If You Were Mine

The Cage Family, Book 3

The last words I said to my best friend were “I trust you”. Then the world went dark, and I nearly lost everything.

While my best friend’s little sister lost even more.

I promised him that I’d take care of her—but if he knew my current thoughts when it came to Harper, he’d have never trusted me.

She’s too young for me. Too bright to my shadows. And too tempting.

Now I’m stuck in our small town, and I can’t escape her. I’d rather hide in my cabin, restoring what was once lost. Only Harper won’t let me.

I’ve already held onto more secrets than my family knows. I don’t know if I can keep what I feel about her secret too.

She sees beyond my scars and anger, and I know she hides her own just as tightly.

When one kiss changes everything, there’s no going back—even if it shatters everything in our wake.

**If You Were Mine is an age gap, best friend’s little sister, tortured hero, small town romance featuring Dorian and Harper. Each book can be listened to as a complete standalone. An HEA is guaranteed!**

©2025 Carrie Ann Ryan (P)2025 Carrie Ann Ryan

Cage family saga

I’m loving this series, and there seems to be enough siblings to be able to keep the series going for a few more books. Please never use Virtual Voice!

Emotional and romantic

I love that we’re only in the third book of this series and it keeps getting better. “If You Were Mine” is an emotional, romantic and heart squeezing age gap, best friend’s little sister romance that was a swoony addition to the series.

It’s been a year since Dorian Cage was in the plane crash that killed his best friend and left him with injuries he’ll deal with for the rest of his life. Now he’s back in Cage Lake fixing up the house his estranged father left him. And he also can’t stay away from his best friend’s little sister, Harper. Harper is a baker and has been living day to day since losing her only family that she had left. And when she sees Dorian, the crush she always had resurfaces and Dorian has had the same feelings but had always suppressed them. But now that he’s in town, they can’t stay away from each other despite Dorian thinking he’s not good enough for her.

The longing these two had for each other was so sweet and I couldn’t wait for them to give into their feelings. Both had lost their person when Harper’s brother and needed each other in such different ways now. Harper is genuine, brave and so strong in this book. Losing her parents, being separated from her brother and then losing him in a horrible way. But she was so strong and opened her own bakery and it was thriving. Dorian was so tortured from the crash and had a huge dose of survivor’s guilt. There was nothing he could have done and that definitely sat with him throughout his recovery. Even though his Dad's will forced him back to Cage Lake, I loved that he came back and could reconnect with Harper. He cared for her so deeply and went into protective mode the moment he saw her again. I love the medium-ish burn until they gave into their attraction and once they did, it was sizzling hot. The Cage family is a twisted web and I have enjoyed getting to know them. And that teaser for the books has me counting down the days. I loved the ending, it was so perfect for them.

Callie Dalton and Ryan West narrated as Harper and Dorian and I loved listening to them bring this story to life. Callie’s narration was genuine and sweet just like Harper. Ryan did a great job bringing the grumpy yet vulnerable Dorian alive.

Love Dorian

Loved Dorian and Harper's story. Beautiful best friend's little sister, small town vibe and incredibly told by Carrie. Couldn't put it down once I started. Carrie did another outstanding job telling this story.

Amazing best friend’s little sister romance

I received this as an arc/alc from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving my honest review.

This was an amazing best friend’s little sister romance. It was as always by this author an extremely well written book that really packed an emotional punch starting right from the beginning. I loved everything about this story from the all the characters, the setting and of course the steam. Dorian and Harper were such a great match, they had such incredible chemistry. I also loved how this story set up the next book, I for one can’t wait to read Hudson’s story.

Audiobook review: I liked listening to this story but it was my favorite narration ever. The female narrator did a great job portraying Harper’s vulnerability and also her strength. I didn’t like the male narrator as much. But when the story was as amazing as it was I was able to get over the narration not being my favorite.

Dorian and Harper

A deeply emotional, captivating and heartwarming romance. I adored Dorian and Harper. They had so many hills to climb but the deep bond they developed kept them strong. I couldn't get enough of them and of course the Cage siblings. Great story!