There is a lot going on in this book! I liked how the story shows you that everyone has their own stuff to deal with even if you are unaware. There were somethings that seemed to be added just to throw in more events. I did like how the author kind of brought it back full circle at the end. However, it was difficult to get into at the start.

Layla Emmerson’s writing is simple and easy to read, which makes the emotional moments hit even harder. The book balances romance with themes of trust, healing and learning to let people in after heartbreak. While some parts of the plot are predictable if you read a lot of romance novels, the characters and emotional depth make it stand out.

Overall, More Than This is a heartfelt romance with strong chemistry, emotional moments and characters you genuinely care about. It’s the kind of book that’s perfect if you want something romantic, dramatic and easy to get invested in.

WOW, WOW, WOW... This book was SO much more than I expected.... there were times I didn't think I'd finish it & wondered why it was so long, when things seemed to be going so well by about 1/3 of the way.... but I'm SO glad I kept going. This book is so full of emotions, connections, hurt & loss, rejection, acceptance, family, love, misunderstandings & resolutions and so much more... It's not a lighthearted beach read.... but if you stick with it, you'll be glad you did. It makes you feel all the feels and ends with a very HEA!

Harper is so broken..... she can't seem to get past that everyone that she's loved has left her (for varying reasons, but her Dad left when she was 4, her Mom not long after, her husband died young of cancer...and her son is now grown & on his own...) Her story is an emotional one... but then along comes Reid....

Reid... where do I start??? Do they really make men like this? 🤨🤩😁He also has a past of some hurt & heartbreak and his wife leaving him (but that's another interesting plot twist!!).... but they seem to be made for each other... He does so much for Harper, even more than she ever knows.

Reading this book was such an amazing journey.... I LOVED the unexpected plot twists that kept coming through, over & over.... I loved how things played out with so many of the different characters.... while this is primarily Reid & Harper's story, there are so many other supporting characters that make the book what it is.... her best friend Claire (wasn't sure what to think of her at first... she's quite a lush & I don't know how Bill puts up with her), Claire's husband Bill (what a saint!! another amazing, too real for life man), Gabe.... swoon... another amazing guy... although I don't agree with all his choices, he's such a great brother/friend to them.... Logan, Harper's son Lewis.... and more.... there really are a LOT of well written characters that each add their own bit to the book.

I LOVE the cover... it describes the book so perfectly, which really only makes sense after reading it. 🥰

The book is told in a 1st person POV, from Harper's perspective.

Spice level: 4/5

*takes place in London
*MMC is an alpha protector/rescuer... military of sorts
*both MMC & FMC are writers
*age gap
*found family
*an emotional drama
*loss of parents & spouses
*infertility issues
*panic attacks/anxiety rep
*adoption
*told in a single 1st person POV
*ends with a HEA

Thank you to the author (Layla Emmerson), publisher (Troubador) & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book had alot of things going on. But i did enjoy it! Both characters had their own past, their own trauma, and their own issues to get over and heal from, while not realizing what was going on in front of them.

This was such a very sweet story. I loved the fact that the character was middle aged, a widow, and dealing with some major changes, such as her only child moving out and having a life of his own and she is trying to get back on the dating scene. She had a wonderful support system in her son and friends that she had at the beginning of the book and along the way, even after she meets Reid. The romance in this book between her and Reid felt authentic and I liked the fact that things felt paced, like they weren't going too fast, but it relaly wasn't a slow burn either where I was like, "Come on!". The chapters were a good size as well--most of them never felt too long and were good for short or long reading sessions. It's a long book, but it went by pretty fast--it takes you through how things progress over time with both lovers. (Don't want to have any accidental spoilers in this novel). Very cozy read. I also like that it takes you after the dating phase, extended lives, and so on.

more than this, well that is exactly what my heart was not handling throughout this beautiful book. it was incredible, honest and raw. it was taking me up and down alongside our pair. and believe me there was so much more than you think every.step.of.the.way.
their connection though. there could not be more than these two had! yowzers.
Harper and Reid had their own stuff going on. Harper was a broken author whos passed rippled through her every inhale and exhale. those hurts are also putting a halt to her writing and this cant happen. its her life, her work, she needs to write.
then comes Reid. out of the blue i think not but you will learn why this is the case later. they are linked. but they are linked by the very thing that Harper has been traumatised by. so of course he needs an in to her life. and what he comes up with as an writer himself is the best hes got. but the lines blur. and the feelings arent just stories anymore. they are real. darrrrrrrrn real.
but Harper is confronting things with Reid. she has mending parts of her, experiencing things again, things she wouldn't allow before him.
Harper sees past his shields too. she sees past was he built himself to be as his own kind of protection. she sees him. all of him.
when the fallout happens my heart actually hurt. then what happened next. no stop dont you dare do this to me Layla!
this was one of those books that hits you and feels like its hitting you in your chest and core.
the other characters in this book had the pride of place and thank goodness for them at certain points. because these two puzzle pieces might need a hand finding each other when certain things happen.
this book allowed both our characters to write their own magnificent story. but they would have to perhaps break, bend and allow that to happen. they would have to trust that they own their own pages.
would that come?
could i live with this ending if it didn't mean they weren't together?
a fab read. full of trust betrayals, secrets, healing,hearts and essentially love in so many forms.