Should Have Been by Evey Lyon is live!

An emotional second-chance-romance set in the most complicated of circumstances, this heartfelt love story is a really sweet read. This is the third and standalone in the Lake Spark Inn series (part of the wider Lake Spark world), and it’s the story of ex hockey player Nash, and the love of his life, his brother’s widow, Summer.

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Blurb

Nash didn’t plan on living with his brother’s widow. Or that he may finally get his chance to win me back.

I ended up with the wrong brother. Now, he has passed away, leaving me a widow with a baby. But then his brother Nash walks back into our small town and my life. My disdain for the former hockey player is apparent, yet still, he moves in to care for my son and me, claiming it was his estranged brother’s dying wish. But having Nash close stirs memories of when we may have had a chance. In truth, he always lingered in my thoughts. And it takes one kiss to cause turmoil.

Because nothing appears as it seems.

The relationship that develops is inevitable; we have a past, after all. But the dilemmas we reveal may tear us apart. Even with guilt for moving on, a fire between us feels near eternal. And the trail we create in the fallout of our romance makes me realize that Nash and I? We’re something long ago that always should have been…

Nash and Summer will send you on a no-cheating rollercoaster in a forced proximity, single mom and a second-chance romance with a twist. Should Have Been is the third and final standalone book in the Lake Spark Inn series, part of the Lake Spark world.

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Review

3 stars

An emotional second-chance-romance set in the most complicated of circumstances, this heartfelt love story is a really sweet read. This is the third and final standalone in the Lake Spark Inn series (part of the wider Lake Spark world), and it’s the story of ex hockey player Nash, and the love of his life, his brother’s widow, Summer.

Nash, Zac and Summer grew up together, and while Summer and Zac were best friends, it was Nash that she fell in love with. Nash loved her right back, and the two of them had a secret relationship that was everything. Now, it’s years later, Zac has died, leaving behind his wife, Summer, and their young baby. The terms of Zac’s will state that he wants Nash to move in with Summer and little Bo for a defined period, which puts the two of them in a wildly awkward situation.

It’s an emotional set-up, for sure, and I was feeling the tension from the very beginning. Of course, Nash and Summer are both still grieving, but there’s questions and unresolved hurt between them, and I loved watching them bicker and snark at each other after years of limited contact, getting it all out and finally starting to unravel everything that went down. And as they open up to each other and reveal their secrets, everything starts to change.

“I’m not letting you go.”

It’s complex, and I was nervous how this one was going to be navigated, but it’s handled really well. I could feel the connection between Nash and Summer, I could feel their grief over Zac’s death, and I understood where they were at, and enjoyed watching them find their way back to each other.

It’s a constant battle of following what everyone expects but wanting to scream that there is another way that’s helping me. Gluing tiny pieces together.

If you’re on the fence about this book because of the relationship dynamics, here’s what you need to know…

But while they’re figuring it all out, there’s a lot of guilt and confusion, and they also have to deal with the perception of others who don’t understand the situation, and that’s where a lot of the drama comes.

“Our little world, remember that, okay? For now, that’s what helps, and in time it might make sense.”

As much as I love a second-chance-romance, I didn’t feel this one as much as I was hoping. I was a bit frustrated at events from their past, some of which was a bit unclear, and I wish they had fought for each other when they were younger. But that’s the decision they made, and the whole point of this story is we get to witness them deal with those consequences.

True love is when you let someone find their path to you on their own terms.

I did enjoy the book though. I liked the connection between Nash and Summer, I enjoyed their playfulness and the depth of their love for each other, and was glad to see them get their happy ending.

3 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.

Lake Spark Inn

About Evey Lyon

Evey loves to write heartwarming feel-good romance that may just make you blush. The pages of her books are filled with swoon, wit, and steamy moments. An American from the Midwest, she now lives in Europe where she drinks way too much coffee, types away on a laptop with music on repeat, and stares at her yoga mat that she should probably use again…

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