Liam has been so many people he can hardly remember who he really is. Having to walk away from the woman he loved to keep her safe, he wonders if he will ever be able to have a normal life. With the trial starting in a couple weeks, all he can wish for is to put his demons and secrets in the past.
When Finn’s Gram gets sick, she comes home to care for the woman that raised her as her own. But, when her Grams dies, she says goodbye to the only home she has ever felt safe in, but with a new job on the West Coast waiting for her, she packs the few things she has in Rose Red, her beloved car her Grams gave to her and says goodbye to her past ghosts. She just had to do one last thing before she left… Another blind date. ARG.
When Finn mistakes Liam for her blind date, her BFF Marley fixed her up on, she realizes her friend finally got this one right. With his dark shaggy hair, crooked smile, and his imperfect perfect teeth, he was beyond beautiful, but she was leaving town in the morning and she doesn’t do one-night stands. Although, for him, she might reconsider.
As Finn walked into the restaurant, Liam couldn’t take his eyes off her, and when she suddenly sat down in front of him he couldn’t believe his luck. They laughed and talked as if they had always known each other, but, when her phone rang, it all comes crashing down, literally.
Liam couldn’t get the mysterious woman out of his head. He knew he could never be with her, he’s leaving to testify in the morning, and God only knows if he will make it back alive.
Finding out that the man in front of her wasn’t her blind date, Finn started to question her state of mind. She really liked Tom, hell, he wasn’t Tom, he was an imposter. Why didn’t he tell her he wasn’t her date? She should have known better than to think Marley would set her up with someone like him. He was perfect. Can life get any worse? As she had sat there with the blind date imposter, it was the first time in a long time, she felt safe, unafraid, and normal.
SM Stryker is an Amazon international bestselling author who writes emotionally charged romance and romantic suspense novels that dive deep into love, trauma, and healing. An Oregon native, she draws inspiration from long drives, quiet walks along the river, and the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
By day, she’s a dedicated mortgage broker—organized, focused, and driven. But by night, she steps into her alter ego: a storyteller who weaves gut-wrenching, steamy love stories that aren't afraid to explore the shadows. Her characters are intense and unforgettable—survivors of heartbreak, betrayal, and trauma who learn to rise, heal, and love again.
Each of her stories is rooted in truth—some inspired by real events, others by the silent battles many face but never voice. Through powerful storytelling, SM Stryker gives those struggles a voice, reminding readers that even in the darkest moments, love can be found—and it can be life-changing.
A wife, mother of four grown daughters, and proud grandmother, she writes from a place of quiet reflection and fierce empathy. Her dream is to become a New York Times bestselling author, not for the title, but for the chance to reach more hearts and share stories that stay with you long after the final page.
Though introverted by nature, she deeply values connection with her readers. You can find her at www.smstryker.com, where she shares updates, sneak peeks, and exclusive content for those on her mailing list.
Because sometimes, the love you weren’t looking for is the one that saves you.
She has shared more of the events of her life in many of her other books.
TO JOIN MY MAILING LIST AND TO RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF NEVER FORGOTTEN LOVE, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE.
Great Story & Audible Listen🎧 Thrilling & Heartfelt!
Then There Was You: Liam's Story Then There Was You Series, Book 2 By: SM Stryker Narrated by: Nicholas Donald Malcolm
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is well written and well told with interesting storylines that are captivating from start to end. The characters are complex and well developed. S.M. Stryker has a wonderful writing style, her stories and characters are realistic and easy to relate to. I adored the two lead characters and some of the secondary characters as well. I loved how Finn and Liam first meet, she mistaking him for her blind date. The two really hit it off then but she flees when she fins out he was not her intended date. But fate had a different plan for them, they were both leaving for Oregon the next day and circumstances arise where they meet by chance once again and they wind up traveling to Oregon together. I loved the chemistry between these two, her understanding of his situation and he trusting her enough to tell him. Liam’s life has not been a picnic for the past few years and while he hopes one day the madness will end and he could live his life, he knows that will not happen. But he has Finn now and she is brave and determined to end it all for him. A lot goes on in this book, it is well plotted with plenty of drama, some angst, action, twists, thrilling suspense, some heartfelt moments and a wonderful romance. S.M. Stryker, thank you for another great story.
I listened to the Audible edition, Nicholas Donald Malcolm does a great job portraying the characters and bringing them and their story to life. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for a great listen🎧
if you looking for a book that will grab you from the beginning and not let you go until the last words this book is for you! it's beautiful raw full of action secrets and love! you will not be disappointed!! this authors books just get better and better! 😍
Reread this book and again absolutely loved it. I fell in love with the characters all over again, and loved all the new characters. I like how this series so far deals with difficult topics that no one really wants to talk about, but we need to speak out and not keep quiet as sexual assault is a serious matter that shouldn't stay silent. Overall this book was amazing and would highly recommend reading this series.
I'm reviewing the audio edition. Even though it appears not to stated, I feel you need to read Whispers In The Wind first. I’d advise it so you know the background of the characters from there. This is the story of Liam (Maison, Matthew). He has not had an easy life and his twin brother didn’t help.
Finn doesn’t appear to have much luck in the relationship game either. When she mistakes Liam for a blind date they instantly click. Even with all the circumstances facing them they seem to be destined to be thrown together. Finn throws more than a few surprises to the story. Liam adds his desire for a normal life. Mark appears again and his part is totally different than I expected.
This is a good addition to the series. I didn’t feel it wasn’t quite as emotional as the first story but maybe because there was not the love triangle. The only problem I had was while the narrator did a great job I kept focusing on the part where I couldn’t tell if he called Callie, Callie or Kelly. I don’t know why I focused on that but it just was one thing that caused me to stop. I would recommend this series. There is plenty that held my attention and the ending was not quite what I expected.
So I thought I loved the first book and then I read this one. I loved this one even more than book one. One thing I also loved about this book was all the little quotes at the beginning of chapters. I have a thing for good quotes personally. But as for the content of the story itself. Lets just say I was on my seat during the whole thing. This one didn't bring as many tears to my eyes but the story behind the main characters was very interesting. This book also gives more details about one of the main characters in the first book. This book also had so much more action in it too. It's definitely a love story but there is so much suspense and action thrown in too. I honestly could read this book a second time and I hardly ever read a book twice. And I'm most definitely excited to read the next one. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good love story with some suspense and action thrown in too. But I won't say anything else so as not to spoil the book because I'm not very good at writing reviews.
I really liked this book. The story was very well developed. I loved the quotes at the beginning of the chapters. It made me cry and fall in love but feel angst and anger. A book I will definitely recommend to my friends. No Spoilers here. Just be ready to have your pulse raise in no time and cry when you least expect it!
I didn't think it was possible but this book was even better than the 1st!!! There was so much suspense in it that I was on the edge of my seat pretty much the whole time reading it. I love the protector in Liam and the innocence in Finn. Together they work so well together. This story came together so well. Can't wait to see what happens next!!!
This book is amazing! I was hooked from the start and didn't put it down till I finished. It was filled with love, secrets, action, and lots of healing from the past. I started with this one and am definitely getting the first in this series.
Very well written book with well developed depth to the characters. Filled with extreme sibling rivalry, deception, intrigue, suspense, action, real world issues, and sweet romance Definitely recommend!
Great Story & Audible Listen🎧 Thrilling & Heartfelt!
Then There Was You: Liam's Story Then There Was You Series, Book 2 By: SM Stryker Narrated by: Nicholas Donald Malcolm
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is well written and well told with interesting storylines that are captivating from start to end. The characters are complex and well developed. S.M. Stryker has a wonderful writing style, her stories and characters are realistic and easy to relate to. I adored the two lead characters and some of the secondary characters as well. I loved how Finn and Liam first meet, she mistaking him for her blind date. The two really hit it off then but she flees when she fins out he was not her intended date. But fate had a different plan for them, they were both leaving for Oregon the next day and circumstances arise where they meet by chance once again and they wind up traveling to Oregon together. I loved the chemistry between these two, her understanding of his situation and he trusting her enough to tell him. Liam’s life has not been a picnic for the past few years and while he hopes one day the madness will end and he could live his life, he knows that will not happen. But he has Finn now and she is brave and determined to end it all for him. A lot goes on in this book, it is well plotted with plenty of drama, some angst, action, twists, thrilling suspense, some heartfelt moments and a wonderful romance. S.M. Stryker, thank you for another great story.
I listened to the Audible edition, Nicholas Donald Malcolm does a great job portraying the characters and bringing them and their story to life. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for a great listen🎧
Very dramatic, lots of things that were unlikely, if not impossible. Perhaps soap opera level drama?
Content warning:Rape.
Liam has an "evil twin" who killed his first girlfriend and raped his other one. There's an old lady psychic who gives Finn advice then DIES. Finn kills 7 guys without training, how? Her ex (coordinator of second rape) shows up randomly and is dealt with, kind of out of the blue. At least everyone was getting counseling after the big fight, that's one realistic thing here.
Minor weird plot points - Finn makes bubbles....with her spit? As a nervous habit? Does it twice at the beginning and doesn't do it again? (At least, not before the last 50 minutes of the audiobook, that's when I stopped listening.) Who thinks "lateral incisors" are sexy? Random religious references. People in witness protection can't buy their own house because their neighbors would know who they are!
If you liked the first book then you'll probably like this, and I hope you do because I just don't think I'm the target audience here. But I this was the first of the series that I read and was not a big fan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I absolutely adore SM Stryker. She writes books that hit you right in the feels, rip your heart out, then put it back together. I loved Liam/Mason in the previous book, and it broke my heart to see him suffer so much because of his brother. He finally gets his HEA, and for that I'm glad. I just didn't love this story as much as I really wanted to...everything that went down with his brother, it was just wrapped up a little too lovingly and neatly--especially after all the monstrous things he did. I'm all for forgiveness, but I just don't know, it was a bit of a reach for me. Anyway, I love the segue into the next book where we get the story of Natasha and Nash--I'm really looking forward to that!
Finn and Liam's story is mystical, healing and dangerous. I could feel Finn's fear as it grew to determination as written on the pages. Liam's own determination is amazing to witness.
Loved this story another fantastic book from S.M. STRYKER WOW WOW WOW Book 2. Then there was you, I thought book one was brilliant & it would take something special to beat it, well this book has certainly done that & more. Loved the quotes it was a lovely touch to the begin of the chapters I highly recommended this book, read it you won't be disappointed
Liam has been so many people he can hardly remember who he really is. Having to walk away from the woman he loved to keep her safe, he wonders if he will ever be able to have a normal life. With the trial starting in a couple weeks, all he can wish for is to put his demons and secrets in the past.
When Finn’s Gram gets sick, she comes home to care for the woman that raised her as her own. But, when her Grams dies, she says goodbye to the only home she has ever felt safe in, but with a new job on the West Coast waiting for her, she packs the few things she has in Rose Red, her beloved car her Grams gave to her and says goodbye to her past ghosts. She just had to do one last thing before she left… Another blind date. ARG.
When Finn mistakes Liam for her blind date, her BFF Marley fixed her up on, she realizes her friend finally got this one right. With his dark shaggy hair, crooked smile, and his imperfect perfect teeth, he was beyond beautiful, but she was leaving town in the morning and she doesn’t do one-night stands. Although, for him, she might reconsider.
As Finn walked into the restaurant, Liam couldn’t take his eyes off her, and when she suddenly sat down in front of him he couldn’t believe his luck. They laughed and talked as if they had always known each other, but, when her phone rang, it all comes crashing down, literally.
Liam couldn’t get the mysterious woman out of his head. He knew he could never be with her, he’s leaving to testify in the morning, and God only knows if he will make it back alive.
Finding out that the man in front of her wasn’t her blind date, Finn started to question her state of mind. She really liked Tom, hell, he wasn’t Tom, he was an imposter. Why didn’t he tell her he wasn’t her date? She should have known better than to think Marley would set her up with someone like him. He was perfect. Can life get any worse? As she had sat there with the blind date imposter, it was the first time in a long time, she felt safe, unafraid, and normal.
So I was a bit frustrated to find out this was part of a series as it’s not listed in the synopsis or within the title to let the reader know, I only found out from reading other reviews after the fact. However, with that said it did stand up on its own and could be read as such.
I loved the beginning of this story. Heroine is in a pretty bad life slump and agrees to go out on a blind date set up by her best friend. She goes to the date and the guy is perfect. There is immediate attraction. They have great conversation and everything is going well. Until her friend calls her and asks why she stood her blind date up! Come to find out mystery date just happened to be eating alone and couldn’t seem to interrupt her in the beginning and then he didn’t WANT to.
However, as the story moves on it goes from this spectacular first date to this sugar sweet, unrealistic insta-love to which hero and heroine are admitting their love for one another days later and the storyline just lost me, sadly.
I absolutely adore SM Stryker. She writes books that hit you right in the feels, rip your heart out, then put it back together. I loved Liam/Mason in the previous book, and it broke my heart to see him suffer so much because of his brother. He finally gets his HEA, and for that I'm glad. I just didn't love this story as much as I really wanted to...everything that went down with his brother, it was just wrapped up a little too lovingly and neatly--especially after all the monstrous things he did. I'm all for forgiveness, but I just don't know, it was a bit of a reach for me. Anyway, I love the segue into the next book where we get the story of Natasha and Nash--I'm really looking forward to that!