The Book Beehive: August 2022

MORE THAN A MEMORY

by MOLLY MCLAIN

He’s my brother’s best friend. My first crush, my first love, and my first time.

But I had to break his heart to save us both.

Ten years later, my life is in danger, and Aiden is the only one who can offer the protection I need. I don’t have a choice, because the man and the life I chose instead...

They're about to cost me everything.

I know Aiden hates me, and he has every right to. But maybe this is my chance to tell him the truth. I really did love him. I always have. And maybe it’s wishful thinking, but Aiden and me…

We’re more than a memory.

ADD TO GOODREADS

REVIEW: DNF REVIEW

He’s my brother’s best friend. My first crush, my first love, and my first time. <— BOOM! Sold. Sign me up. Gimme gimme. I mean, that’s literally my kryptonite. Forbidden all the way. Hahahah! Waiting a year and a pushed back release date for this was rough - not gonna lie. But, seeing that synopsis made all the toes curl and definitely made me a giddy Bee!!! I love a second chance, but the icing on the cake was that the forbidden side was a brother's best friend trope. All time favorite. So once my excitement was sufficiently ramped up, my screeching halt was finding out it was a fake relationship book…nowhere did it mention that in the synopsis, and I never do well with those because I think they’re contrived and forced. However, I knew I wanted Aiden’s story, so I was going to push through and read it. Surprisingly, this wasn’t what throttled my enjoyment of this book. I struggled really hard with this book and that actually took me by surprise.

Aiden is the man. I freaking love him. He is absolutely amazing. He was the sole reason that pushed me through as far as it did. Molly McLean gives a very masculine voice to her male characters and this one was no different, given Aiden's job and role in Olivia's life - it was the strength this story needed. I like the way she voices them, and I like the way she has them treat their women. I absolutely love it and I have zero complaints about that. Twice now I have fallen in love with her men, and I can't imagine it will stop there. I do rest easy knowing that I will pick up another book of hers because I really enjoy the romance she gives me.

BUT. It was the stubbornness of the heroine that stifled my enjoyment of this one. It was definitely not the good kind of stubborn. I like a good stubborn woman - hold out for what you want!! That’s me, I can relate. It’s when it’s completely unwarranted and the writing on the wall is literally brushed over, negating common sense. That is where I struggled. For some reason Olivia really had me struggling with her actions. Nothing she does was relatable within the situation as it was broken down. I look for this in books and their characters – it’s the relatability for me because then I can better understand the situation. But when the situation calls for concern or calls for ready action, and the stubbornness is out of stupidity, I cannot in any way, shape, or form go along with the idiocy. That’s seriously why I struggled with Olivia. I hate stupid bravado. I hate a stubborn woman that doesn’t think rationally. <breathe, Bee>

Overall - my anger just stemmed from Olivia. All of it. The only reason I couldn't push through on this book was all of her excuses for her actions - all the way down to the "But I had to break his heart to save us both" part. I just couldn't get on board with the stupid notion that her job was more important than her safety, or didn't understand protocol, or couldn't figure out situational awareness - and it was all ridiculous. If there is an unmarked car and cameras all up and down the street…there is obviously a safety issue, so for her to pretend to be all strong and mighty thinking she doesn’t need help and is only willing to work with one person, this was beyond frustrating. It just frustrated me about the heroine's false bravado. I may have PTSD just from this character alone...

This wasn't the second chance romance I had hoped it would be because it dipped it's toes into too many tropes that I try to knowingly steer clear of...and that makes me extremely sad. I will read more because I truly and honestly enjoy Molly McLain's writing. I know from deep within my black little heart that this was truly the one character that actually ruined an entire story for me. I hit my quota and now I know I won't run into one again. Right? Right. I'm sure of it.

Notable mention - I *neeeeed* to mention: her covers are straight up candy and I love them!! They'll turn heads every time and make me want to check them out. And I will. Every. Single. Time. This cover is the perfect depiction of Aiden, too. Hands down, pure deliciousness.

Having cried enough about not being able to finish this story, even though I scrolled around and to the very end to get all my answers, I will most certainly be picking up Jinx's story when it comes out. I believe he will be the one to be knocked down by his woman and I am looking forward to it.

Snuggles and smooches, Aiden.

~BEE

PURCHASE: AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited

No giveaway for DNF reviews

~MEET MOLLY McLAIN~