She was his from the moment they met...

Aiden fell in love once and only once. In a heated and passionate moment his love for Kate was sealed. Upon asking her father for Kate’s hand in marriage, Aiden was denied, his monetary rank not fitting to Kate’s fathers desires. Soon after, Kate departs for Ceylon and to Aiden’s horror, is killed at sea. Now, ten years later, Aiden is still single and haunted by his one and only true love. When Aiden finds Kate while on a business endeavor in Hull, he is shocked, confused and determined to make Katie his again.

Kate has finally escaped Ceylon. She has been miserable ever since her father sent her away to be married by arrangement. Determined never to return to her family, Kate sets up a coffee shop and puts the knowledge she gained from her years in Ceylon to work, in Hull. Though she was once young and in love, Kate feels betrayed by Aiden’s abandonment. Now, ten years later, after the death of her husband, Kate has returned to her beloved England alone and ready for a chance to be happy again. She never expected to see the love of her life walk into her shop and rekindle their flame.

As their friendship blossoms and their fierce attraction re-ignites, Kate becomes increasingly aware of the danger of her past and the lies of her present. Then again, Aiden has secrets too. With their love and happiness at risk, the truth is revealed, leaving Aiden and Katie’s relationship in peril again.

Set in Regency England, It’s Always Been You is a delightful read. Almost everyone can connect with the idea of “the one who got away.” Whether you’ve lost someone or still remember your first love as if it were yesterday, this title approaches the idea of re-connecting and second chances while also bringing a little suspense from Kate’s past into the story for virtually any reader to enjoy.

I enjoyed Victoria Dahl’s writing. This book captivated me quickly and was easy to read. For some reason, I lost a big of interest off and on and I’m not sure if the story wasn’t moving fast enough for me or if I was simply distracted. Either way, the smooth flow of Victoria’s writing is a pleasure to read.

The characters of this novel are fun! They stood out to be because they are unique in their own right. Both have made something of themselves since losing each other. Kate is a determined woman who is focused on making her way in a man’s world. Aiden is sweet and completely head over heels in love with Kate. Both are driven by the same motivations. The loss of their relationship saddened me. I couldn’t help but root for them to find a way to make it work the second time around. Though I didn’t connect with either character deeply, I was able to fully appreciate and enjoy them.

Overall, this one is worth reading! I enjoyed the many different supporting storylines that tied into the main story enabling the relationship between Kate and Aiden to seem realistic. Those who enjoy the works of Victoria Alexander or Samantha James will likely enjoy It’s Always Been You.