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Always Mine is the first novel in Laura Pavlov’s Honey Mountain series, a warm and emotional friends-to-lovers romance that introduces the Thomas sisters and sets the tone for the series’ blend of heart, heat, and small-town charm. Published on April 21, 2022, this story begins the Honey Mountain journey with firefighter Niko West and his lifelong best friend Vivian Thomas, whose friendship turns into something they can’t ignore.
The Setting & Author Context
Honey Mountain is Laura Pavlov’s fictional Sierra-Nevada–style town — a close-knit community surrounded by lakes, pine trees, and family-run businesses. The author uses it as a stage for emotionally driven yet comforting love stories about the Thomas sisters, each navigating grief, identity, and new beginnings.
Pavlov’s writing style blends contemporary dialogue with Hallmark-style pacing and genuine sensuality. She’s known for strong female friendships and grounded heroes who are protective without being controlling — a combination that makes her books especially beloved among small-town romance readers.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Vivian Thomas has spent years keeping things simple — running her boutique, supporting her sisters, and staying close to her best friend, firefighter Niko West. When a moment of vulnerability leads to an unexpected kiss, neither can pretend the line between friendship and love hasn’t vanished.
As their chemistry ignites, Niko’s fear of loss and Vivian’s cautious heart collide. What follows is a tender, low-angst romance that feels both lived-in and electric. Pavlov focuses on emotional safety, realistic conflict resolution, and the kind of steady intimacy that defines mature love.
Characters & Themes
Vivian Thomas — The responsible oldest sister, balancing independence with a quiet ache for connection.
Niko West — A dependable firefighter with a guarded soul and a childhood wound that drives his protective instincts.
The novel explores:
- Emotional courage — the bravery it takes to risk friendship for love.
- Healing through community — how small towns become support systems.
- The comfort of continuity — when love grows out of years of familiarity.
This isn’t a story about grand gestures — it’s about noticing small ones. Pavlov uses her trademark “everyday tenderness” to show that intimacy often comes from consistency, not chaos.
Trope & Reader Experience
At its heart, Always Mine is a friends-to-lovers romance. Readers looking for drama-heavy breakups won’t find them here. Instead, it’s about gentle emotional tension, self-discovery, and the delicate fear that honesty might ruin everything.
Expect:
- A moderate heat level (open-door but emotional first).
- Minimal external conflict — the focus stays on personal growth.
- Realistic sister dynamics woven in as groundwork for future books.
Perfect for: fans of Abby Jimenez, Devney Perry, and Elsie Silver — authors who balance heartwarming banter with genuine vulnerability.
Reader Suitability
Always Mine reads like a comfort romance — cozy, modern, and emotionally grounded. It’s ideal for readers who:
- Prefer low-drama, character-driven stories.
- Enjoy slow-burn intimacy rather than instant-lust plots.
- Appreciate seeing strong friendships evolve naturally into love.
It’s also one of Pavlov’s most approachable starting points for new romance readers.
Where to Buy
Readers looking for a cozy friends-to-lovers romance can grab a copy below.
View “Always Mine” on Amazon US.
Reading out of order won’t break each romance, but beginning here gives you the emotional base for the entire Honey Mountain world, especially the sisters’ dynamic that runs quietly in the background.
Learn more about the complete Laura Pavlov book series and explore all Honey Mountain stories in order.