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It's Always Been You

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A Romance Cafe Collection

Take the plunge in this summer’s most anticipated Friends to Lovers collection for charity!

This spicy bites set has it all:

✓ sizzling romance

✓ hot heroes

✓ feisty heroines

✓ HEA guaranteed

Over thirty titillating stories from USA Today best-selling and award-winning romance authors in a spicy Friends to Lovers collection curated by The New Romance Cafe, with ALL proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Authors: Sofia Aves, Kristine Charles, DL Gallie, Ariel Dawn, Amy Stephens, K. Rose, Guinevere Jordan, Kamaria Sweet, Enid Ashton, J.F. Lowe, Melanie Greene, Rhiannon Marina, Sarah Stein, J.M. Adele, Tirza Schaefer, Bonnie Poirier, Katy Rose, Angelica Kate, Chelle Pimblott, Katie Frey, Jewelz Baxter, Chele MacCabe, Leila Coltyn, Serafina Jax, Tara Lee, Harper Michaels, Pandora Snow, Kimberly Gray, S.C. Principale, Jane Poller, Anna Klein, Claudia Shelton, Toni Lee, Trinity Wood, J K Lycke, Rebecca Conrad, Adelyn Zara

752 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 19, 2022

31 people are currently reading
223 people want to read

About the author

Trinity Wood

31 books387 followers
Trinity writes contemporary romance set in New Zealand. Because she can't get enough of book boyfriends, she created some of her own. Get ready to meet Sam, Corey, Jay, Tai, Luke, Mike, Travis, and many more, but please form an orderly line. Behind Trinity.

A self-professed good-time nerd, Trinity's never far away from one of her trusty Pokemon coffee mugs. Trinity also swears that Margaritas can cure colds.

Keep in touch on Facebook in The New Romance Cafe.

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5 stars
86 (69%)
4 stars
30 (24%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
Profile Image for Laura.
1,040 reviews89 followers
August 4, 2022
"Ever heard of polyamory?" Charlie asks.
"What's that got to do with weapons?" I ask, completely confused now.
"Poly-AH-mory, not AR-moury fuckhead," Waltz hisses and slaps me upside the head.
"Fuck, man! Do I look like an ancient Roman to you?"
"Poly is Greek, armor is Latin, but that's beside the point," Charlie says. "You're just polystupid!"


Meet Charlie, Train and Waltz. :) The totally awesome trio from FROMANCE by Tirza Schaefer, my favourite story of this anthology.

it got 5 adorable stars from me.

Sweet, steamy and all around fun, Fromance had me grinning from the very first page and left me wanting for more. Tongue in cheek humour and witty banter go hand in hand with a practically irresistible charisma of characters and story alike, and are beautifully enhanced by a nicely flowing down-to-earth prose.
The smut is hot, the feels are all there, the guys are irresistible and Charlie is as cuddly as it gets. Packed punches included. :D And what's even more... the story feels complete, despite the short page count. Not that I wouldn't love reading more about this quirky trio, because I really really do! :)

Two best friends and their nerdy little princess.
One frustrated girl who just wants to get laid.
And a proverbial carrot dangling in front of all their noses. But you'll have to read this to see who takes the first bite. :D

Fromance is a delightful little read. Sweet, steamy, fun, cuddly, and full of all the feels. A short friends to lovers RH romance that's just... perfect!

Profile Image for Tuari Eagleswing.
48 reviews
July 1, 2022
I've so far read one story by Tirza Schaefer called Fromance that she has kindly supplied me with as an ARC for my honest opinion. It's the first time I've read something before it got published, so I was pretty excited to start with. I can only say, she exceeded my expectations! I felt the sizzle, the desperation of the poor young woman called Charlene, or Charlie, as her two male best friends call her. Train and Waltz are the sweetest manwhores I've ever come across. And I've come across a lot. And me calling other men, even fictional characters sweet, is unheard of. I can't describe it any other way, though. They are the most likeable blundering fools and yet, they manage to make Charlie fall in love with them, frustrate her, themselves and each other all the way through until the very end. With lots of sizzle between the pages until the grand finale!

Yes, it's a reverse harem and it is... Hot, cute, hilarious and leaves you wanting more! I've been told there will be an extended version later so I'm sitting on hot coals here, waiting for this, too. But I have also preordered the entire book, not only because it's for a noble cause but also because I am thinking if that one story is so great already and I have been assured the other authors are amazing, too, I will have fun reading the rest as well. Gonna keep you updated on that as and when. But this story alone is enough already for me to tell you that it's money well spent. And it's for a noble cause. Win-win in my book. (Pun intended in true Charlie fashion.)
Profile Image for Raegan.
96 reviews7 followers
July 6, 2022
Such a quick refreshing story! You start rooting for Tara and Drew quickly, and continue on from the beginning to the end. Each chapter you find yourself asking if it’s time, and yelling at them to get it together, all at once! I find myself wanting more, but I’m happy for the quick intro to their lives.
Profile Image for Laci  Steimel.
693 reviews6 followers
June 28, 2022
Always Us - Rhiannon Marina

Whew, this story had me in my feels from the first page. I got so invested that I was worried for a minute, but such a sweet story, and I LOVE the ending! Hope a longer story or book is coming our way.
Profile Image for Jamanda.
409 reviews5 followers
July 18, 2022
Short intense and steamy

Review for risk it all by Tara Lee
Holy moly if you're after a intense steamy read look no further. Callahan and primroses story is fast burn, intense, sexy and addicting. It's a forbidden romance. Callahan is from a wealthy family and primrose is a waitress at the country club that Callahan attends. No matter the consequences they can't be apart. Even after Callahan tells primrose they can never be together. It's an attraction they cant deny. Great short read in this anthology. Highly recommend
Profile Image for Kelly Streeter.
200 reviews7 followers
June 27, 2022
I Read Always us by Rhiannon Marina

I really love this book it was afeel good love story you where rooting for them from the start as you could tell they where ment together and have there happy ending for Drew and Tara.
Profile Image for Mayanne Stuart .
6 reviews
June 28, 2022
Read it’s always been you, by Rhiannon Marina,
What a beautiful story, for a short read it had u guessing what was to come and little on edge moments :) loved it!!
Profile Image for Jessica Ann.
4 reviews
May 1, 2022
Risk it All by Tara Lee kept me on my toes the whole read and pulled at my heart strings. The book follows Callahan who is set to take over his dad's company and Primrose the girl his family doesn't approve of. What will Callahan do? Risk it All and go for the women he loves or marry the women of his fathers choosing?

Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,239 reviews36 followers
April 26, 2022
I read Risk it all by Tara Lee , sweet stunning Heartbreaking

Callahan wants to marry Primrose but his family and the business have other plans for him.

But will he go through with proposing to Chanal.

Is there a happy ever after for him and Prim
Profile Image for Kit Chepesiuk.
34 reviews
April 26, 2022
I read Risk it All by Tara Lee⭐️

A short story of how love always wins ♥️
These two are 🔥
Profile Image for Sydney Cordeiro .
94 reviews
April 28, 2022
I read Risk it all by Tara lee. It was a quick steamy read definitely worth it. Would love to read more about Prim and Cal!
85 reviews
July 1, 2022
I read Always Us by Rhiannon Marina.
I loved this short story.Rhiannon captured Drew and Tara’s story perfectly. A great edition to Its Always Been You.
71 reviews
June 28, 2022
Always Us is a short story by Rhinnon Marina that is part of the “Friends To Lovers” collection of the New Romance Café with all proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

It’s hard to believe that in just 27 pages you could become so invested in a story that you’re rooting for an outcome that you just know isn’t going to happen. It’s the story of Drew and Tara (Red). It starts when they become instant friends on their first meeting in College and ends several years later on Drew’s wedding day……………. to someone else. It’s a quick refreshing little treat that will give you all the feels. Enjoy.
Profile Image for Tara Lee.
Author 31 books294 followers
June 27, 2022
I read Always Us Rhiannon Marina.

This beautiful short story was perfect.
Drew and Tara were perfection and that ending gah loved it.
A story about true love and finding your soul mate truly amazing. All the feels


Always in the Cards DL Gallie
This short and beautiful story about the journey to become parents was perfectly written and all the sexiness just made it better.
Rusty and Drew had fun banter and all the feels.
Profile Image for Anita.
1,127 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2022
I read Always Us by Rhiannon Marina

WOW what a beautiful short story, loved it and I would definitely love more.
Friends to lovers story.
Drew and Red are totally soulmates. And the ending just perfect!!!
Beautifully done ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Profile Image for Jaleel Webster-Abrahams.
66 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2022
Always Us - Rhiannon Marina

The build up was amazing. I am literally quivering for the book. Drew & Red (Tara) have this electric energy - no pun intended. But from day one they have been meant to be. There is no greater love than one built from friendship and I felt it so much as I read this in 20min. I cannot breathe until I read the book. So please, please let there be a book to come my way 😭
Profile Image for Tasha.
41 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2022
This review is for Rhiannon Marinas short story Always Us. Loved the book it was short sweet and to the point. Drew and Tara are such a beautiful couple. Writing was excellent can't wait to read more books by Rhiannon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jean Dewsbury.
870 reviews16 followers
June 27, 2022
My review is for Always US by Rhiannon Marina
Such a sweet friends to lovers romance filled with plenty of chemistry and friendship between Drew and Tara.
I hope to read more about these characters in future books.
Profile Image for Lisa Petty (Book Bangers Blog).
2,291 reviews20 followers
July 20, 2022
Want some summer loving? Pick up It's Always Been you. It's a collection of authors with hearts of gold and naughty minds. These authors will bring you heart-melting history with their words. Each story has a couple that needs to work out their emotions and see what is in front of them. From best friends to loves, we will have it all in these stories.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews360 followers
July 20, 2022
Friends-to-Lovers Anthology . . .

This Friends-to-Lovers collection for charity -- with ALL proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation -- has over 30 short story contributions from wonderful authors to keep the reader entertained. Below is a quick review to give you an idea of the sweet stories you will come across in this collection.

And a heart-felt ❤THANK YOU❤ goes out to the following authors for so generously sharing their time and love on this project:

Sofia Aves, Kristine Charles, DL Gallie, Ariel Dawn, Amy Stephens, K. Rose, Guinevere Jordan, Kamaria Sweet, Enid Ashton, J.F. Lowe, Melanie Greene, Rhiannon Marina, Sarah Stein, J.M. Adele, Tirza Schaefer, Bonnie Poirier, Katy Rose, Angelica Kate, Chelle Pimblott, Katie Frey, Jewelz Baxter, Chele MacCabe, Leila Coltyn, Serafina Jax, Tara Lee, Harper Michaels, Pandora Snow, Kimberly Gray, S.C. Principale, Jane Poller, Anna Klein, Claudia Shelton, Toni Lee, Trinity Wood, J K Lycke, Rebecca Conrad & Adelyn Zara

*** Highlight of “INKLING OF LOVE” by Enid Ashton ***
In “INKLING OF LOVE”, Max is a player who has feelings for Ava, but his past of no deep ties to a partner makes him unsure of how to proceed. She also has feelings for him, but never said anything. When he ends up kissing her, there is no doubt in either of them that the chemistry is there. Can Ava ignore his past and accept what he is offering her now?


Profile Image for Alannah.
356 reviews14 followers
June 30, 2022
I read my Girl Rhiannon Marina.

This short story was so beautiful and perfect. I loved Drew and Tara's story it was so sweet and beautiful. True love at its finest. They were soul mates from the start. Tara fell inlove from the moment she met Drew. Drew was a sucker the moment he saw the fire red haired girl.

My Girl Tara Risk it.

Well if you're after a intense steamy read look no further. Callahan and primroses story is fast burn, intense, sexy and addicting.

Callahan's family was made of money and he was being told who he had to marry but it was Prim as shes not worthy to be with or involved in Callahan's life.

Primrose was just a waitress that caught Callahan's eye the moment he saw her and they fell pretty hard for eachother! The chemistry was smoking between them.
Profile Image for Savannah Clifton.
146 reviews8 followers
July 4, 2022
Just finished Always Us by Rhiannon Marina and let me say, her love stories never disappoint! Always Us is a short in the It’s Always Been You anthology, and my heart throughout the short just lifted! It was so sweet and I loved how the ending turned out, just perfection!
Profile Image for Azalea Hudson.
Author 5 books56 followers
July 15, 2022
Review for FROMANCE by Tirza Schaefer
It's a short story of 3 college students falling for each other, and boy! It was cute and hot at the same time. It was precise and to the point. Lots of angst, frustration, love and steam. I loved it, and I can't to read the entire book! It's already in pre-order on my Kindle. I super recommend this Anthology!
Profile Image for Kyla .
320 reviews7 followers
July 16, 2022
I read It's Always Been You by K. Rose and I really enjoyed it. It's a quick, sweet read. The characters, Austin and Breanna are fun and sweet with lots of life to them. They are best friends but have 'secret' feelings for each other. However, they are worried they will ruin their friendship if they start down that road. Will they finally take a chance and talk about how they feel? Will they finally start acting on the feelings they've been feeling for each other for a long time? The spice is hot and steamy, just how I like it. While this is a short story there will be more, we are left with "The end, for now" which just makes me want more! If you are looking for something to read that's quick, spicy, and super sweet, look no further. I am looking forward to seeing where this goes in the future!
Profile Image for Jezabel Nightingale.
Author 8 books43 followers
June 29, 2022
I read Always Us by Riannon Marina.

What a sweet short story! If this is a taste of things to come, sign me up!
Profile Image for Brittany Grantham.
165 reviews3 followers
June 11, 2022
Max and Ava are and have been best friends. After a failed tattoo attempt they go to a party and everything goes from there. For a short novella it’s really good. The characters are good, the story isn’t cheesy and it’s spicy steamy. It’s a quick friends to lovers romance done good.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle Heron。・:*˚:✧。.
Author 27 books196 followers
September 29, 2022
I read 'Always Us' by Rhiannon Marina and immediately crave more of Drew and Tara (Red). I love the glimpse's of more then just friendship and build up of what could be a really compelling story, if Rhiannon chooses to turn it into a full length novel.

Either way, this short story is a nice read with a little bit of steam between friends.
Profile Image for Simone Dyers.
153 reviews
July 18, 2022
Risk It All - Tara Lee.
A beautiful short story with a HEA where true love conquers all.
Profile Image for april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews.
1,467 reviews2,594 followers
August 17, 2022
This was a great book set to dive into. It had such a great selection of stories and they were all very diverse. There were steamy as well as sweet stories so you can read whatever you feel like. I really enjoyed it, five stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Sofia's Cowboy Romance Lovers and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews

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