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Until It Was: Best Friends To Lovers Contemporary Romance

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Single mom Vanessa Wilson is finally free. After eighteen tumultuous years, she can take a breath and focus on what matters most, her thirteen-year-old daughter, Sophia. Vanessa will do anything to protect her child, even if it means running from Lance, a love she had waited a lifetime for. Lance Taylor has his exit plan. He’s ready to embrace life and live it to its fullest down in the Florida Keys. He’s commitment-free and sworn off any entanglements that may sway his bachelor’s heart—until Vanessa. Best friends since high school, their undeniable attraction takes root and blossoms. When Vanessa’s ex-husband uses Sophia as an agent for revenge, Lance whisks them off to his bachelor pad in the Florida Keys. Flames ignite, and their relationship shifts on its axis. But, as things intensify, doubt erupts. When a devastating secret is revealed that threatens to destroy the relationship they waited so long for, Vanessa and Lance must find a way back to each other. Or, any hope for a future together will remain forever in their dreams.

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 12, 2021

11 people are currently reading
31 people want to read

About the author

Melissa Brodsky

7 books203 followers
Melissa used to tell everyone she was going to be a writer when she grew up. Well, she is suddenly a grown up and it looks like she was telling the truth.

Melissa just released her beach read vibe book, Until It Was. She has another book coming out early spring. And, she plans on writing forever, so watch the bookshelves as they stack up with her novels.

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5 stars
19 (63%)
4 stars
8 (26%)
3 stars
3 (10%)
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Alexandra.
Author 13 books90 followers
July 17, 2021
A contemporary romance that offered me the perfect escape from everyday life, with a happy ending that represented the cherry on top. The author delivers a story that will appeal to lovers of this genre, with relatable characters and some steamy parts that add to the overall delight.
My thoughts:
Meet Vanessa Wilson, a woman who has divorced after many years of unhappiness. Finally free, she is looking toward the future, trying to concentrate on her daughter, Sophia. Her life will be turned upside down once again, as she reconnects with Lance, an old friend, and the potential love she has been waiting for. In her desire to protect her daughter, she might be ready to sacrifice her future happiness.
Lance is the kind of man who wants to live to the fullest, without any commitments. Vanessa is about to change all that, as the two are undeniably drawn to each other. The new man in her life will go to all lengths to protect both Vanessa and Sophia, but their blossoming relationship might be affected by a devastating secret. What will happen? I am not going to give any more details away, you will have to read the book to find out.
I found this book to be a genuine page-turner, and I liked that it was not predictable. The steamy parts only added to the delight of the story, and it was nice to see an authentic romance novel. I was left with a feel-good impression, after following the journey of each character. The author has done a great job in developing relatable characters, describing their emotions in detail. She has a fresh, unique style of writing, and I feel that her book was a genuine treat.
Verdict:
This is the perfect read for a Sunday afternoon, offering an escape from the daily mundane existence. A compelling story that overflows with romance, with characters that are relatable. This story reminded me of the ups and downs we all get to experience, and how good it feels to get your happy ending, no matter how late in life.
Profile Image for Andrea ( books_fiction_desire ).
680 reviews
February 23, 2021
Since high school, Vanessa, Lance and Donna were best friends and did everything together.
They have all been married however non of their relationships lasted. Vanessa and Lance have both been in love with one another and when they finally admitted that to each other there might be happily ever after for them after yall. Only now they both realized that their friend Donna knew about it all this time and she had her own reasons to keep it a secret and keep them apart. With Vanessa’s life in danger Lance takes her and her 13 year old daughter to Florida till things settle down with her ex husband and they finally have the happiness they always wanted. But things don’t go the way they want and till they overcome the obstacles that are thrown their way.

This was my first read by this author and I loved it from the start. It is a great contemporary romance story with twist and turns and would highly recommend it ❤️❤️❤️

173 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2021
4.5⭐ Read this in one sitting because I couldn't leave my new friends. A great story about love, friendship and trusting yourself. Vanessa, Donna and Lance had a rare and special friendship that we don't commonly get to experience from our teenage years into middle age; and thats what made this story stand out for me. A real amazing love story! These are my go-to, feel- good stories ans they are generally aimed at a younger audience. I love how we journeyed through the development of the characters in their middle age, and how similar it is to any other age group. Quick and enjoyable read!! @rockdrool
Profile Image for Jennifer Shepard.
844 reviews121 followers
February 8, 2021
This is the first book I read from this author and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. The ending of this book.. come on! I just didn´t expect it! Can´t wait to read other books from this great writer! Amazing job! a must-read! A fantastic book that has it all! I happily endorse this story to any and all who are looking for a romance enjoyable read and a completely different experience than anyone could imagine on their own. ¡Great book!
Profile Image for yesenia (Caligirlheartsbooks).
422 reviews3 followers
February 25, 2021
This was a solid best friends to lovers romance. It definitely had so much angst.

The only thing that unsettled me was the whole lance and Donna scenario. While I get it could possibly be a very realistic reality, it seriously got to me! Donna was a selfish friend. I personally would have never forgave her, thats what made Vanessa such a grown up to let the past go and move on forward.

Lance and Vanessa had a great relationship and connection. They always had that untold love for each other until the time came fore them to be together.
1 review
January 15, 2021
I love, love, LOVE this book. Melissa Brodsky has such a fresh and unique voice. Her characters are so alive, and the scenes so vivid. You feel like you’re right there in the middle of everything. This is truly one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a long time. I can’t wait for her next release.
Profile Image for Shannon Burton.
312 reviews10 followers
January 23, 2021
A wonderful love story

There’s nothing like a friends to lovers romance, that has its own danger, jealousies, uncertainties and of course forgiveness.

I was routing for Lance and Vanessa the entire book and even with Donna around I wanted their friendship to survive.

What a great story I couldn’t put it down and I’m a little sad it’s over.
Profile Image for Michelle.
15 reviews7 followers
January 24, 2021
I love love love a best friends to romance book and this one is well done! One of those cozy reads you don't want to end. Any Gen Xer will immediately fall in love with Vanessa and will be rooting for her happily ever after the whole way through. A wonderful, solid, debut for Melissa Brodsky! Can't wait to see what she does next.
3 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2021
Everything you would want in a romance novel.

First off, I ADORE the fact that there was an unspoken love in the story. Secondly, I love that it was declared and there weren't petty games. There was a villainous moment but it resolved nicely. I'm seriously hoping for a second book with a Donna and Lance's brother! EXCELLENT WORK!
1 review
January 14, 2021
Unputdownable

I got lost in the story, read it straight through in one day. It was like i knew each of the characters. I cheered, cried and cheered some more.
4 reviews
January 22, 2021
Fun read

Good romantic book.
Characters were interesting
Liked the way it was written
Love happy ending and easy to relate to
Fun to read
Profile Image for Becki .
365 reviews11 followers
January 25, 2021
Vanessa, Lance, and Donna have been inseparable since their high school days. Now in their early 50s, is it too late for Vanessa and Lance to admit they’ve always wanted more?

Vanessa married her ex-husband because it was time for her to get married. All of her friends were married, and dating wasn’t much fun. Without planning to, she ended up pregnant a few years later. Her daughter, Sophia, is the one bright spot from a bad marriage that still carried on for 13 more years. Vanessa is ready to move on from her marriage and make a good life for herself and Sophia.

But sometimes moving forward means moving back. Now spending all of her free time with her best friends from high school, Vanessa and Lance confess their long-held feelings for each other. Life is never as simple as we want it to be. Most of the story is the tumultuous path of Vanessa and Lance learning that sometimes telling the truth about feelings is the easy part—they still need to fight for themselves and their relationship with each other.

Overall, I’d give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. It was an interesting contemporary romance with a few twists and turns along the way. Without spoiling too much, Vanessa and Lance do get their happy ending.

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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