We were never supposed to fall in love. We did it anyway.New York Times bestselling author, S.L. Scott, crafts her signature heartfelt style into an epic and emotional, second chance, standalone romance. I have three goals: graduate from an Ivy League university, get into medical school, and follow in my father’s well-established footsteps. Everything was going exactly as planned until the local … planned until the local bad boy was delivered to my doorstep. Literally.
From the moment we meet, my old life becomes unrecognizable, but I have no regrets. I’m utterly captivated by him. His smirk. His heart. His sharp wit. He pushes me to live, to be wild, to pursue the dream I’ve always hidden inside.
To the rest of the world, we make no sense.
Me, the girl from the gilded New England coast.
Joshua, from the small city of New Haven.
To us, we’re destiny.
Together, we had it all. Desperately. Madly. In love.
Until we didn’t.
One tragic night changed everything.
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4.5-emotional stars!
We Were Once by SL Scott was an emotional and angst-filled roller roaster of a ride. A second chance romance with so many feels, I was not sure my heart would survive. Joshua and Chloe were destined, but sometimes life gets in the way unexpectedly and tragically. Can they have their second chance before it’s too late? Their journey was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It was a story about true love and beating the odds. Their love was everything and I devoured their story.
Happy reading!
This story had me from the beginning, the characters the story, the chemistry between them is magical and the turmoil of feelings that it gives you made a perfect book. The the author knew how and when turn everything in the story so could keep reading, really one of the vest books I read this year . Hope that you give it a try and let me know your opinions.
I love a ood second-chance romance, its one of my favourite tropes, and this one is a good one. Its raw and real, and so beautiful to watch the story play out. This one had my emotions all over the place, one minute I was crying and the next I was laughing. It started off slowly but once it started I was captivated until the very end. I honestly think this was my favourite of SL Scott’s to date.
This story has it all, romance, love, heartache, steam, drama, angst, everything that makes this one great read.
4.5 Stars
Review by Meaghan
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
The anticipation that came with reading We Were Once was intense. From the title, blurb, and the prologue alone, I knew I was in for a wild ride. S.L. Scott has written the ultimate second chance romance, but this book is so much more than that. We also witnessed a first love and an enemies-to-lovers like no other I have read before.
“What we were once is not what we are now, so there’s no sense in pretending otherwise.”
Joshua is the loveable leading man who draws you in and makes you want all the good things for him. When he isn’t in school, he is helping out as a cook in his mother’s diner. On their first meeting, Joshua is drawn to Chloe, what should have been a quick stop to drop off her take-out meal ended up being a full-blown conversation. However, as a “townie” he knew it was best for him to keep his distance from the gorgeous woman in the nice apartment.
Chloe is on track to follow in her father’s footsteps – although her dream is slightly different than the path laid out before her. Throughout college, her focus has been on school and never about her romantic relationships. A chance meeting with a cute delivery guy has her questioning herself and looking to explore how a relationship could fit into her life. They fall for each other hard and fast, until the accident that completely changed the course of both of their lives.
“I thought you were my hope, but you turned out to be my salvation.”
My emotions ran on overdrive while reading this book, and on more than one occasion I had to stop reading and take a time out before I could work myself back up to continue. I found myself torn over the pacing of Chloe and Joshua’s reconciliation – there were times where I felt frustrated with both characters for stalling and other times where I felt they were far to forgiving. Despite the emotional ride, I really enjoyed reading this book. A word of advice – if you’re diving in, make sure you keep the tissues handy!
Chloe and Joshua meet by chance when he delivers food to her apartment.
Opposite side of the tracks thinking and a devastating tragedy tear them apart.
I loved their love story so much!!!
My first read but most definitely not my last. S.L. Scott had me glued to the pages of this book. The emotional ride she takes you on through this book will leave you in tears at times and so angry that you want to scream. This book will keep you enthralled from start to finish.
Chloe has lived a life of privilege but it has never been her life, her dreams that she has lived. Her dream is to be an ER doctor but that is not the dream that her father has set for her.
Senior year at the Ivy League college she attends, her goals are within reach but fate steps in when she meets the local bad boy (or is he?).
He brings her alive, he challenges her, he is everything she is not.
They don’t make sense to anyone else but together they are unstoppable.
Tragedy strikes and pushes them apart. What will happen to their dreams, their desires, their love?
S.L. Scott kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end! It was an amazingly beautiful story, filled with true romance and warm inviting characters that you will grow to love as well.
A gorgeous tale of second chance love that just has to be no matter what else happens in life. Chloe and Josh meet by chance and their irresistible attraction is set from there. Chloe is such a sweet character and Josh is a delight. Their path to their destiny is strewn with obstacles and events which switch the tracks, but love is a hard won gift that cannot be denied.
I loved this story. It had my feelings all over the place, but with the sweet promise of rewards down the line, I couldn’t put it down. Fabulous!
This is my first book by this S.L Scott and I can definitely say she didn’t disappoint!
I’m a sucker for a second chance mixed with a forbidden novel and Scott managed to incorporate everything I love about the trope as well as make it her own.
I could feel every emotion Chloe and Joshua was going throughout the novel. The banter that Joshua had with Chloe was honestly the most precious thing ever for me. The things the two of them had to go through hurts your heart and you can’t help but root for them to make it out unscathed.
This book was an embodiment of a second chance romance (forbidden) that takes you on a journey.
Chloe Fox is a woman who follows her father’s plan for her future even if she does not agree with his choices. Well until Joshua appears in her life. Joshua teaches Chloe how to have fun and enjoy life, not just follow her father’s directives. Joshua and Chloe are both attending Yale, but their backgrounds are very different. Where Chloe’s life is one of privilege and status, Joshua has struggled for everything. Even with their different backgrounds, the mesh perfectly, and complement each other.
I love, love, love second chance novels. They make my heart happy. In We Were Once, S.L. Scott takes the reader on a slow journey of finding love, losing love, then finding it again. From the first time they meet, Chloe and Joshua work even though they don’t know it yet. The characters develop and grow as the story moves forward. It takes some work to get to the place where they are together, but it is so worth the journey.
I enjoyed the emotional journey that the author takes. There is a lot of fun, humor, tears, pain, and joy. My only frustration is that there are times that Chloe makes me wonder if she is worth Joshua’s efforts. I like Chloe and understand the reasons behind most of her decisions. Nevertheless, she is frustrating. In my opinion, Joshua owns the story. He is the reason I continually turn the page. I root for him from the start to the end. Therefore, if Chloe is his choice, she is mine too.
We Were Once is a good slow burn, second chance romance. There are great ancillary characters too. They add depth and enjoyment to the story. I recommend We Were Once to anyone who loves to see happiness after a lot of work. S.L. Scott creates lovely characters who stay with the reader long after the end of the book.
3.5 Stars
ARC received from Author
Chloe Fox is a woman who follows her father’s plan for her future even if she does not agree with his choices. Well until Joshua appears in her life. Joshua teaches Chloe how to have fun and enjoy life, not just follow her father’s directives. Joshua and Chloe are both attending Yale, but their backgrounds are very different. Where Chloe’s life is one of privilege and status, Joshua has struggled for everything. Even with their different backgrounds, the mesh perfectly, and complement each other.
I love, love, love second chance novels. They make my heart happy. In We Were Once, S.L. Scott takes the reader on a slow journey of finding love, losing love, then finding it again. From the first time they meet, Chloe and Joshua work even though they don’t know it yet. The characters develop and grow as the story moves forward. It takes some work to get to the place where they are together, but it is so worth the journey.
I enjoyed the emotional journey that the author takes. There is a lot of fun, humor, tears, pain, and joy. My only frustration is that there are times that Chloe makes me wonder if she is worth Joshua’s efforts. I like Chloe and understand the reasons behind most of her decisions. Nevertheless, she is frustrating. In my opinion, Joshua owns the story. He is the reason I continually turn the page. I root for him from the start to the end. Therefore, if Chloe is his choice, she is mine too.
We Were Once is a good slow burn, second chance romance. There are great ancillary characters too. They add depth and enjoyment to the story. I recommend We Were Once to anyone who loves to see happiness after a lot of work. S.L. Scott creates lovely characters who stay with the reader long after the end of the book.
3.5 Stars
ARC received from Author
You know when S.L. Scott writes a book it is going to be much more than what it is titled, hence WE WERE ONCE. We have Chloe, who is on her way to becoming a great doctor like her father and the boy Joshua on his way to waking her up and living. Two people from two different worlds yet share one thing they never saw coming, love. S.L. Scott just wowed me with Chloe and how dedicated she is to well not living her dreams and Joshua making her see there is much more than just school. There is in a way two stories, one where we see them fall, learning each other and the other where we see them reconnect in a way they have well given up hope of seeing each other again. Seeing Chloe still in love with Joshua and him trying to move on was heartbreaking but once again S.L. Scott shows us there is much more they have never fully recovered from their love. This is one of those books by S.L. Scott that will make you believe in soulmates and rooting for Joshua to get all his dreams to come true. Loved it.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
Such a wonderful story! Started out sweet and then turned to tragedy! But no matter how bad the circumstances, love prevailed!!
Chloe comes from a wealthy family and is trying to live up to the dreams her father has for future and that means focusing all her energy and attention on her education so that she has the proper stepping stone for her future. It may have been chance or it may have been fate when she meets Joshua and he shows her that there is more to life than the way she has been living it and causes her to reflect on what she wants in her future.
Joshua is attending college, but his background is very different from Chloe. When he ends up at Chloe’s door, he knew right away that she was special and all he want is to spend time with her and show her new experiences.
The more time they spend together the deeper the love between them grows but not everyone is happy that they are together and will go to extreme measures to keep them apart. Full of emotion Joshua and Chloe’s journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring and sometimes there is a bigger plan even if we can’t see it at the time.
A MUST READ!!!! My emotions took a beating during Joshua and Chloe’s journey, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. There was love, passion, innocence, guilt to overcome, heart breaking moments, sweetness, explosive chemistry…so many feels, but the ride was absolutely amazing. I was hanging on the edge of my seat and gasping during an event I did not see coming.
The characters exuded strength, bravery, and resilience which left my heart feeling extremely happy. Joshua and Chloe will live in my heart for a very long time; along with Frankie and Dwayne Evans.
The way this author writes is very telling of her talent and you can easily see that she throws her whole heart into her stories. Her words draw you in from the beginning and have you falling deeply in love with the characters.
I am a sucker for second chance romance stories and what SL Scott gave us in We Were Once is something so emotional, heart wrenching and raw that I am at a loss for words. While they have some insane hurdles, the love between Chloe and Joshua just radiates off the pages as these two navigate everything that comes their way including the fact that they are from two totally different worlds. As the story progresses though, you really get a sense of how much these two care for each other. How each character develops through each page.
As a whole, I think this is one of my favorite books by Scott simply for the fact of the ranges of emotions I felt throughout each page of this story. I was rooting for them, I wanted to yell at them, I was laughing with them and I was totally swooning with these two. It was a beautiful tale that I just could not put down. I highly recommend this book!
***I received an ebook copy from the author at no cost***
S.L. Scott delivers an amazing second chance romance just in time for summer!
Chloe and Joshua are drawn to one another immediately, like two magnets. Despite the attraction and how well they get along, being together is nearly impossible because they’re from two different walks of life that don’t really fit.
As with almost all her stories, Scott hooked me with this one right from the beginning. Her characters are developed, and their stories are intriguing. Both Chloe and Joshua take important journeys in this book—especially Chloe. She matures, grows, and really develops into the woman that she’s meant to be.
There were some plot twists tossed into the book and I really enjoyed that. The tale of these two felt authentic. There’s a nice amount of angst woven into the plot, which I appreciate. I was hanging on every word as I read, eager to see where things were going and how this would turn out.
The way in which Scott writes made it easy for me to see and feel that Chloe and Joshua belonged together. And, being a longtime reader of her work, I always trust Scott to give me a happily ever after that triggers warm fuzzies and leaves me with a delicious book hangover. We Were Once did just that.
If you like heart-wrenching and beautifully written second-chance romances, this is the book for you.
Five stars to this novel!
This second chance romance. . .no scratch that. . .this story is about first love. It’s friends to lovers. Enemies to lovers. A truly raw and real and filled with pure honesty.
A book created with a rollercoaster of emotions. At times, I found myself laughing and, other points, I was crying hysterically. The happy and the heartbreak truly made this storyline a special one. Definitely, a rollercoaster in the best possible way. Our male
“You’re more than I could have asked for. The other half of my heart that I’ve been missing.” ― Joshua
Our male protagonist, Joshua was a spectacular character. His feelings for Chloe ran deeply. He showed her the light of life and all the possibilities within her reach.
“I never saw love coming, but I feel it sweeping in like a summer thunderstorm – the dewy scent, the change in the air. I want to dance in his rain, to become one with this man. Laugh. Love.” ― Chloe
Chloe’s perfect life was planned before she even knew. A cruel father wanting his daughter to become a doctor like himself. But once Chloe came face-to-face with Joshua. . .everything changed!
We Were Once have woven a place in my heart forever. Such a beautiful love story, heartwarming and heartbreaking, full of emotions, romance and angst.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided by S.L. Scott. ***
Chloe Fox is 20 years old and has a goal of becoming a doctor. Her dad would like her to follow in his footsteps but Chloe wants to be an Emergency Doctor. Everything was set for Chloe until the day that he showed up at her doorstep and began to throw everything off course.
Joshua Evans is 22 years old and attends Yale while also working at his single mom’s diner, Patty’s Diner. He is able to attend Yale through his father but doesn’t have anything else to do with his dad and therefore he and his mom don’t have a lot.
When Chloe meets Josh she begins to live a little more and see life differently but what will the cost be for her own dreams?
But one night tragedy strikes and everything changes.
OMG – this was such an incredible book!!! I loved it and didn’t want to put it down!
I thought Chloe was a great character who was in a really tough position with her dad with their respective goals and ambitions for Chloe. Chloe also felt torn with her parents recent separation and how her mom was in favor of Chloe living her life more so than her dad. I liked that Chloe was young but also she was focused and her friendship with Ruby Darrow was great.
Right from the first moment that we meet Joshua I loved him! He was easy going but was also extremely devoted to his mom and he had his own goals and wanted to do it on his own and not with handouts from his dad, other than school. I liked that he was true to himself and recognized that he didn’t grow up privileged but that didn’t hold him back.
The chemistry between Josh and Chloe was apparent from the first moment that they met and only grew with time. They were devoted to each other and really believed that they were suited to each other in spite of their differences growing up. I loved how much they trusted each other and open they were with each other. The only downfall for Chloe were that her grades began to slip as everything wasn’t focused on school.
I liked how accepting both Chloe and Josh’s mom’s were the relationship but Chloe’s dad was an entirely different story and I really didn’t like him at all. As a parent I know we have “dreams” for our kids but Chloe’s dad was solely focused on himself and had no cares what Chloe wanted for herself.
The event that happened was tragic and the events after were even more so. My heart absolutely shattered for Josh and I was so mad and I was also super sad for Chloe not knowing the truth behind everything and how that changed her life. I was just so mad and broken for Josh though.
I knew that the author had to bring everything together again as that’s what she does best after she shatters my heart and I was so happy for how she accomplished everything!
I was so proud of Josh for building himself back up and this time taking what he was given and using it to follow his own dreams. It was great how he was able to do what he did and keep everything quiet.
I must admit that I was a little upset with Chloe after she missed something important but I was proud of her in the aftermath for what she was willing to give up to follow her own path.
I loved when Josh and Chloe were able to finally talk about everything that had happened and then the huge fight after when Chloe finds something. I was glad that Josh made her listen to him and Chloe realized everything that he had to endure and give up and why.
The very end was so awesome and it was like a complete circle and I loved the significance of the property!
I can’t wait to read more from this author!!
This book had ALLLLLLLL the feels! Oh my gosh Joshua and Chloe were perfect! Their characters were so well written and so real and refreshing! This was a perfect first love/second chance story filled with so much love, angst, heartbreak, growth and joy! Through all their trials and tribulations, their love for each other never wavered even as they fought through their emotions! I will forever remember this book and the emotions it invoked in me! Absolutely phenomenal story!
Oh how I loved this story from the beginning to the end. It is a crazy ride of emotions, so beautifully written. Your heart really becomes entangled in their love story. You will swoon, you will laugh and you will cry. This is certainly one of S.L. Scott’s best and a must read.