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The Last Best Place For Love #7
If I Didn't Have You: The Last Best Place For Love
Not yet published
Expected 24 Aug 26I lost my heart a long time ago to one woman.
The love of my life.
The mother of my children.
I could weather any storm with her by my side.
But I lost sight of that somewhere along the way.
Holding her in my arms as she nearly died tore me to shreds.
I vowed a long time ago that I would never let anything happen to her, and I failed.
And now she was ready to leave.
Not because I didn’t protect her, but because I lost sight of who we were.
That was all about to change.
Because if there was one thing I knew for certain, it was that life just wasn’t worth living without her by my side.
The love of my life.
The mother of my children.
I could weather any storm with her by my side.
But I lost sight of that somewhere along the way.
Holding her in my arms as she nearly died tore me to shreds.
I vowed a long time ago that I would never let anything happen to her, and I failed.
And now she was ready to leave.
Not because I didn’t protect her, but because I lost sight of who we were.
That was all about to change.
Because if there was one thing I knew for certain, it was that life just wasn’t worth living without her by my side.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 24, 2026
About the author
Giulia Lagomarsino
130 books844 followersGiulia Lagomarsino is the author of the action-packed series Owens Protective Services, along with four other series that feature hot men, strong women, and storylines that will leave you laughing, crying, and begging for more. To find her reading order, visit her website http://giulialagomarsinoauthor.com or join her reading group https://www.facebook.com/groups/Giuli....
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is Ben and Clara’s story, and it’s an excellent read. It captures perfectly the dilemma so many women face, at a certain time in their life, waking up one day not recognising themselves anymore, having lost their identity somewhere along the line.
Clara’s life has defined her as the person who always met everybody else’s needs, often to the detriment of her own. Now, past her mid fifties she takes a hard look at her life and sees a person who has no personal sense of identity, no hobbies, no outlet, everything she does is to accommodate her family. Clara looks at her husband who, since his ranch started failing five years earlier, has just slouched around feeling sorry for himself and she’s saddened because she has no idea how to get their relationship back on track.
Ben always worked hard outdoors, the ranch being a large part of his identity and without that he feels lost. He’s never moved on from his grief and anger at the loss and can’t understand why Clara is so upset. He too, is aware of the rut they’re in but hasn’t a clue how to fix it. Things are further exacerbated when Clara has to point out that he always blocked her choices, instead choosing to keep his mother happy and resisting change when she wanted to put her mark on the house.
Clara sets out to discover herself and, after a while, Ben also tries to change when it becomes obvious that he could end up losing her if he didn’t make the effort . It’s left to their adult children to step in, with tough love and reality checks when first one, and then the other, is unreasonable.
Having said that there are plenty of the laugh out loud moments that we expect in these books, including them turning the tables and being caught by their kids having sex on the living room floor! For them things are getting spicier the second time around, they just need to move forward together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Clara’s life has defined her as the person who always met everybody else’s needs, often to the detriment of her own. Now, past her mid fifties she takes a hard look at her life and sees a person who has no personal sense of identity, no hobbies, no outlet, everything she does is to accommodate her family. Clara looks at her husband who, since his ranch started failing five years earlier, has just slouched around feeling sorry for himself and she’s saddened because she has no idea how to get their relationship back on track.
Ben always worked hard outdoors, the ranch being a large part of his identity and without that he feels lost. He’s never moved on from his grief and anger at the loss and can’t understand why Clara is so upset. He too, is aware of the rut they’re in but hasn’t a clue how to fix it. Things are further exacerbated when Clara has to point out that he always blocked her choices, instead choosing to keep his mother happy and resisting change when she wanted to put her mark on the house.
Clara sets out to discover herself and, after a while, Ben also tries to change when it becomes obvious that he could end up losing her if he didn’t make the effort . It’s left to their adult children to step in, with tough love and reality checks when first one, and then the other, is unreasonable.
Having said that there are plenty of the laugh out loud moments that we expect in these books, including them turning the tables and being caught by their kids having sex on the living room floor! For them things are getting spicier the second time around, they just need to move forward together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There are books you enjoy, and then there are books that touch your soul.
I’m pretty thick-skinned. I’m not much of an emotional crybaby, but “If I Didn’t Have You” was a gut punch. This is a box of Kleenex tissues required reading. Young people falling in love? We can read about that every day. This is not that story. This is a rich tapestry of emotion that squeezes your heart—a love well-aged over 30 years. The kids are grown, boredom has set in, and there’s a crossroads where painful choices must be made. If you’ve been through a separation or a divorce, this story will resonate with you on a deeper level. I cried. Then I cried again, and then I cried some more. Well, love is tricky. Ben and Clara have reached a tipping point. Somewhere along the way, they quit trying. They face adversity together but apart. They seem to have lost the ability to communicate, and it was like watching my own world fall apart all over again. I’ve said the same things. I’ve made the same mistakes. This book was personal. It hit me where I live. As usual with Giulia Lagomarsino, the characters are fully three-dimensional, and you almost feel like they’re real people you know in real life. You can connect with them, cry with them, laugh with them, and celebrate successes and failures with them. Giulia never disappoints. If you only read one of her books in your lifetime, this is the one to read. Just make sure you’re stocked up on tissues. You’ll need them.
I’m pretty thick-skinned. I’m not much of an emotional crybaby, but “If I Didn’t Have You” was a gut punch. This is a box of Kleenex tissues required reading. Young people falling in love? We can read about that every day. This is not that story. This is a rich tapestry of emotion that squeezes your heart—a love well-aged over 30 years. The kids are grown, boredom has set in, and there’s a crossroads where painful choices must be made. If you’ve been through a separation or a divorce, this story will resonate with you on a deeper level. I cried. Then I cried again, and then I cried some more. Well, love is tricky. Ben and Clara have reached a tipping point. Somewhere along the way, they quit trying. They face adversity together but apart. They seem to have lost the ability to communicate, and it was like watching my own world fall apart all over again. I’ve said the same things. I’ve made the same mistakes. This book was personal. It hit me where I live. As usual with Giulia Lagomarsino, the characters are fully three-dimensional, and you almost feel like they’re real people you know in real life. You can connect with them, cry with them, laugh with them, and celebrate successes and failures with them. Giulia never disappoints. If you only read one of her books in your lifetime, this is the one to read. Just make sure you’re stocked up on tissues. You’ll need them.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed another fantastic addition to Giulia Lagomarsino's collection! Ben and Clara's story is heartfelt, emotional, and unforgettable. As parents, partners, and caretakers, they face challenges that will completely break your heart before putting it back together again. The angst and heartbreak hit hard, but every moment was worth it. It was an absolutely amazing story, and I couldn't put it down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you have you ever felt as if you were having a mid-life crisis, this book is for you! Add your high maintenance grown kids, a husband that just can’t let things go and a very busy small town gossip line, there is no wonder you are having a meltdown. Recommended read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Clara and Ben have always been the voice of reason when it came to their kid’s lives but when their growing pains become the battle of the bullheads no one will come out unscathed. Bring your Kleenex’s and your emotional support snacks for this one!
August 10, 2026
Ben and Clara - it is not often that we get a glimpse of the head of the family’s relationship but that is exactly what Giulia gives us and O. M. F. G. It had everything! After nearly dying, Clara is ready for things to change and Hoo boy do they change! This is a must read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Talk about a mid life crisis and you'd find a picture of Ben and Clara. Their story was excruciating and hopeful. Its true what the say... love conquers all.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews