I was thrilled to receive a NetGalley widget from Boldwood Books for this book. Lisa Hobman always writes beautiful stories, and I instinctively knew that this one would be special. If you would like to read a couple of my previous reviews for Lisa’s books, please follow these links: It Started with a Kiss and Happiness Under a Summer Skye.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher, and I have included my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.
Synopsis
Some things are worth the wait…
Lily and Adam have been inseparable for as long as either of them can remember- well, since primary school. For years, being best friends was everything: easy, constant, unquestioned. Until one day, it wasn’t.
At eighteen, Lily realises she’s in love. Not a passing crush, but something deep and unshakeable—with Adam. She says nothing, unwilling to risk the one person she can’t imagine losing. But silence comes at a price. What starts as a harmless joke leads Adam straight into the arms of someone else: Eve.
Years pass, and life moves on. Then Adam finds himself back at the beginning—single, heartbroken, and turning to the one person who has always been there. Lily helps him rebuild, as she always has, putting his happiness above her own.
But this time, something feels different.
Is this finally their moment or have they already missed it?
Review
It Was Always You is a deliciously immersive story of unrequited love and platonic friendship. Lisa Hobman always writes stories that capture my imagination, and this one took my heart on an adventure.
Lily is a gorgeous character. Her love for her friendship with Adam far outweighs her romantic feelings for him. The thought of her love being unrequited is a pain she simply cannot face, so she tucks her emotions away and protects her heart as best she can. My heart ached for her, but I was also frustrated that she couldn’t be brave and talk to Adam. Her feelings for him were fierce, and she would literally have done anything to see him happy. Sadly, to her own detriment.
Adam was terrific. He loved Lily like a sister and would do anything for her. What he didn’t notice was the helter-skelter his own feelings went on. I wanted to scream at him more than once. Above all, he was the kind of friend any girl would wish for. Loyal, affectionate and caring. His story arc was a pleasure to follow, and seeing his maturity evolve was most satisfying.
While reading this book, I did wonder if it could have been shorter. Could we get to the endgame more quickly? However, after finishing it and considering it more fully, I believe it’s perfect. A shorter journey would have been a disservice to this great love story, and that would have been criminal.
Author Bio
Represented by Lorella Belli at LBLAUK and signed to Boldwood Books.
Shortlisted in 2014 Romantic Novelists Association RoNAs in the Contemporary Romance category for debut novel Bridge Over the Atlantic (later signed by Aria Fiction and rereleased as A Seaside Escape).
I’ve had what you could call a very varied career including time working as a singer and appearing on TV’s Stars in Their Eyes in 1997. But writing has always been a deep rooted passion.
In 2012 my family and I relocated from England to our favourite place in the world, Scotland, and we are now happily ensconced in village life. The stunning location was the inspiration for my writing career and so it’s only right that it features in all of my books.
I’m a happily married mum of one with two energetic dogs who make cameo appearances in some of my books. I love writing and creating new characters and now have the pleasure of owning my own bookshop.
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