Always Meant to Be

by Siobhan Davis

An emotional and angst-filled stand-alone taboo reverse age-gap romance.

He’s my eighteen-year-old son’s best friend, and I’m old enough to know better.

My marriage is falling apart, and Vander’s home life is tragic.

Yet, his broken parts speak to mine, and amid all the chaos, a true connection is formed.

The only peace I find is in those stolen moments when we share our darkest secrets and our deepest desires.

This thing between us has disaster written all over it.

But I’m powerless to resist the magnetic pull that draws us closer and closer.

Until lines are crossed, boundaries are broken, and everything I thought I knew about myself is undone.

This reverse age-gap romance contains mature scenes, dark themes, and situations that may push your boundaries. Reader caution is advised.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Dark Romance, High School, Dark

490 pages, ebook

First published February 28, 2022

About the author

Download a free copy of Tell It to My Heart: https://bit.ly/TITMHDLGR

Siobhan Davis™ is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Top 5 bestselling romance author. Siobhan writes emotionally intense stories with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She has sold millions of books, and her titles are translated into several languages.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.

Siobhan currently lives with her husband in Cyprus while their two grown-up sons reside at the family home in Ireland.

Connect with Siobhan:

Website: www.siobhandavis.com
Facebook: AuthorSiobhanDavis
Instagram: siobhandavisauthor
Email: siobhan@siobhandavis.com
TikTok: @siobhandavisauthor
Readers Group: https://bit.ly/35yTX14

I don't read messages on Goodreads or check my inbox. If you need to contact me, email is the best.

Reviews

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 ALWAYS MEANT TO BE MINE 📚 Is a full length taboo reverse age-gap romance book by Author Siobhan Davis. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives.'

This is going to be kind of a no frills review..Because you need to go in blind with this one..Get hit by the feels..Get hit by a mac truck with a few twists and turns that had me biting my nails..

On the outside it looked like Kendall Hawthorne had it all, a successful husband, three wonderful children whom she adored, and she'd always be the first one to put her hand up for anyone in need, she's was beautiful, selfless, married to her high school sweet heart. But delve deeper and there's cracks in this foundation and we've got front row seats as things unfold.



Vander Henley, his upbringing was less than desirable, a father rotten to the core and a mother that was spiralling down a dark tunnel clutching a bottle of vodka. All the girls at school wanted him but his heart was beating in synch with Kendalls. He knew it was wrong, he knew it would sever the bond between him and his best friend West. But love is love. He just needed to convince her to take a chance on them..

This pulled me in straight away, that feeling of doom hitting me in the gut scared of the repercussions if they got caught, worried about a long standing friend ship which could all go down the gurgler depending which way things went.

With this age gap you kind of don't notice it, it's so well written and with all things taken into account they were perfectly matched, I couldn't get enough of these two, so many obstacles, lies, deception this book pretty much had it all.

                  

[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the annual psychic night with her besties, Kendall Hawthorne expects to learn whether or not her high school sweetheart, now husband, Curtis, is cheating on her again. In a shocking turn of events, Dee, the medium, wants to talk more about the other man she sees in Kendall’s life. When asked “How does he look at you?” Giving voice to her most private thoughts, Kendall tells her “Like he has a hotline to my soul and my inner most thoughts and feelings. Like he sees me.“

{Insert Chills}

With Dee affirming that, despite the significant difference in age, Vander Henley, her son, West’s 18-year old best friend, is her soulmate, we begin the most unique and interesting take on a romance I’ve read in a very long time.

The odds were stacked against Vander and Kendall from the start. Yet nothing - not time nor distance nor circumstances - could hamper their love for one another. The unfortunate events they encountered were believable and relatable, making their story that much more heartbreaking.

“I have loved you in every lifetime that has come before. I’ll love you in this one and every lifetime that comes after.”

{Insert Chills}

I wholeheartedly loved Van and Ken’s story. It was a rollercoaster of emotions with action and drama, unparalleled chemistry, romance, swoon, and spice, and an intense, all-consuming connection that will leave your heart pounding and your body covered in goosebumps.

Siobhan Davis has a way of writing stories that completely break you apart before piecing you back together. The pain Vander and Kendall were feeling was palpable. It left me gutted and utterly destroyed in the best possible way. I knew getting there wasn’t going to be easy, but the conclusion to this story was everything I could have hoped for. My heart took a beating from the very first page and it was worth every single tear. Always Meant to Be, an epic love story, many lifetimes in the making.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: 😩🥲😭🥲😩
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Heat: 🌶🌶
Darkness: 🖤

🗂 Genre: Contemporary Romance

✨ Tropes: Age Gap, Forbidden

⛔️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care.

⚠️ Safety Squad: Borderline Cheating, Domestic Violence (Not Against h), Sėxual Assault (Not by H), OW Drama (Mild)

📣 Type: Always Meant to Be is a standalone.

[Siobhan Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

AVAILABLE NOW:
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FREE TO READ IN KINDLE UNLIMITED

Tropes:
Reverse age-gap
Taboo/forbidden
Son's Best Friend
Friends to Lovers
Second Chance

[Crystal (Crystalreads2) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been over a week since I read the book, and I have written a review several times already. I just felt I didn't do the book any justice. It's been a while since a book moved me this much. It's my favorite book by the author.

Always Meant to be s based on two soulmates reunited through several periods. Focusing on the present.
Not only is this book beautiful, but it's also has a reverse age gap, which is always one of my favorites. Now add taboo with son's best friend.

Kendall is far from happy with her marriage. She is trying everything to keep it together for her children's sake, and she has her suspicions about her pos husband. Now add secretly attracted to Vander.

Vander is Kendall's son's best friend. How sexy and beyond mature for his age. If you had his home life, you would too. Just because your family has money doesn't mean you have love. Vander has loved Kendall since day one. He sat back, watched from afar, and waited. Now he is done with waiting.

The chemistry between the two is smoking. I was waiting for both of them to ignite once they were together, and I was far from disappointed when it happened.

Always Meant To Be touched my heart and soul—so many emotions. From sixty-five percent one, I couldn't stop crying or being enraged. The ending is e everything, and I didn't want to say goodbye to these beautiful characters.

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.75* This book takes the reverse age gap and puts a really interesting twist on it. While I'm not a big fan of such a huge age gap (17 years between them), the entire theme surrounding this couple is all about their reincarnation. Their souls recognize each other through past lives. So it's not just book about an older woman and a much younger man, it incorporates a love across lifetimes.

The book opens with the h getting a reading from a psychic.

“In every lifetime, you find one another because the bond is so strong nothing can keep you apart. Not oceans or mountains or timing or other people.” Her eyes drill into mine. “Not age.”

The h (35) is in a miserable marriage, her husband is cheating. Her son’s best friend, the H (18) is in his last year of high school. They feel drawn towards each other, but try so hard to not act on it. He is actually a much more experienced lover, as she's only ever been with her a-hole husband.

I absolutely loved the ideas around this theme and really enjoyed reading this book up until around the 60% mark. That's when the book went crazy crazy crazy and incorporated the most OTT ridiculous drama. Nothing made sense, it was just there to create angst, which was a real bummer because the beginning of this book was so wonderful. I absolutely love the connections these two souls had and wish the book had continued with simply that message and love story.

This book had it all:
Friends to lovers
Son's best friend
Forbidden romance
Reverse age gap
Second chance romance

This book features two incredibly broken marriages, spousal abuse, loveless marriage, divorce, cheating, physical abuse, lying, and blackmailing.

Huge spoilers here, that will ruin the angsty drama so don’t click unless you REALLY want to know. I really disliked that this couple was kept apart for eight years. I disliked the drama with his father, I disliked the drama with her ex-husband and his girlfriend, I really disliked the idea that she had to survive her pregnancy, childbirth, and raising their daughter all by herself because of what? I honestly don't understand why his father kept them apart and how the hatred of his own son would fuel him to separate this couple.

I also wished there had been more discussion on what happened to them over this 8 year period. Did they see others? Was that one lousy BJ he got the only “cheating” that happened? It really made zero sense.

5 huge stars for the first half, and 1.5 for the last half. I’m rounding way up because I LOVE the idea of this love story so much. Just wished the last half didn’t suck the life out of me.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one, it was totally different to other age gap romance I have picked up, and I couldn't put this one down absolutely loved it.

There is and on going theme peppered through the book about soul mates, and passed lives I found interesting and although I saw some of the plot twists, I did see all of them which I loved.

Happy Reading🙂 📚📙📚📗📘📕📔📒📙📚📓📘📗📚📕📔📖📙📒📓📚📙📖📗📘📕📔📚📖

[Jena]

When a middle aged woman/ h(35) is desperate for a 18yr old boy/H, her own sons bff, she’s plain pathetic and cringey. She’s been pining for him since he was 15!🤮🤮🤮
Who’s bright idea for a romance novel was this.🙄

They break up and he gets a BJ from an ow near his age. I don’t blame this guy.,I would’ve done it too.🤷🏻‍♀️

Avoid

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siobhan Davis always knows how to surprise me, and I love nothing more than when she tackles an angst forbidden romance story. Her unique dramatic flair married to her emotionally complex character writing makes for such a delicious combination- stories that you can’t put down AND that touch the heart. And Always Meant to Be does just that. Diving into a new trope to her repertoire, Siobhan gives us yet another addictively consuming love story that pushes boundaries and fills your heart.

I love age gap stories in general, but I particularly love when authors write the inverse of the well-trodden iteration of the trope. We don’t get it often in the romance world, the result of the forbidden merging with the latent patriarchal archetypes of romance we’ve all internalized. So I RELISH when an author breaks outside of that box, and who better than Siobhan Davis?! Siobahn is so great at defying and recreating tropes to make them her own, so I knew her take on it would be riveting, complicated, sordid and emotional, but I had now idea just how complicated this story would be. The moment I felt I had my bearings with the obstacles, we’d have a new twist to battle. This is just just about the reverse age gap but also the forbidden flair- as our heroine falls into an illicit attraction with her son’s barely legal best friend. OH THE DRAMA. THE ANGST. And yet again, that’s where Siobhan puts this story on it’s head, brilliantly so- because the only thing we COULD count on were the feelings, the emotional charge and undeniable chemistry between Vander and Kendall. Soulmates through and through- but with obstacles so abundant that their taboo felt like the least of their worries. Leave it to Siobhan to take an already juicy trope and make it even more salaciously dramatic.

Yet amidst all the drama and taboo deliciousness, there’s a sweet and tender beating heart. Two characters who discover love in the most un “conventional” places, and Siobhan gives us an emotional romance between them that unapologetically sparkles with this stories themes- that love is love, that if love is meant to be, it will find a way. While there’s a large age gap between these characters and certainly at first you’re wondering where the line is, the taboo of their age gap gradually blurs as we start to recognize their true connection. Like two close friends- one old at heart (and persistently emotionally open- how swoony!) and the other robbed of much of her love trying to reclaim and purpose that is just for her. We jump straight into serious feelings, which really works because we jump past that psychological transition straight into the romantic pull between these two- there’s no time or space to doubt it’s acceptability because Siobhan unapologetically declares that it just is.

Both characters are very likable and endearing- and , in true Siobhan fashion, we have plenty of less likable side characters ensuring disruption towards the HEA. There are many unexpected elements and twists, and one plot device that jarred me a bit because I was not expecting it. I also found a surprising amount of emotional connection just with Kendall’s struggles with her family- as someone who was part of a family structure that stayed together far beyond its expiration date in the name of stability for me and my siblings, I found this part of the narrative both really compelling, believable, and personal, and it speaks a lot to Kendall’s journey as a character- and how she finds ways to harness her altruism and selfless love of others in ways that no longer sacrifice herself entirely.

This story is quite unexpected, nothing like it seemed, but as always, I leave thoroughly entertained and emotionally fulfilled and pensive all at once. Love comes in so many forms- there is no formula, and I especially love the stories that help us see a facet not often told. Sexy, swoony, angsty, and edge of your seat suspenseful- this has all that Siobhan Davis effect!

[Rosabel]

I read: Age gap, between a woman an a dude of 19, I thought: ewww but also: FINALLY! Someone puts women in roles that they aren't normally put in books, when it does happen in real life.

So I started this really excited, determined to forgive and overlook how the dude is so young, no matter how "mature" he seems and how the woman is married.

And I tried... and yes, you guessed, I failed. 🥲

My reasons:

- In the first chapter we get a woman, a bruja, a witch or whatever, telling the main girl that the little dude is her SOULMATE, that they have encountered each other again and again in other lives....

BULLSHIT!!! WHY do we need reasons to be fucked up, women have done this, ¡dated young dudes I mean) I've seen docuseries about it, and they didn't say: oh yeah, a shooting star told me it was ok. IT'S NOT!!! And that is why is taboo, so no, don't justify an adult being shity and give me the darkkkkkkkkkkk side ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Didn't happen.

- Second, the husband was a cheater, again, it felt like another justification for what was about to happen and I didn't want that, I wanted issues, darkness, problems, sick shit, a perfect husband who didn't deserve it, or something! But nope, no way jose.

- Third, the relationship had already started before the book, the attraction was first felt when little dude was 15 years old, and it wasn't shown because again, justify, we must justify women.

- And last, the first time they got together I couldn't withstand their dialog:

He moves in, closing the gap I just created, taking my hands in his. “I know who you are, and I see the things even you don’t see or refuse to acknowledge.”

Your 19 honey, you don't see shit! And that would have been ok, if the guy would have been older, if the situation was different. If the women had said this I would have gone cheerleader on her ass, because that was more believable.

So it's not a roll reversal, the guy reads like a 30 something and the woman reads like 19, a teenager. I wanted the opposite! I wanted girl boss giving hell to the guy, making the calls, being assertive, being strong, fucking him up.

Got the opposite so I didn't continue. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

[MoreBooksPlease! · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

This book contains two of my most despised plot devices, Insta-love and multiple over the top villains There was also a psychic prediction that the H and H were together in past lives. Gimme a break! 🙄
The whole storyline is cringy to the max. The heroine develops an intense attraction to the hero when he’s only 15. I have a 15 year old son and boys that age are awkward and gawky. Just…no…and yuck!

[Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕]

[Kelly_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story evolved around tragedy and hope, showing humanity at its best and worse, and the good in people while enduring all the pain, stress, and worry in this world.
Always Meant to Be is about fate and soulmates finding each other in every lifetime. Living half a life when they are apart but feeling complete and whole when they are together.
Kendall is married and they have three beautiful children but their marriage is not the blessing it should be. Vander is a young man who has so many dark skeletons in his family that it amazes me he is still a good person.
Siobhan Davis has written an emotionally charged story about love and devotion, she has added the remarkable subject of soulmates and the coming together of these hearts.
Beautiful and well written story!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went in with zero expectations and ended up loving the hell out of this.

This was not perfect, hence the 4 stars instead of 5 because of some things that happened in the book and at times it got a little too sappy for my taste. But still, a great read!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one wasn’t for me either for personal reasons. The age gap just didn’t work, but the idea of rebirth and souls finding each other in each life was a beautiful idea.

Arc review

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a new to me author and I picked it up because it made one of my GR friends cry. And I know she doesn't cry easily. So i thought, hell yeah - bring that one!

Vander is Kendall's son's best friend. He has been in love with her since he was 15 and on the day he turns 18, he shares this with her. Kendall is still married and nothing happens between them but it is clear she also has feelings and is quite conflicted about this. Vander decides he is done with waiting and sets about pursuing Kendall. There is some background drama with a cheating husband, a pyschotic father and some other minor OW drama for Vander.

This is a story about soul mates. Soul mates throughout time and it really did have the potential to be truly heart wrenching and beautiful. It just wasn't for me. That might be a 'me' thing but I just found the endless proliferation of Vander's family drama a bit tiresome. I suspect maybe if it was introduced earlier in a different way I might have bought it ( and I can see the logic in why happened the way it did. It just didn't work for me). It just felt like another thing happened, then another, then another and I just didn't buy it. Though I really wanted to!

I also felt like the story would have been a lot stronger, and definitely made me ugly cry if Kendall's husband hadn't been such a cheating arsehole. That bit did make me so sad for her, but it also detracted from the potential angst of her feelings vs her love for her husband. It just gave an easy rationale for her to act on her feelings

Overall, I did enjoy this somewhat but it just wasn't for me

triggers:
cheating
OW drama
sexual assault (not by, or of H)

[💜VGreedyReader🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

★3.75★

An emotionally charged reverse age gap story. Kendall and Varden will warm your hearts with their tale.

"𝑴𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒕. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒐 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔"

Age gap is a very common trope among romances, but the most portrayed stories include younger woman and older man. And I, like the majority of people, always think of it in that way too. It’s like society accepts this idea but if the opposite happens then it doesn’t feel okay or even real. Well, I believe we need more stories where the woman is older than the man, I wish this setting was more developed. This was one of the biggest motivators that pushed me to read this book, that and all the positive reviews.

"𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒚. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆"

I enjoyed how Kendall and Varden were brought together, their story isn’t an easy one, there were many obstacles on their way, I appreciated how Kendall was so considerate and kind, I believe she deserves all the happiness and love. She may have been gullible and in some circumstances I wanted to shake her, she took her time to get out of her shell but in the end she became a formidable woman.

Varden albeit young has an old soul, his family life forced him to grow up and become an adult before his due time. I’m happy the author showed his naïve young side and didn’t force on us someone too far fetched for an 18 years old, just to fit the story.

I like the idea behind Kendall and Verdant connection, although I’m a big believer of soul mates, and I was fond of how everything linked the two characters, in this case, it came across as a justification, as if there should have been a bigger, unexplainable by the human mind, reason they couldn’t be apart. I would have liked the author to be braver in approaching the taboo side of this tale.

The story is told in dual POV it’s well written but the narrative pace is sometimes slow, I wished for something more fast paced, on one hand the rhythm reflected the tone of the story, almost like the author wanted us to take our time to absorb the severity of the events described. On the other hand it dragged a bit prolonging the events development.

Overall this is a good story, some parts were repetitive and I felt they were unnecessary. For most of the first part of the story Kendall kept saying that everything she did was for her kids. Given her sweet and caring nature her love for her children reflected on her actions therefore the fact that she was singing the same tune over and over was redundant.

I was glad I could read this story and I genuinely enjoyed it, however it didn’t make my heart beat frantically, I didn’t find the edginess I expected, it didn’t push my boundaries nor shoved me out of my comfort zone, which is what I would have expected given the reverse age gap topic. Of course this is my personal opinion, I stand behind the idea that we need more stories like this one and I urge you to read this story if you like the trope. Thank you Ms Davis for taking the plunge and giving it to us.

[crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

always meant to be truly took me by surprise! this was the first ever reverse age gap i truly enjoyed and i loved it so much.

vander and kendall are everything. i adored them so much. fluff overload!! i lived for their moments. their romance was so touching, so raw and real. i craved their happiness because they both deserved it so freaking much. the way they were literally meant for each other gave me chills ugh! vander and kendall’s love for one another is truly beautiful 🥺

i loved every second of this book and actually want more! from the start to the ending, vander and kendall had me. that ending is definitely one of my favorites i have ever read. it was so cute and so fulfilling. siobhan never disappoints. 🥺

and thank you so much to siobhan and her team for sending me an ARC! love this book so dearly.

[ABookLover73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

e-book: 5🌟

FIVE ALWAYS STARS for Kendall and Vander 💚🖤💚🖤!!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

While I love reading almost all the tropes that can be found in today’s romance books, the age-gap trope is one of the tropes I don’t read so often and with which I'm always very careful.

But when it comes to the love affair between an older woman and a younger man, I’m pretty skeptical about whether I like the book or not.

Before reading this book, I read maybe one or two books where a woman was older than a man and I liked them, but the age gap was no more than ten years.

When I found out that Siobhan’s new book would be on the topic and that the difference between heroine and hero would be more than ten years, I was curious but also scared that I wouldn’t like the book.

But, as always, the author did a masterful job and of course, I liked the book more than I thought would.

"Always Meant to Be" is a contemporary romance with an age-gap trope that will draw you into the story with its introduction and you simply won't be able to put it down.

Kendall and Vander are a couple for whom you'll wholeheartedly want to get their happy ending because of all the obstacles they'll encounter throughout the book.

If you love age-gap tropes and you are also a fan of Siobhan's books then this is the book for you!!!

Highly recommended!!!

[T'Odes · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was ... uncomfortable to read. He was 18, her son's best friend, married albeit unhappy, she works with his dad....35yrs old. I knew from chapter 1 it wasn't going to be a good read once I came across soul mates, reincarnation shit ...if you're going to write a taboo do so with your full chest. Lovers in their past life my black ass!

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice and light read! The time jump at the end caught me off guard, but I also just really really loved their happy ending.

Vander is such a sweet hero. He’s in love with Kendall from the very beginning and it’s endearing watching him care for her. He also didn’t act like an 18 year old so I honestly kept forgetting it was an age gap!

Kendall is an amazing mom. That was one of my favorite parts about this book was watching her relationship with her children. She’s such a selfless person and she truly deserved Vander.

[Lenor · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our souls are carved from the same entity. You are the other piece of me. I was meant to find you, Kendall. We were always meant to be...”

Shattered!! That’s exactly how I feel after reading Always Meant to Be, Siobhan Davis has a way of writing stories that can completely break your heart, I mean this book destroyed every single part of me by 20%, I was ugly crying in the best way…oh my poor heart!!!

This book is angsty, has all the drama and romance you would expect in a reverse age gap romance between two characters that are mean to be but can’t. The beautiful cover portraits at perfection the kind of love this story tells… I can’t even explain what this book did to me, I devoured this in a day.

A mother of three, in a loveless marriage; a boy always watching her, a pull between them that is undeniable.

This for me is like the Chinese legend, it says that an invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may be stretched or tangled, but will never break…this is exactly how I see the story between Kendall and Vander. I hope you love their story as much as I did.

What to expect:
- Reverse age gap romance
- A wife in a loveless marriage
- A boy from a broken home
- Drama
- A hero that will conquer your heart
- More than one villain
- Double POV
- Trigger warning

[Kindle Crack Book Reviews Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This is no cookie-cutter forbidden romance!

Always Meant to Be by Siobhan Davis is a binge read. This taboo romance had the perfect amount of angst, spice, and well-placed plot twists! I won’t spoil this book for you. Go in blind. This is a standalone. One-click worthy.

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, angsty read!

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: taboo/son's best friend
Angst: 😱😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥

Good lord, this is some angsty reading at its finist! Kendall Hawthorne's life appears to be on autopilot, despite husband troubles. Despite the fact that she feels this deep seated pull forwards her son's best friend that she cannot wish away. And that he obviously feels the same way. Vander He let's life has been full of pain. His father is abusive and his mother is a wreck. The one light in his life is Kendall. He knows they are meant to be, they just need to overcome, well, everyone and everything.

I REALLY loved this story. Reverse age gaps are my favorite, but this had almost a supernatural, fated twist to it that made it extra good. SOOO many obstacles for them to overcome and you see them all coming, with no clear answer other than it was never going to be easy. The story is beautifully written, well paced, and has just enough twists to keep the claws in deep. Very much the emotional rollercoaster ride with drama coming from every angle, lol. This is a super hard fought HEA that is destined to become a fave for anyone who reads it!

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always Meant To Be was such a heartbreakingly beautiful story!

Your writing is fantastic; you pulled every emotion out of me from this story! It gets pretty deep at times and makes your heart crumble.

"You're imprinted in here the same way you're imprinted in my heart."

Having connected with Kendall on such a personal level, I felt every emotion she felt and saw the trials she endured, but she never gave up. Kendall was such a strong, brave soul, and I loved her character.

I wanted to reach in the book and smack the crap out of two characters. I won't spoil it for anyone.

Always Meant To Be was my first book from you, and I immediately fell in love with the story and the characters.

"I crave her with a need that is possessive and instinctual, and it honestly feels like I'm going out of my mind."

Kendall and Vander will always hold a special place in my heart; their story was amazing.

I can't wait to read more books from you.

[.*•. ☾ sephia ☾ .•*. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 The start of this book was so good! There was so much tension, chemistry and pining, and then as usual as soon as the characters had sex the plot and chemistry is lost and it’s extremely boring lol.

I loved the reverse gender roles in this book as usually in this trope it’s the man whose the older one, but in this case in was a woman which was an interesting reverse. I love how people are so mad about these books when the roles are reversed though with a woman. Guys it’s just a book and a bit of fun lol 😂

I did love the aspect of reincarnation and it’s made me want to look into it again. If things like this happen it is truly beautiful ✨ I truly believe in reincarnation and past lives.

[YYCGirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lost my interest when it was mentioned that she’s been like in love with him when he was 15. She is in her mid 30s or something, married, her son is best friends with Vander and it just feels so wrong! 🤮 The psychic/reincarnation stuff didn’t help.

[Megb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to make myself savor this book and not devour it all in one sitting. I made myself walk away and the strength that took was immense!

This book was spectacular and completely unique! I have never read anything like it and I was obsessed!

Kendall Hawthorne has the perfect life, family, marriage... everything. Married to her high school sweetheart and a wonderful mom, but things aren't always as they seem.

Curtis is Kendall's husband, his character left something to be desired.. he was arrogant and a total jerk most of the time, but he knew how to hide his true persona.

Gregory Henley is their neighbor, he is a lawyer and knows he has enough people in his pockets to do whatever he wants and get away with it, but the extent of that was mindboggling.

Then there is West, Stella, and Ridge who are Kendall's children and the highlight of her life. They are amazing kids and love their mother something fierce.

Last but not least we have Vander Henley, West's best friend. He is rugged and sweet and gorgeous. He is the quintessential bad boy on the outside, all the girls at school want him but he isn't the least bit interested.

I was so invested in these characters and this story, I was crying with them and then laughing through my tears. It was such an emotional ride. I loved it and hated it all the same. There are so many different ways this story went and it was so taxing on my emotions but oh so worth it. I love the way Siobhan really brought life into these characters. I felt them in my soul.

"Our souls are carved from the same entity. You are the other piece of me. I was meant to find you, Kendall. We were always meant to be."

Can we talk about the quotability of this book? I highlighted more in this book than I ever have and that is what makes a book stick with you. I loved Vander and his way of making you turn to mush at his words and I love how freely he loved.. He is absolutely without a doubt my favorite character that I have read this year. I don't want to give any of the story or plot away but the end of the book was fascinating. I loved it. There was philosophy, there was art, there was interpretations... this book was so much more than just a love story.

"we get into a deep conversation about life and death, Kendall's philosophy class, and MGK and Megan Fox."

I hated how hard things were and how hurt everybody was, but I loved the way things worked out. It was torturous and my jaw dropped when some of the things were happening, but it was realistic even when it was heartbreaking. It wasn't sugarcoated or cinematically inflated, it was raw.

"No sane person can understand the mind of a psychopath. There's no way of comprehending how people can do such evil things."

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: taboo/son's best friend
Angst: 😱😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥

Good lord, this is some angsty storytelling at its finest! Kendall Hawthorne's life appears to be on autopilot, despite husband troubles. Despite the fact that she feels this deep seated pull toward her son's best friend that she cannot wish away. And that he obviously feels the same. Vandar Henley's life has been full of pain. His father is abusive and his mother is a wreck. The one light in his life is Kendall. He knows they're meant to be, they just have to overcome, well, everyone and everything.

I REALLY loved this story. Reverse age gaps are my favorite, but this had almost a supernatural, fated twist to it that made it extra good. SOOO many obstacles for them to overcome and you could see them all coming, with no clear answer other than it was never going to be easy. The story is beautifully written, well paced, and has just enough twists to keep the claws in deep. Very much the emotional rollercoaster ride with drama coming from every angle, lol. This is a super hard fought HEA that is destined to become a favorite of everyone who reads it!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, tender story based around enduring love, one which has threaded through many pasts, which is filled with uncertainty, tragedy, angst and, above all, love. This story came as unexpected, but very welcome surprise, from the pen of this author. It is a sweeping, deeply immersuve and gripping story, which held me in its grip from the start. I experienced so many different emotions that my heart was tripping over itself on so many occasions. Kendall and Vander are amazing, apart and together. And what they go through! I can absolutely say that I really didn't like Curtis! And Greg! Be ready for a roller coaster!
I loved this book so much! 💖💖💖💖💖

[The MasqueReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

ENDEARING & FORBIDDEN LOVE!

WOW! Proof that Siobhan Davis can write from one of my least favorite tropes and her writing can still captivate me. Reverse Age Gap is a trope I barely read from, I learned early on I didn't enjoy it much. Not sure what it is but it's just not my thing. So I never seek them out, but when one of my favorite authors writes one I already know I'm going to read it. Siobhan writes some of the most angsty & heartbreaking romances out there. This woman is going to bring you a beautiful romance and then put you through the ringer before you get to enjoy their happily ever after. And she does it in a way that leaves you saying, "Yes, please can I have more?!!!!" This is exactly what happened with Always Meant To Be.

If you roll into this book expecting or just wanting some age gap romance, you are going to miss out. There is a bigger story playing out here; I just hope you all see it and enjoy it as much as I did. These two have a powerful & passionate love that can endure anything that threatens it. There's just enough of forbidden mixed with a whole lot of adoration, passion and anguish. I'm always drawn to forbidden love stories, but the author has to do the work to keep me once I get there. Siobhan Davis has accomplished that with this endearing and enchanting romance.