4⭐️
If you like….
- 1 POV
- Clean romance
- Second chance
- Renaissance camp
- Growing up
- Young love
- Opposites attract
This was my first ARC from net galley and I was so grateful to receive this’d guys I won’t lie I kinda went into this blind all I knew was that it had a similar mood to forget me not so I was all for it. Yes this book has a similar vibe but it is no where near the same it has it own charm and I ate it up. Macy and Nate meet at a Renaissance camp of all things and I honestly loved this setting I thought it was so fun! Watching them fall in love along the timeline of them working out how to fix their relationship was super pure and their young love was the cutest thing ever. The way this man cared for Macy was top their book boyfriend material. I was eating up their story and was hooked on what would happen next which surprised me because I soon worked out it was 1 POV which usually isn’t my vibe as I feel I can’t connect with the other half of the couple but Nate was so in love with Macy his personality shone through so well and Kaylas writing was really beautiful to read. This was my first read of this author and reminded how much I can love clean romance!!

This book is beautiful is features a past and present storyline. The main characters Macy and Nate meet at a 1800s pioneer reenactment camp. Nate introduces Macy to his sister who quickly becomes best friends. The book starts with the preparation of her best friends wedding which bring back Nate to her hometown. The book explores a hard topic which when reading I missed so had to reread. Towards the end the book felt rushed. I would have like the epilogue to be a tiny bit longer but that’s is just me.
Overall I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Thank you Kayla, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the ARC!

Possible T/W: Implied SA, drugging, loss of pregnancy. It’s never explicitly said, just implied and there are no details.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Private school girl Macy meets homeschooled boy Nate at a pioneer LARP camp and they hit it off. Macy doesn’t think they will ever see each other again until her dad drags her back the very next year. A romance sparks between Macy and Nate, and Macy and Nate’s sister Evie become best friends. After a traumatic experience, Macy breaks up with Nate and they don’t meet again until 4 years later at Evie’s wedding that they’re both in.

I don’t like spoilers so I will just leave it at that, but this was such a good little read! I loved the characters, I loved the tropes (friends to lovers, meet cute, second chance romance) and I loved the plot. Kayla’s writing was beautiful, and she had a great way of making us understand the characters and what they were feeling, especially Macy as it was her POV. So good, I definitely recommend especially if you are looking for a semi-quick read!

EVEN WHEN IT WASN'T YOU is a very sweet, fast-reading second-chance new adult story. After four years of not seeing each other, Nate and Macy still deeply love each other just as when they were together despite a rough breakup. "Even When.." they weren't a part of each others' lives, they were still very much a part of each others' lives. Macy is harboring a secret that is the reason why she ended things with Nate they way she did, can they still just be friends despite the unresolved feelings between them?

I liked how sincere and sweet Nate is and how he is just who Macy needs to meet her where she is and help overcome her past trauma. Over-all, a wholesome and genuine read of an endearing, young love couple! 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co=op and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

So I really really enjoyed this book! It read so easily and fast and I finished it in one day! Also because I really wanted to get to the end of the story.

Nate, o dear, he is such a sweetheart. Any girl would be lucky to have a Nate as (boy)friend. Macy was a sweet girl but she is troubled by events in the past and I love how you feel that throughout the story. In the end it even made me tear up.

The romance was sweet, I enjoyed the conversations, but all on a serious note of troubles. I did feel like some parts were maybe a bit rushed/I would've loved to dive a bit more into the situations and the reflection of it to the characters.

4⭐ Go read this book!

ARC Review
“People grow so much in their twenties that our teenage relations shouldn’t still have such a chokehold on me. Some people wouldn’t think twice about the guys they dated when they were in high school and early college. But Nate isn’t just some guy. He was the love of my life.”

Sometimes you’re lucky enough to experience soul deep love as a teenager. Nate and Macy find just that in each other as teens oddly enough at River Rendezvous, a LARP (live action role playing) weeklong event that Macy’s dad thinks will be a fun vacation for them to really bond. She spent that week and the following year with the “socially awkward” homeschooled Delaney Clan. She left with Evie, the sister and best friend she always wanted, and the love of her life, Nate, and a lifetime of memories.

“Seeing him now is like meeting for the first time all over again, but much worse. The first time we met, it was as awkward as this. The difference was, back then, there was so much possibility. Now, I’m just faced with the memories of him. Memories without a future.”

Present day he’s no longer hers. All she has is memories, a broken heart and secret she can never tell Nate Delaney. Macy’s managed to avoid Nate for the four years since she broke up with him. But, now Evie, his sister, is getting married and they are being thrown together for wedding festivities. Funny, awkward and emotional moments have both crossing paths over and over again. Both are still secretly in love with each other, and closure is nowhere in sight.

Even When It Wasn’t You is a closed door second-chance romance. It sucked me in right from the first chapter. I literally couldn’t put it down and read it in a day. I loved bouncing back and forth from the past to the present. You were able to see the growth of Nate and Macy’s (swoon-worthy) love for each other and how they matured from teens into adults. I just wished we had been able to know what caused the breakup much sooner. We heard a lot from Macy about how they could never work, but it took a while to find out the actual reason. I really wanted to enjoy more of their reunion.

A special thank you NetGalley and Kayla Tirrell for giving me this ARC in exchange for a review.

💌Tropes 💌
- Second Chance
- Best Friend's Brother
- Clean Romance
- Supportive and Funny Friends
- He Falls First
- Dual Timelines
- Opposites Attract

⚠️Triggers⚠️
- SA (off page, implied)
- Ectopic Pregnancy

Let me start by saying that this book was so good! Usually I'm a spicy romance reader, but I love reading clean romance. And this was the perfect one! It's a mix of angst, fluff, and overall fun (especially if you appreciate flashbacks that explain the lore of the couple, supportive friends, and historical fairs). The writing is smooth and easily hooks you in, the unique scenery of a pioneer reenactment camp is intriguing, and the main couple is one that you find yourself rooting for.

All in all, this is a really sweet romance novel with just the right amount of angst to get you in your feels. Happy Reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the advanced copy of this book.
My favorite romance novels are second change romance and childhood romance. This one hit both these check marks. I finished this book in a day. The author draws you into the story immediately, and you fall in love with the main characters.
This is a dual timeline alternating between past and present. It is the story of Nate and Macy who become childhood friends one summer. In more ways than one, they are opposites. Macy is an only child, Nate comes from a large family. Macy comes from a wealthy family and goes to private school, while Nate grows up on a ranch and is home schooled.
Macy has trust issues throughout the book. She grew up in a single parent household after her mother left to chase her dreams. Her fear of becoming her mother and ruining her relationships becomes the barrier to her own happiness. Nate has unwavering love and patience for Macy, and he is truly what makes their relationship swoon worthy. He devotion to her is so steadfast. Even the secrets she carries can't crack the foundation of his love for her.
While this book wasn't the most original (it could easily be compared to 'Every Summer After' and 'Love and Other Words'), I found it to be a compelling and really enjoyable read. I thoroughly enjoyed the authors writing style and look forward to reading more from her.

This book was………. EVERYTHING ♥️
 
I’ve just closed this book (or pressed the X on my Kindle) and knew I had to write this review while I was still feeling the raw emotions!
"Even When It Wasn't You” by Kayla Tirrell took me on a rollercoaster! One moment I was eagerly turning the pages, engrossed in this beautifully written story, and the next moment I found myself close to shedding tears as I looked up to find myself at 94%, and the story was coming to an end.
 
Macy, our leading lady? She completely won me over. Her character is a powerhouse of strength and independence, with vulnerability shining through. Nate? Ahh, he's like a version of a golden retriever. Loyal, affectionate, and with a smile that could warm even the coldest hearts. Their evolution throughout the narrative is beautifully portrayed, showcasing Tirrell's storytelling skills. As for the conclusion, it was a blend of true love and a happily ever after, but I just craved a little more of those raw emotions at the end. Like, a teeny tiny bit longer, you know?
 
This book? This book is how you nail a second-chance romance tale. Tirrell's writing feels like an embrace that pulls you into the storyline. There are some heavier topics in the book, but they're handled well. Just FYI, check the trigger warnings before you dive in.
 
Overall, “Even When It Wasn't You" quickly became one of my top 3 reads this year and takes the full 5⭐️. It takes you on a journey of emotions, warms your heart, and is the read you want for days when you want to dive into every feeling. So make yourself a cup of tea and snuggle up with this treasure. 
 

📚ARC review - I was kindly given this advance review copy by Victory Editing by NetGalley. This is my honest review , thankyou so much for the opportunity 📚

Release date 23rd April ♥️

I flew through this book. It's a good pick if you want a quick, easy read.

Tropes included

-Best Friends Brother
-Second Chance romance
-Closed Door
-Pioneer re-enactment camp
-Wedding backdrop
-Childhood friends to lovers

Even when it wasn't you is a heart-warming second chance romance with a strong female friendship at its foundations. This book lacked drama (in a good way) and was very much the story of Macy and Nate.

I am not usually a lover of time jumps/flashbacks between chapters but found I did not mind this so much. Especially towards the end.
The first 90% or so of this book was a strong 4 stars from myself. however towards the end this dropped slightly as I felt the resolution to be rushed and frantic.

As a result of this, I did feel as though some parts of the story were not given enough time or context and as a result the characters felt slightly underdeveloped by the end of the novel. This book had a very YA feel and was easy to read so I can understand that it was a style choice to not delve into the harder-to-read topics and as a result I'm rounding my review up to 4 stars.

Although the author doesn't delve into the harsher parts of Macy and Nate's story please check the CW/TW for this book before reading.

Thankyou to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great book! I loved the dual POV of going in the past and present. It was the right amount of sadness, love, and good feel story. Thank you for allowing me to review this ARC!

3.5 Stars.

💐 The vibes:
- dual timeline
- Best friend’s brother
- Young love
- Second Chance
- a secret

💐 My thoughts:
This is a second chance romance with a dual timeline. The timeline jumps between the time throughout highschool and 4 years post highschool. There’s a looming secret the entire book which made it interesting but also I felt like I wanted more information sooner because I wasn’t sure how to feel about Macy for a lot of the book.

💐 I really loved this book for 85% of it. So let’s first talk about the first 85% that I loved. The flashbacks were so sweet. I loved the feeling of young love between Nate and Macy. Nate is homeschooled and Macy - a public schooler- is instantlyskeptical of Nate because she thinks homeschoolers are super weird and awkward. It was hilarious because I was homeschooled and had wild reactions from public schoolers my entire childhood into teen years and even as an adult. I found this entirely realistic 😂.

💐 I loved seeing Macy as she got to know Nate’s family. And Nate’s parents with their strict rules and boundaries made me grin- I totally related to that also. The aspects of young love were captured in a way that I totally resonated with (met my husband at 14; engaged at 19; married at 20- we wild 😜).

💐 In the current timeline, I loved Nate and Macy’s chemistry and their familiar closeness. The reunited kiss. The tattoo. 👌🏼

💐 As for the last 15% - it was a doozy for me. It’s impossible to fully discuss without spoilers so I’ll include more details at the bottom of the review which will be noted. I’ll keep it vague here. The secret. The way Macy handled part of it. The lack of communication. The way Nate initially reacted. I really struggled to make sense of any of it. I tried so hard to put myself back in the mental age of 19- and can recognize there can be a lack of maturity that can come from a relationship so young- because I’ve been 19 and in love. So yes- sometimes you just make terrible judgment calls- especially when there are other factors coming into play such as trauma. This is the way I can understand the train wreck of Nate and Macy.

💐 overall, I really enjoyed this read for most of the book and did enjoy the writing style. I would definitely read another book by this author. I think the conflict and resolution of this one just didn’t land quite right for me personally because of my own history of trauma.

Check TW for this one if you have concerns.

Release date: April 23, 2024.

Thank you so much to Kayla Tirrell and NetGalley for the gifted copy.

‼️ Further explanation of rating- this will contain spoilers. Do not read if you do not want to read spoilers. TW for my thoughts ‼️

I have thoughts on the medical emergency that happened in this book. I’m not a doctor, but I had the same exact medical situation happen to me (ruptured ectopic/removal of fallopian tube) and some of what was portrayed didn’t feel accurate. I feel like it’s relevant because it was the entire purpose of the plot and the conflict and because the information didn’t feel accurate, I just wanted it to make more sense for me. Every experience is different so I’m going to go ahead and assume it could medically make sense and move to the next point.

Aside from the medical aspects of the book that I struggled with, I also felt like the fact that Macy was drugged and raped was completed overshadowed and skipped over entirely. The assault wasn’t unpacked, and I think we really needed to see that. I felt terribly for Macy. And when Macy finally tells Nate about this- he says he needs time to process it. His initial reaction really bothered me. Macy being a victim of assault AND a medical trauma and NATE has to process?? I mean I understand but it also made me angry with him😭🙈

*note- posted on bookbub, Instagram, goodreads, and barnes and noble. Links provided. Will be posted on Amazon after release date when Amazon allows me to.

Post on Instagram was posted 4/1/24 and is permanently saved in my highlight “story reviews”.

Macy was a teenager when she first met Nate. At a Pioneer camp that her dad forced her to go to, he made it bearable. Their friendship quickly blossomed into young love, until Macy went away to college and Nate didn't follow the plans. Unexpected events in Macy's life caused a rift in their relationship.

Fast forward 4 years later, Macy is the maid of honor in her best friend's wedding. Who just so happens to be Nate's sister. Now she has to figure out how to navigate the inevitable, which is trying not to make it awkward when she has to celebrate her best friend's wedding with her ex-boyfriend.

I could not put this book down. It had me on the edge of my seat about what's going to happen next. Will they or won't they? It's a dual timeline between their high school pasts and the wedding festivities of their present. It gave you a good background story that helped understand their relationship more. I loved the friends-to-lovers, second chance, my best friend's brother tropes.

The only thing I didn't like was how long it took to explain why they broke up in the first place. It took about 2/3rds of the book, maybe longer, before you found out what happened. So, you see Macy constantly having doubts, but you're not even sure why.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance trope, with no spice and a happily ever after ending.

Thank you to Kayla Tirrell and Victory Ending Netgalley Co-op for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review ♡

This book was so cute! It had some of my favourite tropes, including second chance and friends to lovers, and they were executed beautifully. It was such a fast and easy read that I didn’t want to put down. The way that the characters met at a pioneer camp made it so fun and unique. However, I did find that the ending felt rushed, especially since it dealt with such a heavy topic. Also, I wish more time had passed between the past and present timelines to give a stronger sense of character growth, especially as Nate somehow managed to finish undergrad and law school in that time. Overall, I definitely recommend this cute read! For those who enjoyed Love & Other Words by Christina Lauren, this one is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kayla Tirrell for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a short, sweet read with a lot of heart. Everything about this book was great, I just wish there had been more of it.

I adore a well done, dual timeline romance, and this one delivered - all the feels of young love, the pain of first heartbreak, and the hope of a second chance. In terms of plot and pacing, this was spot on - I just wish it had been longer. I really feel this book could have benefitted from another 50 pages or so. Space to explore the aftermath of Macy’s trauma and the impact of the separation on Nate.

I was initially hesitant when I read this plot synopsis - a book described as ‘wholesome’ with a homeschooled main character? I was concerned this might devolve into purity culture nonsense. Thankfully that isn’t the case.

All in all, an enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book.

Macy meets Nate during her high school years at a summer camp. They're perfect together and date into college until Macy abruptly cuts things off. Years later, Nate comes back into her life at a mutual friend's wedding. Will Macy give Nate a second chance or continue to guard her heart? A sweet, second chance romance that will have you laughing out loud!

3.25
Macy and Nate’s story was very sweet to follow. I’m a sucker for flashbacks in books and this book gave me that. It was my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised by the writing. The book was short and a pretty quick read (I read it in one sitting 🙃)

What I liked less was the pacing of the story. I feel like the reason for the breakup took way to long to be explained and after a certain point you just figure it out. And I just didn’t find it credible because I just KNOW that if they talked about it, the breakup could’ve been avoided..
I also feel like since the book was pretty short, the topic it dealt with was maybe too heavy…

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc.

Simply put, Macy and Nate's story was very, very sweet (but also felt very heavy.) The writing style was very much YA (and the flashbacks to high school definitley added to that), but the underlying situation/resulting conflict felt way too heavy for a story that didn't go into quite as much depth as I would have expected.

This story had some favorite tropes - childhood friends to first love to estranged to brought back together by being in his sister's/her besties wedding party. And having to acknowledge alll the feelings and hurt from their breakup four years prior. I love a book that puts me in all the feels and thus was overall a good/quick read!

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC in exchange for my review!

This is an enchanting novel that weaves a heartwarming tale of love, second chances, and the enduring bonds that transcend time. "Even When It Wasn't You" by Kayla Tirrell unfolds against an unexpected backdrop: an 1800’s pioneer reenactment camp. Sign me up!

Here, amidst bonnets and log cabins, we meet Macy, a private school student reluctantly attending camp with her single father. And then there's Nate, a homeschooler from a large family who eagerly returns to the camp year after year. Their paths cross, but will the unlikely friendship blossom into something deeper?

Fast forward to the present day. Macy, now 23-years-old, has carved out a successful career as a florist. She's content and has no plans of settling down, but life has other ideas. When her best friend's wedding festivities bring Nate back into her world, Macy is forced to confront her past. The stuff everyone hates to confront: the memories, the emotions, and the love she thought she'd left behind.

Tirrell's writing is a delightful blend of humour, raw emotion, and swoon-worthy moments. Macy's internal struggle is palpable and as readers, we root for her, empathizing with the complexities of love and vulnerability. The chemistry between Macy and Nate crackles off the pages. Their banter, shared memories, and lingering glances evoke a sense of nostalgia. Tirrell masterfully captures the essence of first love, from the sweetness and uncertainty, to the lingering ache.

This book is more than a romance; it's a journey of self-discovery. Macy grapples with her choices, her fears, and the possibility of rewriting her own story. The novel beautifully explores themes of forgiveness, resilience, and the enduring ties that bind us to our past. The supporting characters add depth to the narrative. Macy's best friend, the wedding preparations, and the picturesque setting enhance the overall experience. The pacing is just right, being neither rushed nor stagnant and the 253 pages fly by, leaving us yearning for more.

If you enjoy a wedding backdrop, and crave a witty yet wholesome writing style, “Even When It Wasn't You” is your next must-read. It's a book that tugs at your heartstrings, makes you laugh, and reminds you that sometimes love finds us in the most unexpected places.

Thank-you to NetGalley and the Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

- dual timeline
- small town
- best friends brother
- second chance romance
 
3.75⭐️

Macy meets Nate for the first time during her sophomore year of high school at an 1800s Pioneer Reenactment. The story takes place across two timelines, when they first meet and the present day where Macy is a florist for Evie (Nate’s sisters) wedding. During this time she is reunited with Nate for the first time in 4 years, as they delve into their past and figure out what went wrong… will feelings fester?

I really enjoyed this book, it was the perfect level of fluffy romance for me. I found the dual timeline a perfect element to showcase how their friendship blossomed into romance and as a theatre girly I was OBSESSED with the musical references.

My only dislike with this book was the pacing at times. I read the first 100 pages so quickly and then it began to drop off and feel rushed. I also firmly believe it doesn’t read as if Macy is 23 during the current timeline. She is definitely more mature and that was kind of offputting at times.

Thank you NetGalley and Kayla Tirrell for this arc.