It Would Have Been You

by Nikki Belgrave

Drew Bailey is bad luck, and has learned to live by one
Never get close to the people you love, unless you are willing to lose them.

She is content living a small life until her brother shows up unannounced, on a Friday the thirteenth, no less, to issue her an Keep accepting her fate and miss out on his life-changing news, or finally break the curse for good.

The plan is for one weekend, Drew will test the limits of her curse. She will live as if her presence isn’t dangerous. If she succeeds?
She’ll get her family and her life back, just in the nick of time.

Cue Ravenwood Manor, the lavish reading retreat in Charlotte, North Carolina, that will serve as the perfect setting for Drew to test out her uncursed alter-ego, Epic Drew.

The Low stakes.

The Top-notch.

The food and To die for.

But as Epic Drew finds herself drawn to the company of an unexpected (and very handsome) stranger while the other guests can’t seem to get along, a storm cancels their plans and traps everyone inside on the first night. From there, the tension has nowhere to go but up, ending in a tragedy no one saw coming. Through it all, Drew learns a hard

If you push your luck, luck will push back.

Genres: Romance

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2026

About the author

Author, bookworm, and nostalgia addict. Halloween is a lifestyle. Read my short story, Amongst the Large Pines, that was adapted to film to debut at the 2024 Austin Film Festival as part of the Night of the Living Shorts category.

Reviews

[Erica (Cheekymama2) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow—this book completely surprised me in the best way. I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy, especially since it’s a suspense romance, a genre I hadn’t really explored before. Safe to say… I’m officially a fan. This may just be one of my new favorite genres!

Drew has endured heartbreak twice in her life, leaving her convinced that wherever she goes, tragedy is sure to follow. With the impending birth of her nephew, her family is determined to pull her out of her own head and gifts her a weekend book retreat for her birthday. Enter the retreat—and enter Cameron. As sparks fly and good things finally start to happen, Drew can’t help but wonder: is this the fresh start she desperately needs, or is her “curse” waiting to strike again?

This story truly had everything: humor, charm, heartbreak, romance, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. The character development was especially strong—I felt deeply connected to each character and genuinely missed them once the book ended. The author masterfully sprinkled breadcrumbs throughout every chapter, making it nearly impossible to put down.

If you love Abby Jimenez–style romance with a thrilling twist, this book is a must-read. I promise you won’t be disappointed. I sincerely hope this is just the beginning for this debut author—I’ll be eagerly waiting for what comes next!

[Meagan Petroni · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS – IT WOULD HAVE BEEN YOU

​Huge thank you to the author, Nikki Belgrave, for providing me with an ARC of this gem! I’m so incredibly honored to get to read your work—this book is an absolute knockout.

​The Vibe:
​A FMC with a bad-luck curse.
​A book & wine store (literal goals).
​A cozy reading retreat in Charlotte, NC.
​...and a MURDER investigation?! 🔍

​The Chemistry:
Cameron is the definition of "ooey-gooey" and easy to love. The tension between him and Drew had me giggling like a schoolgirl and kicking my feet! Even as a certified Smut Queen, I have to hand it to Nikki—the yearning in this closed-door romance was exquisite. While I usually prefer a bit more heat, the emotional payoff here was totally worth it.

​Why you need to read it:
Nikki’s writing is so descriptive you can practically smell Cameron through the pages. It’s funny, it’s mysterious, and the character development is top-tier. She handles real-life issues like trauma and healing with such grace while keeping the plot fast-paced and fun.

​Final Thought: Whether you’re a thriller girlie or a romance lover, this book has a seat at the table for you. Add it to your TBR immediately!

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you so much Nikki for this ARC!!

“When it rains, it pours” and no one understands that better than Drew, a woman who truly believes she’s cursed to bring pain and disaster wherever she goes. If something bad it absolutely does happen!

In a last ditch effort to show Drew she is not cursed, her best friend and family convince her to attend a reading retreat in hopes of reinventing herself. But no matter how far she runs, trouble seems determined to follow.

This book delivers fast-paced heavy hitting, with a twisty murder mystery that feels like a giant Clue board, a sweet instant-love romance with the greenest flag MMC, and a powerful emotional arc about self-forgiveness and letting go of responsibility for other people’s choices.

Things I loved:
-Drew was such a relatable FMC… constantly putting others first and carrying guilt for things that were never her fault
- Cameron was tooth-achingly sweet with a devastating past of his own. He is still a total cinnamon-roll MMC
-The unwavering love from Drew’s family and friends. A true found-family feel
-The whodunit mystery, Nikki Belgrave connected every clue seamlessly
-The epilogue was so sweet….I was kicking my feet and grinning the entire time! (Also agree everyone should open presents one at a time)

Even though Drew leans on her “curse” as a crutch at times, the story handles that flaw with honesty and emotional depth. Every character felt authentic and fully alive, which made the emotional beats hit even harder.
This story is heartfelt, suspenseful, and genuinely moving that you will want to add to your TBR

[Lauren Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW! It Would Have Been You is for every ‘I am clearly cursed and the universe has receipts’ girlie out there. Drew has fully built her whole personality around the idea that she ruins everything she touches, and honestly, this is SO relatable! The cursed logic in her head felt so familiar it was almost uncomfortable in the best way. 
A stormy reading retreat, messy guests, low key ominous vibes, and one very unexpected soft place to land in Cameron all combine into this bittersweet little punch to the gut. What I loved most was the way the story slowly proves Drew wrong: you’re not some cosmic glitch, you’re just a human who’s been hurt, and there are people who’ll stand in the storm with you instead of running. Quietly emotional, a little mean in how close it hits, and a solid read for when you need to feel seen but not destroyed. ♥️

[Gaby Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review- It Would Have Been You by Nikki Belgrave🍀💀💖

Drew Bailey is bad luck and you can't prove her wrong. Her family tries to as they gift her a weekend reading retreat in North Carolina for her to try out being "uncursed Drew." It seems to be working well as she falls for the handsome Cameron James until someone is murdered at said retreat. Can Drew and Cameron catch the murderer while disproving the former's curse?

This was a fun read! I love murder mystery and romance and had a hard time putting this down. I love Nikki Belgrave's writing style, it was beautiful.

Her characters felt well-rounded — Drew and Cameron had perfect chemistry. I started rooting for them as soon as they met. Cameron may be my new book boyfriend to add to my infinity gauntlet of book bfs.

Drew drove me crazy a little bit when talking about her curse, but they way she treats it is justified. This book has a focus on mental health and anxiety. Her family and friends love her and don't push her too hard. Cameron is respectful to her.

Overall, the writing is good, the twists work, and the romance is to die for (pun intended).

I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes romantic suspense novels, mental health rep, closed-door romance fans, and murder mystery readers.

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5★

I'm so so sooooo lucky I got to be an early reader for this book! It was absolutely wonderful! The ONLY reason this is not 5 stars for me is because I'm not a fan of insta love. I kind of hate it and generally if I read a story that has it, unbeknownst to me, I knock it down a star or two. The fact I 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 do it for this book says a 𝗹𝗼𝘁.

It was unbelievably cute, fun, and 𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙮. If there's one thing I absolutely love about romance books, besides the love, it's humor. This was unexpected and it made me so happy! There were coincidental things in the story that aligned with things in my life (which I loved) and some of the pop culture references were *chef's kiss*. Oh and did I mention that this is a 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 romance? Those are increasingly becoming my favorite.

I literally loved all the characters except for a select few for good reason. haha. The FMC Drew was so relatable and the MC Cameron was insanely swoon worthy! Let's not forget all the side characters - you'll love them all for different reasons.

But that's actually not all! This book also added in a murder and investigation! This is actually my very first suspenseful romance and now I need more of them! I kept going back and forth between two characters I thought committed the crime but in the end, my guess was wrong! haha.

And I don't know if the author plans to write more stories for the side characters but I'd be the first in line to read them!

Definitely check this book out!!

[Sarah C Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god I love love love this book! The chemistry between Drew and Cameron felt like a gooey chocolate chip cookie and I am living for it!

[Jessica | Lit Chapters & Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Would Have Been You by Nikki Belgrave completely surprised me in the best way. This story centers around Drew, a woman who truly believes she’s cursed with bad luck after experiencing so much loss in her life. Because of it, she keeps her guard up and avoids forming deep connections — convinced she’s destined to lose everyone she loves.

When her brother pushes her to step outside her comfort zone, Drew ends up at Ravenwood Manor for a weekend getaway that’s supposed to help her “test her luck” and finally start living again. What starts as a simple retreat quickly turns into something far more emotional and intense.

While there, she meets a stranger who challenges everything she believes about fate, love, and herself. Their connection is immediate but layered, full of vulnerability, healing, and undeniable chemistry. I loved watching Drew slowly open up and confront her fears instead of letting them control her life.

The stormy, isolated setting adds the perfect amount of tension and atmosphere, giving the story a slightly suspenseful edge that kept me turning pages. Just when you think you know where it’s headed, Nikki throws in twists that made my heart ache in the best way.

This was an emotional, beautifully written story about grief, taking risks, and choosing love even when it’s scary. A solid 5-star read for me. Nikki did an amazing her.

[Leah Richmond~ Chapterbooks_andcoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege to read this early, thank you to Nikki for the opportunity!

This book hooked me immediately and kept me turning the pages to find out more.

Drew is our FMC. She has endured trauma twice in her life and she believes that because of the situations, she is cursed. That a dark cloud follows her around and will impact those she loves. Her family and friends rally hard to convince her to live her life. They feel like a reading retreat will be just the thing for her!

Cameron enters the chat. Our MMC is the one to pick Drew up from the airport and there is immediately chemistry in just that first phone call.

If you are wondering where the suspense comes in? Once at the retreat, Drew meets the other 3 girls, plus Delaney who runs it. Tension runs high between some of the girls. A storm passing through intensifies, power goes out, and someone ends up dead.

The events that unfold bring Drew and Cameron closer together. They share an understanding as each of them have endure great loss in their lives.

The details in this book and how every piece was tied together was perfection. The character development made each character so unique to the story and sometimes you wanted to scream at them, other times you wanted to hug them. There were twists and turns, laugh out loud moments, and sweet tender moments.

If you enjoy a sweet love story with a suspense twist that keeps you on your toes the whole time, this book is for you! Nikki is now an auto-buy author from here on out! The writing was beautiful and the flow just kept it so easy to read. If I hadn't been doing a buddy read and reading set sections per day, I would have devoured it in a day! Thank you again, Nikki!

[bookshelfreader_31 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book it would have been you by Nikki belgrave beautifully blends romance and suspense. It pulled me in from the very first page. The writing is immersive and easy to fall into, making it nearly impossible to put down once I started. I found myself completely wrapped up in the story and the emotions are carried. It took me on quite a ride, one I will never forget.

Drew is a female lead in the character I connected with most. Has Jenny through grief and trauma felt raw, honest, and deeply human, especially as she slowly begins to believe that she isn't cursed or destined to bring harm wherever she goes. Cameron, the male lead character, is a steady presence in their evolving yet sudden relationship . He made her feel seen, bringing warmth and hope into the story. Showing how love can exist alongside pain and still create healing even if it exists in both parties.

The characters felt real and emotionally rich, and the pacing flow naturally from start to finish. The author's writing was so vivid and descriptive with detail that you could picture it in your mind. The writing was not dense it flowed perfectly like satin. I believe Nikki has became one of my favorite writers. The way she writes is beautiful and undescribable.

With meaningful themes, a thrilling and suspenseful closed-door romance , this a story that will stay with me long after I have finished this book left a lasting impression that made me eager for more from Nikki Belgrave. Thank you, for writing this book.

[Feli Low · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give it more stars if I could. I had the honor of reading this book before it came out, and I absolutely adore it. It’s such an engaging story that has you hooked from start to end. I think that it was paced in such a nice way. I definitely had a few guesses about the book since I follow the author on Instagram (@nikkibelgrave YOU SHOULD FOLLOW TOO!!!), but there were so many parts that went beyond my imagination and plot twists that had both my jaw dropping to the floor and my heart dropping in the best way possible.

While the romance in this book is absolutely amazing, the MMC being an absolute green flag from beginning to end, I found that my favorite part of this book was how real it was. While the situations happening in the book may not be things that I have personally experienced, it was very easy for me to see myself in the FMC, even when she was stressing me out. I think there is a very nice underlying message of how you do have to lean on the people around you, and you cannot just take on and handle everything yourself. I really appreciate how the book didn’t shy away from the more taboo aspects of anxiety/grief/mental health. Mental health isn’t romanticized, and the ugly parts, the parts that can harm the people around you, are truly shown in a very neutral light. Drew is a ball of issues, no offense to her, and I couldn’t help but judge some of her choices and actions, but at the end of the day, her actions are also so easy to defend. I could understand.

The characters in this book are all written so beautifully. Their personalities shine through their interactions in the book, no matter how brief. No one feels like they are just there to be a random in the back. Every character has their own flaws and quirks, and even if they are only there briefly, you can feel how human everyone is. Even in just a few sentences or words, you can formulate your own ideas on what drives each person. I wasn’t able to fully hate any of the characters because I could understand all of them. I believe this is quite difficult to do, and it truly raises the book to another level. The flaws you see in the characters are easily flaws you can see in yourself or even the people that you love, and that is so important to me. Flaws are what make us human. I turn to books to escape, but seeing humanity reflected in these pages really hits deep.

Something else about the background characters that I really appreciate is that they are all very clearly their own person that exists outside of Drew’s world. Every single person is going through their own lives and things. Some characters choose their own lives instead of dropping everything for Drew as well! While this was something that slightly frustrated me in the moment of reading the book, it’s something that I can so deeply understand and appreciate. It must have been hard for that person to choose that, but I think it was very brave of them and such a nice touch. Some characters are going through their own troubles, completely separate from Drew, and I also think this is a wonderful thing to add. Of course, I love when books surround the main character, but real life often does not replicate that. Every single character, no matter how small, has their own life. Their own reasons for being the way they are.

It’s not often I visibly show emotions towards the books I read, as I often read around other people, but this book truly had me gasping and swooning outwardly. I definitely got a few weird looks, but for this book, it was all worth it. I felt every emotion as if I were genuinely a part of the story, and I believe that is what makes a book something that will always be remembered.

I really recommend this book. Even if you do not often turn to books in this genre, or if you don’t think the summary is very enticing to you, I hope you can give it a chance. It’s a beautiful book that ties together so many things. But most importantly, at least for me, it is such a real book that you can both see yourself in and also escape into.






A BIT OF A SPOILER BELOW:

Also, the mystery aspect and the crime. I absolutely love murder mysteries. I grew up watching Law and Order and Criminal minds and I will always have that little 7-year-old in me that wants to be a detective for the BAU. On that note, the suspense and mystery in this are so amazing. I think everything is definitely paced a bit more spread out, but that adds to the mystery. The clues that we are given let our minds run wild with our theories and ideas, and when it clicks, it’s so amazing.
My mind was running with theories while I was reading. Especially once we were provided with a few more clues about the past of some people. I did guess who the murderer was, but even knowing that, I was shocked by the ending. It was so amazing, and I actually think my heart sped up reading the last few chapters.

[VeroniCanRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW - The relatable emotions of FMC Drew pulled me in, the romance aspects captivated me, and the thriller plot catapulted me through this book. I literally finished this book in a single day.

🍪 For Fans of:
- romance thriller
- murder mystery
- “cursed” / bad luck FMC
- close proximity
- weekend retreat
- trauma bonding
- short chapters
- binge-able
- everyone is sus
- extreme anxiety rep
- working through grief

✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
This book starts with the vibes of an emotional romance: bad luck girl goes on a weekend reading retreat with hopes of becoming a good luck girl. Girl meets cute man and they start bonding.
BUT THEN the thriller part kicks in. The murder mystery of it all amps things up and now you’re questioning everyone and everything. Who can you trust? Who’s telling the truth? And why is this happening? Maybe the curse *is* real…


Without any spoilers, I can say that by the end, I was so happy with how everything came together and wrapped up, especially because none of it felt too quick or incomplete.

I also REALLY loved the short chapters. It made the whole book feel like a cliffhanger because the intensity just kept ramping up. I usually like short chapters so I can pause whenever I want, but as soon as I set the book down, it’s literally all I could think about.

Also the character growth?? I literally teared up because it felt so healing in a way I didn’t expect but felt so natural to her character and real to me.


🖤 Thank you to author Nikki Belgrave and Indie Reader Influencer Society (IRIS) for the advanced digital copy. As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!

📚 Book: it Would Have Been You by Nikki Belgrave
📅 Release Date: February 13, 2026
⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5
✅ I would recommend to anyone booking for the perfect romance-thriller balance!

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, loved this book. The characters are so well written, with depth and realistic human flaws. I was rooting for Drew from the very start and was invested in every aspect of her journey start to finish. This book had nail biting twists and turns, heart warming characters and interactions, it made me laugh, cringe, gasp, and cry. This is the best book I have read by an indie author and one of my favorite books ever. I don’t read a lot of thriller or murder mystery but this story had me captivated and I still can’t stop thinking about it even after finishing the book. The conclusion to this novel was beautiful and better than I could’ve imagined myself. Even though I thought I had the mystery solved I was still shocked by the final reveal. Drew and Cameron are the best!! I love the family Drew has surrounding her and I wish I could be friends with all of them!

[MandyReads1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been following Nikki’s writing journey for a while on IG and was excited for the release of her romantic suspense novel, “It Would Have Been You”. When I had the opportunity to read the ARC, I was honestly a little nervous. What if it wasn’t great? How awkward would that be as Booksta friends?! But guys- I literally had nothing to worry about. My girl did the dang thing and knocked it out of the park. The characters are so raw and real, the setting is fabulous, and the murder mystery literally had me on the edge of my seat. The whole book was great, but last 25%? I literally couldn’t put it down. Physical copy already pre-ordered!

Anxious FMC
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Reading Retreat Setting
Murder Mystery
Mutual Healing

[Addy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Would Have Been You by Nikki Belgrave was a suspenseful murder mystery story with a beautiful budding romance to top it all off. The book was cute, silly, and I absolutely loved it! It was SO GOOD! Thank you to Iris Influencer Society for the ARC. 🖤

Drew, the wonderful FMC, pulled me in, and I was entranced in her story. The 'cursed' aspect of things in this sense was unique and very well done. However, I will say that I did guess I figured out who had done it pretty quickly into the story. I just felt like this character was focused on less, and we didn't get that depth to them as we did with the other characters. Despite figuring it out, I was still very into the story!

All in all, I think the underlying message to not let the bad things consume you is an important one. It can be really easy to fall into a routine of letting all the bad, negative things rule your life at times. You've gotta focus and look at it in a different light as much as you can, even when things get hard. 💜🫂

[Leyna Odell · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, I now want to go to a reading retreat like Drew did! Seriously her brother, his husband, and her boss gave her the gift of a lifetime when they sent her to Ravenwood Manor for a weekend of reading books, great food, and wine. This was the perfect setting for Drew, who works in a bookstore and loves to read, as she embraced Epic Drew!

Drew has had bad luck ever since she was born. Or at least, that's what she believes. Her mother died during childbirth and since then, it seems like Drew attracts bad luck. In fact, she's scared to get too close to anyone lest her "curse" rubs off on those she loves. She's isolated herself and has lived a quiet life in an effort to protect those she loves. When her brother and brother in law reveal that they are adopting a baby and want Drew to take a more active role in their lives, Drew balks. She doesn't want her bad luck to somehow endanger the baby! Her family and her boss (who is just feisty and fun and it turns out, the perfect part time sleuth) convince her to try out Ravenwood Manor and attempt to break out of her safety bubble.

Things are going well when she meets a handsome man (who is just as sweet as he is handsome) and makes the acquaintance of the other women on the retreat. When someone winds up dead, though, everyone is a suspect - including Drew!

I very much enjoyed this book. I think it was my first in the romantic suspense genre, and I definitely want to read more! The best part about this book was the love. Drew loved her family so much, she was terrified of something bad happening to them. She was willing to sacrifice her own happiness to keep them happy and safe. Same thing when it came to romance. I loved watching Drew open up to the idea that maybe she wasn't cursed (although I definitely see where Drew was coming from - so much bad stuff happened to her!).

Also, I so badly want to try Drew's drink! And Dutch Bros happens to have it listed on their menu.

[Whitney Beiler Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable read. I started it thinking this would be a contemporary romance, forgetting the thriller aspect was coming. I liked getting you know this group of characters. So I was surprised when the thriller angle hit. I felt for the FMC character struggling to figure out the whodunnit. It was nice to see our couple figure things out and the found family dynamic. Romantic Thriller is my new favorite genre.

[Katie McJunkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

I loved this book. So much so that I couldn’t put it down. I loved that the FMC has the same birthday as me! 😉

Drew think she’s cursed and her brother steps in to save her from herself with a weekend away. But of course that doesn’t go quite as planned.

This book gave you murder mystery with romance. What could be better!!?

I don’t want to give anything away but seriously you HAVE to read this book!!

[Chloe Kaljouw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a tender, tense and a book I had a hard time putting down! It combines comfort with mystery and love that changes lives for the better.

Cue Drew, the anxious, self titled cursed FMC and the cinnamon roll, sweet af MMC Cameron.

The pair of them embark on a rollercoaster of a weekend, falling in love and working to solve a mystery that could land with either of them in more than a bit of a pickle!

If you’re in the mood for a standalone book with MCs that are over 25 and a romance combined with suspense, this is DEFINITELY for you!

Thank you to Iris Influencer Society and Nikki for sending me a free copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are entirely my own!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for this ARC read.

This book was such a rollercoaster for me!

Tropes:
📖 Anxious FMC
📖 Cinnamon Roll MMC
📖 They both fall fast
📖 Trauma bond

[MJ | fortheloveofbooks01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted an advanced copy of this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely devoured this book! This is a heartwarming story with deep messages that are presented in an unconventional way. There's romance, mystery, friendship, found family dynamics, secrets to unveil, and profound messages about grief and healing - all in less than 400 pages.

Drew is quirky yet confident - bordering on neurotic at times - and battling deep inner wounds related to the loss of her parents. She blames herself for every bad thing that happens around her, and believes she is actually "cursed." She isolates herself, keeping everyone she loves at arm's length to protect them, and constantly sacrifices her own wants and needs for others. When her rightfully concerned and beloved family convinces her to go on a weekend retreat to get out of her shell, her life is completely turned upside down.

The events that unfold at the retreat are chaotic, fast paced and absolutely wild! This book started as what I would consider mildly superstitious, and transformed into a mystery that reminded me of playing the board game Clue 🔎 growing up. I loved the rollercoaster of unexpected plot twists and guessing games that this book took me through (🤫 no spoilers! ).

Drew meets Cameron - who is the most handsome man she has ever seen with a voice akin to a sex operator - and they are immediately drawn to one another. I love Cameron; he is attentive, open and vulnerable, and is processing his own grief in a very similar way to Drew. Their connection is instantaneous, and through shared trauma and heartfelt conversations, grows rapidly in a very short span of time. They are like mirrors of one another; by stepping into each other's shoes, they are able to start the process of healing through acceptance and forgiveness.

“I know his heart. I know it as well as I know my own, and with this new perspective, I can take the forgiveness that I so easily give to him and apply it to myself too. If he deserves it, and we are the same, then I must deserve it too.“

While this story includes multiple great tropes and topics, the real beauty between these pages is the concept of redemption through forgiveness that both Drew and Cameron experience. This story is a reminder of how easy it is to overthink things and read into every detail around us, and even easier to take the blame for things that happen outside of our control. What’s hard is admitting that, sometimes, there is no one to blame, and there is not always a reason for the awful things that happen. Sometimes, the world is just a hard place to live in, and we have to find a way to make peace with tragedy and accept happiness when we find it, no matter what obstacles we may face.

Thank you for sharing an ARC with me Nikki & IRIS Influencer Society! This book was such a joy to read ❤️

[Bree Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Would Have Been You is one of those books that sneaks up on you, quietly emotional one moment and then suddenly has your heart racing the next. I genuinely cannot believe this is a debut, because Nikki Belgrave writes with the confidence and care of a seasoned storyteller.

This story is layered with suspense, mystery, and intrigue, delivering those pulse-pounding moments where your chest feels tight and you need to know what happens next. The tension builds beautifully, and there were scenes where my heart was absolutely pounding. These are the exact kinds of thrills I crave as a reader.

What truly makes this book shine is its emotional depth. The found family, the sweet and tender romance, and the exploration of trauma, healing, mental health, and disability representation are handled with so much compassion and authenticity. On top of that, the character diversity felt natural and meaningful, adding richness to the story and making the world feel lived-in and real. The connections between these characters feel earned, raw, and deeply human, never rushed and never surface-level.

The characters completely leapt off the page. They felt real, flawed, and genuine, like people you could actually know. Their pain, growth, and quiet moments of hope stayed with me long after I closed the book.

This is a story that balances tension with tenderness, darkness with warmth, and heartbreak with healing. A stunning debut that deserves to be talked about, shared, and celebrated.

[Kelsea Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Nikki Belgrave for the gifted eARC! I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style along with the premise of the novel. Our FMC is convinced she is cursed and is keeping everyone she loves at a distance. In a last-ditch effort to break her “curse,” she goes on a bookish retreat which soon turns deadly.

Our MMC is a walking green flag and a complete cinnamon roll. I was initially thrown by how quickly they seemed to be connecting - but I loved how their shared trauma and grief experiences brought them together. I really enjoyed our FMC’s growth and acceptance of her past.

I felt the pacing of the story stalled out for a moment somewhere in the middle - but it definitely picked back up in the end. I enjoyed some of the twists and turns of the “whodunnit” aspect of the story. The ending / epilogue were my favorite part - I love how the story was wrapped up.

This story is perfect for anyone who loves murder mysteries / true crime and an immediate connection / romance

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wow. Wow!! This book was absolutely incredible. I pretty much binged it and have decided that romantic suspense is probably my favorite genre! 

Drew believes her life is nothing but a bag of bad luck. She is completely convinced that she will never break her curse and that she can no longer get close to the people she loves unless she wants to lose them. Those that she is closest to hate to see her believing these things and they decide to surprise her with a book retreat at the Ravenwood Manor. Drew is reluctant but eventually attends and the events that unfold will keep you on the edge of your sweet the entire time. Not to mention, you will totally be swooning over the romance. This book gave me all the emotions. I was anxious with anticipation one minute, kicking my feet and giggling the next, and even shed some tears. 

Read if you like:
🍓Romantic Suspense
☕️Anxiety rep
🍓Small town secrets
☕️Healing from Grief
🍓Slow burn 
☕️Indie Authors
🍓Murder Mystery
☕️Cinnamon Roll MMC
🍓Closed Door/Low Spice
☕️Books with their own signature coffee

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! Nikki has an incredible talent for writing characters, each one has a depth and richness; no one reads like a side charcter, every one of the them served a purpose. As far as murder mysteries go, I didn't read any plot holes. The book started slow and left plenty of room for build up. Drew's character is one that many readers may find relatable in chunks of her personality, and I've certainly met people like Drew in my life. She is a FMC at the very bottom of her self-esteem boat shouldering too much and riddled with anxiety. She's written in a way that gives her so much room for growth through the story. Cameron is a charismatic charming man who's written to care for his community and family, even if its not in the way he was raised to. The juxtaposition of how Cameron is introduced into Drew's story and who he becomes in the later chapters is such a great duality. Not to mention there are carefully curated details in the book that hold you so tightly, particularly the chocolate covered strawberry latte. It's the sweeter smaller details that really made this book come alive.

[Jillian Pezanosky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute and precious. The plot twist, the suspense, and the chemistry will have you down bad, giggling, and kicking your feet.
Drew and Cameron will be your next favourite Duo!

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book a lot! A romantic suspense, whodunit that had me second guessing myself the whole time! This book had its claws in me from the very beginning. Oh and the setting! Perfect! House retreat, mostly strangers, storming weather?! Like cmon!!! So good!

[Wooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, anyone who knows me knows I don’t usually read anything that isn’t sci-fi or fantasy. And I usually wouldn’t ever have picked up a romantic thriller on my own. BUT I stumbled my way onto this author’s street/hype team after she held a fun game on her Instagram to guess her new author pseudonym (which was a delight, lemme tell you). So as a street team member, I got to read an ARC of the book and lemme tell y’all — you know it’s gotta be a good book for Christina to read outside her preferred genres.

Vibes:
FMC who believes she’s cursed with bad luck
A hunk of a cinnamon roll MMC
A latte that I now MUST try
A well-intended retreat to read books and drink wine in Charlotte, NC that leads to MURDER!?

Nikki gets an A+ for the tension in this book. Even if smut is your thing, I think you’d still be satisfied with the closed-door romance of this book because the tension is absolutely palpable.

I really enjoyed the cast of characters. Drew is definitely relatable, especially if you’ve struggled with the particular brand of anxiety where you feel like everything bad that happens is your fault and you can’t stop your brain from projecting all the worst-possible outcomes of every scenario you can imagine. Cameron - he’s definitely swoon-worthy, but he did have a few moments for me where I went “ehh, really?” Though, to be fair, he and Drew do have a LOT in common, and I guess those kinds of things can make you feel an intense connection with someone very quickly. The side characters were delightful, too. I especially adored Ollie and Monkia.

Plus, there were moments when I literally laughed out loud.

Pacing-wise, things take a while to get going (the Murder doesn’t occur until Chapter 29 / 51%). Not that I have a lot of experience reading murder mysteries, but I’d expect the murder to happen sooner. Though, after finding out whodunnit, I definitely understand why we needed a lot of interaction before the murder.

It all felt very well researched — to the point where I got a little bit of PTSD at the mentions of the Charlotte airport because of how realistic the description was (truly, it’s the worst airport in the US). Belgrave also did an excellent job researching the setting, since several landscapes are mentioned and all are 100% accurate. As a lifelong North Carolinian, I can definitely attest that the research put into making the setting feel realistic was well done!

There were a few spots that could have done with a bit more thorough editing, but all in all, this is a very well-rounded read. Enough mystery and suspense to keep your heart rate at a healthy level while still having plenty of romantic moments. Or maybe it’s the other way around? I truly can’t tell because this is definitely a romance and a suspense/murder mystery. The blend of genres was so, SO well done.

This was one of those stories that, after you find out who the culprit is, you want to go back and reread immediately to see if there’s anything you missed.

Truly, I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s a very quick, enjoyable read that makes me think I might like murder mysteries more than I thought I would. I'm extremely thankful to the author for gifting me a copy of this book to read early!

[Steph Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Twisted Game of Clue

Murder Mystery ✅ Romance ✅ Superstition ✅ Cinnamon Roll MMC ✅ Strong (but tired) FMC✅

There are many wonderful authors I could draw comparisons to, but Belgrave’s work deserves to stand entirely alone. This book is a genre-bending rollercoaster that I am begging to see adapted into a limited series or movie immediately! The characters are so well-developed that I could see each of them, main and supporting, come to life on the screen!

At the center of the story, we have our FMC, Drew, and our MMC, Cameron. Drew gives “strong but tired” in the most relatable ways. Cam gives golden retriever meets cinnamon roll. Both characters are navigating through their own separate traumas and struggling to put their lives back together.

The supporting characters are phenomenal and do their jobs pushing the main characters out of their comfort zone (sometimes in good faith…sometimes not so much). Belgrave fabricated the characters with such thought, that as a reader I was left satisfied while selfishly wanting more. I would absolutely read the spinoffs for the supporting characters! There is so much else that can be done in this world that Belgrave created, especially leaning into the superstitions and suspense!

Watching the different main and supporting characters' journeys provided just the right amount of romance amongst the chaos. The vibe I received from this story is that of a twisted, black cat superstitious game of Clue. The tension is palpable, especially when you hear the dreaded, famous last words: “I’ll be right back.” You want to scream at the pages, but you can't stop turning them.

Ultimately, what boosts the story from an average suspense read to a five-star read is the emotional complexity. Amidst the comic relief and the suspense, there are moments of stabilization and grounding. A quote that stuck with me is, “Smell the flowers, and then blow out the birthday candles, just like Birdie used to say.”

If you are looking for a genre-bender that combines the right touches of suspense and closed-door romance, this is the story for you! Now I am off to get my chocolate-covered strawberry latte!

[Bari Mariani · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely amazing read. Thank you to IRIS influencer society and Nikki for the eARC!

Drew thinks she has been cursed her whole life. She doesn’t allow herself to fully live and enjoy life because of it. Her family forces her to go on a reading retreat to break this curse!
While there she decides to become “Epic Drew”. She meets Cameron and they both fall instantly. But what happens when things take a drastic turn? Will she break the curse? Will she fall in love? You just have to read to find out.

As someone who suffers from anxiety, I love how awkward Drew is! I was really able to connect with her with her anxiety and worse case scenarios.

Cameron is truly a cinnamon roll and needs to be protected at all costs! Their shared understanding of loss and grief is what brought them together. There was never any judgement between them- ever.

These quotes sum up their relationship:

“That’s just what people who care about each other do. They step up when the other person breaks down.”

“We know each other’s deepest regrets, Drew. And the secrets that we keep hidden from the world. I think that holds a lot more weight than knowing each other’s middle names.”

“Together we can face any challenge. And when the monsters try to overtake us, then we’ll just have to make sure we find a couple of really big swords to fight them off with.”

In terms of mystery:
We don’t get into the suspense part until 50% but once you get there you are in for one wild ride. I can add this as another book where I did not guess correctly!

Glimpses and kisses
As someone who primarily reads open spice romance I have to say that I did not miss it at all. This story did not need it! You totally can feel their attraction to each other without any of those scenes.