Now He's Mine - ARC Book Review

February 12, 2026

Now He's Mine - ARC Book Review

**Thank you to the author, Cadence Smoke, and Love Notes PR, for providing me with an e-ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.**

✨️ Book Title: Now He’s Mine (Almost Forever series - book #1)

✨️ Author: Cadence Smoke

✨️ Genre: Romance

✨️ Tropes: He falls first, childhood best friends to lovers, first loves, cinnamon roll MMC x black cat FMC, college life

⭐️ Star Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars (This was a really great read!)

🌶 Spice Level: 3 / 5 peppers (Hot & Spicy - Open-door scenes with balanced details)

⚠️ Trigger Warnings: NO happily ever after, abandonment, death of a loved one, grief, sex (including consensual sharing), drug & alcohol use, anxiety & mental health

📅 Release Date: February 4, 2026

It’s not fair. It’s not fair to have to live such a secretive and deceitful life from the people we love, all because of one man’s selfish actions.

Enrolling in Halgrove Hill University was to be Vix’s new beginning, allowing her to put her past behind her and start fresh. Especially to put her past heartbreak from Austin aside; the boy she once knew and was inseparable from since the age of six. That is, until Austin and his family moved across the country without a word two days before Vix’s sixteenth birthday. Five years later, Austin is standing in the doorway of Vix’s dorm room. With so many emotions and unanswered questions bubbling between them, will Austin and Vix be able to repair their relationship, or are they destined to crash?

Right from the beginning, Now He's Mine was a captivating start to the “Almost Forever” series. Filled with dual POVs, a few timeline jumps that seamlessly flow throughout the storyline, and great characters with solid banter, it was easy to read this book in one sitting.

The FMC, Vix, is the definition of a “black cat” character in the best way. With a perfect sense of humour to match, I loved her character (and her taste in music too). In contrast, the MMC, Austin, is such a sweet and caring man who’s head over heels in love with Vix. Together, they're a beautiful mix of dark and light. In every interaction outside of their relationship, they continued to infuse their humour through witty banter (as did the main side characters). Not only did it add in some perfect comedic relief when needed, but it was also a great tool that exposed more about each character along the way.

Last, but certainly not least, I have to mention the way Now He's Mine ends because wow! Going into this read, I knew it wasn't going to end with a happily ever after, but damn, I did not see that coming! The emotional damage from this read is real, which makes me even more excited for the second book in the “Almost Forever” series to be released so I can see where each character ends up.

For fans of childhood best friends to lovers, first loves, and cinnamon roll MMC x black cat FMC - plus those that are ready for a read without a happily ever after - Now He's Mine is a must-read!