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IT'S ALWAYS BEEN YOU
273 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 29, 2026
This book is such a great read. I love Amy so much so it came to no surprise that I absolutely loved this book. It is so well writen and I enjoyes every moment of it. The story follows Emmet and Isabella and I love both of them so much. I can't wait for any future releases and I will never stop raving about It's Always Been You.
April 29, 2026
Easily one of the best books I’ve ever read in my entire life. Amy is so talented, every detail, every plot point, every twist felt exactly right where it needed to be. Not a single chapter felt rushed or unorganized, it was all so perfectly spread out and I enjoyed every second of it. I didn’t take a single break while reading, this story had me hooked from the very first page, it’s funny and effortlessly charming. The characters had the most perfect dynamics, there was both moments I wanted to laugh, others I wanted to sob, and their relationships as a group is without a doubt some of the best I’ve ever read. ‘It’s always been you’ is the absolute most PERFECT ya romcom, if you enjoy tropes like found family, best friends brother, romance but with a twist, (the plot twists had me throwing this book across my bedroom) it’s just so easily the cutest, heartwarming, funny (did I mention cute?) romcom I’ve read. PLEASE read it. You will not regret it. 💗
April 29, 2026
I honestly don’t understand the hype around It’s Always Been You by Amy Orange, because this was one of the most frustrating, poorly executed books I’ve read in a long time. From the very first chapters, it’s painfully obvious where the story is going, and not in a satisfying “foreshadowing” way, more like the author assumes the reader won’t notice how completely predictable everything is.
The characters are easily the worst part. They feel like hollow placeholders rather than real people, with recycled personalities and motivations that barely make sense. The main character is especially insufferable—constantly making irrational decisions, overreacting to everything, and somehow learning absolutely nothing by the end. It’s hard to root for someone who seems determined to stay stagnant.
The writing itself doesn’t help. It’s repetitive, overly dramatic in places where it shouldn’t be, and oddly flat in moments that are clearly meant to be emotional. Important scenes are rushed through with almost no impact, while trivial details get dragged out endlessly. It creates this exhausting reading experience where you’re simultaneously bored and annoyed.
And the romance? Completely unconvincing. There’s no real chemistry, no meaningful buildup, just a forced connection that the reader is expected to accept without question. Instead of feeling invested, I found myself rolling my eyes at nearly every interaction.
By the time I finished, I didn’t feel moved or satisfied, just irritated that I stuck with it. It feels like a book that wanted to be deep and emotional but never put in the work to earn it. Save your time, there are far better reads out there.
The characters are easily the worst part. They feel like hollow placeholders rather than real people, with recycled personalities and motivations that barely make sense. The main character is especially insufferable—constantly making irrational decisions, overreacting to everything, and somehow learning absolutely nothing by the end. It’s hard to root for someone who seems determined to stay stagnant.
The writing itself doesn’t help. It’s repetitive, overly dramatic in places where it shouldn’t be, and oddly flat in moments that are clearly meant to be emotional. Important scenes are rushed through with almost no impact, while trivial details get dragged out endlessly. It creates this exhausting reading experience where you’re simultaneously bored and annoyed.
And the romance? Completely unconvincing. There’s no real chemistry, no meaningful buildup, just a forced connection that the reader is expected to accept without question. Instead of feeling invested, I found myself rolling my eyes at nearly every interaction.
By the time I finished, I didn’t feel moved or satisfied, just irritated that I stuck with it. It feels like a book that wanted to be deep and emotional but never put in the work to earn it. Save your time, there are far better reads out there.
April 29, 2026
It’s Always Been You by Amy Orange reads less like a fully thought-out novel and more like a rough draft that somehow made it to print. The premise had potential, but it’s buried under clumsy execution and a complete lack of originality. Every plot point feels lifted from better books, stitched together without adding anything new or interesting.
The dialogue is especially painful, it’s stiff, unnatural, and often sounds like characters are reading from a script rather than actually speaking to each other. No one has a distinct voice, so conversations blur together into this monotonous, unrealistic back-and-forth that quickly becomes tedious.
What really dragged the book down for me, though, was the lack of atmosphere or sense of place. Everything feels vague and underdeveloped, like the story is happening in a blank room. There’s no texture, no immersion, nothing that makes the world feel alive or worth caring about.
On top of that, the emotional beats feel unearned. The book keeps trying to tell you that certain moments are meaningful or heartbreaking, but it never actually builds the foundation to make you feel anything. It’s all surface-level, with no real substance underneath.
By the end, it felt like the story had gone in circles without saying anything new or meaningful. Instead of leaving an impression, it just faded out, which is probably the most disappointing part.
The dialogue is especially painful, it’s stiff, unnatural, and often sounds like characters are reading from a script rather than actually speaking to each other. No one has a distinct voice, so conversations blur together into this monotonous, unrealistic back-and-forth that quickly becomes tedious.
What really dragged the book down for me, though, was the lack of atmosphere or sense of place. Everything feels vague and underdeveloped, like the story is happening in a blank room. There’s no texture, no immersion, nothing that makes the world feel alive or worth caring about.
On top of that, the emotional beats feel unearned. The book keeps trying to tell you that certain moments are meaningful or heartbreaking, but it never actually builds the foundation to make you feel anything. It’s all surface-level, with no real substance underneath.
By the end, it felt like the story had gone in circles without saying anything new or meaningful. Instead of leaving an impression, it just faded out, which is probably the most disappointing part.
April 27, 2026
My best friend wrote this book, and I couldn’t be more proud. To see someone you love be so passionate about something that brings her light in the darkest days makes me so happy. Her writing is so additive that you crave more after finishing it. Their love story is so adorable that you get fomo from reading it. I can't wait for her next project's because Amy deserves every bit of love she gets. The plot twist are so insane that by the end of the book your jaw is on the fucking floor. I was so lucky to read this before it came out, and I read it in one day, and I don’t regret a thing.
Love you so much, aims.🫶🏼
Love you so much, aims.🫶🏼
April 29, 2026
emmettisabella; my sweet angels !! 🥹
this book was ♾️/5 ⭐️
amy is an INCREDIBLE author, and i devoured this book within 45 mins. (#TEAAAA)
“it’s always been you, isabella. always. every second of every day you corrupt my brain and make me a better person. you take away my pain, you melt away my trauma, you make me feel whole again. something i never thought was possible. it’s always been you and it always will be. i fucking love you, bella. that’s why it kills me inside when you let her attack you.”
emmett greer, the man that you are 😮💨
#emmettgreerfanclub4life💚
this book was ♾️/5 ⭐️
amy is an INCREDIBLE author, and i devoured this book within 45 mins. (#TEAAAA)
“it’s always been you, isabella. always. every second of every day you corrupt my brain and make me a better person. you take away my pain, you melt away my trauma, you make me feel whole again. something i never thought was possible. it’s always been you and it always will be. i fucking love you, bella. that’s why it kills me inside when you let her attack you.”
emmett greer, the man that you are 😮💨
#emmettgreerfanclub4life💚
June 7, 2026
Amazing book. I got attached to the characters and especially Isabella’s and Emmet’s love story OH MY GOD. It reminds me so much of my first love that it felt so real while reading. It didn’t feel like i was reading a made-up, fictional story ONCE but more like i was re-experiencing it all. The emotions were so intense and strong and the PLOT TWIST??? hello?? Amy is a genius.
I have cried, laughed, giggled and kicked my feet (especially over Emmet) this entire time i was reading.
I think Amy is a great writer and I can’t wait to read more of this same series.
Yours, Madina ;)💗
I have cried, laughed, giggled and kicked my feet (especially over Emmet) this entire time i was reading.
I think Amy is a great writer and I can’t wait to read more of this same series.
Yours, Madina ;)💗
June 21, 2026
6🌟 I absolutely loved Emmet’s and Isabella story so much!!! Like seriously LOVED!! I love Emmet and if I could I 100 percent would STEAL HIM for Isabella!!! Everyone needs someone like him. I cannot wait for her next book to come out!!! Amy is a self-published author and is so talented and amazing. She such an inspiration!!! If you love ya romance books then you’re going to love IT’S ALWAYS BEEN YOU. The plot twist at the end I had no idea that would happen or it be part of this story and it was insane and it made then ending so much more interesting and intreating.
July 8, 2026
I bought this book because Amy has done an AMAZING job at marketing, and because I’ve seen basically nothing but great reviews and positivity about the book. The story between Emmett and Isabella was written so beautifully, I loved how it captured so many close and intimate scenes that was just so cute to read about. Through out to novel, there were so many plot twists and I honestly only expected none. Once again, this book is so amazing and I think so many people so read it and support Amy, as well as teen authors in general!
April 30, 2026
LOVED THIS BOOK!
I physically couldn’t put the book down while reading it. I literally just starer at my kindle, reading for almost two hours straight and all mesmerised. The way Amy writes is so adfictive and the story…oh my…THE PLOT TWIST! Gosh, so I had so many feelings going through my head while reading, like my mood switched so easily and I started sobbing.
Happiness.
Sadness.
Shock.
Amy Orange has done it all!
CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOKS SINCE I ALREADY LOVED THIS ONE XXXX
I physically couldn’t put the book down while reading it. I literally just starer at my kindle, reading for almost two hours straight and all mesmerised. The way Amy writes is so adfictive and the story…oh my…THE PLOT TWIST! Gosh, so I had so many feelings going through my head while reading, like my mood switched so easily and I started sobbing.
Happiness.
Sadness.
Shock.
Amy Orange has done it all!
CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOKS SINCE I ALREADY LOVED THIS ONE XXXX
July 25, 2026
4.5🌟I read this book in one sitting, and I absolutely loved it! Amy you should be so proud of yourself, this is an absolute masterpiece. I love Isabella and Emmet, they’re the cutest ever. And the plot twists?!? Oh my gosh they just kept coming and coming, I was so so hooked that last part of the book! Also while I read this I kind of got a little bit of binding 13 vibes in the best way possible. This was overall such a cute book!
April 29, 2026
As basically everyone else, I was so excited for this book. But I was sad to admit that I didn’t like it as much as I hoped. I feel like everything was very rushed. No hate to the author, of course, it's so impressive that she wrote a book while being that young. But I feel like it would be wrong to lie on this review. I'm sorry, but this book wasn't for me.🫣
April 29, 2026
Amy is so talented with writing. i absolutely loved this book and the MMC Emmett is to die for. the tension and romance between Emmett and Isabella is so cute and well written it makes the book so cute. If you are looking for an easy cute romance book it’s absolutely amazing x
May 10, 2026
5⭐️ omg Amy you are so flipping talented like you wouldn’t believe! i love emmett and isabella they’re just the cutest. also isabella and Lily’s friendship is 🤏🏻🤏🏻.
i actually can’t wait for ‘it’s always been him’ - i need lily and jackson rn!!!
i actually can’t wait for ‘it’s always been him’ - i need lily and jackson rn!!!
June 3, 2026
Oh. My. God. Amy, your writing is PERFECT you write how my brain thinks. I read this so so so quickly I'm in love. Your characters are TO
THE PLOT TWISTS. HOLY SHIT. THEY JUST KEPT ON COMING. This book wad addictive. Love, love, love, love.
THE PLOT TWISTS. HOLY SHIT. THEY JUST KEPT ON COMING. This book wad addictive. Love, love, love, love.
April 27, 2026
as the author, I give it 5 stars xxxxxx
April 30, 2026
Brilliant story from a teen author. This represents so much talent and I’m excited for the rest of the series.
May 9, 2026
So proud of this fellow teen author!! She has so so much potential and I can’t wait to see what she comes out with in the future! ⭐️
September 2, 2026
This is my favourite book ever and I love it so much I can’t wait for your new book to come out and I read this book way faster than I expected to
July 20, 2026
I loved this book so incredibly much. It was not at all like your typical romance story and was so unpredictable that I couldn't put it down. I love Amy and her writing style so so much and found this book was so incredibly well represented.
I cannot begin to describe how much I loved this, I am so excited for her upcoming work.
I cannot begin to describe how much I loved this, I am so excited for her upcoming work.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews