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J. Daniels
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Where I Belong: A Small Town Best Friend's Older Brother Romance (Alabama Summer Book 1) Kindle Edition

by J. Daniels (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 11,475 ratings
An instant New York Times bestseller!

When Mia Corelli returns to Alabama for a summer of fun with her childhood best friend, Tessa, there's only one thing keeping her on edge. One person that she’d do anything to avoid.

Benjamin Kelly. World’s biggest jerk.

Mia hates him with a fury and has no desire to ever see him again. When she decides to start her summer off with a bang and finally give away her v-card, she unknowingly hands it over to the one guy that excelled at making her life miserable, learning a valuable lesson in the process.

Always get the name of the guy you’re going home with.

Ben can’t get the girl he spent one night with out of his head.
When she leaves him the next morning, he thinks he’ll never see her again. Until he sees her lounging by the pool with his sister.

Mia is determined to hate Ben, even though she can’t forget him. Ben is determined to prove he’s not the same guy he used to be.

What happens when the one person you wish never existed becomes the one person you can’t imagine being without?
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  1. Book 1 of 6
    Alabama Summer
  2. Print length
    227 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    June 27, 2014
  6. File size
    4.1 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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  1. My angel is here for the whole summer and she wants nothing to do with me.
    Highlighted by 637 Kindle readers
  2. She met me in the middle and gave as well as she took. It was wild perfection. A beautiful chaos.
    Highlighted by 605 Kindle readers
  3. The boy I once wished never existed was now the man I wanted to spend every second with.
    Highlighted by 531 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher

book stack
bama
Where I Belong: A Small Town Best Friend's Older Brother Romance (Alabama Sum...
All I Want: A Small Town Brother's Best Friend Romance (Alabama Summer Book 2)
When I Fall: A Small Town Fake Dating Romance (Alabama Summer Book 3)
Where We Belong: An Alabama Summer Novella
What I Need: A Small Town Forced Proximity Romance (Alabama Summer Book 5)
All We Want: An Alabama Summer Novella
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Customer Reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars 11,475
4.4 out of 5 stars 4,860
4.5 out of 5 stars 4,885
4.5 out of 5 stars 2,301
4.6 out of 5 stars 2,314
4.6 out of 5 stars 1,016
Price $4.99 $5.99 $5.99 $2.99 $5.99 $2.99
Small Town ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Enemies to Lovers ✓ ✓ no data no data no data no data
Brother's Best Friend/Best Friend's Brother ✓ ✓ no data no data ✓ no data
Fake Dating no data no data ✓ no data no data no data
Secret Relationship no data no data no data no data ✓ no data
Standalone ✓ ✓ ✓ no data ✓ no data
Single Dad ✓ no data no data no data no data no data
Friends to Lovers ✓ no data ✓ no data ✓ no data
Forced Proximity no data no data no data no data ✓ no data
Spicy Novella no data no data no data ✓ no data ✓
Books

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Wow, does this woman know how to start a book off with a bang or what!?!! J. Daniels does it again with one hot & steamy read." - Goodreads Reviewer

"This story has spoiled me 100 PERCENT! I want more and more!" - Cristiina♡Reads

These two have amazing chemistry. Scorching. Set your kindle on fire chemistry. - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

It's a story that is well written and so relatable and I highly recommend. - Edie L.

Ben, oh sir Ben. He's a small-town cop and devoted single father who can't stop thinking about the girl he spent one night with. - readingwithShelbyyy

Oh my goodness....Ben and Mia touched my heart and soul in their story. - Rhonda Ziglar
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!! - DarknessLighttt

I think best friend's brother might be my favorite trope, and this book does not disappoint. J. Daniels even mixed in some enemies to lovers which makes it so much better. - A.BookNerd.Bookseller&Bibliophile.Blog

From the Author

Where I Belong is the first book in the Alabama Summer series but can be read as a complete standalone. If you enjoy Ben & Mia's story, check out the rest of the series!

Reading Order:
1. Where I Belong - Ben & Mia
2. All I Want - Luke & Tessa
3. When I Fall - Reed & Beth
4. Where We Belong - Ben & Mia Novella
5. What I Need - CJ & Riley
6. So Much More - Halloween Novella
7. All We Want - Luke & Tessa Novella

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00LD6IYUS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ JD Publishing, LLC
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 27, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.1 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 227 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 6 ‏ : ‎ Alabama Summer
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 11,475 ratings

About the author

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J. Daniels

J. Daniels

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J. Daniels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Alabama Summer, Dirty Deeds and Sweet Addiction series, as well as her MM romance: The Tragedy of Felix and Jake.

Best known for her sexy, small-town romances, her debut novel, Sweet Addiction, was first published in 2014 and went on to become an international bestseller. Since then, she has published more than fifteen novels, including the Dirty Deeds series with Forever Romance.

Daniels grew up in Baltimore and currently lives in Maryland with her husband and three kids. A former full-time Radiologic Technologist, she began writing romance after college and quickly discovered a passion for it. You'll still catch her in scrubs every now and then, but most of her time is spent writing these days—a career she is eternally grateful for.

Always an avid reader, Daniels enjoys books of all kinds, but favors Romance (of course) and Fantasy. She loves hiking, traveling, going to the mountains for the weekend, and spending time with her family.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
11,475 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this romance book captivating with a hot enemies-to-lovers storyline and well-developed characters, particularly noting the chemistry between Mia and Ben. The book features lots of hot steamy sex, humor that makes readers laugh and cry, and is well-paced and easy to read. However, the story quality receives mixed reviews, with several customers describing it as predictable and whiny.

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590 customers mention "Readability"562 positive28 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as captivating and fun to read, with one customer noting its steamy content.

"I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. I don’t know exactly what drew me to it but I was hooked before I even got started good...." Read more

"...Her characters are realistic, fun, and hot as hell! J. Daniels packs this story full of romance, humor, and erotica...." Read more

"...My future. My forever. All mine.” This is a sweet book that provides a little drama and lots of hot steamy sex...." Read more

"...Where I Belong was a good, solid read. Ben was super swoony and I enjoyed reading his words in my head in a southern drawl...." Read more

535 customers mention "Romance"520 positive15 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, particularly appreciating the hot enemies-to-lovers storyline and Mia and Ben's love story.

"...The strong emotional connection between them only makes it all the more intense, and I loved watching them fall so hard for each other in all the..." Read more

"This story is amazing! It gets five out of five hearts from me!! I Love, love, love this book! It is absolutely amazing!..." Read more

"...They are involved with the story and the setup for the characters that star in the second book of the series was done well in this book...." Read more

"...to him and goes back to his place where they have a night that was sweet, gentle, intimate, and one she will never forget. “..." Read more

240 customers mention "Character development"215 positive25 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, finding them well-developed and interconnected, with one customer noting the chemistry between the main characters is palpable.

"...A sexy, swoony and intense, small-town, best-friend’s-brother, enemies-to-lovers romance that sucked me in from the very beginning...." Read more

"...Her personality is addictive and fun. Most women can relate to her. She has gone through a lot over the past few years...." Read more

"...J. Daniels knows how to write stories where you instantly love the characters, laugh out loud while reading, steamy sex scenes, and sweet romantic..." Read more

"...He is, without a doubt, one of the most adorably charming kids I've read about in a book in recent memory...." Read more

129 customers mention "Steamy content"129 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the steamy content of the book, with multiple reviews noting the hot and not raunchy scenes between Mia and Ben.

"...everything that has been building between them, these two are hot as hell, and the sexy time is seriously steamy!..." Read more

"...Her characters are realistic, fun, and hot as hell! J. Daniels packs this story full of romance, humor, and erotica...." Read more

"...This is a sweet book that provides a little drama and lots of hot steamy sex. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series...." Read more

"...Their banter is so much fun to read. It ranges from funny, to hot, to sweet all in the span of one chapter...." Read more

118 customers mention "Laughter"118 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, with many noting it makes them laugh and cry, and one customer particularly appreciating the hilarious text message conversations.

"...J. Daniels packs this story full of romance, humor, and erotica...." Read more

"...This book had laughs and feels and was a super quick read. I can't wait to continue on with the series. J. Daniels has a new fan right here!" Read more

"...There is so much sexiness and many laughs in this book. Ben Kelly has made his way to the top of my book boyfriend list...." Read more

"...And will more than likely stay there. He is hot and a sweet dirty talker and in control in the bedroom...." Read more

82 customers mention "Pacing"67 positive15 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, finding it fast and well-paced, with one customer noting that the chase portion was handled smoothly.

"...It’s fast moving with lots of emotion, but I felt it all, and was right on board with the swoony romance...." Read more

"...This book had laughs and feels and was a super quick read. I can't wait to continue on with the series. J. Daniels has a new fan right here!" Read more

"...so many things about Ben, just adding on what I already listed; best dad ever, persistent, caring, protective...on and on...." Read more

"...First, J. Daniels knows how to write "HOT" sex scenes. They weren't rushed but they also weren't too much, if you know what I mean...." Read more

43 customers mention "Strength"43 positive0 negative

Customers praise the strength of the characters Ben and Mia, describing them as fabulous and swoon-worthy, with one customer noting their beautiful relationship.

"...Mia was strong and likable. Together, they were on fire. Together, when with Nolan, they were this wonderful little family that warmed my heart...." Read more

"...I absolutely loved these characters. Mia is strong, beautiful and compassionate. I loved how Ben was charming, sexy and really just a great guy...." Read more

"...There are some cute twists with Ben's profession and his personal life...." Read more

"...who is a spitfire and does exactly what she wants but is a great friend to Mia and look forward to her story...." Read more

89 customers mention "Story quality"20 positive69 negative

Customers find the story quality poor, describing it as predictable, whiny, and completely unrealistic.

"...The characters were likable but could have used a little more development...." Read more

"...Yet, other than going swimming, they never did anything together. Very boring. And it made the whole losing her virginity thing pointless...." Read more

"...It was definitely hot but a big turn off for me is too much sexy smut in a book...." Read more

"...This was a great read. It held my attention from beginning to end. It was well paced, sexy, funny, and drama/angsty at times...." Read more

Witty and sexy story! Couldn’t put it down!
5 out of 5 stars
Witty and sexy story! Couldn’t put it down!
If you love enemies to lovers, have I got the book for you! Where I Belong follows Mia Corelli, a former Alabama native now living in Georgia, who is about to head back to Alabama for the summer. She is planning to hang out with her best friend Tessa, but the problem with that is Tessa's big brother, Ben, is a complete jerk. Growing up together as they did was hard because her best friend's brother was also her bully. All that changes after Mia goes to a bar to find a handsome stranger to lose her virginity to. She finds out the next day the man, she had a mind blowing night with, is none other than Ben... her worst enemy. Ben on the other hand is over the moon, the girl he can't get out of his head is spending the summer with his sister. Mia is a tough girl, who has had a rough go of it lately with her mom having cancer, and she just wanted to have a fun summer. Now on top of all that, she has these complicated feelings for the person she hates most. 

This book has everything I love, lots of witty banter, steamy scenes, and just a lot of sweetness throw in. I liked that she didn't let Ben off too easy, but she wasn't mean for long once she realized that he had indeed changed. Just because people are jerks when they are kids/teenagers doesn't mean they stay that way. Ben's relentless pursuit of her was...well to put it bluntly, really sexy. I like a man that knows what he wants and goes for it, with respect of course. I'm not talking about those toxic males that cant take no for an answer. Ben is definitely a sweetheart, you see it in how he interacts with his son Nolan, how he treats Mia in this book, and in the other books in the series. Yes I have read them all, Ben and Mia remain a favorite couple. So if you have never heard of J. Daniels and you love sweet, sexy, and witty romances go check her out because that's what she writes perfectly. Every time I read one of her books I cant seem to put it down until I'm finished which is the best kind of recommendation to me.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Debbi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. I don’t know exactly what drew me to it but I was hooked before I even got started good. I don’t want to give any of the story away so I won’t. I will be reading more as it is a series. I will say that I highly recommend reading it.
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  • AJ
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sexy, swoony and intense small-town romance
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The first book in the Alabama Summer series, this book has been on my TBR for so long, and I’m so glad I finally got to it! A sexy, swoony and intense, small-town, best-friend’s-brother, enemies-to-lovers romance that sucked me in from the very beginning. I loved it.

    Mia is returning to Alabama to spend her summer with her childhood best friend. But before she arrives, she’s determined to lose her pesky v-card, so she stops off at a bar on the way and has her world rocked by the hottest guy she’s ever seen, with a filthy mouth, who treats her right all night long. It’s just the start to her summer that she wanted. Now, she’s finally reunited with her friend, Tessa, and settling into their beachside accommodation when her childhood nemesis appears – Tessa’s brother, Ben. He tormented for years as a child, teasing her in ways that have left their mark on her even now as an adult. She was planning on avoiding him all summer, but wouldn’t you know it – it turns out he’s the mystery man from the bar who rocked her world.

    Ben is a small-town cop and devoted single dad with a lot on his plate, yet he can’t stop thinking about the girl he spent one insane night with. He never thought he’d see her again, and now here she is, right on his doorstep, and hating him with every fibre of her being. It’s not the greatest of beginnings, but he wants more, he is completely smitten and knows that she is the one for him, and he’s determined to win her over.

    It’s a fun set-up. Mia is determined to hold on to her hate, and I loved watching Ben work so hard to prove to her that he’s changed and that he’s a good guy. I love a smitten hero, and Ben is completely open and honest about his feelings and that he wants more. He puts his heart on the line and holds nothing back from Mia, and I love that! His efforts to get through to Mia, and to nurture the instant connection between her and his adorable 3 year old son, is so sweet!

    But under his nice guy persona, there is a filthy sex god, and when Mia finally gives in and they start to explore everything that has been building between them, these two are hot as hell, and the sexy time is seriously steamy! The strong emotional connection between them only makes it all the more intense, and I loved watching them fall so hard for each other in all the ways.

    It’s fast moving with lots of emotion, but I felt it all, and was right on board with the swoony romance. There is drama, but it’s all external to the relationship, so it’s just a matter of watching Mia and Ben deal with it all to get to their happy ending.

    We get to meet a bunch of Mia and Ben’s friends, and there’s already a strong introduction to the next book, and I’m looking forward to continuing on with the series.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars This story is amazing! It gets five out of five hearts from ...
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This story is amazing! It gets five out of five hearts from me!!

    I Love, love, love this book! It is absolutely amazing! Author J. Daniels tells such an amazing story that you cannot help but fall in love with. This book is Sizzling, fun, and had a few moments I was sniffling like a baby or clutching my heart. Her characters are realistic, fun, and hot as hell! J. Daniels packs this story full of romance, humor, and erotica.

    This book starts off with Mia Corelli heading back to Alabama to spend the summer with her best friend Tessa Kelly. She needs a break and wants to let loose over the summer. Mia decides the best way to start her summer is to finally cash in her v-card. She meets a smoking hot guy at the first bar she finds back in her home town and seduces him into taking her home… Well I think that Ben would have followed her anywhere personally. This girl was oozing the sex appeal that most books have guys doing!

    Fast forward past the sizzling sex these two have to the next day when Mia realizes the hot guy she cannot get off her mind is Benjamin Kelly “Ben.” This poor girl was mortified when she realized the boy she despises more than anyone in the universe is the man she cannot stop fantasizing about. She has tried to get over how Ben Kelly treated her growing up for years.

    Mia Corelli is one of those girls you just have to love. Her personality is addictive and fun. Most women can relate to her. She has gone through a lot over the past few years. Falling for a guy is not on her agenda. Especially when the guy is Ben Kelly.

    Ben Kelly is a guy who knows what he wants and he wants the girl what rocked his world. He felt a connection with here he’s never felt with anyone before. He will do anything to have her realize he isn’t the evil boy she knew growing up. He knows he has his worked cut out for him and owns it. He makes it his mission to prove to Mia that he is a changed man. And let me tell you ladies, Ben will have you swooning and rooting for him all the way. I LOVE BEN!

    Ben also has a son that I absolutely adored in this story named Nolan. This kid stole the show a few times. Saying he’s adorable is an understatement. And Ben with Nolan made my heart turn to a pile of mush!

    This book gave me a serious book hangover. I could not put the book down and when I was finished I wanted to cry because I needed more of Ben and Mia.

    I praise Author J. Daniels for not making this book a cliché. She kept her characters true to who they were!
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Vanessa F.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ich verliebt in J. Daniels Bücher!
    Reviewed in Germany on February 24, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Wow! diese Autorin weiß, wie man fesselnde Stories schreibt. Dieses Buch hat mich von Anfang an gefasst, ich konnte garnicht genug bekommen.
    Der Wechsel zwischen Mias und Bens Erzählperspektive gefiel mir sehr gut und machte das Buch sehr spannend.
    J Daniels weiß, wie man atemberaubende männliche Charaktere schreibt.
    Gebt ihren Bücher eine Chance, ihr werdet nicht enttäuscht sein!
    Report
  • Dady
    5.0 out of 5 stars stupendo
    Reviewed in Italy on December 17, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Libro Veramente bello e appassionante... Senza troppi dramma ma molto avvincente e sexy. Decisamente consigliato a tutte le amanti del genere young adult
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Beau roman, agréable à lire
    Reviewed in France on September 22, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    J'ai trouvé l'idée de départ intéressante. Une petite fille marquée par les moqueries et les méchancetés qu'elle a subit durant son enfance devient une belle jeune femme et va être confrontée à son ancien "tortionnaire". Comment va-t-elle gérer la situation ?... J. Daniels a le don d'écrire de façon à ce qu'on ne s'ennuie jamais. Les personnages ont des caractères bien définis et sont très attachants. Dans ce roman, l'histoire est toutefois un peu trop prévisible.
    Report
  • Nicole McCurdy (Emerald Book Reviews)
    5.0 out of 5 stars Had I not looked at the last minute I would never have guessed as both books although having some similarities were really quite
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 29, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    So I'm the idiot who read this book having read the authors other book literally hours before hand and never realised they were written by the same person. I never checked the authors name before diving right in. Had I not looked at the last minute I would never have guessed as both books although having some similarities were really quite different but both equally brilliant.

    This book had me involved right from the start. It was well written with a nice flow to the dialogue and storyline, nothing felt forced or stilted with all the characters playing a good role including the secondary characters of Tess and Luke whose book I'm hoping will be next in the series. It was at times hilarious and often times sweet and thankfully had enough sizzle and spark between Mia and Ben to have me rooting for the couple from the get go. It was a fast tumble into love for these two but in another way it took them years to get to where then ended up and I was left feeling all kinds of goofy and happy by the epilogue and that's just how I like my happily ever afters. If you're looking for a great beach read with plenty of heat and romance then this is the book for you.
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  • Lease
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in Australia on February 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Good length. Such a tear jerker of a story with a true fate sweetness and ending. Falling in love quickly and forever is the main theme of this story and it works so well. There were a few things I felt were missing and would have liked to have known like what happened with Angie, did Ben get full custody and did Mia end up adopting him. And what was the sex of there baby. Might find that out in book 2 but if not just for peace of mind I would of liked to have known. My heart cried, laughed, sped up and slowed down throughout this book. It truly was a great read! Looking forward to Tessa and Luke's story.
    Report

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