I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.If You Were Mine is the third book in Carrie Ann Ryan's Cage Family series, and it brings two incredibly popular tropes together: best friend's sibling and age gap. This emotionally charged romance follows the complicated journey of grief, healing, and finding love.
Meet Dorian Cage and Harper Wellesly. Dorian and Harper’s brother were best friends from childhood, inseparable and bonded like family. Harper quietly fell in love with Dorian, but he never saw her as anything more than his best friend’s little sister. Everything changes when tragedy strikes. Dorian loses the person who meant the most to him, and Harper is left completely alone after losing the only family she had left.
One year after the devastating tragedy that changed everything for Dorian and Harper, Dorian is still grappling with the emotional and physical scars of the loss, while Harper bears the weight of the emotional ones. Both are lost in their grief, but amid the pain, they find an unexpected solace in each other’s arms.
What began as a forbidden attraction turns into something far more profound. As they lean on each other to heal, their connection deepens beyond the bounds of friendship and family, proving that sometimes, love can bloom in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Dorian and Harper’s chemistry is undeniable, and it’s impossible not to feel pulled into their story. Even with the guilt weighing heavily on him, Dorian simply cannot stay away from Harper, and that emotional conflict makes their connection feel raw and real.
Harper’s backstory truly broke my heart. The loss of her brother feels even more devastating when you understand everything she has already endured. What stayed with me most, though, is her strength. Despite the pain, the grief, and the setbacks, Harper continues to stand tall, making her journey both inspiring and deeply moving.
Once again, Ryan delivered a story that captivated me from beginning to end. From the first page, I found myself fully immersed, eager to see how each moment would unfold. She has a remarkable ability to create relatable, emotionally rich characters whose journeys feel authentic and compelling. Their struggles, growth and connections kept me deeply invested, and by the end, I was left wanting more.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading