Out of Goodbyes

Out of Goodbyes (Hopelessly Devoted #2)

by Gen Ryan

This picks up where the other one left off with another very emotional read that is a big roller-coaster ride as much as the first one was. This is a very talented author that really knows how to pull on your heart strings. We start off with Parker going to Rainey’s home and begging for another chance, he will do anything to get back the woman he loves. Will Rainey’s give that chance and will Parker be willing to give her what she needs or could there be someone else putting a tailspin on the outcome?

Rainey gave their marriage her all where Parker didn’t give her what she needed, he never put her first. She gave him respect he didn’t always give it to her. Everything she did, she did out of love having no trouble showing how much she loved him. He has a hard time with showing love after all he went through he just has a hard time with most things. It is easy for me to understand both sides of the story and my heart breaks for both. The last straw for her was how Parker acted and how the break up came about. Rainey has always made her marriage the center of her world and tries hard to keep it that way. But something has to give and it doesn’t look like it will be Parker. I really loved how the author shows how strong Rainey is even when she doesn’t see it herself. She works so hard to keep her marriage together looking for ways to make it work. What I really like about this story is how the author shows both sides making it easy to step back and understand both worlds and see all that is going on with them both.

In walks Levi who know just what she is going through he has been down that road his self. It is a struggle for him to give her room to work out her feelings for Parker as he tries to build a trust with her. You can’t blame her for having trust issues. Both have issues they have to work out as the work on building a relationship together. To be truly happy first you must find peace inside yourself, love yourself and make yourself happy. This is something Rainey has yet to find. Depression has so many side effects, it isn’t an easy thing to deal with and it makes it harder for one to find that enter peace and be happy as Rainey is finding out.

As I turned the last page I have very mixed emotion between who I want Rainey with. Levi is such a great character, he is so strong, caring and loving. BUT Parker is going through so much and I see where he is coming from. I don’t know if I could forget or forgive the cheating, but I am not important here it is what Rainey wants. I think her feelings are just as mixed up as mine are. There are so many emotions you will feel and when you close the book you still are an emotional mess. The author knows how to draw her readers in giving a compelling read that has you so invested you start talking to the characters. I have to say I am hanging on until I get my hands on the next book in this series to see just where the author is going to take it. I sure hope Parker finds his HEA after all he is dealing with and has been through. WELL worth your time but you must read the first book in the series.

Buy Links

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Out-Goodbyes-Hopelessly-Devoted-Book-ebook/dp/B076PVGWT2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1525138224&sr=1-1&keywords=9781925655285

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-goodbyes-gen-ryan/1127190171?ean=9781925655292

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/out-of-goodbyes

Summary

Just when Rainey finally gets her life together, her high school sweetheart, Parker, decides he’s ready to fight for her. His promises threaten to tear apart all that Rainey has fought for. Her happiness and heart included.

Levi Hayes has fought hard for Rainey’s trust. When he finally wins her heart, he fears it all might be taken away. But he’ll fight for Rainey, even if doing so threatens to bring up memories he’d rather forget.

For Rainey to make her choice, she must let go of a past that took everything from her and hope she can finally live for herself, and find her forever happiness.

When We Were Young

When We Were Young (Hopelessly Devoted #1)

by Gen Ryan

I totally loved this story it is such a touching read filled with such emotions that really touches your heart. The author gives an amazing emotional roller-coaster ride first up and then down and back around we go. The base of this story I hold dear to my heart as a big military supporter I have seen firsthand what military life and war does to our soldiers and their spouses. It is truly heart breaking. I thought the author did a great job with detail, explaining it to a T as well as showing how emotional this life is. This was a big win for me.

Rainey and Parker are high school sweetheart, they marry, and he goes into the military. Rainey is ok with this until he re-enlists saying this will be the last time but it never is. Rainey just wants to be put first before country and you can’t blame her. Military life is hard for a wife waiting at home month after month, year after year, all alone worrying and wondering until you go nuts. The author does a great job showing the wife’s side it is very emotional and at times very trying. Being a couple but being the one left behind, you can’t date, you can’t go out to bars, not much else is left, you are a couple but you are couple less you can't hang out with the other couples. Rainey hangs on until she isn’t sure what she is hanging on for. Something happens that makes her make her mind up and tears her world apart.

Here it becomes very emotional as the author shows just what PTSD is and how it affects so many. It isn’t easy telling your love ones what you have been through. It isn’t easy to talk about at all so Parker turns to those that have been his support through it all his brothers of arms. Been there with soldiers I have supported it is tough wanting to be strong and protect those you love from the scars you have. You don’t want them to see that side of you it isn’t a pretty side to see. Lord how my heart went out to both of them. It is so easy to understand both sides as you read you just want to hold them and take the pain away.

I really doubt you can read this and not feel emotional, it is a story that will stay with you for many days to come. The author really brings the story to life giving details you have no trouble picturing. This is a very believable read with real characters that become your friends. I have to say I am not a fan of cliffhangers and I can’t wait to see what happen next. It is very much worth your time giving you a story from a very talented author that pulls you in and keeps you invested with tears in your eyes.

Buy Links

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/When-Were-Young-Hopelessly-Devoted-ebook/dp/B0765Z7SVR/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1525135498&sr=1-1&keywords=When+We+Were+Young+Gen+Ryan

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-we-were-young-gen-ryan/1127190152?ean=9781925655278

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/when-we-were-young-9

Summary

When she fell in love with her high school sweetheart, Rainey Matthews thought it’d be forever. But life has a habit of sneaking up and throwing a sucker punch when you least expect it.

Parker’s military career has become his top priority, leaving Rainey behind while he pursues his dreams. A combination of Parker’s PTSD and his actions threaten to tear Rainey’s heart right open, and she can no longer keep it together.

Then an unexpected lifeline appears and shows Rainey what it’s like to be cared for and loved. She finds herself happy for the first time in a while, but those sneaky sucker punches aren’t done, and keeping happiness will be an uphill battle.

Mail-Order Husband

Mail-Order Husband (Whiskey River Brides #2)

by Theresa Oliver

Sweet, clean historical romance that is suspenseful, heartbreaking, fast-paced filled with hopes, dreams and love. The story is believable with very likable characters most of the time that are determined and strong, you can relate to them.  I had small issues with Madison and how she dealt with Wyatt at dinner but after that she grew on me. The author put an interesting twist that you don’t normal see in this type of plot.

Madison needs protection, Wyatt is tired of being a gambler, she sends off for a mail order husband he takes her up on the offer. Together they complete each other as they learn what it takes to make a go at love. It is a cute read that I did enjoy, but not as well as the first one in this series. Yes it was worth my time.

Buy Links

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Husband-Whiskey-River-Brides-ebook/dp/B07916YLDF/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1525133475&sr=1-1&keywords=Mail-Order+Husband

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mail-order-husband-theresa-oliver/1127833296?ean=2940155444763

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/mail-order-husband-whiskey-river-brides

Summary

She wants to change the rules. He wants to play the role of protector. Together, Madison and Wyatt will gamble it all for love.

Despite her beauty and charm, Madison is single and a little lost in the bustle of Whiskey River. Declining a less-than-suitable offer from the town’s resident terror, Madison needs protection. Forget mail-order brides, she’s on a mission to discover a would-be husband.

Thousands of miles due east in New York City, debonair gambler Wyatt Nash is lucky in cards. He soon finds himself disenchanted by city life and those quick to accuse him of cheating. So, he decides to take off in search of happiness under the big open sky. What he finds will change his life forever.

Return to the wild frontier in the second installment of the ten-book series, Whiskey River Brides. Join Madison, Wyatt, and your favorite characters as they struggle to overcome loss, change, and discover the whispers of new love in this enchanting western world.

Looking for Love

Looking for Love

Mail Order Misdelivery, Book 2

By: Barbara Goss

Narrated by: Tom Jordan

Series: Mail Order Misdeliveries, Book 2

Length: 3 hrs and 41 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 10-10-17

What a terrifying situation Fiona finds herself in one that is a true nightmare. She only has one choice she can make that is to run and make a new life for herself and hope no one finds out what she has done. Along the way she meets a woman who is off to meet the man she has agreed to marry only one thing she isn’t meeting him but another who she truly is in love with. Talk about taking the money and run wow some woman will do anything to get what they want. Really I liked her as Fiona does, but she can’t help but feel sorry for the man left waiting for her and decides she will make a stop along the way to let him know that his bride isn’t coming. This is where the story gets very interesting as the plot thickens and emotions get in the way leaving one woman in need of a name change and one man who wants to have a family and love but is looking for it in all the wrong places. Emotions run high when Sam’s family gets into the mix making plans of their own leaving Fiona wondering which man she should choice or should she do some more running.

Mr. Jordan is a very talented narrator that I have come to love his work from the true emotions he gives his characters to his deep sexy male voice and his sweet females that are sassy, sweet and just darling. His performance is outstanding as he brings out the emotion each character is feeling. He paints a wonderful image in your mind as each scene plays you have no trouble picturing them as they unfold. If any breaks were taken I could not tell, there are no background noises, no volume change. There is one place where he does repeat a few words, I am guessing this is where he took a break, beside that if any other breaks were taken I could not tell. It is a very clean and clear audio that the narrator brings to life pulling on your heartstrings with such emotions I felt the pain and sorrow of each character as well as anger, excitement. His performance as always is outstanding.

There are a few twists and turns that I found to be thrilling, my heart broke for Fiona as she went from what she should do to what she wanted to do. The author gives great family values to this outstanding story listen that pulls you in. Sam is a wonderful man he wants one thing but his family wants another. He is going to have quite an awaking when his eyes truly comes open. The story takes another twist that leave Fiona on one road and Sam on the hunt for some answers. You just got to love the minister who puts a big twist in the works. Two men which should she choose, will one heart or both be broken and which one will win the love of Fiona or will they both lose. What about the trouble back home will it find her. I will say this the ending it outstanding there were times my heart was in my throat wondering how it would play out, but it does leave you with a big happy tear in your eye. I just loved this story it is so touching and delightful. Another win for this author with this delightful clean sweet read. For a short few hours it is so worth your time.

Buy links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Looking-for-Love-Audiobook/B0767KP23C

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Love-Mail-Order-Misdelivery-ebook/dp/B0752Z76QG/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=xm2&tag=audiblecom0f-20

Summary

Running away from the past leads back to it, eventually.
Fiona jumps on a train heading west to escape her traumatic past. Through an exchange with a woman on the train she ends up in Hays explaining to Sam Jordan why his mail order bride isn't going to arrive. She is invited to stay with his family where a plot develops in her mind: if she marries her name will change and the law wouldn't find her. Which man should she try to marry, Sam or his minister brother Martin? Events occur that select the man for her. What if he discovers her past? Or, what if she discovers his?

Unbridled Pursuit

Unbridled Pursuit

Novak Springs, Book 2

By: Dawn Brower

Narrated by: Erica Wilder

Series: Novak Springs Series, Book 2

Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 02-06-18

This was such a fun listen I just love the bickering back and forward between them. You had no trouble feeling the emotions from hate, confusion and lust these two have. The author gives you a few twists that you can work out if you listen closely. I was pretty sure but it took me awhile to realize the truth behind the story and the why of it. There is a little danger, a mystery, and lord the steam is outstanding when these two get together. When they finally come together they explode off the page with such excitement it makes your heart beat faster. It was great to see past characters from the past book, this one takes off where the last one left off. You do not need to read the first book the author gives such great back history you can read this as a standalone, but I am not sure why you would want to do that.

Ms. Wilder does a wonderful job of narration, I only found one place where she repeated some wording which I am guessing was one of the places she took a break. Besides that I could not tell if any breaks were taken. There are no background noises and no volume changes. She did an outstanding job with her many character voices. Her males are strong with deep voices and her females are sexy and sweet. I had not problem at all picturing the scenes as they unfold. She gave true emotions to her characters you could feel their feeling if they were angry, sad, happy, disappointed and excited. She even chuckled when it was called for. Her desperation and sorrow really touched me making me feel their pain. I thought her normal voice was just as pleasant as her character voices. This is the first time I have listened to her work and look forward to listening to more of it. Big thumbs up with and outstanding performance that really pulled me in

The story is touching, the twists are shocking and the plot is delightful. It is hard not to like these characters. They became like family to me, each pain they felt I felt, when they laughed so did I. When they cried I wanted to. For me it was a very emotional read with highs and lows, good and bad. Vitoria is strong, she can stand on her own and give back as good as she gets. She does have a few weaknesses those being the ones she loves and the wall her parents put up between her and her family. Wes is strong, caring and loving man to his friends and family. If he feels a wrong has been done to them he will fight until the bitter in. Tori is confused as to why he hates her, he can’t forget what he saw and those she hurt. It was truly a wonderful story from start to finish. They have one weakness and that is the other, their attraction, the pull and the passion they have each other. I loved the plot, the story just sizzles off the page as you are taken from one scene to the next. Their fighting is hot, their passion hotter. When they find the answers to the question they have one feels a fool the other relief but it also leaves them both with more questions and no answers. There was nothing I didn’t love about this story. That is why I have picked it as one of my favorite reads for the year.

Buy links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Unbridled-Pursuit-Audiobook/B079LY4L57

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Unbridled-Pursuit-Novak-Springs-Book-ebook/dp/B01IRED8SQ/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=xm2&tag=audiblecom0f-20

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/unbridled-pursuit-2

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unbridled-pursuit-dawn-brower/1122151537;jsessionid=47A77AA24CAAF7E07CA1C3524518BC2E.prodny_store01-atgap13?ean=9781536877946&st=AFF&2sid=Goodreads,%20Inc_2227948_NA&sourceId=AFFGoodreads,%20Inc

Summary

Vitoria Miene lives in New York - on the opposite side of the country as her best friend. After careful thought, she decides to pack everything up and move to Seattle. There is only one problem with her plan - Wes Novak. He hates her and does everything in his power to make her miserable.
Wes has never detested anyone as much as he does Vitoria. He believes she is evil incarnate. If she wasn’t best friends with his brother’s fiancée, he’d never have to see her again. Unfortunately, he sees more of her than he wants to. So much so, he is starting to have trouble keeping his hands off her.
Wes and Tori fight every step of the way. They combust in each other’s arms as much as they bicker. Can they stop battling long enough to find the one thing they both want - love?