Always You

by Zoe Dod

At twenty-one, Star Roberts made a promise that changed the course of her life.

As her sister lay dying, Star promised to love and raise her new-born niece, Skylar as her own daughter.

Not wanting to ruin the career of the man she loved, she lied and sent him to New York. Seven years on, he’s back and past lies are about to catch up with her.

Star has worked hard to forge a successful career and life for herself and Skylar. She is finally in line for the promotion of her dreams, and everything is looking up until Damian Hunt returns.

Now she must fight to hold onto her future, while protecting her daughter from the past.

Can Damian and Star navigate a future through all the secrets and lies?

Will Damian be able to forgive her for the decisions she’s made?

Can Star trust her heart and that of her daughters to the only man she has ever loved?

Genres: Romance, Second Chance

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

Zoe Dod is a British author who writes Contemporary Romance with hot alpha males, strong heroines, plenty of steam, and swoon-worthy romance.

She has been a self-confessed lover of romance novels and happily-ever-after stories for as long as she can remember. Zoe has now turned that passion into writing her own love stories.

When she's not dreaming up sexy new book boyfriends, Zoe can be found in the New Forest with her husband, two children, 2 felines, and 2 canine fur babies, or letting loose on the dance floor at her local Zumba class!

Join Zoe’s mailing list for updates and the chance to get advanced reader copies plus bonus content at www.zoedod.com

Connect with Zoe:

TikTok: @zoedod_author

Facebook: Zoe Dod Author

Instagram: @zoedod_author

Website: www.zoedod.com

Reviews

[JL · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning of Always You started really strong for me. I got invested quickly in Star who is determined and hardworking to provide a good life for her niece who she was raising as her daughter after the death of her sister, Lily. Since becoming a young mother at 21, she still lived with her best friends who were helping Star raise Skylar. And she still maintained a close relationship with her ex-boyfriends parents, Mary and Lucas. Lucas being her boss at a marketing firm.
I loved Star in the beginning. I understood why she working so hard for a promotion. She was a devoted mother. She was loyal to the people around her who had been with her through tough times.
But the moment Damien, her ex, came back, Star really started aggravating me. I stopped understanding her. I hated the choices she made. I found her very unlikable and frustrating.
She lied to Damien 7 years ago and broke his heart. And made the people around him including his own parents lie to him for 7 years too. She set him up, made him walk in on her in bed with Toby their friend. In order to push him away so Damien would leave to be the CEO of the US office of his family's company. She didn't want to hold him back while her sister was dying and raising a kid that wasn't his. So Star made decisions affecting their relationship and the course of their lives for both of them.
Honestly I was TEAM Damien. I didn't think he deserved the way Star continually treated him the whole book. She acted like she was the victim. Like Damien broke her heart and left her. She even complains many times that he didn't fight for her. He just believed what he saw. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME! He caught her naked in bed with another man after ghosting him for weeks. He saw what she wanted him to believe and when he did she blamed him. She got jealous of him dating women after they split but he wasn't allowed to believe she cheated on him? Talk about double standards and hypocrisy.
Of course when Damien comes back, Star is adamant she will keep her distance and her secrets. That lasts about 2 seconds before she's kissing him at the office. The office she's already been accused of sleeping her way to the top and getting special treatment. Ugh. Then she's letting Damien drive her home knowing her daughter is there. The one she's kept a secret. This is where I had trouble with Star. She lets Damien back into her life but doesn't explain things. The poor guy is so confused and getting information just continually dropped in his lap like a bomb.
Eventually Skylar ends up explaining her story not Star. And after that Damien and Star are sleeping together again. But do they talk and have a honest conversation? NOPE. That would be too easy. The miscommunication and misunderstandings continue as they fall back into a quick relationship.. only this time there is a kid involved in their lives but do they ever get their shit together?
You probably guessed... it doesn't work out well.
Star keeps her walls up because she's convinced he's returning to the US office but she never asks him his plans. Just starts dating him again but whinging it'll hurt her and Skylar when he does leave. And at the first sign of trouble, Star falls straight back into her habits. She is keeping Damien on the outside of her life again. Not including Damien in decisions. And then lying to his face when Christian, Skylar's biological father whom left Lily while she was dying of cancer and pregnant, wants to come back into their lives.
Christian gets welcomed back with open arms by Star when Damien was barely trusted. THAT DROVE ME INSANE! I'm sorry but any guy who left my sister while she was riddled with cancer and growing his kid when she needed him the most and abandoned his child, signing away his rights for 6 years.... I doubt I'd be very forgiving. But apparently he loved Lily so much all is forgiven. WTF! Some things are unforgiveable. Star even forgives her father who has barely been there her life let alone helped with his granddaughter. But good old Damien couldn't be trusted to be told the truth about who Star is having lunch with! It made me so angry.
When Damien catches her out with Christian... he's pissed and has every right to be. He had worked hard to carve a place for himself in their lives. Star is always pushing him away and blaming him for not fighting for them when he didn't have all the facts but Christian can just give a small sob story and she's letting the door open for him to walk right back in and be Skylar's father right away. I felt really sorry for Damien. He was starting to bond with Skylar. He thought they might be a family and Star just never includes him.
I thought she was a pretty shit girlfriend. I didn't get why Damien even liked her to be honest. She goes on and on about how much she loves him but how could she when she never trusted him? Kept pushing him away? Lying to him? Never giving him a chance.
Around this point I really lost interest in Star completely. I didn't care about her heartbreak. She bought it on herself. She gets so mad about Damien leaving. Why? She always knew he would. And then she treated him like shit. What did she expect? This is why they needed to talk.
Of course Damien comes back. And they keep doing the stop/start. The on/off. BECAUSE THEY NEVER REALLY TALK. They just keep sleeping together or working with clients. There was never any middle ground. I didn't like them together except for little moments when Damien was hanging with Skylar. Even those were few and far between. Truthfully, Damien wasn't in the book a whole lot. We didn't get to know him very much which was a shame. We never got to see the good side of his relationship with Star so I found it difficult to like them together.
By the time we get to the end and they reunite at the last second with Damien proposing... I was over them. I didn't think they should get engaged. Their relationship was nowhere near ready for that step.

[Sheron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always You

Loved this book and the storyline really did not want it to end can't wait to read more of Zoe's novels. Congrats on the first one 👏🏽😍

[Mary Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story this is

This is a storyline that is well written, full of characters that are lovable. It is easy to relate to the situation they find themselves in, and how it all turns out.

[Annmarie Kuyath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star is a single mom and finally has all and finally has it all together.  She is up for a promotion and has made a good life for herself and her daughter.  But Damian, the man that she loved and drove away because of the secrets she kept and the lies that she told, is back. Will herpast catch up to her? Will Damian forgive her for her lies and deceit? Can Star trust herself with the only man she has ever loved while protecting her daughter from her past?
I really enjoyed this book and would have given it a 5 star review, but it dragged on at times for me so I gave it a 4.  It is a good story line with well developed characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Adele Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, liked the flow of the story but did get confused at the beginning when we first learn of the adoption I had to go back to begin with as I really thought I’d missed something but otherwise I really liked it

[Chandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Star and Damian is full of angst, sadness, heartbreak and a tremendous amount of love. They have not had a conventional relationship by any means and the 7 years apart did not slow down the wildfire that burned between them.

If you are looking for a second chance, single mom, HEA guaranteed romance, definitely give this one a try!

[Teresa Saeed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always You by Zoe Dod tells the story of Star and Damian, weaving a passionate and emotional romance between two complex characters. Star is a strong heroine whose journey is marked by vulnerability and resilience, while Damian is a compelling alpha male with layers beyond his tough exterior. Their relationship develops with intensity and depth, capturing the push and pull of attraction, trust, and healing.

Zoe Dod’s writing shines in portraying the chemistry and emotional stakes between Star and Damian, making their connection feel authentic and engaging. The book balances steamy moments with meaningful character development, allowing readers to invest in both their romance and individual growth.

Overall, Always You is a captivating contemporary romance that fans of Zoe Dod’s work and readers who enjoy emotionally charged love stories with strong characters will appreciate.

[greenapplemojito · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a miss for me. I didn't really quite feel any sort of connection between the MCs, the MMC kept running away at any chance he got, I hated the way the fallout in the past was orchestrated, I hated how the MCs barely communicated properly, I hated some of the words the MMC spewed about the FMC and other men, I hated the MMC's "status" relationship wise and how the timeline was overlapped badly in the present time, I could barely connect with the characters or understand their personalities (at least a dual pov would have given a bit more dimension - at least to the MMC). I could go on, but this book was a huge miss.

[Maggie McCullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Always You" by Zoe Dod is an excellent contemporary romance that combines several popular tropes (Single Parent, Office Romance, Second Chance, etc.) into a fresh reading experience. Even though I've never been a single parent, I could relate to the last-minute juggling acts between work, childcare, and school. This author has skillfully developed the secondary characters as well as the primary protagonists with a few plot twists along the way. Five stars for this gem.

[Michelle Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story. Great characters. Secrets & lies but not in a nasty way. Lot's of miscommunication & bottling things up. A bittersweet story of love lost but re-found only to nearly lose it by throwing it all away because of fear to trust & open yourself up. Poor editing leads to a four not five star rating.

[Shirley Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book. Loved the characters and Skylar was a dream. Sky and Damian’s love affair was definitely a will they won’t they get back together. A superb storyline and am so glad some of the characters have their own books. A very sexy and romantic story. I have now downloaded both the following books and I know they will be just as good.

[Sid Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I really loved reading about Star and Damian's story the ups and down's of their lives but love is a powerful thing and that's what won in the end will definitely be reading the rest of Zoe Dod books .

[Mariya Georgieva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story

The story was brilliant. Love the main characters . It brought tears to my eyes how real it felt when Skyler was told about her dad wanting to see her .
Why did I give 4 stars ?- the book really needs some editorial touch

[Arna · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Meh. Got Bored at 60%

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

If miscommunication and "I loved you so much I ruined both our happiness" had a baby...

[Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super slow start. Until 20% in, I thought lots of pages were irrelevant, but it got better. If you are no patient, then move on.

[Tracey Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

Loved reading this book with the ups and downs. I laughed and cried, would highly recommend. Brilliant book. Couldn’t put it down

[sarah stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodness thought they'd never be together

Really good read character s all good really enjoyed the book will pass on to my friend and put on my wall for others to read

[Sandra Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional

Loved this book. It was emotional fun and had a great story. Completely recommend it. It's a good book to curl up on the sofa with.

[Julienne]

3.75 stars

[Mary E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fantastic Romance

I kind of read book two before book one, it would have been better in correct order but it was still two good romances! Please read!

[Michelle Keel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down!

A captivating book that could have had so many different endings. Really worth reading with the perfect level if 🌶️🌶️

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

good but not great

I enjoyed the book but not like her others. Characters were not quite as deep as the others but a good quick read

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

tear jerker

Loved, loved this story! It had me spell bound! Thank you, it was a fantastic read. I just love a tear jerker

[Louise Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

always you

Well I came across this book by accident but I loved it
I thoroughly enjoyed the story between Star & Damien
It’s well written & I am now looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series

[Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

No words for how awful this book and the FMC was

[Sandy Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a beautiful story of second chances. I love the fact that the MFC had such a strong support system and the stories that bind them together were well written. Each and every character has been well thought out and I loved the story and feel of the book overall.
I have removed one star because of some parts that had non communication from the MMC and that could've been avoided. No one in this day and age, just takes of without texting or leaving a voicemail.