Note: I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Release Date: July 27, 2021

Blurb

MY ALWAYS ONE – Friends-to-lovers stand-alone

When we were young, Samantha Anderson was the girl down the street. For as long as I remember, she’s been my partner in crime, in adventures, and in almost everything. Sami is fun and sexy, my greatest confidant, and my best friend.

From early on, we vow that our relationship will never change—through thick and thin, we’ll remain always and forever in the friend zone. We will not cross that line.

After all, I’m not a forever kind of guy.

Then that line blurs.
We amend our agreement.

Best friends become friends with benefits.
Is this new agreement the key to our future? Or will I lose my best friend?

MY ALWAYS ONE is a new, fun, and sexy friends-to-lovers contemporary romance. A steamy stand-alone, MY ALWAYS ONE is not connected to any other of Aleatha’s Lighter Ones and may be read on its own.

Review

Sami and Marshal are sweet best-friends-to-lovers in this quick read by Aleatha Romig. Friends since childhood, we get a small peek into their past as friends before transitioning to present-day. These two have clung hard and fast to their positions as friends only.

In present day, Sami finds her life taking a path she never imagined, and she feels blindsided. Lucky for her, she’s had Marshal by her side for over 20 years, and he’ll do anything to help her get through this. *Swoon*

My favorite parts of this book:

  • Family – These two have known each other since they were 5-year-olds. They grew up on the same street. They know each other’s parents WELL, and they grew up with all of their siblings together. There are plenty of callbacks to childhood, including memories, nicknames, and adventures. I think this adds to the overall sweetness in this story.
  • It’s sweet, but also steamy – Just because they’re friends doesn’t mean the benefits aren’t steamy… just sayin’!
  • Realness – Marshal and Sami’s relationship feels real to me, and that’s one of the things that makes me feel invested in their character development the most. Even inner monologues felt real, as in, I’ve probably thought the same things before!
  • Humor – I loved the humor in this book! I smiled my way through and love Marshal’s commitment to making Sami laugh at any cost.

The one thing I struggled with was flow. We didn’t meet the main characters in present-day until a few chapters in. Part of me wished that the flashbacks were sprinkled into the novel instead of at the beginning. I found myself forgetting the scenes from high school and college from the beginning of the book.

Overall, a very sweet, funny, and steamy read, so I give this book a very solid 4-stars!

Rating: 4 Stars

Order Your Copy Here:

Amazon US:  https://amzn.to/3vRvooi

Amazon World: mybook.to/MyAlwaysOneAR

Apple: https://apple.co/2STptAi

Nook: https://bit.ly/3vRvNai

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/my-always-one 

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3dKz2sX

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3yjm510 

Goodreads Link: https://bit.ly/3h6MiKk

Meet Aleatha Romig:

Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!

Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with PLUS ONE, followed by the sweet stand-alone, ONE NIGHT.

Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America.  She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Connect with Aleatha Romig:

Newsletter: http://www.aleatharomig.com/contact\

Website: http://aleatharomig.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AleathaRomig

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Aleatha-Romig

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/1TUOcxJ

Instagram: http://instagram.com/aleatharomig

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AleathaRomig

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aleatharomig7/

If you give this book a read, let me know what you think in the comments. As always, see what I’m currently reading on Goodreads here!