Book Review: Always With Love

7/10  for Always With Love by Giovanna Fletcher

The next much-anticipated romantic chapter in Billy and Sophie's love story from bestselling author Giovanna Fletcher.

Sophie's got used to being the girlfriend of Billy Buskin, the biggest movie star in the world. Sort of.

But when she and Billy take a trip to visit his family in Los Angeles, she quickly discovers she's totally unprepared for the chaos of Hollywood, the paparazzi and Billy's controlling mother.

And when Billy extends his stay in LA, leaving Sophie to fly home to Rosefont Hill alone, it seems there's more than just miles between them.

Now Sophie must decide if they can overcome their differences for good. Because not every love story lasts the distance . . .Source: Goodreads

It's nice to see Giovanna Fletcher grow with every book she writes. Just like her characters, she's evolved :D

In Always With Love we reunite with Sophie and Billy in the cosy village of Rosefont Hill. Having found their own little dynamic with living together and working in the shop, they seem happier than ever.

After so much time spent in England a trip to LA and meet Billy's family is inevitable. Sophie, usually full of anxiety at new things, is excited and nervous.

She finds herself enjoying being around this family of Buskins who are so different from her own little family in England. But when the emotions are rising and Billy's motther starts meddling, tension grows between the pair.

Eventually decisions are made and Billy stays in LA a little longer while Sophie goes back to England. They try to continue their life and keep up regular contact when removed so many miles from each other. Communicating not only through phone calls and texting, but also romantic love letters. 

Yet Sophie fails on many occasions to put her overthinking mind to rest and anxiety gets the most of her at different moments during Billy's absence.

While planning the wedding of the year and having found an extra hand to help in the shop Sophie also realizes that Rosefont Hill is her home and where she wants to stay but is that what Billy wants too?

Always With Love is the sequel that follows up Billy and Me (and the novella Christmas with Billy and Me). You can easily read this story as a standalone though, as most information is cleverly given within this book too, allowing both old and new readers to have a recap of the situation and the events leading to where the couple is now.

This book was a charm to read. I love Sophie and Billy together! And I have a big soft spot for Billy in general.

The story is split in four parts, breaking up the significant story plots in easy sections.

Though I've found that I struggled with part three for a few reasons. One of them being that Sophie was at the best of times having a few very irrational thoughts. I didn't mind at first but then there were other moments where she pushed it a little too far. I also felt like there was a bit too much of a repetition of certain worries. It almost felt like 'filling up of pages' because it needed to reach a certain page count. I know that probably wasn't the case but certain sections in part three definitely felt unnecessary. But it was just a minor nugget that - when I wanted the story to pick up and start coming together - bothered me a little.

Aside from that there was plenty of romance, love, friendship and happiness. Something Giovanna always has plenty of in her books. The fact I've just finished it and am still buzzing with gooey feelings, speaks for itself!

I've read this novel with a lot of pleasure and, also, as always, with love.