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Destiny #4
Holly Lane
The weather outside is frightful, but kisses by the fire are so delightful …
Sue Ann Simpkins is working hard to rebuild her life and find some holiday spirit. A weekend away from Destiny in a cabin on nearby Bear Lake seems like the perfect Christmas gift to herself—until her ex's best friend, Adam Becker, shows up at the door, claiming the cabin is his! And if that's not trouble enough, how had she never noticed how gorgeous he was?
Alone for the holidays and forced to play a reindeer at the local department store, Adam's been feeling rather Scrooge-ish himself. But finding the smart, sexy woman he's admired since elementary school waiting in the house he rented is helping to brighten his humbug mood. And when a sudden snowstorm strands them together in very close quarters, leading to one very hot night together, Adam soon realizes that what he really wants for Christmas is a second chance at love. Now all he has to do is convince Sue Ann…
Sue Ann Simpkins is working hard to rebuild her life and find some holiday spirit. A weekend away from Destiny in a cabin on nearby Bear Lake seems like the perfect Christmas gift to herself—until her ex's best friend, Adam Becker, shows up at the door, claiming the cabin is his! And if that's not trouble enough, how had she never noticed how gorgeous he was?
Alone for the holidays and forced to play a reindeer at the local department store, Adam's been feeling rather Scrooge-ish himself. But finding the smart, sexy woman he's admired since elementary school waiting in the house he rented is helping to brighten his humbug mood. And when a sudden snowstorm strands them together in very close quarters, leading to one very hot night together, Adam soon realizes that what he really wants for Christmas is a second chance at love. Now all he has to do is convince Sue Ann…
366 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
68 people are currently reading
1359 people want to read
About the author
Toni Blake
45 books1,159 followersToni Blake's love of writing began when she won an essay contest in the fifth grade. Soon after, she penned her first novel, nineteen notebook-pages long, and announced to her mother over breakfast one day that she was going to be a writer when she grew up. Since then, Toni has become the author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels. Her work has been excerpted in Cosmo, she's been a recipient of the Kentucky Women Writers Fellowship and a nominee for the prestigious Pushcart Prize, and she's also had more than forty short stories and articles published. Toni lives in the Midwest and enjoys traveling, genealogy, crafts, and snow skiing.
Toni has also written under the name Toni Blair.
Photo: Cassandra Stella
Toni has also written under the name Toni Blair.
Photo: Cassandra Stella
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
October 6, 2011
Trust. Trusting yourself, trusting others, letting your heart be open to love and risking hurt, being vulnerable, and putting the past in the past and moving forward---that's what Holly Lane, the fourth book in Toni Blake's small town romance Destiny series is all about. And even though the heroine in this story (Sue Ann) gave me some real hair-pulling moments, I loved this story, mainly due to the sheer awesomeness of the hero, Adam Becker.
So here's the story: 33-year-old Sue Ann has been blindsided by her husband leaving her for another woman and her subsequent divorce. Where did she go wrong? How did she not see this coming? She thought her life with her husband and 7 year old daughter (Sophie) was near perfect. How could Jeff do this to her?
Months later over Thanksgiving weekend, Sue Ann decides its time to get her head together and move forward, so she rents a cabin on Bear Lake for the weekend. But uh-oh, it seems the cabin has been double booked when a not-so-stranger shows up at the door. It's childhood friend (and her ex-husband's best friend), and Destiny's all-around good guy, landscaper Adam Becker, who arrives with his hunky self and grouchy, grinchy mood. Adam's bummed because his twin 7 year old boys are away for the holidays with his ex's parents, and this is the cabin where all three of them usually stay for some holiday fun. Now his boys aren't with him, and his cabin's been invaded by Sue Ann, and my, doesn't she look adorable in her skimpy pajamas...but jeez, this is Sue Ann! Who he's known forever! He can't be attracted to his best friend's ex wife--can he?
Adam...
Well you can take it from there. Two attractive people, loads of chemistry, snow-bound in a remote cabin, both feeling a little lost about the direction of their lives, a little bit too much to drink, loads of chemistry...oh yeah, you get the picture. But is this a one time, sex-only thing, or could there, maybe be something more? Do Sue Ann and Adam have what it takes to develop a real relationship? Or will Sue Ann's trust issues (and boy, does she have trust issues) get in the way?
I loved this story, and I love this entire series. Maybe because it reminds me so much of another favorite series, Robyn Carr's Virgin River. The same small town vibe where everyone knows your business, the same quaint atmosphere, the recurring characters (in this series, it's 5 girlfriends) and wonderful storytelling with plenty of character development and loads of details. And plenty of hot romance! Oh yes, Adam and Sue Ann are plenty hot, no question.
Now, what can mar this, just a bit? Sue Ann! While I generally liked her, and could see where she was coming from, her issue with not being able to fully trust Adam at times drove me crazy. There was a scene in the book where Sue Ann was almost there, ready to let go and give her heart completely to Adam, but then he did something (withheld some info from her) and poof! That was it, things were over between them, and I said "WTH, are you nuts? Over that?" I just thought Sue Ann held Adam to an impossible standard, and expected him to be perfect. No one is perfect, Sue Ann, including you, so give the guy a break. I mean, Adam did so many wonderful things for Sue Ann and her daughter, I don't know how she couldn't want to hog-tie him and never let him get away from her! With Adam, I thought his good far outweighed any bit of bad in him.
So yes, Sue Ann drove me crazy a bit with her push-pull relationship with Adam, but I still loved the story. Loved the scenes with her girlfriends Jenny (One Reckless Summer), Rachel (Sugar Creek), Tessa (Whisper Falls), and Amy (the upcoming Willow Springs?), and I enjoyed the little side story of Jenny and Mick regarding Jenny's desire to be a mother. I thought Sue Ann's relationship with her young daughter Sophie was spot on, and I understood her mama-bear overprotective tendencies, and her desire to make Sophie's first Christmas without her mom and dad together a memorable one, and her job and money worries.
But what really made this book for me was Adam. Yes, he was a bit of a grouch, but I didn't find him that bad. To me he was a sexy sweetheart, just in the way he treated Sue Ann and Sophie, and especially with the things he did. Needless to say, I fell hook-line-and-sinker for him!
Fans of this series, you're in for a treat. I think you'll like and maybe love Sue Ann, and adore Adam, and you'll root for Sue Ann to come to her senses already! Let go and embrace the awesomeness of Adam Becker! How many times in life does a guy like that come around? Holly Lane had me turning the pages madly, and sighing and wishing for just a bit more when it was all over. The epilogue 4 1/2 stars
*I received this ARC from Netgalley* (thank you Lindsey!)
So here's the story: 33-year-old Sue Ann has been blindsided by her husband leaving her for another woman and her subsequent divorce. Where did she go wrong? How did she not see this coming? She thought her life with her husband and 7 year old daughter (Sophie) was near perfect. How could Jeff do this to her?
Months later over Thanksgiving weekend, Sue Ann decides its time to get her head together and move forward, so she rents a cabin on Bear Lake for the weekend. But uh-oh, it seems the cabin has been double booked when a not-so-stranger shows up at the door. It's childhood friend (and her ex-husband's best friend), and Destiny's all-around good guy, landscaper Adam Becker, who arrives with his hunky self and grouchy, grinchy mood. Adam's bummed because his twin 7 year old boys are away for the holidays with his ex's parents, and this is the cabin where all three of them usually stay for some holiday fun. Now his boys aren't with him, and his cabin's been invaded by Sue Ann, and my, doesn't she look adorable in her skimpy pajamas...but jeez, this is Sue Ann! Who he's known forever! He can't be attracted to his best friend's ex wife--can he?
Adam...
Well you can take it from there. Two attractive people, loads of chemistry, snow-bound in a remote cabin, both feeling a little lost about the direction of their lives, a little bit too much to drink, loads of chemistry...oh yeah, you get the picture. But is this a one time, sex-only thing, or could there, maybe be something more? Do Sue Ann and Adam have what it takes to develop a real relationship? Or will Sue Ann's trust issues (and boy, does she have trust issues) get in the way?
I loved this story, and I love this entire series. Maybe because it reminds me so much of another favorite series, Robyn Carr's Virgin River. The same small town vibe where everyone knows your business, the same quaint atmosphere, the recurring characters (in this series, it's 5 girlfriends) and wonderful storytelling with plenty of character development and loads of details. And plenty of hot romance! Oh yes, Adam and Sue Ann are plenty hot, no question.
Now, what can mar this, just a bit? Sue Ann! While I generally liked her, and could see where she was coming from, her issue with not being able to fully trust Adam at times drove me crazy. There was a scene in the book where Sue Ann was almost there, ready to let go and give her heart completely to Adam, but then he did something (withheld some info from her) and poof! That was it, things were over between them, and I said "WTH, are you nuts? Over that?" I just thought Sue Ann held Adam to an impossible standard, and expected him to be perfect. No one is perfect, Sue Ann, including you, so give the guy a break. I mean, Adam did so many wonderful things for Sue Ann and her daughter, I don't know how she couldn't want to hog-tie him and never let him get away from her! With Adam, I thought his good far outweighed any bit of bad in him.
So yes, Sue Ann drove me crazy a bit with her push-pull relationship with Adam, but I still loved the story. Loved the scenes with her girlfriends Jenny (One Reckless Summer), Rachel (Sugar Creek), Tessa (Whisper Falls), and Amy (the upcoming Willow Springs?), and I enjoyed the little side story of Jenny and Mick regarding Jenny's desire to be a mother. I thought Sue Ann's relationship with her young daughter Sophie was spot on, and I understood her mama-bear overprotective tendencies, and her desire to make Sophie's first Christmas without her mom and dad together a memorable one, and her job and money worries.
But what really made this book for me was Adam. Yes, he was a bit of a grouch, but I didn't find him that bad. To me he was a sexy sweetheart, just in the way he treated Sue Ann and Sophie, and especially with the things he did. Needless to say, I fell hook-line-and-sinker for him!
Fans of this series, you're in for a treat. I think you'll like and maybe love Sue Ann, and adore Adam, and you'll root for Sue Ann to come to her senses already! Let go and embrace the awesomeness of Adam Becker! How many times in life does a guy like that come around? Holly Lane had me turning the pages madly, and sighing and wishing for just a bit more when it was all over. The epilogue 4 1/2 stars
*I received this ARC from Netgalley* (thank you Lindsey!)
October 7, 2011
4+ stars.
Great holiday romance! Holly Lane is a good book for anyone wanting to get into the holiday mood. In addition to a great second-chance-at-love romance between Adam and Sue Ann, Toni Blake subtly (and cleverly) blends one of the great classic holiday stories -- ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens -- into a her own magical retelling. There was so much holiday cheer included with this story, I felt like I was watching a great Christmas movie mixed with a warm and sexy romance. Seriously, make some hot cocoa, toss your favorite holiday throw over your lap, light the fire or some candles, turn on some old holiday music in the back ground, and then snuggle up with this book.
So what is a girl to do when she might be falling in love with her
ex-husbands best friend? And what is a guy to do when his friend’s ex-wife is driving him mad with desire? And why does it keep snowing every time they are alone?
Sue Ann’s world has been spinning ever since her husband left six month earlier for another woman. On top of that, the ex has been shamelessly parading the new lover all over town. Now she’s a single mom looking for work, and the last thing she needs is anything else making it more complicated. She needs a break and decides to rent a cozy little cabin just for herself while the ex has their daughter.
Nice-guy Adam has been just miserable since his crazy ex-wife’s family took the only thing he cares about – his seven year old twin sons – away for a month long ski vacation over the holidays. He’s making everyone around him just miserable too, so he is looking forward to spending time alone in the cabin her rents every year. That is until Both Sue Ann and Adam find themselves together by double booking the same cabin during a terrible snow storm.
Adam and Sue Ann begin a steamy affair that quickly becomes far deeper, but their lives are just too complicated for a relationship. There are deep trust issues to work out, urgent personal matters to attend to, and their once simple life is now moving so fast its hard to catch their breath. But in small town Destiny, they simply can’t avoid each other.
I honestly loved this book, and I think Adam was one of the best hero characters in the Destiny series so far. LOVED him! What a great guy. He isn’t a perfect kind of guy. He made mistakes in his last marriage that he still struggles with, and he even has a short temper, but he would go to the ends of the earth for Sue Ann and her daughter.
Sue Ann was also great in her own way, and made a fiercely protective mother, but I did get frustrated with her too. In the beginning it made perfect sense to keep her relationship with Adam as platonic as possible, but I found her pushing him away less and less convincing as the story unfolded. But when she was with Adam, I loved her.
The story was holding a high 4.5-5 star rating for me up until the very end. Sigh. I was on such a high at this point, but the ending was a bit too farcical for my tastes. I thought Adam and Sue Ann deserved a bit better resolution. (Don’t worry, there was a great HEA!) I also would have liked it if some of what happened at the very end happened a bit earlier in the story, but I was still pleased as punch to see it all happen.
Over all, the story was fun, sexy and laced with great holiday cheer. I highly recommend it to fans of the Destiny series or fans of holiday romances.
I got this book as an ARC copy provided by the Author and Netgalley.com.
Great holiday romance! Holly Lane is a good book for anyone wanting to get into the holiday mood. In addition to a great second-chance-at-love romance between Adam and Sue Ann, Toni Blake subtly (and cleverly) blends one of the great classic holiday stories -- ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens -- into a her own magical retelling. There was so much holiday cheer included with this story, I felt like I was watching a great Christmas movie mixed with a warm and sexy romance. Seriously, make some hot cocoa, toss your favorite holiday throw over your lap, light the fire or some candles, turn on some old holiday music in the back ground, and then snuggle up with this book.
So what is a girl to do when she might be falling in love with her
ex-husbands best friend? And what is a guy to do when his friend’s ex-wife is driving him mad with desire? And why does it keep snowing every time they are alone?
Sue Ann’s world has been spinning ever since her husband left six month earlier for another woman. On top of that, the ex has been shamelessly parading the new lover all over town. Now she’s a single mom looking for work, and the last thing she needs is anything else making it more complicated. She needs a break and decides to rent a cozy little cabin just for herself while the ex has their daughter.
Nice-guy Adam has been just miserable since his crazy ex-wife’s family took the only thing he cares about – his seven year old twin sons – away for a month long ski vacation over the holidays. He’s making everyone around him just miserable too, so he is looking forward to spending time alone in the cabin her rents every year. That is until Both Sue Ann and Adam find themselves together by double booking the same cabin during a terrible snow storm.
Adam and Sue Ann begin a steamy affair that quickly becomes far deeper, but their lives are just too complicated for a relationship. There are deep trust issues to work out, urgent personal matters to attend to, and their once simple life is now moving so fast its hard to catch their breath. But in small town Destiny, they simply can’t avoid each other.
I honestly loved this book, and I think Adam was one of the best hero characters in the Destiny series so far. LOVED him! What a great guy. He isn’t a perfect kind of guy. He made mistakes in his last marriage that he still struggles with, and he even has a short temper, but he would go to the ends of the earth for Sue Ann and her daughter.
Sue Ann was also great in her own way, and made a fiercely protective mother, but I did get frustrated with her too. In the beginning it made perfect sense to keep her relationship with Adam as platonic as possible, but I found her pushing him away less and less convincing as the story unfolded. But when she was with Adam, I loved her.
The story was holding a high 4.5-5 star rating for me up until the very end. Sigh. I was on such a high at this point, but the ending was a bit too farcical for my tastes. I thought Adam and Sue Ann deserved a bit better resolution. (Don’t worry, there was a great HEA!) I also would have liked it if some of what happened at the very end happened a bit earlier in the story, but I was still pleased as punch to see it all happen.
Over all, the story was fun, sexy and laced with great holiday cheer. I highly recommend it to fans of the Destiny series or fans of holiday romances.
I got this book as an ARC copy provided by the Author and Netgalley.com.
November 11, 2011
4 stars – Contemporary/Holiday Romance
I intended to write a review for this long before now, but life has been rather stressful lately and sidetracked me a little. But better late than never I suppose.
Toni Blake’s Destiny series has all the things I love in contemporary romance: a charming small town setting, genuine characters, witty dialogue, humor, intense emotion, and steamy love scenes. I find that holiday themed romances serve as great reminders of why I enjoy reading romance and also help inspire me to get in the spirit, so a Christmas themed addition to the Destiny series was a joy indeed.
‘Tis the Season for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of what’s truly important in life: family, friends, love, laughter, music, food, and yes, romance. But Sue Ann, who’s still reeling from her husband’s emotional betrayal and their recent divorce, is finding the Christmas holiday season less than jolly. A quiet, solitary getaway at a remote lake resort seems like an ideal solution to help her get in the holiday mood, and the last thing she expected is to find herself stuck in a cabin during a snowstorm with her ex-husband’s best friend, Adam Becker.
Adam is feeling rather Grinch-ish about spending the season without his kids and isn’t any happier to find himself bunking down with Sue Ann than she is. Well, that is until their surprising mutual attraction sparks hotter than a roaring cabin fire and they discover all kinds of steamy, creative, and festive ways to enjoy being snowed in together. But once they’re back in their hometown of Destiny, things aren’t quite so simple, and Adam finds that convincing Sue Ann to take a chance on them might just take a holiday miracle. It’s a good thing he’s got a reindeer trick up his sleeve.
Being told “I’m not in love with you anymore” by the person she loved and trusted most left Sue Ann devastated and heartbroken. She’s struggling to rebuild her life and to heal and opening her barely mended heart and giving her fragile trust again seems too risky. But she’s determined to make the season not only as normal as possible, but also special and memorable, for her young daughter. Adam’s friendship and support brings extra cheer and warmth to their holiday, and when he gives her daughter a Christmas surprise she’ll never forget, Sue Ann learns that putting your faith, hope, trust, and love in the right person is a truly rewarding gift.
Holly Lane is a feel-good romance and a wonderful respite from the hectic holiday season. 4 stars!
I received this Avon/HarperCollins e-ARC from Lindsey Faber, Toni Blake’s assistant, via NetGalley.com.
I intended to write a review for this long before now, but life has been rather stressful lately and sidetracked me a little. But better late than never I suppose.
Toni Blake’s Destiny series has all the things I love in contemporary romance: a charming small town setting, genuine characters, witty dialogue, humor, intense emotion, and steamy love scenes. I find that holiday themed romances serve as great reminders of why I enjoy reading romance and also help inspire me to get in the spirit, so a Christmas themed addition to the Destiny series was a joy indeed.
‘Tis the Season for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of what’s truly important in life: family, friends, love, laughter, music, food, and yes, romance. But Sue Ann, who’s still reeling from her husband’s emotional betrayal and their recent divorce, is finding the Christmas holiday season less than jolly. A quiet, solitary getaway at a remote lake resort seems like an ideal solution to help her get in the holiday mood, and the last thing she expected is to find herself stuck in a cabin during a snowstorm with her ex-husband’s best friend, Adam Becker.
Adam is feeling rather Grinch-ish about spending the season without his kids and isn’t any happier to find himself bunking down with Sue Ann than she is. Well, that is until their surprising mutual attraction sparks hotter than a roaring cabin fire and they discover all kinds of steamy, creative, and festive ways to enjoy being snowed in together. But once they’re back in their hometown of Destiny, things aren’t quite so simple, and Adam finds that convincing Sue Ann to take a chance on them might just take a holiday miracle. It’s a good thing he’s got a reindeer trick up his sleeve.
Being told “I’m not in love with you anymore” by the person she loved and trusted most left Sue Ann devastated and heartbroken. She’s struggling to rebuild her life and to heal and opening her barely mended heart and giving her fragile trust again seems too risky. But she’s determined to make the season not only as normal as possible, but also special and memorable, for her young daughter. Adam’s friendship and support brings extra cheer and warmth to their holiday, and when he gives her daughter a Christmas surprise she’ll never forget, Sue Ann learns that putting your faith, hope, trust, and love in the right person is a truly rewarding gift.
Holly Lane is a feel-good romance and a wonderful respite from the hectic holiday season. 4 stars!
I received this Avon/HarperCollins e-ARC from Lindsey Faber, Toni Blake’s assistant, via NetGalley.com.
October 28, 2011
Story Rating 5 stars
Character Rating 5 stars
Romance rating 5+ stars
Heat level 4 stars
Overall Rating 5 stars
Toni Blake sure knows how to write one heck of an emotional romance that had me rooting for love to find it's way into the H&h's future. The story grabbed me right from the start and I had a really hard time putting it down.
The hero Adam oh my, he sure knew how to care for the woman he wanted. I have never read a story such as this where the hero just goes above and beyond to make the heroine and her daughter happy. At one point I was crying for the joy of what he just did for them and babbling on to my 11 year old son about what the hero just did, LMAO!
Sue Ann the heroine had been through some resent tough times and things there for a while were just getting tougher. Because of what she had been through, she kept pushing Adam away. While others had a hard time with this part of the story, I kind of understood it. I put myself in her shoes and thought I would have been couscous too.
I loved that Toni also included all of the other characters from the previous book's in the series in this book. Especially Jenny and Mick who had a small story happening in this book. I am hoping that we find out just what happens between these two and this story line in the next book.
More stuff that I love, as usual Toni added music to this story too but because it was Christmas theme, she used Christmas music. The Christmas theme was a very nice touch,
The love scenes were really HOT and sensual. Man that Adam sure knew how to please a lady, lucky Sue Ann.
This story was heartwarming and heart wrenching all rolled into one. No need to worry though because it does end happy.
I'll be waiting impatiently I might add for the next Destiny story to be released.
Character Rating 5 stars
Romance rating 5+ stars
Heat level 4 stars
Overall Rating 5 stars
Toni Blake sure knows how to write one heck of an emotional romance that had me rooting for love to find it's way into the H&h's future. The story grabbed me right from the start and I had a really hard time putting it down.
The hero Adam oh my, he sure knew how to care for the woman he wanted. I have never read a story such as this where the hero just goes above and beyond to make the heroine and her daughter happy. At one point I was crying for the joy of what he just did for them and babbling on to my 11 year old son about what the hero just did, LMAO!
Sue Ann the heroine had been through some resent tough times and things there for a while were just getting tougher. Because of what she had been through, she kept pushing Adam away. While others had a hard time with this part of the story, I kind of understood it. I put myself in her shoes and thought I would have been couscous too.
I loved that Toni also included all of the other characters from the previous book's in the series in this book. Especially Jenny and Mick who had a small story happening in this book. I am hoping that we find out just what happens between these two and this story line in the next book.
More stuff that I love, as usual Toni added music to this story too but because it was Christmas theme, she used Christmas music. The Christmas theme was a very nice touch,
The love scenes were really HOT and sensual. Man that Adam sure knew how to please a lady, lucky Sue Ann.
This story was heartwarming and heart wrenching all rolled into one. No need to worry though because it does end happy.
I'll be waiting impatiently I might add for the next Destiny story to be released.
February 15, 2013
Toni Blake’s Destiny series is the perfect blend of contemporary and erotic romance, making each story tender, feel good, and incredibly sexy. I guess I'm pretty demanding, but even in my erotic reading I want a believable story and a good solid relationship with people I can care about. I want to feel an emotional connection - to laugh when they laugh, to cry when they cry, and to sigh when they sigh. Well, Holly Lane gave me all that, and more.
From the cover:I’m being totally honest when I tell you that Sue Ann was not a character I ever thought I’d care about because she just seemed so perfect… too perfect, in fact. Perfectly dressed, perfectly married to a perfect husband, being everyone’s perfect friend with a perfect life - perfect, perfect, perfect… So even when I heard about this story, even when I learned that her perfect world was falling apart, I still wasn’t sure what to think, whether or not I’d become invested in her enough to care what happens. Boy, was I ever a fool to doubt Toni Blake’s ability to not only make me care, but to make me care deeply.
The weather outside is frightful, but kisses by the fire are so delightful …
Sue Ann Simpkins is working hard to rebuild her life and find some holiday spirit. A weekend away from Destiny in a cabin on nearby Bear Lake seems like the perfect Christmas gift to herself—until her ex's best friend, Adam Becker, shows up at the door, claiming the cabin is his! And if that's not trouble enough, how had she never noticed how gorgeous he was?
Alone for the holidays and forced to play a reindeer at the local department store, Adam's been feeling rather Scrooge-ish himself. But finding the smart, sexy woman he's admired since elementary school waiting in the house he rented is helping to brighten his humbug mood. And when a sudden snowstorm strands them together in very close quarters, leading to one very hot night together, Adam soon realizes that what he really wants for Christmas is a second chance at love. Now all he has to do is convince Sue Ann…
From the very first pages my heart broke for Sue Ann who’s learned that her husband has fallen in love with another woman and wants a divorce. She never saw it coming, and now she has to not only put her life back together, but find a way to build a future for her and her daughter, Sophie. So, was the perfect Sue Ann really perfect? Nope! Did I want to slap her silly sometimes because she was being too stubborn? Yep! But these things, her imperfections and her stubbornness... they were actually part of what made me love her. Her struggles, her heartbreak, her trials and triumphs… I was right there with her, cheering her on, getting to know this woman who was able to overcome her own insecurities and was capable of accomplishing anything!
If you've read much of her writing, you know that Toni Blake has a knack for taking everyday characters who’ve just been floating around the peripherals of a story, of bringing them in, and making them shine. That’s exactly what she did with Adam. What an amazing man he is! Understanding, compassionate, caring, hard working, unconditionally devoted – and of course, sexy as sin! I enjoyed watching him put his own past behind him and open himself up to the possibility of loving again. And it was a delight having the opportunity to see he and Sue Ann grow closer as their relationship transformed from one of friends-since-childhood to lovers, and then to something more.
Another real treat was visiting with Jenny and Mick and getting a glimpse into their married life. They have come so very far together, and their future is looking brighter and brighter.
The bottom line: Holly Lane is a Christmas story, it’s true, but this much love, this much happiness, hope and passion should be celebrated all year 'round. I’m so very glad I finally took this off the shelf and spent this Valentine's Day surrounded in the magic of Christmas in Destiny, Ohio.
November 18, 2011
What happened to Sue Ann here? I remember that I loved her in book #1. I even went to TB's FB wall and begged her to write Sue Ann's story. I loved her that much.
But imagine my disappointment with her in this book. I just didn't feel the connection between her and Adam that first time in the cabin. I would expect a bit of a wooing (or get-to-know-you-better) done first before she jumped him. Shouldn't she feel somewhat awkward or inappropriate about lusting after her ex-husband's best friend? He was her daughter's god father, for crying out loud. And that night was all about lust and lust alone! A heroine in heat does not make an attractive picture.
I just flipped and skimmed through after the first 40%. Jenny and Mick's predicament was the only interesting part of the whole book. I didn't enjoy this book much. Pity, how I was anticipating Sue Ann's story all this while. :(
But imagine my disappointment with her in this book. I just didn't feel the connection between her and Adam that first time in the cabin. I would expect a bit of a wooing (or get-to-know-you-better) done first before she jumped him. Shouldn't she feel somewhat awkward or inappropriate about lusting after her ex-husband's best friend? He was her daughter's god father, for crying out loud. And that night was all about lust and lust alone! A heroine in heat does not make an attractive picture.
I just flipped and skimmed through after the first 40%. Jenny and Mick's predicament was the only interesting part of the whole book. I didn't enjoy this book much. Pity, how I was anticipating Sue Ann's story all this while. :(
November 1, 2011
Wonderful! I just could not put it down. When I read the prologue I felt my heart crack for Sue Ann, and I wondered how she could come back from this devastating beginning, or for her, the end of the life she had known. Adam Becker, that’s how. Sweet, charming, good guy Adam Becker, only he’s had a bit of a personality change, and not in a good way, except when it comes to Sue Ann. I thought she might annoy me, but I felt her strength, and understood her need to set things right in her life before she could trust and love someone else. Adam is that guy, and what ensues is a romantic, passionate, magical, heartwarming, story about a second chance at love. It was like Miracle on 34th street, except this was Holly Lane in Destiny Ohio, so cliché, but it worked.
An added bonus was the side story with Mick and Jenny, my favorite characters from this series, although Adam and Sue Ann have them on the run!
I look forward to returning to Destiny and wonder who, and what Toni Blake has in store for us next. Logan and Amy?! Whoever, whatever, I can’t wait to come back to Destiny!
Thanks Kathleen for introducing me, not only to this series, but to Toni Blake and her alter ego, Lacey Alexander. It’s all been good!
An added bonus was the side story with Mick and Jenny, my favorite characters from this series, although Adam and Sue Ann have them on the run!
I look forward to returning to Destiny and wonder who, and what Toni Blake has in store for us next. Logan and Amy?! Whoever, whatever, I can’t wait to come back to Destiny!
Thanks Kathleen for introducing me, not only to this series, but to Toni Blake and her alter ego, Lacey Alexander. It’s all been good!
October 2, 2011
As a huge fan on Toni Blakes Destiny series, I was a bit surprised as to whom this story was centered. After all, Sue Ann Simpkins seemed to have a perfectly happy marriage with Jeff. But perhaps of the standard of perfection put on these high school sweethearts, Jeff does an about face and divorces Sue Ann and quickly marries another woman, and to add a bit of insult, the new woman isn't even younger or prettier...she is just average so Sue Ann knows that it is true love. Sue Ann is blindsided by all of this and decides to take a weekend away at a small cabin to help clear her mind and get ready for the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holiday season. She knows she needs to make sure her daughter, Sophie, has a wonderful Christmas.
Adam Becker is in a bit of a Scroogish mood. His twin boys are spending a month away at a ski resort with his ex and he is naturally quite bummed out. He heads to a cabin in the mountains that he rents every year on the same weekend and is faced with an unpleasant surprise. His best friends (up to Jeffs divorce) ex-wife is there, Sue Ann. There was a bit of confusion during registration and it has started to snow quite heavily and there are no other cabins available so the two agree to share the bunks. But even though Adam and Sue Ann have know each other for most of their lives, they both see each other in a new light and this leads to one verrry steamy night in the cabin! Phew! But just as Sue Ann is letting down her guard a tiny bit, Adam reveals one of the reasons behind his divorce and her walls go right back up. Oh, but that magical snow that always seemed to be falling helps keep Adam and Sue Ann in contact (physically and emotionally) with each other and Adam deepens his relationship with Sophie, who is his goddaughter, but the drama with Jeff and his requests to stop spousal support and his calling Adam as a character witness keep these two battling wills. But will the holiday season filled with reindeer and snow and a special kitty help Sue Ann let down her guard to trust her heart to another?
Toni Blake has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary authors and I love her Destiny series and Holly Lane is the perfect holiday companion to an already fabulous series. She took a topic seen all too often in todays world and showed how true love can blossom from a very unexpected turn of events. I felt that Sue Anns feelings and her wall she had built up around herself was very true to how any woman would feel in the same circumstances and her love of her daughter and desire to do what was right for Sophie was spot on. When Adam (as Santa) tells Sophie he will try to bring a real reindeer for her, Sue Ann is quite upset and even though it was the best thing to say at the time, Sue Ann is heartbroken at the thought of disappointing her daughter on Christmas morning. And even though I saw the happy result coming, I still had happy tears in my eyes. Actually, I sniffled quite a bit throughout this book. Toni Blake has a knack for writing emotional, sexy stories that will pull your heart strings and leave a big happy smile on your face and I know I can not wait for more. (Amy, I'm talking about you!) And fans on this series will be happy to know that Mick and Jenny have a wonderful, emotional side story that I thought played out perfectly! Overall, this is a perfect Christmas story, based loosely on A Christmas Carol, that will truly put you in the mood for the upcoming holidays! 5 stars
I received this book from the publisher via netgalley.com
Adam Becker is in a bit of a Scroogish mood. His twin boys are spending a month away at a ski resort with his ex and he is naturally quite bummed out. He heads to a cabin in the mountains that he rents every year on the same weekend and is faced with an unpleasant surprise. His best friends (up to Jeffs divorce) ex-wife is there, Sue Ann. There was a bit of confusion during registration and it has started to snow quite heavily and there are no other cabins available so the two agree to share the bunks. But even though Adam and Sue Ann have know each other for most of their lives, they both see each other in a new light and this leads to one verrry steamy night in the cabin! Phew! But just as Sue Ann is letting down her guard a tiny bit, Adam reveals one of the reasons behind his divorce and her walls go right back up. Oh, but that magical snow that always seemed to be falling helps keep Adam and Sue Ann in contact (physically and emotionally) with each other and Adam deepens his relationship with Sophie, who is his goddaughter, but the drama with Jeff and his requests to stop spousal support and his calling Adam as a character witness keep these two battling wills. But will the holiday season filled with reindeer and snow and a special kitty help Sue Ann let down her guard to trust her heart to another?
Toni Blake has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary authors and I love her Destiny series and Holly Lane is the perfect holiday companion to an already fabulous series. She took a topic seen all too often in todays world and showed how true love can blossom from a very unexpected turn of events. I felt that Sue Anns feelings and her wall she had built up around herself was very true to how any woman would feel in the same circumstances and her love of her daughter and desire to do what was right for Sophie was spot on. When Adam (as Santa) tells Sophie he will try to bring a real reindeer for her, Sue Ann is quite upset and even though it was the best thing to say at the time, Sue Ann is heartbroken at the thought of disappointing her daughter on Christmas morning. And even though I saw the happy result coming, I still had happy tears in my eyes. Actually, I sniffled quite a bit throughout this book. Toni Blake has a knack for writing emotional, sexy stories that will pull your heart strings and leave a big happy smile on your face and I know I can not wait for more. (Amy, I'm talking about you!) And fans on this series will be happy to know that Mick and Jenny have a wonderful, emotional side story that I thought played out perfectly! Overall, this is a perfect Christmas story, based loosely on A Christmas Carol, that will truly put you in the mood for the upcoming holidays! 5 stars
I received this book from the publisher via netgalley.com
December 1, 2011
I had heard so much about this book that I didn't think I would enjoy it but I still did maybe because I kept the bar so low.
I understood Sue Ann, even if she was like a pendulum swinging from here to there, within a period of six months her whole life had unravelled, her perfect husband left her for another woman and didn't have the decency to respect her and her kid's feeling and instead paraded her around. Sue Ann was trying to keep her daughter happy, get back to work while keeping it all together, so it was tough and her not having faith in herself enough to start a relationship with Adam, a man she had known all her life was understandable, so was her dill-dallying keeping in mind what she had been through, was it hurtful? Yes, it was but you can't hurry recovery.
When Adam and Sue Ann get snowed in, things get hot and heavy between them which is weird, Adam had been her ex's best-friend for years, with nothing between him and Sue Ann. We also see Adam trying to deal with his scrooge attitude, missing his boys and accepting the failure of his marriage.
All in all I enjoyed the book.
I understood Sue Ann, even if she was like a pendulum swinging from here to there, within a period of six months her whole life had unravelled, her perfect husband left her for another woman and didn't have the decency to respect her and her kid's feeling and instead paraded her around. Sue Ann was trying to keep her daughter happy, get back to work while keeping it all together, so it was tough and her not having faith in herself enough to start a relationship with Adam, a man she had known all her life was understandable, so was her dill-dallying keeping in mind what she had been through, was it hurtful? Yes, it was but you can't hurry recovery.
When Adam and Sue Ann get snowed in, things get hot and heavy between them which is weird, Adam had been her ex's best-friend for years, with nothing between him and Sue Ann. We also see Adam trying to deal with his scrooge attitude, missing his boys and accepting the failure of his marriage.
All in all I enjoyed the book.
January 2, 2012
A sweet, warm holiday romance.
Adam Becker is divine. Having grown up in the town of Destiny, he is known for his kindness and always there to lend a helping hand. A people's person for sure. He is such a sweetie and I really liked him. Divorced with twin sons that are away for the month, he is feeling down and not looking forward to a Christmas without his children. Already having a cabin booked at Bear Lake, he decides to continue their annual tradition and stay there himself.
Sue Ann is still realing from the betrayal of her ex and their divorce. One of her biggest concerns is for her seven year old daughter and how she will cope this first Christmas without her father at home. Sue Ann is determined to make this Christmas special but is definitely not in the holiday mood. Thinking that a weekend getaway will help her relax and maybe gather more courage, she books a cabin at Bear Lake.
Throw in an unexpected snow storm, one cabin overbooked and these two long time friends find themselves sharing a night...and what a night!
But as a new day dawns, reality sinks in. After all, Adam is her ex's best friend and Sue Ann is dealing with major trust issues! Is there any hope that these two can have a second chance at love?
This is a sweet, warm romance full of small town charm, holiday magic, hot, steamy lovin' and two people who have been hurt by love and their journey on letting go and having faith to love again.
I enjoyed revisiting old friends and catching up with their news. Mich & Jenny Brody have a situation that caused me concern and I was very glad to see it resolved.
Adam Becker is divine. Having grown up in the town of Destiny, he is known for his kindness and always there to lend a helping hand. A people's person for sure. He is such a sweetie and I really liked him. Divorced with twin sons that are away for the month, he is feeling down and not looking forward to a Christmas without his children. Already having a cabin booked at Bear Lake, he decides to continue their annual tradition and stay there himself.
Sue Ann is still realing from the betrayal of her ex and their divorce. One of her biggest concerns is for her seven year old daughter and how she will cope this first Christmas without her father at home. Sue Ann is determined to make this Christmas special but is definitely not in the holiday mood. Thinking that a weekend getaway will help her relax and maybe gather more courage, she books a cabin at Bear Lake.
Throw in an unexpected snow storm, one cabin overbooked and these two long time friends find themselves sharing a night...and what a night!
But as a new day dawns, reality sinks in. After all, Adam is her ex's best friend and Sue Ann is dealing with major trust issues! Is there any hope that these two can have a second chance at love?
This is a sweet, warm romance full of small town charm, holiday magic, hot, steamy lovin' and two people who have been hurt by love and their journey on letting go and having faith to love again.
I enjoyed revisiting old friends and catching up with their news. Mich & Jenny Brody have a situation that caused me concern and I was very glad to see it resolved.
October 25, 2011
Another fabulous installment in Toni Blake's Destiny series. Loved all the allusions to A CHRISTMAS CAROL and loved that Adam turned out to be as great a guy as he's seemed all along. I was shocked when I learned who his heroine was. Sue Ann and Jeff seemed so happy together, but one of the lessons of this story is that things aren't always what they seem. Who knew Jeff would turn into such an asshat? Not me. Fortunately, Adam is just perfect for our Sue Ann, and I loved the circumstances that brought them together. I love me some "snowed in and trapped in a cabin" stories! And there were lots of opportunities for "reindeer games" as Adam called them, as well as some really heartfelt emotional exchanges between them. Sue Ann was a little bit hard on Adam, I thought, but I got why she was gun-shy about getting into another relationship. I'm just glad she wised up in time for them to have a fabulous HEA! If you're looking for a sexy, fun, heartwarming read to put you in the mood for the holidays, look no further than HOLLY LANE. It's the perfect way to ring in the season.
January 3, 2012
3 1/2 stars. A very sweet and cozy read about 2 wonderful characters who have known each other forever. They are both divorced now, Sue Ann just recently, and they never looked at each other before with potential for romance. It wasn't really highly exciting, but very well written and warming to the heart. I also thought it was very realistic in the way both Adam and Sue Ann shared custody, as well as, ran into there exes in their small town. Most of the time the bad spouse is out of the picture in romance books. Both characters appeared in previous books, I vaguely remember them, my memory isn't as good as it used to be. Adam was just a sweetheart, he was so good to Sue Ann. Sue Ann's ex, Jeff, was a major butthead and even though there was a little confrontation in the end I would have loved to see both Sue Ann and Adam stick it to him much worse... I am a vindictive person, what can I say.
December 12, 2019
Çeviri yüzünden 3 🙄
December 18, 2012
Posted on Under the Covers
All I want for Christmas is Adam Becker!!!!
I’ve always been a fan of Toni Blake but I think she really stepped up in this story. HOLLY LANE is Sue Ann’s story and for readers who have followed the Destiny series, they may be in for a little shock when they realize that the hero is not Sue Ann’s husband, Jeff but actually his best friend, Adam!
In the previous books of the series, Sue Ann had the perfect life. She has a great husband, the perfect little daughter named Sophie, a beautiful home and a great job that she enjoyed. But then suddenly, Sue Ann’s life is turned upside down when she learns that Jeff has fallen in love with another woman and wants to leave her. The divorce is swift and Jeff’s decision to marry his new girl, Ronni is even swifter, causing Sue Ann to lose her balance for awhile.
In an attempt to calm down and brood a little (as she is entitled to do), Sue Ann decides to rent out a cabin for herself during Thanksgiving weekend to just relax. Unfortunately –or fortunately, depending on how you see it, fate has other plans for her. In comes the grumpy Adam Becker who usually rents this cabin out at this time, but by some miraculous mix up, Sue Ann ends up in his cabin and the only way to keep warm through the blazing winter storm is to have smokin’, balls-to-the-wall, burn-my-fingertips-hot sex!
“Then he was situating her hips, pushing her down onto him, and making her cry out at the intense delight of being so forcefully filled.”
That is just a tease of why I love Adam Becker so much! The first sex scene is one of the sexiest I’ve read in awhile and I think it’s because Blake nicely displayed Sue Ann’s hesitation, her curiosity and her excitement, together making it about letting loose and forgetting about what wrong has been done to her recently. I rejoiced as this happened because what Sue Ann endures is tragic and has the potential for her to become bitter.
As I was reading this book, someone asked me how I felt about Sue Ann. Did I think she held back for too long, not trusting Adam fully with her heart? For a second there, I thought she did. After the stunt Adam pulled on Christmas morning, I really thought Sue Ann would see just how amazing Adam is, but when she didn’t, I got scared. But that was promptly swept away when Jeff barges into Destiny again with Ronni, showcasing just how fragile and hurtful this experience is. HOLLY LANE spans approximately a month and there is no way Sue Ann could go from missing the presence of her ex-husband to suddenly loving his best friend so quickly and in a way that was believable. I think Blake did a great job of showing readers the up-and-down journey of experiencing betrayal and learning to trust once again, because it’s not so easy in real life, why would it be so simple in a fictional novel? I admire the effort Blake put into this novel not just to make this a sweet and fun holiday-themed novel, but one that has substance and a whole lot of heart too. I adored HOLLY LANE to bits so much so that I believe it is my new favorite holiday read ever.
P.S. We also get updates on Jenny and Mick in this book! Some parts broke my heart but I still loved it!
All I want for Christmas is Adam Becker!!!!
I’ve always been a fan of Toni Blake but I think she really stepped up in this story. HOLLY LANE is Sue Ann’s story and for readers who have followed the Destiny series, they may be in for a little shock when they realize that the hero is not Sue Ann’s husband, Jeff but actually his best friend, Adam!
In the previous books of the series, Sue Ann had the perfect life. She has a great husband, the perfect little daughter named Sophie, a beautiful home and a great job that she enjoyed. But then suddenly, Sue Ann’s life is turned upside down when she learns that Jeff has fallen in love with another woman and wants to leave her. The divorce is swift and Jeff’s decision to marry his new girl, Ronni is even swifter, causing Sue Ann to lose her balance for awhile.
In an attempt to calm down and brood a little (as she is entitled to do), Sue Ann decides to rent out a cabin for herself during Thanksgiving weekend to just relax. Unfortunately –or fortunately, depending on how you see it, fate has other plans for her. In comes the grumpy Adam Becker who usually rents this cabin out at this time, but by some miraculous mix up, Sue Ann ends up in his cabin and the only way to keep warm through the blazing winter storm is to have smokin’, balls-to-the-wall, burn-my-fingertips-hot sex!
“Then he was situating her hips, pushing her down onto him, and making her cry out at the intense delight of being so forcefully filled.”
That is just a tease of why I love Adam Becker so much! The first sex scene is one of the sexiest I’ve read in awhile and I think it’s because Blake nicely displayed Sue Ann’s hesitation, her curiosity and her excitement, together making it about letting loose and forgetting about what wrong has been done to her recently. I rejoiced as this happened because what Sue Ann endures is tragic and has the potential for her to become bitter.
As I was reading this book, someone asked me how I felt about Sue Ann. Did I think she held back for too long, not trusting Adam fully with her heart? For a second there, I thought she did. After the stunt Adam pulled on Christmas morning, I really thought Sue Ann would see just how amazing Adam is, but when she didn’t, I got scared. But that was promptly swept away when Jeff barges into Destiny again with Ronni, showcasing just how fragile and hurtful this experience is. HOLLY LANE spans approximately a month and there is no way Sue Ann could go from missing the presence of her ex-husband to suddenly loving his best friend so quickly and in a way that was believable. I think Blake did a great job of showing readers the up-and-down journey of experiencing betrayal and learning to trust once again, because it’s not so easy in real life, why would it be so simple in a fictional novel? I admire the effort Blake put into this novel not just to make this a sweet and fun holiday-themed novel, but one that has substance and a whole lot of heart too. I adored HOLLY LANE to bits so much so that I believe it is my new favorite holiday read ever.
P.S. We also get updates on Jenny and Mick in this book! Some parts broke my heart but I still loved it!
November 13, 2014
DNF
Ok i'm sorry but I can't do this anymore.
It is extremely rare for me not to finish a book, and I always feel really guilty afterwards. I mean, maybe it wouldn't be that bad. Maybe,just maybe,characters would change,things would happen, it could end with a bang !
But I dont seem to be able to even open the pdf once again to continue it from when I left it.
All my reviews are about personal enjoyment. And for me, this book was not the one.
For once, it starts right off with one of the things I hate reading about the most. A divorce. Then, it introduces another thing I really don't like to read about. Kids from previous marriages. This situation is not only for the getting-a-divorce woman but also for the I-already-went-through-a-divorce new love interest.
Her whinning got on my nerves. I understand her situation and she has a reason to be feeling sorry for herself but honestly, I dont care. And I dont care if that makes me a terrible person either because we all have enough whinning in real life already >.<
Maybe it was all because I was already not liking the story, but I managed to not like the sex scenes either. I had just read ''Tangled'' by Emma Chase, and I was used to that kind of writting instead.
So that's about it. I was looking for a snowy fireplace kind of read and this totally has the scenary I was looking for. Just not the cuteness of a first meeting and the magic in the air.
If you, by any chance, have that kind of book to recommend me, please do ! I'm incredibilly eager for a decent snowy read !
Ok i'm sorry but I can't do this anymore.
It is extremely rare for me not to finish a book, and I always feel really guilty afterwards. I mean, maybe it wouldn't be that bad. Maybe,just maybe,characters would change,things would happen, it could end with a bang !
But I dont seem to be able to even open the pdf once again to continue it from when I left it.
All my reviews are about personal enjoyment. And for me, this book was not the one.
For once, it starts right off with one of the things I hate reading about the most. A divorce. Then, it introduces another thing I really don't like to read about. Kids from previous marriages. This situation is not only for the getting-a-divorce woman but also for the I-already-went-through-a-divorce new love interest.
Her whinning got on my nerves. I understand her situation and she has a reason to be feeling sorry for herself but honestly, I dont care. And I dont care if that makes me a terrible person either because we all have enough whinning in real life already >.<
Maybe it was all because I was already not liking the story, but I managed to not like the sex scenes either. I had just read ''Tangled'' by Emma Chase, and I was used to that kind of writting instead.
So that's about it. I was looking for a snowy fireplace kind of read and this totally has the scenary I was looking for. Just not the cuteness of a first meeting and the magic in the air.
If you, by any chance, have that kind of book to recommend me, please do ! I'm incredibilly eager for a decent snowy read !
February 16, 2015
4.5 stars
A christmas romance to warm the soul. Sweet and tender, and despite this being a premise I don't generally like (heroine falling for her ex's best-friend), it worked here, probably because Adam was so lovable:) I know some readers had issues with Sue Ann's cold behavior at times, but being a practical person myself, I can't give her fault for taking the practical aspects of their liaison into consideration and resisting her heart's desire for so long; I too happen to believe that especially when there are kids in the mix, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Another great, feel-good story from Toni Blake.
A christmas romance to warm the soul. Sweet and tender, and despite this being a premise I don't generally like (heroine falling for her ex's best-friend), it worked here, probably because Adam was so lovable:) I know some readers had issues with Sue Ann's cold behavior at times, but being a practical person myself, I can't give her fault for taking the practical aspects of their liaison into consideration and resisting her heart's desire for so long; I too happen to believe that especially when there are kids in the mix, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Another great, feel-good story from Toni Blake.
July 30, 2011
4.75 out of 5. Another wonderful Toni Blake novel that is coming out for this year's holiday season and which brings Christmas into the experience of two families and a community, and which is really built on Dicken's Christmas Carol -- loosely. Two people, one newly divorced and still reeling from her husband's declaration, just before Thanksgiving, that he has fallen in love with someone else and he is divorcing her, and the best friend of her ex, divorced for a few years, with two sons, both of whom rent a vacation cabin for the Thanksgiving weekend--the same cabin. They have grown up together and yet, for the first time in their adult lives, they recognize a sexual attraction, both sort of emotionally "side swiped" by this development, yet give into the attraction. The "morning after" was very awkward and their relationship is very wobbly for several days afterward. But as they both come to grips with this new development and as the heroine continues to work through the post-divorce trauma, the story of their Christmas experiences makes very compelling reading. I like Toni Blake's novels a lot--have read and reviewed a couple of them previously--and found that she is one terrific story teller and an author that keeps the narrative moving, the characters clear and crisp and well-defined, and I think uses her stories to touch on real life. This is a journey of discovery for both the main characters, for the heroine's daughter, and even for some of their friends as the community experiences one another, the holiday season with all its joys and pressures, and finding ways to move on with their lives. I have seldom enjoyed a holiday read more. Don't miss this one!
December 28, 2013
This book was an "okay" read for me. I've not read anything from the series and perhaps jumping in with this book was not the way to start.
I could not like Sue Ann, I felt that all she did was find road blocks to almost everything and then complain about them. Her own personal ethics confused me. She says to Adam "we're forgetting this ever happened and not telling anyone" somehow translates to telling her best friend almost immediately. Sue Ann also compares her ex-husbands cheating to that of Adams (a road block) for no logical reason.
Essentially, I thought Adam could do better. He is a gorgeous guy who is devoted to her and her daughter and goes above and beyond to prove this to her and yet all Sue Ann does is find fault and give objections. I understand that Sue Ann has only ever been involved with her ex-husband and is hesitant to get involved again, but her objections are facile. Most women would be worried about the impact on her daughter but this barely rates a mention. Most would be worried about the idea of being with someone new but this doesn't come up either. Her main objection was that beginning a new relationship with a lovely man would make her the talk of the town (again after the divorce did).
So I didn't warm to Sue Ann. Given that I don't think I'll be reading any further about the town of Destiny.
I could not like Sue Ann, I felt that all she did was find road blocks to almost everything and then complain about them. Her own personal ethics confused me. She says to Adam "we're forgetting this ever happened and not telling anyone" somehow translates to telling her best friend almost immediately. Sue Ann also compares her ex-husbands cheating to that of Adams (a road block) for no logical reason.
Essentially, I thought Adam could do better. He is a gorgeous guy who is devoted to her and her daughter and goes above and beyond to prove this to her and yet all Sue Ann does is find fault and give objections. I understand that Sue Ann has only ever been involved with her ex-husband and is hesitant to get involved again, but her objections are facile. Most women would be worried about the impact on her daughter but this barely rates a mention. Most would be worried about the idea of being with someone new but this doesn't come up either. Her main objection was that beginning a new relationship with a lovely man would make her the talk of the town (again after the divorce did).
So I didn't warm to Sue Ann. Given that I don't think I'll be reading any further about the town of Destiny.
November 5, 2011
This is a low rating for Toni Blake's recent work. The story is OK. It's a nice holiday themed story. I felt, however, that the personal problems that the characters were each trying to overcome were very flat and didn't grow or develop in an interesting way. Sue Ann dealt with Trust issues and finding her sense of self, Adam dealt with attitude issues and finding his public self.
The pair is an unexpected pairing but they work. It's a shame that the conflicts became stale and old midway through the book.
We do get to see all of the Destiny characters of the past and some of future books (Amy) but there is a subplot involving Jenny and Mick which I really enjoyed. The ending was guess-about but that's not the point.
It was nice to go back to Destiny but I didn't find that this visit packed the same punch as some of the other visits (particularly visit #1 and 2).
The pair is an unexpected pairing but they work. It's a shame that the conflicts became stale and old midway through the book.
We do get to see all of the Destiny characters of the past and some of future books (Amy) but there is a subplot involving Jenny and Mick which I really enjoyed. The ending was guess-about but that's not the point.
It was nice to go back to Destiny but I didn't find that this visit packed the same punch as some of the other visits (particularly visit #1 and 2).
December 10, 2012
Very sweet Christmas story about 2 divorced people hooking up. I must say, I'm a sucker for stories where the H/h get trapped in a snow bound cabin, a little girl with her heart set on getting a real raindeer for Christmas and a man that goes out of his way to make it happen!
September 24, 2011
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
Starting over is not as easy as people think, especially when you need to start over in the same town that your ex husband is living with his new wife.
Sue Ann is a Destiny child, born and raised in Destiny and then raising her daughter in the small town she loves.
But her husband decided the upset her perfect world by admitting that he no longer loves her and does love someone else. His betrayal is more than she can take. So a couple of days in the mountains, away from everyone is just what the doctor orders until the resort overbooks the cabin she is staying and in walks a man. But not just any man, her ex-husband's best friend, Adam Becker.
Throw in a snowstorm, lock her up in a romantic cabin with Adam, mix in a couple of drinks and uh oh, Adam is not only looking very sexy but then the kissing begins and then clothes start flying. But this is the Adam that is a steady part of her life, the godfather to her daughter, the voice of reason for her scattered life. Sue Ann is not of the trusting nature about men right now and Adam may be right guy but at the wrong time. His caring, trust and love overwhelm her but at the same time she desires him more than ever.
A phone call from her exhusband puts Adam in a no win situation but his feelings for Sue Ann complicate his relationship with his lifelong friend.
Sue Ann is a hardened woman who is out to protect her heart and her daughter but Adam is the perfect man who loves with his whole being. And he loves Sue Ann. Just what will it take for them to meet in the middle, make a memorable Christmas and a life together?
This is book four in the Destiny series and Toni Blake keeps it fresh and fun. Visitors from the previous books catch you up with the lives of Destiny's lovers and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the roads their lives have taken.
A good book and a good series that I highly recommend.
Starting over is not as easy as people think, especially when you need to start over in the same town that your ex husband is living with his new wife.
Sue Ann is a Destiny child, born and raised in Destiny and then raising her daughter in the small town she loves.
But her husband decided the upset her perfect world by admitting that he no longer loves her and does love someone else. His betrayal is more than she can take. So a couple of days in the mountains, away from everyone is just what the doctor orders until the resort overbooks the cabin she is staying and in walks a man. But not just any man, her ex-husband's best friend, Adam Becker.
Throw in a snowstorm, lock her up in a romantic cabin with Adam, mix in a couple of drinks and uh oh, Adam is not only looking very sexy but then the kissing begins and then clothes start flying. But this is the Adam that is a steady part of her life, the godfather to her daughter, the voice of reason for her scattered life. Sue Ann is not of the trusting nature about men right now and Adam may be right guy but at the wrong time. His caring, trust and love overwhelm her but at the same time she desires him more than ever.
A phone call from her exhusband puts Adam in a no win situation but his feelings for Sue Ann complicate his relationship with his lifelong friend.
Sue Ann is a hardened woman who is out to protect her heart and her daughter but Adam is the perfect man who loves with his whole being. And he loves Sue Ann. Just what will it take for them to meet in the middle, make a memorable Christmas and a life together?
This is book four in the Destiny series and Toni Blake keeps it fresh and fun. Visitors from the previous books catch you up with the lives of Destiny's lovers and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the roads their lives have taken.
A good book and a good series that I highly recommend.
January 2, 2012
This was a good holiday read and was a fun way for me to kick off this Christmas season.
Sue Ann and Adam have known each other for years. In fact, Sue Ann's ex-husband and Adam were best friends growing up. Sue Ann and Jeff are now divorced because of Jeff's infidelity. Sue Ann seeks escape in a weekend retreat at a cabin, and unknowingly, Adam has rented the same cabin. This quickly morphs into a "stranded during a winter storm" type of love story and how can you not love that?
As far as Christmas reads, this one's got it all. It opens on the day after Thanksgiving and takes you the reader and the characters right through Christmas. Snowball fights, christmas trees, hot chocolate, Santa wishes, ect. This book doesn't skip a beat. However, the "sad but true" fact is that I may just be growing weary of these Destiny books. The series started off so strong, but the past couple books and now this one just seem to have something "missing". This one was not a keeper for me.
I loved Adam but Sue Ann really bothered me, and I think my dislike for her character severely impacted my overall feelings for this book. I felt like she had a severe victim mentality that grew old. She struggled to trust Adam, no matter how awesome he treated her, and I wanted to shake her by the end as she continued to reject him over and over.
My favorite book of the series was the first book that featured Mick and Jenny. Thankfully this couple gets some serious page time in this book and their story redeemed some of the disappointment I felt from watching Adam and Sue Ann's on again off again roller coaster relationship.
Recommended as a Christmas read, but I think I am off the Destiny series bandwagon.
Sue Ann and Adam have known each other for years. In fact, Sue Ann's ex-husband and Adam were best friends growing up. Sue Ann and Jeff are now divorced because of Jeff's infidelity. Sue Ann seeks escape in a weekend retreat at a cabin, and unknowingly, Adam has rented the same cabin. This quickly morphs into a "stranded during a winter storm" type of love story and how can you not love that?
As far as Christmas reads, this one's got it all. It opens on the day after Thanksgiving and takes you the reader and the characters right through Christmas. Snowball fights, christmas trees, hot chocolate, Santa wishes, ect. This book doesn't skip a beat. However, the "sad but true" fact is that I may just be growing weary of these Destiny books. The series started off so strong, but the past couple books and now this one just seem to have something "missing". This one was not a keeper for me.
I loved Adam but Sue Ann really bothered me, and I think my dislike for her character severely impacted my overall feelings for this book. I felt like she had a severe victim mentality that grew old. She struggled to trust Adam, no matter how awesome he treated her, and I wanted to shake her by the end as she continued to reject him over and over.
My favorite book of the series was the first book that featured Mick and Jenny. Thankfully this couple gets some serious page time in this book and their story redeemed some of the disappointment I felt from watching Adam and Sue Ann's on again off again roller coaster relationship.
Recommended as a Christmas read, but I think I am off the Destiny series bandwagon.
December 8, 2011
3 stars = I liked it.
Unlike the rest of the Destiny series by Toni Blake, Holly Lane feels more like chick-lit with hot sex. ;-) The prologue and first chapter are depressing, with Sue Ann finding out her supposedly loving husband is in love with someone else. As someone who went through a divorce with a cheating spouse when I was younger, and who has a family member going through divorce right now, the emotions in the book felt real, too real perhaps. (Kudos to Blake for not lessening the impact of emotional adultery. Just because no sex has happened doesn't mean a spouse isn't cheating.)
What makes the book feel like chick-lit is the emphasis on the emotional impact of the divorce and the interactions of the group of female friends. While I felt Adam's connection to Sue Ann, I didn't feel her connection to him as much. Her relationships with her friends felt more real.
While I generally don't care for books where kids play a significant role, Sophie, Sue Ann's daughter, was a believable 8 yr old. The secondary story involving her Christmas wish was a bit too corny for my tastes, but her character was well done.
There was another secondary story involving Jenny and Mick that was resolved a little too quickly. If Blake is planning more Destiny novels, she could have kept that sub-plot going for a while and made it more believable.
Lastly, a nick-pick brought on by my animal-loving tendencies: at one point a horse and sleigh were left out on a snowy, cold night for a while. It bugged me that there was no mention of making the horse comfortable, or throwing a blanket over her to keep her from getting chilled.
Unlike the rest of the Destiny series by Toni Blake, Holly Lane feels more like chick-lit with hot sex. ;-) The prologue and first chapter are depressing, with Sue Ann finding out her supposedly loving husband is in love with someone else. As someone who went through a divorce with a cheating spouse when I was younger, and who has a family member going through divorce right now, the emotions in the book felt real, too real perhaps. (Kudos to Blake for not lessening the impact of emotional adultery. Just because no sex has happened doesn't mean a spouse isn't cheating.)
What makes the book feel like chick-lit is the emphasis on the emotional impact of the divorce and the interactions of the group of female friends. While I felt Adam's connection to Sue Ann, I didn't feel her connection to him as much. Her relationships with her friends felt more real.
While I generally don't care for books where kids play a significant role, Sophie, Sue Ann's daughter, was a believable 8 yr old. The secondary story involving her Christmas wish was a bit too corny for my tastes, but her character was well done.
There was another secondary story involving Jenny and Mick that was resolved a little too quickly. If Blake is planning more Destiny novels, she could have kept that sub-plot going for a while and made it more believable.
Lastly, a nick-pick brought on by my animal-loving tendencies: at one point a horse and sleigh were left out on a snowy, cold night for a while. It bugged me that there was no mention of making the horse comfortable, or throwing a blanket over her to keep her from getting chilled.
November 5, 2011
I loved this book!! Another great "Destiny Novel" anxious to see where Toni Blake takes us next........Amy & Logan??? But you never know....Sue Anne & Adam, I did not see that coming!! But it worked out beautifully and I loved every minute of it.
January 21, 2012
This is probably better than 3 stars, but Toni Blake is one of my favorite authors, and so my expectations are higher than for other authors. This was an okay read. It just didn't stand out for me. Unlike a number of her other books, I don't see me re-reading this.
November 23, 2011
I really enjoyed Sue Ann & Adam. They were really cute. Couldn't stand Jeff, what a terrible guy. I look forward to Amy's store now!!
July 20, 2025
There were things I liked about this book but it felt a bit manipulative. If you open this book you are going for the ride on the romance train. I liked the small town, the snow, the holiday, the hope of new romance and a real reindeer on Christmas morning to make a child happy.
March 15, 2016
I am so mad that this book that I didn't even read is going to count on my reading list. I'm making a mental note to steer clear of this author because of the run-down plot and terrible decisions. The first page was so freaking heavy. As soon as I read that she was a mother to someone, I stopped reading immediately. I can't stand books where the hero or heroine have kids from a past marriage. I literally can't tolerate it. And I love how the synopsis on the back made no mention to the fact that Sue Ann or Mary Sue or whatever her name is had a kid. Don't you think that's something you should mention to readers? Whose idea was it to cover all of this crap up? And I also love how it's worded: "her ex's best friend." Um, no. When you divorce someone, they're called your ex-husband. Not your ex. That implies it was a casual relationship, that they didn't even get engaged but were mere boyfriend and girlfriend. I'm dumbfounded as to this huge cover-up. If I would have known she had a kid, a marriage, and a cheating husband I never would've took this home from the library.
Then I'm thinking did she have a kid with someone she wasn't married to? So I read on and skimmed a couple pages, enough to see she has a husband who cheated on her. That's when I put it down for a second time and it remained down. So not the book I thought I was getting to. And such a shame too, because it quoted A Christmas Carol and I love that movie. But after reading other reviews in which she sleeps with her ex-husband's friend, who's "admired her since elementary school," way too soon, and that he has also been married and cheated on his wife I knew I had to review this so I wouldn't stumble on it again, and to know why I put it down in the first place. Why would she get with someone that committed the same sin she divorced her husband over? Who would want to get with a cheater, an adulterer who cheated on his wife? That's the vilest thing you could do to your spouse. Gosh, this makes me sick.
Why does everyone write about people getting divorced and cheated on with kids and baggage and getting with cheaters and all this crap? That makes for really sucky reading. Why would I want to pick up a book that's worse than real life? I have enough problems without reading about somebody else's, even if it's fictional.
The holidays are for lighthearted romance, not heavy crap like finding out there's another woman and your husband has been cheating. First page is a bunch of whining about her being a mother and she should drive more carefully as she's on the way to a friend's house, and she's stammering about her husband and it was more like a heavy drama than a Christmas novel. What a terrible way to start off a book. And it sounded so cute because he'd always liked her.
Then I'm thinking did she have a kid with someone she wasn't married to? So I read on and skimmed a couple pages, enough to see she has a husband who cheated on her. That's when I put it down for a second time and it remained down. So not the book I thought I was getting to. And such a shame too, because it quoted A Christmas Carol and I love that movie. But after reading other reviews in which she sleeps with her ex-husband's friend, who's "admired her since elementary school," way too soon, and that he has also been married and cheated on his wife I knew I had to review this so I wouldn't stumble on it again, and to know why I put it down in the first place. Why would she get with someone that committed the same sin she divorced her husband over? Who would want to get with a cheater, an adulterer who cheated on his wife? That's the vilest thing you could do to your spouse. Gosh, this makes me sick.
Why does everyone write about people getting divorced and cheated on with kids and baggage and getting with cheaters and all this crap? That makes for really sucky reading. Why would I want to pick up a book that's worse than real life? I have enough problems without reading about somebody else's, even if it's fictional.
The holidays are for lighthearted romance, not heavy crap like finding out there's another woman and your husband has been cheating. First page is a bunch of whining about her being a mother and she should drive more carefully as she's on the way to a friend's house, and she's stammering about her husband and it was more like a heavy drama than a Christmas novel. What a terrible way to start off a book. And it sounded so cute because he'd always liked her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2011
Well, I wasn't sure I was going to read this one when I first heard the synopsis. We first met Sue Ann back in One Reckless Summer as Jenny's best friend. She's happily married to her childhood sweetheart, has a beautiful daughter and everything in the garden is rosy. So, when I was pretty sad when I learned that her marriage was about to disintegrate to allow her to become the heroine of the next Destiny novel and that her hero would be Adam Becker, her ex-husband's best friend and best man at their wedding.
So this is how we begin - Jeff tells Sue Ann that he has fallen in love with another woman and he is going to leave her. He's not even technically done the dirty on her either - it's the ultimate betrayal. He's fallen out of love with her and in love with someone else. Humbug, indeed!
So we jump forward 6 months to just after Thanksgiving and are given a Destiny version of Dickens' Christmas Carol with Adam taking on the Scrooge role and his 3 'ghosts' being 3 dreams in which he remembers himself at High School with Sue Ann, sees himself unliked in the current day and, ultimately, as a lonely, ornery old man. It was fun but a bit harsh - Adam has been well liked his whole life and only been grumpy for a month.
So we start with Sue Ann and Adam being double-booked for the same cabin and getting snowed in and thrown together and they fall into bed very very fast and I still wasn't convinced. It felt uncomfortable and contrived but as the plot developed and Adam helped Sue Ann put up her Christmas lights and decorate her tree, damn if I didn't start to get the warm and fuzzies and start to believe in them!
Their path to happiness is of course littered with potholes and sometimes I wanted to bash Sue Ann around the head for all her reservations and stubbornness. Adam was wonderful - he was considerate, thoughtful, romantic, tender and pretty much perfect and once again Toni Blake managed to work her Destiny Magic on me and this turned out to be yet another 5 star novel. I should have had a little faith in the beginning, right?
We get to see all the usual characters from Destiny including Jenny and Mick (my favourite Destiny couple) who have an issue that Sue Ann's daughter Sophie ultimately helps them to resolve. And, of course, there's a cat - there's always a cat - this one appropriately named Dickens.
I read the first 3 Destiny novels lazing in the sun by the pool in Spain, I read this one curled up on my sofa on a rainy Saturday in England - it felt right!
So this is how we begin - Jeff tells Sue Ann that he has fallen in love with another woman and he is going to leave her. He's not even technically done the dirty on her either - it's the ultimate betrayal. He's fallen out of love with her and in love with someone else. Humbug, indeed!
So we jump forward 6 months to just after Thanksgiving and are given a Destiny version of Dickens' Christmas Carol with Adam taking on the Scrooge role and his 3 'ghosts' being 3 dreams in which he remembers himself at High School with Sue Ann, sees himself unliked in the current day and, ultimately, as a lonely, ornery old man. It was fun but a bit harsh - Adam has been well liked his whole life and only been grumpy for a month.
So we start with Sue Ann and Adam being double-booked for the same cabin and getting snowed in and thrown together and they fall into bed very very fast and I still wasn't convinced. It felt uncomfortable and contrived but as the plot developed and Adam helped Sue Ann put up her Christmas lights and decorate her tree, damn if I didn't start to get the warm and fuzzies and start to believe in them!
Their path to happiness is of course littered with potholes and sometimes I wanted to bash Sue Ann around the head for all her reservations and stubbornness. Adam was wonderful - he was considerate, thoughtful, romantic, tender and pretty much perfect and once again Toni Blake managed to work her Destiny Magic on me and this turned out to be yet another 5 star novel. I should have had a little faith in the beginning, right?
We get to see all the usual characters from Destiny including Jenny and Mick (my favourite Destiny couple) who have an issue that Sue Ann's daughter Sophie ultimately helps them to resolve. And, of course, there's a cat - there's always a cat - this one appropriately named Dickens.
I read the first 3 Destiny novels lazing in the sun by the pool in Spain, I read this one curled up on my sofa on a rainy Saturday in England - it felt right!
December 10, 2011
My review from Night Owl Reviews:
Sue Ann Simpkins is going through a rough time in her life. Recently divorced and spending the Thanksgiving holiday weekend alone without her daughter, she books a cabin on Bear Lake outside of Destiny. This is the perfect getaway that she needs to rebuild her life and a chance for some solitude. What she wasn’t expecting was to be visited by her ex-husband’s friend, Adam Becker, who claims that the cabin that she is inhabiting is rightfully his.
Adam is also spending the holiday weekend alone and is pleasantly surprised to see Sue Ann at the cabin he has rented for several years. Nowhere else to go because of the snowstorm outside, Sue Ann lets Adam spend the night and leave once the roads are clear in the morning. Sue Ann never realized how handsome Adam was and the close quarters ignite sparks between the two. They spend a hot and steamy night together and part ways the next day trying to pretend that nothing ever happened.
Once they get back to their real lives, they are unable to stop thinking of each other and they cross paths at the most inopportune moments. Sue Ann cares for Adam but is in the middle of a nasty divorce battle and Adam is harboring guilt from a previous relationship. Hopefully these two can find their Christmas spirit and realize that the upcoming new year could finally mean happiness and love for these two.
This was my first Toni Blake novel but I have heard great things about the “Destiny” series. Sue Ann was a typical mom that put the needs of her daughter in front of her own opportunity for happiness. She had known Adam for so long that when he presented himself in a different light as a potential suitor, she had a hard time accepting that she could find happiness with someone else. Adam also was afraid to love again because he made mistakes in his previous relationship and thought that he couldn’t be a good man for Sue Ann. Everything that he did throughout the novel proved otherwise, but he couldn’t get past his own guilt to start a new relationship.
I enjoyed the supporting cast of characters especially the storyline between Mick and Jenny wanting to have a baby of their own. Very sweet. This was a delightful novel and a welcome addition to the Destiny series. Perfect for the holidays.
Sue Ann Simpkins is going through a rough time in her life. Recently divorced and spending the Thanksgiving holiday weekend alone without her daughter, she books a cabin on Bear Lake outside of Destiny. This is the perfect getaway that she needs to rebuild her life and a chance for some solitude. What she wasn’t expecting was to be visited by her ex-husband’s friend, Adam Becker, who claims that the cabin that she is inhabiting is rightfully his.
Adam is also spending the holiday weekend alone and is pleasantly surprised to see Sue Ann at the cabin he has rented for several years. Nowhere else to go because of the snowstorm outside, Sue Ann lets Adam spend the night and leave once the roads are clear in the morning. Sue Ann never realized how handsome Adam was and the close quarters ignite sparks between the two. They spend a hot and steamy night together and part ways the next day trying to pretend that nothing ever happened.
Once they get back to their real lives, they are unable to stop thinking of each other and they cross paths at the most inopportune moments. Sue Ann cares for Adam but is in the middle of a nasty divorce battle and Adam is harboring guilt from a previous relationship. Hopefully these two can find their Christmas spirit and realize that the upcoming new year could finally mean happiness and love for these two.
This was my first Toni Blake novel but I have heard great things about the “Destiny” series. Sue Ann was a typical mom that put the needs of her daughter in front of her own opportunity for happiness. She had known Adam for so long that when he presented himself in a different light as a potential suitor, she had a hard time accepting that she could find happiness with someone else. Adam also was afraid to love again because he made mistakes in his previous relationship and thought that he couldn’t be a good man for Sue Ann. Everything that he did throughout the novel proved otherwise, but he couldn’t get past his own guilt to start a new relationship.
I enjoyed the supporting cast of characters especially the storyline between Mick and Jenny wanting to have a baby of their own. Very sweet. This was a delightful novel and a welcome addition to the Destiny series. Perfect for the holidays.
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