by NATASHA MADISON
Caroline
Becoming a teen mom at sixteen was not what I expected, but then again, neither was being a single parent. Still, I wouldn’t change my past because that boy is my world.
Hockey is the only thing my son seems to care about, so I work two jobs to make sure he can play. I’d do anything to make sure he doesn’t suffer because of the bad decisions his father made.
When he won a whole summer of hockey training, I knew in my heart he was going to have an amazing time.
What I wasn’t prepared for was meeting his new summer coach.
He was magnetic, powerful, and a player—in all forms of the word.
If my life had taught me anything up to this point, it was how to avoid making bad decisions, and Justin Stone was the definition of a bad decision.
I could never be a woman his family approved of. Even if I wished I could be.
Justin
Growing up as the son of a hockey God is one thing. Growing up as the brother of a second hockey God is another. I had big skates to fill, so it was a good thing I loved every second of it.
Summer was my off time, my time to let loose, but when they ask me to coach a hockey camp for underprivileged kids, I couldn’t say no.
But when she walked in holding a little boy’s hand, my heart stopped beating. Or maybe it started for the first time.
They were a package deal, and I knew this—wanted it more than I’ve ever wanted anything. It didn’t take long to realize that no matter what happened,
I would do anything to protect them.
She is the only one I want to be with.
When push comes to shove, I have to prove to everyone that this is my choice, and This is Forever.
Argh!! I am SO bummed. Seriously. I like Natasha Madison. I've read a few of her books, and I've been able to smile throughout them and enjoy them because her writing is simple, her stories are easy and fun. Shockingly enough, I couldn't make it through this one. The number of issues I had didn't make this an easy or fun read.
Predictable: my gosh, I could tell you what was going to happen before it happened, based on what had just happened. I don't want to know what's going on. I want to be mesmerized and taken on a journey of twists and a story that makes me gasp, makes me feel, and makes me need to know what happens next. I should not be sitting here saying, oh....yeah, that's gonna happen.
Drama: enough with the OTT drama. It's frustrating when a story is propelled by the drama instead of the growth of the characters and the storyline that is unfolding. When said drama is leading the charge in giving me the rundown, it loses its effectiveness and this time it was just too much for me.
Formulaic: she definitely followed a "tried and true" storyline with this one. It was too much because I didn't get anything new out of it. Nothing kept me turning the pages or coming back for more. I guess you could file this under predictable, but it read like a manual on how to write a cheesy love story with a new man that all of the sudden is alpha and all over you and how you raise your kid. Orrrr, because we are a single mommy, every issue that could possibly go wrong will go wrong, but never fear - the new boyfriend will take care of you, even though you're going to push him away. Cue the stubbornness. I just wanted something new and refreshing and I didn't get that.
Writing: while it wasn't baaad, it wasn't her normal, easy flow. It felt stilted....almost hitched and slightly cautious, and that doesn't read like a normal Natasha Madison book for me. Equal parts forced and drama laden, this one was just not my favorite of hers.
This is really hard for me because I hate when an author I've enjoyed has a book I can't even make it through. I'm pretty positive it had everything to do with the lack of angst and real emotion. I struggled simply because it wasn't original and the predictability of the entire storyline was pretty basic, which didn't push me to keep going. I'm sad to say it just didn't pull me in and hold my attention. I'm just a frustrated reader because this one was going to be awesome...and it just didn't hit that spot. Clearly, this is a me thing because it is getting rave reviews and readers are loving it.
~BEE
When her nose isn't buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she's in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips.
It's a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn't listen to her...
~CONNECT WITH NATASHA~
ARC REVIEW
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