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On My Life : A Sandpiper Cove Novel
Some love doesn’t end. It pauses, breathes and endures–desperately waiting for another chance.
Lyla Sullivan left Sandpiper Cove to escape two the devastating death of her best friend and the collapse of the relationship she once believed was unbreakable.
Theo Morgan left town in a desperate act of self-preservation. The crippling fear of losing the love of his life ate away at him and drove him to turn in his police badge and spend four years in the Army. Running felt like less of a risk than potentially watching love slip through his fingers.
In an effort to distract herself from the soul-crushing losses, Lyla buried herself in work–investigating a major drug supplier and bringing his empire down with a scathing exposé. With a target on her back, Lyla returns to Sandpiper Cove.
Now, Theo is a man on a mission. Haunted by regret and quietly devoted to the woman he’s never stopped loving–even though she hasn’t spoken to him in years–he’s desperate to right past wrongs and protect her at all costs.
Even after years apart, the fire and attraction remain. But with history, heartbreak, and secrets still lingering, will Theo’s protection come at the expense of two already fragile hearts? Can he face his fears and shield Lyla from the danger closing in on her doorstep? Or will the threat she's facing take her away before he gets the chance to prove himself?
Lyla Sullivan left Sandpiper Cove to escape two the devastating death of her best friend and the collapse of the relationship she once believed was unbreakable.
Theo Morgan left town in a desperate act of self-preservation. The crippling fear of losing the love of his life ate away at him and drove him to turn in his police badge and spend four years in the Army. Running felt like less of a risk than potentially watching love slip through his fingers.
In an effort to distract herself from the soul-crushing losses, Lyla buried herself in work–investigating a major drug supplier and bringing his empire down with a scathing exposé. With a target on her back, Lyla returns to Sandpiper Cove.
Now, Theo is a man on a mission. Haunted by regret and quietly devoted to the woman he’s never stopped loving–even though she hasn’t spoken to him in years–he’s desperate to right past wrongs and protect her at all costs.
Even after years apart, the fire and attraction remain. But with history, heartbreak, and secrets still lingering, will Theo’s protection come at the expense of two already fragile hearts? Can he face his fears and shield Lyla from the danger closing in on her doorstep? Or will the threat she's facing take her away before he gets the chance to prove himself?
- GenresSecond Chance
454 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2025
7 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Genevieve Paul
1 book8 followersGenevieve Paul writes romantic suspense filled with swoon-worthy heroes, strong (and stubborn) heroines, off-the-charts chemistry, and tension that will keep you reading way past your bedtime. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about the current–and next few–works in progress, reading, listening to music and spending time with the people she loves most—likely with a cup of coffee or a spicy margarita in hand (depending on the time of day). While she dreams of Massachusetts beaches, Genevieve lives at the Jersey Shore with her husband, son and spoiled tabby cat. She’s always up for a good true crime podcast, a bag of Haribo gummy bears, and a sunset.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 8, 2025
Received this as an AOC and I absolutely loved it. This review has no spoilers but I fell in love with Theo and Lyla. The suspense of everyone in the book dealing with the target on her back had me throughly invested as well as gasping through the book. It was a great combination of spice and romance as well as including the suspenseful parts. They were laced with each other nicely. I am so excited for the next book and cannot wait to sign up for the AOC for that one as well. 100% would recommend to someone else to read.
October 13, 2025
Absolutely loved this book! It combines two of my favorite genres perfectly. A thriller with lots of spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
December 14, 2025
I love Lyla and Theo!! I can’t wait for second book in the series!!
November 21, 2025
Lyla and Theo’s story is one full of hard times, distance, poor decisions, and second chances. But most of all, it’s filled with undeniable love between these characters.
☀️Small town romance
☀️Romantic suspense
☀️Second chance romance
☀️It’s always been you
Lyla and Theo had that once in a lifetime love years ago. But then one of them walked away after life got hard.
Now here they are and Lyla is back home. Not by her choice, but for her safety. She has been attacked over an article she wrote and her family wants to keep her safe. That family includes Theo and he will stop at nothing to keep his girl safe and win back her heart.
We go through so many emotions in this book that felt like a whirlwind. You root for these characters so hard, and you want them to find their way back to one another.
And the spice in this book was plentiful 🥵
I am looking forward to Colin and Quinn’s story, hopefully next!
☀️Small town romance
☀️Romantic suspense
☀️Second chance romance
☀️It’s always been you
Lyla and Theo had that once in a lifetime love years ago. But then one of them walked away after life got hard.
Now here they are and Lyla is back home. Not by her choice, but for her safety. She has been attacked over an article she wrote and her family wants to keep her safe. That family includes Theo and he will stop at nothing to keep his girl safe and win back her heart.
We go through so many emotions in this book that felt like a whirlwind. You root for these characters so hard, and you want them to find their way back to one another.
And the spice in this book was plentiful 🥵
I am looking forward to Colin and Quinn’s story, hopefully next!
November 8, 2025
Wow, what a fantastic debut romantic suspense! I have been itching to try someone new to tackle the genre and this one definitely hit the mark. I loved the storyline and how it literally captures you from the first chapter! The dynamic between all of the characters, both with the real family and the sound one, was so perfect. Everyone was so protective of Lyla after everything she endured in chapter 1, they all proved they would walk through fire for her. There was romance (lots of 🔥) but SO much action. If you like DUAL POV, second chance, childhood friends to lovers, found family, eyes on me …the list could go on and on, but this is definitely worth checking out. I will forever support indie authors but especially when they’re fellow Jersey girls. The epilogue wrapped up nicely and I’m already looking forward to seeing what happens with the next couple 🙌🏼
September 23, 2025
This new author is one to keep an eye on! I devoured this book. If you like true crime, this romance novel will be right up your alley. Fantastic tension and chemistry between the MMC and FMC, suspense that will keep you guessing until the end and let's not forget the romance scenes. It is definitely a slow burn but it's worth the wait!
September 10, 2025
Such a good book! In the beginning I was unsure because it is very suspenseful and I have never read something like that. One I got into I could not put it down! The suspense and spice in the book is so good!
dnf
September 23, 2025Soft DNF- The mystery definitely has me intrigued and I’m really liking Lyla as a character. I feel like I just need to put it down and come back later when I want to deep dive into a romantic suspense that seems heavy on the suspense. So far, looking good for a debut!
January 24, 2026
I give this 4.5 stars. This book is so freaking good! I was in a chokehold at the PROLOGUE. This romantic suspense, second chance romance has everything you are going to want and need. The suspense was captivating and Lyla and Theo’s love story was sweet and beautiful.
The only thing I struggled with was the repetitive moments of feelings over the course of back to back paragraphs and sometimes over explaining and over detailed moments. Other than these things I loved it! I can’t wait to come back to Sandpiper Cove!
The only thing I struggled with was the repetitive moments of feelings over the course of back to back paragraphs and sometimes over explaining and over detailed moments. Other than these things I loved it! I can’t wait to come back to Sandpiper Cove!
September 16, 2025
Awesome!!!
January 20, 2026
OBSESSED!! Could not put this down. This is a beautiful, suspenseful and emotional story. I was so invested in Theo & Lyla’s history & their story!! 10/10 recommend reading this. CHAPTER 24!! I GASPED and was loving the 😏 energy. Omg the foreshadowing mixed with the plot twists not being what i predicted. I LOVED! The spice is hot & spicing. I can’t wait for the next book & I hope Derek gets a story too.
January 11, 2026
3.5⭐️ I’m usually not a small town /second chance romance person but this one had my attention due to the suspense. There’s definitely a lot of triggering content so it’s not for everyone. Overall the growth of the characters was good and it made me curious to learn more about both of her brothers stories.
January 13, 2026
loveeeeeed it!
Loved it!! Everything about it! Perfect balance of love story, suspense, and spice! Definitely recommend! Can’t wait for the next one!
Loved it!! Everything about it! Perfect balance of love story, suspense, and spice! Definitely recommend! Can’t wait for the next one!
December 27, 2025
On My Life is the kind of book that keeps your pulse racing for more than one reason. Genevieve Paul blends suspense and heat so seamlessly that I found myself turning pages just as fast for the secrets as I did for the slow-burn tension between the characters. There’s a perfect balance here—moments that make your heart ache, scenes that raise the temperature, and twists that catch you off guard in the best way.
The chemistry is undeniable—charged glances, stolen touches, and that delicious anticipation that keeps you hovering on the edge of just one more chapter. But what really elevates this book is the suspense running beneath the romance: unanswered questions, emotional stakes, and the sense that everything could change in a heartbeat.
Emotional, steamy, and packed with tension—both romantic and mysterious—On My Life had me hooked from the first page to the last. An easy, breathless 5 stars.
The chemistry is undeniable—charged glances, stolen touches, and that delicious anticipation that keeps you hovering on the edge of just one more chapter. But what really elevates this book is the suspense running beneath the romance: unanswered questions, emotional stakes, and the sense that everything could change in a heartbeat.
Emotional, steamy, and packed with tension—both romantic and mysterious—On My Life had me hooked from the first page to the last. An easy, breathless 5 stars.
January 26, 2026
Expected more suspense but was really a love story. Fun read but was not what I expected.
October 17, 2025
On My Life
I AM OBSESSED! To say I devoured this book, wouldn’t even begin to explain the love I have for it! Written by local author- Genevieve Paul, this small town suspense romance was thrilling, spicy, and so heartwarming. I was beginning to get bored before picking this up with the few selections because they were becoming repetitive, and I’m so happy I decided to read this and right before Catherine cowles last book of her series because it is the perfect lead into that suspense genre.
Lyla is running from her home in Vermont and going back to where she grew up with her family to find a safe space hopefully for the next few weeks. But leaving doesn’t always mean that you won’t be found. Her past starts to creep up on her, and even those that love her can’t keep her protected.
Theo has always loved Lyla and never stopped but when they lost their close friend Liv, his past trauma with his mother’s death was causing his fear to make him run away from her. And now that she’s back all he wants to do is get in her good graces again and prove to her that he won’t leave again. But after the trust was lost, it will take a lot of work to get back to what they had.
“I’d burn down the world to keep you safe, Sunshine.”
I loved this so much! I just felt like it was so well written, and it hooked me from the start and continued to keep me enthralled the entire book! MUST READ!!!!
⭐️10/10
🔥5/5
#romance #smut #book #books #bookseries #reading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookaddict #kindleunlimited #ku #romancebookrecs #newromancebooks #kindleunlimitedromancebooks #romancebooksofinstagram #romancebooksoftiktok #romancebookstagrammer #spicybookstagram #kindle #bookrecommomdations #bookishlife #spicyread #goodgirl #romanceaddict #read #tbr #bookclub #bookish #idratherbereading
I AM OBSESSED! To say I devoured this book, wouldn’t even begin to explain the love I have for it! Written by local author- Genevieve Paul, this small town suspense romance was thrilling, spicy, and so heartwarming. I was beginning to get bored before picking this up with the few selections because they were becoming repetitive, and I’m so happy I decided to read this and right before Catherine cowles last book of her series because it is the perfect lead into that suspense genre.
Lyla is running from her home in Vermont and going back to where she grew up with her family to find a safe space hopefully for the next few weeks. But leaving doesn’t always mean that you won’t be found. Her past starts to creep up on her, and even those that love her can’t keep her protected.
Theo has always loved Lyla and never stopped but when they lost their close friend Liv, his past trauma with his mother’s death was causing his fear to make him run away from her. And now that she’s back all he wants to do is get in her good graces again and prove to her that he won’t leave again. But after the trust was lost, it will take a lot of work to get back to what they had.
“I’d burn down the world to keep you safe, Sunshine.”
I loved this so much! I just felt like it was so well written, and it hooked me from the start and continued to keep me enthralled the entire book! MUST READ!!!!
⭐️10/10
🔥5/5
#romance #smut #book #books #bookseries #reading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookaddict #kindleunlimited #ku #romancebookrecs #newromancebooks #kindleunlimitedromancebooks #romancebooksofinstagram #romancebooksoftiktok #romancebookstagrammer #spicybookstagram #kindle #bookrecommomdations #bookishlife #spicyread #goodgirl #romanceaddict #read #tbr #bookclub #bookish #idratherbereading
November 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS: Raw, Real, and Completely Unforgettable
On My Life hit me harder than I expected. From the very first chapter, Genevieve Paul pulls you straight into a story that feels painfully real and beautifully human. This isn’t just a book you read it’s one you feel in your chest, in that place where fear, hope, and determination all collide.
The main character’s journey is raw in a way that doesn’t feel dramatized or exaggerated… it feels lived. Every moment of heartbreak, every spark of resilience, every small win I was rooting for her like she was someone I knew personally. Paul has this incredible gift for writing emotions so honestly that you almost forget you're reading fiction.
The pacing is tight, the tension is constant, and the stakes feel impossibly high. But what really stayed with me were the quieter moments the ones that show how strength doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes it looks like surviving one more day, one more choice, one more truth.
By the time I reached the last page, I just sat there for a minute trying to breathe. It’s the kind of story that lingers, the kind you think about when you're washing dishes or trying to fall asleep.
If you want a book that grabs your heart, shakes it a little, and refuses to let go this is it.
Genevieve Paul absolutely delivered, and this one is going to stay with me for a long, long time.
On My Life hit me harder than I expected. From the very first chapter, Genevieve Paul pulls you straight into a story that feels painfully real and beautifully human. This isn’t just a book you read it’s one you feel in your chest, in that place where fear, hope, and determination all collide.
The main character’s journey is raw in a way that doesn’t feel dramatized or exaggerated… it feels lived. Every moment of heartbreak, every spark of resilience, every small win I was rooting for her like she was someone I knew personally. Paul has this incredible gift for writing emotions so honestly that you almost forget you're reading fiction.
The pacing is tight, the tension is constant, and the stakes feel impossibly high. But what really stayed with me were the quieter moments the ones that show how strength doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes it looks like surviving one more day, one more choice, one more truth.
By the time I reached the last page, I just sat there for a minute trying to breathe. It’s the kind of story that lingers, the kind you think about when you're washing dishes or trying to fall asleep.
If you want a book that grabs your heart, shakes it a little, and refuses to let go this is it.
Genevieve Paul absolutely delivered, and this one is going to stay with me for a long, long time.
September 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
• second chance
• best friend’s sister
• romantic suspense
• cat daddy
• forced proximity
CW: attempted SA
Theo is proof that “if he wanted to, he would”.
This book was so sweet and fast paced and I loved reading and getting to know the characters of Sandpiper Cove.
Lyla, a writer, found herself in danger after exposing a local man who was tied to drugs and trafficking for killing her best friend. Lyla’s life was flipped upside down when she lost Olivia and it changed everything - including how her boyfriend Theo handled his own emotional trauma from when he lost his mom years prior.
After both events, Lyla escaped to Vermont and came home after to Sandpiper Cove after another (related) attack.
Theo is on the PD with her brother and father and they do whatever they can to keep her safe… but some unfortunate events still wind up happening.
I loved the spice, the suspense, and the deep connection that Lyla and Theo still managed to hold onto all these years later.
We are in for a treat with the next book and I can’t wait!
🌶️🌶️
• second chance
• best friend’s sister
• romantic suspense
• cat daddy
• forced proximity
CW: attempted SA
Theo is proof that “if he wanted to, he would”.
This book was so sweet and fast paced and I loved reading and getting to know the characters of Sandpiper Cove.
Lyla, a writer, found herself in danger after exposing a local man who was tied to drugs and trafficking for killing her best friend. Lyla’s life was flipped upside down when she lost Olivia and it changed everything - including how her boyfriend Theo handled his own emotional trauma from when he lost his mom years prior.
After both events, Lyla escaped to Vermont and came home after to Sandpiper Cove after another (related) attack.
Theo is on the PD with her brother and father and they do whatever they can to keep her safe… but some unfortunate events still wind up happening.
I loved the spice, the suspense, and the deep connection that Lyla and Theo still managed to hold onto all these years later.
We are in for a treat with the next book and I can’t wait!
September 18, 2025
DEBUT NOVEL!!!!! WHAT!!!??
Best Friends Sister — Second Chance
SAY LESS!!
—The bromance between the guys is great. You feel the love between Colin and Theo and the struggle with Derek wanting his friend back but also staying loyal to his feelings and his sister.
— Lyla is a relatable FMC, her heartbreak over what happen with Theo comes across
— Theo is “the perfect imperfect” book boyfriend, you feel his love and affection for Lyla and understanding that he screwed up.
— I enjoyed the suspense part of this book. I wasn’t expecting the “bad guy” to be who it was with the connection to the story.
— The spicy scenes were written great and your feel connection with the MCs
I hope for Colin and Derek to have a book.
Best Friends Sister — Second Chance
SAY LESS!!
—The bromance between the guys is great. You feel the love between Colin and Theo and the struggle with Derek wanting his friend back but also staying loyal to his feelings and his sister.
— Lyla is a relatable FMC, her heartbreak over what happen with Theo comes across
— Theo is “the perfect imperfect” book boyfriend, you feel his love and affection for Lyla and understanding that he screwed up.
— I enjoyed the suspense part of this book. I wasn’t expecting the “bad guy” to be who it was with the connection to the story.
— The spicy scenes were written great and your feel connection with the MCs
I hope for Colin and Derek to have a book.
September 17, 2025
Tropes:
-small town
-romantic suspense
-brother's best friend
-forced proximity
-found family
-second chance
On My Life is Theo and Lyla's story. This is a new to me author and I enjoyed this book! The author did a fantastic job telling the story and blending it with suspense. I was glued to the pages from beginning to end. Theo and Lyla have chemistry that hasn't sizzled after years apart, and you can feel it. The romance and spice work well with the suspense element of the story and I cannot wait for the next book!
Releasing September 26, 2025. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
-small town
-romantic suspense
-brother's best friend
-forced proximity
-found family
-second chance
On My Life is Theo and Lyla's story. This is a new to me author and I enjoyed this book! The author did a fantastic job telling the story and blending it with suspense. I was glued to the pages from beginning to end. Theo and Lyla have chemistry that hasn't sizzled after years apart, and you can feel it. The romance and spice work well with the suspense element of the story and I cannot wait for the next book!
Releasing September 26, 2025. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2025
ou won’t be sad with your choice to read this one. If you are into a spicy, steamy love novel with scenes that will make you blush than this is for you! However, if you are like me and shy away from those scenes the plot will keep you hooked and you can just breeze through the “hot” scenes! Either way this was a win. I am excited to see what this new author puts out next!
September 16, 2025
Thank you Genevieve Paul for an ARC copy of your first romance novel! 🫶🏻 4.5⭐️
Small town, second chance, brothers best friend, and some suspense? Throw in a sassy cat and it makes for a great debut!
Small town, second chance, brothers best friend, and some suspense? Throw in a sassy cat and it makes for a great debut!
November 11, 2025
Genevieve Paul debut novel 𝙊𝙣 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 was everything I love in a second chance romantic suspense. Lyla thought she had her whole life planned out with Theo when he leaves her in ashes. The book starts out six years later when she returns home to her childhood home in a small coastal town. As a freelance journalist she trying to remain low key with her life being in danger. When the suspense and danger is kicked up even more the chief of police, her dad, forces the issues for her safety. Having the forced proximity of the one man who broke her now keeping her safe calls up all the emotions they felt, guilt, hurt, regret and buried under all that was the love. They were soulmates in the it’s always been you and Theo did everything he could to get back the only woman he has every wanted all while keeping her safe. There was some intense situations with her life being in danger.
She did an amazing job with the world building and getting to know the characters and the close knit family that included Theo as more then just the brothers best friend. Diego stole my heart he was a little traitor but also like the sweetest emotional support fur baby.
She set the stage for Lyla’s brothers as well, I am fully invested and need both brothers to find love.
If you enjoy romantic suspense, law enforcement, second chance with a sprinkle of soulmates, sunsets, beaches and all the spicy time the sweetest happy ending you need to read this book.
—𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘦, 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘔𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘐 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦.—
—𝘖𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘓𝘺𝘭𝘢, 𝘐 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶,”—
She did an amazing job with the world building and getting to know the characters and the close knit family that included Theo as more then just the brothers best friend. Diego stole my heart he was a little traitor but also like the sweetest emotional support fur baby.
She set the stage for Lyla’s brothers as well, I am fully invested and need both brothers to find love.
If you enjoy romantic suspense, law enforcement, second chance with a sprinkle of soulmates, sunsets, beaches and all the spicy time the sweetest happy ending you need to read this book.
—𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘦, 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘔𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘐 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦.—
—𝘖𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘓𝘺𝘭𝘢, 𝘐 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶,”—
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