You, Always: The Years of Us

by Lauryn Jay

Audrey Tillman and Jim Harrison have been in love with each other for most of their lives. When they finally think they're getting their happily ever after, Jim falls down the stairs and is rushed to the emergency room on their wedding day, leaving Audrey to wonder if she has lost the love of her life for good this time.

The story returns to the day they met over forty years ago, the night of their graduation from Northwestern. This sets the stage to discover a lifelong love story that endures the test of time, distance, and life's challenges.

You, The Years of Us is a complex, dynamic, and heartfelt story of love, loss, and starting again, beautifully showing why the love of a lifetime took a lifetime to be possible.

Genres: Romance

291 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2025

About the author

Lauryn Jay writes stories about love (the good, fun, and messy), and is the author of the novel, You, Always: The Years of Us. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and two daughters.

Follower her on Instagram @LaurynJayWrites.

Reviews

[Lily-May · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the cover of this book and judged the book by its cover and title,

At the beginning I thought the book would give me notebook vibes which when I kept reading it was evident it wouldn't,

Im glad I read this book it was easy to flow through but I just didnt connect with any of the characters and at times found the writing style young


Would recommend as a quick easy read though

[Kasandra Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how realistic this book was🥺 no one has a perfect love story. This was so refreshing to read. That ending was bittersweet.

[Jessica Maffetore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauryn Jay’s "You, Always" follows the life of Audrey Tillman, a woman whose love for Jim Harrison spans decades—though often unsuccessfully. When finally, after years of missteps, Jim is rushed to the hospital on what should have been the beginning of their new life together Audrey realizes she may have missed out on the love of her life for good.

This story very accurately portrays the real life hardships couples face that can often keep them apart–very much the case for Audrey and Jim. Audrey in particular tends to follow her head rather than her heart, choosing what she thinks she should do rather than what she wants.

In some ways, "You, Always" is about finding your soulmate. But it’s also about making the room to share your life with them, even when that feels impossible. This is a love story that is not always perfect or glamorous, is poorly timed, quite often frustrating and sometimes even hurtful, yet somehow manages to stand throughout the decades, even echoing in the next generation.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the books, The Notebook and One Day. The summary of this books plot reminded me of that theme: lost or missed opportunities of two people who are meant to be together.

This is a second chance romance spanning 4 decades from the 70s until the 2010s where the Female Main Character, Audrey meets Jim at 22/23 and is instantly smitten but they are both with other people so they start off as friends. Eventually they are both single and start dating. They even het engaged shortly after they start dating but after 2 years of being engaged and constantly putting off the wedding date, Jim basically abandons Audrey to take an put of state job then does want to marry her anymore when he comes back a year later and finds out she's pregnant.

For years afterwards their relationship is best described by Audrey to be a carousel ride where they are with other partners or have missed opportunities. There is also a time period where Jim is married and their involvement with eachother betrayal and stringing Audrey along to wait constantly to be number one in Jim's life. This leads later in life to times when Audrey
y is hesitant to commit her heart again even though Jim offers his heart and soul.


I thought that the pacing of the story was good and the overall storyline kept me engaged

The main issue that I had was there was a lot of dialogue amd less actions and description of emotions. I felt like there was telling of feelings and emotions rather then showing.

Overall I enjoyed the story for the drama and angst.

[Diane Nagatomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You, Always” by Lauryn Jay tells the story of Audrey and Jim and their life-long relationship comprised of love, heartbreak, and betrayal. This is a story that spans forty years of missed chances, even when the opportunity for happiness was right in front of both of their faces. Poor decisions made by the characters result in even more heartbreak. But somehow, Audrey spends her entire life loving Jim, even when it causes pain to herself and to others. No one she meets can ever come close. And he, in his own way, loves Audrey. But perhaps, not enough to let her go when he probably should have.

Are these two people meant to be together? Will they ever find happiness? Or is it simply too late for them? I couldn’t put down the book until I found the answer. I’m grateful to have received an ARC of this novel and my opinions are my own.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved this book! You, Always is a perfect title. Also, as others noted, the cover is appealing. But even better, the story inside compels us to read the entire story through in a single sitting.

Jay leads us through the story of Jim and Audrey’s lives, where we go back and forth—will they break it off… or will love win out in the end? Should love win out? Will Jim’s fall (reported in the first chapter) be the final blow to their romance that we have followed through the book?

They have complications from kids, jobs, elderly parents—relatable things that make all our lives complex—things we can all relate to.

I look forward to reading future books from Jay. She makes us care.

[Lucille Guarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life can be messy, and it doesn’t always dovetail with love and making commitments. Audrey and Jim rue the loss of opportunities and missed possibilities. As time moved forward and absence and distractions prevailed, I couldn’t help wondering if their love for one another would erode with it. How many more chances would they squander, or excuses would they come up with? Would it be too late? Would the timing ever be right? These were the questions that kept me turning the pages well into the night as I was eager to find out if Audrey and Jim would ever achieve their love story. Heartwarming and beautifully written.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Debut book by new author, 3.5 stars

This story spans over 60 years, told in sliding door style. It begins with Audrey and Jim’s wedding complete with an accident, then recounts their history and ends with their future.

Their path wasn’t a straight line to a happy ending. Many times the reader believes maybe it will be this time, only to have the hope taken away. Sometimes it’s other romantic partners, sometimes family matters, sometimes it just wasn’t their time. But they never completely give up on each other, which makes for a great love story.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

[Ruth Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the opening sentences of this book, narrator Audrey is finally about to marry a man she’s been involved with for nearly 40 years. What took them so long? That, of course, is the story of this debut novel—an unconventional romance that follows Audrey and her daughter as they navigate some big questions: Is it true that timing is everything? Is there a “you, always” for each of us, a “love of our life” worth pursuing no matter what the cost? Readers can draw their own conclusions as they go along on the roller coaster ride.

[Joelle Babula · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page-turning story of love and starting over, You, Always The Years of Us should definitely be your next book club read! Heartbreaking and tender, the author deftly creates a fast-moving plot with believable characters and genuine dialogue. Jay takes us on an emotional and relatable ride as Audrey and Jim navigate 40 years of love, regret and missed opportunities. This book is for anyone who believes in soulmates or is still carrying a forever torch for the one that got away. I look forward to more work from this debut author.

[Yvonne deSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like most love stories, You Always is filled with heart ache, heartbreak, frustration, anger, betrayal and moments so beautiful they are beyond our wildest emotions. This is a novel we can all relate to and cherish as we navigate our own messy love lives. Not all ‘happily ever after’s” look the same or run smoothly. But as new author Lauryn Jay shares with us, they can offer us hope and sustenance to get through our longest of days.

[Michelle Claypot_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for me

Audrey and Jim’s love story spans over forty years. We get to know them through flashbacks and the many upheavals in their relationship. Their romance gets described as a carousel at one point and that’s very accurate. Plenty of hurt, bad decisions and betrayal before they finally got their HEA. I didn’t fully connect with the characters but overall I enjoyed the story.

I received an arc of this book.

[Bewaji · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a long slow agonizing love between Jim and Audrey. Sometimes am mad at Jim, sometimes at Audrey. The two should have been together for about thirty plus years, but no, they had to be extremely stupid most times. They also brought other people into their drama. *shaking my head*

Then when they became old (kinda), decided to get married. Then Jim fell down the stairs on their wedding day and nearly died. He made it though. That was towards the end of the book and we never had much of them as a couple. Then the epilogue, that was a tear jerker. In a kinda good way. Yeah….I don’t know….

[Christine Boyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodness. Multiple affairs, children born to different fathers, and one guy who strings along the main character for the entire text. Cheated with your best friend's husband? No problem, she's cool with it. Want to involve the father of your 13 year old in her life? No problem! They accept her with open arms!

[Vanessa G · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page turner! This love story immediately hooks you in and I loved exploring how love unfolds in various dynamics and the spectrums of emotions that go with that. I can’t wait to read more from Lauryn Jay 💖

[Tonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing, at time, was very juvenile. I know every love story faces challenges, but these two characters were awful. I agree love is not linear, but I would have kicked Jim to the curb way back when he broke my heart as a young adult. Jim is an asshole.

[Pamela Faust · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Audrey is 22 years old, she gets engaged to Jim Harrison. Forty years later and they’re finally getting married.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A feel-good romance in the vein of Debbie Macomber & Nancy Thayer. I enjoyed that it was a telling that spanned 40 years & into the characters older years.

[Mia Labbé · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️

J’ai adoré le début du livre, je ne pouvais pas m’arrêter, mais après quelques temps l’histoire devient redondante.

[Jill Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo good. Lots of ups and downs but finally love finds a way. Really enjoyed it.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting format with each chapter a different year. The hook at the beginning will make you want to read until the end. Susan was my favorite character though her kindness, unselfishness, and pure heart is hard to believe. I'm anxious to read the next novel by this debut author.

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll start with the cover- it’s absolutely gorgeous! If I saw this in a bookstore, it would catch my eye immediately.

You, Always: The Years of Us follows Audrey and her decades-long on again/off again relationship with Jim. We start at their wedding in present day, and when Jim gets into an accident, we go back to the day that they met and follow their story through to their wedding day.

I so badly wanted to love this book. I love many books that are like it, where we get to watch love stories unfold through the passage of time, and the premise is right up my alley, but I don’t think the execution lived up to its potential.

I don’t think main characters needs to be likable for a novel to be good, and though I did find Audrey unlikable for most of the book, my main issue was I couldn’t connect with her- or Jim for that matter. A lot of the decisions they made didn’t make sense to me. There was A LOT of cheating, which again, I don’t think makes or breaks a story, but it was just so…unnecessary? (Especially for how wonderful Susan was- seriously, that lady is a saint)

I liked the evolution of Farrah and the theme that sometimes children end up repeating the choices of their parents (it felt very Gilmore Girls A Year In The Life-esque in Farrah’s storyline in the second half of the book)

There’s a line when Audrey and Jim are talking and she compares their relationship to a carousel, which perfectly describes their relationship. They keep making the same mistakes and having the exact same conversations over and over and over to the point where it’s really frustrating as a a reader. I completely understand that this is what sometimes happens in real life, but in a book that’s less than 300 pages, I don’t want to read the same conversation and go through the same breakup multiple times.

Overall, this was fine. I’m still glad that I read it!