We Were Once

I adore it when a book sweeps me off of my feet, and We Were Once, swept me off of my feet from their first meeting. Chloe and Joshua are destiny, but they're more than that. They're so good together and you simply cannot help but root for them. It's a story of fated love and second chances and I was invested in every single word of it. (I woke up at 6:30 a.m. just so I could dive back into this book and I wake up before 9:00 for nothing.)

Chloe and Joshua are in their final year of college with the world and their future ahead of them when they meet each other. While it seems like a different side of the track's story it is so much deeper and richer than that and S.L. does a beautiful job, not only telling this story but weaving the words together in a way that entrance you and pull you into this magical world. It is an incredible ride and while everything inside their love bubble is beautiful and happy what makes this extraordinary is the journey that comes all of the outside forces colliding in and creating trouble and turmoil.

As a heroine, the transformation that Chloe undergoes as she falls in love and has to grow up and make hard choices is beautiful, I love to see a character grow into a fabulous strong version of who they really are inside. As for Joshua, he undergoes his own journey, but I gotta tell you from the beginning I absolutely adore this plant-loving guy. He's not perfect, but he's extraordinary and sailing right towards the top of my favorite heroes list. It goes beyond the main characters though, because they're backed by a beautiful and lovely cast of characters supporting them. Both moms are beyond amazing and everyone needs a Ruby in their life.

I couldn't put this down and when I was forced to I was itching to pick it back up it really is amazing and I loved it.

one-of-those-authors

Dora Koutsoukou

2,252 reviews720 followers

4-5-stars dual-pov emotional

4,5 ❤️❤️💔❤️ 🌳🥼🪐 🌈✨✨✨✨s❣️❣️❣️❣️

Such a beautiful love story, heartwarming and heartbreaking, full of emotions, romance and angst.
A love bigger than the universe...

Joshua was a spectacular character! His feelings for Chloe run really deep. He showed her how to live the life how she wanted and not how her father did. To spread her wings and take a happy view at life.

“You’re more than I could have asked for. The other half of my heart that I’ve been missing.” Joshua

Chloe’s cruel father wanted his daughter to become a doctor like himself and had planned her life. But Chloe met Joshua and the plans changed!

“I never saw love coming, but I feel it sweeping in like a summer thunderstorm - the dewy scent, the change in the air. I want to dance in his rain, to become one with this man. Laugh. Love.” Chloe

Their love was enthralling.

They were once but then they weren’t... 💔
Chloe and Joshua went through very tragic and heart wrenching times and almost everything fell apart.
Their HEA destination was reached through a hard and tough journey.

The author’s writing was soulful and touched my heart, either by Chloe’s or Joshua’s pov. The secondary characters were also amazing.

Although I loved it, I wanted further elaboration regarding Joshua’s father and their relationship. Also, the first half of the story could have been barely shorter, or the great twist could have made an earlier appearance.

Syndi

3,711 reviews1,039 followers

July 11, 2020

Oh boy what a story this is. And it is all started with a bonsai. In the past, I am not a fan of Miss Scott' s works. 2 of her books are in my DNF list. We Were Once changed my mind.

This is a very long long journey for both Chloe and Joshua. Like I said its all started with a bonsai. The first part of this book is the beginning. Then ine tragic accident changed their path. Part two is the afterward. I am glad they found their HEA.

The story and the characters are build in a very long way. Miss Scott builds her characters brick by brick. I do found it dragging on the first part but she made it up with a clever sassy banter. I enjoy the ride.

Overall this is a wonderful book.

4 stars

Adriana Locke

Author 98 books15.9k followers

2020-kindle-unlimited 2020-reads

I left a piece of my heart with Joshua and Chloe.
This second chance romance is so much more than that. I even hate leading this with a trope because it doesn’t do this book justice. It is truly a second chance but it’s also first love. It’s friends to lovers. It’s enemies to lovers. It’s so real and raw and honest that it’s impossible to capture in one cute little line.
My emotions ran the gamut in We Were Once. At times, I was laughing so hard I was crying and, at other points, I was sobbing my eyes out in heartbreak. It’s a rollercoaster in the best possible way—a true journey in romance.
We Were Once is Scott at her best. It nails the quirky, heartfelt storyline I expect from her. It’s woven into my heart forever.

Anne OK

4,101 reviews553 followers

June 14, 2022

I was completely captivated by both Chloe Fox and Joshua Evans. This couple certainly fought hard and were put through the ringer on the path to happily-ever-after. Chasing their moon is a deeply sad and heartbreaking journey for them both.

Separated by a tragic event that will tear you apart, their story is filled with both angst and a soul-deep and steamy love. Written in beautiful prose, this story consumed me from the beginning, and I never wanted to reach The End.

This gem is the perfect second chance at love romance. It has every one of those feel-goods – the highs and the lows -- that readers look forward to discovering on the pages of a 5-star read.

Jen (jensdreamylittlereads)

966 reviews122 followers

June 3, 2020

We Were Once was such a beautiful love story. Equal part heartwarming and heartbreaking, a tale full of emotions, romance and angst. I absolutely love it when a book knocks me off of my feet, and boy, did We Were Once sweep me off of my feet! From the moment Chloe and Joshua met, I was immediately drawn into their story. It’s clear that they are destiny, but they're more than that. They're so magical together and you simply cannot help but root for them. Their story is a gamut of fated love and second chances and I was invested in every single word of it.

We Were Once was exactly the read I was looking for. It was swoon worthy on an epic level and utterly captivating. Chloe and Joshua's story took me on an emotional rollercoaster and I loved every single second of it. Chloe and Joshua are THE couple that you just can't help but root for. They fell hard and they loved hard. They had the special kind of love that is worth fighting for and I was there for every second their story played out. This book is everything that a second chance romance should be. It's filled with angst and drama. But at the same time it’s filled with moments that melt your heart and fall utterly in love with two wonderful characters.

I am a emotional mess after finishing this story but in the best possible way. What S.L. Scott penned with the love between Chloe and Joshua, I felt deep. There is so much depth and beauty in We Were Once. I devoured this in a no time at all and it is so worth every feel. S.L. Scott has woven an intricate love story; a love story full of emotional highs and lows, characters who are beautifully flawed and who will always find their way back together no matter what keeps them apart.

S.L. Scott continues to move me beyond belief and blow my mind with her wonderful words and I’ll always be waiting for more of her stories. Bravo S.L. Scott!

Terri (N.J.)

922 reviews47 followers

2024-reads fiction romance

Second chance romance. This started off cute for me but as i got 30% in It just didn’t hold my interest anymore. No angst and the characters felt dull to me.

MarvelUsReads

359 reviews61 followers

July 12, 2020

(3.8 Stars)

Lisa

248 reviews24 followers

June 12, 2020

I give this a 2.5. This was such a long winded story to finally get to the point. The build up, the climax, the second chance...it was just too long and I was bored. Yes I had to skim a lot. I liked this story and frankly liked the characters in general but for the toxic nature of both fathers hovering over this story, I was expecting to learn more about the dynamic vs being told limited info. It was written well, but parts of the story were good and parts were under developed.

Josh and Chloe had an instant and intense love affair. They experienced a whole lifetime in the short time they were together that changed the course of their lives. I was frustrated at the MCs communication and things could have been very different if they just for listened to each other instead of hid things. All I can say was life isn’t fair and I was so pissed for Joshua. I’m Team Josh all the way. Loved him and he made this book.

Georgia7Pap

194 reviews4 followers

April 14, 2024

I don't like second chance because almost always when things get tough they just give up on the relationship without a fight. Then I really hate it when the hero is sad to a degree but he still goes out and sleeps with other people but the heroine is so devastated that she barely gets her life together. And of course even years later she doesn't date or has sex with anyone because the hero was just so special... Also when they first got together it was too instalovey for me.
This book wasn't for me but if you like instalove and second chance maybe it's for you.

Lauren

118 reviews54 followers

September 24, 2020

I have super mixed thoughts about this one.
3.5 stars maybe??

"You're my salvation Chloe"

Chloe and Joshua are from two different worlds both facing pressures put on them by their fathers, they meet and fall fast and hard in love until a tragic accident tears them apart.

Now I started this book awhile ago and couldn't get into it so I stopped. I decided to give the audiobook a go because I generally find them easier to get into. Eventually I was so invested I read the rest in almost one sitting on kindle unlimited.

The reason my feelings are mixed is that there were quite a few things I didn't like about the book, the writing sometimes felt a little overly cheesy and the structure was really weird it almost felt like two different books. The first half of the book was about them meeting and falling in love and then the second takes place six years later and them reconnecting. This also meant on both accounts them getting together was super rushed.

But I was so invested in the story and the lives of the characters. The relationship was really sweet and representative of a connection that doesn't dwindle from hardship. There was a lot of angst throughout the second part of this book which was a stark contrast to what was mostly light- hearted fluff before hand. There are a lot of sweet romantic moments and sentiments they just perhaps were overshadowed sometimes with bordering on over cheesy. You definitely swoon at multiple occasions though.

Overall I think I would say was this book this book may not have been the best book I've ever read but I had a good time reading it.

romance

Becky Wise

2,837 reviews52 followers

If there is one book that you need to pick up it is We Were Once. I really wish I could give this one more then 5 stars. It is my favorite book of the year so far. The emotions, the heart, the power of love give you all the feels. I had goose bumps reading this because it is that phenomenal. I fell in love with Joshua from the start. He owned me, made me swoon and then some. I really couldn't get enough of him. I love his banter with Chloe. Those two bring a smile to my face just thinking about them. Chloe is feisty and always tries to play by the rules. I love the changes in her once she meets Joshua. He brought out this spirit in her that let her spread her wings. You feel for Chloe and Joshua when it comes to few things. For what that is you are just going to have to read this epic love story of the year. I had tears streaming down my face. Happy, then sad and then happy again. I am a emotion mess but in a good way. What S.L. Scott gives us with the love between Chloe and Joshua you feel in your soul. There is so much beauty in We Were Once. I devoured this in a no time and it is so worth every feel. You need to fall in love with Chloe and Joshua. GO ONE CLICK THIS ONE NOW!!!

Dawn

1,468 reviews292 followers

First time reading this author and I devoured this sweet, first love tale. Finding balance, sign me up. Bonsai trees, wrong side of the tracks, loyalty and love collide in this tale of first love, first heartbreak and second chance story. I am so excited I saw Becca's post about signing up to read this one. So good. Heartwarming, heart wrenching, soulmate found romance that kept me flipping the pages on the kindle at the speed of light. I couldn't get to the crux fast enough...knowing something BIG is coming kept me at the edge of my seat. WOW. Again, totally enjoyed this one. Second chances never fail for me. xo

Sunny Shelly Reads

2,394 reviews59 followers

coach-student ex-con full-of-angst

We Were Once is full of emotion. Chloe and Joshua have so much riding against them, get they are so, so connected that nothing else matters.

When these two meet, it is opposite-attract instalove. She’s a well-off student, he’s a townie even though he is also studying at Yale. There is nothing about Joshua and Chloe that makes sense, yet everything about them does. She grounds him and he helps her drift — much like their half-anchor tattoos represent. They fall hard and fast, but they are ripped apart after a tragedy.

He is at his absolute lowest After The Accident, and even though Chloe is trying her best to help him, her dad is continuing to manipulate them. When Joshua pushes her away, Chloe has no choice but to go even though she feels in every fiber of her being that it is wrong.

For years afterwards, she feels a black hole in her soul. But a chance meeting in Manhattan turns everything around. Has too much time passed, or are these two still the anchors of one another’s souls? Can they chase the moon and find a second chance?

This book was wonderful. Full of heart, emotional, Hope and salvation. I kind of wish that the After The Accident part of the story would have dealt a little more with Joshua’s time in prison. It changed him, but I would have liked to have known more about his struggles. But I still enjoyed this story so very much, and loved how both Chloe and Joshua grew during to come back even stronger when they get their second chance.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Louise

1,155 reviews22 followers

June 26, 2020

The first half of this book was a 5 🌟 read for me. I loved the bants and the flirting and the dating and I loved Joshua. Second chance romance is my favourite trope. But I’ve said it before and I will say it again, the reason for the first break up has to be believable and in direct correlation to where they were in their relationship at their break up. So a couple that have been madly in love, talk about marriage, are living together, I would say are in such a relationship that in real life, this break up was just completely implausible. A Neurosurgeon dad who had influence over the police and law courts in a way that could create a bogus signed confession resulting in a prison sentence conviction without recourse to investigating the crime is just ridiculous. I’m sorry. It is. He’s a neurosurgeon. Not the mafia. Even Dr Strange didn’t have that sort of power and he was an Avenger for crying out loud. So the second half of the book just didn’t work for me because I was irritated with the Machiavellian Father side plot. So I skimmed it because the ‘bigger than the sky’ ‘bigger than the universe’ dialogue literally started to make me cringe.
The first half though? Five 🌟 for that.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Kristen Johnson

1,173 reviews48 followers

2020 4-stars review-books

We Were Once is a story of second chances, a tale of a love that was never meant to be - and yet stood up to the test of time. Scott has woven an intricate love story between the pages of this book, a love story full of emotional highs and lows, characters who are flawed but trying their best, and angst and drama that seeps into their lives every day determined to tear them apart.

When Chloe Fox returned to New Haven for her final year of college - she could have never dreamed how her life would change or how she'd grow up herself. But a chance meeting gives her a chance to explore something different. She realizes she's missed out on living while trying to follow the path to her future in a straight line and avoiding the curves.

Joshua Evans knew there was something about the girl in the apartment - but he never could have imagined what that something was or how she would change his life. For better or worse the connection between them demands to be heard and they find themselves unable to stay apart.

But as usual in life, things aren't always easy and sometimes we find that our choices have consequences and sometimes those are out of our hands. Joshua and Chloe unexpectedly fell hard and fast for each other; banter and play turned into something more than real and they found the other piece of their soul. And things were beautiful, great, a deep love, a trust unlike any other and a friendship borne out of chance, until suddenly it was all gone.

I'm not going to spoil this book for you by giving away any of the details, because this is delicious morsel meant to be enjoyed bit by bit. What I will say is that if ever a couple deserved to find their way back to each other - it is Joshua and Chloe. If ever a price was paid for simply falling in love - they've paid their due. Their journey together both in the past and present is one that takes them into the unknown, chasing the moon on a road that is rife with struggle, heartache, a deep unwavering love, and so much more.

We Were Once is full of special characters beyond Chloe and Joshua, from her BFF Ruby who adds quite the dose of humor, to his mom who's a woman who took her own painful journey and came out on the other side wanting nothing more than to see her son succeed. Throw in his friends and their jokes and her mom who wants nothing more than to see her daughter become who she was meant to be. And then my favorites, Frankie and Dwayne Evans - well I'm not going to go into specifics but they might have stolen my heart along with Joshua and Chloe. This book was everything I look forward to in a romance novel and then some.

If you are in the mood for a heartbreaking journey on the road to second chances. If you want to take a chance on two people who claim they didn't know any better than to find themselves caught in the whirlwind of destiny - this is your book. It's moving, it's heartache, it's pain and it's putting all the pieces back together and loving and living. It's finding out that sometimes what's most important is to remember We Were Once.

Amy

3,124 reviews

May 28, 2020

"We've been each other's days, but we don't end in sunsets or only exist come sunrise. We've become the hours in between--twilight and dawn, the brightest noon, the darkest midnight, the golden hours. Together, we're all hours with hearts on fire."

" She's coincidences and destiny."

We Were Once is the latest heartbreakingly beautiful second chance romance from author S.L. Scott. This book delivers all of the feels and emotion and is sure to leave readers begging for more....

We Were Once follows the story of Joshua and Chloe. From the moment you meet these two characters, you are immediately drawn into their story. Their chemistry and banter is easily off the charts. Chloe, who's life has always been planned for her, finds her life turned upside down. For her, Joshua is a breath of fresh air who is showing her that there's more to life than just studying. To the outside world, Joshua and Chloe shouldn't make sense, but somehow, they just do. They had it all and were on top of the world....that is until one night forever changed their course. Can love truly conquer all??? There's only one way to find out.....

We Were Once was exactly the read I was looking for. It was sweet. It was swoon-worthy. It was utterly captivating. Chloe and Joshua's story put my emotions through the ringer and I loved every single second of it. Chloe and Joshua are the kind of couple that just can't help but root for. They loved mad and they loved hard. They had the kind of love that is worth fighting for and I for one couldn't wait to see just how their story was going to play out...

We Were Once is everything that a second chance romance should be. It's filled with angst and drama and frustration. It's filled with moments that make you swoon and fall utterly in love. And at the end of the day, it is a story that will consume you and leave you believing in love.

If you're a fan of second chance romances, I hope you'll check out We Were Once and that you will fall head over heels for Joshua & Chloe, as I have.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*

sam☀️

97 reviews24 followers

January 25, 2021

joshua definitely carried this book. ugh the perfect man exists in this story and my heart is so full.

this wouldn’t be your cliche romance read without a sometimes frustrating heroine. but i guess without her, we wouldn’t have the perfect hero.

Linathebookaddict

1,566 reviews407 followers

Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog)

Beautiful story, beautiful characters, beautiful writing. This was my first book from this author and it's official. Chloe and Joshua stole my heart. And they can keep it.
Such an emotional love story, full of heart and depth.
This book was such a treat. Complicated but so beautiful. They come from two very different worlds, they are so very different but their love is strong and inspiring. You will laugh and you will cry. Please, read it.

S.L. Scott

Author 88 books5,071 followers

Read

May 29, 2020

We Were Once

"A sweep you off your feet kind of book!!" ~ Amz Rev.
FREE to read in Kindle Unlimited. Special Release Price. 🤩 https://geni.us/WWOAm
We Were Once is LIVE!
We were never supposed to fall in love. We did it anyway. If you're looking for a book that has:
📗 You smiling one page
📕Your heart in your throat the next
📘An Irresistible Hero that is alpha to the hilt with a heart of gold when it comes to his lady love
📔A heroine that can land a comeback - verbally and emotionally. Can support herself, and love hard.
📙 Awesome best friends that will have you giggling
🌲 And an insane love for two unexpected characters you never saw coming I can't spoil. Trust me, you'll love it/them. 😉
Grab We Were Once NOW! FREE to read in Kindle Unlimited. Special Release Price.
🤩 https://geni.us/WWOAm

5,876 reviews213 followers

arcs chef-restaurateur college

Amazon

Chloe's always been more about her grades than gossip. More about studying than having mindless, shallow fun, the kind all of her classmates were having. Then she meets a flirty, smirky guy right before her last year, and he tempts her into fun. Tempts her into straying beyond her comfort zone. But can two people from very different, very opposite worlds make love work?

Oh my God. This book shredded my heart! The emotions it wrung from me were heartbreaking. I loved every second of Chloe and Josh following in love, being torn apart, then falling back into love, even as my heart was hurting for all they had gone through. Gah, you're gonna need some tissues while reading this one!

ARC via Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.

Review & Release Blast: Live Through Books Blog.

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Snow

2,323 reviews728 followers

best-of-2020 contemporary-romance second-chance

Well written...

2020 complicated drama

Jenn Amy

910 reviews82 followers

July 5, 2020

5 STARS

**Audiobook Review**

In We Were Once S.L. Scott writes an incredible romance about finding love and yourself while having to make really tough and painful choices for the ones you love. I devoured this story in one sitting. I was completely swept up in the whirlwind romance when Chloe and Josh meet in the first half of the story. This story is phenomenal. So much heat, emotion, passion and angst, I couldn’t get enough. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. Every emotion I want to feel when I read or listen to a romance story I felt here and then some. This book must be experienced by all romance readers.

This story is one of my top favourites this year. A top all time favourite by S.L. Scott and deserves more than 5 stars!

It doesn’t matter how many books I listen to narrated by Sebastian York and Andi Arndt I can never get enough of them. They narrate the voices of Josh and Chloe perfectly. I love the way they each bring so much passion and emotion to these characters.

Michal

766 reviews64 followers

July 25, 2020

Dnf 20%

Insta love and both the characters were dull.

I skimmed further to find out what separated them apart. Their fathers.

Readers with more patient for boring build up will enjoy this one.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

boredom didn-t-buy-the-chemistry dual-pov

Robin Pokorny

1 review

Read

November 18, 2019

I loved this story from beginning to end!

Flo

1,763 reviews