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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Finally Mine was a heartwarming, slow burn and steamy read that I really enjoyed. It is Book Two in the Benevolence Series, which centres around Gloria and Aldo, who were key side characters in Book One - Pretend You’re Mine.
Gloria is a domestic violence survivor who almost died at the hands of her partner after 10 years in a toxic and dangerous relationship. She has now left the relationship, pressed charges and is trying to move on and re-discover herself free from her imprisoned ex. Priority one is finding a job and a place of her own.
Aldo Moretta is your larger than life boy next door and home town hero, who has been secretly pining for Gloria since senior year. Now that she is single he makes his feelings clear but he is deploying for 6 months. He encourages and supports Gloria without pushing for a relationship and asks for a date when he returns.
Aldo is probably the most patient and thoughtful MMC I’ve read. He gently flirted, had constant respect and went over and above to make sure Gloria felt safe and respected. In return we get to witness Gloria flourish as her self-worth and confidence returns.
There are themes of domestic violence, severe injury while deployed and struggling with mental health. All of which were respectfully written about and beautifully woven throughout.
I went into this book expecting a sequel picking up where Book One left off, but found that it runs in parallel with Book One. So we still see a lot of Luke and Harper throughout. I found this worked for me, but I do note there are mixed reviews.
Overall I do highly recommend this book as it can be read as a standalone. Alternatively it could be fab to do a tandem read with Book One.
Gloria is a domestic violence survivor who almost died at the hands of her partner after 10 years in a toxic and dangerous relationship. She has now left the relationship, pressed charges and is trying to move on and re-discover herself free from her imprisoned ex. Priority one is finding a job and a place of her own.
Aldo Moretta is your larger than life boy next door and home town hero, who has been secretly pining for Gloria since senior year. Now that she is single he makes his feelings clear but he is deploying for 6 months. He encourages and supports Gloria without pushing for a relationship and asks for a date when he returns.
Aldo is probably the most patient and thoughtful MMC I’ve read. He gently flirted, had constant respect and went over and above to make sure Gloria felt safe and respected. In return we get to witness Gloria flourish as her self-worth and confidence returns.
There are themes of domestic violence, severe injury while deployed and struggling with mental health. All of which were respectfully written about and beautifully woven throughout.
I went into this book expecting a sequel picking up where Book One left off, but found that it runs in parallel with Book One. So we still see a lot of Luke and Harper throughout. I found this worked for me, but I do note there are mixed reviews.
Overall I do highly recommend this book as it can be read as a standalone. Alternatively it could be fab to do a tandem read with Book One.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was so sweet. Aldo, a wounded war hero, finally gets his chance to take a shot at the girl he’s been pining for since high school. After she finally leaves her abusive ex, Gloria needs to start over and find out who she is on her own.
Aldo wants her to have her own life and choices and hopefully he chooses him.
Both are damaged, but begging a healing journey together.
Aldo was a charming sweetheart of a man, coming home to a completely different normal to him and he just wanted to be Old Aldo. Gloria is starting fresh, and gaining confidence to stand up for herself. So when Aldo comes home from war being a jerk, she is shocked and very not happy with him. Thank god that she suggested he join therapy! (And pushed his fellow war vets to surprise him with a call to also suggest therapy)
These two were pining for the other for so long and now that they are free to start their journey together. Obstacles and healing song the way, but I am happy these two got their happy ending.
Why do the men of benevolence insist on proposing immediately after they get back together with the girl?
Aldo wants her to have her own life and choices and hopefully he chooses him.
Both are damaged, but begging a healing journey together.
Aldo was a charming sweetheart of a man, coming home to a completely different normal to him and he just wanted to be Old Aldo. Gloria is starting fresh, and gaining confidence to stand up for herself. So when Aldo comes home from war being a jerk, she is shocked and very not happy with him. Thank god that she suggested he join therapy! (And pushed his fellow war vets to surprise him with a call to also suggest therapy)
These two were pining for the other for so long and now that they are free to start their journey together. Obstacles and healing song the way, but I am happy these two got their happy ending.
Why do the men of benevolence insist on proposing immediately after they get back together with the girl?
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the ending was pretty good. aldo and his mom fought like howard and his mom in tbbt. aldo is my new bf.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Love, healing and finding yourself
I loved this secret crush, small town, healing romance with a side of big secrets. It is a heartwarming and spicy story as seen through the eyes of two intense, strong and passionate characters. I was feeling some big feels with this one - wounded characters always draw me in. I just wanna reach into the story and hug them to help them heal. After being physically abused for a decade, Gloria finally decides to leave her abuser. Now that he’s in jail for attempted murder and assault on her new friend (Harper from Pretend You’re Mine), she has to figure out how to be the new Gloria. Aldo is a structural engineer in small town Benevolence and in the national guard. He’s had a crush on Gloria since HS. He is about to leave on a six month deployment and before leaving asks Gloria for a date when he gets back. Life changes their trajectory when a terrible injury brings Aldo back early and Gloria might need to be the hero for both of them. I have such a soft spot for the people who are a bit uncomfortable in their skin because they don’t feel like they fit in or are worthy, like Gloria and the Aldo post-injury. So I love when they finally see their truth and they get swoon worthy HEAs. To get to there, they’ll both having to work on healing, baggage unpacking and life course correction. This heartwarming story was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters, and an engaging storyline. Note, this story parallels a large part of book one in the series so at times it felt like I had already read the book.
Aldo Moretta and Gloria Parker were something.
I enjoyed these two characters. Both dealing with trauma life has thrown at them in different ways. But together they can get past it right?
Lucy Score is a wonderful storyteller and this one was a goodie.
Gloria finally finding herself and growing into the person she wants to be. Aldo finally getting the girl of his dreams.
The story will make you fall for Aldo and cheer for Gloria. And of course you cannot help but love the secondary characters too.
Small town Benevolence had me laughing and crying and wanting to visit just to spend some time in their lives.
I gave Gloria and Aldo 4
I enjoyed these two characters. Both dealing with trauma life has thrown at them in different ways. But together they can get past it right?
Lucy Score is a wonderful storyteller and this one was a goodie.
Gloria finally finding herself and growing into the person she wants to be. Aldo finally getting the girl of his dreams.
The story will make you fall for Aldo and cheer for Gloria. And of course you cannot help but love the secondary characters too.
Small town Benevolence had me laughing and crying and wanting to visit just to spend some time in their lives.
I gave Gloria and Aldo 4
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I was so captivated by this heartbreaking, raw, honest, and inspiring story. This is a powerful and beautiful story about how fragile love is and how it is built with courage, hope, and tears. Gloria fell into an abusive relationship that lasted for a decade until she found the courage to leave. She faces all her fears about being seen as 'poor little Gloria' from everyone around her and finds a job, a place to live, and family and friends who support and love her. Aldo is the town hero who has loved Gloria since high school. He finally has his shot at winning her heart. Unfortunately, he is being deployed the next week, and promises he will be back to ask her on a date. But life doesn't always work out as planned, and Aldo has to face his own tragedy, and figure out who he really is. This is an emotional, slow burn story that tackles difficult subjects with honesty, and empathy. I fell hard for Gloria, Aldo, Harper and Luke, and all their family and friends who made this story completely riveting. I loved how Score took her time revealing each scarred character, breaking them down, and then building them back to a stronger, courageous, resilient person who knows they are worthy of love. This is a breathtaking, moving, sweet and tender romance that had me in tears of heartache and joy. It is a beautiful and unforgettable story that will stay with me for a long time.