I love a good Hollywood romance so I am so excited for this one and cannot wait to share my full thoughts and review. I love that it’s a READNOW option.

Loved this one! It was kind of a romance mix. Honestly could be a movie, very easy read and enjoyable. I so recommend it!

Jack and Sera have a second chance at romance and connecting when our Hollywood star-Jack-returns home to handle some demons that need tackling. Sera’s level-headed, pure heart helps Jack find the strategies but will she open up her heart to her former lover? I found the book interesting, full of realistic character development, and a perfect spring mental escape.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute and steamy second-chance romance set in Australia between a Hollywood actor and a high school teacher who does a lot of volunteer work for underprivileged kids in her local community. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I didn't realise just how attached I had got to Jack and Sera until I was ugly sobbing towards the end. Although this is book two in the Teacher Chronicles series, the main focus is on different characters to book 1 and can easily be read as a standalone as I did. While I did find the characters having the same argument over and over again until the FMC had a revelation a bit repetitive, I absolutely loved this book and will be reading more from Ida Brady and this series in the future. I really liked the character development in the story with Sera supporting Jack through his mental health struggles and going through therapy while continuing to stick to her own principles and not settle for a relationship that she know she won't be truly happy in.

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

This book was amazing and I devoured this book in just a few sittings! I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

When you were mine is a fusion of fantasy with reality. I completely enjoyed this fast Paced read.

Seraphina (Sera) a school teacher in Melbourne had a bittersweet past with Jack Davis, an established Hollywood actor. The story of when you were mine takes an interesting turn when Jack returns to Australia from Los Angeles after he had an abrupt fallout on his movie set.

In order to escape from the glory and uninvited hounds that the film industry offers, he encounters Sera again and sparks of the past fly again between the two.

But sera wasn't really happy about Jack's
Return initially as he has made a stop to check on his brother's Owen’s wedding with Sera’s best friend Maddie. She was hesitant to rekindle initially but later knowing jack better, she started to open her heart to him but with reluctance.
The relationship did so through rusty situations keeping them apart.

Coming to parts that I like about the book is
Sera’s empathy towards the under-privileged kids and helping them in every means she could, whether financially or helping them out to get a job or hosting food drives. She was more than a teacher to her students and genuinely built a bond with them & apparently the kids adored her.

I also commend Sera's empathy and support towards Leila, a teenager who got pregnant at 16 and supporting her and helping her by giving her the shelter because dubiously Leila's parents abandon her. Her father was a pathetic person.

I love how understanding jack was despite suffering & battling his own demon called anxiety and how Sera helped him through it.

The best and awe struck moment was when he takes a break from his films just so that he could match up to Sera's normal Life and also because it was fuelling his anxiety issues as it's a field that overwhelms one completely.

All in all this book clearly induces readers to ponder that dreams aren't far seeming if you have the courage to pursue them, exactly what Jack and Sera’s instances teaches us.

Life isn't about one's own comfort but also helping other people in the society and the ones in need.


Giving out to the underprivileged helps one understand their own privileges.

I love how supportive Sera’s parents Maryam and Tony were. The fact that they had migrated to Australia as refugees implored them to help other people of the same plight.

It also highlights that partnership and relationships aren't just about loving each other but also understanding that changing oneself for the better is essential and giving each other a space is very important.

If you are someone who's looking for a short sweet & light read this book for you.

⚠️Content warning: if you are sensitive to topics related to panic attack and anxiety, proceed with caution

Loved this quote “Love is terrifying just as it is exhilarating.”

I enjoyed this, and I didn't even pay attention to the fact it is a part two in a series before reading. It was fun to read, and oh so sweet! I loved it.

Cute romance, lokeable characters - second chance, strong family, good friends - self discovery and self forgiveness - and maybe giving yourself a break and abandoning the fear. A rollercoaster to the end, where yes you will find a HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This romance novel was between Sera, a teacher, and Jack, an international movie star. They were once in love but Jack’s career as an actor took him to LA. Now he’s back in his hometown for a wedding and dealing with the trauma from his past when he reunites with Sera. This is a second chance love story with a sweet HEA.

I am a teacher and did my student teaching in Australia (Brisbane, not Melbourne), so this book felt wonderful and nostalgic to me! Jack is famous and comes back to his home town where Sera is a sports teacher. Will Jack let her down, or should she protect her heart from him?

I love books about second chances. This is a book about an Hollywood star who has to work to woo the girl he left behind

Hollywood fanfic ✔️
Australian small-town girl-next-door ✔️
Sports teacher ✔️
Sexy ✔️

But also...
Dealing with anxiety and depression ✔️
Overcoming miscommunication ✔️
Community service ✔️

Not a simple romcom, but a story with depth.

This is a perfect fit for readers who crave a lighthearted yet emotional romance with a strong second-chance love story, themes of self-discovery, and a dash of celebrity glamour, all set against the backdrop of a small-town setting.