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Love in O'Leary #2.5
The Note
Length: 2 hrs and 26 mins
I was one of the lucky ones.
I found my soulmate back in high school, when my next door neighbor wrote me a love note that changed my life - a love note that promised me "always".
But apparently "always" ain't all it's cracked up to be, because here I am, a mere eight years later, planning my soulmate's dream wedding - the most romantic Valentine's Day wedding in O'Leary's history.
The only problem? He's not marrying me.
Note: This is a 20K short story that was first available as part of a promotional giveaway. No new content has been added.
I was one of the lucky ones.
I found my soulmate back in high school, when my next door neighbor wrote me a love note that changed my life - a love note that promised me "always".
But apparently "always" ain't all it's cracked up to be, because here I am, a mere eight years later, planning my soulmate's dream wedding - the most romantic Valentine's Day wedding in O'Leary's history.
The only problem? He's not marrying me.
Note: This is a 20K short story that was first available as part of a promotional giveaway. No new content has been added.
3 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 8, 2019
419 people are currently reading
443 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
February 11, 2019
Sorry, guys. I'm going to be the Grinch here. I just really didn't like this story.
First of all, the entire premise is based on a note that Tyler receives in the prologue set eight years prior to the main events of the story. The note isn't signed, but Tyler assumes it's from his best friend, Alex; as a result, Tyler and Alex begin dating.
This wasn't remotely believable because:
I also strongly dislike stories where one of the characters dates someone their sibling has dated; it's like incest once removed, and it always strikes me as sleazy. I mean, do you really have to date your brother's ex-boyfriend? Go find one of you own.
Well, that happened not once, but twice, here.
After Alex and Tyler break up, Alex starts dating, and then marries, Tyler's stepsister. No, she and Tyler are not related by blood, but they're close. Out of all the women in the world, Alex had to date his ex's SISTER? And the sister couldn't leave her brother's ex the fuck alone? And everyone's cool with this? Cause that kind of shit is fodder for the Jerry Springer show.
I would NEVER, ever, EVER date anyone who's dated any member of my close family, especially if I knew they'd slept together. No, thanks. Sloppy seconds aren't my style.
On top of that, during Alex's wedding, Tyler gets together with Alex's older brother, Gus, whom he should have dated in the first place. Gus and Tyler are cute together, but I felt like things happened too fast. The HEA is hinted at, but the relationship isn't developed at all.
First of all, the entire premise is based on a note that Tyler receives in the prologue set eight years prior to the main events of the story. The note isn't signed, but Tyler assumes it's from his best friend, Alex; as a result, Tyler and Alex begin dating.
This wasn't remotely believable because:
I also strongly dislike stories where one of the characters dates someone their sibling has dated; it's like incest once removed, and it always strikes me as sleazy. I mean, do you really have to date your brother's ex-boyfriend? Go find one of you own.
Well, that happened not once, but twice, here.
After Alex and Tyler break up, Alex starts dating, and then marries, Tyler's stepsister. No, she and Tyler are not related by blood, but they're close. Out of all the women in the world, Alex had to date his ex's SISTER? And the sister couldn't leave her brother's ex the fuck alone? And everyone's cool with this? Cause that kind of shit is fodder for the Jerry Springer show.
I would NEVER, ever, EVER date anyone who's dated any member of my close family, especially if I knew they'd slept together. No, thanks. Sloppy seconds aren't my style.
On top of that, during Alex's wedding, Tyler gets together with Alex's older brother, Gus, whom he should have dated in the first place. Gus and Tyler are cute together, but I felt like things happened too fast. The HEA is hinted at, but the relationship isn't developed at all.
March 28, 2019
*2.5 stars*
Ugh, I’ll just sit in my corner. Again. I did not like this at all. The whole story is based on a note whose sender was not who Tyler (the main protag) thought it was. COME ON! That’s just a huge misunderstanding that could have been resolved easily. Tyler was with Alex for 5 years! They could have talked about it!
I liked Tyler at first but suddenly he would start talking and talking and go off on a verbal rant that would go on for pages.
And although I don’t mind the “my brother’s ex” trope (on the contrary, I like it) the stepsister joining in was too much.
I don’t know if I consider the ending to be even a HFN because Tyler states that he’s not in love with Gus yet, but he can be.
Good writing but the rest did not work out at all.
Ugh, I’ll just sit in my corner. Again. I did not like this at all. The whole story is based on a note whose sender was not who Tyler (the main protag) thought it was. COME ON! That’s just a huge misunderstanding that could have been resolved easily. Tyler was with Alex for 5 years! They could have talked about it!
I liked Tyler at first but suddenly he would start talking and talking and go off on a verbal rant that would go on for pages.
And although I don’t mind the “my brother’s ex” trope (on the contrary, I like it) the stepsister joining in was too much.
I don’t know if I consider the ending to be even a HFN because Tyler states that he’s not in love with Gus yet, but he can be.
Good writing but the rest did not work out at all.
May 22, 2019
***4.25 Stars***
I loved this novella!! It's friends to lovers flipped on its head.
Was it predictable? Yep.
How do I feel about that?
Sometimes a book just fits your mood and hits the spot.
So, here we go.
Gus likes Tyler. Tyler likes Alex. Alex likes Marisa.
Gus and Alex are brothers. Tyler and Marisa are stepsiblings. Alex and Tyler dated, but now Alex is marrying Marisa. Do you follow? No? Doesn't matter because there's no drama here! Yep, you read that right. No. Drama.
Tyler is attending the wedding of his stepsister and ex-boyfriend, who he may or may not still be hung up on...all because of a note that changed his perception of things 8 years ago. Gus and Tyler have been best friends for years. They talk about any and everyting...except Alex. That's the one topic off limits....and the one that'll clear up so many things.
Tyler needs to let go of a dream that he's created in his head and Gus needs to get his head out of his ass and finally tell Tyler how he feels.
This had me laughing and smiling from start to finish. Yes, there's a misunderstanding, but it didn't frustrate me or annoy me. The book's pacing moved too fast to let things linger for long.
Honestly...I could have kept reading about these characters for another 100 pages!
**Can be read as a standalone.**
March 26, 2019
I hated this short story.
I hated this short story because it wasn't a full length novel, dammit!
Archer, why you gotta make me love a premise, and the characters, and the sexy times and have it be only 60-ish pages long!? I needed much more of these two in my life. :D
I hated this short story because it wasn't a full length novel, dammit!
Archer, why you gotta make me love a premise, and the characters, and the sexy times and have it be only 60-ish pages long!? I needed much more of these two in my life. :D
February 11, 2019
Muy poco creíble, pero muy mono para el día de San Valentín. El friends to lovers es mi perdición.
August 10, 2020
3.5 I skipped this one 'cause I'd been too excited for Con's book, but I'm glad I came back to it.
September 30, 2021
Cute short story that is based on a misunderstanding spanning eight years. How this didn't get resolved sooner, especially since it played such a big part in shaping Tyler's character, is a mystery to me. It still was an enjoyable read for the most part. I wasn't too happy about the fast pace that everything moved on in the second half of the story, but considering the length of it I realise that options were limited, if there was to be a HEA.
June 17, 2021
I was one of the lucky ones.
I found my soulmate back in high school, when my next door neighbor wrote me a love note that changed my life -- a love note that promised me "always."
But apparently "always" ain't all it's cracked up to be, because here I am, a mere eight years later, planning my soulmate's dream wedding -- the most romantic Valentine's Day wedding in O'Leary's history.
The only problem? He's not marrying me.
I found my soulmate back in high school, when my next door neighbor wrote me a love note that changed my life -- a love note that promised me "always."
But apparently "always" ain't all it's cracked up to be, because here I am, a mere eight years later, planning my soulmate's dream wedding -- the most romantic Valentine's Day wedding in O'Leary's history.
The only problem? He's not marrying me.
August 19, 2022
Short. Cute. And hot.
I’m usually not into reading “in between” novellas in a series, but I liked Tyler so much in “The Secret” that I couldn’t help wanting to see him get his well earned HEA.
And yes, in a book with 60 pages you can’t get much story or character development or drama, but it was enough to make me smile - and see that Tyler not only got over his crush on his sister’s fiancé (aka his ex boyfriend), but found a guy who’s just perfect for him (said fiancé’s brother, and Tyler’s best friend).
A nice addition if your reading the other books - 4 smiley stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m usually not into reading “in between” novellas in a series, but I liked Tyler so much in “The Secret” that I couldn’t help wanting to see him get his well earned HEA.
And yes, in a book with 60 pages you can’t get much story or character development or drama, but it was enough to make me smile - and see that Tyler not only got over his crush on his sister’s fiancé (aka his ex boyfriend), but found a guy who’s just perfect for him (said fiancé’s brother, and Tyler’s best friend).
A nice addition if your reading the other books - 4 smiley stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 30, 2019
I'm not sure that I bought into the narrative totally as I'm not sure how likely it was that a) someone's handwriting wouldn't be different and b) that someone would sit on the sidelines and say nothing for eight years, especially after said person they were supposedly in love with had split up from said "alleged" note writer.
But, it was short and sweet and if I ignored the basic total miscommunication element of it, I liked Tyler and Gus as individuals.
As a PS the whole dating my brother's ex thing didn't bother me at all although I know from friends' reviews that it skeved them out.
But, it was short and sweet and if I ignored the basic total miscommunication element of it, I liked Tyler and Gus as individuals.
As a PS the whole dating my brother's ex thing didn't bother me at all although I know from friends' reviews that it skeved them out.
February 9, 2019
ok, this was really cute, but I wish we'd gotten more back story. I'd like to have known even a teeny tiny little bit about Tyler and Alex while they were together. It just felt a bit odd, and could have used a bit more detail. But I did like Tyler and Gus together, and thought this was a nice little short.
February 10, 2019
Very cute short story about Tyler and Gus, who grew up in O'Leary (and have since moved from there and live in different places), and missed their chance at love because of Gus' brother Alex picking up Gus' note that fell out of Tyler's backpack when he was in high school and Tyler accidentally thought it was Alex.
And so Alex and Tyler dated for 5 years - mostly long distance - and it didn't work out, and Tyler doesn't fully understand why, because of what Alex (apparently) said in the note, which contradicted how Alex acted.
Turns out it was Gus who wrote the note, and two days before Alex's wedding to Marissa, Tyler's stepsister, 8 years after that day with the note, things are finally sorted out.
I do wish we had gotten a little more from Alex in the present, because he was almost like a non-entity in this present part of the story, and not that he had to care too much about Tyler and Gus getting together, but I was kinda hoping for a moment of Alex being like "huh? What note? I didn't write a note" and then also realizing it was Tyler and Gus all along and such.
But it wasn't too big a deal and this was cute and adorable, and I hope Tyler and Gus will be happy in California - and wherever they go after Gus' residency is over - forever <3
And so Alex and Tyler dated for 5 years - mostly long distance - and it didn't work out, and Tyler doesn't fully understand why, because of what Alex (apparently) said in the note, which contradicted how Alex acted.
Turns out it was Gus who wrote the note, and two days before Alex's wedding to Marissa, Tyler's stepsister, 8 years after that day with the note, things are finally sorted out.
I do wish we had gotten a little more from Alex in the present, because he was almost like a non-entity in this present part of the story, and not that he had to care too much about Tyler and Gus getting together, but I was kinda hoping for a moment of Alex being like "huh? What note? I didn't write a note" and then also realizing it was Tyler and Gus all along and such.
But it wasn't too big a deal and this was cute and adorable, and I hope Tyler and Gus will be happy in California - and wherever they go after Gus' residency is over - forever <3
April 14, 2021
A short story of finding your love...
This is a novella that warms the heart. Tyler and Gus were lifelong friends, and each feared losing a friendship, but there’s more to it. It began with a note to Tyler, and eight years later, he discovers the true author of it.
Short, cute and light.
Enjoy.
=====
This is a novella that warms the heart. Tyler and Gus were lifelong friends, and each feared losing a friendship, but there’s more to it. It began with a note to Tyler, and eight years later, he discovers the true author of it.
Short, cute and light.
Enjoy.
=====
March 29, 2022
I do see how people had a problem with the dating one brother and then another thing. My only problem with this book is that I wanted more background and more closure. Overall I liked it.
February 26, 2023
Tyler ha sido amigo de Gus y Alex desde que ambos se mudaron a la casa de al lado. Siempre ha considerado a Alex su mejor amigo, incluso fueron novios durante unos años, debido a una nota que Tyler encontro en su mochila una tarde cuando estaba en casa de Alex y Gus estudiando. Asi que cuando su relacion con Alex termino, Tyler no podia creer que lo que habia prometido Alex en la nota no fuera real, que el su mejor amigo, su novio, el hombre que le juro que siempre lo amaria se iba a casar con su hermana. Y cuando se da cuenta que realmente nunca estuvo enamorado de Alex, sino de la idea de alguien como el que escribio la nota, tendra que enfrentar sus verdaderos sentimientos, y averiguar si son correspondidos.
Es un libro corto, que se desarrolla basicamente en un fin de semana, con un par de personajes nuevos y que no muestra casi ninguno de los personajes de los libros anteriores. Sin embargo, es una historia de reencuentros, de aprender de los errores y aceptar la verdad. Muy sencilla, romantica, dulce, sin mayores dramas ni misterios, que se puede leer en una tarde para pasar el rato.
En fin, voy a continuar con la serie, porque quiero saber mas de las otras "posibles" parejas dentro del pueblo y como cada uno va a conseguir su "Felices para Siempre"
Es un libro corto, que se desarrolla basicamente en un fin de semana, con un par de personajes nuevos y que no muestra casi ninguno de los personajes de los libros anteriores. Sin embargo, es una historia de reencuentros, de aprender de los errores y aceptar la verdad. Muy sencilla, romantica, dulce, sin mayores dramas ni misterios, que se puede leer en una tarde para pasar el rato.
En fin, voy a continuar con la serie, porque quiero saber mas de las otras "posibles" parejas dentro del pueblo y como cada uno va a conseguir su "Felices para Siempre"
November 16, 2019
New to me Author. This is a MM contemporary story set in the USA. The owner of a love note was mistaken for 8 long years and is set right in this story. Main characters are Gus and Tyler. I'll read more from this author.
March 18, 2019
The premise was iffy but the humor was great.
February 16, 2019
I'm sooo glad this wasn't a three in the bed story. I can handle siblings involved as long as they aren't sleeping with each other. That's a hard limit for me. And it helped that step-siblings were also part of the equation.
I liked Alex.
I liked Tyler.
I loved Gus.
I'm so happy they found their HEA.
I will definitely make time to read more of this series!
Thanks for the Valentine's treat May!!
I liked Alex.
I liked Tyler.
I loved Gus.
I'm so happy they found their HEA.
I will definitely make time to read more of this series!
Thanks for the Valentine's treat May!!
March 4, 2019
Bummer. I like hanging out in O'Leary.
This was kind of ok but the whole brother thing and then the sister thing was just too much family honestly. Ick really.
Words could have prevented all of this.
Bequia Read - That's about all I have right now. I'm trying to go back and jot something down for the books I read on vacation and most of them I seem to have only a random thought or two. I needed to write something though, all this blank review space was screaming at me!
This was kind of ok but the whole brother thing and then the sister thing was just too much family honestly. Ick really.
Words could have prevented all of this.
Bequia Read - That's about all I have right now. I'm trying to go back and jot something down for the books I read on vacation and most of them I seem to have only a random thought or two. I needed to write something though, all this blank review space was screaming at me!
January 27, 2023
I read The Secret first and that's where I met Tyler.
I was very interested in his story and again, this short novella is far better than the first book in the series that I read yesterday.
Tyler's ex-boyfriend Alex is getting married and Tyler isn't sad or hurt, he just realises he's never really loved him. When he thought he was in love with him, he was holding on to a note he supposedly got from Alex 8 years ago and that was the main reason he dove into that relationship.
At Alex's wedding Tyler finds out that the note was actually written by Alex's older brother and Tyler's highschool crush Gus, who's still in love with Tyler and always has been, so Tyler decides to dive in and give that relationship a chance.
Short and not very well developed, but still much better than The Fall.
I'm not even reading Julian and Daniel's book, because based on reviews it's the same as The Fall.
I'm glad I read The Secret first because compared to the others in this series, that one tops them all.
I was very interested in his story and again, this short novella is far better than the first book in the series that I read yesterday.
Tyler's ex-boyfriend Alex is getting married and Tyler isn't sad or hurt, he just realises he's never really loved him. When he thought he was in love with him, he was holding on to a note he supposedly got from Alex 8 years ago and that was the main reason he dove into that relationship.
At Alex's wedding Tyler finds out that the note was actually written by Alex's older brother and Tyler's highschool crush Gus, who's still in love with Tyler and always has been, so Tyler decides to dive in and give that relationship a chance.
Short and not very well developed, but still much better than The Fall.
I'm not even reading Julian and Daniel's book, because based on reviews it's the same as The Fall.
I'm glad I read The Secret first because compared to the others in this series, that one tops them all.
February 16, 2019
Assumption is a mother of all fuck-up. Well in Tyler's case at least.
Slightly hard to believe that in so many years of dating Alex, Tyler had a very bad communication with his boyfriend that he never knew who's actually wrote the note.
In my family, there's a red sign -> forbidden to date your sibling's ex, so it's kinda weird you know, when after Alex, Tyler finally found out that Gus was the one who wrote the note, and realized that all this time, he never falling in love with Alex in a first place, but Gus, Alex's older brother.
I enjoyed Gus and Tyler and the whole story despite of a chaotic siblings relationship that I didn't really approve.
Nice writing, good pace, and actually sweet and adorable.
November 19, 2025
I've been loving this series and I am really enjoying May Archer's voice/writing style so this was just a miss and it's okay!
This one did not work for me and I think it comes down to the fact that Tyler was in a relationship with Gus' brother for 5 years, FIVE and as soon as they broke up said brother ends up dating and engaged to Tyler's step-sister. Meanwhile the reason they even got together was because Gus wrote him a letter telling him he sees him and he has been pinning ever since. And maybe it woud have worked if Tyler was not still lowkey figuring out his feelings at the beginning of the novella... idk just mixed emotions and a tad bit too much miscommunciation for moi
This one did not work for me and I think it comes down to the fact that Tyler was in a relationship with Gus' brother for 5 years, FIVE and as soon as they broke up said brother ends up dating and engaged to Tyler's step-sister. Meanwhile the reason they even got together was because Gus wrote him a letter telling him he sees him and he has been pinning ever since. And maybe it woud have worked if Tyler was not still lowkey figuring out his feelings at the beginning of the novella... idk just mixed emotions and a tad bit too much miscommunciation for moi
May 20, 2020
5✨
Okay, I loved this little novella.
The Note follows Tyler, who is the Man of Honor at his step-sister's wedding... to his ex-boyfriend, Alex.
The cast of characters (mostly) come from a place other than O'Leary, but with the town being a hot wedding destination, some of our favorites are mentioned! Like Constantine, who saves the day! Yay Con!
This was short, sweet, cute and so heart felt. And it gave the perfect lead-in for The Secret, which introduces us to Micah and Con's love story.
Okay, I loved this little novella.
The Note follows Tyler, who is the Man of Honor at his step-sister's wedding... to his ex-boyfriend, Alex.
The cast of characters (mostly) come from a place other than O'Leary, but with the town being a hot wedding destination, some of our favorites are mentioned! Like Constantine, who saves the day! Yay Con!
This was short, sweet, cute and so heart felt. And it gave the perfect lead-in for The Secret, which introduces us to Micah and Con's love story.
August 8, 2020
This was a nice little love story with fun characters. Would have been 4 stars if they had gotten more page time and an epilog
April 24, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up
February 17, 2019
For a short freebie, this actually felt like a solid book. I liked the characters, I liked the plot even though it had some holes that I think the story should have filled in, and I liked the ending.
June 5, 2025
I started the book thinking the premise sounded pretty cute. I ended it thinking the whole issue was all pretty stupid and avoidable.
On the one hand, I felt for Tyler. He and his ex hadn't broken up very long before the ex moved on with Tyler's *sister*. Oof. Honestly a trope I hate to read. He's at the wedding and still heartbroken over losing his ex.
On the other hand, Tyler fell in love with his ex over a note that he frequently tried to bring up, and the ex always changed the subject. They dated in high school because of a love note that promised "*always,*" and Tyler is still sad that "always" didn't mean *always*. He also knew he wasn't super in love with the ex. So. Am I a bad person when I think Tyler shouldn't still be so broken up over this? Sorry Tyler.
Maybe May Archer isn't the author for me.
On the one hand, I felt for Tyler. He and his ex hadn't broken up very long before the ex moved on with Tyler's *sister*. Oof. Honestly a trope I hate to read. He's at the wedding and still heartbroken over losing his ex.
On the other hand, Tyler fell in love with his ex over a note that he frequently tried to bring up, and the ex always changed the subject. They dated in high school because of a love note that promised "*always,*" and Tyler is still sad that "always" didn't mean *always*. He also knew he wasn't super in love with the ex. So. Am I a bad person when I think Tyler shouldn't still be so broken up over this? Sorry Tyler.
Maybe May Archer isn't the author for me.
April 14, 2021
2.5 Stars This one was just okay - I really struggled with the premise of the book.
January 18, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars
🔥🔥.5/5 Heat
5/5 Cuteness Level
"Maybe a lot of us go through life blind because we see what we expect to see, when all it takes is one tiny change — a piece of curved glass, a handwritten note, a single conversation in a frozen field — to let us see things the way they really are."
*Overlaps with Constantine's book, The Secret. This book technically comes before it in the series order. But I think it would be best enjoyed if you read it after, "The Secret." Just my two cents.
This one was short, sweet, sexy, totally adorable and I kind of loved it. I DID have to suspend disbelief that:
a)Gus wouldn't have signed his name on the note.
b) Tyler would never, in eight years, have realized that Alex didn't write the note.
c) Alex wouldn't wonder why Tyler seemed so obsessed with a note he supposedly wrote him or flat out tell Tyler he hadn't written a note.
c) There wouldn't be an, "ick," factor that Tyler had been with both Gus and Alex and that Marissa would marry Alex after he was with her stepbrother for five years. I could not see my sibling and I doing this. Eww.
So yeah. If you ignore all of the above, it was a lovely story. I am always a fan of something including letters/texts/emails etc. May Archer really knows how to write short stories!
🔥🔥.5/5 Heat
5/5 Cuteness Level
"Maybe a lot of us go through life blind because we see what we expect to see, when all it takes is one tiny change — a piece of curved glass, a handwritten note, a single conversation in a frozen field — to let us see things the way they really are."
*Overlaps with Constantine's book, The Secret. This book technically comes before it in the series order. But I think it would be best enjoyed if you read it after, "The Secret." Just my two cents.
This one was short, sweet, sexy, totally adorable and I kind of loved it. I DID have to suspend disbelief that:
a)Gus wouldn't have signed his name on the note.
b) Tyler would never, in eight years, have realized that Alex didn't write the note.
c) Alex wouldn't wonder why Tyler seemed so obsessed with a note he supposedly wrote him or flat out tell Tyler he hadn't written a note.
c) There wouldn't be an, "ick," factor that Tyler had been with both Gus and Alex and that Marissa would marry Alex after he was with her stepbrother for five years. I could not see my sibling and I doing this. Eww.
So yeah. If you ignore all of the above, it was a lovely story. I am always a fan of something including letters/texts/emails etc. May Archer really knows how to write short stories!
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