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Mine Would Be You
Valentina Scott is a cynic for love.
After her first and only relationship left her burned and broken, she is hesitant to open herself up to the idea of love again. Even throwing herself into work at Poze, a major fashion magazine, drunken nights with her friends in the city, and long therapy sessions, haven’t quite changed her mind—Nina still tries to keep the walls around her heart sealed up tight. A wedding invitation sends her straight to the past and to the bars. And the blurry night ends with sea-blue eyes, blonde hair, and a bright smile.
Jackson Ross holds the sun in his hands.
He’s overly optimistic and wouldn’t know a rain cloud if it hit him. And he’s anything but deterred by her negative outlook on relationships. If anything, it just enchants him more. When he finally begins to whittle his way past her walls, life comes crashing in when he least expects it.
Will Valentina take a chance and let Jackson in? Will Jackson make his way through the rain? Or will life and all its disasters come crashing down and shroud them in the darkness just when they were ready to step into the sun?
After her first and only relationship left her burned and broken, she is hesitant to open herself up to the idea of love again. Even throwing herself into work at Poze, a major fashion magazine, drunken nights with her friends in the city, and long therapy sessions, haven’t quite changed her mind—Nina still tries to keep the walls around her heart sealed up tight. A wedding invitation sends her straight to the past and to the bars. And the blurry night ends with sea-blue eyes, blonde hair, and a bright smile.
Jackson Ross holds the sun in his hands.
He’s overly optimistic and wouldn’t know a rain cloud if it hit him. And he’s anything but deterred by her negative outlook on relationships. If anything, it just enchants him more. When he finally begins to whittle his way past her walls, life comes crashing in when he least expects it.
Will Valentina take a chance and let Jackson in? Will Jackson make his way through the rain? Or will life and all its disasters come crashing down and shroud them in the darkness just when they were ready to step into the sun?
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2022
325 people are currently reading
13102 people want to read
About the author
K. Jamila
5 books309 followersKatie Jamila was raised in Delaware, where she spent most of her adolescence after moving around various states. She completed her B.A. in English at the University of Delaware and her M.A. in Strategic Communications at Hawai’I Pacific University. Now, she currently lives in hustle and bustle of NYC and works in Academic Publishing. From her childhood, reading has always been her escape; harboring a love for the deeply misunderstood characters, the women filled with rage, intricate fantasy worlds, and the simple beauty of romance.
As a biracial author, she writes the stories she wish she had and the characters she always wanted to see. Her biggest hope is that you find something within her books: a dream, hope, love, or the feeling of being understood.
When not reading or writing, you can find Katie with a cup of coffee, re-watching her favorite TV shows or movies obsessively, listening to her favorite music (including Taylor Swift), or lying on the floor with her pets, dreaming about fictional men and a love story of her own.
As a biracial author, she writes the stories she wish she had and the characters she always wanted to see. Her biggest hope is that you find something within her books: a dream, hope, love, or the feeling of being understood.
When not reading or writing, you can find Katie with a cup of coffee, re-watching her favorite TV shows or movies obsessively, listening to her favorite music (including Taylor Swift), or lying on the floor with her pets, dreaming about fictional men and a love story of her own.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 754 reviews
April 25, 2023
5 stars.
Wow!! I didn't expect it to be so beautiful .
Their relationship is by far one of my favorites. Jackson carried the book, he was prefect in every sens of the word. He was so patient and kind with Nina, so bright and joyful. He was just a SUNSHINE for like eighty precent of the time and the fact that HE called her like that because of her permanent grumpiness made me swoon more than once.😭😭
Nina's character was well developed. I liked her in the beginning and I loved her in the healing process of her former relationship that had caused great damage to her dating life.
They had such a pure and honest relationship and I loved them because they were always there for one another.
The writing was so beautiful and poetic at certain points that I couldn’t putt the book down. 😭😭❤️
Wow!! I didn't expect it to be so beautiful .
Their relationship is by far one of my favorites. Jackson carried the book, he was prefect in every sens of the word. He was so patient and kind with Nina, so bright and joyful. He was just a SUNSHINE for like eighty precent of the time and the fact that HE called her like that because of her permanent grumpiness made me swoon more than once.😭😭
Nina's character was well developed. I liked her in the beginning and I loved her in the healing process of her former relationship that had caused great damage to her dating life.
They had such a pure and honest relationship and I loved them because they were always there for one another.
The writing was so beautiful and poetic at certain points that I couldn’t putt the book down. 😭😭❤️
" I think we both learned that everyone has to let a little light in sometimes. I think that love is finding someone who makes that challenge just a little bit easier. Someone who makes life just a little bit brighter."
September 17, 2024
this was everything. i have no words. jackson ross & valentina scott officially own my soul.
“the man who makes me feel as though i’m lucky enough to have walked on the sun itself.”
“the man who makes me feel as though i’m lucky enough to have walked on the sun itself.”
February 27, 2022
five stars isn’t enough for this book i mean the grumpyxsunshine >>>>> EVERYTHING him being sunshine but calling her sunshine ??? KILLED ME
the characters themselves so lovable i genuinely didn’t know i can love characters this much but i do and i’m here for it
anyways everyone go read this as soon it comes out please and thank you.
the characters themselves so lovable i genuinely didn’t know i can love characters this much but i do and i’m here for it
anyways everyone go read this as soon it comes out please and thank you.
November 12, 2023
1.5/5
I literally forgot I was reading it, that’s how much I was interested in it
I literally forgot I was reading it, that’s how much I was interested in it
December 20, 2022
3.5*
It was really cute and fluffy which was what I was looking for after ZA7.
Jackson was the CUTEST!! He’s so dreamy and adorable I loved him.
It felt really slow at times and had no set direction. I kinda lost interest after 70%
The dialogue was awesome but the inner monologue got really dramatic at times which is not my preferred style.
BUT if you want all the fluff and adorable characters then this is the book for you!
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲:
“You know, Nina, even the darkest storms have to let a little light in eventually.”
It was really cute and fluffy which was what I was looking for after ZA7.
Jackson was the CUTEST!! He’s so dreamy and adorable I loved him.
It felt really slow at times and had no set direction. I kinda lost interest after 70%
The dialogue was awesome but the inner monologue got really dramatic at times which is not my preferred style.
BUT if you want all the fluff and adorable characters then this is the book for you!
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲:
“You know, Nina, even the darkest storms have to let a little light in eventually.”
November 16, 2022
omg this book… this was it! it’s everything
March 7, 2022
Where do I even start to explain the beauty that is Mine Would Be You? Let’s just start with the fact that I have read my fair share of good romance books, but not many magical and breathtaking romance books like this. You know, the kind of book that just sweeps you off your feet and makes you feel every single emotion (even the ones your cynical heart sometimes forget exist). Or the kind that you can’t seem to put down, and despite convincing yourself that you’ll read just one more chapter, you end up finishing it all in one night. That’s Mine Would Be You for me.
Mine Would Be You is simply a masterpiece. I don’t know what the author put in this book but I’m obsessed. The characters are impossible to not fall in love with. Nina is truly a grumpy angel and being inside her thoughts made me feel so seen. She was the perfect amount of grumpy, sweet, and snark. I wish she was real so I could, kindly, force her to be my friend. Nina is also incredibly inspiring and seeing her growth was so fun. I want to be Nina when I grow up, even though I’m already in my twenties.
Jackson Ross. Now, to anyone who knows me it’s no surprise that this man is my dream man. In fact, I claim him and I won’t apologize for it. It was so refreshing to read about a man that was respectful, funny, sweet, and incredibly hot. I swear I nearly died because of this man and his dimples. If sunshine was a person, it would be Jackson. I love that throughout his journey we got to not only see his sunshiney side, but also his vulnerability. Their relationship is healthy and realistic, yet magical and so sweet it will make your heart hurt. The amount of times that I had to stop reading so I could squeal and scream because I simply could not handle their cuteness was too many. Every single one of their interactions gave me butterflies and I would literally die for JacksonNina. They have stolen my heart and I don’t want it back. It was incredible to see them love each other so genuinely, tenderly, and with such vulnerability.
The side characters also added so much to the story and it brought me immense joy reading about their friend group and families. Both Nina’s and Jackson’s families were so loving and a true representation of what family love should be (please adopt me Scott and Ross family). The friendship between Harper, Sloan, and Nina again make me wish they were real so I could (lovingly) force myself into their friend group. I hope one day we get to see more of Harper, Sloan, Roman, Emma, and even Myles. Big shoutout to Jenko for being incredibly relatable and cute.
Mine Would Be You was beautifully written down to every detail and it sent me on an emotional roller coaster in the best way possible. It made me laugh, cry, and squeal of happiness. The pacing was perfect. The plot was unique and so fun to follow. Also all the subtle Taylor Swift references made my swiftie heart immensely happy. If I had to pick one book to read for the rest of my life it would be this one. Mine Would Be You is my favorite book, and I truly mean that with my whole heart. Please K. Jamila, help a girl out and tell me where I can find my own Jackson Ross!
Mine Would Be You is simply a masterpiece. I don’t know what the author put in this book but I’m obsessed. The characters are impossible to not fall in love with. Nina is truly a grumpy angel and being inside her thoughts made me feel so seen. She was the perfect amount of grumpy, sweet, and snark. I wish she was real so I could, kindly, force her to be my friend. Nina is also incredibly inspiring and seeing her growth was so fun. I want to be Nina when I grow up, even though I’m already in my twenties.
Jackson Ross. Now, to anyone who knows me it’s no surprise that this man is my dream man. In fact, I claim him and I won’t apologize for it. It was so refreshing to read about a man that was respectful, funny, sweet, and incredibly hot. I swear I nearly died because of this man and his dimples. If sunshine was a person, it would be Jackson. I love that throughout his journey we got to not only see his sunshiney side, but also his vulnerability. Their relationship is healthy and realistic, yet magical and so sweet it will make your heart hurt. The amount of times that I had to stop reading so I could squeal and scream because I simply could not handle their cuteness was too many. Every single one of their interactions gave me butterflies and I would literally die for JacksonNina. They have stolen my heart and I don’t want it back. It was incredible to see them love each other so genuinely, tenderly, and with such vulnerability.
The side characters also added so much to the story and it brought me immense joy reading about their friend group and families. Both Nina’s and Jackson’s families were so loving and a true representation of what family love should be (please adopt me Scott and Ross family). The friendship between Harper, Sloan, and Nina again make me wish they were real so I could (lovingly) force myself into their friend group. I hope one day we get to see more of Harper, Sloan, Roman, Emma, and even Myles. Big shoutout to Jenko for being incredibly relatable and cute.
Mine Would Be You was beautifully written down to every detail and it sent me on an emotional roller coaster in the best way possible. It made me laugh, cry, and squeal of happiness. The pacing was perfect. The plot was unique and so fun to follow. Also all the subtle Taylor Swift references made my swiftie heart immensely happy. If I had to pick one book to read for the rest of my life it would be this one. Mine Would Be You is my favorite book, and I truly mean that with my whole heart. Please K. Jamila, help a girl out and tell me where I can find my own Jackson Ross!
October 19, 2022
edit 10/19/2022: I love how fast I reread this in one sitting last night but didn't bother reviewing for my midterm today-
my rating still stands. this book is everything to me. goodbye.
--------------------------
[ 5 stars ]
“You are the best person I’ve ever met, my favourite person in the world, and I wouldn’t have made it these last two years without you. Life is hard, I know that, and not everything has to be perfect, but you, you make life easier. Better. Brighter. You make it easier to breathe.”
casually rating this book five stars moveee along :D
reading this book felt like a warm hug and I haven’t felt that in a while reading so yeah :’)
this book is so simple yet so perfect ninajackson are everything to me <3
my rating still stands. this book is everything to me. goodbye.
--------------------------
[ 5 stars ]
“You are the best person I’ve ever met, my favourite person in the world, and I wouldn’t have made it these last two years without you. Life is hard, I know that, and not everything has to be perfect, but you, you make life easier. Better. Brighter. You make it easier to breathe.”
casually rating this book five stars moveee along :D
reading this book felt like a warm hug and I haven’t felt that in a while reading so yeah :’)
this book is so simple yet so perfect ninajackson are everything to me <3
November 11, 2022
4.25 ⭐️
I picked this book up without knowing a single thing about it and not expecting much at all… but I ended up being very pleasantly surprised.
Nina was dealing with a lot of stuff from her past relationship, and the way that it was explained and dealt with in this story felt extremely realistic to me. The ways she would think, the thought processes she would have, the way her anxiety would flare at random times, how she thought through her fears and dealt with her emotions… it all just felt extremely real to me and I connected with her very easily because of that… I felt like our brains were twins & I think that’s a big reason as to why I enjoyed this book as much as I did.
I also liked how the story kind of switched up the normal formula of how romance books usually are. Instead of just being given these facts that she has this past that made her scared of love, and then giving us this story as her next chapter in life… we instead got to see Nina deal with her problems on page over the course of the entire book, while simultaneously trying to give a new relationship a shot — and I really enjoyed seeing the slow progression of her character and mental state as we got further into the story and she slowly started opening up and trusting Jackson. —— And then Jackson… he was just perfect for her. Loved everything about him. Nothing further needs to be said there.
I don’t think this book was perfect though… my biggest hangup was the writing - it was a bit too descriptive for my personal taste, but I’m pretty sure this is the authors debut book, so I’m not gonna judge that too harshly —— and I did find myself getting a bit bored as I got closer to the end… but that’s a normal occurrence for me… so overall I liked it a lot and I would definitely check out more of this authors work in the future.
I picked this book up without knowing a single thing about it and not expecting much at all… but I ended up being very pleasantly surprised.
Nina was dealing with a lot of stuff from her past relationship, and the way that it was explained and dealt with in this story felt extremely realistic to me. The ways she would think, the thought processes she would have, the way her anxiety would flare at random times, how she thought through her fears and dealt with her emotions… it all just felt extremely real to me and I connected with her very easily because of that… I felt like our brains were twins & I think that’s a big reason as to why I enjoyed this book as much as I did.
I also liked how the story kind of switched up the normal formula of how romance books usually are. Instead of just being given these facts that she has this past that made her scared of love, and then giving us this story as her next chapter in life… we instead got to see Nina deal with her problems on page over the course of the entire book, while simultaneously trying to give a new relationship a shot — and I really enjoyed seeing the slow progression of her character and mental state as we got further into the story and she slowly started opening up and trusting Jackson. —— And then Jackson… he was just perfect for her. Loved everything about him. Nothing further needs to be said there.
I don’t think this book was perfect though… my biggest hangup was the writing - it was a bit too descriptive for my personal taste, but I’m pretty sure this is the authors debut book, so I’m not gonna judge that too harshly —— and I did find myself getting a bit bored as I got closer to the end… but that’s a normal occurrence for me… so overall I liked it a lot and I would definitely check out more of this authors work in the future.
July 21, 2022
well this was really underwhelming. i didn't really feel any connection to the characters and the love wasn't anything special. their story just felt bland. i really wanted to like it :/
March 8, 2022
Mine Would Be You is the kind of the book that makes you fall in love with love.
Now when I say this I don’t just mean romantic love. I’m talking about platonic love, familial love and self love. So let’s start with romantic love. It’s very clear the effect Nina’s past relationship left on her and her psyche, how she perceived love and romantic relationships and Jackson figures this out early on. He doesn’t push her for more than what she’s ready for and he lets it happen at her pace while still pursuing her because he knows she’s the one he wants. What I loved was how she slowly started to let go of it, to heal and to accept the love he was trying to give her. The love that she deserved. It was paced so well, you felt like you were falling in love with them. I also love how they were open with each other, there was no toxicity, but this understanding, this healthy line of communication and how important it is to understand that everyone deals with things differently and it’s best to just be there for the other. There chemistry was so sweet and tangible, it had me smiling like a clown at my phone the whole time.
The platonic love in the friendship between Nina, Sloan and Harper was so fun, you can feel the bond they have. How they unabashedly lean on each other and one another is just heartwarming. We also get it in Jackson’s relationship with Roman(my dude he’s so funny i love him lol) and we even see it with his relationship with Myles(who for all his faults yk was still his best friend) and the conflict that can always arise in friendships and that it’s just as important to work through.
Last but not the least the familial relationships in this broke my heart. It was so nice to see Nina’s relationships with her parents, how they took care of her, how the were always rooting for her and the little traditions they have. Also seeing how Jackson’s family loved each other, how they all accepted each other, they portrayed how family should always want to protect you, keep you from hurting but are always there to hold your hand and to pick each other up.
So i’m gonna end this review with two words:
Jackson Ross ‼️
Something shifted in the universe when he was created (oops it wasn’t just two words hehe)
*Arc received in exchange for an honest review
Now when I say this I don’t just mean romantic love. I’m talking about platonic love, familial love and self love. So let’s start with romantic love. It’s very clear the effect Nina’s past relationship left on her and her psyche, how she perceived love and romantic relationships and Jackson figures this out early on. He doesn’t push her for more than what she’s ready for and he lets it happen at her pace while still pursuing her because he knows she’s the one he wants. What I loved was how she slowly started to let go of it, to heal and to accept the love he was trying to give her. The love that she deserved. It was paced so well, you felt like you were falling in love with them. I also love how they were open with each other, there was no toxicity, but this understanding, this healthy line of communication and how important it is to understand that everyone deals with things differently and it’s best to just be there for the other. There chemistry was so sweet and tangible, it had me smiling like a clown at my phone the whole time.
The platonic love in the friendship between Nina, Sloan and Harper was so fun, you can feel the bond they have. How they unabashedly lean on each other and one another is just heartwarming. We also get it in Jackson’s relationship with Roman(my dude he’s so funny i love him lol) and we even see it with his relationship with Myles(who for all his faults yk was still his best friend) and the conflict that can always arise in friendships and that it’s just as important to work through.
Last but not the least the familial relationships in this broke my heart. It was so nice to see Nina’s relationships with her parents, how they took care of her, how the were always rooting for her and the little traditions they have. Also seeing how Jackson’s family loved each other, how they all accepted each other, they portrayed how family should always want to protect you, keep you from hurting but are always there to hold your hand and to pick each other up.
So i’m gonna end this review with two words:
Jackson Ross ‼️
Something shifted in the universe when he was created (oops it wasn’t just two words hehe)
*Arc received in exchange for an honest review
March 22, 2023
4.5⭐️ well this was just so SWEET! jackson ross perfect bf 🙏🏻
March 1, 2022
Was going to wait to post my review but oh well. Alert 🚨 KATIE made me fall for a blonde man but I’ll allow it cause it’s Jackson Ross. I started Mine Would Be You over a year ago and I am not over how perfect Jackson and Nina are. This story takes you through the steps of healing and learning to trust again and is beautifully written. Not only are the characters and plot amazing but it takes place in none other than New York. Jackson and Nina are my favorite grumpy/ sunshine couple and MWBY is a comfort book that once I start thinking about will send me into a spiral. Nina and Jackson are my parents and reading them fall in love slowly puts a smile on my face every time. I love them and I’m so happy to have read the book along the way of it being published and can’t wait to have a copy of it in my hands (literally in less than 2 weeks will cry). PS. Jenko is the best cat ever. I aspire to have friends like Harper and Sloan and I cry that Jackson, the perfect man, isn’t real.
July 26, 2022
This book is sweet but it’s execution left something to be desired. It had so many grammatical errors that it was distracting. It was also super slow, and there wasn’t much compelling tension to push the story forward. The dialogue and the characters were entertaining and interesting though and I appreciated the cultural representation.
March 5, 2022
THIS.BOOK. HOLY. CRAP.
Nothing speaks comfort book the way Mine Would Be You does. It's incredible. This book is unique and so different from any other N/A romance novel i've ever read. It's so REAL, its so TOUCHING, and freaking RELATABLE. I don't think i've ever connected this strongly to a protagonist in a romance novel the way I have with Nina. Her feelings are so relatable and so comforting to know that it is okay to feel them and that growth takes time and practice. I absolutely adore her relationship with Jackson they are so good for each other and it's genuinely so inspiring (and sad cause i'm never going to experience that level of love cause WHERE DO I FIND MYSELF A JACKSON) to read. Their relationship and the progression of it it just so REALISTIC which really sets this book apart from any i've ever read. The way it's so rational, there is no annoying miscommunication, and the pace of the relationship in general is not something you typically see in N/A novels despite it being normal in real life. On top of that, the rest of the characters, the friendships, the familial relationships from both characters is amazing and so heartwarming to read. I loved it, it's not toxic, it's not sunshine and rainbows 24/7 but it's real and relatable. It's also incredibly, beautifully, written. The writing truly transports you to the NYC that Nina and Jackson live in. It also creates all these mushy feelings in your heart when you read about the romance between Nina and Jackson. And finally, the pacing is something that I loved, it wasn't quick paces but it also wasn't slow - it was just perfect. But yes, overall, it'safe to say i'm absolutely in love with this novel, with these characters, with this writing, and Nina and Jackson who btw serve the best GRUMPY (Nina) x SUNSHINE (Jackson).
Thank you to K. Jamila for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nothing speaks comfort book the way Mine Would Be You does. It's incredible. This book is unique and so different from any other N/A romance novel i've ever read. It's so REAL, its so TOUCHING, and freaking RELATABLE. I don't think i've ever connected this strongly to a protagonist in a romance novel the way I have with Nina. Her feelings are so relatable and so comforting to know that it is okay to feel them and that growth takes time and practice. I absolutely adore her relationship with Jackson they are so good for each other and it's genuinely so inspiring (and sad cause i'm never going to experience that level of love cause WHERE DO I FIND MYSELF A JACKSON) to read. Their relationship and the progression of it it just so REALISTIC which really sets this book apart from any i've ever read. The way it's so rational, there is no annoying miscommunication, and the pace of the relationship in general is not something you typically see in N/A novels despite it being normal in real life. On top of that, the rest of the characters, the friendships, the familial relationships from both characters is amazing and so heartwarming to read. I loved it, it's not toxic, it's not sunshine and rainbows 24/7 but it's real and relatable. It's also incredibly, beautifully, written. The writing truly transports you to the NYC that Nina and Jackson live in. It also creates all these mushy feelings in your heart when you read about the romance between Nina and Jackson. And finally, the pacing is something that I loved, it wasn't quick paces but it also wasn't slow - it was just perfect. But yes, overall, it'safe to say i'm absolutely in love with this novel, with these characters, with this writing, and Nina and Jackson who btw serve the best GRUMPY (Nina) x SUNSHINE (Jackson).
Thank you to K. Jamila for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2022
If I could describe how Mine Would Be You makes you feel it would be like holding a cup of hot chocolate on snowy night while sitting by the fire. It’s warm and cozy and the definition of a comfort book.
Every character has growth in this book and it’s amazing and well thought out and makes you fall deeper into their world and never want to leave.
Nina is literally who I aspire to be and I love the way K Jamilia wrote her. Her family and friends brought tears to my eyes because it’s so rare to see both healthy familial AND female relationships in contemporary romance books. But we get them both here and it’s so impactful to her story.
Jackson literally had me kicking my feet up and giggling and blushing the entire time. He is sunshine to the max, but also has many layers to him. He’s also completely boy obsessed and no one is doing it like him. He moves at her pace and doesn’t pressure her and is legit the perfect book boyfriend. I now worry I might die alone because I fear no one can reach his level.
“Even the darkest storms have to let a little light in eventually.”
The writing by K Jamilia easily pulls you into their world and makes you want join in on the story and hang out with all the characters. The story is filled with sweet and tender moments that will have you smiling so hard your cheeks hurt, but also very real issues that are relatable and will bring tears to your eyes.
This truly was a standout debut and I cannot wait for the other works K Jamilia brings us because I know this is just the start!
arc provided in exchange for an honest review
Every character has growth in this book and it’s amazing and well thought out and makes you fall deeper into their world and never want to leave.
Nina is literally who I aspire to be and I love the way K Jamilia wrote her. Her family and friends brought tears to my eyes because it’s so rare to see both healthy familial AND female relationships in contemporary romance books. But we get them both here and it’s so impactful to her story.
Jackson literally had me kicking my feet up and giggling and blushing the entire time. He is sunshine to the max, but also has many layers to him. He’s also completely boy obsessed and no one is doing it like him. He moves at her pace and doesn’t pressure her and is legit the perfect book boyfriend. I now worry I might die alone because I fear no one can reach his level.
“Even the darkest storms have to let a little light in eventually.”
The writing by K Jamilia easily pulls you into their world and makes you want join in on the story and hang out with all the characters. The story is filled with sweet and tender moments that will have you smiling so hard your cheeks hurt, but also very real issues that are relatable and will bring tears to your eyes.
This truly was a standout debut and I cannot wait for the other works K Jamilia brings us because I know this is just the start!
arc provided in exchange for an honest review
April 11, 2023
“Life is hard, I know that, and not everything has to be perfect, but you, you make life easier. Better. Brighter. You make it easier to breathe.”
I am so thankful that i had the honour to receive an ARC in exchange for a review! The first time i read this book (then again the next five times) was on wattpad over a year ago. It was one of the first books i read on the app and i fell in love with both the book and author.
This book has always held my heart and i catch myself constantly comparing any other book to it and not being able to find one that warms my heart like this one did. I’m not very good with words (which is why most of my reviews are me just rambling), so i won’t even try to describe how much this book means to me. It like a warm blanket or when you turn over your pillow and it’s still cold, that’s the only way i can really describe it.
The love i have for Nina and Jackson is absolutely insane! They’re my favourite grumpy/ sunshine, and forever own my heart.
Katie went above and beyond with this story and to be given the opportunity to read the wattpad version and then this version is amazing. i’ve noticed the growth the book has got and feel so proud of Katie on her journey.
five hundred out of five fucking stars!! (love you katie you’re a star) <33333
I am so thankful that i had the honour to receive an ARC in exchange for a review! The first time i read this book (then again the next five times) was on wattpad over a year ago. It was one of the first books i read on the app and i fell in love with both the book and author.
This book has always held my heart and i catch myself constantly comparing any other book to it and not being able to find one that warms my heart like this one did. I’m not very good with words (which is why most of my reviews are me just rambling), so i won’t even try to describe how much this book means to me. It like a warm blanket or when you turn over your pillow and it’s still cold, that’s the only way i can really describe it.
The love i have for Nina and Jackson is absolutely insane! They’re my favourite grumpy/ sunshine, and forever own my heart.
Katie went above and beyond with this story and to be given the opportunity to read the wattpad version and then this version is amazing. i’ve noticed the growth the book has got and feel so proud of Katie on her journey.
five hundred out of five fucking stars!! (love you katie you’re a star) <33333
February 5, 2023
Took me longer to read only because I was annotating like it was my only purpose in life.
5+ Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+
No spoilers, so don’t worry.
I usually don’t do reviews, cause I just don’t like to give them. But, I am going to with this one.
This story was just perfection
5+ Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+
No spoilers, so don’t worry.
I usually don’t do reviews, cause I just don’t like to give them. But, I am going to with this one.
This story was just perfection
June 13, 2022
4.75 (IK THATS LIKE SO EXTREME LMAO BUT IDK 😭) THIS WAS SOOOOOOO CUTE SO CHEESY but like the perfect amount of cheesiness that I wanted if that makes any sense 😋 ugh I just needed a fluffy little romance and this delivered!!! jackson >>>>>>> this was just SO CUTE I always say that but fr this was just adorable and yea <3
March 12, 2022
Mine Would Be You is honestly just like a big warm hug to me. It is one of my comfort books and I just love it so much. Grumpy Girl/Sunshine Boys is a dynamic I want to see more on in books and Katie delivered!!
Nina is my grumpy princess; I adore her so much and she is by far my favourite character in this book. Her struggles and feelings were just very relatable and really resonated with me. I loved watching her journey and seeing her overcome her trust issues and insecurities and seeing her opening little by little to Jackson; it made me so proud to see. Her relationship with her parents was so precious I loved their dynamic. I just love her so much. Valentina Scott will always be loved by me!!!
Jackson Ross. My sunshine boy. He had me in a chokehold since the minute he talked. In this household we stan emotionally available men!!! He was such a refreshing character for me. His patience with Nina is something just so personal to me. WE LOVE MEN WITH DIMPLES!!! These are the times that I love being a blonde men apologist because Jackson Ross makes it worth it. I loved seeing his relationships with his family and seeing him dealing with his dad was just heart breaking. HE DESEREVES THE WORLD. Jackson was a simp for Nina the second he met her, and we have to stan!!
JacksonNina were everything. Their banter >>>>. Jackson flirting with Nina whilst her pretending she doesn’t like it. Nina’s nicknames for Jackson in Spanish. Her gifting him a Spanish dictionary for his birthday and him attempting to learn Spanish for her. They’re just adorable. I loved how they were there for each other when they were both going through their own problems. Their relationship was very realistic to me however it still left me with unrealistic expectations. WHEN WILL IT BE MY TURN?? I just loved their relationship so much they will always have a special place in my heart. Enchanted is their song its true, Taylor Swift literally told me herself <3
I LOVED the side characters too. Especially Harper and Sloan who are the bestest friends a girl can ask for. I adored their friendship with Nina, they were protective over her whilst also being supportive of her decisions. They understood her struggles throughout the book and overall, they just had an extremely healthy friendship dynamic which I really appreciated. I loved Roman and his friendship with Jackson aswell as his relationship with Sloan. Emma is just an incredible woman like I aspire to be as mature, patient and understanding as she is, she deserves all the happiness in the world. Myles Henderson and I have a hate/tolerate relationship. He’s just a very frustrating character for me like I wanted to punch this man half the time, but I came around. Whilst he is not my favourite person, I appreciate his development and his want to do better for Emma. AND JENKO >>>> bestest boy ever actually he stole the show. Overall I loved the characters so much!!
Something I really loved with Mine Would Be You is its exploration of attachment, and still being attached to people who have treated you badly in the past. Nina is still attached to Myles, and I think that this is very realistic as he was such a major part of her life since they were children. We see how you can resent someone yet still being attached to them or miss their presence in your life, despite them not being in your life for years. This aspect of Mine Would Be You was just very realistic, and I appreciated that it wasn’t turned into a messy love triangle, but instead showed how it takes time to move on from relationships, and how these feelings don’t go away overnight. We see how Nina deals with her mixed feelings about Myles whilst also dealing with her new feelings about Jackson as their relationship develops.
Overall, I just love this book from its amazing characters and relationships to its immaculate vibes and I hope other people love it as much as I do!! I think that this is a great debut novel and I am so proud of Katie for publishing and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next!!
Nina is my grumpy princess; I adore her so much and she is by far my favourite character in this book. Her struggles and feelings were just very relatable and really resonated with me. I loved watching her journey and seeing her overcome her trust issues and insecurities and seeing her opening little by little to Jackson; it made me so proud to see. Her relationship with her parents was so precious I loved their dynamic. I just love her so much. Valentina Scott will always be loved by me!!!
Jackson Ross. My sunshine boy. He had me in a chokehold since the minute he talked. In this household we stan emotionally available men!!! He was such a refreshing character for me. His patience with Nina is something just so personal to me. WE LOVE MEN WITH DIMPLES!!! These are the times that I love being a blonde men apologist because Jackson Ross makes it worth it. I loved seeing his relationships with his family and seeing him dealing with his dad was just heart breaking. HE DESEREVES THE WORLD. Jackson was a simp for Nina the second he met her, and we have to stan!!
JacksonNina were everything. Their banter >>>>. Jackson flirting with Nina whilst her pretending she doesn’t like it. Nina’s nicknames for Jackson in Spanish. Her gifting him a Spanish dictionary for his birthday and him attempting to learn Spanish for her. They’re just adorable. I loved how they were there for each other when they were both going through their own problems. Their relationship was very realistic to me however it still left me with unrealistic expectations. WHEN WILL IT BE MY TURN?? I just loved their relationship so much they will always have a special place in my heart. Enchanted is their song its true, Taylor Swift literally told me herself <3
I LOVED the side characters too. Especially Harper and Sloan who are the bestest friends a girl can ask for. I adored their friendship with Nina, they were protective over her whilst also being supportive of her decisions. They understood her struggles throughout the book and overall, they just had an extremely healthy friendship dynamic which I really appreciated. I loved Roman and his friendship with Jackson aswell as his relationship with Sloan. Emma is just an incredible woman like I aspire to be as mature, patient and understanding as she is, she deserves all the happiness in the world. Myles Henderson and I have a hate/tolerate relationship. He’s just a very frustrating character for me like I wanted to punch this man half the time, but I came around. Whilst he is not my favourite person, I appreciate his development and his want to do better for Emma. AND JENKO >>>> bestest boy ever actually he stole the show. Overall I loved the characters so much!!
Something I really loved with Mine Would Be You is its exploration of attachment, and still being attached to people who have treated you badly in the past. Nina is still attached to Myles, and I think that this is very realistic as he was such a major part of her life since they were children. We see how you can resent someone yet still being attached to them or miss their presence in your life, despite them not being in your life for years. This aspect of Mine Would Be You was just very realistic, and I appreciated that it wasn’t turned into a messy love triangle, but instead showed how it takes time to move on from relationships, and how these feelings don’t go away overnight. We see how Nina deals with her mixed feelings about Myles whilst also dealing with her new feelings about Jackson as their relationship develops.
Overall, I just love this book from its amazing characters and relationships to its immaculate vibes and I hope other people love it as much as I do!! I think that this is a great debut novel and I am so proud of Katie for publishing and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next!!
August 27, 2022
I still feel a bit cheated by the way bookstagram and booktwitter sold this book, but it made me cry, so bottom line: I liked it.
Valentina "Nina" Scott is taking back the reins of her life after a love relationship that only stole her from her, leaving her full of insecurities and wary of love. So she's been working on herself, to become an even better version of herself than before, but she's not even close to giving her love life a thought. But then one day, Jackson Ross walked into her life, all sunshine and flirty smiles. An easygoing and laid-back man that she never thought to see again, and that after all she found in the least expected place; the wedding of her ex-boyfriend. From that moment on, Jackson hasn't stopped in his quest to win Nina over, win her trust and a small place in her life, so most of this book is them facing their fears, having a good time together, until they fall for each other.
I did like this book. I had never read anything by this author and I really found her writing engaging and vulnerable, making it easy to connect with Nina mostly because Jackson didn't have many POVs. BUT, I went into this book for all the wrong reasons, like I kind of thought this was a reverse grumpy-sunshine, but in the end I ended up staying for the character development, and the healthy relationship that they were definitely working towards. Jackson was an angel, definitely boyfriend material and forever an optimist, and Nina was a fighter, so determined yet real about the ups and downs of life. I don't know, I think I can see a bit of myself in both characters.
The romance was swoon-worthy because Jackson was willing to bring out the big guns to get to Nina's heart, there was a lot of talk about personal growth that came through in the character development, and I loved the side characters. Plus, it made me cry, and characters and writing styles that do that count a lot in my book. Oh, And I love extra scenes besides the epilogue to get a final look at these characters' lives, so yeah, I totally recommend it.
“He's looking at me like he always has. Like I'm the only thing that exists. Like I'm the only sun in the sky.”
Valentina "Nina" Scott is taking back the reins of her life after a love relationship that only stole her from her, leaving her full of insecurities and wary of love. So she's been working on herself, to become an even better version of herself than before, but she's not even close to giving her love life a thought. But then one day, Jackson Ross walked into her life, all sunshine and flirty smiles. An easygoing and laid-back man that she never thought to see again, and that after all she found in the least expected place; the wedding of her ex-boyfriend. From that moment on, Jackson hasn't stopped in his quest to win Nina over, win her trust and a small place in her life, so most of this book is them facing their fears, having a good time together, until they fall for each other.
I did like this book. I had never read anything by this author and I really found her writing engaging and vulnerable, making it easy to connect with Nina mostly because Jackson didn't have many POVs. BUT, I went into this book for all the wrong reasons, like I kind of thought this was a reverse grumpy-sunshine, but in the end I ended up staying for the character development, and the healthy relationship that they were definitely working towards. Jackson was an angel, definitely boyfriend material and forever an optimist, and Nina was a fighter, so determined yet real about the ups and downs of life. I don't know, I think I can see a bit of myself in both characters.
The romance was swoon-worthy because Jackson was willing to bring out the big guns to get to Nina's heart, there was a lot of talk about personal growth that came through in the character development, and I loved the side characters. Plus, it made me cry, and characters and writing styles that do that count a lot in my book. Oh, And I love extra scenes besides the epilogue to get a final look at these characters' lives, so yeah, I totally recommend it.
March 3, 2022
OMG??? THIS IS IT. THIS IS THE ONE.
wow words cannot describe how beautiful this was. from the descriptions to the growth to the characters to the way it made me feel. It’s literal warmth. The coziest book you could ever read. A book to snuggle up with in the coldest winters. A book to read in the brightest of daylight on the beach.
Nina the cynic of love. the grumpy girl. Jackson. The epitome of a ray of sunshine. Ugh i loved it. Their relationship if you look it up in the dictionary is under sunshine. I don’t care. They define that word.
It’s the way he helped her see love as something warm and not cold. The way he wriggled into her iced out heart and gripped it so fiercely. And then the way she showed him that he doesn’t always need to be the rock for his family. That he needs a shoulder to lean on as well when all is falling apart.
Nothing will compare to this book. Nothing will ever top this book. And it being her debut??! Wow we are going to be absolutely destroyed with every single release she puts out and I will be forever on my hands and knees worshiping Katie and her absolute talent
wow words cannot describe how beautiful this was. from the descriptions to the growth to the characters to the way it made me feel. It’s literal warmth. The coziest book you could ever read. A book to snuggle up with in the coldest winters. A book to read in the brightest of daylight on the beach.
Nina the cynic of love. the grumpy girl. Jackson. The epitome of a ray of sunshine. Ugh i loved it. Their relationship if you look it up in the dictionary is under sunshine. I don’t care. They define that word.
It’s the way he helped her see love as something warm and not cold. The way he wriggled into her iced out heart and gripped it so fiercely. And then the way she showed him that he doesn’t always need to be the rock for his family. That he needs a shoulder to lean on as well when all is falling apart.
Nothing will compare to this book. Nothing will ever top this book. And it being her debut??! Wow we are going to be absolutely destroyed with every single release she puts out and I will be forever on my hands and knees worshiping Katie and her absolute talent
February 15, 2023
Loved the characters and banter in this book
February 23, 2022
2.5 ⭐️
I signed up for this ARC pretty excited about this book and let me tell you, it was definitely not what I expected. I see that people spoke about this book very heavily on twitter and hyped this book a lot. It was originally on Wattpad however, I didn’t read that version so all this is new to me.
The writing was good. Usually books that are from wattpad and have become published, don’t have excellent writing but this was the opposite. It was readable and there weren’t many mistakes at all, editing was great on this book. It was honestly like it’s not even a wattpad book, and as if the author has a lot of publishing experience. I think this book is a good debut book, and I don’t expect it to be perfect.
Despite writing, I do feel like without a good plot, a book isn’t complete and I felt this in many ways when reading this.
The main trope was Grumpy x Sunshine, but unfortunately I got nothing. Nina is described to be dark, brooding and an epitome of a thunderstorm but she was nothing like that. There were many times were she was acc quite happy and smiling, she was definitely not moody in any way, and was very much okay with the idea of love. I was disappointed because you don’t really get books where the girl is grumpy, so I was looking forward to that. I really wanted a female mc who doesn’t like guys because of her last experience and the guy is the opposite and will show her how to love again, and make her more open. Almost break the wall down, however that happened quick and wasn’t hard for Jackson.
Jackson was Jackson. To me, he wasn’t anything special. I just felt like he was there and didn’t really do much. I’m sad because I really wanted to know more about him, but all I know that he is Myles' best friend and that he is an adopted child. I guess he was much more sunshine like compared to Nina, but again, it wasn’t shown and there wasn’t much of a difference their personalities.
Their relationship progressed very quickly and I didn’t see any development at all. I didn’t really see an attraction between Nina and Jackson, their relationship didn’t have a spark most couples in books do, and it didn’t leave me with remembering much about them. They weren’t very significant to me. The epilogue was quite boring with them getting engaged and married, I felt like it didn’t need both at all.
In this book, Nina has had an awful past relationship with her ex Myles. Her relationship left her very devastated and broken which she had to receive therapy sessions for. I loved how the author included that and showed the reality of relationships and the effect of them but wished she explored it more and delved into it further showing how raw and emotional it can be. Speaking about Myles, he was brought up in this book so many times, at one point I was getting extremely annoyed. He was in almost every chapter and his name was repeated probably more times than Nina and Jackson. At the start I was questioning if this is some second chance romance and she’ll go back to Myles. It didn’t help he was a complete asshole, and Nina made it her whole personality. All she talked about was him up until the last 8 chapters. I didn’t care about him.
The friendship aspect was great in the book and I loved Nina’s friends and the energy they bought. They were so supportive and truly how friends should be like so that was a good touch to the book. It added a lot more and was nice to read about.
I think this book had a lot of potential and it was an okay read but if I was being super picky I would think some parts were rushed and lacking. It’s not bad at all, and definitely much better than many books I have read but the author is new to publishing and I wish her all the best of luck. I will be looking out for future words from the author because I do believe her books would be incredible.
ARC PROVIDED BY AUTHOR FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!
I signed up for this ARC pretty excited about this book and let me tell you, it was definitely not what I expected. I see that people spoke about this book very heavily on twitter and hyped this book a lot. It was originally on Wattpad however, I didn’t read that version so all this is new to me.
The writing was good. Usually books that are from wattpad and have become published, don’t have excellent writing but this was the opposite. It was readable and there weren’t many mistakes at all, editing was great on this book. It was honestly like it’s not even a wattpad book, and as if the author has a lot of publishing experience. I think this book is a good debut book, and I don’t expect it to be perfect.
Despite writing, I do feel like without a good plot, a book isn’t complete and I felt this in many ways when reading this.
The main trope was Grumpy x Sunshine, but unfortunately I got nothing. Nina is described to be dark, brooding and an epitome of a thunderstorm but she was nothing like that. There were many times were she was acc quite happy and smiling, she was definitely not moody in any way, and was very much okay with the idea of love. I was disappointed because you don’t really get books where the girl is grumpy, so I was looking forward to that. I really wanted a female mc who doesn’t like guys because of her last experience and the guy is the opposite and will show her how to love again, and make her more open. Almost break the wall down, however that happened quick and wasn’t hard for Jackson.
Jackson was Jackson. To me, he wasn’t anything special. I just felt like he was there and didn’t really do much. I’m sad because I really wanted to know more about him, but all I know that he is Myles' best friend and that he is an adopted child. I guess he was much more sunshine like compared to Nina, but again, it wasn’t shown and there wasn’t much of a difference their personalities.
Their relationship progressed very quickly and I didn’t see any development at all. I didn’t really see an attraction between Nina and Jackson, their relationship didn’t have a spark most couples in books do, and it didn’t leave me with remembering much about them. They weren’t very significant to me. The epilogue was quite boring with them getting engaged and married, I felt like it didn’t need both at all.
In this book, Nina has had an awful past relationship with her ex Myles. Her relationship left her very devastated and broken which she had to receive therapy sessions for. I loved how the author included that and showed the reality of relationships and the effect of them but wished she explored it more and delved into it further showing how raw and emotional it can be. Speaking about Myles, he was brought up in this book so many times, at one point I was getting extremely annoyed. He was in almost every chapter and his name was repeated probably more times than Nina and Jackson. At the start I was questioning if this is some second chance romance and she’ll go back to Myles. It didn’t help he was a complete asshole, and Nina made it her whole personality. All she talked about was him up until the last 8 chapters. I didn’t care about him.
The friendship aspect was great in the book and I loved Nina’s friends and the energy they bought. They were so supportive and truly how friends should be like so that was a good touch to the book. It added a lot more and was nice to read about.
I think this book had a lot of potential and it was an okay read but if I was being super picky I would think some parts were rushed and lacking. It’s not bad at all, and definitely much better than many books I have read but the author is new to publishing and I wish her all the best of luck. I will be looking out for future words from the author because I do believe her books would be incredible.
ARC PROVIDED BY AUTHOR FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2022
“If we hook up, I’d want you to remember it. And more importantly, enjoy it.”
Jackson Ross is up there on my list of favourite book boyfriends! I could not fault this book, I read it on Wattpad and I didn’t think it could get any better but it did! The extra scenes that weren’t on Wattpad made me so happy and just added more to the book.
I love the unique plot and the execution of the characters, they have such a depth to them that make them 3D. There’s so many cute moments in the book that make you swoon and like Nina I fell in love with Jackson.
I was also invested into the side characters and their relationships. I love that each character seems to go on their own journey and there’s lots of character growth as well especially from Nina. I related to the topics in this book a lot and I could feel the emotion put into those scenes. I could relate to Jackson a lot.
100% one of my favourite books and a must read.
Jackson Ross is up there on my list of favourite book boyfriends! I could not fault this book, I read it on Wattpad and I didn’t think it could get any better but it did! The extra scenes that weren’t on Wattpad made me so happy and just added more to the book.
I love the unique plot and the execution of the characters, they have such a depth to them that make them 3D. There’s so many cute moments in the book that make you swoon and like Nina I fell in love with Jackson.
I was also invested into the side characters and their relationships. I love that each character seems to go on their own journey and there’s lots of character growth as well especially from Nina. I related to the topics in this book a lot and I could feel the emotion put into those scenes. I could relate to Jackson a lot.
100% one of my favourite books and a must read.
February 28, 2022
I never quite understood how a book reader could have a comfort book. Now i do!!
I'm obsessed with them, they served in every way from their first meeting to the epilogue. I love everything about it especially sweet sweet jenko!!
I'm obsessed with them, they served in every way from their first meeting to the epilogue. I love everything about it especially sweet sweet jenko!!
June 27, 2022
4 stars
Very sweeet
Very sweeet
March 6, 2022
this book. i loved everything abt it and more. the communication, healthy familial relationships, healthy friendships and poc women‼️ this book is the epitome of romance. nina's coping process of getting over her ex should be normalized, we all go thru things like this and ITS NORMAL. whether it be a platonic or romantic relationship w someone. i loved the relationship she had w her parents and her best friends. it was authentic and it felt real. the pace of her blooming friendship & relationship w jackson felt so realistic i absolutely loved that. jackson is the sweetest man on the face of this planet. overall there weren't obscene amounts of lusty vibes in this book and while that all depends on your preference, i loved the pure and authentic romance and love we were given in this book. congrats katie, can't wait for release day :)
February 27, 2022
there are not enough words in the world to describe my feelings for finishing this book.
Mine Would Be You is a love story that will stick in my heart forever, as Jackson and Nina face their trials and tribulations, but do it together as a united front. Katie is one of the most talented writers and I am so grateful and proud to call her a friend.
This is a story that will stay with my heart all my life, as there are so many moments where I can relate to Nina and how she feels throughout the book, even bringing me to tearful moments (and I will barely show emotions while I read).
I cannot wait until the world has access to this story.
Mine Would Be You is a love story that will stick in my heart forever, as Jackson and Nina face their trials and tribulations, but do it together as a united front. Katie is one of the most talented writers and I am so grateful and proud to call her a friend.
This is a story that will stay with my heart all my life, as there are so many moments where I can relate to Nina and how she feels throughout the book, even bringing me to tearful moments (and I will barely show emotions while I read).
I cannot wait until the world has access to this story.
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