For as long as I can remember, I’ve been the dark to my sister’s light—the awkward loner to her social butterfly. Growing up, she had it all: our parent’s unyielding approval, perfect grades, a permanent spot at the popular table, and the attention of the hottest guy ever—Duke Kincaid. After eighteen years of living in her shadow, I couldn’t wait to escape—to finally be my own person. Yet here I … Yet here I am, I’m back in my hometown, once again in Valorie’s shadow. Only now, it’s eternal.
I had life all planned out: join the force, marry Valorie Parsons, and start a family of our own. I have the job, but the girl and all my dreams died before my very eyes.
At the urging of my friends, I agree to a blind date. Imagine my shock when I arrive and find, Valorie’s twin sister, waiting across the table from me. Mallory should be a reminder of all that I’ve lost, but instead she feels like my redemption . . . like maybe life’s giving me a second chance.
But, how can I be enough for her when I’ve already given her sister the best of me?
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Five emotional stars. My goodness Duke and Mallory broke my heart and slowly put it back together again. I was so enthralled with this book, I sacrificed sleep to finish it. Mallory and her twin sister Val are so different, like night and day, but most heartbreaking of all, their mom only wanted one of them. The story of her childhood and growing up always feeling left out, neglected, and abused broke me. Mallory is a warrior through and through and so strong for coming out on top. As soon as she turns 18, she takes her full ride scholarship and never looks back. Then, there’s Duke. Duke was in love with Val, but when Val tragically died, she takes part of his heart with him. He’s not living, just going through the motions of life. Although Val and Mallory don’t look identical, when Duke sees Mallory years later, it awakens so many feelings of anger, resentment, and pain inside him. Their relationship starts out rough, but the physical chemistry is definitely there. Once they finally talk through their demons, all bets are off between them and keeping their relationship platonic, but will they be able to face the biggest challenge of them all with everyone’s negative opinions on their forbidden romance? They definitely have to fight for their HEA, but it is well worth it. There were a couple times I wanted to knock Duke upside the head, but he definitely became my favorite male character in this series. Duke and Mallory are the perfect swoonworthy romance for all the feels and I highly recommend their story.
Plus, you get to see glimpses of Tater Tot
Best Of Me has everything you could ever want in a romance. There is so much laughter (yes, the lol kind) and just as many tears (ugly, ugly, tears) with an HEA that will fill your heart to bursting! Full five stars, beautifully written
I can’t praise this story enough. Yes it was a bit of a forbidden romance but it was dealt with in a perfect way and didn’t cause me any issues whilst reading. I absolutely devoured every word and could have happily continued to read about them for a lot longer.
Dealing with loss is never easy for anyone, especially a twin. Duke and Mallory were definitely one of the best couples and characters I have ever read about . Their story made my heart hurt for both of them. Two people that show you that with love and perseverance you can overcome and move forward. What an amazing story. The Best Of Me had me so captivated with the story from beginning to end!
Waaaa! I’m so torn with how to review this book. I’m struggling to find my words, which doesn’t happen too often.
I loved it. HARD I
almost cried… which alone is huge praise to Mrs. Farlow as that is no easy feat.
I wanted to throw my phone, I laughed and had the worst nights sleep after finishing this book.
It wrecked me in the best way. I can not recommend it enough!
It gave me ALL THE FEELS.
LK Farlow has written an amazingly brilliant book!!!! I’m a huge enemies to lovers fan, and this book is at the top of my list!!!! Phenomenal job!!!!!
From the moment Duke saw Valorie,in high school,he knew that she would be his wife one day.Years later Duke is a cop and Valorie is a lawyer and he is ready to propose and start their happily ever after.But tragedy strikes and Valorie loses her life before he got a chance to propose to her.This event changes Duke and it laves him with great sadness that he can’t shake off.
Mallory’s life was never easy.Her and Valorie were twins,but from the very first day their mother made sure to make difference between them.While she adored and praised Val,she was a complete opposite with Mallory.She abused and humiliated her,neglected her,made her feel unloved and unworthy.Eventually that made relationship with her sister in strains,and the moment Mallory finished high school,she left her family and her town behind.
Two years after Val’s death,Mallory gets job opportunity near her home town that she can’t refuse.When her friend Jenny sets her up on a blind date she is more than surprised upon discovering who her date is.And can you imagine Duke’s shock upon seeing his dead lover’s twin sister right in front of him.Duke’s emotions go from shock,sadness,longing and anger.But as the time goes he starts to feel something else to-attraction.That is something he shouldn’t feel cause Mallory is Val’s sister and after all,he already give his hart to Val.
This book really was good.It had humor,forbidden side,great chemistry and attraction between MC but…I couldn’t look past the fact Mallory is Val’s TWIN sister.Very identical twin sister.I just couldn’t.Duke loved Val very much and there is no chance I can believe he can look at Mallory and not think about Val.I just can’t.Mallory deserved better.
Wow. I loved Duke and Mallory! Lemme start with that. Im pretty positive this might be my favorite of these books. Don’t get me wrong i love Nate and Jenny or Natalie and Alden but idk just something about these two was just amazing and i couldnt get enough of them. I had to force myself to put the book down and do things around the house. This cover is so beautiful! Duke understandable still holds pain from the loss of his girlfriend, Valorie so when Mallory comes back it stirs up some emotions that Duke has to deal with. Leading to some things he didnt expect. Mallory has had a hard life and coming back near home has brought back alot of hard memories and things that Mallory had to work thru. I loved how this book played out with the characters and the characters from past books made it even better! I missed them!
I have been patiently waiting for Duke’s story since reading Best of Intentions and it was totally worth the wait!! The prologue was like a sucker punch to the gut, but got to the root of Duke’s darkness. I loved Mallory! She is fun and quirky with so much strength no thanks to her upbringing. Their story was not easy and a little taboo, but they fit together perfectly. Best of Me is some of LK Farlow’s best work and I hope we get more of these characters soon!!
Best of Me is a book that will have you swooning and wanting more. It was such a sweet story where you were cheering for the heroine nonstop.
The Best of Me was about two people who find each other when they weren’t expecting it. Duke lost someone he loved and even after some years he isn’t ready to actually move on. That’s until his ex sister comes back into his life. Duke holds some grudges against Mallory, and he isn’t ready to let her into his life.
Mallory for me was the star of the book, I loved her so much. She has a sad past that no one knows. I loved that no matter what she was so strong. Mallory and Duke both lost someone they cared about, so they weren’t expecting to find each other when they did. This book has me cheering for Mallory nonstop, I just wanted to go inside the book and give Mallory the biggest hug ever. Another great book by LK Farlow.
This book was beautiful! It took me on a wild, emotional roller coaster ride! It’s my favorite LK Farlow book to date!!
Duke and Mallory were fantastic. It was a different dynamic for me but I loved it so much. You have Duke who lost the girl he was in love with for years with no warning. Years later Mallory comes into his life and she just happens to be the twin of the women he loved. At first he can’t even be near her but slowly he starts to see the difference between her and her sister. Mallory has moved back close to home a place she never wanted to go again due to a hard family life she had there. Slowly she starts to make friends and then runs into Duke, her sisters love. The two have to figure out what is right for them and not what the rest of the world might think. Can’t say enough great things. Don’t miss out on this one.
What a beautiful story about tragic loss and heartbreak, that turns into the best love story!!! Talk about an emotional rollercoaster of FEELS!!! This is by far the best book written by Author L.K. Farlow yet!!
This is Duke and Mallory’s love story. They both share a mutual loss Valerie. Valerie was Duke’s love and Mallory’s twin sister. Mallory has had a hard past and is returning home after 11yrs. away. Duke is just going through everyday life a little lost. These two have tons of chemistry but try to deny it and feel guilt because of it. I cried, hurt, laughed and loved with these two. I truly love this story. It was beautifully written and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
I received a advanced readers copy and I’m leaving a voluntary review
5 “Cricket” Stars
I’m all in my feelings! Emotions overload. I’ve wanted and not so patiently waited for Duke’s book. I desperately needed to know more of his story and I was not disappointed.
My heart bled for Duke and the grief he was going through. The life he knew and the future he wanted died the same night he lost the love of his life. He’s just a shell of the man he once was. Going through the motions and barely living. But unexpectedly it all changes when the last person he ever expected bulldozes into his life.
As soon as Mallory graduated high school she left and never turned back. She didn’t have the easiest upbringing. With parents who didn’t want her, a mother that was so evil and her twin sister who couldn’t do no wrong. She moved on as best as she could with her life, but life is unexpected, and Mallory has no idea what it has in-store for her, but it’s definitely worthwhile.
Everything about Duke and Mallory shouldn’t work. But their connection is undeniable and they can’t help but be attracted to each other. They’ve both been through hell and back and find solace in one another. It’s not easy, and there are bumps along the way, but as long as they have each other they can fight anything together. Duke and Mallory may have a rocky start, but love always wins. And their love is absolutely epic.
Best of Me is definitely my favorite book in this series and it’s no surprise that Duke and Mallory are my favorite as well. Duke is everything charming and had me swooning nonstop. Mallory is so strong, determined and a fighter. They both were every bit deserving of a HEA. Every page had me captivated and I couldn’t turn them fast enough. LK wrapped me up in her words and made me feel like I was in this story right along with the characters. A beautifully and heartfelt second chance romance with all the emotions.
Best of Me
My Favorite story yet!!!
Duke and Mallory have a beautiful story. One of grief and unexpected life changes but being able to find love through healing.
Once I read the blurb for Best of Me by L.K. Farlow, I knew I wanted to read it! A forbidden romance with a twist and all the best kind of feels. Mallory has always felt like nothing compared to her beautiful and loved twin sister. Valorie had it all, their parent’s love, was popular and was well-liked and had the hottest guy in school, Duke Kincaid. But tragedy changed all that.
Now years later, Mallory is back in town. But this time she is stronger and more determined. She just wants to lead her life. All Duke ever wanted was to marry his first love, work the job he loved and have all his dreams come true. Now he alone, desolate and not ready to face the sister of the woman he once loved. But even Duke cannot deny their chemistry and connection, but how can he even look at Mallory as anything else, when he has already give the best of himself away?
Best of Me by L.K. Farlow was emotional, heartwarming and captivating. Both Duke and Mallory had so much hurt and loss in their life, but yet together, they could find solace and maybe more. But was it wrong? I devoured this story. The characters will captivate you as you follow their journey!
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
OMG! I loved this book so much!
I stole every moment I could out of today so I could finish! I’ve never read a forbidden love story like this one. I loved every second of it!
Duke and Mallory have both suffered a terrible loss. Their journey to redemption, love, and a happily ever after was full of bumps in the road and angst. Mallory is such a strong main character. There’s nothing easy about wanting your dead twin’s boyfriend. Not to mention having to come back and face the family who wishes you were never born.
These two may have a forbidden love but when love is true, forbidden doesn’t mean impossible. I loved every minute of their journey to their happily ever after and I didn’t want their story to stop!
While this story is a standalone, I loved seeing the characters from Best Laid Plans and Best of Intentions show up in this story. I fell in love with them in their own stories and was so happy to see them again.
Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.
I struggled with how I wanted to rate this book. This is the first book by this author that I’ve been able to read past a few chapters. Not because she’s not talented but because I prefer a different style of writing. The plot of this one kept me interested and I finished it. Here are the things that caused my struggle:
1. I’m not fond of the the name Duke because the only Duke’s I’ve known outside historical books and movies has been dogs.
2. I am baffled by the nickname she gave Mallory. I found it very childish and unnecessary. It was no easier to say than Mallory.
3. They were only enemies for like five minutes. The rest of the time Duke was all Mr Right. I kept waiting for some big explosion to halt the relationship and perk things up. Like maybe her evil mother could throw a wrench in the wheels of romance. Nope. They have a fight and she doesn’t speak to him for awhile but he continues to do and say all the right things until she forgives him.
4. And her mother? She’s just crazy and I just didn’t understand why she hated her daughter. The only confrontation she has with her mother doesn’t seem to quite reveal the whole story so I’m left scratching my head.
5. I hate pointing stuff out like this and I wouldn’t if not for the discussion in the epilogue. Identical twins come from one single egg and have no hereditary component. Fraternal twins, however, are from two separate eggs and can sometimes run in families. Lesson over. Sorry. Please forgive me, Ms Farlow.
6. There was so much potential with this plot line but, many really good opportunities were passed up in favor of too many clichés.
7. The characters were likeable except her crazy, parents, of course. Probably could have used a little more history here and there for some of the characters for those of us who have not read the previous books.
8. There was one sexy time scene towards the end that I thought was a little weird. The timing was odd.
9. I kept thinking Duke was going to come to realize that maybe he and Valorie maybe weren’t quite as perfect for each other as he thought. It seemed like that was maybe that knowledge was furthering him towards falling for Mallory but that never came to be.
I liked this book. It was a short but easy read. There was enough against to drive me to read to the end. There were a few typos but not enough to take away from the story. I think overall it was a decent book that I have no trouble recommending it to anyone who likes this author and anyone who likes sweet southern couples with low angst and lots of romance. I am going to give this book 3.5 stars.
I was really intrigued by the blurb and the author far exceeded my expectations. This was a well-written emotional tale about second chances. And if anyone deserves a second chance at life and love, it’s Duke and Mallory after everything they’ve been through. I haven’t read the other books in this series but they have now been added to my TBR!