Sadly this book just didn’t grab as much as I hoped it would. I put it down and picked it up multiple times but I just couldn’t connect with it. Super bummed.

After meeting Gloria and Aldo in "Pretend You're Mine", we get to follow along as Gloria and Aldo work towards their happily ever after.

Gloria has spent the last ten years in an abusive relationship and is about to begin her new journey of figuring out who she is. Aldo has had a crush on Gloria since high school and now that she's left her ex, he is ready to make his feelings known. Aldo is also about to leave for a six-month deployment to Afghanistan and figures that when he gets back, he and Gloria can potentially build a relationship together.

I loved this story! Both Gloria and Aldo have quite a lot of personal growth they need to face to reach a healthy place for the start of a relationship. I think Score handles the portrayal of abusive relationships and PTSD well. The reader sees the longer-term effects of the abuse Gloria faced as well as how her relationships with others fared. With Aldo, we see his feelings of inadequacy and the beating that his mental health and confidence have taken. There are plenty of chapters in both characters' POVs so the reader gets to understand each MC's hangups and personal growth throughout the story. One of my favorite things about this story writing was the way Score incorporates therapy session-like discussions as their own chapters and the way those are stylized and written.

Overall this is my favorite Benevolence story because of how strong and amazing both Gloria and Aldo are.

I was so happy to see that Gloria and Aldo would get their own book!

*Trigger warning* domestic violence, PTSD, war, war injuries, domestic abuse, rape, death, trauma.

I loved reading about Gloria's story. The fact that she finally left a relationship where she was verbally and psychically abused is truly an inspirational story. Lucy Score really did a good job detailing how the abuse not only affected her physically and emotionally, but also psychologically in so many ways. Showing just how hard it is for someone in a situation like that to finally leave and how hard it is to adjust to life after.

I adored Aldo. I mean, the way Score described him made me drool, but his character's personality also made me swoon. He had such a big heart. What happened to him broke my heart and the fact that he was so self conscious about it, not thinking he was worthy of Gloria, made me so sad for him.

"I don't care if you're damaged... You and me? We're not wounded. We're scarred." - tears!! I mean, I was in tears throughout half the book already, but this quote hit me hard. It was so beautiful seeing how both characters overcame their struggles, both separately and together.

Thank you for taking such painful real life issues; domestic violence, war injuries and PTSD, and making them into a story that a reader can learn to understand, sympathize with and possibly even relate to. As the wife of an Army veteran, I truly enjoyed reading this series about these Army soldiers.

I read this right after Pretend You’re Mine and it repeats A LOT of the same exact things, so that was a bit annoying. Another war hero vet MC and a physically/emotionally abused FC. So many plot twists. I definitely liked the first book more, but this was still an okay read!

This is an emotional roller coaster "second chance" read. It is closely linked to Pretend you're Mine [Harper and Luke's story] that I recommend you read before this one. Otherwise, there are spoilers. I enjoy the characters in this small town, but I am incensed that the entire town stood by and did nothing to help Gloria. It made me angry. As the HEA approached, I was happy for this couple, but felt like she deserved more.

Gloria is barely surviving an abusive relationship, but finds the courage to finally escape. Unfortunately, not quite far enough. I don't recommend this for anyone with abuse triggers, as this is well written, and I was easily able to connect with her situation.

Aldo is a good friend to Luke, but I am a little angry with his character also. [I will not leave spoilers, but - ooh! So angry at his lack of protective action! If you loved her back then, why let her deal with it alone? Just frustrating for me.] IYKYK.
He suffers a deployment ending injury, and returns to Benevolence with some major hurdles to overcome. I enjoyed the way he fought through them, but again - where was that strength for Gloria 10 years ago?

I sincerely appreciate how this author wrote the military aspects of this story, and the struggles in deployment and military service. The family and friends components are wonderful and very endearing.

While this book was first released years ago, I didn't read it then. I had no idea what I was missing!
When I saw the opportunity to grab this ARC, I did, and I could not stop reading! The characters are easy to connect with, and the chapters flow easily.

I recommend this read and this author. She consistently delivers engaging and addictive reads that entertain and take me on emotional journey to the character's HEA. It is my recommendation to read this series in order to have the best reading experience. I thank Netgalley and Sourcebooks for my free ARC and I voluntarily leave my review.

Every time something else happened in this book, all I could think was, is that finally it? Is it finally over? This book had way too many “plot twists” that weren’t really “twists” for me. I just wanted it too be about half as long, with half as many story elements.

Welcome back to Benevolence!
While this is book number 2 in this series, it runs parallel to book one. Same great characters, same great town, and same amazing story!
I loved Aldo and who couldn’t love Gloria.

I did not read these books from the first came out. I read them back to back on the re releases, and I am so glad I did.!

Finally Mine By Lucy Score is a great read! This is the second in the series so if you haven't read Pretend You're Mine go back after this and read it!
Aldo is just the sweetest guy! Aldo has his life together: house, career, National Guard hot soldier! He's just perfect. At least Grace has always thought so. Although she was never in a situation where she could think about a life with Aldo before. Now however Grace has had to make some really tough life changes that will allow her to pursue a good man. One who values her and doesn't use his fists to break her down and feel less.
Grace and Aldo are just starting to tip toe into maybe, possibly going on a few dates, but Aldo is being deployed for 6 months. He tells Grace to date, find herself and when he gets back they can see where they are then. Aldo's deployment does not go as expected and soon both Grace and Aldo are faced with some life choices they did not expect. Will they find their happily ever after? Read Finally Mine by Lucy Score and find out for yourself. Happy Reading!

Gloria and Aldo’s story. Book 2 of the Benevolence series. I received this ARC as a new cover release from NetGalley in exchange for an an honest review. Score has an image ability to creat characters that we will fall in love with, laugh and cry with. Gloria and Aldo triumphed over tragedy and that brought them closer together. Can’t wait to read the final book in the series!

I would read Lucy Scores grocery list! LOL But she has such great writing and this is no different. I have been reading her backlist and this story is a new favorite! If you want small town, fun characters, beautiful love stories and banter that will make you laugh, read anything by lucy score!

Lucy Score does it again !

Military love - injured in action -

Gloria has had a rough life , struggled with abuse and mistreatment, once she finally gets away from that terrible relationship in comes Aldo, Both went to highschool together and both have been crushing on each other.

aldo recently got hurt in action, he tries to push gloria away but she doesnt allow it, reading how their love blossomed was wonderful and all around happy. if you need a good book to make your heart happy this is it.

3.5 stars rounded up!!

Finally Mine is the 2nd book in the Benevolence trilogy and it focuses on the love story of Gloria and Aldo, two extremely likable characters from the 1st novel. Gloria is a survivor of domestic abuse and Aldo is hero war veteran. While I thoroughly enjoyed their story, I was a little bummed that it takes place at the same time as the 1st book. I felt like I was rereading that book all over again and became bored at times. I would have liked it better if the story started from the end of book one. With that being said, I still couldn't stop reading. I absolutely love all of the characters and the fun, witty banner that they share. I still got all the feels! It felt good to be a part of Gloria's progression in strength from an abused victim to a confident survivor as well as Aldo's struggles to overcome and accept his new lifestyle. And this book wasn't filled with as many smut scenes, so I was happy about that, too! I am looking forward to reading the final book that tells Linc's story, but fingers crossed that it takes place after the first two books!!

Thank you to the author, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, and NetGalley for allowing me digital access in exchange for my honest opinion!

3.5 stars

Gloria has spent the last 10 years in an abusive relationship. One evening she finally confronts her partner to leave and his rage lands him in jail and away from Gloria. Aldo, who has always had his heart set on Gloria, sees his chance to be the man she needs. With his 6 month deployment coming soon, he makes a promise to Gloria for a date when he returns. In the meantime, she gains strength But tragedy strikes and the man who returns has his own scars and their happy ever after is threatened.

First off, I want to highlight the potential TWs: domestic violence, rape, gaslighting

So yes, domestic violence is a key element of the story line. I saw other reviews discussing how the topic of domestic abuse was handled. While reading, it was distressing to hear how the other people in Gloria's life didn't step in to help her or do anything drastic to support her until after she left her partner. I think this speaks to the abuse cycle and how the abuser can isolate the victim. Gloria felt trapped, alone, and worthless. It also speaks to the mindset of "why would someone choose to stay" or "why wouldn't she leave?". So often people victim blame rather than consider the hold an abuser can have. I understand the frustration of other readers, but I read this more as a reflection of how domestic violence is still surrounded by stigma.

I was frustrated to read the hero did not do more to help Gloria since he was apparently into her from the beginning. In my mind I like to think this is because he did not know the extent of the abuse! And his guilt for not stepping in is evident.

Gloria's recovery from her trauma and growth into was beautiful to read. The moments of self-doubt and emotional turmoil felt real and honest. It hurt my heart to read about her references to the "what if Gloria" as she reflects on where she could have been if thing Her journey into a confident survivor was brilliant and luckily gave her the strength to push Aldo when he needed it. They really are perfect together!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I have a difficult time being impartial about any Lucy Score book. They're just automatic 5 stars for me!

This story follows Gloria who's decided that she's finally going to leave her abusive relationship and finally start living her life. She connects with Aldo, someone who's been in love with her since high school.

It was really lovely to see Gloria grow and learn to love herself and Aldo understands that she needs the time to heal and find who she is.

What I loved most about this book is all of the strong women that Gloria had in her life. She finally had friends to call her own and was able to find her voice. It was amazing to see her growth through out this book.

Highly recommend this book, but make sure to look up trigger warnings!

Another amazing novel by Lucy Score! Finally Mine was too good. This is a companion novel to Pretend You're Mine featuring characters Gloria and Aldo whom I loved! This can be read as a stand alone, but if course I recommend the whole Benevolence series. Also another gorgeous new cover from Bloom Books!

This is a re-release of a 2018 book and the second in a series. I knew neither of those things when I requested it. 🤡

Regardless, it was a sweet story and an easy read. Overall, I enjoyed it but I will say, at least for me, the characters and town didn’t have the same development and pull as some of Lucy’s other books, so I don’t find myself interested in reading the other two books in this series.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

My 2nd Lucy Score book AND
Lucy does it again!! So brilliant, sweet, sexy, what dreams are made of romance, and hubba hubba. This can be read alone but the series will have you going for all of her books!

Thank you for the honor to read this book, Netgalley, Lucy and Sourcebooks, Bloom books.

“Finally Mine” lived up to the reputation of its predecessor! 100% a emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible.
I loved reading through the same timeline through Gloria and Aldo’s eyes. It brought a fresh new perspective to an already amazing story.
In this installment we follow Gloria and Aldo - both who are overcoming major life changes. Their circumstances have left them scarred, vulnerable and in their own eyes, broken. We follow them as they embark on separate healing journeys so that hopefully one day they can be together.
Full of love, healing, heartbreak, loss, courage, determination, strength and vulnerability - “Finally Mine” was another beautiful read in a fantastic series.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Finally Mine by Lucy Score is the second book in her Benevolence series and is being rereleased on 6/13 (thank you to @netgalley for the gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review)! I definitely enjoyed this book more than the first in the series.

This book deals with a lot of heavy topics in a way that feels delicate. Our female mc is just coming out of a physically and emotionally abusive relationship and our male mc is in the military and fighting some battles of his own. I really loved how Gloria learns to stand up for herself throughout this novel and doesn’t let Aldo fight her battles for her.

This book takes place during the exact same timeline as the Pretend Your Mine but with a focus on Aldo & Glo instead of Luke & Harper. This is always a struggle for me personally because you know how the story will unfold. I did like seeing more glimpses of what was going on behind the scenes with Aldo & Glo though, they had some really beautiful moments!

My only qualm with the same timeline was that because there is so much interaction between all four characters, there are scenes and dialogue that are exactly the same, word for word, as they are in the first book. Would this be as noticeable if I didn’t read them basically back to back? Maybe not. But I did find it a bit cumbersome and distracting.

Please check the content warnings for this one before going in - the topics are handled very well as they always are with Lucy but there’s a lot of triggers throughout! 🖤

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

#bookstagram #netgalley #bookreview #romancebookstagram

Thank you NetGalley and Lucy Score for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

This is book 2 of the Benevolence series. I have fallen in love with this world that Lucy has built! All of the characters are so lovable. and I can't wait to see what happens next! This time around we follow Gloria and Aldo's love story (which happens alongside our favorite characters timeline from book 1).

It was so interesting, heartbreaking, and enthralling seeing the story's events through our new main character's eyes. Reading how this amazing pair find their happiness is definitely something I won't be forgetting anytime soon.

Again, Lucy has quite a way of incorporating so many tropes many readers love!

Read if you love:
-Small Town Romance
-Friends to Lovers
-Second Chance Romance
-Mental Health
-Military Homecomings