Always Mine: Honey Mountain Series, Book 1

This is my first book by Laura, and I'm excited to continue with the Thomas family and the Honey Mountain gang.Niko and Vivian have known each other since childhood. They have always been best friends and were always there for each other through the hard times in life. Their relationship was sweet and romantic even though Niko was stubborn. Vivi was not going to let Niko slip away from her from his fears of a past that came back to haunt them.I loved their story, and the way Laura added obstacles that each character faces made the story more intriguing. Mabel was adorable and kept parts of the story light and funny. The many side characters, especially from the firehouse, were a great addition. I can't wait to see who gets their happily ever after and to watch this family, and this community grow.

This book will address some triggers like the physical abuse that Niko takes while he was a child. Beatings and cigarette burns.The story is about, Vivian Thomas, one of five sisters. Everyone in, Honey Mountain is in love, with the Thomas sisters. But, no one has ever talked about their son, of unspoken love, loyalty, and friendship to them. Niko West, of course, he and Vivi, became friends in kindergarten and, never stopped. Vivi’s loyalty, to her friend, became fierce, once she became aware of him being beaten, and burnt by his father.Niko has always been grumpy, and standoffish. Unless, he wants, to talk to you, or in the dating world, have a one-off. Vivi on the other hand is more, monogamous. Her last boyfriend, Jansen is an uneventful, lover. In the end, it was a long-distance relationship, not her choice, and she was over it. She was on her way, to tell him it, was over. She caught him in the act, of servicing his co-worker. Funny thing is, that’s not what bothers her. It's that he didn’t have the balls, or the common courtesy, to break up with, her first. They were from, the same town and had, been friends since they, were kids.So, when Jansen sends her family an invitation, to his wedding six months after the breakup, it's like a slap in the face. Most of all she was feeling relief it isn’t her, betrayal is a close second. It is not well received, by the family present, for Sunday dinner. Ashlan and Charlotte, are in dismay over how, insensitive and, inconsiderate, Jansen is for sending it. Dylan however, is planning how, to torture, and maim him. She is on the warpath. When Niko arrives he is trying desperately to read Vivi.All the women in town want, this 6’ 4”, Greek god, and a firefighter on top of everything else. But, if the two of them, he and Viv, are in a room together, no one stands a chance. They don't even realize, what it is they, share. Her bestie, Niko who never drinks, did decide, to take her out, to one of the local bars. She gets pleasantly high. The discussion somehow leads, to fulfillment in bed, and she reveals no man has ever achieved, that for her. He is angry on, her behalf.This is when she asks, Niko, to teach her how to be fulfilled, sexually. He becomes even more, surly than usual. Mainly, because with all that he is, he would love, to have all of, Vivi for himself. But, with a background like his, he believes that it can, never be possible. Especially, with, Jack, her dad being his captain, at the fire station. Now, the idea of sexual, exploration and fulfillment is a quest. Her wanting, to know for sure that it wasn't her fault, is a gift Niko gave her, in their discussion. And, for sure, she just had a couple of, selfish lovers.I enjoyed this book because there is such a mental and physical fight going on with Niko. You will see this strong man, who is selfless in his protection, and his love, once he deems you family.

Overall this was sweet and pretty low angst. I loved how strong Niko and Vivian's friendship was and could really feel how hesitant Niko was in changing the dynamics of their relationship. To that end I'm not sure I fully believed in how quickly he went from never wanting anything serious to being all in with Viv. Ultimately though I found their romance pretty swoony. Apart from the romance there were some moments that felt so over the top (her sister Dylan occasionally and his dad basically every time we saw him) and those moments tended to pull me out of the story. In contrast, the flashbacks of Vivian's mom hit me hard and I found those scenes very impactful. My heart hurt for the family, most especially Vivian.

So sweet! I love these quick reads, but sweet and a little bit of spicy. I like how this author wrote their story and is probably one I will come back to.

Niko and Vivian have been best friends forever. Vivi found her last boyfriend cheating. She begins to think that hook-ups may be better than relationships and turns to Niko for advice. Niko is not a fan of the idea of his best friend doing random hook ups. Vivi asks Niko to be her friend with benefits and Niko finally agrees. These two help each other overcome past grief and truama. And Niko truly saves Vivi’s life.Small town, firefighters, best friends to lovers perfection. They don’t wait to let the other know how much they are in love. While they fall in love easily based on their past, Niko still makes mistakes and they have to find a way forward. The nickname Niko has for Vivi is swoony. This was a great introduction to the Thomas sisters and Honey Mountain.

Niko and Vivian have been best friends for a long time. It takes them a long time before they realize they are in love with each other and want to be together. They have many obstacles but come out on top.

It was a cute story with. HEA. Some parts felt rushed but over all the story line was good and the characters were engaging.

Lots of emotions in this story of Vivian and Niko. Niko had a difficult childhood with an abusive father. Because of thiscNiko struggled to believe he was worthy of Vivian's love. But Vivian kept after him until he realized life without her would be impossible to survive in. They get their HEA but not without some serious situations, mostly involving Niko's Dad. Therecare some graphic sex scenes but I thought the story was excellent even with those scenes.

I love Niko and Vivian. I think this is up there as one of my favourite friends to lovers romances, it was so easy to read and the story flowed so nicely!I adored the dynamic of their friendship from the beginning, they were true best friends who had always loved each other and that made me so happy, the change from friendship to relationship was hardly noticeable it was so easy!I loved seeing the family dynamic between Vivian and her sisters and then seeing how Niko fit into that. And I also adored seeing Niko’s relationship with his niece who is adorable!My heart hurt for the way he had to grow up but he’s so incredibly strong!I think this was a great start to the series and I’m super excited to move onto the next!

OMG, what a fantastic read! A beautiful friends-to-lovers romance that is fun, sexy and gorgeously swoony, I was completely swept up in this beautiful small-town romance, and I absolutely loved it!This is the start of a new series for Laura Pavlov, and we are introduced to the Thomas sisters from the small town of Honey Mountain. They were raised by their very proud and loving dad after their mother passed away when they were teenagers, and they are as close as can be. This is the story of second-eldest, Vivian.Vivian and Niko have been best friends since childhood. They have been there for each other through ups and downs, and are a huge part of each other’s lives. So, when Vivi finds herself single for the first time since high school and realises just what she’s been missing in her one lacklustre relationship that ended badly six months previously, she decides it’s time to experience what epic sex is all about. And who better to turn to than the man she trusts the most? A broody, closed-off-to-everybody-but-her man with proven skills who is known as the town’s player who she knows won’t be interested in anything other than a quick fling – her very own best friend.This may not be a unique storyline, but the way Pavlov writes it is just awesome. It’s funny and honest, and in a true reflection of Vivian and Niko’s friendship, she has full trust in him, and she lets it all out there.Vivi’s blatant attempts to lure Niko into her bed had me laughing out loud, and though Niko has feelings towards her that are more than just friendly, he’s never allowed himself to go there. Not only because she’s been in a long-term relationship, but she has been his touchstone in life, the one person who has always been there for him, and he refuses to mess with that. And after surviving his devastating childhood, he’s not interested in a relationship or family, or any of the things that he knows Vivi wants.But the more he thinks about it, and the more Vivi encourages him, Niko can’t resist the attraction that has always been there for him. The chemistry is fantastic, and the sexual tension builds brilliantly, and when he finally gives in, they take that final step, and it’s hot and passionate, and the connection that they share changes everything.I love these two together so much, and I loved watching their friendship shift so effortlessly into more. They do their best to keep things casual, but it’s so right and so special, they quickly realise that they’re in way deeper than they ever intended to be. They’re completely honest about everything that’s happening between them, but it’s a scary situation for Niko, who never wanted to be feeling anything like what he feels for Vivi, and my heart broke for both of them as they try to figure out what they are to each other, and what they want from the future.They have some soul searching to do, but the drama is short-lived and well-written, and brings only minor angst that works to builds intensity in the story, so that when they do actually come together, those scenes had me cheering and grinning like a fool.The relationship stuff is resolved earlier than expected in the book, so we get to see lots of time with them together as a couple and figuring out their new life together. Just in time for real drama to hit. Niko’s family is a mess, and there are big developments there which have a huge impact on them, and Vivi’s past also plays its part. But they’re strong together, and I loved watching them face everything and find their happy ending, which again had me grinning like an idiot.I love these characters so much! They are funny, playful, caring and honest, and from the very beginning their love for each other is beautiful to see and I loved watching it change and deepen so naturally. Niko is that wonderful mix of broody and sweet-hearted, and his vulnerabilities just made him all the more irresistible. I loved watching him come to understand and accept his feelings for Vivi, and then openly and eagerly dive headfirst into everything he was once afraid of… gah, he’s just amazing!There’s also a wonderful bunch of side characters – Niko’s buddies at the fire station are entertaining, and I adored Vivi’s sisters (filterless Dylan, in particular, is a freaking riot!). I cannot wait to read more about them as the series continues, and with the brief hints that we get during this book, I am so excited for Everly’s second-chance-romance coming up next in Ever Mine.This is such a great read full of humour, heart, and a beautiful, natural, functional romance that absolutely owned my heart. It’s a fave for 2022!

I really enjoyed this book! It helped get me out of a slump. Laura Pavlov was a new author to me, and after reading Always mine, I can say that I’ll be reading more of her books in the future.• friends-to-lovers• friends-with-benefits• childhood best friendsI don’t normally read a lot of books with these tropes but it’s so refreshing when I do. If I had a guy best friend who I fell in love with, I’d want Niko West. Vivian is truly one lucky girl.In the beginning, Niko struggles with commitment issues and opening up to people. The only person in his life who he is really close to and knows him best is Vivian. They’re there for each other when it matters, always supporting and protecting one another.And Vivian, is so caring. She’s there for her family, everyone else she loves. She sacrificed a lot by staying home instead of going away to college, to support her family. That’s one of the things Vivian and Niko both have in common. They’re both selfless individuals who do what it takes to support those they love even if it means they miss out on opportunities.Also, a finally mention is the banter in the book. I really enjoyed the back and forth between the Thomas sisters, especially Dylan’s witty remarks. Oh and we can’t forget about like Mabel, she was so adorable.I found this to be a lovely, sweet read about two people denying their true feelings for one another by masking it as friendship. Their relationship both as friends and lovers is what you want a good relationship to look like.

The first book in the Honey Mountain series, Always Mine introduces readers to the Thompson family. Prepare to become enthralled with Captain Jack and his beautiful daughters Everly, Vivian, Charlotte, Dylan and Ashlan. This sweet yet spicy romance is one you won’t be able to get enough of, which is great because the Honey Mountain series features a book for each sister! Book one offers a fantastic friends-to-lovers storyline and beautifully portrays instances of trauma and healing.Meet Vivian. She is the notorious caretaker of all her sisters, especially after her mother’s passing, and loves to bake. She owns and runs her own small business, Honeybee Bakery, and worked hard to achieve her dream of owning a home. Meet Niko. He’s been friends with Vivian since childhood and works as a firefighter with her dad, Captain Jack. He takes care of his family yet cannot seem to get close to anyone romantically. Will Vivian ever see Niko as more than a friend? Is Niko prepared for what happens if she does?I adored Pavlov’s writing style for a strong female lead. It makes me anxious to read the rest of the series, because I bet the sisters have us in for a rollercoaster of emotions. I found this book to be beautifully written and I devoured it in one sitting (confession: I did get up to make tea once or five times). One specific thing I loved was the phone tree amongst the fire families. Having lived in a mountain town myself, I was on the phone tree for emergencies, and found Pavlov’s ability to capture this unmatched. The characters in this story were crafted with care and it really comes out in the writing. You can sense the care and effort taken by Pavlov to craft every relationship, interaction, and exchange throughout the pages. I cannot wait to purchase this series in the limited edition covers!

Good story, lovely characters. Steamy scenes are OK, but a bit quick and not very detailed. But the emotion is there and can't help but like the characters. Though there is a few weepy moments, it's worth it.