I am very thankful to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing me with an eARC of this book. I do however curse Bryant for the emotions this book caused me (kidding, but seriously she made me cry).

The characters in this book were easily my favorite part of the story. The two main characters had great chemistry and it was fun to watch them grow closer as the story went on. I absolutely loved their interactions with the various side characters, especially Camila’s great-grandmother. Even the character we don’t see (Peri’s great-grandmother) felt fleshed out and her connections with the other characters felt genuine.

I already mentioned that this book made me cry. The emotions in this book were amazing and I loved how they were portrayed. The most poignant emotions for me were from the letters sent between the two great-grandmothers. It just felt harsh and real and true. The emotions also felt like they played a central point to the story and how it was told. The emotions helped move the story along and make me feel even more connected to each of the various characters.

I really liked how this book was paced. Some books move too fast or too slow for me, but this one hit right in the middle for me. The characters were given time to connect with one another and time to learn more about each other and their great-grandmothers’ history. None of the plot points felt rushed or dragged out. Maybe a bit rushed at the end, but even then, I enjoyed how it was setup and paced.

The closest thing I have to a complaint about this book is that I wish there had been more time for the relationship between the two to grow. There was a good amount of time devoted to it, both page-wise and timewise, but I tend to want more with characters I like.

If you want a good romance with likeable characters and not too much drama, I have to recommend this book. The story is amazing, the characters are great and have a great connection with one another, and the great-grandmother’s story is everything I could have dreamt of it.

I’ve read many books by Kris Bryant and I think this might just be her best one yet.

I’m not an overly emotional reader but I had to blink a little harder a couple of times. This book basically tells two love stories, one in the present day and one 75 years ago. While the one in present day between Peri and Camila is sweet and fun, it’s the one during WWII that pulls on the heart strings. After the passing of Peri’s great-grandmother she is given an assignment by her to find Isabel. Isabel is Camila’s great-grandmother (bisnonna). Camila is trying to keep Peri away from her family because she doesn’t know what she is up to. When they do meet the most beautiful love stories comes to light between two women, brought together by war and separated by the circumstances of the time. The letters they wrote each other… I only wish there were more of them.

And yes I like Camila and Peri and the family and friends, but bisnonna and great-grandmother through the letters are just remarkable. I’m almost sad this wasn’t just about their love.
This was a book that I needed now, it’s sweet, tugs on your heart strings a bit, but also has funny segments.

With a synopsis that hints at intrigue and a title that spells commitment, Kris Bryant brought readers on a journey in Italy to discover love and passion, both old and new.

Told from two points of view, Peri and Camila got off on a rocky start when Camila sent Peri on a wild goose chase on her mission. As more truths came to light, Camila began to lose her brashness and grew in character. The book is set at a slower pace but I was especially fond of the last few chapters with the growth and development of both characters. I love epilogues and having not one but two was icing on the cake for me.

I just reviewed Always by Kris Bryant. Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

'ARC provided by both NetGalley and The Publisher in exchanged for a honest review'

**'Details are sometimes very important in a story and getting them right is what makes the storytelling really good --- also the fate of certain storylines is to fall in love with it's content because clear thinking leads to clear understanding of any enticing storyline..'

Flattering read!
'ALWAYS' could be read as a partial memoir of anyone's great great grandparents whose lives were turned upside down during WWI and II -- where some dealt with separations, family commitments and sacrifices because of Love.
The main storyline begins with Peri going on her first investigative case, finding her great-grandmother's (Amma or Hilde) long lost lover (Isabel) from when she was a nurse in the red-cross while station in Italy during WWII. She did track her (Isabel) down and form a lasting relationship with The Rossini family. During the reading of the many letters that Isabel had received from Hilde way back in the 1940s, readers get a picture of their relationship history, their special bond and captivating scenes of their intimacy. The portrayal of this particular Love story would have being difficult to describe or told by others but the style in which Kris Bryant scripted it was very compelling, unique, exquisitely detailed and populated with well-drawn characters both old & young or matured -- that intertwine a past and a present romance both involving connecting families from separate continents and world. I was more drawn towards the telling of Hilde & Isabel's relationship because it felt so genuine then got into Peri & Camila's only close to the ending where I finally felt their chemistry. Both had to learn how to navigate their heart's romantic longings as well as their final foundation.
Though 'ALWAYS' is an engaging, well-written story, it's not without a few minor problems and some readers might nit-pick here and there but this should not be of any concern because of the exceptional overall quality of the storytelling. Ms.Bryant has clearly hit her stride again now with 'ALWAYS'
A recommended book!

I am a massive fan of Kris Bryant - whenever you pick up a book of hers you know it will be well written with great chemistry. This book did not work for me though, and I couldn't feel her usual voice in it at all. The book had two love stories - one in the past and one in the present - and followed one of those via letters from the past. Bisnonna was a lovely character but the letters did not convey any sense of romance for me and distracted from the present storyline. As for the main characters of the present-day romantic storyline, I just could not understand why one of them tried so hard to stop the other from finding the woman she was looking for, and couldn't really feel any chemistry between them nor relate to their developing feelings. While the villa setting was beautiful, four generations of a family living in one big house and selling olive oil and wine was a massively clichéd version of southern Italian life, not to mention the misspelled names like Mateo instead of Matteo, Isabel instead of Isabella etc. that detracted from the authenticity of the setting. I love this author but unfortunately this wasn't her best work for me.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.


Peri is a PI and her great grandmother Hilde who recently died left her with a task. It’s leads to small seaside town of Sequina, Italy. Peri meets Camila a artist who did the drawing of the woman Isabel that Peri is trying to find and Camila sends her on a wild goose chase because she doesn’t trust her.

Camila is the great granddaughter of Isabel when she learns the real reason why Peri wants to find her we learn through Isabel and Hilde letters the story of their love all the while Peri and Camila are falling for each other.

I enjoy this read the love story between Hilde and Isabel were more enjoyable then Peri and Camila it took a while before I warm up to Camila because she was jerk for what she did to Peri but she grew on me I love Peri she was such a great character.

I love when a well-written book makes you stop and take stock of the life you are living. This book not only stopped me, I feel it may have slapped me in the face and lectured me a bit about being grateful for the opportunities and life I'm able to live. Bryant isn't wrong there! There were some tears shed, those letters always jabbed some in the feels, but it was a beautiful story of a life lived and shaped by the zeitgeist therein. To read how the newest generation of these two remarkable families fall in love was beautiful and will give you all those heart fluttering happy moments that you need from a whirlwind romance. The writing is superb. The characters are each memorable. The setting is quintessential for romance. The feelings you get from both epilogues- priceless.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲.

I think this book is a nice one. It's a little bittersweet but overall it's good read.

There's actually two love stories here, one blossoming in current times between Peri, an American Private Investigator and Camila, an Italian woman whom Peri becomes involved with while investigating a case in Italy. This romance is alright but I wasn't rooting for them. I think what's special between them is the circumstances that link them together rather than actual chemistry and Camila was a bit of a jerk at the start. But it's the other love story that got me hooked. It's a romance that took place many decades ago and one of the women is whom Peri is set out to find in Italy. We get pieces of the story through conversations and old letters and it is really touching.

𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

4.25 stars!

Not my first or favorite by kris Bryant but a nice book regardless.

Peri Logan just opened up her own private investigation firm and her first client is her recently deceased great grandmother who sends her all the way to Italy to hand deliver a item to another woman. Little did Peri know while in her search for the woman she’ll end up in the presence of the woman’s great granddaughter. The granddaughter, Camila, is immediately suspicious of the foreigner demanding to see her great grandmother. She sends her on a wild goose chase but her efforts fail and as fate will have it, Peri meets the woman her great grandmother hired her to find.

There, Bryant carries us on an emotional rollercoaster going beyond our two main characters while still having them at arms grasps as a new tension forms.

All in all I enjoyed this story. The story itself was original and very smooth and easy to read. The right amount of angst, humor, emotional appeal and romance.

Peri and Camila are a very enjoyable pair together, they definitely had chemistry and were quite funny. Wish there was a bit more build up to their new developments though.

Now while I did enjoy this book, I often found myself straying from it very easily. However, admittedly I do have a lot going on in my personal life so I’m not sure if that says more about the book or me but it was really hard for me to get INTO this book. Maybe check out what other reviews might say about this.

Perhaps the pacing was off in the book, I can imagine had the build up been in different places or more gradual, I definitely would’ve been more engaged. It seemed like when reveals were made those reveals did not land as epic or dramatic as they should have.

It was definitely not the most capturing of Bryant’s book. Nevertheless I still recommend!

It’s definitely a really simple and interesting read. It may have taken me a bit longer to finish it that I normally would have but I don’t at all regret finishing it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for a honest review!

Unfortunately I couldn't get into this story. I didn't warm to any of the characters. I found the past romance between the older women sad not warm and I didn't care about the budding romance between the two younger characters. I suppose I was turned off by the way Camilla treated Peri for the entire first 30% of the story. It was cruel and went on far to long. I also didn't like Mateo.. too pushy and barged it t0o much.
I have read many Kris Bryant books and enjoyed them. I didn't recognize her usual tone or pace in this story.
If you've never read any of her books, and you agree with my review, don't be put off. Her other books are better.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Perfetta!!! Kris Bryant delivers two love stories in her newest novel. In present day Peri's great grandmother passes away. She leaves a locket and a challenge for Peri to find the other woman in a photo. It puts Peri's PI skills to work and she finds a drawing of the same woman in a small seaside town of Sequina, Italy. The artist, Camila Barnes (25), says she knows the identity of the woman. But she intentionally misleads Peri while getting to know her, not knowing what Peri wants with her great-grand mother.

The better love story is the one that occurs during WWII when Peri's great grandmother worked with the Red Cross in Italy. It is told sweetly with moving letters and from Camila's Bisnonna who is truly lovely. Keep your tissues nearby as their love unfolds.

This is the best kind of writing. Told in duel POV in alternating chapters we get the feelings and viewpoints of each MC. Camila is a bit spoiled and immature, but she is caring especially of her Bisnonna and her best friend. Peri is more practical, starting her own business, always making good choices and meeting a free spirit sweeps her off her feet. But the older love story is love in the purist sense and gives this romance much more depth. The epilogues left me feeling emotional all day. I've never been disappointed reading Kris Bryant and I can't recommend this enough. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I fell so hard for this book, I kept forcing myself to take breaks so I could savor it. I love how much different each Kris Bryant book feels from each other, yet feels so comfortable.

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a different kind of story from Kris Bryant, in that it features two love stories, one past and one present. I found the past story far more compelling.

This features MCs Peri, a PI from the US tasked with finding a mystery woman for her great-grandmother, Hilde, after she passes away. Armed with a locket and some scant information, she heads to Italy where she encounters Camilla, who is the great-granddaughter of the mystery woman, Isabel. Isabel and Hilde’s story is told through Isabel’s memories and Hilda’s letters. While uncovering their story, Peri and Camilla also fall in love.

Not going to lie, I found Camilla hard to take at the start, and even though I eventually warmed to her, I didn’t love that pairing as much as I was obviously supposed to. Peri was a great character, and lovely as the day is long, but Camilla seemed immature and self-involved, and as both were only 25, I found it hard to believe they’d have the staying power to stay together. The book is told in first person through both Peri and Camilla’s POVs.

The real draw here is the love story of Hilde and Isabel, set on the backdrop of WW1, they were madly in love, but from two very different worlds and in a much different time, so were unable to be together, despite loving each other through their lifetimes. Their story had me feeling all the ‘feels’ and I choked up a few times during the scenes that revealed their past.

There are quite a few side characters, Peri’s family get a brief mention at either end of the book, but as the bulk of the book takes place in Italy, a lot of scenes feature Camilla’s family, all of whom (except her grandmother) are nicer than she is. Camilla’s BFF Mateo was another of my favourites. While I didn’t mind the present day love story, I didn’t find it as interesting or involving as the past story.

The true star of this book though is Isabel, who is a lovely soul that my heart just broke for (Hilde too by extension). Their story is beautiful, poignant, and also heartbreaking. The book has multiple epilogues that tie everything off, and should leave the reader satisfied. 4 stars.

Kris Bryant has a gift for creating stories that pull at your heartstrings. A couple of her past novels have left me teary-eyed when I read them. She has done it again with her newest book, "Always".

This is a contemporary romance that tells the story of Peri Logan and Camila Barnes. Their tale begins with a locket, a few secrets, some misunderstandings, and a lot of attraction. This alone is worth getting the book, but there is so much more to this story. It is only after Peri is finally able to deliver the locket to its owner that the two women realize they are a part of a greater story, a love story that goes back to the end of WWII.
The romance between Peri and Camila is beautifully written. It’s easy to see the attraction the two have for each other, even though they have a rather rocky beginning. I loved watching the two gradually succumb to their feelings. The romantic setting of a villa in Italy only added to the romantic atmosphere. It is the well-developed secondary characters, especially Camila’s great-grandmother, Isabel, that turns this book into something really special.

Ms. Bryant has never disappointed me with any of her novels. That is definitely true for this book. She made me cry. That should tell you how special this story is. This is a wonderful romance novel that you do not want to miss.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

This book was next level for Kris Bryant. I’ve always liked her style because the stories are unique and keep you absorbed without the heart wrenching emotional plunge. And this book is definitely another win.

We are exposed to two parallel stories that happen between generations. It is a good display of the juxtaposition of how the time has changed for queer couples in the past 80 years or so. There are sad parts for sure, but there is also an overall theme of family, support and love. My one wish would be to have more time and build up in the romance area of the two MCs. They spent a lot of time together, but their connection could have been stronger. However, I did really like the closing epilogues of the book. They really tied both story lines together nicely.

This book had a lovely premise. Peri a newly minted private detective is tasked by her late great grandmother with a mission to “find her” and the only clue she has is a picture in a locket. Her search takes her to Italy where she meets Camille and some deep seated secrets are let out of the closet.

There are two lovely love stories intertwined and the setting within the beautiful vineyards and olive groves of Sequina can’t be beat. The letters between Hilde and Isabel were a really nice touch and well done.

I really liked the first half of the book, with the setup, but as I got further into the book, the voices of the characters started merging in tone and language until I couldn’t tell them apart and it kept knocking me out of the story. While I really like Kris Bryant’s story telling style, this also felt very different from her other books in that the polish that is usually there wasn’t quite hitting the spot. At times the story transitions felt very rough around the edges.

The epilogues were sweet, especially the last one. Overall a nice contemporary love story with a touch of historical romance. 3.5🌟

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ALWAYS is a heart-warming story of love. After the passing of her great-grandmother, Peri is tasked with finding an unknown woman from her past. This takes Peri to Italy where she meets Camila. Camila is an artist that also works for the family olive oil business and wonders what Peri is up to in her search for the missing woman who Camila happens to know.
This will take them both on a journey. Peri's to find the woman and Camila's to keep her far away.
But things don't always work out as we hope. Peri is learning much about her great-grandmothers past.
What will she learn along the way and will become of her and Camila?

This story is a truly endearing love story and you don't want to miss it.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Boldstrokesbooks for this advanced copy .

When Peri Logan’s great grandmother passes away and asks her to find a mysterious woman in Italy Peri has no choice but to head there to try and fulfill her wish. When she arrives and starts asking questions Camila Rossini is immediately suspicious of the American stranger and takes her on a wild goose chase around Sequina, trying to keep her away from the woman she’s trying to find who happens to be Camila’s own great grandmother.
I really liked this one by Kris Bryant, it was a unique plot and felt as though it was two love stories in one book. I liked the chemistry between the two MCs and Bisnonna was adorable. I wish we had a few more scenes with Peri and Camila after the truth comes out and before the kissing, it felt like the storyline jumped forward a bit there. I also enjoyed the story told by Bisnonna Isabel, it felt like that was a plausible event for the time period. Overall another great read by Kris Bryant!

Kris Bryant can write about anything. I firmly believe that now and each book, which is about something totally different from the last, is just flawlessly written. That’s a gift. This book weaves the past and the present seamlessly. Although, I have to agree with another reviewer that Camila and Peri fell in love too fast but I’m ok with that because we got to see two sets of generations fall in love. I loved the book and the people. Well done.

This is as close as possible to the lesbian version of The Notebook, tears and all. This book really has it all, it’s sweet, sexy, emotional, funny. It’s different from everything I read so far in terms of Lesfic and it has not one but 2 fantastic love stories and I what I count as 3 epilogues.
I think this is Bryant’s best book yet, do yourself a favour and buy it.