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Then There Was You
The wrong man never felt so right.
When helicopter medic Daniel Bliant answers an emergency call at Phil’s Bar, he can’t believe who the bartender is: the beautiful woman he saw in his ER months before and hasn’t been able to stop thinking about. He should forget her. After all, he knows he’s damaged goods. But Annika is intelligent, fun and totally stunning—the breath of life he desperately needs after the incident that left him shattered.
Annika Mehta is doing just fine. She loves her job as a kindergarten teacher, even if the pay is low and she has a side gig working at Phil’s. At least the bar owners are more like family. Sure, she’s reeling from a bad breakup and the terrible event that caused it, but she’s fine. Really. What she doesn’t need is Daniel. He’s wrong for her in every single way—so why is their chemistry off the charts?
When helicopter medic Daniel Bliant answers an emergency call at Phil’s Bar, he can’t believe who the bartender is: the beautiful woman he saw in his ER months before and hasn’t been able to stop thinking about. He should forget her. After all, he knows he’s damaged goods. But Annika is intelligent, fun and totally stunning—the breath of life he desperately needs after the incident that left him shattered.
Annika Mehta is doing just fine. She loves her job as a kindergarten teacher, even if the pay is low and she has a side gig working at Phil’s. At least the bar owners are more like family. Sure, she’s reeling from a bad breakup and the terrible event that caused it, but she’s fine. Really. What she doesn’t need is Daniel. He’s wrong for her in every single way—so why is their chemistry off the charts?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2021
37 people are currently reading
1074 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
August 5, 2020
This book was so cute. And so sad. And also good. Y'all should read it.
I went into it expecting your basic, run of the mill love story. And while those are sometimes a bit cliche and a bit predictable, I love those. Those stories make me happy. This story though was something a little deeper. Something a little sadder and a little more emotional. But worry not, it made me happy anyway.
The first thing you should know is that this is a romance novel. Obviously. But, it's also a novel about two people dealing with grief over the losses they've had. And sometimes they ways in which they grieve aren't pretty. They grieve in tragic, harmful ways that prevent them from living their lives to their fullest potential.
This is a love story. And it is a story about learning to let go. About learning to live life and let love grow. About forgiving yourself and about finding happiness even after all seems lost.
And most importantly, it is a love story where love does overcome obstacles, but it does not remove them. I hate stories where things like depression and anger and PTSD are magically disappeared when a character finds a significant other. This novel didn't attempt to do that. It showed that despite having all the love in the world, sometimes you need more. Sometimes you need professional help. And you always need to want to make the change for the better.
In general, the book was well written and full of complex and interesting characters. It had a compelling plot and mentioned touched upon some very important topics such as racism, death, and toxic masculinity. And it did all that while serving up a really cute love story.
Annika and Daniel were both great. I loved their interactions and I also loved the inclusion of their Indian heritage. All the side characters were also great, especially the Annika and Daniel's siblings who obviously cared for their family so much.
Rating:3.75
**I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
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I went into it expecting your basic, run of the mill love story. And while those are sometimes a bit cliche and a bit predictable, I love those. Those stories make me happy. This story though was something a little deeper. Something a little sadder and a little more emotional. But worry not, it made me happy anyway.
The first thing you should know is that this is a romance novel. Obviously. But, it's also a novel about two people dealing with grief over the losses they've had. And sometimes they ways in which they grieve aren't pretty. They grieve in tragic, harmful ways that prevent them from living their lives to their fullest potential.
This is a love story. And it is a story about learning to let go. About learning to live life and let love grow. About forgiving yourself and about finding happiness even after all seems lost.
And most importantly, it is a love story where love does overcome obstacles, but it does not remove them. I hate stories where things like depression and anger and PTSD are magically disappeared when a character finds a significant other. This novel didn't attempt to do that. It showed that despite having all the love in the world, sometimes you need more. Sometimes you need professional help. And you always need to want to make the change for the better.
In general, the book was well written and full of complex and interesting characters. It had a compelling plot and mentioned touched upon some very important topics such as racism, death, and toxic masculinity. And it did all that while serving up a really cute love story.
Annika and Daniel were both great. I loved their interactions and I also loved the inclusion of their Indian heritage. All the side characters were also great, especially the Annika and Daniel's siblings who obviously cared for their family so much.
Rating:3.75
**I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
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December 28, 2020
Please note that I received this via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
Trigger warning: School shooting
This book made me sad. There's a lot of heartbreaking storylines in this one so just calling it "romance" feels very wrong in a way. Just a heads up to potential romance readers out there. I know that some of us like to read frothy light stuff. Heck, it's why I picked this one up, but it's not. Both characters (Daniel and Annika) are getting over some very heavy things. I will leave that there to not spoil readers but did post one trigger warning because I can't imagine that most Americans don't have some type of feeling about reading about school shootings. It also didn't help I think that the book just slowed down in a lot of parts. I did like the romance between Daniel and Annika and loved that it focused on two Indian American characters, but thought this was more dramatic than romantic.
Trigger warning: School shooting
This book made me sad. There's a lot of heartbreaking storylines in this one so just calling it "romance" feels very wrong in a way. Just a heads up to potential romance readers out there. I know that some of us like to read frothy light stuff. Heck, it's why I picked this one up, but it's not. Both characters (Daniel and Annika) are getting over some very heavy things. I will leave that there to not spoil readers but did post one trigger warning because I can't imagine that most Americans don't have some type of feeling about reading about school shootings. It also didn't help I think that the book just slowed down in a lot of parts. I did like the romance between Daniel and Annika and loved that it focused on two Indian American characters, but thought this was more dramatic than romantic.
January 20, 2021
I love this cover and even though I don’t usually look for angst, I couldn’t resist this story.
I really liked Annika and Daniel. They’re both good people struggling with past hurts. I enjoyed their seemingly instant connection and how it was layered into something more concrete. There are a good amount of characters here, but they’re family and it’s fantastic.
Plot wise, it was good. There is a bit of push and pull, but it’s understandable. This entire story is about grief and how these MCs find a way to come to terms with what they lost and how to move forward. It was equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. I especially loved all of the cultural aspects: the outfits, wedding rituals, and (mostly) the food.
Overall, it was very easy to root for these characters and that helped to make the story feel authentic.
FYI: talks of miscarriages and school shootings
**Huge thanks to HQN for providing the arc free of charge**
I really liked Annika and Daniel. They’re both good people struggling with past hurts. I enjoyed their seemingly instant connection and how it was layered into something more concrete. There are a good amount of characters here, but they’re family and it’s fantastic.
Plot wise, it was good. There is a bit of push and pull, but it’s understandable. This entire story is about grief and how these MCs find a way to come to terms with what they lost and how to move forward. It was equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. I especially loved all of the cultural aspects: the outfits, wedding rituals, and (mostly) the food.
Overall, it was very easy to root for these characters and that helped to make the story feel authentic.
FYI: talks of miscarriages and school shootings
**Huge thanks to HQN for providing the arc free of charge**
May 3, 2022
4.5-4.75/5
January 21, 2021
After suffering a tremendous loss, Daniel buried himself in work in order to avoid moving forward. He felt like there wasn't much the future had to offer him until he met Annika. She also knew what loss was, but would this connection be enough for him to open his heart again?
Like Shroff's pervious book, Then, Now, Always, this book was really emotional. I won't lie, it was super painful at times. I shed tears, my heart ached, but I found comfort in seeing these characters find some solace in each other as they worked to heal in their own way, at their own pace. There were people who surprised me along the way as well, especially Annika's father, and it was these things that touched my heart.
If I am making this sound like the pain Olympics, shame on me, because Shroff sprinkled this story with moments of joy throughout. She took us to some wonderful Indian celebrations and shared some really fun, sweet, and tender moments between Daniel and Annika. I did feel there were those bright moments to balance the darker ones (death, racism, shootings, etc) and found them very necessary as I waded through this couple's pain. Though both had lost so much, I found myself more devastated by Daniel's story, and therefore, was very invested in his journey. It was a difficult one, but one worth taking with him.
For me, this was a story about loss, love, and healing. It was about finding that strength to go on, when it seemed as though everything had been taken from you. It was about choosing to lean on someone, to share the burden, even when that support came from an unlikely source. It was about allowing yourself to take a chance, to love again, regardless of your fear of loss.
Overall: A tough, but beautiful journey through grief and loss, which was topped off with a heartwarming ending that left me smiling.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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Like Shroff's pervious book, Then, Now, Always, this book was really emotional. I won't lie, it was super painful at times. I shed tears, my heart ached, but I found comfort in seeing these characters find some solace in each other as they worked to heal in their own way, at their own pace. There were people who surprised me along the way as well, especially Annika's father, and it was these things that touched my heart.
If I am making this sound like the pain Olympics, shame on me, because Shroff sprinkled this story with moments of joy throughout. She took us to some wonderful Indian celebrations and shared some really fun, sweet, and tender moments between Daniel and Annika. I did feel there were those bright moments to balance the darker ones (death, racism, shootings, etc) and found them very necessary as I waded through this couple's pain. Though both had lost so much, I found myself more devastated by Daniel's story, and therefore, was very invested in his journey. It was a difficult one, but one worth taking with him.
For me, this was a story about loss, love, and healing. It was about finding that strength to go on, when it seemed as though everything had been taken from you. It was about choosing to lean on someone, to share the burden, even when that support came from an unlikely source. It was about allowing yourself to take a chance, to love again, regardless of your fear of loss.
Overall: A tough, but beautiful journey through grief and loss, which was topped off with a heartwarming ending that left me smiling.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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January 31, 2021
Wow! This book and the lovely writing truly blew me away!
TW: Grief, depression, loss of a child, miscarriage, school shooting, racism
I know you look at that list of triggers, and aren't sure why I would love this book so much. We have 2 very broken people. Daniel has never gotten over the loss of his daughter. He lost her 5 years ago, and still struggles anytime he thinks about her. His marriage couldn't make it past the loss. His ex has remarried, and all he has done is bury himself in work, focus on that so to function.
Annika started her first day teaching with the father of one of her students immediately assuming she doesn't know anything because of the color of her skin. While at her second job, there is an emergency outside the restaurant where she works. When she sees Daniel, it doesn't register that he is the man from her hospital room on the day she miscarried her baby, and the man she thought she was in love with broke her heart.
These two broken people find their way to each other, and WOW is it a beautiful, epic, and sweeping love story. Though this book was hard to read at points, (see trigger list) it was thought provoking, hopeful, and full of love. I cannot wait to find more books by this author!
TW: Grief, depression, loss of a child, miscarriage, school shooting, racism
I know you look at that list of triggers, and aren't sure why I would love this book so much. We have 2 very broken people. Daniel has never gotten over the loss of his daughter. He lost her 5 years ago, and still struggles anytime he thinks about her. His marriage couldn't make it past the loss. His ex has remarried, and all he has done is bury himself in work, focus on that so to function.
Annika started her first day teaching with the father of one of her students immediately assuming she doesn't know anything because of the color of her skin. While at her second job, there is an emergency outside the restaurant where she works. When she sees Daniel, it doesn't register that he is the man from her hospital room on the day she miscarried her baby, and the man she thought she was in love with broke her heart.
These two broken people find their way to each other, and WOW is it a beautiful, epic, and sweeping love story. Though this book was hard to read at points, (see trigger list) it was thought provoking, hopeful, and full of love. I cannot wait to find more books by this author!
December 23, 2020
2.5 stars
There wasn’t a good balance between hurt/comfort factor. Therefore, I couldn’t exactly say that I enjoyed it. It lacked the comforting element of romance I looked forward to in this time of year. Instead of having my heart full of warmth and fuzzy, it felt burdened with sadness. I need a happy bunny book after this one.
And my rating correlates with how much I have a good reading experience or not 🙁
Full Review on Release Date
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
There wasn’t a good balance between hurt/comfort factor. Therefore, I couldn’t exactly say that I enjoyed it. It lacked the comforting element of romance I looked forward to in this time of year. Instead of having my heart full of warmth and fuzzy, it felt burdened with sadness. I need a happy bunny book after this one.
And my rating correlates with how much I have a good reading experience or not 🙁
Full Review on Release Date
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
August 14, 2021
Look y'all.
Mona Shroff can tell a damn story.
But this book is not for the faint of heart, and there is a LOT that happens in these here pages. You want angst? I'll give you angst on FUCKING STEROIDS (See content notes at the end). Annika and Daniel are both dealing with intense grief. They act on it in their own ways—Daniel works and works and doesn't connect with his feelings, and Annika works on acting out her dreams and lives for herself instead of her family's desires. But when Daniel sees Annika on a call, he can't help but think of the time he first met her: when she had been grieving her own loss in his ER, so lost in her own grief and heartbreak that she doesn't remember him now. (Y'all know how much I don't like secrets as a storyline, but this one is done pretty well.) But when he starts coming to her second job, they slowly become friends, and then something more. It's not so much a slow burn as a developing relationship with every obstacle thrown at it you can possibly think of. And there are some delightful moments of cultural intimacy that we're brought into that I really enjoyed.
I essentially read this book in two sittings (I would have finished it sooner but got distracted by...all of Ted Lasso, whoops). The story is compelling and leaves you needing to know not only more about each character who is introduced but what their stories are. I will say that I was vaguely put off by the ending, both because of its abruptness and a thing that is a personal no-no for me, but otherwise, an excellent read, even with the long list of CNs I'm about to throw at you (that I will not hide under a spoiler tag FYI).
CNs: grief; discussion of past miscarriage; discussion of past school shooting; past death of a child; multiple acts of violence by white men; on-page bleeding; on-page stitches; xenophobic/race-related hate crime; hospital stay and discussion of surgery (not protagonist); hospital waiting room; fade to black sex; pregnancy (not protagonist); on-page childbirth (not protagonist); baby (not protagonist); (checked) toxic family behavior; traditional family values; multiple weddings; large crowds; minor deception; repercussions of gun violence (separate from the school shooting); reference to "suicide by police"; minor character mention of loss of spouse; Surprise Indian Character; drinking; reference to excessive drinking; amiable divorcee relationship; therapy; mention of gun control activism; let me know if I missed anything.
Based on some recent conversation, this counts as a romance because some elements were wrapped up tidily. But there's still work to do, and Mona toes that line pretty well. There is an element of a person making you better that properly turns into this person makes me want to make myself better, but I did raise a few eyebrows during some of the middle.
I don't know how to end this review. Read the book if you want, but read with hella care.
Mona Shroff can tell a damn story.
But this book is not for the faint of heart, and there is a LOT that happens in these here pages. You want angst? I'll give you angst on FUCKING STEROIDS (See content notes at the end). Annika and Daniel are both dealing with intense grief. They act on it in their own ways—Daniel works and works and doesn't connect with his feelings, and Annika works on acting out her dreams and lives for herself instead of her family's desires. But when Daniel sees Annika on a call, he can't help but think of the time he first met her: when she had been grieving her own loss in his ER, so lost in her own grief and heartbreak that she doesn't remember him now. (Y'all know how much I don't like secrets as a storyline, but this one is done pretty well.) But when he starts coming to her second job, they slowly become friends, and then something more. It's not so much a slow burn as a developing relationship with every obstacle thrown at it you can possibly think of. And there are some delightful moments of cultural intimacy that we're brought into that I really enjoyed.
I essentially read this book in two sittings (I would have finished it sooner but got distracted by...all of Ted Lasso, whoops). The story is compelling and leaves you needing to know not only more about each character who is introduced but what their stories are. I will say that I was vaguely put off by the ending, both because of its abruptness and a thing that is a personal no-no for me, but otherwise, an excellent read, even with the long list of CNs I'm about to throw at you (that I will not hide under a spoiler tag FYI).
CNs: grief; discussion of past miscarriage; discussion of past school shooting; past death of a child; multiple acts of violence by white men; on-page bleeding; on-page stitches; xenophobic/race-related hate crime; hospital stay and discussion of surgery (not protagonist); hospital waiting room; fade to black sex; pregnancy (not protagonist); on-page childbirth (not protagonist); baby (not protagonist); (checked) toxic family behavior; traditional family values; multiple weddings; large crowds; minor deception; repercussions of gun violence (separate from the school shooting); reference to "suicide by police"; minor character mention of loss of spouse; Surprise Indian Character; drinking; reference to excessive drinking; amiable divorcee relationship; therapy; mention of gun control activism; let me know if I missed anything.
Based on some recent conversation, this counts as a romance because some elements were wrapped up tidily. But there's still work to do, and Mona toes that line pretty well. There is an element of a person making you better that properly turns into this person makes me want to make myself better, but I did raise a few eyebrows during some of the middle.
I don't know how to end this review. Read the book if you want, but read with hella care.
March 26, 2021
This novel is not just a romance but deftly weaves weighty issues such as school shootings, miscarriage, racism, and typical prejudices associated with Indian families. The characters have depth and their heart wrenching stories made me have to dig out a tissue at times, but totally worth it. Mona Shroff is an adept writer- looking forward to her next book!
August 25, 2020
You MUST read this book. It is so much more than just a romance. Mona Shroff writes a compelling story about loss, growth, and of course, love. I’m a big proponent of reading any book at least once, but this book made my short list of books I’d read over and over again!
May 8, 2022
4.25 stars rounded up
January 26, 2024
And Then There Was You is an emotional tear-jerker romance. Annika, in the aftermath of breaking off her engagement and recovering from a miscarriage five months prior, struggles with the pressure from her parents to marry and switch her career from teaching to attending medical school. Meanwhile, Daniel continues to overwork himself as a way to cope with the grief of losing his daughter. The relationship between Annika and Daniel helps them deal with their grief, aids in their healing, and assists them in discovering what they truly want.
Don't be misled by the lighthearted cover! Their relationship was interesting to read, but I wasn’t a fan of the book's pacing. Some parts were too slow, while at other times, the drama overshadowed the romance. I felt that the book should have included content warnings at the beginning as it discusses sensitive topics such as miscarriages, child loss, and school shootings. Overall, I rated this book 3.5 stars, but rounded it up to 4 stars on Goodreads.
Don't be misled by the lighthearted cover! Their relationship was interesting to read, but I wasn’t a fan of the book's pacing. Some parts were too slow, while at other times, the drama overshadowed the romance. I felt that the book should have included content warnings at the beginning as it discusses sensitive topics such as miscarriages, child loss, and school shootings. Overall, I rated this book 3.5 stars, but rounded it up to 4 stars on Goodreads.
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January 1, 2021Categories
Family Life Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction
Family Life Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction
September 26, 2020
I actually really liked the main characters in this book and it’s well written but I really hate it when the book blurb does not match the actual book! This is a huge pet peeve of mine as it creates an expectation that will never be met and will not match up books with the right readers. You will see this book cover, read the blurb and maybe see Romance as the category and think you are getting a nice light read but you are not! I usually try to write reviews that are spoiler free but warning this one is not. When a romance novel describes a character as damaged that’s not all that surprising in the genre but what the blurb does not say is that Daniel’s 5 year old daughter was killed in a school shooting. That’s a huge deal not to mention! I hate hearing about the horrible things that happen to kids in real life so I would never choose to read a book with this horribly sad premise. Annika is also getting over a miscarriage which could also be hard for some readers just hoping for a light read.
Again the book itself was well written and despite my very big problem with the misleading description it’s a good book. At times there are too many excuses to keep the characters apart and the best friend character is annoying. I think there could have been more focus on the big Indian family and it needed more humor to balance out all the negativity. If you are ok with the gut wrenching parts that were not advertised then it is well written if not really a romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Again the book itself was well written and despite my very big problem with the misleading description it’s a good book. At times there are too many excuses to keep the characters apart and the best friend character is annoying. I think there could have been more focus on the big Indian family and it needed more humor to balance out all the negativity. If you are ok with the gut wrenching parts that were not advertised then it is well written if not really a romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 8, 2025
This was such a beautiful story. I don’t know how Mona managed to take such tough topics and family dynamics and weave such a heartwarming story that had me smiling and hopeful from start to finish, but she did it. Annika is a sweet soul and I am so glad that she was open to making mistakes rather than trying to fit in the neat box family tried to place her due to past mistakes. Daniel needed someone to help him live again and I love how much his life changed and righted itself after meeting Annika.
Beautiful!
Beautiful!
January 11, 2024
"Then There Was You" by Mona Shroff was a great read. Annika is a kindergarten teacher and works part-time at a bar. Daniel is a helicopter medic and works at the ER. They both have had something horrible happen to them and need to find a way to overcome those tragedies. There is a lot of stuff going on in this book, and the way that Mona writes about it keeps you wanting to read to see what happens next.
February 25, 2021
A book that takes a very sensitive issue and wraps it up with a beautiful love story. I have to be honest and say that it was a tough book to finish, only because you see the characters go through so much turmoil. I loved the growth, the hope and the issues that were covered.
I love how this author is growing and just getting better with each book she writes.
Definitely a must read!
I love how this author is growing and just getting better with each book she writes.
Definitely a must read!
January 26, 2021
Goodness, Shroff has written an achingly tender story about two people who have experienced the kind of pain you don’t wish on anyone, and each has dealt with it differently. It's not for the faint of heart and my review will contain some spoilers.
From the onset, Then There Was You seems like a sweet romance. Annika is excitedly preparing for her first day as kindergarten teacher and Daniel is completely immersed in his work. Beneath the surface, though, lies immense pain. Annika suffered a miscarriage months ago and her fiance at the time broke up with her shortly after. Daniel was working in the ER that day when Annika was brought in and helped comfort her, though she doesn't remember him there. Her pain echoed everything that Daniel had lost years before when his daughter was gunned down during a school shooting. It so happens that the school is where Annika currently teaches. Where Annika has been working at processing her loss and grief, Daniel has simply resorted to shoving it away somewhere and instead, drowns himself in work. Daniel has often thought of Annika since that day in the ER and when he finally sees her at a medical emergency he's called to, he feels relief but also curiosity. There's an inexplicable pull there that he can't ignore, and so he quietly inserts himself into her orbit by starting to frequent the bar she works at part time. He knows he should be upfront with her about their previous meeting but he's not sure how to approach that. Meanwhile, hanging out together brings a bit of sunshine into their lives.
I liked that the story dealt with personal pain and guilt on a very real level. It didn't feel like Shroff rushed to resolve lingering anguish to get to the romance, particularly in Daniel's case as he suffers from PTSD as well. If anything, I think it's all handled rather sensitively. Also tucked into the plot is Annika's parents push to see her settled with a proper man as they try to set her up with someone they think would be a good match. This would see her taken care of and also stop the endless gossips who've been muttering unkind things about her. The guy they're not so subtly setting her up with is great but Annika hasn't caught feelings for him the way she has for Daniel. But Daniel has so much to deal with on his own before they can move forward together, if that's what they actually want to do.
Then There Was You is genuinely moving. My one criticism is the misleading blurb which makes the novel out to be a cutesy romance when it is clearly delving into some heartbreaking storylines - ones that need content warnings for some readers. Despite the sadness that permeates the romance, I liked this even more than Shroff's debut mainly because of how cautiously she tread with Annika and Daniel's emotional baggage. Had she not done that well I think it would've been a different reading experience. Shroff is only getting better and I'm looking forward to reading more from her!
~ Bel
Content warning/triggers:
miscarriage, school shooting, child death, PTSD, passing racist remarks, brief racist incident
*Source: Netgalley; ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
From the onset, Then There Was You seems like a sweet romance. Annika is excitedly preparing for her first day as kindergarten teacher and Daniel is completely immersed in his work. Beneath the surface, though, lies immense pain. Annika suffered a miscarriage months ago and her fiance at the time broke up with her shortly after. Daniel was working in the ER that day when Annika was brought in and helped comfort her, though she doesn't remember him there. Her pain echoed everything that Daniel had lost years before when his daughter was gunned down during a school shooting. It so happens that the school is where Annika currently teaches. Where Annika has been working at processing her loss and grief, Daniel has simply resorted to shoving it away somewhere and instead, drowns himself in work. Daniel has often thought of Annika since that day in the ER and when he finally sees her at a medical emergency he's called to, he feels relief but also curiosity. There's an inexplicable pull there that he can't ignore, and so he quietly inserts himself into her orbit by starting to frequent the bar she works at part time. He knows he should be upfront with her about their previous meeting but he's not sure how to approach that. Meanwhile, hanging out together brings a bit of sunshine into their lives.
I liked that the story dealt with personal pain and guilt on a very real level. It didn't feel like Shroff rushed to resolve lingering anguish to get to the romance, particularly in Daniel's case as he suffers from PTSD as well. If anything, I think it's all handled rather sensitively. Also tucked into the plot is Annika's parents push to see her settled with a proper man as they try to set her up with someone they think would be a good match. This would see her taken care of and also stop the endless gossips who've been muttering unkind things about her. The guy they're not so subtly setting her up with is great but Annika hasn't caught feelings for him the way she has for Daniel. But Daniel has so much to deal with on his own before they can move forward together, if that's what they actually want to do.
Then There Was You is genuinely moving. My one criticism is the misleading blurb which makes the novel out to be a cutesy romance when it is clearly delving into some heartbreaking storylines - ones that need content warnings for some readers. Despite the sadness that permeates the romance, I liked this even more than Shroff's debut mainly because of how cautiously she tread with Annika and Daniel's emotional baggage. Had she not done that well I think it would've been a different reading experience. Shroff is only getting better and I'm looking forward to reading more from her!
~ Bel
Content warning/triggers:
miscarriage, school shooting, child death, PTSD, passing racist remarks, brief racist incident
*Source: Netgalley; ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
January 27, 2021
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Romance and Mona Shroff for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
What was the last book that surprised you? With over 30 NetGalley books to read, 10 Kindle Unlimited and a ridiculous amount of TBR books, I was already considering skipping this one. Tack on the subpar Goodreads rating and I was this close to moving on to my next reads. Thank goodness I didn't! I was expecting a run of the mill light and fluffy romance read based on the blurb and the cover. Wrong! This book was so much more than a light romance. Annika and Daniel's stories were both an emotional and raw look at life after child loss. Both experienced the loss of a child in different ways, but their grief was the same. This created a bond between the two main characters that felt different than your typical meet cute.
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Annika is Indian and readers are taken on a culinary and cultural journey. I loved all of the food descriptions and the detail in the clothes worn throughout! I don't think I've read a romance with Indian main characters before!
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From what I've seen, most of the ratings reflect frustration that the blurb and cover don't match the seriousness of this book. While it's more than I expected, I really don't think this book is getting the love it deserves! I highly recommend this one, and it's out today! Get your copy ASAP, you won't want to miss out.
What was the last book that surprised you? With over 30 NetGalley books to read, 10 Kindle Unlimited and a ridiculous amount of TBR books, I was already considering skipping this one. Tack on the subpar Goodreads rating and I was this close to moving on to my next reads. Thank goodness I didn't! I was expecting a run of the mill light and fluffy romance read based on the blurb and the cover. Wrong! This book was so much more than a light romance. Annika and Daniel's stories were both an emotional and raw look at life after child loss. Both experienced the loss of a child in different ways, but their grief was the same. This created a bond between the two main characters that felt different than your typical meet cute.
.
Annika is Indian and readers are taken on a culinary and cultural journey. I loved all of the food descriptions and the detail in the clothes worn throughout! I don't think I've read a romance with Indian main characters before!
.
From what I've seen, most of the ratings reflect frustration that the blurb and cover don't match the seriousness of this book. While it's more than I expected, I really don't think this book is getting the love it deserves! I highly recommend this one, and it's out today! Get your copy ASAP, you won't want to miss out.
June 29, 2023
This book is very much about grief. Both main characters have experienced the devastating loss of a child. Annika, a kindergarten teacher, encounters Daniel, a nurse practitioner, in the ER as she is miscarrying. While they are not introduced and she doesn't know him or remember him, she does remember the comfort that he shared. When they meet up again months later, when Daniel is called out for an emergency at Annika's workplace, they experience an immediate connection.
This romance is very much a slow burn. Still wounded by the loss of his daughter, Daniel is frightened about beginning any relationship and potentially losing another person.
Then There Was You takes place in a very conservative Indian cultural setting. Annika and other characters struggle with parental expectations about appropriate life partners, marriage, and careers. There are also plot lines related to prejudice against Annika and her brown skinned family.
Shroff deals sensitively with societal expectations about manning up and just moving on - even when your heart is broken - and the challenges to getting help when you are struggling.
This romance is very much a slow burn. Still wounded by the loss of his daughter, Daniel is frightened about beginning any relationship and potentially losing another person.
Then There Was You takes place in a very conservative Indian cultural setting. Annika and other characters struggle with parental expectations about appropriate life partners, marriage, and careers. There are also plot lines related to prejudice against Annika and her brown skinned family.
Shroff deals sensitively with societal expectations about manning up and just moving on - even when your heart is broken - and the challenges to getting help when you are struggling.
February 21, 2023
While this was a well written book, I want to start with a few complaints. The book started very slowly and it was hard to keep locked in to. The entire book was predictable. I feel like too much time was spent building a background for Annika's family. While I know this was meant to show her connection to them and show how important they were to her, it seemed to be more focused on that than any other part of her life. "There was a sense of comfort in being surrounded by people who have known you your whole life that Annika found healing."
My biggest complaint is that every relationship had to be tied up in a nice bow by the end of the book, no one could be left without their moment of relationship redemption. Although I understand the urge to show that those people were wrong and growing, not every relationship is fixed that quickly, and that perfectly in real life. Not everyone is able to admit their wrongdoings and take the initiative to fix it, in reality. Take Daniel's dad for example, we see him in about two scenes, the first of which he is abrasive and angry. " Men take care of business. Talking about things never did anyone any good. Let it go. Put it behind you." The last time we see his dad, it's him apologizing to Daniel in an unexplainable amount of growth.
On the other hand, Mona Shroff did an amazing job of portraying Daniel's struggle but wanting to be with Annika and have a life with her. You can practically feel his need to be with Annika and how much better he feels with her. "You make me feel like I can breathe."
I rooted for them through the entire book, and even though I had to force myself to keep going, knowing it would get better, I still ended up falling in love with Annika and Daniel and wanted to see him work through his traumas to be the man that Annika deserved.
"You're the reason I wanted to be apart of life again."
My biggest complaint is that every relationship had to be tied up in a nice bow by the end of the book, no one could be left without their moment of relationship redemption. Although I understand the urge to show that those people were wrong and growing, not every relationship is fixed that quickly, and that perfectly in real life. Not everyone is able to admit their wrongdoings and take the initiative to fix it, in reality. Take Daniel's dad for example, we see him in about two scenes, the first of which he is abrasive and angry. " Men take care of business. Talking about things never did anyone any good. Let it go. Put it behind you." The last time we see his dad, it's him apologizing to Daniel in an unexplainable amount of growth.
On the other hand, Mona Shroff did an amazing job of portraying Daniel's struggle but wanting to be with Annika and have a life with her. You can practically feel his need to be with Annika and how much better he feels with her. "You make me feel like I can breathe."
I rooted for them through the entire book, and even though I had to force myself to keep going, knowing it would get better, I still ended up falling in love with Annika and Daniel and wanted to see him work through his traumas to be the man that Annika deserved.
"You're the reason I wanted to be apart of life again."
February 15, 2021
3.5⭐
There are many trigger warnings in this book that includes loss of a child, miscarriage, a school shooting and depression.
This is a heartwarming and super sad story about Daniel and Annika falling in love. Both characters have had tragic things happen to them and both characters are reluctant to get into relationships because of their pasts.
Annika is in her first year of teaching and she also works nights at a popular local bar, which is where Daniel sees her again when is responding to a shooting. Daniel is a flight medic, and is immediately taken with Annika when he sees her again at the scene of the accident.
While I felt Daniel and Annika's connection, I found some of their relationship decisions frustrating. I find it hard to root for a relationship when characters are constantly going back and forth with their feelings and making decisions for the other person.
There are many trigger warnings in this book that includes loss of a child, miscarriage, a school shooting and depression.
This is a heartwarming and super sad story about Daniel and Annika falling in love. Both characters have had tragic things happen to them and both characters are reluctant to get into relationships because of their pasts.
Annika is in her first year of teaching and she also works nights at a popular local bar, which is where Daniel sees her again when is responding to a shooting. Daniel is a flight medic, and is immediately taken with Annika when he sees her again at the scene of the accident.
While I felt Daniel and Annika's connection, I found some of their relationship decisions frustrating. I find it hard to root for a relationship when characters are constantly going back and forth with their feelings and making decisions for the other person.
January 3, 2021
Goodness, Shroff has written a tender story with two extremely vulnerable characters. Annika and Daniel have experienced the kind of pain you don’t wish on anyone and each has dealt with it differently. I liked how Shroff paced the story allowing the details to gradually emerge while also allowing time for them to process and grieve.
I liked this one even more than her debut which was cute. Then There Was You is an emotional journey that might be hard for some readers (CW at the bottom so as not to be spoilery.) As romances do, there is a HEA to look forward to.
⚠️ Content Warning ⚠️
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Miscarriage, school shooting, child death as a result of school shooting, racism, violence resulting from encounter with racist, support group for grieving parents
I liked this one even more than her debut which was cute. Then There Was You is an emotional journey that might be hard for some readers (CW at the bottom so as not to be spoilery.) As romances do, there is a HEA to look forward to.
⚠️ Content Warning ⚠️
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Miscarriage, school shooting, child death as a result of school shooting, racism, violence resulting from encounter with racist, support group for grieving parents
January 23, 2021
This is a much more serious book than the cover might lead you to believe- and it's a good one. Daniel a nurse practicioner, is still dealing with the horror of what happened to his little daughter Sarah five years ago. He's picked up his life but he's got understandable issues. Annika is also still coping. They initially met on one of the worst days of her life so she doesn't recognize him when he walks into the bar where she picks up shifts to supplement her income as a teacher. She's also dealing with her parents who have high expectations for her and want her to conform to their cultural mores. These two bond despite the odds and while this is a slow burn romance, it's also a well thought out one. Shroff has created two wonderful people in Daniel and Annika- you will feel for them. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. A nicely written and compassionate HEA.
January 26, 2021
This book definitely needs some trigger warnings: miscarriage, school shooting, death of a child, racist attack.
I went into this story thinking it was going to be a light read and wow, was I wrong. This book was emotionally rough. It definitely puts the characters and the reader through the wringer. Daniel meets Annika on the worst day of her life and she doesn’t remember him. When they meet again later, the chemistry between them in burning. But Daniel has experienced severe trauma in the past and he hasn’t dealt with it. Annika is understanding and supportive and even willing to stand up to her parents, who want her to marry an Indian doctor and go to medical school herself, for him. This book has some great family moments and a lot of healing but it takes time and the characters need to work for it. It’s certainly not for those looking for a light read. But if you push through the trauma, it is worth it in the end.
*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this story thinking it was going to be a light read and wow, was I wrong. This book was emotionally rough. It definitely puts the characters and the reader through the wringer. Daniel meets Annika on the worst day of her life and she doesn’t remember him. When they meet again later, the chemistry between them in burning. But Daniel has experienced severe trauma in the past and he hasn’t dealt with it. Annika is understanding and supportive and even willing to stand up to her parents, who want her to marry an Indian doctor and go to medical school herself, for him. This book has some great family moments and a lot of healing but it takes time and the characters need to work for it. It’s certainly not for those looking for a light read. But if you push through the trauma, it is worth it in the end.
*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 5, 2020
This book was received as an ARC from HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada) in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
My eyes were glued through every word on each page. Everything about this book was so wrong that it was so right to enjoy it from beginning to end. The backstory of Annika and how it lead her to a near death experience and the blessing/sacrifice of meeting Daniel and then reconnecting after another tragedy, that is the true meaning of fate. This exemplifies that every tragedy can turn into the biggest blessing that can change your life. I am really hoping either hallmark or a major motion picture will turn this into a chick flick or made for TV movie and it will definitely be one that I will watch. Harlequin Romance does really well in our collection and I have no doubts that this one will circulate very well.
We will consider adding this title to our Romance collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
My eyes were glued through every word on each page. Everything about this book was so wrong that it was so right to enjoy it from beginning to end. The backstory of Annika and how it lead her to a near death experience and the blessing/sacrifice of meeting Daniel and then reconnecting after another tragedy, that is the true meaning of fate. This exemplifies that every tragedy can turn into the biggest blessing that can change your life. I am really hoping either hallmark or a major motion picture will turn this into a chick flick or made for TV movie and it will definitely be one that I will watch. Harlequin Romance does really well in our collection and I have no doubts that this one will circulate very well.
We will consider adding this title to our Romance collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
August 1, 2025
This was a heartwarming and emotional story.
Grief, loss of child, school shooting.
I thought the author did a very good job of building the plot and story line.
It made me smile and cry at times.
Grief, loss of child, school shooting.
I thought the author did a very good job of building the plot and story line.
It made me smile and cry at times.
May 1, 2024
This was a fun, emotional read ❤️❤️ also, Ron Weasley is apparently going to group therapy for dealing with the loss of a child.
But WHY is there no capital in the title on the bookcover 🥲🥲.
But WHY is there no capital in the title on the bookcover 🥲🥲.
January 19, 2021
Shroff has done it again. This time with two people trying to move on from tragedy. How a book about two people that have lost what is most precious to them could have so much hope is beyond me. But that is what you will find in Then There Was You. I started and finished this in one sitting and I could not put it down. I know that love can get you through so many things. But in this story although love does conquer out in the end. It does not remove the obstacles of moving past tragedy and how you move on.
Go into this one knowing: Loss of a child, Miscarriage, PTSD
Go into this one knowing: Loss of a child, Miscarriage, PTSD
January 7, 2021
This is the first I am reading a book by the author and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
What is it about?
When helicopter medic Daniel Bliant answers an emergency call at Phil’s Bar, he can’t believe who the bartender is: the beautiful woman he saw in his ER months before and hasn’t been able to stop thinking about. He should forget her. After all, he knows he’s damaged goods. But Annika is intelligent, fun, and stunning—the breath of life he desperately needs after the incident that left him shattered.
Annika Mehta is doing just fine. She loves her job as a kindergarten teacher, even if the pay is low and she has a side gig working at Phil’s. At least the bar owners are more like family. Sure, she’s reeling from a bad breakup and the terrible event that caused it, but she’s fine. Really. What she doesn’t need is Daniel. He’s wrong for her in every single way—so why is their chemistry off the charts?
My Thoughts?
I liked the writing in this book- it was fast-paced and both the characters were likable. Annika's Indian heritage was a plus for me, I loved reading those references. Although this is in the romance genre I feel it would be a better fit as contemporary fiction. A lot of times when readers pick up a romance novel they are anticipating a light read. Along with the main storyline between Annika and Daniel, there was a lot more going on :
child loss, gun violence, PTSD, pregnancy loss, heavy grief, racial profiling/discrimination, attempted arranged marriages, or job-shaming. None of this is mentioned directly (or indirectly, really) in the blurb, but you start to come across this as you get about half a page in.
If that was clear to me from the description I would have been prepared for it and would have liked it more! That being said as I mentioned before I look forward to reading more work from the author in the future.
Thank you to Mona for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
What is it about?
When helicopter medic Daniel Bliant answers an emergency call at Phil’s Bar, he can’t believe who the bartender is: the beautiful woman he saw in his ER months before and hasn’t been able to stop thinking about. He should forget her. After all, he knows he’s damaged goods. But Annika is intelligent, fun, and stunning—the breath of life he desperately needs after the incident that left him shattered.
Annika Mehta is doing just fine. She loves her job as a kindergarten teacher, even if the pay is low and she has a side gig working at Phil’s. At least the bar owners are more like family. Sure, she’s reeling from a bad breakup and the terrible event that caused it, but she’s fine. Really. What she doesn’t need is Daniel. He’s wrong for her in every single way—so why is their chemistry off the charts?
My Thoughts?
I liked the writing in this book- it was fast-paced and both the characters were likable. Annika's Indian heritage was a plus for me, I loved reading those references. Although this is in the romance genre I feel it would be a better fit as contemporary fiction. A lot of times when readers pick up a romance novel they are anticipating a light read. Along with the main storyline between Annika and Daniel, there was a lot more going on :
child loss, gun violence, PTSD, pregnancy loss, heavy grief, racial profiling/discrimination, attempted arranged marriages, or job-shaming. None of this is mentioned directly (or indirectly, really) in the blurb, but you start to come across this as you get about half a page in.
If that was clear to me from the description I would have been prepared for it and would have liked it more! That being said as I mentioned before I look forward to reading more work from the author in the future.
Thank you to Mona for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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