Lucy Score's book offered a pleasantly relaxing romance read, drawing me into Gloria's courageous journey of escaping domestic abuse. Aldo, an appealing character, patiently pursues the woman he's long desired since high school. Together, they face hurdles but ultimately find their happily ever after. While not as gripping as similar stories, I was engaged and invested in Gloria and Aldo's pursuit of their HEA. Score's captivating writing style kept me hooked, earning it a solid four-star rating.

I love Lucy Score. Every book so far has been quite entertaining and pulls at the heart strings. However, as much as I wanted to learn more about Aldo and Gloria, I found myself a tad bored just because I knew the sequence of events already. I struggled with the lack of surprise going on since we got the same story line in Luke and Harper’s storyline. I can understand after reading the acknowledgements though that Aldo and Gloria wasn’t a planned book.

Unfortunately, it made it hard to want to really read and read because I knew what was going to happen. Despite that, I still enjoyed reading the two different trauma stories unfold. Aldo, a war vet and Gloria, domestic abuse survivor. Two battered souls finally finding each other. There is something sweet about that. I liked watching Gloria rise to the occasion and find her footing.

Aldo’s journey was something I couldn’t even imagine. Even as different as their trauma was, they could find common ground and grow with each other.

Finally Mine was a sweet and spicy read. Lucy Score never lets me down on the spice front. It contains several lessons and anecdotes for years to come.

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Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to enjoy and read this title. The new covers of this title are so much better than the old ones. This was and absolutely delightful read.

Finally Mine by Lucy Score, book two in the Benevolence series, is a heartbreaking, wonderful, fraught story with emotion, unending hope, the power of love, and the knowledge that through patience, and stamina, comes greater strength. Gloria Parker and Aldo Moretta fell in love during Pretend You’re Mine (Luke Garrison and Harper Wilde), only now you get the true full story of Gloria and Aldo. This is the story of how they fall in love, but fight it, because life is scary and there are no guarantees when the heart is engaged.

Aldo is a great guy, a soldier, hero and friend. After his recent deployment Aldo came home a hero, but lost part of his leg during the war. Moving on from a toxic, abusive relationship is never easy and Gloria spent ten years being told how worthless she was. Aldo and Gloria have circled around each other for years; never being on the same page. This story is how two wounded people can heal and be ready to move on to the next step in a relationship; as they fight for their chance: for themselves and for their relationship. They each lost a part of themselves but in order to feel whole, they had to hold on to what matters that most. Aldo and Gloria's story is heart-wrenching; it's not supposed to be easy. Life handed them a second chance, and they jumped.

Lucy Score wrote a wonderful story about Aldo and Gloria; not afraid of creating broken characters, hard times and fight to make her characters lives feel any emotion. The difficult topics of abuse and Aldo’s own struggles were expressed so well through dialogue and self talk. Your perceptions were spot on and so thoroughly explored So many characters with their own unique personalities made for an exciting and can’t put down read. I highly recommend Finally Mine to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Omg and I thought nothing would beat the first book. I stand corrected. I absolutely loved this sequel. Honestly just read it. Lucy Score has just become one of my top writers.

This book was alright. Nothing really monumental happened, especially if you've already read "Pretend You're Mine". It basically just filled in the gaps of the side characters from that novel, but didn't have any substantial moments of its own. I appreciated the digging into trauma and healing, but other than that it was just decent.

Finally Mine took all of the things I liked about Pretend You're Mine and fixed the things I didn't like about it, so for me this was a MUCH better book. I do think it is important to read Pretend You're Mine first - the books are happening concurrently and it's so fun to see the same events happening from different perspectives and getting more details from Gloria and Aldo, who are both important characters in Pretend You're Mine. This was such a beautiful and raw love story about two people who think they are "damaged goods" and claw their way back to who they want to be and come together to support one another.

Gloria has finally had enough of her abusive relationship, and works up the courage to leave her boyfriend and press charges. But she's been in this relationship for over a decade and has to complete start her life over - she has to move back in with her mother, find her first job, and gain back her confidence which is hard when everyone in Benevolence pities her. But Aldo sees how strong Gloria is. He's carried a torch for her since they were in high school and he wants to be her knight in shining armor, but he quickly realizes that it's more important for Gloria to save herself.

Aldo lets Gloria know about the feelings he has for her but that he wants to wait to go out until she's had a chance to live her life and see what she wants, and after he returns from a 6 month deployment. But while Gloria's life is starting to finally blossom and she becomes ready for a new relationship, Aldo's grinds to a halt - he loses most of a leg during an attack while deployed. Now back in Benevolence, Aldo and Gloria both need to find their value and relearn who they are in their new lives, all while trying to figure out if they deserve one another.

I absolutely loved both Gloria and Aldo's characters. At the beginning, Gloria has absolutely lost all sense of who she is and has no confidence, but she works so hard to carve out a life and friendships for herself and become self sufficient and strong. Aldo has always been strong and self assured, but his confidence takes a hit with his injury and his ego gets in the way, telling him he doesn't deserve Gloria. But even as they sometimes give up on themselves, they see how amazing the other is and continue to build each other up.

Since this is Benevolence of course there is a great group of supporting characters! I liked seeing Harper from the first book through Gloria and Aldo's eyes. And Aldo's mom was my favorite, she's such a firecracker!

The love in this was so beautifully developed. Although there is a mutual attraction, this is a bit of a slow burn with both characters wanting to be careful with themselves and with the other. But the love they have is undeniable and unfolds so sweetly. And of course there are some great steamy scenes!

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for giving me a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book, I find that I either love or hate Lucy Score books and thankfully this was one that I liked reading. I was definitely hooked from very the beginning. The story started right when Gloria wanted to leave her abusive relationship and that scene had me at the edge of my seat. reading about domestic abuse is never easy. I loved that Gloria was sure of her decision and never looked back. The main theme of this book is healing from abuse and trauma, but I would say a little on the romanticized version. Domestic abuse is heavily mentioned throughout this book, just to keep in mind before diving in.

The romance between Gloria and Aldo was very sweet, I loved how even though Aldo wanted to confess his feelings for Gloria right away, he wanted Gloria to experience what its like to be on her own and to be able to make her own decisions for the first time. I loved that they felt safe with each other and worked through their problems together.

I will be putting the other books in the series in my tbr, I would recommend this if you like
- Small Town Romance
- Found Family
- Military
- Slow Burn

I would rate this 3.75 stars out of 5. Rounded to 4 on here.

This book follows Gloria and Aldo. A side couple we met in Pretend You’re Mine.
Pretend You’re Mine follows Harper and Luke. I did not like that couple so I was disappointed to see how much Harper was in this book. Usually when you read the second book, the original couple is barely featured. I feel like Harper was in this way too much, with a few scenes even being repeated in this book.

This was definitely not for me. Will not be continuing with this series, and I’m seriously questioning whether I will read any more books by this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

FINALLY MINE was the first Lucy Score book I’ve read. I haven’t read THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER. I didn’t even read the first of the Benevolence books lol. So, with that said, this is a standalone — no worries if you haven’t read PRETEND YOU’RE MINE. There were side characters that were in this book that clearly meant something to the readers of the first, and the amount of relatives got a little confusing, but ultimately Score does a good job of keeping new readers in the loop.

I liked this book, and will probably give Benevolence #1 and/or THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER a read too! I’m a pretty picky reader of small town romances. I always want to find a good one but have a hard time finding ones I like. If you’re like me, I’d say give this one a go. It’s free for Kindle Unlimited users.

Keep in mind a main theme of this book is recovery from domestic violence, but not like in IEWU by Colleen Hoover. By the first page, the main character Gloria is already at a point in her journey where she knows unequivocally that her partner is abusive and she’s leaving, and at no point in the book does she reconsider. Just something to consider if you’re on the fence about reading a book covering that topic.

Thank you NetGalley, Lucy Score, and Bloom Books for this free e-book in exchange for an honest review!


For 2023, I’ll be using this rating scale:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I mourned the ending of this journey 🥹
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ really enjoyed and would recommend
⭐️⭐️⭐️ it was fine
⭐️⭐️ I didn’t enjoy this journey
⭐️ I dnf’d or wish I’d dnf’d
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ this is smutty smutty erotica 🥵
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ medium burn
🌶️🌶️🌶️ slow burn
🌶️🌶️ romantic b plot / closed door / YA romance
🌶️ no romance / nonfiction

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

You'll like this if you like...
🌸Small Town
🌸Military
🌸Friends to Lovers
🌸Found Family
🌸Slow burn
🌸Dual POV

Finally mine is book two of the Benevolence series of interconnected standalones. Gloria is a very strong FMC. Her personal growth throughout this story was amazing to read. And Aldo is swoon worthy! Even though he is strong, he showed his vulnerability. He is sweet, sexy, and is exactly what Gloria needs to help her learn who she is after everything she's been through. Yes, these two have their ups and downs but what couple doesn't. This story deals with some tough subjects (check trigger warnings) and is
beautifully written. Even though this was an emotional read, it left me with a happy heart but please don't go into it blindly.

TW/CW: ptsd, domestic abuse, trauma

Gloria has just escaped an abusive relationship and Aldo is returning injured from the National Guard. They both have their own struggles to deal with, but can they overcome that and get their own happy ending together?

This is the second book in the Benevolence series, and it ultimately follows the same timeline and storyline from the first book, just from the perspective of two other characters. I found the storyline quite repetitive, and knowing how the story is going to play out based on the first book took the page turning quality away.

I still enjoyed the book, but learning more about how everyone in the town new about the domestic violence that tool place over 10 years and yet, did nothing to help Gloria just rubbed me the wrong way.

Hoping that the third book in the series will be more my style as it focuses on a character who wasn't as involved in the first two books.

I love Lucy Score’s books. They are funny, witty and mostly playful without compromising a good plot for romantic comedy story. Finally Mine is the second book of Benevolence Series. Previously published couple if years back but has been updated story wise as well as with a new cover, which, I would say is very cute! This ARC was received from Netgalley in exchange of my honest review. So, here goes.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book. The plot was predictable and I am annoyed with the characters for just about anything! Reading Gloria’s story boils up inside of me. She was abused by her husband for years, everyone in this little hometown knows, her mom knows and Aldo Moretta, who happens to be the hero in this romantic story also knows but no one has intervene. None. Ever.

Abuse is a very serious and sensitive situation that can be very harmful to everyone involved and even to the readers that are triggered by the issue and so, it must be handled and presented in such care that awareness will come across effectively.

Yes, I gotta admit, there was a story worth reading here, hence, the 2-stars. I just wished the characters were packaged differently to make it more relatable than rushed.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book for its re-release. I loved hearing Gloria and Aldo’s story. Yes, it’s hard to hear about the domestic violence, but it’s also what millions of women go through everyday and I appreciate Lucy taking the time to incorporate that in the story. Loved the extra epilogue at the end!

This is another great story about the people of Benevolence. Small town. Same great characters. This is a story about a second chance. About great recovery. Mental health challenges. This is also a very slow burn. You will need to check trigger warnings in this book. There is a lot going on. I loved how Gloria found herself. How Aldo had the strength to find himself again. I loved Aldo and Glorias relationship. Great book!!

This was a reread for me, and I needed it!

Going back to Benevolence and seeing all the couples I loved was great. This series was my first Lucy Score, and I've been reading her ever since.

Here we have Gloria who is just coming out of an abusive relationship, and she is the kind of person that can't be alone, single. And what comes knocking on her door when she is determined to be alone? Love or Aldo as we call the hero.

Aldo is Luke's best friend from book one, and you don't need to read it, but I recommend reading the first one before. Anyway, Aldo recently returned from serving the country and lost his leg. Now, he is adjusting to life again and sees that Gloria, the girl he's been into for years now, is single just not ready to mingle. But he can wait.

Seeing these two fall in love again, easily and naturally was so heartwarming, and I can't wait to reread the next one.

4.5 stars! I’m a sucker for perfectly imperfect characters, and Aldo and Gloria definitely fit the bill. I loved the fierce passion between them and how deeply they felt for each other. Both badasses recovering from their own traumas while remaining supportive friends and kids. Great spice, a wonderful story, amazing characters. Loved this! *I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks so much to Lucy, Bloom Books, and NetGalley for this ARC of Finally Mine!

Finally Mine follows Gloria and Aldo. They both had crushes on each other when they were younger, but grew apart when Gloria started dating her first husband and Aldo ended up joining the military. When Gloria finally leaves her abusive husband, Aldo is back in town and sees this as his opportunity to finally make his move despite him needing to deploy soon. I did like Gloria and Aldo’s relationship as it grew out but did have a hard time getting into the book since I was a little frustrated at times with the both of them and their choices. Overall I did enjoy this book and plan to keep making my way through Lucy Score’s books!

A beautiful and emotional story for Aldo Moretta and Gloria Parker. Aldo was attracted to Gloria in high school, but as he waited for the right time to approach her, she moved into her future with another man. The next ten years for Aldo involved serving his country in the National Guard and his engineering business. Gloria’s life turned to ashes as she was abused by the man who was supposed to love her, protect her. Now out of that relationship and with her abuser in prison, can she learn to be who she was always meant to be? Now that she is free, will Aldo finally get his chance to love her and care for her? When Aldo deploys, he knows that when he returns, he is going to do what he can to show Gloria that they are meant to be, but he hadn’t counted on a roadside bomb or the injury he sustained. He believes that he has missed his final chance with Gloria, but while he was in Afghanistan, Gloria was discovering that she was capable, that she could survive and that “I’m doing this, I’m living and I’m normal”. A heart wrenching story for both Gloria and Aldo who along with other characters from the first book, will wrap themselves around your heart <sigh>. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Arguably, this book follows a well-known, well-loved formula. You knew what would happen and it was a comfort because of that. This formula works well because you know how it ends, but you can live through the characters.
Just as a warning, this book includes domestic abuse and its a very romanticized healing process (it's a struggle, but its not as much of a struggle you'd think??)
Would recommend if you like interconnected standalones, second chance romance, and found family.