandra Ayres book, and while it didn't completely win me over, I still enjoyed the overall reading experience.
One thing I can't fault is the pacing. The story flowed so naturally that I never hit a point where I felt bored or tempted to put it down. I finished it in less than 24 hours. The writing kept me invested from beginning to end, which is always a huge plus.
The FMC completely stole my heart. Violet was kind, gentle, and so easy to root for. Watching her slowly find her voice and learn to stand up for herself was one of my favourite parts of the story. And the side characters? Absolutely loved them! Her best friend was an instant favourite and definitely my spirit animal.
The MMC (Rowan) on the other hand... that's where this book lost a few stars for me.
At first, I was completely here for his relentless pursuit of Violet. His possessive "mine" energy was written so well, and I loved watching him go all in. But once they finally decided to give their relationship a real chance, things started to frustrate me. After working so hard to convince her he was all in, he repeatedly left for weeks at a time "to secure their future." Considering his financial situation, those choices felt unnecessary, and each time he left, it chipped away at the trust they were trying to build. He disappointed her more than once, and eventually I felt like they were stuck on an emotional merry-go-round that I just couldn't get behind.
I also found myself wishing Violet had pushed back a little more. There were moments where she gave in so easily that I wanted her to demand more for herself sooner.
This is one of those books where I can absolutely appreciate the strong pacing, engaging storyline, and enjoyable cast of characters, but the romance itself just didn't fully work for me. Sometimes a character makes one too many choices that are hard to move past, and unfortunately, that's exactly what happened here.
Overall, this was still a good read, and I'm glad I gave Alexandra Ayres a try and if you enjoy an obsessed, possessive hero, a heroine finding her strength, and a romance that keeps you turning the pages, this one may be exactly what you're looking for.
One thing I can't fault is the pacing. The story flowed so naturally that I never hit a point where I felt bored or tempted to put it down. I finished it in less than 24 hours. The writing kept me invested from beginning to end, which is always a huge plus.
The FMC completely stole my heart. Violet was kind, gentle, and so easy to root for. Watching her slowly find her voice and learn to stand up for herself was one of my favourite parts of the story. And the side characters? Absolutely loved them! Her best friend was an instant favourite and definitely my spirit animal.
The MMC (Rowan) on the other hand... that's where this book lost a few stars for me.
At first, I was completely here for his relentless pursuit of Violet. His possessive "mine" energy was written so well, and I loved watching him go all in. But once they finally decided to give their relationship a real chance, things started to frustrate me. After working so hard to convince her he was all in, he repeatedly left for weeks at a time "to secure their future." Considering his financial situation, those choices felt unnecessary, and each time he left, it chipped away at the trust they were trying to build. He disappointed her more than once, and eventually I felt like they were stuck on an emotional merry-go-round that I just couldn't get behind.
I also found myself wishing Violet had pushed back a little more. There were moments where she gave in so easily that I wanted her to demand more for herself sooner.
This is one of those books where I can absolutely appreciate the strong pacing, engaging storyline, and enjoyable cast of characters, but the romance itself just didn't fully work for me. Sometimes a character makes one too many choices that are hard to move past, and unfortunately, that's exactly what happened here.
Overall, this was still a good read, and I'm glad I gave Alexandra Ayres a try and if you enjoy an obsessed, possessive hero, a heroine finding her strength, and a romance that keeps you turning the pages, this one may be exactly what you're looking for.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐
"𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘙𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘯 𝘞𝘰𝘭𝘧𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭--𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨."
👫 Violet and Rowan have been friends since high school. Both secretly pining after the other. She’s the good girl with a future. He’s the bad boy with a past.
😢 Feeling like he could never be good enough for her and wanting to try to make something of himself, Rowan enlists after graduation and leaves without even saying goodbye. He’s gone for more than 6 years and Violet is left broken.
💓 After all this time neither has forgotten the other and Rowan can stay away no longer.
Their reunion is rocky and fragile, but oh so sweet and tender.
“𝘐’𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦.”
👩❤️👨 Watching them grow as individuals and grow together was as nerve-racking as it was heartwarming.
❤️🔥 The tension was thicker than my thighs.
💔 And listening to them recount all the lost time and all the moments that could have been made me want to scream. At both of them! They were young and stubborn and foolish and ignorant……and I personally felt it all.
🅸🆃'🆂 🅰🅻🆆🅰🆈🆂 🅱🅴🅴🅽 🆈🅾🆄
🤩 Oh man, I really enjoyed this story!
Sweet, innocent, virgin Violet. And hot, tatted, dirty-talking, aftercare-giving Rowan! 🔥 (he buys her a horse!)
Their teasing, the yearning, the tension….Gahhhh!
🫠 Yes, this was ＳＰＩＣＹ! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
And Whitley!! Whitley is Violet’s BFF and she is Main Character Energy all day long! 🤘🖤
🐶 Oh, and there’s a dog ☺️
I LOVED All the characters (except Travis😡) and I cannot wait for more 𝙇𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙚 💞
“𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘺, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰. 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”
Small Town Romance | Second Chance | Friends-To-Lovers | Good Girl x Bad Boy | Virgin FMC | Mutual Secret Yearning
🙌 Thank you SO much #AlexandraAyres for the gifted ARC!!
"𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘙𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘯 𝘞𝘰𝘭𝘧𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭--𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨."
👫 Violet and Rowan have been friends since high school. Both secretly pining after the other. She’s the good girl with a future. He’s the bad boy with a past.
😢 Feeling like he could never be good enough for her and wanting to try to make something of himself, Rowan enlists after graduation and leaves without even saying goodbye. He’s gone for more than 6 years and Violet is left broken.
💓 After all this time neither has forgotten the other and Rowan can stay away no longer.
Their reunion is rocky and fragile, but oh so sweet and tender.
“𝘐’𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦.”
👩❤️👨 Watching them grow as individuals and grow together was as nerve-racking as it was heartwarming.
❤️🔥 The tension was thicker than my thighs.
💔 And listening to them recount all the lost time and all the moments that could have been made me want to scream. At both of them! They were young and stubborn and foolish and ignorant……and I personally felt it all.
🅸🆃'🆂 🅰🅻🆆🅰🆈🆂 🅱🅴🅴🅽 🆈🅾🆄
🤩 Oh man, I really enjoyed this story!
Sweet, innocent, virgin Violet. And hot, tatted, dirty-talking, aftercare-giving Rowan! 🔥 (he buys her a horse!)
Their teasing, the yearning, the tension….Gahhhh!
🫠 Yes, this was ＳＰＩＣＹ! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
And Whitley!! Whitley is Violet’s BFF and she is Main Character Energy all day long! 🤘🖤
🐶 Oh, and there’s a dog ☺️
I LOVED All the characters (except Travis😡) and I cannot wait for more 𝙇𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙚 💞
“𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘺, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰. 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”
Small Town Romance | Second Chance | Friends-To-Lovers | Good Girl x Bad Boy | Virgin FMC | Mutual Secret Yearning
🙌 Thank you SO much #AlexandraAyres for the gifted ARC!!
Read
July 17, 2026I have mixed feelings with this one so bare with me for a second…
First impressions, it’s a angsty love story about two best friends founding their way back together, the yearning, the pining these two have going on is so strong and it makes me feel for both of them so much… I’m sure so many people will enjoy and even love this story, it’s entertaining and enjoyable for sure!
With that being said, getting into the story, there’s several factors that rubbed me wrong, for starters, the fact that Rowan decide to kept Violet so close to him, being even closer than best friends, where it’s evident that there’s very deep feelings between them, but because he decided (by himself) that he wasn’t enough for her, do things to push her away like leaving her waiting meanwhile he was with another girl… thats so wrong! And i get it, they weren’t together but thats something you wouldn’t do to a friend and least to a girl you said you love.
It seemed to me a little selfish, he kept her close but pushed her away being with a lot of women to distract himself… like keeping her with him but with a massive wall between them and in a way that it’s just going to hurt her…
Then, I’m a little tired of the trope when they love each other so much but have to be years apart and because she love him so much, she remains a virgins but him? No… he loves her so much that sleep around with a lot of woman to "try to forget her" mmm double standard much?
And to finish this rambling, he finally came back to fight for her and gain a place and her life and when she decides to give him a chance… he goes for weeks at a time to work in a very dangerous field even in countries, and don’t get me wrong of course work is important but the Reasoning he has about this is nonsense, he doesn’t even try to find a job closer and he doesn’t even hurting for money so why leave so soon of being back? It felt so freaking unnecessary!
Usually I would try to brush this things off but they made it impossible to enjoy the story, I don’t buy plot and unfortunately that’s very hard to get past.
“Thanks to Alexandra Ayres and House of Hearts for the gifted copy — all opinions are my own.”
First impressions, it’s a angsty love story about two best friends founding their way back together, the yearning, the pining these two have going on is so strong and it makes me feel for both of them so much… I’m sure so many people will enjoy and even love this story, it’s entertaining and enjoyable for sure!
With that being said, getting into the story, there’s several factors that rubbed me wrong, for starters, the fact that Rowan decide to kept Violet so close to him, being even closer than best friends, where it’s evident that there’s very deep feelings between them, but because he decided (by himself) that he wasn’t enough for her, do things to push her away like leaving her waiting meanwhile he was with another girl… thats so wrong! And i get it, they weren’t together but thats something you wouldn’t do to a friend and least to a girl you said you love.
It seemed to me a little selfish, he kept her close but pushed her away being with a lot of women to distract himself… like keeping her with him but with a massive wall between them and in a way that it’s just going to hurt her…
Then, I’m a little tired of the trope when they love each other so much but have to be years apart and because she love him so much, she remains a virgins but him? No… he loves her so much that sleep around with a lot of woman to "try to forget her" mmm double standard much?
And to finish this rambling, he finally came back to fight for her and gain a place and her life and when she decides to give him a chance… he goes for weeks at a time to work in a very dangerous field even in countries, and don’t get me wrong of course work is important but the Reasoning he has about this is nonsense, he doesn’t even try to find a job closer and he doesn’t even hurting for money so why leave so soon of being back? It felt so freaking unnecessary!
Usually I would try to brush this things off but they made it impossible to enjoy the story, I don’t buy plot and unfortunately that’s very hard to get past.
“Thanks to Alexandra Ayres and House of Hearts for the gifted copy — all opinions are my own.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2026
This reconnecting childhood friends to lovers had all the ingredients needed for the perfect romance read but it fell a bit short for me. I'm giving it a 3.5 (rounded up to 4 on GR).
First, what I enjoyed:
- The backstory of their lives prior to Rowan (MMC) leaving Violet (FMC) without explanation for 6 years. Their childhood friendship and how vastly their lives differed and how those differences played a huge part in his decision to run.
- The banter was laugh-out-loud funny whether it was between MCs, MCs and side characters, or the side characters amongst themselves.
- The chemistry was well-written and the spicy moments were well-placed and hot as hell. And there was an equal amount of swoon-worthy sweet moments that I enjoyed as well.
Now for what I didn't enjoy:
-Rowan regrets leaving her, knows that her confidence in his ability to stay is low until he proves otherwise, and then he takes on a job that requires extensive traveling. He leaves... again. To her, it feels like he has one foot out the door. In my opinion, there were other ways to create tension that didn't involve him doing exactly what he said he wouldn't. It kind of made me hate him a little.
- Writing Violet into a long-term relationship prior to Rowan's return but also making her a virgin just so he can have his claiming moment gave me the ick. She pined so hard for him that she refused to fully give herself to anyone else (physically) but he missed her so much that he fooled his way around town and (presumably) multiple states and countries? Felt like she was written as if she were a side character in her own story, as if she wasn't living until he returned. Ew.
And I'm still confused about Melissa and why she even needed page time.
All of that said, the issues weren't enough for me to quit reading or for me to nix the author from my TBR. Because of her hinting about the romance between side characters, and how well those characters were written in this book, I'm looking forward to the second book.
First, what I enjoyed:
- The backstory of their lives prior to Rowan (MMC) leaving Violet (FMC) without explanation for 6 years. Their childhood friendship and how vastly their lives differed and how those differences played a huge part in his decision to run.
- The banter was laugh-out-loud funny whether it was between MCs, MCs and side characters, or the side characters amongst themselves.
- The chemistry was well-written and the spicy moments were well-placed and hot as hell. And there was an equal amount of swoon-worthy sweet moments that I enjoyed as well.
Now for what I didn't enjoy:
-Rowan regrets leaving her, knows that her confidence in his ability to stay is low until he proves otherwise, and then he takes on a job that requires extensive traveling. He leaves... again. To her, it feels like he has one foot out the door. In my opinion, there were other ways to create tension that didn't involve him doing exactly what he said he wouldn't. It kind of made me hate him a little.
- Writing Violet into a long-term relationship prior to Rowan's return but also making her a virgin just so he can have his claiming moment gave me the ick. She pined so hard for him that she refused to fully give herself to anyone else (physically) but he missed her so much that he fooled his way around town and (presumably) multiple states and countries? Felt like she was written as if she were a side character in her own story, as if she wasn't living until he returned. Ew.
And I'm still confused about Melissa and why she even needed page time.
All of that said, the issues weren't enough for me to quit reading or for me to nix the author from my TBR. Because of her hinting about the romance between side characters, and how well those characters were written in this book, I'm looking forward to the second book.
July 21, 2026
ARC Review
OH MY GAWD this man
Chapter 10 is almost completely highlighted
And then throw in the chat with his rescue Bramble, tug at my heart strings why dont you because all I got are heart eyes right now
When you love someone for years and you finally get the chance to be with them thats a second chance I think everyone would make no matter the past and no matter the risk
Thats exactly what happens with Violet and Rowan
Violet fell in love with the one person who really saw her, she never cared where he came from or what others said, she knew him but everything changed when he suddenly left and her heart broke, yet she could never stopped loving him no matter how hard she tried
Rowan never felt good enough for Violet so he kept his distance and loved her silently, years later he came back. He could not stay away any longer. He came back for her and the last thing he is is silent about it. Everything he has done is all for her.
After years of yearning and what ifs, our MCs are drawn back to each other. And there is no denying how they feel anymore.
This is one of those stories where they needed that time apart, they needed the space to grow and to find themselves. So when they finally give their love a chance, it the kind of love story everyone would want. Its not slow, their love story is tender and caring yet so palpable, the kind of love that you know is inevitable
The way Alex writes you cannot help but be pulled into the story. Its so easy to be part of the characters world. I was on a short getaway in the smalltown of Lily Ridge and enjoyed every second of it.
I may miss our Scottish MCs but there is zero denying that this tatted man definitely fit the bill for a swoonworthy hot MMC
Now to paitently wait for book 2
Saying I am excited for W+B's book may just be an understatement, take me back to Lily Ridge, Kentucky
OH MY GAWD this man
Chapter 10 is almost completely highlighted
And then throw in the chat with his rescue Bramble, tug at my heart strings why dont you because all I got are heart eyes right now
When you love someone for years and you finally get the chance to be with them thats a second chance I think everyone would make no matter the past and no matter the risk
Thats exactly what happens with Violet and Rowan
Violet fell in love with the one person who really saw her, she never cared where he came from or what others said, she knew him but everything changed when he suddenly left and her heart broke, yet she could never stopped loving him no matter how hard she tried
Rowan never felt good enough for Violet so he kept his distance and loved her silently, years later he came back. He could not stay away any longer. He came back for her and the last thing he is is silent about it. Everything he has done is all for her.
After years of yearning and what ifs, our MCs are drawn back to each other. And there is no denying how they feel anymore.
This is one of those stories where they needed that time apart, they needed the space to grow and to find themselves. So when they finally give their love a chance, it the kind of love story everyone would want. Its not slow, their love story is tender and caring yet so palpable, the kind of love that you know is inevitable
The way Alex writes you cannot help but be pulled into the story. Its so easy to be part of the characters world. I was on a short getaway in the smalltown of Lily Ridge and enjoyed every second of it.
I may miss our Scottish MCs but there is zero denying that this tatted man definitely fit the bill for a swoonworthy hot MMC
Now to paitently wait for book 2
Saying I am excited for W+B's book may just be an understatement, take me back to Lily Ridge, Kentucky
July 29, 2026
3.5 ★
Violet Larkin and Rowan Wolfe were high school sweethearts who never got the chance to truly express their feelings for each other. Rowan suddenly disappeared during their school years because he constantly believed that he was not good enough for Violet.
Six years later, he returns to Lily Ridge, not alone, but with an injured dog that brings him to the veterinary hospital where Violet works.
Both of them carry emotional scars from the past, and that is what makes their relationship so complicated. Violet struggles to express her feelings and opinions openly to Rowan. On the other hand, Rowan is the kind of person who makes decisions on his own without fully considering or discussing them with his partner.
I understand Rowan’s insecurities. He truly believes that he is not enough for Violet, that he is not perfect for her, and that he might ruin her life. Violet is aware of these fears. However, when he fails to be there for some of the important moments in her life, she asks him for space. Then, after hearing that he has left his job, she says, "I didn’t tell you to leave your job, and that’s exactly the kind of thing you would like to do." That reaction frustrated me a little because she had already expressed that she wanted a partner who would be present for her and make an effort to show up in her life. I think she could have tried to understand him a little more, because insecurities do not disappear overnight.
In my opinion, both characters were right at certain points and wrong at others. Rowan left her six years ago because he believed he was not the perfect man for her. Later, he leaves again temporarily for work overseas, hoping to build a better future for her and prove that he can become worthy of her love.
Overall, the book was enjoyable. Violet and Rowan shared many sweet, heartfelt moments, and the chemistry between them was convincing. The spicy scenes added extra intensity to their relationship, while the emotional struggles made their journey feel realistic and bittersweet.
It is a touching second-chance romance about love, insecurities, healing, and learning that perfection is not what truly makes someone worthy of being loved.
I received an advance copy from the author & House of Hearts Literary Services in exchange for an honest review.
Violet Larkin and Rowan Wolfe were high school sweethearts who never got the chance to truly express their feelings for each other. Rowan suddenly disappeared during their school years because he constantly believed that he was not good enough for Violet.
Six years later, he returns to Lily Ridge, not alone, but with an injured dog that brings him to the veterinary hospital where Violet works.
Both of them carry emotional scars from the past, and that is what makes their relationship so complicated. Violet struggles to express her feelings and opinions openly to Rowan. On the other hand, Rowan is the kind of person who makes decisions on his own without fully considering or discussing them with his partner.
I understand Rowan’s insecurities. He truly believes that he is not enough for Violet, that he is not perfect for her, and that he might ruin her life. Violet is aware of these fears. However, when he fails to be there for some of the important moments in her life, she asks him for space. Then, after hearing that he has left his job, she says, "I didn’t tell you to leave your job, and that’s exactly the kind of thing you would like to do." That reaction frustrated me a little because she had already expressed that she wanted a partner who would be present for her and make an effort to show up in her life. I think she could have tried to understand him a little more, because insecurities do not disappear overnight.
In my opinion, both characters were right at certain points and wrong at others. Rowan left her six years ago because he believed he was not the perfect man for her. Later, he leaves again temporarily for work overseas, hoping to build a better future for her and prove that he can become worthy of her love.
Overall, the book was enjoyable. Violet and Rowan shared many sweet, heartfelt moments, and the chemistry between them was convincing. The spicy scenes added extra intensity to their relationship, while the emotional struggles made their journey feel realistic and bittersweet.
It is a touching second-chance romance about love, insecurities, healing, and learning that perfection is not what truly makes someone worthy of being loved.
I received an advance copy from the author & House of Hearts Literary Services in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars because the MMC frustrated the hell out of me
Lily Ridge: Rowan and Violet
“I’m still not good enough for her, but leaving her behind didn’t fix that the first time.”
Right person, wrong time.
“Her eyes meet mine, and I’m expecting to see anger there…but no. It’s so much worse.
What I find looking back at me is pain. The hurt sits there, exposed, and for a second I see myself reflected in it.”
I felt so much for Violet throughout this. Alexandra Ayres… what did you do to this girl!!?
“Every girl I flirted with, every stupid hookup—it was because I was trying to convince myself I didn’t want you. That I could want someone else. Anyone else.”
So it was like that. This trope is the absolute worst. An MMC who wants her, but not enough to actually do anything about it when it matters…
“You really think disappearing hurt less than staying would have? You think I wanted to spend years wondering what I did wrong? Thinking I wasn’t enough for you to stay?”
And there it is…
“You never gave me the chance to decide what I wanted.”
“I was so afraid of being the one to break her that I did it anyway.”
I wanted to rage. Partly because of what he did to Violet.
But also because I couldn’t dislike him.
It was clear he had regrets, just made stupid and immature decisions.
It didn’t stop him from making stupid decision in the present though…
I did love the entire friend group. Some tough love, some hard discussions, a lot of support, and a wonderful teaser to the next.
“Love is a thousand little choices, and some people, no matter how far they drift, are always meant to find their way back home.”
Lily Ridge: Rowan and Violet
“I’m still not good enough for her, but leaving her behind didn’t fix that the first time.”
Right person, wrong time.
“Her eyes meet mine, and I’m expecting to see anger there…but no. It’s so much worse.
What I find looking back at me is pain. The hurt sits there, exposed, and for a second I see myself reflected in it.”
I felt so much for Violet throughout this. Alexandra Ayres… what did you do to this girl!!?
“Every girl I flirted with, every stupid hookup—it was because I was trying to convince myself I didn’t want you. That I could want someone else. Anyone else.”
So it was like that. This trope is the absolute worst. An MMC who wants her, but not enough to actually do anything about it when it matters…
“You really think disappearing hurt less than staying would have? You think I wanted to spend years wondering what I did wrong? Thinking I wasn’t enough for you to stay?”
And there it is…
“You never gave me the chance to decide what I wanted.”
“I was so afraid of being the one to break her that I did it anyway.”
I wanted to rage. Partly because of what he did to Violet.
But also because I couldn’t dislike him.
It was clear he had regrets, just made stupid and immature decisions.
It didn’t stop him from making stupid decision in the present though…
I did love the entire friend group. Some tough love, some hard discussions, a lot of support, and a wonderful teaser to the next.
“Love is a thousand little choices, and some people, no matter how far they drift, are always meant to find their way back home.”
July 20, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️
I have been a huge fan of Alex since I read the Windswept series, and I didn't think it could get much better - but then I read “Almost Yours”. The Prologue alone gutted me - I knew right then that the book would do the same. The book gutted me and healed me all in 340 pages. The way Violet and Rowan find their way back to each other and build something is absolutely beautiful - I really loved this book, and I am so excited to see where the series goes. This is a story of hurt and healing, where the characters fight to get back to friendship and how to move on to the love that they both want and deserve from each other. If you are looking for a small town romance with a friends-to-lovers where they have secretly been yearning for each other for years, this is one to add to your TBR!
Violet (FMC) and Rowan (MMC) were best friends in High School, with each secretly hoping for more from the other, but neither was willing to take that step. Rowan, because he didn't think he was good enough for Violet, and Violet, because she didn't think the feelings were mutual. After high school, Rowan disappeared, for 6 years, Violet didn’t know what happened to him, he never said goodbye. One day, Rowan shows up at Violet's job with a hurt dog; even after 6 years, Rowan still has the same effect on Violet. Rowan knows he messed up and has spent the last 6 years trying to make himself worthy of Violet, and she has spent the last 6 years trying to understand what she did wrong. Slowly, they start working to get back to where they once were, building the trust and friendship needed to heal the hurt and broken trust between them.
Thank you so much to the author for the e-arc in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️
I have been a huge fan of Alex since I read the Windswept series, and I didn't think it could get much better - but then I read “Almost Yours”. The Prologue alone gutted me - I knew right then that the book would do the same. The book gutted me and healed me all in 340 pages. The way Violet and Rowan find their way back to each other and build something is absolutely beautiful - I really loved this book, and I am so excited to see where the series goes. This is a story of hurt and healing, where the characters fight to get back to friendship and how to move on to the love that they both want and deserve from each other. If you are looking for a small town romance with a friends-to-lovers where they have secretly been yearning for each other for years, this is one to add to your TBR!
Violet (FMC) and Rowan (MMC) were best friends in High School, with each secretly hoping for more from the other, but neither was willing to take that step. Rowan, because he didn't think he was good enough for Violet, and Violet, because she didn't think the feelings were mutual. After high school, Rowan disappeared, for 6 years, Violet didn’t know what happened to him, he never said goodbye. One day, Rowan shows up at Violet's job with a hurt dog; even after 6 years, Rowan still has the same effect on Violet. Rowan knows he messed up and has spent the last 6 years trying to make himself worthy of Violet, and she has spent the last 6 years trying to understand what she did wrong. Slowly, they start working to get back to where they once were, building the trust and friendship needed to heal the hurt and broken trust between them.
Thank you so much to the author for the e-arc in exchange for my honest thoughts.
July 11, 2026
2⭐️
I was really thankful to get an ARC of Almost Yours by Alexandra Ayres. Honestly, on paper, this book has literally every single trope I look for in a romance story. I love second-chance romance, childhood friends-to-lovers, and small-town settings, so I was really excited to dive into Rowan and Violet's story.
What I liked:
🤍 The setup: The idea of two people who were a "thousand almosts" when they were eighteen meeting again six years later is so sweet.
🤍 The writing style: The writing itself is very gentle, and the author clearly knows how to write sweet, emotional moments.
Why it didn't completely work for me:
🖤 The pacing was too fast: While I loved the concept, the execution felt a bit too cliché and rushed for my taste. By just 20% into the book, they already meet again, she breaks up with her partner, they go out on their first date, and he tells her how much he loves her.
🖤 Needed more development: Because everything happened so quickly right at the beginning, it lost a lot of the romantic tension. I would have preferred the story to be way slower and more elaborated. I wanted to really feel the ache of those six years apart and watch them slowly rebuild their connection, rather than having it all happen at once.
Final thoughts: Even though the pacing wasn't quite right for me, it's still a very sweet story with great tropes. If you prefer romances where the couple gets together quickly without a ton of angst or waiting, you will probably really enjoy this one!
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was really thankful to get an ARC of Almost Yours by Alexandra Ayres. Honestly, on paper, this book has literally every single trope I look for in a romance story. I love second-chance romance, childhood friends-to-lovers, and small-town settings, so I was really excited to dive into Rowan and Violet's story.
What I liked:
🤍 The setup: The idea of two people who were a "thousand almosts" when they were eighteen meeting again six years later is so sweet.
🤍 The writing style: The writing itself is very gentle, and the author clearly knows how to write sweet, emotional moments.
Why it didn't completely work for me:
🖤 The pacing was too fast: While I loved the concept, the execution felt a bit too cliché and rushed for my taste. By just 20% into the book, they already meet again, she breaks up with her partner, they go out on their first date, and he tells her how much he loves her.
🖤 Needed more development: Because everything happened so quickly right at the beginning, it lost a lot of the romantic tension. I would have preferred the story to be way slower and more elaborated. I wanted to really feel the ache of those six years apart and watch them slowly rebuild their connection, rather than having it all happen at once.
Final thoughts: Even though the pacing wasn't quite right for me, it's still a very sweet story with great tropes. If you prefer romances where the couple gets together quickly without a ton of angst or waiting, you will probably really enjoy this one!
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2026
Thank you to house of hearts and Alexandra ayres all opions are my own.
What happens when your best friend all of a sudden turns up after 6 years of leaving without a word and you have always secretly fancied him. Well I will tell you what happens is it becomes a second chance romance.
Rowan was best friends with Violet for years he also did have to best bring up a alcoholic/abusive father he also just up amd left 6 years ago without a word to Violet.
Violet is the quiet good girl who is also a vet tech shes been in love with her best friend for 6 years but he left she tried to move on date other men that was ment to be safe but just never felt anything for them.
When rowan turns up to where Violet works with a dog he found injured in the street shes shocked to see him because its been so long she helps treat the dog.
You get to see these two work through there hurt from leaving and get to see them slowly build a relationship Violet stands strong on not rushing things because shes scared.
Rowan has so much trauma for his father and also from the jobs hes done as well he also feels like he needs to prove himself to Violet and her family because of everything her dad was saying to him which also puts a strain of there relationship as well.
When things are going good with these 2 they are the cutest couple in my opinion. I love the side characters as such a Whitley whos Violets best friend and will do anything for her.
Id rate the spice in this book 🌶🌶🌶 out of 5 definitely a slow burn but the spicy scene oh my godness when they hit they was soo good.
I cant wait for the next one
What happens when your best friend all of a sudden turns up after 6 years of leaving without a word and you have always secretly fancied him. Well I will tell you what happens is it becomes a second chance romance.
Rowan was best friends with Violet for years he also did have to best bring up a alcoholic/abusive father he also just up amd left 6 years ago without a word to Violet.
Violet is the quiet good girl who is also a vet tech shes been in love with her best friend for 6 years but he left she tried to move on date other men that was ment to be safe but just never felt anything for them.
When rowan turns up to where Violet works with a dog he found injured in the street shes shocked to see him because its been so long she helps treat the dog.
You get to see these two work through there hurt from leaving and get to see them slowly build a relationship Violet stands strong on not rushing things because shes scared.
Rowan has so much trauma for his father and also from the jobs hes done as well he also feels like he needs to prove himself to Violet and her family because of everything her dad was saying to him which also puts a strain of there relationship as well.
When things are going good with these 2 they are the cutest couple in my opinion. I love the side characters as such a Whitley whos Violets best friend and will do anything for her.
Id rate the spice in this book 🌶🌶🌶 out of 5 definitely a slow burn but the spicy scene oh my godness when they hit they was soo good.
I cant wait for the next one
Review of advance copy received from Author
STEM FMC: vet tech
This is the first book I've read by this author, and I really enjoyed her writing style. It was easy to read and digest, and the emotional moments were excellent. She also wrote about his security contract work and the FMC's feelings about being left at home with little to no information or ability to really contact him and talk to him in a way that makes me feel like she knows first hand what it's like to be a milspo, because that was so real.
I had some issues with the MCs though. The FMC was a literal doormat. She wouldn't ever stick up for herself or verbalize what she needed for fear of anything... unless her badass bestie talked some sense into her. Even then though, the FMC was so reluctant to have any needs at all. It was a bit infuriating. Then you have the MMC, who left her for 6.5 years and came back and swore that he would never leave her again, and then he turns around and promptly continues to leave her for work and for other people for the rest of the book until she essentially gives him an ultimatum. His reasons were so immature and shortsighted. We never really get to know what he ends up doing in the end for a career, just that he's not doing work that will constantly take him away from her anymore, which thank the lord that he finally saw the light.
The spice was good, and he has a filthy mouth, so if you're into that, you'll have a good time. I just needed him to be more self aware, and I needed her to have more of a backbone when it came to him.
Thank you for the ARC, House of Hearts and Alexandra!
This is the first book I've read by this author, and I really enjoyed her writing style. It was easy to read and digest, and the emotional moments were excellent. She also wrote about his security contract work and the FMC's feelings about being left at home with little to no information or ability to really contact him and talk to him in a way that makes me feel like she knows first hand what it's like to be a milspo, because that was so real.
I had some issues with the MCs though. The FMC was a literal doormat. She wouldn't ever stick up for herself or verbalize what she needed for fear of anything... unless her badass bestie talked some sense into her. Even then though, the FMC was so reluctant to have any needs at all. It was a bit infuriating. Then you have the MMC, who left her for 6.5 years and came back and swore that he would never leave her again, and then he turns around and promptly continues to leave her for work and for other people for the rest of the book until she essentially gives him an ultimatum. His reasons were so immature and shortsighted. We never really get to know what he ends up doing in the end for a career, just that he's not doing work that will constantly take him away from her anymore, which thank the lord that he finally saw the light.
The spice was good, and he has a filthy mouth, so if you're into that, you'll have a good time. I just needed him to be more self aware, and I needed her to have more of a backbone when it came to him.
Thank you for the ARC, House of Hearts and Alexandra!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Years Apart, But Never Forgotten
Some love stories are loud and dramatic. Violet and Rowan's is quiet, aching, and impossible to look away from.
This book completely captured the feeling of loving someone for years while life keeps pulling you in different directions. Violet and Rowan never stopped carrying each other in their hearts, even after Rowan left town without a goodbye. By the time he returns, they're no longer the teenagers they once were, but the feelings between them are just as powerful.
What stood out most to me was how emotionally honest this story felt. Rowan spends so much of the book believing he's not enough, while Violet refuses to let him define himself by his past. She sees the good in him long before he ever can, and watching him slowly begin to believe he deserves happiness was one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
The chemistry between them isn't built on instant attraction. It's years of history, shared memories, and everything that was left unsaid. Every conversation had me hoping they would finally stop holding back and tell each other what they'd been feeling all along.
Alex has a way of creating characters that feel like real people. Their flaws, fears, and growth made me emotionally invested from beginning to end. The romance is tender, the yearning is relentless, and the payoff is worth every moment of waiting.
If you're looking for a heartfelt second chance romance filled with childhood friends, unresolved feelings, emotional healing, and a love that never truly disappeared, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
Some love stories are loud and dramatic. Violet and Rowan's is quiet, aching, and impossible to look away from.
This book completely captured the feeling of loving someone for years while life keeps pulling you in different directions. Violet and Rowan never stopped carrying each other in their hearts, even after Rowan left town without a goodbye. By the time he returns, they're no longer the teenagers they once were, but the feelings between them are just as powerful.
What stood out most to me was how emotionally honest this story felt. Rowan spends so much of the book believing he's not enough, while Violet refuses to let him define himself by his past. She sees the good in him long before he ever can, and watching him slowly begin to believe he deserves happiness was one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
The chemistry between them isn't built on instant attraction. It's years of history, shared memories, and everything that was left unsaid. Every conversation had me hoping they would finally stop holding back and tell each other what they'd been feeling all along.
Alex has a way of creating characters that feel like real people. Their flaws, fears, and growth made me emotionally invested from beginning to end. The romance is tender, the yearning is relentless, and the payoff is worth every moment of waiting.
If you're looking for a heartfelt second chance romance filled with childhood friends, unresolved feelings, emotional healing, and a love that never truly disappeared, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
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