3-3.5 ⭐️ | 🌶️
TW's: domestic violence, abuse, SA, PTSD

So I probably made the mistake for reading this book immediately after Pretend You're Mine (Benevolence #1)... this one followed Aldo & Gloria and it was told in the same timeline as book 1 but from these characters' viewpoints. Aldo and Gloria interacted a lot with the main characters in Pretend You're Mine, so many scenes and dialogue were literally verbatim, just in a different viewpoint. It felt like reading the same book twice...

This book was a lot heavier, in terms of content. Gloria is a long-term DV survivor (10+ years of abuse) and Aldo is a wounded war vet. Two very different "broken" individuals with scars both internal and external. It was easy to root for and empathize with the characters- I especially loved seeing Gloria's growth throughout the book... only to watch it slip in classic Lucy Score third-act break up fashion. 🥲 *sigh

I've loved Aldo and Gloria since Benevolence #1 so I was very excited to read this one! But essentially the repetition had me skimming too much of the book.. I'm a bit intrigued with the idea of a book about Linc so I'll willing to give it a chance. This one was neither a hit or miss for me, and that's ok.

Thank you to Sourcebooks (Bloom), netgalley, and Lucy Score for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Love, love, love – this is more a 4.5 than a 4. Like I was obsessed and normally I don't like 3rd person romance or a sort-of-second-chance. But I felt for Aldo and Gloria so much and wanted nothing but the best for them both.

The trauma and difficulties these two characters experienced felt so real and raw, especially in the ways they offset each other. They each had their own issues going on but their love and affection for each other overpowered any insecurities they might have.

The story was engaging, the relationships between all the characters felt so real, and I wanted to be friends with almost everyone (even grumpy Luke).

Everything felt so earned too, the romance, the love, the sex, it was all done so well.

I hadn't read the first book in the series before this but I have intentions to now, AND I wanna read the third as well. So excited and this is a MUST READ.

I’m not going to read this book. I got the ARC for the first one and did not like it one bit. I’m not putting myself through the agony of a second one.

Finally Mine brings us back into town of Benevolence, MD - this time following the story of Gloria & Aldo.

I was excited to dive into this one after finishing Pretend Your Mine, but it unfortunately fell flat for me. I don’t feel like this book would work as a stand-alone given how much it references characters from the first book without fully introducing them. However, I don’t really feel like it works as a sequel either. Finally Mine picks up at the same scene Pretend You’re Mine started with and ends at the same place as well. It was fun at first, but quickly grew redundant as I realized more and more that this was a story I already knew. I really enjoyed Aldo and Gloria as characters and it was satisfying to see their love story play out, but it wasn’t enough to keep me interested. The last half dragged for me. All that being said… I’ll probably read Linc’s book because I do enjoy this small town and I don’t know much about his story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for this ARC! Finally Mine releases with its new cover on June 13th, 2023

I wish I didn’t bother picking this up after the first — I truly cannot fathom how this has such high reviews. The abuse Gloria went through is disgusting & and the fact that not a single person including law enforcement ever stepped in is mind boggling. 0/10 would not recommend

I was given an Arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I felt like this book was very unnecessary if you’ve read Pretend You’re Mine. I don’t know what I was hoping for but you already know how their story goes if you’ve read the other one. And this was basically the exact same!

Was it a good book…yes.
Would I recommend it if you’ve read Pretend You’re Mine…no.

I really love Lucy Score but I felt like this book just didn’t need to happen.

Finally Mine is the second book in the Benevolence series and follows the story of Gloria and Aldo. Aldo has always been the hero. He fought hard for his country and now runs a successful business. The only thing he's missing is Gloria. Gloria fell for the wrong guy, but now that she's single again, Aldo isn't about to miss his shot...

Finally Mine is a terrific read from beginning to end. Fans of small-town, slow-burn romances won't want to miss this fabulous read.

So usually I’m a big fan of series where every book is a different couple. However with this one it’s so intertwined with what is happening in the first book that I felt like this wasn’t “new” since we already knew what happened with Gloria and Aldo from the first book.

On the other hand I really liked the deep themes and introspection that the characters had. I think it’s a great story line and deserves it’s own timeline. I did have an issue with Gloria forcing Aldo’s hand in the sex department when he was clearly not okay with it. I think with some editing that part could feel more supportive from the beginning instead of forceful.

Congratulations to Luke for messing up not only his relationship but also his best friends.

Lucy Score has done it again! Finally Mine is a can't put down winner! I didn't read book 1, and you don't need to. This book stands alone, but I will be going back to read the whole series now! Aldo and Gloria had the slow build romance that just made you want to yell at them to get together already, but in the best way possible! Five stars!

Truly enjoyed this book and fell in love with the characters. Honestly, I was questioning how Aldo and Gloria's story would be told since a good portion of it was in the first book Pretend to be Mine with Harper and Luke. However, I was blown away with the way this story filled in all of the cracks from Pretend to be Mine.

Aldo is a hometown hero that has always loved Gloria, his high school crush. Gloria was in an unhealthy relationship but she finally decided to fight back and leave. Finally Mine explains how these two finally see the possibilities of a loving relationship with a lot of work and effort along the way. This was a beautiful HEA.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for letting me read this story.

I loved reading Gloria and Aldo’s story. At first I was a little disturbed that everyone knew she was being abused and no one seemed to do much to stop it but I was able to get past it. Aldo seems like such a genuine guy, I connected to their love story so much. She deserved so much love and I really enjoyed reading about how it came to life. it was a bit long, took me much longer to read than I thought it would but I always love Lucy Score’s books. Perfect amount of spice with the romance.

So glad we got Gloria and aldos story. A fast read - couldn’t put it down. Definitely enjoyed book two more, and looking forward to 3.

Finally Mine by Lucy Score is a touching and emotional romance that will leave you feeling all the feels. The book follows Gloria, a woman who has escaped an abusive relationship and is now trying to rebuild her life, and Aldo, a war veteran who is struggling with PTSD and a leg amputation. The two come together in a slow-burn romance that is heartwarming and realistic.

While this is the second book in the Benevolence series, it can be read as a standalone without any issues. The author does a good job of revisiting events from the first book without making it feel like a replay. That being said, it's worth noting that the book does deal with heavy topics, so be sure to check trigger warnings before diving in.

What I loved most about this book was how real and believable the characters were. Gloria's journey to healing and finding herself was beautifully told, and I appreciated that the author kept it raw and honest. It's easy to judge survivors of abuse, but abusers are expert manipulators who make their victims feel like it's their fault. Gloria's story was a reminder that healing takes time, patience, and a support system.

The romance between Aldo and Gloria was a slow burn that allowed the characters to truly get to know each other and heal together. The author did a great job of showing that love and understanding can help us overcome the obstacles in our lives and find true happiness. The book was full of heartwrenching emotion, family, and so much love.

Finally Mine is a beautiful story of taking control of your life and facing your fears. It's a reminder that even when we are broken and scarred, we can still find love and happiness. Highly recommended for fans of second-chance romance and emotional reads.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is for everyone who ever had to fight for their chance at happiness. The zany characters are at it again in the charming little town of Benevolence. Gloria and Aldo are both trying to recover from their own traumas and have to learn who they are as individuals in this new phase of life. You will cheer so hard for these two! A summer must read for all romance lovers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for this arc.

After finishing Pretend You’re Mine, I had high hopes for this book. I was looking forward to learning more about both Aldo and Gloria’s lives.
However, I skimmed through A LOT of this book as much of it is word for word from Pretend You’re Mine. Anytime Harper or Luke are in the scene, it’s basically copied and pasted into this one. I think there could have been a lot more done with their characters that didn’t have to feel like filler.
I’m general, their story was good, the growth made and feelings of being “not good enough” and broken were done well. But it just felt like I was rereading Pretend You’re Mine.

I do still look forward to reading the next book in the series, Protecting What’s Mine, since it is focused on Lincoln- someone who was not involved much in the other two books.

WOW. Such a great book! Lucy Score is becoming on of my top authors! This book showed in depth characters. The book was emotional but funny. I can't wait to read more by this author!

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read.

I've never read a book that is a sequel/follow-up that tells the story of two characters on an identical timeline as the previous book. I don't think I'm even saying that right.

Reading "Pretend You're Mine" about Harper and Luke and then reading this, where the storylines overlap was a trip. Reading lines that were said in PYM and then reading them again here was bizarre. Not bad at all, just weird and a new experience.

I very much enjoyed Gloria & Aldo's love story. They both had obstacles that could've been insurmountable but together they triumphed. I think I could read about the two couples for many books to come.

Gloria and her relationship with Glenn and the domestic violence she suffered was hard to imagine. People (both men & women) go through it every day and it's so brave for those that finally manage to get out!

I know there's a third book in the series but based on the first two I'm not sure who it'll be about. Let's just hope there's lots more of Harper & Luke and Gloria & Aldo.

This is the second book in this series and even if you did not read the first one (and seriously don't miss the first one) this one revisits most of the first book. Gloria has escaped her abusive relationship and is now free to live the rest of her life and just in time before she lost hers. Aldo has always wanted to be part of her life and connecting with her just before he leaves for deployment is not ideal but that is life. Except he suffers a devastating and life altering injury that has him spiraling until he gets a handle on his recovery. They are there for each other and since both have insecurities they have to work through will they be able to find their way together through them? Of course they will!

Unfortunately most of Gloria and Aldo’s story had already been told in pretend your mine, so this felt really repetitive. I didn’t LOVE Gloria or Aldo so I was pretty bored. It seemed like dialog was copied word for word in some spots from the previous book which was frustrating. I love Lucy Score so I’m going to chalk it up to this one wasn’t for me and try again with the next!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom books for the ARC copy!

Thank you for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to see this since Lucy Score is all over Booktok, but unfortunately it fell flat for me.