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Once in Sweden
American Aubrey DeValle is currently working as a nurse in London. Once a vibrant and confident world traveller, she is now lonely and both physically and mentally in recovery. Her whole life has been turned upside down and she’s not sure if the controversial decisions she made were the right ones.
Swedish Elina Lindvall is brooding in her small town and about to be whisked away by her best friends to a summer cabin in the south of Sweden, where she knows they will pump her for information about her breakup and why she refuses to talk about what happened.
When we go back in time and find out what paths led each woman to their present, will we find solutions to their problems or merely more issues to overcome? Moreover, does the past hold the key to how they can both dare to love again? And if so, can love beat the greatest obstacle of all?
Swedish Elina Lindvall is brooding in her small town and about to be whisked away by her best friends to a summer cabin in the south of Sweden, where she knows they will pump her for information about her breakup and why she refuses to talk about what happened.
When we go back in time and find out what paths led each woman to their present, will we find solutions to their problems or merely more issues to overcome? Moreover, does the past hold the key to how they can both dare to love again? And if so, can love beat the greatest obstacle of all?
270 pages, ebook
First published May 16, 2020
35 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Emma Sterner-Radley
28 books170 followersEmma Sterner-Radley spent far too much time hopping from subject to subject at university, back in her native country of Sweden. One day, she finally emerged with a degree in Library and Information Science. She thought libraries was her thing, because she wanted to work with books, and being an author was just an impossible dream, right? Wrong. She's now a writer and a publisher. (But still a librarian at heart, too.)
She lives with her wife and two cats in England. There is no point in saying which city, as they move about once a year. She spends her free time writing, reading, daydreaming, working out, and watching whichever television show has the most lesbian subtext at the time.
Her tastes in most things usually lean towards the quirky and she loves genres like urban fantasy, magic realism, and steampunk.
Emma is also a hopeless sap for any small chubby creature with tiny legs, and can often be found making heart-eyes at things like guinea pigs, wombats, marmots, and human toddlers.
She lives with her wife and two cats in England. There is no point in saying which city, as they move about once a year. She spends her free time writing, reading, daydreaming, working out, and watching whichever television show has the most lesbian subtext at the time.
Her tastes in most things usually lean towards the quirky and she loves genres like urban fantasy, magic realism, and steampunk.
Emma is also a hopeless sap for any small chubby creature with tiny legs, and can often be found making heart-eyes at things like guinea pigs, wombats, marmots, and human toddlers.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 30, 2024
Heartwarming story. Though the subject of (hereditary) cancer is hard it was treated sensitively. Nice love story. Recommend.
October 10, 2022
Enjoyable but books that start off at point ‘now’ in the story then backtrack for over half the book to reach that already noted point frustrate me. Otherwise would have been 5*s. If OK with that duplicity, go for it.
June 17, 2020
Heart-breaking, emotional, and completely beautiful!
Aubrey is an older student, studying in Sweden where she meets fellow older student Elina. They instantly feel a connection, and an attraction to one another but past events and broken hearts stop them from wanting to have more than just a casual relationship. When Aubrey’s life is turned upside down by a past demon, she and Elina find, having lost control of the ‘casual’ part of their relationship that they are now both heartbroken and unsure if they will ever be able to mend their broken hearts without addressing all that threatens their happiness, both past, present and future.
I am so sad that Emma has said this will be her last romance novel (fingers crossed it’s only for now) because she really does create such beautiful, deep and meaningful romances. What I love about Once in Sweden is that Emma has chosen to tackle quite a harrowing subject that can literally destroy lives, relationships, and takes from people both emotionally and physically, and she has done this in a very sensitive way. I didn’t find the story focused too heavily on the dark cloud that surrounded Aubrey and Elina’s relationship, but provided just enough information to draw you in emotionally and leave you feeling that pain it causes in your heart.
I adored how Aubrey and Elina were mature students, yet they acted sometimes like carefree teenagers (young at heart!) and made me feel less alone in feeling like I should act my age. They both had insecurities that crept through and made them vulnerable, they both closed down at difficult subjects, and yet they both loved and trusted fully, even when it seemed that they weren’t. They had such a carefree spirit that they were almost one and the same and they had a fantastic connection. I really loved them, both of them, and I do hope we will see them again in a future story.
There was a lot of heart and soul in this story, and it was so personal when reading it. You could just feel connected to Elina, Aubrey and all of Elina’s fiercely loyal friends. I absolutely adored the story, found it very emotional and loved the messages it portrayed. Honestly is always the best policy, but to love you have to take risks, dare to let yourself trust someone with all your hopes and fears, and if you do, happiness will be there. It was truly beautiful, and definitely feel-good in some ways, especially if you need a pick me up for your own hurting heart. This story is hope!
Aubrey is an older student, studying in Sweden where she meets fellow older student Elina. They instantly feel a connection, and an attraction to one another but past events and broken hearts stop them from wanting to have more than just a casual relationship. When Aubrey’s life is turned upside down by a past demon, she and Elina find, having lost control of the ‘casual’ part of their relationship that they are now both heartbroken and unsure if they will ever be able to mend their broken hearts without addressing all that threatens their happiness, both past, present and future.
I am so sad that Emma has said this will be her last romance novel (fingers crossed it’s only for now) because she really does create such beautiful, deep and meaningful romances. What I love about Once in Sweden is that Emma has chosen to tackle quite a harrowing subject that can literally destroy lives, relationships, and takes from people both emotionally and physically, and she has done this in a very sensitive way. I didn’t find the story focused too heavily on the dark cloud that surrounded Aubrey and Elina’s relationship, but provided just enough information to draw you in emotionally and leave you feeling that pain it causes in your heart.
I adored how Aubrey and Elina were mature students, yet they acted sometimes like carefree teenagers (young at heart!) and made me feel less alone in feeling like I should act my age. They both had insecurities that crept through and made them vulnerable, they both closed down at difficult subjects, and yet they both loved and trusted fully, even when it seemed that they weren’t. They had such a carefree spirit that they were almost one and the same and they had a fantastic connection. I really loved them, both of them, and I do hope we will see them again in a future story.
There was a lot of heart and soul in this story, and it was so personal when reading it. You could just feel connected to Elina, Aubrey and all of Elina’s fiercely loyal friends. I absolutely adored the story, found it very emotional and loved the messages it portrayed. Honestly is always the best policy, but to love you have to take risks, dare to let yourself trust someone with all your hopes and fears, and if you do, happiness will be there. It was truly beautiful, and definitely feel-good in some ways, especially if you need a pick me up for your own hurting heart. This story is hope!
July 17, 2020
Such a beautiful story. Watching both Elina and Aubrey try to mend their broken hearts, and finding a way to trust again was delightful to read.
In particular, I loved reading Elina’s story. Her real emotions and coping mechanisms are so raw, the way the author explored them was beautiful and had me so invested in Elina mending her broken heart and finding happiness. She certainly deserved it.
In the beginning, Aubrey frustrated me a little, however, by the 50% mark of the book, all the reasons for those frustrations had reasons behind them and instead I wanted to cuddle her. Really Elina and Aubrey deserved so much happiness.
Aubrey and Elina had great chemistry, and you could sense the love that emanated from them both. The non-sexual chemistry was also lovely, and It allowed the reader to see a side of them both that was vulnerable and not full of hurt and anger.
There is one sex scene that was so full of angst, love, hate and passion that I can’t even explain it to a level it deserves but as soon as you read it you will be blown away.
A must-read! And sadly, I read that Emma Sterner-Radley was planning not to write any more books in this genre. I really hope she changes her mind because this was a fab book.
In particular, I loved reading Elina’s story. Her real emotions and coping mechanisms are so raw, the way the author explored them was beautiful and had me so invested in Elina mending her broken heart and finding happiness. She certainly deserved it.
In the beginning, Aubrey frustrated me a little, however, by the 50% mark of the book, all the reasons for those frustrations had reasons behind them and instead I wanted to cuddle her. Really Elina and Aubrey deserved so much happiness.
Aubrey and Elina had great chemistry, and you could sense the love that emanated from them both. The non-sexual chemistry was also lovely, and It allowed the reader to see a side of them both that was vulnerable and not full of hurt and anger.
There is one sex scene that was so full of angst, love, hate and passion that I can’t even explain it to a level it deserves but as soon as you read it you will be blown away.
A must-read! And sadly, I read that Emma Sterner-Radley was planning not to write any more books in this genre. I really hope she changes her mind because this was a fab book.
April 8, 2023
This story is about a travel junkie, Aubrey, who is on a trip to Sweden where she meets a student, Elina, at a university. They quickly get into a friends-with-benefits relationship but love happens unexpectedly and both don't know how to deal with it.
I love stories that deal with the raw emotional baggage of the characters and the main characters here had a lot of it. I have to commend the author on her talent for putting across sensitively such realistic portrayal of mental health issues. I loved the character development, they are flawed but so perfectly realistic with their fears and vulnerability. Sweden is described so beautifully, I wanted to visit it so much to see what it actually looks like in person.
Definitely recommended.
I love stories that deal with the raw emotional baggage of the characters and the main characters here had a lot of it. I have to commend the author on her talent for putting across sensitively such realistic portrayal of mental health issues. I loved the character development, they are flawed but so perfectly realistic with their fears and vulnerability. Sweden is described so beautifully, I wanted to visit it so much to see what it actually looks like in person.
Definitely recommended.
May 22, 2020
On this rainy evening, I am proudly raising my coffee mug in honor of this talented author's heartwarming story! I got everything that I wanted and so much more from this entertaining and deeply touching romance because I had the pleasure of hanging out with Elina, Tilde, Jenny and Martina! I really wished that I had these kinds of quirky friends and I must say that this author has done a fantastic job of bringing these lovely characters to life for me because I could easily imagine what they would look and sound like if they were real women. I'm a huge fan of stories that allow me to peek into the hearts and minds of the main characters and this story gave me a front row seat to Elina and Aubrey's emotional baggage, their deepest fears and anxieties and I also enjoyed being a witness to the undeniable and sizzling chemistry they shared. I just couldn't get enough of the vivid descriptions of Lund and Ystad in Sweden and now I am sorely tempted to visit these lovely places as soon as I am able to. I am always keen to read any story by this author and I'm definitely looking forward to many more books from her!
June 10, 2022
I’ve read several books by Emma Radley. This was not as compelling for me as usual, maybe because the beginning chapters felt slow to me, although the story picked up as I continued to read. Two women damaged by their pasts meet at a university in Sweden. They’re older than the other students, so thy kind of bond over that. While their pasts are very different, both strongly affect their behavior. I really appreciated how Radley explored the damage caused by both their experiences. Then the way the two tried to move past and heal, or at least cope with, their own issues, was both raw at times and thoughtful.
June 8, 2020
Main characters Aubrey and Elina meet at a university gathering and form a friendship that quickly turns romantic. So much for 'let's just have fun & move on'. They fall in love but there's lots of emotional baggage brought into the relationship. Emma Sterner-Radley writes an emotionally full story of what happens to children traumatized in their youth and how it affects them as adults without being heavy-handed with the plot. The supporting cast is lively, supportive, and funny. This is a beautiful story of love and loss and having love again. It does make me want to visit Sweden. I'm never disappointed when I read a book by Emma Sterner-Radley and this is no exception.
June 24, 2020
Absolutely amazing book
A heart breaking book about instant connections, families, difficult moments and recovery. A deep story, beautifully described characters with real feelings who are fighting against obstacles and challenges to survive. The story is dealing with a serious health matter but approaching with a very sensitive manner and providing us a silver lining. This book has a lot of heart and soul embedded and the messages are pure and real. Thank you Emma for this amazing book
A heart breaking book about instant connections, families, difficult moments and recovery. A deep story, beautifully described characters with real feelings who are fighting against obstacles and challenges to survive. The story is dealing with a serious health matter but approaching with a very sensitive manner and providing us a silver lining. This book has a lot of heart and soul embedded and the messages are pure and real. Thank you Emma for this amazing book
June 2, 2020
Absolutely Fabulous!
Loved It! There was so much to this story and a level of love exclaimed that I haven’t read in a while. As much as I love Aubrey and Elina the supporting cast was great as well. Coming back from a traumatic experience is hard but learning to love and trust and need your partner is everything and that came through in the writing. I was very happy! Love Emma Sterner - Radley
Loved It! There was so much to this story and a level of love exclaimed that I haven’t read in a while. As much as I love Aubrey and Elina the supporting cast was great as well. Coming back from a traumatic experience is hard but learning to love and trust and need your partner is everything and that came through in the writing. I was very happy! Love Emma Sterner - Radley
June 14, 2020
One to read
A text story and read. Two different women one called Aubrey a Nurse who likes. to travel this time to Sweden where she meets Erin a student. and they decide to have an affair with no strings. But they fall in love now the story really takes off and what a one of is.
Emma Sterner-Radley (author) did a brilliant job writing this and looking forward to reading more by her.
Highly recommend this one. 5* "*****STARS
A text story and read. Two different women one called Aubrey a Nurse who likes. to travel this time to Sweden where she meets Erin a student. and they decide to have an affair with no strings. But they fall in love now the story really takes off and what a one of is.
Emma Sterner-Radley (author) did a brilliant job writing this and looking forward to reading more by her.
Highly recommend this one. 5* "*****STARS
June 18, 2020
Loved this book
Humour, angst and love all wrapped up in a single book. Loved the writing, storytelling and characterisation throughout. Can’t go wrong with this author. Don’t want to spoil the plot but given a similar family history to one of the main characters I once thought I’d act a certain way in the same situation. Very interesting to see the situation from the other perspective it may literally have changed my mind. Can’t get more powerful than that.
Humour, angst and love all wrapped up in a single book. Loved the writing, storytelling and characterisation throughout. Can’t go wrong with this author. Don’t want to spoil the plot but given a similar family history to one of the main characters I once thought I’d act a certain way in the same situation. Very interesting to see the situation from the other perspective it may literally have changed my mind. Can’t get more powerful than that.
October 4, 2022
What a great story that shows why communicating, trust, and honesty are so important in a relationship. The author does a great job of developing the main characters of the story, and filling in the pieces between the past and present. Other than a few typos here and there, the story is well done and a great romance.
January 4, 2023
Emotional and powerful, filled with angst, love and healing. The characters were perfect; both strong and weak, flawed, but willing to become better. In some romance books I feel like the love between the main characters isn't believable, but here it was so natural. I was waiting with bated breath for Elina and Aubrey to get back together.
A great read.
A great read.
May 28, 2020
Wow what a fantastic storyline
Wow what a fantastic storyline the heartbreak the realization of what you lost the connection between them was so strong the twist and turns were amazing written what a fantastic heartfelt story.
Wow what a fantastic storyline the heartbreak the realization of what you lost the connection between them was so strong the twist and turns were amazing written what a fantastic heartfelt story.
June 16, 2020
Brilliant
Such a sweet and devastating, heart wrenching book. We see the ups and downs that Elina and Aubrey go through, they meet at uni in Sweden and this story tells what they went through and how they came back together stronger then ever! <3
Such a sweet and devastating, heart wrenching book. We see the ups and downs that Elina and Aubrey go through, they meet at uni in Sweden and this story tells what they went through and how they came back together stronger then ever! <3
June 5, 2020
trigger warning -
This story involves breast cancer. My wife is a breast cancer survivor so this one hit close to home. I forced myself to finish it.
This story involves breast cancer. My wife is a breast cancer survivor so this one hit close to home. I forced myself to finish it.
June 9, 2020
Funny, believable characters.
Good pace.
Enjoyable read.
Good pace.
Enjoyable read.
April 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews