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To Be With You
Leah Vasquez and Victoria Lockwood should not fall in love.
They’re smart enough to know a star-crossed lovers’ situation never works out. Leah’s a loner from the poor side of town, working two jobs, and aching to leave their sleepy hometown in her rear view forever. Victoria lives in a mansion with her overbearing parents, surrounded by friends and known to none of them, living what others consider a charmed life. When Leah rescues Victoria from a freak rainstorm, they discover an unexpected understanding, and an undeniable spark.
Leah Vasquez and Victoria Lockwood should not fall in love, but they do.
Five years after their scorching summer romance flames out, Victoria returns home to visit her dysfunctional family, fiancé in tow. She’s shocked to find Leah never left town, and more surprisingly, neither did their feelings for each other. Still hurt over how Victoria ended things Leah resists any reconciliation, despite how hotly the embers of their love burn.
Leah Vasquez and Victoria Lockwood definitely should not fall in love…again.
Of course, even if Leah can open her bruised heart to the only girl she ever loved, Victoria must make a life-changing choice: love safely or love bravely.
They’re smart enough to know a star-crossed lovers’ situation never works out. Leah’s a loner from the poor side of town, working two jobs, and aching to leave their sleepy hometown in her rear view forever. Victoria lives in a mansion with her overbearing parents, surrounded by friends and known to none of them, living what others consider a charmed life. When Leah rescues Victoria from a freak rainstorm, they discover an unexpected understanding, and an undeniable spark.
Leah Vasquez and Victoria Lockwood should not fall in love, but they do.
Five years after their scorching summer romance flames out, Victoria returns home to visit her dysfunctional family, fiancé in tow. She’s shocked to find Leah never left town, and more surprisingly, neither did their feelings for each other. Still hurt over how Victoria ended things Leah resists any reconciliation, despite how hotly the embers of their love burn.
Leah Vasquez and Victoria Lockwood definitely should not fall in love…again.
Of course, even if Leah can open her bruised heart to the only girl she ever loved, Victoria must make a life-changing choice: love safely or love bravely.
456 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2022
42 people are currently reading
1132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
November 28, 2022
'Arc provided bi both NetGalley and The Publisher (Bella Books) in exchange for a honest review'
**'Sometimes when a writer is describing any character in their stories, they try to explain their complexities in few words; as timid, vain, pompous, brash, charming, introvert -- and so on..'
Remarkable read!
With 'TO BE WITH YOU' Ms. O'Shea has capture the essence of kindred soulmates with empathy, insight, intimacy, complication, condescension, cultural relativism, status, snobbery etc.. -- in this endearingly sweet love story between two love-struck teenagers and now adults -- each coming from different parts of town (wealthy & poor). The storytelling is vibrantly mesmerizing, not rushed, has no dullness, heartfelt at times with this charming premise and this intricately spin of reciprocal love even if there were hurt feelings.
When i read O'Shea's previous book 'BEYOND THE BLUE,' i could not get enough of it because it was so good -- so the minute that i saw there was a new book (TO BE WITH YOU) coming out, I had to get it hoping that i would not be let down but it's not the case. No disappointment at all plus after getting to the ending I still never wanted the story to end.
Honestly, i like when writers try not to tell the same story over & over, again & again while being praised for being effortless in penning really good stories and also just being amazing writers. I think T.J. O'Shea is at the cusp of this distinguishable feat.
Furthermore, if you as an interested reader enjoys a writer telling a sumptuous love story with exhilaratingly good chemistry between her many characters, also lay out that alluring rawness of her characters, be in-depth while developing each character, be steadfast and entertaining with her dialogues then 'TO BE WITH YOU' is just that book --- and is that story that will stay with you after you get to the last sentence.
A highly recommended book!
**'Sometimes when a writer is describing any character in their stories, they try to explain their complexities in few words; as timid, vain, pompous, brash, charming, introvert -- and so on..'
Remarkable read!
With 'TO BE WITH YOU' Ms. O'Shea has capture the essence of kindred soulmates with empathy, insight, intimacy, complication, condescension, cultural relativism, status, snobbery etc.. -- in this endearingly sweet love story between two love-struck teenagers and now adults -- each coming from different parts of town (wealthy & poor). The storytelling is vibrantly mesmerizing, not rushed, has no dullness, heartfelt at times with this charming premise and this intricately spin of reciprocal love even if there were hurt feelings.
When i read O'Shea's previous book 'BEYOND THE BLUE,' i could not get enough of it because it was so good -- so the minute that i saw there was a new book (TO BE WITH YOU) coming out, I had to get it hoping that i would not be let down but it's not the case. No disappointment at all plus after getting to the ending I still never wanted the story to end.
Honestly, i like when writers try not to tell the same story over & over, again & again while being praised for being effortless in penning really good stories and also just being amazing writers. I think T.J. O'Shea is at the cusp of this distinguishable feat.
Furthermore, if you as an interested reader enjoys a writer telling a sumptuous love story with exhilaratingly good chemistry between her many characters, also lay out that alluring rawness of her characters, be in-depth while developing each character, be steadfast and entertaining with her dialogues then 'TO BE WITH YOU' is just that book --- and is that story that will stay with you after you get to the last sentence.
A highly recommended book!
December 30, 2022
“To Be with You” is TJ O’Shea’s sophomore romance novel. It’s a second-chance romance that quickly moved into the top 10 of my 2022 favorites.
Leah Vasquez and Victoria (Tori) Lockwood are high school seniors when they begin a fairly short but intense romance. The meet up again 5 years later when Tori comes home, unfortunately she’s not alone. Her fiancé, Ben has come home with her.
So, this is one of those long romance novels that I absolutely love because you really get to sink your teeth into it and get to know the characters. As a character driven fan, I’m here for it. This is told from the beginning of their romance to when it all comes crashing down. There’s a time jump about half through to when Tori comes back into Leah’s life.
I just adored this book. It’s so well written and I loved the characters. There’s quite a bit of angst and drama but there was also some humor so it wasn’t too heavy. I personally enjoyed the ongoing joke about no one in Tori’s life being able to remember her fiancé’s name. My only complaint was that the main characters are only 22 for their second-chance and I wish they’d been a little older. It didn’t hurt my enjoyment and I was sold on their forever romance by the end of the book.
This is my second 5-star review for TJ O’Shea so I think it’s safe to say she’s moved onto my auto-buy list. I highly recommend this is if you’re a second-chance romance fan.
I received an ARC from Bella Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Leah Vasquez and Victoria (Tori) Lockwood are high school seniors when they begin a fairly short but intense romance. The meet up again 5 years later when Tori comes home, unfortunately she’s not alone. Her fiancé, Ben has come home with her.
So, this is one of those long romance novels that I absolutely love because you really get to sink your teeth into it and get to know the characters. As a character driven fan, I’m here for it. This is told from the beginning of their romance to when it all comes crashing down. There’s a time jump about half through to when Tori comes back into Leah’s life.
I just adored this book. It’s so well written and I loved the characters. There’s quite a bit of angst and drama but there was also some humor so it wasn’t too heavy. I personally enjoyed the ongoing joke about no one in Tori’s life being able to remember her fiancé’s name. My only complaint was that the main characters are only 22 for their second-chance and I wish they’d been a little older. It didn’t hurt my enjoyment and I was sold on their forever romance by the end of the book.
This is my second 5-star review for TJ O’Shea so I think it’s safe to say she’s moved onto my auto-buy list. I highly recommend this is if you’re a second-chance romance fan.
I received an ARC from Bella Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2022
To Be With You is an esquistly written New Adult story about first love and second chances. Victoria (Tori) is the daughter of a wealthy businessman while Leah’s family is just getting by in life. The high school ecosystem would never allow Leah and Tori to move in the same circles until serendipity played its part.
This is O’Shea’s second novel yet she writes as a seasoned veteran. There is a mature patience to both the construction of the storyline and the writing style which holds the reader firmly in its grasp. We are taken deeply into both of Leah’s and Tori’s lives, motivations and hardships and live every bit of it with them.
To Be With You is the book you have been waiting to read this year. It will not disappoint.
I received a free advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is O’Shea’s second novel yet she writes as a seasoned veteran. There is a mature patience to both the construction of the storyline and the writing style which holds the reader firmly in its grasp. We are taken deeply into both of Leah’s and Tori’s lives, motivations and hardships and live every bit of it with them.
To Be With You is the book you have been waiting to read this year. It will not disappoint.
I received a free advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 24, 2022
Fighting for love.
This book is about having the courage to fight for love. It is a beautiful theme and in all fairness, it wasn't poorly written. In fact, based on the other reviews, it's probably safe to say everyone enjoyed this a lot. But I just couldn't bring myself to like one of the characters no matter how much I tried and in my opinion, she tried too little, too late.
This is a second chance romance set in the years 2000 and 2005. In 2000, the characters were in the same high school but weren't friends. That is until a chance meeting outside school brought them together. Tori and Leah found that they clicked rather well together and whatever friendship they found themselves suddenly having, quickly escalated into romance. But after spending a summer together, they broke up badly before college.
The main obstacle between them was that they were not only in different social circles but also in different social classes which made it difficult for them to hang out even platonically. This is especially true for Tori who is the rich, popular, white girl. I fully understand that I have to read this in the context of a young person living in the year 2000 where fewer people dare to call out elitism, racism and homophobism compared to today but it doesn't mean I have to like it and I felt bad for Leah.
The characters meet again 5 years later and this time, Tori has a fiancé in tow. I felt more annoyed this time because Tori wouldn't leave Leah alone and that was selfish because there was no character development on her part in the 5 years, meaning the situation between them doesn't change. And I didn't want to root for them because by this time I thought someone else made a far better choice of partner for Leah and I wanted Leah to fall for her instead.
I get what the author was trying to do and like I said my issue was that I just found it hard to like one of the characters. But I get that it's a personal preference and if the plot is something that intrigues you, I'd say definitely give this a try.
I received an ARC from Bella Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is about having the courage to fight for love. It is a beautiful theme and in all fairness, it wasn't poorly written. In fact, based on the other reviews, it's probably safe to say everyone enjoyed this a lot. But I just couldn't bring myself to like one of the characters no matter how much I tried and in my opinion, she tried too little, too late.
This is a second chance romance set in the years 2000 and 2005. In 2000, the characters were in the same high school but weren't friends. That is until a chance meeting outside school brought them together. Tori and Leah found that they clicked rather well together and whatever friendship they found themselves suddenly having, quickly escalated into romance. But after spending a summer together, they broke up badly before college.
The main obstacle between them was that they were not only in different social circles but also in different social classes which made it difficult for them to hang out even platonically. This is especially true for Tori who is the rich, popular, white girl. I fully understand that I have to read this in the context of a young person living in the year 2000 where fewer people dare to call out elitism, racism and homophobism compared to today but it doesn't mean I have to like it and I felt bad for Leah.
The characters meet again 5 years later and this time, Tori has a fiancé in tow. I felt more annoyed this time because Tori wouldn't leave Leah alone and that was selfish because there was no character development on her part in the 5 years, meaning the situation between them doesn't change. And I didn't want to root for them because by this time I thought someone else made a far better choice of partner for Leah and I wanted Leah to fall for her instead.
I get what the author was trying to do and like I said my issue was that I just found it hard to like one of the characters. But I get that it's a personal preference and if the plot is something that intrigues you, I'd say definitely give this a try.
I received an ARC from Bella Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2023
What an amazing book to start my sapphic reads for 2023! Bella Books truly has the magic touch in finding amazing authors, I loved O'Shea's debut novel with Beyond the Blue and right now - To Be With You is my new favourite book.
This really brought me back to the time my lady and I first became ‘official'. The drama that unfolded with her mum was very much like Tori's mum. I'm actually making her read the book over the weekend 'cause she kept asking why I was quiet and grumpy. Hahah.
Bloody brilliant work by O'Shea. I can't say it enough... it's just so fucking brilliant.
This really brought me back to the time my lady and I first became ‘official'. The drama that unfolded with her mum was very much like Tori's mum. I'm actually making her read the book over the weekend 'cause she kept asking why I was quiet and grumpy. Hahah.
Bloody brilliant work by O'Shea. I can't say it enough... it's just so fucking brilliant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2024
my favourite pathetic lesbians ❤️🩹 #real. in all seriousness though, this was excellent. rtc (🤞)
December 23, 2022
I actually read this book only a few days after listening to O’Shea’s debut book “Beyond the Blue” and it doesn’t happen very often that I rate two books with 5 stars in a row, but these books are really great and O’Shea is now added to my automatic reading list.
Second chance stories often involve many flashbacks, which is not something I always like. This book, however, is basically split in two separate stories starting with the then followed by the now and it totally worked for me. I’m not going to say too much about the story, but it has all the feels, happiness, angst, anger and sadness, it’s all there. The now is actually only five years later when they are 22, so they are still young, but to me they generally felt somewhat older (some occurrences excepted). I often have trouble believing in a HEA when the MCs are still very young, but O’Shea makes it believable. This book shows a clash of worlds, poor versus rich, but also family strength and love, and the ugliness of misguided love or pretenses.
What I like about O’Shea’s books is that they do not adhere to the stereotypical thinking that is often seen in books. In both books there is a more femme and a more of center masculine main characters, but they are not stereotypical butch-femme characters, and I liked discovering their own different characters traits.
In summary, this is a wonderful YA/NA book, it’s well written with characters that you feel like you really get to know and like. Highly recommended!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Second chance stories often involve many flashbacks, which is not something I always like. This book, however, is basically split in two separate stories starting with the then followed by the now and it totally worked for me. I’m not going to say too much about the story, but it has all the feels, happiness, angst, anger and sadness, it’s all there. The now is actually only five years later when they are 22, so they are still young, but to me they generally felt somewhat older (some occurrences excepted). I often have trouble believing in a HEA when the MCs are still very young, but O’Shea makes it believable. This book shows a clash of worlds, poor versus rich, but also family strength and love, and the ugliness of misguided love or pretenses.
What I like about O’Shea’s books is that they do not adhere to the stereotypical thinking that is often seen in books. In both books there is a more femme and a more of center masculine main characters, but they are not stereotypical butch-femme characters, and I liked discovering their own different characters traits.
In summary, this is a wonderful YA/NA book, it’s well written with characters that you feel like you really get to know and like. Highly recommended!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2023
Last year was a very hard year for me in terms of reading or just generally enjoying it. I went from reading more than 200 books a year to only reading 30 last year. Maybe it was school, maybe it was life or maybe it just wasn’t a great year for books.
I can’t say much for that time in my life but I will say, this book was a great start to my literary year and I can only pray every other book I read this year is as good.
One of the books I read last year that I did actually enjoy was TJ O’Shea’s debut, Beyond the Blue. It was actually another one of her books that wiggled it’s way into my very small list of good reads from last year. I mostly had one criticism for this book and that had to do with the writing which I thought was a bit stiff and often had the impression that O’Shea was holding back and keeping it safe.
She didn’t for this one. I said that I can only see her going up from here, she has and I’m so excited to see more development from her.
Nevertheless I bid my enjoyment of that book and said I was undeniably excited for anything else this author would bring out, boy do I not regret saying that.
There are very few books that I think would make good movies, ‘To be With You’ just quickly sneaked itself into that group.
The book itself follows a very cliche plot, two people on the wrong side of the tracks fall in love, something tears them apart then years later there’s an angst filled emotional reawakening when one of them comes homes.
I think one of my biggest criticisms of a lot of books in the lesbian romance genre last year had to do with authors using cliches and failing to make it their own.
O’Shea does not have that problem. She took this cliche and made it her b****.
I don’t usually like stories with flashbacks but damn did I love this.
Leah and Victoria are two lovable, flawed and hilarious characters. Their conversations flowed easily and their chemistry exciting. I loved the way the author represented Leah’s Mexican side, and while I don’t often enjoy stories that deal with repression, she did such a great job at portraying the harsh reality of what it was and is like for individuals living under a homophobic parent without making it some stressful traumatic encounter to read about.
The side characters made just as much an impact and while I don’t see this book getting a sequel, Riley getting a happily ever after would be something I’d look forward to.
Now the book does have flaws, there are definitely plots I would’ve loved to have been done differently. Like Ben for example, I didn’t necessarily like how long it took Tori to break it off. When they did, it was prompted by a very surprising encounter between her younger brother and her mother. Which leaves me with the question, would she have broken it off if that encounter didn’t happen?
Nevertheless I still enjoyed the book leaving my rating as a 4.5!
My review is long enough I think, nothing I can say now hasn’t been said in other reviews so if it isn’t clear already- I highly recommend this book and again, cannot wait for her next.
I’m a sucker for romcoms I’m sorry!
ARC from Netgalley and the publishers in exchanged for an honest review!
I can’t say much for that time in my life but I will say, this book was a great start to my literary year and I can only pray every other book I read this year is as good.
One of the books I read last year that I did actually enjoy was TJ O’Shea’s debut, Beyond the Blue. It was actually another one of her books that wiggled it’s way into my very small list of good reads from last year. I mostly had one criticism for this book and that had to do with the writing which I thought was a bit stiff and often had the impression that O’Shea was holding back and keeping it safe.
She didn’t for this one. I said that I can only see her going up from here, she has and I’m so excited to see more development from her.
Nevertheless I bid my enjoyment of that book and said I was undeniably excited for anything else this author would bring out, boy do I not regret saying that.
There are very few books that I think would make good movies, ‘To be With You’ just quickly sneaked itself into that group.
The book itself follows a very cliche plot, two people on the wrong side of the tracks fall in love, something tears them apart then years later there’s an angst filled emotional reawakening when one of them comes homes.
I think one of my biggest criticisms of a lot of books in the lesbian romance genre last year had to do with authors using cliches and failing to make it their own.
O’Shea does not have that problem. She took this cliche and made it her b****.
I don’t usually like stories with flashbacks but damn did I love this.
Leah and Victoria are two lovable, flawed and hilarious characters. Their conversations flowed easily and their chemistry exciting. I loved the way the author represented Leah’s Mexican side, and while I don’t often enjoy stories that deal with repression, she did such a great job at portraying the harsh reality of what it was and is like for individuals living under a homophobic parent without making it some stressful traumatic encounter to read about.
The side characters made just as much an impact and while I don’t see this book getting a sequel, Riley getting a happily ever after would be something I’d look forward to.
Now the book does have flaws, there are definitely plots I would’ve loved to have been done differently. Like Ben for example, I didn’t necessarily like how long it took Tori to break it off. When they did, it was prompted by a very surprising encounter between her younger brother and her mother. Which leaves me with the question, would she have broken it off if that encounter didn’t happen?
Nevertheless I still enjoyed the book leaving my rating as a 4.5!
My review is long enough I think, nothing I can say now hasn’t been said in other reviews so if it isn’t clear already- I highly recommend this book and again, cannot wait for her next.
I’m a sucker for romcoms I’m sorry!
ARC from Netgalley and the publishers in exchanged for an honest review!
January 27, 2023
Well…. amazing, a moving, beautiful story of 2 young ladies who live very different lives. You'll laugh, cry even and be left feeling angry, but most of all you’ll be left rooting them along this journey of love and hate. The story itself starts right from the beginning in their home town whilst they are friends, but soon blossoms into something much more.
It’s a story of hope… absolutely beautiful.
5 out of 5,!
It’s a story of hope… absolutely beautiful.
5 out of 5,!
May 14, 2025
So this is a very good book. It’s emotional and angsty, soooo much angst, and it’s written well. I feel like dual timelines are tricky to write. My favorite will always be Then and Now by Monica McCallan. The book begins in 2005 for one very long chapter. Then we go back to 2000 for well over the next 50-60% of the book. Then, it jumps ahead back to where it started in 2005. The angst and the part of the relationship reminded me of The Art of Us by KL Hughes. And, sweet baby Thor, there was a ton of angst. And based on the book blurb, it was hard to be happy for Leah and Victoria when they first got together as teenagers because there was no hope for them to survive it. Like the break up is coming no matter what. It’s in the blurb.
I was also disappointed that the majority of the spice was when they were still seniors in high school. I’m no prude and I love super spicy novels and smut, however, I just wanted MORE of that to be when they came back together. The words told me that they still wanted each other, even after the heartbreak, and I would like to have been shown more of them being spicy when they were older. I also had a bit of a problem with how amazing Riley was to both Leah and Victoria. I know that sounds weird, but she was effing perfect as a friend and with benefits. She just seemed head and shoulders above the main characters as far as empathy and maturity. Anyone would be lucky to have a Riley in their lives.
It’s still a very good book. I will definitely read more from this author, but I don’t think I’ll be rereading this or listening to this again. I prefer less angst and a bit more fluff. I’m a delicate soul with regard to anger and heartbreak. I only have so much Xanax.
I was also disappointed that the majority of the spice was when they were still seniors in high school. I’m no prude and I love super spicy novels and smut, however, I just wanted MORE of that to be when they came back together. The words told me that they still wanted each other, even after the heartbreak, and I would like to have been shown more of them being spicy when they were older. I also had a bit of a problem with how amazing Riley was to both Leah and Victoria. I know that sounds weird, but she was effing perfect as a friend and with benefits. She just seemed head and shoulders above the main characters as far as empathy and maturity. Anyone would be lucky to have a Riley in their lives.
It’s still a very good book. I will definitely read more from this author, but I don’t think I’ll be rereading this or listening to this again. I prefer less angst and a bit more fluff. I’m a delicate soul with regard to anger and heartbreak. I only have so much Xanax.
December 13, 2022
4.75 ⭐️ rounded up
This is a story about Leah Vasquez who is the daughter of poor Mexican immigrant Hector and his wife Loretta. Leah is raised by a loving family in the poorer part of town. Her father is an auto mechanic and owns his own repair shop. Leah adores her father and has learned to be an auto mechanic herself at a very young age. Leah is also super smart and came out to her family and school mates at age 11
Victoria Lockwood is the middle child of two white parents who are very wealthy and own their own corporation and have a great deal of influence in the small New Jersey town they live in. “Tori” is the most popular girl in school and is friends with all the other rich kids in town. She has an older and a younger brother that are both close to her. Her mother, Cassandra, is a totally controlling mother who demands her children do exactly as she says.
This book is told in two parts with Leah and Tori’s high school years taking up the majority of the book. They circle around each other as teens and eventually hook up only to break up when they each head off to college. Then later at 22 they meet up again and start to rekindle their relationship.
This was my first O’Shea book and I really enjoyed the story and her writing style. She did a fantastic job in developing both MCs and also all the supporting people in the book. I especially liked both fathers and Tori’s brothers Vic and her friend Riley.
This book is filled with angst and melancholy and a was very good read. I highly recommend it.
ARC received from Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.
This is a story about Leah Vasquez who is the daughter of poor Mexican immigrant Hector and his wife Loretta. Leah is raised by a loving family in the poorer part of town. Her father is an auto mechanic and owns his own repair shop. Leah adores her father and has learned to be an auto mechanic herself at a very young age. Leah is also super smart and came out to her family and school mates at age 11
Victoria Lockwood is the middle child of two white parents who are very wealthy and own their own corporation and have a great deal of influence in the small New Jersey town they live in. “Tori” is the most popular girl in school and is friends with all the other rich kids in town. She has an older and a younger brother that are both close to her. Her mother, Cassandra, is a totally controlling mother who demands her children do exactly as she says.
This book is told in two parts with Leah and Tori’s high school years taking up the majority of the book. They circle around each other as teens and eventually hook up only to break up when they each head off to college. Then later at 22 they meet up again and start to rekindle their relationship.
This was my first O’Shea book and I really enjoyed the story and her writing style. She did a fantastic job in developing both MCs and also all the supporting people in the book. I especially liked both fathers and Tori’s brothers Vic and her friend Riley.
This book is filled with angst and melancholy and a was very good read. I highly recommend it.
ARC received from Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.
January 19, 2023
This has been a truly moving story that shows how two women, girls when they met, were able to put aside the great number of differences that separate them, both cultural and social status, first to become friends and then to fall in love. Even though they do not take them into account, their environment does not think or act in the same way, which made it difficult for them to relate to each other, even separating them completely.
But this is a story of before and now, and what then ended in drama can now be reversed if the two of them know how to overcome their misgivings. And between then and now, many things have also happened that have changed them, at least they have changed their goals and limited their ambitions, especially in the case of Leah. Despite this, she shows herself to be a mature woman and that she knows how to take advantage of the possibilities that are presented to her, even if they are below her wishes and dreams. Leah has been a wonderfully defined character and worthy of us falling in love with her. Victoria has been less likable, though she has her charm, but she's too given in to her family's wishes for most of the story.
With all this, the story has been excellent, interesting and for my part its reading is really recommended.
But this is a story of before and now, and what then ended in drama can now be reversed if the two of them know how to overcome their misgivings. And between then and now, many things have also happened that have changed them, at least they have changed their goals and limited their ambitions, especially in the case of Leah. Despite this, she shows herself to be a mature woman and that she knows how to take advantage of the possibilities that are presented to her, even if they are below her wishes and dreams. Leah has been a wonderfully defined character and worthy of us falling in love with her. Victoria has been less likable, though she has her charm, but she's too given in to her family's wishes for most of the story.
With all this, the story has been excellent, interesting and for my part its reading is really recommended.
November 16, 2024
To Be With You had everything I love in a book: two well-developed main characters with amazing chemistry, lovable secondary characters, a well-paced storyline full of twists and turns, and a delightful sense of humor. I especially enjoyed the running joke about how nobody could ever remember Barry’s name -it added a nice touch to the story!
Audiobook review:
I also listened to the audiobook version of To Be With You, and it was fantastic. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life. I particularly loved the voices she chose for Leah and Victoria. The accent she used for Leah really stood out to me—it added an extra layer of personality to the character that I really enjoyed. Overall, the narration was a perfect fit for the book, and it made the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommend the audiobook for anyone who loves a great performance!
This was my first book by T. J. O'Shea, and I can’t wait to read more. I highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a fun and engaging read!
Audiobook review:
I also listened to the audiobook version of To Be With You, and it was fantastic. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life. I particularly loved the voices she chose for Leah and Victoria. The accent she used for Leah really stood out to me—it added an extra layer of personality to the character that I really enjoyed. Overall, the narration was a perfect fit for the book, and it made the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommend the audiobook for anyone who loves a great performance!
This was my first book by T. J. O'Shea, and I can’t wait to read more. I highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a fun and engaging read!
December 14, 2022
Leah Vasquez and Victoria Lockwood attend the same school but live very different lives. When they run into each other unexpectedly after a disasterous prom they become very close very quickly during their last summer before going off to college. There are too many issues for them to overcome with them still being so young but when they meet again 5 years later circumstances have changed but they still have many issues to resolve.
I loved O'Shea's first book and this was just as good. The writing and plot here are phenomenal. It is more of a YA/NA story that may not appeal to everyone but I really liked this book. I saw a couple of minor plot holes but this was a very entertaining read. The two MCs were both likable in their own unique ways and their chemistry together was amazing. I loved Leah's parents, they made up for the terrible person Victoria's mom turned out to be. I liked that Victoria had her own cheerleaders in her brothers and that they supported her so much. Riley was awesome too and I'd love to read her story in he future once she matures a bit too. This was a great book that will go back in my TBR pile to be reread at some point the future for sure.
I loved O'Shea's first book and this was just as good. The writing and plot here are phenomenal. It is more of a YA/NA story that may not appeal to everyone but I really liked this book. I saw a couple of minor plot holes but this was a very entertaining read. The two MCs were both likable in their own unique ways and their chemistry together was amazing. I loved Leah's parents, they made up for the terrible person Victoria's mom turned out to be. I liked that Victoria had her own cheerleaders in her brothers and that they supported her so much. Riley was awesome too and I'd love to read her story in he future once she matures a bit too. This was a great book that will go back in my TBR pile to be reread at some point the future for sure.
January 11, 2023
What a way to start my 2023 reads. This book had it all: laughs, nostalgia, happy and sad tears, and so much love. It’s a story that will be sticking with me for a while. I kept dreading seeing it getting closer to the end and would’ve happily read more chapters into the future. Highly recommend this second chance romance!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2026
This was an excellent novel. I would say that it was perfect, except the ending was a bit underwhelming. “Nearly-perfect” is quite high praise though, so I think that you should definitely read it.
This author is incredible, and knows how to write a story! The characters were deep and complex, the dialogue was superb, and the sheer volume of quotable sections was astounding. I liked how the characters (for the most part) acted like real, intelligent people. This WOULD have been an absolute page-turner except I read it a chapter at a time with my book club and let me tell you, that was agony. This is a novel where you want to see what happens next, and you want to do it NOW.
This is a second-chance romance (right there in the blurb) and it truly keeps you on your toes in the first section while you are waiting for the stuff to hit the fan. My tensions and emotions were high to the point where it was *nearly* unpleasant. The entire second-chance element of the plot was handled very well though and was thoroughly satisfying.
There were a few parts I take issue with that could have been better (at least according to my personal taste). The ending, as mentioned, was underwhelming to me in a way that didn’t quite satisfy, but thankfully didn’t ruin the novel or even tank the rating. Ultimately it was fine. There may have also been some moments of characters making annoyingly bad decisions, but in their defence they were basically kids so they get somewhat of a free pass.
I will be reading the rest of this authors works, and I highly recommend that you do the same.
This author is incredible, and knows how to write a story! The characters were deep and complex, the dialogue was superb, and the sheer volume of quotable sections was astounding. I liked how the characters (for the most part) acted like real, intelligent people. This WOULD have been an absolute page-turner except I read it a chapter at a time with my book club and let me tell you, that was agony. This is a novel where you want to see what happens next, and you want to do it NOW.
This is a second-chance romance (right there in the blurb) and it truly keeps you on your toes in the first section while you are waiting for the stuff to hit the fan. My tensions and emotions were high to the point where it was *nearly* unpleasant. The entire second-chance element of the plot was handled very well though and was thoroughly satisfying.
There were a few parts I take issue with that could have been better (at least according to my personal taste). The ending, as mentioned, was underwhelming to me in a way that didn’t quite satisfy, but thankfully didn’t ruin the novel or even tank the rating. Ultimately it was fine. There may have also been some moments of characters making annoyingly bad decisions, but in their defence they were basically kids so they get somewhat of a free pass.
I will be reading the rest of this authors works, and I highly recommend that you do the same.
January 19, 2023
Earlier this year I read TJ O’Shea’s first foray into romance novels (Beyond the Blue) and it was such an amazing book I jumped at the chance of reading another one by this author.
What I didn’t get from the blurb, and that’s mostly my fault, that this is very much a YA/NA story.
Leah and Victoria had a bit of a summer romance their senior year of high school, it was doomed from the start. Leah was out and proud, from “the wrong side of the track”, stubborn and unapologetically herself. Victoria was trying to live up to her mom’s extremely high standards, the family has more money than they know what to do with, not ready/ afraid to come out and just a little lost. They couldn’t work, they shouldn’t, but they do. Leah is patient and understanding with Tori, Tori gets to be herself for once in her life. All their differences make them a perfect pair.
That’s until they aren’t. Que the second part of the story, the second chance romance.
This story is set in the early 00’s. Being a teenager myself in those days, although slightly younger than our mains, I understand their anguish in the time period. It seems so different from how teens are about sexuality these days, although I would still prefer the early 00’s over being a teen now. Way too much opportunities for bullying and just being mean, kids are just mean in general, the platform was just a lot smaller back in the day.
I think the summer romance, the teen lust, takes a bit too much space in the book. I would have liked to see more of the second chance romance, why Leah is back in town, how everything came about. A bit more of their lives apart and together in the present instead of the past. I’m not the biggest fan of YA/NA romance, but O’Shea knows how to write and keep me captivated. This coming of age, coming out, second chance romance has everything you could ask for. I especially liked the dialogue between Leah and Tori, their banter is *chef’s kiss*.
TJ O’Shea is definitely becoming a must-ready author for me.
*ARC received from the publisher (Bella Books) through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
What I didn’t get from the blurb, and that’s mostly my fault, that this is very much a YA/NA story.
Leah and Victoria had a bit of a summer romance their senior year of high school, it was doomed from the start. Leah was out and proud, from “the wrong side of the track”, stubborn and unapologetically herself. Victoria was trying to live up to her mom’s extremely high standards, the family has more money than they know what to do with, not ready/ afraid to come out and just a little lost. They couldn’t work, they shouldn’t, but they do. Leah is patient and understanding with Tori, Tori gets to be herself for once in her life. All their differences make them a perfect pair.
That’s until they aren’t. Que the second part of the story, the second chance romance.
This story is set in the early 00’s. Being a teenager myself in those days, although slightly younger than our mains, I understand their anguish in the time period. It seems so different from how teens are about sexuality these days, although I would still prefer the early 00’s over being a teen now. Way too much opportunities for bullying and just being mean, kids are just mean in general, the platform was just a lot smaller back in the day.
I think the summer romance, the teen lust, takes a bit too much space in the book. I would have liked to see more of the second chance romance, why Leah is back in town, how everything came about. A bit more of their lives apart and together in the present instead of the past. I’m not the biggest fan of YA/NA romance, but O’Shea knows how to write and keep me captivated. This coming of age, coming out, second chance romance has everything you could ask for. I especially liked the dialogue between Leah and Tori, their banter is *chef’s kiss*.
TJ O’Shea is definitely becoming a must-ready author for me.
*ARC received from the publisher (Bella Books) through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
February 3, 2024
Oh, how I love discovering a wonderful new talent!
Several friends said what a great book this was and I was excited to check it out. I didn’t expect to be this blown away by it!
First - it has a Latina main character which is rare. And she’s written by someone who actually understands the culture.
As far as rich girl/poor girl second chance romances go, this is one of the best I’ve ever read.
I LOVED both main characters - especially Leah Vasquez - the daughter of an immigrant from Mexico who lives on the “wrong side of the tracks” in a small American town. She’s openly gay in high school, which was rare for the time period. She shares the highest GPA in her high school class and has become big dreams to leave the small town where she feels stifled.
She’s had a low-key long-time crush on one of most popular girls in school - Victoria Lockwood, but they never ran in the same circles. But one night after prom, fate brings them together in a way neither expected that changes both of them forever.
I can’t say enough about this book. I listened to the audio, which is quite well done even though I would prefer to have narrators who can actually pronounce things in Spanish correctly. But her performance was generally very good and she captured the deep emotion of the story. I plan to buy the paperback because I need to have this on my shelves and the ebook, because dammit I want to support this author. We need lots more books from her!
There are moments in this story that literally took my breath away. If you haven’t read it, run and get this book immediately! So grateful to those who brought it to my attention.
Several friends said what a great book this was and I was excited to check it out. I didn’t expect to be this blown away by it!
First - it has a Latina main character which is rare. And she’s written by someone who actually understands the culture.
As far as rich girl/poor girl second chance romances go, this is one of the best I’ve ever read.
I LOVED both main characters - especially Leah Vasquez - the daughter of an immigrant from Mexico who lives on the “wrong side of the tracks” in a small American town. She’s openly gay in high school, which was rare for the time period. She shares the highest GPA in her high school class and has become big dreams to leave the small town where she feels stifled.
She’s had a low-key long-time crush on one of most popular girls in school - Victoria Lockwood, but they never ran in the same circles. But one night after prom, fate brings them together in a way neither expected that changes both of them forever.
I can’t say enough about this book. I listened to the audio, which is quite well done even though I would prefer to have narrators who can actually pronounce things in Spanish correctly. But her performance was generally very good and she captured the deep emotion of the story. I plan to buy the paperback because I need to have this on my shelves and the ebook, because dammit I want to support this author. We need lots more books from her!
There are moments in this story that literally took my breath away. If you haven’t read it, run and get this book immediately! So grateful to those who brought it to my attention.
March 30, 2025
I knew this would be a five-star read by the midway point of the second chapter. T.J. O'Shea's mastery of Sapphic romance is unparalleled. I was smiling so much at my Kindle and simultaneously eager to devour the book and dreading its end.
I loved every single word. Thank you T.J!
I loved every single word. Thank you T.J!
January 31, 2023
one thing about me is there is nothing that can make me crumble as lesbianly as a good old second chance romance. there is something about the contrast between the carefree recklessness of the first time (or ‘part 1’ as some authors call it) and the absolutely soul crushing yearning the second time around. it does me in. the initial anger that’s warranted often by a lack of closure and feelings of love that still linger!! the first glimpse of each other after years gone by that floors them!! the jealousy of seeing each other with new lovers whom neither of them have any notable feelings of love for (because no one compares to your first aye)!! i could go on for days, as you can probably tell.
this book was truly delightful in that it perfectly executed the trope. the angst, the yearning! it was all just so delicious and on top of it all, the characters were so wonderfully fleshed out as well! it perfectly captures the innocence of first love, from stolen moments to carving their initials on public property heheh. the author, T.J O’shea also sensitively navigates class dynamics which is a necessity with the whole “rich girl/poor girl” trope.
all in all, this book was yet another incredibly memorable read and i highly recommend it!
4.5 ⭐️
this book was truly delightful in that it perfectly executed the trope. the angst, the yearning! it was all just so delicious and on top of it all, the characters were so wonderfully fleshed out as well! it perfectly captures the innocence of first love, from stolen moments to carving their initials on public property heheh. the author, T.J O’shea also sensitively navigates class dynamics which is a necessity with the whole “rich girl/poor girl” trope.
all in all, this book was yet another incredibly memorable read and i highly recommend it!
4.5 ⭐️
April 3, 2023
Loved this story - Leah is a super star and Tori just behind. Really caught me and I could relate to the homophobia. A class Book - highly recommended.
July 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐
April 30, 2024
I loved this. So simple, but so well done. Everyone looking for a good sapphic romance should read this one.
October 22, 2023
When I picked up that audiobook, I didn't realize it was A YA+New adult story. They are usually not the books I turn to. I was so glad I didn't know because I would have missed on this amazing story. In the future, I will definitely have to broaden my horizons. With this book, O'Shea is gifting us with two books in one. First part is about the teen versions of Leah and Tori, two high school seniors who live in opposite worlds, whether it's physically or figuratively. They fall madly in love with each other, but are hiding because of Tori's homophobic parents. It's young love but O'Shea made it so intense I was rooting for them so hard; it was both so warm and painful. The second part, about the 22 and 23 yo versions of Tori and Leah, takes you in the second chance dimension of the story. At first, I was thinking I wished the adult version were older but the more I got attached to the characters, the more I was thankful for O' Shea to have made them suffer "only" for five years. Watching them find each other again while having the weight of social segregation and homophobia on their shoulders, was just so fulfilling. There is definitely something about O'Shea's writing that just does it for me, filling my heart with emotions. To be with you filled it with love, anger, pain, and luckily laugh (I loved the running joke of poor Ben getting called by any other names starting with the letter B). I felt every words of Tori's mother like a deep cut and I felt everything with the characters. Tori and Leah's love just felt inevitable and the fact that they had so many obstacles to overcome made it even more beautiful to cherish. I am a masochist butI love when writers wreck me then mend me.
Amy Deuchler's narration was just flawless to me, communicating so much emotions : excellent narration and acting. Overall I loved this audiobook, and I know that I will listen to it multiple times.
Amy Deuchler's narration was just flawless to me, communicating so much emotions : excellent narration and acting. Overall I loved this audiobook, and I know that I will listen to it multiple times.
March 4, 2025
Full thoughts soon when I’ve come back down to Earth after that maelstrom of emotions, but, for now: masterpiece. Best romance novel I’ve ever read. Sublime. Exquisite prose, phenomenal characterisation, brilliant—painfully believable—story. 10/10. Read it.
May 19, 2024
I didn’t love TJ O’Shea’s debut novel like everyone else did. Shocker! But when To Be With You came out and readers again raved about it, I was curious. To Be With You had me at “second-chance romance” and because it there was no age gap(!). And unlike Beyond the Blue, I really liked this novel.
Victoria/Vicky/Tori lives a charmed life. She’s the daughter of a prominent and wealthy family, an honours student, class vice president, editor of the yearbook, captain of the swim team, and dating the quarterback of the football team. Leah, on the other hand, lives on the literal other side of the tracks. She’s the daughter of a Mexican immigrant and works two jobs so that when she graduates high school, she can get the hell out of their small town. Needless to say, Victoria and Leah are not friends.
Unexpected circumstances throw them together on prom night and lives are changed over the course of the weekend. But Victoria and Leah are high school seniors and, well, they’re not prepared to deal with some of the realities they face or the intensity of their relationship and they leave for university before they’re able to figure anything out. Fast forward 5 years and both Leah and Victoria are back in town, but neither are the same person they were when they were 18. And whether they’re able to forgive each other about the past remains to be seen.
I was hooked on this novel from the beginning. There was just enough angst to give tension but not too much that it felt overwhelming. I really liked Leah and Victoria together, but I have two complaints about their relationship:
1. I didn’t feel they had enough time, especially when they meet again as adults, to convince me of the great love O’Shea’s trying to portray here.
2. The problem of Riley Myers. I loved Riley. I loved the pairing that involves Riley. A lot. Better than I liked the main pairing, I think. And that’s a problem when I was more interested and invested in that relationship than the one I’m supposed to be rooting for. Even if I like the main pairing, too.
3.5 but I’ll round up because I enjoyed the read overall.
Victoria/Vicky/Tori lives a charmed life. She’s the daughter of a prominent and wealthy family, an honours student, class vice president, editor of the yearbook, captain of the swim team, and dating the quarterback of the football team. Leah, on the other hand, lives on the literal other side of the tracks. She’s the daughter of a Mexican immigrant and works two jobs so that when she graduates high school, she can get the hell out of their small town. Needless to say, Victoria and Leah are not friends.
Unexpected circumstances throw them together on prom night and lives are changed over the course of the weekend. But Victoria and Leah are high school seniors and, well, they’re not prepared to deal with some of the realities they face or the intensity of their relationship and they leave for university before they’re able to figure anything out. Fast forward 5 years and both Leah and Victoria are back in town, but neither are the same person they were when they were 18. And whether they’re able to forgive each other about the past remains to be seen.
I was hooked on this novel from the beginning. There was just enough angst to give tension but not too much that it felt overwhelming. I really liked Leah and Victoria together, but I have two complaints about their relationship:
1. I didn’t feel they had enough time, especially when they meet again as adults, to convince me of the great love O’Shea’s trying to portray here.
2. The problem of Riley Myers. I loved Riley. I loved the pairing that involves Riley. A lot. Better than I liked the main pairing, I think. And that’s a problem when I was more interested and invested in that relationship than the one I’m supposed to be rooting for. Even if I like the main pairing, too.
3.5 but I’ll round up because I enjoyed the read overall.
May 14, 2025
This story is about Leah and Tori. It starts in present time (2005) when Tori visits her hometown with her fiancé Ben and bump into Leah, which happens already in Chapter 1. After reading this one Chapter I got curious about what would have happend with those two. My curiousity got handled with right away, because in Chapter 2 we go right back to the past (2000) to learn about Tori's history with Leah. This whole story goes on up to and including Chapter 10, more than halfway through the book.
It's a beautifull story about young and unexpected love, about rascism, elitist behavior and acceptance. I loved Leah and Tori together, but I was also sad about how their story ended in 2000.
But fortunately it's not really where the story ends. From Chapter 11 we are back in present time (2005) and the story goes on when Tori and Leah reconnect. Again a beautiful story about these lovely characters evolves.
I loved this book. It was beautifull in every way and very complete and well rounded.
It's a beautifull story about young and unexpected love, about rascism, elitist behavior and acceptance. I loved Leah and Tori together, but I was also sad about how their story ended in 2000.
But fortunately it's not really where the story ends. From Chapter 11 we are back in present time (2005) and the story goes on when Tori and Leah reconnect. Again a beautiful story about these lovely characters evolves.
I loved this book. It was beautifull in every way and very complete and well rounded.
August 29, 2025
I'm in love. The characters, the setting, the dialogues. I'm a huge sucker for second chance romances, they usually give all the feels I need in a good book, but when it's written so well? I'm a little destroyed for any other book right now.
The only even slightly negative thing I have to say about this book is that I wish it had been 2 books - book 1 the past, book 2 the present. I feel robbed of more of this perfectness.
The only even slightly negative thing I have to say about this book is that I wish it had been 2 books - book 1 the past, book 2 the present. I feel robbed of more of this perfectness.
June 18, 2023
Exceptional book!! I loved this book from start to finish. I highly recommend this if you're a second-chance romance fan. True love is hard to find.
December 1, 2024
Short review.
New author for me. This book was recomended to me by my friend Guerunche, and I loved every minute of it!
I love second chance novels filled with drama and so many romantic moments.
I wanted to strangle Cassandra.
I also desperately want to read Riley's story. She deserves one. I liked her a lot.
New author for me. This book was recomended to me by my friend Guerunche, and I loved every minute of it!
I love second chance novels filled with drama and so many romantic moments.
I wanted to strangle Cassandra.
I also desperately want to read Riley's story. She deserves one. I liked her a lot.
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