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Mona Shroff
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Then, Now, Always Mass Market Paperback – January 28, 2020

by Mona Shroff (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
"Utterly unforgettable.” —Falguni Kothari, author of The Object of Your Affections, on Then, Now, Always

"This was the kind of story that lives and breathes with you." —Shaila Patel, author of Soulmated, on Then, Now, Always

Sometimes first love is better the second time around.

Maya Rao has made her own dreams come true: she’s the owner of a bustling café and bakery in New York and the mother of a beautiful teenage daughter, Samantha. But when Samantha lands in legal trouble over a misdemeanor she didn’t commit, Maya is desperate. Desperate enough to call Samantha’s dad, Sam Hutcherson, whom Maya left abruptly many years ago, and who is now a successful lawyer. The problem? Sam doesn’t know he has a daughter.

Sam has put Maya firmly in his past, despite how shattered he was when she broke his heart. So he’s both dumbfounded and furious to find Maya outside his office asking for his help—with a picture of a girl who looks just like him. But as Sam reconnects with Maya, those old sparks begin to fly. Can he even picture a future with the woman who wrecked his past?

Don’t miss The Second First Chance by Mona Shroff! A stunning new novel about courage, hope and second chances perfect for fans of Katherine Center and Jill Santopolo.
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  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HQN
  4. Publication date
    January 28, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    4.11 x 1.01 x 6.57 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1335013180
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1335013187
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover comes a novel that explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love. | Learn more

From the Publisher

Then, Now, Always
Then There Was You
The Second First Chance
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Customer Reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars 70
4.0 out of 5 stars 37
4.1 out of 5 stars 32
Price $3.99 $0.99 $6.99
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Shroff manages to make several of romance’s most enduring tropes feel fresh in her cute contemporary debut…[Sam and Maya’s] sweet second-chance romance is rendered with nimble prose, quick plotting, and rich cultural details, making it clear that Shroff is a writer to watch.”— Publishers Weekly


"A sweet angsty romance with a second chance for two people struggling to overcome the harsh mistakes of their past."--Sonali Dev, author of Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors

"Mona Shroff weaves a sweet and heartwarming romance of forgiveness and second chances, and the lies we tell in the name of love. Sam and Maya are utterly unforgettable." -Falguni Kothari, author of The Object of Your Affections

"This was the kind of story that lives and breathes with you...the kind where the characters stick with you long after you're done. The fact they looked like me made it all the more real." -Shaila Patel, author of Soulmated

About the Author

Mona is obsessed with everything romantic, including chocolate, coffee and wine. PW calls her "a writer to watch" and Sonali Dev called her first novel, Then, Now, Always a "sweet, angsty romance." Her daughter just got married-look for bits from her wedding in the upcoming installments of her Once Upon A Wedding Series! Her son is working as a bio-medical engineer - so she's an empty-nester, and will be giving in to her wander lust as she travels! Mona lives in Maryland with her romance-loving husband and their Covid rescue dog, Nala.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HQN
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 28, 2020
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Original
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1335013180
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1335013187
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.11 x 1.01 x 6.57 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

About the author

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Mona Shroff

Mona Shroff

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Mona has always been obsessed with everything romantic, so it’s fitting that she writes romantic stories by night, even though she’s an optometrist by day. If she’s not writing, she’s making melt-in-your-mouth chocolate truffles or riding her bike or doing her favorite thing, reading. Alone time is precious, but Mona is just as likely to be raising a glass of wine or her favorite gin and tonic with friends and family. She’s blessed with an amazing daughter and a loving son who have both gone off to college. Mona lives in Maryland with her romance loving husband and their daughter’s dog.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
70 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's storyline compelling and beautiful, particularly appreciating the awesome epilogue. They describe it as a great read, and one customer notes how it pays subtle homage to Indian culture.

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StorylineReadabilityCulture
11 customers mention "Storyline"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of this book, describing it as a beautiful tale of love with an awesome epilogue.

"his was my first book that I've read by Ms. Shroff. I love 2nd chance books with an HEA. I really enjoyed the characters and the story line...." Read more

"...The epilogue was fantastic, bringing soft laughs, warm feelings, and tears. I recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Mona Shroff." Read more

"...It artfully tells the story of growing up in the Indian culture in American society and the struggles of Sam and Maya who try to meet family..." Read more

"...I liked the summary and story was everything I expected. The then and now flipping was the only downside but it couldn't be avoided." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a great read.

"I greatly enjoyed this book, despite some reservations. The storyline, which alternated between 1996 and 2012/2013, was easy to follow...." Read more

"This was my first book by this author and it did not disappoint. I liked the summary and story was everything I expected...." Read more

"This is a great read and you instantly make connections with the main characters Sam and Maya...." Read more

"I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. It had a !it of exciting think made me can't put it down" Read more

3 customers mention "Culture"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the cultural elements in the book, with one mentioning how it pays subtle homage to Indian culture.

"...I really enjoyed the characters and the story line. I also learned about the Indian culture and some of it's language. Very timely ...." Read more

"...I also loved how it pays subtle homage to Indian culture." Read more

"Enjoyed the culture. Well developed characters. Story had depth. Good read-would highly recommend. Look forward to more from this author." Read more

Then, Now, Always
3 out of 5 stars
Then, Now, Always
Then, Now, Always by Mona Shroff Contemporary own voice multicultural romance. Dual time line. Second chance and secret baby troupes. Maya Rao is a single mother and owner of a successful cafe and bakery in New York. When her sixteen year old daughter gets in more trouble than can be easily fixed, Mayo knows it’s time to ask for help from a lawyer, who also happens to be her daughter’s father. Problem is that Sam has no idea there was a child or even why Mayo left him, so he’s not too happy about this change in his life. But he’s soon more than thrilled to spend time with his daughter and make some changes in his own life. I’ve never been a fan of manipulative parents or lies and unfortunately this story has both. Both get resolved as Samantha gets to know her father and Sam and Maya reconnect and truly start talking. The time line goes from present to when Maya and Sam were dating in college. There are several cultural influences as part of the story, some for cause, some for enrichment of environment. The romance blooms again for a lovely second chance for the family. Endearing.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Millie Carter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Second Chance's
    Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    his was my first book that I've read by Ms. Shroff. I love 2nd chance books with an HEA. I really enjoyed the characters and the story line. I also learned about the Indian culture and some of it's language. Very timely . I recommend this book and plan to follow and read more of Ms. Shroff's books
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  • George
    4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful second chance romance
    Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I greatly enjoyed this book, despite some reservations. The storyline, which alternated between 1996 and 2012/2013, was easy to follow. I liked the main characters of Sam, Maya, and Samantha. I understood the importance of Maya's experience in causing her to hide Samantha 's existence from Sam, although I despised her choice. Poor Sam, to have his daughter's existence hidden for 16 years. His anger is justified!

    Despite the positives, I had some problems that had me waffling between rating the book between a 4 and 5. I felt the eventual reconciliation between Sam and Maya dragged a bit. I felt Sam was unjustifiably castigated for giving up on Maya in 1996 and not more actively pursuing Maya in 2012/2013. Maya told him several times in 1996 she didn't love him, and actively discouraged him in 2012/2013. So is he supposed to ignore her words and actions and become the creepy stalker guy? The character of Raju-kaka, Maya's mom's suitor, was absurd. Her mom, who doesn't trust men, actively discourages him for nearly THIRTY YEARS, and he continues his pursuit!

    Despite my concerns, I really got sucked into the main characters and story. The epilogue was fantastic, bringing soft laughs, warm feelings, and tears. I recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Mona Shroff.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Sharvari Dalal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful tale of love, family pressures and second chances
    Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2020
    Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
    A wonderful debut by the talented Mona Shroff. A very compelling story that draws you in and makes you experience the gamut of emotions! It artfully tells the story of growing up in the Indian culture in American society and the struggles of Sam and Maya who try to meet family expectations, while trying to be their own person. All with a sweet love story that pulls you in. Couldn’t put it down and left me wanting more.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was my first book by this author and it did not disappoint. I liked the summary and story was everything I expected. The then and now flipping was the only downside but it couldn't be avoided.
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  • barbara sargent
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I've never read this author before. I especially enjoyed the history lesson. I had to Google a few times. Loved the story line. The epilogue was really awesome
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  • LeighFleming
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Second-Time-Around
    Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed this debut novel about second chances.
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  • LG
    5.0 out of 5 stars Takes you back to sweetness of youth
    Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2020
    Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is a great read and you instantly make connections with the main characters Sam and Maya. I was also transported back to my own youth and remembered the sweet reasons why we fall in love :)
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  • Olivia F.
    4.0 out of 5 stars lovely second chance romance
    Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2020
    Format: Kindle
    THEN, NOW, ALWAYS is a solid second-chance romance that follows Maya and Sam in both the then (1996) and now (2012/2013). Maya and Sam fell in love one summer when they were very young and she was a nanny for his much younger cousins. However, just as they were about to take a step further, their relationship ended.

    Now, Maya is seeking out Sam for his help with her daughter, Samantha, who is being targeted by a mean girl who also has a lot of money and thus power. Sam is a lawyer- and Samantha's father. After he finds out, everything changes. However, one thing that remains the same is their feelings for each other- if they can get past the issues and trust problems that destroyed their relationship the first time around.

    This was a strong second-chance romance with a much more mature couple (in age, being in their upper-30s, and experience). The flow of the book was good with the back and forth through time to fill in the questions about what led to where they are in the present. The path is not always clear, but this book felt really genuine to me. I also really love that they are Indian American (meaning their parents were from India), and it was great to see how their heritage influences their present in some ways.

    As a couple, it was easy to believe in them. The book is very clean (steamy kisses only), and it really builds the emotional side of each individually and together. I really enjoyed this heartfelt book about taking another chance and the importance of trust.

    Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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