What do you think?
Atholton #1
Forsaking All Others
Contractually trapped in a loveless, dead-end marriage, Seraphina is counting down the days until her son turns eighteen and she can divorce her husband. When a gorgeous, successful, much younger professional athlete presses her to work for him as his personal chef, she is determined to keep things professional despite the slow burn of an intense mutual attraction. When Seraphina's father in law, a powerful businessman, changes the terms of her contract, she has a choice to cooperate, or run. Either way, she'll lose her chance with Mateo, but to defy the business magnate is to lose her son.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2021
About the author
Erin FitzGerald
31 books162 followersErin believes every story should have a happy ending and that very few characters are completely irredeemable.
She lives in the Metro DC area with her husband and two children, in a house full of pets and plants.
She lives in the Metro DC area with her husband and two children, in a house full of pets and plants.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 2, 2022
This story was so suspenseful! Heartbreaking and emotional, the hopeful journey of Finn and Mateo kept be wanting to know more about Magnus and Oskar. I love the way Griffin and Mateo’s bond grows and I love a happy ending! Can’t wait to read the next book!
October 9, 2022
I had both personal and impersonal issues with FORSAKING ALL OTHERS. I honestly do not understand the four- and five-star ratings.
On a personal level, I couldn't deal with the writing style. Something about it made it hard to read, with the descriptions and character's voices - no. I couldn't. There were a few grammar/word choice mistakes, and I Google translated some of Mateo's sentences (though perhaps it was an incorrect translation) they made no sense.
On an impersonal level, I didn't like any of the characters or how they thought and acted. Griffin, with his little involvement in the book despite being the main reason Seraphina stays with Magnus, continued to speak like an 8-year-old with the vocabulary of an 11-year-old. His character felt forced and entirely manufactured. Seraphina and Mateo both annoyed me and you're meant to know Oskar and Magnus are jerks.
I'm a sucker for a slow burn but literally, nothing happened. Ever. The dates of the setting are off, too, because we start with what seems to be present-time that leads into a flashback, and then suddenly we're thrown into a story that doesn't make much sense.
I can't believe it's the first in a series because it reads like a sequel. There are a bunch of names thrown in that make no sense but are treated like we're meant to know them, and situations that don't get explained until later that should have been explained at the moment.
It was... decent, I suppose, and I waffled between 1- and 2-stars, so I made an executive decision and called it a 1.5 rounded up.
I received a free ARC and am leaving a voluntary and honest review.
On a personal level, I couldn't deal with the writing style. Something about it made it hard to read, with the descriptions and character's voices - no. I couldn't. There were a few grammar/word choice mistakes, and I Google translated some of Mateo's sentences (though perhaps it was an incorrect translation) they made no sense.
On an impersonal level, I didn't like any of the characters or how they thought and acted. Griffin, with his little involvement in the book despite being the main reason Seraphina stays with Magnus, continued to speak like an 8-year-old with the vocabulary of an 11-year-old. His character felt forced and entirely manufactured. Seraphina and Mateo both annoyed me and you're meant to know Oskar and Magnus are jerks.
I'm a sucker for a slow burn but literally, nothing happened. Ever. The dates of the setting are off, too, because we start with what seems to be present-time that leads into a flashback, and then suddenly we're thrown into a story that doesn't make much sense.
I can't believe it's the first in a series because it reads like a sequel. There are a bunch of names thrown in that make no sense but are treated like we're meant to know them, and situations that don't get explained until later that should have been explained at the moment.
It was... decent, I suppose, and I waffled between 1- and 2-stars, so I made an executive decision and called it a 1.5 rounded up.
I received a free ARC and am leaving a voluntary and honest review.
July 6, 2022
Seraphina (Finn) and Mateo’s story really gripped my heart. It is a study of patience, of inner strength and finding the courage to follow your heart. She has long been trapped in a loveless marriage for the sake of her son. Her ruthless father-in-law has forced her to generally tolerate her husband’s out of control and abusive behaviour or she will lose her son. Thankfully her husband is rarely even in the same country. Her son, Griffin, is her whole life outside of her career as a professional chef, and she knows her brothers would always be there if she needed them. Finn never expected to find love and definitely wasn’t looking for it, but Fate brought Mateo into her life.
Mateo is a pro pitcher who meets the chef after she prepared meals that reminded him of home and his heritage. He was instantly intrigued by and attracted to Seraphina. The attraction is mutual despite the fact that he is years younger. Her attraction even leads her to more conscious of her her looks for the first time in years. When Mateo persuades her to leave the restaurant and become his personal chef, Finn knows she is playing with fire and may end up burned. It is no coincidence that Mateo is always nearby or in the kitchen whenever he is not on the road with his team or doing personal appearances. They struggle to keep their attraction and desire under control, but their hearts have recognized their “ones”. Her son Griffin and Mateo have an easy rapport which melts Finn’s heart. Mateo also becomes aware that her brothers are supportive of a relationship between he and Finn, as long as she doesn’t get hurt. Mateo is waiting for Finn to give him the go ahead to pursue her, to show that she is ready to leave her marriage, but he has no idea of the difficulties that may bring to both of their lives. The heart wants what heart wants, but what could following her heart cost Mateo, Finn and young Griffin?
The characters and this book are well written and fascinating. Like the other books in this series, I could not put it down and I became invested in the lives of the main characters. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mateo is a pro pitcher who meets the chef after she prepared meals that reminded him of home and his heritage. He was instantly intrigued by and attracted to Seraphina. The attraction is mutual despite the fact that he is years younger. Her attraction even leads her to more conscious of her her looks for the first time in years. When Mateo persuades her to leave the restaurant and become his personal chef, Finn knows she is playing with fire and may end up burned. It is no coincidence that Mateo is always nearby or in the kitchen whenever he is not on the road with his team or doing personal appearances. They struggle to keep their attraction and desire under control, but their hearts have recognized their “ones”. Her son Griffin and Mateo have an easy rapport which melts Finn’s heart. Mateo also becomes aware that her brothers are supportive of a relationship between he and Finn, as long as she doesn’t get hurt. Mateo is waiting for Finn to give him the go ahead to pursue her, to show that she is ready to leave her marriage, but he has no idea of the difficulties that may bring to both of their lives. The heart wants what heart wants, but what could following her heart cost Mateo, Finn and young Griffin?
The characters and this book are well written and fascinating. Like the other books in this series, I could not put it down and I became invested in the lives of the main characters. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 19, 2022
Seraphina (Finn) has found herself trapped in a contractual, loveless marriage to a man that is spiraling out of control. With a very wealthy and powerful father-in-law holding the contact against Finn, she is powerless until her son turns eighteen and they can finally be free. Until then, she just needs to keep her head down, raise her son and work as a chef. Little did she know that her life would forever change when she agrees to the request to leave the kitchen and meet some patrons of the restaurant that want to thank her for the meal she prepared.
Mateo is a successful catcher for the San Diego Padres and was the man that wanted to thank the chef for preparing an amazing meal that reminded him of his mother's cooking. He was immediately taken with Finn and set out to win her affections. That turned out to be easier said than done.
What happens when soulmates finally meet but all the odd are stacked against them? You never give up and that is at the very heart of Mateo! He knew they belonged together, no matter what they had to face and he was determined to show Finn that his love for her knew no bounds. Finn had all but given up on the thought of ever being happy and finding love. But with Mateo she was slowly realizing that the younger, sexy catcher from Puerto Rico just might be everything she has ever hoped for.
Finn and Mateo's story is an emotional journey that shows us when you truly love someone nothing else matters. Their HEA was not easily reached but they got it because Finn and Mateo learned to trust and believe in their love for each other.💜
Mateo is a successful catcher for the San Diego Padres and was the man that wanted to thank the chef for preparing an amazing meal that reminded him of his mother's cooking. He was immediately taken with Finn and set out to win her affections. That turned out to be easier said than done.
What happens when soulmates finally meet but all the odd are stacked against them? You never give up and that is at the very heart of Mateo! He knew they belonged together, no matter what they had to face and he was determined to show Finn that his love for her knew no bounds. Finn had all but given up on the thought of ever being happy and finding love. But with Mateo she was slowly realizing that the younger, sexy catcher from Puerto Rico just might be everything she has ever hoped for.
Finn and Mateo's story is an emotional journey that shows us when you truly love someone nothing else matters. Their HEA was not easily reached but they got it because Finn and Mateo learned to trust and believe in their love for each other.💜
April 10, 2022
If you are uncomfortable with someone stepping outside of their marriage for any reason then this is not your book.
Serephina/Finn and Mateo are both really likeable characters. Mateo is not your typical hot headed Latin lover, he’s exceedingly patient and he is willing to wait years for Finn to be his.
There is mostly telling in this story as Finn does her best to ignore Mateo’s subtle advances. It takes over two years before these two even kiss. We get to hear both of their thoughts, wants, desires and fears.
Finn made a deal with the devil, her father-in-law and in order to make sure she and her son get what’s promised to her she must deny herself a life, while her wastrel of a husband gets to do what he wants.
There are many cute moments especially when Mateo has a bit of a Spanish translation misunderstanding. Plus the open secret that Mateo is head over heels in love with Finn.
Not much really happens in the book until almost the end. We are treated to their everyday lives and them living it apart, yet together as Mateo has hired Finn to be his personal in-house chef.
For me the book took forever to get somewhere, there was some angst but you knew it would be there given Finn’s situation. Other than that, it was mostly listening to these two secretly lust after each other in their heads.
I received and ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
Serephina/Finn and Mateo are both really likeable characters. Mateo is not your typical hot headed Latin lover, he’s exceedingly patient and he is willing to wait years for Finn to be his.
There is mostly telling in this story as Finn does her best to ignore Mateo’s subtle advances. It takes over two years before these two even kiss. We get to hear both of their thoughts, wants, desires and fears.
Finn made a deal with the devil, her father-in-law and in order to make sure she and her son get what’s promised to her she must deny herself a life, while her wastrel of a husband gets to do what he wants.
There are many cute moments especially when Mateo has a bit of a Spanish translation misunderstanding. Plus the open secret that Mateo is head over heels in love with Finn.
Not much really happens in the book until almost the end. We are treated to their everyday lives and them living it apart, yet together as Mateo has hired Finn to be his personal in-house chef.
For me the book took forever to get somewhere, there was some angst but you knew it would be there given Finn’s situation. Other than that, it was mostly listening to these two secretly lust after each other in their heads.
I received and ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
April 21, 2022
Minimal spoiler in terms of sharing two lines, and discussing some context without major plot spoilers.
I started reading this book on the author's site and it was one of those books where I had to keep reading, so I went on to grab it from Amazon. You can find the beginning excerpt here. https://www.erinfitzgeraldwrites.com/...
The book uses the loveless, dead-end marriage trope but it very much works. As someone who believes in the sanctity of marriage, I wondered at first if this was something I wanted to continue reading because like most in Generation X, I was taught to repair and fix, even if the problems were of titanic proportion. Yet, as the story unfolded, I found an accurate retelling of what a loveless, dead marriage looks like, and what's more, I loved the care the author took with the book in showing although the attraction was there, the characters didn't immediately jump into bed. Sure, there's heaps of tension, but it's not a book where the book's plot is supported solely by eggplant action.
Additionally, I believe the author explored underlying themes that women are expected to be faithful while their husbands are cheating douchebags. Maybe that's my own interpretation, but it's there for me nonetheless.
There were also parts of the book that shared great advice, without seeming like the author was telling you bluntly trauma causes you to pick bad mates. Still, perhaps two of my favorite lines in this book thus far are this:
"Growing up in a screwed up home will do that to you. Make you get out the instant you can. Make you look for your own stability, even if it’s in the most unlikely places. Make you settle when you could have done far better, just because you didn’t know any better, since no one modeled it for you."
"My mother died alone because she let a terrible man into our home, only because she was lonely."
Now, this isn't to say the entire book is this heavy, it's not. There is a lovely storyline weaved throughout, and you can't help but fall in love with the MC's love interest for his characteristics. Nor can you find fault in the female MC's motivations for choosing to do things the way she does.
I'll leave my review at that and I hope you choose to pick this book for one of your next reads.
I started reading this book on the author's site and it was one of those books where I had to keep reading, so I went on to grab it from Amazon. You can find the beginning excerpt here. https://www.erinfitzgeraldwrites.com/...
The book uses the loveless, dead-end marriage trope but it very much works. As someone who believes in the sanctity of marriage, I wondered at first if this was something I wanted to continue reading because like most in Generation X, I was taught to repair and fix, even if the problems were of titanic proportion. Yet, as the story unfolded, I found an accurate retelling of what a loveless, dead marriage looks like, and what's more, I loved the care the author took with the book in showing although the attraction was there, the characters didn't immediately jump into bed. Sure, there's heaps of tension, but it's not a book where the book's plot is supported solely by eggplant action.
Additionally, I believe the author explored underlying themes that women are expected to be faithful while their husbands are cheating douchebags. Maybe that's my own interpretation, but it's there for me nonetheless.
There were also parts of the book that shared great advice, without seeming like the author was telling you bluntly trauma causes you to pick bad mates. Still, perhaps two of my favorite lines in this book thus far are this:
"Growing up in a screwed up home will do that to you. Make you get out the instant you can. Make you look for your own stability, even if it’s in the most unlikely places. Make you settle when you could have done far better, just because you didn’t know any better, since no one modeled it for you."
"My mother died alone because she let a terrible man into our home, only because she was lonely."
Now, this isn't to say the entire book is this heavy, it's not. There is a lovely storyline weaved throughout, and you can't help but fall in love with the MC's love interest for his characteristics. Nor can you find fault in the female MC's motivations for choosing to do things the way she does.
I'll leave my review at that and I hope you choose to pick this book for one of your next reads.
October 9, 2022
Poor Seraphina broke my heart. To see how she came to be where she is, you have to know her past.
When she was younger, she thought the man she was seeing was someone he clearly wasn’t. Unfortunately for her she was forced to marry him and her life was never her own from that point in.
Mateo is now her employer but also the man she would give anything to be with if she wasn’t married to her husband. Leaving him isn’t in the cards for her no matter how much she wants to. Mateo is the man who makes her feel alive regardless of a smal age difference.
Mateo wants to take care of Seraphina and her son. He would do anything to protect them and see that they had a happy life with him.
Buckle up because this is certainly an emotional rollercoaster.
When she was younger, she thought the man she was seeing was someone he clearly wasn’t. Unfortunately for her she was forced to marry him and her life was never her own from that point in.
Mateo is now her employer but also the man she would give anything to be with if she wasn’t married to her husband. Leaving him isn’t in the cards for her no matter how much she wants to. Mateo is the man who makes her feel alive regardless of a smal age difference.
Mateo wants to take care of Seraphina and her son. He would do anything to protect them and see that they had a happy life with him.
Buckle up because this is certainly an emotional rollercoaster.
March 4, 2023
This is the first in a new series, and this is Seraphina / Finn and Mateo’s journey. Finn is counting down the days until her son Griffin is 18, and she can then divorce her husband and escape from their loveless marriage. Mateo is patient and caring, and he is a professions athlete who eats at the restaurant that Finn works at, and he convinces her to become his personal chef. With a controlling father-in-law moving the goal posts, will Finn ever be able to escape her marriage and keep custody of her son? This is a well written story which has drama, revelations, surprises, twists, emotions, trust, witty banter, humor, romance, and love, which leads to a steamy and compelling page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 1, 2024
In the book Forsaking All Others, Finn is trapped in a loveless marriage to a man that is not quite right. Her father-in-law is holding a contract that prevents Finn from leaving. She is waiting until her son turns eighteen to leave. So Finn spends her time working as a chef and taking care of her son. One day a man named Mateo wanted to thank her for preparing a meal that reminded him of his childhood. He was extremely attracted to Finn and wanted to get to know her. However, because of the contract she can’t allow this to happen even though she is tempted. This book really deals with what happens when you finally meet the right one but you aren’t free to be with them. It was an interesting book I enjoyed this new idea on star crossed lovers who couldn’t be together.
October 3, 2022
Amid the locked down loveless marriage and ultra controlling father-in-law, Finn sees the end with her son getting of age. One night at the restaurant, she meets Mateo, a baseball player who knows what he wants and he will wait for Finn. Loved the characters, their backstories and determination. Plenty of drama, control, revelations, surprises, steam, trust and protectiveness. Totally enjoyed the story and look forward to many more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 31, 2023
This first book in the series was a beautiful story! I fell so hard for these amazing characters! beginning with Mateo who had such a wonderful heart and the patience of a saint, Seraphina who’s life has not been fair to her and yet she managed to make the best of it for her and her precious son. Which Griffin just made my heart fill with his sweet self who was much wiser than his years. I am definitely looking forward to getting to know the rest of the characters in this series and hopefully see more of these!!
July 24, 2024
Sometimes you see a new to you author's book and pick it up without reading the blurb or anything else. Thats what happened with this one and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. I am so glad I picked up this book and will definitely be reading the next book in this series as I am officially invested. Seraphina and Mateo are soo good together. Mateo is also great with her son so it's a definite win. The book definitely had a twist that I did not see coming although had I read the blurb I would have expected it.
April 10, 2022
I loved this book so much!
Griffin was such an awesome kid and I loved him.
I love that Mateo was so patient and loving with Finn. He always spoke his kind, but he never pushed her or made her feel bad for the situation she was in
Finn had her moments of doubt, but who could blame her!
Such a well deserved HEA
I was sent a free ARC from Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
Griffin was such an awesome kid and I loved him.
I love that Mateo was so patient and loving with Finn. He always spoke his kind, but he never pushed her or made her feel bad for the situation she was in
Finn had her moments of doubt, but who could blame her!
Such a well deserved HEA
I was sent a free ARC from Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
April 12, 2022
Good story that follows Serphina, cook/personal chef in a loveless marriage and Mateo, younger MLB player. Mateo feel in love at first sight, but it took Serphina a few years to admit she had feelings for Mateo. The her husband and family step back into her life to stir up things. Sent to Sweden Serphina makes the best of the situation while craving Mateo.
I love have Mateo not only cares for Serphina, but her son as well. Ends in HEA.
I love have Mateo not only cares for Serphina, but her son as well. Ends in HEA.
May 7, 2022
Finn is stuck in a loveless marriage due to threats from her father in law, she stays for her sons sake, when Matteo wants to thank the chef for a wonderful meal that reminds him of home he doesn't expect the sparks that fly between them, but there are many obstacles to over come can they do it? Well written- reverse age gap, steamy, emption driven and more!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 13, 2022
This was Matteo & Finn’s book. Contractually trapped in a loveless, dead-end marriage, Seraphina is counting down the days until her son turns eighteen and she can divorce her husband.
When a gorgeous, successful, much younger professional athlete presses her to work for him as his personal chef, she is determined to keep things professional despite the slow burn of an intense mutual attraction. I liked this one. This was a new author for me. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
When a gorgeous, successful, much younger professional athlete presses her to work for him as his personal chef, she is determined to keep things professional despite the slow burn of an intense mutual attraction. I liked this one. This was a new author for me. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
April 12, 2022
Absolutely fantastic!!! This book is compelling and captivating. The story has a couple you can’t help but root for. I spent most of the book wondering where it was going and how much more they could take. I was in deep and couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend reading this and I will definitely continue reading more from the author.
July 2, 2022
Forsaking All Others by Erin FitzGerald is a good, and enjoyable heartbreaking heartwarming emotional slow burn romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. The story is an enjoyable single mom reverse age gap sports romance read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 7, 2022
Mateo and Seraphina did not expect to fall in love but it did happen. Unfortunately, she is stuck in a loveless, contractual marriage that prevents her from leaving. Is there a chance for them or will they be forced to abandon each other. Well, there is drama, action but there is a happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 7, 2022
Seraphina broke my heart. Her desire to protect her child and endure her husband and father-in-law made her the strongest woman ever, and that family was so unworthy of her loyalty. Mateo and her brothers were the bomb and her reward.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book.
April 11, 2022
Very intense complication
Love that can't be, she's married to another man but Mateo wants what he wants, he's a patient man...to a point. Attraction is strong with these two but her husband's father is too powerful, but love finds a way.
Volunteer KU based review
Love that can't be, she's married to another man but Mateo wants what he wants, he's a patient man...to a point. Attraction is strong with these two but her husband's father is too powerful, but love finds a way.
Volunteer KU based review
May 30, 2022
Forsaking All Others
A story both heart breaking and heart warming. I kept reading when I should have been sleeping as I was waiting for Finn to start to trust Mateo.
A very engrossing read.
A story both heart breaking and heart warming. I kept reading when I should have been sleeping as I was waiting for Finn to start to trust Mateo.
A very engrossing read.
June 22, 2022
This was a wonderful start to the series. My heat broke for Finn and what she was going through. The double whammy were her siblings. I couldn’t get enough of them and can’t wait for their books.
October 21, 2025
Really enjoyed it!
June 13, 2022
HEA
Who doesn’t love a happily ever after?! Just add some road blocks, a powerful father in law and Mateo who wants what he wants! You get a sizzling page turner!! This is the first time I’ve read anything of Erin’s but I plan on reading the rest of the series! Everyone deserves a Mateo 🥰 I’d highly recommend
Who doesn’t love a happily ever after?! Just add some road blocks, a powerful father in law and Mateo who wants what he wants! You get a sizzling page turner!! This is the first time I’ve read anything of Erin’s but I plan on reading the rest of the series! Everyone deserves a Mateo 🥰 I’d highly recommend
October 31, 2021
Love a happy ending
The love story between Finn and Mateo was so sweet. Loved how adorable and sensitive you made Mateo. Good read on a cold day.
The love story between Finn and Mateo was so sweet. Loved how adorable and sensitive you made Mateo. Good read on a cold day.
February 8, 2025
She’s stuck in a lonely contractual marriage.
He wasn’t looking for love, solely focused on his baseball career… A chance meeting of two people.A reverse age gap romance, two souls destined to be together.
But, will he wait for her?
Mateo and Seraphina….
Everyone woman needs a Mateo in their life.
Someone to love them unconditionally. Especially when the world has been cruel and unforgiving, and they are just doing their best to get to the light at the end of the tunnel, where they know their happiness exists.
This love story wont disappoint.
He wasn’t looking for love, solely focused on his baseball career… A chance meeting of two people.A reverse age gap romance, two souls destined to be together.
But, will he wait for her?
Mateo and Seraphina….
Everyone woman needs a Mateo in their life.
Someone to love them unconditionally. Especially when the world has been cruel and unforgiving, and they are just doing their best to get to the light at the end of the tunnel, where they know their happiness exists.
This love story wont disappoint.
February 5, 2025
EDITED: I had to come back and edit this review to change it to a 5 star. I enjoyed the book. A lot. But sincerely, this MMC has lived rent free in my head ever since I read this book. It's more than a month after reading it... and still think about him. I don't think I can recommend a book higher than to say... this is my new fave MMC.
This was a nice introduction to Erin’s writing for me. I loved to hate the husband and his father. How patient Mateo was! Goodness that man had patience and his love for her was steadfast!
This was a nice introduction to Erin’s writing for me. I loved to hate the husband and his father. How patient Mateo was! Goodness that man had patience and his love for her was steadfast!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews