Even If It Hurts

Huntley Square, Book 1

By: Molly Barlowe

Narrated by: Stefanie Kay, Derek Dysart

My life and career have conditioned me to be prepared for—and desensitized to—traumatic events. Rather, they should’ve. But one phone call blindsided me in a way I never expected, and now there’s a screaming eight-month-old in my custody.

I would’ve done anything to ensure my niece didn’t enter the system, but I never wanted a family. I never wanted ties to anyone, period.

But then my meddling office administrator forcibly hires a nanny for me, and all my resolute vows start crumbling when I come face to face with Lainey Pearson … again.

She’s no one—should be no one. Just an oblivious girl I saved nearly a year ago. But she’s the only one who’s ever rocked me. Consumed me. I immediately want to fire her, but with the social worker breathing down my neck, I need her.

Then again, now that she’s fallen back into my life, having a working boundary might be for the best. My life doesn’t allow for relationships, and last I checked, it was frowned upon to date your employees.

Especially when they’re already in a relationship.

©2024 Molly Barlowe (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

Loved every minute.

Finished in a day and started book two immediately! I loved how Barlowe unapologetically portrays flawed families that don’t find full resolution—while still giving the reader closure and hope for the main characters. It was so realistic. Well done. Well done.

Wonderful story!!

I absolutely loved listening to Asher & Laney's story come to life by the amazing narrators!!!

Great story!

Could’ve used just a lil more steam as they’d apparently been yearning for each other for almost a year. No need for all the “cringy” details, but there’s self control…and then there’s sainthood.

Closed door romance

EVEN IF IT HURTS
● Asher (31) & Lainey (24)
● Their first encounter: when he saves her from some guys who put a tracker in her bag at a coffee shop (a year before she started working for him)
● Asher is the guardian of his 8-month-old niece, Kaia.
● Lainey is a disappointment to her family because she has no plans of taking over the family business
● Lainey’s boyfriend is upset by her not wanting to take over the family business - they grew up thinking their family businesses would merge after they got married (drama)
● grumpy/sunshine
● workplace romance