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.

Finally Mine, by Lucy Score, is the second book in this series and doesn’t disappoint. In book one, Pretend You’re Mine, Gloria and Aldo were characters we met as part of Luke and Harper’s story, and I was so excited that they got their own book!

Two people, who are broken for different reasons, have their own demons to fight. Gloria is still healing from her prior relationship that was toxic and abusive. Aldo is the man who helps her put together the pieces that are still jumbled and jagged. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a romance that will break your heart while healing you at the same time.

WOW WOW WOW! Another knock out of the park for Lucy! I love her books! They are the perfect blend of spice, steam and keep you engaged til the very last page! I think this was one of my faves by her!

So great Lucy! BRAVO 4 stars

This is my second read of this book. I first listened to it 2.5 years ago (this is a re-release and a new paperback cover; I listened to my old audio while I read the new ARC and other than a couple changed words, it’s identical), and it was actually my first Lucy Score novel. I’ve read several of her books since then and have become a huge fan! My previous review mentioned no need to have read the first book in the series, but having just read that before coming back to this book, I have to disagree with my old assessment because with the timelines running concurrently and so many overlapping details (book 1, Harper and Luke’s story Pretend You’re Mine), it is a definite must-read first!

Coming back and re-reading this book much later and after the first book made me appreciate it so much more, and enjoy Score’s writing a whole lot more now. She writes extremely emotional stories, but this is probably the most emotional of them all (that I’ve read) - heed the trigger warnings due to war injury and extreme relationship abuse (every single possible kind imaginable). Reading her author’s note at the end, which wasn’t included in the audio version, Score mentions that this is partly personal experience. In my previous read, I thought she had just done extensive research. My heart breaks knowing this info, now!

Aldo and Gloria have a beautiful second chance romance but it’s not without so many trials and tragedies through their entire story. This is definitely worth picking up (after Pretend You’re Mine, of course - you definitely need that one first), as long as you understand what you’re getting into and are in the right mindset. I loved my second read so much, I binged the entire thing in a single evening after work!

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books, and this is my honest feedback.

I am sorry but this just wasn’t my favorite read. I didn’t dislike it but also didn’t love it. The writing was okay. The cover was cute at least. Literally no other thoughts.

This was my first read from Lucy Score, and not my normal type of read but I enjoyed it! The MMC does have the trope of hero complex/pride, which kind of grinded my gears at first (I tend to dislike that in actual guys), but he works through it and shoves his pride away and is actually there for FMC, Gloria.

Gloria is a survivor of domestic abuse, and it was wonderful to see her grow and figure out who she is as a person and what it is she actually loves to do, as well as create her own family of friends. Some of it was hard to read, but for personal reasons/triggers, but it was all good. If anything, relatable, and it made watching her process even more satisfying. MMC, Aldo, is deployed in the book and also comes back with his own scars which he has to work through. The novels focuses around them healing both themselves, and each other and it was beautiful to read as they found their way.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Oh. My. Gosh! This book was everything! I loved that it was the same timeline as the first one, and I loved Aldo and Gloria’s story as much as Harper and Luke! Lucy Score never ceases to amaze.

This book gripped my heart and my attention from the very first page. Gloria’s struggle to find herself and become a woman she can admire after finally leaving her abusive ex tugged hard on my heart strings and evoked a few tears. Her self esteem and belief in her abilities take time to rebuild, but she does have people around her for support and encouragement. One such person also sets off sparks of attraction deep down inside of her while also setting off all sorts of alarms in her head.

Aldo is a big, handsome and gregarious guy who uses humour and charm to show Gloria that he sees her, her struggles and means her no harm. A structural engineer by trade, Aldo is also a member of the National Guard and about to be deployed for six months. He calmly lets Gloria know that he intends to take her on a date when he returns after his deployment. He tells her about his long time crush on her and how he knows she is not ready to date anyone right now, but he hopes that in six months time she might give him a chance and go on a date with him. She tentatively agrees, forgetting how much life can change in any given moment.

I won’t go into any more detail about Aldo and Gloria’s story so as not to spoil this wonderful book for readers. Their story is emotional, filled with ups and downs and a few unexpected twists that set them aback, test their inner strength and their faith in each other and themselves. Through it all, they learn to trust again, to lean on others and to keep moving forward toward each other. Aldo and Gloria also discover that love is worth fighting for, even it is hard and taxing. The secondary characters in this book make this book even more compelling and foster an intense interest in reading more books written by this author.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.