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Always & Forever #1
8: It's Only Eight Letters
Hunter:
Senior Year.
Just one more year and I’ll be outta this town.
Away from it all, and able to breathe again.
But then, I see her.
Charlotte.
The girl I’ve looked at since school began.
She doesn’t know me, but I want her to.
After all, we can become best friends, right?
Charlotte:
Senior Year.
The year most kids dream of ever since they started school.
But I’m just trying to graduate while taking care of my mama.
But then, he sees me.
Hunter.
The dark prince, the rebel, the fighter.
I see something in his eyes that draws me in.
He wants to be friends. I can do that.
There is no harm in becoming friends, right?
But it doesn’t take long for friends to turn into something more.
And we both know once we take that path, there’s no turning back.
Even if life wants to keep us apart.
Senior Year.
Just one more year and I’ll be outta this town.
Away from it all, and able to breathe again.
But then, I see her.
Charlotte.
The girl I’ve looked at since school began.
She doesn’t know me, but I want her to.
After all, we can become best friends, right?
Charlotte:
Senior Year.
The year most kids dream of ever since they started school.
But I’m just trying to graduate while taking care of my mama.
But then, he sees me.
Hunter.
The dark prince, the rebel, the fighter.
I see something in his eyes that draws me in.
He wants to be friends. I can do that.
There is no harm in becoming friends, right?
But it doesn’t take long for friends to turn into something more.
And we both know once we take that path, there’s no turning back.
Even if life wants to keep us apart.
550 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2021
469 people are currently reading
2116 people want to read
About the author
B. Lustig
5 books76 followersBillie Lustig is a Dutch girl who has always had a thing with words: either she couldn't shut up, or she was writing an adventure stuck in her head. She's pretty straightforward, can be a pain in the ass & is allergic to bullshit, but most of all, she's a sucker for love. She is happily married to her own alpha male who taught her the truest thing about love: when it's real, you can't walk away. She created B. Lustig to make it clear to her readers it's a contemporary romance, while her books published through Billie Lustig are darker romance coming with a trigger warning.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
September 28, 2021
He was a shitty best friend who was more interested in using her as a backup plan than being any real kind of friend to her. She’s never been important enough to him to try which is proven over and over again by all the women he’s with while she’s pining away for him at home *insert eye roll* Even better, he can’t say I love you to her, but he sure can say those words for the first time to someone else. The author tries to make it seem like he didn’t mean it, but I’m not buying that shit. Let’s not even mention the fact he’s more than willing to throw away their friendship because of this new woman of his…and the heroine is still waiting around for him? Begging for him to come back home with her after he abandoned her when she needed him?? Pathetic!
As for the heroine, she was a spineless idiot who caved the moment he looked her way again, and let him back in without so much as a fight every time. Not my kind of romance. I prefer heroes who have the balls to go after what they want, and heroines who won’t ever put up with being second best.
DNF but I got past the halfway mark so it gets rated.
As for the heroine, she was a spineless idiot who caved the moment he looked her way again, and let him back in without so much as a fight every time. Not my kind of romance. I prefer heroes who have the balls to go after what they want, and heroines who won’t ever put up with being second best.
DNF but I got past the halfway mark so it gets rated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2024
Ahhhhhhh... I HATED THE HERO
Just another book where H is too much of a coward to confess his love to h so he screws pretty much anyone except h.
Story spans over 8 years where he sleeps with many women including her, leads her on, lies to her about fake dating ow. h has to find out he's moved in with his gf from news. Sleeps with her again, ignores her more, gets engaged to his gf.
They are supposed to be best friends, but H is too busy fucking his fiancé ( like literally ignores h's call to have sex with her, we get the scene and all how his dick works 🤮) to attend the phone when she calls to say her mother died in an accident. Doesn't attend funeral and he 'realises' this when h shows up a week later to rip into him.
8 years and a hundred screws with multiple OW later, all the while h watches from sidelines, he's back in town asking h for 8 dates, one for each year for they should've been together because he's the ' one ' for her 💀💀💀
Doesn't care she's got a bf and is finally healing. Nope, H has to screw her up even more just to satisfy his ego.
I dnf'd here. If i could smack this H through the screen, i would.
edit- forced myself to finish, h basically agrees to let him take her on dates, in a few days she's convinced he loves her, breaks up with her boyfriend, lets him fuck her with his diseased dick bare and they have a baby 💀🤢🤮🤮
Just another book where H is too much of a coward to confess his love to h so he screws pretty much anyone except h.
Story spans over 8 years where he sleeps with many women including her, leads her on, lies to her about fake dating ow. h has to find out he's moved in with his gf from news. Sleeps with her again, ignores her more, gets engaged to his gf.
They are supposed to be best friends, but H is too busy fucking his fiancé ( like literally ignores h's call to have sex with her, we get the scene and all how his dick works 🤮) to attend the phone when she calls to say her mother died in an accident. Doesn't attend funeral and he 'realises' this when h shows up a week later to rip into him.
8 years and a hundred screws with multiple OW later, all the while h watches from sidelines, he's back in town asking h for 8 dates, one for each year for they should've been together because he's the ' one ' for her 💀💀💀
Doesn't care she's got a bf and is finally healing. Nope, H has to screw her up even more just to satisfy his ego.
I dnf'd here. If i could smack this H through the screen, i would.
edit- forced myself to finish, h basically agrees to let him take her on dates, in a few days she's convinced he loves her, breaks up with her boyfriend, lets him fuck her with his diseased dick bare and they have a baby 💀🤢🤮🤮
April 6, 2022
First of all this book was good. I don’t really know how to explain why it was but I just could not stop reading and I literally ranted about it to anyone that would listen. So even based on what i’m going to say I did like it and I think you should give it a try.
This book excited so many emotions out of me. I thought Hunter and Charlotte were so cute together… but then about 50% through I became extremely angry. Hunter became a total asshole and completely just walked over Charlotte AND SHE LET HIM. From around 50% to 95% through the book he was a jerk. He would mess up and she would just let it slide.
He would date other girls and the second she started dating someone he ruined it for her. He would lead her on while dating other people. He forced her to go to a party, she didn’t want to go to and then when she hung out with her other friend because she basically spends all her other time with only Hunter, he got mad and drunk and was making out with another girl and was gonna have sex with her in the back of the car while Charolette drove??? Specifically to hurt her. She traveled to LA to visit him and the second she steps out of the room, he started to make out with a random girl right in front of her(and they were in like this weird little relationship thing at the time where they had had sex and would make out and stuff). He got a girlfriend without telling C while they were still having this weird little “what is this” relationship thing. CHAROLETTE TOLD HIM SHE LOVED HIM AND HE REPLIED WITH “You know I don’t say those words.” AND THEN LATER TOLD HIS GF HE LOVED HER(the gf) AND C HAD TO FIND OUT OVER THE INTERNET!!!!! When Charolette called multiple times to tell him her mom died and basically because she needed his support, he answered with a “I’m in the middle of something. Will call you later.” text. That middle of something was to then have sex with his fiancé and guess who didn’t “call her later”? HIM! HE DIDN’T! YEAH DID I MENTION HE GETS ENGAGED WITH SOMEONE ELSE!!!!!
(Back to the phone call thing) And of course Charolette is pissed but gives him one more chance(*cough* doormat *cough*)and basically says tell me you love me or stop talking to me, stop leading me on. GUESS WHO DOESN’T SAY I LOVE YOU BACK??? Can you guess? HUNTER. And so after she leaves he breaks up with his fiancé and then waits months and guess what? C just forgives him. NOT TO MENTION SHE HAS A BF AND IS FINALLY SOMEWHAT GETTING ON WITH HER LIFE AND OFC HE HAS TO SHOW UP! One thing I hate about books is when one character messes up and the other character just forgives them because they’re attracted to them and that’s how this final problem was wrapped up.
I’m gonna tell you most of the problems are just resolved with a “I’m sorry 🥺” from Hunter and Charolette just forgiving him. There are certain moments where C will stand up for herself one second and then just completely forgive him the next. I would’ve loved to see more groveling from him.
I think a good book is about exciting emotions and this book did that, if it was just based on that I would’ve given it five starts but I honestly just stopped shipping them by like half way through and I just don’t think Hunter recovered from everything he did.
This book excited so many emotions out of me. I thought Hunter and Charlotte were so cute together… but then about 50% through I became extremely angry. Hunter became a total asshole and completely just walked over Charlotte AND SHE LET HIM. From around 50% to 95% through the book he was a jerk. He would mess up and she would just let it slide.
He would date other girls and the second she started dating someone he ruined it for her. He would lead her on while dating other people. He forced her to go to a party, she didn’t want to go to and then when she hung out with her other friend because she basically spends all her other time with only Hunter, he got mad and drunk and was making out with another girl and was gonna have sex with her in the back of the car while Charolette drove??? Specifically to hurt her. She traveled to LA to visit him and the second she steps out of the room, he started to make out with a random girl right in front of her(and they were in like this weird little relationship thing at the time where they had had sex and would make out and stuff). He got a girlfriend without telling C while they were still having this weird little “what is this” relationship thing. CHAROLETTE TOLD HIM SHE LOVED HIM AND HE REPLIED WITH “You know I don’t say those words.” AND THEN LATER TOLD HIS GF HE LOVED HER(the gf) AND C HAD TO FIND OUT OVER THE INTERNET!!!!! When Charolette called multiple times to tell him her mom died and basically because she needed his support, he answered with a “I’m in the middle of something. Will call you later.” text. That middle of something was to then have sex with his fiancé and guess who didn’t “call her later”? HIM! HE DIDN’T! YEAH DID I MENTION HE GETS ENGAGED WITH SOMEONE ELSE!!!!!
(Back to the phone call thing) And of course Charolette is pissed but gives him one more chance(*cough* doormat *cough*)and basically says tell me you love me or stop talking to me, stop leading me on. GUESS WHO DOESN’T SAY I LOVE YOU BACK??? Can you guess? HUNTER. And so after she leaves he breaks up with his fiancé and then waits months and guess what? C just forgives him. NOT TO MENTION SHE HAS A BF AND IS FINALLY SOMEWHAT GETTING ON WITH HER LIFE AND OFC HE HAS TO SHOW UP! One thing I hate about books is when one character messes up and the other character just forgives them because they’re attracted to them and that’s how this final problem was wrapped up.
I’m gonna tell you most of the problems are just resolved with a “I’m sorry 🥺” from Hunter and Charolette just forgiving him. There are certain moments where C will stand up for herself one second and then just completely forgive him the next. I would’ve loved to see more groveling from him.
I think a good book is about exciting emotions and this book did that, if it was just based on that I would’ve given it five starts but I honestly just stopped shipping them by like half way through and I just don’t think Hunter recovered from everything he did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2021
This left me speechless!
5 stars!
We were never friends. We have always been more than that. We have always been in love.
8 truly rendered me speechless. This debut contemporary novel by Billie Lustig did not feel like one at all, it was so beautifully written, you could feel the instant connection that these characters had from page one. Hunter and Charlotte are the epitome of soulmates, being so perfectly imperfect together. 8 is a second chance, best friends to lovers romance. It isn't without a whole bunch of angst that truly makes your heart hurt. This was the best slow burn ever. They had the best tension ever.
Hunter is the bad boy, the illegal underground fighter turned pro. He isn’t without his flaws and Charlotte saw that the moment they met. There were moments where I wanted to strangle him, but I felt so much for him as he was so guarded. Charlotte is the sweetheart. She’s beautiful, pure, and sassy, and everything you would need and want in a friend. This girl deserves the world after everything. I loved the banter between them!
These two understood each other like no one else, literally. I loved seeing them grow up from highschoolers to young adults, battling all the highs and lows that were thrown at them. I was so immersed into this story: from the side characters to the heartbreak to the little moments in the truck and Charls telling Hunter to stop flirting with her, with the push and pull of battling when to cross that line with your best friend. Cause love is enough, right?
You will fall in love with this story like Charlotte fell for Hunter and it’ll break you like Hunter did Charls. But you’ll be put back just like they always managed to do with each other. Gosh, I can go on rambling, because 8 was truly so beautiful even with all the pain and heartache, and it's one that I’ll hold close to me forever. It’s hard for me to connect with a story, and yet Billie did it effortlessly. Everyone, please go read this book, and Billie, I cannot wait for more from you, as always.
5 stars!
We were never friends. We have always been more than that. We have always been in love.
8 truly rendered me speechless. This debut contemporary novel by Billie Lustig did not feel like one at all, it was so beautifully written, you could feel the instant connection that these characters had from page one. Hunter and Charlotte are the epitome of soulmates, being so perfectly imperfect together. 8 is a second chance, best friends to lovers romance. It isn't without a whole bunch of angst that truly makes your heart hurt. This was the best slow burn ever. They had the best tension ever.
Hunter is the bad boy, the illegal underground fighter turned pro. He isn’t without his flaws and Charlotte saw that the moment they met. There were moments where I wanted to strangle him, but I felt so much for him as he was so guarded. Charlotte is the sweetheart. She’s beautiful, pure, and sassy, and everything you would need and want in a friend. This girl deserves the world after everything. I loved the banter between them!
These two understood each other like no one else, literally. I loved seeing them grow up from highschoolers to young adults, battling all the highs and lows that were thrown at them. I was so immersed into this story: from the side characters to the heartbreak to the little moments in the truck and Charls telling Hunter to stop flirting with her, with the push and pull of battling when to cross that line with your best friend. Cause love is enough, right?
You will fall in love with this story like Charlotte fell for Hunter and it’ll break you like Hunter did Charls. But you’ll be put back just like they always managed to do with each other. Gosh, I can go on rambling, because 8 was truly so beautiful even with all the pain and heartache, and it's one that I’ll hold close to me forever. It’s hard for me to connect with a story, and yet Billie did it effortlessly. Everyone, please go read this book, and Billie, I cannot wait for more from you, as always.
May 27, 2022
She is the world's biggest doormat and he uses her when he's got nothing better going on. Strings her along for years. Constantly putting other women above her and he will do anything to prevent himself from being hurt even if that means constantly breaking her heart and treating her like trash. But whatever because she just keeps crawling back for more. He Gets engaged, calls himself her best friend but ignores her when her mom dies. Then he suddenly decides he does want her and of course with no groveling and the most bare minimum, basic sorry he can muster she jumps back into his arms and forgives years of shitty behavior and heartache. No. Just no.
December 5, 2023
Update 12/5/23 with the new updates: Billie added more emotional depth to this and it was everything I wanted! Gosh, Hunter and Charlotte's story is so realistic. That's what makes it more impactful to me, because I feel a lot of us can relate to this.
I like the friends to lovers trope. Second-chance romances will always get to me. There's just something about them, & there was just something about this particular book that really got to me. It's a beautiful story between two beautiful characters (even though I wanted to throttle Hunter sometimes! Still love you tho Hunt!).
Whenever second-chance books flashback to the past, it always makes my heart ache. Billie starts 8 in the present, before flipping the metaphorical pages back to the day Hunter and Charlotte first really talked to one another. The day their story began. Just two kids, trying to make it through high school carrying the weight of their families on their shoulders and not sure what their future is holding for them. From there we read their friendship grow, the tension between them grow, and how the lines of best friends to something more get blurred as the years passed. This part KILLED ME, because I was dying to see them together, and I was also waiting for that inevitable heartbreak that I knew was coming, the reason why they hadn't spoken to each other in almost a year. And it did it! My heart broke!
I've always loved and appreciated Billie's writing, but I appreciate her as an author even more for this trope switch, deviating from her usual mafia. Don't get me wrong, I love mafia romances. Love her OG couple, Callie & Kane, and the Wolfe brothers. But there was a softness to Billie's writing and storytelling that came out in Hunter & Charlotte's story. Maybe it's more-so because the storyline is about their relationship, and them growing up, but I felt more emotion written into this story. The scenes that were meant to be emotional and heartbreaking, felt exactly that and didn't feel rushed. Billie saw through those scenes which helped me feel more for Hunter and Charlotte. I haven't felt that way about characters in awhile. The dual POV really solidified it.
I feel like all of us will encounter someone in our life that we have a hard time letting go of. Some people leave, some people stay, and some people leave and then come back, convincing us that maybe there was a fated reason for their return. That they were meant to be in our lives. That they were always meant to come back.
This book hit me in the feels because of that.
All the stars for all the feelings. Thank you Billie.
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
I like the friends to lovers trope. Second-chance romances will always get to me. There's just something about them, & there was just something about this particular book that really got to me. It's a beautiful story between two beautiful characters (even though I wanted to throttle Hunter sometimes! Still love you tho Hunt!).
Whenever second-chance books flashback to the past, it always makes my heart ache. Billie starts 8 in the present, before flipping the metaphorical pages back to the day Hunter and Charlotte first really talked to one another. The day their story began. Just two kids, trying to make it through high school carrying the weight of their families on their shoulders and not sure what their future is holding for them. From there we read their friendship grow, the tension between them grow, and how the lines of best friends to something more get blurred as the years passed. This part KILLED ME, because I was dying to see them together, and I was also waiting for that inevitable heartbreak that I knew was coming, the reason why they hadn't spoken to each other in almost a year. And it did it! My heart broke!
I've always loved and appreciated Billie's writing, but I appreciate her as an author even more for this trope switch, deviating from her usual mafia. Don't get me wrong, I love mafia romances. Love her OG couple, Callie & Kane, and the Wolfe brothers. But there was a softness to Billie's writing and storytelling that came out in Hunter & Charlotte's story. Maybe it's more-so because the storyline is about their relationship, and them growing up, but I felt more emotion written into this story. The scenes that were meant to be emotional and heartbreaking, felt exactly that and didn't feel rushed. Billie saw through those scenes which helped me feel more for Hunter and Charlotte. I haven't felt that way about characters in awhile. The dual POV really solidified it.
I feel like all of us will encounter someone in our life that we have a hard time letting go of. Some people leave, some people stay, and some people leave and then come back, convincing us that maybe there was a fated reason for their return. That they were meant to be in our lives. That they were always meant to come back.
This book hit me in the feels because of that.
All the stars for all the feelings. Thank you Billie.
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
September 23, 2021
This is the 4th book I read from Billie and she has outdone herself AGAIN! 8 is a best friends to lovers, second chance romance written in dual perspectives. Billie is amazing at writing mafia romance with badass heroes and feisty heroines, but 8 is vastly different and it shows her versatility. Needless to say, I finished it in <24 hours. I was sucked into it from the get-go✨
Charlotte and Hunter become friends after their first encounter. They confide in each other, they support each other and they love each other. The lines start to blur as time passes. Their friendship is beautiful, honest and strong. Not to mention the undeniable chemistry, electricity and sexual tension. Not wanting to risk what they have, they deny their feelings for years and ugh the angst 😫
People see Hunter as a typical bad boy - flirtatious, funny and good looking, but Charlotte 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐬 him and he knows it. He says all the right things to charm you and make you fall for him, but he is also capable of hurting and breaking you. I admit somtimes I want to knee him in the balls. Charlotte is the best person you’ll ever meet. She is a selfless, caring and genuine ray of sunshine, 𝐁𝐔𝐓 that doesn’t mean she’ll let people walk all over her. Her sass is 👌🏻and it just makes her even more lovable.
Charlotte and Hunter made me cry like a baby, they made me roll my eyes to the back of my head and they made me laugh so much. Every conversation, every touch, every experience is unique and they are engraved in my mind. Did this story rip my heart out and piece it back together? 𝐘𝐞𝐬, 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝. I feel so many emotions reading their story and I know for a fact that it will stay with me for a very long time. Just remember, love is enough ❤️
Charlotte and Hunter become friends after their first encounter. They confide in each other, they support each other and they love each other. The lines start to blur as time passes. Their friendship is beautiful, honest and strong. Not to mention the undeniable chemistry, electricity and sexual tension. Not wanting to risk what they have, they deny their feelings for years and ugh the angst 😫
People see Hunter as a typical bad boy - flirtatious, funny and good looking, but Charlotte 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐬 him and he knows it. He says all the right things to charm you and make you fall for him, but he is also capable of hurting and breaking you. I admit somtimes I want to knee him in the balls. Charlotte is the best person you’ll ever meet. She is a selfless, caring and genuine ray of sunshine, 𝐁𝐔𝐓 that doesn’t mean she’ll let people walk all over her. Her sass is 👌🏻and it just makes her even more lovable.
Charlotte and Hunter made me cry like a baby, they made me roll my eyes to the back of my head and they made me laugh so much. Every conversation, every touch, every experience is unique and they are engraved in my mind. Did this story rip my heart out and piece it back together? 𝐘𝐞𝐬, 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝. I feel so many emotions reading their story and I know for a fact that it will stay with me for a very long time. Just remember, love is enough ❤️
September 26, 2021
What an emotional roller coaster this book takes you on! The story of Hunter and Charlotte spans a long period of time where there are many ups and downs. From the beginning my heart went out to Hunter, cause his pain as a teenager, is relatable to me. Charlotte is just such a good soul and so deserved everything she wanted in life. I have to say, I still had some stabby feeling towards Hunter at times, I get why he did everything he did, but I still wanted to slap him on the back of the head. This book had all the steam, drama, and angst that I love. It may have made me want to just break down and sob at times because Charlotte just couldn’t catch a break. This book was excellent and I’d definitely recommend it.
October 6, 2021
I've read books by @BillieLustig and have enjoyed them but this book didn't do it for me. The characters annoyed me and I couldn't connect even though I wanted too. The storyline is amazing and I liked the start, even the middle but after that I completed just to finish...
I can't decide if Hunter is the worst bestfriend anyone could ever ask for or if Charlotte is a doormat.
The yearning between the two was real and when Hunter had to go away, I felt my heart drop. I could kind of predict what would happen next but I didn't think Charlotte will be all over him and wouldn't have enough self resorb to resist him. Like seriously!!??
Add the fact that whatever she did directly or indirectly to Ben was mean.
I love HEAs but I wanted them not to end up together.
I can't decide if Hunter is the worst bestfriend anyone could ever ask for or if Charlotte is a doormat.
The yearning between the two was real and when Hunter had to go away, I felt my heart drop. I could kind of predict what would happen next but I didn't think Charlotte will be all over him and wouldn't have enough self resorb to resist him. Like seriously!!??
Add the fact that whatever she did directly or indirectly to Ben was mean.
I love HEAs but I wanted them not to end up together.
September 29, 2021
Hunter and Charlotte's love story will have you smiling because of the sweetness of it, then it will tear your heart to shreds before piecing them back together, and I truly mean it when I say that. My heart was shattered, completely. Before it wasn't anymore.
8 is definitely an emotional rollercoaster, I swear I was utterly destroyed there for a moment. I cried to a point that I don't even remember how often anymore, whether it was from heartache or happiness I felt it all.
Charlotte is the absolute sweetest and is always putting everyone's needs before her own. She's also sassy as heck and I adore that so much! Hunter is the bad boy with a heart of gold, he has been through a lot and he has his walls up so high even if it doesn't show from the outside. And yeah I definitely wanted to slap that boy in the head a couple of times... But he's real, he truly is and I loved that so much about his character.
I love the instant friendship that they forge and the playful flirting! There's definitely this growing tension between them as both clearly start to feel more strongly towards each other but are afraid to let the feelings come to the surface in fear of it destroying what they have. But every day they fall a little harder and the line between friendship and love blurs. And the way Hunter didn't feel worthy of her love, gosh that broke my heart.
Their shared connection is so beautiful and their chemistry completely flies off the pages and it's so damn wonderful. They truly are raw and so real. They have that kind of connection and love that you dream of, and just ah wow!
Hunter and Charlotte's story had me completely mesmerizing and no matter how many times it shattered my heart, it was so beautiful the entire way through. This book, oh boy, it's simply everything and one I'll hold close to my heart!
"My heart stops beating when I'm not around you. My life is nothing more than an empty vessel without you in it."
*I received this ARC from the author but the thoughts are completely my own.*
8 is definitely an emotional rollercoaster, I swear I was utterly destroyed there for a moment. I cried to a point that I don't even remember how often anymore, whether it was from heartache or happiness I felt it all.
Charlotte is the absolute sweetest and is always putting everyone's needs before her own. She's also sassy as heck and I adore that so much! Hunter is the bad boy with a heart of gold, he has been through a lot and he has his walls up so high even if it doesn't show from the outside. And yeah I definitely wanted to slap that boy in the head a couple of times... But he's real, he truly is and I loved that so much about his character.
I love the instant friendship that they forge and the playful flirting! There's definitely this growing tension between them as both clearly start to feel more strongly towards each other but are afraid to let the feelings come to the surface in fear of it destroying what they have. But every day they fall a little harder and the line between friendship and love blurs. And the way Hunter didn't feel worthy of her love, gosh that broke my heart.
Their shared connection is so beautiful and their chemistry completely flies off the pages and it's so damn wonderful. They truly are raw and so real. They have that kind of connection and love that you dream of, and just ah wow!
Hunter and Charlotte's story had me completely mesmerizing and no matter how many times it shattered my heart, it was so beautiful the entire way through. This book, oh boy, it's simply everything and one I'll hold close to my heart!
"My heart stops beating when I'm not around you. My life is nothing more than an empty vessel without you in it."
*I received this ARC from the author but the thoughts are completely my own.*
September 22, 2023
Annoying assbutts
Dnf 48%:
The hero was an annoying piece of asshole who strung the heroine along all the time for no good reason. Hot? Maybe but come on. Heroine was whiny and fell for him all the time. Ugh. Pass.
Dnf 48%:
The hero was an annoying piece of asshole who strung the heroine along all the time for no good reason. Hot? Maybe but come on. Heroine was whiny and fell for him all the time. Ugh. Pass.
October 2, 2021
Thank you to B. Lustig for the ARC copy of 8. I am a really big fan of second chance small town romances so I was excited to read this after I read the blurb!
Charlotte and Hunter are 17 when they meet and form and instant friendship. He’s the bad boy player and she’s the shy book nerd. They seem like complete opposites, but together they’re perfect. They are friends with the potential for so much but their story spans years of angst and heartache and tension. While this has all the makings of a perfect story to me, it just didn’t really work for me. I found myself not at all that invested in the characters and their love story and I had a lot of issues with the writing. I found many sentences just didn’t flow all that well and it felt like it needed more editing (while there were typos, I’m not referring to typos and errors since its an ARC and that is to be expected.)
I think part of this was very much just a situation of “it’s not you, its me” and I saw tons and tons of positive reviews for this book! I think if you’re interested in this trope you should definitely give it a shot. Something that didn’t work for me could be perfect for someone else.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Charlotte and Hunter are 17 when they meet and form and instant friendship. He’s the bad boy player and she’s the shy book nerd. They seem like complete opposites, but together they’re perfect. They are friends with the potential for so much but their story spans years of angst and heartache and tension. While this has all the makings of a perfect story to me, it just didn’t really work for me. I found myself not at all that invested in the characters and their love story and I had a lot of issues with the writing. I found many sentences just didn’t flow all that well and it felt like it needed more editing (while there were typos, I’m not referring to typos and errors since its an ARC and that is to be expected.)
I think part of this was very much just a situation of “it’s not you, its me” and I saw tons and tons of positive reviews for this book! I think if you’re interested in this trope you should definitely give it a shot. Something that didn’t work for me could be perfect for someone else.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
July 22, 2023
“If you fell in love with Hunter, even though he’s a massive asshole, I’d love for you to leave a review and tell the world about him.
Leave a review on Amazon.
If you didn’t…. well then, please don’t, LOL.”
That’s what the author said herself. If you know the MC is bad why write the book?!!
The first half of it was 5 stars for me but after that hunter wasn’t a misunderstood little boy. He was just a grown up asshole walking all over charlotte like ( as someone else said in their review” she was a doormat. Hunter was doing so fucked up but she took him back after a few days when he has been treating her like shit for 7 years. Nuh-uh this was not cool.
Leave a review on Amazon.
If you didn’t…. well then, please don’t, LOL.”
That’s what the author said herself. If you know the MC is bad why write the book?!!
The first half of it was 5 stars for me but after that hunter wasn’t a misunderstood little boy. He was just a grown up asshole walking all over charlotte like ( as someone else said in their review” she was a doormat. Hunter was doing so fucked up but she took him back after a few days when he has been treating her like shit for 7 years. Nuh-uh this was not cool.
September 29, 2021
Billie Lustig is one the very few authors who's work is always my anticipated reads! "8" is a different read compared to her other work, its not a dark romance but a contemporary. "8" is a second chance friends to lovers romance and book #1 in the Numbers series. It's an angsty, heart clenching and heartwarming romance. As always, Billie Lustig has an ability to pull me into the story from the very first page! I love her dark romances, but this read! After reading the prologue, I just knew that this read was going to be an emotional rollercoaster, and I was right. I felt the main characters' sadness, pain, love, longing and happiness. At times, I did get frustrated with their behaviors, especially Hunter's (hero). With Billie's work I *know* that I should expect the unexpected, yet nothing prepared me for the onslaught of emotions I experienced. Billie Lustig's work is truly a gem! I can easily say that her creative writing skills/technique truly shone in this book. And I'm eagerly waiting for the next installments in this series. The prologue begins in the present time leading back to the past. Navigated from the main characters perspective: Charlotte and Hunter's.
They might be friends however, the energy and chemistry between them is thick and heavy. Hence, they've been tiptoeing around it for so long, trying to ignore the tension between them. Charlotte is able to see through Hunter's "bad boy" act/mask. Seeing a boy hiding so much pain skin deep. Charlotte is such a character! She's sassy and brutally honest, hence sometimes she doesn't think before she speaks and she's definitely not afraid to speak her mind. Charlotte wears her heart on a sleeve. She's loyal and caring, and she's the only person who can handle Hunter. Charlotte is an important person in Hunter's life; she's a person who truly cares about him. Despite loving each other so fiercely Hunter and Charlotte are afraid, they don't want to lose their friendship.
Hunter and Charlotte were good friends, eventually their relationship evolved into something much more. They attended the same high school but their paths didn't cross, they weren't in the same circle. But that changed when they unexpectedly met and actually got to know each other. Hunter immediately became intrigued with Charlotte; he got one glimpse of her personality and he needed to know more about her. They clicked, easily getting along with one another, hence they instantly became friends. They were able confide with each other, sharing their troubles and secrets that weigh heavily on their shoulders. Hunter is a bad boy, he's a charmer and can be seen as being c*cky. Most of her time, Charlotte has her nose stuck in a book; she has a love for reading. Two bestfriends who have avoided their feelings for one another for so long. Will their friendship survive without heartbreak? Well just going to have to read and find out.
**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review
They might be friends however, the energy and chemistry between them is thick and heavy. Hence, they've been tiptoeing around it for so long, trying to ignore the tension between them. Charlotte is able to see through Hunter's "bad boy" act/mask. Seeing a boy hiding so much pain skin deep. Charlotte is such a character! She's sassy and brutally honest, hence sometimes she doesn't think before she speaks and she's definitely not afraid to speak her mind. Charlotte wears her heart on a sleeve. She's loyal and caring, and she's the only person who can handle Hunter. Charlotte is an important person in Hunter's life; she's a person who truly cares about him. Despite loving each other so fiercely Hunter and Charlotte are afraid, they don't want to lose their friendship.
Hunter and Charlotte were good friends, eventually their relationship evolved into something much more. They attended the same high school but their paths didn't cross, they weren't in the same circle. But that changed when they unexpectedly met and actually got to know each other. Hunter immediately became intrigued with Charlotte; he got one glimpse of her personality and he needed to know more about her. They clicked, easily getting along with one another, hence they instantly became friends. They were able confide with each other, sharing their troubles and secrets that weigh heavily on their shoulders. Hunter is a bad boy, he's a charmer and can be seen as being c*cky. Most of her time, Charlotte has her nose stuck in a book; she has a love for reading. Two bestfriends who have avoided their feelings for one another for so long. Will their friendship survive without heartbreak? Well just going to have to read and find out.
**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review
September 27, 2021
I can safely say, this story will have a place in my heart forever. I’m already planning a reread.
I just can’t get enough of Charlotte and Hunter. Their relationship was so pure and raw, and although I have never been in a situation like this, the feelings and thoughts surrounding this story were so relatable. I felt like I was part of it. I was completely sucked in to this whole world. That’s how Billie always makes me feel.. like I’m living these lives and feeling everything these characters are feeling. It’s always a wild ride ❤️
I cried 😭 Yes, another book that made me sob my eyes out. What’s happening to me?!! Honestly, books very rarely pull so much emotion from me, yet this one had me feeling everything. From heartbreak, to happiness to absolute elation.
My heart broke so many times but it was put back together in the most beautiful way. Billie’s writing is so effortless to read, her style is insanely good and the whole story just flowed so perfectly.
These two characters (Hunter and Charlotte) are now two of my favourite characters. With the weight of the world on their backs, they navigate their high school years in an amazing way. It was such a special relationship and one I won’t forget.
A perfect friends to lovers, second chance romance that I’ll be recommending to anyone who will listen!!
Can I please just claim Hunter and be done with it ?!! I absolutely adored him 😍
I just can’t get enough of Charlotte and Hunter. Their relationship was so pure and raw, and although I have never been in a situation like this, the feelings and thoughts surrounding this story were so relatable. I felt like I was part of it. I was completely sucked in to this whole world. That’s how Billie always makes me feel.. like I’m living these lives and feeling everything these characters are feeling. It’s always a wild ride ❤️
I cried 😭 Yes, another book that made me sob my eyes out. What’s happening to me?!! Honestly, books very rarely pull so much emotion from me, yet this one had me feeling everything. From heartbreak, to happiness to absolute elation.
My heart broke so many times but it was put back together in the most beautiful way. Billie’s writing is so effortless to read, her style is insanely good and the whole story just flowed so perfectly.
These two characters (Hunter and Charlotte) are now two of my favourite characters. With the weight of the world on their backs, they navigate their high school years in an amazing way. It was such a special relationship and one I won’t forget.
A perfect friends to lovers, second chance romance that I’ll be recommending to anyone who will listen!!
Can I please just claim Hunter and be done with it ?!! I absolutely adored him 😍
September 29, 2021
I AM OBSESSED!
Okay so we all know I love Billie's writing, literally everything she has written is fantastic, so when I say this is my favourite book of Billie's it means ALOT!!
8 is a friends to lovers, second chance romance. It's no secret I'm a sucker for second chance romances and this one is a gem!
Charlotte and Hunter when they are good are freaking goals! They have such an organic connection stemming from an amazing friendship. Sharing banter, but also caring deeply about each other as their best friend. They share their life challenges with each other, support each other and just have a natural flow. When they are good, it feels comfortable while reading it because they are so comfortable with each other...
But it's not always good and make no mistake this book is heavy on the angst. Something I know we all love! There were times when I really disliked Hunter and I wasn't sure he would redeem himself in my eyes. Charlotte and Hunter are clearly drawn to each other like magnets regardless of time or distance, but there are some things people simply cannot overcome.
Communication and trust is tested, leaving us wondering if any kind of relationship is salvageable after all they go through.
Prepare for humour, warm fuzziness, tears, frustration, steam and a bucket load of angst.
I have to stop before I spill any secrets🤐 but I cannot recommend 8 enough 💞
Okay so we all know I love Billie's writing, literally everything she has written is fantastic, so when I say this is my favourite book of Billie's it means ALOT!!
8 is a friends to lovers, second chance romance. It's no secret I'm a sucker for second chance romances and this one is a gem!
Charlotte and Hunter when they are good are freaking goals! They have such an organic connection stemming from an amazing friendship. Sharing banter, but also caring deeply about each other as their best friend. They share their life challenges with each other, support each other and just have a natural flow. When they are good, it feels comfortable while reading it because they are so comfortable with each other...
But it's not always good and make no mistake this book is heavy on the angst. Something I know we all love! There were times when I really disliked Hunter and I wasn't sure he would redeem himself in my eyes. Charlotte and Hunter are clearly drawn to each other like magnets regardless of time or distance, but there are some things people simply cannot overcome.
Communication and trust is tested, leaving us wondering if any kind of relationship is salvageable after all they go through.
Prepare for humour, warm fuzziness, tears, frustration, steam and a bucket load of angst.
I have to stop before I spill any secrets🤐 but I cannot recommend 8 enough 💞
September 28, 2021
4.25 Stars!! 💕
Having picked up Ms.Lustig's work for the first time recently I've been wanting so badly to pick up more of her books! As soon as i started seeing teasers for this one I knew i had to read it next and have this book in my life! I really enjoyed this story so very much!
Right from the prologue, Charlotte and Hunter's journey hooked me! I really liked the uniqueness that their story had. I enjoyed digging deeper with these two throughout reading. I loved the fact that I felt so many things throughout with both of them as well!
With 8, Ms.Lustig has created such a great read that'll make you feel so many things! I can't wait to read what she comes up with next!
*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from the author*
Having picked up Ms.Lustig's work for the first time recently I've been wanting so badly to pick up more of her books! As soon as i started seeing teasers for this one I knew i had to read it next and have this book in my life! I really enjoyed this story so very much!
Right from the prologue, Charlotte and Hunter's journey hooked me! I really liked the uniqueness that their story had. I enjoyed digging deeper with these two throughout reading. I loved the fact that I felt so many things throughout with both of them as well!
With 8, Ms.Lustig has created such a great read that'll make you feel so many things! I can't wait to read what she comes up with next!
*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from the author*
September 24, 2021
What a phenomenal read! Filled with so much angst and emotions that it impossible to put down. Charlotte is such a real character, you just have to love her. She loves Hunter so much but is no doormat. Hunter isn't broken but has so many cracks that he can't see how deserving he is. So many times I wanted to smack him and tell him to man up. When he finally does, he is perfection. A beautiful love story.
September 23, 2021
I absolutely fell in love with this novel and especially Hunter Hansen. To see the chemistry between Hunter and Charlotte was amazing and I loved to read about their experiences.
July 15, 2023
This is book one in A Best Friend To Lover's Second Chance Romance Numbers Series and it is Hunter and Charlotte's story and omg get ready for a roller coaster ride of emotions. Hunter and Charlotte became best friend's when they were in there senior year and they became inseparable. They have both gone through and still going through so much in there lives and the more time they spend together the stronger there friendship and feelings grow but Hunter has so much baggage and even though he is in love with Charlotte he feels that he is not good enough for her and she can do better than him. There are twists and turns along the way that you definitely didn't see coming along with a connection and chemistry between them that is so strong and not that you could feel it sizzling of the pages of this book and I couldn't put this book down as it was so addictive and emotional that I cried so much but still had to keep turning the pages to see what would happen between Hunter and Charlotte. I read this book in one sitting and finished it in the early hours of the morning and Billie Lustig certainly didn't disappoint her reader's with the outcome of this story and I absolutely loved the epilogue at the end of this book giving you a in site into there lives years later. I can't wait to read more books by Billie Lustig who is an amazing author and writer and she certainly knows how to keep her reader's attention and on the edge of their seats and every single one of her books have so much depth to the story and they are true masterpiece's. I definitely recommend you read this book and others by her and you will definitely not be disappointed.
June 14, 2023
“If there is one thing life taught me so far – it’s that you can’t walk away when it’s real. When love is real, when love is true, it will consume you until the day you die”
Wow…. I don’t even know where to begin in terms of how I felt reading this book. I was so lucky to be a part of the ARC team for this book, and oh my god I am in love. This contemporary second chance romance was perfect. Hunter and Charlotte are beautiful and broken in their own ways.
Hunter Hansen is a boy with a sad and troubled past, who meets the girl of his dreams, but his fears keep them from blooming into more than friends.
Charlotte Roux, is a girl who has a pure heart of gold, always taking care of everyone else, putting herself last. When she meets Hunter, everything changes. Although she is also afraid of becoming more than what they’ve determined.
This book allows us to see both the before, during and after aspects of their relationship and the struggles and heartbreak they experienced along their way.
“Love is enough” – this punched me in the gut, this book makes you feel SO many emotions. Being able to relate to the feelings of not being good enough and just the general idea that love is enough, most don’t want/need more than that from people.
I sobbed reading this book, the emotions it brought on crushed me in the best ways possible.
I hope y’all will give this a chance and discover the true romance of Hunter and Charlotte and the heartbreak they experienced along the way
Wow…. I don’t even know where to begin in terms of how I felt reading this book. I was so lucky to be a part of the ARC team for this book, and oh my god I am in love. This contemporary second chance romance was perfect. Hunter and Charlotte are beautiful and broken in their own ways.
Hunter Hansen is a boy with a sad and troubled past, who meets the girl of his dreams, but his fears keep them from blooming into more than friends.
Charlotte Roux, is a girl who has a pure heart of gold, always taking care of everyone else, putting herself last. When she meets Hunter, everything changes. Although she is also afraid of becoming more than what they’ve determined.
This book allows us to see both the before, during and after aspects of their relationship and the struggles and heartbreak they experienced along their way.
“Love is enough” – this punched me in the gut, this book makes you feel SO many emotions. Being able to relate to the feelings of not being good enough and just the general idea that love is enough, most don’t want/need more than that from people.
I sobbed reading this book, the emotions it brought on crushed me in the best ways possible.
I hope y’all will give this a chance and discover the true romance of Hunter and Charlotte and the heartbreak they experienced along the way
September 29, 2021
What a story!!
At times I wanted to punch Hunter!!
My heart was in bits. It could be that it should be that time of the month but I have never cried so much whilst reading a story. So much angst. So emotional. I loved it.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC a few days before release. Managed to finish it on release day.
At times I wanted to punch Hunter!!
My heart was in bits. It could be that it should be that time of the month but I have never cried so much whilst reading a story. So much angst. So emotional. I loved it.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC a few days before release. Managed to finish it on release day.
January 8, 2022
Hits all the marks
If you love friends to lovers and second chances then 8 really hits the mark. The friends to lovers trope is carried out perfectly and really showcases Hunter and Charlotte's feelings towards each other, especially as they start to develope and change throughout.
8 spans over a few years, starting in high school through to both characters mid 20s. It's not a quick romance and that creates a great foundation for a trope that can be difficult to write to it's full potential. Hunter and Charlotte can both be hot headed and surprisingly Hunter is the one to calm down the situation when all Charlotte can see is red.
Billie really makes Hunter work for his second chance and he really steps up to the mark when he royally messed up a few times.
If you love friends to lovers and second chances then 8 really hits the mark. The friends to lovers trope is carried out perfectly and really showcases Hunter and Charlotte's feelings towards each other, especially as they start to develope and change throughout.
8 spans over a few years, starting in high school through to both characters mid 20s. It's not a quick romance and that creates a great foundation for a trope that can be difficult to write to it's full potential. Hunter and Charlotte can both be hot headed and surprisingly Hunter is the one to calm down the situation when all Charlotte can see is red.
Billie really makes Hunter work for his second chance and he really steps up to the mark when he royally messed up a few times.
June 13, 2023
Indeed I'm a sucker for friends-to-lovers trope and what's more with a second chance in it. I had never read anything by Lustig, so I was nervous at first. However, I was instantly hooked and couldn't put this book down!! I love the spice, the angst, the fluff, the TWIST and everything about this book! Ngl at some points I did wanna wrangle the man around the throat for being so stubborn but I guess it wouldn’t be a story without it. One star less because I wish Hunter would've groveled more.
October 1, 2021
Found a New Favorite Friends to lovers
These two are literally EVERYTHING!! They made me feel it all… there friendship and love story was so raw and real! Lustig out did herself with this one!! So freaking good!
These two are literally EVERYTHING!! They made me feel it all… there friendship and love story was so raw and real! Lustig out did herself with this one!! So freaking good!
September 14, 2023
In the acknowledgment, the author asked :
“To my reader, if I made you cry, pissed you off or made your heart ache?”
I would say that’s exactly how i would describe this book. Hunter is the perfect mix of a sweetheart and an asshole that i don’t even blame Charlotte for taking him back, even though I want to.
“To my reader, if I made you cry, pissed you off or made your heart ache?”
I would say that’s exactly how i would describe this book. Hunter is the perfect mix of a sweetheart and an asshole that i don’t even blame Charlotte for taking him back, even though I want to.
September 29, 2021
4 beautiful stars!
Ms. Lustig has created an emotional and heart-warming story.
I voluntarily read an advanced copy.
Ms. Lustig has created an emotional and heart-warming story.
I voluntarily read an advanced copy.
January 29, 2022
If you can make me like slow burn romance, you are a Queen!! All praises go to B. Lustig for writing a heartbreaking, tension-filled slow burn that doesn't feel like one. The tension, teasing and unspoken love took me on an emotion ride and I F-ing loved it!
I've only read Billie's Mafia books before (they are amazing, check them out), but this book is neither dark nor depraved so I have to admit that I set my expectations low.
Hunter and Charlotte are childhood sweethearts who get separated by life and fate. So its easier for them to 'just stay best friends'.
This book takes your heart, makes you feel all the feels, puts it back together and then breaks it all over again.
Just a little emotion recap:
- 6 heartbreaks
- 5 cry sessions
- many, many tension induced squeals
- 1 fictional boy that won my heart
This book wrecked me! It's filled with emotions, passion, love & lost. I cried often. I recognised every fuckboys I've ever dated. I got annoyed with Hunt being 'that dude' BUT at the same time fell completely in love with Hunter and Charlotte.
Do I wish I was them? No, I'm still waiting for my own maffia boy, preferably Connor, my favourite Billie Lustig's mafia man.
I've only read Billie's Mafia books before (they are amazing, check them out), but this book is neither dark nor depraved so I have to admit that I set my expectations low.
Hunter and Charlotte are childhood sweethearts who get separated by life and fate. So its easier for them to 'just stay best friends'.
This book takes your heart, makes you feel all the feels, puts it back together and then breaks it all over again.
Just a little emotion recap:
- 6 heartbreaks
- 5 cry sessions
- many, many tension induced squeals
- 1 fictional boy that won my heart
This book wrecked me! It's filled with emotions, passion, love & lost. I cried often. I recognised every fuckboys I've ever dated. I got annoyed with Hunt being 'that dude' BUT at the same time fell completely in love with Hunter and Charlotte.
Do I wish I was them? No, I'm still waiting for my own maffia boy, preferably Connor, my favourite Billie Lustig's mafia man.
December 7, 2023
Take a shot everytime it says someone winks..
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