We have reached the moment of my Chestnut Springs re-read that I have been waiting for! I was so excited to revisit the instalment that was my favourite the first time through. Of course, it remains so on my second, in which I just let myself read this in one sitting on Sunday morning and it is just so damn perfect.

He’s scorching-hot trouble wrapped up in a drool-worthy package. And he’s looking at her like she might be his next meal. Theo Silva. Rowdy bull rider. Notorious ladies’ man. Winter Hamilton knows exactly what it means when he eyes her like that. But she’s almost free of her toxic marriage and has sworn off men entirely. So all she sees when she looks back at Theo is temptation served up with a heaping side of heartbreak. The man is hard to trust―but, it turns out, even harder to resist. Make that impossible. Because Theo is persistent. And no matter how hard Winter tries to freeze him out, he melts her icy exterior and pulls apart all her defenses. Over a drink in a small-town bar, she finds herself blurting out her deepest, darkest secrets. Then, she spends the singular hottest night of her life with the man she never thought she’d say yes to. He worships her body. He makes her blush. She comes alive beneath his hands. Then she tells him to forget it ever happened. She wants simple, and with him it all feels complicated. It was supposed to be a one-time thing. A secret. But that little plus sign is going to make this secret impossible to keep.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: How on earth can I even put into words how much I love Winter and Theo? Winter, was a character I remember being so excited to see have her own story. Throughout my re-read, I have been looking forward to being in her mind again. She is one of my favourite characters in this series, how she went from somewhat of a villain, to this girl in need of this found family. I am so glad she found it with Theo! He is definitely the most gentlemanly guy in Chestnut Springs. It is hard not to fall in love with him and how he loves his daughter and Winter with his whole heart.
• Setting: This story primarily takes place on the same road in Chestnut Springs, where Theo and Winter have conveniently ended up as next-door neighbours. Don’t worry there are still some key scenes at the Wishing Well, including my favourite Eaton family dinner with a “my wife” reference!
• Pacing: I remember flying through the book on my first time through, my second I re-read it on a Sunday morning in one sitting. I woke up, grabbed the book and just read for a few glorious hours. That is how easy this book, these characters, and this relationship is to escape into.
• Romance: Winter and Theo are the best Chestnut Springs couple! Elsie convinced me to love a trope that is often so hard to execute. From the early chapters, their chemistry is obvious and once they have a child it all but intensifies. The love feels so epic in this one. The spice and the steam are really great too, from the scene in the gym to the scene at the wedding, I just ate it all up. I cannot speak enough about how much I love this book, and how it is not just my favourite book in the series but one of my favourites I have read this year.

Reckless receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Shop Local | Amazon | Indigo

Thank you again to Elsie and Raincoast for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Elsie Silver’s Reckless Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

I have been loving this series so much and this next instalment sure throws readers for a loop, with so many things I was not expecting.

When you get a second chance, you don’t wait for a third…

Simone Solomon lives in a gilded cage. She’s been raised to wealth, privilege, and above all, obedience.

Hiding in the back of a limousine, dreading another tedious gala, Simone is abducted by a mafioso who intended to steal a car, not a girl.

Dante Gallo looks like a beast and behaves like one, too — until he lays eyes on Simone. Their attraction is irresistible, even if they’re completely wrong for each other.

Simone is willing to risk everything for Dante — until the disastrous night that splits them apart.

Fate grants her one more chance to reconnect with the man she can’t forget. But Simone has a secret… a mistake she fears Dante will never forgive…

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: The Gallo this instalment centers around is Dante Gallo and his second chance at love with Simone Soloman. I enjoyed these characters but I was not as invested as I have been. I did struggle with some of Simone’s choices, I do not want to give too much detail to avoid spoilers, but she was put in some difficult situations. Dante not holding that against her too much is indicative of what a great guy he was. He was easy to fall for and I loved reading all his interactions with his siblings.
• Setting: Sophie Lark’s mafia world is set in Chicago, and it does feel like coming home to a cast of characters that I love.
• Pacing: I just find these books so incredibly easy to fly through. This story is told in two parts, with a significant time jump in between. I was enraptured by the first part especially and how the characters met got me intrigued right from the start. This is paced so quickly though that at times it sure helps you read fast, but I did wonder if there were parts of the story that could have been flushed out a bit more.
• Romance: From the moment Dante and Simone meet in the most unlikely of circumstances I was cheering them on. I adored their early courtship, the sneaking out to see each other and of course the scaling of the balcony such a classic. Sophie Lark writes incredibly hot people, in hot scenes, with perfect accompanying art from Line Maria Eriksen. After being so attached to the characters in the first part of the book, naturally I was so invested in their second chance not just at love but at family.

Bloody Heart receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Shop Local | Amazon | Indigo

Thank you again to Sophie, Bloom, and Raincoast for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Sophie Lark’s Bloody Heart Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

This is one of my most anticipated reads for the first chunk of the year! Anyone who reads this blog will know firstly I love Cloverleigh Farms and secondly I am just a huge fan of all of Mel’s work. So now Mel is bringing together so many threads and characters from some of her best series.

I am a member of Melanie Harlow’s review team, but I stand by my reviews remaining honest and true.

The last person on earth I want to be stranded with is Gianni Lupo.

But thanks to the blizzard of the century, I’m trapped in a roadside motel room with that cocky bastard for two straight days.

With one small bed.

Some women might thank Mother Nature for delivering a polar vortex that maroons them with six feet of solid muscle, those deep blue eyes, that sexy grin–but not me. I’ve known Gianni Lupo all my life, and he’s never brought me anything but bad luck and trouble.

So when the tension between us explodes with enough fiery heat to melt my icy defenses, I should have known what the disastrous end result would be–

A big fat plus sign.

After the snow melts, I’m left with more than just memories of the night we spent keeping each other warm. And he might be a rising star on the culinary scene, but he’s got no idea how to handle this bun in the oven.

He says he wants to do the right thing, but I’m not about to spend the rest of my life feeling like someone settled for me.

But just when I think I’ve got Gianni Lupo all figured out, he gives me a taste of the man he could be, of the family we could become, of the way he could love me if I let him.

I’m terrified of falling for him.

But one taste might be all it takes.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Our heroine is Ellie Fournier, you should remember her from the previous instalment, Ignite as she was Winnie’s bestie. She is the daughter of Mia and Lucas from Frenched, a Melanie Harlow classic. Ellie works at Abelard Vineyard, which her parents own. Ellie is a sommelier, hosting the wine tastings at the vineyard. Our hero is Gianni Lupo, who was also introduced in the last book as the frienemy of Ellie. His parents are Coco and Nick from Forked, the second book in the Frenched series. He is the chef at Abelard’s restaurant, Etoile. Gianni is semi-famous, as he was on a cooking reality show and he is supposed to be hosting another one. Ellie and Gianni have known each other forever as their moms are best friends.
• Setting: Abelard is located in Michigan. The real scene-stealer is not the setting, it is the climate. The premise of the story features our hero and heroine stuck for a night, snowed in. And of course, the hotel room only has one bed!
• Pacing: This book flew by. I was hooked very early on and could not put it down. I read through the blizzard section incredibly fast, I was sad how fast it was over. It felt like I was still in the beginning when I looked down and suddenly I had 15% left in the story.
• Romance: These frenemies are incredibly attracted to each other and sure have some very complicated feelings. Gianni gets distracted by Ellie’s beauty, while Ellie daydreams about hooking up with him. They are incredibly passionate and so they butt heads easily. They know each other better than anyone else, so they know how to push each other’s buttons. But they also know how to satisfy each other’s needs in bed. There is so much good hot angry sex. This was a great story, and of course, it was because every Cloverleigh Story is freaking phenomenal.

Taste receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Grab your copy exclusively on Amazon today!

Amazon | Amazon Worldwide | Paperback

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Thank you again to Melanie and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Melanie Harlow’s Taste ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

These are some of the best Holiday stories I have read in a very long time. All romance fans will love these couples and their love stories.

I am a Willa Nash review team member, but I stand by my reviews remaining honest and true.

“One week with one little girl—an angel, according to my staffing agency. Acting as the short-term nanny for a single dad should have been an easy way to make some extra cash. Until I show up for my first day and face off with a demon disguised as a seven-year-old girl wearing a red tutu and matching glitter slippers.

Oh, and her father? My temporary boss? Maddox Holiday. The same Maddox Holiday I crushed on in high school. The same Maddox Holiday who didn’t even know I existed. And the same Maddox Holiday who hasn’t set foot in Montana for years because he’s been too busy running his billionaire empire.

Enduring seven days is going to feel like scaling the Himalayas in six-inch heels. Toss in the Holiday family’s annual soiree, and Christmas Eve nightmares really do come true. But I can do anything for a week, especially for this paycheck, even if it means wrangling the naughty, impressing the nice, and playing the nanny.”

“I pride myself in being grounded. Sure, I’ve had my share of childhood fantasies. Winning an Oscar. Winning the lottery. Winning an Olympic medal for an athletic talent I have yet to discover. But the only fantasy I ever thought might actually happen was winning my brother’s best friend.

Heath Holiday.

My crush on him has ebbed and flowed over the years, but the day I started working for his construction company was the day I smothered it for good. Sort of. Mostly. It was on my to-do list. Making it a priority would have been easier had he not arrived at his family’s annual Christmas party looking ridiculously handsome in a suit.

Then he kissed me. We stepped into an alternate universe and he kissed me. I assumed the next day I’d just be Guy’s little sister again. The office newbie. Our kiss forgotten. Except he keeps showing up at my house. With gifts.

A gold bracelet carrying three jingling bells. Two dainty jeweled earrings, each shaped as a bow. And finally, he brought himself.

One brother’s best friend, asking if I can keep a secret.”

“There are a lot of places I’d rather spend Christmas Eve morning than on a cold, snowy sidewalk outside someone else’s home. I’d kill to be sitting beside a fireplace, drinking cocoa, wearing flannel pajamas and reading a book.

Instead, I’m here, standing in front of my one-night stand’s house, working up the courage to ring the doorbell and tell him I’m pregnant.

I hate that term—one-night stand. It sounds so cheap and sleezy. Tobias Holiday is neither of those things. He’s handsome and caring. Witty and charismatic. And once, a long time ago, he was mine.

Our one-night reunion was only supposed to be a hookup. A fling with an old lover. A parting farewell before I moved to London and put my feelings for him an ocean away. How exactly am I supposed to explain that to Tobias that I’m having a baby? His baby? Maybe I could sing it. He always loved the silly songs I made up in the shower.

Three French hens, two turtle doves.

And a partridge and a pregnancy.” 

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• General Thoughts: These were some of the best holiday shorts I have ever read. They were neither too short nor too long. I loved the setting of Bozeman, Montana and how it was depicted as an ever-growing town. I loved that the stories were about brothers and the interconnectedness was phenomenal. These were all perfect examples of how to do these tropes and do them well. From falling for the nanny to an accidental pregnancy to falling in love with your best friend’s brother. There are many scenes and characters that overlap and it was really nice to see some important scenes from more than one point of view.
• The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny: Natalie is a nanny and Maddox hires her to watch his daughter Violet for a week. They have an immediate attraction, as Natalie kinda crushed on Maddox during high school. I loved the dynamic between Violet and Natalie. I also really liked how this book examined step-parents. It really eloquently explored the influence these parental figures can have on our lives.
• Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother’s Best Friend: Stella has always crushed on Heath, but he is her brother’s best friend. Plus Heath is now her boss now too. Heath has been crushing on Stella too. Once they started hooking up, I loved how they were so insatiable. What really drove the plot was the secrets they were keeping from each other and everyone around them. I really liked how this one was paced.
• A Partridge and a Pregnancy: Eva and Tobias dated in college, but she wanted to move away from Montana while he wanted to stay. They reconnect years later and have a one-night stand. But surprise! Now she is pregnant! I loved watching as these two fell victim to their whims and their feelings for each other. The story has its frustrating moments because you cannot help but root for them and they just will not commit.

The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny receives five out of five stars.

Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother’s Best Friend receives five out of five stars.

A Partridge and a Pregnancy receives fives out of five stars.

You can pick up the stories here.

Follow Willa Nash on all her social channels…

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Twitter | Bookbub | Pinterest

Thank you again to Devney and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Willa Nash’s The Holiday Brothers Series ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

OMG I am over the moon to announce this is my first Devney Perry review as an official member of her review team. I discovered Devney very early on in her career before The Coopersmith Farmhouse series was even complete, and I have been reviewing for her for years through various PR companies. I am so happy to be on her dedicated and to continue to scream from the rooftops, about just how much I love Devney’s work.

I am a member of Devney Perry’s review team, but I stand by my reviews remaining honest and true.

Check out the Goodreads synopsis…

“Leo Winter loves his life. He works when he needs money. He rides when he craves freedom. He frequents the local bar when he wants a good time. The Tin Gypsies might be a memory, but the bachelor life he lived with his motorcycle club still suits him fine. So when a one-night stand surprises him at a family barbecue and claims she’s pregnant with his child, he’s certain he’s died and gone to hell.

Cassandra Cline took one night off from her structured life. One. And now her wild fling with the local bad boy has turned her life sideways. Her dreams and academic career are circling the drain, and none of it would have happened if she’d stayed far, far away from Leo.

Except avoiding him is impossible, especially when she’s forced to move home to Clifton Forge, Montana. And he refuses to leave her side when a series of strange accidents put her and their baby at risk. But are they accidents? Or is she standing in the middle of a battlefield she doesn’t understand?

Her only allies are people she barely knows. And a man who has the potential to steal her heart.

If only he’d stop playing the fool.”

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Cassandra and Leo are the main characters of this story. Cassandra is our heroine, on the younger side of things at 24, she is fresh off finishing her Master’s. It takes a bit of time to get to know her true character between her strong-willed parents and her slight recluse style of living. But really she lacks friends in Clifton Forge and she settles down and is embraced by the ladies of the Tin Gypsies she just flourishes as this bright and bubbly character. Leo is the older one at 32 and man oh man this is a story of Leo’s struggles. His self-doubt about his abilities to be a partner, to be a father, to be a good friend, a good son. All of these combine with his grief and mourning. He is not over the loss of Draven (if you read the other books you know who and what I am referring to here. If you don’t then please god start Gypsy King ASAP.
• Setting: The story is set in the small town of Clifton Forge, Montana. Clifton Forge is not fully safe yet from the wrath of a motorcycle turf war and now Leo and Cass are caught in the crossfire. The best part of Clifton Forge is the Tin Gypsy community. The club itself might have been disbanded but the brotherhood still exists and was such great support to Leo and Cass.
• Pacing: I always find that Devney paces her stories impeccably well. I am hooked within the first sentence and I just let her take me for the ride. In previous instalments, the mystery elements were better, but it is the nature of where we are in the series that we know who the villains are. But that did not make the paranoia any less stressful, Devney just has such emotive writing. I could read it all day.
• Romance: This is quite an interesting relationship, it really starts as lust. As one night of passion, intensity and coming together. There was no intention to make a baby that night but it happened, and yes the baby brought them together. It brought Cass and Leo under one roof but it did not keep them together. They kept themselves together, first as friends, then as lovers, and then as partners in parenting and life. Leo’s infatuation with Cassandra was apparent from page one, I loved how he could not hide his inner monologue of just how much he always wanted to kiss her. I absolutely adored when he grew increasingly protective of Cass.
• My excitement for the final instalment is off the charts now. It is finally time for Emmett’s story and I believe he has one of the most interesting, coming out of left field love interests that Devney has ever introduced.

Fallen Jester receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

http://devneyperry.com/books/fallen-jester

Follow Devney on all her social channels…

Website  | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Newsletter

Thank you again to Devney for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Devney Perry’s Fallen Jester ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

I have never had the chance to read a L.B. Dunbar novel so I was super excited for the chance to review. I am excited to read about slightly older characters, because everyone deserves a happily ever after no matter their age.

Check out the Goodreads synopsis…

“Pregnant at forty-two? Back the cow up…

Harland Bull Eaton has lost many things—his first wife, his beloved mother, those three women he proposed to . . . Oh, and there was that time he almost lost the family dairy farm due to a scandal. He’s losing faith in just about everything, especially love.

But one night, his friends give him a dare. No commitments. No heartbreak. Just buy that gorgeous redhead a drink. The big-city bombshell he’s set his eyes on swirls him into a tailspin that lands them in bed for a one-night stand he’s pretty sure he’ll never forget. But this time, he swears, he won’t let his heart ride herd on his common sense.

Recently separated and newly unemployed, Scarlett Russell is at a crossroads. With no other plan than visiting a friend in Vermont, the last thing she expects is a hunky, silver fox offering to buy her a drink. Even less expected is when she raises that offer to “take me to bed, cowboy.” She just wants one night to forget everything gone wrong.

Turns out once won’t be nearly enough. Won’t ever be enough, feeling the way she does. But secrets and an unexpected surprise are a lot to handle . . . unless these two can break a trail to an unexpected happily ever after.”

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Harland “Bull” Eaton and Scarlett Russell are the main characters of this story. Bull has always lived in the Colebury area and has had a string of bad relationships. He is from a family of dairy farmers and often used cow metaphors to explain things. Scarlett is from Boston originally but flees to Colebury to be with her best friend Rita. Scarlett went through losing her job, catching her husband cheating on her, and finding out that her husband impregnated that girl. Now Scarlett wants to settle down in Colebury for a bit to find a new job and get through her divorce. She meets Bull when she and Rita go to the local bar, the Gin Mill and sparks fly between them immediately.
• Setting: Colebury, Vermont may be charming but this story does an excellent job demonstrating the gossipy nature. There are rumours that Bull has been engaged five times and people in the town chatter about it all the time. Scarlett gets hired at the Busy Bean, so that is how the business gets roped into the story. It is not the most central setting but you get little peaks at Audrey, Zara, and Rodney.
• Pacing: The story opened with a bang! Literally haha. After the hookup, we skip forward six weeks and then “the unexpected surprise” happens. It drives the plot of the rest of the story, and it moves at a pretty good pace. Overall I thought nothing was too rushed in this book.
• Romance: The connection between Scarlett and Bull could be felt right from the start! They hookup that first night they meet drawn to each other sexually at first. After six weeks of not seeing each other, when Bull runs into Scarlett at work he cannot keep his hands to himself. After a little bathroom hookup session, these two cannot deny they have chemistry. They are both forty-two so they have had experiences before each other, they are both divorcees for example. It was nice to spend some time with an older couple who finally find the earth-shattering love they both deserve.

Cowboy receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Amazon: https://geni.us/Cowboy-Amazon
Apple: https://geni.us/Cowboy-Apple
Kobo: https://geni.us/Cowboy-Kobo
Nook: https://geni.us/Cowboy-Nook

Thank you again to L.B. Dunbar and the team at Sarina Bowen’s World of True North for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post L.B. Dunbar’s Cowboy ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

The final Devney release of 2020! What a year it has been from her, if you had missed any of my previous reviews from her check them out here. I am such a huge fan and I cannot wait to see what Devney brings us next year! Getting to read and review this series has been phenomenal and the new year will bring us the conclusion. If you have not started it yet, check out my review for the first installment, Runaway Road here.

Check out the Goodreads synopsis…

“Aria Saint-James has planned the perfect getaway: sweatpants, takeout and two weeks alone with her sister and nephew. Nowhere on that list is wearing a low-cut dress and uncomfortable heels to attend a wedding where she knows neither the bride nor the groom. Toss in her nemesis, Brody Carmichael, and her road trip to Arizona is officially a bust.

But at least there is champagne.

She blames the bubbly for falling into bed with Brody that night. Enemy or no, the billionaire is irresistible in a tux. But after their one-night tryst, Aria has no choice but to cut her vacation short, returning home to escape his devilish smile, vowing never to see Brody again.

Except Aria gets a surprise a few weeks later—she’s pregnant. When he learns that she’s carrying his child, Brody offers Aria the chance of a lifetime. The catch? She has to live under his roof until the baby is born.

Either they’ll kill each other in nine months. Or discover love buried beneath their hate.”

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Brody Carmichael and Aria Saint-James are the main characters of the latest installment in the Runaway series. Aria is someone you’ll be aware of if you had read Katherine’s book, Quarter Miles. Aria and her sister Clara were the youngest of the junkyard kids. Aria’s turn to journey with the Cadillac brings her to Arizona to drop it off with her younger sister. Her sister lives there as the personal assistant to Brody, that is how he and Aria connect. Having grown up in the junkyard and having been the one who basically raised her sister, Aria is no-nonsense, stubborn, and a survivor through and through. While Brody was raised in a very different situation, raised in wealth. Yet in common with Aria he did not receive tons of love growing up. Rather his family continually just bought him things, which did stunt Brody into viewing love as something that is shown through gifting things of material wealth. As the story progressed the tough guy exterior he put up, melted away to reveal the softie within.
• Pacing: This story was paced really well. I really enjoyed that Devney chose to have a decent chunk of time before the night Aria and Brody fall into bed together. You really got to understand the nature of their slightly antagonistic relationship, which began to fade away the better they got to know each other.
• Setting: Welcome, Arizona was the main setting. Naturally, there is a little time on the Oregon coast as that is where Aria had settled. When she tells Brody about her pregnancy, he insists that she come to Arizona to live with him. What initially sounds like it is coming from a pushy place, is really from the stance that Brody wants to be a better parental figure than those he had.
• Romance: What starts as an enemies-to-lovers romance, turned into a beautiful opposite attract couple coming together as they prepare for their child to come. Brody and Aria started off in a place of misunderstanding and overtime as they opened up to each other, they started such a beautiful relationship. This relationship was not easy, but that made it almost more worth it. I could not help but cheer these two on. They brought out the best in each other, and as a bonus great chemistry in romantic scenes.
• I cannot wait for the next installment! After all this buildup with finally get to meet Karson!

Forsaken Trail receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo! 

Amazon: https://geni.us/nspU8Ic

Apple Books: https://geni.us/aOopgz

Nook: https://geni.us/EUjJW

Kobo: https://geni.us/2BRxEL

Follow Devney on all her social channels…

Website  | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Newsletter

Thank you again to Devney and the team at Valentine PR for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Devney Perry’s Forsaken Trail ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

Check out the Goodreads synopsis below…

“The first time I saw him, he entranced me and offered to help me forget my broken engagement. 

The second time was on a blind date with no last names and undeniable passion. 

The third time, I was eight months pregnant with his baby he knew nothing about. 

This time he’s not letting me walk away so easily.”

Check out my more detailed thoughts…

• Characters: Carina and Ian are the main characters of Another. If you have read any of Fiona’s previous books you may know them, I am pretty sure Carina makes an appearance in both Lovers and Savior. Carina is such a wonderful character as she has this tough exterior of the woman in a man’s world working hard to exceed expectations. On the other hand, she is a woman getting over her ex-fiance remarrying and an unexpected pregnancy.
• Pacing: This story progressed very well. I find with many books that follow the unintended pregnancy trope, that the portion of the novel with a newborn infant in it is actually quite short. Carina runs into Ian in her seventh or eighth month of pregnancy so you actually get to read about them struggling to raise their child together.
• Romance: Two characters who have been put through a lot in this series, and these trials they’ve overcome make them even more deserving of this love. Carina has gone through a tremendous heartbreak, so to see her fall in love with Ian and build the family she always wanted, it brought tears to my eyes.

Another receives five out of five stars.

Thank you to Fiona Cole and her team for the ARC. Thank you so much for reading and supporting my blog.

The post Fiona Cole’s Another ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

Check out the Goodreads synopsis below…

“Gabriel Starr is the love of my life, even if he breaks my heart time and time again.

Like a fool, I keep going back, so I’ve made a promise to myself—one final night and then I’m done.

One night of passion.

No pressure. Most importantly, no future.

One month later, a positive pregnancy test tells me different.

Our only option is to raise this baby as friends, but how can we make it work when we can’t even keep our hands off each other?

We finally have the chance to be the family we never imagined we could be.

But first we need to focus on Fixing Us.”

Here are my more detailed thoughts…

• Characters: Leigh and Gabe are the main characters of this story. I loved Leigh’s strength and determination throughout all the struggles she faces head-on in this story. Gabe is your classic broken boy, that sees himself as undeserving of love. Gabe though is not in a losing battle when it comes to his struggles, he goes through amazing development over the course of the story.
• Setting: The town of Red Oak is a great setting. The nature of it lends itself to this companion style series. As the characters easily interact due to the smallness of the town.
• Pacing: No complaints here. Nothing happened too quickly I would argue, the nine months were paced really well.
• Romance: This cannot even be described as a second-chance romance, as the characters have their first breakup after high school but keep making their way back to each other, even if it is just for one night. Leigh and Gabe were meant for each, this story is not really about watching people fall in love rather it is about watching two people come to terms with the fact that they deserve each other and should take the risk of being together forever.

If I haven’t convinced you yet, check out this excerpt…

“Finally, after what feels like a millennium, the door opens and Dr. Mallard enters, smiling. He’s an older man who is always overly happy. I like him, even if I find his cheerfulness somewhat off-putting at this exact second.

“Mrs. Simms, how exciting to have you here today. This must be your husband.” He walks over to Gabe, who stands, hand extended.

“Sorry, no,” I chime in. “Definitely not my husband.”

“My fault,” he apologizes. “Your boyfriend. This is a new age. Lots of people in lifelong relationships nowadays without marriage.”

            Awkward.

            “Nope,” I say, popping my P with a bit more attitude than intended. “We aren’t together.” I look over at Gabe, who’s holding his laughter in and I silently yell Help me!

            “Just got her knocked up,” Gabe finally speaks. “Classic fairy tale story of ex-sex turning into a baby. Turns out those silly condoms serve a purpose and really shouldn’t be skipped. Who knew?”

            “Seriously!” I yell while shooting him daggers with my eyes. All he does to respond is shrug his shoulders and give me an evil grin.

            “Okay, Miss Simms, if you can lie back and put your feet up we can check on this little miracle,” Dr. Mallard finally says as the nurse pulls the stirrups out and helps me assume the position.

            Even if you don’t want your ex-boyfriend back you still always want them to think of you as the sexy one who got away, not the girl nude and exposed with her legs in the air while a doctor probes her. Great, fucking great.

            “Sure.” I lie back and my head jerks to Gabe. “But you stay north of the equator.”

            “Not a problem, Leigh.” He smiles at me. “But it ain’t nothing I haven’t seen before.”

            “Well, it’s definitely something you’re never seeing again,” I snap back at him, causing the nurse to let a small chuckle escape.

            I try to act cool by the fact that the doctor seems to think sticking a huge wand up me is perfectly normal.

            Thump thump. Thump thump.

            Our bickering immediately stops. The room is dark and the monitor next to me is lit up.

            “Is that—” Gabe starts.

            “That’s your baby’s heartbeat,” the doctor interrupts. “And if you look over here, you see that small little bean shape in the middle there.” He points to the picture on the ultrasound machine. “That’s your baby. It’s currently approximately the size of a raspberry.”

            “Wow,” Gabe and I both somehow say at the same time.

            We finish the appointment with a plethora of information. Gabe is quiet and the silliness that existed in the examination room is gone. We check out and walk side by side. Neither of us bringing up everything we need to discuss.

            Does him showing up mean he wants to be involved? Does he assume we will get back together? Can we even do this together? Do I want to?

            All the questions are running rampant in my head and instead of saying a single one of them I simply say, “I’ll let you know when I have another appointment.”

            “Thanks.” He holds the door to the building open, letting me walk outside, him close on my heels. “I want to be here for you and our child as best as I can.”

            I nod, but my mind is still back in that office with that beautiful baby. My baby.

            “We ought to talk, Leigh.”

            “You’re right. But today I got to hear my—our, baby’s heartbeat for the first time. Let’s not ruin it, okay?” We’re standing in the middle of the parking lot, neither of us moving to our respective vehicles.

            “Okay, but soon.”

Fixing Us receives four out of five stars.

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Thank you again to Miranda Elaine and SocialButterflyPR for the opportunity. Thank you for reading this review!

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