6 years ago I walked away from Brooklyn and left my heart in the hands of the one person who never really wanted it ... or so I thought.
Now I'm back, fighting for what I want, fighting for what's mine and most of all, fighting between the decision of whether to follow my head or my heart.
I'm learning things aren't always what they seem. What I thought was the end of our journey was only the beginning, but sometimes in life happily ever afters don't come easily, and ours just might prove impossible.
**Always You is Book 1 in the Always Series. This book is part of a trilogy and is not a standalone.**
Author Lizzie Morton is an author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She lives in the U.K with her partner and three children.
Previously she has worked as a Personal Trainer and Back Pain Specialist and trained as a Chef at Leeds City College.
Her first novel was originally just a note in her phone but became a full manuscript, ready for release in August 2020. When she isn’t reading or writing, her favourite things include running, snaffling and changing nappies.
Well what do i do now? Wanted to read a relaxing shitty romance, didn’t study (even though i really should) because I just wanted to read a happy everafter ending AND THIS BOOK DOESN’T EVEN END?!? (I thought it was a stand alone… sikee it is a trilogy) Not to mention the fact I have mixed feelings about the whole plot… everything has good potential but there are little quirks that just didn’t work for me :/ But all in all did i also kinda enjoy it? Yes… Did i read it in a day and half instead of studying? Also yes… Mayybe it’s a 2.5-2.75??? Still deciding
Part one of a duet telling the story of Jake and Abby. Their story started six years ago, and it unfolds through flashbacks. Unfortunately, he ended things then, leaving them both heartbroken. I think there is more to this story.
Abby has returned home for the summer. She has decisions to make. She just planned to avoid Jake, even though they run in the same crowd.
Will they get their second chance? There are some lingering questions, and I hope we get answers in the sequel.
Thank you to Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
I DNF'd this book because the bit I read was boring and repetitive with cardboard characters. The grammar was poor and there were several instances of I don't think you meant to use that word because it doesn't make sense in the context of the sentence and there is a very similar word that does.The heroines friends are drunks... they go out drink to excess and vomit on each other 🤢 I considered continuing struggle through with this book until I discovered its a series not just one book and the angst and bs is going to drag through 3 more books the last of which hasn't been published yet. I hate cliffhangers and the idea of suffering through more than the 5 chapters I'd already read just did not appeal.
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
This review can also be found in Currant7 Recommends. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Abby is a young freelance photographer who comes back to her hometown for a short summer break. She takes up some freelance work and a part-time job at a bar. She reconnects with her groupie friends and the only reason she left Brooklyn six years ago.
Firstly and most importantly, I would recommend reading Always You, Book 1, instead of jumping into Always Us, Book 2, to avoid spoilers. Book 1 does a great job of "laying out" all the elements and details for readers in preparation for the mindset, Abby's family and group dynamics, and her life six years ago. The story jumps between current and past timelines that points towards "the hows and whys" that ties the story nicely.
Secondly, readers may find this book a challenging read if used to get first-person POV - dual. The story revolved around Abby and her experiences until the very end. The book is well written, with a lot of drama and uncertainty mixed into it. The author chose to reveal very little about Abby's aside while keeping everyone else's thoughts secret. It was until 70% into the book that things picked up and became more apparent.
Thirdly, Abby got to me! She is an enigma - the epitome of grace, humility, easygoing yet responsible (enough) character throughout the book. Granted that there were "loose moments," but most times, Abby is the "responsible one" and wanted to find answers that only one man could give her. Abby's internal "storms" were affecting her a lot and thus led to her indecisiveness. She might already know her decision, but the fear of being a disappointment to others makes her sacrifice her sanity in the book. A frustrating trait I found with her is being too much a martyr when she becomes the "mother" to her galpals, Sophie and Zoe, "saving" them from their juvenile ways. She mentions dropping them but reverts to "saving them" when it comes time. My eyes were rolling each "next time" happened, but I understood the relationship's importance. I believe I was madder that her friends would put her in those situations.
When the story picks up, Abby starts opening up herself to her best friends and what readers will find is someone who has it all in her grasps, except the one true thing that she wanted most in the world. There were too many secrets surrounding Abby, her family, and friends that were frustrating. I got a bit lost (and mad) like Abby since everyone else knows this "life-changing secret" that hugely affected her. People hinted and encouraged, then later retracted. Even when Abby becomes brave, her supposed friends and family still did not help her - stating, "not my story to tell." (This was a very "GRRR" moment for me!) Ultimately, it was "the right one" for Abby, even if everyone else might doubt it, including me. The final decision, in the end, can be a shocker because it was all left "down the wire."
In summary, I enjoyed Always You and would recommend this to readers who love trilogy or even duet books with a side of angst and big revelations. This ending is not a cliffhanger but more of "the next phase" of Abby's and Jake's love story. Readers will NOT feel shortchanged with Abby's decision. The story is solid and will bring up all "the feels" to have readers run through all the emotions of love, loss, and partial redemption. I love how the revelations came out and the character development when self-realization and sacrifices came out in the end. The book's ending was a "sound-one" for Abby and, in her mind, the best for everyone.
PS: I love the author's inclusion of Jake's POV to bridge us through Book 2 at the end, which left me "the chills"! I wanted to jump up and down as this technique is what movies use to drop "hints" for the next story. I love Jake's last words.
Always You by Lizzie Morton is a slow burn, new adult, second chance romance, is the first book in the Always series and is told from the FMC POV.
This was such an enjoyable read and a change of pace to what I usually read.
This book had me laughing out loud with the main character and supporting characters quirkiness, and wanting to die at times from second hand embarrassment. Also the slow burn and the chemistry between the H & H kept me engaged throughout.
I recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a fun and quirky read.
Please note: This book does emotional cheating. It also ends on a cliffhanger.
Lizzie Morton has written a beautiful yet heart breaking love. The main characters are so full of emotion that you feel the longing and the hurt with them. The secondary characters add humor and support to the story. You will get drawn into the lives of these wonderfully flawed characters. They met in high school and fell for each other. Outside pressures cause him to break it off with her. They both try to move on with their lives but a piece of them is missing. Everyone keeps hinting that there is more to the story but will not elaborate on it. She just wants the truth but he can not tell her. Will they ever get it right and love each other like they should?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Basically 6 years ago Abby and Jake go through a messy break up and she leaves Brooklyn. When she gets back she finds out he’s in a band that’s doing well and has a girlfriend. She has a boyfriend and a decent photography career. Her two best friends are in the same group of friends as the band and yet she knows nothing that’s going on with her ex?? Also her friends are awful, they constantly get drunk and she has to bail them out and they are super bitchy and passive aggressive at points for no reason. Everyone keeps trying to ‘protect’ Abby by being cryptic and not telling her anything, SHES 24!!? And then later in the book *SPOILER*
Her two besties encourage her to cheat on her boyfriend with Jake and then get mad at her for almost doing that??
Abby and Jake were high school sweethearts but all that changed when he broke her heart and her spirit. Leaving her friends and family behind to overcome the grief of losing him but now back and scared to run into him. When they are good, they are great but when they are bad, everyone is ruined!
I quite liked this book but struggled with rating. The story was told well however but the H and h acted liked they were still children. They both had partners but Abby especially treated hers like crap and Jake wasn’t really much better. The girl side characters were hard work, Zoe more than Sophie but the boys weren’t bad. I felt it dragged a little and was a bit long winded.
I found all of the characters to be quite immature. It was a struggle to get through and I found the plot was easily lost through all the scenes of them drinking and what seemed to be pointless drama that didn’t really add anything to the story line. The friends were extremely annoying and talked like teenagers so I was confused as to what age group this was written for. It feels like a young adult novel.
A 5 year old could write better. Also, the plot.. TERRIBLE. Supposedly the main character is in her 20’s but when reading, she reminds me on a middle schooler, if that. Would never recommend this book.
This book was right up my alley: Drama , partying , angst , slightly forbidden ( they are both in relationships) second chance , enemies to lovers , slowburn and a rock star hero!!!
I had to sit on this for 5 days before ultimately leaving a 3 star review. If I had known going into this that the author was from the UK, I would’ve had a bit more grace with the awkward phrases and misspellings. Aside from that, there were a TON of content errors which I will blame on the editor, not on the author. Now to the author. Let’s just say she picked up every single stereotype and stuck that to each person in Abby’s friend group. It was SO cringe and 100% predictable. That being said, I was MORE invested in Abby’s friends than Abby. I can’t be the only person who realized the girl had NO personality! Like nothing, nada. She’s described as “the shy girl who is the type you marry.” WTF? Just because she’s pretty and loves taking photos you think that’s enough for a personality? She wasn’t even half a person so I couldn’t even like her throughout the entire series. Now let’s go to when it was said “middle class parents can afford to send their kids to school for forever degrees.” That isn’t middle class. That’s upper class. Most middle class families can’t even foot the bill for college without scholarships. I also laughed out loud when she was described as middle class but her dad owned a record label and had a huge home. This again reflects upper class. Get real. The phrase “pump and dump” literally made me gasp out loud. So crass. But Abby is the single handed worst part of this book. She’s 24 and acts like she’s 14. As you would expect from an entitled brat who grew up in the upper class of Brooklyn. Jake (and Michael - that whole storyline was just sooo unbelievable) deserved so much better.
To me this book feels like it’s a rough draft, and the author still needs to add and fix details. First, Abby hasn’t been back to Brooklyn in 6 years, so how is it that the first night she back she’s picking up her drunk friends and the author makes it seems like it’s a every weekend occurrence, that Abby always pick ups a passed out Zoe and blacked out Sophie. The going back 6 years to high school was kind off a drag, I had to skip some of the pages, the main characters are likable but we don’t get Jake’s POV still the last chapter. This book would have been better if instead of the past POV we would’ve gotten Jake’s because a lot of the time you’re just left wondering about him. The book ended in a cliffhanger, I really hope the author doesn’t just use one POV on the next book, that I’ll probably just skip some chapters to figure out what happens to them.
⭐️ 5/5 📍 🇺🇸 🗂 Romance - enemies to lovers 📖 Abby has been busy building her career as a photographer and a life with her boyfriend. When she goes home for the summer for first time in 6 years, she easily slips back into her old life, but her high school flame is still part of the friendship group. After their break-up, can they still be friends? Or are feelings still there and it’s inevitable? 👉 This book was on my October tbr but I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so started it early! ❤️ Loved this book! Like, obsessed. Like, put life on hold to read it. 🌶🌶🌶 Tension and anticipation is high! ✅ Then and Now ⏩ Always Us (2/3) & Always (3/3) 💬 “This one’s for Abby” 📆 September 2022
I thought the FMC and the MMC were immensely unlikable. The FMC literally says to herself at one point, "I am not like other girls." It also feels like there is a very weird thread woven through this of what all the characters just accept as girls who are "wife material" who are totally unique and different from those other "easy" girls. And it's just accepted, like yup... totally. That makes sense. Blah.
Did not finish. Just felt it wasn’t a great story. You and your boyfriend split up six years ago, get over it. Also the two best friends were just drunk all the time and using Abby to come rescue them. Pretty rubbish friends to be honest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
"We might not be together, but my feelings for you never changed. You were everything, Abby, you still are."
^ Yep, this speaks for the entirety of the book.
My heart seriously can't take this book. I have never gone so back and forth between two characters in my life; they were playing my heartstrings like a damn yo-yo. First Jake then Abby, then back to Jake, then back to Abby, I just can't take it. That being said I am obsessed with all things drama and this book was littered with it. So, SCORE!
Abby, if I was to describe Abby in one word I would say determined. She knows who she is, she knows what she wants to do with the rest of her life, and she knows how to get there. The girl just can't make a decision; Australia or South Africa, Jake or Michael, stay or go. I wanted to pull my hair out at some parts in the book, throw in her stubbornness, and I truly thought I was going to be bald by the end. She is hands down the most stubborn heroine I have ever read. I mean if I put myself in her shoes okay I get it, your heart was torn to shreds when you were 17 from a boy who told you he loved you. But after 6 years if you are still pining over that same boy, even when he did you dirty, then that is speaking volumes girl. So put on your big girl panties - give him some time to answer the hard questions, yes protect your heart in the process, but don't, and I mean don't, IGNORE your heart. I felt that's all Abby did. She is a runner and I want her to stop running.
Now Jake, in one word - scared. My heart broke for this boy but honestly, he doesn't help himself at all. Spewing hateful words, being so hot and cold, then add in the whole Amanda situation and the boy was spinning. And what about this secret? We know it's the sole reason for him stepping back from Abby when they were young, and we know whatever it is it has to be monumental because he wouldn't have torn her heart to shreds if it wasn't, and we know more than likely he did it because he was trying to protect Abby, right? He's just so damn closed-lip about it you want to strangle him and say, pull your head out of your ass - you're about to lose the best thing that ever happened to you AGAIN. Anyways, don't want to spoil anything but thank god I was right. Hint: Book 2, Always Us! READ IT.
All in all, this book was right up my alley: a slow burn, rockstar, second chance romance that hits all the feels. If you haven't picked it up, I suggest you do so now; the third book is on its way!!
One of my favourite quotes from the book:
"Surely, it's better to get on the rollercoaster, as scary as it is, and experience the highs and lows, rather than stand watching."
^ How true is this in all aspects of life, and not just in love. Don't be afraid to risk, because at least if you risked, you chose to live.
💔 It didn’t matter how much time passed, or how much soul searching I did, I was broken 💔
💔 You never forget your first love, and mine and Jake's was the kind songs are written about. If only I knew then that the one who taught me how to love, would be the one to shatter my heart into a million unrecognizable pieces, leaving me to clean up the mess. Now, I’m back in Brooklyn with one goal: avoid him at all costs. Unfortunately fate has other ideas, entangling our lives and making it virtually impossible 💔
💔 Always You is a beautifully written story about two people who are clearly in love with each other but don’t seem to have the best timing 😢 The storyline is emotional, bittersweet and my heart just adored the characters 🥺 The writing definitely made me feel like you are in the middle of this friendship group watching all the events play out 🤭 I loved how it dipped between time lines giving you an insight to Jake and Abby at the beginning of their relationship and currently in Brooklyn ⏰ Both characters have tried their hardest to move on and make a life for themselves and they have, it's just not the life they truly envisioned. Something is missing 😩 I felt Jake and Abby’s connection instantly and I just wanted them to find the right time to be together and happy 😍I cannot wait to continue with their story ☺️ This ending is not a cliffhanger but more of "the next phase" of Abby's and Jake's love story😊 Readers will NOT feel shortchanged with Abby's decision. 😌The book's ending was a "sound-one" for Abby and, in her mind, the best for everyone 😊
Thankyou to L for sending me a copy of this to read and review for book 3 to be released in November 🥰
Blurb: My first love was forever ... until he wasn't. **An Amazon International Bestseller** You never forget your first love, and mine and Jake’s, was the kind songs are written about. He promised me the world … then tore mine in two. With my heart shattered in a million pieces, I ran. Out of the city. Out of the state. Out of my life. Now I’m back for one summer, with one life changing decision to make, and one goal: steer clear of Jake Ross, the person who ran me out of Brooklyn. Unfortunately fate has other ideas, and when our careers become entangled, avoidance proves impossible. Together we were magical … apart we’re a disaster. Everyone deserves a second chance. But what happens if that chance leaves you questioning everything, even when he promises that it was always you …
My Review:
This book draws you in and has you rooting for Jake and Abby. They were high school sweethearts that ended badly. He broke up with her in the worse way possible. Never telling her the real reason. After high school she leaves town to pursue her photography totally broken-hearted.
Six years later she returns and upends both their lives. His band just signed with a music label and she’s deciding between two job offers that are lifetime dreams. Both still finding they love each other but he can’t tell her the reason he broke her heart in the first place.
Now a continent apart can they once again find their way back to each other.
Ok so I have a new series I’m obsessed with. I have been sucked so far into the world of Abby & Jake and I am absolutely desperate for the third book in this series!
I talk to Lizzie a lot as I’ve previously read an arc of another one of her books and we were chatting about this series and as I had time between arcs I decided to read them.. and I am sooooo glad I did!
This is a rockstar, second chance romance and it’ll give you all the feels. It follows Abby & Jake who have a short but passionate and love filled relationship at 17, Jake breaks Abby’s heart so she moves away for 6 years. They never forget about each other and are thrown back in to each other lives when Abby returns for a summer.
The fireworks and chemistry and tension that ensues is off the chart. Their relationship is undoubtably toxic but god you just want them to work! The second book sees them reunite again after another period apart and the feelings and attraction is still so strong. Throw in some obstacles and it was a crazy story.
I am fully fully engrossed in this story and I need the third book like yesterday. The rockstar trope is not one of my favourites generally but I loved this sooo much and I didn’t even care about that at all. I just fell in love with their love!
Lizzie, you have a huge fan in me and I would read your shopping list 🤣 now, GIMME THAT THIRD BOOK!
Abby West has everyting she can ever dream of, a dream career and a Hot NLF boyfriend. She finds herself back in Brooklyn after staying away for good 6years. Her goal for summer is to stay as far from her ex Jake as possible ( the reason she left in the first place).
😊What i liked -
✔Rekindled love. ✔ I liked the banter between the BFF's. ✔ The chemistry between Abby and Jake is good. ✔ I liked the way the author gives snippets to their past time to time ✔It is quite emotional and dramatic.
🤔What could have been better -
✔If Abby was'nt shown to be cranky on so many occasions. ✔I understood the reason why the mystery around their breakup is stretched but it would have been better if a few hints were dropped here and there. ✔ If the characters were not shown drunk most of the time.
📚Who Should read :
👶Begginers 💘Romance lovers
📈My Rating : 3/5
P.s - i liked the book but a little conflicted too. Will i read the part 2 , then yes i will because i want to know the reason for the mystery surrounding the break-up (fingers crossed i am not dissapointed)
Qotd - Are relationships this complicated or do we make it this complicated.🤔
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Lizzie.
6 years ago I walked away from Brooklyn and left my heart in the hands of the one person who never really wanted it ... or so I thought.
Now I'm back, fighting for what I want, fighting for what's mine and most of all, fighting between the decision of whether to follow my head or my heart.
I'm learning things aren't always what they seem. What I thought was the end of our journey was only the beginning, but sometimes in life happily ever afters don't come easily, and ours just might prove impossible.
Always You is a beautifully written story about two people who are clearly in love with each other but don’t seem to have the best timing. The storyline is emotional, with very intriguing characters that you will just want to give a hug.
With the writing, Lizzie makes you feel like you are in the middle of this friendship group.
Rating 4/5
I highly recommend this book and I am now looking forward to reading the second book in the series, Always Us
The plot for this book could’ve been amazing however it is probably one of the most dragged out stories I have ever read. There is absolutely no need nor reason for there to be 3 books also, the MC is so hard to get behind because the full 3 books she is all ‘woe me’ it gets so repetitive.
This story could easily have been done in 1 book or even 2 at a push! When I got to book 3 I got to 63% and had to skip to the end, I was skimming pages to find out what happens because I was so bored.
Not to mention the fact it takes 13 years!! Yes no exaggeration 13 years these books span💆🏻♀️for Abby to get over herself and get with Jake. Come book 3 it’s clear the story is just being dragged out with the whole ‘just friends’ business for no reason!
Book 1 is worth the read I would say, however I would leave it at that and content myself with the knowledge that they get together eventually.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This wasn’t good. Honestly the whole thing was very childish. Abby and Jake liked each other in high school but ended things badly. Six years later they meet each other and there is still some love between them. Sounds nice until you realize that they’re both in a relationship with someone else and they still keep flirting. Anyway the whole book is stupid. All they do is drink and talk like kids in high school. Also Abby girl what’s wrong with Michael? I think he was cute and he really loved her. She’s like I feel bad I’m leading him on but like I do care for him but I don’t like him like that. Okay then why are you with him? That’s just cruel honestly. Don’t be in a relationship with him then. Abby’s friends are stupid too. They literally just get drunk and talk about boys. You would think all of these people are in high school but nope they’re in their 20s. Don’t even get me started on Abby and her stupid decisions. Anyway this was bad.
Totally not what I expected to read going in, I had to force myself to finish the book. I found sophie and zoe to be obnoxious drunks, although they did get a little better by the end. It was so annoying to have the reason for Jake and Abby’s breakup throughout the story and have nothing confirmed or ever explained. It was like a roller coaster, and not in a good way, with everyone being team jake and then flipping and saying to avoid the relationship. I feel like the author also could have done so much more to create some angst with the relationship abby had with michael and jake with amanda. And what was this ending??? I felt like we reached a climax and then just stopped, what was the whole point of dancing around each other, sleeping with each other, to ultimately decided to focus on their careers. Disappointing and underwhelming!