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Us Against the World
Can love outweigh the fear?
Aurora is determined to survive college quietly, hidden in the shadows of everybody else. For her that means her schedule is limited to dance classes, work, and absolutely no distractions.Especially not for the sweet swimmer, Alec Hayes, who seems determined to break through every wall she’s spent years perfectly building around her life.
Falling for him was never part of her plan. Neither was letting him discover the secret that shapes every decision she makes.
As Alec becomes more involved in her world, falling for him might cost Aurora the life she’s worked so hard to hold together.
Aurora is determined to survive college quietly, hidden in the shadows of everybody else. For her that means her schedule is limited to dance classes, work, and absolutely no distractions.Especially not for the sweet swimmer, Alec Hayes, who seems determined to break through every wall she’s spent years perfectly building around her life.
Falling for him was never part of her plan. Neither was letting him discover the secret that shapes every decision she makes.
As Alec becomes more involved in her world, falling for him might cost Aurora the life she’s worked so hard to hold together.
- GenresRomance
345 pages, Paperback
Published July 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 1, 2026
the story of this was good! there were a couple things i didn't like like how sometimes there was just some grammar errors and also i really don't like the nickname angel like idk i do t have words for that but otherwise it was good
August 28, 2026
I absolutely loved Us Against the World by Layla Beretta!! It was definitely way more emotional and more mature than a twist in fate. I cannot wait to see the big things that Layla will do in the future. The only reason I rated this 4 stars is because there were still typos!! I also liked how they represented teen parenting with Aurora and having two moms with Alec! Super good read!!
July 31, 2026
5⭐️
This book was absolutely GORGOUS and HILARIOUS all at once. This was a beautiful love story and it was worth waiting months to read! I read her debut novel A Twist In Fate and it was SOOOO good and I had a hard time waiting for this novel because I was so excited to read more from Layla!
This book was absolutely GORGOUS and HILARIOUS all at once. This was a beautiful love story and it was worth waiting months to read! I read her debut novel A Twist In Fate and it was SOOOO good and I had a hard time waiting for this novel because I was so excited to read more from Layla!
August 20, 2026
5🌟 Wow Layla. You’ve done it again. This book was so incredibly beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as connected to characters like I felt in this book. Layla writes her characters so deeply so it feels like you know them personally. The whole book was so intriguing and I didn’t wanna put it down—though I had too sadly…
Though Alec isn’t Oakley’s biological father, he’s such an amazing dad to him, just like the father Zane never was to him. Ntm Oakley has to be the cutest little toddler ever.
I absolutely fricking adore Alec and Aurora so much. I love how you can see their struggles throughout the book instead of them just immediately getting together and living happily ever after.
Alec is THE STANDARD. He’s SO HOT and I’m so jealous of Aurora for getting to have him all to herself. You can seriously tell how deeply he loves both Aurora and Oakley and would do anything for them.
Aurora is so incredibly strong, she’s been through a lot during her childhood yet still is such beautiful woman. Even though she struggles a ton she always wants the best for her little Oakley. Her body dysmorphia and avoidance is just so perfectly written, it was represented beautifully. I also really liked that she was a dancer, I feel like we don’t have many fmc’s that does dance. I could just relate and feel her so much.
This book was just everything.
Layla I’m so beyond proud of you, and this book was SO AMAZING!!
Though Alec isn’t Oakley’s biological father, he’s such an amazing dad to him, just like the father Zane never was to him. Ntm Oakley has to be the cutest little toddler ever.
I absolutely fricking adore Alec and Aurora so much. I love how you can see their struggles throughout the book instead of them just immediately getting together and living happily ever after.
Alec is THE STANDARD. He’s SO HOT and I’m so jealous of Aurora for getting to have him all to herself. You can seriously tell how deeply he loves both Aurora and Oakley and would do anything for them.
Aurora is so incredibly strong, she’s been through a lot during her childhood yet still is such beautiful woman. Even though she struggles a ton she always wants the best for her little Oakley. Her body dysmorphia and avoidance is just so perfectly written, it was represented beautifully. I also really liked that she was a dancer, I feel like we don’t have many fmc’s that does dance. I could just relate and feel her so much.
This book was just everything.
Layla I’m so beyond proud of you, and this book was SO AMAZING!!
July 31, 2026
Another Layla Baretta power couple for the books
I love this series so much and I love her characters and everything about this universe.
I truly adore Aurora and Alec except I am so jealous of Aurora bc she gets to date Alec ughh (cue justin beiber singing that should be me)
Its very rare for the single parent trope to be the mom thats a single parent but I really enjoyed it honestly.
Also the interconnected moments HITTTTTTT I LOVE Ivy and Lucas
The author is also a teen author so the emotions that were conveyed in this book made me feel okay with also feeling those same emotions and it was just perfect
I love this series so much and I love her characters and everything about this universe.
I truly adore Aurora and Alec except I am so jealous of Aurora bc she gets to date Alec ughh (cue justin beiber singing that should be me)
Its very rare for the single parent trope to be the mom thats a single parent but I really enjoyed it honestly.
Also the interconnected moments HITTTTTTT I LOVE Ivy and Lucas
The author is also a teen author so the emotions that were conveyed in this book made me feel okay with also feeling those same emotions and it was just perfect
August 4, 2026
4,25⭐️
Liked this one more then the first! It was really good❤️
Liked this one more then the first! It was really good❤️
September 14, 2026
this book was cute and i love alec and aurora as characters!! there was a couple of little typos but nothing crazy. plot was simple but cute and i loved all the characters! book 3 has the potential to be my fav with all the hints in this book!! i just know im going to love connor and abby as i love all laylas characters <3
August 4, 2026
Gosh this book was addictive and adorable. Alec Hayes. No need to finished that sentence because he is that amazing.
This book follows a young struggling mother and dancer and her strive of independence and struggles, and a great very strong swimmer law student falling in love with her.
mmc- Alec Hayes (AKA my dream husband) He is kind athletic and knew that space wasn’t a bad thing sometimes, a bit geeky. Definitely up there with my other book boyfriend.
fmc - Aurora Taylor, Definition of a strong female main character. Her character development throughout the book made me feel her emotions.
For such a young author. She is clearly doing amazing.
this is one of those books i could of read in one sitting but wanted to long it out a but it was that good.
If you’re a fan of a Lynn painter or Liana Cincotti, you will definitely enjoy this book.
A few mistake in this book i noticed but nothing i couldn’t piece together easily and was expected for a self published novel but to be honest you can tell the book is written well and a few mishaps are bound to happen even in published books and was nothing off putting.
But.
My favourite mishap was as i was reading my kindle i read the words.
“I could feet her breath.”
Also Oakley Taylor, the sweetest baby ever.
My favourite part of this book was the fact that we saw there relationship, most romance books seem to build up the relationship and end with and epilogue of them together. But this book showed the struggles of a relationship and was beautifully written.
Congratulations to the author and I cannot wait to read what she comes up with next.
This book follows a young struggling mother and dancer and her strive of independence and struggles, and a great very strong swimmer law student falling in love with her.
mmc- Alec Hayes (AKA my dream husband) He is kind athletic and knew that space wasn’t a bad thing sometimes, a bit geeky. Definitely up there with my other book boyfriend.
fmc - Aurora Taylor, Definition of a strong female main character. Her character development throughout the book made me feel her emotions.
For such a young author. She is clearly doing amazing.
this is one of those books i could of read in one sitting but wanted to long it out a but it was that good.
If you’re a fan of a Lynn painter or Liana Cincotti, you will definitely enjoy this book.
A few mistake in this book i noticed but nothing i couldn’t piece together easily and was expected for a self published novel but to be honest you can tell the book is written well and a few mishaps are bound to happen even in published books and was nothing off putting.
But.
My favourite mishap was as i was reading my kindle i read the words.
“I could feet her breath.”
Also Oakley Taylor, the sweetest baby ever.
My favourite part of this book was the fact that we saw there relationship, most romance books seem to build up the relationship and end with and epilogue of them together. But this book showed the struggles of a relationship and was beautifully written.
Congratulations to the author and I cannot wait to read what she comes up with next.
September 17, 2026
"I promise."
"What?"
"I promise you look breathtaking."
"Yeah? You promise?" Her smile slowly returns, less bright than before but still there.
"I'd never lie to you, Rory."
this book was literally chefs kiss. i didn’t think laylas writing could get any better as i’ve loved the first book so much, but you can definitely see an evolution from the first one. this book handled so many sensitive topics with grace. i literally couldn’t stop flipping the pages. aurora literally owns my
whole entire heart. she’s such a sweet girl and carries so much on her shoulders. i loved reading about her dancing. alec is definitely the standard. he swims (which i think is super hot), he makes her food, takes care of her when she’s sick and takes care of his sisters and oakley. i really need to find my own alec asap. aurora is such a great mam. it was really different for me to read about her motherhood life. but i liked that it didn’t show that it’s all sunshine and rainbows. i loved how alec showed her that getting help and not doing everything alone, doesn’t mean she’s weak. i also really loved seeing characters from book one. i loved how ivy was her roomie and how close she’s gotten with abby too. i really hope the next book is about abby as the epilogue really kept me curious. overall this was such an amazing book and i think everyone should give it a shot.
"What?"
"I promise you look breathtaking."
"Yeah? You promise?" Her smile slowly returns, less bright than before but still there.
"I'd never lie to you, Rory."
this book was literally chefs kiss. i didn’t think laylas writing could get any better as i’ve loved the first book so much, but you can definitely see an evolution from the first one. this book handled so many sensitive topics with grace. i literally couldn’t stop flipping the pages. aurora literally owns my
whole entire heart. she’s such a sweet girl and carries so much on her shoulders. i loved reading about her dancing. alec is definitely the standard. he swims (which i think is super hot), he makes her food, takes care of her when she’s sick and takes care of his sisters and oakley. i really need to find my own alec asap. aurora is such a great mam. it was really different for me to read about her motherhood life. but i liked that it didn’t show that it’s all sunshine and rainbows. i loved how alec showed her that getting help and not doing everything alone, doesn’t mean she’s weak. i also really loved seeing characters from book one. i loved how ivy was her roomie and how close she’s gotten with abby too. i really hope the next book is about abby as the epilogue really kept me curious. overall this was such an amazing book and i think everyone should give it a shot.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 Star Read!
I loved this book and for someone that doesn't read much romance overall that's quite rare for me.
As soon as I started reading this book I was hooked, the relationships, both romantic and platonic were written so beautifully and you can tell Layla really put her all into this book.
The love interests Alec and Aurora were so lovable, their strengths and their flaws and it was nice to see real issues portrayed so accurately and sensitively in the book, e.g body dysmorphia and the foster system etc.
Ivy and Rory's friendship was also a part I enjoyed, and for those of you that have read A Twist In Fate, book 1 in the series, you're going to love the Ivy and Lucas references. (You don't have to read book 1 to read this book though, it's part of an interconnected stand-alone series, I do recommend book 1 though!)
I will also add, you can really see Layla's growth as an author and how much more comfortable she is getting with certain topics in the YA space.
I can't wait for other people to read this as it's truly so cute and special!
I loved this book and for someone that doesn't read much romance overall that's quite rare for me.
As soon as I started reading this book I was hooked, the relationships, both romantic and platonic were written so beautifully and you can tell Layla really put her all into this book.
The love interests Alec and Aurora were so lovable, their strengths and their flaws and it was nice to see real issues portrayed so accurately and sensitively in the book, e.g body dysmorphia and the foster system etc.
Ivy and Rory's friendship was also a part I enjoyed, and for those of you that have read A Twist In Fate, book 1 in the series, you're going to love the Ivy and Lucas references. (You don't have to read book 1 to read this book though, it's part of an interconnected stand-alone series, I do recommend book 1 though!)
I will also add, you can really see Layla's growth as an author and how much more comfortable she is getting with certain topics in the YA space.
I can't wait for other people to read this as it's truly so cute and special!
August 23, 2026
I absolutely adored this book from start to finish! I’ve been waiting to finally read it for ages (basically a year) and the wait was totally worth it.
I’ve never read the single parent trope before and the only time I read about a teen pregnancy was in redeeming 6 (totally worth it to read uatw if you lived r6 and AJ btw) so I didn’t know what to expect, but what I got was amazing! I never thought there wpuld be a day where I’d say that my new favorite mmc is a two year old boy, but here we are i guess. (And yes, Oakley is a main character so he counts as a mmc)
Alec, my granola obsessed boy, did not disappoint AT ALL!! And I’ve been waiting for and to learn more about his character since reading atif. And then to my baby Aurora: I knew I was gonna fall in love with her character and I did. I love her so much and I just want to give her a hug for everything she’s been through.
I can’t wait for Abby’s book!
I’ve never read the single parent trope before and the only time I read about a teen pregnancy was in redeeming 6 (totally worth it to read uatw if you lived r6 and AJ btw) so I didn’t know what to expect, but what I got was amazing! I never thought there wpuld be a day where I’d say that my new favorite mmc is a two year old boy, but here we are i guess. (And yes, Oakley is a main character so he counts as a mmc)
Alec, my granola obsessed boy, did not disappoint AT ALL!! And I’ve been waiting for and to learn more about his character since reading atif. And then to my baby Aurora: I knew I was gonna fall in love with her character and I did. I love her so much and I just want to give her a hug for everything she’s been through.
I can’t wait for Abby’s book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️ I’m so honored to have read an early version of ‘Us against the world’, it was truly such a special experience. Everything flowed so nicely, not just the story but the relationships between the characters, it is honestly just perfection. Aurora is such a beautiful example of representing the insecurities and imperfections that teen girls face, her story is incredibly inspiring and Alec is also great. 🤭 As amazing as Layla’s first book, ‘A twist in fate’ was, her writing has definitely improved since. The story of Aurora and Alec is so effortlessly charming, so enticing and is so easy to get swept up into. There is no doubt you will be hooked by only the first few pages. It is adorable and funny, yet emotional and deep all at the same time. Layla is an incredible writer, and I can’t wait to eventually read more of her work. 💗
August 8, 2026
I fell so deeply in love with “Us Against The World” and it is definitely a 4.75⭐️ read .It was structured so beautifully, it captured just the right amount of everything. If it hadn’t been for school and homework, I could confidently say I would’ve read it in one day.
I love every little adorable thing Alec Hayes did throughout the book and his relationship with Oakley. Aurora demonstrates the realistic and beautiful example of insecurity for teens and how things do eventually get better.
As someone who read “A Twist In Fate” when it first came out, it is so clear as to how Layla Beretta’s writing has improved since. It is such a great achievement to publish one, let alone two books. I would recommend this book a thousand times and it still wouldn’t be enough, I can’t wait to read more of her work!💗☀️
I love every little adorable thing Alec Hayes did throughout the book and his relationship with Oakley. Aurora demonstrates the realistic and beautiful example of insecurity for teens and how things do eventually get better.
As someone who read “A Twist In Fate” when it first came out, it is so clear as to how Layla Beretta’s writing has improved since. It is such a great achievement to publish one, let alone two books. I would recommend this book a thousand times and it still wouldn’t be enough, I can’t wait to read more of her work!💗☀️
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was everything and more. Layla is an amazing writer and she wrote each character in this book so beautifully. I fell in lve with Aurora and Alec almost immediatly, the way they acted towards each other and in their private life was so realistic but also so beautiful. Alec was the perfect guy to Aurora, never too pushy, always showing her how much he loved her. This book made me feel everything in such deep measures, and I cannot wait for more books from Layla. Every topic she covered in this book was so well written. Aurora was an extremely relatable FMC that I saw myself in, and evey detail about her was so precise. I loved the found family as well, and the snippets we got from A Twist In Fate. Overall, this book is a five star and undoubtedly the number 1 book of this summer.
September 13, 2026
I don't know what I was expecting when getting into this book, but it was everything and more.
I like that aurora is very flawed and isn't some perfect magically amazing person and is instead I somehow found myself relating to on personal levels.
I also enjoyed the way alecs character was written, the way he views aurora and her situation was very eye opening and makes you think before you get angry about something someone is doing it might be deeper then you think it is, obviously it probably won't be as deep as auroras but you never know 😭
I also like that it wasn't just alec that helped her, I like that in the end she formed such beautiful friendships with the other women, that truly helped her as she didn't have that growing up.
I like that aurora is very flawed and isn't some perfect magically amazing person and is instead I somehow found myself relating to on personal levels.
I also enjoyed the way alecs character was written, the way he views aurora and her situation was very eye opening and makes you think before you get angry about something someone is doing it might be deeper then you think it is, obviously it probably won't be as deep as auroras but you never know 😭
I also like that it wasn't just alec that helped her, I like that in the end she formed such beautiful friendships with the other women, that truly helped her as she didn't have that growing up.
Review of advance copy
This book was amazing 💓
I fell in love with the characters, the depth of their story and the aesthetic of this book!! I relate to Aurora in many ways (not sharing how exactly) but I really needed this book in times when I didn’t even know it.
It is beautifully written and it stayed with me for a long time after finishing it (I still sometimes think about Alec and Aurora). And Oakley?? He’s SO adorable 🥹
I recommend this book if you want to kick your feet at a superior mmc, cry your heart out, and feel understood if you’re going through similar situations as Aurora.
I’m so glad I got an arc for this book, thank you sm for that Layla, I feel honoured !!<3
August 4, 2026
Layla you should be so proud of yourself for this because it was outstanding. Although Layla’s writing was amazing in her first book this clearly succeeds it in the best possible way.
Layla wrote every sensitive topic so well and helped to describe many different experiences people go through in their everyday life.
All of the characters (aside from Zane) were so easily lovable and I cannot wait to see more work from Layla in the future. There was not a moment during this book that I wanted to stop reading.
Layla wrote every sensitive topic so well and helped to describe many different experiences people go through in their everyday life.
All of the characters (aside from Zane) were so easily lovable and I cannot wait to see more work from Layla in the future. There was not a moment during this book that I wanted to stop reading.
August 4, 2026
Okay so this book was adorable!!! Alec and Aurora have my heart and more!!!!!!! The storytelling is so good and Laylas style of writing makes the story so much more interesting. The ‘Angel’ nickname had me giggling everytime Alec called Aurora it. Dare I say I prefer this book to “A twist in fate”. I need Connor and Abby’s book NOW! Like during the epilogue I need to know what went down between them two over the summer. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and it was worth staying up on Layla and Alicia’s livestream until 1am to order the book on release day👏🏻🩷💫
August 25, 2026
This was so much better than atif (in my opinion!!), I love the characters so much more and oh my gosh laylas writing has improved so much!! I loved seeing the characters I already knew come back and it was just such a sad, good read.
P.S., SUCH a good playlist/music taste, my only note is the you missed my heart cover by Phoebe Bridgers is about a double murder so maybe not the best choice but oh well :)
P.S., SUCH a good playlist/music taste, my only note is the you missed my heart cover by Phoebe Bridgers is about a double murder so maybe not the best choice but oh well :)
September 22, 2026
It was good, but a lot of it felt like filler and kind of a bit boring. I loved a twist in fate (the book prior to this) and I was so excited to read this, but in all honesty—and the nicest way possible—I was quite disappointed. There were a good few typos as well, but nothing too big. I feel like there wasn't much build up to the main events and this book could have done with another draft or two I'm sorry.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow. THIS BOOK IS SO AMAZING. I cried, laughed and smiled whilst reading this and I simply cannot put into words how much I loved this, and was so lucky to be able to read it before the release! I won’t spoil anything but the author is one of the most talented writers that I know and this book is a masterpiece.
August 11, 2026
“I guess now it will forever be the three of us. Us against the world.”
Aurora, Alec and Oakley you have my heart.
Layla you really out wrote a twist in fate with this one. The emotions were perfect with the mix of sadness and love. I was in a reading slump on holiday and this book got me out of it 💕
4.5 ✨
Aurora, Alec and Oakley you have my heart.
Layla you really out wrote a twist in fate with this one. The emotions were perfect with the mix of sadness and love. I was in a reading slump on holiday and this book got me out of it 💕
4.5 ✨
August 18, 2026
༄ ‧₊˚ 4 stars 🌟
this book is very sweet and such romcom vibes (and as a romcom girly i lovee that) 🧁 layla puts such emotion and love into her writing and it shows, i cant wait for future books!! <333
｡ﾟ･ ☆ ° ｡ㅤ
recommend!!
this book is very sweet and such romcom vibes (and as a romcom girly i lovee that) 🧁 layla puts such emotion and love into her writing and it shows, i cant wait for future books!! <333
｡ﾟ･ ☆ ° ｡ㅤ
recommend!!
September 20, 2026
Omggggg this book is absolutely fantastic!!!
I was on holiday reading this and I couldn’t put it down as a 13 yr old who wants to become a teen author I’m truly inspired by all of her work and her first book was awesome aswell!!
I was on holiday reading this and I couldn’t put it down as a 13 yr old who wants to become a teen author I’m truly inspired by all of her work and her first book was awesome aswell!!
August 8, 2026
The way Layla wrote about body dysmorphia was such a great way to present it while also having a great romance story showing the complications of the foster system
September 29, 2026
I absolutely loved this book so much!! I can’t wait for the next books it made me feel seen as a person so thank you!!
August 4, 2026
Layla you have done it again. Absolute masterpiece!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews