Distance, Love, & Us

And Us #3

by Willa Drew

We both came to Hollywood chasing a dream… and now I’m running away from my happily ever after.

Taking Nick to Toronto to meet my parents was supposed to push our relationship to the next step, but a family emergency has me swapping my laptop for an apron… leaving “us” two steps behind.

From the meet cute to the plot twists, nothing has been easy for us. But just once I wish everything didn’t have to be so complicated.

I fell for the liar, but now I’m the one lying— to myself, thinking Nick is better off without me.

Writing dialogue for my characters is no problem, but when it comes to my own love life I have a serious case of writer’s block.

I just hope it wears off, before the credits roll on us for good.

Distance, Love, & Us is the emotional ending to Sarah and Nick’s romance, told over one year in the And Us series

335 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 2023

About the author

Two authors. Two countries. One obsession with love stories.

Willa Drew’s contemporary slow-burn romances are full of feels, playful banter, and high-stakes emotions. Their globetrotting characters fight for love as they discover who they are and where they belong.

Willa, a proud Canadian and devoted Leafs hockey fan, and Drew, a Russian-American with a lifelong love of languages, always search for the perfect words to capture heartbreak and connection.

Their books guarantee swoon-worthy kisses and happily ever afters.

Hang out with us on all the socials @willadrewauthor or get sign up for our newsletter at www.willadrew.com and get updates sent right to you.

Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Power of Love . . . Is It Enough ?

Nick and Sarah’s relationship has been difficult, to say the least. Decisions can pull them apart before their relationship has had time to stabilize. Each of them have many things going on that distracts them and pulls them in opposite directions. When stretched as thin as these two, something has to eventually break. So when Sarah gives Nick up to stay in Toronto and deal with a family matter, will he walk away? Or will he fight to keep her in his life?

[Liz | lizzuplans · Rating 3 out of 5]

A worthy end to this series.

I be really fair, I struggled with this book- as I read to escape normal life and all of its trials and tribulations, it was difficult at times to not be distracted by a fun easy romance novel, but to have to deal with real life issues. Slightly too much adulting for my taste.
Still, it is beautifully written and very real, which made me relate to the characters and story as lot, probably why I felt everything so much.

It was lovely to see Sarah and Nick find each other even more. Their families were a joy to hang out with as well.

3.5 stars rounded up.

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book. What a fitting end to Sarah and Nick’s story! I cried so hard at the end of this one, but it had the best ending.

I wonder if other members of the Connors family will get a spinoff next? Iykyk!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this final instalment of Nick and Sarah’s story! Through hardship, grief, and difficult decisions, their love shines through. They are a very cute couple despite the frustrations of their families and dramas that were woven through the plot. Their families made a lovely backdrop and I enjoyed how the series’ conflicts were wrapped up. Thanks to the authors for my ARC; all opinions are mine.

[A. Miracle · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I didn’t know my heart could explode from so
many feelings but it can! It’s been a wild rollercoaster ride with Nick and Sarah from the first time we met “Mr Old Fashioned” and I have loved EVERY second. I cannot recommend this series enough, I promise you need to read it asap.

Favorite quote:

“Their family is nothing like my family, and a tiny corner of me wishes my parents were like this: together throughout my childhood. A dad who’s warm and welcoming. A shadow flits across my heart. But I am who I am because of the way my life took me through the hard shit.”

[Serena Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

’¿El universo está tratando de alejarme de ella otra vez? Puede intentarlo, pero fracasará. Sarah es mi chica y nada me alejará de ella.’



•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.



Distance, Love, & Us de Willa Drew Serie Falling for the liar libro 5

Argumento:

Ambos llegamos a Hollywood persiguiendo un sueño... y ahora estoy huyendo de mi felices para siempre.

Llevar a Nick a Toronto para que conozca a mis padres se suponía que llevaría nuestra relación al siguiente nivel, pero una emergencia familiar me hace cambiar mi computadora portátil por un delantal... dejándonos a "nosotros" dos pasos atrás.

Desde el encuentro tierno hasta los giros de la trama, nada ha sido fácil para nosotros. Pero solo una vez desearía que todo no tuviera que ser tan complicado.

Caí en la trampa del mentiroso, pero ahora soy yo la que miente, a mí misma, pensando que Nick está mejor sin mí.

Escribir diálogos para mis personajes no es un problema, pero cuando se trata de mi propia vida amorosa tengo un serio caso de bloqueo de escritor.

Solo espero que se pase, antes de que aparezcan los créditos finales para siempre.

Distancia, amor y nosotros es el final emotivo del romance de Sarah y Nick, contado a lo largo de un año en la serie And Us.



Mi humilde opinión:

Sarah y Nick pasaron por muchos obstáculos desde que se conocieron y este fue uno de los mas duros. La distancia.

Cuando la madre de Sarah se rompe la muñeca que le impide trabajar en la Panadería, Sarah se queda en Canadá para ayudarla y Nick vuelve a LA después de conocer a la familia para el 25 aniversario de los padres. Amo lo comprensivo que es Nick, es un gran apoyo para Sarah. No entiendo porque no le dice que lo ama cuando él y se lo dijo varias veces. La quería sacudir cada vez que no se lo decía! Me quedo una mala sensación cuando la madre de ella opinó sobre su relación, fue dura con Nick y ni lo dejo hablar, me parece que tendría que dejar que ellos lo manejen.

Sarah al final se termina quedando mas tiempo en Canadá cuando descubre que su mamá estaba luchando para mantener funcionando la panadería y con la manager renunciando tiene que lidiar con los problemas del negocio mientras su madre se recupera. Lo que significa estar lejos de Nick. Con los conflictos de familia y una pelea sobre vender la panadería de su querida abuela justo el día su cumpleaños, Sarah no esta en su mejor momento. Entiendo el amor que tiene Sarah por su abuela y lo que significa ese lugar para ella pero como podría sostenerla y dedicarse a escribir? Pero ella esta resuelta a negarse vender lo que significa quedarse en Canadá para ayudar a su madre hasta que el negocio se recupere.

Mientras tanto Nick esta en LA pasando tiempo con la familia, las cosas entre su padre y Mike están tensas, casi pierde su beca pero las cosas mejoran para su futura carrera cuando el documental que filma gana. Pero las esperanzas que tiene de que Sarah regrese se vienen abajo cuando le dice que debe quedarse en más tiempo en Canadá. Me daba mucha angustia la situación porque los dos odiaban la separación y de pronto era como que no había solución mas que.. romper? Sarah rompe con Nick por su futuro? Y la forma en que lo hizo, por teléfono? La odie y la entendí al mismo tiempo, estaba haciendo lo que pensó era lo mejor para él. Fue realmente feo ese momento, la desesperación, el dolor de Nick y sus dudas de que ella no lo ame tanto como él la ama. Que manera de sufrir! Se me rompió el corazón por los dos, cuándo acaba?

Pensé que Grayson, el hermano de Sarah solo vender la panadería por el dinero pero me sorprendió lo que dijo sobre querer a su abuela y que le habló antes de morir sobre los arrepentimientos que tenia y lo que le hizo prometer pero me porque no lo dijo antes en lugar de actuar como el malo de la película? Al final Sarah entiende lo que Grayson le estaba diciendo, que la abuela no era la panadería, que ella estaba en sus recuerdos y en sus corazones, que quería que su nieta siga sus sueños de escritora y viviera su vida. Ese fue un momento conmovedor y lindo. Los padres son un gran apoyo ayudándolos con consejos y amor. La familia es un protagonista también durante la serie.

Nick siendo Nick no piensa renunciar a Sarah y va a buscarla con un plan para quedarse en Canadá y ayudarla. No pudo creer cuanto la ama este chico! Una locura. La escena del aeropuerto? mi corazón estaba dando vueltas por todos lados! En serio cuando acaba la angustia y la incertidumbre con estos dos! El reencuentro me hizo llenar los ojos de lagrimas porque finalmente volvieron a encontrarse. ELLA FINALMENTE LE DIJO TE AMO!!! Como no amarlo? Él es el novio perfecto.

A pesar de las angustias me encanto la historia de Nick y Sarah, los epílogos fueron perfectos, valió la pena pasar por cada libro hasta su final feliz.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Distance, Love, & Us, written by Willa Drew, is book five in the Falling for The Liar series. What a journey it has been! Falling for the Liars series has helped me fall in love with reading again. I was just beginning my journey, and so were Nick and Sarah, when I found Willa Drew and Kisses, Lies & Us. Over the past year, I have watched Nick and Sarah’s relationship bloom and withstand the trials and tribulations of adulthood and new love. I had no idea how attached I would become and how excited I would be for each upcoming holiday and new chapter of their life. Each book brings a new milestone in their life, heartbreaking disappointment, and their love for each other. The books span one year in their life, but it feels so much longer. These books were exactly what I needed to remind me that love is worth fighting for and that the things you want most in life are not just handed to you.

In book five, Sarah, in Toronto, is forced to make the difficult decision of putting her family first before herself. After an injury, her mother cannot keep the shop open, so she swaps her screenplays for an apron. Her only concern is keeping the memory of her grandmother alive; she refuses to let go of the cafe, even at the risk of her own relationship with Nick and her dreams.

Between trips to Toronto, Nick struggles to keep order in his life. School, work, filming, family, and Sarah have him pulled in every possible direction. The only thing grounding him is his love for Sarah. When Sarah decides to stay in Toronto and leave Nick behind, he is heartbroken and struggles with the knowledge of losing her. Is he willing to give up his dream, like Sarah, to be with her?

This book had me in my feels something fierce. Watching Sarah trying to manage writing while working at the cafe and trying to keep the love of her life happy just broke my heart. Being an adult is about making choices you don’t necessarily want to make and don’t always benefit you. Sometimes, that means letting go of your dreams and those you love. Willa Drew had me by the throat. It was an emotional rollercoaster, and I was strapped in. I needed to see this through to the end, and I am so glad I did.

Thank you to Willa Drew for gifting me an eARC of the Distance, Love, & Us. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final book in a series following one couple through the first year of their relationship. It was fun, and a bit sad, to get to the final installment of Nick and Sarah’s story. I enjoyed seeing them get some resolution. Their relationship has been through a lot. Reality, right? I think the format of multiple books telling one overarching romance narrative did make the trials of their relationship more expansive to read in some ways. Just as Sarah and Nick have really settled in to life as a committed and cohabitating couple, a trip to visit her family coincides with a family crisis and leaves Sarah back in Canada. While Nick tries to juggle his own heavy load of commitments in LA, Sarah is trying to save the family bakery, her Grandmother’s legacy. The separation is rough for them. “It’s like she’s disappearing from my life molecule by molecule.” The distance and worries for the future weigh heavily on both of them and add strain to their relationship. “‘Life rarely lets you have it all. You will have to make choices. One of you might need to walk away.’” Sarah and Nick have such a deep connection that it’s impossible not to root for them. There were some truly lovely and sweet gestures in this story and beautiful chemistry and romantic intensity. “I love him so much it scares me. I understand the poets and bards who wax on about overpowering love making them weak, making them lose control, lose themselves in the other person.” There is more development with Nick’s family and it was fun to see Sarah’s family more and get to know them better. Grayson, in particular, was very engaging. The authors have mentioned that Sarah and Nick may appear in the stories of other characters, so I’m hoping Grayson’s will be one of those stories. Considering the format of this series, it really is recommended that the books be read in order. I do think that this book is enough of a contained narrative that it is possible to enjoy alone, but I still suggest that a reader start at the beginning of the series. This particular book is what I would consider an undetailed open door romance with open door innuendo and strong harsh language periodically throughout.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

About the book ~

Back home in Toronto for the first time since her grandmother's funeral in February, Sarah discovers the family bakery is in trouble. She decides to stay in Toronto to help.

Nick returns to LA and while trying to keeps his grades up to keep his scholarship at UCLA, he gets the job opportunity of a lifetime.

Distance, Love, & Us is the emotional ending to Sarah and Nick’s romance, told over one year in The Falling for the Liar series.

Distance, Love, and Us by Willa Drew
(5/5 stars)
(2/5 spice level)

Thank you to Willa Drew for the ARC and for letting me be a first taste tester/ARC reader for this series!!!

NOW FOR MY REVIEW:
***All opinions are my own and freely given.

Sarah and Nick together … yes thank you!!! When they broke up for like one second, I was so sad. I was rooting for them so strongly throughout this whole series. I love them together and how they push each other to succeed.

I’m so glad they were able to sort out the bakery and keep Mémère alive in their memories. I really want a strawberry tart from Côté Fraise!!!!

Chapter 32 broke my heart. That’s all I will say on that matter.

[Danielle S Sexton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Distance, Love, & Us by authors Willa Drew is the conclusion to the Falling for The Liar series, a heartfelt journey through love and life's unexpected turns. Sarah and Nick's story navigates the challenges of balancing dreams, family, and love against the backdrop of Toronto.

Sarah faces a tough choice when family calls her to manage a cherished cafe, once again changing her relationship with Nick. Meanwhile, Nick struggles to support Sarah while managing his own hectic life. Their evolving dynamic showcases the sacrifices and struggles of their love story.

Willa Drew skillfully captures the emotional depth of the characters and the adult choices that they face making this finale a compelling read.

Distance, Love, & Us is a satisfying ending that showcases the power of enduring love amid life's uncertainties. Willa Drew's storytelling prowess shines, leaving readers emotionally invested and fulfilled.

[Ally Doby (Schleicher) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth installment to this series and concludes the story of how Nick and Sarah finally got their HEA.

I felt bad for both Nick and Sarah with what they had to go through and how hard they had to work in order to be together. This whole series was great at showing real life struggles that couples go through.

I loved that Nick was so supportive of Sarah and willing to do anything to be with her, even if that meant having to shift his dreams. I also loved that once Sarah finally talked to her family and listened to what they had to say, she was able to finally see things clearly and was determined to make things right.

It was interesting to see these two meet and watch them grow together as a couple and individually. I’m excited to read Willa Drew’s other books and see how some of the side characters find love. I was provided an advanced readers copy. These thoughts and opinions are my own.

[H.D. Bergen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the emotional ending to Sarah and Nick’s romance, told over one year in The Falling for the Liar series.

Sarah is called to help out in her cherished café in Toronto, once again changing the dynamics of her relationship. Nick is back in L.A. trying to make things work, but the strain of not having Sarah by his side is getting to him.

A great end to the series. Through hardships, grief and complications, Nick and Sarah make it through, stronger than ever.

The entire series is beautifully written and the characters are relatable, the ending was worthwhile of going through the emotional rollercoaster.

I have to admit that I struggled with this one, as I like to escape into the fiction of reading, and the series as it progresses has a lot of adult tribulations that just hit close to real life.

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. So much is packed into the last installment of Nick and Sarah's romance. We get to see a lot of Sarah and Nicks' family and how they support them. Sarah has a lot to deal with, she has to stay in Toronto to help with the bakery while her mom heals. Lots of stuff comes out and hard decisions have to be made. This all puts a strain on their relationship. Nick's career seems to to be taking off in L.A. but without Sarah by his side it's not as exciting. So many things need to happen to get them to their happily ever after. Such an emotional rollercoaster. Beautifully written. Great series and sad to see it end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Distance, Love & Us is conclusion of Nick and Sarah's story.

Nick and Sarah's relationship seems to be heading in the right direction, that is until Sarah returned home to find that her mother had gotten hurt, and her grandmother's bakery was endanger of going under.

Nick was in LA, where his career seemed to be taking off after winning the award and helping his father with a documentary. He missed Sarah and did his best to be supportive while she was away.

Emotional twist and turns as Sarah and Nick handle family choices and make decision about their own hearts.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[K.G. Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great end to Sarah and Nick’s story! Sarah selflessly decides to help her family out, putting her dreams on the back burner. While Nick has struggles of his own balancing his school, work, and love life. Without Sara by his side, he wonders if has to give up his own dream, like she did, so they can ultimately be together. Adult-ing is HARD, especially in a long-distance relationship. Be prepared for ALL the feels in this one. It will have you on an emotional rollercoaster until the very end!

[Kayla Hurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sarah & Nick.
The distance and wondering what was next for the bakery or for Nick & his fathers careers was enough to keep the pages turning - throw in Sarah and Nicks relationship and the growing distance of it and I couldn’t put it down!
One of the best series I have read in a really long time! Don’t think twice about it, just go read it!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is never easy. Throw in some complications from life and a few bumps in the road makes it even harder and test the strength of the relationship. Great characters to follow along on this journey. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Cromack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an incredible ending to this wonderful series! From the unexpected to the oh-so-anticipated, this book will give you everything you want. This well-written and beautifully crafted story will give you all the feels. Get ready for the ride of your life!

[Stacey Komosinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful ending to a wonderful series. The distance between them was well done, bringing the series to an emotional finale. I'm looking forward to what the Willa Drew team has in store for us next.

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Distance, Love, & Us
Book 5 of Falling for the Liar
Willa Drew

The story and characters are well written and developed. I enjoyed the drama, chemistry and journey. Good read.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a journey , what a climax , what to read now? I’ve been fully invested in Nick and Sarah from the start and there’s been loads of will they won’t they? Get it on already! Made for each other, give love a chance through every holiday and now full circle it’s like a rollercoaster ride I never thought I’d get off or want to get off . But if you think the angst stops here you’d better read this enthralling masterpiece to fully understand the utter brilliance of this awesome, realistic story . Thwart with a twist and separation struggles that Nick and Sarah face it’s truly a testament of their journey to overcome and to give their love a chance. at a distance …. No spoilers just an appreciation of good a good storytelling team that is Willa Drew Bravo girls! Well written as I knew it would be having read other series by them. It’s compelling and feel-good with a bit of tension, an edge of your seat immersive experience to coin a phrase …End credits….
I read an advance copy and my review is voluntarily given in my own words