What Love Can Be

Shelby Falls Series

De: Katharine Hope Levy

Narrado por: Amelie Griffin, Nelson Hobbs

Successful attorney Mark Jansen would like nothing more than to settle down and have a family of his own. But after losing both of his parents in a fatal car crash when he was just seven years old, trusting his heart to someone else doesn’t come easy. That is until one night of passion when one woman manages to break down all of his defenses. But just as quickly as he falls for the sweet, sexy redhead with the unforgettable green eyes, things unravel—just like they always do.

However, fate isn’t finished with these two quite yet when, two years later, Mark realizes he may be a father. But he won’t know that for sure until he finds out the truth, and for that he needs to find the woman who stole his heart.

What he didn’t plan on was falling in love with her…a second time.

Content Warnings: Loss of a child; Parental loss; Pregnancy issues; Grief

©2025 Katharine Hope Levy (P)2025 Katharine Hope Levy

Communication is key through difficult life events

This book took me on an emotional journey I wasn’t quite prepared for, in the best way possible. At its core, it's a love story—but one that doesn’t shy away from life’s heaviness. The characters navigate some incredibly difficult terrain: the death of parents in childhood, the painful loss of a pregnancy as a result from a one-night stand, and the added stress of having a parent incarcerated and who is also up for parole. These topics are handled with a thoughtful sensitivity that doesn’t feel performative, but rather, deeply human.

What I appreciated most was how the relationship was built on communication and mutual support. When she makes the leap to move for him, it doesn’t feel like a sacrifice—it feels like trust. And when he helps her find a job before she even settles in, it becomes clear this isn’t a one-sided romance. Their partnership bloomed quickly but done with intention and care, rather than drama and miscommunication. They talk—really talk—through their grief, their fears, their future. And they manage to do it without the typical third-act breakup trope, which felt refreshingly mature.

That said, not everything fit as seamlessly. A few parts of the storyline felt a little off or implausible—moments that took me out of the emotional momentum. But strong narration helped pull me back in. The narrators did an excellent job of conveying the emotional depth of the characters without veering into melodrama.

And for those wondering about the spice factor? I’d give it a solid 2.5 peppers—enough heat to keep things interesting without overwhelming the emotional heart of the story.

Overall, this is a tender, realistic portrayal of two people finding each other in the midst of very real pain. It's not a light read, but it’s one that lingers with you long after you turn the last page.

Great story and well written

A fast read. Loved the characters. I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a love story.

Such a cute story!

*contains possible spoiler*

This was my first book from this author and I really liked it. It’s a light hearted second chance romance. It does have topics of abortion and loss of parents, so consider any possible TW for that.
I absolutely loved the way the MMC was so vulnerable, kind, and loving to the FMC. For the most part, I loved the narrators. There were a couple of times with the male narrator where it felt more like he was reading lines instead of putting feelings behind the words, if that makes sense. However, overall they were great!
This would be a perfect book for anyone who wants a sweet romance with some spice to it. I’ll definitely be checking out more of this author’s books.

Absolutely loved this!!

I loved everything about this wonderful story. The main characters are their love for each other really shined. It was a well-written and well thought out book. The narrators also did a phenomenal job! I would highly recommend this book for all the second-chance lovers out there!

Sweet Love

Gotta love a sweet love. That's what the story had. Even though there were some sensitive topics and hard decisions, this was a sweet love story. Low on angst, but just enough to keep you guessing what would happen. Mark was such a sweet caring man and made up for his past decisions. Fin was sweet, caring and had the biggest heart. Sometimes you don't need a lot of angst to make the story good. I really enjoyed it and the narration was really good being dual. This was my first read of Katharine's, but I will be reading more!

Such a cute story

The author and narrators were all new for me. Finn and Marks story was so beautiful . I love a good second chance romance. The had such good chemistry. There were such heart felt moments and really got you in your feels at some points . I enjoyed this and would look forward to knowing more from the authors catalog .

Excellent narration of this beautiful second chance romance

This beautiful second chance love story is multi-faceted and you are immediately drawn into the story. Mark’s tragic past has shaped him into the man he is today and his vulnerability, which is so beautifully portrayed by narrator Nelson Hobbs, really draws you in. Amelie Griffin is perfect as Fin.
This story has so much depth and tackles some difficult subjects so see the content warnings in the description.
At the same time, Mark & Fin are so flirty & playful together! The open door love scenes are tastefully done & 🔥! The relationships are well developed & realistic and I really enjoyed the side characters too. The brother (Dan) is very entertaining and Fin’s parents are a nice subplot.
This was a very satisfying listen that I raced through! Loved it and Nelson Hobbs is incredible as Mark!

Swoon-worthy second chance romance

What Love Can Be is a beautifully written second-chance romance that completely captivated me from beginning to end. The story follows Fin and Mark, whose miscommunication and I guess circumstance (without giving anything away)—find their way back to each other. *Please check TW*

What I loved most about this book was the depth of the characters. The pain they shared and their hope felt incredibly real, making their journey toward reconnection all the more powerful. The author did an incredible job weaving past and present, allowing us to see how these two came back to each other but even beyond the romance, What Love Can Be explores themes of self-discovery, healing, and the idea that sometimes, love isn’t about finding someone new—it’s about finding your way back to the one who was meant for you all along. I also loved how the story told more than just them finding their way back but actually how they dealt with different circumstances in their new found love again.

The chemistry between the characters was undeniable, and every interaction was charged with emotion. We all need a Mark Jensen in our life! He was truly something else. Absolutely loved when he called her, Finney! So, whether it was the small or soul-baring every moment felt authentic and raw. The whole storyline kept me completely invested in their story.

Finally, lets not forget to note the audio-chefs kiss! Nelson Hobbs and Amelie Griffin did an amazing job. I forgot how much I enjoyed Nelson and went on to search more from him! I do wish Book 1 was in audio because I would love to read that, and if there is a book 3 I hope it centers around her brother Dan!

If you love second-chance romances with heart, depth, and a love story that lingers long after the last page, this book is an absolute must-read. Highly recommend! 💕📖