Back For More

by Kayley Loring

WES

When I was a kid, my dad was the gardener for the richest man in town. His daughter, Lily Barnes, told me she could never like a guy like me. Then she kissed me and told me it would never happen again. When it happened again, she told me she could never love me because she was going to leave this place, and I would never leave my dad.

We were never quite friends, not exactly enemies, and we could never quite stop secretly kissing each other.

She never said goodbye before running off to try to make it as an actress. That was her dream, and I wanted her to chase it. Okay, maybe I hated her for it, just a little.

Now she’s back, with no money and even more sass.

A lot has changed around here…except for my hidden feelings about Lily Barnes.


LILY

So, it turns out I’m a terrible actress and now I’m back!

When my father offers me a job at his company, I actually think he’s finally decided I’m worthy of one day taking over the family business. Imagine my surprise when I find out that the gardener’s son is the one who’s being groomed to take over, and I’ve been assigned to work for him.

Wes Carver has always been rich in confidence and abs, but now he’s rich in everything, including disdain for yours truly.

If he thinks I’m not built to work, he’s wrong.

If he thinks he can boss me around just because he’s my boss, he’s delusional.

If he thinks I’m still the girl who could never love him…I may be a better actress than anyone thought.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers, Rom Com

Audiobook

First published July 18, 2019

About the author

Amazon Top 25 and USA Today bestselling author Kayley Loring spent many years as a screenwriter (under a different name) in Los Angeles before moving to the Pacific Northwest to live out her childhood dream of being a Disney heroine who talks and sings to woodland creatures. When not trying to keep animals alive, she’s writing steamy romantic comedy novels, obviously. She’s breathing cleaner air, writing dirtier words, and staring at her computer screen until her eyeballs dry out instead of prancing around Southern California in miniskirts and going to the hair salon. Still waiting for the woodland creatures to clean her house, though.

Read or listen to Kayley’s books when you want humor, heat, and heart. You’ll enjoy top-notch banter, strong heroines, lovable characters you’d want to know in real life and you’ll swoon over perfectly imperfect book boyfriends. All Kayley Loring books are steamy open door romance. Be sure to check out her next-level audiobooks!

Learn more at www.kayleyloring.com
Come join Kayley in her Facebook reader group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/kayle...
Follow Kayley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayleyloring/
Listen to Kayley talk to the wildly talented narrators who narrate her audiobooks on the Multiple Eargasms with Kayley Loring podcast!

Reviews

[Leticia (jerseygirlsbookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"On some level, I guess I always trusted that he wouldn’t let me go, no matter where I went. No matter how either of us tries to push each other away, it’s the pull that defines us."
When you check the backlog of an author you love, you may get the feeling that this is not the author you fell in love with, because the older books are not so good. Or maybe you fall in love with the older work and you find the most recent one pales in comparison.

Maybe you remain in love. Yeah, that’s me, and Kayley Loring’s writing.
Also, I’m proclaiming Kayley my epilogue queen.

“I would give up everything for him. I tried giving him up for everything else, and it just wasn’t worth it.”
I loved Wes. I usually love Kayley’s heroes, and this one really is the perfect package of bossy, annoying, sweet, protective, and definitely hot. Plus, he’s into classic rock. I mean... Rolling Stones and ‘Beast of Burden’. Gimme a break. It’s just not fair.

“As soon as I met her, I knew that for better or worse, that beautiful thorn in my side would be the love of my life. Even if she didn’t know it. Even when she wasn’t around.”
I really liked Lily, and I liked that she had the guts to leave it all behind to pursue her dreams. OK, they might not have come true the way she wanted them to, but she tried. She may have made some questionable choices, but her heart was in the right place. Or maybe she left that behind, too.

”It wasn’t my first kiss, but it was the first kiss that mattered. It wasn’t the last time we’d kiss, and it wasn’t the last time we’d swear it would be the last time.”
Wes and Lily met when they were teens. He was the caretaker’s son, and 2 years older than her. Is it possible to fall in love when you're a teen? Yes, it is. Is it possible that person is the one for you and no one can ever measure up? Yep, that too.

Do you leave that person behind to chase your dreams? You may, I suppose. But what happens when you come back, 5 years later, and realize nothing's really changed?

“I want you. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I meant what I said last night—if you even remember. I know who you are, even when you don’t.”
Lily’s coming back to town to work at her dad’s real estate company, and her boss is Wes. Yes, Wes went to college, and made a life for himself in their small town. He seems like so much more than what he used to be, but he’s still the same person deep down.

Wes wanted to be more for her. He had this weird idea that he needed to be worthy of her somehow, and so he’s working on it. He didn’t expect her back so soon, and he still feels he’s undeserving. He’s so freaking wrong.

“I’m gonna give you the bluest balls, boss man. I almost feel bad for you,” she says in a sing-song voice.
I don’t doubt it. And I have no doubt that it will be worth it.”
It’s clear to see their chemistry never went away. And 5 years apart is a lot of pent-up lust and want, so when they let go... let’s just say they make up for it. And their banter, and them together at work? She makes him suffer, and I love it.

I also loved the flashback scenes to when they were teens. It gives an insight to what they were really about. Their friends are hilarious, and Lily’s broken-and-in-need-of-work relationship with her dad only adds to a really great story.
Their letters to each other? FFS, it’s just not fair. Why am I feeling so fucking single again?
Also, people, botanical porn. I never knew this was a thing, but Wes makes it work.

”Know that I’m missing you even right now when you’re just one room away from me.”
Back For More is a mix of first love, second chance, and office romance. It’s a low-angst, happy-feeling, romantic book about the one who may have gotten away, but was never really gone.

[Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.• · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot for this story could have been easily set back in the 1800’s - daughter of a wealthy family falls for the gardener’s son. However, it is set in the here and now - and I could not put this book down!

From a young age Lily dreamed of being an actress, she wanted to make it in Hollywood, proving not just to herself but to her father that she could achieve what she set out to do. However, things did pan out as well as she had hoped and although she had some success as an actress, she has returned home to eat a bit of humble pie and join her father’s firm as an assistant.

Wes was and still is the gardener’s son. He is also a valued employee of Jasper Barnes, Lily’s father. In fact, one day he is likely to take over the running of the company. Presently, he is in need of a new assistant and he has been informed that Lily is returning to her hometown to take up the position. It’s been years since he saw the girl that took his heart with her when she left town and he’s not sure he’s ready to deal with the feelings that go along with that.

Lily was the girl he knew he should have steered clear of but growing up, there was something between them that neither of them could ignore. The first time Lily kissed Wes she was 16 years old and he was 18. He thought it would be a one off thing but she kept coming back for more of them. Until she left town without saying goodbye. Wes has never forgotten the feel of her lips against his and the way he felt about Lily Barnes.

When Lily first walks into Wes’ office he almost forgets how to breath. She is more beautiful than he remembered and he wonders how the hell he is going to work in such close proximity with her. Lily has a similar experience but she is also determined to prove not just to Wes but her father that she is serious about her job. Good intentions are not always easy…

The draw between Lily and Wes is evidently still there and the more time they spent together the more it grows. I got completely caught up in this gorgeous second chance love story, it had all the lovely feels that I enjoy in a romance. Another fab read from this author.

[Lori [semi-hiatus] · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 boring stars.
This had everything I like in a book, it just didn't work for me. I ended up skimming most of it. The heroine was also too annoying.

Safety: safe, dual virgins, both celibate during separation.

[Katerina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah... no.

God this was several hundred layers of cringe worthy. One of my pet peeves in books is when the heroine tries to be overly complicated - the whole “I love him but I made him hate me for his own good”. The whole woe is me trope, vulnerable then attempting to be an annoying biatch the next constantly trying to prove something to the dude. It’s just pathetic.

If we are real, she fell for her gardeners son years ago. Her dad didn’t want them to be together. They shared intimate moments with each other. She leaves. Comes back years later a failed actress. Works under him, metaphorically and literally. They’re still in love, and virgins. End up together... happy ending.

She’s just not likeable. And he’s also a bit bland. There’s not really any conflict in the book, they’ve basically always known they were going to end up together. And then there’s some bullshit parent issues each of them have. Nothing new.

[Kate R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, Kayley Loring has done it again! This was one incredible love story. Wes and Lily met each other as teenagers. He was “the help” at her rich parents’ home. They kind of always circled each other but never really came together. After her mom’s death, Lily leaves for 5 years to become an actress and when she returns, she starts working at her dad’s company. And who is her boss? Wes, of course. This is where the fun begins. Their past memories are mixed into the present, but the story flows perfectly.

This is easily one of the most passionate stories I have ever read. There is passion and then there is Wes and Lily passion, and wow, it was intense! They had so much chemistry, it was explosive when they finally did get together. And those epilogues about did me in! I can’t say enough about this book. I LOVED it, and can’t wait to reread this one again very soon!

* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jenny - TotallybookedBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Do you hate me?
“Not anymore.”
“But you did?”
“A little.”

There was a bit of everything in Back for More, our first Kayley Loring book, and ‘son of a biscuit‘ didn’t she make it easy for us to enjoy by delivering some of our favourite elements. Let’s tick them off…..

✔ First love and Enemies to lovers
✔ Office romance
✔ Second chance
✔ Heat
✔ Family drama
✔ Forbidden love
✔ Witty banter
✔ Gorgeous romantic hero
✔ Hilarious best friend

Kayley Loring’s dedication ”To the First Love that we all deserve’ was a sweet introduction to Wes and Lily’s enduring love story. A story peppered with a lot of themes we love, along with Lily Barnes being the rich girl and Wes Carver, the son of their gardener employed by her father- two young people whose love story was nine years in the making and packed with a lot of unresolved sexual tension.

Although they were young, Lily 14 and Wes 16 were somehow meant to be, despite having grating on one another’s nerves that is. Lily’s bratty was no match for Wes’s nonchalant attitude. They reveled in antagonising each other and then one day, Lily left without so much as a glance back.

‘She’s the queen of sass, a giant pain in my ass, and she’s the only girl I’ve ever hated.
As soon as I met her, I knew that for better or worse, that beautiful thorn in my side would be the love of my life. Even if she didn’t know it. Even when she wasn’t around. Even when I couldn’t really have her in the way that I wanted her.
She’s mine.’

Fast forward nine years later, after a five-year absence, Lily’s back after her acting ambition failed to eventuate into anything of substance in LA & NY. She’s back in Belford Southern Oregon to work at her father’s business, and hopefully, one day, her legacy, The Barnes Group.

Lily’s Dad wants Lily to work her way up and offers her a job as an assistant, however, what Lily doesn’t know is the job is working for none other, than her nemesis and the boy who once had her heart, Wes Carver. Earning her father’s respect is Lily’s main goal, she doesn’t need Wes getting in her way!

“I’ve just been trying, for so long, to prove to myself that I can live without you, and I don’t know if…” My lower lip is quivering so hard, I can’t even finish the sentence.
He kisses my wet cheek. Once, twice, three times. “You can live without me. I just want you to want to live with me.”

Wes always carried a torch for Lily, and it broke his heart when she left, without a word five years prior. Wes is once again mesmerised by the beautiful Lily Barnes but wants her to receive the respect from her father he believes she deserves, and we hope, give us some much need answers along the way!

Taking into account Back for More possessed so many elements we love, we had expected to be completely wowed by this story, and whilst we certainly did enjoy it, in fact, we loved parts of it; especially the epilogues, we felt it lacked that overpowering angst that should’ve come with it hand in hand. But Wes…what can we say, boy can this man do romance! Sigh…

Available to purchase below
Amazon US
Amazon UK

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[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

*First time reading author

I am not big on second chance stories, but I thought I would give this one a chance since I had never read Kayley. I did give this book four stars, and that is a high rating for me on a second chance.

Back for More is a story of two people that should not be together due to their status in life until they find each other when they are older and should be wiser. However, family and obligations get in the way of what could be a great love.

Back for More is a good book, and I will be reading more of Kayley in the future.

[Kate ☕ (semi-hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my second book by this author, and maybe it's just me but the writing is sooo boring... Which is a real shame, the story is interesting and I was intrigued since reading the blurb. Had to force myself not to DNF before the middle.

The book is a second chance romance, super safe, mild angst.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily and Wes had an adversarial relationship when they were teens. He was the gardener's son and she the princess. She was sassy. He was amazingly unruffled. But both were hiding feelings for each other that they never got to consummate aside from the kisses they exchanged in secret. And then she took off to become an actress and left poor Wes and everyone behind. In her absence, Wes has really made something of himself, unbeknownst to Lily. 5 years laters, she's back, broke and determined to gain her father's respect by working the assistant job her father gave her at his company. There's just one little glitch...



I loved Wes and Lily together! How they went from sorta enemies to lovers, hiding their obvious (to everyone else) attraction. The chemistry, the passion - HOT! And even better, their relationship was just so sweet and obviously full of love that had been there all along.



ARC via Ardent Prose PR for an honest review.

Full review ---> Live Through Books Blog.

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[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author. And it was such a fun-to-read story that took in a lot of different tropes. From different social classes to enemies to lovers, to second chance and forbidden love to a beautiful happy ever after. Both main characters charmed me, stole my heart and made me believe in their devotion to each other. The feel goods were all wrapped up in a pretty bow. There's a touch of angst (family version) that both Lily and Wes have encountered. But there's a great secondary cast that offers plenty of sidekick fun and frolicking along with lots of great banter and sassy wit and dialogue. And kids and a cat, too, that make it an all around delight to read.

[Alyson L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to get to have this be an audiobook as part of a blog tour. Audiobooks are my favorite way to 'read' these days quite often and BACK FOR MORE did not disappoint. The characters of Wes and Lily were fantastic! They played off one another so well, especially in their awkward situation of her being the bosses daughter but Wes being her boss while her Dad was trying to teach her a lesson and Wes and Lily having the hots - no make that the chills - no make that a burning, no raging fever for one another that had never really been acted upon. Whew!

The story was largely written in the first person which always makes a story seem so much more personal to me, don't you think? Of course, we h-a-v-e to talk about the sex, right? Their entire relationship is so filled with passion. Seriously, those were some of the most passionate lovemaking scenes I have almost personally experienced while reading a book. 😍

However, I would be completely remiss if I did not mention Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright who had the unenviable task of narrating this book. Two more perfect, heartfelt and enthusiastic narrators could never have been found for this story. If you love people having first love/office romances, second chances, loads of family drama, amazing passion and hysterical BFFs, this is the book for you.

Story: 5❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Heat: 4🔥🔥🔥🔥

Narration: 5❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Overall: 5❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️


* I was given this free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Melluvsbooks]

DNF @14% - she a queen bee mean girl and kinda pathetic and weirdly aggressive and he’s just pathetic. Mid-twenties, she’s been in Hollywood for 5 years and he went to college but both are still virgins. Sure thing bro. 👍🏻

I don’t like these characters. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Blushing Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure why I let this book sit in my kindle, it was so good!! Loved this new to me author and her writing style.

[Gitte TotallyBookedBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Do you hate me?
“Not anymore.”
“But you did?”
“A little.”

There was a bit of everything in Back for More, our first Kayley Loring book, and ‘son of a biscuit‘ didn’t she make it easy for us to enjoy by delivering some of our favourite elements. Let’s tick them off…..

✔ First love and Enemies to lovers
✔ Office romance
✔ Second chance
✔ Heat
✔ Family drama
✔ Forbidden love
✔ Witty banter
✔ Gorgeous romantic hero
✔ Hilarious best friend

Kayley Loring’s dedication ”To the First Love that we all deserve’ was a sweet introduction to Wes and Lily’s enduring love story. A story peppered with a lot of themes we love, along with Lily Barnes being the rich girl and Wes Carver, the son of their gardener employed by her father- two young people whose love story was nine years in the making and packed with a lot of unresolved sexual tension.

Although they were young, Lily 14 and Wes 16 were somehow meant to be, despite having grating on one another’s nerves that is. Lily’s bratty was no match for Wes’s nonchalant attitude. They reveled in antagonising each other and then one day, Lily left without so much as a glance back.

‘She’s the queen of sass, a giant pain in my ass, and she’s the only girl I’ve ever hated.
As soon as I met her, I knew that for better or worse, that beautiful thorn in my side would be the love of my life. Even if she didn’t know it. Even when she wasn’t around. Even when I couldn’t really have her in the way that I wanted her.
She’s mine.’

Fast forward nine years later, after a five-year absence, Lily’s back after her acting ambition failed to eventuate into anything of substance in LA & NY. She’s back in Belford Southern Oregon to work at her father’s business, and hopefully, one day, her legacy, The Barnes Group.

Lily’s Dad wants Lily to work her way up and offers her a job as an assistant, however, what Lily doesn’t know is the job is working for none other, than her nemesis and the boy who once had her heart, Wes Carver. Earning her father’s respect is Lily’s main goal, she doesn’t need Wes getting in her way!

“I’ve just been trying, for so long, to prove to myself that I can live without you, and I don’t know if…” My lower lip is quivering so hard, I can’t even finish the sentence.
He kisses my wet cheek. Once, twice, three times. “You can live without me. I just want you to want to live with me.”

Wes always carried a torch for Lily, and it broke his heart when she left, without a word five years prior. Wes is once again mesmerised by the beautiful Lily Barnes but wants her to receive the respect from her father he believes she deserves, and we hope, give us some much need answers along the way!

Taking into account Back for More possessed so many elements we love, we had expected to be completely wowed by this story, and whilst we certainly did enjoy it, in fact, we loved parts of it; especially the epilogues, we felt it lacked that overpowering angst that should’ve come with it hand in hand. But Wes…what can we say, boy can this man do romance! Sigh…

Available to purchase below
Amazon US
Amazon UK

Come and say hi, at:

✲ TotallyBookedBlog
✲ TBB on Facebook
✲ TBB on Instagram
✲ TBB on Twitter
✲ TBB on Pinterest

[Natasha is a Book Junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book from this author, but it most definitely won't be my last. A heartwarming second chance romance, this is the story of Wes and Lily, two people who grew up together, but belonged to two very different worlds. The son of a gardener, Wes always knew that he wanted to make something of himself before he would let himself admit his feelings for Lily, but she ran off without even a goodbye after graduating high school, and he never got a chance to tell her how he felt. Now she is back, broke, humbled by failure, and desperate for a job—and her new boss happens to be the man she left behind. I loved the dialogues, the chemistry between the characters, the writing style, and found myself unable to put this book down. And Wes was the perfect hero!

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy, sexy and sizzling! Lily and Wes are perfect together. Their problems stem from Lily missing her deceased mother and trying to deal with a father who doesn't put any effort into loving the only relative he has left - his daughter. Wes is awesome. He too has abandonment issues with his mother, but he has so many people in his corner and that makes all the difference in the world! At first I thought it was a rich girl vs. poor guy kind of thing but it ended up being so much more!

[Avidez Literaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Because you fucking left town without saying good-bye, and I hated you for it.”


Lily met the love of her life at the age of fourteen. But she soon learned to flee her emotions to protect herself. So, even fascinated by Wes, her attitudes and posture border insolence and petulance. But Wes is not affected by her. If Lily thinks she would hurt him because he was the gardener's son, she was wrong. He responds in the same tone, always with sharp answers and a certain air of disdain. And with each growing in their own circle and living their life, they still end up attracted to each other. Until a kiss happens.

But Wes knows that Lily would never face and would not even recognize such a feeling. Her goal has always been to leave home and live on her own, to live her own experiences. Preventing her from spread her wings would be impossible. And so she does. Lily leaves without even saying goodbye.

Five years later, Lily's life is not as she imagined. Her dream of being an actress did not work out very well and to make matters worse she is out of money. Returning home is the only solution. And so, she finds herself asking for a job for the last person she would think to ask for help: her father. But if she thought she would have a prominent position in her family's company, she is mistaken. Her new job is to be an assistant.... of her greatest enemy.

Wes struggled to achieve a good professional and financial situation. The gardener's son is now Lily's father's right-hand man. The game turned. Now she's the one who works for him. And with her return, the past buried so deep, returns with several questions open.

The book is a novel about first love and second chance. Lily needed to live the experiences that she thought she wanted so she could accept that what she needed was in front of her all the time. She had to venture, to make mistakes, tot succeed, to live .... to finally find herself and accept her future.

Wes always knew he loved her. And always knew he had to let her go. And while she was far away, he became the man he finds worthy of her. His love is unconditional. And that's his highest quality.

With interesting and well-developed characters and a plot that despite the novel focuses more on their feelings and journeys, it is impossible not to be moved by the story of Lily and Wes.



*ARC provided in exchange for an honest Review *

https://avidezliteraria.wordpress.com/

[Ryan - Sweet Red Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever started a book and IMMEDIATELY known it was going to be a five star read? That was the case with me and Back For More. I can't pinpoint exactly what vibe within me that Lily's letter to Max instantaneously harmonized with, but it did and now Kayley Loring is a must read/auto buy author for me (and this was my first book by her). Not only are Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright PHENOMENAL as narrators, this story just hit all my buttons. It's second chance romance done oh so right, a reuniting of first loves, an office romance, it has problematic parents, AWESOME friends, and the steamy bits could not have been more perfect. It has just the right amount of emotional tug and angst but satisfying and realistic resolution and characters that communicate and exhibit the kind of emotional maturity I LOVE in romance. I legit can't wait to read Kayley Loring's backlog (and I sincerely hope it features a book about Nate and Alicia). Back For More was just a joy to read from beginning to end and I ran the gamut of emotions (including some LOL moments) while listening. I actually went ahead and added the paperback to my Amazon cart because, dah da da dah - it's a Best of 2019 pick for me! 5 out of 5 wine glasses.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio Review: Back for More by Kayley Loring (Author), Teddy Hamilton (Narrator), Mackenzie Cartwright (Narrator)

Kayley Loring is one of the most endearingly, frustrating authors I have ever come across. She shows a heart what it means to be human. Her characters remind us it's okay to be less than perfect. Back for More was not love at first sight for me. Lily is more than a little self involved and Wes comes across far too self righteous. What I failed to understand was that there was more to the story. Good thing I took a chance on the audio version. Loring lays the groundwork, but for me it was actually Cartwright and Hamilton that helped me find the gem that was hiding within. Although Wes and Lily seem different, their lives are quite similar. Both have been dealt some heartaching blows by life. Love seems determined not to be kind to them. In a world of unpredictability, the one constant is the bond they have with each other. What makes Back for More, the treasure that it is, are the lessons the characters learn as they get to know themselves and each other.

[Pelusa Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

So when I saw this cover, I said well hello I am definitely grabbing and I was happy that I did, by the end of the book I had a smile on my face. We meet Lily who is as the title states Back for more. Lily had met Wes when she was 14 and he 16 and these two had a frenemy-confusion state going on. Lily was a rich girl who was losing her mother to sickness and Wes was the groundskeepers son. LIly was pushing him away while have a lust/hate relationship with him, she leaves town at 18 and seven years 5 years later returns after failing trying out on her own and has to suck it up and work for Wes..They fight and kiss and eventually just admit that they have loved each other the whole time and why fight anymore when they belong together..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Loved Wes, complicated Lily, meh, not so much. At least for about half the book. She gets better after that halfway point. That Wes is a true blue keeper. Decent story with some emotion, tons of heat and a few likeable fun side characters.

[A Damach · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.85⭐. Another great one by this author. Funny, romantic, low angst, great side characters. I have loved every book this author has written and I think this one was the only one I hadn't read yet. All rereads for me.

[D.B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The heroines dad in this book was the entire reason I didn’t rate it higher. He was horrible.

All in all another great read from Kayley Loring.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Wes & Lily's story. Good characters. This was a new author & such a fun book. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review for a copy of the book via booksprout.

[niki ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very wholesome and uwu.

Imagine, poor boy and rich girl, the rich girl moves away and then she comes back to find out she needs to work for the poor boy (in her fathers company though) so the sparks are bound to fly.

Second chance romance + office romance + poor guy/rich girl (love the way Wes rises ranks) + boy obsessed

Though it was a little confusing at times, Wes and Lily were way too wholesome so idc

[EmpK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply funny and moving book that takes a bunch of tropes and flips them on their head. Rich, distant dad, friends to lovers, boss-employee etc Etc and yet it’s compelling not cliched.

[Book Snob Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

“To the First Love that we all deserve” is the dedication in this book...and I really think is says it all. This is only my 2nd book by Kayley Loring, but I have already become a huge fan. I absolutely loved this book, these two *sigh*...so good. Lily is 14 and Wes is 16 when they meet, his dad works for her dad, and their is instant chemistry for these two. Lily tries so hard to not get attached to Wes right from the beginning, but as we all know, chemistry always wins out. Lily leaves home when she’s 18, leaving everything and everyone behind, including Wes. She’s gone for 5 years, I know, I know, I normally don’t like time apart and I don’t here either....but I just loved the book so much...so...I got over it pretty quick. Fast forward the 5 years and she’s finally returning to work at her dads company...and for Wes. I think we all know how that worked out *winks*, like I said their chemistry.

I loved this storyline, such a great story without all the cliche drama there could have been. I appreciated this for sure. Also a shout out to the secondary characters, especially Kate...she was so funny. This was a slow and sexy burn. This book had a bit of everything, it was funny, sweet, sexy, emotional and an all around great read. Safe read, even when they were apart, neither were with others. And yes, to answer your question, they are both virgins...you are welcome. When they were in high school they did each go to a dance with dates separately, but kept leaving their dates for each other, this didn’t bother me, but it may for some of my safety readers. Such sweet and sexy soulmates. Wes was so swoony, I am calling double dibs. I know, I know, I read in the acknowledgments where Neda called dibs, but this is where I act like I didn’t read it...out of sight, out of mind? If I didn’t see it, it didn’t happen? Works for me, he is totally worth everything. There are 2 epilogues, thank you for that and an hea. I wanted to thank Kayley Loring and Neda for letting me read this wonderful book. So damn good.

[Lovingbooks1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

*AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *

I liked this story and it was I couldn’t stop listening to it. I felt so sad for Lily and her father’s relationship and their lack of communication. Lily and Wes’s relationship however is steadily going in the right direction.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Lots of good dialogues
Steamy hot love scenes that’s tastefully described
The characters is well described and developed in to realistic personalities
In between there’s some laughable moments to.

Narrators:
Read with feelings whiteout being to intense and clear pronunciation.

5 stars overall

[ClaM85 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kayley Loring writes delicious, feel-good, low-angst, appropriately steamy books and this is a FACT.

[Michelle Avery · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was good until about 70% then it lost its way.
I finished it but there wasn’t enough going on to keep the interest going.