Always

by Sophie Lark

Your first love is with you always…

Two gorgeous billionaire bachelors have come to New York City, and Anika Knight has an unfortunate connection to both of them…

Marco Moretti is the Italian playboy trying to take over her family’s business. But he’s planning another kind of hostile takeover – of Anika herself.

James Dawson just sold the biggest tech company in Silicon Valley. He’s come to the city for a fresh start. But also to rub his success in the face of the woman who rejected him eight years Anika Knight.

Will Marco manage to steal Anika’s heart along with her business?

Or will James fall in love with her all over again, despite his best efforts to the contrary?

“Always” is a Second Chance Romance, inspired by Jane Austen’s “Persuasion”. It will break your heart and put it back together again with a HEA that will leave you cheering. This is a stand-alone novel, the first in the Classic Billionaires series.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance Romance

Kindle Edition

First published December 25, 2019

About the author

Powerful Romance

Special Editions & Exclusive Stories:
https://sophielark.com/

Sophie lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. Her favorite authors are Emily Henry and Freida McFadden. She’s an Aquarius who loves fitness and looks forward to Halloween every year.

Reviews

[romancelibrary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review edited on July 14, 2025:
Author is a racist/zionist. Will no longer read.
------------------------------------------------
I was surprised to find out that Sophie Lark's debut was a Persuasion retelling. If you've never read her before, I would recommend that you start with one of her mafia series. Always is not a good indicator of Sophie Lark's skills as a writer.

I knew from the start that Always would lean heavily into the love triangle between James, Anika, and Marco. So I was prepared for it even though I don't like this trope. But omg...James and Anika AKA Wentworth and Anne barely spent any time together?! Marco AKA Mr. Elliot gets more screen time than James. And there are two detailed intimate scenes between Anika and Marco that made me gag 🤢 Listen, the love triangle trope is no reason for the lack of James scenes. How am I expected to believe that James and Anika love each other if they don't spend any time together at all in the present? On top of that, we get no flashbacks of the time when James and Anika fell in love. Both the past and the present failed to convince me that James and Anika are meant to be together.

Additionally, Anika's characterization is so messy and confusing. She catches Marco in multiple lies, to the point where the man is literally waving red flags in her face. What does she do? She continues to date him and makes promises to stay at his place 😂 Anne Elliot would never!!! 😂

I didn't even get to the most ridiculous part of this book—the climax. Anika spends like 3 detailed chapters stalking James on Instagram to try to find out what hotel he's staying at in Hong Kong. I can't even begin to tell you just how detailed the Instagram stalking was LOL. It was almost like the author did not expect the reader to know how Instagram stalking worked. The cherry on top is that homegirl didn't realize she could have just done a Google image search to find James's hotel 😂 LMAO bye 😂

I think if Sophie Lark were to rewrite this book now, she would do a much better job because she has improved as a writer. Don't let this book deter you from reading her other books!

[sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☆ 2.75 stars ☆☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

let’s begin this author’s reading spree.

so this was… not great lol. At first it was just too much info-dump and description like TOO MUCH. Once James comes to the scene, I got excited, but then Marco comes in and I hated it lmao.

we got:
✨love triangle (but is obvious who is endgame)
✨second chance romance
✨rich romance

I started feeling bad towards Anika, but when she started going out with Marco, everything else was kinda forgotten, so I kinda stopped caring. I hated the fact that more than half the book is about Marco and Anika 💀💀💀 James is only like in 10% of the book.

There were a lot of read flags about one of the guys, but Anika was literally playing dumb. And by the end the endgame couple gets together, but didn’t actually talked about anything important before that lol. They really get like 1 scene and BAM 💥 they live happily ever after 💀💀

It was fine. Too much inner monologue and descriptions though. Like damn… I really spaced out during those. But this was an okay start, if we had gotten more scenes between James and Anika and less Marco, I would’ve enjoyed it more.

[skyeslibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I’m yours, and you’re mine, completely.”

read if you like:

♡ second chances
♡ slow burns
♡ love triangles
♡ billionaires

trigger warnings:

☞ body shaming
☞ parental death
☞ class shaming
—

♡ find me on Instagram!

[Hope Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite Sophie book, I can tell it was one of her first books, but I enjoyed the story line and the characters, I just think there was way too much description and not enough dialogue

[Sreeya Kilambi · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this book has me in a weird place which I’ve never been in before. Which is I’m left feeling almost NOTHING for the characters, and the only part of the book that felt personal to me is when Anika talks to Stella at the dining table for all of 2 seconds. This book could have been good if there was a character ark, but no one became better or worse. Super bland characters everywhere. I feel like I know Marco more than I do James, which is so weird cause she obviously is going to end up with him. The book isn’t bad, and it kind of reads like an outline of a story. Almost like a first draft. But there was no personality to any of it. Maybe just not my kind of book, but the story is a good one, if only a little more depth was added. It could have translated much better.
So therefor: 3.5 stars in total for this one
But the romance part gets like 0.1/5 stars.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*
I enjoyed this story, but it wasn't very exciting. Very romcom cute 💓. I knew it would be, but I wanted to finish my last SL book. I've read all and enjoyed most.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75⭐️ 316blz. Laatste hoofdstuk maakt het boek

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sorry, but I am just not a fan of this book. The story centers around Anika who is stuck working at her deceased mothers charity. Her family is the family from hell and spent all the family fortune. When they have to move into the city and the new tenant of their home suggests a volunteer for her charity, she runs into James, her first and only love. When another man from her past takes interest, in order to avoid james she takes up with Marco. The problem I had is the story read far to slow. It was almost all inner dialogue which I hate. It is like reading a manual. It was basically filled with long winded descriptions of the city, their apartment, their surroundings, it felt like 10% story and 90% filler. Very disappointing

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

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "ALWAYS" This was a very interesting storyline Anika Knight her sister Stella and her father Bennett are all part of the fashion industry he's driven them to enormous debt with his selfish spending.
Anikas Aunt Molly lives next door to them she bed there for her since her mother Eleanor died she makes arrangements to get help.
Two gorgeous bachelor's want to take over her family business Marco who's an Italian Playboy and her first love James who she left 8yrs ago he wants to let her know about the success he made for himself and walk away she's heartbroken and turns to Marco.
This was well written will Marco take Anika and the business or will James give Anika a second chance can they get their HEA you myst get this book so well worth the read.

[Linda Whitacre · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL Romance

I LOVE this story! James is a smart caring handsome billionaire (and who doesn't love that) who had a past relationship with the beautiful caring loyal smart Anika. James & Anika found love while in college but they broke up to go separate ways. Ten years later they run into each other and each of them remembers that love. Sophie Lark introduces great incidental characters in this story too. I liked most but disliked a few self centered spoiled brats. I loved the happy ending. Linda

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of this novel via Hidden Gems in exchange for an honest review. My opinion is my own.

Ms Larkin always does enjoyable reads and this one was no different. It was a sweet second chance romance. While I would have enjoyed more interaction between the main character what there was, was very nice. The plot was not complicated so that made it a pretty quick read. I think it took me about three hours. The characters were realistic and definitely be believable. Another good book by Ms Larkin!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one just isn't as edgy as Colors of Crime or the Brutal Birthright series. Even when the protagonists did horrible things, there was still a connection.

In this one, the female protagonist was so messed up that I longed to either slap some sense into her or stick her in therapy. Instead, she was pretty much a doormat all through the book, longing for one thing, but not having enough courage to go after it.

Good read and everything comes out OK in the end, but just didn't have the excitement of the other two series.

[Antonie · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️½

Always by Sophie Lark wants desperately to be Persuasion. Unfortunately, reverence is not the same thing as comprehension.

Austen’s novel lives in silence, restraint, and the slow burn of regret. Always replaces that quiet intensity with airports, luxury settings, and a love triangle that overstays its welcome to the point of emotional sabotage. Instead of watching two people endure separation with dignity, we watch the story bend over backwards to keep them apart—without ever deepening what binds them.

The modern Mr Elliot stand-in is not merely the wrong choice; he’s an unsettling one. His behaviour repeatedly crosses lines the narrative seems determined to ignore, which makes the heroine’s passivity feel less like repression and more like abandonment by the author. What should be a study in choice becomes a study in avoidance. Consent, accountability, and moral consequence are brushed aside in favour of romantic momentum, as if persistence alone were a virtue.

Meanwhile, the supposed great love is declared epic but never given the space to earn it. We are told—often—that this bond is life-defining, yet the novel rarely allows James and Anika to simply exist together long enough for that claim to settle. When distance, time, and consequence cease to matter—when solutions are always just a plane ticket away—the emotional stakes quietly evaporate.

Persuasion understands that barriers matter. Always dissolves them whenever the plot wants a grand gesture, draining those gestures of meaning. If Anika can fly across continents on a whim, the question inevitably arises: why didn’t she do so earlier, once she knew leaving was a mistake? Austen’s ache depends on limits. This story refuses to sit still long enough to hurt.

The writing is smooth—nearly 500 pages smooth—but smoothness without restraint turns longing into filler. Side characters drift in and out unresolved, emotional threads are left hanging, and the quiet devastation that defines Persuasion never truly arrives.

Some stories resist modernisation without losing their spine. This is one of them.
Always doesn’t fail because it aims high—it falters because it keeps moving when it should have dared to wait.

I wanted to feel the ache.
I mostly felt baffled.

[Mindy Martinez Borda · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a first ever story, I really liked the author's craft, even if the narrator was in the third person.
I really like how the FC grows as a person during the whole book, but I feel like there should have been more of James and less of Marco. There was almost nothing on James until at 80% of the book was read, but there was 60% of Marco. By the end, it kind of threw me for a loop why she would choose the way she did at the end. It just felt out of nowhere for me.
However, the story is enjoyable and it's a page-turner worth recommending.

[M.E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh

While this was definitely an accurate adaptation of Persuasion in terms of the plot, characters, and even the tone, it made it kind of feel soulless. Longing is romantic in Austen’s descriptive language, but here it felt like 90% of the book was about the guy she doesn’t end up with. The reunification at the end felt stilted and unearned because we’d barely even seen these characters talk on the page.

[Veronica Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and sad story, loved James more and more throughout, my biggest complaint is you get such little time with him. Not enough. Especially when Marco is the obvious red flag it makes you a little frustrated how long it takes for her to come to her senses.

[Linda Gadbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet story

I enjoyed reading this author’s work again. She never fails to entertain her readers. I look forward to reading her other books .

[Holly Ortega · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Anika and her crazy dysfunctional family.

[Yomira Ullon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este fue mi primer libro del año y tuve mis subidas y bajadas con él pero no estuvo mal siento que en algunas partes le faltó desarrollo pero es una historia fácil de leer sin mucho drama

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehh, this just didn’t do it for me. I couldn’t connect or even like any of the main characters. I don’t mind a slow burn, but when the majority of the book either or both are in difficulty relationships with other people, it’s quite off putting.

[Megan Shamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did it take me this long to read this?? I love James so much and the things he does… swoon worthy!! James and Anika fell in love in college but Anika's family didn't approve of him because he came from nothing. So she had to make the difficult choice of choosing him or her family. Her aunt convinced her to choose family and she regrets that decision every day. 10 years later they run into each other but it's not as easy as running into each other. This book was the perfect second chance romance and James you are perfect.

Spice: 2

[Gemma Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second chance romance... just needed to be longer

I’ve become really quite a fan of Sophie Lark. I’ve read her Underworld and Brutal Birthright series, but this is the first standalone title of her that I have read. And, I honestly really enjoyed it.

If I’m honest, I do prefer her books where she writes from a first person perspective as I guess I like to know how the characters feel, however I did still find this story engaging and easy to read. There is one thing I’d change though... this book needed an epilogue because I just felt the end came all too abruptly.

It’s difficult to review this without giving away the plot... but I’ll give you just a hint to the main crux of the story.

Let’s start with our heroine of sorts, Anita Knight, the long suffering daughter of an arrogant and self righteous spendaholic fashion designer, Bennett.

The Bennett Knight designer brand might have once been a powerful name in the industry that garnered prestige and influence but that could not save them from the mounting debt that was swiftly accruing. Her father and sister, Stella’s, continued frivolous spending, combined with their unwillingness to sell the treasured possessions, has left them teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Anika has found herself drowning in the reality that the family has to make drastic changes.

Anika had given up everything for her family... but they didn’t appreciate the sacrifice she had made. She’d chosen her family and the legacy of her mother’s charity over the only man she had ever loved. James Dawson.

James was her first real love. They’d been at college together and were blissfully happy despite their completely different backgrounds. They loved each other, breathed each other, lived for each other... but when it came to her family’s wishes... James Dawson’s lack of pedigree meant that he was simply not good enough. When James was given the opportunity to start working in California he had asked Anika to accompany him, but the dream was short lived.

Anika was very much her mother’s daughter. She took after her mother in her compassion, temperament and beauty, but after her passing Anika felt the path of loyalty all the more strongly. She had to keep her mother’s legacy and dreams alive. Instead of following her heart and her love... she stayed in New York, leaving both herself and James broken hearted.

The story catches up with Anika 10 years after she let the love of her life go. She thought she’d never see him again, but when their family business is under threat of complete takeover through their escalating debt, a twist of fate sees these two ex-lovers thrown back together. But they’ve changed so much, especially James. He’s now a self-made billionaire, incredibly good looking, impressively ripped and fit, and seemingly still bitter for Anika choosing family over him. Will they be able to work together, or will James harbour too much resentment?

Anika is dumbfounded at James’ return... but she can feel his disdain. He’s not forgiven her. She wishes she could tell him she’d made the wrong choice all those years ago, but she doesn’t think he’d listen.

In her desperation to keep the family business and the Red Line charity afloat, the only way is to allow the majority shareholders, multi millionaire Dominic Morretti and his son, Marco to take over. As much as it pains Anika to let it happen... she knows they are her families only hope.

In stark contrast to James, Marco Morretti is overtly confident, powerful, suave and well, rather full of himself. Snubbing Anika’s older and more receptive sister, Stella, Morretti makes it his mission to woo and win over Anika. The charm offensive he lays on her is thick, full and cloyingly overwhelming. Soon he’s got Anika exactly where he wants her... in his arms and away from James.

Marco’s dogged persistence pays off at first, but there’s something stopping Anika from giving in to his constant attempts to possess her. As much as she likes him, there’s something not right... he’s too much, too intense... too confident... and ultimately, he’s not James.

Will she put her past behind her and move on with the sure thing that is Marco? Or, will she refuse to give up on the one thing that she regrets losing the most?

Great second chance romance story. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Strong female lead that just grew and grew in strength, countenance and confidence. I think it’s quite obvious which way she’s going to go, but it does keep you guessing as to whether she will follow her head or her heart. It just needed an epic epilogue to tie everything up in a nice, neat bow.

[Cathy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of actually Anika Knight. Anika her father Bennett and her sister Stella are all a part of the fashion industry with her father basically the designer especially of shoes. Stella worked in the office with her father Bennett but he actually didn't acknowledge her. Stella is Anika's older sister but Anika is the one that looked like her mother and so she is a true beauty. Anika does not realize that she is a true beauty. The Knight's are in debt to the tune of 28 million dollars because of the way the father spent on cars and houses and yachts and so he had sold his stock to Dominic Moretti and so they are in the midst of having to move from their estate with horses and rooms galore so that they can rent it out to make money to sustain their lifestyle. Anika's Aunt Molly lives next door and is Anika's staunches ally. Aunt Molly finds a billionaire from California who had a hedge-fund along with his young protege James Cross, who incidentally happened to be Anika's first and only true love. Anika is in charge of their charity called the Red Line, which the father and sister hardly acknowledges. Marcos Moretti comes to town because his father is sick with liver disease and so is putting his son in charge of his portion of the company to bring in the money and keep it going. So Marcos shows up just in time for the gala for the Red Line and James is in town to help out with the Red Line but she didn't know it was going to be him until he shows up at the office and treats her cold. She doesn't understand if he doesn't like her at all or is still upset because she would not follow him to California where he went to make his fortune and of course he did. He was lucky enough to meet Liam Doyle, they called him some dot.com millionaire. He was the one renting out their estate. So Marcos comes to town and tries to win Anika's affection. Anika having seen James again and not being really acknowledged by him starts her running routine and gets back into shape and becomes the beautiful young girl she once was and she didn't even realize it until she gets ready for the Great Gatsby themed Gala. She is gotten ready by her friend and she is turned into the lovely swan she is known to be like her lovely mother Eleanor. Her mother is a beautiful women who Anika loves and emulates and is one reason why she runs the charity because it was started by her mother and when she died her Aunt Molly and her took over the running of the charity. This is the story of Anika Knight and James Cross and what it took for them to get back their first loving relationship, them together. I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it for reading for those who love romance and drama.

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

[Stephanie Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒙𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑺𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒐 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔, 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆, 𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒅.

Always is 1/3 of Sophie's standalones and I feel like they aren't talked about enough. I enjoyed Starlet so much, and this one I absolutely loved as well. I am not usually a huge fan of 3rd person POV, but with the way Sophie writes I didn't find myself hating it. This was a second chance romance with a slight love triangle, and though it was a quick read it was stilled filled with a good amount of tension and longing. I say slight love triangle because this one isn't as off putting to me because I really didn't like one of the men, so I didn't find myself torn lol. The only complaints I have is that I wish we could of had more scenes with Anika and James, and I think this book would have been really cool if it was written with all three MC's POV.

-Second Chance Romance
-Love Triangle
-3rd person POV
-Slight Persuasion(Jane Austen) retelling

Blurb:
Your First Love Is With You Always…
Two gorgeous billionaire bachelors have come to New York City, and Anika Knight has an unfortunate connection to both of them…
Marco Moretti is the Italian playboy trying to take over her family’s business. But he’s planning another kind of hostile takeover – of Anika herself.
James Dawson just sold the biggest tech company in Silicon Valley. He’s come to the city for a fresh start. But also to rub his success in the face of the woman who rejected him eight years earlier: Anika Knight.
Will Marco manage to steal Anika’s heart along with her business?
Or will James fall in love with her all over again, despite his best efforts to the contrary?

"𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅, 𝒔𝒐 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰'𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅, 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔, 𝑰 𝒎𝒆𝒕 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖."
.
.
.
.
𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎, 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒆. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆, 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book with strong characters and a good storyline. This is my third novel from this author and she is quickly becoming one of my favourites. Her style is easy-flowing, her dialogues are character-approrpiate and fit with the story. The progression of her storyline is natural, rather than forced and puts in the book only elements that enhance the atmosphere of her story. The characters in this novel are really well developed and described and although this book focuses on the lives of people with a silver spoon attached to them, their world was nevertheless really well illustrated. Annika raises the heart rate of both James, her one-time love and soul mate whom she let down 10 years ago and Marco, the son of her father's business partner, who also fell in love with her. There is a lot of petty jealousy, superficiality, judgemental attitudes that our heroine faces, yet she manages to remain positive and supportive. The trouble is, that no man has ever measured up to James and she is unable to move forward with her life, at least as far as finding a partner is concerned. The subtle doubt, that vedges a distance Annika develops from Marco seals her determination to let James know how she feels. .A woman who would follow a man to Hong Kong without the faintest idea where to look for him is a mark of a dedicated, determined woman, not to mention gutsy. We are rewarded with an HEA, so all is well that ends well. This is a very pleasant, easy read that I can recommend without hesitation.

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

[Arii | The Bookaholic Next Door · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's one of the first book by Sophie, and I usually don't have high hopes for authors first books and don't judge them harshly. I did enjoy this more than expected. It was a love triangle, and that's a trope I hardly ever do, but thankfully, the guy I liked was end game. I did wish we had more scenes with the couple though. I would have loved to see them more together, and I would have liked to see how everything else played put after they got together. How did her father and sister react? How did Dominic react? I don't want to spoil it, even though it's said that who she ends up with is quite obvious. They guy who she did end up with though, damn he won my heart. I really do wish to see more of him and Anika and see them grow more. The kindness that man has is so hot to me. Oh to have a guy that caring and thoughtful.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anika, born to wealth in the fashion designer world gave up the love of her life, James, when he moved to California and she stayed back out of loyalty to her family, a family which shows her precious little loyalty. Years later, she runs the charity affiliated with her father's design house, but she discovers he doesn't own much of the design house any more. Over the years, he's signed over an increasing percentage of ownership to his partner to finance the luxuries he and some members of the family require.

Now, the partner is dying and he's brought in his son Marco to run the operation.

Anika's father eventually rents his country home to Liam and the family moves to their condo in New York City. Liam had mentored James as he moved up in the entrepreneurial IT world. Now, James is a wealthy man who is partnering with Liam on an acquisition. James and Anika meet up at a gala for the charity Anika runs. Marco is wooing Anika, but she's not convinced he's her best choice. She's never really gotten over James.

This is one of those books where setting the scene takes most of the book and the denouement seems rushed, lacking the fleshing out that I've come to expect from this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Buturot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anika is the daughter of a fashion businessman, whose business is in the brink of bankruptcy. She also heads the partner charity of his parents' business. Anika met and worked with her ex-boyfriend, James, in one of the charity's event. Thern she met Marco, the son of her father'e business partner. Because his father was dying, Marco took over his place in the business. Marco was attracted to Anika and the two began dating. James was usually on the sidelines. In the end, Ania had to choose between Marco and James. Both men did some romantics things for Anika but in the end love won.

My first time to read a Persuasion variation. The story fits in the contemporary world of the rich (and maybe famous), as well as the reality of businesses. The story kept my interest. Loved the way the story developed. Be aware there are love scenes, thus for mature audience only! The only thing that bothered me was Anika's love scenes. It seems more lust than love involved. Nevertheless, a good story, I recommend it.

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

[Jin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anika lost her first love due to her family. She was in love with James when she was in college and she was ready to take next step until her family interfered and pushed him away because he was struggling college student.
Now she is faced with two gorgeous billionaire bachelors to date. Marco is old family friend plus has a reputation of being a playboy and her first love Jame who became tech giant from silicon valley.
Anika's family only cares about their status but Anika wants to keep her mother's legacy scholarship program project while her father's company is struggling.
Marcos seems perfect match until she realize what he is keeping from her and she is not sure if she could ask for second chance from James.
Who will she pick to have her happily ever after.
Anika wasn't my favorite character in the book and her family; Narcissistic father and sister was least favorite. Anika couldn't decide even though she has doubts. I was glad for the HEA.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anika's family is strange and eccentric. She's the only normal one, and she frequently feels like a misfit. She and James were together in college. Her family was opposed to their relationship so she broke up with him. He's back to help with her charity's fundraising event. She's so full of regret for letting her family have so much influence over her relationship with James, even as she sometimes wishes they could be together again, although she knows that won't happen. Her father's business partner is dying, and his son Marco is taking over the company. He's also out to win her. What if her heart still belongs to James? This is a beautiful second-chance book. Anika and James have such chemistry between them, even as they're trying to convince themselves that they shouldn't be together. It's amazing that Anika is so normal, what with her crazy family, and that says a lot for her character. This is my first book from this author, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

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