It was Always You

Cora Reed

Sep 2019 · Magnolia Valley Book 7 · Hummingbird Press LLC

About this ebook

Simon McCoy can’t forget Margot Banks and the summer they became friends and, almost… something more. But then she stood him up and got back together with her boyfriend.

He needs a girlfriend…

Simon McCoy overheard Margot Banks claiming he’s her boyfriend and lawyer. A gentleman wouldn’t take advantage of her embarrassment.

But Simon isn’t a gentleman. Especially where she’s concerned. He makes her a deal. He’ll be her lawyer, if she’ll be his date to his sister’s wedding.

Margot is the one that got away, and this time Simon is going to catch her. A few weeks will get her out of his system. If what his exes say is true, he doesn’t have a heart to lose.

The problem with his plan? He realizes that maybe his heart was Margot’s years ago and he’s looking for more than a fling. As much as he knows about seducing women, that’s how little he knows about having a real relationship.

She needs a lawyer…

After a disastrous marriage, Margot’s done with fairy tales. She just wants to make a decent life for her son. But when her philandering ex-husband decides he wants custody of their son, she needs a knight in shining armor (and a law degree).

And Simon McCoy steps up.

There’s a problem with this simple and mutually beneficial arrangement. When Simon kisses her, he reawakens more than just her passion. He makes her want a life that’s better than just decent. But trusting anything, even her own heart, feels impossible.

If they want a chance for a fairy-tale ending together then they’ll have to battle the demons in their pasts and fight for their happily-ever-after.

Can this fake relationship lead to a real-life fairy-tale ending? 

This is the seventh book in the Magnolia Valley series. It can be read as a standalone or as part of a larger story line.

Ratings and reviews

I love Magnolia Valley and all her quirky, crazy denizens. Ever since Ethan and Astrid’s book, I’ve been curious about this pair. Especially Simon – the brother who still lives on in Conner’s absence. And like in that previous book, Conner’s ghost is almost another character for the impact he has on the people he left behind. Simon has lived his life feeling the loss in everything he does and hasn’t been able to forgive anyone for it. Not even himself. Margot’s father is a judgemental jerk. That’s the politest way I can put it. She’s lived her life striving for the approval of the cold, critical man. A rash comment to her ex brings the pair back into direct contact. The chemistry between Simon and Margot is crazy-hot and it just might give these two a shot at the chance they missed all those years ago. There are still so many other Magnolia Valley residents I want to know more about, and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Cora Reed has been on my VIP authors list ever since I got hooked to Josie and Cal. She is literally one of about 5 authors I read romance from. This book does not disappoint. Simon kept me on my toes, all broody and hot, but Margot.. Margot is absolutely my kind of woman. I am sooo incredibly proud of her. Cora never disappoints. They way she writes each character so different, yet their personality fits them so well. I've never felt like I'm reading about a character twice, and though I've loved all her books, I identified with Margot the most, simply because of her humility and independence. This is an awesome read and I can't wait cor Sebastian's story!!

Received an ARC copy of this book to review. Having read all the other books in the Magnolia Valley series, this book did not disappoint. Everytime I finish one I just want to get the next one to carry on the individual character stories. A story of a second chance love. Just loved it. Cant wait for the next one.

About the author

Cora loves coffee + traveling. She has a sassy but supportive cat and too many books (just kidding, there is no such thing). Cora writes steamy and funny contemporary romance novels with clever, spirited women and sexy, interesting men.

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