From New York Times Bestselling author Corinne Michaels comes a heartbreakingly beautiful standalone story about letting love in.
I’m losing myself trying to save everyone else…
As a doctor, I walk a dangerously delicate balance of being compassionate but not overly invested. The same is true in my personal life–love is a luxury I can’t afford.
It isn’t until Dr. Westin Grant breaks … until Dr. Westin Grant breaks down all my walls and offers me a future, I find myself wondering if I’m brave enough to risk my heart.
When who I was and who I’ve tried to become collide during my clinical trial, the fate of one patient changes everything.
In a single moment, everything I’ve worked for is jeopardized. My integrity, my career, and even my relationship with Westin.
He loved me once, I just hope he can love me always …
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I was very lucky to both received an ALC & ARC of You Loved Me Once in exchange for an honest review. Corinne Michaels is one of my all time favourite romance author. I loved and read every single books that she’d written. This book is no exception, and to think that the romance readers will not get the chance to read Serenity & Westin’s love story is unimaginable.
This is a must read and listen if you love a tug at your heart string love story between a very heartbroken heroine who is scared to put her heart on the line again and a swoony hero who never gives up on her. The queen of second chance wrote another beautiful love story full of so many feels. There are so many moments in the book that made me cry and touched me at a personal level. I had to pause the audiobook a few times because Julia Whelan’s narration was outstanding. Her stellar performance took me on an emotional journey through the highs and lows of the narrative. She made me all choked up while listening and I felt all the emotions in her narrations. Her male voice is one of my favourite.
Although I rate this as a 5 stars read/listen and understand author’s creative licence, there were certain medical inaccuracies to note of which as a cardiac nurse and trained ALS provider, I just could not ignore especially when the main characters are doctors. One in particular is a flat line is a non-shockable rhythm.
Otherwise I enjoyed this book and will definitely recommend.
Wow and more wow! Corinne has created a masterpiece in lost love, healing, and new love. Be ready when you dive into this book to not have a dry eye, have your tissues on hand. I could not put this book down. My heart broke and then soared. If you’ve had a family member or someone close to you experience cancer, you’ll be tied to this book for life. I can’t wait to read it again. I’m not even sure how to start to explain Ren. She is lost, driven, and caring all at the same time. You will fall instantly for her. As for Wes, he is just “The One.” Can he get Ren to open up and allow love to enter her heart. One click this wonderful read and watch as the story unfolds before your eyes. Thank you, Corinne, for giving us such a beautiful story.
Wow! That’s the only word that comes to mind. This story is so different from Corinne’s usual books but I think this is her best one yet! I adored Serenity and Westin. You truly experience all the feels and emotions. Definite must read!
I have to say I love Corrine Michael’s books but You Loved Me Once is my all time favorite of hers. To think she hesitated in publishing it has me astounded.
This story is not only heartbreaking and emotional but also realistically poignant. There is so much depth in the character development and ultimately the decisions that affect lives and all the ramifications those decisions had made me reflect on the ethical dilemmas faced by Serenity. Westin’s love and understanding nature was everything she needed and I’m glad she realized it fully.
Letting go of the past is not always easy and realizing what’s in front of you is not something to take for granted came to light in this story in a manner that captivated my heart!
This is such a poignant and heartfelt story. I am a huge fan of Corinne and I devour her books but I have absolutely no words to describe this book. It was such an emotional roller coaster and I was so invested in the story . Corinne gutted me with this emotional roller coaster. Serenity struggle were raw and real . The choices and decisions she faces daily and the journey she takes to heal her heart and finally find love. I loved Westin’s character and how he broke down all of Serenity’s wall she had around her . This was everything I expected from Corinne book and more. Julia is a new narrator for me and I loved the justice she did narrating this story and bringing the characters to life. The story was pure perfection. An absolute masterpiece . It’s so beautifully written and a captivating love story . It was raw and real . How the choices we make not only have everlasting effect on us but also on all the people around us. A thought provoking and heart wrenching tale. Definitely a must read and listen . One of my absolute favorites from 2021 .
I knew this book was going to be emotional but I was not ready for how emotional. It sucked me in and was so hard to put down. While I normally prefer books written in dual POV, I actually loved seeing the entire thing happen just through Serenity’s point of view.
Serenity’s journey is heartbreaking, angsty, beautiful, heartwarming, and brought out every emotion under the sun. I was hooked on this story, the world, and exactly how everything was going to unfold. The journey is not easy by any means but it so worth it in the end.
This story is a standalone but there is one character in particular that I would love to get their own story!
Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.
This is BY FAR my favorite Corinne Michaels book to date. It is different from her usual romance novels and it is truly amazing.
Serenity is an amazing doctor. She has plans to make medical history with her clinical trial. When her past creeps up on her, she is faced with tough decisions that could impact her career. Not to mention, decisions that would greatly impact her relationship with Westin. Will she be able to think clearly and do what is right?
Westin is the definition of a doctor crush. He is determined to break down Serenity’s walls and show her the kind of love she deserves. Will she actually let him in? When Serenity’s past shows up, he struggles with how it impacts her and her decision-making. Can he handle it?
How far will Serenity go to face her past? Will she be able to save her relationship with Westin and her trial patients?
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What a great standalone from one of my favourite authors! Corinne told Serenity’s story with everything she had and it was amazing. There was a perfect amount of twists and a great love that I was cheering for from the start. Ahh so good! Can’t wait for the next book!
I am sitting here absolutely stunned.
This book was phenomenal. Wasn’t what I expected one bit. There was a few moments I literally gasped. I could not put this book down.
The emotional that Corinne Michaels put into this book, you seriously feel every single one.
I’ll be the first to admit, I haven’t cried in one of her books in a while….. yeah that all changed with Serenity’s story.
This is one of those books that will stay with you. You will be thinking about it long after you complete it. stars for this one emotional masterpiece!
This was such an amazing story, with emotional twist and turns that had me shedding a tear or two I really like the sort of love triangle, but not really a love triangle twist. It tells the story of Serenity’s past with Bryce and her present with Westin with Bryce weaved in to the present. Westin and Serenity are powerful together. Julia Whelan was amazing. She truly brought all the emotions out of this book and made you feel all of it. She was perfect. Once again and not surprised that Corinne Michaels absolutely, 100% created a positively beautiful love story.
Serenity (Ren) has kept everyone at arm’s length for years, since two big losses. It’s not that she doesn’t have people because she does – friends, and a casual thing with a fellow doctor, Westin, but she doesn’t let anyone get too close. Then when she has to make the most agonizing decision of her career, it puts that relationship at direct odds with what she knows is right. Will Westin still be there after it all falls apart? Or has putting what’s right ahead of Westin mean he’s out of her life for good?
My God but this one was a tearjerker! It feels like very different than what I’m used to from Corinne, but I guess it’s got the bones of what I always like so much about her writing – high and low emotions, all the feels, layered, complex and realistic characters, and so, so much heart. I absolutely loved it even if it made me cry!
NO SPOILERS!
Corinne Michaels absolutely slayed and wrecked me in the best way possible with You Loved Me Once, which is definitely her specialty! I mean holy cow, talk about an emotional roller coaster. Serenity’s story was unlike any I’ve read before, and I don’t know if I’ll ever recover from the emotional trauma I endured, LOL, but I absolutely loved it. The author had tons of unexpected and surprising plot twists that kept me on my toes and guessing until the very end. I’m literally almost speechless right now. Bravo, Corinne Michaels, bravo! You Loved Me Once is definitely a MUST READ standalone women’s fiction romance.
Overall Grade:
Corinne Michaels’s You Loved Me Once is, for me, one of her angstiest books. In fact, while designated as women’s fiction, this book feels tied for angst with Michaels’s Indefinite Duet from her Salvation series, which for me is her most angsty. There is something beautiful in its angst, in its recognition that life must go on after death even if we want to fight it. There is something beautiful in the tenacity of a hero who loves a woman who seems unloveable. And there is something beautiful in the brokenness of a heroine when she must finally acknowledge and face her pain and in doing so, she is finally available to love her adoring hero. The grit and pain of this story are what make it an important read. And there is a quality to this book that seems different from Michaels’s other books. There is a solemnity to it, a reticence to move forward. This, sometimes, makes it difficult to read especially when her heroine, Serenity, self sabotages her own happiness. Boy, does she do this often in the book. In fact, I saw the major plot device early on as it seemed to mimic a plotline of Grey’s Anatomy. When you have to face a heroine who undermines her own success, it is a tough pill to swallow (sorry for the cliche, but it seems so apt here). However, in saving herself, she finally positions herself where she should have been all along.
I think this book’s success will hinge on Michaels’s readers adoring Weston, as I did. You won’t get this story through his point of view, but he is a big presence in this story. He is the perfect mate for Serenity, but she makes him work for his love. Try not to be angry with her. Instead, recognize the motivation behind her actions. Remember how any kind of pain causes people to make unwise choices. Revel in Corinne Michael’s ability to bring you to the end with the sweetest, and I think, quietest of happy endings. You Loved Me Once should be already downloaded on your e-reader. If not, then grab it now.
REVIEW: In true Corinne Michaels fashion, we have another book that rips the emotions right out of you. Serenity was a character with such depth–her journey is heartbreaking in such a real way. With her and Westin both being doctors, there are a lot of questions about right and wrong in life and their professions. There is just so much going on is this one, and honestly, I’m still processing all the different layers. I would definitely recommend this one to those readers that want to feel everything and work for the HEA! Thank you so much to Corinne Michaels and Valentine PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
Characters: Serenity is an incredibly smart oncologist at the top of her field. She is about to start a study that will treat women with ovarian cancer. To help them keep their ovaries and uterus intact. She is very casually dating Westin. Wes is a very successful surgeon. He is incredibly caring and patient. He is definitely ready to take his relationship with Serenity to the next level, but he is unclear if Serenity is.
Setting: The story is set mostly in Chicago. It is where the hospital is that Serenity and Westin work. We get looks at a more small-town simple living lifestyle when Serenity goes to visit her father and brother. It was interesting for the story that there really was no place for Serenity to feel peace, work was a stressful mess and going to her childhood home only raised anxieties about how to deal with her ailing father.
Pacing: The pacing of the story is heart-pounding. I never wanted to put this down because I just wanted to keep reading about the impossible situation Serenity was in. This story is about choices and decisions. Life-changing choices that drive this story.
Romance: Serenity and Westin seem to have a relationship that is only sexual at first. At the start of the story, Serenity is ready to explore making this relationship much more serious. Then she is completely blindsided as her ex reenters her life quite unexpectedly. She is in such a vulnerable position and watching her struggle was unlike any other story I had ever read. It was so refreshing to look at a relationship two years in rather than at the start during a honeymoon phase. The relationship here is very raw and real, a really nice change that I think a lot of readers will love. The premise for this book and this relationship is just so unique, I plead you to pick up this book. I promise you will not regret it.
OMG this book had me go through a rollercoaster of emotions. I was on the brink of tears the entire story. When I wasn’t about to cry, I was angry at Serenity and yelling at her. Reading or rather listening to this book was like watching a Grey’s anatomy episode play out. Wes, the neurosurgeon is a sweetheart. He’s the type of hero you immediately fall in love with and I fell in love with him even more at the end of the book for what he did for Serenity. I am thankful that Corrine published this book, I had heard she wasn’t going to. This is a book that needs to be read. 5++++ stars for this book. Make sure you have a box of tissues handy through this read.
OH MY HEART! This story- THIS is the epitome of meaningful romance. This is a powerful, emotionally resonant, beautiful, and angsty love story- one about the impact of choices and their associated consequences, heartbreak and healing, the courage of loving, the past and the present. This story is equal parts heart wrenching and heartwarming- but at the center it is full of hope. Serenity is a heroine that captures your heart and mind- Corrine builds so much substance to her internal conflict, so much complexity and empathy in her journey. And Westin is the swooniest, dreamiest leading man- THIS is how you write a hero. Choices, secrets, loss and love- Corrine is a master at romantic story telling, and this raw and compelling story may be my favorite from her yet.
Everything this woman writes is freakin fantastic! I especially loved it because of the medical references since I’m a nurse. Serenity swears she’s done with love because of a bad breakup, ends up deciding to give love another chance, only to have history walk back into her life… in a hard, heartbreaking way. The triangle between Westin and Bryce is hard for Serenity to navigate through because she’s left treating the last person she’d ever want to and brings many conflict of interests. This book was amazing, heartbreaking, heartwarming all in one.
Corinne Michaels never fails to pull at the heart strings with her emotional and well written romances. I purposely avoided details about You Loved Me Once so I could go in without knowing too much, and it was a wonderful read.
Serenity is a gynecological oncologist who is very dedicated to her work and patients. She is about to start a clinical trial that she’s also very excited about. Serenity is also in a very casual relationship with fellow doctor, Westin.
I honestly don’t want to say too much about the plot or characters’ journey and growth. It was really great to go in and experience it for the first time not knowing what would happen. There was angst, emotion, romance, friendship, hope, and heartbreak all wrapped up into one amazing book.
If she already wasn’t a one-click, favorite author of mine, this book would have convinced me to read everything Corinne writes!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review
4.5 Stars
I go into every Corinne Michaels book with the assumption it will rip my heart out, but there’s no way to prepare for the emotions this book brought on. Her already incredible writing shined brighter than ever, delivering a beautiful story of love, loss, and utter heartbreak.
I admit I struggled with this story about halfway through. While I was completely absorbed into the story and couldn’t put it down, I started to fear it was going to take a turn I really wasn’t on board with. But I never should have doubted Corinne Michaels – while she loves to emotionally destroy her readers, she would never betray them.
These characters are developed so incredibly well, with so many layers and depth to each. The storyline itself was so different than I was expecting, and probably than I have ever read. It was amazing to see all the different variations of love, family & friendship that were explored, and I think the pacing of everything was perfect. There was a bit of a butterfly effect to the storyline – with each action reverberating throughout the book – and I loved not knowing what would happen next.
While the angst level is off the charts, there are still so many moments that fill your heart with laughter and pure joy. This is a true emotional roller coaster, and I definitely enjoyed the ride!