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Always Meant to Be Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 2,858 ratings

An emotional and angst-filled stand-alone forbidden/taboo romance from USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Siobhan Davis.

AN AMAZON TOP 100 BESTSELLER


He’s my eighteen-year-old son’s best friend, and I’m old enough to know better.

My marriage is falling apart, and Vander’s home life is tragic.

Yet, his broken parts speak to mine, and amid all the chaos, a true connection is formed.

The only peace I find is in those stolen moments when we share our darkest secrets and our deepest desires.

This thing between us has disaster written all over it.

But I’m powerless to resist the magnetic pull that draws us closer and closer.

Until lines are crossed, boundaries are broken, and everything I thought I knew about myself is undone.

This reverse age-gap romance contains mature scenes, dark themes, and situations that may push your boundaries. This is a male/female stand-alone romance that ends with an HEA and NO cliff-hanger.
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Popular Highlights in this book

From the Publisher

Image of a couples faces and it includes a blogger quote that says Spectacular and completely unique
Image of couples upper torsos and a blogger quote that says angsty gut-wrenching emotionally charged
couples lower torsos and the text says standalone forbidden age gap friends to lovers second chance
Ebook
Model Paperback
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Hardcover
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Customer Reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars 2,858
4.4 out of 5 stars 2,858
4.4 out of 5 stars 2,858
4.4 out of 5 stars 2,858
4.4 out of 5 stars 2,858
Price $6.99 $17.99 $17.99 $25.99 $0.99
Other details Free to read in Kindle Unlimited Available Now Available Now Available Now Duet narration by Sarah Puckett and Silas Hart

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ken and Van's story will hit your feelings like a freight train. It is angsty, delicious and original. Everything I look for in an epic romance." LJ Shen, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author

"Get ready to feel ALL the feels and go on one doozy of a ride. I fully admit I wasn't 100% sold on the theme of the book, but FAST changed my mind after I began reading. WOW, what an epic read!!!"
TXBRITGAL

"I had to make myself savor this book and not devour it in one sitting. It was spectacular and completely unique! I have never read anything like it and I was obsessed! I love the way Siobhan really brought life into these characters. I felt them in my soul."
Meg B Book Loner

"What an angsty, gut-wrenching, emotionally charged story! I loved Kendall and Vander's chemistry and connection, and their age difference didn't matter at all to me!!"
Bookworm Angel

"If there is one book you read this year, please make it this one. It's a can't miss, one of a kind read! An emotionally charged forbidden romance that will leave its mark on your heart."
Reds Romance Reviews

"
Always Meant to Be is a truly unique read full of all the emotions and second chances. Siobhan has given us a story unlike anything she's written before, and I loved the deep connection I felt with the characters." Kay Daniels Romance

"WOW! Proof that Siobhan Davis can write from one of my least favorite tropes and her writing can still captivate me. Siobhan writes some of the most angsty & heartbreaking romances out there."
The Masque Reader

"This love story had me reeling right from the start. Emotional, devastating, exciting, and full of surprises throughout."
Beyond the Covers

"Kendall and Vander will have you rooting for them from the start. They will break your heart and then slowly rebuild it. I can't even put into words how much I loved this one!!"
Night Owl Brandie

"This book has taken my number one spot for Siobhan. The way this story was pieced together, perfection doesn't even begin to describe it. 5 stars is not enough. I have no doubt this will remain my top read in 2022."
B.reads711. Goodreads reviewer

"Age gap books are my jam. I love everything about them, but they have to be done right, and Siobhan Davis did this one perfectly. I was hooked from the beginning until the very last page."
Shannon. Goodreads reviewer

"All the feels. Every. Single. One. There were moments when I felt I couldn't breathe...the chemistry and angst is so intense...so RAW!!! Just perfect."
Emma. Goodreads reviewer

"Siobhan Davis has a way of writing stories that completely break your heart. This book destroyed every single part of me by 20% and I was ugly crying in the best way."
Lenor. Goodreads reviewer

"What a beautiful book with raw emotion. You want to slow down, but then you don't want to stop because you have to know how it ends."
Jennifer. Goodreads reviewer

"Just wow. This is such a different read from Siobhan, but I absolutely loved every page. It was an emotional roller coaster of a ride."
Lisa. Goodreads reviewer

"I wasn't sure if this was going to be a story I was into, yet I was taken by surprise. I was five chapters in when I realized Siobhan Davis was going to break my heart. I devoured it in one day and I full-on ugly cried many times."
Lena. Goodreads reviewer

"Siobhan has a way of introducing me to tropes I may not read otherwise, and this age gap romance was no different. You definitely don't want to miss out!"
Lori. Goodreads reviewer

"An epic read with incredible characters and a captivating storyline. This was filled with angst, drama, intrigue, suspense, heartbreak, desire, passion, hurt, betrayal, abuse and love."
E.C. Britton-Farnsworth. Goodreads reviewer

"Such a heartbreakingly beautiful story! The writing is fantastic and it pulled every emotion out of me! It gets pretty deep at times and makes your heart crumble."
Brittany. Goodreads reviewer

"This was EVERYTHING! Absolutely totally hooked from the start to the finish. The journey to each other was breathtaking & heartbreaking!"
Liz. Goodreads reviewer

From the Inside Flap

Excerpt:

KENDALL

I chew on the inside of my mouth as I start walking again. "What happened Saturday night proves us hanging out is risky."

"But you were enjoying yourself, right?" He takes my elbow, forcing me to stop. "I didn't just imagine it. We had a good time."

Since Saturday night, I have been trying to convince myself to let him go. Believing the West incident was a sign that continuing this friendship will only end in disaster. But, for reasons even I don't understand, I can't let him go.

I should, but I can't.

"We did," I reluctantly admit. "But West almost caught us. What would you have told him if he did discover us together?"

"The truth." He tucks a stray piece of my hair back into my ponytail. "That nothing happened. I cooked you dinner, and we talked about philosophy over a glass of wine and a beer." He shoves his hand back in the pocket of his sweats. "He wouldn't have read any more into it. His brain would never go there. You're making this out to be something more than it is."

I arch a brow because come on. He knows I know he still wants more than friendship, and we have admitted our feelings are stronger than that. I honestly don't know what I'm doing or why I can't just shut this down—whatever the hell
this is.

His lips twitch. "Focus on the facts, Kendall. Nothing has happened. It's innocent."

Brushing his lips against mine was hardly innocent although it stopped short of a kiss. "Let's not kid ourselves. We both know our feelings for one another are far from innocent."

He leans down, pressing his mouth up against my ear. "But we haven't acted on those feelings," he whispers, and I shiver all over. "
Yet." He straightens up and flashes me a grin. "Whenever you change your mind, I'll be more than happy to act out my every fantasy with you."

My jaw slackens, and my mouth drops open. He chuckles before waggling his fingers and jogging away, leaving me dumbstruck and tingling with anticipation in the middle of the park.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09SYG14MD
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 1st edition (February 28, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 28, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 490 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 2,858 ratings

About the author

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Siobhan Davis
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Siobhan Davis™ is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Top 5 bestselling romance author. Siobhan writes emotionally intense stories with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She has sold millions of books and her titles are translated into several languages.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.

Originally from Ireland, she now lives in Cyprus with her husband.

Join the author's mailing list to receive a free e-book plus tons of bonus content. Refer to the official author website.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
2,858 global ratings

Review this product

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Customers say

Customers love this romance book for its believable love story and wonderful conclusion, filled with emotions and angst. The book receives praise for its hot/sexy content, well-paced narrative, and strong character development. While many find it fantastically written, opinions about the writing quality are mixed.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

57 customers mention "Romance"57 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the love story in this book, finding it believable and rooting for the characters, with a wonderful conclusion. One customer notes that the romance is centered around soulmates, while another mentions that the last few chapters are heartwarming.

"...But anyway, their love was very sweet. Good spice. A love that moves across lifetimes. Magical...." Read more

"...This woman is going to bring you a beautiful romance and then put you through the ringer before you get to enjoy their happily ever after...." Read more

"...I REALLY loved this story. Reverse age gaps are my favorite, but this had almost a supernatural, fated twist to it that made it extra good...." Read more

"I loved reading this book. The storyline was well structured and the story hooks you. The love shared between kendall & vander is profound...." Read more

52 customers mention "Readability"52 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and believable, with one describing it as a real page turner.

"I love a good reverse age gap and this one was very good and it leaves you hoping there is a soul mate out there for you...." Read more

"I loved reading this book. The storyline was well structured and the story hooks you. The love shared between kendall & vander is profound...." Read more

"...Her books are always good, and written throughly. I have this a 3.5 because of the fate aspect...." Read more

"...Her books literally pull you in and keep you engrossed from page one all the way to the last page...." Read more

43 customers mention "Emotional content"39 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional content of the book, describing it as filled with emotions and angst, with one customer noting how their heart wept and soared throughout the story.

"...enough of forbidden mixed with a whole lot of adoration, passion and anguish...." Read more

"...Very much the emotional rollercoaster ride with drama coming from every angle, lol...." Read more

"...I love reincarnated lovers but this felt too forced. I enjoyed the angst, the forced separation, it wasn’t over something trivial like..." Read more

"...They are always fantastically written, and of course always emotionally and heartwarmingly satisfying!!..." Read more

21 customers mention "Beauty"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful, describing it as sweet, hot, and sexy, with one customer noting its steamy scenes.

"...loved how the daughter knew all about her dad and was just so cute and sweet when she finally saw him and his reaction was so sweet when he saw her...." Read more

"...Siobhan Davis has accomplished that with this endearing and enchanting romance." Read more

"...Beautiful and romantic read for those who need a little sweet, little naughty, and a fair amount of angst...." Read more

"...wrote this with sensitivity to not make it sound perverted is so beautiful. She made me a believer of soulmates. What a beautiful story." Read more

14 customers mention "Pacing"11 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, describing it as well-paced and engaging, with one customer noting how it quickens the heartbeat, while another mentions how the characters overcome obstacles to achieve their happy ending.

"...The story is beautifully written, well paced, and has just enough twists to keep the claws in deep...." Read more

"...MFC”s son, rest easy that it will come to make sense, and even feel very right...." Read more

"...Kendall and Vance have off the charts chemistry that quickens your heartbeat and makes you want to jump into the story with them...." Read more

"...I love reincarnated lovers but this felt too forced...." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one customer particularly praising the mother character.

"...If you love strong, passionate characters who will give their all and fight for what they want and need then you have seriously got to read this book..." Read more

"...I loved how these characters were written so intensely. This was a would crushing read and I’ll definitely read again." Read more

"...realm, mixed with the forbidden, and peppered with some truly despicable antagonist characters...." Read more

"...I found myself very invested in these characters and their connections. These pages flipped themselves...." Read more

5 customers mention "Connection"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the strong connection in the book, with one noting how the characters are destined to be together.

"...messed up lives, they found their way to each other and the connection was so strong there was no doubt in each other that they were soulmates...." Read more

"...Vander and Kendall have a beautiful connection, but they really have to fight for their HEA. They go through so much, and you really feel it all...." Read more

"...I like how they are connected-figuratively and physically-no spoilers here. You just have to read this one! Might have to read this again!..." Read more

"...I love how they were destined to be together, I loved hear about their past lives!..." Read more

22 customers mention "Writing quality"15 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it fantastically and beautifully written, while others find parts difficult to read.

"...The story is beautifully written, well paced, and has just enough twists to keep the claws in deep...." Read more

"...Her books are always good, and written throughly. I have this a 3.5 because of the fate aspect...." Read more

"...Nothing was explained concisely, I had to skim a lot and skipped a lot of useless internal dialogue. Just got really boring quite often...." Read more

"...I can never get enough of Siobhan Davis’ books. They are always fantastically written, and of course always emotionally and heartwarmingly satisfying..." Read more

“𝓞𝓾𝓻 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓼 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓽𝔂.”
5 out of 5 stars
“𝓞𝓾𝓻 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓼 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓽𝔂.”
Oh my! I needed a little break from sports romance and I saw someone raving about Siobhan’s books so I just randomly went on Amazon and picked the first one I saw. My lord am I glad I came upon this book! It was just, ugh, I was so good! Kendall is a mom of 3 going through a nasty divorce. Vander is Kendall’s 18 yr old son, Wests, best friends! He has a nasty home life and finds comfort at their house. Stolen glances and touches after dinners when no one is looking. A pull between the two that they couldn’t explain or deny! This book shattered me! Probably the best way to describe it lol Siobhan just has an amazing way of writing and making you feel so deeply. The angst, the banter, the spice in this book…it was amazing! I was literally dying laughing at the bathtub part when she was helping Vander into the tub IYKYK 😂 I read this book in one sitting, I just couldn’t put it down!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2024
    I love a good reverse age gap and this one was very good and it leaves you hoping there is a soul mate out there for you. Well, at least it did for me lol
    I know this was part of the drama of it all, but I don't like novels about abusive or toxic parents/spouses, so having the MMC's dad be so evil and "win" for so long really got on my nerves. It took so long (years!) to get the dad in jail and he just terrorized them for all of the time they were apart to make sure they stayed apart. I really hated that. For once I would like to read a novel where the toxic parent "loses" in the worse way. Knowing that his father went to jail wasn't enough for me. I wanted to know he went to jail and was treated the same way he treated his wife and son.

    But anyway, their love was very sweet. Good spice. A love that moves across lifetimes. Magical. And I loved how the daughter knew all about her dad and was just so cute and sweet when she finally saw him and his reaction was so sweet when he saw her. Chef's kiss.

    Overall, I loved this book and It will definitely be one of those books I read multiple times.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2022
    WOW! Proof that Siobhan Davis can write from one of my least favorite tropes and her writing can still captivate me. Reverse Age Gap is a trope I barely read from, I learned early on I didn't enjoy it much. Not sure what it is but it's just not my thing. So I never seek them out, but when one of my favorite authors writes one I already know I'm going to read it. Siobhan writes some of the most angsty & heartbreaking romances out there. This woman is going to bring you a beautiful romance and then put you through the ringer before you get to enjoy their happily ever after. And she does it in a way that leaves you saying, "Yes, please can I have more?!!!!" This is exactly what happened with Always Meant To Be.

    If you roll into this book expecting or just wanting some age gap romance, you are going to miss out. There is a bigger story playing out here; I just hope you all see it and enjoy it as much as I did. These two have a powerful & passionate love that can endure anything that threatens it. There's just enough of forbidden mixed with a whole lot of adoration, passion and anguish. I'm always drawn to forbidden love stories, but the author has to do the work to keep me once I get there. Siobhan Davis has accomplished that with this endearing and enchanting romance.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2022
    Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Trope: taboo/son's best friend
    Angst: 😱😱😱😱😱
    Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥

    Good lord, this is some angsty reading at its finist! Kendall Hawthorne's life appears to be on autopilot, despite husband troubles. Despite the fact that she feels this deep seated pull forwards her son's best friend that she cannot wish away. And that he obviously feels the same way. Vander He let's life has been full of pain. His father is abusive and his mother is a wreck. The one light in his life is Kendall. He knows they are meant to be, they just need to overcome, well, everyone and everything.

    I REALLY loved this story. Reverse age gaps are my favorite, but this had almost a supernatural, fated twist to it that made it extra good. SOOO many obstacles for them to overcome and you see them all coming, with no clear answer other than it was never going to be easy. The story is beautifully written, well paced, and has just enough twists to keep the claws in deep. Very much the emotional rollercoaster ride with drama coming from every angle, lol. This is a super hard fought HEA that is destined to become a fave for anyone who reads it!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2024
    I loved reading this book. The storyline was well structured and the story hooks you. The love shared between kendall & vander is profound. I always enjoy reading Siobhan's books. Such a good author.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2022
    Age gap romances are a little hard for me. But being a 30 year old female, older woman to younger man clicks more.

    Anyways, i decided to read this book because i love Siobian Davis. Her books are always good, and written throughly.

    I have this a 3.5 because of the fate aspect. I took it as a contemporary romance, and the destined lover, psychic, remembering past lives threw it off for me. Was it awkward Hearing about how Vander was the star in some less than PG fantasies while 15? Yes. I felt the author wrote the destined to be lovers to off set that. I honestly could have over looked it. The emotion and connection was there WITHOUT the reincarnated lovers. I really think she should have picked one and ran with it. I love reincarnated lovers but this felt too forced.

    I enjoyed the angst, the forced separation, it wasn’t over something trivial like miscommunication and that really makes a difference.
    11 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2022
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Review

    I can never get enough of Siobhan Davis’ books. They are always fantastically written, and of course always emotionally and heartwarmingly satisfying!! This taboo reverse age-gap story was an absolute masterpiece!!

    This is Kendall and Vander’s story of their unconventional attraction and love. These two will make you fall in love with their characters and their relationship will make you believe in soul mates and that true love will find a way if it’s meant to be. Of course their story isn’t an easy one, and their will be twists and turns that they must face and obstacles they must get over, but their story is one you’ll not be able put down.

    I seriously did not want this book to end. But I have that with any of Siobhan’s books. Her books literally pull you in and keep you engrossed from page one all the way to the last page. If you love strong, passionate characters who will give their all and fight for what they want and need then you have seriously got to read this book. I highly recommend it!!

Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer Lindy
    5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT! Vander & Kendall
    Reviewed in Canada on September 30, 2023
    WoW! This was just so, so Magical! I believe in Reincarnation and this Love Story just proves it exists. Thank you for a Wonderful Love Story & all the twists & turns. 😘🇨🇦
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Just wow!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2024
    Amazing! How on earth can someone write such amazing stories? This just gave me spine tingling feels from start to finish! So moving, heart-wrenching, loving, sad, hurtful, yet humorous at times! This will be remembered for a long time!
  • Claudia Anna
    5.0 out of 5 stars another incredible love story by Siobhan Davis
    Reviewed in Germany on March 25, 2022
    I've read all books written by Sibohan and also this one did not disappoint me. It is an amazing love story with all kind of things you need to have a good book. It took me longer to finish this book, because I had to make breaks in order to calm my heart down. What a ride on a roller coaster. No twist and turn has been left out in this book. I love Kendall and Vander and will reread the story for sure.
    Thanks to the author, you did a great job again.
  • LISA CARBONE
    5.0 out of 5 stars All the feelings …
    Reviewed in Australia on March 13, 2022
    Roller coaster of every emotion on repeat. I loved this story. Didn’t think I would but I fell hard for idea of souls destined to find their way to each other - the philosophy. Loved it! I absolutely adore Vander. He may be my favourite character yet! I didn’t want it to end but raced there anyway because I needed to know… and now I’m a little bereft to let them go. Thanks Siobhan - I’ve read and enjoyed all your books but this one was special.
  • Shez
    4.0 out of 5 stars eye opener
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2022
    I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t sure I could read this book and I was a little uncomfortable with the age different ( not that I think there is an issue when your say over 25) but an 18 and a 30+ Well I had my options on that. However I held back and read the full book and I still have mixed options. However absolutely fell in love with both main characters and I was truly rooting for them in the end.

    Destiny/fate call it what you will some people are just went to be.

    Truly enjoyable book from start to finish.

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